Part 22 (2/2)
”I do my best, Commissioner.” Lara couldn't think of anything else to say.
”If only everyone did. I was very pleased with your portrait of Jor-El out at his estate. You truly captured his heart, his nature, his soul.” Zod's eyes flashed as he half rose from his chair. ”It's imperative that you do the same for me.”
”Please don't move, Commissioner.” She swallowed hard and tried to focus on her work. ”I'd like to capture that expression.” Lara could never portray the same depth of n.o.bility in a portrait of Zod because she simply didn't see it in him. He wanted a flattering likeness, yet Lara saw too much in him that was un unflattering.
She wiped her brow, set down the pigments, and pressed a hand against the small of her back. Because of her growing pregnancy, she frequently had to s.h.i.+ft position. Her stomach was now obviously rounded. At least the bouts of morning sickness had mostly pa.s.sed. She poured herself a gla.s.s of cool water from a pitcher and quickly poured a second gla.s.s, which she offered to Zod first.
He accepted the water without thanks and frowned impatiently. ”You took a break not long ago. My portrait must be on display for the public unveiling of the completed government palace in two days.”
”It will be finished, Commissioner.” Lara took a long drink, gathered her resolve, and returned to painting.
As if locked into place, Zod immediately a.s.sumed the same pose as before. ”Since I have you here, I will tell you more of my personal background for your historical chronicle.” Lara continued to work studiously on her painting. She had written some pages in the official doc.u.ment Zod had requested, but she spent more time jotting down unfiltered-and much more critical-impressions in her private journal. He continued, ”Understanding my personality is the key to properly describing my actions and motivations. Generations from now, people will read your account of me, so it is imperative that you grasp how my mind works.”
”I'm writing a history, Commissioner, not a biography.”
”If it is a representative account of the most pivotal events, then my story must be your main focus. I suggest you start with a brief description of the life of my father. Cor-Zod was the greatest man ever to serve on the Kryptonian Council, and certainly the last effective one. I am following in his footsteps.”
”Should I include some background on your mother as well? For balance?”
”Not necessary. Your chronicle will be long and detailed as it is, so let us concentrate on the important influences in my life.”
Holding back a retort, Lara made a long, thick brushstroke in the background of the portrait. She felt a twinge in her abdomen, as if her unborn baby were also reacting to the chauvinistic comment.
Zod talked at great length about his father, crediting Cor-Zod with virtually every important decision the Council had made in the last fifty years. ”I should have been the heir to my father's legacy, but I was cheated out of my rightful position on the Council. The other members accepted bribes or promoted cronies rather than valuing a truly competent man.”
Unconsciously, he ran a finger along the line of his cheek. ”Many people say I look just like my father. When we unveiled my statue, I felt as if I were looking at him again.” He flashed a glance at Lara, who had frozen in her painting. ”I get the impression you don't entirely approve of that statue. Why?”
Lara quickly searched for an acceptable answer. ”The statue is a fine work. Yet by its very nature it seems...presumptuous. History has not yet issued its verdict on what you are doing.”
Zod's face was as stony as that of his statue. ”That is why I instructed you to write the history-to ensure that the verdict is favorable.”
”You seem quite certain of me, Commissioner.”
”How can I not be certain? I stood by your husband in his time of greatest need. I performed your marriage ceremony. Our bond is very close.” He didn't speak the words, but she could hear it in his voice: You owe it to me. You owe it to me.
”I see your point.” Lately, she and Jor-El had been uncomfortably aware of additional Sapphire Guards, even members of the Ring of Strength, watching them, taking a close interest in their movements and activities. It made Lara very uneasy.
”And you see how unfairly I am treated by those who oppose me. So many ignorant dissidents!” His voice grew strident as he stood from his desk; Lara didn't chide him to resume his pose. ”Did you know that Shor-Em has expelled all of my supporters from Borga City? He chased them into the swamps, just as he did to his own brother!” He sniffed in indignation. ”So speaking one's opinion is now punishable by exile! Is that the sort of Krypton they wish to have, a fascist state?” He shook his head. ”If we could take care of only a few main ringleaders, I am confident this ill-advised resistance would crumble.”
