He looked at her now as they waited for General George Hammond to arrive. The officer had spoken with both parents the day before, but neither had really been in much of a state to take in his words. Whatever he said yesterday, today or indeed tomorrow, it wouldn’t bring their precious son back.

Jonathan gulped back tears of his own and squeezed Martha’s hand as they stood in the gate room. On any other day the place would be an awe inspiring thing for any civilian to see, but right now the distraught parents didn’t give the ancient, alien technology a second glance.

A door opened with a metallic clang, and the farmer was relieved to see Hammond had finally arrived. He wore a pristine white shirt, and his hairless head shone almost as much as Lex’s.

“Mr. and Mrs. Kent, I’m so sorry to have kept you waiting…” The officer held out a hand and Jonathan shook it, “I wish there was something I could say to make this easier, but I know there isn’t.” He cleared his throat, “However, I brought you in here today to let you know just how I felt about your son, and how brave he was to step through that gate to try and help us, knowing it was the only place he could be hurt…”

Martha didn’t move. She didn’t even blink. It was like some evil gremlin had taken her soul and left behind an empty shell. Jonathan put an arm around her caringly and spoke for both of them. “Clark wasn’t a war hero, General, he was our son, and we’ll always be proud of him for that…”

Hammond nodded. He knew all about Clark’s refusal to use any kind of weapon, but even though the teen had been no soldier, he would always be considered a hero in the SGC’s eyes. “I’m so sorry we can’t even acknowledge that any of this happened…”

Jonathan nodded. Clark’s death would have to be put down as some accident, he understood that. “Is there any way we could…”

An abrupt alarm cut the farmer short. Lights began to blaze and a voice boomed from a nearby speakerphone. “Unauthorized off world activation, Sir…”

Hammond paused, waiting precious seconds to see if they would receive an SG code to open the iris. After three seconds it finally came.

“We’re receiving SG1’s code, Sir!”

“Get a security team in here!” Hammond pressed a button on the wall and barked his orders down it. If any of SG1 were coming back then all well and good, but the signal could be a ruse after what had occurred on PX4761. As an afterthought he added, “Better get a medical team too.” He nodded to the soldier manning the gate console and mouthed, “Open the iris.”

The metallic sections seemed to curl back from the gate so fast they made Martha start. Jonathan hugged her closer, watching to see just what would happen next.

As they waited, a team of armed men jogged into the gate room and took up defensive positions just in case. Then, unexpectedly, not one or two people appeared through the whirlpool, but hordes seemed to tumble out, falling down the gate ramp in a whole mass of bodies.

“Get some help up there!” Hammond couldn’t believe his eyes. “Clear the ramp, there are still more coming through!”

Suddenly, the men sent to guard the room were now hastening to pull men, women and children clear to prevent them being trampled. Stretchers and gurneys were brought in to carry out the sick and injured and through it all Hammond tried to keep control.

Jonathan pulled Martha back and watched the scene unfold in silence. It was so strange to see Helen Bryce appear in fatigues and start tending those pulled from the ramp, but even stranger not to see Clark return with the others. He should be with them…not fair…

More and more people seemed to materialize until the gate room was so full of bodies there was barely anywhere to stand. Medics scurried by with supplies, and soldiers tried to usher the healthy out into a suitable holding area until the facts of the situation could be ascertained.

After a solid ten minutes arrivals began to peter out until eventually Jonathan thought everyone was through. Then, out of the blue, Sam Carter seemed to back-flip through the portal. She landed hard on her back on the ramp, but scrambled desperately to face the people in the gate room.

“Everyone down!” The Major yelled just as the huge alien ring began to tremble with some kind of energy wave.

Jonathan pulled Martha’s head to his chest and shielded her with his arms. Like everyone else he had no idea what to expect next- but seeing Clark stumble through the vibrating Stargate was not even close to what he had anticipated.

The farmer gaped, and watched as his injured son dived forward as he fell through the threshold of the gate. Clark fell flat on the metal ramp and kept the small boy under his body for protection.

A massive rumbling filled the room and the center of the Stargate suddenly erupted, sending huge shards of metal showering the chamber. An intact section of the Goa’uld glider’s fuselage skimmed over Clark’s back and then embedded itself into the wall, vibrating as its momentum was abruptly jarred to a halt.

Someone screamed, and then unexpectedly the Stargate shut down, wisps of steam ebbing from the power connections attached to its colossal bulk as they overloaded.

Clark tried to get up, and even though he slipped and tumbled several times he still managed to pull the little boy back up into his arms. The kid clutched his waving form like a limpet, and it was then that Jonathan finally decided the scene wasn’t an illusion.

“Martha…” He couldn’t say more, he just wanted to force his way up the ramp if necessary and grab his injured son.

Clark smiled wanly at the sight of his parents barreling towards him, and as Martha neared he held out the youngster in his arms. “Mom, can you look after him…he’s kind of scared right now…” It was obvious he wouldn’t be able to hold on much longer as the muscles in his arms shook from fatigue.

Martha frowned at her son’s words, and just wanted to hug him, but her maternal instincts for both kids had kicked in now, and she took the boy without further argument. “Clark, I…” She didn’t get to finish her sentence.

No sooner had Clark handed his burden over, than he found his legs would no longer hold him. He fell forward, slumping into Jonathan’s outstretched and waiting arms. The petrified father dropped to the floor, cradling his son like he had so many years ago when Clark had been an infant. “I need some help over here!” He yelled so hard the people in the gate control room heard his anguished tones over all the other mayhem.

“It’s alright, Dad…” Clark’s voice seemed whispery- barely audible even, “J…just promise me you and Mom will look after…him,” He coughed, and as Jonathan held him he noticed blood seeping down Clark’s shirt side, “I don’t think he has anyone now…” The teen gave one last pleading look to the youngster and then his head lolled slowly back.

Jonathan shook him a little in fear, “Not here, not like this…it’s not time, Son!” Tears filled the father’s eyes, and he dare not look up to see Martha’s reaction. Instead, he held Clark on his lap, convinced God would not be so cruel as to give a son back, only to take him away again so quickly.

Eventually, Helen Bryce pushed her way through the throngs of people and jogged up the ramp. She had known Clark hadn’t been ready to be up let alone running around, but under the circumstances there had been little else they could do. She kneeled beside Jonathan and noted the fresh blood the father seemed mesmerized by. It could be a bad sign.

Helen pressed two fingers to Clark’s neck and felt for the throb of blood flow from his carotid. “You!” She shouted to a nearby medic, “Bring that gurney over here…”

Kansas
The Outskirts of Smallville

Lana Lang was furious with herself. She’d made so many bad choices in her life it was hard to think she could have made another- but she had. She slowed her Jeep at an intersection and then when it was clear took the left hand turn towards Metropolis.

Someone had tipped her off Jason Teague was renting an apartment there, and she had every intention of finding him and apologizing for her sometimes over the top behavior. Sometimes? Come on Lana, you know you drove Clark away! The voice in the back of her head chided the same thing over and over.

Clark had saved her life on some crazy whacked out planet and they had become an item. It had seemed like Clark would finally tell her the thing she knew he was hiding, but what had she done? Pushed too hard as usual.

She huffed at her own stupidity. Clark was lost now for anything other than friendship, but maybe she could set things straight with Jason if she moved quickly. Maybe he was the one she was meant to be with, she didn’t know, but she had to get out of the rut she was in. I can’t go on treating people the way I do if I want a relationship that will last…

Lana hit an open section of road and gunned the accelerator. She had the whole highway to herself so there was no point in dawdling. She checked her mirrors, uncertain as to whether she had seen something flash by in her rearview. Her brow furrowed as all she now saw was more open space behind.

Instinctively, Lana gripped the steering wheel that little bit tighter and wished she were not alone. The Jeep’s interior seemed to suddenly grow chilly, but she knew it was in her mind- she was afraid for no good reason. Get a grip. You flew to Paris on your own and you can’t drive to Metropolis? She turned on the radio, and when there was no clear signal hit the CD controller button. Music usually soothed her nerves if nothing else did.

