. . . (woman gasping) WOMAN (gasping): Hurry! (electronic pulsing) (grunting) (pants) (gasps) (electronic pulsing continues) (panting, gasping) (pained yell) (pants) (electronic pulsing continues) (woman gasps) (groans) (gasping) (grunting) (woman gasping) (screaming) (gasps) (grunting) (screaming) (yells in pain) (gasps) (panting) (baby wheezing weakly) (panting) (wheezing stops) (weak wheezing resumes) (wheezing) (crying loudly) -(baby's cry echoes, fades) -(creature bellowing) (bellowing fades) (birds squawking in distance) (vehicle whirring) MAN: Do you not understand? Krypton's core is collapsing. We may only have a matter of weeks. I warned you. Harvesting the core was suicide. It has accelerated the process of implosion. Our energy reserves were exhausted-- what would you have us do, El? Look to the stars, like our ancestors did. There are habitable worlds within reach. We can being by using the old outposts. Are you seriously suggesting that we evacuate the entire planet? No. Everybody here is already dead. Give me control of the Codex. I will ensure the survival of our race. There is still hope. I have held that hope in my hand. (explosion) (weapons zapping, men grunting) -(weapons fire stops) -(footsteps approaching) This council has been disbanded. On whose authority? Mine. (grunts) (debris clatters) The rest of you will be tried, and punished accordingly. What are you doing, Zod? This is madness. What I should have done years ago. These lawmakers, with their endless debates, have led Krypton to ruin! (grunts) And if your forces prevail... you'll be the leader of nothing. Then join me. Help me save our race. We'll start anew. We'll sever the degenerative bloodlines that led us to this state. And who will decide which bloodlines survive, Zod? You? Don't do this, El. The last thing I want is for us to be enemies. You have abandoned the principles that bound us together. You've taken up the sword against your own people. I will honour the man you once were, Zod... not this monster you've become. Take him away. FEMALE ROBOT VOICE: Sir, is everything all right? Out of the way. I said... (booming) (grunting) (weapon zaps) (grunting continues) (weapon zaps) Get me Lara. LARA: Jor... behind you! (zapping) Lara, you have to ready the launch. I'll be with you as soon as I can. (engines whooshing) (deep rumbling) (engines whooshing) (weapons firing) (engines whirring, whooshing) H'Raka! (creature bellowing) (bellows) (grunts): Hah! (creature bellowing) (weapons firing) (whoosh) (weapons continue firing) (weapons continue firing) -Can you see the Codex? -ROBOT: It's just beneath the central hub, sir. But I'm compelled to warn you, breaching the genesis chamber is a Class-B crime punishable... Nobody cares anymore, Kelex. The world is about to come to an end. (weapons firing in distance) (whooshing) (panting) (high-pitched tone) (pulsating tone) (mechanical rumbling, whirring) MAN (over speaker): Jor-El, by the authority of General Zod, surrender the Codex. (weapons firing in distance) (zapping) (H'Raka bellows) (grunts) (weapon zapping) (weapon continues firing) (whirring, (weapons continue firing) (explosion booms) (whirring) (rumbling) (explosion thunders) (yells) (H'Raka bellowing) (grunting) Easy, H'Raka. (H'Raka grunts) (H'Raka groans deeply) (electronic whirring) (baby fussing) JOR-EL: Did you find the world? -We have. -FEMALE ROBOT VOICE: Orbiting a main sequence yellow star, just as you said it would. JOR-EL: A young star. His cells will drink its radiation. It's a seemingly intelligent population. -(baby fussing) -He'll be an outcast. (whispers): A freak. They'll kill him. How? He'll be a god to them. (baby fussing) What if the ship doesn't make it? He'll die out there. Alone. (baby fussing) I can't do it. -I thought I could, but... -Lara... now that he's here... Krypton is doomed. It's his only chance now. It's our people's only hope. -(rapid electronic clicking) -What is it, Kelex? There are five attack ships converging from the East. Citadel's defences are being scanned and evaluated. I'll upload the Codex. -(whispers): No, wait. -(baby fussing) Lara... Just... let me look at him. -(baby fusses) -(Lara exhales) (whispers): We'll never get to see him walk. (sniffles) Never hear him say our names. (Lara sighs) (fussing) But out there... amongst the stars... he will live. (baby fussing) (baby crying) (crying stops) (high-pitched whirring) (baby fussing) (electronic whirring continues) (harsh, grinding whirr) -(whoosh) -(whirring stops) (baby crying) -Shh... -(baby calms) (deep whirr, power surging) Good-bye, my son. Our hopes and dreams travel with you. (baby fussing) (electronic whirr, click) (clank) (deep whirring) (clanking) (engines whooshing) (clicking, clanking) (whirring) Concentrate fire on the main doors. (weapons zapping) (distorted, electronic squeaking) (deep whirring) FEMALE ROBOT VOICE: Lady Lara, the phantom drives are coming online. Proceed to ignition. General... we have identified an engine ignition within the Citadel. A launch. Hold this platform, Commander. I know you stole the Codex, Jor-El. Surrender it, and I'll let you live. This is a second chance for all of Krypton... not just the bloodlines you deem worthy. What have you done? We have had a child, Zod. A boy child. Krypton's first natural birth in centuries. And he will be free. Free to forge his own destiny. Heresy! Destroy it! (zapping) (grunting) (groans) (ferocious grunt) (grunting continues) -(electronic squeaking) -(pained grunting) (strained grunting) (grunting) (grunting continues) (groans) (panting) (electronic whirring, blipping) (whooshing, rumbling) ZOD: Lara, listen to me. The Codex is Krypton's future. Abort the launch! (whirring gradually growing louder) (rumbling) (rumbling growing louder) No...! (grunts) (rumbling fades) (gasping) ZOD: Your son, Lara, -(Lara sobs) -where have you sent him? (panting) (sniffles) His name... is Kal... son of El. And he's beyond your reach. (electronic blipping) Bring that ship down. (mechanical whirring, clicking) MALE VOICE: Target locked. (whooshing) (rumbling, whooshing) MAN (over speaker): Lay down your weapons-- your forces are surrounded. (deep electronic whirr) (electronic blipping) MAN (voice-over): General Zod, for the crimes of murder and high treason, the Council has sentenced you and your fellow insurgents to 300 cycles of somatic reconditioning. Do you have any last words? You won't kill us yourself-- you wouldn't sully your hands-- but you'll damn us to a black hole for eternity! Jor-El was right! You're a pack of fools! Every last one of you! And you... you believe your