Aah!
Nice one, Clark.
Uhh.. Aaah!
- Look out! - Oh, my God!
- It's gonna hit us! - Aah!
whoosh
Jump.
Ugh! Ah!
Aah!
- What? - Wow, look at that.
'Freeze it!'
What is that?
Can anyone tell me?
- Looks like a flying guy. - No kidding.
I know he's flying, but who is he?
Where'd he come from? What does he want?
- Look who I'm asking. - Nice "S."
- Excuse me? - Right here.
He's strong. He flies.
He's the Nietzschean fantasy ideal
all wrapped up in a red cape.
A Superman.
- Superman? - Hey, I like it.
Superman. It's catchy, sticks with you.
The kind of name that looks great splashed across
three columns, make it four.
Provided one of you can get an interview with him.
Somehow, I don't think a guy like that
has a press agent, chief.
Well, somebody better get something on this guy fast.
I've never seen the city in such a state.
Look at these faxes.
If we don't get some answers soon
'there could be a full-scale panic.'
We've kept this scrapbook since you left Smallville.
Every time we read a story
about an invisible angel helping someone
we knew our Clark had to be nearby.
But now that I've settled in Metropolis
it's going to be impossible to keep a low profile.
Yeah, I can see where landing a plane
in the middle of the city might turn a few heads.
It's not just that.
Suddenly, people are calling me "Superman."
They want to know everything about me.
Some are even afraid of me
just like Jor-El and Lara warned.
Does this mean I'm going to have to give up my life?
No, son. It doesn't matter where you were born
or what you can do. You'll always be Clark Kent.
Superman just helps out now and then.
Still, it wouldn't be bad if people knew
a little more about Superman.
I don't want anyone thinking you're like
that nut in Gotham City.
There must be some way to get the word out.
Sorry, Perry.
I checked with Star Labs and they're just as clueless
as everyone else about our fly boy.
Right. I'm heading back now.
'Excuse me, Ms. Lane. I believe I'm the one you wanna talk to.'
Oh, yeah? Well...where are you?
'I'm.. Just hang on.'
As far as I've been able to piece together
I'm the last survivor of a planet called Krypton.
- Krypton? - Uh-huh.
Okay.
You don't believe me.
- It's a little much. - Fair enough.
All I ask is that you tell the truth about me.
- And that is? - I'm not here to scare anyone.
In fact, I've always tried to help people whenever possible.
You sound too good to be true.
- What's your secret? - What do you mean?
Well, you don't go around in blue tights
and a cape all the time, do you?
What do you do in your off hours?
I think that's a question for another time.
Well, well, an alien in my own backyard.
And such a civic-minded one, too.
I think he means what he says, Lex.
Well, that's just dandy, Lois.
All I know is your hero did nothing to help me.
I'm the one who's out a billion-dollar battle suit.
Actually, this could end up a silver lining
in your pocket, couldn't it?
What's that?
Now that the terrorists have your prototype
the Pentagon's undoubtedly gonna want you to build
a bigger and better version for them.
When all is said and done this could net you
a multi billion-dollar windfall.
Lois, it almost sounds as if your friend here
is suggesting I should be glad my suit was stolen.
You're very amusing, Mr. Kent, is it?
Yes ...ll remember that.
Hm. Nice work, Smallville.
You're only the second person I've ever seen
get under Lex's skin.
Who's the first?
Me, when I dumped him.
- Whoa. - Ancient history.
Anyway, what makes you think Lex might have been
an accessory to the theft?
I don't think it was a theft.
I think he gave it away.
I was digging up some background info on Mr. Luthor
and found this photo of him at last year's
international industrial conference.
Recognize the guy with the medals?
The Regent of Kaznia. So?
So the US and Kaznia haven't been
on real friendly terms lately.
Seems the Regent's been employing
an elite squad of terrorists
to eliminate his political enemies.
Old news, Kent.
The president broke diplomatic ties
with Kaznia months ago.
Which means Luthor couldn't sell the Regent a war suit
without it being a deliberate act of treason.
So Luthor just left the back door open
for him to take it.
It works in theory.
In theory, maybe
but Perry White doesn't run theories.
Where are you going?
I'd tell you, but you'd have to share
the byline.
I've told you before, there's no work for you on this ship.
Now leave, before I call the harbor police.
I'm going, ya blasted, rat-bag. I'm going.
Pfft. Blasted scabs taking jobs from us union men.
