Chapter Text
To: [email protected]
Subject: Expedition
Dear Sir,
I have recently released a statement to the press about my upcoming research expedition. The published intent of the expedition is two-fold. First to gauge and measure the effects of the loss of forestation in relationship to global climate change. Second to research medicinal flora found only in the rain forest. I am sure that you do not trust anything a Luthor does even when it is a scientific mission for the betterment of the planet and its people. Fun fact. This time you’re right. I am up to something.
As you know I’ve spent several years trying to rebrand my brother’s company from a nefarious organization. This has been made more difficult by it being discovered that my mother is in charge of CADMUS. Although, both Lex and Lillian are in jail at this time, we both know that their reach, both as individuals and together, extends far beyond the walls of any jail cell.
To that end, I have been delving into every dark corner and abyss of L Corp (formerly Luther Corp, formerly Lex Corp) to cut off any funding they may have. And/or discover any other resources that may help them in their schemes. It was found that a satellite was tasked with looking for kryptonite throughout the world.
I wish to inform you that with the recent forest fires the satellite has picked up a several Kryptonian signatures. I do not inform you of this so that you may quake in your boots. I have not informed anyone else. I wiped the data from everywhere except my personal computer, which is heavily encrypted in multiple ways.
Although, I wiped the data from the satellite. It is an old satellite and thus certain methods of recovery could easily be used to retrieve the information. The satellite does contain Kryptonite as a defense mechanism.
So what does my expedition have to do with my satellite? Obviously, everything. I have already allowed the expedition to be infiltrated by an agent from the DEO. Alex Danvers is on board as a medical researcher. I trust the DEO as much as you do. I have no doubt that their intent is to steal the Kryptonite as soon as it is boxed for transport. Neither of us want that.
I am not asking you to trust me. I am not asking you to believe me. I am not saying that I do not already have Lex’s stores of Kryptonite. If Zod or any of your other planet mates from the Phantom Zone or Fort Rozz show up, I do not want to be without. But I am saying that a clandestine government organization with no public oversight is as trustworthy as a Luthor. Since I expect the material to be stolen, why should I care who steals it?
Lena Luthor
CEO L Corp
P.S. I am looking for a videographer/ photographer to document the entire expedition. As such they will have access to all data and information regarding every aspect of the expedition whether publically stated or not. If you know of an interested applicant please have them send a resume to HR.
Lena leaned back and re-read the draft of the email. Between Superman and the DEO she trusted Superman. An odd thought for a Luther, but a true one. The DEO was at the whim of whoever was in charge at the moment. Originally, Hank Henshaw used to run it as an alien extermination force.
Then after a mission in 2005, he seemed to change and thus the mission of the DEO changed. Although, Lena approved of the way the DEO was currently handling things, treating aliens as individuals, if the organization could go from alien hunters to alien handlers they could go back again. Add the fact that the DEO had known to infiltrate this particular mission meant that her own company was still full of spies.
It was easy enough to find the government spies. They always had a trail even when they thought they didn’t. After all, someone always signs the paychecks. But finding and rooting out Lex’s spies was a much more difficult task, because her own company signed the paychecks.
While Superman may have been Lex’s enemy, he had never shown publicly as himself, nor as his alter ego, that he was evil. So until proven otherwise she was giving him the benefit of the doubt. Even though she hated him for what he turned Lex into.
The other action Lena had taken was to send a business proposal to Wayne Industries about selling an obsolete satellite. In the email Lena had included the LEO, satellite ID and other needed data to know exactly where the satellite was at any point in time.
“Hope, send that with the standard eyes only encryption and make it delete as its being read. Actually better make the read-rate setting to be triple speed considering the recipient. Then leave no trace on any of our servers of its existence.” Lena spoke aloud.
“Yes, Miss Luthor.” Answered the AI, that Lena had created.
As expected Jimmy Olsen applied for the documentarian position on the trip. What was unexpected was his appearance when she met him for the first time. She had merely known him as Superman’s sidekick. She realized upon seeing him that his public photos were several years old. He was not a gangly, skinny boy with a camera always pressed to his eye and wayward hair. He was a very handsome and very well built man with a shaved head. He was definitely going to be eye candy for the trip. The fact that he now preferred to be called James fit with the man she saw before her.
