2018.10.06 - Arrival from Earth-H'
The multi-faceted flashes and streaks of color that are one of the signatures of passing through hypertime cascade past the Hypership as it streaks along it's course. Seated at the helm Knick Alen casually adjusts one of the many instruments of the vessel's elaborate control console, until a amber light returns to a more favorable blue. Satisfied he leans back, glancing around the cockpit. Everything appearing in order he pushes the chair back into a more relaxed posture. "From what my instrument readings have shown back on UNITY, this Earth is very similar to our own in a lot of ways. But what really interests me is that it seems to be another nexus point. So far it is the first new one I have discovered since the re-mapping project began. To tempting to explore directly rather than sending a sensor drone or a Skybot." Without looking he is aware of the company in the cockpit. Not that it would make any difference. Those that were accompanying him would hear him speaking conversationally anywhere on the ship anyway. Casually he strokes a finger over the breastbone of the kryptonian nightwing perched on the back of his chair. In a more subdued voice he chides the bird softly. "No flying away with any vehicles this time, please." Nightengayle lacked the ability to properly speak. But the predatory look in her eyes and the way she fidgeted seemed to suggest her saying 'no promises.'
The multi-faceted flashes and streaks of color that are one of the signatures of passing through hypertime cascade past the Hypership as it streaks along it's course. Seated at the helm Knick Alen casually adjusts one of the many instruments of the vessel's elaborate control console, until a amber light returns to a more favorable blue. Satisfied he leans back, glancing around the cockpit. Everything appearing in order he pushes the chair back into a more relaxed posture.
"From what my instrument readings have shown back on UNITY, this Earth is very similar to our own in a lot of ways. But what really interests me is that it seems to be another nexus point. So far it is the first new one I have discovered since the re-mapping project began. To tempting to explore directly rather than sending a sensor drone or a Skybot." Without looking he is aware of the company in the cockpit. Not that it would make any difference. Those that were accompanying him would hear him speaking conversationally anywhere on the ship anyway.
Casually he strokes a finger over the breastbone of the kryptonian nightwing perched on the back of his chair. In a more subdued voice he chides the bird softly. "No flying away with any vehicles this time, please." Nightengayle lacked the ability to properly speak. But the predatory look in her eyes and the way she fidgeted seemed to suggest her saying 'no promises.'
The Hypership completes its journey between realities, dropping into normal space within the interesting new reality that Knick had first charted a few days earlier. They're in the Sol system, similar in many ways to their own, and beginning an approach to Earth. (One thing that's immediately obvious, of course, is that the Watchtower here isn't on the moon--it's an upgraded version of the old JLA Satellite. There's also a lot of stuff that only Knick will notice, probably--different energy patterns, variances in everything from gravity to cosmic rays, and... y'know. Science stuff.)
Kon-El doesn't pretend to care about that stuff. He's browsing the scanner, looking for live feeds of what the beaches look like. Because, priorities. "Man," he says with a grin, "it's been forever since we had a real vacation. This is gonna be so sweet." Mapping expedition, right. Totally. To Kon, it's gonna be a vacation... by any means necessary. He's got the trunk of beach gear to prove it.
Seth, meanwhile, is sitting in a seat with his knees drawn up to his chest, eyes closed, as he meditates a little. He wants to sense what magic will be like in this new world. Thus distracted, he doesn't comment... immediately. However, Knick's admonishment to Nightengayle leads him to add, in a distracted voice, "And Acme, you are not allowed to raid any snack factories this time. If I don't get to, you don't get to." Thank goodness that a Kryptonian metabolism means it's a lot harder for the ferret to get sick, because it's hard to keep him out of anything.
A smiles tugs at the corner of Knick's mouth as he hears the other comments. "Yes lets all try and avoid raiding any snack factories. Thats good advice." With a clinical interest he notes several readings. "As a note, the solar spectrum here is subtely altered from our own world. Our abilities may be similarly, subtely altered. I am running a medical diagnostic now to look for any variances. BDV, if you would." The cool voice of the A.I. responds almost immediately. "Of course Kal-En. Scanning now...Diagnostics complete."
