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In the endless, quiet void of space, Superman drifted closer to the figure, his cape flowing weightlessly behind him. The sunlight glinted off his blue and red suit, a stark contrast to the brooding figure that stood ahead. The alien was clad in black, his sleek armor melding with a dark cloak that fluttered gently in the zero-gravity of space. The way he stood, arms crossed and gaze fixed on the distant star, reminded Superman of someone. It wasn't the quiet indifference, but something in the way he longed for the sun, as if drawn to its warmth despite his cold, hardened exterior. It reminded him of Black Adam, the ancient warrior who, too, stood between two worlds—one of war and another of power.
Superman approached cautiously, though his heart was steady. He had dealt with powerful beings before, beings ready to fight or flee at the slightest provocation. As he neared the figure, he could sense the shift in the alien's stance. The body tensed, muscles coiling beneath the armor as if preparing for combat, or a rapid escape. But instead of raising his fists, Superman smiled—a gesture of warmth, one that his mother had taught him could defuse even the tensest situations.
"Hey there," Superman said, his voice calm, and friendly. "I'm Superman."
The alien turned, his sharp eyes studying Superman with cold calculation, as though weighing whether this was friend or foe. For a long, tense moment, the alien remained still, poised like a coiled spring, ready to snap.
Superman raised one hand slowly, revealing the small bag of Earthly snacks he had brought as a peace offering. "I didn't come to fight. I thought maybe we could talk. I brought some refreshments—thought we could share a meal."
For a split second, Superman thought the alien might bolt. His eyes narrowed, his body seemed to twitch slightly as if preparing to blast off into the cosmos. But then, something changed. A flicker of curiosity, perhaps. His stance loosened, just a fraction, but enough for Superman to sense the tension easing, even if only a little.
The alien's face remained impassive, though the hostility had lessened. Still, there was that cold indifference, the same attitude he had shown to Green Lantern and the others. Superman could see it—this being wasn't here to conquer, at least not yet. But he wasn't here to be anyone's friend either. Not yet.
Superman floated closer, his smile broadening slightly. "You don't have to trust me, but I'm not here to fight. Let's just eat, talk a little. Maybe we can figure things out together."
Without waiting for a reply, Superman drifted toward a nearby satellite, large enough to serve as an impromptu table and chair. He carefully landed on the surface, his feet touching down softly, and gestured to the space beside him.
The alien hesitated, then slowly floated over to join him. His movements were deliberate, cautious, but he lowered himself onto the satellite, sitting across from Superman with his cloak wrapped tightly around his shoulders. He didn't remove his helmet or lower his guard entirely, but the tension had subsided—at least for the moment.
Superman silently apologized to the people on Earth who might be monitoring the satellite, knowing there would be some static interference. But this was worth it, he thought.
Opening the small bag, Superman took out the snacks, laying them down on the satellite's surface. A few rice crackers, a bottle of tea, and some sweets. He handed one of the items to the alien, who took it cautiously, inspecting the strange food with an emotionless expression before taking a small bite. The silence stretched for a few moments, but it wasn't uncomfortable.
"So," Superman began, breaking the quiet. "What should I call you?"
The alien finished chewing, his voice low and measured. "Designation: Warrior K-73b4. But in your Earthling language, I am called Kai Vel." He paused, then added, almost as an afterthought. "Or Alexander, as some have translated it."
Superman nodded, digesting the information. "Kai Vel. Alexander. Got it. Well, it's nice to meet you, Kai Vel."
They ate in silence for a while longer, Superman doing his best to keep the conversation light. "I have to say, this is a first for me. Sharing a meal in space with a guy I barely know. It's kind of nice." He chuckled softly, though Kai Vel didn't respond in kind. The alien simply continued eating, giving off the same detached air as before.
Still, Superman could sense something changing. Slowly but surely, the wall between them was lowering. Perhaps it was the gift, or perhaps it was simply the fact that Superman wasn't pushing for answers or trying to assert dominance. He was just being… kind.
Superman silently thanked his mother for her wisdom. Martha Kent had always known how to calm even the most tense situations. Her advice had been simple, but effective: offer a gift, show good intentions, and let the other person see the humanity in you. Always start with kindness.
"So, Kai," Superman said, breaking the silence again. "I'm not here to judge or attack you. I just want to understand. Why are you here?"
Kai Vel paused for a moment, staring at the distant sun once more. "I am a warrior," he said finally, his voice cold but not without a trace of something deeper. "I was created for conquest. To protect my people, to defeat those who would threaten our survival. But now… I am alone."
There was a heavy weight behind his words. Superman could hear it — the loneliness, the sense of purpose that had been lost somewhere along the way. He didn't push further, but he could see it now: Kai Vel wasn't just a cold warrior. He was someone who had been conditioned to be indifferent, to kill without hesitation. And yet, something in him had brought him here, to this planet, staring at the sun with a longing that went beyond his mission.
Superman nodded slowly, understanding more than he let on. "Well," he said, offering another smile, "maybe you're not as alone as you think."
Kai Vel's gaze shifted toward him, his expression still unreadable. But he didn't speak, didn't argue. Instead, they sat there in silence, sharing a meal in the vastness of space, two figures from different worlds — one a symbol of hope, the other a warrior searching for purpose.
Superman knew there was a long road ahead, but for now, this was enough. He would show Kai Vel what it meant to be more than just a conqueror, more than a weapon. And perhaps, in time, they could build something stronger than fear or indifference.
The stars twinkled above them, and for a moment, all was quiet.