Chapter 11 - Moving on up
Day 6
Planet Fred - Fortress of Solely Two - 6:00 AM
Clark got out of their room in the Javelin to a gorgeous dawn. Diana was already outside saying her morning prayers.
She'd told him about her encounters with her deities, so he didn't understand her devotion to the rituals praising them. He, nonetheless, respected this. He wasn't a religious man, but he knew about the need of others to have beliefs. In fact, his encounters with the New Gods, some of the old ones, and after seeing the Source Wall and the mystery of what was behind it, had him convinced that there was much than meets the eye in the known and unknown universe.
He quietly looked at the construction site of the 'Fortress' which was almost complete. It looked solid. The wooden walls interstices were sealed with a rubber-like substance from a fat, short tree. Their ingenuity made him proud. His hands developed quite a few blisters as consequence of handling tools and his back ached, but the work was satisfying. Clark's appreciation of Jonathan Kent's daily efforts grew exponentially. "Pa, you were the true Superman," he thought to himself. He felt pride in carrying the Kent name, and he sure as hell would honor it.
He turned to look at Diana again. He knew she could have finished the Fortress in 1/10th of the time, if not faster, but she chose to let him do things at his own pace. He was grateful for it. Not that he would say anything. It would appear as if he thought she was patronizing him and he didn't want her to have that impression.
He went to the pond to wash himself.
There he found Argos eating from a tree by the shore. Clark was fascinated with the beast. He was nibbling the leaves with his beak and then chewed them with the molars at the back of his mouth. "A beak and teeth. I d say you are very well equipped, Argos, my friend". After patting his head and saying a few affectionate words to the purple giant, he took off his clothes and started his morning bath.
The water was very cold for him at this hour, but he remembered Diana's words: "A warrior should fear dirtiness more than death itself.
Of course, she said that to herself, not to him, but he d adopted the motto. It went well with what Ma used to say to him as a kid: "Clark, a clean conscience begins with a clean body."
In spite of his discomfort, he was enjoying the new sensations like heat, cold, weariness, etc. Not even before his powers manifest themselves fully, he was able to experience those like now.
"So. This is how being 'normal' feels." He looked at his crotch and couldn't help but notice how his masculine attributes shrunk. "I say 'normal' is overrated. Come on, Kent! What doesn't kill you makes you stronger". His eyes turned their attention to his hands, because he was feeling an itching in the burnt part of them. They were healing pretty well and fast, even though he didn't have his powers. His right hand went to the injuries on his face. The itching sensation was there too. The skin was smoothing noticeably. The gel was working amazingly well. The only problem was the insects surrounding his face and hands, and Argos licking them with a large, thin tongue which almost knocks him down.
During one of his scouting trips into the forest, while Diana was collecting fruits and vegetables, he had found a plant with thick, pulpy leaves. By Diana's insistence he had taken Eunice with him along with a Plaser pistol, to avoid unpleasant encounters, like the one she had with the carnivorous animal-plant the first time she ventured into the woods. They had the location of many of them marked by now. He smiled at the memory:
He unsheathed the sword and cut the tip of one of the blue leaves. It fell to the ground and a green gel came out of it. The gel had a nice, sweet smell and didn't have any visible corrosive effect. A few insects came to feed from it.
"Could it be...?" Clark picked some gel with his forefinger tip from the part of the leaf still attached to the plant and took it to his lips
"Diana would kill me if she'd see me now. Mmmmm! It's halfway between maple syrup and honey! I like it!"
When he showed Diana the samples he took to their settlement, she approved its taste. Then, she stared at his face as if struck by an idea. She spread a fair amount of gel on her left palm and, without warning, smeared it on the right side of his face.
"Hey, what the...!?" He began protesting, but then "Wow! This is so refreshing! My skin doesn't burn anymore! How did you...?"
"On Themyscira we have a similar plant Epione uses for healing burns like yours. She taught me to recognize certain healing herbs when I had to work with her during my apprenticeship," she said proudly.
