Come Spy With Me

By Eileen

"Here you go, hon," Clark said with a smile as he handed a
sleepy-eyed Lois a large Styrofoam cup of coffee.

"Thnk yu, swtee," Lois mumbled as she yawned and leaned back
against one of the walls in the deserted lobby of the Daily
Planet building. Lois took a swallow of coffee, shook her head
slowly, and grumbled, "I *still* can't believe Perry called and
told us to meet him here at 5:00 a.m.! We worked until 1:00
o'clock last night and it's Saturday morning, for pity's sake!"

"Well, honey," Clark replied evenly as he pressed the button to
summon the elevator. "You know Perry. It has to be something
majorly important or he wouldn't have insisted that we meet him
here." Almost on cue the elevator door sprang open and Clark
shepherded Lois into the waiting compartment. "He must have a tip
on a hot story."

"That tip had better lead to something approaching the level of a
*Kerth award* winner or someone is going to be *really* sorry!"
Lois said testily as she stabbed the button for the newsroom's
floor. "After all, we've worked three weekends in a row and he
promised us that we'd have this one off! I was really looking
forward to spending some *quality* time with you," she continued
softly, as she took Clark's free hand in hers and intertwined
their fingers.

Nodding in agreement, Clark sighed, lifted Lois's hand to his
lips and gently kissed it. They had both been working extremely
hard the past few weeks as a result of helping to launch the
Planet's new on-line edition on the World Wide Web. In fact,
they'd been putting in 14, sometimes even 16- hour days at the
office. And since their increase in work had been matched by a
rise in the demand for Superman's special services, Clark had
barely seen Lois in the few hours that they did have away from
the job. But, even though he was more than a little disappointed
when Perry called this morning, Clark tried to be philosophical.
Smiling warmly, he lifted up Lois's chin until she faced him and
said, "I know this isn't what we planned, darling, but we've had
so many interruptions lately I consider *any* time with you to be
quality time."

Lois gave Clark a rueful grin and took another long sip of the
steaming liquid in her cup. "I'm sorry, sweetheart," she said
sincerely. "I shouldn't be taking this out on you. It's not your
fault." Lois yawned again and stretched. Slightly more awake, she
sensually wrapped her free arm around Clark's waist, and pulled
him close. Eyeing the brown paper bag in Clark's hand, she gave
him a mischievous smile and said, "I don't suppose you were able
to scrounge up a danish or two, or some doughnuts to go with this
coffee? I'm *starving*."

"Well, I don't *see* any danish or doughnuts," Clark said
teasingly as he pretended to x-ray the paper sack, "but will a
blueberry muffin do?" And with a flourish, Clark opened the bag
and pulled out a large muffin.

"Ohhh, my favorite!" Lois said excitedly, as she released Clark
and greedily grabbed for the treat. She began to devour it almost
at once. "Hmmmm! It's still warm! It must be fresh baked!" she
said hurriedly in between large bites, "Where on earth did you
get this? I didn't know there was a bakery around here that was
open this early on Saturday."

"I didn't get it around here, I got it outside of Paris," Clark
said nonchalantly.

Lois's eyes widened. "Why, sweetheart!" she said smiling sweetly,
"you didn't have to go all the way to France just for me!"

Clark grinned. "Who said anything about France?" he replied
teasingly. "I got the muffins and coffee from LuLu's All Night
Cafe and Truck Stop, right outside of Paris, Texas. She serves
the *best* homestyle breakfast in the Lone Star state. And you
should taste her blueberry pie!"

Lois smirked and raised one eyebrow. "Very funny," she said.
"Have I ever told you that you are waaaay too cheerful in the
mornings?"

"Really?" Clark replied as he pulled Lois into his arms. Hugging
her close, he looked into her eyes and asked playfully, "Well,
what do you intend to do about it?"

"Just this," Lois responded as she speedily discarded her now
empty coffee cup, wrapped her arms around Clark's neck and
hungrily pressed her mouth to his. But before the kiss could
deepen any further, the elevator door slid open and they both
heard a familiar voice say:

"All right, you two lovebirds, break it up."

Lois and Clark turned to face Perry. "Morning, chief," they said
in chorus, as they reluctantly disengaged and left the elevator.

"My office, now!" Perry said gruffly, "I'll be back shortly." And
with that he entered the waiting elevator and left the newsroom
floor.

Lois looked at Clark quizzically. Clark shrugged. "Your guess is
as good as mine, honey," he said in response to her unspoken
question. Taking Lois by the hand, he led her down the ramp and
they walked through the darkened newsroom to Perry's office.

***

Entering the office they were surprised to find Jimmy sitting on
the corner of Perry's desk, looking more than a little
bewildered. "Lois, CK what are you doing here?" Jimmy asked.

"We were about to ask you the same thing," Clark responded. "Did
you get a 4:00 a.m. wake up call from the chief, too?" Lois
added. Jimmy shook his head affirmatively and replied, "Yeah, it
was weird. He told me to get my *butt* down to the Planet ASAP.
No reason, no explanation. So here I am. Do you guys know what's
going on?"

Lois and Clark both shrugged. "We're as clueless as you are
Jimmy," Clark answered.

"You guys don't think something's wrong with the chief, do you ?"
Jimmy asked with concern. "He's been working awfully hard to get
"DP Online" up and running and then there were all those problems
with Jerry and his divorce just became final. Maybe all the
stress ... .."

"Now just calm down Jimmy," Lois said reassuringly. "I know
Perry's been working hard lately, but I don't believe there's any
reason to think that he's gone off the deep end. You know how the
chief is when he smells a hot story, it's like he has tunnel
vision, the story's the only thing he focuses on."

"Gee, that sounds familiar." Clark said teasingly.

Lois took a playful swipe at Clark and continued. "Perry's always
had a *stealth mode*, Jimmy. I remember when I was an intern, and
he had Norcross and Judd working on that big corruption scandal
involving ex-Mayor Jurgens, you practically needed a security
clearance just to get on the newsroom floor." Both Clark and
Jimmy chuckled. "And despite the fact that Clark and I are
partners, I can remember plenty of times when Perry kept one of
us in the dark about a story the other was working on and I'm
sure Clark can remember some as well. Right, sweetheart?" she
asked Clark.

"Sure, honey," Clark replied. "For example, there was my
undercover assignment at the *Metropolis Star*." Seeing Jimmy's
puzzled expression, Clark attempted to prod his friend's
recollection of the events of a few years before. "You remember,
Jimmy, that was the time I left the Planet and was working with
Linda King." The mention of Lois' glamorous rival was enough to
jog Jimmy's memory and he nodded affirmatively. Clark smiled and
continued, "Why, Lois didn't know anything about that until ...
".

"I'll say I didn't!" Lois interrupted, her eyes flashing. "I
still can't believe you and Perry kept me in the dark about that.
I was so up ... "

"So you see Jimmy," Clark hastily interjected, as he eyed Lois
carefully, "Lois is right. I'm sure there's nothing to worry
about and Perry has a perfectly good reason for treating this
like a matter of *national security*."

"Maybe, because it *is* one," a familiar voice said from behind
them. Lois, Clark and Jimmy immediately spun around and there,
standing in the doorway next to Perry, was Jimmy's father, Jack
Olsen.

"Dad!!?" Jimmy exclaimed as he leaped from his seat on Perry's
desk.

"Hi, Jimbo," Jack said as he reached over and gave his son a
hug.

"Gee, Dad," Jimmy responded with a trace of embarrassment, "you
haven't called me that since I was seven."

Jack gave Jimmy an apologetic smile and shook his head. "Has it
really been that long, son? Seems like only yesterday. Well, Jimb
... er Jim, how are things going? I'm sorry I didn't make it to
Metropolis for the holidays, but things were *busy*."

"That's okay, Dad, your work's important. I understand," Jimmy
said a little sadly.

Jack then turned to Lois and Clark. "It's good to see both of you
again," he said affably. "I hear you're married now. I guess
congratulations are in order."

"Thanks," Clark said, giving Jack a slightly perplexed look as
they shook hands.

After a few moments of awkward silence, Perry took charge of the
situation. "Well, now that the pleasantries are over, why don't
we sit down and discuss why we're here instead of at home gettin'
some well deserved beauty sleep," he said as he led the group out
of his office and into the nearby conference room.

***

As they entered the conference room and began to take seats
around the table Perry spoke:

"I guess I'll just skip the preliminaries and cut to the chase,"
he announced. "Jack here called me last night with an interesting
proposition that would involve the four of you working together
... "

"Working together? On what?" Lois interrupted.

"I was just gettin' to that, darlin'," Perry responded with just
a trace of exasperation in his voice. "Do you remember that story
Clark did around Christmas time about the raid the Special Crimes
Unit staged on one of Intergang's arsenals?" he asked.

"Of course, chief," Clark replied. "The SCU and Superman found
enough weaponry in that warehouse to outfit a small army. And
some of it was a *little* unusual."

"I'll say it was," Lois responded from her perch on the side of
Clark's chair. "There were some things that were so high tech
they looked like they were taken from the set of the latest Star
Trek movie! The SCU took some of the more bizarre stuff to Star
Labs for an examination. According to Dr. Klein, Intergang had
working models of weapons he'd only heard rumors about. They even
had over a dozen of that new laser rifle the Army's been
developing," she added.

"We've been trying to do a follow up story about where Intergang
might have gotten the stuff. But our investigation has been
stymied," Clark continued. "There was a rumor on the street that
the weapons came from either a military base or a secret
government lab, but we've been unable to confirm it. It's like
all our sources have dried up." Lois nodded in agreement. Turning
to Jack Clark asked, "Is that what this is all about? Are you
trying to find out the source of these weapons for the NIA?"

"You're half right," Jack replied. "I am investigating this
matter for the NIA, but I already know the source of the weapons.
I even have a pretty good idea as to *how* they got to
Metropolis. What I don't know is who is behind this."

"What!" Lois, Clark and Jimmy exclaimed in chorus. "Well, would
you mind sharing your information with us, or is it *top
secret*?" Lois asked pointedly .

"I don't mind sharing," Jack said with a friendly smile. "In
fact, that's *one* of the reasons I'm here. The items in question
came from one of our secret weapons storehouses ... "

"*Our* storehouse? You mean the NIA's? I didn't know the NIA had
weapon storehouses," Jimmy interrupted.

"That's not surprising son, they're supposed to be *secret*,"
Perry replied sharply. "I've heard rumors about secret NIA labs
and weapons caches for years," he said looking directly at Jack.
"They're funded out of the *black* part of your budget, aren't
they? The part no one is supposed to know about except for a few
folks in the White House and a couple members of the
Congressional Intelligence committees."

"That's right," Jack answered matter-of-factly. "Over the years
the agency has spent hundreds of millions of dollars developing
some *exceptional* items, and we've got a number of stockpiles in
various locations around the world."

Lois gave Clark a concerned glance then quickly turned back to
Jack. "Gee, it's so nice to hear about our tax dollars at work,"
she said sardonically.

"Are you saying that things are disappearing from these
stockpiles and showing up on the streets of Metropolis!?" As
Clark asked his question his concern about the implications of
Jack's statements was mirrored in his face and voice.

"Not just Metropolis," Jack responded. "There's evidence of NIA
weapons in several other places over the last few months,
including Gotham City, London, Miami, Paris, Berlin, Cairo, even
Moscow. I haven't checked the list in a few days but I would
imagine that there are probably a few more problems on it by
now."

"I guess we haven't heard anything about these other *problems*,
for the same reason our investigation hit a dead end. The NIA's
covering this up, isn't it?" Lois asked Jack directly.

"I'll admit that the NIA has pulled some strings to keep this
hidden from the news media and even other law enforcement
agencies," Jack replied. "But I didn't have anything to do with
that. In fact that cover up is part of why I contacted Perry to
see if we could team up."

"What exactly do you mean by *team up*?" Clark asked warily. "Are
you talking about sharing leads and other information on this
story?"

"Actually son, I think Jack and I had in mind something a bit
more *structured* than that," Perry responded. "More like the
four of you working together on an undercover mission to get to
the bottom of whoever's selling these things."

"What!?!" Clark exclaimed. "Chief, you must be joking!"

"Way cool," Jimmy said as he flashed a huge excited grin to his
father. "I've always wanted to see you in action, Dad."

"Perry you can't be serious," Lois said incredulously. "Sharing
information is one thing but this is out of the question! Clark
and I spent most of last year investigating the NIA and based on
what we've discovered I think that little problem with Trevalian
was just the tip of the iceberg!" Clark nodded vigorously in
agreement. "Why there's evidence of rampant corruption, including
assassinations of political leaders and private citizens, bribery
of public officials ... !"

"Lois honey," Perry interrupted, "I'm not discounting what you
and Clark have uncovered, but we all know that covert overseas
operations by our government can get *nasty*. It's a fact of
life, unfortunately. Now, what information do you have about the
NIA's actions here in the U.S.?"

"I *am* talking about its operations here in the U.S.!" Lois
sputtered.

All eyes in the room turned to Jack, who simply shrugged.

"See," Lois said as she pointed her finger accusingly at Jack,
"even he admits it's a rogue agency! And you want us to work for
the NIA. It just doesn't make sen ... "

"No, not *for* the NIA," Jack interrupted, "*with me*. There's a
difference, trust me."

"No offense Jack, but how can we trust you?" Clark asked frankly.
"You've been a loyal NIA agent for almost 20 years. You've lied,
cheated and who knows what else for it. You were even willing ...
" Clark paused, turned to look at Jimmy and then spun back to
confront Jack. "You were even willing to use your own son to get
to us when you thought we were endangering it. And now suddenly,
you want us to *trust* you and to believe that you've turned
against it. Your story just isn't plausible."

"I'm not here to apologize for my actions or those of the
Agency," Jack said smoothly. "And you've got it wrong. I'm not
asking you to believe that I've suddenly turned against the NIA
because I *haven't*."

"Then what the *devil* is this all about? " Lois asked testily,
clearly exasperated by Jack's evasive answers.

"It's simple," Jack replied. "I want to save the NIA and I need
your help to do it."

Lois, Clark and Jimmy stared at Jack in stunned silence.

"Well, that certainly got their full attention," Perry drawled.

Jack nodded and continued. "As I said earlier, these weapons are
from NIA stockpiles. The location of these stockpiles is a top
secret even within the Agency itself, known only to the Director,
the head of the Covert Operations section and a handful of
others. The fact that weapons are coming from one or more of
these secret locations can only mean one thing."

"There's a high level traitor ... " Clark began.

"or traitors ... " Lois added.

"In the NIA!" they said simultaneously.

"Exactly," Jack answered, "and my job ... " he continued.

"This seems to be a recurring problem for your employer," Lois
interjected sarcastically. "Why should *we* help you solve it?"

