Chapter 26 - Vacation's over

All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident.
Arthur Schopenhauer German philosopher (1788 - 1860)

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Clark woke up the next morning listening to the early morning sounds and the heartbeats of all those he loved most as the day was just waking up with the first rays of sun light. A warm smile played across his face as he slowly moved, carefully replacing his shoulder with a pillow for Lois's head without disturbing her sleep. She smiled in her sleep as she nestled deeper into the pillow he had just been using himself, mumbling "so warm, I crave your warmth."

Touched at hearing her mumblings he bent to kiss her lips lightly before rising completely. In seconds he had dressed, left a short note and flown out the window. I'm with Jason, be back soon. Love, Clark.

Jason was just running down the porch stairs with Ben close behind as he arrived. "Daddy, are you here to take me flying? See I'm ready."

"Yes, I can see that. Ben you don't mind if I borrow your chicken rustler do you?"

"Of course not somehow I don't think his mind is on chickens or eggs right now anyway. By the way, that dinner last night was, whew,…delicious, thank you. The steaks just melted in our mouths and the chocolate dipped strawberries were also hmmm a very nice touch. Not that we actually got many of those. The kids practically devoured them all before they went to bed. I hope you enjoyed your evening as much as we enjoyed ours."

"Speaking for both of us, I believe we did." With a knowing wink he continued, "Thanks for watching the kids. We barely touched our chocolate dipped strawberries we'll bring the rest over latter. Jason, you ready?"

"Yes, yes let's go." Jason had been jumping up and down like a little boy in need of a restroom break.

They took off together with Superman still gently holding Jason's wrist. Once airborne he released his grip and began teaching the fine art of controlled flight to his apt young student. After the lesson they ascended together and floated as they had a father son talk while sun bathing.

"Jason, your mother and I are going back home today you and Kala are going to stay here with grandma and grandpa. We'll come get you either tonight or tomorrow morning. I want you to be good and watch over your sister for me, alright?"

"Okay Daddy. Kala and I have a lot of fun with grandma and grandpa. It's fun to run in the fields and play with Einstein and all the other animals here. Did you do that when you were little? Can we go flying again tomorrow? I really love to fly with you Daddy, even more now that I can fly by myself."

"I love to fly too, I always have but it's even more special now that I have someone to share the ability with. I'm glad you like it here, this place is very special to me, it always will be." They were both quiet for a few moments enjoying the sun's warmth then Superman spoke up almost regretfully. "I guess we had better be getting back. I'll drop you off then go get your mother."

Not too much later Lois and Clark pulled up in front of the Kent farm house in Ben's truck. Lois was carrying the tray with several of the chocolate strawberries on it as they entered the house. Jason tried to grab one but she stopped him. "After breakfast if you still want one, not before. Hey wait a minute, what are you wearing?" A bit of his cape was sticking up above his flannel shirt collar.

Clark covered his mouth trying unsuccessfully to stifle a laugh.

Jason looked confused at the attention. "I'm just being 'ready'. See just like you." He ripped open his shirt revealing his shield.

"Ready?" Clark intoned now slightly worried seeing all the implications.

"Ah huh, in case you need me to help you." Jason answered in all seriousness.

Lois raised her free hand to her brow in surrender as she shook her head, "This is all yours Clark and I might add you asked for it."

"Ah, Jason, no way do you need to be 'ready'. Not for years do you need to be ready. There's no way I'm going to let you help me till you are much much older. There is so much you have to learn before I would even consider letting you help me. That is your flying suit, nothing more don't you remember we talked about this yesterday when we made it? I'm sorry but you need to go upstairs and take it off. You are not to be wearing it under your clothes, period. Understand?"

"Daddy, I just wanna be like you." Jason answered with a sad pouting face as he ran up the stairs. Kala passed him on her way down. She had heard what happened from the top of the stairs and paused wondering if she should continue down or follow him back up. Her mind was made up for her as Clark bent to kiss her cheek on his way up after Jason.

