Bella MacLeod's Twilight Fanfiction

The Life Equation

By BetterInTexas

Chapter 20:

Alura walked along side Lois for ten minutes through the wheat field, neither saying a word. The sun had set, the stars shining brightly, and a full moon sat high in the sky.

“I’ve missed seeing moons.” Alura whispered and stopped walking to take in the sight.

“Moons?” Lois asked, seeing that her companion had stopped, did likewise. In the full moonlight, she noted Alura’s face seemed very similar to Kara’s when the blonde saw something new that Lois took for granted.

Alura nodded, seeing she had caught Lois’s attention. “Kal El has not told you much of Krypton, has he?”

Lois shook her head slightly and looked towards the moon before answering.

“Not much.” Lois admitted. “I know the basics from the Fortress, but there is a lot I don’t know and… I don’t ask. I think it hurts him to talk about it. He doesn’t remember it and I believe he feels guilty sometimes about that. He would never admit it but while he grieves Krypton, it is…”

Alura nodded. “Hard to grieve a home you never knew. It’s understandable. There is no shame in that. It was not his fault, anyone’s fault really, that he never knew Krypton.

“Our home had two moons Koron and Mithen. We could also see the planet Thalon. It was closest to us, not much farther than I believe the planet Mars is from Earth. Our skies were so beautiful. I named Kara after a constellation in our sky, called so because of an ancient Kryptonian goddess of beauty. Some in our religious guild believe she was the first daughter of Rao.”

Lois smiled. “She certainly lives up to the name.”

Alura shook her head sadly. “Now we live in darkness, constantly staying in the shadows of the dark side of a moon in an uninhabited system. It is no wonder she desired to come to Earth so badly… that and her ingrained curiosity and sense of adventure she got from her father. I’m afraid she got her stubbornness from me. If you ever want Kara Zor El to do something, tell her it is impossible, and she will do it to prove you wrong.”

Lois and Alura stared at the moon a bit longer then began slowly walking through the field again, side by side this time.

“Are all Kryptonian women given their father’s name as well? I’ve been wondering about that since Clark first told me about her.”

Alura laughed, surprised at the question. “No. Kara’s legal name is Kara El. As soon as she could walk, or stumble more like, she would follow her father everywhere. When she became tired of keeping up, she would wrap herself around his leg while he walked instead of letting him carry her. He thought it was so cute and the two took walks in Argo City like that. Our people started calling her Little Zor El. She was always, oh how would you say it, father’s… uh…”

“Daddy’s girl? Everywhere he went, she went, tried to copy everything he did?” Lois guessed, a small, knowing smile gracing her face as she tried to picture what Alura was describing.

Alura nodded her head, a smile matching Lois’s quick to appear. “Yes, she was a Daddy’s girl… still is. Eventually all of Argo City was calling her Little Zor El and she wasn’t even three yet.

“At four, the two began to get into so much mischief that I tired of yelling Zor and Kara every time I was frustrated at some stunt they pulled. I just said, ‘Kara Zor El’ and they knew they were both in trouble. I caught them up to no good at the park once and called out that name to them. Many of our people heard it and it spread quickly. She was known either as Kara Zor El or Little Zor El by the citizens. As she grew, she simply became Kara Zor El, a name she holds on to with pride.”

Lois smiled again, taken off guard at how different Alura appeared when speaking of her family.

“He sounds like he was a great father.” she offered.

“A great husband as well. A great man. It’s difficult isn’t it? Being with a hero, someone you feel is destined for greater things than yourself. Wondering if you are holding him back simply by spending a romantic evening, perhaps dinner. You wonder what you are keeping him from.”

Lois took a deep breath, a familiar chill rapidly spreading through her body as she recognized her own thoughts and fears for Clark echoed in Alura’s words. “Sounds like you know from experience.”

Alura grinned lightly. “Professionally we are not that different. We find the truth in things, make sure justice is done. I did so as a prosecutor and then a judge. I was good at what I did, what I still do. Corruption, theft, assault, I could always find the truth. But Zor El… I will never forget the last Daxamite invasion attempt.

“Before Kara discovered the Rao particle and the space between, the shield of our ships were still nearly unbreakable. No enemy weapon could touch our ships, no matter what Daxam thought they had developed. Non had been promoted to General about a year before and given command of the Flamebird. He was leading the defense on our southern tip when it was discovered that the Daxamites had slipped in closer, blending behind a passing comet. As he moved Flamebird into position to intercept, something happened. A cable attached to the power output of the shield, separated, crippling the shield surrounding the Flamebird and threatened to send the omegahedron into an unstable state… one that could destroy the ship.”

