By Various <see end of file for list of authors>
Rated: PG
Submitted: February 2004
Last year, the FoLCs of the Lois and Clark Fanfic Message Boards (http://www.lcficmbs.com) were surprised to discover a message from a new member calling himself AltClark, the Clark Kent from the alternate universe introduced in "Tempus, Anyone?" It seemed that Clark had a problem; the Lois Lane of his universe was still missing, presumably in the Congo. The investigation was going nowhere, and Clark was looking for some help. Naturally, FoLCs were more than willing to try. Clark faithfully followed their suggestions and came back to report on the results. Along the way, a few other surprising faces appeared…
The resulting message thread, copied with the permission of the participants, has been collected below in the format used to record previous similar encounters (archived as "The Clark Letters" and "The Lex Letters").
EIC's note: Please note that this file has not been passed to a General Editor for editing nor passed through a spellchecker, as this would impact on the format and style of the story. All spelling and grammar errors from various posters, whether accidental or deliberately for character effect, remain intact. ;)
***
May 31, 2003
From: AltClark
Metropolis, New Troy, Alt-Universe
Dear FOLCs,
I hope I'm posting this in the right section. My name is Clark Kent. I'm from what you call the "alt-universe." I came across this site while searching for information about Lois Lane.
You may be wondering how I'm able to access this site, given that it's in a different universe from my own. I suspect it has something to do with the fact that this computer was built by STAR Labs and is connected to their network. I'm not entirely sure what they're doing, but apparently at least one of their projects involves dimensional travel. Quite likely time travel as well, since it's 1997 here and the date on your site is in 2003.
On the other hand, my research on your archive (http://www.lcfanfic.com) tells me that I'm not the first Metropolitan to visit your universe. There are documented visits from the Clark Kent and Lois Lane of another universe ("The Clark Letters") as well as Lex Luthor (now there's someone I'm glad I never met!) and many others ("The Lex Letters"). It's been a couple of years since then, I believe, but I see that H. G. Wells registered at this site a little more than a week before I did. So, with all those other visitors, maybe it's not STAR Labs tampering with the fabric of the universe, after all.
Well, however I got here, what I've seen has been of great interest.
First of all, I want to thank those of you who have helped others like me to find their respective Lois Lanes. It's a source of hope and inspiration, knowing that at least some of my counterparts have been united with their soul mates.
I know some of you don't believe in soul mates. Well, I'm not going to argue with you. All I can say is that, in my rather unique situation, I have no choice but to believe. Not just because of the evidence of Lois and Clark that I met, but because, without that belief, I'd be lost.
And that brings me to the main purpose of my visit: the search for "my" Lois. You FOLCs seem to possess a startling amount of information, not only about your own universe, but apparently many others, as well. So, I'd like to ask you a favour. If you know of anything that could help me find Lois, please respond to this message.
Here's what I know so far: Lois flew to the Congo, following a lead on a gun-running story, on September 3rd, 1993. She said in her last communication that she had arrived and cleared customs, but was planning to use an assumed name from that point on. Customs has no record of her arrival, nor is there any record of her at the U.S. embassy. Some of the embassy staff did seem to be acting oddly, but that could well have been a reaction to my "celebrity" status rather than anything to do with Lois.
I tried searching the city and the surrounding countryside, but I've had no luck; there is too much territory to cover, too many people to scrutinise. Add to that the fact that it's been four years, and you can get a good idea of how difficult the search has been.
At this point, I'm not sure what to try. I'd be grateful for any suggestions or leads you might have. I'll look into them and let you know what happens.
In the meantime, if you have any questions for me, I'll be happy to answer them, or at least try. Unlike the other Clark Kent who visited your universe, I actually am Superman, and everyone in my world knows it.
I'll check back as my schedule and the tenuous connection between universes allow.
Clark
P.S. In case you're curious, yes, I am aware of the other message boards. I noticed, however, that upon signing up, I'd be given "Jimmy Olson" status. You may find this silly, but I just wasn't prepared to take on the status of my old boss.
P.P.S. A note to Tank, in case he's reading this: Mr. Wilson, you may, if you help me find her, and if she agrees, cut Lois's hair. But please, don't blow off my leg or destroy my world or anything. Deal?
***
June 01, 2003
From: LauraBF
Southen Sector of Metropolis (Atlanta)
Dear Mr. Kent,
Have you tried questioning the customs officials while wearing your civilian clothing? Without the Suit, they might not react to your celebrity status, but their reactions might be based upon knowing something about Ms. Lane's whereabouts or her fate upon arriving. I have a few guesses as to where she might be, but mine are mearly educated guesses and not hard facts.
I am in posession of knowledge of how at least two alternate versions of yourself found their Loises, but I have yet to discover where the Lois Lane of your universe is hiding. Give me time, and I may be able to check some of my more obscure sources for you. I think the Clark from the universe in which my "Forever and All Eternity" series takes place knows something, but it takes time to contact him. Not only is he in another universe from my own, but he is also currently living on New Krypton with Kiley—his and Lois's oldest child.
I also am in contact with Mr. Wells. He has helped me more than once, and I'm sure that I can talk him into divulging some information. Mr. Kent, I do believe in the concept of soulmates—perhaps not quite as Mr. Wells explained it, but I do. I believe that you *will* find her someday; just don't stop looking for her.
Best wishes in your quest,
Laura Davies aka. BrightFeather
***
June 01, 2003
From: Tank
The edge of civilization, Minnesota
Ummm, I'm not sure how to break this to you Mr. Kent, but in the one instance where I did research on your (or perhaps a similar) alternate dimension… you were killed. But your Lois is safe and happy.
Tank (who had nothing to do with it, but she had her hair cut and dyed red also )
***
June 01, 2003
From: NearlyNoelNeill
NYC
Mr. Kent,
Lois has been known to suffer intermittent bouts of amnesia (Cause: too many blows to the head by nefarious evil-doers and aggressive fire hydrants.) I suggest looking for one "Wanda Detroit".
Another possibility might be to leave off the Congo and do a complete search of Echo Canyon.
Good luck!
Sherry
***
June 01, 2003
H.G. Wells
Utopia
My dear Mr. Kent,
I must counsel patience. I realise you are eager to find your Lois, but there are many universes that I must organize to my satisfaction. Please be assured that I will get to yours as soon as I have a chance. I have been working on a new, improved version of my soul-tracker, but I can't locate the right style of Persian carpet.
I applaud your initiative in consulting the members of this forum, but really, my dear sir! They could hardly do as well as myself.
Stay away from Tempus and perform some rescues while you are waiting. I will find your Lois as soon as I can. My pocket watch will be at your humble service.
H.G. Wells
***
June 01, 2003
From: HatMan
Third star to the right and straight on till mid- afternoon…
welcome to the boards, clark! i'm sorry it couldn't have been under better circumstances, but i hope we can help fix that.
have you tried snooping around in the embassy? i know it's not in your usual nature, but it may be for the best this time. with your speed and enhanced senses, you should be able to search around without being seen. maybe even eavesdrop.
mr wells, it's good to hear you're on the case, but there can't be any harm in the rest of us looking, too. maybe we can take care of this one, freeing you up to go… uhm, fix another universe.
Paul
***
June 02, 2003
From: Tarkas
geosynchronous orbit, but at a very low altitude
quote:
*I applaud your initiative in consulting the members of this forum, but really, my dear sir! They could hardly do as well as myself.*
Herb, Herb, Herb! Are you actively looking to meet a hubris-inspired fate?
How quickly they forget… You're not the only one out there with temporal resources, you know, and I can talk to mine, so she knows what to do by herself — and she's doing it as I write.
Anyway, Clark, you'll be glad to know that I've put Gabriella (formerly known as Little Gay, but she insisted on a new name when I moved her "mind" into a more powerful [Italian-built] body) onto your problem, but she does have one question:
Which Alt-Clark are you? There's a lot of 'em out there, and it helps to have some form of temporo-universal reference to start from. I (and Gabby) assume that you're the Clark from the "original" alt-U; that is, the one that "our" L&C met twice, but it wouldn't hurt to have some confirmation. I've met one other Alt-Clark, but that wasn't you — unless something really bad has happened.
Anyway, if you have a Multiversal Timeline Co-ordinate, or even a universal quantum signature spectrum that you can send me, it'll be a help. If not, we'll all hope that Gabby's not looking in the wrong universe — because she is looking!
Hang in there, mate. Help is at hand.
Phil (and Gabriella )
***
June 02, 2003
From: LauraBF
Southen Sector of Metropolis (Atlanta)
Thank you, Phil!
That's one question I should have asked. <g> While I do have the ear on *one* HG Wells, I also have a few resources. My brothers built a time machine in the basement a few years back after they improved upon the design of Mr. Wells's machine. It also is equipped with an interdimensional transport unit, which enables chroniclers like myself to interview and write about many *different* Lois Lanes and Clark Kents.
