The Last Days Of Krypton Part 18

Nam-Ek was stony-faced. He shook his head vigorously.

Jor-El stepped up to the mute. "I have important work here, and so does Lara. We can't just leave."

In response, the other man replayed Zod's message, then made an imperious gesture to the vehicle. Jor-El felt angry, but also uneasy about the lengths to which the Commissioner's bodyguard would go.

"You're not going to take no for an answer, are you?" Lara demanded of Nam-Ek.

The mute shook his head. His expression was implacable.

Though not pleased, Jor-El did not argue as they both climbed aboard the vehicle. Zod would have his way, and Jor-El was beginning to resent it more and more.

The flying raft hummed as it shot across the distance, heading toward unpopulated and spa.r.s.ely explored regions of the continent. Nam-Ek stood by himself at the controls, only occasionally turning around to look at his pa.s.sengers.

In spite of her surprise, Lara was grudgingly fascinated by the prospect of visiting such a famed historical site. "Xan City...why would the Commissioner go to an abandoned ruin like that in the first place? He never seemed much interested in history." Then she nodded. "I'll bet Aethyr had something to do with it."

When they finally reached their destination by late afternoon, Jor-El saw a small cl.u.s.ter of temporary shelters that had been erected in the crumbling old city. Aethyr directed them to the Commissioner's makeshift office. Inside, Zod stood surrounded by numerous wafer-thin windows that projected images of the city ruins, overlaid with drawings of a fantastic new city to rise from the ashes of the old. "Thank you both for coming so promptly."

Jor-El glanced at Nam-Ek, who stood with muscular arms crossed over his chest. "Your man seemed to think it was an order."

"Yes, he can be quite implacable. Nevertheless, I a.s.sure you this is crucial." Zod raised a hand, leading them out of his temporary office structure. "Come with me and see how I intend to keep Krypton safe."

Even Aethyr looked as if she would burst with antic.i.p.ation. "Xan City is full of treasures left by Jax-Ur." She hung close beside Lara. "This will solve a mystery that's centuries old!"

Zod escorted them down a steep set of metal stairs to a labyrinth of underground chambers and then to a bustling central room. The chamber's walls were lined with copper-alloy sheets. Antique but sophisticated-looking control decks glowed with diagnostic crystals. High-resolution plates displayed detailed maps of the entire surface of Krypton.

Seven newly recruited technicians from the Kandor camp now sat at the panels, touching crystals, studying readings, and conferring among themselves. By the hunch of their shoulders and the set of their necks and arms, Jor-El could tell the technicians were tense in the Commissioner's presence. They had placed their faith in Zod, sworn their loyalty, and followed his orders.

"What is all this, Commissioner?" Lara asked, still gazing around.

"Weapons of such magnitude that they will keep us safe from all enemies."

Jor-El felt a lump in his throat. "What sort of weapons? Where did you get them?"

As if sharing a secret, Aethyr looked directly at Lara, who suddenly went pale with realization. "You found them? After all these centuries?"

Jor-El glanced quickly at his wife, and then he knew. knew. "You found some of Jax-Ur's nova javelins?" "You found some of Jax-Ur's nova javelins?"

Zod met his eyes, calm and confident with just a flash of defiance. "All of them. All fifteen."

Jor-El remembered how naive he had been during his first dinner conversation with Lara, when they'd talked about the terrible mark the warlord had left on Krypton. "Why would you need such power, Commissioner?"

"To repel an outside invasion, of course." Taking Jor-El by the arm, he marched to the other side of the control room, where he activated a palm crystal. An opaque shield in the copper walls slid aside to reveal one of the sleek nova javelins, so close that Jor-El felt he could reach out and touch it. "Intriguing, is it not?" Zod said near to Jor-El's ear. "You know you've always had questions about them."

Despite his uncertainty and Lara's obvious unease, Jor-El was captivated by the weapon's smooth lines, the tall golden stalk that still gleamed bright even after being buried for centuries. The fins at its base were like bent legs, sharpened to points; balanced atop a slender shaft was an elongated gold ellipsoid filled with destruction.

