Work Text
"Thank you all for coming today. I think you'll find the work we do here quite simulating."
LexCorp Advanced Research Collective
3:00 PM
Their host was not a physically intimidating man. Taller than many, yes. Lean, but not slim. He wore his hair in a curling mane that wasn't necessarily the height of contemporary fashion. But it was his presence that made Alexander Luthor such an imposing figure. Deep green eyes peered from beneath a sharp brow, and he stood straight in a suit that almost dared his guests to imagine how much it cost. He stepped up to a frosted window that ran the length of the corridor they now stood in, and with a wave of his hand caused the glass to become transparent. Through it, the guests could see a pristine, sophisticated laboratory space on the floor below. He was in. ID got him past security, and the morning crew had mostly left for the day. Easier to move about unnoticed that way. Cameras must be looped too. He was right. I might as well be invisible ."Through your generous investments, LexCorp has constructed a state of the art Research and Development facility," Luthor continued. "Inside, our scientists can continue to push the bleeding edge of innovation. Metropolis is the City of Tomorrow, and LexCorp is going to bring that Tomorrow closer than ever. Smart metals for prosthetics that can seamlessly integrate with the human body. Miniaturized fuel reactors that will power everything from pacemakers to next-gen weapons."Here he stole a quick glance towards General Comstock, looking for a reaction out of the arbiter of his defense contract before he moved on."From this vantage point we will be able to see it all. Right this way."Chemistry, biomedical engineering, astrogeology. They sure had a lot of labs. Fortunately, he knew where he was going…“Sir.”Two security guards were behind him."Can I see some identification, pal?" One of the guards moved his hand to his weapon. The stranger cracked his neck, limbering up for what came next."Any questions so far?" Luthor asked as he led the group around a corner."What do those red lights mean?" One investor pointed down into the lab. The once sterile white space was now flashing crimson.Luthor's face fell."Everyone, remain calm. We have this under control."He briskly stepped away from the investors, phone in hand. "Spalding, what is the meaning of this?" "We're under attack, Mr. Luthor," the voice on the other end sounded urgent.
"Someone spoofed the encryption codes on the surveillance system and snuck into the sublevels. Intruder is armed and currently engaging our security team."
"You told me those encryptions were military-grade!" Lex raked his fingers through his hair. He was now quite appreciative of the soundproof windows.
"They are, sir. This is some black-ops level bull. Get yourself and the VIPs to safety and let the security team do what you pay them to. I'm sure this will be over shortly."
It was a chrome skull mask, costume store plastic but enough to cover his face. His eyes darted around beneath it. He dove for cover behind a bank of computers. More guards had arrived on the scene after the alarm sounded. The mission was scrubbed - he needed to escape immediately. Peeking around his cover, he noticed a pressurized tank behind the guards. He couldn't read what was in it from this distance. As good a distraction as any to cover my exit, he thought.He took aim with his sidearm.
This will be over soon.
"Friends and associates," Luthor announced as he returned. "We have encountered a minor security breach downstairs. At this time, we're going to temporarily pause the tour, so if everyone could please proceed in a calm and orderly fashion towards-"The thunderous rattle of an explosion cut him off, as the floor behind him erupted. Fire alarms blared and dust billowed. The ceiling lurched with a sickening crack, as the roof began to cave in on them.Luthor shielded his eyes, hearing the investors scream as the world came down around them. But then the crashing sounds stopped. Luthor opened his eyes.As daylight now penetrated the swirling smoke, it framed a man. He was tall, and powerfully built, with short tousled black hair. He wore denim jeans and a sky blue t-shirt with a peculiar red and yellow S symbol sewn into the chest. A red cape was tied around his neck. But what really set him apart is that he stood before them bearing a several-ton beam on his shoulders, now moving to lift it higher with one arm. "Is everyone alright?" He asked, the great weight straining even his apparently immense strength."It's you," Luthor breathed.
