Chapter 138: Earth's Sole Designated Threat
Communication was cut off, and the system was locked. The gates of another base were mercilessly torn open, followed by the forced entry of a blur of steel.
A different location, a different base, different Kryptonians, but the result was the same: they were down the instant they met him.
With the kryptonite energy weapon, dealing with this Kryptonian fodder was indeed much less trouble. Especially since Orin Vale's own stats were no worse than theirs, the moment the kryptonite appeared, the opposition didn't even have a chance to struggle. They could just fast-forward to "GG EZ."
However, there was an unexpected surprise in this base. After clearing out the small fry along the way, a hidden boss actually emerged.
It was a massive, twisted individual, like a creation congealed from endless darkness. Its tentacles extended like wicked vines, each one emitting a foul, fishy stench.
Its viscous body reeked of a foul odor. The writhing tentacles resembled a demon's fingers, and a profound chill seemed to drag all creation into a cold abyss.
Seeing this thing, the Old Wizard's expression couldn't help but change slightly. "Be careful, this thing is no simple matter! It's a visitor from some magical plane. Its magic power is immense and strange. I can sense that it's very dange—"
Before the word "dangerous" was even finished, an Eight-Split Light Wheel had already flown out, trailing a silver arc. The spinning, serrated edges effortlessly sliced through all the obstructing tentacles, then, without losing momentum, split the viscous body in two. Like a cracking mountain, its two halves collapsed to the left and right.
Once again, under the utterly astonished gazes of the aliens, the Light Wheel easily sliced through the mutated, octopus-like demonic creature. It then continued to spin, vanishing among the myriad stars, its great deed unseen.
Orin Vale, having thrown the Light Wheel to achieve an instant kill, clapped his hands and turned to the Old Wizard. "Did you just call me?"
"I..." The Old Wizard opened his mouth, stunned for a moment, then regained his composure and stroked his great beard. "Oh, it's nothing. I was just saying, what are we having for dinner tonight?"
"Oh, we can talk about that later. We have work to do now," Orin Vale said. "It's your turn."
So the Old Wizard stepped forward, and the Truth Spell was put to use again. He had used this spell quite a lot these past two days; it was almost becoming muscle memory.
As usual, the first questions were about the deployment of the Great Purge system in the current base. He had the system deactivated and the base station destroyed. Next was to follow the trail to the next outpost.
"We also placed a base station on the surface of the Moon," the commander, bound by the spell, honestly confessed.
"Been there. Give me another one," Orin Vale said.
"Uh... actually, we hid one in Earth's near-Earth orbit. It's concealed in..."
"That one's gone. Next," Orin Vale urged.
"Then there's actually one more on Earth. It's at the equator..."
"That one's gone too. Any more?"
The commander's mouth hung agape, and he remained stunned for a long while.
Then, he shook his head.
"...That's all I know."
After cross-referencing the information with what he'd obtained from other outposts, Orin Vale was disappointed to find that it was the same few bases over and over again.
He had already cleared them all.
"In that case, I presume their plan can no longer be implemented." The Old Wizard stroked his beard and nodded slightly. "The plot of another group of invaders has been thwarted. Truly a... hmm?"
He glanced at Orin Vale and was surprised to see that there was no joy of accomplishment on his face. Instead, he looked a bit dejected.
It was a disappointment tinged with a sense of being left wanting more, as if to say, "That's it?"
Fort Rozz, Headquarters.
Surrounded by a crowd of Kryptonians, Non stood high on the bridge, giving a pre-battle mobilization speech.
"Compatriots, the time has come! Krypton was destroyed, but our people will not be extinguished!
"This planet is the greatest gift bestowed upon us by God Reo! It is the birthplace of New Krypton!"
He paused, turning to look at the man standing beside him, who had a resolute expression and sharp features.
"Furthermore, we are extremely fortunate to have met General Zod before this crucial battle. He is the finest warrior among our few remaining Kryptonian compatriots.
"Working together, a new Krypton will soon be established, and it will be greater than ever before!"
The Kryptonians below cheered loudly.
"And now, the moment to witness history is upon us! The curtain on the battle for New Krypton rises at this very moment!"
Non waved his hand grandly and, with a slap, pressed the big red button in front of him.
That was the button for their ultimate weapon, the "Great Purge," which only Non had the authority to activate. Once the button was pressed, all the outposts would receive the signal simultaneously. At that time, the base stations everywhere would activate, and a mental signal would cover the entire globe. Every human would be unknowingly brainwashed and controlled.
If all went smoothly, this war would be won without firing a single shot. The people of Earth wouldn't even have a chance to resist before becoming slaves to the new Krypton.
However, after the button was pressed, nothing happened.
Everyone in the hall stared at each other, baffled. Even General Zod frowned at Non, his face clearly etched with a look of, "What the hell are you doing?"
Feeling the atmosphere growing awkward, Non coughed and said, "The system seems to be experiencing a minor glitch. But don't worry, our professional personnel are performing emergency maintenance. Everyone, please remain calm..."
As he spoke, he vanished with a sonic boom, reappearing before the control console to glare at the technician.
"What's the situation!?"
"I-I don't know!" The technician was also sweating profusely. "None of the outposts are responding..."
"Where are the men? Are they all dead!?" Non thundered.
So many outposts, so many branches... even if one stronghold failed to respond due to some accident, could all of them possibly have an accident at the same time?
"The number you have dialed is not in service," is that it?
At this moment, Zod also sauntered over. "Your people... don't seem very reliable."
"This is impossible. With so many outposts, how could they have all gone silent without a trace..."
Non's brow furrowed as a sudden thought struck him.
"Could it be...!?"
"What is it? Thought of someone?" Zod asked.
"No, it should be impossible." Non was still frowning. "Such a backward race, a group of primitives trapped on their own planet, unable to even leave its confines... how could they..."
"Who is it?" Zod asked. "Who could possibly be an obstacle to us rebuilding Krypton?"
Non showed a helpless expression.
"Alright. Although I find it highly unlikely, we previously sent out scouts to Earth. The purpose was to inquire about the whereabouts of my niece. But several people we sent out in succession were lost on Earth.
"It was then that this backward solar system planet first caught our attention.
"And according to the information brought back by a scout who was lucky enough to return, they said the resistance came from an organization established by humans to deal specifically with extraterrestrial threats.
"They collect and study various extraterrestrial civilization technologies. It's the primary line of defense Earth's inhabitants have established against such threats."
"Like Krypton's Deep Space Council of old," General Zod nodded. "If the situation is as described, then they are indeed the only human institution capable of offering us any resistance."
"So, do they have a name?"
Non nodded, his expression solemn as he uttered the name.
"A.R.G.U.S."
(end of chapter)