Chapter 25
Chad-In peered at one of the two monitors before him. Suddenly his light-brown eyes lit up and he almost shouted, "Brainiac has left the ship." Smiling broadly he traded glances with the others in Dora's office. The moment they had waited twenty-six years for, had finally arrived. Kandorians would attempt to open their portal and hopefully send Kal-El and Valia successfully through it.
Dora and Thar-An stood stoically, their faces grim. They knew all too well the risks involved for Kandor. Opening the portal was a double-edged sword, it brought the promise of hope, but also . . . the possibility of destruction. If Brainiac discovered they had the capability to operate the portal on their side, he could very well decide to destroy the city, or at the very least, the people responsible.
Chad-In announced, "I've established a link with the sensors in the Collections Room, as Kal-El says it's called. I have a visual on screen . . . actually, not much is visible, the room is dark."
Valia picked up a small metallic orb and pressed a few icons displayed on its surface. "The probe is ready," she told everyone. "Perhaps it will offer a more illuminating view of the room."
Chad-In leaned over the computer, pressed some keys and said, "I've activated our portal." A soft hum filled the air.
Valia opened her hand, the orb lifted off her palm, and floated toward the portal. It stopped at the large ringed opening and tiny lights lit up its side. Then it abruptly sailed through the humming ring and vanished.
Kal-El joined Chad-In at the computer and together they anxiously stared at one of the monitors waiting for the probe's telemetry. Exuberant grins broke across their faces when the dimly lit Collections Room came into view on the screen.
"Yes!" Chad-In shouted, pumping a fist in the air. "Success!" He turned to the others. "It worked. The probe made it through safely."
Kal-El read the data displayed at the bottom of the screen and reported, "The probe is functioning normally. I think we can test its return."
Valia joined the two young men at the computer. She placed a hand on Kal-El's arm and said, "This is all thanks to you."
"No," Kal-el said. "You and Chad-In were very close to success before I arrived. I just helped fine-tune the work the two of you had already started."
Thar-An stepped between the young people and said, "Kandor owes all of you a tremendous amount of gratitude, but right now we must stay focused on the mission."
"The probe is returning," Chad-In reported.
All eyes turned to the portal in time to see the small orb burst through the opening and come to a stop, hovering in mid-air. Dora, who was standing near the portal, plucked the orb from the air.
"It's still functioning normally," Chad-In said scanning the data displayed on the computer screen.
Dora placed the orb on the long conference table. Valia grabbed her pack and flung it over her shoulder. "I'm ready," she said. She touched her com badge, ensuring it was still securely fastened to her tunic.
Dora's eyes were moist as she rushed forward to hug Valia. "Daughter, you know I will worry about you. But I am also very proud of you."
Valia hugged her mother tightly and whispered in her, "Thank you, mother, for letting me go. I love you very much."
Kal-El stepped onto the portal's platform. Standing straight and tall, his bright red cape hung majestically. "I'm ready," he said.
Valia approached the platform, grabbed Kal-El extended hand, and gripped it tightly as she stood beside him on the platform. She took a deep breath trying to settle the butterflies in her stomach.
In a solemn tone, Chad-In said, "The portal has been activated."
The portal's hum filled the air again. Kal-El looked at Valia and squeezed her hand. "Are you ready?" he asked.
"I am." She nodded nervously.
Together they stepped through the portal and vanished.
"They're gone," Chad-In said quietly staring at the portal. He quickly regained his sense of duty and switched to monitoring the ship's sensors and Valia's com badge.
Dora and Thar-An exchanged worried looks, but Valia's voice came through the com system and their frowns dropped away.
"We arrived safely," Valia said softly.
A very dim image of Valia and Kal-El appeared on the screen showing them safely standing on the platform in the Collections Room.
"They're fine," Thar-An said and hugged Dora.
Kal-El and Valia stepped out of view to explore the room. A second later, Valia gasped, "Aaaahh!"
"Valia! What is it? Are you alright?" asked a fearful Chad-In. Dora clutched Thar-An's arm tightly.
A shaken Valia answered, "I, . . I'm fine. It's just that I'm looking at Kandor. The sight of our city is . . . is something you can never be prepared for." Valia took several deep breathes. "Kal-El and I must find a way out of this room. I'm signing off for now." The transmission ended.
"They're fine," Thar-An said hoping to reassure Dora. "Our trust, perhaps our lives, now lie with Kal-El and Valia. They have much to do, but you know Valia will keep us informed."
Dora took a seat in the small conference area. "Yes, you're right." She peered at the dark sky sadly noting the absence of stars. Stars in the night sky, a small thing really, but the one thing Brainiac had not bothered to recreate on Kandor. If all went well maybe she would one day see stars again.
Chad-In continued monitoring the various sensors he had access to. He muttered, "I wish I could get a better view of them on the ship."
Thar-An stepped beside him and laid a hand on his shoulder. "I'm confident they will gain access to a part of the ship where you can view them clearly." He looked at Dora and added, "We must all be patient. As much as we would like it, things cannot be rushed. We must be ready to help Valia and Kal-El if we can."
In her mind Dora silently repeated Thar-An's last words, If we can.
