Epilogue

Part I

Jor-El was laying down in the cold icy Surface of the Raonian Hills; they were no further than twenty miles from Kandor if you took the express rocket-launcher, and it was perfect since nobody dared go near them…not even the farmers who lived closer…Jor-El loved to go there because of the peace and tranquility it provided to his mind; he could watch the birds and the wildlife, he could pray, he could think about the wonders that could be made, about the ever thrilling history of Kandor and about the last Kandorian King, he could also forget the cold commanding and stern voice of his father and all the expectations that where laid upon him.

Jor-El never had a particularly close relationship with his father Seyg-El; who was head of the ruling council of Krypton and the current head of house of El. Seyg wasn´t a loving father, he wasn´t a passionate man. And it made it difficult for Jor to be the model son he wanted out of his firstborn.

Jor-El was perfectly aware that his father; currently the most powerfull man in Krypton; expected him to take the mantle, and he knew as well that he represented all the things his father looked down to.

His mother was equally cold; had she not…she would have not been chosen for his father (a tradition Jor-El believed to be borderline stupid); Jor-El wasn´t particularly close to any of his family members but Zor; And Zor was too young to understand the complex thoughts of his bright mind.

He turned off his thoughts of his family to admire Rao in all his glory; Jor-El wasn't somebody too religious and still not even he could stop wondering how much had Rao inflicted in his life as it was.

Time was running out; and he had a test…a very important test that would mark his whole future forever, he could not be late.

He climbed again in the old and rusty land-rocket he has once stolen on a prank; that nobody bothered to be upset about…as old as it was, it still was a wonder of speed and it took less than five minutes to arrive to the outskirts of Kandor where he parked the ship in a spot only he could find, and then he walked about a mile in front of the metallic-golden building that would decide his entire fate.

The guards in the door; two big men with shining black uniforms with silver and red insignias that marked their Houses and medals, stood still until Jor-El showed them his projector and the crest of his House; House of El that had remained (since the age of kings) rather important and vital to the politics and high-spheres of Kryptonian society; they moved to the sides and allowed the door to unblock itself.

Jor-El could notice that the guard in the left was looking directly at him until he lost trail.

The interior of the building; was made out of golden crystals; and a red carpet that followed to the council chambers of the educational council.

Jor could make a quick remark about the function of the crystals while he waited for an audience; the crystals of the council hall of Kandor; like in every other Kryptonian building; not only made for the prime and only material used to architecture but they made all the other functions in it; the memory collectors, the projectors, the holding rings, the assisted help that high-class Kryptonian had, and even the healing and training chambers where made out of solid crystals that would change their form and adapt to each man needs by extending themselves; and they could come in a wide variety of colors, but only the ones in the council hall where golden.

-so…you are also here to be sorted? — A voice asked; interrupting Jor-El's mind-analysis.

He turned around to see another guy standing before him, a little taller than he was, more muscular if anything , with a sharp chin and thin face, who's jaw was a little square, with jet-black shoulder-length hair and deep green eyes…for Jor's observation this stranger's most distinctive trait was that confident grin of his…

That would be an understatement, I think I already know where I am getting sorted, and I'm just waiting for them to confirm my suspicions — answered Jor-El.

Too sure of ourselves…are we?—

Jor, couldn´t help but to laugh…yes he was sure of it and not because he was particularly good at anything but because he was an El; the El firstborn and the future head of house of El, not that this stranger knew of course; he was another thirteen year old to be tested; and sorted and if really lucky, given the chance to choose where he wanted to be.

-yes; Rao as my witness, I'm quite sure I'm going in to the Law Guild— Jor didn't believed in Rao, but like almost evryone he could promise in his name.

-well then…I shall practice my bowing…councilman, I'm Dru…by the way—

Dru, a common name in the northern region of Shyr; not too common in Argo or Kandor; and Dru did have the accent to prove he was a Shyrian…if only "Dru" then it meaned he wasn't from any of the Kryptonian houses, but since he was wearing a good tunic and was in the Council Hall, it meant that he was probably too exceptional to be passed by without a look and put in the builders guild.

-Well then; I am Jor-El—

The smile on Dru's face lost its cocky grin and gained a more serious approach

-House of El…perhaps I am in the presence of the head of the council in a future—

It was followed by a short awkward silence that generated a momentary tension so thick it could be cutted with a dagger.

After a few minutes silent…they both broke the tension with a rather loud laughter; without knowing exactly why.

Jor-El had the sudden sensation that Dru, would be a good friend in the future, perhaps one of the best he could hope for.

