When I awoke this morning trying to figure out the sequence of events prior to Lois' journey back in time, I realized that it was time to vacate lurkdom and provide some feedback.
Shayne, I love your writing style and I'm enjoying the premise of this story for so many reasons. I am also completely intrigued and frustrated at the tiny clues you've left as to how Lois (and the world) ended up in this situation.
For instance, you hinted in part 2 that Clark died just after expressing his love for Lois. How did Clark die and why as Clark and not as Superman? Did Lex succeed in killing Clark after trapping Superman in the Kryptonite cage? How did Lois learn that Lex was a criminal if Clark wasn't around to investigate him? What has put the world in jeopardy? What kind of cataclysmic event would effect the earth but take another 18 months to destroy it?
I'm anxious to see how Lois handles meeting young Clark. Knowing Lois, she'll want to keep in contact with him (for the same reason that she couldn't wait to contact him) and further change both their timelines.
It'd be interesting if Lois slipped and mentioned Superman to a younger Clark. Not knowing that they are the same person, she could explain that Superman is an alien from Krypton with the ability to fly, x-ray/heat vision, super strength, invulnerability (except for Kryptonite), etc. Since Lois knows more about Clark's origins than he does, his reaction might precipitate a conversation where Lois tells him who she really is and why she sought him out. How would an earlier debut of a superhero affect the world?
So many wonderful possibilities ...
Like James, I love time travel and can't wait to see this story unfold. More soon, please!
BJ
