Author's Note: The characters in this story speak Kryptonian. This story has translated the character dialogue into God's own language (English). The translated dialogue will occasionally use pop culture references/slang/profanity to convey the true meaning of the character's intent and expression. This is based on Oppenheimer (2023). Spoiler Heavy
Zor-El
1939
In those days, Zor-El, at the age of 20, was a student at Kandor University studying in the field of biological engineering. He had frequent nightmares of a frightful civil war, the melting away of the planet's surface, and the destruction of Krypton from its own implosion. In the middle of these nightmares was a young woman in a black suit, boots, and cape. She had a pale complexion, long blond hair, and piercing blue eyes. The nightmare always seemed to end with this woman suddenly igniting in a flash of light.
"Holy shit, I'm late," Zor-El realized as he woke up.
Zor-El ran to his lab looking completely dishelved. Upon working with his tools, he made a mess and broke things. "The fuck is wrong with, Zor-El? Have you had any sleep?" his teacher, Rok-Bor asked.
"No, your mother keeps me awake," Zor shot back.
Rok sighed unimpressed. "You bore me, Zor. You're boring me."
"Look, Rok, I don't want to overstep my bounds here or anything. This is your class, it's your world, your galactic empire, but I'll tell you something, RoK. I'll tell you how I feel about school, Rok. It's a waste of time. People running around bumping into each other while you, in the front of the class, ask us what two plus two equals, one of us raises his hand and answers four, the bell rings, and the school gives us all a cartoon of milk, and we all need a piece of paper giving us permission just to take a shit. It's not a place for smart people like me," Zor said arrogantly.
"Look at the time. Class dismissed," Rok said quickly. "Zor, clean up your station."
Like a total asshole, Zor broke into the medicine lab, took some noxious chemicals, and tried to drug his tutor. Zor was ultimately caught which resulted in him being suspended and requiring a parent-teacher conference.
"Your son tried to poison me. Worse yet, his laboratory work is shit," Rok informed Seg.
"I have made arrangements to have him see a psychiatrist while under academic probation. He'll be removed from your class," Seg assured him.
"Yeah, that's bullshit," Zor protested.
"You asked me yesterday what I would do and I gave you my answer," Seg said impatiently. "Why do you persist?"
"I didn't like the answer then nor now," Zor said stubbornly.
"You think this place is backward with their cauldrons and potions?" Seg questioned.
"Yeah," Zor said bluntly.
"Perhaps, you should go somewhere else where they allow you to think," Seg said thoughtfully. "You will study under Jax-Ur."
"He's literally a mad scientist," Zor reminded him.
"The important thing, Zor, is not whether you can read sheet music. It's whether you can hear the music. Can you hear the music, Zor?" Seg asked seriously.
"Sure," Zor rolled his eyes.
1941
For two years, Zor continued to study at Kandor totally miserable and waiting for his transfer. He continued to have nightmares of a sun-like explosion on the surface of the planet with the blond woman in the middle of it. Depressed and moody, Zor would bounce balls off the wall, intentionally break glasses on the floor, write endless calculations on a board, and smoke hallucinogenics.
His brother, Jor-El, at one point, came to visit him. Unlike Zor, Jor was playful and in good spirits. He knew just what to do to get Zor out of his stupor. "I...fucked your girlfriend," Jor told him.
"The fuck you say?" Zor asked wide-eyed.
"I'm going to ask her to marry me," Jor continued.
Zor got up and tackled Jor to the floor. "You piece of shit, I'll fucking murder you!" The two fought on the floor for a good moment until they were both bruised and exhausted.
"I was only trying to fuck with you," Jor admitted.
"I know," Zor nodded.
"The fuck is wrong with you?" Jor asked concernedly.
"I think I need biology more than I need people," Zor said somberly.
"Bro...," Jor said stunned.
Finally, Zor got his transfer and was now under the tutelage of Jax-Ur. However, like a total asshole, Zor dominated the discussions. It got so bad that a fellow student, Alura In-Ze got all of her classmates to sign a petition to get Zor to shut the fuck up. Jax never said anything about it but he placed the petition on his desk where Zor could easily see it.
In retaliation, whenever Alura had a point to make in class, Zor would dramatically get out of his seat. "I'll be right back. I need to take a shit." He would then proceed to walk out of the lecture hall like a boss.
In 1942, Zor got his doctorate in biological engineering and began publishing papers. This ended up attracting the Military Guild and, in particular, a rising star within the ranks, Captain Dru Zod.
"I need you to weaponize a virus that could kill every living thing except Kryptonians," Dru requested.
"You do realize that would kill all the biological diversity on this planet, right?" Zor asked condescendingly.
"This would be a last resort sort of thing against an alien invasion," Dru replied.
"Uh-huh, maybe I should just program the virus to just kill a specific alien target rather than killing everything but Kryptonians," Zor suggested.
"Why not both?" Dru shrugged.
"I like where your head's at. What are we going to call this weapon of mass destruction that violates all systems of morality?" Zor asked.
"The project is code-named Medussa," Dru said seriously.
"What the fuck is a medusa? I've never heard of that word before," Zor said confused.
"I know, right? That way we'll know if anyone leaked the project," Dru narrowed his eyes.
"Look, Sir, my family name has been shit ever since my great-grandfather defied the authorities and declared alien life existed outside Krypton. I'll give you this lethal as fuck virus if you help to restore my family's honor," Zor bargained.
