Lex Luthor was in the wreckage of his office, watching the live news coverage on his huge television screen. He was shocked, horrified by what he was seeing. This alien being, General Zod, was leading Pokolistani rebels in an invasion of Russia. He was filming his progress, a brutal path of terror and bloodshed. He was defiantly challenging America to interfere, implying that the USA would be next to feel his wrath.
Yet in all this, Lex Luthor saw an opportunity.
"Do you hear what this...Zod is saying, Steve?" Luthor asked Captain America, "He says he comes from Krypton, Superman's home planet. He is openly challenging Superman, as if his every action is a response to his existence. I said this would happen, that Superman would only be the first. And look at the havok this Zod is causing. What happens if Superman is watching this, and decides that he should do the same to America? Would you bow before an alien being, Captain?"
Captain America didn't answer. Luthor picked up his phone.
"Diane, have a camera crew sent up to my office. General Zod wants to use a camera? Well, he's about to come face to face with the master of the media war..."
...
The camera opened on Lex Luthor sitting behind a new desk in his office. The camera angle cleverly kept all of the damage out of the frame. Luthor took a deep breath, knowing that this public statement would be broadcast live all around the world, and that General Zod would most likely watch it.
"People of the world, I am Lex Luthor. As I speak to you today, Russia is under attack by Pokolistani terrorists, led by an alien tyrant who calls himself Zod. This monster has filmed the carnage he has caused, in attempt to show the world his power, make us fear him. Let me make this very clear, Dru-Zod of Krypton. I am not afraid of you."
Luthor sat back in his chair, clasping his hands in front of him.
"I was talking to a friend a few days ago, and discussion soon turned to survival. He said that human beings are weak. Put a man in a fight with a grizzly bear, and the bear is going to tear him apart. True, I said, but human beings are superior to any animal because of our emotion, out creativity, our very humanity. Zod, you are powerful. And if I were facing you right now, you would most likely kill me in seconds. But when we cast aside all hyberbole, all intimidation tactics, you're just the grizzly bear. You are an animal, Zod. And for that reason, the human race is better than you'll ever be."
Lex Luthor allowed himself a smile.
"Zod, you want to be noticed by America? Well, you've got your wish. Do you think a man like me could just stand back and let you do what you're doing? Superman may be ignoring what you are doing, but I will not. I have talked at great length with The President of the United States, and under his authorisation, I am sending a battalion of my fighter jets to Russia, to help subdue your little invasion."
He had addressed Zod. Now, he wanted to turn his attention to his next target.
"Zod, you called Superman "The Great American Superman", but you are wrong. Superman is not American. He's an outsider, an alien being, just like you. And I do mean just like you. You are both outcasts from the alien planet known as Krypton. You both have the same powers, the same potential to cause mass destruction. I am not afraid of you, Zod. But what scares me is that we have a ticking time bomb just like you here in America, and our citizens are falling for his deception."
Luthor leaned forward, his face once again dead serious.
"Superman, we have tolerated you for too long. If you lay down with dogs, you're going to get fleas. Since your arrival, we have been plagued with a surge of metahuman activity. We have barely survived a large-scale alien invasion. And now one of your Kryptonian brethren is engaging in acts of war and genocide. And you think that your presence makes this world a better place? I beg to differ. I'm setting a challenge to you, Superman. I want to meet you, tomorrow, on the roof of Lexcorp Towers, for a live televised debate. I can't fly. I don't have heat vision or freezing breath. All I have is my mind, and my heart, but that's enough to expose you for what you really are. I want you to meet me, face to face, and justify yourself! I want you to justify yourself! Justify your presence, your actions, all the suffering you've caused, directly and indirectly. If you have a fragment of the integrity you claim to have, you'll show up for this debate. And I plan to make it the longest hour of your life."
Lex Luthor stood up, pressing his hands down on the desk as he looked down at the camera.
"Zod, you are going to wish you had never come to Earth. You complain about America standing by and letting tyranny reign unnoticed. Well, we are not going to let your tyranny go unchecked. You want to play? I've played some power-plays before. You want a war? Well dig down into your bunkers, dig into those trenches, and get ready, get ready, for shock...and awe!"
