Trying out posting on QQ for the first time. A potentially short story with a General Zod SI in the DCEU specifically starting in Man of Steel. Writing this casually while waiting for the muse to come for my main stories on FF.
Don't bother picking on spelling and grammar I don't have the time or will to correct it. I also have no clue about government stuff so I'm making it all up.
Read at your own discretion, updates will be sporadic.
Chapter 1:
I watched with interest as my fellow Kryptonians gathered in the usual council room of our spaceship.
The Black Zero and World Engine ships while utilitarian provided ample living and working space.
The general's face was as stoic and impassive as always but I could tell by the minute clenching of his jaw muscle that he was stressed.
Something had changed in the General when we reached the edge of the star system. For almost a half cycle of our planetary target we have stayed hidden on the outskirts only sending the smaller drop-ship and probes to gather information on our target planet.
His behaviour had been different since he woke up that day screaming in pain shortly before we arrived in the system.
At first it was obvious due to his confusion and babbling though after Jax confirmed there was nothing wrong physically with him he quickly recovered.
Still in subtle ways others had surely noticed he was still different.
In some ways more quiet, curious and softer in his tone. He took an interest in all things we were doing…especially what Jax was doing.
In others he was more obsessed, strict and militant. He'd insisted on doing everything possible to not be noticed by the primitives, he shut down all requests to approach the planet and he increased the strict physical training regime even for Jax.
The biggest change I found was during our intimate moments. He was ravenous as if a young man again experiencing and discovering the pleasure of the flesh for the first time.
I didn't mind it.
It was a good, fresh change of pace after all we had been traveling for a long, long time and with only six men and three women we had all experienced and gotten to know each other very well, too well as the act itself had become nothing more than a physical release, regardless of the partner.
To once again feel the excitement, the pleasure and the thrill of being wanted was quite exhilarating.
I almost let myself smile as the General greeted us.
"Thank you all for coming. We have much to discuss about our future." He said neutrally looking slowly at us.
We stayed quiet.
"As you all know the third planet of this star system…this Earth…potentially has what we have been looking for. Everything we wanted could be soon within our grasp. All we need to do is go and get it. A simple task, yes?" he asked slowly.
"And yet you have forbidden us from approaching the planet, kept us here at the edge of the system, hidden. Why?" Tor asked, out of all of us he was getting the most stir crazy.
We all wanted to know the reason as the general hadn't shared his plans.
All information on the planet confirmed that they were primitives. Even if the Black Zero and the World Engine weren't warships they would be more than enough to take on the might of this 'Earth'.
Also who would name their planet dirt, what kind of name was that?
Dru did not respond right away. He let the silence sit for a moment, a tactic he often employed with great effect to give greater weight to his words.
"Tell me." He said slowly and deliberately. "What is Krypton?"
I had to control myself from sighing, it was going to be a philosophical conversation.
"Our home planet, obviously." Dev said annoyed. "Are we really going to talk about it? Shouldn't we focus on the attack plan for this 'Earth'?"
"Is Krypton really just a planet?" The general asked slowly and deliberately pre-emptively silencing the incoming disorder.
Once again he let the silence sit.
"It was our home. Where we lived with our friends and families, it was our future and our children's future." Nadira added.
"So it was more than just a planet?" He asked with a spark of excitement in his tone, though none dared answer as confusion and reluctance spread among us.
Where was he going with this?
"Yes. Krypton was our friends and families, our children and our people." The deep and unexpected voice of Nam resounded in the room.
Sometimes I forget the brute can talk considering how little he converses with the rest of us. Easily the strongest of us and loyal to the general to a fault he may be, I still have made it a point to keep an eye on him and to never underestimate him.
He has the same training as us and I have learned over the years there is a hidden cunning and intelligence behind his hulking mass.
"Yes, YES Nam! YES." Dru said now with real excitement. I can see the fire in his eyes.
"Krypton is not just a planet! If it were then we either could never rebuild it as it is gone or all we would need to do is form another planet in its image!"
He paused and settled back in the chair.
"So if Krypton is not just a planet but its people and we are the last Kryptonians alive what does that mean?" He asked. His gaze fell slowly upon each of us.
I could feel that the questions was more than rhetorical. He was doing something, trying to lead us to an answer…a conclusion.
