Notes: Smallville belongs to DC and the WB. All other characters are mine. Please send comments to dante0220@yahoo.com .

Chapter 1 [Metropolis—LuthorCorp]

It was the middle of the night in Metropolis. The moon shone down through the wispy clouds, providing some light for those still on the roads. While only a portion of the populace did their business, they were of a select few individuals on both sides of the law.

While most of the workers had long since gone home, the lights blazed away in Lionel Luthor’s office suite. The businessman had toiled away, tracking down leads and calling in favors to pursue his latest obsession: a certain farm boy from Smallville. For the previous two years, Clark Kent stymied both him and his son, Lex, with his sudden appearances and disappearances. In fact, during his bout with blindness—or rather while he was faking blindness, the young man had crushed a cue ball with his bare hand. In addition, there was the mystery of the Kowachi Caves. What is his connection to them? And what do the drawings on the walls mean? He got up and paced the office’s length. What does it all mean? It was an enigma and he hated such things.

The phone rang, interrupting his train of thought.

“Yes?” he answered.

“Lionel, it’s the High Leader,” the High Leader, as the Black Hand’s leader liked to be styled.

“And what can I do for you?” the businessman asked. “Are we any closer to the Javalastan take over?”

“Unfortunately no. Since our last attempt, your son has stepped up security around the Princess. We are still formulating a new plan.”

“Formulate faster! My foreign interests depend upon it,” he informed the other. “In the meantime, do we have any leads on our two masked interlopers?”

“None. They haven’t been sighted since our last attack,” the High Leader reported.

I wonder if Clark Kent is connected to them somehow? “While you’re formulating, I have a theory of sorts that I want to play with.”

“The Kent boy? Lionel, don’t waste your time,” the other admonished.

“Maybe it is a waste but I want to be sure. I have a plan to deal with him and distract my son. If it works, the Princess will be vulnerable. Get the picture?” Lionel proposed.

A sinister chuckle could be heard over the connection. “Perfectly. Keep us informed. Meantime, Hansei Arighatto will be back in the fold soon. If you find those masked brats, he wants his revenge.”

If I’m right, he’ll need to stand in line. “I’ll see what I can do,” Lionel agreed, hanging up the phone. A cruel smile spread across his face, as he considered his options. Lex is holding a meeting with those kids and Martha Kent. That will do nicely. Very nicely indeed.

Chapter 2

[Luthor Castle, Smallville—Two Days Later]

Lex sat in his study, inputting numbers into a last minute spreadsheet and charting economic projections. In the previous four months since he had taken back LexCorp from his father, his stocks had flourished. “Maybe I can finally hire back the last of the workers that Dad laid off two years ago,” he mused to nobody in particular. He smirked in satisfaction, knowing that his entrepreneurial efforts were turning the public’s view of him. Maybe they’ll finally accept that I want to be a friend instead of another Luthor puppet master.

Then there was a knock at the door.

“Yes?” he asked.

Jasmine stuck her head in. “Lex, do you have a minute?”

“For you? Of course. Please come in,” he told her.

She entered the sanctum nervously and closed the door behind her. “I just wanted to say that this meeting with Mrs. Kent is a wonderful idea, Lex. She’s a great person.”

He nodded. “Yes, she is. She doesn’t get enough credit for what she does. Maybe if we can showcase her cookies at the Talon, she’ll get some more attention.”

“You just want freebies for yourself, don’t you?” she teased.

He smirked. “Would you turn down her cooking, Jasmine?”

“Certainly not! If I wasn’t afraid of upsetting half of the town, I’d ask Papa to hire her as the Official Chef,” she commented.

“She’d be flattered but I don’t think she’d take it,” he pointed out. “She likes things as they are.” He glanced at his watch. “Speaking of the meeting, we need to get going.” After saving his spreadsheet and shutting down the computer, he got up from behind the desk. “Well, shall we?”

“Certainly. Cocoa’s sleeping in my room so we’re all set,” she agreed, following him out.

*****

[The Talon]

Martha fretted over the batch of oatmeal chocolate chip cookies in the counter display case. She hoped everyone would like them. She sat down and took a sip from her coffee cup, looking up at the clock repeatedly. To make matters worse, she wished that Lex wouldn’t have closed the café for this meeting.

Lana came over with a fresh pot. “Want a refill, Mrs. Kent?”

She shook her head. “That’s okay, Lana, thanks but if I have any more, I’ll be jumping out of my chair.”

