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RAIDS,
ASSAULTS AND REVELS
PART FOUR, page 3
June 28, Metropolis - St. Michael’s Catholic Church
Whitney was so happy that Jeff had been drafted to escort their
Mom to Tristan’s wedding. As it was, Clark and Lex were sitting
three rows back with Jon and Martha. Whitney did not like Church
weddings, the Mass was long and boring, and it being June, meant
that the church was going to be hot. He was also thankful that Tristan
had Sebastian was Best Man and two pals from school to be Groom’s
Men. Nonetheless, he was sitting here waiting for this to get to
the good part, the reception and dance. Lisa’s parents wanted their
only daughter to have a great wedding; the fact that Tristan was
loaded was no big deal. He was sitting down the row from his Mom
in the family section, already bored. One saving grace in the whole
thing, Nick was sitting behind him. Nick was fun to talk to and
Whitney knew he was upfront about everything but his and Jeff’s
‘friendship’. Drove him crazy but he liked him.
Lex sat next to Clark, listening to Whitney go on and on in his
head. It was funny but true; Jeff and Nick were honest about everything
but their relationship. “Clark, stop moving so much!” Lex hissed
at Clark.
“Sorry, but these pews are uncomfortable.”
Finally, Tristan came up to the Altar with his party, and the Wedding
March started. The assembled watched as the Wedding Party came down
the aisle, finally the signal for the bride. Whitney looked down
the aisle, seeing his soon to be sister-in-law walking towards the
altar. He had a momentary pang in his heart, realizing this was
something he was never going to do.
“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today…”
Lex was so tired he decided to have them stay the night at the
penthouse. “Oh, Clark…do me a favor, massage my feet, please?”
Clark reached over and kissed Lex, noting that Whitney was already
snoring. Whitney and Lex had several glasses of champagne, while
Clark had only three, but the shots he had snuck gave him a slight
buzz as well. “Okay but…” Clark looked over and saw that Lex was
asleep as well. “I am never going to let you two drink a bottle
of champagne again. JERKS!” Clark climbed in bed and went to sleep,
pissed that he did not get to have sex like they had both promised…repeatedly
through the reception.
July 4, Moscow
Dimitri was excited, he had evidence that the cartel was behind
the raid on the Luthor Estate and also that they were planning something
else. His attaché in Columbia could not be more specific but was
able to gather that some project in Costa Rica required the materials
from the United States. He had plans in mind, leverage to help him
out of his bind. The man following the investigation in Metropolis
was being reassigned. Dimitri had only so many hands and he needed
this set to follow the Columbian trail in the States.
Smallville
It was just like last year thought Lex, the Bar-B-Que, water gun
fights, yelling and screaming everywhere. But, the additional security,
invisible, but present denied him a carefree holiday. Lex was trying
to relax but it was not happening. The plan was in motion, nothing
could stop it now. He knew that the mineral reserve was the ultimate
target, from whom, it had not been decided. The fact that the government
raided Cadmus and it looked like the Russians raided the Estate
created competing agendas. A trap was set, no one was going to get
those rocks, and Lex was not going to destroy them either.
Whitney was sitting chatting with Tristan and Jeff, talking about
nothing in general when Tristan brought up the Environmental Defense
League. “Whitney, we are going to donate $10 million in your name.
Lex likes the idea, it remains free of Luthor influence and Minerva
stays clean as well.”
Whitney laughed, “Nice to play the decoy.”
Jeff punched Whit lightly in the arm, “Do you think they would
take the donation from Clark seriously? You were at the conference,
people know that. Face it; until Clark is older, you are the Non-Luthor
face that will be seen. Clark will be free to look after his own
destiny. Sorry sport, but that is your role.”
“Well, it has some nice benefits, not a bad gig. So, are you both
going to choose my major for me?”
“Well, you ARE going to Met U, you are looking at Duke and Stanford
in front of you.”
Whitney laughed again, “To think I have snobs as brothers.”
Jeff got up, looking for Nick, “We are very good at what we do,
okay, I’m off to beat Nick in a game of tennis. You play nice with
the others. You, go place nice with that wife of yours.”
“Tristan, what happened to your honeymoon?”
“We fly out Sunday, two beautiful weeks in Bali. Lex wanted us
to wait until after the Fourth to go - security reasons.”
“Tell me about it, pain in the ass. I’ll talk to you later, Tristan.”
Washington
Henry was at his desk, even with the Senate out for the Fourth
of July recess, he had things he had to get done. Another hate crime
had been committed, this time near the District and it had many
people nervous. His boss wanted legislation reviewed on the subject.
The man, who was killed, apparently was very unusual in appearance.
Henry did not want to know but he contacted the FBI and was informed
that this was the fourth such crime committed in the last two months.
He picked up his ringing cell phone. “Gyrich.”
“Mr. Gyrich, in the next few days, a number of meetings will be
taking place concerning the future of the nation and what the government
intends to do in order to protect them.”
Henry swallowed his fear, “What do I need to do?”
“All we need for you to do is to help move your boss in the direction
that we need him to be in. Changes are happening Mr. Gyrich. Sen.
Kelly needs to lead the charge to make sure honest clean living
Americans are protected from the filth. That is all that is required.
You will be getting a National Security Brief, make sure your boss
is prepped before the middle of the month.”
Smallville
The lake was full of people; Clark sat down, looking at everyone.
Chloe and Lana were beating on Pete since he was doing his macho
act. Whitney was busy talking to Nick and Jeff. Clark pulled a beer
from the cooler, just to see if anyone would say anything.
“Why should we? You handle beer much better than you do hard liquor.”
Clark looked and saw Lex behind him. “Hi, just sitting here, thinking.”
Answering the question that had been left unasked.
Lex sat down next to Clark, putting an arm across those broad shoulders.
“I love you, Clark. I like this tradition.”
“Yeah, me too. I love you also, Lex. Don’t tell Whitney, he thinks
I only love him though.”
