LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 42: Incoming Invasion
Ethan stood atop a famous Metropolis landmark, his silvery suit gleaming faintly under the city lights. The bustling city below seemed unaware of the intense battle that had unfolded earlier. His cape fluttered gently in the evening breeze as he gazed at the skyline, his mind replaying the encounter with Metallo.
"Helios," he said, his voice calm but commanding, "status report on the city's current situation."
Helios's voice came through his earpiece, steady and precise. "The city is stabilizing. Emergency services are addressing the aftermath of the Metallo incident. However, there is something unusual on the internet. Multiple coordinated attempts are being made to extract detailed information about you."
Ethan's brows furrowed. "Someone's digging into me? Reverse track them, Helios. I want to know who they are."
"Yes, sir. Beginning reverse-trace protocols now," Helios replied.
Ethan waited in silence, his gaze scanning the city. A few moments later, Helios spoke again, this time with a hint of urgency.
"Sir, I've identified the source. The attempts are originating from a highly secured network. I've infiltrated their systems but encountered significant resistance. Whoever they are, they're well-protected."
Ethan smirked, a mixture of curiosity and frustration crossing his face. "So, they're not amateurs. Can you extract anything before they shut you out?"
"I've managed to retrieve fragments of data," Helios said. "The organization is called Cadmus. Their goals include monitoring, controlling, and potentially neutralizing metahuman threats. I've also uncovered the names of a few projects they're working on, but their full scope remains elusive. I was forced out before I could gather more."
"Cadmus," Ethan murmured, the name rolling off his tongue like a threat. "Keep monitoring their digital activity. If they're bold enough to come after me, I want to know everything about them."
Just then, a familiar figure descended from the sky. Superman landed beside Ethan with a soft thud, his red cape billowing as he straightened.
"Ethan," Superman greeted, his tone a mix of concern and curiosity. "I heard about what happened with Metallo. What's the situation now?"
Ethan turned to face him, arms crossed. "Metallo's retreating for now, but it's clear he's just a pawn in a bigger game. He's dangerous, but not invincible. His Kryptonite core didn't affect me, which gave me an edge in our fight. Still, it's concerning. Someone's pulling his strings."
Superman frowned. "You think it's connected to Cadmus?"
"Without a doubt," Ethan replied. "Helios traced the activity back to them. They've been trying to dig up information on me, but we pushed back. They're not just some random organization—they're organized, resourceful, and dangerous. I advise you to be careful. Whoever they are, they clearly have the means to create weapons like Metallo. And if they're targeting me, you can bet they're targeting you too."
Superman nodded, his jaw tightening. "I've heard of Cadmus before. They've always operated in the shadows, but if they're escalating their actions, it's a threat we can't ignore. I'll start looking into this on my end."
"Good," Ethan said. "But don't take them lightly. If they can create someone like Metallo, who knows what else they're hiding?"
Superman glanced at the city below, his expression somber. "I'll be cautious. Thanks for the heads-up, Ethan. And good work today. Metallo's a tough opponent."
Ethan shrugged. "Just doing what I can. But this fight isn't over. Be careful out there, Kal."
Superman gave a small smile. "You too." With that, he took to the skies, disappearing into the night.
Ethan lingered for a moment longer, staring after him. "Helios," he said, his voice steady, "keep tabs on Superman's movements. If Cadmus makes a move, I want to know about it."
"Understood, sir," Helios replied.
With that, Ethan spread his arms, activating the suit's flight systems. The silvery aura around him intensified as he took off into the sky, heading home, his mind already
racing with plans for what was to come.
________________________________________location: Cadmus Secret Facility
Letitia sat in her office pondering. Her gaze fell on the files scattered across her desk, her fingers brushing over them absentmindedly as her thoughts began to converge on a single, singular idea.
"Metallo alone will never be enough," she muttered to herself, her voice a low growl. "I need something... more."
Her eyes lit up with the spark of an idea. It had been there all along, hidden beneath layers of failed experiments and frustration. She had the resources, the technology, and now, the knowledge of how to make the ultimate weapon.
She sat up straight, her fingers curling into a fist as her mind honed in on her plan. It was time to stop playing games. She needed someone who could combine the best aspects of both man and machine, someone whose very essence could be molded into the perfect weapon against Superman. And that someone was already under her nose.
Without hesitation, Letitia picked up the phone on her desk and dialed a number. Her voice was steely, commanding, when the line clicked open.
