Chapter 41
As it approached six o'clock the sun began its nightly exit and so did the employees of the Daily Planet. In what had been a long emotionally charged afternoon, many workers were glad to be leaving and heading home to their families.
The two detectives from the Metropolis PD had wasted no time in getting down to business. Forensics teams had been sent to the park and Richard's apartment. Wire taps were placed on phones at Perry and Lois' homes and desks. An officer was stationed at Perry's home with Mrs. White. Perry, Lois, Jimmy, and Ben had been thoroughly briefed on procedures in kidnapping cases.
The lead on the case was Detective Hardy, a 12-year veteran of the Metropolis PD, known for his no-nonsense attitude. The tall muscular Hardy worked every case with a fierce tenacity. His partner, Detective Lamb, was just as hard-nosed and stubborn. Many people were surprised by the misnomer. Lamb was neither meek nor mild. Shorter than Hardy, Lamb had a buzz cut, small brown eyes and a prominent jaw. Combined with his large chest and arms he had the appearance of a bulldog, an animal that more appropriately fit his personality.
Ben and Jimmy had given their information and photos to the detectives when they arrived. In teams of two, Ben and Jimmy, and Lois and Detective Lamb, the afternoon had been spent searching the DMV databases for matches to the license plate numbers as well as the make and model of the kidnapper's car.
Detective Lamb, sitting at Lois' computer, suddenly called out, "We've got it!" He retrieved a pen from the breast pocket of his suit and copied the information into in a small green notebook.
Perry emerged from his office in time to hear Detective Hardy say, "Just as you suspected, Miss Lane, the car is registered to the Lexicon Corporation."
"Now what?" Lois asked. She was ready to drive to the Lexicon building, find Lex Luthor, and personally tear him apart.
Detective Hardy addressed the people gathered around him, Perry, Jimmy, Ben, and Lois. "Detective Lamb and I will be heading to the Lexicon Corporation now. I'm requesting additional manpower. We'll be searching all their vehicles tonight. We have Mr. Olsen's photos of the vehicle and our photos of the tire prints from the park for verification. Mr. White, Miss Lane, you have my word, we'll call you if there are any developments."
Lois reached for her coat and purse, and said, "I'm coming, too."
Detective Lamb held up a hand. "Miss Lane, you need to let us do our job. Believe me, I understand how you feel. But as we explained earlier, it's our job to keep everyone safe. We certainly don't want to have a third missing person." He gave her a little grin. "You wouldn't want me coming in here telling you how to write up a story, would you?"
Lois grimaced. He was right. She would be telling him to leave the writing to her.
Jimmy said, "I can take you home, Miss Lane and stay with you. Maybe you're hungry?"
Ben nodded in agreement, ready to help in any way he could.
Detective Hardy said, "Thanks guys, I'd appreciate it if someone did stay with Miss Lane until Sergeant Amanda Wade arrives. She'll be taking Miss Lane home and staying with her tonight. It's standard procedure when there's the possibility of a ransom call."
Lois remained silent. She knew waiting for a ransom call was a waste of time. Lex already had what he wanted. Jason. But what he was planning on doing with Jason, or to him, was a mystery.
Lois wondered if Superman knew his son was missing. His words echoed in her head, "Remember that Jason has strength, speed, and invulnerability, even to kryptonite." Lois wondered if that would be enough. After all, Jason was only a child.
# # # # # #
Vril's body continued to recuperate quickly thanks to his youth and general good health. An occasional headache and some dizziness were the only reminders of Brainiac's attack.
When Vril reported for duty he discovered the ship was in a polar orbit over Earth. Brainiac stood at the controls reviewing the latest data on Kryptonian life signs. After recalibrating the sensors and further analysis, Brainiac had finally concluded the real reason for the strange readings. It was a combination of human and Kryptonian DNA.
"He has a child, a son," Brainiac announced gleefully. "Another weakness." Brainiac knew all too well about the strong humanoid connection to one's offspring. He'd felt intense pangs of remorse when he'd attacked Vril and those were feelings he did not wish to wrestle with anymore. It was time for a new consciousness and Lex Luthor, a man devoid of human empathy, would make the perfect replacement.
