Chapter 9
Over the past few months the sun's gravity had pulled the Kryptonian crystals closer and closer. During their travels through space the crystals had separated into three groups of three. As Superman approached the orbital path of Mars he slowed and listened. Strong signals indicated the first group was nearby. Scanning the vast region with his telescopic vision Superman soon spotted them. Seconds later he scooped them up one by one and carefully placed them in a cushioned pocket of his cape. Three down, six to go.
Quite a distance separated the first group from the second. Once Superman located the signal he sped toward it. The second group had safely cleared the Asteroid Belt, but they were still more than two-hundred million miles away. In order to travel the great distance, Superman flew at nearly the speed of light. Thirty minutes later he spotted the crystals amongst the dust and debris of the Asteroid Belt.
A ray of sunlight bounced off the first crystal as Superman grabbed it. After placing it in a pocket of his cape Superman turned for the other two crystals and it was then he spied the spaceship hovering at the edge of the Asteroid Belt. Quickly gathering the last two crystals Superman stowed them in his cape.
The last group of crystals drifted into sight near the location of the spaceship. The father crystal was in this group. Curiosity about the ship's occupants and purpose would have to wait, it was imperative Superman retrieve the crystals before they did, if indeed that was their intention. At light-speed he reached the outer edge of the Asteroid Belt.
Aboard the spaceship, Vril reported to Brainiac, "I have locked a tractor beam on one of the crystals. I'm bringing it onboard now."
"Good work!" replied the towering green android. "What about the other two?"
Vril didn't answer immediately. He was ensuring the first crystal made it safely aboard before looking for the other two.
"I'm waiting!" seethed Brainiac with unrestrained irritation.
"Sorry," answered Vril, running a green hand through his short blond hair. "The first crystal is safely aboard, but there's a problem!"
"What!" Brainiac was rapidly losing patience. The crystals needed to be onboard now so they could move to the next group. Like Superman, he had noticed the crystals were separated into three groups. "What is the problem?!" he growled.
"One of the crystals has drifted into a crevice of an asteroid. There's no way I can use the tractor beam to get it."
Brainiac approached the control station and demanded, "Show me where it is." Vril adjusted the scanners and pointed a green finger to the exact location displayed on the screen.
After studying the screen for a moment Brainiac said, "This is not a problem. I will retrieve the crystal myself." Being in space was not a problem for him, he didn't require air and his robotic body could produce powerful thrusts that would propel him in any direction he desired—much like flying.
Preparing to leave the ship, Brainiac stopped at the airlock and turned to Vril. Raising a fist Brainiac said, "If need be, I'll crush the asteroid!" He brought his fist down hard into his other hand and said, "I will have the crystal!"
As Superman neared the Asteroid Belt he saw the android dressed in a dark purple bodysuit exit the spaceship and fly toward an asteroid. The three green diodes atop his bald head glowed in the inky darkness. Superman scanned the asteroid with his X-ray vision and spied the crystal lodged in a crevice. His super-hearing indicated one crystal was already aboard the spaceship.
Brainiac stretched his hand toward the crevice containing the crystal, but suddenly realized his hand was too large to fit inside. No problem, he would crush the asteroid as he had said he would. Raising a fist, Brainiac prepared to smash the asteroid when he noticed Superman hovering a short distance away.
Poised and confident, Superman hovered with his arms crossed. He'd removed the oxygen mask and with authority said, "The crystals belong to me."
Brainiac lowered his fist. He didn't like the authoritative tone of Superman's voice. Who did this humanoid in the bright blue suit think he was? Brainiac noted the red cape and 'S' crest. They were similar to Kryptonian clothing, but Krypton had been located almost fifty light years away and had exploded many years ago. Was it possible there had been survivors?
Brainiac glared menacingly as he slowly glided closer to the Man of Steel. Brainiac's face drew within a few feet of Superman's and his massive green body overshadowed the Man of Steel's. To Superman's credit, at least in Brainiac's mind, Superman didn't flee—he remained stationary with his muscular arms bent at his sides, his hands curled into powerful fists—ready for battle if necessary. His vivid blue eyes locked onto Brainiac's fiery red ones.
