So there it is.

Obvious?
Reasonable?
Plausable?
Ridiculous?
Other? (If you think it is awful, and feel inclined ot share with my why you feel that way, feel free to PM me. )

My thanks to everyone that stuck it out through the story and to IolantheAlias and Morgana for top-notch beta duty.

Comments here, please.

Bob

I was beginning to think that the big problem with Dr. Mendenhall's plan was the SM=CK angle. At some level it seems odd that Mendenhall did not try to turn Lois against Superman as well, but I guess in theory reprograming of thought is more effective if one limits the goals and messages presented.

I liked Dr. Klein's explanation of the changes being superficial and not permanent.

Dr. Klein's explanation of the various types of cells Superman had also seemed to work. I have to say that it was better than in canon where Superman's recovery was very much at the speed of plot.

I was kind of hoping Clark would recover his memories... I'm not sure if that is necessary though. Love that he's immune to Kryptonite now!

Bob,

Just what I have come to expect of your stories - an amazing twist and incredible irony.

Luthor was the means of his own downfall and ultimate demise as well.

What is to be next from that fertile mind?

Excellent story! I thought the explanation was plausible and had wondered how you were going to resolve it all in just one more part!

I, too, would have liked Clark to get his memories back... perhaps another sequel is in order? ...After Nightfall: Total Recall

Very much looking forward to your next piece of literary genius.



Cheers
Elizabeth

Well, I was certainly surprised by that development.

CLARK: Thanks, Luthor, for curing me of that pesky allergy to green rocks I had.

I think your explanation (or Dr. Klein's) to why this happened to Clark works in a literary sense, but I don't think cells really work in that way. But he's Kryptonian, so who knows?

I had expected the Suoerman thing to be the ace in the hole on Lois's end, but I had actually expected there to be a bit of a bit evil tease of Lois clinging to Superman (as her mindwashing was all able being the perfect woman for a powerful man.). I had actually expected the triangle of two to re-establish itself and have a mind block separating the Clark and Superman personalities until she attempted to figure out his "secret identity".

I hadn't seen how you could manage to wrap up the story in one final part, but you did it -- and did it quite well, might I add.

I do have one question, though: What ever happened to the other Martha? Given that she was part accomplice and part victim, did she go to jail? What sort of testimony did Lois give at her trial, if there was one? (All right, I know -- that was three questions. They all centered around one theme, though.)

Joy,
Lynn

I like the generally more-scientific approach to things throughout this story. The three cell types are interesting and plausible, at least within the context of there being this guy with superpowers in the first place.

A tidy ending to a very well written story. Not sure how the various people monitoring Superman never noticed that he fully healed, presumably breathing normally and generally healthy. Glad to see Luthor get his and Perry show how much he can help. Thanks for another wonderful read.

Superman's going to have quite a commute now, isn't he?

You came up with a very unique explanation for Clark's problems with kryptonite. I was initially left a bit skeptical, though. If a third of Clark's cells were killed over a matter of a few days, wouldn't that be catastrophic? But he heals super-fast, so I suppose he could compensate. I like the idea that Luthor set up the only precise situation that could kill off Clark's G-cells at exactly the right rate so that they wouldn't re-grow and the other cells could compensate quickly enough. If Luthor hadn't been so methodically sadistic, he would have succeeded in his plans. Rather poetic.

I also like what Dr. Klein had to say about Dr. Mendenhall's work - that people just don't work that way. It didn't make sense to me that they could completely reprogram Lois permanently in just a few weeks. It's totally believable, though, that Mendenhall had a much higher opinion of his theories than they deserved.

Thanks for entertaining us. I always love a good sequel.

John I have a vision of a discussion that Luthor and Mendenhall had where the doctor would stress that for the programming to be most effective, they should be precise in their targets. They think Superman has only just reappeared, so the connection to work on was her husband. At least, that is what I imagine happened.


Hi, EL. That was the point. But then, given what this guy did do in his episode, who can really say?

Bob

Delightful tale.

So what next? New Kryptonions?


Picture Lord Nor attacking Clark while he wears a ring with Green K

The reason I thought her part accomplice was that, IIRC, she had known going into this that the lady she would be serving was being held against her will. I would guess that in the eyes of the law, that would make her an accomplice. A reasonable person would have been expected to ask additional questions before agreeing to take on such a job. It seems to me akin to someone who buys a 50" television for $25 from the back of a truck. Perhaps "accomplice" is not the correct legal term; "accessory" maybe? (I am, obviously, no lawyer). In any event, it seems to me that she would have some measure of legal culpability, albeit much smaller than anyone else working for Lex.

In any event, this is a relatively minor detail. I want to reiterate that I enjoyed the story very much.

Joy,
Lynn

Framework4 That was EXACTLY the image I had in mind to go with Bernie's jewlery suggestion!


