Vertigo, Part 18

Please Read and Review. I'd like to know what I'm doing right (to keep doing it), and what I am doing wrong (to correct it.

Notes, the parenthesis indicates languages other than Japanese, in this case, English, German and Interlac.

A Possible XXXIst Century
"Pluto"

"(Just how deep this tunnel goes?)" Supergirl asked, annoyance in her voice.

"(Impossible to know, dear child. We are at least 600m (1968.6 ft) underground.)" R.J. Brande answered from the small slider car that transported him and Dr. Canus. The archeologist was very busy taking notes an holos of everything around.

"(This is so exciting!)" Dr. Canus exclaimed, her eyes almost sparkling. "(To be part of a plan so far-reaching! My ancestors would love to see this place!)"

Lana Max-El nodded approvingly. "(It's good to hear you speak so lovingly about your ancestors, Dr. Canus. Is it a long line?)"

"(Oh, yes! A thousand years! Our founder, the first Dr. Canus, was a friend of Superboy!)"

"(He was a cool guy.)" Superboy said, sadness in his voice. "(He was so full of questions about science and history…)"

"(Would you tell us the tale?)" Dr. Canus asked, her voice down in respect. "(I've studied his memoirs, but I'd love to know your side of the story.)"

"(Sure.)" he looked ahead into the darkness for a few moments. "(I was living in Hawaii back then. There were a few more islands then, Cosmic Boy told me Second Impact destroyed the others, but that was after I… disappeared from my time. Anyway, I was flying happily over the ocean, when something hit me, knocked me out, and I fell into an island that was not in the maps.)" (1)

"(…The legendary Wild Lands…)" Canus whispered. "(Where the proud city of Roam once stood!)"

"(Right on one.)" Superboy paused. "(The place where the Enhanced lived. Somebody found me, still out, and sold me to Sacker, an old snake who had a store full of human tech, and a group of human slaves.)"

Canus shook her head, "(A long and distinguished dinasty.)"

Sensor flicked her tongue, her voice level and reverent. "(They, along with many other families, both Snake and Tanuki, were the first settlers of Orando. They preferred to ply the starlanes, trading and exploring.)" (2)

"(That's amazing, Princess.)" Superboy whistled in amazement, the echo of the whistle reverberated through the long tunnels, losing itself in the dark. "(Um, sorry about that.)" he said sheepishly.

"(Please continue, Lord Kon-El.)" Lana asked gently.

"(Oh, yeah. I'm not sure what happened then. Sacker must have given me a potion he used to control his slaves, and boom, me no smart talking anymore.)" the time-displaced hero shuddered. "(It was like being trapped inside my own head. But, turns out this lil' ol' clone has a very hard noggin' and I shook off some of Sacker's potion's effects. I escaped, and stole some food from the Royal Storehouse or something. Tuftan's bodyguards captured me, after a good fight.)"

He paused and scratched his chin. "(I must say King Caesar, Tuftan, his bodyguards, Howler, Growler and Gorr, they were all very nice guys once they got past the whole 'humans are dumb dangerous beasts' thing. Nosferata, on the other hand… that white bat was pure poison. You knew she was guilty of something, but couldn't prove it.)"

"(Dr. Canus mentions them in his memoirs, but doesn't get into much detail about them.)"

"(Maybe he just wrote the thing for himself.)" Supergirl offered. "(He wouldn't have needed much explanation.)"

"(Maybe.)" the archaeologist agreed. "(What can you tell us about them?)"

The group kept on traveling down, reaching occasional cross halls, but kept to the lit route.

"(They were called the Wild Men, Howler was a gray wolf, carefree and brave, as eager to conquest hearts as to win fights. Growler was a brown bear, always happy to eat or tell a joke, always making awful puns; while Gorr was a really big bull, pessimistic and dour, but very loyal and hardworking. But they were all the kind of friend you really want by your side.)"

"(Anyway, back then I couldn't really speak, so…)" he shrugged. "(Well, thing is, Tuftan was to gift me to his girl, Lady Tawna. They were quite a good match, he was a tiger, she was a lioness.)" He waggled his eyebrows. Supergirl facepalmed.