After making sure that they wouldn’t be revealing the Secret, the former cheerleader joked, “You’d rather leave that to us, wouldn’t you?”

Martha gave her a knowing look. “I was hoping to keep Clark out of trouble,” she teased.

“We’ve done all of our practicing on the farm,” the younger woman pointed out. “I’m just grateful for your help along with Mr. Kent.”

“We’re happy to help you. Clark’s so happy since you now are alike,” Martha declared.

Miranda chuckled from the counter. “You can say that again. He’s practically floating up the stairs these days.”

“You’re not serious,” Lana doubted, rolling her eyes at her sidekick.

The sensei smirked and winked playfully. “He might as well be. I think the change is great myself.”

“And why wouldn’t I be happy these days?” Clark shot back from his seat. “I don’t have to hide from as many people these days.”

Miri held up a set of plastic glasses with a fake nose and moustache. “If you do, let me know. I have a million disguises.”

“That’s okay, Miri, I think I can do okay on my own.”

“Gee, Clark, I think the nose would look good on you,” his girlfriend teased while setting down the coffee pot and walking over to him.

“You would,” he cracked, kissing her on the cheek.

“Yeah well, it might help to get you past Chloe if needed,” she retorted, noting the ever present challenge of evading Smallville’s Most Inquiring Mind.

At that moment, Lex and Jasmine entered the restaurant and locked the door behind them.

“Hi, everyone,” Jasmine greeted, waving her hand.

“Hey, Jasmine, take a seat!” Clark invited, pulling the chair out for her.

“My! Such the gentleman! Lana, you have him trained well,” the Princess kidded.

“Yeah I do,” Lana concurred, smiling warmly at her boyfriend.

“Lex, help,” Clark requested.

The businessman smirked good-naturedly at his friend. “There’s nothing wrong with being a gentleman, Clark. The ladies love it.”

“Whatever the boss says,” Miranda retorted.

He shook his head. Too bad Chloe was tied up in Metro with that job fair. Still I’ll talk to her tonight. “Shall we get started then?”

Everyone nodded.

“Great,” Lex concurred. “Lana and I agree that we should have the best desserts in Smallville here at the Talon as often as possible. Accordingly, Mrs. Kent, do you think you could whip up some cookies twice a week for us?”

Martha shrugged. “I don’t see why not, especially with Clark and Miranda around to help out. I don’t think my cookies are that good, Lex.”

“I beg to differ, Mrs. Kent,” the entrepreneur disagreed. “My father’s chefs would love to make them as good as you do.”

“In fact, they could bring the house down,” Lana added. As she did, she heard a ticking sound coming from the door with her super hearing. What now?

Clark heard the sound too and got up from his chair. “Guys, get down!”

“What?” Jasmine asked.

Seeing the looks on the others’ faces, Miranda saw what looked like a grey blob on the window. “Do it!”

Just as they all hit the floor, the door blew in, shattering from the blast.

When the smoke cleared, the group saw a six masked men wearing black standing in the area.

“Stay where you are!” one—apparently the leader—ordered.

“What do you want?” Lex coughed, managing to get to his feet while holding his hands up.

Two more goons stepped forward, grabbing Martha and Lana. “Just them. We’ll be in touch.”

Clark wanted to do something but his mother shook her head. “Mom!”

Do not reveal yourself, my Son, Jor-El bade inside of his head.

“You won’t get away with this!” Jasmine told them.

“We’ll be back for you, Princess,” the leader indicated. “Right now, we’ll settle for these two.” He shoved Lana and Martha through where the front door had been. “Don’t leave town,” he laughed.

Clark glared at the door and clenched his fists. I’ll find you both.

“Clark, there was nothing you could do,” Miranda pointed out.

“Not now, Miri,” he told her pointedly as he tried to keep his temper in check. “Jasmine, are you all right?”

“No, I agree with you,” the Princess declared angrily.

“Clark, my people will work on this,” Lex indicated. “Just go home and let me deal with this.”

Miranda rolled her eyes. Yeah right. Smallville’s own super hero camping out at home? Not likely.

At that moment, Sheriff Adams entered the scene with her deputy. “What happened?”

“Afternoon, Sheriff, you’re late,” Lex quipped.

“I don’t need any lip, Mr. Luthor,” the sheriff directed.

Great. Clark sighed, “Sheriff, can I give a statement and get home?”

Sheriff Adams squinted at him. “You have anything to do with this situation, Mister Kent?”