In fact, I've met a few versions of Mr. Kent that weren't very nice at all. Mr. Kent, um, this may sound awfully suspicious, but I, too, need to know if you're the 'original' AltClark. See, I stumbled across some plans from one of your counterparts last month that detailed how to invade and conquer other dimensions. <wary look> I'm very fond of our Superman, but I have no wish to be conquered by a fleet of Kryptonian ships—Nor's invasion a few years ago proved that!
Laura (who's currently hampered somewhat by the fact that 2 of her fingers are splinted together)
***
June 02, 2003
From: AltClark
Metropolis, New Troy, Alt-Universe
Thank you for the responses so far. I can't tell you how good it feels to be able to talk about all this in the open. What with soul mates and other universes and everything, the story behind my search isn't exactly something I've wanted to spread. As you know, I can keep a secret when I have to, but I don't enjoy the necessity.
Here, though, I don't have to worry about those secrets. You FOLCs already know all about it. And you're helpful and supportive, too. I truly appreciate that.
~~~
Ms. Davies,
Thank you for the suggestion. I did go to the embassy in my "civilian clothes", but the problem is that I don't have a secret identity; Clark Kent is nearly as well-known as Superman. Now that you mention it, however, I could go back in disguise. Maybe that will help.
Thanks also for your efforts. So, you can communicate not only between universes but across inter-stellar distances, too? You FOLCs never cease to amaze.
I'm also grateful for your words of encouragement. And don't worry; I have no intention of giving up.
In response to your second post, please don't worry on that account, either. I assure you that I have no invasion plans in this dimension or any other (unless you count sneaking around the embassy). I'm shocked to hear that one of my counterparts has taken such an agressive turn. I wouldn't have thought it was in my… his… our (this is getting confusing) nature to do any such thing. I suppose the right circumstances (or, more properly, the wrong ones) can lead one to do just about anything.
I am sorry to hear about your injury. I hope it was not a result of your efforts to help me. My best wishes for your recovery.
~~~
Tank,
I'm not sure how it works, but there are apparently several universes that split off sometime after I met the Lois from the other universe. That meeting and the subsequent one seem to be key points for some reason, much like the time in the other universe when a scientist brought several gangsters back from the dead. Worlds seem to branch out from those key points, each one unique.
Obviously, the universe you found, in which Clark Kent was killed, is not this one. I am pleased to hear, however, that the Lois of that world is safe and happy.
~~~
Sherry,
Strangely enough, I actually did look for "Wanda Detroit" in the local nightclubs. I came across the name a few times on the FOLC archives and decided it might be worth a try. I didn't find any sign of "Wanda," though; I suspect that may be due to the fact that the scenario played out in another universe. As I said to Tank, each branch seems to be unique.
Thank you for the warning about insidious city plumbing. When I do find Lois, I'll be sure to protect her from those aggressive fire hydrants.
I'm intrigued by your suggestion of Echo Canyon. I'll be sure to search it, but to my knowledge, there is nothing there but an abandoned shack. What makes you think Lois might be there, and what should I be looking for?
~~~
Mr. Wells,
I appreciate your efforts on my behalf, but please don't let me take too much time away from other universes in need.
I must admit that I never before realised the importance of Persian carpets to dimensional travel. Perhaps the Oriental rug in this room is what allows me to contact the FOLCs' universe. If you need a good Persian carpet, perhaps you should try "Ralph's Agora." The man may not be able to make Chinese food, but he does know his floor coverings.
As for FOLCs, I would not hasten to underestimate their knowledge and resourcefulness.
I will be wary of Tempus, but you should be doubly careful. From what I've seen, you've had more trouble with him than I.
Best of luck tidying up the other universes you've adopted into your care. Perhaps sometime you'll come across an alternate version of yourself. That might help expedite your work, if you can get yourself to be cooperative.
~~~
Paul,
Thank you for your warm welcome. You're right that I don't like spying, but these are, as you indicated, desperate times. Maybe when I go back to the embassy in disguise, I'll take the opportunity to look around.
~~~
Phil and Gabriella,
Which Alt Clark am I? Well, I'm… me. I don't know what else to tell you. Perhaps Mr. Wells could give you some more information about my dimensional coordinates, but I'm afraid I don't know enough about "Multiversal Timeline Co- ordinates" or "universal quantum signature spectrums" to be of much help. I did meet the other Lois twice, as you say, so this universe must be one that split off after that key point.
Thank you for your help and encouragement. (I do seem to be saying that a lot, don't I? You FOLCs are the best!)
I'm heading off to the embassy now. I'll come back later to tell you how it went.
Clark
***
June 02, 2003
From: Smallville Girl
The place b/w sleeping and waking.
Hello Clark.
I am pleased that you were able to make contact with us, even if it was for heart-wrenching circumstances. I hope you will continue to talk with us once you find Lois. And I firmly believe that you will find her.
I have a few suggestions that you might think about.
First of all, Lois may have chosen a different name for her novela persona. I know you might consider it intrusion of privacy to read it and find out…maybe you could have her sister, Lucy (if she has one in that universe) take a quick scan.
Also in looking though names in the congo, I suggest you pay close attention to any L L names. She seems to have an affinity for those letters.
And finally, I've been thinking, what about the HG Wells from your universe? Maybe we can find a way of contacting him. After all, it stands to reason that there is a Wells in each universe (no offense to the Wells on these boards).
Though if you can't find him, maybe our HG Wells will decide to travel back in time sometime in the future. That way his older self will be here now and able to help you…I suppose he never saw Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure…a nice time travel guide.
Wishing you good luck,
-Breanna
***
June 03, 2003
From: AltClark
Metropolis, New Troy, Alt-Universe
Breanna,
It had never occurred to me that Lois might have used a different name in her novel. I'll have to look into that. Thank you for suggesting it.
I have been keeping an eye out for LL names, but so far, I've had no luck.
As for Mr. Wells, I have no way of contacting him. He seems to show up on his own schedule, which isn't much of a surprise, given that he's a time traveller. And no, I would not expect that he has seen "Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure." It's too violent for him. Especially the ending, where they decide to shoot the teachers so they don't have to do their presentation. Of course, the teachers start shooting back, and the whole thing turns into a big gunfight.
It was a little too much like "Back to the Future," where this kid sees his friend, a crazy scientist who for some reason has an English accent, get horribly killed by terrorists. So he jumps into the time machine the crazy English scientist invented, goes into the future, grabs a bunch of high-tech weaponry, and then spends the rest of the movie shooting people.
Then again, that's the way all movies are these days. All guns and violence and the occasional insane English scientist being killed in some especially gruesome way.
So, "Smallville Girl," huh? You wouldn't happen to be from my home town, would you?
Sherry, I flew over Echo Canyon again, as you suggested, but I didn't find anything.
My trip to the embassy was a little more productive. There is definitely something odd going on there. One of the staff in particular, Martin Snell, became very jumpy when I mentioned the name "Lois Lane." I used my abilities to follow him around for a while, odd as it felt to do so. Soon after he thought I'd left, he called someone. I didn't recognise the voice, but the conversation was about Lois! Snell reported that two people had come asking after Lois and said that they'd have to start keeping a closer watch on her again, that they might have to kill her, after all. That hit me pretty hard, on several counts, but I kept enough presence of mind to wait around and search his office after he left. I didn't find much, though. Less even than you'd expect to see. I suspect he keeps his important files elsewhere.
Now I don't know whether to cheer, panic, or hit myself. On the one hand, my investigation has put her into danger. They may decide to kill her before I can find her, and if they do, it'll be my fault. On the other hand, I now know that she's alive, free, and somewhere in the area!
It's a lot more than I had before, and it's thanks to your suggestions! So, any thoughts about what I should do now?
Clark
***
June 04, 2003
From: Karen
the Net. Through systems, peoples, and cities, to this place.
Wow, you've been productive. I'd say keep looking after Snell. He'll probably eventually lead you someplace where you can find more answers. Maybe he's got another computer lying around somewhere. Or possibly put a tap on his phones.. not quite legal, but it sounds like he's in another country anyway.
As far as the movies, it sounds like we should find a way to send you our versions. They're much more peaceful, and no shooting! At least, I don't remember any in Bill & Ted, and Marty didn't do any in Back to the Future.. just the terrorist guys. (Psst, Herb, before you go back to visit Clark here, stop by our universe to grab the movies.)
***
June 04, 2003
From: Cyad
AF 001, wings row, window seat
Dear Mr Kent,
I was about to back up Braenna's idea and suggest you look for LL names, but as it didn't get you anywhere, how about WD names? I admit it's a bit far fetched, so here's the other options I had in mind.
it seems your Lois never "officially" reached Congo. So let's look at the facts impartially: maybe she died in Congo, which I don't think is the case. I mean you're a soulmates believer, so I guess if your heart tolds you your Lois is alive, she certainly must be.
