METROPOLIS.

CHAPTER 4

Diana was careful to fly high enough where she would not be seen. She kept a sharp eye on her map and dipped low enough to read signs. It was lucky that it was night time, making her journey easier. Twice she was startled; first by the sound of an Airbus flying above her and then the appearance of a helicopter flying under her. She stared in awe at the aircrafts. From what she had seen on television and read in books she had come to the conclusion that humans were actually very intelligent and creative beings. Still, these metal monsters were loud and lacked the grace and wonder of Amazon magic and technology.

She was soon above Metropolis and had to hover and stare in real awe for a moment. Lights blazed everywhere. The buildings were taller than any of the ones on her island and made out of glass and metal. The city was a cacophony of engines,sirens,music,and voices.A train ran past on a high bridge,police cars wailed as they sped along the road,and taxis honked their horns.

She gasped, "Athena,maybe I made a mistake by coming here. It is so large. How do I even begin to find him in this chaos?" She looked on for moment in self doubt. No sensible person would have come here; her mother would have shaken her head and said she was foolish to even attempt such a journey. Diana's blue eyes flashed. She lifted her chin and said aloud, "Jason would never have set out to find the Golden Fleece nor Perseus the Gorgon's head if they had been sensible! They braved strange,hostile lands to seek their quarry! And they too were blessed by the Gods!"

Diana alighted in City Park. She was wise enough now to know it was not prudent to do so in front of a crowd. She walked slowly down the pathway,staring at the darken bushes and the lamps that burned overhead. She heard a rustling and saw two men coming to her. She smiled hesitantly and began, "Hello. I am wishing to find Metropolis University. Can you help me?"

One grinned, looking at her up and down, then at his friend slyly. "Well,of course,sweetheart. You lost?"

"I am new to your city. I...Hera!" she exclaimed as the other one grabbed her around the neck and flicked a knife at her cheek. "Not a sound."

His friend rubbed his hands. "Well,well,it's our lucky night. Where did you come from,sugar?"

Diana gave them a warning look. "Let me go."

"Oh,I don't think so. Any woman who finds herself walking in the park at two am,has lost the right to make demands." He moved the knife down to her first button of her shirt.

The other man said, "Come on. Not out here. Bring her behind the..."

Diana snapped, "Not anywhere!"

She peeled the man's arm from about her neck and broke it at the wrist like a twig. He screamed in pain as the knife fell from his fingers. She knocked him out cold with a punch to the jaw. The other was about to grab her when she back handed him and sent him flying into the nearby bench. He fell over the bench and was scrambling to get away. She caught him by the tail of his jacket and he cried, "Please...please...don't hurt me..."

She said coldly, "You cry now for your own life. You did not consider my life. You human refuse!" She dumped him head first into the nearest dustbin and walked away.

She emerged out into the street and looked at her map. The University was on the map east of her current position. But she wasn't sure how far away Clark would be from it. Maybe she could ask around. She walked rapidly down the street. The streets were not busy as she was near the shopping area. Stores were closed. But stragglers on the street wolf whistled her.

"Hey, princess, marry me!" belched one of the vagrant types from an alleyway. Diana began, "How?" The stench of urine assailed her nose. "Never mind."

A car slowed down and crawled with her. "You doing business,doll?"

Diana gave him an odd look. "Business? No. I have no merchandise."

The man leaned out his car and said slyly, "Oh,I can see your goods from here,sweet cheeks,and very nice they are too." The lascivious look made Diana's lips tighten. She may be naive but she wasn't so stupid that she didn't know what he meant. Gods,were men in the city so vile? She was tempted to flip his car but remembered Clark's warnings and hurried away. The man shouted, "Aw,Baby,I could have been good to you..!"

She ran across the road and was nearly run over by a cab. "Hey, lady, watch where you're going!"

She was walking past a small electrical store,when she heard an alarm; she peered in and saw two masked persons inside about to pick up a large plasma television. Diana paused and watched with interest from the threshold. The two thieves halted as they saw her. One snapped, "What ya looking at? Move your ass, girl."

