This is a story I'd posted the first part to a while back, but it had no name then. I'm not entirely sure I'm happy with this name either. I figured I had to call it something.
This is a long one, so there will be lots of parts. Not sure how many yet.
****
Silence engulfed the dimly lit space as pure agony invaded his very soul. Eyes drifting closed, he awaited his fate. He would welcome the dull void to soon come. Flashes of his life created the images that he would carry over into eternity…
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Krypton: Year 2101 in the third cycle (or March, 1960-Earthtime)
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Jor-El paced the sterile corridor, trying desperately to calm his frayed nerves. Today was the day he'd present his findings to the Council. Countless hours, a few laughs, and even tears had been spent inside his laboratory studying the stars in hopes of finding life on another planet. Eight long years had been spent doing numerous evaluations. Thousands of probes had searched the vast expanse of space in hopes of producing the results Jor and his team would give anything to realize. They'd thought they'd found other life forms just months before, only to be disappointed when the surface of the red planet was proven to be uninhabitable. But not this time. This time there was no mistaking what they'd discovered.
The chamber doors opened and Jor was summoned inside. He briefly thought it odd that he had to ask permission to speak during Council, considering he was the leader of the entire planet...
"… studies suggest that these creatures are completely compatible with us. Physically, they could easily be thought to be fellow Kryptonians. Emotionally, they are young in their beliefs--a relative new world just as ours is. They are more apt to make decisions based on sentiment rather than logic. Technologically, they are light years behind us, but they exhibit untold promise. Biologically, our only difference lies in the way their bodies metabolize their yellow sun and ours metabolize our red sun, though I am certain this difference is only minimal.
"I feel these people would benefit from a relationship with our world. Their planet has an abundance of natural resources the likes of which are unseen here on Krypton. I believe, that given time to establish relations, our worlds could co-exist in profitable harmony."
The confident leader paused in his speech to allow time for those assembled to digest what had been said. He glanced around the expansive room at the few men curiously awaiting what he would say next.
Jor pressed the button on his remote to produce another hologram. "The inhabitants call it simply… Earth."
++++
"There it is, Milord," the strong feminine voice said softly into the charged air as she approached the portal window where a tall, handsome man stood.
"Yes, it is, Milady," the man replied as he reached out to pull the woman to his side so they could witness this moment together.
The tiny speck before them slowly became a mass of blue and green hues through the thick glass pane. This moment was years in the making for the man who'd spent the last decade of his life devoted to his scientific studies. Those studies had paid off and today, Lord and scientist, Jor-El, along with his partner and mate, Lara, were about to realize their dream.
Their's was a journey that had started in Jor-El's youth. Jor had always been interested in science and had greatly excelled in that field, even though his birth would someday make him the leader of his people. His training to become Lord of all had always been priority during his formative years, but Jor had been blessed with parents who allowed him freedom in his educational choices. So, Jor had been trained extensively as a scientist, a study most of the greater of Krypton deemed unnecessary for the heir to the Throne. However, Jor's father, Zor-El, recognized his son's passion for the sciences and did not stand in the boy's way to learn.
The esteemed heir had not wasted his gift, using all of his spare time to learn as much as he could about any and everything scientific. At only fourteen years, Jor's dream had been born. He'd begun to study the stars as part of a course his professor had initiated. During a lecture, Jor began to wonder about the tiny sparkles that twinkled in the blanket of solid black hovering above his planet. The wonder turned into a burning desire to discover as much as he could about his world and the possibility of any others existing.
Jor's curiosity was often met with confusion and misunderstanding from his fellow Kryptonians and especially from the Council of Elders. Kryptonians were an advanced race of people, highly intelligent and extremely technologically superior beings. They were also a logical race, making the most expedient of decisions in all things. For that reason, it wasn't until Jor grew into adulthood that he could spend countless hours researching the galaxies the way he wanted to in his youth. And his ultimate journey took him ten years to complete.
Now, as he stood with his wife and awaited the arrival of his ship to a brand new world, he considered all of his work and effort to have not gone wasted.
