Bella MacLeod's Twilight Fanfiction

The Life Equation

By BetterInTexas

Chapter 13:

“Alex!” Kara practically yelled, walking into her human friend’s apartment, with a single bag in her hand while Kell followed, holding four.

“Hi, Kara.” Alex responded, nearly jumping back when Kara brought her in for a hug and then kissed her on the cheek. “It’s… uh… good to see you. What have you been up to the last few days besides fighting mutants in S.T.A.R Labs?”

“Let’s see…” The blonde said thoughtfully before beginning to tick her various adventures off on her fingers. “I obtained a small army of Green Lanterns as my personal protection detail, found out the Guardians of the Universe are worried about me being here because I am something called a 12 th level intellect, Kell and I went to a baseball game, I lied to my mother about wanting to have children, but then found out that I have had two trackers imbedded into my bones when I was five due to numerous assassination and kidnapping attempts I wasn’t even aware happened so she couldn’t really become angry. She also found out -because the Guardians couldn’t shut their little blue mouths- that I am what humans call ‘Supergirl’ and a sidekick and Lois Lane and Cat Grant have been having an epic ‘trash talking showdown’ over worldwide media. And, of course, I had to deal with Dr. Faulkner who did indeed mutate but is a very nice woman from all accounts. Did you receive the report I sent you?”

Alex shook her head and grinned. She had been apart from the girl for three days and was surprised that she felt sad she had missed everything. Alex admitted to herself that no one would ever say Kara was boring. “Yeah, I did. It looks like you did a great job on the fly… umm, that means ‘in the moment’, with what you had available but there are some concerns I have for Dr. Faulkner’s long term health.”

“Her cells will always be mutated and the angrier she becomes the greater chance that she will resume her ‘orange rage monster’ state?” Kara guessed.

Alex nodded. “Uh… yeah. Why did you send this to me?”

Kara looked a bit sheepish and blushed. “Because I needed someone more intimately knowledgeable about the human body to look over the results and confirm what I expected to happen. The radiation can’t possibly be gone completely. If it expands… she is going to need something to control this, to make sure her radiation levels stay at an acceptable rate without going nuclear… that’s a joke… sort of. So, can doctors build such a device?”

Alex smirked. “Not likely, but I have. I had it sent to Watchtower this morning. It’s a simple cuff for now, but I can develop a small device that could be placed inside her that would do the same, if the cuff proves effective. Want to see the design? I brought it in case you were interested.”

“Of course.” Kara agreed and waited for Alex to retrieve her report and blueprints.

Kara took the papers and read them slowly, taking time to triple check everything.

The blonde was impressed. “Alex, this is wonderful. You are extremely intelligent for a hum… orous person. A beautiful design and the functionality is…”

“Were you going to say intelligent for a human?” Alex asked, a bit miffed, but mostly wanting to screw with the blonde.

“Of course not. I said humorous. I couldn’t remember the word for a moment.’

“Funny would have worked. You meant for a human, didn’t you?”

“Of course not!” Kara poorly lied. “Most extremely intelligent beings I have come across do not usually have a sense of humor like you have. My father did but my Uncle Jor was… ugh… so serious all the time. He was a great guy, but… if it wasn’t for his wife, I’m not sure he would have ever smiled.

“You should have seen the look on his face the time I almost opened up a very tiny harmless ‘Black Hole’ in his clean room. I had to sit there for an hour while he lectured me on recklessness and not having a sense of adventure in his lab. I was only five! It didn’t help that Father told me to listen to Uncle Jor very intently and then began making faces behind his brother’s back where I could see. I laughed a few times and Uncle Jor finally gave up and told me to take a break from his lab.”

Alex remembered the conversation from when they were in the Fortress. “That would be the time he banned you from his lab?”

