Issue 7: "Justice"

Shortly after, the two men arrived together for the pre-trail hearing. The hearing was held in a small conference room, with only Superman, Adrian Chase, the prosecutor, the judge and one bailiff present. The prosecutor was a well known metropolis hotshot named Alan Welles. The presiding judge was Maria Lupin, who had served justice within Metropolis for over three decades. The bailiff had an uncanny resemblance to all those actors who play bit parts in movies; they’re there, but you never really notice them.

‘Let’s begin this hearing, gentlemen,” announced the judge. She shuffled the papers on her desk, trying to find the pertinent information. “The prosecution is willing to let Superman go on his own recognizance, as long as he is willing to observe the conditions of a restraining order. Does your client agree to these terms, Mr. Chase?”

Chase stood up to address the judge. “We’ve reviewed the conditions in regards to staying away from Lexcorp property and employees. My client agrees to these terms.”

“Very well,” The judge replied. “In regards to the jury selection…” The judge continued as she shuffled the papers on her desk again, searching for another page.

‘Your honor,” Chase began as he once again stood. “I’d like to introduce a motion.”

The judge stopped shuffling the pages and gave a look of ire to the Las Vegas lawyer. “And what motion would that be, Mr. Chase?”

“Considering the charges are in respect to the destruction of a chemical plant in Zuruquai, I fail to recognize the jurisdiction of the United States law here. Chemo Inc is not even considered a US company anymore.”

It was the Metropolis prosecutor’s turn to stand up. “Your honor, I understand Mr. Chase only took this case this morning and may have not been fully briefed. The building was owned by Lexcorp, and rented by Chemo Inc. The land on which the building sat, was bought by Lexcorp and donated to the US government, as thus any activities on that land falls under US jurisdiction.”

The judge nodded. “Thank you Mr. Welles.” She turned to Adrian Chase. “Is there anything else Mr. Chase?”
“In fact, there is.” Chase replied with a humorless smile.

Welles stood and once again addresses the courtroom. “Your honor, I know what the defense is about to introduce, but I need to review any new evidence.”

The judge took a moment. “Very well. We’ll have a four hour recess.”

As the court adjourned for recess, Alan Welles furtively approached Adrian Chase. “Adrian, hold a minute.” The prosecutor requested in a hushed tone. “Listen, I shouldn’t be saying this, but I don’t think you should follow this defense strategy. You risk opening a can of worms and ruining your reputation.”

Adrian’s facial features seemed to soften. “Alan, I had always appreciated your input and opinion, but I can’t take it this time. Besides, we both know the charges are just trumped up from someone cashing in a political favor. This defense is the only way to stop continuous litigation against Superman.”

“Well, you’ve proven me wrong before at the Bar exam,” Admitted Welles “I hope for your sake you can do it again.”

Chase nodded in an appreciative manner.

Alan Welles voice changed in tone and reference. “I was devastated when I heard what happened to Ana, and I’m truly sorry for not contacting you.” Alan Welles confided, his face mirroring the deep regret of his words.

Chase nodded again, trying to hide the eternal pain that haunts him. He wasn’t successful.

Part Two: Prisoner

Clark Kent’s attempt to climb the chain link fence looked half-hazard and clumsy. He had managed to rip both his pants and jacket on the barb wire. He landed loudly of the pavement, cloddishly creeping towards the old warehouse. When he reached the outside wall, he planted himself against the wall. He took a quick look around, and followed the wall towards the small side door. He knelt at the door handle and fished out some simple tools from his pocket. Clark soon learned that jimmying a lock was much harder than what they show on television; those darned tumblers were, well, tumbling back into place. Clark was starting to feel frustrated; he couldn’t stay here all night trying to pick a lock. Just then, a lead pipe knocked the man from Smallville to the ground.

Clark made those noises you expect someone to make when they come to. He was tied securely to a chair by a yellow rope, between Jimmy Olsen and Lois Lane. Lois was tied and gagged; looking thoroughly enraged, but unharmed. It was a large room within the decrepit warehouse. There was one guard, nonchalantly noticing Clark’s awakening. He was a husky blond haired man, sporting a blue t-shirt.”

“Well, well. If it ain’t Mister Kent.” The thug said as he chuckled. “We was looking for you, but we heard you was on vacation. Guess you weren’t too far away.”

“Uh, yeah. Not so far away to try and help my friends.” Clark replied, in a slightly nervous quake in his voice. His eyes were quickly scanning the vacant room. “Who exactly is ‘us’?”

“Me and Karl. My name is Ivan. Remember our names, ‘cuz we’re about to get real famous.” Ivan replied in a cocky fashion.

“Oh? And why would that be?” Clark asked with great interest, while his eyes locked onto an interesting feature on the ceiling.

Jimmy Interjected: “They think they can kill Superman. You guys are delirious if you think just two guys can kill Superman.” The blond haired thug gave the Planet’s boy photographer a cold sneer, while cracking his knuckles.

Lois gave a muffled noise, adding support to Jimmy’s opinion.

“Uh, ah, Jimmy might have a point.” Clark spoke with an even more nervous tone. “Those lead shooters aren’t going to hurt Superman.”