“Ouch. Star Wars, huh? I guess it’s not all trench runs and using the Force.” Lois said, shaking her head in support.

“I am going to assume that is an entertainment reference. Kara told me that some humans loves what they call… science fiction, I think it is.

“Anyway, Non ordered all fighters to launch, and continued the attack with a sparse crew, despite taking heavy damage, hoping his engineers could solve the problem. They did, the shield regained its power but the problem with the cable had left the omegahedron in an unbalanced state and it was becoming more and more unstable.”

“I’m guessing since Non is here, it all turned out okay?” Lois surmised, but with some trepidation.

Alura winced thinking how close she had come to losing her brother-in-law and husband that day.

“Zor El took a fighter from the Argo City hangar. It was one of many for a last stand if necessary. The fool had only ever flown a skimmer but was soon flying into a wide-open battle, not exactly sure how to pilot and having no idea about the weapons systems. The Flamebird was severely damaged from the earlier bombardment and yet he worked his way in by some miracle of Rao’s. He took out three Kelexes when he crashed into the hangar, but he repaired the omegahedron before it destroyed the ship.”

Lois smiled, imagining the scene. “Sounds like a man from the House of El. Heroic to the point of being stupid sometimes.”

Alura’s expression matched hers. “I told him Non would have evacuated the ship but Zor told me he was not going to let some Daxamite get close to me and Kara, even for a second. He told me he knew Non would be fine, but he did it for us. We gave him a reason to do everything he did. Zor once undertook a one man expedition to one of our most dangerous jungles and that is saying a lot for Krypton. A virus was ravaging our smaller cities and he developed the cure from herbs he suspected were there in a deadly den of carnivorous plants. His reason? He had to stop it before it got to Kara and me.”

Lois crossed her arms and dropped her head. “Sounds like there wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do for you and your daughter. Like I said, he was a great man.”

“Like Kal El is a great man. Stopping crime, saving people, that isn’t very dangerous for someone with his gifts. But fighting Zod? Zod could have, should have killed him. But Kal El couldn’t let that happen. If he did, Zod might have gotten to you.

“I realize you think you are lesser than he is. I thought that about Zor though I would never admit it. He could do things I could never dream of doing… and Kara is just like him. What I’ve come to realize, and what you must as well, is that we are the ones that ground them. We give them a reason to keep doing the things they do, a direction when they are lost. We have purpose both as ourselves and for them. It doesn’t make us any less of a person than they are.”

Lois stopped walking and looked at Alura. “Once a dam broke. A big damn… dam. The reservoir was a popular camping and fishing spot, over thirty families on a Sunday afternoon. It started rumbling, streams of water began shooting out of the holes and cracks. The families began running but there was no way they were all going to make it.

“Luckily Clark was flying by, two hundred miles away mind you, and heard the screams. He arrived just as the dam burst completely. He didn’t have time to save everyone, pick them up and fly to safety so he stood in front of the water and used his heat vision. He evaporated the water until the people were all safe on high ground. For ten minutes he stood there, formed a steamed cloud that could probably be seen from space while families got to safety, then used his freeze breath to form a glacier to hold back the boiling water.

“Who does that? How can someone compete with that? What if I had bugged him to go out that day to the park, or pick up my laundry or go grocery shopping and he wasn’t flying over the United States, seeing if anyone needed help? I get what this is about.

“You want to know why we aren’t married? The fact is, he could never belong to me. He belongs to the world.” Lois told her sadly.

Alura looked at her closely then snorted. Soon she was laughing.

“You think this is funny?” Lois asked, annoyed and on her way to being angry.

“I thought I had an incredible ego but have never met someone who could tell another person they belong to a planet. That is impressive. Does Kal El know you gave him to the world? Did he have a choice? I’m sure Lara would be very happy. ‘No Lara, Kal doesn’t get to love a woman and share his life with her. The planet Earth owns him.’ I apologize but I can see in my mind, Lara rolling her eyes from Rao’s light with a glass of wine in her hand.”

