Before you start reading this chapter I must mention its pretty long and intercut between several characters. Yet its rich in detail and full of great history. I hope you enjoy it.
4/17/05 - 8:00AM - Smallville, KS
Diana got to her knees as she slowly shook Clark awake. With a smile on his face he spoke up.
"Diana?" said Clark sleepily as he opened his eyes and saw her beautiful face. After everything bad that had happened the day before he had to admit it was so great to begin his day seeing her.
"Yes. Its me Kal-El and good morning. Time to wake up we've got a lot to do. Your mother is already making breakfast, now come on get up."
Clark yawned as he got out of bed and saw his mother and father already in the kitchen preparing a really good breakfast. Eggs, bacon, toast, pancakes ,orange juice, coffee and milk. This would make any great Sunday breakfast if there wasn't the threat of psycho ready to kill him at a moments notice.
Everybody sat down already dressed as the prepared themselves to leave once they were done eating. Chloe for first time truly wondered what was the reason for Diana and Clark's outfits. They were so similar to each other only Diana had some star designs on her clothes, a very American girl style look to her. Diana told her that her outfit was very much the same style of the American flag from Steve's shoulder insignia as a way to be open towards his nation and she would dress in similar colors for her it was a reminder that she could be in her outfit at a moment's notice.
Chloe really wanted to see Diana go all warrior princess, but was ready to accept that when things became necessary. As for Clark, Diana always felt that it was more than just his favorite colors. When he became the great hero he his costume would be a cry back to the old Kryptonian warriors who's colors of red, blue and yellow where the colors responding to their status of the mighty knights of the Sapphire Guard. For the House of El was a line of noblemen who carried the honor of their forebears every day on their chests.
Chloe really became amazed. Clark Kent farm boy and intrepid reporter in training was a nobleman.
Jonathan and Martha continued to eat in silence, what hostility they had for Diana was almost non existent. Yet even they were beginning to wonder why Clark and Diana were sharing such reserved looks toward each other. They knew that their son had a very lonely life but they didn't want him to take advantage or be taken advantage of. After he failed with Lana and was horribly manipulated by Alicia, they warned him that despite how he felt he should be careful. Yet Martha never gave up on him, 'There is someone out there for you' was becoming her mantra for Clark. But right now they all needed to concentrate upon their survival.
Few words were said and only satisfied appetites from a happy group of people. They relaxed for a little while talking about what happened the day before. Even Chloe wasn't going to let what happened with Lois and Lana disregard the kind conversation that happened before as they talked about their time in Mrs. Marston's dress shop.
Martha and Chloe still found it amazing that Diana was allowed permission to try it on. Chloe still found it great that she was able to get one up on Dawn Stiles. Even Diana agreed that girl was supremely selfish. Martha wanted to meet with Mrs. Marston and hopefully be invited to see her try that dress on.
"When I was with Jonathan the first time in Smallville I couldn't help but think how beautiful it was. I remember asking Liz if I could try it on, but she was completely opposed to me touching it. Just touching it! She told me she was waiting for the goddess to walk into the door one day to try it on. Looks like she found her goddess."
"Demigoddess actually." Diana corrected.
"Oh you should show her how you convinced her, do your pose."
"My pose?"
"You know the hands at your hips pose."
Diana then stood upright and put her hands at her hips which elicited a look of pride on both Chloe and Martha.
"You really do appear to be a very assertive woman."
"Well your not so bad yourself Madame Pr..." Diana put her hand to her mouth in time before revealing a another word.
"What was that Diana?" said Martha.
"Nothing you should know about in a few decades time."
"Fine I won't press the matter."
"In the meantime we all need to get ready."
Clark, Diana, Chloe and the Kents got to the living room and sat down. But no sooner did they sit did Clark begin clutching his head in a pain. A high-pitched ringing blared into his ears as neither anyone in the room could hear it.
"Clark what's wrong?" said Chloe as Martha and Jonathan raced towards him.
"AHHHH!" Clark heard the ringing in his head but not just him who heard it but everyone else in the room scream. Chloe, Jonathan, Martha and Diana were bent over yelling in pain as the ringing reached their ears too.
"What's going on?!" Clark screamed. "How are you guys hearing this?"
"Hardcaste!" Diana yelled.
Hardcastle had done it. He had replicated the same signal that had once communicated to Superman's beacon. It took some time but he was able to do it for every single human in Smallville and even for every soldier on the base.
The soldiers at Fort Riley where clutching their temples in agony as well as General Lane, Major Hardy, Major Charles, Steve Trevor, Carol Ferris, a recovered Colonel Napier, Lois and Lana who were getting ready to leave only to hear a loud ringing in their ears.
Joseph Willowbrook at Central Kansas State heard the ringing in his head as well as several members of his Native American Honor Society as they continued a conversation concerning Naman.
In Smallville it was the same. Sheriff Adams thought having already been released from the hospital the day before returned to her office hearing the sound along with all her deputies at the station.
At the Kregburn tavern several Smallville Crows football players where cleaning up the mess from a party as many of them were celebrating their acceptance to a university. Many of them sweared as the heard the noise.
In the home of Mr. Summers the Smallville High Geology Professor had his wife's arm wrapped around his as the walked along the street coming next to the Fordman's department store when Mr. Summers noticed a colleague getting ready to walk the street when he and his wife held their ears in agony.
Mr. Ballister was on the way to the Talon to watch a movie, the coffee house was shut down but the ticket taker to the movie was still there under Lex Luthor's order that the matinee would still air their classic film. As he walked by the Fordman's department store he heard that sound along with several people on the street.
General Hardcastle could feel the sound reach his ears as he felt it shaper than most. He then used the information in Diana's computer about the alien menace. He knew it was going to be tricky to sell this but because of what he knew what would happen to him he couldn't help but see the negative. But even he knew some of these old files were very twisted. He even knew how to start as he remembered that invasion by those Kryptonians.
"YOU ARE NOT ALONE. YOU ARE NOT ALONE."