"Now darlin'," Perry responded, "for what it's worth I had -
hell, I *still have* some of the same misgivings about workin'
with the NIA, as you and Clark. But I think we owe it to the man
to hear him out. Go on Jack."

"As you've already guessed, it's my job to ferret out the
traitor. And it has to be done as quickly and quietly as possible
before any more damage can be done to the Agency's interests ...
." Jack continued.

"*The Agency's* interests!?" Clark interrupted. "What about the
interest of the general public?! Aren't you and *the Agency*
concerned about *it*?!" he asked incredulously, his voice rising
in frustration. "Or the thousands of innocent people that may be
in danger because of what's been happening," he continued
angrily.

"*I'm* as concerned about what might happen to innocent people as
you are!" Jack responded testily. "That's why I took this
assignment. But I also believe that there are other interests at
stake here that are equally important and that need to be
protected. And one of those interests is the NIA's continued
existence as a viable intelligence gathering organization. We're
already reeling from deep budget cuts, and a new scandal so soon
after the Trevalian incident could mean our finish unless it's
properly handled."

"Considering some of the things the NIA has done both here and
abroad, maybe that would be a good thing," Lois stated frankly as
Clark nodded in agreement.

"I can understand why both you and Clark might feel that way,
Lois," Jack replied. "But whatever the Agency may have done in
the past it still played a fundamental role in winning the cold
war."

"Yes, but ... " Lois began.

"And remember," Jack interrupted, "since the world is *still* a
dangerous place, the Agency continues to serve a useful purpose
fighting drug smugglers, international terrorists and assassins.
We may be rancid butter, Lois, but at least we're on your side of
the bread."

"I'm not so sure about that," Lois replied as she eyed Jack
skeptically. "What do you mean that this problem needs to be
*properly handled*? Are you expecting us to assist you in another
cover-up?" she asked suspiciously.

"Hardly," Jack replied. "I think I'm familiar enough with both
you and the Planet to know that wouldn't be possible even if
that's what I wanted."

"Yeah right," Lois said as she rolled her eyes.

"Look," Jack said as he rose from the table and began to pace
around the room. "when I say that the matter needs to be properly
handled I mean the Agency has to show that it has developed
effective mechanisms to detect and deal with problems like this.
It's the only way to gain back *some* of our reputation." Turning
to look out the conference room window at the pre dawn city
skyline he continued, "Quite frankly we'd gotten sloppy over the
years and were just plain lucky in the Trevalian incident. If the
Planet and Superman hadn't been involved there's no telling how
far that megalomaniac might have gotten."

"But, if salvaging the Agency's reputation is your objective,
wouldn't it make more sense to team up with other NIA agents? You
know, keep this matter in-house?" Clark asked.

Still gazing out the window, Jack responded, "Someone was
assigned to work with me, an old friend, but he's *not available*
now. I think you knew him ... his name was Pete Rawlins."

Clark nodded slowly as he remembered the NIA agent who had
recently been killed by Deathstroke. "I'm ... I'm sorry, really
sorry about what happened to him," Clark said hesitantly, his
voice filled with remorse. "I didn't know he was a friend of
yours ... he was a good guy."

"Yes, he was," Jack agreed. "I worked with him on a number of
cases." He paused for a few seconds and then continued, "Pete was
someone I could trust, that's rare in this business." After a few
more moments of silence Jack returned to his seat at the
conference table and began speaking again. "As far as a
replacement is concerned, the number of field agents has been
greatly reduced thanks to the cutbacks. But even if there was
someone available, I'd be hesitant to use him or her."

"Because you couldn't be sure that they weren't part of the
conspiracy," Clark added. Jack nodded in agreement.

"Well, you've explained why you may need help from outside the
Agency, but you still haven't explained why we should be the ones
to help you," Lois countered. "Why should we *want* to work with
you? Why can't we just take the information you've given us and
strike out on our own to uncover the truth?"

"You could do that," Jack replied, "but I don't think it would be
wise." Ignoring the skeptical looks from around the room he
continued. "Striking out on your own would take time - weeks,
maybe even months. That could be dangerous for a lot of innocent
people ... including Superman."

"Superman!?!" Lois and Clark said in chorus. Lois's grip on
Clark's arm tightened. Leaning across the table she stared
directly at Jack and asked anxiously, "What does *he* have to do
with this?"

"As I said before, the Agency has developed some *exceptional*
weapons," Jack responded, his voice taking on a darker tone.
"Many of them were created with Superman in mind and are quite
capable of harming, maybe even *destroying* him. And if those
weapons fell into the wrong hands ... " Jack's voice trailed off
as he looked at Lois and Clark.

For a few moments an ominous silence hung over the conference
room, then Perry turned to Jimmy and said:

"Well, son, you've been pretty quiet during all this. Don't you
have anything to say?"

Jimmy looked up from the conference table, glanced around the
room nervously and then responded, "Gee chief, I guess I do have
one or two questions."

"Well spit 'em out, son, we don't have all day," Perry said
gruffly.

Turning to face his father, Jimmy asked, "Well, ... this may be a
dumb question since you sort of answered it before but it's just
not clear to me. ... " Jimmy began hesitantly as Jack gave him a
puzzled look. "I'd like to know why *us*? We're not spies. We're
reporters, whistleblowers, er ... at least Lois and Clark are. As
much as I think it would be exciting to work with you, I just
don't see it."

Jack gave Jimmy a warm smile. "Don't sell yourself short, Jim.
I'll admit you're inexperienced, but there are more significant
factors that make the three of you perfectly suited for this
mission."

"Like what?" Jimmy asked.

"Well, primarily the fact I've worked with you before and I know
from first hand experience that you're honest, intelligent and
resourceful," Jack responded sincerely. "But if that's not
enough," Jack said as he turned away from Jimmy and looked
directly at Clark, "Clark has certain *talents* that may be
particularly useful on this job."

"What do you mean, Jack? What talents are you talking about?"
Clark asked nervously, as both he and Lois began to fidget in
their shared chair.

Apparently ignoring Clark's questions, Jack continued, "I've
traced the weapons that were found in Metropolis, Miami and
London to one of the Agency's South American stockpiles, in Corto
Maltese to be exact. I believe you're *very* familiar with that
country, right Clark?" Jack asked pointedly.

"I did *a little* traveling there when I was in college," Clark
said cautiously.

"More than just a little," Jack replied. "You spent two
consecutive summers there while in college. You were part of
Prof. Henry Ravenwood's archeological expedition which mapped and
explored the Malynka ruins. So I'd say you know the region pretty
well." Clark nodded slowly in agreement. "You're also fluent in
Spanish and in the Malynkan Indian dialect, along with a dozen or
*more* other languages, including French, Italian, German,
Russian, Chinese, *both* the Mandarin and Cantonese dialects,
Japanese, Swahili, and Hindu. That kind of linguistic talent is
rare and it could come in handy on this trip," Jack said smugly.

"How did you find out all this information about me?" Clark asked
as he carefully eyed Jack.

"I have my sources," Jack said cryptically, as he gave both Lois
and Clark an enigmatic smile.

"Wow, CK!" Jimmy said with admiration. "That is so *cool*."

"Great shades of Elvis, son, is what Jack's saying true?" Perry
asked.

"Well ... chief," Clark stammered, "I ... I had a lot of time on
my hands ... when I was traveling. ... .It just seemed to make
sense to try to learn the languages of some of the places I was
visiting. You know ... pick up a few key phrases. I'm not really
all that fluent."

"I think you're being far *too modest*, Clark," Jack responded.

"And I think you're being far *too mysterious*!" Lois interrupted
impatiently. Seizing the opportunity to divert attention from
Clark, she sprang up from the side of their chair and walked over
to confront Jack directly. "You came here looking for our help.
Well, now you've got it!" she snapped. "So don't you think it's
time you cut to the chase and told us the details of your plan
and how we're supposed to work together?!"

"Now, darlin'," Perry said soothingly, "there's no need to bite
the man's head off."

"That's all right, Perry," Jack said agreeably as he gave Lois a
knowing smile. "Lois is right, we are wasting time. Let's get to
work ... team."

***

Later that day at Lois's and Clark's townhouse:

"Oh good, *there* it is," Lois mumbled to herself as she pulled
the large, battered, brown suitcase from a back shelf in the
upstairs hall closet." I thought I'd never find it!" After
brushing the dust off the bag, Lois lovingly traced the gold
initials "C.K." on its front and carried it into the bedroom. She
then placed it on the bed next to her open bag and began to fill
it with Clark's clothes.

Suddenly the room was filled with a familiar *swooshing* sound as
Clark entered at superspeed through the open window. Landing on
the far side of the room Clark blew the window shut and after
spinning into a tee shirt and jeans came up behind Lois, wrapped
his arms around her and began nuzzling her neck.

"Hmmmmm," Lois murmured appreciatively. Rotating in Clark's arms
so that she could face him Lois pulled Clark closer so she could
kiss him deeply, her body tingling everywhere they touched.
"Welcome back, sweetheart," she said breathlessly as the kiss
ended. "I've missed you. You've been gone over an hour. Did
another emergency crop up besides that overturned tractor trailer
on the freeway?"

"Actually, honey," Clark responded, "I stopped off at Police
Headquarters for a meeting with Bill Henderson and Maggie
Sawyer."

Sensing a possible story, Lois began to pepper Clark with
questions. "Why? Is something the matter? Is there a new
supervillain on the scene threatening the safety of Metropolis?"
she asked hurriedly.

"Honey, that's not ... ."

Not waiting for Clark to finish his sentence, Lois continued.
"That's it, isn't it? Darn it! Why does this kind of thing always
happen to me? I mean us! We hunt around for weeks for a good
story and now two of them fall in our laps at the same time! It's
just not ... "

Clark interrupted Lois's babbling with a kiss. "Calm down,
darling, there's no story in this," Clark said. "I decided to see
Bill and Maggie to let them know some of the details from our
meeting with Jack. They've got as much of a stake in getting
these NIA weapons off the street as we do."

"Oh," Lois replied, as she gave Clark a small sheepish smile, "I
guess I got a *little* carried away. But it was an honest
mistake."

"Of course honey, it was a perfectly natural response," Clark
said teasingly as he returned Lois's smile with his own wry grin.
Clark's face fell a little as he looked around their bedroom.
"Wow, Lois, do you think we'll need to take this much stuff?" he
asked.

"Do you really think I'm packing too much?" Lois responded, as
she stepped out of Clark's embrace and walked over to one of the
stacks of clothing on the bed. "I tried to limit it to just the
essentials. But you never know what we might need on this trip,
and we don't even know long we might be gone," she explained.

"I guess you're right, honey." Clark said as he shrugged and sat
down in a nearby chair, while Lois resumed packing. "I still
don't like the idea of working with the NIA," Lois continued
matter-of-factly, "But at least this trip will give me a chance
to wear some things I didn't use on our honeymoon." Picking up a
skimpy white lace teddie, she held it up in front of her and
stood before Clark. "Do you like it?" she asked coyly.

"Oh, it's very nice, hon," Clark said somewhat distractedly as he
gave Lois a small smile.

Lois tossed the teddie into her bag and walked back over to
Clark. "All right, sweetie, spill it," she said pointedly as she
sat on the side of Clark's chair and draped her arm over his
shoulders. "What are you obsessing about this time?"

Clark sighed and shook his head. "Gee honey, have you added mind
reading to your list of talents or am I that transparent?"

Snuggling into Clark's lap, Lois pulled him closer until their
foreheads touched. "Well it's pretty obvious that something is
bothering you. You generally pay more attention when I'm modeling
my lingerie!"

Clark laughed. "Okay, honey," he responded, "if you must know,
I'm really worried about some of the things Jack said in our
meeting this morning."

"I can't blame you, darling," Lois said with concern. "I'm
worried too and *angry*! I can't believe that *our* government
had an organized program to develop weapons to destroy you! I've
always suspected that there might be some kind of renegade
anti-Superman operation like Bureau 39 still in existence,
particularly after I saw that quantum disrupter/disbander
*thingee* Lex and Ethan and Eric Press used against you. But this
is different, the NIA isn't run by a bunch of kooks like Trask.
It takes its directions from the highest levels of our
government! The fact that it wants to harm you after all the good
you've done just makes my blood boil!"

"Lois, honey, I understand how you feel," Clark responded, "but
that's not what I'm worried about."

"It's not?!" Lois asked incredulously.

"No it's not," Clark replied. "Lois, I don't like the fact that
these weapons were developed, but I can understand why they were.
When I first appeared on the scene, despite my friendly actions I
was an unknown quantity. The government couldn't be certain what
my real intentions were and it had to do something in case I
wasn't as benevolent as I appeared to be. Developing defensive
weapons was the logical thing to do."

"Logical, hmm? I think you've been watching too many Star Trek
reruns," Lois replied as she shook her head and gave Clark a wry
grin. "Well, then, what *is* bothering you?" she asked.

"I'm much more worried about how much Jack knew about *me*, about
my background," Clark said seriously. "Honey, I tried to keep a
very low profile before I came to Metropolis. When I was
traveling all over the world I made a point of not attracting
attention to myself and avoiding the spotlight ..."

"So that no one would suspect how different you were," Lois
interjected. Clark nodded in agreement. "But the fact that Jack
knows so much about your past means that ... " she began.

"Means that someone has been observing me for a long time," Clark
finished. "And I don't know who they are, why they're doing it,
and what else they may know about me."

"Do you think this *someone* knows or suspects you're Superman?"
Lois asked anxiously.

"I honestly don't know, honey," Clark answered. "Jack may suspect
something is up based on our reactions to him this morning. But I
doubt he knows anything specific about *you know who*. I do know
that I'll have to be extra careful around him on this assignment
while I try to figure out exactly what he does know and who his
sources are."

"You mean while *we* try to figure out his sources and what he
knows. We're a team, remember, Lane *and* Kent," Lois playfully
admonished.

"Yes, ma'am, I remember. I also remember that you like to be on
*top*," Clark said matching her playful tone as he pulled her
closer to him and began to pepper her face with soft gentle
kisses. Lois sighed contentedly. "You know I've been thinking,"
she whispered. "We have almost five hours before we have to meet
Jack and Jimmy at the airport. This would be a wonderful
opportunity for a little *down payment* on that quality time you
promised me."

Clark gave Lois a wide grin. "I like the way you think Ms.
Lane."

"Why thank you, Mr. Kent." Lois said as she tangled her fingers
in Clark's hair and pulled him close for a long, slow, deep
kiss.

