Memory A Tale of the Legion of Super-Heroes by Todd

NOTES: Back in April of 1994, I produced a volume of fiction and artwork titled Untold Stories: 2993 as a follow up to the earlier volume from Jennifer and Heath Morrison simply called Untold Stories. The following tale first appeared as part of that volume. It is set in the year 2993, which was the "year without a Legion" from the timeline established in Tom and Mary Bierbaum's Mayfair Legion Sourcebook. Some dialogue by Paul Levitz from Legion of Super-Heroes Vol. 2 #287 and #289 and by Tom McCraw from Legion of Super-Heroes Vol. 4 #52. SUMMARY: It's the ten year anniversary of the Asteriod rescue, and Ayla is using Titanese technology to visualize her memories of the betrayal of her lover and her sister-in-law. But memories aren't always what really happened.

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The Titanese Holo-Memory Machine hummed quietly. Imra glanced down at the controls. They were set at Winathian level, so as not to overwhelm the mind of its user. Ayla had entered the chamber first thing in the morning, almost eight hours earlier. Imra had received the machine as a gift from a dear friend. The Holo-Memory Machine assists people in recalling incidents from their past by projecting them holographically. For an untrained mind, it can be as though you are reliving those events and memories. Some people even find themselves preferring to remain inside their memories rather than experience the pains of life once more. Imra glanced at the time display again, and then she made up her mind.

* * *

"What," exclaimed Garth as he barged past Blok to reach the controls of the mission monitor board. "Chameleon Boy went where?! If that idiot thinks I'm going to let him commit suicide on the Khund world and take two other Legionnaires with him, he's got to be going nuts! Hmm...Valor and Ultra Boy ought to be able to bring him back intact if anyone can." Lightning Lad pressed the buttons to select the two Legionnaires for the mission.

"That's a good idea, love," commented Saturn Girl, supporting her husband's role as leader of the Legion.

"Unfortunately there is a slight problem with your solution, Lightning Lad," informed Blok. "In your absence, Element Lad acted as Deputy Leader and dispatched them to Orando. Apparently Karate Kid and Princess Projectra are in deathly peril as well."

"Oh no! That tears it! I can't risk their lives to save Chameleon Boy and his crew! We'll have to go! Come on, Legionnaires--"

"No go, fearless leaderman," countered Colossal Boy stopping Garth in his tracks. "I called into my mom's office when we landed to say hello and Madame President says the Legion better stay a safe distance from the Khunds!"

"What," questioned the Legion leader.

"Well, you know that as Earth President, Mom rates a seat on the United Planets Council, right? Turns out they're busy trying to negotiate a peace with the Khunds. No one thinks it'll work out but if we blow it and show up in force guess what the Khunds will do to the U.P. Ambassadors?"

The air crackled with ozone as Garth exploded in electricity. The blast was directed upward toward the ceiling. "ARRRGGHHH!"

"Yeow," exclaimed Gim as he just missed being singed.

"Garth!?!" questioned his wife as the electrical charge subsided. Rokk, Dirk, Thom and the others just stared at the spent Legionnaire.

"Element Lad," queried Garth.

"Yes...?"

"You're not Deputy Leader of the Legion anymore. You're Leader."

"Huh," quizzed Gim.

"I'm resigning as leader. Call me if you need me." Garth walked out and the door sealed behind him.

"What the--?" commented Colossal Boy while the others stood around in shock.

"I don't get it," exclaimed Star Boy.

"Imra, you're his wife--can you talk any sense into him," suggested Cosmic Boy.

"Unlikely...but I can try."

As Imra moved to follow her husband, Ayla reached over and grabbed her arm. "We can't abandon them!"

"There isn't much we can do, Light Lass."

"There has to be. You've got to get him to try--you've got to," begged Garth's sister. "Timber Wolf's with them!"

"Ayla, you don't understand. You're Garth's sister, I'm his wife--but even if I wasn't a telepath I'd be sure that nothing either of us could say or do would move him now. And without his leadership, the others won't defy the U.P. It's as simple as that."

