Bella MacLeod's Twilight Fanfiction

The Life Equation

By BetterInTexas

Chapter 07:

Kal El woke at sunrise, as he always did when at the farm. Lois would be arriving in the afternoon, having heard the extraordinary tale of the two Kryptonians’ arrival and eager to meet them both.

To his surprise, he was not the first one awake. He stepped out onto the porch to find Kell staring towards the field. He followed the man’s vision and saw a beautiful sight.

Kara was in the air, wearing a long, flowing light blue dress holding a large dog in her hands, floating above the wheat field.

The dog, one Clark recognized from a neighboring farm, was licking her face constantly but she didn’t appear to be annoyed. Instead, the smile on her face was radiant. She twisted slowly in the air, lifting the dog gently over her head, only to bring him back to her chest and nuzzle the massive pet’s hair with her cheeks.

“That may be the most amazing sight I have ever woken up to.” Clark admitted. “How does she do it, Kell?”

Kell chuckled a bit, his eyes never leaving her. “You would be the expert on flying. I have no idea how we do it.”

Clark shook his head slightly. “I mean… how does she have that look on her face. After everything she has lost… both of you have lost, how does she seem so happy and… innocent?”

“Because she is.” Kell broke his gaze away from the radiant young woman to look at her cousin whose eyes were shining in wonder as he watched his last living blood relative enjoying this simple interaction with a creature of Earth. “That’s just who Kara is.”

Knowing Kal El was anxious to know his cousin, to understand her life, Kell explained. “Her father’s death devastated her, but she took that devastation and focused it, continued her father’s work… to honor him. Having her family with her is also a great help, I’ve no doubt. Her mother’s twin sister, General Astra, is the leader of our military and her husband, General Non, is my commanding officer. General Non really stepped up, became a father figure to her, loves her as if she were his own daughter. General Astra as well. Lady Alura and Lady Kara have always been close. Despite the importance of their positions, they are a very tight knit family. Most Kryptonian families are. Losing so much makes you appreciate what you have even more.”

Clark could understand this. Though he grieved over the death of his planet, he never really knew it, just what Jor El had explained. It was almost an abstract. General Zod had been his only contact with Krypton and it had been anything but pleasant.

But here, seeing two Kryptonians, happy, full of love and enjoying Earth’s wonders, it became real in a way it never had before. Two people who had lost so much yet held onto such joy. This was what his people were truly like. It made his heart ache that he had not been a part of it. He wouldn’t trade his life on Earth, his childhood for anything but getting to know these two had already opened a world to him that hadn’t seemed real in the past.

Kell chuckled. “Plus she is enjoying the dog, I believe it is called. On Krypton, we had birds and animals we harvested for food, but the other creatures… not what you would call pets… unless some pets try to eat you whole.”

Clark nodded his head. Jor El had told him about the different habitats of Krypton, the different species of animals, the badlands, the jungle that would try to kill you itself, no predators needed though it was full of them. He knew many of the fish were vicious carnivores and one had to be very careful where they chose to swim.

“You changed.” Clark realized, seeing Kell in what resembled blue jeans and a white t-shirt.

“Yes, thank you for the use of the shower. Kara made these on our trip here. She told me she never goes anywhere without a matter manipulation device. She took Kryptonian clothes and did her science stuff, changed them to resemble the human clothing she had seen on television.”

Clark was puzzled. “She turned Kryptonian clothes into… but the t-shirt, it looks like cotton. The jeans… how did she do it?”

Kell raised his hands in defeat. “I’m a soldier. No Kryptonian remaining and I suspect very few beings in the universe are near her level of intellect. I have no idea how she does the things she does, I just know that she can do them.

“Speaking of, Kara handed me these before she took to playing with the dog she found. She wanted to know if you knew of someone who would accept these in exchange for what she called ‘cash’. I think that means currency, correct?”

Kal watched the man pull gold stones from his pocket. Curious, he asked, “Is that gold?”

“Oh, um… yes.”

“Where did she find gold?” he asked, wondering if he had been sitting on a gold mine his entire life.

“She didn’t. She turned granite rocks into gold.”

“Fake gold?” Clark asked a little concerned.

