ShatteredLegacy
A novel by
Steven W. Eden
Superman and all related characters are the copyrighted property of DC Comics
8
Flight 1951 was in final orbiting stage around Mars in preparation for atmospheric entry and touchdown at Hamilton Interplanetary Spaceport. As Capt. Ellsworth wrapped up the final checklist, George Kent volunteered, "Whit, I think I'll go back to that breech I repaired earlier and check it again. If I didn't seal it well enough and we have a rough landing, it could burst and cause an explosion back there, maybe hurt someone in coach."
Ellsworth faked the iciest tone he could muster. "Why, Lieutenant Commander Kent! One would think you had no confidence in my ability to set this bird lightly on the ground! Are you campaigning to push me aside and land it yourself ? Or are you simply deigning to arouse my frightful wrath by stirring up my righteous indignation ?"
George played along. He knew that Ellsworth was just trying to get him relaxed since their earlier incident. With a big smile he retorted, "Oh NO, sir! Not I ! There is not a mutinous bone in my body ! But as we are a democratic society here, perhaps we should call for a vote. Whattaya think, Junior, should we toss him out on his ear?"
"I abstain !" giggled Larson, "As a lowly navigator, I need to maintain good relations with whichever regime is in control of this government. Besides, I think you're both puppets of your Yellow Sun masters. Power to the people !"
"Well, it would appear that we have a stalemate in our struggle for power," said George. "That's one vote for me, one vote for you and one abstention."
Whitney deadpanned, "Nope, wrong again, insurrection - breath! I'm Captain so I get one more vote than the two of you combined. That makes three votes for me to your one. I win!"
"Ouch! I guess the people have spoken and you get to drive."
"Yep!"
"And I suppose the breach..."
"Get back there, George!"
Kent left the laughing crewmen and went back towards the maintenance hatch once again. Doris was just wrapping up her landing speech to the passengers as he entered the cabin. "...and in the event of a water landing, your seat can function as a floatation device. Of course, there is practically no water to land in on the surface of Mars, so I'd say chances are pretty slim you'll get to try that. Please go to your seats when the light goes on and fasten your seatbelts. Please remain in that fashion until the spacecraft comes to a complete stop." George grinned as he passed her and once again entered the maintenance hatch.
Once inside, he gave the recent repair the most cursory of glances. Then in a hushed voice, he said to his tiny stowaway, "Okay, I think you need to tell me more about this. It seems to have already begun! I need to get back to my wife and kids!"
The little micro-man still located in George's ear well sighed as he replied to his larger host, "It would appear that the reaction has begun sooner than expected. We can still save your planet, Mr. Kent, but if we are to do so, returning to Earth will not be possible just yet."
"Hi, Jimmy. Whatcha reading ?" Jim lowered the journal of Clark Kent to be greeted by the visage of little Sherry Carr, who took his glance as permission to climb up on the couch uncomfortably close to him.
"Uh ... Hi there ... Sherry ... It's just a ... little ... thing about my ... mmm ... family history. How've you been doing ? And ... uhm ... Where's Noel, anyway ? I'll tell her you're here ! I know she'd be furious if she missed you. I'll just..."
"Oh, she knows I'm here already."
"Oh?" You'd have thought Jimmy had just entered puberty the way his voice cracked.
"She just had to go to the bathroom, so I thought I'd come talk to you for awhile."
"Oh?"
"And thank you for asking. I'm doing okay for now, but I'll feel better when my daddy calls and we know he's all right. My, but that book looks old !Look at all that dust !" Sherry ran her finger along the spine of the tome and came up with an impressive glob of dirt.
"It is old and ...hey ! Stop that !" Sherry rid herself of her new dust bunnies by playfully wiping them on Jim's shirt shoulder. "That's a new shirt I'm wearing ... Huh ? What did you say about Mr. Carr ? Is he missing ?"
"Yes, and my mommy and I are really worried about him. He's in Metropolis on business and the earthquake hit and he still hasn't called us to say that he's okay. I was feeling so scared until Noel came over and said he probably just can't get a call out right now because of all the problems they must be having there. She made me feel better, but I still feel a little scared."
"Uh-hu-u-uh..."
"But sitting here next to you makes me feel so much better. You just make me feel like there's nothing to worry about !"
"Whoa ! Noel ! Hey, No-el ! Your best friend is here ! You might want to come play dolls or something ... NOW !"
"Oh, we don't play with dolls anymore, Jimmy," Sherry confided.
"You ... don't ...?"
"No, we used to when we were children," Sherry hugged Jim's left arm with both of hers. "But we're mature women, now. We have ... other interests..."
At that, Jimmy jumped what must have seemed like ten feet from the sofa.