“16 to Base.”
“Go ahead 16,” said Carl as he watched Jim roll to his feet on the pavement.
“We have a couple of problems. Problem number one, the targets found the wallet of Albert Brooks.”
“That’s not a big problem. For all the public has to know is that the man lost it in his boss’ mansion one night. What’s the second problem?”
“The second problem is the target that I’m standing over. She has a military I.D. The name says Lindsay Lane.”
“Base to 16. Did you say Lane?”
“That’s affirmative. Daughter of General Sam Lane.”
Carl yelled, “What the hell was his daughter doing here?”
“I have Luthor’s butler, George, down here with me. He said he heard all the commotion in the garage. Anyway, George says that Lindsay was dating Mr. Luthor.”
Carl was taken over by complete fear. “Base to 16. Do not touch a single thing and wait there for further orders. Copy.”
“16’s reporting position, Area 86. Over.”
“Base to 16. 16 covering Area 86. Over and out.”
After Jim got himself together and picked up the pieces from his shotgun, he walked back into the control house. “Carl, what’s wrong? What happened?”
“Jim, get Frederick on the phone now! Wake him up if you have to. We need to fill him in, and he needs to get in touch with Luthor.”
Jim had the countenance as if he had just witnessed seeing a ghost and asked, “Carl, how bad is it?”
“Jim, our entire shift, we’re all dead men walking.”
_______________________________________________________________________
In the back alley to one of the streets in Metropolis, a steel plated motorcycle was parked behind a dumpster. On an old broken crate sat a young girl crying over the loss of her sister. Her savior, in the greasy over-alls, walked back in her direction after making sure they weren’t being followed. “We’ve got to go to the police,” said Lois.
“The police? I don’t think you know how powerful Luthor is. Lex Luthor has the Metropolis P.D. in his back pocket. Is there somewhere you can go, someone safe you can talk to?”
Looking up at John, Lois said, “Yes, there is. Can you take me to the Pentagon?”
“You can’t be serious. Who do you know at the Pentagon?”
“My father.”
“Oh? Is he in the military?”
Standing up, almost at attention she said, “You can say General Sam Lane has the military in his back pocket.”
After giving a short deep hearted chuckle John said, “Alright, lil miss, let’s go to D.C.”
_______________________________________________________________________
I couldn’t have imagined how advanced the professor’s findings were this early in the game. After everything I had seen in these few short days in Smallville, I knew Project Element was ready to be moved up to LuthorCorp. I didn’t want to take any chances and told Molina and Fu to purchase two trucks. I wanted one truck for the meteorites and another for the crystals. I couldn’t risk the rocks affecting the crystals anymore than they might have already done. I then asked the professor if he could drive one of the lab’s vans up to LuthorCorp with all the mice and lighting. I soon left to catch my flight; Molina and Fu drove off shortly. Emil had his lab techs help him pack up his equipment before he left.
“Professor, we’re nearly half way done if you want to take a break,” said one of the lab techs.
“Why thank you very much, T.J. There is someone I’d like to say goodbye to. In actuality, it’s more like a hello. I’ll be back shortly,” stated Emil.
“Take your time professor. We’ll be done in about forty minutes.”
_______________________________________________________________________
“Looks like we got another visitor, Jonathan,” said Martha walking her way through the kitchen with a basket full of eggs.
“Think this one’s with the EPA. He’s driving some medical van,” Jonathan noticed bending down to look out the window. “I’ll go out and see what he wants.”
Jonathan left the house and approached the man as he got out of his vehicle. Jonathan heard the man say, “Good afternoon, sir. I don’t mean to disturb you folks. But, I’m one of the scientists that were working over at the farm up the road.”
“What can we do for you, mister…?” Jonathan asked waiting for a name.
“Oh, Hamilton. Professor Hamilton. Well, we were on our way from closing the case and vacating the Lang’s premises. I just wanted to offer my apologies, for I heard one of the men got into a scuffle with your son.”
