Mars Outer Atmosphere
Clark piloted the sleek Kryptonian spaceship with practiced ease, the vast expanse of space stretching out infinitely around him. The ship glided through the void with a silent grace, and within minutes, the reddish orb of Mars came into view, growing larger as the ship approached. The journey from Earth to Mars took just ten minutes, showcasing the ship's astounding speed—a true marvel of Kryptonian engineering.
As the ship hovered in the outer atmosphere of Mars, Clark gazed down at the barren, rust-colored landscape below. The sight was both desolate and awe-inspiring—a world that had once been vibrant and alive, now reduced to dust and rock. The thin, reddish haze of the atmosphere gave the planet an eerie beauty, the surface marked by deep canyons, vast plains, and towering mountains.
Clark had learned much about Mars from the SS system's DC Database during his preparations for this moment. He knew that the planet had once been ruled by the mighty Martian civilizations—both the Green and White Martians—who had warred with each other until they brought their own destruction. The great Martian cities had crumbled, and the life-sustaining atmosphere had all but vanished, leaving behind only traces of the great people who had once called this planet home. As for the few survivors, led by the Martian Manhunter, had abandoned their dying planet, seeking refuge on another world, which they colonized and renamed New Mars.
Today, however, Mars would begin its transformation. It was Clark's first step in bringing the planet back to life, laying the foundation for his grand plan of terraforming the world. The protocols developed in the SS system's simulations had been designed with precision—each task carefully calculated to restore the planet's atmosphere, release stored water reserves, and create bodies of water that would one day teem with life.
Homelander's voice broke the silence, its tone professional as it delivered the initial scan results.
[Clark, the advanced scanner has completed its initial sweep of the planet. I'm detecting no signs of current life forms or active ecosystems. The surface composition is primarily iron oxide, with significant deposits of silicon, magnesium, and traces of other elements. There are vast quantities of frozen water beneath the surface, particularly at the poles.]
As Homelander continued its report, Clark's mind was already processing the data. He compared it with the countless simulations he had run in his mind over the past months using the SS system. The simulations had been meticulously crafted, analyzing every variable, every possible outcome, to ensure that his plan for terraforming Mars would be foolproof.
This journey to Mars wasn't just about exploration—it was about confirmation. Clark needed to verify that the reality of Mars matched the simulations he had meticulously prepared. He needed to know how the conditions on the planet would affect his protocols and how long it would take to travel back and forth between Earth and Mars.
As he hovered above the planet, Clark felt a surge of energy from the yellow sun, which amplified his strength and senses. The sun's rays, combined with the data streaming in from Homelander, reassured him that everything was as he had anticipated. The vast reserves of water, the stable iron-rich surface, the empty expanses ready for transformation—everything was in place for him to proceed with his plans.
Satisfied with the data he was receiving, Clark felt a sense of confidence settled over him. The reality was as expected; the simulations had been accurate. The planet was ready for the next phase.
"Homelander," Clark said, his voice calm but filled with resolve, "everything checks out. We're ready to initiate the terraforming protocols."
[Understood, Clark,] Homelander replied.
[The current conditions are ideal for proceeding.]
Clark took a deep breath, feeling the gravity of the moment. Mars represented the next step in his journey, a new frontier where he could lay the foundation for humanity's future—and his own. The terraforming of Mars would be a monumental task, but it was one he was uniquely suited to undertake. It would provide a safe haven, a place where he could explore the limits of his abilities and prepare for the challenges that lay ahead.
The protocols he had designed were thorough, accounting for every detail: stabilizing the atmosphere, releasing the stored water reserves to create seas and rivers, and eventually, seeding the planet with life. With all confirmations now in hand, Clark was ready to proceed.
Clark guided the spaceship into a slow descent, bringing it closer to the planet's surface.
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The vast, rust-colored landscape of Mars stretched endlessly before Clark as he stood on the planet's surface for the first time. The horizon was a blend of deep reds and browns, with jagged mountains and sprawling plains extending as far as his enhanced vision could see. The thin Martian atmosphere gave the sky a muted, pinkish hue, casting an otherworldly glow over the barren land. This was a frontier awaiting transformation.
Clark inhaled slowly, feeling the difference in gravity as he adjusted to the lighter pull of the planet. Even though the atmosphere was not yet breathable, the suit he wore provided him with a steady supply of oxygen, allowing him to take in the full experience of being on another planet. The silence was profound, broken only by the faint hum of his suit's systems and the occasional crackle of communication from Homelander, who monitored the situation from the ship orbiting above.
[Clark, the atmospheric stabilizers are functioning within expected parameters,] Homelander's voice crackled through the communicator.
[The ice cap melting sequence is ready to initiate on your command.]
Clark glanced at the equipment he had set up around the landing site—advanced Kryptonian technology designed to begin the long process of transforming Mars into a habitable world. The atmospheric stabilizers would thicken the planet's thin air, while the energy beams would melt the ice caps, releasing water that had been frozen for eons, and forming the first lakes and rivers.
