Legion World Forums LEGION OUTPOST Bits o' Legionnaire Business "Mon-El's Greatest Secret"

MON-EL'S GREATEST SECRET

by

Greg Gildersleeve
[a.k.a. He Who Wanders]

Elaris, Andro, Estarr and story Copr. 2001-2003 Greg Gildersleeve
All other characters Copr. DC Comics Inc.


THE PLANET DAXAM
THE CITY OF KELOPOLIS
Relative Earth Year: 1937

Lar woke with a start and rushed to the balcony outside his bedroom. He thought he'd heard it for sure this time. But the predawn skies were silent and clear, as they always were. Silent, clear and boring, he thought.

If Lar looked real hard, he could imagine ships flying across the skies, shooting at each other. He was excited by the idea. But it was only that – an idea. He climbed on top of the balcony and looked down at the city below, with its gleaming spirals and clean streets. He imagined he could jump off the balcony and fly through those spirals. He leaned over the balcony further, until he was looking straight down. He wondered how far –

Suddenly, a hand grabbed him and pulled him back. "What are you doing, little brother?"a husky voice said.

Lar turned around. It was Andro.

"I was just looking, that's all," Lar was quick to explain.

"If you look in the wrong direction, you may get hurt," the older boy replied. His close-cropped, black hair looked neat, even for this time of morning. He had the makings of a goatee that, after weeks of growth, was still thin, a futile attempt to make himself look older.

"I thought I heard a spaceship."

"You know that's not true," Andro replied. "Spaceships aren't allowed on Daxam."

"But--"

"You have quite an imagination there, little brother." He gently pushed Lar by the shoulder, back toward the bedroom. "Now, go back to bed, will you? The sun will be up in an hour and I'll have to leave."

"Why do you have to leave?" Lar said.

"We've been over this. Your brother is a Senator, now. Duty calls."

Lar stared at the ground. "Papa was a Senator."

"Yes, he was. One of the greatest. That's why they renamed the city after him."

"But he died."

Andro stood there, silently, for a moment. Then, he bent down and looked at his brother face to face. "I'm not going to die, Lar. I promise you that."

"But you have to live so far away, on the Max'Odh province."

"That's were all the Senators live. But, look, little brother, you and Mam can visit me any time."

"Promise?"

"Promise."

An hour later, Andro Gand said his goodbyes and was gone. Only Lar and his mother remained in the large domicile they shared with Andro for such a short time. When Lar's father, Kel Gand, died, they were forced to move out of the Max'Odh province. Now that his brother had inherited his father's seat on the Senate, he was going back. The domicile was large, even luxurious by city standards. But, to Lar, it now seemed so empty.

Ten minutes afterwards, Lar was on his way to school. The crimson sun peaked over the horizon, illuminating the very clean city. Boring. Lar watched the skies as he crossed the street, wondered what it was like in space, and if he would ever get to go there.

"Watch where you're going!"

Lar turned to see a silent speedster racing toward him. He froze –

– and then someone grabbed him and carried him out of harm's way.

He turned around. It was Andro.

"I came back because I forgot something. You're lucky I did!" His voice was agitated.

The speedster stopped several feet away. The driver jumped out and ran back. "You crazy kid! Why don't you watch where you're -- " He then noticed Andro. "I-I'm sorry, Senator. I didn't realize it was you."

"Take it easy, friend," Andro responded. "No one was hurt."

"But ..." the man, said, looking ashamed. "I was speeding. I was breaking the law. I could have killed him."

Andro let out a deep sigh, as if he didn't want to hear that. "Go to the nearest DPB," he said. "Tell them what happened. I'm sure they will deliver an ... appropriate punishment."

The driver looked relieved. "Thank you. Oh, thank you, Senator. I'm so sorry. It will never happen again."

"I'm sure it won't," Andro said.

The man returned to his car and drove away, much slower this time.

After he was gone, Lar looked up at his brother, who appeared so regal in his Senatorial cape and shoulder clasps. So regal and yet so sad.

"What's going to happen to him?" Lar said.

"He will be put to death," was the answer.

Lar was stunned and upset. "Why? He didn't do anything. Not really."

"Because, little brother, it's against the law for one Daxamite to kill another – or even come close to killing another through recklessness."

"But that's not fair."

"It's how we've preserved peace on our world for all these centuries. We avoid contact with other worlds, and we tolerate no killings among ourselves. Only the authorities have that right."

Lar looked down the street where the man had driven. He wanted to run after him and tell him not to go to the Daxam Police Brigade. But it was too late.

"If I'd been paying attention --"

"Hey, hey, it's not your fault, Lar. If anything, it's the stupid laws that make it so that all vehicles are soundless. The Senate wanted to reduce noise pollution, but they created a disaster just waiting to happen. You couldn't have heard the car or known it was there unless you were looking right at it. That's one of the things I'm going to try to change."

Lar looked up at his brother and believed that he would actually do it. No one else would have to die because some kid like him wandered into the street without looking.

"But, now," Andro said, "are you okay?"

Lar nodded.

"I should be leaving for the Max'Odh province, but, if you want, I'll escort you to school first."

Lar almost said yes – he reveled in any chance to spend time with his brother. But, he also wanted to be worthy of being Andro's brother.

"No, I can make it."

"That's my brother!" Andro said, rubbing Lar's forelocks.

Lar watched as his brother turned and left him for the second time that day. He would be more careful from now on, he told himself. Duty and family came first. The skies could wait.

EARTH
LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES HEADQUARTERS
United Planets Standard Year: 2981

Dawn broke through the heavy curtains, but Mon-El was already awake. Today was the big day. Despite a successful half year as Legion leader, he felt apprehensive. He was certain he would be re-elected, yet he was facing stiff competition from both Ultra Boy and Saturn Girl. They were actively campaigning for the top spot. Mon found he relished the competition, yet also inexplicably dreaded it.

"Nervous?" Tasmia said. Mon didn't realize that she, too, was awake.

"No," he replied.

Tasmia propped herself up on her pillow. Her blue skin almost blended in with the still dissipating darkness. "Save your bravado for the others," she said, her tear-shaped eyes penetrating his. "You're nervous. I can tell."

Mon smiled at her. He should have known by now that he couldn't hide anything from Shadow Lass, mistress of shadows. She could see into all the dark corners of his soul, he imagined. That's what he loved about her. He found the prospect both exhilarating and terrifying.

