02x05 - A Better Yesterday

[bunniefuu]

[Jayna] I have a
plan to save Lyta,

to k*ll Dru-Zod.

If I'm to join you against Zod

and Lyta gets in the way,

I need to know what
you're willing to do.

I honestly don't know.

You're sending me
up there. To Wegthor.

[Zod] You are the most
valuable person to me.

When this reconditioning
is complete,

you'll be a different person.

[screaming]

What have you done?

Reconditioning
complete. He's done.

[Brainiac] Can you
hear me, Seg-El?

[grunting]

[g*n blasts]

[dramatic music]

Take it from someone who's

been in your
position before, Lyta.

There is never a "we"
when it comes to power.

There is only the
last one standing.

[Jax] For helping us
capture the oxygenators,

we owe a great deal of
gratitude to Nyssa-Vex.

[applause]

[Val] It's a smart w*apon.

If the wrong hands
got hold of it...

It could mean genocide.

Detonate on my command only.

Ground forces, move in!

[warning alarms blaring]

The oxygenators are failing.

Zod's tainted the supply.

Detonate the Codex w*apon!

- No!
- [button chirping]

[Jax] Val, what did you do?

What did you do?

[Val] You should have told
me what you were planning.

What the hell is this?

The end of the w*r.

[wind blowing]

[ominous music]

[indistinct chatter]

[Lyta] The mission
was a success.

Initial body count
suggests over 50%

of their ground
forces were wiped out.

Will update further
after the solar flare.

Good, by the
time that's finished,

there should be no
resistance left to speak of.

Hello, son.

Father.

[both grunting]

- [hollers]
- [grunting]

Call for help and you will die.

Do not doubt it.

[dramatic music]

[grunts]

You know, you should have a word

with those guards of yours.

They just let me walk right in.

Maybe you told them a
different Seg was gonna show up.

[tense music]

Someone a bit more...

conditioned, perhaps?

Looks like your plan
to rewire my brain

didn't turn out the
way you expected.

You don't say?

You know, for someone
with such a grand vision,

you probably should
have seen this coming.

How could I, huh?

No one in the history of
Krypton has ever been able

to withstand a
Somatic Reconditioning.

How did you do this, Seg?

Defying the odds
over and over again.

I wouldn't answer
that truthfully,

if I were you.

Which, in a manner of
speaking, I suppose I am.

[panting]

However, you probably
should tell him something.

Shut up.

- Off of your ass.
- [grunts]

Time for you to undo
what you did to Lyta.

Better.

[Lyta] As I'm sure
you've already heard,

your ground
support are all dead.

Now, if you'd like to
avoid the same fate,

just do as I say.

This w*r is over.

- Hey, Lyta!
- Oh, no.

Uh, you remember me?

Adam.

- Seg's buddy.
- Shut up.

I... I do remember.

You were the one who
wanted him to k*ll our son

and let Braniac take Kandor.

[scoffs] That...
that's taking it

a little bit out of context.

Do you want to
live or not, Adam?

Shut up.

That's the first smart
thing I've ever seen you do.

God damn it.

Now, as a sign of good faith,
you may return to your base...

With a request from
me to Val-El and Jax-Ur.

What kind of request?

A meeting,
face-to-face, to discuss

how to prevent further
bloodshed in this w*r.

I expect a swift response.

- Hey, give that back.
- Hey, come on, come on.

- Give it back.
- Hold on.

You two are staying with me.

What about the
gesture of good faith

that you were
just talking about?

I'm putting my faith in Val.

He'd never let you
two die, would he?

[Jax] Why did you do it?

You know better than anyone

the dangers of the Codex
falling into the wrong hands.

Of course I do, I
just never thought

the wrong hands would be yours.

You... you weaponized it!

We needed another
option in case the as*ault

on the Base Station went south!

Weaponizing the
Codex was our fail-safe!

- You went behind my back!
- I was protecting you!

I don't ever recall asking
for protection, nor needing it!

But you do need it, Val!

You are an El!

The Rebels believe in you!

You and your family's
name inspire them in ways

that I never could!

You give them hope.

But that's just not
enough this time.

We cannot become like him!

There must be another way.

No, you don't seem to understand

what is happening out there.

