Lois I
Kal-El handed Wanda the book he'd been skimming through, A Year on New Krypton by Clark Kent. She opened it and glanced through it. It read like something her Clark, Kal-El, would write, except, as far as she knew, he'd never been a war correspondent and this was about a war as vicious as any she'd heard about. The writing was as clear, as understandable, as understanding as anything she'd ever read. So much like her Clark. But there was so much death, so much pain, so little hope. This world's Clark went through all this and came out okay? Jimmy spent three months in Chechnya and almost didn't make it back at all. He still drank too heavily.
She put the book back on the shelf where it belonged and looked more closely at the other books in the case. Several had Wanda Detroit listed at the author. Wanda Detroit? No wonder Mister Kent had laughed. The titles indicated they were probably romance novels.
She pulled one out and looked at it. It was almost identical to the unfinished novel Wanda had on her computer at home. This Lois had not only finished it, but had gotten published as well. Wanda was struck by a pang of jealousy as she put the book back in its place.
She heard the sonic boom that indicated something – or someone – had broken the sound barrier fairly close by.
"They must have gotten him pretty upset," Lois said softly. "He doesn't normally take off that fast from the house."
"They asked him to do something completely reprehensible," said Kal-El. "They asked him to kill."
"They what?" Wanda said in disbelief. "Who?"
"They were talking about a threat to the House of El, a child," Kal-El said. "Nor-Et's granddaughter."
"Clark would never agree to something like that. Never," Lois said.
"I know," Kal-El said. "I'm sure that's why he took off."
Wanda gave him a curious look.
"He needs to get his head together, before he does something rash," Kal-El said. "At least, that's what I would do. I'd head north, to the Fortress of Solitude."
"Clark doesn't have anything like that," Lois said.
"I'll be back shortly," Kal-El promised. He blurred into his suit and went out onto the back deck. He looked back at the two women standing in the living room. "They do say that two heads are better than one. We'll come up with something. I hope."
With that, he disappeared into the night sky. A second sonic boom echoed over the river.
Lois II
Lois heard footsteps coming up from the basement, from Clark's office.
"What the hell do you think you're playing at, asking Clark to kill a child?" Lois hissed at them.
"Considering the gravity of the situation, we didn't see another solution," Ching said. At least he had the courtesy to look uncomfortable in the face of her fury.
"We had hoped that when Kal-El killed Nor ten years ago, that the threat he posed was over, that no one else would make the attempt to overthrow the legitimate government Kal-El and I represent," Zara said. "Kal-El and I were bred to lead. I was raised to rule. Kal-El, for reasons I still do not fathom, was sent to Earth instead of New Krypton. He does not understand the needs of our ruling system."
"I think you're wrong," Lois said. "I think he understands too well. What you don't understand is that this planet has invented and discarded more political systems than most people can imagine. Clark spent some time researching that when he came back. And believe it or not, he found precedents in Earth history. I mean, calling you 'La Princessa', wasn't exactly a complement."
"I was aware of that," Zara said. "Although I admit I was not aware of the full connotation at the time and I know it annoyed him when I refused to be insulted by the title. If he'd been raised on new Krypton, or just accepted his duties to his home world, we wouldn't be having this discussion."
"Zara, I've met a Kal-El that was raised on New Krypton. The one I met had his Zara and Ching murdered for betraying him. He was a monster, worse than Nor. His greed and ambition nearly destroyed New Krypton and Earth," Lois told her. "Remember, in Earth mythology, Satan, the lord of evil, was born an angel."
"We have reason to believe that the priests may support Xon's claim that your children, being half-breeds, are not valid heirs to the House of El," Ching said softly. "We're not sure where the guilds stand. I know that when Kal-El was on New Krypton, he made allies of many of the guild masters. I admit, that was something I had not considered to be of strategic value, but it was one of the things that helped us, then."
