2961/The Fortress of an Increasingly Inaccurate Name

From Heroes Assemble MUSH
Jump to navigation Jump to search
The Fortress of an Increasingly Inaccurate Name
Date of Scene: 18 August 2020
Location: Entrance Hall - Fortress of Solitude
Synopsis: Superman brings Conner to the Fortress of Solitude to introduce him to some Kryptonian culture. It doesn't quite go as planned.
Cast of Characters: Clark Kent, Conner Kent




Clark Kent has posed:
As he suggested previously, Superman wants to give Conner a better introduction to his Kryptonian heritage. Today he wants to make good on that promise, arriving in Gotham and inviting the engineered Kryptonian with him on a somewhat cryptic trip. From New Jersey, the pair took to the air on a North-northwest course. As Conner is still recovering from his earlier Kryptonite poisoning, Kal has taken the trip at a slower pace than usual. If this is making him impatient, there's absolutely no sign of it from his demeanor.

When the lead flier finally touches down again, it's on the pure white of the arctic ice sheet. The air is, predictably, frigid; the sun is up, but low in the sky; at this time of year, it's only going to briefly skim the horizon before rising anemically again. Turning to beckon Conner forward, Superman leads him down into a winding, canyon-like groove in the ice. His cape, which has been billowing in the constant arctic winds, stills in this sheltered area. Eventually, they arrive at a wall of what seems like more ice: hexagonal crystalline shafts of blue-white, clustered into a barrier that blocks their way. On closer inspection, though, there are seams visible beyond those where the pieces of crystal meet.

Superman stops and gestures at a patch that is outlined by such seams, about four feet off the ground. "This is the gateway to the Fortress of Solitude," he says. "Kind of a dramatic name, but it seemed appropriate." His features crinkle into an amused half-frown as he continues, "Well, it did when I built it, at least. If you have got my genes, even in part, you should already be able to open the door. It's keyed to the genes of the House of El -- my Kryptonian family."

Conner Kent has posed:
The trip to the far north would have been easy just a few weeks ago, he could have been there in less than an hour. But currently Conner is hardly at his best. Even match 3 took a lot of him. And the polar cold is bothering him because he depleted most of his solar reserves.

Pretty sad. Although he guesses he should try to enjoy the feeling of cold. It has been a couple years. Somehow, he is not enjoying it.

"It does not seem a very crowded place," he comments about the name, stepping forward. "Genes, uh? So, how do open the door? Ring the bell? Pushing? Palmprint reading?" He will try pushing, mostly to see if his tactile telekinesis can give him a reading of the rooms beyond.

Clark Kent has posed:
In truth, there's a touchpad next to the doorway, but one of the miracles of Kryptonian sunstone is its endless reconfigurability. At Conner's touch, the stone glows blue around and under his hand, and the seam in front of him widens and grows, organically. It's as though the two sides of the door are growing apart rather than simply sliding open. The portal opens into a grand, vaulted chamber dominated by two bronze-colored statues and a suspended globe.

Superman gives a satisfied smile as the door recognizes Conner as an El. It wasn't really a test, per se, but the Fortress confirming his heritage is nonetheless welcome. "It's touch operated," he says, as though that weren't obvious. "Kryptonian technology was pretty adaptable. Crowded it's not, but when I built it, the only person on Earth who could do what you just did was me. Now there's you, and my cousin, Supergirl, and her alternate self." He laughs good-naturedly, and shakes his head. "It's a pretty unusual family tree, so I don't blame myself for not predicting it. Still, it's for all of us. If you ever have need to get away from the world for a while, you're welcome here.

As if to underscore this comment, a brassy, bipedal servitor robot arrives from a stair that leads to levels deeper into the ice sheet. "Greetings, Kal-El," it says in a synthesized voice.

Superman smiles and replies, "Hi, Kel--"

The robot cuts him off, the lights on its face turning deep red. "Aberrant gene editing detected. Security purge protocol active."

A bright red beam lances out toward Conner, but Superman dives in front of it at superspeed, taking the blast to his chest and skidding a few meters backward under the force. "Kelex, NO!" the larger Kryptonian shouts.

Conner Kent has posed:
"Where did you get a Kryptonian building? It looks large. Did you build it yourself?" Conner is maybe a little impressed. No, more like a lot impressed, and it shows, usually he would be more flippant.

Of course, he has a robot butler. Because, yeah. Robot butlers.

"Hey, are you the Kryptonian version of C3PO," he greets to the machine. Beat. "Oh, I guess more the Kryptonian Dalek," he jumps aside, but Superman was already in front of him.

