The Last Days of Krypton - Kevin J. Anderson [72]
But Nam-Ek simply balled a huge fist and swung, not even wincing as his hand impacted the wall. The pearlescent barrier shattered, and shards tinkled down to expose a doorway wide enough for two men to stand in side by side—wide enough for the small spaceship.
Inside, a milky-rose light bathed the tower’s main room: red sunshine filtered through the translucent wall. Years ago, before he’d sealed the structure, Yar-El had set up a pristine laboratory with alcoves, tables, equipment—everything ready for use. Jor-El was delighted with the discovery.
When Nam-Ek had unloaded the dismantled starship components inside the secret tower laboratory, Zod looked at the strange objects with keen interest, then stepped back out of the tower. “Do you have construction resin? We should seal the opening again for the time being, so that the ship remains hidden. I do not want you to work on it…not yet. We need to take care of the Council first.”
As a loyal citizen, Jor-El didn’t like keeping secrets from the legitimate government, but he certainly understood why this was necessary. The Kryptonian Council’s obstructionist attitudes could well bring about the downfall of Krypton—in more ways than one. “Yes, I can keep it safely hidden…for now.”
CHAPTER 30
Only seven days remained before the scheduled inquisition. Jor-El had planned his defense, rehearsed his speech so that he might sway the eleven Council members, though he doubted more than a few of them would listen. Nevertheless, he did not intend to go down without a fight.
In the meantime, Zod had sent the samples of chemical residue back to Kandor for analysis, but they had heard no results yet. Jor-El did not know how the chemical proof could help his case, but he very much wanted to know what had gone wrong. He needed to understand.
But another problem presented itself. “We should find someone to marry us.” Jor-El turned to Lara with bright blue eyes.
She stood with him inside the main research building where she had first rescued him from the Phantom Zone. “I will not let you face the Council unless I can tell the whole world that we’re husband and wife. We will show them our strength together. Just let them try to keep me from accompanying you when you receive your sentence.”
Commissioner Zod entered the large laboratory carrying selected excerpts from old Council sessions and citations of archaic passages from Kryptonian law. He had stayed at the estate for two days, assisting Jor-El with his legal defense, finding documentation and historical precedents that might allow the Council to change their minds. Lara still wondered why the Commissioner would devote so much attention to the scientist’s case, but they could not afford to turn down his assistance. Zod seemed to be their only powerful ally.
“Forgive me for eavesdropping. You two are to be married? A last-minute romance?” She found something unsettling about his smile. “Intriguing.”
“We haven’t had the time to prepare,” Jor-El confessed. “And time is running out.”
The Commissioner seemed to be making mental calculations. He looked sidelong at her, as if he still didn’t remember her name. “And would marrying this woman make you happy?”
“Yes,” Jor-El said, without a tinge of doubt in his voice. “Lara makes me feel not only happy, but at peace.”
Zod’s whole demeanor shifted. “Then I shall perform the ceremony myself. I insist.”
Jor-El and Lara looked at him in surprise. “I thought we’d find a priest of Rao or, considering the circumstances, a dutiful civil official.”
“As Commissioner, I have the full authority to perform legally binding ceremonies. This wedding will be my gift to you, and I do it because I am your friend. Worry no further. It will be done.”
Though she was happy, some instinct told Lara that the Commissioner