Chapter 17
January 18th 2007...
"Clark," Chloe sent over her armor's com system.
"Go ahead Chloe," Harry replied.
"Dr. Caselli didn't like my questioning him about 33.1," Chloe said.
Dr. Caselli was a doctor at Bell Reeve Psychiatric Institute that had been essentially selling patients with meteor mutant abilities to Lex and Lionel Luthor.
"I told you not to confront him," Harry pointed out. "He was being monitored." "Monitoring him just isn't good enough," Chloe rebutted.
Chloe didn't often argue with her best friend. But in this instance, she thought the Luthors needed to be stopped before the project went any further.
"We are never going to agree on that point. Now more than ever the Luthor's are dangerous. They are desperate. What happened?" Harry answered.
The world economy was dying swiftly due to the use of Kryptonian technology by anyone who would take it. Harry had purchased huge tracts of land not normally fit for human habitation and started to terraform it. This land would be given to those who wished to utilize Kryptonian technology to make their homes. With the speed of the hover transports Harry and Raya were providing, commuting to work wasn't going to be much of a problem.
"He pulled a gun. My armor hit him with some kind of energy discharge without deploying. Then a red blur that appeared similar to when you run was visible for a moment and Caselli was tied up," Chloe explained. "At first I thought it was you but it looked a bit shorter and you never appeared."
"Alright. I'm glad you are safe. The energy discharge was a defensive feature of your armor. It will render those unconscious close by who it can render unconscious safely if they are threatening you," Harry informed Chloe. "I have to go now. I'll talk with you later."
"Later," Chloe replied.
Harry had to cut his communication short because Bart Allen had raced into the barn. Raya was
present so Bart had stopped just out of sight of Raya and walked in. "How's it hanging, Clark? And who is the new hottie?" Bart greeted.
"I am Raya. I am Clark's mate," Raya answered, remembering to use his human name in front of other Earthlings.
Though judging from his incredible running speed Bart Allen was no normal Earthling.
"It is my pleasure to meet you, senorita," Bart said while taking Raya's hand and kissing the back of it.
"It is enjoyable to meet you two, Bart," Raya answered. Looking at her lover she said, "I will let you two catch up."
Raya walked out of the barn with her hips swaying suggestively, trying to let her mate know she was prepared to make their next set of twins when he was free.
"Damn Clark," Bart said. "Just damn."
"Yep," Harry agreed.
"Anything ever happen between you and Chloelicious?" Bart asked.
"No. I was being too stupid. But I'm with Raya now and I'm not disappointed. But Chloe has a boyfriend now," Harry pointed out. "She saw you zip through."
"Yeah...but I didn't need to do much," Bart said. "Is she rocking some powers of her own now? And on the boyfriend front no normal man can keep up with the fastest man alive."
"No, she isn't rocking abilities. I hooked her up with some technology that will keep her safe," Harry explained. "Do you feel like going for a run?"
"Sure. I know this killer burrito joint down in Mexico," Bart suggested. "Follow me."
The two friends took off at super-speed. Just like the Bart of his previous reality Harry quickly realized this Bart had gotten faster as well over the past two years. Instead of resorting to rapid apparition to make it seem like he could run faster than Bart, Harry just lifted off the ground and flew alongside the running Bart. Bart's look of awe caused a grin to appear on Harry's face.
Harry was having lunch with Chloe and Raya at a café in Metropolis when an unexpected visitor arrived.
"Lionel Luthor is approaching," Harry warned his companions just as Lionel came within view of the outdoor table the trio shared. When Lionel was close enough Harry said, "Lionel, to what do we owe this pleasure?"
Lionel was a much reduced man as far as finances were concerned and he was smart enough to know that was because of two of the people sitting at the table in front of him. Judging from the fact that Queen Enterprises had not suffered the same financial fall that Luthor Corp had Clark had warned Oliver Queen before introducing Kryptonian technology to Earth. Lesser men would have responded to such a betrayal by revealing the secret identities of the two Kryptonians but Lionel found knowing that secret was far more useful than revealing it.
"Clark, was this you?" Lionel asked without preamble while dropping a photo of a red blur taken from a security camera onto the table.
"I'm afraid not, Lionel. I'm not the only being capable of running at those speeds. I can think of a few dozen just off the top of my head," Harry replied.
"I'm not talking about aliens on other planets. How many of those beings are on Earth?" Lionel rebutted.
"All of them have visited in past years and I am pretty confident a few of them are on Earth right now," Harry admitted.
"Are you going to tell me who they are?" Lionel asked.
"Are you going to discontinue your 33.1 experiments?" Harry asked.
Lionel didn't want to answer that question.
"I see," Lionel said. "Have a good day Clark, ladies."
After Lionel was gone Chloe said, "He's a monster and needs to be put down."
"He will be soon enough," Raya assured. "You should talk to your friend Bart. He's going to get himself into trouble."
"Bart always seems to be in trouble. I'll talk to him but I'm not sure yet how much of the truth of the situation I will confront him with yet," Harry answered.
"Fair enough," Raya agreed.
