The boy sat there on his bed and stared at himself in the dresser mirror. He recalled the time he spoke in his native language to the holographic image of his Kryptonian father. His father was wearing their family’s crest on his robe-like garments. Clark thought of his Earthly father and Jor-El and held them both in high regards, for they were both strong natural leaders. Clark stood up and walked over to his mirror. Placing both hands on his dresser, he bent down and looked into his eyes. He didn’t seem or feel as strong as the two most important men in his life. Even with all of his strength, in his reflection he saw a weak timid boy. He realized that school was now over and that he would be turning 18, so he knew it was time to become a man; a man like Jonathan or Jor-El. Stepping back, Clark, stood up straight, puffed out his chest and removed his glasses. The mirror encased someone completely different, for the looking glass revealed a stoutly figure. Clark was immediately taken back. He suddenly turned around to make sure there was no one else he could have been looking at. His head turned slowly back to the mirror, worried that the new figure wouldn’t be there. To his amazement, he was still there. Clark let out his chest and placed his glasses back on his face. Returning back to the mirror, he saw his old dorky self. He remembered what his father said about his glasses when they were outside of LuthorCorp. Clark thought that if he could fool himself then why couldn’t he fool the rest of us.
Eager with the thought of being able to be someone else, Clark went to his mother for help. “Mom, I’m going to need you to put together an outfit for me.”
“An outfit? What kind of outfit?” she asked.
“Well, if I’m going to help change the world, I’m going to have to go unnoticed.”
“That’s going to require a mask as well. On the news and in the paper, I see all these people running around in costumes catching criminals and helping others, and they all have masks.”
“But that’s just it mom. I wear my mask every day already. My glasses are my mask. I’ll be the first of my kind to face the world and have the world face me.”
“Land’s sakes, Clark. You’re absolutely right. Did you have a particular look or design in mind?”
Clark thought for a moment and said, “I could use my school colors, goldenrod and red.”
“Well that’s a nice idea. But you probably don’t want too much red otherwise it would be very similar to that of the one called ‘Bolt.’ I hear he’s the fastest person alive”
Laughing, Clark said, “I think you mean Flash, mom. Not Bolt. But you’re right. I guess I can throw in another color.”
“I have always loved your blue eyes, Clark.”
“Mom, can we stay on course here?”
“Oh, don’t you worry boy. I’ll make you something grand. I already know your measurements.”
Clark took out a piece of paper from his pocket. He unfolded it and gave it to his mother. “Mom, I want this to be embedded on it.”
Martha looked at the paper and noticed a familiar pattern. “Clark, this looks like the markings that are all over your ship. But this looks more like an S than an 8.”
“Yeah it is. I learned that family markings for Kryptonians change from generation to generation. My marking would have been the symbol that looks like an 8. But it is Jor-El’s symbol that is the S. I can never truly continue my Kryptonian lineage, so I want to bear the symbol of the last full lineage of El.”
“Well then, I know just the place for it. I’m going to have to get this as close to your heart as possible.”
______________________________________________________________________
As the ferry sailed back to shore, the two scientists were entering their laboratory. Professor Hamilton went to sit behind his desk and continued to input data into his laptop while T.J. directed the men on where to put the crates.
“Would you like some assistance getting these crates open Professor?” asked one of the delivery men.
“Oh no, T.J. and I can take it from here. But it would be very helpful if one of you could leave your crowbar behind.”
“You got it Professor. I’ll send one of my men back up at the end of the day to get it out of your way for you. Have a good day.”
“And you too,” said Emil as they left. “C’mon T.J. let’s get these opened up, shall we.”
“Professor, I just don’t see why you would want to go through with this since we don’t have any of the meteorites to test this on. Awhile ago, you said this would be for a man of steel, but I don’t see him here either.”
“That is why we have little time to get this done. I’m going to be taking a short trip at the end of the week to crash a birthday party.”
“Well then, I guess we better get started and put together the mold for your lead alloy suit. I hope you know the right size and measurements. We’re already close to our annual budget, so we got only one chance this year with this expensive material.”
______________________________________________________________________
After I had George prepare a fire in my study, I sat in my chair listening to the crackles of the wood as it burned. I remembered the time when I was a child, and I tripped and burnt my hand in this same fire place. My father ran over to help pick me up. He immediately summoned Frederick to treat my wound. I always felt that my father hated me for overcoming my cancer all along while he was dying with his own. Since the day I became cancer free, Frederick became my father as well as my personal security officer. My Father trusted Frederick since the day they first met.
