Bella MacLeod's Twilight Fanfiction

The Life Equation

By BetterInTexas

Chapter 14:

ADX Florence Supermax prison, Florence Colorado

Superman walked through the halls of the United States most secure prison, one that housed the most dangerous threats to mankind, those who hold no regard for the life of others. Domestic terrorists, serial killers, radical movement leaders responsible for numerous deaths were imprisoned here, kept in solitary cells 23 hours a day, having no contact with the outside world.

Of the 366 prisoners confined in their cells under heavy guard one stood out.

Lex Luthor.

He had been placed here after being caught and convicted of mass homicide. Five years prior, the evil genius had developed a dozen androids who could mimic Superman’s powers in an attempt to kill the Man of Steel. Unfortunately, the control Luthor thought he could maintain was lost and the androids quickly turned on all the human race.

Thankfully, the androids were not as strong as Superman and the Justice League were able to defeat the twelve death machines and connect them to Luthorcorp. When Federal agents raided all Luthorcorp research and development facilities, they found evidence of even more crimes: genetic manipulation, creating and brainwashing metahumans, alien experimentation, deadly viruses being developed to name a few.

Since that time Lex Luthor had been in ADX Florence, serving three hundred and twenty three consecutive life sentences.

Now he was gone, and Superman stood in the twelve by twelve cell where Luthor should have spent the rest of his life.

“We’ve seen the surveillance tapes, what there was of them.” Batman said, walking into the cell with Diana.

“How did Lex manage to bend steel bars and cut off all the alarm systems in the prison?” Clark asked.

“He had help.” Bruce told his friend, stepping into the cell and examining the hole in the wall and the egg shaped item, slightly larger than his fist, lying on the floor. Peering through the hole, Bruce could tell it had traveled through five walls of solid steel before entering Lex’s cell. The artifact appeared in perfect condition, not a scratch on it.

Picking it up, Bruce studied it for a moment before handing the object to Superman.

“Recognize those engravings?” Batman asked.

Clark shook his head. “Not a language I have ever seen. Diana?”

The woman took it from Clark and examined it closely. “No language on Earth, spoken now or in written history. ” the woman confirmed. “Most likely extraterrestrial.”

“So it came from space and somehow knew to bust through the walls of a Supermax prison right at Lex’s feet.” Clark surmised. “What does the video show?”

Batman took the artifact from Diana. “Luthor was in his cell, having lunch then the entire prison lost power. When the power returned, he was walking through the halls, demonstrating superhuman strength and speed. He went through ten guards and tore them to pieces. Some of the stronger doors were opened for him or by him. He appears to have picked up some technopathy. The doors were unlocked electronically, the control room was blocked out of the system and the alarms to the outside world were disabled.”

Clark shook his head. “So Lex has superpowers and control over electronics, able to hack into any system in an instant. Who could have done this and why?”

Batman looked him in the eye. “What aliens have turned up in the last week?”

Before Clark could argue, Diana stepped between them. “Don’t be an idiot, Bruce! Kara has nothing to do with this!”

“You don’t know that she doesn’t.” Batman argued.

“And you don’t know that she does.” Diana told him. “We have barely begun an investigation and you have zeroed in on a suspect. I thought you considered yourself a detective?”

Superman stepped around Diana nearly touching Bruce. “She is my blood. You will not accuse my House…”

“You don’t even know if she is of your House!”

“Then how did my father’s AI know her?!” Kal exclaimed, his anger growing. “Let’s look at what she has done since she landed. First, she was attacked by military craft and did not retaliate. Then she was greeted by armed agents and did not retaliate. I was in the room when she spoke to the Guardians and her family on Krypton. The Green Lanterns know of her and are protecting her with her knowledge; they consider her important as does our teammate Hal Jordan. Have you ever seen him treat a woman with the amount of respect and awe he showed her?