Alura’s eyes shown with understanding, even as she took a moment to tease the simmering woman. “Lois, Zor El may have given his life for Argo City but he belonged with me, not to me and certainly not to Krypton, just as my daughter does not belong to Krypton. She does what she does because she loves our people, but it has taken me a very long time to convince her that it’s okay to have what she wants as well, to enjoy the things that make life worth living. I’m still not sure she understands that, but she is getting there. One day, you are going to have to give him the choice or someone else might. It wouldn’t be right if you didn’t because I can see he loves you, but as Kara is so fond of telling me, that is your business.”

Lois turned and began walking to the house in silence, Alura keeping pace.

“We were going to be married.” Lois finally said, almost in a whisper, stopping and turning to the Kryptonian leader.

That caught Alura totally by surprise. “Why didn’t you?”

Lois chuckled under her breath. “We had the church, the preacher, I was in my dress. The guests had arrived. I was minutes away from being his wife.

“Then Darkseid decided that moment would be a good time to invade Earth.” she finished bitterly. “I watched Clark on the news sitting in this farmhouse, unable to do anything to help him. His other friends, they fought on the ground, fought Darkseid’s followers who landed on Earth but only Clark was strong enough to take on Darkseid himself.

“The guy was worse than Zod… stronger, deadlier, a true monster from hell if I have ever seen one. I sat in front of a television set for two days. That is how long they battled. Two days before Clark finally beat the demon and Darkseid used the last of his power to transport his broken body back to whatever hell he came from. We said we would reschedule the wedding, but I kept putting it off until he finally stopped asking.”

Alura took that in. She felt for the woman. It was easy to feel the way she felt, being married to someone like him. “He was fighting for you, Lois. Don’t keep yourself from him because you think you don’t deserve him.”

Seeing Lois deep in thought, Alura hesitated to disturb her, but she knew the woman needed some time to herself to think on their conversation. “Anyway, I simply wanted to apologize and get to know you better. Thank you for the opportunity. If Kara is not in bed by now, I will badger her until she goes to sleep and I’m going to lay down with her and hold her because it is what we both need.”

Alura looked back at the moon with a soft smile, relishing the moonlit view over the water. “Sometimes heroes need to feel like daughters every so often. Sometimes they need to feel like a mate, a wife, a girlfriend… someone who is loved deeply by another. Kara will always be my greatest gift from Rao.

“Goodnight Lois. Thank you for the walk. I look forward to seeing the sunrise.”

Lois nodded somewhat distracted but smiling as she walked off towards the barn. Alura moved towards the house and nodded to the guards, two at the front, one on the roof and two in the back. Five others would be setting a perimeter around the property while ten slept lightly in the ship. Non was most likely inside the ship as well, but knowing him, unable to sleep and probably catching her sister up on the events that had transpired over the comlink.

She moved into the living room and saw Kell lying on the couch, asleep with a book in his hand. Walking quietly to him, Alura bent down and kissed him on the forehead.

She slipped into the bedroom, pleased to see her bags had already been unloaded and Kara was under the covers. She wasn’t snoring so Alura knew she was awake.

Putting on her nightgown, the woman slipped under the covers behind Kara, who instantly turned over and wrapped her arms around her mother.

“Thank you for coming.” Kara whispered.

“As if I could stay away.” Alura whispered back.

“I’m scared. If this thing comes in a week, a month, ten years from now… what if I can’t beat him? What if I’m not as smart as everyone seems to think I am?” she asked, a slight tremor in her voice, a scared little girl needing the comfort of her mother.

Alura held her close to her chest, her chin pressed on the top of Kara’s head and began running her fingers through her daughter’s golden hair. “There is nothing you can’t do once you set your mind to it, but none of that matters at this moment. Right now, just be my little girl and go to sleep. I’ve missed you. Sleep, my love.”

After a few minutes of Kara laying in her mother’s arms with her eyes closed, Alura realized this wasn’t going to work. Kara was still awake.

She sighed, “Try it. You can say it once.”

Alura could imagine the grin on Kara’s face. “I love you, Mommy.”

Alura lay still, squeezing her daughter’s strong form. “It sounds adorable coming from your mouth but let’s stick with ‘I love you, Mother’. I don’t think the Mommy thing is ever going to catch on.”

Kara snorted and closed her eyes once more. Soon she drifted to sleep and began lightly snoring, Alura following shortly after dreaming of sunrises and sunsets with Kara on her lap and Zor’s long arms around them both.

