After accepting my proposal, Lindsay discovered why I had invited Lois up to surprise her. After all, they haven't been able to see each other since Christmas. Lois was busy finishing up high school in D.C. and Lindsay was finishing up her junior year at Metro University. I had arranged for Lois to stay the week and spend time with Lindsay so the two could start to plan for the wedding.
Back at the mansion I had George show Lois to the room she would be occupying during her stay. I had talked with Lindsay that same night about putting off her final year at school and coming to work for me. She thought that was a tempting offer, but she wanted to get her degree. She jokingly added that she wants to one day be my competitor. I told her that even her father, as strong as he is and with all his political connections, that no one, not even a Lane would dare try to bring me down. She then reminded me how she always liked a challenge and wasn't afraid to compete. It was this very same curiosity and stubbornness that always got her into trouble. I swear that she had some guardian angel watching over her every move and able to get her out of harm’s way with only seconds to spare. I've heard about this stubbornness in her father plenty of times as when he was at war commanding his men. I only hope it doesn’t get passed onto little Lois. But that's the magic Lindsay and I had. We would argue, debate and compete with each other and always tried to outdo even ourselves. But when it came down to it, we balanced each other out. She was there to reel me back in and I was there for her. It was Lindsay that kept me from going over the edge, or at least where I perceived the edge to be.
_______________________________________________________________________
Stepping out of the limo wiping his brow, all fat and sweaty, the tired man said as he walked into the lab, "Why on earth does Luthor want us out here with all this heat?"
Hearing his voice, Molina turned around and said, "Hey Fu, you made it!” Molina went over and shook his hand. “Never would have thought you'd find the place."
"Molina, I never would have thought you’d stay this long. You always were a big city man."
"Compared to you, I'm not the one who sticks out like a sore thumb. You're the only six foot Asian in Smallville,” said Molina jokingly. “Luthor wants you to be an EPA employee too?"
"Luthor didn't say. My orders are to stay put until he gets here."
Molina raised his eyebrows in surprise, “He's comin' down?"
"Yeah, I called him when I got back yesterday. He said just to expect him shortly."
"Who is in my Lab without authorization?” joked Emil as he came out of the bathroom.
"Oh, Emil it's o.k. This is Fu," said Molina.
"You don't say. I thought it was Smith," joking again as he noticed the giant Asian. "Well, it's nice to meet you, Fu."
Molina started to say, "Fu, this is…"
Fu didn’t let Molina finish his sentence and said, "Don't tell me. The famous Professor Emil Hamilton.”
"Well, I wouldn't say famous," commented Emil.
"Your colleagues don't call you the next Einstein for nothing," said Fu.
"Colleagues? I haven't heard anyone around here call him that," said Molina.
"Molina, get your head out of the T.V. Guide sometimes and open up a 'Scientology Today' magazine. They have a five page article on him," said Fu.
Shocked and a little red in the face Emil asked, "Really, five pages?"
"The article said that S.T.A.R. Labs would bring you aboard in an instant.”
"S.T.A.R. Labs! What the hell are you doing in Smallville? They're the biggest research facility in the country that is not federally controlled," stated Molina.
"Are you forgetting the work we uncovered down here and the significance of all the new findings?" asked Emil.
"The Professor's right Molina," said Fu.
"I almost forgot Luthor said you discovered something. Is that it in the crate you brought with you?" asked Molina.
Fu turned around and noticed that the limo driver dropped a crate at the entrance of the lab. "You guys aren't going to believe what I found."
"Ditto," said Molina.
"How 'bout we all just share notes over some lunch?" asked Emil.
________________________________________________________________________
While hanging clothes to dry on the line, she noticed dust and dirt being brought up into the air by an approaching limousine. "Jonathan, are you expecting anyone today?"
"Nope, why do you ask Martha?" asked Jonathan reaching blindly for a tool with his head under the hood of the tractor.
"'Because a limousine is coming down the road."
Jonathan got from underneath the tractor and went over to Martha by the clothesline. "I'm sure they have business with the EPA. They probably want to go to Lucas’ farm but just need directions.”
"Well, I guess we'll find out soon enough."
Jonathan watched the car come to a stop. "Looks like someone’s gettin' out."
With a nervous voice Martha said, "That chauffeur is awfully big, Jonathan."
