Robert couldn't help but feel a deep familiarity with Kryptonians. Even setting aside Clark and Kara, the Kryptonian race remained one of the species he was most acquainted with. Their genetic template was nearly perfect, offering immense potential. A fully matured Kryptonian could even rival a lesser Hell Lord in combat.
Typically, a single Kryptonian protector on a planet was enough to ensure its safety, provided they weren't prone to violence. The Kree Empire had even regarded Kryptonian clones as their ultimate weapon. Thus, it wasn't surprising that the Shi'ar Empire might employ a powerful Kryptonian-like figure such as Doken as a member or even leader of their elite guard.
Of course, this was just Robert's speculation. Doken differed from other self-aware Kryptonians Robert had encountered, lacking the characteristic solar aura even General Zod carried. Despite Zod's morally dubious nature, he still bore traces of the sun's influence.
The sun itself, being neutral, didn't alter its properties based on its user's disposition—unless something as extreme as the Anti-Life Equation corrupted the user, as it had with Clark in the past.
Doken, however, appeared to be an exception—a being who had never been exposed to sunlight yet had still managed to unlock and develop abilities resembling those of a Kryptonian.
"Kryptonian? You mean the extinct civilization?" Doken interrupted Robert's thoughts as he stepped between him and Carol, his sharp eyes fixed on Robert. "I'm sorry, but I am no Kryptonian. I am a pure-blooded Shi'ar."
"Pure-blooded Shi'ar?" Robert raised an eyebrow in surprise. Doken's aura felt entirely different from Amy's and most others on the planet. Even the strong presences approaching from the distance shared a commonality with Amy, making Doken stand out.
"Indeed. You may call me Doken, or by my true name, Karlac." Doken's voice was calm but firm. "And you, outsider—what is your name?"
"Karlac?" Robert and Carol exchanged a glance, their expressions turning subtly strange.
The resemblance to Clark's name was uncanny. It seemed like a blend of Clark Kent's Earth name and Kal-El, his Kryptonian name. Coupled with Doken's red and blue uniform, flowing red cape, and even the red briefs—something Clark had once designed but decided against wearing after Robert's comments—the whole scene felt surreal to Robert.
For a moment, Robert wondered if he had stumbled into a parallel universe. Doken felt like an alternate Clark in every conceivable way—name, appearance, and even his powers.
"You're thinking something very impolite," Doken observed coldly, noting the peculiar changes in Robert's expression. His irritation peaked when Robert's gaze lingered briefly on his external red briefs.
"Cough." Caught red-handed, Robert cleared his throat awkwardly. Before he could respond, Amy interjected.
"Doken, this man came here looking for Carol, but he broke in without permission. I suspect he's a Skrull in disguise!" Amy declared, her hostility toward Robert evident.
"A Skrull?!" Doken's expression turned serious. He had been informed of an intruder but hadn't yet grasped the full situation. Carol's explanation had made him inclined to question Robert, but Amy's mention of the Skrulls changed everything.
The Skrulls were notorious for their infiltration tactics. Their presence on a planet usually signaled deep infiltration, much like discovering a cockroach in your home often meant an unseen infestation.
With the Skrulls' shapeshifting abilities, even trusted allies or loved ones could be impostors. For Doken, allowing Robert to roam freely posed too great a risk.
"Doken, he's not a Skrull!" Carol sighed in exasperation. "If he wanted to harm me, he wouldn't have waited for Amy to return. He would have taken me by now."
Carol understood Amy's motivations—partly out of genuine concern for her safety and partly because Amy didn't want Carol to leave. Amy's attachment to Carol made her reluctant to part ways, even if it meant jeopardizing her relationship with her friend.
"Carol, you taught me how to identify Skrulls. If he isn't one, let's confirm it properly," Doken said, addressing both Carol and Robert. His tone was measured but firm.
"I've no objection," Robert replied with a shrug, eager to avoid unnecessary conflict. Amy had saved Carol, and their bond was evident. A brief display of power would suffice to dispel any doubts Doken and Amy harbored.
More importantly, Robert was curious about Doken's capabilities. How did this Kryptonian-like warrior compare to Clark?
"Whoosh!" Robert ascended into the sky, moving faster than Doken had earlier.
"So fast!" Doken muttered, his eyes narrowing. His suspicions about Robert deepened—after all, Skrulls were known for mimicking abilities.
Without hesitation, Doken took off in pursuit, his body a streak of light. Behind him, the slower guard members scrambled to follow, using ships to keep up.
"You're not taking me with you?" Amy grumbled as Carol held her back.
"You didn't believe me earlier. Why should I?" Carol retorted, though she seemed more amused than upset.
Amy laughed nervously but stood her ground. "Being cautious isn't wrong. If you'd been more careful, the Skrulls wouldn't have ambushed you."
With that, Amy led Carol toward a nearby spacecraft. Soon, they joined the guards in chasing after Doken and Robert.
Meanwhile, Robert led Doken to an uninhabited starfield, devoid of life-bearing planets. Only a few mining worlds dotted the area, their resources harvested by automated machinery.
"He's deliberately taking the fight somewhere remote?" Doken noted, briefly impressed by Robert's foresight. However, he quickly dismissed any thoughts of trust. Skrulls were masters of deception, and this could easily be a calculated ploy.
"Here we are," Robert announced, halting mid-space. "Since you're the one doubting me, you can attack first."
Doken frowned. Rarely had anyone dared to provoke him like this. If not for what Carol had told him about Skrulls mimicking powers, Doken might have suspected a trap.
"Let's see if you can handle me," Doken muttered, disappearing in a blur.
"Boom!" In an instant, he reappeared beside Robert, throwing a punch that collided with Robert's open palm.
To Doken's shock, Robert didn't budge an inch. It was as if the strike had hit an immovable object.
"How is this possible?!" Amy and the guards gasped from their ship, watching in disbelief.
"Doken's not using his full strength," Carol commented after reviewing the slowed footage. Her experience with superhuman combat allowed her to recognize that Doken was holding back.
"Is that all?" Robert asked, his tone tinged with disappointment. "Your strength doesn't seem sufficient to handle the Super Skrulls if they were to show up here."
"Arrogance!" Doken snarled, his aura flaring with anger. His eyes glowed red, releasing beams of heat vision aimed straight at Robert.
"Ah, a classic move!" Robert mused, unphased. "How many times have I seen this now? Doken's just another Clark copy. Between him, Kryptonian clones, and other heat-vision users, I've lost count…"
He sighed internally. "Let's see if he can offer anything new."
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