Bella MacLeod's Twilight Fanfiction

The Life Equation

By BetterInTexas

Chapter 15:

“Okay, wave your hand in front of you and the integrated hologram control panel, or keyboard, will appear under your fingers.” Kara instructed Alex.

Alex did so and nearly jumped when a very lifelike keyboard appeared over her lap.

“Good, you’re already a pro.” Kara told her happily. “Turn on the artificial gravity. It will feel weird, but it will help you orient yourself in space. Remember, once we break atmosphere up and down have no meaning anymore. You might see the Earth as if you are upside down, North is South, South is North but in space that doesn’t matter. We are going to take it slow going up, no more than 17,000 miles an hour. Once we break atmosphere, we will accelerate to 35,000 miles an hour, then 110, then we will hit lightspeed.”

Alex looked at her doubtfully, but her excitement was unmistakable as her hands hovered over the holo keyboard . “Shouldn’t I be wearing a flight suit or something? That sounds like a lot of G Force.”

Kara shook her head. “This ship is made from a special alloy Jor El created, a mixture of various elements and metals from Krypton. Have you run your hand over the hull?”

Alex nodded. “It was so smooth… it almost felt like a hard liquid.”

“Exactly. It is designed for faster than light speed traveling, no rough edges, no turbulence in atmosphere, strong enough to block any forces outside of its hull from affecting us. If we turn off the artificial gravity things would seem weird, but it would only give us a feeling of weightlessness. The metal actually spreads for the cannons and missiles to extract… keep it in a straight line.” Kara told her, interrupting her lesson on the engineering of Kryptonian space crafts.

Alex looked confused. “How? I don’t have land, even clouds or a compass…”

“You will have to program in a course for the ship to travel.” Kara explained. “Type onto the keyboard, Sega Vector 62, plot 48, orbital slingshot.”

Alex looked at her as if she had lost her mind, not understanding Kara’s Kryptonese instruction.

Kara, sighed, mentally kicking herself as she realized the problem. “I’m sorry, Alex. See the triangle with the squiggly line on the bottom? Press that. Then press the button with the circle and a straight line through the center and a rectangle on top. See the W shaped button with an arrow symbol below it? That’s going to lock the course in. Go ahead… no! Not the circle with the upside triangle under it sitting on top of the square. That one will send us to light speed 2 and we would crash into the moon in five seconds. Slow and easy.”

Alex sat back after punching in the coordinates navigating through Kryptonian hieroglyphics.

“Kind of easy.” the agent admitted.

“Until evasive maneuvers are needed. Press the vertical squiggly line with two squiggly lines through it on your right arm rest.”

Alex did as instructed and sat back in her seat quickly as the control mechanism came close to her. She placed her hands on the two bars and it felt as if they molded around her fingers.

“Okay, now the idea is the same as a human airplane. Pull back to slow down, push forward to accelerate, twist left to right until you have the degree of turn you want and if you wish to orient the ship differently punch the button with the three triangles and two dots above it.”

“Orient?”

“What you would call a ‘barrel roll’. Once we are over the surface of the moon, we can skim, and you will be able to distinguish what you feel as up or down. When we wrap around the moon be prepared to press the light speed two button. Once we hit LS 2 for ten seconds we will hit LS 3.” She instructed her new pilot, then asked her other companion, “Kelex did you send the scan towards Venus?”

Kelex replied, “Yes, the signal bounced off Venus and covered Mercury before I lost it due to solar radiation. Before it went dead it picked up nothing between this side of the star and Venus. No evidences of breaches or sentient made wormholes. The entry point to the ‘Wormhole of Death’ and the Horizon also appear to be unused in the last 48 hours.”

“Why did you send off a signal? What kind of signal?” Alex asked.

“For all that I wanted to show you my baby and give you to an opportunity to see Earth from a view very few humans have ever seen, we aren’t just here for a joyride, Alex.” Kara admitted to the agent. “That small egg-shaped case was shot into Earth’s atmosphere and had the technology to find a very specific target, break through steel walls and drop at Luthor’s feet. No human weapon and very few alien species have that technology. I’m not certain even I could pull something like that off with that level of accuracy. Okay, I could but it would not be easy.