Then, she might have discovered something more about that lead she had on the gun running story, while en route to Congo. If she's anything like the Lois we know, she certainly jumped both feet right in and, how could I put it, got into trouble, maybe got kidnapped or…er…well. As she disappeared 10 years ago, and considering we're in the 'she's still alive' option, she may suffer amnesia. Maybe her look has changed to, like Mr Wilson highlights it, she might have done something that could appear drastic from the way you imagined her, like cutting her hair short and dyed them red, blue, blond or all the three of that ,which, you must admit, could be a great match to your Superman Suit…whoops, seems I'm babbling again.
Then, she could also have decided to disappear for a while in order to have carte blanche on her gun story investigation, maybe she'll even show up in Metropolis once she's done with it.
I don't know what to tell you, but I have a question for you. Have you ever tried to restart her investigation the way she did it, from the beginning point to where she left it? You may find a detail that could also give you a lead on where to look for her…just my 2 cents thought.
Yours sincerely,
Carole
PS: Now that I think about it, talking to her sister was a good suggestion, but you may consider asking Perry White about her…
***
June 04, 2003
From: AltClark
Metropolis, New Troy, Alt-Universe
I've checked Lois's old computer for her novel, but found no sign of it. I even asked Mr. Oleson to help, but he didn't find anything, either. It looks like she hadn't started writing yet when she left. It was worth a try.
Karen, I'll keep my eye on Snell when I can, but I can't watch him all the time; I do have my duties as Superman. Much as I want to find Lois, I can't ignore people in need of more immediate rescues.
As for a phone tap, I'm not quite sure how I feel about it, but it's moot. I wouldn't know how to go about tapping a phone anyway.
I find it interesting that the movies you mentioned are so different in your universe. Sounds like they might be worth a look, if I could get my hands on them. I'll keep that in mind for when I find Lois. Maybe we can see them together.
~~~
Carole,
I know that Lois reached the Congo; she confirmed that in her last communication. I also know that she's alive, and I strongly suspect she's still somewhere in the Congo — see my previous message for more details.
Also, while 1993 was ten years ago for you, here it's only been four. It's 1997 in my universe.
I'll keep your suggestion of a changed appearance in mind. Thanks for reminding me.
I haven't tried investigating her gun-running story. It's been four years and things have changed. With all the guns moving around thanks to Tempus's schemes, I expect it would be even harder to sift through those old leads. I'll give it a try, though.
As for Mr. White, I have talked to him. That's how I have the information about her travels and communications. Unfortunately, he's rather busy these days with his duties as mayor of Metropolis. He's always willing to make time for me, but I don't like to impose on him too much. If you can think of something specific to ask him, I might give that a shot.
Thank you for your continuing help, FOLCs.
Clark
***
June 05, 2003
From: Cyad
AF 001, wings row, window seat
Wow! I'm amazed time in your Alt-universe passes so fast. it also seems I'm having a hard time picturing Perry, I mean Mr White as a Mayor. See, here, in my Metropolis, he's the editor in chief of the Daily Planet, one of the most respectable and reknowned newspaper in America… and a really easy person to talk to, despite his constant tendancy to relate big events (newsworthy or not) to 'the King's life…Is your Perr…er…Mr White an Elvis Presley fan too? Because if he his, I can't think of a question to ask him but this one: "is Elvis alive in your Metropolis and did you ever met him?"
…I can imagine the face my Metropolis Perry would make if the answer was positive…but I'm disgressing.
About that novel, do you know if your Lois had a personnal laptop or home PC were she could have store a Wanda Detroit related story?
Taping a phone is as easy as picking up locks, though some super eavesdrop would perhaps be easier…or much more restricting, considering your 'other' job.
One last question, and don't mind telling me I'm too curious here but: what's *your* Mr White policy towards arms and guns dealers? Because if he's as a truth seeker as the Perry I know, you might consider joining your forces to dismantle Tempus's schemes…even under a more discreet guise…
Carole
***
June 05, 2003
From: AltClark
Metropolis, New Troy, Alt-Universe
Carole,
I'm sorry if I gave you the wrong impression. Mr. White is easy to talk to, but he's very busy. We are friends, but I feel that he has enough demands on his time and enough things to worry about without my adding to them.
Former President Presley is, indeed, alive in this universe. He is a close friend of Mr. White's and even came to speak at his mayoral inauguration.
I don't know if Lois has a laptop. If she does, she took it with her.
As to the gun problem, Mayor White and I have been working on it together. The process has been gradual, but we are seeing fewer guns on the streets of Metropolis. President Heston, however, has made it clear that he feels differently about the matter. I think his views are best summed up by the statement "gun control means using both hands."
~~~
Karen,
Your suggestion of following Mr. Snell has paid off. I been watched him from the air when he left the embassy last night and discovered the location of his other office. I listened to him conduct some business and then searched it after he left. It looks like he's established a place for himself in the Brazzaville criminal underworld. He's involved in selling drugs and weapons as well as racketeering, and he seems to be expanding his business. Unfortunately, given the corrupt local government as well as the tricky legal issues involved with diplomatic immunity, I'm not sure what I can do about that.
On the other hand, I did discover some other papers of interest among his files. He has the official records of Lois's entry into the Congo and records of her attempts to contact home through the embassy. Those files were in a folder with some sheets purporting to be the official list of people killed in gun-related incidents in Metropolis in 1993 and 1994. The lists look right, but I noticed that the names "Eleanor Lane," "Samuel Lane," "Lucille Lane," "Perry White," and "James Oleson" had been surreptitiously added.
Any suggestions on how to proceed from here?
Clark
***
June 06, 2003
From: Cyad
AF 001, wings row, window seat
Clark,
you didn't gave me the wrong impression, I was just picturing you the Perry I know and trying to figure out how different or alike in character yours…let's call him Mr White otherwise I'll get confused…was.
But you had Elvis Presley as president?? wow!!! I mean WOW!! Perry will definitely get jealous, not that I'm gonna tell him about this or he'll call me a funny lunatic again or give me a reply like: 'The king's alive and living in an alternate dimension, in a city called Metropolis… sure Carole, and I'm happily married to Priscilla and living in Graceland!"…er…seems I'm disgressing again.
Seems your president is a bit fanatic with this gun control issue…or maybe 'fanatic' is too soft a term.
So it seems Snell may have something to do with your Lois disappearance in Congo…
quote:
*Unfortunately, given the corrupt local government as well as the tricky legal issues involved with diplomatic immunity, I'm not sure what I can do about that.*
Do you also speak over 300 languages? because you might easily sneak into the Embassy…wild guess.
As for the added files, would that mean that your Lois parents were killed or that they might be in trouble? (it's friday and I'm always slow in understanding things on friday)
Carole
***
June 06, 2003
From: Anna B. the Greek
Athens, Greece (E.U.)
Hi!
All I have to suggest is that you keep an eye upon Snell. And maybe you could check the rest of his "activities": Follow him while he's "working", or try to find out who are working with him, and find information about them. You may find something useful.
I hope I've helped a little.
AnnaBtG.
***
June 06, 2003
From: AltLois
Brazzaville, Congo
Hello FOLCs,
I don't know if this will work but, it couldn't hurt giving it a try.
I'm Lois Lane. I'm sure you're wondering how I was able to access this site. Well, it's a long story.
I have gun dealers, police officers and militia men after me, not to mention members of the local government. All enjoying the facilities of a corruption based republic. I'm also aware that they could use the Net to track me down or try to locate me, so I'll be short.
My gun story's almost packed and my only problem now is to get out of this country I'm trapped in. Which is gonna be difficult once you know that all the travel routes leaving Congo head to Brazzaville… a very hazardous city for me.
It's 4.00 pm here. I'm at a excavation camp in the middle of a forest, where an archeologist send by the Guayaquil Anthropology Museum, let me use her laptop. Curiously, it seems the only websites she's able to connect to are: lcfanfic.com, lcficmbs.com, vernacularylanguages.com/cia- access.html and theindianajonessociety.me/femininemembers.htm. All interesting, but weird.
Mr Kent, are you newbie at the Daily Planet? Because I don't remember anyone of that name in the newsroom when I left. Anyway, you're not that bad for a guy from Kansas, you're even close but Snell is just a little fish here. Still you could use some skilled advices regarding investigation techniques. Yours really suck!
I like the idea of soulmates and I know I've been shut from real life these last four years, so my mental condition might have been shaken a bit. If it wasn't, I'm enough confused with this alt universes speeches. Confused to a point were I'm this close to thinking I'm gonna open my eyes, and discover this was just a nightmare.
