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Legislation chamber, Kandor - Krypton
"Do you not understand? Krypton's core is collapsing. We may only have a matter of weeks!"
Though normally a man in complete control of his emotions, Jor-El could not help but seethe with frustration as he glared at the Council of Five. Beside him stood his brother, Zor-El, whose fury was just as palpable—overpowering the resentment that had lingered from their feud, now rendered irrelevant in the face of Krypton's impending doom.
"I warned you, harvesting the core was suicide," Jor-El continued. "It has accelerated the process of implosion."
"Our energy reserves were exhausted," Lor-Em replied with stern irritation. "What would you have us do, El?"
"Look to the stars. Like our ancestors once did!" Jor-El admonished.
"In the Era of Expansion, our empire spanned entire galaxies!" Zor-El added. "We had many allies: Asgard, Andromedans, you name it. There are bound to be some we can reconnect with. We can begin by using the old colonial outposts."
"Are you seriously suggesting that we evacuate the entire planet?" High Eminence Ro-Zar scoffed in disbelief.
"No. Everyone here is already dead," Jor-El declared firmly.
The Council of Five gaped at him, a mixture of confusion, outrage, and disbelief etched across their faces. Jor-El met their gaze with unwavering resolve.
"Give me control of the Codex," he requested earnestly. "I will ensure the survival of our race. There is still hope. I have held that hope in my hands—"
A sudden explosion rocked the entrance of the Council chamber, cutting him off. Startled, all eyes turned toward the source of the commotion. A volley of blue plasma bolts pierced the smoke, cutting down the guards. Through the haze, a group of armored figures emerged—and at their head was none other than General Zod, his cold, calculating eyes barely concealing the storm of rage boiling beneath.
Jor-El and Zor-El exchanged a panicked look.
"This council has been disbanded," the Kryptonian General declared.
"On whose authority?" Ro-Zar demanded, her shock quickly giving way to fury.
"Mine," he retorted calmly.
Without hesitation, Zod raised his weapon and fired. The shot struck the High Eminence squarely. Ro-Zar let out a short cry before slumping lifelessly in her throne, her helmet clattering to the floor. The remaining Council members sat frozen in silent horror.
"The rest of you will be tried and punished accordingly," Zod stated, his anger only momentarily appeased.
He glanced back at his second-in-command, Faora, who gave a silent nod and led several soldiers forward to apprehend the remaining Council members. Horrified, Jor-El stormed toward Zod, Zor-El close behind.
"What're you doing, Zod? This is madness!" Jor-El exclaimed.
"What I should've done years ago," Zod scoffed, glaring back at the Council. "These lawmakers and their endless debates have led Krypton to ruin!"
"In case you forgot, Krypton is dying!" Zor-El snapped. "A coup solves nothing!"
"What we need is action!" Zod shot back. "And if the Council won't act, then I will!"
"And if your forces prevail? You'll be the leader of nothing!" Jor-El admonished.
"Then join me, Jor. Help me save our race!" Zod pleaded, placing a hand on his shoulder. "We'll start anew by severing the degenerative bloodlines that led us to this state."
Jor-El glanced at the hand on his shoulder, then slowly lifted his gaze to meet Zod's eyes. A bitter fury simmered within him.
"And who will decide which bloodlines survive, Zod?" he asked quietly. "You?"
Zod's expression darkened. He narrowed his eyes and let his hand fall away.
"Don't do this, El. The last thing I want is for us to be enemies," he said.
"You have broken the principles that bound us together. You have taken up the sword against your own people!" Jor-El snapped. "I will honor the man you once were, Zod. Not this monster you've become."
Zod stared at Jor-El for a long moment, pain flickering behind his bitterness. Then he turned away, eyes hardening, his expression resolute.
"Take them away," he ordered.
Three guards escorted the brothers out of the legislation chamber toward a nearby landing pad. As they walked, a service robot approached them—Kelex.
"Sir, is everything alright?" Kelex inquired.
"Out of the way!" one of the guards barked.
Jor-El gave Kelex a faint nod and shut his eyes. Zor-El did the same.
"I said—" the guard began.
A blinding flash of light erupted from Kelex, stunning the guards. The brothers leapt into action. With long-restrained anger finally unleashed, Zor-El viciously head-butted a guard and slammed him into the wall. Jor-El knocked aside the rifle aimed at him, narrowly dodging a blue plasma bolt fired on reflex.
