Lois Tries Something

The move was swift, if poorly coordinated. Lois stumbled. Mercy Graves was reaching for the reporter even as she fell...and consequently wasn't prepared when the drunken reporter's leg shot out and swept the bodyguard's right leg out from under her. Mercy stumbled forward, crashed into Lois...and the reporter's left leg straightened up, carrying them both into the White Room.

"Damnation!" Mercy Graves swore as she quickly regained her feet. Lois, arms still tied behind her, struggled to get her legs back under her. "That was a stupid move, Lane. I can just—"

The airlock slid shut. There was a clunk of bolts moving into place. Mercy's eyes grew wide.

Lois managed to get herself onto her knees. She smiled at the bodyguard.

"—you can be a part of this experiment, *hic*" the reporter said.

Around them, the lights embedded in walls and ceiling began to glow. It was getting very warm.

"No! Mr. Luthor, I'm here, you can't..."

Mercy ran to the door and pulled ineffectually at the handle.

"Can't he?" Lois laughed drunkenly. "You've done this before, haven't you? I don't think you were born with that dick."

"That...that was an accident!" Mercy said. The bodyguard was sweating as the heat built up.

"Untie me," Lois said. "We're stuck here together."

"No...no, he won't...he can't..." Mercy said as she pounded at the door. "Mr. Luthor, please..."

There was a mechanical hum. Lois looked up at the ceiling, where a hole was opening up. A small mechanical arm was descending...and at its tip was a chunk of red rock or crystal.