The vessel carried me swiftly across Krypton's northern territories, its engines humming as we approached the El estate. Through the transparent viewport, I watched the crystalline spires of their family compound grow larger against the crimson sky.
House El had always maintained a more modest residence compared to the other noble houses, focusing its resources on research facilities rather than ostentatious displays of wealth.
As the vessel touched down on thevir landing platform, I could see two figures waiting for me. Jor-El and his wife Lara stood side by side, their posture formal yet welcoming.
I stepped out of the vessel. The couple approached, and I was struck by how composed they appeared. There was no surprise in their expressions at my unexpected visit, no curiosity about why the head of House Rao had come calling.
"Lord Rao," Jor-El said, inclining his head respectfully. "Welcome to our home."
"Lord Rao," Lara echoed, offering her own formal greeting. "It's an honor to have you here."
Despite my youth, they addressed me with the full dignity of my position. Age meant nothing when it came to noble houses—I was the head of House Rao, and that commanded respect regardless of how many years I'd lived.
"Thank you for receiving me on such short notice," I replied, returning their courtesies. "I hope you'll forgive the abrupt nature of my visit."
"Not at all," Jor-El said, gesturing toward the entrance to their main residence. "Please, come inside. We can speak more comfortably there."
They led me through corridors lined with awards and commendations from the Science Guild, past laboratories where various experiments were clearly in progress.
We settled into a comfortable sitting room where soft light filtered through crystal panels. Lara offered refreshments, which I politely declined. There was too much urgency in what I'd come to discuss for social pleasantries.
"Well," I said, leaning forward in my chair, "I'll cut straight to the chase. Our planet is about to be destroyed."
I watched their faces carefully as I spoke the words. Any normal Kryptonian would have reacted with shock, disbelief, perhaps even laughter at such an outrageous statement. They would have demanded explanations, questioned my sanity, or dismissed it as some kind of elaborate jest.
Jor-El and Lara did none of those things.
Their expressions remained steady, perhaps growing slightly more grave, but showing none of the surprise that should have greeted such devastating news. They exchanged a brief glance—the kind of look that passed between two people who shared a terrible secret.
"I see," I said quietly, studying their reactions. "You already knew."
The silence stretched between us for several seconds. Jor-El and Lara looked at each other again, and I could see some kind of silent communication passing between them. Finally, Jor-El sighed deeply and met my eyes.
"So you also know, huh?" he said, his voice carrying the weight of long-held burdens.
"Yes," I replied. "I found out about it quite recently. How long have you known?"
"Two years," Jor-El answered without hesitation. "I've been aware of the core's instability for two years now."
Two years. In contrast, I had discovered this truth only hours ago.
"What did you do about it?" I asked.
Jor-El's expression darkened. "Nothing on a grander scale. Due to the conditions created by the Council, there was no way left for our people. Even if I were to bring it up to the Council, they would strip me of any authority I had, just like they did to my father."
His mention of his father struck a chord. I remembered what Lyra told me about Noh-El, Jor-El's father, who had been the first to detect Krypton's core instability over a century ago. The Council had silenced him, destroyed his career, and buried his warnings.
Jor-El hesitated for a moment, then continued. "I do have something, though. I've been preparing a vessel that can carry one person out of our system, leaving a chance for Krypton's revival."
"One person?" I repeated, though I already knew the answer. "Just one?"
"I had to reinvent the hyperspace drive after the Council wiped out all the information regarding them," Jor-El explained, his frustration evident. "I've been creating a vessel capable of interstellar travel, but the limitations are severe. The power requirements, the materials needed—everything has been restricted or monitored."
I didn't ask who that one person would be. The answer was obvious from Alex's... no, my memories. Kal-El would be that person.
"I see," I said simply. "One person."
"It's the best I can do," Jor-El continued, his voice heavy with regret. "I had to develop blueprints and technology from scratch. It's nothing compared to the billions of people we have, but it's still our hope. At least someone will survive to remember what we were."
