A Cosmic Kismet-An Elseworld Tale by Philip Mogul Rated PG-13 Submitted June 7, 2004 ______________ Standard Fanfic Disclaimer's apply Again, many, many thanks to my GE, Jeanne Pare, for her invaluable assistance in making my current Superman tale more readable and interesting to the Lois and Clark community. If you have comments pertaining to this story, please contact me privately at phmogul@mindspring.com. A Cosmic Kismet Clark Kent - called CJ by his friends and associates - left Perry White's office with a disconsolate expression on his handsome face. As he strolled toward the exit, he attempted to look a bit more cheery than he felt. However, Clark knew it would be difficult to put on a happy face since his job interview was a flop and he had to pass the desk of that headstrong person, and that rather crass individual, Lois Lane. As CJ moved toward the building's exit, to his consternation, that rather boorish female, Lois Lane, suddenly appeared and partially blocked his departure route. Clark couldn't tell whether the Lane woman had purposely positioned herself to further Intimidate him. In Kent's view, seeing this woman for the second time within the space of an hour didn't produce any great joy in Clark's psyche. Lois Lane, he was reminded by his inner voice, had interrupted his interview and exasperated Mr. White, the editor-in-chief of the Planet. Clark knew that her unexpected arrival and subsequent disruption of his meeting with the paper's editor was the death-knell of his interview and destroyed any possibility of a job with the large Metropolis daily. The dissolution of his interview by Lois Lane disrupted the dialogue between Clark and the Planet's editor at a crucial juncture. After her unannounced intrusion a rather- irritated Perry White was forced to contend with a very aggressive woman who seemed to care little for anything or anybody who stood in her way. To halt Lois' babbling attack, an increasingly agitated Perry White introduced Clark to his top reporter. After the rather perfunctory introduction, the Planet's editor in chief forced a cantankerous Lois Lane from his office. As Lois was leaving the chief's inner sanctum, Clark was aware that Lois' interruption had irreparably damaged his rapport with Perry White. His interview at this point, CJ felt, could not be salvaged. Clark's psychic notions unfortunately came to fruition shortly after Lois' reluctantly departure from Perry's office. Because of the Lois incident, CJ sensed that Perry's interest in him had subtly changed. Within a relatively short period, CJ knew that his gut feelings were correct. As CJ continued to watch Perry, the chief sought to calm himself. During this brief quiet time, Clark reviewed the events of the past several minutes. He noted when the Lane woman invaded the chief's office Perry's interest in him rapidly abated. Lois Lane so aggravated the Planet's editor that after she'd left his presence, Clark had the distinct impression that Perry wanted to be left to his own devices and recover his composure, among other things. Of course that meant first ridding himself of one Mr. Clark Kent, a potential new hire, who currently sat quietly across from him. As CJ waited for the chief to resume their dialogue, Clark further sensed from the chief's tense body language and other noticeable factors the man's mounting disinterest in the Kent interview. It was all too evident. Perry didn't bother to read Clark's clips and his new story about the Metropolis landmark theater targeted for demolition. Perry also ceased questioning Kent about his qualifications and his other interests and talked aimlessly about some one called Elvis. He didn't even open the special letter of reference from Alan Jacobs - Alan was one of Perry's oldest friends and associates. The Planet's chief became more and more listless and didn't look into Clark's eyes. He stared at the ceiling, then at the floor, while occasionally glancing at the clock. Then, after rambling about that Elvis person for another few minutes, Perry smiled and smoothly inserted his mental stiletto by softly saying, "I'm sorry, son, the Planet is currently on austerity and is not hiring. But, I'll keep your material on file just in case something comes up." As the interview ended, the two men shook hands, and Clark left the chief's office disheartened. As Clark walked across the Planet's bullpen, he angrily wondered, "What did Lois Lane substitute for her grey matter? Maybe her head was filled with cotton, hay, and rags," he quietly mumbled. Reviewing the events of the past few minutes, as he moved toward the exit of the Planet building, Clark suddenly realized that it was that Lane woman's words and actions that were the causal agents which together initiated a series of events that shattered Clark's interview and destroyed any possibility of his obtaining a position at the Daily Planet. Still, ambulating towards the exit, the man from Kansas was jostled from his reverie by a voice that sounded like liquid gold. Looking in the direction of the sound, Clark saw an attractive woman leaning on the railing giving him a fetching smile. As their eyes met, the woman added, "Hi there, gorgeous, my name's Kat. Whatcha doin' tonight? How's about takin' me to supper?" He thought to himself, "Boy, this woman has an aggressive personality and it appears to be combined with a highly active libido. While Lois' colleague could have been a nice person, for all Clark knew, she was far too pushy for his taste." After a slight pause in their tete-a-tete, CJ replied, "Sorry, Kat, I'll have to take a rain check on your offer. I'm catching a plane this evening. Going to Kansas to visit my folks." Kat nodded and was about to say something else when Kent's interview despoiler again intervened into his affairs. Her voice now had a sneering quality as she remarked, "Kansas, huh. How could a hack from nowheresville think he could land a position at the Planet? Farm boy, you put your nose where it just doesn't belong. No wonder it's been bent way out of shape. Just a minute," she added, "I'll get you a mirror so you can see just how disfigured your face has become." Clark turned and located the source of the rather irritating and insulting voice. Making contact with Lois' eyes, he glared at the young woman as his temper began to rise. Although a peacemaker by nature, this inconsiderate female, with apparently no compassion nor kindness for others, had pushed his buttons - the wrong buttons - for apparently no reason at all. With a subdued fury, Clark said with a smile that did not extend to his eyes, "Ms. Lane, who in hell invited you into my conversation?" Kat Grant knew that she initially liked Clark Kent for his obvious physical beauty and by the manner in which he carried himself, but when Kent spoke to Lois with that strong and biting tone, she was positive that her original gut feeling about him was correct. This was a real man in her book. Now she admired him more for the words he directed at the bullpen's resident social pariah, Lois Lane. As Kat continued to watch the verbal duel between Lane and Kent, she recalled that this mid-West fellow really didn't know her from Adam, and yet, he treated her with respect - this Kent guy was a first-class person. Kat knew her men and was well aware that this was the kind of hombre you could take home to meet your folks and not get questionable looks - like stares which silently shouted what the hell has the Kat dragged home this time. Returning to Clark's verbal assault on Lois, Kat heard, "If your comments were worth listening to, lady destroyer, I wouldn't be infuriated by your classless behavior. But, from what I've seen and heard today, your sarcastic comments are not surprising. What you did in Perry White's office and your uncalled for comments just now are not how properly brought up individuals behave towards others. However, your attitude toward others apparently is well suited to your warped social behavior. Lois, you apparently fit a pattern that advocates kicking a dog when it's down and bleeding and then continue to beat on its corpus until it has expired. From what I've seen, top dog journalist, you would fit nicely into that category. You know, I could almost believe that you would do almost anything to maintain or improve your status at the Planet. Am I right, Lois? Is your demeanor on a par with your unfeeling nature and lack of concern for others?" After a short pause, Clark added, "By the way, my name isn't 'farmboy,' lady viper, it's Kent, Clark Kent. As far as your nowheresville comment is concerned," his voice rising as he added, "I've seen more of this world than Marco Polo and have learned far more about the ways of humankind than I believe you'll ever know let alone see or understand. From my adventures, I've acquired a sympathetic attitude for all people inhabiting our world, and from humankind's heterogeneity I've learned to appreciate the diversity of every living thing on this world. From my parents, I've learned to respect and treat all individuals with courtesy - a precious gift I've come to cherish more over the years. You know something else I've picked up from those hinterland folks you like to 'kick around' with your inhumane talk and snobbish behavior are the following simple, but powerful, notions? What is hateful to them they would never think of inflicting on others. And, Lois, they treat everybody as their neighbors and always try to 'make love, not war.' I wonder how those concepts would fit in with your philosophy of life." After another slight pause in his subdued tirade, CJ added, "If you really wanted to say something intelligent or appropriate, maybe your addled mind could have added to your nose remark something like, 'If your nose hurts so much maybe we should amputate it on the spot.' That would have been a good aggressive comment. Or being practical," he continued, "You might have asserted, 'poor dear, how can you drink with such a disjointed proboscis?' Being a bit more dramatic you could have remarked, 'Oh dear, from such an experience your nose must be bleeding and flowing like the Red Sea.' Or, 'How come you're not wearing green jeans with your outfit to complete your hack from the sticks uniform?' These, Ms. Lane, could have been some of the comments you possibly would have made if you possessed some knowledge of letters to color your crude remarks. But, wit I'm afraid you do not possess and there are only three letters that are needed to describe you - A.S.S." "Idiot!" Lois screamed. "How dare you insult me!" Smiling Clark countered, "Insult you! That would take an artist, and, as you implied, I am a punk, just a poor low- grade reporter from nowheresville not worthy to be hired by such a newspaper as the Planet." Sneering, Clark added," Just chalk it up to a lack of breeding, Ms. Lane. I'm sure you'll understand that one of my farm-upbringing could not be expected to acquire culture and good manners by working in a pigsty, don't you agree? Or maybe this city is too refined for a second-rater from a backwater hamlet." Pausing for a moment Clark continued, "If you ever want to publish our little discourse, Ms. great reporter, just call it 'Ravings of Two Barbarians.'" "What do you mean by that?" Lois spat. "I'm quite aware," CJ said, "that Clark Kent has been classified by you and the newsroom staff as backward and unrefined, a barbarian by definition. Naturally, you applied this label to me because of my small town and farming upbringing. However, you and your ilk, Lois, are also rather barbaric in your own right. Many journalistic professionals in Metropolis lack compassion, seem to be devoid of caring, and would probably step on a colleague and ignore a competitor knocked down during a news frenzy and who is not capable of helping themselves. Although my depiction of your conduct and that of your associates may be somewhat exaggerated, any amount of such behavior does describe barbaric conduct, wouldn't you agree? And, since I am a majority of one, my original title 'Ravings of Two Barbarians' suits me just fine." Gazing upon Lois' face, CJ then added, "I guess with your kind of credentials, Ms. Lane, you are regarded as a member in good standing within the Planet family and are a person generally admired by your co-workers. And, it appears that an individual needs your type of accreditation to be hired by this newspaper." Shaking his head, the man from Kansas then lightheartedly remarked, "Maybe, just maybe it was Clark Kent who lucked out today by simply not possessing the right stuff to be employed by this daily." Staring at Kent, Lois was thunderstruck by the wit of this Kansas swine herder. His thoughts were coming too rapidly for her to marshal her own replies and launch a concerted verbal counter stroke. In frustration she screamed, "Do you know who I am?" He replied, "Yes, you told me--Lois Lane." After a lull in his tirade, CJ continued, "Whom are you trying to impress? Me? If you think your name has any significance on moi, don't flatter yourself. In fifty years, more or less, even the best of us will be less than a memory. It's one of the follies of humankind to believe that what we accomplish in life will provide us with everlasting notoriety. "If my rhetoric is aggravating you," he said, "find yourself a wall and bang your head upon it three times and ask for Joe. I'm sure after your experience with the wall's intractability, you'll feel a lot better. The wall can't respond to your angry disposition or hurt feelings." With that parting remark, Clark Kent smiled and bowed to Kat Grant and took his leave of a flustered Lois Lane and the Daily Planet. As Clark was leaving Metropolis' most successful newspaper, Lois, seething, retreated to her desk. She was stunned at the tongue-lashing she'd just received. No one, but no one, had ever talked to her in that manner. No one dared, that is, till Kent visited the Planet. When Lois had foolishly caused a confrontation between herself and the farmer's kid, the man from Kansas gave her a mental thrashing she'd remember for the remainder of her life. After reflecting on her exasperated discourse with Clark Kent, Lois grudgingly admitted that the man from Kansas might have been somewhat justified in his tirade. She knew that she had done Clark a great injustice by interrupting his interview and setting Perry off. "Well," she thought, "I'll probably never see him again, so no apology would ever be necessary." A mea culpa therefore was a moot point. Then shaking her head Lois mused, "Too bad he wouldn't be around. Clark was a gorgeous looking man, and he apparently possessed a fine mind. Finding a man with both notable mental and physical attributes, like Clark, was rare, very rare indeed. Kat had seen his potential almost immediately. Frowning, Lois was quite aware that she hadn't as yet found such traits in the men she dated from time to time. After further thought on the subject, the Planet's top reporter realized that the melding of prominent mental and physical qualities in a single individual was an uncommon occurrence no matter what the gender. Lois hoped that she possessed some of Clark's exceptional attributes." In her incensed exchange with that Clark Kent, Lois was not always fully aware of what she said. When Lois became furiously angry, she had a tendency to say things that she later regretted. However, Lois was also aware that her verbal exchange with the Kansas farm boy was heavily influenced by her past disastrous liaisons, coupled with insecurities acquired growing-up in a dysfunctional family. During her tete-a-tete