Diana said, "That does not belong to you. You should put it back."

"Look, move, before I lose my temper and smash that pretty face in," threatened the other.

She put down her bag and approached them. One said in surprise, "She's got to be out of her fricking mind."

Diana said, "You should have listened to me." She came at them. One came to punch her;she moved swiftly and crushed his hand. He yelled and fell to his knees as the bones in his fingers cracked. The other tried to hit her on the head with a chair. She yanked the chair off him with one hand, and knocked him unconscious with the other. His friend was on the floor, whimpering, "Who are you?"

Diana heard the sound of sirens in the distance and said, "That must be the law. You will tell them what you did,will you not?'

"I...yes...yes...just don't touch me..."

She stepped over his comatosed friend,picked up her bag and then turned,"Oh,I am looking for a Oakfield Avenue. It is nearby Metropolis University. Can you direct me to it?"

"W-what?"

"I am looking for..."

"I..heard you...It's straight down this street. Six blocks down. You can't miss the University. Big red and white building."

Diana smiled. "Thank you."

She left him, staring after her in awe. She walked purposefully towards her destination;two blocks later she was followed by a car. She halted in some alarm. The car was a law enforcement vehicle. The squad car pulled up along side her. The driver was a middle aged man,with his female partner in her thirties. He said sternly, "What are you doing out here alone? You're not soliciting, are you?"

Diana looked confused. "I do not understand."

Her obvious accent made him frown. "What are you doing out here so late,kid?"

"I...am lost. I am new to your city. My..my cousin is a student there...I came to find him..."

The female looked at her partner cynically. She asked, "Yeah? Where's your cousin?"

"He attends Metropolis University. He... he lives in the 27 Oakfield Avenue."

"University, huh?" She whispered to her partner,"What do you think of that one,Tony?"

"That's six blocks from here," said the man. " But she's clearly no older than my Sophy. And she sure as hell don't look like no hooker."

"You know it's nearly two am?" the woman asked Diana.

"Yes..."

"Couldn't this cousin of yours pick you up instead of having you walk the city alone at night?"

"I...he is not expecting me."

"Get in. We'll give you a lift." The back door was opened.

Diana looked dubious. The male officer gestured paternally. "Get in,child. You look barely older than my girl and I wouldn't want her to be roaming the streets at night."

"I'm not sure..."

"Come on, darlin', we can't just let you walk six blocks alone. It's dangerous at night," said the woman with a coaxing smile.

Diana relaxed and accepted the lift. The officers drove her towards Oatfield Avenue;they were very friendly and warm and the male officer was insistent he was going to come with her to the door when they pulled up before the ground level house. The officer gestured along the street. "It's a decent enough part of the city at least. Lots of students rent along here. University is ten minutes walk."

He rapped loudly on the door. "It's Friday night. These kids are probably partying.."

The door opened and a tall,dark-skinned young man in his early twenties with a pair of glasses appeared. He blinked. "Oh. Officer?What's going on?"

The officer said pleasantly,''Good night, friend,I'm just here to drop off this little lady."

The young man blinked. "Little lady?" He gaped at Diana,who stepped forward and gave him a hesitant smile."Hello."

The officer said, "Her cousin lives here. Picked her up walking downtown alone."

"Cousin?"

Diana blurted out, "Clark Kent."

"Oh. Clark. He's your cousin? Well, he's not in at the moment. But you can come in and wait..." He stepped aside.

The officer wagged his finger at Diana,warned her not to go walking alone at night and bade them goodnight. Diana stepped into the the living room. The young man looked at her awkwardly and grimaced at the sitting room. There were clothes piled on the chairs; books, shoes, dvds, and cds on the floor near the entertainment unit; and empty soda cans, foiled wrappers, magazines and comics on the coffee table.

"Sorry." He shoved a pile of laundry aside and gestured for her to sit."I know it's a mess,but with exams and Michael,we never got around to...'

"Michael?"

"One of my roommates. He's a slob. Oh, by the way, my name is John Henry Irons. I share this house with Clark and Michael. I'm in the engineering faculty."