“So, there is either an alien ship in this solar system or one made a breach, an artificial wormhole to enter and leave after sending it away. Until I can find the parasite, I can’t determine what signal it is sending or where it is going. It may be a biological lifeform acting on its own. Signals can travel through wormholes like my comlink, but something with that degree of accuracy had to be launched in this solar system.”

“What if… whoa! When did the moon get here? Why are we upside down?” Alex asked, a hint of panic in her voice.

“Orient the ship however you wish. Then let go of the flight stick and relax.” Kara calmly instructed her.

Alex did as she was told and soon found herself enjoying the ride, fascinated by the surface of the moon.

Kara was pleased to see the look of wonder on her face, happy she could give her new friend this opportunity.

Kelex moved into the small cockpit. “I never thought I would say this in my existence but once we pass Mars, perhaps you should fly, Kara? The rings of Saturn, the gravity pull and unstable storms over Jupiter, the minor planetary bodies… it might be best if you take over.”

Kara shrugged her shoulders, waving him off. “It’s no big deal. Alex is doing fine. She is like me, a natural. Keep bouncing signals over this solar system. Something must have come in and it is still here or left a trail indicating how it entered and exited.”

“Not if it came through the black hole near Sagittarius A.” Kelex pointed out.

Kara shook her head. “Nothing should be able to be able to escape from a black hole. It isn’t possible. That would mean the point of origin would be in the black hole and no ship can just hide, fight off the crushing… unless it is hiding right at the Event Horizon, the black hole absorbing our signals… but what kind of ship could have entered the Milky Way…”

“The candy bar?” Kelex asked when her voice tailed off.

“No, the humans’ name for their galaxy.” Kara answered automatically, even as her companions could tell she was obviously deep in thought. “Could it be sitting on the edge, not moving, not being drawn and have enough power to send a parasite to Earth… it shouldn’t be possible.”

“Could you do it?” Alex asked. “I mean… could you build something like that?”

“In theory, yes. It would take years of work, perfection if you will.” Her expression cleared as she nodded, having worked through an astronomical number of equations in her mind. “Yes, I could design a way for one of our Battle Cruisers to park in an Event Horizon to camouflage our presence. It doesn’t matter though, we can’t get near it in this fighter. We’ll continue with our present course and let me know if you pick up anything unusual, Kelex.”

The two women continued to fly in silence until Alex saw something that surprised her. “Is that red dot…”

“Mars.” Kara confirmed. “You said it was the former home of J’onn J’onzz, correct?”

“Yes, he is the last survivor of his race.” Alex told her.

Kelex floated back into the cockpit. “Something on that planet is trying to track us with a primitive infrared targeting device.”

“White Martians.” Alex mumbled in disgust.

Kara saw the concern on her friend’s face. “White Martians?”

“The race that destroyed the Green Martians… J’onn’s race. They have made landfall on Earth a couple times, usually no more than two at a time, trying to kill J’onn. There are millions of them. Their cities are underground to give the illusion of the planet being lifeless and desolate.”

Kara understood. “So they are assholes. Want to buzz the tower?” the blonde asked.

“What?” Alex asked, perplexed at her question.

“We can lock onto their weapons systems and fly over their defenses, fast enough that the atmospheric disruption would flatten any structures. Since it would be a simple flyover, it would not be considered an act of war and no rules of engagement would be broken. Considering they prefer to maintain anonymity they are obviously a level 1 planet and ‘free game’ as humans would say. What do you think? Want to screw with them?”

Alex smiled at the thought but dismissed it, watching the approaching red dot grow larger.

“Maybe some other time. Aren’t we on a mission?” Alex reminded Kara.

“Do they have the tech to pull something like precision egg tossing off?” Kara asked.

Alex shook her head. “I wouldn’t think so. Subtly and precision aren’t what they are known for.”

Kara agreed, thinking now might not the best time to screw around with Martians.

The two continued their journey for the next two hours, Alex nearly flying into the rings of Saturn while Kara laughed beside her. By the time the two had landed just outside the Fortress, Alex felt she was a true space pilot.

After Alex geared up for the extreme cold of the Antarctic, the two women and Kelex exited the craft. It was very dark except for the bright lights a half mile away. Not wanting to wait, Kara scooped Alex up in her arms and flew towards the fireworks show while Kelex retreated to the Fortress.

