Damian swallowed hard but stepped into the room, his gaze shifting between Zod and his father.
"Sit down," Zod ordered, his tone even but commanding. "I'm sure you overheard some of our conversation, but your father and I have come to an agreement."
Damian arched an eyebrow, intrigued.
"Originally, I wanted you on the front lines of our mission," Zod continued, studying him with an appraising look. "You have great potential, just as your father once showed me. But he vehemently disagreed."
Damian's gaze flicked to Dean-Blood, who remained silent, his expression unreadable.
"Instead," Zod went on, "you will serve in a different capacity—reconnaissance and intelligence gathering."
A dozen thoughts raced through Damian's mind.
Does that mean they aren't going through with the mission tonight?
Is my presence changing how this should play out?
Or is it my system subtly influencing events?
He pushed the questions aside. Right now, he needed to focus.
His mind sharpened. "What is my mission, General?" he asked directly.
Zod exchanged a glance with Dean-Blood, then turned back to Damian, a warm but slightly unsettling smile playing at his lips.
"Our goal is to secure the Codex of Life," Zod explained. "With it, we can restart Krypton on a new world. The current government refuses to acknowledge the planet's impending destruction, and the High Council has silenced me for speaking out. They brand my warnings as treason."
Damian nodded, keeping his expression neutral. I already know all of this.
"We need information," Zod continued. "Your mission is to conduct surveillance on Chief Scientist Jor-El. Gather intel on his daily schedule, security protocols, and access points. We need to know where he keeps the access key and any passcodes he uses. Every piece of information will be crucial in ensuring the Codex is in our hands before Krypton meets its end."
Zod leaned forward slightly. "You will report directly to me. Once we have everything we need, Dean and I will handle the rest."
Damian sat back, carefully masking his emotions.
This was perfect.
Zod was handing him the exact tools he needed—surveillance on Jor-El, insight into security systems, and, most importantly, a legitimate reason to be close to the Codex.
His plan to take it for himself had just become infinitely easier.
Zod's eyes flickered with expectation. "Any questions?"
Damian met his gaze and gave a small, measured nod. "No, General. I understand my mission."
Zod smiled in satisfaction. "Good. Then we begin immediately."