The Last Days of Krypton - Kevin J. Anderson [170]
By taking control of the situation, he placed himself in charge for one last time. Better yet, he snatched the power and authority from these weaklings who had betrayed and defeated him. He had only one possible option, and Zod vowed to do this on his own terms. His own terms! Let historians record this ending with awe!
Unexpectedly, he spun and broke away. Rather than allow his enemies to touch him, not accepting their punishment, he had only one place to go. With a last glare of hatred directed toward Jor-El, General Zod dove headfirst through the silver rings.
He heard surprised and outraged shouts from the throne room…until absolute, infinite nothingness swallowed him up.
CHAPTER 81
In the middle of the Square of Hope the broken statue of Zod lay like a stone corpse covered with dark fabrics. The provisional Council would soon find some way to dispose of it permanently. The public would not feel satisfied until the offensive relic was destroyed.
In their wild and relieved celebrations, the people also turned their anger against any reminders of the old dictatorship. Individual vandals, as well as larger mobs, targeted other examples of civic artwork Zod had commissioned. Lara was helpless to prevent them from defacing the intricate mosaics, sculpture walls, and elaborate murals she had so meticulously designed.
“Stop this desecration!” She tried to push her way to the largest mural wall, moving awkwardly because of her pregnancy. “It’s art!”
“It’s propaganda for Zod—and we have had enough of that,” someone snarled at her.
“Propaganda? Just look at it—what’s left of it!” But they refused to accept that even the most straightforward images did not contain subliminal ideas in support of the overthrown government. Her words went unheeded, and the rampant destruction continued.
Offended on her behalf, Jor-El demanded to speak with Tyr-Us, who seemed to be in charge of the provisional government, but the man made obvious excuses not to see him. The scientist finally barged in, appointment or no appointment. “Why would you let vandals destroy my wife’s artwork? They’re scenes from history. Lara designed them herself—”
“But Zod commissioned them,” Tyr-Us answered impatiently. “We want no leftover reminders of that regime. Can you blame the people? It’s better to simply start fresh. If your wife would like to submit alternative designs to our cultural committee, she is welcome to do so.” He seemed to think he was doing her a favor. “However, we have many eager craftsmen who wish to contribute. Your wife may have been General Zod’s pet artist, but she will be on equal footing with the rest of our people from now on.”
Jor-El stiffened. “Why would you punish Lara? I don’t understand your attitude at all. We are only trying to help—”
“Really?” The man seemed on the verge of saying much more, but then insisted that Jor-El leave. “I have more important things to do than listen to your complaints.”
Striding through the streets, Jor-El next encountered Gil-Ex surrounded by a group of advisers. The advisers looked up, startled, when the white-haired scientist stepped forward. “Gil-Ex, who should I speak to about all the technologies Zod hid in his secret chamber? Krypton might still benefit, but only if someone with the proper vision applies those theories in a constructive way. I could be of ser vice on such a committee.”
Gil-Ex was surprisingly cool. His bald pate flushed pink, and the tips of his long mustache quivered. “That won’t be necessary. We have others to perform that task.”
“But who would be better suited?”
“Someone who wasn’t the righthand man of General Zod.”
For a moment, Jor-El was speechless. “I helped overthrow Zod. Without me, you would still be inside the Phantom Zone.”
Gil-Ex cut him off. “Without you, the Phantom Zone would never have been created in the first place.”
The remaining pieces fell together for Jor-El, and now he saw why members of the provisional government were rebuffing him. “Thank you for your time,” he said in a clipped voice and stalked