A/N: It's another two chapter day. I posted Chapter 9 earlier.
Chapter 10
Vril had watched most of the fight between Brainiac and Superman while scanning for other crystals. Luck had been with him—he'd found another crystal drifting alone. Neither Brainiac, nor Superman, had noticed it since they were too busy fighting each other.
Interestingly, this crystal's signal was slightly stronger and had a different frequency. Vril reasoned it must be very special and decided he wouldn't tell Brainiac about it. He'd hidden the crystal in a place he hoped Brainiac would never discover, besides it seemed it rightfully belonged there.
Vril gazed out the ship's large viewing window above the control station and watched Brainiac's lifeless body drift in space. The android might be disabled, but inside his body was already repairing itself.
Vril observed the alien in the bright blue suit and red cape approaching the ship.
Loud thuds echoed through the ship as the figure in blue pounded at the airlock. After witnessing their battle, Vril knew this alien had great strength, speed, and unusual powers. Pressing a button Vril released the airlock, figuring it was better to let the alien in before he ripped off the door.
Superman stepped in outside, removed his oxygen mask, and scanned the ship's interior. He was surprised to find a green-skinned teenage boy manning the ship. Superman noted the teenager's blonde crew cut and military-style cargo pants and boots.
Likewise, Vril sized-up the imposing six-foot two alien. Not many opponents had the ability to disable Brainiac. Actually, Vril had not seen anyone defeat Brianiac before today.
Superman used his X-ray vision to penetrate the ship's walls and located one crystal in a safe on the far wall. His super-hearing detected a faint signal from the father crystal emanating from somewhere within the ship.
During Brainiac and Superman's battle, Vril had closed the heavy metal door leading to the Collections Room. Superman's X-ray vision couldn't penetrate the walls or door of that room and he surmised it must be composed of lead or some other alien metal impervious to his vision.
Superman spoke first in a deep commanding voice, "You have my crystals and I want them back." He took a few intimidating steps toward the teenager. Superman's arms were at his sides, but his hands were curled into loose fists.
Vril, a little frightened by the tall alien, thought, This guy is big and he means business. I'm not sure what he said, but I'm sure he wants the crystals.
However, Vril wasn't about to give up the crystals so easily and hoped to stall the alien. Not to mention, Brainiac would be extremely mad and he had no desire to endure Brainiac's wrath.
Shrugging his shoulders and trying to act nonchalant, Vril spoke in Kryptonian, "What makes you think I have any crystals?" Vril assumed the language barrier would stall things for a while. However, his jaw dropped in shock and surprise when Superman answered in perfect Kryptonian.
"I can see one in the safe — there!" Superman pointed to the exact location of the hidden crystal. "And the signal for the other is coming from that room." Superman pointed to the heavy door barring access to the Collections Room.
Closing his mouth, but still in shock at Superman's accuracy in locating the crystals, Vril slowly said, "That's pretty good. I don't know how you figured out where the crystals are, but it doesn't matter. I don't know if the crystals belong to anyone. They were just floating in space and they didn't have name tags on them."
Vril squared his shoulders. He hoped he sounded tough as he pointed at Superman and asked, "And how do you know Kryptonian?"
Superman, brow furrowed, stepped closer to Vril. "I am Kryptonian and the crystals do belong to me."
Naturally, Superman had been surprised when Vril spoke Kryptonian, but he wasn't about to let the teen sense his surprise. It was clear Vril wasn't Kryptonian, yet he spoke the language well. In actuality, Superman admired the teenager's bravado and wondered how he'd come to be on this ship with the android.
Vril decided to try a different tactic and said, "You really should leave. Brianiac will be regenerated any moment and he will be stronger than before. You don't want to face him again – you almost lost your first fight with him."
Superman's X-ray vision peeled through the ship's walls and found Brainiac's body still floating in space. His microscopic vision revealed the body repairing its self. It would take some time, but eventually the android would be completely regenerated.
I'll have to take care of him again, Superman thought. But first, the crystals.
In a kinder tone, Superman said, "I admire your bravery and I'm not here to harm you. The crystals are very important to me. Shortly before Krypton exploded, my parents sent me to a planet in this solar system. I was only an infant, so I don't remember my home world . . . or my parents. The crystals were a gift from my . . . father." Superman's eyes met Vril's.
Pointing, Superman said, "The crystal in that room has recordings and images of my father. It's very special to me . . . It's all I have left of my father."
"Your . . . your father?" There was a catch in Vril's voice.
Hearing the anguish in the teenager's voice, Superman gently said, "Yes, my father. Where is your father?"
Vril turned away. Memories of his parents flooded his mind and filled him with rage. He looked back, pointed at Brainiac's body drifting in space and said, "What's left of my father is in that . . . that android!"
Vril saw Superman's confusion and explained, "Brainiac was built by Kryptonian scientists. They merged a dying scientist's consciousness with his programming. Like you, Brainiac escaped Krypton before it exploded. When he got to my world, he exchanged the Kryptonian's consciousness for that of my father's." Vril heaved out a sigh. "I've stayed with him for five years hoping one day I can find a way to free my father's mind."
Superman smiled compassionately. "As I said, I admire your bravery. Maybe together, and with the help of the crystals, we can free your father."
"Do you really think so? Would you really help me?" Vril wanted so badly to believe someone would help him—that someone could help him. But, five years with Brainiac had taught him caution.