As the sun rose, Kara opened her eyes and got out of the bed. Digging in her still sleeping mother’s bags, she found what she was looking for… a red solar bracelet. Finally she had the opportunity to use her personal grooming unit to shave her legs and do away with the annoying itching she had been feeling the last few days. Toothbrushes were effective but nothing removed plaque buildup like a burst of light from an oral cleansing device placed in the mouth.

She came out of the bathroom thirty minutes later, feeling really clean for the first time since she arrived. She finished getting ready for the day, dressing in blue jeans and a simple red t-shirt she had bought in town during her second morning here. The t-shirt had black letters that read ‘ Smallville Crows ‘ and some sort of bird caricature on it.

No one was up but her guard and…

The blonde looked around with her enhanced vision searching for miles. Where was Kell?

Deciding he was perhaps using the ships facilities, she decided to go ahead with her plan for the morning… only she would need a truck. It would be weird if she wasn’t seen in one. Since she did not have any Earth ID and telling a possible officer of the law that she was an alien diplomat if she were pulled over would not be a good strategy, she knocked gently on Kal’s door.

He didn’t answer. Despite knowing it was his room and she was invading his privacy she looked with her X-ray vision regardless and saw him sleeping, Lois next to him with her hand on his face and her face in the pillow.

She opened the door so as to not wake Lois and moved quickly to his side of the bed.

“Kal El.” Kara whispered.

The man didn’t move but she was grateful to see him breathing at least.

“Kal El!” she whispered a bit louder directly into his ear.

Seeing she was having no effect on the man, Kara stuck her finger in his ear and wiggled it around. Clark sat up quickly in surprise, wondering what was going on. He then saw a very innocent looking Kara kneeling next to his bed.

“Oh good, you are up.” She said innocently, “I was afraid I would wake you. Since you are up though, I need a ride.”

Clark grumbled then yawned, sitting up in bed and took a look at his cousin who was a definite morning person as she had shown before.

“A ride?” He asked, mind still muddled with sleep.

“Unless I can borrow your truck. I was afraid if I was pulled over or questioned by local law enforcement it wouldn’t be good. I could run where I need to go but I’m not sure where I need to go and hoped you could make some suggestions.”

Clark eased out of bed, glad he had worn a t-shirt and pajama pants to sleep the night before and was ready in seconds, dressed for the day. “Let me grab some coffee and I’m all yours.”

After greeting her guards and explaining where she would be and who with, Kara and Kal got in the truck, Krypto jumping on Kara and then settling in the back cab. A quick look to either side as they were driving, and both knew from the streaks following through the tall fields that four of the guards must have taken off their red sun devices and were following them on foot.

“So, it’s been like this most of your life?” Clark asked.

Kara nodded. “They are never far from me, no matter how much I wish they were. They are good people and have done a lot for me without my knowledge. I just wish…”

“To be someone else sometime? To wish that you could be a normal child, a normal woman?”

Kara nodded.

“I can understand the desire to be normal.” Clark sighed, then changed the subject. “So, where are we going?”

“I understand dogs are generally owned by humans. I wish to come to a financial arrangement with the person Krypto used to reside with and purchase his freedom.”

Clark held in a smile. “You want to buy a dog?”

Kara shook her head. “I want to negotiate his freedom so there will be no claims of theft when he returns to Argo City with me. I’ve spoken to Krypto about this and judging by the wagging of his tail he very much wants to do so. I’ll have the construction guild build him his own room. He will have to be protected from the domesticated stock that lives in our city until I can determine what immunizations he will need.”

Clark shook his head. “Aren’t there rules about that sort of thing? Bringing foreign animals to another planet?”

Kara nodded her head. “Yes, very strict rules. Want to guess who makes the rules?”

Clark didn’t need to guess judging by the smile on her face.

“Kelex has run noninvasive scans and taken saliva samples he left on my cheek to study. He will be perfectly safe on Argo and no citizens will be affected. I will just have to perfect the immunizations in an actual advanced lab with more advanced technology than humans… I mean my lab. I may clone him companions, start a new species of animal on Krypton.

“Another thing, do you know where Kell has gotten off to this morning? My bank card is missing from my bag. I do have 23 Kryptonians to feed and clothe now.”

Clark snorted. “I talked to Bruce and Oliver. They will be by later this afternoon with everything we will need. Don’t worry about your entourage. As far as Kell, I was sleeping until I felt a strange tickling sensation in my ear so I couldn’t tell you but I’m sure he isn’t far. I get the feeling he doesn’t enjoy leaving you alone too long no matter how many guards you have.

