Chapter 10 Moral Dilemma
Escaping War Woman's grasp left Brandon feeling extremely cautious. He didn't want to risk showing where he lived, so he flew in random directions. Once he was sure the coast was clear, he went straight home.
His plans for finding a practice spot were definitely canceled, but those thoughts were far behind him. Instead, he found himself thinking about what had just occurred.
"I killed someone…" It was an accident in a moment of anger. Awakening a new ability at that moment also didn't help, but in the end, these were all excuses and the one undeniable fact was that he took a life.
Looking down, he pictured the body with a severed head and strangely felt no disgust, self-loathing, or regret. Everything most people would feel after taking a life just didn't happen for him. Instead, there was a slight joy in his heart. 'It's almost like I… No, what's wrong with me?' That realization made him panic.
The only ones who felt this way were born killers. He knew that choosing Brandon Breyer might change him somewhat, but this was unexpected. Didn't this mean that no matter how much he tried, he'd always be a killer in his heart?
'Thank you.'
In his internal struggle, Brandon recalled those words from the little girl, a child whose name he didn't even know. Someone who would just be another passerby in his life, but for her, he was something more.
His murder didn't make her afraid; if anything, it made her feel more peace than any prison would have. Knowing that the man who died would never come after her again.
That thought brought Brandon a strange kind of solace. Maybe it's better to be born with an evil nature and to overcome it with great effort. That is the mark of a real hero.
Looking up into the sky Brandon accepted that he might not be a perfect hero. One day he might slip up and end up killing villains but he would do his best to handle those tendencies. Reserving such a punishment for only the worst of his foes.
Having his worries settled Brandon was ready to head back home and hopped off the barn but upon doing so he noticed his shirt was ripped open from the front. He recalled that it had happened back when he was attacked by War Woman.
'Man first my shoes now my shirt… at the rate I'm going most of my clothes will be gone' Brandon didn't expect to have this problem early on. He was still holding off on doing hero work but if this experience taught him anything then it was that he needed to be prepared for the unexpected. Especially if something similar happens because he won't hesitate to help. Not anymore.
Thinking about it he remembered there being that costume guy that made Nolan's and Mark's suits but that was still a little close for his comfort. So he went to where he thought he had the best chance for help.
Walking into the barn he removed the locks once more and revealed his ship "Father I need to talk with you"
Reacting to his presence the ship began to glow and formed his father's hologram. When he appeared he examined Brandon and seemed slightly intrigued. "You look like you've come from a fight were they strong?"
He wasn't sure how his dad connected a ripped shirt to a fight but accepted it nonetheless "Yeah they were pretty good but I didn't stick around to find out more. That fight is also the reason why I came down here. I've noticed that my clothes just can't handle what I put them through and wanted to know if you knew of a way for me to get something tougher."
Zod took a moment to think before looking back at Brandon with confidence "In fact I currently have two methods. You see Kryptonians have long known that we are stronger than most other races and have worked hard on making durable material. In this process, we have developed multiple methods which I have access to. As for the second method, it is more of a gamble."
'ha interesting so they have something like that but I guess that's to be expected from such an advanced race. Learning to make this fabric might even be really useful in the future as well if I start selling it.' This idea sounded pretty good to Brandon as it would even give him a way to make money in the future without relying on the government.
He wanted to jump in on this one right away; he was also curious as to what Zod mentioned just now. What did he mean by gamble? "And what's the gamble?"
"Well, when I acquired this ship from Jor-El I had also come upon some surprising information. Apparently years ago when Krypton still traveled the stars, members of the Explorers Guild crash-landed on Earth and their ship may still be here but it is yet to be confirmed. By the time I had discovered it Jor-El had already wiped all data on it but if he was willing to do that then the chance of it being here is highly likely. Which means it may still have Kryptonian uniform and armor"
Scout ship… he's talking about the fortress of solitude! Brandon's eyes widened if the ship really was here then it would make the perfect base. It also should hold lots of technology far beyond what Earth is currently capable of.
