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Times Past, 1979 - World's Finest
Superman and Supergirl
Rocks And A Hard Place
A red and blue figure streaked across the Atlantic Ocean in a diagonal course, heading for the Eastern seaboard of the United States. I definitely need a shower after helping those flood victims in Africa, Superman thought to himself. Hopefully the new dam I built will keep that from happening again any time soon.
He glanced up at the position of the sun in the sky. Hmmm, I should have some time too before I join the Planet staff for the picnic, the Man of Steel thought. Perry insisted that Clark Kent be invited to this year's festivities even though I'm now working as a reporter on WGBS. It's nice to know that I'll always be considered part of the 'family' even if I'm not working for them full time.
Suddenly, Superman squinted his eyes. What's that? His telescopic vision kicked in as he looked up to the sky. Hmmm, a meteor dropping through the atmosphere. He cut his arc slightly upward as he watched it descend.
The rock started to burn about the edges as it passed through the upper atmosphere. Typically, meteors would pass through the atmosphere and burn up upon entry, requiring little intervention from outside parties. That resulted in 'shooting stars' for people below to wish upon, if they were lucky enough to witness it.
This one, however, was different than most.
"Uh oh," Superman said as he streaked up to intercept it. "That one's rather large, and its heading for a populated area to boot. I better take care of this."
Superman put his two fists out before him and collided with the meteor, smashing right through the center of the space rock. With a loud crack, the meteor split into two smaller parts. The hero then spun around quickly. His eyes began to glow as he moved, sending a fiery burst of energy at one of the chunks. The heat vision at its higher intensity quickly vaporized the chunk.
"One down, one to go," Superman said. He streaked after the remaining large portion. "Let's see if I can have some fun here." He moved into position beneath the streaking rock, paused and then swung back his foot. The scarlet boot whipped around and connected to the rock. The mighty kick shattered it instead of knocking it back into space.
"Hmmm," he said to himself. "I guess its not so easy to play 'space soccer' now that I'm all grown up. Ah well." Superman turned and flew back down. Soon, the sprawling city of Metropolis was approaching. "Definitely need that shower now."
***
Two days later, in a modest home in the small suburban community of Midvale, a small family of three sat about the table after completing the evening meal. Only a few slices of roast were left untouched on the platter, and there was hardly a serving each of mashed potatoes and peas left in each of the bowls.
"Edna, that was some meal," the man said to his wife.
"Thank you, Fred," the woman replied. "Though I best get to cleaning up. These dishes won't clean themselves." She was about to rise from her seat.
"Mom, sit and relax," the young woman said. "Allow me." She rose from the table and began to move at super-speed. In a moment, all the dishes, silverware, platters and such had vanished from the table.
Moving quickly, the young woman had everything in the kitchen sink, hot water running and soap bubbles rising. In what would have easily taken any other person ten minutes to clean up, she managed to do it in less two. And she could have done it even quicker if she wanted to.
Soon, she was back at the table, drying her hands on a red and white checked dish towel. "All done," she said with a smile.
"Linda, you didn't need to do that," Edna Danvers said. "I wouldn't have minded."
"I know, Mom," her adoptive daughter replied. "I just figured it was just as easy for me to get it done."
"Speaking of getting things done," Fred Danvers said between sips of his coffee, "how are things going with you at your new job, young lady?"
"Things at KSFTV are good, Daddy," Linda said. "San Francisco is such a lovely place, though I do miss you guys a lot. Especially Mom's home cooking."
"You can take the leftovers home with you if you want," Edna offered. "I'll get them ready for you."
Linda blushed slightly. "I was hoping you'd say that. I kind of already wrapped them up." Her parents laughed, and the three continued to chat for awhile longer over coffee.
Eventually, the evening progressed, and it was time for Linda to depart. Before she did, though, she changed into her blue and red costume, leaving her civilian clothes for her mother to return to the closet upstairs. "I'm sorry to eat and fly, guys," Supergirl said with her leftovers in hand.
"Not a problem, dear," Fred said with a smile.
"Do be careful flying home," Edna cautioned as she hugged the girl.
