Son of Cadmus
Chapter 9
Kara stepped forward, the click of her red boots ringing off the crystal walls of the fortress. Her light blue eyes stayed locked on her cousin, nerves roiling around in her stomach, making her feel like she had just gotten off a roller coaster.
She stopped before him, her blue eyes twinkling. "It's been a long time, Kal."
Clark's light blue eyes scanned her up and down, "Yes it has, almost two years. How are you Kara?"
Kara wrapped her slender arms around the man of steel's neck, "I'm fine. The future just got a little too complicated for me."
Clark placed his hands on her shoulders, looking into her light blue eyes, his own full of concern, "Are you sure you're okay, that boyfriend of yours didn't give you any trouble did he?"
Kara's cheeks flared a light pink, "No, everything's fine on that front, we tried for a while, but we decided just to stay friends."
Clark nodded slowly, his lips turning down in a frown, "That's good I didn't really like you dating a descendent of Brainiac anyway."
Ignoring her cousin, Kara turned her attention to the blonde teen with glowing blue white eyes, she stepped towards him her nerves increasing, her lips twisted upwards a bit as she watched his shoulders tense, "So, you're my son," her blue eyes started his feet before scanning up to his head, "what they say is true, kid sure do grow up fast."
Connor's eyes drifted to the side, locking onto his aunt's unconscious form, "Technically I am Galatea's son, created by Doctor Emil Hamilton by combining the DNA of Galatea and Captain Atom."
Kara glanced at her cousin, "I thought Galatea was done for when I barbecued her after she attacked the watchtower?"
"From what we've been able to get from Cadmus's files, Galatea was in a coma, but her body still function normally. "They took one of her eggs, implanted it with Captain Atom's energy, and used Lucy Lane as a surrogate."
Kara whistled, "And I thought births on krypton were complicated."
Gently, the girl of steel use the tip of her fingers to turn Connor's head to face her, "Well, however you came into the world, I'm glad you're here and look forward to getting to know you."
The man of steel glanced over the holographic screens detailing Lois's unconscious form, "Speaking of that, how did you know of Connor's existence."
Kara raised an eyebrow, "Hello, I was in the future."
The man of steel crossed his arms over his broad chest, his red cape swaying, the tips of it brushing the floor, "You know what I mean. Back when you went to Smallville High you barely paid attention in history. Plus, if you had been paying attention, you would've known of Connor's existence well before now."
Leaning forward, Kara's blue eyes narrowed. She stalked forward, her heavy footsteps echoing throughout the fortress, her blonde hair swaying at her back. "First of all," she poked the man of steel in the chest with each word, "Smallville history was boring.
Second of all I just got back from a major mission and decided to check on you, and third of all during that mission, a blonde haired man with glowing blue white eyes took a blast meant for me and died," tears prickled at the corner of Kara's eyes cascading down her cheeks in shimmering rivers, "With his final breath," she choked, "he called me mother."
In a flash, Kara was back before Connor, cupping his face in her hands, "I put the man's face in the Legion computers," a smile twitched her lips, "Imagine my surprise when news clippings from a thousand years in the past popped up with his picture, detailing Superboy."
Unconsciously, Connor leaned into her touch, enjoying the touch of another person that wasn't affected by his draining powers.
"Curious," Kara continued, "I put one of the man's hairs into the Legion computer. To my shock, it came up with A maternal genetic match."
Letting her hand drop from his face, Kara stepped back, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand, "After that, I just had to come back and meet you."
Awkwardly, Connor stretched his hand forward, scratching the back of his head with the other, "Hi," he hesitated, "I am Connor, just Connor."
Kara spun around, her blue eyes narrowed, "You haven't given him the last name Kent yet?"
A sheepish smile spread across the man of steel's face, his hands flew up in a placating gesture, "We've been busy the past six years trying to get his powers under control and honestly I forgot."
"Six years!" Kara shrieked, making both men wince, "you've been training him for six years and didn't think to give him a last name, to complete his sense of self," she placed her hands on her hips, "a boy who according to the Legion records, was raised to be nothing more than a weapon."