What she saw warmed her heart. Kal El was working with Kell on his heat vision, using snowmen as targets. Kell was actually laughing and with Kal El’s instructions, hitting targets with some accuracy.

“Are you boys having fun?” Kara asked the two Kryptonians.

Kal smiled patting Kell on the back. Kell looked a bit embarrassed. “Kal has been helping me see the target through the heat vision. I’m getting more acclimated to the feeling. Not having much luck controlling the power level but at least I am hitting what I am looking at.”

Kara smiled, appreciating him putting in the effort. “I’m not that great at controlling my power level either. Uncle Non and I challenge each other but we go all out. Kal, do you have the object?”

Kal El pointed to the Fortress. “I left it in there. When you didn’t arrive after 20 minutes, I thought you might be checking the galaxy for any unknown ships that could be the source. We decided to practice heat vision. Any luck?”

Kara shook her head. “Unless a ship is somehow floating in an Event Horizon, then no. I suppose I should figure out how to open the shell. Since your eccentric father liked to keep everything he knew on those crystals instead of using a traditional lab, I will need his assistance. No matter what he says Kal, just remember, it’s an AI and his words do not reflect his true feelings about me. Uncle Jor loved me deeply. He just had trouble expressing his emotions.”

When the three Kryptonians and Alex entered the Fortress Kal El retrieved the shell and gave it to Kara.

Unlike most labs on Krypton, Jor El relied on his crystals to store all his knowledge and research. Kara preferred more traditional labs like her father’s and every other scientist on Krypton. There was only one keyboard in the middle of the Fortress.

Fortunately or unfortunately, she did not need the station. Jor El’s AI appeared immediately.

“Kal El… oh, it’s you.” he greeted Kara.

“Uncle Jor, there is a serious situation that has occurred.”

“What did you do now?”

Kara held back her irritation and explained the situation with the shell and possible parasite inside.

Jor El looked at this son. “You went to her for help?”

“Who else would I go to? Of course I brought this to Kara for help.” Kal El told him.

“You should have come to me first. Regardless, since you have brought the Head of the Kryptonian Science Guild, I am interested in her opinion on what this device is.”

Everyone looked at Kara who was turning a bit red, whether from embarrassment or anger was up for debate. “It is obviously from a very advanced species, sent from a ship that breached this galaxy, one that left no trail…”

“I hope you took a look around the planetary system.” Jor El interrupted.

Kara tilted her head, her irritation finally showing on her face. “I’m not 10 years old, Ghost Uncle. I’ve already scanned the galaxy. Whoever or whatever did this, left no sign of a breach. I thought Rann might be screwing around but targeting Lex Luthor is a definite message to Kal El. The only explanation I can come up with is something is hiding in the event horizon of the nearest black hole.”

Jor El actually snorted. “That’s it? A ship is floating around an event horizon, stable enough to not only fight the massive stream of gravity being sucked in but to also send a small object thousands of light years with enough precision…”

“It’s just a theory so far!” Kara snapped. “I need to look in your little crystal factory and determine what this device truly is and more importantly, where it came from.”

“I’m afraid my crystals do not have what you’re looking for. I once had a crystal that contained all of Krypton’s knowledge on alien species, engravings and weapons, but it was stolen from me long ago.” the man told her pointedly.

Kara took offense. “I did not take any of those crystals! I have never wanted those things. We have these things called databanks, the most advanced computers in the universe…”

“Your father stole it!” The AI yelled, causing Kara to cease her defensive rant.

“Why would father… oh wait a minute, do you mean my crystal? The one I really loved to play with before I was kicked out of your stupid lab?” Kara said sarcastically, waving her arm in the direction of the lone workstation.

Jor El nodded. “The one you kept on your windowsill, because you enjoyed the colors when sunlight passed through it. Your father asked if he could have it for your birthday. I told him no. I later found out he had switched the crystal with another all so you could have your favorite crystal for your room!”

Kara looked closely at the hologram of her uncle, surprised by the emotion in his voice. Jor El was not known for expressing emotions in front of others.

He was annoyed.