Ivan turned to look to Clark, while putting one hand on the pistol tucked in his beltline. “Nah, these little guys are for you three. Or the cops, in case they show up.” Ivan moved his hand from the gun into his pocket, and pulled out a green stone. “This is for Superman. Yup. This is the real thing. Kriptonine! We got the whole place littered with these little guys!”

It took Clark an almost superhuman effort not to laugh. If it was indeed kryptonite, Clark would’ve felt it outside the warehouse. These guys were being setup, and they were completely oblivious. The clueless thug was actually holding an innocent piece of polished green jade. Ivan nodded to himself in an utterly arrogant fashion, as he safely placed the “kryptonine” back into his pocket.

Clark cleared this throat. “So, uh, I see you’ve, um, seen a lot of ‘action’.” The Daily Planet reporter said. He had noticed the broken nose, cauliflower ear and disjointed jaw line before setting his sight skyward. “Are you fulfilled doing this work?”

“Huh?” Ivan took a second to realize what Kent was referring to. “Oh yeah, I’ve seen it all. Some skank called the Huntress, in Vegas, knocked my jaw outta line. Batman gave me a light concussion, and now I got a busted lip thanks ta Miss Lane there.”

“Are you saying,” Jimmy asked with a perplexed look on his face “you collect superhuman injuries?”

Ivan looked somewhat surprised, as he scratched the back of his shaved head. “I hadn’t thought of it as a collection, but yeah I guess it is.”

“What the hell is this? The Buena Vista frigging social club?” Yelled Karl from the doorway. “Ivan, you were supposed to relieve me of guard duty. Supes should arrive any second now.”

“Aw, geeze, sorry Karl. Got wrapped up with these guys.”

“You always screw things up Ivan!” Karl admonished, as he walked within a foot of Ivan. “Don’t you remember? Superman can read minds. If you told them about our ‘secret weapon’, we’re scr… What the hell is Kent looking at?”

Ivan shrugged. “You know them writer types. He’s probably thinking of a good story to write.”

“Huh” Snorted Karl. He squinted looking carefully at Clark Kent’s face. “Looks like you might’ve hit Kent too hard. His eyes’ve turned bloodshot.”

Just then, a thunderous crash erupted as a large support beam fell from the ceiling, landing neatly on the two thugs, knocking them unconscious. It had taken some time for the low level heat vision (invisible to the naked eye), to warp and break the metal bolts securing it to the walls. Ivan might not have gained the fame he sought by killing Superman, but at least he has a dislocated shoulder to add to his ‘collection’; that is, if anyone believes Superman was actually involved in this ‘building malfunction’.

Clark Kent stood up as the ropes fell off him. He brushed himself off as he walked to Lois and untied her.

“Okay Smallville, how did you get out of the ropes?” Lois asked with confusion.

“These guys were obviously never boy scouts Lois. They never learned to tie a good knot.” Clark replied in a deadpan voice.

“Right,” said Lois “boy scout. So where’s Superman?”

“Superman couldn’t be here. I volunteered to try and help, but I kind of goofed up.” Clark said, in his most disarming fashion. “Those guys should’ve paid more attention as to why this rickety old building is condemned.”

“So we were saved by dumb luck?” Jimmy Olsen asked.

“I wouldn’t consider it dumb luck.” Clark replied, as he tightened his tie. “I’d say it was pretty good luck.”

“Nuts!” exclaimed Lois. “Superman’s hearing is about to restart in twenty minutes.” She walked to the far wall, to collect her purse.

“You and Jimmy go, I’ll wait for the cops to arrive.” Clark said as he was untying Jimmy.

“Alright, Clark.” Lois spoke with a little concern in her voice. “But if those guys begin to stir, I want you to fly.” She grabbed her cellphone out of her handbag, and speed dialed Metro Taxi.

“You can count on that Lois.”

Epilogue

Adrian Chase and Superman walked out of the Metropolis courthouse together. Chase was the first to speak.

“It was an honor working with you Superman, but I have a flight to catch back to Las Vegas.” He extended his hand outwards.

Superman gave him a hearty handshake. “Thank you, Adrian. You were a great help.”

Chase gave Superman a curious look. “Superman, I’m dying to know something. Where did you go during the recess?”

Superman replied with an innocent look. “I tried my hand at ‘squash’.”

For the first time in a long while, a genuine smile crept over Adrian Chase’s face. “I can’t imagine anyone being able to keep up with you. If you’re ever in Vegas, give me a call. I have some friends who would very much like to meet you.”

“It’s a deal.” Superman answered as the two men waved goodbye.

Chase jumped in a cab, and Superman was about to defy gravity, when he heard a familiar voice calling behind him. Lois Lane was running as fast as those pumps would let her.

“Superman, can I ask you a few questions?”

Superman beamed, he always enjoyed his interviews with Lois. “For you Lois, always.”

Lois regained her professional composure grabbing a pen and pad. "Superman, why did Lex bother charging you in criminal court, when he could feasibly have won in civil court?"

"This was a message." Superman replied "Justice is one of the tenets I hold closest to my core being. Lex wanted to show me that he's willing to use those people and things I hold dearest against me."

"But you won, you beat Lex." Lois said, with a hint of joy in her voice.

"I don't think I beat Luthor today, Lois. The court of law no longer recognizes me as being human. If someone were able to kill me, it wouldn't be considered murder. Ultimately, this plays in favor of Luthor final scheme."