Haunted

Chapter 1

'Explosion' isn't really the right word for what happened in the lab. But it is the word told to Kara when she was selected as the Catco reporter on the assignment. Her and four other reporters from reputable news outlets were called in to cover the story. Upon arrival at L-Corp, each reporter underwent a thorough background check, body search, and were only allowed to bring pen and paper with them. The group was then taken to a small room filled with monitors to watch the only video of the accident that caused an entire city to lose power for fourteen hours. It happens almost too fast for Kara to process. Kara asks the head of security to play it again. One moment the scientist is there, scrambling to turn off machines amid blaring alarms, and then there's a light so bright that Kara has to shield her eyes against the glare even though this time she knows it's coming. The camera goes black, rebooting from the power surge, and when the feed comes back, the scientist is gone without a trace, papers still settling in her wake. The scientist is presumed dead, vaporized by whatever happened with the machine, the purpose of which has still not been disclosed. The reporters are filed out of the security room then taken on a long trek, through three more security checkpoints, to the lab where the accident occurred.

The room is all pristine white and sharp edges. Chrome-like finishes give off the feeling of having stepped into the future. That, and the fact that the lab is filled with more advanced technology than Kara ever hopes to see again. The large space is half-filled with work stations, spouting pristine white counters, and tools of every kind. The other side, furthest from the door, is filled with machines that have been silent since the 'explosion' and resulting power outage. Towering columns create a city of technology flanking a large, metal, upright disk with an opening that is only about as big as a basketball.

There is chaos in the rest of the room, which is the only thing that fits the 'explosion' description. Scorch marks carved into the floor reach out like tendrils of lightning, leading from the center disk towards the workbenches. The benches closest to the machines have been displaced and broken, as if pushed back by a huge force. One was even sitting in half, the sturdy worktop cracked like an egg and metal split with jagged edges. Papers have been scattered everywhere, and glass beakers are shattered, glistening on the floor. Even one of the hurricane rated windows has a crack running through it, disrupting the view of National City below. The view isn't why Kara is here, though.

"Welcome, reporters. Please try not to touch anything. Our investigation team is still trying to process the lab to determine what exactly happened." A woman of Asian descent greets them. "My name is Miss Haung. I'm the executive assistant to the CEO and soon to be named acting CEO as per Miss Luthor's will. I'm here to answer questions, but I must warn you, most of what you will probably ask is confidential."

One reporter raises his pen in question. "Acting CEO? What happened to Miss Luthor?"

Miss Huang's eyes widen slightly in surprise. "Miss Luthor was the scientist lost in the experiment. I know she avoided the spotlight, but I thought at least the leading reporters at the top news outlets would recognize her."

Murmuring breaks out around Kara as that information sinks in. Not only was a scientist wiped from existence, but the CEO of a multi-billion dollar company was. This story just went from good to great, well, not for Miss Luthor, of course.

"Now. I'll take the rest of your questions. But remember, your respective news outlets will not be allowed to release the story until our investigation is concluded. We do not wish to have speculation. We will share relevant facts for you to include in your articles as more information becomes known." Miss Huang raises an eyebrow to indicate that the reporters can now begin asking questions. There is a moment of silence before they all begin scrambling for the woman's attention.