Morin was annoyed.
As the saying goes, absence makes the heart grow fonder.
And naturally, things had been heating up.
Right when they were about to get down to business, Morin sensed it.
A massive magnetic field.
Far beyond anything Earth technology should be capable of.
It wrapped around the planet.
Then came the broadcast.
That was the final straw.
They couldn't have picked a worse time.
Arriving was one thing.
Making this much noise was another.
It was like trying to sleep while the neighborhood grannies started their loudest outdoor dance routine right outside your window, rattling the glass.
And so, that exchange happened.
The one that stripped the Kryptonians of all their dignity.
To most people, it just looked like a one-sided verbal beatdown.
While Earth's governments and organizations descended into chaos, the atmosphere inside a cloaked ship in space was the exact opposite.
Dead silence.
Kryptonian soldiers stood behind Zod, faces rigid, not daring to breathe.
The man seated before them radiated pressure.
Immense.
Terrifying.
His anger had clearly hit its peak.
"Faora."
After a long silence, Zod finally spoke.
"Explain exactly what happened."
"General," Faora knelt on one knee, head lowered.
"An organization-or an individual-on Earth possesses technology... or perhaps an ability... that surpasses our own."
"I failed in my duty."
"Please, punish me."
"It wasn't your fault," Zod waved her off and stood.
"Technology superior to Krypton's... on Earth?"
"Do we have countermeasures?"
"...It would be difficult," Faora shook her head.
"Our ship is currently isolated by a massive magnetic field."
"Even at maximum output, our transmitters cannot penetrate it."
"However, the field is weakening."
"At the current decay rate, we should regain mobility by tomorrow."
"Tomorrow..." Zod frowned.
"If I recall correctly, that individual told us to wait until tomorrow."
"No matter."
"We will wait."
"We have waited this long. One more day changes nothing."
"And if Kal-El is on this planet, he already knows we are here."
"We will give him time to choose."
"But we must prepare for the possibility of a superior force."
"This battle may be difficult."
"But Kryptonians fear nothing."
"We have lost Krypton."
"The last hope of our race-the Codex-is with Kal-El."
"We will retrieve it."
"And rebuild Krypton."
"Yes, General!"
The soldiers roared in unison.
This was nothing like the original timeline.
Back then, they had seized global communications effortlessly and plunged the world into panic.
This time, their plan had hit a wall.
No one could have predicted this.
According to Kryptonian archives, Earth was a planet of primitive humans.
They hadn't known how much it had changed.
Sensors showed no interstellar capability.
That alone had made them cautious-but confident.
A civilization that hadn't even left its own solar system?
Easy.
Then they got slapped in the face.
Hard.
And couldn't even fight back.
For now, they were stuck.
Meanwhile, on Earth.
Governments, civilians, and religious groups were in an uproar.
For decades, aliens had existed only in science fiction and belief systems.
What would they look like?
Humanoid? Bestial?
Carbon-based? Silicon-based?
Countless theories existed.
But never proof like this.
Not global.
Not undeniable.
In the age of the internet, suppression was impossible.
Governments didn't even try.
Mostly because they were too busy reacting.
Once it was confirmed this wasn't a hoax or another nation's trick, emergency protocols were activated worldwide.
Even if those protocols were useless.
Every country had a "First Contact" plan.
Netizens went wild.
"End of the World."
"Reliable studies show these aliens once had diplomatic ties with our country."
"If the world's ending, can we finally dump this toxic waste?"
Optimism.
Cynicism.
Madness.
Every cult and extremist group crawled out of the shadows.
Some claimed responsibility for the broadcast hack.
Others insisted only their god could save humanity.
In America, riots erupted in the name of "freedom."
Chaos spread.
But some places stayed calm.
Gotham City.
The Bat-Signal appeared on screens across the city.
Criminals cursed under their breath and locked their doors.
They knew what it meant.
The Bat usually appeared at night.
If he showed up now...
The consequences would be severe.
In Gotham, very few criminals ever met the Bat twice.
Because he represented absolute fear.
Metropolis and Coast City were similar.
Places protected by superheroes were far calmer than the rest of the world.
"They came for me," Clark said quietly in the Batcave.