"Absolutely," Dru agreed. The two shook hands and a beautiful friendship began.
1943-1951 Argo City
Zor became a professor in biological engineering in Argo. He remained under the radar during this time. He never got married nor made any waves. In 1945, his mother died, and then in 1949, his father died. Around 1950, a new government took charge and a religious revival took place across the planet. Zor and his university pals were not enamored by the autocratic theocratic government. At one particular party, Zor met Astra, the sister of the woman he scorned years earlier. Astra was in the field of psychiatry and a religious skeptic.
"You strike me as someone who isn't aware of this new religious awakening," Astra said to Zor.
"I've read all the new scriptures. Shouldn't that count for something?" Zor asked defensively.
"Then, you know more than most in the resistance. Why don't you support us?" Astra asked.
"Who do I write the check to?" Zor mocked.
"Zor, this is fucking serious. For centuries, thousands of years, the people gave lip service to Rao. Most saw Rao for what he was, a symbol of unity the authorities used to control the masses. Now, everything has changed. The laws are also changing, the police are rounding up sinners, and people are being exiled from their jobs for their disbelief in The Voice."
"I just want to make the world a better place. I don't think I have to choose your specific dogma," Zor said dismissively.
"Do you pick and choose what scientific theories you want to believe or do you seek the correct answer?" Astra challenged.
"Have sex with me and I'll believe whatever you want," Zor promised.
After a tasteful sex scene between them with Astra on top, the two got down to business. "The Voice thinks he can bring peace to our world but I know that religion doesn't unify, it only divides."
"What is your solution?" Zor asked curiously.
"Myriad," Astra replied.
Kryptonia
The new Chancellor was an older woman, with blond hair, blue eyes, and a pale complexion. She wore black with the House of Vex on her suit jacket. This was Nyssa Vex, the daughter of the previous chancellor. At her side was The Voice of Rao, a man who wore yellow robes with scriptures verses up and down his clothing. His face was hidden by a golden mask with three faces, one facing forward, and two facing right and left.
Nyssa Vex sat behind her desk as Lieutenant Colonel Dru Zod entered. "Colonel Zod, the unrest in the city is intolerable. Do something about it."
"This new religious dogma has the people...concerned and upset," Dru said diplomatically.
"A new covenant has been established, a new church. The people shall worship Rao, the father, Nightwing, the son, and Flamebird, the holy spirit. They are three but one god. Nightwing was begotten not made, one in being with the father. The Flamebird proceeds from the father as well," The Voice said to him.
"Wouldn't the Flamebird proceed from both the father and the son?" Dru questioned.
"You trying to start trouble, Zod? A schism of continental proportions? Cause a rebellion? A little insurrection of your own making?" Nyssa asked with cold eyes.
"It just sounds like...," Dru said skeptically.
Dru suddenly felt the air become immensely heavy. His legs quickly buckled and he slammed to the floor unable to move. Nyssa remained sitting unperturbed. "Are you going to be difficult for me, Zod?"
"No," Dru gasped.
"I understand your sister, Lyta, is engaged to Jor of House of El. You are to end that relationship," Nyssa ordered.
"As you wish," Dru said painfully, still unable to move.
Dru then came back to his feet as the pressure let up. He took a deep breath and straightened out his uniform. "You are dismissed, colonel," Nyssa told him. As Dru left, Nyssa appeared sad with sunken eyes.
"The brothers of the House of El could be problematic for us," The Voice warned.
"I think I know how to handle them," Nyssa said as looked over her chess board.
Argo
In the middle of the desert wilderness outside the city, Zor and Jor went camping in a tent.
"So...I'm getting married," Jor informed Zor.
"Lyta? Really?" Zor mocked.
"The fuck is your problem? She's the daughter of a general...," Jor brought up.
"Disgraced general," Zor reminded him.
"And she was a captain in the military guild," Jor continued.
"A disgraced captain," Zor continued.
"She's a fine genetic specimen," Jor countered.
"She's part of a military family. You should be cautious," Zor advised.
"You should be cautious. I'm about to kick your ass," Jor said angrily. "I won't be afraid to make a mistake."
"I just want you to be happy," Zor said with false sincerity.
"How do I seal the deal? I think her brother hates me," Jor said concernedly.
"Just get the bitch pregnant," Zor suggested.
"Very inappropriate. You know I'd have to get government approval for that," Jor said scornfully.
"Look, it's your tent. Whatever you say it is will be what it is but I think even a blind man knows this is destined to fail. I hate to break it to you, Jor, but what people call love is just a chemical reaction that compels animals to breed. It hits hard, Jor, and then it slowly fades. Rise above this archaic institution. Focus on science," Zor advised.
Kryptonia
Nyssa hauled Alura In-Ze to her office with The Voice present with her. "Chancellor," Alura addressed, bowing her head. Nyssa held a deadpan expression as she attempted to hide her emotions. The two stood in front of each other.
"The computer algorithm has made the determination that you are to be married to Zor of House El," Nyssa informed her.
"I have received notice of this although I am quite surprised," Alura replied.
"Why?" Nyssa asked.
"He is a brilliant scientist and from a noble house. I did not think myself worthy of the honor," Alura said diplomatically.
