Bella MacLeod's Twilight Fanfiction

The Life Equation

By BetterInTexas

Chapter 22:

“You had one job.”

Commander Henn Zol stood straighter, unmoving, trying not to shake as he stood beside his General and the High Councilor. He had been summoned to the control room of the scout ship by General Non and found a life size hologram of a very angry General Astra waiting for him.

“Yes, General Astra.”

“Could you remind me of what that one job was?” she asked, eyes flashing.

Zol took a deep breath. “To be aware of Lady Kara’s location at all times, to give our lives before allowing any harm to come to her.”

“Has Krypton developed a rifle that can be fired on one side of Earth and hit a target on the other?”

“No, General.” He dutifully replied, feeling the perspiration building up under his uniform.

“Then how were you prepared to protect her?” Astra asked in a withering tone.

Zol fought off the urge to look towards General Non, aware he would receive no help from the man.

“We… we weren’t aware she had left. She masked her signal from Kelex…” He tried to explain, knowing the hole he was in was getting deeper by the second.

“I was under the impression the power of the yellow sun enhanced Kryptonian vision. Did you think of using your eyes?” Astra asked.

Zol nearly shrugged his shoulders in helplessness but refrained from doing so out of respect. “We had… we were… but then she was… I’m not sure how she did it…”

“You asked for permission to travel to Earth to carry out this duty, did you not? You didn’t want her safety left in the hands of Kal El, Kell Ur or the Green Lanterns. Do you remember this?”

“Yes, General… but it was easier to keep track of her when she was contained in Argo City and couldn’t fly.” He stated, the perspiration now soaking into his uniform.

Astra looked sharply at the man. “So you are telling me that an elite squadron of soldiers, the best of the Kryptonian military, cannot keep up with one girl? That she can manage to make fools out of all of you. Are you telling me you need a dome around a city to keep track of her?”

“Exactly, General, a dome made the job easier…” Zol nodded his head, admitting that was exactly what was needed, before seeing the look of absolute outrage on his General’s face. Backtracking, he stammered, “I mean of course not, General. I assure you, it will not happen again.”

“I understand you will be moving to a new location in the morning. Secure the area this time and keep her in sight. When I contact you for an update on my niece’s wellbeing, I do not expect to hear that you have no idea where she is! If this happens again, you will be recalled to Argo City and explain yourself in person before the Council! Am I clear?” The irate woman demanded.

“Yes, General!” Needing no further motivation the man saluted and moved quickly out to the hanger of the scout ship leaving Alura and Non alone with Astra.

“So dear, how have you been?” Non asked, barely holding in a smile.

Astra forced a smile on her face. “I am doing so well, husband. I must use an image inducer on my hair because if the people knew Alura was gone as well as Kara, there would be a wide spread panic not even the Green Lanterns could stop. I am also attending to my duty to the fleet and settling petty disputes between citizens while pretending to be my spoiled sister.

“Alura, in Rao’s name, how do you do this?”

“Problems, sister?” Alura asked, interested and a bit worried. She and Astra had pretended to be each other many times in their lives for necessity and sometimes for fun but each was suited to their own particular job and did them well. Leaving Astra as High Councilor may not have been the best idea in hindsight.

“Yes, there are nothing but problems. I am organizing patrol schedules with Green Lanterns and Kara’s scientists seem to be stuck in a daze without her telling them what to do every second!

“Su Vex came to our residence this morning looking for you, Alura. I lied about your whereabouts then changed my hair to deal with his problem! Did you know that an addition to the Tem compound’s nursery extends twelve inches over Vex’s designated property line? Twelve inches! I realize our goal is to rebuild our population, but I am very close to reducing it!

“Also why do we even have decibel limits and why are people complaining to you about violations? Has loud noise been a problem in the past?”

“A few teenagers sometimes prefer to play loud music and it disturbs…” Alura started to explain.

“I am meant to protect my people! It is your job to babysit them!” Astra screamed at her twin.

