Chapter 3 [Same Time as Chapter 2]

Lana fell through the misty maw. Situation remained beyond her comprehension. Just minutes before, Concerns lay with the Talon's operations, excuses for Lex and her new state of affairs. Miranda's tele-empathy added another dimension. Wider knowledge of Clark's and her situation blew her mind. She'd wanted a training strategy and a meeting of the minds….

…Survival, however, just shoved its way through to Priority's top consideration at that point…

I'm freefalling thousands of feet down without a parachute? The plane we're on crashes. The pilot's dead. Mrs. Kent and Miri are somewhere between here and the ground. We're going to DIE! This is insane! She glanced at McFlannery's corpse in her arms. He's already dead. I'm going to be when I hit the ground. A pronounced wince contorted her face.

YOU WILL NOT DIE, LANA LANG! CALM YOURSELF!

And now, I get the lecture. Now, *really* isn't the time! '

Jor-El cleared his throat. You can take a fall from a greater distance than this one. Kal-El already has done so from the top of Smallville's dam. You will do so too. REASSURE HER, KAL-EL!

You really need to stop shouting, Jor-El! Lana said it. This isn't the time! Clark put his arms down at his sides. He streaked downward. Progress cut through the mists akin to Knife through Butter. X-Ray Vision spotted Lana below and to his right. I see you! Use your X-Ray Vision! I'm above you and to your left!

Relief eased her mind for a heartbeat or two. She spied him as well. About time you jumped! I thought you were going to get a pizza to go!

Clark rolled his eyes. I have a fear of heights! Okay? Embarrassment streaked his cheeks with crimson hues. He ground his teeth.

IF THIS ORDEAL HAS A SILVER LINING, KAL-EL, YOU WILL SEE HOW FOOLISH AND *HUMAN* SUCH FEARS CAN BE!

Clark ignored the assessment. Eyes and X-Ray Vision swept over the immediate skyline for Martha and Miranda. "Where are you two? You've got to be all right!" Panic pressed. His heart threatened to stop beating.

Hey, Captain Plaid! Dial it down a few notches! Your Mom and I are fine. Just get the Boss and you down!

Sorry if I'm WORRIED about Mom and you! Clark ground his teeth still harder. Lana, brace yourself! Tuck your head in! He tucked his head down just before the treetops. His velocity snapped several large branches underneath himself. After a dozen such branches, he hit the ground hard.

Lana saw the trees' leaves only yards away and closing fast. NOW YOU TELL ME? So, help me, Clark! She followed his directions just before she impacted with two branches and then said tree at full velocity. She, McFlannery (and the tree) toppled toward the grounds with a resounding BOOM! Tuck and roll, you tell me! Carry the dead guy. Oh, it'll be all right you said! Sawdust spat from her mouth. Blouse sported tears from the branches' edges. Mud streaked her slacks and blouse.

You're Super Woman now, Boss. You made a 12,000 foot fall, take out the Towering Oak of the Woods and can still talk about it. Really smooth, Miranda sassed.

Not helping, Miri. Lana brushed the hair out of her face. Irritation arched an eyebrow. Guess we know that falls aren't going to matter. She set the body down. My fingerprints are probably all over him too. She glanced around at the forest all around herself. Other than the toppled tree, the others stood taller than she could readily make out. Clark?

Just need a minute. Clark eased himself to his feet. He brushed dirt off his clothes. You okay?

What do you think? Lana sped to him. She threw her arms around his waist. We just fell out of an airplane! WE REALLY FELL 10,000 FEET! Guess we know not to be afraid of heights now? Impetuousness quirked an eyebrow at him. Smirk worthy of Lex spread across her face. You're so doing my laundry when we get back, Mr. Kent.

I'm…? Clark threw his hands up in the air. "Right now, I'm thinking of Miranda and Mom. You're worried about laundry? NOW?" He shook his head. "We just survived. We need to find them. Then, we talk to Dr. Swann and Dr. Crosby."

"And you don't think I don't want to find them? Miri's my best friend! And your Mom is like my Mom now! Come on!" Lana got right in his face. "We also need to find out who sabotaged that plane! And…" She heard her phone ringing in her pocket. "Now what?" She glanced at it. "It's your Mom."

"Mom?" Clark scratched his head. He fished his own phone from its pants' pocket. "It's working."

"So's mine." Lana put her phone to her ear. "Mrs. Kent? Where are you? Are you all right?"

"Lana, how are you both? Please tell me you're all right! Somehow, we're in New York. Somebody in a mask just dropped us off here. We're at Dr. Swann's planetarium." Martha exchanged looks with Miranda. "We're all right. I don't believe what I just saw or experienced. We're safe and alive."

"Clark and I are all right, Mrs. Kent. We'll be right there." Lana disconnected the call. How'd they get there ahead of us? She slid the phone back into her pocket. "Really weird." Her brow furrowed on that note.

"What is?" Clark frowned. "Lana, where's my Mom?"

"They're already there. Somehow, they reached the ground. Then, they just ended up there." Lana scratched her head. "Guess that means we need to get there too?" She looked around. "So which way?"

Clark shook his head. "The plane was heading toward the airport. But we could've been turned around during our fall. We…." His phone buzzed. "Now what?" He took his phone out.

"FOLLOW THE RIVER SOUTH!" Swann's text instructed.

"So we head south?" Lana offered the thought a shrug. "Guess his satellite can see us? He knows."

"Guess we head south. Come on!" Clark sped toward the Hudson River and followed it toward New York. This is one race I will win!

You think so, do you? Playful snort echoed from her nostrils. She sprinted after him. Kryptonian afterburners kicked in matching his speed.

The mystery, however, remained….