Chapter 3
Mining Colony
Salt is one of the constants in the universe. Every society learns the value of this simple compound. Chloride and sodium ions, the two major components of salt, are necessary for the survival of all known living creatures, including humans. It's one of the oldest industries in the galaxy. New methods and machines have been used to get it, but the time honored way still persists. Salt mining is hard, dangerous work not for the faint of heart.
This world doesn't even have a name, just a number, mine 42. Under the scorching red sun, the work never stops. The workers are transients mostly. They come from many planets. The lure of money or credits brings most, but there are countless other reasons. The whistle blows signaling the change of shifts. One exhausted group leaves the dark depths of the mines while another heads down to take their place. The workers coming up are hot, filthy and exhausted. They look forward to a few hours of rest before starting the whole cycle again. They slowly begin to peal off their goggles and makeshift masks, trying to adjust to the light and fresh air. Instead of heading for the cheap bars or back to their beds, they begin to form a line in front of the foreman's shack. Today is payday. There is excitement in most of their eyes.
The foreman sits on a platform waiting for the armed guards to bring out the strong box from which the wages will be paid. Her eyes casually look over the motley crew assembled in front of her. It seems natural that her eyes are drawn to a tall silent man bringing up the rear. She's been working here for five years and has seen all types come and go. Something about him is different from the rest. Since the day he walked in looking for work he has fascinated her. She wasn't a young woman and over the years had met and known many men, handsome, grotesque, kind, cruel, good and bad. She considered herself cynical when it came to the male half of the species. She still enjoyed a tumble with one now and then, but had long ago put away schoolgirl fantasies about a Prince Charming.
That was until he walked into her office. It was those eyes that had made her breath catch in her throat that first time. Those pale, cerulean blue eyes still made her heart skip a beat when they looked at her. She of course noticed his powerful build, his broad shoulders and undeniably handsome face, but it was the eyes that got to her. There was a gentle kindness in them that she had rarely seen in most men. There was also a deep sadness just below the surface. As she sat there on the platform, she couldn't help wondering again what could cause that sort of all consuming sorrow.
The armed guards stepping out from the office brought her out of these thoughts. She took one last look at him before getting on with the business at hand. His sweat soaked hair fell into his face covering his eyes. A scraggly beard and mustache have begun to fill in covering what could only be called a handsome face. He was covered in dust like all the others, but there is no stoop to his shoulders. In any crowd he would draw her eye. Sighing to herself, she began the business of payday.
"All right, hold it down!" she shouted to the workers. "Have your ID badges ready to be scanned or you can forget about being paid!"
A general grumbling went through the crowd of workers. She was prepared for this, as it happened every payday.
"Stop your bitching! You know the rules so I don't want to hear any sob stories! No ID, no pay! So who's first?"
As the first worker stepped up to have his badge scanned, she absently glanced over the crowd and saw him. His hand came up and brushed the hair back from his face and those eyes were looking at her. She felt the heat rising inside of her and quickly looked away. Stop acting like a schoolgirl over him, damn it, she chastised herself. She didn't know anything about him really, just the name he'd given that first day. Keep your mind on your business, she reminded herself. Yet, as the minutes passed and one worker after another scanned their ID's and received their pay, she couldn't help feeling a growing excitement. She willed herself not to look up.
"Next!" She shouted, crossing another worker off her list. She heard the scanner register his ID and then felt his large shadow fall over her. Slowly she looked up and couldn't help the smile that came to her lips.
"Kal."
Space
A boom tube opened and a battered space fighter suddenly appeared. Lashina had been constantly on the run since she had stolen the military fighter and made her escape from Apokolips. Her ship was stout, fast and loaded with firepower, just the way she liked it. She needed all of those weapons as Darkseid's parademon military kept coming after her. They were relentless. Everywhere she went they eventually found her. To make matters worse, every system she entered immediately labeled her hostile. It seemed Darkseid's reputation had spread far across the galaxy.
She was running low on fuel and supplies. According to her charts there was a small out of the way spaceport in this sector. If she was lucky, she could slip in, get what she needed and be gone by the time the Parademons caught up to her. Scanning the horizon, she spotted the small orbiting platform only a short distance away. As she made the course corrections to head for it, three small, almost antique ships launched from the station. Her view screen suddenly blinked on as a message from the lead ship came in.
