At a Luthorcorp Press Conference, Harry, Chloe, and Lena attended. They wondered what Lex's big announcement was going to be. Normally, during such an event, Lena would have good idea what was going on. But, Lex, he was rather hush-hush over the entire matter.
"So, you have nothing?" Chloe asked.
Lena shook her head.
"I'm as curious to find out as you are. It must be big, if Lex is going to announce it here, and not tell me before now."
Harry thought Lena had a point. Lex had been very busy while Harry was off training and then preparing to settle into his first few weeks of college as well. The man himself appeared up to the top of the stage. Applause rained down from the stage. Lex calmly waited for it to die down.
"Thank you for coming," Lex responded. "Today, I'm pleased to announce a revolutionary new procedure which will change medicine. Make the human body stronger, faster, and more equipped to deal with diseases. Where we can go forward and fight deadly diseases before they even spread. While diseases spread and evolve over time, the human body needs to evolve faster."
Everyone applauded Lex's words. He waited for it to die down, before he continued.
"I'm happy to announce that alongside of my new business partner, Doctor Milton Fine, we will be spearheading this campaign. We will be all stronger, healthier, and add a few years to our lives in the process. We will give second chances."
"Fine," Lena murmured. "That's interesting."
To Harry, it was and Chloe frowned, raising her eyebrow.
"He's a professor at Metropolis University. Very outspoken against Lionel. Butted heads with him more than a few times."
"Putting it mildly," Lena remarked. "I wonder what his angle in all of this is."
"Lex is in pretty good spirits about the project," Harry remarked to Lena.
That he was, and Lena could agree her brother had came across something that could potentially cement his legacy as being something other than Lionel Luthor's son. However, there was some feeling about Fine, which Lena could not shake off.
Lex demonstrated what his plans were, through a series of charts and graphs. He looked intent to make this project his legacy. Lena could not bring herself to burst Lex's bubble in such a public venue. Privately, it might be another matter entirely though, but she would get to that when she got to that.
"And now, we see how cells can be broken down and reformed to better evolve against new diseases. Using the sun's radiation to increase the body's restorative abilities."
Here, Harry sat up and paid attention. Was Lex trying to replicate how Kryptonians got their powers? Perhaps, it had been a bit of a coincidence, but it was at times like this where Harry did not believe in coincidences.
The press conference passed, and left Harry with a few questions. And unfortunately, he could not get a conversation with Lex, because he had been busy with meetings all day. Harry and Chloe returned to the Daily Planet, to talk about the situations about it.
"So, the yellow sun thing?" Chloe asked.
"That's interesting," Harry said. "I do hope Lex knows what he's doing."
"I really hope that Lex hasn't run into black Kryptonite lately."
Admittedly, that could be a concern which Harry would have to look into. Chloe and Harry exited the elevator of the Daily Planet and came back up, just in time to hear something. Andrea Rojas, shouting at someone. Harry could not help but listen a bit closely. Her temper, as it was, had been a bit heated as she spoke on the phone.
"Mannheim's dirty! What he did to all of those people and you're going to just let him off. I can't believe it!"
Andrea almost slammed her hand onto the desk, her hot temper getting the better of her. She took a couple of deep breaths and returned her mind to the conversation.
"I can't believe they're just going let Mannheim walk. It's just like Edge. They'll never make anything stick."
"Problems with Intergang," Harry murmured to Chloe.
"Isn't there always?" Chloe asked. "Edge managed to avoid getting nailed in the same way as Lionel. Wonder if he knows where the bodies are buried in City Hall."
Well, to be fair, Edge also managed to keep out of the picture mostly. The name which Andrea brought up, Bruno Mannheim, oh he was a bit more of a concern overall. And it was not like Edge could not be back in the picture, pulling the strings on the likes of Bruno Mannheim.
"She wasn't happy. Why?"
Chloe shrugged, that really was the question. Andrea stormed out of the office and moved right past to her. Cat came up the elevator, and looked towards them. Especially Harry, who Cat undressed with her eyes briefly before straightening up and getting down to business.
"Mr. Kent, we meet again," Cat said. "Looks like, Ms. Rojas didn't what she wanted."