***

During the long and uneventful flight to Corto Maltese, Lois,
Clark and Jimmy spent time familiarizing themselves with their
cover story and the new identities Jack had prepared for them.
The plane finally landed in San Tropez, Corto Maltese's lush and
tropical capital city, and following an equally uneventful
experience at airport customs, the group made its way to the
Hotel Arguila in San Tropez's central district. Lois, Clark,
Jimmy, and Jack had just finished registering at the front desk
and were heading towards the elevators when they were approached
by two men whose subdued dress and demeanor were in stark
contrast to the bright colors and garish decor of the hotel
lobby:

"Senor Jack Olsen of Olsen's Civil Engineering?" the older of the
two gentlemen inquired as he carefully scrutinized each member of
the group.

"Yes?" Jack replied.

"Bueno. I'm so pleased you have arrived safely," the older man
said as a friendly smile crept over distinguished features. "I am
Manuel Sandoval, Deputy Minister for Public Works and this ... "
Sandoval said as he turned and gestured at the younger man
standing behind him, "is my assistant, Roberto Ortega. We've been
waiting for you."

Jack eyed both men carefully as he shook first Sandoval's then
Ortega's outstretched hands. "It's a pleasure to meet you,
Minister Sandoval, but I must admit I'm a little surprised to see
you here. It's rather late and I wasn't anticipating meeting with
any members of your government until Monday morning. Is there a
problem of some kind?"

"No, no, nothing of the sort," Sandoval said affably. "I
apologize for our unexpected presence here at the hotel. I
realize that you and your associates must be tired after your
long trip. But you must forgive an old man's impatience. Your
arrival in Corto Maltese means the culmination of one of my long
held dreams ... "

"You must mean the Cordova Valley Dam project," Clark
interjected.

"Quite correct, young man," Sandoval replied. "And you are ...
?"

"Now it's my turn to apologize to you and Mr. Ortega," Jack said
before Clark could utter another sound. "I've been remiss in my
introductions. This is my son Jim." Jack placed his hand on
Jimmy's shoulder. "And allow me to introduce David Guthrie, my
surveyor," he said as he pointed to Clark, "and this is Rebecca
Carr, who is ... "

But before Jack could complete his introduction of Lois, Ortega
interrupted. "Encantado, Senorita Carr, but surely you do not
expect us to believe that a *woman*, particularly one as lovely
as yourself is a civil engineer!?"

Lois gave Ortega an artificially sweet smile. "Why thank you for
the compliments, Senor Ortega. You're quite correct. I'm *not* a
civil engineer."

"I knew it!" Ortega said smugly, as he reached for Lois's hand
and kissed it.

"I'm a demolitions expert," Lois replied matter-of- factly, as
she maintained the same sweet expression on her face.

"One of the best," Clark added. His expression was bland but his
eyes danced with laughter as he peered over his sunglasses and
met Lois's gaze. Lois, her own eyes twinkling with barely
controlled amusement, raised an eyebrow before turning her
attention back to Ortega, who was clearly taken aback by Lois's
revelation. "Oh ... oh ... really," Ortega stammered in response
to Clark's statement, as he quickly dropped Lois's hand and eyed
her nervously. "How ... *interesting.*"

After successfully suppressing his own amused grin Sandoval
turned back to Jack and the others. "Well," he said, "now that
the introductions are complete, perhaps we can get down to
business. As you've gathered, Senor Olsen, I would like to meet
with you and your colleagues to discuss the Cordova Dam Project
as soon as possible. If you're available tonight I'm sure I could
arrange to have one of the hotel's conference rooms set aside for
our use."

Lois spoke up almost immediately. "I think that's a wonderful
idea, Jack," she interjected. "Why don't you and Jimmy begin
laying the ground work for the meeting with Minister Sandoval and
Senor Ortega, while *Dave* and I take the luggage and the
equipment up to the rooms. It shouldn't take very long, then we
can join you back here in the lobby."

"An excellent idea, Senorita Carr," Sandoval replied. "That
should minimize any delay and we will be able to get right to
work. Don't you agree, Senor Olsen?"

Jack looked at Lois suspiciously. "I agree that it would save us
some time, Minister Sandoval, but it would be *too* much trouble
for *Becky* and *Dave*. I wouldn't feel right about it."

"Oh, it's no trouble at all, Jack. Right, *Dave*?" Lois replied
hurriedly. Catching Clark's eye, she silently urged him to follow
her lead.

"Right, ... *Becky*." Clark added as he gave Lois a slightly
perplexed look. "There's nothing to worry about Jack. We'll take
care of everything."

"That's what I'm afraid of," Jack mumbled.

"Did you say something, Senor Olsen?" Ortega asked.

"No, no, nothing at all," Jack responded hurriedly. Resigned to
the fact that he had been successfully outmaneuvered, he turned
to Lois and Clark and said, "I guess we'll see you two in a few
minutes," then he and Jimmy accompanied Sandoval and Ortega to
the hotel manager's office.

As soon as the others had left, Clark turned to Lois. "All right,
honey, what the devil was that all about?" he said giving her a
look of bewilderment.

"Shsssh, lower your voice, you never know who might be
listening!" Lois whispered as she cast suspicious glances at the
handful of people wandering through the hotel lobby.

"What?!" Clark replied.

"Never mind," Lois continued in hushed tones as she gave Clark a
mischievous smile. "I'll explain upstairs. For now just play
along."

After looking around the lobby again Lois turned back to Clark
and loudly announced, "Well, *Dave*, since you've got so much
stuff you should take the luggage cart." And grabbing her bags
from the bell captain she sprinted for the closest elevator. Just
before the door closed Lois shouted across to Clark "By the way,
*Dave*, I need to talk to you about an equipment problem, so stop
by my room as soon as you've put the rest of the gear away."

Clark stared after Lois for a few seconds, then he shrugged and
turned back to the bell captain. "--You heard the lady--," Clark
said Spanish. "--Let's go.--" The bell captain nodded in
agreement and he and Clark headed into the waiting elevator car.

Lois had only been in her room for a few minutes when there was a
knock at her door. Peering out the small peephole, she was
relieved to see Clark standing outside in the hotel corridor.
Lois eagerly opened the door, pulled Clark inside and rapidly
closed it behind him. Once inside she launched herself at Clark,
wrapping her arms around his neck, pushing him up against the
door and ravenously kissing him as she pressed her entire body
against his.

"I know it's only been 12 hours or so, but God, I've missed
touching you," Lois said breathlessly as the kiss ended.

"I've missed you too, sweetheart," Clark replied as he tucked
Lois's head under his chin and hugged her tightly to his chest so
he could enjoy the feel of her body next to his. "I didn't
realize how hard it would be when we agreed with Jack's
suggestion that Dave and Becky would be *just friends*," he
complained. "Not being able to hold your hand, much less kiss you
since we left Metropolis has been torture! I think that was the
longest flight of my life!"

Lois sighed as she snuggled even closer to Clark, "It was for me
too. I guess flying *Superman Express* for the past few months
has spoiled me. It felt *unnatural* to be making a long trip like
this without your arms wrapped around me." Clark nodded in
agreement. "I'm just so *angry* at Jack Olsen and his harebrained
ideas!" Lois lamented. "Here we are, away from Metropolis in a
tropical paradise and you're staying down the hall! Sharing a
suite with Jimmy and Jack no less!"

"Speaking of Jack, I assume your performance in the hotel lobby
was for his benefit?" Clark asked as he tenderly caressed Lois's
cheek. Lois nodded in agreement. "You realize, of course," Clark
continued, "he probably thinks we're up here plotting against
him."

"That's exactly what I want him to think," Lois responded her
eyes flashing. "He deserves it for being so darn mysterious at
the Planet and for manipulating us into helping him."

Clark chuckled. "Then I suppose Jack should consider this a *life
lesson at no charge* courtesy of Lois Lane?"

Lois giggled. "You could say that," she said as she nodded her
head affirmatively.

Smiling warmly, Clark tilted Lois's chin up until her eyes met
his and gave her a tender kiss. After savoring the feel of Lois's
lips on his for a few minutes Clark reluctantly broke the kiss
off. "Darling," he said, "as much as *I've* enjoyed teaching Jack
this particular lesson, we'd better join the others."

"Well, before we go back downstairs, there is one more thing I
wanted to talk to you about in private," Lois replied as she
began toying with the buttons of Clark's shirt.

"What is it honey?" Clark asked.

"Are you planning to *zoom* back to Metropolis anytime soon?"
Lois asked as she gradually moved one of her hands from the front
of Clark's shirt and began tracing a line with her finger tip
from his cheek to his neck and back again.

Clark shivered slightly in response to Lois's touch and pulled
her closer. "I was planning to sneak out and *zoom* back tonight
for my regular patrol," Clark replied. "I don't think it would be
wise for *you know who* to be absent from Metropolis for too
long. Why, did you forget something?" he asked.

"Actually," Lois said coyly as she began to place small kisses
along Clark's jawbone, "I was wondering if you could bring back
some Double Fudge Crunch bars for me?"

"What?!" Clark asked.

"Clark, that creepy customs officer must have taken my entire
stash of Crunch bars when he searched my luggage at the airport!"
Lois replied, her voice taking on a slightly frustrated tone as
she remembered what happened. "You know they're almost impossible
to find outside of Metropolis and if I can't have *you* I should
at least be able to have *chocolate*!"

"Gee, does that mean I rank on the same level as Double Fudge
Crunch bars? I'm honored," Clark teased as he gave Lois a
good-natured grin. "Okay honey, I should be able to smuggle back
a few bars for you, but it won't be easy. You know the *suit*
doesn't have pockets," he joked.

Lois flashed Clark a bright, pleased smile, "Thanks, sweetie,
you're the best," she said as she gave him a quick kiss on the
lips. The kiss quickly escalated as Clark pulled her into a close
embrace and eagerly pressed his mouth to hers. But before their
kiss could deepen any further there was a knock on the door and a
familiar voice asked rather sheepishly: "Guys? Are you in there?
Dad kinda wants you downstairs ... *now*."

***

Despite the fact that the meeting with Sandoval and Ortega lasted
several hours, Jack had the group up before dawn the next day.
Dressed in beige khaki work clothes and heavy boots, they were
already outside waiting when Sandoval, Ortega and the local work
crew arrived for the trek into Corto Maltese's rugged interior
region. Quickly loading their equipment into the trucks the group
set off. About three hours later the group approached a small
village, in the foothills of the San Marquez mountains just
inside the Cordova Valley. The sun was barely over the horizon,
yet the temperature and humidity were already high and the day
promised to be a sweltering one. As the truck Lois, Clark and
Jimmy were riding in pulled to a stop in a clearing, Jimmy leaped
out and dashed towards a nearby patch of jungle.

"Gee," Clark said as he watched Jimmy's speedy retreat into the
bushes, "considering the way he drives and all the wild rides he
takes on his motorcycle, I never expected Jimmy to get carsick."

"I'm not surprised, this heat would make anyone queasy," Lois
said wearily as she slid to the ground and leaned back against
the side of the truck. "My head is pounding and my stomach feels
like it's doing the Macarena," she continued as she placed her
head on her knees and began to rock slowly back and forth.

Clark crouched down next to Lois and gently placed his arm around
her shoulder. "Can I get you anything hon ... er, *Becky*?" he
asked with concern.

"Thanks *Dave*. A cool drink would be nice," Lois responded as
she gave Clark a weak smile. Almost before she finished her
sentence Clark had located the canteen in the truck and had
handed it to her. Lois took a small swallow from it and grimaced.
"Ugh," she said, "I just wish this water wasn't so tepid."

Clark took the canteen from Lois, and after carefully looking
around the area to make sure that they were not being observed,
he chilled it with a quick blast of his superbreath and returned
it to her. Lois gave Clark a warm smile and took a long sip of
the now cool water. "I don't know what I'd do without you,
sweetheart," she whispered.

Before Clark could respond, Jimmy reappeared from the jungle
clearing. Pale and a little unsteady on his feet he staggered to
the truck and without a word climbed into its back, and curled up
into a near-fetal position.

"Is he okay?" Lois asked nervously as Clark climbed into the back
of the truck to check on Jimmy. "His pulse, respiration and
temperature are just about normal," Clark responded as he scanned
his friend's prone figure with his supersenses. "I think he's
just asleep." Clark's diagnosis was confirmed moments later, when
Jimmy rolled onto his back and began to snore.

"Well, I can't really blame him," Lois replied as she removed her
baseball cap and began fanning herself. "We really haven't had
much sleep in the last couple of days," Stifling a yawn, she
continued, "I could use a nap myself."

Clark smiled and repositioned himself on the ground next to Lois
so that she could rest her head on his shoulder. Lois closed her
eyes and snuggled closer to Clark. The sound of his steady
heartbeat and his rhythmic breathing had just begun to lull her
to sleep when Jack, Sandoval and Ortega walked over to the
truck.

"Sorry to disturb you two," Jack said in a voice tinged with
irritation, "but have you seen Jim?"

Clark sighed and pointed over his shoulder to the back of the
truck, as he rose to his feet.

"What?!" Jack responded as he and Sandoval quickly moved to the
rear of the truck to check on Jimmy.

"Jimmy isn't feeling very well and neither is Becky, for that
matter," Clark said as he joined Jack and Sandoval. "I don't
think it's anything serious, probably just a combination of jet
lag and this heat. After all it's almost 90 degrees here and it's
just 8:00 in the morning. That takes some getting used to."

"That is very true Senor Guthrie. Our weather is *intense* and it
often has this affect on visitors," Sandoval said
sympathetically. "But you do not seem to be bothered by it at
all! In fact you're not even sweating!" he added in amazement.

Squirming a little, Clark chose his words carefully and hoped
that Jack was too intent on determining Jimmy's condition to
notice Sandoval's comments. "Well I've traveled quite a bit in
tropical parts of the world, so I guess I've gotten used to this
kind of weather. I've always been very ... *adaptable*."

"You are very lucky to be so *adaptable*, my young friend,"
Sandoval responded. "I'm sure your companions wish they shared
this trait."

"You can say that again," Lois declared as she wearily rose from
her spot on the ground.

Ortega moved closer to Lois and took her by the hand. "I am
terribly sorry that you are not feeling well, Rebecca," he said
unctuously. "Perhaps now you'll reconsider my offer and ride with
me. I'm certain my Range Rover is more comfortable than this
flatbed truck."

"That's very kind of you, Roberto," Lois said with a tight smile
as she deftly removed her hand from his, "but as I explained
before, I like to be near my *equipment* and since I don't think
you're willing to carry my explosives and detonators too," Ortega
gave Lois a nervous look and nodded in agreement, "I guess I'll
just have to stay where I am." A sly smile crept over Lois's face
and she surreptitiously winked at Clark. "But I wouldn't want
your generous offer to go to waste," she continued smoothly.
"Maybe someone else could take my place? I'm sure Jimmy would
appreciate a kinder, gentler ride. Right, Jim?"

"Huh!?" Jimmy groggily replied. Even though he was now in an
upright position, Jimmy was still dazed and confused as he leaned
against the truck's side railing, holding his head in his hands.

