Weve got reports of a metahuman in the area
Fionas voice crackled through the headphones that Dabney wore, the two project managers circling above Metropolis in an unmarked, black helicopter owned by the Department of Metahuman Affairs one which had ferried Fiona Ross swiftly from Washington to Metropolis. Adjusting the microphone in front of his face, Donovan said, Dont tell me one of those Legion of *******s came after him.
Theyre terrorists. The point of terrorism is to induce fear. From their perspective, wouldnt attacking a 3rd grader make sense? It would make Metropolis fearful of the metahumans among them as well as this Legion of Doom.
Donovan swore under his breath. He hated it when Ross was right. You think theyll kick him out of the school over this?
I think well be lucky if General Lane and Leon Panetta arent already getting the President to sign over Project Superboy over this.
Donovan swore again. First it was monsters in outer space, then it was a mutated Micah Flint, now it was the Legion of Doom. But the enemy behind all others was the damn Pentagon and a group of generals who just wanted to beat Superman in an arm-wrestling contest. And were willing to stomp over a small boy to be able to do it.
A loud barking echoed through the helicopter, the white-furred canine that Superboy kept having been coasting alongside the helicopter. Suddenly, Krypto plunged downward toward Metropolis Bay.
You think hes found Superboy?
That or a squirrel, Donovan answered dryly, then reached forward to tap the pilot on the shoulder. Follow that dog!
So this is Christmas
And what have you done
Another year over
And a new one just begun
Mister President, the Joint Chiefs and I believe this incident is just one example of why a civilian agency cant be trusted with Project Superboy.
There many occasions in which General Samuel Lane had stood in the Oval Office at the White House, but never before had he worn such a satisfied smirk as he did now. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration had had their little poster child, and the Department of Metahuman Affairs had made their run at controlling the potential to use metahumans as weapons in the battlefield of the future. But now it was the Department of Defenses turn.
Theyd all seen what Superman had done to Polikistan. It proved how great a threat Superman was, and also just what the United States could achieve with that power. Iraq and Afghanistan would be secured within a day. Russian objections over the NATO missile shield in Europe silenced in mere seconds. NASAs handling of the situation has clearly placed the civilian population in danger, Mister President, General Lane commented.
Hed definitely need a drink to celebrate later. The director of NASA and the Secretary of Metahuman Affairs were both outright shaking, each visualizing their political careers crumbling beneath their feet.
Mister President, the DMA had had close oversight on NASA and
And still we turned an elementary school into a target for terrorists, the President remarked, folding his hands down on the desk. Let me be clear, my administration will not condone any action taken that preferences the needs of metahumans in particular an illegal alien over the rights and safety of ordinary U.S. citizens.
And so this is Christmas
I hope you have fun
The near and the dear one
The old and the young
Consciousness returned, but seemed to remain elusive. A glimpse of reality coming in short bursts at the very edge of sensation. Someone was cradling him, calling his name. His body felt heavy, flashes of pain shooting through him as though his skin were on fire. He had trouble opening his eyes, or keeping them open, as the world seemed a kaleidoscope of colors and blurred shapes.
He felt a hand brush across his forehead, sweeping the mop of brown hair aside. A voice spoke. Dabneys voice. Blinking his eyes, Lor-Zod began to see the mans face begin to appear through the haze. Dabney was the one who was holding him, the boy realized.
Then seemed to shoot straight up when he remembered the school.
Pushing his way from Dabneys lap, the young Kryptonian staggered as he tried to find his footing. Where are you going? he heard Donovan ask behind him.
Lor stumbled, the energy still draining from his body even as he tried to take just one more step.
The schools on fire. I have to
Donovans hands took hold of his shoulders, spinning the Superboy around to look up at the man in a daze. The fire trucks are at the school. Theyve put out the fire, the man said patiently.
Adam
everyones in danger
Shh
Everyones safe now, Dabney said, in the same patient tone, as he drew the small boy toward him. Patting the child on the back, the man added, Youre safe now.
Donovan realized then that something was wrong. Not necessarily wrong, but
different. It was only a moment later that the man realized that Superboy was shaking. Drawing back to take a look at the child, Dabney was presented by his complete ineptitude when it came to children. He had no idea what was wrong, until
That look on his face.
Oh, ****.
The man had just enough time to brace before the tantrum set it, a loud wail like a sonic boom tearing through the harbor as Lor-Zod began to cry. Exhaling in a deep sigh, Donovan slipped his hands underneath the childs arms and lifted him up. As always, it was a startling revelation just how small and light that Superboy was. Holding the sobbing Kryptonian against him, the scientist made his way back toward to helicopter all the while rubbing the childs back and repeating that everything would be fine.