"I will, Mom. I promise." Then with a little wave, the heroine slipped out the back door and took to the skies at a blurring speed. She hadn't gotten too far away, though, when she noticed a light in the sky.
A shooting star! she thought to herself. Then there was a second one and then a third, but the third seemed to grow brighter and not burn out like the others. I better see what that is!
The Girl of Steel rocketed through the air after the falling object. As she got closer, her enhanced vision confirmed it was a rather large meteor. I better handle this!
As she approached it, meeting its descent speed, she realized she would need to be creative. Only one free hand, Supergirl thought, noting the leftovers she held. Her mom's cooking was too valuable to discard needlessly. Not a problem.
She swept under the object and placed her free hand on the bottom edge of the rock. Then, with the right amount of pressure, she started to influence its course, altering its angle. Combined with her flight, her strength was able to alter the course of it enough. With a strong shove, Supergirl was able to direct it into a small nearby lake.
There was a loud splash as the rock displaced the water.
"There," she said to herself. "That should do it." Using her vision powers again, Supergirl confirmed that the large space rock had settled securely on the bottom of the lake bed with no repercussions. "It appears to be harmless rock. No signs of radiation or the like. It should be fine right where it is."
Satisfied, Supergirl took off for the west coast, leftovers still in hand.
***
Across the stars, several dozen solar systems away from Earth, was the small planet of Rega-VI. The surface of the world was barren, the red dusty soul apparently devoid of little life. The close proximity to its sun kept most travelers away from Rega-VI, an effective deterrent to be sure.
Beneath the planet's surface, however, was a hidden space-prison whose location was not widely known to many save the Green Lantern Corps and other galactic defenders. Here, in a facility run by a bright pink skinned humanoid alien with wisps of white hair, were housed a number of dangerous intergalactic criminals.
The aforementioned alien was making a routine check of certain 'guests' of the facility with his ever present assistant, a short yellow furred alien which scurried about on four legs. "Things are looking well, Tuul," the warden said.
"Indeed they are, Warden Hrdnox," the assistant said. "Just one more on the list." He checked the clipboard. "Yes, just one more." He hurried over to a panel and punched in the code, opening the dark stone door to the cell.
"The force field is in place?" Hrdnox asked.
"Yes, sir!" Tuul replied.
"Good, good," Hrdnox said. He stared into the cell quarters via the transparent energy field. Unlike other prison cells which included a way for the prisoners to bathe and relieve one's self, this room was very sparsely furnished. Only a cot was on the far side of the wall. That was all this particular prison even needed.
Sitting there on the small cot was the cell's occupant. He was a green skinned figure, dressed in a pink uniform with white boots. Atop his hairless head was a ring of red electrodes. To look at him here, one would question his reputation as a ruthless, intergalactic criminal. But appearances did not fool Warden Hrdnox. He knew of the unspeakable, horrid acts this entity was capable of performing.
The figure just sat on the cot, unmoving and staring off into space. Only when the warden called out his name did he even look up.
"Brainiac."
The living computer turned its head and gave the warden a look. He then turned away.
"That's right," Hrdnox said "How does it feel to be trapped within an impenetrable force-field? A little ironic, don't you agree?"
Tuul had put down his clip board and was performing some readings with a small handheld device. An odd look crossed his face. "Uh, sir..."
"Well, you can just forget about escaping," Hrdnox continued his taunting of the prisoner. "Many have tried but none have succeeded. I run a tight operation here. Its that sterling reputation that lead to your being kept here after your last capture."
Tuul began to tug at the man's elbow. "Sir...sir..." he said, "I think you should look at this."
Hrdnox scowled at his assistant. "What? Can't it wait?"
Tuul shook his head feverishly. "I don't think so, sir. Look!"
Hrdnox snatched the device and looked at the readings. His face turned pale, and his jaw dropped. "How...how can this be?"
"I don't know," Tuul said.
"How...how long?"
"I don't know that either."
Hrdnox turned back to the cell where Brainiac remained silently sitting. He swallowed, still reluctant to accept the readings. He then pressed a code on the panel near the door, dropping the force-field.
Brainiac paid his actions no mind.
Hrdnox stepped into the room and walked right up to the seated criminal. He swallowed again, took his right hand and went to strike the criminal.