Kara took in the expression and narrowed her eyes. “You are lying. The real Jor El did not keep all his information in one crystal. Father would not have borrowed a crystal holding such important information for any reason, not even to make me happy. You are supposed to have Jor El’s knowledge so you should know what this shell is or at least where it is from.”

Jor El looked at the egg shaped device in her hand.

“Does your mother know you are wearing a dress like this?” the AI asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Not really important right now, is it?” Kara asked pointedly.

“Go the crystal bank in the back. You will find twenty seven crystals…”

“No! This is a direct threat to Kal El. Can you just tell me what it is?”

Jor El approached Kara and smiled. “Say it.”

“Just tell me what you know. I can figure it out on my own, but you could save us time and time means lives.” Kara stressed.

“Say it.” he told her again.

Kara cringed and looked at Kal El. “Would you mind giving me a moment with your ghost father?”

“No.” Jor El, told her. “He must stay. Say it.”

Kara took a deep breath. “Uncle Jor, I need your help.”

“Kara Zor El, spoiled brat, offspring of my little brother… needs help. I never thought I would hear that. It sounds so good. You have no clue what you have in your hand do you?”

“No.” Kara grudgingly admitted.

Putting both hands on his hips, the AI beamed, “The little girl my brother told me was more intelligent than the two of us combined could ever hope to be. The little genius who thought knowledge crystals were only good for making pretty colors in her room. Kara Zor El, the greatest scientist the House of El ever produced, needs my help. I am humbled. Truly, to be asked for help by the greatest mind…”

“So you should truly feel privileged assisting me in this! Now would you tell me what it is, already?!” Kara shouted.

“I may just be Jor El’s consciousness, but I promise you, he is enjoying this in Rao’s light. Certainly, I will help you. It is important that the great scientists of the House of El pass our knowledge to the less intelligent members of the family.”

Kara thought of swinging through the hologram’s nonexistent skull but held back. Instead, she replied, “You wish…”

Kal El spoke up then, clearly not as amused as his father’s AI supposed he was. “Father, I am surprised that you would take this attitude. Several humans have already died, more are in danger and Kara has taken time from her expedition to assist us.”

“Have you ever drank anything that turned your skin blue for a week, my son?” the AI complained.

Kal El looked at Kara who shrugged her shoulders. “You have no proof that I was responsible for that. A scientist should never jump to a conclusion unless you have hard facts to back up your theory. Perhaps if I wasn’t barred from your crystal palace, I would have focused on my projects rather than…”

“It’s Coluan!” Jor El practically shouted. “The outer shell has Coluan markings. Open the shell. Use your heat vision to tear it through the middle but do not crush it! The markings inside will give us more information about what or who we are dealing with.”

Kara looked at the shell, prepared to open it, then stopped and turned to her cousin. “I’m not great at controlling the strength of my heat vision. I could easily blow it up. Would you mind?”

Kal El took the object from her with a smile and his heat vision struck, light at first then increasing in power.

Once the middle lit up he turned the object, the crease lighting up until the egg shaped object was cracked in a perfect line. He then turned and handed the shell to Kara.

The blonde gently took the top off and saw the inside was empty only a flash burned mark of two dots with lines leading down to a third dot.

“Damn it, this is not good. These represent the supercomputers that ran and then nearly enslaved Krypton two thousand years ago.” Kara whispered, pointing to the markings. “The Brainiac Clan.”

Jor El nodded in agreement. “At the time of Krypton’s destruction, I believed there was only one left. He was the most dangerous of them all… Brainiac 13.”

Kal hissed, eyes wide. “Brainiac 13 is on Earth?”

Kara shook her head, a chill running through her. “No. He would use the parasite that was inside this shell to absorb the information inside the host’s mind and use him to gather more information on the planet prior to his invasions. Father told me about him long ago. I didn’t think he was real or still alive.”

“He is very real.” Jor El told her. “An immortal monster collecting the knowledge of a planet, capturing and shrinking cities, keeping them as collectible models, the sentients inside placed in a stasis, unable to move but aware of all that is happening. Brainiac studies not only the technology but the minds of the creatures under his thrall. His only motivation is to collect knowledge of the entire Universe and then destroy the world, so he alone possesses it all.”

