Chapter 14
Elsewhere and elsewhen
"How long, Matthew? It seems like months since there's been any movement on Earth."
A giant, 10-meter by 10-meter-12K definition monitor dominated the main meeting and strategy room of the Vanishing Point complex, floating outside of known time and space.
Liri Lee watched that monitor with the constantly changing views of Earth-1's Washington, D.C. The feed – best described as 'the capture of moments in time from any possible physical space' – rotated between views of hundreds of places in and around Washington, as if everyone and everything had been frozen in time.
"That's not true – not for them," said Lee's partner, Matthew Ryder. "They're not experiencing any kind of temporal pause. In our line of work, we're so busy observing historical events in real time, we forget that – at least according to the temporal laws of this multiverse – from our vantage point, we're just locked to a fixed point in time, as opposed to stepping outside of it and watch it flow like a river on Earth. This happens all the time. And has happened. And will happen—"
"Stop. Don't give me another temporal headache," she said with a smile, while waving him off.
"I have the cure," Ryder said, pulling a small bottle of pills from the leather bag on the small table in front of the main monitor. "Excederin. Vintage 1968."
"Did you just create another butterfly effect, now?", Lee asked as she took two of the pills. "You may have created another anomaly."
"A non-factor. Those pills were destined to disappear from the Duane Meade on 59th and 96th in Metropolis, April 16, 1968," Ryder said. "The timeline is safe."
"You sure about that?," she said, putting the pills in her mouth, then swallowing them dry. "What if you created a new Barbatos? Or turned Superman Secundus of Universe-1 into a tyrant?"
"I checked. Only one Barbatos in the timeline. Jon Kent's timeline remains unchanged."
"Good on you, then, making sure you didn't create a mess," Lee said with a smile. "Why is that monitor focused on this point in Earth-1's history? What's so important there?"
"So many events will branch out from what has already happened up to that point and what will happen afterwards," Ryder replied. "The Crisis is not too far in their future. She" – he pointed to a young brunette stepping out of a military helicopter onto the roof of a U.S. intelligence agency – "is destined to play a vital role in this world's future."
Lee didn't quite recognize her, although there was something about the young woman… "Who is she, anyway? That she's that important but not Kal-El? Luthor? Diana? Bruce Wayne—"
"They aren't the only ones, Liri. She is important. The others around her are important, in their own ways."
Lee recognized her. "Ohhhhh. Her."
"Yes, Liri, 'her'."
The facts about the woman's life came back to Lee's memory, and of those who were part of her life, especially one particularly malevolent individual. "What about the Dark One?"
"We know how his story ends."
"He's known for his embrace of Chaos and his determination, Matthew. We know he's a potential threat to the timeline. We're going to have to keep an eye on him. Not years from this point, not a century from it, but now."
"I disagree," he said, as if to end the conversation. "There are many other things here to watch—"
"And he's one of them," Lee shot back. "He is going to be where she is. So we have to watch her, too."
"She has plenty of people to watch her back. It's in the time record."
"Like her team?"
"Them and many others. Some in very high places."
"Luthor, you mean. The President."
"No. Higher than that."
"Matthew—" Lee, momentarily exasperated at Ryder's indirectness, realized who he was referring to, and it wasn't the so-called Dark One. "Matthew, isn't this shortly before the—"
"Yes, Liri. In Latin, the event that will be known as 'discrimen in terris infinitis'. And that means—"
"He's already there, then, watching and testing some of them. But why would he have any interest in her?"
"That's why we're watching this point in time, Liri. We're going to find out."
22,300 miles above North America
The ship was – to borrow a term from a popular American science-fiction show – cloaked in invisibility and non-existence, unable to be detected by almost any individual or any device.
A large, armor-clad male, built like a muscular humanoid in his 30s, with the wisdom and knowledge that came from eons of living, watched the ongoing events across Earth. He wanted to see, but not to be seen nor detected.
That was the way he wanted it, as it served his purposes well.
Those who knew nothing about him would conclude that he was an arms broker, selling arms and technology – some of it quite advanced – to mercenaries and metahumans, to paramilitary armies and national governments. He said nothing about his own motivations to his buyers, who were shrewd enough to keep their curiosity to themselves.
Some of his buyers – such as a certain Lex Luthor – did have questions about his motivations and were determined to uncover his agenda.
What they thought of him didn't matter to him. What they did with their purchases did matter.
