A/N: I posted two chapters today. Chapters 43 and 44.
Chapter 44
Valia paced the solid white floor of the computer chamber and checked the computer screens. It had been thirty minutes since she'd blocked an attack on the computer network. So far she'd been able to avert each and every one of Brainiac's attempts at accessing Earth's computers. It appeared the attacks had stopped and she wondered why. She could only hope that Kal-El was the reason.
Valia wanted more information. "Computer, can you locate Kal-El?"
After a brief pause, the computer replied, "Negative. Kal-El is not on Earth."
Valia frowned. "Computer, state location of Brainiac's ship."
"The ship is parked directly over Earth's North Pole. It is currently stationary."
Valia scanned the multitude of computer screens lining the crystalline wall. Four cities had been hit by Brainiac's energy beams and scenes from each city were being displayed on various screens.
Valia said, "State current status of each city struck by an energy beam."
An image of a rural town surrounded by a forest appeared on the monitor in front of Valia. The computer relayed pertinent information. "Tura, Russia, a village of approximately 6,000 inhabitants. No structural damages reported. One energy beam struck fifty kilometers outside of the village, igniting a forest fire. The fire continues to grow and the inhabitants have started evacuation procedures."
New images appeared on screen as the computer reported, "London, England. Two direct hits causing structural damage to buildings, roads, and bridges. In parts of the city, residents are without power and water. There are unconfirmed reports of fatalities."
A new set of images appeared and the computer said, "Vancouver, British Columbia. One direct hit. An energy beam collapsed a bridge and damaged roads."
The final image appeared. "Metropolis, America. Two direct hits damaging roads and buildings. Currently, two buildings are on fire with people trapped inside. Parts of the city are without power. There are reports of fatalities."
Valia swallowed over the lump in her throat. The news was distressing, especially the fatalities. If only she'd been able to destroy the ship's cannons sooner. Search and rescue crews were already frantically working in each city as well as repair crews. Valia vehemently hoped they got to those trapped beneath debris or inside burning buildings in time.
But where was Kal-El?
Valia wondered what she could do. "Computer, is there anything we can do to help the damaged Earth cities?"
Silently, the computer analyzed the situations. Finally, it replied, "Based on available data, there is nothing you, nor I, can do."
Valia let out a groan of frustration and anguish. "Very well. Then I'll concentrate on the things I can take care of. Since Brainiac's ship doesn't appear to pose a threat at the moment, let's start repairs. State structural status of the Fortress."
As Valia suspected, the crystalline walls were already repairing themselves, regrowth and reformation were inherent features of the Kryptonian crystals. Valia decided her best course of action would be to inspect the interior of the Fortress. Before exiting the computer chamber, she instructed the computer to alert her the moment Kal-El reappeared.
As she strode along the wide walkway and made her way to the archive chamber, she gasped at the bent metal railings. The archive's etched door slid open and she froze in the doorway, stunned. The once neat and organized chamber was now strewn with broken glass, books, papers, and Kal-El's precious halo-graphic scenes. The glass shelves that once held the scenes either hung from the wall or lay shattered on the floor.
Just as Valia bent to pick up a halo-graphic scene, the computer alarm sounded, sending her rushing back to the computer chamber. When she entered, the computer informed her, "Kal-El has returned to Earth."
"Where?" She frantically scanned the monitors. Her eyes darted from one to the next trying to locate Kal-El.
"In Metropolis. He has extinguished one building fire."
Valia located Metropolis on a screen, but there was no image of Kal-El. "He's going to be very busy for a while, isn't he?" she said.
"Yes, Valia."
The night passed slowly. The computer kept Valia informed of Kal-El's movements as she cleaned the mess in the archive chamber. First she repaired the shelves and neatly replaced the halo-graphic scenes on them. Once order had been restored in the archive chamber she worked on the living chamber. Through the night she fixed and cleaned what she could. At last there was nothing left to do except wait. And thus, she waited.
It was seven hours later when Valia began pacing the floor of the computer chamber and checking monitors. Although she did not understand the languages, she understood the images. Electricity and water had been restored to most residents, fires had been extinguished, bridges and roads partially repaired, and trapped people rescued.
Valia walked to one of the small windows and peered at the outside world. She gazed into the cold, starry darkness and softly asked, "Where are you Kal-El?"
# # # # # #
Kal-El glided through the entrance atop the Fortress and swiftly descended to the first level. He landed in front of the crystal console. His hair was disheveled and a few dark strands hung on his forehead. He, and his suit, were covered in dirt, soot, and grime. The upper portion of the once bright blue suit had two large rips each outlined in dark-brown stains. One rip crossed the upper left-side of his chest and gaped open, revealing a long thin gash. The other rip crossed his right shoulder exposing a wide purple welt.
Kal-El stared at the crystal console. Anguish and sorrow filled his heart. The father crystal had been sacrificed to defeat Brainiac.
"Kal-El!" Valia shouted from the second level. "You've returned."
He looked up and she gasped at his bloody, at his torn clothing and disheveled hair. Kal-El drifted up to her.
"I'm fine," he assured her, touching her arm lightly. "I'm fine . . . Brainiac . . . what's left of him, is safely aboard his ship in a stasis chamber. Thar-An and Chad-In are in control of the ship. They're working to restore communications. Parts of Brainiac's ship were programmed to self-destruct if he was destroyed."
Wide eyed and afraid to believe, she asked, "You did not destroy him?"
"No. I couldn't destroy the head. It contains an innocent consciousness." He looked so very weary. It was an emotional weariness more than a physical one.
"You're hurt. You have cuts and gashes." She jutted her delicate chin at his wounds.
"Brainiac's heat-vision. My wounds will heal." He looked into her eyes and a small smile lit his dirty face. "You destroyed the cannons firing on the Fortress and Earth."
"Yes. There's still some damage to the Fortress." There was sadness in her eyes. "I tried to destroy the cannons firing on Earth as quickly as possible."
"You did," Kal-El quickly assured her. "You did." His thumb lightly brushed her cheek. "Now, I have my son to . ." His face hardened and anger flashed in his eyes at the thought of Jason being held by Lex Luthor. "I have to rescue my son."
"You need to clean up and get a new suit," Valia said, still shocked by the current condition of this one.
"I agree," Kal-El replied and removed his ragged red cape.