@@@@
It had taken two more years of deep probes after Jor's findings had been presented before the Council had finally agreed to his requests to make contact with the people of Earth. And as he and Lara had stood peering through the portal of their ship as it approached another planet for the first time, Jor had been overwhelmed. Admittedly, when contact had first been made with the planet a galaxy away from Krypton, the immature world hadn't wanted to believe there could be life calling them from beyond the stars. Talks had taken many months until the people of Earth felt comfortable enough to allow aliens to visit. That visit had started a wonderful friendship, just as Jor-El had predicted.
That is… until the day someone discovered his scientific secret about their new friends and the little world that had been dubbed 'the sister planet'.
++++
"Do you think everyone will buy this, Jor?"
He stopped the process of filling a syringe with a small bottle of vaccine he'd developed and looked up at his anxious wife. "They've already bought this, Lara. No one will question me because so little is known about Earth. The Council believes what I tell them about our findings. They do not doubt what I've led them to believe about this toxin." Again, he lifted the syringe and finished filling it before turning to administer the shot to his wife. "If I tell them a toxin must be administered to enable our bodies to metabolize the yellow sun, they will not question it." He rubbed Lara's arm with the sterile swab, then turned so she could inoculate him. "Just think how deadly it would be if someone was to find out that Kryptonians could be invincible on Earth."
"You're right, Jor," Lara agreed as she finished with his shot.
"Of course I am, my dear." Jor cupped her face gently and smiled at her. "This story has to be told or there would be pandemonium on our hands."
"Yes, Milord." Lara smiled as she leaned forward to press her forehead to Jor's in a display of affection rarely seen being shared by Kryptonians.
That conversation had taken place just before the arrival of the royal transport ship on Earth for the very first time. Over the next several years, ships would visit the new world often. But soon enough, the pleased couple that had stood looking through a small portal with huge expectations of a bright and successful future with their new friends, would see horrific tragedies before eventually meeting their ultimate fates.
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Krypton: Year 2107 in the second cycle (or February, 1966)
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Jor-El had taken the Throne as First Lord in the Year 2096 when his father's aging heart had failed him. Though it was extremely rare for Kryptonians to experience physical failures before the age of seventy or eighty, Zor-El's taxed heart had stopped working properly in only his fiftieth year. Jor was forced to lead his world years before he'd anticipated. He used his position as a positive though. His time as First Lord afforded him much needed lab hours to devote to his passion of discovering another world. After all, the Council was responsible for most decisions concerning his world.
It wasn't until the Royal couple had conceived their first child that they realized their many errors in judgement where their world was concerned. Jor and Lara had not conceived a child until their late thirties. Their younger years and energy had been spent on all things scientific. They had been lost in their discoveries and explorations, somewhat oblivious to anything else. They'd had hopes of great changes taking place; one of those things being the practice of birth marriages among noble families to insure strong alliances in the ruling classes. Jor had never understood exactly why men felt they had to be more powerful or important than the other, but he'd also recognized the essential need to have strong, just leaders. However, such drastic changes were also a decidedly difficult undertaking because Kryptonians feared and resented any kinds of change that might upset hundreds of years of tradition. With the conception of their child, the Lord and Lady had finally been forced to take stock of their world. Their children, they decided, instilled with their values and morals, would best rule their world someday. They also felt those children would be Krypton's best hope for change. Of course, with even greater purpose and direction than ever before, the Royal couple was about to embark on a greater journey...
Jor lifted the small, dark-haired baby high into the air as they stood on the platform in the Palace courtyard. "My subjects, I give you your heir… my son, Kal-El."
"Kal-El!" the assembled audience shouted back at their Lord, then bowed deeply.
Yon, noble head of his house-the House of Ra, stepped forward to present his daughter. "And I give you the heir's bride, Zara."
"Zara," the crowd shouted again.
"In accordance with the laws of our world, I bind these individuals, chosen as mates because of their order of birth," Jor began to recite. "Their union will ensure a strong alliance for our people. May Zor bless and watch over them as they grow to take their positions some day as our First Lord and Lady."