“Let’s check with Jim Ferguson. He has the nearest farm.”

The two were pulling into Ferguson Farms soon enough and the man himself was standing in front of his barn working on a tractor.

“Morning, Jim.” Clark greeted him.

Kara and Krypto walked towards the man whose eyes went directly to the dog.

“Clark! Good to see you, boy. And Shelby, I’ve been wondering where he has been getting off to the last couple of days. Looks like he found a new friend. How you been, Clark? Big city keeping you busy? I saw Richards working the back 40 a couple days ago.”

“Doing well, sir. Mr. Richards is making the back 40 profitable and doing me a big favor keeping the house maintained. I know I’m not here enough, but I guess I can’t just let the farm go.”

“Shouldn’t have to. It’s good that you are keeping it in the family. Your Dad would have wanted that. So, what can I do for you? Shelby bothering you?”

Clark shook his head. “Not at all, sir. We weren’t sure who he belonged to so we thought we would check here first. This is my cousin Kara. She wanted to talk to you about him.”

The man looked pleasantly at Kara. “That right? What would you like to talk about, ma’am?”

Kara looked at Clark who tilted his head towards the man, encouraging her to speak.

“I would like to come to a monetary agreement to procure Kry… Shelby’s freedom. I would take responsibility for his safety and wellbeing. His diet will be strictly monitored to ensure he stays very healthy, he will have his own room that he may decorate as he wishes. I understand dogs lack more advanced communication skills, but I believe I know his mannerisms enough to translate what he does and does not like. I understand most dogs are close companions or indentured servants…”

“She wants to know if you might consider selling Shelby to her.” Clark interrupted before things got weird if it wasn’t already too late. At least Kara had given up on the sixties and seventies slang.

“Yeah… that’s the feeling I got. She from the city? College girl, right?” Jim asked.

Clark smiled, wishing he could tell Old Man Ferguson exactly who she was and where she was from. “I would say she has graduated by now. So, would you consider it?”

Ferguson rubbed his chin and took a look at the pretty blonde with the dog standing close to her leg, tail wagging.

“Found him a year ago, just a little puppy on the side of the road. Some bastard left him there in a plastic bag. He’s been living here since but wanders around. He’s got a sense of adventure I guess. He belongs to me only as much as he eats here when the mood strikes him. Seems like he has taken a liking to you, young lady. I won’t take money for him. You just take care of him, Kara. You make sure he ain’t gonna be too cooped up in the big city… dogs can take quite a bit of space.”

“I promise, he will get all the space he needs.” Kara agreed, a huge smile on her face.

“Then I guess you got yourself a dog. Don’t be a stranger, Clark. Smallville could stand to see you more often.”

Clark shook the man’s hand. “I’ll be sure to do that. I should be getting back. Got family in town besides Kara. If you see anyone…” Clark stopped talking, looking over Ferguson’s shoulder at the Kryptonian soldier standing in the field not far from them, staring a hole in Ferguson’s back…”strange, don’t be surprised. They are from out of town.”

“Metropolis?” Jim guessed.

“A lot farther.” he answered and turned away, leading a smiling Kara and Shelby… Krypto, back to his truck.

“Ahh, Europeans. Explains a little. Take care you two.” The farmer waved to the cousins as they climbed into the truck and drove back to the Kent farm.

While a happy Kara and Krypto had been gone, Non had woken and dressed in human clothes he had borrowed from Kal El. Lois called the strange checkered shirt ‘ plaid ‘ and Alura thought he looked ridiculous though Non liked it.

He checked the property, pleased to see his soldiers were staying hidden for the most part and some were even dressed in what would be normal attire for Kansas. Kelex had been working on clothes all night it seemed. Deactivating the cuff on his wrist, he closed his eyes and listened to the world around him.

Super hearing was a lot more fun when he wasn’t listening to Kara shrieking at him. The man heard animals of all types for miles around, the wind blowing across the wheat, thousands of birds chirping, the sizzle of his soldiers hidden in the trees as they practiced their heat vision and the sounds of voices from Smallville citizens.

Then he heard the voice of the person he wished to speak to, making her way to the kitchen.

Non moved back to the kitchen, intending on drinking this ‘coffee’ and getting Alex Danvers alone. She looked at him immediately when he walked in as she sat at the table eating toast.

“Breakfast. We toast our bread in Argo City as well but not often. The bread tastes different of course, but I enjoy this very much, especially coffee. Did you sleep well, Alex?”

