Chapter 6 - Arrival
Think like a wise man but communicate in the language of the people.
William Butler Yates Irish dramatist & poet (1865 - 1939)
With the first light of the morning streaming into Jason's room he awoke. Happily dressing he ran into his parent's bedroom and tiptoed to his dad's side of the bed. Usually his dad was smiling just waiting for him to arrive. This morning Jason was confused since his Daddy was still asleep. Sighing softly with his head bowed in disappointment he started to go back to his room and wait. Just before he got to the door he was swept off his feet. He started to giggle elated once again at the prospect of an early morning flight just him and his Dad, Superman.
Clark quickly put a finger over Jason's mouth, "Shsssssssss" he whispered, "we don't want to wake Mommy. She had a long night." Seconds later they were out the window flying free. Superman had a very light grip on Jason's wrist as the child was now able to fly on his own even if he was yet to realize it. Superman was still controlling the flight's direction, speed and altitude but Jason was getting the feel of what it was like to fly solo and he loved every minute.
After a few minutes of free flight Superman guided them to a familiar perching place and gathered Jason in his arms to talk. "Jason, I may have to go away for a few days I want you to be a big boy and take care of your Mommy and sister. Can you do that for me?"
Jason could see how serious his Daddy was so he nodded his head. "Where are you going Daddy? Why can't we go with you?"
"I have to do some Superman stuff. I'm not sure if I'll be able to get back home for a little while. I'm going to take the three of you to Grandma's house where you'll be safe. Your Mommy is going to be upset so I need you and Kala to make her feel better."
"Daddy, is the Superman stuff you have to do dangerous?"
"Yes Jason, sometimes it is but I have to do it anyway to keep everyone safe."
"OK Daddy, but don't forget to keep you safe too and come home as soon as you can. We miss you when you're gone." Jason had tears in his eyes as he spoke those words understanding even as young as he was what his father was not saying.
As Superman brought Jason into a tight embrace he whispered, "I love you Jason and I will always be with you even if you don't see me."
Releasing Jason from his embrace holding him again by only a slight grip on his wrist they flew together to the farm in Smallville and landed near Ben who was standing by the fence enjoying the early morning sky having just fed the chickens. The three of them went into the house where Martha had just started preparing breakfast. Superman sent Jason up to his old room to play while he briefly explained what was going on and that he was going to go retrieve Kala and lastly Lois.
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Lois woke to what she thought was an empty house looking around she finally found her dad drinking coffee and reading the newspaper in the kitchen. She had overslept and couldn't remember for sure if Clark had been home at all during the night. Evidently he had because someone, namely Clark had turned off the alarm clock and now she was going to be late for work.
Grabbing a cup and pouring herself a cup of coffee she sat down. "Dad, have you seen Clark this morning? Surely he didn't take the kids to school with what's about to happen."
"We spoke a little while ago. He took Jason and Kala to the farm and he plans to take you there as well. I suggest you go change unless you want to keep wearing what you had on yesterday. I suspect he'll be here any…and he's here."
"Lois, I see you're up. I guess your Dad already told you I took the kids to the farm. I'm afraid if panic sets in the city won't safe."
"I'm a reporter I have to stay here and do my job."
"No, you don't. Don't force me to have to choose again between coming to your aide or serving the greater good. I don't know what's going to happen here and the distraction of worrying about you would be too great. Please, I need you to accept this. Besides the kids may get scared, you need to be with them."
Lois just shook her head. "This could be the biggest story of all time!"
"Lois, I need you to do this for me. What good will the story be if no one is alive to read it?"
General Lane spoke up. "Honey, he's right. There is likely to be panic in the streets. Superman is going to need to be fully committed to dealing with the alien threat. He's not going to have the luxury of trying to quell all the panic and he certainly doesn't need the added concern of worrying about your safety. Superman, if it makes you feel better I'll stay at the farm with Lois and the kids. I can make sure she stays there."
Superman smiled briefly, "Yes, I would appreciate that. Lois if you are going to change please do it now, there's not much time."