"And the elders?" Lois asked. After Clark's return, she'd spent many hours trying to understand the political realities of New Krypton. She knew the council of elders was the real ruling power, as it had been on Krypton before its destruction. Each of the twelve major houses was represented on the council. Each had one vote, and how the votes went on an issue was usually determined by backroom deals, marriage contracts, 'gifts' and just plain schmoozing. Ethics, even in theory, were not part of the process.
"At this time we are fairly certain we have the support of a majority of the elders in the council, but with Trey's death our position is becoming difficult," Zara said. "We need for Clark to at least give the appearance of having concern for our position in the council and the threat Xon poses, not just to our Houses, but to the council as a whole."
"And killing a child will do this?" Wanda wondered.
"This child is a time bomb in our midst," Ching said. "We don't know what else to do."
Clark I
The Fortress was smaller than the one his father crystal had made, simpler, less like a cathedral than a simple temple to some god that had no name on this planet. A temple to Rao perhaps. But then, did Rao still have dominion on Kryptonians who considered themselves more human than not? He had his doubts. It was something, Kal-El decided, he should discuss with Father Daniel, his spiritual advisor of many years, when, and if, he got back to his own time-line.
One thing that was at least similar to his own fortress was the raised central console – only this console held the spherical navigation module as its centerpiece instead of the father crystal. The module glowed with a comfortable yellow light that was more than sufficient to light the interior of the crystal construction. Surrounding the spherical module were a set of metallic blocks. Memory modules?
"It's beautiful," Clark said, looking around. "Is this what Krypton looked like?"
"Well, the Krypton I was born on did, sort of," Kal-El said. "They grew their buildings, re-engineered their planet. They were too proud to recognize they didn't control everything. They couldn't believe their own sun could betray them."
"Except for Jor-El," Clark said. "And here, somebody must have listened to him, because New Krypton is still around."
Clark stepped up to the console and placed one hand on the navigation module. A holographic image of a tall, slender man wearing a white tunic bearing the sigil of the House of El appeared in the space in front of the console.
"Kal-El, I know you do not remember me. I am Jor-El. I am your father," the hologram announced.
It wasn't the same white-haired man Kal-El had seen in his own Fortress. This man was younger, thinner than his own father. But he still had a distinguished look about him, with a shock of white hair that was held back from his face by a silver headband. His almond shaped eyes were a warm brown.
"On the console beside the module that guided your ship to Earth are memory modules covering the scientific and cultural facts of the twenty-eight galaxies known to our scientists," the hologram continued. "Here you may ask questions so that we may explore the answers together."
"Tell me about the colony of New Krypton," Clark asked. The hologram smiled.
Clark II
"I assume you are referring to the industrial colony originally designated Halos I, financed by the House of El, in alliance with the trading and industrial guilds. It was also an experiment in self-determined governance. The colony was considered a success for over three generations, and paid back its debt to both the parent guilds as well as to the House of El within two generations. The House of El maintained close financial and personal ties with the colony."
"It was an experiment in self-determined governance?" Clark repeated. "Could you explain that?"
The hologram's pleasant expression didn't change. "The governance of Krypton has traditionally been based on a balance of power between the noble houses, the industrial and trading guilds and the priesthood. Halos I was granted the right to use a more representational form of government much like ones my great-grandfather had observed on other planets, including Earth. The experiment was surprisingly successful and suggestions were made to allow this form of government to be permitted in future colonies.
"Unfortunately, no other colonies were founded prior to my discovery of inherent instabilities in Krypton's orbit due to the imminent death of its sun."
"So what happened to the colony?" Clark asked. "If it had a representational government, why is it now ruled by the great houses? Why was there almost a civil war?"
"Some members of the Council of Elders took my warning seriously enough to evacuate themselves to Halos I and apparently made the attempt to recreate the political structure of Krypton in that new environment," the hologram said. "I must assume their attempt was only partially successful."
"The general population didn't want to give up their rights," Kal-El surmised. "The guilds sided with the Houses of Ra and El, didn't they?"