Jor-El was greatly uneasy to be involved with such destructive power. "And you need me to see if these ancient weapons can be repaired?"

"No, no-I believe they will function perfectly well. No-Ton and our technicians have been cleaning, tuning, and performing basic tests. Jax-Ur created weapons of enduring destructive power. You have to admire him."

Jor-El stared through the observation plate at the doomsday weapon. "Then what do you need from me, Commissioner? Why bring us all the way here to these ruins?"

"These ruins are our new home." Zod smiled. "I just wanted you to know that Krypton no longer needs to rely solely upon you. I hope this eases your burden. Aren't you relieved? Here Krypton's true government can have access to all the power we may require under any circ.u.mstance."

CHAPTER 45.

Commissioner Zod's announcement that he would reestablish his capital at the site of Xan City was greeted with general favor. Groups of volunteers and refugees packed up and joined crowded convoys heading south, abandoning the temporary camp at the crater. Despite a few stubborn holdouts, most people were convinced they needed a fresh start, far from the scar of Kandor. would reestablish his capital at the site of Xan City was greeted with general favor. Groups of volunteers and refugees packed up and joined crowded convoys heading south, abandoning the temporary camp at the crater. Despite a few stubborn holdouts, most people were convinced they needed a fresh start, far from the scar of Kandor.

Before any major work crews arrived, though, Zod had Nam-Ek remove the monolithic old statue of the fallen warlord. He refused to rule in the shadow of a failed tyrant. He also ordered the statues of Jax-Ur's kneeling rivals to be taken away, though he whimsically decided to keep one of them in his new office.

Once all the heavy equipment arrived at Xan City, the cleanup and construction crews began their ma.s.sive new project. With appropriate encouragement, they applauded the triumphant, breathtaking vision of a soaring metropolis, a replacement for Kandor. The sixteen members of Zod's Ring of Strength issued a great deal of propaganda and promises. The Commissioner displayed fantastic blueprints for his grand new city rising from the ashes of the old.

After clearing away the fallen columns and walls in damaged sections of the city, the new workers would rebuild what could be salvaged and create everything else from scratch. The Commissioner gave Jor-El and Lara their own quarters in one of the first reconstructed dwellings so that they could remain here to help; the scientist and his wife had no choice but to leave their distant estate behind and live here, at least temporarily, until the work of the new capital city was done. For his main administrative building, Zod ordered the reconstruction of a government palace in what had been Jax-Ur's central citadel.

Meanwhile, from far away in his fine house in Borga City, Shor-Em issued a shrill condemnation of Zod's seizure of power, outraged that one man-a "mere Commissioner"-should think that he alone could rule the people. Once again, he proposed Borga City as a much better alternative for the "interim" capital. Other prominent outspoken citizens joining his protest included Tyr-Us, son of old Jul-Us, from the metal city of Corril in the ore-rich mountains, and Gil-Ex from Orvai in the lake district. But they were far too late.

By now, it had been nearly two months since the Kandor disaster. Tyr-Us, Gil-Ex, and Shor-Em had taken two months two months to raise their objections to what he had been doing (and they offered no concrete alternative). Zod simply couldn't abide that. to raise their objections to what he had been doing (and they offered no concrete alternative). Zod simply couldn't abide that.

No one could have imagined, much less implemented, a faster return to normalcy. Instead of the endless talk and governmental lethargy to which most Kryptonians were accustomed, his his people saw tangible progress every day. people saw tangible progress every day. His His people had a new capital and an obviously visionary leader. people had a new capital and an obviously visionary leader.

Meanwhile, pontificating from Corril, Tyr-Us (whose name must have been inspired by his constant tirades, Zod thought) called again and again for the Commissioner's immediate resignation, demanding that he return power to the "rightful heirs of Krypton." By that, presumably, Tyr-Us meant himself and other old-guard n.o.bles, none of whom had done a thing to help.

The construction at Xan City continued unabated.

One day when a team of three young volunteers broke open a new set of deep and unexplored catacombs, they blundered into a huge nest of the topaz-sh.e.l.led beetles. Within moments the three had been eaten alive, their screams broadcast by their short-range communications devices. By the time a rescue crew arrived, nothing remained but gnawed bones. The beetles attacked the rescuers as well, but the crew beat them back.