In the DC comics, Superman hardly ever made use of it and mostly kept it all hidden but Brandon wasn't one to waste opportunities.
"I want both Father but first let's go find that ship"
Zod gave a nod that hid his expression but Brandon could also see a slight amount of enthusiasm coming from his father. In the next moment, he retracted back into the ship while a new hologram appeared showing a map that had a glowing point right in the Arctic.
He hadn't planned on flying the rest of the day but this was something that needed to be checked out now. Waking over he lifted the pod and began flying into the air.
.
.
.
Brandon soared through the icy expanse of the Arctic. The landscape around him all looked the same no matter which direction he turned but he knew it was somewhere around here beneath the ice.
Flying from above wasn't going to help him find this lost ship he needed to get close. Finding a spot to land he thought about where to start when the pod revealed his father once more.
"You're close Son the pod is trying to link with something beneath the ice. Somewhere in this direction" Zod said while pointing straight down.
'Right here Huh well let's see how good heat vision is' Last time he had used this ability it wasn't in his control and just came out like an explosion but this time he'd have control over it.
Looking down at the ice his eyes began to glow menacingly before two parallel beams burst into the ice. Trying to control his output Brandon began holding back so it wouldn't stray too far and would instead melt a tunnel for him to travel.
"Incredible! So this is the power our ancestors held" Zod exclaimed while admiring his power but Brandon ignored this as he walked down the tunnel while dragging the pod along. This walk lasted for two miles until something metallic began to appear.
"This is it, son. The pod is already linked to the ship. Give me a moment to transfer my conciseness" With that said the flow from the pod disappeared leaving the tunnel dark. When suddenly a creaking noise began echoing throughout the cave.
Once the noise was completed the ship began to glow, lighting up the entire area while a door opened allowing him access. 'This is it!' He thought as he flew straight to the entrance.
Entering he felt the gravity increase by at least 10 times but for him, it was nothing at this point, and walked in like nothing changed. Looking around he saw that the ship looked very similar to the one shown in Man of Steel. The halls were made of black metal while the ship itself had multiple rooms serving various purposes.
Some looked like dwelling places for the crew while others looked like labs.
Brandon was already liking what he was seeing. He recalled that the original was pretty smart, at least more so than most humans so learning how to use this equipment shouldn't be too difficult.
While he was thinking this a group of floating robots appeared. They didn't speak but they made it clear that they wanted him to follow. Accepting them as his guide they led him through some more floors until they reached a wide room with hidden compartments.
"Looks like the machines did their job well, what do you think son?" Zod asked as his hologram appeared in the middle of the room.
"It's impressive most of this stuff is far beyond anything that Earth has"
"Of course it is. We were an advanced civilization this much is to be expected. Now let's check the suits that are available." Waving his hand revealed all the compartments that held floating suits that seemed to be using some sort of gravitational field.
"Arghh of course you'd put your blasted crest on them all Jor-El!" Zod grunted upon seeing a familiar S marked on every piece of clothing.
"Don't worry I'll remove these marks, choose one and I'll have it prepared soon."
Listening to Zod, Brandon silently walked up to the suit that practically called to him. It floated in a place like a symbol of hope with striking blue and red. Placing his hands on the chest Brandon felt the grooves of the S.
[Image]
Zod didn't understand why his son was acting this way with that crest and started examining some of the armor instead
'So this was your suit Superman… since you're not here I'll honor your memory'
"Father I choose this one"
"Huh this one is at most ceremonial, choose something practical. Like this one it is perfect Kryptonian armor with life support systems and great amounts of protection" Zod said while pointing to the suit he used when he invaded Earth.
"Nah, I'm fine with this"
Zod just shook his head at this; he didn't understand what was so special about that suit but accepted it regardless. "Very well it'll be ready soon just give me a couple of minutes to switch out the emblem"
"By the way does our crest mean anything" Brandon asked remembering that Superman S meant hope so he really wondered what there's was. Though he had a couple ideas, it probably meant something like war or conquest. Given their families militaristic origin.
"In fact it does have a deeper meaning… it means Victory"
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