Post by DiscipleofBob on May 2, 2015 19:20:41 GMT -5
Ultimate Superman #8:
Krypton Rising, Part One
Krypton Rising, Part One
Daily Planet
Reporters scrambled. Phones rang off the hook. Everyone was in a frenzy, but that was a normal office day at the Daily Planet. Even when the newspaper expanded into TV and digital media the Planet never lost its edge, and there was no such thing as a slow news day in Metropolis. No one would have expected a country bumpkin like Clark Kent to make it in such a fast-paced work environment, but here he was years later as one of its best reporters.
"Clark! Lois! Get your keesters in here!" yelled Perry White, the no-nonsense lead editor who wore the same ancient suits as he did over 50 years ago when he started at the Planet, like a very loud and obnoxious museum exhibit. Only his ties changed with the times, particularly five times a year: after Christmas, father's day, grandparent's day, boss's day, and his birthday. The two reporters quickly obliged and Perry immediately confronted them. "Kent, you're late!"
"Sorry, Perry. Had to catch a late train." A section of the monorail had collapsed, prompting Superman to save the commuters and physically deposit the train cars on the ground.
"Save it, where's your article on LuthorCorp?"
"You'll have it within the hour if not sooner."
"Make it sooner. Lois, you ready to air that Gotham piece on tonight's news?" Perry didn't even pause to breathe when switching between which employee to grill.
Before Lois could answer, the door burst open, Perry's secretary rushing in. "Perry, you're going to want to see this." She quickly grabbed the remote and turned on the television. "It's playing on every channel."
This wouldn't be the first time some hacker or terrorist hijacked the airwaves, but the experienced journalists knew to pay attention. Whoever was responsible would likely be replacing their top story.
It wasn't just TV. Every computer screen, every cell phone, every radio station, even encrypted communication channels for a few minutes aired the same broadcast. The audio was broken, more so on different quality devices, and the video was grainy at best, but it was still there. For all intents and purposes, the man on the broadcast seemed to be just that, a man. His face, along with the rest of the footage, was still obscured.
"People of Earth, the man spoke.
"I am General Dru-Zod, commander-in-chief of the survivors of the planet Krypton. Our journey across the universe has been long and perilous, and has finally brought us to your planet Earth.
"We seek refuge from our long trek across the stars. We do not seek to invade or needlessly consume your planet's resources, and we certainly do not seek to abduct members of your population for any reason. We come to you as open and forthcoming as possible, in the hopes of fostering peace between our peoples.
"No doubt you have many questions of us, being the first alien race to make open contact with your world. I promise that we will endeavor to answer all of them, but as for the first and foremost that must be on your minds: yes, the one you know as Superman is also a son of Krypton, though he knows of us and our arrival as much as the rest of you.
"At this time I request the opportunity to negotiate with the leaders of your world. Understanding that the arrival of off-world dignitaries lacks precedent for your world, I offer to be personally escorted by the one you know as Superman to your United States President. In exchange for sanctuary, we are prepared to offer knowledge that we have gained from traversing the universe, technology unheard of by your planet, and whatever services we are capable of rendering.
"People of Earth. We, the people of Krypton, come in peace."
The broadcast ended. Every television, computer, and phone went back to normal. The entire office was dead silent for a few seconds, before erupting into even more activity than before. This wasn't the first time the Daily Planet had covered something this earth-shattering, the first alien contact, the first real peaceful alien contact. And the answer to a million questions surrounding the hero of Metropolis.
"Great Caesar's ghost!" Perry yelled as he immediately grabbed two phones. "Stop the presses! Lois, Clark, as the resident Superman specialists you're on point!" Clark and Lois both went pale. They shared a knowing wide-eyed glance.
"On it, chief!" Lois said quickly to give them both an excuse to leave. Clark was still partially lost in the trauma of it all. On the way they passed the majority of the staff gathered by the office window.
"Look, up in the sky!"
"Is that a bird?"
"No, it's a plane!"
Lois and Clark spared a glance as well. Plane was probably the closest to accurate. It was very faint but a small dark dot in the sky. Only someone like Clark Kent could see the vague aerodynamic outline of a large alien craft just entering high orbit above Earth.