Day 1- Journal entry
Our entire group of twenty is here and assembled. Six medical scientists. Six environmental scientists. One documentarian. One cook. Three security guards.
Our two local guides met us on time at the rendezvous location. Equipment was preloaded into the modified deck boats and no mishaps took place when lowering them from the cargo ship. We are on our way inland via the river.
----
When Lena was originally planning this expedition, she had to decide everything about everything. When she was deciding exactly where they would set up their base. The Kryptonite debris field was long and thin. Running maybe a kilometer long but only ten meters wide. At one end there was a large Kryptonian signature but it didn’t appear to be radioactive like Kryptonite is. The middle of the Kryptonite debris field would be the most logical for retrieval but then the fact that she was collecting the material and putting into lead lined containers might give her away.
The spies on her team were obviously aware of what was going on, but she didn’t need to call anyone else’s attention. She decided on a location that was a three km hike to the middle of the long edge of the field. That would make it a pain in the ass to trek the kryptonite rocks back to camp. But it would also insure privacy. No one from the group would accidentally go three kilometers out of their way when they had other things to do.
Lena was less worried about known spy James than she was about the DEO spy. (After all she had basically invited him.) Alex Danvers was exactly what Lena expected from a government agent. Well, except for the hair. The lesbian undercut was a surprise. But the redhead was formal and stiff in her interactions. Alex was well informed, but either really had a stick up her ass or she was new to undercover work. None the less, Lena considered her a bit of eye candy as well.
Lena decided to provide forest green polos with the L Corp logo on them and khaki cargo pants for the expedition. The fact was, she was looking forward to the freedom of not wearing skin tight clothing. She loved the power that her business wear made her feel. She loved how low brow business men would be so distracted by her non-business assets that she could take advantage of them regarding actual business assets.
But they were not comfortable and they were certainly not jungle worthy. She also realized that many of her hired scientists would not have jungle ready clothing. So the idea of a kind of uniform appealed to her. It all played into the new image of L Corp.
Another decision was how many security guards. She decided on one for each set of scientists (climate change and medical) while one could be off duty. That way she could also have a single guard on duty all night. She could’ve gone cheaper and gotten by with two. But she had heard of other expeditions having trouble with poachers and wild animals. Three seemed a good number without being excessive. She, of course, would not have any security with her regardless of her location.
Her head of security, Nick Rokor was an ass for sure. He stood tall, broad, and full of himself. He wore his dark hair slicked back with a bit of gray at the temples. For whatever reason at some point in time someone must have told him that a pencil moustache was a good look, and he believed them. His penchant for playing with it made him look like a cartoon villain.
Lena despised him. But he had excellent references which all panned out. And he had a working relationship with the locals, which they needed with as far in country as they were going. Lena had worked with plenty of men she despised in the past. If she stopped working with loathsome arrogant men she’d never have another business deal in her life.
The security guards would bring their own two way short range radios but Lena decided to purchase them for her people as well.
Day 2- Journal entry
Making good progress. No delays.
---------
Lena didn’t mention in her journal that she had arranged for the crew to work in shifts, that way they didn’t have to stop at night. Rokor didn’t like the idea. But pissing off Rokor just made it more appealing. She overrode him by stating they only had a permit for a certain amount of time. If that time was spent camping overnight instead of researching inland then it was time wasted. And she wasn’t paying for time wasted. So while one crew slept the other navigated up river.
Lena should have realized that it was a bit of foreshadowing that she was arguing with Rokor from the beginning.
Day 3- Journal entry
We arrived to where the river was too small to continue with the deck boats as water crafts. Unfortunately, there was a bit of trouble with converting them to hover craft. One boat failed to split properly and is currently too wide to follow on the path. Until this can be fixed I’ve got it using way too much fuel to travel above the tree canopy. Hopefully, I can remedy this once we arrive to where we are going to set up base camp. If not I’m firing Winn Schott when we get back.
