New Krypton
As the streamlined black and scarlet hovercraft navigated its way to the impressive azure crystal and dark stone gates of Abondar-El, Clark was filled with nervous excitement. After several demanding days with the Council, he was looking forward to learning more about his Kryptonian family. But he was most of all looking forward to meeting Zor-El. He had so many questions to ask the enigmatic head of El House and was intrigued to finally have a chance to sit down with his father’s brother.
After passing through the gates, the hovercraft traveled several minutes along a stately driveway before the Abondar-El’s main crystalline building came into view. Oddly enough, its stone and crystal colors of sunflower yellow, olive green, and eggplant reflected the colors of Earth’s fields. It reminded him of a large villa in Tuscany, which he had visited when he had attended the wedding of a college friend.
The style of such Tuscan buildings is typically asymmetrical, as segments were usually added on over the years as per the family’s needs. As they drew closer, the resemblance of Abondar-El to a Tuscan villa became stronger. The exterior walls were constructed of material that looked similar to terra cotta, while the roof was made of low pitched olive green tiles. Very different from the crystal structures of Kandor II.
The sight of a garden filled with vegetables and flowers caused Clark to relax. He was so happy that Aunt Alura and Kara had insisted on him visiting. Kara wanted him to eventually meet the workers, servants and then to have a grand tour of the extensive grounds. In doing so, it would draw him closer to the people and his family.
It was a pity Abondar-El was not the official residence of the First Lord. This… villa spoke of warmth, comfort and all the best that the El family could offer him. The Palace Royal, despite his grandmother’s and Dever’s sincere efforts was the exact opposite.
Alura, wearing a flowing scarlet gown, met him at the front door and took him by the arm to draw him into the building.
“Jor-El is waiting for you in his study. I am so glad you could come! He is eager to meet you.” Turning to an old man, she said, “Vaylor, please inform the cook staff we shall dine soon.”
With a respectful bow Vaylor said, “As you wish my lady.” As quickly as his legs could carry him, he departed from the entry hall. The old steward was excited to finally lay eyes upon his former master’s grandson, he was eager to share the news with his wife Melia.
Looking around for another familiar face, he asked, “Where is Kara?”
“At Green Station #3 checking on a particular Kryptonian vegetable that she, Dar-Ur and a team of cultivators are coaxing from our old world samples to adapt to this planet’s soil. I understand your background is agricultural on Terra. Perhaps on another visit, you, Dar-Ur and Kara might spend some time ‘walking the land’ of Abondar-El.”
He shook his head in admiration, “Dar-Ur? Mar-Ur’s son is here? A squadron pilot, guardian, and gentleman farmer? Hmmm, he must be just like Kara. Her duties are numerous and never ending it seems.”
Alura smiled and responded warmly, “Kara and Dar-Ur are childhood friends, they both have a love for cultivating the land. When my son, Narn-El was alive, they used to walk over this holding with care and dedication to duty. He is missed. Their many interests serve them well, like a certain young man of my recent acquaintance. Come.”
She led him down a short corridor adorned with landscapes of Abondar-El. His aunt explained that with the change of light, the paintings shifted colors depicting different times of the day. Kal-El had grown accustomed to such paintings in his apartments at the residence, and he now recognized that one of those at the palace was a likeness of Abondar-El. The corridor led to a room with sofas covered in soft fabrics. The floors were composed of stone and wood. At the left side of the room was a fireplace burning a wood- like substance that gave off a faint citrus smell.
Meeting his Uncle Zor-El for the first time was like staring into a prism showing fragments of the past, present and unglimpsed future. The man before him was tall and at one time powerfully built. But the effects of what Kal-El had been told was Quayndin Syndrome were slowly deteriorating that physique. His once black hair was now gray and clipped short. His face was haggard, but clean shaven. Zor-El stood at the balcony of his study, looking over the lush green and scarlet landscape of Abondar-El. His hands, arms and legs were supported by a lattice work of lean silver rods that had hinges at the joints to allow for movement. Dever had mentioned the exoskeleton was of Zor-El’s own design.
Kal-El could see how much Jor-El and his brother resembled one another. There was a small hologram in the room taken on what he presumed was his parents’ bonding day. Alura and Zor-El stood beside the bride and groom respectively, all of their young faces beaming with joy. The brothers, Zor-El the older and Jor-El the younger seemed to embody all the physical attributes of the best of Kryptonian nobility.
