"On the contrary," said Kimda, raising an eyebrow. "You and I have, in fact, never met before."

"Things have changed," agreed Jor-El. Behind him, Kimda noticed the female he'd heard the vessel talking to from outside. She was looking extremely confused, not to mention nervous.

"I mean you no harm," he told her, truthfully. "Who are you, anyway?"

"This is Martha Kent," said Jor-El. "Kal-El's adopted mother."

"I see. A fine boy you've raised. If not for your son's bravery, someone very important to me could have gotten hurt," said Kimda, meaning Lyla. It was vital for his work to have a live subject. "I wonder, though, if Jor-El has informed you of his true intentions for the boy?"

"What do you mean by that?" asked Martha, standing alongside Jor-El now. She was looking at him with some concern, though Kimda guessed her concern was for the vessel, rather than Jor-El himself.

"Well, that was why you sent him to Kandor, wasn't it? So that he might be my, shall we say, replacement?" asked Kimda, smiling pleasantly.

"Kal-El's destiny is too important to be sacrificed for the sake of one city, even Kandor," replied Jor-El. "He will play a role in it's future, but it is another who will succeed you."

"Raya," said Kimda flatly. He had always taken a great effort to remain in control of himself, to never lose his composure or betray his feelings. This, however, was pushing things too far. "And what, pray tell, gives you the right? What is it that gives you authority over me, a C.P.C Sergeant?"

"Do you deny the charges laid against you? The unlawful murder of The Empireth? The illegal cloning experiments? You shall have a fair trial, as was intended for Preus."

Kimda chuckled bitterly.

"You're a machine! I DO NOT ANSWER TO YOU!"

"That's enough, both of you! My son, YOUR son is out there probably fighting for his life right now while the two of you bicker amongst yourselves. If you don't intend doing anything to help, give me back Lionel and we'll do it ourselves."

"The point is fair, Martha Kent," said Kimda, regaining control of his temper and holding it with a tight reign. "Besides, my time is short. I already feel somewhat nauseous. It is only a matter of time before the exposure sickness renders me useless. Regardless of your feelings, Jor-El, for the time being I suggest we pull together our resources. We need some way to power The Fortress."

"That will not be a problem," said Jor-El. Kimda was impressed that he shrugged off the outburst of a human so casually. Then again, any feelings this Jor-El might have were purely artificial. "We have in our possession a Kryptionian ship which may be used for that purpose. However, until The Eradicator has been dealt with it would be most unwise to use. It would merely return to The Fortress and absorb the energy, growing stronger still. With what it has already taken, it has become strong enough to kill a Kryptonian outright."

"J'onn and Raya?"

"Unknown."

"Well, I'll tell you this much: I don't need you to force me to face-up to my actions. Reactivating The Eradicator was my mistake, and I intend to be the one to make it right."

"There will be a reckoning, old friend," said Jor-El.

"That there will… old friend."

888

Lyla had no idea how long Lenaria would be gone, but while she was away she tried to see if there was any way out. The door was tightly locked, despite Lenaria's protests that she was not a prisoner. For her own good, Lenaria would have told her. Still, it wasn't like she could go very far even if it was open; sooner or later she would have to return for treatment. Someone came by with food for her, as promised. She hadn't the first idea what the stuff was, and approached it tentatively. Still, she was starving, and the other Empireth hadn't healed her just to poison her. Once she started eating, she found she couldn't stop – it really was one of the tastiest meals she had ever eaten. Lenaria had been right; the food on Earth really was good.

To pass the time and try and take her mind off Pendar, she picked up something Lenaria had left as reading material. Lyla could hardly believe how much of the stories inside were about her. It was certainly interesting, even if she had to wonder how much of them were actually true. They painted her as a heroic, almost messianic, being from another world. It was actually the other stories that really peaked her interest though; all around her was a world full of mystery, full of adventure. After spending her whole life in one city Lyla enjoyed reading about a whole new planet.

Although escape wasn't really an option at this point, she tried sensing any other minds that might be close-by in case she might find an ally… or be able to make someone into one, anyway. Except, despite the fact that she knew there were other people in this place, she couldn't sense anyone. Lenaria must have done something to block her abilities.

She leapt to her feet as there was a knock at the door.