“Other than sitting here and having a cup of coffee? No. I was talking with my girlfriend when these masked goons blew the door in and took off with Lana and my Mom,” Clark responded, trying to remain patient with the taciturn official.

“That’s the truth, Sheriff,” Jasmine verified.

“I’ll be with ya in a minute, Princess. Let Mr. Kent finish,” Sheriff Adams snapped.

Jasmine glared at her. “Excuse me! Who do you think you are?”

“This here’s my jurisdiction!” Sheriff Adams countered.

Jasmine went nose to nose with her. “My involvement makes it an international incident, Sheriff. Be advised, my father will want a full report of the situation. Make sure you do it right! We were attacked! My honored friends, Mrs. Kent and Lana are missing! They said they’d call back! Stop with the games and get on with it!”

Lex and Clark looked at each other, relishing how their friend used her position as leverage to one-up the sheriff at her own game.

Sheriff Adams frowned, as she put her pad away. “I will get to the bottom of this. You can count on that!” With that, she led her deputy out the door.

Lex smirked. “Forget going back to Javalastan, Jasmine. I’m thinking of hiring you as my personal bodyguard.”

Jasmine shook her head at him. “Lex, that isn’t humorous at all! Our friends are gone! Clark, I need to talk with your father about this if I can.”

“Let’s go then,” Clark agreed. “Miri, can you drive us there?”

“I’ll have Abdul meet you there,” Lex indicated, as they left.

Chapter 3 [Kent Farm]

When the teenagers arrived, they found Jonathan talking with Sheriff Adams about the situation.

“Are you both all right?” the farmer asked.

“We’re fine, Dad,” Clark assured him. “Have they called?”

“Has who called?” Jonathan inquired.

“The kidnappers,” Miranda noted.

“We’ll be setting up a tap on the phone just in case,” the sheriff told them. “I’ll go and get the equipment.” With that, she got into her cruiser and left.

Jonathan watched her drive out of sight. Then he asked, “All right, kids. What happened?”

“Lex and I had just arrived at the Talon, Mr. Kent. Then six masked men used an explosive device to blow the door open,” Jasmine explained.

“They took Lana and Mom with them, Dad,” Clark added.

“What would they want with Lana and your mother?” Jasmine asked. “Certainly, you’ve done nothing wrong, Clark.”

Miranda scratched her head, recalling their run-ins with the Black Hand. They were from that gang! Could they have figured out who we were? She also remembered that the leader had used kryptonite on Clark and Lana. And if he has any more, we’re in for it.

At that moment, Lex’s Ferrari pulled up in the driveway.

“Any word, Lex?” Jonathan inquired.

“None as of yet,” the billionaire replied, making no attempt to hide his concern. “Mr. Kent, I have people looking for them. We’ll find them.”

“Your father’s relieved to know that you’re safe, Princess,” Abdul noted. “After this, I wish you would let me stay closer to you.”

Jasmine rolled her eyes. “You practically follow me like a watch dog as it is, Abdul! A girl needs her space!”

“It’s for the best—at least until these guys are taken care of,” Clark pointed out. He looked her in the eye. “Jasmine, you heard what they said in there. They’ll try again and you’re the next target.”

The Princess countered, “Clark, I’ve been a target for my entire life. Trust me; I’m not the helpless harem girl you all think I am.”

Recalling the scene at the airport from her arrival, the Kryptonian had to agree. She can handle herself. Still, to keep her secret, I have to deny it. “Just do us a favor. Go along with it…at least for now.” He sighed. “Bad enough that Lana’s missing. I don’t want any more of my friends in the line of fire. Please, Jasmine.”

Jasmine analyzed the look he was giving her. Allah, preserve me, he’s scared. Of course he is. The two most important women in his life are missing. “All right, Clark. I’ll do it.”

“Thank you,” he told her, feeling relieved.

At that moment, a red sports car pulled up and Chloe Sullivan jumped out.

“Chloe?” Clark asked, seeing the concerned expression on her face.

“What’s going on?” the Hazel Fury demanded, stalking right up to the group. “My Dad and I just received some sort of ransom call for Lana!”

Jonathan frowned. “Where’s your Dad, Chloe?”

“He’s waiting for Sheriff Adams. Talk about a major waste of time,” the reporter muttered.

Lex cleared his throat. “Chloe, the Talon was attacked this afternoon. Mrs. Kent and Lana were kidnapped by several masked goons in black. My people are tracing it now.”

Miri and Clark glanced at each other, already suspecting the Black Hand.

