Calvin Harris struggled with his chains. They were clearing made out of some non-terrestrial metal or they would have shattered easily. “Excuse me sir, I really wouldn't bother. If you try to escape he'll just hurt you again.”
“Escape? This a prison?”
“One of the more ancient and secure in 16 galaxies.” The man said calmly. As his eyes adjusted Calvin could make out a man in the cell across from him. The man looked like a middle-aged human with light blonde hair and very thin eyebrows. He spoke with simplicity and confidence.
“Who are you and what brought you to this?”
“I was a farmer. And then I became a thief. And now I'll die for it.”
“And what planet's government sends you to death just for stealing.”
“My jailer claims Kryptonian authority. This jail was run by Kryptonians so he has some kind of a point but, Krypton has NO death penalty for any crime.”
“You spent some time here before...I take it?”
“I was a smuggler for a cycle and sentenced here for 12.” Calvin looked away, dejected. “It is fair; I do not question the judgment. But I could wish they'd tell me for what new crime I've been arrested.” The man said in an even voice.
“You are here to pay for your original crime Nomatar.”
“I am NOT nameless.” The man said with surprising feeling. “My name is Narek.”
“Do you prefer I call you 008429?” The guard said indifferently.
“You can go ahead and execute me. But you cannot take my name from me.”
“I have already done that Nomatar.” The helmeted guard turned to his Kryptonian guest and casually explained 'Nomatar' means 'nameless'.
“Under what authority do you execute him?”
“Under my own authority you simple-minded-twit. I am the only surviving guard left to keep our oaths and continue enforcing justice.”
“Perhaps you will do me the courtesy of telling me wherefore I have been imprisoned... or at least where?”
“This was Fort Rozz. Designed to hold criminals from 16 of the 23 known inhabited galaxies. And now you Octavius will face true justice.” A thin man perhaps 26 Earth years of age was taken from the cell beside Narek's. His skin was sea green his hair matted and greasy. “Prisoner 008428, you've been found guilty of assault, theft, piracy and conspiracy to commit kidnapping. The sentence declared is death. To be carried out immediately.” No sooner had these words been spoken than Octavius was forced to his knees and beheaded.
“Octavius was his real name?” Kal-El asked of the man across the corridor from him.
“Yes. Why does that surprise you?”
“Why is he allowed to keep his name and you are not?”
Narek chuckled. “I was born on Star Haven. To them a name is a possession, a gift. Anton as I call the guard knows how demoralizing it is that even my name is taken from me. Laserites - that was Octavius people - don't particularly care.”
“So he does it as simply a final insult?”
“I suppose so.” The resignation on the man's face was heart-breaking.
“That's it, I'm getting you out of here.”
Kal-el burned the lock of his cell door with his heat vision, silently thanking whatever God existed that his jailer had not bothered to flood the cell with red sunlight. He pulled the door to Narek's cell off of its hinges. But was thrown backwards against the wall.
“You seriously have no respect for justice.” the guard growled darkly.
“I believe very strongly in Justice.” Kal-El retorted. “But that's not what this is.”
Narek ran to the wall and took a rifle from the weapons locker. He pointed it at Anton's temple. “You should reconsider your current course of action. I will shoot, if I have to.”
“So much for being a man of peace.” Anton taunted him.
“I am a man of peace. But farmers had to defend our fields from rampaging herds and ravagers alike, which means I know how to use a weapon. And right now I'm defending a FRIEND, which means I will use it without hesitation. I say again: Stand down.” The guard dropped his hands. Narek did lowered his gun but did not take his attention off of the guard.
“Why did you give me the name Anton?”
“It means 'Solider of Duty'. It seemed to fit.”
“That it does. And in keeping with the laws and traditions I was sworn to uphold, I surrender myself to justice.” He turned to Calvin. "If you were about to kill me, I would kneel and accept my fate. But you are not about to, are you?"
“You're right, I won't. However, I will find the most isolated cell in this prison you're so fond of and lock you into it for the rest of your mortal life."
“The fourth sub-level on the twilight side.” The guard replied easily.
Kal-el looked at Narek for an explanation
“It's for prisoners who would think about what they've done. The twilight side is called that -twilight because the lighting there simulates perpetual twilight. It lends itself to calm thinking and solitary reflection.”
“For criminals who would do their time without incident.” Calvin guessed.
“Yes, forgive me I did not even ask your name.”
“I suppose you would call me Kal-El.”
“...I see. Then you must forgive me but, may I ask what happens to me?”
That's when it finally occurred to him. The guard had not flooded his cell with red solar rays, because neither the guard nor Narek had had any reason to think he was anything other than human. This prison had once been run by Kryptonians. Which is why Anton had surrendered so willingly. To the straight-forward mind of the guard, Kryptonians were in charge of their own prison.
Calvin looked with soft eyes as Narek stood there, patiently waiting for him to go on. Waiting for an answer to his question. “Where is home for you? On Earth I mean.”
“Colorado State University, Colorado Springs.”
“Then hold onto me. That's your next stop.”
Narek wrapped his arms around Kal-El's torso. Four minutes later they were over the astronomy building of the university. Narek stumbled a bit as they touched down.
“I am quite grateful that I did not acquire the ability to fly on this planet.”
“I'm still getting used to it myself.”
“You're letting me go?”
“Yes. That's the general idea.” Kal-El said slowly.
“I don't understand. Why would you do this?”
“Well from MY understanding you've served your time. And even if not, I'd say your actions today earned you an early release.”
Narek took Kal-El's hands in his own. “Thank you Kal-El. I could never repay you for this.”
“Yes you can.” Kal-El said with a smile. “Lead a good life. Keep being kind.”
“I promise I will.”
“What do you teach here anyway?”
“Can you not guess?”
“I'd say linguistics but that doesn't seem to...stars. You teach humans about the stars.”
“The one thing I know better than anyone else on this planet. Beside most humans, aren't interested in learning alien languages.
“And Earth languages would sound...more strange to you than to other Earthlings.
Narek turned his head away and looked sideways at Kal-El. “Would it be presumptuous of me to say you have redeemed your family name today?”
“I do not understand your hesitation. Or the question itself for that matter. I was raised here on Earth. I don't know my Kryptonian culture any more than I know__a Laserites.”
Narek picked on a stick started digging into the grass. “This is the symbol for the House of El. Which I take by your surname to be your family. They are - humans would say they have their noses firmly in the air. None more so than one named Zor-El. He sentenced hundreds here without a thought.”
“Including you.”
“One wrong cannot be negated by committing another Kal-El. I meant it when I said I've accepted the justice of my sentence. But I stole a sum equal to almost a year's pay. There are those who got my sentence for stealing furniture from a farmhouse.” Kal El turned his head away, dejected. “As I said,” Narek continued hurriedly. “You are not your family. And you have done a great thing here. If I have anything to say about it, this will be what the house of El is remembered for.”
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