Each and every house in Smallville, whether it was their computers, televisions, cell phones, radios and computers had heard the message over and over. As the message went through every store, every shop and home. The people in Smallville where looking at each other with worry others were shaking in fear and others held each other. The only good thing many could say was that the noise was over. But then they saw the appearance of an old man weathered and frail as he began to speak.
Joseph Willowbrook stood with his fellow students as they gathered around a television set up in classroom. In what was originally supposed to be a gathering on the importance of the Kawatche people in Smallville transformed into something more interesting. They saw the image of the old man wearing strange clothing. A long white robe with the symbol of a five-sided diamond with what looked to be the number eight etched on the diamond.
"Sister, as I record this message to you I will be dead soon. No physician on any world can save me now. My grief has crippled and pained my soul for years since I had to leave the planet Terra.
You know the story and though I am an old man I still remember it fondly when you were so much younger and I told you of the times on the planet. So please oblige me once more to be that young woman once again as I tell you of my time on Terra.
On a science mission on Ungara in sector 2814 when my ship was viciously attacked by a band of mercenaries out to plunder foreigners on the planet. Unfortunately being a science vessel I had nothing to give them. Perhaps some drugs or various expensive machines but nothing of real value so I blasted my way out of there but with a damaged ship and found myself in the Sol star system. The whole system was filled with completely uninhabitable planets with the exception of two, the planet Martis and Terra.
Unfortunately I didn't land on the more civilized planet and crash-landed on Terra. Backward by tens of thousands of years I had crashed my ship into a body of water. I barely managed to escape with my life, but my vessel was completely obliterated. I had managed to recover some technology at the crash. At my disposal were some radiation anomaly detectors, a universal translator as well as a weapon. A few supplies of food and some other equipment. I noticed that the distress beacon was destroyed and without any communications device I was stranded. The only people who could have found me were the pirates who could have tried to make me pay for my escape and hopefully some of the Martians could find me or contact Krypton. I was so furious that I kicked a stone on the planet and was surprised as I kicked it out of the atmosphere.
Eventually I noticed that I was strong, stronger than I had ever been. You learned from my 'old' friends as they described me as the weakest person they knew. Yet I could lift several heavy objects above my head and not get tired. I was able to run through a forest within a few seconds and once again not get tired. I then met a race of primitives who thought me wrong at first. Yet they saw my clothes and pointed to the sky as they made the connection that I was not of their world.
Even more fascinating was this race was very much like Kryptonians. Hair, eyes, skin, arms, legs. Everything was exactly alike and as a scientist I made a thorough examination and well one that was not so scientific. This wasn't too much of as surprise but its always fascinating. They are many species like us like the Almeracians, Daxamians, Thanagarians and now Humans. Makes one wonder if there was some intelligent design behind all of it.
I met their people and they hailed me as a mighty protector. They called themselves the Kawatche and they welcomed me gladly into their tribe. I soaked in their culture and decided it was important to learn something, perhaps place a portal to visit again for scientific purposes but all I really wanted was to go home.
I lived among them thanks to the chieftain who seemed to believe I was destined to arrive on his world and bring great things to his people. Primitive beings always exalt that which is superior but I'm no divinity.
I soon began to realize how superior I became. A tribal warrior accidentally fired a sharpened projectile called an arrow at me but it was the arrow that shattered. I realized I could see through the foliage of trees because my eyes could see through any solid object because my eyes could transmit X-Rays. On the other end of the spectrum I realized I could emit microwaves as I could boil a bowl of water just by staring at it. I then was able to cool a bowl of water to ice by my concentrated lung capacity. I could also hear the most quiet sounds from the most vast distances.
But the greatest thing I could do, the very thing that gives me dreams to this day was the ability to push myself off the ground and fly."
Willowbrook and the rest of his students had a look of absolute wonder, for the longest time they were amazed beyond anything they had heard and that was saying something. An alien visitor recounting his visit to the planet where he became a strong and powerful being. Even more importantly it was their people who had discovered him. They continued watching as the man continued to speak.
"So I lived among them and learned about all humanity. With my powers I could do anything. Eventually I left the village for a brief time so as to find a more civilized place.
I couldn't find it, if anything it was even worse. I learned that civilization is a very difficult word to throw around. For some of the most civilized corners of the world have that great decay known as corruption and it was everywhere. The most arrogant and awful people came from a continent called Europe. Whether it was the differences of religion, elitism and other wicked forms of prejudice that made the world an uncaring and bitter place.
Still some of these people believed in their worthiness, to be better than what they were. They were those who were humble and very intelligent despite their backward technology. I learned their languages without relying upon the translator. I even found places where other beings visited the world. The Mayan, the Egyptian, and the Zhongghou. Some of these civilizations would be wiped out but they left behind important clues. One I'm sure in a temple in the Zhongghou had symbols of the Green Lantern Corps. Eventually I returned to that village of the Kawatche and settled there at first because I wanted to stay close to my technology and hopefully be found next to the place I crashed.
But that reason changed. At first it was purely scientific at because I was curious of these people and wanted to see what it was that made them different from us. I started with the radiated crystals that I cataloged. I realized that the radiation could harm me, but when I exposed my irradiated blood away from the radiation it had all but cleared particularly in the presence of the sunlight.
I ran tests and realized beyond any doubt that the reason I could do all these abilities was because of the sun. Being a Kryptonian living under an older crimson sun and the same colored sky I had realized that very few of us have been within the proximity of a different sun. Its the youth of a golden sun and its nourishing azure atmosphere is what makes me strong. I'm pretty sure it would make any Kryptonian strong.
Its a shame these humans don't know of these effects. And as a true scientist I did things as ethically as possible testing blood and using various combinations of human DNA as well as Kryptonian DNA. While working on what made me so different on this planet. I was able to synthesize a reaction with the human DNA and tried it with an animal called a wolf. Eventually one of their brave warriors was willing to try my experiment to see what would happen when a human would be exposed to the combination of the radiation and wolf DNA. The combination was successful on the first try and I acknowledge it with some pride as the warrior and eventually warriors could transform themselves into wolves and back. They called themselves a word the Kawatche called Skinwalker."
The whole classroom stood up in awe as they heard the man saw this. "So you are right professor! The Kawatche Skinwalkers are real."
