a very special second birthday ((tag Clark))

[slayers_desire]

It is Jonathan's second birthday. Unlike last year, where a group of friends were invited to the apartment, April has favored for a family event.

The decorations are simple, and tasteful around the apartment. Jonathan is sitting among a few opened presents, playing with the wrapping paper. (Ignoring the toys that were in the boxes for the time being).

April is watching Jonathan with a smile, tilting her head slightly for a moment. This is such a nice moment, with the three of them together.

Comments

[kalel_ofkrypton]

"Laris," Jonathan repeats with a frown. He's heard that word a lot today, though he doesn't know what it means. It took Daddy away from his birthday party and that must mean it's bad.

Out past the orbit of Mars, in the asteroid belt, the four heroes battle the tyrant sun. Superman shields J'onn from the heat attacks, and Solaris goes after them, the two most vulnerable. Its single eye can only point in one direction at a time.

[slayers_desire]

'The difficulty is that both Superman and Martian Manhunter are the most vulnerable to the fire beams from Solaris." April cuddles Jonathan in her arms. She can sense his concern for daddy.

[jla_npc]

"Should we alert Emil?" Dinah asks. The costumed heroes are all getting ready for what might happen if Solaris can't be stopped right away, but the support staff like Emil don't have patrols to prepare for.

[slayers_desire]

"That is a good idea." April nods in agreement. She would hate for anyone to be injured right now.

[kalel_ofkrypton]

Dinah turns her attention towards summoning the doctor to Watchtower, glad to have something to do other than just watching and waiting. It's the hardest part about pulling a shift in Watchtower, no matter who you are.

Green Lantern creates a cannon around Cyborg and shoots him at Solaris' back, like something out of the circus. Cyborg is startled by the change, but adapts quickly, opening a port in his hand as he flies and pressing it against the sun's surface. His hand burns with the contact, but he grits his teeth and keeps contact, extending himself outward to try and make sense of the alien computer.

Superman and Martian Manhunter stick close, presenting a more tempting target. J'onn takes a hit to the shoulder, before Superman swoops in front of him and takes the brunt. The red light isn't quite overpowering enough to overpower the yellow light of the true sun, but it still hurts without burning.

[slayers_desire]

"Cyborg has made contact..." April wishes she could help too. "Is there anyway he can connect to Superman's AI at the Fortress? He might need some Kryptonian knowledge to make sense of Solaris' programming."

[jla_npc]

"I don't have any access to it," Dinah says, wishing right now that she did. "Unless you could do it... are they out of range for you?"

[slayers_desire]

"No. They are not out of range. I better go there in person, to ensure the AI is okay with this."

"How about it Jonathan, want to go see the Fortress?"

[kalel_ofkrypton]

"Forress!" Jonathan agrees.

Dinah tosses her a communicator. "Stay safe."

Out in space, Superman does his best to keep Solaris's attention while Martian Manhunter heals. Cyborg, are you in yet?

I don't even know where to start!

[slayers_desire]

April takes the communicator, and notes the panic in Cyborg's face. She reaches out with her abilities, I am heading to the Fortress to get information from the AI.

The quickest way to the Fortress is via PINpoint in this time. Luckily, there is some winter clothing stored at Watchtower that April can grab for herself and Jonathan, before activating the portal.

[smallvillians]

The Fortress is dimly light, as always, and brightens when it detects her presence. The air warms slightly from the chill of the Arctic, bringing it up to a bearable temperature.

"April and Jon-El. Welcome."

[slayers_desire]

"Hello. I am afraid we are not here on a social visit. Kal-El and other members of the JLA are fighting Solaris. We have a member who is trying to connect with the computer program that is Solaris. He needs guidance."

[smallvillians]

The white lights pulse softly. "I cannot communicate directly with non-Kryptonians from such a distance."

[slayers_desire]

"Is it possible to give Kal-El guidance, for him to share? Or myself, so I can communicate on your behalf?"

[smallvillians]

"As you are present within this Fortress, communication will come easiest with you, should you desire it." The light dims for a moment, then glows softly white again. "It shall not harm you or your child."

[slayers_desire]

"Well at least we don't have to tell you about the pregnancy." April chuckles softly. She sets Jonathan down, knowing he is safe within the Fortress. She enters the glow from the lights, ready to receive the information she needs.

[smallvillians]

Jonathan looks up at her, but doesn't made a move to wander off. The floor underneath him begins to light up with different shapes and colors, and his attention is drawn to the light 'toys.'

Jor-El doesn't want to overwhelm her conscious mind with all the workings of Kryptonian technology, but he has to get them to Cyborg somehow. "Through you, I will transmit the fundamentals of Kryptonian programming. Relax your conscious mind. Do not try to think on the information you are receiving, or vital complex information may be lost."

[slayers_desire]

April nods in understanding. She relaxes her thoughts, her worries and her cocnerns. She establishes a strong connection between herself and Cyborg, so the information she receives can be related to him.

"I'm ready."

[kalel_ofkrypton]

A steady stream of Kryptonian text begins to cross through her consciousness, transmitted from the Fortress. It's similar to what Clark's thoughts sounded like when he could only speak Kryptonian, but behind them is the weight of understanding what they mean, the immense complexity behind the programming language. It won't make any sense to her, but to Cyborg, his computer components will be able to understand it.

In space, Solaris has realized by now that one of the heroes is touching his side, but every time he tries to turn and fire at Cyborg, Superman attacks with arctic breath, forcing his attention to stay on Superman and Martian Manhunter.

[slayers_desire]

It is difficult not to concentrate on all that knowledge, but April keeps concentrated on the task at hand, making sure that Cyborg gets the Kryptonian information he needs. It amazes her how much information there is...

[jla_npc]

What he's seeing begins to make sense as Cyborg gets the information from her, and he finds the right point to start targeting Solaris's systems. First disabling his ability to move, so he can't turn around and attack the one hacking into his systems.

Cyborg? Martian Manhunter asks as Solaris flares red with anger.

Getting there.

[slayers_desire]

April is glad the right information is getting to Cyborg. She continues to keep the psychic link between herself and the AI's knowledge in place, so that he can continue hacking into Solaris' systems.

[kalel_ofkrypton]

The stream of Kryptonian continues, but now there is more. Pictures and diagrams of Solaris' systems, its weak spots and key points that need to be disabled to make it safe.

Superman can feel some of it over the bond. April? What's going on?

[slayers_desire]

The AI is providing information to Cyborg. Diagrams of Solaris' systems. Weak spots. Ways to disable him

[kalel_ofkrypton]

Cyborg targets Solaris' weapons next, disabling its heat beam. Cease your feeble attacks, the tyrant sun demands.

Not gonna happen, Cyborg says, shutting down Solaris' sensors.

You're acting as a conduit? Superman says, impressed. It's working.