A Cosmic Rendition: Chapter 22

The conference room at the Triskelion erupted into a cacophony of raised voices and frantic activity as Zod’s chilling transmission ended, his ultimatum delivered. The very air crackled with tension as a palpable sense of danger and dread settled over everyone in attendance.

Nick Fury, the new Director of SHIELD, switched gears instantly, assuming responsibility. He barked into the comms device, his only visible eye narrowed.

“I want every SHIELD agent on high alert. Reactivate the Avengers Initiative, now! Get me into secure contact Stark, Barton, Romanoff, the Bat, the Cat, the Spiders, Banner, everyone!”

Steve turned to his wife with a grim expression on his face, both thinking the same thing. Mere weeks after the massive attack on New York, they were faced with another challenge that could have potentially world-ending consequences.

“We need to evacuate all major cities. If this General Zod really makes good on his threats… well, we could be looking at casualties amounting in hundreds of millions.”

“Is it even possible though?” Peggy asked in a whisper, earning a grimace from her husband. It was an impossible task to not only evacuate civilians from every major city around the world but to also accommodate them in safe places within time, which they did not know how much they had.

“We’ve got to try,” Steve muttered as he gazed at Fury who was hard at work on the screen, already pulling up the emergency protocols. “Start by coordinating with local authorities and international counterparts. It needs to be done quietly though, or we’d have mass panic on our hands. That’s the last thing we want right now.”

The World Security Council chose this as their moment to flare back to life as their signal was properly restored, their holographic projections materializing once again. The faces of Councilmen Rockwell, Singh, and Yen, along with Councilwoman Hawley, joined Alexander Pierce as they flickered into view, their expressions a mix of concern, uncertainty, and resolve.

“Director Fury,” Councilman Rockwell’s stern visage addressed the dark-skinned man who turned to face him. “We’ve all heard the alien’s demands, and it seems quite clear to all of us that they are not friendly. The Council believes our course of action is clear. We cannot risk the safety of the entire planet for one individual, no matter how powerful they might be.”

Diana’s eyes narrowed and her grip on her husband’s arm tightened, her stance becoming more rigid as she turned to glare sharply at the man who had spoken.

“You do realize what you are saying, right?” She whispered dangerously.

“This is not the time to let our emotions dictate our actions!” The man tried.

“If you think we are going to cave in to a tyrant and simply hand over an innocent person in this hope that this hostile force will keep his word, then you are sorely mistaken, Councilman. That is not how we operate, and that is certainly not how we are going to face this threat,” Diana hissed.

“With all due respect,” Councilwoman Hawley interjected, her tone clipped and businesslike. “We’re talking about the fate of the entire planet. One life weighed against billions… it’s a simple matter of mathematics and survival.”

“We do not trade lives, Councilwoman,” Steve said curtly, staring the woman down.

“And the ‘one life’ you seem so eager to sacrifice happens to be our best defence against whatever this General Zod has planned,” Diana spoke, her voice steady but laced with a distinct hint of steel. “My husband is the one Zod wants – the son of Krypton and the strongest protector we have against any foe from outside.”

All eyes turned to Clark as a wave of shock rippled through the assembled group. Most of them had already understood but there were a few who stared at the man in surprise. The Council’s holographic images flickered as they processed the revelation.

“I see,” Councilman Singh’s hologram shifted as the man leaned forward, his brow furrowed.

“Surely you understand the position we now find ourselves in, Mr. Kent? If you were to turn yourself over, we could potentially save billions of lives. It’s the logical choice.”

“You shut your mouth right there, Councilman!” Diana snarled, taking everyone by surprise. Her eyes flashed with a fury that reminded everyone present of her legendary heritage and the power she wielded. “How dare you even think of asking my husband to do something like that!? Manipulating him like this is beneath you! My husband is the protector of Earth and he would never hesitate from sacrificing himself to protect this planet, but not like this! We do not negotiate with terrorists – alien or otherwise!”

Fury nodded curtly in agreement, his leather coat creasing as he crossed his arms. “Precisely. And as already stated, there is no guarantee this Zod would keep his word even if we did comply. For all we know, handing over Kent here could be exactly what he needs to carry out whatever invasion plan he’s cooked up.”

“This is not a debate!” Councilwoman Hawley snapped, her patience clearly wearing thin. “You are letting your personal bias cloud your judgment. Choosing one life over billions!? The Council is ordering you, Director Fury of SHIELD, to detain Clark Kent and prepare him for transfer to this alien vessel. We already had a massive attack, and courting another disaster so soon!? It’s the height of tomfoolery!”

