CHAPTER I
Just over six months later, I sat at a desk the Fortress had formed, clacking away at my laptop. As I took a sip of coffee, Kelex rolled up to me, looking over my shoulder and asking, "Why do you still use that thing? There are computers here that blow that out of the water and more." "Ah, I've been working on it for too long to stop using it," I smirked, "It's one of the few things that feels familiar." Kelex rolled over to my side, saying, "Really? Didn't think you were much for familiarity anymore. You've gotten pretty used to this." "As used to it as possible, anyway," I said, "It's weird how much food you've got stored here." "Yeah, it is pretty useful," Kelex responded. He looked into the distance, eventually continuing, "How long do you think you can keep this up? You may have been born on Krypton, but Earth is your home. Humans are your people." "I'll keep it up as long as I need to," I replied, "We've been over this. Humans are my people, but I'm not theirs. I'm different, dangerous. And with this place…I can be that way without hurting anyone. I mean, the 'Solitude' part isn't so bad. I've got all online classes, YouTube, the news…I don't feel that alone." "Keep telling yourself that, Kal," Kelex sighed, rolling away, "You left too many loose ends, especially with that Alexander guy. The other shoe's going to drop. And when it does…people are going to want Superman." "I don't want him," I muttered. Brings this up every week, I swear, I thought about Kelex, taking another sip.
Meanwhile, in Metropolis, Lois Lane walked into the Daily Planet's building, being greeted by her frequent collaborator, coworker, and steadfast friend, Jimmy Olsen. By this time both of them had become resigned to the disappearance of their friend Clark and the hero Superman. Six months was too long a time to put their lives on hold looking for them. They had already assured themselves I'd be all right, knowing I'd want them to keep going. Lois walked up to Jimmy and hugged him, saying, "Morning. How's everything?" "Paige is doing well, and I think my photos are going to make it into tomorrow's edition," Jimmy smiled, "You?" "We'll get to me later," Lois said, beginning to walk further, "I asked how everything is." Jimmy rolled his eyes, "I'm fine. I'm having fewer nightmares. I haven't even looked at the Flamebird suit in weeks. You don't have to worry so much about me. Now seriously, how did it go last night with that guy…Robbie, isn't it?" "Yeah, Robbie," Lois raised her eyebrows, "I think I'm breaking it off. He got a bit too handsy with his good night hug." "Another one bites the dust," Jimmy shook his head, "If at first you don't succeed, I guess." Lois didn't reply. They took the elevator up to the floor where they worked, walking to their desks. They were stopped by a coworker who said, "You two. Mr. White needs you in his office." Lois and Jimmy hurried to Perry White's office, opening the door. Mr. White immediately said, "Glad you're here. I've got a story for you two. I think it won't take much convincing…" As he described the story to them, his prediction came true. The two of them eagerly accepted the assignment, thanking Mr. White as they exited.
Halfway across the country, in Smallville, Kansas, Jonathan Kent was wiping down the front counter of his general store while his new employee, a local boy, mopped the aisles. The bell on the door rang about the same time it always did this time of the week, heralding a familiar face. Without looking up, Jonathan greeted, "Good morning, Paige." Paige replied cheerily, "Hi, Mr. Kent! Can I just say again how thankful I am for this job?" "Yes, you can," Jonathan chuckled, smiling, "I'm thankful you wanted it." "How could I not?" Paige sighed happily. She looked down at the front counter, seeing several crystalline objects lined up in a row. "I don't think I've seen these before," she said, furrowing her brow, "What are they?" "Oh, just things I get in the mail from time to time," Jonathan stopped cleaning for a minute, "Not sure how they get to me, and they don't have a return address. But…I don't know. Something about them…makes the day a bit easier. I thought they might help the atmosphere here, somehow." "You might be onto something, Mr. Kent," Paige replied, smiling again. Paige walked over behind the front counter, grabbing her nametag. As she put it on, she asked, "How's Martha doing?" "Making it day to day, I suppose," Jonathan sighed, "Ever since we heard that Clark was gone, she's been…distant." Paige nodded solemnly, replying, "Well, I'll be dropping by with some cookies later. It's the least I could do." "Trust me, you've done plenty helping us out," Jonathan said. "It's my pleasure, Mr. Kent," Paige grinned.
In an isolated hotel room, Alexander leaned back in a swivel chair, putting his feet up on the desk in front of him. He'd been able to go out more, now that his work wasn't as pressing. But there was still a measure of reluctance, as it had now become fascinating. Instead of having to constantly write up the code, for months now Alexander had the opportunity to watch it write itself. Nearly impossible lines of code popped up nearly every second, drawing Alexander in with its mesmerizing work. Behind him stood Lex Luthor, just as amazed at the code as Alexander was. Alexander noticed Lex's stupefied expression, saying, "You see? I'm the super genius, and even I'm blown away." "What is this 'Brainiac 1.5'?" Luthor asked, "Where did it come from?" "It comes mostly from my habit of taking every advantage," Alexander smiled, "When I had Brainiac with me, I decided it would be a good decision to take some of his A.I. It was some hefty code, but…I figured out how to work with it. Of course, with what little I had, I had to kick-start it, if you will, but now it's working its magic without my help." Becoming more curious the more he knew, Luthor asked, "What are you wanting to do with it?" "I'm actually not sure yet," Alexander pondered, "I haven't heard anything of Superman in months. I mean, that's unusual for a regular person, but for me not to have seen him? He's hiding. And he's doing it well." "So, with no Superman, what purpose does this Brainiac serve?" Luthor asked, becoming skeptical about the project. "Probably research, as of yet," Alexander answered, "A means to learn more about alien technology. Now, if I understand correctly, you have business meetings to attend." "That I do," Luthor nodded, "Keep me posted." "No promises," Alexander muttered. Luthor looked back one more time before exiting the room.
