Superman: The Ark of Krypton
Chapter 108
by
Jason Richard
Kara sat hunched over the Kryptonian computer, typing at the alien controls furiously. She'd been working for a while, and yet didn't feel tired like she normally did. Actually, she felt good, better than she had in a long time. Of course, she realized why this was when a probe brought her something to drink. She crushed the cup and jumped as the contents spilled over the floor. She hadn't even been gripping it that hard, or so she thought. The truth was obvious.
"The ancient powers of Krypton," she said, staring at the crushed metal object in her hand. "I'm getting them aren't I?"
"Affirmative," said Brainiac around her. "The yellow sun of Earth is nourishing you as we speak."
"It didn't even take that long," said Kara, concerned. "That's going to be a problem. The Phantom Zone has thieves, smugglers, kidnappers and even murderers imprisoned there. They'll wreak havoc if they escape to this planet. And if those benefactors are who I think they are…"
"You have a suspicion?" asked Brainiac.
"Yeah," said Kara. "But I'd rather not say it out loud, at least not until I'm certain I'm right, and I pray I'm wrong. In the meantime…"
"Yes," said Brainiac. "I'm read your calculations and will confirm. The Phantom Zone will open again in seventy-two hours. I shall warn Kal-El immediately."
…
So Brainiac helped Superman set up a video conference with the world governments to discuss what was to be done about the Kryptonian threat. Superman stood in the Ark of Krypton's control room, facing a screen filled with many different faces from around the world.
"Ladies and Gentlemen," said Superman. "I won't sugarcoat this. We're about to face an army of beings who will soon achieve the same power as me. I'll hold them off for as long as long as I can, and we are working on closing the Phantom Zone, but we'll need all the firepower we can pull together if we are to get through this. General Lane, do you have any good news?"
"We're working on it," said the General. "Edward Lytener has begun cooperating in full. We'll not only have lasers that can sap the Kryptonian's power but force fields as well. His hard light hologram technology shows a lot of promise."
"Given this is a global emergency," said Superman. "Would you please forward whatever designs you come up with to other governments so they can begin construction of their own?"
"I've already started sending them out," said the General. "Given the circumstances, I can't see a better alternative."
"Thank you general," said Superman.
"You do realize You're asking me to give them the only weapon we have that can hurt you," asked General, impressed. "That's gotta take guts. When this is all over I'll buy you a beer."
Superman smiled and said, "I appreciate that."
And so the world leaders approved of this, thus the plans for the defense of Earth were put into motion.
…
Lex Luthor listened in on the conference from his office. He hadn't been officially invited, but to many politicians were too nervous about the coming threat to leave Luthor out of the conversation completely. Luthor knew he'd be hard-pressed to beat whatever Edward Lytener built, but he was confident he'd be able to come up with something.
He couldn't just use the green crystal as a power source for a laser or weapon. The discovery might be credited to him, but the technology wouldn't be difficult to recreate. He, of course, had all his resources on locating this green crystal wherever it could be found, but he'd need a different way to present it, something that only Lexcorp could do.
He had an idea, he'd just need to work on it.
The next moment Mercy Graves entered his office with some paperwork.
"We've tracked down every piece of that green crystal we could," said Mercy. "Hasn't been hard to convince people to give it up. We just had to inform them of the long-term dangers of its radiation and they set reasonable prices. That being said there isn't much of the stuff."
"That's good," said Luthor, smiling smugly. "Once the true value of the material is revealed then we'll own a monopoly on it and our shares will skyrocket. The future is in our hands Mercy. I can feel it."
"So what's the plan," said Mercy.
"Well," said Luthor. "We can't just reveal the rock like that. We need to present it in a very specific way. I say it's time to refine those cybernetic enhancements we've been working on."
"A cyborg powered by that crystal?" said Mercy. "Interesting, but people are still going to realize that those green rocks are what hurt Kryptonians. It still won't make it unique to you."
"In time perhaps," said Luthor. "But my dear first impressions are often everything. You should know. It was my first impression of you that landed you this job."
"I broke into your office and stole your files," said Mercy, teasing.
"Yes," said Luthor. "And in all the time you've worked here has anyone else ever managed such a feat?"
Mercy shook her head with a smile.
"Exactly," said Luthor. "But a first impression doesn't have to be correct to be useful. With a cyborg they won't see a robot defeating a Kryptonian, nor will they see a green rock. They will see an enhanced human being defeating a Kryptonian."
"I see what you're saying," said Mercy, impressed. "People will get the idea that humans could have that kind of power and want it for themselves."
"Exactly," said Luthor. "It won't technically be the same level of power, but so long as that's the impression this makes it will make Lexcorp indispensable to the world."
"What about other alien lifeforms with this kind of power?" asked Mercy. "You said yourself it doesn't grant power, it merely exploits a Kryptonian weakness. If that weakness isn't shared then such cyborgs won't protect us from them and the value of what you offer will plummet in people's eyes."
"You're absolutely right," said Luthor, nodding. "But we'll have to cross that bridge when we come to it. In the meantime, we need someone to be the first cyborg. Mercy, if you please, I think it's time to call up that reliable mercenary John Corbyn."
"I'll see to it immediately," said Mercy.