With sincerity, Superman said, "I never lie. But I will need the crystal from that room to help you." Superman pointed again to the heavy door blocking the entrance. "You know I could have taken the crystals already, but I wanted you to return them willingly."
Vril understood, Superman was giving him a chance to prove his honesty. It was certainly true he could have taken the crystals at any time. After the battle with Brainiac, there was no doubt this guy could rip open the safe and door if he wanted to.
Vril longed to trust someone. Could he trust this stranger? What did he have to lose? Did he want to spend the rest of his life trapped with Brainiac? He decided he had nothing to loss and pressed some buttons, the door to the Collections Room slid open. He motioned for Superman to follow.
As they headed to the Collections Room, Vril asked, "So, what's your name?"
Superman smiled. "On my adopted world I'm known as Superman."
"I'm Vril Dox of Colu."
They entered the room and Superman listened for the father crystal. Its signal was still very faint. The room was as wide as the ship and approximately thirty feet long. There were no portholes or windows. Shelves lined the walls and were filled with various objects taken from planets throughout the galaxy. Many of the objects appeared to be of great value. Superman observed pieces of art, precious metals, and magnificent jewels, but not the father crystal.
Superman's eyes came to rest on the large ring structure mounted on a short platform. Curious, Superman stepped forward and finally noticed the domed structure in the center of the room. Nearing the structure he used his X-ray vision to look inside. It took him a second to fully comprehend what his vision revealed. A city, a miniature city! People were walking on pathways, children played in a park, beautiful crystalline buildings stretched to the sky, and a brilliant red forest glimmered along the edge. Stunned, Superman stepped back, his mind reeling with the realization that the people wore Kryptonian clothing, and the buildings' architecture was definitely Kryptonian!
Turning to Vril for answers, Superman choked out, "It's a Kryptonian city!"
"Kandor," Vril answered meekly and quickly explained, "Brainiac was created there. He saved it from destruction. Out of everything in this room, Kandor is his most prized possession."
Superman didn't hide his anger, he couldn't believe he'd spent five years searching for survivors of Krypton and all along, here they were, on this spaceship. He silently vowed to save the city and somehow restore it to its proper size. But for that, he needed the crystals.
Through clenched teeth, Superman said, "Where is the father crystal?"
Now fearful, and worried about his decision, Vril pointed to the ring structure and stuttered, "I, I, I tossed the crystal through the portal. It's in Kandor. I, I figured since it was from Krypton, it should be returned to Kryptonians." His eyes pleaded for understanding. "I didn't want Brainiac to have it. I could tell it was different."
"You must retrieve the crystal, immediately," Superman ordered.
Vril stuttered, "I, I can't get it. The gravity on Kandor is too heavy for me and I, I really don't think the Kandorians would give the crystal to me. I mean, I think they would be more likely to give it to a Kryptonian."
Superman saw the logic in Vril's statement and strode to the portal and examined it. He was filled with conflicting emotions, part of him longed to rush through the portal and see his home world. He knew full-well this might be the only chance he would ever get. But the cautious part of his brain warned him against entering until he was certain he could return. Nipping at the edges of his mind was the fleeing thought he might not want to return.
Vril waited anxiously for Superman to say something. He was relieved when Superman finally spoke. "I will go, but I must be certain I can return to the ship."
"There's a similar portal on Kandor," Vril explained. "Brainiac has allowed Kandorians through the portal in times of crisis. Once when I was sick, he let two doctors come through to take care of me. Another time the ship's hull was attacked by parasites. Kandorian scientists came through then and found a way to repel them."
"Can the portal only be opened and closed on this side—from the ship?"
"I'm not sure." Vril pondered the question. "I know the Kandorians are extremely intelligent, so it is possible they have figured out a way to operate the portal on their side. Those scientists were on the ship for over a month studying the parasites. They might have learned more than Brainiac realized."
Superman walked to the miniature city and lightly placed his hands on the opaque dome. Unaided by his X-ray vision, he gazed upon Kandor relishing its beauty.
Vril's voice interrupted Superman's thoughts, "If you're going, you really need to leave now. Brainiac will be regenerated soon."
Vril glanced at the airlock and then looked back at Superman, who was busy scanning the portal and its control panel. Vril did not know that Superman was using his X-ray vision to view the internal circuits and memorize their layout. If need be, he could replicate the circuitry on Kandor.
Finally, Superman said, "I'm ready. Reopen the portal for me in twenty minutes."
Vril nodded. "If you don't come through, I'll open it again in ten minutes. I give you my word, I won't let you down."
"I know. I trust you." Superman's words filled Vril's heart with pride.
Superman stepped on the portal's platform and faced the ring's opening, not sure what to expect. After wondering and searching so long he would finally see a piece of his home world.
Vril activated the portal and Superman heard a soft hum. His microscopic vision detected the formation of a particle field in the ring's opening.
"All you have to do is step through the ring," Vril instructed.
Vril watched Superman take a step forward and stop. Taking a deep breath, Superman closed his eyes and bowed his head. A moment later he looked up, squared his shoulders, stepped through the ring and disappeared.
Vril checked the time. He would open the portal in exactly twenty minutes. He wouldn't let Superman down. The alien had placed his trust in him. Now he had to change the ship's logs so Brainiac would never know Superman had been onboard.
Working as fast as he could, Vril deleted the logs for the last twenty minutes and replaced them with images of himself monitoring space and Brainiac. He also created the image of Superman returning to the third planet.