Chapter 3
"It was incredible, the ship was falling out of the sky when he just whooshed in and caught it and then lifted it up into space!"
"He came over to us after he caught some wreckage and asked us if we were okay"
"So sexy"
"Had a giant S on his chest"
"These were just some of the hundreds of eye witness accounts of the man who has been dubbed 'The Superman of Earth'. After his miraculous rescue of the SSV Manaslu, he made sure that everyone who was watching that day was safe, even sticking around to answer a few of the thousands of questions that were being thrown at him. The most important of these was 'Who are you?' to which he simply replied, 'A friend'. He then took off into the sky and later this station had reports of him appearing all over the world."
"The reports indicated that he was averting natural disasters, stopping petty crimes, and even saving stray animals from trees. No doubt this Superman is here to stay. This is Cat Grant signing off for the Alliance News Network."
For the first few months, the news stories focused on nothing but the stranger they labeled as the Superman. No crime was too small for him to assist with, be it simple burglaries and theft to murder. The world had fully embraced Superman, even when he admitted that he was not born on Earth, but in fact was an alien from an extinct species. This just made Earth love him more, declaring him the Champion of Earth.
His presence on Earth even inspired other aliens to come to Earth in large numbers, all hoping for better ways of life. Everyone was inspired by the fact that Superman had such amazing abilities, but fought for good. He became a role model; somebody everyone tried to emulate.
Superman was happy that he had found a way to use his gifts to better his adopted world, but still felt lonely. When he wasn't on patrol helping people, he changed back to what he was before; mild mannered Clark Kent.
Changing his identity allowed him to live a normal life when he needed to relax. Despite what the world thought, he did need to sleep, even if it was for a couple hours a night. He made a life for himself, continuing to write stories about his travels that brought him all over the world.
And even though he visited his mother regularly, he still couldn't help but feel alone in the galaxy. A year after revealing himself to the world, he took the crystal that housed Jor-El's will and essence into the upper atmosphere. His cape twisted and turned in the weightless environment, as he held the glowing device.
He wanted to create a place where he could be alone if he wanted to and collect his thoughts, but still be able to watch over Earth. Jor-El said that he would create a place that was reminiscent of Krypton.
Superman looked into space and hurled the crystal away from Earth. It soared through the emptiness of space, passed the moon and went beyond the red planet Mars. The Kryptonian device travelled until it reached the great asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. Superman slowly moved forward, basking in the rays of the yellow sun, watching the device strike one of the asteroids. The asteroid flashed an intense white glow as large crystalline spikes started to grow out of it. The small structure grew and grew into an enormous "morning star" shape with a large crystal round center with hundreds of pillars stretching out from it. Superman was flying towards the still growing structure with wide eyes.
The gigantic formation had begun to attract thousands of wayward asteroids towards it. The large space stones gravitated around the structure, partly concealing if from view. Superman weaved between the rocks and finally reached the white crystalline mega-structure. He made his way to what looked like the entrance; a large translucent doorway with his family's symbol imprinted on it. Superman had set foot on the smooth floor in front of the doorway and as he approached it, sensors chimed, "Welcome Kal-El".
The large door became completely transparent, letting Superman walk right through the door before it returned to its solid state. The inside was huge, with several chambers offset from a large central one. Superman looked all around, amazed by everything he saw, and slowly approached what seemed to be a main console.
As he got closer to the console, he heard his biological father's voice throughout the chamber, "Welcome, my son. This fortress of…solitude contains all the knowledge of Krypton. I ask one thing of you Kal-El; never forget where you came from and the lessons you have learned on Earth. They have made you the man you are today, a man a father can be proud of."
Three years pass and in 2183 conflict erupted in the stars. Reports stated that the synthetic race known as the Geth had attacked a human colony and then stormed the Citadel. As soon the word came in, Earth was already rejoicing in the fact that the attack had been thwarted by the first human Spectre, Commander Shepard. Peace had fallen on the galaxy, if only for a short while. Months after the attack on the Citadel, Shepard was ambushed by unknown assailants and deemed "KIA". A huge memorial service was set up on Earth to honor the fallen hero.
Every known name in the Alliance and beyond showed up to pay their respects to the Hero of the Citadel. Everybody had their chance to say words in remembrance of Shepard, including close friends and former squad mates. His old captain, Anderson, said a heartfelt speech about Shepard, telling the bravery the fallen warrior had on and off the battlefield.
