I was on my ship as Jor worked with LYRA in operating the vessel. The ship was about to be launched, and I had gathered everything that was to be taken for our travel to the new sector that would house Kryptonians.
The massive evacuation vessel stretched out around us, its corridors filled with nearly fifteen thousand souls who had been carefully selected for this mission.
The cargo holds contained genetic samples of various plant and animal species of Krypton, cultural artifacts, and technological blueprints—everything we would need to rebuild our civilization among the stars.
"The Phantom Drive is fully charged and the passengers are on board," Jor said, his voice steady despite the tension. "Now we only have to wait for the birth chambers, the Codex, and clearance from General Zod."
I nodded. My mind drifted back to the argument I had with Zod just hours before the assault began. I had wanted to accompany him into Kandor, to fight alongside the Sword of Rao in their desperate mission.
Zod had denied my request immediately. "That would be too risky," he had said, his voice firm. "If something happened to you, the expedition would be without a leader. These people need you alive, not dead in some heroic gesture."
I had reluctantly agreed, even though I knew I could handle myself in combat. I had been trained for years by the previous Lord of House Sno, Ned-Sno, who had passed away just one year ago.
The old warrior had taught me everything he knew about fighting and warfare. I had the physique and skills to fight on equal terms with veterans.
But Zod was right. Right now, I was too valuable to risk on what was essentially a suicide mission. The city was filled with Sapphire Guards, and Zod's forces would only be able to hold their ground for so long before being overwhelmed by sheer numbers.
Plus, energy blasts did not ask which house a person belonged to before splattering their brain matter.
"Keep the ship ready and stable," I said to Jor. "Once we get the equipment, we launch immediately."
Jor nodded grimly. "Understood. LYRA has all systems primed for immediate departure."
Now we could only wait. Every second was weighing a lot as we monitored the communications from Kandor. The sounds of battle filtered through our receivers—explosions, weapon fire, and the occasional shout of commands or cries of pain.
I found myself pacing the command deck, unable to sit still while good soldiers died for our cause. These warriors were sacrificing everything so that our people could have a future. The least I could do was honor their sacrifice by ensuring the mission succeeded.
"Young master," LYRA's voice filled the command center, "I'm detecting increased Sapphire Guard activity throughout Kandor. Their response time was faster than projected."
"How much faster?" I asked, though I wasn't sure I wanted to know the answer.
"Approximately thirty percent. It appears they had contingency plans in place for this type of assault."
That wasn't good news. Every minute that passed increased the chances that Zod's forces would be completely overwhelmed before they could complete their objectives.
Jor looked up from his control panel. "We should consider the possibility that they might not make it back."
I shook my head firmly. "They will make it. They have to."
But even as I said the words, I knew the odds were against us. The Sword of Rao was fighting against overwhelming numbers in the heart of enemy territory. Even with their training and planning, they could only hold out for so long.
....
Kandor
Commander Faura had managed to secure a hundred birth chambers from the reproductive facilities. These artificial wombs were crucial for rebuilding the population—without them, the fifteen thousand survivors would be limited to just natural reproduction.
The birth chambers were bulky pieces of equipment, each one requiring careful handling to avoid damage to their delicate internal mechanisms. Faura's team had worked with impressive efficiency, loading the chambers onto transport platforms and moving them toward the extraction point.
At the same time, Commander Non had successfully infiltrated the genetic archives and secured the Codex. The crystalline device contained the complete genetic template of every Kryptonian who had ever lived—billions of unique DNA patterns that represented the entirety of their species' biological heritage.
Non held the Codex carefully as he made his way through the corridors of the Legislative Chamber. This small crystal contained everything that made them who they were as a people.
Both commanders and their teams were now moving toward their escort ship, but the situation was deteriorating rapidly. The Sapphire Guards were starting to overpower the Sword of Rao through sheer numbers. For every guard that fell, two more seemed to take their place.
The tide of battle was turning against them.
Then the situation got worse. The city's defense systems, which had been deactivated by Zod's initial assault, suddenly came back online. Massive energy blasters began rising from hidden positions throughout Kandor, their barrels glowing with deadly power.
"All ships, take evasive action!" came Zod's voice over the communication channel. "The city defenses are active!"
