The Boy of Tomorrow..... TARGET: SUPERBOY pt 3
Superboy Vol 2 #11 - October, Year 4	by Alex Hayden

After everything that happened recently, Jimmy Olsen was finally able to go to sleep without the help of sleeping pills or any other thing like that. Too bad that sleep was about to be interrupted by the sudden arrival of the Teen of Steel Superboy.

"Get up, Olsen!!" Superboy exclaimed as he kicked Jimmy’s bedpost. "We need to talk."

A very groggy Jimmy looked up from his pillow and saw a shadowy outline sitting in a chair near the foot of his bed eating some chips. "Who's there?" Jimmy asked sitting up in his bed and wiping the sleep from his eyes.

"Aww come on Jimbo, we're supposed to be friends," Superboy joked shaking the bag of chips. "At least that's what those commando guys thought when they kidnapped you."
 
"S-Superboy?" asked Olsen surprised.

"Right on one shutterbug," replied Superboy throwing the bag of chips at Jimmy. "Now first off, I just want to say sorry for you getting kidnapped because they thought we were tight and all."

"Thanks," Jimmy said with a small smile.

"Okay now that the goody, goody part is out of the way, you're going to tell me everything you know about those people," Superboy said leaning up in his chair and looking at Olsen seriously. "Because if you don’t, I'm going to give you an atomic wedgie that will make you have flashbacks of your school days. Now where did they take you? Why are they after me?"

Metropolis
The abandoned warehouse once used by Shadow Ops
Almost an hour later

After a few rounds of questions and answers with Jimmy Olsen, Superboy finally got the answers he was looking for and Jimmy only got a regular wedgie for taking too long trying to answer Superboy’s last question. With the help of Olsen’s answers Superboy was able to find the location that Shadow Ops took Jimmy to.

"Okay well this is the address that Olsen gave me," Superboy said landing on the roof of a nearby building over looking the warehouse. "If only he could have given me a reason why."

{{So what are you going to do?}} Chloe asked through the earpiece Connor had left over from one of his previous missions.

"I don't know, maybe sit back and wait for them to show," Superboy replied keeping watch of the warehouse.

{{You're going to smash in through the front door, aren't you?}}

"Why wouldn’t I," replied Superboy. "Besides I thought I was supposed to find these guys and find out what they wanted with me. I mean who knows, maybe they wanted me to endorse something, like shoes or energy drinks."

{{You really can dream can't you?}} Chloe joked.

Before Superboy could come back with a response, he was suddenly attacked from behind by a barrage of laser fire coming from three different directions. Going on instinct, Superboy dived over the edge of the building to get out of the crossfire. Going low and then coming back up on the other side, he got sight of one of his attackers.

"Wow you’re like something out of a Tom Clancy video game," Superboy commented as he deflected a shot from a stun gun with his tactile telekinesis. "Close but no prize."

Leaping back Superboy dodged another couple stun blasts and then took off into the air only to come down hard on the roof in order to create a shock wave that knocked a couple shooters off their feet. "Exactly how long are you guys going to keep trying that same routine?" he asked smashing the weapons he found on the ground.

Grabbing a large piece of metal from a stack of roof repair supplies Superboy tied the guys up good enough without hurting them. Just as he was about to ask some more questions he was caught off guard by a flying kick to his back, which sent him tumbling forwards.

"I suggest you surrender now Superboy," a man dressed in what could only be described as a ninja costume said holding a sword toward Superboy. "You do not have the skills to win against a warrior such as myself."

Getting back to his feet, Superboy dusted himself off for a moment. "You know I don't have the skills you have, but I do have my own. Like this one…" Acting quickly Superboy unleashed a blast of heat vision that melted the sword his opponent was holding. "Then to follow that up I have this one," focusing his TK abilities, he created a shockwave that knocked the man into the air. "And for the finisher I have a little number I like to call the chill out." For his finale move Superboy took a deep breath and unleashed a blast of cold air that froze the guy slightly in mid-air.