“We just can’t sit still!” Chloe pointed out.

“We don’t have a choice,” Miri disagreed. “I trust Mr. Luthor to get to the bottom of this mess.” And I hope my stepfather’s not involved in this situation. His stench is all over it.

“Jasmine, come on. We need to get you back to the mansion,” Lex declared.

“My friends, we’ll get them back,” the Princess assured them. Looking right at Clark, she added, “They’ll be safe or I’ll bring Papa’s influence down on their necks!” With that, she stormed off and got into the vehicle.

“Hang in there, Clark. If you need anything, let me know,” Lex offered, embracing the other man. “Chloe, I want you to follow us there.”

“I’m needed here, Luthor,” the reporter disagreed.

The billionaire glared at her. “As much as I usually relish the verbal judo, this isn’t the time for it.” His icy blue eyes flashed daggers at her before softening in intensity. “Besides…” He smirked. “You can snoop around online using my secured network.”

The reporter stared at him incredulously. “You’re serious? You’d let me use your top secret computer?”

“Normally, I wouldn’t let anyone in, Chloe. But this isn’t a normal time and frankly, given Sheriff Adams’ success rate, we need every advantage we can get. Your determination and investigative skills are what we need right now. Also, I can protect you and your father at the mansion. So how about it?” Lex explained.

She concurred instantly. “Absolutely. We’ll nail those creeps.” She turned to Clark and Miranda. “Don’t worry, guys. We’ll get them back.” She hugged them both tightly.

You have no idea how right you are. Clark stared intensely at his father. “Just stay safe, all right?”

“You too. Don’t do anything stupid, Clark,” Chloe concluded before walking to her car and getting in.

“You heard her,” Lex indicated. “That goes for all of you. I’ll let you know if I hear anything.” With that, he got into his Ferrari and took off, leading Chloe out of there.

After the two cars were out of sight, Jonathan complimented, “You’re showing great control, Clark. I’m proud of you.”

The young man protested, “Like that does us a lot of good! Mom and Lana are gone! We could be targets right now for the Black Hand!”

“Who?” his father inquired, giving them a focused stare of his own.

“The guys we ran into in Metropolis at the museum,” Miranda explained, running her hand through her hair. “Those goons were wearing their stuff.”

“Why didn’t you say anything to the police about this?” the farmer demanded.

She shook her head. “Mr. Kent, after that incident, Clark, Lana and I looked into the order. They’re an international criminal syndicate. This is much bigger than our own resident Inspector Clueless.”

“Did they see your faces at all?” Jonathan asked with concern; his paranoia over the shared secret kicking into overdrive.

“No, Dad, they didn’t,” Clark told him before heading off toward the barn.

The sensei added, “We need to get our heads on straight. I’ll go talk to him, Mr. Kent.”

“Thanks, Miranda. I’m glad you’re here right now for all of our sakes,” Jonathan expressed.

“You and me both,” Miranda concluded before heading after her good friend.

Chapter 4 [Luthor Castle—Three hours later]

After pulling into the mansion garage, Lex led the others into the ancient structure and up the stairs toward his study. As always in a crisis situation, his mind weighed all of the variables, taking in everything around them.

As they reached the study, Jasmine excused herself. “Everyone, I want to call my father in private. Lex, can I use the phone in my room for that?”

He looked strangely at her. She can do that in here. What’s the deal? “Sure, Jasmine. We’ll let you know what we find.”

As she headed down the hall, she passed by Gabe Sullivan. “Mr. Sullivan, are you all right?”

“I’d be better if I knew where Lana and Martha Kent were, Princess,” he admitted. “Are you okay?”

“I need to speak with my father first. Then I’ll join you all in the study,” she told him, heading into her room.

He headed for the study, walking in there to find Lex, Chloe and Abdul conferring over the former’s thinkpad. “Anything?”

“Not yet. My contact says that they could be affiliated with any one of several known crime syndicates or terrorist groups. We’ll find them though,” the billionaire declared.

“I’m not leaving my friends in the hands of those creeps,” Chloe asserted, as she kept probing the Internet connections.

“By the time the Sultan learns of this incident, he’ll bring his full diplomatic influence into it as well,” Abdul asserted.

“Oh great. He’ll think we’re not taking care of her,” Lex groused.

The bodyguard disagreed, “No, Mr. Luthor, when I talked to him about it, he was grateful that the Princess was all right and safely here. He’s grateful to you and young Mr. Kent for keeping her from danger.”

