Hearing the utterly merciless words coming out of Heisenberg's mouth, Scholar Bach broke into an exhilarated grin.
"You're absolutely right, Your Eminence!
I've only ever heard tales of Apokolips in legends. I have no idea how powerful he truly is.
But I do know one thing — whoever he is, whatever he's done...
The moment he runs into us, sun-drenched Kryptonians that we are?
He's going to learn a hard lesson!!!"
As his words fell, Bach bowed respectfully to Heisenberg.
"Your Eminence, if there are no other matters, I will begin constructing the base immediately.
Once we have a fully equipped base, we can continue upgrading our communications equipment while developing new forms of Kryptonian technology.
If we can make that work, we could even establish contact with our imprisoned kin in the Phantom Zone.
Should we manage to extract the suitable ones among them, our strength would multiply countless times over!"
"Mm. Do as you see fit."
Heisenberg nodded and gave Bach a reassuring pat on the shoulder.
If there was anyone he could trust completely, it was absolutely these Kryptonian kinsmen of his.
The execution capability of these people could put even Hydra to shame!
Having received Heisenberg's approval, Bach flashed a radiant smile, then led the other two scholars with him, each taking responsibility for a portion of the Divine Kingdom base renovation plan.
Thanks to the ship's upgraded intelligent core system, now integrated with the scholars for coordination and computation —
And especially with the massive influx of Kryptonian gravity particles!
The internal renovation work on the ship progressed at a pace visible to the naked eye.
Watching the ship operate as a harmonized whole, Heisenberg nodded. The ship could stay here for now — for the time being, he still needed to return to Paradise Island.
Compared to tedious technological upgrades and scientific breakthroughs, he much preferred the collision of fists.
Especially using his own fists to collide with superheroes' bodies — hahahaha!
Laughing to himself, he made to activate the Bifrost. But just before he could teleport away, he suddenly heard Bruce's voice.
He looked toward the south of the ship. Bruce's aircraft was soaring toward them, quickly arriving above the ship's base.
As the ship's dome opened with a resonant hum, Bruce's plane descended gradually. During its landing, a massive penguin-shaped particle robot, over four meters tall, suddenly appeared in front of his aircraft.
The giant penguin robot left Bruce somewhat baffled. Since when did the ship have something like this?
At the same time, the penguin robot regarded Bruce and spoke softly.
"Welcome, heroic warrior under His Eminence the Sun God — the Batman who has fought for over twenty years in Gotham City, President of Wayne Enterprises, Mr. Bruce Wayne.
I am the central intelligence core of the Divine Kingdom Combat Fortress. You may call me Divine Kingdom.
It is my pleasure to fight alongside you. As this is our first meeting, might I offer you an upgrade for your mode of transportation?
I cannot permit a warrior of the gods to travel in such a lowly vehicle. It would cause other races to look down upon us.
Please disembark and rest in the lounge area. Leave your vehicle to me!"
As the words fell, Divine Kingdom extended an oval mechanical arm without the slightest room for argument, cradling Bruce's aircraft in its embrace.
In an instant, Bruce's aircraft control systems were hacked, and the cabin door swung open in the blink of an eye.
Bruce stepped out of the cabin in astonishment. Then, he watched as countless particles wound themselves around his aircraft.
In mere dozens of seconds, Bruce saw his leather seats mercilessly shredded and tossed aside.
Countless gravity particles enveloped his plane, consuming every last piece of its metal body entirely.
Then, the gravity particles reconstructed the aircraft as a whole. A new vessel — of Kryptonian design, technology tier nine, a provisional spacecraft — materialized before Bruce's eyes.
Staring at the giant robot that had built an entire aircraft in just dozens of seconds, Bruce's heart clenched violently.
This technological gap was simply too vast!
And this was merely the beginning of his shock. Next, the Divine Kingdom intelligence core regretfully shook its enormous particle head.
"I apologize, Mr. Bruce. Due to insufficient materials and technology sequence access, I have only been able to upgrade your ship to its current substandard configuration.
The ship cannot yet be equipped with warp functionality, and its energy defense barriers are incapable of withstanding antimatter strikes.
However, given Earth's current level of controlled nuclear fusion, this crude vessel will suffice to protect your safety on this planet. Its maximum speed exceeding Mach 3,000 should also prove adequate for short-range use within the solar system.
That said, please absolutely do not attempt to pilot it beyond the Milky Way's boundaries, or your safety will be difficult to guarantee.
Once the scholars have rebuilt the Science Academy and unlocked higher technology permissions, your ship may return to me for further upgrades.
I hope my service has been satisfactory, sir!"
"I..."
Listening to the elegant words of the Divine Kingdom intelligence core, Bruce felt as though countless bats were circling endlessly inside his mind.
My leather seats are just...
Wait, this has nothing to do with the leather seats. My aircraft — the absolute pinnacle of Earth's technology, a Mach 30 ultra-high-speed stealth jet — was upgraded by you in mere seconds into a Mach 3,000 ghost fighter?!
And it can resist antimatter strikes?! Krypton already possesses conventional antimatter destructive weaponry?!
I've spent so long on this ship — why have I never known about any of this?!
And most importantly — where are my leather seats...?!
Amidst Bruce's dazed ruminations, Heisenberg walked through the corridors still under construction and arrived at Bruce's side.
"Bruce, weren't you heading back to Gotham? What brings you to Metropolis first?"
"Hm?"
Bruce froze.
