Beyond the atmosphere, aboard the space base.
The cold metallic structure of the base was vast and empty. Mechanical soldiers, their sensors glowing red, flew throughout the base. They carried out repairs and began constructing an Earth-facing fortress to monitor and protect the planet.
This space base would serve as the first line of defense against extraterrestrial invasions of Earth.
Bardi stood on the platform, dressed in a white trench coat. His deep gaze pierced into the cosmos, as though he could see across light-years of deep space. Out there, a massive, dark Kryptonian spacecraft was traveling at faster-than-light speed, closing in to occupy the planet that Bardi now called his own.
Zod's ambition was to turn Earth into the next Krypton.
Mechanical soldiers hovered and moved constantly, busy building up this first defensive stronghold. Giant particle beam cannons were erected. Star-destroying weapons, antimatter annihilation cannons, positron cannons, negative particle disintegration star cannons, and a protective force field based on the Earth's magical array were all being assembled.
In the end, this space base did not transform into a 3,000-meter-tall Gundam mecha, despite Bardi's interest.
Its original combat form resembled a mechanical jellyfish. Forcing it into a humanoid form would require complex mechanical folding and particle realignment, resulting in wasted power and a weakened defense. It was not worth the trade-off.
A green-skinned sentinel floated over, her body covered with ports like headphone jacks. Black voids formed her eyes, through which streams of data and arc circuit information flowed.
She came to stand behind Bardi.
"Master, cold-type Hera has been stationed on Paradise Island. She successfully detected and restored the magical barrier left by Zeus."
"The uploaded Amazonian magic tomes have also been incorporated into the Earth's arcane formation."
Brainiac's sentinel system had been completely dismantled by Bardi. Hera now occupied the base's central system, taking full advantage of its ultra-advanced hardware. This boosted her computational ability to monstrous levels.
Each proton in this body functioned as a supercomputer. With over four trillion protons, the sentinel body could perform calculations from the genetic level, analyze talents and potentials, and even trace tachyon particle flow to predict biological future outcomes.
It was a terrifyingly powerful body, designed for artificial intelligence.
Using it with an emotionless sentinel program would be a waste.
Only Hera, an emotional AI, could unleash the full potential of this vessel.
It was believed that even in Brainiac's hands, this sentinel would be considered a top-tier creation, perhaps even built from Brainiac's own cosmic-level technology.
"Mm."
Bardi responded mildly, then casually said, "Change this body."
This supercomputer form, with its countless jacks and green skin, was visually disturbing.
Bardi didn't suffer from trypophobia, but he still found it unpleasant to look at.
"Yes, Master. I have prepared several new forms. I guarantee satisfaction and will spare no effort."
Hera spoke solemnly.
"That's not what I meant," Bardi said calmly. He knew Hera had always been attentive to his intimate life, even preparing various Hera-type pleasure bodies for him.
He had never used any of them.
"I understand. I will especially reinforce the lower torso, capable of withstanding repeated supersonic fluid impacts. Rest assured, Master."
Hera nodded firmly, clearly and repeatedly affirming her understanding.
She completely understood the unknown G-spot of her master.
Bardi cast a speechless glance at Hera, then turned his gaze back to Earth, dropping the subject.
At the same time, Deathstroke and the glamorous Hera uploaded intelligence from the Earth Nations Alliance and the Amazons.
On Deathstroke's side, the national regimes Bardi was in the process of overtaking were now plotting counterattacks.
Meanwhile, the Amazon Queen, aiming to preserve her people's culture, traditions, and way of life while serving as warriors under Bardi, submitted several clever proposals. These included shifting religious beliefs, redirecting hatred, transferring the crown, and even marrying off her daughter.
It could be said that Hippolyta had gone to great lengths to protect both her people and her daughter.
In the coming days, it would be Atlantis that would serve as the scapegoat for both Paradise Island and the Barmulodi Group.
Hippolyta's political maneuvering… was impressively skillful.
"Marry off her daughter?"
Bardi's expression twisted slightly. In an instant, he understood Hippolyta's calculated plan. By maintaining the Amazons' standing while also offering Diana as Bardi's wife, she secured Amazon's future.
Through Diana, the Amazons would become Bardi's soldiers, under his control. At the same time, Diana's status as Bardi's wife would afford her—and the Amazons—some level of security.
Did Hippolyta assume Bardi intended to keep Diana imprisoned and use her as leverage?
Given the complexity of Amazonian ideology and their warrior pride, this was likely the best outcome Hippolyta could devise. It was the most she could hope for.
However, Bardi didn't need someone else arranging his marriage.
Bardi's eyes turned cold. He was quite displeased with Hippolyta's manipulation.
With his current power and influence, he had no need for marriage, no need for compromise, and certainly no need for someone to dictate his choices.
That would be courting death.
He never intended to treat Diana as a mere research subject. Bardi valued her combat strength.
After all, Diana could lead the Amazon warriors and become a formidable part of his military force.
As for becoming his wife... Heh. Get lost.
"Master, Lady Raven is requesting an audience."
Suddenly, Hera reported from beside him.
Bardi turned back thoughtfully, nodded, and said, "Perfect. I was planning to consult Raven on setting up Earth's protective barrier."
"Tomorrow, I will take Diana to Paradise Island and leave the Emperor's Mansion. Give them the opportunity they've been waiting for. You, Deathstroke, and Lex—take that time to eliminate the pests in one day."
"Once tomorrow ends, we'll seize control of all nations on Earth."
"I want all Earth's resources at my disposal."
"After tomorrow, there will be only one empire on Earth."
Bardi looked down at Earth, a faint smile on his lips. His fingertips lightly brushed the planet's hologram, as if toying with the sphere.
The Earth, at this moment, had no power left to resist his rule.
Nearly a decade of mass-produced Kryptonian warriors had raised the planet's technological level by leaps and bounds. Hidden personnel embedded in every country had become the key to Bardi's global domination, enabling him to take control with minimal civilian casualties.
Once the final resistance was eliminated tomorrow, everything—every nation—would become history.
(To be continued.)
***
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