"Alien vessel, state the nature of presence here!" The image on screen was of a rather tiny man in a very elaborate military uniform. Ribbons and a sash cluttered the front or the bright red tunic, while a feathered plume accented the brim of his rather large hat. She could see the whole bridge of the small ship. Lashina did a quick scan of their ships, almost laughing at their outdated technology and minimal weapons.
"Alien vessel, I repeat, what is the nature of your presence here! I will not be so polite if you refuse to answer," the decorated little man said his voice rather haughty. She didn't want them to see her in the outside chance they might recognize her.
"Supplies," Lashina answered, only flicking on the sound part of her transmission.
"I see,' said the little man. He looked down at a clipboard in his hands. "Our records don't have you on our schedule. Do you have the proper paperwork?"
"No."
"Not even the XJ9stroke4?"
"No." Lashina again pressed only the audio portion of her transmission.
"That is a problem, alien vessel," the little man said. "I might have overlooked your lack of proper papers, but without an XJ9stroke4 there simply is nothing we can do."
"Excuse me, commodore, but there's something you should see," a young ensign said nervously to the little man.
"Not now, ensign, can't you see I'm trying to deal with this alien vessel?"
"It's about the alien vessel, sir. I ran a scan of it through the computers and it's from…"
"That can wait, ensign, I don't care where it's from, it's here now! We must get this paperwork sorted out first!"
The commodore turned back to address Lashina's ship, giving the young ensign a look. While they were arguing, she had run a detailed scan of all three ships and knew their every weakness.
"Are you sure you don't have the XJ9stroke4, alien vessel? Perhaps you mislaid it somewhere?"
"No."
"That is too bad, really," the commodore said. "Without an XJ9stroke4, I doubt there is anything we can do. I'm afraid I will have to ask you to turn around and leave this sector."
"No."
"I'm sorry, what was that?"
"No, I'm not leaving."
The commodore seemed completely taken by surprise at this. He looked around at his bridge crew. They seemed at a lose as well. Shrugging his shoulders he turned back to the view screen. "Alien vessel, I ask you not to try my patience. Turn around now."
"No."
"This is your final warning, alien vessel! You must realize you are outnumbered three to one!"
"Sir!" The young ensign said, frantic to speak to the commodore.
"Not now, ensign!" The commodore snapped. He turned his focus back to the alien ship. "Will you leave, alien vessel?"
"No."
"Than you give us no alternative," the commodore said. He turned and gestured to one of the bridge crew. The man armed the weapons on the ship.
"Worms."
"What was that, alien vessel? I didn't quite catch your last transmission?"
"You are all worms to me." Lashina's voice cut through the bridge speakers on the little ship.
"The alien ship is powering up weapons, commodore!" The tactical officer shouted just before Lashina fired a volley taking out the two ships on either side of the commodore's. Looks of shock and surprise were written on all the bridge crew's faces. The speed and firepower of the alien ship was beyond anything they had seen before.
"Sir! I've identified that configuration of ship," the young ensign frantically said. "It's from Apokolips!"
The blood visibly drained from the commodore's face at this piece of information. His eyes nervously looked at the ominous ship hanging right in front of him. The next thing he said would most likely determine the length of everyone on board's life.
"Welcome to this sector, alien ship, proceed to the station," he quickly said. "I'm sure we can work something out about the XJ9stroke4."
"Thank you," Lashina replied. A smile spread across her lips as she headed in for a landing.
Apokolips
Darkseid sat on his throne watching the small boy practice his training. He could already see flashes of the boy's potential even at his young age. With each day the boy seemed to grow more confident with his weapons training. His speed occasionally tested even the most skilled instructors. Darkseid knew he would have to be very careful with the boy. If New Genesis and High Father heard about him it would certainly cause problems. Darkseid had already lost Orion; he wouldn't risk losing this one too. The boy suddenly caught his attention. He slipped and his instructor took advantage of it. The boy managed to block the blow, but the weapon glanced off his weapon and cut a deep gash in his arm. The instructor stood in horror at the sight. Before another word could be said, Darkseid fired his Omega rays. The instructor was reduced to ashes.