Once the guy came crashing to the ground, he began to shake like he had been out in the snow a little too long. Walking over to him Superboy knelt down and poked him a couple times. "You know I still can't do it like Superman does," he said standing back up and picking up a long pipe. Wrapping it around the ninja, he dragged him over to the rest of his friends. "He gets ice blocks, me I get a slight case of frost bite. Okay guys. Now that the fun and games are over with, I'm afraid I'm going to have to get out of here. But before I go, would anyone here like to tell me why you guys kidnapped Jimmy Olsen?"

"They were following orders," Michael Beldon answered as he stepped out from behind the roof access way. "We were employed to bring you to our employer. End of story. We're not supposed to hurt you, just bring you in so you can answer a couple questions."

"Oh well, if that's all there is to it, then lets go," Superboy said happily.

"Really?" Beldon asked a little surprised.

"No," Superboy said knocking Michael Beldon to the ground with a haymaker. "I hope you liked my wild punch? I learned it from watching Wildcat from the JSA during a fight. Now to deal with you," Superboy said as he found something to restrain Beldon with. "Now while I have you here, I think I'll give Inspector Sawyer a call and let her know where you guys are. Then she can come and haul you off to jail."
 
Taking his phone from his pocket, he dialed the number for the Metropolis SCU and got Inspector Maggie Sawyer. After a few minutes of filling her in he hung up the phone and put it back into his pocket.

"Okay fellas, you'll be happy to know that the SCU will be here in about ten minutes to pick you guys up," Superboy said looking over the group of mercenaries.

"You don't have to do that, all our boss wants to do is talk," Beldon said struggling to get out of his restraints.

"Please tell me your boss is like Angelina Jole and maybe I'll consider it."

"It's not," replied Beldon.

"Then why would I waste my time," stated Superboy.

"Then I guess we're done trying to do this the nice way," Beldon said as a smirk spread across his face. "Move in and take him," he said out loud.

Without warning an unknown man stepped out of the shadows a few feet away. Turning toward him Superboy was caught off guard when the unknown man’s forearm opened up and released a massive electrical blast that once connected, sent Superboy to his knees.

"ARGGH!!" Superboy screamed as his body began to smoke from the blast.

"Hit him again just to be on the safe side, Gearhead," Beldon said as he was released from his restraints.

"You got it boss," replied Gearhead.

 Doing as he was ordered, the half man half machine named Gearhead released another electrical blast that once connected, knocked Superboy out cold. After a few minutes the rest of Shadow Ops were released and Superboy was locked in a special restraining device.

"Good work Gearhead," Beldon said as he and the man machine watched the others carry Superboy downstairs to where the van was parked. "I'll see you get an extra bonus this time. Now let's get going.  The man is expecting us."

Smallville, Kansas
The Kent Farm
Early Sunday morning

"How’s she doing Mrs. Kent?" Lana asked as she walked into Clark’s old room, where Martha Kent was checking on the young girl that was found on the side of the road.

"She's doing fine dear," Martha replied tucking the young girls’ arm in under the covers. "Are you sure you saw her pull your truck out of the ditch?"

"I'm telling you Mrs. Kent, it was like watching Clark or Connor use their powers," replied Lana as she and Martha walked out of the room. "She picked up my SUV like it was nothing. I wonder where she came from."

Walking into the kitchen Lana and Martha sat down at the table with Jonathan who was reading the paper while drinking a cup of coffee.

"Well no one saw anything strange last night," Jonathan said putting down the paper. "I also checked the Missing Person Website and no one fitting her description has been reported missing. You don't think she could be like Clark, do you?"

"No," replied Lana. "But for all we know she could be like Connor. Another clone maybe."

"It's possible," said Martha as she poured Lana a cup of coffee. "I called Clark and told him about the young girl. He's going to come down as soon as he gets time. He's still dealing with this whole Luthor ordeal. He wants us to keep an eye on her until he can get here."

"That shouldn't be too hard, seeing as how she seems to sleep a lot," Lana said taking a drink of her coffee. "Where's Connor this weekend? I'd feel a little safer if we had some muscle just in case."