Diana shook his hand and sat down."Where is Clark?"

"He and some friends went to a party."

"And you did not go?"

John shook his head."Nah. Exams are coming up in two weeks. I chose to stay in to hit the books. So,did you have a good trip?"

A car pulled up in half an hour. Jimmy Olsen was at the wheel. "Well,folks,here we are. Bail."

Clark got out. He gave Lois a smile."I had a good time."

She said teasingly,"That's my line,Smallville. Shall I walk you to the door?"

A body next to them hiccuped,"Come on,Lane,if it's a kiss goodnight you want,I'll be happy to spare you one..."

Lois looked mockingly at the languid frame next to her on the other side."Isn't that just sweet of you!A kiss from you is what would really make the night worthwhile!"

He leaned in. "Always ready to render my services..."

Clark rolled his eyes and came around to open the door of the car and hauled his friend out by the collar. He took his arm and put it around his shoulder."Come on, loverboy. You are too much of a man for Lois to handle."

"I am, aren't I? Sorry,Lois,but you're my friend and I can't be held accountable for the consequences. Women have been known to waste away over me. It's for your own good."

Lois said drolly, "Yeah,thanks Mike. You're so kind.

Michael Carter gestured at his friends. "Come on in for some grub."

Chloe laughed. "Grub? What like the last time? Chocolate spread with gerkins? No thank you."

Michael slurred, "John did some shopping...I'm sure Clark here can rustle us up some eggs and steak...Besides,I need to eat."

Jimmy advised, "Get him to bed,C.K. And don't feed him unless you want him to choke on his own vomit."

"You're such a grandmother, Olsen..."began Michael, but lolling his golden head on Clark's shoulder.

Clark said, "If you guys want to come in. I'll see what I can do."

Lois got out. "Well,I'm starved."

Jimmy shrugged. "Suits me."

Clark easily carried his friend to the door. Michael muttered, "I feel sick."

"Yeah, that's what you get for mixing drinks, Jack Daniels," said Chloe.

Clark said, "Someone, get my keys. It's in my back pocket."

Lois volunteered humorously,"Oh,a chance to touch Smallville's tush. Allow me the honors." She got the keys out and was about to open up. The door opened before she could turn the key in the lock, and they saw John.

"Hey!"exclaimed Michael, "What a surprise! Irons is up studying! Your brain explode yet, Einstein?"

John sighed. "Hey, guys. Drunk again, huh?"

"Yeah." Clark carried him into the living room."Clear the couch for me, would you?"

John did just that and Clark laid Michael down. Lois said, as John made a space for her and Chloe on the two seater, "I just love what you guys have done with the place. It's so... Oscar the Grouch."

Michael laid back and covered his eyes."The room is spinning."

Chloe recommended, "Some Alker Seltzer will do the trick..."

John announced,"Clark,some girl turned up half an hour ago saying she's your cousin."

"My cousin? Here?"

Lois and Chloe perked up. "Cousin?"

"In the kitchen..."gestured John.

Clark hurried out.

"What's Kara doing here?"demanded Lois.

"Kara?That's not her name..."said John.

Chloe frowned,"What? Kara is the only cousin we know of."

"She said her name was..."

Clark shoved open the door and muttered, "Diana."

She was sitting at a round table eating a sandwich. She looked up to see him. He demanded,"What are you doing here?"

Diana got up. "Clark,thank Hera!We have to go to Starlabs. Lex is planning to create monsters by using humans!He must have gotten hold of Circe's potion...He must be stopped."

"Diana. How did you even find this place?"he asked bemused.

"That's a long story. I will tell you but it is secondary to the danger we face..."

"Danger?"

"I saw it in the Eye. It will come to pass. Lex has found the Beastiamorph formula and he will use innocent people to.."

"Please,sit down. You must be very tired."He tried to be calm and casual,well aware of the people in the room next door.

"I am not tired."

"You must have had a long journey."

"It took me about hour and a half..."

"Does Mom know?"