Jack quickly exited the truck and went to Jimmy's side. It was
clear that he was still concerned about Jimmy's condition and he
placed a strong arm around his son's shoulder to steady him. Jack
was rewarded for his actions with a weak smile and a quick wink
from Jimmy which Jack acknowledged with a wink of his own before
he turned back to join the others. "I think this discussion is
basically moot," he declared firmly. "No one is going to be
*riding* anywhere in this kind of terrain. "We'll be on foot
until we reach the proposed site for the dam. So I suggest we
rest up a little and then get ready for a *long* walk."

"Gee, a 75-mile hike through a steamy, bug-infested jungle. You
really know how to show a lady a good time, Jack," Lois
interjected acidly.

"I know you're not at 100 percent right now, Becky," Clark said
with concern as he struggled to remain in character and mask the
depth of his true feelings for Lois. "Do you think you can handle
that?" Lois smiled reassuringly and nodded. "How about you, Jim?"
Clark asked as he looked back at the younger man still leaning
against the side of the truck.

"Sure, C ... er, Dave, ... I'm fine," Jimmy replied shakily. "But
I sure wish I had the number of that truck."

Jack gave Jimmy a warm smile "You mean the one that hit you,
right son?"

"Gee, Dad, it didn't just hit me. I think it backed up and ran
over me a few times just for the heck of it," Jimmy joked. "But
I'll be okay, just give me a few minutes to clear my head."

"Sure Jim," Jack said affectionately. "You and Becky rest up.
Dave and I will take care of the equipment."

"There would be no need to undertake this arduous journey if we
were to follow *my* suggestion and build the dam near here,"
Ortega stated petulantly.

"As I've told you before, Roberto, that is not an option,"
Sandoval replied evenly. "There are simply too many villages in
this area. Constructing the dam here would destroy those homes
and farms."

"Stupid peasants," Ortega responded. "Their worthless homes and
farms could easily be relocated. This area is clearly the best
location for the dam and they are simply standing in the way of
progress!"

"Actually," Clark observed, "After studying the maps and the
geography of this region, it's pretty clear that the best
location for the dam would be further up the Cordova River, about
80 miles or so to the northwest of here. I think the area is part
of the Quinada Plantation?"

Ortega blanched. "That ... that location is simply not
available," he sputtered. "It ... it is a very hazardous
region."

"Politically hazardous is what you really mean," Sandoval
countered. Turning to face Clark he continued, "You are correct,
Senor Guthrie. The best location for the dam would be on that
part of the Quinada plantation. But that would not sit well with
its owner, *Preston Trager*." The normally congenial Sandoval
almost spat out Trager's name.

Observing this change in Sandoval's demeanor, Lois sprang to
life. "Who's Preston Trager? What does he have to do with this
project?"

"Preston Trager is one of Corto Maltese's leading residents and
philanthropists," Ortega answered. "He owns mining and farming
interests in this country and he has a considerable fortune which
... "

"Which he has used to buy power and influence at the highest
levels of our government!" Sandoval interrupted angrily.

"Gee, that sounds vaguely familiar," Lois quipped as Jack shot
her a look of disapproval.

Sandoval sighed and gave Lois a rueful grin. "I realize that this
kind of thing is fairly commonplace, Senorita Carr, but that
doesn't make it any easier to tolerate," he replied. "Despite the
fact that it will improve the lives of hundreds of thousands of
my countrymen, the Cordova Dam project has been delayed for years
because of the action of men like Preston Trager, who place their
interests above all others. In this case I'm afraid that his
greed and selfishness has placed my country in the untenable
position of having to endanger the treasures of its past if it
wishes to move forward into the future."

"What do you mean?" Lois asked.

"Exploratory excavations in the area suggest that the ruins of
the fabled Malynkan city of Xinatocha are located close to the
proposed dam site. While the proximity such a significant
archaeological find would normally render the site unacceptable,
in this case, thanks to Trager and his friends in high places, we
have no choice. The dam *must* be built there, or it will not be
built at all. Even though I want the dam project to be completed,
it greatly disturbs me that we may have to make this kind of
sacrifice."

"I think we all realize that sometimes you have to make
sacrifices for the common good," Jack replied as he stole a quick
glance in Jimmy's direction. "But I can also understand your
concerns in this matter Minister Sandoval," he continued
smoothly. "Rest assured that we will do everything we can to
ensure that the Cordova dam's negative impact on the surrounding
countryside will be minimal. In fact after we have completed our
survey of the dam site, I suggest that we visit the area
containing the Xinatocha ruins as well, to determine how best to
protect them. At no extra charge over our base fee of course."

"You would be willing to do this?" Sandoval asked eagerly.

"Of course, just part of the full range of services provided by
Olsen Civil Engineering," Jack said with a smile.

"Excellente, Senor Olsen!" Sandoval responded happily. "That
would be wonderful, just wonderful! Such an examination would
certainly assuage some of my misgivings about the proposed dam
site. Roberto and I will see if we can obtain extra supplies for
the trip at that village."

As Sandoval and Ortega quickly headed into the nearby village,
Jack turned back to Lois, Clark and Jimmy.

"Gee, Jack, thanks a lot," Lois said testily as she took off her
cap and waved it around to disperse the cloud of insects buzzing
around her head. "Your little side trip is certain to extend our
stay in this godforsaken jungle!"

"Well, it can't be helped, our storehouse is in the same general
area," Jack said evenly. "We can use the fake environmental
impact study as cover and be able to examine it without
attracting any additional attention to ourselves."

"You mean your study will be a fake?! Clark said with alarm. "But
that site might contain priceless pre-Columbian artifacts.
Sandoval is depending on us to come up with a way to protect
them."

"I know, but there simply isn't enough time to do it," Jack
replied coolly.

"But if we don't do *something* everything in that area will end
up under 500 feet of water!" Lois interjected.

"We can't worry about that now," Jack said tersely.

"But ... " Lois and Clark said in unison.

"Look," Jack replied curtly, "in case you've forgotten, our
mission is to find out who's stealing NIA weapons and to put a
stop to it. To do that I'm willing to put Xinatocha, the Sphinx,
or even the *Washington Monument* under 500 feet of water! Now,
we've got a job to do! So let's get moving."

***

Leaving behind some men to guard the trucks, the work team set
out. Despite Lois's and Jimmy's weakened physical condition (and
Ortega's constant complaints), they were able to make good time
to the proposed dam site. Once there the work went quickly,
thanks to Jack's engineering skills and Clark's well-timed (but
secret) use of his superpowers. Upon completion of their work up
river, the group split up, with the bulk of the work team
returning to the base camp back at the village, while Lois,
Clark, Jimmy, Jack, Sandoval and Ortega, along with two guides,
went further into the dense jungle, until they reached the
abandoned archeological dig that marked the purported location of
Xinatocha's ruins. Arriving during a driving rain storm, they
made camp in a nearby clearing, ate a soggy meal and then turned
in for the night hoping that the dawn would bring drier weather.

Later, after the storms had finally cleared out, Clark left his
tent and silently made his way to the river. Finding a spot in a
clearing close to the water's edge Clark sat down, expanded his
supersenses, and drank in the myriad sights, sounds and smells of
the surrounding jungle. The yellow crescent moon hung low in the
sky and the surface of the river glistened like a sheet of black
ice. After a few minutes there was a slight rustling in the
bushes behind him. A small smile crept over Clark's face as he
recognized the sound of Lois's heartbeat and he turned to face
her just as she entered the clearing.

"I should know by now that it's pointless to try and sneak up on
you," Lois said with a wry smile as she joined Clark at the
riverbank.

"That's very true." Clark replied as he returned her smile with
one of his own, "but I think you should keep trying. It brings
some excitement into our *dull and mundane* lives. And besides, I
*love* surprises."

Lois laughed. "That's not what you said last month after Perry
threw that surprise birthday party for you," she teased as she
moved closer to Clark so that she was standing directly over
him.

"Well, there are surprises," Clark answered as he playfully
grabbed Lois by the arm and quickly pulled her into his lap, "and
then there are *surprises*."

Lois giggled as she wrapped her arms around Clark's neck. Pulling
face closer to hers she slowly brushed her lips against his,
enjoying the texture and the tantilizing sensation of his warm
breath on her face. As the kiss ended Lois sighed, and nestled in
closer to Clark, resting her head on his bare chest. "So," she
whispered, "what are you doing up? You snuck out to Metropolis
last night, I've still got a few crunch bars left to prove it,"
she teased.

"Two words," Clark replied. "Jimmy's snoring."

"Well," Lois snickered, "I did warn you. I had an earful when I
stayed at his place a few years ago. After a while even his heavy
metal music is preferable."

Clark chuckled. "I can believe that." he replied. "So, what
brings you out at this time of night?" he asked with just a tinge
of concern in his voice.

Lois shrugged. "I don't know," she responded, "just restless,
maybe. To be perfectly honest, I haven't really slept well on
this trip. I guess I've missed sleeping next to you."

Clark drew back slightly from their embrace so he could cup
Lois's cheek in his hand. "Darling," he said, "when we get back
home, we are going away on a *real* vacation. Just the two of
us." Lois nodded in agreement and snuggled back into Clark's
chest. "Maybe we could *finally* go to Hawaii?" she asked
teasingly.

Clark smiled and nodded. "Or Paris. Or we could even go somewhere
closer to home, like the beach or the mountains," Clark replied.
"But I guess after this trip you won't want to go *camping with
Clark* for a long time," he added with a grin.

"Sweetheart, being alone with you *anywhere* sounds wonderful,"
Lois said sincerely, her eyes sparkling. "And don't worry, I'd
love to go *camping with Clark* anytime. It's camping with Jimmy
and Jack and Manuel and Roberto and Jose and Eduardo I never want
to do again!"

"Well, I think that can be arranged," Clark chuckled, as he
pulled Lois into an even closer embrace and tucked her head under
his chin. Then looking up at the night sky, Clark sighed and
said, "I hate to bring this up, but I'm afraid we'd better get
back to our tents. It's getting late and Jack will probably want
us up at the crack of dawn tomorrow."

"I've got an idea," Lois replied with a sly grin. "Instead of you
going back to your tent and me going back to mine, why don't you
just come back to *my tent*? I promise *I* won't snore."

"Honey, you know Becky and Dave are supposed to be just friends.
What if someone sees us together?" Clark asked with concern.

"Oh, come on Clark, that's not going to happen. If they can sleep
through Jimmy's snoring they won't notice us at all," Lois
countered. "Besides even if someone other than Jimmy or Jack did
see us together, what of it? They'd just think that we've become
*closer* friends over the course of this trip. Soooo--" she
drawled coquettishly as she began to plant small kisses on
Clark's neck and chest and tangle her fingers in his hair. "Why
don't you come back to my place *Dave*? I don't have pizza or
movies there but I'm sure we could think of *something* to do for
entertainment."

Clark hesitated for a few seconds. "I think I've got a better
idea." he replied. Then he stood up, scooped Lois up into his
arms and began to slowly levitate into the nearby treetops. Lois
giggled and her eyes grew wider. "Where are we going?!" she asked
breathlessly.

"Well, instead of movies I thought that we'd do a little role
playing to *entertain* ourselves," Clark replied as he gave a
Lois a huge grin. "Have you ever seen *Tarzan and his Mate*?" he
asked playfully. Lois giggled again and nodded affirmatively as
she snuggled closer to Clark and pressed her lips to his. As they
floated higher and their kisses deepened, Lois felt her awareness
of the outside world fade away and time itself seemed to stand
still creating a cocoon of silence around her and Clark.

***

Lois and Clark returned to camp hours later. Their return was as
undetected as their absence and they were able to slip back into
their respective tents for a few hours' sleep before dawn. As
expected, the next morning Jack had everyone up at first light.
Leaving Eduardo behind to guard the camp, the rest of the team
hiked to the actual site of the ruins and began their
examination. An hour or so into the process, Jack was able to
sneak away from the others. Not long after this disappearance,
Jack returned to the clearing and quickly walked over the to area
where Lois, Clark and Jimmy were working.

"You must have found what you were looking for." Clark said
quietly to Jack as he looked up from a large tablet of Malynkan
hieroglyphics.

Jack nodded affirmatively. He quickly surveyed the area then
turned back to Clark and asked, "Where are Sandoval and Jose?"

"They went to the smaller site we found nearby. They should be
back in about an hour," Clark replied.

"Good that gives us some time," Jack responded. "I need you to
come with me right now."

"Great," Lois interjected as she stood up and brushed dirt from
her hands. "I was getting tired of looking at stone tablets and
broken pottery."

"Not you Lois, just Clark and Jim," Jack said brusquely.

"What?!" Clark and Jimmy said in unison.

"Now wait just a damn minute Jack," Lois hissed. "I thought I was
a part of this team!"

"You are, but ... " Jack began.

"Then *why* isn't she coming with us?" Clark asked.

"Because she has an important job to do right here." Jack
replied.

"What kind of job?" Lois asked suspiciously.

"We can't let the others know about the storehouse, it's *top
secret*. Even if Sandoval and Jose are gone, Ortega's still here
and I'm sure he's already suspicious enough because of my initial
disappearance," Jack said as he watched Ortega observing them
from across the site. "We can't all leave at the same time,
someone has got to distract him."

"And that's my job?!" Lois asked incredulously. "Why do I have to
be the one to distract him?! Why not Jimmy or Clark?"

"Simple, they're not his *type*," Jack responded.

"What the *hell* do you mean by that, Jack!?" Clark interjected,
his voice rising in anger.

"Lower you voice for god's sake!" Jack said in hushed tones. "I'm
not asking her to do anything improper. It's just very clear that
Ortega is attracted to Lois and I want her to use that attraction
to our advantage." Turning to directly face Lois, Jack continued.
"All you have to do is smile, chat about the weather or the
ruins---whatever!. Just keep him occupied and out of our hair
while we do a preliminary examination."

Both Lois and Clark gave Jack skeptical frowns. "If there was any
other way to do this, I'd use it but there just isn't. I *need*
you to do this Lois," Jack pleaded.

Lois gave Clark a questioning look. Clark shrugged in response.
Lois nodded and then turned back to face Jack. "All right, I'll
do it. But it will *cost* you.," she replied pointedly. "In
addition to this story, the Planet gets an *exclusive* interview
with the NIA's Director of Covert Operations as a part of our
series."

"What?!" Jack replied. "No one has *ever* interviewed the DCO in
the entire history of the Agency!"

"You heard me," Lois answered sharply. "I only do this if you use
your influence to get us that interview."

"You drive a hard bargain, but it's a deal," Jack responded
begrudgingly.

