Chapter 338 37. Love each other as a family·Wasteland version
"I have passed through the mechanical ant colony and am approaching the underground base."
Falzord's muffled voice reached Barbara Gordon's ears through the team communication. The black-clad Superman was currently walking tiptoeing in the collapsed tunnel nearly 300 meters under the wasteland.
He walked very carefully, avoiding making any noise and spreading his Kryptonian senses to catch possible threats for himself.
The ant colony signal beacon on Zod's wrist continues to be active.
This made the mechanical ants crawling everywhere behind him regard the big man as a member of the ant colony and not attack him, just like how Ant-Man used to control the ant colony by turning himself into the ant king. .
But the signal beacon made by Barbara is obviously simpler.
"Capture the 'Ant King', Zod, and collect valuable items at the same time. We are waiting for you at Pym Crossing."
Barbara warned:
"Pay attention to safety. Mason said that if you encounter special circumstances, give up the action and put safety first."
"Yeah."
Zod responded, then silenced the communication.
He obviously does not think that he will return without success after reaching this point. Although he always maintains silence and a low profile of staying away from strangers, in Zod's heart, his evaluation of himself is quite accurate and reliable.
Through this experience, he confirmed that there were only a handful of things that could hurt him in this world.
After all, no matter which parallel world the Kryptonians are in, they all belong to the bloodline of "Kaitanhu". Being defeated in the hands of Black Bolt did not dampen Zod's confidence. It only strengthened his idea that he must further explore his potential.
Although I don’t really understand the reason why Mason did these things in this dark era, to be fair, following Mason in doing these saving things makes people feel more comfortable than aimless destruction and catharsis.
This mentality is probably related to his experience.
He hates evil men who see violence and oppression as commonplace.
"Sister? You finally woke up. Look at what good things I got. You will definitely like it. Well, don't move around. I will help you up."
When Zod quietly emerged from an underground elevator that had long ceased operation, his super hearing captured the sounds coming from the space in front of him.
It's the ant king!
That thin young man.
The black-clothed Superman immediately stepped forward, but still maintained his stealth action. He looked around with his penetrating vision, carefully avoiding the strange objects hidden in this steel tunnel and moving forward.
The sounds ahead became clearer and clearer.
"Look! This clean water is enough for us to drink for several years, and these compressed foods. If I read correctly, they are from pre-war storage.
And damn these snacks! I've never seen it before. I just tasted a piece of candy and the sweetness made my taste buds explode.
You must also try a piece. It is said that this kind of thing was everywhere in the world before we were born, but unfortunately it is gone now. Come on, I will peel a piece for you.
This one is orange flavored.
I don't know what orange is, but it smells pretty good. ”
"Have you checked?"
In addition to the Ant King's voice, Zod quickly captured a second voice.
It's a girl.
And he sounded out of breath and weak.
He stopped and looked forward with his penetrating vision. In the X-ray-like perspective, he could see the ant king carefully helping a thin girl out of a structure similar to a biological cabin.
Just from the abnormal heartbeat of the little girl, it can be judged that she is not healthy.
But at this moment, the little girl who was helped up was still warning her brother. With a little complaint, she whispered:
"I told you, Franklin, you must be more careful when selecting targets. People who can take out so many supplies at once are definitely not ordinary people in the wasteland.
You shouldn't take the risk of showing up, let alone asking for so many things, as this will put us in danger. ”
"I know, but after this vote is completed we won't have to go out for several years."
The Ant King was a little embarrassed, but while handing Harley's snack gummies to his weak but dignified sister, he explained:
"Aren't we trying to open the machine left by Dr. Pym? So much food and water will be enough to survive until you can decipher the mystery of the machine as long as it is properly stored.
Mom said that the machine is connected to quantum space, and maybe we can leave this desperate wasteland through it.
That's the key thing.
As for possible dangers, you don’t have to worry. I have just adjusted the mechanical ant colony to the ‘self-discipline’ mode, and they will build a very large mechanical hive outside the base.
Anyone who wants to catch up must first pass through the attack of the ant colony. Mom said that even in the heroic age before the wasteland, few people could do this. ”
"You are still too confident. My mind tells me that you have done something very dangerous."
The weak sister was a little reluctant, but she could not rebuke her brother anymore. She knew that Franklin did all these things for her, so after a few seconds, she laughed and said sweetly:
"This candy is so delicious."
"Right? Hahaha, I knew you would like it."
The Ant King laughed loudly and said:
"We have to put it into Dr. Pym's analytical machine, analyze the ingredients, and see if we can transform this taste into ordinary food.