Donovan only hoped that were true.
A very Merry Christmas
And a Happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear
So were you afraid when the attack happened?
I was until I heard that Superboy was fighting the person who lit the school on fire, Adam Grant told the reporter, the incident at the school having appeared in news broadcasts across the nation from the local station that owned his show to CNN and MSNBC.
After that, I wasnt afraid anymore cause I knew Superboy would protect us!
So are you excited to hear that Superboy will be appearing on the Uncle Oswald Show?
Oswald spit his beer in surprise, leaping closer to the television as he turned up the volume. Had it been leaked? Did children really know? The man leaned close as he anxiously waited to hear the answer.
Oh, uh
the what?
That was it. That was the reaction. The child
had never even heard of him.
Wait, isnt that the show with the magician on it?
Oswald beamed, his hope reinvigorated. So the children did remember him!
I dont think Superboy would do a show like that. It sucks, Adam answered finally. The blond-haired boy pausing before a look of embarrassment gripped him.
Oh! Am I allowed to say that on TV?
And so this is Christmas
For weak and for strong
For rich and the poor ones
The world is so wrong
Taking a hand towel from the rack, Donovan began to gingerly dry the boys hair. His clothes had literally burned onto this skin in places, a calamine bath and a nap seemingly the best course of action in handling the hurt and frightened Superboy. These were times when Dabney wondered why the universe had seen fit to literally drop an alien child on his doorstep, he was the absolute least qualified person on the planet to raise a Kryptonian eight year old.
Applying some lotion to the boys right shoulder, the man dressed the large burn there and then proceeded to clean up the ones on the childs arms and face. Carefully, Donovan slipped the childs favorite nightshirt over him and then scooped him up. Do you want to lie down?
Lor-Zod just shook his head.
Do you want to watch cartoons? The boy simply nodded. With a quiet sigh, Donovan carried the small alien through the facility to the lounge. Lying out in the hallway, Krypto shook himself off and trotted into the room alongside the pair. As Donovan took a seat, cradling Superboy in his lap, the canine stepped up on the sofa and laid down with his muzzle resting against Lor-Zods leg. Picking up the remote, Donovan turned on the television and began flipping toward Cartoon Network.
many tonight are asking themselves, should metahuman children attend the same schools as
do you want this Superboy going to school with your kid? Cause, let me tell you, I sure dont want him going to school with my
tonight a special on Superboy: Child Hero or a Danger to Your Child
It was a relief when hed finally flipped past all of the news networks to arrive at
Adventure Time on Cartoon Network. Letting his arm and the remote collapse onto the sofa beside him, Donovan put his head back and braced himself for what seemed like it might be a long night.
They just sat there, whether either of them were paying any attention to what was on the television was a good question. Superboy wasnt laughing or giggling as he usually did when he watched
The Amazing World of Gumball or
Ben 10. Neither of them said anything, until
I dont want to be Superboy anymore.
And so Happy Christmas
For black and for white
For yellow and red ones
Let's stop all the fight
Oswald landed out in the alley with a loud splash. Beside him, his suitcase of gags hit the pavement, popping open and spilling out colorful handkerchiefs, cards, and other cheap gadgets.
Picking himself up on his knees, the man turned back toward the door. Wait! Ive got other ideas! The audiences will come back!
Its over Oz, his manager said firmly. It was over a long time ago.
No! The children love me! Youll see, theyll come back!
No. They dont, the man said, turning to shut the door. And, no, they wont.
And, with that, the door shut on the Uncle Oswald Show.
A very Merry Christmas
And a Happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear
Ive got an executive order here from the President himself, General Lane announced, slapping a document down on the table. Congratulations, Dr. Michaels. Project Superboy is all yours, the general added, extending a hand out toward the medical doctor.
Albert smiled coldly, keeping his hands in his pockets even as his eyes shifted to the document Lane had just thrown down. I trust funding wont be a problem then?
Well make sure you have everything you need, Lane boasted, leveling a cold look of his own at the arrogant figure before him. And I trust it wont be a problem developing that weapon that I want.
Ive already developed a weapon that can kill Superboy, my dear General, Albert Michaels commented, practically with a yawn, as though the conversation were boring him. And I can give you an army of super-soldiers just as physically capable as Superman himself.
From out of his pocket, Michaels produced a vial of blood. One which he casually tossed at Lane as he added, And now I have what I need to bring it back to life.
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