Willowbrook stood there shocked that the young had no real faith, the were told from the beginning they were real why should this man need to tell them otherwise? "Continue watching children you might learn something more." The class still continued buzzing as they saw the old man continue to speak.
"I gained a great respect among the tribe. For these people had great respect of their planet's natural surroundings. For me to allow them to commune with nature like this made me highly regarded by the tribe. Some granted to give me anything I wanted. All I wanted to do was wait there until I returned home. So they allowed me to live as long as I required. I wanted nothing from them. However something happened or should I say someone happened."
The class especially the young women started to see where this was going.
"I spoke often with the chieftain and was still promised any gift that I wanted. Yet I wanted nothing, just to go home. Still I was willing to accept his company, he being a very wise and noble leader. Yet as my visits became more common to his home, I noticed one of his daughters. His eldest who was promised to another man. I thought nothing of it at first. But I continued to visit more often. The chieftain becoming suspicious of my visits. 'You are not here to visit me and you don't know that.' I never understood what that meant at first but eventually I got it.
Walking across the body of water, homesick yet reveling in the ability to hover over the lake when I saw her swimming by the water. I had seen her so often in the chieftain's home but it was if I was seeing her for the first time. Dark hair, dark eyes, lovely skin and a gorgeous smile. I was convinced that I found the most beautiful woman in the universe."
The old man's hand's started to shake as he clutched his chest while looking very sad. Once again the young women started to understand what was going on. Earlier finding his description of the woman as very romantic.
"My mother always wanted my to get married as soon as I graduated but I never felt my heart or any other part of me feel for anything other than my work. I had a job and a comfortable life on Krypton. I hated the fact I was sent to Ungara in the first place yet my mother gave me a very old metallic bracelet used for weddings. With a little green stone set in the middle with a silvery metal locking it in the middle. My mother was hoping I would find at least someone pretty to give it to on my trip. Of all the things that survived it was that bracelet and I was all set to give it to someone.
Unfortunately the chieftain wanted her to be with someone else. Yet when I decided I wanted to be with her I couldn't feel more devastated. Yet one day while walking by the chieftain's home I discretely heard her speaking to her father, if he had truly promised her to the other man. I was all disappointed at first believing that she was already arguing with her father to be with someone she wanted. Then I heard that she remembered her father's promise for stranger to anything he wanted. An argument developed between them about her wanting to be my wife.
She wanted me! I wanted to burst into that room and tell her that I was already hers. But after all the chieftain had done for me I didn't want to do anything to upset him. He then said to her if I truly wanted her he would consider it, but he would be breaking one promise to fulfill another. I looked inside with my X-Ray vision and saw the look on her face, she didn't want to shame her father but I could see really cared about me. I wanted to know more about her.
I found her again by the water swimming and looking very gorgeous. I realized I didn't even know her name so I asked. It was difficult as I found the syllables in the name difficult to understand, even with the translator. Etymology is a very difficult thing to manage when its apart of everyday usage. I had hoped she'd write it down but I realized the people didn't have a written language. So we walked around the lake for a while, for a long while as she told me what her name meant. The name meant Wonderful One or Magnificent One. I asked with her permission if I could call her Magnificent in my language and she more than happily agreed.
I then learned that she never really enjoyed swimming at all before my ship crashed into the lake. She then told me she saw my ship fall and me coming out of the lake. She tried to tell her father about what she saw but nobody believed her. Then I stumbled onto the village and they were convinced of her honesty.
When she saw me she said I was the most handsome man she had ever seen. But she was always angry that I was busy. Most looked at me with hostility the first time but not her. When I displayed my powers and began to see me as a deity, she had long saw me as special before the rest did. When I saw the rest of the world, she became mad that she could never tell me how much she wanted to be with me. So she decided upon the new hobby as a way to be near me. Seeing that I came to her at this very shore.
She then realized how she stepped out of bounds and tried to bid me farewell until I took her in my arms as we flew above the lake and into the sky. I tell you I never saw anyone smile wider in my whole life. I truly don't know if it was flying or just being with me. After we traveled for so far and for so long I knew I wanted to be with this woman until the day I died.
As soon as I landed I told her how much I wanted to be with her and presented to her my mother's bracelet. I never realized it was possible that I could make a woman so happy but I did. My Magnificent wanted me and I wanted her so we went to her father for her permission. He wasn't going to perform the wedding but he would have other holy men perform the ceremony. At last I was hers and she was mine. My Magnificent and I, Nam-An of Krypton."
The whole class erupted in cheers. It was the girls happy with tears in their eyes for such a romantic story. But even the men were proud, particularly Joseph Willowbrook as he was honored to hear the tale of Naman from his own lips. The powers, the forbidden union and he knew there was more to follow.
"Eventually she and I lived together happily for twenty years as it is measured on Terra. Sadly I learned a few things about our DNA that prevented us from living our lives the way we wanted. We were incompatible in being able to have any offspring. I also began to notice that the sun was keeping me the same age as I arrived. So my Magnificent would grow older and I remain the same. I offered to do what I could to help her, perhaps with the science and the radiation at my disposal. But she wanted none of it. She didn't want to be anything other than what she was and made me promise to never try. I would have done anything for her so I promised her that I wouldn't change her.
But despite all this my Magnificent and I where still happy together and even though twenty years had gone by she barely aged at all. I was wondering if my presence was keeping her young. I also wondered if it wasn't the bracelet I gave her. Though eventually she succumbed to a disease and as hard as I tried to find a cure she eventually died in my arms. But I still continued to live in the village choosing no one else for myself. Magnificent would be my only wife until I died. Plus her gift to me was far greater than just the years she gave me. It was in treasuring the world she so loved. I promised to myself I would remain here as long as I lived to better this world and make it as wonderful as she.
As my Magnificent was buried I passed her bracelet to the chief so that his daughters and granddaughters would carry on the Kryptonian tradition. The chief accepted it without surprise almost as if he knew I would give it to him. He had always been a very interesting person with the belief that he could see into the future. I never believed in that kind of mysticism for I am a scientist and such superstitions are dangerous and backward. Though I have to admit he was unimaginably accurate in his predictions especially after what I had done for him.
