Chapter 79: Interrogating Superman
2023-10-23 Author: Rowing Without Oars 233
While Orin Vale was happily acquiring equipment down below, the "expert" General Lane had mentioned had already arrived.
There was no need for an introduction. That bald head, so shiny you could see your reflection in it like glass, was practically the visitor's calling card.
Lex Luthor, Superman's number one fan, who had been both a supervillain and a superhero, and who proclaimed himself the smartest man on Earth.
"You're late," General Lane said stiffly.
"Apologies, there was some traffic, and I had quite a few matters to attend to. But don't worry. Now that I'm here, everything will be properly resolved."
Lex Luthor walked up to the one-way glass of the cell holding Superman and narrowed his eyes.
"So this is the 'Superman,' the impervious alien... Heh, I thought he'd be taller."
A soldier from the side came over to report: "Sir, the high-voltage electricity isn't working at all! One hundred thousand volts of high-voltage electricity had no effect whatsoever."
Sitting in the chair, the "unconscious" Superman's eyelid twitched imperceptibly.
*Huh?* he thought. *So they were electrocuting me just now?*
*Crap, I didn't feel a thing. Is it too late to start acting now?*
"Then turn it up to three hundred thousand volts," Lex Luthor said calmly. "Let's see how high his voltage tolerance is."
The Researcher sought General Lane's approval with a look, only increasing the voltage as instructed after the general nodded.
An electric current powerful enough to scorch any ordinary living being swept over Superman's body. With a sizzling and crackling sound, the current surged like a raging wave. The Superman who had been "unconscious" a second ago immediately woke up, his eyes wide, groaning "Arghhh" with a pained and twisted expression.
However, it didn't break through his defenses at all.
Three hundred thousand volts of voltage still only produced a flashy "MISS" on Superman. It was a real challenge for Superman's convincing acting; he truly made it look the part.
To be fair, for a Kryptonian who had grown up under a yellow sun since childhood, the very concept of "pain" was likely a distant memory for Superman. To be able to act so convincingly was truly a trial for him. This performance was, at the very least, worthy of an Oscar.
The Researcher shut off the voltage. Superman also stopped groaning, letting his head loll to the side with his neck crooked, posturing as if he were on the verge of being electrocuted to death.
However, no one knew that while Superman appeared to have his eyes closed, he was secretly using his X-ray vision to scan everyone one by one.
First were all the people in the room. Superman quickly memorized the faces of every key person, taking the opportunity to scan the business cards in their pockets—if they had any.
Next was the structure of the base, its weapon loadouts, and the arsenal of guns in the next room aimed at him through the wall. But he knew those toys were useless against him.
The only thing in the entire base he couldn't see through was a certain facility buried deep underground. A large amount of lead was blocking his X-ray vision's penetration.
"It seems to be effective," General Lane said with delight.
He had been afraid this alien was truly invincible. Being able to withstand three hundred thousand volts was certainly outrageous, but at least it showed that human weapons could inflict damage.
However, Lex Luthor was clearly more suspicious. Superman's overly realistic acting just now seemed to have aroused a bit of his suspicion.
"No, we need to try increasing the voltage again," Lex Luthor said. "Let's try five hundred thousand volts this time."
Superman was listening with pricked ears the whole time, afraid that he wouldn't feel it when they turned on the voltage and would be too slow with his acting. The moment Lex Luthor spoke, he had already held his breath, mouth open and ready to scream again.
Unexpectedly, the outer door was suddenly pushed open, and a black man in a white coat burst in, shouting angrily, "Stop! Everyone, stop!"
The Researcher's hand was already touching the start button. Hearing the shout, he hastily pulled his hand back from the console. Over on his side, Superman had almost let out another "Arghhh," but realizing the situation had changed, he quickly swallowed the scream back down.
*That was close, that was close,* Superman thought. *Good thing I reacted quickly. Otherwise, if I'd screamed before they even flipped the switch, wouldn't I have been exposed?*
"Dr. Irons," Luthor glanced at him.
Dr. Irons was furious. "Am I seeing this correctly? You're using an electric chair for torture? This is inhumane! It would not be tolerated anywhere!"
"A correction, Doctor. That is not a 'person,' merely an alien that happens to look like one," Luthor said without expression. "He has no human rights."
"Fine, then I'm done. At least I won't be your accomplice." Dr. Irons stormed out, slamming the door. "I quit!"
Sitting in the chair, Superman peeked at the furious doctor, developing quite a favorable impression of him.
Especially when he saw the doctor throw away his livelihood for him, Superman was so moved he almost couldn't stop himself from smashing through the wall and flying out to tell him, "It's alright, it's alright, look, not even a scratch. Strictly speaking, it doesn't count as torture..."
"Alright, let's have a talk now, alien," Luthor spoke up.
Superman let out a long sigh of relief.
*Finally, no more acting.*
"Where are you from?"
"I consider myself an Earthling," Superman said, raising his head and feigning weakness.
"But you're not. You're an outsider, and it's highly likely you have some hidden agenda."
"I have no agenda. I just want to do what I can, to contribute something," Superman said. "Just like all the soldiers in this room."
"Ha."
Luthor sneered.
"Let's stop beating around the bush. We both know you must have some purpose for coming here, alien. I don't know what it is yet, but I will find out."
"I really don't," Superman said earnestly. "I just want to talk properly. I didn't just arrive; I grew up on Earth. There's nothing that can't be understood through conversation."
"Put away your arrogant attitude. I know you're strong, that many weapons can't hurt you. But so what? Aren't you still tied obediently to that chair right now? You don't even have the right to stand and speak with me."
Superman thought for a moment. With a *k-chak*, his hands broke free of the multiple layers of shackles securing him to the chair, and he stood up directly.
Luthor: "?"
All the soldiers: "?"
Wait a minute.
Did he just stand up from the electric chair?
Luthor was the first to react, shouting, "Poison gas! Release the poison gas! Before he gets out!"
"Don't worry, Dr. Luthor." General Lane quickly calmed down. "That room is a fortress. It can even withstand a direct hit from a rocket. He won't get out so easily..."
Wha—!!?
The general hadn't even finished his sentence when everyone's eyes went wide, watching as Superman walked directly through the so-called "fortress-like wall."
Yes, that's right, he just walked out normally. Superman had simply smashed through the wall panel of the interrogation room with his body to stand among them.
"Alright." Superman glanced around. "Now, we should be able to talk face-to-face, shouldn't we?"
The Researcher in front of the console's mouth was agape, wide enough to fit a pineapple.
(end of chapter)