Original subtitles

[theme music playing]

[Superman] A black hole. A collapsed star so dense

that not even light can escape from its gravitational pull.

S. T.A.R. Labs found one less than six light-years from Earth.

With my ship, we had

the perfect opportunity to study it

up-close and personal.

After watching the probe being pulled into the gravity well,

this was about as up-close

as I wanted to get.

But I wasn't the only one observing it.

[people screaming]

I had no idea how their ship got so far off-course

but I didn't have much time.

[grunting]

They were going to be all right.

Still, I had to find a place to take them.

Fortunately, their ship had left a vapor trail.

It led to a nearby star system and one planet in particular.

[groaning]

[clanking]

I hope everyone's all right.

[gasping]

- He's one of them. - Excuse me?

- [woman 1] What should we do? - [man] I don't know. Let's go.

What's wrong?

[woman 2] Run.

I don't understand. I just saved your lives.

Then maybe you'd better run too.

So much for gratitude.

Ah!

He's still alive. I think he's one of them.

That's not our concern. Our orders are to take them all out.

Ugh!

Ah!

Maybe you can tell me why I'm so popular around here.

[ships approaching]

Hold your fire. Stand down at once.

Kal-El, welcome to New Krypton.

You'll find the food almost as good as on Krypton,

if you can remember that far back.

Ugh.

Idiot.

I see you still have a weakness for the inferior, Kal-El.

Some things never change.

The last time I saw you, you were trapped in the Phantom Zone.

- How did-- - Did we escape? A stroke of luck.

About a year ago, scientists here detected two meteors

of lunar proportions heading towards the black hole.

They sent out a research ship to study the phenomenon.

[groaning]

When the meteors collided,

the released energy tore open a rift into the Phantom Zone.

[gasping]

[Jax-Ur] We were free but helpless.

Had the aliens not been there, we would have asphyxiated

or been pulled into the hole.

To express your gratitude, you seized control of their planet.

You see things so crudely, Kal-El.

General Jax-ur, your pardon.

[Jax-Ur] What is it?

Four of the escapees have been recaptured.

Two are still at large.

[Jax-Ur] Come back when you have them all.

Those citizens you so recklessly saved were criminals,

anarchists condemned by due process.

Even on your world, you don't interfere with that, do you?

Before we arrived, this was a planet in chaos,

divided by petty conflicts and factions, not unlike Earth.

- We have brought it the order it needed. - Is that a fact?

Don't take my word for it. See for yourself, Kal-El.

Production instead of destruction.

Factories where there were once useless forests and wetlands.

Workers who now cooperate with each other instead of compete.

A job for everyone according to his abilities and our needs.

To ensure a future as orderly as the present,

we have built new schools to teach morality, loyalty and purpose.

Needless to say, disciplinary problems are now non-existent.

All over this planet, we are tearing down the irrational past

in order to make room for an efficient future.

In one year, we have put a new face on this world,

creating the paradise Krypton would've been under our rule.

If only someone down there would smile.

I hope you're not thinking of opposing us, Kal-El.

We've had a year to develop our powers.

I don't think we have to worry, Mala.

Kal-El knows his place, and this planet is simply out of his jurisdiction.

[rocket approaches]

I'll find them.

Anarchists, these days, a minor annoyance.

I've had my troopers recover your ship.

It's undamaged, though I'm sure you'll want to X-ray it yourself.

I know I would.

Have a pleasant journey.

Ah!

[Superman] You're taking quite a risk.

- How do you know I won't turn you in? - It's a chance I'll take.

My name is Cetea. I used to work for the National Council.

The people you saved in the ship were leaders, not criminals.

We may have wars and factions,

but we're not the barbarians Jax-ur portrays.

- Even so, I can't fight him, Cetea. - You must.

- You're the only one powerful enough. - If I do, your planet will be the loser.

A battle between us would cause more destruction and bloodshed

than all the wars that came before.

- We're willing to risk it. - I'm not.

- Not that way. - I understand.

This is not your world.

But our royal benefactors haven't given you the whole picture.

There's something else you should see.

From what I gather, he was unconscious for an hour.

Cetea! We should've killed her the first time she crossed us.

She doesn't know much, but still, we'd better find them.

You have performed well, Alterus, as you always do.

Business before pleasure, Mala.

Ugh.

This is what they didn't show you on your little tour.

[Cetea] Interstellar ships manned by robots.

They're building an armada.

- What are you doing? - Activating the guidance system.

I wanna know where these ships are headed.

Here.

Earth.

Why am I not surprised?

[alarm wails]

They know we're here.

Ugh!

[Jax-Ur] Fall back.

Well done, Kal-El.

[grunting]

The restraints create a magnetic field not even you can break.

You should have left when you had the chance, Kal-El.

Ha!

[Jax-Ur] Mesmerizing.

Of all the phenomena of nature,

none fascinates me more than a black hole.

It is the one true force of absolute power.

Everything it touches becomes its own.

You would admire that.

We're within range, Jax-ur.

Think of it, Kal-El.

You might actually last long enough to get a glimpse inside the hole.

I almost envy you.

Almost.

Oh!

Great Rao.

- Alterus, what's happening? - We've hit a gravitational anomaly.

Navigation's off-course. We're being pulled into it.

Keep an eye on them while we adjust the navigation. Come.

A short reprieve at best, Kal-El.

Plague on you and your self-serving treachery, Alterus.

My dear Cetea, I deserve much worse than that.

Ugh.

Hurry. It won't take that witch long to realize

it was I who disabled the navigation.

[Jax-Ur] Look for yourself, Mala. There's no anomaly here.

Your soldier boy has been playing tricks.

[alarm wails]

- What's that? - An escape pod.

- It's ejected with two passengers. - Two?

I decided to stick around. I thought we might find a new planet.

A nice, cozy one just for the two of you.

[grunting]

I mean it, you're not going back.

[screaming]

We're caught in the gravity well!

[Jax-Ur] Mala.

Put it on.

[screaming]

[gasping]

Your lungs are going to burn.

Forget Kal-El. He'll never survive without air.

[gasping]

[screaming]

[Superman] Although Cetea's people were grateful for my help,

I wondered if it wasn't I who should be grateful.

They reminded me of the saying,

"Evil triumphs when good men do nothing."

I won't forget it again.

[theme music playing]