Silence permeated for a moment as we all looked at each of us around the room daring each other to answer. All except Jax that is. The scientist merely looked bored as if he knew where this conversation was already going.
Considering the amount of time they spent together I can only conclude the general has confided in him instead of me.
I was jealous.
"It means that we are Krypton. As the last Kryptonians it is up to us to continue its legacy and rebuild our society." Nadira finally answered.
The general was pleased.
"Yes Nadira! Exactly!" He confirmed with a smile. "WE are Krypton now. The nine of us are the last Kryptonians and thus Krypton!"
He paused once more.
"Now ever since we were born what were we raised to do? What were we born to do? What has always been our primary mission in life?" He asked slowly once again.
This was an easy question for us. We were all warriors, soldiers, except for Jax-Ur, born and bred for one singular purpose only.
"To protect Krypton." Tor-An said swiftly and we all couldn't help but nod.
"And if WE are Krypton?" Dru asked almost immediately.
I could see now where he was going though I did not understand why.
"Then we must protect ourselves." Nadira said almost automatically though she was confused as well.
"YES! EXACTLY!" The general said with excitement and a bright smile.
It was uncharacteristic of him and it made us nervous.
"We are Krypton! Therefore we must protect ourselves. By protecting ourselves we ensure the continuation of Krypton. Krypton will never die as long as we are alive. And us being alive will allow us to revive our people! Do we all agree on that?"
"Yes..?" We all said somewhat unsurely.
"I'm sorry Dru." Dev-Em said. "I agree with you. We agree with you…but I don't understand where you are going with this?"
I saw the general relax back in his chair pleased, expecting this question.
"The reason we have come to this planet." He said calmly. "As you all know we have followed the signal of an ancient scout ship, a scout ship we suspect might have a working genesis chamber." He paused briefly and everyone nodded.
We all knew this.
"Why has the scout ship signal activated now? We suspect that it was activated by either the inhabitants, which if the scout ship would be in working conditions should not be possible since they are primitives and do not have our DNA, or it could be a broken and wayward protocol or it could be a fellow Kryptonian." He continued as a matter factly.
Once again we knew this possibility as well.
"Yes we know this." Tor-An replied. "Have you determined which of the causes it is?"
"Yes." He said confidently.
Now that piqued our curiosity.
"After analyzing the data Jax and I have determined that the scout ship was activated due to the presence of another Kryptonian and since there is only one other Kryptonian that we know who escaped…" He said slowly looking around the room.
I could tell from everyone's reactions we all felt a swell of emotion.
"Jor-El's son!" Dev-Em said what we were all thinking. "The Codex!"
"Correct!" The general affirmed.
"Then we are saved, with the Codex and the genesis chamber we can rebuild!" Gor said expressing the excitement and hope coursing through us all.
Of course it was tampered by the general.
"Not quite." He stated calmly taking back our attention.
"Why? What do you mean? You are hiding something from us! Why make us wait?" I couldn't help but ask with annoyance. I was tired of these word games.
"I am not hiding anything Faora. I am only telling you the conclusions I have reached after analyzing the data with Jax. Had I been certain earlier I would have told you. "
We all looked at him and waited for him to continue.
"We have looked back through my memories and determined that Jor-El embedded the codex into Kal-El's genetic structure. To extract it with our available technology we would at the very least need his cooperation and considering it will likely lead to his death I doubt he will give it."
"Then we force him to do it. He is only one, even with the scout ship he cannot possibly stand against us." Nadira remarked.
"He can and he will." Surprisingly it was Jax who spoke out.
"Jax is right." The General continued. " As of right now Kal-El is the most powerful being in this system. More powerful than our ships and anything we can throw at him."
His tone was steady and serious.
"How is that possible?" Nam asked.
The general looked at Jax.
"We have previously gone through the changes that will happen once we are exposed to the light frequency of this star system." We all nodded in agreement, it was partially why Dru had increased our physical training regime. "While we have arrived in this system recently and only briefly experimented with exposure Kal-El has been here for all of his life adapting to the starlight and the planet."
The gravity of it hit us all at once.
"The exposure has rendered him practically invulnerable, his strength immeasurable and with paranormal and psionic abilities that we may not even be aware of. He could theoretically, if he wished, rip apart this ship and the world engine with his bare hands." Jax continued.