"Go on downstairs honey, breakfast is almost ready I want to talk to Jason a little more." Entering the bedroom he found Jason on the bed face down crying. Setting on the bed he put his hand on his crying son's back, "Jason, do you know I was in my teens before I could even fly. You are so far ahead of where I was at your age I can hardly believe it. We'll be spending a lot of time together while we learn what your can do but you have to wait on some things. I'm just trying to keep you safe. Keep all of us safe. We can't allow people to find out about you yet. Not till you're older and able to defend and take care of yourself."

Jason rose up and buried himself in his dad's arms. "I know Daddy I just wanted to be like you. It's hard to wait so long."

"It won't be so bad. Think of all the fun we're going to have together. Do you know my Mom and Dad helped me learn a lot of what I can do."

"You mean Grandma and your Dad in the picture?"

"Yes, they helped me for years before anyone even knew about Superman."

"But they didn't have any super powers how could they help you?"

"They didn't need super powers they helped me work through things and figure things out."

"Do you think Daddy Richard will help me learn too?"

"I'm sure he would love to help you. We'll all be helping you and soon you will be big and strong and then you can help me. Now let's go downstairs, I smell breakfast and I don't know about you but I'm hungry."

"OK daddy, but I have to take my suit off first."

After breakfast Clark had a talk with Kala asking her to help keep and eye on Jason. He still wasn't sure the little boy understood how his actions could expose the family. Kala felt proud that he treated her so grown up. Well I am eight she thought to herself.

When the kids were both finally out playing in the yard Clark prepared to leave. Lois caught his arm. "Aren't you worried about how this is going to go." They had been listening to the news and it was being reported that Superman was expected to possibly make an appearance sometime during the day at the United Nations which was to be in session shortly. There were polls showing most people leaning to acceptance of his not being complicit in the doings of Lord Kal-El but many others thought he possibly was in fact responsible.

"People are going to believe what they will. I can only state the truth of what happened as I know it. Either Superman will be accepted back or not. If enough still have faith in him then perhaps the majority of ones who doubt or are on the fence so to speak will give him the benefit of the doubt."

"Clark, we're not talking about some third person Superman, we're talking about you." Martha and Ben nodded in agreement.

"Superman is not really who I am, it is what I can do. If Superman disappears after today I will still be here. I will not let it destroy me. I will have to learn to accept it. I will not force myself on people who fear or distrust my presence." He stared to leave then turned back. "I do have faith that I will be welcomed back. Why else would I still be here, still alive after all. Surely I wasn't given the choice to return only to be rejected. Life can be ironic, but surely not that ironic."

Clark kissed his mom then he and Lois went out the door hand in hand stopping to kiss the kids before he changed then they disappeared into the sky.

After dropping Lois off at the Daily Planet rooftop and before heading to Washington or the New York headquarters of the United Nations he went back to his Fortress of Solitude and then headed for North Kamdar. Touching down he gathered up a handful of the dirt as he surveyed the area in deep thought. The entire area was desolated but there was no residual radiation anywhere. The area now looked like nothing more than an isolated desert. After several minutes he dropped a tiny piece of crystal on the ground. Taking a small vial of water from his cape he poured it over the crystal and stood back giving it plenty of room. He ignored the presence of two helicopters overhead as he watched the crystal start to grow and take shape.

Within minutes the tiny crystal had grown into an awe inspiring triple crystal spiral. As the sun hit it the spiral slowly began to spin and in doing so created a spectacular rainbow affect that lit up the sky even in daylight.

Satisfied with his creation he wanted to make one final addition. Going to the base of the crystal he tipped it over slightly while training his eyes on the bottom of the base he flashed his laser like beam making an inscription. Setting it back down it again began to slowly spin on an unseen axis. The rainbow once again appeared this time showcasing his inscription.

He gazed up at the rainbow of colors with the inscription showing brightly then allowed himself to acknowledge the helicopters with a slight smile before disappearing from sight.

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As soon as Clark left her on the rooftop Lois ran down to the bullpen and started scanning the various televisions for coverage. After a second she saw a commentator standing on the steps of the United Nations building. Turning the sound up she sat down, Perry soon joined her. She called Martha and Ben to alert them to watch the same program at the farmhouse.

