"So, you're a Saiyan? Are you really choosing to oppose the Kree Empire?" The Supreme Intelligence's holographic projection asked Robert with a heavy tone as Roman looked on, unsure of what to say.
"I've already fought my way here. Why do you think I'd just turn back now?" Robert replied, frowning as he tried to pinpoint the Supreme Intelligence's actual location.
Yet, despite his efforts, Robert couldn't find any sign of it—not even a trace of energy. This raised his guard as he guessed that the Supreme Intelligence was possibly the Kree Empire's trump card.
A being that radiated no energy was anything but simple. In fact, it could be even more dangerous than those with powerful auras because it was impossible for Robert to gauge its abilities or general power level by sensing energy alone.
In truth, Robert was curious about the Supreme Intelligence's capabilities. After all, it had completely overpowered the AI on this starship, which had been a considerable feat. Even after Roman had tried multiple times, he couldn't regain control of the AI, showing that the Supreme Intelligence must have an impressive hold over technology.
This sort of control fascinated Robert, as it was an entirely unfamiliar field—something that didn't seem like it could be mastered by any ordinary lifeform.
Just as Robert finished speaking, he sensed a probing force directed at him. This invasive energy wasn't coming from a distance; it was directly from the Supreme Intelligence itself. This implied that the Supreme Intelligence had not only suppressed the starship's AI but had taken total control of it.
Such an ability was impressive, almost a perfect countermeasure against technology-based civilizations. Although the Supreme Intelligence's power wasn't physically overwhelming, any technologically advanced civilization would find it hard to fight back against these methods. In an instant, Robert realized the Supreme Intelligence's abilities could be invaluable in countering Skrull infiltration.
With AI issuing orders, the Kree could prevent the Skrulls from obtaining any critical intelligence. They could even invade Skrull starships and harvest data, making their covert operations even harder to detect than the Skrulls themselves. This explained the catastrophic losses suffered by the Skrull Empire under the Kree's relentless pursuit, nearly bringing the Skrulls to extinction.
From studying the Kree-Skrull War, Robert concluded that the Kree Empire didn't have many true powerhouses aside from the Supreme Intelligence. Most likely, the Supreme Intelligence hid in a safe location, remotely overseeing the war, which is why the Skrulls hadn't been able to copy its abilities to turn the tide.
"Could it be that this guy isn't even in this star system? The range of its abilities would be immense then," Robert thought as he expanded his awareness, still unable to detect any sign of the Supreme Intelligence. "If it were that easy to find, the Skrulls would've probably succeeded already…"
"A strong physique... According to my records, only Doken has a physical strength superior to his. Every cell in his body contains an astounding amount of energy. What species could he be?" The Supreme Intelligence mused while scanning Robert's body.
"Pity he's not a Kryptonian," the Supreme Intelligence continued to itself. "I have data and clones of Kryptonians here. If he were one, a red sun could deal with him easily enough. I wonder if he has any particular weakness... like perhaps his tail?"
As Robert searched for the Supreme Intelligence's true body, it scanned him thoroughly, quickly analyzing his DNA. Kryptonians, despite their potential, had never fully understood their powers. Even at its height, the Kryptonian civilization mostly relied on technology for combat, similar to the Kree Empire.
Yet some lucky Kryptonians occasionally stumbled upon a yellow sun, transforming into beings with god-like powers, unrivaled even across the universe. Such powerful individuals were challenging for most civilizations to handle. But for the Supreme Intelligence, with its technological mastery and data-processing capabilities, acquiring and understanding all Kryptonian intelligence was just a matter of time.
With Krypton now destroyed, the Supreme Intelligence mass-produced a legion of Kryptonian clones, who, in the wake of Krypton's demise, became the guardians of the Kree Empire. In a way, Hala, the Kree homeworld, preserved the Kryptonian legacy even more than Earth.
Robert suddenly paused as he sensed something familiar—not a person he knew, but a power he recognized: Kryptonian energy.
Initially, it was faint, barely distinguishable from an ordinary Kree. But then, it surged, drawing energy similar to that of the sun, reaching nearly Fiona's level.
"You cloned Kryptonians?" Robert asked, a cold edge in his voice as he looked at the Supreme Intelligence.
"You detected it already? He's only just been empowered!" The Supreme Intelligence looked at Robert intently, now understanding that Robert possessed extraordinary perceptive abilities and was probably trying to locate its true body.