"Would the exposure not enhance us the same way?" Nam asked.
"Yes in time it would, theoretically, though not quite to the same manner. Not only are we over thirty years behind, while we were traversing the dark oceans of space he was basking in the radiation, there is also the fact that we are all full fledge adults while he was a newborn. We are simply not quite as adaptable as he is."
"You could just say we are old." Nadira said with a sort of amusement.
"In a way yes." Jax said as a matter of fact. " Though exposure to this sun will allow us to live for centuries if not millennia."
Before we could continue on this topic path the general interrupted.
"That and he would have had time to master his body and his powers. You all remember how awkward your movements become with only brief exposure."
I saw everyone sigh at that. And I can't blame them, the training session was a mess.
"There are nine of us. We surely must be able to overpower him?" Tor asked.
"It is possible however" The general said, pausing slightly. "It would put us all at great risk." He sighed and we could feel the weight of his words.
"As stated in our initial discussion. WE are Krypton and WE must protect ourselves. I do not wish to put any of us at risk. We are few, we simply cannot risk it, not when we do not know if the genesis chamber is even operational."
"I thought it was. The scout ship signal-" Dev started but was interrupted by Jax.
"The data from the scout-ship indicates that several systems were activated which includes the emergency broadcast however there was nothing on the status of the genesis chamber."
That tampered the mood significantly in the room.
"There is also another issue." Dru continued. "Let's say we are able to overpower Kal-El and successfully extract the Codex and let's say the genesis chamber is fully functional we still only have one World Engine. If we were to try to recreate Krypton on Earth it would still take centuries if not millennia."
"That is only assuming nothing goes wrong with the engine." Jax said suddenly. "It is quite ancient and our current manufacturing capabilities are quite limited. And then there is also the fuel issue. Our trek took quite a lot and we will need to slow down and regenerate before we can even contemplate running the engine for any prolonged period of time."
"So what?" Dev asked with exasperation "It's hopeless? Are we supposed to just give up? Then I might as well have died with our home!"
We were all thinking and feeling the same. We simply could not give up now and I knew Dru would not be telling us if he didn't already have a plan formed.
"No, of course not." the General state calmly. "We may never truly be able to recreate Krypton the way it was but we can adapt. We formed the Sword of Rao not only to save our planet from its impending cataclysmic doom but also to change its soul and put it on the path to prosperity."
He paused briefly to look at all of us with an uncanny intensity and…hope?
"WE are Krypton and WE can create OUR Krypton! In OUR Vision! OUR values! " The intensity of his tone peaked "A Krypton raised and brought up under our care." He finished softly leaning back in this chair.
"And how will we do that? Without the genesis chamber we will not be able to reproduce and I will not be used as a broodmare." Nadira stated resolutely and I wholeheartedly agreed.
"No, of course not." Dru answered swiftly. "We are not savages. We have other options." He paused as he peaked all of our curiosity.
"The Earthlings."
"The Earthlings?" Dev said almost automatically. "The primitives, you want us to reproduce with them? How do you even know we are compatible?"
We were all curious.
"The reports show that we match approximately-" Jax started but was interrupted.
"We are." The General stated simply. "Jor-El would not have sent his only child to a planet where he was doomed to live a lonely existence. He sent Kal-El here specifically because of his advantages and because the Humans would be compatible to reproduce with Kryptonians." He paused briefly looking at us as if egging us on to respond.
Nadira took the bait.
"So you want us to make half-Kryptonians and raise them in our image? Bold plan considering there are only nine of us and only six males. It sounds to me more like you and the boys just want to fuck the natives." she said and we could all feel the slight venom in her voice.
The General snorted in amusement.
"I doubt there will be much fucking involved, at least in the first few years. You know how things can get in the heat of the moment, well with how our bodies are being enhanced by the starlight we will likely kill any partner we have outside of ourselves. At least until we are able to fully master our strength, so unless you all and I do mean ALL" he said looking at both the women and men "enjoy killing your partners or fucking dead-bodies then most of the reproduction will have to happen artificially."
We could all feel disgust at his words as images flashed through our minds of horrible accidents happening in our most vulnerable states.
