Chapter 2 - The Impending Doom

Rhea and Lar Gand slept peacefully until the sound of banging on their door woke them up. Lar's mind struggled to shake off the remnants of sleep, the abrupt awakening confusing him momentarily as he tried to distinguish between dream and reality. Despite still feeling the effects of the alcohol from the earlier party, he was lucid enough to recognize the gravity of the situation demanding his immediate attention.

He rose from the bed, he looked at his exquisite wife. She lay beneath the soft covers, her form outlined by the gentle contours of the sheets. Despite the urgency outside, she seemed undisturbed. Lar couldn't help but smile at her serene manner before turning his focus to the matter at hand.

"Who is it, Lar?" She asked, still half asleep.

"Don't fret, my dear. It's likely just Mon-El causing mischief again, perhaps entangled in a spat or getting some maiden's attention," he reassured her with a fond chuckle. "Go back to your dreams."

She barely listened to his words, already slipping back into the realm of sleep. Lar dressed and approached the door, greeted by the imposing figure of Commander Traian Hern. The commander wore his customary Praetorian uniform, the black and red chest plate had the emblem of the Daxam royal family - a black bull clutching a tree - a powerful symbol of courage, transformation, and passion,

"A bit tardy for uniform gear, Traian," the king joked lightly.

"By the will of Daxam," Traian murmured in a hushed tone, avoiding to disturb the queen's slumber. "My Lord, we require your immediate assistance. Urgency dictates our time."

Lar Gand sensed the gravity in Traian's disposition, the usual sternness of the commander now displayed an air of desperation. Traian's dark hair and thick mustache framed his face, while his broad shoulders seemed burdened by an unseen weight.

"From the look upon your face, my friend, it seems Mon-El's antics are not the source of your concern," Lar observed. "What calamity has befallen us?"

"Sire, you must accompany me to the command center. I struggle to find the words..." His eyes reddened with an intensity of emotion that Lar Gand had never before witnessed in the soldier's face. "Krypton... it's gone."

Lar Gand looked at Traian, concern reflected in his own eyes. With a firm  grip, he clasped Traian's shoulder in a gesture of solidarity, sharing the weight of the news they now carried. Together, they went to the command center.

Lar Gand commanded, "Summon the Kryptonian envoys. We must understand the details of this event."

"Consider it done, my lord. They are already en route to convene with us," Traian affirmed.

In the command center, King Lar Gand and Commander Traian Hern surveyed the scene with solemn expressions. The screens depicted a telescopic view of Krypton, revealing only remnants of rock and gas. The gravity of the situation weighed heavily upon the King as he predicted the implications that lay ahead. Scientists, soldiers, and technicians moved around, trying to grasp the current crisis. Taking a deep breath, Lar Gand gathered his political skills, ready to confront the challenges before him.

"Alright, everyone, halt your tasks for a moment. We must understand the situation at hand. I require explanations immediately, no matter how trivial or perplexing they may seem. Now!" King Lar Gand demanded.

"My lord, as you can observe, Krypton has been obliterated from existence," the voice from chief scientist Kaelen Ralox reported.

"What precipitated this catastrophe?" Traian inquired. "Was it an act of aggression, a celestial collision? Could our red sun have played a role?"

"No, Commander. All signs point to an implosion. The planet was ruptured from within," The scientist asserted.

A heavy silence fell upon the room as looks were exchanged.

"The Omegahedron," Lar Gand continued. "Something has happened with it. Only an artifact of such power could bring about the annihilation of an entire planet."

"That seems to be the most plausible explanation, my Lord," chief scientist Kaelen Ralox concurred.

"Quick, search for any transmissions from Krypton. If this news holds true, they may have attempted to reach out to us," the King urged. "Traian, where are our guests?"

"Here, sire," Sah-Vol responded as he entered the room, accompanied by his fellow citizens and Daxamite soldiers. "In the name of Rao, who could have done such an atrocity?"

"Commander Traian, I bring news from Krypton. Transmissions from Alura, a high ranking judge," a technician informed.

"Patch them through immediately," Traian commanded.

As they listened to the transmission, panic spread through the room. A woman's voice made the devastation of Krypton painfully clear.

