The Democratic Republic of Congo ...

[planetaryguide]

Much to his shame, Elijah didn't like returning to Africa that often. It made him think of Anaykah, the brilliant scientist from the Lost city of Opak-re – Jakita's mother – and that was a pang that he didn't like to face. It's been decades, and he was still in love with the woman. Worse, she was probably still alive out there, somewhere, wherever they hid the city after Jakita was born, after Anaykah and Lord Blackstock broke their only really big taboo. 

But this was hardly Opak-re. That was a dreamlike, sci-fi fantasy. This part of the Congo was impoverished by drought and war, ravaged by soldiers and terrorists and practically ignored by the world at large. It made him angry that he avoided this, too. the human misery here was a solvable problem, he believed, but governments and corporations are driven by self-interest, and places like this were only there to be exploited, as far as they were concerned. American, Russian and Chinese companies raced to strip the entire country of its resources and pay a pittance in return. 

But that was an issue for another day, one he intended to return to when he was  able. In the meantime was the mission ahead of him, and the unlikely company with which he'd found himself.  An emergency in Fawcett city had called Freeman away, leaving him with the Martian Manhunter and Jenny Quantum. The latter he'd been aware of for ages, of course, before he was even common knowledge. he'd looked in to death of one Dr. Erdel in the '50s, and became aware of the alien's presence on Earth. He even wrote about him for a Planetary Guide. But the Martian proved benign, so he didn't intervene. Still, having him here now made him nervous. He wasn't at all certain they'd land on the same side when push came to shove.

And then there was  Jenny ... He had ... ahem ...known Jenny Sparks, of course, so having this 17-year-old girl in front of him who was her reincarnated was a bit odd, but it was her power that really unnerved him. She had bent reality to create a door between Singapore and the Congo, allowing them to traverse the seconds in the space of a few heartbeats. Jenny Sparks had been one of the most powerful people on Earth. Jenny Quantum probably was the planet's most powerful person, and it was unclear what she would do with that power.  In a lot of ways, the world would reflect her life, and vice versa. He could see why that would make her valuable to someone like ...

He didn't know. He didn't really know who his enemy was, here. Anubis? Certainly, but there was a more mundane hand in all this. Luthor? No, Luthor was with Superman. Still, if he ever realized exactly what Jenny and the other kids represented ...

He shook it off. Jenny didn't know exactly where to bring them, so she got us to a municipality in the area where they were mostly seen, and  the trio rented a jeep, seeing as "I'm an old geezer who can't fly." They had an idea where we were going -- a township out in the savannah, but only rumors telling them what to expect ... fantastic technological marvels, on the verge of propelling the impoverished township out of poverty and into the future. That was something Elijah would like to see. 

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[mars_my_destination]

If J'onn was surprised by the sudden Martian, he was quick to recover from it.

The accusation was not entirely without fact. Even with heroes such as Vixen, Impala, the original Batwing, or Freedom Beast to protect it, there were far fewer super-beings protecting Africa than North America or Europe. And many of those that did eventually became embroiled in American affairs. Even though he protected more of the Southern Hemisphere than most, there were not nearly enough hours within the day.

"I cannot dispute what you say," he said. "Your people need you. But so does the world. If not stopped now, the threats we face may well come knocking at your door."

[planetaryguide]

Elijah crooks his neck at the language they've lapsed into, glancing at Jenny, who merely shrugs. But he's got the general gist.

"Ms. Achebe," he says in English. "I understand that this might be difficult to believe, but your gifts ... they're meant to protect the entire planet. My name is Elijah Snow, and I represent the Planetary Foundation ..."

That seems to get her attention.

"You are the Ghost of the 20th Century," she says, flatly. "Yes, I have heard of you. My grandfather spoke of you, many years ago."

It's not often he's caught off guard, but Elijah is startled by that revelation.

"How can that be?" he asks, and his heart is pounding just a bit faster as his mind races. "I've been to Congo," he says, but I've never been here."

The thinnest bit of a smile pulls at Vaada's lips.

"Our grandfather was not from here," she says. "Not originally. But he remembered your talks, which he admired, and Lord Lord Blackstock, whom he disliked."

Elijah gasps.

"Opak-re," he says, after a moment. "You're descended from the people of Opak-re."

A fierce intelligence glimmers in her eye, and she smiles, but says nothing.

[mars_my_destination]

J'onn didn't recognize the name of the place, but that Elijah deduced it so quickly was interesting.

So many secret cities in Africa. From Gorilla City and beyond.

"For those of us unfamiliar with the city you are describing...?"

[planetaryguide]

"Opak-Re was a fantastically advanced African city hidden in the jungle. This was before deforestation and industrial sprawl. It was easier to hide things that big back then. Anyway, I visited there in the '30s."

He pauses for a second, as if remembering something.

"Fell in love with someone a little. But I was warned not to breed, that there would be consequences. I obeyed the rules, but another white man, Lord Blackstock, didn't."

He smiles at J'onn.

"She was bored, you see. And I'd been gone a long time. Anyway, Blackstock was a 'Century Baby,' like me. A jungle adventurer, strong and fast. I arrived in time to rescue the child, but the city disappeared. I have no idea where."

Vaada nods.

"Nor do we," she says. "My grandfather left before the vanishing, but he knew Anaykah was bearing a child. He knew the city would be ... moved. The secret of its new location died with him years ago."

Elijah hangs his head.

"Anaykah." he says, her name unfamiliar on his tongue after all these years.

[mars_my_destination]

J'onn nodded thoughtfully. The individual details were different, but the story held elements he had heard time and time again. Not surprising, perhaps, with Century Babies.

"I see," he said.