Bella MacLeod's Twilight Fanfiction

The Life Equation

By BetterInTexas

Chapter 06:

Argo City

Astra, Alura and Non sat on the sofa of the family compound.

Astra and Non often stayed here unless they decided to sleep on one of their cruisers. Since Kara had left the two made it a point to be here every night because Alura needed them.

“If she had died going through that Wormhole… I would have died as well. I lost Zor and I can’t lose her too.” Alura whispered, her face distraught.

Astra wrapped an arm around her twin. “You won’t lose her, I promise.”

“This is all Non’s fault.” Alura said, as if the man were not on the other end of the couch a few feet away.

“I know.” Astra assured her, rubbing her sister’s back. “He is a bad influence.”

Non rolled his eyes. “I’m here, you know… right here? I’m not a bad influence. I held her back for as long as possible, but we knew this day would come! You both were there when she left.”

Alura and Astra scowled at the man. “You encouraged her!” Alura exclaimed.

Non closed his eyes and sat back, briefly considering going to bed. Alura had been in a mood since Kara had left. Since the general population of Argo City had not seen Kara recently, many were asking questions about where their bright shining future was located. Was she in a medical bay? Was she interviewing potential Mates or planning a bonding ceremony? Had she been in an accident on one of the cruisers? If so, why had she not been placed under the yellow sun lamp?

Non was grateful there were only information announcements in Argo City so he would not have to deal with media like on Krypton, but word of mouth rumors would be rampant in the next day and certainly by the end of the week. A cover story would have to be concocted and none of the three were certain exactly what that should be.

Still he sat patiently, wanting to hear from his beloved niece, praying to Rao that she called. Alura had a timer that kept track of the hours since Kara had last contacted her. At 24 hours and one second, the Nightwing would launch if Kara had not called. Non had offered to take the Flamebird but Alura quickly told him no, telling him once again that this was all his fault.

Alura jumped when she heard the comlink going off. She picked it up, only to be disappointed and worried judging by her face.

“Video from Kelex. If she is hurt…” Alura turned the video on quickly and saw a hologram of her daughter, high above an icy wasteland, her hands on Kell Ur’s shoulders, his hand on either side of her face.

They were kissing.

“I told you!” Non practically shouted, jumping to his feet. “I told you he would be a good match. She just needed to get away from the pressures of Argo City.”

Astra did not look as happy. “She is breaking the two second rule.”

“Who gives a damn?” Non asked, arms waving in excitement. “All it took was a trip to Earth with the man and she is already falling for him.”

“She nearly died getting there.” Alura grumbled, not as pleased. “You are right though. I just don’t understand. I thought she was so against having a Mate… Dev Em was a nice boy. A lawyer…”

Non snorted. “She fell asleep twice during dinner listening to him drone on about citizens deciding who could take what property, building height regulations, temples or shopping mall or farmland. Face it Alura, the guy was boring. I even fell asleep once and Astra feigned having to oversee the nightly crew rotation on Nightwing to leave early. You couldn’t possibly think someone as dull as he was would interest Kara. My choice was the right one. Neither of you ladies want to admit that.”

Astra shrugged her shoulders and smiled. “I like your choice, Dear. No one can deny he has a great body. She does look happy, doesn’t she? Shall we start having Thora begin to design some dress options or wait till she returns?”

Alura thought for a moment then nodded. “Yes, I believe some options should be made. I will decide on the dress when she returns. I want the bonding ceremony…”

“Aren’t you jumping the gun, Alura? The more you pressure her, the more likely she is to resist.” Non tried, convinced he knew Kara’s temperament better than her mother or his wife.

Alura pointed to the hologram, raising her voice. “She broke the two second rule, she initiated the kiss. They have mated. There is no reason bonding shouldn’t happen. The faster the bonding, the faster I have grandchildren. This man not only followed her through a suicidal run through space, he is still with her, meaning he can put up with her… personality quirks.”

“Impulsiveness, unpredictability, stubbornness and believing she is always right.” Astra added, nodding in agreement.

“She believes she’s right because she always has been.” Non defended his niece.

Astra punched the man on the shoulder. “Perhaps her ideas and experiments have always been right, but her methods have been reckless.”