I mean, last time I checked: HG Wells, assuming Mr Kent's refering to the nineteenth century british writer, was still dead to the bones (litterally), there was only a Metropolis and men didn't fly on their own volition. Plus I'm not comfortable refering to myself as Alt Lois. And I'm not even mentionning the Superman thing.
Uh…the battery's getting really weak…well, it's nice to know some people didn't gave up on me. Hope to meet you all FOLCs soon, and under better circumstances.
Lois Lane
PS: I'd never thought I'd say that but, I'm missing my family a lot.
PPS: and there's nothing wrong with my hair though I could really use a comb!
***
June 06, 2003
From: Anna B. the Greek
Athens, Greece (E.U.)
Dear Lois,
(I hope you allow me to call you with your first name) we're all very happy to hear from you. It's too bad you couldn't give us more information.
OK maybe all this stuff about alternate universes, Superman etc. sounds weird — it is, after all. But I assure you that you can trust us. You don't know us, but no one of us would ever do you any harm. We all love you and we want to see you and Clark together.
quote:
*my only problem now is to get out of this country I'm trapped in.*
I think Superman could easily find you and take you away from there, if you could find a way to contact him — through this site, maybe? — and let him know exactly where you are. He'd take you back to Metropolis just in a blink.
Right, Clark?
Oops… sorry Lois. I guess you don't want to leave behind your story. Still, Clark could give you a helping hand. Another Lois I know already knows how helpful a Clark Kent can be
OK we all hope we see you soon, away from trouble and with Clark by your side
AnnaBtG.(who thinks her admiration and love towards Lois and Clark are driving her insane)
***
June 06, 2003
From: Smallville Girl
The place b/w sleeping and waking.
Lois!
Great to hear that you are alive and well! I'm sure you'll be able to nail whoever it is that you were investigating. If you need any further assistance in tying up loose ends or gathering info, I'm sure Clark will be only too happy to help you out. I know that you are wary in trusting people, especially potential rivals, but Clark is one in a million. He can be trusted completely, and he's not one to steal a story.
quote:
*My gun story's almost packed and my only problem now is to get out of this country I'm trapped in. Which is gonna be difficult once you know that all the travel routes leaving Congo head to Brazzaville… a very hazardous city for me.
It's 4.00 pm here. I'm at a excavation camp in the middle of a forest, where an archeologist send by the Guayaquil Anthropology Museum, let me use her laptop.*
I am sure that Superman will be able to facilitate a resc…umm…provide safe transportation for you back to the US. He doesn't even have to bother with customs, and the ride will be much more comfortable than a stuffy airplane.
Clark, maybe you can stop by that museum she mentioned and find out where they sent the archeologist. That way you can find Lois without her having to say exactly where she is.
You might want to hurry though, who knows who else is reading this.
Warning to you both…keep your eyes open and don't let your guard down. Sometimes investigations are most dangerous at the end, when you think you've found out everything. Be careful.
Lois, especially keep a watch out for Tempus
He's a very evil man who wants nothing more than to destroy you and Clark.
Clark stopped the Tempus from our universe once, but who knows if he or the Tempus from your universe has anything to do with your current troubles.
Oh, the little guy in the first picture is Mr. Wells. He's a good guy
I'm not sure who exactly you are investigating, but if you need ideas of things to look into, feel free to ask and we can tell you things that happened in this universe. Things may not be exactly the same, but it could give you some ideas that could go other places. For example, there is..er…was a certain billionare in our universe who seemed quite the man of the people, but was infact behind many many illegal things.
Hope we are able to help you, and hope to hear more good news from you both soon.
-Breanna (who, while she's not from Smallville, is a Smallville Girl at heart.)
***
June 07, 2003
From: AltClark
Metropolis, New Troy, Alt-Universe
Carole,
You're right. It does look like Snell had something to do with Lois's disappearance, but I'm not quite sure what to do about that. Any ideas?
I did sneak into the embassy. That's how I found out about Snell.
About the files, Lois's family and friends are alive and well. I checked on them to be sure. The documents were false. I can only assume that Snell created them to make Lois believe that everyone she cared about in Metropolis was dead. Given the poor state of communications in the Congo, I doubt she'd have a way to verify that information, even if she had reason to distrust an official document from the U.S. embassy.
~~~
Anna,
I'll keep an eye on Snell. I'll let you know what happens. Thanks.
~~~
Lois,
I can't tell you how excited I was to hear from you, but there's a problem. I went to Ecuador to ask the Guayaquil Archeological Museum staff about the excavation, but they assured me that they don't have any teams in the Congo. They seemed to think the idea rather odd, actually, since the Museum focuses on South American history, Ecuadorian in particular.
Also, I know from listening in on Snell that the Lois Lane of my universe is only being watched, not actively hunted. Up until recently, it seems that they had even relaxed their guard.
I can only conclude that you're in a different universe than I am.
I'd be willing to bet, though, that there's a Clark Kent in your universe who is out looking for you. Look for him and try calling "Help, Superman!" With any luck, you'll find each other.
~~~
Anna and Breanna,
Thanks for your kind words about me. I appreciate the support. I hope that if the Lois of my universe feels that I need references, that you'll be willing to assure her, too.
In any case, while it was extremely disappointing to discover that I hadn't actually found my Lois, I did force myself to get back to the investigation. I looked into Snell's background. It seems that he was a lawyer for Costmart up until a few years ago, when he suddenly joined the diplomatic corps and got an assignment in the Congo. It seems odd that he'd have been assigned so quickly and that he happened to be sent to that particular embassy shortly before Lois's arrival. Someone must have been pulling some strings for some reason, and it seems that they might have known about Lois's trip in advance, perhaps even before she did.
That would suggest the involvement of Tempus, but I can't figure out why he'd choose a lawyer from Costmart or how he convinced Snell to leave.
Maybe it will make a little more sense if I sum up what I've found so far:
1. Lois went to the Congo under her own name. She made it through customs and checked in with the Daily Planet to confirm that she had arrived. She said she planned to use a different name from that point on.
2. Records of her entry through customs and her subsequent contact with the U.S. embassy were stolen by Martin Snell. It also seems that he created false documents to convince Lois that her family and friends were all dead.
3. Snell once worked for Costmart, but left hastily for a small clerical position in the U.S. embassy in the Congo. Tempus was likely involved in his decision. Since his arrival in the Congo, it seems that he has been making a place for himself in the local criminal underworld. He is now in control of several illegal businesses and is continuing to expand.
4. From a phone call I overheard Snell make, I know that Lois is alive, free, and in the area. She had been under close observation, but it seems that Snell had relaxed his watch. My investigations, however, have convinced him to have her watched closely once again.
5. From my encounter with Tempus, I know that he wanted to keep Lois Lane away from me until he was ready for me to become Superman. His plot to gain political power hinged on my revealing my alien nature during a key point in the race for mayor of Metropolis. He wanted to make it look like I was a powerful alien invader that only he could stop.
I think that's everything.
As always, any ideas, thoughts, suggestions, or information you may have would be appreciated.
Clark
***
June 07, 2003
From: KathyB
Indiana
Clark,
I'm very sorry to see that it looks like the Alt Lois who posted here is not *your* Lois. Talk about a disappointment! I guess it was too much to hope for — and a little too easy — to have her find you before you could find her. If she turns out not to be your Lois, I hope her Clark finds her and helps her get out safely!
As for your investigation, I would definitely keep an eye on Snell … as you've found out, he's not a good guy! If it helps, I happen to know he's from Paramus, NJ. Not that you would do anything nefarious like lean on his family members or anything, but it might help you if you need to track down information about him.
Just a thought … have you come across a woman by the name of Mayson Drake in your search? Mayson Drake used to work for both Bill Church and Martin Snell at CostMart before she became an Assistant DA in the universe you visited. She met an untimely death in 1995, but perhaps your version of the woman was more fortunate? In most universes that our group has explored, she is a "good guy" but I know of at least one universe where everything was turned around (Ms. Drake was crime lawyer, Snell was a good cop — boy, it was like going through the looking glass!). So perhaps she might provide you with a lead.
Oh, and another thing, keep an eye out for a DEA Agent by the name of Dan Scardino. He wasn't exactly a bad guy here, but he did have this single-minded focus on the Lois Lane you met before she committed to her Clark. He needed a good tailor and a better barber, too, but I guess that's besides the point. If your Lois is free and Scardino is in the area, they might be working together. Drug smuggling and gun running aren't exactly the same line of business, but they might use the same network to transport their goods, so it's not impossible that Lois and Dan might have met.
Good luck!