Harry found Bart in the Kent's kitchen having just eaten a large meal prepared by Martha.
"It looks like you cleaned out the fridge," Harry said with amusement while looking through the door of the refrigerator.
"Your mom is such a great cook I couldn't resist," Bart answered. Harry casually tagged Bart with a tracking spell.
"I just wanted to let you know Lionel Luthor confronted me today about break-ins at his plants by someone who can run at super-speed. I recognized your form. I have confidence in you that you are doing it for a reason. The Luthors are scum. I am taking action to ensure they go away to prison for the remainder of their lives. If you are doing something else to bring them down it might be best to coordinate our efforts," Harry suggested.
Bart was silent for several moments which was an eternity for him.
"I appreciate your faith in me," Bart said. "I have to talk with the people I am working with to see what they say. I'll get back to you."
"Fair enough," Harry agreed.
Bart left and Alice projected a hologram of Bart's path using the tracking spell. Bart ran right to Oliver Queen's penthouse. Harry still had cloaked probes monitoring Oliver's penthouse but only to detect threats against Oliver's life. The probes were automated and would only alert Harry to the nature of what they were monitoring if there was a serious threat to Oliver.
Harry entered Oliver's penthouse to find the blonde billionaire leaning against a desk reading a file from a folder.
"Clark, this isn't exactly a good time," Oliver stated.
"So you're the one that Bart is working with to take down the Luthors," Harry said.
Oliver sighed and said, "I knew you would figure it out sooner or later. I just didn't think you would figure it out so soon. Did you track Bart?"
"He led me straight here," Harry admitted.
"I'm surprised you didn't immediately come here to confront me," Oliver admitted.
"I took the time to do some digging to see why you are going after the Luthors. I was curious if it was a vendetta or if it was because of 33.1. I found out it was because of 33.1," Harry explained.
"Would it have mattered if it was because of a vendetta?" Oliver queried.
"Not really. I was just curious. The Luthors have given so many people so many reasons to want them crushed," Harry said. "You have greater reason than most."
"What do you mean?" Oliver asked confused.
"Your parents, Lionel, and other wealthy people were members of a group called Veritas formed to welcome me to Earth and acclimate me to my surroundings. My father Jor El set up Earth as a bugout location for me in case something cataclysmic ever happened to my home planet. Jor El was prepared for a number of things that might have happened to Krypton or just the El family. Earth was one of a number of bugout planets. In case something happened to the Kents or the Kents were unable to provide for me Veritas was one contingency plan Jor El set up," Harry explained. "Lionel had them killed and I have proof."
Oliver was speechless for several moments and then anger clouded his face. "Why didn't you tell me this if you were my friend?" Oliver demanded.
"Because I knew you would want to go kill Lionel," Harry admitted. "And I wanted to wait until I could bring your parents back."
The anger evaporated from Oliver's features and a look of sudden hope blossomed there. "You can do that?" Oliver asked.
"I already have," Harry assured. "This is the address they are staying at. For obvious reasons, they can't be returned to the public awareness until Lionel is dealt with," Harry explained while handing Oliver a piece of paper. "I have been monitoring everything Lionel and Lex have been doing with 33.1. Crimes against humanity will see them put away for the rest of their lives. But murder charges could see them get the death penalty. Death is too good for them. I want them to suffer in prison. But if they were put away with their full wealth at their disposal they would be kings in prison or might even hire mercenaries to get them out. Now that their company has taken such a huge hit they are tapping into their hidden stores of funds."
"And you are becoming aware of where those hidden funds are," Oliver realized. "But what about the suffering of those they are imprisoning within project 33.1?"
"I am using my technology to mitigate that suffering," Harry assured. "Even as we speak each prisoner is being monitored by advanced cloaked entities under my control. The prisoners that aren't complete evil bastards feel no pain and are provided comfort without the awareness of the Luthors. Every one of them was offered an explanation of what is going on and have agreed to help for the chance to put the Luthors away. They aren't really taking a risk at all. I can heal them of anything the Luthors do to them. If the prisoners hadn't agreed I just would have wiped their memories of the explanation."
"I see you have thought this out pretty well. My attack on 33.1 isn't helping then. Bart went missing last night while attacking a facility that supposedly housed the 33.1 computer mainframe," Oliver explained. "When I checked out the target this morning the whole facility was stripped bare. It was a trap. The rest of my team has been attempting to track Bart." A set of doors opened behind Harry and he turned to find two familiar faces.
"Victor, AC," Harry greeted Arthur Curry and Victor Stone with a grin. "It's good to see you again, Kent," Victor replied.
"What he said," AC added.
"How long has this team been together?" Harry asked.
"Ollie and Bart were already together when I joined up approximately six months ago," Victor explained.
"Let's check the Luthor Corp manifests we got from Lex's computer yesterday and see if we can't find a clue in there to Bart's location. This trap had to have been set up at least a few days in advance," Oliver suggested.
"I have an easier way to track Bart," Harry said as Alice projected a hologram of Bart's current location. Alice had stopped tracking Bart's tracking charm after Bart led them to Oliver. "You guys can either get suited up and come along or I can go pick him up by myself. It's your choice."