"Thank goodness for tha..shoo! Damn bugs! Shoo!" He was interrupted by some insects trying to get to his smeared face "Oh. Man!"
But the gel was working miracles. According to Diana's calculations, it accelerated his healing by a factor of three. In a week, at the most, he would be back to normal.
"And I will be able to shave again. I hate Diana seeing me like this. I look like a hobo."
He finished bathing and went to their camp. Diana was already chopping fruits for breakfast.
"Good morning, Kal!" she greeted him.
"Hi, Di. It's going to be a beautiful day, isn't it?" he replied."Can I help you?"
"Yes, take this to the table, please." She handled him a bowl with a fruit salad with a generous amount of 'glycos' which was the name Diana chose for the green gel Clark found. Clark was also responsible for the confection of the table. He made it with parts of the trees Diana chopped for the Fortress. "It's great to see our architectural endeavor almost finished," she added.
"Yes. About that, Di, I think I can take care of the final details by myself. I have the main door and the windows almost ready to install and half the gravel for the floor finishing, until we can cut the flat stones near the pond into tiles. It's time to start searching for the orbiting beacon to signal our position to our friends."
"Okay. I'm ready. Let's start the search today," she said with determination.
"Not so fast. Di, I don't need to tell you how worried I m about this. You up there, on your own, orbiting the planet, looking for a needle in a haystack"
She looked at him in shock. "You don't think I can handle myself? Because, let me tell you, it's not my first time in outer space"
"I meant no offense. Of course I trust you, and I know your skills and abilities. It's just..." He looked at his hands.
"What is it, Kal?" she asked.
"I m so damn useless down here! If anything should happen to you up there I won't be able to do nothing to help you!" He looked at her visibly upset.
"I'll be fine. In any case, let's make sure nothing happens then." She put her hand over his. "Quoting Bruce: 'Preparation is the key to success'"
"You're right. We must stay focused. Look, there are two things I want you to wear, just as a safety precaution." Clark knew he needed to give her the benefit of the doubt.
"Of course. What things"
"One: my kryptonian uniform. It is virtually indestructible and will keep you safe from radiation and cosmic emanations."
She looked at him in surprise. "Kal, I don't think it would fit me. You are several sizes bigger than me. Besides, I have my own, which is also indestructible."
"Try to be more subtle when you call me fat," he joked "I know you have yours, but it doesn't cover all your body, like mine does. As you saw, my suit retracts entirely into the belt buckle. It's kryptonian nanotechnology. All you have to do is place the buckle at your waist level, it reads your body configuration and deploys the suit to adapt to your form. Perfect fit. I'll show you how to activate it. Don't worry about me leaving any trace of skin, or even sweat or dirt: once it retracts, every foreign particle is disposed of. You save a lot in laundry that way." He smiled
"Fine. What's the other item?" she asked.
"This." He took the watch off his wrist. "It's an Omega Speedmaster, vintage. Same model astronauts used for space missions. It's very precise. Babies like this were on the Moon. It s shielded against practically everything: shock, magnetism, high pressure, vacuum, etc. The crystal is synthetic Sapphire. A little, Swiss miracle from the 1960s. You'll be able to keep track of time with it," he stated proudly. "And it's automatic, so, no batteries required."
"This must have cost you a small fortune! I don't know if I'll be comfortable wearing your watch." She sounded concerned.
"Nonsense. You made me take your beloved sword with me. I'll be a lot more at ease knowing you have it. In fact, no, it's not 'MY' watch. It's my gift to you; if it makes you feel better, from now on it's your watch take it!" He took her hands and put the watch in them.
"Wha...Kal, no! I...I can't!" she stammered.
"Di, it's not like anyone gave it to me. I just bought at a police auction, as a forgery. My X-ray vision told me it was authentic. Later I felt bad for cheating and, since the auction was for charity, I donated a kryptonian pasta maker, priceless because it's Kryptonian, not because of it's ultimate purpose. I really want you to have it, and use it out there." He pointed to the sky.
