The Last Days of Krypton - Kevin J. Anderson [109]
Jor-El shook his head. “That was a much inferior process, Commissioner, and my father discarded it. What it gained in speed, it lost in stability. Don’t you want your capital to stand for centuries, even millennia? Longer even than the original Xan City? Such things can’t be rushed. If we use the flawed catalyst technique, the buildings may last for no more than a generation or two.”
Zod’s brow furrowed. “Jor-El, if Krypton survives the next generation or two, then we will have all the time in the world. Once we get past this crisis, I promise to give you the full freedom to make any improvements you wish.” He joined Jor-El and Lara at the window, gazing out at the bustle of construction. “Appearances are just as important as reality. No Kryptonian can doubt what Zod has done for them. I need to present my city as a new capital, a fait accompli—and soon.”
Jor-El quickly looked at him. “Your city?”
“Krypton’s city. Sometimes I grow a bit too passionate.” He offered them an intense, unsettling smile. “Grow me these crystal buildings to quiet any naysayers, and in return I will name the tallest, most ornate spire after Yar-El.”
“My father would not have wanted any accolades,” Jor-El said. “Nor did he need them, especially not with buildings that are sure to be flawed.”
Zod’s expression darkened. “I insist.”
Jor-El looked at Lara, who understood his need, and she nodded reluctantly. He said, “I will do this task in memory of my father, so long as we have time to make it right once we pass this current crisis.” He narrowed his eyes, waiting for the perfect moment to raise the much more substantial issue of the data Zor-El had just sent him. “And there are other matters we need to discuss. When this is finished, I have certain priorities you must address.”
The Commissioner sounded dismissive, as if a tit-for-tat arrangement was to be expected. “Perfect, my friend. I am forever in your debt.”
CHAPTER 47
Lara loved watching the wheels turn in Jor-El’s mind as he pondered a new problem to solve. He had decided that he would harvest select seed crystals from the smaller structures on his estate and also from the magnificent palace in the arctic. Zod gave him the loan of a flying craft and sent him away to gather what he needed, telling him to hurry.
While Lara remained behind, she finally took the time to talk more with Aethyr. Inside one of Xan City’s restored ancient buildings, the other woman’s private quarters were far more spacious than Lara had expected. “I never imagined anything so ostentatious for you, Aethyr. Remember when you killed and roasted a snake once just because you didn’t think we had enough camp rations to last us?”
“I called it the serpent of truth,” she said with a smile.
“It certainly tasted foul.” Lara screwed up her face at the remembered bad experience.
“You were the only other one who tried it. I’ve always respected you for that. It shows strength of character.”
With a giggle that made her feel ten years younger, Lara said, “Do you remember Lyla Lerrol? She was so horrified that we had tasted the meat of a serpent that she wouldn’t sleep anywhere close to us. Afraid we’d grow scales in the middle of the night!” Both of them laughed at the memory.
Aethyr suddenly became serious. “Commissioner Zod knows how brilliant your husband is, but you can help us here, too. I’ve personally told him about you, Lara. You trained to be an artist—didn’t you work with your parents?”
“I met Jor-El during a large-scale project at his estate.” Lara’s expression fell. So many things reminded her at unexpected times. “My parents were lost with Kandor.”
Aethyr didn’t look at all troubled. “My parents were lost, too, but they were the worst of the old Krypton. We have to forget all that now and move on.” She poured them each a glass of ruby-red