"Luthor's done well with the replicators we gave him to feed, clothe and house his refugees," he said. "He shows tremendous promise."
The young blond woman, from another universe lost in a war soon to come to this universe, handed him a tablet.
"Thank you," he said, tapping through the records on Luthor. "Leadership. Guile. Confidence. His boldness in taking on a god-like figure time and again. I do believe, when the time comes, I may approach him."
"Many of his contingents think of him as a crook," the young woman said. "The last person you should ever call on."
"I do have a Kryptonian in mind, but not the one local to this universe," he said. "One more…seasoned. And take heart: another 'crook', completely unprepared for the real dangers to his nation-state and his world, his universe, could have been where Luthor is now. Should I have approached him, instead?"
"If you are referring to the entrepreneur—"
Lyta Michaels, daughter of a now-lost Earth, appearing in her late teens and in many ways possessing the innocence and naivete of a child, saw the smile on his face.
She didn't know how she should take that, so she took offense.
"Was that a joke? Are you…trolling me?"
"Trolling?"
"Yes!", she said indignantly.
"I do not believe that's how the residents of Earth define 'trolling'," said Mar Novu. "If I wanted to 'troll' you, I would have insulted you so I could antagonize you – which, I'm sure you'll be pleased to know, is a potential course of action I have in mind for Mr. Luthor. No, I merely was teasing you."
"Teasing me?"
"In good fun. You do that with your friends, with those you care about…Lyta?"
"Oh," she said, head bowed, ashamed of her reaction. "I apologize for misunderstanding you, sir."
Novu realized she had greatly misunderstood his joke. He rebuked himself, for forgetting she had grown up, in this environment, trained by computers and all the knowledge and culture he had pilfered from the various Earths of the multiverse.
He forgot for much of Lyta's young life, she had only been around other humans at a distance, only occasionally observing them on the planets they had visited. Lyta hadn't interacted with other humans since she was rescued from a cruise ship during a violent storm caused by a wave of anti-matter that eventually engulfed her world. Novu rescued her from the cataclysm, and had essentially raised her as his daughter, the two of them traversing the multiverse on board his ship.
"No, it is I who should apologize, Lyta," Novu said. "I have forgotten that you have not had the opportunity for a normal human life. I've not allowed you to be around other humans, and grow accordingly—"
"People like these?" Lyta picked up a photograph from one of the stations, one of the few mementos she was able to take with her before the antimatter wave hit.
The photograph was of her and her adoptive father, a former United States of North America Marine, and the rest of their non-traditional family: the former athlete turned investigator; the technical wizard; the forensics scientist turned Goth; the kindly medical examiner who spoke reassuringly to his dead patients; the mysterious secret agent in search of her own peace; the bumbling medical assistant turned warrior; and the young woman from a family of attorneys, who chose the path of the protector, and who became a mother alongside her newly-married husband.
They fled the antimatter wave when it hit NorthAm's east coast, Earth's few 'wonders' unable to stop it. The group picked up friends from Los Angeles and beat the wave into Honolulu by an hour, picking up more allies from local law enforcement with the aim of heading to a secret military installation on the Island of Kaua'I; there was a device with a portal that would, allegedly, allow transport to another dimension.
In the chaos and panic engulfing the city, their airplane was destroyed, forcing them onto a private superyacht, taking on anyone that could board. She remembered crying in the shoulder of her Goth friend as her adoptive mother and father helped restore order.
The ship left Pearl Harbor, but it wasn't long before the weather turned nasty, and the mood of some onboard the ship turned even nastier. Somewhere between Pearl Harbor and Kaua'I, those who wanted to turn around and go back to Honolulu fired the first shots. Lyta was placed by the Marine in the safest place he could think of and told to come out only via their secret signal.
The shooting ended but the storm got worse. The ship rocked violently.
Lyta left her hiding spot and walked past the bodies, trying not to look at any of their faces, and headed to the bridge.
That's when she saw Novu's ship, hovering several meters above the stormy sea, in front of the yacht. The Marine had taught her to trust her intuition, what he called her gut – and it was telling her to flee with this strange-looking man.
Wearing her backpack, Lyta took a literal leap of faith, off the bow of the yacht onto the weird ship that took her away from the only world she had ever known.
"Sir, do you think…do you think they are here?", she asked, handing the photograph over to Novu.
Novu looked at the picture while he kept what the Earthers in nearly every universe called a poker face. He hoped she didn't pick up on it. "We will look, Lyta," he said. They certainly would have the time for it; there was much to do here on this Earth.