"But...I...I don't usually wear watches"
"Just have it. A little token of my friendship. Humor me. Please," he said and added with a big grin, "Besides, it's one of the classic brands which makes 'Bond watches."
She looked at him confused.
"Bond, James Bond?" he said, with an imposant voice. "British Secret Service? License to kill?" Her face showed no signs of recognition. "Oh my...Daniel Craig?"
"Him, I know. I met him in one of my charity tours. Very charming and funny. People kept calling him double 'O' seven for some reason. He introduced me to the audience on that event," Diana recalled.
"Yeah, I remember I covered that event. He said that you were, and I quote, 'the only woman who can make Angelina look like an old hack, and I knew her when she still was hot'. Smart ass!" A shadow of disapproving jealousy passed over Clark's features.
"A handsome man too. Not god-like beautiful as you, but easy on the eyes." When she realized what she just said, her face turned white then deep red. His was red too. "O-kaay then. And how will you keep track of time from the ground to warn me if I'm too distracted?" She rapidly changed the subject.
"Erm, yes. Uh, during my journeys, as a reporter or as Superman, I always carry in my valise my faithful travel "Europa" foldable alarm clock, also vintage: from the 1970s. No batteries either. You just have to wind it up." He made the mimic of turning a key.
"It seems very important for you to know the time of the day, isn't it?" she asked curious.
"The timetable was vital at the farm. It tells you when to feed the animals; when to milk the cows; how long you should irrigate the fields; how long will it take to Ma's apple pie to be ready even how long it takes to secure the animals and get to the storm cellar for an entire family when a tornado strikes. Then, the big city life demanded you to be aware of the time constantly. The habit is stuck in me, you know? And, this time, I'm glad it did."
"I see," she said. "For centuries Themyscira used sun dials, clepsydras and hourglasses and other non mechanical time pieces to measure the pass of time within the day. In the last three centuries we were introduced to the use of clocks by our sister Amazons who regularly travel to the outside world looking for technological innovations worth adopting. I grew spoiled on that regard because, as a Princess I never got to use a clock, someone always kept my schedule for me." There was no shame nor hubris in her voice, she was just stating the facts. "So, do we begin now?"
"Okay. I'll go get my suit." He went in and out the Javelin. When he returned he had a white and gold pentagon of 3" x 3" x 0.5" and his red cape.
"What's the cape for?" Diana asked
"You are also taking it with you. The suit covers every part of your body except the face. Remember my face could be a lot worse if I didn't put the cape over my head during our entry into the atmosphere," Clark told her.
"I know, Kal, but remember I'm almost as invulnerable as you were. There are few things that can harm me."
"Yes. And it's because of those few things you are taking it. Please," he begged.
"This is not because you have a 'Superwoman' fetish, is it?" she joked.
"Princess Diana! I didn't know you have such a dirty side!" He said, faking indignation "Well...may be a little," he shrugged. They both laughed at this.
"Alright, I'm taking it. And don't call me Princess! Now let's put that darn suit on me, shall we?" she said.
"You'll have to do it by yourself. You have to remove your clothes. You can leave your underwear on. See, it's a little skintight," he said, turning red.
"I knew it: Superwoman fetish," she blurted at him. But she remembered how skin tight it was. Especially on his broad chest and lower back.
"Okay. The buckle has a safe but simple sequence of activation. After you hold the buckle an inch below your belly button, you have to slide your finger here, then here and finally press the center. A strap will extend around your waist and the mechanism will start scanning your body. The buckle starts to glow and you'll see particles deploying from it and the fabric spreading all over your body. This is a little ticklish. The whole process lasts exactly 2.3 seconds. I suggest you tie you hair up in a bun or a pony tail," he instructed.
"Got it. I'll be right back," she replied.
When she was inside the barracks room, she took all of her clothes off and got into the skimpy white swimsuit. After tying her hair in a braid, she placed the buckle over her flat stomach and punched the sequence code. Everything went as Clark told her. She felt awkward using this suit, though she must admit it was like a second skin. To the touch it felt like fabric and it extended under her bracelets, leaving them external. She was expecting it to be blue and red, but it remained white instead, with no 'S' on her chest, only an empty circle.
