Chapter 11: General Zod Returns
"Get your hands off me!" Lucy scowled as they grabbed her by the arms. She started to put up a fight until one of the punk kids put their high-tech weapon right up against her temple.
"How bout I blow your pretty lidda face off?"
Lucy knew they were serious and decided that it was not wise to resist them…yet. She obeyed them as they pushed outside into the war zone. "Back off, pigs, or we'll toast her!"
Turpin, who had responded to this latest Intergang attack with a large force of officers from the MPD and MSCU, was taking cover behind a mini-van that had been tipped onto its side . Sawyer, who was next to him, peeked around the edge of the vehicle and confirmed that they had a hostage. "Great, now they're into taking hostages. That's the last thing we need."
"Strange," Maggie replied. "This is strangely out of characteristic for a group of kids whose sole purpose is to cause chaos."
"Agenda or not, these punks are really getting on my nerves."
The three Intergang kids pushed Lucy further out, becoming bolder with each step. Jimmy watched from the Pizzeria, feeling helpless. He could not allow himself to stand here helplessly and just watch them use his date as a hostage. What kind of date would he be? "Excuse me," Jimmy said, pushing his way back through the crowd, into the Pizzeria.
It was like he was taken over by another man. He could almost watch himself from outside his body as he grabbed a wooden chair and quietly charged at the three Intergang kids from behind. It was the girl who saw Jimmy from the corner of her eye. "Watch it!"
The two boys pulled Lucy out of the way and the girl stepped aside to avoid the attack from Jimmy. In a lightning fast move, she was quickly able to disarm him. Jimmy was left standing there in shock, not sure what had just happened, or what she did to disarm him. Was it some form of weapon?
The next thing he knew, he had three high-tech weapons pointed at his face. "Bad move!"She grinned. That was when he knew he was about to die. His foolish rescue attempt of Lucy was only going to end with his own demise.
The girl was ready to put the heroic wannabe out of his misery when a hand came out of nowhere and pulled the weapon right out of her hand. She looked to her right to see Superman standing there in the process of crumpling her favorite weapon as if it was made out of paper. "That will be quite enough for one day, kids."
The two boys went to point their weapons towards their new target, only to find Superman no longer standing where he was, and the weapons that they had in their hands were now gone. They turned around to see Superman now standing behind them holding their weapons in his hands. "I will have to confiscate these, and I am afraid, you will not be getting these back after class."
The three punk kids could only laugh sardonically at the Man of Steel as they quickly reached for buttons on their mechanical wrist bands on their right wrists. "Keep 'em. Our job, here, is done." All three of them pressed their buttons and they instantly vanished in a bright white light.
Everyone there was left there standing in bewilderment. This was an unusual move by the Intergang. Instead of trying to cause more chaos, they decided to vanish and leave the fight. Turpin and Sawyer joined Superman as Jimmy and Lucy checked up on each other. "God dang it! Am I ever going to get one of those kids behind bars and get some answers outta them?" Turpin growled.
"I suspect that some answers will be coming shortly, Lieutenant," Superman commented.
"What makes you so certain?" Sawyer asked.
"Because it is obvious this round of chaos was meant for nothing more than to grab my attention. I have had my suspicions that there was more to this gang than just rebellious young men and women. I think what just happen proves that there are brains behind the operation. They have something else in mind other than to promote anarchy."
Both Turpin and Sawyer had began to wonder the same thing. There could be no doubt that they were about to get some kind news that something else that had happened while they were busy with this outbreak of violence here. That has been common place as of recent.
"Lieutenant!"One of Turpin's agents came running up to him with a cell phone up to his ear." We have a situation back at base. Your office just blew up."
"Damn those kids!"
This day could not get any worse. General Lane did not want to believe the report when he first received it over the phone. Now that he was seeing the damage for himself, at what was supposed to be a top secret facility, he could only blame himself. He should have anticipated this when several of their fake facilities were destroyed.
Superman was right about keeping the two pieces of Metallo separate, but even after all this, he still was not thrilled with him having the head in his possession. The thing that ate at General Lane was that he could not make the argument that he had no jurisdiction or authority to keep it. After all, it was still safe for the time being while his was gone. He hated being humbled, especially in front of Superman.
General Lane was walking through the carnage as he talked to his superior over the cell phone. "I have no explanation for what happened here. There is no way anyone could have gotten through all of our security features. Do I think Superman did this? I would say negative on that, sir; killing has not been one of his traits, yet. I think that whoever did steal Metallo's body is out to kill him."
General Lane listened as his superior gave him orders. "Affirmative, sir; I will return to Metropolis immediately." He deactivated his phone and looked over to his men who were investigating the carnage.