Killing our enemies was one thing but screwing a dead body while the actual screwing led to said death was on another level of depravity. We were elite soldiers, Kryptonians, not savages.
"Our offspring." Tor started. "Will the half-Kryptonians have the same advantages as us under this star?"
"We are not sure." Jax responded. "It is likely they will be physically superior to the earthlings though I cannot say for sure how close they will come to any full Kryptonian offspring or adults such as ourselves."
"How can we be sure our offspring will listen to us and be loyal to our new Krypton and not the native Earthlings?" Dev asked.
Dru shrugged and relaxed back into his seat.
"Whether half Kryptonian or full and whether birthed using the genesis chamber or the natives we can never be sure they would be completely loyal to us. As Nadira said, we will raise them in our image. It will not be easy I am sure. None of us have parenting experience. As well it is in the nature of children to rebel against their parents and after all were we not rebels ourselves?" He said posing the question rhetorically. "It is simply a risk we have to take."
"We will of course first try to get Kal-El on our side and to get the codex and the genesis chamber. Using the natives will be our back-up plan. However I cannot stress enough that we must not come into direct conflict with him or even the Earthlings. Jax and I believe it is likely, due to his upbringing, that he will defend them with all of his might."
We all looked at him while digesting the information but also waiting for further elaboration.
"It's obvious from the data that he hasn't conquered Earth despite his overwhelming superiority. He is likely living a quiet life in cooperation with the Earthling ruling governments and I doubt those governments or Kal-El will like us imposing ourselves on them. I know I wouldn't if this was the situation on Krypton."
On that point we could all agree. Aliens, no matter how well meaning or desperate they were, were simply not welcomed on Krypton.
"Then what are we supposed to do? How are we supposed to make a home on Earth if we cannot take a piece of it for ourselves?" Dev asked, annoyed.
We all looked at the general waiting for an answer.
He held our collective gaze for a moment, his own features stone cold and unmoving, then the corner of his lips curled up in a mischievous smile.
"We are going to be invited in."
Chapter end Like ReplyReport Reactions:SirAlmond, Lichzim, SirCream and 651 others
Chapter 2:
"People of Earth. My name is Dru-Zod of Krypton. I am the leader of the last surviving Kryptonians. We come in peace, seeking refuge. Our planet has suffered a world ending cataclysmic event and we are the last survivors. We have crossed the vast ocean of stars following a signal from another Kryptonian ship, another survivor, to your planet. For reasons unknown he has chosen to keep his existence a secret from you. He will have made efforts to blend in. He will look like you but he is not one of you. To Kal-El I say please contact us. We are the last of our kind."
"The message seen and heard all around the world that has unequivocally answered humanity's greatest question 'Are we alone?' has caused abject chaos in every corner of the world. Massive protests both for and against the supposed upcoming first contact have been raging in Washington and every other capital city. The president along with world leaders are calling for calm…." The Daily Planet.
"The European Union has agreed to let the US government take the lead in first contact though critics say they had no choice as the aliens expressed their intentions in landing in the Nevada desert near the famed Area 51. France has imposed martial law after protests from its muslim communities…" Euronews.
"...Many religious leaders across the Arab and muslim worlds have declared the aliens as infidels which must not be allowed to set foot into God's garden (Earth). Saudi Arabian imams have been the most vocal in their opposition though there is a growing minority of leaders that say Islam does not exclude the existence of aliens and that it is our duty to show them the path of god…" Al Jazeera.
"The White House has confirmed the alien known as Kal-El is in custody and cooperating with government officials. They have also confirmed that there are no criminal or civil charges being brought against him at this time and that all rights that illegal aliens in the US have will be upheld along with all human rights…Officials claim he has been here for over…" Gotham Global News.
Scene Break
General Swanwick listened with cautious attention as the alien representatives 'The General' Dru-Zod, the second in command, Faora-Ul and the hulking quiet one, Nam-Ek, exchanged information with the Earth delegation led by US secretary of state John Kerry.
It was deemed that both the president and vice president were too important to risk just in case the aliens tried a decapitating strike but both were listening in from secure locations.
He was at the table because he was put in-charge of the security of the whole thing and of course due to his 'experience' in bringing the alien known as Kal-El into custody. Said alien was also at the table listening to the tales of his supposed long lost compatriots.
