Recap from Chapter 27: Clark and LabRat arrived at James Olsen’s compound just as Lois and Chloe had noticed that he had disappeared. “So Chloe, you really think you can pull this off? You’re *that* good?” Lois asked, watching with one eye the two men in her life that she loved the most – Clark and LabRat.
“I’ve got it Lois – not to worry. This will be *fun*. Go find out what happened – I’ll get to work on this right away,” Chloe promised.
“Thanks. I always wanted to have a younger sister,” Lois disclosed, walking towards Clark and a bounding LabRat. “Hey sweetie,” she said to the dog, who was licking all of her makeup off!
“A minute later and those fake security guards from this morning would have had him,” Clark admitted. “They were Luthor Corp goons all right, but since their orders were only to retrieve him from James’ property, not for breaking and entering, they’re going to be cooling their heels in a jail cell for a bit.”
“Those guys in the golf cart didn’t work for James? Uh-oh. Why were they so adamant that we tell James that we took the dog? Something doesn’t add up here,” Lois observed.
“Yeah, I said the same thing to James. There’s a missing link here in the puzzle. I say we cut this party short and get working on it. Unless you’re having such a great time you can’t leave.”
“Waitaminute, Clark – how did they find LabRat? Was there another tracking device on him?”
“Yeah – in the form of a tooth filling,” Clark replied. “I can’t believe I missed it the first time – a microscopic GPS tracking device imbedded in one of his upper molars. I was thinking of transferring it to you…..” he smiled.
Lois playfully slapped Clark. “But you don’t have the receiver, so it wouldn’t work, huh?”
“Right,” Clark said, kissing her forehead. “By the way, your father thinks we’re married.”
“Huh? He does?”
“I set him straight, but he seems to see wedding bells in the near future.”
“It’s a little soon to talk that way, isn’t it?” Lois asked tentatively.
“Probably,” Clark agreed, not wanting to scare her off.
**Three days later – Tuesday -The Daily Planet building**
“Daily Planet, Lois Lane speaking. Oh, hi Bruce. Really? You need our help? Wow! Somehow, I didn’t picture you ever saying that, but I’m flattered. No, Clark had an emergency – there was a volcano erupting near Fuji, Japan, and he’s trying to help any way he can… yes, he is…anyway, Chloe has done some wonderful research on the effects of what turned out to be a different strain of Kryptonite in that town in California. I’d like her to join us…. She’s my step sister now, and I think she will be a real asset. Yes, she can keep a secret. ….. 7PM? No, you don’t have to send your limo…well, all right. I’m not sure Clark will be back by then…ok, I’ll tell her. His name is Richard? Oh, Dick for short? Great. See ya.”
“Chloe? Lois here. Yeah, Bruce Wayne just called. We’re meeting him tonight and his ward, Richard – Dick – will be there too. He’s about your age, I think. No, I don’t know if he’s cute or not. Be in front of the Planet at 7pm. Don’t tell your mother or my Dad. This is where you’re gonna prove that you can keep your mouth shut. Ok. I know you will. See ya then.”
And now, finally, Chapter 28: When Lois got to the street level of the Daily Planet, around 6:50 p.m., Chloe was already outside waiting for her. As much as she initially felt compelled to dislike the girl, she found herself feeling sisterly towards her. Having Lucy for an older sibling had been rough – she was thin, gorgeous, and constantly hounding Lois about her weight. Chloe appeared to admire Lois as if she WERE her big sister, and she had an infectious, electric smile that lit up her face and won over those around her when she flashed it.
<Well, she’s on time, I’ll give her that,> Lois mused. Pushing through the revolving doors onto the sidewalk, Chloe spotted her immediately. “Miss Lane – I mean Lois! Over here!” she called out.
“Hey, Chloe,” Lois said pleasantly. “Have you been waiting long?”
“I got here around 6:30. People watching is fascinating, especially in Metropolis. You can learn so much,” she replied. “Everyone’s in such a big fat hurry here on the east coast. California living is so much more laid back.”
“Well, kudos for being so timely,” Lois told her, placing her left hand on Chloe’s right shoulder momentarily as a gesture of appreciation. “Any sign of an expensive stretch limo yet?”
“Not yet. I’m getting goosebumps thinking about meeting Bruce Wayne and his ward. How great is this?” she enthused.
“It IS pretty great. And you’re quite the little computer hacker/researcher. Are you one of those kids that was born with a mouse in your hand?” Lois asked, smiling broadly. “I’m going to tell James that the new intern can mentor me on my computer skills. The heck with going to a class.”
“Wow, thanks for the compliment, Lois. I love research, and I love digging to peel away the layers of crap and finding the jewels underneath,” she admitted. “I live for this stuff. Hey, did you tell me what color the meteor rocks in Smallville are? Because in Little Ville, they are a dark green – like a hunter green, but they have flecks of crimson running through them as well.”