Zor-El grabbed the arm of another guard and drove his fist into the man's unarmored side, eliciting a cry of pain. Jor-El wrestled with another, interrupting his aim just as he fired—hitting the very guard Zor had struck.
Seizing the rifle, Jor fought for control. Meanwhile, Zor kicked a third guard to the ground and shot him with a stolen weapon. Jor finally overpowered his opponent, smashing the butt of the rifle into the soldier's head and knocking him out cold.
Panting, Jor-El turned to Kelex.
"Get me Lara!" he ordered.
Kelex's liquid geo shifted, morphing into Lara Lor-Van's face. She looked startled to see him.
"Jor—behind you!" she cried in alarm.
Jor whirled around, but Zor-El was faster. He gunned down two soldiers who had heard the fight and come to investigate.
"I got this," Zor said, staring down the hallway.
Jor nodded and turned back to Lara.
"Lara, you have to ready the launch. I'll be with you as soon as I can," he told her.
Lara lowered her head. Her face reflected a storm of unspoken questions, but not enough doubt to challenge him.
"Stay safe," she pleaded.
"I will," he said.
Lara's face vanished from Kelex's display. Zor turned to his brother.
"What about the Codex?" he asked.
"I'll get it," Jor replied.
"You sure?" Zor asked, uncertain.
"We have no choice now. Zod will try to claim it himself," Jor pointed out.
Zor nodded grimly, a scowl darkening his expression.
"Unbelievable," he muttered, cursing Zod under his breath.
He extended a hand to Jor, who accepted it firmly.
"I'll see you back at the citadel," Zor said.
Jor nodded.
House of El citadel, Kandor outskirts - Krypton
While Jor-El raced to retrieve the Codex from the genesis chamber, Zor-El flew back to the House of El citadel astride his personal mount. Upon arrival, he rushed inside, already aware that Lara was preparing Kal-El's ship for launch. He didn't go to aid her, however—he had a ship of his own to prepare.
Bursting into the citadel's secondary chamber, Zor was greeted by his wife, Alura In-Ze, and their daughter, Kara.
Though not biologically related—only Kal-El had ever been born naturally—Kara had been assigned to them through Krypton's standard practice of adoption. All infants from the genesis chambers were placed with families within their caste, as had always been the way. Yet Zor had always longed to treat Kara as if she were his own flesh and blood—a sentiment Alura deeply shared.
The House of El had always been different in that regard. Jor-El had merely taken it a step further.
As Zor-El entered the chamber, Kara rushed toward him, her wide eyes filled with confusion and unease.
"Dad!" Kara exclaimed.
She threw her arms around him, and he embraced her briefly. Alura followed, and he held her too. Her expression was calmer than Kara's, but no less concerned.
"What's happening, Zor?!" Alura asked.
"Zod. He's initiated a coup," he said with a scowl.
"A coup?" Kara echoed, stunned.
"What about your meeting with the Council?" Alura asked, her voice laced with worry.
"Zod took the Council hostage. We managed to escape," Zor explained.
He then fell silent, staring at his wife. She noticed but waited for him to speak.
"Alura… it's time," he murmured grimly.
Her brows knit for a moment before her eyes widened in realization. A storm of emotions passed through her face. She spared a glance toward Lara's chamber.
"Are you sure?" she whispered, dread washing over her.
Zor-El nodded solemnly. Alura shut her eyes, finally accepting the moment she had long known would come—and had always dreaded. Kara, oblivious to the full significance of what was happening, looked between them in confusion. Yet she was old enough to know it was something huge.
"Time for what?" she asked nervously.
Alura turned away at first, unable to face her daughter, eyes shut tight to hold back her tears. Zor looked at Kara, sorrow heavy in his heart, though he forced himself to remain composed.
"Kara, listen to me carefully," he began. "Your cousin is being sent away from here."
"Sent away? Why?" she asked.
"Krypton is doomed. Any day now, the core will rupture and implode," he said.
Her eyes widened in shock.
"Implode?" she whispered. "Like... blow up?"
He nodded and continued.
"Your uncle and I have been working to find a solution, but there is none. All that's left now is to ensure our race survives," he said, placing both hands on her shoulders. "You must ensure your cousin's safety."
Kara didn't respond right away. She looked around, trying to process the words. But as her breath began to shake, the mention of Kal-El—her infant cousin, whom she already adored—ignited a fire within her.
"Right, right. I can keep him safe," Kara said quickly, before frowning. "What about you guys? We only have two pods here."