A decision the higher ups had made though one he hadn't fully agreed with yet he could understand the logic. The aliens had demanded Kal-El be present and there was nothing they could really do to stop Kal-El from attending.
"Just so we are perfectly clear…" the secretary of state started saying "To ensure there is no miscommunication between us I would like to recap and summarize the story you have just told us." He paused slightly before continuing.
"You formed an organization, let's call it a militia, attempted a coup, failed, was sentenced to the maximum possible amount for treason and on the day of the execution of your sentence the planet blew up which inadvertently led to your escape aboard the same ship you were being sentenced." He paused briefly. "Then for the next three decades you scavenged around the universe looking for survivors. Now you found us and you want to use this ancient ship that is in Kal-El's possession along with our help to rebuild Krypton not only the people but your planet as well?" He paused waiting for the alien to respond.
The General looked at him in silence for a moment. "A simplistic summary but yes in essence that is what we want."
"Then by your own admission you are a convicted traitor to your people?" the secretary pressed.
He saw the alien smile. "Only a traitor to my government, not my people. Can one really be a traitor when trying to save your people from certain doom?"
Swanwick saw the secretary made to respond but was beaten to it by Kal-El.
"That is not the story my father has told. He recounts how in your coup attempt you were going to eliminate half the population of Krypton."
Swanwick saw the general's face contort in displeasure behind the protective forcefield of his spacesuit.
"Kal-El' he started slowly. "I will caution you since this planet has not reached the same technological level as krypton, what you are speaking with is not your father. It is nothing but a highly advanced replication made to mimic him, an artificial intelligence, a memory, a ghost but not him." He paused slightly.
"And yes. We were going to eliminate all of the…'unworthy' bloodlines." He finished.
Swanwick could tell the rest of the government officials were shaken by the casual admission of what amounts to genocide.
"You were going to genocide half your people?" The secretary asked incredulously.
"I was going to do what was needed to save them." Zod replied coldly.
"Killing half is not saving them." The alien Kal-El replied hotly.
"Has there ever been a bloodless revolution?" The general replied. "Killing half to save the other half! More than a fair trade!"
"There is nothing fair about genocide." Kal-El replied.
"They are all DEAD NOW!" The general replied more passionately than anyone expected.
"Who are you to judge me Kal-El? Yes you are Kryptonian but you were not born and raised there, not like us. I could have saved half and I failed because of your father!" Swanwick saw the general spit out with venom.
"You say genocide is not fair then how is it fair to let over a billion of your people die? Tell me? How is that fair? There were almost one hundred million children on Krypton. How is it fair to let them all die?"
"Had your father helped me we could have saved half, maybe more, maybe less but we could have saved some of our people. Instead what did your father do? He sacrificed them ALL and deemed them ALL unworthy!" Swanwick saw the general pause and cast his eyes down at the table as if in contemplation.
The room was quiet while still absorbing the general's outburst. It was the second in command that broke the silence.
"Kal-El" she started firmly but steadily. "Has your father told you how we procreated on Krypton?"
Swanwick saw the alien nod. "The Genesis chamber. As you said."
"Correct." She affirmed. "But has he told you the process of how one goes about having a child?"
The alien shook his head quietly and reluctantly. "No."
"Krypton had implemented strict population control centuries ago." She continued. "All Kryptonians had a purpose for existing whether it was to be a warrior, artisan, philosopher , technician, engineer or otherwise." She paused as she looked around the room briefly.
Swanwick saw the general lean back in his chair and look back up at the woman.
"One could not simply have a child." She continued. "First a need would be identified then if you were from the correct bloodlines and the timing was right then your request would be granted…we were bred for a purpose, modified genetically then raised and educated to better fill our assigned role in our society. "
"You were the first natural birth in centuries." The General interjected. "At the time an aberration to us."
"You tried to kill me. I was a baby" Kal-El said firmly.
"We did. We did not understand what your father had done. Even though we had fought our 'upbringing' and were able to rebel to enact our…how did you say it coup…we were still thinking and working within the scope of the system that we knew, that raised us." The general paused briefly as he looked around the room.
"We've had thirty years to reflect and break from our 'programming'. It was a mistake I am willing to admit…even now we struggle against the patterns of thinking ingrained in us."
