63 63 - Cover

Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it. ( Psalms 34: 14)

*****

Lois looked at her watch, her foot tapping on the pavement.

"We could have gone with the reporting team, Lois," A male voice spoke to her. "Perry insisted that we don't delay."

Lois turned to the tall man wearing thick glasses. The combed hair and big shirt making him seem like a nerd.

"Clark, I understand Perry's insistence, but just trust my judgment."

"But we can't-VRRRRRRRRRRRRMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM*

An engine roar interrupted Clark. Both looked up to see a small car drifting through as it turned around the corner. The black MINI came straight for them, braked and drifted, parking itself before them. The smoked and the wind it was gather pushed against Clark and Lois, messing their hair up.

The window then rolled and a familiar face peeked out.

"Need a ride?" Zion asked.

"You are late," Lois commented and walked to the passenger seat while Clark was forced to take the back. The big guy had to strain to get in a bit, the car was a bit small.

"I apologize, I was a bit busy." Zion pulled the car to out, "Gotham, for cover."

Lois put her seatbelt and pulled her note pad. "Yes, things are getting interesting in the city of brooding crime."

Zion nodded and drove the car slowly though the packed road. Everyone was going everywhere. His small car was inconspicuous among the big one, especially the black and gold theme.

"The new takeover really attracting much attention," Zion commented.

"It is," Lois replied and turned to him, "I assume, you know many things."

"Me? What would I know?" Zion smiled and looked at the rearveiw mirror. "I am just a normal guy, aren't I, Clark?

"Huh.." Clark flinched at the sudden question.

"A normal guy who wears one of the most powerful devices on the planet," Lois stated. "You should know many things, Mr. Nion."

Zion turned to Lois, he showed no surprised that Lois found his identity but a small smile. "How did you know? I though you were bad with secret identities."

"Well, I don't know anyone else who wears the same watch as yours." Lois pointed to the Omnitrix. "And it was easy to figure the identity when already you know the person."

Zion looked to Clark, "Really?"

Clark just returned a look that said, "Really?"

"I didn't become one of the best due to luck." Lois replied.

Zion just shook his head, a laughter escaping his lips. "I think Clark would refute that claim. Don't you, Clark?"

"Well... She does miss clues here and there," Clark answered, trying to shift the attention, gaining a glare from Lois.

"We will talk about that later, Clark. But Zion," Lois turned to Zion. "You won't mind answering my questions in the place of Nion."

"I don't mind answering a friend," Zion replied, stopping at red.

"So, you won't give me an exclusive?" Lois asked.

"Can't," Zion answered. "If I did, you would have a target on your head."

"I already have many with my exclusives with Superman," Lois commented. "On that note, do you know where Lex is? He has not made any appearance since your appearance."

Zion pressed the accelerator, "He is imprisoned on Mars."

Lois looked to Zion, her eyes sharp, "Keep him there."

"You really hate the guy that much?" Zion asked jokingly.

"He is an arrogant asshole," Lois stated.

"No cursing, Lois," Zion stated. "But I understand you."

Lois just shook her head, "So, why did you decided to take over the World?"

Zion turned to her, "Who is asking? Lois or Ms. Lane."

"Both," Lois answered.

Zion turned right, looking at the civilians. "Funny thing, I wasn't even planning to."

Lois lifted a brow, "What do you mean?"

Zion turned to Lois, "It wasn't in my plan to conquer the world. It was mostly spur of the moment decision. I was only preparing to fight the invasion that was coming."

"Invasion, the ones who came out the portal," Lois pointed.

She vividly remembered the night of meteor shower and the earth shaking battle. She was also the first to rush to the dock to get a coverage.

"Yes," Zion answered. "I was preparing to fight them, and to fight a war, you need soldiers. I went to Mars to built my army then one led to another and now, I am the king of the earth."

"Domino," Lois commented.

Zion smiled, "Basically."

"Why start with Gotham, not the whole world?" Clark asked from the back.

"I don't have enough force to do so," Zion answered. "I am alone on this."

"What of your soldiers?" Lois asked, she had seen those giant humanoids blasting lasers.

Zion shook his head. "They are a very advanced lifeforms and they don't like violence, unless invoked. They like to just chill at home and I am not going to make them do something they don't want to."

"You care for them more than humans," Clark pointed.

"I do," Zion agreed, he did care for them more. "They are socially advance than Humans and they are more capable than human. They don't fight against each other or try to kill each other for a plot of land."

"A peaceful yet powerful race," Lois simplified.

"They are," Zion agreed. "They only fought in war because I asked them to and it was a needed help. Those Parademons would have collapsed cities and raided human for their flesh."

"What happened to the guy you fought?" Lois asked.

"He escaped," Zion tightened his grip on the steering wheel. "I was so close to ending him, an annoying idiot save him." Zion let out a loud breath, calming his annoyance.

"You didn't follow?" Lois asked.

