Chapter 13 - Allegiances

For rarely are sons similar to their fathers: most are worse, and a few are better than their fathers.
Homer, The Odyssey Greek epic poet (800 BC - 700 BC)

X0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0

"My Lord Kal-El, it is my doing. Please meet Srnken, son of Lord Arnken."

Kal-El turned from the man to glare at Der Motin, "Lord Arnken's son? You told me he was thought to be mad somewhere in the underground of Trpria, now you're telling me he is standing before me?" Kal-El suddenly worried he had been foolish to trust these people.

"Forgive me Lord Kal-El but we both have been keeping secrets from each other not ready to fully trust. Now is the time to drop all walls and be honest with each other if we are to succeed in realizing our mutual goals."

"Explain to me how Srnken is here on this ship and why he is here with my son before having met me first."

Srnken started, "Lord Kal-El…"

"Stop calling me that, at least in private. I won't tolerate it any longer, I am nobody's Lord! Mer Kaper please take Jason to the other room."

"Kal-El, I understand your concern allow me to explain. I was driven mad for a time but I have since found my way back from the darkness. I am here to help prevent the same fate from befalling you. Our deception was necessary to confirm you were trust worthy before showing our true intent. Also, if we didn't think you could succeed we would have been forced to find a way to defeat you rather than join with you."

"So, we have both been deceiving each other for the same reason. That doesn't explain why you're here with my son uninvited?"

"In a way I was not uninvited just hidden in form."

"I'm sorry, what do you mean hidden in form?"

"You met me in the guise of Der Malen." As he made the statement his appearance dissolved into the form of the young boy whereupon he smiled and bowed his head. "Kal-El I came here in this guise for all our protection" he spoke in the boy's voice then he reformed back into Srnken.

"You're Mer Kaper's husband, instead of her son?" It was as much a statement as a question.

"Yes."

"But why would she have propositioned me if you are alive, well and on this ship? I am finding this all very hard to accept and believe at face value. No pun intended."

"Kal-El, we too have been studying you for many years just as my father has. We did not feel it in your character to take up the offer. It was all part of the ruse to make sure you could be trusted. You have more than proven yourself to us. We will answer any and all of your questions now without deception to prove ourselves to you."

"Why don't you just defeat Lord Arnken or wait for him to die naturally since he's near the end as I've been told?"

"My father is a tyrant with endless resources his doctors have kept him alive for years now since my refusal and then your disappearance. If he dies without a transfer his second in command will ascend who is not much better than my father. If we can succeed you will not only end this continued accession but with our support save our world from the continuing civil war. Earth must be considered as well, only you ascended can save that world from intersession at this point."

"Why do you think I can succeed where you failed?"

"As I said we have been studying you and know where you receive your power. With even limited exposure to Sirius you should be able to withstand the transfer. My father does not fully understand the ramifications of this and it will be his undoing. He wants you healed as a better stronger vessel for the transfer but has no idea that Sirius will do more than just heal you. That is why you are not already healed. We needed you still injured as an excuse to give you the solar exposure. I will also work with you on what to expect at the time of the 'training'."

Kal-El walked around the room momentarily considering all he'd just heard. He looked in briefly on Jason playing contentedly with Mer Kaper. "I have no idea what exposure to Sirius will do to me. Sol is an average yellow star while Sirius is a bigger, brighter blue-white star. I assume we will be at a similar comparative distance but still the differences in the stars brilliance create many unknown factors. How do you know I will not myself be consumed by the physical power from even limited exposure?"

Der Motin answered, "The fact that you are concerned about it bodes well. It has been a concern but we have faith that this will work. We will be happy to go over all the calculations and conclusions with you."

"Yes, I'll want to study what you have. Also how do you transform yourself?" he said looking closely at Srnken.

"It is accomplished with the help of a small ear piece device. I don't actually change, your perception of me changes. One of our underground allegiance scientists developed the device about the time I joined them. It has been instrumental in our continued existence. My father is not aware of it and we have used it to infiltrate this very ship."

"If Lord Arnken is so powerful why is he not aware all of this is going on behind his back? I haven't seen him since the second day I was here just after Jason was taken."

"Lord Arnken believes he is infallible and has become somewhat lax in his ways preferring to delegate most things. We were all surprised when he paid a personal visit to Earth at your command. It shows his deference to you. His second in command is not much better. We have done all we could to perpetuate their perceptions as it helps our cause."

"Can you guarantee my son's safety?"

"I am sure you know there are no guarantees in life. We do have plans for keeping him safe. He will be protected at all costs out of respect for you. Of this I give you my solemn word and promise."

