The General

The living room of General Simon Gilson's villa was bathed in warmth, sunlight cascading across plush crimson carpets and breathing a natural glow into the space. Potted plants of various species adorned the room, basking in the light and freshening the air with their vibrant greenery.

"I only have tea, I'm afraid," the general offered as he handed Jay a cup, "Doctors advise against anything stronger for me. These Eastern leaves are supposed to be good for my health. They're of fine quality; please, have some."

Normally, Jay would appreciate such hospitality, but his mind was brimming with questions, leaving little room for the pleasantries of tea tasting.

Pouring himself a cup as well, the general settled into an armchair draped in sunlight. "Spae diensin eplrer prjet, sde for short, is the project you seek. Initiated by the military with NASA's full assistance, it began as a research venture to probe the unknown."

"And how do I fit into this?"

"Patience, child," Gilson took a sip of tea, sinking into the couch's embrace. "Initially, sde was no different from countless other exploratory endeavors humanity embarked on since we recognized our place in the cosmos. However, what set it apart was the outcome, fundamentally altering its nature.

"The appearance of Superman made us realize we weren't alone in the universe. The pace of space exploration accelerated, with governments investing unprecedented funds into aerospace projects. Sdeproject emerged from that fervor, crafting a non-manned navigational rocket. Unlike any ordinary rocket, it was designed to chart its course, continuously broadcasting its trajectory through radio waves, beckoning extraterrestrial life with a message of peace, extending an eager invitation to visit Earth."

Jay raised an eyebrow, "Quite the gamble. Weren't they afraid of attracting conquerors like Apokolips' forces?"

Gilson chuckled ruefully, "This was before the invasion. Our understanding of the cosmos was limited; we only knew of Superman, who seemed benevolent. Post-Doomsday, fear of alien visitors is akin to dread of natural disasters; such a proposal wouldn't stand a chance now."

"What happened next? Was the project successful?"

"In a sense, yes, though there was an unforeseen complication," the general continued, "Hours after launch, our rocket collided with a mysterious black hole in space. It was pulled in, severing all signals. We thought the mission failed, and there was much disappointment until..."

He paused, eyeing Jay with complexity, "Until you arrived on Earth three months later."

Though Jay had sensed the truth, the confirmation still took him aback.

The general shifted topics, "I presume you're aware you're a Kryptonian, similar to Superman?"

"Yes."

"What about General Sam Lane, any recollection of him?"

Frowning, Jay replied, "I don't remember, but I'm aware of him. He's known as a staunch anti-Superman advocate, convinced Superman would eventually become an enemy to humanity."

"Indeed, Lane put his beliefs into action. After Superman revealed himself to the world, Lane started a department to scrutinize Superman's every detail, searching for weaknesses, devising ways to defeat him should he turn rogue," Gilson explained, "Paranoid, yes, but it made him arguably the most knowledgeable person about Superman in the military. That's why, when the government learned a new Kryptonian arrived as part of sdeproject's feedback, they appointed Lane to lead it."

Now Jay understood why Gilson said the project was initially about exploration—it had fundamentally shifted since his arrival on Earth.

"Experts theorize your Kryptonian vessel was in a dormant state in some pocket of space until our rocket awakened it, guiding you to Earth."

"So I was held in your facilities for study, kept from the sun?" Jay wasn't pleased, despite those experiences not being his own.

"Imprisoned? No, you had full personal freedom, ensured daily sun exposure. You were compliant, even discreetly aiding the military with various issues under Lane's direction."

"So, I was essentially a government-employed Superman?" Jay's expression soured at the thought.

"For a while, yes. That cooperative relationship lasted until the Doomsday invasion."

Gilson's mood darkened, revealing a grim memory. "That behemoth, known as the ruler of Apokolips, came straight to our base, clearly after you. We stood no chance against him. His eyes cast beams of hellish red light—one strike, and every life, including yours, was extinguished."

"Wait," Jay interjected with a frown, "You're saying I was hit by Darkseid's Omega Beams and died?"

"At the time, that's what we believed. After the energy assault, all life signs, including yours, disappeared." Gilson was haunted by the past, "Then he left, and his parademons came. They tore everyone apart, even Lane..."

A hint of confusion crossed his face, "But your vitals should've ceased too, how are you still alive?"

Jay shook his head, "I don't know. I wouldn't even remember any of this if you hadn't told me."

Perhaps at the moment of the Omega Beam hit, this Kryptonian's consciousness indeed perished, only for Jay to transfer into the body thereafter. If so, essentially, he was an entirely different person.

"But if all you've said is true," Jay pressed on, "then after the events six years ago, this should be an abandoned project. Why would someone seek to eliminate my friend now over a long-expired secret?"

The question struck a nerve, Gilson's demeanor shifting ever so slightly. The old man was a master of deception, but Jay's heightened senses caught the telltale acceleration of his heartbeat and dilation of his pupils.

"General Gilson, if you truly understand Kryptonians, you should know lying is futile," Jay held the elder's weary gaze, "Tell me the truth."

Gilson swallowed hard, wrestling with an internal struggle, then finally spoke, "In the deserts of Utah, you'll find a secret military base, well-hidden, but you should be able to locate it. Go there, and you may find your answers."

Confused, Jay asked, "What do you mean?"

"It means I can only help you so far," the general replied firmly, "My son died in the invasion; my friends, comrades—all perished to parademons. They can threaten me all they want, but what do I have left to fear? I am an old man with nothing to lose."

His eyes moistened, stirring empathy within Jay. He still had many questions, but the obstinate old man wouldn't say more. It was time to leave.

Standing to go, Jay sharply caught the faintest click, like a switch being flipped, resonating through the pipes. His vision honed in on the kitchen, a bomb nestled within the gas lines. The sight left Jay momentarily speechless.

He reacted instantly, but sometimes fast isn't fast enough. The explosion erupted as he spotted it, flames roaring out of the kitchen with an unforgiving shockwave that ravaged the building. The beautiful villa was engulfed in fire, reducing the garden to ashes.