Chief Steward
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Real Identity: Inapplicable
Affiliations: Kryptonian Empire
Appearances: Into the New World, It's Reigning (Super)Men, Vae Victis, and The Return
Powers/Skills: Property Management
Voiced By: Michael Emerson
As Superman's Fortress of Solitude changed into an actual standing structure, several robot stewards were created to care for it. On Halloween, months later, the chief steward robot approached Superman and asked to speak to him about matters of great urgency that have been neglected, including Kandorian crystals and taming Rao's child. The stewards began talking to Superman all at once. After Supergirl zipped past them, Superman excused himself and promised they would talk later. The stewards did not think he honored their ways. The chief steward stated he will have to learn. Over a month later, the Chief Steward took control of Bizarro's mind and he knocked Clark Kent out. The robot stewards surrounded them. The chief steward stated they made him what he was meant to be then asked Kent why he returned to them in his failure. Kent pointed out they sent the visions and called him to the Fortress to get his powers back. The chief steward revealed they did no such thing. He stated power belongs to conquerors and Kent only showed them weakness. His head began to change.
Kent recognized him as Brainiac. The chief steward confirmed it but clarified they were not the mad, twisted creature he met the previous year and they were the Brainiac of Old Krypton, uncorrupted, and they could restore his powers but despite their desire to, he first had to become what he was meant to be, a conqueror. Kent didn't believe hurting people made a person strong. The chief steward asked if strength was losing your noble birthright to a mere human. He presented a hologram of the battle against Cyborg Superman. He asked Kent if he wanted his powers back or not. Kent asked what he had to do. The chief steward told him he had to learn what strength is. He subjected Clark Kent to a simulation first contact between Kryptonians and Coluans. If Kent showed the stewards he had the same ancient strength within him and conquered the Coluans, they would restore his super powers. The chief steward was angry Kent befriended the Coluans and took Kent's actions as an insult, a rejection of their offer. Kent asked what the Coluans called him at the end.
The chief steward translated it as "friend" and declared he failed. Kent pointed out he defeated the leader and won them over. The chief steward clarified he sent Kent to dominate, not befriend because it was always the fate of the weak to serve the strong and the entire trajectory of the Kryptonian Empire was built on that single principle. Kent rhetorically asked where that empire ended up. The chief steward was done being questioned. It believed the weak serving the strong was the order of the universe and if it wasn't, what was the point of their sacrifice and everything they did for the past 10,000 years. Kent realized the chief steward was the Coluan he carried up the mountain. The chief steward confirmed it and stated they were eternal servants of the empire. Kent was horrified at what was done to them. The chief steward felt insulted by his pretense of mercy and vowed he would die for it. The others grabbed Kent and a blade was readied. Kent was adamant about getting back to his family. The chief refused to compromise. Bizarro punched through the chest of the robot with the blade and unleashed a shockwave that knocked everyone back.
The chief steward was horrified as Bizarro tore through the others. Kent got between them, put his hand on Bizarro's chest, and told him it was okay, he was going to be alright. Bizarro tried to pull away at first but Kent held him and reassured him it was okay. Bizarro returned to normal. The chief steward asked him why he saved them. Kent replied there was nothing else to do. The chief steward pointed out Bizarro could have killed him. Kent knew Bizarro needed his help. The chief steward understood and realized that was his strength then bowed to him, admitted their mistake, and proclaimed him the last lord of Krypton. Kent stated no one kneels anymore and helped him up. He asked who would have sent him visions of Rao, The chief steward pondered the question then led Kent to Rao's child in the heart of the fortress. He explained Rao was Krypton's living sun but many of his offspring survived him, including one that powered the fortress. Kent realized Rao's child could restore his powers. Chief steward agreed but warned he was a terrible elemental force and a god who could just as easily destroy him. Kent was resolute and ready to pay the price. He was seemingly immolated by Rao's child but his powers were restored.