Because when he relented for Magnificent and I to marry he allowed it only on the condition that I would enhance his foresight. I told him I would, but I never thought it possible. Once again I worked tirelessly and respectfully to the value of this man's life and to the man's position as the chieftain to his people as well as the concern from his daughter. It was difficult and though it took me years I was eventually able to enhance his ability. He always seemed to have such clarity in his eyes whenever I met him. Strangely it became more pronounced. Whenever he claimed to precede an event there was more certainty. The chieftain was hailed as a prophet and was revered for his vision.
After Magnificent's death he then asked that his people to create a vast series of paintings on the walls of a cave telling them they were important reminders for someone important. Eventually I saw his sketches and I realized... well I believed at the time that they were of me. I saw the deeds I did with paintings of me using my powers a picture of my beloved Magnificent with the bracelet. I saw more images of some things I never did, some things that scared me. A two headed monster of benevolence and evil, only the evil wins. He called it Sageeth. And of course the mighty image of me. But it was odd, that the symbol didn't resemble my shield with a five sided diamond with an upright infinity. But another symbol, a curving symbol that I couldn't place, but looked familiar. As you yourself would know years later after I came back to Krypton.
Eventually I wondered why would the chieftain would want all this written down. Why write about me like this. Then the chieftain shocked me by telling me that this was not my story. 'This Child of the family of the Star is who this is for.' He then told me that it was time for him to leave. No sooner did he say this that I was found by a ship that had traced me here. I was so was angry to leave but promised its people I would one day return and that I would protect them forever. I left the planet and returned to Krypton receiving honors, banquets, parades and medals. My being stranded became a great story for Krypton as a grand adventure one that many would dramatize for ages. Remember that play we went to with that terrible actor and despite how talented that actress was she could never be as beautiful as my Magnificent. But more than anything I wanted to go back to Terra. I may have been born on Krypton but Terra was my home.
It took me time but realized that I could appeal to the Science Council that Terra was a place worthy of frequent visits and though I was denied to go back immediately I was instructed to build a portal so as to send a Kryptonian under their supervision. I started work and did my best to get back there as soon as I could. I continued working for years, I remember mother having to drag me away from it to attend your wedding. But I knew I was close, close to seeing the sky and that sun, being strong once again, to fly above the heavens. To walk where Magnificent and I used to walk together. I even started attended Sanctuary for the first time in years. To heal my pain being away from home and wondering if there truly was more to life after death.
All these years felt like days but I know after all I've done I knew I couldn't travel anymore. I'm so tired and weak I can't go back. I even asked your equally talented husband Seyg-El to help me with my work. I really have come to know your wonderful family and have been happy to recount my stories to your children. I'm so sorry it took so long to notice you all. I loved my time on Terra and missed my wife so much. I still have a family here and I realized something about this family which has caused me to do something I'm begging you to heed.
One day after attending Sanctuary I read this old book on Kryptonian etymology and looked up our names. I noticed sister that your husband's name El translated to Star. The chieftain's words, the symbol on the wall. It wasn't my story he was telling. It was, no. It Is the story of my descendent, an heir from the house of El, the shield of Hope. I pray to Rao above that your husband continues my work. For all of his family to continue my work. For the Kawatche and all the people of Terra. We can do so much for that world. They can be a great people, my sister, they wish to be. They only lack the light to show the way. For this reason above all, their capacity for good have your family be the light to show them the way. Good Bye my dear Jora."
The man's hand's were shaking as the recording terminated as many in the classroom looked shocked as everything their professor told them wasn't the myth they believed, but it was true and more.
Clark sat there seated on a couch as his father held him tightly watching the transmission show on a television in the family room of Chloe's house as the rest of the women looked at Clark with awe.
"I came from a man who lived all that, who loved the human race with all his heart. Why would Hardcastle show that?"
"I don't know." said Diana. "Perhaps he intends to show how good became evil? We need to stop him before he gets his hands on anything else to show."
No sooner did Diana finish talking did another transmission come in this time with another man appearing before them, slightly younger man with a different shield on his chest. To Clark the symbol looked almost like an 'S' but from his knowledge of the Kryptonian language he knew that it was the symbol for Star or Hope.
"This message is for my successors in the line of the House of El to follow. But more important this is for my departed brother-in-law Nam-An. Yes. I will take it upon myself to continue his legacy. The people of Terra shall be studied and from here on in will be observed with the utmost respect under the authority given to me by the Kryptonian Science council. But it will be my family in charge of the project. I have fulfilled Nam-An's mission and the portal is now being used to connect Krypton to the planet. More importantly I have gained contact among the more civilized planet of Mars and they will welcome our presence without any interruption on our part. Our family line will be assigned missions as to the planet's inhabitants, biology, various cultures and so forth.
Out of respect for Nam-An we will do our best to avoid the Kawatche. But the rest of the world is up for discovery. I am too old now to continue what will soon become a right of passage as well as my own son, but my daughter will take over from now on."
The transmission ended as Chloe found the message very brief but what caught her attention at the end there was that a Kryptonian female was going to take part in the next right of passage. A transmission continued as a young woman with short black hair and bright blue eyes appeared. She seemed very energetic despite being dressed in a very odd clothing. Chloe recalled history book photos of sixteenth century clothing fromm Shakespeare's time and saw that this was the type of dress she was wearing.
"Amazing. Just amazing. I'm the first person to do these trials and I couldn't be more excited as you can see."
The girl then pressed upon a gray necklace that had the same symbol of Nam-An that she saw earlier. No sooner did she press it did Chloe begin to see an image of the her walking down what looked like to be the Roman Coliseum as she looked completely happy walking down avenues full of people. Chloe then saw images fast forwarded showing herself do some very common things. Walking along several shops, drinking, eating, attending shows and admiring statues and paintings. She seemed to be enjoying herself like any girl on vacation.