Alura cringed, not surprised at Astra’s feelings. As Chief Justice and High Councilor, it often fell to her to settle petty disputes of citizens who had undergone much grief and anxiety on top of living next to each other for decades. It could be trying at the best of times. Astra’s temperament wasn’t built for her to tactfully handle appeasing the citizenry’s petty squabbles… adding more weight to the fact that Alura had selfishly abandoned Astra to do her job so she could alleviate her own abandonment issues concerning Kara.

“How… how did you handle the Vex problem?” Alura asked, not sure if she wanted to know the answer.

“I told him when we reached New Krypton, he could have two feet added to his property line. It was either give him that or shoot him. I nearly reached for my gun anyway but… regardless it doesn’t matter. That’s just one example of what I have had to deal with since you decided to take a very uncharacteristic trip to Earth! I have had to deal with Kara’s impulsiveness for years and now I have to deal with yours!

“So… in order to keep from murdering the next complaining fool, I have cancelled all Council meetings for the next four weeks, told the Council you were in constant contact with Kara and had no time for sessions, and basically covered for you in every aspect of your life! I’m even eating two lunches in the square.”

“Now… what about you, dear sister? Having fun?” The sarcasm wasn’t missed by Alura.

Alura glanced over at Non who, judging by the smile he was holding back unsuccessfully would be no help. “I got licked by Kara’s dog.” she pointed out. “I got to drive a tractor. I tasted something called a ‘ chicken ‘ which is quite delicious. Also, I have most of the details of Kara’s bonding ceremony worked out. I will send you an updated list to pass on to Thora. When you speak to her try and be… not you. Act as if you are interested and be polite.”

Astra looked at her for a moment, shook her head and turned to her husband. “Non, how did Kara do it?”

The man shrugged his shoulders. “She wouldn’t say. She returned to the Smallville house with Kal El at 4:30 AM and went straight to sleep. My guess is she noted the troop movements, the perimeters, their training sessions and knew the exact second she could fly off without being seen. The squadron never stood a chance.”

“And masking her tracker?” Astra asked, more interested in this detail than how Kara evaded her security detail.

“I didn’t think it was possible. She is using electricity, small batteries, unsecured wireless signals that connect to a social and knowledge databank called the internet, taking apart toasters, alarm clocks and cell phones. I’ll handle it. She won’t do it again.” Non promised. Rolling his eyes, he added, “You should have seen what she was wearing when she returned to us this morning. Lara sent a suit for her with Kal El in the event she ever came to Earth.”

Astra looked at the ground and rubbed her forehead. “Do I even want to know? Alura?”

“You don’t want to know. I wish I didn’t.” the mother admitted.

Astra nodded, knowingly, then looked directly at her husband. “We both know if Kara wants or feels she needs to do something, she will… and no one will stop her. You are going to have to use extreme measures to appeal to her sense of honor to get her to comply… you know to what I’m referring.”

Non sighed, knowing Alura wasn’t going to be happy, but agreeing with his wife that it could be the only way to keep his niece in check as much as they were able to. “Ok, I’ll see that it is done.”

“So, how are things on Earth regarding our potential threat?” Astra asked, changing the subject. “Any sign? Have you determined how he can enter and leave the system so quickly without leaving any sort of energy signature?”

Non shook his head. “Kara had Kelex prepare her ship for remote at lightspeed four. I am sure when she is up, the problem will be solved if she hasn’t solved it already.”

Astra snorted and smiled. “So what set her off yesterday? What did you do to send her to the other side of the world?”

Non threw up his hands. “Nothing! She is working on some math project she is certain can defeat this Coluan and it has to do with emotions, hope, despair, multiplication, division… would you like me have her explain it to you?”

“Rao, no!” Astra exclaimed. “She will start spouting off numbers and letters, equations, biological computers, weather control, matter, anti-protons, crystals… just… no. I don’t have it in me to pretend I understand what she is talking about right now. Anything else?”

