Late Summer 2012 Kent Ranch mid morning
A/N (Devcon 5 is a peace time military force status, Devcon 1 is a state of war exists or is about to exist.)
Kansas time=CST 10:30 = EST 11:30 = GMT 22:30
Fundamentalists obtain a 15 mt weapon and the codes to activate it from supportive members of Pakistan's strategic forces. The sect had been purchasing red mercury from anyplace they could they had a couple of tons now all they needed a was a bigger bomb to spread the red mercury. They moved the weapon to a safe house preparing it for shipment as a huge dirty bomb. They were planning on shipping it to a US port for deployment and detonation.
22:39 During the process of adding additional radioactive material they removed some of the shielding from the bomb. That shielding was to protect the bombs detonation circuits. The exposed timer circuits start to degrade then the count down timer starts unnoticed by anyone the countdown timer counts down towards detonation.
GMT 23:01 The stolen device detonates potentially spreading radioactive material all over the northern part Pakistan. US Satellites pick up the explosion Norad and Space Command upgrade to Defcon 3. All US forces start the readiness process gearing up to go to war or to prevent a war from happening.
GMT 23:03 China's and India strategic forces all go on alert weapons are readied for release. Pakistan's remaining forces ready for deployment and engagement.
It was early September summer was gone and the first hints of fall were in the air. It was a quiet day when all the system alarm went
off on the information system. Clark turned to Lana "get the babies to Chloe or Zantana we have a big issue to deal with".
Chloe popped up on screen "whats going on guys every system alarm we programmed seems to have hit this time what happened"?
"Um, it seems that Pakistan has had a nuclear bomb explode on the ground and that's all we know right now" said a scared Chloe.
Lana cast a magic summons for Zantana, both Lana and Clark phased into their alternate identities and disappeared in a flash leaving a contrail headed for the other side of the world. Zantana showed up to babysit her favorite playmates.
Our hero's could smell the faint odor of burnt flesh long before they could see any signs of damage they saw the rising mushroom cloud in the distance and knew something big had happened. Clark and Lana both heard Martha calling them.
"One of us has to go back baby".
"Clark you go I'll try to take the radiation to space".
"Try to make a tornado at least start it moving I hope to be back before then".
Washington, DC 22:03 GMT
Clark was in DC 15 seconds later at Martha's office. He knocked on the window to a completely startled Martha and her staff who were all talking about leaving DC by the fastest route.
"Superman what are you doing here" she asked for the benefit of the staff?
"Someone told me you were a good source for information".
"A large atomic weapon was just detonated in the far east we believe the bomb went off in Pakistan".
"I am aware of that event is there any more information" asked Clark?
"The Whitehouse would have the best info but were getting ready to leave the city and head to the bunkers outside the city". "We just heard that the military just upgraded to Defcon 3".
"Senator I need to borrow you for a few moments" he turned to the staff "continue with what ever you were going to do I'll see to the Senators safety".
Clark picked up Martha and they left by the open window he came in, as soon as they were out and got some altitude Martha turned to Clark "I never thought I'd get to experience flying with you Clark where are we going"?
"The Whitehouse mom your my ticket in without causing a lot of issues".
"Ok, well we were told to retreat to the bunkers we were assigned". "Clark it sounds like the 50's all over again but this time there are a lot more weapons on the planet, enough to destroy all life". "You and Lana can't let that happen". "Were is Lana"?
"She's in Pakistan right now trying to create a tornado to take the radiation out of the earths atmosphere". "Then we can see about the people on the ground".
They arrived at the windows outside the oval office Martha knocked on the window with Clark standing beside her "Mr. President I have someone who you need to talk to sir". The secret service drew their weapons Clark stepped in front of Martha to protect her from any gun fire.
"Mr President we need to talk is there going to be a problem" Clark asked?
"Superman what are you doing here"?
