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[b]New Troy, Metropolis[/b]

Clark listened as Diana chastised both her and Thor for their bravado. If Thor had been quick to seek out conflict with the pair, perhaps there was some truth that Clark had indulged him in it too readily. Ultimately, regardless of Clark's opinion of Luthor, Thor was [i]still[/i] one of the good guys. At least, Clark thought he was. He had met Captain America a week or so ago and had been taken aback by how independent-minded and incisive he had seemed. It boggled Clark's mind that the Captain might answer to Luthor without a suspicion as to the billionaire's murky past or dodgy dealing. Perhaps there was more going on there than met the eye. Clark knew one thing though, if Steve Rogers trusted Thor then perhaps Clark ought to too. It almost felt juvenile to admit it, but part of Clark's trust in Captain America was rooted in Jonathan Kent's idealisation of the man. He could only hope that in this, as with all things, Jonathan Kent was correct. Otherwise there would be hell to pay for everyone involved.

[color=steelblue][b]"That won't be necessary."[/b][/color]

Clark muttered as he extended his arm in Diana's direction.

[color=steelblue][b]"It might go against my better instincts but... I'm going to trust you with Corben's wellbeing. I'm going to trust that should I visit Luthor's Watchtower I'll find Corben in good condition, able to account for his actions this day, and entirely unharmed. I'm going to trust that you won't mistreat him or that he won't [i]somehow[/i] disappear between now and then. If you're half the man the legends say you are, Thor, you'll see to it that your League is true to its name and Corben sees justice."[/b][/color]

The Man of Steel made sure to place real emphasis on the next sentence.

[color=steelblue][b]"[i]Real[/i] justice."[/b][/color]

It was a change of tact. Not one that Clark suspected Diana would approve of given she had backed him so whole-heartedly – as she [i]always[/i] did. There was more behind Clark's sudden volte-face than he dared admit. It was clear the Thunderer was spoiling for a fight. Clark wasn't in a position to give him one, his body still felt weak from Corben's meteor energy, and more importantly, there were too many people around for something like that. He wouldn't risk endangering them. [i]They[/i] were the reason Clark pulled the cape on. He would never endanger them if he could avoid it.

Plus it didn't take a genius to figure out where Corben had come from. Kent had seen the meteor rock that day in Luthor's office, he'd listened as Lex had bragged about the meteor rock generator that was going to change the world, and barely a day afterwards Corben had appeared. Luthor had sent him to test Clark. There was no doubt about that. Kent needed hard evidence that it was true before he could act. Even with this, he wasn't sure whether he could make his move, but it was the clearest sign from Luthor that he was ratcheting up the intensity of his war with Superman. Corben had almost bested him, almost drained the life from him, and Lex [i]had[/i] to have seen that. There was no telling whether Clark would survive the next encounter with Lex's next creation.

But he needed more than suspicions, more than half-baked deductions, if he was going to bring Luthor's empire down. He would let Thor take Corben and hope that Lex would slip up. Clark only wished he had the time to explain the plan to Diana but Thor's intransigence had forced him to think on his feet. The Man of Steel wasn't sure whether it would work but it was [i]certainly[/i] a gambit worthy of Lex and Clark's never-ending chess match.

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[color=steelblue][b]"And if he doesn't? If some timely accident were to befall Corben that left him incapable of answering for his crimes or were he to suddenly disappear from the face of the Earth without explanation,"[/b][/color] Clark said with a glower in the Asgardian's direction that signalled the righteous fury behind the Kryptonian's words. [color=steelblue][b]"I want you to know that I would hold [i]you[/i] personally accountable."[/b][/color]