The woman shook her head. “I had a hard time sleeping but I got a few winks here and there.”

Non was not surprised. He had not slept at all the night before either. Not really wanting to waste time on small talk, he got right to the point. “Alex, I would like to meet your commanding officer. Could you arrange a meeting?”

Alex studied the General for a moment, then replied,. “I’m not sure he would be comfortable here but yeah, I can ask. I don’t suppose you would go to the DEO since Kryptonite is there.”

Non shrugged his shoulders. “I have faced far worse things than this ‘Kryptonite’ .”

“It can kill you.” Alex pointed out.

“I’m a soldier and I accept that many things can kill me.” Pointing to Alex, he continued, “You can be killed at any time in the field, usually fighting visitors from other planets, some with deadly abilities or advanced weapons, but you do as you must for the greater good.

“Let’s meet in a neutral place, somewhere everyone would be comfortable. I want Kal El, Hal Jordan, you, Kell and Kara there as well.”

Alex snorted. “Good luck with that. Clark… Kal El doesn’t trust J’onn and to be honest, I know the Green Lanterns keep a close watch on J’onn, so I can guess they don’t trust him either.”

“Yet they all seem to trust you.” Non pointed out.

Alex shrugged her shoulders. “I do my job and stay out of arguments that don’t concern me. Truthfully, after Zod, if I were in J’onn’s position, I would have done the same as he did. Why do you want them all to meet at one time? I can set up a private meeting with J’onn.”

Non shook his head, frustrated. “Alex, if Brainiac was simply after the pieces of this weird math equation he could wait, years, perhaps centuries. An immortal being can afford to be patient. But there is one reason why he won’t wait… Kara. Kell told me about her conversation with the creature. Brainiac believes she is the only threat to him in the Universe. She knows what he wants, and he won’t sit idly by and let her figure it out. I know in my gut that he will strike soon… and I have a feeling you feel the same way, don’t you?”

Alex nodded and took a sip of coffee, then sat back and regarded the General.

“He’s coming. He may already be here.” Alex admitted her suspicions.

Non nodded, pleased he had read her correctly. “Exactly. That is why we all need to be on the same page. Trust issues have to be put aside. Earth’s militaries are useless… they will no doubt use nuclear weapons ineffectively, killing more humans while doing no damage to Brainiac.

“Your organization, however, knows about aliens, has alien technology and trained operatives who have experience fighting the unusual. You also have a shapeshifter who is very powerful. Then there is the Justice League and the Guardians who will send as many Lanterns as they can if Brainiac attacks. I have my ship, my warriors as well as Kara and her mind.

“But none of this will matter if we can’t come together and act as one. Brainiac will not care about personal rivalries or disagreements. He will destroy this planet. Earth needs Krypton, it needs the Justice League, it needs the Lanterns and it needs the DEO if we are to succeed.”

Alex watched the man closely. If he had an ulterior motive, his face wasn’t showing it.

“I thought if Brainiac arrived, you would all be taking Kara and leaving, including the Green Lanterns assigned to protect her… by order of your Council.” she commented nonchalantly, taking another drink of her coffee.

Non shook his head slightly and crossed his arms. “It would take all my soldiers and hundreds of Green Lanterns to get Kara to run from a fight like this. Even if I could get her out, which I would very much like to do right now, my Kryptonians won’t leave. As Kara pointed out to the Council, Kal El has claimed Earth so Earth has become Krypton’s problem.

“Someday, I will be in Rao’s light and I do not want to tell Lara El that I left her son behind to fight an incredibly powerful creature on his own… not even Rao could save me. Also, Krypton won’t ask the Guardians for help hiding from the Universe and protecting our planet while leaving this one defenseless. I realize we are a small group but when that monster arrives he will find out that Krypton is very much alive and will wish we weren’t.”

Alex raised an eyebrow, surprised at the conviction of the General. “But what about the risks, your people. I understand Kara had a difficult time talking the Council into letting her stay.”

“The second Brainiac enters this solar system it is no longer a Council issue. It becomes a military situation. I’ve spoken to my wife about this. When he comes, Krypton will not abandon Earth, whether we can convince Kara to leave or not. Krypton does not lose wars… I don’t lose. In order for me to continue not losing, we need to act as one.

“So, can you arrange this meeting? Tell J’onn J’onzz that I will meet the two of you alone at first if it makes him feel more comfortable.”