“Yeah, I know. My son told me all about it. Name’s Jonathan by the way. I hope my son didn’t hurt the guy.”
“Just his ego I’m sure. May I give your son my regards?”
“Sure. I think he’d like that.” Jonathan gave a little nod towards the barn, “He’s in there feeding the animals.”
“What’s his name?”
“Clark.”
Emil left Jonathan and walked over to the barn. Emil called out for Clark and found him. They started talking and Emil apologized once again for the actions of one his men. Emil asked if it would be alright to shake hands and let bygones be bygones. As they were shaking, Emil noticed that Clark started to look ill, “Are you alright, Clark? You don’t look so good.”
“My head is pounding,” Clark then grasped his chest and dropped to his hands and knees. “Is the room spinning in here?”
“My god. It works,” whispered Emil.
“Please…get…my…father,” every word was harder for Clark to get out. Emil called out for Jonathan who came running over.
“Clark! He looks sick!” Jonathan was scared and confused. He never saw this side of his son before—the vulnerable side. “What the hell happened, Mr. Hamilton?”
“Nothing. One minute we’re talking and the next he’s on the ground.”
“Clark, can you get to your feet?” asked Jonathan.
“Here, let me help.” As Emil attempted to help lift Clark he noticed just how heavy he was. “Wow, this boy weighs a ton. What do you feed him?”
Jonathan not amused said, “Mr. Hamilton, I’m going to have to ask you to leave now.”
“Should I get a doctor?”
“No!” screamed Jonathan as he quickly pictured his son being someone’s lab rat. “Just leave. It’s probably just heat stroke.”
“O.k,” Emil said plainly. “Hope everything turns out alright,” he stated as he walked back to his van.
Jonathan picked up his son from behind and dragged him by his upper body. Clark’s shoes made deep groves in the gravel as he was being pulled. He brought Clark into the living room and on the couch. Jonathan could hear his wife scream in horror. Neither of them knew what to do as this was the very first time their special child ever seemed ill. Kneeling by her son, Martha couldn’t take it anymore and stood up to go to the phone and call the doctor. When Martha left from her son’s side, the sunlight that was hitting her back from the window now shone on Clark’s face. His skin cells soaked up the light. Clark instantly sat up with his face still toward the sunlight, as if he was inhaling the heat.
Amazed, Martha said, “I’ve never seen you get sick like that before.”
Still a bit dizzy, Clark tried to explain what he experienced. “It was like my body gave up, and I was so dizzy. I couldn’t move at all.”
“I wonder if Professor Hamilton had anything to do with it?” asked Jonathan.
“Dad, no. All I did was shake his hand. I was a bit skeptical of him, so I did an x-ray scan of him and he was clean. All he had was a pen in his shirt pocket under his lab coat. Oh, and a rock in his coat pocket.”
“A rock?” asked Jonathan.
“Dad, you don’t think they found any remnants of the meteorites do you? You think one of them could make me sick?”
“The only way to find out is to get our hands on one.”
“What are you saying, Jonathan?” asked Martha.
“Martha, they probably came across whatever was left of the meteorites. So, Clark and I are going to follow them up to Metropolis.”
“Jonathan, do you even know where you’re going? There could be hundreds of laboratories up there.”
“Martha, there’s only one place to go.” Jonathan took out his walled and pulled out a forgotten business card. “We have to go to LuthorCorp.”
_______________________________________________________________________
Emil walked back into the lab to see how soon they will be headed back to Metropolis. Returning from the Kent farm, he was very excited about his latest discovery, “T.J., are you guys almost done?”
“Just about, professor. You look pretty happy. You win the lottery or something?” asked his lab tech.
“No, T.J. You’ll just never believe what I discovered.” Emil said with a smile.
“Just now? You’ve been gone for less than an hour. What on earth did you find?”
“All I will say right now is that what I did just uncover has nothing to do with Earth.” T.J. was much intrigued and took the professor’s hint that he wasn’t ready to reveal what it was that he had found. Turning back to the professor he heard him ask, “T.J., I want you to call S.T.A.R. Labs and see how much their asking salary is.”
