Superman IV by B.B. Hiller

Author:B.B. Hiller [Hiller, B.B.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

. Chapter 19

Lex Luthor awaited the results of his experiment. This time, it wasn’t going to crash through his laboratory wall. It was going to come from out of the blue.

He paced back and forth on the terrace of his apartment, barely aware of the panoramic view it afforded of Metropolis. Lenny paced in his wake.

“Hey, Uncle Lex, how’s the nuclear guy going to find his way here?”

Lex was pleased to have the chance to boast about how clever he had been. 'When I sent the remains of my last experiment, I included the creature’s genetic memory. He’ll remember everything that he experienced. Not to worry. He’ll find his way back to me.”

There was a swoosh.

“Did you hear that?” Lex asked.

Lenny looked dumbly at the sky. “You’re spooking me out, Uncle Lex,” he whined, but

then, he listened, too. It was unmistakable. Something was approaching.

In a flash, he arrived — the new and improved Nuclear Man. Lenny was awestruck, recalling the genetic pool that had engendered this bronze Adonis. “Hey! He looks normal!”

Lex circled his new creation, admiring every sinew, every perfect muscle. “I’m incredible!” he said, once more overcome by his own brilliance. 'Welcome back home, Nuclear Man,” he greeted the reincarnated evolutionary miracle, escorting him into his apartment from the terrace. “Your father is happy to see you.”

Nuclear Man’s face shone with confidence — almost a frightening degree of confidence.

“Let’s test the old reflexes first,” Lex said, casually prodding Nuclear Man with a steel ruler. Nuclear Man’s eyes glowed red with anger. The ruler melted like milk chocolate on contact with his skin. He hissed and flung the dripping remains of the ruler off the terrace.

Lex’s mind raced, and then he understood where this incredible power had come from. “I hadn’t counted on this, but the power of the sun has given him internally generated heat. He’s a walking nuclear oven! I am a — ” Lex was dumbstruck by his genius.

“You are — ” spoke Nuclear Man, as if to finish Lex’s sentence.

“What?” Lex asked, curious about Nuclear Man’s opinion of his creator. “A genius? An inspiration?” Lex suggested.

“You are nothing,” Nuclear Man told him, bursting the balloon. “I am father now!” he boomed.

Lex took charge. “Hey! Just remember I made you!”

Lenny took up the pace. “You're just an experiment, freakol”

Nuclear Man regarded Lenny coolly — as coolly as possible considering the four thousand degrees his body could generate on request. He raised his hand and pointed to Lenny. Lenny stopped frozen in his tracks, and before he knew what was happening, began to rise off the ground. Nuclear Man made a casual circular gesture with his hand. Lenny began spinning in midair, slowly at first, and then vigorously, flying around the room in huge circles. Nuclear Man shrugged off Lenny's protests and turned his attention to Lex.

“I am an experiment? I am a freako?” he asked.

“I made you,” Lex told him. “And I can destroy you.”

“Destroy,” Nuclear Man said in echo — a word he knew, but couldn't place.

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