Lex saw the big grin on Clark’s face and matched it, “I’ll be sure
to keep that a secret. Though…I love him too.”
“Yeah. Come, let’s go swimming. Pete needs reinforcements.”
Lex kissed Clark, “We can fight about baby names tonight. NO ’L’
names!”
July 5, Moscow
“Sir, we have broken the Chechen stronghold in the south. The Army
has secured Groznyy and the rebels are in full retreat.”
Dimitri sat back in his chair, “This is excellent news, word from
Ukraine?”
“The Foreign Minister will have a new security agreement in a week.
Russia will be responsible for the safety and well-being of the
Ukrainian people.”
Dismissing his aide, Dimitri began thinking of the Luthor problem
and Dominic. ‘I need to make sure that Dominic pays for his treachery.
As for the Luthor issue, no news is fine for now.’ Turning to his
TV, he saw the CNN headlines about missiles being exchanged in the
Taiwan Straight.
“Ah, so the King has a breach in his defenses.”
Metropolis
“Agent Desmond, we can confirm that the crystal is the same type
that fell in the fall of 1989. However, all of the strike sites
have been cleaned up and the material treated like hazardous waste.
The size of the crystal coupled with the evidence from the deceased
suggested a connection.”
Chet kept his chin in his hand while he flipped through several
pages, “What about this man…Dr. Stephen Hamilton?”
“Dr. Hamilton vanished over a year ago and his workshop was destroyed.
He was going to join Cadmus Labs but…Lex Luthor did order an investigation
but nothing came of it.”
“Thanks…I’ll let you know if I need any further help.” Chet watched
as two lab techs left the office. ‘The Luthor name keeps popping
up like a fungus.’ Desmond could not pull any of the threads together.
‘The Hell is going on?’
Washington
“General, the operation is a GO, repeat a GO. The site is under
surveillance and we already have men on the ground doing patrols.”
With a smug grin on his face, Gen Thames knew his prize was in
sight. “We decided not to draw attention to our plans so we will
not create a Hanta scare. When?”
The Special Operations director looked over some notes, “Middle
of the month. This will be easy, the site has some security, but
we can take it down without breaking a sweat.”
“The best news I have heard all day. Now, once we get the material
I want it taken to the base in Wyoming. I can have it shipped from
there. Understood?”
“Sir, yes, sir.” Seeing he was dismissed, the Colonel left Gen
Thames to look over the final plans. It was all coming together.
Moscow
Dimitri knew his counterpart at the Chinese Embassy. The game was
played at different levels, but he was in a fix and needed help.
A meeting was arranged so that a quick exchange could take place.
Wandering back to his office, Dimitri was pleased with his effort.
Dominic was now going to be viewed by the Chinese as treacherous.
It was easy to fake information that Taiwan possessed the same weapons
that the PRC did.
“All in one day’s work.”
July 6, Costa Rica
The winds were blowing; a storm out in the Caribbean was making
the weather around the compound unpleasant. The heavy rains threatened
to wash out the roads; the winds were making communications difficult.
Damien sat in his office, watching the hidden cameras show the erratic
behavior of Stephen. Making his decision, he placed a phone call.
‘They are out to get me, ruin all my years of research.’ Stephen
looked again at the last set of results. ’Can’t be right, I know
the truth!’ He pulled out a box, holding a fragment,
“You hold the key, yes…all the secrets are hidden in here. Time
can be broken, yes…I will have all that knowledge.”
He turned, hearing the door open. “GET OUT! I am working in here!”
Damien walked across the lab slowly, “Stephen, I am afraid that
our arrangement has to be renegotiated. You are no longer of any
value to me.”
“HOW DARE YOU! I am the one who knows what these rocks are capable
of, without me, you would have nothing!”
“That is where you are wrong.” Damien fired his Taser, hitting
Stephen in the chest, he crumpled in a flash. Three men came into
the room, picking him up. “Dump him on the border, make sure he
can be found. When he comes around, fill him with this. His last
few hours on Earth are going to be very good to him.” Damien watched
as the man pocketed a syringe full of premium heroin. He saw the
other door open, and with it came Brian. “Well Dr. Corbeau, it is
put up or shut up time.”
“Damien, I told you not to worry, we are now in my field. If I
need geology, I just have to go to Texas.”
Moscow, The Kremlin
A disc arrived at the Presidential Palace, marked for the security
chief to review. The security chief placed the disc in a computer
and began to read the information. He began to curse in various
languages. Picking up the phone, he called the counter intelligence
officer at RVS, “We have a problem. CIA has a mole in RVS and CIA
thinks we may be responsible for the death of the American Ambassador
in London.”
“We just swept for a counter-agent. I will find out if we have
a rogue agent that took out the Ambassador, do not mention this
to anyone. I will conduct the investigation personally. Send me
the information you have and increase the protection of the President.”
The information he received showed the weapons used in London were
the same type that had been used in Chechnya. For a moment the counter
spy thought that CIA was going to give the Russians carte blanche
to deal with Chechnya when the link came that the weapons were part
of a South African arms dealers specialty. More over, that said
arms dealer had a link to Russia.
July 8, Costa Rica
“Damien, what are your plans for getting us more material?”
“I was looking through what information we got from Lex’s office,
I found a source that is very handy and not as well guarded. Now,
getting it here will be problematic but logistics never stop me.”
Brian stared at Damien for a few moments, getting frustrated. “Are
you going to tell me or not?”
“The Metropolis Museum of Natural Science has one of the largest
pieces of meteor that came down in 1989. It is not on display, I
am having someone look into it. That Site A stuff can remain away
from us.”
“Has Hamilton been released yet?”
“I do not know of whom you speak.”
Brian searched Damien’s face for several seconds before the realization
dawned on him, “Ah…well. When will the first recruits arrive?”
“Late next week, our first batch arrives. Our real business begins
next week.”
Moscow
“So, Kartov is a traitor?” The Russian President asked his senior
advisor for Security Affairs.
