Clark and Lois - Despair to Hope – Matchmaker Chronicles Volume 4 – 19/22
By Ken Janney
This version is rated PG-13
* denotes emphasis *
< denotes thoughts >
[ playback of a recording ]/ telepathic communications /
(#) footnotes
As always comments are welcome. (ken.janney@kjanney.com)
Reminder:
Universal Locator Designation
Alpha 023 x Gamma 004 x Tau -120 - Canon Lois and Clark universe also called – Prime
Alpha 023 x Gamma 025 x Tau 036 – Canon Alt Clark universe also called – Alt 1
Disclaimers: The characters in this story are property of DC, December 3rd productions and Warner Bros. No Copyright infringement is intended. I have just borrowed the characters for a short time.
Previously –
The next day, Perry showed up in the editor’s office. He said, “Lois, you know, uh, it’s like this, I have a little time on my hands and thought that, maybe, if you would be willing, we could, uh, maybe, share some of the editor’s duties.”
Clark was standing there, Lois gave him a look and then turning to Perry said, “No, you may not share this office with me. I won’t have it.”
Perry was crestfallen at her response and started to turn away.
Lois said, “Where do you think you’re going?”
Perry in a downtrodden manner said, “You aid you wouldn’t share.”
Chuckling Lois said, “No, that’s not correct. I said, I won’t have it. I meant the office! If you want it back it’s yours. Last night I decided that I didn’t want it anymore. I was going to ask you if you wanted it back, but you beat me to the punch!”
Afterward Lois wished that she had had a camera to capture the look of joy on Perry’s face when this all sunk in.
Lois walked over and picked up her name plate and carried it with her as she stepped over to Clark and put her arm around him and said, “Let’s go partner, there are stories out there waiting for us to write them.”
Perry chuckled as he watched them disappear out the door. He walked over and sat behind his desk with a look of contentment on his face.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
A couple of week later Alt Clark contacted local Clark and they set up another dinner party.
This time as Alt Clark was about to leave Lois threw her arms around his neck and gave him a kiss on the cheek and said, “I don’t know how to thank you. It has been wonderful not having Clark running out for rescues all the time. We have had some nice together time thanks to you.”
Alt Clark replied, “I’m glad I was able to help out.”
After Lois released him he addressed both Lois and Clark and said, “Remember, look for *my* Herb to visit. I’m sure that you’ll appreciate the gift he will bring. I wish you a long and happy married life.” He shook Clark’s hand. Martha gave him a hug and Jonathan shook his hand before he exited to go meet Herb.
And now:
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Chapter 17 – The Green Green Glow of Kryptonite
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Universal Locator Designation
Alpha 020 x Gamma 155 x Tau -180
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Herb said, “Well, my boy, you have been on a good number of missions.”
Clark acknowledged with a modest pride, “Yeah, eleven so far.”
Herb continued, “Are you ready to try one more time?”
Flushed with success and happy that in all of his missions to date he had been able to not only save the Clarks, but in some cases the Lois Lanes and in at least one case Mayson, he said, “Sure Herb, I guess so. How many more of these missions do I need to go on?”
“Not many more now my boy, not very many at all.”
“Okay, where to now? What’s the incident?”
“Well, my boy, we are going to Smallville this time. You see, early on, shortly after Prime Clark went public as Superman, there was a rogue government group out to destroy him because they thought that he was a threat. They were called Bureau 39. They had started out as part of Project Blue Book, but this group, after being ‘officially’ disbanded, stayed together and active hunting down alien artifacts. Once Superman made his appearance they went after him. A sample of Kryptonite had been sent to Wichita for analysis by Wayne Irig. They had heard about it and wanted a larger sample to use as a weapon against Superman. Superman in Prime was very nearly killed by Colonel Trask in that encounter. Fortunately, Lois arrived with Rachel Harris just in the nick of time and Rachel killed Trask. We need to make sure that Trask fails, even if Rachel Harris doesn’t arrive in time.”