With a great smile on his face he said, “You got it, professor. Movin’ on up, huh?”
“That’s right. And our sky is no longer the limit. Do you have any plans after this assignment?”
“No, not really. Just thought I’d put in another semester at school. Why do you ask?”
“If I take the job offer, how would you like to be my personal assistant and lab technician?”
“Professor, it would be the position of a lifetime and a great honor.”
_______________________________________________________________________
I was back home in Metropolis away from all the farms and small minded people. I was so glad to be back after my plane landed; however, I was particularly curious on why Lindsay had not met me at the airport. When I got in, Frederick informed me that Carl Stevens was in my study. He said he has talked with Carl and prefers that I hear the information first hand. Frederick had been with me for many years, and there is nobody I trust more. So, I walked into my study for the first time not knowing what to hear or what to expect.
“Dead? What do you mean she’s dead?” I yelled.
“Mr. Luthor, they were in sector 4B. We thought it was a break in,” said Carl.
“4B! Where the hell was Frederick?”
“He was off duty, sir.”
I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. I reached and pressed the talk button on the intercom that was on my desk. “George, have Frederick come in here.”
As we both waited for Frederick, Carl began to speak, “Sir, I…”
“Carl, I recommend that you don’t speak for the moment.” Seconds later, Frederick knocked and walked in. “Frederick, do you have any idea what these fools did? I can’t just sweep this under the rug. These are the damn General’s daughters we’re talking about.”
“Excuse me, sir.” said Carl.
Puzzled as to why he would open his mouth again, I asked, “What, Carl? What is it that you possibly would want to say right now?”
“Well, you said daughters.”
“Your point is?”
“Well, the younger one got away with the help of that black fellow you had working in the garage.”
“Irons was here? Did you shoot at him too?”
Carl continued, “We didn’t understand the full situation, sir. We just started our shift and an alarm went off.”
“And that is exactly what you are going to say, Carl.”387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdN34KAwquG
“What, to the police?”
“You think I’m worried about those poor civil servants? It’s the political power of the General that I’m worried about. If I get on his bad side, then I’m finished. I go away for three days and you have your own shooting gallery.” I turned to Frederick, “Frederick, get the General on the phone now. See if and when he is ready to talk. You tell him that I will agree with any terms that he reaches.”
“Yes sir,” acknowledged Frederick.
“Oh, and Frederick, do not bargain. Just agree and comply with his wishes.”
“I understand fully, sir.” With that, Frederick left Carl and me alone.
“Carl, after I have you speak with the General, I want you to clear out and never return to Metropolis again. Understand?”
“Yes, sir. Consider me gone.” He was excited not to have received a death sentence.
“Good, I’m glad we’re on the same page.” We sat in complete silence and waited for Frederick to come back with word from the General. After twenty minutes or so, Frederick came and walked back in the room. Out of nervousness, I stood up when I saw him. “Well, what did the General say?”
“To put it mildly sir, he’s pissed as hell. The General didn’t want to hear me out. He will be boarding a plane with the FBI.”
Helplessly laughing I said, “Well that’s just great. Did he say when he is coming?”
“Air Force One will be taking off within an hour, sir.”
Not realizing the absolute power the General had, I collapsed in my chair and sighed, “Son-of-a-bitch!”
_______________________________________________________________________
The noise of the airplane made it difficult for them to hear each other. Everyone was boarded except for three souls at the bottom of the staircase for the plane. “Lois, for the last time, you cannot board Air Force One. I know you’re upset,” he said as he saw Lois still crying. “I’m going to make everything right and have you stay with your aunt for awhile, at least until we get your sister’s arrangements situated. I just don’t understand how this could’ve happened.”
A crew member came down the stairs and alerted the General that they were ready for takeoff. “Got to go, Lois. I’m going to get to the bottom of this, and I’ll be back when the investigation is over.” The General turned from his daughter and over to her savior. “I can’t thank you enough, Mr. Irons, for saving my Lois’ life.”