"Every second Bart is held captive is dangerous for Bart," AC pointed out.
"But it could also be dangerous for Clark to go in without backup," Victor added.
"I can track Bart right now. He's currently running in circles. I'm not sure why but judging from a temporal scan taken of that location he has been at it for twenty-seven minutes. He can take that speed for another hour and fifty-seven minutes given the scans I took of his physiology yesterday," Harry explained.
"Temporal scan...as in time travel?" Victor asked in surprise.
Harry's only answer was a grin.
"Clark is just full of surprises, Vic," Oliver said. "We'll suit up then."
As the others were suiting up Harry asked, "How did you hook up with these two AC?"
"I got into a bit of a tight spot sinking a whaler off the coast of Japan," AC admitted.
"I love how he defines a bit of a tight spot," Victor mused. "Ollie kept you from being filleted."
"I could have broken free," AC assured.
"Oh please...you would have been packed into a hundred little tin cans," Oliver pointed out.
"He would have been dolphin safe that way," Vic suggested.
"All I ever hear is endless fish jokes," AC grumbled. "So what's up with Lois? Has life been treating her well?"
"You would have to ask Oliver about that since he's her boyfriend," Harry pointed out.
"Let's talk about that some other time," Oliver suggested as he finished putting on his costume.
"AC," Lois cried in surprise as she spotted her ex. "Wait...what are you doing here, Smallville?"
Chloe and Raya were standing in the doorway of the place where Oliver concealed his Green Arrow gear. The three women had been enjoying brunch together when Raya had been contacted by her boyfriend to bring the other two to Oliver's.
"Seriously, Lo. They're all half naked and you focus on Clark's presence?" Chloe questioned her cousin.
"What are you ladies doing here?" Oliver asked.
"I invited them along. You guys could use some coordination. Chloe and Lois can relay directions to you based off of a hologram I will give them of real time scans of the facility," Harry explained. "And I am here Lois because you are looking at Superman."
As he spoke, Harry shifted into his Superman appearance and Raya took on the appearance of Superwoman.
"No way," Lois declared. "Is every man in my life a superhero?" "Jimmy isn't," Chloe pointed out.
"This is a discussion we should have another time. Right now a friend is in trouble," AC interjected.
"Right. Let's get to it," Harry agreed. The group of men plus Raya took off.
Harry super-sped up behind the two guards patrolling the section of perimeter fence to the facility where Bart was imprisoned that the superheroes had chosen to enter through. He held up a stunner and the familiar electric effect of a zat gun washed over the two guards. Raya meanwhile cut through the fence with her heat vision in seconds.
"You two are really handy to have around," Oliver joked as he and Victor walked up. "There is a security panel twenty feet ahead," Chloe informed the group.
Victor walked up to the panel and used an interface cable to jack into the security panel. "The perimeter security has been neutralized," Victor informed the group.
"Aquaman, you have a go," Oliver directed.
Moments later after Raya and Harry watched AC swim in at super-fast speeds AC's voice came over the com system the heroes were using, stating, "I have breached the perimeter and am proceeding to the target."
The plan was to approach Bart's position from multiple angles. Oliver didn't think Raya and Clark knew about Oliver's plan to plant explosives all over the facility while AC and Victor also subdued and dragged out the guards. Harry did know but didn't care.
Raya punched through the nearest entrance door and the door flew off its hinges and further into the facility.
"Ok, split up from here," Oliver said to Victor. "I think you guys and AC can handle getting Bart."
Oliver and Victor ran off in different directions.
"He really thinks highly of his antiquated computer security," Raya mused. "Let him feel safe," Harry suggested. "Let's go get Bart."
The couple proceeded towards Bart at super-speed. Within the Ridge facility there existed a lead shielded room where meteor rock was being refined. Harry was immune to kryptonite radiation and Raya had been gifted with the shielding technology which made Kryptonians stronger when exposed to that type of radiation.
When Harry and Raya entered the chamber Bart was imprisoned in, they found him running in circles around the inside of his circular cage. The floor was set to lethally electrocute Bart if he stopped running.
"I've got Bart," Raya volunteered. "And I've got the cage," Harry replied.
Both members of the Kryptonian couple sprang into action at the same time. Harry targeted the power lines to the transformer beneath Bart's cage while Raya flew towards Bart. Raya managed to get Bart out at just the same time Harry disabled the transformer.
"I've died and am flying to heaven," Bart declared tiredly. "I'm in the arms of an angel."
Raya smirked while Harry floated over and said, "Bart, you're still alive. You're in the arms of my mate."
"Clark, Raya, you might want to get Bart out of the building," Chloe informed the couple. "Everyone is evacuating."
"My boyfriend is having a pyromania episode and plans to blow the building," Lois interjected.
"I can't honestly blame him," Harry mused before flying out of the building with Raya still carrying Bart.
Harry made a sweep of the building with his matter penetrating vision while Alice scanned the lead shielded sections of the complex. The superheroes made it out of the building just before Oliver blew it remotely.