Knick Alen cants his head as the information is sent telepathically to him via the mechano-link with his wrist computer. "It isn't anything of great consequence. A slight weakening. Odds are we will hardly notice it." For his own part Knick could feel the connection to Rao's was slightly weaker this far removed from New Krypton. But he still felt it, just as he did when going to other hypertimes before, and that was what was important.
"Can't be as bad as that reality where Brainiac was trying to take over," Kon says, a hint of old annoyance creeping into his voice. "I forget what we call that one. The one where people obsess over their 'gear' all the time because powers are so inefficient, there?" He snorts lightly, then shrugs. "Compared to that place, any other world we visit, I've never felt weak again." Then he smirks. "Anyway, give Acme a break. He hasn't raided any snack factories since that one time with the chocolate-covered nuts, and... I mean... who can blame him? Everyone loves chocolatey nuts." He flashes a grin at Knick, exuding an air of absolute innocence... that couldn't be any phonier if Plastic Man had come up with it. "Anyway, yeah, powers are different, but--scans are coming in--they've got plenty of great beaches, so we are good."
Seth opens on eye, quirking an eyebrow at Kon, and remarks loftily, "Awful puns and obsessing over the beach? Who's the immature one here, again?" He can't manage to hold in his grin, but he does look over to Knick, opening his other eye, and says, "The magic's a little different, so I'm gonna try to really ease into using it. I'm not sure if it's weaker, or just... different. I'll keep trying to feel that out." Then he adds, "I'm way more interested in seeing the Twin Cities. Did you see on the scans? Gotham and Metropolis are like across the river from each other, here. That's gotta be so weird."
Knick Alen sighs and smiles weakly. "Well, from any metric I can't disagree. Our powers are severely comprimised there. I have taken to calling it Earth B. It does seem though that there is an equalibrium of a sort. I feel substantially weaker there yes. But comperably my abilities seem similar to those of the Kryptonians present on that world. So I suppose it is all relative, if annoying. I expect the effect will be similar here, but the diminishing factor will be much less so." He pauses and then glances back at Kon, one eyebrow quirked upwards. "Did you think the beaches would be particularly different?" Chocolately nuts. Nope. Not going there.
Knick nods to Seth as he looks back at the screen ahead. A holographic display of the cities Metropolis and Gotham appearing there. "Geographically speaking that could be accounted for by a slightly smaller planet. I have noticed in my surveys that our own Earth, and even the greater universe, is often substantially larger than others. For example our world's Central Park is extensively larger than-" BDV chimes in as Knick speaks. "We are approaching the outer range of terrestrial scanner range. Should I continue into the atmosphere now?"
Kon rolls his eyes and says, "I'm not the one who cares if the beaches are different. The point is to get Knick to strip off the lab coat and costume and come hang out on the beach with me. It's hard to do that when he's in work mode, and lately even if I try to seduce him out of the lab, we just end up--y'know, uh... well, it happens right there half the time! What's the point of having a private beach if you can't fly down regularly for fun times?" He does sound interested in the "larger Earth" idea, though, and asks, "Huh. Would higher gravity be a factor in our powers and stuff?" He's legitimately curious. For at least five seconds. Then he continues right on, "Anyway, it doesn't have to be beaches! I just like beaches! I just wanna actually spend some time together without it being doom o'clock." Because they don't say "doomsday" casually. Very poor taste, or something.
Seth battles a smirk and loses, but when he affects his own air of innocence, it's orders of magnitude more impressive than Kon's. "But, Kon, are you saying you want to be nude and have Knick ravish you at other touristy places? I'm pretty sure the theme parks would object to--!" But he cuts short, rolling his eyes, and says, "Who'm I kidding? They'd let you in free if you'd do that, probably."
Knick Alen smiles at Kon, and pops up long enough to give him a quick kiss. "I promise this will not be all work and no play. Surveying a new world means learning about all aspects of it. Including beaches and nightlife and entertainment." Satisfied he has hopefully made Kon feel more at ease he slips back to the helm. "You can bring us in BDV. Lets try and remain unobtrusive for now though." The AI replies a moment following as the vessel begind to move once again. The inertial dampners making the motion virtually undetectable inside. "Affirmatic Kal-En."
As he takes his seat again Knick ponders aloud. "Gravity could easily play a part in a small variance in our abilities yes-" He glances at Seth and his jaw just hangs there a moment mid-sentence. "I don't think any theme park would." He pauses and then considers it a moment more. "Well, Universal Studios might. I suspect so. So you are likely not completely wrong."