"(I wonder what happened to them…)"

Day Twelve

Tokyo-3, Japan
GeoFront
NERV HQ
Evangelion Cages
09:28 A.M.

"Yesterday test was partially successful, Commander Ikari. We detected Soryu's brain patterns mixed with the core's readings." Dr. Akagi stood on the umbilical bridge, fully facing Commander Ikari, who in turn stood immobile, hands clasped at his back, his face hard as stone, studying the bandaged visage of Unit-02.

"But not enough to perform the extraction." He said, matter-of-fact.

"No, sir. The pattern was very weak. My theory is that Soryu has partially integrated, or at least, synched with the original soul in the core."

"Dr. Soryu." He said, still looking at the Titan.

"Yes. The motherly bond seems to be very strong. In regular circumstances, that's the very foundation of the Evangelion Units synchronization process. But with the younger Soryu also in the core…" she interrupted herself.

"She has no need to come back."

"Yes, sir. If I'm correct, we can't simply extract her by brute force."

For a moment, Commander Ikari wondered if, years ago, putting four-years-old Shinji in the plug would have worked to get Yui back, or if the core would simply have absorbed the kid too. He shook the idea with an effort of will.

"Then we must use a different bond. Schedule a synch test for this afternoon. I assume the Fifth Child's Plugsuit is ready."

"It is." Akagi consulted her notes.

"Very well."

Spiritual Plane

"You know, Doc, sometimes you almost scare me." Deadman mused, sitting Indian style on Unit-02's shoulder. "You got very close to the truth. And I bet the Stranger will want to hear about your little plan. See ya!"

Tokyo-3, Japan
Tokyo-3 First Municipal Junior High School.
Access Doors

Right as the group was getting ready to leave school, Hikari's cell phone rang. "Hello? Yes. Dr. Akagi." She gestured for silence. "Sure. Will be there." She hung, sorry in her face.

Kensuke almost vibrated in curiosity. "Well? You're getting to sortie yet? Is there an Angel coming?"

"No! Just a synch test." She looked at Rei, then at Shinji. "With Unit-02. Dr. Akagi says it might help Asuka to come back."

Rei gasped, barely daring to breath for the next eight heartbeats. "I hope it works. Our apartment is too…" she searched for the right word, "…cold? No, the temperature is acceptable. "Empty? Is that right?" She looked expectantly at Shinji.

He nodded, "It's right. Asuka has a way to make any space her own."

"Say, Hikari… could you put a good word for me? It seems all my friends get to pilot. At least find out what I need to do or to stop doing?"

Shinji looked at his friend sideways. "Kensuke… we risk death each time we get into an Evangelion. You were there for the Fourth Angel, for goodness sake! Being selected is terribly dangerous!"

"But it's so cool, Shinji!" The bespectacled kid insisted.

Shinji facepalmed. Rei took over. "The selection process is classified. Pilots are not privy to the precise parameters for positive or negative selection."

Kensuke paused for a moment. "In short… you guys don't know?"

Hikari and Shinji chorused. "We don't know." The whole group had a good laugh.

Tokyo-3, Japan
Katsuragi-Ikari Apartment

Right as the apartment door slid open, the colors around them washed out. Inside, the Phantom Stranger waited for the two, comfortably sitting on the couch.

"Stranger!" A very relieved Shinji exclaimed. "Glad to see you! We have news!"

The mysterious man stood up. "Let's discuss them at Nanda Parbat. Wildcat is waiting, we have just enough time for your training session."

"Wait! Wait! I have news!" Deadman ghosted into the apartment right as the door slid open. "Darn it! I missed them!"

Nanda Parbat

"(Okay, kids.)" Wildcat grinned. "(Go get changed. Shinji, you'll just do some light stretches and slow katas, Hikari gets to fight.)"

"Yes. Mr. Grant." He bowed.

The Stranger sat next to where Wildcat was doing his own stretches. "(Something wrong? You usually disappear in the shadows.)" Wildcat exchanged a worried look with the Stranger.

"(Both are worried about some new development.)"