"I disagree," I said, reaching into my pocket and withdrawing a small crystal data storage device. I placed it on the table between us and slid it toward Jor-El. "I have a way to save thousands instead of just one. But I need your help to do that."
Jor-El looked down at the crystal, his scientific curiosity immediately piqued. "What's on this?"
"Why don't you take a look?" I replied, gesturing toward the crystal scanner built into their table.
Jor-El stood and inserted the crystal into the scanner. Immediately, the room filled with holographic formulas and diagrams, complex mathematical equations floating in the air like stars in a constellation of pure knowledge. The display was so dense and intricate that it took my breath away even though I'd seen it before.
Jor-El's eyes went wide as he began to absorb the information. He moved closer to the projections, his hands reaching out to manipulate different sections of the display. I could see his brilliant mind working, trying to comprehend the revolutionary concepts my mother had developed.
"This is incredible," he whispered, his voice filled with awe. "The spatial compression ratios alone are beyond anything I've theorized. And these power distribution patterns..."
"It's a method of instantaneous space travel," I interrupted, cutting through his scientific analysis. "An upgrade to hyperspace drives by many generations. My mother invented it. It's called the Phantom Drive."
Jor-El tore his gaze away from the holographic displays to look at me directly. "Your mother was always the brightest mind on Krypton," he said with genuine reverence. "This work is revolutionary beyond measure."
"Indeed she was," I replied, feeling the familiar pang of loss. "But now she's not amongst us anymore. That's why I've come to ask for your help. I'm creating a vessel capable of carrying fifteen thousand Kryptonians, but to do that, we need to install the Phantom Drive onto the ship."
Jor-El was still studying the diagrams, his mind clearly racing through the implications and possibilities. "Fifteen thousand," he murmured. "But it took me so long to create a vessel for just one person. How can you possibly—"
"Our house has always had a lot of builder bots and the minerals required," I explained. "The ship will be ready in a few weeks. The technology is the missing piece, not the construction capability."
I leaned forward, watching his face as he processed this information. "So, what do you think? It's better than just one person, isn't it?"
Jor-El looked up from the holographic display and laughed—not with humor, but with the elated relief of a man who had just discovered that his darkest nightmare might have a solution.
"It indeed is!" he said, his voice ringing with newfound hope. "Fifteen thousand lives instead of one. That number alone would give our species a real chance at survival and eventual restoration."
The change in his demeanor was remarkable.
"So I take it that you're on board?" I asked, though his enthusiasm had already given me the answer.
Jor-El straightened, and when he spoke, his voice carried the formal dignity of his position in the Science Guild. "It would be an honor, Lord Rao. To work on technology this advanced, to help save thousands of our people instead of watching them perish—there's nothing I want more."
Lara, who had been listening quietly throughout our exchange, finally spoke. "What would you need from us specifically?"
"Jor-El's expertise in large-scale engineering and his understanding of interstellar propulsion systems," I replied. "The Phantom Drive is revolutionary, but integrating it into a vessel capable of carrying fifteen thousand people safely is beyond my current capabilities."
"And the timeline?" Jor-El asked, his mind already shifting into planning mode.
"Three weeks maximum," I said. "Probably less. The core degradation is accelerating faster than our models predicted."
There was pin-drop silence for a moment throughout the hall.
"It can be done," Jor-El said finally, his voice filled with determination. "It won't be easy, and there will be risks, but it can be done."
I stood, extending my hand toward him. "Then we have an alliance, Jor-El of House El."
He grasped my hand firmly.
The first piece of my plan had fallen into place. Now I just needed a way to assure safe passage and secure the Codex.
.....
Want to read ahead of the public release? Support me on Patreon at "https://www.patreon.com/FreakyHaru" and get access to:
5 and 10 chapters of all my fanfictions.
Ongoing Projects:
DC/MARVEL: The Kryptonian Emperor
Marvel: Shadow Monarch
ATG: Not a Cannon Fodder
Your support helps me keep writing and brings you more content faster!
Thank You