"You are a prominent prosecutor of the law and you rarely lose a case. I concur that this will be a most beneficial match," Nyssa said.
"It's just Zor has a reputation...for being a little...eccentric," Alura said delicately.
"Perhaps marriage will straighten him out," Nyssa suggested.
"There is one other thing, Chancellor. Zor has had some flirtations with my sister...," Alura began.
"I'll handle her," Nyssa said vaguely.
"Chancellor, if I may speak freely, it is better if I never marry," Alura said boldly.
"Why?" Nyssa asked, knowing the answer.
"As you must have noticed from my sister, we have inherited a genetic trait that can lead to insanity and debauchery. Neither of us should have children. The risk is too high," Alura said.
Nyssa's right eye twitched at that. "Marriage does not have to lead to children. Let us solve one problem at a time. Now, go to Argo and become acquainted with him."
"As you wish, Chancellor," Alura bowed her head and left the room.
As soon as she left, Nyssa sighed and took rest in her chair with her hands over her face in grief. The Voice knelt down to comfort her and then took off his mask.
Argo
Zor and Alura met each other outside the city and did some dragon riding together. They then settled on a hill overlooking the city. "I've been working on genetic manipulation of the embryo. There's a good chance I can remove the traits that could be problematic," Zor offered.
"I'm not sure using resources like this for personal gain is legal," Alura remarked.
"Yeah, well, a lot of what I do is not...entirely...legal or ethical," Zor grimaced. "That's where you come in."
"You want me to be your legal counsel?" Alura asked slightly surprised.
"Among other things," Zor said awkwardly.
"What...things?" Alura asked.
"You know I've fucked your sister...and...you know...," Zor said.
"I'm aware," Alura nodded.
"So, you know I find your body attractive," Zor concluded.
"I gather that," Alura agreed.
"It's just that my work is very stressful and I need to release my stress on multiple females," Zor admitted.
"Zor, when we're married, you need only ask. You will find that I will more than accommodate you," Alura promised.
"Well, okay then," Zor smiled.
1951-1955
So it came to pass that Zor and Alura were married, Jor broke off his engagement with Lyta, and occasionally Zor would continue his affairs with Astra under the false pretense he couldn't tell the difference between the two sisters. Dru was promoted to colonel and approached Zor with a new project.
"Zor-El, I am now Colonel Zod. This is my assistant, Lieutenant Colonel Faora," he introduced. "Have my cape dry-cleaned," Dru ordered Faora as he detached it from his uniform.
"Sir," Faora said obediently and walked out.
"If that's how you treat a lieutenant colonel, I wonder how you will treat a humble scientist," Zor mocked.
"If I ever meet one, I'll let you know," Dru shot back.
"Holy shit," Zor said, burned.
"The Chancellor has a new pet project and she's putting me in charge of it. This is to be a highly classified tasking. The objective is to take your sperm, Alura's egg, and create a Supergirl, so to speak," Dru began.
"Excuse me?" Zor thought he misheard.
"The Chancellor believes that we could manipulate an embryo so that it can absorb yellow sun radiation to its maximum potential. We're talking about the ultimate weapon of mass destruction because this weapon is a living, walking, talking bomb," Dru said excitedly.
"What's the point? There are no yellow suns close by," Zor asked.
"Well, if we ever do make a colony under a yellow sun, this would be valuable. Also, we might be able to artificially create yellow solar radiation lamps here on Krypton," Dru said.
"The scriptures say that purposefully absorbing yellow sun radiation is heresy," Zor brought up and then showed him the verse where it was.
"I'll be damned," Dru said surprised. "The Voice has authorized it, so we're good. Besides, the individual committing heresy is an embryo so...fuck it," Dru said unconcernedly.
"So, my name came up as a project director?" Zor asked confused.
"No," Dru said flatly. There was an awkward silence between them. "Without condoning...or condemning...you're a dilettante, a womanizer, and a suspected heretic. You're unstable, theatrical, egotistical, and neurotic."
"How about brilliant?" Zor asked offended.
"All of you scientist types are brilliant," Dru said dismissively. "I don't know why the Chancellor picked you for this objective. I told her you were a piece of shit. She even agreed. But here we are."
"I get the impression you don't trust me," Zor frowned.
"I don't trust anyone," Dru nodded. "Why aren't you Krypton's chief scientist?"
"Why aren't you a general?" Zor shot back.
"They're making me a general for this project," Dru told him off.
"Damn," Zor said defeated.
"So, how would you proceed?" Dru asked lazily.
"You're talking about making a theory an actual person, my offspring, in fact," Zor pointed out.
"Yeah," Dru agreed nonchalantly.
"We're going to need Krypton's best scientists. Fuck secrecy, we need efficiency. Bring them all here to Argo. I'm going to run everything," Zor said ambitiously.
"Zor, you couldn't run a food stand," Dru rolled his eyes.
"I can run this," Zor said seriously.
1956
Dru and Zor went around the planet collecting scientists of various disciplines to come down to Argo. At the same time, Argo was receiving investments and workers from the military to build it up. Occasionally, a scientist would refuse to comply.
"Why the fuck would I want to do this?" one scientist asked.
"Because it's the most fucking important thing in the history of our world!" Dru exploded on him.
Later, Zor had a chat with Jor on the mission. "Why don't you do it the old-fashioned way where the woman gets pregnant and gives birth to the baby that way?" Jor asked.