Shouts rang through the air as Jor concluded the marriage ceremony that bound his son to an infant girl, the parents of whom he knew only from their standing in the noble line of their world. Yon of Ra was head of the western hemisphere and held probationary station as ruler. That meant that in the event of the ruling El's inability to produce an heir, rule would fall to the House of Ra. Allegiances between the two houses would ensure that one or the other house would always reign. The leader of Krypton hated saddling his baby boy with such a responsibility, but felt he had no choice. He only hoped Kal grew into a man that could understand and fulfill his responsibilities with dignity suiting the House of El.
++++
Jor and Lara took their positions as parents even more seriously than they had ever taken their role as leaders of their world. Kal was attended to with all the care and love possible from any species of being. Many people, including Jor's brother Ti, always took a moment to point out to the First Lord that showing such emotion while rearing the heir was foolish and illogical. Jor would smile and tell Ti and others not to worry. Everything would be fine.
For a time, life was good for the ruling family and their people. Kal-El grew into a toddler while his father established a strong relationship with his Kryptonian subjects as well as with the citizens of Earth. Krypton was peaceful and prosperous because of their leader's efforts. And in all the excitement, Jor and Lara welcomed another son.
"Look at him, Jor," Lara told her husband. The newest edition to their family slept peacefully in her arms.
"He's beautiful, My Lady." Jor kneeled beside his wife's chair to get a look at his son.
"I see! I see!" came the voice of a very excited toddler. Kal-El peered into the blanket surrounding this strange new visitor to his world. "Baby," he crooned as his tiny fingers smoothed over his brother's cheek.
"That's right, Kal. This is your brother, Ching," Jor told him.
"Ting!"
The adults laughed at their son's interpretation of the name chosen for the new Lord.
+
From the doorway of the royal chambers, Ti-El watched the small family in contemplative silence. He'd spent his entire life standing on the outside of 'Jor's' world looking in. Being born the son of his father's concubine forced him to have to watch his brother have the life that was rightfully his.
Though Zor, Ti's father, had been an amazing leader and man, he had taken a concubine in his youth and they'd quickly produced a child. Ti had grown up inside the Palace as a lord, but without the rights and privileges of the true heir. Though older than Jor, because Ti had not been of true noble blood, and had no connection whatsoever to the House of Ra, Ti was denied the right to ascend the Throne of this world. While a seemingly logical race of men considered it perfectly fine to take a concubine, believing pleased men were more capable of performing their duties without objection, they did not think it wise to produce offspring with such women. Over the years various efforts had come about to prevent such happenings from taking place. However, on occasion there was a child born to a nobleman in such circumstances, as was the case when Ti was born.
For years, his treatment as an inferior El had bred hatred in the older brother's heart and he'd waited until Jor produced an heir to instigate a scheme to have the Lord executed. Ti would be placed on the Throne in the event of Jor-El's death, provided he marry Lara. While that might be looked upon as being second best, Ti considered it to be Lara's proper place. He was born first and thus, should have been married at birth to the next child born of the House of Ra. Lara was that child- his rightful wife. Jor was the one living as second best in Ti's mind. However, while children of concubines were given many of the rights and priveleges of other lords, being married at birth was not one of them. Birth marriages took place among nobility to ensure continued rein stayed in the proper house and other houses remained pure. That was also the reason an heir of the House of El had to be born before Ti could set into motion his plans. The laws of their people might place him on the throne by marrying his brother's widow, but it would never allow his children to continue the birth order. Jor had to produce a son before Ti could become the true ruler of his world.
Just then Jor looked up at his brother, motioned for the older man to join their small family. Ti stepped forward to get a glimpse of the new baby El. Plans were taking much longer than anticipated because of Jor's incessant need to form relations with that backwards planet. Meantime, another child had been born into the royal household. No matter, Ti thought. That only meant there would be two Lords he could shape into the perfect molds.