son is safe? I will find him. I will reclaim what you have taken from us! I will find him. I will find him, Lara. I will find him! (crackling) (grunting in pain) (grunting) (crackling) (whooshing, whirring) (rumbling) (electronic whirring) (rumbling fades) (deep whirring) (rumbling) (power buzzing, crackling) (rumbling) (buzzing) -(echoing boom) -(crackling, rumbling fades) (distant rumbling) (crackling) (electronic clicking) FEMALE ROBOT VOICE: Lady Lara, shouldn't you find refuge? There is no refuge, Kelor. Jor-El was right. This is the end. (deep rumbling) Make a better world than ours, Kal. (rumbling) (whooshing) (explosion thundering) (rumbling fades) (whooshing) (engine whooshing) (whirring) (whirring) (whooshing) (crackling) (whooshing) (whirring) (whooshing, popping) . (crew shouting indistinctly) (man shouts indistinctly) (creaking) (grunts) Watch it, dumb-ass! Keep your eyes open, or you're gonna get squashed! Where the hell did they find you, Greenhorn? FISHERMAN: Let's get this trap in the air! MAN (over speakers): Gentlemen, secure the deck. We just got a distress call from a rig due west of us. Secure the deck. (helicopter approaching) PILOT (over speaker): All civilian boats, stand clear. The sub-sea valves failed, and the rig is about to explode. Roger, Coast Guard. What about the men left inside? Over. PILOT: Forget 'em. They're dead. Greenhorn, fetch me my binoculars. Greenhorn! This is the last of the oxygen! I don't know how much longer we can hold out! (creaking, clanking) (flames whoosh, crackle) PILOT: This is Coast Guard 65-10. We're gonna make one more pass, then we're getting out of here. (panicked shouting) Wait, wait, wait-- I got some guys on the helipad! (explosion in distance) (indistinct shouts) Let's go! Let's go! (deep, metallic creaking) PILOT: Get that last guy loaded! We have got to go! Hey, let's go! What are you doing! (deep, metallic creaking) Go! Go! (yelling) (creaking) (yelling) (muffled explosion, whooshing) (indistinct whispering) TEACHER: ...when Kansas became a territory... (voice-over): Clark... Are you listening, Clark? (distant dog barking) I asked if you could tell me who first settled Kansas. (static, electronic whine, indistinct voices) (panting) (voices, static continue; heart beating) (gasping anxiously) Are you all right, Clark? (loud thumping) (loud ticking) Clark! Clark? (school bell ringing) Clark! Clark, come out of there. -Leave me alone. -(knocking continues) Clark, I have called your mother. -(pounding on door) -Clark! (sizzles, teacher gasps) I'm here. Clark, honey, it's Mom. (panting) Will you open the door? BOY (whispering): What's wrong with him anyway? BOY 2: He's such a freak. -Crybaby. -GIRL: His parents won't even -let him play with other kids. -GIRL 2: I know. -What a weirdo. -CLARK'S MOM: Sweetie... how can I help you if you won't let me in? The world's too big, Mom. Then make it small. (sighs) Just, um... focus on my voice. Pretend it's an island out in the ocean. Can you see it? I see it. Then swim towards it, honey. (sighs) What's wrong with me, Mom? Clark. (whales singing) (gull screeches) (light acoustic music) -WOMAN: Did you get everything I need? -MAN: Yep. Hold it, hold it. Come back here. (door closes) (acoustic music continues) (schoolchildren conversing indistinctly) (acoustic music continues) Hey, ass wipe. What do you think? Did you see the game? Leave him alone, Pete. Oh, what are you, his girlfriend? I want to hear what he has to say. Come on, dick splash. -(tyre explodes) -(screaming) -(tyre screeching) -(car horn honks) (panting) (children screaming) (screaming continues) (gasping) (muffled screaming) (screaming) (gasping) (metal creaking) (coughing) (kids murmuring) (panting) WOMAN (voice-over): My son was there. He was in the bus. -He saw what Clark did. -JONATHAN: I know he did. I'm sure... I'm sure what he though he saw was... Was an act of God, Jonathan. This was Providence. (anxious chuckle) Well, I think you're blowing it a little out of proportion. No, I'm not. Lana saw it, too, and the Fordham boy, and this isn't the first time Clark's done something like this. (rope creaking) I just wanted to help. I know you did, but we talked about this. Right? Right? We talked about this. You have... Well, Clark, you have to keep this side of yourself a secret. What was I supposed to do? Just let them die? (Clark sighs) Maybe. There's more at stake here than just our lives, Clark, or the lives of those around us. When the world... when the world finds out what you can do, it's gonna change everything-- our-our beliefs, our notions of what it means to be human, everything. You saw how Pete's mom reacted, right? She was scared, Clark. Why? People are afraid of what they don't understand. Is she right? Did God do this to me? Tell me! (creaking) We found you in this. We were sure the government was gonna show up at our doorstep, but no one ever came. (Clark sighs) This was in the chamber with you. I took it to a metallurgist at Kansas State. He said whatever it was made from didn't even... didn't even exist on the periodic table. That's another way of saying that it's not from this world, Clark. And neither are you. You're the answer, son. You're the answer to: "Are we alone in the universe?" I don't want to be. And I don't blame you, son. It'd be a huge burden for anyone to bear, but you're not just anyone, Clark, and I have to believe that you were... (sighs) ...that you were sent here for a reason. All these changes that you're going through, one day... one day, you're gonna think of them as a blessing, and when that day comes, you're gonna have to make a choice, a choice of whether to stand proud in front of the human race or not. Can't I just keep pretending I'm your son? You are my son. But somewhere out there, you've... you have another father, too, who gave you another name. (sighs) And he sent you here for a reason, Clark. And even if it takes you the rest of your life, you owe it to yourself to find out what that reason is. (brakes squealing, hissing) I fell into a ring of fire... # MAN: Wait a second. Aren't you supposed to be here for the exercise? MAN 2: No. There was a change in the plans. I guess somebody found something strange on Ellesmere. Aircom's making runs out there all week. That rat hole? You got to be kidding me. I know, it's crazy, right? But the Americans are there, too-- lots of them. -WAITRESS: Anything else? -They're calling it "an anomalous object," whatever that means. Back off, Ludlow. I'm serious. -Oh, come on, Chrissy. -Knock it off. -Sit down. -Let me go. Hey, leave her alone, man. (bottle shatters) Or