Lynn We clearly have a disconnect. My vision was that Martha was interviewed for a job that was presented as if she would be working for a wealthy recluse. I don't think "Am I going to be working for an evil, psychopathic villain?" is on my standard list of questions for a potential employer. The job probably seemed a little different, but I have to believe that during the interview process, anyone that was too concerned never got that 2nd interview. Then, once she was there, she was scared to do anything other than what she was told.

One more thing about Martha’s behavior, she was also getting customized subliminal messages. I had a whole section were Lex and Dr. M talked about the interacting message programs that Martha and Lois were getting in their bedrooms at night. Martha’s subliminals were to be a proper and deferential servant. That’s why she wore the uniform and why she refused to eat with Lois. I cut that part out because the Lex / Mendenhall scene was already too long and that explanation did little to move the overall story arc forward. I clearly need to consider adding that back in.

Sorry to get so long-winded, but poor Martha doesn't deserve to go to jail.

Bob

Hi Bob,
The line that made me consider Martha to be at least partially culpable was in part 9; specifically, [QUOTE“No, dear, I was hired to be here. But I've already been told that you aren't here by choice.[/QUOTE][/QUOTE]

It is true that you hadn't mentioned when she had been told; had it been only after she had been transported to the apartment? I had assumed that it was during the interview process, but you know what they say about assuming...

Joy,
Lynn

Lynn Now I understand. What she meant (and obviously should have said) was that after she arrived she was told that the lady she was to be caring for was not here by choice.

Now that I WILL fix.

Bob

Hmmm, that's probably the reason why I was suspicious of Martha. Ooops!

Still it would have been nice to know what happened to her. It is doubtful Lex and company would have allowed her to leave the underground complex alive.

All in all great story!!!! You had me biting my nails until the end!

Instead of adding it back, consider it being one of the points Lois and Clark discuss with Bernie. It would make sense that L&C would have some of the same concerns as Lynn. In discussing the News Story I can see Lois raising that same concerns maybe even the same quote.

Well done, Bob!

That ending was very unexpected, but you explained it very plausibly. Also, I'm glad that Perry officially knows, now.

Morgana It's funny that this never came up. I was trying to leave the details a little vague, but I completely misses that misconception. I knew that Martha was only told about Lois's "prisoner" status after Martha was already locked in the apartment. I had no idea that the words left that point unclear.


Hi, Mary

I think this is the fist I've see of you for this story. I'm glad you decided to take a look. I was worried that I had left way too many clues along the way and that everyone would have seen the ending from as far back as chapter 7.

So, you posted the "evil May" challenge. You know this isn't my most evil idea, (my evil story idea #2 is way, way beyond this) but what did you think of my foray into the shadows?

Thanks for the note.

Bob

You got me. I'd watched your posts with interest, but decided to wait until this one was finished and then read it all at once. I suspected that it was going to be one of those "Must Have Next Part ASAP" fics, and didn't want to have to be left hanging until the next post. Alas, I ended up hanging a couple times anyway, since things like sleep and RL got in the way of reading. <_<



Impressive, sir; impressive. Even though it clearly *had* to end happily (because it just had to), this was still very chilling. You obviously know how to do Dark.

Mary No worries. To be honest, knowing what I know about my publishing style -- the fact that I tend to post the whole story very quickly -- if the story looked to be angsty at all, I would probably wait for the end too. The REAL story was always going to end this way. However, I had to fight off the temptation to post an alt-chapter 12 where, instead of Clark ending up immune to kryptonite, he had his powers burned out and Lex killed him. In that version, the brainwashing worked and Lois ended up being the exact Mrs. Luthor that Lex wanted.

Bob

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by bobbart:
<strong> I had to fight off the temptation to post an alt-chapter 12 where, instead of Clark ending up immune to kryptonite, he had his powers burned out and Lex killed him. In that version, the brainwashing worked and Lois ended up being the exact Mrs. Luthor that Lex wanted. enough.

Framework4 Too true.
Even doing what I did here was a huge shock to my system. I have some of those ideas, but none of them ever seem to find their way out.
And they probably never will.

Bob

Just read this story. Quite good. The ending is potentially quite troubling though.

Superman with no vulnerabilities now? Superman is not a God and absolute power is what he now has. No one and no thing can stop him. How long before his "God-like" status gets to him?

Unless, and this is not stated, his decreased power level applies to his overall invulnerability. Even though kryptonite no longer affects him perhaps, hopefully, very strong conventional weapons can now hurt him and maybe do him in.

Again, absolute power corrupts and the world would rightly fear a totally unstoppable power - no matter his claim to be there to serve and protect humanity.

Hi, Randi.

I'm glad you enjoyed the story.

You said: I understand your concern, but that is part of what makes Superman special. He can and does make mistakes, but unlike the rest of us, he is incorruptible.

Now, he isn't indestructible, and his powers have been weakened, but I do agree that he is effectively without any vulnerabilities. However, since this is Clark, everything will be fine. Sorry, but when it comes to this version of Clark/Superman, I'm not worried about the potential down side.