"Are you alright,' Darkseid asked the boy.
"Yes, my Lord, but I wish you'd let me kill him," the boy answered with a frown. This brought a smile to Darkseid's face.
"Perhaps next time."
The small door on the side of the throne room opened and Desaad entered.
"O Great Lord, Amazing Grace has returned with news," he said, slithering up to the side of Darkseid.
"Send her in."
Desaad signaled the guards and the main great doors opened. Grace walked in and bowed before Darkseid.
"You have news? Your return suggests your mission is complete?"
"Yes, my Lord," Grace said, kneeling in front of him.
"What is your news, then?"
"Superman has left Earth, my Lord," she replied.
"Interesting," Darkseid said. "You have served me well, this time, Grace. You may return to your work with the Lowlies."
"Thank you, my Lord,' she replied. Keeping her eyes down, Grace slowly turned and started for the door. She happened to glance to the side and saw a young boy watching her. He seemed to have been listening to everything with a great intensity. Who he was, she didn't know. It struck her as odd he would be permitted so near Darkseid. As these thoughts swirled in Grace's mind, she suddenly chastised herself for them. Speculation and curiosity were dangerous things on Apokolips. As quickly as she could, she exited the room.
Mining Colony
The shanty bar was packed with workers eagerly spending their hard earned wages on cheap booze and other assorted indulgences as the foreman entered. She made her way over to where some of the other foremen from neighboring mines were standing and ordered a drink. There was the usual bawdy talk of payday and she joined right in. After five years, she was used to this place. The company didn't officially authorize establishments like this, but turned a blind eye to them. It helped that they received their monthly cut, as well. Whatever your vice or perversion was, these places catered to them. Many a miner had lost their entire pay to the owner, and then fell deeper and deeper into debt, and soon the vultures that ran these places had them. This particular establishment was run by the worst of the worst. He had his hand in everything illegal or shady on this planet and several others. To be indebt to him was to become his slave. The foreman had long since stopped caring about those that fell into his web. They were adults and made their own choices. The ones that still got to her were the family members, the children of those unfortunates. They had not been a part of their parents' foolish plans to bring them to places like this. They didn't have any say in the mistakes those same parents made to wind up indebted to man like the owner. They just faced the consequences.
The sound of a young girl screaming and crying suddenly filled the bar. As the foreman turned towards the door, suddenly two of the owner's henchmen dragged a young girl inside. She looked all of thirteen. She was crying and appeared almost hysteric with fear. What had just a moment ago been a raucous, loud happy place suddenly grew deathly quiet. All the miners knew what was in store for the young girl. The crowd parted as the owner stepped into the room. He was dressed in a cheap suit and tried to give off the air of quality, but underneath he was a bully at heart. He walked slowly over to where his men held the girl. There was a cruel, heartless smile on his face as he looked down at her.
"Please, mister, I didn't do anything." The girl babbled through her tears. The owner didn't say anything for a moment and then vicious slapped the girl across the face. The girl whimpered and cried harder, but was only hit again.
"It's not right," the foreman said under her breath, but was quickly reminded to hold her tongue by one of her friends. She knew he was right, but it sickened her that in this room full of hardened men and women, they could all just sit by and watch this happen. The taste of her drink turned bitter in her mouth as she listened to the owner talk to the young girl.
"Now you listen up, girl and listen good. Your momma owes me money and can't pay. I generously offered her a way to pay me back, but she doesn't want to do it. I tried to make her see reason, but she didn't want to listen. She ended up getting herself hurt real bad. Such a shame, really, but that still leaves it to somebody to pay. That's where you come in, honey."
"But-But I don't want to, mister," the girl sobbed.
"I don't care what you want! You'll do what I say!" The owner slapped her again, leaving his handprint on her young face. The foreman could no longer hide her disgust. She did a foolish thing, she spoke up.
"Leave the girl alone, you bastard!"
"Shut you mouth unless you want to join her,' the owner fired back, slapping the girl again to make his point. Two of the owner's henchmen were quickly standing next to the foreman blocking her exit. The owner smiled and turned to the crowd.
"Anyone else feel like being a hero? No? None of you got anything to say? I thought so."