"Appears she didn't," Chloe said.
"So, Luthor's press conference," Cat said. "Do you have your report?"
"Yes," Chloe said.
"Excellent," Cat said. "The chief is looking for a big story, and well a partnership between a Luthor and Milton Fine is going to raise some eyebrows. Fine's been spending the better part of the last few years running the Luthors into the ground, especially when Lionel went to prison, he said it was only a matter of time before his children followed him."
Cat decided to shake her head.
"Maybe I can take a look at that," Cat said.
"I tried to incorporate your feedback from last time," Chloe said.
"You're a bit rough around the edges, kid, but you're willing to learn," Cat said. "Why don't the three of us go into my office? It will be a bit more cozy in there."
Harry and Chloe followed Cat into the office, and exchanged a knowing smile. The trio entered and the door shut behind them.
At Metropolis University, Harry, Lana, Alex, and Chloe walked up from class, with Emily and Lori joining them from a separate class, running a little late.
"Sorry, we just got back from one of Doctor Fine's lectures," Lori said. "He's really passionate about his causes."
"Especially about how big business should not influence political interests for the common people," Emily said.
"You can't deny the man has a point," Chloe said.
No, one could not deny that. Although, there was a lot about Fine which Harry wondered about.
"It's really funny though," Lana said. "That he's working with a man who he spent so much time demonizing."
"You mean Lex?" Emily asked. "Yeah, that's odd."
"Well, activism only gets you so far when there's bills to be paid,' Chloe said.
"Man spends a lot of time calling the Luthors the root of all evil, and not just Lionel either," Harry said. "I'm honestly surprised Lex would have worked with a man."
"Well, you know, offer he couldn't refuse," Chloe said.
Harry figured Chloe had a point, one which he could not refute. The group had been joined by Kara and Siobahn, who made their way up the steps, looking excited.
"Just got off the phone with Kay," Kara said. "She's excited about how the first big issue of the Torch went for the year. She's going to want you to see it when you visit next week."
"Well, I know she's done a good job," Chloe said. "Given she called me six times and sent about a dozen e-mails over the past three days."
"She just wants to get it right," Alex suggested. "Bit of a perfectionist."
"Reminds me of you when you have a big project due," Siobahn said to Kara, teasingly.
Well, Kara just smiled, guilty as charged, to be perfectly honest. That had been a streak of perfection which had gone through Alura and Astra as well. They competed with each other, both desired to be the best. And still likely would if they were around.
"You chose well," Harry told Chloe. "Remember all of the long hours you put it?"
"We put it," Chloe amended. "Although, they weren't always working."
"That was for sure," Alex said.
Lana and Emily nodded knowingly. They had been a part of those long hours as well. Chloe's phone went off and she held it up.
"Yes? Lois? What did you do? Yeah, I'll be right there."
A few seconds later, Chloe looked on the verge of having a bit of a headache. She placed a hand on her head and sighed deeply.
"Lois is being held downtown."
Harry, Chloe, and Alex went down to the police station. Thankfully, Lois was not in cuffs, which Chloe thought was a good sign. Maggie Sawyer came up to them.
"So, what did my cousin do?" Chloe asked Maggie.
"She was merely a witness to a nightclub incident," Maggie said. "We've got your statement, Ms. Lane ,you're free to go."
Lois rose up to the chair and joined Chloe, Alex, and Harry as they walked out of the door.
"So, what happened?"
"Well, I was just sitting there, blowing off some steam after a long day of classes," Lois said. "Figured since I didn't have classes today, I could stay a little longer. But there were these punks in guns who showed up and started harassing us. Really looked angry."
"What club?" Alex asked.
"Oh, Club Excalibur," Lois said. "Didn't have anything about knights or wizards or stuff in it, so not sure why they had the name, but whatever?"
Lois recovered quickly and went back into her story.
"Anyway, these goons were in the club, when suddenly, this woman dressed in black appeared. And she kicked some solid ass. I mean, these guys didn't have a chance. She laid them all out, and she said that their boss, he can't run forever."