"I came because I heard that the executive branch of our government has ordered a general evacuation of DC and the military has upgraded to Defcon 3, sir that concerns me, sir what is happening with the other nations"?
"Well an atomic weapon was just detonated in Pakistan 4 minutes ago the bomb destroyed 10 miles of city and might set off world war three". "The Russian federation is afraid of Chechnya rebels and China is on high alert". "The other members of the atomic club are all readying there weapons for deployment its a scary time I never though that this might happen on my watch".
"What can you tell me about the bomb Mr. President and whoever had it before it exploded"?
"We heard chatter that one of the fundamentalist groups were planning something big but that was a couple of month ago we believed it was all noise and not real intelligence".
"Guess I might be firing a few people at the CIA and DCI if we make it out of this Superman".
"What are you talking about Mr. President"?
"If any nation launches their weapons the remaining nations will all launch their weapons too". "Life on this planet might be over in less than a hour Superman I hope you and Nocturne can stop this from happening".
GMT 23:07 The remaining strategic Pakistan command decide to bring all their weapons on line and ready for deployment they also mobilize there conventional forces sending them to the border regions with India. The border guards warily watch each other as they close the joint borders.
"I will promises this Superman we will be the last to launch our weapons".
"I guess that's all I can ask you to do Mr. President".
"Superman turns to Martha are you ready for your ride back Senator Kent"?
"Please take me to my farm in Kansas". "If this is going to be the end I want to be with my family Superman" as tears start to fall down her cheeks.
"I'll need to wrap you in my cape otherwise the wind would rip you to pieces Senator".
"Lets go" as Clark wraps her and nods to the President "I'm counting on you sir to keep your word". Clark leaves the window and they rise into the air disappearing in a second.
"What we could do with a army of him general" asked the president? "Take us to Defcon two" Admiral Chase.
Clark slowed dropping Martha at the doorstep of the ranch she was a little disoriented "give me a moment or two Clark I'm dizzy give me a second".
"Mom I have to go Zantana is inside with Lara and Jon please stay with her I have a feeling this is going to be a bad day".
(Lana how are you doing?) (I got hung up talking to the President and bringing mom home to be with Lara and Jon).
(I've been dealing with the human cost of this tragedy).
(I'll be there in seconds).
Flash back to 23:03 GMT.
Lana floats closer to ground zero she see's total destruction in front of her. What she has been looking at will remain with her the rest of her long life. A whole mile of a city is just gone like it never existed all that remains is crumbling blocks of cement and some broken bricks. The city is destroyed Lana is over a mile and a half from the detonation sight when she finally see's the first sign of humans. She floats over what was once a home the only remains are of walls it what was they back yard she finds the burned and scarred remains of the family, the blackened and ash colored skeletal remains.
At two miles she starts to see dead bodies and some who are hanging on to the ends of the threads of life. Lana as a medical student knows these remaining souls have little time left even her advanced skills couldn't save them. Water bottles appear in the hands of these temporary survivors they thank the floating angel in white most die before they can open the bottles.
Lana now is three miles out from the epicenter she finally see's people who stand a chance of survival. She is triaging the injured, who needs what and who is the neediest of them. Lana is heart broken how can man seek to issue this kind of death on another man, she is at a loss of words. Lana rises into the air the survivors are all reaching for the floating angel with their open outstretched hands. They are seeking salvation and the end of their suffering.
Lana has seen enough, Lana closes her eyes she casts a spell may all that need medical help be deposited at a hospital that can help them. A flash of white light moves out from Lana, the energy causes all that it touches to disappear. Lana has tears running down her face she can't imagine how anyone could visit this kind of destruction on to another human being. Lana rises higher into the air now its time to deal with the cloud of deadly radiation and its fall out.