“I’m just glad I was able to sir,” said John.
“Lois tells me you know your way around steel and machinery,” inquired the General.
“That’s right sir. I do.”
“Well, if you have no big prospects in Metropolis, I have a new position opening up in the private sector. A company called AmerTek Industries.”
“Yeah, what’s it doing?”
“It involves the latest technology in body armor and weaponry. You interested?”
“Absolutely sir. I might even have some designs I can show you.”
The General looked back at Lois. “Lois will tell you how to reach me. Take care you two. I’m off to rip a new one to the guy who took Lindsay away from us.” The General gave his daughter a kiss and a hug, shook John’s hand and boarded Air Force One.
_______________________________________________________________________
The side walk was crowded with people headed towards their jobs during rush hour morning in down town Metropolis. A security guard was questioning some individuals trying to get past the lobby in the tallest building in town. “May I please see your I.D. badges, gentleman?”
“I.D. badges?” Molina asked. He then turned to Fu, “Luthor give you one of those, Fu?”
“No. And he didn’t mention about them either,” said Fu.
“I’m sorry. But I cannot let you enter without authorization.”
With anger building up, Molina took his index finger and pointed it repeatedly into the security guards chest. “Listen, you get on the horn with your supervisor and tell him that Molina and Fu are here and that we are about to kick your ass if you do not let us in.”
Scared and nervous, the security guard motioned to the other guard behind the desk. He had the other guard hand him a phone and dial for him. The guard spoke into the receiver. “Sir, I have a Molina and Fu here. They insist…” There was a pause and then he continued, “Yes sir. Right away sir.” The guard handed back the phone to the other and said, “I’m sorry about that gentlemen, just go down the hall and take the elevator up to floor 77.”
“You better remember us the next time we come in the building. You got me?” ordered Molina.
“Yes sir. I didn’t realize you two were part of the new board members,” said the security guard.
Sympathetic, Fu said, “Leave the guy alone, Molina. C’mon, let’s go.”
They rode the elevator up to the 77th floor, by way of Molina singing off key along with the elevator music. The doors opened to reveal a beautiful, statuesque blonde woman. “Good morning Mr. Fu and Mr. Molina. If you would please walk with me I’ll show you to your offices.”
“I’m sorry, who are you? Is Mr. Luthor…” began Fu as they followed her blindly.
“Mr. Luthor got caught up with personal business this morning. My name is Camille Wright, and part of my job here is to assist the two of you with your daily agendas.”
Looking Camille up and down, Molina added, “I hope that’s not all you can assist us with.”
“Mr. Molina, a word to the wise. I am also the HR manager, and it is my job to file all sexual harassment claims here at LuthorCorp, so I would watch what I say.”
Fu had a good laugh with that one and said, “She told you Molina. Better watch your step.” Getting serious again, he added, “Ms. Wright…”
“Oh, please, call me Camille,” she corrected.
“Camille, we have two trucks in the parking garage, and its contents need to be delivered to the lab.” Fu said.
“You’re going to have to be a bit more specific, for we have over twenty labs in this building alone.”
“Well you see, we were working with Professor Hamilton down in Smallville…,” said Molina.
“Oh, so the two of you are with ‘Project Element.’ Wow, I don’t even have security clearance on this case. I’ll give you Thomas Jayden’s extension number. Thomas works in the testing lab on the tenth floor. He can tell you what to do with your cargo.”
“Oh, you mean T.J. So, when is Luthor supposed to be here exactly?” asked Molina.
“Mr. Luthor does not report nor check in with me. He works on his own schedule. If you’d like more information, you can check with his personal secretary.” Camille brought Molina and Fu to their side by side separate offices and made one last comment before she left. “Both of you have nothing on the calendar for the remainder of the day, so feel free to make yourselves at home and rearrange your office space. I’ll be down the hall if you need anything.”
Left to themselves, Molina in disappointment threw up his arms and said, “Great! Well what the hell are we suppose to do now, just sit here?