I’m sure Clark’s thinking about keeping Lana out of danger. Cut it out, Lex. “That’s good at least. Well, let’s keep going.”

“Absolutely,” Chloe agreed, thinking up search strategies.

*****

Meantime, Jasmine entered her bedroom door and closed it behind her. She rubbed her forehead, trying to deal with the stress surrounding the incident. I should call Papa but Abdul told him I’m all right.

She heard the chattering from the corner cage.

“Hi, Cocoa. I’m fine. Yes, yes…it was all too exciting,” she informed her small furry companion.

The monkey responded with more chattering.

“Yes, we will do something,” she agreed, sitting on the bed and looking at her hands. Since coming to America, she had worn long sleeves and her bracelets to cover her arms and wrists. “It’s time to bring the others in, no?”

Cocoa did a close imitation of a human nod—something learned from watching the visitors to the Sultan’s court.

She undid the left bracelet and rolled up the sleeve. There she saw the familiar tattoo of a sunburst with an open eye in the middle. The Black Hand strikes again. It is time to let the others know. I will do so in the closet since the cameras will see me. She entered the big walk in closet and shut the door behind her. After making sure that no bugs were in there, she took out her cell phone and dialed a secure access number.

<Yes?> a voice answered in Arabic.

<Rajah, this is the White Dove. When the stars are in the sky…> she replied.

<…the moon light is bright,> Rajah answered. <White Dove, we saw the report. You are unhurt, are you not?>

<Yes. Two of my friends were taken by the ingrates,> she reported.

<Calm yourself, White Dove. The Black Hand’s movements are tracked as we speak. Are you ready to move?> Rajah replied.

<Yes, I am. We must preserve the emirate, as well as the world order. Have you found the men here who’s allied with the Hand?>

<Not yet. We are working on that as well. When the women are found, you will be notified. Rajah out,> he concluded.

I’m not going to allow Lana or Mrs. Kent to get hurt because of some political turmoil. Jasmine stewed, wishing she could do something more. At least, my brethren are working on this mess. When they call, I’ll be ready. Now to call Papa.

With that, she dialed again, hoping to get to her father. When he answered, she breathed a sigh of relief and reassured him that everything was all right. After she hung up, she plopped on the bed and looked at the ceiling. Now that business is taken care of, I can wait for the signal. Nobody harms my friends and gets away with it. Nobody.

Chapter 5

[Black Hand Headquarters, Warehouse—Metropolis Waterfront]

Even as Jasmine spoke with her brethren, a dark blue van pulled up beside a run down warehouse adjacent to the docks. It had been a hasty ride from Smallville, mixing speed with the need to evade the authorities.

“We’re here,” the leader indicated, opening his door and getting out. “Move ‘em out!”

His accomplices stood up from their seats. Half of them got out and flanked the vehicle, pointing automatic weapons at it. The others urged their two victims out with the ends of their guns. “Move it!”

Lana glared at her captors. Even though her hands were tied, she could have dealt with these creeps easily. “Take it easy.”

“Lana, don’t,” Martha told her.

“Listen to her, Sweets,” the leader agreed, opening up the back. “Come on!”

The goons led their captives into the warehouse and down several sets of stairs until they reached the basement. Walking through a door, they found themselves in a large echoing chamber. Along the walls, several computer terminals hummed away busily, tracking global data.

In the center of this activity, a masked figure surveyed all. Seeing the newcomers, the person asked, “Are these the ones that our ally wanted?”

“Yes, High Leader,” the chief goon replied. “It was easier than we thought. The Kent boy didn’t resist. I wish he would have tried something. What a weakling.”

I bet you would. Weakling indeed. Lana frowned.

Lana Lang, be careful, Jor-El’s voice advised from within her head.

“Lock them in the guest room,” High Leader commanded, pointing toward the small room off to the side. “There’s a call I need to make. Good job, all of you.” With that, the masked figure left for the stairs.

*****

After the door closed, Martha and Lana looked around at their cramped quarters. Other than two rickety wooden chairs, the room was devoid of any furnishings.

“They don’t care if we’re comfortable, do they?” Lana groused.

“Somehow, I don’t think that’s their first priority,” Martha presumed, settling on the floor. “Why don’t you sit down and cool off?”

“I wish I could do something,” the teenager complained.

Martha shook her head. “There’s no telling what they have out there, Lana. All we can do is relax and not do anything rash. Knowing Clark and Lex, they’re hot on our trail.”