"Heisenberg, you're not on Paradise Island?"
"Of course not. I left Clark and the others there to train. As for me — the return of my kin brought with it a Kryptonian expeditionary space fortress and three scholars.
I've arranged for them to stay in Metropolis. I also merged the two particle ships together!"
As he spoke, Heisenberg gestured toward the Divine Kingdom intelligence core, which was currently bowing in his direction, and continued.
"As you can see, our central intelligence has become a true sapient lifeform. I named him Divine Kingdom."
"This..."
Whether it was an expedition or a sapient lifeform — words like these kept battering against Batman's brain.
Even though he still appeared silent and composed on the surface, his inner thoughts were already a raging storm.
There were more and more things to guard against. First it was just Clark — then Heisenberg appeared, then the Justice League, and now over forty Kryptonians and a sapient lifeform!!!
Especially the sapient lifeform — Bruce was particularly wary of this one!
Looking at Heisenberg before him, Bruce gave a heavy nod.
"Good. Before Darkseid's invasion, the stronger we are, the better!"
Having said this, he buried the remaining half of his thoughts deep inside.
If they survived Darkseid's invasion, he would have to establish far more contingency protocols for the superpowered forces now present on Earth!
Ah...
As the one and only Batman on this planet, he was simply too tired. Heh.
Watching the ever-composed Batman, Heisenberg could guess what he was thinking even if he used his rear end to do the thinking.
But Heisenberg didn't mind. Because a world with him in it was destined never to operate the same way as the world that came before!
Heisenberg quickly set aside Batman's concerns and instead gave him a light pat on the shoulder.
"Take some time to meet with the scholars when you can. In the days ahead, the scholars will mostly remain at the base conducting scientific research.
Also, your equipment will need to be upgraded through the scholars and the intelligence core. I can't bear the thought of sending you to fight Darkseid's forces without at least a couple of antimatter grenades on hand.
After Steppenwolf's arrival, Darkseid won't be far behind.
Get ready!"
As his words fell, Heisenberg ignited the Bifrost and vanished from the Divine Kingdom base in an instant.
Watching Heisenberg's departing silhouette, Bruce pursed his lips. Yes — Darkseid was the true threat.
As for the Kryptonians, there were only about forty of them, no matter how you looked at it.
He had more than enough Plan Bs to handle them!
Everything — priority to preparing for Darkseid!
...
While Earth's Kryptonians steadily strengthened themselves in an orderly fashion, the Kryptonians out in the cosmos were likewise advancing ceaselessly toward a radiant shore.
Inside Rozz Fortress, Astra stood before the space fortress's main gate, watching the child drawing closer and closer to her.
With the aid of the fortress's tractor system, the child's spacecraft was gradually captured and brought directly before Astra.
Gazing at the egg-shaped ship now within arm's reach — and at the young sleeping beauty clearly visible through the porthole — Astra allowed herself a brief, knowing smile.
"Alura, this is your daughter."
She murmured softly, reaching out to gently stroke the little ship.
"She looks no different from you. And she will become the continuation of your life.
I will care for her, raise her well. She shall be the destined future generation of Krypton.
Out of the seventy-six Kryptonians aboard Rozz Fortress, she is the only child. Kara Zor-El... a beautiful name, isn't it."
At this, Astra tapped the ship's porthole, then turned to the Kryptonian warriors accompanying her.
"Open the survival pod hatch. Take control of the survival ship's coordinate system. Pull up the Earth route and wormhole data charts. And then — we leave this accursed Phantom Zone and return to the new world that belongs to us!
Elder Heisenberg is waiting for us!"
"But, General — if we open the pod, the girl will awaken. The experience of passing through the Phantom Zone is not likely to be pleasant for her!"
"Nothing more than getting an early taste of survival's hardships. I firmly believe Kara can emerge from such suffering.
As the last child of Krypton, Kara needs to experience more!
Do as I say!"
General Astra's orders were crisp and absolute. Her command sent her subordinates swiftly into action.
Soon, the Rozz Fortress aerospace systems were docked with Kara's small craft.
With a series of mechanical clicks, Kara's small ship opened at once.
Countless white mists from the life-support systems drifted out from Kara's ship. Kara opened her eyes in a daze.
When she made out the figure standing before her, her whole body froze.
"Aunt Astra?!"
She asked in her princess-like voice, full of confusion. And that voice — brimming with vitality — poured boundless courage into the utterly exhausted Astra.
Astra reached out and gently lifted Kara from the ship into her arms.
"It's me, your Aunt Astra. I found you on the path to Earth, so I awakened you early, child!"
"Oh, I see. That's fine, then. But I need to go to Earth to take care of my baby cousin Kal-El. Auntie, are we going to Earth together?"
"Of course!"
Hearing Kara's question, Astra laughed and ruffled Kara's hair.
"However, this time we go to Earth, it won't be so you can look after another child — because you yourself are still a child.
Your aunt will find someone to look after you. He is our god. He will not only care for you, but also for your aunt — and even for every Kryptonian still alive!
If it's possible, he might even lead us to take back the cities Brainiac stole, along with our friends!"
Hearing her aunt's words, Kara was instantly overcome with delighted surprise. She promptly hopped out of her aunt's embrace, wrapped her arms around her aunt's arm instead, and asked,
"Auntie, is it true?! The friends I lost back then — they really might have a chance to come back?!"
"Of course, child. He is our god. I believe he possesses the strength to defeat the Collector of Cities!"
/-\
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