“You do not know what you’re talking about!” Diana hissed.

“No, Mrs. Kent,” the woman said curtly. “It is you who has lost touch with reality. It’s truly shameful that you of all people are behaving like this. Given everything you have done for this world since the War, you are the last one we expected to let your personal feelings cloud your rationality. The logic is clear, and if there is even one percent chance that the hostility will be prevented if we accept this General Zod’s terms, then it is a chance we need to take. We are not in the position to defy him.”

Steve stepped forward, his Vibranium shield held firmly in his grasp. His eyes were blazing with the same determination that had faced down HYDRA and the Chitauri alike. “What you are suggesting is never right, Councilman. I’ve seen what happens when we give in to tyrants. Trading lives is not the solution. That is not how we operate, and neither we should.”

His wife nodded in agreement, standing shoulder to shoulder with him and looking as fierce. “If we give in to this tyrant’s demands so easily, it would set a dangerous precedent. He will know we are easy to cower in front of a powerful force, which would only embolden him. And when he is done and dusted, Earth would forever be at the mercy of an alien force that decides to make demands of us.”

“Our battle against the Chitauri would be for naught,” Steve nodded. “Earth has shown that she has what it takes to defend itself and fight back. We cannot lose that.”

“Then you leave us with no choice,” Rockwell said grimly, his holographic image flickering. “We’re invoking Article 47 of SHIELD charter. As of this moment, the leadership of SHIELD is relieved of its command in this crisis. General Thaddeus Ross shall be taking over all the operations related to this alien threat.”

Fury slammed his fist on the table, its impact echoing through the room as he eyed the Council. “Now listen here. You can’t go pulling these underhanded maneuvers in times of crisis like this. This is a SHIELD matter and we are the ones equipped to deal with threats of this magnitude.”

“This was a SHIELD matter, Director,” Hawley replied coolly, her hologram flickering slightly as she nodded toward someone in her office. “It is a global matter now, and the leadership of SHIELD has proven that it is not equipped to tackle this crisis with a rational mind.”

“The Council has spoken. General Ross has already been briefed and he will soon be en route to take command of both the agents and the military. Mr. Kent, given the decades of service you have given to this planet, we want to avoid any conflict and would appreciate it if you came quietly.”

“You are making a big mistake here,” Diana grunted, her grip on the handle of her sword tightening.

“Be mindful of how you act, Mrs. Kent,” the Councilwoman whispered with a glare. “We are appreciative of your services, but you are not beyond reproach.”

The holograms winked out seconds later, leaving a shocked and fuming group of enhanced individuals. Her eyes blazing with determination, Diana hissed, “To hell with their decision! They might have spoken, but this is not something they can handle. We’re not giving up without a fight. SHIELD was founded to protect Earth from exactly this kind of threat, and that is exactly what we’re going to do.”

Clark took his eyes off the table for the first time and gave his wife a curt nod. His voice had a hint of steel to it as he stood up and placed his hands on the table, staring everyone down.

“If Zod wants me, he’ll have to come and get me himself. And when he does, he’ll find out how worthless the people of this world truly are. Before that though, there are a few things I need to get cleared.”

“You get to it then,” Fury said. “Because we’re gonna have to get ready for one hell of a fight, again.” They watched him as he kept tapping on the holographic screen. He continued, “Something tells me this Zod isn’t the type to politely knock on the door. We’re going to have to prepare for both an alien invasion and potential interference from Ross and his goons, which reminds me… it’d be better if Doctor Banner is kept away from this, at least as much as we can afford.”

“You got it,” Peggy nodded as she stepped out of the chair. Steve followed suit, his trusted shield held firmly in his grasp.

“We’ve faced impossible odds before,” he said, his voice filled with resolve. “Ares and Schmidt, Loki and his sister, the Chitauri, and HYDRA… and we’ve always come out on top, one way or another. This time won’t be any different.”

Peggy was already on a call with Maria Hill, coordinating. “We’re going to mobilize every SHIELD agent we have on standby. If Ross wants to take charge, all he’ll find is an empty building and a ton of missing equipment.”

Alarms blared throughout the Triskelion, and Diana brandished her sword, the blade gleaming.