"Alright, let's begin. It seems I have no other choice. No more secrets on either side."

Der Motin and Srnken both nodded agreement as the three continued to talk, share information and plan the rest of the day.

X0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0

Lois, Martha, Ben and Kala were eating breakfast with the television on in the other room. Lois kept getting up to see the latest coverage of the mayhem the android was causing. Sitting back down at the table Lois looked over at Kala before speaking. "Mom, I really appreciate your letting us stay here but I just can't keep our lives on hold. It's not good for Kala or I to just sit here and wait. I called Richard and asked him to come get us and he'll be here shortly to fly us home."

"Are you sure honey? You're more than welcome to stay here."

"Yes, I'm sure. We really need some sense of normalcy back in our lives while we wait for Clark and Jason to return."

"We really don't know what's going to happen or how soon. What about that android it might try to attack you again."

"I'll ask dad to stay with us just in case it tries anything. Kala should go back to school and I need to get back in the office. Besides, I want to make sure Clark's good name isn't totally trashed while he's away. I can't sit back and let the press go on and on about what Superman has become. They don't have any idea what's really going on. I can't just leave it to Richard and Chloe to set things straight. Considering what all he may be going through now there's no way I'm going to let him come home to this mess without trying to do something to get the real facts out."

That afternoon back in the office Lois settled in with Richard and Chloe writing articles exposing the android for what it was while Kala entertained herself nearby. They also wrote that sources had disclosed Superman had been taken by the Trprians but he had somehow managed to send a coded message which SETI had been able to receive thanks to the upgraded programming Superman had installed on their computer tracking system. The message indicated he was safe and would be returning soon.

As they were finally leaving for the evening four men walking down the sidewalk approached them. "Hey, it's those 'alien lovers'. Come on, let's get them."

Lois moved quickly to protect Kala who cowered behind the three grown-ups kicking one of the men in a very sensitive place. Richard blocked a blow by a second man and proceeded to land his own to the man's jaw. Chloe swung her briefcase hitting the third man along side the head as the forth man simply ran off. A crowd started to gather with people taking sides forming a semi circle. The android suddenly swooped down out of the sky landing within the open part of the partly formed circle. It sneered at all of them bringing about a sudden quiet as everyone just stared agape at it.

"What do you think you're all looking at. Don't you know, I hate being stared at." Zeroing in on Lois it headed directly for her. "You, you're coming with me."

"Don't you dare touch me. Stay back." She backed up pushing Kala into Richard's arms admonishing him with a look to keep the child safe as she kept the android's attention directed at her alone. The crowd instantly pulled back in fright, some running away from the scene. A policeman came running from down the street to try and help while a news helicopter hovered overhead catching the scene for a live audience.

Then seemingly out of nowhere Batman appeared. "I see you still haven't changed out of the ruined suit but then what would you expect from a stupid machine?"

The android stopped and turned scowling at Batman. "I would be careful what you call me Ratman?"

"Oh, you don't scare me, you're nothing but a pile of plastic, metal and old wiring. You're not fit to even wear that ruined suit."

Batman began backing up drawing the android out into the open away from the crowd. Once he was satisfied it was in the clear he opened a small pocket on his belt pulling out a small pointy device. Just as the android leaped directly for him he stuck the device into its still bare chest as he dove under him tumbling out of the way. A second later the device exploded sending the android into multiple pieces as the crowd scattered farther.

As the smoke cleared Richard and the policeman both joined Batman as they looked over the remains, seeing wiring still hissing before finally dying out. The crowd still quiet hung back for a minute then a man got brave and went to stand over part of the now destroyed android soon to be joined by others. A couple kicked at the remains.

One of the men who had tried to accost Lois, Richard and Chloe earlier kicked the head as he said, "I don't know what is worse an alien or an alien robot."

The police officer finally took charge. "OK, that's enough this is as of now officially considered a crime scene. Everyone back, now! I'm calling this in."

A television reporter was suddenly on the scene pushing a microphone at them. "Batman, can we get a statement, the world is watching."

Somewhat annoyed but wanting the true story out he acquiesced, "I suspected for several days that that…thing was not my friend Superman. He would never have acted the way it has been acting, never! It was brought to my attention that while protecting the world he loves Superman was taken by that alien ship. It is also highly possible he was injured in the process. I believe Richard White may have more to add." The camera panned down showing the androids remains as he spoke.