Clark said, “Kryptonite again, huh? Oh well, maybe I can avoid exposure. Alright, let’s do this.”
Herb pulled out his TaDT and set in the date, time and space coordinates. A portal opened in the air in front of them and they stepped through.
Herb turned to Clark and said, “You probably recognize exactly where you are. This is the lower forty of the Kent farm. As near as I can tell Bureau 39 is conducting a dig on the Irig farm. The Kryptonite is actually being hidden on the Kent farm. If Colonel Trask is able to acquire the Kryptonite sample that is here, he could possibly kill the local Clark or you if you are mistaken for him. Be careful my boy. I wouldn’t want to see anything happen to you.”
Clark replied, “I’ll be careful.”
Herb said, “As usual I’ll pick you up in a month. Let’s meet at Arlington National Cemetery. I’d like to observe the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns December 15th at 10 AM.
“Okay Herb. I’ll meet you there. I just hope I have as much success this time as I have had on all the other missions.
Herb pulled out his TaDT and punched in a time, date and location. A portal opened and he stepped through. He looked around and didn’t immediately spot Clark. Eventually he spotted him in the crowd watching the ceremony and walked over to him. They stood, side by side and silently observed the ceremony. When it finished they strolled away walking the paths among the gravestones Herb said, “Let’s go over there and sit on that bench for a moment.”
They walked over and sat on the bench and after a few moments of contemplation, looking at all of the graves of the fallen, Herb started the conversation, “Well, my boy, how did it go? I already know that you were successful. How did you handle it?”
“Well, Herb, yeah, Clark’s alive, but it is no thanks to me. I was there, but, I wasn’t the one to save him. If it hadn’t been for Rachel Harris he’d be dead now. I guess things worked out the way they were supposed to, but, it was too close for comfort. Unfortunately Colonel Trask lost his life. I wasn’t fast enough to save him.”
“I’m sorry to hear that my boy. Do you want to talk about it?”
“Yeah, I guess so.”
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Flashback
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Universal Locator Designation
Alpha 030 x Gamma 100 x Tau 185
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Immediately after Herb had left Clark had proceeded to the vicinity of the Kent homestead.
As he was approaching he could feel the pain of Kryptonite exposure and knew that the Kryptonite Herb had told him about was nearby and out in the open. He used his enhanced vision and looked into the barn. He saw the open case and the green Kryptonite. He thought, <”Uh oh, crystalline Kryptonite. The worst kind and it’s pretty big. That’s going to have to be dealt with before Trask gets his hands on it.>
When he had finished his examination he turned around and went the other way. As soon as he was in an area which afforded some concealment he spun into the Suit and took off. He flew to the outskirts of Smallville and spun back into his regular clothes. Walking into town he bent his course to a sheet metal shop that he was familiar with. Fortunately, they were still open, even with the Corn Festival going on. Entering the shop he asked for and received two fairly large pieces of lead sheeting. Leaving the shop he returned to the farm. Using his heat vision to soften the lead he formed it into a cup large enough for the Kryptonite meteor to sit in. The second sheet he formed into a lid to cap the cup with. He made a wide detour around the barn and made his way to the front door while the Kents were in the kitchen with Clark. As soon as he reached it he knocked on the door.
Martha left Jonathan to handle Clark and she moved to the front door. Cautiously she looked out the window before opening it and stood there aghast at what, or actually, who she saw. She called, “Jonathan, come here please!”
Jonathan left Clark and joined Martha at the door. When he saw Clark outside his curiosity was aroused and he opened the door. “May I help you?” he asked politely, but in a very distracted manner. He, as Martha had been, was shocked by the striking similarity in appearance between this visitor and their boy,
Alt Clark spoke up, “Mr. and Mrs. Kent, I’m here to help Clark. Inadvertently, you have exposed him to a fragment of rock from his home planet. That rock that Wayne Irig gave you to hide is a meteorite. Clark was fortunate that the chest that Wayne placed it in for safe keeping was made of lead. The lead shielded him from the radiation. When you opened that chest to show him the contents you exposed him to the radiation. Continued exposure can be fatal. In the kitchen he isn’t yet far enough away from it. You need to move him to the front porch. As soon as you’ve done that, Mr. Kent, please go to the barn and place the Kryptonite into this bowl of lead and place this cap on top. Lead blocks the radiation which harms us. He’ll start to recover as soon as this is done.”