“She overheard Non during a briefing with the others and told Kal El he may have to drug Kara to get her out of the system and back to Argo City in the event of an attack.” Alura added unhelpfully, looking at Non.

Astra shook her head. “Really, Non?”

“Do you have a better way?” Non asked sincerely.

“You have to appeal to her honor as a Council Member to abide by the Council’s decision. If you tried to drug her, it would most likely be you waking up in the scout ship as it was docking with the Nightwing, especially since she’s aware of your contingency plans… she will be on guard.”

Astra turned and said, “Alura, dear sister, could I have a moment alone with my husband?”

Alura nodded quickly, wanting to leave before Astra complained about any other disputes. “As you wish, dear sister. You were right, my absence would not have been acceptable to our people and I appreciate you…”

“Go!”

Alura scurried out, deciding breakfast would be good now.

While a conference was held in the Scout Ship about Kara Zor El and the measures put in place that would hopefully curtail her more stubborn streak, the subject of the discussion was sleeping peacefully… at least she was until she felt something tickling her ear. Shaking her head a few times to rid herself of the feeling, she gave in when it became obvious the feeling had no intention of going anywhere.

Cracking her eyes and coming to some semblance of wakefulness, she shot up in bed when she realized there was a finger in her ear. “What?! Stop that!”

Kell Ur was kneeling next to the bed, a large grin on his face. “Sorry. Kal El specifically asked me to wake you in that manner. He said he was interested in how you would feel about it. I am guessing by your reaction it did not feel good?”

Kara took a deep breath and scratched her ear.

“Well played, cousin.” she mumbled. “Well played.”

Looking down at herself, Kara realized she was still dressed in her Supergirl outfit. A quick look at Kell, told her he noticed as well.

“Enjoying the view?” she asked.

“Yes, though I don’t believe your Mother or Uncle enjoyed it.” He replied before asking, a hint of annoyance in his tone, “Have a nice trip last night?”

The blonde shook her head. “No, and it wasn’t for pleasure that I was there. I had thought the poverty I saw in National City was bad, that it was the worst situation a human could endure. I was wrong.”

The man nodded his head. “You couldn’t have slipped me a note, partner?”

“You were training and if you knew, my Uncle would force it out of you. I needed to experience this myself. No one else needed to see what I saw. Besides partner, I woke up yesterday morning and you were nowhere around. My uncle wouldn’t tell me where you were. You didn’t leave me a note.” she pointed out, a hint of rebuke lacing her words. “If you want me to leave notes, I expect you to do the same, always.”

Kell dropped his head and stood up. “You are right. I should have at least let you know I would be gone a few hours. I couldn’t tell you what I was doing because it would have ruined my surprise.”

Kara swung off the bed and stood before her mate. “Surprise?”

Kell reached into his pocket and pulled out a small box. “I know how much you love human customs. I understand it is traditional when a pair find themselves planning to marry that an engagement ring would be bought. I thought I would get you one. You don’t have to wear it of course, but…”

Before Kell could finish Kara had the box in her hand and opened. She gasped when she saw the diamond.

“Kell, it’s beautiful.” she whispered.

“I’m glad you like it.” he told her, visibly relieved. “Kelex gave me your ring size. The jeweler told me it was a superior cut. I’m not sure what that means but perhaps it can be a weapon of some sort as well.”

“Thank you.” Kara told him, rising on her toes to kiss him. “It is so sweet of you. This means so much to me.”

Kell held her close until their legs came into contact, hers practically bare.

“We probably shouldn’t do this in a room alone… while you are dressed in this. Your Mother wasn’t happy with your choice of wardrobe.”

Kara grinned recognizing the look on his face. “You like it though, don’t you?”

The man looked towards the door and squinted his eyes, no doubt checking if anyone was paying attention. Seeing multiple guards outside and Alura coming towards the house, he nodded an affirmative rather than speaking.

“I understand we will be separated again tonight. Kal El mentioned that he planned to show you how to… fight crime?”