"You look good being rescued by a girl," AC teased Bart.
"Anybody looks good being held by her," Bart said while pointing at Raya.
"He has a point," Victor interjected.
"Indeed," AC admitted. Turning to Oliver, AC suggested, "Boss, I vote we recruit more superhot superheroines."
"Ollie, you better not respond to that," Lois' voice interjected.
"I wouldn't dream of it," Oliver assured. "I'll be home soon so we can head off to Monte Carlo."
"Don't the rest of us get a vacation too?" Chloe asked playfully.
"You can come, just not with us," Oliver agreed.
Chloe was shocked speechless for a moment before replying, "Sweet."
Raya, Bart, Harry, and AC could get anywhere in the world very quickly so weren't as impressed by a vacation to far off lands. But AC and Bart wouldn't turn down the resort accommodations.
"Have fun you lot. Raya and I will hold down the fort while you relax," Harry assured.
As she and her mate lifted off the ground and hovered in the air while watching the other heroes leave for vacation Raya let out an amused chuckle.
"What?" Harry probed.
"I just thought of Bart's reaction when he sees Chloe in a bikini, pesters her until she gets annoyed, and then she uses her armor to keep him in hand," Raya explained.
Harry grinned and chuckled along with his girlfriend.
January 25th 2007...
Harry knelt and petted his dog.
"You're such a good dog Shelby," Harry told his dog in a playful tone while rubbing behind the dog's ear. "Yes, you're such a good dog."
The dog began growling moments before the phantom attacked. The escaped Zoner flew towards Harry but Raya was ready. Raya dropped the cloak as the Kryptonian crystal she held arrested the phantom's momentum using a beam of brilliant energy. The phantom screamed as its very substance was disintegrated via high energy particle bombardment. It only took a span of several seconds before the phantom was no more.
"Are you alright?" Raya asked her mate as she put the crystal away and approached him.
"I'm unharmed," Harry assured. "It didn't even get close enough to touch me. You reacted that quickly."
"Well your sensor system made sure we had plenty of notice," Raya pointed out. "That is one more Zoner out of the way."
Harry stared off into the distance as Alice informed him off a guest observing the Asuran and his mate. J'onn J'onnz was watching Harry again. The Martian had been observing for quite some time as Harry took on superhuman foes. Harry knew from Jor El's records that the last Martian had been a friend of the house of El.
"How about we go for a swim," Harry suggested before Raya grew suspicious of his far off gaze. "You just want to see me in a bikini," Raya accused.
"Who said anything about a bikini," Harry replied.
"Mmm...that sounds even better," Raya agreed. "Let's go."
Harry let Raya grab his wrist and flew off with her.
February 1st 2007...
"Where is she?" Lex Luthor demanded as he strode into the Kent barn.
The exo-support skeleton that was surgically implanted into Lex's back and legs was crude but effective. It was similar to the technology used in Cyborg's creation.
"I wondered when you would get around to using that tech," Harry mused. "This is a reverse Lex. It used to be me that barged onto your property making demands."
"Cut the deflecting. I know you know where Lana is," Lex said. "Where is she?"
"Do you honestly expect me to tell you? Lana doesn't want to see you ever again," Harry stated.
"I need to hear that from her before I believe it," Lex rebutted.
Harry held up a voice recorder and pressed play.
"Lex, I don't ever want to see your face again," Lana's voice said from the voice recorder.
"That could have been faked. Chloe is perfectly capable of it," Lex declared.
"You're right. Chloe is. But Chloe didn't need to fake Lana's voice. You see Lex...Lana found out about your little baby scam. That was low even for you," Harry said.
"I see," Lex replied. "Not all of us have whatever it is that makes women so attracted to you Clark. I just don't get it. I've got all the money and power yet the women just seem attracted to you."
"I don't wreak of desperation and jealousy," Harry suggested. "I have hair."
Lex glared hatefully at Clark. Lex was thinking. If he kidnapped Martha Kent and held her hostage for Lana's return his father would retaliate. Despite the fact that things had cooled off between Lionel and Martha, Lionel still protected Martha from a lot. Kidnapping Clark wouldn't do any good either because Clark had proven he would do anything to protect Lana Lang. But Lex knew Clark had a new girlfriend according to several sources of information Lex had access to. Perhaps kidnapping this Raya would cause Clark to give up Lana. Or better yet Chloe. Sullivan had been a pain in Lex's ass for years now.
"One way or the other you will reveal Lana's location to me, Clark," Lex assured smugly before turning and leaving.
Lex had practically been screaming his thoughts to Harry's telepathy. "Maybe after you are dead, Lex," Harry whispered.
The two thugs sat in their car parked down the street from the Daily Planet.
"So why does Mr. Luthor want us to grab this Sullivan dame?" Steve asked his partner Rick.
"We don't know that it is Mr. Luthor that wants her," Rick answered. "The company never said the contract was for Luthor."
"Yeah...but he's the only one who pays bonuses this high for a successful job," Steve pointed out.
