Reincarnation In Smallville

German Base in Belgium

The night's darkness was pierced by the arrival of General Ludendorff at the German base in Belgium. A convoy of military trucks and combat aircraft accompanied the general, bringing with them a considerable force.

Beside him, Dr. Maru, with her perpetually cold and observant demeanor, held a vial of poisonous gas firmly in her hands, as if clutching victory itself.

Ludendorff alighted from one of the trucks, his stern gaze sweeping over the desolate landscape of the base. Soldiers moved swiftly, preparing armaments and maintaining order, but something was visibly amiss. The general frowned, sensing the weight of an uneasy atmosphere.

Dr. Maru accompanied him in silence, her eyes keenly observing every movement of the soldiers. She noticed the tension in Ludendorff's gestures and knew that his anger was on the verge of erupting. As soon as Ludendorff entered the base's headquarters, an officer approached hastily, his expression nervous and restless.

"General Ludendorff, sir... there has been an issue in the trenches. Many of our men... have laid down their arms and abandoned their positions."

Ludendorff's face contorted with pure fury. He grabbed the officer by the collar of his uniform, his eyes blazing with an almost uncontrollable rage.

"What did you say?! They abandoned the trenches?!" Ludendorff roared, his voice echoing through the headquarters' walls. "Cowards! This is desertion! Are they willing to surrender everything after we've come this far?!"

The officer, visibly terrified, tried to stammer a response, but Ludendorff's grip prevented any coherent articulation. Dr. Maru watched the scene with a clinical gaze, showing no emotional reaction to the general's outburst.

Ludendorff shoved the officer, throwing him against the wall, and turned to Maru, his face still red with anger.

"Prepare the soldiers for execution, Dr. Maru. We cannot tolerate cowards among us. If they abandoned their positions, they must pay with their lives. Gather everyone in the courtyard."

Dr. Maru nodded without hesitation. She quickly left, issuing orders to the soldiers who began assembling the deserters. The atmosphere grew even heavier, with the synchronized sound of marching boots and shouted commands echoing through the base.

The deserter soldiers were led to the courtyard, lined up in rows, their expressions ranging from fear to resignation. The night sky was oppressive, and the floodlights illuminated each pale, trembling face. Ludendorff entered the courtyard, walking with firm steps as he scrutinized each of the men about to be executed. He positioned himself before the soldiers and, with a stern expression, declared:

"You who abandoned your positions are not worthy of wearing this uniform. Desertion is treason, and treason is paid with death."

Dr. Maru signaled to the soldiers of the firing squad. A deadly silence hung over the courtyard, broken only by the sound of the wind blowing through the ruins.

"Ready! Aim!"

The deserters closed their eyes, many murmuring final prayers. The sound of rifles being cocked echoed through the courtyard, and Ludendorff, with a slight sneer on his lips, finally gave the order:

"Fire!"

BANG!

The volley of rifles shattered the night's silence, and the deserters' bodies fell heavily to the ground. The gunfire's echo reverberated through the courtyard, and the smell of gunpowder mingled with the cold air. Ludendorff observed the scene for a moment, his gaze cold and remorseless, before turning to Dr. Maru.

"Now that the cowards have been eliminated, we can proceed. Tomorrow night, we will hold a ball here at the base to announce the new poisonous gas. We need to show the world that Germany still has the strength to fight, and that this war is far from over. Prepare everything, Dr. Maru. I want our allies to see that we are ready to win."

Dr. Maru nodded, a subtle smile forming on her lips. She knew that the poisonous gas would be the key to prolonging the conflict, and she was eager to see the results of her work in action.

"Yes, General. Everything will be ready for the ball."

Ludendorff turned and left the courtyard, his steps echoing in the cold night. The base remained silent, with only the occasional sound of the wind and the fluttering of flags in the distance, as the soldiers slowly returned to their positions, aware that the war was far from over.

....

Clark awoke at dawn, the soft sunlight filtering through the cracks in the curtains. He moved slowly, trying not to make noise, but the mattress creaked slightly, enough for Diana, naked beside him, to open her eyes.

Diana gazed at Clark, still a bit drowsy but aware of his movement. She stretched, a smile forming on her lips as she watched Clark dress.

"Getting up already?" Diana asked, her voice low and husky from sleep.

Clark nodded as he finished buttoning his shirt. "The German soldiers have returned to the trenches, Diana. Something is happening, and I need to find out what it is."

Diana frowned, her demeanor shifting immediately from relaxed to irritated. "After everything you did yesterday, they've returned? How is that possible?"

Clark remained calm, his expression serene as he looked at Diana. "I'm going to the German base, undercover, to discover what's happening. I need to understand why they returned so quickly."

Diana rose from the bed in a fluid motion, her body firm and resolute. "This time, I'm coming with you. I won't stay behind, not knowing what's happening."

Clark looked at her, assessing her determination for a moment before nodding slightly. "Alright. But we need to be careful. We'll go together, but act strategically."

Diana frowned, questioning Clark's plan. "Why do we always have to be so cautious? Yesterday, you stopped those soldiers alone, strong, fearless, and direct. We don't need subtlety, Clark. We need to end this once and for all."

Clark considered her words. He knew he could use his powers to the fullest and quickly resolve the problem, but he had always tried to avoid unnecessary brutality. However, Diana's words echoed in his mind, challenging his way of acting. He smiled slightly, recognizing the strength of the woman beside him.

"You win, Diana. I'll go to the base and take care of everyone there. But in return, you'll be responsible for the soldiers in the trenches. I want you to lead and ensure there's no more fighting there."

Diana smiled, satisfied with Clark's change of stance. "I accept. I'll make sure everyone understands this war is over."

Clark nodded, a renewed determination in his gaze. He approached Diana, holding her hand for a moment before letting go and preparing to depart.

"Let's go together, then. Each of us will handle our part. And when it's all over, we'll see if peace can truly exist in this chaotic world."

Clark and Diana left the house, the cool morning breeze enveloping them as they stepped outside. Near the entrance, Diana spotted an axe leaning against the wall. She bent down, picked up the weapon, and assessed its weight for a moment before looking at Clark.

"It's not a sword, but it'll do."

Clark observed Diana for a moment, nodding in approval. He then took her in his arms, holding her firmly before taking flight. The wind began to whistle around them as Clark ascended, the landscape below rapidly shrinking.

WHOOSH!

Diana watched the desolate terrain unfold beneath them, her eyes fixed on the long trenches stretching across the landscape. Clark remained focused on their destination, flying toward the battlefield.

Upon reaching the trenches, Clark descended slowly, landing softly on the muddy ground. He released Diana, who immediately prepared for action. Her eyes were filled with determination as she gripped the axe firmly.

"Remember, Diana. Maintain control here and ensure the fighting ends once and for all," Clark said, his voice firm as he observed Diana's resolute expression.

Diana nodded, her eyes meeting Clark's. "I understand. You can trust me, Clark. I'll end this battle."

Clark nodded one last time before stepping back, swiftly ascending into the air and flying toward the German base. The sound of the wind whistling around him echoed as he departed, Diana's figure diminishing until it vanished from sight.

Diana turned her attention to the trenches before her. The soldiers watched her, many with expressions of surprise and fear. Diana raised the axe, her voice echoing through the trenches as she prepared to lead the end of the conflict.

"The war is over. If you want to survive, drop your weapons now!"

To read 7 chapters ahead, go to

pat reon.com/22Mirko22