"Penny for your thoughts, lover?" she said.

"Excuse me?"

"Penny. That's what they used for currency on earth in the 20th century, when you lived there, didn't they?"

"Yes," he said, and turned away from her. "But the past is dead and buried. Let's leave it that way." He didn't mean for that to sound harsh, but Tasmia was used to his mood swings by now.

"You never talk much about your life," she said, "before you became trapped into the Phantom Zone."

Mon-El rolled onto his back and stared at the ceiling of his dormitory bedroom. He knew this was an opening for conversation. He also knew it was futile to resist.

"There's not much to tell. I was traveling through space when my ship's engine konked out and I crash-landed on the planet Krypton," he said, as if he were reciting a well-worn tale . "I was taken in by a scientist named Jor-El, who eventually repaired my ship and told me that Krypton was facing imminent destruction. He gave me a map to earth and --"

"I know all that," Tasmia said. "But what about before that? What was your life like on your Daxam before you left?"

Mon-El thought for a moment. "Boring."

"Boring? Why?"

"Because," he said, pressing his face against hers, "it didn't have you."

Tasmia laughed and he kissed her. Safe for the moment, he thought.

Legion Headquarters stirred with activity. Leadership elections used to come once a year but, on Invisible Kid's recommendation two years ago, it was changed to every six months. The Legion's intergalactic responsibilities had grown too large for anyone to handle for a full year, the Legion's then-leader had argued. No one disagreed.

But elections were still occasions to behold. It was the time when Legionnaires openly debated over who was the best candidate. On missions, Legionnaires could not afford to argue; people would die if they didn't act as one and act quickly. But the elections ... they were another matter.

"Ultra Boy should be leader again!" Chameleon Boy declared, standing at his seat behind the semi-circular, meeting platform. "It was he who busted the School for Super-Villains, remember?"

"That was last year," Lightning Lad countered from the floor. "What has he done lately?"

"That's right," Dream Girl echoed. "Besides, it's time for a woman to be in charge again. I vote for Saturn Girl."

"My vote goes to Mon-El," Star Boy said. "He's had more experience than all of us combined."

Mon-El loved to listen to the debates, even if they sometimes veered into territory he'd rather avoid -- such as his true age. The debates were mostly tongue-in-cheek. But electing the leader was a very serious matter and it was time to get down to business.

Rising from his seat at the head of the platform, Mon-El banged his gavel on the podium. "I call this meeting to order," he shouted above the others. The gavel had been a gift from Superboy on the occasion of Mon-El winning the last election. It was a reminder of his brief life on earth in the 20th century. But it was also effective in getting his comrades' attention.

The dozen Legionnaires present quieted down and took their seats. In a few minutes, they would cast their votes, while their comrades on missions would vote by remote control.

Scanning the faces of those present, Mon felt a strange sensation. Was it peace? Or
comfort? No, there was another word for it – home. After a thousand years of being trapped in the dismal twilight of the Phantom Zone, and wandering space before that, had he truly found a place to belong? The Legionnaires were his family and friends. It was the only life he had known since leaving the Phantom Zone a few short years ago. More, it was the only life he truly cared about. The Legionnaires had had enough confidence in him to elect him leader six months ago. He had served to the best of his ability. He prayed, secretly, for another chance to do so.

He was about to turn the podium over to the election marshal, Brainiac 5, when the alarm sounded.

Nearby, a viewscreen lit up with the face of Sun Boy, who was on duty in the mission monitor room. "There's an urgent message from Daxam, Mon," he said. "They asked for you, personally."

"Put it on," Mon replied.

Sun Boy's face vanished and was replaced by the image of a young woman. She had straight, black hair, blue eyes and sturdy features, just like Mon. A feeling of dread shot down Mon's spine. She would not be contacting him openly, unless –

"Elaris," he said.

"Lar," she replied in an urgent tone. The sound of her voice was broken up by mechanical noise, an indication that someone was trying to jam her signal. "Our enemies have found us, and are preparing to storm the compound."

"No!" Mon shouted.

"It's what we've always feared," the woman continued. "We need assistance. Please come at once."

The screen went blank.
"Sun Boy!" Mon-El shouted. "Dirk! Can you get her back?" There was panic in his voice. He knew that the other Legionnaires couldn't help but pick up on it. Their puzzled reactions indicated that they weren't used to seeing this emotion from him.

"It's no use," Sun Boy said. "Something else else's jamming her signal. It's very strange."

"What do you mean?"

"Even our state-of-the-art communications array can't get through. Usually, only world governments have that kind of technology."

Mon-El stepped back. The feeling of dread was overwhelming.

Shadow Lass had moved to his side. "Who is she, Mon? Who is Elaris?" she said. "How does she know your real name?"

"More importantly," Lightning Lad said, "what do we do?"

The question brought Mon back into focus. "We do nothing," he said, at last. "This is a personal matter. I must leave immediately."

"But --" Dream Girl started to protest.

"That's an order," Mon-El snapped. An instant later, he was gone – his super-speed and flight taking him well out of range of his teammates' confused protests.

The compound was already under siege when Mon-El breached Daxam's atmosphere. The instant he did so, he felt his powers decline slightly. He was no longer moving as fast as he was when he left earth's atmosphere, nor did he feel as strong. The combination of his anti-lead serum and long exposure to the rays of earth's yellow sun enabled him to keep his powers under Daxam's red sun, but only for a short time. They would fade rapidly, he knew, but not before he had time to do what needed to be done.

Mon-El had been visiting his home planet more frequently these days, ever since a young man – a distant relative, it turned out – saved his life last year. The man, Eltro Gand, turned out be a descendent of Mon-El's brother, Andro. Even though Eltro died in the effort to save him, Mon was curious about other relatives he might still have on Daxam. He began to search for them and was dismayed at what he found.

Gand Compound One was just as it was when he last visited: a desert oasis with buildings made of stone and hardened sand. Only this time it was surrounded on all sides by an army that fired into it like bees stinging a hapless invader of their nest. Several bodies were already on the ground. Lar recognized some of them with his telescopic vision: There was Pelar, the old man, and Ollar, a man about Lar's age ... people he had only barely gotten to know, now dead.