Lana managed a smile. “I’m sure he is.” And hopefully, Jor-El’s advising him to stay calm.

As I am with you, Lana Lang, the deceased Kryptonian pointed out.

Clark, I wish you were here. With that, she slumped to the ground, resting her back against the wall and trying to consider their situation.

*****

[Lionel Luthor’s office, LuthorCorp]

Lionel sifted through a pile of field reports concerning LuthorCorp’s activities in Smallville and Granville. The cloning operations continue along in fine fashion. Hopefully this time we won’t repeat the Emily Dinsmore debacle. Lex is a fool. He doesn’t understand the need to step over the ants to advance one’s cause.

Then the phone rang.

“Yes?”

“Lionel, this is High Leader. Phase 1 is complete,” High Leader reported.

The businessman smiled wickedly. “And you have both women?”

“They’re locked away for safe keeping. When do we send out the demand?”

“Let the Kents sweat a bit. I’d say tomorrow morning,” Lionel responded. “Meantime, keep an eye on our guests, will you? I can arrange for some food to be sent over if you’d like.”

“Do that. Very well, we shall contact the farmer in the morning. Good night,” High Leader concluded, hanging up the phone.

Lionel grinned. “Yes. This is going very well—very well indeed.”

Chapter 6 [Several hours later]

Jasmine sat on her bed, still fuming over the kidnapping incident. While the others worked away on tracing the Internet trail on the American side, she knew her contacts were laboring on the same issue from the Javalastanian side. “Hopefully, someone will know something soon.”

Less than five minutes later, her cell phone buzzed again.

As with before, she walked into the closet and shut it behind her. <Rajah, this is White Dove.>

<The sun shines high….>

She continued, <In its blue nest of sky. What have you discovered?>

The agent on the other end reported, <Your friends are being held in Metropolis waterfront district. We’re working on getting an exact fix on their location.>

<That’s great. Can you get me out of here?> she inquired, knowing the cameras would be watching her every move.

<In a minute. Be careful, White Dove. Five minutes and then—you have to move. Rajah out,> Rajah concluded.

Jasmine changed into her dark robes and wrapped her face in a black scarf. After rigging her bed with pillows to make it seem like she was sleeping there, she opened the doors to the outside terrace. “I’ll be back soon, Cocoa. Be good.” With that, she pulled her magic carpet outside. After shutting the doors behind her, she took off into the night sky. I wonder if Clark has found out anything?

Thinking of the farm boy, she turned Carpet toward the Kent Farm and streaked there at top speed.

****

[Fortress of Solitude—Five minutes earlier]

Clark paced about length of the loft, trying to come up with a plan to rescue his mother and girlfriend. He ran through several different scenarios in his head. While each looked promising at the start, he could see heavy risks as well.

Calm yourself, Kal-El, they are all right for now.

“They’ve been kidnapped, are who-knows-where and you say they’re fine?” Clark protested vehemently. “Come on!”

And what do you propose? You would charge in, wouldn’t you? Don’t you remember what happened the last time you and Lana did that?

He grit his teeth while recalling the standoff in the museum. They know about the kryptonite.

Exactly. They know our weakness and they’ll use it against you. Jor-El went silent for a minute. Trust in your friends, Kal-El.

“I thought you didn’t trust Earth people,” Clark supposed, somewhat sarcastically.

You have a special group surrounding you. They care about our culture, you and Lana. Trust in them…. With that, the Voice went silent.

“I would like to,” Clark sighed.

“Like to do what, Clark?” Miranda asked, coming up the stairs. “Sorry, I was about to knock. Is there anyone else up here?”

“Not now,” he replied. “My biological father was giving me advice.” He pointed to his head.

She looked at him curiously. In the four months that she had lived with the Kents, she had heard that he had these conversations in his head. “I wish my real father could talk to me like that.”

“It’s not all it’s cracked up to be,” he retorted wearily. “We’re sort of getting used to each other.”

She wanted to press the point further but let it drop due to the circumstances. I’ll find you someday, Mama and Daddy. Then she turned her attention back to the crisis at hand. “They’ll be all right, Clark.”

“I know. Jor-El just said as much. He also warned me not to go charging in,” he recounted.

“I agree,” she concurred. “We can go in as a team.”

“We? What we?” he inquired. “Miri, I don’t want everyone knowing the Secret, all right?”

She rolled her eyes. “It’s not like people don’t know now, Clark. And we do have some pretty good help among those who do know.”