Chloe took a few seconds to rack her brain and realized something.
"Club Excalibur is owned by Bruno Mannheim," Chloe said.
"Mannheim?" Lois asked curiously. "He had a big trial recently."
"Which some of the witnesses changed their story on," Harry said.
"Mannheim could blackmailed and bribed his way out of it very easily," Chloe said.
"And you think this vigilante wanted to make him pay because the law didn't?" Lois asked.
Yes, Harry figured that could be a motive. He could see the thoughtful look on Chloe's face. She had been thinking about the same thing Harry had been thinking.
"We're going to stake out another one of Mannheim's clubs tonight," Harry told Alex. "I've got a hunch that she could show up."
"What exactly are we dealing with?" Alex asked.
"I'll explain when we're there."
Oh, sometimes Alex hated when Harry decided to be all mysterious and aloof. Even though he always told her in the end, it was no less frustrating than it was. Regardless, Alex drew in a deep breath and decided that they would go with it.
Alex and Harry sat on the Rooftop overlooking Club Wonderland. Mannheim had some peculiar sounding clubs, come to think of it, without the themes one would expect from such clubs. Alex leaned back and craned her neck from the side. Harry stood and listened closely for anything.
"Well, she's not here yet," Harry said. "But there's trouble."
There's some mobster types on the ground.
"We've got the goods. We're going to be rich."
"How does Mannheim get such deadly toys?"
"I don't know. When I asked him ,the nutcase kept going on about his Granny taking good care of him."
"The old broad's alright in my books if she keeps going in with scratch like this."
Harry got a good look at the weapon and was pretty sure this was beyond standard issue. Hell, he was not even sure the military had anything with this much firepower. Before these goons could enjoy their new toy, he would have to take it out of commission.
"Look!" Alex breathed.
Their Angel of Vengeance dropped from the skies, from another rooftop. One of the men turned around and received a huge, violent uppercut punch from her. The Angel rose up into the air and slammed down onto the back of the head of the goon which caused them to go. She grabbed one of the goons around the head and locked him in a choke.
"Brutal," Alex murmured.
"Personal for her," Harry said.
Suddenly, one of the Intergang goons moved in to get the cannon into place. Harry grabbed Alex by the hand and the two of them dove down from the rooftop. Harry moved at the speed of light and caught one of the goons flush in the face. Another goon's weapon had been taken away from them.
"What the hell is that?"
"I don't know! Shoot it! These weapons should take care of them."
Alex clipped one of them against the back of the head. She stared down at the business end of another really large gun. When a blur disarmed the cannon. Kara showed up to give them a little bit of a hand, and for that, Alex had been a bit happy.
Harry used his heat vision to blow up the van with the rest of the weapons inside of it. The Intergang thugs really had no hope at all in taking him down with the weapons. Not that did not stop them from trying. Harry rammed down onto the back of the neck of one of the goons and sent him down to the ground.
"Where did you get those weapons?" Harry demanded.
"Screw you!"
Harry rendered him unconscious. Another one of the goons dropped down to the ground from Alex's attack. A few of them scrambled like little cockroaches into the night. Right into Kara's grasp, who picked them up and dropped them down at the nearest precinct.
"Maybe they won't be held tonight, but at least they'll be off the street."
Harry picked up one of the disabled weapons. Oh, he would have to take a closer look at it.
"Our Angel, she slipped into the shadows," Alex said.
"Yes, I know. But I've a good idea where she went."
The Angel of Vengeance slipped into the apartment. She had not a scratch on her, although the timely intervention of a mysterious stranger prevented her from being blown away. She took off the mask, and revealed the face of one Andrea Rojas.
"Mannheim, I'm coming for you."
She reached into the drawer of a desk and pulled out a list. She checked another name off of it. She pulled a piece of clothe off of a board and noticed several strands on it. One of them connected Lex Luthor and Intergang. And now there had been a question about Milton Fine with his recent partnership with Lex Luthor.
Andrea knew she had been playing with fire enough with Mannheim. But Mannheim lead to Edge and taking Intergang down made sure nothing like what happened to her every happened again.
"Ms. Rojas. I suspected as much."