Kathy
P.S. Word on the street is that our Dan has indeed found that new barber and tailor and, after joining a gym, has bulked up. He's even been described as a "hunk" on occasion. However, I still think you are much better looking. If your Dan is with your Lois, don't let his smart-ass attitude intimidate you! Remember — Lois *does* want you to fight for her (or at least she will, once she gets to know you). Just don't go all possessive caveman on her; she'll hate that. Oh, and one more thing — if she is dating Dan but seems to like you, too, and asks if you're jealous? SAY YES!!
***
June 07, 2003
From: LauraBF
Southen Sector of Metropolis (Atlanta)
Dear Mr. Kent,
My sources went back in time in your universe and injected a biological tracking device into your Ms. Lane's left arm. I have the necessary equipment to find her if she is still alive. Please contact me for arrangements to obtain the electronics that track the locator chip.
I talked to the Clark who's on New Krypton, and he sent a trusted bodyguard to deliver the chip and the rest of the necessary equipment to me. After that, it was relitively easy to arrange to have the chip injected into Ms. Lane with her vaccinations for her trip to Africa. It's a good thing I live in a seperate universe, or she might just hurt me for it. Anyway, with this device, you can easily locate Ms. Lane. I also have another device that will dissolve the biological componets of the chip and allow it to be flushed from her system. This practice is common on one New Krypton and is not at all harmful.
Hope that this will help.
Laura (who always wondered what it would be like to bell a cat… and who just found out.)
PS: You needn't worry about a government agency, or anyone else on Earth, for that matter, using this device to track Ms. Lane. The technology is far too advanced, and it's programmed in Kryptonian programming languages anyway. I know that there are ID chips meant to be implanted under the skin in my universe, but compared to the Kryptonian chip, they might as well be abacuses.
***
June 07, 2003
From: AltClark
Metropolis, New Troy, Alt-Universe
Kathy,
Thank you for writing.
I, too, was disappointed by the fact that it wasn't my Lois. I guess things just aren't meant to be that easy. As you say, hopefully things will work out for her and her Clark.
I hadn't thought of contacting Snell's family. I'll look into it and let you know what happens.
I haven't encountered Mayson Drake or Dan Scardino as of yet, but I'll keep an eye out for them. Thanks for the information and advice.
I do know that Snell is involved in drug trafficking in Brazzaville, but I'm not sure if he's involved in international smuggling. Perhaps a visit to the DEA as Superman is in order. I can find out about agent Scardino and ask if they have any information about Snell.
Now, I have a question for you. Who is Bill Church?
~~~
Laura,
Thank you for your efforts on my behalf. Unfortunately, I don't know how to access your universe except through this internet portal. I asked some people at STAR Labs, and they're not sure, either. When I mentioned the tracking device, though, they assured me that any tracer small enough to have been injected though a standard syringe would almost certainly have degraded, dissolved, been attacked by her immune system, been flushed out of her body, or otherwise been rendered inoperable in far less than four years.
On a side note, I am disturbed to hear that there is an entire society of Kryptonians who employ that sort of tracking technology on a regular basis. I'm also confused as to why a species I'm given to understand is telepathic would feel the need to employ tracking devices so often.
Clark
***
June 07, 2003
From: LauraBF
Southen Sector of Metropolis (Atlanta)
True, but Star Labs does not have technology as advanced as this. Actually, the device has been used for well over three centuries and is usually removed when the paitent enters adulthood. See, centuries ago, kidnappings for political leverage had become almost common. In order to get this practice to stop, Kryptonian scientists invented a locator chip that was inserted into every child soon after birth. In event that the child goes missing, it is easy to find them. Psychic signatures are all well and good, but when there are millions of them around, one is as hard to isolate as… well, a single person breathing in a crowded room. It lasts up to 40 years if necessary, so it should still be working perfectly.
A similar, older model was what was used to find the other Clark when it became apparent that they needed him to keep Nor in check back on New Krypton, and one was given to Kiley in case of a kidnapping attempt. (Clark no longer has his; it was dissolved.)
Mr. Kent, I have the ability to travel in between universes. If you so wish, just name the location and the time, and I can meet you there.
Laura
***
June 07, 2003
From: Andrus
Utopia
Ms. Davies,
I have the horrible duty of informing you that you have violated several laws of intra-dimensional and time travel.
Since you have acquired intra-dimensional transport capabilities illegally without the concent of the proper authorities and have used these powers for the evil of implanting a tracker device into an unwilling subject, I hereby prohibit you from traveling to Mr. Kent's universe. I have checked with several local branches of the IDTTT and they have voiced several concerns about your intra- dimensional capabilities. I hereby revoke your privilages, under the authority of the local IDTTT, to travel to Mr. Kent's dimension. If you try to travel through time or space to Mr. Kent's universe, you will be imprisoned immediately. I have also alerted the local authorities of Mr. Kent's dimension as well.
The device that was illegally implanted has been removed from Ms. Lane because it was implanted without her permission.
Andrus
***
June 07, 2003
From: LauraBF
Southen Sector of Metropolis (Atlanta)
Dear Andrus,
Unfortunately, there are no laws governing time law in my universe, and anything I build myself with the help of my brothers and a certain other party cannot be illegal. My friend Jarod (you may have heard of him—we still don't know his last name) was here last night and stopped your goons from implanting the device.
Jarod went back in time and got a signed release from Ms. Lane and injected her with a new device. I am sorry for the inconviece to Utopia's time police, but as I am from the present and not Utopia, you do not have jurisdiction unless you are policing your own citizens. Don't try and find Jarod—he's been illuding better than you ever since his escape from the Centre.
Laura (who has to hide from Centre goons herself)
PS: Clark, I'm sorry 'bout this, but I've got to go back into hiding before they catch up to me again. <sigh> I wouldn't miss out on Jarod's friendship for anything, but I get tired of running; if the Centre found me, I'd get locked up just like they locked him up… I probably won't be able to be reached, but I'll be using various internet connections in the next few weeks—if you need the locating technology, I can find a way to get it to you.
***
June 08, 2003
From: Andrus
Utopia
Ms. Davies,
I am sorry you feel that you are above IDTTT jurisdiction. As a dimensional traveller, I am sorry to inform you that you most certainly do fall under IDTTT jurisdiction. Even though you and your brothers built your own device, you are still under the obligation to register with IDTTT. Since I see no record of any registration of your device, you are in strict IDTTT violation. In addition, you are attempting to interfere with the established timeline of Mr. Kent's universe. And that is very much under IDTTT jurisdiction even though the IDTTT was not established in your universe until the year 2130. Since we do govern Time Travel, our jurisdiction is retroactive to your time period. Be aware that we are always watching and all-knowing.
I am afraid that going into hiding will not help in the matter of your delinquincy since I am the possessor of all historical records. Be assured, that we have a record of every place and every time in which you have tried or will try to hide because our tracking and scanning equipment is far more advanced than yours.
Ms. Davies, if you persist in your attempts, I will be forced to incarcerate you and hold you prisoner myself.
I hope you understand these dire consequences. Inter- dimensional travel is a very serious business and it should not be left up to amateurs.
Andrus
***
June 08, 2003
H.G. Wells
Utopia
quote:
*Inter-dimensional travel is a very serious business and it should not be left up to amateurs.*
I, of course, am the happy exception to that rule. Utopia's peacekeepers would be quite lost without my assistance.
My dear boy, I sympathise with your frustration! It must be quite agonising to have your hopes raised and dashed by this alternate Lois. Rest assured, however, that I am diligently pursuing all options on your behalf. I might only meet with success mere seconds before you yourself effect a rescue, but I will no doubt be triumphant in the end.
You have surely observed how much I am exerting myself for you. I did, after all, seek out this forum a week before you did yourself! If that does not prove my persistence and time-traveling ability, I do not know what shall.
There is still the minor problem of determining which Clark you might be. Could you describe your Persian carpet to me? A comparison of woof and warp might be of assistance in the matter.
Chin up, dear boy! I hope to have news for you soon.
H.G. Wells
***
June 08, 2003
From: AltClark
Metropolis, New Troy, Alt-Universe
Erm… Well, I'm glad that Andrus thing was settled, whatever it was.
Mr. Wells,
Thank you for your sympathy and continued efforts.
I am indeed impressed with your diligence and foresight.
As for your time travels, I had assumed, given your extensive history with history and your past association with Andrus, that you were a licensed traveller. Perhaps that past association and your IDTT registration are still in your future. All this time travel can make things very confusing.
As for my carpet, it is, as I said, an Oriental. It's predominantly red and blue, with stylised bats hidden in the motif. It was a gift from Bruce Wayne, to thank me for rescuing one of his cargo ships. He informed me that bats are a symbol of luck in certain cultures.
~~~
Kathy,
I looked into some of your suggestions.
It seems that I know Mayson Drake as May Bass. She does work for the Metropolis DA's office. Her husband, Bobby, is a police informant and gourmet chef.