SUPERMAN
Up and Away
"I can't hold this too much longer," Superman continued. "Take a left at the second door behind me and continue past the stairwell - I left the door open.""You heard the man!" General Comstock barked. "Let's get moving!"One by one they stepped under the beam and towards their exit. Luthor was the last to go, pausing in front of the unexpected savior. "I have men in the lower level pursuing the person responsible," Lex said. "Not sure who else was in the building.""Go," Superman hefted the debris once more. "I'll take care of the rest."With the tour group evacuated, Superman leapt down into the burning part of the building.The stranger coughed up some dust, and quickly appraised his situation. Fire suppression system was working, but whatever he struck wasn't playing well with water. Maybe an oil or something. His arm was pretty badly singed - that would need patching up. He saw the next floor up overhead.
There's my exfil.
That was when a newcomer dropped down from the upper level. Even in the lurid firelight he could make out the symbol on his chest.
Him?
He held his breath for what felt like minutes before Superman turned and sprinted through a partially collapsed corridor.Exhaling, he started climbing to safety.Everywhere he went, the building creaked and crackled. Finding those people won't be easy, even with ears as good as mine, Superman thought.He stepped into a new room.“Hello?”Debris was strewn all over the room. Only… no. These were too uniform in size. They were samples. Mineral samples.A sensation washed over him, and he immediately felt feverish. A smell assailed his nostrils, like inhaling broken glass. He staggered forward, his chest and legs suddenly so heavy he almost couldn't move them. He had never felt this way before - such things rarely bothered him. And even as he approached the threshold, he began to feel the effects lessen."Who's there?" He heard a voice from down the hall. Two men in security garb moved through the debris."Don't come any closer," Superman said. There's something toxic in the air here.""Superman?" One of the guards asked."Are you okay?" His partner added, noting his pale complexion."I'm getting there," Superman said raggedly. "Are you the only ones down here?""The ones who made it, I guess," the other guard shuddered. "Our guy looks like he got away.""Then let's worry about safety first." Superman looked at the partially collapsed ceiling. "It's going to be a little awkward carrying two of you, but I'll manage. We're getting out of here.""How?" The first guard asked incredulously.Superman stepped between the two men and motioned for them to grab either one of his arms. "Up."" So far, no fatalities have been reported. Firefighters were aided in their search by Superman, who had arrived on the scene early. Ever since he arrived a year ago, Superman has performed one remarkable act after another, seemingly defying human physiology. It leaves many to wonder…" "It kills me, Jimmy. I just gotta know this guy's deal." Offices of the Daily Planet
8:30 AM
Lois Lane leaned against her desk sipping a mug of coffee as the morning news continued its story. Much of their business seemed to revolve around the enigmatic "Man of Steel" these days. "I think he's just trying to help," Jimmy Olsen, the young photographer who frequently joined her on assignment, reclined in his chair not far away. He tossed a bean bag up and down in the air, keeping himself busy."Sure he is, Jim,” she waved her hand dismissively. “And he's damn good at it too. But where did he come from? How can he do what he does? Faster than a speeding bullet? More powerful than a locomotive? Able to leap tall buildings in a single bound? We're the best reporters in the city and we haven't even been able to get a name out of him.""I'm more concerned about that mystery intruder," another man said as he flopped into his desk. "I know I wouldn’t want to make an enemy of Lex Luthor."Clark Kent had started with the Daily Planet , Metropolis' premiere news publication, not long before Superman first came onto the scene. He made a name for himself as a journalist in Kansas City before moving to town, soon striking a rapport with Lois and Jimmy.“C’mon, farm boy,” Lois teased. “Aren’t you the least bit curious about this dude?”“Sure,” Clark shrugged. “But we aren’t paparazzi. If we try to hound the secrets out of him, he’s liable to clam up even more.”“How could you be that strong and still be afraid of a couple of reporters?” Jimmy asked. "We don’t bite. Well, I suppose I can’t speak for Lois, but you and I don't.”“A picture’s worth a thousand words, Jimmy,” Lois shot him a look. “You take enough of the former that you could really spare yourself a few of the latter.”A man with salt and pepper hair and an authoritative scowl rounded the corner. This was Perry White, Editor in Chief of the Planet .“You three,” he pointed at Lois, Clark, and Jimmy in turn.“We’ve got a big utility outage in Southside, whole block in the projects without running water.”“No water?” Clark frowned. “It’s almost 90 degrees today. That’s going to be a big problem for the residents.”Perry nodded gruffly.“Which is why I need boots on the ground. Find out what the authorities know.”“Can do, chief,” Jimmy said, grabbing his hat.“Don’t call me that, Olsen!” Perry barked."I can't imagine not having running water on a day like this," Lois wiped her brow on her sleeve.