He smiled wryly, congratulated the obviously proud father, then cast longing eyes on the child's mother. Lara was disillusioned to believe herself fond of her husband. A marriage to this woman would be absolutely torturous at first. But in time she would come to accept her duty. She would realize the mistakes of their world in ever placing her with Jor in the first place. Yes, Ti looked forward to finally joining with his wife. And correcting imbalanced morality of the sons of the self-righteous Jor-El was an added bonus.
An evil, ironic bonus.
Ti loved irony.
++
Kryptonian society was one of rich, stoic character- ideals and beliefs carefully molded and shaped into duty-driven and often times, perverse ways of life. Carefully held together by centuries of traditions, upheld by unwavering laws with severe consequences, change was not welcomed by the ruling classes. A Council of Elders, put into place by the House of their birth, ultimately decided the fates of the masses. However, in the few short years since Kal's birth, Jor-El had begun to take a more active role in leading his world. Introduction of new proclamations had caused unrest among the nobility. The leader was asking for such things as fair wages for underclassmen, equality in education, and an authoritive voice during Council sessions.
The Council consisted of three men, highly educated and deeply loyal to upholding the Kryptonian way of life. Trey, of the House of Ur, was Council head. Though only the age of Jor-El, the loftly position as head elder had been placed upon his shoulders when his grandfather became too ill to continue his duties. Trey's father had passed the torch to his son, citing it a wiser choice because of Trey's younger age. The population believed that the longer one held his position, the better off everyone would be because there would be fewer changes taking place. That fear of change, of advancement, was what Jor considered to be the only downfall of being Kryptonian.
++
"Why do they stand so fast? Can't they see I only have the best interests of my world in mind?" Jor clicked off his hand-held recording device and rubbed his temples. His frustration grew by the day. He'd presented another proclamation to Council, only to have it shot down in seconds. He simply wanted to take his children with him on a trip to Earth. Council had argued that the future of their world rested on the shoulders of those two boys. They were not certain of the consequences such a trip would have on the children. Jor argued point after point to no avail.
He pressed his device again. "One day... it is my hope that one day, this world will realize all of its mistakes." With a heavy sigh, Jor placed his device in the drawer of his desk and rose to retire for the evening. He and Lara would leave during the morning hours for a scheduled diplomatic trip to Earth. He needed his rest.
+
Ti watched from his position in the corridor as Jor made his way toward the private side of the Palace, then entered the State room. He opened the drawer on the desk and lifted the small recording device from its spot there. He'd never understood why Jor felt the need to talk to a machine. Although he was certainly glad he had. Those talks with that machine would help seal his brother's fate.
The recording device was safely tucked inside the pocket on Ti's tunic before he hurried from the room. There was a lot to do if his plans were to be successful.
+
Jen-Mai paced outside the doors to Trey's chamber. He'd tried desperately to make sense of what he'd heard that day in the corridor. There was no way he could be correct.
On the morning of the departure of the Royal transport to Earth, Jen-Mai had been running late on his way to the hangar. Official ceremonies took place for almost everything on Krypton, and the departure of the Royal transport was no exception. Jen had rounded a corner when he saw Jor talking with another Lord. Jor was apparently giving this other lord some kind of instructions...
"Do you remember what you have to do?" Jor asked the other man.
"Perfectly, Milord."
"Very well. Do as much damage as you can. I want them to know who is in control."
"And the Council?"
"I will handle them. It's time for this world to realize all of its mistakes." With that, Jor turned and left.
Jen-Mai, afraid of being seen, had pressed himself against the wall, out of sight of the departing men. What had all that been about?
Not sure, and certainly unwilling to question his leader, Jen had dismissed the entire conversation.
That is until today...
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Jor-El was utterly speechless as he looked out across the destruction and devastation before him. Concrete heaps remained where once tall buildings stood. Everywhere fires burned and smoke was so thick it threatened to choke the life from the few bodies still scurrying around, attempting to make sense of what was going on.
And death… Everywhere there was death.
"So many gone," Jor whispered.
He'd hardly been able to believe his ears when he'd gotten the distress call from the White House. Washington had been attacked by Kryptonian forces a few hours before. Thankfully he and Lara were already on Earth for a scheduled political conference that would take place at the end of the week. Jor had ordered his transport to divert from their destination in Metropolis and arrived as soon as possible in the capital city of America. However, it had not been soon enough to save Washington and several other large cities around the world from mass destruction.