Alura held up her hand. “Enough you two. Once we are safely on a new planet, I expect both of you to give me a niece to pamper and spoil. For now, look at her. Look at her face. She looks at him like I did with Zor. It will happen.” the woman assured the two, the first positive feeling she had since Non began tracking Kara’s ship. “Perhaps I should call her.”

Astra shook her head. “She has one 1 hour and 52 minutes. The sun is most likely setting. If she wants to be on the Council, she should at least be able to follow simple instructions such as call your Mother once every 24 hours or a warship is coming to pick you up . As for Kara’s whereabouts, we can simply say she is conducting intensive research on potential planets and cannot be disturbed. That isn’t technically a lie.”

Astra paused before continuing with a slight frown. “My worry is what to do about Kell Ur. We have already announced him as part of the first explorer crew. When he returns with her, before the explorer crew returns…”

“He has been conducting explorer simulations from my personal navigational center. There was a mistake in the roster.” Non said decisively.

Astra nodded her head. After all, mistakes happened. “Yes, perhaps we should make the Mating announcement and a date for the bonding after the project is over, perhaps six weeks? The experiment Kara is working on requires six weeks of solitude, but the bonding will be soon after. We set the date now and make it clear to Kara she must be home by that time.”

Non mumbled that was a bad idea but before either of the two women could argue, the comlink beeped once again and Alura quickly answered. To her relief, it was her smiling daughter. “Hello, Mother. Calling in, as you requested.”

Alura couldn’t hide her relief. “My daughter. How has your trip been? Have you concealed yourself from humans? Are you safe?”

Kara tried to hide the guilty look on her face but was unsuccessful. “Kara? Answer me please, honestly.”

Kara hesitated once again.

“Now.” Alura finally demanded.

The girl swallowed hard and shrugged, showing her hands in an apologetic gesture. “There have been some complications that were totally not my fault. Our cloaking device was damaged by Kelex when we were ejected from the wormhole. He neglected to mention this to me until we entered atmosphere. We were attacked by American military jets but not affected. They were basically throwing rocks at our shield. We did not initiate counterstrikes. I used a method Father and I discovered long ago to establish diplomatic relations and they backed off. When we landed, we were met by a small team of government operatives that were led by a shapeshifter from a nearby, desolate planet called Mars. Kal El arrived and the two of us negotiated a peaceful resolution with the shapeshifter. I told him if he didn’t back off, I was going to expose him to the humans.”

Non stepped behind Alura so he could be seen in the hologram. “Kara, shapeshifters are the most dangerous creatures to inhabit a foreign planet. Have you contacted the Green Lanterns?”

The blonde shook her head. “No, but Kal El has told me there is a Green Lantern on Earth, a human, who has been keeping watch over the shapeshifter. I also gained a human diplomatic liaison from this man’s organization to assist me in my study of humanity. She has already proved valuable and is a good friend of Kal El’s. He looks great by the way. Tall like his father, but thankfully takes after his Mother in looks and personality. Jor El managed to use a crystal to absorb his lab, even his Kelex unit. Kal El has it set up, hidden in the wastelands at the southern tip of the planet.”

For a second, Non was secretly grateful the man had passed into Rao’s light. The I told you so’s from Jor El had always been worse than Kara’s. He would never hear the end of it if Jor El had a completed a project Non had laughed at and called impossible.

Alura cleared her throat and closed her eyes for a moment. “So, since you have exited the wormhole, you have been attacked by humans, found a shape shifter, made friends with a human who knows you are Kryptonian, basically everything I told you not to do. Anything else I should know about this Earth?”

Kara looked at the ground and Alura knew if she could see Kara’s whole body, she would be swinging her foot back and forth as she often did when scolded.

“Kal El mentioned that pieces of Krypton had landed on Earth. The pieces are radioactive and can injure us. The shapeshifter is in possession of a large amount of this substance they call Kryptonite . Kal El has not considered him a friend since that time.”