”Take care of them? What-what do you mean?”
He caught himself, then belatedly chuckled. ”I simply wish I could talk directly with my critics. I know know I am doing the right thing for Krypton. And thanks to your chronicle, others will see it as well.” I am doing the right thing for Krypton. And thanks to your chronicle, others will see it as well.”
Lara concluded that she could do no more work on the portrait. Though she had not intended it, her painting had captured a darkness about Zod-an expression of implacable calculation and hauteur. Nervous about what his reaction might be, she turned the work toward him. ”It's finished, Commissioner.”
He pondered the painting for a long moment. ”Quite adequate. You have captured my true essence. It will go on display immediately in the government palace.” He folded his hands at his desk. ”Now that this project is complete, I am anxious to read a draft of your history.”
”The events themselves haven't finished unfolding yet, Commissioner.”
”I am merely referring to volume one. We must establish the facts and begin disseminating them.”
CHAPTER 59.
Though he had grave concerns about the Commissioner, Zor-El wasn't convinced that Shor-Em and his councilmen could solve the world's problems, either. The self-absorbed n.o.bles didn't seem to be much of an improvement over the oblivious old Council. Despite this, he agreed to sign their defiant declaration against Zod. Given the situation, it seemed imperative. about the Commissioner, Zor-El wasn't convinced that Shor-Em and his councilmen could solve the world's problems, either. The self-absorbed n.o.bles didn't seem to be much of an improvement over the oblivious old Council. Despite this, he agreed to sign their defiant declaration against Zod. Given the situation, it seemed imperative.
Then he returned to Argo City to explain to all his people what he had done. And why.
Even before resting or changing his travel clothes, he called a meeting of the citizenry in the central fountain square. For those who could not attend in person, his image and words were projected on the faceted crystal walls of strategically located public buildings.
”When I look around me today, I no longer see my Krypton,” Zor-El said to the attentive audience. ”No one can deny that the Council in Kandor made serious mistakes in their naivete and lethargy, but I won't correct old mistakes by making new ones. No tyrant can ever restore our civilization. The people who are hypnotized by Zod's charisma and fearmongering must be shown the truth. He has removed many of his critics, but I will not be silenced!”
Around him, the air was heady with the scent of blooming flowers. Alura stood by his side, as always, and now his mother had also come to live with them. Over the past two months, Charys had settled comfortably in Argo City.
He continued his speech. ”I have clear evidence that Commissioner Zod's overzealous followers have committed grave crimes, perhaps even murder. Other leaders who spoke out against him have been kidnapped or killed. One of my close friends has vanished-it was the only way Zod could ensure his silence.”
Worried muttering rippled through the crowd. ”The evidence is simply too alarming to ignore, and so I have come to a difficult decision: Those who disseminate Zod's propaganda are no longer welcome in Argo City. They must leave, voluntarily or by force. I have to draw the line, take a stand.” He nodded sternly. No one in the audience argued with him.
”Since our normal city guard is not equipped to meet this challenge, I call upon the rest of my citizens to form a Society of Vigilance. All of us must watch for threats from Commissioner Zod. He wants no organized resistance to his rule.”
”So how do we stand up against him?” called an older leathery-skinned man from the audience. Zor-El recognized him as a wealthy fisherman who owned five s.h.i.+ps, two of which had been destroyed by the tsunami.
”But we have no army!” said someone else. ”And you can bet Zod is gathering one. While we're trying to rebuild Argo City, he's preparing for war.”
”War on Krypton?” a young man said in a high voice filled with disbelief. ”A civil war?”
Zor-El said, ”Shor-Em is about to issue a declaration challenging the Commissioner for leaders.h.i.+p. Many other cities, towns, and villages are also rejecting the authority of Kryptonopolis. Here in Argo City, I declare that we are an independent city-state. We do not accept the rule of Zod.”
As soon as he spoke the words, Zor-El knew he had stepped across a line and dragged all his people along with him. He had thrown down a gauntlet that Commissioner Zod could not ignore.
Argo City had to be ready.
CHAPTER 60.
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