“Yes. I plan for the two of us to be alone, but you may come if you want to watch my back from the ship, which you and Kelex would probably do anyway…” She said, looking up at him knowingly. “So, what is the probability Kal and I will actually be alone?”

Kell grinned. “I don’t have to be a scientist to know that there is zero chance your guards will be far as well as the Green Lanterns, Jordan at least.”

Kara shrugged, expecting that. “So long as they do not interfere. I fought a giant mutated woman who hit me quite hard several times and I still managed to not only win the fight but cure her temporarily. I can handle myself.”

“Obviously. I am sure General Non will tell them to stay back. Commander Zol was reprimanded by General Astra this morning quite severely for losing track of you yesterday so I don’t see him allowing… uh, we should back away from each other. Your Uncle is coming this way. He looks serious.”

Kara backed up and moved to the closet, closed the door and emerged quickly, dressed in blue jeans, sneakers and a blue t-shirt.

A knock on the door told her she was almost too late. “Come in, Uncle.”

The man entered quickly, only sparing a look at Kell before smiling widely at his niece.

“Kara.” he said, walking to her, hugging her closely. “We need to talk. Alone.”

The smile was gone.

“Okay…” She responded apprehensively.

“Now.” he said pointedly.

Kara looked to Kell, hoping he would ask to come along but the man apparently had no interest in becoming involved.

Kara followed her Uncle outside to the front of the house. To her surprise, the man looked up then shot into the sky. Kara overcame her surprise quickly and flew after him, continuing to climb until finding him above the cloud cover.

“If you told me you wanted to fly, I would have been more enthusiastic and beaten you up here.” she offered, hoping a bit of levity would take his serious ‘General’ face down a notch.

The man rolled up the sleeve of his long button-up, blue shirt and showed her his forearm.

Kara was confused about why he was doing this. “Okay…”

“You said you understood why your trackers were important.” he reminded her.

Kara rolled her eyes. “Yes. Because I am so important…”

“To me! To your family, your soon to be husband, and to your people! There is a very powerful foe who wants you… one who knows you are on this planet, who can sneak into and out of this solar system without any warning. He will kill you if he gets the chance, or worse, capture you and make you wish you were dead!

“Your Mother and I, along with the men and women who would die for you, came to this planet to make sure you were safe rather than ordering you home. How can we know you are safe if you fly off without a word to the other side of the planet?” he asked.

“I can see how that would be difficult, but in order to do what I need to do to beat him, I have to do things that make you uncomfortable in regards to my safety,” she said. “Besides, how can you consider drugging me to evacuate me from the planet if things get dangerous? Knowing I’m the only one who can truly defeat him?”

Non was growing more annoyed, trying to get her to see reason. “You agreed to abide by the Council’s decision, a Council you are a part of. If I was confident you would follow through on your agreement, I wouldn’t have to consider back up plans. So… will you abide by the Council’s decision?”

“The decision for me to run if things get tough?” Kara asked heatedly.

Non shook his head. “Retreating is not running. I have soldiers who can fight. This planet has warriors who can fight. I need you to tell us how to win and you cannot do that if you are fighting yourself.

“Kara, everyone has a role to play in war. Not everyone’s role is to run headfirst into battle. I need engineers to keep my ship running, gunners to man the weapons, fighter pilots to engage enemy craft and damage flagships. I need soldiers to board enemy vessels. It would be foolish of me to send my engineers into battle when they are needed elsewhere. How can I defeat an enemy I know nothing about if my strongest resource is in the line of fire?”

Kara said nothing for a moment, turning away from her uncle. So, of course, Non flew in front of her.

“We are all important.” he told her. “I do not lead boarding parties or fly fighters into battle. Do you know why? I have an entire ship and crew to command, to use to the best of my ability and put them in a position to win. I have to talk to other Generals and take orders from Astra during the battles while my Captain follows my plans as I adjust them to Astra’s orders.”