The man before him now was tall and at one time powerfully built. But the effects of Maricz Syndrome was slowly deteriorating that physique. His once black hair was now gray and clipped short, the face, clean shaven. Zor-El stood at the balcony of his study, looking over the lush green and scarlet landscape of Abondar-El. His failing body supported by an exoskeleton of his own design.
Whirling about with speed, defying his condition, a strong firm voice said, “It is good to see you again at last Kal-El.”
Clear blue eyes shone at him as if it were a regular occurrence to receive a visit from his brother’s son. They were filled with high intellect, cool at first glance but as Kal-El held their gaze, they became warm with recollections of happier days in a world unknown to him. The high cheekbones, kind mouth and gray hair displayed an older, time worn version of his own features. He understood that this man, this link to his own past on an alien world could never call him by the outworlder name given him by Jonathan and Martha Kent. Somehow that knowledge gave him a curious sense of contentment and acceptance.
“The last time was when I was an infant.” Clark stated the obvious.
“Yes. Jor-El and I had many a lively discussion of how life might be for our children on this wild planet –NK47– that we are endeavoring to bend into one suitable for our people.”
“Uncle, what is NK47?”
With a tiny lift of an eyebrow, Zor-El said, “Ah, yes, I forget you are unfamiliar with many of our terms. This planet was the 47th one surveyed by our drones.”
Kal-El swallowed as he approached his uncle and stood before him. “From what I can see you’ve done a magnificent job! What … what would my father think?” With a start he suddenly realized that this was the first time he could ask a living Kryptonian such a question.
Zor-El answered with a smile very much like Clark’s own. “He would have been pleased, so very pleased to see how much has been wrought over so few generations. Nonetheless, seeing the man before me would have brought him the greater joy. Knowing the tremendous good he has accomplished in his own adopted world. It is well, to see you again nephew.”
With those words, Zor-El opened his arms and the two men embraced.
Sometime later in the evening, after dinner, Zor-El and his nephew each sat on a thickly cushioned couch outside on the terrace sharing a bottle of chilled Zranya, a sparkling green wine. The Kryptonian wine tasted like a fine chardonnay. It made him feel relaxed, an odd sensation indeed. Kal-El noted that after a short time on New Krypton his eyes had adapted to the red sunlight, as his body had to the planet’s heavier gravity. Those newly adjusted eyes watched as the sun settled into the west and the twin moons Lyssa and Demo rose to the accompaniment of stars.
Sitting on the terrace, Kal-El couldn’t help but think about Tommaso and Geneva’s wonderful wedding. His friends from college had exchanged vows at Bella Collina, a historic villa on the hillside of Tuscany. The event was a black-tie soiree. It was the perfect setting for a wedding, offering panoramic views of gently rolling hills and authentic Tuscan architecture that captured the essence of the Italian countryside. Here on Abondar-El he had the same sense of peace and beauty.
As the night descended around them, soft illumination came up from a dozen torches, permitting them to continue the conversation which began over dinner.
“I am pleased the spaceflight from Terran to New Krypton went well. From your conversation, the extensive education program taught by Trey has proven beneficial.”
“True. But getting the grasp of everyday life will take some time. For instance, the custom of ladies departing after dinner so the men could talk in private. I don’t have a problem with Alura and Kara being included in the discussion.”
Zor-El chuckled, “The custom was started by the ladies so that they could talk without their bondmates interfering. I wouldn’t concern yourself about it. It is only adhered to among the older nobility. In our particular case, Alura knows my strength level. There is only enough to hold a one to one conversation.”
Alarmed, Kal-El stood up, ready to depart. “I didn’t realize. We can talk another time. Please get some rest.”
Zor-El raised a placating hand up and gestured for the young man to sit down. “Nephew, there will be time for me to rest later. Sit. Let us converse.”
Uncle Zor-El, I have so many questions. Where to begin?”
“Perhaps, my memories of your father as a young boy might help? Seeing him more as a person rather than an image on the globe he sent along with your spaceship?” This was said with a twinkle in his dark eyes.
“I would like that!” Kal-El said with unabashed joy.