Kara shook her head and had a seat on the couch next to Kell. To her annoyance, the man had already found a baseball game on the television. “No, that was because I used a miniature atom splitter he had and nearly caused a harmless nuclear reaction. He totally made a bigger deal out of it than it was. I was trying to link it up with my particle accelerator… it doesn’t matter. Total misunderstanding. I didn’t mind at all. He was cool after a while. I don’t think he meant it.”

Alex watched the blonde, noting her eyebrows crinkled a bit when she obviously lied.

“You were fine with being kicked out of his lab?” she asked doubtfully.

Kara nodded, then grinned bashfully. “I was when Aunt Lara gave me a stuffed doll. She told me to cut the stuffing out and gave me her code to the lab. I borrowed his atom splitter, stuffed it in the doll and escaped unnoticed. Aunt Lara showed me where my mistake had been in my experiment and I was able to find the data I needed back in mine and Father’s lab. I had planned to give it back to him since I only borrowed it, but he never mentioned anything, so I suppose he was good with me having it.”

Alex had a hard time believing that. “His Kelex unit never stopped you or reported to him?” she asked.

Kara shook her head smiling widely. “He never had the chance. The first thing I did after using Aunt Lara’s code was hide behind a column near the door I entered. Once Uncle Bore’s Kelex came to greet Aunt Lara, I jumped behind him and opened his panel deactivating him. When I was done, I reactivated him for a reboot that would have taken minutes and tampered with his memory banks. Simple in and out job.”

“Wow.” Alex admitted. “That’s pretty smart for a Kryptonian.”

Kara sighed heavily. “I deserved that. Sorry, that slipped out. I didn’t mean it to be an insult. Sometimes my mouth runs away with my mind and I can’t stop it. I used to tell my Uncle Non that he was pretty smart for a soldier.”

Kell took his eyes off the baseball game and looked towards Alex as she sat across from the two. “If it makes you feel better, every time Kara makes a change to Argo City; weather, new animals, food, weapons designs, shield reinforcements, anything really, she sends a very long, very detailed report to everyone’s datapad.” Kell informed Alex. “None of us read it. We stopped trying to understand her explanations and just deleted the reports as soon as they arrived.”

Kara looked at Kell sharply. “You deleted my reports?”

“All of Argo City does. No one can understand what you are saying anyway. Even your scientists have a hard time understanding.” He explained, not the least bit repentant. “General Non asked one to explain your report and the man was lost. We just trust you know what you are doing and relax. It’s just one of the many reasons you are a big deal whether you like it or not. Our people trust you completely.”

A look of annoyance took over Kara’s face, but she stayed quiet, only looking in Alex’s direction and rolling her eyes.

“So where is your ship?” Alex finally asked.

Kara pointed up. “Kelex has it hovering over your building cloaked with any number of Green Lanterns in it. I’m kind of hungry. Do you have a toaster, Alex?”

“You want toast?” the woman asked, surprised. Kara nodded her head quickly and her eyes cut to Kell who was still engrossed in a baseball game.

The blonde walked towards the kitchen with Alex by her side. Kara was a bit annoyed that the living room could be seen from the kitchen, but Kell had his earplugs in so if she whispered, she should be fine.

“So, toast huh?” Alex asked, suspecting something was up. Kara put her finger to her mouth.

“Do you like toast?” the blonde asked.

Alex shrugged her shoulders. “I’m not obsessed with it, but it does tend to make a good side item to breakfast. Do I want to know why you are asking?”

Kara glanced at Kell again then back to Alex. “Can we take your toaster to your room along with a couple of those magnets you have on your refrigerator? I’m also going to need your alarm clock and Wi-Fi password. I have to take apart the toaster and alarm clock, but I will buy you new ones if I can’t fix them afterward.

“Remember those many things I want to do? We are going to start tonight, after Kell goes to sleep. Electricity may be outdated but I know how to use it. I’m going to make a device that will block my transmitters and copy the waves using Wi-Fi. Kelex will think I am in the apartment, while I will block my transmitter signal. Then we can escape through the back entrance of this building without anyone knowing we left.” Kara explained.