Jor wanted to die. These people had put their lives into his hands and such tragedy had taken place. He turned when one of his soldiers approached. "What has happened here?"
"We are unsure, Milord. I have spoken to witnesses and they say… they say…" the man stammered.
"They say what?!"
"Well… Sir, they say that two men flew into the city and began to destroy the buildings… with their bare hands." The young soldier's expression showed clearly the apprehension he felt at having told his Lord such a ridiculous story.
But Jor knew it wasn't ridiculous. He knew it was very possible… if someone had discovered his secret. His hand covered his mouth and he turned again to survey the damage. Dread washed over him in waves as he stood helpless in the aftermath.
"Milord, what about the First Lady?" asked the young soldier.
Jor's head snapped up at the mention of his wife's name. She was already in Metropolis. She'd wanted to visit some of the children's homes, collecting information to help establish similar institutions on Krypton. He hurried behind the soldier and his guard toward his transport, ordered the driver to warp speed, and tried to fight down the rising bile that refused to remain calm.
++
Jor could only stare at the horrible, steel gray capsule before him in silence. The First Lady of Krypton lay inside, peaceful... serene. Metropolis had been in ruins by the time the transport had reached it. Thick, black smoke had blanketed the once bustling streets, choking the very life from those lucky enough to have survived the attack. Lara had not been among that group.
The lifeless body of the First Lady was found buried beneath the rumble of the Metropolis Children's Home, blood covering her delicate features. Jor had shouted out in agony as his guards looked on. Finally he'd released her and allowed her body to be taken back to the Royal transport.
A thorough investigation had been launched into the attacks, producing two men from one of the western provinces on Krypton. They were both positively identified by witnesses as having been the ones destroying buildings with their bare hands. They were taken into custody and an official communication was prepared to be sent to Krypton when the Royal transport was close enough.
The First Lord leaned forward and spoke into the silence. "How will I ever explain this to our sons?" he asked the immobile tomb.
+
How indeed? Nor asked himself thoughtfully as he watched the leader of the entire world cave in around himself. Nor, a lord of questionable character who'd been part of the elaborate scheme now unfolding, smiled as he turned and walked away. Ti was certainly not going to be happy with the slight turn of events. The Lord of El had laid out a precise plan for Nor to follow, but Nor wasn't one to take orders from any man. Even if that man was soon to be the effective ruler of the world.
It was best, Nor decided, that Ti-El learn that now.
++
It seemed the entire population of Krypton had shown up to pay their respects. As many as could pack into the hangar were gathered to await the arrival of the transport ship that would return the body of the First Lady back to Krypton. Hundreds of others littered the grounds of the Palace, while still more filled the city of El. Trey figured most gathered in fear. No leader nor his immediate family, nor any nobleman for that matter, had died during service to their world. None had died in war and certainly none had been killed in such a manner. And there most definitely had never been one to die in such circumstances that now faced Krypton.
Trey feared the next few years to come for his world. For a world that abhorred change, they were in for the surprise of their lives.
The chief elder had not wanted to believe what he'd read when the communication came through. The Earth had been attacked by super-powered beings and the First Lady had been killed. Never would he have believed that if he hadn't known it could really have happened.
Just the day before Trey had learned that such things were certainly possible. When the communication from the Royal transport had been received, Jen-Mai had finally told Trey of the conversation Jor-El had with another gentleman on the morning the Royal transport departed. Unsure of what it meant, Trey had gone in search of answers. In Jor's lab, he'd found documentation that Kryptonians were inoculated when they traveled to Earth, not so their bodies could metabolize the yellow sun, but so their bodies *couldn't* metabolize it. Jor had known of the way the yellow sun would affect them, yet he'd kept this knowledge from the Council.
