Extinction Part 1

At Saunder's Gorge…

Perry White stared down at the ensnared Kent kid. Everything had gone according to plan. Clark had taken the bait and was now trapped on a ledge. White might have felt guilty about it, except the boy was in no danger. Alicia Baker, the teleporting girl, stood beside him gazing down. Within a second's notice, she could grab the kid and bring him back to solid ground.

It had almost been too good to be true when Perry had bumped into Lionel at the Luthor Mansion. His career saboteur offered a truce of allowing Perry to reenter the world of respectable journalism if he obtained video footage of Clark Kent using superpowers. Lionel offering a deal to him, someone who had information the Luthor wanted to remain hidden, raised his eyebrows. It was unlike the Lionel Perry knew, but if Luthor also had suspicions there was more to Clark Kent than met the eye, that strengthened Perry's belief he was on to something big.

Perry wiped his brow with the edge of his sleeve. The sun was beating down directly on the gorge and there was little shade. None was offered on the ledge that acted as Clark's refuge. The Kent kid had been forced to stand perfectly still for almost an hour. He had managed to turn slightly and use part of his shirt to shield himself from the sun's intense rays.

"White, maybe we should call it," Bobby said, his voice shaking.

"Not yet." White gripped the rail with determination. He was Perry "The Pitbull" White. He had a nose for stories, and a gut that never led him wrong. Right now, his gut was telling him this kid had powers beyond the ordinary. Even more spectacular than a girl who could breathe underwater or a girl who could transport herself through sheer will.

Below him stood the story of a lifetime. But only if he was right.

Why isn't he doing anything?

Perry pulled out his flask and drained the last dregs. Waiting was an essential part of journalism. Bobby had run out of patience and resolve within the first ten minutes. Perry had been stonewalled by the best. He was not going to be broken by a kid.

Perry couldn't be wrong. He just couldn't. Not with this.

What is he waiting for?

"Alicia, help me," the kid pleaded below.

"Okay, I'm bored," Alicia sighed. "We're done here."

"No!" Perry grabbed the girl's wrist. "I'm in charge here and I say ten more minutes. He's about to break."

"White!"

Perry's eyes went to Clark when Bobby shouted his name. The boy's body was beginning to sway. Being in direct sunlight without water was showing its toll.

He's going to faint.

"Okay, bring him up." Perry's order came a second too late.

Clark's knees buckled and his body collapsed into the open air.

Perry watched in horror as the boy fell, his arms outstretched like a flying angel. The body disappeared before his eyes in a cloud of green mist. White turned to his right to find it was just him and a pale Bobby at the railing.

Opening theme song…

At Luthor Corp…

Lionel knew his next meeting started when two familiar teenagers landed in a heap on his office floor. Clark was unconscious. His face glistened with sweat, his breathing was labored, and his skin was reddened from the sun. Alicia scowled in Lionel's direction as she filled a glass with ice from his minibar.

"I hope you're happy. He fainted and I had to catch him midair. I'm still practicing that, you know. If I hadn't…"

"There's no point in dwelling on 'what if's', Miss Baker," Lionel said as the girl ran an ice cube over Clark's parched lips. "You were successful in your catch."

Clark groaned as his eyes fluttered open. "What happened?"

"Mr. Kent, thank you for joining us." Lionel stayed seated in his office chair. "I apologize for the theatrics."

Alicia aided Clark in sitting up. "What's going on?"

"Can I get you anything to drink? Mineral water? Iced coffee?"

Clark seemed dazed as he looked around. "Alicia…what…?"

Alicia bit her lip and avoided Clark's gaze. "I told you, Clark. I didn't have a choice."

"What Miss Baker is trying to say is that she's been working for me."

"You've been spying on me? Just like Chloe?" Clark scrambled to his feet to get away from the girl. "Do I have any friends?"

"I'm sorry, Clark. You're sweet, but I'm in love with Adam," Alicia confessed, kneeling on the floor. "I always have and I always will. If I didn't go along with Mr. Luthor's plan, Adam was going to get hurt. This is the only way we can be together."

