The Last Days of Krypton - Kevin J. Anderson [54]
The small blue alien was truly a kindred spirit. Eager for information and insights, Jor-El had discussed Krypton’s isolationism, how he was forbidden from investigating space travel or trying to contact other civilizations, although he still made extensive studies of the stars with his own telescopes.
Studying the ship’s controls, Jor-El asked, “How do you navigate? How do you deal with emergencies?”
“I have a tool for every emergency.” Donodon proudly patted one of his lumpy pockets. “This ship is made of discrete components but operates as an organic whole—so sophisticated that even I can fly it without trouble.”
“I want to know more. I want to know everything about the whole universe out there.”
Donodon made a burbling sound of amusement. “You could spend your life finding the answers, and there would still be many, many more questions.” His skin was cool and moist, and he exuded a natural scent somewhat reminiscent of tart fruit.
Jor-El beamed. “Exactly as I prefer it.”
“I have been to many marvelous planets and wonderful civilizations. My ship’s log has a record of all of my journeys.”
“I’d like to see them.”
“That would take years.” The alien’s overlarge eyes blinked.
“What could be a better use of my time?”
Donodon displayed items from his ship’s database, quickly skimming through a few of the marvelous planets. “Let me show you the fabulous landscapes of Oa, Rann, and Thanagar.” He called up another sequence of images. “And the fungus caverns of Trekon, the flying islands of Uffar, the lavender seas of Gghwwyk. It is difficult for me to choose a favorite.”
While sharing ideas with Donodon, telling him of his many other inventions, including the Phantom Zone and the solar-probe rockets, Jor-El grew both relaxed and excited. Suddenly, this alien visitor had opened many doorways in his imagination, made him feel that so many things were possible, that he was not alone.
When he had described his studies of the swollen red-giant sun, Jor-El expressed his concerns about the possibility of Rao going supernova. Instead of the skepticism the Kryptonian Council exhibited, Donodon simply nodded slowly and gravely. “I see, yes, that is a problem. We must bring in other experts, but my people can certainly help Krypton evacuate, should the need rise.”
“I have drawn up plans for arkships. Will we have time?”
“Perhaps. Probably. There are certain indicators before a supernova occurs.”
Jor-El could barely contain his exuberance, a long-forgotten enthusiasm coupled with relief. He began to believe Donodon could help Krypton with its many problems.
When he described the instabilities in the planet’s core, as Zor-El had discovered, the tentacle-faced alien seemed more uncertain. “That is not my area of expertise, but with my ship I could possibly acquire the necessary data. By combing through my library and making use of your own technology and equipment, perhaps we can construct a deep mapping probe that can peer directly into your unstable core. It would be simple.”
Jor-El already felt his pulse racing. “That would require an immense amount of power.”
Donodon shrugged, as if he did such things every day. “I have traveled across several galaxies, and my ship holds the legacy of hundreds of civilizations. I do not believe that looking through a planet’s crust is an insurmountable problem.”
As she painted alone, finishing the last obelisk, Lara heard a noise in the sky, which seemed overloud in contrast with the quiet of the estate. Glancing up, she saw a glint of silver, black, and blue—the alien’s oddly contoured ship coming here, to the estate! She paused in her work, looking up in amazement and delight. Her mind had been filled with questions and worries, but now it seemed that Jor-El must have contacted the alien and convinced the Council. She wasn’t surprised.
Lara