Zor-El nodded thoughtfully. The persistence of a thousand memories rushing forward.” Just so. Jor was inquisitive and sometimes that need to know landed him in … difficulties.”
Time passed as the two men exchanged memories, thought and experiences. During that time, Clark found himself beginning to relax. His uncle reminded him of Perry White, Jonathan Kent and in some ways due to Zor-El’s vast scientific knowledge and all-consuming curiosity, Dr. Bernie Klein.
These men each had a hand in shaping Clark Kent and aided Superman as he strived to protect Earth. Now his uncle was helping him in this new role as the untried ruler of a world alien to him.
“As much as I have enjoyed our conversation about family and the accomplishments we have made on this planet. There are your questions, let me start by saying that since the task of leading our people during this Splinter War is a daunting one. Please consider this home, nay all of Abondar-El as a retreat from the pressures and problems of the Palace Royal. Consider my knowledge an additional resource. It matters not the hour or reason, if you have a concern, contact me and we shall discuss it and hopefully arrive at a satisfactory conclusion.”
Thank you. After reading our history aboard the BlackWind, my questions are many. My conversations with Trey aboard ship and with Grandmother were enlightening, but they are both part of the High Council …”
“And having an impartial outsider studying the problem from another viewpoint is preferable.”
“Yes.”
Zor-El’s brows knitted together in thought and then said, “I am not as impartial as you think. Were I not in this state.” He gestured to indicate the exoskeleton. “The life of Clark Kent and his beautiful fiancée, Lois Lane would continue without interference from me. To be sure, contact would have been initiated and an invitation to join us extended, but not under these precarious circumstances.”
“Eventually because Kara is neither first born nor male, I would have been recalled to take my ‘rightful place’ as First Lord.” Clark said flatly.
With some discomfort, Zor-El shook his head. “I was training Kara to take my place and make no mistake; she is perfectly capable of accepting the challenge and would govern this planet with compassion tempered by knowledge. I was making certain that key men would accept her as the first woman ruler of New Krypton.”
“But Nor …”
“Would have been neutralized as a threat.” Zor-El responded with steely resolve.
“Uncle, I find that hard to believe. From everything I have read, he would have bullied himself into a position of power.”
“True. When it became public knowledge of my illness, Kara was too young to ascend to rulership. I placed your grandmother as regent until she came of age. As much as they tried to conceal it, I was aware of Zara’s interest in Ching. It would have been unfair to demand she remain without a husband simply because you were on another planet.”
“It seems like you were trying to break with tradition and law in a way that would make the majority happy.”
“Just so. But Nor was insulted when he found out that Polara had sent Trey and the others to Terra and stated in the High Council that only a noble man who was present on New Krypton had the right to marry the Lady Zara and rule. Over time he surrounded himself with malcontents. Men who came from noble families who wanted us to continue as things were on our home world. Which meant they would not have to work, but others had to.”
Thinking of Lex Luthor, Clark said bitterly, “We have many people like that on Earth as well.”
“Your Grandmother used statecraft to block Nor at every attempt to gain control. She is a brilliant stateswoman and will serve you well. Just by her sterling example Nor insistence that women are unfit to hold positions of responsibility and rule is disproven.”
Clark was amazed. “So many traditions! How was anything ever accomplished?”
Zor-El nodded and said, “A good leader knows how and when to use those traditions to benefit the greatest number. Lady Polara rules in place of me because of my disability and the happy chance that she is a First born. She has the backing of many of the older-liners and of the younger generation who want a greater say in our government.”
“How did women gain the right to run land holdings?”
Zor-El sighed. He was beginning to tire but was determined to assist his nephew as much as possible. “During the First wave of colonists, close to twenty thousand succumbed to atmosphere sickness, one of the hardest hit population to be affected were men of the nobility.
"Oddly enough, noble families that were the most effected were desperate to re-establish their holdings on New Krypton. Many women who never before had to work were now tilling fields with agromachines and learning farming skills such as animal husbandry, carpentry, wine growing and so much more. In some cases, woman of the middle ranks became stewards of those holdings. It was an exciting time of change in our society and new technological innovation.”
“Sadly, whenever there is great change, resistance rears its head, some of it was with good reason, while others not so much. Members of the nobility did not like the fact that women and those of lesser ranks were gaining a greater say in government. They wanted to go back to the old ways.”