“She isn’t sneaking around, planning world domination. She wouldn’t need Lex Luthor to help her if she did. Since she has been here, she has played with a dog in Smallville, asked to take selfies with me every hundred miles between Smallville and Metropolis. She has eaten new foods, flown over Antarctica, and watched funny cat videos on YouTube! She went to a baseball game; one you gave her tickets for. Once again you are jumping to the worst conclusions.”

Batman’s shoulders dropped a bit and he turned his back on Superman. “I would think after everything we have gone through, you would have lost your naiveté and realized that appearances can be deceiving.”

Clark grabbed the man by his shoulder and turned him, meeting his eyes once again. “And I would think after everything we have gone through, you would have more faith that there are people in this universe who are pure of heart. You let your darkness guide you. If you want to waste time following a girl who has offered nothing but peace and is surrounded by Green Lanterns willingly, be my guest. You are going to be wasting time and I will not be responsible for what Kell Ur will do to you if he suspects you are stalking her. Kara is peaceful but that man will rip the head off of anyone he considers a threat to her. Tread carefully, Bruce. You may consider me naïve, but I wouldn’t trade it for your bitterness.”

Diana cleared her throat. “Boys… calm down. Bruce, I have always considered you intelligent. Do not waste time looking at Kara Zor El when the problem we face is a superpowered madman. Kal El, Bruce is right about one thing. I do not believe for one second Kara had a part in helping Luthor escape but she may be involved in another manner. His escape only a few days since she announced herself to the world may not be a coincidence. Hal has all five of the human Lanterns that were recruited after the battle with Darkseid assigned to protect her. She has been believed dead for years and now that she is alive and known, she could be the target. She needs to be warned.”

Kal agreed, already having planned to go to National City as soon as he left this prison.

“Who in the universe would react this quickly, and feel the need to send some device into Lex Luthor’s cell that would grant him power to do it’s dirty work?” Bruce asked.

Diana thought for a moment. “There is another simple answer. It is a coincidence and has nothing to do with her. Perhaps it is a blessing she is here. If anyone can determine what this device is or how it works, it would be her. Kal El, you should take it to her when you leave.”

Clark nodded, already having planned to do so. “I intended to. She did not come to battle madmen. She is here to have… to explore, and to contact me, the Green Lanterns…”

“She is here to have fun.” Bruce said, completing Clark’s original sentence. “I agree… on further reflection it is unlikely that she has come to conquer but she did not come on some desperate quest to find you or to contact Green Lanterns. She is obviously on a vacation.”

“Then let’s assure that she has fun as good hosts should.” Diana told him. “Has the League been called in?”

Bruce nodded his head. “Oliver and Dinah are coming to Watchtower. Hal refuses to leave Kara alone and will be more reluctant to do so now. Wally is already at Watchtower and Victor is driving in from Gotham. I haven’t been able to reach Curry, but I will continue to try.”

Diana held up a hand to stop him. “I have spoken to Arthur. He and his wife Mera were in the Pacific visiting one of the Atlantean outposts. They should be near National City by now, perhaps they already are. I have asked him to contact Hal and watch Kara as well. This is most likely a coincidence or she is a target.”

Superman shook his head. “It doesn’t matter which. When she finds out about this, she will insist on helping. I may not know as much about my race and culture as I would like to, but I know what the House of El stands for. She won’t stay out of it so neither will Kell Ur.”

“Do you have any idea how to stop her from becoming involved?” Bruce asked.

Superman smiled at the man; the condescending tone evident as the smile never reached his eyes. “Why on Earth would I ask two Kryptonians, a trained soldier and apparently the smartest person in the entire universe… two people who have already saved National City from a nuclear explosion I might add, to stay out of it? If they want to help, I will gladly have them by my side. It’s up to you whether you are.

“I need to go. Keep me updated.” With those words, the Man of Steel was gone.

National City

Kell sat at a table in the noisy club with Alex beside him and James Olsen and Winn across from him. Instead of chatting, they were all watching Kara on the dance floor.