Alex figured when Kara needed those items, she had some plan in mind. As they retreated to her bedroom, she curiously asked, “All this so we can go to a club and dance without your bodyguards?”

Kara shook her head as she began taking the toaster apart. “We aren’t going to a club. There are things I need to learn about Earth, things our council will need to know about as we forge a new planet. Are you game?”

“Sure, why not? I don’t believe I would enjoy a protection detail myself and, in most movies, those are the ones who get killed off first anyway so they can be kind of useless.” Alex said, obviously fascinated as she closely watched Kara dismantle her alarm clock next.

That night, after watching a movie called American Pie, Kara returned to Kell and sat a datapad on his lap she had retrieved from her bag.

“Why are you giving me this? It’s yours. I want to watch another movie.” the man told her. “I see Alex has a war movie in her case, ‘Saving Private Ryan’. From the cover it looks interesting.”

“I want you to read this report. It proposes many changes to our Military’s current battle armor, a redesign for better functionality and movement plus yellow sun emitters inside that will make our soldiers stronger during the boarding of enemy vessels. I want your opinion on it since you may be wearing one someday if our home is threatened. I’m going to bed and you can sit here and study because there will be a test in the morning.” She ordered the dumbstruck man.

Kara and Alex entered Alex’s bedroom and sat on the bed. Kara changed quickly into a very faded and loose pair of blue jeans, along with hiking boots, her hair in a ponytail and glasses on. She opened Alex’s laptop and pressed the enter key sending her false signal to Kelex. She took the necklace she made earlier of wire, a small battery and a refrigerator magnet hanging where a pendant would be.

“That might be the ugliest necklace I have ever seen.” Alex admitted.

Kara shrugged her shoulders. Tonight wasn’t about fashion. “Don’t touch it. It has a feint electrical current running through it which may shock you. It’s enough to mask my signature. I’ve directed and reconfigured your Wi-Fi to send a signal straight to the ship copying my present location to your apartment and the small electrical charge should confuse the trackers in my body to allow us to leave undetected.”

“Are you sure it will work?” Alex asked.

Kara shrugged her shoulders. “What’s the worst that could happen? If we step outside and have a Green Lantern and a Kryptonian fighter craft in front of us, I guess we will know.”

Alex still looked doubtful. “Are you positive this is what you want to do… here? You know how your cousin and J’onn feel about each other. He might freak out if anyone finds out you are on the run in National City.”

Kara looked Alex in the eye. “I trusted you from the moment I saw you. Do you trust the Martian?”

“With my life.” Alex answered immediately.

“That’s good enough for me. Do you have a car?”

“Motorcycle.”

“Perfect… you have two helmets?”

“Always keep one in the closet in case mine breaks or I have a rider. So… you ready?”

Kara looked towards the living room with her X Ray vision, seeing Kell asleep, a datapad on his chest.

“He’s asleep. I knew he wouldn’t last long with that report. Technical manuals are not fascinating reading. All military are light sleepers though so we will have to be quiet.”

Ten minutes later, two helmeted women drove off from the parking garage and were relieved no green glow was following them. Fifteen blocks away Alex pulled over.

“So, where do you want to go?”

Kara thought for a moment, listened to the city but was still not sure.

“Where is the most poverty stricken area of the city?” the blonde asked.

Alex had a feeling that would be the way the night went and began driving. Fourteen minutes later after finding a semi safe and hidden place to park her bike, the two girls took off their helmets and began walking.

It was not long before Kara found what she was looking for.

A group of ten people, 3 women, 6 men and 1 child perhaps 14 years old were sleeping in an alley under a makeshift cardboard canopy. The two women continued to walk, Kara finding hundreds more, sleeping on the ground in alleys, some in parking garages, some on the sidewalks. They were all underfed, the signs of living on the streets obvious on their worn clothes and dirt covered faces.

After an hour, the two began walking back towards Alex’s bike.

“How many homeless shelters are in this area?” Kara asked. “I didn’t see any.”