Connor opened his mouth to say he wasn't a boy, but stopped when Kara spun around. "From now on, your name is Connor Lucian Kent," she hesitated, uncertainty rising in her blue eyes, "that is if it's okay with you."
"Connor Lucian Kent," the young hybrid tested, a small smile on his face, he nodded, "I like it."
Kara released a breath, her shoulders relaxing, "I'm glad. I thought we could use Lucian as a homage to Lucy since she did give birth to you."
Connor's eyes drifted down to his feet, "She did more than that."
A tense silence fell in the fortress. Kara shifted from foot to foot cursing herself under her breath. A feminine groan broke the silence.
Lois sat up, a slender hand on her head, "Okay, did anyone get the number of the bus that hit me."
In a flash the three kryptonians were around Lois is crystal recliner.
Lois smiled at each one of them, her blue eyes flicking from person to person. When they landed on Kara, her eyes widened, "Okay, just how long was I out? Last I heard she was a thousand years in the future."
The three kryptonians laughed, the joyous sound reverberating through the fortress.
The man of steel turned to the younger kryptonians, "Why don't you to go get acquainted. I will explain to Lois what's going on."
Kara and Connor looked at each other.
A smirk turned the corners of Kara's lips upward, "Race you."
With that, the girl of steel was gone in a red blur.
"Hey," Connor called after her disappearing in a light blue blur, "that's cheating."
–XX –
The two kryptonian's landed on a small tropical island in the middle of the ocean.
Kara kicked off her red boots, digging her tanned toes into the soft white sand.
Falling backwards, the Girl of steel reclined on her arms.
Connor plucked a coconut from a nearby palm tree. With a light squeeze it split down the center, filling the air with the scent of fresh coconut, mixing with the salty smell of the sea.
With a flick of his wrist, the young hybrid sent half the coconut spinning into Kara's lap.
Plopping down on the sand, Connor crossed his legs, leaning his head back as a gentle breeze swept through his hair.
"So," Connor began, keeping his eyes locked on the ocean, "I suppose this is the part where we talk."
A soft breath exploded past Kara's pink lips, she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, "This is so surreal, I never expected to have a son this early in my life, let alone one that is sixteen," she glanced at him, "I mean I'm only twenty-three."
"I'm not expecting anything from you," Connor ventured, keeping his voice neutral, "I just want to know where I come from, to know my family."
Kara scooted closer, slipping her tan slender fingers into his large hand, "I want to know you too, I'm sorry for what happened to Lucy, she deserved better than that."
Connor's head snapped towards her as seagulls began dive-bombing the ocean, the gentle caws mingling together into a soundtrack of nature. Almost sounding like relaxing music when it mixed in with the crashing of the waves.
"The future you transferred his memories to me. Most of the future stuff is a blur, but your early life is crystal clear," she tightened her grip on his hand, "I'm sorry I wasn't here for you, I'm sorry I wasn't able to protect you from that."
Connor focused on a dark shelled crab scuttling across the sand, clicking its pincers with every other step, "It's all right, you didn't know I existed, so I can't really hold you at fault."
A silence fell between them, the two blondes just sat there, watching seagulls scoop fish out of the ocean, the faint scent of fish wafted into their enhanced noses.
"Listen," Kara began after a while, "I don't know much about being a parent, but I do want to be part of your life."
Connor nodded, "I would like that. So, I live for the next thousand years."
"As long as you don't do anything stupid, we kryptonians can live indefinitely under the raise of a yellow sun."
Connor winced, "Well that certainly makes dating a problem," he looked down at the sand, digging his toes into it, "then again it's not like I was having all that much luck before. You know with my inability to touch anyone but family."
A mischievous smile spread across Kara's face, "Sounds like you have someone in mind?" She asked a hint of teasing in her voice.
Connor looked away his face flushed a light pink.