"Oh so sorry, This is Kora Seyg-El of Krypton here to relate my experiences on the planet Terra. Basically I traveled in this part of the planet described by Nam-An that this was inherently corrupt part of the world, the continent of Europe. This place in Europe is called the Italian Peninsula and it is full people who owe their loyalty to many royal families. In many ways not to dissimilar from Krypton's relationship to its cities of Kandor, Kryptonopolis, etc. But here there is no unity, worse there is want of conquest and greed. The Medici royal family even the Borgia family which technically isn't a royal family but a family of a corrupt cleric.
Still it was very hopeful living among some of its people. I just love these hairstyles and these clothes are so ornate. Many of the men here are gentle though they are very chauvinistic. Still I'm relatively safe. One such man tried to 'have his way with me.' What a fool. But you can always see more of this at home. Plus I was waited on hand and foot by many decent men who allowed me entry into the most extraordinary things.
I do love the fact that these people have faith in a higher power. They go to these sanctuaries called churches where the reverently homage to the images of a supreme being. Even though they take authority of a corrupt cleric this is no reason to abandon their faith as many people continue to pray and hope for a better future. Until then hope to be home soon."
Chloe couldn't believe how spirited Clark's ancestor was as if she went on a vacation than on a mission of great importance. She had to admit the excitement of discovering life like she did seemed really cool. If only all history was that exciting. Even more important was her heart was strong and full of hope for the human race. In many ways exactly like Clark.
"Why the really long name?" said Chloe
"What?" said Diana
"Kora Seyg-El? Is that the formal name or something?"
Diana then spoke up. "According to Kryptonian culture. A young girl takes a first name and uses her father's full name. She is only allowed to drop it in the event she gets married. Casually she is referred by her first name only." At Chloe's fascinated look, Diana continued. "Yes, even Krypton with its many advances was a Patriarchal society."
Clark and Jonathan silently chuckled at Diana's jest as they continued to watch more transmissions unaware that many more people were watching with interest.
Sheriff Adams heard over her radio the previous adventures of Nam-An and of Kora Seyg-El and at first couldn't help but wonder if this was some childish prank like that old Orson Welles 'War of the World's' radio show her grandmother heard when she was younger. Yet no sooner did that weird noise blaring had stopped, the calls in the station had started coming with many scared people calling in confirming what they all had heard. First the previous day with that woman at the Talon and now this. She sent her deputies out in several places to assure the people.
Deputy Carson was going to several homes at the Bratt Flats area. Deputies Flynn and Harris would go the Pleasant Meadows area and Deputy Morales would drive around main street to make sure the people were not going to riot. She then got a deputy to place a TV in the station as they finally got to see what other people were seeing.
Another man in some weird 'S' symbol appeared on the screen as he looked particularly uncomfortable.
"I am Lor-El of Krypton and I am on the planet known as Terra or as its known by the nation of Ireland as Earth. This planet is pathetic. Nothing but greedy, selfish idiots."
Sheriff Adams took offense of this particular alien kid as he seemed to think of her Earth as pathetic.
"But not just this land but every place on this world. There is no technology whatsoever. A few common machines, pulley's, fulcrum's etc. But nothing on the level of our technology. When I asked straightforward for a mode of transportation they showed a beast that traveled on four legs. Awful, just awful. At first I thought I was being loaned the creature but then I was told I had to pay for it. It seems these people use currency based on what is rare and valuable. One person demanded I pay in gold."
From there he started laughing hysterically. Sheriff Adams didn't get the humor behind it.
"Gold! That worthless heavy metal that erupts from a volcano on our planet. If I had known beforehand that I required such a metal as currency I would have brought several boxes of it. Instead I had to endure the embarrassment of being in a police station. That was terrible, I could have destroyed them all with my gaze before they could lift their silly batons."
Sheriff Adams lifted her nightstick out of reflex as she so badly wanted to smack around this selfish little punk.
"I guess we did learn several things about this world but I also need to encourage anyone to bring some currency with them. Perhaps the next generation could check its economy and know how tumultuous it is. You can see the details from this report in full. Until then farewell."
Adams as a cop knew people could be harsh but this creep and his descendants deserved a little time in a cell.
A bunch of football players stood there in front of the bar's TV set along side other patrons. Most days the bar would be very quiet until the afternoon but with all these people on street hearing that strange noise they walked into any place they could find with a TV as they stood there shocked at what they were witnessing. First the Nam-An guy that claimed to have visited Smallville then that old guy sending his hottie of a daughter to wreak a little hell in Rome was pretty cool. Then that weird dude who badmouthed Earth because of a bad experience in an Irish prison.
But one of the guys couldn't help but notice something weird. "Hey Danny?"
"Yeah Nate?" said Smallville Crow Danny Crozier.
"Notice how everyone of these alien guys even that chick have that British accent thing." said Nate Pratt.
"Yeah I did notice that. Weird."
Another Smallville Crow by the name of Brett Anderson chimed in. "So if there is intelligent life out there is occupied by Brits? Except that Nam-An guy who sounds American. The El family must be British or something."
Another transmission came through and this time two young men appeared. For a moment everyone inside the bar thought it was some problem with the TV but in reality it was the sight of twin brothers. But even more interesting was the fact that the guys looked like they were dressed like buccaneers.
"Ha-Ha. Oi there mateys! This is Zam-El..."
"and this is Zyn-El. And we are here to report on our findings in the British economy."
"You see after graduating at the top of our class we went on to fulfill our rite of passage on the planet Earth. Our father Lor-El wanted us to understand the economic conditions of the planet. Having learned how hung up people on the planet are without financial restitution. So we were sent to understand it by living as pillars of industry. Because of our academic standing as well as the journey involved being around the seas, our father had us stay for a period of several months"
"We were given a horde of gold on our way to an island called Britain where we were assigned to deal with the British Trade Company. No that's not it the.. What was is called again Zam?"
"The East Indian Company?" said Zam-El.
"The British East India Company." the said simultaneously.
"With the consignment of gold we were able to purchase a pretty wooden ship we called the 'Red Sun.' Cool name huh Zyn?"
"Yeah. We received letters of marque and were on our way, but we needed a crew and we found some apparently 'upstanding citizens' to our assistance. The leader was some nobleman named Lord Richard Lester. He appreciated our Devonshire accents whatever that meant. He had a very elitist attitude about him but he assured us we were in good hands. No sooner than a few weeks into our journey we were mutinied upon by those greedy men. They threw us overboard and hoped that we drowned." said Zyn-El.