"I guess I don't have much choice do I. Phewff, just give me ten minutes why don't you go ahead and take Dad first."
Landing at the farm with General Lane moments later the two went into the house. "Wow, I see why Jason loves flying with you so much. That was…" shaking his head lost for words "astounding to say the least."
"I'll be back with Lois shortly. Thanks again, I really do appreciate your offering to stay here with them. I love your daughter's wild spirit but right now I just can't handle any additional diversions." Then he was gone.
As he approached the house he saw Lois in the back seat of Richard's car driving away from the house. Clinching his teeth in annoyance he dove down to the car and flying under it he picked it up and flew it to the farm sitting it down in the driveway.
Standing with his arms crossing his chest he glared at Lois as she climbed out of the car. Richard and Chloe got out feeling the tension in the air. General Lane and Ben appeared at the door pushing it open to come out and stand on the porch taking in the scene.
"Uh, what's going on, we stopped by and Lois insisted we get to the office right away." Richard said hesitantly.
Without taking his eyes off Lois Superman answered, "I think it's better if you all stay here for now. We don't know what's going to happen in the next few days. There's no reason you all can't write about what's happening from the safety of this farm. You already have lots of information no other reporters have and won't have for hours. Just don't have anything published till the evening edition. I'm not sure when I'll be able to make it back but I'll try to be back before the…" he couldn't say the word alien "ship arrives." Turning he looked at the General. "Looks like your hands are full as well."
Lois ran towards him, "Clark, I…" but he was gone before she reached the spot where he had been standing. Looking around at the others lost, she ran into the house sitting down at the table and broke down crying with her head in her hands.
Martha who had been at the door as she came rushing by went to her and pulled her up in an embrace. "He'll be back honey. He'll be back before it all starts."
Crying in Martha's embrace Lois choked out, "Martha why do I always hurt him like that, what was I thinking? He has the weight of an ungrateful world on his shoulders right now. Why did I have to add to what he is already going through?"
"Honey, you were just being you. He knows that. You both are under a lot of stress. Under the circumstances he won't dare leave things this way between the two of you. He'll be back, just you wait and see." Martha released the hold and went back to fixing breakfast her own way of coping.
"I just can't sit here doing nothing. I'll go crazy with worry."
"Why don't you help me finish fixing breakfast? I wasn't expecting quite so many people and the count keeps increasing."
"Are you sure you want me to help, I am not known for my culinary skills." She even managed a half laugh and slight smile as she spoke the words.
"How 'bout I give you some lessons while you're here, only if you want mind you. Kala loves helping out in the kitchen with me. She is such a sweetheart." As Martha spoke the two kids came running downstairs both going to Lois' side.
Jason noticing his mother looked as if she had been crying motioned for her to come down to his level. "Are you alright Mommy, Daddy asked me to take care of you and for me and Kala to help you feel better?" Jason gave her a big hug and kissed her cheek followed by Kala doing the same. "Are you all better now Mommy or do you need more hugs? Cause we have lots more if you need more." Kala nodded in agreement.
"I'm lots better now. Why don't you both go and play. I'm going to help Grandma fix breakfast."
"Can I help too, Grandma?" Kala went over to where Martha was standing as Jason ran out the door.
"Sure the more the merrier." Martha pulled out aprons for both of them.
Chloe entered just as Jason was leaving, "Well, it seems like a boys club out there I thought I would join you women in here. That is if it's alright. Lois, are you feeling better?"
"Yes, it seems like 'Mom' has the courage to try and give me some cooking lessons. Want to join us?"
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Superman went back to the house where he studied the screen on his laptop showing the current location of the alien ship once again verifying nothing had changed from his previous calculations. Closing the device he picked it up and left the house heading to Wayne manor. He had decided to join Batman for the flight to New York in his helicopter so they would have a little time to discuss strategy before the meeting at the UN.
During the trip they both agreed keeping the world from panicking was going to be one of the keys to keeping the disaster from happening. The public was going to need to know some facts and what exactly was being done. They arrived about 30 minutes before the meeting was scheduled to start.