The giant energy blasters opened fire on the ships hovering above the city. The weapons were designed to repel invasion fleets, and their power was devastating. Multiple ships were hit simultaneously, their hulls glowing red-hot from the energy impacts.
The damage wasn't enough to bring the ships down immediately, but if the bombardment continued, they would be destroyed one by one. The Sword of Rao vessels tried to return fire, but the defense systems were too spread out and too well-armored to be eliminated quickly.
It was then that individual heroism began to shine through the chaos of battle.
A young pilot in a scout ship looked at the massive energy cannon that was targeting his ship and the larger vessels around him. He could see his options clearly—try to outrun the blaster and probably get shot down anyway, or do something that might actually make a difference.
The pilot gritted his teeth and made his choice. "For Krypton!" he shouted into his communication device before steering his ship directly into the energy cannon.
The impact was spectacular. The scout ship's power core exploded on contact with the blaster, creating a chain reaction that destroyed the entire defensive emplacement. The pilot died instantly, but his sacrifice eliminated one of the most dangerous threats to the evacuation fleet.
Seeing their comrade's heroic action, other pilots began to follow his example. "For Krypton!" they shouted before crashing their ships into nearby defense systems.
One after another, the brave pilots of the Sword of Rao gave their lives to protect the larger vessels. Each sacrifice eliminated another defensive position, giving the main fleet precious moments of relief from the deadly bombardment.
But the cost was terrible. Dozens of experienced pilots—men and women who had served Krypton for years—died in those few minutes of desperate action. They traded their lives for time, and that time was exactly what the mission needed.
At that crucial moment, an escort ship emerged from the wreckage of the Legislative Chamber. Commander Faura and Commander Non were aboard, along with their precious cargo—the birth chambers and the Codex.
But their escape was far from guaranteed. Dozens of Sapphire Guard scout ships were in pursuit, their weapons blazing as they tried to shoot down the fleeing vessel. The escort ship's pilot pushed his engines to maximum power, but the pursuing guards were gaining ground.
"We're not going to make it!" the pilot shouted over the sound of energy bolts striking their hull. "Their ships are faster than ours!"
Commander Faura moved to the weapons console. "Then we fight as we go. The cargo is too important to lose."
But just as the situation seemed hopeless, salvation arrived from an unexpected source. One of the larger Sword of Rao warships descended from the battle above, its massive guns already charging for combat.
The warship opened fire on the pursuing scout ships, its heavy weapons tearing through their lighter armor like paper. Within seconds, half of the pursuing force had been eliminated.
"Go on, Commanders," came a voice over the communication frequency. It was Captain Kol-Da, one of Zod's most trusted ship commanders. "We will cover you."
The escort ship accelerated away from Kandor as the warship continued to engage the remaining Sapphire Guards. Captain Kol-Da and his crew were buying time with their lives, just like the scout pilots had done moments before.
But more Sapphire Guard ships came as reinforcement. The number was nearly triple the previous number, and there were some larger ships as well.
Faura watched through the rear viewing port as the warship fought a desperate battle against overwhelming odds. She could see energy bolts striking its hull, could see sections of the ship beginning to fail under the sustained assault.
"Captain Kol-Da," she said into her communicator, "pull back. You've done enough."
"Negative, Commander," came the reply. "Our orders are to ensure your escape. We will hold them as long as possible."
Those were the last words they heard from Captain Kol-Da.
His ship continued fighting until it was overwhelmed and destroyed, but by then the escort ship was far enough away to reach safety.
Yet as his ship fell, many others came in between the escort ship, continuing to fight the hopeless fight... just to buy them a few more minutes.
Commander Non looked at the Codex in his hands, then at the birth chambers secured in the cargo hold. "So many died for this," he said quietly.
"And their sacrifice will not be forgotten," Faura replied. "These items represent hope—the hope that Krypton will live on among the stars."
The escort ship continued its journey toward the House Rao estate, leaving behind nothing but soldiers who had sacrificed themselves so their race could live on. Behind them, the city of Kandor burned as Zod's remaining forces continued their desperate battle.
But the most important objectives had been achieved. The Codex was secure, the birth chambers were intact, and the path was clear for the evacuation ship to depart.
The price had been terrible, but the mission was succeeding.
The survivors would remember, and they would build a better future in honor of those who made it possible.
.....
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