The Last Days of Krypton - Kevin J. Anderson [156]
Under careful supervision, Jor-El spent his days grudgingly working on the nova javelins, as Zod had commanded. The ancient warlord’s maps and charts were indeed out of date, and—under better circumstances—Jor-El could have compared the old measurements with his new modern ones to develop fascinating tectonic theories. Now, though, he had explicit other orders for the missiles.
He deciphered complex systems that even No-Ton did not understand. The two men analyzed and reconfigured the guidance systems, then ran repeated tests to reset the navigation and targeting controls. Mechanically, the systems were functional again, but spatial and ground-based coordinates had altered in the thousand years since Jax-Ur’s reign.
Though No-Ton was also a member of the Ring of Strength and should therefore have been considered trustworthy, Koll-Em insisted on monitoring every test for himself, much to Jor-El’s annoyance. The edgy young noble didn’t understand any of the operations, but kept an eye out for anxiety on Jor-El’s face as an indicator of deceit. Even when No-Ton assured his fellow Ring member that Jor-El was doing as he’d been instructed, Koll-Em lurked about and watched.
Jor-El didn’t consider the reluctant No-Ton to be an ally, but he knew that the other scientist also had reservations about what General Zod was doing. Fortunately, No-Ton was in such awe of Jor-El’s technical expertise that he did not question misleading statements that the white-haired genius confidently put forward as “facts.”
When Jor-El finished his activities in the nova javelin bunkers, he shoved sheets of incomprehensible numbers and projected trajectories into Koll-Em’s hands. “As you can see, everything is in order.” The angry young man would never be able to interpret them.
Leaving the underground chamber, he ascended to the surface, emerged at the edge of the Square of Hope, and boldly walked to the complex glassy spire where Lara was being held. An uncertain-looking Sapphire Guard blocked the way. “I am here to see Lara,” he said.
“No one is allowed to enter.”
“I am allowed to enter. I am Jor-El.”
Koll-Em hurried up, flustered and trying to show that he was in control of the situation. “Oh, let him inside. Seeing his hostage wife will remind Jor-El why he has no choice but to assist us.” His thin-lipped grin was little more than a slash across his face.
Jor-El gave him a scornful look. “There are always choices. But sometimes every choice is flawed.”
Close on his heels, Koll-Em followed him down the colored glassy corridors. “It’s not too late for you, Jor-El. If you help us achieve a smooth victory and thwart Argo City’s resistance, General Zod may yet forgive you. You could still have an important place in our new order.”
“Before or after the comet destroys Krypton?”
Koll-Em was clearly uneasy. He respected and feared Jor-El’s scientific talent. “Zod will protect us. He can do anything.”
Jor-El rounded on him. He did not comprehend the young man’s attitude, his enthusiastic assumption of his position of power. “General Zod killed your brother. He annihilated Borga City, yet you still support him. Aren’t you angry?”
“My brother only got what he deserved,” Koll-Em sneered. “Time and again over the course of our lives, he belittled me, held me back, ignored me.” The nervous veneer of his bravado could not entirely conceal his real feelings. “Borga City is gone now, just like Kandor. What happened has happened. We can’t wallow in the past. We must look to the future.”
Disgusted with the pointless parroting of Zod’s propaganda, Jor-El kept walking until he reached the barricaded door to Lara’s cell. A lattice of thick crystal entirely blocked the opening. The translucent walls blurred the details of his wife’s lovely face. Nevertheless, when she spotted him she moved quickly to the faceted wall. “Jor-El! I knew you’d come.” Her voice carried through the clear crystal.
He pressed as close as he could. “I came to make sure you were still safe.”