"Lyla? Can I come in?"

Lyla agreed that she could, anxiously waiting for news of Pendar. Lenaria had been gone for quite some time; she thought that might be a bad sign. She noticed that Lenaria had changed her outfit while she'd been away, now wearing a black sweater instead of the dress from before. She looked apprehensive.

"You couldn't find him?" asked Lyla, heart pounding. She felt ill now in a way that had nothing to do with the exposure sickness.

"I found him," said Lenaria quietly. "You… you had better see for yourself."

Lyla continued to ask questions as Lenaria led her along the corridor, but the Empireth refused to answer. The outside of her cell wasn't much better than the inside; this was a horribly dank, lifeless building they were in. It looked exactly like the kind of lab she imagined Kimda working in, so it was no wonder she'd mistaken this place for just that. In another room, Pendar was lying motionlessly in bed, much as she had.

"You healed him, right?" asked Lyla as Lenaria looked at her sadly. "I mean, it took some time for me to wake up, didn't it? He is going to be okay?"

"Lyla… there is no easy way to tell you this," said Lenaria, taking a seat and pulling Lyla down beside her. "This boy does not have any sickness left in his body. I have cured him of that. However… his mind has been damaged somehow. It was not my doing, so I must ask – and I will not judge you – did you do this?"

Lyla was trembling, tears in her eyes. Lenaria looked at her gently, an arm wrapped around her. She had never had a mother, not one she had known at least. She supposed if she had, she might have acted in much the same way.

"He… attacked me. He found out who I really was, that I took his friend – his real friend's memories and pretended to be her. I… panicked. I could have just, have just used a little of my power, but I-I went too far…"

"You must have been very afraid," said Lenaria in soothing tones. "You were only defending yourself."

"Lenaria, please, you're stronger than I am. You have to help him. Please… please, I'll do anything you want. Anything."

Lenaria hugged her tightly.

"Oh, you poor girl. Lyla, you must understand that the mind is fragile. It is easily broken and almost impossible to repair. It is beyond even my skill to repair this kind of damage."

"No…" Lyla sobbed, feeling revolted with herself. She was a murderer. Despite what Lenaria said, there could be no excuses for what she had done. None. For a moment, an incredible anger surged through her, and she considered telling Lenaria what she really thought of her. That she knew Lenaria had almost killed Pendar and her both by trying to destroy Kandor. In her anger, Lenaria would strike her down. It was no less that what she deserved. She was undeserving of life… and yet she could not bring herself to do it.

Lenaria urged her to return to her room, but Lyla found she couldn't take her eyes from her friend. Pendar, who had longed for freedom from the glass prison that held Kandor, and now a prisoner in his own body because of what she had done. There could be no forgiveness. She stood there, looking at him with horror, until Lenaria finally dragged her away.

888

Clark had been butchered. He hung now from chains that descended from the ceiling, holding him in place as his toes barely touched the floor. His blood was splattered across the walls. Lenaria had slashed and cut until she felt he could withstand no more. His kidney had been punctured and much of the skin on his face flayed. During the rare times when his mind wasn't focused entirely on the pain, he fantasised about what he would do to Lenaria if he ever got free from her control. There was only one time he had ever completely cut loose with his powers, and that had been on Warworld against Mongul. It had been necessary then. It had been quite the sensation, to finally be able to show what he was truly capable of. Whether to protect his secret or to stop himself from hurting someone else too badly, he had always held back before. He wondered if Lenaria really knew how much power she had gotten from him. Probably not, he thought, given her limited use of many of her abilities. Lenaria had put too much thought into acquiring more and more powers rather than mastering the ones she had.

He thought of showing her what he could really do. He thought if he did that, he would have her begging for mercy again. And this time, her pleading would be cut short.

In her absence, he pulled at the chains, but they didn't break, of course. They were only there in his mind. His shirt was still there in the corner, so close and yet infuriatingly out of reach. His exposed chest was still smeared with his blood, scars criss-crossing like a badly drawn map. Lenaria had provided him with healing, but only enough to keep him alive. Her dress had been splattered with blood.

He was dreading her return, but what he saw was worse than he feared. When she came this time, she held Chloe in her arms, dropping her roughly on the floor.

"What are you doing?" he asked, more afraid now than ever before.