Some of the members were there already talking, many with interpreters. Superman went up to each in turn and after being introduced he immediately began speaking to them in their native language. This continued until the meeting was called to order and by that time Superman had spoken to just about everyone in attendance personally. Batman had stayed with the United States contingency speaking with General Dolin Rowell.
Once the meeting started Superman once again painstakingly explained everything as he had to the group the night before. Going to his laptop which a technician had hooked into the conference room video equipment Superman called up the screen showing the current location of the ship with the bulls eye target marking its trail. Looking at the overhead screen Superman explained what it meant.
"The ship itself is not currently registering on any equipment. It went dark just after entering within five light years of Earth at which point it tripped my first alert equipment which sent an alarm to me. This screen is showing a trail left by the wake of the ship's movement. At the current speed it will be here in approximately 25 hours."
One of the members stood up and asked, "How can we trust you, after all you are an alien yourself? Why hasn't anyone else reported the UFO approaching?"
"Yes, I am an alien, believe me, I am reminded of it every day in more ways than you even know. Perhaps this will make you feel more comfortable." He hit an icon on the screen that changed the window view showing where the information was actually coming from. The top clearly showed the SETI logo and graphics.
"I suppose you all know that SETI is an acronym for Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence." Superman handed a small sheet of paper with a phone number on it to the technician. "Sir if you will kindly call this number and ask for Dr. Jill Kragan she's one of the Directors at the SETI site in California."
When she came on the line Superman spoke into a speaker phone. "Dr. Kragan, This is Superman, I'm here in a special security meeting at the U.N. concerning the anomaly we saw yesterday morning."
"Good morning, uh yes you're aware it's still approaching and is only about a day away? But then I guess that is what the meeting is about, right?"
"Yes to both your questions. I currently have the SETI site up on my computer. I must admit to making myself a back door when I did that little mod on your software. Sorry about that, I wasn't ready to tell you what I suspected but I needed access to your site since my equipment is not compatible with earth technology. One of the members here wanted outside confirmation that is why you were called. Sir, do you have any questions for Dr. Kragan?"
The member shook his head in answer as he looked around the room.
"Thank you Dr. Kragan. I'll try to find time to stop by in the next few hours. Goodbye."
Another member stood up, "so let me get this straight, you're saying they're coming here to destroy Earth."
"No the Earth will not be destroyed but it may be left uninhabitable, most likely for thousands of years."
"How can you really be sure of all this? How do you know they're coming here to destroy us if they were here before as you say and did nothing?"
"I never said they were here before, only that they identified Earth in the late 70's and for some reason didn't act on it. I admit some of my information is old, but I did extensive research on my own in the last 24 hours in the multitude of data records sent with me from Krypton. There is no reason for me to suspect it to be false. There would be no reason for deception."
"How do we know you are not deceiving us? You left for five long years and just recently returned. What is to stop you from leaving or joining them now?"
The room broke out in loud taking in multiple languages.
Raising his hand for quiet he spoke above the roar, "Yes, I did leave and for that I will forever be sorry. I will not be leaving again under my own will. Earth is the only home I have ever truly known. Whatever happens here will happen to me as well."
The noise level again rose in the room. Finally one member stood up, "Exactly what can we do to stop this threat?"
"We need to tell the people what is happening to minimize the panic. The ship will most likely appear almost out of nowhere and it will seem to fill the sky. Here's a rendition of the starship. As you can see it's made up of four separate parts each a distinct starship. Once the starship separates into the smaller ships each one will be able to maneuver more like fighters. Each section is about four times the size of a 777."
"It is imperative that we keep the panic level down and keep all weapons quiet. Whatever you do, do not attack. If even one country attacks it will spell the end for all of us."
"What are you going to do to protect us?"
"I will be the first and last line of defense. I thought about trying to disarm everyone myself or at least the ones most likely to cause a problem but I'm not sure how the countries would react, it might end up backfiring."
"I agree some countries wouldn't stand for you disarming them, the U.S. included."