“I’m calling the Lanterns, then coming to get you.” Non said, anger in his voice. “Those bastards are using pieces of our own planet to harm us!? Are they frightened of Kal El? Forget that… it’s time for you to come home. Stay in your ship and you and Kell wait for us at the mouth of the wormhole. You will dock and the Flamebird can pass back through the ‘Wormhole of Death’ quickly and safely.”

Kara shook her head quickly. “There is no need to recover me, I am being careful. Kal El is a hero to the people of Earth. He has done great deeds, saved many people. He also has a human identity, a job and even a Mate… well, he has what’s called a ‘girlfriend’. Did you know that on Earth, humans typically date for years, then become engaged, for months even, and only then are bonded?”

“You are not human.” Alura reminded her.

“Neither is Kal El,” Kara said, daring her mother’s displeasure.

Alura continued as if she hadn’t heard Kara. “Speaking of Mates, how has Kell been? Is he keeping you safe?”

Kara nodded her head quickly. “He is very protective of me. We are getting along… sort of. He told me you were right about me, Mother, called me stubborn, but I believe we have moved on from that… maybe.”

“Has he asked to be your Mate yet?” Astra asked.

Kara shook her head, looking away from the projector. “No.”

“Then why are you kissing him?” the General asked pointedly.

Kara’s eyes widened. “Kelex actually sent that to you? I’m going to rip him to shreds!”

“Kelex did as I have always asked him to do, make sure you are safe and following Kryptonian protocols. If you have kissed him, you should agree to mating. The bonding ceremony…” Alura started before Non cut her off.

“Kara, has anything else happened on Earth that could be considered of importance to our people?”

Kara nodded her head. “Dru Zod escaped Krypton during its destruction. He arrived on Earth but Kal El was able to kill him. He is gone.”

“I’m liking this boy more and more.” Astra admitted. “Has Kal El expressed any interest in returning home with you?”

Kara sadly shook her head. “He is a great guy, everything I expected him to be, but he has built a life here, both as a hero and protector of this planet and a human life. Can you believe he saves people without wearing a mask, yet blends into humanity by wearing a pair of eyeglasses?”

“Seriously?” Non asked, not quite believing it. “He isn’t using an image inducer?”

“Nope.”

Non snorted. “No wonder they have a shapeshifter in their midst. Humans obviously aren’t very observant.”

“I know right? Uncle Non, I wish you had come. Flying so freely, the beauty of it, the feel, you would love it.” Kara told the man.

“I would have to agree with your Mother, dear niece. I have become so sick of hearing about Earth from you the last few years I would rather stay on the dark side of this moon than have anything to do with those rays. Is Kell around? I would like to have a private word with him.”

Kara nodded her head quickly, despondent that her Uncle so disregarded her passions where he’d always encouraged her before but not entirely surprised. She knew the stress her excursion had placed on her family.

“Kara,” Alura stopped her. “I told you that the two of you are allowed to kiss, after a mating proposal has been made and accepted. I expect to hear as soon as that is done. I realize that was your first kiss, but it will be your last until you agree to a Mate. You are not human and will not follow their… delayed and probably immoral mating practices. Understand?”

Kara rushed off quickly, throwing the com to Kell, who seemed a bit surprised. Non walked out of the home to speak to the man.

“Kell Ur, how are things?”

The man gulped. “Things are well.”

“Are you having fun?”

“Yes sir, in a way. I am enjoying this time with Lady Kara. The planet is fascinating, but I miss home. Flying was a unique experience.”

“So was kissing I assume?” Non asked with a raised eyebrow.

“Yes sir.” Kell agreed, guardedly.

Non grinned at the man. “Keep it up my boy. Alura is pressuring Kara as always to accept a mating proposal. It’s the way she is. Whatever you do, don’t pressure Kara, let things flow naturally. The two of you will be fine. I truly believe you were made for each other. Now, onto Military matters. I have heard from Kara, but I would like to hear from you what the situation is. Is the Flamebird needed or do you have enough firepower in the event you are attacked?”

Kell shook his head. “The only threat that I can see is the shapeshifter who has devised a way to kill our people using fragments from the remains of Krypton. My rifle and the craft’s ion cannons are more than capable of taking him out. He also seems to fear the son of Jor El. I do not believe him to be a bad man. From what I understand, he was forced into his position because the human he is impersonating that held the position was evil. I believe his rudeness may just be a part of his natural personality, not anything particularly aggressive towards Lady Kara.”