“The Smallville Kryptonite is an emerald green. So when you were able to hack in the lab at UCLA, you obtained the results of the analysis on the Reddish Kryptonite – right? You were able to email the file to Dr. Klein and he confirmed that both substances are comprised of elements not found on earth?”
“Yes”, Chloe confirmed. “He confirmed that the two samples are extraterrestrial, and that they are essentially from the same origin, based on the similarities between the two. The emerald green Kryptonite emits a stronger radiation than the reddish Kryptonite. They apparently do not affect humans although there may be long-term effects that will require years of research. Based on the different radiation levels they emit, Dr. Klein’s hypothesis is that they may affect Clark differently.”
“How do we get a sample of the red stuff so we can test it before Luthor Corp does?” Lois asked.
“Dr. Klein already requested a sample be sent to him via FEDEX,” Chloe beamed. “He should be getting it tomorrow.”
Just then, a gleaming ebony limousine loomed in front of them. An older gentleman opened the door, and then stepped outside on the sidewalk. Speaking with a crisp British accent, Alfred beckoned the two ladies to join him inside the luxurious vehicle.
Lois and Chloe felt as if they had stepped into another world. The inside of the limousine was spectacular, with flat screen televisions angled above the doors and a built in digital GPS system built into the wall dividing the passengers and the driver. The seats were a plush sapphire blue with brass trim. A built in bar held chilled bottles of sparkling water. Bruce Wayne didn’t drink, even though he put on an act when he attended charity functions.
“Ms. Lane and Ms. Sullivan, Mr. Wayne asked me to bring you to his private airfield where his ward Richard Grayson will meet you and discuss the operation in further detail,” Alfred said. “And Ms. Lane, he hopes that you are correct in your judgment in bringing Ms. Sullivan here ‘into the fold’,” he added with a mysterious smile.
Chloe didn’t know that Bruce Wayne was Batman yet, but after this covert operation, it appeared that she would be made aware of this information very shortly.
Gotham City was about a two hour ride from Metropolis, and Bruce’s private airstrip was on its outskirts. When they arrived, Alfred indicated that they should get right into Bruce’s private plane.
“Alfred, you’re not coming with us?” Lois asked.
“I’m afraid not, Ms. Lane. My talents are best used keeping my eyes on stately Wayne Manor. There are many…uh…expensive artifacts there,” he replied, winking at her.
<Like all that high-tech in the Bat-Cave>, Lois thought. “Well thank you for the lovely ride. I never traveled in a vehicle that was so smooth that I didn’t even know we were in the city,” she said.
Chloe offered her hand to the gentleman’s gentleman. “Nice to meet you, Mr. …er…Alfred,” she said, flashing her winning smile.
“My pleasure, Ms. Sullivan. Please bear in mind that discretion is the order of the day here,” he said mysteriously to her.
“Absolutely, Alfred. Take care,” she said.
Once they entered the airplane, which had one big cabin that looked like a huge first class section of a commercial plane, a young man about Chloe’s age stood up and smiled directly at them.
His smile was as illuminating as Chloe’s, and he clearly knew how to use it to charm those of the female persuasion.
“Hi ladies, I’m Dick. Dick Grayson. I’ve really been looking forward to meeting you both,” he said, smoothly. It was obvious that his playboy guardian’s charisma had rubbed off on him.
Lois offered her hand. “Hello, Dick. I’m Lois, and this is Chloe,” she said, turning towards her step-sister. Dick took Lois’ hand and kissed it. “A real pleasure, Miss Lane. I’ve heard so much about you and your investigative reporting. I have an affinity for detective work myself,” he disclosed, with a barely discernible wink in Lois’ direction.
Chloe brightened and simply said “hi!” Dick’s eyes widened as he checked out the fledgling reporter. “It’s great to meet you, Chloe,” he said. The pair looked smitten at first sight with each other.
“Ok ladies, you can get settled right here,” Dick said, gesturing to two oversized leather seats. “Wheels up in 10; it will be about a 3 hour trip to get to New Mexico. We’re meeting Bruce at the Albuquerque airport. Due to the time difference, it will be about 10:00pm when we arrive.”
Chloe was glowing with the excitement of being on a billionaire’s private airplane, as well feeling a flush from her instant crush on Dick Grayson. He exuded a “bad boy” air about him, but yet he wore his innate intelligence like a neon sign. A good looking, smart, and dangerous hottie. A match made in heaven for her.
Lois was reviewing her last conversation with Bruce in her mind. He took off over the weekend to scope out Luthor’s R & D complex in New Mexico. She hoped that he had discovered something useful so that she wouldn’t personally have to go on that date with Lex Luthor this coming Friday. She hadn’t been completely forthcoming with Clark, at least about the “expected night of love” part of the interview. The fact that he was going to a lot of trouble to bring the three of them out to New Mexico probably meant that he had hit pay-dirt and needed several accomplices to execute his plan.