"The only one in this region of the country," Rick agreed. "Look, here she comes. Damn she is quite a looker," Rick added as he checked his gun.
While he pulled on his mask Steve said, "Ain't that the truth."
As the two mercenaries opened their doors and stood up to kidnap Chloe, twin laser beams drilled through their hearts. They dropped to the ground dead. Chloe was startled as she witnessed two masked men getting out of their cars only for them to drop dead. Then Raya touched down next to Chloe. Chloe and Raya watched as Superman secured the laser weapon Chloe had never seen before to his side.
"What's going on?" Chloe asked.
"Lex wanted you kidnapped to find out Lana's whereabouts. Clark and I have been protecting you," Raya answered. "Don't worry about that. Why are you upset? You were upset before you ever noticed those two."
"This is just what I need," Chloe grumbled. "The security cameras around here are going to see you talking to me."
Raya picked Chloe up and flew her up to a nearby rooftop.
"We disabled the security cameras," Harry assured. "Now answer the question." "Jimmy just said we need to take a break," Chloe admitted.
"Why the hell would he do that?" Harry demanded.
Chloe didn't appear to want to say for she was silent for over fifteen seconds before she admitted, "He is jealous of my friendship with you Clark. He knows I had serious feelings for you."
"How much are you into him?" Harry asked.
"I think I might love him but we haven't been dating long enough to discuss that," Chloe answered.
"I'll talk to him," Harry assured before vanishing in a blur of super speed.
Jimmy Olsen was just getting ready to get into his car when suddenly he was on a rooftop near the Daily Planet where he had just called things off with his girlfriend. He spun to find himself facing Superman.
"Superman, what's going on?" Jimmy asked.
"Jimmy, I am Clark Kent," Harry said as he deactivated the facial feature distorter.
Jimmy's mouth dropped open and he whispered, "CK." After several moments he asked, "Does Chloe know?"
"She is one of my oldest friends. Of course she knows," Harry answered. "Who was your absolute favorite actress growing up. What actress did you crush on most?"
Jimmy was thrown for a loop by the change in topic but was still able to answer, "Amanda Tapping."
Harry smirked at the answer and said, "You have fantastic taste Jimmy. Now if you love Chloe and she was your girlfriend yet Amanda Tapping was your best friend do you think you wouldn't still have feelings for Amanda? I'm Superman. A lot of women have crushes on me. That doesn't mean they need to leave their lovers to come after me."
"I get your point. Chloe's feelings are a little more understandable now that I know the truth," Jimmy admitted. "Why are you telling me this? Aren't you afraid I will tell someone a secret you have guarded for so long?" Jimmy asked.
"I have technology which won't allow you to discuss or otherwise convey my secrets to those who aren't already in the know," Harry answered. "Chloe cares for you greatly. Now she is on a nearby rooftop. Lex Luthor just sent his goons after her in order to kidnap Chloe so that she might reveal Lana's location."
"My god...take me to her," Jimmy pleaded. In a blur of super-speed, the two males were on the rooftop with Chloe and Raya. Jimmy rushed to Chloe and enveloped her in a hug. "I'm so sorry Chloe."
Chloe hugged Jimmy back while mouthing thanks to her best friend. Raya and Harry disappeared while Jimmy and Chloe made up.
February 15th 2007...
"I'm not sure there will be much for us to find if you think the meteor mutant knew you made him," Harry said as he followed Chloe into the bowling alley, Raya right behind.
"He took off pretty fast once I went to look for him," Chloe said. "Do you think maybe he used the telekinesis I saw to fly off?"
"It's possible," Raya admitted. "But he would have to be a strong telekinetic to fly like us."
Chloe and Lois had gone bowling the night before when a meteor mutant had approached the pair to offer bowling advice. Chloe had spotted the use of telekinesis to knock over some still standing pins. When she had followed the meteor mutant out the back of the alley there had been no sign of him.
The trio began examining the alley. Raya and Harry used their enhanced vision to look for clues. Shortly after they arrived an Asian male in his early twenties entered the alley. He matched the description of the meteor mutant Chloe had given her friends.
"What the hell are you doing in here? We're closed," Daniel Kim called. "Where did you run off to last night?" Chloe asked.
"You've gotta be shitting me...did I hook up with you while I was drunk and forget all about it? That would be the worst thing ever," Daniel said.
"No. But after you talked with my cousin and I last night I went to look for you and you were gone. You're saying you don't have any memories from last night?" Chloe asked.
"None at all. But that isn't unusual when I get to drinking. I woke up in bed this morning," Daniel answered. "Now why did you come looking for me?"
Daniel's tone and smile were suggestive.
"To let you know if you let your meteor mutation get the better of you and turn meteor freak that you will regret it," Harry said as he stepped forward.
"I don't know what you are talking about, man," Daniel assured.
"Sure you don't," Harry answered while turning his gaze at a bowling ball and vaporizing it with his heat vision.
"Shit dude," Daniel called.
"We'll be watching, Daniel," Raya told the telekinetic, having x-rayed his wallet to get his name and address off of his driver's license.