Alex took a moment, taking in the street signs. “There is one a couple miles away. It only holds forty a night though.”

Kara suspected as much. “Food banks?”

“Thirty around National City. They can only serve about a hundred a night.” Alex replied.

“Three thousand meals. How many humans are homeless?”

Alex thought for a moment and shrugged her shoulders. “Probably anywhere from 36 to 59 thousand.

Kara shook her head sadly, looking at the skyline of the glittering downtown area. The city held over 14 million citizens and from looking at the downtown area, with its tall high rise office buildings and hotels you would think everyone who lived in its confines were wealthy. Kara had seen the same in Metropolis, but in Metropolis she never had the time to explore. She planned to go back but had a feeling the number of homeless was similar if not greater.

“Guess you don’t have to worry about this on Krypton, right?” the brunette asked. To her surprise, Kara shook her head.

“Krypton was not a perfect planet, Alex. As little as three hundred years before its destruction, we had those who were called the Rankless, not having any claim to prominent houses. They scraped by on what they could in the lower streets while the great Houses’ compounds rose above each city. Poverty was real. It was put to rest as time went by and the High Council changed over the years to more progressive minded members who looked out for the welfare of all and developed a more equally balanced… what you would call a caste system, but I will not lie to you and say all of Kryptonians were equally wealthy.

“Like most nations on Earth and planets in the universe, the majority of power has always been held by a minority of people. The City Councils were voted on but there were only eleven spots and a twelfth for the High Councilor who had final say. The Kryptonian High Council had thirty two representatives and a High Councilor. Our Council members worked hard for the betterment of Kryptonians lives but in comparison to Krypton’s population they were a small percentage, mostly from elite Houses. Poverty was a thing of the past when I was born. I knew of it, of course, but I had to see this with my own eyes.”

Alex was surprised. “Why?”

Kara turned and looked at the group of people they had seen when they first arrived. “I will be on the Council when I return. Decisions we make as our new planet is developed will have a lasting impact on the future of New Krypton. The Council believes since we have such great technology, we will not have any problems, that it will be as simple as picking up where we left off. But it won’t be simple. There will be so many challenges, not just in science but in governments, business, population, food, even the balance of the natural habitat.

“On Krypton, most of the fish, animals and many plants in the jungles were carnivores. It made our wilderness uninhabitable. You had to be very careful where you stepped or swam in the ‘great outdoors’. On this new planet, there will need to be a natural ecosystem developed, one with carnivores and herbivores, a balance if you will, like Earth has. I will have do my best to guide that ecosystem so our wildlife is not completely carnivorous, watch as thousands of species develop on their own and hope a balance between Kryptonians and our planet’s ecosystem can reach and stay in harmony with Rao’s guidance. As our population grows, our people will spread over the planet. There will be disputes over many things, perhaps threats of civil war.” Kara explained.

“War?” Alex asked. “I didn’t think Kryptonians ever warred with each other.”

Kara sadly shook her head. “Our people are naturally peaceful, just as the majority of humans are. I know the great majority of humans on Earth just want to live without fear of war or hunger, sleep comfortably at night without worrying about the weather or crime, threat of illness or where their next meal will be from and they help each other often.

“But all it takes is one Zod or one Hitler to cause untold havoc. Zod may have led the charge to destroy the council and take it for himself but he was followed by soldiers, his handpicked warriors who were devoted to him. They were called Black Zero and while the men may have started off with the good of Krypton being their only priority, Zod managed to convince them to follow his lead because he made them believe he was best for Krypton.

“While Earth may be behind Krypton’s technology, humans are still finding their way in this ever evolving world and have been for many thousands of years. It is important for my people to learn from Earth’s successes and mistakes along with our own… to do our best not to repeat those mistake as we grow. The next hundred years are going to be vital for us if we want to truly recreate our way of life and even improve it.”