The kiss is returned quite happily, but soon after Kon has to clamp a hand over his mouth to stop from totally busting up at the exchange between his lifemate and his... "adopted little brother" just seems way easier than "adopted lifemate-brother" or whatever the Kryptonian term would be. Besides, as far as Kon's concerned, Knick's family and his family are all one family, now, and that makes Seth part of the deal. So, anyway, watching the exchange between the brothers just plain tickles him. When he's sure he won't let out a girly giggle or anything, he snickers aloud, "I'd be down to find out, probably, but... as long as we get to have fun here, I'm cool with it being a little less extreme than that. I think the 'kiss heard 'round the world' was great, but the 'indecent exposure heard 'round the multiverse' just doesn't have the same ring to it, somehow."
Seth rolls his eyes and declares, "It was not a suggestion! I was just--oh, never mind!" He can't be bothered to get that worked up about it, not when it would clearly entertain Kon that much. After all, he does have certain little brotherly obligations, and that means occasionally irritating Kon, but more importantly it means just being a little contrary, if only to keep things interesting. Knick's the one he's sweet to, Kon's the one he's sour to. Usually. Every now and then, he does mix it up, again... just to keep things interesting. But for now, he's too excited by the trip to be too difficult. Leaning over a scanner, which he clearly understands better than Kon does, he asks, "Do we have any specific survey goals while were here, Knick?"
Knick Alen winces at the memory of that particular news cast. Although on balance the kiss more than made up for it, she did get him fire bombed which really ruined his overall mood that day. "Yes please lets try and avoid any catastrophically poor choices that ruin our first impressions here. I really am anxious to explore and see how things differ here from home. Something I suspect will take more than a single visit to do."
Taking a deep breath hje considers Seth's question, as he comments outloud. "BDV, engage cloak please. Lets keep this private for now." Again the cool A.I. voice replies. "Affirmative Kal-En." Swivveling in the helm he looks at them both. "Well, based on my earlier readings this is a hypertemporal hub of sorts. In some ways much like our own world. With that in mind your costume generators have new passive functionality. They will scan nearby hypertemporal signatures, I am interested in the dispersal pattern. The number of people in say every million or so that are native versus visitor. It will give me a baseline to run against our own world's numbers. Also Seth in your case I am interested in any changes you discover about the mana stream here versus back home."
Kon nods in agreement with Knick. All's fun when joking around, be he does actually take the business of making a good impressions on other Earths pretty seriously. Like, maybe not quite Robin-seriously, but way more than Impulse-seriously, for sure. "Well," he says, reading over what's clearly a Google page from the planet's Internet, "I'm seeing they have a public super-school, here. That's probably an interesting place to investigate, and we don't... really have anything exactly like it on our Earth, except if you actually count Unity. It's not like the X-school is super-public, but... I guess, here, it kind of is. They call it--heh--'Sky High.' That's great. We should totally visit there."
Seth looks a bit curious about that, listening in. "Huh. If high school were like that back home, I might actually consider going. Y'know, for social reasons." His education is so far beyond what normal Earth high schools teach that it's really laughable to consider actually attending one for academic purposes. As for the other request, he nods. "I'll definitely be looking at it close, but the sooner we can meet a native magic-user, the better. I wonder if Dr. Fate's available?"
Knick Alen smiles faintly and looks very interested in the idea. "I think that might be a great place to start investigating Kon. We do lack any true parralel to that on our world, and that is indeed a very clever name. Perhaps it will be a good place to approach and introduce ourselves as well. Certainly we could do worse." As he speaks he brings up a star chart, for roughly 50 light years distant. "This world had a Krypton as well. Which may well allow us to meet other Kryptonians. This was not one of the hypertimes where Rao recreated Krypton however."
He considers a moment and worries his lip. "I'd suggest starting smaller Seth. If Dr. Fate is anything like his counterpart on our world he is, somewhat other worldly. His concerns are more cosmic than terrestrial. Perhaps Zatanna would be a better choice? Just please stay well away from John Constantine. I have no reason to doubt he is as much of a problem in any world he exists in as he is back home."
