Superman: The Ark of Krypton

Chapter 97

by

Jason Richard

Zod appeared on the outskirts of Metropolis in his black and silver Kryptonian officer's uniform, phasing into existence in a dim blue light. Once there he did something he hadn't done in a long time, since before being put into the phantom zone's partial stasis.

He took a deep breath.

The air on that planet felt good. No, it wasn't just the air, but the warmth. The sun was high above, filtered by the trees, but it was there anyway. The phantom zone had been cold, very cold indeed.

This was a taste of the freedom to come for all Kryptonians trapped there.

It was also nice not to feel rage anymore. That phantom zone partial stasis was easily the worst part of that imprisonment. But what emotion was this? It took him a moment to work it out, then he remembered. Hope. He had hope, for the first time in a long time, and he wasn't about to squander that. He would release the other Kryptonians from the phantom zone to rebuild their world, and he would destroy anyone who got in his way.

Still, at the moment he needed patience. According to his partners outside the phantom zone, there wouldn't be much time before he was drawn back to that place, but he would have enough time for the ancient powers of his people to fill him up. He would need to wait some time, about half one of this planet's rotation, and then it would be safe to go after the scientist.

In the meantime, Zod wished to do two other things he had not done since before going into the phantom zone.

Eat and sleep.

…

Lex Luthor sat in his office, pouring his third glass of wine. This had been a bad day for him. He was under investigation with evidence that could actually tie back to him, Lytener had technology that Luthor had intended to be exclusive to Lexcorp, and he'd even failed to frame Lois Lane. He was waiting, just waiting, for some good news.

And as he sat there, drowning his trouble's in wine, an opportunity for good news finally appeared.

"Lex," said Mercy's voice over the office phone's speaker. "You remember that data we got when the phantom zone portal almost opened before? We're getting readings from that energy again."

Lex Luthor put down the wine and looked over at his computer, where the new data had just been sent to him. It was true. Superman had apparently managed to close the phantom zone before, but something was still trying to open it, and it had opened again for a few minutes. Not enough time for an entire army to get out, but judging by the energy output it was entirely likely at least one Kryptonian escaped.

That could be bad. Superman had proved that the red sun technology wasn't ready for a Kryptonian with full mental capacities in full command of his power. Still, if he could intercept this Kryptonian, it could be the opportunity he was looking for. Maybe not to absolve himself, but at the very least make himself indispensable.

Luthor pushed a button on his desk and said, "Mrs. Graves, drop everything. We've got work to do."

…

Clark was driving in his car, lamenting the fact that he had to do so to keep up appearances even though he could fly when he got a message from Brainiac.

"Sir," said Brainiac, his mechanical voice coming all the way from the Arctic. "Do not be alarmed. I have set up a communications method to contact you at any time. I am projecting sound that can reach the far corners of the Earth, but on a frequency only you can hear. I'm afraid I've detected evidence of a phantom zone breach. One person, it seems, has escaped, and he's in Metropolis. I cannot tell exactly where, but you should search on the east side of the city.

Clark drove home as fast as he could, changed into Superman, and flew to the East side of Metropolis as fast as he could. There he waited, listening for any signs of trouble as he flew above the city.

What could this Kryptonian criminal possibly be doing right now?

…

Zod sat in the alley eating a hot dog. He'd had no idea what it was when he zipped past the hot dog vendor and taken the food, but he was so hungry he didn't even care. Being in the phantom zone's stasis meant that he didn't need food, but he still missed it. He rather suspected he wouldn't like whatever this thing was before he'd gone into the phantom zone, but not having food for so long meant that this was...adequate. Perhaps he could find something better later. What did these Earth people see in this food anyway?

In the meantime his new powers were incredible. Being able to move so fast meant that the human had only felt a whoosh of wind and hadn't noticed anything was taken from his vending stand. Furthermore, Zod felt stronger every minute. He hadn't been there for half of this planet's cycle yet, so he had to remain hidden, but soon, very soon he could start using this power's full potential.

Now to the other thing he didn't get to do in the phantom zone. Sleep.