"…statement he gave Richard White and Chole Sullivan-White he plans to appear here possibly as early as today."

After several minutes of chatter and speculation the correspondent was replaced by another one at the station.

"We have breaking news we will now take you by way of a live feed from an affiliate station. It appears Superman has made his first appearance in North Kamdar. Here is Tom Sheffer in the field. Tom what's happening"

"I was just reporting on the unit surveying the area when Superman suddenly appeared. He bent down moments ago. It looked like he picked up some dirt and then just looked around for a while. Whoooo what's that. Are you getting that Frank. It looks like something is growing up out of the desert. It looked like Superman dropped something and then stepped out of the way and now it's growing forming three spirals. It looks like diamonds with the sun hitting it. Are you still getting this?" He gasped at the sight that was now before him. "Frank up there, get that. Are you getting all this in the station? The spirals are creating a rainbow…. wait where'd it go? Ah, look he's doing something else. Get that, get that hurry before he finishes! Can you see this? Oh, he's setting it back. Frank the rainbow is back again. Look he somehow inscribed it. It's amazingly beautiful."

The camera panned the sky showing the rainbow then showed the crystal monument before once again panning up to the rainbow with the inscription clearly visible.

A rainbow to memories, we must never forget.

As the camera panned back down Superman looked up directly at the camera with a melancholy half smile then disappeared.

Lois was still on the phone with Martha and Ben. They had all been watching in silence deeply touched by what they had just seen. Lois thought to herself, How could anyone not see the pure goodness in him. Surely the world would think and feel the same way. No matter what he told us a part of him would die if he was forced to give up his life as Superman.

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Superman saw the crowd of reporters in front of the building rather than avoid them completely by entering from the roof he simple flew over their heads landing beyond them right in front of the security team at the doors.

The men looked at each other then one spoke up, "Credentials Sir, security procedures require…" Superman looked at them questioningly, "Oh sh!t, go on in of course you're you. You are Superman right?" The man briefly remembered all the newscasts he had seen the last few days.

"Yes, I have been known for years as Superman. May I enter?"

"Yes, they're uh, expecting you Sir."

Once inside the building he was met by a new security detail, "Follow us sir, you have been expected in the main chamber."

When Superman entered the chamber, Secretary General Can Li Noon immediately stood up at the front podium. "Superman we were told you would address us today to help clear up the matters before us. Please come forward you may have the floor."

As he walked to the front of the room towards the podium there was rustling in the crowd. He was distracted momentarily by a large screen showing a montage of the close up shots captured of him being hit by the blast and falling during the initial Trprian attack. There were also several of him in front of the White house in the Black Trprian suit making demands while his eyes flashed white sparks of fire. Superman heard it all as he continued forward to the podium, from the claps and cheers at his return to disparaging remarks at his audacity for even showing his face. The press had been given permission to capture it all and that they did with a well represented press section including several live feeds to make sure anyone wanting to see this was given the chance. The screen changed to a live feed of the proceedings.

Taking the podium Superman stood transfixed for several seconds then looked out into the crowd looking many people directly in the eye. He noticed Richard and Chloe White were sitting in the press section with Bruce Wayne and two men who were in all likelihood lawyers. Vice President Bonds, Secretary of State, Condi Spice and General Dowell were among the dignitaries along with several other top ranking cabinet members.

Finally he raised his arms to quiet the crowd. "Mr. Secretary, Vice President Bonds and distinguished guests. Thank you for the opportunity to speak. I have not come here to make excuses for the unfortunate events that transpired the last few weeks. Over the course of events I did what I felt was best at the time for all concerned. I am not now nor have I ever been an alien invader. It is true the being at the White house making demands was in fact my physical body, but it was not me. You will either accept that as fact or not."

The crowd became alive with voices, one man stood up with a thick accent and asked. "Explain to us how this could be so. You but not you." The crowd murmured loudly then quieted down waiting for an answer.

