Three Rules
Folc4evernaday
Chapter 1
________________________________________
Clark fumbled through the never-ending lists he had printed out, keeping a careful watch for the remaining journalists burning the midnight oil a few desks over and the light still lit from his editor’s office. His gaze drifted to the elevator doors, wondering momentarily if Lois would return to the Planet tonight or not.
‘Probably not.’His mouth twisted as he looked across his desk to where the elevator was, noting the dim light emitting on the balcony. He let out a heavy sigh, wondering if he should just call it a night. His gaze shifted back to the never ending list in front of him and a heavy breath and flipped the page. What he wouldn’t give to be able to breeze through everything at super-speed, but he knew he couldn’t.
‘Too many witnesses.’Each move weighed heavily on him. Each move brought with it the shame of not being able to fit in, searching for a place he would finally be able to call home. He had yearned for the excitement and adventure that came with traveling around the world, but more so he was drawn to the excitement of the unknown. Growing up in Smallville he had become well versed in fitting in under the radar with those he had known his entire life, but never felt as if he had a connection with anyone outside of his parents. He had friends of course, but no one he could truly be himself with and no one he could confide in.
The loneliness was the worst of it.
Isolation.
On the whole, Metropolis felt different.
The pace of the city kept everyone and everything moving.
Something he could use to his advantage.
‘If only…’________________________________________
Lois tapped her hand aimlessly on the smooth leather of the seat beneath her, watching the city lights flash by her while mulling over her failed attempt at nabbing the exclusive she thought this evening had been about. The car slid into a slow stop, gently rocking her back and forth and Lex turned to her with a nod.
“Safe and sound back to the grind.” He gestured to the Daily Planet building they were parked outside of as the driver stepped out of the car, coming around to open the door for her.
She nodded her thanks and looked back at the billionaire with a hesitant gaze, “I think you learned a lot more about me than I learned about you.”
A seemingly knowing smile smoothed its way across Lex’s face, “I think we’ve both only scratched the surface,”
“Not exactly the point of an interview,” Lois pointed out as she crossed her arms over her chest.
“Well, I’m a firm believer that the chase makes everything more worthwhile,” Lex said reaching for Lois’ hand and she pulled it back.
“Well, unfortunately, I only chase leads.” She shook her head, pointing back to his car. “And I believe you’ve made it clear there is no lead to follow here.” She shrugged her shoulders. “I can manage from here.”
________________________________________
Lex watched Lois Lane disappear behind the rotating glass doors of the Daily Planet, taken aback by her boldness and what seemed to be a brush-off. Something he hadn’t experienced in years. Not since taking over his father’s company at the ripe age of seventeen.
Something about Lois Lane was different from others he’d come across before.
She was…challenging.
He certainly loved a challenge.
He reached in his pocket to dial a number on his mobile phone he knew by heart, “Yes, Antoinette? Is everything ready? Of course, you’ll be well compensated….”
________________________________________
‘Idiot.’ Lois fumed internally as she stepped inside the awaiting elevator car, tapping the toe of her shoe against the short grains of the carpet below her feet. A heavy sigh escaped her lips as she reached over to press the button for the newsroom.
She wasn’t even sure why she had asked to be dropped off here. It wasn’t like she had a deadline to meet or anything to publish, but still she couldn’t allow her mind to stop racing. Going home meant accepting defeat. She would have to admit she’d failed. She wasn’t ready to do that. She may not have landed the exclusive she wanted to tonight, but she could get a jump start on prepping for the update with Perry.
A deep sigh escaped her lips as the doors opened on the newsroom floor and she rushed down the ramp, trying to brush off the failure of the evening. She made a pit stop to fill up on caffeine while simultaneously removing her earrings. She tucked them inside her coat pocket and set a Styrofoam cup on the counter in front of her before reaching over to pour her coffee before gathering everything up and heading for her desk.
She barely had a chance to claim her seat when Clark approached her with a broad grin across his face. “Hey, I guess the interview went well…”
Lois made a face, feeling uncertainty cross her features as she looked back at Clark’s earnest gaze. “I had to get back. Work to do.”
“Oh,” Clark nodded his understanding.
She pointed to the single folded paper in his hand and asked, “What’s that?”
Clark looked down at the list in his hand and handed it over, “I was comparing the proposed medical treatments the United Nations of Congress had proclaimed to be able to heal with the medical research programs in process to see if anyone might be motivated to not want the mission to go forward.”
“Please tell me Dr. Baines has a relative or some boyfriend with a patent on a board somewhere,” Lois grumbled aloud as she scanned the list. “Metropolis General. Central Emory. Luthor Medical. Wayne Enterprises….” Her face blanched, “Most of the major hospitals with very deep pockets.”
“Maybe, but it’s motive, right?”
“Yeah, sure…” Lois agreed off handedly.
“Well, maybe we can ask Lex Luthor himself about the research Luthor Medical is working on. I’m sure you have some follow-ups to do with your interview anyway…”
“Yeah, not so much.” Lois frowned, leaning back in her chair. At his questioning gaze she begrudgingly admitted, “My interview was a bust.”