“We have 24 hours before Zod makes his move. We’ve got to make every second count. It’s time to get moving,” she said firmly. Turning toward Fury, she continued, “And Nick, it’d be better if you get on that Helicarrier.”

Nodding, Fury took a quick leave and the rest followed suit.

It was time to regroup with their allies and take the fight to their enemies first.

XXXXX

The expansive penthouse of Stark Tower hummed with nervous energy as the sun began its descent over the New York City skyline. Tony Stark paced frantically across the polished floor, his designer shoes clicking a staccato rhythm that matched his racing thoughts, his face contorted in frustration. His hands gesticulated wildly as he spoke, dark eyes flashing with a mixture of anger and determination.

"Can you believe this?" Tony fumed, running a hand through his disheveled hair. "This Zod character just waltzes in and hijacks JARVIS like it's nothing! My tech, my AI, treated like some cheap walkie-talkie!"

Pepper Potts stood near the sleek bar, her normally composed features etched with concern. She watched Tony's agitated movements, knowing better than to interrupt his tirade just yet. Colonel James Rhodes, better known as Rhodey, leaned against the floor-to-ceiling windows, his military posture at odds with the luxurious surroundings. His dark eyes followed Tony's pacing, a frown deepening the lines on his face.

"Tony," Rhodey said, his voice steady and calm, "I think we have bigger issues to worry about right now than JARVIS getting hacked."

"Bigger?" Tony spun to face his friend, eyes wide with disbelief. "Rhodey, this is exactly the big issue! If this alien can just override our most advanced systems without breaking a sweat, what chance do we stand against whatever else he's got up his sleeve?"

Happy Hogan, standing near the elevator, nervously adjusted his tie for the umpteenth time. "Should I, uh, start prepping the evacuation protocols, boss?" he asked, his voice tinged with anxiety.

Before Tony could respond, a shimmering holographic screen materialized in the center of the room, causing Happy to jump slightly. The stern, chiseled face of Bruce Wayne filled the display, his piercing eyes seeming to look right through the camera.

"Stark," Bruce's deep voice resonated through the room, "we need to talk."

Tony's lips quirked into a sardonic smile. "Well, if it isn't the Dark Knight himself. That’s what they’re calling you over in Gotham, right? What? Come to share in the alien invasion party? I'd offer you a drink, but, you know... hologram."

A hint of amusement crept across Bruce's face as the holographic image shifted, revealing Natasha Romanoff and Selina Kyle standing behind him in what appeared to be the cavernous expanse of the Batcave. Natasha's red hair gleamed in the low light, her expression as unreadable as ever. Selina, by contrast, wore a slight smirk, her catlike grace evident even in stillness.

"This is serious, Stark," Natasha said, her voice clipped and professional. "We're pooling all our resources on this one. It's all hands on deck."

Selina's smirk widened. "Even us cats and bats are playing nice. It must be the end of the world."

“Cats, bats, spiders… we seem to have a proper zoo here…” Natasha muttered, earning a poke from her lover who glanced at her with the same catlike smirk.

Tony rolled his eyes, some of the manic energy leaving his body as he approached the holographic display. "Fine. What's the situation on your end? Please tell me you've got something more than 'Oh boo! Aliens are coming, we're all doomed!'"

Bruce's frown deepened if that was even possible. "Not good. I've been analyzing the broadcast signal. It didn't just hijack public channels - it pierced through every firewall and security system on the planet simultaneously. Whatever tech they're using, it's light-years beyond anything we've got."

All eyes in the penthouse widened as Tony grimaced, a hand unconsciously rubbing his chin. "Tell me about it. JARVIS is still running diagnostics on how they broke through. It's like they rewrote the laws of physics just to say 'Hello, peasants, we're here to conquer you.'"

Pepper stepped forward, her heels clicking on the floor as she joined Tony in front of the display.

"What are our options?" she asked, her voice steady despite the fear evident in her eyes.

Bruce's expression softened almost imperceptibly as he addressed Pepper. "Limited. But between Stark Industries and Wayne Enterprises, we have the best tech and resources on the planet. If anyone can find a way to fight this, it's us. Also, I’m sure SHIELD will be on it instantly. They’ve been monitoring the spaceship for weeks now, ever since it appeared in the orbit."

“Asgardians first, and these Kryptonians now… we really fucked up bad, didn’t we?” Selina remarked casually.