I was about eight years old when I burnt my hand in the fireplace, and it was about the fifth time that I should have had a serious injury. I say that because the burn didn’t last. There are no scars, no bruises to show it ever happened. The meteor rock in my head left no scar, the fencing blade that went through my collar bone when I was fourteen left no scar and the fall off my dirt bike when I was eighteen left no bruises or scars either.
I looked at my hand where that idiot of a lab tech cut me and like always couldn’t find where it had happened. I have no battle wounds to show off, and ironically enough, my body won’t even allow a tattoo to remain on my skin for more than a week. I couldn’t help thinking what would happen if people knew the real reason why I wanted to capture these Metahumans. I don’t want to kill them or eliminate them. What I want is to study them, and the break in at LuthorCorp was a perfect cover up to start Project Cadmus. It will provide me with a chance to learn why they are the way they are. And why I am the way I am. Maybe it will unlock the reason as to why I could never measure up to the man that my father was or wanted me to become.
After a couple of drinks my mind floated away from business, and I started to think about Lindsay. Right before I began to drink myself to sleep, there was a knock on my door. “This better be important.”
“Excuse me sir, but we have a situation at the gates.”
“Frederick, situations are precisely why I have security guards. They are the ones who handle situations. Are they not?”
“Yes sir; however, this specific situation took out the security guards at the gates.”
“O.k. in plain English now. My brain is hurting. Tell me exactly what is going on.”
“After you discharged Carl, Jim and some others, you were in need of a few more security officers. So, we were doing some interviews on your behalf. This specific situation was a candidate for the position but missed the appointed time today and is at the gates demanding to be seen. When our two officers approached, they were disarmed and handcuffed together to the gate.”
“So, why on Earth aren’t you out there kicking some ass?”
“Well, to be honest sir. A person capable of doing this much damage might just be worth interviewing. Even at this time of night.”
“Go and find out who this person is. If you like ‘em then hire them.”
He looked down at a piece of paper. “The name on the schedule says Mercy Graves.”
“Who the hell names their son Mercy?”
“Or daughter?”
“Daughter?…this is a woman! A woman took out two of my men?”
“Yes sir. Would this be a problem?”
“Well hell, she sounds like she could handle herself better then Jim or Carl could. If you’re up to it, go see what she’s made out of.”
“Yes sir. I’ll be happy to find out how she measures up. Have a good night.”
I let Frederick close the door and leave me to my drinking. If he hires her, she must be good. If she kicks his ass, then I have a new personal security officer.
______________________________________________________________________
Frederick approached the gates as if it was business as usual. He noticed two guards still cuffed to the gates and a tall woman with short cropped hair standing on the outer perimeter with her arms folded. “Hey Frank. Bob. I didn’t know the two of you cared for each other this way.”
“Frederick, this bitch just came out of nowhere and…” Frank was interrupted.
“And kicked your butts I presume,” said Frederick. Frederick opened the gate then threw Frank his set of keys so he could unlock Bob and himself. “What gives you the right to think that you can come here and do this to my men? You actually think you’re going to get a job by this immature stunt you’ve pulled here tonight?”
“All I wanted was a chance to explain why I missed my appointment. Then these two clowns laughed and said a woman couldn’t handle the job. So, I decided to prove them wrong,” said Mercy.
Frederick looked Mercy up and down. He could tell by her stance that she had formal martial arts training. He could also tell by the way she talked that she didn’t come from a privileged life style which consisted of prep schools that taught etiquette class. He knew that she was from the wrong side of the tracks, but with his training and mentoring Mercy could be a great security asset.
Frank freed his hand and got up. He stood beside Frederick and pointed toward Mercy, “This little girl is dead for what she did to us.”
“Frank, you better learn to get along with Ms. Graves.”
“Boss, what are you talking about? You’re not going to…”
Frederick yelled, “Frank, you’re not going to tell me what I am or not going to do. Is that clear? If we weren’t short on staff you’d be out on your ass right now. Mr. Luthor is promised the best security detail a man can have. And these past few months have shown the exact opposite. I’m going to take Ms. Graves to the lounge and conduct a proper interview. From tonight’s exercise I already know she has the physical capability of handling the duties. I’m just afraid she might be over qualified.”