"Come on," Kara bumped his shoulder with hers, "tell me, I won't make fun of you"
Over the next few hours, the two blonde kryptonians talked even as the sun began to paint the sky orange and sink beneath the horizon.
–XX –
The next day, the three kryptonians drifted down towards the Hall of justice. They landed before a square pool, its waters rippling in a gentle breeze.
A marble star set in the center of the pool. Golden flames perched in the center of the star, sunlight making the flames flash, sending golden rays across the water.
"You go swimming in that?" Connor asked as they strode around the pool, his white cape sweeping the white concrete.
Superman shook his head as they stopped on the other side of the pool, "No, considering were in the middle of the city, I don't think that would be a good idea."
"Which means most of the members of the justice league are sticks in the mud," Kara whispered.
Connor snorted.
"You know I can hear you, right?"
"You were meant to."
While his two companions bantered back and forth, Connor focused his attention on the Hall of justice. It was an arch shaped building with two columns going straight up the center. Large segmented to square glass windows filled the arch.
Two rectangular buildings stood on either side of the arch, made of the same pale marble as the arch itself.
Carved into the arch one word on either side of the pillars was, Hall of Justice in big capital letters.
Stepping forward, the young hybrid stopped in between the two pillars before a set of glass double doors. He ran his finger along the marble frames of the segmented glass windows.
A large tan hand landed on his shoulder, "So, what do you think?"
"It's definitely big. Aunt Lois would kill to have unrestricted access to this place, even if it is a tourist trap."
Superman raised an eyebrow, "Tourist trap?"
Connor tapped his temple with his index finger, "Cadmus's genomes downloaded everything they knew about the Hall of justice into my brain. According to what I know, the Hall of justice is just a front for the public. The real action happens in the space station orbiting the earth."
Kara slender tan hands balled into fist, cracking her knuckles, her light blue eyes narrowed, the pupils burning red.
"Hey," Connor placed a hand on her shoulder, "it's okay, I may have been created as a weapon, but with you, Uncle Clark, and Aunt Lois around I have a brighter future. That's all that matters."
Kara's shoulders relaxed at his words, the light in her pupils faded. Air exploded from her nose as the tension drain from her body. She glanced at Connor, the corners of her lips turning upward, "Where on earth did you get such an optimistic outlook? I know for sure you didn't get it from me, and Captain Atom has the biggest stick up his ass I've ever seen."
"Kara!"
"I'm not being optimistic, I just try not to focus on the bad things in life, or else I would probably go on a rampage killing half the planet."
"Yeah," Kara drew out the word while guiding him inside, "Keep doing that."
The trio strode into the Hall of Justice, brisk air conditioned air filling their lungs.
Their feet echoing off the white tiles, the florescent lights above them made the black grout in between the tiles shine.
Connor glanced at the stone statues lining either side of him. Each was a member of the justice league, depending on who they were. They were either in a heroic pose, or holding up a planet.
The young hybrid stopped at a statue, according to the name engraved into the base it was wonder woman. She stood tall and proud, her fists planted on her hips, her head angled so she looked off to one side.
Kara stopped beside him, gazing up at the statue, "Impressive, huh?"
"A little narcissistic if you ask me."
Kara raised her hands in a what can you do gesture, "Maybe a little, but the tourist love it, plus, the revenue that this place brings in helps the justice league."
The blonde kryptonians slipped a hand on Connor shoulder, turning him towards the silver door at the end of the hall, "Now come on, quit stalling it's time to meet your new friends."
The metallic door slid open with a hiss and the three stepped into the room beyond.
A large computer took up the majority of one wall, its sleek metal shining in the light coming through the rectangular Windows high up on the walls.
Snack machines line the walls near a door at the far end of the room.
Futuristic white chairs sat around a circular table with a lion's foot leg.
Sitting around the table, their feet propped up on its smooth white surface were three teens.
The three kryptonians stopped before them.
A yellow spandex wearing teen with red hair spun in his chair, the red lightning bolt on his chest seem to be moving with each rotation.