"That's no chauffeur, Martha. They don’t come out of the passenger door,” Jonathan pointed out. “But that looks like someone's bodyguard.” Jonathan looked at Martha and said, “Clark’s in the house back from seeing Lana. Better go get him."
________________________________________________________________________
Martha went back inside the house, "Clark, Clark!” she shouted.
In his room, Clark could hear the fear in his mother’s voice. "Ma', I'm up here. What is it?"
Finding Clark’s voice, Martha went to the bottom of the staircase. "Go out to your father. A couple of strange men just arrived, and they're out there talking with him." Without responding Clark came down the stairs. "And Clark, run at a normal speed. We don't want you just appearing out of nowhere."
"Sure thing, ma'."
________________________________________________________________________
"So, what you want to do is go back the way you came and make a left once you hit pavement. About seven miles down the road and you'll be there."
"Hey dad, everything alright?" Clark asked while starring at the big man who stood closely behind the one that was bald.
"Your father was just giving me directions. That's all."
"Yeah Clark, this man's from Metropolis.” Jonathan still held his wrench and pointed it at Clark, “This is my son, Clark. Clark, this is Mr. Luthor."
"No, please. Mr. Luthor was my father.” I lied and said, “Everyone calls me Lex." But, I’d reserve the right only to the elite and those close to me to call me Lex.
"Well, Lex, what brings you down to Smallville?" asked Clark.
"What, do I stand out that much,’ I said making a phony chuckle. “No, but I just have some business on the Lang farm."
"Seems like there's a lot of business going on with the Lang's these days. It would be nice if Mr. Lang could be left alone to do his farming business."
"Clark, that's enough." said Jonathan, upset at the rude remark.
"It's alright Mr. Kent. I take it your two families are close. I can assure you, Clark, that we have the environment's best interest at heart. Once we get all negative results from our testing, we'll be on our way."
Looking puzzled, Jonathan asked, "Excuse me, Lex, but you said 'we.' Are you with the EPA also?"
"Oh, no sir.” I reached in my suit pocket and pulled out a business card and gave it to Jonathan. “The EPA is conducting their main findings in one of my lab facilities at LuthorCorp back in Metropolis. I'm just here to do a spot check; making sure that they are following proper procedures."
"That’s a good thing because one of those men,” pointing at the Lang Farm, “was not only trespassing on our farm, but when I confronted him he almost took my head off."
"I'm sorry to hear that, Clark. I will most certainly look into that for you. We definitely don’t want bullying government agents, now do we? Well, thank you again Mr. Kent. Have a good day Clark."
"It'll be a good day once all you people leave," responded Clark.
I heard the comment he had made. But I was too excited to be upset by the young man that I never imagined I’d run into again.
________________________________________________________________________
Left alone in the Luthor Mansion were the two young ladies that were given full run of the house. It was a few hours after sunset, and Lois was bored and wanted to check out the entire house. "We can't just go snooping around Lois."
"It's not snooping. Consider us just taking a tour. Besides, you're going to own half of all this anyway once you get married."
Considering Lois’ notion, "Since this will be my house, I guess it's o.k. to walk around."
"Great! Let's start with the basement and work our way up."
About an hour after they had their dinner, the two girls went roaming through the halls when they were caught by surprise. The girls were confronted by Frederick who was standing post near the basement doors, "Can I help you ladies?"
Lindsay stepped in front of Lois who was at the time between her and Frederick and said, "No, Frederick. I'm just showing my sister around the mansion."
"Yes, but Mr. Luthor has denied access to this part of the mansion to everyone. I don't even know what's beyond those doors."
"Very well Frederick. I'll take Lois to see the garage, if that's o.k. with you?" Lindsay said plainly.
"You are free to move about the rest of the house,” with authority he continued, “Just keep that teenager from breaking anything."
"How 'bout I break your knee caps there, Freddy?" Lois said with complete disregard to his position.
"Lois, just c'mon. He's only doing his job." Trying to lighten the mood, "Forget him, you're gonna love Lex's garage."
"What's so special about his garage?"
"You'll see.” In a few moments they were outside. Lindsay bent down and struggled to lift the heavy wooden garage doors. Lindsay turned and asked, “Give me a hand with the doors, will ya?"