Our entire ground
support are dead.

Suffocated.

The oxygenators we acquired

from Zod's supply
convoy were tainted.

Our strike team was ambushed

before they could even
reach the Base Station.

The other way failed, Val!

Zod knew we were
coming the entire time.

That can't be right.

How is that possible?

Take a damn guess.

[g*ns whirring]

Don't sh**t.

My name is Nyssa-Vex.

I have orders to report
back to General Zod.

At once.

[suspenseful music]

Holy Rao, it really is you.

Yeah, you mind
telling these guys that?

Stand down, she's with us.

- [sighs] Thanks.
- Sorry about that.

We've, um... we've
had a few Sagitari defect

to the Rebels lately, so
everyone's a little on edge.

But then, well,

that's conscripts
for you, I guess.

As disloyal as
they are ungrateful.

Yeah, it's hard to know
who's on what side anymore.

Mm.

Come on, let's get you
back to Kandor, shall we?

Why are they looking
at me like that?

Well, they probably
want to thank you.

For what?

Those tainted oxygenators.

If it weren't for them, this
base would be overrun

by Rebel forces.

You saved their lives and mine.

What do you mean,
"tainted oxygenators"?

From the shipment
the Rebels stole.

They all suffocated before
the battle even began.

[sinister music]

It was you who fed
them that information...

right?

Yeah.

I'm responsible.

For all of it.

Congratulations, Nyssa.

You've finally
chosen the right side.

She requested a meeting

with you and Val-El.

She says she wants to
prevent further casualties.

Is that why she left you alive?

And why she kept Kem
and Adam in her custody.

Jax...

[tense music]

Is it true about
the ground forces?

Everyone?

I'm so sorry.

Stand by for orders.

[wind whistling]

[indistinct chatter]

[helmet hisses]

sh*t.

Thought I might have
another chance to sell you out.

Sorry to disappoint.

Just making sure we
can still pass as Sagitari.

Congrats, you passed.

Now, you owe me a drink.

I'll buy you 20... if
you come with us.

- Where to?
- Kandor.

To assassinate General Zod
and to restore peace to Krypton.

[laughing]

Rondor piss.

The two of you versus
Zod's entire Sagitari?

I was recently a
commander in that Sagitari.

And I was their Primus.

Too bad blaster
fire don't give a sh*t

what any of us were.

We know their patrol routes,
the frequency of their comms,

and the security codes to
every sector in Fort Rozz.

It won't be easy, but it's
the best chance we have.

And we could use all
the help we can get.

Even if you could do it,
nothing's gonna change.

Some other tyrant
will take his place.

No, Dru-Zod is different.

He's worse than a tyrant.

He's a conqueror,
and he will not stop

until everyone
kneels before him.

No matter where you are...

You can't hide from
someone like General Zod.

He will find you

unless you find him first.

[indistinct chatter]

[groans]

Something you want to tell me?

No.

[beeping]

You're making a mistake, Seg.

By telling Lyta the truth
about what you did to her?

Yes, I'm sure she's gonna
be pissed at me for that.

She's on an important mission
to end this w*r peacefully.

Any interference could
cause untold consequences.

Do you really think so?

Like maybe once she finds
out that you tortured her

and manipulated
her into serving you,

maybe she won't be so
keen on serving you anymore?

I'm looking forward to Lyta
making her own decisions again.

Like ordering the
rest of the Sagitari

to turn against you.

[beeping]

- Here.
- Careful.

[g*n whirs]

Please.

Just let Lyta finish
what needs to be done.

Then we can discuss
this as a family.

We're not a family, Dru.

We never were.

Never going to be.

I know I wasn't around
for your childhood,

but that doesn't mean
you get to turn me and Lyta

into the people
you wanted us to be.

That was never
my intention, Seg.

I don't care about
your intentions.

I care about Lyta.

So get on that comm
and contact her, now.

[suspenseful music]

I can't do that.

I will not ask again.

I mean, it's impossible.

There is a solar
flare on Wegthor

blocking all communication
until it's passed.

Fine.

Until then, I have
some questions

about what's going on here.

And you will answer
them, one way or another.

We have to go. This is Lyta.