Rhodey pushed off from the window, joining the impromptu war council. Ignoring what Selina said, he spoke, "We'll need everything we’ve got. If this turns into a fight, and let's face it, it probably will, we're seriously outgunned. These aren't Chitauri foot soldiers we're dealing with."

Natasha leaned in, her face filling more of the screen. "S.H.I.E.L.D. is mobilizing everything we've got, but there's also... complications."

Tony raised an eyebrow, a sense of dread settling in his stomach. "Complications? What kind of complications are we talking about here? Because I gotta say, alien invasion seems pretty straightforward in the complication department."

Natasha's eyes darted to Bruce before she continued, keeping her emotions firmly in check. "The World Security Council is making moves. They're talking about handing over the person Zod is after."

Happy, who had been quiet until now, stepped forward, confusion written across his features. "Wait, there's already an alien here? Like, living among us?"

Tony's eyes widened as realization dawned. "Kent," he breathed. "It's got to be Kent."

Bruce nodded grimly, confirming Tony's suspicion. "Superman. And if they hand him over, we lose our biggest gun."

Selina leaned into view, her cattish grin at odds with the gravity of the situation. "So… what's the play, boys? Please tell me it's more exciting than standing around looking worried."

Tony felt a familiar determination settling over him, the same feeling he got when faced with an impossible problem in his workshop. He turned to face the room, his eyes blazing with renewed purpose.

"We do what we do best," he declared. "We innovate, we strategize, and we fight. Wayne, I'm sending you everything we have on the signal that hijacked our systems. See if you can find a weakness, a backdoor, anything we can exploit."

Bruce nodded, already tapping commands into an unseen keyboard. "On it. I'll have Lucius start working on countermeasures. If there's a chink in their armor, we'll find it."

Rhodey straightened, slipping into his military persona. "I'll coordinate with the Air Force, see what we can get in the air. If it comes to a fight, we'll need every jet and pilot we can muster."

Natasha's face grew serious. "I'll keep you updated on S.H.I.E.L.D.'s moves. We might need to operate outside official channels on this one, especially if the Council goes through with their plan."

Tony nodded, his mind already racing with possibilities. "Good. Happy, start lockdown procedures for all Stark facilities. We can't risk any of our tech falling into the wrong hands. Pepper, we need to get our satellite network recalibrated to track that ship. If they so much as twitch, I want to know about it."

As everyone moved to their tasks, a palpable sense of purpose filled the room. Tony turned back to the holographic display, locking eyes with Bruce.

"Wayne, we've already fought together, and we’ve had our differences in the business department, but..." Tony began with uncharacteristic hesitation in his voice.

Bruce cut him off, a ghost of a smile on his lips. "Save it, Stark. We're all in this together now, just like with Loki and his girl. Earth's mightiest heroes, remember?"

The call ended, leaving the room in a tense silence. Tony walked to the window, looking out at the New York skyline. The city sprawled before him, millions of lives going about their day, blissfully unaware of the threat looming above them. He felt Pepper's presence as she came to stand beside him, her hand slipping into his.

"Whatever it takes," Tony said softly, squeezing Pepper's hand.

Pepper leaned her head on his shoulder, her voice barely above a whisper. "Whatever it takes."

As the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and purple, the occupants of Stark Tower steeled themselves for the battle to come. They knew the next 24 hours would change everything, not just for them, but for the entire world. The fate of humanity hung in the balance, and they were the thin line standing between Earth and annihilation.

In the growing darkness, Tony Stark's eyes gleamed with determination. They had faced alien invasions before and had stared down gods and monsters. This Zod character, for all his advanced tech and dire threats, was just another challenge to overcome. And if there was one thing Tony Stark loved, it was a challenge.

"JARVIS," he called out, his voice steady and confident.

"Yes, sir?" the AI responded, its crisp British accent a comforting constant in the chaos.

"Initiative Endgame. Let's show these aliens what happens when they pick a fight with Earth."

"Initiating Endgame protocols, sir," JARVIS replied. "And may I say, it's a pleasure to be back in the fight."

As systems hummed to life and plans were set in motion, the heroes of Earth prepared for battle. The world below might sleep uneasily tonight, but they would stand vigilant, ready to face whatever the dawn might bring. For in the face of extinction, every alternative was preferable.

XXXXX

The newly formed team arrived at the Helicarrier hovering above the clouds. As they stepped onto the main deck, they were greeted by Nick Fury, the organization's stern-faced director, along with Diana and Clark Kent who looked grimmer than they’d ever seen them.

