Superman Elseworlds: 'In the Name of...'

Chapter 11: Odyssey (part 6)

But the world isn't ready.

Because...they would crumble? [note: it's unclear exactly what the coded word Ishy used here is as there is some disagreement with regards to translation, but this seems to be the best fit]

I've been childish with Bhai, and that has to stop.

***

(Extracted and Transcribed from George's audio notes)

The tension I mentioned earlier? The awkwardness I caused? I make no apologies for it – I know I could have gone about it differently, but it had to be done. I had to know.

'What makes you two, and the Mufti, so different from so many other Muslims in the world?'

''So many'?' Ishy repeated, his eyebrows slightly raised, and a small frown creasing his forehead.

'Well, it's hard to put a figure to it, but the reports from various intelligence agencies would suggest that there are tens of thousands, maybe even millions, who think and act in ways contrary to how you three are. Look at how many times you intervened in Karachi-'

''Thousands and maybe even millions'.' he repeated, and then turned slightly to Kam. 'Kam?'

He shrugged, and I think if I had Ishy's hearing I would have heard Kam's heart racing. Even with the low lighting from the small fire I could see the flashes of anger in his eyes. I'm not going to call it hate, but I think him feeling betrayed would make sense, and maybe even be a kind of...vindication for his general distrust of me since first meeting me in Karachi. I didn't mean it to be like this, but as I asked the questions I saw and realised how either of them, or both of them, would or could see it as an ambush on my part.

...yeah, I can see how I probably riled them up.

'Maybe there's a psychology to it?' Ishy put forward, when Kam didn't say anything. 'Certain aspects appeal to certain people. Certain desires become fulfilled under certain conditions. That those are areas people choose to focus on rather than the overall package.'

'You're playing with words now.'

'I'm just saying that maybe it's not so much that they understand it differently but that they are the kind of people that pick and choose that which suits them. They already have a certain mindset and are drawn to whatever it is that agrees with that mindset. I read online, for example, that there are those whose core belief is that because they profess that Jesus (as) is their Lord and Saviour then, no matter what heinous act they do, they are safe because he has taken on the burden of their sin. That sort of expiation and freedom appeals to certain kinds of people.'

'Well, they're wrong to think that.'

'Wouldn't they argue that you were wrong for believing them to be wrong?'

'What about with you guys, though?'

'Maybe you should narrow things down for now?'

'Okay, let's start with the misogyny,' I said, edging forward a little. On the other side of the flames, Kam groaned and slumped back onto his sleeping bag.

'Misogyny,' Ishy repeated. 'That's still a big area, George Bhai.'

'Look, in that other village you said something about daughters being a gate to heaven for their fathers.'

'Because they are.'

'Then why have there been so many people who have been abusive to their daughters? Or abusive to-'

'One bit at a time. Let's start small and build up from there.'

Ishy really irritates me now and then, and I know it gets to Kam, too. The guy's just too patient – it's...not human at times. I'm not being derogatory because of him being an alien, I'm just...argh...