Meanwhile, aboard the small landing craft that had detached from the Kryptonian Exile flagship, General Zod silently watched as his adjutant, Fiona, opened the hatch.
The Earth's wind swept across their fully sealed defensive battle suits.
Zod's gaze passed through layers of buildings before locking precisely onto Steppenwolf standing on the street below.
The moment he recognized him, Zod was genuinely stunned.
"That's Apokoliptian weaponry..."
His eyes narrowed.
"Is Darkseid also interested in our codex? Otherwise, why would they come all the way to a godforsaken place like the Solar System?"
As he spoke, Zod's expression became increasingly fierce.
He glared at Steppenwolf before turning toward Fiona without looking back.
"Fiona, are you certain Jor-El's ship, the one left for Kal-El, is directly beneath us?"
"Yes, General. The ship's signal is directly below us. It is likely being kept underground by humans."
Fiona's response was crisp and decisive.
Both Kryptonians looked down at Steppenwolf.
Honestly, neither Zod nor Fiona could understand why Steppenwolf would be interested in the codex.
After all, the codex contained the genetic information of the Kryptonian race. Even if another civilization acquired it, any lifeforms created through its use would still possess Kryptonian genetic traits.
If anything, using the codex to create more life would strengthen the Kryptonian race.
There was therefore no obvious reason for Steppenwolf or Apokolips to want it.
But regardless of how strange the situation seemed, the facts spoke for themselves.
Zod had never believed in coincidence.
Steppenwolf had appeared at the location most likely to contain the codex, directly above Jor-El and Kal-El's spacecraft.
That alone was enough to make Zod suspicious.
After Axel and the others had recovered Clark's spacecraft and brought it back to the manor, Lex and Bruce had initially intended to study it themselves.
However, as the days passed, both men were forced to admit that they simply did not have enough time.
On the third day after the ship was brought back, Lex and Bruce transferred the Kryptonian spacecraft to their respective corporations.
The research was then entrusted to Lex's scientists and Fox's team from Wayne Enterprises.
S.T.A.R. Labs eventually joined the project as well.
After all, S.T.A.R. Labs was one of the world's leading research institutions. There was no way they would willingly pass up the opportunity to study an alien spacecraft of such extraordinary value.
The head of S.T.A.R. Labs offered several of the organization's advanced technologies to Wayne Enterprises and LexCorp in exchange for the opportunity to participate in the research.
That created another problem.
Wayne Enterprises' primary headquarters and research center had already been destroyed by Axel and remained under reconstruction.
LexCorp's original research facilities were located around Metropolis, while the new experimental facility being constructed in Gotham had yet to be completed.
So, after S.T.A.R. Labs joined the project, Fox and the other researchers simply moved the Kryptonian spacecraft into S.T.A.R. Labs' Gotham facility.
Gotham was already one of S.T.A.R. Labs' major research centers, and the facility had more than enough room to accommodate the enormous spacecraft.
As a result, the Gotham branch of S.T.A.R. Labs currently possessed not only the incredibly valuable Mother Box, but also Clark's Kryptonian spacecraft.
That explained why Steppenwolf, who had come searching for the Mother Box, had arrived here.
It also explained why General Zod and his forces, who had followed the signal from the Kryptonian spacecraft, had arrived at the same location.
After exchanging a hostile glance with Steppenwolf below, General Zod leaped from the landing craft.
Thump!
The ground cracked beneath his feet as he landed in the middle of the traffic.
Cars swerved wildly to avoid him.
Some drivers panicked so badly that they continued veering directly toward Zod.
Zod gave them a contemptuous glance.
Then he casually raised his right leg and kicked one of the approaching cars toward Steppenwolf.
Steppenwolf was already tense.
He was holding a treasure as important as the Mother Box, and just after obtaining it, Kryptonians had appeared directly beside him.
Even without knowing their intentions, Steppenwolf could clearly sense their covetous interest in the Mother Box.
And now, the Kryptonian who had just landed had actually kicked a vehicle straight at him.
"Damn it!"
Steppenwolf swung the axe in his right hand.
The blade tore through the approaching vehicle, cleaving it in half.
The driver had already been knocked unconscious by Zod's kick.
