Alex sat alone in the sanctum of the orbital station, the glow of the fused Mother Box still burning faintly in its containment field. His transformation was complete, the memory of agony and rebirth etched into every nerve. He felt alive in ways beyond description, his body a perfect synthesis of Kryptonian template, nanite optimization, and the machine-spirit's blessing. Yet there was no time for reverie. Humanity's future was waiting.
Stark entered, his usual smirk tempered by awe as he glanced at Alex. "You look different. Taller. Glowy eyes. Did you spend your vacation in a tanning booth powered by alien god boxes?"
Alex's vox-grille let out a dry hum that was almost laughter. "Something like that. Status on Mars?"
Stark gestured at the holographic feed. Vast swathes of Mars were glowing under the relentless drills and beams of the planetary exploiter. Minerals flowed into orbital depots by the ton. But what truly caught the eye was the World Engine Alex had planted its massive towers pounding the Martian soil, releasing atmosphere, liquidizing permafrost, and slowly pushing the planet toward Earth-like balance.
"You've basically decided to build a second Earth," Stark said, folding his arms. "Which is insane. Which I also kinda love."
Alex's eyes narrowed slightly. "Mars will not just be a colony of nations. It will be organized. Structured. Rules must be clear before greed poisons it."
Stark raised an eyebrow. "And you have something in mind?"
Alex called up the projection, an emblem forming. "A United Earth Government. One body overseeing colonies beyond this world. If we let each nation claim Mars like children carving a cake, war will follow. With this, there will be order. They can build their colonies, but under shared law."
Stark considered, tapping his chin. "And you think they'll agree?"
"They will when they see what is at stake."
A few days later, the orbital station played host to a gathering unlike any other. Leaders from the United States, Britain, France, Germany, India, and Saudi Arabia stood in the conference chamber, faces lit by the glowing red sphere of Mars projected in front of them.
Alex stood at the head of the table, Stark at his side, Vision watching silently. The leaders had come suspicious, skeptical, but the moment Alex activated the feed from Mars, silence fell. They watched in awe as the World Engine thundered, the sky already faintly blue, clouds beginning to form, and rivers of melted water carving new veins through the rusted landscape.
"This," Alex began, his voice resonant and calm, "is no longer a dead world. Within a decade, Mars will support human life. Within a century, it will rival Earth itself. But only if it is managed wisely. I propose the creation of a United Earth Government, responsible for overseeing colonies and distribution of resources. Those who support will have first rights to establish colonies on Mars and access to its resources under regulated terms."
The leaders exchanged glances, whispers breaking out. Some looked greedy, others cautious, others fearful.
The American President leaned forward first. "And what of sovereignty? If we place citizens on Mars, will they answer to your company? To Mechanicus Tech? Or to this proposed government?"
"They will answer to law," Alex replied simply. "Law not bound by borders of a single nation, but by humanity as a whole."
The Saudi representative frowned. "This is a bold request. Why should we not simply seize what we can, as we have done with Earth for centuries?"
Alex's helm turned toward him, the faint glow of his eyes burning. The chamber chilled. "Because Mars is not Earth. It is being transformed by forces you do not control, using technology you cannot replicate. I hold the keys. Stark holds the codes. You may fight and divide, but in the end you will fall behind. Or you may join, and rise."
The silence was broken by Stark's casual clap of his hands. "Also, we're forgetting the big party trick. Alex, show them."
Alex nodded. The chamber shimmered, a Mother Box boom tube opening in the center like a rippling wound of light. Without hesitation, he stepped through—and in an instant, reappeared on Mars. The leaders gasped as the feed followed him, showing his armored figure standing on newly softened Martian soil, rivers of water carving the red sand at his feet.
Then, another boom tube opened, and he returned just as quickly, his cloak rustling.
"Transportation costs," Alex said calmly, "reduced to zero. Materials, people, infrastructure instant transfer. Colonization without the limitations of rockets and fuel."
That silenced the room. The power of the demonstration was undeniable.
The French president leaned forward, eyes alight. "What are the terms?"
Alex's vox-grille hummed softly. "That you support the formation of the United Earth Government. That your colonies remain under shared oversight, with regulations ensuring no one nation monopolizes. In return, Mars is yours to settle, mine, and build. Your nations will have first choice of territories."
The leaders began whispering again. Some protested, some eagerly discussed possibilities, but the momentum had shifted. They knew what was at stake, and they knew they could not do it without Alex and Stark.
Stark gave Alex a sideways glance, smirking. "You sure you're not secretly running for galactic president?"
Alex's reply was deadpan. "No. I'm running for survival."