Chapter 19
It had been ten hours since Brainiac struck Vril. Throughout the night the teen had occasionally regained consciousness and moaned in pain. Brainiac had administered more pain medicine. Pain medicine was not going to cure Vril. Brainiac knew he must summon Kandor for help.
Dora was not surprised that morning when she received Brainiac's call. However, his very specific instructions did intrigue her. Brainiac insisted the doctor who was sent through the portal must be an elderly woman and could only be accompanied by one elderly female assistant. Dora surmised that Brainiac must have knowledge of the yellow sun's effect on Kryptonians.
Dora sent Dr. Pena Tor-All and her assistant Lea. Dr. Pena, a spinster in her mid-sixties, was tall and slender with thick white hair that covered her head like a fluffy cloud. Dora briefly explained Vril's situation to Dr. Pena, but did not mention the possible effects of the yellow sun. Dora felt it best to wait and see if anything happened. Would Dr. Pena or her assistant even be exposed to the yellow sun?
Dr. Pena Tor-All, terrified by the prospect of seeing Brainiac, initially refused to go. Only Dora's explanation that this one act, could possibly lead to the eventual freedom of the city, finally convinced the woman to go.
After Dr. Pena and her assistant, Lea, a short gray-haired woman, safely passed through the portal, Dora and Thar-An met in her office to discuss strategies for defeating Brainiac. After much discussion and debate they realized their plans always returned to Kal-El, and Kal-El alone, defeating Brainiac.
Woefully, Thar-An pointed out that Kandorians simply were not trained in combat and could not be sufficiently trained in time for such an attack. Dora had also expressed her concerns regarding how Kandorians would react to having super-powers. Would a person willingly give up such powers once they had them?
Valia and Kal-El arrived shortly thereafter. Kal-El wore the Kryptonian clothing purchased by Thar-An. The young couple joined the discussion with Kal-El explaining that it had taken him years of practice to gain adequate control of his strength and abilities so he didn't harm people. More importantly, he emphasized he had not developed his most amazing abilities, flight and heat vision, until his late teens.
A transmission from Dr. Pena broke up the discussion. She reported that Vril's operation had gone well and he should make a full recovery. Kal-El, in particular, was relieved at the good news. He deeply regretted leaving the teen alone to face Brainiac.
Valia went to her mother's computer and established a link with Brainiac's ship. "Brainiac's ship appears to be orbiting Earth's moon," she told everyone.
Thar-An said, "A good place to study the inhabitants of Earth and not be detected."
"Yes," Dora agreed. "He is following his usual plan of attack. Study the inhabitants for a while, establish contact, and then make an offer of the friendly exchange of information between two worlds."
"Last, destroy the inhabitants." Thar-An put extra emphasis on the word destroy. He looked at everyone in the room. "I do not want to see Brainiac destroy another world. I will not witness the destruction of another world!" His face twisted in anguish and he turned away to hide his distress.
Kal-El wished there was some way he could assure the scientist that Brainiac would not destroy another world. He felt responsible for Brainiac being in this region of space. It was his crystals which had brought Brainiac here.
Thar-An faced everyone again and noted Kal-El's look of determination. He's much too young to have such a heavy responsibility, Thar-An thought. How can we expect him to defeat Brainiac alone?
"I had not wanted to speak too soon," Valia said, "but last night I was able to tap into other systems on Brainiac's ship. I'm linked with the ship's navigational system now. That's how I know we're orbiting Earth's moon."
Grinning, Kal-El thought, So, that's what she was working so hard on last night in the lab.
A beeping sound summoned Dora to her desk. Brainiac wished to return the doctor and assistant to Kandor.
Dr. Pena and Lea breathed a sigh of relief when they exited the portal. Both women appeared exhausted from their experience. Dora noted that neither woman seemed different. Apparently, they were not exposed to the yellow sun during their visit.
"The boy will be fine in a day or so, Tynth Val-Lor," Dr. Pena said bowing to Dora and Thar-An. Kal-El joined Valia at Dora's computer where they were conveniently out of sight, but could still hear the conversation.
"Your service has greatly honored our city and I am very thankful to you both," Dora said bowing to both women.
"I am very thankful to be back," said the doctor. "If there is nothing else you need, I would very much like to go home." The assistant nodded her head in agreement. Thar-An also thanked the women and escorted them out.
Dora gestured for Valia and Kal-El to join her and Thar-An in the small seating area. "Valia and Kal-El, I have made a decision." Feeling her age today, Dora wearily took a seat and looked at the two young people standing before her.
"Time is running out Kal-El," Dora began, "and you may soon be leaving Kandor . . . perhaps forever. No one knows what the future holds for any of us." She paused. "Therefore, it is my wish that Valia show you the city today." It appeared Kal-El wanted to protest, so Dora held up her hand and continued, "Kal-El, Kandor is the last piece of your home . . . your world . . . and I could not bear for you to leave our city without actually seeing it."
The two young people exchanged glances. Kal-El had longed to see Kandor from the moment he'd found it aboard Brainiac's ship. But he didn't want to be gone too long. Returning to Brainiac's ship was foremost in his mind.
"Perhaps, I should stay close to the portal," he said hesitantly.
Dora was firm in her decision. "Our city is not big, Kal-El. You can be back here in ten minutes from any place in Kandor. Trust me on this. I know in my heart it is important for you to see our small piece of Krypton." Dora stood and took one of Kal-El's hands in both of hers. "I do not want you to have any regrets Kal-El. Take this opportunity that has been given to you."
Valia added, "We can see most of Kandor in two hours. We'll be back before noon." She smiled with delight, happy and proud to show Kal-El the city. But she too, did not want to be gone long.