Alex could see how this would be a bit overwhelming, never having thought of what would truly be involved in creating a new planet. She had thought it would be simple. Find a planet, terraform it and then set the city on it, allowing their people to walk freely once again from the confines of a dome and spread across a planet.

But what Kara had told her made sense. Earth had gone through countless civil wars, world wars, conflicts, trying to find their way where they found themselves today, still not at peace, still a threat of war, terrorism or, as was increasingly made evident, alien invasion.

“What would you say the prevalent reasons for homelessness are, Alex?” Kara asked.

Alex thought for a moment. “A combination of things I would suppose. Economic climate leading to a lack of affordable homes, unemployment, and mental illness and addiction to illegal drugs combined with a shortage of treatment facilities are some of the main reasons. I don’t think it is any one thing but combinations.”

Kara nodded, a pleased expression on her face. “All issues we will have to face head on and do our best to avoid as we create a new Krypton. Another problem we face will be Isolationism.”

“What do you mean?” Alex asked.

Kara grinned and leaned against Alex’s bike. “Yes, I need to explain. On Krypton, I suppose you could say we were… snobs.”

“Snobs?” Alex snorted.

Kara, however, nodded her head seriously. “That’s as close a translation to what Aunt Lara used to call us but only when she had a bit too much to drink.

“When I entered Earth’s atmosphere and landed with no announcement, I would have never dreamed of doing what I did were this a higher level planet. Fortunately, the United States and some other countries take all nationalities, so even though you fired on us without provocation, we were given a chance to explain, to dialog with you, and eventually, we were welcomed, more or less.

“On Krypton, any alien arriving without permission and clearance would be arrested. Permission was not given often. Because the galaxy desired our technology, Krypton isolated itself. We protected our planet, never visited other planets besides Oa and never allowed delegates to land on our soil, always meeting them in one of our battle cruisers out of orbit. We have to ask ourselves if that is truly the way we wish to continue. It will be necessary in our infancy to continue this approach but as time goes by, will we remain apart from other worlds?

“On Earth, Kal El is accepted though I am sure many in your government and governments around this world are not happy with him or any alien races being on their planet, yet they are not hunted or forced into extermination camps. Most of them, like Kal El could not be stopped anyway. Aliens are a danger to this planet, but aliens are also the best chance this planet has of surviving.

“Krypton has always isolated itself from the rest of the universe. We go to extreme measures to protect our planet, our people, and our technology. I’m guilty of this myself.”

Alex looked into the blonde’s eyes and knew she wasn’t joking. She still had a hard time believing Kara would take any extreme measures. “I find that hard to believe… what are you guilty of?”

“Biological warfare.” Kara admitted, bluntly.

That caught Alex off guard. “Biological warfare? How are you guilty… okay if anyone could pull it off it would be you… and I can understand wanting to protect your people. So… Krypton practices biological warfare?”

Kara looked towards the ground, not meeting the woman’s eyes. “My father began working on an airborne virus before Krypton’s destruction. Ironically, he named it after a myth from Earth. He called it the Medusa Virus. It was never completed but when I turned fourteen, I finished it myself.

“I have never been able to test it, other than exposing it to alien DNA and blood samples that survived and Kryptonian DNA and blood, but I will never test it on a biological life form. It is meant to be a last defense against invasion. It is an airborne, fast spreading virus that would not harm Kryptonians. Any other creature that would touch our ground and breathe our air would be exposed, the fluids in their bodies solidifying in seconds, basically turning to stone, just as the Medusa in your myth did with her eyes.

“As I was saying, I found it in his project records when I was fourteen. I continued and finished his work in my free time. In the event Argo City was ever overrun by invaders, I have dispersal units throughout the city. Should it be needed, invaders will fall. As I said, the idea was a last defense, should an enemy get through our orbital defenses. Any prisoners would be isolated in lockdown sealed rooms, and our enemies in the open would die quickly.”

