Chapter 28 - The Important Things

Previously, after some prodding, Wolfwood headed over to Vash's room to check on him and Meryl. Wolfwood realized just how deep the cracks and scars covering all of them were.

Now, Jimmy, Lois, and Clark meet Luida, the leader of Ship 3. While waiting for his pals to return, Jimmy dives into the prologue to their story of how they arrived on No Man's Land.

"—so Mallah jumped over and started smashing a bunch of buttons. Then BAM! The black hole expanded so wide it pulled us off our feet! We held onto each other for dear life like a human—er humans and friends chain! Oh man, was that scary!

"At least all the robots got sucked in, so there's that.

"Just seconds away from us all getting stretched into spaghetti, the black hole reached critical mass and stabilized into a sparkly wormhole. Ooh! Ahh!

"Mallah and Brain wanted to explore the dimension on the other side instead of staying hidden at Cadmus. So we sent them off with a 'bon voyage!' and they lived happily ever after.

"BUT, catch this. Clark told us later that before they left, Brain tried to get my best bud to go with them.

"Luckily, Clark said he made a big speech about how Earth could one day be a place where we're all accepted—humans, talking French gorillas, disembodied robot Brains, and flying superpowered aliens from beyond the stars. Plus, who knows what else!

"So as the resident alien superhero, Clark wants to show Metropolis just that, one good deed at a time. Trust me though! My pal is going places! He'll be whooshing around the whole planet before we know it!

"Anyway, back to my point… Somehow that wormhole opening up let Mxy and the League of Lois Lane's find Earth-12. Now Mxy is like completely obsessed with tricking Clark into all sorts of trouble.

"Lois and I just happen to be responsible for getting Clark out of trouble. It ain't easy. Especially when, you know, he's got interdimensional imps and the army after him and all."

Jimmy sat down after pacing and speaking with animated gestures through his whole story. He took a big, long swig of water, then popped a snack into his mouth as his train of thoughts weaved in dizzying patterns.

He leaned forward and with his mouth half full asked, "Oh, did I tell you about the Cadmus mutants?"

The number of new faces in the audience jolted, waving their hands frantically. Everyone began to talk over each other to get the boy to stop while he was ahead.

A tall, slender-framed woman who looked to be in her late fifties stood from a seat across the table from Jimmy. She smiled, adding a few more creases to her slightly wrinkled face. Earlier she'd introduced herself as Luida Leitner, one of the senior crew and active leader of Ship Three, also known as Home to all onboard.

"My, what a tale. Thank you for sharing, James. There's a lot to unravel about you and your friends' adventures. Perhaps we can revisit the mutants later?" Luida smiled again, her kind brown eyes framed by crow's feet.

A moment later, something caught her eye and Jimmy glanced over his shoulder in the same direction. The sliding door to the room opened and two familiar faces walked in.

Speak of the Superman and the Mad Dog.

"Oh, please. Don't get him started on the mutants. We'll be here for days." Lois wore an exasperated, cheeky grin, and Clark looked like he was holding in a chuckle.

The lovebirds strode over and plopped down on either side of Jimmy. He pouted, feeling a bit betrayed. He thought Lois was finally a Flamebro—er, Flamesis?

Clark gave him a reassuring nudge and his 'I'm sorry' smile. At least his best pal had the decency to look apologetic. He noticed that Clark had changed back into his civilian threads.

Jimmy was upset he didn't get to check out his friend's awesome new super costume. (The cowboy hat was a very fitting touch.)

Regardless, Jimmy gave Clark a knowing smirk and wriggled his brows, to which Clark quickly looked away with a blush.

"Anyway, what'd we miss?" Lois asked, specifically looking toward Luida and not Jimmy.

"James was telling us the story of his kidnapping by—ah," she paused.

"Monsieur Mallah and the Brain."

"Yes, Mallah and Brain. After which, you and Mister Kent apologized profusely before returning home. And how the wormhole's creation at the lab allowed some sort of interdimensional trickster deity to discover your particular Earth. Not long after, a league of peacekeepers, made up of alternate versions of yourself and James — all from various parallel universes — approached you as well."

Lois snapped her jaw shut. Clark fidgeted, trying to make himself smaller next to Jimmy. The lingering crew hushed.

