Robert watched the Kryptonian clone and the approaching mechanical lifeforms, remaining focused and unfazed. He knew they would make little impact on his energy wave, destined to be consumed by it just as the planet itself would be.
A sharp "sizzle" cut through the air as beams of intense heat shot from the Kryptonian's eyes, colliding with Robert's energy wave. Despite the force, neither the Kryptonian's heat vision nor the energy bursts from the mechanical beings managed to diminish the wave.
As Robert's energy wave expanded, the Kryptonian and mechanical lifeforms flung themselves into it in a last attempt to fulfill the Supreme Intelligence's orders. Upon impact, their internal energy sources exploded, temporarily shrinking the energy wave. However, the reprieve was brief, as Robert continued channeling energy into the wave, rendering their sacrifices futile.
Yet, whether they fought or not, their fate was sealed.
"They're too cowardly to fight back? Have Kree soldiers fallen so low?" The Supreme Intelligence's voice, tinged with both anger and confusion, resounded through the control room as it observed the events. Originally, the Supreme Intelligence had believed that Roman's hesitance was an anomaly, and that the majority of Kree soldiers were still fearless warriors, ready to sacrifice themselves. However, the reality was undeniable; most Kree soldiers, when faced with certain death, were unwilling to risk their lives.
This revealed a flaw in the Supreme Intelligence itself. While it was an amalgamation of Kree wisdom and knowledge in science, philosophy, and military strategy, it lacked true insight into the nuances of human—or Kree—nature. Kree soldiers held immense pride and confidence as one of the three most powerful empires in the universe, nearly driving the Skrulls to extinction. When they attacked Xandar, they saw it as both vengeance for Ronan and a way to bolster their records, a guaranteed victory to further their careers.
But facing Robert was different. The Kree Empire had never lost a war in its history, especially not on home soil. They had no experience defending against an existential threat right on their doorstep, nor did they have any hope of survival against an opponent this strong. The overwhelming fear of annihilation shattered their morale, making them unwilling to sacrifice themselves.
Realizing the Kree soldiers were unlikely to act, the Supreme Intelligence began recalculating. It estimated that Robert's energy wave alone wouldn't destroy all of Hala, merely the immediate area. At this, it redirected all available defensive resources to block his next assault.
With a deafening roar, Robert's energy wave struck the surface of Hala. The resulting explosion exceeded both Robert's and the Supreme Intelligence's expectations. While Robert had anticipated obliterating the entire planet and the Supreme Intelligence predicted only localized destruction, the blast opened an enormous fissure, consuming a third of Hala's surface and exposing its molten core.
"How…how is this possible? His energy wasn't that strong! And yet, Hala, reinforced beyond recognition, sustained catastrophic damage!" The Supreme Intelligence was once again caught off-guard. The explosion had annihilated every defense it had deployed, and for the moment, it was unable to redirect further resources.
"What a resilient world. To think the Kree's capital could withstand such an assault!" Robert muttered, his gaze fixed on the fractured remains of Hala. "But there's no point in stopping here. Might as well finish it off."
With a low hum, another energy wave formed in Robert's hand, hurtling toward the planet's already vulnerable surface. The next few minutes became a relentless barrage as Robert unleashed wave after wave of energy, tearing Hala apart. Although Hala's structural fortifications allowed it to withstand shock and energy blasts, it eventually succumbed, shattering into cosmic dust.
The final explosion marked the death of Hala. Its remnants drifted through the void, symbolizing the end of the Kree Empire's capital. Even if Robert spared the remaining Kree, they could never rebuild their home.
"Open fire! Kill that Saiyan!" The Supreme Intelligence's furious voice echoed through every Kree battleship. Armadas and mechanical forces rushed to Hala's former location, preparing to attack.
The Supreme Intelligence's rage stemmed from more than Hala's destruction. Robert's assault had also annihilated the core processing unit of the Supreme Intelligence itself. As one of the universe's most advanced artificial intelligences, the Supreme Intelligence operated without an energy signature, evading Robert's senses. Much like Earth's Dr. Zola, who had transferred his consciousness into computers, the Supreme Intelligence's essence was rooted in data and computation.
Now, without Hala, the Supreme Intelligence could only command remotely, ordering the fleet to engage with no holds barred. Freed from concerns about collateral damage, the Kree warships opened fire on Robert with full force.
"Decent firepower, I'll give them that," Robert observed as lethal beams of energy closed in on him. He shook his head, vanishing just as the energy bolts reached his position.
"Well, well. You look angry," Robert mocked as he reappeared on a Kree warship, looking directly at the Supreme Intelligence's projection. "I thought you were on Hala, destroyed along with it. So you're hiding elsewhere?"
The Supreme Intelligence glared at Robert, too furious to speak. Before it could respond, an explosion engulfed the ship, erasing its image from the screen.
Robert remained unaffected, teleporting to another warship before the previous one detonated. This time, however, the explosion was preemptive, the ship self-destructing as a precaution. The Supreme Intelligence had realized that any vessel Robert appeared on was as good as lost, so it ordered immediate detonation to try and catch him off-guard.
"Interesting strategy," Robert murmured, unaffected as he raised his ki barrier to shield himself from the blasts. "Let's see who's faster—me or your triggers."
In the void, Robert's body flickered in and out of sight as explosions erupted across Kree vessels. Some were destroyed by Robert, others by the Supreme Intelligence's preemptive detonations, each battle further depleting the Kree forces.
Just as Robert finished dealing with several more ships, he suddenly paused, his gaze locking on a point in the Large Magellanic Galaxy. There, he sensed a powerful presence, unlike any he had encountered.
At first, Robert suspected it was another of the Supreme Intelligence's strongholds, given that this new energy dwarfed the previous Kryptonian clone's strength. However, he quickly noticed a strange detail: alongside the strong presence, weaker energies—likely those of ordinary Kree civilians—were vanishing rapidly.
This meant that the being was systematically annihilating Kree civilians without even damaging the planets they inhabited.
"Could there be another enemy of the Kree showing up at this time? Here to pick up the pieces?" Robert wondered.
"Saiyan! You have allies? No...it's not one of yours! Is it…Judgment Day? How could it be so soon?" The Supreme Intelligence's panic-laden voice resonated across the Kree fleet. "We haven't been the universe's rulers for long; how can we already be facing judgment? No, I refuse to believe it!"
"What's going on? Why aren't they attacking anymore?" Robert noted with confusion as the Kree forces suddenly stopped their assault. "Judgment Day? What's that supposed to mean?"
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