43

Phyllis finally broke the silence. "Chester, Candace said you mentioned that you were onto something that might defeat this thing. What was it you found?"

"It isn't much more than theory, really. We found that when the purple stuff explodes, it changes in molecular structure, and when the purple is in proximity of the transformed element, they cancel each other out, returning to their original natural state."

"Is there a chance we can implement this theory of yours into actual practice?"

"I... think we may be too late. I've had the techs working on a way to amplify the effect - Perhaps accelerate it. We believe we can use the web itself as a sort of conduit for the naturalizing radiation. But from what I see in this simulation... The naturalizing effects from the radiation would never make its way to the end of the web before the spread reaches the Earth's core. It's just too far gone. Once that happens, it's all over."

"Wait! If we could initiate the radiation at a point between the core and the existing web, it would stop the growth at that end, wouldn't it?"

"It might, if you could find a sort of... focal point to concentrate the initial exposure, but to do something like that is... well... improbable if not impossible. Even as advanced as our technology is in the twenty-third century, we have no way to get that far down into the Earth. Even if we could, we wouldn't be able to get there quick enough to do what we need to do."

"My brother can!" said Noel defiantly. "He can do it and with time to spare!"

"Sweetie, I'm afraid that's just impossible. You see..."

Jimmy spoke up, "Mr. Carr, how long do we have before this thing actually reaches the core?"

Chester gave Jimmy a quizzical look, studied the simulation once more, then looked at the data on another computer screen and replied, "I'd say we have about twenty-four hours before that happened, but how can you...?"

"It's like I told you on the phone, Chess," said Phyllis. "We've had a few developments in the last day or so. Do you think you could locate that focal point you mentioned?"

The geologist grew ever more puzzled, but he and Bonnie went to work on the keyboards. In a minute or two, he punched a button and the cutaway holographic image of the Earth rotated and revealed three red circles within the sphere. "It looks like if we are to succeed at stopping the spread in time, we would have to irradiate spots at three locations underground within seconds of each other. At the same time, the crust of the Earth would need to be irradiated as well. I just don't see how it could be done."

"You don't see how what could be done?" Everyone turned toward the door to see who had just entered and spoken. Phyllis practically flew past them all and wrapped her arms around George. He responded in kind just as Noel and Jimmy joined the hug-a-thon. "It's good to see that everybody still remembers me!"

"How in the world did you know we were here?" asked Phyllis.

"We landed in Fort Worth first, Princess. Candace told me that you and the kids were here... with Chester! Howdy, pardner!" George shook his neighbor's hand.

"Howdy, cowboy! Welcome back from the old, dusty trail."

"It's good to be back."

"Daddy," interrupted Noel who had an iron grip on her father's waist. "I am so glad you're here! We've had earthquakes, and the attic went all green and knocked out Jimmy and he woke up and got all spooky with these Krypton stories and then he broke Moe's hand but he still can't fl..."

"Wait a minute, honey. Take a breath! I know about the quakes... and the crystal - Mom told me about that. But what's this about stories... and Moe's hand...?"

Jimmy answered, "The crystal put all this information about Krypton in my head, Dad. I kind of went into a trance... or something... I guess it was all relevant to the earthquakes. It must've scared Noe a little bit."

"A little?" blurted the kid sister.

"Okay," said George. "But what about Moe, and what's this under your coat? It looks like..."

"The shield? It is. Uhmmm...the crystal did a little more than just infuse my mind with Kryptonian history and science. It kinda... made me... made me... well, er... super!"

"Huh?" said Chester.

"Super...?" said George.

"Well... uh... yeah! I'm really, really strong, and nothing hurts me... I can go real fast, and... Oh yeah! You'll like this! I have vision powers like yours now!"

"But he still can't fly!" chimed in Noel.

"You probably don't believe a word of this, and I sure wouldn't blame you if you didn't."

"No... no... After what I've seen the last two days, I would believe just about anything - even that an extraterrestrial green crystal gave my son super powers. So what else have you all been up to?"