Brainiac made a fist and roared, "But where is the father! Where is Superman! He hides while his son is out in the open. It does not make sense." Brainiac slammed his fist onto a console and a crack formed.
"Maybe this isn't his son?" Vril suggested. He too, couldn't understand why Superman would allow his son to be in danger.
"It is his son," growled Brainiac. "I am positive of that. Lex Luthor was too sure of his ability to draw Superman out. Lex knows of the child."
Vril surmised the son must have some of Superman's abilities, perhaps enough to protect him from Lex Luthor. He would be no match for Brainiac though.
"Pinpoint the exact location of the child," Brainiac ordered. "Now!" he added forcefully upon seeing Vril's hesitation.
A few seconds later, a reluctant Vril told Brainiac, "I have the location."
"Excellent." When Brainiac checked the coordinates, his eyes widened with understanding. "Lex Luthor has the child." Chuckling, Brainiac said, "He will contact me very soon."
As predicted, a transmission from Lex arrived a short time later and a meeting was set for that evening.
Brainiac said, "Lex can have the child. I want the man. But where is he? And where are the crystals? He must have a shield. A force field. Something. But where?"
Vril, too, wondered where Superman would hide on a planet full of people.
Brainiac stared at the blue planet floating in space, his robotic brain calculated various possibilities. It didn't take him long to arrive at an answer.
"He cares about people," Brainiac explained. "He would hide his crystals and technology away from the humans for his own security and privacy. We must concentrate our efforts on the desolate areas of the planet, areas where humans do not live and cannot easily reach."
Vril wasn't sure where those areas would be, but Brainiac instantly provided the answer, "Search the poles."
Vril entered the coordinates for the planet's poles and the sensors began scanning.
"You need a break," Brainiac told Vril. It was an order not a suggestion. "Rest now, I will need you to man the controls tonight."
Vril didn't argue, his body was weary and in need of rest. A few moments later he eased himself onto his bed. It had been a long day and from all indications it was going to be a long night. Vril closed his eyes and felt his body relax. He drifted to sleep thinking, The scans didn't find anything unusual at the planet's south pole.
# # # # # #
Valia was in the Fortress of Solitude's computer chamber, monitoring all transmissions and communications from Brainiac's ship and what she saw gave her cause for concern. She'd detected Brainiac's scans for shields. She was going to have to be even more diligent, especially since Kal-El would be leaving soon and that meant opening a small section of the shield for his departure.
"It is a problem, but nothing I can't manage," Valia muttered to herself.
"What's that?" Kal-El asked as he entered the chamber wearing his Superman suit.
Valia stood, and turned to face Kal-El. She informed him of Brainiac's scans. "It worries me" she confessed. "Brainiac does not give up. Has never given up on any planet. He will work until he breaks through the shields. He will work until he has access to Earth's technology and yours."
Kal-El touched Valia's cheek. She placed a hand on his, relishing his touch. He said, "You'll be here to protect the Fortress and Earth's computers. I know you are more than capable of protecting both. I'll take care of Brainiac and Lex."
"Brainiac is very powerful."
Kal-El nodded. "Yes, I know. I've prepared myself as best I can."
Valia let her hand fall away from his and he stepped back.
"I also have my son to consider." His voice was solemn and she sensed his fears for his son.
The angles of Kal-El's face hardened and his eyes turned icy. "If Lex harms my son . . ."
A shiver trickled down Valia's spine. Kal-El would be a formidable opponent. Of that, she had no doubt. Still, could he defeat Brainiac? Valia had never known Brainiac to fail.
A/N: Just wanted to say that I do not like the spam reviews saying they want to do artwork for my story. I see these reviews on lots of stories. They have even sent me multiple PMs asking to discuss things on discord. Whatever that is. I am not interested in artwork for any of my stories. If I could delete the reviews I would. Unfortunately, if a person has an account, and these "artists" do, then the author cannot delete the review. Okay, end of rant.