SUPERMAN STOPS KILLER PARASITE
DEADLY ATTACK LEAVES RAISES COUNTLESS QUESTIONS
By Lois Lane
Earlier this afternoon, the looming spire of the LexCorp Tower was rocked by a horrific and nearly cataclysmic attack carried out by a deranged metahuman assailant. The attacker, calling himself "Parasite" --though now identified as local activist Rudy Jones-- had somehow gained the ability to absorb various forms of energy through direct contact. Jones began his rampage in a neighborhood in Hob's Bay, murdering 33-year-old Laura Singer. This attracted the attention of Superman, who was unable to subdue Jones before draining the Man of Steel of a significant portion of his power.
"[I've] never seen anything like it," remarked Captain Dan Turpin, head of MPD's Special Crimes Unit. "He'd turned into some kind of [...] monster, covered in claws and arms and teeth and tentacles. Like something straight out of a nightmare. And there wasn't a [...] thing we could do about it."
The Parasite turned his attention to the LexCorp Tower, allegedly to absorb the nearly limitless energy created by LexCorp's fusion reactors that power most of the Eastern Seaboard. Some eyewitnesses claim that Jones --last seen inciting violence at an anti-LexCorp protest-- personally blamed Lex Luthor himself for his transformation. Regardless of his reasons, Jones butchered the L-Sec officers standing between him and the heart of LexCorp.
It was deep within Luthor's private tower that Superman finally caught up with the Parasite, finally managing to subdue Jones and put an end to the destruction.
Tragically, Superman was not able to prevent lives from being lost in the attack-- in all, fourteen people were killed by the Parasite, and another thirty are currently hospitalized. Still, it was only Metropolis Marvel's timely arrival that prevented the Parasite from killing Luthor and absorbing LexCorp's fusion cores, which likely would have resulted in unthinkable destruction.
"All I can say is thank God for Superman," said Lieutenant Jean DeWolff, also of SCU. "I don't know what we would have done without him."
Rudy Jones is being held by Metropolis SCU in a special cryogenic cell designed by STAR Labs, awaiting trial. The question as to what triggered his unexpected metahuman transformation remains unanswered, though geneticists at Cadmus Laboratories have resolved to find out.
As to the question of Rudy Jones's accusations blaming LexCorp, a full investigation is underway, according to SCU. Luthor himself was unavailable for comment.
"'A full investigation is underway,'" Lois Lane sniffed derisively as she proofread her article on her tablet before uploading it onto the
Daily Planet's news feed.
"I'll be surprised if Turpin and his crew are even allowed within a hundred yards of the building, let alone find anything that could blemish the reputation of the great and powerful Lex Luthor."
"Could be worse," whined Jimmy Olsen, beside himself.
"They could get in the building and then get their camera confiscated. Again, I'm so sorry about that, Miss Lane."
"Seriously, Jimmy, it's okay," said Lois, her politeness wearing a little thin as she accepted Jimmy Olsen's twelfth apology since leaving LexCorp.
"No, Miss Lane, it's...it's not okay, I blew it," Jimmy insisted.
"I had shots from deep in the heart of LexCorp--nobody gets pictures inside there-- pictures of Luthor and Superman staring each other down, of L-Sec teams taking Parasite into custody with gear that looked like they were planning on something like that to happen.....and then one of Lex's goons takes my camera away! Just like that, it's gone, and it's all my fault!"
"First off, my name's Lois, not 'Miss Lane,'" Lois said.
"Secondly? You're lucky that your camera was all they took from you. And third? If and when we blow the lid on LexCorp, it'll have to be for a lot more than just today's attack. Until then, we do our job and get as much truth out there as we can."
"Getting the truth out there, huh?" said a snide voice from the next cubicle over.
"Does that include the bit where you flagged down Superman and asked him on a date?"
"An interview, Cat, not a date," Lois answered stiffly.
"And yes, as a matter of fact, I did find Superman when he was unconscious. That's what makes me the best reporter this place has got-- I go where the story goes. And in Metropolis, Superman is the story."
Cat Grant scoffed.
"Sure thing, Lois," she said dismissively.
"You managed to snag an exclusive with the guy who can bench press the Metro Tower. And I'm getting a sit-down with the former Pope!"
Cat didn't notice Lois rolling her eyes, as she'd already gone back to her article on the Metropolis Monarchs' star pitcher coming out of the closet.
"Whatever," she said with a hint of a sneer before looking back over at Jimmy.
"Well, now that my piece is finished, I'm just about done for the day."
"Really?" Jimmy said, his eyes brightening.
"'cause if you're not doing anything, I was going to go take Clark to that new club that just opened up on Park Ridge-- y'know, Dimension 5? But he canceled on me, so I'm looking for someone else to go with...."
Lois raised an eyebrow at Jimmy, who immediately wilted.
"I said I was just about done for the day, not completely. I've already got a prior engagement tonight. Not that getting hit on by drunken strangers while obnoxiously loud electronic music blasts my eardrums to pieces doesn't sound like a lovely time, I'm sure."
Jimmy hung his head in disappointment before Lois lightly slapped him on the arm.
"Just busting your chops a little, Jimmy, lighten up," she said.
"Oh, and speaking of Clark, how's our favorite farm boy doing over at the Star? He did a pretty bang-up job on the Bakerline story. Is he finally getting adjusted to life in the big city?"
Jimmy shrugged.
"Eh, he's doing all right, I guess," he answered.
"As far as I can tell, he doesn't get out that much. That's the big reason I wanted him to come out to Dimension 5 with me: start getting social, meet some ladies, have a good time, y'know? Well, that, and to drown my sorrows about losing a thousand-dollar camera--"
The
Daily Planet newsroom collectively jumped out of their seats as a blur of blue and red swept through an open window into the room with a powerful gust of wind, scattering papers in all directions, before speeding out the same window it had come in.
"......or not....."
As the blue and red blur left surprise and shock in its wake, it had left something else on the desk in front of Jimmy Olsen: his prized camera, good as new.
Lois blinked a few times, still startled, until she saw something taped to the screen of her tablet: a letter.
Miss Lane,
Sorry about the mess-- I don't really have another way to get in touch without being traced. Given the tragic loss of life earlier today, I don't know if a simple 'getting to know you' interview would be in the best of taste. That said, I owe people an explanation, and I know that you're the kind of reporter who will ask the hard questions. So if you're still looking for answers, don't pull any punches tonight.
Sincerely,
-A friend.
Lois looked at the note incredulously, then back to Jimmy for a moment, then back to the note.
"Have a drink on me tonight, Jimmy," she said a smile began to grow on her face.
"Like I said: I've got a prior engagement."