with Kent, Lois also recalled having resorted to chauvinistic remarks to bring her adversary down. To her discredit, most were not ladylike expressions. She was aware that there were instances of rebuttals in which she hurled guttural phases at Kent. To be honest with herself, Lois was not fully conscious of what she had said during her verbal interchange. She was just too frustrated and angry at being verbally plummeted. Later, Kat informed Lois how she viewed her verbal exchange with Clark Kent. As the verbal confrontation became more heated, Lois was informed that she started to hurl hurtful and despicable comments at her opponent. When the verbal confrontation began to escalate, Lois, using her past relationships to fuel her anger, foolishly added guttural invectives to her verbal rhetoric. In her argument with the man from Kansas, Kat also informed Lois that she began to use foolish male-female invectives that one would expect from the bottom rung of Metropolis' society. She was also told by Kat that Kent never utilized any kind of guttural language during their verbal wrangling. As one day followed another, Lois' memory of her encounter with Clark Kent would fade. In the meantime, notwithstanding the fresh sting of the confrontation, the Planet's top journalist was again working up to snuff, unaware of the damage she had inadvertently caused to her potential soulmate bond. When Lois finished another of her stories and LANed it to Perry, she turned toward Kat and saw a woman in a dreamy state. "A penny for your thought," Lois laughing remarked. Shaking herself from her reverie the gossip columnist replied, "Your tete-a-tete with Clark Kent started my thinking about the direction my life is taking. I have been contemplating, for some time, Lois, the affairs which have affected and influenced my promiscuity over the past few years." Hearing Kat's comments Lois' senses perked up. It was true confession time, and Lois was all ears. However, when she gazed into Kat's eyes, Lois knew that her brilliant friend was troubled. Since Lois showed some interest in her serious comments, Kat Grant walked over to Lois' workstation and planted her derriere on her desktop. After Kat seated herself, she said, "We are both professionals at the top of our game, wouldn't you agree?" Lois nodded affirmatively. Continuing her chitchat, Kat added, "While our successes furnish food for our egos, what nurtures our souls? The basic reason I seek paramours each evening," Kat continued, "is not just for the physical pleasure it gives me for a short period. Although I must admit a night at some swank hotel with a hunk is very enjoyable. But, Lois, there will come a time, as it does to all men and women, when our body's biological functions will be altered by time and we will begin to lose those alluring qualities that attract viral men. As the aging process steals a women's alluring qualities, lovers and romantic interludes will become fewer and over time cease altogether." Looking Lois straight in her eyes Kat added, "I'm deeper in the well than you are, my friend, but at present our life paths are nearly identical. I'm just a bit older and more socially active than you, Lois." Pausing for a moment, the gossip columnist said, "As things currently stand, our life ending scenarios will be very similar - alone, awaiting or maybe even praying for death." "Think, Lois, if I didn't carouse, what would I do? I'd go home each evening, watch sleazy soaps, read incessantly and occasionally cry into my food. Does that sound like somebody you know? So, my friend, I nightly share a room with a guy that I'll probably never see again. I grant him sexual favors so for a moment in time I won't be alone. During each intimate encounter, I will be held and fondled and fantasize that I'm loved. I know that the sensations are just physical, but they allow me to believe that I'm being cherished by a loving life partner, a person I've searched for incessantly, but never found. Someday, and that some day will come, I will just go home and stare at the four walls of my apartment and be alone. Then I'll cry myself to sleep realizing that the parade has finally passed me by. And, in time - Kat swept her arm in an arc around the newsroom - this also will end. Except for a few friends who will occasionally drop by, I will essentially join the 'out of sight out of mind crowd.' As my body becomes more and more infirm, there will be nobody around to sooth my hurts and all too soon I'll be praying for release from my mortal coils. And when death finally arrives, as it does to all who live, no one will be there to hold my hand as I pass from this life nor mourn for me after I'm gone." After a slight pause, Kat continued her remarks saying, "Lois, for the last few years I've been frantically searching for a life companion. We are not meant to be alone on our journey through life." Seeing Lois' surprised reaction, Kat commented further, "Don't worry. I won't marry someone that I couldn't love. But my friend, I pray that a decent man will come into my life. One who would cherish me and be the father of our children. You know what I'm referring to. Kids, Lois, those little 'munchkins' you've often told me are annoying little pests. But for a while now, Lois, I've been thinking of them as an extension of myself and my mate - children who will reach a time that my husband and I won't live to see. Children, I'm beginning to suspect, are the hope of humankind. Hopefully my kids, if my spouse and I can conceive, will make a useful contribution to this tired old world of ours. If we are successful nurturers, Lois, I feel we will be remembered and blessed." After taking a sip of coffee, Kat resumed her discourse saying, "We live in a world of two's, Lois. I see a magnificent design in that truth. It also appears to me, my friend, that the older one gets the more important a relationship of this kind seems to become." Rising, Kat stated, "My biological clock is ticking loudly and I'm finally listening to its clear unambiguous rhythmic message. Do the same Lois, my friend. Discover your true needs before it's too late. You are a warm hearted and a caring person. You've hidden the true Lane personality behind skillfully erected emotional barriers. Let the walls of Jericho fall, my friend, and allow people to see the real you. If you don't, my poker-faced and amusing amiga, Lois Lane will dream alone throughout her entire trek through life." When Kat became silent Lois asked, "What brought on your philosophical outburst?" Smiling Kat replied, "I was thinking about Clark Kent. He struck me as the man that's our kind of guy." Shaking her head, Kat Grant said in a melancholy tone, "I think that you, chum, with your impetuous temperament, might have just pushed Mr. Right out of your life or quite possibly my own." Then, patting Lois on her hand, Kat headed for the coffee machine to tank up on caffeine. As Lois watched Kat stroll off, the Planet's ace reporter began to reflect upon her colleague's thoughts. "It is amazing," Lois mused, "that the paper's sexy gossip columnist should comment about a permanent relationship that is very similar to my own views on that subject." As Kat was enjoying her beverage, Lois' mind again wandered to thoughts of Clark Kent. If she were looking for an equal - a true life partner - his profile would definitely fit the kind of man she envisioned for a life companion. Although she had only seen Clark Kent briefly, and most of it in the midst of a heated conversation, she felt that there was an aura about him that seemed to draw her to him. Lois was suddenly nudged from her reverie when Perry placed his hand on her shoulder. When she looked at him, he remarked, "Darlin', are you okay? That was a rather unpleasant intellectual drubbing Kent gave you." Smiling, she replied, "It was a piece of cake, chief. I'm okay, but thanks for asking." "You know," Perry drawled, "Kent was right about one thing." "What's that?" she inquired. "I didn't give him a fair shake at the interview. It was partly your fault, Lois, because of your confounded impatience. Secondly, I was not focused during his interview. That darn budget was on my mind. The 'suits' want me to cut expenses. Being on the horns of a dilemma, so to speak, it lured my mind away from Kent's interview. While Clark was talking, I was thinking of ways to divide the monetary pie equitably among the staff. As I tossed the problem around in my head, Kent became an unwanted factor instead of a person in search of a job. G-D knows we need good reporters. Most of the competent newspaper people are opting for the electronic media. That's where they can cash in - big bucks there. And, we are being left with the dregs." Realizing how his last remark could be interpreted Perry quickly said, "Don't take that comment personally." Lois laughed and replied, "I won't if you give me a raise." Then they both started to laugh. As Perry turned to trudge back to his office, he murmured to Lois in a more serious tone, "I got a bad feeling about Kent. My gut keeps telling me that I made a horrible mistake by rejecting that Kent fellow." Lois chimed in, "That's just a feeling, chief." "Unfortunately darlin'," Perry replied, "those gut feelings of mine are usually good indicators and I ignore them at my peril." After a short pause the chief added, "I've just had a chance to peruse a rough draft Kent's theater article. While it needs some polish, it was a rather good piece of journalism - a very good story indeed. From his copy, I'd be willing to bet that he'll be a fine journalist someday soon, one as good as you, Lois. You know," Perry continued, "Clark's style and yours would have dovetailed nicely. When I carefully read his story, my instinct told me that in time you two could have become the most celebrated reporting duo of the century." Shaking his head Perry sighed, and remarked, "Because I was distracted by other business considerations that were dumped in my lap by the suits and your impatience, my gal, it may be that we'll never know the answer to my musing. Our combined improprieties unfortunately coalesced at the wrong time. The result certainly hurt Clark Kent and might have done an inordinate disservice to this paper and maybe the entire journalistic community." "By the bye," Perry continued, "did you happen to notice that when you rushed into my office that Kent stood and offered you his hand? Of course, in your haste and over eagerness, you probably ignored or overlooked his greeting. His gesture spoke volumes. It told me a lot about his upbringing and character. By that simple, but elegant act, Clark Kent showed me breeding. That kind of class is acquired at your parents' knee when you're a tot and once learned is used over and over throughout life always marking you as a special person. You don't see that much anymore. Today people are shoving each other around instead of treating one another with dignity and consideration." As Perry again tried to make his way towards his office, Jimmy Olsen yelled, "Chief, I found an envelope on the floor. It's addressed to you." He briskly hoofed over to Perry and handed him the mailer. Except for the name on the envelope, the letter wasn't fully addressed. However, Perry recognized the signature scrawled across the back of the item that Jimmy found. The letter was from his old friend and colleague, Alan Jacobs. Hastily opening the envelope, Perry started to read the contents with gusto. As he pored over Alan's note, his eyes narrowed and his face became taut. Then he uttered an expletive, "Damn." A few seconds later he repeated the expletive several times - "Damn, damn, damn." Each time he articulated the word his tone became louder and more emphatic. Finishing Alan's letter, Perry scooted into his office, closed the door, and picked up the phone. Lois was perplexed because just before the chief left she heard him mumble, "I knew it. I knew it. Sometimes I believe my gut instinct is an infallible extension of my psyche." ************ When CJ left the Planet he walked briskly to the city limits where he searched for a secluded spot. Locating a relatively isolated alley, he entered the narrow passageway and began to spin like a whirling Dervish. As his body gyrated, Clark Kent changed from his normal attire into a black suit with a small insignia - the El crest - on the upper left side of his garment. After a momentary pause, the man from Krypton streaked skyward leaving a rush of air and a sonic bomb in his wake. When Clark reached near space, he halted his dash for altitude and just floated between the Earth and the distant stars. Within a few minutes, CJ began to relax and he started to think about his future. Suddenly, he was aware of an unfamiliar aura. From this new source of pulsating energy, Clark knew that another Kryptonian had to be in the vicinity. How could that be, his inner voice demanded? As far as CJ could recall from his studies, he was the only survivor of the Kryptonian catastrophe. Nevertheless... Searching the area, Clark detected another individual hovering in the air, approximately a hundred meters distance from his current position. As they gazed at each other, Clark felt a presence in his mind. After a few moments a voice resonating in his head said, "Hi, my name is Dar-El. In English people know me as Daren Miller. To communicate mentally with me, form words in your head and push them in my direction." Clark did as he was instructed saying, "My Kryptonian name is Kal-El. In English I'm called Clark Kent, Clark Jerome Kent to be more specific." After a slight pause Clark asked, "How are we communicating?" Dar-El replied, "By matter waves generated within our cerebrum. When these energy oscillations are composed, they are transferred telepathically to the mind of another person and converted to images." "Can humans learn to communicate in this manner?" Clark inquired. Dar-El, who had now moved to within several meters of CJ, nodded his head affirmatively. The newcomer then added, "When humans fully understand the paranormal, they'll be able to create and project mental messages between one another as Kryptonians are capable of doing." Then Clark's new acquaintance indicated that they should seek an isolated island and continue their conversation by conventional means. CJ learned from Dar-El that extended use of telepathic abilities tended to exhaust one's energy reserves at an undesirable rate. Mind to mind communication was generally used for a quick communique, usually in emergency situations. As dusk approached, two blips suddenly materialized on RADAR screens throughout Earth's South Pacific region. The display terminals disclosed two unknown objects streaking at near light speed moving in a Westerly direction - destination unknown. Because of Clark and Daren's RADAR presence, combat information centers - CIC's for short - throughout the world went to battle alert and war boards in command and control bunkers lit up like Christmas trees. Arriving at their destination, the two Kryptonians found a secluded island and made themselves comfortable. Dar-El was well aware that Kal-El was anxious for information, so he said to his new acquaintance immediately upon arriving at their destination, "Be patient for a little while longer and I'll tell you what you want to know." Clark nodded and waited. Closing his eyes for a moment Daren said, "Your parents, Jor-El and Lara, were the preeminent scientists on Krypton prior to our home world's destruction." Before Dar-El could continue, Clark interrupted him and said, "Dar-El, although Jor-El and Lara were