“Sir, Kartov is a renegade, he was a player in the KGB and we have
learned that he was gathering support inside the government and
with the Black Marketers. We have proof of his collusion with the
arms dealer, Dominic Haynes.”
“Solve this problem…now.”
July 9, Guadalajara, Mexico 10:30 am
The light was bright, he could not see though. Sound was heavy
but he could see it was well. Nothing was right. He was hot, sweaty,
his stomach was turning. He heaved the contents of his stomach down
the front of his shirt, the acid smell causing him to heave again.
His body began to convulse, the tremors so powerful muscles were
pulled. The rhythm of his heart became erratic, nothing made sense.
The last thing he thought was, ‘I created life.’
London
Chris was sitting in a pub, off the normal path when his contact
walked in. “Mr. Wayne.”
“Smith.” Bruce said as he ordered a lager from the bartender. “So,
any word yet?”
“No, but the CIA had better not find out that we used them to set
up the deputy of RVS. And Lex had better not find out either.”
“We should know something in the next few days. He played the game
and lost, or will.”
Chris pulled his Palm out, checking some information. “Anything
else I need to be aware of?”
Bruce stood up, dropping a five pound note on the bar. “I’ll be
in touch.” And left the bar on that remark.
Metropolis, 8:00 pm
“Agent Desmond, we found Dr. Hamilton. The consulate in Guadalajara
was notified by the police. He died of a heroin overdose.”
Chet was handed a report, flipping through it he saw a few inconstancies.
“Have the body flown here for an autopsy.”
“Sir, it is cut and dry…he died of a heroin overdose.”
“Well, I don’t think it is so cut and dry. I want to know what
was going on and I want to see the body. Get it brought up here
ASAP.”
“Yes, sir.”
July 10, Prague
Dominic was sitting at his favorite café, having lunch, enjoying
the day. His laptop was open and he was looking at the shipment
and delivery dates for a number of things.
“Mr. Haynes, I have business to discuss with you.”
Dominic looked up, and saw an Asian man standing over him. “Pardon
me, do I know you?”
“No, but I know you. It appears that you have been making deals
with all sorts of people that are enemies of the PRC.”
Feeling the anger begin to rise, Dominic answered hastily, “I have
no exclusive contract, I can supply any I wish at anytime.”
“Pity Mr. Haynes, you passed the test in Hong Kong but then give
weapons to the traitors on the island. Enjoy the rest of your life,
it will not last.” With that, the man left Dom at the café pondering
his last statement.
Smallville
It was a beautiful summer day and Clark wanted to be out in it
but Whitney wanted him to keep practicing. “Whit…I’ll blow you if
you let me go have fun.”
Whitney laughed and dropped the tennis ball in his hand. “Clark,
you did that yesterday and this morning, remember? Besides, you
screwed Lex into next week; I doubt he can walk right now. Stop
pouting and practice.”
Clark floated fifteen feet in the air, using his vision to see
the glorious day he was missing. “I miss farm work, now its practice,
practice, practice.”
Lex walked up to Whitney, bent over to get the fallen ball and
heaved it at Clark, “Just practice!’ Turning to Whit, he pulled
him into a deep kiss.
Clark saw it and yelled, “I want one!”
Lex pulled back from Whitney, looked up at Clark, “Only if you
can come get me and without touching the floor.”
“You two are so mean! Fine, just for that…I get to pick one of
the names.”
“Clark, we said we would decide later in the month, so drop it,
but not your feet.” Whitney commented.
Lex felt his body leave the floor as Clark twirled him around.
“Hi.” They met in a fierce kiss before Clark placed him on the ground
again. “Okay, ten more minutes and then I am going to find Pete
and have some fun.
Lex and Whitney looked at each other and agreed.
Washington
Henry had news that another hate crime had been committed in Atlanta,
the incidents were being kept quiet but they were becoming more
frequent. His laptop was open and the classified files stared out
at him. ‘We are going to commit a crime in the name of National
Security. I simply can’t believe it.’
Hearing the phone ring, he hustled to pick it up. “Gyrich.”
“Mr. Gyrich, your employer needs to be informed of the mission
soon. The Intelligence Committee will find out one thing and the
Majority Leader another. It will be your job to make sure that both
versions never meet. Understood?”
That feeling of panic was back, the same feeling when he first
became part of this group. “Yes, I understand.”
“We will be in touch.”
Ft. Dettrick, MD
“Colonel, are we ready?”
“Yes General, all the pieces are in position. Give the word and
we are off.”
“Colonel…the word is given.”
Colonel black left the general’s office and lifted a phone, “Begin
Operation: Elixir.” Placing the phone back in its cradle, the colonel
left to catch a flight to Salt Lake City, and a nice ride out to
the Rocky Mountains.
Prague
His head was pounding, his sinuses were becoming stuffy, and he
was getting that out-of-body fever feeling. Muscles in his back
and neck began to ache. ‘I have not been sick in ages.’ Staggering
to his medicine cabinet, he pulled out some painkillers. Downing
them with a glass of tepid water, he searched out for his bed.
When he woke up, he could not see, the fever had not abated.
Struggling to get out of bed, he collapsed on the floor. The world
spinning around him, he looked up seeing three of the same man he
had met at the café.
“Mr. Haynes, our enterprise has come to an end, as has your life.
Pity the flu proved so fatal to your body.”
Dominic struggled to get up, his arms and legs refused to cooperate.
He could hear the rush of blood in his ears, his chest was struggling
to get air was sending pain through his whole body. The sweat trickling
down his face focused his attention. His life was passing in front
of him and ended.
The agent went down to the study and began copying everything from
Dominic’s hard drive. The toxin he used simulated the flu very well.
It was lethal in all cases that the Chinese had studied. The smile
he wore reflected the success of the new delivery system. After
finishing up, he placed another program into the hard drive, erasing
all its contents. Climbing the stairs, he looked in on Dominic,
seeing him sprawled on the floor. “Mr. Haynes, this could have been
such a great partnership. The People’s Republic of China thanks
you for the weapons design and all the technology you have given
us.”
