Part 8 (2/2)
Donodon stretched his wrinkled blue face in a broad grin. Atop his platform he turned in a slow circle, surveying the hundreds of people in the audience, as if storing and cataloguing their images inside a sharp mind. He paused briefly as he faced Commissioner Zod's private box, then turned to the Council bench again.
”Why have you come here?” Jul-Us demanded. Zod detected a faint quaver in the old man's voice.
”We Kryptonians prefer our privacy,” barked Kor-Te, so nervous that he could barely keep his seat.
Donodon brushed a few stray sand grains from his jumpsuit. ”A pebble beneath a flowing stream can't ignore the water that exists all around it. Your solar system exists as part of the twenty-eight known galaxies, whether you like it or not.”
”We've done fine for more than a thousand years. We protect ourselves,” said Silber-Za. ”Krypton wants no trouble with outsiders.”
Donodon responded with a sincere-looking smile surrounded by his fringe of wormlike tentacles. ”I did not bring trouble, but an opportunity, a new beginning for Krypton.” He nodded down toward the muscular armored guards who stood wary but impotent. ”There is a galactic security force that patrols and protects all civilized planets. With them, societies such as Krypton can remain safe from the dangers that abound in the universe.”
”We have been safe. Haven't we?” Pol-Ev looked around. He moved a heavily ruffled collar out of the way of his waxed and pointed beard. ”Krypton has always been safe.”
”It appears you haven't been entirely safe. I saw your destroyed moon from s.p.a.ce.”
”You spied on us?” Cera-Si's face turned nearly as red as his long hair.
”I did due diligence in order to better welcome Krypton into the fold of galactic society. Believe me, there are outside threats you cannot even imagine.” Donodon smiled. ”Someday you may be glad to have a superior protective force around.”
Al-An, usually the tiebreaker and peacemaker on the Council, said, ”What is your stake in this? Are you a representative of this...enforcement group?”
”I am an explorer who seeks the right opportunities. That is all.”
In a huff, Silber-Za said, ”So you want us to submit to the rule of an intergalactic police force?”
Donodon's tendrils wriggled with apparent agitation. ”You misunderstand what I said.” The blue-skinned alien selected a device from another pocket, adjusted its settings, and sprayed a glowing rectangle in the air that s.h.i.+mmered like a projection screen. He displayed a host of images, monstrous villains, destroyed worlds, enslaved populations. ”You have been safe thus far, not because the dangers don't exist, but because none of them have found you yet. Rest a.s.sured, they will. Krypton cannot remain hidden forever.”
Zod leaned back as a thrill s.h.i.+vered down his spine. ”Exactly.” He could already imagine several ways to prepare the world for the inevitable; the Council certainly wouldn't do it.
”You threaten us?” Old Jul-Us pretended to be indignant.
”I only suggest that you would benefit greatly from the protection and peace offered by an alliance with other civilizations.”
Unannounced, a pale-haired figure pa.s.sed through the arch and strode bravely across the tiled floor to the base of the granular podium the alien had created. He extended his hands, shouting upward. ”Council Head Jul-Us, all Council members-think of everything this rare visitor can teach us! I have come to speak on his behalf.”
From high above, Donodon peered down at the unexpected visitor. From his own seat in the special balcony, Zod leaned forward, not at all surprised to see Jor-El take charge like this. The scientist's face seemed to be s.h.i.+ning with hope and fascination. He boldly stepped to the base of the sand-and-earth pedestal, calling upward as if he and Donodon were the only two adults among a group of children. ”Please excuse the Council's abrupt reaction. This is all very new to us.”
”Jor-El, your interruption is unprecedented!” Jul-Us said.
”Everything about this event is unprecedented. We must learn more about this emissary before jumping to rash conclusions. It is the only logical way to proceed.” He placed his hands on his hips, forcefully meeting the gaze of the Council Head. The other members muttered to each other. ”And you all know that I am the best-equipped person on all of Krypton to engage in these discussions.”
”He does have a point,” Cera-Si said, loudly enough to be heard in the hushed audience chamber.
”But we we are in charge here!” Silber-Za insisted. are in charge here!” Silber-Za insisted.