Jimmy broke the silence. "Well, when you put it like that, I sound completely crazy."

Luida began to laugh, and a few more chuckles broke the tension in the air.

Lois chuckled. "We get it, Ms. Luida. Only a few months ago, I wouldn't have believed that tale myself. But ever since we broke our first story about stolen, alien tech weapons, things have been, well, really weird."

"I see," Luida replied, contemplative. "I have no doubt, Miss Lane."

"Um, also, you can just call me Lois."

"Oh, um, and Clark is fine, ma'am," Clark added with a smile.

"Very well, Lois and Clark it is," Luida returned the smile with a nod.

"Now, from what James has also told us, Vash thought we might be able to help you find this, ah, Mxyzptlk character?"

"Right," Jimmy replied. "We'd thought we'd find Mxy and Clark together, but when we briefly caught up to Mxy, Clark was nowhere to be found. But, then BAM, there Clark was. Well, Superman at the time. Just flying around the sandsteamer, doing the hero thing and keeping the bad guys at bay."

Clark stiffened beside Jimmy at the mention of his not-secret superhero name to all these strangers. Clark's hands sat grasped over his knees, twiddling his thumbs in rapid circles.

Jimmy paused, concerned about his best friend's unease. He leaned over and whispered, "Hey, you okay, buddy?"

Clark nodded but didn't respond verbally.

Jimmy frowned. If Clark wasn't okay with him continuing, he'd say so, right?

Possibly reading the room, Luida turned to her subordinates. "Alright, our new friends have had a long day. Perhaps they'll have more stories to share tomorrow? Back to your stations or rooms, please."

A couple of grumbles and chit-chat filled the room before fading out as the rest of the Ship Three crew exited.

Jimmy noticed Clark's shoulders relax from a tight hunch. His huge hands unclasped to rest more loosely over his thighs.

Jimmy gave Clark a few friendly elbow nudges, flashing a grin. Clark's lips curved up in return. He turned to the older woman across from them. "Thank you, Ms. Luida."

"No trouble at all, dear," Luida gave a bright smile that reminded Jimmy of his own Nana's.

She stepped over and caught Clark's eye. "I get the feeling your true nature isn't something you are used to sharing with others so readily?"

"What? N-No. It's totally normal. I share it all the time!" Clark's voice rose in the familiar nervous, 'I'm so bad at lying, but please let it work!' tone.

Jimmy and Lois scoffed. "Is that so?" Jimmy asked. "Who have you told, exactly?"

"You and Lois! M-my parents. Uh, Mer— er Miss Stryfe. And, and…" Clark stuttered out.

"None of whom you shared with until we already found out, pal. Ya know? The door handle? Plus, your mom and pops don't count!"

Clark's shoulders drooped again and he pouted. " Stupid door handle," Clark muttered under his breath.

Luida laughed, the levity of it breaking their petty argument.

"While I may not know the exact reasons for your apprehension, I know someone quite well who lives with similar reservations," Luida said. She stepped back to her chair and took a seat again.

"You mean Vash?" Clark and Lois asked at the same time. They glanced at each other, Clark blinking in confused surprise.

"That's right," Luida replied. "You remind me of Vash in that way, especially when he was your age." She paused, an uncertain thought passing over her face. "Or, rather, you and your friend's age?"

"Wait. ' When he was our age?' Isn't Vash close to our age?" Lois asked, her brow furrowed.

Luida smiled, shaking her head a little as if the question didn't surprise her. "A good example of Vash's reticent nature."

She paused again, glancing upwards, tapping a finger to her lip. "Ah, Vash would have turned 154 years old this past Sunday," she said softly with a faint, yet weary-looking smile. Her slender hands knitted together on her lap.

"154?!" the trio gaped.

Luida gave an airy laugh and hummed an affirmation along with a nod.

"Wait. Wait," Lois said again, rising to place her hands on the table and leaning forward. "This past Sunday? You don't mean—?" she trailed off as if unable to say the rest of her question aloud.

Luida was quiet for a long moment. Then she took a deep breath in and out. "Yes, the same day as Lost July."

