"Ah..." Carol Ferris looked at Louise Lane, who had an uncomfortable expression. She had assumed that Su Sheng sharing such crucial information about the Kryptonians with Louise meant they were sleeping together and must be boyfriend and girlfriend. Was this the deal? Su Sheng told her the news, and then she... Carol Ferris had heard of Louise Lane before, but she hadn't expected this...
"Don't look at me like that. He forced me with despicable means." Louise Lane instantly understood what Carol Ferris was thinking from her gaze.
"Really?" Su Sheng looked at Louise Lane seriously. "I thought you were just mesmerized by me."
"How could I..." Before Louise Lane could finish, she hooked her arm around Su Sheng's neck and initiated a passionate kiss.
Carol Ferris, watching this, blushed.
After separating, Louise Lane angrily said, "It's not like that! I didn't do it willingly!"
"I can't blame you; I understand!" Su Sheng patted Louise Lane on the shoulder with a smile.
Louise Lane glared at Su Sheng, who said nothing but projected his voice into her mind. "Don't explain. To explain is to cover up, and to cover up is to admit guilt. After all, you did initiate it. I think you're smart enough to realize you can't resist, so why not use this situation to your advantage? For example, by following me to learn first-hand details about the Kryptonians or by using my identity to report on exclusive news."
Louise Lane fell silent, not because she wanted to accept this reasoning, but because she had no choice.
The sudden silence between Su Sheng and Louise Lane made Carol Ferris a bit uncomfortable. "I'm in the next room. You can call me if you need anything."
"Okay, thank you," Su Sheng replied with a smile.
As everyone focused on matters related to the Kryptonians, time passed quietly.
As night fell, the streets became even more chaotic. Many "doomsday" believers recklessly indulged in what they believed to be their last night, leading to a significant rise in crime rates in many places. Gotham, Starling City, and Canterlot were all affected, and vigilantes in other cities were busy too. One of the main parties involved, Superman, was suffering in a secret base. The Kryptonite was highly effective, and Lex Luthor showed no mercy in his research, studying Superman thoroughly. For the first time, the fear of death loomed over Superman. He began to understand what his adoptive father had meant when he said humans would fear and distrust him. Despite never harming humans and always helping them, this was the outcome.
Resentment grew along with the pain.
If the military hadn't planned to hand Superman over to General Zod, Lex Luthor might have planned to dissect him for further research.
Research Kryptonians, research Kryptonite.
After gathering enough data, Lex Luthor used the Kryptonite to craft a weapon.
Superman was oblivious to his original destiny. Otherwise, he might have realized that while he was suffering and being studied, the woman he loved was lying in the arms of the one who initiated it all. This could have pushed him over the edge!
The night passed in silence.
At ten o'clock the next morning, Carol Ferris knocked on the door urgently.
Bang!
Su Sheng, who was still asleep, held Louise Lane close and opened his eyes to look at the door. His eyes glowed red, and he instantly broke the door lock.
Carol Ferris, startled, tentatively pushed the door open. Seeing the two still in bed, she turned her head and said, "We've detected an aircraft rapidly approaching Earth. The military base has sent a signal. It's expected to land in about 15 minutes. They're planning to take Superman to meet... Zod's people!"
"They've decided to hand Superman over, but they hope you... you'll be there in case something goes wrong. So, please hurry."
"What's the rush? Tell them to wait!"
"We can wait, but the others might not!" Carol Ferris explained.
"Tell them I know where the Codex is. If they don't want to wait, they can leave!" Su Sheng waved his hand, and Carol Ferris felt a breeze push her out of the room.
Snap!
The door closed.
After a moment of hesitation, Carol Ferris reported the situation truthfully.
Fifteen minutes later, at the military base, high-ranking generals, soldiers, scientific experts, Superman, and Lex Luthor waited quietly. Soon, a Kryptonian spacecraft appeared on the horizon and slowly descended.
Everyone tensed up subconsciously.
The hatch opened, and automatic steps extended quickly.
A woman clad in black armor, wearing a dark steel battlesuit and a transparent breathing mask, slowly descended from the spacecraft and walked towards the human camp.
When she was close enough, she stopped.
First, she glanced at the nervous humans around her, then she looked up slightly and arrogantly at Superman. "Kal-El, I am Adjutant Faora, and I greet you on behalf of General Zod." She nodded slightly.
Apart from Su Sheng, who was suspected of being a Kryptonian, this was the first time Superman had seen one of his own kind. He nodded nervously, and Faora turned to the side. "Come with me."
"Wait!"
Seeing Faora about to take Superman away, General Swanwick spoke solemnly. "Can't you hold off on taking him for now?"
Faora glanced sideways at him and began walking over with a sneer.
"Stop."
The surrounding soldiers shouted nervously, but Faora had no intention of stopping.
Rat-tat-tat! The soldiers opened fire.
The bullets hit Faora, but they bounced off harmlessly, leaving no marks on her armor.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Faora suddenly attacked, and several soldiers around the general were knocked out instantly. She stared at the general and said slowly, "Are you sure you won't let me take him away?"
"Yes!" General Swanwick shouted, pulling out a green dagger and stabbing at her.
Clang!
The Kryptonite dagger was deflected by her armor. Faora looked down at it, sneered, and prepared to punch him.
"Why isn't it working?" General Swanwick hurriedly shouted, seeing that the Kryptonite was ineffective against Faora. "The Codex! If you want the Codex, you'll have to wait for someone to arrive. He knows the whereabouts of the Codex!"
Faora's fist stopped.