Kell shook his head. “I assure you; this is not fake. She changed the matter of the rocks into what she wanted. You can look at this on a subatomic level and you will find it is now gold. Have your Kelex examine it. These were granite four hours ago. Now they are gold.”

Clark took the gold stones in his hands and peered at them closely. The man was right. Kara had turned a plain old rock into gold.

Seeing the astonished look on the man’s face, Kell explained further, “She said we would need ‘moola’ on Earth, and this could be traded for ‘cold hard cash’. I understood that paper is used for currency so I’m not sure why it would be cold or hard, but Kryptonians generally take Kara at her word so our brains don’t explode from her scientific explanations.”

Clark nodded his head. “I know a few places in Metropolis I can fly to this evening. I suppose the two of you will be buying more human clothes… Alex could help. There are accessories like wallets you will want to carry.”

Kell nodded, smiling widely. “Yes, small field ration bags. Is one sold large enough to hold a gun?”

Clark decided not to answer. He knew instinctively the man was not violent but had no doubt if someone looked at Kara in the slightest threatening manner he would kill without hesitation. “Have either of you slept?”

“The rumor on Argo City is that Kara Zor El does not sleep unless forced to do so by her mother. Right now, she is too excited. As for me, I will sleep when she does. She will tire out eventually. This is her first time away from her work since Argo City was blasted into the Phantom Zone. She needed a vacation. I think this time away from the pressures of Argo City will be good for her.”

The two stood for a few more minutes, watching Kara playing in the air with her furry new friend, twirling around while the dog continued to lick her. She eventually landed and made her way through the fields to the back porch, the dog following her.

“Good morning, Cousin.” Kara greeted him and to his surprise kissed him on the cheek, rising up on her toes to do so.

“And good morning to you, Kell.” she told him and judging by how rigid he became, Kell had not expected her to kiss him on the cheek as she had done, either.

“I should change. I love this animal. I have to see more, but I feel like my dress is covered in saliva excretions. I will return, shortly. Can we have breakfast, Kal… Clark?” she asked.

Clark smiled, wondering what she might like to eat, trying to remember Kryptonian basic foods and what he would have that was similar, then realized Kara wouldn’t want anything similar. He was quickly realizing that was not who she was.

“How does scrambled eggs, bacon and toast sound?” he asked his cousin.

“Sounds sweet! Peace out, Homie. I’ll be right back.” Kara told him, bumping her chest with her fist twice and throwing out a hand gesture for peace.

By the time Clark had the eggs scrambled and the bacon fried, Kara walked back in, wearing form fitting blue jeans and a rather tight but modest red t-shirt and sneakers.

Judging by the look on Kell’s face and the size of his eyes, he had never seen her in something so tight.

“Where is Alex?” Kara asked, her eyes zeroing in on the plate Clark set in front of her.

“Still sleeping.” Clark answered. “Most humans don’t wake up on a weekend earlier than nine and I am sure she is exhausted from the past 24 hours.”

Kara snorted. “Sleep is overrated. If I had slept when we were in the Phantom Zone, we would still be there. So, when do you have to go back to your human employment, Cousin?”

“Today is Saturday so I should be able to stay away until Monday. I’m going to try and get a few more days off to give you my full attention. When we go to Metropolis, I’m sure Alex will have much to show the two of you. Lois will be around as well. She is very excited to meet you.”

“I am very excited to meet her as well. Rao this food is good.” Kara exclaimed. “What does this bacon come from?”

“A pig.” Clark answered.

Kara took that with no comment. She had always thought pigs were cute but knew they were a major part of human consumption, right up there with cows. Judging by the taste she could see why.

The breakfast was eaten in silence except a quick good morning to Alex who grumpily walked in and grabbed a slice of toast.

“How are you so cheerful this morning?” the Agent asked Kara, taking the cup of coffee Clark handed to her. “Do Kryptonians not sleep?”

Kara laughed and waved her hands towards the kitchen door leading to the back of the house. “How can anyone sleep, having all this around them? The stars were gorgeous last night. Then this morning, a dog found me! It was so cool playing with an animal I didn’t want to eat and that didn’t want to eat me. Besides, I had work to do. I had outfits to make, rocks to turn into gold…”

Alex raised her hands, shaking off the last of her morning lethargy. “Hold up. You turned rocks into gold?”

