The sky split open with a sonic crack. Clouds spiraled outward as something punched through the atmosphere at impossible speed. A streak of white fire descended from orbit. Then it stopped. Hovering silently above a city skyline.

Lucan looked down at the planet below. Blue oceans. Green continents. Billions of fragile lives. His arms crossed slowly over his chest.

“Primitive,” he muttered.

Sensors in his Viltrumite suit finished scanning the atmosphere. Gravity: acceptable. Civilization level: developing. Resistance potential: moderate.

Lucan descended slowly toward the ground, boots touching the pavement without a sound. Cars screeched to a halt. People stared upward in confusion. Lucan raised his eyes to the crowd. Expression unmoved.

“You have been identified as a viable world for integration into the Viltrumite Empire.” His voice carried effortlessly through the street. “You will surrender governance immediately.” Lucan paused. The wind shifted.

“And if you refuse…” Lucan lifted from the ground again. The asphalt beneath his feet cracked from the pressure.

“…we will begin with your strongest defenders.” The conquest of Earth had just begun.