Zor couldn't answer. He removed his hands from her shoulders and looked away. Alura raised a hand to her mouth, trying to stifle a sob. Kara looked between them, first confused—then slowly, the truth dawned on her. Her expression collapsed into one of horror.
Alura finally turned to her and took a step forward.
"Sweetie…" she began.
Kara shook her head, backing away.
"No. No!" she growled, tears brimming in her eyes.
"Kara," Zor said gently.
"No! No, you can't! I won't do it!" she cried. "I won't leave you!"
Tears streamed down her cheeks. Her parents now struggled to contain their own grief.
"You must, Kara!" Zor pleaded.
"Kal-El needs you," Alura added softly.
"But I need you!" Kara screamed. "Just find another ship! We can all go together! Please!"
"None of them have a Phantom Drive," Zor told her, his voice low but firm. "And it's too late to construct another."
"Dad, please!" Kara begged, sobbing now.
"There's nothing more I can do, Kara!" he snapped, emotion breaking through.
Kara broke down completely, and Zor lost his composure too—his lips quivered, and a few tears fell from his eyes. Alura wrapped Kara in a tight embrace, and the teenager clung to her desperately, weeping into her robe. Zor exhaled, his breath trembling.
"This is the only way," he said softly.
"It's not fair!" Kara sobbed into her mother's robe, her voice muffled.
"I know it isn't, Kara. I wish so badly that we could go with you," Alura whispered.
She gently lifted Kara's face, wiping away her tears with a trembling hand, and offered a small, sad smile.
"But you will not be alone, Kara Zor-El," she told her. "Do this for us. Do this for Kal."
Kara rubbed her red, tear-streaked face and nodded weakly.
"I will," she murmured.
Zor stepped forward to embrace her. Alura took a moment to compose herself.
"My daughter… never forget who you are. Whose legacy you carry," Zor said gently.
He stepped back and placed a hand on the symbol embroidered on her chest.
"Always remember what the symbol of our House means," he said, looking deep into her eyes. "Do you understand?"
"Y-yes, father," she nodded.
Zor and Alura both embraced her then, wrapping her in their love.
"We love you, Kara. More than you know," Alura whispered.
Kara nodded, her eyes shut tightly.
The family stood together for a long time, wishing the moment could last forever. But it was broken by the clicking approach of one of Kelex's service units.
"What is it, Kelex?" Zor asked.
"There are five attack ships converging from the east. Citadel's defenses are being scanned and evaluated," the robot reported.
Kelex projected a holographic image of the ships. The crest displayed on their hulls left no doubt—they belonged to the House of Zod.
"For Rao's sake," Zor growled, both frustrated and resigned. "Jor better be back now."
Not long after his brother's arrival, Jor-El returned as well—Growth Codex in hand.
Having confirmed through Lara that Zor was already there, Jor wasted no time preparing everything needed to begin Kal-El's journey. He inserted the Codex into the machine above Kal's crib, ensuring the systems were operational and ready, then turned back to his wife.
"Did you find a world?" he inquired.
Holding her son in her arms, Lara looked up and gave a firm nod.
"We have," she confirmed.
"Orbiting a main-sequence yellow star. Just as you said it would," Kelex added.
The service robot projected several images of the target planet and its solar system, highlighting its dominant species: humans.
"Young star. His cells will drink its radiation. Seemingly intelligent population," Jor-El noted with satisfaction.
Lara studied the diagram of human anatomy, a flicker of doubt rising in her chest. Yes, the planet had a yellow sun—but humans, across the universe, weren't known for their benevolence.
"He'll be an outcast… a freak," she said softly. "They'll kill him."
"How?" Jor responded, a faint smile breaking through. "He'll be a god to them."
Still uncertain, Lara turned away, holding Kal-El tighter as worry filled her.
"What if the ship doesn't make it? What if he gets separated from Kara?" she asked, anxious. "He'll die out there. Alone."
Jor-El listened quietly. He couldn't deny he shared some of the same fears—especially for Kara. Space travel was always risky. Even with their best efforts, Phantom Drive technology remained dangerously imperfect.
Lara paused and looked down at Kal-El, shaking her head faintly.
"I can't do it," she whispered, her voice trembling. "I thought I could, but…"
Seeing her falter, Jor's frown deepened. He stepped toward her, pushing aside his own doubts.
"Lara…" he began.
"…now that he's here…" she continued, gazing at him with grief in her eyes.