"Okay men, we're heading back to Metropolis. Odds are, that is where the body of Metallo wil be."
Despite yesterday's chaos, Superman had decided that this demonstration at S.T.A.R lab should commence. Lois mind was still on Lucy's ordeal, so her heart was not into being there at that very moment. An agreement was an agreement, though, so Lois was there to report on Superman's and Professor Hamilton's demonstration of their collaborated invention.
At the guess reception, she had picked up her visitor's badge that was waiting for her. From there, a security officer accompanied her to the elevator where together, they rode up to the top floor. During the trip up, she made sure her mascara was not running. When the elevator came to a stop and the door slid open, Superman was standing there with his normal warm smile and handsome blue eyes. "Hello, Lois. I hope you are ready for another big story for you to bring back to your boss."
"I supposed, but couldn't we have delayed this a few days or so. The Intergang is really keeping me busy as of late."
"I understand how you must feel. How has your sister been doing since yesterday?"
"She's a bit shaken up, but alive thanks to you," Lois replied.
"Good. I realize that this demonstration may seem ill-timed, but the Professor and I both agree that there is no better time to unveil our invention than now. After all, the people of Metropolis could use a bit of good news right about now to get their minds off of all the trouble in Metropolis.
"I never really thought about it that way," Lois admitted. "I am curious, however, how you manage to find the time to work with the professor on this project all while saving the day for countless of people around the world," Lois smirked.
Superman let out a soft chuckle. "I do have super speed."
The two of them walked into the heart of the laboratory. It had the true feeling of a scientific laboratory, or as Lois had always imagined one to be like. The room was lit up by the sun shining through the glass sky roof. There was so many large unfamiliar equipment, that she could not help but feel slightly intimidated and out of her comfort zone.
They found Professor Hamilton busy at work at one of the huge computer displays. The Professor was a very intelligent mind, but unlike most scientists, he was very down to earth and friendly. He was an African-American male of about sixty-five years in age. His white crimped hair made him very distinguished. He was one of the few men in the world who actually looked better in white hair. He had a white mustache and goatee to add to his handsome face. The one trait that he did share with all the other scientists was his workaholic personality. He was an eighty hour-a-week type of person who loved his work with a passion.
As they approached, he looked up at them. "Welcome, Miss Lane."
"So, I hear that you two have worked together on this project," Lois said, pulling out her pen and paper. "What exactly have you two been working on?"
"Something that will change the world forever," the professor replied. "A new way of processing solar energy."
"Solar energy?"
"That's right. Up to this point, our technology has afforded very little capability for solar energy to become a viable form of alternate energy. Thanks to Kryptonian technology, all that is about to change."
"Interesting,"Lois admitted. "How did you come up with this new hybrid technology?"
"Actually, it's all thanks to Superman," The professor replied, handing it over to him to continue.
"As you know, my super strength comes from the rays of the yellow sun. The reason that the sun gives me the strength and none of you is based on how the cells in my body assimilate the rays of the sun. They process the sun much differently than yours. After the Professor and I came to a full understanding how my body works, we applied that concept to this technology. With the help of technology from my home world, we were able to construct this large-scale generator that is compatible with this new science. What Earth's scientists have done, up to this point, was very good, but it was based on what they knew about the sun and how their bodies and their environment assimilated the suns ray. This new science is based on what my people know about the sun and how we assimilate it."
"This is a pretty big, generator," Lois commented, looking up at this generator which easily stood ten feet tall.
"This generator it set to power the entire city of Metropolis when the time comes," The professor replied. "Thanks to this new way of processing Solar Energy, this technology will be able to power cities, not to mention cars, air conditioners, and almost anything that uses electricity. I calculate that one day's worth of charging can power this city for one year. This generator can hold enough charge to power Metropolis for twenty-years if the sun was to cease to exist."
"So it's kind of like a super solar generator just like you're a 'super' man," Lois said with a grin, intentionally teasing Superman with the word play.
"In a matter of speaking, yes," Superman replied.
"Where are the solar panels located?" Lois asked.
"On the outskirts of the city," the professor answered. There is a large field of twenty solar panels."
Lois had to admit that she was impressed. If this technology was as good as they say, this could change the world for better; that is, if the politicians didn't get involved, which they most likely would. "This all sounds great, but it sounds to me that we're about to have another political battle over another natural resource."
"Both Professor Hamilton and I agree that this technology should not be profited off of. The sun is an unlimited source of power, so we believe that it should not cost an arm and a leg."
"Yeah, well good luck with that, Mr. Naïve," Lois laughed. "Then again, that's always been something that's fascinated me about you."