“Like who? Granted, Lex and Chloe are plugging away at the Internet end of things but we can’t just walk into the Black Hand’s place and just say ‘Hi! You have some friends of ours. Give them back or we’ll kick your tail.’,” he retorted.

“I know that, Clark. Still, between Byron, Sasha, you and me, we might be able to pull it off,” she declared.

“Miri, we don’t know how many creeps they have in there!” he protested.

[At that moment, he could have sworn he heard Lana’s voice in his head. I wish he could hear me.]

He looked around frantically. “What the?”

“What?” Miri asked. “Clark, what is it?”

“I could have sworn I heard her,” he noted. Now I’m hearing things. Great….

[Clark? Lana’s voice asked inside of his head. Is that you?]

“There she is again!” he stated.

“There who is? Clark, there’s nobody up here but us,” Miri informed him.

[He put his hand up. If that’s you, are you and Mom okay?]

[A minute later, Lana responded, Uh yeah…we’re fine. What is this, Clark?]

You’re both experiencing Kryptonian telepathy, Jor-El explained over their shared link.

This is supposed to happen? Clark and Lana wondered.

It is part of your development—yes.

Clark listened intently, trying to understand this new development.

“Uh, Clark—Earth to Clark, come in, Clark,” Miri interjected, tapping him on the shoulder. “What’s going on in there?”

“Lana and Mom are okay,” he told her.

“Of course they are,” she agreed.

“No, Miri, you don’t get it. Lana just told me that she’s okay,” he insisted.

“Uh, Clark, she’s not exactly here….I know you do all of these cool things but read minds?” she asked skeptically.

“Not all minds—just Kryptonian ones,” he declared.

“Lana’s from around here,” Miri argued.

“Since she went after me last summer, she’s been Kryptonian,” he indicated.

“This wouldn’t have anything to do with that ship thing, would it?” she asked pointedly. When he looked at her, she continued, “She told me in secret and I’ve kept it, Clark. Nobody else knows.”

“The spaceship changed her,” he admitted.

[Clark, who are you talking to? Lana asked in his head.]

[It’s Miri.]

[Okay, she told him, reassured over his keeping their secret safe.]

At that moment, he heard something rustle outside of the Loft’s door. “What the? Miri, I…uh…will be back in a minute. I gotta get something for Dad.” He ran down the stairs, as his eyes watched the open door. What could it be? Once he was out of sight, he streaked around the corner and stopped at the sight above him.

Jasmine hovered on a carpet just under the Loft door and out of sight for anyone up there.

“Hey!” he yelled. “What are you doing there?”

The figure stared at him anxiously but said nothing—shocked that he could be there so quickly.

“Come on. Meet me in the Loft,” he told her.

She nodded and flew through the open door.

As he reached the top of the stairs, he demanded, “How long have you been there?”

“Just a couple of minutes. I’m sorry, Clark, I came over because I was concerned about Lana and your mother is all,” the Princess admitted. “Carpet was the only way I could get past Lex’s security.”

“I can’t believe flying carpets really exist,” Miranda doubted.

“Or spaceships for that matter,” Jasmine rebutted, looking at them both.

He rolled his eyes. I can’t believe this. Oh man, Dad’s going to kill me. He started thinking of a story to deflect his alien heritage.

She shook her head. “Clark, your secret is safe with me if you’ll keep my flying carpet a secret.”

He looked curiously at the Princess. “I have a confession to make—I’ve known about that for a while now.”

Now it was her turn to stare at him. “How could you have…?” Then it hit her. “The two masked heroes at the airport on the night of my arrival. You were one of them!”

“Yeah,” he admitted uncomfortably. “We couldn’t let anything happen to you or Lex.”

“And who’s your partner?” she asked.

“Pardon me if I hold that back,” he said, trying to leave Lana out of the conversation if possible.

“Jasmine, quit pushing,” Miranda urged, sensing that the other woman was getting too close for comfort.

I heard that comment about Lana but I’ll leave it alone. “Fine. I don’t want to scare you, Clark. By the way, I’m different too.” She touched the floor in front of her, turning the surface of the wood to glue. “You remember that, don’t you?”

“That’s how you did that,” he realized, understanding now that she was unique too.

“Yes. I understand what it means to be different, guys. As I said before, I swear to take your secret to the grave with me. Tell your partner that. By the way, can we get him or her to help us?”

“The other’s on vacation,” he replied, thinking on his feet.

Jasmine eyed them both with interest but said nothing. Now I know that it’s Lana. “If you want to get them out, I have some information.”