Clark and Lois entered the elevator, thankfully empty. "Big day," Lois commented as Clark immediately undid his suit to reveal the "S" shield underneath. "Friends of yours?"
"We'll see," Superman said as he handed off his suit and glasses to Lois. Clad in his full red and blue uniform he unfolded his cape as Lois was thankful she brought her large bag to work today. In a blur, the ceiling hatch was opened and closed as Superman took a very familiar route out of the Daily Planet and into the skies of Metropolis. Lois exited the elevator alone and set to work on her own story.
The Skies of Metropolis
Superman's first instinct was to meet the alien ship directly, especially when the aliens claimed to be his own race. He knew he had other responsibilities though. First he had to meet with the President to make sure this General Zod's terms would be met. Fortunately, President O'Neil was not only at home but willing to expedite this historic meeting. It would be up to Superman to facilitate the summit.
On his way up he was met by Power Girl, also in costume, flying in the same direction towards the alien dreadnought.
"Hello, Superman. Big day." Even flying at super speed, the tension in her voice was unmistakable.
"I'm just going to ask the obvious question here. Did you have any prior knowledge of 'our people's' sudden arrival?" He didn't want to believe it after all these years working together, but the evidence and circumstances were just too much.
Power Girl hesitated before replying, "I did."
"Would I be wrong to guess you've been in contact with them for some time?"
"You wouldn't."
"So all this time, you've been... what, a spy?" It was difficult to completely hide the feeling of betrayal. They'd been working together for years, ever since Kara first arrived on Earth. She was a friend who Superman could actually relate to. He and his parents had treated her like family, and all this time she'd been hiding her true purpose here.
"It's more complicated than that," Power Girl replied anxiously.
"So uncomplicate it for me."
"Look, I know this looks bad, but this is as much for our people's sake as it is for Earth's."
"The people of Earth ARE my people," Superman corrected before casting a suspicious glance. "I hope you're not expecting me to suddenly defect for an alien invasion."
"For Rao's sake, you sound like Luthor!" Power Girl stopped trying to be delicate with her words. "Didn't you listen to the speech? We come in peace? Star Trek? Everything else? No one's asking you to do anything but keep an open mind! And considering this is literally your planet's first experience in interplanetary diplomacy, maybe we should save this conversation for later."
"How many years have we known each other, Kara? And in all that time, you never once thought to maybe mention, 'Hey, by the way, I invited the rest of our race down for dinner. Hope you have enough forks.' Not exactly what I'd call an act of interplanetary diplomacy."
"What did you want from me? An itinerary? Postcards from Krypton? Maybe a time table so Luthor can turn your moon into a giant Kryptonite laser or something? I only managed to finally make contact a few years ago, and stars LITERALLY have to align before I can get a message through! I've only had a few chances to speak with OUR people and most of that has been spent convincing them that Earth isn't a planet of war-mongering savages, or worse, Lex Luthors."
Superman wasn't sure if he was overreacting, or if he should be taking this harder. Either way the most important matter at the moment was General Zod and making sure first contact was peaceful. "We'll be entering the atmosphere soon. It'll be difficult to argue where there's no atmosphere for sound to travel through, so we'll talk later."
"For what it's worth, I'm sorry. But we have good reasons for acting this way. Please, just give us a chance," Power Girl pleaded.
"I'll give General Zod the benefit of the doubt and the chance to explain. You're the one I'm having trust issues with right now."
She breathed a sigh of relief. That was the best she could hope for right now. "Just try to be respectful. Please. Last thing I need is for you to make a bad impression on my dad."
"Your wha-?!" At that instance, Superman and Power Girl exited the atmosphere. Talking or any audio communication was now impossible without air for the sound to travel through, but as long as the radiation from the yellow sun permeated the system, they could survive just fine, albeit in silence.
Earth Orbit
Superman wasn't sure what to expect as they neared the giant spaceship. He'd only had a few comparative examples, most of which came from science fiction. By comparison the ship was huge, comparative to maybe one of Metropolis's skyscrapers. It was dark gray with a clunky design. The hull was matted with dents and hastily repaired sections. The scope alone was impressive.