Kon nods along with Knick, and at the mention of Krypton, he says, "Well, from what I can see... there's a Superman, there's... at least one 'me,' what looks a lot like a male version of Supergirl named 'Superlad,' and a... Superkid? I guess maybe Clark's... a dad? Huh. So, for sure we've got Kryptonians." He definitely looks curious about the Super-family, but then he gives a snort, "Wait, there's... apparently like a rumor that Batman has at least three or four Robins, too? They've got blurry photos that look like it might even be true. That's kinda... different." He's clearly beginning to think of this as more than just an excuse for a vacation.
Seth stifles a giggle at Knick's response, and he waves a hand. "I wasn't serious about Dr. Fate! If anything, maybe Zatanna or someone, yeah. Definitely not John Constantine, though. He stinks." Could be the cigarettes, could be the brimstone, but to Seth's sensitive nose, the smell isn't all that appealing.
Knick Alen glances back at Kon and nods thoughtfully. "That is a interesting development. Again I am curious if they are all native. It is possible that this world is as hypertemporally active as ours used to be before we stabalized it. If so any number of the heroes or even villains here could be from elsewhens." As the ship slowly passes through the upper atmosphere Knick looks back again, swivveling the chair once more. He nods and smiles to Seth before looking thoughtful.
"On the topic of villains. This world has it's own heroes, and apparently at least as many or more than our own world. I prefer a non-interference observational policy when surveying a world. That said of course if something is happening and we are in a position to assist in saving lives..." He trails off and shrugs. "I wouldn't ask either of you to not help, knowing I would myself. Lets just try and keep a fittingly low profile. We are after all visitors."
"Right," Kon says, straight-faced. "Low profile." But, winking, he adds, "We'll try not to throw down in Times Square or anything, and... yeah, it makes sense to let the locals handle stuff unless people are in danger." He pauses, blinking at the screen, and says, "Dude, apparently at least one version of me in this timeline has a costume that's cut... like the original Robin costume. No pants, short sleeves. I mean, I--he, whatever--looks hot in it, but... that's... different." He's torn between loving and hating the idea. Seems it might be better off something he saves for "private time" than wearing out in public, but, hey, he's not judging. It's better than just rolling out of bed to fight crime in your jeans and a t-shirt.
Seth nods seriously and says, "Until I can trust my magic, I don't want to do anything too intense. If I lost control, I could end up casting magic I didn't mean to, and... bad idea." For all he likes to play around and cut loose, Seth does take the responsibility of his power quite seriously. Most of the time, anyway. He won't risk anything worse than, say, making it rain Skittles over Central Park. Nothing really dangerous, anyway.
Knick Alen nods to them both as BDV again interupts. "Kal-En. The ship is now 2500 meters above the river seperating the cities of Metropolis and Gotham. We remain cloaked." Glancing back Knick smiles. "Thank you BDV. Hold position please." He clears his throat and nods to them both. "I suspect we will see a lot of interesting variations of things we are familiar with." Not himself of course given that he stands outside of time. Though he has encountered variants of himself before, they typically belong to an entirely alternate dimension, like his anti-matter counterpart. "But that is half the fun of exploring. Kon, where is this Sky High located? I agree we should perhaps start there. We may even find someone there you can discuss magic with Seth."
"Ummm, I think it's just... right over there," Kon says, pointing toward the Metropolis city center. Right above the city." He looks out the viewport, then points. "That way, specifically." He leans back in his chair, looking pleased with himself, and says, "I can't believe I'm actually looking forward to going to school." He smirks at Knick, eyes twinkling, and doesn't comment immediately on other... variations... but he's clearly got lots of that on his mind, and he's thinking of things more pleasant than anti-matter counterparts.
As for Seth, he says, "I can sense the school, but it doesn't feel too magical. It's weird, I almost feel like... there's a magic school on the... kind of dimensional other side of it. Like, maybe there's... a magical mirror dimension or something? I'm not used enough to the magic here to really be able to tell without help, I think."
Knick Alen looks out the viewport and his eyes sparkle with blue white motes of light. "Ah. Yes that appears to be it. Sky High, ok fitting enough. I'm curious what they use to keep it aloft. Likely some very powerful anti-gravity. But having it above a population center, they must be very confident in it." He recognizes that look on Kon's face. Of course it is the furthest thing from Knick's mind. He hasn't even met anyone here much less know anyone in a friendly manner. "Well if that is the case Seth I suspect someone here may well know about it. It certainly is well worth investigating." He stands and stretches. "Well, looks like we have arrived."
