Chapter 44

I got the distinct feeling that this interview was getting further from the original intent. Wherever it was trying to go now…well, who could really say. Though it definitely felt like it wasn’t going in a direction that would benefit me.

And if that was the case…then I didn’t plan on sticking around for very long.

There were a lot of unknown variables in this scenario. Too many for me to be comfortable with. Firstly, how did Lex Luthor know that I was the creator? If I had to take a stab, I’d say that the Justice League slipped up once again. Which sounded…pretty believable.

Still, I would like verbal confirmation from his mouth. If only to see the cards he was carrying. But in doing so I should make sure not to tip my hand. What a hassle this has become…

Secondly, why is Lex Luthor of all people interested in this, and by extension, me? Publicity? But does he really need that? He’s already an extremely popular figure. Though it is common for more wealthy people to become narcissistic, and he was very full of himself.

A business deal perhaps? An offer to go into business? The rich definitely like to get richer, don’t they? But was my drug really that much of a money maker? Perhaps if he planned to distribute it on a global scale.

There was another factor that I forgot to include. He was staunchly against the Justice League, and has been against the distribution of Adriatisin since day one. Which means by all accounts he should consider me his enemy. People in high positions do love to put on airs of politeness while hiding their fangs.

Yet…for some reason I got the feeling that he didn’t regard me negatively…curious.

I shook Lex Luthor’s outstretched hand. Amusingly enough, he had a stronger grip than I had expected from someone of such a rich lifestyle. His hands were just as smooth as I predicted though.

“Nice to meet you, Mr. Luthor. The creator of Adriatisin huh? I must admit, I’m interested in meeting him as well.”

I stated, watching Lex’s figure carefully as he digested my words. His smile simply grew larger as he looked at me with the ‘uh-huh, sure buddy’ gaze. He didn’t doubt that I was the creator for even a second.

Something very concrete must have given him that information. Which was another indicator of a Justice League leak. It was very annoying, but at least I’d get more money from this one.

“Oh, there’s no need to be so coy. After all, it was confirmed just a few hours ago in an interview.”

…I didn’t like where this was going.

“Who’s interview?”

I questioned. A bit of trepidation set in my heart as I was starting to realize what might have happened.

“Beast Boy’s interview in Jump City. He was very vocal about how ‘cool’ you were for doing it.”

…Was it too late to go back to the tunnel with Ravager and leave him there? Yes, but it didn’t stop me from thinking about it. It was also easy to explain how Beast Boy obtained the info. Robin and I hadn’t exactly been very secretive until my talk with Batman.

Even despite that, he was likely the stealthiest member of the Titans. Er…scratch that. He was the one who had the abilityto be the stealthiest member of the Titans. There were very, very few places he couldn’t slip into in his fly form. Combined with the fact that he can still hear in most of his forms…

It wasn’t hard to believe that it happened.

“I see…”

I commented vaguely. With such definite proof against me, what was I to say in this scenario? To just keep rejecting the claim despite the evidence? Or maybe I should try to make it seem like Beast Boy had gotten confused, but that would require me to know what exactly he said…

What a headache.

“Don’t worry. I don’t plan to angrily confront you or anything. In truth…well…”

He paused for a second, rubbing his chin before giving me a raised eyebrow look.

“I’m curious about you.”

That had been a really weird way to phrase it, yet it did gain my interest. …As long as he wasn’t talking about sexually, at least. Then this would become very awkward.

“Mr. Luthor, even if what you say is true, you can’t just waltz into the Daily Planet with an army of reporters who-“

Ms. Lane started to speak, only for Luthor to cut her off.

“I didn’t bring them. Actually, I’ve brought some of my private security in order to help the Daily Planet not become overrun. There are…quite a lot of people trying to force their way in. And they only keep coming…”

Ms. Lane starred him down for a few seconds before going over to the window behind her desk and staring downwards. Whatever she saw caused her eyes to widen as she took a step back. Sighing a bit before glaring half heartedly at Luthor.

“And I’m guessing in exchange, you want to talk to him privately?”

Luthor waved his hands to dispel the notion.

“No, no. Of course not. I don’t mind if you record us and sit in as well. But I do just want to talk to the young man.”

Ms. Lane said nothing, but instead turned towards me. Nodding her head to indicate my existence.

“It’s not my call to make. It’s his.”

Ah, I do so appreciate it when my own agency is acknowledged. That being said, the only reason I hadn’t said much up to this point was because I had been thinking of how to best get out of this situation. Unfortunately, I didn’t come up with anything at all.

“Of course. I didn’t mean to imply otherwise. Feel free to-“

All three of us turned our heads as the door to the office closed, and now a fourth member was in the room. Thankfully this was someone I at least recognized. Even if I only met him today.

Clark gave us all a nod and a smile before adjusting his suit.

“A bit…hectic out there, isn’t it?”

Both Lex and Ms. Lane seemed to relax slightly at his appearance. Ms. Lane started to fill Clark in on the situation, while Lex gave his two cents in occasionally. Afterwards Clark reiterated to me that it was my decision on what to do and that he’d help me out no matter what I chose.

…I think he greatly overestimated what he was capable of, but I appreciated the thought nonetheless.

In the end, I decided to join this little interview, but only for a short period of time. I did actually have somewhere to be after this. Everyone seemed to agree to this and got in position in order to…record the new interview, I guess. Clark gave Luthor his chair, to which he refused a few times before accepting it.