"While we could have attacked them back we were ordered by father not to reveal our abilities so we swam all the way until we were taken in by a group of pirates who found us. One of them being a Frenchman named Pierre Spangler who knew one of the men who had been in charge of swindling from him. When he tried to protest, Lester had the bank seize the home that he inherited from his late English wife. Pierre eventually became captain of a small craft and he asked us if he could help us getting our ship back. In exchange for Lord Lester." said Zam-El
"We could have done it ourselves in a few seconds but we realized how much this man wanted retribution for what happened to him. He wanted more than anything to ruin this man. We eventually made it to Port Royal on the island of Jamaica where we found our gold and our ship. But we could not find Lester. It appeared he absconded our letters of marque and was on his way to find a hoard of gold taken from somewhere off Hispaniola. Despite our efforts no thanks to Pierre's eagerness to kill Lester. His lordship escaped but thankfully not on our ship." said Zyn-El.
"We made it clear to Pierre as we took back our ship and journeyed on our way to an island not far from Hispaniola that were going to stop Lester but not if he was going to lose control in his eagerness for revenge. We promised him that if he did that again, we'd dump him overboard. We were both grateful for what he did for us, but we were not going to help him at the expense of his life. He promised to do whatever we said as long as we looked and played the part of pirates." said Zam-El.
"So we journeyed to the island of Tortuga were for several days we had a great time enjoying several amazing experiences." said Zyn-El.
"You mean the women dear brother." said Zam-El
"Yeah the women. Remember that Tuesday we each had a ménage a ..." Zyn-El paused. "What's the word Pierre used for twenty?"
"YEAH!" cheered the Smallville Crows in the tavern. As they all but congratulated these alien pirates who had each enjoyed an orgy.
"Vingt!" replied both brothers each with a wicked grin.
"Oh my! These people at Tortuga may not have been rich or sophisticated but they introduced us to what it meant to have fun. We danced, we sang and much to their surprise drank gallons and gallons of rum without being intoxicated." said Zam-El.
"But we still needed a crew to speak with and found quite an interesting lot. But even more importantly we found.." said Zyn-El.
"Yeah. We found ourselves two wonderful girls. Only we wanted more than a good night of fornicating. But you know we ..." said Zam-El.
"Yeah. We really loved them." said both brothers.
"For me she was a really lovely girl from somewhere called Kent in England name Christina." said Zam-El.
"Mine was a Scottish girl named Vi." said Zyn-El.
"They were both brunette and had very large pair of ..." Zam-El was interrupted by his brother.
"Easy there our father will be watching this." said Zyn-El.
Sounds of wolf whistles began to be heard all over the bar, knowing exactly what this Zam-El was referring to. Ah the old days when a guy knew a woman's large breasts were real.
"We left Tortuga and made it off to Hispaniola hearing news wherever we could find it. But we were advised to remove that English flag and replace it with a true pirate flag. Christina and Vi made it for us. Black flag with a white skull with flaming red streaks coming out of its eyes. Remember how they wondered why we picked that instead of swords or crossbones." said Zam-El.
"Eventually we found Lord Lester and despite having found a traitor in our midst in which our women were taken, we caught up with him and had his ship blown out of the water. With Pierre having saved our girls by killing Lord Lester himself as Lester threatened to kill our beloved ladies. The gold Lester stole from us and that he took from another ship that he stole and destroyed was given to our crew." said Zyn-El.
"Our ship was given to Pierre who was more than honored to have sailed with us. He gave us some advice, to hold on to our pretty ladies and never let them go." said Zam-El.
"But how can we promise that brother?" said Zyn-El.
"We are supposed to study human life, not take it with us." said Zam-El.
"Wait. If I'm not mistaken in the study of human culture, what if..." said Zyn-El.
"No!" said Zam-El.
"Yes!" said Zyn-El.
"We'd have to tell them the truth and then ask them first." said Zam-El. "What if they'll think that we are freaks?"
"What if they don't?" said Zyn-El.
The two boys then started to sing some song and then decided to end the transmission as the both lifted some barrels into their mouths as easily as lifting a pillow before saying a few words. "Drink up me hearties yo ho!"
"WHOA!" The guys in the bar cheered. They may have been English aliens but there were really cool. They'd definitely would enjoy meeting these guys descendants.
"Great! Alien versions of Johnny Depp and Keith Richards existed on Earth. Don't know whether that's a good thing or a bad thing." said Lois.
Both girls had felt the ringing of that sound in their ears and by the messages. The one with Nam-An got Lana's attention remembering that Clark had found those caves and the story that they told. She just like Nam-An thought that they were of him, but they were the visions of a powerful psychic seeing into the future. Both found it sweet the love that Nam-An had for Magnificent and felt saddened about what had happened to him. They also appreciated the adventure of Kora, Lana couldn't help but feel Kora's adventure was like hers in Paris. The two were getting uncomfortable as they heard Lor-El's criticism. But they were amazed if not also shocked at the lawlessness of the twins in their actions against the English lord. Lois was amazed while Lana was shocked.
The had all but forgotten that they wanted to go home until both girls heard the twins mention the city of Kent and which reminded them of their friend Clark.
"I wonder where are the Kents?" said Lois. "I swear all these transmissions are going to make it difficult for anyone to take us back to Smallville."
"I know what you mean." said Lana. "But until then we have to stay put and listen to these strange alien stories. I can't help but wonder about the last one. Makes you wonder what happened to them, if they actually stayed together?" said Lana
"Who? The twins and their big breasted wenches?" chimed Lois.
"It sounds like they really cared for them." said Lana.
"Sure, after they enjoyed their time with several women. Some at the same time." said Lois.
"I wonder what was it they were hoping to do?"
A transmission aired on the TV in Lois' room as she saw another pair of people dressed in those odd robes one of them a man and the other a young woman.
"This is Var-El and this is my twin sister Kirana Lor-El. We are here to report our findings on the development of the American colonies. But first we wish to address the restrictions put in place after our degenerate older brothers had disgraced our family. Apparently in the name of science and the necessity to break precedence, they brought with them two human females back to our world."