“I’ll speak to him right away.” Alex assured him, standing from the table to grab her phone.

“Oh and one other thing.” Non said, halting Alex’s exit from the room. “Kell tells me he gave you one of his sidearms to fight the Dryad and you were quite good with it.”

Alex shrugged, then smirked. “I gave it back. I thought about stealing it but didn’t think it would go over well. Earth is already considered a lower-level planet apparently. Wouldn’t want to get J’onn in trouble with the Lanterns for stealing Kryptonian tech, even if it was me that did it.”

Non wasn’t surprised by that. “I would never doubt your honor. However if you are going to fight with us, you need to be prepared. Inside the scout ship, you will find a young blonde woman named Ninna Hux-Ra. She will be monitoring what you would consider to be a radar. Tell her this: General Non said I am to be outfitted for battle, weapons and armor included .”

“ General Non said I am to be outfitted for battle, weapons and armor included .” Alex repeated. “ What does that mean?”

Non laughed. “It means you are about to have the time of your life. You need armor and weapons… real weapons that do not shoot tiny rocks. Ninna will take you into the field and show you how the weapons operate. Take a bag, keep the armor and weapons on you. The armor suit is impenetrable, compresses easily and weighs less than a pound. Have fun.”

Alex’s mouth opened a bit, her heart beating faster. “Wow… wish I could keep them, but I’ll take advantage of the time I have now. Thank you, General.”

“Call me, Non.” the man told her. “You are a great warrior and need to be prepared for this battle.”

After finishing her coffee and calling J’onn to inform him of the Kryptonians arrival along with Non’s request to meet with him, Alex practically ran out of the house, moving towards a Kryptonian guard who she hoped would open the cloaked door of the ship for her since she literally couldn’t see it.

As Alex prepared to get acquainted with Kryptonian weaponry and armor, Kara was returning with Kal and Krypto.

The blonde raced into the kitchen, Krypto in her arms and a wide smile on her pretty face. Non rolled his eyes.

“I suppose the dog is going back with us?” he asked, not surprised in the least.

“I have procured his freedom and he has accepted an invitation to accompany us back to Argo, indicated by the wagging of his tail and two licks to my right cheek. When he is not cool with something he usually bites the ankle of my pant leg and attempts to pull me away. Have you seen Kell this morning?”

Non nodded. “He stopped by the ship before sun up and requested permission to run to Metropolis which I granted. He assured me he would be back before sundown.”

Kara did not like this. Kell never wanted to leave her side. “I see. Did he give a reason?”

“Yes.” Non told her.

“And?”

“It’s classified.” the man told his niece. “Do not pull the Council Member and head of the expedition card on me either. This became my mission when I arrived, and you are not too old to be put into a time out. Take your new friend to the ship as I would think he needs further physical exams to ensure safe travel. Remember that the bend in wormholes can make even those in a large scout ship feel nauseous and he has a much different physiology than us. I’m sure you have a lot to do.”

“Of course, Uncle… do you think…”

“We will fly together at sunset, Kara. You have my word.”

Kara shouted triumphantly and left, causing Non to roll his eyes. She moved quickly to her fighter where it was stored in the barn, noticing Kelex was waiting for her by the ramp.

The robot looked at her suspiciously, regarding the large dog in her arms. “You aren’t letting him in the ship, are you? There are preserved specimens inside and he does not strike me as a creature who respects preservation protocols.”

Kara ignored his remarks and moved up the ramp entering the small ship. “Operation ‘Free Krypto’ has been a success. No human has an illegal claim over him any longer. He will be returning to Argo City with us. I need another physical workup to ensure his safety in the bend of a wormhole and make any devices needed. If necessary, we may have to put him in the small stasis pod for that short time.”

Kelex stared at her, making no move to follow her orders.

“Kelex?”

“You are bringing this primitive animal to Argo City.”

“That’s what I just said. Are your audio sensors not working?”

Kelex turned away from her. “I suppose he will be your companion now.”

Kara was taken back by the tone of his voice. “Kelex, he isn’t going to replace you. He is my friend, the same as you.”

Kelex said nothing.

“You’re jealous, aren’t you?” Kara asked.

“There is no need to be jealous.” Kelex responded. “Even if I were capable of feeling an emotion like jealously, I would not waste it on a four legged, ill-bred, germ factory who licks everything he sees. I will do as you command. I’m sure introducing a new species to Argo City before terraforming a new planet is a perfectly good idea, something I would expect from you.”