As Fu walked into his office, he went over to his window. “Just enjoy the view then, Molina.”
_______________________________________________________________________
While Fu was seventy-seven stories high, looking down at the little spots walking and tiny cars going in all sorts of directions, there were two people below him on the ground, looking up.
“Alright Clark, when you get inside, just move quickly. Don’t let anyone spot you.”
“Dad, if this meteorite can hurt me, how am I supposed to get it out of there?”
“Thanks for reminding me. I brought your mother’s jewelry box. I figured since you can’t see through lead, then maybe its properties can keep you safe. You should be able to keep a small piece in it.”
Not quite sure, Clark said, “Let’s hope your right.”
“Clark, if you start feeling weak, you get the hell out of there. Don’t be a hero,” he said concerned.
“Got it, dad. I’ll be right back.”
Jonathan thought something was off. He was uncomfortable letting Clark go in the way he was. “Clark, wait. Something’s not right.”
“What do you mean? You havin’ second thoughts?”
He looked Clark up and down and said, “Here, take those glasses off.”
“But you and mom said…”
“Never mind that. We don’t want to chance you being recognized later.”
Clark was confused, and he didn’t understand his father’s concept. “Sure dad, cause I look completely like someone else without my glasses on. I don’t even know why you guys still have me wearing these things.”
“Clark, you know your eyesight was horrible when you were a lot younger. The optometrist said he never saw a worse case in a child. Your mother and I believe your poor eyesight was due to you being cooped up in that dark space ship of yours while traveling light years away. What should we have done when you got older? Have you walk around town with them off and tell people that your eyes just magically got better, that you can now see better than 20/20 without the need of surgery,” Jonathan said sarcastically.
“Alright, dad.” Clark said as if he wasn’t in the mood for being lectured. “So, you think I should just run through the front doors?”
“No. You might knock someone over.” Jonathan looked up at the building again. He squinted and said, “That window is open at the top.”
Clark looked where his father was pointing. “You want me to jump all the way up there?”
“C’mon Clark, I’ve seen you jump higher than that in a single bound.”
Clark looked puzzled, “In a single bound? What year are you living in, 1938?”
Not caring for his smart aleck remarks he said, “Just go. I’ll meet you back at the truck.”
_______________________________________________________________________
It felt like an eternity was passing him by. He sat there behind the steering wheel with his hand out the window tapping the side of the door to the beat of his car radio that was playing some country song. In the driver side mirror, he watched a man in a grey suit approach. The dark haired man stared at his truck sternly. When he passed, he turned his head and looked right at Jonathan. Jonathan soon noticed that this tall individual was going to talk to him. “Excuse me, but aren’t you Jonathan Kent?”
“Do I know you, sir?”
“I thought that was you. After all, I don’t see too many Kansas state license plates attached to old beat up red pickup trucks around here.”
“I’m sorry…?” Jonathan asked in confusion.
“The names White, Perry White.”
“Where do I know you from exactly?” Jonathan still couldn’t place the name or the face.
“We met about fifteen years ago on your farm. I was a free lance reporter trying to get a story on the meteor shower disaster. You let me conduct an interview with you and your wife.”
“Oh yes. Now I remember. You were the gentleman with the tape recorder.”
“There ya go. I never did thank you, for it was your story that landed me a job at the Dailey Planet.”
“Was it now? I’m glad I could help.”
“I called it ‘Big Things in Smallville’”
“Congratulations. Are you still there now?”
Perry smiled and said, “Yes I am. I’m about to make junior editor.”
“I’m sure before you know it; you’ll be running the place.”
They continued to chit chat a little about life in the big city and life on a small farm. After a few moments, Perry was back on his way and Jonathan waited for Clark.
_______________________________________________________________________
After searching through many rooms and on many floors, Clark noticed a nameplate sitting on a desk that read ‘Emil Hamilton.’ He went over to the desk to look through some documents that were on it.
“Good morning, you must be the other lab tech working for the professor.”
