Chapter 22 [Ten Minutes Earlier]
Martha watched the blocks pass by the car's windows. She reflected on Jonathan's arguments and assertions from earlier that morning. Everything seemed so simple back on the farm. Why did we have to come up here? She glanced at the teens. Miranda deserves to know her answers. But did we need Jor-El interfering in our lives? We can work with Lana. We worked with Clark all right for years.
Great. I find out about Uncle Dave. Then, the Stepbastard has to find out that I'm here. Terrific. Did Snapdragon expose herself in helping Spidey? I can't believe this is happening. Arighatto's so arrogant that he blames everyone but himself! Threatening Captain Plaid and the Boss too? I wish he'd just go away permanently. Miranda tapped the arm rest.
Miri, don't worry. We're all in back of you. Okay? I'm sure Lex and Chloe are too. We want you to be with your family! Lana rubbed Miranda's arm. You've waited a real long time. Enough. He's doing this to intimidate everyone.
But what about Peter? Boss, I can't…. Miranda bit her lip. Dread chilled her heart.
Clark shrugged. He'll be okay. He'll want you to find out. Didn't you see how he was with the Agents and you yesterday? He took your picture with them. He seemed really excited. Mr. Arighatto threatened all of us today. Even if we leave, he could still show up at home. We have to be ready. That's why we're here today. We survived that crash. We got through last night. We'll help them deal with this morning. I don't know what Jor-El would say but…
FOR ONCE, KAL-EL, WE ARE IN COMPLETE AGREEMENT!
Guess you're on to something, Clark? Lana cleared her throat. A saucy smirk spread across her face. She glanced toward Miranda.
"You two are spending too much time together." He frowned. He felt the car stop. "Guess we're here. Mom?"
"Hmm? Oh! We're here." Martha watched the door open. "Thank you." She got out and looked up at the observatory. "It's here in the middle of the city?" She surveyed the neighborhood. "How does he see anything?"
"I don't know, Mom. I think he has a radio telescope in there. That's what he talked about last spring." Clark waited for the others to get out of the car. Then he closed the door. "He's probably waiting." He headed up the sidewalk.
"I'm with you, Mrs. Kent." Miranda scratched her head. She gathered that observatories usually sat atop mountain peaks or in the middle of nowhere. "There are more lights and buildings." She watched Crosby open the door. "Looks like our guide's here."
Lana sniffed. "Sorry, Dr. Crosby. Good morning. Everything all right here?"
"We're fine here, Miss Lang. Dr. Swann and I have heard about your morning so far. I hope you are all right. We are trying to figure out Mr. Parker's situation and the Stacys' situation as well. Please follow me." Crosby ushered them all inside and closed the door.
"The Stacys?" Martha stopped. "Dr. Crosby, has something happened to them as well?" Shock and horror froze her in place. She stared at their host. "Gwen and her father?"
"They're both safe. We don't know much beyond that, Mrs. Kent. I'm sorry I can't tell you more than that." Crosby guided them down the passage. "Be careful where you step. Dr. Swann hasn't had a chance to have this area fixed I'm afraid."
Miranda looked about the area. Then, she glanced at Lana and then Clark. This is the place where you fought that Kal creep, Boss?
Yeah this is it. I hope I never have to do that again. Lana shook her head at that thought. She followed Crosby and Martha into the 'junk passage'. Her x-ray vision allowed her to see straight ahead. Clark, Spider-Man and that woman on the carpet from last night are here? That's weird!
Considering he helped us last night, that's not so weird. Dr. Swann probably wants us to talk with them. Clark pointed toward the opening and Swann's command center of sorts. "Dr. Swann?"
"Kal-El. Lana, I'm glad you could make it. I'd hoped that today would have gone better than yesterday. Unfortunately, that is not the case." Swann turned his wheelchair around the face the guests. "Good morning, Mrs. Kent and Miss Dubois."
"Thank you, Dr. Swann. I haven't had a chance to change my name back. I plan to when I have the chance." Miranda frowned. "I miss my Mom and Dad. I miss my family." She bowed her head. "I just hope you're right. I want my Uncle Dave to be alive."
"He is." Swann nodded.
"He what? Really?" Martha stared at Swann. "Are you serious?"
Swann turned his chair back to Martha. "I can assure you that he is alive. He is in hiding but he is all right. Unfortunately, Alex Luthor's situation forced him back to Smallville. He saved Alex. Arighatto suspects him. I picked up on readings last night in the museum. He was there close to you. Do not seek him out. He will find you when it is time. But yes, you are Miranda Dubois. Your parents were Randall and Teresa Dubois."
Wonder what he'd say if I told him about the other Auntie Cybelle? Miranda cleared her throat. "Thank you for letting me know. I'll keep that secret. Maybe Agents Petersen and Singleton can tell me more about them? I know we have other things that are more important right now."