Just when he was wondering how they were going to communicate with the ship while they were in space, a series of lights along the ship flashed, illuminating towards an airlock. Power Girl motioned for them to go forward. Part of Superman wondered if this was all an elaborate trap, but he knew for the sake of peace he had to at least try for diplomacy.
They both drifted into the airlock. The hatch sealed behind them and the cabin pressurized. The sudden change in pressure would have caused most other species to explode, but for Superman the worst he had were his ears popping.
When the airlock doors opened, Superman was expecting someone sent down to meet him, maybe an ambassador or a lieutenant, or possibly even an ambush of armed soldiers. He didn't expect for the man from the video to personally make an appearance. The man before him was a tall and proud. His black uniform contained alien decorum Superman could only guess denoted rank and accomplishments, along with the wrinkled scars on his face telling of equally difficult accomplishments.
"General Dru-Zod. I'll be escorting you to the planet's surface where you can meet with President Jeanette O'Neil. It's an honor, sir. I'd introduce myself, but from your speech it's clear that you already know who I am." Superman said as he extended a hand in friendship.
General Zod smiled and eagerly took Superman's hand with both of his own. "More than you know. The honor is truly mine, Kal-El."
"Kal-El?" It took Superman a moment to realize Zod was referring to him.
"Your birth name of Krypton. Kal, son of Jor, of the line of El," Zod explained.
Superman hadn't even thought of the possibility before now. "My father? Is he...?"
"It is not my intention to give false hope. Jor-El died with the planet Krypton, one of his last many heroic acts was to send you to safety, and it's because of his genius that any of our race are alive today. Your father was someone I held in high regard, both as a hero and a friend," Zod explained solemnly.
"You knew my father?"
"Very well. No doubt you have many questions, and I promise to answer all of them in time. But your leaders are waiting and our people need, if nothing else, a safe place to land."
Superman nodded, regaining his composure as an ambassador of Earth. "I understand. I'm looking forward to learning more about Krypton. Do you have any sort of personnel craft?"
"I do, but given the circumstances I thought it would be more resource-efficient and more interesting for me to go the same way as you. To be able to traverse space without so much as the safety of a suit. I would not have thought it possible had I not watch you and Kara come up here yourselves."
"I thought that the powers were something all Kryptonians shared."
"Our people have what our scientists so eloquently termed 'interesting' physiological reactions to different kinds of solar energies. Krypton was under a red sun, and there we were no more powerful than what you would consider to be an average human. Since the loss of our planet we haven't had the luxury of testing what different suns would do to us. Though I almost think Jor-El somehow knew that the light of a yellow sun would give our people these godlike powers, and that might have been why he selected this specific planet to send his only son.
"Which reminds me. Kara, given present circumstances, it may be best for you to remain here until negotiations have been completed. You can be debriefed, and hopefully help coordinate the landing." It was the first time Zod had even addressed her. The normally aggressive Power Girl stood at attention in the corner, a side of her that Superman had never seen before.
Power Girl hesitated, probably expecting more from her long-lost father than a simple order. "Yes, sir."
"Also, there's someone I'd like you to meet. Both of you in fact," Zod said excitedly as he motioned for a young teenage boy in a similar black alien uniform to step forward. "This is my son, Lor-Zod."
"Welcome, Kal-El. Welcome back, sister," the boy said rigidly as he performed some hand motion Superman could only assume was some kind of Kryptonian salute.
Power Girl lost her composure, looking over her new 'brother' in shock. Superman realized that she had no idea of his existence until now. "But I thought Mother was on Krypton."
"She was, but that was a long time ago. I've remarried since then," Zod explained. "Lor can get you reacquainted with the ship. It will be a good opportunity for you two to finally get to know each other. Come, Kal-El..."
"Actually, for now I'd prefer if you would just call me by Superman, especially on Earth. It would raise a lot less questions and, to be completely honest with you sir, this is all a bit much."
There was a pause of suddenly extreme awkward silence. Superman wondered if he'd made a mistake and possibly offended the General. Fortunately Zod nodded and replied, "I understand. Forgive me for rushing you into things. Let's go."