Kara did not think this was logical. “What would he want with Earth? It couldn’t be their primitive technology, their science is inferior to most other races like Rann or Thanagar. The majority of humans are not capable of…”

“Hello?” Alex interrupted. “Human here!”

Kara cleared her throat. “Sorry, Alex. I didn’t mean… humans are way cool. It makes sense that Brainiac would be all over this planet. I’m surprised he waited so long.”

“As humble as ever, Little Zor El.” Jor El told her.

“Lex Luthor has gained strength and speed at a superhuman level.” Kara continued, not acknowledging the name or her earlier slip of the tongue. “Also technopathy. Whatever was in this case… how long does he have?”

“The parasite has attached to him.” Jor El told her. “It is common for Brainiac to send these creatures ahead of his arrival, learn the strengths and weaknesses of the planet. Luthor has a vast knowledge of many secrets of this planet in his mind. He also knows where to find information he does not possess.

“You may as well accept that Lex Luthor no longer exists. He is now Brainiac’s slave. Once Brainiac has the information, the parasite will leave, and Lex Luthor will die.”

Kara was not surprised. She had expected this. The look on Kal El’s face was one of pain he was desperately trying to hide.

“What if we can get to Luthor before the parasite is done with him? Could the parasite be removed safely without killing him?” Kara asked.

Jor El was silent for a moment. “Not that I know of. However, as much as I hate to say it, if anyone were able to safely remove it, it would be you, Kara. When you find him, bring him to the Fortress and I will assist you in any way I can.”

“Thank you, Uncle Jor.” Kara said sincerely.

The hologram moved closer to her. “I hoped my brother would succeed in saving Argo City. I had my doubts though your Aunt Lara never had any. She knew you would live, and she knew one day you would make your way to Earth. Have you become involved in assisting Kal El already?”

Kara nodded her head cautiously.

“And I suppose you made a suit similar to his?” the AI asked knowingly.

“Maybe.” Kara told him carefully.

Kara nearly jumped when a large crystal emerged from the floor to her right. It glowed for a moment then came apart. Inside was a suit, a blue top with the House of El crest, a red skirt, tall red boots and red cape.

“Lara knew when you finally made it to Earth, you would want to help your cousin in whatever manner he needed. She made this suit for you. Take it, don’t let your Mother know you are wearing a short skirt and please do not wear dresses like the one you have on any longer.”

Bowing his head slightly, Jor El said, “May Rao’s light shine on you, Kara Zor El. I am here for any assistance you may need. Go, find this man. Remember, Brainiac may not be far behind.”

Kara wished she could hug her uncle at the moment. Instead she looked at Alex. “Sorry, Alex, but I have to know. Uncle Jor, why would Brainiac be interested in Earth?”

Jor El looked solemn. “Most likely for the same reason Darkseid attacked Earth years ago. Millions of years ago, some unknown being found the Anti-Life Equation. Recognizing how dangerous it could be, he broke the tablet it had been inscribed on into many pieces and sent those pieces throughout the universe. It is believed by many in the Universe that Darkseid had recovered most of the pieces. He only needed the ones from Earth.”

Kara felt a chill. “The Anti-Life Equation… I didn’t think that was real either.”

“It is very real.” Jor El confirmed. “Your father told you often that emotions should never be measured. He told you that for a reason. There are two entities in this universe that could solve the Anti‑Life Equation without all the pieces… Brainiac 13 and you, Kara.”

“If he is impatient or can’t solve it, a single piece of the equation could be all he needs to figure it out himself.” Kara understood what her uncle was implying.

“Yes. The Anti‑Life Equation is said to be the ultimate weapon. Once it is in the minds of a species, they will be slaves, having no will of their own, existing in a practically lifeless state. He would no longer have to collect worlds, he could have them all under his control.” Jor El replied.

Kara’s mind was already working, theorizing a countermeasure. “So measuring emotions will have to be done to fight it. Everything has an opposite. Has anyone ever created a Life Equation?”

“No.” Jor El told her.

Kara nodded her head. “So if he does get these pieces or solves the equation…”

“You are the one who will have to stop him. If anyone can do it, it is you, Kara. Find Luthor and keep me appraised. I will be here for you.”

Kara wiped a tear from her eye. “Thank you, Uncle. I’m sorry I turned your skin blue.”

