Chapter 3 Something Unknown

Something unknown is doing we don't know what.
Sir Arthur Eddington (1882 - 1944), comment on the Uncertainty Principle in quantum physics

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Superman returned to the FOS after leaving the SETI Research center. He wanted to review something he was remembering from the teachings his father had given him on his first long trip to Earth. He opened the hidden chamber in the control console where he had stored the Father crystal after retrieving it from New Krypton. He admitted to himself it was good he had not thrown it into space as he had been so tempted to do that day when he had felt he had lost Lois for good. Placing it into the control console it activated the familiar hologram of his long dead father, Jor-El.

"My son…"

Superman interrupted not wanting the whole opening speech. "Father, were any other known civilizations interested in visiting Earth for any reason."

"A civilization calling itself the 'Cu-rads' visited during the dawning of civilization on Earth. The Cu-rads were a benevolent race that has since transcended to a higher form of consciousness and are no longer considered of this world."

Superman considered the answer and reformulated his question to more accurately address what he really wanted to know.

"I remember in your prior teachings that there was a race that considered itself a controller or enforcer of sorts. Tell me about them."

"The Trpria is a highly advanced civilization that fashions itself as the 'Loads of the Universe'. They take it upon themselves to decide what should be and what should not be. They have been known to intercede with a world that does not meet their self appointed requirements."

"What do you mean intercede?"

"If they feel a civilization is disruptive to the continuity of the universe they intercede by bringing about its destruction."

"They have destroyed world civilizations?"

"Yes. I clashed with a Trpria, Lord Arnken. He was of the opinion that Earth was on a path to self destruction and a danger to the universe. I on the other hand believe there is great promise on Earth. They are a great people Kal-El, they want to be. They just lack the light to show them the way. For this reason above all I have sent them you, my only son. "

"Father, where is the Trpria home world located in comparison to Earth?"

"It is in a planetary system of the star known as Sirius on Earth."

"What means do they use to destroy the worlds once they decide to intercede?"

"They use the world's own defenses against it, thus in their minds proving the righteousness of their action."

"Once they have decided to intercede is there any way to stop them or change their minds?"

"It has never been attempted. They are very powerful and influential with other highly advanced races. The civilizations where they have interceded have had no champion of equal power or knowledge."

Superman's cell phone was vibrating on the console where he had laid it earlier. His first thought was to ignore it, and then he thought better it could be about Lois or the kids. Picking the phone up he saw from the ID it was Lois.

Taking a deep breath before answering he opened the phone. "Hi Lois."

"Clark, where are you?! A small plane lost an engine and crashed into a railroad bridge causing a fully loaded passenger train to derail…."

"Where! I'm on my way."

"On the north side of town by the commuter station. Clark why didn't you know about this is something wrong you sound…distracted."

"Something has come up. I'm leaving the Fortress right now. I'd rather tell you what it is tonight. I need to let you go now, Love you, bye" Superman quickly removed the Father crystal and placed it back in the hidden chamber in the control console, mere seconds later he was in the air halfway to Metropolis.

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He had hung up before she could even answer. As she closed the phone she frowned wondering what was going on he didn't want to talk about over the phone. Remembering her father was going to the fortress with him this morning she called her dad. The phone rang over to the answering system so Lois just left a message asking him to call as soon as he got the message wanting to know if anything had happened when he was with Clark.

Looking up at one of the TV monitors covering the train derailment she saw Superman arriving at the accident which was being covered by helicopters from multiple news channels.

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Arriving at the scene Superman saw a passenger car dangling from an overpass bridge. Multiple rescue crews were already on hand. The train engine was on its side on the ground with a small plane smashed beyond recognition underneath.

Superman studied the situation for a few seconds hovering overhead then dove for the back of the passenger car that was dangling precariously from the bridge. As he made sure the connecting car was firmly on the bridge and in no danger of falling off he released the connection as he grabbed the dangling car. Releasing the back end of the car he instantly moved to the center as it started to fall leveling it off and slowly lowering it to the ground.