“That’s what I don’t understand Uncle Zor-El, from everything I’ve learned, why allow one man to gain so much influence and power that he could bring about a war?”
With a gentle sigh Zor-El answered the younger man, despite the growing physical strain. “Nor is a throwback to the days when our world was run by warlords and everyone else existed only by their pleasure. His family always held that we should never have left those days behind. With the discovery of Krypton’s imminent destruction such grumblings were set aside. Everyone worked towards building the fleet of ships to send the First wave of colonists into space.”
“What happened afterwards?”
"Many of those same people, like your father, who resisted such throwback thinking died on Krypton or later from the atmospheric sickness. Fortunately, there were enough of us remaining to thwart Nor and his followers when they voiced these outmoded opinions. He wanted to set the historical chronometer on New Krypton back to the era of his great-great-grandfather. A bloody epoch when war and aggression was the order of the day.”
“It’s insane, but not a concept I don’t understand, sadly, we have men who think like that on Earth as well. What a waste of lives and resources. Kara spoke about that during the drive to the Palace.”
A tiny smile quirked Zor-El’s lips. “She is passionate about seeing our people continue to flourish and this … this Splinter War is retarding that goal. Kara and people like her are the harbingers of a new Golden age for Krypton. We must do all we can to see that vision of hers move forward to reality.”
“I’ll do all I can Uncle Zor-El.”
The older man sighed deeply. Really, the taxation to his body had reached its limit this evening. Yet the results were worth the physical exertion. He was very grateful to have his nephew understand that the cost of leaving Terra and coming to New Krypton was worth it. Perhaps Zor-El’s only contribution to resolving this conflict was to be the kind of advisor Kal-El deserved. In the days ahead wise council would be sorely needed.
His eyelids had grown heavy, and his painful limbs felt as if they were encased in kirstone. Soon it would be time for sleep. “Thank you. Now, much as I do not wish to be a rude host. I must say good night.”
Kal-El stood and gave his uncle a respectful bow. “Of course. I shouldn’t have kept you up so long. Please thank Alura for dinner. I can see myself out.”
Silently he got up and exited the terrace through the tall arched doorway which lead him into the study and back to the foyer. Alura stood waiting for him by the entrance. A quiet smile on her beautiful, but slightly tired face.
“He is ready for rest?” she asked quietly.
“Yes. We have been talking non-stop. Why didn’t you join us?”
She took his arm, and they walked outside towards the hovercraft. “We had you to ourselves during the drive to the Palace Royal. My husband wanted to spend time with his nephew without us questioning you about life on Terra and other things.”
“Fair enough. But next time we need to be on the terrace as a family. Abondar-El and this building, we call it a villa on Earth, reminds me of a place in Tuscan, Italy.”
“This … villa provided happy memories?” She said, trying out the terran word.
He remembered the laughter and joy of that occasion, Tommaso’s supreme nervousness balanced by Geneva’s serenity. The romantic vintage inspired look of the decorations; elegant high and low floral arrangements placed in stately stone urns. They ate delightful food made by Geneva’s aunts and grandmother laid out on candlelit rustic farm tables as the sun set. A majestic ball of what seemed like a scarlet globe.
It was a wonderful day. He had hoped to take Lois there on their honeymoon to meet his old friends.
“Yes, very, good memories.” He said wistfully while touching Lois’ ring.
She gave his arm a squeeze and said, “Than called our home the villa as it gives you pleasure. Good night. I must make certain Zor-El is going to bed.”
She bowed, turned, and entered the villa.
As Kal-El stepped into the hovercraft he reflected on the conversation with his uncle, a charming man to be sure, but also a desperate one. Only a blind man could ignore the fact that Zor-El was dying. It was not only Kara’s wish to see a peaceful New Krypton, but her father’s as well.
They were a people who had overcome a cosmic tragedy, only to be thwarted by one of their own. In the final analysis, men such as Nor are evil and must be outweighed and ultimately defeated by the good. Clark wanted to be part of those setting Kryptonians back on the right path. His fear was, did the desire to do so be enough?
For despite his illness, Zor-El would be, besides his grandmother, Kal-El’s staunchest ally and friend on New Krypton.
Last edited by Morgana; 10/18/24 02:55 PM.