There was no time to waste. He flew into the thickest part of the army and grabbed a tank. The effort was greater than he expected – his powers would not last for long. But long enough to show the soldiers he meant business. He threw the tank into another and, as their crews climbed to safety, caused the tanks to explode with his heat vision.

"That's Mon-El!" one of the soldiers yelled.

"What's he doing here?" another shouted.

But Mon-El was not interested in stopping to explain himself. He flew super-fast circles around a phalanx, whipping up a sandstorm that caused them to retreat.

The sound of battle in the hallways was unnerving, but Elaris was determined to remain at her post. The command center was the most sensitive part of the compound, containing the top secret locations of the other compounds, and she was not about to leave it unguarded. The army had cut off all communications to the outside. She had no idea if her message to Lar had made it through. But her final duty was clear.

"Computer," she said, accessing the main database. "Pull up files coded Omega-Gand-Omega."

A moment later, the main grid displayed a map showing the locations of the other compounds.

"Prepare to initiate purge."

The computer hummed. In one moment, Elaris thought, the work of generations would be destroyed. But at least others would be safe.

She was about to give the final order when she noticed the battle in the hallway had stopped. That could mean only one thing. It was over. She turned back to the computer, but before she could utter the command, she heard a sound she had long dreaded.

An energy rifle was being cocked.

She spun around and came face to face with a soldier no older than herself, pointing the energy rifle directly at her. "You must be Elaris Gand," he said, "the ringleader."

Elaris tilted her head back in defiance. She'd been called many things in her young life, but "ringleader" didn't begin to cover her responsibilities. But none of that mattered now. As the soldier took aim, she realized there was no time to give the final purge command. Thousands of lives would be lost once the government had its hands on the files. She had failed.

And then – just as the soldier fired, a red-blue blur passed in front of Elaris, deflecting the blast harmlessly into the wall.

The confused soldier took aim again, but the red-blue blur moved on him. Part of the blur became a hand, which grabbed the energy rifle and crushed it.

Elaris barely had time to register what was happening. An instant later, the blur slowed down and took human form. She recognized him instantly.

"Y-you're Mon-El!" the soldier stammered. "But, you're on our side."

"Guess again," Mon-El said, seething. "Your troops outside have fled. Those inside have been captured. You are alone. Give it up."

The soldier froze for a moment. "I may not know a whole lot about the Legion," he said, "but I do know you can't keep your powers under a red sun. Not for long." Moving fast – his training had served him well – the soldier produced an atomic dagger from a hidden sheath and lunged at Mon-El, slicing his left arm.

"Aaag!" Mon-El shouted.

The soldier raised his dagger for another thrust, but Mon-El – whose Legion training had served him well – immediately melted it with his heat vision. Then, with his right hand, the Legionnaire slapped the soldier, sending him flying across the room. The soldier landed on the floor, unconscious.

Elaris watched all of this, astounded. Though she had met Mon-El before, she had seen him in action only in holo-news reports. Up close and in person, he was amazing. But, at the moment, he was also hurt. She grabbed a nearby med-kit and went to his side.

"Hold still," she said, as she cleaned the inch-long wound. "You're very lucky. A wound like that from an atomic dagger should have killed you."

"In a few hours, it might," Mon said, gritting his teeth. He tried not to show it, but he was not used to pain. When one is invulnerable, pain is not something one has to get used to.

"Nonsense," she said, producing a photon scalpel. "This will remove any traces of atomic radiation from your system." After a few minutes of makeshift surgery, she pronounced him as good as new. "Where are your comrades?" she said. "Where's the Legion?"

"They aren't coming," Mon said. "I've just betrayed the government of my homeworld. I will not involve the Legion in this."

Elaris acted disappointed. In truth, she was delighted to see Lar again, even under these circumstances. "I guess we'd have to vacate the compound, anyway," she said.

"The sooner the better," Mon-El replied. He touched her arm gently, and started to escort her out.

"One moment," she said. "There is one thing I must do." She turned and faced the computer, still displaying the map of the other compounds. "Computer," she said with authority, "purge."

An instant later, the map disappeared. All of the screens in the communications center went blank. The locations of the other compounds were lost forever, committed only to her memory.

Ultra Boy was not happy. He was due to leave shortly on a month's vacation to his homeworld, Rimbor, and, election or no, he was intending to keep that schedule.

But this ...

His best friend and the Legion's current leader had stormed out of Legion Headquarters without any explanation and no indication of when he would be back. And right before an election.

Now, as deputy leader, Ultra Boy had to call the shots.

"What should we do?" Lightning Lad quizzed him. "Should we hold the election anyway?"

"No," Shadow Lass protested. "Let's wait until Mon gets back." The others looked at her askance. "So, he'll have a fair chance of competing," she hastened to add.

"I agree," Chameleon Boy volunteered. "It's not like him to leave unless it were an emergency."

"But why didn't he tell us what it is?" Dream Girl asked. Most of the others nodded in agreement.

Ultra Boy rubbed the back of his neck. Decisions such as this always gave him a headache. Fighting the Fatal Five or LSV he could understand, but he had little patience for administrative affairs. Particularly when they involved a friend. "Brainy?" he said.

Brainiac 5, the Legion's super-genius (and the only one who had memorized every article of the Legion Constitution) stepped forward. "Our by-laws clearly state that the election must be held on this date," he stated in his usual, disinterested voice.

"Well," Ultra Boy started to say. Since it's in the by-laws, it was clearly out of his hands.

"However," Brainy added. Ultra Boy hated that. Whenever Brainiac 5 had a "however," it was usually bad. "The Constitution also clearly states that the leader has the power to postpone the election by one day in the event of an emergency."

Chameleon Boy jumped in. "Since our leader ran out on us, that duty falls to you."

Ultra Boy glared at both of them. Why did they have to make it so difficult? If he postponed the election, it would look as if he were showing favoritism. If he didn't, it would look like a ploy to grab the top job for himself.

Still, no one ever said being leader, or deputy leader, was easy. Ultra Boy cleared his throat. "Okay, here's my decision," he said.

Suddenly, the alarm rang again and Sun Boy's face appeared on the nearby monitor. "Incoming message from Daxam," he said. "They want to speak to whoever's in charge."

"If it's that Elaris woman again," Shadow Lass said, "I want a few words with her."