Seconds later, all over the world hospitals with advanced burn care centers have refugees from Pakistan showing up on their door steeps and in a lot of cases they appear in empty room in the burn centers. Lana's peers world wide get to work saving lives no facility was overloaded with burn victims but they all didn't have to deal with radiation. It took a while for the staff to figure out that these people that showed up in their burn centers were from Pakistan and they just lived through a nuclear explosion. The doctors finally called for radiation detectors much to their surprise there was no radiation on the victims in fact they all appeared in white clothing, sterile white clothing. The medical community witnessed a miracle today one that would help change the world.
GMT 23:11 India saw the increase of Pakistan's border force and the massed army behind them and the border guards warns the Indian prime minister that they are about to be invaded. Due to the EMP from the detonation communications between the Pakistan government and Indian Governments are non existent.
GMT 23:14 Commanders from the forces meet to try to figure out what is happening but staff members on both sides are distrustful. The meeting ends in a shouting match the Pakistan Commander gives the order for their forces to invade India believing that it was a Indian warhead the destroyed Islamabad and killed his family.
Clark arrives seeing Lana struggling to keep the tornado going its keeping the radiation in but she can't get it off the ground. (why not use your magic to get rid of the radiation)?
(I used a lot of magic already so my powers a little low at the moment, care to give me a hand)?
(baby move to the bottom keep it together and don't let it falter I'll take the upper section and together well move it up to space).
(Wont it fall back to earth Clark)?
(No were going to take it outside earths orbit the solar wind will dissipate it and move it away from earth). As they rise from the earth and reach a orbit well outside earths atmosphere they look back to earth.
GMT 23:17 First exchanges are limited to theater weapons fired from gun type weapons quickly escalates to airborne weapons and then missile launches.
Lana and Clark both super speed catching all the fired and launched weapons flinging them into high orbit.
GMT 23:19 No one is sure who launched at North Korea but they have put all their forces on a hair trigger where they launch on detecting anything heading their way.
(Clark what are those bright lights rising up from the ground)?
(Oh God it started)!
"Watchtower are you online"?
"Yes, Superman I've activated everyone, Aqua Man is finding subs and keeping them deep so they can't launch their weapons. Green Lantern and Wonder Woman are covering Europe". "Cyborg is in Japan so he can cover a bit of Asia". "Others are taking the nearest city doing what they can".
"Were going to need Wonder Woman and Green Lantern up in orbit with us were going to be intercepting missiles as they rise up we should capture them and send them into the sun".
"Wow Superman just like Smallville all over again".
"That's the idea have anyone who can catch a weapon send it to high earth orbit we take care of them sending them on to the sun". "Can you switch me to Green Arrows private channel please"?
"Sure Superman give me a second, ok go ahead".
"Green Arrow that special satellite we put in orbit last year is still in place and online"?
"Yes Superman why are you asking about that now remember it has a EMP generator".
"If this gets out of hand the only way to stop this madness will be to destroy the supporting technology". "The thing is a last resort Green Arrow I'm going to be too busy to make the call so I'm putting it in your hands". "If it looks like we aren't going to be able to control this use it". "The EMP will take the planet back technology wise for a couple of years but that's better than it being a deadly radiation zone".
"Earth will still have us to protect them and we will be in the center of rebuilding technology".
"A hard year or two is far better than no earth anymore period".
"Ok Superman don't put any pressure on a guy or anything".
Chloe's mouth was hanging open Clark cant be serious taking the entire earth back to the stone age.
GMT 23:20 North Korea launches on Japan, Guam, India, China, South Korea, and Vietnam.
Lana pointed back at the earth (look Clark).
Clark looked (oh my god) "North Korea just launched have Victor disable all their remaining launch systems so they cant launch anything else".
"Ok Green Arrow your on the button Nocturne and I have a lot to do".
Clark flew down into the atmosphere he caught the first rocket and threw it into space to the point he and Lana had decided on the point was better than half way to the moon so the rocket motors would stop a long time before they got there. In a couple of seconds all the launched missiles have been moved into a high orbit Lana takes off at light speed to catch the first of the rockets they both quickly start using their heat vision to weld the rockets together in one mass. They look back to the earth again to see more light rising from the ground.
