The Last Days of Krypton - Kevin J. Anderson [42]
But first they had a major obstacle to overcome: the Council itself.
The two sons of Yar-El entered the central ziggurat. Jor-El frowned to see only a sparse audience in the tiers of public seats; he had hoped for a full hall with thousands of attentive ears to hear their momentous announcement. “My news will have to speak for itself,” Zor-El said.
Side by side, the brothers descended five steps to an arched waiting foyer before the wide, empty speaking arena. A harried chamberlain intercepted them. “You wish to address the Council? I will add you to the schedule at their earliest convenience. We will contact you when—”
Jor-El coolly stood up to the man. “Come now, the leader of Argo City and Krypton’s preeminent scientist do not need to be announced. Besides, I have a standing offer of a seat on the Council if ever I choose to accept it.” As the ineffective chamberlain spluttered, the two men marched past him onto the vast expanse of colored hexagonal tiles that comprised the speaking floor.
Council Head Jul-Us was conferring with three members who leaned close to him, all exchanging documents and nodding. Without waiting to be acknowledged by them, the brothers faced the towering bench.
Startled by their unexpected appearance, old Jul-Us turned from his documents. “This is most unexpected.” Jor-El appeared so rarely before them, and he had such a prominent reputation, that heads turned. The eleven members viewed him with a sort of surprise and reverence as he came forward with his brother.
Jor-El raised his voice to the Council Head. “Zor-El has come from Argo City with a grave announcement that warrants your utmost attention.”
With a troubled expression on his grandfatherly face, Jul-Us glanced at his fellow Council members, all of whom looked either confused or annoyed by this deviation from the routine. “Very well, Jor-El. We can table our business for the moment. Your brother wouldn’t have traveled a great distance on a mere whim. I trust this is important?” He folded his big-knuckled hands and leaned forward to listen.
Jor-El wasted no time with niceties. “Gentlemen, Krypton is doomed.” His words, stated so baldly, caused a stir among the eleven members. “Unless we do something about it.”
Even his brother was startled at the dramatic approach, but Jor-El knew he had to seize their attention. “Zor-El, tell them what you’ve seen.”
The other man tossed his dark hair. “I’ve been to the southern continent, where I witnessed massive volcanic eruptions and unrelenting seismic instability. I saw it with my own eyes, and nearly died to bring my observations back here.” He raised his still-bandaged arm, almost in a gesture of defiance. In no-nonsense terms, he explained what he had seen and the obvious conclusions to be drawn. “I took readings, but I didn’t know what they meant. I came here to ask my brother for help. On his advice, we are presenting the information to you. This is a problem that affects all of Krypton, and all of Krypton must work together to study it—and solve it. Not just me, not just Jor-El…not just Argo City and not just Kandor. All of us.”
“Your words are alarming,” Jul-Us said with a deep frown.
“Some might even say premature and impetuous,” Silber-Za added, a scowl on her face.
Zor-El was ready to defend himself, visibly controlling his temper, but red-haired Cera-Si interjected, “Wait, the Council has enough respect for these two men that we should discuss their concerns. Does anyone here wish to question the wisdom of Jor-El?”
Mauro-Ji leaned forward, tapping his fingers on the flat table surface in front of him. “We’ll give it a very thorough consideration, I promise. We will look at the issue and debate the seriousness of this