Clark Kent has posed:
The torrent of plasma shuts off an instant after Superman enters its path; apparently the robot butler's desire to blast Conner is overridden by its directive not to shoot at its master. When Conner dodges out of the way, it tries to track him, but Superman darts up close to the machine, blocking off almost its entire field of fire. "Kelex, head of household security override! Stand down!" he shouts once the beam is quieted.

"Accepted," the machine replies diffidently.

Superman lets out a sigh. "I'm sorry about that, Conner," he says turning and shaking his head, as if disappointed by his homicidal space Roomba. "He's honestly more of a Commander Data, most of the time. He just -- he's Kryptonian, and Kryptonians did not like clones. Let's get downstairs, I'll add you to the family database so that doesn't happen again." Wait... Superman watches Star Trek?

"The fortress was grown from a seed that came with me in the ship that brought me to Earth," he explains as they take the stairs down into the heart of the Fortress. "I can control its structure in a lot of ways, but it doesn't involve any real labor."

Conner Kent has posed:
Everybody watches Star Trek (that he knows) so Conner is not surprised by the Data comment. He is not happy with Kelex, though, if looks could kill he would be scrap metal. Fortunately, Conner glares can't kill a fly today.

"You know. You told me that. But there is a jump from 'do not like' to 'shoot on sight'. Most humans don't like..." he tries to come with an example of living things humans don't like that they don't kill right away. None comes to mind. "Eh, nevermind. Why did Kryptonians dislike clones? If they had clones it was because they created them."

Clark Kent has posed:
"I... may have understated it a little," Superman admits, walking Conner past a menagerie of wildlife habitats and what looks like a series of museum displays. "I didn't want to upset you. Kryptonians had a rigid caste system and a strong emphasis on family lineage; genealogy was important enough to them that they saw clones as abominations. It wasn't just a high crime to clone someone, but to /be/ a clone. You might want to ask--"

He looks over at Conner with concern, cutting himself off, and rephrases, "/I'll/ ask my cousin about it. She grew up on Krypton; I left as a baby, so I only know their society from what my parents left me in the life pod. I don't have any more first hand experience with it than you do."

Conner Kent has posed:
"You have a zoo? Bart would love this one," comments Conner, peering around with some curiosity. Ugh, castes. Sounds far more primitive he expected for a spacefaring place. Then again, space seems to be full of medieval-style kingdoms, with spaceships.

"From an earthling perspective that doesn't seem fair. Not that I know many other clones," admits Conner. "So why the... well, okay. Cousin," beat. "Oh, that must be Supergirl, right? Is she going to hate me?"

Clark Kent has posed:
Superman winces at Conner's blunt question, but it is a fair one. "Yes, Supergirl. She's..." He takes some time to decide how to phrase this. Again, the point of this visit is to make Conner feel connected to the Els. On the other hand, he did just get hit in the face -- most of the torso, too -- by the consequences of describing things too gently. "She's a lot more Kryptonian than I am, in some ways. She can carry their culture forward to Earth, but she has also inherited their prejudices."

The pair arrives at the lowest level of the crystalline haven, and a large console made from the same sunstone. There's a sheer drop from here, into an ice cavern lit by glowing stone and the golden fire of a sort of open Kryptonian reactor -- the atomic cauldron. Superman goes to the console and touches some of the crystals that extend from it, then speaks an odd, stilted sentence in an alien language. He steps back and points to a specific crystal column. "Touch that, and you'll be added to the family, as far as the computers and the security are concerned," he tells Conner. "Just so you know, I wouldn't be here with you if I thought the Kryptonian attitude toward clones was fair. I had a conversation with a young woman, a clone, about how much having a family with her clone sisters and the man she was cloned from has helped her. She convinced me that's a better approach, and if you're interested, I'd like to build something like that, as well."

He gives Conner an encouraging smile. "We'll win my cousin over in time." As for the zoo? "I'm the last of my race, or I thought I was. I've tried to preserve other lost species, too. It seems like a good way of paying that fortune forward."

Clark Kent has posed:
Superman winces at Conner's blunt question, but it is a fair one. "Yes, Supergirl. She's..." He takes some time to decide how to phrase this. Again, the point of this visit is to make Conner feel connected to the Els. On the other hand, he did just get hit in the face -- most of the torso, too -- by the consequences of describing things too gently. "She's a lot more Kryptonian than I am, in some ways. She can carry their culture forward to Earth, but she has also inherited their prejudices."

