Chapter 8
Brainiac 5 fiddled with the two wires, contemplating which one would produce the best results in the supercomputer he was constructing. One wire was copper and the other was brass. He knew from experience that copper was a better conductor, but brass might be just the thing to prevent a short circuit from the enormous power that would run through the computer.
But isn't it the purpose to make a supercomputer with fast reflexes? a voice in the back of his mind said. For that purpose, copper would be best. But still – a short circuit and a complete shut down was a definite possibility for a computer of this power.
After doing some quick thinking that lasted no more than 4.0986 seconds, Brainy decided on a compromise: a copper conductor, but with a brass wire curled around it. That combination would allow for instantaneous reflexes, but the brass would keep the extra power from short circuiting the thing. He fixed the two wires into place and melded the inner casing onto them, followed by the outer covering. Then he switched it on and tested his invention. It worked – of course.
There. He leaned back against his chair in satisfaction. Another invention completed. Another hefty pay of credits that were necessary for the transactions he made every day. Odd, he thought, that humans require so much to survive and yet their mental capacity is not as fully developed as it could be. But then again, they are also capable of great courage, deep feelings, and extraordinary determination. Then he smiled rather ruefully. He'd done it again. He had to get used to the idea of being human, and stop referring to them as if they were a separate race. Once they had been, but they no longer were – though he was still a twelfth-level intellect.
He lifted his hand and fingered the warm metal of the Legion ring he still wore. Though he had set his belt aside, he kept the ring on his finger at all times (though he had turned off the immediate response system) – the only remaining connection between him and the Legion. And yet, I have never used it to contact them. Nor they me.
He suddenly sat upright, staring at his ring. Was he seeing things? Yes, he must be – he must have imagined it because he was thinking of his friends. Emotions were such strange things, playing tricks on your brain – but wait! There it was again. The tiny blinking light, accompanied by the small beep that signaled a call.
His five-month old human heart beating faster than usual, his airway channeling short, anticipating breaths, he reached for the ring to press down on the tiny button behind it that would reactivate the system that had governed it in its Legion days.
"Come on, Brainy", muttered Saturn Girl as she stood before the communication screen after dispatching a call to their former teammate's signal ring. "Pick up."
"You sure he hasn't stored the thing away in a vault or something?" asked Lightning Lad, who was standing beside her and looking up at the screen with equal anticipation.
"He wouldn't do that", replied Saturn Girl immediately. "His belt maybe, but not his ring – Brainy!"
For Brainiac 5 had at last answered the call, the plasma screen displaying the face that had been missing so long from the Legion.
"Saturn Girl?" Brainy's now flesh-and-blood green face was surprised. His eyes roamed around, seeing the seven Legionnaires standing in front of the screen. Then his face broke into a wide grin. "It is wonderful to see you again."
"The feeling's mutual, Brainy", Saturn Girl replied sincerely.
"Yeah", agreed Lightning Lad. "I never thought I'd say it, but I've kind of missed your green face and non-English explanations."
"They were always in English, Lightning Lad", said Brainy, sounding amused. "They were simply a branch of the language that you didn't understand."
"Well, I –" began Lightning Lad in indignation. He stopped. "Aw, forget it. It's great to see you."
The other Legionnaires beamed at their Coluan-turned-human friend, genuinely pleased.
"It's too bad Shrinking Violet isn't here, she'd love to talk to you", teased Colossal Boy, who was rewarded with a faint blush on Brainy's cheeks.
Cosmic Boy cleared his throat rather pointedly. "Uh, Brainy…" he began. "Do you think you could come back to the team?"
"Now?" Brainy sounded uncertain. "I know I said I would return, and I know it's been some time, but I'm just not sure –"
"I really, really hate to say this, Brainy", cut in Phantom Girl, "but we're having a bit of a problem with your…ancestor." She and the other Legionnaires held their breaths, waiting for the shock they knew would come.
"My ancestor?" repeated Brainy in confusion. "If you mean Brainiac 1.0, he was destroyed five months ago."
"That's the problem", said Dream Girl. "See, he's sort of come back to life – don't ask us how, we haven't a clue – and he's leading the Fatal Five and the Legion of Supervillains against us. He's got some sort of plan, and it definitely can't be good."
Brainy was silent for a while as he processed the news. Was he going to be haunted by his evil parent forever?
"Brainy, I know it's a lot to take in", said Saturn Girl gently, "but unfortunately it's all true. We wouldn't be bothering you if we didn't need you. And…" She paused for a second. "…we miss you."
Brainy felt, to his annoyance, his eyes mist up. Why did human emotions have to be such a strong force?
"Yeah", added Chameleon Boy. "So, uh, will you come back? Please?" He put on his best puppy-dog face.
"Well", began Brainy slowly, "I have been feeling rather homesick lately…"
Wide smiles appeared on everybody's faces.
"…so I suppose there's no better cure for it than to come home", Brainy finished, a smile appearing on his own face.
Cheers erupted from the seven Legionnaires. Brainy felt like rejoicing himself.
"I'll let the others know", Cosmic Boy promised. "Welcome back, Brainy."
After the goodbyes were exchanged, they broke communication. Dream Girl disappeared and returned a few minutes later carrying a time-bubble device. It was time to get Superman.
"Time setting?" inquired Dream Girl, holding the device in her hand.