I'm sure she'll respond to
reason if we just talk to her.

We tried that
months ago in Bokos

before this was
even a rebellion.

- Remember her response?
- But this time is different.

- How?
- Seg.

Adam told us Seg
went looking for Lyta.

But if she's here, maybe
they never found one another.

She might not even
know that Seg is alive.

You think she'd
choose Seg over Zod?

I know she would.

And if Seg can get
her to see reason,

she might even expose
Zod's deepest secret

to the people.

- Somatic Reconditioning.
- Exactly.

Lyta must know about it.

And the endless cells
filled with dissidents.

This is what the rest
of Krypton needs to see

to understand that
Zod is not their savior.

He's their oppressor.

Look, I know it's a risk,

but I still believe
there's good in Lyta.

We just need Seg
to help bring it out.

[door opens]

[Kem] All right, easy.

Hey.

You wanna know
why we're not out there

with that lot, hmm?

I'll tell you: execution.

Oh, yes, I'm gonna
get whacked for treason,

and you're gonna get whacked
for accessory to treason.

Hey, I'm nobody's
accessory, okay?

If I'm gonna get ex*cuted

it's gonna be for something
I did, on my own, alone.

- Oh.
- All alone.

Seriously, that is your issue
with our current situation?

Hey.

- Isn't she with us?
- Who knows anymore?

Hey, ow!

What are you... hey!

How dare you use
me like you did?

You knew those
oxygenators were tainted

when you sent me that intel.

And you didn't?

Did you really think

we were gonna send
you back to the Rebels

without making sure
you were on our side?

We both did what was necessary,

and now we have a chance
to end this w*r peacefully,

and you have a chance
to get your son back.

[Preus] Primus?

We've just received a
message from Val-El and Jax-Ur.

They're willing to negotiate.

See, Nyssa?

Looks like you made
the right choice after all.

[wind blowing]

[engines humming]

[tense, somber music]

Can I ask you something?

It's a long ride.

Go for it.

When you left the Sagitari,

did you ever consider
joining with the Rebels?

For a split second, maybe.

But in the end, just
couldn't stomach it.

Jax.

She wasn't the one
who k*lled my family.

But she was in charge

of the Black Zero
members who did.

This w*r taught me something.

I don't know what the right
or wrong side is anymore.

I just know the only thing
I've ever truly believed in

is you, Jayna.

That's why I'm here.

You're the only side I've got.

[wind blowing]

[heavy breathing]

How many?

- How many what?
- People.

How many people did you
Somatically Recondition?

I know it's more than just Lyta.

As many as necessary
to achieve my vision.

Well, it must be
kind of a shitty vision

if you have to
change people's brains

to get them to buy in.

I admit, it's not easy
finding those who understand

the scale of my ambition.

But that was never
a problem with Lyta.

You assume I brainwashed
her into following me.

But the truth is...

I barely changed a thing.

She was overcome with guilt

after sh**ting her
mother to save my life.

A heroic decision

that, nevertheless,
pained her terribly.

And made worse by your absence.

I took away that
pain, that's all.

Not for myself, but for her.

No.

No, you changed the
best thing about Lyta.

Her empathy.

She felt guilty...

about sh**ting her mother...

because you're not supposed
to have to sh**t your mother.

You put her in an
impossible position.

One that no one
should have to be in.

And now she's up on Wegthor
fighting your w*r for you.

But that's all going to change.

Once the truth comes out,

she'll be down here
fighting your w*r against you

alongside the rest of Krypton.

[laughing] Is that
what you think?

Do you really believe that
you showing Lyta the truth

will suddenly wake her up

and turn her against me?

This is who she is now.

Every choice she
made was her own.

Lyta chose to go up to Wegthor,

just like she chose
me over her mother.

And if it comes
down to it, Seg...

She'll choose me over you.

Thank you for coming.

- How's the eye?
- Never better.

Just so you know, there
are sn*pers positioned

ready to end this
conversation in an instant

should your temper
get the better of you.

Where are Adam and Kem?

They're safe, and
they'll continue to be

as long as you
agree to our terms.

- Which are?
- Complete surrender.

Do that now and you
have General Zod's word

that no one else will be k*lled.

[laughing]

That's it?

