The Last Days of Krypton - Kevin J. Anderson [116]
As Tyr-Us looked down at his empty plate, Zor-El had an idea. “There’s an isolated dacha in the hills near my old family estate. My father lived the last years of his life there, but he died recently. My mother abandoned the house and came to live here in Argo City. No one goes there. No one would find you. You’d be safe, and you would put no one else at risk.”
Tyr-Us’s face lit up. “Are you certain?”
“We insist,” Alura said.
Their guest suddenly became anxious again. “But you must not tell your brother. Jor-El is conspiring with Zod. He’s helping him to conquer the world.”
Zor-El scowled. “My brother is working for the good of Krypton. He always does.”
“But he cooperates with the Commissioner. Many have seen it.”
“Jor-El is a good man who has no interest in politics whatsoever.”
“Zod may well be fooling him!”
Zor-El held up his hands. “My brother is not easily fooled, and Commissioner Zod did step up to lead the people during the crisis…which is more than Gil-Ex or anyone else did.” He sighed. “Nevertheless, I will keep your secret. You have my promise.”
The gaunt man nodded, relieved.
“We will find a place for you to sleep,” Alura said. “We’ll pack up some clean clothes and any supplies you need.”
“It would be good to wash…and rest.”
Zor-El led him to a room reserved for guests, and Tyr-Us was so exhausted that he fell asleep as soon as he collapsed onto the blankets. Without disturbing him, Zor-El and Alura set out clean garments and towels. Cleansing crystals in the adjacent bathing room would be ready for him whenever he chose….
But the next morning when Zor-El went to check on his guest, Tyr-Us was gone. The desperate man must have taken the clothes, washed quickly, and slipped away without anyone seeing him. He left no note, no indication that he had ever been there—presumably to protect them.
Alura stared at the empty bed, the dirty clothes in a pile on the floor, which they would have to destroy. “Do you think he was abducted? Those people following him, did they get to him in our house? Past our guards?”
“Now you sound as paranoid as he did.” Zor-El shook his head, ashamed at his sharp tone. “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to belittle his concerns. Those other disappearances, especially Gil-Ex, are very suspicious. We’ll have to keep watch on our own streets, step up the civilian guard to make sure you and I stay safe. I really don’t know what to think about Commissioner Zod.”
Later that morning, he received a surprise message from his brother. Jor-El wore a glad expression, and his blue eyes glittered. “Zor-El, I have good news! Just as I promised, I convinced Commissioner Zod to let us take action about the core buildup. Thanks to your data, he’s agreed to allow the two of us to begin work on a massive project.” From the communication plate, Jor-El grinned. “He will supply materials, manpower—anything we need.”
Zor-El was taken aback, especially in light of Tyr-Us’s dire warnings about the Commissioner. Though he had suspicions, he could not turn down a chance like this. He knew the danger in the planet’s core, and saving the planet was more important than politics. “And what does he propose we do?”
“That’s up to us. I have an approach we might take. Come and work with me. We can get started right away.”
Zor-El remained silent after his brother had terminated the transmission, filled with conflicting thoughts.
Alura stood behind him, having listened to the entire message. “What are you going to do? Can you trust Zod, considering what Tyr-Us said?”
“I’ll reserve judgment and see for myself if there are any strings attached to this offer. But I have to put the fate of Krypton above everything else. If the Commissioner means to prove that he’s different from the old Council, and he’s willing to let me do what I know has to be done, how can I let politics get in the way? We’re talking about the end of the world.”
CHAPTER 51
From memory, Jor-El redrew his plans for the Rao beam, which he had surrendered to the Commission