Baylook Housing Project
9:00 AM
Despite the heat, a great many people were gathered outside the apartment complex. Here and there someone had lugged out a cooler, doling out what bottled beverages they had in their fridges to their neighbors. There was an atmosphere of anxiety all around.There were already a few other reporters ambling around the scene, mostly from the TV stations.“I’m seeing a lot of children around here,” Clark said pensively.“Well, it is June, Clark,” Lois said. “School’s just about done.”Jimmy, who had been fiddling with his camera equipment, began zipping his pack back up.“What are you doing, Jim?” Clark asked.“These people don’t need their picture taken right now,” he said with a somber tone.Lois noticed a flurry in the reporters as a handful of public works officials. Presiding over the group was a severe-faced man with deep-set eyes and imperiously bushy eyebrows. He wore different garb from the others, aside from his reflective vest; and the badge of a police inspector caught the light of the sun. Lois didn't recognize him though."There will be no statements at this time. The situation is still under investigation, and we have no timetable for when water will be restored to the building.""Do you know that guy, Lois?" Clark asked.Lois shook her head."Must be a new guy. Kind of fishy to see the police buttoning up a scene like this, right? Hm."Clark punched the bridge of his nose behind his glasses. "I don't like when you make that noise."Lois only grabbed him by the arm and started walking in the direction the inspector had come from."Jimmy, can you handle a couple of interviews while Clark and I check something out?""Sure," Jimmy said glumly. "You two have fun."A young woman was speaking with an old man. Her head was wrapped in a scarf with a vibrant green and blue floral pattern that accented the darker blue of her clothes. The outcome of the conversation seemed positive, as she clasped her hands together in gratitude before rounding up the children nearby and sending them off with the man. Good a time as any, Jimmy thought, heading over to the girl."Miss?"She stiffened as he approached."Can I help you?""James Olsen, with the Daily Planet . Call me Jimmy."She eyed him up. He couldn't have been more than a year or two older than her." You're a reporter?" "A junior reporter," Jimmy argued. Then he snickered. "Well, an intern. I study photography at Met-U. The Planet lets me do my practicum there. But uh, I can tell you guys have plenty of reporters to deal with already. It's kind of gross, to be honest. Making a situation like this into so much of a zoo."She visibly relaxed."You're telling me. Must be a slow news day. 'Let's go watch all the brown people struggle.'"She shook her head."Sorry. It's been a long morning. I'm Samiya. Sayha. I'm actually going to be at Met-U soon as well. I got into the fashion program there.""I can see that," Jimmy gestured to her head. "Noticed your hijab. Your own handiwork?""Yes!" She beamed. "My grandmother brought this fabric back from Istanbul. A little formal, but the material is good in this weather. Can you imagine, my brother is out there playing baseball in this heat. At least he has a working bathroom at school.""He's still in school?""The middle school lets out a week later than the high school and elementary here," she nodded. "I just got permission from a grocery store owner not far from here to let the little ones use his restrooms so-"Then she squinted."Hey, this isn't an interview, is it?'"No! Though, if you would consent to one I certainly wouldn't mind."Samiya laughed."You're either a very good reporter or a very bad one."Jimmy laughed back."What makes you say that?""Aren't you supposed to be… nosier? Always poking away until the truth comes out?"He thought about it for a moment."I guess some people are like that. I think they'd like to be called 'tenacious' more than 'nosey,' though. Like my mentor, Lois. She never gives up. I'm still a little nervous in these situations though. In this job, I've realized, you see a lot of the bad in the world. I'm not comparing it to being an EMT or anything, but I guess I'm still getting used to it.""My mother grew up in a rough part of the world," Samiya said. "She would tell my brother and I when we were kids, 'Don't shut your heart to the hurting you can't see,' because even though we were doing okay here, a lot of our extended family was still back home. Making people see that hurting does make it a little more real for them though, I suppose."She stopped again."Do you need to record this or anything?"Jimmy smiled."I'll remember.""Lois, this is a bad idea."Clark stood at the lip of a manhole, watching his colleague descend into the darkness, a flashlight lashed to her belt loop. "Relax," her voice floated up. "It's just like you said about Superman this morning - the more they hide something, the more you want to find it.""That's the opposite of what I said this morning.""Well, that was my takeaway from it. Oh!"Clark went on alert."Lois? What happened? Are you okay?""I'm fine. But you should get down here. It's the water."His boots landed in ankle-high water when he reached the bottom. Tunnels branched off in either direction. A hundred years ago or so, Metropolis' city planners had the clever idea to build all of the potable water lines and their access points east-west, while the sewers ran north-south a story below their feet. This was probably a substation for the larger Southside area."Pipe burst," he said. "Big one from the look of it.""But if that were the case, why not just say so?" Lois frowned. "We should keep going. Wading through this water is going to be a pain in the neck.""That's why most people walk on the top of the street, not the bottom."Clark turned around, and his flashlight fell on the source of the voice - the bushy-browed police inspector, arms crossed in the mouth of a tunnel. Acting fast, Lois tromped through the water to the man and reached out her hand.