"However" The general continued " At the time we were acting to what we believed was right within the system that we lived in. Your father says I would have genocided half the population and he is right. " The general continued more firmly. "Some would have to be imprisoned and executed that is inevitable but most would simply be denied the opportunity to procreate and continue their bloodline."
The room got uncomfortably quiet. Swanwick didn't know if that was better or worse, it was bloodless sure but oddly cruel at the very least in a mental type of way.
"Perhaps a recess is in order before we continue." The secretary intervened.
Luckily all agreed.
Scene Break
"That's going to be a problem…if I understand correctly." The secretary said looking at Kal-El to continue.
The earth alien looked uncomfortable but answered anyway.
"My father has taken over the old scout ship and has locked everyone out except me. He refuses to budge and says the technology is too advanced to share with the wider world…and with you. He thinks you will use it to harm the earth." He finished uncomfortably.
Swanwick saw the general laugh in exasperation.
"Of course, Jor-El, even in death you choose to spite me." He said mirthfully.
Swanwick could understand Zod's annoyance.
There had been intense conversation on getting Kal-El to share the technology of the scout ship but so far they hadn't been able to access it even when the alien finally relented and took a team to the ship.
Part of him was relieved in a way as it was truly frightening to see what real 'AI' could do with advanced technology. The longer that was delayed in getting to the general public or the military the better.
"As for the land and the request for workers." The secretary continued firmly. "I'm afraid even if we were willing to let's say 'share' those with you we simply cannot do it. It is not how our system works. We cannot force people to work for you nor can we simply give away sovereign land and lastly while we are in a way representing 'The Earth' in this discussion we are not empowered to make any decisions for any of the other sovereign nations on our planet." The secretary paused briefly.
"I think there has been an overall misunderstanding of how our governments, society and economy works. We would gladly pause these talks and provide educational resources so that we can both come to an understanding."
Swanwick saw the general scowl. "We understand very well how your society works. You use a currency based system to match wants and needs with goods production and distribution. Primitive, yes, but we understand."
"While we don't have your currency we are willing to trade our technology in return for the land and workers, certainly that holds value to you. You have a lot of land that is not being used even in these States of America as you call it, certainly you can give up some. The island of Puerto Rico? It is but a mere territory instead of an actual state, is that not correct? Surely you can give that up. It would suit our needs quite nicely."
The secretary shook his head slightly and sighed. "Unfortunately that is not an option. The United States of America will not be selling or ceding any sovereign land under its governance. And I highly doubt any of the other nations will either." The Secretary stated firmly.
'More like the USA will sanction them into oblivion if they do.' Swanwick thought.
"However, we are not blind to your plight, General Zod. Our government is willing to offer you special status and recognition under our laws and help you and your crew settle in the United States or even any of our allied nations so long as you follow the laws of the land and cooperate into sharing your technology for the greater good of all humanity."
Zod and the second in command woman scowled at the same time. "Your laws and customs are not ours Mr. Secretary. We do not wish to lose ourselves and heritage in human culture, as you say we are a sovereign people and wish to remain so."
"The USA is a nation of immigrants. I can assure you the government will not force you to change your culture and neither will any of our allied nations of course so long as you follow the laws of the land. Plenty of people from all around the world have come to our great nation and thrived as Americans while keeping in touch with their roots."
"That's because those people had roots to go home to." Zod stated. "In our case we have no home to fall back on, we are the roots, it is we who need to flourish."
"I understand your view General, I really do, however if you wish to settle on this planet peacefully without causing a major incident and create a home for yourself and a future for your peopleI'm afraid that is by far the best option you will have. Please at the very least take it into consideration and let us present our case."
The alien delegation was silent for a moment.
"Very well, we would like to hear your proposal, however be warned I must also get the rest of my crew onboard before I can truly agree to a different deal than what we wanted."
The Secretary nodded and started his pitch. The negotiations and going over different scenarios went for another two hours.
Swanwick thought it was useless as the aliens kept going back to the sovereign idea presented in different ways and with different concessions.
Ultimately Zod promised he would present the offer to the rest of the Kryptoniants but ultimately Swanwick knew it wasn't going to work.
Scene Break
"They said no?" Lois asked Clark.