The pair arrives at the lowest level of the crystalline haven, and a large console made from the same sunstone. There's a sheer drop from here, into an ice cavern lit by glowing stone and the golden fire of a sort of open Kryptonian reactor -- the atomic cauldron. Superman goes to the console and touches some of the crystals that extend from it, then speaks an odd, stilted sentence in an alien language. He steps back and points to a specific crystal column. "Touch that, and you'll be added to the family, as far as the computers and the security are concerned," he tells Conner. "Just so you know, I wouldn't be here with you if I thought the Kryptonian attitude toward clones was fair. I had a conversation with a young woman, a clone, about how much having a family with her clone sisters and the man she was cloned from has helped her. She convinced me that's a better approach, and if you're interested, I'd like to build something like that, as well."

He gives Conner an encouraging smile. "We'll win my cousin over in time." As for the zoo? "I'm the last of my race, or I thought I was. I've tried to preserve other lost species, too. It seems like a good way of paying that fortune forward."

Conner Kent has posed:
"So all Kryptonians were on Krypton when it got destroyed?" Wait, was it destroyed? Now Conner is not sure. No, yes, it was destroyed he remembers learning about it. The young man frowns.

Those are not his real memories. Those are OLD, virtual reality fake memories. No one has ever really told him what happened to Krypton. But... "some Kryptonians had to be off world. It was an advanced society, right? With spaceships and super-tech. There must having been traders, diplomats or scouts off world." He is not sure why it is important. He is obviously never going to be welcomed among most Kryptonians. Maybe because being the only one and last of something is a pretty crappy thing.

Clark Kent has posed:
"The Kryptonians were advanced, but they had also become insular. They walled themselves off; gave up on exploration and interplanetary travel," Superman explains gravely. "My cousin and I survived because the Els were -- oddballs, of a sort. Our family -- your family -- were interested in things that the rest of Krypton had culturally moved on from, and they saw a catastrophe coming that everyone else denied. They had built experimental interstellar ships, hoping to make Krypton part of the rest of the universe again, but in the end the prototypes became lifeboats for the children who could fit in them. Kal-El and Kara-El: The last son and daughter of Krypton."

He gestures once again to the console of the Sunstone Simulator, where a column is still waiting for Conner's touch to log him as a family member. "Speaking of which, I took the liberty of giving you a Kryptonian name, so that the computer would recognize you as a family member. Is 'Kon-El' okay?"

He takes a deep breath, then adds, "As far as other survivors go, there wasn't anybody traveling offworld when Krypton was destroyed, but there is something in the gallery I should probably show you."

Conner Kent has posed:
Conner listens with a serious expression, examining the console briefly. Then he touches the crystal column with his right hand. He gets the impression Krypton must have been radically different to Earth. A rather alien civilization, despite how human-like looks Kal. Crystal technology. Insulated society despite being able to travel to other planets. Castes and what sounds like clans. "Uh. Kon-El from Conner and your surename? I guess... it is probably a also big honor, but I lack the mental frame to appreciate it, honestly. I want to know more about Krypton, though. It seems fascinating. I am studying world politics and civilizations at college, y'know? But there are no courses on alien civilizations yet, despite aliens being among us for decades now."

Clark Kent has posed:
Arms folded, Superman gives Conner a smile as he's logged as part of the family. "Yeah... I guess it's not that imaginative, but I figured something familiar would be nice." The column glows blue for a second, then retracts into the crystalline matrix. A beautifully synthesized voice speaks a short sentence in Kryptonian, and Superman nods. "Great! Welcome to the family, Kon. You can come here whenever you like, now, and you'll have access to the computer -- there are holograms you can talk to, especially my parents, who can teach you about Krypton, its history, its language. Kelex will behave now, too."

He doesn't give Conner time to mess around with the crystal console, though, he just beckons him back toward the gallery they passed on their way in. Hopefully, when he comes back, the interface on this alien computer will be easy to pick up without a manual.

"I've gotten the impression from talking to Kara that my parents programmed the computer with what they considered the positive parts of Kryptonian culture, but soon we might have a more balanced, realistic view of our own." He enters into the gallery again, cape billowing behind him, and gestures to a hexagonal plinth on which sits what looks like a model city in a jar. The jar isn't glass, on closer examination: it's an energy field of some sort. "Brainiac didn't just steal Earth cities. It seems he saw the Kryptonian cataclysm coming, just like my father did, but instead of trying to avert it, he stole a Kryptonian city to document our soon-to-be-extinct race. Kandor."

Conner Kent has posed:
Wait, interactive holograms? That sounds to Conner like a Star Trek holodeck. He gotta try that... but Kal drags him away. He will be back!