"Look, Imra, I know we haven't been as close as some sisters- in-law...never mind real sisters...but I don't have anyone else to turn to. Garth's been so wrapped up in himself lately--and then we had the fight over Brin's laser-surgery. My big brother's not going to listen to me. I love Timber Wolf, I need him, and if he dies out there my life's over. It's as simple as that."

A tear rolled down Ayla's cheek as she stared deeply into Imra's eyes. Their eyes met for a split second...long enough to break all their barriers, at a moment like this. For years Saturn Girl has hidden behind defenses, keeping her telepathy from looking too deeply into the minds of her fellow Legionnaires. But no longer. She's measured the depths of another woman's love in an instant and it's greater than her own. Imra quickly turned away, her back now facing her sister-in-law.

"Imra--Don't turn away--not now--"

"You love him so much, Ayla." Tears poured down Saturn Girl's face as Light Lass placed a hand on her shoulder. "Forgive me, I saw your soul for a moment there and it made me feel so cold."

"Imra...I...I..."

"I'll get him back, Ayla. I'll do it...somehow." Imra turned and hugged her sister-in-law.

* * *

"Actually, Ayla, what I really said was 'You'll get him back, Ayla. We'll do it...somehow," corrected Imra. The image faded revealing the bare chamber for what it was. Ayla turned and glared at the intruder.

"What are you doing here?"

"I was concerned about you. You've been in here for most of the day."

"You didn't have to be. I can take care of myself."

"Maybe so in real life, but this is Titanese technology. It was built for us, not for unskilled minds like your own."

"Don't be so condescending, Imra, it's not attractive."

"I didn't mean it that way."

"Sure. Whatever. Now leave me be."

"I think you've been in here long enough. It's almost dinner time. Mekt will be joining us."

"You don't even remember what today is, do you?"

"No, should I?"

"Ten years ago was when I found you and Brin together on that asteroid."

"That!? I'd forgotten all about it."

"I haven't."

"Nothing happened, Ayla. How many times do we have to tell you that."

"Damn it all Imra, I saw it with my own eyes. I wish you would stop lying to me."

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Fine. I'll show you." The room shimmered as images came to life filling the room.

* * *

Dawnstar carried Light Lass in her arms through space. The polymeric space suit protected Ayla from the vacuum of space, but it provided little solace for the woman who was searching for her missing lover.

"Hold on," cautioned Dawnstar as she picked up speed.

"What!? Have you found them."

"There was a burst of light waves from an asteroid. I'm pretty sure that it's a signal. We'll know if was them once I get closer."

The two Legionnaires darted through space, picking up speed as they approached the light which suddenly shimmered and grew brighter as an explosion rocked the asteroid.

"No," exclaimed Ayla.

"It's them, Ayla. We'll be there in a minute."

"They could all be dead now!"

"Don't think about that."

As they entered the limited atmosphere, Dawnstar slowed their descent. She directed them toward where Timber Wolf's trail lead. The two Legionnaires could see Brin and Imra in each other's arms, as they approached though it was too far to hear what was being said. Brin pulled Imra closer to him their mouths only an inch apart.

"Timber Wolf!" shouted Ayla.

"Ayla!" exclaimed Brin as he pulled away from Imra.

"Light Lass! Dawnstar!" remarked Saturn Girl. Dawnstar touched down on the asteroid and Ayla stood on her own.

"B-But how," stammered Timber Wolf as he reached toward Dawnstar who embraced his hand.

"My tracking powers sufficed, Timber Wolf, once your beacon gave me a glimmer of a direction."

"But you're hurt," remarked Saturn Girl.

"There was a slight accident, Saturn Girl. But I think that isn't what's hurting Light Lass now," replied Dawnstar.

Brin stepped toward Light Lass, and said "Ayla--Lord, I'm so glad to see you again!"

"Are you? Are you really?" Tears poured down Ayla's cheeks.