Superman was invited to the service to say something on behalf of Shepard; he came, but refused to speak. He thought it would have been disrespectful to speak as though he had known Shepard, even though he did not. He tried not to attract any attention to himself, not wanting to take away from Shepard. Superman had asked several reporters to respect Shepard and not ask for any interviews, for this day was not about him, but a service to Shepard. For a while people left Superman alone, but one reporter butted her way through the crowd in order to reach the costumed hero.
The reporter had a camerabot hovering above her as she shoved people out of her way. "Superman? Superman!" she called out as she got closer to where he was standing. "Can I get an interview?"
Superman was trying to be as somber as he could, "Ma'am," he started.
"Call me al-Jilani" the reporter stated.
"Ms. Jilani, I am here to pay my respects to Shepard, nothing more."
"Right, right but when am I going to get another chance to be this close to the Superman?" The reporter motioned to her camerabot to begin recording. "This is Khalish al-Jilani live at Shepard's memorial service with the Superman of Earth. Mr. Superman, do you think now that there is a void for the 'hero in the stars' you will step up and take Shepard's place?" questioned the reporter.
Superman arched his brow, not sure how to even answer something so distasteful. He opened his mouth, about to answer when someone shoved her way into the camera view, between Superman and al-Jilani.
"Look Jilani, he is here to show RESPECT for a fallen hero, not to be bothered by the likes of you. Now I suggest you leave or we may have to continue the little chat we had last time" blurted out the fair skinned woman.
Jilani turned red and gave a half-hearted smirk before turning around and disappearing into the crowd with her camera bot following.
Superman blinked, watching Jilani leave and the looked at the woman in front of him, "Thank you, Miss?"
"Lane, Lois Lane," the woman quickly replied, "sorry about her, don't let her make you think all reporters are like that."
"I'll keep that in mind, Ms. Lane" Superman said as he smiled down at the young woman.
Days later Superman had time to think to himself. There was no denying that the conflicts in the stars were growing more and more out of control. He always wondered what it would be like to see the rest of the galaxy and its inhabitants. Back in his regular identity, as Clark Kent, he visited his mother asking for advice. She said that no matter where he goes, he will always be her son and proud of what he has done. Back as Superman, he called a press conference with the intention of informing every one of his plans.
"My home will always be Earth, the place that raised and accepted me. But I can no longer ignore the strife among the stars. Humanity grows every day and it has always been my vow to protect life, in any form. I feel it is time that I joined the galactic community to help them in the same way I have here on Earth. My adopted parents here taught me to share my gifts for the benefit of good and that is what I intend to do. Thank you all for your time."
Reporters shouted out questions as fast as they could as Superman rose off the ground and took off into the sky. Before continuing his new quest, he made a stop at his Fortress of Solitude.
"If this is your decision, I support you Kal-El. But know this; the knowledge of this fortress is limited, what you will face beyond the relay is unknown" warned Jor-El's voice.
"I know, father"
"Very well, I can help however." Then on the far side of the chamber a panel slid open, revealing a bright colored suit. It was similar to the one he was wearing, but without the long red cape. It had red along the shoulders, forming around the large 'S' on the chest. The hands were blue, as well as the insides of the thighs running to the knees and ending at the calf with red boots. Clark looked it over as he approached the new suit, noticing an omni-tool like device on the right forearm.
"This suit is designed to absorb and store yellow solar energy, so that wherever you go in the galaxy, you will retain your abilities. The device on the arm will monitor the solar levels and keep you connected to the Fortress."
"Thank you Jor-El" smiled Clark.
"Go forth my son."
Clark had put on the new suit solar suit, thinking it almost felt like a second skin. He read the crystal screen on his arm showing full solar power reserves.
The Last Son of Krypton then walked over to the main console and moved some of the crystals around, causing a holo-picture of Earth to appear in front of him. He gently pushed a holo-button to start what could be his last recording before leaving for the Charon Mass Relay.
"I can't help but think back on my life now. I record this message inside the Fortress, because frankly, I don't know what I will find beyond Earth's Relay. I have served Earth faithfully and like I said, it will always be my home, but I firmly believe it is time for me to take to the stars and join the galaxy. There is so much life and conflict beyond Earth, and I know my father at first had forbidden me, but it is what I feel I must do."
I am Kal-El of Krypton, Clark Kent to those closest to me, and I stand on the precipice of great change in the galaxy, hopefully for the better.
Superman then closed the recording and rocketed out of the fortress with a new found vigor. He squinted as he flew into the blue pulsating relay, ready to take on the challenges and mysteries of the galaxy.