As she was coming out of the ship, she snapped at him, "I've been cheated! This is not a super suit! Where are the blue and red! Where is your 'S'? This is outrageous! It's the last time I shop in cheap places!"
He turned to face her. The suit accented each and every one of her curves, almost better than her own outfit. She was a dream in white . Finally, he could articulate a word and exclaimed, "Whoa!" then "That's not how it works. You need to have Kryptonian DNA and belong to one of the twenty-five founding houses for it to adopt your colors and family crest. Otherwise it remains plain white." He moved towards her. "Allow me." He rotated the buckle an entire 360 degrees and then pulled the turtle neck up until it became a tight hood, like that of a wetsuit, leaving the face and braid uncovered. He did the same to the sleeves until they extend into fingerless mittens. "There! Now you are a white ninja," he joked.
She dismissed the joke "You're saying that in your world of origin your family belonged to some kind of Kryptonian aristocracy?" she asked astounded.
"Yeah, sort of..." He rubbed the back of his neck.
"Then why all that nonsense about you being just a farm boy from Kansas? Wait until I tell Bruce you were pestering us about not being in tune with the common man because of our birth into privilege, which you also had been. You've got a lot to explain, Your Grace," she said sarcastically, although this time she seemed serious.
"I was raised as a farmer, regardless of the social status of my Kryptonian family! I didn't know about my origin until I was eighteen. And even so, my birth parents were workers, a scientist and a military physician, not some feudal despots," he explained "And I really do work and live with the common man, not in an ancestral mansion or some luxurious 'flat' in the most exclusive part of London."
"FYI, not all aristocrats are despots. And what about your ice palace in the Arctic? Is that close to the common man as well?" she counter attacked.
Things were escalating, and that was not what Clark intended. "Sorry. I didn't mean it like that. I admire your generous heart and your hard work for the underprivileged. And I know Bruce puts his life in jeopardy every day to defend the innocent and donates a fair share of his wealth to help the less fortunate. And the Fortress is a working place, not a palace. But you are right, sometimes I am too quick to judge. Again, I'm sorry, Di." He looked straight into her eyes, which always tended to disarm her defenses.
"It's okay. I was shocked by the revelation of your upper class origin. I acted judgmental as well. Friends?" she asked, extending her hand.
"No matter what." He smiled taking it.
"Back to work, Kal. What else do I need to know?"
"Nothing else. Let me put the cape on you." He adjusted the fasteners.
"It's not vanity, but I'm really curious about how I look right now, let me tell you," Diana said.
"Back in Krypton, these were regular, every day garments, and, as you can imagine, people needed to check their aspect before facing others. It has a little gimmick you may find interesting." He slid his finger on the sides of the buckle and a live 3D projection of Diana's full body appeared some five feet in front of her.
"Wow! This is amazing!" she said, looking at herself from every possible angle. "This looks pretty sleek, powerful."
"You look positively badass!" he said, with a satisfied grin.
"Doesn't it consume too much energy?" the Princess asked.
"As many Kryptonian things, it gets the energy from the sun. No problem there," Clark told her.
Diana took the watch and slid it on her left wrist. "Let's synchronize our time pieces."
"Oops! Let me get my alarm clock from inside." He ran inside the Javelin and then back. "Here! I'm ready."
"So, an hour and a half...," she started
"An hour and fifteen minutes," he corrected her, setting his alarm. "We need to play it safe, Di. No stunts, okay?"
"Okay. Hour fifteen." She tied the Lasso to her waist and gave him the other end, which he secured around his waist too. "Well, up, up and aw...!"
He stopped her. Turned her to face him and "Di, I...I just want to say..." The Lasso was playing its magic on him. Fighting it with all his strength, he cooled down. "Please, be very careful." And come back to me, he thought.
"I promise," and she lifted from the ground.
