Superman: The Ark of Krypton
Chapter 37
by
Jason Richard
After the world conference Superman shook hands with a lot of people, mostly the scientists and the military commanders as the world leaders had attended via video conference, though he did exchange pleasantries with them as well. Most of the people he talked with were pleasant enough, but one person added something.
When he shook General Sam Lane's hand, the general whispered to him, "You know the world is only trusting you because it has no choice right? We have no idea how hurt you, so we're all taking a big sigh of relief that you're being so nice and friendly. I do hope you mean it when you say you're not our enemy, because if you do anything to hurt anyone on this world I promise I will find a way to take you down."
Superman just nodded, unable to blame him for that attitude.
"I hope I get the chance to prove I mean what I say," Superman whispered back.
General Lane nodded.
After these pleasantries Superman knew the next step was to figure out what could be done with the ship.
He flew up to it and began talking.
"JLAI 13," he said.
"Yes Kal-El?" said the AI.
"What would you estimate is the safest place to keep the arc?"
"I recommend the Arctic," said the AI. "Few would go looking for it, and the ice and snow would help block any signals meant to track this ship, terrestrial and extraterrestrial alike."
"Extraterrestrial?" asked Superman, curious.
"Yes," said the AI. "Earth scientists have been trying to use Kryptonian artifacts to find this ship for some time. With all those signals going out, even if you hadn't found the ship today, it's only a matter of time before something of alien origin comes looking for kryptonian technology."
"And I'm guessing not all of them will be friendly," said Superman. "Does this mean I might have to defend the planet from beings who have powers like mine?"
"Undoubtedly," said The AI. "I recommend learning as much about your powers as you can to prepare for this. In order to move to the artic, however, we will need to recharge the power cells."
Superman nodded, saying, "Tell me what to do."
…
Within the lower parts of the ship, Superman charged a blast of heat vision and let it loose, right into a power converter near the ship's engine, a massive orb shaped device that glowed with a green light. Within moments the ship powered up as all its system's hummed to life. The pens with the Kryptonian Wildlife closed up, just in time for the animals to wake up after their parasite induced coma, and the ship began to raise out of the ground.
Outside the ship the various tents and people within them had already backed away, knowing this ship was going to displace a lot of sand. News helicopters showed the entire world this alien spacecraft slowly rising up as sand flowed off it's ridges.
After a few minutes the ship was up in the air over a giant crater of sand, and then it was soaring away towards a secret destination. From the Daily Planet news chopper, Lois Lane watched and said, "Well, I know what everyone in the world with a computer or television is doing right now."
...
And so the ship, using jamming technology to erase its presence on radar and satellite, travelled to the ocean, then towards the North pole. It flew over all of the ice and snow until it reached the very center. Then it slowly let itself down and landed in the soft white substance, ready to make a permanent home.
From within the Ship Superman looked around at all the technology in the engine room and gave a sigh.
"So," he said. "We're here. I've got to get back now. Thing's to do in my other life."
"Understood," said the AI. "If you ever require anything, I am at your disposal."
"Thanks," said Superman. "But you know, I don't think I can keep calling you JLAI 13. I'd like to give you a name that...well...rolls of the tongue a little more. Something that reflects your IQ. But I can't think of anything right now."
"You may give me any designation you wish," said the AI. "This ship is yours now."
"I'm not sure I like thinking of you as property," said Superman, frowning. "I mean, I can talk to you like any other person. An emotionless, robotic person maybe, but a person nevertheless."
"Do not concern yourself Kal-El," said the AI. "Such things do not concern me. Keeping this ship running is the point of my existence. Without it, I would have nothing."
"I see," said Superman. "Well, I don't know if you actually appreciate it when someone says this, but thank you again. For everything."
"You're welcome Kal-El."
…
And So Superman flew home across deserts, oceans, forests and cities, helping a few people along the way. A few near misses with cars, a couple of petty thieves tied up, and one cat stuck up a tree. He finally made it to the little farm where he grew up, landing on the ground during the hour of twilight. He quickly changed into a t-shirt and jeans behind the barn and walked up to the front door like any normal person.
He didn't know what he was going to say to Ma and Pa Kent. He'd found out where he came from and why he was on Earth, and it was an amazing feeling. Just knowing about the people who gave birth to him and knowing he had the chance to learn more about them from the ship's AI was overwhelming. Not that Ma and Pa Kent were no longer important to him. Quite the opposite. Two parents who loved him had died, tragically, trying to make certain he had a future. He counted himself infinitely lucky to have been taken in my people who had loved him just as much.
And as he saw his mother and father, Martha and Jonathan Kent, sitting side by side on the front porch, he felt another overwhelming emotion.
As they stood up to greet him Clark Kent walked right up to them and embraced them both. They were a little surprised, but they hugged him right back.
"Hey," said Clark. "Thanks for always being there for me."
"Always," said Ma Kent.
"Whenever you need us," said Pa Kent.
…
"So this whole time you were from another world?" asked Pa Kent.
"Well," said Clark, sitting on the sofa drinking tear Ma Kent had made, "I don't know if I'd call Smallville Kansas another world but…"
That gave everyone a round of chuckles.
"But seriously," said Pa Kent, "The last time anything on my farm was tied to aliens some guy from one of those tabloids was looking for UFO's and little green men. It never occurred to me he might have been right."
"Jonathan!" cried Ma Kent in alarm.
Though Pa Kent backed away meekly, he replied, "I was just joking."
"It's okay Ma," said Clark. "I've pretty much accepted that I'm different. I mean if I wasn't I wouldn't be able to help people the way I do."
"I know Clark," said Ma. "I just know this must be a lot to take in."
"I mean," said Pa Kent. "I know it must be a lot to take in for you, I just don't feel any sense in pretending that everything is normal. But don't get me wrong. When I heard about what Jor-El and Laura did for Clark I knew that they'd be people I'd get along with. They loved him as much as we do. I'm never going to forget that they were an alien race, but that wouldn't stop me from shaking his hand if I ever got the chance to meet him."
Ma said, "Yes. I feel the same way. I just don't want to make light of this and make Clark uncomfortable."
"Really Ma," said Clark. "It's no big deal." he paused, taking another sip of tea, then added, "Say, I heard that I apparently called in sick at work, a call I don't remember making."
"Well," said Ma. "When the Daily Planet couldn't reach you they called us and we vouched for you."
"Thanks," said Clark. "Although, I don't know. A grown man who gets his parents to take care of him when he's sick?" Clark frowned, suddenly feeling a chill. "I get the feeling someone is not going to let me forget that."
And somewhere, at that very moment, Lois Lane was laughing.