Lex sat in the chair with the back of it to his front. Of course he even sat in a chair like an asshole. I don’t know what I was expecting.

“How did you do it?”

“You’re going to have to be a lot more specific than just that, Mr. Luthor.”

I stated blankly, giving him a look to remind him how stupid of a question that was. Instead of seeming insulted though, he seemed genuinely embarrassed of his remark. Rubbing the back of his bald head after my comment.

“Of course. I meant how did you come up with the cure? I’m not talking about what you used to make it. Rather, I want to know about the process you went through to do it.”

Hmm? Oh. Well, that wasn’t really something I cared to keep secret. So it didn’t really bother me to tell him what he wanted to know.

…But of course, this would cost him later.

I described in rather vague terms how my power works as well as how I tested it in a lab. Though it quickly became apparent that he wasn’t much interested in the lab work as much as he was interested in how my power worked. He kept trying to tie back questions towards it, only to be met with vague half answers. Yet that didn’t seem to dissuade him.

If anything, he only seemed to grow more curious.

“And what possessed you to make this specifically?”

“Idle curiosity.”

Hmm, that could have been worded better. That obviously hadn’t been the answer that had been expected by any of them at all, though they all seemed to have different feelings on the matter.

Lex Luthor’s seemed to be of disbelief.

“You…have a lot of projects, don’t you?”

I didn’t like the way he was asking that. Even if the Titans Tower was one of the safest places to be, I didn’t want to paint a target on my back.

“I wouldn’t say that. I just experiment from time to time.”

Despite him nodding at me, I got the feeling that he didn’t believe me for a second. Even still, it was better to say that on paper rather than dealing with someone trying to make their way into the Tower in order to steal shit.

“You…weren’t even trying?”

Clark said in…awe? Huh. Interesting. I would have thought he’d be the type to be disappointed in learning that I hadn’t been busting my ass for years in order to make a cure. Guess I was mistaken.

Ms. Lane was the only one with a slight frown on her face. Which is why she was the next to pose a question, interrupting Lex’s questions.

“So why did you work with the Justice League in order to distribute this medicine across the U.S.?”

Money. Fat stacks of green. Cha ching. Capital. Funds. Currency. Moolah. Scratch. Rolls. Dosh. Big bucks. Benjamins.

“…To help people, of course.”

I lied through my teeth while making direct eye contact with her. She didn’t show much of a reaction, whereas Clark seemed happy about the answer. Grinning ear to ear. Luthor on the other hand had his eyes flicker wider for a split second before narrowing. He then proceeded to lean forward in his chair towards showcasing his apparent interest.

“But why the Justice League specifically? Couldn’t other organizations do that?”

Because I trusted them? Nah, not only was it a lie but it was bit too much. Because they offered a ton of cash? While the truth, it would paint me in a negative light…Hmm.

“Because…they were the first to offer.”

I decided on answering. It definitely seemed like the safest answer I could give at the moment. Luthor didn’t respond, instead he grew a smirk that was quickly wiped away by him as he looked around the room. He seemed…pleased, in a way.

He then proceeded to stand up and shake my hand once again, much to my surprise.

“It was very nice to meet you, young man. I hope that you are this successful in all your future endeavors. Oh, and if you need any help or would like any additional funding, I would be honored to lend my support.”

He stated while passing me what seemed to be a business card. Maybe I had been right on the mark with that earlier guess of him wanting to go into business with me then…

I nodded as he made his way out and nodded his head at both Ms. Lane and Clark, before stating that it had been a pleasure to see them again. Ms. Lane seemed to want to ask me more questions, but unfortunately for her I had decided to take my leave as well. Much to her dismay.

Clark had to practically hold her back as she shouted various questions towards me that would go unanswered. Much to my surprise, the large crowd outside of the room had all merged into one group. They seemed to be forming a semi-circle around…Luthor.

As he was talking to the reporters, he glanced up at me quickly before giving me a wink and going back to the reporter. Hmm…it seemed like he was trying to get me to owe him. Or perhaps just get on my good side.

I slipped into the hallway and started to go through several rooms in order to pilfer some sort of escape plan. Until finally I found what seemed to be a Janitor’s uniform in a closet. It wasn’t the best, but it was what I had to work with for now.

I got a lot of looks and even a ton of camera’s flashing at me as I took the elevator down. Though once they got a look at the mop and bucket that I brought with me they were eager to disregard me.

I had to be very careful with my movements, as my hair was very…noticeable. Which meant I had it packed up inside the ball cap I found. Any slight jostling would have it start spilling out on the sides.

After leaving through the front doors I noticed the absolutely MASSIVE crowd that had formed and…was that police? Jeez, this seemed to have escalated in a big way huh?

Going into the crowd was a bit difficult, considering how tight nit it was. Elbows and arms constantly hitting my body. Though it was only something I barely noticed. It was only after I got out of the crowd did my ballcap fall off.

It took all of four seconds for someone to notice and attempt to scream…something at me. But they were cut off by the loud sound of someone revving their engine.

A motorcycle quickly approached me. Their face was obscured due to the helmet, but I could immediately identify them by the long locks of blonde hair, and the fishnets on her legs.

“Need a lift?”

Yes. Yes I did.