"The fuck did I just hear?" Zor asked stunned.
"Just fucking with you...or am I?" Jor smirked.
"You would risk leaving it up to natural processes? Random genetic chance? That's how you'll get a retard baby," Zor told him.
"What does it say about our species if the only way not to get a retard baby is to specifically design them at the embryonic stage in pods?" Jor shot back.
"I don't have time for your nonsense. I have been tasked with creating the ultimate embryo, capable of absorbing yellow sunlight beyond any other Kryptonian in the history of our civilization," Zor said excitedly.
"Yeah, but why?" Jor wondered.
"The Chancellor wants to see if it can be done and so does the Military Guild," Zor said simply.
"Is the embryo going to be destroyed after you achieve it?" Jor asked.
"Of course," Zor said obviously. "Imagine if it was allowed to reach full term and walk among us, a living weapon."
"I don't think I can do this," Jor said uncertainly.
"Why the fuck not?" Zor asked outraged.
"I just don't think people should be turned into weapons of mass destruction. And how many embryos will have to be destroyed in this process?" Jor asked.
"Look, I don't know if we can really be trusted with this, but I know there are aliens out there that could destroy us. We have no choice," Zor said seriously.
"Well...fuck it," Jor shrugged.
Soon thereafter, it occurred to Zor that maybe he was not doing the right thing. He consulted with a distinguished politician in Argo on the matter revealing all sorts of classified secrets. "What are the limits to Kryptonian potential under yellow sunlight? The closer the Kryptonian is to the surface of the sun, the higher the rate of absorption. What if there is no threshold?" Zor asked Jul-Us.
"It would be illogical to assume a Kryptonian body can absorb infinite energy. There must be a limit," Jul assumed.
"What would that limit look like? Could it ignite the atmosphere?" Zor wondered.
"You have become lost in your world of probabilities and are in need of certainty," Jul sensed. "Rely on your peers to help you discover the answer."
"What if what I am doing ends in catastrophe?" Zor asked him.
"Then, you stop and you share your findings with the rest of the world so no one continues your work," Jul advised.
1957 Kandor
At some point, Zor escaped Argo to go back to Kandor and meet with Astra. In Astra's room, the two of them had a chat in chairs totally naked. "You left. Not a word," Astra said pissed off.
"I wrote," Zor said defensively.
"Pages and pages of nonsense," Astra said dismissively. "Where did you go?"
"I'm working on a top-secret totally classified mission on the outskirts of Argo," Zor admitted.
"To do what? Another doomsday virus?" Astra asked.
"I'm creating an embryo between myself and Alura that will absorb yellow solar radiation with the highest of efficiency," Zor explained.
"Zor, you know the risks of my bloodline. It's why I have never had children," Astra reminded him.
"The embryo will be destroyed at the end of the experiment. No harm, no foul," Zor assured her.
"And what if...someone intervenes and the embryo is not destroyed?" Astra challenged.
"That's preposterous. In science, we do things just to see if we can," Zor said naively.
"Why did it have to be your sperm, her egg?" Astra questioned.
"That's what the Chancellor ordered," Zor shrugged.
"Let's have sex now," Astra sighed, done with Zor's nonsense.
"I'm not so sure we should. You're my sister-in-law after all," Zor said uncertainly.
"I'm not entirely mentally stable," Astra admitted.
"I can definitely see that," Zor said wide-eyed.
"Refuse me and I might...harm myself," Astra said bluntly.
"Well...shit," Zor relented.
Argo
As soon as he came back, Zor had a meeting with General Dru Zod. "Why did you leave to go to Kandor?" Dru asked suspiciously.
"To have sex with my sister-in-law," Zor said honestly.
"I am shocked and appalled at you," Dru said, shocked and appalled.
"She's my wife's identical twin," Zor reminded him.
"Oh...that makes it okay," Dru nodded. "So, anyway, we've been having some leaks about the project. You're to have a meeting with Colonel Non despite my better judgment."
"He's head of security for the project. Shouldn't I know him?" Zor asked naively.
"No, he interrogates people in the old style," Dru said ominously.
"Such information wouldn't be admissible in court," Zor pointed out.
"He does not give a fuck," Dru warned.
When the meeting finally came, Non and Zor shook hands and then sat across from each other in an office. There was a long awkward silence between them. After a few hours of this, Zor fidgeted a bit and looked around the room while Non simply stared at him. Zor engaged in casual conversation to which Non did not respond. Finally, after several hours of this, Zor finally broke down.
"I have casual friends asking about the project and telling me they leak the information to the public! There's a spy in our ranks! His name is Dox! I am so sorry! Can I please go now?" Zor confessed.
Non gave Zor a condescending look but nodded.
In his room, Zor activated a hologram of his father, Seg. "The world is not prepared for the power you're unleashing. You have to make the politicians understand that this is not just a new weapon, it's a new world. You are the man who will help them to destroy themselves, and they'll respect you for that. You must speak up," Seg advised.
"Right...I'm getting another call," Zor nodded and then switched the hologram to that of Alura.
Kandor
Kryptonian police broke into Astra's apartment, cleared it, and then found Astra in the bathtub in a state of drowning herself. They pulled her out of the water and dragged her to the nearest hospital.
Kryptonia
Nyssa was at her desk when she heard the news. "Will she survive?"