Alex listened to the blonde, trying to grasp that concept. Krypton took biological warfare to the extreme. A virus that attacked aliens yet spared their own people by recognizing their DNA? She was very thankful Earth did not have this technology. “So, if somehow Argo City was invaded, you have the power to kill all those who enter that aren’t Kryptonian. That’s… that’s a lot of pressure to place on yourself.”

Kara nodded. “Creating the virus is something I will have to live with if it is ever used. I finished the virus to protect our people, no matter how many of the enemy it kills. I don’t have the activation codes. I set it up so only my mother, Aunt Astra and Uncle Non are able to release the virus. I didn’t want the responsibility. It’s the only one of my completed projects I don’t have access to, and I don’t want to have access.

“They didn’t want the responsibility either, but if an enemy should get past our ships, or take control of them, they will die as soon as they took their first breath and that is a power our leaders need to protect us. Protecting our race is my family’s number one mandate and they will know if there is no other recourse. No enemy filter can keep it out. Krypton does not invade, so we would never unleash it on another planet, but we do not back down from fights and we have never lost a battle. Our land is sacred, blessed by Rao and those who mean it’s people harm will face his wrath.”

Alex thought a moment, looked at the young, seemingly innocent blonde in front of her and was grateful this caring woman would never have to make a decision like that. She was also very grateful now that Kara would not share her technology with Earth. She could see the ramifications if countries had this type of power and reckless leaders having that power in their grasp.

“You ready to go back? It is 3 AM.” Alex asked, changing the subject.

Kara agreed, deciding she did need some sleep tonight, but felt bad about the people she was leaving behind, the homeless, the desperate, those forgotten by society. No matter what, she swore to herself that she would never allow a government to form on Krypton that would allow such a thing to happen again.

The next morning she woke up to the smell of food under her nose. She cracked an eyelid and saw Kell, holding a breakfast burrito near her face.

“I thought that might do the trick. It’s almost noon. I realize you had a late night but thought you might not want to sleep the entire day away.” the man told her.

Kara sat up slowly, trying to fully wake. She took the burrito from Kell’s hand and saw there was a cup of coffee on the bedside table.

“It’s prepared the same way you enjoyed it in Smallville. One cream, four tablespoons of sugar.”

Kara reached over and took a sip.

“Thanks.” she told the man gratefully, in her native language.

“Of course. Did you enjoy your outing?”

Kara closed her eyes. After a moment she looked at him.

“You followed me?” she guessed.

Kell shook his head. “Nope. If you wanted me to come along, you would have asked me. You had the comlink on you so if your mother called, I wouldn’t be held to blame for leaving you alone, so I was clear. I figured you worked out some way to trick Kelex and keep him from tracking you… plus you weren’t alone.”

Kara grinned a bit guiltily. “Does Kelex know?”

“I don’t see how it’s any of his business. Did you find what you were looking for?” Kell asked.

Kara thought for a moment. “No, but I saw what I want our race to avoid. How did you know I was gone? I was quiet and you were asleep.”

The man shrugged his shoulders. “I’ve been acclimating myself to the sounds of this planet by taking out earplugs occasionally. I took one out last night and my head was leaned against the sofa cushion so I guess you couldn’t see. Plus, I am a light sleeper. Eat your breakfast. I am sure there is a lot you want to do today.”

Kell began to stand before Kara grabbed his hand. “Why didn’t you follow me? Didn’t Uncle Non tell you…”

Kell placed his other hand on top of hers. “I think we have broken enough rules that those don’t matter anymore. I’m your partner, not your babysitter. If you need me, I will be there. You can take care of yourself. If any Kryptonian besides Kal El is comfortable on this planet, it would be you. You are the expert.”

Kell stood up and walked away only stopping at the door. He turned back to her and smiled. “I’m glad you came clean with your mother about not being sure if you want to be mated.”

“You are?” Kara asked surprised.