After three tracks Lana’s grip on the wheel slackened somewhat. Maybe I should call Chloe? She knew she really shouldn’t drive and make a phone call without a ‘hand’s free’, but hearing someone’s voice would be comforting. Without slowing, Lana took her eyes from the road for just a moment to delve into her purse for her cell phone.

When she glanced back up something black was hurtling towards her windscreen at incredible speed. The ex-cheerleader slammed on the brakes, expecting the impact of some bird or animal, but instead the black shape stopped in front of her Jeep.

Lana blinked, not trusting her own vision. It was no bird, it was a man, and he had placed a hand on her hood and was bringing her car to a halt while his feet skidded along the highway at over fifty miles an hour. It can’t be…his feet alone would burn…why…how…

The Jeep juddered as Sobek’s might fought its engine and won. Something inside the V8 power plant gave way and Lana felt her gas pedal become dead. The Jeep came to a stop with steam oozing from under its hood, and oil pouring out onto the highway.

Lana gulped as the figure in black cocked his head and looked at her through the side window with a bemused expression. He smiled, and then with one lightning fast move ripped the driver’s door from its hinges, tossing it into the adjacent corn field.

Broken from her daze, Lana scrambled to the passenger side and tried to find her can of mace. She fumbled in the glove box and finally grabbed the new can as the stranger wrapped a hand around her ankle.

“Eat this!” Lana depressed the trigger and kept her finger there until she thought she’d given her attacker the whole lot right in the face.

Sobek wiped the chemical away like water and yanked hard on her foot. “Feisty…but not enough!” he dragged Lana back out through the gaping driver’s door hole and kicked off from the highway into a steep upward flight.

Lana’s eyes widened in disbelief, and finally as Sobek soared into the clouds she fainted.

Colorado Cheyenne Mountain Complex
SGC Infirmary

Jonathan paced back and forth in the corridor with his arms folded. He wasn’t sure he trusted doctors with Clark, he wasn’t sure he trusted his own eyes after the day’s events. He inhaled and attempted to see into the room beyond where a multitude or people, including Clark were being treated. All he could catch a glimpse of was the odd doctor or nurse, and once, Bryce scurrying towards the far corner with something on a cart. What if he’s dead?

Jonathan shook himself. When Bryce had come over and checked Clark’s pulse she had said he had simply passed out. But what if she was humoring Martha and me? If the situation wasn’t grave why did she have Clark whisked away so swiftly? The farmer winced. He needed to be strong right now. Since Clark’s collapse in the gate room Martha had refused to give up the small child, saying she would look after the boy like she had Clark. She was upset, irrational. Who wouldn’t be after all their family had endured?

Jonathan ran a hand through his hair and realized just how dry his throat was. He considered asking the guard on the infirmary entrance if they had a coffee machine, but just as he was about to enquire, Helen Bryce suddenly reappeared. Her expression seemed neutral, was that good or bad? He waited for her to speak, unwilling to be the one to ask the dreaded question twice in one week.

“Mr. Kent, I’m so sorry for the wait, but we’re swamped as I’m sure you can understand…”

“You said Clark had just passed out?” The farmer still avoided directly asking his son’s condition.

Helen nodded and moved to one side as a patient was wheeled by on a gurney. “Clark lost a tremendous amount of blood on the planet, and even after the transfusions his injury left him very weak. I’m surprised he didn’t collapse sooner. My main concern in the gate room was when I saw the fresh blood. With all the overexertion he could easily have started the internal hemorrhage off again.”

“And?” Jonathan could take the suspense no longer.

“The bleeding was thankfully superficial. Clark pulled through a lot of his sutures with all those heroics.” Bryce gestured back into the infirmary, “Hayley is just cleaning him up and redressing his side. You can go through now, but don’t expect him to look one hundred percent. We’ll need to get him topside later in the Colorado sunlight for that….”

No one could have given the farmer better news. His expression was one of a man who had just been given his whole world back in a split second. “I need to tell Martha…”

Helen patted Jonathan’s arm. “Go to Clark,” She said softly, “I’ll bring Mrs. Kent on through. I have to take a quick look at the little boy Clark rescued anyway.”

Jonathan hesitated but then nodded. From what he had been told, Helen had been the one who had refused to give up on his son. It made sense that he should put his faith in her now. “Thank you, for everything.”

Bryce smiled, and then putting her hands in her white coat pockets she scurried off down the circular shaped corridor. Jonathan turned and made his way into the infirmary. He looked warily at the guard at the entrance, half expecting the young soldier to stop him entering, but the sentry remained motionless.

Inside the medical wing was just as the doctor had described. People lay moaning as they waited for treatment, others remained deathly silent, and through it all doctors and nurses hastened about doing their jobs as best they could.

Jonathan noticed Janet Frasier pulling a sheet over some poor unfortunate who had obviously not made it. She nodded, acknowledging she’d seen the farmer and then moved on to her next patient. Jonathan looked to the floor, unable to bear the brunt of seeing anymore misery.

“Ow!” The yelp tore the farmer’s gaze right back up and instantly made him smile slightly. He’d own the cry anywhere, especially because it wasn’t very often he heard Clark yowl in pain, and then get chastised over it.

“Will you quit being such a wuss!” Hayley, the nurse who had helped Bryce earlier was fixing Clark’s side back up, and he was not enjoying the sensation one bit. “I’ve nearly finished. Heck, it’s not like you’ll even have to keep them in once you get topside…” Hayley was taking pleasure in teasing the teen as she replaced his sutures, but not unsympathetically. It was just good to see the kid who had nearly died on her a few days ago having the strength to wriggle away and complain at her touch.

Jonathan raised a brow knowingly. “You better just take it like a man, Son; they always get you in the end…”

“Dad!” Clark pulled away from Hayley’s ministrations and threw both arms around his father. Jonathan did much the same and squeezed hard, needing to know that this was no dream. The father needed to feel his son’s presence, feel his every breath and know he was very much alive.

Eventually, the pair split from their bear hug and Clark noticed the moisture that had welled in Jonathan’s eyes. “Its okay, Dad, I’m alright now…” The teen looked past his father, abruptly realizing someone was missing. “Where’s Mom?”

While Hayley finished her work Jonathan explained everything. “You can’t imagine how it’s been…Your mother just couldn’t accept that you were gone out of our lives. I couldn’t accept it either… I think everything will be alright now that we can just take you home.”

“I’m afraid that won’t be possible…”

Jonathan turned to see General Hammond at the base of Clark’s bed. He looked almost as somber as he had in the gate room when they had assumed Clark was dead. The General looked at both men and was at least happy Martha wasn’t here too to hear the bad news. “I’ve just received word from my sources in Kansas that Sheriff Adams was called out to your farm earlier today. Apparently, someone took it upon themselves to scour your house and let loose your cattle…”

Clark looked at his father in alarm. “What if you or Mom had been there?” He took the clean t-shirt Hayley offered and slipped it on while listening to what came next.

“I’m afraid there’s more,” Hammond winced, his Texan accent becoming just that little bit stronger, “Adams was called to another residence shortly afterwards. It seems a neighbor had heard a commotion and when she called around she found a body…” he leaned on the bottom rail of the bed in contempt at what had occurred.

Jonathan wasn’t seeing where this was heading. He shook his head. “Someone trashed our farm and then murdered…” Realization hit home and Hammond swiftly pulled out a plastic visitors chair for the numb-struck farmer.

“I’m afraid Sheriff Adams found Bill Ross dead just under an hour ago. I have people in the area, and we’ve sent them straight over to check out the crime scene.” The General looked up from the farmer to Clark who was fighting off Hayley to get out of bed. “Whoa, Son, there’s no sign of your sister yet. Just take it easy. If you go rushing off without thinking things through first you could make the situation even worse, and I can’t allow that.”

Hammond made it quite clear there would be no negotiation just with the tone of his voice. Several nearby nurses looked up he sounded so uncompromising.

Jonathan agreed too, even though he was shaking with the shock of yet another terrible revelation. “He’s right, Son. We just got you back. Don’t go headlong into something you haven’t thought through…”

“But, Dad! Kara!” Clark swung a leg off the bed and was instantly reminded that he needed to ‘recharge’ before anything else. Hayley caught him under the arms and pushed him right back where he belonged before he hit the hard linoleum floor.