"At ease, Shady," Ultra Boy said, then turned to Dirk. "Put her on."

But it wasn't a "her." Ultra Boy didn't recognize the older man with long, white hair and beard. But he did recognize the planetary symbol that hung from a pendant around his neck. It was the symbol of Daxam.

"High Commissioner," Ultra Boy said, instinctively snapping to attention. "What's the problem?"

"The problem," the High Commissioner said in a tone that sounded like glass puncturing the tires of an Astrovette, " is that you've got a renegade Legionnaire on your hands, and I want to know what you're going to do about it."

"There must be some mistake," Ultra Boy replied. "All Legionnaires are presently accounted f--"

"Are they?" the older man interrupted. "Then how do you account for this?"

The screen wavered and then changed. It now showed a desert battlefield. Troops firing on some compound, and a figure swooping down from the skies.

"Oh, no!" Shady exclaimed. They all saw it. It was Mon-El, fighting troops who wore the uniform of the Daxam Police Brigade, one of the most respected law enforcement agencies in the United Planets.

"High Commissioner," Brainiac 5 said, "is there a possibility that the holo we just saw is fraudulent?"

"It's real, Legionnaire," the old man said as his visage returned to the screen. "Even now, your erstwhile leader is aiding a band of outlaws our government has been pursuing for a millennium. If they are successful, they could undermine the very fabric of Daxamite society. I demand that the Legion stop him."

All eyes were on Ultra Boy. He knew what they were thinking – the same thing he was. Mon-El would never attack a legitimate law enforcement agency unless he had a very good reason – or unless he was under some form of mind control. But whatever the cause, the Legion could not allow its most powerful member to run amok, not without demanding a very good explanation.

Ultra Boy stared at the viewscreen. Rimbor would have to wait. "High Commissioner," he said, "we're on our way."

The journey to Gand Compound Two took Mon-El and the survivors through a vast network of underground tunnels that appeared to be several centuries old. Mon-El made no attempt to hide his amazement. He was learning more about his homeworld than he ever imagined. He was also learning more about his family than he ever feared.

Elaris led the way, illuminating the dark passages with an electro-torch. Mon-El walked silently beside her until she spoke. "This is all Eltro's fault," she said, in tears. "If he hadn't left our world, the authorities would never have been on to us."

"If he hadn't left," Mon said, "I would have died."

"I didn't mean --"

"I know." Mon-El instinctively touched her back, as if he were comforting a niece. She was his niece – several generations removed. "Eltro was your brother, after all," he said.

Mon didn't need super-hearing to notice someone lumbering toward them from behind. He turned to see a man with bushy hair and a black beard flecked with grey, and also carrying an electro-torch, which indicated him to be a cell leader.

"Elaris," the man called out, "the children are tired. They need rest and water."

"Not now, Estarr," she replied. "It won't take the police long to find the tunnels, and I want to be on the northeastern continent long before they come after us."

"Damn it, Elaris!" the man said. Mon moved instinctively to protect her. "We are simple gardeners and farmers, not soldiers, and certainly not Legionnaires." He cast an accusing stare at Mon as he said the word. "We can't keep up this pace. If you deleted the maps, like you were supposed to, we should be safe for now."

Elaris turned on him like a Jovian lioness. "I won't argue, Estarr --"

"Please," Mon-El interjected. "Perhaps a few minutes wouldn't hurt. I can use my x-ray vision to see if we're being followed."

Elaris looked at him uncertain, then nodded.

Mon stepped to one side and concentrated on the corridor behind them. Out of direct sunlight, his powers were returning slightly, but he still found the effort harder than usual. Finally, he was able to see through the walls of the corridor and the corridor behind it. He tried to see further, but the vision was blurry. Straining his eyes gave Mon a headache, another sensation he was unused to.

"We're clear," he said.

Elaris and Estarr joined the other cell leaders in distributing rations and tending to the wounded among the 150 survivors. Mon-El watched with fascination. They had planned this out carefully, he thought. What must it be like to constantly live with the prospect of being hunted down like common criminals? He had never experienced that, not even –

He turned and faced the wall, unable to bear the sudden emotions that came flooding back.

"Credit for your thoughts?" Elaris said, coming over to him.

Mon smiled. "You're the second person today who's offered money for my thoughts. You'd both be short-changed."

"We'll judge that." The voice was Estarr's. Tending to the wounded hadn't softened his belligerent tone, Mon noted. "I think you owe us all an explanation, Legionnaire."

"Estarr!" Elaris scolded. "Lar doesn't owe us anything."

"I beg to differ!" was the man's stern reply. He then looked at Mon pointedly. "All we have are legends and lies. It's time we learned the truth. What went on a thousand years ago? Why does the government want to capture us?"

Elaris was about to argue, but Mon cut her off. "You're right. You deserve to know the truth."

Elaris summoned the other cell leaders – thirteen in all – and they gathered around. Mon stood in the center like a story teller of old, and studied their faces; it was not like addressing the Legion. This was his true family, yet they were complete strangers, looking upon him like some revered figure from the past. This, he discovered, was the latest in a long list of unwelcome sensations he was having to deal with.

"One thousand years ago," he began, "my family – your family – was one of the most powerful and wealthiest on Daxam." He paused to let that statement sink in. It was greeted with hushed murmurings and cries of disbelief. "Yes, it's true. My father, Kel Gand, was a Senator of the old High Council. That is, until he died, unexpectedly."

"How did he die?" one of the cell leaders asked.

"No one knew for certain," Mon said, darkly. "Some said he was kidnaped by an alien race that visited Daxam. Others believed he was killed by political enemies. We never found out the truth. I was only a child when it happened.

"My brother, Andro, inherited our father's seat on the High Council. He was never the most dedicated politician, but he served for some years with distinction. Then, one day, shortly after our mother passed away, I dropped by his mansion in the exclusive Max'Odh province. He was not in a mood to visit. His face was pale and he had been drinking. He took me aside and told me something he was bound by law not to reveal.

""The High Council has discovered planets circling other stars,' he said.

""So?' I replied. "We've known that for years. In my history class, we studied about a planet called Krypton that some believe we share a common ancestry.'

""These worlds are different, little brother,' Andro said. "Or, rather, their stars are. They orbit yellow suns, not red ones.'