"Get me Hank Henshaw," she ordered, her voice carrying the weight of authority. "Tell him it's time to move forward with the Superman program. I want Cyborg Superman, now."
She paused, listening to the brief exchange on the other end. Her eyes flicked toward the window, her reflection staring back at her with unyielding determination.
"You know what to do. Make it happen. This time, there will be no failure," she added, her voice firm and unrelenting.
After hanging up the phone, Letitia leaned back in her chair, her mind already racing with the possibilities. Hank Henshaw had been one of the brightest minds in cybernetic enhancements, someone who had once worked under her father before his untimely disappearance. Henshaw's knowledge and expertise in cybernetic engineering, coupled with her own resources, would give her the power to turn the tides.
Cyborg Superman. A being who could surpass all human limitations, with the ability to rival the greatest power the world had ever known. With Kryptonian technology, advanced cybernetics, and a human mind forged into the perfect weapon, this would be the key to her victory.
Her fingers curled into fists once again, her eyes gleaming with resolve. Letitia knew what she was about to unleash could change the balance of power on Earth. The thought of having her very own weapon to obliterate Superman, to take down every hero who had ever stood in her way, sent a thrill through her.
________________________________________
Location: Andromeda Galaxy
Time: Universal constant, One full cycle.
In the deep recesses of space, within the far-flung reaches of the Andromeda Galaxy, an alien ship glided silently through the void. Its design was both menacing and sleek, a massive vessel built for war and conquest. The ship's hull gleamed with a dark metallic sheen, reflecting the distant stars around it as it made its way toward a new target—the blue planet known as Earth.
Inside the ship's command center, several beings sat around a large central table, their eyes glowing with cold, calculating precision. They were humanoid in form, their features slightly elongated and their skin a dull gray. Their bodies were clad in armor-like exoskeletons, intricate patterns of energy pulsing beneath the surface. Though their physical forms appeared somewhat insectoid, their faces were unmistakably intelligent, full of malice and purpose. These beings were the Khurds a race known throughout the galaxy for their ruthlessness and desire to dominate weaker civilizations.
"Commander, we have located the planet," one of the Khurd officers, his voice a rasping growl, reported as he stood before a holographic display. "Earth. It is teeming with life—human life. They possess vast resources, both technological and biological. We can use them."
The commander, a tall figure with a sharp, angular face and a jagged scar running across his brow, turned toward the officer. His eyes burned with a hunger for conquest.
"Tell me more, Lieutenant." The commander's voice was low, but the intensity behind it could be felt throughout the chamber.
The lieutenant's hands moved quickly across the console, displaying images of Earth's surface—lush forests, sprawling cities, and expansive oceans.
"The humans are primitive," the lieutenant continued, "but their planet is rich in energy sources—oil, metals, water, and biological matter. They've developed rudimentary technologies, and they have established small spacefaring capabilities, though they remain no match for us. The humans are vulnerable, their resources ripe for the taking."
The commander leaned forward, his hands clasped together. "We can enslave them."
A collective murmur of agreement swept through the room. One of the officers, a female with long, thin arms and piercing violet eyes, stepped forward, her voice cold and calculating.
"The humans will make ideal workers. Their biology is strong, but they lack the will to fight back. Once we subjugate them, we can use their labor to mine this world's resources, and even better, we can sell them as slaves to the highest bidder in the galactic markets."
Another officer, his voice laced with greed, chimed in. "Their technology is primitive, but they possess vast quantities of energy—electricity, fuel, and weapons. If we capture their military leaders, we can take control of their weapons and force them to build us more ships."
The commander's lips curled into a thin smile. "And their women," he added, eyes narrowing. "We will take them as breeding stock. Our race will grow stronger, and Earth will become the center of our empire."
The female officer nodded. "The humans will not resist. We will begin by taking their cities, overwhelming them with our forces. We'll use their military to crush any remaining pockets of resistance."
"Perfect," the commander said, his voice dripping with venomous satisfaction. "Begin preparations. Prepare the fleet. I want this planet under our control as soon as possible."
The lieutenant quickly began issuing orders. "All ships, report in. Prepare for immediate deployment. We leave in one cycle."
The commander stood, looking out the viewport at the swirling expanse of space beyond. He felt the weight of the upcoming conquest settle on his shoulders. Soon, Earth would belong to the Khurd, and humanity would be nothing more than a tool for their empire.
"We will not fail," the commander said, his voice a promise to his crew. "The humans will learn what it means to face the might of the Khurd. This planet will be our greatest acquisition yet. No one will be spared."