Clark eyes followed her until she was no longer visible. He wasn't able to resist the power of the Lasso anymore. When he was sure not even her sensitive ears could hear him, he fell to his knees and whispered, "I love you."
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Almerac - City of Potentoris - Global Defense Array Control
Hour of Jannell
J'onn and John Stewart had been looking to the security video recordings for hours now, without success. John rubbed his eyes. He felt tired, but they won't quit until they find a clue about the origin of the missile.
"Let's follow back the route of the projectile once more," Lantern said. "There's something we're not seeing."
"No. It's not that," the Martian said. "There's a gap in the recordings. Look at the time-code. It seems to jump at this point."
"My Almerachian is a little rusty. Hold. Ring, translate time readings to Earth measurements," ordered Green Lantern. "Now. Rewind, please."
The ring displayed the time-code equivalent in green numbers before them.
"There! A second and a half gap! It could pass as a camera malfunction, but we know better." J'onn spoke to the officer in charge, "Commander, are there any other visual records of the satellite systems, other than this?"
"Only those monitoring the state of the communications net. But we need clearance to access them," the officer said.
The Leaguers showed him what they suspected could be sabotage. "I see. Wait. Chief, download the video records of the communications monitoring system of grid 349F, from..." He looked back to the time-code. "Hour of Deximus to Hour of Chanys"
"The time of the attack at Ancestral Hall, sir?" the soldier asked.
"Affirmative. Use my authorization code and label it urgent," the Commander ordered.
"Right away, sir!"
"It shouldn't take more than ten chrons," the officer said.
"That's about half an hour," J'onn said. "Use them to get yourself something to eat. I'll call Zee to inform her and see how things are going."
"Okay. You want something?" Stewart asked.
"Just some of that yellow tea. Thanks." As John was leaving, J'onn tapped his communicator.
"Zatanna, come in." After twenty seconds, "Zatanna, this is J'onn, come in, please"
A visibly angry Zee answered, "Dammit, J'onn. This better be important, I was about to make Lothar's loincloth disappear."
"Oh! I'm sorry. I lost track of time. I didn't know you were sleeping. Anything to report?" he apologized.
"After the attack everything went smoothly. I had to keep the Thanagarians separated from the Rannians due to alcohol intoxication, but, other than that, a very boring reception party, thank goodness," the sorceress informed. "What about you, guys? Any luck?"
"After hours of nothing, we seem to have found a lead. I'll keep you posted," J'onn said
"Please, let it be in...," she checked her watch, "two more hours."
"Alright. I won't disturb you again unless it's urgent. You can go back to Lothar, now." The Martian smiled.
"Hmmm. C'mere, you giant, chocolate cake. Yaaawwn! Zee out. For good." She ended the link.
John was returning with two yellow teas and three blue bagels, one of which he was eating. "J'onn, you have to try one of these. They're delicious. I brought one for you."
"Most considerate, thank you. They didn't happen to have Oreos, did they?" asked the Martian.
"This Oreo thing is getting out of hand. You have a problem, man." John's face showed concern. "But I guarantee you are not gonna miss your cookies if you sample this." He offered a bagel to J'onn.
"Okay. Mmmm. Yes, very tasty. This will definitely do. For now, anyway." The Martian chewed with satisfaction.
They ate silently for a few minutes until the Commander called them. "Gentlemen, the recordings are here, ready to be played."
"Thank you, Commander. Ready, J'onn?" Green Lantern asked
"Let's do this."
The angle was entirely different, but it was clearly visible a flash of light appearing right behind a comm-satellite, extending into a tunnel, barely big enough for the missile to emerge from it. The proximity to the satellite, no doubt, was meant to mask the signal of the phenomenon.
"A boom-tube," J'onn stated.
"That small?" asked the Commander.
"A mini boom-tube," corrected Lantern.
"Apokolips!" said Martian Manhunter.
"Darkseid," added John with a grave voice.
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Thank you everyone for the reviews. Sorry for the delayed updating. Next chapter coming soon
Edit: ( 06/16/2021) this chapter has been slightly modified to correct some information errors about time pieces.