Brainiac wasn't accustomed to this response, particularly the look of confidence on Superman's face. Now he was really intrigued. Most creatures fled in terror at the mere sight of his huge, green, robotic body and glowing eyes.
"You are a fool humanoid," Brainiac said stopping mere inches from Superman's face. "I will take this crystal and the others. You cannot stop me!"
Superman's brow furrowed. Glaring into Brainiac's red eyes, he said, "I intend to prove you wrong." Superman's voice contained a touch of menace.
With lightning fast speed, Brainiac swung. However, his mighty fist found nothing to hit and he spun in space like a top. Anticipating Brainiac's move Superman had flown to the asteroid hoping to retrieve the crystal. As he reached for the crevice a crushing blow landed on his back. The blow's force sent Superman crashing into the asteroid shattering it. Chunks of rock, ice, and debris flew in all directions. The dislodged crystal tumbled wildly through space. With speed as fast as Superman's, Brainiac flew after the crystal and grabbed it. Triumphantly he held it up. It sparkled in the faint rays of sunlight.
Superman placed the oxygen mask back on his face. The android's blow had knocked the wind out of him and left him stunned. He'd been surprised by Brainiac's strength, but now he knew his opponent matched him in strength and speed and he wouldn't let his guard down again. He sped toward Brainiac at light-speed.
It was Brainiac's turn to be surprised. With Superman rapidly approaching, Brainiac grabbed an asteroid and hurled it at the Man of Steel. Without slowing Superman dodged the rock and continued straight for the purple clad android. Superman's eyes began to glow and his heat-vision covered Brainiac's chest.
Suddenly, to his horror, Brainiac realized his armor was heating up. He hurled asteroid after asteroid at the Man of Steel while attempting to dodge the heat-vision.
Superman used his powerful fists to crush each asteroid, creating a shower of debris. He didn't let up on the heat-vision either—he kept it aimed at Brainiac's chest. The armor was tough, but Superman used more energy than ever before and finally the armor showed signs of melting. Unfortunately, the use of heat-vision caused a tremendous drain on Superman and at this distance from the sun, he was incapable of recharging to full strength.
Brainiac had been on the defense, now however, he went on the offense and flew at Superman with both fists ready. The first blow sent Superman tumbling back in pain. He tried to right himself, but Brainiac was on him again. The second painful blow landed on Superman's chest and sent him reeling.
Superman's powers were almost depleted, but he couldn't give in now. He flew, at light-speed, toward the sun, toward the source of his great powers, the battery that kept him charged. Brainiac pursued thinking the Man of Steel was running from the fight. Superman absorbed the sun's energy as Brainiac drew closer and closer.
When Brainiac was within a hundred yards, Superman spun and aimed his heat-vision at the weakened area of Brainiac's chest. Undaunted, Brainiac continued forward and swung his massive fists at Superman's head. Superman dodged the blows while simultaneously pounding Brainiac's chest with his own fists. First one blow, then another, and another.
Brainiac returned as many blows as he could. However, Superman's blows were causing internal damage to his systems. Brainiac was capable of regenerating himself, but not while under attack. He mustered as much strength as possible and landed a blow on Superman's jaw sending the Man of Steel sailing away. It was only a momentary reprieve for Brainiac.
Superman quickly regained his balance and flying at light-speed, plowed into Brainiac's chest with both fists. His heat-vision saturated the area, too. Under the force of the impact and heat-vision, Brainiac's chest finally collapsed in a shower of blue sparks. Electrically charges coursed through the android's damaged body as it convulsed uncontrollably. A bright blue and white burst of electrical charges lit up the darkness and finally, Brainiac's limp body drifted in space.
Superman took a deep breath, relieved the fight was over. His jaw hurt from Brainiac's last blow. Floating a short distance away, sparkling in the feeble light of the distant sun, was the crystal Brainiac had managed to take. Superman grabbed it and turned his attention to the spaceship. He knew one crystal was already inside. But where was the father crystal? He could no longer hear its signal, but he was sure the spaceship held the answer. After tucking this crystal safely in his cape, he flew to the ship. Seven down, two to go.