"I left her a note. Will you just listen to me?"

Clark turned to see John,Lois,Jimmy and Chloe on the threshold, looking at them in some astonishment. He took Diana's arm and drew her closer,saying through smiling teeth, "We will talk about this when we have no audience..."

She hissed,"When will that be?When people are dead?"

"Later, " he insisted.

She shook him off her and sulkily obeyed. Clark looked at John. "You've been entertaining her? Thanks."

John shrugged shyly, "It was no trouble at all."

Chloe covered her mouth. "Yikes." Jimmy gave her a suspicious look and whispered. "You know her?"

"Nope"

Lois folded her arms and came forward. She queried, "Well,Clark,aren't you going to introduce us to your other cousin?"

Clark coughed. "Everyone, this is Diana. Diana, this is Lois, Chloe and Jimmy. Friends of mine."

Jimmy eagerly stepped forward. "Nice to meet you."

Diana assented her head graciously and shook Jimmy's hand. "Hello. It is nice to meet you," she parroted.

Lois asked,"So, Clark, how is it this very exotic and obviously very new arrival to our shores related to a corn fed farmer's son?"

"Her mother is a distant cousin of my father's, isn't that right, cousin?" asked Clark mockingly.

"That is correct. She married a Greek goat herder," said Diana, looking naughtily at Clark. "We have a flock of thirty goats,and three pigs and two asses,don't we cousin Clark?"

Cousin Clark was speechless. John had to stifle a snigger. Jimmy whispered, "What I wouldn't give to be an ass." Chloe gave him an elbow in his ribs. "Ow! Hey, come on,'' he muttered, "You gotta admit she's a photographer's dream."

Lois exclaimed, "A goat herder? How ...quaint!"

The door opened and Michael stumbled in. He had Diana's bag in his hand and looked around ruefully, "Sorry,I threw up in this bag."

Chloe crinkled his nose in distaste. "Michael,you're a pig! Couldn't you have gone to the bathroom?"

"Look, Sullivan, it was either this bag or my clean laundry..."

John looked at him reproachfully. "Nice job,Carter. You puked in Clark's cousin's bag."

Michael looked at Clark. "Sorry dude. Tell her I'll buy...Holy Cow!"He goggled as he saw the "cousin" come to him and dip her hand in the bag and pull out an object wrapped in a towel that was partially covered in vomit.

"The Eye!" She gave him a disapproving look, tossed the towel in the bin and went to wash the orb in the sink.

Michael grasped Clark's arm,shoved the bag in his hands and said,"Introduce me,Kent.''

Clark sighed. "Diana, Michael, Michael. Diana."

Michael bowed clumsily and had to be held upright by John,"Sorry about the bag,"he said,beaming like a Cheshire cat.

Diana said curtly, "It is not the bag that I was worried about."

Clark was about to throw the bag in the bin, when Diana stopped him. "Wait there is something else." She pulled out a large knife out from the side pocket and said awkwardly as everyone looked at her with some bemusement, "It is my...mother's."

Lois remarked, "Wow,did you charm your way through immigration with that?"

Clark dumped the bag and said hastily, "It's Greek custom. Er,guys my cousin has been traveling a long time and must be very tired. It's late. Can we do this another time?"

Chloe took Lois' and Jimmy's arm. "I agree with Clark. Diana needs her rest. She must be jet lagged. It's nearly 3 am. Let's go. We'll grab a burger. We'll call you tomorrow. Night guys. Nice to meet you,Diana."

Chloe dragged away them away,despite their reproachful looks. This left Clark with his "cousin" and two roommates. John took Michael's arm."Come on."

Michael began to protest but John yanked him out. Diana was looking mutinous,still holding her orb in one hand and knife in the other, and Clark was rigid and wooden-faced.

He snapped, "I told you to stay at home! Can't you do as you're told for a change?"

"I was trying. And at least I came to you first. I could have gone to the Starlabs alone. But I did not do so out of respect for what you told me," she said defensively.