Time to turn on the charm, Lois.
"Ah! See, Clark, this is the man I was telling you about. I've been so looking forward to meeting you, Mister…?"He looked at Lois as though he was still deciding whether he actually wanted this conversation to begin. Eventually he reciprocated and shook her hand.“Turpin. Dan Turpin. Metropolis Special Crimes Unit.” “Pleased to meet you, Inspector Turpin. I’m Lois Lane.”“You’re with the Daily Planet . I’ve read your stuff before. It’s alright.”“...Thanks," Lois retracted her hand. So that's the way to approach him. "Are water main breaks usually the purview of the MSU?"Turpin's expression didn't change."Is trespassing on city property usually the purview of the Daily Planet ?"Clark interjected himself between the two strong personalities."Clark Kent - also Daily Planet . We're very sorry about this, inspector. And we were just leaving.""Nah." Turpin put his hand on Clark's shoulder. "Your girlfriend has stones, Kent. You might as well have a look."Clark immediately turned scarlet in the dim light."Oh, she's not- I mean, haha! That's so… what?""Lead the way!" Lois said victoriously."There's three entrances to this particular substation. I was checking one of the others when I heard the two of you. I've got boys looking at the third, trying to see which one they might have used to get in here."They followed Turpin down the tunnel. Besides them, a huge central pipe supplied water from the aquifers beneath the city. Clark noticed the water was slowly draining down - likely into the sewers - as they moved."Someone else was in here?" Clark asked. "Who?""The people who did that," Turpin pointed into the next room."My god," Lois whispered.Splitting off from the central line ahead of them was a pipe perhaps a foot in diameter. A clean gash had been cleaved into the side of it. Beyond the scene, a pair of portable lights from the police illuminated a message scrawled on the wall:
STOP POLLUTING METROPOLIS
CLEARWATER
"I guess you don't need me to tell you which block this main feeds.""So this was sabotage," Lois said. "You were keen on playing detectives," Turpin crossed his arms again. "Walk me through what you think happened here."Clark moved towards the pipe."Well, after the pipe went they would have had to deal with the water on their way out. A lot of it.""That's right," Turpin nodded. "The pressure drop in the main set off an alarm around three this morning. But that would have been after all the water above the breach drained out of the system. We're talking swimming pools on swimming pools. Central Command didn't authorize the drains until someone came out to confirm the failure.""So either they were particularly strong swimmers, or they had gear," Clark reasoned. "This was planned out well in advance.""And they left a message behind," Lois said, examining the text."It's paint? So they wrote this before they blew the main.""At least an hour before, Forensics thinks," Turpin said. "That's what happened. Now tell me why."“They mention 'pollution.' Eco-terrorists?”"If only someone cared enough about the environment to do this," Turpin said darkly. "Would it surprise either of you to know that Southside Borough has the biggest per-capita population of Kandaqi-Americans in the tristate area?"“Not really," Lois said. "The war in Kandaq has displaced millions of refugees. Metropolis is a sanctuary city for Kandaqi immigrants.”“Indeed it is,” Turpin’s eyes retreated beneath his brow. “Miss Lane, you asked me why the SCU got involved in this. It’s because I don’t believe whoever left this message has a beef with the DEP.”“The pollution… is the people,” Clark said, the realization dawning on him. “This isn't a protest, it's a hate crime - someone is targeting the refugees!”
