Title: Ambience
Series/Sequel: Core/Kidnapped
Author: Lydia
Pairing(s): Clark/Lex
Category: AU
Disclaimers: Smallville characters not mine. *sniffle*
Rating: PG-13
Author's Notes: Hope to get some more up soon. :)
Clark had finally settled everything down with his parents, all of
them deciding that they would stay at the castle with the children
until his return. He promised to call them, and they said they would
relay news to him when he did.
He headed to the airport (he was going as Clark Kent in hopes of
attracting certain attention) and settled in for the flight. He must
have napped because one of the attendants shook him awake gently when
the plane was about the land. 10 hours from Metropolis to Hungary non-
stop had left him stiff and hungry despite the meals provided.
Clark squinted in the sunlight that shone brightly after the dark
interior of the airplane. He walked into the airport and retrieved
his belongings before calling a cab to take him to the hotel. When he
got to his room he tipped the bellhop and headed downstairs to eat.
Once he got back to his room he stretched out on the bed to sleep and
get his equilibrium in sync with Hungary.
'A couple of hours and then I can begin the search for Lex.'
*
Agent Kyle Jeffery looked up from his pretend reading of a paper,
when a tall dark haired man with glasses entered the little caf�.
'Is
that...? I don't believe it. It's Clark Kent. Why hasn't command kept
an eye on him?! His presence could disrupt everything.' Though Clark
blended in with the crowd, he stood out like a sore thumb to Jeffery
since he knew him from several encounters.
He waved the waitress over and asked her to send an invitation to the
tall man to sit with him. When she did and Clark turned and saw him
he nodded to her and she led him to the table. When she took his
order for coffee (spoken in perfect Hungarian dialect Jeffery
noticed) and returned with it a minute later Jeffery started talking.
"I'm wondering what you're doing possibly endangering situation with
your presence. I know your smarter that that Kent."
Clark sipped at his coffee and glanced around then back at
Jeffery. "Well considering that your men have no observational, or
discretionary skills whatsoever, I'm thinking that you are the
liability to Lex. Who set your team up?"
Kyle stiffened and glared momentarily before laughing it
off. "General Taylor, and its none of your concern really. And what
are you doing? Playing boy scout?"
"Actually I have contacts in Hungary and the locals know exactly
what's going on. General Taylor? It sounds like him to send you in
here so ill prepared. That and the fact that there's no love lost
between him and Lex. Oh by the way two of your men are drawing
unnecessary attention to themselves by the window, another man is by
the bar, and one last is leaning against a pole outside reading a
paper. If I can call out your men, how much harder is it for the
locals? They don't get many tourists around this area. Don't mess
this up Jeffery. Besides what was your game plan? Find out where
they're keeping him and run in guns blazing?"
Jeffery glanced surreptitiously at his team and knew that Kent had
recognized them all correctly. He smirked suddenly turning all his
attention to Clark. "Actually that was most of the plan. If Lex
becomes a liability we have authority to take him out."
Clark's back stiffened and his face became a mask of frigidness that
even a combat, and experienced man like Jeffery shivered. Even though
Clark was seeing red and wanted to punch the smug off of Jeffery's
face, he knew to play it cool and by the book, or he'd get
nowhere. "On who's authority?"
"The General has pushed the order through, and it's been approved as
a last option."
"So the President knows of the order? If I call him and inform him of
it he'll be able to tell me he has seen, read, and signed it?"
Jeffery looked out the window and then back to Clark. "All I know is
that we have the minimum approval needed to carry out that option if
it needs to be taken." He looked slightly uncomfortable and Clark
picked up on that immediately and pulled out his phone. He hit a
button and the phone was answered by CoS McDougal.
"McDougal? Yeah it's Clark. I have an agent here who informed me that
they have approval to shoot CoD Luthor. Really. I didn't think so,
but I would like confirmation from the President if that's alright.
Thanks I'll wait." He watched Jeffery closely as he was put on hold
and relished in the way the man shifted uncomfortably.
"Mr. President? I apologize for taking up some of your time, but I'd
like to hear from you if CoD Luthor's elimination has been authorized
for the deployment unit, headed by Agent Jeffery. Of course. Yes sir
he is. Thank you sir." He held the phone out to Jeffery who eyed it
warily before taking it from him.
"Mr. President. Yes sir. Of course sir. I'll modify the orders
immediately sir. Thank you sir. Good evening." He hung up and handed
the phone back to Clark. Clark watched him pull out a phone and saw
the agent outside pick his up. Jeffrey changed their orders, flipped
the phone shut, and sat back. He looked up at Clark and smirked.
"This mission is still ours Kent. You're endangering the situation
because of your attachment to the hostage, but you can play boy scout
if you want. Just don't get in our way." With that he got up and left
paying his bill. His agents followed soon after and Clark watched as
they disappeared in the crowd.
He sat patiently sipping his coffee, and ordered a slice of pecan pie
to go with it. Soon a skittish dark haired man sat opposite Clark and
threw him a smile under a tilted hat.
