The Last Days of Krypton - Kevin J. Anderson [105]
Jor-El and Lara found the place beautiful and compelling, reminiscent of Krypton, yet very different. These people called their planet Earth.
CHAPTER 44
The next day Nam-Ek arrived at the estate, brusquely handing a message crystal to a curious Jor-El inside the tower laboratory. The shimmering image of Commissioner Zod rose like smoke from Jor-El’s palm. “I need your help now more than ever, Jor-El.” His thin voice was insistent. “I envision a project so grand that it will take our best work to accomplish it. Come and help us create the future—the next capital of Krypton. Nam-Ek will bring you and your wife to me, to the ancient ruins of Xan City.”
The bearded mute gestured insistently toward the special flying raft he had brought. The vehicle had fast engines and soft seats, open to the warm air, but with an enclosed canopy to protect them from hot sun or bad weather.
Jor-El and Lara looked at each other. She crossed her arms over her chest. “I don’t like this. It didn’t sound like a request.”
Nam-Ek was stony-faced. He shook his head vigorously.
Jor-El stepped up to the mute. “I have important work here, and so does Lara. We can’t just leave.”
In response, the other man replayed Zod’s message, then made an imperious gesture to the vehicle. Jor-El felt angry, but also uneasy about the lengths to which the Commissioner’s bodyguard would go.
“You’re not going to take no for an answer, are you?” Lara demanded of Nam-Ek.
The mute shook his head. His expression was implacable.
Though not pleased, Jor-El did not argue as they both climbed aboard the vehicle. Zod would have his way, and Jor-El was beginning to resent it more and more.
The flying raft hummed as it shot across the distance, heading toward unpopulated and sparsely explored regions of the continent. Nam-Ek stood by himself at the controls, only occasionally turning around to look at his passengers.
In spite of her surprise, Lara was grudgingly fascinated by the prospect of visiting such a famed historical site. “Xan City…why would the Commissioner go to an abandoned ruin like that in the first place? He never seemed much interested in history.” Then she nodded. “I’ll bet Aethyr had something to do with it.”
When they finally reached their destination by late afternoon, Jor-El saw a small cluster of temporary shelters that had been erected in the crumbling old city. Aethyr directed them to the Commissioner’s makeshift office. Inside, Zod stood surrounded by numerous wafer-thin windows that projected images of the city ruins, overlaid with drawings of a fantastic new city to rise from the ashes of the old. “Thank you both for coming so promptly.”
Jor-El glanced at Nam-Ek, who stood with muscular arms crossed over his chest. “Your man seemed to think it was an order.”
“Yes, he can be quite implacable. Nevertheless, I assure you this is crucial.” Zod raised a hand, leading them out of his temporary office structure. “Come with me and see how I intend to keep Krypton safe.”
Even Aethyr looked as if she would burst with anticipation. “Xan City is full of treasures left by Jax-Ur.” She hung close beside Lara. “This will solve a mystery that’s centuries old!”
Zod escorted them down a steep set of metal stairs to a labyrinth of underground chambers and then to a bustling central room. The chamber’s walls were lined with copper-alloy sheets. Antique but sophisticated-looking control decks glowed with diagnostic crystals. High-resolution plates displayed detailed maps of the entire surface of Krypton.
Seven newly recruited technicians from the Kandor camp now sat at the panels, touching crystals, studying readings, and conferring among themselves. By the hunch of their shoulders and the set of their necks and arms, Jor-El could tell the technicians were tense in the Commissioner’s presence. They had placed their faith in