"Glad you could all make it," Fury said, his one good eye surveying the group that had arrived ready for combat. "We've got a situation that requires all hands on deck."

Tony stepped forward, his armor gleaming under the harsh lights. "We've seen the broadcast, Fury. What's SHIELD's take on this, truly?"

The man led them all inside without replying, and they gazed around.

The SHIELD Helicarrier hummed with activity as the team gathered around the holographic display. Director Nick Fury's weathered face was illuminated by the blue glow of the screens as he brought up a world map dotted with red hotspots.

"These are the areas where we've detected Zod's energy signatures," Fury explained, his voice grave. "Probes, most likely. For what? We don’t know yet. Our analysts have been working around the clock to decipher his technology, but we're still coming up short."

Tony stepped forward, his eyes darting across the data streams. "JARVIS, run a comparative analysis of these energy signatures against our database. Include all known extraterrestrial tech we've encountered."

"Analysis in progress, sir," JARVIS responded promptly. "Estimated completion time: 7 minutes."

Bruce Wayne nodded approvingly. "Good call, Stark. We need every advantage we can get."

Clark stood at the edge of the group, his shoulders tense. Diana noticed his discomfort and moved closer, her presence offering silent support.

"I can't help but feel responsible," Clark said softly, his voice tinged with guilt. "Zod's here because of me."

Before Diana could respond, Peter Parker spoke up. "Mr. Kent, you've saved this planet more times than we can count. You're not responsible for Zod's actions."

Gwen Stacy nodded in agreement. "You've given us hope. That's more valuable than you know."

One by one, the team voiced their support. Natasha, usually reserved, stepped forward. "We're all in this together, Dad. Surrendering to terrorists is never the right course of action."

Clark looked around at everyone, feeling a surge of gratitude. He straightened up, a newfound determination in his eyes. "Thank you, all of you. You're right. We don’t trade lives, and we don’t surrender to terrorists. It's time to show Zod what Earth's defenders are capable of."

Tony grinned, clapping Cal on the shoulder. "That's the spirit, Big Blue. Now, let's figure out how to send Zod packing."

Fury cleared his throat, drawing attention back to the matter at hand. "There's someone else we need to bring into this fight. Someone who might just tip the scales in our favor." He tapped a few commands, and a new image appeared on the screen – a woman with short blonde hair and a determined expression. "This is Carol Danvers."

Recognition dawned on Tony's face. He had seen her before. "The Air Force pilot? I thought she was MIA."

Fury nodded. "She was declared as such. But she was found, and she's... changed. Danvers has abilities that might be crucial in our fight against Zod."

"What kind of abilities are we talking about?" Selina Kyle asked, leaning in with interest.

"Superhuman strength, flight, energy manipulation," Fury listed. "And if the tests we conducted are accurate, she can absorb and redirect massive amounts of energy. Potentially even Zod's weapons."

Excitement rippled through the group as Tony’s eyes widened. "That could be the edge we need. Where is she now?"

"She's been away. Earth’s not the only planet she oversees. She was once working with us at a secure facility in the Mojave Desert, testing the limits of her powers," Fury explained. "I've already contacted her and she has been briefed on the situation. She and her companion… they’re eager to help."

Turning back to the others, he continued, "The rest of us need to prepare. Diana, I want you coordinating with international agencies. The World Security Council might be happy to interfere but we need to keep the discourse contained. Your diplomatic skills will be crucial in organizing a global response."

"Consider it done," Diana replied, determination in her voice.

"Wayne, you and I will work on analyzing Zod's tech," Tony said. "If we can find a weakness, we might be able to neutralize his advantage."

As the team continued strategizing, JARVIS interrupted, "Sir, analysis complete. I've detected a potential vulnerability in Zod's energy signature."

Excitement surged through the group as Tony pulled up the results. "This could be our breakthrough," he muttered, studying the data. "But it’s risky. You sure you can handle this?"

Clark’s eyes lit up with determination as he nodded firmly.

"Good,” Fury nodded. “Preventing Zod from pushing the button is of utmost priority here. We can act after that."

The mood in the room shifted, a new sense of optimism taking hold. Fury looked around at the assembled heroes, a small smirk crossing his face. "Alright, people. We've got a plan, we've got hope, and we've got a team that's about to get even stronger. Let's get to work."

