Chapter 5 Meeting of the Minds

Not only is the universe stranger than we imagine, it is stranger than we can imagine.
Sir Arthur Eddington

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General Lane was the first to speak. "Ahem, This is totally overwhelming. We really need to get the US government involved. I understand why you're hesitating to contact them, this current administration is rather rash. That being said, they are in charge of the world's most powerful country."

"I know I've been thinking the same thing but still, I wouldn't trust President Thorn as far as I could throw him." Clark looked around sheepishly. "Well, I guess that's not the best analogy for me to use but you get my meaning! Look at the mess he's made in the Middle East. He seems to surround himself with a bunch of yes men and good 'ole boys with an occasional woman thrown in for good measure."

"Whao, you really don't like our current President do you? I don't think I've ever heard you talk so vehemently about anyone before." Richard seemed truly taken aback.

"Sorry, it just doesn't seem the time to pull any punches right now. That's why I mentioned General Dolin Rowell. I met him years ago and was very impressed with him. He seems like a good candidate to help deal with the US government and the United Nations. True he's outside the government now, retired so to speak but he was once an insider and can possibly make them see the rational side of this situation and what has to be done."

"I see what you mean, I've met him too at a few military functions and was also impressed with him. I can call a friend and get his contact number right now. Hang on." General Lane pulled out his cell phone and as he left the room for a quieter place to talk he placed a call.

Richard continued the discussion "I also think we need to contact the U.N. Secretary General Can Li Noon ASAP." Clark nodded in agreement.

Lois who had been quiet finally spoke up, "Don't you think we better include Secretary of State Doni Spice just to make sure we don't alienate the Thorn Administration from the operation."

"These are all very good recommendations. I think the next step should be for General Lane, Richard, Batman and myself to meet with them in an emergency session ASAP, tonight if at all possible and schedule a full on United Nations briefing for tomorrow. Chloe you should join us too in case I need backup on the computer end."

"Well from the looks of it, you know your way around a computer better than you ever let on but I'm glad to be included."

"Wait a minute, aren't you forgetting someone, namely me?!" Lois seemed perturbed.

Clark turned looking into Lois's eyes frowning slightly, "Lois, you can't go. How would it look if you were there and Clark wasn't? Think about it."

"Hmmmph, I guess you have a point, but I'm not happy about it. Can't you do what you usually do just have Clark get lost in the crowd?"

Richard came to Clark's defense. "Lois, I would imagine Superman is going to be bombarded with all kinds of demands, he's not going to have the time to play identity games."

General Lane came back in the room smiling having gotten Dolin Rowell's direct cell phone number.

"Richard you contact Secretary of State Spice, and I'll get hold of Secretary General Li Noon. We should try to get the meeting scheduled at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City. Let them know I, that is Superman, can provide transportation to anyone who needs it."

"I'll Call General Rowell, what exactly should we tell them anyway." General Lane asked as he sat down once again taking out his phone.

"Whatever it takes to get them to meet with us tonight." Clark answered with resolve.

Finally all the identified people were contacted, some after repeated attempts and runarounds. Arrangements were finalized to get each one of them to the appointed meeting place at the UN headquarters. Clark called Bruce and briefed him requesting Batman's presence at the meetings as well.

Just shortly before midnight they were all on their way to New York City in the crystal starship. Lois had very reluctantly stayed behind with the kids. On the way they picked up Batman, General Rowell and Secretary of State Spice at various locations before heading to New York.

Each in turn had been astounded at the starship but due to the seriousness of the occasion little was said on the trip. Superman brought the starship in for a silent landing on the roof in a space normally reserved for helicopters. As they exited the starship Superman noticed his passengers couldn't help but linger slightly trying to get just a moment more to look it over at close range on the lighted rooftop.

Armed men met them at the roof door to the main building and then escorted them to a meeting room where General Can Li Noon was waiting. Two members of the Security Council that had been quickly available were also in attendance. One represented Russia and the second China.

Everyone took their seats with several seemingly in awe of Superman being in such close proximity. After introductions were made Superman painstakingly explained everything as he had earlier at the house, leaving nothing out. He wanted to make sure they all understood the ramifications of what was happening and when. Chloe pulled up the screen showing the Trprian ship's current location on Clark's laptop which they had brought with them.

Superman looked at the screen for a few seconds and sighed. "There's been no change in their speed or trajectory making them now within 36 hours of Earth if they maintain their current speed. They're heading straight in this direction and there are no other populated planets between us. The only logical explanation is that they're coming here and they are not known for friendly visits."

General Dowell questioned, "Why would they come now. You said there was an indication they had identified Earth in the mid 70's but for some unrecorded reason delayed action. Do you know any reason why or why they're coming now?"

"My Father said something about clashing with one of the Lords of Trpria on the A.I. he sent with me." Seeing blank looks from some in the room Superman explained, "A.I. stands for artificial intelligence. I have reason to believe he may have had something to do with the delay but I have no way of being sure since my only source is the very dated A.I."

"There could be any number of reasons why they are reassessing now from the current war and threats of war to the state of the environment. I tend to think the continued aggressions are the most probable cause. As a civilization enters more advanced stages it will either advance past aggressive behaviors or destroy itself in the process. There are numerous examples of both in the knowledge base I was given on my trip here as well as examples in Earth's own history."