"Yes, there was no permanent damage," The Voice informed her.
"Her death would have ruined everything," Nyssa said stressed out.
"It would create a time paradox for sure," The Voice agreed.
"I have remained distant from these people to avoid such paradoxes but now I wonder if that was a mistake," Nyssa considered.
"The information we have is incomplete. We don't know if you were meant to interact with them or not," The Voice conceded.
"I don't know whether Astra attempted to commit suicide at this point in her life. I don't know if it was caused by Zor-El's affair with her and this project. I don't know a whole lot of things," Nyssa admitted.
"Be assured that if everything does not occur as it should be, it will create a time paradox where this timeline is eliminated but the information will not be lost. If we fail this time, we can simply do it again slightly differently," The Voice told her.
"Easy for you to say. You're a machine. Every time a timeline collapses, I feel like I have died and I fear for my soul. After all these timeline paradoxes, has my soul been split into pieces? Am I the same being?" Nyssa asked reflectively.
"God helps those who help themselves," The Voice reminded her.
Nyssa nodded at that. "Make the introductions between Non and Astra."
"Non will not eagerly agree," The Voice warned her.
"Tell him he'll get his voice back if he does," Nyssa replied.
Argo
One day, Zor addressed his team. "We are theorists, yes? We imagine a future and our imaginings terrify us. But the government doesn't understand that and they won't understand it until they use it. This is the terrible secret of Argo. Our work here will ensure peace and security to Krypton and the colonial outposts. It will establish the galactic cooperation between alien races that Nyssa Vex envisions."
A pod was then created and filled with fluid for the embryo. All around the pod were computers that would monitor the precise calculations needed to fulfill the project's stipulated goal. With eight million chromosomal possibilities for the sperm and eight million for the egg, there would be 64 trillion chromosomal possibilities when they meet. In this experiment, the embryo's chromosomes would need to be absolutely identical to the project's stipulated goal.
Zor held a meeting with the top brass of Krypton: Lor-Zod, Dru-Zod, Quex-Ul, Jax-Us, Dev-Em, and Non. "What are we estimating as a possibility?" Lor asked skeptically.
"Assuming we have a planet within the habitable zone of its star and also has a liveable atmosphere, a Kryptonian could be exposed to roughly one thousand watts per meter square," Zor answered.
"How much radiation are we exposed to?" Quex asked.
"Roughly the same but it doesn't matter because the light we receive is on the red spectrum," Zor said.
"Why would the color spectrum matter?" Lor pressed.
"The reasons are complex and confusing...," Zor said vaguely.
"At an absorption rate of 1000 joules per second, it would take 80,000,000,000 seconds to unleash a typical fission bomb. That's 2536 years," Zod said as he did the calculation.
"So...what the fuck are we doing here?" Lor asked impatiently.
"However, if the Kryptonian in question could absorb solar radiation at 656,000 percent efficiency, it would only take roughly 2 minutes to charge," Zor argued.
"The fuck?" Jax shook his head dismayed.
"The math works out," Zor said confidently.
"Having an entire division of living nukes is giving me the greatest hard-on right now," Lor said impressed.
"This is all within the realm of theoretical...right?" Zor frowned.
"What if the Kryptonian was on the surface of the yellow star? How much power would that person have?" Dev asked immaturely.
"That's nonsense," Dru rebuked.
"No, I did the calculation for funsies. At one meter off the surface of the sun, the solar constant would be 3E27 watts per meter square. Assuming everything is constant that would be around 3E27 joules per second at 656,000 percent efficiency, you would have around 2E33 joules per second. With that kind of power you could destroy a typical M-size planet...per second," Zor calculated. "And I'm not talking about the sort of bullshit where you fire a laser into the core and the planet implodes from the inside. I'm taking escape velocity explosion."
"Holy Rao," Lor said impressed.
"The destruction of one's home planet could create a significant psychological effect on any of the survivors. It could cause them to go mad," Dru said thoughtfully.
"Got any targets in mind...theoretically?" Zor asked playing along.
"I have a list of twelve alien planets we could choose from...wait...no...eleven. The last one on the list I'll spare. My wife and I went there on our honeymoon. Good times," Lor considered. "I'll be plain and simple with you gentlemen. Any future enemy we may have will not, under any circumstances, surrender. It would require a full-blown invasion, many lives will be lost on both sides. The use of a Super-Kryptonian will save lives."
"Here, here," all the military men agreed.
"The Chancellor wants this experiment conducted at a specific time under very specific conditions. Will you be ready within six months?" Lor asked Dru.
"We got this," Dru said confidently even as Zor shook his head.
1960
On the day of the "conception", Nyssa and The Voice were present along with the top brass from the Military Guild. Non and Astra were together in a show of support. Jor and Lara were also present.
"Despite my misgivings of this, I congratulate you on the conception of your new child," Astra said to Alura.
"It's not a child, legally or otherwise. For reasons unknown to me, they insisted upon using one of my eggs," Alura said dismissively. Astra was taken aback but gave her space as she returned back to a very stoic Non.
Nyssa twitched as if she heard Alura's remark. "If the timeline collapses, will I feel it?" she asked apprehensively.
"It will happen before you realize it," The Voice assured her.
"If I knew it would be this complicated, I wouldn't have come," Nyssa said distressed.
"You were meant to be here. Fate has destined you to be here," The Voice told her.