“Truthfully, I’m not sure either now. You snore so loudly; Alex had to turn your face from the window because she feared your super snores would blow out the glass. I am going to have to give serious consideration to whether I want to sleep listening to that all night. Your snoring gave us both a lot to think about.” he told her smiling widely. “See you when you are ready. I’m thinking of wearing that Superman t-shirt you bought me in Metropolis.”

Kell walked out leaving a very embarrassed Kara. Yes, she may snore sometimes, but it wasn’t every night. The blonde peeked at the window and saw the curtains were in a bit of disarray and had no doubt she caused it.

Alex had left for an hour and returned with a silver Toyota Camry and met them outside the apartment.

“It’s my friend Winn’s car. Easier to show you two the city than having two of you on my bike.” she explained.

The three spent the afternoon exploring the city with their tour guide. While watching children play at the large playground and making evening plans, Kara was interrupted by her Mother’s call.

“I can’t exactly open a hologram in the middle of a park. I’m going to find a bathroom.” Kara said and moved off quickly towards the nearest restaurant.

The first restaurant she entered had a large bathroom, full of women.

By the time she had found a small antique store with only a single person bathroom the signal was lost.

The Blonde panicked, imagining her Mother ordering a great warship being sent to collect her.

To her great relief, her mother answered immediately.

“Hi, Mom!” she greeted her brightly.

“Mom?” Alura asked, her face clearly showing her confusion and disapproval.

“Yeah, it’s an Earth thing. Children have different titles for their mothers in less formal settings. For instance I could say ‘Hi, Mommy’, or ‘Yo, mama, what’s up?’ I’ve learned to lay off slang though. Our records are very outdated in regard to that manner of speaking. Mom seems…”

Kara stopped speaking, taking in her Mother’s glare. She cleared her throat.

“Hello, Mother.” she began again, sighing. “I apologize for missing your call. I was in an outdoor area surrounded by humans and I needed to find a place we could talk privately, without humans seeing a two foot tall hologram of you. How are you?”

Alura’s face softened and she smiled. “I miss you greatly. I have called out to you three times for breakfast, forgetting for a moment that you aren’t here. The important question is, how are you?”

Kara grinned. “I’m good. I am learning so much about Earth that we can learn from that could help Krypton in the future, despite the Council not believing so.”

Alura nodded her head, not surprised at Kara’s point of view but not quite believing her. “Let’s leave slang terms for your Mother off that list, shall we?”

“Of course, Mother.”

“Why are you wearing those things over your eyes and why is your hair pulled back so tightly? Hair like yours is meant to flow freely.” Alura asked.

“Oh!” Kara had forgotten about her changes. “It’s part of my secret identity. Since I’m Supergirl now, I need one like Kal El. These spectacles really do work. I tied my hair in what is called a ponytail, put on these glasses and no one recognizes me. I didn’t believe Kal at first, but it does work!”

Alura looked doubtful but accepted it without comment. “So, since you have not told me whether or not this bonding ceremony will happen, I had some dress options prepared as we discussed in the event you decide to go through with it. Could you contact me when you are in a more private setting?”

Kara shook her head. “That will not be needed, Mother.”

Alura’s face fell a bit but she bravely put on a smile. “So you have decided not to be his Mate?”

“No, Mother, I have not decided yet.” Kara said before continuing to clarify. “I meant it won’t be necessary to look at dresses. I have not given a lot of thought to being a wife in my life. There have been other, more pressing issues, but I have thought about it, daydreamed occasionally, I suppose. One thing I have always been certain of is what I would wear to my Bonding ceremony. I have only ever wanted to wear the dress you wore when you and father were bound together. If you would allow me to do so, of course.”

The surprise on Alura’s face was obvious but soon gave way to a soft smile and, even through a holographic image, Kara could see the tears glistening in her Mother’s eyes. “I would be honored, Daughter. How is Kell doing? Keeping you out of trouble?”

“He is well. I believe he is enjoying himself, but I know he misses home. I am glad you insisted he come with me. I enjoy being with him.” Kara admitted.