My trip to Paramus was enjoyable. Mrs. Snell is proud of her son, the lawyer-turned-diplomat, and assures me that he's "such a nice boy." She does wish, however, that he would settle down. , she's impatient to become a grandmother. Ultimately, I gained little useful information except that I now know that Mrs. Snell makes excellent oatmeal raisin cookies.
I also flew down to Washington, DC. I spoke with Mrs. Maksim at the DEA; she's in charge of collecting and analysing information from overseas agents, and is an expert on the Congo in particular. She was happy to cooperate with Superman, and even went out of her way to look up Dan Scardino.
Mr. Scardino, it turns out, was an officer on the Hawaii police force. Citing annoyance with the nickname "Dan-o," he transferred to Miami, where he was placed in the vice department. His actions there caught the attention of the DEA, but they decided he was too much of a loose cannon and so never recruited him. He and his wife, Jenna, now run an art gallery by the name of "Unidentifiable Ferrous Objects," which specialises in metallic sculptures and mobiles.
Mrs. Maksim also told me that there is currently a DEA agent in Brazzaville, Bernard Klien, but she couldn't tell me anything about his investigation except to note that he is working with an Interpol agent by the name of Claude DeLaChienne.
Clark
***
June 08, 2003
From: Anna B. the Greek
Athens, Greece (E.U.)
Hmm… your universe seems to be very different from ours.
From my own experience as a researcher for school gossip I've learned that the best way to find out what you know is to find the one who can tell it to you.
So here I go:
You know Mayson Drake — May Bass. Have you talked to her? Perhaps she knows something. And I suggest that you should talk to Bobby, too (who must be really happy in that universe )
Bernard Klein and Claude DeLaChienne together? Well, maybe you should talk to them too. Nevertheless, given their character in this universe, you should talk to Bernard Klein first. If he's naive like ours, he may give you some precious help without even knowing.
Be careful with Claude, though. He's been a guy who's not to be trusted — at least here.
All of the above person must be somehow related to Lois Lane, and I believe that all of them have important information about her.
But be extremely careful! Don't let anyone fool you, and do not reveal information you have unless you are convinced someone is a "good guy" and can really help you. Researching is a really delicated issue. Besides, our universes are quite twisted, and I wouldn't like to mislead you by proposing you to follow what would be the right thing to do HERE.
Well I hope I've helped a little (although I do not really suggest anything special).
Take care,
AnnaBtG.
***
June 09, 2003
From: AltClark
Metropolis, New Troy, Alt-Universe
Anna,
I spoke to Bobby, but neither he and May don't seem to know anything about Lois or the Congo. I'm reluctant to press them, since May is a little distrustful of me. Bobby has been talking to her about it, which has helped to some degree, but she still feels that, when working as Superman, I sometimes act above the law.
I also got in touch with Agent Klein, though he insists I call him "Burn." He struck me as both intelligent and perceptive, though he did get lost in thought a few times while we were talking. He didn't seem naive. The only major quirk I noticed was his tendency to talk to his pet rat as if he expected to be understood.
Burn and Claude are looking for the source of illegal drugs being smuggled into the US from somewhere in the Congo. I told them about Snell and gave them the address of his second office. They were very grateful for the information, and plan to investigate him tomorrow. I also told them about Lois. They haven't seen her, but will watch for her. They also plan to ask Snell about her if and when they arrest him.
I'm a little worried about the danger to Lois if Snell finds out he is being investigated, but I think this is the best chance I have of finding her. I'll let you know what happens.
Clark
***
June 10, 2003
From: KathyB
Indiana
Dear Clark,
Don't count out Klein's pet rat! She could be the key to the whole mystery!
It's too bad that Bobby (Bass … so that's his last night, huh?) couldn't be of more help. In other universes, he's often a very helpful resource for Lois and Clark during their investigations. But, of course, as a resident of Metropolis, he probably wouldn't have his ear to the ground in the Congo, which is really where you need the help.
As for Dan Scardino being a Miami Vice officer … once I stopped laughing, I'm happy that he's found his nitche.
Oh, but you asked me a few days ago about Bill Church; sorry I didn't answer you sooner. Bill Church was the CEO of CostMart, but was discovered to be using his corporation to front Intergang. He has a son, Bill Junior (Billy), who ended up taking over for him after he had a heart attack and decided to go straight. You might want to ask Perry White about Bill or Billy, next time you see him … in many universes, they were close at one time, with Perry even changing Billy's diapers when he was a baby! (No mention of how Alice felt about that, given that Perry was often too busy to help with their own two boys, but that's another story …) If it does look like the Church family is involved, you might want to keep an eye out for a Mindy Church as well. But if she comes off as a ditzy blonde airhead, don't let your guard down! It's all an act.
I'm glad Bernard Klein is on the case; you might want to suggest he keep his eye on his partner, though. In nearly all universes we've explored, Claude … well, let's just say his ethics aren't nearly as high as yours.
Keep us posted!
Kathy
***
June 10, 2003
From: AltClark
Metropolis, New Troy, Alt-Universe
Dear FOLCs,
It's been quite a day.
Last night, Burn woke up to the sound of frantic squeaking. I think the rat was disturbed by the sound of the door hinges, but Burn insists that this isn't the first time his pet has helped him on a case. Whatever the reason, Burn was awoken just in time to catch Claude sneaking out of the apartment that he and Burn are using as a base of operations.
Burn followed him and caught him trying to break into Snell's office. It seems that Claude was prepared to risk the whole case just so he could get more credit for himself. Burn contacted Claude's superiors at Interpol, and they said they'd investigate.
With that done, Burn proceeded to grease the right palms to get official permission to search Snell's office. It seems that paperwork in the Congo must be filed with Franc notes, sometimes in triplicate. Documents in hand, Burn went to Snell's office and retrieved the incriminating files. I then flew him to Washington, DC, where a judge he knows reviewed the files and issued an arrest warrant. We flew back to Brazzaville and arrested Snell while he was still at the embassy, and thus on US soil.
Snell is now being questioned, and I've been assured that Lois is on the list of topics to discuss.
~~~
Kathy,
I'm surprised to see you mention the rat. If you've heard of her in this universe, maybe there is something to Burn's claims of her intelligence.
Yes, Bobby's last name is Bass. Combined with his eating habits and sideline as a police informant, it's earned him the unfortunate nickname "Largemouth."
Thanks for the information about Mr. Church. So that's what Intergang is! I've been hearing vague rumors, but haven't been able to find out too much. I'll have to pass this along to the nice people talking with Mr. Snell. I'll also talk to Mayor White and keep an eye out for the Churches.
You were certainly right about Claude. Thanks for the tip, even if it did happen to be a little late.
Mostly, though, I plan to stay in Brazzaville. I'm going to keep an eye out for Lois, as well as trying to keep track of both of Snell's offices. Hopefully I'll be able to find her before someone panics and goes after her.
I'll let you know how things turn out.
Clark
***
June 10, 2003
From: MRlovesDC
Chicago, IL
Hi Clark,
Well, I'm going to give this a try. This is actually a very daring move for me, since I'm mostly a lurker. This investigation and the fact that we seem to be able to communicate between parallel universes really fascinates me. If I understand this correctly, you are looking for suggestions to help you find your Lois.
First, let me see if I have the facts right. Lois when to the Congo looking for gun runners and disappeared, but she is alive and well and apparently free. I would guess she is living under an assumed name. My guess is Snell told her that her family was dead, he probably used this as blackmail or a threat to keep her quiet, rather than killing her. I suspect who ever is behind her disappearance wants her alive, probably for his own purposes. She has probably been told that if she returns to Metropolis or tries to write the story more people she knows will be killed.
Knowing Lois, though, I doubt that she has given up. She is probably still investigating and waiting for the right time to make her move.
In our Lois and Clark universe Snell worked for Bill Church, it seems you don't know about the Churches. The previous post described them very well.
I was thinking though, since your universe seems to have the same people but many of them are in different occupations, I'm thinking if Snell doesn't work for the Churches, may he works for Lex Luthor. I don't believe anyone has mentioned Lex Luthor yet.
In our universe Luthor was a very evil criminal with a quest for power. Although he covered his tracks very well and appeared to be Metrolopis' biggest philanthropist. He was the 3rd richest man in the world. His biggest desire was to possess Lois Lane and to kill Superman.
Do you have a Lex Luthor in your universe? If so, I would check him out. Gun running in the Congo sounds like something he'd be involved in.
I'd check a guy named Nigel St. John. He did a lot of Luthor's dirty work.
Well, let me know if this helps.
Mel
***
June 11, 2003
From: Cyad
AF 001, wings row, window seat
Oooooh!
I'll never take a 4 days week-end again! Seems there's a lot I have to catch up with.