As Lor escorted Power Girl further into the ship, Superman could do little but cast a farewell glance at his longtime partner, suddenly wondering if this was perhaps the last time they'd see each other.
Washington D.C.
Superman and Zod descended to Earth. There would be time for pleasantries and exploring his lost culture later. For now matters of state took precedence. They landed directly on the White House lawn to the arrival of crowds gathered outside the White House gate. Secret service was having difficulty keeping everyone back from the journalists and flashing cameras to the picket-holding protestors seeing this as the beginning of an alien invasion movie. Official press was allowed somewhat closer to get pictures of what was largely ceremonial with the President shaking hands with the General. Eventually Superman was no longer needed. He'd stay nearby just in case, but this was a diplomatic meeting of peace between dignitaries. Eventually President O'Neil and General Zod sat privately in the White House to discuss talks.
As they sat down, President O'Neil introduced General Zod to a surly old military commander sitting with them as well. "Welcome to Earth, General Zod. My own military advisor, General Sam Lane."
"It is an honor and a privilege, President O'Neil," said Zod as the leaders shook hands.
"I must say, your sudden appearance in orbit and speech came as quite a shock to me and most of the rest of the planet."
"I apologize. Yours is not the first planet we've attempted to open diplomatic relations with. In the past we've had experiences from being shot on sight to being lured in with false words of friendship before an attempt to ambush or assassinate us. I had to be absolutely certain my people would not be placed in danger."
"And what danger could anyone possibly present to a ship full of Supermen?" General Lane commented, his tone less than friendly.
"Quite a bit, actually. As you no doubt already are aware, the ultraviolet rays from a yellow sun is what gives my people the powers of what you colloquially refer to as a Superman. Under a red sun, like that of our home planet, you and I are very much the same."
"Yes, I was wondering about that as well. If we're two different species from very different planets, why all the physical similarities?" asked President O'Neil.
"A curiosity I've pondered myself. What you would refer to as 'humanoid' is actually a very common biological phenotype throughout the universe, with some minor variations. Although I don't personally have the answers, our scientists have theorized that perhaps evolution naturally progresses towards this phenotype with only relatively little variation."
"That doesn't explain how come you speak our language, and fluently at that. Did your spies teach you that ahead of time?" asked General Lane, again lacking subtlety.
The President glared at him, having to struggle to maintain a level of diplomatic courtesy. "General, that's uncalled for!"
General Zod raised his hand in assurance. "Please. General Lane is only performing his role as a military leader. He is right to be suspicious, and I would no doubt do the same in his position. To answer your question, universal translator technology is actually relatively common throughout the universe. We have acquired multiple examples of such technology on our journey, including some that are as simple as a pill. The language barrier is something that does not exist at a certain level of technology," Zod explained before leaning forward. "Before we go any further, in the interest of being forthright as possible, I have had a scout on Earth giving me information about your planet for some time now."
"I knew it! Superman's been a spy this whole time!" Lane exclaimed.
Zod shook his head. "The one you know as Superman is innocent. He may be of our planet, but he was sent here as an infant. Before my arrival, he has had no experience with me, my forces, or my culture. The one you know as Power Girl was sent as a forward scout. Her main purpose was to ascertain whether or not it would be safe for us to open diplomatic relations. It was because she argued so heavily in your favor that we come to you in peace."
"And if she had said less than savory things about us?" Lane asked suspiciously.
"I would not have come to conquer your planet, if that's what you're insinuating. My only goal would then be to retrieve her and Superman to safety."
As much as General Lane wanted to give the alien a full interrogation, the President stepped back in. "We're speaking in hypotheticals here. For now the reality is that although you've come to us in peace, you've had a covert agent on our planet for years."
"A necessary measure I take full responsibility for," Zod acknowledged.
"Then you won't mind exposing your spy's identity?" Lane asked with a sneer.
"If those are your terms, then I would be forced to accept."
"What are your terms then, General Zod?" President O'Neil asked.