Jonathan immediately turned and went to the kitchen and assisted Clark to move to the porch. As Jonathan was helping him to a chair he asked, “Why not just close the chest?”
Alt Clark responded, “Wayne Irig would recognize that chest and his recognition could be critical.”
As soon as local Clark was seated in a rocker Jonathan almost literally ran to the barn carrying the lead bowl and cap. A few seconds later Alt Clark could feel the pain disappear. He moved over and picked up local Clark and carried him back into the house and upstairs to his room. Martha followed in his wake. He laid Clark on his bed and covered him with a quilt. As he stood up he said to Martha, “Keep him warm and let him sleep. When he wakes he needs to sit out in the sun. That will start restoring his powers.”
As he was finishing up on his directions to Martha, Jonathan reappeared. Alt Clark said, “You must have a million questions. Let’s go downstairs.” Jonathan led the way with Martha trailing behind. When they reached the living room Alt Clark said, “I’m sorry for the abrupt appearance and bossing you around that way. I didn’t have much choice. I could still feel the Kryptonite and knew the pain he was in.”
Martha, ever courteous despite the circumstances, said, “Please, let’s all sit and be comfortable.”
Clark took a chair and the Kents sat on the sofa, holding hands. “Okay, my name is Clark Kent and I’m from a parallel dimension. I’m here to see to it that your Clark isn’t killed.”
Jonathan and Martha both had startled expressions as he was talking.
“The first step in that process is this, Mr. Kent; I would request that you give me that lead enclosure with the Kryptonite in it. I need to first, seal it up with my heat vision and then launch it into space so that it can’t harm either one of us again.”
Jonathan said, “Right away,” as he jumped up and moved to the barn. Clark got up and followed him and waited just outside the barn for Jonathan to bring the enclosure out.
Clark accepted it. First he used his heat vision to seal the cap to the bowl and then he said, “Thank you. I’ll be right back.” Alt Clark spun into the Suit and took off, straight up. When he reached the ionosphere he launched the enclosure with all of his might and watched it disappear into space. He turned and retraced his path, landing next to Jonathan and spinning back into his regular clothes. They moved back to the house, rejoining Martha in the living room.
After settling in the chairs Alt Clark started again, “Now that the Kryptonite is taken care of we can relax and talk. Clark has been exposed to crystalline Kryptonite which is the strongest, most hurtful form. He will be without his powers for 24 to 36 or as much as 72 hours even after only that brief exposure. This could actually help him to conceal his secret identity. Currently there is a rogue military unit, called Bureau 39, looking for him. When they find him he will be powerless and be removed from their list of suspects especially as I will be around as Superman. It is unfortunate that an exposure like this will not really help in any other way. Kryptonite isn’t something that repeated exposures can help build up your resistance. Every exposure will be just as debilitating as all the rest.”
Martha spoke up, “You say that you are Clark, how can that be?”
Clark decide to use an illustration he had used before, “I guess the easiest way to explain is this, think of an onion. When you slice across an onion and look at the sliced part you see numerous layers. The universes are like that, many layers side by side. I’m from one of the other universes. I am in the process of looking for Lois Lane. NO, not the one that is here with Clark, but, Lois Lane none the less. You see, most of the universes have their own Lois and Clark and it is critical that they be brought together. Their marriage is critical to the future of each universe. Their union is what brings about a utopian society in the future. I realize that it is very early in their relationship but you must do everything you can to foster their relationship. They have to get married.”