“I didn’t. I meant my technology did. I told you, once you know the Rao particle and learn to manipulate matter, it’s possible to do anything. I used that technology to change the crumbled debris of our buildings in Argo City into fertile soil for plant life and harvesting. Would you like some gold? All I need is some sort of inorganic debris, but it would be easier if it was a rock, smaller than a fist. Anything else will take time. I can’t make matter where none existed so using paper would only give a thin layer instead of anything worth any real value.”

Alex took this at face value, a part of her wanting to question the ethics of turning rock into gold but the bigger part not giving a damn. “Can you say… turn cheap silver into diamonds?”

“Of course. Inorganic matter is inorganic matter. I will need a diamond specimen to determine its composition. Now, organic matter is a totally different ball game. That’s a saying, right? It would be impossible to do without killing someone. It’s one of those technologies I told you some planets are not ready for. I am sure there are many nations who would not hesitate to weaponize it.” Seeing the look of comprehension on Alex’s face, she continued. “Just because a technology exists does not mean it should be used. That is why each planet has to come to discover technology on their own with no outside interference. It allows the people of the world to slowly come to conclusions about whether something should be done just because it can be done. Our Council decided that the technology to change organic matter was too dangerous, so I destroyed all records I kept on the project and the technology because I agreed with them, much to dangerous.”

Clark shivered at the implications of that technology on Earth.

“I believe it happened once before on Earth.” Kara told Alex. “Your God turned a female into salt after he destroyed two cities that had fallen out of favor. She looked back and was turned to a pillar of salt, right? I think she was a wife of a prophet. Now imagine that on a mass scale.”

Alex should have been surprised that this girl knew a lot about Earth, but she no longer was. “So, you know the Bible?”

“The what?” Kara asked. “No, I just learned that in a nine-minute broadcast Father picked up, someone named Jimmy Swaggert, I believe. One thing I couldn’t figure out though, why are the followers asked for money to be granted favor by their god?”

Alex huffed. “On Earth, money will get you favored by everything.”

Kara took that without comment, supposing it was true. It had been that way to an extent on Krypton before its destruction. “We had what you would consider a capitalist economic system before the destruction of Krypton. Now we have no need for money. Everyone does their job, and we take care of each other. Everyone has residences, clothing, food and water. Our scientists improve the living conditions and prepare for the day we will colonize a new planet… our agriculture guild, our construction guild, they improve life and slowly rebuild our city, even improve it. Our military stays constantly prepared should we face any threats and patrols our city, breaking up the occasional argument that may turn violent, help other guilds when help is needed. We live as one. After we find a new planet and our population grows, spreads out, I have no doubt our economic system will evolve but for now, we are too small to worry about things like money.”

Alex found this extremely interesting. “So is there a caste system? You know, where more important jobs lead to greater esteem, larger properties, homes?”

Kara shook her head. “Not now. Residence sizes are based on the number of family members in a house. Ours is not large at all. My Mother has a room, I have a room and Aunt Astra and Uncle Non share a room. Each room has one bathroom, there is a living area, a kitchen and a dining area. Soldiers like Kell live on the ship they are assigned to, unless they are mated. For obvious reasons we try to have as many of our homes and businesses no higher than one story. After our great buildings and temples collapsed during Krypton’s destruction it was decided by the Council that when we land on a new planet, the smaller the building heights, the less chance of more destruction.”

“Wow. That’s impressive,” Alex admitted. “It sounds like your people are at complete peace with one another.”

Kara snorted and took a drink of her black coffee which she was quickly falling in love with. “You wouldn’t say that if you ever attended a council meeting. There are many arguments, debates about the future, about the present, what is needed and what isn’t. On Krypton, there was crime. My Mother is a judge after all. But violent crimes were minimal. Now, though, we all realize if we want to survive and grow, we must work together. The Council always has the final say.”

“Are the Council elected?” Clark asked, fascinated by the knowledge of how his people lived now in the darkness of space.

“Yes, nine out of the twelve seats are at least, but the Council has not changed in years, at least in Argo City. Sometimes a Councilor would retire but we cannot afford anyone to retire now. Honestly, I feel a little guilty about being here, but my systems are being run by the scientists who work under my guidance. Our explorer teams have set out and the only thing we can do is wait.”