There were several recorded communications found in Jor's state room between Jor and some unidentified man detailing the attack that had taken place on Earth. Trey hadn't wanted to believe his leader, and friend, could have planned such an evil and horrible event. However, the evidence continued to mount. Journals were discovered in which Jor spoke of the people of Earth as if *they* were his people. There was mention of how he'd like to change things on Krypton. Jor wanted to absolve many of their traditions and customs. He wanted to abolish birth marriages, outlaw the practice of keeping concubines, and allow the lower class freedom from having to live a life of service. The leader spoke of sentiment toward the population and said over and over how stoic and illogical his race of people really were. He stated that what was expedient might not be prudent. He spoke of morals and values.
Then he carefully calculated the destruction of the very people he claimed to care about. The Council had thoughtfully reviewed all of this; Trey not having a choice but to share the information he'd uncovered. Poor Jen-Mai had looked absolutely ill as more details came to light.
Trey looked over at the young man. Jen was five cycles younger than himself, though they had quickly become aquaintances when Jen took a position on Council just six cycles ago following the retirement of his father. Trey had thought Jen too young, too naive, but Jen had proven himself very quickly. The younger man took his duty very seriously and stood strong on many issues brought before Council. Yes, Jen-Mai was quite worthy of his position. That's why Trey did not dismiss what he'd said. He had, however, looked into things on his own before going to Council with his findings.
Council had convened and decided to investigate even more. They raked through Jor's personal data as well as his scientific data. Any matters involving the state were scrutinized through new eyes. They concluded that Jor's intention must have been two-fold: devastate the Earth, then rush in as its hero. Bringing the backing of Krypton's technological advances and possessing such advanced scientific knowledge, Jor would have been viewed as a god in the Earth's time of need. They would be forever grateful and grant him liberties he could not attain on Krypton.
Being that future endeavors would include the remaining members of the House of El, Ti was asked to sit in on the late night debate into the actions of their leader. It was Ti who pointed out that Jor had argued so fervently to take his sons to Earth. Could the boys have suffered the same fate as their mother? The mere thought was enough to drive fear into the hearts of everyone sitting around the table in Council chambers. That fear would also be what would drive Council in decisions concerning the future of their world.
The massive Royal transport slowly manuevered the opening to the hangar. Air hissed almost violently as the steel arms on the docking platform reached out to grasp the huge vessel. Today it seemed to take hours for the landing to be completed. Trey simply stared at the scene unfolding in silence. Finally, the large entry door slid open and guards filed out. They formed an aisle, lifted their swords to create an archway, then a hush fell on the crowd as a ceremonial unit began to march out. Clipped commands were shouted in cadence as the casket of the First Lady emerged, followed by a very distraught First Lord.
Distraught?
Trey paused in his contemplation, only to be interrupted by the thrilled shouts of a toddler.
"Papa!" Kal-El ran toward his father, completely unaware of what was happening around him. He was simply glad to see his father again.
Jor pushed around the guard in front of him and bent to lift his son into his arms, clutching desperately to the small body against his chest.
"Mama?" The boy asked over and over for his mother, but Jor could only hold Kal tighter.
From behind the barricade Trey stood asking himself even more questions. Try as he might to see the man he and the Council had painted Jor to be the night before, he just couldn't find him. Jor was... grieving, confused.
"Milord?" one of the Council asked Trey. "The law is clear."
"I'm well aware of the law!" Trey almost shouted before bowing deeply to the now passing parade. He waited until the capsule concealing the First Lady was taken from the hangar before he stepped forward to address the First Lord. "Lord Jor?"
Jor carefully passed his son off to Kal's attendant before turning to Trey. "The ones responsible are in custody. We will have them transferred to the confinement quarters in the Palace until a trial can be..."
"Milord," Trey interrupted him, causing Jor to look at him questioningly. "Certain information has come to the attention of the Council..."
"What information?"
Trey lifted his downcast eyes and looked straight at Jor. "Milord, you are hereby placed under arrest for crimes against the state, most specifically for the murder of the First Lady."
"WHAT?!" Jor's eyes bore into Trey's. "What in Zor's name are you speaking of, Trey?!"