“I think it’s safe to assume your sister’s kidnapper is our Sobek,” Hammond looked to Clark, “That probably means he’s taken her to get at you, Son, but why? I know the host he’s taken had a grudge against you, but the Goa’uld is in control now.”

Clark looked to his father. He’d been thinking about this already, and it was a subject that didn’t go down well in the Kent household. “I think he wants the crystals that were meant for me.”

“Do you even know what these crystals do?” Hammond crossed his arms, putting all his attention on Clark now. “No offense, Son, but if Sobek has your friend Zod’s body he’s pretty invincible already. Why would he want these three crystals?”

“Zod isn’t my friend,” Clark shot Hammond a look of displeasure, “All I know is that my biological father meant for me to have them, and that several other parties are also searching for them, Lionel Luthor included at one point.”

“If Sobek wants them they must be extremely valuable to him. He won’t harm your sister until he’s certain of obtaining them.” Hammond sighed, “We need to find a way to fight him, and that isn’t going to be easy.”

“There’s only me that has any kind of chance!” Clark pushed off from the bed again, this time with the same resolute expression he’d had when he’d faced Eric Summers. He may not have the upper hand, but he intended going down fighting for Kara, his family and the world. “If you get me on a flight back to Kansas I’ll regain my strength on the way. Sobek won’t stray too far from Smallville if it’s me he’s after.”

“Clark, I can’t allow that. We simply must have a concrete plan before we make a move, surely you understand?” The General looked to Jonathan who had remained silent until now for support, “Sobek knows your weakness! If you go after him he’ll be ready for you with a meteor rock!”

“He’s right, Clark,” Jonathan turned his head to face the teen, “What have I always told you about thinking things through first.”

Clark chewed his lip. This time he had been thinking it through, and he just might have a plan. “Sobek waiting for me with a meteor rock just might work…” He looked to General Hammond and continued to climb from the bed. This time Hayley surrendered to the inevitable and gave him a steadying hand, “Are Major Carter and Dr. Jackson still on the base, General? We’re going to need their help.”

Hammond nodded. “Major Carter is in the lab and Dr. Jackson is in his office. I’ll arrange a meeting in the conference room at,” he glanced at his watch, “14.00hrs, until then I’d like for you to get some rest and spend some time with your parents. No arguing!”

Martha Kent looked around the sparse room she’d been taken to. It was only just down the corridor from the infirmary, but it still seemed a whole world away from Clark. Clark- she shuddered at the memory of his eyelids rolling back and his body going limp in Jonathan’s arms. She’d wanted to hold him then, to cradle him as only a mother should, but instead in the ensuing mayhem she’d been bustled off to this secluded room with the little boy who still clung to her like a magnet. What’s going on? What must Jonathan be thinking?

Jonathan had seen Martha go into the room with the child, but did he understand what was going on? She heard the moans of patients being taken by in the passageway, and the noise became too much. She should be with her son. Clark!

Martha stood up and approached the guard at the door with the boy still gripping her like vice. The airman didn’t bat an eyelid. “I need to see my son. I think Dr. Bryce had him taken to the infirmary.” The pleading in the mother’s voice should have softened the guard’s resolve, but it didn’t.

Airman Brinkman didn’t even look Martha in the eye as he responded. “Someone will be along shortly, ma’am, just take a seat.” He indicated the chair Martha had just vacated, and that there would be no leaving.

Martha sighed and reseated herself. The little boy sniffled and snuggled closer. He was so much like Clark had been; he even buried his head in her jacket the same way. And somehow, even though Martha didn’t know it, she reminded the youngster of Clark. He sensed the same warmth from her and inner strength, the same love that his tall savior had instilled. Even though he didn’t know this woman, or his rescuer, he felt safe only in their arms.

Martha smiled at him, but inside her heart was breaking. She should be with her own son, the little boy that had grown into such a powerful young man. The young man that had placed this child in her arms, and whose last request had been to look after him. Last request! No! I shouldn’t even think it…Helen said he’d just passed out…She looked impatiently at Brinkman and silently rocked the boy to sleep. There was little else she could do but quietly wait and hope Jonathan would eventually realize she was not keeping away of her own volition.

Ten minutes later the door finally swung open and Helen Bryce entered the room. She had a young woman behind her whose gaze never left the little boy who was now drifting on clouds in his dreams.

Martha stood up, gently supporting the child so as not to wake him. He murmured as she reached the doctor and the newcomer. “Clark?” She couldn’t hide the crack in her voice.

“He’s going to be fine. He’s young, strong, and well, super strong!” Helen couldn’t help but break into a small smile, “I’m sorry we’ve kept you from him, but there was something of utmost importance…”

Maya stepped forward before Bryce could say more. She too smiled, but also held out a hand and ruffled the youngster’s hair with love. “I am sorry to keep you from your son, but you see when Clark brought Kai through the gate I knew he must be protected. I trusted Clark on my home world, and I trusted you, Clark’s mother on this world, but I could trust no other in my absence, and I was needed elsewhere…”

Martha frowned. She hadn’t really taken in anything beyond the fact that Clark was going to be alright. “I don’t understand?” Where’s Clark? I want to see my son…

“When Maya saw you with the little boy in the gate room she asked General Hammond if he would escort you somewhere and protect you until the chaos had calmed. You see while we were off world one of Maya’s own people turned traitor and informed the Goa’uld of our whereabouts. There could be others who wish harm on Maya’s family for bringing her people here.” Helen sighed, “In the confusion in the gate room it would have been easy to harm Kai.”

Maya nodded solemnly. “I thank you for your patience in this situation, mother of Kal-El, and I thank you for raising a son who would sacrifice all to save my nephew. I hope one day Kai will become as strong a leader and savior of his people.” She bowed her head slowly and Martha couldn’t help but smile as she choked back tears of both joy and pride for her own son.

“Please, I’d like to see Clark now…” Martha offered up the still dozing child to Maya, but before she could make good her escape the door all but burst open.

Clark had one of his large boots wedged in the door frame to stop it being closed, and was gingerly holding on to his father for support. “Mom!”

Brinkman turned and scowled, but Clark was quick to respond with his boyish grin before the airman could speak.

“General Hammond ordered me to spend some time with my parents, and that means both of them.” Without further talk the teen let go of his father’s steadying arm and grabbed Martha in a hug.

The relieved mother squeezed back and let out a huge breath. Clark was safe. Eventually, the pair separated and Clark noted Maya’s presence. He furrowed a brow and the alien leader nodded, acknowledging him.

“You saved my nephew. His father died from the tainted water, and my sister…I do not know.” Tears came to the young woman’s eyes and she showed her first signs of emotion, “I am eternally grateful for Kai’s life…”

Clark ran a hand through the kid’s hair much the same as Maya had. “He’s a cute kid. He wouldn’t let go of me on the planet when I found him…”

Kai stirred at Clark’s touch and yawned. His eyes opened for the smallest of instants and he smiled before dropping off back into peaceful slumber.

Maya’s expression changed to one of extreme concentration. She seemed so wise for her years, and yet so serene. She looked to Jonathan, Martha, and then finally back to Clark. “Kai has faith in very few people. He cowers from most, but not your family. He trusts you. You give me hope that there can be a world built on trust someday…”

Martha nodded and all three Kents hugged one last time. As Clark pulled away he shot Jonathan a concerned glance. Kai had a family to go to after all, but now they had to break the news to Martha about Bill Ross and Kara. Pete’s dad is dead because of me…Kara is missing, and we have to put mom through yet more heartache- All because of my heritage. Clark cringed. It would soon be time for the meeting with Daniel and Sam, and he would welcome it, because Sobek had to be stopped- whatever the cost.

Smallville
The same time…

Lex Luthor looked at the two girls that sat across from him in the Hummer that was now parked at Ross residence. Neither one seemed as scared as they should be. Instead, they sat in silence- perhaps because of the news about Clark, perhaps because they were baffled as to what was going on. No, Chloe is never silent when there’s a story to be had. I’m missing something here. And what are we doing outside Bill Ross’s house with three police cruisers for company?