"21st century, obviously", said Lightning Lad.
"Yes", said Dream Girl patiently, "When in the 21st century? I could set this thing to 2099, you know."
"Just set it to about five months after the time Superman returned to", said Saturn Girl. Dream Girl raised an eyebrow.
"You want to set the same period of time that we've experienced for him?"
Saturn Girl shrugged. "Just a feeling."
"Okay", Dream Girl said. "September 2008*, here we come." She pressed the button to activate the device, and she and Colossal Boy disappeared.
Unbelievable. Superman shook his head as he watched Livewire** being escorted away by the policemen. The electricity-controlling woman was an expert at her craft, but so was Lightning Lad, one thousand years in the future, and Superman had seen enough to know how to put Livewire down.
Superman sighed. He missed the Legion. It'd been five months since he'd seen them last. I wonder if I'll have to wait another couple of years before we meet again. He supposed that was one of the downsides of being friends with a super-powered group of teens from the far future. But downside or not, they sure had taught him a lot. Absorbed in his thoughts, and preparing to fly off to find somewhere secluded to slip into his Clark Kent persona, he didn't notice two people in nondescript clothing creep up beside him.
"Hi, Clark."
Superman jumped back in surprise and couldn't stop a small yelp. Fortunately, no one seemed to notice. He spun around to face the voice and looked into the grinning faces of Dream Girl and Colossal Boy.
For a moment, all he could do was stare. Then he cracked a wide smile. Looking around to make sure no one saw, he grabbed both of them and flew up to the roof of a tall building nearby before setting them down.
"We have flight rings, you know", said Dream Girl, amused. "It wasn't really necessary for you to carry us."
"Ah, well…" Superman looked sheepish. "So what gives? What are you doing here? Did you just decide to creep up to me and surprise me out of my skin?"
"Oh, we wish", said Colossal Boy, looking serious. "No, it's more than that."
Superman sighed. He really wished that just once, he could get together with the Legion again without having to help them defeat another psychotic villain. "Who is it this time?"
"Brainiac", Dream Girl supplied simply.
"Okaaay", said Superman slowly. "I'm guessing you mean there's a problem involving Brainy, because the original Brainiac was defeated in the future five months ago, and none of his other descendants have caused any trouble as far as I know…"
"No, we mean Brainiac", interrupted Colossal Boy. "1.0. Well, actually he's Brainiac 6 now, but you get the idea."
"You're kidding, right?" said Superman, looking from one Legionnaire to the other. "We all saw Brainy's evil ancestor be destroyed by Brainy himself – heck, I was there in his mind when it happened."
"I really wish we were, Superman", said Dream Girl. "But unfortunately, it's true. Brainiac 1.0 resurrected himself somehow – as Brainiac 6. He's broken the Fatal Five and the Legion of Supervillains out of Takron Galtose and he's giving them commands. They've been causing trouble all over New Metropolis, they nearly killed Saturn Girl and they attacked Legion HQ…"
"Whoa, wait. They what!"
"Attacked Legion HQ", replied Dream Girl.
"No, before that. You said they nearly…"
"Killed Saturn Girl? Yeah", said Colossal Boy.
"Is she all right? What happened?"
"They wanted information, and when Esper managed to defeat Saturn Girl in a little battle – yes, she did it again, don't ask me how", said Dream Girl, "- their 'master', a.k.a. Brainiac 1.0, ordered them to get it from her mind. But don't worry, she's fine now, that was three months ago, and she managed to protect the most vital information."
"Okay." Superman couldn't think of anything else to say. All the news was making his head spin. "And you're only asking me for help now because…"
"Because Saturn Girl only just managed to find out from Esper that Brainiac's been directing all their movements", said Colossal Boy. "Before that, he stayed incognito; we hadn't a clue what was going on. Now we're calling in everyone we can get – you, Kell-el, the Subs, Brainy…"
"Okay, hold it", Superman cut in. "How much time exactly has passed since I left?"
"Five months", Dream Girl replied. "Saturn Girl had a feeling we should get you five months later too."
"Why does all this seem to center on Saturn Girl?" Superman asked shrewdly. Dream Girl and Colossal Boy looked at each other, only now realizing the whole picture.
"Now that's odd", said Colossal Boy. "It does all seem to involve her, doesn't it?"
"Something strange is going on", Dream Girl agreed, feeling her premonition return again. Darn that foreboding sense. Why couldn't she figure out what it meant?
Superman looked from her to Colossal Boy. He had a nagging feeling this was significant, but they didn't have time to figure it out now, time-space continuum or not. "Never mind. Let's just go."
"All right", Colossal Boy agreed, taking out the time-bubble device.
He operated it, and there was a flash of light, then they were gone, leaving the rooftop quite empty.
A/N: Okay, for once, not such a drastic cliffhanger. Oh, well. Oh, yeah, September 2008 is five months after the original run of Legion of Superheroes ended, so I chose that time. And Livewire is an enemy of Superman (that much is obvious). I was searching Wikipedia for a Superman villain that wasn't too much trouble, and she fit the bill. Thanks to The Violet Rose, xXKazaneXx, and Lillywhitecherub for reviewing. I'd also like to thank them additionally for reviewing on almost every chapter. Thanks guys!
Disclaimer: Don't own it...