That's your offer?

Well, it's better than death.

If we have to, we will finish
your rebellion with force,

resulting in casualties
on both sides.

Considerably more
on yours, I'm afraid.

And what of our people?
What happens to them?

They'll be assigned
to various Guilds.

You two will join the
Science Guild, of course,

where your work will be valued.

Dru isn't the villain
you portray him to be.

He wants you on his side.

He wants every
Kryptonian on his side.

Well, you can tell Dru-Zod to...

No.

[suspenseful music]

Lyta, listen to me.

It doesn't have to be like this.

Seg is alive.

He's back to help end this w*r.

To show you who
the real enemy is.

He has already.

Seg found me
before I came up here.

He's with Dru now,
awaiting my return.

Now, you know my terms.

Please, don't choose
the wrong side again.

What do you think?

I think Zod knows your weakness.

Which is?

You won't let anyone
you care about die.

If that's a weakness,
we all have it.

Exactly.

I need a decision.

- Jax, we need to decide.
- Right now.

Please, say something.

[laser whirring]

No deal.

[dramatic music]

[grunts, hollers]

[hologram chirping]

It's time.

Contact Lyta.

[tense music]

Now.

General Zod.

I'm sure you and
the people of Krypton

are eager to hear our
response to your offer.

But there's something
I'd like to show you first.

[all gasp]

[grunts]

[Jax] General Zod, you have made

the people of Krypton
kneel before you.

You have reconditioned
their minds, conscripted them,

sacrificed them, all in
the name of your vision.

But what have you sacrificed?

Nothing.

Until now.

Let me be precise.

General Zod, you have one hour

to being withdrawing
your Sagitari from Wegthor.

If you refuse this demand,

Lyta dies without hesitation.

So what's more important to you?

Your mother or your w*r?

You can't have both.

One hour.

[beeping]

[shaky breathing] What
are you going to do?

I will handle it.

That had better mean
keeping her alive.

I would never let
anything happen to Lyta.

And neither would Val.

That wasn't Val on
the broadcast, was it?

[suspenseful music]

[rebel woman] Take
the Primus down.

[rebel man] Lock
her up. [laughs]

How did you do that
with your eye up there?

Kinetic energy buildup from
an electromagnetic generator

attached to what's
left of my retina.

[cuffs clink]

You see, whatever is taken
away from me, I rebuild...

stronger than ever.

Good for you.

Do make yourself
comfortable, Primus.

You're not going anywhere.

Do we still have access to
Kandor's broadcast system?

For now.

Lyta's authentication codes
are still blocking any attempts

at shutting us down.

Good.

If Zod stays silent, I might
have to show the people

of Kandor just what happens...

You will do no such thing!

How could you make such
a rash decision out there?

You said you wanted to
turn the people against Zod.

- This is how.
- By threatening his mother?

She is the only person
Zod truly cares about.

If Zod risks losing this
w*r just to save his mother,

it goes against everything
the Sagitari are taught.

Loyalty to Krypton
above all else.

But if Zod lets Lyta die...

the people of
Kandor will see him

just as they did Daron.

Just another tyrant
desperate to stay in power.

Either way, he loses
the Sagitari or the people.

Even if I were to agree
with your assessment,

we will still have to
be willing to k*ll Lyta.

[sighs]

You're becoming more like
him every day, Sela-Sonn.

One of us has to, Val.

If we are to win this w*r,

if we're to survive.

I'm sorry...

but if you go
through with this...

you do it alone.

I was afraid you'd say that.

What is this?

What are you doing?

Whatever it takes.

[indistinct radio chatter]

[tense music]

All this in six months.

Imagine what we could have done

if we conscripted
the entire city.

[soldier] Come on!

We got company.

[soldier] All Sagitari
to transport now!

[commander] Where
are you two going?

Didn't you get the new orders?

We've been on special assignment

in the Outlands.

For how long?

Long enough to find the location

of the traitor Dev-Em.

[clears throat]

Yes, and the even
worse traitor, Jayna-Zod.

The location's here
on our nav data.

General Zod needs
to see this immediately.

Fine, take it up to him.

But then report back
to your squad leaders.