Non showed her his forearm once again. “This morning, after an intense discussion with your mother and aunt, I had a tracker placed into my arm, into the bone, as yours were. Be glad you were unconscious when your trackers were placed because it hurts. I did it though. Your Mother also had it done as did Kell. Kelex knows where we all are at all times the same as you and so long as you have yours, we will have ours. I promise you we won’t try to disguise ours if you can promise the same.”

Kara was surprised to say the least. Her Mother… Kell… Non?

“Your Mother is important to the future of Krypton. So am I and Kell is going to be your husband. He will also be the man responsible for the security of Argo City once we reach our new home. Before you ask, I have planned this for him since I saw him nearly die to rescue one child in Kryptonopolis. I have prepared him for this for years and it has nothing to do with you. That makes him very important to the future of Krypton. I’m sure that if I were to ask Kal El to do the same, he would. Now, your privacy isn’t the only one being invaded. You can watch us as we watch you. We will keep each other safe. Now, please… would you stop running off without a word? Will you stop masking your trackers?”

Kara floated there thoughtfully before nodding her head. She supposed he had a point and was still surprised he and her Mother had trackers placed in them.

“I want to go out with Kal El tonight. Can the two of us be alone?” She asked.

Non shook his head. “You will not see them but considering the dressing down Commander Zol took from your aunt this morning, you are lucky he hasn’t cuffed you to himself. They will not interfere, the same as Kell has not interfered unless your life is in danger. In that instance, your pride will have to take a backseat to you and your cousin’s safety. That is the best I can offer you.”

Kara nodded, surprised her Uncle was giving her that much of a concession. “I understand, Uncle. I won’t do it again.”

Recognizing the sincerity of her words Non finally smiled. “Tell me how Brainiac is doing it, Kara. You have an idea.”

Kara did, or at least she had a strong suspicion. “It’s not Rann Transportation technology… that’s the one Aunt Astra refuses to let me recreate and improve on because neither of you like the idea. That technology requires a door on both sides to punch a hole in space, creating an artificial wormhole. The power from those can be picked up easily by anyone who is looking.”

“True, those are easy to pick up on sensors.” Non agreed. Not only were they easy to pick up in energy readings but they only worked 99.9 % of the time. He did not want his ship to be the .1 percent that failed. Add in the fact that Krypton never invaded, and their ships moved at incredible speeds, the Military Council never felt the technology was important enough to waste resources on.

Seeing his understanding, Kara went on further to explain, “Our heat vision, with enough power, can break through a concrete wall. The problem is it would cause an enormous power signature and cause quite a bit of noise in terms of radioactive output for anyone looking. That is an example of what it’s like punching wormholes and breaches into this universe.

“Now, imagine the concrete as space and space as a fine sheet of parchment instead of concrete. Take a very sharp, simple blade and cut through the sheet. It’s quiet, leaves no energy signal. That would be impossible if our universe is a concrete block, but it isn’t. There are different layers of space… other dimensions, that cannot be observed by our basic three dimensional universal model.”

“You mean that multiverse theory you told me about when you were ten?” he asked, fighting back the desire to roll his eyes.

Kara shook her head. “That’s not a theory, it’s a fact. I just haven’t had the time or need to prove it yet. But no, in this case, what we’re talking about is dimensional… five dimensional at the very least. It’s mostly non observable but can be found. Think of it as…”

“Kara, can you detect it?” Non asked, not wanting to hear any more of her scientific explanation as his head was about to explode with what she had told him already.

The girl took a deep breath, not even trying to hide her annoyance at his interruption. She had given this five minutes of thought and in her life, five minutes was a lot of work.

And did anyone appreciate the work? Of course not. ‘ How do you find it’ or ‘How do you destroy it’ was the story of her scientific life where her Uncle and Aunt were concerned.