His hand passed right through Brainiac!
"By the Great Crtswn!" Hrdnox exclaimed, taking a step back. "The readings were true. It is an energy spawned duplicate!"
Tuul, still cowering near the doorway, asked "what shall we do now?"
Hrdnox took a deep breath. "The only thing we can do. Get a message to Superman. We have to tell him that Brainiac has escaped, right under our noses."
***
Some time later, in orbit high above the Earth, the super-computer criminal watched the blue-green planet below on the view screen. "My escape has finally been discovered," Brainiac said in singular toned voice. He seemed neither upset nor overtly concerned. "They seek to alert my enemy of it."
"Can you divert their message?" a wicked voice asked from the shadows.
"No, it is too late for that."
"Then we'll be found out before we truly can begin!" the shadowy figure snapped.
"No," Brainiac said again. "My ship remains perfectly cloaked. We shall remain undetected while we continue with our efforts."
The eyes of the other man narrowed. "When I agreed to spring you from that prison, it was in exchange of your assistance! If this is all for naught..."
"I will keep my word."
The shadowy figure hesitated for a moment. "Then when shall we destroy my accursed foe?"
"We can do so now if you like," Brainiac said. "After all, our tests so far have shown that we can bring great meteors of destruction raining down upon the world easily enough. With my vast intelligence and devices and your great power source, we can make it happen."
The west coast of the United States came into view as the Earth turned slowly beneath them.
"Fine!" snapped the figure in the shadows. "Then it is time!" A glow of yellow energy surged from a ring upon his right hand, and the glow lit up the crimson skinned alien's face. "It is time for the Green Lantern named Hal Jordan and all that he loves to be destroyed!"
"So it shall, Sinestro," Brainiac said. "So it shall."
***
Superman lifted a giant golden key and flew it to the gargantuan lock of the monstrous golden door. The door was actually in the side of a great icy cliff in the Antarctic region of the world. Giving it a turn, a booming clang announced his arrival to his Fortress of Solitude. After placing the key back in the spot where passing planes would mistake it for a weather marker, he flew inside and shut the door behind him.
My computer systems here can run the diagnostics I need, he thought to himself as he flew down the cavernous halls, passing giant souvenirs and mementos of missions past. From the statue of his parents, Jor-El and Lara, to a huge ocean tanker, the collection of items were truly amazing to behold.
Superman turned down to the left and entered a room. There was a bank of computers. He sat down and began to work the keyboard which was coded with the Kryptonian alphabet. There sure has been a lot of meteor activity over the past few days, more than typical. If there is some problem, its best that I head it off as soon as possible.
The machine worked at high speed, processing the entered information. The Man of Steel was about to review the data output on the screen when suddenly an indicator on the console came to light. "A deep space message," he said. "I wonder who." He flipped a switch, and the console before him shimmered, a picture starting to form.
"...Superman...skkzzt...read me...skkzzt...over...."
The image and the audio quality were a bit fuzzy. The hero attempted to compensate for that as he acknowledged the message. "Superman here."
The picture cleared up, and the Kryptonian could make out a pink skinned humanoid with white hair. "Superman...skkzzt...den Hrdnox of Rega-VI here. I...skkzzt...ome concerning news."
"What is it, Warden?"
"...skkzzt...nac has escaped...skkzzt...."
"Say again, Warden," Superman said. "Your signal is breaking up slightly."
"...skkzzt...scaped. Brainiac has es...skkzzt..ped."
Superman's eyes grew wide as he put the pieces of the message together. "Brainiac has escaped?" he repeated the message.
"Yes...skkzzt." The warden was nodding his head. "I am tr...skkzzt...orry we didn't...skkzzzzt...ooner."
Superman shook his head. "No worries, Warden," he said. "I know how slippery that one can be. I'm on it. Superman out."
The warden nodded, looking slightly relieved, and ended transmission.
"Brainiac," Superman said. "He could be anywhere. I'll need to see if I..."
His train of thought was interrupted by an audible alert from one of the monitor boards. Superman flipped another switch and intercepted a broadcast coming from the United States.
"...has just confirmed that meteors have been sited in the upper atmosphere over California..." the broadcaster said.