what, tough guy? Or... I'm gonna have to ask you to leave. I think I'll probably just leave when I'm good and ready. Oh. (scattered laughter) Oh, there he is. (clattering) It's not worth it, sweetie. Hey, asshole, don't forget your tip. (laughs) Stee-rike. (popping, crackling) 1 (truck approaching) Thanks. Hi. Miss Lane. How you doing? -Good. -Jed Eubanks, Arctic Cargo. How far to the station? Camp's just over the rise. I'll walk you over. Great. Joe can take your bags. Joe! Help her out. Careful with those; they're heavy. I got to confess, Miss Lane. I'm not a fan of the "Daily Planet." But those pieces you wrote when you were embedded with the first division were... Well, they were pretty impressive. Well, what can I say? I get writer's block if I'm not wearing a flak jacket. (chuckles) MAN (voice-over): Miss Lane, I'm Colonel Hardy, U.S. Northcom. Dr. Emil Hamilton from DARPA. -You're early. -Hi. We were expecting you tomorrow. Which is why I showed up today. Look, let's get one thing straight, guys, okay? The only reason I'm here is because we're on Canadian soil and an appellate court overruled your injunction to keep me away. So if we're done measuring dicks, can you have your people show me what you found? MAN (voice-over): NASA's EOS satellites pinged the anomaly first. The ice shelf plays hell on the echo soundings, but there's definitely something down there. LOIS: A submarine, maybe Soviet era? -Doubtful. That's 300 meters, considerably larger than anything we know they built back then. But here's the spooky part. The ice surrounding the object, it's nearly 20,000 years old. HARDY (voice-over): Miss Lane? Try not to wander. Temperatures drop to minus 40 at night around here. Wouldn't find your body till after spring. There you go. What if I need to tinkle? There's a bucket in the corner. (clicking) (wind howling) (camera shutter clicking) Where the hell are you going? (wind whistling) (wind whistling, water dripping) (whooshing) (clacking, whirring) (low humming) (humming continues, slowly increasing in pitch) (humming intensifies) (rapid electronic blipping) (grunts) (grunting) (distant thud) Hello? (wind whistling) (camera powering up) (gasping) (electronic whirring) (grunts with effort) It's all right, it's all right, it's all right. -(gasping anxiously) -It's all right. (gasping) You're haemorrhaging internally, and if I don't cauterize this bleed... (panting): How can... I can do things that other people can't. Now hold my hand. This is gonna hurt. (screaming) (beeping) (rumbling) (alarms beeping) (rumbling continues) (metal creaking) (electronic hum) (rumbling) (whirring) What Colonel Hardy and his team surmised was a Soviet-era submarine was actually something much more exotic. An isotope analysis of the surrounding ice bores suggest that an object had been trapped in the glacier for over 18,000 years. As for my rescuer, he disappeared during the object's departure. A background check revealed that his work history and identity had been falsified. The questions raised by my rescuer's existence are frightening to contemplate, but I also know what I saw. And I have arrived at the inescapable conclusion that the object and its occupant did not originate on Earth. I can't print this, Lois. You might have hallucinated half of it. What about the civilian contractors who corroborated my story? The Pentagon is denying that there was a ship. Of course they are! That's what they're supposed to do. It's the Pentagon. Perry, come on, it's me we're talking about. I'm a Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter. Then act like it. Print it or I walk. You can't. You're under contract. (sighs) I'm not running a story about aliens walking among us. (Perry groans, sighs) Never gonna happen. That's a Scotch straight up for the lady. LOIS: I'm sending you the original article. My editor won't print it, but if it happened to leak online... Got it. But didn't you once describe my site as "a creeping cancer of falsehoods"? I stand by my words, Woodburn, but I want this story out there. Why? Because I want my mystery man to know I know the truth. (gulping) (wind whistling) (grunts) FEMALE COMPUTER VOICE: Recursive diagnostics complete. Guiding presence authenticated. All systems operational. (rumbling) (clank, thud) To see you standing there having grown into an adult... If only Lara could have witnessed this. Who are you? I am your father, Kal. Or at least a shadow of him. His consciousness. My name was Jor-El. And Kal? That's my name. Kal-El. It is. I have so many questions. Where do I come from? Why did you send me here? You came from Krypton... ...a world with a much harsher environment than Earth's. Long ago... in an era of expansion, our race spread out through the stars, seeking new worlds to settle upon. This scout ship was one of thousands launched into the void. We built outposts on other planets, using great machines to reshape environments to our needs. For 100,000 years, our civilization flourished, accomplishing wonders. What happened? Artificial population control was established. The outposts and space exploration were abandoned. We exhausted our natural resources. As a result... our planet's core became unstable. Eventually, our military leader, General Zod, attempted a coup... ...but by then, it was too late. Your mother and I foresaw the coming calamity, and we took certain steps to ensure your survival. This is a genesis chamber. All Kryptonians were conceived in chambers such as this. Every child was designed to fulfil a predetermined role in our society-- as a worker, a warrior, a leader, and so on. Your mother and I believed Krypton lost something precious-- the element of choice, of chance. What if a child dreamed of becoming something other than what society had intended for him or her? What if a child aspired to something greater? You were the embodiment of that belief, Kal. Krypton's first natural birth in centuries. That's why we risked so much to save you. Why didn't you come with me? We couldn't, Kal... ...no matter how much we wanted to, no matter how much we loved you. Your mother, Lara, and I were a product of the failures of our world as much as Zod was-- tied to its fate. So I'm alone. No. You're as much a child of Earth now as you are of Krypton. You can embody the best of both worlds, a dream your mother and I dedicated our lives to preserve. The people of Earth are different from us, it's true, but ultimately, I believe that's a good thing. They won't necessarily make the same mistakes we did. Not if you guide them, Kal. Not if you give them hope. That's what this symbol