7.05 Threats by MR & ED (Part IX)

as retold by RepairmanBob

MR: Cadmus Labs. Dr, Richards and Lex are talking about the Salvation Initiative. Hope is standing behind Lex, Kahloe is laying on a table, looking amused.
ED: Dr. Richards says “As you can see, if we introduce a small amount of the Salvation compound into meta-human cells, it prevents the use of their abilities.” Show computer graphics – a small amount of orange liquid is added to a larger green sample. The orange liquid flows around and through the green sample, until the edges of the green sample glow orange. “The effect is temporary, depending on the individual, their body mass, and their specific powers.”
MR: “Dr. Richards, I am pleased. The temporary nature of Salvation is even better than a total cure.”
ED: Kahloe – “After all, Salvation must be earned again and again.” She does some provocative stretches. “With difficult, even painful effort.”
TW: (Watching the door) Please stay outside, please stay outside.
MR: “It will allow us to charge the government per dose, increasing our profits dramatically. And the survival rate?”
ED: Dr. Richards – “80%, but we have been able to increase that by testing the solution on samples before using it on human subjects. We should be able to get full survival within three months.” Dr. Richards looks nervous. “Mr. Luthor, there is something else I need to show you.”
MR: “I hope it is more good news.”
ED: “Potentially incredible. As you recall, there was an accident at the old lab, and an experiment was inadvertently begun.”
MR: Lex raises an eyebrow. “Yes, the second degree burns on my hands helped me to remember.”
ED: Kahloe – “Pay attention, Lex. Remember when I said you should look at what was right in front of you?”
KK: So he found farm boy porn?
ED: “In the second test, materials from the original sample were mixed with several samples from other meta-humans.”
MR: “You mean Salvation.”
ED: “No, the last of the original sample from subject C 36.”
MR: Bring up computer graphic. The light orange solution mixes with 6 other colored samples – red, yellow, green, purple, brown and black.
ED: “Salvation would simply have limited the new samples from activating their meta-human abilities.”
AoT: Where are you going to get all the money for these effects?
MR: The network is (looks at TW) increasing our budgets.
ED: Kahloe – “Here is where the fun starts.”
MR: The light orange formula starts to glow. Then the color is pulled out of the red sample. It fades to white, and the orange formula has red dots flowing through it. Next the blue sample is drained. In a few seconds, every sample has been drained of color, and the orange formula is a multi-colored mix.
ED: Kahloe – “Told you so.” She stands up and walks over to Lex, resting a hand on his shoulder and looking at the display. Kahloe whispers in his ear. “You realize what this means, don’t you Lex?”
KK: Lex likes rainbows?
AoT: That is hardly a surprise.
MR: Lex looks amazed – like a little kid on Christmas morning. “Dr. Richards, did C 36 just… absorb the meta-human genetic traits from the other samples?”
ED: Dr. Richards – “Based on what I can see, and you understand the data is incomplete and the CPU was damaged when it was removed and the fire –“
MR: Lex is still looking at the computer. “Yes or no, Dr. Richards?”
ED: “Yes, Mr. Luthor. The unaltered sample was able to absorb the meta-human characteristics of six other samples.”
ED: Kahloe – “And the best you can manage with your toy soldiers, Lex?”
MR: “We can maintain three to four powers, at most, with the Project Ares soldiers. How long was the sample able to last before it burned out?”
ED: Dr. Richards – “Burned out?”
MR: Lex finally looks at Dr. Richards. “When we tried to graft more than four powers into a Project Ares solider, their central nervous system would burn out within a few minutes. How long was the sample from C 36 able to last?”
ED: “Mr. Luthor, the sample did not burn out. The power retention was stable.”
MR: Lex looks overjoyed. “We need to start work immediately.”
ED: “Mr. Luthor, the last sample was destroyed in the fire. I have no idea of how this happened. It goes against everything we have seen in our studies of meta-humans. Without more material from the original host, there is nothing I can do.”
MR: “Very well, Dr. Richards. Continue to work on Salvation. I will let you know when more material is ready.” Dr. Richards leaves, Lex goes back to looking at the image of the multi-colored sample.
ED: Kahloe smiles. “I see your vision of the future, Lex. I see a vast army, brave and strong and loyal to you. They will keep the world safe from harm. From the meteor freaks. From the aliens. They will be beautiful, Lex. Your perfect children. Created from your desire –“
MR: Lex presses a button, and a file appears. Meta-Human C 36. Sullivan, Chloe. We see the picture of terrified Chloe strapped to the metal table from Freak.
ED: Kahloe’s smile becomes hungry, almost sexual. “And her body.”
JG: Alright, even I found that disturbing.

ED: A hospital room. Chloe is at Moria’s bedside, and she has been crying.
KK: Wow, what a stretch for Allison.
ED: She tries to call Jimmy.
MR: Cut to Jimmy on the LuthorCorp jet with Lana. He picks up his phone, sees the incoming call is from Chloe. Jimmy looks back at Lana, them puts the phone away.
AoT: Jimmy does not take a call from Chloe? That seems a bit of a stretch to me.
MR: Well, we did establish Jimmy is in love with Lana.
TW: Just like everyone else.
KK: Sadly.
ED: Chloe tells Moria how hard it is, how she is trying to help everyone, but she feels alone. She is tired of being the good friend, and the strong person everyone relies on to help them. “I am tired of being the strong one, Mom. I am tired of having to be the one who helps everyone else. I miss you, Mom.”
KK: And she cries.
MR: Actually, she just puts her head down.

continued...