Non nodded thoughtfully, then said, “Keep your weapons close and stay by her side. Of course, I don’t have to tell you that. Let’s talk about the Lanterns. Kara told me one is on Earth… a human Lantern?”

Kell nodded. “This is what Kal El has told us.”

Non smiled at the thought of a human Lantern. “It’s good the Guardians are becoming more progressive and open minded towards other species. I would like it if you could initiate contact with this Lantern, perhaps request an audience through Kal El.”

“What would you like me to discuss with the Green Lantern, General?”

Non hesitated for a moment, not sure exactly what he wanted. Ask for personal protection for his niece? Kara would be furious at him and Kell would feel inadequate. He chose a different tactic instead. “We will reach the first and most promising planet in six months. Though this galaxy is devoid of life and has no need for the Lanterns protection, the planet we are traveling to is most definitely in a patrolled sector. The planet Kara has identified is perfect for life. Yet according to her data, no life can be found. Not even non sentient biological life. That is not common in planets. We need information on this planet and other possible ones. Perhaps he may know nothing but could contact the Guardians. I want to know if there are any dangers outside of the norm, anything that would make terraforming difficult or any life forms Kara may have missed. If there is no life there now, there must have certainly been life in the past. Kara believes a large asteroid strike may have decimated the planet’s occupants, but I wish to be as certain as possible. Now, anything else interesting? What is the son of Jor El like?”

Kell looked around for a moment then turned back to his General. “He appears to be a good man, heroic, and dedicated to Earth. But…”

Non prodded him, “But what?”

“His dress is difficult to understand. It is a Kryptonian outfit, yet it isn’t. Humans do not dress like this. He wears tall red boots, a blue body suit and a red cape.”

Non was not surprised, laughing at the description. “He is definitely his Mother’s son. When you return, I will show you a holo of his Mother at a Kryptonopolis ball. She wore the same colors. I have no doubt she made the suit for him to wear as an adult. Lara always did have a flair for the dramatic. Take care my boy. You are doing well.”

Kell seemed doubtful. “I’m not sure I am, the kiss aside. At times she seems annoyed that I even exist.”

“That’s Kara.” Non told him. “The fact that she didn’t drug you, place you in the ship and remote it back to Argo City shows how taken she is with you. Let things happen naturally and follow your heart. I eagerly wait to hear from you again. Take care of yourself.”

The image disappeared and Non took a breath, enjoying the air of Argo City, so much fresher than the air on the Flamebird. “This will work. Alura will kill me and Kara if it doesn’t.”

Earth

Kara was already preparing for her next trip. While it amazed her to see a place from her former planet that she had not seen in so long, her goal was to explore Earth. The first stop was Kal… Clark’s Smallville Farm.

As the group prepared to leave, Jor El’s AI materialized in front of her, Alex and Kal El. Thankfully, Kell and Kelex were doing a systems check and strapping down cargo while pulling out less conspicuous weapons if they found themselves attacked by pieces of their former home. Though she didn’t tell Kal El or even ask, she had hoped that his father’s AI would not make its presence known unless he requested it. Instead it appeared as if it had a mind of its own.

“Kara Zor El.” the perfect likeness of Jor El greeted her.

“Uncle Jor.”

“So… my brother’s plan worked. How many of our people remain?”

“32,716 at last count, though we are growing every day. It seems like every woman of childbearing age is mated and pregnant… naturally.”

“Why are you here?” he asked, his voice sounding a bit stern.

Kara could feel her body temperature rise a bit, her skin becoming flush. “Just offering Kal El a ride back to our people.”

“No, I mean why are you here? You were banned from my laboratory for life.”

Kara looked at the floor and smiled. “You were serious about that? I was only seven.”

“You were five when you attempted to split an atom in my physics laboratory. You cut the stuffing out of your doll and smuggled my atom splitter away. At seven, you were left alone and used your miniature particle accelerator, nearly opening a small black hole that would have killed you and destroyed my lab. I believe I specifically told you and your father that you were not allowed back under any circumstances.”