“Oh,” Clark’s face fell, seeming to understand the underlying message she thankfully didn’t have to come out and explain for him.
“It’s fine.” Lois cut him off before he could throw her a sympathetic apology. She had spent more than enough time kicking herself over letting her hopes get up about the interview with Lex Luthor. Now all she wanted to do was focus on something she could do. Right now, it looked like that might be digging into the research programs might be the place to start. “I need to prepare for our update with Perry tomorrow anyway. Was there anything new from STAR Labs?”
“Not yet. I’m cross referencing what I can, but no direct link between Baines and Platt. There is enough to arouse suspicion though which I’m hoping…”
Lois shook her head, “Suspicion isn’t enough to get anyone to listen though, Smallville.”
“Well, is it enough to get Henderson to reclassify Platt’s death as a murder?” Clark asked, biting his lower-lip.
“Maybe,” Lois shrugged her shoulders. “But convincing Perry is a good start. Just follow the evidence.”
________________________________________
Firelight flickered from the fireplace of the dimly lit room. Asabi was careful not to draw attention to himself as he prepared the drink station with a new bottle of each liquor Mr. Luthor liked to keep stocked in his study. A sound came from the corner of the room and he turned to see his employer, Alexander Luthor sitting in the leather executive chair behind the fine wooden desk, tapping his hand against an empty glass.
“A refill, Mr. Luthor?”
Lex looked up from his lap, clearing his throat as he shook his head, “No, that’s quite alright Asabi. I think it’s time I turn in.” He pushed against the edge of the desk and stood up, placing a hand on the desk for support. “Are the arrangements for Dr. Baines in order?”
“Radio frequency trigger for Dr. Baines’ helicopter will arrive promptly tomorrow evening.” Asabi assured him.
“Excellent,” Lex nodded his approval. “Once Dr. Baines has been taken care of there will be no one left to expose the sabotage at EPRAD.”
“I take it you’ve already swayed Ms. Lane to look elsewhere for her story?” Asabi asked with a wink.
Lex frowned, shaking his head. “She won’t be a problem.”
________________________________________
Lois took a gulp from her coffee mug as she gathered her things, mentally going through her checklist of everything she had to do this morning. Though she wasn’t convinced the medical research angle would pan out right now it was all she had to go on. They had proof sabotage had taken place at EPRAD but nothing concrete tying it to anyone.
She knew Perry well enough to anticipate his apprehension on printing a story without more solid evidence than they currently had. Proof of sabotage was circumstantial at best currently and there was nothing solid tying the sabotage to Baines or proving that Platt’s death was a murder.
“Lois?”
She pulled her attention away from the thoughts running through her mind over the current story she was trying to chase down to see Lucy standing by the front door with a delivery man standing behind her.
At Lois’ perplexed expression Lucy pointed behind her, “You have a delivery.”
Lucy stepped aside and the delivery man gestured around the small living room of her apartment, “Where would you like them?”
“Them?” Lois asked, not following his question until he stepped aside, gesturing to the cart of long stemmed red and white roses.
“What in the world?” Lois asked with a bewildered stare as he wheeled the cart in and began unloading the buckets of roses when she didn’t answer with a location. The courier handed her a card and she flipped the card open, reading it with a grimace.
‘Hoping to make up for last night.
~Lex’“Wow, what exactly happened at dinner last night?” Lucy teased, reading the card over her shoulder.
Lois rolled her eyes, “Very funny.”
________________________________________
Dr. Baines stood in the doorway of Lex’s penthouse with her arms crossed over her chest in defiance, “Lex, we have a problem.”
“Oh?” He looked over at her in confusion. “What problem do we have, Antoinette?”
“Reporters are crawling all over EPRAD after that stunt with Commander Ladderman. You said no one would get hurt! You promised this wouldn’t come back on me.” She accused angrily.
“No, I promised you wouldn’t get hurt or implicated.” He corrected. At Baines’ scowl he sighed, reaching out to cup her cheek. “I’ll look into it.” he promised, taking her hand in his, “Just think, this time next year we will be celebrating the anniversary of Space Station Luthor as it becomes a source of scientific breakthroughs…”
“…and untold millions in patents,” Baines added.
“This isn’t about profit. It’s about power, real, unwavering power.” Lex remarked, smoothly, glancing across the room to where the sword of Alexander the Great was mounted on the wall.
________________________________________
Perry White’s hand tapped against the wood grain of his desk, quietly calming the aggravation that gnawed at his gut as he stared back at Lois Lane’s hopeful stare, looking over at the earnest expression on Clark Kent’s face.
They had their suspicions.
He knew that.
He had his own suspicions about what was going on at EPRAD.
But it wasn’t enough.
“Lois, you know better than to come in here with this weak of a story and expect me to print it.”
“Perry!”
“No.” Perry White shook his head adamantly, leaning back in his chair as he folded his hands across his lap. “Look, I want to help. I just don’t see enough here. Hard facts. That’s the name of the game. Am I clear?”