As the meeting adjourned and the team split up to tackle their assigned tasks, there was a palpable sense of determination in the air. Natasha, Selina, Peter, and Gwen headed for the flight deck to coordinate with Steve and Peggy, ready to get on with the groundwork so that they could minimize as many casualties as they could. Meanwhile, Tony and Bruce dove into the technical data, their brilliant minds working in tandem to unravel Zod's technology. Diana moved to the communications center, preparing to rally the world's leaders while Clark prepared himself for what he had to do.

He gazed at the small piece of metal in his hand, the crest of the House of El etched prominently on its head. Closing his eyes, he took a deep breath and leaned back against the large metallic wall.

The time for them to act was imminent.

XXXXX

Beyond Earth’s atmosphere, the massive spacecraft loomed ominously, a herald of death and destruction should the command not be complied with.

General Zod of Krypton stood in the cockpit, his eyes unblinking and focused on the massive blue sphere in front of him.

   It was a peculiar world considering everything he had discovered so far. The inhabitants were primitive, even though they resembled Kryptonians in how they looked. They severely lacked in technological advancement, which was understandable considering it had not been long since they had emerged as the alpha species on their planet.

He could see it with them as well – signs that had led Krypton to its doom. A sense of shortsightedness seemed to permeate these people as they paid no regard to their world and the limits they should operate under, particularly in the past century. Faora had been meticulous in her research as always.

As if she could hear his thoughts, his most trustworthy lieutenant stepped up the small set of stairs and approached him.

“Tell me about the recent attack on this world.”

“As you well know, sir, it was Loki and his sister behind the attack,” Faora began.

“Incest… can’t say I ever imagined it of an Asgardian… but they truly aren’t Asgardians, are they? Continue.”

“Asgard did not take part in the assault. Loki and his sister were operating independently, and the heir to the throne, Thor, fought with the people of Earth against his stepsiblings.”

“Who else?”

“Diana of Themyscira,” Faora replied. “She is also married to Kal-El.”

“So, they are involved as well… they have remained elusive for ages. This is where they found home…” Zod mused, his voice soft. “For a world as primitive as this, they surely have some capable warriors at their disposal. The Mad Titan is bound to be unhappy with the Asgardian now, for his plans must have been a full conquest of Earth and the eradication of half of the life on this planet, as has been his modus operandi.”

“Their weaponry is primitive as well. It can hurt us, but it is nowhere as sophisticated and advanced as what we have at our disposal.”

“Naturally, and they must be amassing their forces at this hour. Especially the group that fought against Loki. What do those people call them?”

“The Avengers, sir.”

“Ah yes… the Avengers. Quite a pessimistic mindset their defenders have… to avenge, you first need to lose. A reactive approach to things… Backward… Regressive…”

A small smirk appeared on Faora’s face as she gazed at the planet outside the massive window.

“Keep an eye on them,” Zod said as he turned around. “24 Earth hours. That is all they get. And I have a feeling they won’t be able to resist the charm of danger.”

“We sure hope so, sir,” Faora replied, as Zod walked away.

XXXXX

A hint of amusement was visible in Clark’s eyes as he gazed at the hundreds of weapons pointed at him as he hovered in the air right in front of the encampment that must have over a thousand soldiers inhabiting it. He could see the conflict on their faces, their apprehension shining through, and for a moment, he wondered if they truly thought he’d attack them here.

He kept hovering in the air for more than a minute, and no one on the ground moved either, the tension rising continuously. It was then that he noticed the approaching group – a man in his sixties with a wiry frame, graying hair, and a thick mustache wearing a pristine three-piece suit and flanked by two built soldiers who carried special-grade assault rifles that were poised to be pointed at him at a moment’s notice.

Thaddeus Ross stopped right at the edge of the encampment, and his penetrating gaze locked onto Clark’s.

“You can come down. Slowly.”

Clark descended and walked with slow, purposeful steps toward Ross, noticing how the soldiers’ grip on their weapons tightened as he got closer. He kept his eyes trained on Ross though, his disdain for the man palpable.

“Change of heart, Kent? I must say, I did not expect you to come.”

Clark kept silent as he regarded the man who stared back with a sneer. He gestured for the soldier with his head who approached him, cuffs in hand. Clenching his jaw, Clark offered his arm and turned to the soldier who faltered in his steps for a mere second as he fastened the handcuffs around his wrists.