means. The symbol of the house of El means hope. Embodied within that hope is the fundamental belief in the potential of every person to be a force for good. That's what you can bring them. (clanking, whooshing, rumbling) (doors thud) (wind whistling) CLARK (voice-over): Why am I so different from them? JOR-EL (voice-over): Earth's sun is younger and brighter than Krypton's was. Your cells have drunk in its radiation, strengthening your muscles, your skin, your senses. Earth's gravity is weaker, yet it's atmosphere is more nourishing. You've grown stronger here than I ever could've imagined. The only way to know how strong is to keep testing your limits. (explosive thud) (wind whooshing) (grunts with effort) (laughing) No... Whoa... (screams) (thudding, rumbling) (sighs) JOR-EL (voice-over): You will give the people of Earth an ideal to strive towards. They will race behind you, they will stumble, they will fall, but in time, they will join you in the sun, Kal. In time, you will help them accomplish wonders. (rumbling) (sonic boom) (wind whooshing) (whooshing) (sonic boom) (sonic boom) (whooshing) (whooshing) (sudden whoosh, then sonic boom) (sonic boom) LOIS (voice-over): How do you find someone who has spent a lifetime covering his tracks? You start with the urban legends that have -sprung up in his wake. -MAN: Yeah, that's Joe. -All of the friends of a friend -Too bad. He was a great worker. -who claim to have seen him. -He worked here a few months. For some, he was a guardian angel. WOMAN: Yeah. For others, a cipher, a ghost, -who never quite fit in. -MAN: Well, I was saying, you're kind of coming up towards the oil rig... LOIS: As you work your way back in time, the stories begin to form a pattern. I'm looking for Pete Ross. -Do you know him? -Yeah, he works at the IHOP. If you go down the road... Pete Ross? I'd like to talk to you about an accident that occurred when you were younger. A school bus that went into the river? (dog barking) MARTHA: Dusty! Shh, shh-shh, shh. Mrs. Kent? I'm Lois Lane. I'm from the "Daily Planet." I'm... -(Dusty barks) -Quiet! I'm from the "Daily Planet," and I'd like to talk to you about your son. (sighs, Dusty whimpers) (wind gusting) 1 I figured if I turned over enough stones, you'd eventually find me. Where are you from? What are you doing here? Let me tell your story. What if I don't want my story told? It's going to come out eventually. Somebody's going to get a photograph or figure out where you live. Well, then I'll just disappear again. The only way you could disappear for good is to stop helping people all together, and I sense that's not an option for you. My father believed that if the world found out who I really was, they'd reject me... out of fear. CLARK (voice-over): I'm tired of safe. I just want to do something useful with my life. So farming, feeding people, that's not... that's not useful? -I didn't say that. -Our family's been farming for five generations, Clark. Your family, not mine. I-I don't even know why I'm listening to you. You're not my dad. You're just some guy who found me in a field. Clark! That's all right, Martha. He's right; Clark has a point. We're not your parents, but we've been doing the best we can, and we've... we've been making this up as we go along. So maybe... maybe our best isn't good enough anymore. (thunder cracks) Look, Dad... Hold on. (wind whistling) -(rumbling) -(people shouting) (people shouting in distress, Dusty whines) Go for the overpass. -(man shouting) -Go for the overpass! Take cover! Take cover! Go over there! Just follow them! Take cover! -JONATHAN: Hey... -She's stuck. (deep rumbling, whooshing) MAN: Come on, follow me. Hank's still in the car. -Let's go! -What happened? -Hank's in the car. I'll get him. I'll get him. No, no. Get your mom to the overpass. -(wind howling) -(people clamouring) (deep rumbling) -(dog barking) -Hank, Hank! -Jonathan! -It's okay! It's... (grunting) (grunting) (groans) -Jonathan! -Mom, stay here. (grunting) (wind howling) (wind whooshing) (distant, echoing): Dad! CLARK (voice-over): I let my father die because I trusted him. Because he was convinced that I had to wait, that the world was not ready. What do you think? MAN: You better watch out, Lois. Hey, Perry's gunning for you. He knows you're Woodburn's anonymous source, and he cannot wait to rip you a new one. (chuckles) (knocking on doorframe) I told you not to run with this, and what do you do? You let Woodburn just shotgun it all over the Internet. Now the publishers want me to sue you. Well, if it makes a difference, -I'm dropping it. -Whoa. Just like that? Yeah. What happened to your leads? They didn't pan out. -The story was smoke. -Or perhaps it just didn't get the traction that you hoped it would? Two weeks leave, no pay, that's your penance. You try something like this again, you're done here. Fine. No, let's make it three weeks, since you're so willing to agree with me. -Perry... No, no, don't. Don't. I believe you saw something, Lois, but not for a moment do I believe that your leads just went cold. So whatever your reasons are for dropping it, I think you're doing the right thing. Why? Can you imagine how people on this planet would react... if... they knew there was someone like this out there? (gasps) (door closes in distance) (Dusty barking) MARTHA: Go get him! (truck horn honks, barking continues) Well, look at you. (chuckling) A reporter came by here. She's a friend. Don't worry. Oh. (chuckling): Mom... What? I found them. Who? My parents. (gasps) My people. I know where I come from now. Wow. That's wonderful. I'm so happy for you, Clark. (sighs) What? It's nothing. When you were a baby, I used to lay by your crib at night, listening to you breathe. It was hard for you. You struggled, and I worried all the time. You were worried the truth would come out. No. The truth about you is beautiful. We saw that the moment we laid eyes on you. We knew that one day, the whole world would see that. I'm just... I'm worried they'll take you away from me. (laughs) I'm not going anywhere, Mom. I promise. General Swanwick, sir. What am I looking at, Doc? Comet? Asteroid? Comets don't make course corrections, General. Wanted you to see this before some amateur with a telescope creates a worldwide panic. The ship appears to have inserted itself into a lunar synchronous orbit, though I have no idea why. Have you tried... communicating with it? Well, they haven't... responded as of yet. I'm just speculating... but I think whoever's at the helm of that thing is looking to make a dramatic entrance. (beeping) LOIS: Does anybody know where we keep