Second Chances: Superman and Lois - Rough Draft

Chapter 7

Morgan Edge was currently standing in the last place anyone would think he'd be. In the middle of the United States, Badlands in his own personal kryptonian fortress of Sanctuary, wearing the glyph of his kryptonian house on his chest, since Morgan was not his real, but rather a cover. His real name was Tal-Rho, the last son of the house of Rho and to his disgrace, the older half-brother of Kal-El, aka Superman.

Kal-El, the man who served as nothing more than a reminder of how he'd been abandoned by his own mother, Lara Lor-Van, and left to suffer at the hands of his father Zeta Rho. However, that was not why he was at the fortress. He had a different concern to raise with his father.

"What is it that has brought you here my son?" the AI of his father Zeta asked.

"There has been an unforeseen complication to our plans." Tal said to his father.

"What kind of complication?" Zeta asked.

"A new kryptonian has made their debut here on Earth and it's one who poses an even greater threat to our plans than Kal-El does." Tal said.

"How so? Who is it?" Zeta asked.

"Kara Zor-El is here on Earth. Even though it's been years, I'd recognize her in an instant, though she is much younger than she should be." Tal said.

"And you are concerned about her, why?" Zeta asked.

"Because father, if she were to recognize me, she could tell Kal-El everything about me, including anything she might know about the Eradicator. She could ruin our plans before they're even able to take hold and while I know what you're about to say, killing her is not an option right now." Tal said.

"And why is that?" Zeta sneered.

"Because doing so would draw Kal-El's undivided attention to finding whoever it was that killed his cousin. I don't want to draw his attention until it's too late for him to interfere. It's called subtlety. And art I've become quite well versed in and will remain so until the time is right to reveal myself." Tal explained and to his relief, Zeta smiled.

"Good. I was worried that it might be due to any lingering attraction you might've felt for her." Zeta said.

"It was a one way attraction, since she detested me. Just like how mother detested you. I never even had a chance to change her mind. And by now her mind has already been corrupted by Kal-El's ideals. She will never be an ally, but for now, she must not know that I am Kal-El's enemy. Not until it's too late for either of them to stop me." Tal said.

"Good. But still, keep an eye on her my son. As you said, if she were to recognize you as you recognized her, it could be quite problematic." Zeta said and Tal nodded.

"What of our plan? Have you secured the final components yet?" Zeta asked.

"Not yet, but soon. Morgan Edge recently made a generous financial contribution to the mayoral campaign of the current mayor of the town where the final components are located. Once he has secured his position, I plan on using that leverage over him to acquire what I need. We've waited this long father, I think we can afford to wait a little longer." Tal said and Zeta nodded.

"I agree. Especially when our patience will be rewarded. So far you have proven yourself to have shed the weakness of your mother. Continue to do so and play your part. And continue trying to find a way to convince Kal-El to join our side, for if you manage to do so, you will be truly unstoppable." Zeta said and Tal nodded in agreement as the AI vanished before he took a deep breath.

"I will save Krypton father. Though maybe not by your methods." Tal said before he prepared himself to switch back into the role of Morgan Edge before flying out of the fortress and back to the world he'd come to despise.