Nearly the entire club was watching her. She had bought a black dress that bared her shoulders and stuck to her frame, ending just above her knees. She had kept the eyeglasses but allowed her hair to flow freely down her back. Not only was she stunning, her dance was mesmerizing.

She swayed to the music freely, twirled around the dancefloor like a ballerina, closed her eyes and seemed as if her movements had blended with the music.

“Where did she learn to dance like that?” Alex asked.

Kell smiled widely. “We did have music on Krypton and dancing is a popular activity. Kara has always been an amazing dancer, taught at an early age by the greatest dancers on the planet. She’s always danced alone though. She danced to slower tunes with her father and danced at a Bonding celebration last year with her uncle, but beside those… Kara does not get out much, she’s incredibly busy. She is still a wonder on the floor despite her lack of recent practice.”

James Olsen peeled his eyes away from the blonde and gave his reluctant attention to the male Kryptonian. “So Kell, are you her boyfriend or Mate? They have forced… I mean arranged marriages, on Krypton, right?”

Hearing the obvious scorn in the man’s tone, Kell sighed and leaned back into the chair, his eyes never leaving Kara. “Nobody forces Kara Zor El to do anything. They couldn’t. She is like a storm… a force of nature that no one ever could or should try to control. As far as me, I am her partner. We look out for each other, travel through asteroid belts at twice the speed of light, enter small wormholes and get vomited into other galaxies. That kind of thing.”

Kell finally moved his eyes away from Kara and took in the club. In the far back right hand corner, he saw Kyle Rayner and Jessica Cruz sitting alone at a table. If not for the green rings on their fingers, one would think they were a normal couple out for a night of fun.

He continued to look around, spotting Hal Jordan sitting near the front door, undoubtedly, to surprise an enemy if they should walk through the front entrance.

Continuing to watch the bar, Kell saw something he did not like. While nearly everyone was either watching or indirectly watching Kara, a man and woman at the bar were only stealing glances then observing the club as he was. The very large, muscular man had long hair, tattooed arms, and eyes that were an almost unnatural shade of yellow while the woman had bright red hair, redder than the average human female. Something about both of them felt unnatural.

Something about them screamed threat to Kell’s gut. They were here for a reason and they weren’t human. The man may have been drinking a beer but Kell knew he wasn’t here to drink.

“If you would all excuse me, I have to go to the restroom.” Kell told the group and stood up slowly, eyes never leaving the two at the bar.

As he closed in, a hand on his shoulder stopped his movement from behind. Kell glanced at the hand and relaxed a bit when he saw a green ring. He turned reluctantly from the pair at the bar to see Hal Jordan.

“It’s okay. They are friends, members of the Justice League.” Hal told him. “They were nearby, and Diana asked them to stop by to keep an eye on things.”

Kell’s gut now told him the man wasn’t telling him the whole story. “You have me, Kelex and five other Green Lanterns. Kara is more than capable of taking care of herself. Not that I am complaining but why the need for extra security?”

Hal debated for a moment on how much the man needed to know. He didn’t want Kara worried but supposed the both of them needed to at least be warned. “A very dangerous man escaped prison today under unusual circumstances. This man holds a very large grudge against Kal El. He has somehow acquired super strength and speed and possible technopathy. We believe he acquired these powers from an alien device that flew through walls into his cell. I have no reason to think he knows she is here, considering she was recently on the news in Metropolis, but we can never be too careful.”

Hal glanced around. “Clark is on his way here with the alien artifact and to inform Kara what is going on. Clark knows this man better than any of us. We felt it was best she learns of this from him.”

Kell felt a shiver in his body. A Green Lantern was a powerful being, gifted with amazing abilities. If the Guardians did not believe that a Kryptonian and six Lanterns were enough to protect Kara, this man was more of a threat than Hal was letting on.

“Why?” Kell finally asked.

“Why what?”

“Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate anyone willing to help me and Kara, but why are the Guardians so concerned? I understand she is a 12th level intellect but the Guardians only assign at most two Lanterns to a sector. This sector has six and the Guardians have taken them off patrol to be near her at all times. Why the urgent desire to help us find a new planet? That is out of character for the Guardians from what I have heard of them.” Kell wasn’t going to let Hal keep him in the dark if it came to Kara’s protection.

Hal looked around again and motioned Kell to his table near the front.

“Two reasons.” Hal told him as they sat down. “The first is Krypton had always been what was considered the shining jewel in the universe. Their technology surpassed any known planet. The Guardians owe a debt to Krypton. There was a creature called Parallax, one that could not be stopped by any Lantern. It was headed for Oa, intent on destroying the planet and the Guardians. Nothing the Guardians tried worked. With no other options remaining they sent a Lantern to Krypton to seek out Jor El, Kal El’s father. Jor El agreed to travel to Oa and found a way to send Parallax into a nearby sun. Jor El saved the Guardians, did something none of them thought truly possible. He was only 25 at the time.

“Since then, the Guardians and Krypton have had regular communication, a special relationship the Guardians did not have with other planets. They saw Krypton differently and felt as if they failed them when Krypton exploded.”

“And the second reason?” Kell asked.

Hal didn’t speak for several moments, looking around again before his gaze finally settled on the young blonde who moved across the floor as effortlessly as she moved through her life, dancing to a beat only she was capable of hearing. “I don’t put much stock in fate. I’ve always believed we make our own. But… some of the Guardians have precognitive abilities that allows them to see the future. None of the visions are clear but one stood out to all of those with the ability. One day, according to these Guardians, High Councilor Kara Zor El is destined to save the entire Universe from an evil greater than any planet has ever faced. None of them know when or what.

“When Krypton was destroyed, the precognitive Guardians were confused. The visions never changed, yet they all believed her dead. To find out she is alive, that Kryptonians still exist, are still friends, was as close to what they considered a miracle as one could get.

“Visions can change though. That is why it is important she be kept safe. She isn’t just important to Krypton; she is meant to do something greater. I’m the kind of guy that doesn’t take much seriously, but I believe in their prophecy. They have been right before. They don’t know everything but what they are allowed to see always comes true in some fashion unless we intervene. Protecting her may be the most important thing I will ever do in my life. In her lifetime, something big and bad is going to come and she will be the only hope to stop it.

“Go back to your friends and relax, make sure she has fun. We have this, Kell. I swear on my life, no harm will come to her, not on my watch.”

Kell could tell the man was sincere but this prediction for Kara’s life had him on edge.

“Thank you for the warning. Should this man come near, I have no doubt he will be handled easily by all of us.” Kell told him then returned to his table.

Kara was still dancing, swaying slower as the beat slowed and nearly every eye in the club was watching her. One man attempted to move close to her and she stepped on his foot purposely, possibly breaking something judging by the look of pain on the man’s face.

“So Kell,” Winn said, “thanks for letting me use your gun in the DEO. I’ve never been into firearms, but I admit using a space laser was cool.”

Kell gave him a thumbs up. “You were brave Winn and I was glad to have you by my side. Between you and Alex, with Alex guiding my heat vision, we made a formidable team.”

“I still can’t believe you couldn’t hit a large alien with your heat vision.” Alex told him. “But I’ve never had to use heat vision so I guess I can’t judge.”

The music turned to a soft ballad, and Kara remained on the dance floor. She looked towards the table and beckoned with her finger.

James smiled and stood up. “I think I have been asked to dance. Excuse me ladies and gentlemen.”

James walked confidently and quickly towards the black clad blonde.

She smiled brightly when he reached her. “Jimmy! No, you like to be called James, right?”

The tall man shrugged his shoulders. “Whatever you feel comfortable with.”

“Could you do me a favor, James?”

“Of course.” he responded immediately, a hubristic expression on his face.