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
"Clearwater first started making waves in 2002. More serious than your tiki torch weekend warriors, but not exactly the bozos in bedsheets, if you get my meaning."
Somewhere Under Southside
9:30am
"But by 2008 they were pretty much defunct," Turpin continued. "I don't even think they really bothered Metropolis much when they were around. Which is why I was pretty floored to see them claiming responsibility for this."
"You've known about this 'Clearwater' since you got here?" Lois' brow furrowed. "Shouldn't everyone be informed?"
"The
police
should be informed," he said, then gestured at himself.
"And hey, look at that. They do."
"You can't just ask us to keep this under wraps," Lois said angrily. "Groups like this demand a strong community response."
"Groups like this thrive on visibility," Turpin argued. "The last thing they need is a spotlight. I get where your heart is, Miss Lane, but sometimes calling it as you see it gets people hurt."
Clark adjusted his glasses.
"Perhaps we can come to a compromise, Inspector Turpin. We won't tell you how to do your job if you don't tell us how to do ours. We'll write exactly what we know. 'The loss of water at Baylook appears to be the result of intentional sabotage. The SCU is not currently prepared to share any more information about who might be responsible.' Knowledge that a crime has been committed will at the very least garner support for the victims, get them some help before their water is restored"
Turpin frowned.
"I suppose that wouldn't be out of order. so long as there isn't a sniff of motive in the story - not even speculation."
"We don't write the editorial columns, sir. Isn't that right, Lois?"
Lois looked long and hard at the police inspector, before slouching down.
"Right."
"I don't understand why someone would go out of their way to hurt so many people," Jimmy said.
Midtown Metropolis
11:30am
"You don't need a good reason to hate someone for being different," Lois replied. "Just an easy one to justify to yourself.”
"And Turpin wasn't wrong," Clark said. "These guys crave attention. I wouldn't be surprised if someone tries to claim responsibility before the evening news."
"All the more reason to get the scoop now, instead of letting them blindside everyone."
“It will come out eventually,” Clark chided.
“So why not now?”
“Because I don’t want to get arrested, Lois!”
While they were arguing, Jimmy’s gaze was fixed on his phone, a wide grin across his face.
"Well, I should get back to head office and work on this interview I got," he said, feeling Lois and Clark’s eyes on him. "Catch up with you later!"
He stopped short, and started fiddling with his phone.
"Oh yeah. On… hang on… yes! The Friday after next! What do you say we all go to the movies after work?"
"Something good playing?" Lois asked.
"Only the biggest movie of the summer -
Legacy of Void
."
"Come… again?" Clark asked, confused.
"Really Clark?" Jimmy scoffed. "They didn't let you out much in KC.
Legacy of Void
! It's the third one in a series, based on those YA novels from the 2010s. First there was
Void Incursion
, then there was
Revenge of Void.
It's about these aliens that come to Earth. They look like people on the outside, but on the inside there's nothing but cosmic malice."
"I see," Clark muttered. "Well, I haven't seen the first two, so I think I would be confused."
"I think a date took me to the first one," Lois said, "but I'm kind of in the same boat."
"Well, maybe you guys can marathon it together sometime," Jimmy winked. "See ya!"
"Kid’s got a lot of energy for a college student," Lois shook her head. Then she turned to Clark.
"Coffee for the road? It's my turn to buy."
"And maybe a bagel," Clark chuckled. "I skipped breakfast this morning. Hey, look there."
He walked over to a TV in a nearby store window where the news was on. There was some news footage of the Baylook Projects, and the chyron read “Sabotage in Southside.”
“It’s our report.”
"The story, as first broken by the Daily Planet, is still developing.”
"Music to my ears," Lois smirked. Then the story abruptly shifted.
“Metro News coming at you at this hour with an update on last night’s frightful events. LexCorp CEO Alexander Luthor has issued an official statement on the incident.”