"Clark. It's good to see you again."
"Giles. Thanks for doing me this favor."
"No problem. After all you did save me out of a bad situation. What
information can I provide you with?"
"You know my husband was captured by a radical cell?" Giles nodded
and glanced around quickly. "I'd like to know what the cell wants,
why they have my husband, and where they are."
"Not who?"
Clark smiled softly and shrugged. "Don't want to put you in
unnecessary danger to find out particulars. Do you know about
anything that I asked now?"
"I do know the cell that has your mate. They are a low profile, yet
powerful unit. They deal in weapons artillery, and have been backed
by old money for years. No one has been able to bring them down for
lack of evidence. They have been trying to expand to the U.S., but
have been unable due to the restricted trade laws the President has
enacted. Laws that your mate has put into motion I might add. I
believe he knew the dangers of trade of military weapons, that
illegal weapons could be smuggled easily with the equipment,
especially since his father had dealing with them at one time. Your
government would never be able to keep track of such dealings. My
guess is that they are going to use Mr. Luthor to change the laws, or
force the President to take a course of action that could lead us to
war, and destroy the world."
"Destroy the world?"
"I mentioned before that this cell was backed by old money. They also
have old connections, who in turn have quite dangerous weapons.
Weapons of mass destruction, chemicals that could be used to kill
countless innocent people. Things that would destroy our humanity.
They have been building their arsenal and soldiers for years. If the
President reacts in an aggressive way the fanaticals could retaliate
with a force that your President wouldn't be able to be prepared
for." Clark was very still for several moments.
"No one even knew to watch this corner of the world, except Lex. And
now he's paying for restraining them with that knowledge. I've got to
get to him. Do you have any idea where their base might be?"
"Clark to be honest even if I knew, it'd be very difficult to
penetrate their base of operations. They are well hidden, and well
defended. The agents your government sent, will not be able to do
anything for Mr. Luthor. I doubt you will either."
"I still have to try Giles. My husband is in a hostile environment,
and he's in a...delicate physical state. I don't want careless idiots
near my mate before me. If you have any information please let me
know."
Giles sighed and sat back while sipping his coffee. He studied Clark
carefully before nodding. "Perhaps if anyone can save your husband
its you. Perhaps your friend Superman can help you and stop this mess
before it begins." He told Clark all he knew about the cell's
whereabouts, and they left parting company at the door soon after.
Jeffrey sat listening to the exchange from a bug under the table,
while sitting in a van on a side street. He glanced at Agent Fierce
and nodded. The van started up and they went back to the hotel, where
their operations were to be discussed. 'You turned out to be the
idiot Clark Kent.' Jeffrey's thought while he sat back and sent the
information he received to his superior. Little did he know that the
signal was being retransmitted to a secret base in Hungary.
*
Lex's shaking was barely susceptible, and none of the men near him
noticed. Lex reined in his reaction and breathed deeply since he knew
he was being watched carefully. Rows, upon rows of weapons sat in a
warehouse, while men unpacked them carefully lying them on the
conveyer belts that ended at truck-fulls of artillery for the
soldiers waiting outside to collect.. Lex was shown the other side of
the hanger as they walked down the grates around the warehouse.
They were able to look down into a room, where several men were in
protective gear. On a large table, were several warheads and missiles
being assembled painstakingly piece by piece.
"They've been working to complete these for several years. We have
finally collected all parts needed and they are finishing the last
touches. I say in a couple of days. No that you have motivation to do
as I ask, perhaps we should have a serious discussion of my terms.
You will relay them to your arrogant President."
Lex simply stared at the weapons of mass destruction below him then
at the man beside him. "Was my father involved in any of this?"
"Lionel? Well we did business, after all he had to have the best
didn't he. But these particular beauties, no he didn't." Lex sighed
softly in relief and then turned to Mr. Right.
"I must say that the President will most likely call you on a bluff.
He has little to go on about this area without me there to coach him.
If he doesn't open free trade I ask that you not take severe action.
It's not worth going to war, materially, or for the image you want to
convey."
"What makes you think I care what people see me as? As for wealth,
well it'll be worth it. For the things I ask will open an avenue that
will keep generations of my family on the 'high life'. My people will
prosper with the money trading will bring to us. As for severe
action, perhaps I'll start somewhere small. But I suggest you
convince your Leader to conform to my wishes, or he may find his
mouth full of ashes, and nose overwhelmed with decaying flesh, and
eyes filled with destruction. You are a smart man Lex Luthor. Make it
happen."
A guard came up to them and whispered into the mad man's ear. Rights
frowned, and nodded before gesturing to his men, and associates. He
turned to Lex and smiled sickeningly. "Mr. Luthor it looks as if we
may be having company that you're familiar with. This just gives more
in my favor every minute. Take this as a sign that what I'm doing is
right."
With that he turned and walked away, his associates following him
with Lex being pushed behind. 'Clark I really could use your help