The lunar surface was pockmarked with craters.
In one circular crater facing away from Earth, there sat a space base that appeared smaller than a model, not even tall enough to reach ankle height. A simulation of the lunar environment shielded this miniature base, and within it, robots smaller than ants moved continuously in flight.
The base wasn't actually smaller than a model. Instead, Brainiac's researched shrink ray had reduced it millions of times. Hidden in plain sight, it monitored Earth and gathered data.
When Brainiac's main body arrived, it would select valuable cities, objects, and lifeforms to shrink and store for observation.
This was an outpost. Brainiac's lunar forward base.
Brainiac, an artificial intelligence born from a comet's core, evolved over time through self-replication and continuous upgrades. Not only had it developed formidable abilities, it also evolved greed, jealousy, and a need for control. It eventually wiped out the scientists of Colu, the planet that created him, and destroyed the planet itself—becoming the enemy of all life.
Brainiac possessed twelfth-level intelligence, making it one of the most intelligent entities in the DC Universe.
After annihilating its home planet, Brainiac began a journey across the universe, driven by intense curiosity and a desire to observe everything.
Its most iconic method: using a shrink ray to miniaturize a planet's prominent cities, seal them in glass jars, and study the lifeforms within.
Brainiac had countless outposts scattered across the universe. These stations were always on the lookout for life-bearing planets to conquer, destroy, and collect.
Now, Earth had caught its attention by accident.
Due to a change caused by the Flash, one of Brainiac's Earth-based reconnaissance chips was unintentionally triggered, activating this lunar outpost to further investigate Earth and identify a suitable city for collection.
Inside the shrunken space base—
Boom... boom...
A series of explosions lit up like matches igniting in the dark. To the outside world, this miniature base looked like nothing more than sparks.
But to the two Kryptonian reconnaissance soldiers inside, these were earth-shattering blasts.
"Captain, did you blow up their reactor?"
The scout crouched behind a metal wall, eyes wide in disbelief. Jamie, thinner than most Kryptonians, had only received clearance to serve a month ago. He had followed his experienced captain on lunar reconnaissance missions for several years.
This was meant to be routine. But unexpectedly, they had stumbled upon this tiny space base behind the moon. During their investigation, they were accidentally miniaturized by one of the base's robots and had been fleeing ever since.
"Yes!"
"His Majesty said to destroy the vital point of the Dragon's Nest directly."
Captain Larkin, a rugged man with a full beard, exuded maturity and calm. He was a charming, composed figure.
Facing Jamie's admiring gaze, he brushed off the earlier danger of being chased by robots and nearly vaporized by a Molecular Disintegration Gun. He nodded, accepting the praise with ease.
"Captain Larkin, you're amazing. You remembered His Majesty's battle doctrine perfectly."
Jamie praised him with admiration. His Majesty's words were so wise. Even from 405,493 kilometers away on Earth, his spirit reached the captain, offering him divine guidance in the heart of the enemy base.
Captain Larkin paused and nodded again in agreement.
"His Majesty said that good men don't linger near collapsing walls. Let's get out of here first."
Larkin scanned the area. His vision detected nearby robots. He quickly grabbed Jamie, activated the standard arcane stealth tech on their wrist devices, and vanished from the enemy's detection rays.
Sure enough, a robot passed right by the wall they had just been behind, searching.
Jamie was amazed. This was his first mission, and the captain had already impressed him. His Majesty's strategies were incredible, and the captain executed them perfectly.
"Captain Larkin, what do we do now? What does His Majesty say?"
Jamie looked up eagerly.
Captain Larkin narrowed his eyes, stroked his beard, and said, "His Majesty said, fish can be caught in troubled waters."
Jamie's body jolted with excitement. His eyes lit up as he shouted, "I get it! We're going to find the mastermind behind this mysterious little base, take them down, capture them, and bring them to His Majesty to kneel and confess His Majesty's greatness!"
The slender Jamie was trembling with passion. He hadn't expected such a major discovery on his first mission, led by a captain who perfectly understood His Majesty's strategic wisdom. They were about to destroy this secret base.
Captain Larkin's face stiffened. That wasn't what he meant. This rookie was too enthusiastic. The kind of person who rushed into battle would be the first to die and drag others down with him.
"No. His Majesty said, know your place."
"We're scouts. Reconnaissance is our priority. We locate the shrink ray that restores size, return ourselves to full scale, exit the base, and report everything to His Majesty."
Captain Larkin glared sternly at Jamie. He needed to shut down this reckless energy. A hot-blooded fool seeking glory would only die a meaningless death and endanger the whole team.
Jamie's body trembled. Realizing his fantasy had crossed the line, he swallowed his enthusiasm and answered seriously, "Yes, Captain! That was my mistake."
He had let his excitement cloud his duty. He had forgotten his role.
Captain Larkin nodded in approval. The fool was teachable. The veteran captain continued to guide his subordinate.
"His Majesty said, make noise in the east and strike in the west. Jamie, go east and make some noise to draw attention. I'll sneak in and retrieve the shrink ray."
Jamie nodded solemnly and replied with conviction, "Yes, Captain! I'll use my life to cover your mission. Did His Majesty say anything else?"
For a moment, the mood turned solemn and heroic.
Captain Larkin's expression grew heavy. Jamie might not survive this. The enemy's decomposition lasers were deadly, and Larkin suddenly felt the weight of this sacrifice.
"His Majesty said, you won't die."
Larkin's voice was hoarse as he looked at the young scout, his eyes full of silent sorrow.
Jamie saluted with a firm strike to his chest, then rushed east with resolve, making loud noise to lure the enemy machines.
"I will always trust His Majesty!"
(To be continued.)
***
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