This is essentially my story Superman Defeated but created and written anew, five times over when I am finished. The particular stanza this edition is based on -- sprang from out of otherwise nowhere -- will be found in the story. As with the other five stanzas once I write their stories.
Superman looked in stunned silence. Nikita was suspended in front of him, dangling over a vat of some phosphorus liquid. A man stood on the other side of, a control device in his hand. There was a look of unrestrained satisfaction on the bald man's face and yet there was also__ anticipation.
“Is this a game to you?” Superman said effusively.
“You should know I take my games deadly seriously Superman. And it is not just a game.”
“Okay let me take this another way, do you know what this will do to her?”
“You mean that she'll react to the sulfur/phosphorus as if it were a pot of boiling tar, yes of course.” A look seemed to pass over his face. “Why do you care?”
“She's done nothing to you and you use her as a pawn in your game? And you expect me to just be fine with this?”
“That's not what I mean. You would go out of your way to save a total stranger. That is perfectly to be expected. But why do you care so intensely for some random alien girl? I've had that reporter Lois Lane here in these exact same proverbial shoes and you didn't debase yourself like this. Why is she different?”
“Because beyond the people she's introduced me to in the last eight weeks, I have no clue about anything. I woke up fifty miles past nowhere and she was at my side. She's been lock step with me for two months.” Superman paused to take a second look at the situation. “I assumed you knew who she was. Or why abduct her? And you don't believe me do you?
“Did you really expect me to?”
“Sir, I realize I have no way to convince you of that. I don't know if I'd believe it either if our positions were reversed. What do you want from me?”
“Perhaps this will clarify things for you.” The man turned a dial and the claws which held Nikita by her shoulders lowered until her legs were submerged in the liquid. Nikita struggled weakly but it was obvious she was barely conscious.
“Wait please! Why are you doing this? Please at least tell me that?”
“You really don't want to know, Kryptonian.”
“Nikita says I'm a hero to your people. Lois says the only criminal...You're Lex Luthor.”
“Indeed I am.” The man said with a bow of his head. “And you really *don't remember do you. Well that will almost take the fun out of this. But not all of it.” A mechanism that resembled nothing so much as a pair of industrial pliers reached out to 'clasp' Nikita at the waist. A moment later the apparatus at her shoulders retreated.
Superman understood what was happening, though he could scarcely believe it.
“Sir please! I don't understand what's going on. But whatever happened between us, don't hold my arrogance against her. She is true innocence if such a thing exists on this planet. Whatever you want from me, you have it. Whatever I have to do to make this right I will do it. Just PLEASE stop hurting her.” Superman put his hand to his mouth and bit into his own palm. “You say I'm a monster. Well you haven't SAID that but you treat me like one. And so be it. I'm telling the truth, I don't know why you hate me. Min Gud I barely know who I am.” Superman flew over the rampart directly up to Lex, his demeanor anything but threatening. “Mr. Luthor, I appeal to the humanity I am certain you must have, whatever I did to you, or even if I did nothing, don't make her suffer for MY sins. Take your revenge upon me alone. There must be something that can penetrate my iron flesh. I'll happily submit.”
Lex Luthor raised an eyebrow. Superman steadily returned his gaze. “That's what you want from me isn't it? You want my surrender my...submission. You have it.”
“Short of using Kryptonite on you__nothing will. From what I understand, I get you around that stuff and a normal medical needle would penetrate your skin. It's also about 30 different kinds of painful for you.”
“Then why do you not...” Superman said, sincerely confused.
“It is not the most accessible substance in the world. Being from 7 galaxies away. and all that."
Superman pulled himself down to his knees but looked steadily at Lex. “I submit. I'll do whatever you want, I swear it. All I ask is that you let her go.” Superman clutched Lex's hand desperately. “Please Mr. Luthor, spare her, I Beg of you.”
"...Thank you Superman." Lex said almost congenially.
No comments:
Post a Comment