"He's definitely not an ordinary person," Bruce said with conviction. "His strength is at least comparable to ours, possibly greater."
Selina nodded in agreement. "That's putting it mildly. We've been training for more than twenty years, and neither of us could push a boat full of people through rough ocean waters back to shore."
Both vigilantes understood the immense physical demands such a rescue would require. While they might be able to swim that distance themselves under extreme circumstances, doing so while towing a heavy vessel loaded with passengers was beyond their capabilities, even with their enhanced conditioning.
"It looks like we need to gather more intelligence on this individual," Bruce said, leaning back in his chair with a thoughtful expression.
Over the years, both he and Selina had pushed their abilities to extraordinary levels through relentless training and advanced equipment. Yet even their enhanced capabilities paled in comparison to what the mysterious rescuer had demonstrated.
"I think this guy is one of the good ones," Selina said with a smile, finishing her champagne in a single swallow.
Unlike Bruce, Selina didn't carry the same obsessive drive to control and monitor every potential threat in their city. She was content to enjoy the finer things in life—the sparkle of stolen gems, the thrill of a challenging heist, the satisfaction of outwitting Gotham's elite.
Bruce was constantly strategizing about how to improve Gotham, how to capture the criminals who plagued their streets, how to build a better future for their city. His mind never stopped analyzing threats and planning responses.
Selina stood gracefully and walked to the edge of the building in her signature high heels. She turned back toward Bruce with a playful wave.
"I'm heading out. I won't be joining you for patrol tonight."
Without warning, she leaned backward and dove off the Wayne Enterprises building, plummeting toward the street far below.
Bruce watched her fall with complete calm, showing no trace of panic or concern. After decades of training and with their advanced combat suits, neither of them was troubled by such heights. What would be fatal for ordinary people was merely another form of transportation for enhanced individuals like themselves.
"A good person?" Bruce murmured to himself as Selina disappeared into the urban landscape below. "But what I've learned in Gotham is that even good people can become threats when they possess overwhelming power."
An idea began forming in his mind. He needed to do something proactive—to reach out to this mysterious individual before circumstances forced them into opposition. Better to establish contact while the person was still clearly heroic than to wait until they potentially became another Gotham-style threat.
Meanwhile, at the Kent farm...
"Godfather, I think I've got it!" Clark shouted with excitement, debris and small rocks floating in complex patterns around both his arms.
The particles moved up and down in controlled orbits, responding to Clark's will with increasing precision.
Marcus paused in his work on creating Final Empowerments and stepped outside to observe Clark's progress. When he saw the man's demonstration, his eyebrows rose with genuine approval.
"Well done," Marcus said with satisfaction. "You mastered that technique faster than I expected."
The ability Clark was demonstrating required incredibly fine control over his bio-force field—the fundamental energy that powered all Kryptonian abilities. While Clark could only manipulate the field superficially and hadn't yet learned to integrate his other powers into the effect, this still represented tremendous progress.
Marcus was pleased but not entirely surprised. Clark's rapid advancement was likely due to his unique nature as the carrier of Krypton's complete genetic codex, which gave him unlimited potential for growth and adaptation.
Their conversation was suddenly interrupted by electronic interference throughout the farm. The radio began crackling with static, and the television screen filled with distorted signals.
"You... are not... alone..."
The words came through broken and intermittent, but the meaning was clear enough to make Marcus smile grimly.
Finally, he thought. Right on schedule.
The interference was being caused by General Zod, the Kryptonian military commander who had been tracking the signal Clark's ship had broadcast when he'd first activated it.
"Who... who is that?" Clark asked, clearly recognizing that the voice was addressing him specifically.
Could this be one of his people? Another Kryptonian survivor?
The television screen flickered and stabilized, revealing the stern face of a blue-skinned figure in dark military armor.
"I am General Zod," the figure announced with military precision. "I come from a distant world, having crossed the vast sea of stars to reach Earth. For some time, this planet has sheltered one of my people among you."
Clark's heart began racing as the implications became clear. This really was another Kryptonian—but the general's tone suggested this wouldn't be a happy reunion.
"My kind has been concealing his true identity," Zod continued, his voice growing harder. "He appears similar to your species and has been living among you as if he were one of you. Hear me now, Kal-El—I know you are listening. You have twenty-four hours to surrender yourself to me."