GMT 23:22 India retaliates with launches on Pakistan and North Korea.
Lana looks at Clark (so soon)?
They enter the atmosphere at high speed leaving a trail of fire behind them as the boost the new rocket into a path to meet with the missiles already in orbit.
(Clark we cant keep this up all day someone is going to have to stop this).
(We can only prevent them from blowing up the planet they can keep shooting rockets into the sky all day just hope they don't have altitude triggers on the warheads otherwise we might get a nasty surprise).
(I don't think it would hurt us but I'm not looking forward to finding out).
Lana races ahead of Clark slowing the new arrivals as they both use their heat vision to weld these rockets in place. They don't even stop as the last weld is made returning to earth at light speed to catch yet more rocket plumes rising into the sky.
GMT 23:23 Pakistan launches on India, North Korea, and China.
This time there are only like six rockets rising up from the ground Lana wastes no time she hurls the rockets out of earths atmosphere Clark catches up to them welding them to the others.
(Baby I know this is making you mad but you have to slow down a little I just barely caught the last few you threw my way).
(Sorry Clark these idiots are really getting to me). (They just keep firing these deadly weapons I get the feeling they just want to destroy the world, they could care less what ever else happens).
GMT 23:24:30 China launches on India, Guam, North Korea, South Korea, Taiwan, and Japan in their first strike.
Clark caught a flash on the water (what the hell is that Lana) as he pointed to the south China sea. They also see more rocket exhaust rising into the atmosphere. This time the rockets don't even get into the upper atmosphere they have short trajectories long low loops. This time Lana and Clark both head into the lower atmosphere shoving the rockets into high orbits quickly.
(Lana look) as they see a couple of ship explode in the south China sea.
(We should help but I'm afraid if we do someone will start landing missiles on the ground and that would be more lives lost).
(Clark we will help them but we can't right now maybe AC can get some of his friends to help out).
"Watchtower we have a second, there are ships in the south China sea that need help". "They exploded a while ago and are on fire, were unable to help with someone shooting missiles all the time were busy".
"Superman I'll see what can be done for them but they might be on their own for now". Plumes of ocean water erupt in several locations across the south China sea.
GMT 23:25 US forces in the south china sea are attacked by China's newest submarine force they meet success before being destroyed by a new US anti Submarine weapon. US forces go to Defcon 1 a state of war exists worldwide.
GMT 23:29 Chinese strategic forces launch on Russia while the premiers and presidents of both countries are talking, the missiles are over Moscow in less than 5 minutes.
Both Clark and Lana are in near earth orbit corralling more weapons to the ever growing mass they created in a following orbit. They see several more flashes over the eastern china sea.
(We need to head back Clark).
(Yea Lana we do, maybe I can get Chloe to give us some help too it would be nice to have some on flying over us picking up on anything coming our way).
They reached a lower atmosphere and saw the results of the flashes they saw from space several warships were engulfed in fire a couple looked like they were about to sink as well. Lana picked up on the sound of more missiles launching again.
(Clark they are at it again said Lana look to the north).
Clark raised his eyes to the north to see rocket exhaust rising into the sky.
(We better take care of these Lana).
They ripped through the air leaving a trail of fire marking their passing. In seconds they were over Moscow shoving more rockets into high orbits were they could catch the missiles and join them to the others. 12 rockets in all were intercepted this time and all made into high orbit it looked close this time a couple made it over Moscow and started down both Lana and Clark thought they might have to had faced a nuclear explosion but that didn't happen just yet.
They returned to high orbit to be met by Green Lantern (hey Guys what can I do to help you)?
(Thanks) said a notably relieved Lana (its been a little busy) she smiled.
Clark just wiped his brow (yea a exhausting day to say the least),
(Can you run high orbit while we throw these rockets too you and then weld them to the ever growing mass we have created in trailing earth orbit)?
(What the hell are you going to do with all those weapons)?