Kara rolled her eyes. “I worked hard to build our little ecosystem and I know exactly what effects it could possibly change and how to eliminate the ones that are not good. I need you to analyze his food as well so I can replicate it…”

“I know what needs to be done.” the robot snapped. “Will there be anything else you require? Perhaps collect dead animal skeletons in the event doggy wants a bone?”

Kara watched her friend closely, his back still turned towards her. “This is about me asking you to cook, isn’t it?”

“You did not ask, you ordered.” Kelex reminded her.

“I forgot to apologize last night. I am sorry. I should not have acted like that. You are unique and very special to me. I am sorry I angered you.” Kara said, pushing the conversation exactly where she wanted it to go.

“Kelex units do not get angry.” the robot replied shortly.

Kara grinned and walked to the unit, placing an arm around its small shoulders. “But you aren’t just any Kelex unit. You and me, we are a team. I should have never said what I said. You have been by my side nearly my entire life. I love you, Kelex. I was wrong and I am sorry. I hope you can forgive me.”

Kelex said nothing for a moment, processing her words. “There is no need for my forgiveness. I am assigned to you. You have other ‘partners’ as you call them now. You have your mate and this… dog. I will follow your instructions and I assure you emotions have nothing to do with it…”

“Kelex, you are still my best friend.” Kara whispered.

After a moment the robot spoke. “I am your best friend?”

“Of course, you are. Other people will be in my life, but you will always be my first and best friend, even when we make each other angry. That’s what friends do for each other, right? How many times have you brought me out of my slight episodes without telling Mother because I didn’t want her to worry? How many times have you patted my back when I was upset, sat with me in the dark because I didn’t want to be alone? After the destruction of Krypton, when I had bad dreams, you were always there. You would wake Mother up and when I opened my eyes you would be right beside her. You will always be my best friend.”

“Not Thora?” he asked.

Kara laughed. “Not even Thora can replace you. Kell is going to be my husband and I know you like him. If you didn’t, you would have never allowed him to go to the DEO facility during the Earthquake. You and me, Kelex, building a new world, side by side, one failed experiment at a time. Whether you like it or not, you are becoming sentient. You love me and I love you. Now, let’s get to work so we can bring our new friend back to Argo City safely for everyone. I think the two of you could be very close. Just give him a chance, okay?”

Kara turned and walked out of the barn, leaving Krypto with Kelex, planning on having breakfast or hoping that lunch was already being prepared. She also needed to determine what clothes would suit her mother and pray to Rao she would ignore Kara’s tight jeans as her Uncle had done this morning. She gave one last thought to her conversation with Kelex and froze in her tracks.

“Companionship + understanding + assurance… it’s a simple equation, nothing but math and division of properties related to emotion… the reason for living. Give something a reason to live and it will. It’s not enough though. It must include change and variance.” she realized.

“Kara!”

The girl looked up and found her Mother in front of her.

“You have been standing in one spot for five minutes. I was afraid you were going to have another one of your… periods of brilliance and miss lunch..” Alura told her.

Kara shook her head. “I found a piece.” she said quietly.

“Of that… Anti-Life Equation?”

“No.” Kara shook her head. “Of the Life Equation I am creating. I need to… I need more. I need to find a place on Earth… I need to find despair.”

“Despair?” Alura asked.

“Despair. The English word for complete absence of hope.” Kara explained, slightly dazed.

“And when you find it?” Alura watched her daughter closely, concern etched on her face.

Kara’s mind was racing, her eyes losing focus as she continued to work through the problem that was becoming a little bit clearer. “Then I will find hope in it regardless, but I need to go tonight. Kal and Kell, if he ever returns, can accompany me… Hal as well but I must interact with despair. Life cannot be perfect. Rage, greed, fear are a part of all life and therefore are part of the Life Equation. Despair is real but like everything there is a balance. A complete absence is never possible. Just like the Phantom Zone. I told you that there can never be nothing… so despair must be fallible. Hope is there where it should not be, and I will prove it.”

“Do you think you could wear pants that aren’t painted on your body?” Alura asked worried, trying to break Kara’s spiral, but genuinely wanting to know.

Kara smiled lightly, her eyes focusing as she looked back at her mother. “If you hate these jeans, you are really going to hate the outfit I wear tonight. Aunt Lara had it custom made for me.”