After the trio had departed Chloe said, "I just have to say...that was a pretty bad-ass intimidation tactic you two. I'm going to go see if I can turn up any more cases of abduction involving meteor mutants. My gut tells me this might not be a coincidence given 33.1 is headquartered in the area."
"If it is them the catch and release method is a new one. That would explain why we haven't noticed the influx on our monitoring tech in the usual 33.1 facilities," Raya mused. "Let us know what you dig up, Chloe."
"Will do," Chloe said before she left.
Chloe's investigation eventually turned up several other abduction cases with similar memory loss components to Daniel Kim's case. As it turned out Chloe had taken a picture while at the bowling alley that caught a former classmate pointing straight at Daniel Kim. Tobias Rice was a Crow alumni that had been blinded in the last meteor shower.
"Chloe, Clark, it's good of you to come visit me. I haven't been visited by many Crows in recent years and certainly not many after my blinding," Tobias admitted. "But at least I'm alive unlike my parents. Can I get you guys a drink?"
After scanning the contents of the fridge with matter penetrating vision Harry said, "I'll have an iced tea."
"Tobias, you were at Smallville Lanes last night pointing at someone. Do you mind telling us why?" Chloe inquired.
"I think you're mistaken Chloe. Given the fact that I can't see I have no reason to point to anybody," Tobias stated. Harry could tell Tobias was lying. "But maybe I'll have reason to point again once I receive the cornea transplant I'm on the waiting list for."
Just then Tobias knocked a glass off the shelf. Harry caught the glass but Tobias' sunglasses had fallen off as well only to reveal some truly freaky eyes. Harry gave Tobias back his glasses.
"Are you alright, Tobias? You look like you are in pain," Chloe said with concern.
"I'm fine," Tobias replied. "I get these really bad headaches when my eyes are exposed to a great amount of light. I'm not feeling so good now. Would you mind leaving?"
"We hope you feel better Tobias," Harry said before leaving with Chloe. "So what do you think?" Chloe asked as she stepped outside the house.
"I think cornea transplants aren't cheap," Harry replied. "Hold a moment," He said as he overheard a phone conversation Tobias had just initiated with a Dr. Bethany. "Tobias just called a Dr. Bethany and stated that he had found another one. I believe Tobias has some type of meteor power that allows him to detect other meteor mutants. I must register as a meteor mutant to him."
"How do you want to play this? They will probably try to grab you," Chloe pointed out. "If Tobias gives your name and Lex is behind these grabs that can't be good."
"Lex will be behind bars soon enough or dead if he does something stupid. He already thinks I have meteor powers. I'm not concerned," Harry assured.
"I'm surprised you feel that way given how hard you have struggled to protect your abilities from becoming public knowledge," Chloe said.
"I have a gut feeling that won't happen and I have learned to trust my gut," Harry replied.
As it turned out the reason for the lack of Harry's unease was because Harry wasn't the one Tobias identified as a meteor mutant, Chloe was. Alice had copied the contents of the hard drive of Dr. Bethany's personal computer which detailed the new project Lex was running for 33.1 using Tobias to point out meteor mutants. The identified meteor mutants which were mutants who hadn't shown any mental instability enough to expose themselves were kidnapped, analyzed, had their memories chemically blocked, tagged with a tracking chip and then released.
"Dear Rao," Raya said when she learned of Chloe's mutation. "Are you going to tell her?"
"I think I definitely should. But that can wait until after Bethany is taken care of," Harry answered. "He is a danger to Chloe and I'm not prepared to wait until Lex has dug the deepest hole he can for himself."
"What do you want to do with him?" Raya queried.
"We have enough evidence to have him arrested and put away for a long time but not without exposing Lex too right now. I think it's best to put Bethany in stasis until it is time to take care of Lex," Harry suggested.
"That sounds like a good idea. But store him at one of the production facilities. I don't want Bethany in here with our growing babies should his containment unit fail," Raya said as she stared fondly at where her children were rapidly growing.
"Fair enough," Harry agreed.
"What's up guys?" Chloe asked as she appeared in the Fortress. "Your tone didn't sound good when you contacted me."
"Tobias identified you as a meteor mutant to Dr. Bethany," Raya explained. "Oh god," Chloe said with shock.
"Chloe, stop freaking out," Harry said. "Raya and I will run a scan on you to see if we can't determine the nature of your meteor mutation. With genetic resequencing we can return you to normal if your mutation proves to be unstable. As Bethany's research project just revealed there are stable mutations that don't cause mental dysfunction."
"Given the current condition of my mother I somehow doubt I'll be mentally stable for long, Clark," Chloe replied.
"We don't know that anything about these instabilities are hereditary," Raya pointed out.
Harry had forgotten the fact that Chloe's mother was still in the mental institution in this reality. Chloe had always been careful to hide her mother's condition from her friends. In Harry's original reality as a Kent, Moira Sullivan had been transported to a private facility owned by Harry while the Asurans researched ways to deal with her catatonic state. He would have to do something similar in this reality.