(Well after everybody is done shooting at each other were going to launch them at the sun it will burn them up before they can detonate and that's the end of these weapons we really don't need them anymore so getting rid them will be a good thing for planet earth).
(I'm on board with that idea) said the lantern.
(Good looks like our break is over boys) as Lana pointed to the earth as they saw more missiles rising into the air again. Lana takes off leaving a trail of flame and smoke in her wake.
(Clark you better catch up with her she showing you up my man) said Hal with a smile. Clark just shook his head and took off after Lana leaving his own fire trail.
GMT 23:30 The Russian president launches his first wave attack at China, North Korea, Japan, India, and Pakistan.
Moments later they were catching and flinging rockets with the hammer and sickle emblem on the tail section Russia had held off till the last it seemed. They fired on every party that had fired a missile in the first place. This time they caught all the rockets in the boost phase so these rockets weren't even at the highest point of their parabolic paths yet and they were boosted into high earth orbit where Green Lantern was busy catching them and securing them.
GMT 23:31 The second Russian wave is launched moments later at the Canada and the US.
The people of Russia and China have heard nothing but what seems like constant sonic booms for the last half hour. They had no idea what the cause was but they did see missiles rising from hidden launch facilities they all went seeking shelter as soon as they saw the launches. The people of China who saw launches confronted the soldiers who manned the launchers. They all wanted to know who told them to fire the missiles. The other parts of the population took cover where ever they could find cover waiting for the mushroom cloud they expected every second to appear.
Lana looked down at the earth she saw yet another series of rockets rising on to their intended targets she shook her head she and Clark were never going to let this happen to their home no one was going to destroy their earth, their home. Lana was beyond pissed off at the leadership of these countries what were they thinking.
(Clark baby we have more missiles rising time to go into super speed again). They both left fiery trails through the air catching and redirecting the rockets into a safer orbit with the other weapons of mass destruction in high lagging earth orbit.
(How many times are we going to stop this before they get the idea its not going to happen with us on the planet.)
(I wish I knew the answer Clark).
Lana grabbed yet another rocket as as she pushed it up out of the atmosphere a brilliant flash filled the sky. (Lana) screamed Clark, (Baby no), (God no, not that, please not that) he begged.
The missile Lana had just shoved up into a higher orbit exploded causing a EMP Clark watched helplessly as the debris filled his sight from the massive explosion. Clarks heart was broken in a flash of nuclear energy release he lost the love of his life his heart stopped, he stopped, nothing mattered anymore.
Clark just hung floating in space as Green Lantern contacted him (Clark what was the flash in the atmosphere).
(That was my wife Hal, she's gone).
(What)?
(Lana just became a nuclear explosion).
(NO)!
Clark was crying now as he screamed at the earth "you bastards you killed her, the only good thing that was in my life and you took it away"! "You deserve to burn in the nuclear fire you want to set so bad"!
(Clark you can't mean that).
(Yes I do they can all burn in hell for all I care).
Clark rose in to space nearing the massive pile of nukes floating in space. Clark took one last look at the earth and the spot were Lana was moments ago he noticed a ball of purple energy floating in the dust from the explosion. Clark tore through the space getting to the ball of energy. Clark rushed to her side as he approached the energy ball dissipated.
(Lana are you ok) he asked?
(Baby please be ok) as he picked her up into his arms.
Lana stated to come to "Clark what happened" she asked?
"The last rocket exploded next to you I thought you were gone with the detonation of the warhead". "I'm not sure what happened but it looks like your magic saved you". "I found you floating in the sky asleep, god I so glad your ok Lana I was about to do something I never thought I would ever do". "I was going to take out Moscow for killing my wife".
(We need to stop this Clark, this is going to destroy the planet, lets go lower where we can talk to Chloe and Oliver and have them get in touch with the president and the nuclear leadership). "Watchtower this is Nocturne we need to talk to all the world leadership right now this has to stop and stop now please set up the calls to the worlds leadership".