Zion shook his head, "Waste of time and he will return anyway. I see no point in chasing him."

"He will return?" Clark asked, a bit urged.

"Yes," Zion answered, "He will come for earth again, and again, until he is dead or he gets what he wants."

"Which is?" Lois asked.

"Dominion over all life form in the universe," Zion answered. "He is just annoying, let's move on."

Clark just leaned back in thought, while Lois looked at her notepad and turned to Zion. "Okay then, let me ask the questions I wanted to. Why harsher punishments?"

"To invoke fear, harsher punishment means less would try to commit crime."

"Death sentence."

"For heinous crimes, sometime you got to compromise to keep your home safe."

"Weapons permit."

"Psychological deterrence, the possible retaliation will deter criminals from committing it."

"I love free health care, but what of medical drugs? Will they be free?"

"Not for now. I plan of taking that from private companies in the future. No one should profit from people dying," Zion answered as he took the direct road out of Metropolis.

Lois nodded, "Why make education free? Don't you think that people will appreciate it less since its free."

"Maybe, but I am not making it free for those that want to laze around, but for people who want to grow," Zion increased the speed slowly.

Lois just smiled, she was expecting that. "What about poverty then?"

"People don't need free food, they need opportunity to feed themselves."

"Election."

"Controlled. People will vote for those that will guide them to better future. When people know what a good leader looks like, they will recognize the bad once."

"Legal age."

"I don't like how you all just kick your children out of your house thinking society would make them grownups. Grow up, we already got too many idiots on the street."

"Abortion, I can't say I am on that one. What if the girl was raped?"

"I understand that this will be both burdening for the child and the Mother. So, she can. However, what in the case of just hooking up? I can't allow people to just kill children because they wanted to enjoy themselves. They decided to have sex, so bear the responsibility."

"But don't you think that it will burden a women to bear the children in case the father wants the child?"

"Didn't they both agree to have sex? So why is it only woman who have the right to decided? Thought about that? It takes two to tango."

"I got no comments, but I do like that the single mothers will get support. Next, Shelters and Sentinels."

"Sentinels will be my main force here on earth. They will make sure that people are judged correctly and no innocent is punished. I am not going to make laws stricter without giving a way for a person to prove themselves.

And, Shelters will function the same as any other shelter, but it is also for people who wants support but are afraid to ask. Police might need proof, but I don't, my sentinels could find proof. There won't be any worry over lack of response."

"You deployed them yet?"

Zion shook his head, "Not yet, I need to meet with Commissioner Gordon. The sentinels are mostly support for the police, they won't take away their job. So, I need to be there when the assign the police officers."

"You got many plans," Lois stated.

"I do, always." Zion replied.

"What do the people think?" Lois asked.

"Isn't that for you to find out?" Zion smiled. "I don't need to worry about people hating me. People hate change, but I hope you show the true side of my cause."

Lois made a contemplating face, "Which is?"

"Justice always prevails," Zion quoted.

They crossed the Welcome sign of Gotham, entering the Gothic monolith. The Lois might not have noticed due to how smooth the ride was, but Zion was breaking many speed limits.

"Where do I drop you?" Zion asked.

"Anywhere in the suburb," Lois replied. "We want to asked the citizens on their view of the matter. And again, I wanted to ask if you will give us protection."

"Come on, you got a big man in the back," Zion joked.

"Clark? I am sure he would faint at a bloody knife," Lois countered.

Zion wiggled his eyebrows as he spoke, "You might not know who the hero is, your knight always accompanies in the shadow.." Zion slowed down and parked the car.

"Thanks," Lois said, "I will make sure that people understand."

"Well, appreciated." Zion replied.

Lois got out of the car and quickly moved to fight her first victim, while Clark pushed himself out of the car. After fighting for a moment, he finally pulled himself out.

"Thanks for ride," Clark stated.

"Hey, Clark," Zion called and extended an envelop to Clark.

Clark looked at the envelope, scanning it with his X-ray vision. He saw a two crystal rings of different size and a folded invite with "JL" on it. "What is this?"

Zion had a very disappointed face, "Stop being a nerd and ask her out. Trust me, she will understand. As for the invite, think about it." Zion threw the envelope at Clark and drove away.

"Clark," Lois called, already talking to a woman.

"Coming," Clark answered and put the envelope in his bag before joking toward Lois.

...

Zion looked at the rearveiw mirror and shook his head. He could only push, Clark need to take the step.

["Hey, we got guests."] Zai's voice came from the radio.

"Who?"

["Lanterns"]

"They are late," Zion commented.

["I wish they were not here."]

"Why?" Zion chuckled.

["Hal brought people who are dumb as him. They are demanding to meet you immediately."]

"Who are the one arrived?" Zion asked.

["Kilowog, Senistro, Boodikka"]

"They sent the heavy hitters," Zion muttered, "Ask them to wait, I got better things to do."