After long hours of work, the portal device was complete. Brainiac did not need to eat, drink, or sleep like mortals, so he was able to get it done rather quickly. He had turned his ship into a portal device that will open a gateway into the Phantom Zone. There was no need to leave this planet, so it was only logical to take his ship apart and use its parts to make the device. His ship provided everything he needed, including an energy source, so he had no problems building this large device in the middle of a large forest on the outskirts of Smallville.
Smallville was the town where Kal-El was raised by his human parents. Logically, this would be the best place to unleash Zod. The carnage the former Kryptonian general would cause would be a calling card for Kal-El. The last Son of Krypton will be forced to come to this town where he would be destroyed.
Everything was ready to go. Brainiac plugged a cable into the back of the head, giving him the ability to see into the Phantom Zone. Before he could turn on the his device, he had to locate Zod among all the spirits floating around inside. Turning on this device randomly could result with releasing the wrong prisoner. After searching the vast emptiness, he found Zod's spirit. Having located him, he adjusted the settings on the device to his location.
He unplugged the cord from the back of his head and went over to the activation button. Pressing the button, the red lightning bolts streaked across the two slanted poles. The electric bolts became higher in intensity, and before long turned into what looked like a black hole. Brainiac did not have to wait long as Zod came walking out of the black hole.
The second he stepped out of the black hole, the portal device sparked and shut down, causing the black hole to vanish. Brainiac knew that the device would end up self-destructing after Zod had stepped into the real world. The power cells, barely, had enough power left in them after this long journey to Earth.
Zod looked around his strange surroundings after spending countless number of years in emptiness. "What a strange and colorful planet."
"You are on a planet called Earth," Brainiac replied. "You are many thousands of light years from where Krypton once orbited."
"Brainiac?"
"I have released you from the prison Jor-El put you in. The people of this world are primitive, but this world has something very beneficial for you."
"That is?"
"This planet has a yellow sun. Here, you will be like a god among insects. You will have powers beyond imagine including super strength and the ability to fly."
"Do you mock me, android?" Zod replied bitterly.
"See for yourself."
Zod looked around on the ground and found a palm sized rock; it was thick enough that no normal man would be able crack it with his bare hands. He picked it up in his right hand and put everything he had into crushing the rock in the palm of his hand. At first, it as difficult as he had anticipated until it instantly shattered into dust. It was true; he did have powers beyond reasoning.
"Your strength will only grow and more abilities will become apparent the longer youremain on this planet."
"How did you know about this? I demand you tell me!"
"You are not the only Krypton on this planet," Brainiac replied. "There is another who has been here for many orbital cycles, or years in Earth's time structure. He is capable of flying, shooting lasers with his eyes, and much more. You too will be able to do these things, given time."
"Tell me, who is this other Kryptonian?"
"He has made himself Earth's savior; they call him Superman. He is Jor-El's son."
The name sparked a blazing-hot hatred inside of him. Jor-El had sentenced him to the Phantom Zone shortly before the fall of Krypton. He had betrayed him, and left to spend a torturous eternity in this prison of emptiness. "Jor-El."
"Jor-El had successful saved his son from Krypton's destruction and sent him here," Brainiac described as he displayed a holographic playback of all of the main event in Kal-El's life on earth. He showed him his arrival to the planet, his earth parents, the farm he was raised on, and all the way to his recent battle with Metallo. "He was raised by the Earthlings in a town very near hear called Smallville. He has grown up to become Superman, Earth's greatest hero. He has developed a compassion for these insignificant beings."
"Typical that the son of Jor-El to follow in his father's footsteps. Instead of forcing these people to worship him, he treats them as equals." Zod was disgusted by what he was seeing. Jor-El's son really did make himself a servant to these mortals. It was an abomination to everything Zod stood for. "I shall seek out this 'Superman' and he shall kneel before me; then, I will kill him for his father's transgressions against me."
"You must wait a few sunrises until you are stronger. At this time, his strength far surpasses your own. In two sunrises, we can work together and destroy the son of Jor-El."
"I will not wait," Zod snapped. "I will have my revenge now! You will not lay a finger on him; he belongs to me, android!" Zod went to run, but without trying, he ended up running at a super speed, leaving Brainiac alone in the dust.
Brainiac calculated this to be a big problem. Zod overzealous attitude will become his downfall sooner than Brainiac wanted. Zod had to distract Superman long enough for him to carry out his task for Darskseid, without being detected. To compensate, he was going to have to set his plans into motion a little sooner than he had wanted. He calculated the chances of success were still great in his favor, but he was not satisfied with only a high percentage of success rate; he wanted perfection.