Descending the stairs, he left to a darkened street and headed
home.
July 11, Metropolis
Chet looked at the autopsy report. “Acute radiation poisoning,
a needle mark, only one. Heroin overdose listed as cause of death.
A powerful sedative was found in his system. Exposure to high concentrations
of radiation is the cause of tissue breakdown in the lings and possible
other neurological effects would have been present. X-rays show
some of the material was absorbed in the skin and other tissues,
primarily the liver.” Chet lifted a small vial that held some of
the taken crystals. “Fragments match the same fragments found in
the hospital walls at Mercy.”
Chet turned when he saw his superior walk in the room, “Agent Desmond,
we are closing this case. Washington feels that your talents need
to work on the hate crimes team. Another killing in Atlanta happened
and the public is unaware of the situation. “
“Sir, there have been two murders, possibly three here. I want
to stay on this case.”
Special Agent-in-Charge Charles Wilson raised an eyebrow before
fixing Chet with a stern gaze, “Agent Desmond, I have reviewed the
findings and an eyewitness on medication in the middle of night
does not a case make. The dubious science does not help. You will
close up shop and let the local police handle this from here on
out.”
“Sir, this man is related to the whole puzzle, and he died in Mexico.
The FBI HAS to be involved.”
“Agent Desmond, I was unaware that you made policy for the Bureau.
You have two hours to get this handed over to the locals. Understood?”
Chet gritted his teeth, he hated leaving a mystery unsolved. “Yes
sir.”
Smallville
Relaxing on the couch in his office, Lex was startled when Chris
walked in, “You’re back. Successful?”
Chris grabbed a chair and faced Lex with s wicked grin on his face.
“Mr. Wayne proved most useful as you said he would. Dominic Haynes
is dead and Mr. Kartov is under suspicion. Wayne got the enterprise
that Dominic owned.”
Lex sat up, “Has Aaron been able to keep track of USAMRIID?”
Nodding, Chris answered, “Yes, the order has been given, but something
is wrong. That Fed, Agent Desmond, has been ordered off the case
and the FBI is dropping the investigation into the attack.”
“Curious, very curious. See if you can get the case file.
I want to see what the FBI was thinking concerning us. I have moved
most of the material to another location. There is no way anyone
will get to it. Does Kartov know about this?”
“As far as I know, Kartov was Dom’s partner only. There is no indication
that he has any knowledge of the meteors.”
“Good, the trap is set?”
“It will be an interesting evening when it happens.”
Clark was flying, soaring in the clouds as night settled over the
sky. His fear of heights forgotten, the rush of fully controlling
his new power, the sharp turns and the power dives. “YEEEE HAAAAA!”
he screamed out to no one but the birds. He could see Lex and Whitney
standing on their patio clear as day. He zoomed down and slowed
as he approached the house. Whitney and Lex still laughed at some
of his landings, controlled disasters was what Clark called them.
Lex was in awe, the power to fly was now under Clark’s control.
“Amazing.”
“Yes.” Whitney commented. “Wow. Now if he can control his landings.”
“They have a very high entertainment value, as long as he does
not take out part of the house.”
Clark landed, with only a slight stumble, “YES! He nails the landing
and the crowd goes wild!” His brilliant smile got a response from
both of them.
//Master Alexander, I have been monitoring Kal-El’s progress, very
good job. However, when he hovers, he has a radar composite that
would be unexplainable.//
Lex turned to Clark, “I guess that means you can’t loiter and watch
baseball games…or look in locker rooms.”
Clark blushed and pulled them into the bedroom. “Well, at least
I can have fun with you two. That was fun, I’ll have to take each
of you flying.”
July 13, Salt Lake City
Col. Black was dressed in civilian cloths, better to hide his true
nature. Throwing some hiking gear into the bed of the truck he headed
for the border with Colorado. The last photos were in his possession,
the security and fences mapped out. It was more secure than originally
thought, ground penetrating radar showed a few chambers around the
mine shaft inside the face of the mountain. Radar had been unable
to determine how deep the shaft went to the storage area, but that
was not going to be an issue either. Heading east, the Colonel was
excited to be part of the future security of his nation.
Metropolis
A black van with Florida license plates pulled up to the loading
dock of the Metropolis Museum of Natural Science. It was late and
the museum district was empty as all the patrons and workers had
gone home.
The team went to the docks and used a stolen pass code to get to
the doors open. It had been easy to bribe a few people, everyone
had a weakness but those that had a weakness for powder were easy
to persuade. Finding the location, they loaded up the heavy rock
on a dolly and brought it to the dock. It was a struggle to get
it into the van but it worked. No one would notice for twelve hours
that the Museum had been vandalized, and by that time, the rock
would be heading to cross the border in a brand new SUV.
Washington
“Sir, the FBI investigation into the raid on the Luthors has been
terminated, however the Agent in Charge is back on the hate crimes
trail. Also, news that Earl Jenkins has died and Jodi Melville is
in a coma.”
Gen Thames laughed at his aide, “Let him, he can chase after the
freaks all he wants. No, investigating the Luthors would place him
dangerously close to Cadmus and that is not good. Make sure that
we get the file on his investigation from the FBI and that no copies
exist. Lex Luthor can know about the meteor rocks, but no one else.
Now that Hamilton is accounted for we have everything but the supply.
As for Jenkins, he was expendable, so is Melville. Make sure that
Greer lives; she is vital to the future. I want Eric Summers to
disappear, never to be heard from again.”
“Yes sir, I will see what can happen to Mr. Summers. Sir, Col.
Black will be on the scene soon, final go ahead?”
“Is given! I want those rocks.”
Moscow
Things were different; Chechnya was again under Russian control.
However, the Americans, British, and Israelis were making many nervous.