"Not much," said Phyllis. "Just trying to save the planet from a cataclysmic explosion that would surely wipe out all life on Earth. You?"

"The same, only I need to help save two worlds."

"I should have known you'd outdo me. Oh, something else has come up also. but we can talk about that later."

"Okay, Princess. Later it is. But first, meet my new friend." George beckoned a man standing just inside the door to come join them. "This is Guer-On. He is... you might say... from the 'old country' - New Krypton."

Guer-On was introduced to each member of George's family and to Chester, who likewise introduced some of the tech crew and made special mention of Officer Joe Kubert. "We never could've made nearly the progress on this earthquake problem without him."

"Aw," said Kubert with sincere humility. "I think you're overstating it just a bit, Perfessor."

"Naw, Joe, now - now, if it hadn't been for you I would've given up a long time ago and run back home with m'tail between m'legs. Your role in this thing has been just as important as anyone's."

"And what progress have you made?" asked Guer-On.

"Enough to give hope. But it may be too late. We know that radiation from the remains of the exploded purple soil..."

"Ilium-349a."

"Uh... okay... it will return the affected areas to normal, but I'm afraid the spread is too far gone to stop it before it reaches the core. We're working on a device to amplify the radiation, but we need to irradiate the web at three critical focal points - here, here, and here, and meanwhile someone must do the same thing to the entire surface from the vantage point of space. That's assuming, of course, that we manage to develop the device we need to do all this."

"You won't have to," said Guer-on.

"I - what?"

"You won't have to develop the device. I already have one."

Chester was, at the same time, astounded and elated. From out of nowhere there was once again hope. "You've got a machine that will irradiate the purple... I mean this ilium-349a?"

"Ilium-349. Ilium 349a is the irradiant."

"I don't care if it's kryptonite! At least we have a chance! Now if we can find a way to these focal points..."

"I think," said Jimmy, "that this is where I'm supposed to say, 'This looks like job for Superman,' isn't it?"

"That's right, you did say something about super-powers, didn't you, Jim? This is just so hard to believe! Then again, two days ago, I wouldn't have believed we would be facing Armageddon tomorrow, either. Now, Jimmy, you - you wouldn't be pulling a joke on me, would you? Because that would be a very, very bad prank to play right now!"

"No sir. I don't really understand how it happened, but it's the real deal. Only thing, I don't really know just how much I can do or what my limitations are. I'm kinda operating in uncharted waters here."

"Yeah, well, I'm betting that the escape tunnel your momma told me about was dug by you, wasn't it? You saved the people on that train, right?"

"Well, yeah, I dug the tunnel and pulled the train to the surface, but Mom and Noel kept the passengers from freaking out. They did as much as I did, really."

"You saved a train full of people?" asked George, feeling a sudden surge of pride for his family and his son in particular.

"But you dug the tunnel!" said Chester excitedly. "And I'd bet you can dig another one right to one of those focal points, couldn't you?"

"I - I guess so..."

"Hot Dog! We may be in business after all!"

"Mr. Carr," said Noel. "You said three places. That leaves two more."

Guer-On spoke up, "I am Kryptonian. As such, I have the same abilities as George's son. I can dig to one of these focal points and effect that area."

"Are you sure, Gary? You were weakened quite a bit by that kryptonite Luthor used on you. You may not be completely recovered yet."

"I don't think we have a choice, George. If that holo-image is a representation of the spread of the ilium..." Chester nodded an affirmative. "...we're running out of time, and weakened or not, I have the best qualifications."

"Well, this is getting better and better..." said Chester.

But again the voice of doom spoke, this time from the person of Officer Kubert. "We still need someone in space, and at one more focal point!"

George was quick to answer. "I can handle the space work from Gary's ship. He has the ray emitter built in to the hull."

"That still leaves one focal point," said Chester. "I dunno. Maybe we can get by with just two. I don't see another option. Heh-heh! Unless, of course, Phyllis here is really Wonder Woman!"

Everyone in the room began to laugh. Everyone, that is, except Phyllis.

Instead, she quietly turned to her husband and said, "Darling, that's the other thing I need to talk to you about."