"Yes, I'm pretty sure they did," Clark admitted. "Ching was surprised I even bothered to contact the guilds when more of the houses started to side with Nor, demanding the heir of the House of El, namely me, take his rightful place as ruler beside Zara or allow Nor to do it. Zara wasn't about to marry Nor and I wasn't about to become king. I refused to betray Lois's trust. "
"But Krypton hadn't had a monarchy in millennia, not since Pol-Us, Sor-El and Kol-Ar crafted the government that brought peace to Krypton," Kal-El said. "I'm assuming that's true of the Krypton in this time-line."
The hologram appeared to blink its eyes as the AI recognized Kal-El's presence. "Correct. The government created by Pol-Us, Sor-El and Kol-Ar brought about the Great Peace, allowing Krypton to become the most evolved and enlightened society in the known twenty-eight galaxies."
"Modest, too," commented Clark. The AI had given him a little background on the political situation on New Krypton, but nothing he thought he could use yet. It certainly didn't explain Zara and Ching's demand that Nor's granddaughter be killed, unless... "Explain property inheritance among the noble houses."
"Within the Great Houses, the eldest legitimate male heir inherits both his father's property and title. In the event there is no legitimate male heir, the property and title will devolve onto the eldest legitimate female heir, then to the eldest male heir born to a noble concubine, then to the eldest female heir born to a noble concubine. Any offspring, male or female, born to non-nobility are not eligible to inherit either property or title without special dispensation of the Council of Elders."
"Bingo," Clark murmured to himself. "According to the original charter of the Halos I colony, who owns the land, the property, the colony is on?"
"The House of El. Specifically, the High Lord of the House of El," the hologram replied. "You."
"That's Xon's plan," Clark said to Kal-El. "Disenfranchise my kids since Lois isn't Kryptonian nobility, and then announce the granddaughter is my heir by a noble concubine, whether or not I ever slept with her. Whether or not I was even on the planet. The granddaughter inherits the lands and titles, which happens to include the whole blasted colony. It's property, not politics." He turned back to the hologram. "Is there a legal mechanism to sell or otherwise dispose of this type of property, say deed it over to the Council of Elders or to a consortium of the guilds?"
"Negative. Only individuals of noble birth may own property. Also, a property transaction of this magnitude to another House must have the unanimous support of the Council of Elders."
"Damn," Clark muttered to himself.
"So what do you plan to do about it?" Kal-El asked.
"I still don't know," Clark admitted. "I'm not sure there is a viable solution. I can't claim her; that'd be feeding into Xon's lie. If I repudiate her, she can still be used against me. I can't foster her out on Earth 'cause he may find out and attack Earth. I could try to find Herb and send her off to another time-line, but there's still a chance she could be used against the Kal-El of that world."
"Assuming you could find this sometimes-dead time traveler?"
Clark nodded. "And assuming he was willing to help. He hasn't shown up yet. I don't know what that means, except that Utopia isn't threatened."
"Utopia?"
Clark nodded. "According to Wells, my descendants, Lois's and mine, will found a Utopian society centered in Metropolis. No poverty, no crime, the whole nine yards. Wells intervenes, or tries to, when he sees that future in jeopardy. He's very invested in that future."
"And since nothing has happened yet to endanger your children, there is no threat to the future Wells is protecting," Kal-El reasoned. "Obviously a second Superman and Lois doesn't have an effect."
"Or something will get you out of here before you do effect it," Clark said. Again he turned back to the hologram. "What is known concerning inter-dimensional travel or inter-dimensional rifts?"
"Please insert the eighth memory module into the reader."
Clark looked through the blocks on the console until he found one with the proper Kryptonian number engraved on it. He placed the module into the square hole beside the navigation globe. The hologram appeared to change, its expression growing more solemn.
"Kryptonian law forbids research into that area," the hologram began. "Kryptonian theory is that transferring matter from one dimension to another would alter the static state of each universe affected, potentially destroying both universes. Another theory has that a transfer of an individual would initiate a chain-reaction throughout all related realities, shifting each counterpart into an adjacent reality. The energy requirement of this shift also has the potential of destroying one or more realities."