Staring at her uncle pointedly, she said, “Yes. My fighter should be set up for remote now. I will program it to survey this galaxy, not with our normal sensors but a mathematical algorithm that can measure the space time continuum and detect anomalies that are common to interdimensional gaps. If it picks up an anomaly, we will know not only that there is a strong possibility he is present, but where he is entering and where he is leaving. Since I won’t be wasting time looking for energy bursts but more of a passive mapping technique, my ship can constantly cover this planetary system at light speed four. I will program my ship to pick up different Matrixes…”

“So you know how to do it.” Non interrupted, not wanting to get into the technical aspects.

“Yes.” She replied, irritated at another interruption. “I’ll need five or ten minutes when we reach ground to have it completed. The results will be sent in real time to the scout ship.”

Non patted her on the shoulder with a large smile. “Then we should begin. You have a busy day ahead of you. I’ll be watching you and Kal on television.”

The two prepared to fly down until a screaming streak flew past them almost colliding with Kara and continuing to move straight up.

“That was Mother, wasn’t it?” she asked concerned.

Non nodded. “I suppose I should catch her before she flies off into space. You go on back and get your ship set up.”

A short while later, a slightly shaken Alura and Non had joined Kara on the ground. She had finished her modifications to her ship and was telling Kelex what he needed to do while she was gone with Kal. Then, wasting no time, she moved to her room to prepare for fighting crime and protecting citizens in Metropolis with her cousin.

When she stepped into her room, Kell was writing a note.

“Kell?”

He looked up and grinned. “Hi. Have fun being dressed down by your uncle?”

Kara ignored his question. “You had a tracker placed in you. Why?”

The man shrugged his shoulders. “Seems only right. If we are going to share our lives, we should share the same burdens. Besides, I might get into trouble one day and need Supergirl to save me. Being around you, anything is possible.”

Kara lightly punched him on the shoulder. “Are you leaving a note for me?”

The man nodded. “Wasn’t sure how long you would be flying with your Uncle. Then your Mother launched herself recklessly into the atmosphere despite being told she needed to practice first.

“Since you are going crimefighting tonight, I’m taking advantage of an opportunity as well. Oliver Queen will be arriving soon in a helicopter and taking me to Star City. I will be at the lake house in the morning before you arrive or soon after. He knows where it is.”

Kara did not like the sound of that. She also didn’t like the slightly glowing red cuff on her mate’s wrist.

“You are not wearing that.” she told him.

He shrugged his shoulders. “Yes, I am. I am not as good at controlling my strength as you are, but I am a highly trained soldier and do not need powers to fight. Oliver has many weapons he wants to show me. Your Uncle approved my trip.”

“No.” Kara told him.

“Yes…”

“No. Take off that device and I have no problem with it. Wear it and you are staying here until I return.”

Kell crossed his arms defiantly. “I don’t tell you what to do. You would never listen regardless. Now you are going to tell me I can’t do something. Seriously?”

“I said no.” Kara told him again, her eyes locked onto his, arms now crossed as well.

Kell smiled. “If I stay, you stay. It’s only fair.”

“I’m not going to have any red solar rays on my body.”

“And I don’t have any yellow solar rays on my body in Argo City, yet I still manage to do my job.”

“There is no violence in Argo City.” Kara pointed out.

“Exactly.” Kell agreed. “This will be an experience and prepare me for the violence we may face soon.”

Kara stared at the man for a moment more, seeing that he wasn’t going to back down. She wanted to punch a wall but didn’t think the farmhouse could stand it.

“Fine. Have fun. You want to be a hero, be a hero. I hope he makes you wear a hood. Are there going to be any Green Lanterns with you?”

“No.”

“Jade is still off world?”

“I haven’t asked. Why would I care?”

“Does Oliver have a team? Any women in tights?” she asked.

“I don’t know.” He said irritably. “Are you going to wear that skirt in the sky where anyone looking up can see as much of you as I saw on the beach?”

Kara stayed quiet, not quite sure how to answer that.

Kell smiled and shook his head. “Kara, trust me, please? Isn’t that an important part of a relationship? You know I would never betray you. Are you worried I may be hurt and using that as an excuse? If I am, I can simply take this off and everything will be fine.”