Martha asked, “If that’s the case, why are you here, helping our Clark instead of home with your Lois Lane?” As she was asking this question she saw a sad expression overtake his features and she said, “Oh, that’s the answer, she’s not there for you.”
Alt Clark said, “You are very perceptive in every universe. Yes, you are correct. My Lois, my soul mate, was killed on an investigation. I am going from universe to universe doing my best to keep the local Clark Kent alive so that he can fulfill his destiny with his Lois. If I fail or if I find a universe without a Clark I will be there for that Lois and perhaps fulfill my own destiny.’
Martha said, “What has happened to my manners? Would you like some lemonade?”
Clark replied, “That would be very nice, thank you.”
Just then a car pulled up in front and parked. Clark used his enhanced vision to see who it was and saw Lois jump out of the car and head for the door.
Alt Clark said to Jonathan, “Uh oh, it’s Lois. Clark’s down for the count. I’ll have to try to take his place.”
Jonathan said, “Good luck,” as he got up to answer the door. Opening the door he said, “Well, Lois, you seem to be in a hurry.”
Lois said, “Hi Jonathan, where’s Clark?” She spotted him in the living room and said, “Okay Clark, let’s go. We have to go see what’s happening at Irig’s. I got that reply with the list of EPA sites and the Irig place isn’t on the list.”
Clark said, “Come on in for a minute Lois. Mom’s getting some lemonade.”
She replied, “Look, who’s top banana around here? I said, let’s go. Get your butt in gear Kent!”
Turning to Jonathan he said with an air of resignation, “Duty calls. Tell Mom I’ll have the lemonade when we get back.”
Lois turned and headed out the door. As she did so, Clark turned to Jonathan and said, sotto voce, “When Clark gets up make sure he dresses in the same clothes I have on. We’ll switch back after he’s up,” then he headed out the door in Lois’ wake. They climbed into the car and Lois took off, headed for Irig’s. When they got there Lois parked and they climbed out of the car. They approached the barrier. Ms. Carol Sherman approached and Lois produced her list and in a challenging tone said, “It seems that this site is not on the EPA list.”
Ms. Sherman replied, “We can match paperwork if you want to do that.” She handed Lois some papers, “This is our certificate granting us access to EPA Superfund status. This is the property rights waiver. This is our authorization from Smallville city hall and this is the updated list of what you have, see, there’s Smallville right there.”
Clark said, “She’s right Lois”
Lois asked, “Can I have a look at that?”
Ms. Sherman handed over her clipboard and Lois began looking at the papers.
Ms. Sherman said, “It always takes Washington about six weeks to figure out what the people in the field are up to.”
While Lois was arguing with Ms. Sherman Clark used his x-ray vision to look at the contents of a nearby tent. He saw Wayne Irig in custody with several guards and one individual questioning him. Clark presumed that to be Trask, the individual he had been warned about.
Ms. Sherman continued, “I can make a call if you like.”
Lois said, “Do that, and while you’re at it, we definitely need to speak to Mr. Irig.”
Ms. Sherman replied, “I told you, he’s been relocated during the disruption.”
Lois challenged, “Yes, but you didn’t tell us where.”
“Because I don’t know! Probably one of the motels.”
“I doubt that, all of the rooms around here are booked up months in advance, or maybe you haven’t heard of the famous Smallville Corn Festival.”
Ms. Sherman said dismissively, “The government has pull,” as she turned to walk away.
Sarcastically Lois said to her retreating back, “I bet it does.”
Lois and Clark turned and returned to the car. They drove back into Smallville and to the Corn Festival getting something to eat and sitting down at a table with a checked table cloth which looked like it came from Maisie’s Café.
As Lois was rifling through her bag and pulling out various items Clark was munching on a potato chip as he said, “Alright, in four hours we’ve checked and all we know is that in twenty years there have been no permits and no citations issued on the Irig property.” Lois opened her notebook and slamming it down on the table and gave Clark a look. Alt Clark started to get worried. Had he made a blunder? Had he given himself away somehow? Did she know that he wasn’t *her* Clark Kent? He tried to cover up and asked, “What’s the matter?”