Jor El reached out to her, his holographic hand nearly touching her cheek and smiled. “I was actually proud of that. It was an amazing formula. Go, Kara. Take your suit and take flight.”

Jor El’s hologram disappeared and Kara turned to Kal El. “I need to know everything about the battle with Darkseid, where he thought the pieces might be. He wouldn’t have come here unless he had an idea of where the pieces were.”

Kal El nodded. “I’ll step outside and talk to Hal. I am sure he is around. I know where the pieces are. We were able to obtain them before Darkseid. They are protected in Themyscira. I will ask Diana to bring sketches of them to Watchtower and let you know when I have found Lex. Until that time, relax and have fun, okay? For me?”

Kara hugged him and watched him walk out.

“I’ll go to the ship, get it warmed up.” Alex told her. “Looks like we are going back to National City for now.”

With Kelex following Alex to the ship, Kara and Kell were left alone.

They were silent for several moments, Kara feeling the weight of her responsibilities but refusing to let them overwhelm her.

Kell spoke, sounding somewhat apologetic. “Hal Jordan told me tonight, or last night I suppose that the precognitive Guardians have seen you as High Councilor of New Krypton in the future. They believe you are going to save the Universe one day and now you have the fate of Earth and possibly the Universe on you.

“I’m sorry, Kara. No one should have to endure the pressure you have placed on your shoulders.”

Kara smiled. “It’s okay. Rao wouldn’t put this on me if he thought I couldn’t handle it. I’ll be okay, now and in the future, no matter what comes my way. So long as my partner is by my side.”

“I’m not going anywhere.” Kell told her, returning her smile.

Kara saw her comlink light up. “Could I borrow your jacket again? It’s my Mother. She said the Council wanted to talk to me. I have to listen to them tell me how irresponsible I am, how I never should have left, how my people need me, blah blah, the same old story.”

“No.” Kell told her. At the look of shock on her face, he clarified his statement. “Yes, you can have my jacket but no, you are not going to sit there and listen to the council tell you what you should and shouldn’t be doing.

“They fear you, Kara. They know they can’t survive without you, so they try to keep you leashed. They tell you that you aren’t ready to be on the Council, they deny any projects that would take you away from Argo City, they want to control you. It’s time they realized the power you have. You are the strongest woman… the strongest person, I have ever known. Make sure they see that.”

“I can’t disrespect the Council.” Kara told him.

“And you won’t, but you can no longer allow them to disrespect you either. You came here for a reason and it was about more than simply wanting to fly.

“Don’t let them control you anymore, Kara. Show them who has the power.” He reached out and cupped her face in his hands, his eyes intense with the belief of his words. “Show them who you truly are, not who they believe you to be.”

Kara smiled at the man and put his jacket on. She kept her eyes on him as he moved to the wall out of sight of the Council.

Seeing him nod, she opened the comlink, her Mother appearing.

“Good morning, Love… what are you wearing?”

“Kell’s jacket.” Kara answered nonchalantly. “I suppose the Council still wishes to speak to me?”

Alura nodded. “If you aren’t ready or simply wish not to, I will tell them no.”

Kara shook her head. “I believe it is time I talked to the Council. Please, put them on.”

Alura smiled and stepped away from the comlink. Councilor Vor appeared quickly.

“Lady Kara, it is good to see you alive and well.” He greeted Kara.

“Thank you, Councilor Vor. I trust Argo City is well?” Kara greeted him in return. She knew the other Council members were behind him, even if she couldn’t see their holograms.

“Argo City feels much more secure thanks to the presence of the Green Lanterns and newly established communication with the Guardians. Our citizens are in a slight panic though. They know of your trip and, while relieved that you have made it to Earth, are rather anxious for your safety. I am sure you can understand their concerns.”

Kara remained standing stiffly, her face neutral. “Assure our people that I am very safe. I have Kell Ur, Kal El and the Green Lanterns with me. I will return soon, no longer than five weeks. A small amount of time compared to the scouting trips our exploration teams have undertaken.”

Vor looked over his shoulder and nodded his head to someone, confirming to Kara that the entire Council were speaking in low tones, directing him. “Yes, about that. I understand you have made contact with Kal El who has expressed no desire to be among his people and have facilitated communications between Krypton and Oa once again. These are noble achievements you have accomplished in such a short time. With nothing else left to do on Earth, would it not be better for all involved if you return to Argo City immediately?”