More importantly, we lost our two local guides. When they found out where we were headed they kept warning us about something. It was mostly nonsense about talking to monkeys or maybe the translation was gorillas. And something else about a two meter tall lion. I am extremely disappointed in the translator device that I brought.
Rokor’s networking ability is not as described. He idiotically pointed out that we still have satellite GPS. Completely dismissing the fact that we never needed the guides in that capacity. It was all about knowing what the locals use for medicine. And being able to interact with locals.
----
Day 4- Journal Entry
Camp nearly set up. The solar panels are up and operational. There was a bit of trouble getting them functional. This computer is currently on stored power from earlier today. Finally got them going shortly before sunset. Fingers crossed they’ll continue to run as intended.
Also ran into a little trouble getting all the tents set up properly. We didn’t want to cause any permanent damage to the trees, foliage or flora. So we’re more spread out than intended. I’m also glad that we went with the thick canvas tents for sleeping quarters as well as the kitchen and two lab tents.
The female scientists have stated that the additional privacy is nice. I read between the lines that was a comment about Rokor. I will deal with those who recommended him later. I’m betting that they had all male teams on their expeditions and they probably loved his misogynistic stories of conquest. While myself and my team members hear his stories for what they really are.
Damn boat still won’t separate. I’m thinking of using Lex’s portal to kidnap Winn and make him fix it. But I don’t want to get caught. Thinking of ordering him to parachute in instead. This is what happens when you let someone else design and execute essential items. There just wasn’t enough time to do it all myself.
Just now found out that the second security guard under Rokor was not the one vetted by my company. I don’t know if it’s another spy or really just a paperwork error as claimed. Rokor is such an arrogantly dismissive ass.
----
Lena sat at the mess area with all the others. She watched as Rokor walked around the perimeter. Her feelings of loathing and unease around the man had increased. She had dealt with plenty of old white men of privilege. But Rokor was beyond the standard of egomaniacal misogynist. She watched him walk over and speak to his comrade.
When Lena had first met his team she had been shocked to see they were both women. But it was soon obvious that he chose them so that he could order them around and belittle them. He obviously didn’t think that this expedition actually needed security and thus it was acceptable to hire a couple of chicks in the hopes of bedding one or both of them.
Lena found this extremely hilarious because both women obviously loved women. And from the look that the Hispanic girl with the long hair, exchanged with Alex, there was obviously a previous relationship there. One that had not worked out. Or that was a cover for Maggie to be a spy as well. When Lena first noticed this exchange she noted to keep an eye on Maggie Sawyer.
In the background check that Lena had done. Maggie Sawyer was listed as an officer on the National City Police Force, Science Division. She apparently took security details as a way to travel for free. That kind of a vacation didn’t appeal to Lena. However, Lena also realized that not everyone grew up with the privilege that she had, and couldn’t afford real vacations. A working vacation allowed them to travel and see things they wouldn’t otherwise see.
The fact that Rokor thought, even for a fleeting second, that he could bed Kate Kane, the one that had not been vetted by Lena, was hilarious to the point of stupidity. The butch cut hair, the fine chiseled features that would stare him down, all screamed exactly who she was and what she was about. Honestly, Kate Kane was a more attractive man, while being a woman, than Rokor was. She suspected that Rokor saw her as a challenge to be conquered. So many men loved the challenge of bedding a lesbian.
She watched Rokor lean over and try to intimidate Kate. A lot of women would cower or try to verbally assuage the big man. Instead, Kate was, in Lena’s opinion, genius. She was staying small and low. Not quite in a fighters stance. But she was creeping up on him. She would look like she was shifting back, which was of course what he wanted. He wanted to back her into something but instead she was ever so subtly turning and backing him up. Lena didn’t want to draw attention to the pair so she tried not to openly stare. Thus she was greatly disappointed when she missed the moment that the oversized lunk fell over and caused his perfectly groomed hair to flop into his face.