I was so excited to see Lois post here that I almost forgot to read the other posts (now I did!). I'm so disappointed that the Lois who poste here wasn't yours… on the other hand, you can call me evil, but if she had been, we wouldn't have the pleasure to help you out in finding yours Still I hope she'll manage to go back to "her universe" Metropolis alive, thanks to her Clark as a bonus (assuming he's flying around as a superhero that is).
Look at me, I disgressed again!
~~~
Clark,
Anna's idea to keep an eye on Snell is a judicious one. But letting Burn and Claude ask Snell about Lois sounds a bit dangerous to me since it will put Snell on their track, and maybe on yours. That's the softer side. because you could also put Lois relatives and family in danger by doing so, assuming Lois is indeed free and not that closely watched.
quote:
*Someone must have been pulling some strings for some reason, and it seems that they might have known about Lois's trip in advance, perhaps even before she did.*
Did you find who the string puller was? Because if this person 'programmed' Lois departure to Congo that would mean this person (who reminds me a lot of our Lex Luthor or maybe Tempus) had planned things and had everything setted up for a very long time…and is also incredibly clever and craze!
The only question I have is "why?"
Obviously, getting Lois to the Congo has nothing to do with you or your alter ego. You mentionned
quote:
*From my encounter with Tempus, I know that he wanted to keep Lois Lane away from me until he was ready for me to become Superman. His plot to gain political power hinged on my revealing my alien nature during a key point in the race for mayor of Metropolis. He wanted to make it look like I was a powerful alien invader that only he could stop.*
In that case, given the fact that you are already Superman and that 'your' Metropolis people know about you being special, what has Tempus to gain in keeping your Lois away, and for four years (your time) no less! (or did I misunderstood something here?)
Did you also find the assumed name Lois is using? That could also be of a great help. But if your investigation pushed Snell to narrow his watch on her again, that means he knows about her assumed identity, right?
And did you find any trace of the stolen records? That could help Burn and Claude if nailing Snell is concerned.
If your Lois is like the one I know (and who just asked me to get in gear on "some written before it's over" story she wasn't in the mood for), I can't imagine her being fooled by false official documents, as good as they could be.
But if she was and believes that her relatives are dead, then she'l have nothing to loose in getting Snell down. She must already know about his illegal activities, otherwise, why would he have her watched?
What I can't explain is why did he let her go free in the beginning?
Sorry, I wasn't of a great help, but let us know about your quest.
Carole
***
June 11, 2003
From: AltClark
Metropolis, New Troy, Alt-Universe
Mel,
Thank you for posting. I'm glad you dared it.
You seem to have a pretty good grasp of the situation.
I am aware of Lex Luthor. His name came up pretty quickly when I did my preliminary research at your archives. I looked for him in this universe shortly thereafter. As it happens, the Lex Luthor of my universe was shot and killed as a teenager. The police record says that it happened during a gang fight, but witnesses mentioned an adult male having been at the scene. The description is vague, but it seems to match Tempus. I believe Mr. St. John met a similar fate. I think Tempus may have gone back in time to make sure that Lex and his empire wouldn't interfere with his plans.
~~~
Kathy,
I talked to Perry about the Churches. He said they must be different in the other universe. He said the Churches are old friends of his, and he refused to believe that they would be involved in anything shady.
Snell's questioning, however, has been interesting, especially after I gave them your information about Intergang.
It seems that Bill Church is the head of Intergang in this universe, too. He and Snell were approached by Tempus, who wanted them to keep Lois away from Metropolis. He gave them information about exactly when she would be leaving for the Congo and showed them detailed files about Intergang. Snell says that Tempus threatened to give the Intergang files to the FBI if they didn't keep Lois out of the way. Tempus also instructed them to keep Lois alive, if possible, because he wanted her for some kind of back-up plan.
So, Bill decided to send Snell to the Congo. Snell says he resents having been forcibly uprooted, sent so far from home and essentially demoted. Now that he's been caught, he has no reason not to bring Church and Intergang down with him. I think he's hoping to make a deal for turning in State's evidence.
Unfortunately, Snell, like his former boss, decided to leave Lois to an underling. He knows who is watching her, but not where she is. If I go after the man watching her, he may panic and kill her.
~~~
Carole,
Welcome back. I hope you had a good weekend.
I, too, hope that AltLois has a happy ending. I'm glad to hear that you are enjoying helping me. I appreciate that.
Snell's files have been confiscated and he has been arrested. The "string-puller," as explained above, was Bill Church, who was being blackmailed by Tempus.
As to why Lois is still being watched, I suspect it's because, even though Tempus was stopped, the order to detain Lois was never rescinded. Since Tempus is a time traveller, Church and Snell have no way of knowing if he will return.
I have not found Lois's assumed name yet.
The stolen records were among the files taken from Snell's office.
The doccuments were false, but they were created at the embassy, using official forms and seals. She had no way of knowing that they had been altered.
Now I'm left with a sort of bittersweet triumph. While I'm glad that Snell has been captured and that we've gained so much useful information about Intergang, it seems that I'm not really all that much closer to finding Lois. I mentioned that to Burn, who is getting ready to go back home now that his case has been closed, and he suggested that I try to find a local private detective. He says that he has heard of one in particular, Linda King, who seems to have a good reputation. I may give that a try, but does anyone else have any ideas?
Clark
***
June 12, 2003
From: KathyB
Indiana
Hi Clark,
quote:
*Unfortunately, Snell, like his former boss, decided to leave Lois to an underling. He knows who is watching her, but not where she is. If I go after the man watching her, he may panic and kill her.*
Clark, have you been sleeping much lately? I'm getting worried about you, buddy!
Has it occured to you that, now that Snell has been arrested and is ratting out Intergang, his underling may already be panicking? Especially if he doesn't know how to think for himself — or maybe worse, if he does? If he truly is a loose cannon who hasn't been keeping his boss up to date on her whereabouts, I don't think you can afford to *not* go after this man. (And I can't imagine Snell is keeping the man's name private, given everything he's telling about the big fish, Bill Church.) Please, don't let this lead go … it sounds like all you have!
I'm sorry that you will have to disappoint Perry again about the Churches. He never seems to believe that his old friends can be involved in anything shady, and they always seem to be … I hope he's developing a little better character judgement now that he's Mayor. BTW, he hasn't hired anyone by the name of Harland Black to manage the city's money, or Truman Black (hmm, interesting that they share the same last name; wonder if there's any relation) to be the city's anti-discrimination watchdog, has he?
Anyway, it's very interesting about Lex Luthor and Nigel St. John meeting their maker in their younger years. Yes, I bet you are right that Tempus had a hand in that. But that's even more reason you have to find Lois soon, Clark! If Tempus wanted her alive for a back-up plan, you never know when he might set it into place. Even if he's still in custody in Utopia, he may have rigged something to happen even if he couldn't be there to set it in motion — a "poison pill", so to speak — to keep you from finding her.
Oh, and as for this P.I., Linda King, is she in Metropolis or in the Congo? In most universes, she and Lois were college friends, very close until they both fell for the same guy and Linda stabbed Lois in the back (figuratively, not literally) to steal him away. So she might be of some help in getting background information on Lois in Metropolis, but I'm not sure what she could do in the Congo, since *you* seem to be the one who has the best chance of locating this guy who Snell had on Lois!
Please, let us know what you find out! And be sure to take care of yourself, too!
Kathy
***
June 12, 2003
From: AltClark
Metropolis, New Troy, Alt-Universe
Kathy,
It had occurred to me that Snell's underling might already be panicking. That's why I've been trying to watch both of Snell's offices. There wasn't much else I could do.
Perry does tend to be very trusting of old friends. It saddens me to see that trust abused, and I'm not looking forward to telling him about it. At least I'll be able to give him some good news first.
I'm not sure who is handling the city's finances; I've been busy with other things. I'll remember to keep an eye on that. Thanks for the tip.
As for Linda, you are not going to believe what happened!
I went to see her this morning. I started explaining to her about how I was looking for Lois Lane but that I knew she was being watched. Linda looked at me oddly, but just as I was trying to figure out what her expression could mean, someone tried to shoot her!
Luckily, I noticed the bullet in time to catch it. I flew out the window after the would-be assassin, leaving Linda slack-jawed. As I was tieing him up, something occurred to me. He'd tried to shoot Linda when I approached her and started talking about Lois Lane.
I dashed back to Linda's office, bound assassin in hand. She seemed a little shaken, but managed to speak calmly. First she ordered me to drop the gunman off with a certain police officer she knew, then we got to talking.
As I'd started to suspect, 'Linda King' was an alias being used by… Lois Lane. It's amazing. All she did was colour her hair blonde, dress differently and put on some glasses, but I never would have recognised her.