Steppenwolf's axe finished the job.
His death was almost instantaneous.
The two halves of the vehicle flew in opposite directions, narrowly missing Steppenwolf.
He stood amid the wreckage, gripping his battle-axe and pointing it directly at Zod, who stood roughly sixty meters away.
"Foolish Kryptonian exile. I've heard your planet was destroyed. I didn't expect trash like you to still be clinging to life."
"Heh..."
Zod laughed in anger.
His expression became cold.
He turned slightly and gave Fiona a brief glance.
The next instant...
Boom!
The ground beside Zod exploded.
As the asphalt shattered, Fiona shot forward like lightning.
Steppenwolf immediately raised his enormous axe.
Thump!
Fiona's fist slammed into the axe head.
The impact forced Steppenwolf to take a step backward.
"Good strength."
Steppenwolf sneered.
He protected the Mother Box with one hand while swinging his axe with the other, immediately engaging Fiona in a fierce battle.
Fiona's strength was immense.
Even Steppenwolf could not afford to underestimate her.
The two collided repeatedly, creating a massive vacuum around the center of Gotham that ordinary people did not dare approach.
The shockwaves from their clashes alone shattered windows within a one-kilometer radius.
Countless civilians suffered ruptured eardrums from the tremendous noise.
Gotham's streets immediately descended into chaos.
Screams filled the air as civilians flooded out of buildings and poured into the streets, fleeing the Burnley District in a desperate attempt to escape the battlefield.
At the same time, the people inside S.T.A.R. Labs were completely stunned.
Especially Lucius Fox.
Fox had been working with the LexCorp research team to investigate the Kryptonian spacecraft stored beneath S.T.A.R. Labs.
He had barely begun making progress when one of his subordinates rushed over and reported that two powerful aliens were fighting directly above them.
When Fox first heard the news, he nearly panicked.
He only relaxed slightly after learning that the Mother Box research team in the above-ground section of the facility had also been attacked and that the Mother Box had been stolen.
The Mother Box was certainly valuable, but it was not his responsibility.
Fox could only pray that the researchers assigned to it survived while he and his team remained in cover.
Unfortunately, his relief did not last long.
After watching the situation through the surveillance system, Fox immediately became alarmed when he heard Steppenwolf mention Kryptonians.
Only moments earlier, when General Zod had hacked into Earth's global communication networks, Fox had heard his declaration.
The Kryptonian general was clearly searching for Clark.
Worse, he had openly revealed Clark's identity.
Under normal circumstances, General Zod should not have known the name Clark Kent immediately after arriving on Earth.
Clark had kept his identity hidden for years, and his story had not yet become widespread.
But Axel had changed far too many things.
Under Axel's influence, Clark had emerged much earlier and had already become the superhero who saved Washington while openly operating under his true identity.
Now, information about Clark, the Wildcat members associated with Downton Manor, and the other extraordinary figures connected to them was scattered across the internet.
Because of that, the moment Zod arrived on Earth, he had already obtained information about Clark by infiltrating global networks.
Even without the Kryptonian spacecraft incident, Zod would eventually have come to Gotham searching for Clark.
So when Fox realized that Kryptonians had already arrived in Gotham, he immediately became worried about his own survival.
He quickly pulled out his phone and called the manor.
A moment later, the call connected.
Alfred immediately spoke.
"Fox, I already know. The Kryptonians who suddenly arrived on Earth and an unknown alien are fighting fiercely near S.T.A.R. Labs."
His tone was urgent.
"Regardless of what they're fighting over, they certainly won't ignore the Kryptonian spacecraft you're keeping there."
"I've already dispatched Floyd and Victor, along with the assassin squad they command, to support you."
"Fox, protect yourself. Stay away from the battlefield and hold out until they arrive."
"I know, I know. Damn it, but why did all these aliens have to show up at once?"
Fox glanced nervously toward the ceiling.
"I can hear their fighting even from underground. They're ridiculously strong!"
He hesitated before continuing.
"Alfred, if I die today, make sure the supercomputer in my safe house is integrated into the Wayne network. I left several projects there that I'm personally interested in."