“Crystal.” Lois grumbled, storming out of his office with Clark trailing behind.
________________________________________
The door to Perry’s office slammed behind Lois as she crossed her arms over her chest, leaning up against the column behind her. She shook her head as Jimmy stopped by to join her and Clark.
“What we need is physical evidence.”
“Well, Platt said the sabotage was on the ion particles. Maybe someone could take a look and prove…”
“How are we going to prove anything?” Lois challenged, shaking her head. “The last time Jimmy and I came within ten feet of EPRAD we had security called on us.”
“Well, maybe we can ask Dr. Baines for permission to set up an independent examination…” Clark’s suggestion fell on deaf ears as Lois began to see red, frustrated he still was unable to see what was so plain to her.
“Clark! Are you out of your mind? Baines isn’t going to let us do that. She could be involved.” A long sigh escaped her throat and she muttered. “We don’t have time to play by the rules. The Colonist Transport goes up in two days.”
“What are we supposed to do then?” Clark asked as she reached for her purse.
“Our jobs. We investigate.”
________________________________________
Clark leaned against the steel door with a yellow ‘Caution’ tape across it. He spied the guards who were aimlessly walking up and down the aisles inside.
“Are you sure about this?” Clark asked, looking at Lois apprehensively as she readjusted the EPRAD engineering suit she’d borrowed.
“Having second thoughts, Smallville?” Lois asked with a smirk.
“No, I just …”
“Okay, we’re in.” Jimmy cheered as the lock to the door gave away and the EPRAD Space Station’s Research Center entry way was revealed.
Lois pointed to the fenced in area marked ‘REPAIR’ and waved Clark and Jimmy with her to follow, “Come on, let’s see what we can find.”
Clark nodded, following her down turning to follow Lois behind a secluded fenced in the area with a large print sign that read ‘REPAIR.' With his enhanced vision he could see the shell being repaired but something seemed off about it.
“What do you think they’re doing there?” Jimmy asked, “Repairing the shell.”
Lois pointed to the wreckage, shaking her head, “No, I watched them load the Messenger onto the truck. The whole left side of the shell was bashed in.”
“They’re working on a phony shell.” Clark summarized, catching onto what she was saying.
Jimmy snapped a few photos of the wreckage being repaired and Lois pointed them down the hall toward the offices. “Come on, this way…”
Clark reached his hand out, hearing footsteps approaching. “Actually, I think the guards went this way. Don’t we want to stay behind them?”
“Right,” Lois hesitated a moment before following him down the corridor where a trio of offices were located. One of the research labs on the hall looked directly out onto the wreckage. “Follow me.”
________________________________________
Dr. Antoinette Baines slammed the phone down, fuming as she scanned the security footage with Lois Lane on the black and white screen. She pressed the speaker phone button and began to dial, waiting for the call to connect.
“Antoinette?”
Lex’s voice smoothly called her name, but she quickly snapped back, “Your friend Lois Lane is here. I think it's time we eliminated her.”
“Kill off the Daily Planet's star reporter? I'm surprised at the suggestion, Antoinette.”
“But she suspects
me, Lex.” Baines argued, feeling her temper rise.
“She lacks
evidence.” Lex insisted confidently. “Evidence is sometimes all that separates the criminal from the successful businessman... or woman.” Lex let out a heavy breath, “I told you I’d take care of her.”
Dr. Baines bit her lower-lip, feeling the hard lump fill her throat as she added, “Lex, I did this for you...”
“And you've been paid very well. In fact, your final installment is waiting for you in the helicopter. Proceed as planned. I promise... there will be no loose ends.”
________________________________________
Lois pointed to the screen in front of Jimmy, watching as the last of the files were backed up on a portable disk. She looked over her shoulder at Clark who was keeping guard by the door to be sure no one was coming. “Coast still clear?”
Clark nodded.
Lois looked to Jimmy who was tapping his hand on the desk. “Almost there?”
“I have no idea what we just saved or what we have photos of but it’s all here.” Jimmy answered.
“Good, let’s get out of here.”
________________________________________
Lex Luthor watched the footage of the helicopter outside of EPRAD going up in flames. A slow smile spread across his face and he extended his hand out to press the rewind button, pressing play again to watch his handiwork in action.
“Goodnight Antoinette.”
“Mr. Luthor?”
Lex turned to see Asabi in the doorway with the fresh bottle of liquor for him. “Yes, Asabi, I think a celebration is in order.” He watched as Asabi poured the cool liquid into his glass and topped it off with a few ice cubes.
Lex claimed his glass in the palm of his hand and took a sip, letting out a long hiss before turning to Asabi, “Were there any issues wiping Dr. Baines’ records from the EPRAD computers?”
“No, the tech we worked with has assured me the virus will make it look like everything on Dr. Baines’ server was never there.”
Lex nodded his appeasement with the news and then took a sip of his drink before setting it down. “I’ll need to have the car ready at nine. I have a visit to make.”
“Oh, where to, Mr. Luthor?”
“The Daily Planet. I have some unfinished business.”
TBC...
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