She established her identity as 'Linda King' when she first went undercover in 1993. A few months' work earned her the full story on the gun-runners. She tried to return home, but the Congo officials wouldn't letting her leave. She went to the embassy to get things straightened out, but they weren't able to do anything. She kept trying, but was blocked at every turn. Then the embassy officials told her that her family and friends were dead. While she was still coming to terms with that, the gun-runners were captured. She decided that there was nothing left to go home for and began to make a new life for herself in Brazzaville, instead. Since there isn't much in the way of media coverage in the Congo (one television station, one small newspaper, and a handful of radio stations, none of which are known for serious investigative reporting), she became a private detective.
Between her focus on local events and the poor media availability, she had heard only rumors about Superman, none of which she'd believed until she met me in person. She certainly hadn't heard news from Metropolis.
I told her about Snell and tried to explain about Tempus without stretching her credibility too far. She refused to believe that her family was alive, nor was she prepared to accept that Mr. Oleson owned the Daily Planet or that Perry White had left the paper to become mayor of Metropolis. I told her that Ellen Lane was a prominent business consultant, but Lois had trouble with the idea that people were actually willing to pay her mother to tell them how they should run their companies. She became even more incredulous when I informed her that her sister was an intern at STAR Labs, working for some friends of mine, Dr. Roland Vale and his wife Dr. Nell Newtrich-Vale.
Surprisingly, it wasn't until I told about her what seemed to me to be the most unlikely occupation of them all that she started to consider the possibility that I was telling the truth. When I explained to her that her father had spliced genes from fireflies, lantern fish and other bioluminescent species into some pine saplings in an attempt to create self-lighting Christmas trees, she laughed and told me that no one but her father could have come up with such a crazy idea.
Ultimately, what convinced her was the Daily Planet. I brought her a copy of the latest issue, fresh from Metropolis, and pointed out a picture of Mayor White. She stared and stared, and then began to cry. Instinctively, I went to hug her. Even though we'd just met, it felt like the most natural thing in the world. I held her until she managed to collect herself, we talked some more, and then I flew her back to Metropolis.
Despite jet lag from the five hour time difference, she spent the rest of the day with friends and family, talking to, hugging, crying on and laughing with people she'd never expected to see again. She's in her sister's apartment now, sleeping soundly. I hear there's a large party in the works, but that won't be for another few days. She needs time to settle down and adjust first.
I'm not sure what will happen next, but I can tell you that I'm very much looking forward to getting to know her.
Lois is home, she's in my life, the FBI is preparing for one of the largest organised crime busts in history, the Daily Planet will have the exclusive, and it's all because of your help, FOLCs. "Thank you" seems far from adequate, but it's all I can think to say.
With sincerest gratitude,
Clark Kent
***
June 12, 2003
From: KathyB
Indiana
Wow, Clark, that's an amazing story! Leave it to Lois to take on the alias of her old college friend. And the glasses and different hairstyle? What a creative, clever idea. Wonder how she ever came up with it.
I'm glad that she is back home, safe and sound, and reuniting with her friends and family. (And once I got done laughing over Sam Lane's research, I have to agree with Lois completely — it sounds like exactly the sort of idea he'd come up with.)
I wish you both the best of luck getting to know each other. Let's hope "happily ever after" doesn't take you as long as it took the other Lois and Clark … after all these years apart, you two deserve a break!
Kathy
***
June 13, 2003
From: ChiefPam
North Carolina, USA
Oh, that's great news! I'm so pleased that things have worked out well.
And LOL at the self-lighting Christmas trees.
Nice to hear what her other friends and family have been up to — Lois isn't the only one to be surprised. I particularly like the idea of Rollie and Nell at Star Labs together… I always liked Nell.
Thanks for letting us know about your happy ending!
PJ
***
June 13, 2003
From: Cyad
AF 001, wings row, window seat
Oh!
Glad you succeeded in finding your Lois. I would never have guessed Linda King was her cover name.
LOL at Sam's inventions. I guess he's not likely to change. And way to go for Lucy!!
All the best for you and Lois, once you get to know each other that is. You two could make a terrific investigative/ news team…to begin with.
I hope we'll hear from you soon,
Carole
***
June 13, 2003
From: Anna B. the Greek
Athens, Greece (E.U.)
Hi Clark!
Well, what more can I say? I had thought the idea of telling you checking whether Linda was Lois, but I thought it would be completely impossible.
Yet, it wasn't. Nothing is impossible to Lois, after all
I'm very happy for both of you. I hope you have a beautiful life together.
I wish you a happy future. AnnaBtG.
P.S.: Lois's family really isn't ordinary, is it? Good luck
***
June 17, 2003
From: H.G. Wells
Utopia
Ah, my dear boy! I have struggled these past days to reach you, and at last I have succeeded!
I had discovered Miss Lane's secret identity as Miss King several days ago, but alas, my efforts to inform you were cruelly interrupted. It seems that Mr. Wayne's carpet included a single bat that was woven to face ninety degrees away from the others. This singular detail sufficed to cause the flux facilitator to cease fluxing. By the time I realised the error, I had already been diverted into yet a different dimension!
Naturally, I attempted to rectify this and return to you as quickly as possible. But you must understand, my dear boy, that my enormous, self-appointed task as Grand Arbiter of Destiny can sometimes be too great for even one such as myself. The Clark Kent and Lois Lane of that dimension were in such desperate need of assistance that I could not, in all conscience, abandon them to their unhappy fate.
I am delighted to see that in my absence, the members of the board rallied mightily to your cause. Of course, they could not be as efficient as I would have been myself, but your story has at last achieved its happy ending.
I wish the best of fortunes to you and Miss Lane, dear boy! Know that your guardian angel is watching you.
H.G. Wells
***
June 18, 2003
From: AltClark
Metropolis, New Troy, Alt-Universe
Kathy,
Lois is an amazing woman, isn't she? Creative, wildly intuitive, brilliant…
What was your question again? Oh, right. I have no idea how she comes up with her ideas, but it's amazing to watch her in action.
Thanks for your well wishes. I'll be sure to pass them along to Lois, as well.
~~~
Pam,
Nell is sweet. Her sisters aren't so nice, but she's learned to deal with them. The loving support of her husband helps, and she, in turn, keeps him grounded when his pursuit of science causes him to lose sight of consequences. They have a good partnership.
~~~
Carole,
I do intend to help Lois with her stories, but I no longer work at the Daily Planet myself. There were just too many complications. There were complaints of favoritism and conflict of interest when I brought in too many Superman exclusives. There isn't much legal grounds for the complaints, but I want people to see Superman as being as fair and impartial as possible. Unfortunately, Clark Kent has become too widely recognised these days to conduct most other investigations. Even simple stories have been made difficult by star-struck interviewees.
Even so, I do hope to be able to work with Lois in some capacity and to get to know her better in general.
~~~
Anna,
"Nothing is impossible" seems to be a good summary for the last few years of my life, and "ordinary" doesn't seem to be a word that applies to Lois, her life, or her family. Come to that, I can't say it really applies to me these days, either.
Not that that's a bad thing. At least we'll never be bored.
~~~
Mr. Wells,
I see your foresight served you well. You found Lois shortly before I did, just as you predicted. I guess being a time traveller helps with these things. I'm sorry to hear that my bat jammed your flux facilitator. Otherwise, you could have travelled back in time a few extra days and saved me a lot of worry. At least things turned out well, thanks to the help of these kind FOLCs.
I'm glad you were able to help the other Lois and Clark, wherever they are. It didn't happen to be the Lois who posted here and her Clark, did it?
I thank you for your offer of guardianship. If we're ever in distress, I assure you we'll send a note as soon as we can. I'll just need to figure out how to send mail to the 19th century. In the meantime, I'm sure you'll be quite busy with your other adopted universes. Perhaps you could enlist the aid of one of your other selves? After all, they do say "if you want something done right, do it yourself…" I can tell you from my experience at the AltKerth awards that it can be fun working with your counterparts. I was beside myself with joy. Well, actually, I was beside myself with a concubine, but you know what I mean.
Thanks again, Mr. Wells. I'm sure I'll see you again, in time.
Clark
***
Cast (in order of appearance):
AltClark — Paul-Gabriel Wiener
AltLois — Cyad
H.G. Wells — Himself?
Andrus — Alicia U.
Fanfic message boards members, as themselves (with names as listed on the archives, where appropriate):
LauraBF AKA Laura Davies
Tank AKA Tank Wilson
NearlyNoelNeill
HatMan AKA Paul-Gabriel Wiener
Tarkas AKA Phil Atcliffe
Smallville Girl
Karen AKA Karen Tompkins
Cyad
Anna B. the Greek AKA Anna Botsakou
KathyB AKA Kathy Brown
MRlovesDC
ChiefPam AKA Pam Jernigan