the toner cartridges? What's going on? It's all over the news. You gotta see this. MAN (in distance): Hey, guys, come look. (staff murmuring) (footsteps approaching) (murmuring stops) SPORTS ANNOUNCER: ...makes a little wobble, end over end, takes a Kansas hop and... (announcer continues indistinctly as fans cheer) (crickets chirping) MARTHA: Clark! Yeah. Coming. NEWSMAN: This is a breaking news story. An unidentified... -(clack, power fizzles) -(panicked chatter, gasping) (murmuring, whispering) (lightbulb pops) (wind whistling, crickets chirping) (electronic squealing over TV) (electronic squealing continues) (door creaks) MALE VOICE (over TV): You are not alone. (beep) (staticky): You are not... not alone. (static crackling) You are not alone. (staticky): Y... are not alone... alone. (distorted): You are not alone. (distorted, overlapping): We are not alone. You are not... (male voice speaking local language) (male voice speaks in another local language) (male voice speaking in various local languages) It's coming in on the RSS feeds. MALE VOICE (over TV): You are not alone. It's on my phone, too. My name is General Zod. I come from a world far from yours. (static buzzes, crackles) I have journeyed across an ocean of stars to reach you. For some time, your world has sheltered one of my citizens. I request that you return this individual to my custody. For reasons unknown, he has chosen to keep his existence a secret from you. He will have made efforts to blend in, he will look like you, but he is not one of you. To those of you who may know of his current location... the fate of your planet... rests in your hands. To Kal-El, I say this... (static buzzes) Surrender within 24 hours... (static whines, crackles) ...or watch this world suffer the consequences. (distorted): ...consequences. (static crackles) (static abruptly stops) -(lightbulb pops) -(startled shouts) (switches clacking) (low, indistinct conversation) 1 WOODBURN: If he truly means us no harm, then he'll turn himself in to his people and face the consequences; and if he won't do that, then maybe we should. Uh, the "Daily Planet"'s Lois Lane knows who this guy is. -(ringtone playing) -And I think that she's the one that we should be questioning. TV HOST: Hold on. Y-You're saying Lois Lane... Hello? PERRY: Are you watching this crap? Been running all morning. For once I actually agree with Woodburn. Now, have you seen him? -Do you know where he is? -No. And even if I did, I wouldn't say. The entire world is being threatened here. -(tyres squealing) -This is not the time for you to fall back on journalistic integrity. This is serious, Lois. The FBI is here. They're throwing around words like "treason." I gotta go. (elevator bell dings) (vehicle approaching, tyres screech) FBI! Hands up! Drop the bag! Now! RADIO NEWSMAN: Regarding the visitors themselves, we know very little at this point. According to government officials I've spoken to, the visitors do not represent a threat, despite the ominous tone of their message. Then, of course, there's the question on everyone's mind: Who is this Kal-El person? Does he actually exist? How could he have remained hidden from us for so long? Come on, Kent! (grunts) Come on! Fight back! Get up, Kent. (mocking laugh) So, is that it? Is that all you've got? Come on, Kent. Come on! (arc welder crackling, buzzing in distance) (wind whooshes) Did they hurt you? You know they can't. That's not what I meant. I meant, are you all right? I wanted to hit that kid. I wanted to hit him so bad. I know you did. I mean... part of me even wanted you to, but then what? Make you feel any better? You just have to decide what kind of man you want to grow up to be, Clark, because... whoever that man is, good character or bad, he's... he's gonna change the world. MAN (voice-over): What's on your mind? I don't know where to start. Wherever you want. That ship that appeared last night. I'm the one they're looking for. (gulps) Do you know... why they want you? No. But this General Zod, even if I surrender, there's no guarantee he'll keep his word, but... if there's a chance I can save Earth by turning myself in... shouldn't I take it? What does your gut tell you? Zod can't be trusted. The problem is... I'm not sure the people of Earth can be, either. Sometimes you have to take a leap of faith first. The trust part comes later. (soldiers shouting) (indistinct radio communication) All right... you've got our attention. What is it you want? I would like to speak to Lois Lane. What makes you think she's here? Don't play games with me, General. I'll surrender... but only if you guarantee Lois's freedom. (indistinct radio communication) LOIS (voice-over): Why are you surrendering to Zod? I'm surrendering to mankind. There's a difference. You let them handcuff you? Wouldn't be much of a surrender if I resisted. And if it makes them feel more secure, then... then all the better for it. What's the "S" stand for? (sighs) It's not an "S." On my world, it means "hope." Well, here it's... an "S." How about... -Super... -MAN (over speaker): Uh, sir? Hi. Uh, my name is Doctor... -Emil Hamilton. I know. I can see your I.D. tag in your breast pocket. Along with a half-eaten roll of wintergreen Life Savers. I can also see the squad of soldiers in the next room, preparing that tranquilizing agent of yours. You won't need it. Sir, y-you can't expect us to not take precautions. You could be carrying some kind of alien pathogen. Been here for 33 years, Doctor. Haven't infected anyone yet. SWANWICK: That you know of. We have legitimate security concerns. Now, you've revealed your identity to Miss Lane over there-- why won't you do the same with us? Let's put our cards on the table here, General. You're scared of me because you can't control me. You don't, and you never will. But that doesn't mean I'm your enemy. Then who is? Zod? That's what I'm worried about. Be that as it may, I've been given orders to hand you over to him. Do what you have to do, General. (wind whooshes) Thank you. For what? For believing in me. Didn't make much difference in the end. It did to me. -(wind whooshes) -They're coming. You should leave now. Go, Lois. (helicopters approaching, hovering) (whirring) (deep rumbling) (whirring, rumbling) (whirring, clicking) (whirring, clicking) Kal-El... I'm Sub-Commander Faora-Ul. On behalf of General Zod, I extend you his greetings. Are you the ranking officer here? I am. General Zod would like... this woman to accompany me. HARDY: You asked for the alien. You didn't say anything about one of our own. Shall I tell the general... you're unwilling to comply? I