This sudden voice startled Clark. He was a man entering the room who was not much older than himself. Unsure of what to say, Clark turned and said, “Ah, yes that’s right. Professor Hamilton.”
“Well, he’s down in the garage bringing up the rest of some specimens…”
“Oh yes, I know. I was just with him. He asked me to get a sample and run it over to another lab.”
“Which lab? I thought we were the only one in on this.”
“That’s what I thought. But I’m not one to question the professor.”
“Guess you’re right.”
Clark quickly said, “Well, if you don’t mind, could you put it in this box?”
“Weird. It looks like an old jewelry box.” He continued to examine it, “What is this, lead?”
“Yeah, I believe so. Another of the professor’s ideas.”
He went off to put a sample of the meteor in Martha’s jewelry box. He returned and handed it to Clark. Clark was a bit hesitant to take it. “It’s alright. It’s not harmful,” he assured.
“That’s good to know,” Clark said doubtingly. “Well, I’ll let you get back to work.” .
Clark turned around and was about to leave. He then felt a tap on his shoulder and thought his cover was blown. “Just a second.” Clark watched as the other man brought over another package. Within the package, he took an individually sealed item out, “Don’t you need one of these crystals too?”
Relieved, Clark feigned, “Oh, I almost forgot. Thanks, the professor would have had my head.”
“What’d you say your name was?” he asked a little suspiciously.
“Oh, it’s John. I’ll see you around. Bye.” Clark left the lab, and when the door closed behind him, he ran as fast as he could and was soon on the streets of Metropolis.
“That was a weird fellow,” he said as he went back to work not noticing that Emil had come into the room only seconds behind Clark.
“Talking to ourselves are we, T.J.”
Startled he said, “Professor, you scared me. I didn’t hear you come in. But no, I was just done talking with your new lab tech.”
“Oh, that’s nice. Molina and Fu are still unloading the…my new lab tech?” Emil asked intrigued. “He’s not scheduled to come in until next week.”
“I guess he got in early…” T.J. thought for a second, “Wait, he said you wanted him to run some tests on the meteorites.”
“Run some tests? Who was he and what happened?” Emil asked a bit angrily.
Nervously, T.J. answered, “He said his name was John. I gave him a small sample of a meteorite and…”
Emil screamed, “And! And! You gave him more? Did you give him my bank account info. as well.”
“I’m sorry professor,” T.J. was all shaken up.
Realizing how hard he was being on T.J., Emil softened his tone. “It was an honest mistake, I’m sure. But what else did you give him?”
“One of the crystals.”
“Did he carry the meteorite and the crystal together?”
“No, professor. He had what appeared to be a small jewelry box that I put the meteorite in.”
“This box, did it look like it was made out of lead?”
Unsure of how he knew, T.J. asked, “Yeah, how’d you know?”
To himself he said, “How did he find us?” Back to T.J., “Don’t mention this to anyone. Do you understand? Not even to Mr. Luthor.”
“You got it professor. Whatever you say. But who was this guy anyway?”
Emil put his hand on T.J.’s shoulder. “A visitor T.J. A very special visitor.”
_______________________________________________________________________
Still sitting silently alone, Jonathan was hit with a burst of air. It caused him to look away and protect his head with his hands. When the air receded, Jonathan looked to the passenger seat and saw Clark. “Dad, we have to go, now!”
“Good lord, son. You almost gave me a heart attack. Were you able to get any of it?”
“Yeah, this guy in a lab coat thought I was a technician. I told him that I have to run some tests on it. Then he just got it for me.”
“That’s was taking a big risk, Clark.”
Clark, looking surprised said, “Dad, he gave me something else too.”
“What? What did he give you?” Jonathan seemed worried.
“Does this look familiar to you?” Clark handed Jonathan the sealed container with the crystal inside that T.J. had given him.
“Clark, this looks like it could fit perfectly in one of the four slots in the ship we found with you.”
“Dad.” Clark paused, and he waited to get his father to look away from the crystal and back in his direction. “He had three more just like it up there.”
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