The screen changed to the severe face of Lex Luthor, standing at a press conference.
"It was thanks to Superman that no lives were lost in this heinous attack. If this message reaches him, I'd like Superman to know that my door is always open, and I would like to speak with him directly when he has a chance."
"Strong words from a man who has been rather tight-lipped about the Man of Steel for almost a year now. Coming up next-"
“Eh. It was fun while it lasted,” Lois shruged. “At the end of the day nobody makes things happen in Metropolis like Lex Luthor.”
“Hmm,” Clark said, looking at the TV for a moment longer.
“Maybe you’re right.”
John Corben sat in his car. The first groups of kids, most of them preteen boys, had begun emerging.
Park Ridge Rec Center
2:30pm
At length, he saw a lanky blonde boy shuffle out the door.
“What the Hell?”
The boy - his nephew, Charlie - put his baseball gear into the trunk and took a seat behind John with the demeanor of a whipped animal. The black eye was impossible not to notice.
Corben turned the rearview mirror to get a better look at the boy.
"By god, Chuck, what happened? Did you get into a fight?"
"No!" Charlie shouted.
"Don't lie to me, boy."
"I'm not! I just… I got hit by a pitch at practice today."
"Ah,” Corben put the car in drive and began moving away from the rec center. “Tell me what happened."
Charlie shrugged uncomfortably.
"Well, I guess I was being kind of a hothead with the new guy. They had him try pitching today, but that's the position I usually play!"
"Hmm," his uncle grunted. “You have to remember that baseball is a team sport. That means you can’t always be the star.”
“I guess so,” Charlie turned to face out the window. “And I mean, Sahab
is
a pretty great pitcher.
“What’s that?”
“That's the new kid," Charlie said. "Sahab. He lives over in the Southside Projects."
"I see," Corben said darkly. His grip on the steering wheel tightened.
"Well, they're having a lot of problems over there. Maybe things will sort themselves out."
"Uncle John?"
"Not now, boy. We're here."
Corben winced, the act of getting out of the car noticeably labored.
“Give me a hand, would you? Banged my arm up something good yesterday.”
“Working on the Mustang?” Charlie asked.
“...Yeah, that’s right.”
He opened the trunk, reached past the chrome skull mask, and pulled Charlie’s duffle bag out.
"Hello, I'm here to speak to Mr. Luthor."
"I'm sorry, but Mr. Luthor doesn't see anyone without an appointment - oh!"
When the secretary looked up from her computer, she was shocked to see the broad, caped form of Superman standing before her.
LexCorp Tower
5:30pm
"My apologies for not calling ahead," Superman smiled, "but Mr. Luthor expressed his interest in meeting with me on the news this afternoon, and I thought it worth stopping by."
"Of… of course," the secretary said. "One moment please."
She pulled a second phone out of her desk and dialed the only number on it.
"Mr. Luthor? Your VIP is here. Very well. I'll let him know."
She put the phone away.
"Someone will be down shortly."
After about five minutes the elevator chimed and a woman emerged, wearing the well-tailored attire of a chauffeur.
"Thank you Ms. Jessop," she said, before turning to Superman.
"Right this way, sir."
They boarded the elevator, the woman producing a small key to unlock access to the penthouse.
She had an almost military bearing to her, with her blonde hair pulled back into a tight bun and a rigid posture. She became more relaxed when the doors closed, however.
"Run into much traffic?" She asked as the elevator began whispering up the shaft.
"Just a little joke. Have you ever actually been in a car, or do you just sort of leap everywhere?"
"That's very good," Superman chuckled. "I've been in a car before, yes. Though I do most of my traveling on foot these days. Better for the environment."
"I imagine so," she said with a dry tone.
Just as Superman was beginning to wonder just how many floors LexCorp Tower had, the chime sounded once again and the doors opened to a lavish suite. A long bank of floor-to-ceiling windows offered a million dollar view (or more likely several million, Superman thought) of the city beyond.
Superman's host was seated in a sunken living area with his back to the elevator. He stood, picked up two glasses of whiskey from the table, and turned to meet the Man of Steel.
"There he is," he smiled.
Superman shook the other man's hand.