my natural parents they did not raise me and therefore shouldn't be called my parents. Maybe a more proper term would be my biological providers," Clark added. CJ then told Dar-El that while he would always honor Lara and Jor-El's memory and be grateful to them for preserving his life, he would always consider Martha and Jonathan Kent of Smallville, Kansas to be his parents. After a brief pause, Clark continued, "I want you to understand why I feel that Martha and Jonathan Kent are my parents." Taking a breath, Clark then remarked, "I believe that parents are those brave individuals who raise children, but may not be the individuals responsible for the child's conception. Jonathan and Martha Kent are those kind of people. They nurtured and loved me without any thought of their own wellbeing. There were many options at their disposal, but they decided without any qualms to give an orphan from G-D knows where a home. In making that choice, the Kents placed themselves in a constant state of uncertainty and suffered the psychological pain that accompanied their decision. Also, my new friend, because of their decision to give me a home, the Kents have lived with constant fear from the time I came into their lives to the present. Their love for me is unbounded as mine is for them. They truly are my mother and my father." Dar-El placed his hand on CJ's shoulder and said, "I understand and accept your reasons without any qualifications." Then rephrasing his thoughts Dar-El reiterated, "Your genetic providers were very gifted scientists. However, their warning about the coming destruction of Krypton was not heeded by the political establishment. It's analogous to the gradual global climate changes that the people of this planet must soon face or suffer the catastrophic consequences of their inaction. "Fortunately for the people of Krypton, about a thousand years ago a planetary system was located within the Milky Way galaxy which possessed a planet that was conducive to our kind of life. Our ancestors also discovered a stable dual wormhole configuration that connected Krypton to this new solar system in the Milky Way galaxy. This unusual wormhole framework allowed Kryptonians, if they wished, to visit this new star system and provided them the means of returning to their mother world. In time a single planet in the new solar system was colonized by some of our more adventurous people who called their new home NK, or New Krypton, in honor of the mother world. When the planetary disaster occurred, which destroyed Krypton, it killed the entire population on the planet's surface. By some miracle about seventy-five thousand people managed to escape moments before the disaster engulfed the Planet. These survivors, as you surmise, traveled to New Krypton. You should know, Clark that New Krypton is often referred to by the initials 'NK' by those currently living there. "Over the years, the population on NK has steadily increased and is now approaching a hundred thousand souls - a borderline genetic viable community. "When I was forced to flee NK, the fabric of its society was already in disarray and rapidly approaching a chaotic situation. The social order of my home world began to deteriorate about five years ago, just prior to my leaving for Earth. "To be more specific, the chaos began soon after Lady Zara, the current leader of New Krypton, and her consort, Lord Ching, were presented with fraternal twins - a boy they called Lar-El, and a girl they named Kara. After the birth of their children, Lord Nor wanted his infant son, Ragnor, to become betrothed to Kara. He said that he had the right to demand such a union because of his royal ancestry. Nor argued that he and his son were also heirs to the royal lineage through a past marriage between their houses - El and Nor. "I know the engagement and marriage of infants may appear somewhat bizarre to you, Clark, but hear me out. In the past, to maintain stability among the noble houses, alliances were made between Kryptonian families through the betrothal of their children. In that way, the most illustrious houses can maintain their bloodlines and their political strength that are the main factor which guaranties stability of the New Krypton population at large. My home world is governed by a system that is akin to Earth's constitutional monarchies. While this betrothal policy did strengthen ties among the so called royal families and maintain social stability, the down side of this marital scheme fostered infidelity and nearly corrupted the mores of the current New Kryptonian civilization, which caused civil unrest and almost precipitated a planet wide conflict. "Because of this crisis, child betrothal practices were abandoned to preserve the stability of our civilization. However, the statute was never officially repealed. Now, after many centuries of non use, Nor is attempting to reactivate this statute. He is putting pressure on the council by causing legal assassinations among the more prominent families on the planet. Nor has masterfully orchestrated these killings by using a group of outcast warriors as his political killing instruments. If it could be proved that Nor was supporting and directing these reprobate warriors, he, of course, would be tried and executed for high treason. To date no such evidence has been uncovered. "About four years ago I was targeted for execution by Nor by one of his so called legal execution gangs. Unfortunately, Lord Nor was unaware of my military preeminence and I dispatched three of his assassins when these killers cleverly provoked a public incident. Their challenge was based on some trumped up pretense. To maintain my honor, I was forced to fight them. Their public charge was necessary to certify that my death was legitimate in the eyes of the judiciary. Although I survived Nor's legal death legion, my immediate family was decimated by a band of so-called roving marauders. While the government lacks proof, it is a known fact that these marauding bands are supported by the Nor clan and do its bidding when ordered. "My parents' home was invaded by what the authorities here on Earth would call brigands. I believe, as do Zara and Ching, that the attackers were simply Nor's military surrogates. In the raid my entire family was slaughtered - mother, father, siblings and servants. There were no witnesses." As he told Clark of his family's downfall, the man from Kansas saw Dar-El wipe the tears from his face now streaming uncontrollably from his eyes. "Nor, through his surrogates, was sending a message that was as loud as it was clear. Give me what I want or else. I was fortunate that because of a dinner engagement I was attending with Zara and Ching that evening, I lived. So, Clark I survived my family's fate. My friend, I'm the last of my house." "Realizing that I was marked for death," Dar-El added, "the Sela and Ching trusted me with a secret only Zara and her consort knew until, of course, I was informed. "They possessed an interstellar spaceship. It was a duplicate of your biological parents' original design. Furthermore, Zara and Ching also knew Earth's galactic address. "To blunt any more of Nor's attempts on my life, my death was also announced with the news of my family's demise. "Using the commotion, which followed my immediate family's annihilation, as a screen, Zara and Ching whisked me to a space port hidden deep within New Krypton's only moon. "Since I couldn't deprive Zara and Ching of their only means of escape from Nor's clutches, if such a situation became necessary, I duplicated their interstellar spacecraft. It took me nearly a year to accomplish this task. My ship is currently in a parking orbit on the far side of Mars." Then Clark raised his hand and said, "Dar-El, you'll have to tell me the rest later. I'm late for dinner, already. If I don't show up, my parents will become apprehensive. I know it's foolish for them to worry because of my super abilities, but that's parents for you. Sometimes I think parents always worry about their kids, even from the grave. "Hey," Clark suddenly said to his new friend, "why don't you come with me to Smallville? You'll meet some really nice folks and get a home cooked meal in the bargain. My mom's one heck of a super chef," Clark proudly boasted. After a slight pause, Dar-El said, "Give me a sec." Daren then closed his eyes and concentrated deeply for a few moments. Opening his eyes he smiled at Clark and said, "Okay, let's go. My wife has to work late this evening. We've postponed our dinner at Angelina's until tomorrow evening." Grinning he said, "Let's go meet your parents and chow down." A short time later, two super beings landed near a farmstead in the western part of Kansas. When Clark and his friend reached the farmhouse, Martha and Jonathan ran to Clark and hugged him and then greeted his Kryptonian guest - the Kents had seen both men descend from the sky, which meant that there were now a least two supermen living on Earth. During dinner Daren told the elder Kents about New Krypton and his odyssey. When he'd finished, Jonathan remarked, "Wow, that's some tale, son." Clark's father then added, "Dar-El, Martha and I want to thank you for the information about our boy's origins and his natural parents." When dinner was over the foursome adjourned to the living room and made themselves comfortable. Then, Clark said, "Tell me more about your soulmate, Dar-El." "Where did you learn about the soulmate concept?" Dar-El asked his new friend and spiritual brother. The exiled New Kryptonian was somewhat surprised that Clark had any knowledge of Kryptonian culture. CJ then added, "I learned many Kryptonian concepts from my 'AI' unit." After a short pause, Daren asked, "What's an AI unit?" Smiling, Clark replied, "It's the nickname I've given the artificial intelligence system which manages my electronic library, a athenaeum which was sent with me from our people's home world, Krypton." "In the name of the seven goddesses of goolo," Dar-El declared, "you actually have a complete Kryptonian library system at your disposal!" Clark nodded affirmatively. CJ's new Kryptonian brother then looked skyward and softly said, "Oh thank you, Creator of all things, for this wonderful gift." Grasping Clark by the shoulders, Dar-El asked, "Can you duplicate your library module?" Clark again nodded affirmatively. "Can you duplicate one for me and my wife this evening?" Daren excitedly enquired. Smiling Clark said, "Of course." Then Clark inquired, "Why would you need your own library?" "To enlighten my wife and for our expected children's education," Daren responded. "Children?" Clark said taken aback. "Yes," Dar-El replied. "In six months I'll be a daddy." Martha jumped up and hugged Clark's new friend, and with tears of joy streaming down her face, she quietly whispered, "Congratulations." Jonathan and Clark together slapped Dar-El on the back as Jonathan also commented, "May your children be healthy and wise." "How come you didn't include wealthy in your congratulations?" Martha asked her husband. Jonathan Kent replied, "If you have good health, Martha, then one is wealthy beyond all reckoning." "Of course," she said, giving her husband a hug for his understanding of what constituted the essence of a good life. Before Dar-El could continue his questions, Martha inquired, "Could you explain the concept of a soulmate?" Scratching his head Dar replied, "I hope I can answer your inquiry intelligently." After a brief pause, Dar said, "It's believed by ancient Krypton's spiritual philosophers that there exists a place somewhere beyond time and space where all life-giving forces reside - this place is known by some as the well of souls. When not inhabiting a life form, the soul essences can always be found in this special place. As a rule, these essences exist in pairs. From this philosophical presumption the soulmate hypothesis came into existence. When one of the soul pairs enters what we call the realm of life, the other soul joins its partner in the same life dimension. In the Kryptonian view, therefore, the term soulmate represents two halves of a whole - a male and a female form. Their combined spirits define a completeness, a whole greater than their individualities." Taking a breath, Dar-El continued, "Sometime during their lives the two halves find each other and complete themselves by marrying. At death they return to the well of souls to await another resurrection. It is presumed that soulmates will continually be born and complete their life cycles again and again throughout all eternity. When our current universe ends our spiritual philosophers believe that the souls will remain safe in their place of refuge and will be ready to provide the seeds of life when a new universe has been created from the ashes of the old. "Simply put," Dar said, "when two people find their true lover and marry, we Kryptonians say that a soulmate pair has found one another and reestablished their forever bond." In his conversation with the Kent family, Dar-El also told them, "Our spiritual mentors reasoned that when a soulmate was not located by its partner or was rejected by its other half, then each part was doomed to make a solitary trek through life's highways and byways. I don't wish to infer that the two disjointed soulmates would not marry. They could choose to form a union with a non soulmate entity. However, if such a union occurred, we have strong evidence that there would be a high probability of spiritual and sensual failure in such a union." After a moment of quiet, Dar-El remarked, "I hope my thoughts answered, at least partly, the concept of a soulmate. While I don't fully understand the entire concept myself, I can state unequivocally that the soulmate ideas, as they apply to our species, appear to be valid." "What happens when two soulmates don't connect during life and return to the well of souls?" Clark asked. "Our philosophers believe that once the disjointed soulmates return to the Well of Souls they will resolve their difficulties and reestablish their union. This will result in a stronger aura, which is the quintessence of the bond that links their vital essences. "Before our conversation becomes any more muddled," Dar-El chortled, "let me place a couple of things about my life into perspective." Pausing for a second he said, "My wife, the former Linda Fox, and I were married nearly a year ago. We both work for the Metropolis Star. I know your feeling about Star's product, Clark, and I wholeheartedly agree with most of your views. The editors of the Star tend to encourage a near tabloid oriented story base, especially in their newspaper's feature articles. "Linda is one of the few staff reporters with any stature. She provides the paper with some credibility and has earned several Kerths over the years. Only Lois Lane has been accorded more honors than my soulmate. Currently, I'm the editor of what is known as the Meteorological - Environmental desk. Science, Clark, is my bag. I earned a Tan Alpha on NK, which is equivalent to your doctoral degree. While the natural sciences are my bailiwick, I specialized in theoretical modeling on molecular systems and on my practical side do some engineering design." When Dar finished speaking, Martha asked, "What's your wife's due date?" Dar-El smiled and replied, "Our children are expected early in March." Clark heard Martha gasp as she quietly said, "Children? How many young ones do you expect?" "Five," he replied. When Clark heard Dar's response, he flopped on the sofa, stunned and just stared at his friend. Shaking his head Jonathan just