"Yes," Bruce replied evenly.
"They're here for you."
"I'll handle this."
"...Not just you," Bruce paused, then placed a hand on Clark's shoulder.
"Us."
Bruce had watched Clark grow up.
He wasn't about to let him face this alone.
Especially when the Kryptonians threatened the entire planet.
But...
Exactly how strong was Morin?
Bruce knew the interference came from him.
The tone.
The power.
It was unmistakable.
That realization brought an uncomfortable sense of helplessness.
The "Anti-Morin Protocol" in his secret files clearly needed another full overhaul.
What was this now?
The hundredth version?
Several hundredth?
Bruce fell into thought.
"Uncle Bruce," Clark asked suddenly.
"Should I give them the Codex?"
After Bruce contacted him, Clark had told him everything.
His origins.
Zod's mission.
"Whether you give it to them isn't my decision," Bruce said.
"It's something your father died to protect."
"It's inside your own body."
"Only you-and perhaps your father's memory-can decide."
"Your birth parents are gone."
"The one on the ship is just an AI."
"That makes you the only one with authority."
"Not me. Not Morin. Not even the Kents."
"But before you decide, think about the consequences."
"What happens if you lose your powers?"
"What if Zod grows stronger?"
"What if he uses Kryptonian technology to create an army like you?"
"I don't know much about space," Bruce continued.
"But habitable planets are rare."
"Earth is perfect."
"Would Zod really look elsewhere if he could just take this place?"
"And even if Morin is stronger than you..."
"An army of ten. A hundred. A thousand Supermen."
"Could we handle that?"
"...I understand," Clark said.
His gaze hardened.
Bruce's analysis had given him clarity.
"This is still speculation," Bruce added.
"We won't know their intentions until we speak to them."
"Morin will have a way to contact Zod."
"We wait until tomorrow."
Clark nodded.
Neither of them mentioned why tomorrow mattered.
They were men.
They understood the frustration of being interrupted at the wrong moment.
One: it's infuriating.
Two: it makes you want to hit someone.
Given Morin's power, no one wanted to be on the receiving end of that mood.
Even if they could win.
And if those embarrassing photos ever leaked?
That would be the real nightmare.
"By the way," Bruce asked suddenly.
"Do you feel like something's missing?"
"...Missing?" Clark frowned.
"I don't think so."
Meanwhile, in Coast City.
"We're sorry. The number you have dialed is currently unavailable..."
"That's strange," Hal scratched his head.
"Why can't I reach Mr. Morin?"
He considered calling Clark.
Or Bruce.
Then realized he didn't have either number.
After thinking it over, he gave up.
Nothing was happening until tomorrow anyway.
Why worry?
Besides...
Who was that guy who yelled at the aliens?
That was legendary.
Hal's thoughts drifted.
Then an idea hit him.
He suited up and flew straight toward Carol Ferris's place.
A superhero offering "personal protection" during an alien invasion?
Perfect timing.
Back at the Kent farm, Clark comforted his parents before heading toward the Kryptonian scout ship.
The Kents had calmed down after Bruce explained that Morin was the one who had "scolded" the aliens into submission.
The power balance was obvious.
And since Morin was Clark's friend, they knew where he stood.
Inside the Kryptonian ship.
"I didn't expect you to be the last to visit," Jor-El said with a faint, bitter smile.
"I... had some important matters," Clark replied after a pause.
"Understandable," Jor-El nodded.
"I am merely a collection of data."
"A simulation of your father's logic and personality."
"An AI."
"Let's proceed."
"Have you made a choice?"
"I will not give them the Codex," Clark said.
"Unless they prove they are beyond our ability to stop."
"Natural birth and reproduction are the foundation of a healthy civilization," Jor-El nodded approvingly.
"Genetic engineering maximizes efficiency."
"But it kills infinite possibilities."
"We must stop Zod."
"Preferably by convincing him to change."
"They can still reproduce naturally."
"If they are willing to put in the effort, Krypton can be reborn the right way."
"I'll pass that along," Clark said.
For the first time, he felt hopeful.
Maybe he wouldn't have to become a repopulation machine after all.
And so, the world waited for the next day.
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