Turning back to look at the eleven Council members, Donodon said, ”While I must respect your traditions, I I shall choose my own comrades.” The visitor made a gesture with another device, and the platform began to dissolve, falling back down into the hole in the floor, the grains streaming smoothly back to their original positions with a hissing, rus.h.i.+ng sound. The hexagonal floor tiles flipped up into the air, then reseated themselves, interlocking perfectly. shall choose my own comrades.” The visitor made a gesture with another device, and the platform began to dissolve, falling back down into the hole in the floor, the grains streaming smoothly back to their original positions with a hissing, rus.h.i.+ng sound. The hexagonal floor tiles flipped up into the air, then reseated themselves, interlocking perfectly.
The crowds in the viewing stands responded with an appreciative gasp.
When he reached the floor level, Donodon strolled forward until he stood in front of Jor-El, barely reaching the height of the man's chest. ”Thank you for intervening. Are you the leader of Krypton?”
The scientist laughed, surprised by the question. ”No, no. I am Jor-El-a scientist, not a politician.”
”I see, yes. Then you and I have much in common.” Donodon craned his neck and faced the Council again. ”I think I will continue my discussions with this man.” It did not sound like a request.
The old Council Head was taken aback. Several of the other members muttered, all of them looking pale, few of them having the nerve-Zod wasn't surprised-to do anything.
Jor-El looked from the amazing visitor up to the governing body. ”Council Members, I will take Donodon to my estate. There I will keep him safe.”
”And the people of Kandor will be safe as well,” Pol-Ev said.
”Why yes,” Jor-El said. ”Yes, they will.” Moving briskly, as if certain the Council would change its mind if given enough time to do so, the scientist bowed formally to Jul-Us, then to the audience of rapt Kryptonians, and then ushered the diminutive alien out of the great hall.
Zod was already on his feet and rus.h.i.+ng to the private Council chambers. He did not dare give them the chance to ruin this if they were allowed to make their own decisions.
Most of the audience had streamed out of the great temple, buzzing with conversation. They watched as Jor-El and Donodon went to the alien's compact stars.h.i.+p, already talking so intently with each other they barely noticed the awed crowd that followed them.
The eleven members of the Council were left alone, having allowed control of the situation to slip through their fingers. Retreating, Jul-Us quickly called them all to meet him in his s.p.a.cious private chambers-as the Commissioner had known the old man would.
He gave them enough time to convene there. Then he strode down the hall to the tall closed doors covered with patterned yellow metal. As boldly as Jor-El had strode into the speaking hall, Zod flung open the doors and stood framed in the entry to the crowded room.
The eleven members turned toward him in a panic, as if he were brandis.h.i.+ng a weapon. Zod just smiled. ”You have much to fear,” he said.
He knew that without his help they would continue their ”discussions”-bickering, sharing paranoias, and wallowing in helpless despair. Zod expected nothing better from the eleven incompetents.
”Commissioner, this is a private session,” Kor-Te said, swallowing hard to cover his own anxiety.
”Relating to a very public problem.” Without being invited, he stepped into the chamber and closed the doors behind him. ”Naturally, you are worried about what Jor-El and that alien might do together.”
”We should have stopped them from leaving. We should have commanded Jor-El to stay!” said Jun-Do, a mousy Council member who seemed very brave now that he was safe in this closed room.
”It is too late for that,” Zod said. You should have thought to issue some sort of command during the original meeting, You should have thought to issue some sort of command during the original meeting, he added silently, he added silently, but you were all too afraid. but you were all too afraid. He understood that their greatest fear was the fear of change itself. He had been disgusted with the ineffectual leaders before, and now their actions ( He understood that their greatest fear was the fear of change itself. He had been disgusted with the ineffectual leaders before, and now their actions (inactions!) only reinforced his opinion. How his father would have been sick with disappointment. ”But I can offer you an alternative.”
He could almost hear their indrawn breath. Jul-Us looked at him with an expression full of appreciation. ”What is it, Commissioner?”
”Jor-El and this alien will be sharing information, discussing technologies. Donodon's s.h.i.+p itself is a scientific marvel. Since I am head of the Commission for Technology Acceptance, I should be there. I will go to Jor-El's estate and observe what they are doing. Let me take care of it.” He applied one of his practiced smiles. ”With your permission?”
Jul-Us did not need to consult his fellow members. ”Please do so.”
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