As the two grabbed hold of the handles, they pulled with all their force and got the doors open. Lois wiping her brow said, "Man, those doors are heav…" She stopped speaking in mid sentence, for she noticed the rare automobiles one would only see at a convention.
"Well, do you like?" Lindsay said needlessly.
Lois ran over to the motorcycles that were lined up perfectly. "Lindsay, this guy has five different Harley's.”
"Take a closer look at the Harley in the corner," pointed Lindsay.
Lois’ mouth dropped in awe. "Is that a 1955 WLA Flathead 45?"
A deep voice came from the other corner of the garage, "You sure know your choppers there, lil miss.” A tall dark figure stood up and was wiping his hands with an oily rag. He looked to be about 9 feet tall from Lois’ point of view and about as wide as a horse.
"Lindsay!" Lois screamed as she was caught off guard by the massive black man in greasy over-alls. She ran over to her big sister for help.
"Stay away from her or I'll get security." Lindsay tried to sound assure of herself, but didn’t notice the crack in her voice.
The big man let out a hefty laugh. "What, oh I'm sorry. I didn't mean to frighten the two of you,” the stranger said calmly.
"Who are you then?" asked Lindsay.
"I'm Luth…, ah, Mr. Luthor's auto mechanic,” he quickly corrected himself not knowing exactly who the two girls were.
"I haven't seen you here before," said Lindsay.
"Probably 'cause Mr. Luthor brings his cars and bikes into town. He told me he'll be going away for a few days and asked me to look at his Porsche."
"Oh, we're very sorry. But a man of your size would frighten anybody,” Lois said sounding more like a child.
"Lois, please. Be polite. I'm sorry; you have to forgive my sister."
“Oh, that’s alright lil miss. Ain’t like you see many black men around the Luthor Mansion, now do ya?”
Lindsay smiled and said, “I guess not. By the way, my name’s Lindsay. This is my sister, Lois.”
“Well, it’s nice to meet you Lindsay and Lois. The name’s John Henry Irons. People ‘round here call me Steel.”
Squinting her nose at such an odd nickname, Lois asked, “Why’s that?”
Raising his chin in a proud manner he continued, “Cause I can make and repair anything from it. I’m kind of a craftsman you could say.”
“Well it was nice talking with you, but we better get inside. There’s a lot more rooms I want to show my sister.”
“I better be getting back to work anyhow if I want to make it back into town before morning.”
The two girls went back inside and left John Henry Irons to do his work. After showing Lois the garage, the library and the game room, Lois was getting more curious about the basement that was off limits. Lois pressured Lindsay into viewing the forbidden room and sneaking a peek. Not being able to withstand Lois’ vexing tendencies when she doesn’t get her way, she informed her that Frederick’s post ends at 10p.m. And added that they will try their luck getting in the basement after he leaves.
When some time had passed, they waited and listened to Frederick relieve his command over to a security guard named Carl. Afterwards they made it to the basement door, but it was locked. Lois took a pin from her hair and picked the lock open. Slowly as they went down the stairs, Lindsay said to Lois, “It’s not like we’re going to find anything that will make any headlines.”
Lois continued the joke, “I can see it now. Lois and Lindsay Lane make breaking news inside the Luthor Mansion.”
“Yeah, all that is missing is a photographer to capture the story.” Both girls started to laugh at their own private farce. They continued to walk down the cellar-like basement and not noticing anything that would make the back page let alone a headline. It wasn’t until both girls reached a computerized key pad on a reinforced steel door.
________________________________________________________________________
Molina and Fu were at a table in the lab, and Emil was fed up with all the swearing that came from the two of them. They were tired of waiting around for Emil to be done with his testing and research, so the two of them decided to play a few hands of gin rummy. Both of them accused each other of cheating during the game playing and caused a bit of ruckus which involved some swearing and banging of fists onto the table top.
Before Emil began to explain his work, he called the two of them over, “I ran some diagnostic tests on the crystals you found in Okinawa. They are from the same origin as the meteors but are less resilient. I also did some tests on the foreign vessel you found them in, Fu. The vessel’s properties are similar to that of Earth’s element lead. It appears that our sun’s UV light can’t pass through the vessel which it wouldn’t do through our regular lead either. I believe this is why the crystals have not been affected. The meteorites have been exposed to the UV light which not only changed the properties as I explained before, but it drastically changed the carbon Levels. The carbon levels are so high that it is stronger than Earth’s steel. The only thing hard enough that can penetrate it is itself. The crystals you found were hidden within the vessel which is why they’re not as strong. I have not yet discovered what the green part is in the meteorite; however, the hard substance that encases the green area is nothing but mere carbon that has been physically changed to now be the hardest substance on Earth, even harder than a diamond.”