"I know from experimental evidence and personal experience that both of these theories are incorrect," Clark said. "It is possible to transfer one or more individuals from one time-line to another without transferring out their counterparts. Given that fact, there is no evidence to support the theory of a chain-reaction throughout all related realities, and maintaining the static balance between realities appears to simply require that the mass be balanced, not the individuals."
Clark continued, "Is there any evidence to support a natural phenomenon being able to create a dimensional transfer or dimensional rift?"
"There is a phenomenon known to the Dakaari as the Nexus. They believe it to be a primordial super-string. Should the Nexus phenomenon in one reality intersect the Nexus in another, it would be theoretically possible to use the phenomenon to transfer from one time-line to another, or to travel backwards in time within a time-line. However, the gravitational anomalies created by the approach of the Nexus can and has destroyed entire star systems, including the Dakaari home world."
"Any other possibilities?" Clark asked.
"There is also a phenomenon known as a 'tempocane', a highly localized magnetic storm that is theorized to be able to create a conduit between dimensions or different points on a single time-line. According to the scientists of Aldierra, a tempocane nearly always returns to its initial site of manifestation within seventy-two hours and creates a reverse effect, returning transferred objects back to their original space, if not time."
"Can you describe the physical manifestation of a tempocane?" Kal-El asked.
"It is reported that a tempocane within an atmosphere appears as a severe cyclonic atmospheric disturbance that is frequently mistaken for a severe thunderstorm, except for the magnetic disturbances within the storm's epicenter. It is also reported that the static discharges appear to be shifted to the blue end of the spectrum. Green is the most commonly reported color," the hologram reported.
"A severe storm with green lightning," Kal-El murmured. "That's what it was. That's what brought Lois and me here. And it may reappear sometime in the next sixty-six hours or so, so we can go back home." Kal-El suddenly looked worried. "What if it's already come and gone? I'm on a different part of the planet altogether from where it dumped us. And so is Lois."
"According to Aldierran science, a tempocane magnetically marks the matter that was initially transported and is attracted to that marked matter upon its reappearance," the hologram explained. "However, it is postulated that the two ends of the tempocane can shift, causing the transported matter to be left in a different reality than it originally came from, unless a 'homing beacon' is established to guide that matter into its home time-line."
"Translation," Clark said. "It's going to come after you, but there's no guarantee it'll take you back to where you belong."
Something else crossed Clark's mind, something he'd wondered about for the past eleven years, ever since he'd found out about the existence of New Krypton. "Father, why was I sent to Earth instead of New Krypton?"
The hologram's expression turned sad. "It was to save your life. I became High Lord of the House of El following the assassination of my elder brother, his wife and two sons. It was not my choice to become High Lord. I much preferred my scientific studies. The assassins were never found and it was assumed by the Council that the conviction of General Zod and his accomplices had put an end to the threat. However, I had reason to believe that my son and heir, you, was still in danger from Zod's followers, specifically, members of the House of Et. There were attempts made against both you and your mother. Lara, Zor, my younger brother, Sen-Ra, Zara's father, and I decided it was better to send you to a safe haven known only to myself, Lara, Sen-Ra and Trey, our seneschal on Halos I. I programmed the navigation module to land in an area known as Kansas, in the proximity of individuals whose psychological makeup was such that they would accept and protect you."
"Thank you," Clark said. "I'd always wondered how I managed to land so close to the two people most likely to take me in." He turned to Kal-El. "I think we should be getting back before Lois has a fit. She hates it when I take off and it's not an emergency."
"You want to find a safe place for the memory modules and the master module," Kal-El reminded him. "You don't want anyone else to get hold of them."
"The voice of experience?" Clark wondered. There was something in the other man's tone that told him it was more than a simple suggestion. That Kal-El had experience in this.
"Let's just say I've had to put better locks on the doors."