Israel located a disavowed spy and executed him. Tensions in the
Taiwan straight were escalating but it was the Americans that were
acting strangely. CIA seemed almost quiet about finding who killed
the Ambassador in London. He still had his man in the US following
the trail to steal the secret of the super soldier. The trail in
South America was now dry; the man on the ground in Columbia had
been found out and was missing.
Digging through his desk, he found the disc that held all the information
on the American operation, Dominic’s weapons, and the crystals.
He still had a small organization that could hold this for now.
The mood was so tense he did not want this information to be anywhere
it could be located. His plans had been delayed but he would restore
the Empire and Russia to her proper place.
Smallville, approaching Midnight
Lex was pacing back and forth, one third of the material was going
to be taken but not with out a fight. The military would never accept
that nothing was at the facility but less than they thought was
a possibility. No real people were defending the bunker. The Keeper
had three robots that would defend as well as the automated system
that was almost the same as the one that was slowly being placed
in and around the Estate. Lex stopped when Whitney grabbed
him.
“Stop, you are making me crazy. Clark said he would observe only.”
Whitney pulled Lex close for a hug, keeping Lex close.
“The Army is going to suffer losses and this action is illegal.
All to keep secrets, I fear it will come back to haunt us.”
“The future is as we make it. Again, decisions are fostered on
us and we do what we can to the extent that we can.”
“What, are you a greeting card combined with a fortune cookie?”
Lex stuck his tongue out at Whit. Whitney ignored him. “We have
no idea what can happen tonight. I should never have agreed to let
Clark go.”
“Tell you what, let’s play a game of chess to keep us occupied.”
“Fine but if you cheat, I’ll beat you with my foil.”
“Clark would kill us both if you did that.” Whit replied with a
seductive smile.
“Get your mind out of the gutter you pervert.”
July 14, Utah 1:00 am
Four unmarked Black hawk helicopters purred through the night,
radio silence was maintained, satellite navigation used to keep
them all on target. Signal Intel indicated that alarm systems were
present but those were going to be jammed in a few moments. “Touchdown
in two, repeat two minutes.”
The lead copter circled, and her group descended via ropes to secure
the outer perimeter. A quick light signal told the other groups
to join the point. A quick shout and the point moved to the fence,
a quick flash and the gates were thrown open.
“Jamming in process, the signal is blocked, proceed.” Came a voice
through the assault forces helmets.
Clark was perched on a ridge looking in on the upper part of the
entrance to the facility.
It was easy to see the approach of the troops and where the helicopters
were circling. He watched as the gates were opened and the troops
moved in.
The Russian watcher had been allowed to pull a cell together in
order to disrupt the Americans from gaining the material and information
they needed. He knew his superior in Moscow was anxious to gain
this information for a ’New Russia’ and he would do his part.
“WARNING, YOU ARE TRESSPASSING ON PRIVATE PROPERTY!” blazed out
across the enclosed area. Soldiers had night vision goggles on;
the sudden glare of floodlights blinded the lead group, many in
agony on the ground. The second wave moved to flanking positions
and took out the lights.
The next expert moved to the doors and placed a small explosive
on it. The small bang echoed in the night, and the doors swung open.
A burst of automatic gunfire began to rain down on the soldiers
in the area leading up to the door.
“Bravo, we have gunfire fire from the cliffs, repeat, gunfire from
the cliff at 11:00.”
“Roger that.”
A helicopter that had been circling zeroed in on the position and
fired a Hellfire missile, ending the suppressing fire.
Clark saw the helicopter pop up out of nowhere and destroy one
of the automated gun mounts. He blinked a few times to get the tracers
to clear and watched at the first group entered the passageway to
the elevator that went deep into the shaft and the storage area.
Another burst of gunfire caught his attention but it was not from
a gun mount position.
He counted four of the Army Black Hawks, and saw a firing position
above and to the right. Taking a chance he ordered his small unit
to attack the US soldiers from the rear. First, he ordered one of
his two Heatseekers to take out the Black Hawk.
“Sir, we have a threat warning but I don’t…”
The assault commander watched as the lead Hawk went down in a fiery
heap. “We lost a bird, repeat, we lost a bird.”
Confusion reigned over the Army group, gunfire was now coming from
their “six”, forcing them to reposition and defend.
Clark made a quick decision; he moved like the wind and attacked
the assailants from behind. Suddenly he stopped, the gunfire erupted
around him, Clark jumped, taking to the air, and saw that the other
helicopters were moving to attack the vague enemy position.
The team inside the vault was engaged in a firefight as was well.
“We have men down, two dead and three causalities.”
The three robot defenders fought as they had been ordered to and
then dematerialized, a small explosion hiding the disappearing act.
The team reached the vault and found that it was open.
“We have the objective.” Looking inside they saw four crates, checking
they confirmed that the material was inside.
More gunfire was traded; the Russian told his group to fall back
and picked up the last surface to air missile. Targeting the lead
copter he fired. He had a little trick he learned from Afghanistan,
using a number of land mines, the area was rigged to go up if his
group was pursued. A small field little up like the Fourth of July
and Soldiers went flying. He ordered his troops back.
Clark turned and saw the missile streak towards the helicopter,
moving faster than he had in air; he dove for the missile, knocking
it off course and exploding into the side of the mountain. He was
stunned but moved quickly so he would not be seen. Then he saw the
carnage of the explosion he did not stop and his heart sank. Moving
like the wind, he saw the man who fired the missile. Clark targeted
the grenade on his belt and used his laser vision to detonate the
small bomb. It did not feel right but a measure of justice was served.
The explosion into the mountain and the ground detonations triggered
some tremors in the mineshaft and the surrounding structures. A
quick call to the surface found that the firefight was over. The
team came up with two forklifts carrying pallets of the material.
A cargo helicopter came sweeping in, ready to receive the pallets
of material. In a few moments, there was much excitement.
“The mine has caved in!”
The Captain checked to see if anyone was still down in the storage
area, find the answer to be a negative. “Get that cargo out of here.