"Dear Kryptonians, this is Alura In-Ze speaking. My twin sister, General Astra, and her husband, Commander Non, have rebelled against our government. They, along with a group of dissidents, have stolen our planet's stabilizer - the Omegahedron. Their unjust rebellion has resulted in drastic changes to our environment, including earthquakes and volcanic instability. Based on calculations from myself and our main scientist, Jor-El, the planet will collapse in a matter of hours, if not sooner. If you're hearing this message, flee Krypton while you still can."

All eyes turned towards Sah-Vol as the King walked to him. at 6 feet 3 inches, Lar Gand cast a shadow over the diplomat. With fire in his eyes, he confronted Sah-Vol.

"Were you aware of the coup on Krypton, Sah-Vol? Did you know that the military was attempting to seize control of the planet?"

"Yes, milord. But we believed the situation was contained. We saw no need to burden you with internal affairs," Sah-Vol replied.

Queen Reah entered the command center just as the conversation concluded. Having overheard the exchange, she turned her attention to Sah-Vol, questioning him further. In a show of reverence, all those present bowed respectfully in her presence.

"Internal matters, you say, Sah-Vol? Matters of such magnitude should have been disclosed to us. I can't believe that the politicians of Krypton would be so negligent as to withhold this crucial information."

"My apologies, my Queen. Allow me to elucidate the situation further," Sah-Vol responded. "General Astra, a high-ranking officer in the Kryptonian military, and her husband, Non, conspired to seize the Omegahedron in an attempt to create a new power source for Krypton. They perceived the ruling council as inept in addressing the planet's ecological crisis and political corruption. Astra and Non saw themselves as Krypton's saviors, willing to resort to extreme measures to ensure its survival."

He proceeded with his explanation. "In their attempt to use the Omegahedron, something went disastrously wrong. Rather than providing the desired energy, the Omegahedron destabilized Krypton's core, setting off a catastrophic chain of events. As you can plainly witness, it ultimately resulted in the total destruction of our planet."

"Irresponsible fools," Rhea lamented. "Your leniency and mercy only empowered these terrorists to bring ruin upon us. It's precisely why Daxam maintains such strict measures against threats. We cannot afford to invite retaliation."

"We humbly seek refuge and asylum, esteemed Queen," Sah-Vol implored, speaking for himself and the other seven Kryptonians by his side. "We are now orphaned, with no home planet to return to."

A distress signal began booming, and the lights shifted to red. All eyes turned to the computer screens positioned throughout the room. Lar Gand and Traian moved toward the main computer station.

"Silence that racket," Traian commanded.

"What's the situation?" The King inquired, leaning in toward one of the technicians.

The technician was visibly appalled, rendered speechless by the situation. Lar Gand, infuriated by the man's reaction, demanded an explanation. He could see the fear in the technician's eyes, his hands trembling as he attempted to operate the controls, only to press the wrong buttons.

Pushing the technician aside, the King realized the catastrophe heading towards the planet. In a moment of frustration, he lowered his head.

"Blast it. Damn it to hell," he muttered.

"What is it, my love?" Reah asked.

"The remains of Krypton are coming toward us."

"The remains?" Traian questioned. "You mean..."

"Asteroids, thousands of them. In all sizes and shapes." Lar Gand replied.

"They've been caught by our gravitational pull," Kaelen Ralox explained.

"Is there any way to avert such a disaster?" Asked Rhea.

"Unfortunately, no. Our defense systems are ill-equipped to handle such a colossal event. This onslaught will persist for weeks. The planet will be ravaged, likely plunging into a nuclear winter," Traian stated matter-of-factly, his knowledge of the planet's defenses left no room for optimism.

"How much time do we have until the first wave of asteroids reaches us?" The King inquired.

The atmosphere in the room was heavy with tension. Every passing moment felt like an eternity to those in the room. The sound of keyboards clicking and buttons being pressed amplified the sense of impending disaster. Scientists, soldiers, and politicians alike found themselves paralyzed by the weight of the crisis, their hearts heavy with fear as they awaited the inevitable arrival of the asteroid barrage.