The general's expression became truly menacing. "If you do not comply, this world and all its inhabitants will suffer the consequences of your defiance."
The transmission ended abruptly, leaving all electronic equipment on the farm functioning normally again.
"Well," Marcus said with dark amusement, "it seems your people have arrived. Unfortunately, their diplomatic skills leave something to be desired."
Clark could sense the cold disapproval in his godfather's voice. Marcus clearly had no positive feelings toward these Kryptonian survivors, and Clark suspected his mentor would prefer to eliminate them entirely rather than attempt negotiation.
"I..." Clark began uncertainly.
"This is your situation to handle," Marcus said firmly, placing a hand on Clark's shoulder. "I won't interfere with your decision. But if these visitors decide to threaten this world or the people I care about, I won't hesitate to send them to join the rest of Krypton."
Marcus returned to the house, leaving Clark alone with Jonathan and Martha, who looked deeply concerned.
The truth was that none of them—not Marcus, not the Kents—had any positive reaction to Zod's ultimatum. Clark had lived on Earth for thirty-three years, spending virtually his entire conscious existence as part of this world. Compared to the abstract concept of Krypton, Earth was his true home.
"Clark, don't let this pressure you into anything," Jonathan said gently. "Whatever you decide to do, we support you completely."
Feeling the unconditional love and support from his parents, Clark nodded slowly as determination began building in his chest.
"I understand," he said quietly. "I'm going to stop them."
In Gotham City...
"I have to admit, I never expected real aliens to exist in our world," Selina said, one hand pressed to her chest in surprise. "Though I suppose after dealing with demons, extraterrestrials aren't that much stranger."
She and Bruce had been monitoring global communications when Zod's transmission had commandeered every electronic device on the planet. The implications were staggering.
While they could confirm that demons and supernatural forces were real based on personal experience, this was their first undeniable proof of alien life—and it was clearly hostile.
"I think I understand now," Bruce said with growing certainty. "Kal-El must be that man from the oil rig rescue."
He'd been investigating the mysterious rescuer for weeks, analyzing patterns in the scattered reports of superhuman intervention. Based on the timing and geographic distribution of these incidents, Bruce had determined that the individual had been traveling northward, presumably toward some destination in the Arctic.
"An alien," Bruce murmured. "That changes everything."
Both vigilantes stared out the window at Gotham's skyline, knowing that in less than twenty-four hours, the entire world might be under attack unless this Kal-El surrendered to his own people.
"Do you think Zod is telling the truth about releasing Earth if he gets what he wants?" Bruce asked.
"Are you seriously considering believing him?" Selina looked at Bruce with incredulous surprise. "How many times have we seen criminals in Gotham make promises they had no intention of keeping? Why would alien conquerors be any more trustworthy?"
"That's exactly why I'm asking," Bruce replied. "I wanted your perspective on whether these ultimatums are ever sincere."
Selina's expression hardened. "In my experience, people who open negotiations with threats rarely honor their agreements. I think we should prepare for war."
"Agreed," Bruce said grimly. "I don't like his tone either."
Both of them understood that conventional human authorities would likely try to appease Zod by surrendering Kal-El, hoping to avoid conflict. But based on years of dealing with Gotham's criminals, they knew that giving in to ultimatums rarely ended well.
"It would be much easier if our teacher were here," Selina said wistfully. "Our abilities might not be sufficient for this kind of threat."
"You're right," Bruce agreed. "If Marcus were available, we wouldn't need to worry about this at all."
More than twenty years ago, their mentor had been incredibly powerful—strong enough that the mere seal he'd placed on Gotham's demon portal could destroy supernatural entities automatically. After two additional decades of growth and development, Marcus would likely be able to handle an alien invasion single-handedly.
Unfortunately, they had no way of contacting him or even knowing where he might be.
Around the world...
General Zod's ultimatum had created panic in government centers across the globe. World leaders found themselves facing an impossible situation—they were being asked to surrender someone they couldn't even confirm existed.
Under these desperate circumstances, attention focused on a journalist named Lois Lane, who had written extensively about mysterious rescues and superhuman interventions, though her editors had deemed the stories too outlandish for publication.
"She's the only lead we have," declared a government official during an emergency meeting. "If this Kal-El person exists, she's probably our best chance of locating him."