Move out”
Clark watched as the soldiers loaded their dead and wounded up
and left in the remaining three choppers. He went and walked around,
searching for clues as to who that person was that attacked the
soldiers. The plan had been a success and failure. Shaking his head,
he pushed off the ground and headed home, he needed the warmth and
love he would find there.
Col. Black saw the carnage and had heard the chatter between the
soldiers during the fight. The fact that the second copter did not
go down was a miracle, he could not explain it. Waiting for the
men to leave, he went to the shaft and dropped a new explosive device
down there. No evidence of this operation was to exist.
Smallville
Lex and Whitney knew when Clark was back, the link told them of
his pain and need. Seeing him walk into the room, shoulder slouched
in defeat, broke both of their hearts. Neither said anything, simply
wrapping him in a cocoon of love. Neither cared when the sobs started;
they were seeing all that he had seen.
Lex stroked Clark’s hair, “Love, you can’t save everyone. You had
no way of knowing.”
Whitney rubbed Clark’s back, trying to calm him and using his gift
to sooth the pain away. “You did what you thought was right. Stop
blaming yourself.”
Clark listened and part of him understood, but part would always
remember this night. A lesson that every choice had a consequence.
Wordlessly thanking both of them, he stripped and climbed into bed
for some rest.
July 17, Moscow
Dimitri knew he was being followed, and was aware that he was no
longer under cursory surveillance. Panic was now his primary emotion.
All the tricks of the trade were his and he knew when they were
being used on him. “Driver, where are we going?” Getting no answer,
he found he could not open the doors. Soon the hills and forests
outside of Moscow were in view and the car pulled over. Seeing another
car, Dimitri began to feel the cold grip of death on him. The door
was opened and he was forced out.
“Ah, the traitor emerges. You failed to cover your tracks as well
as you thought. You are responsible for the murder of hundreds of
Russian soldiers. You are a disgrace.”
Dimitri was forced to his knees. Looking up at the barrel of a
silencer.
“The Americans will find out that you are the one that killed their
Ambassador before they find out and start a war.”
Dimitri’s heart was racing, “I did not kill an Ambassador!”
The assassin smiled at Dimitri, “Do you think the RVS so stupid?
We know of your association with that South African scum.”
The handle of the gun hit him above the temple. Knocking him to
the side. A bullet ripped through his left knee, forcing a scream
from him. Another bullet pierced his right shoulder, not a killing
shot, but enough to render the arm useless. A third bullet went
into the right thigh. Another scream rang out through the night.
An injection went into his arm, forcing him to focus on the man
in front of him.
“That will keep you alive longer than you deserve, you will not
pass out, you will feel the life bleed from you little by little.
Never able to move.”
Another crack from the handle and his jaw was broken, he could
feel teeth missing, blood going down his throat. Pain ripped through
him as he was dragged into the trees, away from the road.
“Good night Kartov, you will not be missed, may all the dead you
caused haunt you on your way to join them.”
He could see them walking away, leaning against a tree, he gathered
his strength to stand but neither leg could support weight. Pain
radiated from his head and shoulders. The winds howled through the
night, as did wolves. Dimitri Kartov did not survive the night,
nor was his body found the next day.
Location unknown
Gen Thames looked at the take, twelve soldiers died, their parents
and loved ones told that a training accident had gone horribly wrong.
He looked at the crates, there it was, the key top the future. Almost
half a ton of meteor rocks, all for the US to defend herself internally
and externally. Walking down to the rows, he saw the ten first experiments
he had waiting. Two were the new freaks, just to see what enhancements
might be gained from additional changes. The remaining eight were
human of varying ages just picked up from around the country; none
would miss them.
“The future begins now.” Thames said to no one. That last star
was waiting for him.
Washington
“Henry, a shame about that training exercise.”
“Yes Senator, a shame. I heard that we know who killed the Ambassador
and he has been killed as well.”
Sen. Kelly turned to look out his office window, “The world hates
us Henry, and we will do what it takes to protect ourselves. The
President may be in my Party, Henry, but he is weak. Our nation
cries for new leadership and she will have it.”
“Yes sir, was there anything else that I could do for you Senator?”
Kelly turned to look at Henry, “There is, Henry, keep me informed
on the rush of hate crimes. I want to know everything.”
July 20, Smallville
The argument had been going for three hours and no signs of it
slowing down were in the offing.
“THAT is the stupidest name I have ever heard.” Lex bellowed
Clark countered, “Like Martin was any better!”
“I like the name Pierre, very dignified.” Lex said while pacing.
Whitney was sitting on the bed fuming; he wanted Troy but had been
laughed at. “This is getting us nowhere.” He finally spoke up. “Look,
I am sick of fighting about this. What are we doing about the legal
stuff?”
Lex calmed down and sat down as well, “The Keeper is going to forge
all the documents, upload files to the proper registries and ‘sneak’
hard copies in as well. Best we could come up with given the circumstances.”
Clark finally sat down as well, “Can we be reasonable? I agree
that Phillip is a great name.” He looked at Lex.
Lex looked at him, “Philip Jonathan? PJ for when he is little?”
Whitney looked at his hands, “Okay…for the oldest. So for the other?”
No one spoke for the longest time, finally Lex cleared his throat,
“I know I said no ‘L’ names and I mean it but, I would like Ian
to be other twin’s middle name, like my dad.”
Whitney sighed, knowing it was the right thing to do, “Okay, but
what about a first name?”
Clark giggled, “Eric? I just like the name.”
Lex mouthed, ‘Eric Ian’ but said nothing, it was Whitney who shook
his head. Whitney looked at Lex, “Can I suggest the naming pattern
of my family?”
Clark laughed, “Something that has multiple syllables?” He ducked
as a pen when flying towards him. “What?”
Whitney sighed, “I was thinking along those lines.”
Lex furrowed his brows, “Hamilton? Alexander Hamilton is one of
my favorite Founding Fathers.”
Clark looked at both of them like they were insane. “So Philip
Jonathan and Hamilton Ian? Please tell me we are having them tutored.”
