Strange Fortune

This is an incomplete story. General Zod from Man of Steel, is my inspiration how I wrote him in this encounter. The surrounding world-context is inspired by Superman and Lois. Most especially, the end of "A Brief Reminiscence Between Cataclysmic Events" when Superman surrenders to Tal Rho.

Makes use of the difference between 'Submission' and 'Surrender'

Kal-El moved to stand 20 paces away from the general. He dropped to his knees and bowed his head over them. “I implore you General, do not make her suffer for my mistakes. Enforce your will upon me alone.” Struck by a sudden thought, he slowly raised his head. “What is it you want from me anyway?”

“Your submission and complete surrender.”

Kal-El placed his hands on the floor in front of him, his palms flat, fingers spread wide apart. He lowered his head until he could almost touch to floor with his face. “I submit. I'll do whatever you ask Zod. I swear it on my heat. But I beg of you, let her go.”

“GENERAL Zod, you worm.” A female solider barked at him.

“Yes, General Zod, of course.” Kal-El corrected himself, not looking up.

“Why do you humiliate yourself for her?” The General questioned firmly. “Look up and answer me. What is so special about her that you humiliate yourself so completely on the mere hope that I will show her mercy?”

“Please General, let me save her. Let me bring her home. Then you can do what you wish to me.”

“ 'Bring her home.'“ The general echoed. “She's your daughter.”

“Please.” Superman cried, unconsciously jumping to his feet. “I'll do whatever you ask, just leave my wife and daughter alone.”

“Agreed Kal.” Zod said with restrained glee. At Zod's nodded consent, Kal-El glided toward his daughter and lifted her clear of the sulfurous pit. As he gently laid her on the shore, he looked up to se the general gazing down at them. The general's face betrayed no emotion as he placed his hand on the young woman's left rib-cage, feeling her pulse.

“She'll be alright, in a few hours.”

“Will you let me take her home?”

“Of course Kal. But I'm coming with you.”

“I expected nothing else.” The hero remarked, his easy tone disguising the unease in his heart. His father's...living memory had indicated General Zod was a man of honor, if heartless by human standards. His own experience proved the man was only concerned with the future of his species, not his own ego. 

Lois was out in the driveway when they landed. “What is going on? Who is this?” 

Clark laid his daughter gently in the grass. “This is General Zod. I have to leave with him.”

“I don't understand.”

“That's not surprising.” The general quipped with through sarcasm.

Clark swallowed the urge to throw Zod a dirty look. Instead he threw his arms around Lois. “You and Aisha are safe. That's all that matters. Take care of each-other.. I love you both.”

“It's time to go Kal-El.” the general declared. Superman pulled himself away from his wife and walked toward the general with the mien of someone going to a funeral. “I'm ready.”

They took to the skies together. In a few minutes they arrived in the Atai mountains.

The General said nothing, apparently expecting Kal to make the first overture.

Kal-El dropped to one knee and spread his hands, palms up. Looking not unlike a highland Scotsman begging for forgiveness. “And now, I am yours.”

“For the rest of your life.”

Kal-El bowed deeply, with his chin to his heart. “For the rest of my life.”

“Good. Now get up off the floor and talk to me like a Kryptonian.”

It was only then Kal-El realized making him a slave had never been part of Zod's plans. 'Complete surrender' had meant nothing more than a promise of 'I will not fight you, ever.'