"I appreciate that. They and your Aunt Karen would know more about your past. Agent Singleton and Professor Tuishiama know as well. Now that they know about you, I expect those contacts to be fostered." Swann considered everyone in the room. "I wish that there could be a way to come to an understanding between Jor-El, your husband and you, Mrs. Kent. The conflict between all concerned is hardly productive."
Martha bristled. "Dr. Swann, I know you mean well. Mr. Kent and I can deal with the situation. We were doing all right before…."
I HARDLY CALL PEERING INTO THE FEMALE'S PRIVATE AREA, STARTING FIRES AND LOSING EMOTIONAL CONTROL 'DEALING WITH THE SITUATION, MARTHA KENT, Jor-El snarked.
And…here comes Big Joe into the conversation. Fun, fun…. Spider-Man shook his head. "I know Snappy and I here are new to this whole thing but how about you all work together? You do know that Ari-Snotty was at the crash site while Parker and his reporter friend were there too? Right? Yeah. I felt him but I thought he was Big Joe, Louise or that Professor Dubois lady. They were all out there too. Nice job of covering the evidence and frying Parker's film by the way." He raised his hands. "I know about you two. I saw that glowing rock weakening you. From dealing with Big Joe and Dubois, I know you're fast and strong. Parker saw where you hit the tree, Lana. The pink shred of your blouse? Kind of a giveaway. Don't worry. He gave it to Big Jennifer rather than the reporter or the police. He says you're welcome by the way."
AND WE APPRECIATE HIS HELP AND YOURS, Jor-El agreed.
"I brought Mrs. Kent and their companion here. They ran." Snapdragon pointed at Clark and Lana. "But you knew that already."
"The way they disappeared last night once I got rid of the rock, I figured that out on my own." Spider-Man rubbed the back of his neck. "By the way, Big Joe, thanks to Louise and you for the warning. Parker was talking with the Doc here. I was hanging out on the wall. I managed to get Parker to the ground before the blast caught me."
"You showed up kind of fast last night. Then we see you keeping Mr. Arighatto off of us. And somehow, no Peter but the pictures are there? That some arrangement you two have." Lana folded her arms across her chest. "We saw the newspaper on the way over here."
Martha considered Spider-Man. "I'm sorry, Spider-Man. All I know about you is what I read online. The Daily Bugle isn't very favorable toward you. Thank you for being honest and keeping Clark's and Lana's secret. I know my husband would say the same thing."
"He saved us, Mom. Mr. Arighatto had a meteor rock on us. Spider-Man yanked it away from him and helped us out of there." Clark pointed toward Spider-Man. "We owe him. Mr. Arighatto was ready to kill us."
"Just doing the right thing, Folks. You all might want to be more careful. Ari-Snotto's good at sneaking up on people. He did it to Parker and me this morning. He's been watching you too. He knows what can get to you. That's not good. Now, I got to worry about Parker, his girlfriend and her Dad all being homeless while his aunt's in the hospital too. I'm playing tag with Ari and his demon sword guy. Parker's professor's probably going to flunk him for missing class. This isn't good." Spider-Man shrugged. "Wish I was out there. I'd work with you even if you can run circles around me. For what it's worth."
"I would say speed is not everything. You have experience that they lack." Swann turned to the monitor. "Computer replay fight sequence."
The screens tapped into the katana's display area's cameras. Spider-Man's and Snapdragon's efforts against Yodoshi played out anew on the monitors. Once Clark and Lana disappeared, the feed cut off.
"Wait. What else happened? What about the katana?" Miranda complained.
"The katana vanished from its case. It was locked. Even Yo-Dodo didn't know." Spider-Man frowned. He cut the feed before that Xena lady showed up? What gives with that? Hey, I'm not complaining about her help wherever she went. Meantime, I don't know where Gwendy and Aunt May are. "Yeah well, I still have to track Parker down and help him find his gal and aunt."
"Yes. I believe the ambulance went to Forest Hills Hospital. I would discourage your usual method of transportation. I believe the car would be the easiest way to get you there. The other ways would attract too much attention. By the way, Spider-Man, you have my thanks. When you see Mr. Parker and Miss Stacy, tell them that I wish to speak with them. Dr. Crosby, can you guide him outside and to the car please?" Swann informed him. "Thank you for your assistance."
"Hey, Doc. My pleasure. At least I know what hit the ground out at the plane site. I got your backs. If I need help, I know who I'm calling. See ya in the funny papers." Spider-Man followed Crosby out of the room.
"He's not how I thought he'd be." Martha rubbed her chin. Previous reports pinned the Wall Crawler as irreverent, irresponsible and a menace. Observation and Consideration's spotlight, however, lit up other facets for her. Her mind rummaged over the museum's footage. His insight and advice to them echoed in her mind. Hansei Arighatto can really observe us like that? Her eyes met Miranda's. What is it like for her every night? And David is still alive? Really?