"Good," Lois replied as she began to make her way to the far side
if the clearing where Ortega was working. Then suddenly she spun
back around to face Jack. "By the way, I hope you're not thinking
of double crossing us on this interview later. You really
wouldn't want to get either Clark or *me* angry. It wouldn't be
*pretty*." The underlying menace in Lois's voice contrasted with
the sweet smile on her face.

"Don't worry Lois, I'll keep my word, a deal's a deal," Jack
responded.

"It had better be," Clark said sharply.

Lois nodded in agreement and then headed off in Ortega's
direction. As she neared his work area she called out, "Oh
Roberto!" in a sweet voice.

"Yes, Rebecca!?" Ortega responded eagerly.

"Whatever are you working on? It looks ... just fascinating?!"
Lois said as she sauntered up to Ortega and leaned in close to
him. Ortega smiled broadly, and began to show Lois around the
section of the site he had been examining.

Jack smiled wolfishly. "Let's go, it looks like she's got things
under control here."

"All right. But Roberto had better keep his hands to himself,"
Clark seethed.

"There's nothing to worry about, Clark. I may not have worked
with her for long but it's pretty clear to me Lois can take care
of herself. That's *some* wife you have," Jack said admiringly.

"I know she can take care of herself. But that doesn't mean I
don't worry about her," Clark responded. "And she's more than
just my *wife*, she's my partner and my best friend," he added
pointedly.

"Yes she is, isn't she?" Jack acknowledged. "You're a lucky man.
Sometimes I wish ... " Jack was silent for a few moments, then
continued, "but never mind, we'd better hurry before the others
get back."

***

With Lois providing the necessary diversion, Jack, Clark and
Jimmy slipped away from the worksite. They made their way through
the dense rainforest until they reached the foothills of the
mountains. Once there, they followed a dirt path that led to the
entrance of a large cave.

"This is it," Jack said as he led Clark and Jimmy inside.

"Gee Dad," Jimmy said with a trace of disappointment, "I thought
the storehouse would be more impressive. You know really high
tech."

Clark secretly scanned the area with his X-ray vision.
Discovering that he was unable to see through any of the cave's
walls, he quickly activated his superhearing and was able to
detect a muffled mechanical hum, emanating from behind the rocks.
"I don't know, Jim," Clark said warily "I think there's a lot
more here than meets the eye."

Jack nodded in agreement, and passed his hand over a small rock
that was protruding from one of the walls. Suddenly a small
section of the wall sprang open and a panel appeared. Jack
approached the panel and punched in a long series of numbers and
letters. As he completed the last of his entries, a large section
of the rock wall about 50 feet ahead of them began to shimmer
until it transformed into a futuristic looking doorway.

"Oh man this is flat out amazing, Dad!" Jimmy said excitedly as a
broad grin split his face.

"It is pretty spectacular, isn't it, son?" Jack replied warmly,
his face wearing an identical grin. "You'll never guess how it
was done! These rock walls aren't real at all it's a ... "

"Hologram!" Clark interjected, in a voice tinged with awe. "This
cave is entirely manmade out of some lead based alloy and it uses
a hologram to simulate a natural interior! But I've never seen
one of such high quality on this kind of scale before!"

Both Jimmy and Jack turned back and looked at Clark. "That's
exactly right!?" Jack replied in amazement. "Look, I can
understand how you *might* figure out that this cave is a
holographic display, but how the devil could you know that these
walls are made with a titanium steel/lead alloy?!" he asked
incredulously.

"It was just a *lucky* guess," Clark replied quickly. "I figured
that if the NIA stored weapons here to use against Superman the
walls would be made of or contain lead so that he couldn't find
it."

"Smooth deductive reasoning, CK," Jimmy said admiringly.

"Yes, it was a very good guess," Jack said as he eyed Clark
suspiciously. "I'd be very interested in hearing any other
*guesses* you might have, particularly about this situation and
who could be responsible for it."

"Sure thing Jack," Clark replied. "But don't you think it would
be better if we finished our investigation of the storehouse
first. I mean, we're kind of on the clock here. If we don't get
back soon, Sandoval or Ortega might get curious and come looking
for us."

Jack nodded affirmatively and turned back to the doorway. As he
neared the entrance, the door slid open automatically and the
lights came on. "It will be interesting to see how much they've
actually removed from here," he said to Clark and Jimmy.
"According to the latest inventory this place was pretty
well-stocked."

"Well-stocked is not quite the description I'd use for this place
now," Clark commented as he stepped through the doorway and
quickly surveyed the area.

"Wow, Dad, this place has been ... " Jimmy started.

"Picked clean!!" Jack interrupted, his voice rising in a
combination of frustration and amazement. "Everything is gone!
There were several hundred weapons here. Someone must have used a
small army to do it."

"And it must have happened just recently," Clark added.

"What makes you say that, CK?" Jimmy asked.

"Look at the floor, Jimmy," Clark said as he pointed downward.

"It's covered with muddy footprints?!" Jimmy responded. "But so
what? There's dirt outside and it rains a lot in the jungle."

"True, but this is *fresh* mud!" Jack interjected as Clark nodded
in agreement. "It's barely dried, that means it must have been
tracked in here within the last 4 to 6 hours."

"That also means that the people responsible for raiding this
storehouse might still be in the area! Lois and the others could
be in danger!" Clark said with alarm. "We'd better get back to
camp now!"

Clark quickly turned and headed out the doorway towards the mouth
of the cave, trying to run at something akin to the speed of a
normal human, with Jack and Jimmy in close pursuit. As they
reached the cave's entrance a bullet whizzed past Clark's head
and ricocheted off the far wall, stopping them in their tracks.

"What the --!?!" Clark exclaimed.

"You in the cave," a strange male voice shouted in unaccented
English. "Toss out your weapons and come out slowly, with your
hands up!"

"Looks like we've got company," Jack said coolly as he reached
into his backpack and pulled out a 9 millimeter semi- automatic
pistol. "Clark, you and Jim go back to the storeroom. I think
there might be a back way out of this cave in there. If not you
can hide there until this is *over*.

"Jack, you aren't thinking of trying hold them off alone, are
you?!" Clark asked with alarm.

"I'm damn well going to try," Jack replied grimly. "It may be the
only chance you two have."

"Dad you can't, I won't let you ... " Jimmy began.

"Look, this sacrifice isn't necessary!" Clark interrupted.
"There's a better way to do this. *Trust* me."

"Oh really," Jack replied skeptically. "What do you suggest?"

Clark hesitated for a few moments, then he sighed heavily, placed
his hand on the side of his glasses, and said, "Jack, you don't
have to do this because I ... "

Just then the voice from outside interrupted. "All right, I guess
you need a little incentive to get moving!" he said angrily. "If
you're not out here in two minutes, things are going to get
pretty *nasty* for your friends."

Clark, Jimmy and Jack exchanged looks of concern. "You two stay
back," Clark announced. "I'll take a look to see if I can find
out what's going on out there."

Since the lead based alloy in the walls hampered his vision
powers, Clark crouched down so he could look out the cave
entrance undetected. As he peered outside, he was able to see at
least 25 men armed with automatic weapons clustered around the
cave. While most of the men had their weapons aimed at the cave,
five or six of them had their weapons pointed directly at five
figures sitting cross legged on the ground with their hands on
their heads in a clearing not far from the mouth of the cave.

"There are about 25 of them, armed to the teeth and they've got
*Lois* and the others," Clark called back to Jack and Jimmy.
Clark's voice was tight and he could barely contain his anger and
frustration.

Jack acknowledged Clark's statements with a curt nod and walking
to the cave's entrance he called out, "All right, you win. Hold
your fire, we're coming out." Then Jack tossed his gun outside,
placed his hands on his head and stepped out of the cave with
Clark and Jimmy following close behind.

"It's about time you got your sorry butts out here!" said a short
and stocky blonde man as they exited from the cave. Clearly the
leader of the gang, he scowled as his men searched Clark, Jack
and Jimmy. "Hurry up we don't have all day!" he continued. "The
*boss* is waiting!" Then, smiling evilly he leveled his weapon at
the trio. "You're real lucky that he wants to talk to you. If it
was up to me, I'd finish all of you off *right now*," he quipped.
Then he turned and walked away, joining a smaller group of men
inside the cave.

Jack, Clark and Jimmy were led away by their captors to the small
clearing where the others were being held. Lois visibly
brightened when she saw Clark. "Boy am I glad to see you," she
whispered as he sat down on the ground next to her. Clark nodded
as he gave her a small smile. "What happened, honey?" he asked in
hushed tones.

"A half hour after you left, about ten of these clowns showed up
at the ruins," Lois whispered. "They didn't offer any explanation
for their actions, they just brandished their weapons and said
that they would shoot to kill if we tried anything funny. A few
minutes later the rest of the gang showed up with Sandoval and
the guides plus all our stuff from the campsite. Then they lined
us up and marched us here. End of story, unless you want to hear
about Ortega's whining along the way."

As she spoke, Lois shifted position slightly so that more of her
face was turned towards Clark and he noticed that a large and
ugly bruise was forming on the right side of her face. Clark's
eyes narrowed. "That's not everything and you know it, Lois. Tell
me which one of them did *that* to you," he demanded.

"Clark, it's all right," Lois answered evasively.

"No, it's *not* all right, Lois!" Clark replied, his brown eyes
flashing with anger. "How did it happen!"

"Promise me you won't do anything *crazy*, at least not yet,"
Lois replied.

"What!? Lo-is!" Clark said sharply.

"Clark!" Lois responded.

They stared at each other in silence for a few moments until
Clark relented. "All right, I promise, now tell me," he said.

Lois sighed and angled her head towards a tall, hefty man with
dark hair who was talking to the gang leader. "That one, they
call him Mike," she said. "His hands *roamed* while he was
searching me so I *connected* my knee with his inseam. When he
recovered, he backhanded me."

Clark winced. "Go on," he said hoarsely.

"There's not much more to tell," Lois replied. "The blond guy, I
think they call him Jamie, came over and chewed Mike out. Told
him to keep his hands to himself and to remember it was always
business before pleasure. Then Sandoval helped me up and that was
it."

As Lois finished recounting her story, Jack edged closer to where
she was sitting with Clark. "Have you two finished your family
reunion yet?" he asked. "I need to talk to Lois."

"You know, Jack, you're almost as good at interfering with our
private conversations as Jimmy," Lois replied with a wry smile.
"Do you think this could be a *genetic* problem?"

Jack smirked. "We can debate the existence of an *Olsen
Interupptus* gene later, provided we're still *around* later and
are able to carry on any kind of discussion. Right now I need
your help."

"What do you need me to do?" Lois asked warily.

"I just want you to tell me what you've observed about our
captors. Every detail no matter how small."

"Might I ask why?" Lois asked.

"Knowledge precedes victory, ignorance precedes defeat," Jack
replied cryptically.

"Sun Tzu's *The Art of War*," Clark whispered. "The more you know
about them, the better your chance of figuring out a way to
defeat them."

Jack gave Clark a wolfish grin. "Exactly." Turning back to Lois
he continued, "Sandoval and the guides were able to give me some
general information, but since you're a trained observer of
people, you should be able to provide me with something more
useful."

"You mean information about how they interact? Whether there are
any personal weak spots or cracks in their armor that we could
use against them. That kind of thing?" Lois asked.

Jack nodded affirmatively.

"Okay," Lois began, "for one thing I think only two or three of
them speak English." Tilting her head in the direction of the men
guarding them, Lois continued. "I'm pretty sure these guys don't.
And it's caused some problems on our hike over here, since Jamie
doesn't appear to speak anything but English."

"That's good to know," Jack responded. "We may be able to use it
to our advantage somehow."

Lois nodded affirmatively and continued, "Also Jamie seems very
insecure and he's ... "

"Uh-oh, we've got company," Clark interrupted as Jamie and
several of the others approached the group.

Jamie and his men entered the clearing and stopped directly in
front of Lois, Clark and Jack. "Which one of you is *Jack
Olsen*?" he sneered.

Both Jack and Clark stood up. "Why do you want to know?" Clark
asked.

"Look pal," Jamie said angrily, "I don't have time to play games.
Now whichever one of you is Olsen better come clean now or I'm
going to let the guys have a little target practice, with your
friends as the targets!"

"You're bluffing," Jack replied. "You know you can't do that. You
said your boss wanted us alive for questioning."

"That's true," Jamie replied as he caressed the handle of the 357
Magnum he had protruding from his waistband, "but *accidents* can
happen. I wonder who we should use first? The old man? The babe?
Maybe the kid?"

Jack sighed heavily. "There's no need for that, *I'm* Jack
Olsen," he said.

"Now, that wasn't so bad was it, Jack?" Jamie said as he gave
Jack a predatory smile. "And don't look so gloomy," he continued
as he led Jack away from the rest of the group. "I just want to
have a *chat* with you."

As Clark started off after Jack and Jamie, two other gang members
blocked the way and leveled their rifles at him. "Sorry, pal,
this a *private* conversation. Just take your seat," Jamie said
as he and Jack disappeared from sight. Moments later two shots
rang out from the area where Jack was taken and within seconds,
two of the guards dragged Jack back to the clearing and dumped
him on the ground directly in front of Lois and Clark.

"Dad!" Jimmy shouted out as he scrambled closer to his father.
"CK, Lois, he's not ..."

"No Jimmy, he's still alive ... he's breathing and I can feel a
pulse," Clark responded as he and Lois knelt around Jack's
prostrate form. "But he's got nasty gunshot wounds in his
shoulder and leg, and we've got to stop that bleeding!"

Sandoval moved in closer and placed a comforting hand on Jimmy's
shoulder. "You should come back with me and sit down, Jim. They
will need room to work on your father."

Hollow-eyed and close to tears, Jimmy nodded and shifted position
to allow Lois and Clark freer access to Jack. With Jimmy out of
the way Clark was able to secretly examine Jack's wounds using
his X-ray vision. Once his examination was over he whispered to
Lois, "There's a bullet lodged in Jack's shoulder, but I think
we'll be able to remove it, if we get a medical kit. The bigger
problem is one of the bullets severed an artery in Jack's leg. I
know direct pressure alone won't be enough to stop it."

"Then, what can we do?" Lois asked as she tore away Jack's bloody
clothing from his wounds.

"If you can provide some cover I might be able to cauterize the
leg wound with my heat vision," Clark replied. Lois nodded her
head slightly and then shifted her body so that she partially
blocked the view of Clark and Jack. Once he was shielded, Clark
directed a quick burst of his heat vision at Jack's thigh. Lois
steadied Jack's body as it jerked involuntary from the pain
created when the twin beams of radiant energy sealed his spurting
blood vessel. As Jack's spasms subsided, Clark switched to his
x-ray vision and checked the area again to confirm that he had
been successful.

A few moments later, Jack's eyes flickered open. "Jim?" he called
weakly.

