Chapter 8 – Realizations

The Doctor rolled his eyes. He was a little too busy to respond to anyone at the moment. The sonic screwdriver trilled as he slammed the wiring back into the panel. He fingered the control pad and the access tube flooded with a radiant blue light. He slowly let out the breath he didn't know he had been holding.

"Great job Doctor." came Clark's voice over the intercom. He arched his brow and nodded in response. Of course it was a great job; he was the Doctor after all. He felt the thrum of the transmitter begin to pulse and as it begin emitting the Neutronic pulse into what he could imagine to be a swirling maelstrom inside the red sun they inhabited. He was rather pleased with himself. He had been known to wait until the last possible moment to pull off a miraculous feat, but this was a little too close. Even for him.

He could almost hear the cheers of the crew resonating through the ship as he shimmied back down the access tube. It was a simple enough process to reroute the transmitter. But changing the frequency was a bit more time consuming than he had thought originally. You can never trust archaic technology. He smirked. As archaic as it was, it was still an engineering marvel. Viewing ports notwithstanding, I mean really, the whole station was not without its charm. He was actually quite proud of the humans. To think, any

"Simmons? Would you be so kind as to lift the box so I can exact my escape from here?" Doctor yelled aloud once he got to the end of the tunnel.

"I dunno Doc. I still haven't got to shoot something like you said I could. Besides, if we let you out, you may try to sabotage the station again." The Doctor sighed at Simmons. He couldn't tell from where he was behind the stack of crates if Simmons was kidding or not. With him it seriously could go either way.

"You know, if I really wanted to sabotage the station, leaving me trapped behind a pile of boxes would be a wonderful way to prevent me from doing that. Unless of course, also behind that pile of boxes was access to one of the very transmitters that I as a saboteur would very likely want to sabotage. Then, at that point, it probably wouldn't be a very wise decision to leave me back here, would it?"

Just then a large box was lifted and the Doctor could see Simmons smiling face. Simmons had been working on clearing away some of the fallen crates and containers while he was repairing the transmitter. The Doctor stood up and stepped out of the clutter of boxes. He briefly dusted himself off before he clamped a hand on Simmons shoulder.

"You do fine work Simmons. I'm recommending you for a raise."

"Well you be sure to tell the Captain that when we go see him. While I'm sure he won't be as harsh on you anymore, I still have to keep an eye on you until he says otherwise." He tapped the doctor's side with the tip of his rifle. There was no smugness in his voice; there was no smirk or suggestion of mirth. He was simply a man doing a job.

"Ah, ever the soldier, eh Simmons? Understood. I come willingly. No need to get trigger happy then." He said with slight smile. He turned and began marching down the hallway toward the command chamber. As they walked music began being surreptitiously piped into the com from some unknown source and blared throughout the hallways.

"My dear Simmons, it looks like they've gone and started the party without us."

xXxXx

"I don't understand." This was a statement Lex Luthor was not very accustomed to saying. "Who are you? What do you want with me and my company?" Lex Scowled at the man machine but he didn't move. He saw the footage from this machine's fight with superman. He couldn't risk getting near it, at least not unarmed and unprotected.

"We are Cybermen. I am the Cyber-Leader. Your company has very advanced technology for this civilization. We have found it quite useful. We have modified and adapted that technology to our own ends. "

"That is preposterous! Nobody can get past all the fail safes and firewalls in that system. I designed it myself." Lex felt his nostrils flair. He had always felt his level of security at Luthorcorp excelled further than any corporation on the planet. It was a point that he took pride in, mostly because he was the one that created it. He was quite extensive with his planning and designing. He spared no expense to create the ultimate safe environment. He even periodically hired professionals to attempt to circumvent his systems just to be sure it couldn't be done. Now this machine-man had the audacity to come into his business and tell him that his technology had been 'modified'? It was a veritable slap in the face.

"We know you designed it Lex Luthor. That shows a level of intellect that surpasses most on this planet. It is your saving grace. It is the sole reason you have not been upgraded."

"Upgraded?" Lex queried. The more the machine talked the more Lex found his dislike of the machine growing. "This civilization? This planet? Where exactly are you from Cyber-Leader? Where do you come from where your technology is so much more advanced from ours?" Another alien upon the planet that thought it was superior to humanity; superior to Lex. Just like Superman. And just like Superman, Lex found a seething hatred for this machine man growing within him. However, unlike Superman perhaps this being could be exploited toward Lex's own ends. Superman was a boy scout, neigh incorruptible, though that didn't stop Lex from trying on many occasions. This being however, this being seemed to have a darker purpose and in such perhaps Lex could utilize such to his advantage.

"Where we are from Lex Luthor is irrelevant. You will obey or you will be upgraded." Came the deep droning voice of the Cyber-leader. Lex bit the inside of his cheek. He hated being told what to do, in the heart of his own corporation no less.

"First you need to answer my questions. Where do you come from? What is your purpose here? I swear you will answer or I will…"

"Irrellivent."

Lex felt his rage growing. The audacity of this… this… creature. This piece of alien space debris. Coming into his company and telling him what he will and will not do. He growled softly to himself and cricked his neck in a desperate attempt to remain calm. He took a deep breath, stared into the empty sockets of the Cyber-Leader and exhaled long and slow. He tried to focus on the rational side. What this space machine had to offer the company. What it had to offer him. He tried to focus on what technological advances could be scavenged from its still smoking husk.