I oughta go back and split some skulls. I oughta..
I got a tire iron right here.
- 'Psst.' - Huh?
Aah! Ooh!
Oh, it's you, Ms. Lane.
You come to do another smuggling story?
Maybe. What can you tell me about that tanker?
Gaah! It's the darndest thing I've ever seen.
'She's been in port a week and ain't moved'
'a bit of cargo on or off.'
Blasted scow's leaving port tonight
and I says good riddance.
Gotta get on that ship.
Listen, Bibbo, take this and call Clark Kent at The Planet.
Let him know where I am and tell him to call
Police Commissioner Henderson if he doesn't hear from me
in 20 minutes. Got that? 20 minutes.
Uh-hmm..
Thanks, Bibbo. I owe you one.
Yeah, sure, sure. Very sure. Call Kirk Kent.
Let him know about the boat, and, uh
something about the police. Yeah, okay. Hey! Soda.
Ahh. Eh, she'll be okay.
We're not giving interviews, you got that, lady?
If I could just speak to your captain.
I said no interviews.
What part of that don't you understand?
Hans. Hans.
There's no reason for hostility.
Especially towards such an attractive visitor.
I'm John Corben, special attache to the Regent.
How may I help you, Ms..
Lois Lane, Daily Planet.
I'm doing a follow-up to a story on gun smuggling
and was wondering if I could ask you
some questions about your cargo.
But we have no cargo.
You must know there's a trade embargo
between the US and Kaznia.
We're part of a diplomatic envoy
trying to restore friendly relations
between our countries.
Then you won't mind me taking a look around.
Better yet, why don't we continue this interview ashore
say over dinner?
I'd be more than happy to answer any questions
that you might have.
I can think of some doozies.
I'll bet.
'Here's a shot of Luthor getting a commendation'
'from the Mayor, a shot of the Special Crimes Unit'
'and, uh ...took this one at'
the dedication of the zoo's new polar bear exhibit.
- Cute little guy. - Yeah, nice, Jimmy.
You didn't see Ms. Lane come back, did you?
Nuh-uh. You know, she brought me along last week
to get shots for her smuggling story.
Is that right?
Yeah. H-have a look.
'Yeah, I figure a few more shots like that'
'and Perry's bound to put me on staff.'
There, in the background.
That ship's a Kaznian tanker.
Ah, it's so small. How can you tell?
Clark?
You're making a big mistake.
Everyone in my office knows where I am.
Sweetheart, if anyone knew or cared
they would have made a move by now.
We're clear.
Lose her.
crash
You again? Get him!
Take cover.
- Unh! - Ooh!
- Thanks. - Anytime.
- Ah!
So long, sweetheart.
Call the police and let them know what's happening.
I'm gonna try to stop that thing.
Be..
...careful.
This is Corben.
Tell the Regent his battle suit
is coming to him by special delivery.
thud
splash
bam
Everyone, clear the area now.
Ah.
Stupid, stupid move, my friend.
No!
clang
thud
Gotcha.
Aah!
thud
Aah!
thud
Aah!
thud
Aah!
pooh
Aah!
crash
Aah!
crash
Shall we go a few rounds without the suit?
'Unh-unh.'
Too bad.
Yeah, chief, I think stopping the presses
would be a very good idea.
So you see, as the agreed-upon merchandise
never left Metropolis, my client, the Regent
respectfully requests a full and prompt refund.
We had an understanding.
All I had to do was arrange for the Regent's men
to take possession and they did.
And now, because of this alien's interference
you expect me to eat a billion dollars?
I think you have more pressing concerns at the moment.
Good day.
Hmm.
I'm afraid we already have a window washer.
'Oh, the silent treatment, eh?'
Well, I don't know what you thought you heard out there
but I know what you can prove, and it's nothing.
You see, uh, Superman
I own Metropolis.
My technology built it, my will keeps it going
and nearly two-thirds of its people work for me
whether they know it or not.
Even you have to admit
it's a model of efficiency.
And yet ...ve often thought..
...why limit myself to just one city?
A being with your abilities
'could be very useful to me on a..'
Shall we say..
...global scale?
Why don't you float on in, and we'll discuss it?
Say something! Argh!
I'll be watching you, Luthor.
Wait. I'm not finished with you.
Hey, look.
There he is.
- Superman.
- Come on down. - Superman.
Way to go, big guy. You're okay!
zap
'Brainiac systems activated.'