Chapter 26 Smart Atoms

The sterile hum of the ship's lab filled the air as Brandon and Zod stood over the examination table, their focus entirely on the blade made of Kryptium. However, today their focus wasn't on the unique metal but rather on the blood from Omni-Man that clung to its surface.

Nolan may have escaped, but Brandon knew that safety and peace were only temporary. Having watched some of the show, he understood that there was a high chance of more Viltrumites coming. He wasn't sure how many, but he needed to be ready and to do so, he'd have to learn as much as possible beforehand.

Various screens displayed data, graphs, and DNA structures, while the advanced analytical devices whirred and beeped. Zod, with a furrowed brow, examined the latest batch of results.

Zod, with a furrowed brow, examined the latest batch of results. "The tests are complete," he said, looking up at Brandon. "It appears there's nothing inherently special about the DNA. It is practically the same as average human DNA. The only anomaly is how it still retains vitality."

"Their DNA isn't as special? That can't be right, there has to be something we're missing here something the machines aren't checking"

Focusing on the dagger Brandon's eyes began to glow a light blue as he activated his X-ray vision. He focused intently on the blood, delving deeper than the molecular level, pushing beyond the DNA to examine the atomic structure itself. As he peered closer, he noticed something strange.

"The atoms..." Brandon whispered. "There's something unique about them."

Zod leaned in, intrigued. "What do you see?"

Brandon adjusted his vision, enhancing the details of the atoms. "They're denser than they should be but I don't think it's just that… here let's try this"

Pulling out some paper Brandon controlled his heat vision and lightly burned it starting a small fire. With that in hand, he placed the flame against the blood and checked again.

"Incredible! Father switch the scans to the atomic level" Brandon shouted as his father instantly controlled the devices to do just that.

In the middle of the room, a hologram appeared showing Omni man's atoms resisting the heat while also changing and adapting to the flame. Almost as if they had a mind of their own.

"Our scientists would have loved to research this, Imagine the possibilities" Zod commented upon seeing the atoms at work and Brandon couldn't help but agree. For a species that had such a level of genetic mastery, these atoms would have proved as new ground and potential.

"No wonder…" Brandon had been wondering why Omni man wouldn't die. He hadn't only stabbed him in the liver but also in multiple areas in his torso so he should've experienced multiple organ failures.

Yet things didn't go on like that and it seems like these atoms were the cause. If he really wanted to kill a viltrumite in the future then it looked like the only way to do so would be by going for either the heart or the head. There could also be other advantages to use in a fight but Brandon would need to keep researching if he wanted to discover more. Which by the looks of it seemed like a long grueling task on its own.

Kryptonian research hadn't completely explored atoms and the ship, while advanced, wasn't exactly made solely for scientific purposes. At the end of the day it was still just meant for exploration and its tools reflected that.

"Father, if we put most of the ship's energy into solely researching these atoms, how long do you estimate it will take before we crack it or at least discover what we need to make something like a virus."

Zod was intrigued at the idea of creating something solely meant to kill viltrumites but he wasn't optimistic about it. "It's hard to tell, it could be a year or much longer. Even Kryptonian research into atoms hadn't been extensively explored. Much less doing so on this ship which isn't even a scientific vessel"

"True I forget that this ship, while advanced, is meant solely for exploration. Guess that rules that option out leaving me with doing things the old-fashioned way. Hand to hand" Brandon didn't mind this either. Anyway, by the time the Viltrumites arrive, he should be much stronger.

"Then let's just focus on understanding these atoms" Doing so would give him greater insight about his future enemies but also could potentially give him another source of power in the future.

Kryptonians were strong in many ways and this was thanks to their genetics but that only went down to the cells. When it came to atoms Kryptonians were only a bit more durable and deferent as unique. These Smart Atoms on the other hand were completely different. If they managed to replicate it or even create a version specifically for a Kryptonians then his strength would and adaptability would soar.

However while Brandon was imagining the possibilities he ended up getting interrupted as he heard a familiar sound.