“Would you inform Kell that when a lady calls him to the dance floor it is good manners to join her?”

James was surprised but Kara’s smile told him she was serious. He looked back at the table and saw Kell leaned back with a large grin.

Grudgingly, he walked back to the table and relayed the message.

Kell approached Kara, stopping two foot from her. She reached her arms around the back of his neck and pulled him closer. Very close.

“Put your arms around my lower back and pull me close.” the blonde told him.

“All the way around you? But…”

“You told me you weren’t a bad dancer yourself, the night we met. Time to back up your words. Put your arms around me and pull me close. I’m going to lay my head on your chest. Look around at the others if you are confused.”

Kell did has she instructed and felt a sudden rush of warmth as she pressed herself against him. Even while flying with her, he had never had this much contact with her entire body.

“Feels nice, doesn’t it?” Kara asked, her eyes closed and swaying with the music.

“Yes, it does.” he told her. “I am certain your Uncle would throw me out of the airlock…”

“My Uncle isn’t here. It’s just me and you. We make our own rules. Now shut up and dance with me.”

The two did dance, holding each other tightly, while the music played. Kell closed his eyes as well and for him, it felt as if they were the only two in the room. None of the Green Lanterns, nor the mysterious couple at the bar were in his thoughts.

The song ended and the couple reluctantly stepped apart, eyes never leaving each other.

Kara took the man’s hand and led him back to the table where they had a seat.

“If I were in Argo City, I would have passed out by now.” Kara told the table. “Kell, can I have your coat?”

“Of course… you aren’t cold, are you?” he asked, concerned that some of these yellow sun powers may be wearing off.

Kara shook her head. “Now that I’ve stopped dancing, I am noticing some of the looks I am getting from peeps… people. Maybe it was a bad idea to wear this dress. I should probably cover my shoulders at least.”

Kell placed his coat over Kara whose slipped her arms into it.

“What kind of jacket is that?” Winn asked. “It looks like different shades of leather but not exactly leather. Is it made from some alien hide or what?”

Kell shrugged his shoulders. “I have no idea what the creature was called. On one of my trips with my father to a barren moon, we were accompanying the scientist assigned to our crew to look for new minerals. We found out quickly that the moon was devoid of life except for the one creature that most likely consumed all the other life and was very hungry. We weren’t planet side ten minutes before we were attacked by a very large, very hungry four legged beast with many rows of a teeth and a bad attitude. My father killed it, one shot between the eyes. Being an avid hunter himself, he skinned the carcass and made this jacket for me when we returned to Krypton. It’s one of the few items I possess that I never leave behind.”

“Hunter? Wow. Did you hunt a lot on Krypton?” Winn asked.

Kell shook his head. “I’m no hunter. I do not enjoy taking life. Any life. Not a good trait for someone to enjoy hunting, especially with the beasts we had on Krypton.”

“Not a good trait for a soldier either, I guess?” James asked.

“I said I do not enjoy taking life. I never said I wasn’t good at it. If the need arises, I have no concerns about taking a life to defend my people. When I fight, I am fighting for Krypton, not for sport.”

Kara moved closer to Kell leaning into him. “In my opinion, those who enjoy killing should never be given a gun. Death is part of war and eventual war is a sad reality, but when death no longer matters to a person, someone like Zod is easily created. Alex, you are very good with weapons. Do you enjoy killing sentient life, even if they are an enemy?”

Alex shook he her head. “No. I’ve had to do it before, but enemy or not, taking a life is never easy or fun.”

Alex’s words ended that line of questioning. The table was silent for a moment, sipping on their drinks, Kara enjoying a Cherry Coke while Kell enjoyed something called Sprite which left a peculiar taste in his mouth but one he enjoyed.

“Your cousin will be coming soon. Hal informed me of a situation but said it would be best if Kal explained it to you.” Kell finally whispered to Kara.