Kell cleared his throat. “Speaking of Explorer Teams, the first one has set out for the most promising planet already. The journey will take six months. Kara, I know you said that life was most likely wiped out by a catastrophic meteor collision, but your Uncle suggested we speak to the local Lantern, find out if he or the Guardians know anything about the planet we might have missed or perhaps our scans have not picked up.”

Kara nodded her head. “Sounds like a reasonable idea. We have been hiding in an uninhabitable galaxy on the dark side of a moon. We haven’t contacted the Guardians, wanting to hide knowledge of our existence. A beacon to Oa could have been picked up by outsiders but since we are here and maybe have access to a Lantern, it should be safe. Cousin? You say you know a Lantern. Any chance you could call him on the downlow?”

Clark agreed. He had not spoken to Hal Jordan in a few weeks, and thankfully nothing had occurred that needed the attention of the entire Justice League. He did have the man’s home number.

“When would you like to meet with him?” Clark asked.

“Probably in the next couple days. Our ship has left and won’t make the planet for another six months so there is no hurry.” Kara told him. “I want to watch television and check out this means of planetary knowledge and communication called ‘the internet’ Alex told me about before she went to bed. This sounds like a promising step to bring your nations together.”

Kara walked into the living room and waved her hand at the television as she sat on the couch. “Television, find Star Wars and play the recording from the beginning.”

Nothing happened.

Frowning, Kara tried again. “Television? Computer? Hello! Do you need to hear Kryptonese ? You are worse than Kelex. Are you malfunctioning?”

“Try the remote.” A grinning Alex suggested, sitting beside her and handing her the long thin object.

Kara pointed the remote at the TV and began giving instructions once again.

“You have to use those buttons on the remote to turn it on.” Alex further instructed her, pointing out the ones she needed to push.

“Do I use the Satellite button or the TV button?”

“TV first, then satellite.” Alex replied.

“Okay… its… there is the television’s main power boot up. It doesn’t connect automatically to the satellite system outside?”

“The satellite button is a separate system, linked externally to the television.” Alex patiently explained.

“Then why are you able to use one remote?”

“Because the remote control can be remotely linked to both devices.”

“But both television and satellite cannot be intrinsically linked to each other, operating as one unit?” the blonde asked.

“Yeah, I think so… honestly I don’t watch much TV. I’ve never been into electronics.”

Kara nodded her head in understanding. “Electricity is a pain in the ass. One day, when Earth is able to harness the power of a star and discover the missing elements from your periodic table, electricity will not be needed. Your need for fossil fuels will go away. There is a danger in this though. Economic collapse.”

That caught Clark and Alex’s attention. “Economic collapse?” Clark asked.

Kara nodded her head. “Human’s use of fossil fuels along with overpopulation may well destroy this planet. But if someone like me were to come along, give Earth different options for power, the planet could fall quicker into despair. A crew of two thousand soldiers are aboard one of our cruisers but most of them are landing parties, meant to invade enemy ships we board. Only around 500 or so are needed to actually fly the cruiser into battle. New energy sources mean less people needed to work. At this time, how many people are employed in the oil and gas industry?”

Alex looked at Clark, having no idea. He was the reporter.

“About six million I would guess in the United States. Larger of course worldwide.” he told her.

“Exactly. Now imagine a source of power that was given to Earth, that would suddenly cut jobs. Perhaps one hundred thousand would be needed to work in an industry that employed six million. Where would those people who were no longer needed find work? What about repairmen, gas station owners? Cars could be built to last forever; no tires would be needed. Tires are a huge industry, correct? So you have possibly over ten million or more humans who are suddenly unemployed in the US alone. The numbers would be greater around the world. Consider the current overpopulation, disease, famine, and now add in more poverty.” From the looks on both their faces, she could see they were starting to understand the dilemma.

“While the world may be saved from environmental destruction, the inhabitants would die in greater numbers, wars would break out with more frequency and accidents could happen due to an unfamiliarity with the energy source.

“This is why every planet must develop their own technology, chart their own path, plan for contingencies, and rely on each nation for support. Separation of religion is not an issue, but separation of states could prove catastrophic one day. In order for humanity to survive, its people must become one. Every advanced planet in the Universe have their people living under one government. The systems may differ, monarchies, democracies, combinations of different systems blended to one, but the people must be together, or they will fall. It’s the fate of every race… even Krypton.”