He realized the paradox: there was a lot of time to finish his and Lyta's tasks in this dimension…and yet, time was running out.
FROM THE JOURNAL OF MAR NOVU, ENTRY 3164
Lyta and I are currently in Universe-1. Our work is proceeding as planned. Our arms sales to the rebel groups in the Middle Eastern nation of Qurac has opened connections within Saudi Arabia, Dubai, Europe and even the United States. Our observations of metahuman and paramilitary operatives around the planet are proceeding as planned. I have made note of several candidates and am weighing whether to approach them or bring them all in simultaneously.
We're going to spend more time in this specific time period before we explore this Earth's timestream. I'm glad that we have this opportunity to do so, as one of this Earth's most historic events currently is unfolding. Millions of refugees are fleeing from another universe to this one, and to others. Based on the intelligence I have received from the situation unfolding in America, it appears that a few of those refugees are doppelgangers of the adoptive family that Lyta lost when we fled Universe-783.
As a result, I'm weighing whether or not to inform her, considering her emotional and mental state after we explored Universe-2.
On a side note, this Earth, like several others we have encountered, is not under a unified government yet is aware it is not alone in its own universe. This Earth has known of other extraterrestrial nations for 32 of its years and its nation-states have ongoing diplomatic and economic relations with several of those nations. This Earth also has its own metahumans, thousands of them operating around the globe and on Earth's settlements throughout the system, so-called heroes, villains and those who do not fit either definition; we are here in part to see which ones will be most useful when the time comes.
Back to Lyta. On her world, alien life was the realm of fiction, and there were only a few metahumans and adventurers – called 'wonders', after the first among them to announce herself – and nothing could have saved their existence.
What I did for Lyta was give her a new chance at life, but what kind of life have I given her? She deserves so, so much better.
Whatever transpired onboard that ship before the rescue was greatly traumatic, although she refuses to discuss it to this day. The psychological programs I took from some of the Earths have helped her, but even this old man knows there is only so much technology can do. There's only so much I can do myself.
I sense strongly her destiny will take her into the thick of things when the time comes. I desire even more strongly for another destiny for her – one back on Earth, where she can grow up into the beautiful, strong, amazing person that I know is also part of her destiny.
What if I can spare her from what is to come, at least what he would require of her?
If I could take her to this little family, refugees of another cataclysm, unable to return there, what would that do to her? Would it heal her soul…or would it wound it more?
I must confess, for all of the power I possess and knowledge I have accumulated, for as long as I have lived…I do not know the answer. I am many things, but human is not among them. I can only do so much, and I cannot fully comprehend what a human would need in her unique situation to…what? Heal? Grow? Move on?
I have to stay focused on my main objectives and keep the greater picture in mind. But I am not the only one here. I cannot ask of Lyta what I suspect I may ask of her when the time comes if I am unwilling to acknowledge her pain and take a potential solution right in front of me.
If I do…will they accept?
SUB-NOTE 1: Universe-1 should be considered one of the most important universes within the greater multiverse for multiple reasons. As our mission currently takes us to Earth, it is important to note Earth's growing cultural and diplomatic influence within the greater galactic community.
It is even more important to note the various metahumans and adventurers on Earth and its various outposts. Although her 'heroic' history dates to its 19th century, the 'first superhero' is generally acknowledged to be Kal-El, a.k.a. Superman. His example inspired others, operating both as individuals or in pairs, and as groups (most notable: the Justice League of America and its two offshoots; the Teen Titans and its 'New' offshoot; the Global Guardians; the Great Ten of China; and the People's Heroes of Russia). It also inspired others, individually and collectively, to operate as so-called villains.
One of them, Alexander 'Lex' Luthor, appears to have turned from the life of a supervillain (and as Superman's prime archenemy) and is making amends to the public as a businessperson and as a politician. Already one of Earth-1's wealthiest persons as the head of the LexCorp corporation, Luthor ran a populist campaign to win the election for the Presidency of the United States of America in November 2016.
