Proof

Even from a distance, I could clearly see Thragg's narrowed gaze, he was cautious of me. Not completely unexpected, but the fact still remained that he had stopped, no longer intending to attack me as we both just remained floating in the sky.

"How do you know that?" Thragg asked and I smirked.

"I know a great deal about Viltrum and its inhabitants," I replied simply and it wasn't a complete lie. My knowledge came from two sources, my past life and the contents of what the canon story would have been if not for my interferences.

Secondly and most importantly, it came from Dru-Zod. That man was a paranoid and determined figure, I'm almost tempted to say on a level similar to that of Batman. He had files upon files of data and information gathered on all potential future enemies with which I could draw upon. It almost made me wonder what happened to him in the comics because while not stupid and still incredibly dangerous, Zod never showcased the meticulous planning and cunning he had shown me as a General of Krypton.

'Thinking about it though, a Kryptonian under a yellow sun fights differently to one that isn't.'

That could perhaps explain why Zod changed so drastically but at the end of the day, it didn't matter to me. I had two sources of information with which I could use to my advantage, both equally important yet also equally useless at times.

The information I had from my past life gave me insight into possible future plans and the power I and my enemies/allies could gain in the future. However, it didn't take into account all the political nuances that Galactic Empires would have. It also didn't take into account a shared universe such as the one I found myself in. Still useful in many situations, but not an end all be all like I would have hoped.

Zod's on the other hand did take into those political nuances which were certainly helpful. It also covered the history of some civilisations that was never explored in the comics or had changed as a result of the shared universe. Taking into account all that, it could be more useful to me than my memories from my past life. However, it also had one key flaw, it was limited to what Zod knew and might not be fully accurate due to it possibly being influenced by the personal bias of the Xenophobe that was Dru-Zod.

"I know that Viltrum has been ravaged by the Scourge Virus. I know that you slaughtered one another to rid yourself of the weak. The Ring surrounding your planet being a memorial to all those Viltrumites that died." Common knowledge, not all that impressive. "But I also know, that you are trying desperately to recreate a Krypton of your own."

That got a reaction from Thragg, just like I expected.

"What nonesense!" He snarled.

The smirk upon my face probably didn't help his poor mood much either. "Is it? Take a look around you." I spread my arms out, indicating to the world around us. "Your cities bear a striking resemblance to those found on Krypton, in fact, they are almost exact copies to the Kryptonian cities of old. And yet, over the millennia you haven't made any changes to its design. Why is that?"

To be honest, this was pure conjecture. A bluff, an accusation that I had no evidence to back it up with. But to be honest, I didn't expect this to go anywhere, I just wanted to get him off-balance, to attack this man's pride.

Calling him a cheap copy of a far superior race would only serve to fan the flames. "You Viltrums claim to be separate to your forefathers, Kryptonians like I. Yet everywhere I look I simply see poor imitations. Not only in the cities around me but also in its inhabitants."

Thragg roared in anger at that, bursting off and swinging his fist at my face. But this lacked his usual flair and finesse that made him such a bother to deal with initially. With ease I could not have pulled off prior to this little chat, I parried the blow with my left forearm while driving my right fist into his sternum. A boom echoed across the planet, Thragg rocketing up into the sky.

Following up after him, a sonic boom ringing out in my wake, I pulled ahead of him just as Thragg began to slow down. Even so, the Grand Regent of Viltrum couldn't even properly move to defend himself and clasping both hands together, I raised them above my head before bringing them back down.

It smashed into his face, blood splattering into the air before Thragg was launched back to the ground below. His form was nought but a blur even to my eyes. A mere instant after I struck him, the ground below us erupted upwards, the earthen ground rippling outwards as a shockwave destroyed everything in its path for miles around.

'To possess such power, what a marvellous feeling.' I thought as slowly began to float down. 'And there's still much more to claim in the galaxy. It'll all be mine eventually, it's only a matter of time.'

Taking a deep breath, I released a powerful gust of wind from my mouth that dispelled the dust cloud that had been in my way. It was not for my benefit, I could clearly see through it, but more for the hidden camera upon my armour that was showcasing a video feed to the Viltrums upon my ships. They would all be witnessing this fight and bear witness to the truth of who Grand Regent Thragg was.