murmured, "Oh Lord." After Clark recovered his composure, he murmured, "Why so many?" Hearing Clark's question, Dar replied, "My thoughts on this subject have led me to believe that our Kryptonian genomes and the radiation from old Sol have produced this syndrome - a multiple birth condition. I believe that the same kind of radiation that has given you and me our unique super abilities has also affected our reproductive systems. I don't believe that Linda and I will ever conceive just a single offspring. If we do, it will probably be a rarity. Multiple births between Terrans and Kryptonians may turn out to be the norm." Smiling at Clark's amazed expression, Dar added, "Don't worry about Linda's health. The hormones and enzymes from the fetuses seem to protect her as well as themselves. The other day I watched her levitate as she worked in the kitchen. She has even developed invulnerability and generally appears to be as healthy as fat squirrels in winter." "Do you know the gender of the children?" Martha queried Daren. He replied, "Three girls and two boys." Then shaking his head, Dar remarked, "Even with our super capabilities, I feel that our brood will keep my wife and me incredibly busy around the clock." Taking a sip of tea that Martha prepared, Dar added, "We've tentatively worked out a program to get our kids raised properly. For two months after Linda gives birth, we'll both stay at home with our offspring and be our mutual support system. During this time hopefully we'll bond into a strong and loving family unit. At the end of this period, I'll return to work and Linda will continue to remain at home with the kids. It will give her more time to breastfeed them and provide them with the stroking and physical attention that infants seem to crave. After two months at work, I'll become the househusband and she'll return to the paper. During my watch, Linda will mechanically extract her lactating fluid and refrigerate it in traditional baby bottles. I'll use her breast milk to feed the kids as I form a stronger bond with our progeny. When my time at home ends, our children should be ready to be weaned. "When Linda and I have returned to the Star, our kids will be placed in the paper's day care facility. Being at the day care center will provide Linda and me opportunities to visit them and continue our special nurturing program. It will also give us a sense of wellbeing knowing that our kids are close by. Later in our children's lives some of their behavior patterns may cause us some difficulties. Those special Kryptonian genes you and I carry, Clark, are dominant reproductive factors. Linda and I are aware that a super genome will be inherited by each of our offspring. When their special abilities begin to manifest themselves, we'll have to be 'super careful' so to speak. As yet, we haven't really thought about that phase of our children's maturation." Before Dar could utter another word, Martha chimed in, "Tell Linda I'll be there to help you both when the babies arrive." Dar-El was startled by Martha's offer and said, "Ms. Kent, Linda and I both wish to thank you for your offer, but such a dislocation could cause you, Jonathan, and Kal many inconveniences by continually flying between the farm and our home in Metropolis. I have a strong suspicion," Dar added, "your offer, Martha, would upset the farming schedule and interfere with your livelihood." Martha shook her head and with a subtle smile said, "There would be no problem in traveling between the farm and Metropolis." After a slight pause she quietly told Dar, "Some years back Clark developed what we call TD's - teleportation doors. He created them to minimize detection by the many Earth's RADAR installations. When he flies without his cloaking device, RADAR instruments throughout the world can track his movements. So my boy created the TD's - a transportation network. With the TD's, he doesn't have to make long flights. Once a TD portal has been established at a particular location, he or anyone else can flit almost instantaneously to the new position or to any other teleportation portal on the planet. So, if it's okay with you and Linda, Jonathan and I will be able to help raise your children without too much trouble. We'll come for a few hours, when needed, and then return home in time to do our chores. As you said, in time your kids will develop their special abilities. When that time arrives, you certainly won't want them in a normal day care facility. Our farm is a relatively isolated place and will provide you and your progeny at least one option to your super duper problem. By using Clark's TD's, you could bring your children here for their schooling and physical activity. Using the same system, they could be home soon after you and Linda return from work. "Anyway," Martha further commented, "Clark's involvement in helping raise your kids will provide him with invaluable experience for the future. It will help him be a more experienced nurturing individual when the time comes." "That's wishful thinking, Mom," Clark chimed in. "No, son," she replied. "I'm praying for you to find a loving life partner, or as Daren put it, a soulmate." After hearing Martha's ideas, Dar said, "Kal-El, I was unaware that you have scientific interests." "Yeah," Clark replied, "I earned my undergraduate degree in physics at Yale - with the appropriate supporting minors. "As an undergraduate at Yale, Dar," Clark told him, "I took a number of courses in creative writing, mostly in the journalism department. I also earned am advanced degree in journalistic studies at Metropolis University. You," Dar- El, "are looking at a strange bird. I am enamored with both journalism and science. Using my super abilities," Clark added, "I'm able to contribute to both disciplines. However, recently, my journalistic output has been significantly reduced. No job, just freelancing a bit." Returning to the subject of his post high school education, Clark added, "When I left Yale, I matriculated at the California Institute of Technology. There, I earned a doctorate in physics with minor studies in chemical engineering and mathematics. My Doctoral thesis was a theoretical study of subatomic particles and how they affect the states of matter. I guess you would classify me mostly as a theoretician - a dreamer in a strange world. "When I left graduate school," Clark added, "I was a research fellow for a year in a nuclear program run by Harvard and CERN. "You, of course, are aware, Dar, that my undergraduate and graduate studies were only acquired to procure professional credentials. Accreditations I would need to move freely within Earth's science and journalistic communities. My AI unit had already educated me in all the Kryptonian arts and sciences, which as you know, are many, many millennia in advance of their Earth counterparts. "As I was completing my formal academic studies," Clark continued, "LexCorp contacted me. At the interview, I was very impressed with their research facilities and their perks, which tempted me to accept their offer right off. However, two items plagued me. One, I wanted to do some journalistic freelancing and second, there was a little voice coursing through my head whispering caution, caution. LexCorp's interviewers seemed to be painting a much too rosy picture of the corporation's attributes and what it could do for me and my career. "As the LexCorp people euphorically droned on and on about the virtues of their facilities, their incessant rhetoric increasingly elevated my uneasiness about their corporation. Then it hit me why I was becoming apprehensive about LexCorp. The interviewer's jargon began to sound like a fairy tale. While I was being bombarded by the increasing gibberish being spewed from the LexCorp people, I suddenly recalled one of my father's jingles - All that glitters are not necessarily golden; proceed with prudence at your peril. "After my interviewing ordeal ended, I went to supper alone and thought over what I had seen and heard. For some reason, I concluded that what LexCorp offered to me at the interview didn't ring true. "That evening, the city was overcast so it gave me the opportunity to hover over LexTowers and listen to a conversation between Luthor and two of his lieutenants. What I overheard made me ill. "After Listening to Lex and his cronies discuss me as though I were a piece of meat and how one Clark Kent was to be manipulated, I could never work for such a corporation, especially one controlled by a man named Luthor. Lex plays with power as a musician reads a bar of music and doesn't care whom he injures to get what he wants. "Unlike the musician, however, who dispenses beauty through sound, I believe that Luthor liked to manipulate people to purposely hurt them. I discovered that he would even go so far as to snuff out their lives. As Luthor and his associates continued to talk, I obtained knowledge of his horrific schemes. From that moment on Lex Luthor represented, to me at least, the personification of evil - he was Lucifer's number one boy. As I continued to listen, it became apparent that Luthor was a megalomaniac. He craved power for the sake of control. The lives of people meant nothing to him. No one mattered except Lex Luthor and his desires. I strongly suspect that he enjoyed destroying life and inflicting pain upon the individuals he controlled and those he could not influence. "After my nightly excursion over LexTowers, I told the management at LexCorp that I would require several days to consider their offer and make my decision. Then I return to Kansas and informed my folks what had transpired. "A week later I sent the LexCorp executives a politely worded letter refusing their offer of employment. "What I hadn't realized was that Luthor wanted the use of my talents at any price. Lex reasoned that my scientific ability could further expand his power base and increase his control over the world financial markets. So I was subtly blackballed by LexCorp. All attempts to secure a position with other firms or academic institutions met with failure. From that time to now, Dar, I've never been invited to interview for any other positions in my field. In short, I couldn't find a job with the scientific community. "Luthor's strategy was to leave me no alternative than to accept LexCorp's offer of employment. He was doing so by attempting to destroy my support base and self esteem. "So, I flew to Mars and mined nearly one hundred and six billion dollars in precious materials from that planet's huge reservoir of mineral wealth. The monies I received for these commodities were placed in a special Swiss bank account. When this was accomplished, I utilized most of the Mar's capital to finance a nonprofit corporation, which I named The Lara and Jorel Foundation - LJF for short. A portion of the foundation's benefits was then used to create two other monetary accounts - one for me and another for my parents." "After the Swiss accounts were established," Clark told Dar, "I was content. My parents' and my own financial future were secure. "Returning to the farm, I constructed a hidden laboratory beneath my parents' barn. During the next year or so the TD transportation system was created. Its technology is based upon my natural parents' String Theory hypothesis. From the information I gleaned from the AI unit, I developed an indestructible metallic like substance and created two extremely powerful weapon systems. The indestructible material I created was from a substance known to science as stabilized neutronium - SN for short. I used this material to construct several interstellar spacecrafts, which I've already utilized to explore the cosmos within about a hundred light years of Sol Three. "With the monies acquired from my Mar's adventure," CJ told his friend, "I've purchased modest homes in strategic locations throughout the world. In each dwelling, I've installed a TD portal. In this way, Dar, I could travel essentially around the world without worrying about being detected and tracked by RADAR or other surveillance devices. "In the past few months, I've incorporated these weapon systems into my interstellar space vessels. This joining will provide the spacecraft with both offensive and defensive capabilities." "Tell me about your new weapons systems," Dar asked Kal-El. After a momentary pause, Clark asked, "Do you really want to know about their potential for death and destruction?" "Yeah, I do," Dar replied. Pausing for a second or two, Clark said, "Okay, I'll fill you in." "The pulsing weapon system produces a disintegrating energy oscillations similar to high powered LASER emissions that will rend any material reducing the targeted objects to their molecular components. This weapon is a relatively short range device, up to a ten thousand kilometers range and is limited to annihilating relatively small areas. I guess you can say it's analogous to a handgun. I estimate, Dar, that the beam emitted by this disintegrating weapon will engulf around three square meters - about the size of a large motor car." "The second weapon I labeled the continuum disrupter. It removes its target - any form of matter - from our universe and thrusts it to null dimension where it ceases to exist. Its range is extensive. Both systems were developed to defend Earth. To be honest," Clark remarked, "I would think long and hard about using the continuum disrupter. If the disrupter device were not properly handled, it has the potential to destroy our universe. When I tested it some years back," Clark added, "I also observed an undesirable side effect - a space quake. Depending on the power emitted by this weapon, the disturbance upon the void would vary. A moderate blast could move entire star systems several light years from their original positions. If this weapon were used for a prolonged period - as it might in a major space engagement - there is high possibility that star clusters could be hurled into one another maybe destroying planetary systems and any life they may harbor. "Besides my weapons systems, I've developed a stealth device which can cloak objects making them undetectable to the eye or any other kind of surveillance mechanism. I've attached these cloaking implements to the reconnaissance platforms I've scattered throughout the galaxy. These reconnaissance stations are our sentinels and will alert me when an alien spacecraft or an invasion armada moves through the Milky Way. "When I completed these space projects, it was then that I enrolled in the two semester Journalism School program leading to a Master's degree at Columbia University. There, I met Alan Jacobs and over the ensuing year we became very close friends - I believe, like us Dar, Alan and I also became spiritual brothers. "At the end of my journalism studies, I was awarded a Master's degree with distinction and was offered an editorial position by Alan Jacobs at the Singapore bureau of the Daily Planet. I accepted and was off to Asia as an associate editor working with my buddy Alan. "It was now time to build a career and to begin my battle against evil, with Lex Luthor as my 'numero uno' target." Clark then told Daren that while working in Asia, he used the pseudonym Kal Ellis as his byline in articles which directly attacked LexCorp and its subsidiaries: LexMining, for example, was a strip mining venture, which consumed the environment as if they were pursuing a scorched earth policy dictated by military logistics; then we had LexGen, a genetic research organization that was killing thousands of primitive people in the subsidiary's rush to develop new