Superman: The Ark of Krypton
Chapter 131
By
Jason Richard
Eliza and Jeremiah Danvers strolled through the military base, their faces grim but determined. They were flanked by an uncomfortable amount of soldiers, though it wasn't the soldiers themselves that were uncomfortable. They were actually quite reassuring in of themselves. It was a simple fact that soldiers would be necessary to protect them that the Danvers felt uneasy.
This was a dangerous job they'd taken.
"Are you sure about this?" Asked Jeremiah. "You're painting a target on your back with this work."
"The world's in danger," said Eliza. "I can't just turn my back on that can I?"
"Eliza," said Jeremiah. "You're scared. I can see it in your eyes."
Eliza took a deep breath and said, "Yeah. I know. But a lot of people are scared. I have a chance to help alleviate some of those fears. Don't tell me you don't feel the same way. They didn't even request you, yet here you are."
"Yeah," said Jeremiah. "If they'd have called my name I'd have gone too, but even if I didn't care about any of that, I'm coming. If my wife is heading into danger, there isn't a force in the world that can stop me from being there for her."
She looked over at him, smiled and said, "I love you too honey."
He smiled back, and they held hands as they kept walking towards Lytener's lab.
As the soldiers escorted them inside they saw Lytener lying down, his body still covered in casts. He used the metal link atop his head to control some computer screens and robotic arms, manipulating various tools, vials, and computers, but it was still a frightening sight.
Eliza hesitated. She knew Lytener had been injured, but she wasn't prepared for this. What had she gotten herself into?
Jeremiah squeezed her hand affectionately, though, and she calmed down. She wouldn't be going this alone. Taking a deep breath, they both stepped up to Lytener.
"Ah," said Lytener, seeing them approach. "Miss Danvers...and Mr. Danvers I presume?"
"Of course," said Jeremiah. "This is dangerous business."
"Indeed," said Lytener. "And I'm sure we need use all the help we can get. You're an astrophysicist, correct?"
Jeremiah nodded.
"Very good," said Lytener. "Let's get started, shall we?"
…
The Colu ship was sleek and smooth, with nothing to adorn its outer hull. Decorations were pointless. This served one purpose only, to travel through space and attack its enemies. Inside there was no crew of humanoid lifeforms to man it, nor even control consoles for which such a crew could do so There were no hallways, or any hollow spaces whatsoever inside this ship, just miles upon miles of circuits and machines. Inside the many consciousnesses that piloted its ship existed in these computers, a crew of software and souls.
It flew through space towards its purpose, and that purpose was the retrieval of technology stolen long ago and conquest of yet another world. It was no matter that the technology was the size of a cell. It was the property of Colu, and therefore those who possessed, along with all of their knowledge, now would also be the property of Colu.
Earth would be within range soon. Very soon.
…
Superman looked over the information onscreen at the Ark of Krypton, and it concerned him. These Colu technically didn't match him for power, but their technology was flexible, and they apparently had knowledge from hundreds of planets, thousands of years each. If they figured out Superman's weaknesses, which wouldn't' be hard as most of Earth knew them by now, then the Colu would have no problems exploiting those weaknessess.
Superman did have an advantage, however. Brainiac's inside information on Colu technology gave him a pretty good idea of what they could do, and what he could do to counter them. Even so, it wasn't how much power their technology possessed that made Superman uneasy. It was the sheer amount of things the Colu were capable of that frightened him. Somewhere in their databases, he knew there was probably a piece of technology or strategy that could undue him easily.
If the Colu could find it...
"Kal-El," said a timid voice behind him. Superman looked back to find Kara sitting at a console, and she added, "I can't think of anything. I've never studied Colu technology before. I mean...it's so advanced...unlike anything I've ever seen."
Okay," said Superman. "Why don't you meet up with Lytener's team to see what they've come up with. Maybe we can pool ideas."
"It can't hurt," said Kara, pressing a button to download the information she was working with. She then pulled a tablet-like device from the console and turned to fly off. Superman, meanwhile, looked back at the Colu displayed on the view screen.
"Kara," said Brainiac. "I apologize for the interruption, but that item you requested has been completed."
"Item?" asked Superman.
Kara paused and said, "A suit...like yours."
Superman nodded, "You plan to fight? Are you sure you're ready?"
"No," said Kara, sighing. "But I have to start somewhere, and I've been practicing what you showed me."
"Okay," said Superman. "But when the fighting starts, stay close. We'll watch each other's backs."
"Got it," said Kara.
She then flew off, presumably to meet up with Lytener. Superman sighed. Normally the idea of bringing a teenager into battle could give him pause, but the more these aliens threats pile up the more help Superman was willing to take wherever he could get it. Still, that didn't mean he wouldn't do everything in his power to keep Kara safe.
He just hoped he could keep both her and the world safe at the same time.