"Disgusting doesn't come close to describing these wretched human females that they married." said Kirana.
"Why that little..." muttered Lois.
Kirana continued. "Allowed here to live in the name of science? We are so revolted and though the Science Council agreed with them in the name of study, we of the House of El are making it clear that no half-breed would dare take part in these trials. For yes, it appears under the influence of our sun humans can procreate with Kryptonians.
From here on in we are discouraging any human from coming to our planet again. We are here to study them not to coexist."
"Indeed sister, now as to the report on the colonies of the Americas..."
The report droned on as Lois and Lana stood angry with these alien beings who's arrogance was insatiable. If either girl had the choice to welcome these beings they'd prefer the twin brothers and not their younger siblings.
"Its good to know that the boys not only brought them back but married their ladies."
"Good to know some people are willing to do anything for love." said Lana.
"I wonder what the guys at the base are making of this though. An alien transmission followed by a history lesson of these people. Some of them love humanity others hate it. I tell you Lana if I was an alien here right now I'd be worried."
Mr. Summers and his wife saw everything with both being fascinated by this strange showing. Too strange to be real, but then again this was the same man who had a son who leeched some amazing power for a brief time. It was something he was deeply ashamed of and was furious at his son who even now was locked behind some mental institution called Belle Reeve.
He saw the story of the first alien which he thought was interesting but frightening. The idea that aliens had came here and were curious as to how we lived. That female alien who came to the world as if she were on vacation. The disgusted man who felt he was above the law. Of course those disgusting boys who reveled in piracy. While glad to hear that their actions were denounced he still didn't appreciate those aliens. Why did they have to study us, what good have they done. He noticed that one of the sheriff's department deputies was coming down the street alerting the people to stay off the streets and return to their homes. But a small crowd was developing around the Fordman's department store when another transmission appeared in front of the Fordman's TV's on display as the image of another man in what sounded similar to an English accent spoke.
"This is Yor-El of Krypton here to make my report on the sciences of the human species and I must admit I am very proud of what I have discovered. While their technology is still in its infancy I managed to find actual hope for their sciences program. On a visit to a land called Germany, I met a man there who was researching the laws of physics. Though not the most exceptional man in general problem solving his work into theoretical physics was unparalleled amongst any human today. While troubled his country had escalated a war that he was against, all he could hope for was attempting to prove a scientific theory.
I met this man, short and eccentric but very involved and I was more than eager to listen to him after he had believed he had made a breakthrough. He was devastated to the point of giving up. So I decided upon myself to assist him. It was a simple problem anyone of our teenagers could understand but I presented it to him in full. In many ways he was not that far off. He just needed a guide to assist him. Still very primitive writing with a white rock on a black board.
He sat there in his lecture hall analyzing the equations and he would frequently question the data. But I was patient, in fact I welcomed his questions. I hadn't met a finer student in all my time on Krypton. The more questions and answers that traveled back and forth between us convinced me with more certainty he didn't truly need me. He was well on his way and all he needed to do was prove it. Though easier said than done given their limited technology. But he was eventually on his way, all he needed was the time. But before I left, I told him it was best that he never inform anyone about me. This work was his and other than performing the corrections, the work belonged to him. However I may have stepped over the bounds of my mandate with the development of the species free from interference.
I told him to seek out ways to apply the technology. Find out ways to make it work and do all he could to make it work. Given the right push I know these people will develop in ways they could never have imagined. Maybe even move toward more peaceful methods. A society elevated by the best technology could do anything. Probably end the strife and bitterness of war with unlimited power and resources to share. He then asked if I joined him for dinner to which I obliged. He followed a very old yet very revered religion called Judaism. He wondered if I myself was Jewish, saying that my name in his old language translated as 'Belonging to God.' While I bid him thanks for what he called a 'kosher' meal. I told him I didn't profess his faith but was honored never the less. Very kind and noble man this Albert Einstein. The rest of this report shall be read and hopefully when my infant brother Yar-El journeys for his rite of passage he will be very honored to be apart of a Earth's great achievements."
Einstein! This man knew Albert Einstein! Not just that but assisted him in what must have been his groundbreaking theory of relativity. Summers thought. I wonder what my colleague thinks of this.
Mr. Ballister watched the Fordman store's TV set and was amazed by that story. That an alien helped Albert Einstein on the path to his theory of relativity. He was about to think how great of an achievement it was until another transmission appeared.
"This is Yar-El of Krypton reporting on my rite of passage on the planet Earth. Only I speak more or less to my brother and his intellectual vanity."
Ballister didn't like where this was going as he saw a sad expression on the being called Yar-El.
"I went out of the Kawatche cave outside the hidden entrance as I looked out to see the world. It is a primitive world but full of people striving to live their lives. Tragically as you discovered before brother that this world was at war. Strange that it was the nation that the intelligent scientist you acquainted with on your rite of passage. Worse though it was started by an insane and most twisted man that I have ever heard of."
Ballister had educated many students and many of the weakest students would get names and dates wrong. He would give three guesses to the one who'd identify the particular man or woman and often times it would be embarrassing. Yet the one person most could identify with such accuracy was the man who started World War II. He would still give them three guesses but he would say it with the most obvious irony.
"This Adolf Hitler was the most ruthless and terrible human in existence. I say 'was' because in their righteous might many of the nations he had fought to dominate were able to defeat him. Unfortunately tens of millions died and worse some were exterminated just for being a member of that kind gentleman's ethnicity. I understood the urgency to stop them brother, but when I met Einstein again I learned that he was ashamed of some advice you gave him in your assistance in the theory of relativity that this man had discovered on his world.
He requested of the leaders of the nation called the United States of America to begin research in nuclear weapons."
From here Ballister noticed that the young man's hands were violently shaking. Something that looked like a debilitating illness but was in reality painful rage.
"You encouraged this man to create weapons of mass destruction! Worse! They actually used them in this war. Hundreds of thousands have died because two bombs were used on cities of military significance but ended up killing civilians anyway. All because of you! Your selfish vanity to share information with an inferior species!