"Connor’s in Metropolis visiting his girlfriend," Jonathan replied.

"Do you think she could really be dangerous?" asked Martha.

"I don't know. If she is anything like Clark or Connor she could be," replied Lana as she suddenly got an idea. "If she is even partly Kryptonian like Connor then she should have the same weaknesses. It may be a long shot but do you happen to have any Kryptonite around?"

Putting his coffee cup down on the table, Jonathan stood up from the table. "Actually we do," he replied walking over to the cabinet underneath the sink, Jonathan took out a metal box. "Clark gave this to us in case we would ever need it," he explained unlocking the box and then taking out a small black box. Opening the black box, he showed the Kryptonite to Lana and Martha. "He never knew when someone might try and take control of him. So what are you going to do with it?"

 "Test a theory," replied Lana taking the box from Jonathan’s hands. "I've seen this stuff in action enough times to know, that you just have to be a few feet away to get a reaction. We don't want to hurt her, we just want to see if she is what we think she is."

Walking toward Clark’s old room, Lana opened the door quietly and made her way slowly into the room. Once she was close enough, she opened the box and watched for a moment as the young girl began to feel the effects of the green rock. When she was sure she closed the box and watched her begin to calm down and rest peacefully again. Walking back out into the hallway she saw Martha and Jonathan waiting for her near the kitchen.

"Lana, what happened?" Martha asked as Lana gave the box back to Jonathan.

"She reacted to the Kryptonite," replied Lana. "Now we just have to figure out where she came from. If she's a full-blooded Kryptonian, then where did she come from, or if she's a clone then who created her?"

"Well have to wait for Clark to get here. He'll know what to do," Jonathan said going back into the kitchen. Grabbing his coat and putting it on, he turned and gave Martha a kiss on the cheek. "For now, I've got chores to do. I'll see you ladies in a little while."

"Oh dear, I have to go into the store today and do some paper work," Martha said as she gathered some things together. "Lana, are you going to be okay here by yourself?"

"Don't worry about me Mrs. Kent," Lana replied with a smile. "I don't think she's going to be any trouble. If she does, at least I have one way of dealing with her," Lana said touching the black box for a moment.

"Okay dear," Martha said taking her keys that were hanging on the hook near the door. "Call if anything happens."

"I will," Lana assured as she watched Martha leave the house. "I need a bubble bath to relax," she sighed as she walked toward the bathroom and prepared her bath.

Teague Towers
Top floor, penthouse suite
Short time later


"Mr. Teague, I would like you to meet Superboy," Beldon said as Marcus Teague entered into the room flanked by a couple of security guards.

"I wondered if you would actually be able to deliver him like you said you would," Marcus Teague said as he looked Superboy over for a moment. "Wake him up."

"Right away sir," Beldon said, before giving the signal to one of his men to wake Superboy.

Walking over to Superboy the machine man named Gearhead stuck out a finger and produced a small stun gun device. Sticking the finger to Superboy’s chest, he sent an electrical shock in order to wake him up.

"Ooooohhhhh," Superboy said as he began to come around. "Oh man I have a headache. Why am I tied down? And why can't I break these things?"

"That would be the Kryptonite in the restraints," Beldon answered.

"Okay next question is why have you morons brought me here?"

 "I'm afraid I'm to blame for your being here," Marcus Teague answered. Taking a seat in front of Superboy, he continued. "You see I asked Mister Beldon here to bring you to me so I can get some answers. You see I want to know why you've been saving my companies and employees for the past month now."

"Okay first off, who are you?" Superboy asked confused. "Second of all are your all loony tunes or what?"

"You have no idea who I am, do you?"

"Not a clue," replied Superboy. "But if you get me out of these things, I'd be more then happy to find out."

"I think not," Marcus answered. "Now I would like you to listen for a moment and when I'm finished you will be free to leave. You see for little over a month now I've been attacked on all fronts. Business. Family. Friends. All have been attacked by one costumed criminal after another. So far the common link to these attacks is you. You seem to show up and stop them every time. I want to know how you always seem to show up?"