"There are many different sides to that man. It is with each of you. Right now, his concern is with each of us. He is focused…driven. Yesterday, he faced demons. He remembered others. Yodoshi is not someone he should have faced alone much less with others." Snapdragon looked at each of the others around herself. "He did so because he had no choice. Just as you all were targeted, so was he. You have to be more careful and aware. Look at that plane yesterday. You all survived. I did my part. Dr. Swann is in that chair, but he survived his ordeal."
"I did. I do my part for the Greater Good," Swann looked to Clark and Lana. "The plane crash is a sign that people know who you both are. You are not a secret. I hoped Hansei Arighatto would have stayed away from Smallville. Lionel Luthor is enough of a factor to consider. He knows about you, Kal-El. I would like to speak with you about training. I think the biggest point is about awareness. Do not just go with your eyes and ears. Hone your skills. Mrs. Kent, perhaps your husband and you can keep reminding them?"
"We do. It's a good thing to bring up." Martha relaxed ever so slightly.
"I am not trying to step on your toes, Mrs. Kent, nor your husband's. I simply wish to let them know what they face." Swann's face betrayed no emotion. Logic maintained an even tone and train of thought. "There are other things I think you should all see. I believe you can talk to Krypton and Kal-El's home world?"
I CAN. KAL-EL AND LANA SHOULD KNOW OF SUCH THINGS. YOUR WORDS HAVE MERIT. I WOULD HAVE THEM BE MORE AWARE AS WELL. TRUST BUT HAVE YOUR EYES OPEN. DO NOT COMMIT THE SAME MISTAKE AS BOLIN SA DID SEVERAL OF YOUR EARTH CENTURIES AGO. HE WAS YOUR DIRECT ANCESTOR, LANA. HE WAS BETRAYED BY THE EARTH WOMAN HE DESIRED AND BONDED WITH. THAT WAS MY FEAR WHEN I CONFRONTED LANA IN THE FARM YARD, Jor-El explained. THERE ARE OTHERS WHO CAN ASSIST US. DARK ROBED ONE, I KNOW OF YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND RESPECT FOR MY CULTURE.
"Wait. You know?" Martha stiffened.
"I do. In my homeland, there is a site much like your caves. My order and I are sworn to protect such secrets." Snapdragon bowed to them. "To meet you two is an honor for me. If I can help you, I will do so. There are others who will as well. We will meet again." She turned to Swann. "Dr. Swann, thank you for hosting this discussion."
"We should all know each other and work together. My best to your comrades as well," Swann replied.
Snapdragon departed without further ado. She had the flight back to the Consulate and her own decisions ahead of herself. She stole a look at them once more. Then, she disappeared into the passage.
"You see? There are good and not so good people around us. One should always consider their surroundings." Swann noticed Crosby step back into the room. "Dr. Crosby, do you have the disc?"
"I do, Doctor." Crosby pulled a jewel case from her blazer's pocket. "This is yours to watch. We would ask you to be careful who you show this to."
"What is it?" Martha accepted the case. "Thank you."
"It is the summation of what I was going to say to you about Krypton. I think you all would be better served watching it with Mr. Kent. It can be watched three times no more than that. Your absence draws attention back in Smallville. I do not mean to be a rude host. If you wish to see more of New York, you can," Swann clarified.
"We'd like to stop by that hospital. Is that okay?" Lana requested. "We might not get to do dinner with them. We can offer our support."
"I'd like that too, Dr. Swann. I know Mr. Kent would like us back there. The Talon does need to keep running. We have the farm," Martha added.
"Of course. The driver will return in a few minutes from there. He will bring you over. I wish you a safe journey back. I will be checking in from time to time. Thank you for coming. I apologize for your ordeal." Swann noted the car's approach on his screens. "Dr. Crosby will show you to the car. Thank you."
"Thank you for everything, Dr. Swann. We appreciate this." Martha forced herself to keep her hand at her side. Instead, Respect prompted a nod.
"It's great to know there's someone else out there with knowledge. Thanks." Lana smiled and added her own nod.
"I'll do better," Clark vowed.
Swann nodded. His eyes flitted on Miranda for a heartbeat. What else is there with you? "You might speak with your sensei about such matters. He does know about the travelers as well."
"I will. I'll be leaving for the school next week." Miranda bowed. "Domo arigato, Swann Sama."
"You are most welcome." A smile cracked Swann's face. "Thank you all."
"I'll guide you to the car." Crosby led Martha and the teens out of the chamber and toward the door. Her eyes met Swann's. Then, she resumed her purpose.
Swann's eyes returned to their vigil. Purpose watched everything around him. Challenges received and to be dealt with….