There already is a lot of skepticism about him personally and how he will do in his current position, the thought being he is evil at heart and will do what is best for himself first and foremost. Lyta is right to be mistrustful of him, and yet I may have need of him when the time comes. That is why I am about to approach him and give his country weapons and knowledge that will likely bring about political discord that will fade away quickly when the time comes as Earth unites to fight its greatest threat to date. - MT
SUB-NOTE 2: I have been reading the journals of my own counterparts from Multiverses-1 and -2. I am as curious and skeptical of the motives of the sender as I have ever been. And yet that is why I am hopeful for a different destiny for Lyta. With the knowledge of what he did to her in the other realities, perhaps I can spare her, and also spare countless trillions of lives in this multiverse. - MT
FROM THE JOURNAL OF MAR NOVU, ENTRY 3165
I have confirmed the identities of the dopplegangers, and of their current location relative to our current position in spacetime.
This means my observations will focus on the American capitol, Washington, and on its Naval Criminal Investigative Service, as well as on the President himself. I will keep Lyta occupied with observations in Europe and Africa, until I have finishing approaching those whom I think will have her best interest in mind. I will be doing this in conjunction with my visit with Luthor, who knows nothing about her and that is the way it should remain.
SUB-NOTE 1: My job here has gotten more difficult. I neglected to search for Ari Haswari, who exists in this reality and is already a potential threat to his entire planet. His counterpart in Universe-2849 killed millions as an anti-Western terrorist. His Universe-2469 counterpart did far worse, embracing Satanism and imposing Satanic rule upon the Earth while killing hundreds of millions before he was overthrown by the Khunds (who installed their own regime). This Haswari has every bit of potential for evil as his 2849 doppleganger did, and I cannot stand by and watch. He too is searching for the doppelgangers; it is another entry point for a meeting with Luthor, and I may just have the weapons to stop this would-be tyrant in his tracks.
Prince George's County, Maryland
Joint Base Andrews
"I'll go when I'm ready," Luthor said, curtly. "Not a second more."
He waved his visitors – his communications director and deputy communications director – away. Both took the hint and walked out of the studio without a word.
Luthor leaned against the front of the mahogany desk sitting in what was called the 'working Oval Office' – an exact replica of the real Oval Office in the White House, down to the custom-made mahogany desk he kept back in Washington. The fact the real desk was made from California Redwood and had subsequently raised the ire of numerous environmental groups – although the species had been moved off the endangered list thanks in part to Rannian science (and Luthor-funded laboratories) – meant nothing to the man. Their ire further endeared him to the working- and middle-class constituency that helped put him in the White House.
The President was in his element: doing what he wanted, on his schedule. Luthor knew the Washington political establishment already hated him. The heroes did, too, especially the Alien and his ilk.
That meant nothing to Luthor, too.
The time on his phone read 5:55. The national and global news channels already were discussing what Luthor might say, and local stations and many non-news channels were preparing to cut in to carry the speech as well. His communications director and deputy wanted to discuss the content of that speech with the President, something Luthor was unwilling to comply with. Both were loyal LexCorp employees before the election, so they were accustomed to doing what Luthor wanted without question and without complaint.
Luthor pulled his phone out of his pocket and thumbed through his contacts, until he found the contact he needed and placed the call.
"This is the President," he said after his contact answered the call. "…yes, it is me…..that's correct….the reason I am contacting you directly is because I have need of your skill set on a very prompt matter that I would appreciate you taking care of immediately and quickly. Consider this a direct order from your Commander-in-Chief, Agent…you can tell your supervisor that I am over the people who are over his agency, including you and including her…very good. I will text you the list of individuals very shortly and I will accept initially information on their dopplegangers….yes, I said correctly…you will learn of it soon from your director. I will also expect information on the dopplegangers themselves once that is entered into your records, and I will need information on the dopplegangers' counterparts from this universe as well…I understand exactly what I am asking. I know you are loyal to your agency, and to your team. I also know you are loyal to your country, and this has to do with the country. Just do what I am telling you to do. Even if you lose your position, I will place you elsewhere where you can continue to contribute to your country and you will not be left to fend for yourself. Have I made myself clear? Good…now send me the initial information at the conclusion of my speech…thank you."
Luthor realized early on that working the people in the system did have its benefits, as did saying thank you. Sometimes that got him what he wanted more quickly and easily than other, ruder methods.
He typed in a series of names into his phone, then hit send.
Stanley Burley FILES ON BOTH
Anthony DiNozzo Jr.
Emily Fornell FILES ON BOTH
Tobias Fornell
Michael Franks FILES ON BOTH
Leroy Jethro Gibbs
Donald Mallard
Victoria Mallard
Sarah McGee FILES ON BOTH
Timothy McGee
James Palmer
Abigail Sciuto
Diane Gibbs Fornell Sterling FILES ON BOTH
Caitlin Todd