Kara shook her head. “I disagree. I have much more to learn about Earth and its people. What I have already discovered will be extremely useful to the future of our new planet.”

The Hologram on the comlink widened and Kara saw Councilor Lu standing next to Councilor Vor. “Lady Kara, I ask on behalf of the Council, what could you possibly learn from a primitive species, millions of years behind our technology, a planet made up of unaffiliated nations who war with each other, killing innocent people over petty arguments?

“You belong here, with the people who love and need you, not studying the universal equivalent of primates. I am sure you do not want to worry the citizens of Argo City more than necessary. Your personal squadron of Red Shard troops have petitioned General Astra to travel to Earth to protect you as is their sworn duty. The journey will be perilous for them.”

Kara took a deep breath and steadied herself, chancing a glance to her right where Kell stood against the far wall watching her. He smiled and nodded.

She took strength from his silent encouragement, remembering his words. “I disagree with your arguments, Councilor Lu. I also have no doubt my Aunt has turned the Red Shard Squadron down and will keep them close to Argo City, protecting all our people. I have already learned much from the humans and their planet but I have more to learn that will aid us in building our new world.”

The man actually snorted, causing Kara to turn red from anger but she maintained her composure.

“What is it that you, our brightest mind, with all your own knowledge and intellect, could possibly learn from Earth?” the man asked somewhat derisively, whether to her directly or towards Earth itself she wasn’t sure, but regardless, it didn’t matter.

Kara took another deep breath and folded her hands behind her back, a gesture she had picked up from her father when she was a little girl.

“I have learned that a natural ecosystem is important, that having untouched wilderness is good for the people and the animals. I have learned about all the ecosystems of Earth, how they work in harmony as opposed to the ecosystem of Krypton which was at constant odds with our people and itself, allowing carnivores to overrun the planet, leading to desolate areas such as the badlands.

“I have seen how pollution can damage the ecosystem and cause the extinction of native species, something Kryptonians must avoid.

“Kell has read about human conflict since we have been here and is quite intrigued with civil and revolutionary wars. He sees troubling patterns that we must recognize and prevent.

“Councilors, surely you must realize that as our people spread out over long distances on our new planet, different colonies will take shape and the risk of war among ourselves will be at an all-time high. Avoiding these wars with diplomacy is vital if we want our people to stay united or we will devolve into the species Kryptonians once were as little as five thousand years ago… the warring city states and Houses battling with each other over the planet’s resources… not that much different than Earth is now, wouldn’t you agree?

Before they could answer, she continued, “However, I have also learned that there are special individuals on Earth, those who banded together and fought off the invasion forces of Apokolips and Darkseid himself… heroes working together with nations that had been divided in the past but came together for the sake of the planet. Humanity can become one people when faced with an outside threat to their world.

“I have seen that not all those with great power seek more, that some use their power to protect the innocent for no other reason than love for their planet and humanity as a whole, selfless heroes who have no reason to risk their own lives but do so regardless.

“I have seen poverty with my own eyes, the sadness and unfairness of it, something not far removed from Krypton’s past. As we spread ourselves over a new planet, poverty could well return in some respects and this must be avoided.

“I have learned that humans can be dark but are also loving, welcoming for the most part, and their technology is on par with the technology Krypton had at its similar age, if not slightly more advanced. I have seen how the humans have harnessed technology to improve the conditions of the people but also how it can harm the planet, something we must take care not to repeat.

“I have learned that animals such as cats and dogs are capable of showing pure love for humans, a love that is good for the soul of both human and animal.

“I watched a baseball game and discovered probabilities are not always an accurate measure of reliability. That sometimes miracles happen.

“I learned that Jor El’s lab, the one with so much knowledge stored in his crystals, was not lost in the destruction of Kandor but is kept safely and secretly by Kal El, an invaluable treasure of what was thought to be lost Kryptonian knowledge, accessible to us once again.

“I have learned that media, like politics, can incite war if left unchecked. Slanted biased views of the few affect the many, positively and negatively.