""Yellow suns!' I replied. In all my science classes, no one ever mentioned such a thing existing.

""I am serious, Lar. Some of our explorers recently visited these worlds. They reported back that ...' His voice trailed off, as if he couldn't believe what he was about to say.

""What, Andro?'

""They discovered that the yellow sun gave them tremendous powers. They could fly. Nothing could harm them. They had tremendous strength, and other abilities we're not even sure of yet.'

"I stared at Andro. It sounded like some myth he was trying to tell me. I was not sure how I should respond. Finally, I said, "How wonderful! We can travel to one of these yellow sun worlds and have great powers, ourselves!'

"Andro looked through me and for the first and only time, I saw fear in my brother's eyes. "Lar, very shortly, I must go away.'

""What do you mean?'

""I can't tell you.'

""When will you return?'

"He did not answer me, so I asked, "When will you be leaving?'

""Tomorrow.'

"I did not know what my brother meant, but I had to find out. The next day, I woke early and watched as Andro left his room and went to his private hangar. As a Senator, he had one of the few space vessels allowed on Daxam in those days. He opened the hatch, then left to get supplies. I saw my chance and took it.'

"You stowed away," Elaris said.

Mon nodded. "A decision I've regretted every day since."

"Why?" said Estarr.

"I went to his command center, and there, laid out on the viewscreen, were his plans. I was horrified when I saw them.

"As Andro came back, I hid in a spare equipment nook. Then we took off. It was the first time I had ever been in space. From the tiny window in the nook, I could see stars whizzing by like thin streaks of light. It was the most exhilarating experience I had ever had.

""So, I have a stowaway.'

"I looked up to see my brother standing over me.

""Little brother,' he said, upset, ""do you have any idea what you've done?'

""What I've done?," I said, bolting out of the nook. ""I've seen your plans, Andro. I can't let you betray our people.'

""Our people,'" he said, ""are blinded by their own greed. For generations, we've lived on our world, never knowing nor caring what was out here, in space. Now that we know what awaits us, the High Council is seeking out yellow sun systems with inhabited worlds. Yet they are building outposts on the uninhabited worlds.'

""But, that makes no sense, unless --'

""Yes,' Andro said. "They intend to gain powers and attack the inhabited worlds. Lar, the natives of these planets have no super-powers. They would be defenseless against us.'

""But ... but that's wrong.'

""Most of the Senate doesn't think so. They've authorized the building of warships that will carry our troops to the inhabited worlds. And from there ...' His voice trailed off. "Most of our people and a few Senators don't know about these plans. That's why I have to do this: I'm going to destroy one of the outposts, Lar. I'm going to show them the full destructive power our leaders are embracing. I want to open their eyes before it's too late.'"

""I'll help you!' I said.

""No. You were my final hope for our people, Lar.'

""What do you mean?'

""After I do this ... I will never be able to return to Daxam. My seat on the Senate would have fallen to you. You could have led our people to a better way.' My heart sank as I realized what he was saying. "But now ... with you here ... you'll be an accomplice to my crimes, Lar. You'll be a fugitive, as well.'

"I pondered what my brother had just told me. I had never been away from my world before. Now, I would never be able to go back. But, somehow, that thought didn't disturb me. The notion of exploring space was too enticing.

""So,' I said, "you've got no choice. You have to let me help you.'

"Andro looked at me strangely. What I said must have encouraged him. He grabbed me and hugged me like he would never see me again. All he could say was "For Daxam.'"

The sleek Legion Cruiser charged through space. Even at top speed, it would still take another hour to reach Daxam. Poised in the command chair, Ultra Boy realized he could make the journey quicker himself, using only his ultra speed and a containment suit to protect him from space. But that would mean leaving the other Legionnaires behind. Legionnaires just did not go off half-cocked into battle. They were a team. Ultra Boy understood that, even if their absent leader didn't.

"We're bypassing the Braal system," Sun Boy said from the pilot's chair.

"All systems are go," said Shrinking Violet from the engineering console, near the back of the circular bridge.

Element Lad looked up from the navigator's station. "This prototype handles like a dream."

"Shadow Lass is on the line," said Lightning Lad from the communications console on the other side. "She's still miffed that you left her behind."

Ultra Boy groaned loudly. He had already explained it to her: Shady was too emotionally involved with Mon-El. It was better for them to handle this without her. Shady, of course, didn't buy that. But, in Mon's absence, Ultra Boy was leader and that was that.

"Jo," Lightning Lad said, tugging on his ear-piece, "she's getting impatient. You know how she gets when she's impatient."

Ultra Boy winced. "All right. Put her on."

The image of Shadow Lass filled the console next to the command chair. Her gaze seemed to penetrate Ultra Boy to his core. He hated it when she did that.

"Shady, I told you –"

"This isn't about leaving me on earth," she said. "You made your choice, Deputy Leader, now you're stuck with it." Funny, Ultra Boy thought, he was thinking just the opposite. "I've been going through Mon-El's quarters, hoping to find some clue for his behavior."

"And?"

"I found a diary."

Ultra Boy smirked at the thought of Mon keeping his most secret thoughts in a journal. "I didn't know Mon kept a diary."

"He doesn't. It belongs to Eltro Gand."

The smirk vanished from Ultra Boy's face. "What's it say, Shady?"

As Shadow Lass spoke, her face turned pale. Ultra Boy never thought he'd see blue skin turn ashen. "Jo," she said, "there's a lot about Mon that I – that none of us ever suspected."

Mon-El paused.

"Keep going," Estarr urged him. "Tell us the rest."

Elaris glowered at him. "Let him rest," she said. "Can't you see he's exhausted?"

"It's all right," Mon-El said. "It's just that this next part is ... difficult." That was true, but it was only partly the cause of his sudden weakness. The residual effects of yellow sun radiation had finally worn off. He was powerless. Still, he saw no reason to tell the others and cause them alarm.

"My brother and I traveled for almost a year," he began quietly. "Space travel took much longer back then. Finally, we found the nearest world with a yellow sun – a star called Kurax. It had six planets. The fifth was inhabited by an intelligent but nonspace-faring race. They wouldn't have stood a chance against an army of super-powered Daxamites.