He turned back to the foreman and the little girl with a wicked grin on his face. Slowly he raised his hand to strike again, when a voice cut through the silence.
"Don't even think about hitting her again."
Everyone turned in surprise to see who dared speak up. As the crowd parted, the foreman saw him. Kal. She found her heart racing as he slowly stood up from his table. She hadn't even realized he was there, sitting alone in the back.
"Who the hell are you," the owner said. "Why don't you mind your own damn business? You'll live longer."
He started to turn back to slap the girl, but the voice spoke up again.
"I said don't hit her again."
"Boys, teach him a lesson," the owner said. Three of his henchman smiled and started towards Kal. He didn't move, just stood waiting for them.
"You aren't a hero here, stranger, you're just a man," the owner smiled coldly.
"That makes one of us."
The owner's smile slipped away, as his eyes flashed with anger.
"Teach him how a man bleeds, boys."
The rest of the crowd backed up, giving them a wide berth. Considering the odds, most knew what was going to happen. The foreman felt as if her heart were in her throat as she watched the enforcers move towards him. She couldn't watch what they were going to do. She started to turn away just as the first punch was thrown. Kal dodged it and returned it with a powerful punch of his own. She found herself looking back in surprise as the punch sent the enforcer to the ground. The man didn't get up. Now she couldn't pull her eyes away as the other two jumped towards Kal. She winced with each blow that hit his beautiful face, but felt joy rush through her as he returned them with powerful punches of his own. Tables overturned and drinks went flying. The three fought viciously. She could see blood dripping off Kal's face and hands, but he didn't relent. Not for the first time, she felt like a schoolgirl ready to jump up and down and cheer him on.
Her heart nearly stopped, as two more of the owner's thugs joined the struggle. Against these odds, he shouldn't have had a chance. She watched in awe as one thug, and then another fell before him. In a string of powerful blows the fight was over. A smile spread across her face, Kal had won. Battered and bloodied, he slowly walked over to the owner. The man pulled a knife and lunged at Kal. He caught his wrist and twisted it. The owner dropped the knife with a scream. His wrist broke and then Kal backhanded him across the face. The owner lay on the ground whimpered, holding his broken wrist. Kal turned to the young girl.
A tear came to the foreman's eye as she watched him. It was those impossibly blue eyes again. The kindness she's seen in them that first day came out. He slowly knelt down in front of the girl. She was terrified, but he softly began to speak to her.
"It's okay, I'm not going to hurt you, I promise. Are you okay?"
The young girl nodded hesitantly, as some of her fear seemed to slip away. He gave her a rare smile and the foreman watched as the young girl responded. His voice was calm and gentle as he whispered to the girl. The foreman could see the young girl looking into those eyes and starting to trust him. It seemed almost instinctive to trust him, she thought.
"I think its best if you and your mother leave here," he said to the young girl.
"We-We don't have any money," the girl sobbed. He reached into his pocket and took out a roll of credits and handed them to her.
"Now you do."
The young girl looked from the money to him. Tears rolled down her face as she flung herself to him, hugging him fiercely.
"It's going to be all right," he gently whispered to her. The thugs were beginning to stir and the foreman found herself speaking up.
"I think you should follow your own advice, Kal. It's probably best you leave as well."
He glanced up at her and gave a sad smile.
"Not until she's safe."
Something in his look inspired the foreman and the others around her.
"We'll make sure she and her mother get away safe," the foreman said, glancing at the others. They nodded in agreement. He gave them all a look of gratitude. Slowly easing out of the young girl's embrace, he led her over to the foreman. Reaching out his hand to the foreman he said, "Thank you."
Feeling his bruised powerful hand embrace hers, she felt that schoolgirl flutter go through her as she looked up into those eyes.
"That's some fancy fighting you did, Kal," she found herself saying. She blushed as those eyes looked deep into hers.
"Just something a Princess taught me," he said with a smile. With a final word to the young girl, he headed out the door. The foreman stood at the doorway, holding the young girl's hand watching him walk away.
"He's a hero," the young girl said. There was a sense of wonder in her eyes and a rare smile on her lips. "My hero."
"Mine too, honey, mine too," the foreman replied, a smile lighting up her face.