vaccines; LexOrphan masquerade as a charitable institution, but was nothing more than a slave bazaar which supplied brothels with a continuing supply of young women and was also a bargain-basement labor force for sweat shops throughout the world. As the corrupt LexCorp's subsidiaries started to fail, Luthor, in a panic, started to hunt for his nemesis, the reporter Kal Ellis. He figured if he could eliminate this journalist's investigations, not only would his large economic losses cease, but also his tarnished social image could be salvaged, and Mr. Evil could avoid prison. Prison, Lex knew was almost a certainty if Kal Ellis were allowed to continue his probes into the working practices of LexCorp and its subsidiaries. With each expose, Clark, using the Kal Ellis byline, was getting closer to ending the depraved career of Lex Luthor and cleansing the world of his sordid stench. For now, many of Lex's handpicked C.E.O's had taken a fall for Luthor, but sooner or later Lex would slip and as Clark said innumerable times to Alan, "I'll be there to slam the prison gates shut on the devil's disciple." "It is essential," Clark added "that Luthor must be removed from the company of decent folk. He is a sick dog running amuck hurting decent folk." "Yet, Dar," Clark remarked, "I've only been able to tarnish Lex's image with my exposes, and help place some of his henchman in the calaboose. My actions, I'm afraid, have just scratched the surface of Lex's evil activities. Although they've tended to make people more wary of him and his schemes, desperate organizations still seek him out for his philanthropic contributions. These handouts have allowed Lex to use his charitable donations as stratagems to launder some of his ill-gotten monetary gains." At that moment the phone rang. Martha quickly answered its summons and a moment later said, "Clark, it's for you." Taking the phone CJ heard the familiar voice of Alan Jacobs. After a few minutes of long distance jabber between the two friends, Clark returned to the living room and informed everyone, "Alan wants me to return to Singapore posthaste. I accepted his offer with the proviso that I'd be allowed time to work on some of my Kal Ellis articles in and around Metropolis from time to time." Looking at his folks and Dar, CJ told them, "Alan agreed to my terms, so off to Asia for me." Adding some comments, Clark said, "Things in the Singapore area seem to be happening in rather unexpectedly patterns and in rapid succession. Alan indicated he needed my help the day before yesterday." Gazing at the night sky, Clark murmured, "My brother sounds desperate." After a pause, Clark remarked, "I've been talking too much. However, before I go," Clark said, "Dar, there's something I need to show you." Beckoning to his friend, they entered a TD portal that whisked them to the ternary Centauri star cluster some four light years from Sol Three. When they arrived at their destination, Dar-El realized that he and Clark were on a platform hovering in the void surrounded by three stars: Alpha a, Alpha b, and Proxima Centuri. As Clark showed the refugee from NK around the space station's living quarters area, Dar-El spied another structure attached to the residential area of the space platform. Clark told his friend that what he was seeing was Sanctuary's energy source, and it was housed in a stabilized neutronium structure - a nearly indestructible material. Dar also became aware that there were nine spacecraft berthed near Kal's home away from home - his space station. Dar-El mentioned to his friend that the design of the space stations interstellar ships were very similar to the spacecraft Dar used to leave New Krypton. Aware of Dar's mounting curiosity, Clark allowed his spiritual brother some time to wander about the space station to get his bearings and learn what was available to him if needed. After the two Kryptonians had wandered a bit, Clark informed Dar-El, "I call this place my space sanctuary. It has five hundred self-contained apartments in the living section. Each living chamber contains all the amenities one could expect to find in an Earth dwelling. There are also large communal areas where children can play and adults can relax and socialize. In essence," Clark added, "Sanctuary is a miniature world hidden from the universe - it's an island unto itself." As they walked through the Centauri space station, Clark indicated that attached to the living facilities was also a modern laboratory and a hospital complex with up-to-date Kryptonian and Terran technical and medical equipment. Clark then added, "Within this station's laboratory facilities is also a small military complex. It is utilized, at present, for mainly surveillance work. As you are aware, I have probes scattered through the galaxy that monitor all unusual travel throughout this region. Dar," Kal-El continued, "there are about twenty to thirty interstellar space faring races scattered among the myriad of stars that makeup the Milky Way. Many of these races have visited Earth in the past to study its relatively primitive cultures. They won't make any formal contact with Sol Three until the hostile ways of our planet have been eradicated, and the inhabitants of Sol Three have achieved some sort of interstellar travel. Anyway," Clark concluded, "that's what I've been led to believe when I chatted with several ET cultures several years ago." Sweeping across the entire facility with his arm Kal commented, "This entire complex is cloaked. If my calculations are correct, Sanctuary cannot be detected by any device outside this facility's stealth curtain. Essentially, we can't be seen by the rest of the universe. On this station, Dar, we are truly a hidden island in the midst of uncounted stars." Looking at the spaceships, Dar said, "Why have you constructed so many interstellar vessels?" Gazing at his friend, Clark replied, "I want you to first know that each one of those ships is a potential war craft. They have been constructed from my indestructible material - stabilized neutronium - and contain both defensive and offensive weaponry." Reflecting on Dar's concerned countenance, Clark chortled and said to him, "Just consider that those spacecrafts are normal interstellar vessels, which have been protected by madman Kent's heavy armament." When CJ had completed his subtle but poignant repartee, both Kryptonians broke into almost uncontrollable laughter at Kal's ludicrous statement. "In all seriousness," Kal continued, "you should know that each vessel is armed with a cosmic disrupter and a disintegrator weapon system. When I'm truly finished building this fleet, the squadron you now see berthed at this station will number twenty-five vessels. Hopefully, they will only be used for pleasure and exploration. The destructive capacity contained within each ship will only be utilized for the defense of our families and the world upon which we dwell - the Sol Three To me the taking of life unnecessarily is abhorrent and the thought of killing makes me ill, unlike Lex Luthor, who unfortunately has a passion for killing and mayhem." Dar then shook his head indicating to his Kryptonian kin that he understood and would be supportive of Clark's philosophical views when such a time arose. Dar-El also understood that his spiritual brother, Kal-El aka Clark Kent, was mainly a man of peace and for him to become belligerent, where lives would surely to be lost, could only be justified by his basic principles - preservation of his own person when he was in jeopardy, to protect his family, and to defend Earth from a space born attack. If one of those three events would ever occur, Kal-El would adopt the Kryptonian combative philosophy of "No doubts, no mercy, just the kill." Putting his head down, Dar murmured, "I pray that no situation ever arises which places my brother in such hostile circumstances." As the two Kryptonians wandered through the space complex, Clark said, "Dar-El, I want you to consider this space station as the Dar-El clan's abode." As Dar heard Kal-El words he knew, at that moment in time, that Martha and Jonathan's Kryptonian son had become one with his family. While Dar and CJ roamed through the space station, the man from New Krypton became aware that Kal-El's journey through life might be that of a solitary traveler. However, Dar also knew in his bosom that his friend would never be lonely. Clark would always be surrounded by Linda, himself and their children and always be part of his family. Still, Dar secretly hoped that Kal-El, aka Clark Kent, and Lois Lane would ameliorate their differences and allow their soulmate auras to bind them into devoted life partners. "Maybe," Dar reflected, "he and Linda could play the role of cupid in the Lane-Kent situation." Their meandering through the Centauri space platform eventually brought them to one on the communal areas. As they made themselves comfortable, Clark asked his friend, "Why didn't Krypton develop interstellar vehicles? With spacecraft, most of the planet's population could have been saved. A great people would be alive to serve creation." "Theoretically," Dar replied, "our people researched the possibility of interstellar travel and built several kinds of experimental spaceships that did function rather well. The major obstacle to continued interest in interstellar voyaging was the time element. It would take many years to traverse the immense distances between Krypton and stars, especially in other galaxies. Local star systems, however, were within relatively easy reach. For example, to reach a solar system several hundred light years from Krypton would take only a few hours or days. However, travel to Earth, eight billion light years distant, would require more than a million years. So, just a few interstellar ships were constructed to explore star systems within a radius of a thousand light years or so from Krypton. In time, Kryptonian interest in interstellar travel waned and nearly ceased. If it weren't for the twin worm hole configuration located near the Krypton's solar system, NK would never have been colonized, which, in time, saved a modicum of Krypton's people from destruction." As Dar-El gazed at the silent stars through one of the space stations portholes, Clark brought him back to reality when he asked a question of his brother. "Wasn't the Kryptonian scientific community knowledgeable about the subatomic string particle theory?" Shaking his head, Dar replied, "The Kryptonian Science Council rejected your natural parents' notion that an atomic fragment particle - Jor-El's string particle - existed especially since it was believed to be smaller than a quark. A quark was considered by the mainstream Kryptonian scientific community to be the basic building block of all matter. Jor-El and Lara's new particle views were just too controversial for them. "It was Jor-El and Lara's determination and unshakable belief in their new theory which spurred them to construct a powerful string engine and incorporate it into a small interstellar ship. A spaceship they would use to send their infant son across the immensity of the void to Sol Three." After a lull in their conversation Clark, remarked, "So, that's why the extra terrestrials - the ETs - asked me about my method of interstellar travel. When I displayed a reticence about divulging anything about my string driven spacecraft, the ETs didn't press me. They seemed to understand the need for secretiveness in the area of spacecraft propulsion." From Dar's information, Clark finally understood why Lara and Jor-El couldn't escape the catastrophe that destroyed his birth world. People just didn't believe in the String method and its ties to interstellar space flight, and therefore wouldn't provide Jor-El and his soulmate with the necessary materials to construct a family size string driven vessel. Traveling the interstellar distances between the galaxies in the older Kryptonian spaceships would have required thousands or hundreds of thousands of generations to reach a particular destination - suspended animation equipment would be required for such a trek. However, from experimental data, the suspended animation equipment that existed could not be expected to remain functional for the time needed to cross the universe. Since the suspended animation equipment was problematic at best over extremely long journeys, one could expect entire families would perish before reaching their destination. Since such a high probability existed that many travelers would perish on journeys exceeding a million years, trips through the void and interest in interstellar voyaging waned and was soon abandoned. At the time of Krypton's destruction, only a few ancient spaceships existed, which were utilized as life vessels, but saved very few of the planet's inhabitants. Now Clark understood why the other interstellar races he'd encountered wanted information about his particular method of star voyaging. If one race acquired the means to move almost at will through the void, such beings could rapidly secure most of the best habitable worlds within a certain galactic cluster. By getting there first, these extraterrestrials could exclude other space faring peoples from establishing colonies in that region. In doing so, other life forms could be doomed to eventual extinction for lack of living space or worse be forced to engage in an intergalactic war for the sake of their own species' survival. From Clark's new prospective of the intergalactic problem, he said to Dar, "When our descendants or the people on NK begin to expand into the cosmos, there must be a directive which prohibits Kryptonians and/or Terrans from burgeoning unchecked through space and seizing all the habitual planets and barring other races from establishing new worlds of their own." Dar-El agreed with Kal's views regarding Earth's and New Krypton's places in the cosmos after both worlds had become space faring people. Reflecting for a moment, Dar-El then commented, "Kal, I have a problem which is closer to our needs and also needs solving." Clark replied, "I'm all ears, Dar." Searching for the right words, Dar remarked, "From one of my research projects, I've discovered that a bridge can be established between human and Kryptonian physiology by using electricity. I believe between the two of us we can construct a device that can turn my research results into working reality. If we are successful, Clark, I will be able to modify the genomes of Earth folk and provide them with our unique abilities. However, at present, I'm specifically thinking about using such a device to change my soulmate, Linda, into an Earth born Kryptonian." After considering Dar's thoughts, Clark excitedly remarked, "Your notion has merit and I believe the two of us can devise the necessary apparatus to accomplish the proper genetic modifications. Your wife and all Earth folk who marry into our super clan can have the genome modification. Think of it," Clark again almost yelled, "all future life partners of your kids will become Earth born Kryptonians." Musing for a moment, Clark continued, "You know that you and Linda may become the Adam and Eve of our people on Earth. New Krypton would not be the exclusive neighborhood where Kryptonians still exist within the cosmos." "You are aware, of course, Kal," Dar remarked, "that you're left yourself out of this scenario." Giving Dar-El a grimace, Clark said, "As things stand now, I will never have the opportunity to father children with my so called soulmate. She is the most self-centered and uncaring person I've had the misfortune to meet." "You may