Had he been someone else, he would’ve missed it. However, it was impossible for him to miss the faint energy signature that the handcuff was emitting and he had to keep his expression firmly in check.

The handcuff had been modified using the power of the Tesseract, just as Stark had discovered, which meant the World Security Council had indeed been involved in using it to create weaponry. He kept his emotions under control as he stared at Ross who sneered and gestured for him to follow.

He was led inside an interrogation room and he took his seat, his eyes falling on the woman who had already been inside.

“Quite a predicament you’ve found yourself in, Your Grace,” she remarked with a small smile.

“It’s only Clark now, Lois. We’ve gotten rid of all the royalty and seniority business, both me and Diana.”

“Good to hear that,” Lois replied.

She had been recruited by Diana herself a few years ago and had been working undercover as a news reporter for the Daily Bugle. Very few people within SHIELD even knew that she was an agent, and the official story was that she worked for US Intelligence agencies that included Thaddeus Ross himself, not that even he knew her.

The reason why she had been kept personally close by Diana was simple. She was the only human who had shown the most compatibility with Clark’s Kryptonian powers and as such, the only woman on Earth capable of bearing his offspring, should the need ever arise. Lois knew, and she agreed readily. After all, how couldn’t she?

“I love the suit, by the way. Suits you really well,” she offered, adding to his amusement.

“I don’t think this is the appropriate time for your antics,” he chuckled.

As if on cue, the intercom buzzed as someone talked.

“I am truly grateful that you finally chose to put the Greater Good above yourself, Mr. Kent,” the voice of Alexander Pierce called out. Clark turned to the side where the one-way mirror was situated and stared directly at the man with pursed lips. “Please know that we are very grateful for your decades of service and this sacrifice will never be forgotten for as long as humans live on this planet.”

Clark did not respond for a few seconds, his penetrating stare unnerving Pierce even through the thick glass.

“It isn’t as if I had much of a choice in the matter. We can’t afford to have our forces divided in the face of the true enemy.”

“Ah yes, Zod. He might be the enemy, but the World Security Council has decided to take the prudent approach to hand you over to him. I hope you understand, Mr. Kent.”

“Considering how eager the Council was to nuke the entirety of Manhattan a few weeks ago with all of us fighting there, I find it surprising that you didn’t fire one at Zod’s spaceship already, Pierce,” Clark remarked casually.

“We cannot consider a pre-emptive strike at this point, Mr. Kent,” Pierce replied. “Not so soon after the attack on New York. We are still recovering, and the last thing we want is a full-scale warfare with this advanced species that you belong to.”

Clark scoffed to himself as he gazed at Lois who gazed back at him with pursed lips.

“They gave us 24 hours. We would prefer to be done with this sooner. Once again, my apologies, Mr. Kent.”

With his bit said, Pierce turned around and walked out. Ross gestured for the soldiers to bring Clark out, and they followed the order meticulously, escorting him out. Lois brought up the rear, knowing there was nothing to be done right now and that things were progressing as per plans.

XXXXX

Clark was joined by Ross, Pierce, Lois, and the commander of the military, Colonel James Harper, as they waited in a clearing outside the military encampment, their air thick with tension. Mere seconds later, the air crackled as a massive alien spacecraft descended from the clouds, its sleek, dark form blocking out the sun. A hush fell over the soldiers, their weapons – a mix of assault rifles and energy cannons, trained on the ship, their fingers hovering over the triggers.

“Steady, men,” Colonel Harper commanded firmly. “Do not fire unless given explicit orders!”

The ship, bigger than any they had on Earth, came to a stop about fifty feet above the ground. Its surface was a dark, metallic material that seemed to absorb light rather than reflect it. For a few seconds, nothing happened, and the only sound was the low hum of the ship’s engines and the nervous breathing of the soldiers.

Suddenly, a hatch on the underside of the ship slid open with a hydraulic hiss. A beam of bright light shot down from the opening, and within it, a figure began to descend.

As the figure touched down on the grass, the light vanished, revealing a woman in sleek, form-fitting armor. Her posture was rigid, her face a mask of cold determination.

Faora's eyes scanned the assembled humans, a hint of disdain in her expression. When she spoke, her voice was clear and commanding, carrying easily across the clearing.

"I am Faora-Ul, second in command to General Zod," she announced with a small smirk on her beautiful face. “On behalf of the General, I extend you his greetings, Kal-El.”

His visage firm, Clark stared at the woman in silence.

To be continued…