"Since this morning I have found 12 examples in the data base that was sent with me years ago of civilizations where the Trprians had 'interceded' as they call it. In each case the civilization was still in a warring stage and beginning close range space travel very similar to Earth's. Once a civilization reaches a certain point the advances start accelerating, at times almost exponentially. The Trprians may feel Earth is reaching that tipping point and not ready for the ensuing acceleration of knowledge and power."

"How are we going to stop them if they are intent on destroying us. From what you've told us all it would take is one rogue country with a loose trigger finger on a dmn button." Doni Spice questioned.

"I've thought of little else most of the day. If you can all guarantee me that you will keep your countries in line and the other members of the U.N. will do the same, that will at least be a start. The problem is that ship is going to suddenly appear in the sky freaking people out. It's immense and very imposing. It's actually four separate ships that combine to form one larger ship for interstellar travel. I expect it'll show up in Washington first then possibly circumnavigate the globe to create a panic. Then most likely it'll break up into the four sections and take up positions around various hot spots."

"So you're saying we need to be able to contain at least four spots. We could possibly determine the most likely places they would choose. I suppose that would be sites with nuclear potential." General Rowell looked around the room for consensus as he spoke.

"Yes, keep in mind I will only be able to effectively cover one ship at a time unless they're relatively close in range which is unlikely. I'm not sure what will happen if I intercept any missiles being fired. Their weapons are based on absorbing energy and regenerating it back in a greatly magnified form. I don't know if they have alternate weapons that they might use in that case."

Batman volunteered to man a site thought to be of potential danger of being trigger happy. Then a thought struck him, "Do they know about you?"

"I wouldn't be surprised if they do, but I believe I will be inconsequential to them. Why do you think I'm here enlisting all of you when I have generally worked alone?"

"They'll that powerful?" Secretary General Can Li Noon said incredulously. The room went still as the full impact of what they were facing suddenly hit home.

Superman merely nodded in response.

The meeting continued for several hours finally disbanding with plans for a full UN Security Council meeting the following morning scheduled for 10 AM. Heads of the respective countries represented were to be made aware of the situation immediately. Superman said his research would continue and that he would be monitoring the situation around the clock to make sure nothing happened without his knowing about it.

General Dowell and Secretary Spice stayed in New York to be ready for the early morning meeting. The rest boarded the crystal starship again marveling at the design and how quietly it moved. Superman dropped Batman off in Gothan City with plans for only the two of them to return for the meeting the next morning. Finally he dropped Richard, Chloe and General Lane back at the house in Metropolis where Lois was waiting pacing the floor. He asked them to tell Lois he would be back shortly and left to return the starship to the Fortress where he stored it

Lois ran to the door greeting them as they entered. "How'd it go? Do they understand how serious this really is? Where's Clark?"

Richard answered, "I think it went well, considering what's at stake. Superman asked us to tell you he'd be back shortly. I think he's just taking the ship back. Man that thing is cool. I wonder if I could fly it? Maybe when things calm down I'll ask."

Richard and Chloe said their goodbyes promising they would call in the morning. General Lane said goodnight and retired upstairs to the guest bedroom. Lois insisted she was going to wait up and remained downstairs for several minutes before she realized Superman would most likely enter by way of the bedroom window so she finally turned the lights off and went to bed determined to stay awake.

Arriving at the Fortress Superman paced momentarily then walked to the console retrieving the Father crystal from the hidden compartment. He quickly placed it in the control console.

"My Son…"

He interrupted as soon as the image was clear, "Father, do the Trpria know about me? Do they know you sent me here?"

"Yes, they would be aware I sent my only son, Kal-El to Earth as an infant."

Superman's swallowed hard barely able to ask the next question. "How would they know?"

"They watch, they know."

"What would their reaction to your sending me here be?"

"They would watch and see if you're being there has made a difference."

"Father, you said you clashed with Lord Arnken, I found a reference that Earth was identified in the mid 70's did you somehow convince the Trprian to reconsider at that time?"

"Yes. I clashed with a Trpria, Lord Arnken. He was of the opinion that Earth was unstable and a possible 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."

Growing frustrated, Superman tried again, "When you say 'For this reason above all I have sent them you, my only son' do you mean that literally in reference to showing humans the way to avoid the Trpria wrath?"

"Yes, 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."

Now totally frustrated Superman grabbed the crystal and replaced it in the hidden compartment. He once again paced back and forth before he took off in a streak of red and blue breaking the sound barrier as he flew.

Flying the night sky with no particular destination he wanted to free his troubled spirit before heading home. The last thing he wanted was to scare Lois with just how troubled he was with the developments that were unfolding fast. He continued deep in thought until finally heading home.

Entering through the bedroom window Superman realized it was already almost 5 AM. Looking over at the bed he noticed Lois was still in the same clothes she had been wearing the day before halfway under the covers as if trying to stay warm. He quickly changed into his pajama bottoms knowing he should at least get some sleep to be able to handle the days that were fast approaching. He slipped into bed and pulled her close drinking in her sweet smell. Lois sighed in her sleep and relaxed moving up under his arm with her head on his shoulder never waking up. Listening to the comforting soft rhythmic heartbeats of the three people he cherished most in the world he finally willed himself to sleep.

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Just a note, the names of the political characters have been altered ever so slightly, any similarity is intentional. Wink, Wink

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