Day 2 of the storm and it's passing...

Deep in the bowels of Arkham…

Hugo Strange adjusted the collar of his parka as he walked to the special containment unit.

“I think it is time for me to check myself in,” Aaron Cash said, “It looks like he is smiling.”

“A trick of the light, I can assure you Officer Cash,” the cold voice intoned.

It sent a fresh shiver up Hugo’s spine.

“Good morning Doctor Fries,” Hugo spoke up, “How are you today.”

“I am here Professor Strange,” Victor spoke dispassionately.

“And how is Mrs Nora Fries doing this morning?” Hugo asked trying to be pleasant and courteous.

“Her condition is stable,” Victor pronounced, “But unchanged.”

“Have you been watching the Television?” Hugo asked as he looked at the set outside of the enclosure.

“I specifically asked for that to be turned off,” Victor said, “I found the ‘Conversation’ to be extremely taxing on my patients.”

“There is something I think you should see and be aware of,” Hugo said as he went over and turned on the TV.

Cash shuttered at the glare Victor gave Strange, but Strange didn’t notice. Hugo set the TV to the weather channel and turned up the volume as the meteorologist read the bulletin for the Southern coast of Connecticut’s storm warning.

“State and city officials are asking all persons to stay off the roads and check on your neighbors… there have been reports of power outages, so make sure your family is prepared….” The man’s voice read the statement.

“I know that the Wayne Foundation provided us with enough spare generators to keep everything functioning,” Hugo smiled, “But I thought that you should be aware of the possible loss of external power supplies.”

“Thank you for that warning professor Strange,” Victor intoned, “Now please turn off the television set, I wish to double check the connection fuses.”

*

Kara picked up the large mug of hot coco that Alfred had placed in front of her as she continued to watch the video feed from the special enclosure at Arkham. Alfred looked at the screens causally.

“What temperature is that enclosure set to?” Alfred said.

“Says minus 20,” Kara noted, “And yes he is wearing a tee-shirt and gym shorts.”

“I know that Doctor Fries’ body has been altered,” Alfred said with dripping contempt, “But to have guests while dressed as such.”

“The horrors,” Bruce said as he walked back from the mechanic bay.

“So how is the work on the Batmobile going?” Kara asked

“I have installed the EMP lance in K-1,” Bruce growled at Kara.

“When will I get to drive the Batmobile?” Kara asked again knowing it would get on Bruce’s nerves.

“At this rate Black Canary will drive it before you,” Bruce breathed hard and rolled his eyes.

“I shall find you some burn cream Miss Kara,” Alfred smiled and turned.

*

Clark didn’t really understand the reason for the message, but he knew better than to question the request.

“Doctor Holland?” Clark called out into the swamp, “Doctor Alec Holland?”

“Holland is dead…” the voice called from the swamp, “He died a long time ago…”

“Right,” Clark said, “Now you are the guardian of the green… You still have his memories Alec. And someone wants to talk to you…”

A mound of brushes and bushes moved and rose and turned into a man. A man made of vegtiable mater stood and glared at the alien man in his blue and red outfit.

“Who would know about me? And what would they want to speak to me about?” the Green Man stated.

“Here, find out for yourself,” Clark handed the phone to the man.

The vegetable man took the phone and listened for a second…

“Who is this?” the vegetable man asked.

Clark watched as the figure listened to the phone and then closed his eyes and seemed to try looking around with his ears or mind. He opened his eyes and an expression of hate was plastered on the man’s face.

“Very well… Call me Swamp Thing then, I will deal with the crime against nature,” The vegetable man handed the phone back to Clark, “Call your friends Superman, be ready to meet me at a place of my choosing.”

“Ok Doctor Holland,” Clark smiled.

“Call me Swamp Thing for now Superman,” the green man said as he stomped off, “My friends call me by my dead name.”

*

Kara’s private phone rang. It was Lucius Fox.

“Hello mister Fox,” Kara said as she looked out from the top of Wayne Tower, “What is going on? Tomorrow if the weather clears? I would be good with that. I don’t know what I would do… Oh, just watch and take notes? I can do that. Thank you. I agree entirely. Thank you, Mister Fox… Ok Uncle Lucius.”

Kara ended the call and smiled. The snow was still coming, but it was letting up.

*

Kara walked around the cold plaza smiling. The press event was scheduled to start in an hour. News crews were here to cover the announcement.

“Hay blonde,” Barbara said as she walked over.

Kara looked over her redheaded friend. Barbara was wearing normal short heeled knee boots, black leather pants, a green wool sweeter dress and black leather biker jacket. It made Kara feel exposed for wearing the blue skirt suit with it’s miniskirt and heels.

“I thought you said you were doing one of your temp gigs today?” Kara asked.

“I am,” Barbara smiled then thumbed over her shoulder, “The Network affiliate needed someone extra to run their hook up to the national news desk in NYC.”

Kara looked over Barbara’s shoulder at the news van.

“And why then are you here?” Kara asked.

“Because the regulars asked me to try and get them an exclusive for them?” Barbara smiled.

“I don’t have anything to add,” Kara shrugged and then she leaned in to the poorly hidden microphone in Barbara’s jacket pocket, “I am here to take notes on how companies do professional press events, the only reason I was let in is because I am family. I don’t have any notes or thoughts.”

Barbara’s smile conveyed her thoughts, but she also brought her hands in front of her chest and signed a ‘I told these idiots you wouldn’t have any statement to make.’

“Well I will give you call tonight…” Kara smiled.

*

Kara felt a bit out of place, she was asked to stand next to Lucius as he stood in the background as the manager of construction group made the announcement.

“The reconstruction of the Clocktower into apartments will help improve the housing market across the city by opening up more new space and serving to reduce demand across the city,” the VP prattled on.

“Lucius, is it a coincidence that I heard you and Bruce talking about looking at rebuilding the clock the other day?” Kara asked.

“You heard about that?” Lucius smiled, “The prospect of a clean power system built into the tower it’s self could help reduce the cost for the residents… Besides, we will be able to tout the solar panels as a means to be responsibly green.”

“And that would require a lot of equipment up there and computers to monitor it,” Kara whispered.

“What’s more, we will be working to make this building the most energy efficient in the city, complete with it’s own roof mounted solar farm!”

One of the interns with the VP pulled the cover off the display with the artist rendering of the solar roof.