A ship entered Sector 2814. The massive evacuation vessel materialized near planet Earth, its stealth systems activated to avoid detection by any scanning technology the local inhabitants might possess.
The technology gap between Kryptonian and human civilization was so vast that concealing ourselves required minimal effort.
I sat on my commander's chair as the main display showed Earth, Mars, and the yellow sun that dominated this solar system. The star burned with brilliant golden light, so different from the red sun that had illuminated Krypton for millennia.
I looked at Earth, 'Finally, the planet that was the center of the universe in both DC and Marvel realities.'
The small blue world spinning before us held more significance than any other planet in the galaxy, though its inhabitants had no idea of their importance in the cosmic order.
My mind raced as I considered the opportunities that existed on this planet. Special metals like vibranium and adamantium, energy sources beyond imagination, artifacts, genetic materials - this planet was basically a goldmine of resources.
Though I could get many of these materials elsewhere, they were scattered across different planets throughout the galaxy. Here on Earth, or in this solar system, I could potentially access all of them within a relatively small area.
But one thing I was most curious about was magic. It was one of the only things that Kryptonians were traditionally weak against. If I were to make Krypton an empire that stood tall against the wheel of time, then I needed to address that weakness from the very beginning.
Magic wielders like Doctor Strange, Zatanna, and countless others called this planet home. Understanding their power, perhaps even learning to counter or use it, would be crucial for our long-term survival and dominance.
I turned to Jon and said, "I want you to find out all the information about this planet. Study their governments, their military capabilities, their technology level, and their major population centers. Everything."
Jon nodded and replied, "Yes, my lord. I'll begin a comprehensive analysis immediately."
The shift in how he addressed me was subtle but significant. The respect in his voice had deepened since my speech about our divine lineage and our future plans.
I then looked at Jor and said, "Your work will be the most extensive from now on. Check on the condition of the Phantom Drive, and most importantly, I want you to scout Mars and prepare the terraforming engines."
Mars hung in space near us, a red planet that could potentially become our new home with the right modifications.
"If Mars meets our criteria, we will terraform it into our new Krypton. A world where our people can thrive while we establish our presence in this system."
Jor nodded and said, "It will be done, my lord."
I smiled slightly at how Jor had referred to me as "my lord" instead of "Lord Rao." It was another sign that he was truly under my command now, not just cooperating out of necessity.
Jor then said, "I would like to add my brother and his daughter to this task. Their expertise in planetary engineering would be invaluable."
I looked at him and replied, "Add whoever you want. Just get the task done efficiently and thoroughly."
Jor nodded his understanding.
I then looked at Faora and said, "As for you, I want you to have a team recalibrate the shields of my chamber and let the rays of the yellow sun come inside."
Faora's eyes widened in shock, as did everyone else's on the bridge. The request was so unexpected and seemingly dangerous that it caught them all completely off guard.
Just then Jor spoke up, "But why, my lord? As you know, all stellar radiation except red star radiation is toxic for Kryptonians. Our people will die immediately within a few minutes of exposure."
I looked at Jor for a second, genuinely not understanding why he was saying this. His reaction puzzled me because I had expected him, of all people, to understand the truth about yellow sun radiation.
I asked Jor, "You of all people are asking this? I thought you knew, since you were planning to send your son to this planet."
Jor had told me during our work sessions that he had originally planned to send Kal-El here when Krypton was destroyed. Which of course I already knew, but him telling me about it was better as at that time I needed him to start trusting me.
Jor said, "Yes, my lord, I was going to send my son here. But I was designing a protective suit for him as well, one that would have filtered out the yellow sun radiation from ever reaching my son's body."
I looked at Jor for a moment, processing this information. I sighed and said, "So even you did not know the truth? I thought that was the reason you decided to send your son to Earth."
Jor asked, confused, "What's the reason, my lord?"
I answered, "The fact that other suns' radiation is toxic is wrong. Rather, it's the opposite. Yellow sun radiation empowers us Kryptonians, makes us far stronger than our biological limits."