Kara shook her head. “I will have you know that particle accelerator helped me confirm the existence of the Rao particle and dark matter on a subatomic level. Can we please speak Kryptonese? There are people here.”

“No.” Jor El told her. “Kal El is coming along with his mastery of our language but does not understand our whole vocabulary. It is important that he understand this conversation so he can see the necessity of not allowing you into the Fortress. You were a menace as a young child, and I doubt you have changed.”

Kara stepped closer to the AI and waved her hand through its head, giggling.

“You were the one who told me to not be afraid of taking chances in science. ‘No great discovery had ever been made by the meek’ . Remember?”

“I never said that. Your father said that. I asked you to behave in this laboratory. Instead, you nearly created a black hole, a nuclear reaction and stole my tools.”

“I borrowed them! Father said he would get them back to you! He must have forgotten.”

The AI stared at her for a moment. “Who is the head of the Science Guild?”

“I am.” Kara told him proudly.

The AI simulation rolled its eyes. “Rao help our people. Are you on the Council?”

Kara shook her head slightly. “Not yet. I’ve been too busy. I have been creating a new Krypton in a floating city. I’ve reinforced the shields, purified and recycled air, made ground fertile, made animals where there was nothing but genetic materials…”

“Have you bonded yet with a Mate?”

Kara clenched her teeth in frustration. “No.”

“How old are you now?” Jor El asked.

“Not counting the period we spent in the Phantom Zone, whose secrets I unlocked by the way, which is something you never did, I am 22.”

“Three years past average mating years. Is there something physically wrong with you? Do men not find you attractive? Are you unable to have children without the Codex? Frightened of natural birth? Perhaps it is your attitude, your recklessness, your impulsive decision-making skills, condescending attitude towards those without your intelligence, perhaps those traits are keeping you from having a mate and a spot on the Council? What about…”

“Kal, would you turn this damn thing off already?!” Kara shouted. Even the dead felt a need to discuss her love life or lack thereof.

Kal El quickly moved to a control station and Jor El’s AI vanished.

“Thanks…” Kara told him gratefully. “I’m sorry you had to find out this way, Kal.”

“Find what out?” the man asked.

“That my father was so much cooler than your father. It’s just the AI. The real Jor El appreciated my inventiveness. I was never banned from his laboratory…”

“Yes, you were.” Kal El’s Kelex unit told her.

“Quiet, robot.” Kara snapped at him. “I think it is time we go to Smallville. Lead the way and we will follow, cousin.”

Soon in the dark of night, the group was in the air, Kara keeping Kal El on her scanners. Kell was taking a nap in the back, leaving Alex up front with Kara.

“I am sorry,” Kara said to her quiet companion. “Kal El told me your father was killed. I know how that feels.”

Alex looked over towards the blonde, surprised by the sadness on her face. She seemed so bright and cheerful when they first met less than 18 hours ago. “Thank you. He was avenged though. Do you have a large family in Argo City?”

The blonde shook her head. “Just me, Mother, my Aunt and Uncle. They are enough though. We have love and that is all that matters. After my Father died, my Uncle Non became sort of a father figure to me. He and Aunt Astra helped me and Mother through our grief. They always supported me in my work, though lately they’ve obviously been bugging me to Mate. Kell hasn’t asked yet and… I’m not sure what I would do if he asked. I like him obviously; the kiss was amazing… anyway what about you? Are you close with your mother?”

Alex grimaced slightly. “We weren’t… we had a tough time after Dad died. I suppose we pulled away from each other.” The girl let out a breath. “No, I pulled away from her. I was determined to find out what happened to my Dad and my Mom wanted me to leave it alone, but I didn’t listen. I joined the DEO and I don’t think she ever forgave me for that. She died in a car wreck not long after that.”

“You have no siblings?” Kara asked softly.

Alex shook her head. “No, but I have great friends. Kara… I know you don’t trust a shapeshifter and I can see how dangerous he can seem to one who doesn’t know him. He is a good man though.”

“How did you find out his true nature?” Kara asked, wanting to know more about the grumpy shapeshifter.