"I'm ... right here, Dad," Jimmy replied, as he quickly returned
to his father's side.

"Don't be too worried, son." Jack said as he grimaced in pain.
"This happens to me a lot. I guess you could call it one of the
major drawbacks of the job," Jack chuckled weakly. Jimmy managed
a weak smile which Jack responded to with a wink, just before he
slipped back into unconsciousness.

"Dad, no!" Jimmy cried.

"He's still with us, Jimmy," Lois said reassuringly. "But I think
he may be going into shock from the pain and blood loss."

Clark nodded. "It is very possible. We may have gotten the
bleeding under control, but we really need to get that bullet out
of his shoulder. And he's going to need something for the pain."
A look of determination came into Clark's eyes and he stood up
and headed to the edge of the clearing where Jamie was loitering
with some of his men.

"Hey!" Clark called out, "I need to talk to you!"

Jamie looked over at Clark. "You got a problem?" he asked
sarcastically.

"Yeah, I've got a problem! This man is injured and I need our
medical kit right now! Where is it?!" Clark replied.

"You need the medical kit?!" Jamie asked as he moved up to the
edge of the clearing until he came within an arm's length of
Clark. "Well ain't that just too bad," he said as he gave an evil
laugh, "cuz you ain't gettin' it, big guy! So sit down and shut
up!"

"Look," Clark responded angrily, "I don't have time to play macho
games with you. This man's life may be at stake. Now where's that
medical kit?"

"Well, it looks like we've got us a *hero*," Jamie said mockingly
as he turned to his men. Turning back to face Clark he pulled his
pistol from his waistband and stuck it into Clark's midsection.
"Look, *hero*, as long I've got the gun, I give the orders! Now
*I said* sit down and shut up!" he shouted as he continually
jabbed the gun into Clark's stomach for emphasis.

Ignoring the gun, Clark stared unwaveringly at Jamie. "And *I
said* this man needs medical attention," he stated in a calm
steady voice. "Now are you going to let one of us go and get our
medical kit or are you going to send one of your lackeys to do
it?"

For tense seconds Clark and Jamie faced off, then, clearly
unsettled by Clark's calm demeanor, Jamie lowered his weapon.
"All right," he acquiesced.

"No sense having *two* accidents to explain to the boss. You can
have the damn kit!"

"Great, I'll just go ... " Clark began.

"Oh no, not you.. " Jamie interrupted. "Her!" he said pointing at
Lois. "You're not going anywhere, *hero*."

"Now wait a minute!" Clark said with concern.

Lois nodded and stood up from Jack's side, "It's all right. I'll
go."

"Good." Jamie replied. Noticing Clark's look of concern he
smirked and turned back to his men. "And Mike, you go with her,"
he added hastily.

Mike blanched. "What?! Why me? I don't want to tangle with that
hellcat again! Once was enough!" he protested.

"Quit your complaining!" Jamie countered. "You've got a gun. If
she gives you any problems, you *know* what to do."

Mike nodded slowly, unshouldered his automatic rifle and pointed
it at Lois. "Let's go. But don't try anything funny," he said
warily.

"Don't worry. You should be safe. You've got that *nice big gun*
to protect you," Lois remarked icily as she gave Mike a withering
glance.

As Lois and Mike disappeared from view, Jamie turned back to
Clark. "When your girlfriend gets back here, you'd better patch
Olsen up fast! Our ride will be here soon and I don't like
keeping the boss waiting," he said callously.

"What kind of ride? What are you talking about?" Clark asked.

"You'll find out," Jamie called smugly over his shoulder as he
left the clearing.

As Jamie left, Sandoval and the guides rushed to Clark's side.
"*Madre Dios* my friend, that was one of the *bravest* things I
have ever seen!" Sandoval said sincerely.

"You mean it was one of the most *foolish!*" Ortega countered.
"He should be spending his time and energy on convincing our
captors to release us."

"Roberto, you cannot mean that!" Sandoval said with dismay. "What
about Senor Olsen?"

Ortega glanced down at Jimmy and Jack and then turned back to the
others. "He is as good as dead. And why should we risk our lives
for a dead man? We must think of ourselves and our welfare. We
are important government officials!"

Fists clinched, Jimmy leaped up from Jack's side and charged
straight at Ortega. "Easy, Jimmy," Clark said as he deftly
grabbed and restrained the younger man. "He's not worth it."

"I'm sorry if my candor has offended you," Ortega announced as he
cowered behind Sandoval. "But it is time that you and Senor
Guthrie faced reality and concentrated on securing our release."

"If you think negotiating with our captors is so important, why
don't *you* start? The rest of us can *waste* our time with
Jack," Clark replied sharply.

Ortega turned pale. "Me? Begin negotiations with those animals?!"
he said incredulously. "No, no, that is not possible! Besides the
leaders are obviously Americans, *your* countrymen! They will
undoubtedly listen to you!"

"Be silent Roberto," Sandoval chastened. "I doubt these men will
listen to Senor Guthrie or anyone else. They are clearly
mercenaries and I am certain that they have no intention of
releasing us until we have been questioned by their *boss*."

Clark nodded in agreement. "I just wonder ... " he began. But
before he could complete his sentence, Lois returned with the
medical kit, and all other discussion stopped as they began
preparations to operate on Jack's shoulder.

With the others out of the way, Lois swiftly cleaned and bandaged
Jack's leg wound while Clark, using his x-ray vision, quickly
located and removed the bullet lodged in Jack's shoulder. As Lois
began to wrap the shoulder wound, Jack stirred to life and tried
to sit up.

"Careful!" Lois said as she tried to stop Jack by gently placing
her hand on his good shoulder.

"Arrghh!" Jack gasped, as his face contorted in pain. Then, after
staring wordlessly at Clark and Lois for a few seconds he sank
back down to the ground. "Well, that was obviously a mistake," he
said matter-of-factly as he gave them both a wry grin.

Both Lois and Clark chuckled. "I'll see what we've got for pain,"
Clark said as he quickly began to examine the contents of the
medical kit.

With Lois's help Jack sat up a little. "You guys did a pretty
good job of patching me up," he mumbled appreciatively as he eyed
his bandaged shoulder and leg. Despite the improvement in his
condition, Jack's breathing was labored and his words came in
short gasps. "But it won't count for much if we don't get out of
this mess." Jack closed his eyes and was silent. Then after a few
moments he spoke again. "How's Jim holding up?" he asked
quietly.

"Pretty good, I think. But why don't you ask him yourself," Lois
replied as she observed Clark pulling a small bottle of pills out
of the medical kit. "Oh Jimmy," she called over her shoulder.

In an instant Jimmy was back at Jack's side. "Is something wrong,
Lois?" he asked with concern.

"No Jim, I just need you to watch your Dad for a few minutes,"
Lois answered.

Lois exchanged places with Jimmy and then turned back to Clark.
"I think we need some water for Jack," she announced. "And I need
to talk to you alone!" she added in a voice only Clark could
hear.

Clark nodded in agreement, picked up their canteens and walked
over to the group of men guarding them. "-We need water-." he
stated in Spanish.

After eyeing Clark and Lois carefully, the guard turned back to
his cohorts and mumbled a few words in Spanish. When the other
men finally nodded their respective heads affirmatively, the
guard turned back to Clark and said "Si." The guard then motioned
to two of the other men, who unshouldered their weapons and fell
into step behind him as he marched Lois and Clark away from the
clearing and towards the spot where a freshwater spring bubbled
to the surface.

"Just what were you trying to do back there!" Lois whispered
angrily after they reached the spring and began to slowly fill
the canteens. "I know Jack needed medical attention, but your
secret could have been discovered during that little face off
with Jamie!"

"I realize that honey, but ... Jack's life was at stake! ... I
couldn't just sit around! I had to do something! ... *anything*!"
Clark replied in a hoarse whisper.

"But did you have to do something that was so risky? It's just
not like you!" Lois asked with concern.

"It's ... just this ... whole situation is so ... so ... so
aggravating! The last time I felt this frustrated was when we
were held hostage by those terrorists at the Planet!" Clark
replied, his voice tight with pent up anger.

Lois sighed. "That's what this is really about isn't it?" she
asked. "I never realized how much that whole incident bothered
you. I have to admit I behaved pretty badly that night.
Belittling you and then cuddling up to*Lex*." Lois shuddered
slightly at the mention of Luthor's name. "I'm sorry," she said
sincerely. "But you shouldn't let what happened that night
influence your judgment now. You always tell me *what's past is
past* remember?."

"Honey, what happened at the Planet that night is not why I'm
acting or feeling this way," Clark replied.

"It's not?" Lois asked skeptically as she brushed a wayward lock
of hair out of Clark's eyes.

"All right, maybe it is," Clark conceded with a slight smile,
"but it's not the *only* reason." Sighing heavily, he gently
caressed Lois's bruised cheek. "Whenever something like this
happens it just makes me wonder what good are my powers, all the
remarkable things I can do, if I can't protect the people I care
about the most?"

"I know, sweetheart, It just doesn't seem fair somehow, does it?"
Lois replied.

Clark nodded in agreement. "I'm just not going to stand idly by
and let you get hurt again! Even if it means that everyone here
finds out about *you know who*," Clark said firmly.

"Don't worry, it won't come to that. We're getting out of this
situation *soon*," Lois said reassuringly.

"What makes you so sure, honey? Have you got a plan?" Clark asked
hopefully.

"I've got *something*," Lois whispered cryptically. "Just x-ray
my right pants' pocket."

"What?!" Clark replied.

"Shssh, not so loud! Those guys may not speak English, but I
still don't want to attract their attention," Lois answered as
she glanced at the three guards resting over in the shade. "Now,
just x-ray my pocket!"

Clark gave Lois a perplexed look and then scanned her pocket with
his x-ray vision. "What the ... !" he exclaimed "You've got some
of the detonator caps! How did you manage that!? Wasn't Mike with
you when you got the medical kit?!"

"He was," Lois replied with a wicked grin. "But our earlier
*encounter* made him a little nervous about being alone with me.
He gave me plenty of space, which gave me the chance to grab a
few detonators."

Clark returned Lois's grin. "Those detonators may be small but
they pack quite a punch. They could give us just the chance we
need, *if* we can set them off at the proper time. The only
questions are where and when," he responded.

"I've got an idea or two about that," Lois answered. "I think ...
" but before she could complete her thoughts, another gang member
entered the clearing and ran over to the shady spot where the
three guards were resting. The new man and the leader of the
guards exchanged some terse words in Spanish and then all four
men suddenly turned and approached Lois and Clark with their
weapons drawn.

"Uh oh," Lois said tensely, "what's wrong now? Did they overhear
us and figure out what we were planning somehow!? Should we make
a run for it!?"

"No, no, that's not it," Clark whispered. "Jamie's just issuing
orders again. He wants us back at the clearing right away. So, as
much as I'd like to make a break for it, I think we'd better
cooperate. It's the only way we can be sure that the others are
safe. Besides we still need to find out who, or what is behind
all this."

Lois nodded in agreement and quickly helped Clark pick up the
rest of the canteens. Then the group walked back to edge of the
clearing where Jamie, Mike and the rest of the gang members were
waiting.

"Well, it looks like our *hero* and his girlfriend have finally
decided to join the party," Jamie said sarcastically. "What kept
you?"

"We needed some water for Jack," Clark explained as he knelt down
next to Jimmy and gave Jack the pain killers from the medical kit
and some water.

"Look *hero*, I told you we're on a tight schedule and I'm not in
the mood for any more trouble from you," Jamie said menacingly.
"Now have you finished patching up Olsen ?!"

"More or less, but we still need to ... " Clark began.

"Good," Jamie interrupted. "Then get him on his feet and let's
move it!"

"What!?" Lois exclaimed, "Are you crazy?! He can't walk in his
condition!"

"Well then I guess one of you will just have to carry him! Unless
of course ... you want to leave him here," Jamie sneered as he
fingered the handle of the gun stuck in his belt.

"Perhaps that would be for the best?" Ortega interjected. "After
all we do not wish to slow these gentlemen down."

Sandoval gave Ortega a look of contempt. "Be quiet you fool," he
ordered. Suitably chastened Ortega fell silent and drifted to the
back of the group. "We have no intention of leaving Senor Olsen
behind," Sandoval announced. "He will come with us, even if I
have to carry him *myself*."

"There's no need for that," Jack replied as he struggled to his
feet with assistance from Jimmy and Clark. Grimacing in pain, he
leaned on Jimmy for support. "With a little help I should be able
to make it."

"Don't worry Dad, you've got some," Jimmy said as he gave Jack a
wink and a small smile and then wrapped his arm around his
father's waist. Clark nodded in agreement and then quickly placed
his arm around Jack's shoulder, carefully shifting his position
until was carrying the bulk of Jack's weight.

"I'm glad you're all being so cooperative," Jamie replied with a
smirk. Returning to the front of his men, he then called back to
Jack and the others over his shoulder. "But I'm warning you
Olsen, you'd better not slow us down! Not if you know what's good
for you!"

***

Jamie set a blistering pace through the dense jungle growth but
with Clark's *super* help Jack was able to keep up with the rest
of the group as they made their way to the riverbank. When the
group finally arrived at the river, three large rubber boats
similar to the ones used by the military for staging amphibious
assaults were waiting for them in the shallow waters just off the
bank.

As he helped Jack get situated into the second boat, Clark
noticed that Jamie and Mike were engaged in a heated
*conversation* in a clearing about 75 yards away from the rest of
the group. Curious about what the gang leader could be discussing
with his chief henchman, Clark adjusted his hearing so he could
pick up their tete-a-tete.

" ... but why can't I just take a few of the men on the overland
route and meet you at the Plantation?" Mike complained.

"I told you before, it'll take too much time and the boss wants
us back pronto!" Jamie responded.

"But I hate boats! I get motion sickness! Just looking at the
water makes me sick!" Mike whined.

"Look, you're not going to get sick! The river's as smooth as
glass!" Jamie countered angrily. "So quit your belly-aching and
get in that boat before I decide to make you swim back!"

After a few moments of hesitation, Clark saw Mike nod in
agreement and follow Jamie back to the first boat. Once Jamie and
Mike had boarded, all three boats slowly pulled away from the
shore, and began making their way up the river.

A few minutes into the trip Lois leaned closer to Clark. "Okay, I
saw the*look* on your face a few minutes ago, what did you
overhear?" she whispered.

"Nothing important, just a little background information about
Mike," Clark replied with a mischievous twinkle in his eyes. "But
when I put it to use, I should be able to provide our *friends*
in that first boat with a *very interesting* trip *and* it might
give us the edge we'll need when we finally make our move."

"What exactly do you mean?" Lois asked warily.