“Hey, Kara,” James asked, “I was wondering if you would mind if I took some photos of you, as Supergirl of course, and if you might be willing to speak to Cat Grant. I know she has been giving you a hard time in the Press but maybe if you could talk to her…”

“No.” Kara answered immediately offering no other explanation.

“”I understand.” James told her, trying and failing to not look disappointed.

Winn laughed. “Guess you might be looking for another job after all, James.”

Kara caught the meaning behind that. “Are you saying she has threatened to fire you if I don’t give her an interview? Why would you work for someone so dishonorable?”

James shook his head, not really sure. He had thought it would be a good opportunity, a chance for him to rise from under Lois and Clark’s very large shadows and spread his wings. Instead of doing so, he found himself working for a woman who insisted her shadow be the tallest of all.

“I haven’t given an interview to Lois.” Kara told him. “Not really, I mean. She is just reporting what she has seen me do. This has given me much knowledge, though. The Media on this planet has much sway over the people but has no one to be accountable to, much like some leaders of Nations. Krypton had media but only reported facts that could be proven, not stories they could spin to bring the opinion of the planet to their way of thinking. Speaking of unbiased reporters, my cousin just walked in!”

Clark Kent made his way through the crowded bar, not enjoying the environment judging by the look on his face. Kara had a feeling this was not his preferred type of music.

The blonde stood and raced towards him, wrapping him in a hug. “You made it! Kell said you had something to speak to me about some threat to you?”

Clark nodded his head. “Think we could step outside and catch some air, literally?”

Kara smiled and waved to Kell, motioning with her head that she would be going up. The man smiled and gave her a thumbs up.

Kara and Clark stepped outside, Clark changing quickly into his Superman outfit in the dark parking lot of the club, while Kara simply flew with him, her superhero outfit in her bag inside. The two had reached eight hundred feet above the ground before stopping.

Kara waited for him to speak but her eyes were locked onto the egg shaped metal item in his hand. “What’s going on? Kell said there could be a threat and you wanted to tell me yourself.”

Superman told her about Lex Luthor, the crimes he had committed, the attempts on his life, and his recent escape and newly found superpowers he believed had come from the egg shaped object in his hand that had flown through several very thick walls into Luthor’s cell.

“I can’t X-ray it. Whatever metal this is, I know it isn’t lead. That makes me very concerned. It must be extraterrestrial. Do you recognize it at all? Could you tell me what the symbols are that are carved into it. I know it isn’t a language spoken on Earth or Krypton.” Superman admitted.

Kara took the device, surprised by how light it was, even by human standards. She checked it over and was certain she had never seen anything like it. “I have never seen it, but I can do something I really love doing. I can take a guess. The outer shell is definitely alien tech, but I see and feel nothing unusual about it. It could be a container, holding something inside that would possibly infect a host, in this case, Lex Luthor.”

Superman looked at the object once again. “It appears whole though, I don’t see any seams that appeared to have been opened.”

“Appearances can be deceiving.” Kara explained. “If this was a weapon, it would not have been left behind. My theory is what was inside it was important, not the shell. I need to see inside. I could rip it open but if there is a self-destruct code in it, the blast could be minimal or incredible. One thing I am certain of, if it is a parasite that can give unnatural abilities to humans, it won’t last long. I understand you work with many metahumans whose bodies have mutated to handle their abilities, but I doubt a parasite could mutate a body safely or even care to. The host would not be able to live long possessing these powers you described.”

Superman closed his eyes. “So whatever this could be, may just be using his mind and body to accomplish its goals and then leave the host dead or find another one.”

Neither said anything for a moment.

“You seem distraught.” Kara commented gently. “I realize you don’t want anyone to die but you seem… more affected by this news than a person would be considering this man has tried multiple times and taken many lives in attempts to destroy you.”