Still more amazing things to discover, Conner is getting a bit overwhelmed and trying to play cool when Superman drops the bomb. A WHOLE CITY? "Jesus Christ. So that creep city-thief that killed millions just a few weeks ago actually saved the Kryptonian race. They have already brought back Mutant Town and the Genoshans. So... where is Kandor going to be? Uh... it is not very large," he notes, taking a long look and concentrating in his microscopic vision. "A few thousands? But it is more than enough to make sure Kryptonians live on."

It is also granted to change the world forever. Thousands of supermen and superwomen. And the super-science. "Have you talked to Mister Fantastic and Hank Pym already?"

Clark Kent has posed:
"We're in discreet talks with them about it, yes," Kal answers, looking boyishly excited as he peers at the bottle city. "We don't have anywhere to expand the whole city, and the tech to do that is unreliable anyway, but at the very least we'll be able to contact them soon. Probably even visit!"

Conner's microscopic examination will give him a pretty clear view of ant-sized people milling around in the city, seemingly unaware of their observers. There is an odd, dreamlike quality to their movements, though; as if they aren't only small, but existing in a pocket of time and space that isn't quite in sync with the world around them.

"I'm hoping, long term, that we can find a red sun system and set up a whole Kryptonian colony. We might need to rescue them one at a time and leave the city itself in the bottle, but theoretically it should be possible with the Pym technology alone."

Conner Kent has posed:
Given how Kryptonians feel about clones Conner is going to have to pass the whole visit Kandor plan. But he nods, even if they have to pull them out one by one. Oh wait, not on Earth? "Why a red sun? Wouldn't they be better with off super-powers? Of course it would be their choice, but..." he shrugs.

He is the foreigner one, after all. Maybe Kryptonian culture wouldn't hate the idea to share the plant with humans. Er... or maybe humans would hate the idea of sharing the planet. Period. Historically humans are bad at sharing.

"I guess there is a lot of possible problems to consider. But also, they should be freed as soon as possible," he glances at the bottle. "No one should be trapped like that."

Clark Kent has posed:
"Well, Kryptonians are native to a star system with a red sun, so it seems like it would be a lot less jarring -- if you'll pardon the pun -- for them to remain in that environment. I know the transition was a major adjustment for Kara." Superman smiles a bit tightly, and then adds, "As for whether they would be better off? certain individuals, maybe. But imagine if, tomorrow, we gave all the residents of, say, Kansas City Superman-level powers they had no experience using. I know I have a reputation as an optimist, but even I know that that would end in a bit of a mess."

"Still, you're right," he says decisively. "If we can restore even a fragment of Krypton's lost culture to the universe, we will."

Conner Kent has posed:
Conner hrms. Screw the culture. "I was thinking on the people," he says instead. "They have been trapped there for... years, decades?" Maybe generations? They might have got used to living in a bottle. "How do they manage to have food, and water? Do they have power?... looks like they have power. But it is just a city."

Maybe he has got used to the freedom to fly anywhere he wants. There are some people on Earth that never bothers leaving the cities where they are born and are perfectly happy. But it is still mind-boggling what those Kryptonians could be going through. "Man, getting them out should be the priority of all those big brains heroes out there."

Clark Kent has posed:
Superman nods, and answers, "I know what you mean. But like we saw with the Genosha situation recently, it won't help these poeple to just release them if they don't have anywhere to go. And if you release the wrong person at the wrong time -- especially someone with incredible superpowers -- that can cause lead to some real human misery."

His tone of voice is weighted with regret, but it also sounds like he has considered exactly these questions already. "They have been surviving in there a long time, like you said. Taking a little bit of time and care now, to make sure we do this the right way, isn't going to make much difference. It's something that comes with the territory of having the kinds of superpowers we do -- you have to make sure you use them carefully; that you understand the whole situation and the repercussions of what you can do. I think contacting the people inside is an important first step, and Kara has been very insistent that we should do that stealthily, to begin with." Again, he defers to her first-hand expertise on Kryptonian society.

Conner Kent has posed:
Leaving the people trapped obviously doesn't sit very well with Conner. But magnitude of Kandor's dilemma is something that is going to keep him from sleeping a few nights. His superpowers are useless for this.

"Well, okay. But let me know if there is anything I can do," he steps back, "that they have superpowers shouldn't be something that makes it worse for them. Maybe we could dig a cavern large enough. They wouldn't get really powerful without sunlight. I don't know."

He folds his arms. "Is this the kind of problem you have to deal with on a daily basis?" He asks in a moment of insight. If so, maybe being Superman is not as great as he thought it was.

Clark Kent has posed:
"Usually not daily, but... more often than I'd like," Superman admits ruefully. "Our actions can have far-reaching consequences. If we don't balance them carefully, those consequences can be terrible."