Afterward, Zod a.s.signed a handpicked team led by Nam-Ek (who delighted in the task) to comb through the ruins and eradicate the infestation. Hundreds of thousands of the scuttling insects were wiped out, and the rebuilding began again. Zod announced his sorrow over the three volunteers who had been killed in the "regrettable construction accident."

But the task was large, even overwhelming, and Zod knew that some of his less-dedicated followers might want to slink back to their comfortable cities. Before the people could even consider giving up in the face of the daunting task ahead, he realized he had to give them a compelling reason to stay here.

Zod summoned all of his workers to the old Execution Square. The bright red sun presaged a sweltering day, but in the coolness of a fresh dawn the possibilities seemed boundless. Zod touched a voice-amplifier patch at his throat. "When faced with the greatest crisis in our planet's history, you came to me because you know that I am the future. I promised to protect Krypton against all enemies. I will show you why we need Xan City and why you can depend on me and no other to defend us."

He stepped onto the weathered block that had been the base of the ancient Jax-Ur statue. His words resounded like the booming p.r.o.nouncement of a G.o.d, and he tried to make eye contact with as many people as possible. "I have the power to keep Krypton safe." have the power to keep Krypton safe."

At his command, Sapphire Guards pushed the crowds back from the circular designs barely visible on the flagstones. With a hum and a shudder, the paved surface cracked along precise lines, and the people stepped away in trepidation. With ominous slowness, the half-circle silo covers sc.r.a.ped aside to reveal the ancient weapon pits.

Zod drew in a rich, deep breath, as if inhaling the awe of the spectators. Lights glowed from within the pits, illuminating the polished metal skins of the tapered missiles. Like the golden arrows of an angry deity, the fifteen nova javelins slowly climbed to the surface, simultaneously threatening and awe-inspiring. Three of the eighteen platforms were empty; these had held the weapons that had destroyed Koron.

Zod did not say anything for a long moment. He didn't have to. Everyone here knew that no other leader could promise as much. He would dispatch more fanatical supporters to all cities with the proof. "Let Shor-Em and his cronies complain. I am a man of action. And I vow to use these nova javelins in order to defend my vision-our vision," he quickly corrected, "of Krypton." vision," he quickly corrected, "of Krypton."

The fifteen weapons gleamed in the ruddy sunshine, their narrow ellipsoidal warheads pointing toward the sky, waiting for a target.

CHAPTER 46.

The city grew with remarkable speed. With so many political bridges to be built, the ambitious younger n.o.bles of the Ring of Strength had gone to speak forcefully to other citizens across the continent, touting Zod's cause, emphasizing his mighty stockpile of nova javelins that could protect Krypton. speed. With so many political bridges to be built, the ambitious younger n.o.bles of the Ring of Strength had gone to speak forcefully to other citizens across the continent, touting Zod's cause, emphasizing his mighty stockpile of nova javelins that could protect Krypton.

Inside the half-completed government palace, amid the clamor of carpenters and stonemasons, Zod summoned Jor-El and Lara. Some of the carved pillars along the interior walls were ancient and weathered; the new ones, careful imitations of the same design, looked out of place. Patches of stone resin sealed parts of the wall that had fallen down, covering up the long-faded frescoes that depicted Jax-Ur's triumphs.

The main roof had partially collapsed, and colorful fabric awnings covered the roof opening, peaked like a nomad's tent so the infrequent rains would run off. Gazing upward, Jor-El wondered if this was a conscious symbolism to remind visitors of how far they had already come from the temporary camp at the Kandor crater.

In the middle of the office, Zod had installed what looked like a weathered, lumpy boulder. Upon closer inspection, Jor-El could barely make out that it was the figure of a bowing man...bending his knee to someone? He wondered why the Commissioner had brought it here.

The Commissioner began by offering Jor-El provocative words. "I've decided that it is time your father received the grat.i.tude and respect he always deserved. Do something for him, for me, and for all of Krypton. Show everyone what a true genius Yar-El was."