be wrong about her," Dar replied. "Maybe," Clark responded, "but, as of right now, I have no desire to find out if we are compatible enough to form a union. I must tell you that our last meeting and subsequent vocal exchange were so traumatic that I don't ever desire another face to face encounter with that woman." After a moment of silence, Clark added, "You know, Daren, as Lois and I were squabbling, I did sense something or other attempting to fashion a linkage of sorts between us. However, because of the vehemence of our antagonistic wrangling, any auras striving to link our souls in such a hostile environment would never succeed." "Never say never," Dar answered Clark. Smiling at his friend, Kal-El simply replied, "We'll see." After a momentary pause, Clark reminded Dar, "Why are we debating this issue? It's a moot point. At the present, my brother, I still don't have a significant other. Well, maybe I do, but to my mind she's nonfunctional." Then grabbing Dar by the arm, Clark said, "Let's say goodbye to my folks before and return to Metropolis. Like you, Dar, I also need to get to the big city, find a place to hang my hat for a few days, while I complete my affairs. Then it's off to Singapore for moi." After saying their adieus to Martha and Jonathan the two Kryptonians walked toward a TD portal located in the Kent's farmhouse. As they momentarily stood in front of the teleportation unit, Dar suddenly said, "You'll stay with Linda and me while you're in Metropolis. We have a vacant guest room." When Clark started to protest, Dar said, "There will be no argument about my decision, Dr. Kent - remember your family." For the next several months, neither Kal nor Dar rested much. During the day, Dar worked at the Star and Clark freelanced and wrote several articles he'd promised to a biweekly publication called the Metropolis Enquire. As time permitted, Clark worked with Alan Jacobs in the Singapore office of the Daily Planet, fulfilling his promise to a friend. At night, the two supermen labored in the lab attached to Kal's Centauri space platform developing Dar's chromosome modification device. During her third trimester, Linda was taken to the Centauri space station where her genome was modified providing her with super abilities. Linda, as Dar long desired, had become the first Earth born Kryptonian. She and Dar then took some vacation time from the paper and went to the Kent farm in Smallville, Kansas. There, Dar taught Linda how to use and control her new powers. As Daren and Linda Miller alternately worked and rested at the Kent's Smallville homestead, Clark completed the first of his freelanced articles for the Metropolis Enquire and put the finishing touches on an expose for his friend Alan Jacobs. Using the facilities of the Metropolis Enquire, Clark published the first of his blockbuster exposes under the Kent byline. It was entitled "The Destruction of Landmark Sites - Greed Destroys our Heritage." His story made the people of Metropolis aware of a grave situation, the loss of Metropolis' historical landmarks to the modern robber barons, the real estate merchants of the city. Due to his story the Sara Bernhardt Theater was saved, and a law placed on the books of Metropolis that protected the other historical locations within the limits of the great city. Because of the Kent article a historical sites' bill was also introduced in the State Legislature, and after a much heated debate, a law was passed which protected the historical treasures throughout New Troy. Luthor was furious with Kent's exposes. The master of evil stood to lose a small fortune. He had plans to build a deluxe hotel on the Bernhardt theater site. Here, wealthy and famous individuals could carouse in garish luxury and spend tons of money all for Luthor's coffers. Several weeks after his first, Clark's second article appeared in the Enquire attacking LexCare - supposedly a first-class nursing facility. In his expose, Clark Kent described the LexCorp's subsidiary as a butcher shop. Kent's article described in graphic detail what occurred within the buildings that housed the LexCare facilities. His article described and illustrated the genetic and toxicity experiments which were performed on the geriatric and ailing population by the LexCare organization, which was licensed only to aid and comfort sickly and aged patients. LexCare's actions, which Kent had documented thoroughly, were the cause of many unnecessary deaths. Clark's article detailed how the parts from some of the bodies were sold to transplant agencies, while entire cadavers, with no next of kin, were marketed to medical schools and other research establishments. For his third story, Kent used VCR recordings graphically to show LexChem employees abducting young homeless people. These forgotten individuals were used as guinea pigs in the testing of new LexChem drugs or were just exterminated, dissected, and their remains sold. By selling parts or the entire human body, these activities provided LexChem with enormous profits. In describing the extermination process, which LexChem utilized, Clark indicated that the killing procedures were akin to the methods used in Hitler's concentration camps some fifty years earlier. When Clark's stories broke, the C.E.Os of LexCare and LexChem were arrested and indited for murder. When approached, Luthor simply said that he was innocent of any wrongdoings. Lex told the authorities that he had no knowledge of the misdemeanors and felonious acts perpetrated by the heads of his subsidiary companies. Since there was no hard evidence directly linking Luthor to either LexCare or LexChem cases, the villain of villains again eluded arrest and prosecution. When Clark heard Lex plea his innocence on a local news channel, he remarked to Linda and Dar, "The murderer doth protest too much, me thinks." As Clark's exposes hammered at Lex's corporate subsidiaries, Luthor and his financial empire began to acquire an insidious reputation. And, although it took some time, the Metropolis' judicial system, under increasing public pressure, finally empowered a Grand Jury to investigate Lex Luthor's intrigues and the internal workings of LexCorp itself. While Lex was not in custody, his name was being vilified, and the billionaire was becoming something of a pariah where once he had been extolled by his peers and the public at large. Although Luthor was being slowly isolated for his alleged evil deeds, the devil's number one boy still possessed sharp claws and deadly fangs, which he continued to use in his many felonious and clandestine operations. To avoid any more exposure like in Kent's LexCare story, Luthor's LexCorp took control of the Metropolis Enquire in a hostile takeover and closed the biweekly publication. In this way, Lex reckoned he'd silenced Clark Kent's zealous journalistic voice. Realizing that his only publication source in Metropolis area had been eliminated by the dissolution of The Enquire, Clark approached Linda Fox Miller and asked her to be his partner on his final investigative story about the doings of Lex Luthor and friends. Without hesitation, she agreed to share her byline with Clark. It would be a Kent-Fox byline on Clark's final Luthor-LexCorp story. As Clark was winding up his exposes about the LexCorp's subsidiaries with another LexGen tale, Linda's husband Daren was getting very disturbing information about the weather conditions in the Atlantic Ocean near its confluence with the Gulf of Mexico. Apparently, a small energetic meteor had impacted in that vicinity causing a temperature increase in the path of an approaching tropical depression. With the energy supplied by the meteoric impact, a small tropical depression, which had been brewing in the area, suddenly acquired the energy to evolve into a raging storm front. The first sign of impending trouble was a sudden plunge in the barometric pressure near the entrance to the Gulf. This atmospheric pressure depression was rapidly followed by the typical rotational pattern of a hurricane. All the preliminary weather data was sent to the newspapers in Metropolis and other cities as a matter of routine. While this deadly storm was just being scrutinized by the NOAA and the Weather Service, this killer storm had been detected hours early by one of Daren's special weather satellites. When Dar first saw the pictures of the approaching storm, it appeared unusual in two ways. First, it was traveling toward the Gulf stream at abnormally high speeds. Rates approaching forty miles per hour were being recorded by his satellite instruments. The satellite data also informed Daren that the winds around the eye of the storm were approaching one hundred sixty miles per hour. From the satellite pictures and pressure info, Dar-El became aware that the storm's cyclonic air speed was increasing at an alarming rate. By using his modified Kryptonian weather system Clark's spiritual brother was conscious of the killer storm's destruction potential hours before the National Weather Service and NOAA would be mindful of the Hurricane's actual existence. The key to Daren's advanced weather warning system was a remarkably efficient computer program, which he fabricated from an advanced Kryptonian language. To complement his software package, Dar-El had constructed several advanced weather tracking satellite. Several of these tiny and stealthy electronic moons, as he called them, were placed in geosynchronous orbits about the Earth. When these satellites went on line, it provided Dar with an unprecedented planet-wide weather tracking network. As the ferocious storm plunged into the Gulf, Daren's computerized weather network had already been tracking the raging tropical depression for many hours, collecting the vital data which would be needed to track the storm's direction and its varying intensity. Finally, the New Kryptonian became convinced from the satellite's information that a violent and rapid moving depression was increasing in size and a destructive storm was being transformed into a monstrous hurricane with more than two- hundred and fifty miles an hour winds - an F5 category storm. Without a moment hesitation, Daren telephoned the Department of Commerce and faxed that agency all the data at his disposal. They thanked him courteously and indicated that they too were just becoming aware of the storm he'd been monitoring. However, because of their outmoded equipment, the government meteorologists were not yet cognizant that Earth's natural forces within the mouth of the Gulf of Mexico were on the rampage and soon would be threatening the lives of thousands of people who lived and worked in the path of the raging gigantic storm system. When Dar's information was received by the Commerce Department, an employee of that agency, who was also on LexCorp's payroll, routinely relayed Daren Miller's information to Lex's corporate headquarters. Perusing all incoming information, as was Luthor's custom, the unusual weather pattern building just inside the gulf caught his eye. Mostly out of curiosity, first, Lex ordered his meteorological scientists to check out the reliability of the weather data LexCorp had received from their agent within the government's weather service's bureau. With their relatively crude equipment, LexCorp couldn't definitely confirm the magnitude, direction, or the destructive potential of the hurricane reported by the Star's weather desk. To Lex, non-confirmation of an event meant that the situation was probably not critical and could be ignored for the moment. Not to cause any uneasiness or panic in his corporate empire, Lex called Doug Williams, The Secretary of Commerce, and intimated to him that a reliable source had intimated that the information from the Star's weather desk was dubious at best. With his debonair mannerisms, Lex convinced the Secretary not to alert the possible threatened areas until substantiated data were obtained which could support such an emergency condition. To strengthen his position and aggravate an already critical weather situation still further, Lex reminded the commerce secretary that the climate information from the Star was probably questionable at best and suggested that any warning about the Gulf situation was far too premature and suggested a wait and see policy. When the government official acquiesced to Lex's foolish suggestion, the pale horse now galloped in cadence with the ever increasing strength of the storm surge. Death was no longer just an onlooker, but a full fledged player in this sea drama. As many people, to their peril, have assumed throughout history, when wealthy people speak, their words are considered wisdom from on high - what they have to say represents truth. So, Lex's arguments lulled Secretary Williams into a sense of wellbeing, and he cancelled the weather alerts related to the Gulf storm. The die was cast dooming thousands of common folk to a watery grave. Secretary Williams' cancellation of the weather alerts halted any withdrawal announcements in the threatened coastal areas and ended the immediate evacuation of personnel from the oil-rigs operating just inside the Gulf. Of course, an evacuation was not in the best interests of LexCorp. Luthor's communication with Secretary Williams was motivated by a simple factor - greed. Shutting down LexCorp's oil-rigs would cost Luthor's corporation enormous sums of capital. Money that Lex didn't intend to lose. In the Gulf of Mexico, LexPetrol had six rigs. Each oil platform was pumping more than twenty million dollars of oil per day and stuffing the profits into LexCorp coffers. A storm warning would cause the shut down of the oil-rigs and the evacuation of the LexPetrol's open sea platforms. Lex also knew that to shut down the rigs and start them up again would require more than a week's time, time in which nearly one hundred and fifty million dollars would be lost to LexCorp and its investors. Luthor couldn't allow that to happen based on what he deemed sketchy weather information. To ensure that no inkling of the fanciful storm would become common knowledge until Lex deemed the weather data was correct, Luthor ordered his man in the NOAA organization to disable the government's weather detection facilities. This down condition would be maintained until his own weather tracking devices could ascertain the actual weather patterns moving toward one of the many positions where the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean could intersect. When Lex's orders had been executed, the endangered Gulf region and areas north of that position were essentially isolated and at the mercy of the natural forces now running amuck. Life saving information was no longer available to the people or agencies in the threatened areas. A short time after Luthor issued his delusional orders crippling the NOAA satellite system, Daren became aware that his warnings about the impending storm were being ignored. At that moment, the Star's weather expert nearly became frantic. After getting control of his emotional demeanor, Dar called his colleagues at the Weather Service in Washington and was unofficially told what had transpired between Lex Luthor and the Commerce Secretary. Daren, fortunately, had the presence of mind to record his conversation with the men and women who were part of NOAA's Washington political bureaucracy. During his conversation with officialdom, Dar was also informed that an aircraft had just been dispatched to check his weather data. Thanking his associates at NOAA, Dar broke the telephone connection and rushed to the editor's office and begged him to