"Well,you won't know how honored that makes me feel. You decide to barge once again into the spotlight and really complicate matters. You know they are not going to buy that you are my cousin!"

"Well, it doesn't matter. You can tell them whatever you want. Tell them I am an Amazon. I do not care..."

"No, I can't because you're the daughter of a goat herder, aren't you?'' His lips began to twitch and, unable to maintain a stern expression, he found himself laughing in dismay, "Was that the best you could have done? I swear I could strangle you when you said it! And Michael just had to top it off by barfing on a priceless antiquity."

It dawned on Diana how ridiculous the situation was and she began to giggle."I am so sorry. I was so mad with you for talking to me as if I am seven years old."

He grimaced. "Well,you certainly aren't making life easy for me. And did you have to let them know you carried a ten inch knife with you?"

She winced. "Sorry again .This is your mother's..." She put the knife down."It was the only weapon I could find at short notice."

"Why have you risked leaving the farm?"

She told him about the images in the Eye. He looked dubious."Men mutating into beasts?Are you sure?"

"The Eye never lies."

"Maybe not but does it always predict correctly? Maybe you saw images out of context."

"I know what I saw. Everything I have seen has come to past. I even saw you before I came to the outside world..."

"And you knew what I would have done? The kind of person I was?"

"Well, no. I thought you an enemy when I first saw you."

"I rest my case. We're not rushing into Starlabs until we have proof of what is going on. You in particular don't need Lex finding out that you are in Metropolis."

"So what do we do?"

"Lois and Chloe are actually following a story about Starlabs. I'll see if they found anything. It's very late. You need to rest. You can have my room."

"Where will you sleep?"

"The couch. I've got to call Mom first thing in the morning before she gets a heart attack. Honestly Diana,you don't stop to think do you?"

She looked sheepish."I hope your mother won't be too angry. I was taught if I can do something to help, no matter what the situation, I should."

"That's great but it can get you killed if you don't pause to weigh the consequences. Come on,let me show you where you'll be sleeping."

She sighed and trailed behind him."You sound like Phillipus."

"Who is that?"

"One of my mentors and teachers. She would go on and on about action and consequence but it was difficult seeing what she meant if one never was placed in a difficult situation. Being a champion for the people must not be easy."

"My Dad once said it's being a champion of the people that's hardest."

Michael Carter rose the next day with a pounding headache. He dragged himself to the kitchen and saw John and Clark in the kitchen. Both were sitting and having coffee. They looked up in surprise to see him. Normally he'd sleep in until midday,but some nagging thought had prompted him to waken at nine thirty. Clark pulled a chair out for him with his foot.

"You feel as you look?"he inquired politely.

"Funny,Kent."

"Coffee?"asked John.

"Yeah...sure...Jeeze,I had a strange dream."

Clark looked interested."Did you now?"

"Yeah. I dreamed that I threw up in a bag and there was a really hot chick in this very kitchen..."

"A hot chick dream?" mused John,his lips curving upwards. He handed him a mug."How hot?"

"Oh, man, on the hot meter she was smoking...she had these blue eyes and gorgeous black hair and...what a body...She was like if you threw in the genes of Angelina, Rebecca Romain, Rhona Mitra, and ..."

The door opened and Diana walked in. Michael spluttered and sprayed his coffee over the table. Clark looked at him mischievously."You were saying?"

He looked at her in astonishment and then at the grinning faces of his friends."Sons of a...," he hissed, then forced a smile and got up to greet her."Hello again."

Diana gave him a strange look, but said graciously, "Hello. I see you are not vomiting today." Michael reddened much to his friends' delight. "Er,no."He sat down and began to mop up his mess with napkins,looking rather subdued.

She looked at Clark. "I spoke to your mother. She wants you to ring her. I told her I was not coming back right away."

Now it was Clark's turn to spit out his coffee."What?"

She sat down and looked at him hopefully. "I have been thinking. It might be better with me here...away from Smallville...where we could find out more about that matter we spoke about..."

Clark began, "That's a lousy idea. For starters you can't stay here. I'm renting and these guys..."