"Which is why we are here. Ladies, gentlemen, can I count on each of you to handle your respective countries?"
Once again the room was in an uproar this time with members arguing and screaming at each other.
Again Superman raised his hands and spoke above the roar. "I remind you what is at stake. We are all in this together. We will live together or we will all die together. I have nothing more to say and a lot to do, good day!" He gathered up his laptop and left without another word.
A couple hours later he was in Washington talking to the President and several members of the cabinet and selected congressional members. None of them were taking kindly to being told what to do.
Superman's eyes glowed red in anger. "You can either listen to me or we are all as good as dead right now! The choice is yours. You know what needs to be done!" with that he stormed out.
Throughout the rest of the afternoon he flew to all the countries with nuclear capability and met personally with the leaders. Then late in the day just in time to make the early evening newscasts Superman appeared on several major network stations and on KCNN making a full statement of the impending threat and the efforts to contain it. He asked for everyone to stay at home the following day and to stay inside. As long as no one attacked the ship then the threat could be thwarted.
Feeling he had done everything possible he headed home. Time to face Lois.
Jason jumped up from the dinner table running to the door screaming, "Daddy's home." As Clark entered everyone turned to see him pick up Jason smiling and hugging him. Kala jumped up from the table and soon he was holding both kids one in each arm.
"Clark are you hungry, there's plenty of food here. Have you taken any time to eat today?"
"Yes, I am hungry and no, I didn't take any time to eat yet today I had much more pressing issues to take care of." Looking at Lois he asked softly. "I would really like to clear the air first do you mind coming with me for a few minutes?"
She got up without saying a word and the two walked out to the barn and went up to the loft. "I'm sorry" they both said together.
Clark smiled, "Please, let me go first. I don't mean to try and control you. I love your fiery spirit. As a matter of fact that was one of the first things that attracted me to you. That terrible day when I had to choose between saving you and Jason or possibly all of Metropolis it was almost more than I could bear. The next few days are going to be bad. I need you and the kids here where I know you are as safe as possible. I can't handle any distractions, there is too much at stake."
"Clark, I'm sorry about this morning. I don't know what got into me. I do understand. I guess I was still feeling a little put-off because I was left behind last night, but I understand why that was necessary too. Please forgive me." She had tears brimming over her eyes that fell down her cheeks. In answer Clark kissed the tears away and then caught her lips in a deep sensual kiss.
Pulling apart Clark said "I guess we had better go back in, they'll wonder what we're up to out here for so long."
"Oh I think they would figure it out but you're right we should go back in, besides you did say you were hungry and we made some of your favorite dishes."
They had started back down the stairs of the loft at the 'we' Clark stopped, "We, should I be worried?"
Pulling his hand continuing down the stairs Lois laughed saying. "Your Mom is giving me cooking lesions while we're here. It should help keep me occupied. You need a good meal for what I have planned for us tonight. You are staying with us at least part of the night right?"
"Yes I'll need to get at least some rest, just what do you have planned?"
"Well, that was our first 'real' argument. It definitely calls for makeup s3x. That is if you are up for it."
Clark stopped in his tracks once again and looking at Lois with a devilish smirk on his face took her in his arms kissing her till she was breathless before pulling away. "Was that answer sufficient or do you need a more precise answer?"
Barely able to talk coherently she answered, "Ahhhh I think that will do, for now at least."
After dinner with the kids out of earshot and with Jason distracted Clark brought the adults up to speed on what to expect the next day. He also said he would be leaving his laptop at the farm so they would be able to use it along with the ones they had each brought with them. He would be leaving in the middle of the night to start trying to reassure people and nations as well. Batman would also be doing the same.
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The next day things were going reasonably well, people were staying inside as requested. The streets everywhere were empty and quiet. That is until approximately 11 AM when the Washington D.C. sky was suddenly filled with a massive onyx colored ship. Superman hovered a few hundred feet in the air staying directly below it as everything went still including the birds.
Just after the ship came to a stop over the government offices a booming voice was heard as if coming from everywhere.
"Kal-El so we meet."
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