“Not if one of those human bullets strikes you in the head or the chest.” she fairly pointed out.

Kell shook his head and smiled. “I’m going. You are going. We are going to have fun, help people and all that. Relax. I’ve been trained over half my life for war. Just because I have never fought in an actual war doesn’t mean I don’t know what I am doing.”

Kara tensed, not ready to lose this argument but realizing he was right. If she had the right to go where she wished, he had the same.

“Will you at least wear your armor and helmet?” Kara finally asked.

“Yes,” Kell nodded. “Speaking of clothing choices, your mother was acting a bit weird today. She had Kelex scan me for a new wardrobe and asked what foods I liked. I don’t need a new wardrobe. My clothes are fine.”

Kara shook her head. “Not according to my mother. She won’t let Aunt Astra or Uncle Non wear military garb after shift and especially not at informal dinner. She will insist you wear formal military garb to work in the morning before changing into your standard uniform. On off days…”

“Hold up.” Kell told her. “She is going to determine what I wear and when I wear it?”

“You don’t have to listen to her.” Kara she said, then added, “But she will pester you until you do what she wants. Fair warning.”

Kell let out a breath. “That’s going to take a bit of getting used to.”

Kara laughed, momentarily forgetting the danger he could be in tonight. “Considering the increased lifespans we will have due to the need to populate our planet, you will have one hundred and fifty years, or perhaps even two centuries to get used to it.”

Kell smiled then frowned. “I thought… I thought once we found our home, started settlements… we would have our own home.”

Kara was surprised at that assumption. “No. The House of El resides together.”

Kell was horrified. “But, it’s going to be a big house, right? Multiple floors, our own space for eating, relaxing… we don’t have to… live with her, do we?”

Kara laughed. “Of course we are going to live with her… she is alone, and I don’t like my mother to be alone. She becomes sad and she already has so much pressure on her and now you want her to live alone?

“My Uncle and Aunt would never leave her, even if they do sleep on their ships occasionally to get a break. So… no, we will all live in the same compound, share dinners and such. That won’t be a problem… will it? If so, you better decide before the bonding.”

“No!” Kell assured her. “It just seems at times she can be a bit… controlling.”

Kara kissed the man on his cheek, a gleam of mischief in her eyes. “Don’t worry. She isn’t nearly as controlling as I can be, just ask my scientists. Now… aren’t you glad you wanted me for a mate?”

Kell smiled, swallowing hard, forcing the reality of living with his Mother-in-Law for the very long future from his mind. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

An hour before sundown over Metropolis, Kara and Kal floated high above the city, Kara deciding to give her mother a break and wear the uniform she made for herself rather than Aunt Lara’s.

“Okay,” Kal told her, “close your eyes and take it all in. Listen to everything and try to sort it in your head, listen to pleas for help, police sirens, colliding automobiles, gunshots. It isn’t easy but I know you can do it.”

Kara closed her eyes and did as he instructed, being bombarded by millions of sounds. While she was used to loud sounds under the yellow sun, purposefully listening to so many at once was nearly overwhelming. In her trips to National City and Metropolis, it had been easy to block out most of the sounds and focus on a few. Now she felt lightheaded.

“Just listen.” Kal El told her.

A loud bang caused her to pop her eyes open.

“Gunshot, that way!” Kara pointed.

Kal shook his head. “Car backfire. Good catch though.” he told her encouragingly. “That reminds me, we need to talk about guns. Bullets cannot harm us but in a crowd of people, ricochets can happen. If we are surrounded by people catch the bullets.”

“And if we aren’t?” the girl asked.

“Let them bounce off you… it’s kind of cool. Most people on this planet know bullets won’t harm me yet many criminals try regardless. I’ll never understand that. If a human hits your face, turn your head a bit so they don’t take the full strike on their fist. It could easily break a hand. Also, never hit humans unless you must for the safety of others. If you do, be very gentle. I’ve found it easier to throw them to the side. Always take any weapons they may have as soon as possible. If you feel you can control the strength and temperature of your heat vision, feel free to heat up a gun. If not, simply use superspeed to take the weapon.”