She smiled sadly recognizing what had been lost because of conceit and apathy but remembering, too, the strength of those who did unite in the last days of Krypton. “Because the people of Argo City believed my father… became one united people, we still live. If the High Council had not ignored the evidence in front of them, our entire species may have survived. Come together or destroy yourselves, that is every planet’s destiny.”

“So, can I use a computer? Are they still big boxes? I want to see this internet.” Kara asked excitedly, rapidly shifting topics to her next interest.

Kara and Kell spent the afternoon, studying all they could on recent events on Earth using an ingenious piece of software known as ‘Google’. They were learning much.

That is, until Kara found ‘YouTube’.

The soldier and the scientist sat next to each other in tears, laughing hysterically at funny cat videos. They forced themselves to stop when Lois Lane arrived at the farmhouse.

The woman practically ran inside, stopping only a few feet in front of the Kryptonians. “Wow. Cousins. Amazing. I didn’t think after Zod there would be anymore of you, or if there were, you wouldn’t be trying to take over the planet.”

“Well, there are, and we aren’t.” Kara told her with a big smile and offered her hand. “I am Kara Zor El and this is… my boyfriend, Kell Ur. You must be Lois?”

Lois nodded her head and took the blonde’s soft hands. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Kara, and of course, Kell. Clark has been so excited; he’s been calling me with updates. I haven’t heard him this excited in years. Could I do an interview?”

Kara was surprised by the question. “An interview?”

“Yeah, kind of a get to know you talk. I ask questions, you answer, I let the world know what you say. It will be fun.”

Kara nodded her head quickly. “It sounds fun! I’m an open book. That’s a thing, right? I don’t have any secrets… actually, I do of course, nothing bad, just things I can’t say so I won’t unbalance the planet’s evolutionary process…”

Kell placed a hand on Kara’s shoulder. “I am sorry, Lois, but we cannot do so.”

Kara looked sharply at the man; her eyebrow raised in question.

Kell explained. “Remember, Kara? Your mother said to have as little contact with the human race as possible. Do not interact with them? It’s bad enough we were already assaulted by a government agency but to answer questions about our race, broadcast to the world… your Mother will find out. Kelex will tell her for sure. I think we are in enough trouble, right?”

Kara’s shoulders dropped. “He’s right, Lois. We really are supposed to be discreet. We can’t have word getting out to humans that could possibly be picked up by other aliens that Argo City survived. We are not prepared for an invasion attempt.”

Lois felt disappointed but was not surprised. In her excitement, she had not thought of this. Of course a floating city in space would be vulnerable. “I promise, your secrets are safe with me. I am still going to have a couple hundred questions for you just for my own curiosity.”

“And I will be glad to answer them for you. Do you have a cat or dog? Do they all do tricks or lick you constantly? Perhaps…”

“Lois, Kara, I have to go.” Clark broke in. “Earthquake just hit National City. There is a lot of damage all over the area. I’ll be back tonight.”

Kara followed a speeding Kal El outside, in time to see him shed his outer layer of clothing to reveal the suit underneath, place his boots on, clip his cape and fly.

“Earthquake?” Kara asked quietly, noting that the others had joined her.

“Yeah, it must be major for him to go that quickly. Alex, you may want to check on your friends.” Lois suggested, but Alex was already on the phone to the DEO.

“Probably a lot of humans hurt, huh?” Kara asked.

“Yep.” Lois agreed. “He will help them though. It’s kind of his thing.” Lois told the blonde with a wink.

Kara nodded her head slowly, taking a look at the spot where her ship was cloaked. “But it’s a very large city. Millions of people. He can’t be everywhere at once, can he?”

“I think…” the woman started.

“You are right, Lois, he is going to need help.” Kara moved quickly to her ship and stepped out with Kelex behind her, decked out in a suit similar to her cousin’s.

“No!” Kelex and Kell both shouted.

“People are hurt, Kell. Kelex, don’t mention this to Mother. I am serious!”

“Kara, please listen to reason. If you go out there, we are going to be exposed to the world. Your Mother…” Kell tried before she waved him off.

“If anyone asks, I’ll tell them I was shot off into space the same time Kal El was, alone, during the destruction of Krypton. No one will know our people live, just that I do. I can’t bring you with me. You can’t fly well enough or control your strength good enough yet. I would take you if I could though.”

