CHAPTER 129 — GENESIS OF RUIN
The street still burned.
Fires crackled inside overturned vehicles. Smoke rolled low along the ground, thick and dark, carrying the smell of fuel, blood, and broken concrete. What had once been a wide city road was now scarred beyond recognition, craters torn into the asphalt, buildings cracked open like broken ribs, bodies scattered where soldiers had fallen.
At the center of it all stood the Ultramarines.
Gaius remained still for a moment, watching the battlefield with calm, steady eyes. His posture was relaxed, as if the destruction before him was not chaos but progress. The Dreadnought stood several steps ahead, its massive frame towering over the ruined street. Titus and the three Bladeguard were already repositioning, moving with smooth, trained precision.
Gaius turned his head slightly, looking toward them.
His voice was even. Clear. Final.
"Continue with the mission."
There was no need to raise his voice. No need for threat or urgency. His authority was absolute.
Titus did not hesitate. He and the three Bladeguard answered at the same time, their voices steady and unified.
"Affirmative."
The Dreadnought's vox system activated next, its voice deep and metallic, layered with machine resonance.
"Yes, my Captain."
That was all that needed to be said.
The Ultramarines moved.
Their formation tightened as they advanced down the street. Bolters were raised. Shields locked into position. Every step was measured, every angle covered. They did not rush, and they did not slow. They advanced with purpose, like a tide that could not be stopped.
Behind their helmets, there was no fear. No anger. Only focus.
The assault resumed.
Bolter fire echoed through the street, sharp and controlled. Each shot was placed with intent, not wasted. Buildings already damaged by earlier strikes were reduced further, walls breaking apart as explosive rounds punched through concrete and steel. Any remaining resistance was crushed almost immediately.
The city was being dismantled piece by piece, and they were closing in on civilians the Army hadn't forcibly evacuated.
Titus walked at the front of the formation, his mind already working far beyond the street they stood on.
This was not random destruction. It never was.
He had already planned the next phase.
Government offices would be the priority. Not civilian centers. Not random targets. Power structures.
Military headquarters would fall first, command centers, communication hubs, intelligence buildings, anything that enabled organized resistance. Once those were neutralized, political structures would follow. High-ranking officials, those who held authority or influence, would be seized.
Leaders would be taken alive whenever possible.
Alive meant useful.
Hostages would force compliance faster than destruction ever could. The sight of captured officials, generals, ministers, advisors, would spread fear faster than any explosion. Broadcasts would be arranged. Proof of control would be shown openly.
Execution was not preferred.
But it was prepared.
Fear was a tool. Order was the goal.
The city would fall quickly. Cleanly. Efficiently.
Titus felt no doubt in his plan. The course was set. This was how compliance would be achieved.
And it would work.
Gaius watched the Ultramarines move ahead, their armored forms shrinking slightly as they advanced down the street. The Dreadnought followed, its heavy steps shaking the ground beneath it.
The mission was underway.
No further orders were required.
Gaius turned away from the battlefield.
Tony hovered nearby, his armor still humming softly, weapons retracting now that the immediate threat had passed. The two exchanged no words, but the decision was clear.
They took to the air.
Below them, the sounds of battle continued, bolter fire, collapsing structures, distant screams cut short. Gaius did not look back.
Their focus was elsewhere now.
Ahead of them, far above the city, Superman flew toward the scout ship.
Superman flew fast.
The wind tore past him, rushing around his body as the city blurred below. His jaw was tight, his thoughts heavy. Anger still burned beneath the surface, sharp and restless.
He heard it before he saw it.
Movement behind him.
He glanced back over his shoulder.
Gaius. Tony.
Following him.
Superman let out a short, irritated breath. A quiet huff, barely audible over the rushing air. He turned forward again and pushed harder, accelerating.
If they wanted to follow, they would have to keep up.
Tony noticed the change immediately.
"Of course he speeds up," he muttered inside his helmet, letting out a tired sigh.
Gaius showed no reaction at all.
He simply increased speed.
The distance closed quickly. The scout ship loomed ahead, massive and alien against the dark sky. Lightning crawled along the energy dome surrounding it, bright arcs snapping and rolling across its surface.
Within half a minute, Superman reached it.
He slipped through the open roof of the dome without slowing.
Gaius and Tony followed moments later.
Inside the dome, the air felt heavy.
Power surged everywhere. Lightning arced along the curved surface of the shield, feeding energy inward. Below, the city lights flickered and dimmed across entire districts as the scout ship drew power from the grid.
Superman landed inside first, boots touching down on smooth metal. He stood still, shoulders tense.
Gaius and Tony descended behind him.
Superman knew they were there. He did not turn. He did not speak.