Chloe fidgeted and scowled at Lex as if she somehow sensed he’d been thinking about her. She glanced outside the military vehicle to where her uncle and the other soldiers were talking, and then back in to stare pointedly at Lex.

“Do you know something about this?” It was a straightforward question, “You did know when Uncle Sam was protecting me…”

Lois agreed. “Not that he told anyone else,” She took a peek outside at O’Neill who appeared to be arguing with Sheriff Adams, “Are you part of some kind of cover up again? Because to be honest, I don’t buy the fact that farmboy is dead for a start.”

Lex smirked. Two smart girls, but this time he really didn’t have any answers. He couldn’t accept Clark’s death either, but something big was certainly going on and it appeared Clark and the Kents were slap bang in the middle of it. “If it’s any reassurance I don’t believe Clark is dead, but I promise you I’ve played no part in anything that has occurred today. Why we’re sitting in the Ross’ driveway is a complete mystery to me.”

Chloe slid down her window and poked her head out to see if she could hear what Sam Lane and O’Neill were talking about. When she ducked back in the Hummer she had turned pale. She looked to Lois first. “Remember when I mentioned seeing Bill Ross with kids stuff this morning? Well, I think he was looking after Kara for the Kents…‘was’ being the operative word!”

“So now what do we do?” Lois was tugging at the car door handle ready to barge into whatever was going on, but Lex put a hand on her arm and gently held her back.

“We wait. After what we saw that individual do at the Kents, I think it’s safe to say we’re way out of out league here.”

“The great Lex Luthor sits on his butt and doesn’t ask questions?” Chloe raised a brow sarcastically, “Now that I don’t buy. You’re more likely to want to capture the airborne freak for research than ignore him.” After twice being affected by Luthorcorp experiments, she wasn’t going to act dumb in front of the entrepreneur.

“I have contacts in the military, it’s true, and I’d like to know what’s going on as much as the next person,” Lex appeared sincere, “However, I also know when it makes sense to bide my time, and now is such an occasion.”

Lois rolled her eyes, and was still tempted to pull loose from Luthor’s grip and go join the entourage outside. When Chloe failed to join her escape attempt she gave in- at least for a little while.

“I have jurisdiction here, and I’m telling you I want your people out of the way!” Jack O’Neill had been on the scene only ten minutes and he was already extremely annoyed with Smallville’s sassy Sheriff.

Hammond had gotten a message through about the Ross murder and that he wanted an immediate response. It had been bad enough that he’d had to take two girls and the Luthor along for the ride. Now, O’Neill’s work was being hampered by Adams and her less than helpful deputies. It wasn’t that she was an incompetent cop, but she just didn’t understand the nature or seriousness of the situation.

Adams tucked her thumb under her belt, “You army boys come in here and think you can just take over my investigation without as much as an explanation. We’ll this is my town, and Mr. Ross here’s family have been residents ways back. That makes it my business…”

Jack scowled, “Airforce, actually, ma’am.” He gave her his legendary quick smirk, “And a matter of national security makes it my business.” He gestured back to two of Sam Lane’s soldiers, “Now they’re army, and unless you move your butt out of my people’s way I’ll make sure they come over here and escort you off the premises.”

Adams eyes narrowed and she took a glance at the two burly soldiers standing by the second Hummer. “You wouldn’t dare…” Her thick southern accent waned as she considered whether O’Neill would actually carry out his threat.

Jack smirked again, this time his smile was accompanied by a slow nod. “Oh yeah…”

The Sheriff’s head snapped back and she grabbed the mike attached to her uniform in obvious displeasure. “Stern, get our people out of the house. The military are taking over…” There was a quick hiss and the officer on the other end acknowledged his new orders. Adams gave O’Neill a look of pure hatred and then climbed back into her cruiser without saying another word.

Jack found her wounded expression highly amusing. Their little verbal clash had been the only thing of pleasure in an otherwise bleak week.

“O’Neill…”

The Colonel turned to see Teal’c stepping from the porch in his usual emotionless manner. The Ex-Jaffa had already been inside to investigate the crime scene for evidence of a Goa’uld presence. “Find anything?” He asked worriedly.

Teal’c slowly nodded his head. “Indeed, O’Neill, I do believe this is the work of Sobek or at least his Jaffa…”

“Any sign of the kid?” Jack had lost one Kent to Sobek, and his slight wince indicated he was afraid they may well loose another before the day was over.

“It is my opinion that Sobek has taken the child to further his own requirements.” Teal’c looked back to the house where Bill Ross’ slain body still lay, “The occupant of this home was not a necessity and therefore surplus to his needs.”

“And if Sobek finds out Clark is dead and we don’t have the crystals, the kid will be surplus too…” Jack watched as some of General Lane’s men took a body bag inside the house. Things weren’t getting better, they were getting worse.

Teal’c nodded again, and this time a tiny hint of emotion crept into his normally monotone voice. “Indeed, if Sobek believes the child is no longer of use, it is my belief he will kill her…”

Jack frowned and looked into the distance. He didn’t want anymore children to die- not ever while he was in charge of a mission, but the Sobek problem was much bigger than just Kara Kent. Once the Goa’uld had finished toying with old adversaries and hunting for the elusive crystals, then he would surely unleash his almost omnipotent powers upon earth and her allies. “What do you have planned next for us you snake headed son of a…”

“I think I just found out the answer to that question,” Sam Lane stuck a cigar in his mouth and his deep voice exuded both frustration and dread, “We just got confirmation that the Vice President’s helicopter is down. Your people lost contact with it two minutes ago on its way out from Metropolis. We’re not even receiving the emergency transponder signal.”

Jack threw his hands in the air. “For crying out loud! Wouldn’t you have thought the powers that be would have cancelled his trip with the intel we had about Sobek?” He spun back to Lane, “I take it the President is being evac’d?”

Lane chewed on his cigar stub some more and nodded. “He’s been safely resituated, but where do we go from here without the Kent kid?”

Jack looked back to the Hummer. “We get those civilians the heck out of harms way and then find a way to kick Goa’uld butt.” He motioned to Teal’c “You go with the General’s daughter and her friend’s while Lane and I take the other Hummer to discuss options.”

Teal’c bowed his head and jogged over to his new assignment. Babysitting two girls and a rather bald businessman were not high on his list of things to do, but he took the job as a challenge.

As he climbed in and received a look of bemusement he began to wonder if fighting the Goa’uld wouldn’t have been easier than facing this particular trio.

O’Neill tugged open the second Hummer door and followed Sam Lane into the rear bench seat. As the vehicle began to move he shook his head in despair and took the radio unit he was offered from one of Lane’s men.

“Secure line from General Hammond, Sir!”

Jack nodded and put the radio to his ear.

“Colonel O’Neill, we have a rather serious situation on our hands here. I presume you’ve already been briefed on the Vice President’s status?”

Jack nodded even though his superior couldn’t see him. “Yes, Sir, we just received the news. What are our new orders?”

The line hissed and popped, and for a brief second O’Neill thought the connection had been cut, then Hammond’s slight drawl permeated the line again.

“Stand by, Colonel, there’s nothing else you can do until we can form an…tack plan. Our sensors are picking up…Goa’uld mother ship…earth’s atmosphere. Global communications are …being cut off…”

O’Neill winced at the garbled messages. “Sir, are you sure you don’t want me to use General Lane’s troops to try and find Sobek?” The officer was shouting now just to speak over the static buzz.

“Negative. Stand by for orders…Clar…may have an idea…meeting in five minutes to discuss options…” The radio finally gave up even hissing and simply died as if its power source had been drained.

O’Neill shook the unit and then threw it on the seat. “Did you get any of that last message?” He looked to Lane, hoping the officer would play along with his ‘I never heard the stand by for orders’ directive from Hammond. If there was anything Jack hated it was waiting while people were in danger.

Sam Lane sat forward, and just as he was about to reply was thrown across the rear of the Hummer as its driver made an emergency stop. “Dickens! Wait till I get you back to the motor pool!” Lane grumbled and clutched the seat picking himself up. Only when he had a clear view of the road ahead did he realize what was going on.