"We only have twenty-four hours," another voice added urgently. "I don't care what methods you have to use—bring her in for questioning immediately."
Their voices weren't particularly quiet, but for Clark, such discussions were impossible to ignore. His superhuman hearing meant that conversations happening miles away sounded as clear as if people were speaking directly into his ear.
Clark could hear similar debates taking place in government facilities around the world, all focused on finding and surrendering him to save Earth from alien attack.
However, rather than feeling helpless about Lois's situation, Clark was already formulating a plan. He intended to take an action that would not only protect the reporter but also get him aboard the Kryptonian ship, where he could use his abilities to capture these invaders and send them to prison.
Time passed quickly, and before long, only hours remained before Zod's deadline expired.
Clark changed into the ceremonial uniform that had belonged to the House of El—a deep blue bodysuit that emphasized his powerful physique, with a distinctive family crest emblazoned on the chest. The red cape attached to his shoulders was traditional Kryptonian formal wear, designed to convey authority and dignity.
"You look more impressive than ever," Jonathan said with emotion, patting his son's shoulder.
They had lived together for more than thirty years, watching Clark carefully hide his abilities from the world. Now circumstances were forcing him to reveal himself publicly, ending decades of secrecy.
Clark's fundamental kindness made it impossible for him to stand by while Earth faced destruction because of his existence.
"Thank you, Dad," Clark said simply. "I promise I'll stop them."
"Be careful out there," Martha added with maternal concern.
"Don't worry," Clark replied with confidence. "You know what I'm capable of."
After saying goodbye to his parents, Clark turned toward Marcus, who appeared roughly the same age despite being his godfather.
"Godfather, I'm leaving now..."
"Go handle your business," Marcus said with an encouraging smile, pointing to his own ear. "Remember to call if you run into trouble you can't handle."
Clark understood the gesture. Just as Clark possessed superhuman hearing, Marcus had absorbed similar abilities from the bio-force field sample. If Clark called for help, his godfather would hear and respond.
"Goodbye," Clark said, then launched himself skyward like a human missile.
He was flying toward a military installation where an innocent woman was being held because of her connection to him. Lois Lane deserved protection, not interrogation.
At the military base...
"I'll say this one more time," Lois said with frustrated exhaustion. "I've told you everything I know. I don't have any personal relationship with this individual. If you want more information, why don't you interview the workers he actually rescued?"
She had been questioned for hours by military personnel who seemed convinced she was hiding crucial intelligence about the mysterious rescuer. While she had indeed been following his trail and gathering information, she didn't possess the kind of detailed knowledge they seemed to expect.
"Ms. Lane," the interrogating officer said with forced patience, "I understand you've been cooperative, but please think carefully about any details you might have overlooked. The fate of our entire planet could depend on the information you provide."
"I've already—"
WHOOP! WHOOP! WHOOP!
Emergency alarms suddenly blared throughout the facility, followed by a panicked voice crackling through the officer's radio.
"General, we... we found him. Or rather, he found us. He just... he just surrendered himself voluntarily."
The evident terror in the communications officer's voice made it clear that encountering Kal-El in person had been a shocking experience.
"He's here," the general announced grimly. "Let's go."
Military personnel rushed out of the interrogation room, leaving Lois alone with her thoughts and concerns.
"So they found him," she murmured to herself. "But even if they hand him over, will General Zod really keep his promise?"
Her journalistic instincts told her that Zod had no intention of sparing Earth. The ultimatum was likely just a psychological weapon designed to create panic while he located his target.
Outside the base, dozens of soldiers had their weapons trained on a figure floating effortlessly in midair above them.
"Are you Kal-El?" the base commander called out, his voice steady despite the unprecedented situation of addressing someone who could fly.
"I am," Clark replied calmly. "I want to speak with Lois Lane."
"How did you know she was here?" the general asked with suspicion.
"Don't waste time with unnecessary questions," Clark said firmly. "I'm willing to surrender, but I demand guarantees for Lois's freedom and safety."
Clark could have easily extracted Lois from the facility by force, but his upbringing had instilled deep respect for law and proper authority. He preferred cooperation to conflict whenever possible.
Seeing Clark's composed demeanor and obvious power, the general considered his options before reaching for a pair of specially designed restraints.
"You'll need to wear these," he said, holding up what appeared to be silver handcuffs.