While they waited to be called for, they both talked to each other about themselves; Dru was the single son of a farmer named Non and a Cadet in the grey shard unit named Ursa; he had somehow exceeded his expectations because…Dru was smart…very smart and it only took time before someone could notice; and since his mother was part of the military guild, as low ranked as she was… it gave little Dru the chance to apply to a guild outside the builders guild or the farmers guild.

And as it was he wanted to apply to the military guild, he would try to end up in the red shard unit; he would acquire a high rank and then be conceded a family name. He would become an important man for the future of Krypton.

Jor on the other had wanted to apply to the science guild; there was nothing he loved more than finding out the whys and how of everything that surrounded him; he would create devises in his spare time and repair and upgrade the old and broken ones; he wanted to be scientist but the most probable course in his future would be the law guild; the guild that formed his father, and his father and his father before him to the moment the kingdoms fell and the councils where created.

They talked a while; until an old man came out of the high council room to call Jor and escort him to the same room. While he walked further away from his friend he heard a –good luck—from far away.

Whatever happened next; Jor-El was sure that he would have to go through it alone.

Part II

The room was mostly in dark; he could see the members of the council in their black and gold robes on the high thrones that surrounded the young Kryptonian.

In the opposite site he could see a projection of himself; his slender-yet slightly muscular body (although not as muscular as Dru's) his round face and squarish jaw; his deep blue eyes and his shoulder length wavy light-brown hair falling on his shoulders; in his reflection he could see a figure that frankly he did not had such love for…his father's same high checks and slender nose that gave him the famous noble-beauty so desired on many young and noble Kryptonian of good ancestry…and his eyebrows; although not as bushy…had the exact same shape as his father.

He was a comely young man.

And he was being watched by a council of very stern-looking; and important old men and women who were themselves miniature versions of the even sterner-looking older men and women who ran krypton along his father.

Jor-El had never felt more nervous in his life.

But the main judge, however…wasn´t any of the elders currently present in that room…it was a computer, much like his servant Kelex…an hyper-intelligent machine that wasn´t in the service of a house but in the service of the educational guild; a smaller version of the Council's BAINIAC; called L-Rond 7; which presented most of the facts to the council.

The fact was that while the elders of the council where talking between themselves; there was an uncomfortable silence between them and L-Rond and Jor-El who was getting more nervous as time went by, since nobody said anything to him to his face.

Finally the silence was broken by none other than L-Rond himself (itself) who spoke with the monotonous tone that all machines have between themselves.

-Jor-El; son of high councilman Seyg-El and Lady Sula Kor-Zan; you have exceeded your expectance in your test regarding your intelligence; under normal circumstances the guild would have been assigned already; but given the fact that you seemed to possess an intellect far greater than any other I have seen since my creation you are given a second choice; you can either join the Law Guild under the tutelage of your own father, or you can join the Science Guild under the tutelage of the great scientist and chief researcher: Gan-Em".

That came out as a surprise for Jor-El who wasn´t expecting to be given a second choice; and while house of El had been house of many important politicians through the Kryptonian history; it had been a great source of extremely important scientist through the years, Jor-El was...by far, more fascinated with the material of the stars, of the crystals, the components of the color minerals of the northern region of Daran and the actual function of their orbiting star…Rao, than he was in the ancient Kryptonian laws that made the current system so obsolete.

-Science! I choose the science guild as my field of study and practice—

There was a little murmur between the councilmen but after the voice of L-Rond added to further point

-It was the wise decision to make, young man, you are seemed to have the bright intellect, and if well developed…it can help us to upgrade the society that we have and the technology in benefit of Krypton the old, therefore you belong to the Science Guild now and you shall be the lab assistant of Gan-Em".—

Gan-Em was well known for his brilliant yet eccentric work and demeanor.

And Jor-El knew that the most important scientist alive in krypton wasn't what his father expected of him, or what he told Dru for the matter…but he did desired something, some work that actually could provide him of some intellectual work, where he was stronger.

When he got out; he found outside the same friend…Dru, who had been talking to him just a few minutes earlier.

He was smiling.

-What are you smiling about Dru? Where did they put you through ?— all young Dru could do is smile and say "In the military guild, I begin to train with Sergeant Un-Sur—

He left then.

They both thought at the time that that would be the first and last time they saw each other; but they became best friends.

Which made all the following more painful.