"Krypton is doomed. It's his only chance now," Jor said firmly. "It's our people's only hope."
Before she could answer, the door to the chamber slid open and Zor-El entered with Alura and Kara close behind. Jor and Lara turned toward them. Zor met his brother's gaze with grim urgency.
"Zod is on his way," he said. "It's time."
Jor nodded, resigned to what had to be done, and stepped forward to take Kal-El.
"I'll upload the Codex," he said.
"No, wait," Lara replied, holding onto the baby.
"Lara," Jor said, his voice firm.
"Just… let me look at him," she pleaded, barely a whisper.
Though every second counted, Jor honored her wish. Together, they stood silently, gazing down at their son. Lara's eyes shimmered with tears as she cradled Kal in her arms.
Kara, standing with her parents, watched with wet eyes. Another goodbye—another heartbreak.
"We'll never get to see him walk," she said quietly, looking up at Jor. "Never hear him say our names."
Jor gently took the baby from Lara. She let him go with great reluctance, folding the blanket tenderly over his tiny body.
"Out there, amongst the stars, he will live," Jor said with quiet finality.
He lifted Kal slightly closer to Lara. She leaned forward and kissed her son's brow, a tear sliding down her cheek. She nodded shakily as Jor stepped away, placing a kiss on Kal's head as well, while Lara wiped her face with the fold of her robe.
Jor gently placed Kal into his cradle. The baby immediately began to cry without the warmth of his parents' touch. Lara reached out instinctively, placing a soothing hand on his foot.
Jor walked to the control panel at the foot of the cradle and tapped in the sequence to begin the upload. The Codex emitted a golden glow as it dissolved into the machine, which responded by releasing soft streams of energy into the infant.
The House of El stood silently, watching the process unfold. Kara walked up to the cradle and stood opposite Lara, gazing down at Kal-El. Her heart was full of sorrow and fear—until Kal's eyes, bright blue and full of innocence, met hers.
In that moment, something shifted.
Her fear faded. Her heartbreak softened. And what remained… was love. And hope.
She would protect him.
The last son of Krypton.
Jor-El, overseeing the bonding, caught a glimpse of Kara's face. He saw the love in her eyes—and the light. All his doubt faded in that moment. Whatever came next, Kal-El would not be alone. There was a future ahead, and it was worth believing in.
He turned back to the console as a command key formed from the liquid geo. Taking the key—his son's only keepsake, the only one he had time to craft—Jor circled around the cradle and inserted it into the socket at the rear. Then he returned to Lara's side and reached down, gently brushing Kal's forehead.
"Goodbye, my son," he said. "Our hopes and dreams travel with you."
Another tear slipped down Lara's face. She lowered her head while Jor pressed the key firmly into place. The cradle began to rise into the air, drifting toward the waiting pod.
Kara stood beside her parents, glancing at them both. Together, they watched Kal-El ascend into the light.
The cradle docked with the pod and sealed shut. Zor turned to his brother.
"Suit up, brother," he instructed.
Jor nodded and stepped away to prepare for battle. Zor then turned to Kara.
"Kara—" he started.
"I know, Dad," she cut in quickly, nodding.
He smiled faintly, wanting to say more—but there was no time. He turned away to ready himself.
"This way," Alura told Kara.
Kara gave her father, uncle, and aunt one last look—knowing in her heart it would be the last—and turned to follow her mother back into the secondary chamber where her own pod awaited.
Dru-Zod, the greatest general Krypton had ever known, was nothing short of furious.
The moment he received word that Jor-El had escaped—with the Codex, no less—he knew exactly what his former friend intended to do. It infuriated him. The Council? No explanation needed—they were fools. The people who followed them? Blind in their arrogance. But Jor-El? Zod's fury toward him ran deeper than betrayal.
He was angry Jor hadn't listened. Angry that he hadn't seen the truth. Angry that he had chosen defiance over loyalty—despite everything they had once shared.
But more than anything, Zod was angry with himself.
Angry that he hadn't acted sooner. Angry that he hadn't tried harder to bring Jor-El to his side. The scientist might never understand it, but his rejection cut deeper than any wound Zod had ever endured. Still, pain or not, Krypton must survive—and no one, not even Jor-El, could be allowed to stand in the way of that future.
Not anymore.
As his ships approached the House of El citadel—a place he'd visited often during their younger days—Zod steeled himself. Whatever sentimental ties he once had to this place were gone.