don't care what you tell him. LOIS: It's all right. I'll go. (engines crackling with power) (engines rumbling, whirring) (whirring growing louder) (rumbling, whooshing) . (footsteps approaching) The atmospheric composition on our ship is not compatible with humans. You will need to wear a breather beyond this point. (clicking, whirring) (whooshing) (whirring, rumbling) Kal-El. You have no idea how long we've been searching for you. I take it you're Zod? General Zod. -Our commander. -It's all right, Faora. We can forgive Kal any lapses in decorum. He's a stranger to our ways. This should be cause for celebration... not conflict. -(grunts quietly) -ZOD: ...not conflict. I... feel strange. (Superman coughs) Weak. LOIS: What's happening to him? He's rejecting our ship's atmospherics. -LOIS: Clark... -ZOD: You've spent a lifetime adapting to Earth's ecology, but you -never adapted to ours. -Help him! I can't. Whatever's happening to him -has to run its course. -(grunting) -LOIS: Clark... -LOIS: Help him. Help him! -(gasping) (wind whistling softly) (birds chirping) ZOD: Hello, Kal. Or do you prefer "Clark"? That's the name they gave you, isn't it? I was Krypton's military leader, your father our foremost scientist. The only thing we agreed on was that Krypton was dying. In return for my efforts to protect our civilization and save our planet, I and my fellow officers were sentenced to the Phantom Zone. (rumbling, whooshing) And then the destruction of our world freed us. (muffled explosion) (voice-over): We were adrift... destined to float amongst the ruins of our planet until we starved. SUPERMAN (voice-over): How did you find your way to Earth? ZOD: We managed to retrofit the phantom projector into a hyperdrive. Your father made a similar modification to the craft that brought you here. (power whirring) ZOD: And so the instrument of our damnation... became our salvation. (buzzing, whooshing) We sought out the old colonial outposts, looking for signs of life. But all we found was death. Cut off from Krypton, these outposts withered and died long ago. We salvaged what we could-- armour, weapons, even a world engine. For 33 years, we prepared. Until finally, we detected a distress beacon which you triggered when you accessed the ancient scout ship. You led us here, Kal, and now it's within your power (crow cawing) to save what remains of your race. (whooshing) (thudding) On Krypton, the genetic template for every being yet to be born is encoded in the registry of citizens. Your father stole the registry's codex and stored it in the capsule that brought you here. For what purpose? So that Krypton can live again... on Earth. (rumbling, whooshing) (debris clattering) Where is the Codex, Kal? If Krypton lives again... what happens to Earth? The foundation has to be built on something. Even your father recognized that. (rumbling, crackling) No... Zod... I can't be a part of this. Then what can you be a part of? No! Zod! No! No...! (grunting) ZOD: Your father acquitted himself with honour, Kal. You... killed him? I did. And not a day goes by where it doesn't haunt me. But if I had to do it again, I would. I have a duty to my people, and I will not allow anyone to prevent me from carrying it out. (whirring, whooshing) What's the sit-rep, Major? DSP pinged two bogeys launching from the alien ship. -Put it up. -Yes, sir. ANALYST: There it is. Re-task Ikon-4 and get me a closer look. Yes, sir. Command, the word of the day is "trident." We have two alien craft on aggressive approach. Ikon-4 coming online. Airspeed? 380 knots, and entering Kansas airspace. They are not responding to our hails. You're wasting your efforts. The strength you derive from your exposure to the Earth's sun has been neutralized aboard our ship. Here, in this environment... you are as weak as a human. (grunting in pain) (panting) (gasps, grunts) (panting) (whoosh, click) (click, whirring) Where did you come from? The command key, Miss Lane. Thanks to you, I'm uploading it to the ship's mainframe. Who are you? I am Kal's father. Can you help us? I designed this ship. I can modify its atmospheric composition to human compatibility. We can stop them. We can send them back to the Phantom Zone. How? I can teach you. And in turn, you can teach Kal. Will you help me? (whooshing) (whooshing) (gasping) The ship's crew are alerted. We need to move quickly. Retrieve the command key. (door whirrs open) Did you do that? Yes. Pick up her sidearm. (alarm sounding) MAN: What's happening? -(alarm sounding) -(Superman sighs) (whooshing) To your right. Fire. Behind you. Secure yourself inside the open pod. Safe travels, Miss Lane. It's highly unlikely we'll be seeing each other again. Remember... the phantom drives are essential in stopping them. Move your head to the left. -(gasping) -(zapping) (crackling) (screams) (clanking) (alarm sounding distantly) Is it true what Zod said about the Codex? Strike that panel. We wanted you to learn what it meant to be human first, so that one day, when the time was right, you could be the bridge between two peoples. Look. (quietly): Lois. You can save her, Kal. You can save all of them. (sudden whoosh) (screaming) (air whipping against pod) (Lois gasps, pod explodes) (barking, panting, distant rumble) (spaceship engines whirring) (explosion booms) You'll be safe here. -(Lois gasping) -Are you all right? Uh, yeah. I'm sorry. I didn't want to tell them anything about you, but they did something to me-- they looked inside my mind. It's okay, Lois. They did the same thing to me. Clark! (siren approaching) . The craft he arrived in-- where is it? Go to hell. (grunting) (whimpers) There. (Martha grunts) The Codex is not here. (grunts, yells) (Martha screams) -Where has he hidden it? -I don't know. -Where is the Codex?! -(thump) (yelling) (grunting) You think you can threaten my mother?! (Zod yells) (groans) MAN: Get in and lock it up! (whirring, crackling) (sirens wailing) (distant barking, railroad crossing bell dinging) (high-pitched buzzing) What have you done to me? My parents taught me to hone my senses, Zod. (car horn blaring) And focus... on just what I wanted to see. Without your helmet, you're getting everything. -(Zod groans) -SUPERMAN: And it hurts... -(high-pitched buzzing) -...doesn't it? (spaceship engines whirring) (groaning) (Zod bellows) (panting) (ship engines whirring) (whooshing) MAN: Come on, everybody, get inside. (townspeople clamouring) (breathing heavily) (security door creaking shut) MAN: Get away from the window! Get inside. It's not safe. HARDY (over radio): All players, this is Guardian. I am airborne mission