"Yea they said no." He nodded. "Said they didn't want to be beholden to any foreign government or any governing body that doesn't have them at the top. Said it's how they failed to save Krypton since they weren't in charge and they never want to repeat that mistake ever again."
"Hmm…not surprised, I guess." Lois said as she sipped her coffee.
They were back at her apartment in Metropolis, she'd covered the negotiations and then had to touch base back home for a few days as the Kryptonians took a few days to think over their options.
The friendship she had struck with Clark, Kal-El, 'The Superman' was now coming in hand in getting the inside scoop before anyone else.
"Worse than that they've shut down all communications with the government which is freaking everyone out." Clark continued.
"Well that's not good."
"They've even asked me to fly up there to knock on the dam door and see if they want to come back to the table."
"And?" She asked curiously.
"And, nothing. They politely turned me away. Said the same thing: they needed time to think over options…didn't even invite me in." He said half jokingly and half annoyed.
"Oh they are definitely plotting something." Lois stated.
"My father…well the AI says Zod will react with violence…says it's in his nature…he's bred to be a soldier…says it's all he knows how to do." Clark said reluctantly and unsure of himself.
It was still very weird for Lois to think about the nature of the Kryptonians or even of them as aliens since they looked so much, no, exactly like humans. How that was possible from an evolutionary standpoint was actually quite a hot topic of discussion among science circles and especially on the internet.
But they were not human, they were aliens. Aliens that were bred to be like dogs with certain traits within them and then to hammer it down they were also raised a certain way, how to think, how to act and how to view the world.
Confirmed by the aliens themselves and Clark's father's AI.
"And what do you think, Clark?"
She saw him scowl.
"I'm not sure. To think of them as only acting on their…instincts…to not be able to not behave…that way…is…I don't know…it's not right."
She could understand that.
She had already realized that Cark was fundamentally a good man, the type that would try to do good and take the right path when dealing with life, the type that would give people a second chance and to not even give them a first chance was something that was against his belief system.
And so far the aliens had been nothing but polite though cold and frustrated at times. Then again she doesn't know how she would act if Earth blew up and then spent thirty years in space searching for survivors and a lifeline.
"Well let's hope it all works out for the best…and if you get any new info make sure to give me the scoop first Smallville!" She said with a wink and playful smile.
Scene Break
Kwan's hand hovered over his pistol as he entered the dark apartment.
It was quiet, too quiet, usually his wife and youngest daughter would still be up milling about. They would have left at least one of the hallways light on.
He fought the urge to shout out his wife's name afraid of the answer or lack of.
He was tense and his hand felt sweaty on his gun as he stepped in the dark living room. His gut instinct told him something was wrong and he always trusted his instinct.
He just wasn't sure what it was.
He stopped momentarily as his hand was about to turn on the light switch of the corner cabinet lamp right by the entrance of the living room.
Even in the dark he could see a big shadow sitting in a tense calmness in the corner armchair.
If the regime was coming for him they would have simply laid out some false accusations and taken his family and relatives out to the camps in broad daylight as an example for everyone to see.
Assassins were always a possibility, he had some rivals sure though he doubted any of them would have the guts and pull to set something up without approval from higher up, which came back to the main issue that the regime would simply drag him out to make an example out of him instead of this cloak and dagger approach.
So he decided something else was afoot
His fingers pressed the switch and the dim light of the lamp illuminated the living room and its mysterious occupant.
"Welcome home General." The man said.
Kwan was stunned in silence.
He recognized the man in his living room, dressed in a dark armor like body suit . Anyone that had looked at the news in the past few weeks would recognize the face of the leader of the aliens that have made first contact with Earth.
"Apologies for the intrusion however you and I need to have a little chat away from prying eyes."
Kwan was about to respond when he realized it.
"You are speaking Korean?" Not only Korean but the diction and accent was northern as well.
"Should I not? Would you prefer another language? English? Spanish? Mandarin or perhaps Russian? I've tried to get accustomed to most of the large language groups on your planet."
Kwan just looked at the man for a moment, absorbing the situation in front of him.
"No." he finally said. "Korean will be fine." His Mandarin and Russian were decent, as required by his position and his English passable. "How did you…?" he left unsaid the obvious while looking at his apartment.