Clark and Miranda looked at her. “How?”

The Princess smirked. “I have my connections, you know. It helps when you have a sultan for a father.” After touching the floor again and changing it back to normal, she sat down on the couch. “According to my sources, Lana and your mother are being held in a warehouse down on the Metropolis waterfront. We’ll need to be careful because the Black Hand is behind this.”

The other two nodded.

“Given that you’ve got your stuff, Clark, can you track them?” Jasmine wondered.

“I don’t have that kind of a bond with her,” he lied, not wanting to tell her about the telepathic link just yet.

“Too bad because we could have used that,” Jasmine told them. “We’re going to be heavily outnumbered—almost 20 to 1 in there.”

“I would say so,” Miranda concurred, recalling the museum incident. “Can we call for backup?”

“I don’t want anyone knowing I have Carpet!” she protested.

“Stay masked and it’ll be all right,” Clark pointed out. “We’re talking about Byron Moore and Sasha Woodman is all.”

“Byron?” Jasmine doubted, giggling. “I’m sorry, my friends, but he’s so gentle! What could he do to the Black Hand?”

Clark and Miranda looked at each other, not knowing how to tell her.

Finally Miri reported, “Let’s say Byron has a dark side and you don’t want to run into it in a dark alley.” She took out her cell phone and dialed the poet’s number. For two minutes, she talked into the phone, explaining the situation. Then, after she hung up, she noted, “We can meet him at the Talon.”

“What about this Sasha?” Jasmine inquired, not trusting the other two yet.

“Leave her to me,” he indicated, streaking off into the night. Within five minutes, he returned.

“That was amazing!” Jasmine gasped.

“Part of the package,” he quipped. “Sasha will help us too. She’ll meet us at the Talon too. How fast can Carpet go?”

“About 60 miles per hour,” she revealed. “Clark, if they know about your abilities—masked or not—they’ll be ready for you to speed up to the gate. They saw you as did I use that at the airport.”

Miranda concurred, “She’s got a point, Clark. They’ll be ready for me too.”

“You?” Jasmine wondered.

“The multi-level black belt ninja here has gotten me out of trouble before,” he noted appreciatively. “Trust me; you don’t want to mess with her.”

“Especially where Lana and Mrs. Kent are concerned,” the sensei advised. “I’ll grab my gear and we can take off before your Dad gets back from the Sullivans.”

“I’ll leave a note so he won’t ground us when we get back,” he volunteered.

“You do that,” his housemate teased. “Super stud here has to be careful, Jasmine.” With that, she hurried downstairs and out to her vehicle. Grabbing her gear, she ducked back into the barn where she changed into her ninja robes and prepared her weapons. “Clark! Get that note ready!”

“Right,” he agreed, speeding into the house and writing the note. A minute later, he returned in his disguise with the mask pulled up so they could see his face. “Ready!”

“Let’s go,” Jasmine urged, motioning them onto Carpet and taking off into the night.

*****

[Talon—Ten minutes later]

Byron stood out in front of the café, waiting for a sign of Clark or Miranda. He had felt tremors lately from his alter ego, the dark one inside of himself, and knew he was primed for a confrontation. “When are they going to get here?” he muttered. Seeing Sasha approaching, he asked, “Talon’s closed, you need something?”

“I might ask you the same thing,” she replied sharply, adjusting her glasses and giving him a pointed stare. “I’m waiting for someone.”

“Me too,” he declared, looking around to make sure they weren’t being followed.

“Yeah, I’d hate to see you getting stood up,” she supposed, recalling the stories of his condition.

“That’s an understatement,” he agreed. Then he saw Clark hustle over. “Clark, what’s going on? Miranda said it was urgent.”

“Is everyone okay?” Sasha added. Granted, she had been in ultra-competitive mode during freshman year but she was over that now.

“So far,” Clark indicated. “Follow me.” He led them to where Miranda and Jasmine waited; the latter already masking her face. “Our back up.”

“Thanks, guys,” Miranda expressed.

“No problem,” Byron assured them. “Where’s our ride?”

Jasmine pointed down silently at Carpet.

“Right—a flying carpet?” Sasha doubted.

“Try it,” Miranda told her.

As soon as they got on the fabric, Jasmine focused, sending them skyward and speeding toward the big city.

Clark looked down and gulped. Granted, he still had his fear of heights but Lana’s safety in addition to his mother took precedence in his mind. Hang on; we’re coming to get you out.

Go onto Part 2