He holds his hands in the air on either side of the bottled city, bracketing it, and says, "We're talking about thousands of lives that I will literally hold in my hands, here. The last people of my birth planet, every one of them potentially another Superman. The decisions I make about them couldn't possibly carry more weight, both for me and for the universe. If I rush into those decisions, how can I expect to make the right ones?"

He takes a long breath, but then smiles over at Conner. "I don't know, either, and I have to make sure that I /do/ know before I can act. But when we do make contact with them, or explore the city, I'll keep you informed and involve you if I possibly can." He doesn't exactly say, but doesn't really have to, that he will have to make sure they won't react the way Kelex did a minute ago.

Conner Kent has posed:
Conner nods. His usual tactics when dealing with complex issues have been either following his gut or asking Robin. The second tactic usually leads to better results, but also to a stressed-out Tim.

Maybe now he can come here to stress-out Superman instead. Now, that is an idea.

He glances at Kandor a las time, then moves along. "So, what is thing of building a tower in the moon?" He asks, changing subjects suddenly. "Isn't that kind of long way from the troubles on Earth?"

Clark Kent has posed:
Kal raises his eyebrows. "I mean... not for us," he answers, with good-natured humor. "I carried a few big chunks of it up there personally, remember?" He walks with Conner through the gallery, moving on to a more serious answer.

"It gets us away from certain troubles, yes -- like people thinking we only exist to help the United States, or rightly pointing out that we're mostly based there. The teleporters on board also make travel time less of a concern for those of us who can't run faster than the speed of sound. But it also gives us a birds-eye view of many countries, easier access to all sorts of places, and allows us to monitor news and crises around the globe. It also puts us directly between troubles like Brainiac and the Earth, not to put too fine a point on it."

He gestures around the building they're in, adding, "I've had this arctic hideaway for a while now, and it hasn't stopped me from being involved with people. At least, I hope not." There's a bit of a hint, there: Kal would very much like to be someone Conner can turn to when he needs help. Stressful, it might be: but that hasn't stopped Superman before.

Conner Kent has posed:
"I had a hideout in Hawaii, so I know the feeling," it was also faaaar smaller, but... details. On the other hand: Hawii > North Pole. "I also like living in the middle of New York, mind you. The moon is... wait, teleporters?" Maybe the moon is not that bad.

The super-teams for him have also been more about hanging out with friends that watching over the world. Not that they have not fought a few super-villains, but as their recent encounter with Deathstroke proved, they are not quite ready for the Pro League.

Clark Kent has posed:
"Hawaii's nice, but can you imagine the tourists? Not to mention the property taxes," Kal jokes, grinning. He might as well have been reading Conner's mind; they are, in at least a couple of ways, a lot alike. "No, I needed somewhere a little more secluded for the crystal castle. Still, I don't live here -- and no one's going to live on the moon, either. We'll be taking shifts up there, but mostly staying where we're already based. I know what you mean about New York; I don't like to stay away from Metropolis for long. You get to feeling attached to a place, and the people there. I think that's a good thing."

He grins again when Conner shows interest in the teleporters. "Yeah, the technology up there is amazing -- and nearly all homegrown right on Earth. I'd love to show you around sometime. We can fly up, when you're feeling better, or use those teleporters if you want to check it out sooner." From Kal's tone, this seems a little less like a recruitment pitch and more like take your kid to work day.

Conner Kent has posed:
"Yeah, I might visit someday," replies Conner. Not being really sure if he can fly all the way to the moon even if he is in perfect health. It won't be soon. On the other hand, "never had problems with tourists, although maybe I was confusing them with fans," he adds with a smirk. "I really liked big crowds a year or two ago. I grow very attached to the islands, but... I had to move on, I guess. Maybe I will return after I finish college."

Clark Kent has posed:
Kal laughs. "Fans, huh? Try not to let that go to your head." Superman is speaking from some experience, there. His path takes him wandering toward the habitats, always a place he likes to go to relax. "So, since you bring it up, tell me about college! You mentioned that you're studying world politics and civilizations. So... foreign policy and anthropology? Double major, or a minor in one?" As their walk through the fortress and their conversation continues, it's clear that Kal wants to catch up not just on Kryptonian secrets and superheroics, but on the minutiae of Conner's life: does he live on campus? Which classes are his favorites? Does he have friends who aren't vigilantes or superheroes? Superman's responsibilities might be global, but his interest, as ever, is in people, above all.

Conner Kent has posed:
"Actually I was in a journalism major," admits Conner. "But I might change for political science. Or go for both. Not sure I'd have enough money for college and rent for the time needed for the double major. New York is expensive."

Yes, journalism. Actually, he has a damn good reason. To be told in the next scene.