Clark looked around the crystal structure. "There aren't any doors."
"Yeah, I know."
Lois I
Wanda looked up at the sound of two swooshes at the back of the house. After a few moments the French doors opened and Kal-El and Clark walked into the living room. Kal-El was back in his gray suit.
"Figure out something?" Lois asked.
"Something, maybe," Clark said, sitting down on the sofa next to his wife. He was looking over at Zara with a familiar, speculative look in his eyes. "I found another function in the navigation module. Cultural and historical data on the Halos I colony, also known as New Krypton. I also looked up property ownership and property transfers."
Zara looked puzzled. "I don't understand."
"Zara, Xon isn't trying to take out the House of El. He's trying to usurp control of the entire colony; away from the Council of Elders even. He's smarter than Nor. Nor only thought in terms of a military coup when he couldn't marry you and rule at your side. Xon is planning on making Nor's granddaughter the heir to the House of El since Lois isn't a member of Kryptonian nobility."
"I still don't understand, Clark," Zara said. "I know Xon can use the child against you, to undermine, even take over the House, but how can he use that to take control of the colony without the support of the council?"
"Lady Zara, according to the colony charter, who owns the real estate the colony is on?" Kal-El asked.
Zara thought for a long moment, looking at Ching in puzzlement. "I honestly don't know. I had assumed the Council owned the property. Assuming anyone does."
"But my information says that under Kryptonian law only noble individuals can own real property. Therefore the Council cannot own the colony," Clark said. "And the transfer of properties as large as that requires the approval of the entire council."
"That would be to prevent a House with a lord in financial difficulties from cashing out the House property to the detriment of the House's standing. It would also prevent a single lord from suddenly accumulating large amounts of cash, for whatever reason," Ching explained. "What are you getting at, Clark?"
"Assuming my information is correct, and the council hasn't made changes to the charter, I, as High Lord of El, own the colony on behalf of the House of El," Clark said. "Xon doesn't need the council's approval to take over if he can convince the council beforehand that Conza's baby is mine, however it happened. He bides his time, sends an assassin to finish me off; she inherits with him as regent. Then he can legally take out the council and the guilds, not to mention the other Houses, because he will be the only real estate owner in the colony. They own nothing."
"So not only do you need to repudiate the child," Ching said slowly. "But we need to legitimize your heirs."
Wanda's head was beginning to ache. She'd never liked political discussions, and legal matters, aside from libel and copyright law, left her cold as well. Libel and copyright weren't exactly warm and fuzzy either, but they did impact her job so she tried to keep on top of them.
She looked over at Kal-El. He seemed to be listening intently to the discussion between Clark and the other two Kryptonians. A faint frown occasionally crossed his face.
He looked over at her watching him and came to sit beside her. "I am so glad I'm not him," he murmured softly. "Earth politics is bad enough, but this is straight out of the middle ages."
"Great Kryptonian political writers: Sun Tzu and Machiavelli," Clark said with a chuckle.
"We both forgot about superhearing," Wanda muttered back to Kal-El.
"I am not familiar with those writers, and those are not Kryptonian names," Zara said.
Ching was trying to suppress a grin. Obviously, Ching recognized who Clark was talking about. Clark went to one of the bookcases, pulled out two slim volumes and handed them to Zara. Wanda didn't need to see the titles to know what they were: The Art of War and The Prince.
"I admit I haven't come up with a good solution for the problem of Conza's daughter, but unless there's a rule against noble adoption of females, there is a mechanism for solving the legitimacy problem. Remember, I adopted Ching as my brother, raising him to the nobility so you and he could be together and your children by him could be in line of succession in the House of Ra," Clark reminded her. "And if I understand correctly, Ching was my heir until CJ was born."
"But Lois is an Earth human," Zara said. "We're not even the same species. Your children by her are half-breeds."
Wanda glanced at Lois. Her face had gone white. Clark's expression was unreadable. Kal-El just looked puzzled. Something is seriously awry here.