This way, you don't have to endure monotony when eating. Valeria? younger sister! What’s wrong with you? Don't scare me! Wake up! ”
The ant king's voice suddenly became frightened, and Zod, who had been eavesdropping, also heard the little girl's heartbeat weakening rapidly.
An urgency arose in his heart, and the black-clothed superman didn't care about hiding. He rushed forward with his legs and punched open the mechanical door blocked in front.
Amidst the loud noise, smoke and dust flew everywhere, and he strode out into the underground laboratory in front of him, which was not too big, but all the furnishings were extremely exquisite.
The ant king was startled by the movement. He reacted quickly and used his helmet, which he never left behind, to mobilize the mechanical ant colony to attack.
A large number of silver-gray special soldier ants rushed out of the storage compartment of the laboratory, making a harsh cutting sound and pounced on Zod, but soon they lost their target and started spinning around in circles.
This scene made the ant king's teeth crack, and he realized that his greed had really caused trouble.
He constantly gave orders to the ant colony and guided the awakened mechanical ants to attack Zod, but
Friendly troops!
TM's are all friendly forces! It can't be locked at all!
The information fed back from the mechanical ant colony made the ant king's face quickly turn desperate, but the courage and perseverance tempered by the wasteland made the child never surrender. He simply grabbed a strange-shaped gun behind his back and aimed it at Stride. Zod is coming.
Dangerous energy gathered on the gun body. When it was activated, he heard the black-clothed superman in front of him say coldly:
"Your sister's heartbeat is rapidly weakening. Look at this poor little pale face and lips. She is suffering from long-term malnutrition and must have some congenital diseases.
The equipment here wasn't enough to save her, but my companion could!
He is a very good pharmacist and master of engineering. You just met him and he made the locator in your belly. Ant King, do you want to fight with me here?
Or give me some time and give your sister some hope?
According to the current situation, she can hold on for another ten minutes at most."
"Franklin! Put down the quantum gun."
The little girl lying in the dilapidated biological cabin covered her heart and said with difficulty:
"You will drain the energy out of the laboratory. Let them put down their weapons"
"Pa"
The weird and dangerous energy weapon was thrown on the ground. The ant king obviously listened to his sister's words. He lay down next to the thin sister and held her hand, whispered her name, then looked at Zod with gritted teeth and said:
"Tell your people to come quickly! I have lifted the ant colony's patrol, hurry up! If something happens to my sister, I will let everyone nearby be buried with her!"
"So murderous, another little lunatic."
Zedd glanced at him, turned around and quickly reported the situation here to Barbara. He said:
"Send Mason over as quickly as possible, the little girl here may not be able to survive."
"Zod, stand there and don't move."
Mason's voice took over the communication, and he said in a gentle tone:
"The hat is going to activate a precise teleportation that will send me to you, but you will endure a certain amount of energy conflict. Are you ready?"
"Let's get started."
The black-clothed Superman glanced at the little girl next to him who was having difficulty breathing, and nodded.
Then a special energy burst out in the Isu armor on his body, like the energy restraint and suppression of invisible chains, making Zod frown but still gritted his teeth and persisted.
A few seconds later, when the energy exploded, a group of magnificent flashing lights lit up next to him, and then Mason walked out of the broken light with the medical kit and Harley.
"Magic?"
The Ant King exclaimed, but Mason ignored him and said to Harley beside him:
"Prepare an operating table first, cutie."
"Roger that! Dr. Mason."
Harley blew a pink bubble. As a nurse, she immediately took out a mechanical assembly from her bag and got busy. Mason stepped forward, put on medical gloves, and reached out to put a small device in the biological cabin. On the girl's neck.
He said with a serious face:
"Not only malnutrition, but also congenital weakness. I guess it is a disease carried from the mother's womb. But the good news is that there are no congenital genetic diseases, so it only requires nursing care and some special potions.
However, the infection in her lungs has developed into severe pneumonia, and I need to perform an organoscopy to check the situation. ”
Mason glanced at the helpless ant king next to him. He pushed up the glasses frame without lenses and said:
"What did you do when she was feeling uncomfortable before?"
"Use a biopod."
The ant king didn't dare to get angry at this moment, so he could only answer honestly:
"The biological capsule left by Dr. Pym has healing and soothing functions, but its effect is getting worse every time, and I can't find enough medicine in the wasteland.