"Nice to meet you under less dire circumstances, Mr. Luthor."
"Please, call me Lex," he said, handing a glass to the woman. "You've already met my personal assistant, Mercy."
"Yes!" Superman said. "I apologize for not asking your name in the elevator."
Luthor and Mercy both laughed.
"Wow! You are the real deal, my friend," Lex said. He extended the other glass.
"Can I interest you in a 25 year?"
Superman chuckled sheepishly.
"Oh, thank you, but… this is kind of embarrassing. I have a very high metabolism. I don't want to be rude, but I also wouldn't want you to waste such an expensive drink on someone who wouldn't properly enjoy the effects."
"That's very considerate," Lex said, "But I think you'll find plenty to enjoy beyond the buzz. And as I'm sure you gathered, I didn't just invite you here to offer you a drink."
Mercy took her glass over to a chaise lounge by the grand piano and watched Superman and Lex venture towards the windows.
"So what is this about then, Lex?"
Lex moved a lock of hair aside and stared out the window.
"I could really use a man like you on my payroll, Superman."
Superman finished his drink.
"Come again?"
"I want to offer you a job. 'Superman: The Face of Team LexCorp.' It could be beneficial to both of us."
"Let me get this straight. You want to hire me to be… some kind of PR figure?"
Lex laughed.
"Well, the company image could certainly use a bit of restoration after that embarrassing lapse in security last night. Your image, on the other hand, remains perfect. Just think about it; The two most powerful people in Metropolis, working together."
"Lex, I'm flattered. And I appreciate your candor. But I'm not for sale. I'm always happy to help you - and everyone else - but it would send the wrong message if I started doing it for money."
"Ah," Luthor said, his face unmoving. "I had a feeling you might say something to that effect."
Superman remained silent for a while.
"Do you keep up with current events, Lex?"
"Here and there," Lex frowned. "What are you getting at?"
"I like your idea. The media seems to pay a lot of attention to me, and your family practically built Metropolis. Working together, we could do a lot for this city. There was a hate crime today in Southside. A block of immigrants and refugees with no water. I don't know where the perpetrators are, but I know that the victims need help."
"I heard there had been some kind of… I guess an attack is the only word… on a substation today," Lex's features darkened, "but I never could have imagined it was targeted in such a way. That sort of thing just won't stand in my city."
"I'm glad to hear it," Superman said.
"You were willing to pay me. Would my salary have covered a few cases of water, and could they be shipped down to the projects?"
"Of course," Lex straightened up. "A simple task."
"Sometimes that's all doing the right thing is."
A shape alighted on the balcony. Though the lights were dark inside, the door was unlocked. He went straight for the closet before he turned the lights on.
Clark Kent's Apartment
8:00 PM
He hung up his cape next to the others behind the row of coats and suit jackets, then tossed his shirt in the laundry. Then he flopped into the bed. Clark's head was swimming with the events of the day. The members of Clearwater were out there somewhere in the city. Were they celebrating? Were they plotting their next attack? Stopping them would be for a job for Superman, but
finding them
might be a job for Clark. Fortunately, Superman found an unlikely ally in Lex Luthor today, and the people Clearwater hurt would soon be getting some help.
His thoughts turned inward. He wondered what Clearwater would think of him. He was raised in Kansas, but he was born a lot farther away than Kandaq.
"They look like people on the outside, but on the inside..."
Jimmy wasn't talking about him. I was only a movie, after all.
Across town, Samiya Sayha was in her room sketching when she heard a knock at the door.
She took off her headphones and walked over to the door, seeing her brother standing on the other side.
"Hey. What are you doing up, Sahab?"
"Mom and dad sound scared. Should I be scared too?"
Samiya's jaw set.
"Come in. Sit on my bed for a minute."
She pushed aside a few rolls of cloth from her bed and sat him down. Then she rolled a chair over.
"Everyone is just a little on edge about the water," she said. "It's nothing you need to worry about."
It didn't seem to change Sahab's mood.
"People hate us, don't they?"
Samiya swallowed.
"No. Of course not. Just a bunch of jerks messing around. But the whole city knows what happened here today. Help is on the way."
She looks out the window to the downtown area across the river.
"Someone will help us."