* * *

The images faded as the sisters-in-law recollected their composure. The tension that filled the chamber was almost overwhelming. Imra could feel the hatred that was coming from Ayla, even without using her telepathy.

"Ayla, please, it wasn't how it looked."

"You can say whatever you want, but it won't change the facts."

"But these are just your memories of the events, Ayla. You weren't there to know what was said and done. We both saw that you were too far away to even make out what we were saying."

"The two of you kissed. You're married to my brother. I trusted you to help me, but you betrayed me."

"Yes, we kissed, but that's all that happened. It wasn't what it looked like or seemed to you."

"How can I believe you, Imra? You've lied before, you're lying now."

"Watch!" Once again the chamber filled with images.

* * *

Timber Wolf cradled Saturn Girl in his arms as he carried her away from the others.

"I-It's okay, Timber Wolf...I'll be fine."

"You sure, lady?"

"I'll never see Garth again--or Earth--or my family. Sure. I'm fine." Tears rolled down Imra's cheek as the cold condensed her breath.

"Blast that orange-skinned idiot for getting us into this fix!" Brin's eyes glowed red, as he lowered Imra so she could stand on her own.

"Easy, Timber Wolf. Maybe they will find us." Imra reached out and placed her hand on his shoulder.

"Yeah? How much ya wanna bet I never see Light Lass again?"

"No bet," answered Imra as she pulled Brin close to her. The two Legionnaires' eyes locked. "But if you do, tell her she's got my envy...and a very special guy." Imra pressed her lips against Brin's, their breath mingling.

"Thanks," said Brin as he pulled away. "I hope I do get to deliver the message."

"Timber Wolf!" shouted Ayla. * * * The images faded once again, leaving the two women alone in the chamber once more. Ayla's arms were crossed as she held herself in check. Imra tried to interpret her sister-in-law's body language as she knew better than to chance a telepathic scan at this venture.

Finally, Ayla broke the silence. "Is that really what happened? Is that what was said?"

"Yes, Ayla, Brin never stopped loving you."

"And you were just showing a rare moment of emotion when you kissed him? Cracking under the pressure?"

"Yes. You heard what I said before I kissed him. I told him that I envied you, Ayla, because of what you and Brin had."

"But you weren't in your transuits."

"They were destroyed in the crash."

Ayla looked at her rival, squarely in the eyes. Imra couldn't tell what was going on in Ayla's mind as there was no emotion to be found in her face or eyes. A tear welled up in Ayla's eye and trickled down her cheek as she bit her quivering lower lip. "Have I been wrong all this time? Oh Imra, can you ever forgive me for thinking such awful thoughts about you?"

Imra hugged her sister, comforting her. "Don't worry about it, sis. It's all in the past." Imra reached up and brushed a tear off Ayla's cheek. "It's almost time for dinner. Why don't you go and get yourself cleaned up. I don't think Garth or Mekt wants to see you all puffy eyed."

"Okay. I really am sorry though."

"I know. Now scoot." Ayla smiled, and left the chamber as Imra remained behind collecting her thoughts. Imra realized that Ayla was in too emotional a state to realize that the Holo-Memory Machine could only display what a person remembered, and how they remembered it. At the lower settings that the machine was at, a Titanese could easily manipulate the display. Once she was sure she was alone, the chamber filled with images of the past again.

* * *

"Oh Brin," said Imra as she finished dressing. "That was wonderful."

"Thanks. You weren't half bad yourself."

"Garth has never been so forceful with me."

"And Ayla could never link our minds like you did."

"True."

"What are we going to do now? You're married to him. and Ayla's in love with me even if we've been drifting apart lately. I know she cares, but she...I-I just don't know..."

"Oh, Brin! We're not going to make it, are we? I'm trying to be brave about all of this but..."

"...Hey, easy now! I thought you believed in seeing your family again. We have to believe someone's seen our signal flare. Till then, I'll take care of you." Brin's lips pressed against Imra's.

"Timber Wolf!" shouted Ayla.