"First you need to understand that we are all here today because of the three Trprians who addressed you the other day, Lord Arnken's own son Srnken who he thought dead or insane, his son's wife Mer Kaper and her father Der Motin who was also Lord Arnken's trusted counselor. These three had the courage and wisdom to stand up to an oppressively insane tyrant who craved power above all else. They befriended me and together we worked out a plan to defeat him. We had planned to guarantee my superiority during the mind transfer process by restoring my powers with limited exposure to Sirius once we reached Trpria. Unfortunately unknown to us, Lord Arnken's second in command, Der Lroden and his doctor were also planning his defeat. Their devious plans circumvented our own. They forced the transfer process early by making Lord Arnken believe his death was imminent. They believed I would fight the transfer causing us to both die in the process thus allowing Der Lroden to ascend to power."

"Are you saying you didn't even fight the process? If you care as much for us, for Earth as you say you do, then why didn't you just let that happen." Someone shouted from the crowd.

Superman took a deep breath and continued somewhat ignoring the question. "The Trprians for all their knowledge and power were a dying race and that made the leaders even more desperate. I believe they came to Earth to seek me out and trap me just as they did. Lord Arnken wanted a new host, my body, my power, not me. Lord Arnken was, insane with power yet still wanting more. His second, Der Lroden was much younger and craved that same power. I believe it was his idea to conquer and dominate Earth rather than destroy the civilization. Civil war and the harsh conditions on Trpria had decimated the race to the point of near extinction. They were ripe for a new world to inhabit and infuse their dying race with life."

Looking towards the man who had shouted the question. "You asked why I didn't stop it by just letting Der Lroden succeed. His sights were set firmly on Earth. The only way I could see to even hope to protect Earth was by doing what I did. I allowed the transfer to proceed withdrawing from the process entirely so as not to be absorbed into the stronger being taking hold. We had talked about a similar eventually and had made back up plans just in case. I withdrew as planned and waited for an opportunity to be presented. My friends provided that opportunity by attacking Lord Arnken shortly after he made his appearance at the White House calling himself Lord Kal-El. With them weakening my body which he was controlling I was able to make my way back to an equal position while trying to force him out. When he refused the Trprians resorted to killing us both which was our last hope for success."

Several in the crowd gasped and one voiced a question on many minds. "But you're here now? If they killed you as you say, how are you here, alive?"

"Yes, I am here now. As they killed me they prepared to bring me back to life. I lived, Lord Arnken did not. There were forces calling me back from the brink of irretrievable death. There were none for him. I'm afraid perhaps no one even mourns his passing. Or perhaps I should say their passing for Lord Arnken was indeed five distinct spirits in one. I was told Lord Kal-El was to be the sixth had I been cooperative."

The room remained quiet, silently taking in all he had said. Superman took one final deep breath and continued. "As I said earlier, either you believe what I have said or you don't. I did not betray Earth, I am not a traitor. It is probable the Trprians came here because I'm here, but is it also just as possible that they delayed coming here sooner because I'm here. Either you trust me or you fear me. If you fear me then Superman's time here is over. I cannot even hope to help people who are afraid of my presence."

"I have nothing else to say at this time I will simply wait your response." As he started to leave the podium several people around the room stood and began clapping. In a matter of seconds most of the room was cheering wildly. He had stopped near the path out of the room. As the response became wilder he remained and began shaking hands and greeting the crowd that began surrounding him. He noticed a few hold outs but he considered he had won a big victory. Hold outs were after all to be expected.

As he shook Secretary of State, Condi Spice's hands Vice President Bonds caught his attention. "You understand the President still wants to speak with you personally with his full cabinet present. You should also speak with the Congress as well, but good job, welcome back son we never doubted you.

When it was finally his turn Bruce greeted him with a firm hand shake. "I guess you don't need my friends here. Good job, now get back to work before everyone changes their mind."

"My sentiments exactly if you will all excuse me, I have work to do."

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That night as Lois and Clark finally settled at the table expecting to spend one last quiet evening meal alone before going back to their 'normal' routine the phone in the kitchen rang. Clark had been expecting his mom to call so he answered with a smile on his face which quickly disappeared.

"Hello Stuperman….vacation's over." Click.

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