“And I have learned that the son of a farmer could battle and defeat the most feared Warlord in our planet’s history, not with superior technology or training but simply because he had a bigger heart and fought with love instead of hate.

“Hope for a better tomorrow is something that cannot be lost to any species and will be vital as the next century will challenge our people as we have never been challenged before.”

Neither Councilman said a word, apparently surprised by Kara’s strong confident voice and her unwavering convictions.

Concluding her remarks, she proclaimed, “I will tell the Councilors of all my findings when I return and join the Council as a member in equal standing.”

Vor nodded. “We can certainly discuss you becoming a member…”

Kara cut him off forcefully. “There will be no discussion. The seat for the Head of the Science Guild has sat vacant since my Father’s death. It is time for me to take the seat that is rightfully mine.”

The two Councilors were silent, and Kara heard no words behind them.

“This will be up to vote and…” Vor began to say before being cut off.

“No, it won’t.” Kara said assertively. “There are three spots reserved on the twelve member Council not contingent on elections: the Head of the Military, the Chief Justice and the Head of the Science Guild. The people vote on the other nine seats. You may remove me as head of the Science Guild, but I do not believe that would be in yours or Krypton’s best interest. You need me and I am willing to do whatever it takes to bring Krypton back to glory, but from now on, I will have a voice in how that is done.”

“But,” Vor started before Kara cut him off again.

“There are no buts. If you remove me as the Head of the Science Guild or try to keep me from my rightful place, I will immediately call for new elections. I realize our people agreed to suspend elections until we have settled on a new planet, but the citizens of Argo City will answer my call. Others may run against you as well for removing me from my current position. Who do you think the people will follow? After all, you have shown how important I am by informing me of our people’s anxiety over my absence. So ask yourself; would our people be as concerned if you were here on Earth as they apparently are that I am?”

Kara could see the consternation on their faces, so she eased off a bit, but not enough to give up her advantage. “I mean no disrespect to any of you, but I will be given my rightful place, or I will take it with the citizens backing.”

Lu looked at Ur and nodded his head. “Of course, Lady… Councilor Kara Zor El. We all know that you are becoming a wise adult, soon to be bonded, have a family…”

“That’s another issue.” Kara interrupted the irritating man. “I understand why the Council and my family have felt the need to protect me nearly my entire life. However, my mating status, my potential future children and all other aspects of my life that do not pertain to Krypton’s resurrection are my business. There will be no more questions about my personal life from the Council towards my family and no more information fed about me to the public. I will continue to contact my family twice a day and if you have any questions, please inform my Mother who can pass them on to me. I look forward to seeing you all again and taking my place among you when this journey is done. My Rao’s light shine on us forever and keep us in His warmth.”

Kara clicked the com unit off and let out a breath. She began shaking, all the nervous energy she had been holding back hitting her at once.

She finally turned towards the only other occupant in the room.

“What do you think? Will they let us back into Argo City?” she asked.

Kell smiled. “I think they just met the woman who will lead Krypton from the ashes, save our people and one day, the Universe. You were amazing. I know I would follow you anywhere.”

Kara rushed the man, jumped into his arms and nearly caused him to fall back. Their arms wrapped around each other, they kissed urgently until Kell finally had to separate them reluctantly.

“That was a rush.” Kara admitted.

“Yes, it was.” Kell agreed. “I haven’t heard you speak so passionately since you were twelve-years-old after our escape from the Phantom Zone. Everyone was in a panic, the citizens had gathered in the city square, the Council was being bombarded by questions concerning the lack of oxygen, food, water, power. You were the one, the girl who stood in the middle of the throng and demanded silence. Over thirty-thousand Kryptonians fell silent. You then told them not to worry, that as long as they followed your lead they would not only survive but thrive. You have always lived up to that.”

The comlink went off again and Kara stepped away from Kell.

“Mother?” she said hesitantly.

“Congratulations, daughter.” Alura said proudly.

“For what?” Kara was surprised to see her mother wipe a tear from her eyes.

“I have waited for this day for a long time. I have always told you that you would be placed on the Council when you are ready. Today, you showed that you are. I love you, Kara.”

“I love you too, Mother.” Kara told her, a feeling of love and pride surging through her.

Kara Zor El was ready for whatever may come.