Dru and Zor went up to Nyssa and The Voice. "We're ready now," Zor said confidently.
"Not until the appointed time," The Voice rebuked.
"It's just...we could do it now," Dru insisted.
"This is more than just a science project, general. It is a presentation to Rao," The Voice told him off.
"Well, okay then," Dru shrugged. The two went back to the translucent orb surrounded by computers and scientists. Nyssa and The Voice came closer to the orb as it got closer to the time.
Dru and Zor made small talk as the experiment was about to commence. "Four years, three thousand personnel, and two billion Kryptos all for this moment," Dru mused.
"This moment may be the end of Krypton," Zor said nervously.
"Wait...you're saying there's a chance that if we push this button, this new creation could destroy us all?" Dru asked slightly concerned.
"It's a remote possibility," Zor shook his head.
"How remote?" Dru asked.
"Near zero," Zor shrugged.
"Near zero? What the fuck?" Dru asked, going into panic mode.
"What do you want from me, Zod?" Zor asked impatiently.
"Zero would be nice," Dru said incredulously.
"Stop your bitching, the thing will be destroyed before it's even born," Zor downplayed.
Once the timer went down to near zero, The Voice gestured to the scientists. "Insert the egg," The Voice ordered.
"Wait...I thought I was in charge," Zor said confused.
"Do you feel...like you're in charge?" The Voice asked rhetorically as he caressed Zor's face with his gloved hand.
Zor backed away totally spooked. "Egg inserted," a random scientist informed The Voice. A canister with one single egg was placed in the orb.
"Release the nanomites," The Voice ordered.
A swarm of nanonmites at the microscopic level went straight for the egg and then inserted themselves into the interior cell structure of the egg. The rest of the nanonmites stood on standby for what would happen next. "Insert the sperm," The Voice ordered.
Another canister was inserted into the orb. Millions of sperm started swimming around aimlessly. Nanomites attached to some of the sperm and brought them closer to the egg. Nyssa stared intently into the orb as the sperm and egg came closer. Upon one of the sperm entering the egg, the nanomites went to work to make sure the right chromosome combinations were correct to the highest level of detail. In truth, all the years and effort theorizing was working on the nanomites.
"Well, is it according to specifications?" Nyssa asked Zor.
He looked at the computer for a good moment. "Yes...yes, we have done it," he said pleased.
"Through the science of our humble hands, Rao has given us a gift: The Daughter of Krypton," The Voice said to all.
"Daughter of Krypton!" the scientists and military men shouted cheerfully.
Zor then approached Nyssa. "We should wait at least a month until termination. It will give us sufficient time to study the effects of yellow solar radiation on the embryo."
Nyssa gave him a miffed expression. "The embryo will grow to full term and seeing as how she's genetically your daughter, you will be her father."
"Wait...what the fuck?" Zor wondered.
Alura couldn't help but overhear the conversation and came over. "This was merely a science experiment. You can't legally compel us to parent this child," she objected.
"I will make it legal," Nyssa sneered.
"This wasn't part of our deal," Zor protested.
"I am altering the deal. Pray, I don't alter it any further," Nyssa told him off.
"Zor is a scientist. I am a judge. We don't have time to raise your science experiment," Alura said boldly.
"You will find yourselves both unemployed if you don't," Nyssa threatened.
"We'll take this to the full council," Alura promised.
"Yeah, you go do that," Nyssa said dismissively. "Until the child is born, she will be under my authority and protection."
"You going to name her, too?" Zor rolled his eyes.
"Yes, a name that means pure...Kara Zor-El," Nyssa replied.
Despite his recent personal problems, Zor addressed his scientist crew after the military had taken the orb for safekeeping. "The world will remember this day. It's too soon to know what the results are. I am so proud! So proud of what you have accomplished!"
Zor then saw a hallucination of a young blond woman standing beside him. In a flash of light, the crowd of scientists had their skin melted off and were vaporized. "Holy shit," Zor whispered as he blinked a few times and found himself in front of a cheering crowd again. He then realized there was a burnt-ass corpse where he was stepping.
"Okay...I might actually be fucked up," Zor realized.
Zor left the auditorium a bit shaken, a bit stirred.
Kryptonia
Zor went before Nyssa's office to make his case for termination of the science "experiment." He couldn't help but notice The Voice was beside her. "So...how can I help you, Zor-El?" Nyssa asked sarcastically.
"I am concerned that you intend to make an army of supermen for galactic conquest utilizing yellow sun radiation. It's never been done in the history of Krypton. It could even start an arms race that destroys our planet," Zor said.
"There will only be one superman...or Supergirl in this case," Nyssa assured him.
"I thought the military wanted...," Zor said confused.
"The military answers to me," Nyssa informed him.
"Right, but what about the council?" Zor continued.
"I am the council," Nyssa stared him down.
"Wait...do we live under a dictatorship now? Is that what's happening?" Zor wondered.
"Only for the next fifteen years," Nyssa said dismissively.
"So, what was the point of this experiment?" Zor asked confused.
Nyssa gestured to The Voice on this matter. "It's written that a warrior will draw a burning sword from the fire. And that sword shall be Lightbringer. This warrior is The Prince That Was Promised, who will lead the forces of Light against the forces of Darkness in the coming battle for the fate of the galaxy," The Voice recited.