Kate looked appropriately upset at his poor misfortune. She offered to help him up as did several others but his ego was so infuriated that he slapped their hands away and got to his feet himself. When things subsided a bit she saw Maggie and Kate smirk at each other. They were definitely a pair to watch.
Lena looked at her watch and then stood up. “We’ve all got an early morning. Hopefully, we can get a lot of work done before we have to leave.” The others nodded and began to shuffle off to their own tents.
“James.” Lena called to the photographers back. She looked him up and down like a piece of meat she was about to devour. “May I have a word with you in my tent?”
James turned and nodded.
Lena and Rokor were the only two to have their own tents. The scientist shared in groups of three. Lena’s tent also served as a command center as well. Indeed, her tent resembled the lab tents with their work stations and computer set up. Like the lab tents it also had its own satellite access for the internet. Hers additionally had a cot and a few other items that a lab tent did not.
“Welcome.” Lena said opening the flap to the door and allowing him to enter first.
Once she joined him inside, after insuring the flap was properly closed, he smiled politely at her. Obviously waiting on something.
“Would you like a drink?” she offered.
James tilted his head and cocked an eyebrow at her. She tried to keep her face placid as he scrutinized it. Then she allowed her eyes to travel up and down again. Finally, he answered. “What are you offering?” It could apply to the drink or something else.
Lena smiled and walked over to the bottle of liquor and held it up.
“Scotch for starters.” Lena’s voice was purring.
“Then I accept.”
Lena poured two cups. Then made sure that he saw her flip a switch. The walls of the tent glowed a very low blue.
“OK, that’s a sound deadener.” Lena’s voice was back to her normal business tone.
The change in tone more than the words caused James to return to trying to read her.
“I’m sorry about the whole seduction bit. But it serves two purposes. I want to be able to discuss the finding and hiding of the Kryptonite without anyone knowing or suspecting that something is up between us other than sex.” She handed him the cup of liquor.
“So you are intending to go after the Kryptonite?”
“Yes.” Lena said. “I thought I made that clear in the letter I sent to Superman.”
“You mean the letter that you sent to Clark Kent.” James corrected.
Lena smiled and tilted her head gently. “Ah, yes. I sent it to one to be delivered to the other.” They held each other’s gaze for a moment before she spoke again. “Anyway, I have plenty of lead lined bags to place the material into.” She opened a trunk and showed him the contents.
“Why not boxes?” James was obviously skeptical of any and every decision she was making about the Kryptonite.
“Bags are easier to hide and stuff into things. Especially irregularly shaped items.” Lena answered. “But if it makes you feel any better those boats are also lead lined. So we can convert them into storage if needed. But I’m really hoping that it doesn’t come to that. I calculated the expected scientific samples that we’ll take home verses the weight to be offset by the food consumed. So we will be approximately the same weight and density going out as we were coming in.”
“And what are your intentions with the Kryptonite, if it’s not going back with us?” James asked. Lena took a long sip from her cup as he tried to bore into her with his eyes.
"That's your problem."
“My problem?” He asked.
“Can I trust you Mr. Olsen?” Lena asked pointedly.
He cocked his head. “Well, that all depends on what you want from me. If you want me to betray Superman you most certainly cannot trust me.”
Lena laughed. “An honest answer. I like that.” She took another sip. “Drink up, it’s not poison.” She held up her cup and tilted her head in salute.
“I have Lex’s portal watch.” She said after finishing her sip.
James’ eyes went from her eyes to her wrist and back.
“He is unaware that I have it and that it is still functioning. I still visit him in prison. We play chess. I told him that I found the watch broken in half. As you know we are not allowed to bring metal or electronic devices into his prison. So I took pictures of a facsimile I had made of the portal watch and it was indeed broken. I asked him its function. He told me that if I were smart enough I’d figure it out myself.
“I told him that I could tell it was a projector of some kind. But that since the battery slash power source was missing, I assumed it was yet another silly invention of his intended to kill Superman. I then chastised him on going so deep down the rabbit hole in his obsession and begged him to get psychiatric help while there. I told him that pleading insanity was his only hope for ever getting out.”