The normally clear highway was blocked by a row of Jaffa troops and weaponry, and the Hummer Lois was in was first in their line of fire. “Sweet Lord…”

O’Neill reacted first having seen the alien soldiers many times before. “Do you have any weapons in this crate with wheels?”

“They’re secured in the back,” Lane wanted to add he wasn’t used to surprise extra terrestrial attacks if O’Neill was, but he held his tongue, “Just what the hell is going on?” The General clambered into the back of the vehicle and quickly unlocked the metal weapons case, tossing his cohort a standard issue M4, one for the driver, and finally one for his own use.

“Independence Day part deux is what’s going on, and we’re stuck slap bang in the middle of it!” O’Neill was yelling again as gunfire from the first Hummer ripped through the afternoon silence.

It was Teal’c and the Hummer’s driver trying desperately to hold off the approaching enemy after their tires had been strategically taken out.
“We have to get them out of there fast, or they’ll be fried with Goa’uld staff blasts!” O’Neill rammed in a thirty shot clip and let off a short burst at the nearest Jaffa, while using the Hummer’s door as a shield- not that it would give much protection should it receive a direct hit.

The bullets from his short barreled weapon did little to deter the Jaffa column. At this range the M4 simply didn’t have the accuracy.

“Lois!” Sam Lane jumped clear from his side door, and threw his weapon across the vehicle’s hood to take aim. As he fired he could see his daughter, Chloe and the bald millionaire scrambling out of their Hummer. The problem was there was simply nowhere for them to run. If they tried getting back to the second transport there was no cover- they’d be cut down in a heartbeat.

Jack O’Neill let off another controlled burst and joined the General at the front of the Hummer. He pointed upwards as the sky suddenly came alive around them. Not one, but a whole squadron of Goa’uld gliders was approaching their position. In the distance, Jack could see a wing of F14’s in pursuit, but he knew they would be no match.

“Sir, we have to retreat,” he wrapped his rifle’s strap around his wrist in a tight grip, “I know she’s your daughter, but if the Goa’uld wanted their group dead they would have been by now. Something bigger is going on here…”

Lane shot O’Neill a look of hatred. “I’m not leaving my lil Lo!” He fired again, depressing his M4’s trigger even when its clip was long empty. Lois’s mother had died long ago, and there had been nothing he could do to prevent it, but here and now he wasn’t leaving his daughter.

Jack knew the sensation well after his own son’s death, and then Skaara, and finally Clark. If there hadn’t been other issues here he would have wholeheartedly agreed with the General and fought by his side, but today the world, perhaps the universe needed all the help they could get.

“General, we can kick ass another day, but right now if you want to save Lois, we need to fall back and regroup. We need to know Sobek’s reasoning!” Still Lane ignored Jack’s pleas, and that left only one option.

Jack O’Neill broke every rule in the book and risked a court marshal by punching out a superior and stuffing his unconscious form into the back of the Hummer.

The army driver nodded in he understood and jumped back behind the wheel. If they were lucky they might just escape under the cover of the air battle that now raged over their heads.

Jack looked back as a Jaffa staff blast narrowly missed their rear left tire, and as he watched it pained him to see Lois, Lex, Chloe and Teal’c being taken prisoner. Only the group’s driver was spared capture after being hit by two consecutive staff blasts.

O’Neill winced and wiped blood from his chin were a stray fragment of shrapnel had nicked him. I hope to hell Hammond has a good plan, because otherwise earth will be overrun and captured within a week…

Cheyenne Mountain Complex
14.00hrs

General George Hammond clasped his fingers together on the large table top and surveyed the people seated around it. In all his time with the SGC he’d never had civilians sat here like this- at least not a very special teenage boy and his parents. On any other day it might seem strange and be one hundred percent against policy, but today the world was seeing its darkest hour, and Hammond and these few before him were its only hope.

The General cleared his throat. “I assume everyone is ready?”

The SG members nodded, but Martha Kent shot the officer an expression that said she would never be ready. Hammond sympathized. The proceedings would undoubtedly put Clark in danger again, and that was something no parent wanted. Nevertheless, he looked to the teen seated next to him.

“Clark, I believe you have some kind of plan to put forward?”

Clark fidgeted. Some of the color was already returning to his cheeks now he was back on earth- even without being in the direct radiation from the sun, but he was still the slightly nervous farm boy among the group.

“When you suggested Sobek, or Zod, or whoever he is would use Kryptonite against me, it gave me an idea. The only way you’re going to get close to him is if he’s distracted,” Clark glanced at his mother sheepishly, knowing she would balk at his next suggestion. “He wants me, so I suggest you let me give myself up to him as a diversion.”

Hammond squirmed. Sam, Janet and Daniel remained silent. Martha responded as expected. “Clark!”

Jonathan took his wife’s hand. “Sweetheart, we knew the day would come when Clark would choose his own future.” The farmer thought of the time he’s told Clark to go rescue Lionel after Jeremiah Holdsclaw had taken him. That had been hard too, but Clark was becoming a man- albeit a very special one.

“Still,” It was Hammond, “I can’t allow you to just give yourself up into the lion’s den without knowing how to take down Sobek given the opportunity.”

Clark nodded and pointed to the Plexiglas case that now sat in the middle of the table. Inside, the Starblade glinted innocently. “If I provide enough of a distraction maybe someone could use that on Sobek. It’s the only metal I know of that can harm a Kryptonian body here on earth.”

The General looked to Sam who up until now had remained silent. “Major, I thought nothing could harm Sobek in this form? Didn’t we already agree that his Goa’uld side provides him with protection against such injuries?”

Carter moved from her seat to stand beside a screen that flicked on as she neared it. “Normally, I’d have to say that Sobek is pretty much omnipotent, yes, but this weapon is extremely advanced. If I had time to study it further then who knows what we might discover.” She pointed to the images onscreen. “What I have found is that inside the blade there’s a microscopic technology capable of altering the person who is touching its cellular makeup.”

Clark’s brow furrowed. “That’s how I was able to be hurt by one?”

Sam nodded. “If you touch any part of it without protection it can affect you, or a human.” She glanced to Dr. Frasier who acknowledged she agreed. “In your case it reversed the effects the sun can have on your cells, essentially making you as vulnerable as the rest of us. On a human I’m guessing the blade has the opposite effect. I don’t profess to have all the answers, but I do think we could use this on Sobek and it might at least slow him down.”

Daniel Jackson fiddled with his pen and bit his bottom lip slightly. “Um, Clark, didn’t you tell me the original blade was meant for you?” When the teen squirmed the scientist added, “Or this Numan character the Kawatche believe in? So why leave you a blade that could take away your gifts?”

Clark shrugged, “I don’t know, but if we can use it against Sobek does it matter?”

Hammond listened to both arguments and watched the Kents carefully. Strictly speaking, Clark could still be considered a minor- they would have to agree to anything that was decided here. “If, and I say if, we can come up with a workable plan. What do we do with Sobek once he’s captured? After all I’m assuming the blade’s effects aren’t going to keep the Goa’uld inside from healing him?”

Carter was obviously uneasy as she replied. “No Sir, I think he’ll heal. Zod’s Kryptonian body may be similar to a human’s, but I doubt the blade will affect a Goa’uld’s physiology.” She was visibly disappointed. America was already being invaded. Once Sobek alerted more Goa’uld mother ships other nations would follow. Humankind was on the brink of a holocaust.

Clark gulped. He felt so out of place against scientists like Carter and Jackson, but he hadn’t finished with his suggestions yet. “Why can’t we send Sobek and Zod back to the phantom zone?” He waited as the room fell quiet.

General Hammond raised a brow. “Son, we’d need to return to PX4761 to retrieve your father’s schematics, and that isn’t possible given our current situation and the Goa’uld occupation of that planet. Even if it were, I doubt we could recreate the technology given the time frame we have to work in…”

Carter’s eyes brightened. Her scientific side was always up to the challenge. “If we could get the plans I’d be willing to try, Sir.”