"Concentrate fire on the main doors!" he barked.
His ships unleashed their fury, and though the citadel's doors were reinforced beyond standard Kryptonian architecture, they buckled under the assault. The general's gunship landed on the exposed platform, and Zod disembarked with his men.
His ever-loyal sub-commander approached quickly, concern etched into her face.
"General, we have identified an engine ignition within the citadel," she reported.
Zod's eyes narrowed, his suspicions confirmed.
"A launch," he muttered. "Hold the platform, Commander."
Taking two soldiers with him, Zod stormed into the citadel. The air was thick with white exhaust from the pod's engines. And then—from the mist—Jor-El and Zor-El emerged, clad in battle armor, weapons at the ready.
Zod paused, sizing them up.
"One thing I don't get—you two hate each other," he said.
He looked from one brother to the other, bitterness, disappointment, and betrayal flickering in his eyes.
"What changed?"
Zor-El met the thundering glare in the General's eyes with his own.
"We realized that anger wouldn't save Krypton," he replied coldly. "You should try learning that yourself."
Zod scoffed, lip curling in contempt.
"I don't have time for this," he scowled. "I know you stole the Codex. Surrender it, and I'll let you live."
Jor-El took a step forward, calm and resolute.
"Do you remember what we studied in our youth, Zod? Remember Cybertron? Remember why their civilization fell?"
Zod waved the words away with irritation.
"Don't bother with the lecture, Jor, I already know this. It's precisely the problem I'm trying to fix!"
"What you're doing is following their path to ruin!" Jor shot back. "You're recreating the flaws of a society where birth dictates your fate. What we're doing is providing a second chance for all of Krypton! Not just the bloodlines you deem worthy."
Something in Jor's voice unsettled Zod.
"You did something with it," he said slowly. "The Codex. What have you done?"
Jor-El's eyes gleamed with pride.
"We had a child, Zod. A boy child. Krypton's first natural birth in centuries. And he will be free—to forge his own destiny."
Zod froze. The muscles in his face twitched erratically as shock turned into horror, and horror turned into raw, intense, and primal fury.
What Jor has said—what he's just done… was heresy. An unspeakable crime. Punishable by a fate worse than death.
"HERESY!" Zod roared. "DESTROY IT!"
Any thought of sparring the House of El was now gone from his mind. He directed his soldiers to shoot the pod, and they took aim—but the two brothers moved faster, cutting them down with lethal precision.
Zod let out a savage growl and lunged. He grabbed Zor's rifle, tore it from his hands, and drove a heavy fist into the younger brother's face, sending him sprawling.
Jor-El sprang into action. He tried to fire, but Zod kicked his weapon aside. They grappled fiercely, struggling for control of the rifle until Jor yanked it free and slashed it across Zod's face, leaving a deep gash across his cheek, just shy of his eye.
Zod screamed in fury and retaliated by slamming Jor into the wall, pinning the rifle to his throat.
Across the room, Lara glanced up from the control panel, her heart racing.
Jor pushed back, trying to shift the rifle's pressure. Zod wrenched it away, punched him hard, then turned—only for Zor to re-enter the fight, locking the general in a chokehold. Jor struck with a flurry of punches to Zod's head.
With a snarl, Zod lashed out. He struck Jor's knee, dropping him, then elbowed Zor in the face—breaking his nose.
Zod spun and delivered a brutal punch to Zor's jaw. Jor caught his next strike and twisted his arm into a painful lock, hurling Zod into the wall. The general retaliated with a hard punch that staggered Jor, then dodged Zor's charge and sent him flying with a kick.
Zod focused on Jor again, throwing a punch that was blocked, then tried a knee strike—only for it to clang uselessly against Jor's armor. Jor countered with a gut punch that made Zod howl.
Zor returned with a thunderous uppercut that snapped Zod's head back. Jor shoved him, but Zod slammed his head into Jor's face, sending him reeling, and turned on Zor with burning eyes.
Zor swung again, but Zod dodged and swept his legs out from under him. Zor's head hit the ground with a sickening thud.
Zod turned—but Jor was already airborne, tackling him with raw rage. He landed two devastating punches. Zod deflected the third, but Jor landed a fourth, kneed him in the face, and slammed him against the wall before throwing him to the floor.
Dazed and groaning, Zod tried to rise. Jor picked up his rifle, walked over, and aimed it at Zod's head. The general glared up at him, knowing he was beaten.
Lara's lips parted in a breath of relief.