GMT 23:31:25 US Command and Control advises the president of the incoming action they initiate the continuance of government program and government officials are evacuated from Washington. US forces are placed on Def-con One. Special units are given war orders.
Clark, Lana and Green Lantern have placed all the missiles fired so far in high earth lagging orbit safe for the moment. The calls have been placed and in some instances a very good hacker got the message through to the leader of the specific country. Lana insisted that they save the ships in the china sea before they went to Guam to use the military communications systems for their to talk with the world leadership. The message for now if anyone fires another missile Superman and Nocturne will destroy their country and ensure the demise of that countries leadership.
GMT 23:32 The Emergency Broadcast system is activated for the first time nation wide the president announces that hostilities are imminent and wishes everyone god speed that they might survive the on coming holocaust.
"Clark, honey please let me do the talking I can be force full enough for the both of us can you just stand their looking very pissed off and very menacing".
"Its a good idea for you to do the talking I'll just probably scream at them for almost killing you".
"That's something we can't let them know it will blow our cover they will know were married we can't risk our cover and lives like that".
"Your right as usual Lana I love you so much I just couldn't believe that you were gone". "It felt like my heart stopped beating just the thought of you being
gone it choked me up I even screamed at the planet I'm sure I scared half the planet with my scream".
"Clark I'm here and fine were indestructible remember and my magic created a shield of some kind to protect me". "It will all be ok Clark, trust me we will make this right and stop this madness ok".
"I love you".
"I love you too just look pissed and mad ok".
"ok".
They landed at the base and were led to a room with a wall of monitors with a couple of cameras and status boards of the readiness of the United States Forces in the pacific.
Lana walked to the front of the cameras Clark took up a spot behind her off to her right shoulder "Ladies and Gentlemen, my name is Nocturne the White Angel, Superman and I have just spent the last hour preventing you idiots from turning this planet in to a radioactive dust ball that no one would survive". "I don't know how this started and we don't really care why, it stops now or we and the other superpowered being that inhabit this planet will see to your immediate demise and the complete destruction of your military forces".
The communications center went wild "how dare you threaten us were the leaders of the world what we decide goes who do you think you are" said the Russian president with nods from all the other players at their table. Unknown to these world leader at that moment a broadcast signal of the proceedings were being transmitted to every device on the planet TV to cell phone every one on the planet was able to listen to their leader tell Nocturne and Superman that they would do what ever they wanted.
These few men and women's careers were over they were all about to find themselves unemployed. "Ladies and Gentlemen I say again stop this madness once and for all mankind doesn't deserve ending in a atomic holocaust". "May I suggest that this is something the United Nations could be used for to create a treaty to never use atomic weapons on the earth ever again" asked Lana?
At that moment the current world leadership was going to change as military and political leadership changed in front of the worlds eyes the presidents leaders and dictators of the world were being forceably removed from office and the negotiations. Even the North Koreans just took out their fearless leader with their top general taking charge through a interpreter he agreeded to the immediate stop of hostilities {they shot off all their weapons so quitting now seemed a better choice}.
Lana turned to Clark and smiled off camera (see that's how its done).
(I love you Lana that was something else you're a hardass when you want to be).
(No I think it was you standing off my right shoulder looking pissed off that got their subordinates to see reason that their leaders were drunk with the power
at their fingertips).
"Were going to return to orbit to dispose of the weapons we collected up there". Lana turned and walked back on camera "I think you all have the plan in hand and know what needs to be done, good day ladies and gentlemen" as both Clark and Lana flew off back into space.
A moment later Lana stuck her head back on screen "just remember we"ll be watching we will completely ruin whoever breaks this agreement" and flew off screen again.
GMT 23:35 The US bombers and all the missile subs are deactivated all US forces world wide are told to
stand down from nuclear alert the world is at peace for the first time ever. Within two hours all US forces are back to Devcon 5