Both Jimmy and Clark flinched at the realization. Lois gasped, her hands shot up to cover her mouth and nose between her palms. "No, how awful," she whispered.

"Miss Stryfe must not have known," Clark added. "How could he have done that?"

Lois turned, a grimace on her face, a startling anger in her eyes. "How could you think that?" she hissed to Clark, fists clenched at her side.

Jimmy jumped up with a yelp, ready to intervene. "Lois!"

Clark ducked away, waving his hands frantically, his eyes wide.

"Vash—" Lois began, voice harsh.

"No! No, I meant, how could his brother have done that? How could he have done what he did on their birthday?" Clark asked, as if in a plea.

At that, Lois froze. All fire in her expression fizzled out, her fists unclenching to hang loosely.

"His… brother?" Lois asked.

"Yes, his brother. Millions Knives?" Clark asked, then stiffened, realizing she must not know. "Vash never mentioned him?"

Lois scoffed. "I guess not!" She folded her arms over her chest, wrapping them around her tightly. She took a step back, beginning to pace. "It's not like either of you to tell us important things like that!"

Clark looked like he'd just been kicked. "Lois…"

She refused to turn around.

Jimmy swiveled his gaze back and forth between his friends. Their respective hurt feelings washed heavily through the room.

The room was deathly quiet for a minute, even Lois had stopped pacing. Suddenly, Lois gasped and spun quickly on her heel. "No, wait, I did overhear Vash mention someone named Knives. He didn't get a chance to explain who that was."

"Huh? When was this?" Jimmy asked, raising a brow.

"Back at the Plant building. Right before the alarms went off." Lois paused, glancing upward in thought. "Wolfy asked Vash, 'What would happen when Knives found out?' and he answered something about there being a war."

Luida stood abruptly, her chair screeching against the floor. Her face went pale, eyes wide. "Surely, you must have heard Vash and his friend incorrectly?"

Lois frowned, taken aback. "No? They were so serious looking I knew it must've been important."

Luida covered her mouth with one palm, another palm lying flat on the table to support herself.

Jimmy scrambled over to help the older woman. "Ms. Luida, are you okay?"

Clark looked ready to offer help as well if needed.

Luida lowered her hand to rest on Jimmy's arm for support. She gave a small nod, but Jimmy wasn't completely convinced.

She breathed deeply before asking, "Are you saying Knives is alive?"

Again, the room was quiet for a moment. Lois and Jimmy shared an unsure glance.

But Jimmy could only mirror her clueless gaze. He missed whatever conversation their companions exchanged that Lois had overheard. This Knives guy ( what kind of name was 'Millions Knives?' Jimmy thought) seemed like real bad news from Luida's unnerved reaction. And of course, he was just as surprised to hear the guy was Vash's brother.

"Yes, as far as Miss Stryfe and I are aware," Clark said. They turned to him as he stood taller and took a step forward. "We have reason to believe Knives is alive but still recovering," Clark said, not a hint of uncertainty in his statement.

"And Vash? Vash knows?" Luida asked, eyes returning to Lois.

"I'm… I'm not sure. From what he said, he must?" She glanced back and forth between Luida and Clark.

"Oh, my sweet boy," Luida whispered. A few tears rolled down her cheeks.

Clark stepped over, eyes downcast. "I'm so sorry Ms. Luida. We shouldn't have been the ones to share such news," he said softly.

Luida patted her eyes with a sleeve. "No, it's alright. Thank you for your honesty." Her voice cracked a bit. She took another breath and attempted a reassuring smile. "If you'll excuse me for the night. If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask any of the crew."

"Of course," Clark replied.

Luida nodded goodnight to the three and took her leave, the automatic door clicking shut behind her.

The Metropolis trio stood glued in place. No one knew what to say after that revelation and Luida's reaction.

Lois patted both boys on the backs and started walking. The empty and seemingly endless halls were dimly lit for the time of night.

Silently and wearily, the three returned to their rooms.

AN:

Thanks as always for following along! Please review to let me know how you're enjoying the fic, what you liked, or what you'd like to see in future chapters! I appreciate every favorite and follow too!

Next Chapter 29: Welcome

Just a reminder, I will be posting every two weeks. Chapter 29 will be posted around 9/13/24.