Wildcat facepalmed, "(Gendo is up to something, I bet.)" He slammed his right fist into his left palm, the sound was like a thunder in the silent patio.

Later

"(So, what's new?)" Wildcat asked while they worked through their warm-up routine.

"Dr. Akagi called me. She said there's a synch test today. I have to try to synch with Unit-02." Hikari bit her lip. "I haven't even done a regular synch test!"

The Stranger nodded. "I doubt it's a regular synch test. Most probably an attempt to entice Miss Soryu to return to the real world." He paused. "As your original test was acceptable for piloting, you shouldn't have any problems, Miss Horaki."

Shinji raised a hand. "Aren't all Martians telepathic? Wouldn't be possible for Hikari to actually talk to Asuka instead of exchanging concepts and emotions?"

"I don't know how to do that!" Hikari exclaimed. "I have only known for a few days. I think the most I can do is to feel emotions, vaguely."

The Stranger looked at Hikari. "Your powers were blocked, for good reasons. Any blocks should be gradually removed for you to actually access your Martian abilities. Still, Shinji's method should be enough for you to contact Miss Soryu."

"I guess…" Shinji nodded. "All you need is to project your thoughts, focus on the person in the core. You don't need to say anything. Just think of the person and whatever you want to say." He paused, "I can feel the answer as an emotion or a concept. Even Boston-San and Little Rei are limited in what they can send."

A Possible XXXIst Century
"Pluto"

"(I still wonder how come Superman's apparent death was ancient history to the Wild Men.)" Superboy scratched his head. "(I think somebody must have time-traveled backwards to the 1950s with a bunch of newspapers for some reason…)" (3) He shrugged, "(and not a single mention of me or the other Supermen.)"

"(Stranger stuff has happened.)" Supergirl noted. "(My own story is awfully convoluted.)"

Lana raised an eyebrow, "(Aren't you a clone of Lana Lang? I was named after her, in honor to her close friendship with our founder.)"

Supergirl made a strange facial expression, "(In part, but not of that Lana Lang. It's complicated, and I bet you can bet it all in a single page of the Metahuman Who's Who magazine (4), not even in small type.)"

"(But Lord Kal-El gave you his approval to wear his sigil, didn't he?)"

"(He did, back then he was like an elder brother to me. But I think we should discuss this later. There's a big door right there.)" She turned to the hovercar, "(Dr. Canus?)"

"(Hmm? Oh, yes, yes; sorry.)" she jumped down from the car, followed by Brande, at a more sedate pace. "(Let's see…)" she waved the data-Crystal in front of the door.

A second later, the door slid open with a hiss. A cloud of cold air spread over the floor.

Inside, multiple cylinders awaited. Each one clearly labeled in ancient English, but covered by the dust of centuries. Brande got closer to read the first one. "(Well, I'll be damned.)" He went to the next cylinder, while Superboy read the first label.

"(Cos is gonna flip-out!)" Superboy laughed happily.

"(Is that what I think it is?)" Supergirl flew after Brande, who was already checking the last cylinder.

"(It seems to be, my dear child.)" His hands trembled slightly.

Dr Canus wiped off the surface of the first cylinder. "(Oh, my! My ancestor mentioned them! Best expedition ever!)" She bounced on her feet, like an excited puppy.

Inside, a shining figure seemed to sleep. Brande allowed himself a small smile full of longing. "(Platinum.)" He said softly. "(Welcome back.)"

Canus tapped a sequence on the main keyboard, next to the door, ocassionally consulting a holopad. "(Done. We just have to wait a few minutes for the maintenance program to finish checking everything's okay, and we can go back to the ship.)"

NERV Germany
The Past

"(Interesting specimens, don't you think, Ivo?)" Professor T.O. Morrow peered into the big transparent container. "(A bull, a bear and a wolf, all of them half way between animal and men.)"

"(Very unusual, indeed, my friend. I wonder where did Mr. Kiehl find them.)"

"(Near Metropolis. Apparently they were loosely affiliated with Project Cadmus.A squad of SEELE operatives caught them is a place they called, and I quote, 'The Habitat', according to Cadmus archives, they, and other humanized animals, were part of a previous government project from… I think, World War Two. Project Mureau.)"