Thanks for the note. I hope my optimism about Clark isn't too irritating.
Bob

Your optimism is not irritating, but I think unrealistic. Superman is not a God and absolute power will eventually go to his head IMO. That would make for an interesting follow-up story.

There have been several great comic stories investigating this very thing.

In one he began overriding government decisions he thought were harmful to humans. He slowly took more control and eventually, in stopping a nuclear attack by a sub, accidentally killed the sub's crew. Batman reluctantly agreed, at the UN's request, to help with a "permanent solution" to the Superman "problem". As no jail could hold Superman, Batman killed his former friend and, as he lay dying, Superman actually thanked Batman. Superman realized he was losing control and was a growing menace to humanity.

Well, I guess we are going to have to agree to disagree.

First off, I have to concede that there are some very good dark-Superman stories. However, for most of these, that Superman has a very different background than our Clark/Superman. Once you establish that Superman grew up as a different person, then naturally he could do very bad things. However, I don't see the lack of having a weakness as changing him. Remember that canon Clark grew up and created Superman – and was the quintessential good guy – all the time believing that he had no weakness. By canon, it wasn't until GGGOH that he found that any weakness existed. In Clark, the lack of a weakness didn't lead him to use his powers improperly.

I'm afraid that I'm not a believer in the adage of, "Absolute power corrupts absolutely." Over the years - as I've watched more and more of my hair turn grey - I've come to believe that just as there are people that seem to have a tendency for bad, there are people that will find a way to do the right thing whatever the circumstances.

I have come to the belief that the idea of power being a corruptive force has more to do with the motivation of the kinds of people that seek power, than it does with the power itself. Too often, those people that seek out power, want that power based on a personal need to control. Naturally a high percentage of those people will not "do the right thing" once they have that power.

The difference with Superman is that he never desired to have power or to compel others. His only desire was to help because his abilities allowed him to make a real difference.

Anyway, as I said at the opening, while I think I understand your concern, it will never be a problem with THIS Superman.

Bob

Hi Bob!

And now for the grand finale! I have no idea how you’re going to put everything back together in just a couple of pages

Well, what a fitting chapter title!

Huh.

Earlier, I thought the mention of the bright light might be an interesting tidbit but now it seems that he’s actually become immune to Kryptonite *an* is powered up on bright white lab light. This means he’s both invulnerable and kinda-sorta ticked off at Lex. Good thing Lois is programmed to like strong, dominant males who beat their competition senseless. Even the smell of cigars works well, considering that Clark’s going to have that fresh burn-smell on him after lighting up Lex’s…cigar with his heatvision.

Yeah, replace all the lowhanging Kryptonite with fakes while he’s unconscious. But no… I guess Clark didn’t hear Lex releasing his bowls at the thought of Superman not being continuously exposed to Kryptonite. Say, considering you made such a show of it earlier on the part of Superman, will Lex give in to his baser natural needs when he meets an angry Superman? Poor Clark’s never going to get that stink out of his super nose, though.

Ooooh, he’s so going to enjoy today’s session, then, isn’t he?

LEX:

Wouldn’t it be awkward if a sharp piece of Kryptonite spit Lex’s head apart? You know, ‘Human Killed by Kryptonite’.

What’s he doing? And I’m using Clark’s not hurt?

Oh, the indignity!

Yeah, so let’s review: a) Superman’s apparently impervious to a mixture of Kryptonite and metallic pieces flying at high velocities. b) he wants 4 guys to shoot at the ticked off alien stalking towards Lex in a room destined to produce ricochet from whatever bullets don’t flat out hit Lex directly. Yeah, not his finest out.

Yeah, probably wishing they had been wearing ski masks lined with lead fibres.

Uh-oh.

See? Told ya. But he did get off way to easy, don’t you think? I do wonder if the gun crew they fled because of Superman or because they killed the deadman-switch that kept their families alive.

He will have been busy finding and rescuing Mrs. Kent. Oops, sooo-ory.

Awwwwww…

Oh dear. That supply closet sure is going to get a workout.
PERRY: I’ve already commissioned they move the copy machine into the supply closet and retrofit the copy room. Lois will just have to make up a schedule with Cat for when to use it.

Probably still in her ‘strong man are hot’ phase.

*confused* Pregnant?

Oh, okay. Looks like I was right about that one.

Maybe Dr. M. simply expected Lex to die while trying to consummate with his Stepford wife.

Huh. So, the loss is permanent despite the immunity?

Huh, so, maybe it would be best for Clark to visit Dr. Klein on a monthly basis and sit for a day in a Kryptonite chamber.



Cute. He might actually wear a kryptonite ring, keep the exposure constant.

Yes, well, he really should have thought of that *before* allowing the police to dispose of Lex’s body instead of dragging it through the streets and mounting it on a lamppost in front of City Hall.

He could go to Washington, DC, establish himself at 1600 Penn.



Well…you did tie a nice bow on this whole mess. Well done!

Michael