Clark looked at the stars above, not meeting her eyes. “When I was young, in high school, Lex’s father sent him to Smallville to oversee a fertilizer plant. It was supposed to be a proving ground of sorts for him. He was only twenty-two, but the man was brilliant. He was also… my friend. Lex was like the big brother I never had. His father was a despicable man and did his best to turn Lex into another version of himself. Lex used to tell me I was the one thing in his life that kept him from falling into the darkness that wanted to swallow him whole.”

Kara’s cousin turned away from her, but she could tell by the rise and fall in his shoulders that he was fighting off many emotions.

“What happened?” Kara asked, floating in front of her cousin.

“When I was in college, Lex and I were at his office in Metropolis. We had planned to go camping that weekend. I was having girl trouble and he thought getting away might do me some good. But gunmen, I suspect hired by his father, broke into the office and opened fire. I had no choice. To save him, I had to reveal my powers. He learned my true nature.”

“He felt betrayed.” Kara guessed. “He couldn’t understand why you didn’t trust him enough to tell him.”

Kal El nodded his head. “He became obsessed with destroying me, believing I was a threat to humanity. He began to take extreme measures: capturing metahumans and attempting to clone them, building technology that he hoped could kill me, experimenting on humans to give them superhuman abilities. I can’t help but wonder, if I had just trusted him when we became friends, maybe he wouldn’t have taken the path he took.”

“It’s not your fault.” Kara consoled him. “Some people can’t fight their nature. He could have tried to convince you to take over the human race by his side but that wasn’t in your nature. Lex is the only one responsible for the decisions he made, and he is responsible for the person he became.”

“Do you know who one of your father’s best friends was?” Kara asked seriously.

Kal El shook his head. “Jor El isn’t big on sharing family stories. He is more interested in what he calls ‘fulfilling my destiny’… training me, passing on his knowledge.”

“His best friend for most of his life was General Dru Zod.” the blonde informed him.

Kara could tell by the look on her cousin’s face that he had no idea of this. “Our families were all close. General Zod declined a mate considering his position and had no real bloodline to speak of. He was to be the last of his House unless he decided on a mate and had a child, but he kept holding off, more interested in his own glory than being a husband and father.

“When our family would visit Kandor, my parents, your parents, Aunt Astra and Uncle Non, and Zod, would spend most of their time together. Your mother insisted that during the gatherings, no talk of science or war would be discussed. They enjoyed being around him.

“Early on, my father became suspicious of Zod, but your father defended him constantly, wanting to focus on the good in him and trying to ignore his darkness. Uncle Jor could never believe Zod would ever have anything besides Krypton’s best interests in his mind. They realized they were wrong nearly too late.

“One day, I will tell you the story of his attempted coup, how our parents, even Aunt Lara, the gentlest woman in our family, took up the weapons of fallen soldiers and fought off Black Zero before they could take control of the Council Hall, how Uncle Non rallied the remaining soldiers to form a defense and how Aunt Astra fought Zod single-handedly and defeated him. She could have killed him but had mercy and simply arrested him and his remaining men.

“The point is, our families were close with him, considered him one of our own and he turned on Krypton, betraying everyone who loved him.”

Seeing she had Kal’s full attention, she stated, “You didn’t betray Lex. You were protecting your secret, not trying to take over Earth. It’s not your fault he couldn’t see that.”

Kal El took this in, wishing his father had told him more stories like this. He now had visions of his mother and father taking up arms against highly trained soldiers, his imagination working in overdrive, trying to picture events he never would have known if not for Kara.

Kara waited several moments, simply letting him process this new information until curiosity finally got the better of her. “If Lex was so intent on destroying you, why did he never expose your secret identity?”

Kal El shook his head, having been lost in thought. “J’onn wiped his mind of any memories Lex may have had of me. It’s one of the abilities he possesses.”

Seeing Kara’s confusion spurred him on to explain more about his complex past with the Martian. “J’onn and I did not always have the relationship we have now. There was a time we were friends, close friends. When I was young, I even looked to him as a mentor. We had much in common, both survivors of a lost race, both with extraordinary powers, both never feeling like we fit on Earth.