Molina thought about what they were discussing before about an inhabitant from Bizarro coming to Earth and asked, “Emil, when we talked before about a visitor from this place, would their carbon levels be affected as well? Basically, over time, would they be made of this steel carbon?”
“Why yes. The mouse that went through what should have been the painful torture wasn’t affected because of its carbon levels. Hitting the mouse with metal mallets was like punching a steel wall.”
Fu interjected, “But the meteorite you two were talking about, it can kill this mouse, right?”
Emil relaxed Fu’s bit of fear. “Yes, it can. And I found out why because of the crystals you brought us. The crystals consist and emit high oxygen levels, but the meteorites consist and emit a high level of carbon. When the two are side by side, the meteorites poison the crystals and slowly turn them green until there is no more oxygen left in the crystals. They combine and, in a way, become dormant to the inanimate--like the crystals, but deadly to the living--like the mouse.
The high amounts of carbon pairs off with the high amounts of oxygen. In return, creating multiple one carbon, one oxygen atoms. This reaction would happen to the crystals, the mouse and any inhabitant from the same origin.”
Molina and Fu both looked at each other as if they were just asked to give the square root of Pi. “You lost us Professor,” said Fu.
“Poison!” screamed Emil. “Don’t you see? Didn’t you two pay attention in chemistry class? One carbon atom plus one oxygen atom is poison! The term you’re more familiar with is ‘Carbon Monoxide’ poisoning.”
“You can’t be serious. These things could die the same way if we should suck on the exhaust of a car?” asked Molina
“Yes,” answered Emil. “That is why it has no affect on us. Its carbon element is quite different than ours. Therefore, it can’t pair off with our oxygen atoms. To put it simple, the meteorites need a stronger host.”
“So let’s just say if someone like us came here from that world, then this rock would be the only thing to kill it?” asked Fu.
“Honestly, I don’t know what is wrong with the two of you. Extra-terrestrial life is unknown and unlikely at this point. The two of you actually think some being from this planet is going to come in his spaceship and dominate the Earth.”
“Hey, that farm boy sure gave me a good push to the ground, and I’m twice his size,” said Molina.
“What did you just say?” asked Emil eagerly.
“You got beat up by some farm boy,” laughed Fu.
“Emil, what’s wrong? You look worried,” said Molina.
Fu and Molina watched Emil talk to himself quietly, as if no one else was in the room. Emil said, “No, no. The meteorite of this size wouldn’t take full effect of a humanoid. It would render him helpless but would require time to kill him.”
Molina and Fu then talked amongst themselves, “What if Luthor and not this farm boy that beat you up was from this world? Why else would he be so eager to get his hands on this information?”asked Fu.
“I did hear that Luthor’s father was in Smallville the day of the meteor shower,” said Molina.
Everyone was busy talking and didn’t hear the flap on the lab door open. They were surprised by a strange voice, “My reasons are quite different, I can assure you.”
They all looked towards the door. “Oh, Luthor, we didn’t know you were here,” said a startled Molina.
“Yeah, when did your flight arrive?” asked Fu.
“Early this morning. I don’t appreciate being talked about in such a manner.”
“Sorry, Luthor, we were just jokin’ though,” said Molina with a half scared smile.
“What’s this I hear about a farm boy getting the best of you?” I asked to Molina.
“Oh, it was nothin’. I just lost my balance. The boy got lucky is all.”
“Well then. Professor Hamilton, I hope you have good things to tell me,” I said.
“The report I have to give you will make your hair stand on end.” Emil realized his mistake. “Oh, terribly sorry Mr. Luthor. No offense, please,” insisted Emil.
“That’s quite alright Professor. I’ve grown accustomed to my unnatural baldness.” I had the professor fill me in on all the details. He showed me the reports and went through all the experiments. I couldn’t have been more ecstatic at the ground breaking news. I knew that things were running right on course.
ns 15.158.61.6da2