I couldn't allow something as trivial as smoke and dust to obstruct such a view. "You're angry at being called a poor imitation and that is justifiable. I would feel the same way, but you see, that is where we differ." I explained as my feet rested upon the broken ground.

Before me, Thragg pushed himself to his knees, glaring at me as blood streamed from his nose and mouth. "Unlike many in my race, I care little of where they come from. My opinion of you is based upon who you are as a person, quite boring, I know. But you see, I do not judge you based on race, religion or who you are descended from. I judge you based upon your merit. If you are skilled, why should I shun you purely due to your birth?"

This was not directed towards Thragg, this was for the benefit of the Viltrums listening. I had plans for them and I needed their loyalty, that's why such words were being said. And it was the truth as well, there were plenty of gifted and talented people out in the universe.

If I limited myself to those from Krypton for positions of authority, well I would have a great deal of trouble. No, I intended to create an empire that promoted anyone, no matter their creed, race, power or whatever else, so long as they were talented and proved themselves. That was the biggest fault with the Age of Expansion and a reason for its downfall. I would not make the same mistake as my ancestors.

"Others in my race would not have cared about how gifted you were. They would have taken one look at this planet and be disgusted with what they found. I, on the other hand, I see opportunity." Striding towards the man, I extended a hand to him. "Join me, Thragg."

"What?" He muttered confusedly.

"Join me. I could use a man of your power and intellect in my Empire."

Thragg looked at my hand, before once again looking into my eyes. "Your empire?"

"The Vrangs were but the first part of many." Overhead, the Vrang fleet deployed numerous landing carriers, all carrying hundreds of Vrang soldiers that would head towards key cities all across the planet. Both of us hearing the capital cities aerial defences activating and firing upon them.

The sky filled with explosions of smoke and fire, the sound filling the silence that had befallen us.

"I admire you, Thragg," I told him, turning away and presenting my back to him. It was a gamble, there was nothing stopping him from attacking me and I wouldn't be able to react in time. "The traitor Thaedus killed Argall and fled to your long time enemies, the Coalition of Planets. He ravaged your planet with the Scourge Virus, reducing your numbers to but a fraction of what they were once more. Yet from all that, you rose to your position of power as Grand Regent and led your people into a golden age."

"It reminds me a great deal of what happened in my own history. Of a man I admired and respected above all others." I explained. "My father, Lor-Em. He experimented on me as a child, trained me for the sole purpose of infiltrating General Zod's ranks and to act as a spy. It worked, but in a way, I got to understand the man that was Zod better than anyone."

Every word that spilled from my mouth was the truth, the fact that Thragg hadn't attacked me and instead was listening to me was proof that he realised it as well. 'Good, listen to what I have to say. Ignore the jaws closing in around you.'

"I fought beside him, trained under him. He guided me on a path I had never envisioned before, it is no lie to say that he raised me as his own son. You remind me of him, in fact, you share many similarities. When Argall died, you led your people through hardship after hardship. For Zod, he protected our people where the Council of Five could not. Defended them against the Vrangs constant invasions. Defeated them from the creature, Doomsday. Brought an end to the Clone Rebellion and tried to overthrow the Council in order to save our people."

I turned to Thragg once more. "I betrayed him, unable to see the opportunity that had been before me then, but not this time. I can clearly see the opportunity before me. Argall's heir, the Viltrum Nolan Grayson, he's unworthy. We both know it." Thragg jerked, eyes widening in shock.

But after a few moments, he closed his eyes and rose to his feet. "You know of Argall's heir?"

"And so do you." I returned. "For how long have you known?"

"Many centuries now," Thragg answered.

"I see." My smile widening as I extended a hand to him. "Why did you keep it quiet? Why not tell anyone, not Kregg or Conquest? Why not let them know that you had found Argall's heir?"

"As you said, I had led my people through hardship after hardship. I deserve to rule Viltrum, it is my right." And Thragg looked at my hand, considering the offer. "You say that you intend to make an empire, one where no matter the race, merit dictates authority?"

"That is correct." I nodded. "I have to thank you, I now have all the proof I need."

"Proof?" Before Thragg could react I gripped his head tightly in my hands, vision glowing red with power. I could see his eyes widening before I unleashed my heat vision and he cried out in pain as I targeted the beams directly into his eyes.