Those damn guys took away everything they could when they were transferred seventeen years ago! ”
"As expected, you know Dr. Pym. The crime of intentional deception will be increased by one degree! Now go and take out all the Pym particles in your hand and use them as treatment expenses for your sister."
Mason gave the ant king a very rude order. The latter dared not say anything in anger, but when he saw that Mason was indeed preparing to treat him, he took a few steps back, activated a mechanical secret compartment and took out a box of Pym particles.
The captain didn't look at him. He first fed the concentrated water of life and death to the painful little girl to put her into a deep sleep. Then he picked up the poor, almost skinny little girl and placed her on the temporary operating table prepared by Harley.
While he was busy with his fingers, using his superb first aid skills to relieve her condition, he said to the Ant King who had been watched by Zod without looking back:
"What a cunning and treacherous guy. He is a good actor, but your concern for your sister makes you barely a good brother. What is your name?"
Faced with Mason's question, the Ant King stiffened his neck and did not intend to answer.
He was still trying to gather the ants together to give himself and his sister some self-protection capabilities, but the next moment, Zod grabbed his helmet and gently took it off, and the child's biggest support was removed.
Under the helmet, a face that, although immature, could be seen to have been weathered, was revealed.
Fifteen years old at most.
But his rough appearance looks almost as mature as a twenty-year-old.
"Answer the question, Franklin."
Zod put his hand on the thin boy's shoulder and whispered:
"We are not your enemy, but we could be."
"嘁"
The disarmed ant king curled his lips and replied unhappily:
"Franklin Richards."
"Huh? Your last name is Richards? He has a good background."
Mason's movements stopped, and he looked at the weak and sleeping girl in front of him. After a few seconds, he said:
"Your sister is Valeria Richards? Your father is Mr. Fantastic Reed?"
"Indeed, but I have never seen him."
The Ant King snorted, quite like the unruly wasteland people, he curled his lips and said:
"I heard he was the greatest hero, shit! If he were great he wouldn't have made the world such a mess, you know what you want to ask, sly bastard.
My sister and I were raised by our mother.
Sadly she is already dead, from heart failure when we were five. ”
"Ms. Susan?"
Mason breathed a sigh of relief and said:
"With her ability, it is indeed possible to survive in that dangerous situation. Was it she who led you to find this laboratory and taught you how to operate the instruments here?"
"No, my mother was in very poor health during the last two years of her life, and it was difficult for her to take care of us."
Franklin whispered:
"I learned how to find the mechanical ant colony and operate Dr. Pym's spare helmet myself. As for this laboratory, it was Valeria who found it.
My sister is a real genius. ”
"I just heard these two kids say that there is a machine in this laboratory that can open quantum channels."
Zod told Mason what he heard:
"The two of them are planning to hack the machine and enter a place called the quantum realm to escape the disaster of the wasteland."
"Dr. Pym's black technology is so shocking even if you just listen to it."
Mason, who was performing first aid, shook his head and said with emotion:
"But who would have thought that his heirs would be two self-taught brats. Zod, go get Barbara. I need her to take over this underground laboratory.
This is a real treasure trove.
As for you, Franklin, and poor Valeria, I'll find you a new home. However, didn’t Ms. Susan leave anything for you to defend yourself? ”
"You bastard, it's not enough that you robbed my home!"
The ant king shouted:
"Are you still plotting against my mother's inheritance?"
"You lied to us first, boy."
Harley scolded in displeasure:
"You'd better be honest. You and your sister are lucky to have met such a good man like Mr. K. You little bastard who doesn't know good people's hearts, you remind me of Damian.
No, you are worse than Damian. ”
"Franklin Richards, who was tempered by the wasteland into a cunning and sinister man, will definitely become good friends with Damian Wayne and good partners who go out to do evil things together."
Mason glanced at the Ant King and said softly:
"But, Franklin, haven't you discovered that you have some special abilities since you were a child? I mean, the kind similar to super powers.
I think you might be a mutant."
"No, I'm not."
The Ant King denied:
"When we found the base, my sister used the equipment here to check our bodies. I am just an ordinary person, but my sister inherited the wisdom of my mother and the legendary father.
I am just an executor, she is the real ant queen.
Alas, I should really listen to my sister. If I don’t rob you today, nothing will happen to you. ”
"This is the so-called 'fate', kid."
Mason snorted, looked at the little girl who was gradually relaxing, and said:
"Perhaps it is fate that I should find you who need help. After all, this is the job at hand now. Okay, now take me to see the quantum tunnel.
I'm really interested in that stuff. "(End of Chapter)