Superman took off like a shot, having gotten all the information he needed to act. The disaster would have to be handled first. He knew for a fact, thanks to being a member of the Justice League, that California's resident hero Green Lantern was currently elsewhere. So, it would be up to him to pitch in during this crisis.
He rocketed out of the Fortress and headed for the location of the situation.
***
Linda Danvers had been alerted to the crisis thanks to a sister station of KSFTV. Excusing herself, the young woman slipped away to someplace private where she could shed her brown wig and everyday clothes.
Now, dressed as Supergirl, she soared through the air on a direct course with the threatening meteors. "Hmmph," she said to herself. "This seems like a replay of last night. I'm sure its coincidental that these things are following me about." She wound back her fist and let it fly, her punch shattering a good sized space rock. "If its not, I probably have something to worry about."
She looked skyward and realized another was on its way. "This might take a little time," she said.
"Allow me to assist, cousin," a booming male voice called.
Supergirl turned in time to see a flash of heat vision streak by her on a course towards the next meteor. "Kal-El!" she exclaimed. "What brings you out this way?"
"No doubt the same thing as you, Kara," the Man of Steel replied. "Between the two of us, we can make short work of this."
"Agreed," Supergirl said with a smile. She didn't get to work with her heroic cousin that often these days, so she welcomed his aid. As they continued to bust up the shower of meteors in the middle to upper atmosphere, she couldn't help wonder about the situation. "This isn't the first meteor I've had to deal with this week."
"Me neither," Superman said. "I was trying to draw some connections when this recent group showed up. Perhaps a little look in orbit would help."
"Sounds good," she nodded. The two finished off the last of the rocks and headed towards space. However, what they found there was all the more shocking.
What appeared to be a rift in space was opened above the Earth, and suddenly more meteors appeared through it on a collision course with the heroes' adopted home planet.
Superman motioned to Supergirl and used his hands to communicate to her via sign language in the soundless void of space.
The Girl of Steel understood and went to work on the meteors. Using her fists, she began to pound them like a double-headed pile driver. Unlike those they had encountered in the Earth's atmosphere, here the smaller portions would spin off in various directions. With nothing to prevent their flight, they would continue on harmlessly.
Supergirl expected her cousin to join in, but instead he flew off suddenly. What is Kal up to? she thought to herself.
The Man of Steel flew towards what appeared to be empty space. I didn't have time to convey to Supergirl what I saw, he thought, or rather what I sensed. That wormhole in space is hardly natural. Someone has created it and is directing these constant meteor showers to Earth. And I believe I've figured that out.
Superman flew on.
Out of the corner of her eye, Supergirl saw her cousin one second and then the next he was gone. Where did he go?
***
The cloaked space ship pitched as something ran into it. Alarms sounded and lights flashed on the main bridge.
"What was that?" Sinestro snapped.
Brainiac quickly worked his fingers over the controls. "We have breach in the lower hull. I am sealing it now."
"One of the meteors?" Sinestro asked.
"Guess again!" boomed a voice.
The two villains turned around to see the dark haired figure in blue and red.
"Superman!" Sinestro exclaimed. His power ring glowed a golden yellow, a burst of energy firing from it to attack the hero.
With one hand, Superman blocked the blast easy enough. "Whatever you two are up to, it ends now!"
Brainiac stood confidently. "And who is going to stop us? You?"
"You better believe it, Brainiac!" Superman replied as he flew at the villain.
"I think not," Brainiac said. An energy field sprang up around him before the hero's fist could connect to his jaw. Superman's punch was stopped cold six inches from its intended target. "You forget about my force field."
"I'll get through it eventually," Superman said with determination as he began to pound on the energy barrier with both fists. "I always do."
"Not if you're distracted!" Sinestro sneered. His power ring sprang to life once more.
Suddenly, Superman found himself engaged on two fronts. While on one hand he tried to break through Brainiac's defense, on the other hand he was busy defending himself from Sinestro's energy construct attacks.
Got to hold them off long enough, Superman thought.
"Brainiac, don't just stand there!" Sinestro barked. "Help me finish this fool off! Then we can go back to attacking the Earth!"