"Chloe, let's proceed with the scan," Harry encouraged. "Right...what do you need me to do?" Chloe asked.
Harry guided Chloe onto a crystal scanning bed and the deep analysis scan was begun. Harry and Raya conversed quietly for a few minutes as they analyzed the results.
"It appears your mutation is stable for the moment. Your mutation appears to be of a healing nature. You can heal others by taking physical damage onto yourself. I think you would have some type of accelerated healing at that point as well as an ability to survive some pretty serious injuries yourself. It's a mentally stable ability. I can build a genetic suppressor for you in the form of a friendship bracelet," Harry offered.
"Do that please," Chloe said. "I don't want to go fooling around with meteor mutant powers even if they are stable."
"It shouldn't take long," Harry said.
"Let's go have a chat while he works," Raya suggested.
After Chloe had departed from the Fortress with her new bracelet on her wrist the two Kryptonians did some work to keep the other patients of Bethany's study safe. It was made to look like Bethany did a runner.
"Who is there?" Tobias asked as he heard a rushing noise. "You know us as Super-Man and Super-Woman," Raya said.
"What are you doing here?" Tobias asked with surprise.
"You have been involved in identifying meteor mutants for a very dangerous group that performs illegal and unethical experiments on the identified meteor mutants and kills anybody who gets in their way," Harry explained.
Tobias sat down heavily and after a few moments said, "I knew in my gut they were up to something shady. I just didn't want to believe it. I wanted to see again so badly. Are you here to take me to jail?"
"No," Raya answered as she stepped up and brought a small crystalline device close to Tobias' eyes. Multi-colored light-rays emanated from the device and flooded over Tobias' eyes. Within moments Tobias could see again. "You'll be sensitive to bright lights for a while but eventually your vision will be normal."
Tobias tore off his glasses and stared around in amazement.
"How can I thank you?" Tobias asked.
"By calling Bethany's phone and leaving a message thanking him for all his help but that you have found another source for the cornea transplant. We'll be watching to make sure his boss leaves you alone but this should be the end of the matter for you," Harry said.
"Of course," Tobias agreed.
After Tobias had made the call Lex left him alone. Lex decided to keep Bethany's project open of observing the stable mutants. Even if there was no easy way to identify other stable mutants, observing stable mutants was still a valuable enterprise. And stable mutants could still sometimes be identified through careful observation if the watchers knew what to look for. Luckily Harry had acted before Chloe's name had been relayed to Lex's people by Bethany.
March 22nd 2007...
"Clark, Raya," Alice's voice projected throughout the Fortress.
The couple paused in their struggles. Raya was currently pinned to the floor of the sparring chamber the couple were facing off in beneath her mate. She was face down with her body locked in a position designed to inflict pain upon her if she struggled too much.
"I give," Raya submitted. "Go ahead, Alice."
As Raya was released from the lock she marveled at her mate's prowess in everything he did. His fighting skills were simply amazing. Raya had also been introduced to some more of her mate's scientific projects including Alice's AI matrix. Alice's programming was far more
impressive than even the AI programming Jor El had been able to perform and Jor El's AIs had been considered the best on Krypton.
"I have located a Zoner known as Rashick from the Kryptonian archives. Here on Earth he goes by the moniker Titan," Alice explained as she holographically projected scenes of Titan fighting in cage matches against meteor mutants. When it was clear Titan was winning the fights the runners of the match would let the viewers vote on the fate of the loser. Titan generally executed most of the losers. "The viewership for these events are quite pricey if you are forced to pay for the spectacle."
"Do you have a location for these fights?" Ray queried.
"Yes. The attempts these humans have made to mask their location are easily defeated by me," Alice assured. "They are located on an abandoned army base."
"Rashick is black market enhanced. He tried robbing several different Kryptonian tech depots," Raya said worriedly. "You shouldn't go alone."
"You are too close to a transfer cycle," Harry pointed out, referring to the process of transferring another set of their twins out of Raya. "You can be observing overhead but I don't want you to interfere unless I am in serious trouble. I will be fine though."
"How will you locate Rashick within the fighting compound? He had extra-sensory upgrades made to his physiology. If he sees you coming he might not face you," Raya pointed out.
"I will go in under holographic masking and fight him as a competitor. I will audition weaker than I really am," Harry assured. "In fact it might be better for me to use technology to display powers we haven't previously shown to the public as Super-Man and Super-Woman."
"A good idea," Raya agreed. "That way the fight club runners won't suspect you are Super- Man. Let's get to work coming up with a suitable power."
Harry watched Richter Maddox, Assistant Director for Bell Reeve, and the man who effectively ran the institute that specialized in helping treat meteor mutants walk towards a parked SUV.
"Hello Mr. Maddox," Harry greeted, causing Maddox to jump in startled surprise at the unexpected voice coming from the darkness.
Harry stepped under a street light.
"You scared me. How do you know my name?" Maddox questioned.
"I know your name because I know you run the fight club for meteor mutants," Harry said.
"I don't know what you are talking about," Maddox lied as he reached for the door to his vehicle.