Chloe was busy asking Dick how he came to live with Bruce Wayne. Not familiar with the story herself, she stopped daydreaming and focused on their conversation. She suddenly realized that being orphaned and channeling the pain of loss into a mission to make the world a better place was a pattern with Clark, Bruce, and now Dick. What a sad story. Lois had conducted background research for her interview/meeting with Bruce/Batman and had since put a lot of the details together on her own. Dick was born into a circus family of acrobats, only to lose them as a teenager to a high-wire accident set up by the mob. Batman had been involved in the investigation and had taken a shining to the young boy, whose life was so similar to his. Orphaned at a young age at the hands of criminals; consumed with anger. Shortly after the death of the “Flying Graysons”, Bruce Wayne was appointed guardian of the teenager, who soon discovered that Wayne Manor had quite an interesting “lower level” …..especially if you liked nocturnal creatures…..
Dick, not wanting to talk about himself, turned the tables and began to ask Chloe about her life. In response, she happily babbled away about her mother getting remarried to Lois’ father, living in sunny California, and her “wall of weird happenings” for which she was awarded a journalism scholarship to UCLA.
Dick was a junior at Gotham U, majoring in criminal science. Like Chloe, he was a computer guru. Lois realized that the two of them were probably soulmates as well. Wait till she “gets” what’s really going on here, Lois thought. Speaking of soulmates, Lois realized that Clark was probably going to freak out when he got back from Japan and read her note. Because of the likelihood of Kryptonite in or around Luthor’s R & D facility, she didn’t want to be too explicit as to her whereabouts.
Suddenly tired, Lois closed her eyes and the next thing she knew, Chloe was tapping her on the shoulder to wake up. “Welcome to Albuquerque,” said a familiar deep voice. Focusing once again, Lois looked up and saw the very athletic silhouette of one Bruce Wayne standing not ten feet in front of her. <Damn, he is HOT>, she thought. <Clark, Clark, Clark…..is hotter>, she asserted to herself, believing it.
Bruce held his hand out to Lois and escorted her off the plane. Spotting two red convertibles, both with their tops down, he gestured towards them. “I figured you had your fill of limos today. This ride fits more with my playboy image,” he joked.
“It’s amazing,” Lois breathed. They were both 1972 Corvettes in mint condition, with leather seats and reeking of royalty. “Of course, when you get used to flying ‘Air Superman’, a girl can get spoiled pretty easily,” she bantered back.
“Chloe, this is Bruce Wayne,” Dick said, introducing the pair. “Lois’ new step-sister.”
“A pleasure, Ms. Sullivan,” Bruce replied smoothly, as if he were reading off a script. “I understand that you are a junior Lois Lane; that speaks volumes of your journalistic ability. I’m impressed already.”
Chloe turned beet red at the compliment, but, as always, her luminous smile saved the day. “Thank you, Mr. Wayne. That is very kind of you. I feel honored to be here and I understand that Lois has vouched for me. I won’t let you down, I promise.”
“Let’s head into the city; I have reservations at Antiquity, and while we’re having dinner, I’ll go over our game plan,” Bruce advised. “Dick, you know how to get there? We’ll follow you in.”
“It’s in the Old Town section right? Yeah, no problem,” Dick replied. Taking Chloe’s hand, he brought her over to the passenger side of the Corvette and opened and closed the door for her. Leaning over to her before he returned to the driver’s side, he whispered, “this restaurant is one of THE most romantic places in Albuquerque. Be prepared to be impressed!”
Chloe’s smile was like a third headlight as they drove off.
Lois felt a bit strange being alone with Bruce Wayne in a classic convertible, heading to a restaurant that obviously never closed when a billionaire was in town. However, she focused on the purpose of the journey: to see if there was a clone of her that could take her place on Friday, and also to try to find a cure for Kryptonite poisoning; in other words, to keep the man she loved safe and protect their fledgling relationship. Bruce seemed to sense her uncertainty, and began to make small talk, which was out of character for him, a man of few words.
“So, how was the party on Sunday?” he asked.
“Interesting. LabRat was almost stolen at our apartment while we were at James and Lucy’s house. Turns out that there was another microchip embedded in his tooth. Clark caught a couple of goons trying to break in, and had them arrested. Luthor Corp didn’t back up their guys. So they’re still cooling their heels in the city lockup. Not to change the subject, but why are we here? What did you find out?” Lois inquired.
“Well, I met with the President of the LuthorCorp R & D plant - as Bruce Wayne. I suggested a joint venture with Wayne Tech. I was shot down, but I did get into the building and had a bit of a look around after the meeting,” he said. “Since this isn’t Batman’s territory, I think it’s best if we handle things as a different type of covert op.”
“Makes sense. Tell me more,” Lois urged.
“I planted micro cameras in various locations – the entrance, the exit, and the long corridor leading to the executive offices - that are virtually undetectable. They are transmitting to a video feed in my hotel room as we speak. Whatever’s going on will take place at night, when the building is empty. I did see evidence that cloning research is underway.”
“Such as?”
“Seeing is believing. When we get back to the Regency, I’ll show you some of the footage,” Bruce said.
To be Continued.....shortly (promise!) Table of Contents TGNA TOC