"Wait a minute," Wanda interrupted. "I assume we're using the same definition of species here, right? Genetic populations that can successfully interbreed in nature are the same species?"
Ching nodded his head. "That is the working definition of a species."
"So, since they have four kids, and I have one by a different Kryptonian…" Wanda stated. "And since all the necessary parts are there and working appropriate to their age, we are talking about one species here. Different races, maybe, but one species."
"Logically, that is impossible," Zara stated. "We evolved on two different planets."
"Logic be damned, Zara; look at the evidence," Wanda stated. "Besides, isn't there a theory that all life started in a single place and spread out from there?"
"You're thinking panspermia" Kal-El said. "But there is the fact that in our reality, Earthers and Kryptonians do come from the same stock. Kryptonians did not evolve on Krypton, could not have evolved on Krypton. We either emigrated there or were planted there by someone else. Given that our genetic structure was obviously manipulated so that we could survive such a harsh environment it's probably the later. I don't think whoever did it realized exactly what they'd done, how powerful those minor changes were. They certainly didn't expect any of us to come back to Earth."
"Minor changes?" Zara challenged.
"The genetic differences between Earthers and Kryptonians is so minor that a standard DNA analysis won't even detect it unless it's being specifically looked for," Kal-El said. "I know this for a fact. The key differences are in the mitochondria, and in a special type of cell in the skin that acts as a solar collector and battery. The other differences are actually normal genetic variations, some of which have been found in the Earth's population. We just have more of them together. We don't have third molars, we don't have appendixes, we do create our own vitamin C. But there are Earthers who have the same variations."
Zara looked back to Clark. "The council won't accept it," she protested.
"They will if you will," Clark pointed out. "Or is the whole 'Krypton was the most evolved and enlightened society in the known twenty-eight galaxies' a bunch of crap? 'Cause what I see here, and what I experienced on New Krypton, tells me that Krypton was and is ruled by a bunch of racial and religious bigots. Quite frankly, right now I'm ashamed to even admit I'm one of you."
Lois II
This is getting out of hand, Lois thought to herself. It's sounding like Thanksgiving with my parents. "Ching, what happens if we don't do anything? If Clark doesn't repudiate the child and we let you and Zara raise her?"
Clark stared at her, tirade short-circuited. She knew he was scrambling for an answer and couldn't find one, but fighting with Zara and Ching wasn't going to solve anything. She looked over at Ching.
"I doubt we would be allowed to. Xon claims Conza was Clark's concubine by right of victor. However, as Conza's nearest male blood relative on New Krypton he can ask, and would no doubt be granted, the right to act as her child's guardian, granting him much authority within the House of El since Clark chooses not to live on New Krypton," Ching explained. "Xon could also theoretically have authority over Earth, since the Council of Elders officially declared Earth to be a territory of the House of El, at Xon's insistence."
"They what?" Lois nearly screeched. "Those pompous, asinine, self-centered, idiotic, full-of-themselves jerks! How dare they!"
"They dare because Clark insists on living on Earth and by definition, anywhere the High Lord of a House has permanent residence is a part of that House's territory. Clark annexed Earth by coming back here," Zara explained. "Besides, we had already established that Earth was being protected by Kal-El and therefore the House of El. The council simply played into Xon's hands by making it official."
"Just annexing the house where we live wasn't good enough?" Clark asked. Lois could hear the annoyance Clark was trying hard not to show. He was trying not to be upset.
"They felt they were being magnanimous. Giving you what they thought you wanted, dominion of Earth. They don't understand how you can choose to be a servant to... They can't understand why you choose not to rule," Ching said. "Clark, if you don't like us, don't like Kryptonians, why have you been helping us? You arranged the fostering for Jos. I don't understand."
