Zod's face was twisted with rage. He remained on the global broadcast for only a few seconds. After speaking, he vanished, and Earth's communication systems returned to normal.
"Apologies, Master. It was a Think Tank prisoner from the Phantom Zone who converted himself into a data stream and infiltrated the space base system, hijacking all Earth-related communication control for 0.73 seconds."
"After triggering a massive data blast, he was forcibly ejected from the data center. Communications have now returned to normal."
Hera's message echoed in Bardi's mind.
When Zod passed through the asteroid belt, Bardi had already deployed his forces—Kryptonian legions of his own creation, along with genetically engineered human warriors—stationed across the Earth. A variety of advanced anti-air weapons had been mobilized globally.
"It's fine. Let's begin the battlefield on the moon."
Bardi waved his hand and gave the command.
General Ott led the Kryptonian Legion and the human genetic warriors, ready to take flight and engage in aerial combat. Rows of hybrid tech-magic armors, resembling Iron Man-like suits, ascended into the sky and flew toward space.
As the vanguard, the Kryptonian Legion under General Ott had already taken position in orbit.
Diana led the Amazon warriors and Atlantis' underwater forces, preparing for ground defense. Their mission was to intercept alien soldiers descending to the surface and defend the land.
Raven reinforced and stabilized the large-scale magical technology arrays across all seventeen continents. These arrays helped separate Earth's gravitational influence from that of the moon, preventing lunar destruction from triggering catastrophic tidal effects on Earth.
The purpose of these large-scale magical tech arrays was to stabilize Earth itself. Even without the sun or moon, Earth could continue to survive, though with difficulty. But such conditions were considered emergency scenarios.
As Bardi prepared to depart and head to the moon to face Zod in battle—
In space,
The muzzles of Bardi's space base and the Kryptonian spacecraft remained locked on each other, neither side willing to yield.
The dark, sleek surface of the Kryptonian ship cracked open with countless hatches. Small battleships poured out like swarms of bees, quickly filling the surrounding night sky.
Among them, one black-armored, insect-like ship with a smooth exterior—an individual attacker-class spacecraft—broke formation and charged forward alone.
From afar, the attacker-class ship was no larger than a sesame seed, spraying blue flames as it moved. In the stillness of space, before either side launched their assault, this lone vessel headed straight for Earth.
"General, Faora has broken formation..."
Inside the Kryptonian warship's command room, the atmosphere was tense.
Heavy and oppressive, the heat of slaughter and tyranny seemed to radiate through the room. Zod's massive body emitted a powerful magnetic-gravitational force, slightly distorting the surrounding air and temperature.
Nearby, small unanchored objects drifted toward him, drawn in by his immense magnetic field.
Zod's hulking form resembled a demon, and the gravity field he exuded made even Hael, a fellow Kryptonian of great power, feel an almost heart-wrenching heat. Beads of sweat formed on his brow.
His eyes flickered with concern as he watched Faora pilot the attacker-class ship, breaking ranks and diving toward Earth alone.
"I permit it. It doesn't matter."
Zod waved his hand, a hot wind swirling through the command room.
Hael opened his mouth as if to object, but ultimately said nothing.
He knew why Faora left. She was seeking closure in her complicated relationship with Bardi. It might even end in her death at his hands. Regardless of who perished, it would bring unbearable pain. Hael understood this all too well.
"Hael..."
Zod's immense form radiated heat. His twisted face and deep-set eyes burned with madness and violent intent.
"After I leave, this ship will be under your control."
Zod's voice was hoarse, guttural, like a roar laced with scorching heat that echoed through the command room.
"...What?"
Hael paused, almost thinking he had misheard.
Until now, his status on the ship was akin to that of a hostage. Zod and Faora had placed guards around him and restricted his involvement in any internal affairs of the vessel.
"Do you know why you're not better than Bardi?"
Zod kept his tone steady, continuing before Hael could respond.
"You and Bardi were Krypton's two brightest stars, possessing extraordinary minds, shaping the future, and achieving brilliance unmatched on Krypton."
"But Bardi broke the genetic constraints defined by the so-called Brain Core. He became the greatest even by your side. The Brain Core couldn't even predict his future."
"You are like Bardi. You were meant to be great too."
Zod paused for a moment after speaking.
Hael looked down in shame, face darkening. "I can't compare to Bardi. I even failed to protect everything he built. As his friend, I'm ashamed of the trust he gave me."
"Your will is not strong enough. Your heart lacks resolve."
Zod's red, violent gaze shifted toward Hael.
Hael possessed unmatched talent and once bore Krypton's hopes. Whether it was the Brain Core, Jor-El, or Zod, all acknowledged his potential.
Hael remained silent.
Back then, he had wavered between Bardi and his father, Jor-El. That hesitation had allowed Jor-El to obtain critical data, which led to the ambush against Bardi.
Since then, Hael had turned against Jor-El. But even now, he still carried guilt in his heart, unable to move on.
Zod ignored his silence and pointed toward the moon beside Earth.
"My battle with Bardi will take place on that satellite."
By coincidence, both Zod and Bardi had chosen the moon as their battleground.
Neither intended to cause catastrophic destruction on Earth.
Because Earth was already within their grasp. It was their future territory. To them, humanity no longer posed any threat.
"This planet is truly beautiful."
Zod's blood-red eyes glimmered with a rare sense of nostalgia.
"Krypton, tens of thousands of years ago, was just as beautiful."
After a brief moment of reflection.
Suddenly.
Zod's voice turned cold.
"Listen, Hael. You will be the hope of restoring Krypton's glory."
"There is no time for guilt or regret."
Hael's expression froze. He began to realize Zod was trying to pass a heavy burden onto him.
"From the moment I gained this power, I knew the final outcome would be the death of Barmulodi, or my own. Only then can this end."
"This isn't a clash of civilizations. It's the clash of two titans—me and Barmulodi."
"If I defeat Barmulodi, Hael, then on that satellite, activate the spacecraft's tachyon cannon and fire it at me."
"I fear that if I lose control, I will erase even Krypton's final glory."
(To be continued.)
***
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