Kara grabbed Kell and kissed him hard, once more breaking the two second rule. With a bright smile and a wink, Kara launched into the air and was soon out of his sight.

“Wow. Looks like I’m going to have a story to break after all. A second survivor of Krypton.” Lois told the man, as Kelex and Alex looked towards the sky.

“ I am so screwed.” Kell whispered. “Kelex, start the ship. You are flying. We will keep a watch on her from the sky…”

His plan was cut short when a familiar sound was heard. Kell and Kelex looked at each other, not saying a word.

“Kara has ten more hours to call her.” the man complained. A push of a button and Alura would be in front of him.

“She told Kara to call once every 24 hours. She never said she wouldn’t call more often.” the robot pointed out.

Kelex moved to activate the comlink when Kell stopped him. “Don’t answer! She will want to talk to Kara!”

“If we don’t answer she will send a battle cruiser to collect her!” Kelex countered.

“We have to go after her! I told General Non that I would not leave her side and now she is going to the city the shapeshifter is based in during a disaster!”

Kell and Kelex both looked at Lois.

“I can’t lie to Lady Alura. It wouldn’t be honorable,” Kell told Lois. “You are going to have to lie. Press the green button and a hologram of Kara’s mother will appear. Do not tell her where we are or what we are doing. Make up something, please! Tell her Kara will call her right back after she… just make up something.”

Tossing the comlink in Lois’s general direction, Kell and Kelex ran towards the cloaked ship, Alex on their tail, and launched quickly.

Leaving Lois alone with a universal cell phone.

The reporter took a deep breath and smiled. From her brief introduction to Kara and Clark’s stories, she knew Kara was a sweetheart and had no doubt her mother would be the same.

Alura’s image rose from the top of the small box, only a foot or so in height but very intimidating none the less.

“Hi. I’m Lois Lane. You must be Lady Alura. It’s nice to meet you.”

“Greetings. My English is not as well as Kara’s I am afraid, but I like to think I have some skill in the area. I would like to talk to she… her.”

“Uh…” think Lois…” she isn’t here at the moment. She is with Clark.”

“Fine, let me speak to Kell.”

“Her boyfriend? He… is with them.”

“What are they doing?” Alura asked.

“Looking around… Earth. Seeing the sights.”

“You are Kal El’s Mate even though you are not bonded. Why aren’t you with them?”

Good question. “I just got here. They left shortly before I arrived.”

“They didn’t wait for you?”

Lois shook her head, having no doubt this woman could see her.

“Put Kelex on. He should be with the ship. Or did they take the ship cruising over Earth so more military craft could attack them? Did Kara repair the cloaking device? And why doesn’t she have the comlink on her?”

Lois felt herself beginning to sweat. “No… the ship is here but I think Kelex is off… doing something for Kara. He asked me to watch the com thingy.”

Alura’s hologram stared silently at her for a moment. “Are you aware of what my profession is, Lois Lane?”

Lois shook her head, not quite remembering if Clark had told her. “I am a Judge. As a Judge, I know when someone is lying. You are lying. Tell me where my daughter is and what she is doing.”

“But…”

“Now!”

Lois nearly jumped back from the woman’s growly voice. “She and…”

“Kell. You called him her boyfriend. Did she introduce him as her boyfriend?”

“Yes?”

“You don’t sound sure.” Alura told her.

Lois nodded her head. “She definitely said he was her boyfriend. I saw her kiss him before she… they left. Judging by that kiss it was pretty obvious.”

Alura looked relived. “He must have asked to be her Mate and she agreed to the bonding. That is a relief. I can begin preparing the ceremony.”

Lois couldn’t hide the confusion from her face. “Ceremony? Are they getting married?”

Alura looked at her with a bit of irritation. “Of course they are.”

“Oh… well, I will have Kara call you when she returns. You are right, they aren’t with Clark. I think the two of them probably wanted alone time.”

“Alone time?” Alura asked.

“Yeah, you know kids. A little privacy.” Lois winked.

“Privacy?”

“Yeah. If they are getting married, I suppose they have been together for a while. I’m sure they just wanted to get away from us, enjoy a bit of time… doing what kids do.”