"Begin the sequence." Clark ordered, his voice steady as he looked out over the Martian landscape.
The stabilizers hummed to life, their energy pulses invisible but powerful, sending ripples through the thin atmosphere. At the same time, the energy beams directed at the distant ice caps began their work, slowly melting the ancient ice and releasing water that would soon carve new paths across the planet's surface.
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As the sun began to set on Mars, casting long shadows across the rugged terrain, Clark completed the final checks on the equipment. The stabilizers were working perfectly, and the first trickles of water were already visible in the distance, glistening under the fading light. It was a small start, but it was enough.
He took one last look at the scene in front of him before turning back to the ship. "That's enough for today," he said to Homelander. "I'll be back tomorrow to continue. For now, it's time to head home."
The spaceship, which had been hovering quietly in the background, descended smoothly to the ground. Clark stepped aboard, the doors sealing shut behind him with a soft hiss. The engines hummed as the ship lifted off, leaving the Martian surface behind and streaking back toward Earth.
In less than ten minutes, Clark was back in Earth's atmosphere, the familiar blues and greens of his home planet coming into view. He guided the ship toward Smallville, careful to remain undetected as he approached the Kent farm.
As he stepped out of the ship and into the cool evening air of Kansas, Clark felt a sense of satisfaction. The first day's work on Mars was done, and though the oncoming task was monumental, he knew it was achievable. He had taken the first steps, and he would continue to see it through.
Walking toward the farmhouse, Clark could see the warm light spilling from the windows, the silhouette of his parents moving about inside. The smell of dinner wafted through the air, a comforting reminder of the simpler life he balanced with his grander ambitions.
"Clark, you're just in time for dinner!" Martha called from the doorway as she saw him approaching.
Clark smiled, his earlier thoughts of Mars already giving way to the warmth of home. "I wouldn't miss it," he said, joining his parents at the table.
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It was the middle of 1997, and Clark had just returned from his most recent trip to Mars. For the past few weeks, he had been overseeing the Initial Setup and Atmosphere Stabilization protocols. The strategic melting of ice caps and the release of stored water reserves had successfully created the first lakes and rivers on the red planet. These operations, carefully cloaked by KA-01 to avoid detection from Earth, were proceeding smoothly under the watchful eye of Homelander, who ensured that no one on Earth could see or detect the changes happening on Mars.
With everything in place and the processes running steadily, Clark returned to Earth, confident that Mars was on the right track. Now, it was time to resume his daily life as an 11-year-old in Smallville.
Back at Smallville Elementary, Clark was back in his 5th-grade classroom, surrounded by his friends. Today's lesson was one of Clark's favorites: Life Sciences. Mrs. Thompson, the teacher, had turned the lesson into a fun, interactive activity by dividing the students into groups to solve puzzles and games related to ecosystems and food chains.
Clark was part of a group with his closest friends—Pete Ross, Lana Lang, Greg Arkin, Emily Dinsmore, and Abigail Fine. As they huddled around the table, trying to piece together a puzzle about how energy flows through an ecosystem, the room buzzed with the chatter and laughter of kids hard at work.
"So, if the lion eats the deer, and the deer eats the grass, where does the bug go?" Pete asked, his brow furrowed in concentration.
"The bug eats the grass too," Lana said, nudging Pete with a grin. "And the bird eats the bug!"
Clark, smiled as he guided his friends. "Exactly! And don't forget about the sun. The sun gives energy to the grass so it can grow, and then the grass feeds everything else."
Emily's eyes lit up as she placed a piece on the board. "Oh, I get it! The sun helps the grass, which helps the deer, which helps the lion—and the bug fits right here."
Greg hesitated with the last piece, still uncertain. "But what about the worm? Where does that go?"
Abigail, who had been quietly observing, spoke up with a thoughtful expression. "The worm helps make the soil healthy, so it's important for the grass. It should go under the grass, in the soil part."
Clark chuckled, his tone gentle and encouraging. "That's right, Abigail! The worm helps break down the soil, which is important for the grass to grow. So, it goes in the soil part of the puzzle, right here."
The group worked together, placing the final pieces with a sense of accomplishment. "Wow, Clark, you're really good at this!" Lana said, her voice filled with admiration.
Clark blushed slightly but shrugged off the praise with a smile. "We're all good at this. We make a great team!"
As they finished their puzzle, Clark couldn't help but think about the upcoming weekend. He was looking forward to his next adventure—a journey to hunt for rare treasures and materials that would be essential for his future plans. The thought of exploring hidden places and uncovering valuable resources filled him with excitement.
But for now, Clark was happy to be a regular kid, enjoying the time spent with his friends. The serious responsibilities of his other life could wait. Moments like these, filled with laughter and learning, were precious and helped him stay grounded.
"Let's show Mrs. Thompson our puzzle!" Clark said, his enthusiasm infectious as the group gathered up their work.
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