The General wants all
available Sagitari standing by

for immediate
deployment to Wegthor

in case the situation
gets even worse up there.

What is the situation up there?

Move.

- [grunts]
- Don't say a word.

Lyta's life depends on it.

[computer chirps]

Have you made up
your mind, General?

- I have.
- And?

I will begin withdrawing
from Wegthor at once.

I will contact you again

when all our forces
have vacated the moon.

I better see immediate progress.

For your mother's sake.

[computer chirps]

Mobilize all units for
immediate evacuation,

and make sure the Rebels
can see it on their heat maps.

[soldier] We're on it, General.

[tense music]

You still doubt me
even though I told you

I would never let
anything happen to Lyta.

Aside from Lyta, I've
never known a Zod

to ask for mercy or give it,

so until she's safely back
here I will reserve my judgment.

That's unfortunate.

I never resented growing
up without a father, Seg.

I resented a world cruel enough

to break someone as
strong as my mother.

And you may not
believe this, but...

all I wanted from you

was to make you proud.

You're right.

I don't believe you.

But work this negotiation right

and bring Lyta home safely,

and we can talk.

We'll talk about this w*r.

We'll talk about your vision...

for Krypton.

You have the wrong idea, Seg.

I said I had wanted
to make you proud.

That was in the past.

I no longer need that.

I no longer need anything...

From you.

Keep moving. You answer to Zod.

Let's go.

Yo, Space Force.

Can you stop messing with that?

- It's not a toy.
- It looks like a toy.

Well, it's not.

Whatever it is, if I get to
k*ll you two, I'm keeping it.

I'm sorry, did... did I
catch an "if" in there?

General Zod gave
orders to k*ll you both

if the retreat fails and
the Rebels k*ll the hostage.

- Wait, what hostage?
- What does this thing do?

No, don't touch that!

[laser fires]

Where the hell
did you come from?

What do you... who cares?

Hurry, you need to
get back to the Rebels.

There's a safe passage
because of the retreat.

- What, you're not gonna come?
- I can't.

I'm a traitor on both sides now.

Well, where you gonna go, then?

To get my son.

[Adam] Kem?

I trust we are looking
at the same images?

My Sagitari boarding the
space elevator to Krypton?

I see a retreat.

Once the last of the
Sagitari are off Wegthor,

we'll make arrangements to
get your mother back to Kandor.

What guarantees do I have
that you won't just k*ll her?

You have Val's.

His word is unblemished.

Not that I don't trust
the word of a man

I've yet to see or hear from,

but just in case, I'd like
to speak to my mother.

It will be brief, I promise.

If I hear anything that
sounds like coded language,

she dies.

Do you understand?

Undoubtedly.

Stand by.

I have orders to deliver
sensitive intel to General Zod.

I'll take it to him.

Sorry, has to be me.

[grunts]

[suspenseful music]

Oh, sh*t.

- Which way, Kem?
- Uh...

[scanner beeping]

Wait, hang on.

Hang on, I'm
getting a bio reading.

Hey, that's great,
buddy, Let's keep going.

No, you don't understand.

When I was a Sagitari,
we blew this tunnel

and exposed a huge
deposit of Stellarium

which was not on
any of our maps.

So? Who bloody cares?

Everyone in that
expl*si*n was k*lled,

but I'm still picking up lots
of warm bodies behind there.

- Lots of them.
- Stranded Rebels?

Switch to thermal.

[scanner whirring]

What is it?

We need to get back to Val, now.

Lyta.

Are you all right?

This will be over
soon, I promise.

We're in the process of
getting you home safely.

[Lyta] No, please don't.

I knew the risks coming up here.

It was my choice.

And it is my choice to save you.

I am willing to
die for the cause.

I am not willing to let you die.

[whooshing]

[tense music]

You don't actually...

believe him, do you?

Zod is quite a formidable liar.

He is able to convince
himself of almost anything

when the occasion
necessitates it.

What's happening?

Are you back?

Are you back inside my mind?

I never left.

However, your attempts
to destroy me on Colu

were not without consequence.

There is very little of me

that remains within you, Seg-El.

An infinitesimal fragment.

But enough to save you.

Save me from what?

Your own self-destruction.