Alura raised an eyebrow. “And what exactly do kids do on Earth?”

Lois shrugged her shoulders and shook her head. “Make out, a little groping, maybe more. How long have they been together?”

“They have known each other nearly 72 hours. A mating proposal must have been accepted but there is no making out, groping as you call it or anything else until the bonding ceremony. She can have all the alone time she wants then. Is Kelex watching her?”

“You want a robot to watch your daughter and her boyfriend have… wait, how long have they known each other? Did you say 72 hours? Isn’t that kind of soon to be getting married?”

“She has kissed him twice. If she has not agreed to be his Mate in words, then she has by her actions. Plus, he is brave, kind, handsome and will give me cute grandchildren. As far as time, our mating customs are quite different than humans.”

Lois was perplexed. “Yeah, I get that, but don’t they get to date a little while, hang out, sneak into each other’s rooms, have a little fun, maybe test drive each other for a while?”

Alura’s face turned to stone, making Lois even more uncomfortable. “I am not sure what those terms mean but I understand the implications. Kryptonian women do not have intercourse with a man for years without being what you considered married. How long have you and Kal El been together? Is there some reason he has not asked you to marry? Perhaps he just enjoys… having fun and has no plans to truly commit to you. Bonding is important. We find our mate, love him and stay together for life. There is no making out or groping before bonding. I understand humans have primitive ideas about…”

Lois held up a hand, becoming indignant. “Did you just call me primitive? Primitive sounds like marrying your daughter off to a guy she likes but just met because she kissed him a couple times!”

“Of course you would think so . Harlot .”

“What was that last word? Did you call me… what did you call me?”

“Nothing. I didn’t call you anything.” Alura told her.

“I recognize Kryptonese when I hear it. You want to know where your daughter is? I hope she is somewhere naked with her boyfriend right now! How is that for primitive!”

Alura took a deep breath. “ I can understand why Kal El does not wish to bond with you. I believe the English term for you would be slut.”

Lois nearly threw the damn hologram projector to the ground and stomped on it.

“I may not understand Kryptonese, but I doubt slut is in your vocabulary! Who the hell do you think you are, calling me a slut and assuming Clark doesn’t love me because he hasn’t asked me to marry him?! Commitments like that should not be rushed!”

“Neither should kissing or sex but apparently you have no problem with that. Who do you think you are to tell me that thousands of years of mating tradition are not valid because humans prefer to mate like wild beasts with no commitment before your god? Tell her to call me as soon as she returns!”

“It’s going to take a while! I can hear them in the barn right now, rolling in the hay! She will probably need a shower to get the itchy grass off her body!”

“ Go to Hell!”

“You go to Hell too!”

“You understood me?”

“It’s universal. As soon as your daughter can walk straight, I will tell her you requested that she call when she has the time.”

Alura’s hologram disappeared before Lois could find a button to hang up on her.

“What a bitch.” she mumbled. “I hope I didn’t just start a really major intergalactic incident. Relax, Lois. What is the bitch going to do, send a warship to kill me? That would be… ridiculous. Right?”

National City

Clark floated high above National City, looking over the destruction and deciding where the most help was needed. The quake was major, buildings on the brink of collapse, bridges destroyed, cars trapped. He needed help but doubted J’onn would break his carefully protected guise and come out in his true form. He thought of calling Diana, but she would be here too late. He had no idea if Hal was on Earth or patrolling the Sector. The Flash could be of some use. Bruce was too far away, as was Victor. He didn’t have time to wait for help now.

“So, how do we do this?” a familiar voice asked him.

He turned and saw his cousin, dressed in a costume, nearly identical to his.

“Nice outfit.” He offered with a smile.

“I made it last night. Want me to start putting out fires? I put out a couple I started in your father’s lab and a few in mine.”

“Are you sure? What about keeping a low profile?” Clark asked, genuinely concerned.

“We are Els and people need help. Just tell everyone I’m the last daughter of Krypton sent off like you and stuck in the Phantom Zone. Nobody has to know Argo City still lives. So, Superman, tell me what to do. I am at your service.”

The man shook his head in amusement. “How are you with freeze breath?”

She shrugged, “Not bad.”

“Start putting out fires and I will handle the unstable structures. Call out if you need help. Glad to have you… Supergirl.”