“Major, countless soldiers would have to die just to regain access to PX4761. I doubt we’d even get beyond the gate perimeter…” Every option was becoming no option to the general, and his expression and tone showed his frustration.

“We don’t need to go back anywhere,” Clark looked at everyone around the table awkwardly, “I can remember the plans. I can remember anything I look at or read.”

“In every detail? Like a photographic memory?” Sam focused on the teen intently.

“If you can build the generator, I can give you the plans,” Clark grimaced, “Just don’t ask me to sketch them. I’ve been told my drawing sucks…” A flash of Bart Allen’s cheeky grin crossed his mind, and he smiled at thoughts of happier times.

“No problem, we can recreate them on my computer.” Sam looked at Hammond, “Is it a go, Sir?”

“Hold on, Major, we need to iron out some finer details. If the generator works we need a volunteer to go after Sobek with the blade. I’m sure I recall someone saying prolonged exposure to its effects can leave a person in a vegetative state?”

“I’m sure we can come up with some kind of shielding, possibly something as simple as a pair of gloves. The only problem with that is the person won’t gain any extra gifts. Getting close to Sobek even with Clark as a pawn won’t be easy.”

Martha winced at the word pawn, but didn’t interrupt. Jonathan watched his son with worry and pride. The teen had made many mistakes up to this point in his life, but it had been a learning curve- one that Jonathan hoped he would continue on when this mess was long in the bowels of history.

“I’ll do it…” Daniel Jackson let out the proposal so casually anyone would have thought he was offering to take a kid to a ball game.

The room fell silent again and all eyes fixed on the archeologist. He squirmed on his seat almost as much as Clark had moments earlier. How could he explain to everyone that he and Clark had gone through similar life changing experiences, and that he now felt they could work on this as a team? The only other person he’d ever opened up to fully about his ascension had been Teal’c, and Teal’c was now one friend who needed help.

Hammond tapped the table top. “I’ll make the final decision on who goes once we know the generator idea is feasible. However, I would prefer a trained soldier to do this Dr. Jackson.” He turned to the teenager at his side, “Clark, are you sure you’re willing to risk this? You do realize what Sobek will have planned for you should the mission fail?”

Clark let his gaze fall on his parents. Martha was staying strong as she always did, but the dull look to her eyes told the true tale that she was terrified. Jonathan simply nodded. What else could he do? “I’m ready, General. My sister’s life and everyone else’s depends on it.”

Hammond sighed. It was a black day in the history of the world. “Major Carter, get to work on those generator plans with Clark. I’ll assemble every available SG unit to go to Kansas with you once you’re ready, along with a plan for this mission.” He turned to Frasier, “I’d like for you to arrange a medical team to go with them, I’ve a feeling half of Kansas will be needing one.”

Janet nodded, but had another request. “Sir, Dr. Bryce has already asked to front any away mission that might come up…”

Hammond liked Helen Bryce, but he also suspected he knew her motives. She had left unfinished business behind in Kansas in the form of Lex Luthor. “I can’t have Helen being seen in Smallville, you know that doctor. It could compromise a previous mission’s top secret status.”

Frasier had known that would be the answer, but she had asked for her friend and colleague anyway. “I’ll assemble some people,” She stood to leave and everyone else followed, leaving Hammond alone at the table. There was much to be done and very little time.

The General remained seated, deep in thought until the bright red phone that had been brought from his office began to ring. He snapped it up like an alligator’s jaw catching its prey. “Mr. President, we’re working on a plan as we speak, Sir…” Hammond paused patiently listening to his commander in chief’s questions. “No, Sir, if this doesn’t work we’ll be at the Goa’uld’s mercy…”

Somewhere in Kansas…

Lana didn’t know where she was when she woke up, but from the dirt and grime the place hadn’t been used in awhile. She glanced around in the dull light, but there were so many shadows it was hard to see much. The walls were mostly bare, with chunks of moldy plaster breaking away in places where water seepage had taken its toll. There were no windows- no place to look and find a familiar landmark. Still, it didn’t matter, Lana knew who her captors were, and that meant she probably wouldn’t live to worry about her geographical location.

“Where’s Clark when you need him?” Lana muttered the comment, little realizing she was not alone in the sparse chamber.

“Actually, if we’re to trust the prevalent reports, Clark is dead…” Lex’s tired voice broke the illusion of solitude, “However, I’m not ready to accept that at face value just yet.”

Lana squinted and realized the millionaire was sitting against the far wall in the gloom. He’d pulled his tie loose and had rolled up his shirt sleeves, even though the room was less than cozy. She let his words sink in a moment. “Clark can’t be dead…”

Lex’s bald head bobbed. “My thoughts exactly, although I have no real evidence to prove otherwise.” He hunched forward, “I don’t know how Clark came to be so deeply involved in this mess, but I presume you recognized our kidnappers?”

Lana’s eyes darted to one side as she didn’t want to admit the truth. “I didn’t know the man who pulled me out of my car, but I saw the thing he had on his hand…it was the same as the one…” She couldn’t bring herself to finish. The Goa’uld technology she had seen reminded her all too much of a journey that had almost cost her life- had in fact cost her life, if Clark hadn’t used a Goa’uld sarcophagus to bring her back.

“As the one the Goa’uld used when we were so unceremoniously dragged off world last year?” Lex finished for her and then glanced down at his extremely expensive gold watch. “I wonder if this is all because of some covert deal my father has arranged once again?”

Lana shuddered. She didn’t care about the why. “Someone is bound to notice we’re missing. Maybe help will arrive.”

Lex shook his head. It was obvious Lana didn’t understand the extent of what was occurring. Should I tell her? It was the only real option, and yet he didn’t want to distress the ex-cheerleader further. “Lana, I wasn’t the only one kidnapped. Chloe, Lois and Teal’c were taken too. The guards threw me in here with you. I don’t know where the others are.”

The name Teal’c didn’t register straight away. It had been so long since Lana had met the towering alien, and even back then he’d had very little to say to her. If he was involved now, then the situation was worse than she thought. “If this is your father’s doing, why take me, Chloe or Lois?”

Lex shrugged. He had no real clue as to why the Goa’uld were invading, or what they wanted. Ordinarily, he may have been intrigued by the flying stranger, and he would definitely be trying to escape, but as he looked for the third time at his watch it was becoming apparent the businessman had something more pressing on his mind.

Lana noticed it too. “Lex is everything alright?” It came out as one of the dumbest questions of all time. The world was being invaded, people were dying, and they just might be next. Of course everything wasn’t alright.

Lex thought it best not to mention how obtuse the query had seemed. Instead, he scrambled out of the way as the metal door to their ‘cell’ clanked open.

A burly Jaffa entered, dragging Lois with one arm and Chloe with the other. The alien soldier yanked both girls off their feet with his immense strength and then glowered at them as if he could paralyze with just his stare.

“You need a lesson in manners, buddy!” Lois glared at the Jaffa and then began rubbing her wrist were his iron grip had bruised her flesh.

“Shel Kree!” The Jaffa spat out the order and then turned tail without further explanation.

The door slammed closed behind him as the sentry outside re-secured the impromptu prison.

“I don’t understand the lingo, but I’m guessing he just told you to keep your big mouth shut!” Chloe pulled a face at her still angry cousin and then checked to see who else was in their little group. Lex didn’t come as a big surprise, but Lana was unexpected. “Lana, what are you doing here?”

“I wish I knew. One minute I was heading for Metropolis, the next…” She stopped, unsure whether to mention being personally flown to her current destination by a man- or at least something that looked like a man.

“Well, I don’t think it exactly takes a rocket scientist to figure out why we’ve all been selected for abduction by Mr. 747!” Lois was on her feet, pacing the dark chamber impatiently. So far, she and Chloe had been interrogated about two things- the Kawatche caves and some dumb crystals, and Clark’s whereabouts. Lois remembered the caves, but not the crystals; not even when the creep in the dark suit had brought up the whole witch fiasco while squeezing her throat.

“Pray, do enlighten us less than intellectuals?” Lex’s smirk and the hint of sarcasm in his slightly shaky voice irked Lois even more.

