Chapter 3

Jack drove down the country road towards the Kent farm looking forwards to dinner and then a night out with Chloe and her friends. Her friends were in fact part of his mission here. He had been taken by surprise when they had walked in and the woman he had been hitting on turned out to be connected to them. He thought about how this had all come about. As usual, big things in his life started with HIM.

(The previous day - relative to Captain Jack)

The planet Theni - Southern Continent - Main Hive

The smoke from the engines was a clear sign that the ship would never take off again. The radiation leaking into the cabin should have killed the pilot hours ago, but somehow the pilot had managed to land the ship and was now checking his hair in the shiny skin of craft. "Captain Harknezzz, the Hive cannot believe you made it pazzzt the blockade. We are in your debt, we will pay you what we can for the cargo," the large purple insectoid hummed.

Jack put his hand on what he thought of as a shoulder, "Your larvae needed the medication and I couldn't sit around and watch them die. Another couple of lifetimes ago and I might have taken your money, but now, just take care of your young and we'll call it even." A large crash drew both beings attention to the ship as the starboard engine fell off. "Although if you can think of some form of alternative transportation out of here I would appreciate it."

Clapping started behind them and Jack turned around. A young man with light brown hair that hung into his face was leaning against a cargo crate. He was dressed in a brown jacket, tan slacks, blue shirt, and a bow tie. "I'm proud of you, Jack. You've come a long way from when we first met."

Jack smiled, "... and you've gone through two bodies since I've known you. Leave the dying to the professionals. Of course, this new body is pretty cute."

"JAAACK!" the Doctor said warningly before the two men embraced in a hug. "Come on; let's get you out of here." The two men walked through the cargo hold to a blue box that the hive was busily ignoring.

"She looks different. Younger, like you," Jack commented before they stepped inside. When they stepped inside, Jack stopped and stared. "I love what you've done with the control room."

"Well, thank you I..." the Doctor started. Jack walked past him and started talking to the control console.

"It's about time you put your foot down and stopped letting him do the decorating. I mean come on, the 'coral desktop theme'. I'm surprised it took you this long," Jack said.

"Oi! I could let you walk home you know," the Doctor complained. Jack turned and smiled at him just as the time rotor flashed a happy gold. "OK, I know when I'm out numbered. Let's get you home before you charm her into something I'll regret. On our way I'll fill you on why I picked you up."

"I guess I should have known you wouldn't have just stopped by to offer me a ride," Jack sighed.

"Had you been truly stranded, yes I would. But I know you Jack. You would have found a way off that planet sooner or later, 5 years max. And before you say anything, to an immortal that's nothing," the Doctor said.

"Go on."

"What do you remember of your 21st Century history classes?" the Doctor asked.

"Lots of turmoil, disasters, and some alien invasions. But somehow through all of this the human race sticks it out and comes out ahead. That was when the super-heroes started to come out of the closet and putting on their tights. I really liked some of those costumes," Jack said.

"Riiiight, but they're late. Somehow the time line has been damaged and the heroes are late in showing up. The most important one of all, Kal-El, a Kryptonian raised on Earth has yet to fully realize his potential. Part of the problem was he was with the wrong woman for too many years. He was supposed to be dating this other woman by now. This woman completes him and drives him to become the hero the Earth needs," the Doctor explained.

"Kal-El...Any relation to Jor-El?" Jack asked.

The Doctor looked at Jack with surprise written all over face. "Um, if I remember correctly it was his son. Why do you ask? How do you know about the house of El?" the Doctor asked.

"Jor-El and I met when he was on Earth. Nice guy, sorry to hear about Krypton," Jack said. "So what does Kal-El go by on Earth and who am I supposed to hook him up with?"

"Yeah, about that," the Doctor ran his fingers through his hair, brushing it out of his face. "The history texts I was able to find were all a little vague on those points. I'm going to have to rely on your skills to figure it out, and that is just half of the problem. The other heroes need to be goosed along as well. I can't believe I just used that phrase when talking to you. This new me is careless. Anyway, this lack of progress combined with the fact that Earth is a galactic crap magnet means that my favorite planet needs you back."

"As long as I get to keep my coat," Jack smiled.

(Present day – relative to Captain Jack)

Earth – Western Hemisphere – Kansas

Jack pulled into the drive to the Kent farm. His wrist band chirped, alerting him to the presence of alien technology. This only confirmed what he had thought at the Talon. Clark Kent was Kal-El. Clark looked too much like his father to be anyone else. As Jack parked next to the house he wondered if Clark was going to be as much fun to party with as Jor-El was.