"Don't worry honey, just sit back and enjoy the show," Clark said
with a slight smile, as he repositioned himself so that he had an
unobstructed view of the boat containing Jamie and Mike. Lois
watched as Clark carefully directed a puff of his super breath at
the first boat and it began to bob furiously up and down in the
water.

Lois smiled. "You're right. This will be *very interesting*. Too
bad we don't have any popcorn." she said as she snuggled in
closer to Clark.

***

The boats traveled for over an hour, until they came to a large
wooden pier jutting out into the river. As the first boat docked,
Lois and Clark observed that most of its occupants, including
Jamie, appeared to be pale and sweating. Lois took great pleasure
in seeing that the last to leave the boat was Mike, who staggered
onto the pier and made his way to a clearing not far from the
riverbank. Once there Mike fell to his knees and proceeded to
*kiss* the ground not once, but several times.

"Gee," Jimmy said as he observed the events occurring on shore.
"I wonder what's wrong with them. The water wasn't that choppy."

"I don't know Jim." Clark replied with a hint of a smile. "They
must have run into some *unexpected* turbulence."

Jimmy shrugged and then turned back to help Clark carry Jack out
of the boat. As soon as Jack was out, the others quickly
followed, until they were all standing on the dock.

Lois approached Jamie who was sitting on a nearby wooden piling.
"Gee you don't look so good," she said matter- of-factly. "Did
you have a rough ride? Maybe we have something in our medical kit
that could help you."

"Shut up and get back in line!" Jamie snarled in response.

Lois's eye's widened in feigned innocence as she returned to
Clark and the others. "There's no need to be nasty," she replied,
"I was just trying to be helpful."

Clark took Lois aside. "That was very cruel of you, honey," he
playfully admonished.

Pleased that Clark had relaxed enough about their current
situation to be able to tease her, Lois smiled inwardly. "*I'm
cruel*?" she countered in a voice barely above a whisper. "Now
wait just one minute, you started this! And besides, I know
you're not above making bad guys *squirm* a little."

"What are you talking about honey?!" Clark replied as he gave her
a puzzled look.

"Don't try that *innocent* farmboy routine on me," Lois said with
artificial sterness. "Not too long ago you confessed that you
felt some *satisfaction* that time you *zapped* Lex with your
heat vision, *remember*?"

Clark flushed with embarrassment "But honey, I wasn't trying to
hurt Luthor on purpose," he protested.

"Uh-huh," Lois answered as she folded her arms across her chest.

"Honest honey, I *had* to do it to stop his bleeding!" Clark
asserted.

"Face it, Clark, despite your reputation as a *goody two-shoes*
you've got something of a vindictive streak," Lois teased.

"But ... but ... " Clark stammered.

"And I absolutely *love* it." Lois added with a sly smile and a
wicked gleam in her eye.

***

When the third boat finally docked, the group reassembled and
began to make its way up a long path leading from the riverbank.
Still weakened by his ordeal on the river, Jamie's pace was
slower and the group made several stops along the way in order to
rest. Finally, the dirt path they were walking on became a gravel
road and they saw in the distance a large white mansion.
Surrounded by neatly trimmed lawns that were in stark contrast to
the wild jungle growth, the mansion almost gleamed in the intense
sunlight.

"Well, that's certainly impressive," Lois commented to the group
as she spied the house through the lush vegetation. "Whoever the
*boss* is he certainly likes to live in the lap of luxury!"

Clark nodded in agreement. "I'll say. That house is *huge*, it
must have cost a fortune just to bring the materials to construct
it to an area this remote. Not to mention the cost of the
labor."

"I doubt that cost posed any problem for its owner! I *know* he
has ample resources available to him!" Sandoval said with
disgust. "That is Quinada Plantation's main house!"

"That is impossible! You must be mistaken!" Ortega interjected.

"There is no mistake!" Sandoval responded. "I would know that
house anywhere!"

"Quinada Plantation! Isn't that Preston Trager's home?" Lois
asked.

Sandoval nodded affirmatively. "Yes it is," he replied. "And it
would appear he is the one we have to *thank* for our current
situation!"

***

The group divided once it reached the main house and Jamie and
Mike along with about ten of the gang members herded Lois, Clark
and the others inside while the remainder of the men sat outside
on the large verandah baking in the tropical heat.

As the group entered the foyer of the house, Jamie separated from
them and hurriedly ran down a long hall to a double doorway. Lois
and Clark watched as Jamie opened the doors and quickly slipped
inside the room leaving the group to wait in the entry way. The
air conditioned interior of the house initially offered a welcome
respite from the steamy jungle, but after a few of minutes of
waiting, Lois, who was wearing shorts and a short sleeved tee
shirt, began to shiver slightly.

"Are you okay honey?" Clark asked with concern.

"I'm freezing!" Lois whispered. "It must be at least 40 degrees
cooler in here! I've got goosebumps!"

"I'm sorry, darling." Clark replied in a low voice. "There's not
much I can do about it right now. But I promise to help you warm
up later!"

Lois gave Clark a small smile and raised one eyebrow. "Really?!"
she responded. "You promise?!" Clark nodded affirmatively. "Well
then, I've got a few ideas on how we can ... "

"Lo-is," Clark interrupted.

"All right, knock off the chatter!" Jamie snapped as he suddenly
returned to the group. "The boss is ready to see you now and it's
not a moment too soon! From my point of view, you've all been
*class A* pains in the butt! Especially you two!" he said as he
pointed at Lois and Clark. "I can't wait 'til I can take care of
you *my way*," he said with an evil grin.

The group followed Jamie through the doorway into a massive,
elegantly furnished room. At the far end of it was a huge
fireplace that was in use despite the furnace-like heat outside.
A massive rattan chair with a peacock back was positioned near
the fireplace directly in front of french doors that led out of
the study and on to a large patio area complete with an Olympic
size swimming pool. Lois and Clark instantly recognized the huge
man dressed in a white linen suit who was lounging in the chair,
sipping a glass of white wine.

"Trevalian!" Lois and Clark said in unison.

"Bravo! It's a pleasure to see that such esteemed members of the
fourth estate remember me," the discredited former head of NIA
covert operations responded. Acknowledging Lois's and Clark's
observation with a slight bow of his head, he continued, "After
all I was merely a *humble civil servant*."

"But ... but ... this is Preston Trager!" Sandoval interjected.
"I've seen his picture in our local newspapers!"

Ignoring Sandoval's comments, Trevalian turned instead and looked
directly at Jack. "It's so nice to see you again, my dear boy,"
he said, "but it would appear that you're a *bit* under the
weather. Please, please sit down!"

"I thought it might be you behind all this," Jack said weakly as
Jimmy and Clark lowered him to the nearby love seat. "But I was
hoping I was wrong."

"I don't understand this!" Lois interjected "The last time we
checked you were being held in custody and awaiting trial! When
did you escape from jail?"

"It's very simple, my dear. I was never *in* jail," Trevalian
replied. "In fact I was barely in custody."

"What!?" Jimmy said in amazement. "But how is that possible?"

"One of the advantages of being the *man with all the secrets*,
no doubt," Clark replied with disgust.

"Precisely!" Trevalian said smugly. "Several high level elected
officials and key members of the Agency felt that it would be
*embarrassing* if I were actually to go to trial, so they
arranged for the authorities to *misplace* me."

"What happened to Sweet Tart?" Clark asked. "Did the authorities
*misplace* her too?"

"Yes, they did. But I'm afraid that Ms. Tart met with an
unfortunate and *fatal* accident on our way here," Trevalian
replied, "so I was forced to travel on alone."

"So where is the 'real' Preston Trager?" Lois asked, "Did you
dispose of him and take over his identity?"

"Hardly anything like that, my dear girl." Trevalian answered.
"You see Minister Sandoval is correct, I *am* Preston Trager. I
bought this plantation using NIA funds over 20 years ago and I
established the Trager identity at that time."

"Have you been planning to betray the Agency and your country for
that long?" Jack asked contemptuously.

"Jack, you *wound* me. You really do," Trevalian said smoothly.
"My little sideline business as an arms dealer wasn't about
politics. It was about money, pure and simple. And through the
years this house and the Trager identity have proved very
profitable for me *and* the NIA. But of course money wasn't the
only reason I decided to create a Preston Trager."

"What else is there?" Clark asked.

"Everyone needs a hobby," Trevalian answered blithely. "I created
Trager purely on a whim, but I found having a second life, a
secret identity *fun*, rather exhilarating in fact. But I
wouldn't expect someone like *you* to understand that."

"You'd be surprised." Clark replied flatly.

"In addition, despite the *beastly* weather here, I rather like
this little country," Trevalian continued. "And I've enjoyed
*dabbling* in Corto Maltese's politics. It's given me the
opportunity to hone my skills."

"*Dabbling*!" Sandoval said angrily. "You call the rampant high
level corruption and bribery you promoted *dabbling*!"

"Calm down Minister Sandoval," Trevalian replied silkily. "What I
did happens all the time and you *know* it. Over the years I've
found that almost everyone has a price, although, it may not be
strictly a *monetary* one."

"Speaking of *prices*," Jack interrupted, "I'm pretty sure
Singer, the new DCO must have known you were at large and
probably behind all of this when he sent me on this mission. Was
he in on your release? What do you have on him?"

Trevalian began rolling his wine glass in his corpulent hands.
"Oh not very much, just some incriminating photographs that were
taken of him and *several* young women in a hotel room in
Madagascar," he replied. "They're rather ordinary, in fact in
this day and age, some would say that they're almost *quaint*.
But for a person in Singer's position they would be devastating.
And it's really quite amazing what he's been willing to do to
keep them hidden."

"He's been tipping you off about us all along, hasn't he?" Jack
asked wearily.

"That's very astute of you, Jack," Trevalian answered jovially.
"Yes he has. Every time you reported in, Singer relayed the
information directly to me. That's why I was able to have my
*little* reception committee waiting for you. By the way, I'm
awfully sorry about your little *unpleasantness* with Jamie. When
I told him that you were very resourceful and that he should take
steps to incapacitate you if possible, I had no idea he would
take such extreme measures."

"Well, it's hard to find good help these days," Lois said
sardonically.

"Precisely," Trevalian replied.

"So what happens now?" Jack queried. "Do you intend to torture
us? Kill us?"

"Actually Jack, I have a proposition for you," Trevalian
replied.

"What kind of proposition?" Jack asked.

"With Ms. Tart out of the picture, I'm clearly in need of some
assistance in running this operation. I'd like you to take the
job," Trevalian said matter-of-factly.

"What!?" Jack replied, "You *must* be out of your mind!"

"Now, now, my dear boy, don't be so shocked," Trevalian replied.
"We both know you're a bit of a rotten egg. This will give you an
opportunity to put that *dark side* of yours to work. Think of
all the fun you could have thumbing your nose at all those NIA
desk jockeys and petty Washington bureaucrats."

Jack hesitated for a few seconds before responding. "What happens
to the others?" he asked.

"I was afraid you'd ask that. I'm sorry Jack but my offer is only
for you," Trevalian replied with a slight tinge of remorse.
"Although I admire their intelligence and skill, I doubt the
*intrepid* investigative team of Lane and Kent would be
interested in joining me. And Minister Sandoval besides being a
dull bureaucrat is also, for all intents and purposes,
incorruptible, although, heavens knows I tried."

Jack gave a heavy sigh. "What about Jim?" he asked.

Trevalian eyed Jimmy up and down. "Well I could use someone with
computer skills and I'll admit that whelp of yours showed some
promise in that area during our first encounter," he replied,
"but I've been keeping track of his activities since then and I'm
afraid he's just another chronic do-gooder like *these two*,"
Trevalian said as he pointed at Lois and Clark. "But why should
it matter what happens to *him*, Jack? You've always been a *lone
wolf*, why change now?"

Waving away Jimmy's assistance, Jack got up from the love seat
and stood directly in front of Trevalian. "It'll be a cold day in
*hell* before I work for you!" he said icily.

Trevalian slowly shook his head. "What a shame. I was so looking
forward to working with a *true* professional again," he said to
Jack as he cast a disparaging look at Jamie and his men. "But I
see you're still the *good soldier."

"Old habits die hard," Jack said stoically.

Trevalian shrugged slightly, then turned to face Jamie. "I
suppose they're yours now, Jamie," he sighed. "But please try not
to mess things up as much this time. I just had the carpets in
the hallway cleaned."

"Sure boss, no problem. We'll take it *nice and easy*," Jamie
said as he smiled wolfishly. "'Specially since I already know
who's going to get it first. We've got some unfinished business,
right, *hero*?" he said as he pointed his weapon directly at
Clark and started to pull the trigger.

"Wait!" Lois yelled as she placed herself in front of Clark.
"Aren't you forgetting about Superman?!"

"What about him, my dear?" Trevalian asked.

"If you kill us, you *know* he'll hunt you down and bring you to
justice," Lois answered. "I've seen him bend steel with his bare
hands! Just imagine what he could do to you. Do you really want
him as an enemy?!"

Trevalian shrugged again. "My dear Ms. Lane, under normal
circumstances I would agree with you that Superman would be a
formidable adversary. But I doubt I'll have to worry about him
looking for me and my associates. In a very short time he'll be
out of the picture."

"Why? What sort of secret NIA weapon do you intend to use against
him? Do you have it here now?!" Lois asked hurriedly as she stole
a worried glance at Clark.

"Oh I have something much better than a simple weapon. I have
this!" Trevalian replied smugly as he pulled a floppy disk out of
his pocket.

"What is it?" Clark asked apprehensively.

"This disk contains the *only* copy of the formula for
*synthetic* Kryptonite," Trevalian answered cheerfully.

"What?!" Clark replied, "I didn't think that was possible! Where
did it come from?"

"An NIA scientist came up with the formula a few years ago based
on research started at LexLabs." Trevalian responded. "After he
met with a *sudden accident* I took charge of his discovery to
make sure it wouldn't *fall into the wrong hands*. After I parted
company with the NIA I simply took it with me."

"What do you intend to do with it now?" Lois asked anxiously.

"Why I intend to sell it, my dear girl!" Trevalian said blithely.
"Intergang has offered me one *billion* dollars for the formula.
With that money I will be able to go *anywhere* and to do
*anything.* And when Intergang uses the synthetic Kryptonite to
destroy that *overgrown boy scout* no one will be able to stop
me. It's a *fool-proof plan*."

"Don't be too sure about that," Clark said pointedly. "Superman
*could* capture you before you turned that formula over to
Intergang."

"Yes, I suppose that is a possibility," Trevalian admitted. "But
to do that, Superman would have to know about the formula and the
sale," he countered. "I can assure you *I'm* not about to alert
him. And I'm afraid that in a few minutes none of you will be
able to contact him or anyone else for that matter. Isn't that
right Jamie?"

"Right boss," Jamie said with an evil smile as he raised his
weapon again and pointed it at Clark.