"It's the same reason Lois and I invite her family over for the holidays every year," Clark said. "We know they probably won't show, and if they do, we'll have a major row about something, and Lois will end up crying, the kids will be unhappy, and I'll be praying for a volcano or tornado or earthquake somewhere, anywhere, so I can get away from them for a while. We do it because they're family and we were both raised in a culture that values family. Like or not, you are family. New Krypton is family and it's as dysfunctional as they come. Instead of alcoholism and psychological abuse, my birth family tends to murder, and megalomania."
Clark paused to watch Zara and Ching. Lois saw that they looked confused. They're confused?
"It's about family, about kinship," Clark continued. "You can love them, you can hate them, be ashamed of them, despise them, but it still comes down to ties of kinship. When family calls, you help. Despite the wrongs they've done, you care."
Lois watched Ching's face as he struggled with the concept Clark was trying to express. It had been something she'd fought with for years. You can love them, hate them, be ashamed of them, despise them, but it still comes down to blood ties. When family calls, you help. Despite everything they've done, you care.
"The council does not need to approve an adoption, you know," Ching said. "It's common practice. It's simply a mechanism for bringing new blood into the Houses and ensuring succession when circumstances warrant, like now."
"But Lois is from Earth," Zara protested.
"What does that matter?" Lois demanded. Like hell Zara is going to get away with this. I thought she was smarter, better than those know-nothing oafs on the council, the ones who demanded Clark's help and then sent him back to me without so much as a by-your-leave when he tried to make changes for the good of his people. Sent him back wounded, physically and psychologically. "I would think that if there was anything wrong with my kids, Doctor Klein or somebody would have mentioned it before now. My children are not mules! And I have it on good authority I will have grandchildren."
"Zara, please be reasonable," Ching said. "You know how much this means to my brother."
Ching understands. Lois's anger abated a little as she watched Clark's anger and confusion fade into wonderment. How long has it been since Ching and Clark referred to one another as brothers? Too long, I think. That he had adopted Ching and brought him into the nobility for Zara's sake as one of his first acts on New Krypton was one of the few things Clark had willingly shared with her when he first came back. It was something he'd been proud of, keeping his vows to her and helping Zara and Ching get together, despite what the council had wanted.
"Besides," Ching continued with a smile. "With the four children in line of succession before me, I am a much lesser target."
Zara looked at her consort. "We have spent much too much time on this sloppy planet. We're getting soft," she said, glaring at Ching. After a moment she sighed. "We will need to make a public announcement, and of course, there is the paperwork. And there will be the matter of making the announcement to the Council of Elders, and letting Xon know that any attempts made against the High Lord and his consort, or their children, will be met with the full wrath of the Houses of El and Ra..." She smiled. "He won't be allowed to think he can get away with threatening my consort's brother, or my sister."
"Besides, it'll be fun, annoying the council some more. We have to maintain the House of El's well-deserved reputation of being troublemakers and rabble-rousers," Ching added. "The entertainment guild is still putting out their daily news service on the colony info-net, you know. The council can't figure out where they're uploading from." Ching was grinning. "Of course, they do have some help."
"I wasn't sure the idea would take," Clark admitted. "It was a tough concept to put across. The people's right to know isn't always well accepted, even here. How do you want to make the public announcement?"
"I believe your newspaper is involved with an equivalent of our info-net?" Ching asked.
"We call it the Internet, and yes, the Planet has a presence there," Clark said. "I can place an announcement on the website, in the personals, maybe."
"We can circumvent any action of the council by stating the actual adoption took place when we were here before CJ was born. I distinctly recall calling Lois my sister during that visit," Zara said. She glanced at Ching. "We have definitely been around Earthers too long."
"I wouldn't dream of accusing you of being sloppy and emotional, my lady," Clark said.
"Is everything okay down here?" Martha asked, coming down the stairs from the second floor and entering the living room. "It got kind of quiet."
"It's okay, Mom," Clark assured her. "I assume you got the kids to bed?"
"Yes, of course," Martha smiled at him. "And they'll probably stay asleep so long as you don't start yelling at Zara and Ching again. By the way, Lara thinks Jason is cute."