Superboy

Lex Luthor swiveled around as he heard a tapping from the window of the Oval Office. Superman hovered on the other side of the glass with a stern look on his face. Luthor cautiously opened the window and Superman flew in, landing on the other side of the desk.

"I appreciate your waiting for me to open the window instead of smashing through the wall like you usually do," Luthor said.

"Save it, Lex," Superman said. "We have a problem." He reached into a pocket of his cape and dropped a file folder onto Luthor's desk. Luthor quickly scanned the documents, then closed the folder.

"What are you up to?" Luthor replied, scowling.

"Those documents prove that Amanda Spence, the woman you hand-picked to take over the Cadmus Project, has tried to have Wonder Girl murdered. I'm sure you know how easy it would be for the Daily Planet to obtain the originals and break this story."

"What do you want?" Luthor demanded. "Why haven't you given these to Lois Lane yet?"

Superman leaned across the desk, looking Luthor straight in the eye. "Lex, I couldn't care less if you went down in flames. However, I've seen what impeachment trials can do to the country. I will not allow the Presidential office to be tarnished like that."

Luthor leaned back in his chair. "Respect for the office, if not the man. I must admit, you very rarely interest me. Today you have. What do you propose?"

"A compromise," Superman said as he sat down in front of the desk. Luthor began to smile as Superman outlined his plan.

"And if I agree to this, those documents will disappear?" Luthor asked.

Superman nodded. "As long as you fulfill your part," he replied.

Smiling, Luthor stood and the two enemies shook hands in agreement. Luthor watched Superman fly out of sight in the Washington, DC sky before he buzzed to summon Amanda Waller.

Superboy fought back tears as he stood over the open grave of Jim Harper. Inside was an empty casket. Cassie Sandsmark, Wonder Girl, stepped up beside him.

"I can't believe we never even found his body," Superboy said. "We can't even give him that."

Cassie clasped his shoulder. "I know, Connor," she said.

Superboy looked at her. "I thought you weren't coming," he said.

Cassie handed him an envelope. "This came for you at Titans headquarters. It looks pretty important."

Superboy opened the letter and read through it. Then he reread to make sure he hadn't made a mistake.

"What is it?" Cassie asked.

Superboy just checked his watch. "I've got to go," he said. "I'll fill you in when I get back to base." Superboy looked down once more. "Goodbye, Jim," he said before launching himself into the air.

Superboy stopped off and changed into his uniform. His next stop was Project Cadmus. He landed in the landing bay and looked around. It looked like most of the former staff of the Project was present. Mickey Cannon, former director, and Dr. Roquette Serling were deep in conversation. Heat Wave, a former "troubleshooter," looked around, trying to figure out what was going on. Superboy walked over to Dubbilex, an old friend.

"Hey, Dub," Superboy said. "What's going on?"

"I do not know," Dubbilex replied. Just then everyone's attention was drawn to the door to the Project sliding open. Out strode a smiling President Luthor.

"Thank you all for coming," he said. "Unfortunately, in the past there have been some errors made in the management of the Cadmus Project. Recent events have only served to show me that change is required for the survival of this project.

"Effective immediately, Cadmus is shut down, as far as the rest of the world is concerned. I believe that Cadmus needs to return to its roots - that is, a top-secret project. A certain sheep in Scotland has shown how the world feels about the research you are doing here.

"I am therefore pleased to offer the position of Cadmus Administrator to Mickey Cannon," Luthor said. Cannon nodded but didn't speak. "Dr. Roquette will serve as head of genetics. Heat Wave will remain as the troubleshooter, along with Superboy. Dubbilex will serve as a special advisor."

"What about Spence?" Cannon finally asked. "Are we going to be under her control?"

Luthor thought a moment. "Ms. Spence is no longer associated in any way with the Cadmus Project," he finally said. "Mr. Cannon, you will report directly to the liaison officer to the DEO." The liaison stepped out from behind Luthor. "I believe that you all know Roy Harper," he said. "He will also serve as the Project's head of security." Luthor looked around. "If none of you have any questions, then I need to return to Washington. Welcome back. I know you will make your country proud." Luthor reentered the Project, where a helicopter could be heard lifting off.

Harper started forward to Superboy. "Good to see you again, kid," he said.

"You too, Arsenal," Superboy said. "When did all this happen?"

Harper shrugged. "Just today as far as I can figure. I thought I'd definitely be on the outs with the government after I walked from Cadmus last time."

"And now Spence is out..." Superboy thought a moment. "It just doesn't add up."

"It just doesn't add up," Cannon was saying as he and Roquette reentered the labs.

"You don't believe him?" Serling asked.

"Not as far as I could throw him. Somethin's going on. I wanna know what."

Serling turned back to Cannon after catching a glimpse of Superboy in a wall panel. "Um... Shouldn't we get up and going again before we worry about him?"

"You're probably right," Cannon said. "Still, it really bugs me that I don't know what's going on with him."

Heat Wave looked around his room. It was exactly as he'd left it... with one minor item missing. He pulled it out of a pocket on his suit and looked at it. It was a photo of him, Weather Wizard, Captain Cold, Captain Boomerang, the Trickster, and the Pied Piper. He also knew exactly what the red blur coming at them in the background was. Smiling, he re-hung it on the wall beside a photo of Guardian. Heat Wave stepped back and poured himself a drink. "To better days and lost friends," he said, toasting the pictures.

Dubbilex scowled as he entered his office. He closed the door before closing his eyes in meditation. He sat there, silently, for a long time. He finally reopened them. Dubbilex began sorting through paperwork. He'd figure out what that tickling at the back of his mind was eventually.

Later that night, Superboy sat in an abandoned room in Habitat, a tree-city that had been grown by an unknown race. A candle burned on the table he was seated at. In front of him was his journal. He turned to a fresh page, tapped his pen against his chin a couple of times, and started writing.

Have you ever had a day that just turns itself completely around? I started out today at Guardian's funeral. I still can't believe that he's gone. Still, we never found his body, so I keep hoping he'll turn up ok.

Then Cassie shows up with a letter asking me to come to Cadmus. I get there and the whole gang's there. Then Luthor shows up and hires us all back!

I don't know what's going on there, but it's great to see everybody again. Who knows? Maybe things'll actually work out this time...

Superboy kept writing as the stars shone down...

Far away, a cell door squealed as it was ripped off its hinges. Its occupant smiled as she ran out.

"Go ahead!" her liberator said. "Show us that you're worthy!"

Killer Frost only smiled as she vanished into the night, leaving frozen footprints behind.

Next Issue: Killer Frost is back, and she's got something to prove! Plus, some old friends return to visit!

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