Kara nodded her head, deciding these were easy enough instructions for fighting people who were as breakable as thin glass.

“Do you have communication with Watchtower or that blue tooth thing for your cell phone in your ear?”

Clark suspected this was coming. “Yes, I have contact. Yes, all the Justice League members have the ability to contact each other if they need help. Yes, I can communicate with Oliver Queen. No, we don’t need to help Star City. He and Dinah have been doing an excellent job for years. Kell will be fine.”

Kara said nothing, a blush creeping over her face. Obviously Kell would be fine. He was a soldier and he was trained for battle. He had his armors, his weapons, his skill… and red solar rays being absorbed by his body negating his power.

Before she could think more of this, a large collision was heard followed by several others. Neither needed super hearing to know cars had just slammed into each other.

“ Watchtower to Boy Scout and Girl Scout.”

“We are here. Pile up on bridge. On our way.” Clark answered.

“ Got a strange energy spike from Metropolis before it happened. Haven’t figured out the exact source but it is near the bridge. Be cautious.”

“Thank you, Watchtower.” Superman told her, already flying to the area with Supergirl following.

The two stopped above the wreckage and saw multiple cars crashed into each other. The traffic was only one way and the first car seemed to be crushed from the front end.

“Strange.” Clark mumbled and looked around searching for anything the lead car may have hit. Finding nothing but hearing the moans of injured people he and Kara landed on the bridge.

“Check the back and I’ll get the front.” Superman said. “If people are stuck, help free them but make sure they don’t move unless they have to. Watch for gasoline spills and use freeze breath on any flammable source you see.”

Kara nodded and moved quickly to the eighth car that was piled up. No one seemed to have any life threatening injuries, but all were hurt in some manner. She used her X Ray vision, checking them each for internal bleeding, grateful no children had been in any of the cars.

She met Kal El in the middle of the mangled row of automobiles.

“Both sides blocked, and the front cars were definitely struck by something.” he told her. “I need to check the water.”

Kal El had no need to check the water though. A man he didn’t know had launched himself from the harbor and landed on the bridge.

Clark knew this wasn’t John Corbin. John Corbin had been on life support for years since his Kryptonite core had been taken from him. Still, he recognized the green, glowing power source in the man’s chest. Another Metallo.

The cyborg-like creature did not hesitate, firing a blast of green energy, striking Superman in the chest and blowing him back over the wreckage. Kara looked at her cousin then turned back to her new nemesis, prepared to attack when a second bolt struck her, blinding her in pain and sending her flying over the wrecked cars to land next to her cousin.

She checked on Kal El and saw his veins seemed to be glowing green and she knew he was feeling as much pain as she was.

The two crouched behind a car while the citizens who had been on the bridge ran past them in a panic.

“Kal, what was that?” She asked, almost breathless as she fought through the pain.

“Kryptonite.” the man told her, his face grimacing.

“Wow, that Martian really doesn’t like you, does he?” she asked, absently noting the veins in her hand were glowing green as well.

“That isn’t the Martian, but I’ve seen this type of enemy before. Lex Luthor made one years ago and now someone has made another. Wait a few seconds and the pain will be gone, then we can strike.”

Kara looked over the roof of the car they were behind and saw the man walking closer. She then looked to the sky. Just as she thought, a giant, cloaked Kryptonian ship was flying low and the soldiers standing on the open ramp had rifles aimed at the man. She doubted they were set to stun.

“Kal, if you want this guy to live, we only have a few seconds. Red Shard is about to attack, and they are not known for taking prisoners.” Kara told him.

Superman shook his head, the green glow fading from his body. “Then I guess we have a few seconds to take him down. We can do it.”

Kara shrugged her shoulders, the pain finally fading away. “I’m the sidekick. Lead the way, cousin.”