At L'Eclair, a fine bistro in Metropolis

[jla_villains]

Merlyn sips his espresso and sighs contentedly. There aren't too many places in America where you can get really decent coffee, but this is one of them.

He looks around idly. Surely Superman won't be late. He's Superman after all.

Comments

[_man_of_steel_]

Of COURSE Superman won't be late. He is Superman.

What he is NOT, though, is in obvious costume. He's wearing faded blue jeans and a Gotham Knights hooded sweatshirt, with the back slightly puffed out. To a trained eye like Merlyn's, he would think 'tucked cape', although not obviously so. His boots, however, are visible. It's fairly apparent his costume is under the civvies, though.

Superman sits down. "Next time, try E-Harmony, you'll get someone cuter."

[jla_villains]

He smiles, genuinely amused.

That's good. You don't have a reputation for being funny, but that's really quite good.

He waves at the waitress, who brings over a steaming chai with milk.

I heard through the grapevine you like chai, so I went ahead. Don't worry, there's no Kryptonite in it.

[_man_of_steel_]

"You're not that obvious. You have a reputation for being slightly more honorable than the average thug." He pauses, then turns to the waitress. "Actually, I'd like a cup of Guatemala Antigua, please, 2% milk and three Splenda's on the side, thanks."

He turns his attention back to Merlyn. "So what's your interest in Ms. Lane? Or should I say, your employer's?"

[jla_villains]

He raises his espresso in salute at the compliment, sips, and lowers his drink.

My interest is - well, it doesn't pay to advertise going rates to your side, but suffice it to say I am being extremely well compensated. Ms. Lane has evaded a number of attempts. As you well know, considering you stopped them. So I tripled my usual fee for this one.

As for my employer's, that's their business, you understand.

[_man_of_steel_]

"I'm sure Fuentes knew what he was doing." Clark's glare is even. "Why are we here talking? Isn't your normal modus operandi kill first, gloat later?"

[jla_villains]

No, sir. My normal modus operandi is "succeed." Simply coming out of the blue and attempting to kill Ms. Lane does not work, as previous assassins have demonstrated.

He finishes his espresso and puts down the cup, reaches into his pocket for some money - and as he drops a loose twenty on the table, reveals a small beeper underneath it in his hand.I have just transmitted a signal to a bomb. The bomb is now set to explode, and will do so in five minutes' time. You will likely detect the bomb by the small hypersonic wave it generates upon timer activation. Rest assured that the bomb is both hard to reach and able to kill probably in the neighborhood of forty people or so

[_man_of_steel_]

Clark doesn't even blink. He figured something like this would happen. He jumps off the terrace, alarming several of the patrons before they see the familar red and blue streak in the sky.

As he flies top speed to Bangladesh, he's already on the case.

"Oracle, this is Superman. I need a secure comlink to Dr. Mid-Nite now, please."

[oracle_watching]

"Link established. Proceed, Superman."

[_man_of_steel_]

"Dr. Cross, what we discussed is in play, as I suspected. Merlyn knows where you are, but he DOESN'T know who you are. However, he has a number of explosives set up across the world that will detonate if he is knocked unconscious or interfered with by anyone but me. In your medical opinion, what are the risks of teleportation in the patient's current condition?"

Superman arrives in Bangladesh, listening intently. He knows Wally's next on the speeddial.

[midnite_md]

Dr. Cross responds instantly.

"Far too great, especially as delicate as this is situation is. Do what you need to do. The patient will be protected."

On another device, he sends a signal to his assistant Camilla.

[portsmouth_crew]

Camilla Marlowe gets the go sign from the doctor, and she purses her lips grimly before she sends her own message.

"Nite-Lite, get your men into position."

[portsmouth_crew]

"On it."

The big man gives silent hand signals to his massive street army, and they start to spread out to strategic hiding places.

Let this motherf-er come.

[_loislane_]

"You interested in telling me what's going on, Pieter?" Lois asks, arms folding across her in a pose of vexation.

[midnite_md]

"What is always going on, Lois. Some fool attempting to harm you. The one advantage we have is that said fool is coming here... and this is where I have the home field advantage, so to speak."

[_loislane_]

"How did...how the heck did someone know I was HERE?" Consternation rings in her question.

Pause.

"This mean the examination's off?"

[midnite_md]

"Merely postponed. You'll be safe in this room. Please don't leave it. If you need me, activate this communicator."