commander. I have previously encountered and observed the beings we're about to engage in close proximity. They are extremely dangerous, and we have been authorized to use deadly force. PILOT 1 (over radio): Roger, Guardian. We are inbound to target. PILOT (over radio): Cleared hot, weapons free. PILOT 2 (over radio): Copy, 1-1, weapons free. Thunder 1-1, tally three targets. (fighter approaching) (grunts) (groans) HARDY: Thunder 1-1, good hit! Request immediate re-attack. PILOT 1: Roger, Guardian, will make a second gun run on a heading of 2-1-2 degrees. (huffs) PILOT 2: Thunder 1-1, eject! Eject! Thunder 1-1, eject! PILOT 2: I have a bogey incoming! Oh, shit. (whooshing, truck horn honking) -(people gasping) -(car alarm sounding) (groans) You are weak, son of El... unsure of yourself. (grunting) The fact that you possess a sense of morality, and we do not, gives us an evolutionary advantage. (grunting) And if history has proven anything... ...it is that evolution always wins. (yells) (grunts) (grunting) HELICOPTER PILOT: CCT, we're approaching LZ Jayhawk. It's down in five. -Let's go. -Secure the LZ. Roger, sir! Roger! Let's go! MAN (over radio): So far, 48 out; secure the alley. (yells) (grunting) (grunting continues) -(harsh electronic whirr) -(Superman yells) HARDY: All rangers, I need you to engage the targets. RANGER: Guardian, this is Badger 01. What about the guy in blue? HARDY (over radio): I said engage all targets. PILOT (over radio): Contact, contact. (screaming) You okay? PILOT: We're over-rotating. We're going in hard. Brace for impact. Brace for impact; we're going in hard. PILOT: Fallen angel, fallen angel, Guardian is down. I repeat, Guardian is down. (grunting) PILOT 2 (over radio): Guardian, do you read? Thunder 1-2 calling Guardian. -Guardian, do you read? -Thunder 1-2, this is Guardian. I want you to put down everything you got just north of my position. This will be danger-close. PILOT: Copy, danger-close. (over radio): Good luck, sir. (grunting) (blade rings) A good death is its own reward. (grunts) (gasps) FAORA: You will not win. For every human you save, we will kill a million more. (electronic screech) (whooshing) (engines whirring) (debris clattering) (engines whirring) (whooshing) SOLDIER (over radio): Do we have an all clear? Do we have an all clear? Alpha team, sit-rep. Alpha team, do you copy? Alpha team? (electricity crackling) This man is not our enemy. Thank you, Colonel. . SUPERMAN: Mom? I'm all right! (sighs) (Martha chuckles wryly) Nice suit, son. SUPERMAN: I'm so sorry. It's only stuff, Clark. Eh, it can always be replaced. But you can't be. Mom, Zod said this Codex he's looking for can actually bring my people back. -(sirens approaching) -Isn't that a good thing? I don't think they're interested -in sharing this world. -(car door closes) LOIS: Clark! Clark. I know how to stop them. JAX-OR: What happened down there? He exposed a temporary weakness. It is of little consequence because I have located the Codex. It was never in the capsule. Jor-El took the Codex, the DNA of a billion people, then he bonded it within his son's individual cells. All of Krypton's heirs, living, hidden in one refugee's body. Does Kal-El need to be alive for us to extract the Codex from his cells? No. Release the world engine. (rumbling, hissing) (rumbling, whooshing) What just happened? The ship just split in two. Track one is heading east. Track two is deploying towards the southern hemisphere. SWANWICK: How fast is that bogey moving? Approaching Mach 24 and accelerating. It looks like it's gonna impact somewhere in the South Indian Ocean. (whirring) (engines screeching) (rumbling) The rest of the ship is descending. LARAMORE: Put it on the board now. WOMAN: Yes, sir. LARAMORE: Oh, my God. (wind whistling) (people chattering) (horns honking) Bring the phantom drive online. (whirring) (whirring) (lightning cracking) We are now slave to the world engine. Initiate. (people screaming) (clamouring) (grunting) (whirring) What have they hit us with? Looks like some kind of gravity weapon. It's working in tandem with their ship. Somehow they're increasing the Earth's mass, clouding the atmosphere with particulates. Oh, my God. They're terraforming. What's that? Planetary engineering modifying the Earth's atmosphere and topography. They're turning Earth into Krypton. But what happens to us? HAMILTON: Based on these readings, there won't be an "us." MAN: General Swanwick, sir. I'm on with the control tower. Colonel Hardy's on his way in, and he's got Superman in tow. Superman? The alien, sir. That-That's what they're calling him-- Superman. We have a plan, General. Is that what I think it is? LOIS: It's the ship he arrived in. SUPERMAN: This ship is powered by something called a phantom drive. It bends space. Zod's ship uses the same technology, and if we can make the two drives collide with one another... A singularity can be created. -Like a black hole. -SUPERMAN: Yes. So if we open up this doorway, then, theoretically, they should be pulled back in. So y-you want us to bomb them with that? HARDY: General, that craft maxes out 17,000 pounds; we can drop it from a C-17. It's a viable plan. And if I don't stop that machine over the Indian Ocean, the gravity field will continue to expand. If that thing is making Earth more like Krypton, won't you be weaker around it? Maybe. I'm not about to let that stop me from trying. You might want to step back a little bit. Maybe a little bit more. (sonic boom) (people screaming) Faora. Take command. Yes, sir. I need to secure the genesis chamber and pay my respects to an old friend. (engines whooshing) HARDY (voice-over): Guardian en route to Metropolis, package in tow. MAN (over radio): Be advised, F-35s inbound to rendezvous point. You should have visual contact now. (whirring) (electrical screeching) (screeching stops) FEMALE COMPUTER VOICE: Command key accepted. Genesis chamber coming online, sir. JOR-EL: Stop this, Zod, while there's still time. Haven't given up lecturing me, have you? Even in death. I will not let you use the Codex like this. You don't have the power to stop me. The command key I have entered is revoking your authority. This ship is now under my control. (crackling, rumbling) (Superman coughing) (deep whirring, whooshing) PILOT: Northcom Lightning 1, request permission to unleash the hounds. SWANWICK (over radio): Northcom Lightning 1, you are clear to engage. And send battle damage assessment when able. Out. (clamouring) PILOT (over radio): Avionics are going haywire. The gravity field is pulling our missiles down! We gotta get closer! PERRY: All