"In accordance with the laws, you have three days to grieve before Council will be assembled to hear this case." Trey's expression softened a bit and he stepped forward. "Out of respect of our acquaintance, I am allowing you to spend those days with your sons. Use them wisely, Milord."
Without giving Jor a chance to say another word, Trey turned and hurried from the hangar. Jor was left with more questions than answers, even as he made his way from the room. Instead of the traditional bow afforded the First Lord, the population turned their backs.
++++
Jor-El's eyes watered as his memories faded. The most difficult day of his life had been the day he'd placed the body of his wife in the ground. Explaining to Kal that his mother was never coming back was equally painful. And the day his entire world had turned against him was absolutely devastating.
It had taken two weeks before the Council had, with deep regrets, reached their decision over his case. Jor had been shocked when recording after recording had been submitted as evidence. Sure, he'd made many recordings, but none of the ones he'd heard. Bits and pieces of each one were familiar, as if they'd been doctored. However, try as he might, he couldn't convince Council of this.
The two men that had actually carried out the attacks told Council that they had received their orders directly from Jor-El. The toxin was withheld, they were told to wait until Jor was back on Earth for the political conference, then ordered by the First Lord himself to attack and destroy those cities. Because Jor had kept the discovery of the effects of the yellow sun on his fellow man secret, it was hard for the Council to discount the stories being told or to believe anything Jor said in protest. Jor insisted that his people's best interest were close to his heart, a statement that unwittingly helped seal his fate. Sentiment had always been deemed illogical in Kryptonian eyes. 'Had Jor-El used logic and common sense, this tragedy might not have happened at all', argued Jen-Mai, and was backed by several others who agreed that the First Lord was entirely too emotional to rule his world, that conclusion proven by the Lord's very illogical behavior over the years.
Jen-Mai also offered up the eye-witness account of the Lord's conversation that morning in the corridor. Jen was unable to identify the other man because the man's back was turned to him, but there was no denying the First Lord's identity. With the events that followed, the things that had been said that day were incredibly damming. Again, Jor argued that holograms had been doctored because at the very time that conversation had taken place, he was preparing for his trip with the First Lady. Being that she alone was his only witness, he was once again discounted.
The Council also pointed out the contents of Krypton's legal proclamations. Declarations were in place to protect less advanced worlds from attack or manipulation by Kryptonian forces. By invading Earth, Jor had broken that proclamation. Jor 'was' First Lord. Thus, indirectly responsible for the actions against the weaker world. He was also responsible for the First Lady, who had lost her life because of something her husband had done. His actions constituted treason, and the punishment for treason was separation and dissolution of the molecules.
So, Jor waited for the moment he would leave his world for the last time, heartbroken that his beautiful wife had suffered due to his failure to protect her. He longed to be with her, and yet he feared for his sons. With his and Lara's deaths, the lives of his boys now lay in the hands of his brother and his world.
'Zor, protect them,' he prayed silently.
+
Ti watched in silence as the doors of the separation chamber closed on his brother. He didn't miss the tear that trailed the man's cheek or the pleading expression on his face. Not being able to help himself, he stepped forward.
"Wait!" The guards stopped, allowed him to approach. "I would like a final moment with my brother." They bowed slightly, then stepped back far enough to give Ti privacy. He opened the doors and waited until Jor lifted his head. "My brother," he began softly. "What kind of brother would I be if allowed you to enter eternity with dissolutions?" Jor's brow knitted together in confusion. "You see, dear brother..." Ti stepped a bit closer to make certain no one would hear him. "You were absolutely correct about those recordings."
Jor stared at Ti for a long moment before his questioning eyes cleared. "Why?"
"To rule, of course."
"But Kal-El will now become the leader," Jor pointed out.
"Yes. I do regret plans changed slightly..."
"You didn't intend for Lara to die?" Jor asked in a moment of total clarity.
"No. She, too, was supposed to take her rightful place."
"She would have never..."
"Been my wife?" Ti asked sarcastically. "No, but she would have made a wonderful trophy nonetheless."
"And now? You'll have to orchestrate the deaths of two more before you can be considered to head of the Throne."