Michael interrupted, "Yes,she can. Right John Henry?"

John looked at Clark's dark expression. "Look, it doesn't matter to me but she's his cousin..."

Michael looked very happy to confirm she was related to Clark."Your cousin? Well, that's...great!Come on,Kent,you can't turn your back on your blood."

Clark gave Michael a dark look. "Didn't you have a hangover?"

Diana looked at the two young men gratified. "Really? You would not mind?"

They shook their heads, the expression on their faces,especially Michael's, one of inane admiration. She said naively,"I know it's probably unfair of me to take your room from you,Clark, I can sleep on the couch..."

Michael volunteered,"She can have my room. I'll sleep on the couch."

Clark got up and said sarcastically, "Thanks,Galahad. But who says she's staying?"

Diana began to protest. "But..."

He cut her off. "I'm going to speak to Mom." He left the kitchen. Michael looked at Diana's crestfallen look. "He's always been a bit of a stiff."

John sighed. "It's none of my business really but your cousin is a good sort of a guy and you're new here. Maybe you ought to listen to what he has to say."

Diana leaned her chin on her hand."What choice have I got?"

Clark was astonished to hear from his mother that perhaps keeping Diana in Metropolis might be the better thing. It appeared that a deputy had come around the house to investigate.

Apparently Clark had been seen on the video camera inside the store talking to the girl,then leaving with her. Mrs Kent had to defend her son by saying that he had been doing errands for her and had mentioned giving someone a lift into town. He had no idea he had picked up someone who was wanted for theft. He had dropped her off and that was the last he saw of her. The deputy had even searched the farmhouse and finding nothing decided to believe her. Martha Kent's reputation as an upstanding member of society more or less made all the difference. The deputy had also let it slip that it was Lex Luthor that was pushing the matter; and that he had his own people searching Smallville to locate the girl.

"So, you see, it may not be a good idea to bring her back just yet. I suspect they'll be watching us. It was a good thing Diana left when she did."

"But, Mom, she can't stay here."

"Well, Clark, I'm afraid she'll have to, at least until we figure out what to do with her. She needs someone to look out for her. And you're the only one she has. And with exams coming up, you don't have to be on campus all day. Besides,she's way too impetuous and headstrong to be left to her own devices."

"Yeah,tell me something I don't know. I'll need Chloe's help on this to get her some more stuff. I'll talk to you soon, Mom. Love you."

He hung up the phone and went back into the kitchen. He folded his arms and said, "Okay,you're staying!"

Luthor was looking at the staff. The Beastiamorph project was underway and had been wisely moved from the premises of Starlabs into an old warehouse. Veronica had managed to perfect the serum but had to do some more testing on animals before testing it on humans. She did not want another Burke to happen. He was also in confinement and undergoing tests. Circe had never been much into after effects; she was a sorceress first; but Veronica was a scientist and needed to know what the potion was capable of and know it's limitations. Lex was pleased with the project but peeved about having to dispose of Circe. True she had been calculating and selfish but so was he. He appreciated ambition. Now he was intent on searching out someone with magical abilities,where ever they may be in the world,to help him next month when the eclipse came nearer.

But he needed the so called Eye of Ra. The young Amazon had been so intent to get home that she put herself at risk. Could he make her desperate?He had to find some way to draw her out again. So far the police had been unable to track her down. She was hiding;but someone so raw and new to the world, no matter how powerful,had to have some help. And that help had shaken Lex. What power could move so swiftly and nearly bring down a building?It,like the Amazon, was too dangerous to have around. It was a threat.

Lex picked up the phone and dialed the number to the Metropolis Museum. He requested to speak to the curator who was a good friend of the Luthor family, who had always been patrons of the Museum.

"Hello, Mr Collins,Lex Luthor here. Oh yes, my father's fine, I guess. But the reason I called was to have you contact your friends in Cairo. My people have found something that would be of interest to all lovers of Egyptology. I have in my possession the Staff of Anubis. Yes, I know it was stolen. It's my desire to return it. Could we not work out a little public relations exercise?You know,I return it to the owners in a rather nice ceremony under the glare of the media? Yes, I know I'll have to bring it in. It will be my pleasure. And perhaps while we wait for the Egyptians to come to the States, we can get permission to exhibit it until the handing over ceremony? It will after all be the only time our people will get to see such a beautiful piece."