"They're dangerous and aren't suitable for large-scale corporate implementation, but I don't want the work I've spent my life on to disappear."
"I understand. Don't worry. Even if you hadn't mentioned it, Bruce would never allow your best work to be forgotten."
"Then I'm relieved."
Fox exhaled.
"But damn it, when is Axel going to get back?"
"If I survive today, I'm going to suggest that no matter where they go, at least one or two of their strongest members should remain behind. We can't keep letting situations like this happen."
"You're right, Fox."
Alfred paused.
"But Ms. Enchantress and Ms. Zatanna are both here, and they're already heading toward you."
"Fortunately, Ms. Zatanna was at the manor, and she contacted Ms. Enchantress."
"You probably won't die today."
After saying that, Alfred quickly ended the call.
He then nodded toward Enchantress, who was standing in front of him.
Upon receiving Alfred's signal, Enchantress immediately transformed into a cloud of gray mist.
The mist dispersed in an instant.
A moment later, Enchantress returned, having already brought Fox back with her.
As soon as Fox landed, he looked around at everyone present.
Then, with a helpless expression, he gave Carmine Falcone a bitter smile.
"Hello, Carmine Falcone."
"I really didn't expect our first meeting to happen under circumstances like these."
"Neither did I."
Falcone gave Fox a sympathetic look.
"But your safety is what matters most. Once this alien situation is resolved, allow me to buy you a drink, Mr. Fox."
After exchanging pleasantries with Fox, Falcone looked toward Alfred.
Alfred immediately began issuing instructions to everyone nearby.
"The original plan remains unchanged."
"Floyd and Victor will lead the Dead Souls Gang in managing traffic and keeping Gotham's major routes clear."
"At the same time, the Dead Souls Gang must encourage civilians to evacuate toward Metropolis or even farther away."
"Master Axel, Young Master Bruce, and Young Master Clark are all absent. The manor is therefore not completely secure."
"If civilians begin gathering around the manor for shelter again, we may not have enough personnel to protect them properly."
"They must continue farther away from the battlefield."
"Wait, Mr. Butler."
Zatanna suddenly raised her hand.
"Although Axel and the others aren't here, I don't think I'm helpless."
She looked toward the battlefield.
"I can try to banish them to another world. I'll go now."
"Wait!"
Zatanna had barely finished speaking before she attempted to teleport.
She vanished from the room.
Enchantress immediately shouted.
"Don't go! Damn it, that guy is an Apokoliptian!"
"They've already fought Earth's gods, and they have methods capable of countering most Earth-based magic. At the very least, they can render most banishment spells ineffective."
"Don't just rush in like that!"
She looked toward Alfred.
"Respected Mr. Butler, I have to go after Zatanna and support her. Let my Buddy temporarily guard the manor."
As soon as she finished speaking, Enchantress transformed into air and disappeared from the living room.
Watching the two women disappear one after another, Alfred sighed softly.
Falcone, standing nearby, rubbed his chin with a bitter smile.
"Ah, this is truly incredible."
He shook his head.
"Not long after Axel appeared before me, I already realized that the world's balance was changing."
"I understood that the extraordinary age was coming."
"But this is happening a little too quickly, isn't it?"
"How long has it even been?"
He rubbed his face in disbelief.
"Why are the people I'm expected to deal with now dangerous aliens instead of the FBI and the Court of Owls?"
Alfred's expression remained serious.
He nodded toward Enchantress's Buddy.
"The manor is entrusted to you."
"Uh..."
The Buddy swallowed nervously.
"I'll do my best."
He turned his attention back toward the real-time projection displayed on the living room wall.
The projection was supposed to provide a clear view of the battle between the Kryptonians and Steppenwolf.
However, the combatants were moving too quickly.
The satellite footage could barely keep up with them, leaving the battlefield as little more than a blur of rapidly shifting images.
The Buddy carefully analyzed what little footage remained visible.
After a moment, he pursed his lips.
"Honestly, neither of those guys is ordinary."
He swallowed.
"I think either one could kill me at least three times."
"But..."
His expression became solemn.
"To repay Lord Axel's kindness, even if I die, I'll make sure I die before all of you."
He paused.
"Of course, we'd better pray they don't come this way..."