right, everybody, we're leaving! We're leaving the building now! (whooshing, snapping) (grunting) -(clamouring) -Just get out! -Get out! PILOT: I just lost my wingman! Mayday! Mayday! Mayday! POLICE OFFICER: Everybody, this way! Come on! Everybody, come on! Keep moving, keep moving! Jenny! Oh, my God. Perry! Go! There! Go! Our people can coexist. So we can suffer through years of pain trying to adapt like your son has? -You're talking about genocide. -Yes. And I'm arguing its merits with a ghost. We're both ghosts, Zod. Can't you see that? The Krypton you're clinging onto is gone. Ship, have you managed to quarantine this invasive intelligence? -You'll fail. -FEMALE COMPUTER VOICE: I have. -Then prepare to terminate it. I'm tired of this debate. Silencing me won't change anything. My son... is twice the man you were. And he will finish what we started. I can promise you that. Tell me: you have Jor-El's memories, his conscience; can you experience his pain? I will harvest the Codex from your son's corpse, and I will rebuild Krypton atop his bones. (electronic whooshing) (engines rumbling) (clanking, snapping) (groans) (coughing) (gasps) (rumbling) Jenny... Jenny, Jenny. -Jenny, where are you?! -I'm here! -Jenny! -I'm here! I'm here! Here! PERRY: Hold on, hold on. I'm stuck. I can't get free. I'm stuck. Okay, we'll get you out of there, all right? -Just sit tight. -No, no, no! Don't leave me! -Please don't leave me! -We're not gonna leave you. -Okay. -Lombard! Get your ass over here and help me! Damn it. We just gotta move this. Here. Slide that in there. You push, I'll pull, okay? -Two, three... -Go! (groaning with effort) LOMBARD: Push! Oh, my God. Oh, my God. It's getting closer! Come on! Push! (straining) Northcom, this is Guardian. Are we cleared to make the drop? Negative, Guardian. (rumbling) (Perry and Lombard grunting with effort) -Come on! Push! (screaming) (rumbling) (yelling) (explosions rumbling) (machine powering down) (loud metallic groaning) He did it. HARDY: Northcom, this is Guardian. We're passing through phase line red. (over radio): We are good to go. Godspeed, Guardian. Arm the package. You are cleared hot. We're lining up for the final run. It's up to you and Hamilton now. (wind whistling) (exhales quietly) (alarms buzzing, beeping) (power whirring, crackling) Oh, you gotta be kidding me. Loadmaster, is the package armed -and are we ready to drop? -Negative, Guardian! There's something wrong! It's not supposed to do this! Well, what's it supposed to do? It's supposed to go in all the way! HAMILTON: Let me take a look. Copilot's aircraft. Copilot's aircraft. We are lined up for the drop! What's the holdup? We've had a slight setback! (gasping) Target that aircraft. (computer beeping) FEMALE COMPUTER VOICE: Target locked. (crackling) ZOD: Stop! If you destroy this ship, you destroy Krypton! Krypton had its chance! (yelling) (grunts) (crackling, popping) LOADMASTER: Miss Lane! It's not safe for you over there! Miss Lane! (screams) (grunts) (gasps) (automatic gunfire) (electricity crackling) Move now! Go! (neck snaps) (electricity crackling) (electronic whirring, crackling) A good death is its own reward. (alarm beeping) (screaming) (screaming) (gasping) (screaming) (crackling, whooshing) (yelling) Are they gone? I think so. He saved us. (Lois gasping) You know, they say it's all downhill after the first kiss. I... I'm pretty sure that only counts when you're kissing a human. (rumbling) (wind whistling) Look at this. We could have built a new Krypton in this squalor. But you chose the humans over us. I exist only to protect Krypton. That is the sole purpose for which I was born. And every action I take, no matter how violent or how cruel, is for the greater good of my people. And now I have no people. My soul. That is what you have taken from me! (whoosh, grunt) I'm going to make them suffer, Kal. These humans you've adopted, I will take them all from you one by one. You're a monster, Zod. (grunts) And I'm going to stop you. (grunting) (groaning) (yells) (yelling) (rumbling, debris clattering) (grunts) (tyres squealing) (grunting) (grunts) (groaning) (grunts) There's only one way this ends, Kal. Either you die or I do. (grunting) (whooshing) (grunting) (groaning, panting) I was bred to be a warrior, Kal. Trained my entire life to master my senses. Where did you train? On a farm?! (Zod growling) (grunting) (grunting) (whooshing, grunting) (whooshing) (yells) (grunting) (grunting) (grunting and panting) (grunting and groaning) (whooshing) (yelling in pain) (people screaming) (grunting) (indistinct chatter) If you love these people so much, you can mourn for them. (grunts) (people screaming, gasping) Don't do this! Stop! (people yelling) Stop! Never. -(grunts) -(neck cracks) (panting) (yells) (panting) (whooshing) (debris clattering) Are you F-ing stupid? It's one of your surveillance drones. That's a $12 million piece of hardware! It was. I know you're trying to find out where I hang my cape. You won't. Then I'll ask the obvious question: How do we know you won't one day act against America's interests? I grew up in Kansas, General. I'm about as American as it gets. Look... I'm here to help, but it has to be on my own terms. And you have to convince Washington of that. Even if I were willing to try, what makes you think they'd listen? I don't know, General. Guess I'll just have to trust you. (whooshing) What are you smiling about, Captain? Nothing, sir. I just think he's kind of hot. -Get in the car, Captain. -Mm-hmm. Yes, sir. (birds chirping) MARTHA: He always believed you were meant for greater things. And that, when the day came, your shoulders would be able to bear the weight. Yeah, I just wish he could have been here to see it finally happen. He saw it, Clark, believe me. (soft piano music) MARTHA (voice-over): What are you going to do when you're not saving the world? Have you given any thought to that? I have, actually. (chuckles) I gotta find a job... where I can keep my ear to the ground. (voice-over): Where people won't look twice when I want to go somewhere dangerous and start asking questions. (bell dings) Come on, Lois. When are you going to throw me a bone? Courtside seats to the game tonight. What do you say? I say you should go back to trolling the intern pool. You'll probably have more luck. Sorry. Courtside? -LOIS: Don't. -(chuckling): No. Lombard, Lane, I want you to meet our new stringer. Want you to show him the ropes. This is Clark Kent. Good luck, kid. LOMBARD: Hey. Steve. -Nice to meet you. -You, too. LOIS: Hi. Lois Lane. Welcome to the "Planet." Glad to be here, Lois. (powerful music)