Andrea turned around and prepared herself for a fight.
Harry stepped out of the shadows, along with a woman who wore a mask. A chuckle came from the handsome green-eyed man.
"We should skip the fight part," Harry said. "I should have known it was you."
"And it was you tonight," Andrea said. "The way you moved, the way you took them down without breaking a sweat. Your superhuman powers. You're the Smallville Savior."
"I never liked that name," Harry said. "But, yes, in a sense I am."
"Do you have one better?" Andrea asked.
"Let me leave that to people who are good at their jobs," Harry said. "Should have known a sharp woman like you would have figured that one out."
"Well, I'm a reporter," Andrea told him. "It's my job to find connections. And there's a lot of connections pointing to you. But, most people, they would not want to think that such a godly being would be the son of a farmer. Adopted, yes, but they would not think of it."
Andrea just looked over to Harry's companion and smiled.
"I'm guessing that's Chloe Sullivan underneath that mask. Wearing a wig of some sort."
"Wrong," Alex said.
Oh, she had been bemused of the fact that Andrea was not only wrong about her statement, but the fact she was a mere sidekick.
"I'm Harry's partner."
Alex removed the mask and Andrea just smiled.
"My third guess?" Andrea asked.
"What was your second guess?" Alex asked curiously.
"That's not important right now," Harry responded.
Alex nodded, oh it was not important. Andrea pulled herself back and closed her eyes.
"What's your motive for doing all of this?"
Harry's question returned Andrea to a dark path, a path which she honestly did not want to travel down once again. But, it was a path which she had to take a couple more steps down.
"I have to take down Intergang. They killed my father. Edge arranged for his death. And while the scum who killed my father is out of reach, Intergang has access to weapons which could slay gods."
"So, you can't get to Edge, but you're going after Mannheim," Alex said.
"You have to use a small fish to lure the big one out," Andrea said. "And Mannheim he's a shark."
Harry took Andrea by the shoulder and pulled her back.
"You're running a risk doing this, Andrea," Harry said. "Doing this crusade alone."
"I have to," Andrea said. "And I'm stronger than ever. Before the heart transplant, I was weak, sick, and I almost gave up on life. I gave up on my faith, I gave up on everything, But, God, he has his way of giving people another chance to make the most of life. He has given me this mission. I am his Angel of Vengeance and he given me new life to punish those who will do others harm."
Harry respectfully nodded. He did not agree with Andrea on this one, but now was not the time.
"You really think you're doing this because of some mission from a higher power?" Alex asked. "Because, that's not a good reason to do this. You're going in there, recklessly. A true hero does this, to protect people."
"I am protecting people!" Andrea yelled. "Do you think I want this to happen to anyone? There are sons and daughters who don't have the chance I have, who have had their lives torn apart by Mannheim and Edge, and the Luthors?"
"You're going after..."
"Just Lex," Andrea said. "There's a thread between the Luthors and Intergang. Edge and Lex, they must have made a deal to get Lionel in prison and thus give Lex his father's assets."
"You're jumping to a rash conclusion," Harry said.
"I thought you were like me,' Andrea said. "You were sent here from above, to protect the people by any means necessary. This was supposed to be your destiny."
Andrea looked at Harry and Alex. The fight which Harry hoped to avoid, might be coming. He did not want to do it.
"Mannheim's moving huge shipments all over the city," Andrea said. "This is the best time to nail him. You can either help me or get the fuck out of my way."
"She's a hothead who will end up getting herself killed," Harry murmured to Alex.
"No shit."
Harry and Alex knew what they had to do. They wondered if Andrea would be at peace, if she took down Mannheim. Although, someone like Andrea, with her temperament, she was always chasing something.
"We'll help you."
"Alright, I'm going to run this city!"
The words of Bruno "Ugly" Mannheim caused some of the members of Intergang to roll their eyes. They knew the man paid well, but sometimes, he got under there skin by acting like he was the cock of the walk.
"Edge put him in charge," one of the goons stated. "Now he thinks he's some kind of big shot."
"LuthorCorp's facility in Metropolis is working on something big," Mannheim said. "Lex claimed that it could save a lot of lives. Enhance people."