"Well then, lunch is in a few minutes and cook is preparing
Hasenpfeffer, one of my favorite dishes. It's a pity that none of
you will be able to join me, the man is a true *artist*. Ah well,
c'est la vie," Trevalian said nonchalantly as he lifted his
massive bulk out of the chair, and began lumbering towards the
door. "Jamie, they're all yours," he called over his shoulder.

As Jamie's finger moved towards the trigger, Ortega suddenly
cried out, "Wait Senor Trager ... I mean ... Senor Trevalian.
Please wait!"

Trevalian stopped. Turning back to face the group, he slowly
approached Ortega. "What do you want *little man*!?" he growled.

"Senor, I have been an ... an ... *admirer* of yours, ... I mean
*Preston Trager* ... for a very long time ... You have done
wonderful things here in Corto Maltese ... and I ... " Ortega
began hesitantly.

"Yes?" Trevalian replied impatiently.

"And I can understand why you might feel the need to resolve your
disagreement with Senor Olsen and the others violently," Ortega
continued. "But there is no need for you to involve *me* in this
resolution. Particularly when I can perform a *valuable* service
for you."

"What!?" Sandoval interjected. "I cannot believe this! Roberto,
you are beneath contempt!"

"Shut-up you old fool! You may feel that it is necessary to die
with these *gringos*, but I am not willing to sacrifice myself,"
Ortega replied angrily. Then, turning his back on Sandoval and
the others he spoke directly to Trevalian. "Might I be allowed to
explain myself, senor."

"Certainly, Roberto, please continue," Trevalian said, "you
*intrigue* me. Exactly what kind of *valuable service* can you
provide."

Ortega smiled. "I will be *evidence*."

"Evidence? What kind of evidence?" Trevalian asked.

"It is very simple, Senor Trevalian," Ortega answered. "If our
work party simply vanishes, there will be a huge investigation of
this entire area. Hundreds of people will search this jungle
hoping to find some clue to our disappearance."

"I realize that," Trevalian replied, "and while I hate the
thought of the disruption, it simply can't be helped."

"But senor, if I am alive, I can tell the authorities that we
were attacked by bandits and that I was the only survivor. I will
be *living proof*. That way there will be no need for an official
investigation and your life will be undisturbed."

"You do have a point," Trevalian admitted. "But what would you
want in return for your role as *evidence*?" he asked warily.

"Nothing, nothing at all ... except ... perhaps a *small*
stipend," Ortega said timidly.

"Well, Roberto," Trevalian announced after a few moments of
silence, "you have certainly presented me with an interesting
proposition. But I hope you understand that I will expect your
*full cooperation* in this endeavor."

"Of course, Senor. I will *fully* cooperate!" Ortega said
eagerly.

"Good I'm very glad to hear that," Trevalian responded as he
pulled a small caliber handgun out of his pocket and pointed it
at Ortega.

"Senor Trager ... uh Trevalian!? What are you doing?!" Ortega
exclaimed.

"Well, my dear Roberto, in my business the only time one can be
assured of *full cooperation* from an associate is when the
associate is *dead*," Trevalian said coolly. "So you might say
I'm facilitating your cooperation."

"But, you can't! I ... ." Ortega began.

Trevalian cut the protest short by firing a single shot, which
struck Ortega right between the eyes. As blood gushed from the
small entry wound, Ortega's head jerked back, then as if pulled
by an invisible string he fell forward. Lois, Clark and the
others stood nearby in stunned silence as Ortega's lifeless body
collapsed at Trevalian's feet.

"Now that we've taken care of that matter, I trust there will be
no more interruptions," Trevalian announced as he gracefully
stepped over Ortega's body. "And Jamie, I would suggest that
after you finish here you take the bodies to ... "

"Actually there is one *more* thing," Lois interjected.

"And exactly what might that *be* Ms. Lane!?" Trevalian asked
angrily as he pointed his gun directly at her. "This had better
be *important* and not just an attempt to delay us in hopes that
Superman will come to your rescue!"

"No, no, I know it's too late for that," Lois said evenly. "I
just wanted to ask if you might grant a last request."

"Well what is it?" Trevalian asked gruffly.

"I want to kiss Clark goodbye," Lois replied softly as a single
tear rolled down her face.

"Oh," Trevalian said after a few moments of silence. "Well, I
suppose there's no harm in allowing you to share one last moment
together. But after that there will be no more delays! My lunch
is getting cold."

Lois nodded and moved to Clark's side. "Honey, what's going on?"
Clark whispered with concern.

"Shsssh, don't worry everything will be all right," Lois
whispered back. As they moved away from the group and closer to
the fireplace, she continued to speak in a voice only Clark could
hear. "Just remember, I get a crack at either Jamie or Mike, you
can't have all the fun!"

Clark gave Lois a small smile and took her hands in his, which
allowed her to secretly slip him one of the detonators from her
pocket. Clark crumpled the small paper container, allowing the
explosive powders within it to mix. Then he quickly tossed it
into the raging fire, making sure as he did to shift their
positions so that his body would bear the brunt of the
explosion.

"I love you Clark." Lois whispered as she wrapped her arms around
his neck and pulled him into a close embrace.

"I love you too, honey," Clark murmured against her lips, "and
you can have Jamie. I'll make sure he's still standing when the
party's over."

As their lips met there was a loud explosion and the fireplace
belched thick, acrid smoke, which enveloped the room and its
occupants. The smoke blinded everyone but Clark, who amid the
noise and confusion that followed, intercepted the stray bullets
fired by Trevalian's men and then used his super strength and
speed to disarm and subdue most of the gang members, making it
appear that they had collided with each other in the panic caused
by the explosion. Then at superspeed he dashed to the verandah,
and quickly disabled the remaining gang members, making sure to
drag their unconscious bodies into the smoke filled room as well,
so it would appear that they had succumbed to their own ineptness
when they attempted to aid their compatriots.

The room gradually began to clear. Bleary eyed and still gasping
for air, Jamie and Trevalian surveyed the fallen bodies of their
men, and came to the sudden realization that they were alone, and
therefore outnumbered by Lois, Clark and the other members of the
work team.

"Ah jeez! What the hell happened?" Jamie asked hoarsely.

"I'll tell you what happened, you cretin!" Trevalian croaked.
"Your men are so clumsy they ran into each other! The Keystone
Kops would make better bodyguards!"

"That's what you get for hiring your mercenaries out of the
Yellow Pages," Jack quipped. "Look's like the game is over for
you two."

"*I* don't think so! Not as long as I have this!" Jamie replied
as he pulled his handgun from his waist band. "Now I'm getting
out of here! And I'm taking the babe with me to make sure the
rest of you back off," Jamie yelled as he reached for Lois.

"No!" Lois replied, "*I* don't think so!" And she deftly grabbed
Jamie by the arm, spun him around and shoved him into a nearby
end table. Both Jamie and a large vase that had been resting on
the table crashed to the floor and the vase shattered into
hundreds of pieces.

"That Ming Dynasty vase was over 500 years old! It was one of a
kind, a 15th century masterpiece," Trevalian exclaimed.

"Well, now it's 20th century junk," Lois observed wryly.

"As I was saying, the game is *over*," Jack declared firmly as he
picked up one of the gang members' discarded weapons and pointed
it at Trevalian.

"It would appear that you are correct, Jack," Trevalian replied
as he slowly raised his hands above his head. "But," he sighed,
"it was fun while it lasted. I suppose you'll be turning me over
to the authorities now?"

Jack gave a wolfish grin and nodded affirmatively.

"How dull," Trevalian replied with a bored shrug.

"This has been great, Dad!" Jimmy said excitedly. "Not only have
I finally gotten to see you in action, but we beat the bad guys
without Superman's help. That is just *totally cool*!"

"Speaking of Superman," Trevalian interjected, "haven't you
forgotten something?"

"Oh, that's right," Jack replied. "The synthetic Kryptonite
formula. Hand it over."

"To do that I'd have to lower my hands. Do you want to take that
risk, Jack?" Trevalian taunted.

Jack hesitated for a few seconds, "Don't worry Dad," Jimmy said
as he moved within an arm's length of Trevalian, "I'll search
him."

"NO Jimmy!" Jack, Lois and Clark cried in unison.

Despite his bulk, Trevalian sprang forward with lightning fast
reflexes and nabbed Jimmy by the throat. Then out of his sleeve
pocket he produced a derringer and pointed it directly at Jimmy's
head. "Looks like I still have a few more moves to make before
this game is *over*, Jack," he gloated. "Now I would advise all
of you to stay perfectly still if you want to keep young Mr.
Olsen alive and well."

"Let him go, Trevalian! It's me you want not him!" Jack shouted.

"Nonsense, my boy. You'd make a terrible hostage. Far too
resourceful even in your weakened condition. Besides who would I
match wits with after I got rid of you," Trevalian replied. "No,
young James is the perfect *disposable* traveling companion for
this particular trip." And with the gun steadily aimed at Jimmy,
Trevalian inched his way to the french doors.

"Give it up Trevalian," Clark said as he moved in a little
closer. "You've no where to run to."

"I said *stay back*!" Trevelian snarled as he pressed the gun to
Jimmy's temple. "At this range I can't miss!" And kicking the
french doors open, Trevalian and Jimmy slowly backed outside.

For tense minutes Trevalian held Jack, Lois and Clark at bay as
he made his way across the patio. Then suddenly, as they neared
the edge of the pool, Jimmy slammed his foot down on Trevalian's
instep and the rammed his elbow into his captor's massive
stomach. Caught off balance, Trevalian dropped his gun and
tumbled head first into the pool creating a tremendous splash
that drenched Jimmy and the others.

"Jimmy, are you all right!?" Jack asked anxiously as he limped to
his son's side.

"I'm fine Dad," Jimmy announced as he gave Jack a hug. "But I
think I'm *really* ready to go back to Metropolis."

***

One week later, Lois and Clark, Jimmy and Perry waited outside of
the Daily Planet building in the warm spring sunshine as Jack
walked up the sidewalk. Despite the fact that his right arm was
in a sling and he was limping, Jack looked relaxed and happy, as
he carried a medium sized cardboard box under his good arm and
gave the group a bright smile.

"Gee, Dad let me have that!" Jimmy declared as he took the box
from under Jack's arm. "You really shouldn't try to do so much,
you're still recovering from everything that happened in Corto
Maltese."

"That's right, Jack," Lois admonished. "You need to rest more. I
don't even know why you insisted on coming down to the Planet, we
could have met at the restaurant for lunch. It would have saved
you the trip."

"I'm afraid that I can't make lunch," Jack said.

"You mean you've got a new assignment already?!" Jimmy
exclaimed.

"Something like that," Jack answered. "I've just been made the
acting Director of Covert Operations at the NIA."

"But Dad, I thought you didn't want a desk job," Jimmy said.

"I thought so too, son. But now that Singer has resigned the
Agency needs a person with experience in the position and it
looks like that person is me. Besides I'm getting too *old* for
field work," Jack said with a wry smile.

"Congratulations, Jack," Clark said warmly. "I can't think of a
better man for the job."

"I couldn't agree more," Lois added. "Particularly since your new
position guarantees we'll get our *exclusive* interview with the
DCO. Right, Jack?"

"Right Lois. A deal's a deal," Jack replied with an affectionate
smile. "Come down to Washington anytime, my door is always open
to you and Clark. In fact if you ever get tired of the newspaper
business, I'm sure I could find a place for you in the NIA."

"Hey now, cut that out, Jack," Perry interjected jovially. "I've
got a hard enough time trying to stop my competition here in
Metropolis from stealing Lois and Clark. Don't tell me I'll have
to start fighting off the U.S. Government too."

Jack laughed. "Well you can't blame a guy for trying, Perry.
Having these two on your team is almost as good as having
*Superman*," he said sincerely. "And speaking of Superman, I have
something I'd like you to give him." Jack reached into his pocket
and pulled out a floppy disk. "It got a little damp when it fell
in the pool with Trevalian so that may have damaged the
information," he said as he handed it to Clark. "But just the
same I'd feel better if he had *this*. I know it'll be safe with
him."

Clark gave Jack a warm smile. "Thanks Jack, I'll make sure he
gets it right away. And by the way, I got a call from Minister
Sandoval this morning, and he wanted me to thank you."

"Thank me? For what?" Jack asked.

"Well apparently the Cordova Dam project's location has been
shifted to that spot on the Quinada Plantation. Which means the
Xinatocha ruins will be saved," Clark replied. "I guess he
assumes that you're responsible for the change since the
plantation is NIA property."

Jack flushed a little with embarrassment. "Well, it only seemed
right. Trevalian caused a lot of trouble down there," he said
sheepishly.

Lois gave Jack a wry grin. "Well, well, well, Jack. You certainly
are full of surprises," she said as she gave him a slight peck on
the cheek.

"Why, Lois, does this mean you've changed your opinion about me?"
Jack asked.

"Let's just say I've discovered that there are uses for rancid
butter," Lois replied jokingly.

The group's laughter was interrupted by the beeping of a car
horn. "That's my ride. I'd better be going," Jack said. Reaching
over to Jimmy he pulled him into a warm hug. "Good- bye son. I
expect to see you in Washington for a visit *real soon*. No
excuses now, it's only a couple of hours away."

"No excuses, Dad. I'll be there," Jimmy replied as he gave his
father another hug.

Jack turned back to face Lois and Clark. "Before I go I've got
some things for you two. Just little thank you gifts for
everything you did."

"Jack you didn't have to do that. We had a great time and got a
great story out of it," Clark said sincerely.

"That's right, Jack," Lois agreed. "Even though I love presents,
you didn't have to get us anything."

"Well it's too late now. You'll have to take them. I'm leaving
town and I don't have time to return them," Jack announced with a
sly smile. "Jim, could you give Lois and Clark that box."

Jimmy handed the box to Clark and as Clark peered inside his
mouth dropped open. There tied in a bright red ribbon was *his*
autographed baseball, the one he had sold to buy Lois's Christmas
gift a few months ago.

"Lois, it's my Steve Bradley baseball!" Clark exclaimed.

"Clark that's impossible! It was sold the next day. We've spent
months looking for it so we could buy it back remember! But it
disappeared off the face of the earth just like Aunt Kate's
bracelet," Lois asserted.

"I know, Lois, but this is *it*. I'd know it anywhere," Clark
replied.

"What else is in the box?" Lois asked anxiously.

"Just this," Clark replied as he handed her a small jewelry
case.

Lois's hands shook slightly as she opened the case. "Clark, I
can't believe it! It's *Aunt Kate's* ruby and pearl bracelet! The
one I sold last Christmas! But how?!"

"I told you. I've got my sources," Jack replied, then he jumped
in the sleek black sports car, gave the beautiful blonde driving
it a kiss on the cheek and sped away down the busy Metropolis
street.

THE END