issue a storm warning so that the people living in and around the Gulf could evacuate the threatened areas. Linda knew by the tone of her husband's pleas that there was a disaster brewing. However, because of his frantic pleas most of the reporting staff thought that Daren Miller had lost his marbles. Ed Malone, the Editor of the Star, another of Luthor's sub- rosa cronies, had wanted to cashier Daren for some time. Lex's nephew needed a metrological position at a major newspaper to further his career. Now Malone had the perfect opportunity to dismiss his weather-environmental reporter and hire Lex's relative. Smiling Ed said, "Daren, I have been noticing that you have become more and more unstable over the past few months. In view of your apparent psychological problems, I'm afraid I'll have to let you go. I'm truly sorry, Daren. Please pack up your things and be off the premises within the hour." As Daren turned away Malone thought to himself, "For this favor, Lex owes me big time." Dar-El picked up his spatial computer and data that supported his contentions about the growing severity of the killer storm and quickly exited the Star and rushed toward the Planet. When Dar-El fled the Star building, his wife, Linda, began to empty his desk. She had overhead the conversation between her husband and the newspaper's editor. Leaving the Star at a dead run, Dar hurried to the Daily Planet where he hoped to get help in getting the word out about the Gulf storm. While Daren was attempting to help, a compatriot of Ed Malone commented quietly to his boss, "What if Daren is correct? Your ass will be grass, chief." Grinning, Malone replied, "I'll place my money on Lex Luthor. LexCorp knows what's going on." Ed's crony shook his head agreeing with his editor's views, and then they both laughed heartily at Malone's coup and Miller's misfortune. Upon entering the Planet's bullpen, Daren searched furiously for his friend and colleague Ann Simms - the Planet's science department head. Spotting Ann at the far end of the bullpen, Dar move quickly toward her work area. Reaching his friend and colleague, Daren informed Ann in a frantic voice, "I need your help post haste." After a slight pause, Daren told her about the horrendous storm of unprecedented magnitude brewing in the South Atlantic that was about to enter the Gulf of Mexico. It appeared to be a category five plus hurricane moving West by North at around 35 knots. Waves associated with this storm were fifty to seventy-five feet high and increasing the last time he had checked. "I believe that the lives of hundreds, or even thousands, of people are great in peril depending on where the storm makes land fall," Daren finally told his friend. After his relatively excited discourse with Ann, Daren showed her the data he'd collected and the computer analysis of his information. Ann knew her friend and colleague well enough to know that Daren was a very good scientist and not prone to exaggeration. As she gazed into his eyes, Ann saw fear. Fear she knew was for others who were, if Daren was correct, now in the path of a massive killer storm. After seeing her friend's weather data, the Planet's weather editor was no longer surprised at his concern. As she continued to peruse Daren's information, Ann, knowing that Daren and his wife Linda were always responsive to the needs of people couldn't understand how the Millers could work for a tabloid-oriented paper like the Star. However, that was really a horse of a different color and considering the urgency of the current crisis it had to be a topic for a different time. The director of the Planet's weather desk also was aware through the grapevine that Daren had developed an advanced weather system. She'd been told that it could detect changes in climatic conditions long before the equipment now being employed by the Weather Service could detect any pertinent storm information. Therefore, Ann knew that Daren's information was in all probably very reliable. Looking at her friend, Ann said, "Daren, why haven't you sent the usual warning to the National Weather Service and NOAA?" "I tried," he replied. "For my efforts, I was sacked." "What?" She nearly yelled. Daren simply shook his head and added, "NOAA is not functioning and the Weather Service has been muted from someone high up in the national administration. Another political dummy has interfered with the nuts and bolts of the systems that drive the government to protect its people. The result of this interference will be the deaths of individuals who might normally have been saved." Daren then informed Ann, "Unknown to the Washington Weather Service hierarchy, associates, at my request, have sent an aircraft into the storm zone to verify my findings." "To confirm your data by that ancient method, Daren, will take hours," Ann replied, horrified. "The current speed of the storm will make it almost impossible for people to evacuate the threatened areas when an alert is finally announced." "Jimmy," Ann yelled across the newsroom, "come here." When Jimmy Olsen arrived, Ann said, "I've got some sub-Rosa work for you. I want you to hack into the Department of Commerce phone system and find out who called the Secretary today." As he was hurrying away, Ann discretely said, "Jim, don't get caught." As Jimmy was leaving the Science Chief's work area, Ann summoned Lois Lane. When Lois arrived at Ann's desk, the science editor introduced the Planet's top reporter to Daren Miller and proceeded to tell Lois about the violent hurricane moving through the Gulf and the political hanky panky that had somehow gotten involved in one of nature's most destructive assaults on humankind. Just as Ann was completing her tale, Jimmy returned. He told Ann and Lois that The Commerce Secretary received four calls, which went directly to his private office. Two of these phone transmissions were from LexCorp's central office complex. "That figures," Ann spat. "Why did you say that?" Lois queried her friend. Ann replied, "The NOAA weather system was built by LexCorp and could be easily manipulated by an individual who was involved in its construction and trained by Lex's corporation. Therefore, if anyone on LexCorp's payroll were inserted into the NOAA's staff, such an individual could probably disable the weather monitoring instrumentation without the operation crew knowing what's causing the malfunction." "Also," Ann added, "Lex Luthor knows Dough Williams on a personal level." After answering Lois' questions, Ann arose from her desk and began to pace to and fro. Suddenly, she turned toward her colleagues and said, "I'll bet a week's salary that if Lex Luthor didn't want any information from the government satellites to be broadcast, he'd have his scientists or a person inside the NOAA organization power down the weather tracking system. The question that really bothers me is why would he do such a horrible thing?" Jimmy then blurted out, "Lex Luthor generally operates on a greed principle." As Jimmy finished his terse statement, Daren's face became illuminated. He said, "A subsidiary of LexCorp, LexPetrol, has six rigs in the Gulf extracting oil from beneath the seabed. If there were a storm, he would have to shut down those platforms and in the process lose tons of money. Since those rigs are built to withstand category five hurricanes, Lex wouldn't have to worry much about his oil extracting hardware." Anyway Daren added, "I'll bet that Lex is probably heavily insured." "What about the crews working those rigs?" Lois asked. "Wouldn't he lose them in this type of blow? Lex would be hard pressed to replace those kinds of technical people." In response to Lois' question Daren replied, "LexPetrol's platforms are the newest and most well equipped of their kind. There is a hollow shaft at the center of each oil rig made of reinforced concrete. At the bottom of the shaft is a chamber that rests on the sea floor. Each chamber is stocked with survival equipment and a snorkel device that will provide the chamber with air. The platform employees will survive even if the rigs themselves collapse. So, the obvious answer to your question, Lois, tells us that the garnering of wealth is again taking precedent over the welfare of people - an old story," Dar murmured. Pounding his fist on Ann's desk, Daren added, "We can expect that Luthor's oil rigs will continue to operate until the last possible moment to maximize LexCorps' profits." Scratching her head, Lois remarked, "It's hard for me to fathom that kind of behavior from Lex Luthor. I've gone out with him, and he's always acted like a perfect gentleman and was always amicable towards the people who served us." Ann looked at Lois and said, "Because you're a close friend of mine, I'm going to say something that maybe should be better left unspoken. However, for your sake, Lois, I'll throw caution to the wind. If Lex gets wind of my thoughts, I may suddenly become quite dead." Pausing for a moment Ann stated, "Lex Luthor is an amoral ass. I've seen him treat people with disdain and at times with brutish contempt. He watches himself when you're around, Lois, because I think he wants you for his life partner - his wife. "If you ever were to fall into his matrimonial trap, my friend, your life with him would be disastrous and in a short time, your world would become a hell on Earth. Luthor is a control freak and he would constantly attempt to force you to his way of thinking. If you resisted and did not fall into line, I believe you would be uncomfortably harassed. If that method were not successful, my guess would be that Luthor would hurt you badly in some other manner to bring you into line. As you saw from Clark Kent's articles, Luthor is probably the most despicable gangster of all times. If Daren is correct about the weather issue, as confirmation of his data will soon corroborate, that information would be the clincher to my long standing suspicions about Lex Luthor and his devious mannerisms coupled with his evil intent. In my book," Ann added, "he's the devil's number one boy." Lois was somewhat shocked at Ann's comments, but surprisingly her colleague's thoughts were not offensive to her psyche. Although there was no hard evidence, Lois, without the hard evidence she usually demanded, accepted Ann's views. If truth were to be told, Lois too had her suspicions about Luthor's motives from time to time. Now, with the exposes and the scientific evidence placing LexCorp and its subsidiaries as the fountainhead of the developing catastrophe, Ann's words started to make perfect sense. Lois had a feeling that Ann's thoughts had somehow freed her logical intuitiveness from Luthor's snares. For Ann's courage, she had nothing but admiration. The Planet's science desk chief was a friend who might have placed her life in peril to open Lois' eyes to Lex Luthor's scheme. Ann had lifted the veil, and Lois Lane would now be able to see through Lex's debonair facade. As the select group of journalists continued to discuss Daren's storm data and the titanic disaster in the making, the monitors in the newsroom suddenly burst into life. Apparently, all afternoon amateur weather people and radio enthusiasts on the west coast of Florida had been receiving "Mayday" transmissions from oil rigs and fishing trawlers in the Gulf. The messages from these sources repeatedly stated that a massive hurricane was moving about forty knots in the direction of Brownsville, Texas. These communications also told the world that the six LexCorp oil platforms had already been demolished by cyclonic winds, now swirling at about two hundred and seventy miles per hour. As Daren and the Planet staffers gazed at the monitors, they were presented with a view of a monstrously raging sea and heard the LNN newscaster disclose that the oil rig crews possessed by LexCorp and the oil rig personnel from other companies had been evacuated to safety by the Coast Guard, and the Gulf fishing fleets were attempting to move out of the path of the monstrous storm and were now fleeing for the lives. In the commentary which followed, the LNN people wondered why the NOAA system failed to alert the Commerce Department about the ferocity of the storm, and why the Weather Service neglected to issue a timely warning so evacuation procedures could have been initiated much earlier in the survival. Because of the apparent delays, the inhabitants of the Gulf coast from Brownsville, Texas to Pearl River, Louisiana were now in deadly peril. Thousands and maybe hundreds of thousands of people living in that region could be seriously injured or lose their lives. As the LNN continued to broadcast its doom and gloom prognostications, Daren was busy setting up his weather equipment in Ann's work area. Some twenty minutes into the LNN special broadcast, Lois and Ann heard a hushed "Oh my G-D" gasp from the LNN newscaster. Regaining her composure, the TV reporter added, "From our sources, the storm's trajectory has altered. The storm seems to be turning in a more northerly direction. Our weather department has now indicated that the coastal impact area is expected to occur near High Island, Texas. All people within a hundred miles east and west of the expected landfall area should evacuate expeditiously." "They should run for their lives," a voice could be heard yelling off camera. Several minutes further into the broadcast, the LNN commentator remarked, "The NOAA system is now back on line. The first pictures should be coming through anytime now." Several seconds later, visual confirmation of the storm and its destructive potential was being viewed on the Daily Planet's monitors. The ferocity of the storm surge was unbelievable. The waves whipped by F5+ hurricane force winds were mountainous. As Daren and his colleagues watched, they beheld the wrath of nature gone berserk and were awed. As everyone was glued to the TV monitors, Perry White moved to center stage and began barking orders. He wanted the Planet to get out an extra. As Planet's chief was returning to his office, he asked Daren if the young scientist would mind being interviewed by Ann and Lois as part of the paper's extra edition. The ex-Star employee nodded his consent. While Daren was being interviewed and the Planet's staff was working like there was no tomorrow to get out an extra about the super storm, Clark was seeking out Linda Fox Miller, Daren's soulmate. As the killer storm was speeding through the Gulf, Clark finally located Linda at the Star cleaning out Dar-El's desk. By a series of rapid telepathic exchanges, Clark was apprised of Dar's sacking and how it was related to the F5+ hurricane now hurtling toward the Texas coast. After being apprised of Dar's situation, the man from Kansas took Linda to the nearest conference room. There, Clark showed the very pregnant Linda Fox-Miller the final expose, which specifically targeted the LexCorp subsidiary, LexGen, and would destroy another of Luthor's world debasing enterprises. LexGen, a Metropolis based genetic engineering firm, had made a name for itself by producing beautiful hybrid species of common garden flora. And, for the past several months, their new hothouse orchids had been the hit of the floral world. Unknown to the general public and law enforcement agencies, LexGen had genetically altered the opium poppy to mimic its new hybrid orchid. The opiate producing plant was propagated in large greenhouse facilities among the normal hothouse orchids. Since the two floral species were engineered to look exactly alike, no one except those cultivating and harvesting the drug-producing crop knew how to differentiate