She replied, “Don’t mind my friend Lois, she’s from Metropolis!”
Relieved that none of his fears were being realized he went with it, “Well, you were coming off a bit … intense.”
Lois was getting exasperated as she replied, “Intensity might be a crime in Smallville, but in Metropolis it’s a survival skill.”
Properly chastened he shut up and grabbed another chip.
Just then the waitress, a blond, walked up and asked, “Clark *Kent*?”
Clark with an embarrassed chuckle said, “Hi.”
She said, “Your mother said you were here for the Daily Planet.” She set a Dixicup of water down in front of him as she turned to Lois and said, “So. Ah, this must be Lois?” as she set a cup down in front of Lois.
Lois turned to her and asked, “How’d you guess?”
Putting out her hand she introduced herself, “I’m Maisie.” Then she shook Lois’ hand and asked, “How’s the writing coming? I just love to read a good romance novel.”
As she was asking Lois’ countenance fell and a look of utter disbelief and betrayal took over as she turned to Clark. If looks could kill, this one would have even given Superman pause. Clark stuttered, “I must have, uh, accidentally uh, mentioned it to my mother who might have …”
Lois finished up for him, “Accidentally told the whole town.”
Maisie tried to defuse the situation by saying, “That’s just Smallville for you, Honey, everybody knows everything about everybody else.”
Lois got a smug look on her face as she asked, “Then why haven’t I heard any dirt on Clark here?”
Maisie started putting down the menus as she said, “Well, with Clark here, what you see is what you get. Here ya go. Back in a jiff.”
Lois started to smile as she picked up the menu and said, “What you see is what you get, hummm?”
Suddenly Lois’ cell phone rang. When she grabbed for it she knocked Clark’s water into his lap.
Embarrassed she said, “Oh, sorry,” with a shrug.
She answered, “Lois Lane.”
She got a startled expression as she blurted out, “Mr. Irig! Where are you?”
He said, “Somewhere outside of Salt Lake City.”
Incredulously she blurted out, “Salt Lake City!”
She heard, “Well, I, uh, I just got in my Winnebago and decided to go visit my sister. I’ve been on the road so long I hardly know where I am.” There was something funny in the way Irig said it, though. It sounded wooden, like he was reading off of a script.
Lois said, “Mr. Irig, I’m gonna put you on with Clark Kent.”
As she handed Clark the phone she mouthed “This is weird.”
Clark said, “Hello Wayne, uh, can I have a number where I can call you back?”
He heard, “I don’t see one here. I’m in a truck stop.”
Clark asked, “Well, what did the EPA guys tell you about the work they were doing on your property?”
“Just that they needed to do some diggin.”
Clark asked, “Wayne, is everything okay?”
“Uhhh, yeahh, no, no problem. Uh, looks like somebody else needs to use the phone, uh, goodbye Clark.”
Clark said, “Wait, Wayne I …” He heard a click as he was cut off.
Questioningly, he asked Lois, “Salt Lake City?”
With a determined look on her face she said, “That’s where he said he was calling from.” Thinking for a couple of seconds she continued, “Could have been anywhere.” After a few more seconds she said, “Let’s go mingle. See what we can see.”
They spent some time interviewing people and then they went back to the farm.
When they got back to the farm they moved inside and Alt Clark excused himself to go upstairs. Local Clark was awake and up. He marveled at his look alike but didn’t question it as his parents had briefed him on his presence. Alt Clark filled him in on what he and Lois had been doing and insisted that local Clark take his rightful place at Lois’ side promising to return as Superman.
After Clark went downstairs to join Lois, Alt Superman exited Clark’s room through the window and flew down to the front porch. Stepping up he knocked on the door. He heard Martha shout, “Clark, see who’s at the door please.”
Local Clark opened the door and said, “Come on in Superman.”
Lois was startled and asked, “What are *you* doing here?”
comments go here To be continued in Chapter 18 – Trask