"Ah, through the window." He said as a matter of fact.
"Surely someone would have seen you?" Kwan couldn't help but ask. Even if his family wasn't under surveillance someone should have seen something and reported it.
"General, I have technology that is tens of thousands of years more advanced than what your governments can come up with. I assure you no one has seen anything and rest assured no one will see or hear anything we discuss today."
Kwan wasn't sure about that but it didn't matter in the end. Either the regime knew and they were waiting to see what happens or they would burst in at any moment and make a mess of things.
"And my family?"
"Soundly asleep, unharmed. Now please sit, we have much to discuss."
"Very well." He said and took a seat on the couch as far as possible from the alien. "Why are you here?"
Kwan was of course incredibly curious.
The alien flashed his impossibly white and perfect teeth in a cold smile.
"I am here for you, your people and your country General."
Kwan felt his gut send the strongest fluttering of butterflies he had ever felt.
Scene Break
The alien was insane.
"You are insane." He let Zod know. "Your plan is insane. It would never work. You are asking me to commit treason. To betray my people…Earth even!"
"Insane? Potentially yes." The alien general surprisingly answered. "As for treason, yes, only if we don't succeed. Betraying Earth…what have the other countries done for you exactly? You're a pariah on the world stage. And your people would certainly flourish better under a less 'eccentric' leadership."
"Hmmph, we didn't kneel to the Americans and now you want us to kneel for you?" Kwan said as he felt pride and anger flush his chest.
He saw the alien looking confused.
"Perhaps I misspoke. It would be you and your 'comrades' that would be in charge…well…technically it would be her but you and your fellows would hold all the real power."
"As puppets for you." He replied.
"Oh, I doubt we would be able to make puppets of such proud men like you and yours. We would certainly provide guidance, technology and solutions but we would have to be hands off for the whole thing to work. I doubt anyone would follow the foreign aliens if we outright took over. The rest of the world would interfere…besides there are only nine of us and we are soldiers not administrators."
He knew the alien made sense, the people wouldn't listen to them. The plan would only work if the 'regime' still stayed in charge.
"Besides, are you not just mere puppets now…to those higher up than you? Always spinning your wheels on the world stage not achieving anything?"
A fair point, Kwan thought. But then again he didn't really have a choice.
He looked at the alien in silence for a moment taking in his expression. There was no mockery, no insult, no contempt, just coldness and an intensity in the eyes signalling that he was dead serious about the absurd plan.
"Why me?" he couldn't help himself to ask.
The alien general smiled.
"Do you want the truth or the lie?"
Kwan blinked in surprised silence.
"The truth."
"Because you love your family, you love your country, you have shown remarkably good instincts in backing the young leader over his sibling and you generally come off as a pleasant and trustworthy individual if somewhat unambitious.' He paused briefly.
"You haven't stepped on too many toes though you haven't particularly impressed many either. All factors which have seen you rewarded with being the head of the military radio and communications coordination office. A vital role in case of war and catastrophe yet almost forgotten otherwise."
Kwan dry swallowed as the alien finished his assessment.
The alien was right.
He could have aimed for higher than a low ranking general after practically inheriting his role from his father and grandfather but he knew those who were too ambitious were always struck down, especially if they accidentally backed the wrong candidate.
"And now you are asking me to betray all of them, my friends, my countrymen?"
"On the contrary, General, I am asking you to bring as many as you can to our side. Surely they will listen to their friend Kwang, especially when yours will be the only voice they will hear."
The alien paused briefly and looked at him with burning intensity.
"One way or another General Cheo, I am going to get my hands on your country. You can choose to fight it and die or you can choose to join me and reap the rewards of ushering in a new era which will define not only you people but the whole earth."
Kwan paused in contemplation. He didn't even know why he was considering this. To keep the alien talking? To get more information out of him?
Technically, according to Zod's plan he didn't have to do much beforehand. He just needed to play ball once it was enacted.
The risk was minimal and he could always screw them over if his gut told him to bail.
"And how are you going to get the big meeting with my government? I doubt they would let your alien feet even touch a blade of grass on our soil?"
"Oh, you don't have to worry about that." The alien general said with a sly smile.
"We've already been in talks for weeks now."
Chapter End Lik