A blue light shot from Harry's palm and hit the vehicle. Maddox watched in a mixture of fascination and horror as his entire vehicle was enveloped in a block of ice.
"Do I have your attention now?" Harry asked.
"You do," Maddox confirmed.
"Let's talk about pay," Harry suggested.
"Welcome to the show," Maddox said as he held out his hand. Harry took the hand as Maddox grinned deviously.
Fort Ryan, Hangar 44...
"What do you think of the name Ice-Man?" Maddox asked Harry as Harry followed Maddox towards the fight arena.
"It seems appropriate," Harry answered for more reasons than Maddox knew.
Even Raya didn't realize it but the power her lover had come up with was just a copied power from Bobby Drake of the X-Men who was also known as Ice-Man to the public.
As Maddox turned and accepted the flashy silvery jacket from an attractive young woman wearing a bikini and a pink wig he instructed, "Remember to play it up for more than just the camera."
Harry observed the sound system and broadcast electronics meant to simulate a crowd and convey the fight to the wealthy viewers who patronized the meteor mutant fights.
"I will remember," Harry assured. "I would like to fight Titan."
"I can't let you start right off with Titan. Even if you can take him I need to build up your cred first so that I can draw in more viewers. It's a business thing, kid," Maddox said.
"I understand. Then who do you have me fighting first?" Harry queried.
"Her," Maddox said as he pointed at a gate opening up into the fighting cage while a thug pushed a very resistant Lois Lane into the fight cage. Lois was dressed in a skin-tight red shiny fighting costume. "I don't expect the fight will last long but I don't care. As long as the fans see someone die they will be happy."
Lois sized Harry up when she noticed him. She didn't recognize him of course since his holographic disguise was in place. Then she was pulled back out of the fighting cage.
"Do we fight now?" Harry asked.
"Eager aren't you," Maddox said. "Yeah...just let me announce you and then you fight. Stand over there."
Harry stepped outside of the cage and watched as Maddox really amped up the crowd. Harry stepped into the cage when he was called and faced Lois.
Lois began bobbing on her feet and circling her opponent. Harry kept her in his sight and didn't bother jumping around like she did. Even though it was good technique he didn't need to. Lois darted forward and tried punching Harry in the jaw. Harry's head darted to one side and he deflected her blow before pushing her by her waist hard against the side of the cage.
"Someone is fast," Lois said with a groan as she pushed off the cage. When Harry didn't say anything she said, "What's the matter? Don't you speak?"
"No need," Harry answered before striding towards Lois ducking under her punch, catching her roundhouse kick, and delivering a blow to her gut with just enough force to knock the wind out of her. Leaning in to whisper in her ear he said, "You have good technique but you are too slow. I am going to freeze you to make it look like you are dead. But you will be fine later."
Then Harry froze Lois solid. Or so it looked like. Harry used a type of icy energy that was often used in Alteran stasis chambers which would put Lois in a frozen-appearing stasis but which wouldn't rupture her cells. At that moment Titan made his appearance. He walked up to the cage and ripped open the bars.
"Kal El," Rashick growled. "You smell Kryptonian. Fight me."
"Gladly," Harry said as he moved Lois out of the cage with super-speed and threw a crystal into the air. When Harry's holographic disguise shifted to reveal him as Super-Man, Maddox and his employees attempted to flee. But Raya had used the same type of crystal her lover had on the outside of the building. The crystals were spinning and projecting a dome shaped shield which sealed Super-Man and Rashick in the ring together and sealed the fight club employees in the hangar together. "Let's do this."
Titan ran forward and leapt as he brought his fist forwards to punch Super-Man. Harry stepped to the side turning his profile just enough that Titan's blow would miss. As Titan passed Harry caught the criminal's wrist and swung in an overhead arc, slamming Titan into the ground.
Harry had thought how he wanted this fight to go before ever entering the building. Harry could have easily disabled Maddox's feed to the outside world. Instead, Alice had enhanced Maddox's feed and was broadcasting it to the entire internet. Additionally, the Asuran AI was contacting the local FBI office letting them know the location of the fight club. Rashick wasn't able to be handled by the law enforcement of Earth but the rest of the criminals would provided the meteor
mutants were subdued. Harry delivered a powerful stunner into Titan's body rendering the alien criminal unconscious. Rashick would be returned to the Zone.
Denying the criminal the fight he so desired was the worst form of punishment. Harry summoned the crystal isolating the fight cage back to his hand and placed it on Rashick which served to cage up the Zoner. Harry then uses his super-speed to travel throughout the fight club and stun any meteor mutants present. He disabled all weaponry too. The outer shield would be left in place until the authorities were on the scene. Harry retrieved Rashick and left. Rashick would be returned to the Phantom Zone at the Fortress.
"You handled that very smartly, my love," Raya complimented once Rashick had been returned to the Zone.
"There was no need to take any greater risk," Harry assured. "Not when my reward is to come home to you."
"I think I can make that reward even more attractive," Raya said in a throaty purr as she gave all the signs she wanted to retire to the bedroom.
No more words were needed.