"I don't recall this prophecy," Zor doubted.
"It's relatively new," Nyssa said snarkily.
"Okay, well, we conceived a female so we're fucked. We have to do it over again," Zor pointed out.
"The translation allows for a prince or princess," The Voice said condescendingly.
"Is this real? Is this happening right now? I just spent years of my life, thousands of scientists, and billions of Kryptos to entertain your bullshit prophecy?" Zor asked outraged.
"You should feel grateful as the parents and guardians of the prince that was promised," Nyssa told him off. "She's going to rule the galaxy with a rod of iron and all her enemies are going to shattered like a potter's vace before her."
"Chancellor...I feel I have blood on my hands," Zor said seriously.
"How can you say that? Your daughter hasn't even done anything yet," Nyssa said dismissively.
"I mean...I will have blood on my hands. Like oceans of blood," Zor clarified.
"Do you think anyone gives a shit who the father of the prince is? They'll care who unleashed her. I did," Nyssa said deadly serious.
"So...wait...am I important or not?" Zor wondered.
Nyssa stared Zor-El down with an impatient expression. "You will raise the prince that was promised. You will love her, you will nourish her, and you will play with her...or I'll kill your ass and the rest of the House of El."
"I'm going to fight you on this...legally," Zor promised.
"Get the fuck out of my office," Nyssa ordered angrily.
Zor walked out in a huff. As the doors closed, Nyssa turned to The Voice and closed her eyes as if she were in pain. "I don't want to see that son of a bitch in my office again!" she shouted.
Zor and Alura went before a skeptical council that had been bought off by Nyssa. On the way to the council chamber, Zor met up with Jor. "Why are you fighting so hard on this? A child is a gift," Jor said to him.
"Says the man that doesn't have any," Zor shot back.
"Lara and I have been working really really hard to make it work naturally," Jor excused.
"I don't want to hear about your sexual abominations," Zor said dismissively and entered the chamber. There, he took his seat with Alura by his side in front of the council.
"Make your case, Zor-El," Lor-Zod said skeptically.
"For thousands of years, it has been every parent's right to terminate their spawn before it is born. This has allowed our race to evolve while eliminating genetic mutations and birth defects from our population. It's why no Kryptonian on this planet is handicapped, mentally retarded, or ugly as fuck. We can see these traits long before the spawn is born and we can prevent such births before they happen," Zor began.
"There doesn't appear to be any harmful genetic mutations or birth defects in your spawn," Lor pointed out.
"The right remains, however," Alura interjected.
"Your spawn is to be used as a weapon of mass destruction. That means it's a matter of planetary security," Lor discounted.
"Then, the WMD should be raised by the military," Zor said stubbornly.
"One step at a time, Zor-El," Lor backtracked. "It has not been established that this spawn would be a detriment to society and it is protected by planetary security interests."
"If we are compelled to take custody of this spawn, we will have no legal recourse to terminate once it is born," Alura pointed out.
"Is adoption on the table?" Lor wondered.
"If we gave the child up for adoption, it would stain the honor of the House of El. We cannot simply allow a commoner to take our spawn," Alura argued.
"So, terminating the spawn would be okay but giving up for adoption would be dishonorable? Well, okay then. I'm just a humble soldier. I blow stuff up and kill...adults," Lor said confused and perplexed.
"I would never have volunteered my sperm if I knew it would come to this. I was tricked, betrayed...by sinister forces," Zor said.
"It does appear you got played," Lor smirked. "I sympathize with your plight but since this a matter of planetary security, I will have to decline your request. We can deal with custody issues after the spawn is born."
Nyssa visited the Military Guild office alone and confronted Lor, the planetary commander. "Why was I summoned?" she asked annoyed. Lor smiled amused as he had her surrounded by his officers including Dru.
"I denied the House of El's request to terminate their spawn because I was distinctively told it was a matter of planetary security," Lor said pissed off.
"And it is," Nyssa insisted.
"You've canceled the experiments at Argo and have forbidden any additional test subjects," Lor accused.
"One weapon of mass destruction is sufficient," Nyssa excused.
"No! In return for our service, we were to receive an army of supermen," Lor disagreed.
"Your service to me is required regardless of anything. I am the commander in chief, your commander in chief," Nyssa reminded him.
"You've made yourself a dictator with emergency powers and refuse to hold free elections. I think we should put you under arrest, Chancellor," Lor suggested.
Nyssa eyed those around her as if counting how many would die if Lor tried. "I have a better idea: a challenge to the death. If you win, you will become Chancellor. If I win, your successor will pledge undying loyalty to me."
Lor chuckled at that. "Well, okay then," he agreed.
Nyssa and Lor faced off as the military guild watched. The two of them were skintight black suits. "A thousand years ago, the ancient warrior, Yor-Matther invited his detractors to the Jewel Mountains and challenged them one by one to a duel to the death. His victory ushered in a new golden age of peace in Krypton's history. If one believes they are worthy of true leadership, it is not only their right but their obligation to act on it," Lor said to his men.
Lor kicked Nyssa to the face as his first move. He withdrew painfully. It was like kicking a block of iron. Lor went for punch combinations that Nyssa lazily blocked. One got through to her face. Again, Lor withdrew with a damaged hand. Lor attacked once more with an uppercut to the chin and a kick to her gut. Nyssa casually threw Lor across the room where he slammed against the wall.