Jor-El had not expected this. "My father was a great man, but when he succ.u.mbed to the Forgetting Disease, many people called him mad. They turned their backs on him."

"And what I am offering will change all that," Zod said.

Lara was more cautious about the seemingly innocent offer. "My husband and I can't agree without knowing what you're asking."

Zod continued in a magnanimous voice. "Yar-El changed Kryptonian architecture forever. With his fantastic crystal-growth process, he created hexagonal columns of utmost purity and material strength. He built some of the most beloved landmarks of old Kandor. Now I want you to use your father's techniques to grow our new city's skyline as rapidly as possible." He looked wistfully down at his blueprints. "Once this city is finished and rivals even lost Kandor, Shor-Em and those other annoying voices will be silenced. We need to show them. Show them all."

Jor-El went to the broad window in the Commissioner's office and looked out at the well-preserved ruins, the partially rebuilt towers all around the square. He tried to envision how his father's architecture would fit in, immense spikes of transparent crystal, green and white and amber. "It would have to be done properly and with great care."

Zod clasped his hands together. "I knew you would share my vision. It will be good for the heart and soul of Krypton. This city can never be the same as Kandor, but it can serve as a new Kandor."

Jor-El began to run the specifics through his mind, performing calculations and estimates. "It is a long, slow process to grow crystals with proper stability, to anchor their structures and guide each facet along perfect intersection points. In the near term, it may be faster for you to erect traditional buildings using standard methods, while I continue this project in parallel. Eventually, this city will be as awe-inspiring as you intend."

"No, no! It must be swift and impressive. During my days at the Commission, I read your father's original archived records. He set forth an alternative technique, an accelerated growth process that uses several potent catalysts. Drawing upon the power of Rao, gigantic towers and immense spires can be grown within days. Is that not true?"

Jor-El shook his head. "That was a much inferior process, Commissioner, and my father discarded it. What it gained in speed, it lost in stability. Don't you want your capital to stand for centuries, even millennia? Longer even than the original Xan City? Such things can't be rushed. If we use the flawed catalyst technique, the buildings may last for no more than a generation or two."

Zod's brow furrowed. "Jor-El, if Krypton Krypton survives the next generation or two, then we will have all the time in the world. Once we get past this crisis, I promise to give you the full freedom to make any improvements you wish." He joined Jor-El and Lara at the window, gazing out at the bustle of construction. "Appearances are just as important as reality. No Kryptonian can doubt what Zod has done for them. I need to present my city as a new capital, a fait accompli-and soon." survives the next generation or two, then we will have all the time in the world. Once we get past this crisis, I promise to give you the full freedom to make any improvements you wish." He joined Jor-El and Lara at the window, gazing out at the bustle of construction. "Appearances are just as important as reality. No Kryptonian can doubt what Zod has done for them. I need to present my city as a new capital, a fait accompli-and soon."

Jor-El quickly looked at him. "Your city?"

"Krypton's city. Sometimes I grow a bit too pa.s.sionate." He offered them an intense, unsettling smile. "Grow me these crystal buildings to quiet any naysayers, and in return I will name the tallest, most ornate spire after Yar-El."

"My father would not have wanted any accolades," Jor-El said. "Nor did he need them, especially not with buildings that are sure to be flawed."

Zod's expression darkened. "I insist."

Jor-El looked at Lara, who understood his need, and she nodded reluctantly. He said, "I will do this task in memory of my father, so long as we have time to make it right once we pa.s.s this current crisis." He narrowed his eyes, waiting for the perfect moment to raise the much more substantial issue of the data Zor-El had just sent him. "And there are other matters we need to discuss. When this is finished, I have certain priorities you must address."

The Commissioner sounded dismissive, as if a t.i.t-for-tat arrangement was to be expected. "Perfect, my friend. I am forever in your debt."

CHAPTER 47.

Lara loved watching the wheels turn in Jor-El's mind as he pondered a new problem to solve. He had decided that he would harvest select seed crystals from the smaller structures on his estate and also from the magnificent palace in the arctic. Zod gave him the loan of a flying craft and sent him away to gather what he needed, telling him to hurry. turn in Jor-El's mind as he pondered a new problem to solve. He had decided that he would harvest select seed crystals from the smaller structures on his estate and also from the magnificent palace in the arctic. Zod gave him the loan of a flying craft and sent him away to gather what he needed, telling him to hurry.