“We’re all connected to Clark in some way, and apparently, we’ve all got some link to some crystals this creep is after,” She frowned, “I don’t know anything about any crystals. How about you, rich boy?” Lois already suspected Lex did, despite the fact that his expression remained neutral.

“Why would I be involved in some scavenger hunt for obscure rocks?” He carefully answered a question with a question.

Chloe rolled her eyes. “Well shouldn’t we be more concerned with getting out of here before Mr. 747 decides to squish our vocal chords again? Frankly, I have no memory of my time with Isabel,” She shot Lana an apologetic glance, “and even if I had I wouldn’t tell that overgrown dork anything, or about Clark…”

Lex bent forward into the light streaming through a crack in the roof. His features looked more pallid than usual, and dark circles were beginning to form around his eyes, but under the circumstances no one noticed. “If he has taken us to get to Clark, which would seem a likely scenario, then I suggest no one mentions Clark’s supposed demise. It could be a fatal mistake. We would no longer be deemed bargaining chips.”

Lois thumped the wall a little too hard and then wished she hadn’t as her knuckle began to bleed. “Great! I’m a worthless bargaining chip with no memory of why I’ve been kidnapped. Farmboy may or may not be dead, and I don’t know which story to believe or stick too when questioned!” She rubbed her knuckle, “Where are you with the cavalry, dad?” She spoke to thin air.

“I don’t think we should wait for a rescue. It may not come.” Chloe looked at Lex. If anyone was up for an escape attempt it would be the bald businessman. “What do you say, Lex?”

Lex let his shoulders slump back against the wall and he exhaled slowly. “Sorry, but I think I’ve gone beyond that point…”

Lois stopped her marching back and forth. “I never pegged you for a coward, Luthor!” She looked curtly to where he now sat. “But come to think of it, why didn’t you put up more of a fight in the Hummer? You got your gun out earlier fast enough!”

Lex gulped and his smirk appeared half hearted, although it was difficult for the others to catch the expression in the dimness. He looked at his watch again, and then let his arm fall limply back onto his lap. “I wouldn’t make it out of the building, Chloe,” He ignored Lois’ scorn, “I’ll be dead in a few hours…”

Outside the cell, just a short distance down the corridor, Sobek was pacing. The youngster in the adjacent room’s incessant crying was grating on his already frayed nerves, and now he had the traitor to deal with. Normally, it was easy to keep things in control, but the host he had taken was strong willed, and it was difficult to stop his personality surfacing. Being inside Zod was like riding an unbroken horse. He rubbed the back of his neck absentmindedly, and then spun around to the nearest guard.

“You, take Kent’s sister to his friends. Let them be annoyed by her persistent cries until they die.” The booming and eerily resonating voice demanded instant action.

The Jaffa bowed his head and scurried off to complete his assignment. Sobek turned back to his next task. Teal’c.

The ex- Jaffa stood silently, his hands secured behind his back. He showed no emotion as Sobek circled him for several moments.

“How does it feel, Shol’Vah, to be in the presence of a God once again?” Sobek’s hand shot out at superspeed and he grabbed Teal’c by the throat, raising him off the concrete floor. “Would you still serve the Tau’ri now you have seen my true power?”

Teal’c choked until a thin trickle of saliva ran down his chin and his legs flailed in mid air, but he was helpless to react. He wheezed as the oxygen in his lungs slowly dissipated.

“Where is the one who goes by the name Clark Kent?” Sobek used his new strength to shake the ex-First Prime like a baby’s rattle, “Where is Kal-El?” He loosened his grip slightly, and when he still didn’t get a response he jerked his arm, tossing Teal’c across the room and through a dividing wall.

Sobek sauntered over to the mass of brick and plaster and kicked at the debris until he could see Teal’c’s boots. He knew his prey was still alive thanks to the x-ray vision he now had- a useful tool when torturing the enemy.

“You will suffer, Shol’Vah, but you will not die until I have Kal-El in my grasp.” The Goa’uld reached down and brushed away rubble until Teal’c’s head was revealed. He took hold around his quarry’s throat again, but didn’t squeeze this time. Teal’c stared passed the alien hybrid before him as if he didn’t exist. “You will have the honor of dying alongside Kent once I have what I seek. Until then, you will be a constant source of amusement for my troops, and you will bear the mark of a traitor…”

Sobek kicked into heat vision mode. A short ray of intense temperature shot across to Teal’c’s brow, and cut a new mark below the original insignia on his forehead. As his flesh seared he clenched his teeth and refused to yell out in pain. Instead, he concentrated on something going on in the background. Four Jaffa were guarding a small room near the only window on the floor. Was this where the Vice President was being held?

Teal’c shook as he kept focused, pushing the burning sensation away until Sobek had finished his evil, split second deed. When the branding was over the Goa’uld let go and turned his back on Teal’c, gesturing to his own First Prime. “He is yours until the Kryptonian boy is found.”

The Jaffa nodded and then smirked as he pointed his staff weapon at Teal’c, goading him before he received yet another beating.

Smallville
Chandler’s Field

Jack O’Neill watched as the dark specks in the distance grew into distinguishable US Airforce choppers. Landing them here had been a necessity after several Goa’uld gliders had taken out the nearby base where Sam Lane was stationed. It had been yet another massacre in a long line that day.

O’Neill sighed and checked how many ammo clips he had while he waited for Hammond’s flight to land. From the looks of things the general had brought every available man from the SGC. What good they could do against an enemy like Sobek was anyone’s guess.

The lead helicopter’s downdraft began to tug at the Colonel’s cap, and he backed up slightly as the rush of air became stronger. Within seconds, the Blackhawk was bouncing down on the grass and the side door was sliding open.

General Hammond hopped out first in full fatigues, followed by two soldiers. As he hurried to meet O’Neill, more choppers began touching down and unloading their highly trained cargo.

Jack touched his cap, acknowledging his superior. “Helluva day out here, Sir.” He turned and pointed to the small command center he and some of General Lane’s troops had dug into the earth. “We’ve prepared a small dugout, but if they hit us with more gliders…”

Hammond nodded. “Understood, Colonel. Hopefully we can get the area secure at least while we go over our options and put a…” The General stopped talking as he realized O’Neill was no longer listening.

Instead, Jack was looking open-mouthed at the second Blackhawk as several people carried supplies from its rear. Hammond followed his gaze and was suitably surprised, although not by the same thing.

“Dammit, I gave specific orders for Dr. Bryce to stay at the base!” Hammond watched as Helen and Clark carried a case of medical supplies to a nearby Jeep. The doctor had obviously disobeyed her superior, but Jack was still mesmerized by the person helping her.

“Did I take a Goa’uld blast to the head and no one tell me?” Jack took off his cap and rubbed a hand over his short gray hair, “I could have sworn I just saw the Kent kid…”

Hammond smiled a little, “Clark will be pleased to see you, Jack.” He looked over at the teen and then scowled as Bryce reappeared from the Blackhawk with more equipment. “When this is over, remind me to court marshal Helen Bryce…” It was unclear whether the comment was literal or not.

O’Neill was about to ask more about Clark, but paused with his mouth open, “Err, speaking of court marshals, Sir, I think you might have to make that a double event…”

“Oh?” Hammond was in no mood to be kept waiting, “I would have thought you could keep these men in line by now, Jack.”

Jack squirmed and smirked. “Oh, it’s not one of the men I was thinking of, Sir.” He gestured across to where Sam Lane now stood. The General still chewed on an extremely frayed Chavelo, but had a blue-black circle forming around his right eye. “I punched out a three star general.”

Hammond shook his head. Jack would never learn, but if he’d hit Sam Lane it had been for a good reason. Right now, they didn’t have time to worry about what that reason was. “Go talk to the Kent boy, I know you two have a lot to catch up on. I’ll speak to Sam Lane.” The General sighed, “We have a plan to go over once all the SG teams have assembled, so make it quick, Jack.”

O’Neill nodded, but was already jogging over to where Clark was. The teen was now chatting furiously with Major Carter as four soldiers carefully unloaded a larger packing crate. It was pretty apparent whatever was within was particularly important.