Jor argued, "But my lord, the Science Guild's xenobiological studies established that only red sun radiation is suitable for Kryptonians. This was proven centuries ago through extensive research."
I nodded and said, "It was indeed established by the Council. But do you really trust the Council after everything we've learned?"
Everyone got silent at that question. The Council's betrayal, their lies about Krypton's destruction, and their systematic dismantling of our civilization's survival mechanisms had shaken everyone's faith in official doctrine.
Then I added, "Besides, I found some records in my house archives about God King Rao. Most Kryptonians of his era possessed these abilities. That was one of the main reasons Kryptonians were able to conquer entire galaxies during that golden age of our history."
Jor hesitated for a moment, clearly wrestling with conflicting information. I could see him thinking through the implications of what I was saying.
"Go on," I said, encouraging him to voice his thoughts.
Jor said, "You are right, my lord. The Council has published many false reports throughout history, and most of our people have always believed them without question. My father was against one of the propaganda campaigns the Council tried to spread, but the Council stripped him of all his authority when he refused to comply."
I didn't say anything in response, just nodded thoughtfully. The small manipulation of claiming house records had worked perfectly. There had never been any actual records about yellow sun radiation in our archives - only my memories from Alex's comic book knowledge. But they couldn't know that, since I could always claim the physical copies had been destroyed along with Krypton.
Then Jon spoke up, his voice filled with concern. "My lord, even if this is true, we cannot let you take such a risk. What if the radiation actually is toxic and the theories are wrong? We cannot risk losing you."
I looked at Jon and said, "Risk is precisely what leadership demands."
Faora said, "What about me? How about I test it instead of you? I'm expendable compared to our leader."
I shook my head firmly. "No. Right now, every single Kryptonian on this ship is my responsibility, and that includes you as well, Faora."
The statement surprised her. In the old military hierarchy, commanders were often considered more expendable than their superiors. But I was establishing a different kind of leadership.
"I cannot ask any of my people to trust a theory that I am unwilling to test myself. If I'm wrong about the yellow sun, then I should be the one to pay the price for that error."
Jor wanted to say something, probably to argue further or suggest alternatives. But I put a cold look on my face and said with finality, "Prepare my chambers."
The tone made it clear that this was not open for further debate. I had made my decision, and as their leader, I expected it to be carried out.
Seeing my conviction and unwillingness to compromise on this point, they sighed but I could see the respect growing in their eyes. Even if they disagreed with the decision, they could not question the courage it required.
Faora had another expression in her eyes beyond simple respect - there was admiration there as well. She recognized the kind of leadership that put personal risk ahead of personal safety.
Faora nodded, performed the chest salute, and said, "It will be done, my lord," before leaving to carry out the orders.
Jor and Jon performed their salutes as well and left to begin their respective tasks. But I could see that their respect for me had increased significantly. They might not agree with my methods, but they couldn't argue with my commitment to leading from the front.
I folded my hands behind my back and looked at the yellow sun through the reinforced glass that was constantly filtering out the star's radiation. The golden light seemed to pulse with potential energy, promising either empowerment or destruction.
In a few hours, I would know which one it would be.
The next few hours would determine whether my gamble paid off or whether I had just signed my own death warrant. But leadership required difficult decisions, and this was perhaps the most important one I would ever make.
If I was right about yellow sun radiation, it would transform not just me but potentially our entire civilization. We would become something far beyond what we had been on Krypton - a race of beings with godlike power under the right stellar conditions.
If I was wrong, then I would die, and my people would need to find another way forward without their leader.
But I didn't think I was wrong. The evidence from Alex's memories was too detailed, too consistent to be mere fiction. Superman, Supergirl, and other Kryptonian survivors had all gained incredible abilities under yellow sun radiation. There was no reason to believe the same wouldn't be true for me.
The risk was enormous, but so was the potential reward. And sometimes, great leaders had to make choices that others considered insane.
I thought about my father again, about the lessons he had taught me regarding leadership and responsibility. He had always said that the hardest decisions were often the most necessary ones.
This was definitely one of those moments.
Now let's just hope that everything works out like my plan.
.....
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