"So, are we going to use us to make us stronger to fight the Angel boss?"
"No, because using untested science on yourself is stupid," Mannheim said. "Lex Luthor is hinging the entire future of his company on it. We will ransom it off and I will have money to live like a king."
"What about Mr. Edge?"
"Well, he'll be enjoying a nice long retirement," Mannheim said. "Time for some new blood to come to this city. There's not as single person who could stop me, not even this little Angel of Vengeance."
"Everyone else who encountered her is either in the hospital or prison, boss."
"Ah, we can bounce back from that. The one place which we can't bounce back is the morgue. Which we'll be putting her in. Time to clip her wings."
Raucous cheering filled the room. Mannheim smiled. Edge put a lot of power into his hands and Mannheim had been making some deals.
Alex, Harry, and Andrea made their way up across the rooftop. They stopped, and waited outside of a large office building. Normal from the outside, and in fact, above ground, it was a place where people had their taxes done. About the only illegal thing which happened above the street would be some potentially creative bookkeeping.
What happened beneath the street, it was something else. It was a hideout for Bruno Mannheim and his thugs, who performed all kinds of illegal operations.
"So, tell me something?" Harry asked. "How did your father get in Edge's crosshairs?"
Andrea thought about it for a few seconds. As far as the world knew, her father died of an accident. His car crashed and that was that. He had been cremated, despite Andrea knowing full well that had not been her father's wishes. But, she had been stonewalled by legal documents claiming that he was to be put to rest in that way. Even if they had been forged, money talked and the coroner went with them.
"My father was rather well off," Andrea said. "But, he made a few bad investments. Enron wiped him out."
"As it did a lot of people," Harry said.
"He turned to Intergang and worked with them for a little while," Andrea said. "They wanted favors from him ,and I guess eventually, Dad got cold feet on something. And he did it for me, for my medical expenses. Until a grant from Horizon got me the heart transplant I needed, I had no hope."
"So, it wasn't God who saved you, but a Luthor," Alex murmured.
If Andrea heard or had been offended by Alex's statement, she did not say anything.
"Edge is a monster, still is," Andrea said. "He sold his one time friend out, so he's capable of everything. And Mannheim is his appointed successor. Edge will have to act when I take him out."
"Take him out?" Alex asked. "Do you mean…."
"They're on the move," Harry said.
Sure enough, Intergang had risen from their underground lair. The trio of Harry, Alex, and Andrea followed pursuit and followed the van which led them to their planned heist.
Mannheim just grinned when he stepped out of the van, alongside of his goons.
"Right, boys, it's in through the basement and up the stairs. We disable the security with this scrambler and we nab Crate "X-9. Don't touch anything else but…."
One of the goons had been pulled into the shadows. Another goon had been nailed in the back of the head. Another goon almost ran into the light post.
Alex, Andrea, and Harry made short work of Mannheim's goons.
"Well, well, it's you, isn't it?" Mannheim asked. "Yeah, you're that guy who saves people in Smallville. Decided to come to Metropolis, and move in on my turf. Well, good thing I brought my power suit!"
Mannheim pressed a button and a large mech-armor manifested around his body, complete with guns. It looked like the most absurd thing ever.
"Where did you get the suit, Ugly?" Harry asked.
"Oh, I've been a good boy this year," Mannheim said. "And it just so happens, my Dear Granny got me an early Christmas present, to protect me against people like you who don't play nice. Who keeps breaking all of my toys!"
Mannheim went completely nuts with the suit and fired around. He did not care if he hit any of the goons. Some of the goons scattered around the area.
Andrea jumped on Mannheim's back, only for an electrical shock to send her off. Alex used the shield of her suit and thankfully the bullets reflected off. She retracted one of the blades and tried to open him like a can opener, but the metal refused.
"This is the strongest metal in the universe," Mannheim said. "You ain't putting a dent in it!"
Harry smacked into Mannheim and sent him flying back a few inches from a punch. Mannheim sent a miniature rocket at him. The Kryptonian dodged the attack.