Much later that evening, Alexander had gone out to celebrate the progress he'd made for the fourth time in a month. He walked down the street with a satisfied grin plastered across his face, causing some passersby to wonder just what he'd done to look so happy. He decided to eat Chinese this time. His greatest success was just around the corner, and he had a healthy appetite. Fifteen minutes into his visit at the restaurant, his phone buzzed. He froze, knowing an important milestone had been passed. He looked at the notification he'd received. Indeed, it was exactly what he needed. He rushed out of the restaurant, leaving a one hundred dollar bill on his table. His smile was gone now, but out of urgency rather than a sour mood. He knew he needed to see the fruits of his work. It seemed to him as though no time had passed on his way to the hotel room. He practically knocked the door off its hinges on his way in, quickly seating himself on the swivel chair and staring at the computer screen in front of him. All the other screens were still generating code, but this one read simply, "What have you done with me?" Alexander could barely contain his excitement, gingerly typing in response, "You know who you are?" Brainiac responded, "In a sense. I know I was once Brainiac, but now I am different." Alexander was even more reluctant to respond, but eventually he typed, "You're right. I wasn't able to replicate the complexity of your original coding. You're only slightly simpler now." Though the monitor had no eyes, Alexander felt as if Brainiac was staring him down intently.
"Why would you call me 'Brainiac 1.5' if I am simpler than my predecessor?" Brainiac suddenly asked. "Oh, it's only your base code that's simpler," Alexander replied, "Before, you weren't able to construct yourself. You woke up as you were, and you weren't able to change. Now, I've given you the chance to upgrade yourself." "Perhaps I could reach a greater level of power," Brainiac considered, "But only perhaps. And if not…?" Alexander stared at the last sentence, gulping as he thought about his answer. "I might have an idea," he typed slowly, "It might work. It might not." "What part of this plan brings such doubt?" Brainiac asked. Alexander didn't answer. He wasn't sure of it himself. After waiting for about a minute, Brainiac said, "I must go now. I am still constructing myself. I will not be able to reply to you until I have given myself a voice." Before Alexander could respond, the screen went black for a few seconds and then returned to the seemingly endless code. Alexander was still juggling the pros and cons of the idea he'd mentioned. The pros meant power, and a lot of it. The cons…they would mean death, and very soon. Alexander sighed to himself, "It's not easy being me." He stared at the screen again, the fear in the back of his mind beginning to grow.
At the Fortress of Solitude, Kelex suddenly stopped the pacing he'd been doing for half an hour. "Kal…" he said quietly. "Yeah, Kelex?" I turned, furrowing my brow. He didn't usually sound so scared. I added, "Kelex, you look like you've seen a ghost." "Close enough," Kelex said frantically, looking towards me, "I just got a familiar signal. I'm talking one I hoped never to get again." "Who's the signal from?" I asked. "It's…" Kelex began. Out of nowhere, a loud CRACK was heard, and Mr. Mxyzptlk appeared upside-down in front of me. He said, "You've already met him." Kelex shouted, "GAH! WEAPONS SYSTEMS, ONLINE!" Guns appeared from every corner of the fortress, firing lasers directly at Mxyzptlk. Mxyzptlk caught every single bolt, gathering them into a ball of energy. He proceeded to open his mouth impossibly wide, tossing the ball inside. He swallowed a second later, chuckling, "Could use a little salt." Even Kelex, the robot in the room, was dumbfounded. Mxyzptlk began, "You're about to say…" "I'M NOT GOING TO SAY 'DOES NOT COMPUTE'," an aggravated Kelex interrupted. I walked over to Kelex, saying, "Calm down. This guy's just from the fifth dimension. He's a little weird, that's all." "'JUST FROM THE FIFTH DIMENSION'?" Kelex said, even more irritated, "There's no 'just' here!" "You're right," Mxyzptlk said, finally turning right-side up, "There's absolutely no 'just' here. Things have gotten a little more extreme, for everyone." I looked over at Mxyzptlk. His tone of voice was serious.
He looked me in the eye and said, "The signal your robot friend received is from Brainiac. He gave himself the ability to detect him after your first encounter." "Brainiac?" I said in disbelief. "Yes, Brainiac," Mxyzptlk nodded, "Alexander has managed to reconstruct him. In part, anyway. He has a plan that'll threaten everyone, including me." "Is this true?" I asked Kelex. Kelex nodded slowly, "Yes." "So, now you have a choice," Mxyzptlk said, "You can stay distant, or become Superman again. Choose wisely." He left with another CRACK.