Kon hops to his feet and, catching Knick catching his look, is quick to raise his hands and say, "Hey, don't look at me like that! I'm just thinking we could take some inspiration from the locals, that's all. Seriously, my mind's not in the gutter all the time!" A beat, and he looks thoughtful, then adds, "At least... not all of the gutters... all of the time... eh, you know what I mean!" He jerks a thumb at the door and says, "Let's go meet the locals! I bet they're gonna love us."
Seth, rolling his eyes, also floats up to his feet and says, "I think I better leave Acme in here for now. I don't want him to get excited and go crashing into the locker room or anything." He nods along with what Knick said, though, and says, "I really hope we meet someone who knows about magic stuff. I'm really curious about how it works here."
Knick Alen cants his head briefly to the side and flashes a 'Knick smile'. "Well, whats not to love with the both of you?" He is clearly sincere about that as he wraps an arm around each of their shoulders and gives a gentle, affectionate squeeze. "Nightengayle, feel free to wing around the city-" With a piercing cry Nightengayle is already gone, just as the shuttle door's descend. Watching her leave Knick chews his bottom lip. "I'd like to think she wouldn't have gone right through the hull. Really. I would." He shakes his head and smiles ruefully.
"Hey, what counts is that she didn't," Kon points out, reaching out to give Knick's shoulder a squeeze. Then, smiling, he leans in to kiss his lifemate, grinning at him as their lips part. "I'm pretty sure you're more lovable than... well, than Seth, anyway." Then, snickering, he floats up and darts out of the ship, going outside to see this new world firsthand. As he goes, they can hear him call out, "Dude! We have got to build a flying hangout. This is so cool!" And it doesn't even have a beach.
Seth gives Knick a look as if, once again, to point out that Seth is being the more mature one, here. Just look at how mature he is! He hasn't hexed Kon at all the whole time they've been here, all... thirty seconds or whatever it's been! Then, smirking, he says, "Well, at least it does seem like a cool place." Then he leans in to give Knick a hug and a kiss before he too heads outside.
Knick Alen returns the hugs and kisses, as he always does. He takes a breath and exhales in a short puff, smiling softly. This is one of the first times he has brought company on one of these surveys. Earth B not really counting as that became far more extensive than a simple survey. He elects not to mention that the Sanctuary flies and was a hangout before he merged it with Unity. Which, as he recalls, still flies, but also serves as a wing of the city they now live in. But sure, ok floating hangout. "That wouldn't be to hard Kon." He then floats into the air as easily as one might ascend some stairs and joins them both to explore a brave new world.
They exit the Hypership.
"Yeah," Kon calls back to Knick, "But Unity and Sanctuary have walls! I just mean a flying island like this." The difference seems significant to him, anyway. It's not even a question of technical sophistication. Kon has every confidence that Knick could not only do this, he could probably improve on it. That's just not the point! Flying islands are just plain cool. Everybody knows that. As he takes in the grounds, he points at the main building with a smirk and points out, "See, on our Earth? That building would totally be shaped like a giant 'X.'" He does wander over to examine a floating, interactive hologram, which seems to serve as a kind of mobile information kiosk. "Their tech definitely seems like it's at least at Metropolis levels, though," he points out, just based on his own casual observation.
Seth seems a bit distant, focusing on the magic he's sensing, as Knick requested. It's just as well, as this means he's not at risk of being drawn into excessive banter with Kon. The last thing Knick probably needs is to have to break up a "brotherly quarrel" between two Kryptonians while they're making first contact with this new Earth!
Knick Alen observes the area, his eyes occasionally shimmering with faint motes of different colored light as he shifts through varying spectrums of the electro-magnetic spectrum. "I can't say I am surprised to see an advanced level of technology present Kon. Consider on our own world we have Metropolis, Unity City, New Knossos, and Superbia." He considers a moment. "Though I believe that was recently renamed Golden City. You might like it, it has a similar aesthetic to this. But they seem to be very strict about visitors."
Knick activates his costume generator, appearing in one of his more recent Skyboy uniforms. "First impressions and all."