"The moment we entered the system, I felt more alive than I had ever felt. Then, as we approached the sun, we bypassed the first planet – a burning rock with a thin atmosphere. But there was the proof that my brother was not a madman: Airfields popped up on the rocky terrain, full of warships, many still under construction.

"Then I saw something else: people – our people – existing on this hellish world without spacesuits. They were flying and hoisting objects they couldn't possibly have lifted on Daxam. They tossed metal plates around like toys. They seemed like ... gods. It was an incredible yet terrifying prospect."

"Just a plumquat-picking moment," Estarr interrupted. "Why would they need ships when they could fly to the inhabited worlds, just as you can?"

"Good question," Mon-El said. "I can only guess that super-powers were so new to us, that the High Council didn't want to take any chances."

The answer seemed to satisfy Estarr, so Mon-El continued with his tale.

"Andro turned to me. He said, "We have to stop this, Lar, before it's too late.'

"I nodded. "When do we get our powers?'

"Andro smiled as he picked up a metal bar that was part of his ship's surveying equipment. "We already do, little brother,' he said. Then, he crushed the bar with one hand.

""You mean ... I can fly?'

""And more, little brother. Much more.'

"There was no time to test this for myself. Almost immediately, the ship's alarm sounded, and Andro rushed to the command center. "It's the troops on the planet. They've seen us. Prepare yourself --'

"An instant later, the ship was vaporized. I found myself floating in space. I expected to die – but I didn't. When I stopped spinning, I saw Andro fighting with one of the vessels that had attacked us. He was going at it with full abandon.

"I then found myself facing the other ship. It was firing on me with protoplasmic cannons. I didn't know if it would harm me or not, but I grabbed the cannon and – to my surprise – crushed it with my bare hands.

"The ship, however, was meant only to carry its pilot into space. Once his ship was disabled, he ejected himself and engaged me hand-to-hand. I had had some physical training back home, but he was a professional soldier. I didn't stand a chance.

"But, then, there was a crimson flash. A moment later, I found myself grappling with a burning skeleton.

""You killed him!' I shouted to Andro. "That wasn't necessary!'

""This is war, Lar,' my brother said. "It's all necessary.'

"There was nothing else to do but follow my bother's lead as he flew down into the thin atmosphere of Kurax-I and attacked an airfield. Andro was a man possessed. He destroyed warships and soldiers alike. I confined myself to obliterating unoccupied warships with my newly discovered heat vision.

"And then, my new super-hearing picked up a conversation. A commander was instructing his soldiers to fire a new weapon at us – a weapon made of a substance found in the Kurax system that could penetrate even our invulnerable skin. A substance we now know as lead.

Elaris gasped as she listened. "Oh, no."

"Before I could warn Andro," Mon continued, "it was too late. I watched as my brother flew into an ambush and was riddled with lead projectiles. I screamed. Then I swooped down and grabbed him before he fell to the ground. I flew off, carrying him. To my surprise, we were not followed. I guess they thought there was nowhere for us to go.

"I carried Andro to a desolate spot on the dark side of the planet. I had no supplies, nothing to treat his wounds. But it wouldn't have mattered. My brother was dead.

"Oh, Lar," Elaris said, "I'm so sorry."

"I lost my brother," Mon said, "just as you lost yours."

"Eltro," she said.

"It's ironic," Mon-El said. "If he hadn't saved my life, I would never have known that all of you exist. I would never have known that I have relatives on Daxam, or the terrible price you have paid for my crimes."

Estarr looked on him without sympathy. "Go on, Legionnaire," he demanded. "We want to hear more about your crimes."

The other cell leaders nodded.

"I continued to carry out my brother's mission. For several months, I waged a one-man guerilla war against our troops. You see, our planetary isolation had worked against our forces: They were unprepared for a direct assault against them. My sudden, random attacks caught them off-guard every time. I would show up at night, and obliterate another airfield. Or I would appear at dawn and destroy the command headquarters, always giving them enough time to evacuate. Andro was wrong: Not all things are necessary, not even in war. In time, some of the troops began to sympathize with my cause. They could see I was not targeting them, only their mission. Some even broke ranks and began to fight with their superiors.

"Then, one day, while eavesdropping on another command center, I picked up a conversation between a general and a visiting Senator. The Senator was most displeased.

""If one man can do this much damage,' he was saying, "then what would happen if a squadron of super-powered troops rebelled?'

The general tried to assure him that he had the situation under control, but the Senator wouldn't hear it. Finally, he issued the order that I had been waiting for, that Andro never lived to hear.

""The Senate has decided,' he told the general, "that the price of conquest is too high. Therefore, we are ordering you to withdraw from the Kurax system, immediately."

"It was over.

"I had won. Andro would have been pleased.

"I waited until most of the troops had left, then I burrowed into the last remaining airfield. Instead of warships, it contained smaller, one-man vessels used to transport Senators and other dignitaries to and from the Kurax system. I found it ironic: If I had stayed on Daxam, like my brother had wanted, I would have been a Senator by then. Instead, I was stealing a Senator's vessel. There was little opposition from the airfield's skeleton crew as I started the engine and blasted off into space. I wanted to find another system, preferably one with a red sun, to settle down. My mission was over. I never wanted to have super-powers again.

"A few months later, I landed on fabled Krypton, only to learn that it was facing destruction. A scientist who befriended me sent me to earth -- but he forgot to mention that earth had a yellow sun. If he had, I might have headed in the opposite direction."

As Mon-El finished his tale, he looked at each of the cell leaders. Their craggy, hardened faces betrayed little emotion. They sat quietly, contemplating.

"We heard rumors," one of them finally said, "legends. But we never knew the truth until now."

"After you left," another elder added, "the government seized your brother's property. Andro Gand was branded a traitor. Daxam law at the time stated that his family had to suffer for his crimes. His wife and children went into hiding. We, his descendants, have been suffering ever since."

"A thousand years!" Estarr bellowed at Mon-El. "A thousand years of paying for crimes we never committed!"

"But Daxam's laws have changed since then," Mon-El said. "Surely --"

"We have tried to convince the High Commissioner of that," Elaris said, "but he remains adamant: The law was broken a thousand years ago, and the guilty must be punished."

Mon-El hung his head. "Then there is only one thing to do," he said, rising. "I will turn myself in and -- "

"Don't you think you'd better ask us, first?"