Alex grunted, then grinned at the memory as she recounted the experience. “I got him alone, pulled a gun on him and threatened to shoot him in the head if he didn’t tell me the truth about what happened to my Dad. I had discovered Hank Henshaw was the last man to see him alive, so I waited for the right moment to confront him.

“That was when J’onn revealed himself to me. My Dad sacrificed his life to save J’onn from the real Henshaw. J’onn promised him he would look out for me as my Dad was dying. That’s the real reason why he took Henshaw’s place, to protect me. He needed a human guise and since Henshaw was dead, he decided he could do the most good in that position. He recruited me into the DEO as soon as he could, then helped me finish all the schooling I needed for my doctorate. He’s helped me and so many others, including aliens, so maybe give him a chance?”

Kara understood a little better now. Though she still was cautious about shapeshifters, perhaps this man did not have an evil intent towards all aliens. Changing the subject slightly, she asked, “What are your friends like?”

Alex smiled, wondering what they would think if they knew she was on a spaceship right now. Winn would literally flip out. “I work with a guy named Winn who is kind of a sweet geek. His personality reminds me of you. He is smart but not condescending… most of the time. I’m also good friends with a guy named Jimmy Olsen. He lived in Metropolis and worked with Clark before he moved to National City. Clark introduced us.”

“I see. No boyfriend?” Kara asked.

Alex laughed, wondering how the blonde would take this. “Two ex-girlfriends. One was a cop and I suppose you could say our ideas on married life were somewhat different. I wanted children and she didn’t. The second was Jimmy’s sister, Kelly. We were good but the spark was never there.”

Kara smiled slightly, understanding. She had just gone through six mating interviews recently that had zero spark. She even fell asleep at the table during a couple of them only to wake when her Aunt had kicked her under the table.

“You want children, do you? We could certainly use more people in Argo City who want children. Many women are becoming pregnant, but there are so many orphans whose parents died when Argo City was expelled from Krypton. I have never had a boyfriend or girlfriend myself. Aunt Astra offered to interview potential female mates since I had no interest in the males who were brought before me. It really wasn’t my thing either. I suppose… it’s an important decision. Whoever I decide on, I will be spending the rest of my life with. Since Kryptonians live an average of 160 years, that’s a long time to be stuck with someone if they turn out to be… an ‘A’ hole? Or is it asshole?”

Alex laughed. “Either one works. So, 160 years? Why the hurry to marry so young then?”

Kara settled back, needing to explain thousands of years of Kryptonian custom so Alex could understand. “It’s tradition. We have done away with some traditions that were considered obsolete by the Argo City Council but… our traditions are all we have. Women are of childbearing age through their eighties. On Krypton, we were assigned Mates and would give DNA samples to the Codex which stored Kryptonian DNA. The Codex allowed our DNA to intermingle with certain skills important to our people. A child was then created, grown for nine months in the Genesis Chamber and then given to a bonded couple once every ten years… unless they held positions like my aunt and uncle in the military. This allowed the Houses to grow but also kept a tight control over our population. Unfortunately, the Codex and Genesis Chamber were interlinked. There was only one Codex meaning I can’t recreate the Genesis Chamber. Now we have to give birth the same way Lara gave birth to Kal El. I am not looking forward to that.”

Alex thought of this and wished it were that easy for humans. “So, there are… females who are with…”

The blonde nodded. “You would call them lesbians… no you are a lesbian, of course you would know that. Duh, Kara. But yes, there are lesbian couples. When this was the case the male DNA was completely provided by the Codex and vice versa if the pairing were two males.”

“Wow.” Alex admitted. “I shouldn’t have jumped to conclusions. I just thought a race so… traditional would not approve of same sex couples.”

Kara shrugged her shoulders. “Love is Love. When mates were assigned it was always a male and a female unless two females or two males came to an agreement beforehand. They could voluntarily bond and that would be that. Stuck together for the rest of their lives.”

Alex’s curiosity was peaked. “I probably don’t want to know this, but what about divorce? If a couple doesn’t get along… or they find that they aren’t a good match, are they allowed a divorce?”

Kara shook her head quickly. “No, bonding is a sacred vow between two people. There is no divorce. We may not have our planet or be able to see our God, but he is still in this Universe watching over and protecting our people.