Part III

The science guild building wasn't less appealing to the eyes, it was a little more elegant and modern; it was a palace in its own ground, a little more austere; since it did not had all the magnificent decoration that the Council; there where two big statues in the door that in theory where Rao and Aethyr; who were holding a torch...the torch of wisdom and knowledge.

Jor found it strange that a place dedicated to science, a temple of knowledge had an altar to blind faith and belief in the doors; what where the Gods doing outside of the Science Guild? It made no sense to Jor-El, but even he could not deny that those particular gods where works of art.

The sculptor, whomever he might have been; had made a fine job...they were perfect, both of them.

They looked almost alive and they looked as perfect as anyone could be.

He did not realized he had been staring at them so long when he heard a voice behind him...

-Beautiful...are they not?—

He turned around to see a rather older man; with dark skin and white hair, and gentle features, he had a soft smile. His had also a golden headband that proved his status as a very important man.

A slender man wearing a fitting robe with an armored over-coat and a rather long cape.

-They should not be here—Jor wasn't expecting any company in the moment but he knew better than to be rude with the man in front of him.

-But they are anyway...How do you know in any case that they are not to be here—

-because this is the science guild, these are Rao and Aethyr; they are "gods", a part of a system of beliefs that does not mix well with science or discovery, the world wasn't made with Rao's blood and Author's flesh, it was made by minerals that attached together and created a landmass of carbon and silisium and other minerals, i thought everyone knew that—

-Ah! But they don't have to be in contrast with each other, tell me young man; do you think that science and religion are complete polar opposites? Or do you believe rather that they simply complement what the other one cannot answer?—

-Does it matter what do I think? - asked Jor a little irritated.

-Yes it does!—

-they shouldn't be here—

-"Rao came down in the second day and gave people two choices...fire or stone...after six more days they chose fire, and thus they chose wisdom, and knowledge, and science" it may be a myth young man, but you can't deny the beauty of that myth, and by the way I do think that we can achieve true knowledge with science but i also believe in the gods, all five of them—

The young man was losing patience, so although irritated, he asked the older man, politely as he could, where could he find the apprentice hall to look out for Gan-Em and begin his learning.

-I'm sorry Sir, i don't have time; i need to go to the apprentice hall and search for someone there-

-Funny! I'm also heading for the apprentice Hall; perhaps we could go together, I sure could use the company, young man it gets so lonely there—

Jor-El was both irritated and intrigued by this man; he was too old to be a trainee. And he did not seemed to be anything to the Science Guild Council or "Great Research Team".

-Aren't you a bit old to be a student—?

-I'm not, I am just heading to the apprentice Hall, and it's the shortest route to my lab—

They went inside the gates, and Jor-El followed the man in the corridors until they arrived to the great Hall.

It was huge and impressive, but even after he followed the man to other corridors and arrived to a second hall where Jor, was to meet his teacher.

There were a handful of young men and women about the age of Jor-El and another hand-full of older men and women from middle aged to elders in the room and of course a robot that helped to coordinate the registration.

The robot called several names until he came to "Jor of House of El", then Jor-El stood up and got near to the robot.

-You are to be taught by Researcher Gan-Em—said the robot before calling Gan-Em

To Jor-El's surprise; the second time the robot called "Gan-Em of Argo" the older man; with whom he had that uncomfortable discussion about religion, was the one who came.

-Yes! Gan-Em, it's me—

—You have been assigned with Jor-El to be your apprentice—

-Yes! I knew that much—

Then he turned to Jor and gave him a smile.

—So…then, are you ready, young man?—

He did not saw that one coming—Yes!—

He answered in a low voice; a transporter vessel later carried them both.

While in the corridors Jor, who was confused asked –did you knew?—

Gan-Em laughed a little and answered –yes; Yes I did! I wanted to test you a little, thought and I was curious, I wanted to know a little of your mind, The mind is the most important thing a scientist has to his or her disposition—

Jor was stunned, Gan-Em proceeded –you seem to be a brilliant young man, though not curious enough, but that can be solved, just remember that it is important to consider all possibilities—

Jor, out of shame, tried to apologize with Gan-Em, who began to laugh again and answered—don't worry I wasn't angry or judging you, just trying to get in to your thoughts, and the answer is Yes! By the way, I do believe in the gods—.

And after a brief pause he added –but I also believe in science, and I believe…young man…that you will, in time, prove to be a bright man, and that's why I chose you—.

Jor-El thought that he had just been assigned once he chose science over politics in front of the council, perhaps Gan-Em had known him from before.

And in any way.

He knew that he could learn a lot from this strange man.