He stopped when he caught sight of Kara, his hazel eyes widening. In a flash, he was beside her his arm draped across her shoulder, his right red glove dangerously close to one of her breast.
"Hello baby, the names Kid Flash," he wiggled his eyebrows, "maybe you've heard of me?"
Kara picked up Kid Flash's hand with her thumb and forefinger dropping it off her body, "No, but then again I've been out of town for a while."
A small dark haired teen in a black Domino mask snorted. Rising to his feet, he offered a black gloved hand to Kara, "Nice job, I haven't seen anyone smack down Wally that fast in a while."
Kara's eyes scanned the kid's body, taking in the steel toed combat boots adorning his feet before moving up his green spandex clad legs, moving past the yellow utility belt adorning his waist before finally settling on the red spandex shirt covering his torso with the yellow R adorning his right breast.
Kara gently shook his hand, one side of her pink lips turning up in a smirk, "I'm glad you enjoyed the show."
In the blink of an eye, Kid Flash was back in his chair, his arms crossed over his chest, "That's cold Robin, really cold."
"Really," the final teen said rising to his feet, a pair of black wings unfolding, "I thought it was kind of funny."
His green eyes locked on Connor, a smile spread across the dark skin of his face, he stretched forth a hand covered in a metal claw gauntlet, "Since everybody seems to be ignoring you, I'll be nice, the names Rex."
Connor grasped Rex's hand giving it a firm shake, "I am Connor."
"So," Rex began, "what's up with your eyes?"
Kid Flash and Robin groaned running hands down their faces.
Connor smirked, a single blonde eyebrow rising to his hairline, "what's up with your wings, are they real?"
Rex threw back his head and laughed, rubbing the back of his curly hair, "I guess I deserve that."
He turned to the other two teens, "This," he pointed to Kid Flash, "is Kid Flash, protégé of the Flash," he pointed to Robin, "this is Robin, protégé of Batman," he turned to face Connor again, "and I am Rex Stewart a.k.a. War Hawk, son of John Stuart and Hawk girl."
Connor nodded to them, "nice to meet you all, I am Connor a.k.a. Superboy."
A white door at the far end of the room slid open with a hiss.
Wonder woman strode into the room, the silver border of her red corset armor shining in the light, her red boots clicked on the floor, their white borders flashing with each step.
Hanging from what looked like a dark blue bathing suit bottom covered in white stars was a golden lasso.
She stopped before the group, crossing her arms over her chest, her metal wristbands clinking together, a pleasant smile on her face.
Connor noted all of this in the back of his mind, his attention fully focused on the girl standing beside Wonder Woman, her curvaceous figure outlined in black spandex. Silver stars traveling up the outer part of her legs, drew his attention away from her light blue eyes.
She crossed her arms over her impressive chest, her wristbands grinding against each other. A smile played on her red lips.
Kid Flash shot forward, "Donna," he exclaimed his arms spread wide, "come give me a hug."
Donna raised a hand, making him pause in midstride, "Not today, Flash."
Her attention focused on Connor, "So, you finally decided to show yourself."
"So, your names Donna, I have to say I like it better than Wonder Girl."
"Kal, who is this?" Wonder Woman asked.
"I think we would all like to know that."
The group turned.
A man in gray tights with a black bat on his chest strode forward, the dark cape of his cowl swishing behind him.
Following him was a dark skinned man in a black suit, an image of a Green Lantern on his chest, his glowing green eyes focused on Rex.
On his other side was a red-haired woman, a pair of gray wings expanding from the back of her white tracksuit. A silver mace dangled from her hip. Her green eyes also focused on Rex, a soft smile on her lips.
Bringing up the rear was a man in red spandex, stylized lightning bolts covering his ears, and an embroidered lightning bolt inside of a white circle plastered on his chest.
"Yeah come on big S, the man in red said," the wide eyes of his mask focused on Superman, "how could you not tell us you had a new protégé?"
"Oh no," Kara muttered "the cavalry is here and they're lead by Mr. Paranoia."