They moved deeper into the ship.
The Genesis Chamber waited.
The door opened with a low, organic sound, not metal sliding, but something closer to flesh parting. Inside, the room felt alive.
The walls were not smooth. They curved and pulsed faintly, like muscle beneath skin. Thick tubes and cables ran across every surface, some metallic, others disturbingly organic. Fluids flowed through transparent veins along the walls, glowing faintly as energy passed through them.
At the center of the chamber stood the structure.
Large. Round.
Like an egg without a shell.
It floated partially submerged in thick fluid, held in place by clamps and tendrils that wrapped around it like living restraints. The surface of the mass pulsed slowly, expanding and contracting in a steady rhythm.
Inside it, a shape moved.
Vague. Humanoid.
Alive.
The chamber hummed softly, a deep, constant sound that could be felt in the chest more than heard.
Superman stared at it, unease creeping into his thoughts.
Tony and Gaius exchanged a brief look.
No words were needed.
Tony raised his hand slightly. The identification activated, projecting a panel visible only to him and Gaius.
The scan completed.
The name appeared.
Doomsday:
Doomsday is a genetically engineered abomination created by Lex Luthor using Kryptonian technology, his genetic material and the corpse of General Zod. Born within the Genesis Chamber, he rapidly evolves through combat, adapting to damage by developing stronger, more lethal forms. Possessing immense strength, durability, and regenerative abilities, Doomsday is capable of overpowering Superman and withstanding extreme force. His body generates devastating shockwaves, energy discharges, and bone-like protrusions used as weapons. Driven purely by destruction, Doomsday exists as a living weapon, an uncontrolled force whose evolution only accelerates the more he is fought.
Tony's pupils dilated as he continued to read.
A genetically engineered weapon.
Created by Lex Luthor.
Built using Kryptonian technology… and the corpse of General Zod.
Tony felt a chill run through him. General Zod, like Superman, was a Kryptonian. He had seen the video of Zod during his investigation, and now, it had turned into a monster.
regeneration
immense strength
extreme durability
rapid evolution through combat
adapts to injuries by developing stronger, more lethal forms
capable of overpowering Superman
generates devastating shockwaves
emits destructive energy discharges
bone-like protrusions used as natural weapons
driven purely by destruction
uncontrolled, living weapon
evolution accelerates the more he is engaged in combat
Tony lowered his hand slowly.
He looked at Gaius.
"This is it," Tony said quietly. "First objective."
Gaius nodded once.
"Doomsday," he said. "Then this is where it ends."
Once it was destroyed, the primary mission would be complete.
A screen flickered to life along the side of the chamber.
All three turned.
Lex Luthor appeared.
He sat in a wheelchair, his body wrapped in casts. Bruises darkened his face. One arm lay stiff at his side, barely moving. He looked like a man who had been broken and forced to stand anyway.
Lex's eyes moved across the room.
Superman.
Tony.
Then Gaius.
His body stiffened.
His breath caught for just a moment.
Pain flashed across his face, not physical, but memory. The torture Gaius had inflicted less than an hour earlier burned fresh in his mind.
Lex forced himself to breathe.
Forced himself to speak.
"Superman," he said.
Then, looking directly at Gaius, his voice trembling despite his effort to hide it.
"And you."
Hatred and fear mixed in his eyes.
"This," Lex continued, gesturing weakly toward the Genesis Chamber, "is the Doomsday you're looking for."
His lips curled slightly.
"And it will be your doomsday as well."
Lex turned his attention back to Superman.
"It seems," he said calmly, "that you failed."
"No time limit met. No proof delivered. And one bat head short."
He looked to the assistant beside him and raised a finger.
The assistant understood immediately and handed him a radio.
Lex lifted it slowly.
"Break the bad news," he said into it.
Superman stood still, his face calm.
But inside, his heart pounded.
Only he could feel it.
The seconds stretched.
Then a voice came through the radio.
"I'd rather do the breaking in prison."
Batman's voice.
Superman's breath eased without him realizing it.
Martha was safe.
Lex's face twisted in anger.
"So be it," he snapped. "Then this thing will finish it."
He gestured sharply toward the Genesis Chamber.
"It was made to kill Superman."
Then he looked back at Gaius.
"And it can kill you too, Golden one."
Tony finally spoke up, irritation clear in his voice.
"You bastard. Why are you ignoring me?"
Lex did not even look at him.
To Lex Luthor, Tony, small and sleek compared to Gaius, didn't matter, appearing weaker in comparison.
Only Superman.
And now… Gaius.
Inside the Genesis Chamber, the mass pulsed again.
Stronger.
The city outside continued to dim as power flowed inward.
~~~
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