Chloe, Lois and Jimmy were bemused to hear that the Greek cousin was going to remain in Metropolis. Chloe dropped off some clothes and toiletries for Diana as requested on Saturday afternoon. She told Clark that she and Lois had found Starlabs' security very tight and the P.R. dept had refused to talk to reporters. Lois however did not take no for an answer and had stumbled upon another piece of useful information with her persistence and her charm. She had struck up a flirtation with a guard and found out that one of the researchers who use to work with Burke had just stopped coming into work. The woman, a Miss Doe, had been a bit weird and when Chloe told Clark the description he knew it at once. It had to have been Circe.

"Chloe, Diana thinks there's some sort of experiment going on in Starlabs, with humans as subjects, turning them into mutations and Lex knows and approves of it. I need to check it out."

Chloe cranked her neck to see Diana with Michael in the backyard:he was explaining the rules of basket ball,and showing off his three point throwing abilities."Are you going to tell her?"

"She has this habit of reacting first then thinking after. No. I'm going to see if I can get near and sweep the area tonight."

"Okay. Keep in touch."

The rain fell heavily from about seven o'clock that evening and this gave Clark the perfect opportunity to fly in and using his super vision,sweep the entire building for signs of any abnormalities. He systematically went through every floor and room. He saw nothing to make him conclude that there was any experiments with humans as test subjects happening. There was no sign of Burke. Clark was soaked to the skin by the time he flew away from Starlabs. He could only conclude that,if there had been anything, they had moved to another location.

As Clark was doing this, Diana was sitting with Michael in the living room watching television. Michael, for the first time in months,elected to stay home on a Saturday night.

"You sick or something?"asked John, who passed by to go to the kitchen.

"No, Irons, I'm not sick. I just thought it would be nice to stay in and relax. Partying can be so dull at times. Same old crowd. Same gals fighting over a guy. Gets to you some time,you know."

"No,I didn't know."He looked at Diana,who was watching a documentary on civil war in North Africa with real horror in her eyes. "You okay, Diana?"

She looked up. "I do not know, John. This is upsetting."

He nodded soberly. "It is a human tragedy."

"It is disgraceful. Why aren't other governments helping?"

"It's not that simple. Some do,but the bigger problem is getting the aid in. When there are conflicts the opposing sides are to busy fighting to remember the people caught in between or they themselves seize the food and medical supplies."

"Can not people go in and stop them?"

"Going into another man's land is called invasion, Diana."

"But people are dying."

"I know and some people prefer their own bad government than foreigners who know nothing about their way of life coming to dictate to them."

"It's a messed up world, "said Michael. "That's just the tip of the iceberg. There's gun running, the drug trade, child labor, poverty, famine..."

She looked troubled. "This world is a frightening place. The Oracle was right."

"The who?"

"Nothing."

John asked,"You guys want a snack?"

Michael began to nod. Diana shook her head. "I will wait on Clark."

Michael repaired, "We'll wait on Clark."

John shook his head wryly and went into the kitchen. The eight o'clock news suddenly came on television. Diana looked on with keen interest. After the headlines, came the local news and her eyes widened.

On the television was a picture of the Staff of Anubis.

"The Staff of Anubis, which had been stolen two years ago from the Cairo Museum, has been recovered and handed in by a yet unnamed civilian. The curator of the museum, Mr Collins, confirmed early this afternoon in a press release that it was this good Samaritan whose people discovered it in a basement of an old warehouse and will be handing it over to its rightful owners in a ceremony next week Wednesday. The Egyptians are so grateful, that they have permitted the Staff to be exhibited until it is handed over and transported back to Cairo. The staff is now in housed in the Museum and will be open to public display on Monday."

Diana turned to Michael and demanded,"Where is this Museum?"