“I bet he didn’t like that advice.” James said coolly.
Lena smiled in response. “As Clark knows, pissing Lex off is a great way to distract him.”
“If one of Lex’s acolytes were to get their hands on that watch…”
“Not just Lex’s acolytes, anyone who has someone in prison, or wants to break into a secure location of any kind.” Lena corrected holding up a finger.
James nodded, understanding the implications.
“When we find Kryptonite we will bag it as needed and then you will be responsible for removing it from this site. You will only be given the watch immediately before you use it and you will give it back immediately after. It will only be used inside this tent because I do not want the technology out there in any way. Even in rumor form.” Lena’s voice was measured and even. “Do you give me your word of honor that you agree to my terms?”
“What’s in it for you?”
She smiled again. “Have you any idea what it’s like to have not just one but two sociopaths in your family?” Then before he could answer she continued. “No, of course you don’t. Your dad is a dead war hero, your mom is perfectly respectable, and your sister is a vet who helps other vets. You have a wonderful family.” Lena tilted her drink in salute again.
“I was born to a wonderful mother but when she died I was adopted by evil. I supposed I could give up all the money and change my name. But they’ll still hound me. I’m family after all. Bastard be damned.” She said with a sardonic smile. She took a drink. “Or I could use the resources available to do what I want. So no more war gadgets. No more weapons of any kind actually. Lots of medical research. Lot of save the earth work. But it’s all crap if someone, like my mother or brother, actually kill the alien protector. He’s got his faults. Such as thinking a pair of glasses is a damn disguise but he’s neither insane nor evil.”
James had watched her during her whole little spiel. He thought that she might either be as trapped as she appeared, or a great actress. Being a Luthor, it could go either way.
“I told Superman not to believe me. I used to try so hard to get people to believe me. I don’t try anymore. So I’m not asking you to believe me. I’m not asking you to even trust me. You’ve got his little call watch on your wrist. You’ve got your own satellite phone. You’ve got a master password that overrides everyone’s computer except mine. Although, I expect that Agent Danvers has some kind of additional something or other. Watch me like a hawk. Suspect everything that I do.” Lena sounded bored. “It’s what I expect and what a Luthor deserves.”
“Why did you hold Sam Arias captive?”
“I didn’t.” She answered.
“But Superman said…”
“But Superman said” she interrupted in a baby voice. Then spoke in her normal tone. “I did a favor for a friend. Sam asked me for help. I helped her. Did I break into Superman’s hideout with the emo name? Yes, I did. And did I come up with the formula and method to use the stolen harun-el to separate out Sam’s human DNA, and in doing so did I save the world? Yes, I did. Did I get an ounce of credit? No, I didn’t. Without me the earth would’ve been destroyed. I don’t have the ego my brother has. I can deal with the pretty blue boy getting credit. Even if I don’t like it.” Lena downed the rest of her drink and poured another.
Lena found lying to be a necessity at times. This was one of those times. Lena had not been the one to break into the Fortress of Solitude, her mother had. Lena had identified a substance she needed to split Sam’s Kryptonian DNA but the only place that had enough of it was halfway across the galaxy. Lillian had smiled her enigmatic smile when Lena complained about being unable to get to it. Then the next day Lillian showed up with a sample of the harun-el. Lena didn’t ask where or how she got it. It wasn’t until she was confronted by Superman afterwards that she discovered where her mother had gotten the substance. Against, her better judgement she allowed him to blame her for stealing it.
“It’s really good scotch, if you’re not going to drink it then give it back.” Lena said, holding out her hand.
James took a polite sip. Then he looked down at the drink with a surprised smile. Lena smirked. She knew it was the best damn scotch in the world and that he had liked it despite himself.
“Taking credit for the work of others is one of the faults that your boy has. But as long as the world actually gets saved….” She let her voice trail off.
“I do intend to eventually seek the credit that I deserve. Not in some rule the world megalomaniac way. But someday I will be seen as who and what I am. So that’s the real threat that I pose. I won’t ever try to kill him or take away his powers or some other demented plot that would harm the earth by taking away its protector. But I will someday take credit for everything that I have done or will do for good.”