"If you don't mind, my dear, I'd like to speak with Mr. Kent alone." Lionel chuckled as the girl did her vanishing act. Clark collapsed in the chair opposite of the desk. Lionel had to give the boy credit; he hadn't turned into a simpering mess like Lex would have at his age.

"You're not the first to be misled by a beautiful woman." Lionel smiled kindly. He got up to give Clark a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "Did you really believe she loved you?"

"Yes," Clark snarled, swatting Lionel's hand away. This impressed Lionel further; Lex was often desperate for attention in situations like this he would have welcomed contact of any kind.

"What is wrong with you? You could have killed me."

"We both know you were never in any real danger. Miss Baker had it under control. Do you know why you're here?"

"No, and I don't care." Clark got to his feet and started towards the door.

"How's your father?"

That question got Clark's attention and the boy turned around.

"He's better."

"I can only imagine how difficult it must be for you to see him so weak."

"Weak. Strong. Healthy, he's still my dad. And I love him."

Lionel admired the loyalty and admiration Clark had for his father. If only Lex would be like that.

"Clark, what if I told you I have a team of scientists working right now on a serum that can revitalize human organs?"

"I'd ask what that has to do with trapping me on a cliff."

"Last year I acquired a blood sample that is remarkably unique. In the correct form, it's potent enough to resurrect the dead."

"Wait, are you saying you were behind those zombie people?"

Clark had stopped his retreat; Lionel knew he had gained the boy's interest.

"I'm saying I have an entire team of scientists dedicated to this cause." Lionel took a step closer to Clark. The teenager moved backwards, keeping the distance between them. "Just image; disease as we know it will be a thing of the past. Your father could have a healthy heart again. Permanently."

"Again, what does that have to do with me?"

"There are only a few drops left. If I'm ever to perfect this miraculous formula, I'll need more. I believe you're the source, Clark. Or you know who it is anyway. Clark, if you help me, your father will be among the first to receive this serum once it's perfected."

"Me?" The boy looked genuinely surprised. "Why do you think that?"

"Do you really expect me to believe you had nothing to do with opening the keyhole in the Kawatche cave?"

"Yes, Lionel. I had nothing to do with that."

"No, you just happened to be there the morning it did. And you just happened to be there when the key miraculously reappeared and buried itself inside the wall. As you just happen to be in correspondence with Dr. Virgil Swann."

"I don't owe you any answers," Clark growled.

"But don't you owe your father? Help me, Clark. You can save your father. You can save the world."

Lionel smiled inwardly as he watched the desire grow in Clark's eyes. He knew he had him now, just like he had pulled in Chloe and Alicia.

"Mr. Luthor, there's nothing I want more," Clark confessed as his gaze shifted to the floor. "But I can't give you what you're looking for."

No! Lionel clenched his fist.

"Why are we playing games, Clark? I can be a very good friend if you cooperate," Lionel pressed. "Or I can turn into a formidable nemesis in a heartbeat."

"The friend who becomes the enemy." The boy muttered.

"What?"

"Mr. Luthor, I don't understand this obsession you have with me. But this ends now. I'm not making any deals with you. Not today. Not ever!"

"Very well," Lionel said.

"Don't suppose I can get a ride? Unless you want me to tell my mom where I am."

Lionel twitched at the harmless request. He had a great deal of respect for Martha Kent and her opinion of him was one of the few that mattered. Lionel pressed a button that quickly dialed Alicia's phone and the young woman appeared. Clark just crossed his arms and looked away as Alicia transported him with a single touch. She returned within seconds, standing expectantly at Lionel's side.

"Adam?"

"He'll be released within the hour," Lionel promised as he poured himself a drink.

The young girl grinned and vanished as was her habit.

Lionel savored the flavor of the fermented beverage. The meeting had not gone as he had hoped. But as he had prepared for this encounter, Lionel was reminded of one avenue he had yet to explore.