Behind her, the pod's engines flared with brilliant blue fire. She moved to press the ignition when Zod's voice rang out.
"LARA, LISTEN TO ME!" he shouted, desperation breaking through. "The Codex is Krypton's future! Abort the launch!"
Lara hesitated—just for a moment. She looked at Jor.
He stood bloodied, bruised, sweat dripping down his face… but his eyes were unwavering. They burned not with hatred or fear, but with conviction. Conviction of this course of action, that sending their son away was the right thing to do for a better future. A brighter dawn.
That was all she needed.
She pressed the button.
The clasps released. The pod hovered, then rose toward the hatch. Its engines flared, bathing the chamber in blue light. Lara shielded her eyes, Jor and Zor watching with a mixture of triumph and sorrow.
"NOOOO!"
The sharp ring of metal pierced the air.
Zor turned, vision still spinning. When it cleared, what he saw stole his breath.
Jor-El stood motionless, a blade buried in his chest.
Zor froze, horror filling his mind. Zod yanked the blade out, and time seemed to move in slow motion for Zor as he watched Jor collapsed, blood pouring from the wound. His brother's eyes stared up—empty and lifeless.
"JOR!"
Zor's scream echoed through the chamber as he charged Zod with blinding rage, fists flying in a flurry of vengeance. Zod reeled under the onslaught, staggering under Zor's fury.
But Zod kicked him back. When Zor charged again, Zod's blade slashed through his side, drawing a painful cry. Zor stumbled, clutching his abdomen—bad, but not yet fatal.
He turned—just in time to see Zod's fist hurtling toward his face.
He crumpled.
Lara collapsed beside Jor's lifeless form, cradling his body, tears pouring freely. She looked up just in time to see Zor fall. Zod towered above the fallen brothers. For a fleeting second, a strange emotion flickered across his face—shock, disgust... maybe even guilt.
But then it was gone.
He turned to Lara, purposefully keeping his vision focused on her and not the corpse of his former friend.
"Your son, Lara. Where have you sent him?" he asked coldly.
Still weeping, Lara clung to Jor's body as if it could bring him back. Her world had shattered.
"His name is Kal," she whispered. "Son of El."
Then she raised her head, eyes aflame with defiance and cold venom in her eyes.
"And he is beyond your reach."
Zod glared at her—but said nothing.
With nothing more to gain inside he turned and stormed out, passing Zor's unmoving body without a second glance.
Upon exiting the building, Zod is met by Faora and the rest of his strike team. She eyed him sharply as he approached, her gaze flicking to his injury and then to the absence of the two soldiers who went in with him. But Zod said nothing. His attention was fixed elsewhere.
He looked up—just in time to see not one, but two pods soaring into the upper atmosphere. His brow furrowed in alarm. Two pods?
A decoy, he quickly realized. Jor-El sent a second pod to confuse them.
It didn't matter.
"Bring those ships down!" he commanded.
Two of his pilots immediately sprang into action, their gunships roaring after the fleeing vessels. Zod watched the pursuit with clenched fists and bated breath.
Then—a flash.
A missile streaked out from the clouds and slammed into one of the gunships, engulfing it in a fireball. The shockwave rocked the second gunship just as its pilot loosed a missile of his own, the blast throwing off his aim. Moments later, he too was consumed by a second explosion.
Zod's eyes widened in alarm. His jaw clenched as he anxiously watched the fired missile, praying to Rao it found its mark.
A blinding pulse of pale light flashed across the sky.
The pods vanished—both of them—leaping into the Phantom Zone and out of reach.
The missile, still streaking toward its target, vanished with them.
Out of the smoke and wreckage, a massive Loyalist warship broke through—bristling with weapons and flanked by escort craft. One by one, more Loyalist vessels surrounded the Citadel, their weapons trained on Zod and his insurgents.
A commanding voice crackled through the air.
"Lay down your weapons! Your forces are surrounded!"
The battle was over.
Faora glanced at Zod, then slowly set her weapon on the ground. One by one, the rest of the strike team followed suit, defeated.
Still, Zod didn't move. His head hung—not because of the Loyalists, but because of what he's lost.
The Codex… Kal-El… both gone.
Anywhere in the universe.
He clenched his fists. His arms trembled. He raises his head slowly, staring into the sky—his eyes narrowing against the brilliant searchlights.
He locked his gaze on the last place he saw the pods disappear.
And in his heart, he made a vow.
He will find them.