Frustrated, Lor got back and engaged Nyssa once more. This time, Nyssa entertained him a bit by blocking his punches and kicks and giving some of her own. Lor punched Nyssa to the head without effect. She swiped his chest breaking a rib and then slammed his head against the wall. As Lor went for more punches, Nyssa caught them and then punched him in the chest. Nyssa then tossed him on the floor like a rag doll. Lor got back up broken and overwhelmed. He continued to fight despite the pain. Nyssa broke his arm, forced him to the floor, and put his head in a headlock. Still, he would not relent. Nyssa snapped his neck, killing him instantly.
Nyssa then turned to the stunned soldiers present. "Dru-Zod," Nyssa called out. Dru came forth looking a little anxious. "You are now in command," she said to him. "Should anyone challenge his authority, it will be seen as a challenge to me," she said to everyone else.
"Yes, Chancellor," Dru bowed his head.
"Now, kneel before me," Nyssa ordered.
Dru slowly took a knee before her in front of all his men.
Argo
With the council in Nyssa's total control and the faith of Rao spreading like wildfire among the people, Zor-El had no chance when it came to his termination request. Kara Zor-El's pod was moved to Argo where she was then officially born. Zor-El and Alura did not bother to show up. The pod was drained and the baby was disconnected from the system. Kara began to obnoxiously cry non-stop.
"Her DNA is an identical match and she is perfectly healthy with no defects," The Voice informed Nyssa.
Nyssa nodded and then held the baby in her arms lovingly as if it were her own. "No one will love you more than I and I have so much love to give," Nyssa said to Kara.
Astra then appeared on the scene. She eyed the child and Nyssa holding her. "May I hold my niece?" Astra asked with teary eyes.
"Of course," Nyssa said, handing Kara over to her.
"Where are my sister and her husband?" Astra asked confused.
"Not here," Nyssa said flatly.
"Chancellor, give the child to me to raise. I will love her as if she were mine as if I gave birth to her," Astra requested.
Nyssa closed her eyes painfully. "I cannot."
"My sister and her husband do not care for her. They do not love her. She will be forgotten and mistreated, a living exile," Astra said.
Nyssa looked as if she were about to cry but then stopped herself. She straightened up and gave Astra a cold gaze. "Kara will be raised by her parents as a demonstration of my power. No one may terminate a pod or give up their child to adoption without my consent."
"Then, Kara will suffer for your pride," Astra accused.
"It has to be this way, Astra," Nyssa said softly. "But I assure you, she will remember your love and kindness even onto the end and beyond." Soldiers then appeared on the scene.
"Bring the child to Zor-El and Alura. If they refuse the child, have them arrested," Nyssa ordered.
"Chancellor, please, let me bring the child to them," Astra offered.
"Very well," Nyssa allowed.
1963
Zor went to meet with Jul in a park to lament his existence. "Now, it is time for you to deal with the consequences of your achievement and one day when they have punished you enough, they'll serve you exotic foods, make speeches, and give you a medal, but just remember, it won't be for you. It will be for them," Jul told him.
"Well...shit," Zor frowned.
The two eyed a young Kara running around trying to catch a bug with Alura slightly attentive to her. "I have created death, the destroyer of worlds," Zor said hauntedly.
End of AOS, probably, maybe
Thank You
Author's Notes: There's a lot of history being skipped over for the purpose of focusing on this specific chain of events leading to Kara's birth. Those gaps will be filled in at some later date. Having Zor-El treat Kara the same way Oppenheimer sees his bomb was just too good to pass up. For those lost in the sauce, Nyssa and The Voice are based on Krypton (TV) and are, in fact, Kara and B5. The time travel paradox is discussed here at length. Was Kara always meant to be the Chancellor to ensure her own conception or did she just substitute the real Chancellor that would have allowed this event to happen anyway? The issue of parenting in time travel is also discussed here. If you go back in time and you make any adjustment whatsoever to your parents (before you're conceived) you're likely fucked because a person's DNA makeup has to be precisely exact or you're an entirely different person.
*Zor is responsible for the Medussa Virus from 2x08 which was conveniently ignored in Season 6. Also, they didn't bother to cast anyone remotely similar to Zor-El's hologram. Also, it was kind of fucked up that Zor-El's appearance in SG was that he was a badass war criminal up until Season 6 when he became a doofus. Zor's nonchalant attitude toward Medussa while seeing his own kid as horrifying was intentional.
*The way to reconcile MOS to reality is to present the idea that natural reproduction is extremely difficult due to high levels of infertility thus requiring pods. Efforts to counter this infertility would be heresy. Of course, Jor manages to score a hit due to his tenacity.
*Did Zor-El have sexual relations with both Alura and Astra? Logically, I'd have to assume so. If you're married to a twin, feel free to correct me. In any case, it works perfectly for the film adaptation.
*The prophecy of Kara comes from GOT which Kara watches religiously in both CW and AOS versions.
*AOS reconciles the different Non versions by having him mute in the past but getting his voice back later. Turns out, Kara took care of him.
*I always felt bad for AOS Astra and that Kara's anger toward her mother was channeled into her. It is compounded by the fact that Kara refused Astra the ability to adopt her which could have led to a totally different future where they may have all died or survived. In the end, we cannot stress over changing the past but looking forward to change the future.