"Based on my calculations, the first asteroids will breach our atmosphere within the next... three hours, give it or take. Time is of the essence. If we go outside, we might catch sight of the largest fragments in the night sky," chief scientist Kaelen Ralox reported succinctly.

Lar Gand and Traian dashed to the balcony, confirming the scientist's assessment. The sky shimmered with celestial bodies visible to the naked eye. Both men understood that there was only one viable course of action: alert the populace and evacuate the planet as quickly as possible.

"Curse those inept bureaucrats on Krypton. They've sealed our fate along with theirs," Traian cried.

"Sadly, there are a few Kryptonians left to blame, Commander. Let's focus on our own survival."

Traian heard every word spoken by the King. Returning to the room, they relayed the dreadful news to the crowd. All eyes converged on the Kryptonians, instinctively seeking someone to hold responsible for the disaster. Tears and cries came from some Kryptonians, while Sah-Vol attempted to negotiate with the Daxamites, hoping to find a solution that would avoid a violent outcome.

"Please, understand. We did everything in our power to stop Astra and Non," Sah-Vol pleaded.

"Such a stellar job you did, Sah-Vol," Rhea snapped sarcastically.

"Now is not the moment for blame, Rhea. We must focus on saving as many lives as possible," Lar Gand intervened.

"You're right, my King," Rhea conceded, drawing close to Lar Gand and wrapping him in her arms. "I'm scared, my love."

"Don't falter. This is the moment we must demonstrate our resilience to our people," he said, casting a reassuring smile at her. "Traian, you know what to do. Mobilize all available personnel. Initiate evacuation protocols and secure every operational spacecraft. Rally our forces and provide aid to civilians in need. I'll reach out to the provinces and alert them to the impending threat."

"Yes, my Lord. By the will of Daxam!" Traian declared proudly and left.

"Chief Scientist Kaelen Ralox!"

"Yes, my lords!"

"It's time to use your skills. Let's record a message for the entire planet. We must warn them of the impending danger and uplift their spirits. Our people need reassurance of our resilience; they must understand that we will overcome these circumstances. Can you accomplish this?"

"Absolutely, sire."

"Excellent. Everyone is aware of their duties. Head to the port stations, inform your loved ones, and let's rescue our fellow citizens."

In a few minutes, the station was prepared to broadcast Lar Gand's message.

"My fellow Daxamites, I come to you in a time of urgency and uncertainty. Know this: the planet Krypton, our distant kin, has been obliterated, unleashing a cascade of asteroids hurtling towards our home. But let not despair grip your hearts, for in unity lies our strength. We must act decisively. Seek refuge in all spacecraft available; every second counts. Hold fast to hope. We are a resilient people, descendants of a proud lineage," he said.

He controlled his breath and continued with his plea. "Though adversity may test us, it cannot break us. Together, we shall sail through these turbulent waters. Prepare yourselves, gather your loved ones, and make haste to our ships. Let courage guide our steps, and let unity fortify our resolve. For in the face of adversity, we stand undaunted. Together, we shall persevere. By the will of Daxam, always and forever."

Sah-Vol applauded the King's address to the populace. "An inspiring speech, my King. How may we assist you?" He and his companions bowed respectfully before the royal couple.

"There is one task you can undertake, Sah-Vol," Reah said.

Before anyone could react, Reah signaled to the Daxamite soldiers, authorizing them to open fire. The entire sequence happened in a matter of seconds. All eight diplomats lay lifeless on the ground, blood staining the earth.

Lar Gand's anguished cry pierced the air as he rushed to the side of the fallen. He stared at Reah in shock and disbelief.

"I did them a favor. We all knew that these poor souls would suffer all kinds of physical pain and the women would be ravaged for weeks before our soldiers were done with them. Think as an act of mercy, my King"

"I don't have time to debate about this, Rhea. You shouldn't have done that. Unfortunately Krypton's history ended today. We can still save ours. Come."

Before they left Reah ordered one of the soldiers to get Mon-El and Lanvia to the Royal Mothership.

"Guard. Fetch our son and the pretty girl with him. Make sure he is alive and well when he meets us in the Mothership. Now go."

"By your command, milady."