Beep Beep Beep

Hearing it Brandon immediately recognized it as the signal currently with Cecil… Hasn't it only been like two days since he left that meeting? What in the world could have happened to cause him to use it so quickly.

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The city was alive with the usual sounds of honking and the hustle and bustle of people moving from place to place. The streets were crowded, and the sidewalks filled with pedestrians going about their day. Suddenly, strange portals began to appear everywhere, shimmering with an eerie light.

At first, the civilians were intrigued. They stopped what they were doing and pulled out their phones to record the bizarre phenomenon, completely oblivious to the danger they were in. One would think that after so many disasters people would become smarter about such situations and run at the first sign of trouble. Sadly things didn't go down like this and the civilians didn't react until the first round of blasts came through the portal killing those closest to it.

"Oh my god run!"

Countless screams began erupting as chaos spread in the streets all while the ones responsible exited with malicious smiles excited for a new conquest. They stood at a similar height to humans and shared the same bipedal figures but that was where the similarities ended.

"What are those things!" A police officer screamed while using his vehicle as cover. He'd seen some crazy things in his city but green men with antennas and laser guns were definitely new!

"It doesn't matter what they are just fill em with lead" The older officer said before returning fire but his courage didn't last long when a blast separated his head from his body.

"Ah, Dammit they killed Tommy!" Ducking behind the car the officer no longer bothered trying to fight as fear overwhelmed him. Fighting aliens in the middle of the street was not what he signed up for.

"I kinht sereht eno revo ereh!" One of the green aliens said while pointing at the officer's hiding spot.

TR: I think there's one over here!

Following their squad leader's call they grouped up and began heading for the cop's vehicle while he sat there and prayed.

"Please guardians show up fast"

Hearing the voice the aliens looked at one another with a smile as they peered over the side and saw the trembling officer. "Eheh siht eno skool ekil ti stnaw ot eep"

TR: Hehe this one looks like it wants to pee

Lifting its rifle the Alien aimed straight at the officer's head ready to pull the trigger when all of a sudden it just dropped its gun. The confused group turned to their leader only to see his head slowly slide off his neck.

Alarmed they began looking around but it was too late for them because three more pink disks sliced them through in quick succession. It happened so fast that they didn't even have time to scream but there was one thing they all saw right before they died and that was the image of a red-haired girl in all pink.

"Block 8 is cleared but I think we came too late there are hardly any people left around here" Atom Eve said with a sad tone as she spoke into her comms

"You did what you could Atom Eve. Round back up with us we're heading for the source of the portals" Robot said with a mechanical tone lacking any emotion toward the news of civilian deaths.

This put her off but she knew that this was just Robot's way of showing he cared. As a being ruled by logic to him the fastest way to end the people's suffering was to head right for the source.

"Alright, I'm on my way" Floating up her pink energy released crackling noises before she disappeared away from the area.

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After receiving the signal Brandon spared no effort and arrived back at the base where he had previously met Cecil. However, things seemed in much more distress compared to the last time. Papers were scattered all over the place while people ran from place to place. Even Cecil's hairline seemed to be receding even more than it already has.

"Poor guy just shave it and go bald already" Brandon silently muttered to himself but it seemed like Cecil had a sixth sense and turned to look at Brandon the moment he said this. Luckily he was a bit fsr and most likely didn't hear anything.

"Ultra man perfect you're here," Cecil said as some stress visibly went away.

"Yeah I'm here but I'm going to be honest. When I gave you War Woman's emergency signal I never imagined that you'd use it so soon."

"Sigh… trust me neither did I but the circumstances forced my hand." Lifting his hand Cecil snapped his finger as footage appeared of a city currently being attacked.

"We're currently in the middle of an invasion. Usually, this wouldn't be a problem thanks to the guardians but as we both know they won't be able to help. Right now there are other heroes on scene but this is more than they are used to" Cecil explained referring to the teen team.

Watching the footage Brandon recognized this event from the show as the Flaxan invasion. He especially remembered it being a repetitive problem with two invitations occurring and one being alluded to at the end of the season… but not this time.

"You don't have to explain anymore I'll head over there now"