“Yes boss. Sorry. I didn’t mean to let you down,” said Frank.
“Me too boss. I didn’t mean to let you down either. Tell Mr. Luthor we’re sorry about all this,” said Bob after getting himself unlocked and managing to make it to his feet.
“You gentlemen finish your post. There won’t be a need to file a report about this. Ms. Graves, if you will kindly follow me up to the mansion. That is if you’re still interested in working here of course,” said Frederick.
“You lead, I’ll follow,” said Mercy.
Back inside the Luthor Mansion Frederick sat adjacent to Mercy in the lounge. After pouring both of them drinks and getting situated, Frederick began to conduct the interview. “So, Ms. Graves what brings you to apply for this security position?”
Mercy set her glass on the cocktail table in front of her. As she sat back up after placing her glass down she said, “I haven’t exactly worked as a security officer before. But I have had professional training in hand to hand combat which took much discipline.”
“Yes, Ms. Graves I witnessed what you’re capable of. But your lack of a resume, your almost non-existent job history makes it difficult for one to consider you for any position let alone one as important and hazardous as for working for Mr. Luthor.”
Before Mercy had a chance to speak, George walked in with an envelope and handed it to Frederick. Without speaking or waiting for an order, he walked quietly back out of the room. Mercy then began, “Yes, I know but…”
Frederick opened the envelope and took out its paper contents as Mercy was speaking. “Excuse me for interrupting, but it has come to my attention that you have a criminal record. I’m also informed that you have or had prior gang affiliations.”
Angry, Mercy said, “Where did you get that? That all happened when I was a juvenile. It’s supposed to be sealed.”
Frederick calmly stated, “Ms. Graves, when we hire someone to work close to Mr. Luthor, we want to know everything about them. And we have the means to find out everything.”
Less upset she said, “I can explain if you’ll give me a chance.”
“No need to explain.” Frederick began to read from one of the papers he just received. “Name, Mercy Graves. Currently 20 years of age. Mother died when you were 4. Father unknown. Raised by maternal uncle. Beaten and molested by same uncle from 8 to 11 years of age. Entered into the system at age 12. Ran away from every foster home. Convicted of theft, larceny, assault with a deadly weapon, prostitution, resisting arrest, assaulting multiple police officers all before the age of 16.”
Amazed she began to ask, “How the hell…”
“Ms. Graves, where was it that you had your martial arts training?”
“When I was sixteen, I was sent off to live with this woman who met me while she was a correction officer during my stay in juvi. She explained to the judge that she was able to reach me and understand my situation. She asked the judge to give me a second chance and stated that she would take responsibility for me. Being sixteen, I had a say in the matter, and I thought anything was better than staying in juvi. She never married and didn’t have any children. She finished raising me like I was her own.
I lived with her until she died last year. Two fourteen year old girls were fighting in their cells one night and she was on duty. She opened the cell door to stop their fighting, but one of the girls had a weapon. Her throat was cut, and she died instantly.” Mercy stopped for a minute to wipe away a tear. She regained her composure and continued. “But while I was living with her, she taught me how to defend myself by using mixed forms of Taekwondo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. She even taught me how to shoot a gun. In fact, she taught me all about weapons. Her father was some kind of Green Beret.”
Frederick gave Mercy a serious look, “Ms. Graves, I have one more question. If you’re truly reformed from this checkered past of yours, if you’re done with all this gang banging, then I’d like to offer you a position here at the Luthor Mansion. But, can you assure me you’re on the up and up? Can you assure me that it will be your primary objective to put Mr. Luthor’s well being above your own?”
With a straight face she said, “Yes sir I can. I can assure you all of that. Mr. Luthor can know that I will be strictly devoted to him no matter what the situation calls for. I will not hesitate to perform the orders he gives.”
Frederick stood up and stretched out his hand to shake Mercy’s, “That’s good to hear. Well, the job starts tomorrow and the starting salary is 40k a year plus benefits that will be fully covered. Will that work for you?”
With a smile on her face, Mercy agreed to the pay and conditions. She asked, “What time should I be here?”
“Go home and get some sleep. You can start the 1600 hours shift. Come an hour early to get your uniform and I.D.” With that, Frederick had George show Mercy the way out.
Frederick knew he had found the perfect person, for he wasn’t training just a new officer. He wasn’t training her to be his partner. What Frederick was looking for was his replacement.
ns 15.158.61.54da2
