Science + Bad Guys = Trouble [Superman]

[The Flash]

Barry Allen was a man of many talents. He was a forensic scientist by day, a superhero by night, and a boyfriend in between. He also liked to keep track of the latest cutting-edge technology, not only because he needed to make sure he could keep up with all of the different weapons and devices the bad guys were using in the city, but also because he simply enjoyed it. This is why he found himself at the Central City Science Expo, wandering around the massive atrium in which numerous inventors and scientists showcased their technological exploits to the public. Some people were uneasy at the sheer level of technology in this room- everything from gas engines to robotics to neural interfaces- but most people were enjoying the science lessons and learning just what was out there.

Barry himself was not here on any sort of official duties, save for basic patrol in case something happened, but he was with his girlfriend Iris for a bit of date, as he was usually too busy to do much. They walked, hand-in-hand, down the rows upon rows of people and tables, simply chatting and enjoying their time together.

"That glow-in-the-dark rat experiment was interesting," Iris said, causing Barry to nod.

"Isn't it crazy how genetics work? Just imagine if we were able to modify the DNA of people so that everyone was perfectly healthy, and strong. Some day we might even make it so everyone was as strong as Superman, or as fast as m--" he stopped himself, remembering that there were literally thousands of people that could hear him if he spoke loudly enough. "Er, I mean, the Flash," he concluded with a small grin as they continued onward.

Numerous reporters from all over the country, and a few from across the globe, were here covering the event, and Barry happened to know that a certain friend of his would be here, and he kept an eye out for said friend. Clark Kent was a great reporter from Metropolis, and they happened to share a secret that connected them, though they would otherwise not know each other. The Flash and Superman worked together a lot, particularly since the formation of the Justice League of America, though they had only met as civilians a few times. Barry wanted to introduce Clark to his girlfriend, whom he spoke about a lot, and to actually get to know his friend a bit without fighting off alien armies or hordes of animalistic minions at the same time.

[Superman]

Clark Kent pushed the nose of his glasses up the bridge of his nose as he stared rather dumbfounded at the contraption before him. They called it the train of tomorrow. Powered by magnetism and with added assistance of solar panels, it was theorized to be able to travel over 100 miles an hour. The small train, designed like a serpent moved fluidly over its miniature track, its cars twisting and turning like the segmented joints of a centipede but retaining a little more grace and elegance in its movements. The idea was to provide a safe, quick and environmentally friendly mode of transportation that would work in both the urban landscape and across the nation. He marveled at the small train, his eyes twinkling with a childlike delight as he watched it make its consecutive round, its small engine silent as it hissed by his nose.

“Is it safe to assume that this is your favorite?”

A voice stunned him for a moment, he had been so immersed by the small train that he had forgotten about his surroundings, a very rare situation for Clark Kent. It was the marvel of it all that really tore him away from reality, because even for the man of steel who operated in a space tower that hovered over the planet and was outfitted with possibly the best technology across the universe- found that there was always an endless source of fascination that was possible. Even when you thought all the possibilities had been reached.

“Well that’s not fair to say.”

Clark said with a small smile as he raised his large body and came to about a third of his actual height. He made sure to slouch forward, his back slightly hunched as he fiddled with his glasses again and looked at a tall, well groomed, brunette man who was adorned in a rather expensive Italian suit. His sharp features did well in masking the wrinkles and fine lines that were formed across his face from the countless hours or research and tedious mechanical work. A quick forage through his mind enabled Clark the ability to put a name on the man’s face, Dominic Ryan. He was a millionaire – no billionaire industrialist whose entire work focused around the betterment of global infrastructure. His work was well revered and recognized, Clark would know, Metropolis was partially built by the man that stood before him. And it did not just build instead in seven days.

“The subterranean park was another piece that caught my eye.”

Clark said, shifting his weight from left to right as to look uncomfortably at Dominic. The man before him smiled rather coyly and flicked his head in the direction of the underground park exhibit.

“Oh that? Why yes, I do agree it’s quite the catch. I would go on about how ravishing and delightful the concept is, but I’m afraid I’d be giving myself too much credit.”

Ryan’s face was fixated back onto Clark’s and his teeth gleamed with delight as he looked on with amusement as Clark’s expression began to shift.

“Just how many exhibits are you showing today Mr. Ryan?”

Clark asked in slight disbelief as his eyes scanned the large room to take a quick count of all the booths on the floor. Central City’s annual Technology Fair was a display that occurred once every year to commemorate the future, give respect to the past and most importantly to bring to light the possibilities that great innovators (new and old) could present for the world. Dominic Ryan was certainly no amateur to this kind of event, and every year he was always the most – dare Clark Kent say it – pioneering creator that stepped into the room. He had to respect a man like Ryan, growing from less than extravagant beginnings; the man had literally built himself from the dirt up. Dominic Ryan, was in a sense the epitome of the American dream.

“Now, now Mr. Kent, I didn’t know this was turning into an interview.”

Ryan flashed another smile and pat the Daily Planet news reporter on the shoulder in a jesting manner.

“Oh- No, Sir- I’m-It’s not-“

Clark began to stumble over his words, a sheepish look beginning to spread across his face.

“I’m like kidding lad!” Ryan said with a quick slap to Clark’s shoulder. One that looked to hurt Ryan more than the masquerading man of steel, “The more important question is, when am I going to see one of your inventions on one of these platforms?”

Clark released a slight laugh as he fixed his glasses and brushed down the black tie that lay neatly on his chest.

“I’m just a reporter, couldn’t even begin to dream about creating things like you do.”