James smiled a genuine smile and lifted his cup. “As someone who’s been his little helper for a while, I can understand that.”
They clinked and drank.
She then showed him the original map of the debris field. She synced his phone and her computer to download a file labeled ‘Especially pretty local vegetation’.
“I should also note that in addition to the debris field this whole area seems to have a light dusting of Kryptonite.”
James smirked. “Is this your way of keeping Superman away? Claiming the whole area is riddled with Kryptonite.”
Lena was looking at the data and answered without thinking. “It’s not enough to cause Superman harm or even mild pain, I don’t think, at least.” She squinted at the computer screen. “It’s almost undetectable. I don’t know how far it goes because true to my veiled suggestion Bruce Wayne took the satellite out of orbit. So this data is…” She looked up at James. She realized that she had gotten lost in the new data that had downloaded before the satellite had been destroyed.
“Nice try handsome. I did let my guard down for a minute. But no. No, I am not intending to keep Superman away from the area. If he wants to come play with the Kryptonite that’s on his dumb ass.”
James laughed. “Well, from now on I know that if I want to trick information out of you I just throw a bunch of data your way.”
Lena pretended to glare at him for a moment, then smiled. “Anyway, that’s what is going to be our cover. Whenever, I talk about having something that would make a pretty picture or is a pretty flower or plant for you to see, it means that I have Kryptonite. People will just think it’s a euphemism for me asking for sex.”
James gave her a bit of a questioning look.
“I’m past the point of prude. If I’d slept with as many people as the tabloids have said I’ve slept with, I’d be a walking STD poster. I just don’t care anymore. So as long as you’re OK with it. I intend to make it appear as though we’re having a sexual arrangement.”
“Ah, well, OK then.” James said with a smirk and a laugh. He eyed her up again. His pre-set notions about her were being smashed left and right. Then looked at his watch. “Well, you may not care about your reputation but I need to stay at least another fifteen minutes to cement that I’m a generous giving lover. I wouldn’t want anyone to think I’m a one minute man.”
Lena laughed. “True, sleeping with a Luthor is bad enough, but not satisfying said Luthor could be lethal.”
Much later, as he was about to leave the tent, he asked “By the way, what was the second reason for it to appear as though we are having an affair.”
“I may actually want to have sex with you.”
James blushed.
“Oh, I nearly forgot. One more thing before you go.” Lena opened a trunk and pulled out a gun.
“I’m not really a gun guy.” James said holding up his hands.
“It’s not a standard gun.” Lena pulled out the magazine and showed James the clip. The bullets glowed a low yellow at the tip. “It’s more like a tranquilizer gun on steroids. It will work on anyone or anything on this planet beside Superman or maybe a white Martian.” She handed James the gun and clip. “I don’t trust Rokor. If I’d known exactly the kind of man he is, I would not have hired him. But at this point, I can’t fire him without him sneaking back here and possibly attacking someone. We’re just too far in country. This is for him. It’ll hurt like hell and give him a headache but no permanent damage.”
James took the gun and put the clip back into it. She noticed that he didn’t question her assessment of Rokor.
“I also worry about his inability to hear no. I suspect that’s an added benefit of appearing to sleep with you. He won’t respect me, but he’ll respect your claim to me. I’d taze his balls into the next millennia. And I’m not worried about the two security guards or Agent Danvers, but I do worry about the other female scientists.”
“Oh my gawd did you see that one security chick knock his ass over without him knowing it?” James asked with a laugh.
“I thought I was the only one who realized that!” Lena laughed.
The two shared a nice smile before Lena added. “Hopefully, between you, me, Sawyer, Kane and Danvers we can keep him at bay. Otherwise, you might just see the Luthor side after all.”
James walked out of the tent and smiled to himself. She was not at all what he expected. She may not be a super fan of the super man. But it didn’t appear that she was his enemy either. James would watch her. And he would use his own Kryptonite detector to see if she was really telling the truth. But, at least for now, he was giving her the benefit of the doubt.