While Lara remained behind, she finally took the time to talk more with Aethyr. Inside one of Xan City's restored ancient buildings, the other woman's private quarters were far more s.p.a.cious than Lara had expected. "I never imagined anything so ostentatious for you, Aethyr. Remember when you killed and roasted a snake once just because you didn't think we had enough camp rations to last us?"

"I called it the serpent of truth," she said with a smile.

"It certainly tasted foul." Lara screwed up her face at the remembered bad experience.

"You were the only other one who tried it. I've always respected you for that. It shows strength of character."

With a giggle that made her feel ten years younger, Lara said, "Do you remember Lyla Lerrol? She was so horrified that we had tasted the meat of a serpent that she wouldn't sleep anywhere close to us. Afraid we'd grow scales in the middle of the night!" Both of them laughed at the memory.

Aethyr suddenly became serious. "Commissioner Zod knows how brilliant your husband is, but you can help us here, too. I've personally told him about you, Lara. You trained to be an artist-didn't you work with your parents?"

"I met Jor-El during a large-scale project at his estate." Lara's expression fell. So many things reminded her at unexpected times. "My parents were lost with Kandor."

Aethyr didn't look at all troubled. "My parents were lost, too, but they were the worst of the old Krypton. We have to forget all that now and move on." She poured them each a gla.s.s of ruby-red wine from Zod's personal stockpile, though Lara declined. She had not yet told anyone about her pregnancy. "You were never meant to be a mere a.s.sistant to a scientist. You have intelligence and skills all your own. In these times, Commissioner Zod asks all of us to give more than we've ever given before-to work harder, to contribute our best."

Lara was skeptical. "But what is it you need from me? Specifically? I am a historian as well as an artist. But everything I previously did seems very small now, in relation to Krypton's state of emergency." She considered revealing the personal journal she had kept, offering it as an official history of these troubled times, but an inner sense kept her from saying anything.

Aethyr casually took a gulp of her wine. "The loss of Kandor is the most devastating thing to happen to our planet since the destruction of the third moon. It has global repercussions for our economy, our government, trade, transportation, the whole balance of power. As the cornerstone of his rule, Zod has shown that he's the only man who can defend us against another such attack, but that is not enough for him. He sees this tragedy as a second chance for us. We Kryptonians can rise from the ashes and put ourselves on a new path."

Lara saw the other woman's fervor and recognized that she was sincere. "I still don't understand what you think I can do-"

Aethyr indicated the plain white walls of her chambers. It was obvious where patches of stone resin had been applied. She had hung dyed fabrics and mist-scarves from hooks pounded into the wall, but all the new buildings looked unfinished, unadorned-much too plain to rival the grandeur of Kandor.

"As Zod's personal artist, your work for us will be more vital than anything your parents ever completed. Even though Ora and Lor-Van are gone, let us show everyone that the glory of Krypton remains un diminished. Lara, we want you to take charge of the design design of our new capital. Make it beautiful. No- of our new capital. Make it beautiful. No-more than that-make it awe-inspiring." than that-make it awe-inspiring."

CHAPTER 48.

On the night before Jor-El was to return, Commissioner Zod summoned his people to the former Execution Square, which he had renamed the Square of Hope. It was time to give his faithful followers another cause for celebration. was to return, Commissioner Zod summoned his people to the former Execution Square, which he had renamed the Square of Hope. It was time to give his faithful followers another cause for celebration.

"Today we christen Krypton's new capital. Xan City is a mark of the past, a reminder of lost glory. Our new city, though built on the rubble of a once-powerful empire, must stand for our whole planet, our entire people." He looked around, scanning the faces. "Therefore, I name it...Kryptonopolis."

With encouragement from the Ring members, as well as the diligent Sapphire Guards, the audience started to cheer. The Commissioner smiled at them all, reveling in their acceptance.

A voice shouted out from the crowd. "Why not name it Zod City, while you're at it? You've usurped everything else."