The space station is huge, twice the size of the Fortress of Solitude.
However, the internal facilities are in very dilapidated condition, and there are signs of human destruction in many places.
Linda followed Dahl into the deepest secret room.
The hatch opened, and a golden key that looked illusory yet real, true and false, like something from a fairy tale, was suspended on the platform in the center.
The key is the size of a palm and emits countless spatial ripples, as if it is in another time and space.
"It really is it!"
"Exactly as described in the photos."
"The legendary golden key!"
Linda whispered, her expression unable to conceal her astonishment. Although she did not have much social experience, it did not mean that she was stupid. Dahl's words were half true and half false, with many loopholes. On the way here, she had been secretly on guard. As long as the other party made any improper behavior, she would kill him on the spot in the next second.
But she never imagined that the key was really in the space station.
Such a precious thing is in such a dilapidated place.
"Dal, you..."
The latter shook his head and said, "It was already here when I came, along with several Kryptonian corpses. I don't know what happened before. Perhaps a waiter brought it here, or perhaps it was for some other reason."
"Anyway, it appears, representing the future of Krypton."
Linda hesitated and said, "Why don't you take it away? It's not safe here."
"The golden key lies between reality and illusion. Only the waiter has the ability to touch it. Ordinary people can't touch it. I tried but failed. Obviously I don't have the qualifications to become a waiter. But you are different. As a descendant of the El family, perhaps you can."
Linda opened her mouth and said uncertainly,
"I heard that waiter selection must be..."
"Krypton is gone. Those rules are unnecessary. Just give it a try. It doesn't matter if it succeeds or not."
"Okay… okay!"
Linda took a breath and stared at the key quietly.
The legendary golden key.
When I was a child, my father often talked about a mysterious object. It was said that the golden key was between nothingness and reality, invisible and intangible, with one end connected to Krypton and the other end connected to the multiverse. Only Kryptonians with extremely high qualifications were qualified to touch it, and those who touched it would become servants and believe in it for the rest of their lives.
Will I be the new waiter?
All kinds of complicated thoughts popped up in his mind, but were then suppressed. He took a deep breath, walked to the counter, and reached out to grasp the golden key that had countless myths and legends.
Dahl clenched his fists tightly and muttered,
"We must succeed!"
At the same time, tens of thousands of kilometers away from the space station, the space suddenly twisted and invisible waves spread in all directions.
A huge black warship suddenly appeared in the void.
In the main control room, Drew Zod held his chin and stared at the video appearing on the big screen with a grim expression.
In the video, a Kryptonian girl with long hair is touching the golden key with her hand. As her fingertips get closer to the key, the atmosphere becomes subtle. Fiora and other soldiers put down their work and look at the big screen at the same time.
After the destruction of Krypton, there were no more waiters.
The orphan of the Ai'er family should have excellent qualifications. Could it be that today...
Everyone tensed up uncontrollably, their eyes following the fingertips as they moved slowly through the key and landed on the counter. Sighs rose and fell, and General Zod also closed his eyes. When he opened them again, his expression had calmed down.
"Let's get started. Capture Kara, get the Fortress of Solitude, and that Earthling alive."
"At your command, General."
Everyone obeyed the order.
…
Linda stared at her palm blankly, her confused eyes the same as a few days ago.
Failed.
As expected, I don't have the potential to be a waiter.
Dahl shook his head slightly, walked to the control console, raised his hand and pointed, and countless gel-like substances sprayed out from below.
The sudden scene scared the girl. Just as she was about to raise her hand, the gel climbed over her at an extremely fast speed, covering her entire body, changing rapidly from soft to hard, from liquid to solid in the blink of an eye.
"Dar, what are you doing? Let me go."
Linda struggled hard but couldn't get free. Except for her head, the rest of her body was trapped in the gel, like a mold, unable to move.
"I'm sorry, Kara, this is the general's order and I must obey."
"All the generals on Krypton died in battle, so where are the generals left?"
Dar said with a gloomy face, "General Zod is still fighting for Krypton!"
Zod!
Linda's eyes widened as she suddenly remembered.
Dru Zod, the rebel military leader, the murderer of his uncle Jor-El, and a super criminal who was banished to the Phantom Zone prison by the parliament.
He is actually alive?
"After the destruction of Krypton, the Phantom Prison lost its energy supply, and many criminals escaped, including General Zod and his subordinates. General Zod loved Krypton deeply. After learning of Krypton's destruction, he kept searching for Kryptonian soldiers scattered across various outposts and vowed to rebuild civilization. We are all his followers."
Linda roared: "I am also a Kryptonian. I also want to rebuild Kryptonian civilization. Why do you treat me like this?"
Dahl's face sank, and his cheeks twitched uncontrollably.
"The key to rebuilding civilization lies in the Codex of Life. The Codex of Life must be in the hands of the General, not the El family. Your family possesses great wisdom, but they are weaklings and cowards. Whether it's Joe or your father Zo, they are all like this. If they had listened to the General's advice, Krypton would not have perished."
"You fart!"
Linda cursed angrily, "Don't think I don't know. If we follow that devil's advice, Krypton won't even have the last habitat left."
"You're wrong."
A deep voice sounded, accompanied by powerful footsteps. A tall and strong middle-aged man with black hair, black eyes, and eagle-like eyes walked in. Accompanying him were eight Kryptonian warriors including Adjutant Fiora and Captain Edwin.
Dahl stepped forward and saluted.
"General!"
Zod glanced at him indifferently, walked up to Linda, and looked down at her condescendingly.
"Krypton thrives on power and is destroyed by cowardice. For a race to rise to power and be admired by others, war and plunder are essential processes. Your father and uncle clearly don't believe that. Like those high-ranking corrupt individuals, they only escape and retreat, lacking the courage to face reality."
"Krypton's death was caused by them."
"You're lying. You're the rebel. If it weren't for you, Uncle Qiao wouldn't be dead."
Zedd snorted, "Shallow man, as stupid as your father."
"Fiona, take her with you to the Fortress of Solitude."
"You stay and guard the key."
Dahl said quickly, "I will follow your orders, General."