"My ship at least needs a place to land. Given my ship's resources and my people's enhanced endurance on this planet, I have little doubt we'd be able to thrive in even the harshest, most unwanted climates. In time, I would consider the possibility of my people making a permanent settlement on Earth, only with the approval of you and the rest of your world's leaders of course. We would offer technology that we've acquired from across the galaxy and our services as, to put it bluntly, 'Supermen' to the rest of Earth."
At the proposal, General Lane shot up from his seat and slammed his hands on the table, a gesture General Zod found quaint given that if he tried the same thing he'd probably level the building. "You aren't serious!"
"Sam, please..." the President tried to calm him, to no avail.
"It's bad enough we have one of his kind flying around completely unchecked by any known authority. Let's be completely clear here. You want us to allow an entire warship to land on our borders, become a police force with sovereign power and diplomatic immunity. What, you want to replace our military force as well? Fight our wars for us too?"
"Understand my goal is to not exclusively work with America, but the rest of Earth as well. We do not want to interfere with your world's politics. Perhaps if it is deemed necessary by your leaders we can try to stop a conflict, but we are not here to act as police. That would be the act of an invading force, not of guests seeking to repay your hospitality. The universe is a terrifying place, one that, to be frank, no one on this world is prepared to deal with. Should you one day have the misfortune of encountering, for example, an actual alien invasion, my people would be a better defense than anything your world is currently capable of."
"And how would you know what we are capable of?"
General Zod sighed and turned his attention to the President, effectively ignoring the paranoid Lane's accusations. "That does bring me to one unpleasant issue. Madam President, I did not come here to issue demands, but there is one matter that I cannot postpone. It has come to my attention one of your government's research facilities, I believe it's called Cadmus, has been experimenting with, among other things, cloning from Kryptonian DNA."
The President turned to General Lane. "Is this true?"
General Lane tried to deflect the issue. "Even if anything like that were true, the Cadmus initiative is heavily classified, and we shouldn't be discussing it in front of foreign dignitaries or alien spies."
Zod continued, "One result of their experiments appeared in Metropolis recently and caused quite a disturbance. I can understand the pursuit of science and the need to explore every possible avenue in the defense of your world, but frankly these sort of experiments are an abomination to my kind."
The President took a deep breath, choosing her words carefully when she replied to General Zod. "I assure you I had no idea that any branch of our government had adapted such an extreme lack of ethics. I will personally see to it that Cadmus and any similar projects are investigated and carefully scrutinized. Until then Cadmus will be suspended pending review."
"You're going to shut down our only chance at developing a weapon capable of defending us against metahuman threats based on the word of an alien?"
"Sam, I think it's time you left." While President O'Neil would often be patient in considering the views of others, when she put her foot down it was absolute.
General Lane fumed at the thought of a bleeding heart commander-in-chief giving American land and resources to alien invaders, especially one who would be gone in a few years anyway to be replaced by someone hopefully more amicable. For now though President O'Neil's actions could not only give every tactical advantage to the Kryptonians should this turn out to be a sneak attack as he suspected, but dismantling ARGUS and Cadmus would destroy any chance of fighting back.
"You're making a big mistake. Watch. You'll see I'm right in the long run," General Lane scowled as he stood up, straightened his uniform, and slammed the door as he left the room for the two to continue talks without him.
President O'Neil sighed and sat back down. "I apologize. General Lane's behavior was completely unacceptable."
"I take no offense, nor do I hold ill will towards you or General Lane. I knew coming down that there would be those opposed to my people's presence. I'm just glad to see that more reasonable minds are in leadership. I look forward to working with you more in the coming days."
"I'm glad to see his belligerence hasn't stopped the foundation for a relationship between our two peoples. For the time being, since you said that isolation and extreme climates would not be an issue, you can land your ship in the Alaskan tundra. I'll have the people at NASA find suitable coordinates for you. At the very least you won't be hounded the rest of the world. In the coming days, once the rest of the United Nations gets involved, we'll see about finding a more permanent location for you."
"That is more than acceptable. Thank you again for your hospitality," General Zod said as he raised his glass to what he'd learned recently the people of Earth called a toast. "To a bright and prosperous future."
To be continued...