"Okay for all those who don't know how this game works," Superboy began as he continued to work on the restraints with his telekinesis powers. "You see the red 'S' on my chest. That means that I'm commonly referred to as a good guy or a superhero. It also means that I stop the bed guys or super villains when I see them doing something wrong."

"So I guess I should thank you for stopping these people from destroying everything I own," Marcus Teague began as he activated a view screen that began to go through photos of criminals attacking his various businesses. "These people, Match, Barrage, Junkyard Dog, Mister Mayhem, Badlands, Slipknot, and Basketcase are all the people you put in jail lately."

"Are those their names," Superboy said watching the pictures go by. "Besides Match, I've never really heard of the others. I didn’t bother stopping to exchange e-mail addresses so we can get to know each other."

 "That's to bad," Marcus Teague said cutting the computer screen off. "I would like to know just who is sending them to try and destroy me."

"Well I'm sorry that I don't have the answer for you," Superboy said as the shackles suddenly came apart. "Now if you will excuse me, I think I'll be going now."

"How did you get free?" Beldon asked shocked.

"A little TK power did the trick. Not to mention there wasn't enough green K in those things to really weaken me, but it was enough to slow me down," Superboy explained. "A couple things before I leave, first the next time you want to ask me some questions, put an add in the paper of something. Don't go and kidnap someone I don't even know. Second this whole conversation has been recorded for future use. Did you get it all O?"

{{Every word SB,}} Oracle’s electronic voice replied. {{Metropolis Special Crimes Unit has been alerted and is on its way.}}

"Shadow Ops we're out of here," Beldon shouted to the others. "This place has been compromised. SCU will be here in about ten minutes give or take."

"What do we do?" Marcus Teague asked scared. "What are we going to do?"

"We do nothing," replied Beldon. "My men and I are getting out of here. I suggest you do the same. And if you mention anything about us to anyone, we'll be back to make you wish you didn't. Okay people let's move out."

"Wait!! What about Superboy, he's seen our faces. He can tell the police all about us," Teague said worried.

"You know he's right," Superboy said sitting on the desk and watching as everyone continued to run around destroying paper work and computer files.

 "We're not hired killers Mr. Teague," Beldon stated. "You hired us to bring you Superboy and we brought you Superboy. End of job."

"He's right," commented Superboy as he popped a couple pieces of candy from the desk into his mouth.

"If you don't finish him, you won't get the rest of your money," warned Marcus.

"You're not that stupid Mr. Teague," stated Beldon. "If we don't get the rest of our money, then you will lose everything you own!"

Before anything else could be said the room suddenly exploded in several large explosions though out the room. The room was in so much chaos that no one noticed that a large beam from the roof was about to crush Marcus Teague. Reacting quickly Superboy was able to get underneath the beam before it fell on Mr. Teague.

"You're lucky I'm one of the good guys," Superboy said throwing the beam off of himself. "Now get out of here fast!"

As Marcus Teague ran for his life with his remaining bodyguard, Superboy went on to see if everyone else was still alive. Tossing rubble out of the way, he found a couple of Beldon’s men dead and Gearhead leaning over his boss in order to protect him.

"Are you two okay?" Superboy asked.

"Yeah," Gearhead replied throwing the debris off of himself. "What hit us?"

"No clue," Superboy said just as two blasts of green energy came blasting through the hole in the roof.

 Once the dust had cleared Superboy and the others could see a man dressed in a green costume complete with armor pieces in various places. He watched as his hands began to glow green once more.

"I'm going out on a limb here," commented Superboy. "I think he's the bad guy here."

"You can call me Conduit!"


To be continued...

Next Issue: Superboy goes toe to toe with Conduit. Find out just who is behind the attacks on Marcus Teague and why they want to destroy everything he owns. Plus just who is the mysterious girl found by Lana and what will be discovered about her true origins? Find out next time as Target Superboy comes to a close next issue.