between the two plant species. In this way poppies disguised as orchids were being grown in the Metropolis area right under the noses of the law enforcement authorities. In a relatively short time, large quantities of the normal orchids were being marketed at local floral shops, while the opium producing look alike plants were being shipped around the world. Soon, illegal opiates throughout the world began to increase at an alarming rate. Worldwide law enforcement agencies were becoming frantic as they attempted to locate and destroy the new opium sources. Using his unique abilities, Clark soon uncovered the source of the drug manufacturing facilities and discovered the bioengineering procedures that created the new opium- producing orchid. By utilizing voice and video equipment, Clark gathered the hard evidence needed to support his expose. When the man from Kansas had completed his undercover work, he sent a copy of the drug information to the Metropolis police department in care of inspector Henderson and duplicates of his article to the FBI and other law enforcement agencies. Clark agreed with Bill Henderson's request to wait until the raid on LexGen was in progress before the Kent-Miller drug story hit the newsstands. As Clark patiently waited for the police assault on LexGen to commence, he recalled the days he worked with the Metropolis Enquire who were only too eager to publish his works. Clark would make sure that his friends at that now defunct biweekly newspaper would still share in the glory of this drug bust. By doing so, he'd place another nail in Lex's corporate coffin. To ensure that the Enquire received credit for this latest battle with corruption, Clark had incorporated the whys and the wherefores of the paper's demise into his drug article. After the Enquire went under, Clark turned to Linda Fox Miller for help. With her influence, Clark's expose would be published in the Star soon after the police did their job. Linda was quite willing to help Clark publish his story and didn't care whether her name was included as part of the article's byline. However, Clark insisted that she should share the credit. All that CJ really wanted was to get the expose to the public sector and further tarnish the evil one's - Lex Luthor - crumbling image. Clark was one of those rare individuals who didn't care about fame or fortune. Truth and justice were his credo - that's what he wanted most from his work. After some good-natured wrangling, the byline issue was settled, and the copy sent to the editor. When Ed Malone saw the Kent-Miller story, he immediately contacted Lex Luthor - Malone, like many amoral people in Metropolis, was on the payroll of the devil's disciple. When Lex heard about the LexGen article he almost lost it - he became nearly psychotic. After a few minutes, Luthor regained a measure of his mental stability and ordered Ed not to publish the story and to sack Linda. Ten million dollars was to be deposited in Ed's Swiss bank account for his cooperation. Malone then called Linda to his office. Clark accompanied her. When Linda entered Doug's office he said to her, "Yours and Kent's article is not fit to use to clean up doggie droppings. It is a slanderous article about one of Metropolis' most honored citizens." After a pause, Malone said, "You stories have been a little ragged, Linda, since the onset of your pregnancy. I'm afraid because of your condition, the quality of your work has not been up to the Star's standards for some time." In a rather harsh tone he delivered the coup de grace, "This paper has no further use of your services, Ms. Fox. You're fired. Now take this hack, pointing to Clark, and leave this paper's premises post haste." "Return the copy of my article, please," Clark asked politely with a rather edgy tone. Acting on Clark's request, Malone began his search for the LexGen story. As he waited for his hard copy, Clark, using his x-ray vision, scanned Malone's phone system and discovered that the Star's editor had recently been in contact with Lex Luthor. After some minutes, Ed Malone, after a very superficial examination of his desk area, stated that he couldn't locate their story at that moment. They would have to return tomorrow to retrieve their article. When Malone began to hammer Linda again, Clark became very angry. A few seconds after listening to Malone's building harangue, Clark's ire finally reached its boiling point. Suddenly, Clark grabbed the Star's editor by his lapels and hoisted him in the air. As Malone was dangling in midair, Linda heard Clark remark, "You'll find my copy now or suffer the consequences." Looking into Clark's eyes, Ed Malone knew that Kent meant business, and his physical wellbeing was on-the-line. Upon being returned to the floor, Malone miraculously located the missing manuscript and handed it to Clark. As Linda and Clark left the editor's office, Kent turned and said, "Give my regards to Lex, willya?" Malone just blanched. After rapidly cleaning out Linda's desk, Clark and Linda made a dash for the Planet building. Arriving at the DP, Clark and Linda both noticed that the bullpen was functioning at full throttle. It looked like the entire Planet staff was operating on a war footing. Sighting her husband with Ann and Lois in the midst of the hubbub, Linda pulled Clark across the newsroom toward the Planet's weather workstation. Arriving at Ann's desk after wading through a hectic bullpen, Linda and Clark were briefed and updated about the storm of the century and Ann was informed of Linda's sacking. Giggling, Ann commented, "Now the Millers are both unemployed." Upon hearing the joviality in Ann's voice, Daren remarked, "It's not a laughable situation, Ann. How will we eat?" "Don't worry," Clark chimed in, "if you need money, just let me know. I've acquired enough green stuff to last my folks and us three until Hell freezes over." "You know, Linda," Clark said to her, "I'm kinda of glad you and Daren are no longer affiliated with the Star. Since you're unattached, the Millers can reside at the Kent farm, where Linda can have her babies in a safe and clean environment, and Dar can delve into the mysteries of nature to his heart content. At my parents' place," Clark added, "you'll never have to fear for your children's safety or want for anything." Linda nodded, gesturing to Clark that his comments made perfect sense. Then Linda briefly turned pale and quietly gasped. Neither the Planet's science chief, Lois, nor the others in the room were cognizant of Linda's unusual behavior. They were wholly absorbed in the discussion about the Miller's financial and living conditions. Suddenly, Dar became aware of his wife's unusual condition. He literarily sized her and placed her in Ann's chair. "What's wrong, baby," the man from New Krypton nearly yell. Dar was scared. Taking her husband's hand in hers, she commented, "The babies are kicking the hell out of me." Immediately placing his hand on his wife's abdomen and closing his eyes, Linda's condition almost miraculously improved. After a few minutes, Linda said to the father of her unborn children. "Thanks, Dar." Linda's soulmate kissed her on the forehead and said, "Are you sure you're okay, my love?" She smiled and just nodded. When Linda was perking-up, Lois asked Dar, "What happened? What did you do?" After a brief pause, Dar told Lois, "Someday I'll tell you, but not now. You're not ready." When Dar and Linda's semi-emergencies had been quelled, and their domestic problems had been largely settled, the ex- Star reporter, Linda Fox Miller, remarked to those gathered around Ann's desk, "We have an expose about LexGen and its involvement in the drug trade which must be published. The Enquire is no more, and the Star won't print our article. The police, even as we speak, are raiding the LexGen laboratories and their production centers." Getting the group's attention, Linda asked, "Can the Planet publish Clark's Story?" "Our story," Clark reminded Linda. "I don't see why not," Ann replied. At critical times, timing can be all important. Unfortunately, at that moment Perry was busy with the budget, so Lois summoned an assistant editor, Tom Griebe. When Tom arrived at Ann's work area, he was given the LexGen article to read and edit. As Griebe was perusing the Kent-Miller story, Lex Luthor with his lieutenants, Nigel and Asabi, charged into the bullpen. When they located Kent and Linda, they hurried toward the science desk. Seeing that Griebe was editing Kent's drug story, Lex yelled, "You can't print that stuff; it's slanderous. I'll sue the pants off the Planet and send it into oblivion if that story goes to press." It was obvious to everyone there that Lex was employing his well-known scare tactics. Lex's blustering did upset the young editor until Clark chimed in and remarked, "Don't worry, Tom, I have the hard evidence to support my drug story. That evidence has also been turned over to the FBI, Metropolis' finest, and other international police agencies." Then turning to face Lex, Clark, with his anger pouring from every fiber of his body, said, "As you are well aware, Lex, a copy of my drug article with its supporting documentation has been sent to the police. I do believe that both the city police and Federal law enforcement agencies are now raiding of the LexGen facilities." Realizing that he couldn't stop the LexGen story from reaching the people of Metropolis, the master of evil, Lex Luthor, attempted to cover his rear by appealing to Clark's sympathetic demeanor. With oiled ease, Luthor said, "Mr. Kent, please forgive my boorish behavior and my threatening gestures." In his apology scenario, Lex conjured a story in which he indicated that he had reacted from fear induced by the unlawful actions of LexGen's senior management and how it would affect him. It was this fear that caused him to lash out at a perceived antagonist instead of using logic and understanding to bridge the gap between gentlemen. In a whining tone Lex then added that while he still didn't have all the facts, he was still shocked at the unlawful activity of LexGen's C.E.O. and his staff. Pausing for a moment, Lex continued, "I had no idea that the LexGen hierarchy was involved in drug trafficking. I'm sure you'll find, as the investigation proceeds, that there is no direct connection between LexGen's illegal business practices and LexCorp." Again, Clark realized that Luthor was throwing his lieutenants to the dogs to save his own hide. Nearly barfing in Lex's face, Clark remarked, "Sounds like the same old theme, Lex - denial, denial, denial and more denial - followed by throwing your associates to the dogs." Turning and looking at Lex squarely in the eyes, Clark finally added, "You're like the boy who cried wolf again and again until his bellowing was unheeded nor believed. Your philosophical image of the good guy is now at an end, oh disciple of evil." Luthor glared at Clark. After smirking Lex said, "Tell me, Dr. Kent, do you have an aka called Kal Ellis? And, I also would like to know whether you will be my judge, jury, and executioner." Ah, Clark retorted, "You found me out. How long did it take your great big technical staff to deduce my alter-ego - about three years, my dear Beelzebub? Not a very proficient organization, wouldn't you say, Mr. Luthor?" Then after a slight pause Clark added, "In a way, I'm delighted that you know that Clark Kent and Kal Ellis are one and the same. When the LexGen article hits the street in a few hours, my work here in Metropolis will be done. There will be no need for any further subterfuge. Because there was no hard evidence between you and LexGen, you may again escape the law for the iniquities perpetrated by LexCorp and its subsidiaries. However, I believe meddling with government agencies attempting to monitor the current killer Gulf storm will warrant some kind of societal punishment. And, Lex, I presume your punishment will include jail time, lots of prison time." Smiling Clark said, "Lex when the guillotine falls for the your government infractions, it will fall for all those who never received justice for being victimized by your other unlawful and evil schemes." "Dr. Kent, you amaze me," Luthor quipped with venom. "First, you refuse a million dollars a year job to work for LexCorp, and then you go to war with me. For a person with perhaps the single greatest mind of our era, you've behaved with extreme stupidity." Without rancor, Clark retorted, "I'd never work for you, Lex, or be affiliated with people who regard less fortunate individuals as insignificant and replaceable. Luthor, all of us are unique in some way, and in my view invaluable and irreplaceable. We all have talents, which if nurtured and brought to fruition could help this old world of ours evolve into a better place. I am aware, Luthor, that building a better world will be slow to be sure, but that movement is inevitable and is even now moving toward a society you'll never be able to fathom, oh maven of murders. You with your gluttonous desire for great power and 'your Hitlerian' ideals, in a short time, will soon be less than a memory." Pausing momentarily, Clark then added, "I want to thank you for blacklisting me, Lex. Since no industrial or academic institution would interview me for any kind of position, I was forced to consider my other love, journalism. I want you to know that it was my journalistic studies that showed me how to confront you, fight your evil, and beat back the malignant ideas, ideas you attempted to disseminate throughout our world corrupting it in turn, oh captain of murderers. Your hunger to control, Lex, and the power you've use to crush people will in the end destroy you and all your sinister works." As Clark was speaking, Luthor's face became distorted, and for the first time in public, Lex revealed signs of his psychopathic disposition, which, over the years, he'd hidden so well behind a controlled facade. Gone was the charisma that had duped so many. Vanished were his charming airs and debonair ways that had flattered and seduced many women. His usual suave mannerisms at last gave way to rage; rage which was clearly discernible in his gaze. As Planet staffers looked on, you could see the disgust and mounting anger on their faces for having been deceived by Lex's pernicious masquerade for such a long time. Luthor, having revealed his true nature, caused Clark to comment, "My efforts to date might not have destroyed you entirely, Lex, but my investigations have allowed one Clark Kent to alert the world about your nefarious doings and provide Earth's population with the tools to check your depraved abilities from injuring more descent folk. The strength of the press has placed my words before humankind, and it seems that they have sparked a movement that will move against your power base and other ploys. Others, more skilled than I, I'm now sure will finish the job." For one of the rare moments in his life Luthor knew fear - fear of failure and the knowledge that jail time for the great Lex Luthor was a real possibility. When the Planet's expose of Lex's illicit schemes became public in a few hours - using Clark and Linda's article - Lex Luthor would become an outcast in Metropolis, a city he once nearly owned. As Lex stared at the man who was responsible for shattering his empire and painting him as a pariah among his fellows, all Luthor could do was show his contempt for Clark Kent and bathe in the resentment and anger of all those present - people who would be witnesses to Luthor's downfall and humiliation. While the malevolent entrepreneur stood there staring