Whitney was giving Clark death glares, “That has yet to be determined.
I like them.”
Clark sighed, “Yeah, so do I.”
Lex yawned, “Okay, I need sleep. It is all settled, Philip and
Hamilton. I like it.”
The other two agreed and laughed but were also beginning to feel
the approaching responsibility weigh on them.
July 21, Washington
Dr. Vance left his meeting with the President, happy to report
that positive proof had been obtained on the Ambassador’s killer
and that the Russians let it be known that the man was a traitor
in many ways. Once the President heard that the renegade caused
all the problems in Chechnya, he accepted the Russians apology and
let the matter drop. Congress would be informed but the matter would
be kept from the public. It was considered a matter of National
Security. Sitting down behind his desk, he lifted the phone.
“This is Vance, I have the funding for the program. Tell Thames
that results are expected for the price that was paid.”
July 29, Smallville
Lex could not believe that he was having a birthday party. It was
dinner party, a few friends and the family. That it was happening
on a Tuesday night instead of a weekend floored him.
Clark walked up and kissed Lex, “Come on Birthday Boy, dinner is
about to be served.”
Lex kissed him full on the lips, “I can’t believe I let you talk
me into this. I hate these things.”
Clark wrapped him in a hug again, “Blame Whitney, he thought it
would be fun.”
Clark walked Lex back up from the party, the music playing softly
in the room. Clark held Lex to him, “You do so much for us but rarely
let us show you how much we care, how much we love you. You are
a special person Alexander Joseph Luthor, very special.”
Lex saw the flutes on the patio table, and Whitney sitting on a
chair, looking at the sky. He turned to Clark, kissing him softly,
“I am the lucky one Clark, I am more than my upbringing, I am a
whole person thanks to the love I feel daily.”
Clark pulled Lex to him, holding him as the music swayed, moving
to the gentle rhythm, embracing the love they felt. The kiss was
tender, a feather soft on each other’s lips. It was a moment of
timeless joy.
Whitney watched them dance, smiling as Lex surrendered to the music,
relaxing for the first time all day. It warmed his heart to see
the joy between them, the pleasure of simply holding each other.
He did not notice when they joined him on the patio, Lex sitting
on his lap, Clark sitting next to him.
“It was a wonderful dinner, thank you both for making me stop for
my birthday.”
Whitney kissed Lex, pulling Clark so that he was resting on Whit’s
shoulder. “All of our birthdays are something special. I love you
both.”
Champagne was poured, toasted raised, and kisses exchanged. The
jazz filtering through the air adding another sound to the harmony
the three had long since learned to make in the throes of passion.
August 2, Antarctica
Clark hated coming here, it was cold and sterile but they had been
summoned. Lex had been here only the one time, Whitney could hardly
remember his second visit, who could blame him. For Clark though,
this place was hostile, here he was normal, weak -- vulnerable.
He felt hands on each of his arms, the strength from the others
steeling his resolve.
//Good, you have arrived. The twins are ready to be ‘born’, as
it were. Please follow the lights to the chamber.//
Lex could not stop the hammering of his heart, this was a moment
when he could not be selfish, his responsibilities were about to
increase astronomically. Walking into the chamber, a huge bluish
light emanated from a tank. He could not see inside, the light too
bright for his eyes to look at the tank directly.
//Please come to the wall, the stasis field will drop in a moment,
and the ’umbilical’ cord will be but cut for both of them. Blankets
and water to clean them is behind you.//
Whitney came to stand where he had been directed, the light faded,
and he could see two perfect infants, floating in a heavy fluid.
Following his instructions, he reached; soon he was cradling a baby.
He could see he was snuffling, reaching for the warmth. He turned
and walked to the table, noting that Lex was following, Clark observing
with a huge smile on his face.
//I have been playing your voices to them over and other again.
Much they have heard, warm they have been. The future is in your
hands. Lord Kal-El, should you need anything, just touch your bracelet
and I will be there. If I may inquire, what are their names?//
Lex looked down, the auburn hair in tiny wisps, the second child
in his hands, “This is Hamilton Ian, and in Whitney’s hands is,
Philip Jonathan, the firstborn.”
//Thank you.//
Whitney finished cleaning off Philip, and handed him to Clark.
He looked down at Hamilton, the tiny hands moving back and forth.
“They are so precious.”
Clark was holding Philip close, tears in his eyes. “Wow…these are
our boys.”
Lex finished wrapping Hamilton in a blanket, handed him to Whitney
to hold, “Yes…yes they are. Come on, we have a large family for
you two to meet. Grandparents that are eager to meet you and I’m
sure, spoil you.”
Smallville
Lex walked into the nursery, putting Hamilton in his crib, seeing
that Clark was still hovering over Philip. Lex pulled the blanket
up, to cover Hamilton’s legs. Whitney turned down the lights to
a dim glow. Lex saw the huge stuffed Pooh Bear in the corner, having
lost the fight on the Nursery theme. Clark wanted Winnie the Pooh,
and Whitney agreed. Lex wanted anything else but looking at the
Tigger in the other corner, could not be upset.
Clark leaned over the crib, running a finger along Philip’s arm,
“Good night buddy, we will be right up those stairs.”
Whitney smiled and turned on the baby monitors. Whispering at both
of them, “Come on, they just went to sleep, they will be up in a
few hours ready to eat again.”
Lex walked towards the stairs, seeing the table and chair on the
landing before it turned to lead into their bedroom. He smiled at
the Mickey Mouse sitting in the chair, and the book of nursery rhymes
on the table. “Yes, come on Clark, we will be hearing them in three
hours, if not sooner.”
It had been a great day, the grandparents holding them, rocking
the twins as they woke or helped feed them as they cried for a bottle.
An exhausting but brilliant day.
Dec 24, Smallville
The wind blew the flurries around, beginning to coat the estate
in a blanket of white. The trees that lined the entrance all dressed
in white lights, the occasional flashing red to create a more festive
feel. The fountains all flowed as before, their water heated to
keep it from freezing, the blue lights casting a more wintry spell
on the grounds.