The cell leaders jumped to their feet, ready for action. Mon spun around, his adrenalin pumping, but his heart soared when he saw where the voice came from.

It was Ultra Boy, accompanied by fellow Legionnaires Lightning Lad, Sun Boy, Shrinking Violet and Element Lad. They appeared, savior-like, out of the darkness of the corridor ahead of them.

"Don't look so surprised, Mon," Ultra Boy said, folding his arms like a victor. "Did you really think you could hide from my Penetra-Vision?"

"I was hoping you would not get involved," Mon-El said. "This is a private affair."

"There's no such thing as a private affair," Element Lad said, "not when you're the leader."

Elaris stepped forward, almost protectively of Mon-El. "How much have you heard?"

"Enough," Lightning Lad said. "And Eltro's diary filled us in on the rest."

"We're going to have to hold a hearing to consider these matters," Shrinking Violet added.

Ultra Boy nodded. "In the meantime, Mon – I'm sorry – you're relieved of duty as leader."

"I understand," Mon-El replied, standing still, like a man about to face execution. "I will go with you – but the Gands must go free."

"I'm sorry, we can't allow that," Lightning Lad said.

"Why not?"

"We can't violate local law," Ultra Boy answered. "You know that. These people are fugitives--"

"Fugitives!" Estarr snorted. "Fugitives from a crime committed a thousand years ago!"

"We're sorry. We --"

"I'm sorry, too, Jo." Mon-El stepped forward, threateningly. "But I can't let you to turn my family over to the High Commissioner." He prepared to go hand-to-hand with his friend, whose powers nearly equaled his own – when he had powers, that is. Mon hoped that his bluff would work, and that Jo would back down.

"Nice try, Mon," Ultra Boy said. "But I know you don't have your powers, anymore – not even a residue, or we wouldn't have been able to sneak up on you."

So much for the bluff.

"I want to thank you, Legionnaires," came another voice from the opposite corridor – the corridor Mon and the survivors had come from, "for leading us to the criminals." Out of the darkness came a squadron of Daxamite police soldiers. "We would have found them on our own, of course," their captain was saying, "but this expedites matters. We'll take it from here."

Mon glared at Ultra Boy. He couldn't believe that any Legionnaire would betray him – certainly not Jo. From Jo's expression, he was right: Ultra Boy was just as startled by this development as anyone.

"Just a minute," Ultra Boy said, approaching the captain. "The High Commissioner himself authorized us to apprehend these people."

The captain's lips curled into a mirthless smile. "Then I suggest you file a complaint, Legionnaire. In the meantime, it's my sworn duty to administer justice. Under Daxam's laws at the time the offense of treason was committed, the guilty party and all of his family are to be put to death. Therefore," he addressed the Gands directly, "I sentence you to summary execution."

People screamed. Some attempted to plead with the soldiers, but to no avail. As the captain ordered his troops to prepare to fire, Mon-El tried to push his way to the front of the crowd. Maybe – just maybe – they would accept his sacrifice instead. No matter what happened, he would not let these people die. Not like Andro. Not again.

Suddenly, there was a flash of light – no, lightning! – and the dozen troops who formed the execution squad found their guns blasted apart in their hands.

Mon-El shot a glance back at the Legionnaires. Lightning Lad was preparing to deliver another charge in the soldiers' direction. "Enough is enough!" he shouted. "Local laws or no, the Legion will not stand idly by while you murder defenseless people!"

"Lay your weapons down," Ultra Boy ordered the rest of the soldiers. "There will be no bloodshed today."

But the captain sneered at them. "You're aiding and abetting criminals, Legionnaires. That makes you criminals! Squadron, attack!"

Though the Legionnaires were small in number, their training, powers and experience gave them a distinct advantage over the soldiers, many of whom, Mon reckoned, had never even been away from Daxam.

Element Lad transmuted the outer layer of a nearby wall into rubber, causing it to fall on top of a few soldiers.

Shrinking Violet shrunk to the size of bullet and flew into several soldiers' faces, knocking them out with a martial arts move that only a tiny warrior could master.

Ultra Boy had activated his super-strength and was fighting soldiers hand-to-hand, tossing them around like the super-powered street tough that, at heart, he was.

Sun Boy, who stood nearest to Mon, used his heat and light powers to temporarily blind soldiers and melt their weapons.

There was no way that Mon-El – super-powers or no – was going to let his teammates fight his battles for him. He jumped the nearest soldier and began wrestling him. With his own Legion experience and training, Mon thought, he could surely handle just one green recruit. But this recruit had friends. Four of them ran to his side and quickly overwhelmed the powerless Legionnaire. While three bruisers held Mon-El at bay, a fourth planted his fist in Mon-El's stomach. He doubled over and yelped.

"Hey, Mon!" Sun Boy shouted. "I don't know if this'll work, but it's worth a try." Then Dirk Morgna , the most flamboyant Legionnaire, lit himself up like a star, bathing the vicinity in yellow sun light. The other Daxamites were not affected, Mon reasoned, since they had never left their world and become exposed to a yellow sun in the first place. But Mon had spent years living on earth – in two centuries, no less. Solar radiation still lay dormant in his body, just waiting to be reactivated -- and Sun Boy's organic powers did the trick. Slowly, Mon felt his strength returning.

"I don't know what your buddy's trying to pull," said the soldier who planted his fist in Mon-El's stomach, "but I'm going to kick your ass, Legionnaire!" He reared back and prepared to swing his fist again.

"I wouldn't --" Mon started to say. But, to no avail. The soldier again hit Mon-El in the stomach. This time, it was accompanied by the sickening sound of bones being crushed -- but not Mon-El's.

The soldier let out a blood-curdling scream as he clutched his shattered hand. An instant later, Mon-El – his strength fully restored – shrugged off the other three, sending them flying through the air.

"Thanks, Dirk!" Mon said, waving to Sun Boy, who was already busy melting part of the floor of the tunnel to entrap other soldiers.

"Don't mention it, Mon!" Sun Boy replied. "That's what buddies are for."

Mon knew that his restored powers were only temporary. But they should be enough to bring this conflict to a speedy end, he thought. He flew toward the troops who were still fighting.

"STOP!"