"I shall," the super-computer said. He flipped a switch on the console and activated a system. Suddenly, small lasers popped out of the ceiling and began to fire scarlet blasts at the hero.
"Ugggh!" Superman groaned as the shots hit him from many angles. His body stung from the attack.
"Effective," Sinestro noted.
"Indeed," Brainiac said as Superman fell to his knees. "Cannons charged with red sun radiation. The perfect way to attack a Kryptonian by causing pain and sapping him of his strength at the same time."
Sinestro watched Superman fall to the floor. "You had that handy? Convenient."
Brainiac smiled.
Sinestro frowned. "Perhaps too convenient. You were expecting Superman to find us?"
"Of course," Brainiac said. "Why else would I agree to blatantly attack the Earth in such a manner?"
If Sinestro's skin weren't already red, it would have been growing redder with anger. "I thought we were here to take care of my enemy - Green Lantern!"
"You did think that," Brainiac said.
"Ugggh..." Superman groaned. "Looks like you're...the fool here, Sinestro...." Despite the pain, he tried to keep a strong face. "But don't feel so bad...you're not the first Brainiac's double-crossed..."
"Double-crossed!" Sinestro exploded. "Why you...!" His power ring sprang to life, but this time the object of his attacks was the green skinned super-machine. "I'll turn you into scrap metal!" Sinestro kicked Superman aside as he lunged for Brainiac, a golden buzz saw blade spinning into his target's force field.
"I agreed to help you attack the Earth," Brainiac said, "and I did. If your enemy did not appear, then that is not my concern."
"I'll make it your concern!" Sinestro howled.
Superman dragged himself across the floor to one of the consoles. Both villains were too absorbed in combat to notice him. That's right...ughh...keep feuding, he thought to himself. Just forget about me and...the meteors. From out the view port, he could see his cousin dealing with the last of space rocks. With Sinestro distracted, the wormhole that his power ring had generated was neglected and closed up.
Superman felt his strength starting to return, but not nearly fast enough to deal with whoever won the duel between the two space criminals. Now, he thought as he scanned the console quickly, to even up the odds. Given Brainiac's systematic nature and consistency, the Man of Steel could tell which buttons worked what systems. It only took him another moment to find and disable the cloaking shield.
***
Supergirl was relieved when the warp in space started to close. Whew, she thought. I haven't had a workout like that in awhile. Now that the threat is out of the way, maybe I can find out where Kal went.
Almost as if on cue, there was a shimmering in space nearby as a saucer like craft suddenly came into view.
Ah ha, Supergirl thought. Speak of the devil. Using her x-ray vision as she approached it, she was able to make out what was going on inside. Make that two devils, and they're at each other's throats!
The Girl of Steel swooped about and came charging back. Time to shake things up a bit!
***
The entire space ship pitched; the sudden impact on the starboard hull was too much for the ship's artificial gravity to compensate. All three men inside the craft were thrown, but only two were caught off guard.
"What?" Sinestro exclaimed as he was thrown into Brainiac's force field. "The meteors?"
The super-computer glared at Superman who apparently had recovered and was rising to his feet. "This is your doing, Kryptonian!" Brainiac said.
"Would I do that?" Superman said with a wry smile.
"Yes!" both villains said in unison.
There was a twinkle in the Man of Steel's eyes. "You're right about that." And, with one fluid motion, he drove his fist through the main console of the craft.
"Nooo..." Brainiac started to scream.
That's when the whole saucer exploded!
***
Supergirl supported her cousin as they returned to the planet below. In her other hand was the unconscious form of Brainiac. Once through the upper atmosphere, the heroes were able to converse with one another again.
"Sorry I wasn't able to snag Sinestro in time," she apologized. "The explosion caught me off guard."
"Don't worry about it, Kara," Superman replied. "Sinestro's like a bad penny; he'll turn up again soon enough. With that power ring of his, who knows what little side dimension he was able to slip into so quickly."
"I suppose," Supergirl said. "At least we stopped the threat and recaptured Brainiac."
"Definitely," Superman agreed. "And after this endeavor, its highly unlikely he'll ever get help escaping again by the likes of Sinestro. Two some ones made a new enemy today, and for once it wasn't the good guys."