7.20 Harbinger Part V by TW & MR

TW: Air Force One. The president sits at his desk and Martha enters the office. "Senator Kent... I'm glad you were able to stand with us today. I know how hard it must be to..."
MR: Martha interrupts, "How could you, Mr. President?"
TW: The president seems stunned.
MR: "Just hand off national security to Lex Luthor?"
AoT: I get to tell off the president?
TW: Yes, you do. Martha lays into him pretty well.
AoT: Cool.
MR: But he makes it clear that it's his intent to find Kal-El and hand him over to Darkseid.
TW: Martha counters that the United States has never negotiated with terrorists.
MR: The President points out that they aren't dealing with terrorists and they aren't negotiating. They're doing whatever it takes to protect the world from destruction.
TW: Martha tries to argue they should give Kal-El the benefit of the doubt.
MR: "I can't afford to give anyone the benefit of the doubt if it might lead to want what happened to Smallville to happening to the rest of the world."

TW: Cut to Lex's office.
MR: Clark bursts through the double doors as if he owns the place and heads straight for Lex. Lex makes a crack about planning to entertain the president but that Clark will do.
TW: "You cloned Chloe!"
MR: As Clark pins him up against the wall. "Clark, I told you I had nothing to do with that..."
KK: In off-screenville.
TW: "I talked to Chloe. She told me everything."
MR: "Including how she's turned them into her own personal super powered strike team?"
TW: Clark lets Lex down, "What are you talking about?"
MR: "Funny how she just happened to leave out the part about retaining her own personal mutant army. Richards believed Chloe's DNA could enhance meteor power absorption in the project Aries soldiers. Turs out he was right but because the Spartan's share Chloe's DNA she is somehow able to control them."
TW: "Not all of them, Lex. One knocked out Lois this morning and then burned down an apartment building. I know you have issues with Lois but didn't think even you would endanger innocent people."
MR: "Should I feel honored you still give me the smallest benefit of the doubt? The truth is I don't have anything to do with Chloe! Smash!"
AM: Chloe Smash?
KK: Incredible Hulk tribute.
ED: Rip off.
MR: Don't like it? How about "Neanderthal Chloe"?
AM: Definitely not.
KK: She dresses like one though.
AM: Shut up.
KK: I like "Darth" Chloe.
AoT: She is wearing black leather.
TW: Darth Chloe it is.
AM: Tom!?
TW: I like it.
MR: "The truth is I don't have anything to do with Darth Chloe. Richards created her and the others without my knowledge. I was going to have all the clones destroyed but Chloe appropriated them first. As for Lois, why would I hurt her? We may disagree on the specifics but at the end of the day we share the same goal, tracking down the scourge known as Kal-El."
TW: "I won't believe that Chloe was behind it!"
MR: "Actually, I don't either, Clark."
TW: "Then who is?"
MR: The press of a button brings down a projection screen, "I know you've never been one for comics or even science fiction but you're going to have to suspend your disbelief for a second." Lex pauses and looks into Clark's eyes, "Do you believe in aliens?"

TW: Back at the Diner Chloe packs her purse. "I'm not sitting around and waiting."
MR: Lois blocks the door. "Just because Clark hasn't come back doesn't mean I'm letting you out of here. After what Lex did the last time he had you alone it's going to be a cold day in hell before I'll let him within ten feet of you."
TW: As Chloe puts on her coat her temper flares, "Check the news, Lois. It is a cold day in hell." She uses her telekinesis to throw Lois away from the door. Lois slams against the wall and is knocked unconscious. Again.
ED: Lovely. I would almost prefer another mind wipe.
AoT: Chloe would have to mind wipe the whole restaurant.
ED: And that's somehow worse than throwing her cousin up against a wall!?!?
MR: She's in a hurry. Mind wiping the entire restaurant would take too long.
TW: Chloe looks simultaneously shocked and regretful by her temper. The other patrons back away in fear. Chloe's resolve returns quickly, "I'm sorry Lois. Some things I just have to handle myself."

MR: Back to LuthorCorp. A picture of Chloe and her entourage from the teaser appears on the screen. "Let me introduce you to our latest cadre of extra terrestrial visitors. They're here to find Kal-El."
TW: "So you are behind this after all."
MR: "You never tire of jumping to the wrong conclusion, do you Clark? Unfortunately these lovely ladies report to someone else."
TW: "And how are they connected to Chloe?"
MR: "As best as my men can piece things together Dr. Richards and another former employee..." A picture of Richards with Hassad is shown on the screen. "... had a clandestine business relationship. Not only was this other man alien, he was a sworn enemy of Kal-El. I believe Richards sold this man the prototype clone and it was transported it to another world."
TW: "And now it's back."
MR: "A lab explosion destroyed nearly all of Richard's records so there's no way to know how many of Chloe's abilities were transferred to the prototype. Perhaps all of them." Seeing Clark's level of agitation Lex pauses. He touches Clark's shoulder, "Look, Clark, I knew Richards had made a breakthrough with the second generation project Aries Soldiers. But you have to believe me, I had no idea they were cloned from your friend. You believe me, don't you?"
TW: "What I believe is thanks to you that clone is endangering innocent lives. I doesn't matter what you knew."
MR: Lex gets angry, "The only reason she's here is for Kal-El. If Kal-El would just turn himself in for his crimes no one else would have to die. That last thing we need is another Smallville."
KK: Amen.
AoT: So now you're against the nuking of another town too?
KK: I was talking another show like Smallville.
TW: "Crimes? Kal-El wasn't the one who destroyed an entire town! Or even give someone the means to do it."
MR: "My intention all along has been to protect people, Clark. You know that."
TW: "To protect people from exactly the sort for things that, thanks to you, are happening as we speak? Even the best of intentions are worthless when they end up putting innocent lives at risk, Lex."
MR: Lex frowns, obviously hurt.
TW: Clark turns away to focus back on the screen, "Just tell me what we're up against."

Continued...