Clark said with a small smile, bringing his right hand up to scratch the back of his head in a cheeky sort of manner.

“Nonsense, I’ve had my fill of journalists Kent, and you’ve got a phenomenal handle on the sciences, quite unlike the brightest minds I’ve conversed with. I think you’re hiding something, you’ve got some façade going on, like you’ve got some super-secret or something.”

Dominic began to lean forward, his eyes sharp and his expression turning more serious than before. Clark began to feel uneasy as the man approached him, his finger held forward as if he were using it to detect an air of fallacy in Clark’s demeanor.

“Oh! Mr. Ryan!”

Someone called out from the distance before Clark could respond and he felt a wave of relief wash over him as the billionaire averted his attention almost immediately.

“Ah, a colleague of mine.” Ryan said with a smile as he waved to the young woman before turning back to Clark, “You’re going to unveil something big someday Mr. Kent.” Ryan began, patting the reporter on the shoulder again, “I look forward to it.”

He finished by straightening the reporter name tag that rested upon Clark’s chest and then waved him off as he made his way across the room. Daily Reporter Clark Kent was left to stare in slight awe as the man gaily greeted the young woman and then interlocked their arms to make way for the buffet table. What an odd… odd man. The man of steel thought to himself as he wiped the expression of mild shock on his face and turned his attention to another side of the room.

Figures lingered around him, most remarkably smaller than him in size. Despite his lumbering figure however, he still remained rather indiscriminate due to the slouch his body formed and the rather coy demeanor he gave off as he brushed past people apologetically and bowed his end in embarrassment. He held his gaze forward though, his target fixed and his body moving quickly through the crowds of people as he made his way toward Barry Allen.

A smile gleamed across his face as Iris took notice of him and nudged Barry to attention.

As the reporter moved forward rather diligently, he failed to notice the quick exchange of a rather suspicious expression between two servers and their rather abrupt movement across the floor to separate ends of the convention center.

[/div]

[The Flash]

Once notified by his girlfriend of the presence of the man he'd been looking for, Barry smiled a broad smile. He immediately recognized his friend and ally Clark, not for a moment fooled by his apparently amazing ability to disguise his broad, muscular frame and his signature hair style. To be fair, had Barry not been told outright of the fact that Clark Kent and Superman were one and the same, he wouldn't have known. Amazingly, he thought, since they're clearly one and the same.

Barry toward his friend, shaking the hand of Dominic Ryan as a friendly gesture on the way before getting to the large man. He give a friendly smile and held out his hand for a handshake. He knew that Clark was fully capable of crushing the bones in his hand to dust (not to mention the other materials in the appendage), but the scientist knew that Clark would do no such thing. As far as he was concerned, Clark was capable of doing no evil. Of course, he knew of incidents where exposure to certain kinds of Kryptonite did bad things to him, but Barry was glad he hadn't witnessed such things first-hand. He wouldn't like to sully the image of the Man of Steel in his mind, even if he was influenced by some substance.

"Clark Kent. Good to see you again, my friend. It's been much too long," he said with a friendly smile. "Clark, this is my girlfriend, Iris West. Iris, this is Clark Kent." he introduced.

"Clark Kent, reporter for the Daily Planet," Iris said with a smile. "I like to read the Daily Star online to keep up what's going on in other places, too. Central City's papers are nice and all, but I think they're too local. And the Daily Planet does a good job of staying objective." Barry looked at her, surprised. He'd never known this, though he supposed he hadn't asked. The look of surprise turned into a smile as he realized that that showed how much of an intellectual she was. One of many reasons he was in love with her.

[Superman]

Of all the members of the Justice League, Clark had always thought that Barry was the most grounded. Not just because he did not have the ability to fly but also because he always seemed to have his eyes set firmly on the here and now. It had always impressed Clark that Barry was always able to take the time needed to consider the thoughts and feelings of others when the things they faced at a team would seem so much larger. Barry never had an issue with being on crowd control; he understood always that they were around to save lives, not just the world.

As Barry clasped his hand in greeting, Clark as always did his best to keep his strength in check as he returned the greeting. He smiled his trademark eager smile as he pushed his glasses a little further up the bridge of his nose. “It has been a long time indeed Clark agreed as he turned his attention to the woman that Barry was introducing him too. “A pleasure to meet you Ms. West,” Clark greeted the woman with a smile and a nod of his head. Clark was a bit shocked with how quickly it was that Iris presented herself to him. Clark could almost assume that she was simply not missing a beat. Despite himself it seemed that Clark Kent could not remove the sheepish grin off his face. Iris West was moving from stranger to friend within a span of heartbeats. It made sense that she might find a kindred soul in the Flash. ‘Well there is nothing wrong with keeping a firm eye on the home front.” Clark responded after hearing of the way that Iris chose to process her news outlets. “I think that one of the great things about Central City is their ability to focus on what is going on right in front of them. You know it’s not a situation where one is unable to see the forest for the trees.” Clark offered in his own timid way. Clark Kent was a man that had no true issues with the way that any presented the news; he sought to honor the views of others wherever he could. Clark found that was the easiest way to avoid conflict and avoiding conflict was something that Clark Kent did whenever he could.

“So are you too enjoying the show so far; anything in particular catching your eye?" Clark asked as the reporter in him kicked in. There was no reason that he should not take a moment and try to steal a person on the streets view of the spectacle that surrounded them. Clark Kent still needed to put a story together after all. Though had Clark made an effort to by as much attention to his surroundings he might have noticed the sound of the internal security system being shut down as the fire exits were opened and a large and well armed group of individuals filed in and dispersed around the area.