“Hey, Bucko!” Jack shouted above the noise of the still whirling rotors of the Blackhawk, “Didn’t I tell you, no Indiana Jones stuff back on that planet?” He pointed at Clark with the tip of his rifle barrel. “Do you ever do as you’re told?”

Clark stopped dead in his tracks and gaped at the Colonel. He wasn’t sure whether O’Neill was angry or toying with him.

In the end Jack couldn’t keep a straight face. “You scared the crap outta me back there, Kid!” The officer swung his weapon around on its strap out of the way, and grabbed the teen around the shoulders in a show of affection, “You owe me one heck of an explanation when things calm down, but don’t you dare die on me again, ya hear?”

Clark grinned sheepishly. “I’ll try not to…”

Jack pulled away and feigned annoyance. “You better do a whole lot more than try. I’m getting tired of seeing you on one of Janet or Helen’s gurneys!” He slipped on his usual pair of black sunshades, “Now tell me, what new toy to kick Goa’uld ass do you have in the crate for me?”

Sam rolled her eyes at the Colonel and put a hand out to stop him attempting to open the crate. “It’s not exactly a weapon, Sir.”

O’Neill’s head cocked slightly to one side, “It’s not?” There was sarcasm in his voice, “Well crap, we’re about to get our butts kicked from here to the Shark’s stadium then, Major!”

Clark stuffed his hands in his jacket pockets awkwardly, “We have a plan, Colonel…”

“Oh, do tell?” O’Neill was expecting something outlandish. SG1 were always coming up with goofy but workable ideas, but he didn’t expect the teen’s next suggestion.

“I give myself up to Sobek as a diversion.” Clark couldn’t look Jack in the eye as he said it.

“Say what?” The raised incredulous tone said it all. “Now I know I got hit in the head with a Jaffa blast! Are you nuts?”

“It gets worse,” Sam jerked her thumb to where Daniel was now adjusting his tiny video camera. It was something he took with him on most missions to document artifacts, but he wouldn’t need it for that today. “Daniel volunteered to go too and try and take down Sobek.”

“For crying out loud!” O’Neill almost choked. “What are you people thinking?”

“Incoming!” A cry from the Blackhawk’s co-pilot cut off further debate, “Two death gliders at 11’O’clock, Sir!”

SGC troops immediately began to scatter and take cover behind sand bags and anything else that was available. Jack grabbed Major Carter and tugged her to a trench that had been dug to their left. As he watched, a Goa’uld drone craft appeared and began dropping charges in a neat straight line. Clark stood watching as the unmanned craft seemed to make a beeline for the Phantom Zone generator Sam had hastily assembled and packed.

“Kid, get your butt over here!” Jack O’Neill pointed his weapon at the drone and fired, but the bullets bounced off it’s shielding without any kind of damage. More troops aimed at the hovering shape, bombarding it with shells, but it continued unabashed. The whole field was a war zone in less than a minute.

Clark ignored the Colonel’s pleas and stray weapons fire, and instead began to jog towards the alien bomber. It spat out more fiery charges, and its death glider escorts peeled into formation along side it.

Jack gawked as a blast from the right hand glider appeared to hit Clark head on. He’d seen the teen’s strength before, but nothing like this. When the dust and flying sods of earth had cleared, Clark was still standing and only his clothes had sustained any damage. Tears and charred holes filled his jacket, and the teen tugged off the still smoldering item and focused his attention on the cause.

Sizing up the distance between the generator and the drone, Clark let out an intense blast of heat vision at the bomber. The fiery lance hit the Goa’uld craft in its power supply, just where Clark’s x-ray sight had pinpointed it mere seconds earlier.

The drone’s incendiary cargo ignited with fuel from the damaged propulsion unit, and it exploded in a shower of metal and flames. Soldiers on the ground who had not taken cover fast enough were bathed in its burning remains, but the generator and base camp remained intact.

Clark inhaled and turned his attention to the two remaining death gliders. The Jaffa pilots were now firing indiscriminately at the ground troops and choppers. No doubt, they had also already reported the camps existence to Sobek.

The teen squinted again, and attempted to sheer off the wing tip of the nearest aircraft with another heated bolt of energy. The glider ducked and weaved, and his first shot only managed to damage it superficially. Clark concentrated again, and this time he was right on the money. The glider spiraled away from Chandler’s Field in a dive, but didn’t appear to crash despite the damage inflicted upon it.

The last glider peeled away and soared high into the clouds. It’s pilot obviously deciding to take his chances with Sobek rather than Clark.

“You may have just made a valuable ally if Sobek doesn’t kill him right away…” Clark turned to see Daniel Jackson looking over his glasses. “The Jaffa serve the Goa’uld only because they have been brought up to believe them to be Gods. Sobek’s newfound powers only serve to prove that he is a supreme deity. You however, have just proved to that Jaffa pilot that you too are as powerful…If he can spread the word among the others in his unit, Sobek may just find insurrection in the ranks.”

“You think it’s possible?”

Daniel nodded. “It’s already happened with several System Lords, and their Jaffa didn’t have anyone like you to prove to them their Goa’uld leader was no God...”

“If you’re right, Dr. Jackson, any dissention in the Jaffa ranks might improve out mission’s chances.” Hammond had reappeared now that the enemy had retreated. Troops milled around him clearing the mess where Goa’uld blasts had upturned one of the helicopters. “I think it’s time we all moved into our little impromptu meeting hall and put the cards on the table.” The officer pointed to Jack’s dugout and then nodded to Clark, “Thanks for the anti aircraft support, Son.”

* * * *

Inside the dugout had an earthy smell that reminded Clark of a freshly ploughed field back on the farm. It was a welcoming odor after the horrid stench of death he had been assaulted by in the past few days. He glanced up as O’Neill, Hammond, Jackson and the rest of the group assembled. Only his parents were missing. It had been hard to keep the Kents from his side, but it was only logical that with Sobek’s track record they would be his next targets. For now, the Kents had been convinced to stay at the SGC.

Everyone took seats on fold-out field chairs that had been placed around an old wooden table. Hammond placed his hands together on its surface.

“I don’t have to tell you people how little time we have. So, I’m going to cut to the chase.” The General looked at Clark, “Mr. Kent here has suggested giving himself up to Sobek as a diversion, whilst another individual covertly penetrates Sobek’s Jaffa defenses. Now I know Dr. Jackson volunteered for the task, but I’d rather a trained soldier go on this mission and attempt to use the Starblade on Sobek.”

Jack raised a hand and made a face of confusion. “Excuse me, Sir, but Starblade?” He asked questioningly.

Sam quickly filled everyone in again, along with their plans to send Sobek/Zod back to the Phantom Zone if they could capture him.

Jack smiled wryly. “Just like I thought, you’ve all gone nuts. I mean, come on, we’re sending a kid and a trained specialist to their deaths!”

Hammond huffed. “Jack, under the circumstances we have no other option. That is unless you have something to suggest?”

“Yes, Sir, I do,” Jack grinned mischievously, “I’ll be the one to back Clark up with this Phantom Blade or whatever you called it…”

“Starblade,” Sam corrected, and then added, “I do have one question myself. How do we know where to find Sobek?”

Another grin appeared on the Colonel’s face. “Oh, well I might just have done a little reconnaissance while I was waiting for you guys to arrive,” He noted Hammond’s irked expression and his lips curled impishly, “Seeing as I never did get your message to stand by and wait, Sir…”

The plump General licked his lips. “Very well people, let’s get this plan in motion.” He tapped the table apprehensively, “Major Carter, stand by with the generator, Daniel alert Helen and Janet we might be needing their services. I’ll personally assemble the SG teams we’ll be sending in as backup.” Finally, he stood from his seat and held out a hand to Clark, “Good luck, Son.” He nodded to O’Neill, “You too, Jack.”

O’Neill smirked. “Oh, I think we’ll be needing more than luck, Sir, we need to be certifiable!”

Sam Carter looked affectionately back as she exited the dugout. “Well there’s one of you two that’s overly qualified in that position already!” She didn’t wait to see Jack’s customary grimace or Clark’s ear-to-ear grin at her fun poke at the Colonel.

It was the last moment of mirth they could take before facing their ultimate challenge.