"Oh, my dearest Jor-El. Don't you know it is much more ironic to lead through example?" Ti reached forward and clapped Jor's cheek. "Leave this world knowing that the delicate little minds of your bastards will be carefully shaped into brilliant, calculating machines." Ti waited... waited for the fear to well within Jor's very soul. Instead, he received a look of pity, of regret.
"I leave this world knowing that every life, no matter how it's touched over time, has an ultimate destiny. The destinies of my sons are greater than the will of *your* mind."
This time it was Ti-El who looked confused. His brother often spouted out such garbage. And every time it seemed to have the desired effect it was aimed to have.
Ti stepped back and waved dismissively at the guards. He glared at Jor as the doors once again closed him inside his tomb.
One last deep breath, a single turn of a button, and the First Lord of Krypton was no more.
Deafening silence engulfed the room; Ti allowing his brother's final words to simmer deep in his soul. Jor was wrong. A person's destiny is created merely by his life. And he intended the lives of his nephews to be very different from what his brother had intended for the youth.
++
Kal and Ching were left with only one living relative, Ti-El. Because Kal was only three, Ti was given discretionary rule over the young Lord until Kal's maturity. Though his authority was limited in political affairs of his world, Ti's control of his nephews' educations was endless. And he chose to sculpt Kal into the kind of ruler he would have been had he been allowed to take the Throne.
Of course, taking the Throne was exactly what Ti felt he should have been allowed to do. But because the traditions of his world ran so deep and his people were so narrow-minded and often too paranoid, not to mention the bumblings of the idiots he chose to associate with, Ti was forced to rule through Kal-El.
Ti looked around the State room in which he stood- the very room that had been occupied by his brother just a short time ago. There would be many changes in here, he thought as he looked up at a picture of Lara.
"I believe I could have broken that independent spirit, Milady," Ti said to the image. "I would certainly have enjoyed the battle." He shook his head and turned to make his way over to the chair behind the desk, sitting slowly as he remembered the conversation he'd had with Nor about the death of the First Lady...
~~
"What have you done, you incompetent..."
"What your tongue, Milord," Nor told him with a slight grin. "You wouldn't want to say something you'll regret."
"Nor!" Ti looked around to make sure they had not been discovered in their hiding place. "You were supposed to follow the plans."
"The job was done, wasn't it?"
"No, it wasn't. The First Lady is dead!"
"If I didn't know better, I'd say you were fond of the dearly departed."
"I *needed* her to become the First Lord, you idiot," Ti pointed out through clenched teeth. "Now I'll be forced to be only discretionary ruler."
"What's the difference?" Nor rubbed his nails against his tunic, effectively ignoring Ti.
Ti grasped Nor's tunic and backed him hard against the wall. "The difference is that instead of being allowed all those freedoms I promised you, now you'll have to answer to a toddler."
Nor briefly looked concerned with his present position before smiling. "I have wealth, a wife, and a few ladies willing to do whatever I want. What more could I ask for?"
"I don't even know why I bother with you." Ti shoved him, then backed away.
"You bother because you don't like getting your hands dirty." Nor straightened his tunic.
"Obviously you don't either. Those two fall guys you've recruited better not open their mouths."
"Oh, please. They are very loyal to their lord."
"And they better be very dead once they're sent to Confinement Island," Ti warned.
"Learn now, Ti-El, that I do not take orders from any man."
"*You* learn now, Lord Nor, that I know more about you than any other living being. You cross me and you'll join the First Lord in the separation chamber!" With that last threat, Ti turned and strode away from Nor.
~~
Ti lifted his hands, fingers touching, elbows resting on the desk. Yes, things certainly hadn't worked out quite the way he'd wanted them to. Nor had suddenly began to think for himself, others were getting drawn into his scheme, and now he would be forced to wait years before the realization of his dreams could come to pass. But even now, in the early stages of this new journey, he could picture the end results. He could see the cold, calculating ruler he would have been come to pass in the form of Kal-El.
He smiled and leaned back in his chair. Oh, yes, he truly loved irony.
tbc...