The rescue crews cheered wildly. They had been at a loss as to how to make a rescue without making the situation even more precarious for the passengers in the dangling car as well as the passengers in the rest of the train.

Superman went to the back of the caboose and pulled the remaining cars back to the station which was just a short distance from the accident scene.

Returning Superman touched down beside a group of men who appeared to be in charge of the rescue. "Sorry I was detained. Is there anything else I can do to help here?"

"Thanks Superman, you got here in time and that's all that matters. You would have had to have seen the plane falling to have prevented any other loss of life. I think we can take it from here, I know you must be needed elsewhere."

Superman headed back to the fortress where he paced briefly then went to the console and worked silently putting in a very complex system of commands that would signal him with specific tones as various criteria was met. He wanted to know everything possible if something was approaching. If the ship was using some form of cloaking device there would be a distortion in the star field or some kind of trail left in its wake.

Feeling confident he had done everything he could to set up a highly efficient first warning alarm system he headed to Gotham City where he filled Batman in on what he suspected.

"I don't know what you expect from me. If they, I believe you called them the Trpria, are as powerful as you say they are what can we do?"

"I didn't come here to get you to help me defeat them, I need your advise on weather I should alert the government, here and elsewhere. SETI knows something is out there but they don't know what I've just confided to you."

Batman just stared at him so he continued. "If I alert the government they'll just get the military involved and a general panic will ensue which is exactly the reaction the aliens want. If I don't alert anyone general panic will ensue once they arrive with the same end result."

"I see what you mean. If it was me, I think I would go to the United Nations. Sure they are known for being ineffective but this just might get them off the dime so to speak. But first, are you really sure this is happening? You don't want to create a world wide panic by mistake."

"I can't be sure just yet, I'm trying to find more proof they're coming here. I should know soon, I'll let you know as I learn more."

Arriving at the Daily Planet by way of the roof after making sure no was there, Superman entered the stairwell heading for the bullpen to talk to Lois. When he got there he found her in Richard's office talking animatedly to Chloe as Richard stood by blushing slightly. The three turned as Clark knocked and entered the room.

"Clark, Chloe was just showing me her engagement ring. They really did it. They're getting married on Valentines Day."

"Yeah, I know it's kinda corny but hey, I'm from Kansas, the corn capital of the world so what can you expect."

"Chloe, Richard that's great news. Uh, I don't mean to spoil the mood but I was wondering if you two could make it over for dinner tonight. There is something important I would like to run by both of you. I also want General Lane, uh Dad to come too if he can. Have you talked to him this afternoon Lois?"

"I left him a message after I spoke with you earlier. He hasn't returned my call yet. What's going on Clark?"

"When your father and I were at the fortress an alarm rang indicating something was approaching Earth. It was only on screen for a second before it disappeared. I would rather tell you the rest tonight. I'm still trying to verify what I suspect. I'll tell you all everything tonight."

Richard looked at Chloe who nodded then speaking for both, "we'll be there, how's 7 PM?"

"I'll try and call Dad again and invite him."

"Great 7 it is. Lois, I'll pick up the kids and see you at home later." He kissed her goodbye and left as quickly as he had come in.

While the kids were playing safely in the back yard with Einstein, Clark set up his laptop on the kitchen counter. He immediately keyed in information that allowed him to go into the SETI main computer by way of a back door he had created earlier in the day as he upgraded their programming. This would save him having to go back to the fortress to monitor the star field manually.

As he watched the monitor he quickly made a large pan of lasagna and placed it in the oven then went back to the computer doing even more research.

Just after he went back to the computer his super hearing tuned in on one of the alarms he had set up at the fortress. Sighing deeply he set down at the table staring out at the kids in the yard playing happily totally oblivious to what he feared was coming.

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End Chapter 3 - Something Unknown

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