“Then came the Kryptonite… this was after Zod. When we realized what it could do, I wanted it gone. J’onn had taken Henshaw’s place by then and thought the DEO should keep it, build weapons in the event another like Zod ever visited Earth.”

Kal took a deep breath, the hurt of the memory evident on his face. “I agreed it could be needed in the future because I had no desire to go through another battle like I went through with Zod. However, there are those in the Government who would love nothing more than to see me gone, Lois’s father being one of them. I feared if J’onn were ever exposed, someone like General Lane would take control of the DEO and have access to the Kryptonite. I wanted Bruce to take it somewhere safe or for Diana to take it to Themyscira so if it was ever needed, it would be available but out of the hands of the Government.”

“He felt differently.” Kara realized. “That’s why the two of you had a falling out.”

Kal nodded. “He felt his department should have weapons to kill Kryptonians and I was angry. I don’t know if he didn’t trust me, or Bruce or Diana, but it was obvious that at some point he stopped trusting us. I told him I was done with him. So long as he didn’t expose me, I wouldn’t expose him. J’onn has a lot to lose, more than I do, if he’s ever found out.

“Since then, no matter how much it hurts, I’ve stayed away from him and his organization as much as possible and I haven’t helped the United States Government. I wish things could be different but I’m not sure the two of us will ever be friends again… I just can’t trust him.”

Watching her now silent cousin becoming more despondent the longer he spoke, Kara asked, “How many times in your life have you been able to hug someone as hard as you can?”

The man grinned, his spirits brightening. “Until I hugged you, never.”

Kara opened her arms. “C’mon man, hug it out. You look like you need one.”

Kal El laughed and pulled his cousin into his arm, enjoying the tight hug from her.

“I will do everything I can to save him, Kal, I promise.”

“Thank you, Kara. There is something else you should know. When J’onn had the Kryptonite transported to the DEO, somehow Lex obtained one small piece. I don’t know if he found it after the DEO left or a DEO agent was paid off by him. When I last fought him, he had that stone on a ring around his finger. I was able to fight through the pain, remove the ring and throw it away. I gave it Diana to take to Themyscira for keeping.”

Kara shrugged her shoulders, not seeing the big deal. “So he had one piece and you defeated him. You think he will try to get more from the DEO?”

Kal shook his head. “After he was arrested and his labs gone through, it was discovered he was trying to replicate Kryptonite. A month later I was attacked by a person, one who Lex had… made into a monster. He called himself Metallo. His bones had been augmented with promethium and his heart had been replaced by a Kryptonite core. I defeated him but I have no idea what weapons Lex may have left behind.”

Kal took a deep breath and smiled. “So, what do we do with this shell? Any ideas?”

Kara grimaced. “I’m going to do what every great scientist does when she doesn’t have an answer. I’m going to ask for help. It’s time we visited my uncle. If he is truly Jor El’s consciousness, he will take great delight in me asking for help. I will swallow my pride for the greater good. Take Kell with you to the Fortress. He needs to work on flying and heat vision if a fight is coming. I’ll follow behind in the fighter.”

One hour later, Alex and Kara were on the roof of Alex’s apartment building. Kell and Kal had already left, leaving the two girls in the ship with Kelex.

“Why didn’t you want to fly with them?” Alex asked, perplexed her blonde companion hadn’t taken the opportunity of flying herself when she obviously enjoyed it so much.

Kara’s eyes sparkled as she answered, “Because I promised to show you alien technology. How’s does a quick slingshot around the moon sound? Maybe fly over Mars? It won’t take long at lightspeed.”

“You’re going to fly me to Mars?” Alex asked, the excitement in her voice unmistakable.

Kara shook her head. “No, you are going to fly me. Take the pilot’s chair, Alex. It’s time you learned to fly my baby. Agent Danvers, you are about to become an astronaut.”