Richard who was standing next to Batman looked over to Lois, Chloe and Kala still standing near the center of the crowd before speaking. "Lois Lane-Kent, Chloe Sullivan and I have just finished writing a complete expose of what we have reason to believe happened the day the ship attacked along with subsequent events. The full account is to be published in a late edition of the Daily Planet which will be on newsstands shortly. In the interim I will state the following: The android or robot or what ever you want to call it attempted to attack us the day after Superman disappeared. We know it somehow had Superman's memories but was in some way constrained to 'do no harm'. It was even heard to say those very words on more than one occasion. We firmly believe Superman survived and somehow planted that command in the programming."

Uhs and ahs and various whispers went through the crowd that was once again growing.

"Yesterday SETI forwarded a coded message to us which was evidently sent from the Trprian ship. The message was 'safe, home soon, pray'. It is our belief that although the Trprian ship will indeed return as they said they would, Superman is with them and still working to save us all. That's all I have to say at this time."

"Mr. White, Batman a moment more please…"

Ignoring the reporter Richard and Batman started to leave but the policeman stopped them saying he needed a full statement from them. Agreeing to go to the station shortly they were allowed to leave. The crowd opened up to allow Lois, Chloe and Kala to join Richard as Batman as they left the scene.

Finally settled into their car Lois breathed a sigh of relief. "Well, at least we don't have to worry about that thing any more. I do have to admit I couldn't bear looking at it all destroyed like that. It was just too close to being Clark."

X0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0

The next day Srnken again spend most of the day with Clark arriving and leaving with Mer Kaper appearing to be the child, Der Malen a playmate for Jason, as a precaution.

"Srnken, how did you manage to overcome the mind transfer? I find the whole idea of it nauseating to say the least."

"I have always been one to meditate and reflect deeply. It is a lost art among my people but I was always fascinated by it. I believe it is what saved me. When the transfer process began I could feel his mind like a snake taking over mine. I fought it off and sought to place a wall between it and my own consciousness. It worked to a point and stopped the process, but I did go mad for a time. We cannot afford for that to befall you. We need you to remain in control for all our goals to be met. Do you know how to meditate?"

"I do a form of meditation often. I also have practice at closing off my consciousness burying it deep within me. I've done this when in stasis or during near death experiences to keep my mind intact and functional while my body heals or sleeps for extremely long periods. There is one problem, when I go deep within myself I sometimes have a difficult time coming back up because it's a very safe cocoon like feeling."

"What has brought you back in the past perhaps we should know just in case."

Kal-El hesitated, not sure he wanted to make the admission, "Jason brought me back, more than once. But you must remember to keep him safe at all times."

"You are very fortunate to have a son you love so dearly and who loves you back as much. Someday perhaps Mer Kaper and I will know the same joy. For now we will do our part to see to it you two return home safe to the rest of your family."

"I hope you get the chance. I believe you would be a good father, a good teacher and model. Will you lead your people after I leave?"

"Only if they want me to lead them, I will not declare myself leader. I am not my father nor do I ever wish to be. Speaking of my Father, tomorrow or the next day he will request to see you. How are your wounds, may I see?"

Kal-El took off his dark Trprian jacket like shirt revealing his chest with bandages still covering his chest. Removing the bandages he revealed burns that still looked very painful. "You hide your pain well, how about your ribs?"

"It's still quite painful to move but it's getting easier. I don't mind the pain so much now that I know the reason you have denied me a better chance to heal. I think it rather ingenious of you to do that in fact. If your father was told the artificial lighting didn't help very much it wouldn't be that far off the mark. It really is much less helpful when compared to true solar exposure which is what I need to really heal and become stronger."

"I find you quiet inner strength just as amazing. I feel we have chosen well. I will be forever honored to be considered a friend."

X0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0

That night one of the news channels released greatly enhanced footage of when superman was hit by the Trprian blast and of him falling with a clear view of his injuries. President Thorn made a statement asking for calm as the level of panic in the U.S. and other nations once again began to rise. The United Nations Security Council continued their daily emergency meetings with little headway.

Various correspondents pondered what it all meant repeatedly showing the new enhanced footage showing Superman's injuries, the one showing the android scatted across the sidewalk and Batman and Richard's statements taken at the time. Was Superman still to be considered a hero bringing hope or was he going to return an alien conqueror, or lastly was he really dead as some suggested? Strong arguments were made for each possibility with so called experts stating their opinions with long winded explanations of why they were correct.

Lois sat in front of the TV with her father nearby. Kala had long since gone to bed. At one point Lois threw her shoe at the TV. Her throw fell short which irritated her even more. "How many times does he have to almost die for us before those bstards appreciate him!"

X0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0

Please review….I got rid of the mean android didn't I…That is with Batman's help. I really wish you would take the time to review. Thank you to those who do.

Next time… Mind Transfer