I've warned you brother that your actions have consequences, these people may be primitive but they are living beings who didn't understand the power you helped them discover. All I can hope for is that my son Jor-El can learn from your mistake.
Because that's what the scientist said when I found him. At first he was as kind as you described and with a wonderful personality. According to him everything he seemed to touch turned into a circus. But when he recalls about how he convinced the world leader to make an atomic bomb he looked at me with such sadness as he recalled what a mistake he made."
The alien put his hand to his eyes in such sadness that even Ballister himself felt depressed. He often told his students about how controversial the development of the nuclear bomb was. But he always respected the opinions of his students whether they supported it or not.
"The worst thing about it Yor-El? Is that when he made the decision he remembered your little speech about an elevated society. I may be years younger than you but right now I feel so much older."
Several people watching the TV in front of the store were finally encouraged to go home as some could still hear the recodings on their phones. Ballister wanted to walk back but even he felt that he had felt this alien man's pain. Listening to the transmission through his phone he heard the last words.
"These people were not ready Yor-El. Maybe they'll survive and be like our civilization when we first discovered such power. Frankly I just don't live up to the symbol on our family crest. Farewell."
General Sam Lane stood at the head of a column of tanks but was looking at a fellow soldier's laptop with the recodings of the aliens who had reported their experiences. Many of the soldiers looked ashamed at the last one who had seen the scientist describe the vanity of his older brother in creating the atomic bombs. Many served their country out of their fathers and grandfathers who fought in the war. Some believed in the necessity of the bomb but others understood that this alien felt guilty for what he had hoped would be a grand elevation of the human race. While nuclear weapons had brought nuclear power, resources were still violently being fought between each other. While some cheered the pretty lady and the twin brothers others felt contempt for the more intolerant aliens that appeared in the transmissions.
Another one appeared. Yet this was clearly one of the other aliens, Yar-El. Only this he was much older.
"I am Yar-El of Krypton reporting to you in the place of my son Jor-El. Days before his rite of passage Jor-El had begged me not to have him take this trial. I made it clear to him that this wasn't for me this was for the sake of an entire civilization. The boy was insolent and completely disrespectful to all who came before him. But in the end he had no choice, he would obey me. I made it clear to him to be careful and that his actions have consequences. Yet the boy in his ego made the journey and had hidden away all record of his time on the planet.
But it wasn't out of insolence, it was out of deference to me and to the warning he had failed to heed. He fell in love with a human and because of his interference he all but caused her death. He couldn't bear the shame of showing me this. But he did report certain aspects of his mission to me and this I will recount in full. In the meantime I can only give my youngest son the same advice before. Do not change the destiny of human kind for the sake of your own. The world is not yours we rule by strength of influence not by the sake of our power."
Another transmission had appeared with an alien who appeared to be smug and commanding.
"This is Zor-El of Krypton and I am here to report on my findings on planet Earth in particular the United States. After two decades of flourishing it has elevated itself to an age of hatred, fear and absolute weakness. After triumphing in their last great war they are now humbled by a nation that is smaller but of vastly greater will. Of course such defeat may not have been possible if not for their own people betraying the will of their government. They are responsible for the defeat and if only they were made to obey all this prosperity may not have needed to end.
Don't get me wrong they have advanced their technology to where finally they can compute information to millions of calculations though still inherently backward compared to our computers. They are the most advanced in their world alongside a great enemy called the Soviet Union. They are ready to destroy each other. If such prophecy of this savage chieftain was correct then when the child of the star arrives from Krypton there will be no world to return to except one of ash and dust. But from that ash and dust that Kryptonian will arise alongside many others despite my father's wishes. Krypton will be reborn and these people our slaves, eager to serve us and be grateful when the time comes. Though it will not be by my brother's hand and I detest his former best friend Colonel Dru-Zod. It will be me at the head I am sure of it.
To my daughter Kara. I leave you my legacy."
Almost every single soldier in Lane's presence was full of anger. This alien saw the absolute worst in their race and was ready to conquer them. And his report, it was obvious he was referring to Vietnam maybe even Cuba given his age and how they were still in conflict with the Soviet Union. The Cold War would end years later but after almost five centuries would it be that difficult to image a race of conquerors? Worse it appeared to be another following her father's footsteps.
They are already here. They have been here for nearly twenty years. General Lane thought as he looked at Lt. Colonel Ironsides who was standing right next to him.
"Colonel?"
"Sir?"
"Order the column to move forward at my command. I believe we've heard enough."
Only no sooner did he give the command he then noticed another transmission coming in.
"No hold that order! I got something coming in."
General Jason Hardcastle then appeared on the screen wearing the same Army athletic gear as he appeared on the screen.
"People of Smallville and to my fellow brothers in arms, my name is General Jason Hardcastle. I have traveled back twenty five years from the future to reach you here. The message I bring is one of great urgency. For over five hundred years our planet has hosted an alien presence. As you have seen they have witnessed our growth into the species we are. Their intelligence is surpassed only by their great power to have us enslaved to them. They have caused terrible events. The first meteor shower and the mutations that have affected its people. Soon you will know a second meteor shower and a series of alien invasions in which the people will suffer greatly. All of this could be avoided if the one responsible is handed over.
That someone is known as Kal-El of Krypton. Regardless of the message you saw in the beginning his ancestor never imagined this chaos for his descendant. Years have gone by and he will know that his descendants have become corrupted by vanity and dreams of conquest. Many of you have your doubts about this knowledge even after what I've shown you but I assure you that my final proof is in Kal-El himself. For nearly fifteen years now the town of Smallville has sheltered him. He has chosen to keep his existence a secret from you. He will have made efforts to blend in by those aware of what he is. As you have seen from the others before him that he will look like you. But he is not one of you. To those of you who may know of his current location - your fate rests in your hands.
I now speak to Kal-El directly: Surrender by noon today in the middle of Smallville's main street. Or all those that harbor you will pay the consequences for their treason. To your violent accomplice: Appear before us both and I will depart to find those responsible for him and will await as the military occupies this town. I know they are coming and are awaiting us."