The familiar voice reverberated throughout the corridor. One of the soldiers, acting on commands only he could hear through his headset, stepped forward and activated the holographic transmitter on his helmet. "Watch and weep, Legionnaires!" he gloated, as an image was projected before them. As soon as it shimmered into focus, all present recognized the High Commissioner of Daxam.

But there was someone standing with him – Elaris.

Mon-El instinctively looked around. He hadn't noticed her leaving the melee. Did one of the soldiers kidnap her –?

"This conflict must end," the High Commissioner said in his booming voice. "I believe we have found a solution to our millennium-old dilemma."

Elaris stepped forward into clearer view. "Lar, Estarr, all the rest ... I have surrendered voluntarily to the High Commissioner. I will pay the price for the crime of treason committed by our ancestor."

"No!" Estarr shouted. He was joined by a chorus of dissent from the other Gands. Mon-El watched in disbelief. He tried to speak but choked on the words. Another innocent person would pay the price for his crimes. He could not allow that.

"Let her go!" he bellowed, flying toward the image like a bull. He landed just short of passing through it. "My name is Lar Gand. I'm the man you want. A thousand years ago, it was my brother and I who sabotaged the invasion of Kurax. I will accept whatever judgement you care to pass."

The High Commissioner looked unimpressed. "Mon-El, we know who you are. We've known for years. Had we sought retribution, we could easily have extradited you to Daxam, powers or no. But this is not about you. It goes beyond that."

Elaris looked at Mon directly. "When you said your brother was wrong about killing, you were right. When your brother -- my ancestor -- took the lives of soldiers, he committed a crime that knows no bounds, that is never forgotten by time. Entire families were destroyed when their sons, fathers, and loved ones were lost that day. Their blood is on our hands, Lar, my hands ... not yours."

Lar stared at her image. He searched for something to say – anything. But he knew it would be futile.

Shrinking Violet approached him. "You're not going to let her do it, are you? Paying for your brother's crimes makes no sense."

"It does," Mon-El said, slowly, "to a Daxamite."

The High Commissioner continued, "The warships and buildings you destroyed were mere objects. They could easily be replaced. Some might even say you acted heroically, turning our world from the path of conquest. But lives can never be replaced. As a Legionnaire, you surely know this." Mon glanced at the other Legionnaires, as they traded understanding looks. The code against killing was one of their most sacred by-laws.

"What will become of her?"

"We are not a barbaric culture, Lar Gand," the High Commissioner said. "Much has in fact changed in a thousand years. Her sentence will be lenient. I guarantee you this."

"And what about us?" said Estarr, stepping forward and throwing around his considerable weight.

"The rest of you are free to go. The Gands have nothing further to fear from the High Council." With that, his image – and that of Elaris – vanished.

The Gands stood in their places, stunned. Was it truly over?

The captain who, minutes ago, had announced his intention to execute them, now approached Mon-El with an altogether different demeanor. "My orders have changed," he said with embarrassment. "It seems that I am now to ... escort the Gands to a readjustment center, where they will be cared for until they are ready to assimilate into society."

Mon-El looked at the cell leaders, who, in turn, looked at Estarr – their new, de facto leader. "That is ... agreeable," he said in his gutteral voice.

Mon-El nodded. It truly was over. But at what a cost.

Mon-El opened his eyes as an azure finger brushed his forelocks. "Close your eyes," Tasmia said, softly. "There are no emergencies to take care of. No leadership decisions. Just relax."

Mon thought of arguing the point, but decided against it. His head was laying on her lap as she administered her own brand of spiritual healing. It felt good.

"Have you heard from Elaris?" Tasmia said.

"Yes," Mon-El said. "She's in a minimum-security facility. She said it's the most luxurious place she'd ever seen. She also said that if she'd known prison would be like that, she would have given herself up a long time ago."

"All's well that ends well," Tasmia crooned. "Still, it's too bad about the election."

"Jo won fair and square," Mon said.

"Yes," she replied, "though it's just like him to take off for Rimbor before the votes were all in. I wonder if he even knows he's leader."

"I don't know, I don't care," Mon-El said, smiling. "That's his problem now."

Suddenly, his eyes opened, and he sat up. "When I think of how I nearly blew it, with the Legion and with you ..."

"Why didn't you tell us about your past?"

Mon thought long and hard. He was not used to opening up, not even to her. But keeping closed about his past nearly cost him everything. Fortunately, the Legion was as forgiving as Tasmia. At the hearing, he was let go with a reprimand and a stern lecture that the Legion is a team and that anything that affects the leader affects all of them. Perhaps they were right. Perhaps it was time to take a chance on her, as well.

"When I was freed from the Phantom Zone," he began, "I had not had any human contact for a thousand years. A thousand years of watching people live, love and die, as if I were watching an endless series of 20th century television programs. I had no friends ... no family. It was almost like I didn't really exist.

"Every day I wake up ... and I keep expecting all of this to be a dream. I keep thinking I'll find myself back in the Phantom Zone ... forever."

"Oh, Mon," she said, hugging his back.

"There are days when I wish I had never stowed away on Andro's ship ... when I wish I had grown up to live a normal life on Daxam and died. And there are other days when I think I'm the luckiest man in the universe." He turned toward her and gently lifted her face in his hands. "And there are other days when I know it."

They kissed.

"I've tried to make the most of my second chance at life," he continued. "I thought that by serving as leader of the Legion, I'd give back to the group for giving me so much. But maybe I wasn't really cut out to be a leader. Maybe I'm too much of a loner at heart."

"So, you don't miss being leader?"

"Maybe a little."

"There's always next year."

"I know," he said, kissing her again. "In fact, I can't wait for Ultra Boy to get back from vacation and assume his duties."

"Why?"

"I'm going to ask for my gavel back."

Great story, HHW. (Of course, I'm a sucker for any story where Vi gets to kick some ass - even if it is for only one paragraph. )

Getting to read a story in it's entirety for once is really nice, too.

Thanks, Arachne! I wish I had time to develop Vi's scenes more, as well as those of the other Legionnaires on the mission, but the story would have been even longer.

That's professional-grade writing, HWW. Well-phrased dialogue, self-contained, enlightening about Lar's melancholy. Made me loathe Daxamian "justice" -- a sign that it worked well.

My only drawback is that I never read where Eltro Gand fit into the picture with Lar, so that was lost on me. Fan fiction assumes that background, though, so it's to be expected. I'll go look it up.