Lex thought back to how this machine was able to disable Superman, all be it temporarily, and what he could do with that kind of technology; the wanton destruction that he could cause. The abject humiliation he could subject the man of steel to. He thought of all these things and it helped to calm him. It helped, but barely. The more he stared at this automaton, the more he wanted to rip it into pieces. He would have his satisfaction, all in due time. For now he would play its game.

"You supposedly already have my technology. You control my company. What else could you possibly want from me?"

"Your mind."

xXxXx

The entire crew of Solar Station 27 numbered less than twenty. There were four engineers, three medical personnel, eight safety and security officers, and Captain Eli. With Clark and the Doctor the total came to eighteen. Right now the whole crew was rejoicing on the command deck. It was after all a pretty monumental occasion. They had saved the station and their own lives. Clark and the Doctor approached the captain, each with their respective guardians.

"I trust that all was well then?" Eli asked looking from Simmons to the Doctor and back. Simmons gave a nod with the briefest of smiles.

"And him?" He asked of Thevia.

"He performed quite admirably given the circumstances. But then I knew he would. I told you from the beginning Eli that he could be trusted." Clark smiled at Thevia's kind words.

"Ok then, you're both welcome aboard. I'm not quite sure how you all got here, but you're here now. And that's all that matters. Well that and you both helped us divert certain disaster." He smiled as he clamped a beefy mitt on Clark and The Doctor's shoulders.

"Yeah, actually, about that. While I was rerouting the transmitter I was able to give it a bit of an upgrade, if you would. It should for all intents and purposes be self-sustaining now. I would like to upgrade the four other transmitters with your permission of course. Would you mind? Once done, you should never have to go through that ordeal again. " The Doctor asked Eli. Eli eyed him a little suspiciously.

"Aye, that sounds like a fine idea. Would you like for me to send Travis with you?" The captain asked.

"That won't be necessary. This place is rudimentary and simple, I'm sure I'll be able to figure out where I'm going. I'll be back in a few moments." He replied and gave a nod to Clark. Clark caught his eye and arched a brow. He had work with the Justice League long enough to know a covert signal when he saw one. However he had no idea what the good doctor was up to. He was about to approach him and ask when he felt a slight tug on his elbow. He turned to see Thevia smiling up at him.

"Kal, I was hoping that now that we've got a spare moment between disasters that I would be able to talk to you for a moment?" She asked softly. He tossed a glance to where the Doctor had been, but sure enough he was no longer there. He let out a slight breath. He would have to wait on the Doctor, after what they've been through though, he was sure the Doctor wasn't the type to just up and leave without him. He smiled at Thevia warmly.

"Of course Thevia, it seems like there are no disasters eminent. I belie we have a moment or two. What's on your mind?" She returned his smile and pulled him by his elbow to a less crowded portion of the room.

"Well Kal, I just wanted to say that it was a real pleasure working with you back there. It was a real race against the clock and you stayed cool and calm. Almost as if you handle this kind of situation on a day to day basis. It was strange relief being by your side through that whole process. It was as if somehow I just kind of knew that it would be ok because you were there." Thevia took a step closer to Clark. A soft smile crossed her lips. She placed her hand softly upon his chest.

"I've been watching over you for some time now Kal, and I know you aren't like the others here. Perhaps you look the same on the outside, but you and I both know that you are different. You have a sense of self, a sense of purpose, and a certain charm that I haven't had the pleasure of seeing in others. Especially around here." Clark took a tentative step back, taking her hands into his own.

"What are you saying Thevia?" he asked a bit naively. He had a pretty good idea what she was saying. He swallowed gently.

"I'm saying Kal, that I like you." Her voice grew softer. It was barely a whisper that was almost drowned out entirely by the music. Yet at the same time, he heard exactly what she was saying, crystal clear. "Since you are going to be stranded here with us, I would like to see a lot more of you." She took another step closer once again closing the gap between them. Once again Clark took another tentative step back, his back hitting the bulkhead with a dull thud. He had run out of room. He sighed gently.

"Look, Thevia, I'm flattered. Really I am. But my heart already belongs to someone else. And even though that person is lost to me right now, I won't be able to rest until I find them." He said softly. Almost immediately Thevia's soft smile turned into a frown. Her eyes began to well up and she turned away from him attempting to hide her disappointment. He reached out and gently placed a hand on her shoulder. "I'm sorry Thevia, I truly am. You are an amazing woman and an amazing doctor..."

Almost as if on cue the feint whirring of the Tardis became audible as it slowly faded into view in the center of the room. People began to back away from the strange transparent box. Simmons as well as the other guards drew their weapons and took aim as it continued to materialize into being.

"Wait! Stop! It's the Doctor!" Clark shouted to the guardsmen. After another moment or two the Tardis became material and there was a silence that befell the room. Even the music that was being piped into the hallways had been abruptly shut off. Everyone watched with baited breath, even Clark. He had not expected an entrance like this. The door to the Tardis opened and the guards raised their weapons. The Doctor hurried out of the blue box and stopped in his tracks once he saw the line of weapons aimed directly at him.

"Calm down!" the Doctor said as he raised his empty hands. He turned his attention to Captain Eli. "I have some terrible news, you're all going to die. "