"(Ah, obvious reference. Well… let's see what we can find, what do you think? Do they have actual souls or not?)"

"(Only one way to find out, my friend. Let's get them to the lab to open them next see the insides!)"

The Dreaming
Lord Daniel's Palace
Tearoom

"Then it is decided." Death put her teacup on the saucer. "I'll check with Shazam and make sure you can get to the Rock of Eternity."

"Thank you." Billy said.

Kyoko patted his hand. "Learn all you can, Billy. Not everyday one gets the chance to study magic under one of the wisest wizards!"

Abel agreed enthusiastically. "Lady K-K-Kyoko is right!"

Lord Daniel nodded his agreement. "Matthew will guide you in your trip once you leave the Dreaming, Billy."

Smallville, Kansas, USA
Kent Farm

"(Max.)" The white haired assistant said.

"(Oberon.)" The entrepreneur said.

Both laughed. "Great to see you!" Maxwell Lord smiled, "It's been… what? Four years?"

Both walked back to the big house. "Yes, ever since M'Raia was ready to go on tour."

"That kid is already taller than Scott!"

"And still growing, I think she will be taller than even Barda."

Oberon climbed to sit on a chair, while Max poured him a cup of coffee. "(We've been waiting for you guys. Things are going to boil soon.)"

Oberon drank a sip of the coffee, "(World-shattering stuff. Didn't miss that part. But… well… retirement just doesn't sit well with us, Max.)"

"(Carnies or metas, Oberon?)"

"(I guess both. I'm not a meta, but carny life is all I have. I need something to do in my golden years.)" the dwarf shrugged.

"(L-Ron sends his regards. He's busy managing stuff back in New York. He says you're always welcome to lend a hand in administration.)"

"(Maybe part-time. Once things settle down. Curating a museum of meta stuff sounds better.)"

"(Oh, yes. It can be very satisfactory. By the way, how are the kids?)" Max poured more coffee in his mug.

"(Shilo is more nervous for M'Raia than himself. Doesn't like to let her out of his sight, but you guys' plan looks sensible to me.)"

"How's your Japanese, Oberon?" Max changed language suddenly.

"Passable. I'm not an eloquent public speaker, but I manage." Oberon answered in the same language

"Very good! Supposedly, some magician will cast some spell to cover that, but I'd rather not trust that. If the spell fails, we're up the creek without a paddle."

Oberon put down his mug, "Time to work, then."

The door opened, and a stunningly beautiful woman entered, "(Coght a whiff of black coffee and came fer a tin, ya two city slickers didn't turned up the pot, did ya?)" Her gray streaked red hair fell down over the right side of her face, hiding her eye and cheek. She wore simple clothes, that did nothing to hide a very well proportioned body, though her hands were very strong and had multiple callouses, made by hard work.

Max and Oberon looked at each other. "(No, Miss…)" Max offered the coffee jar to the new arrival.

The woman turned a chaira round, and sat down heavily, a simple tin mug in her hand. She gestured with it for Max to pour. "(Joanna Hex is da name, shooting varmints' da game. Jus' arrived, me an' Grokk. Call me Hex.)"

Author Notes:

(1) The story Superboy is telling was published in the "Last Boy on Earth" story-arc, in Superboy issues 50 to 53 (Apr to Jul, 1998).

(2) Non-canon, but I thought it would be logical.

(3) At that point in time, Superboy had been around for a couple of years (in comic book time) so the newspapers could be multiple generations of Wild Men old. Either time runs strangely in the Wild Lands, or somehow the newspapers were sent back in time.

(4) Who's Who in the DC Universe was an attempt to catalog all the characters published by DC, it has had several versions and it's a very entertaining reading. The original series was published as a 26 issues maxi series (Mar 1985 to Apr 1987), but many characters were changed or erased by the Crisis in Infinite Earths. There were several miniseries updating the information, both stand alone or as separate pages published as back-ups in multiple titles (. The last version was published in loose-leaf format, letter size; 16 issues (Aug 1990 to Feb 1992). Both series have been collected in extensive (and quite heavy) Omnibus format.