"Once I take you out!" Mannheim yelled. "You're not going to save anyone anymore!"
Harry, Alex, and Andrea circled around.
"Take the suit at the three points I've marked," Harry said.
"Are you sure about this?"
"Yes, I'm sure. The suit had to be fused together. It has weak points."
Harry, Alex, and Andrea zipped around. Andrea took the first point and rocked Mannheim. Alex slammed her blade into the second point. And Harry used heat vision which caused Mannheim to wince in the suit as the heat pushed through a gap towards him.
Mannheim sent one final blast to try and take them out. A large piece of debris fell. One of the smaller pieces clipped Andrea's ankle and pinned her underneath. This forced Harry to speed her out of the way before she had been crushed to death.
A heavily breathing Andrea had been on top of Harry. She looked him in the eyes.
"Thanks," Andrea said.
Mannheim exited the suit, the heat had been too much for him. He rushed in the opposite direction, but Andrea slammed him down onto the ground. She wrapped her hand around his throat and choked him extremely hard.
"Ease up,," Harry told her. "Would your father want you to become a murderer for his sake?"
"Don't...invoke his name," Andrea said.
But, he was right, she hated what he was right.
"So, did I kill your old man?" Mannheim asked. "Lucky that seems to be another Tuesday for me. Because, you would be dead meat, you dumb broad. Not that you wouldn't be dead beat now."
Mannheim pressed a button on his wrist band and waited.
"Damn drones!" Mannheim yelled. "You're supposed to take them out."
Harry locked eyes with Kara who had disabled all of the drones. She caught Harry's eye, smirked, and responded with a thumbs up.
"Looks like you've lost," Andrea said. "You're going to be put away for a long time."
"No, I won't be!" Mannheim yelled. "You have no idea what you're messing with. Who you're messing with? You're dead! You're dead!"
"Guys, the Metropolis Police Department is on their way," Kara murmured. "Like right now."
Harry received a text from Maggie, which gave him the heads up. He put a hand on Andrea's head.
"Police," Harry said.
"You really have no idea who you're fucking with. None of you do and…."
Andrea silenced Mannheim by curb-stomping him into the ground. She left him with a busted up face in the process. While she did not kill him and was almost glad she did not forsake the sixth commandment just out of petty vengeance. Still, Andrea did think Mannheim would be better off dead, but it was not her place to play judge, jury, and executioner.
Alex, Andrea and Harry left, with Mannheim unable to defend himself.
Andrea made a cup of coffee. The news that Bruno Mannheim had been let out on bail was the first thing she saw. Andrea scowled and drank her cup of coffee.
Harry hovered on the balcony outside. Andrea opened the window and let him inside.
"Thanks for the help," Andrea told him. "I don't play well with others, but still, thank you. You and Alex watched my back, and...Kara, isn't it?"
"Yes," Harry remarked to her. "But, I'm concerned with what Mannheim said. It's almost like he has a really dangerous benefactor."
Harry thought back to Cadmus and how they could be supplying Intergang, but Harry figured there was something else involved. Mannheim appeared to be hinting at another partner of some sorts.
"Well, he's feeling the heat," Andrea said. "One day, he will get what's coming to him. Both Mannheim and Edge. What goes around comes around. We might not witness it, but they'll know. He knows."
Andrea looked at Harry, who had a shadow of a frown.
"My faith is not your faith, I understand that," Andrea said. "But my faith has helped me through some hard times.
"It doesn't matter what I believe in. What should matter to you is what you believe."
"Fair point," Andrea agreed.
Being Master of Death allowed Harry to see the truth a long time ago. But, he was not going to be debunking people's beliefs, especially if they were important. As long as someone's beliefs did not harm another person, Harry did not see it wrong.
And there were no truly evil systems of beliefs, but rather people who used the system as a justification to commit cruel acts of violence. Any ideology could be used to make people believe they were the hero.
"I've been impulsive a lot," Andrea said. "And if you don't mind, one more impulsive action."
Harry smiled and Andrea jumped into Harry's arms. She kissed him quite passionately and began to rip at his clothes. Oh, they would have to find a surface to land to really get going tonight.