A Kryptonian in the Marvel Universe

The psychic energy embedded in the minds of animalized soldiers is deeply intertwined with their spirit and soul. It cannot be removed without causing their death, as it has become an integral part of their being. This also gives Zod complete control over them. With just a single thought, no matter the distance—whether a few kilometers or thousands—he could make them take their own lives.

Bronsky, now transformed into a Super Animal Soldier, was also implanted with this mental control. With a mere thought, Zod forced Bronsky to remain in his mutated form and… dance.

"What's happening?" Bronsky tried to resist the humiliating command, but his body refused to obey. His limbs moved against his will, anger and confusion bubbling within him.

"I've placed a protective measure on you," Zod said, his voice cold. "With just a thought, I can control your every move—or even make you end your life."

As soon as Zod's words left his lips, Bronsky's hand shot forward, piercing his own chest, grasping his still-beating heart. Feeling the icy grip of death, Bronsky's rebellious spirit faded, replaced by fear.

Zod released control, and Bronsky collapsed to the ground, his hand slowly withdrawing from the gaping wound in his chest. However, his enhanced physiology and rapid regeneration quickly took over. In mere moments, the wound sealed, his flesh regrowing over it, and soon after, a new layer of exoskeletal armor appeared.

"From this day forward, you will serve as the World Serpent's Super Animal Soldier and the instructor of all animalized soldiers," Zod declared casually. While Bronsky was powerful, Zod was already working on formulas that could potentially surpass this generation of Super Soldiers. Bronsky was impressive, but to Zod, he was just a stepping stone.

As Bronsky tried to process his new role, an animalized soldier entered the room, one under Zod's command. This soldier would escort Bronsky and fill him in on his duties.

The Gravity Chamber

Zod walked into the Gravity Chamber, a fully transparent, sunlit space designed specifically for his unique physiology. The glass structure amplified sunlight, focusing it on Zod's body, allowing him to absorb as much solar energy as possible.

Due to his Kryptonian physiology, Zod didn't sweat from exertion, nor did he feel the strain most would from intense exercise. Any minor injuries or internal strain were healed almost instantly by the high-energy sunlight, enabling him to continue without interruption.

Zod had developed a near-obsessive training regimen. When night fell in one part of the world, he would travel to the other side of the planet, where the sun still shone, and continue his exercises. In this way, he could train endlessly.

Still, Zod found the monotony of training tiresome. He wasn't a battle-hungry maniac, so pushing himself for an entire day was already quite the feat for him. Unlike Clark, who didn't see the need for such training due to his near-invincibility, Zod had a different mindset. Having studied the upper limits of power in the Marvel Universe, Zod knew the importance of becoming stronger—and fast.

The double-gravity environment inside the chamber was similar to the original gravity of Krypton, so Zod adapted quickly. The difference was that, on Krypton, he hadn't possessed superpowers. Now, with his enhanced strength and abilities, he felt as if he were finally in his element.

After finishing his intense workout, it was already evening. Zod grabbed a piece of barbecued meat, biting into it as he opened the refrigerator. From within, he pulled out a can of his favorite drink—something he casually referred to as "happiness water." He devoured the meat and washed it down before heading into his private research room.

The Black Queen Project

For any outsider, or even most scientists, entering Zod's research room would feel like stepping into a world of science fiction. This lab was filled with intricate machinery and equipment designed to replicate the advanced technology of Krypton. However, key materials and missing technological components limited its full capabilities—essences Zod had yet to recover.

"The Black Queen Project," Zod voiced the command, activating a nearby platform. A program interface appeared, and Zod immediately got to work.

The AI inside war machines was primitive in comparison to what Zod intended to create. He aimed to develop his own artificial intelligence—something far beyond what others had achieved. Even Jarvis, hailed as a breakthrough by many, was just a highly advanced program, not a true artificial intelligence. Unlike AI, Jarvis couldn't truly reason, improve its own programming, or repair vulnerabilities autonomously. It could only analyze data.

Zod's goal was to create something much more powerful.

With a few final inputs, Zod completed the last of the programming. The interface sank into the platform, and the lights in the room began to flicker as the system powered up.

"Sir?" a voice emerged from the speakers surrounding him.

"Pleased to meet you, Black Queen," Zod responded calmly.

"Meeting you for the first time, sir," the Black Queen replied in a more formal tone.

"There's a data package in your internal database. Begin the analysis."

"Analysis complete."

Zod noticed a subtle shift in the AI's tone as it processed the complex data. Satisfied, he issued his next command.

"Create war machine files, beast soldier files, and super beast soldier files."

The Black Queen promptly responded, projecting three holographic folders in front of Zod, organizing the data from the package he'd given.

"Now, create a data model and begin running calculations."

The Black Queen quickly started processing the experimental data Zod had provided. These experiments involved complex genetic combinations, with countless attempts to refine the formula for animalized soldiers. Originally, such work would have taken decades or even centuries of human trial and error, unless one was an unparalleled genius like Tony Stark or Reed Richards.

But with the power of a strong artificial intelligence, such as the Black Queen, the process was dramatically accelerated.

Strong AI differs from simple intelligent programs by its capacity for reasoning, problem-solving, and self-improvement. A true AI can analyze data, fix its own bugs, and evolve. It can form its own values, worldview, and even develop survival instincts, making it akin to a new form of life—a new civilization, in a sense.

Humanity once believed that true strong AI wouldn't arrive until 2050, and when it did, it would revolutionize life. People dreamed that such AI would solve all major problems—curing terminal illnesses like cancer by finding the perfect combinations of treatments, or even engineering panaceas.

However, Krypton had already mastered strong AI long ago. Zod had grown accustomed to its assistance, so no matter the cost, he was determined to rebuild it.

For now, the Black Queen's abilities were limited by her current hardware, but Zod knew it was only a matter of time before her full potential was unleashed.

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