"I told you what would happen if you made me angry," said Lenaria coldly.

"I did everything you wanted," gasped Clark weakly. "I didn't say or do anything against you."

"I really do think I overestimated you," cackled Lenaria, kicking Chloe over softly so she woke up. "I don't need to hear you say anything, fool, not when I can read your mind. And I must say your nasty, murderous thoughts made me very upset."

"No…"

"But yes, Clark. Yes. You need to be taught some respect. I will not have you thinking of me that way."

"Please… no… I'm sorry."

The chains disappeared, and Clark made to try and shelter Chloe. Again however, Lenaria restricted his movement. He was forced to his knees, and Lenaria removed her shoe, placing her foot in front of Clark.

"Kiss my foot, and beg me to spare the girl. You should have been grateful, for the mercy I showed you earlier. I imagine Mongul was not so gentle as I was. And I did heal your wounds, did I not?"

"Clark…?" mumbled Chloe, coming round. She didn't look like she'd been hurt, not yet, but she was pretty out of it. She looked at him with horror, eyes wide as she saw how much of Clark's blood stained the room. He still felt weak from the loss of it.

Planting Lenaria's foot with kisses, Clark sacrificed all of his dignity to try and protect Chloe.

"I am sorry, mistress," he said in between kisses. "Please teach me how I should think of you. I am grateful that you showed me mercy. Please, teach me, hurt me, just please don't hurt Chloe."

Clark looked up, hoping he'd done enough, but knew immediately it was hopeless. Lenaria's eyes were hungry to see his suffering. Her mind was already made up. Grief overwhelmed him. Then an idea suddenly struck him, hitting him from out of nowhere.

(She's going to read your mind she's going to see it right away I can't let her Chloe's only chance)

He tried desperately not to think of it, which of course only made him think of it. If she was in his head now, it was already over. But was she? He wondered if there might be a way to find out. Looking at her closely, he summoned up two images strongly in her mind. The first was of Lenaria in her underwear, as he had seen her in The Fortress right after she escaped The Phantom Zone. The second was of Mongul. The first was an attempt to embarrass her, the second to frighten her. Lenaria showed no reaction at all. He couldn't be certain, but he felt that Lenaria would have responded if she'd seen. As long as she hadn't read his intention, they might have a chance. But it all depended on Chloe…

"Mistress, you know all I want is to please you," he continued, babbling. He had to distract her. If she really used all her powers they had no chance, but she wouldn't be expecting any trouble from Chloe. No human could harm her, after all. She wouldn't be paying Chloe much attention; it was him she wanted to hurt. "I'm begging you; Chloe hasn't done anything. I'm the one who got in your way, I'm the one you should hurt."

While Lenaria looked at him with satisfaction, enjoying his humiliation, Clark gave Chloe the slightest nod of the head, looking towards his shirt. He expected a look of total incomprehension, but didn't get one. Chloe knew what he had in mind. Way to go Chloe, he thought, feeling a burst of love for her that was entirely different from, yet no less valid than, what he felt for Lana. He hoped Lana was alright; he knew she was going to turn to Lex for help, and that was a big mistake.

"That's enough," said Lenaria, withdrawing her foot. "You will learn to think only pleasant thoughts about Lenaria. Take Sullivan's arm and break it."

Although he used all his willpower to try and resist, Clark's body betrayed him, grabbing Chloe's left arm. She looked at him, trying to be brave.

"It's all right, Clark…"

Clark's weak sobs were drowned out by the loudest scream he had ever heard as he sharply bent her arm into a position it was never meant to be in. It didn't matter that Lenaria was controlling him; he had used his abilities to hurt his friend. He had done this. Chloe was in tears, still screaming, face contorted with pain. His mind was numb with shock.

"Clark, you didn't even give me a chance to take over your mind!" said Lenaria gleefully. "And you should have known to ask which arm it was I wanted broken. If you had done that, you would have known it was her right arm I wanted you to break."

"No, please no…" wept Clark, no thoughts of distracting Lenaria now. He felt revolted, both with her and with himself. She had done what Mongul could not; she had broken his spirit. Completely helpless, he took Chloe's other arm, still looking at the sickening angle of the left. His hands were still trembling as he snapped her arm like a twig.