Whitney was bundled but the cold did not affect him as it used
to, a small but welcome change to his physiology. Snowfall always
made him happy, but this year he was bursting with happiness. Philip
and Hamilton’s first Christmas. The raven and auburn haired children
that brought so much joy to their lives. It was this moment that
was so Christmas, the light snow, the crisp air, Whitney smiled.
He came around the back and opened the door to the residence area.
The huge open family room was decorated as were the public front
rooms, but the fifteen foot noble fir was much more intimate than
was the thirty footer in the foyer.
Hark how the bells
Sweet silver bells,
All seem to say,
Throw cares away
Lex crossed the room, handing Whitney a mug of hot chocolate, and
a kiss because he was under the mistletoe. The smile was incredible,
grabbing Whitney’s hand and pulling him towards the dining room.
“Enjoy your walk?”
“I love walking in a light snow…the boys still being monopolized
by the grandmothers?”
“Yes, but the grandfathers are being just as bad. Four months old
and they have enough gifts to fill the nursery all over again.”
Christmas is here,
Bringing good cheer,
To the young and old
Meek and the bold
Clark came and took both is partners in a bear hug. Kissing them
each because he could.
“Hi, its getting close to midnight, and boys are up too late as
it is.”
Whitney and Lex shared a look before laughing together.
“My love, they will be fine for one night. It’s Christmas Eve.”
Clark gave them a pout and then a smile. “Okay, but when their
schedules are all messed up, you two have to deal with it.”
The three turned to walk into the dining room, seeing Philip, the
raven headed, on Lionel’s lap. Lionel was talking to him, showing
him different pictures. Jonathan was sitting next to him, laughing
at Lionel all the while making faces at Philip. Hamilton was on
Martha’s lap; getting fed some pears with Anne was reading a story
to him. His auburn hair in many different directions but he was
enjoying sitting eating while his twin was being entertained.
ding dong ding
That is their song
With joyful ring
All caroling
Tristan walked in, carrying a huge Teddy Bear, followed by Jeff
and Nick, who was carrying an equally large plush raccoon. Whitney
looked at them in horror. “What are those?”
Jeff walked over and hugged his brother, “Uncles are allowed to
spoil nephews. Just wait till you see what Sebastian got them.”
Lionel turned with Philip in his lap and pointed. “See Philip,
a wrestle toy, so you can be your name sake all these centuries
later.”
“Lionel, Philip is not going to conquer the world. I think his
father and grandfather and uncles will make sure he has no worries.”
Jonathan responded with a smile, while lifting Philip into is arms.
“While his grandmothers and I make sure he knows all about the simple
things.”
Lex walked over and picked up Hamilton to burp him. Lex felt Clark
place a towel across his shoulder. “And what about this one? I am
not going to have Cain and Able here.”
Martha reached over and started playing with Hamilton’s little
hand. “He can be anything he want to be, he will make sure his big
brother is always supported.”
One seems to hear
words of good cheer
from everywhere
filling the air
Lisa walked in, carrying a bag of gifts; she and Tristan had been
married almost six months. Anne rose to greet her and Nick rushed
to help her with her bags.
“Oh, there they are…they are so cute.” She lifted Hamilton away
from Lex and got a big smile from Hamilton. “First Christmas…so
precious. Next year you will have a cousin to play with, yes you
will.”
Whitney, Clark, and Lex all heard it at once. “Lisa?”
“Yes, Whitney?”
“When?”
“I’m thirteen weeks…surprise.” She found herself and Hamilton swept
up in kisses and hugs. “So Hamilton, you and Philip get another
playmate.”
Oh how they pound,
Raising the sound,
O’er hill and dale,
Telling their tale,
Nick walked over and handed Lex a small gift. “Something I found,
open it later.”
Lex nodded and patted Nick on the shoulder. “Where is Sebastian?
Please tell me someone reminded him it is Christmas Eve.”
Tristan was now holding Hamilton, tickling him under his chin,
“He and Stephanie will be here shortly. The roads are still clear
but I imagine that his speed demon self will be careful tonight.”
Clark walked over to Nick, “What did Bastian get the boys?”
A hearty laugh preceded the response, “You will have to wait and
see. Don’t worry, its priceless.”
Gaily they ring
while people sing
songs of good cheer,
Christmas is here,
Sebastian and Steph walked in, Nick and Jeff hurried to help them
as well. Whitney was now holding onto a drowsy Philip. Clark and
Lex sitting next to each other, watching Tristan and Lisa play with
Hamilton. The grandparents began to file into the family room, the
loads of presents all but blocking one of the doorways.
“So Jonathan, did you ever see this happening in your life?”
Jon looked at the small clusters, the merry chatting, the sipping
of regular or spiked hot chocolate. The simple casualness of this
happy night warming him. “No, I never would have seen it. It is
an unexpected pleasure.”
Lionel reached for his glass, a special scotch he had not tasted
since Katherine had died. “I never saw it but it is very pleasant.
Now, I think Santa needs to visit soon or the little ones will be
out like a light.”
Jonathan noted that everyone was here, sitting and chatting, playing
with a baby or talking about one. The Luthor and Kent names, linked
forever with the Fordmans now, the future in two small bundles of
joy.
Merry, merry, merry, merry, Christmas,
Merry, merry, merry, merry, Christmas ,
On on they send,
on without out end,
Presents were passed out, toasts were raised and drinks consumed.
Philip and Hamilton only partially aware of their surroundings were
wrapped in a cocoon of warm and love. Midnight struck, the grandfather
clocks chiming as one throughout the Palace. The echo of the church
bells, singing their song across the plains. The snow was unable
to dampen the cheer of Christmas.
their joyful tone to every home
Dong Ding dong ding, dong Bong.
The end of Book II: Rising Tides
Book III: Park XIV: Leaders, Legends, and Lore. Coming
soon!
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