What the El? - #0 - Empty Nest
a Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman - based fan fiction
by: Joycelyn Solo

Author's note: I present to you, what I hope to be, a series of stories set after the end of Season 4. This isn't necessarily a "Season 5" type of deal here, there are lots of other sites for that, but I wanted to try my own hand with the world of Lois & Clark and see how far I could get with the introduction of one of my favorite heros. This prequel to my "What the El?" series takes place immediately after the fade-to-black of "The Family Hour."
Disclaimer: Lois & Clark and associated characters are property of December 3rd Productions who, I believe, had them on loan from from DC Comics. Most any other character we'll run into later are property of DC Comics. I mean no copyright infringement, this story is for entertainment purposes only.

Chapter Two
Argo City, Fourth Cycle of the Ninth Revolution

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"Is there no other way?"

Zor-El looked up from his work to see his wife, Alura, standing outside the entrance to his lab. He noticed the weariness, the strain, that lined her face and filled her eyes. As proper Kryptonians they had each been raised to ignore their emotions, but as they had not lived like proper Kryptonians for many revolutions, both were long out of practice. The stress and heartache his wife felt, he knew, was reflected in his own features.

"I have failed, Alura." He hung his head. "There is nothing more we can do. We have lived on borrowed time as it is. Argo City, like Krypton, will betray us."

She stepped into the lab, ignoring the protocol that demanded she await permission to enter, and moved toward her husband.

Unlike many of the arranged Kryptonian marriages, Alura was one of the few Kryptonian females to develop a fondness for her betrothed. In the scheme of strengthening family bonds, the feelings of the children joined meant little. Alura considered herself blessed that Zor-El, aside from being attractive, was a brilliant and compassionate man.

As she laid a hand on his shoulder, both seeking and offering comfort, the two Kryptonians presented a study in contrasts. Alura, with her light blond tresses cascading down her back was fair of skin with large eyes of a vivid blue. Standing beside her husband, she came barely to his shoulder, as Zor-El was quite tall for a Kryptonian. With his dark complexion, dark hair and dark eyes, he presented an imposing figure.

"Borrowed time it may have been, but I cannot say that I regret it, my husband."

Thinking of the daughter they shared, born a revolution after the destruction of Krypton, Zor-El had to admit that he held no regrets either. Watching Kara, so much like her mother in appearance, grow and learn had given his life a fulfillment that none of his scientific accomplishments could match.

But as his daughter stood on the brink of adulthood, he was saddened that he and his wife would not live to see her continue to grow and learn and pass her knowledge to her own children.

Though they would not see it, Zor-El and Alura were determined that Kara would continue her growth. Even as he and his fellow scientists struggled to find an answer to Argo City's impending doom, he had used what little spare time available to build one last project.

When the destruction of Krypton was imminent, Zor-El had thought his brother Jor-El selfish in his decision to build a spacecraft to deliver his newborn son to safety. He had thought it a waste for his brother to use his skill to save one life when billions hung in the balance.

Now, as a father, Zor-El understood completely how his brother must have felt. Though Argo City, too, was doomed, Zor-El was determined to save one life. The most important life. His daughter's.

Kara would be home soon, and it would be time to implement his plan. There was a small window of opportunity if he hoped to send her in the same direction Jor-El had launched his son's vessel. Then he and Alura could only hope the Fates would lead their daughter to her cousin.

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