Chapter 67: Comically Filial Piety
After some interrogation, Orin Vale had a general understanding of the situation.
According to Astra, they had detected some unique signal frequencies on Earth half a month ago. It was a signal with encryption technology so advanced it was extremely difficult to crack, even for Kryptonians. And in Krypton's databases, only one person had ever used such a technique.
Brainiac.
The prisoners of Fort Rozz had indeed planned to take over Earth. Astra and her husband, Non, also felt that conquering this planet and transforming it into a New Krypton was a good option.
However, after discovering this fleeting signal fluctuation, they decisively made a new decision.
"Pardon the intrusion. We're outmatched. Goodbye."
The Kryptonians' fear of Brainiac was seared deep into their minds. The Kryptonian civilization, even at its peak, had been utterly powerless against this enemy. Now that only a handful of them remained, they naturally lacked the means to confront him.
That said, Krypton was, after all, a super-civilization that had clashed with Brainiac before. Although the conflict ended in a crushing defeat, they had at least gained some experience from it.
This was especially true for a general like Astra, who had personally experienced that battle. She was at least somewhat familiar with Brainiac's usual ploys and technological methods, and it was even possible that the Kryptonians had developed some new anti-Brainiac technology after the war.
So, after discussing it with the Old Wizard, Orin Vale decided to build a temporary Red Sun detention facility in the underground and imprisoned Astra there.
The Red Sun and magical reinforcements created a doubly strong cage for a Kryptonian. Furthermore, a truth spell would ensure she would reveal everything she knew. If Brainiac was indeed coming, Orin Vale hoped to prepare as many countermeasures as possible, laying an inescapable trap for the figure maniac to walk into.
During this time, Kara also came down to see her aunt, whom she hadn't seen in a long time.
Tears immediately welled in Kara's eyes as she rushed to the glass separating her from Astra. "Auntie!"
Seeing her niece after so many years, Astra's eyes couldn't help but moisten. "You've grown so big, my little princess..."
"You haven't changed a bit, Auntie."
Astra lowered her voice. "Listen, your uncle is waiting for us out in space. Let me out, and we can... go together."
To her surprise, Kara simply blinked her big, beautiful eyes and said, "Orin Vale put you in here, so you must have been bad. Auntie, you should just be good and stay here."
Astra: "?"
For a moment, she wondered if she had misheard. Her only remaining relative in the world, the little niece she had doted on since childhood... was telling her to obediently stay in a cage for some man from God knows what planet? What kind of comically filial piety was this?
"You don't understand, Kara," Astra said, trying to be patient. "Earth is a primitive place, and it's very dangerous. That man is dangerous too. You need to get away from him immediately—"
"No. Mr. Orin is a good person. *You're* the dangerous one." Kara pouted, shaking her little head like a rattle drum.
Astra: "??"
"Mom always said that the Phantom Zone holds the worst and most irredeemable villains in Krypton's history. Since you were put in there, Auntie, you must be bad. But it's okay! Orin Vale is a very good person. If you listen to him, I'm sure he'll help you turn over a new leaf and start fresh!
"Anyway, I'm going to be late for school, so I have to go! I'll come visit you again when I have time!"
Astra: "???"
She watched, dumbfounded, as Kara grabbed her little schoolbag and dashed off, leaving her speechless for a long time.
This...
Barely half a minute after Kara left, Orin Vale came down with his arms crossed. He glanced at the grim-faced Astra behind the glass, her expression looking exceptionally eerie under the glow of the Red Sun.
"In a bad mood?"
Astra shot him a glare and snorted heavily.
"I will do everything in my power to help you fight Brainiac. I will tell you everything I know," she said coldly. "But make no mistake. That doesn't mean I've submitted to you, or that I'm doing this for this planet. This is my personal revenge against Brainiac..." She paused before adding, "...and for Kara."
"That, I believe," Orin Vale nodded.
Although Astra was an unscrupulous villain who wouldn't hesitate at genocide, her affection for Kara was genuine. In the original story, even when Kara repeatedly foiled their plans and captured their people, Astra always insisted, against her husband's objections, that she was not to be harmed.
"After Brainiac first invaded Krypton, our scholars did indeed devise some countermeasures in case he ever made a comeback," Astra said after a moment's thought.
"But that requires extremely advanced technology and top-tier Kryptonian scientists. I have the research data, but we lack the experts."
"Don't worry, I'm quite the professional in this field," Orin Vale smiled. "Just give me the data and the methods. I'll figure out the practical application."
Astra glanced at him. She didn't trust Earth's technology, but from their earlier fight, she knew he couldn't possibly be an Earthling. She could sense he was a being from a highly advanced civilization, one whose technological foundation might even rival that of Krypton in its prime.
"Alright," Astra sighed softly. "It seems I have no other choice."
"I'm heading out!"
With a breakfast sandwich dangling from her mouth and a new schoolbag on her back, Kara excitedly dashed out the door.
About a week ago, she had successfully passed all the tests Orin Vale had prepared for her. First was a test of her superpower control and precision. Orin Vale had arranged a series of assessments to ensure she could skillfully master her newly awakened abilities and avoid any loss of control. Kara passed this part smoothly.
Next was language and communication... well, there wasn't much to say there. Besides mastering conversational English, Kara had also learned a dozen other languages from around the world, both common and obscure. She could have worked as a professional translator without any issue.
Thus, Kara finally earned the permission to attend school that she had dreamed of.
In just one short week, Kara had completely fallen in love with school. Of course, that was to be expected. With her looks and figure, she received enough love letters to use as toilet paper within a week. She could ace exams with her eyes closed and effortlessly became the center of attention, adored by everyone. What teenage girl could possibly refuse a life like that?
"So early?" The Old Wizard muttered, seeing her about to head out with the sandwich still in her mouth. "You haven't even finished your breakfast..."
"I'll be late!" Kara dashed out the door, but a moment later, her head popped back in as if she had forgotten something.
"Oh, right, I almost forgot... I won't be home for dinner tonight!"
"Hm?" The Old Wizard raised an eyebrow. "You have plans tonight?"
"Yep, I've got plans with my classmates. We're going to a haunted house for a test of courage. I think it has something to do with a ghost story about owls? I can't remember... Anyway, I'll be back late. Bye!"
With that, she disappeared beyond the door.
The Old Wizard stroked his long beard, looking puzzled.
Owls?
(end of chapter)