“When Kryptonians make a vow, we stand by it. Once, Daxam threatened to invade for the millionth time and Aunt Astra vowed to destroy their entire fleet if they did. She stood by her vow. They came and Krypton ended them, or at least set their military back for years.”

“Wow.” Alex said once again. “This is a lot to take in. I have known about aliens since I met Clark when I was a teenager, but hearing you talk about battles in space between planets, shields that can protect a city from an exploding planet, the Phantom Zone, Dark Matter and whatever a Rao particle is, it seems surreal. Speaking of which, what is that Rao particle you told Jor El you had discovered?”

Kara smiled, pleased and excited to explain her discovery to a fellow scientist. “The Rao particle is the final piece in understanding the basic building blocks of the Universe. Earth has come close to hypothesizing it, as far back as the sixties though no one has ever actually seen it besides myself and my fellow scientists… and Father, of course. He used the understanding of the particle and its invisible energy shield which existed, but had no mass, to form the shield that protected Argo City. Once you can learn to control and manipulate the Rao particle, you can make almost anything happen.”

Alex’s eyes widened. “Are you talking about the Higgs boson particle? You unlocked it? You have seen… you can manipulate it?”

Kara nodded, pleased she understood. “Yep. I suspect in another hundred or two hundred years provided humanity hasn’t starved itself due to over population… or suffered a mass catastrophe because of the pollution of Earth, your scientists will see it. Once they see it, it will take decades to develop technology to manipulate it, but Earth has the theory right, so… go Earth!”

Alex shook her head in wonder at the sunny blonde she was sitting by who could conceivably be the most intelligent creature in the Universe. “Why did you name it the Rao particle?”

Kara smiled, remembering that day. “Dad was so proud of me when I discovered it. I was ten and had a ceremony earlier that day, appointing me and the other females my age Daughters of Rao . It was a tradition for every ten-year-old. The ceremony was boring so as soon as it was done, I snuck off to the lab. I had just perfected my small particle accelerator and turned it on when my Dad found me. My Mother wanted me back at the party and my Dad had come to collect me. Until he saw my readings. He told me it was the key to saving Argo City. He was so happy. He told me I could name it since I stumbled upon it. Since I had become a Daughter of Rao that day, I felt it was appropriate.”

Alex was flabbergasted at the sheer genius and the carefree approach Kara seemed to take to everything. “Unbelievable. A ten-year-old playing with a toy unlocked the final key to matter in the Universe and actually observed it.”

Kara shrugged her shoulders as if it weren’t a big deal. “Let’s talk about important stuff. I have a lot I want to get done on Earth.”

Alex was happy to help her new friend with whatever she needed, hoping to learn everything she could from the Kryptonian savant. “You mean scientific studies? Cultural studies of traditions and religions of various parts of the world? Some Governments won’t let us in, but I can show you everything…”

“I was thinking more about clubs. And clothes, dancing, maybe a beach? There are beaches in National City, right? I have listened to quite a lot of music by the Beach Boys. California is where we first landed, correct?”

“Yes…” Alex said slowly, a bit surprised that the alien was interested in having fun. But from her observations of Kara Zor El so far, the girl was full of surprises. “We do have quite a few beaches. I’m not sure the beachwear would be comfortable for you to be seen in, at least in a public setting.”

“Screw it,” Kara told her, “when on Earth and all that. It would be irresponsible of me to not take part in every opportunity this planet has to offer… so long as Kell can’t see me. I am thinking he can hang out with Clark for a few days so we can have this “ girl time ” I have heard so much about. So, a beach? Then Metropolis? Maybe we could meet your friends? I would love to get to know them. Also, the food, I have been hearing about the food in broadcasts for years. I would like to try donuts, ice cream, multiple assortments of pies and cakes, steak, that’s the meat from a dead cow, right? Hotdogs, they sell those on the beach, right?”

Alex laughed, enjoying the enthusiasm on her face. “Yeah, Lady Kara. I think we can manage to fit a few of those things in. First, let Clark show you the exciting life of a farm boy. Then we can be on our way.”