I was able to
neutralize the attempts

at your Somatic Reconditioning,

but in this diminished state,

I must rely on you
more than I'd prefer.

And if we are to survive
this particular situation,

you must stop allowing
emotional impulses

to trample upon the
dictates of rational thought.

What do you mean?

Why was Zod able
to disarm you earlier?

Because I was distracted.

In case you hadn't noticed,

the woman I love is
being held hostage.

Zod loves her, too.

But in that fraction of a
second, you were thinking

about her, and he was
thinking about his own survival.

Well, what can I say?

He's a cosmic-sized assh*le.

Zod is determined

to win this w*r,

even if he has to
sacrifice Lyta to do so.

If you do nothing,

he will succeed.

What exactly do
you want me to do?

The answer is...

entirely self-evident.

Warn her.

Tell her about the
Somatic Reconditioning,

and then k*ll him.

Before he kills you.

Please, don't
compromise your vision

for my decision.

There is nothing I would
put above you, Lyta.

- Nothing.
- Lyta!

Don't listen to him, Lyta!

He Somatic...

[ominous music]

- What was that?
- I... I don't know, I swear.

Are you trying
to get her k*lled?

[hollers]

[both grunting]

[dramatic music]

[panting, hollers]

[both grunting]

You may never
see my vision, Seg.

I won't let you thr*aten it.

[gasping]

[whooshing]

- Relax.
- [muffled bang]

[gagging]

Zod!

No!

[choking]

[growls]

- [g*n cocks]
- Let him go!

[gasping]

[tense music]

You're alive.

Of course you are.

Drop the w*apon.

- Let him go!
- I have no sh*t.

Drop the w*apon, Dru!

I can't do that, Jayna.

If you're going to k*ll me,
you're going to k*ll the love

- of your daughter's life.
- Jayna, do it!

k*ll him! Save Lyta!

End the w*r! Do it!

- [choking]
- She can't.

No, but I can.

[blade swishes]

[Zod] Guards, guards! Intruders!

[panting] He's gone.

[alarm blaring]

Oh, sh*t.

Every Sagitari in Kandor
would have heard that.

We need to move. Let's go.

[computer chirps]

Why can't we reconnect?
Does anyone have anything?

I have reports on Zod's forces!

Reconnaissance reports that
the Sagitari have all boarded

the space elevator on Wegthor.

Then why are all of Zod's
communications down?

I... I don't know.

She goes nowhere
until we find out.

Put her back in her cell.

[laser fires]

[alarm blaring]

[Brainiac] Seg-El,
descend the stairs.

Behind you, fire now.

One Sagitari on your left.

Again.

[body thuds]

- How did you know...
- [Brainiac] Ahead in 1.2 seconds.

Behind you, southeast corner.

What are you...

Steady.

Now.

When'd you get good at this?

Uh...

The Phantom Zone.

We should probably keep moving.

[suspenseful music]

[body thuds]

[laser f*ring]

How did you two escape?

Nyssa freed us.

You saw Nyssa?
Well, where is she?

Forget about Nyssa.

There's something
that you need to know.

Something that
you all need to know.

Tell me.

Well, what is it?

- Adam?
- Oh, for God's sake.

Better take a look for
yourself, sir... ma'am.

[Dev] Where are we going?

What's left of the
old Rankless District.

Adam says there's an underground

Rebel network there.

We need to find
someone and contact Jax

before it's too late.

[Jax] People of Kandor.

I regret to inform you
that your leader is a liar.

A fake.

And even worse...

a man willing to condemn
his own mother to death

for the sake of his own pride.

Zod claimed he was retreating.

But instead, he amassed
his forces underground.

Hidden inside a mine
waiting to ambush us

the moment we returned Lyta-Zod.

To complete his deception,

he sent captured Rebel prisoners

to board the elevator in
place of his own Sagitari.

Decoys meant to distract us

from his blatant betrayal.

General Zod,

you have betrayed us.

No.

You have betrayed your people,

and you have betrayed
your own mother.

And for that...

- you must be punished.
- [all gasp]

Jax, don't do it!

Don't become like
him! Please, Jax!

[rising tense music]

Please!

Please, don't do it!

[all gasp]

[somber music]

[body thuds]