"Empowered, huh? So that's why I didn't sense him before," Robert noted as he processed this new information. In a flash, he disappeared and reappeared beside the newly-activated Kryptonian.
"What? Spatial abilities? Impossible! Hala is under full spatial lockdown. How could he teleport inside?" The Supreme Intelligence exclaimed, visibly rattled. Allowing such a powerful being access to Hala was a significant concern, especially given that its analysis indicated this Kryptonian was no match for Robert. This clone had only been a test to see if Robert's tail might be a weakness.
The Supreme Intelligence's original plan had been to deploy a massive army of Kryptonian clones if Robert was too powerful for a single one. It had hoped sheer numbers would overwhelm him, all while preventing him from reaching Hala's inner core or, worse, the Supreme Intelligence itself.
"I didn't realize he could use teleportation even with the spatial barriers in place. I assumed he'd take a ship to reach Hala," Roman mumbled nervously.
"Your offenses will be dealt with later. Pray that Hala survives this battle!" the Supreme Intelligence snapped coldly, casting a scornful glance at Roman.
Meanwhile, Robert found himself inside an underground lab on Hala, surrounded by rows of Kryptonian clones. Most were still submerged in nutrient tanks, yet to awaken. Only one was out, lying on an examination table, absorbing rays of artificial light.
With their technology, the Kree had learned to harness and replicate the energy of stars, even simulating it for specialized use. Under the energy's effect, the Kryptonian's power grew rapidly.
As Robert entered, the light on the Kryptonian dimmed, and, as if receiving some command, the clone flew off the table and charged at Robert in a crazed assault.
"Immediate response to commands? The Supreme Intelligence's control is impressive," Robert observed calmly as he sidestepped the clone's punch and sent it flying with a powerful kick.
The lab was made of special materials renowned for their resilience throughout the galaxy. However, the Kryptonian clone's impact was too much; the walls cracked and several nutrient tanks shattered. Unlike the empowered Kryptonian, the others were still weak, vulnerable as mere mortals. The force of impact reduced them to nothing more than bloody pools mixed with nutrient fluid, staining the floor a deep, unsettling red.
"Saiyan, it seems you're determined to make an enemy of the Kree Empire," the Supreme Intelligence projected into the lab, its tone grim.
"At first, I wasn't too intent on destroying your empire. But after seeing these Kryptonian experiments, I can't hold back. I despise these monstrosities," Robert said coldly as he struck down the charging clone with a single punch.
"You have ties to the Kryptonians?" the Supreme Intelligence asked, catching on to Robert's remark. Yet Robert's energy and physique didn't match any Kryptonian data, leaving the Supreme Intelligence puzzled.
While it spoke, it activated the lab's surrounding machinery, which began emitting rays similar to sunlight to revive the Kryptonian clones forcibly.
Suddenly, a massive explosion erupted in the lab, consuming everything in a storm of destruction. The shockwave wiped out all technology in the vicinity, cutting off the Supreme Intelligence's projection.
The explosion didn't just impact the lab. Soldiers and robots positioned outside were obliterated, and the tremor shook all of Hala. Since rising to dominance, the Kree Empire had made Hala into a fortified, resilient world, immune to natural disasters and entirely controlled by the Kree.
For years, the Kree had forgotten what an earthquake felt like, dismissing it as a relic of ancient times. Fortunately, Hala's architecture, built to last, held firm, protecting the Kree within.
Yet, this was only the beginning of Hala's devastation. The Kree Empire could never have foreseen that the very civilization they'd raised to the peak of the universe would face an annihilation brought by a lone invader.
"Damn you, Saiyan! Wait... such a terrifying energy level?" The Supreme Intelligence's enraged voice faltered as it detected an immense energy surge capable of destroying the reinforced Hala.
"No! Are there any Kryptonian clones left? Mobilize the mechanical corps and Kree soldiers! They must stop him, even at the cost of their lives, to deplete his energy!" it commanded urgently.
The nearest Kryptonian clone, battered but still functioning, lunged at Robert. Robert noticed that it was mindless, driven only by a program controlling its actions.
Alongside the clone, swarms of robotic soldiers charged toward him, sacrificing themselves in a futile attempt to weaken his Ki blast. Only a few Kree soldiers joined in, many already terrified beyond reason by the sight of Robert.
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