“Kal El’s so called ‘girlfriend’ is not with you any longer, is she?” Alura asked, keeping a large smile on her face.

“No, she is in Metropolis along with Kal El. I expect to see them soon though. Kal El is finishing work and arranging days off. I have been watching videos of his heroics on YouTube. I will show them to you when I return.” Kara said, a hint of pride in her voice for her cousin.

“I look forward to it.” Alura told her. “Perhaps you can convince him to bring his lovely girlfriend for a short visit once we reach our new home. I would love to meet her in person… face to face.”

The smile was gone from Alura’s face and Kara recognized her Mother’s tone.

“I think she would be safer on Earth. I am not sure what effect interstellar travel will have on a human body.” Kara lied, knowing that Lois wouldn’t be hurt by space travel and would more likely be hurt by her Mother.

“I see.” Alura said. “Perhaps I may visit Earth myself then. Tell Lois that I promise we will meet each other in person one day.”

Kara swallowed hard. “Mother… I’ve been telling everyone about what a peaceful race Kryptonians are. I hope I have not been lying. I wasn’t… was I?”

“Of course not, beloved.” Alura almost sounded hurt at her daughter’s obvious meaning. “Kal El’s girlfriend will always be welcome here. I would like to personally give her a tour of our lovely city.”

“You baited her into an argument.” the blonde pointed out, ignoring her mother’s deflection. “You have a history of doing that to others when you are stressed.”

“I did not bait her! She started it!”

“You called her a primitive slut.”

“Well, she is a… you are right, daughter.” Alura sighed in resignation. “I was in the wrong. I hope I can offer her an apology one day… face to face.”

Kara doubted an apology is what would happen but said nothing.

“Does Kal El realize she will be dead of old age before he reaches his prime years?” Alura asked, changing the topic only slightly from their previous one.

“Mother!” Kara exclaimed, appalled.

“Just looking out for your cousin, Kara. I mean no ill will.”

Kara shook her head, not believing a word her mother just said. “I will call you later. Before you ask, I would prefer a vegetarian meal. No animals will die in my honor on the day I become a wife.”

Alura nodded her head eagerly. “So, you are leaning towards…”

“I will speak to you later, Mother. I love you.”

“One more thing! The Council has requested a meeting with you tomorrow morning. Could you call in when you are awake and meet with them?” Alura asked.

Kara was instantly alert. “Why would the Council wish to speak to me? They know I am on exploration mission.”

Alura looked down her smile leaving her face. “They just wish to talk to you in person. Astra and I have quelled the voices of indignancy, but the population is in a slight panic now that they have learned you are gone. Many rumors have started up and the Council wishes to assure the citizens that you are all right. Green Lanterns have entered the city and others are patrolling outside of the dome. This has eased many of their fears, but they would still feel better knowing you are well rather than just learning it from the Military and myself. Would you mind?”

“Of course not, Mother. I look forward to it.” Kara assured her, not looking forward to it at all. “I will call you tonight.”

Her uneasiness was quickly forgotten when the returned to where she had left her two friends.

“Time to change.” Alex told her, an excited look on her face. “Tonight you get to experience an Earth dance club for the first time.”

Kara felt lighter hearing that and her worries about her early morning meeting were gone. “That sounds great.”

Alex nodded, still obviously happy at Kara’s agreement, but now looking a bit nervous. “My friends, Winn and James, want to meet you as well. Would you mind if they came with us? I would warn you though, that James works for Cat Grant. I know that’s a potential issue, especially for Lois. I don’t want there to be any problems between you, Kal and Lois.”

Kara glanced at Kell who shrugged his shoulders then threw some feed on the ground, apparently enjoying watching the birds eating. “I appreciate the… how do you humans say it… ‘heads up?’, but I don’t see it as a problem, so it’s fine with me. I’m sure tonight will be a lot of fun.”

It was just dancing, Kara reasoned. So there would be a couple of new humans around, one who worked for her cousin’s girlfriend’s nemesis. What could go wrong?