Bella MacLeod's Twilight Fanfiction

The Life Equation

By BetterInTexas

Chapter 24:

Non walked towards Kara, who was standing in the middle of the rubble pile, with a resigned sigh. Once he reached the girl, he knew she was blushing even though her face was covered by black soot.

“Kara, what are you doing?” he calmly asked.

Kara looked back at the remains of a table where something that resembled a tube, split at the end in several shards and a small crystal near it. “It’s a military project. When I first met Brainiac’s ‘Luthor’ drone, he attacked me with tentacles that were most likely attempting to pierce my brain. Kal and I stopped them, but if that is just what a drone can use, I would think the inside of Brainiac’s ship must have several, perhaps thousands more. I am making a simple weapon, an energy blade, three to four feet long that can cut through any material. It can be activated with the push of a button.”

Non looked at the destroyed tube on the table and the faintly glowing crystal, one he recognized from his past visits to Jor El’s lab.

“Is that a sunstone?” he asked.

Kara nodded. “I borrowed it from Uncle Jor’s lab.”

“And the metal tube? Earth made?”

Kara nodded once again. “It’s promethium, the strongest metal on this planet. Unfortunately, it isn’t strong enough. I’m going to need some of the ship metal…”

Non held up his hand. “Where did you get the promethium?”

Kara looked a bit guilty. “I borrowed some from Watchtower. At least Kelex did. It’s quite easy to manipulate with my sonic cutting tool at a very high but nearly silent frequency. The circuits and wires were from…”

Non shook his head. “No! When are you going to realize that borrowing without asking or having the intent to give back what you took is stealing?!”

Kara took instant offense. “Are you calling me a thief? How dare you?”

“Did you or did you not take materials from sources that did not belong to you, knowing there was a strong chance the materials would blow up?”

“No! The material is still here, isn’t it? Besides, since the Fortress technically belongs to Jor El of the Science Guild and I am the Chief Scientist of New Krypton and head of the guild, one could make a strong argument that those crystals, including a sunstone that isn’t being used, are the property of the Science Guild!

“As far as the promethium, I asked Kelex to find an unused sample that would not be missed. If it had been stronger or I had listened to Kelex, you still wouldn’t know I had it. I’m using it for the protection of the planet, not to make some toy I saw in a movie!”

Non gritted his teeth and clenched his fists in frustration. This was not the first time he had to deal with this type of behavior from his spoiled niece.

“Explosion containment safety unit?” he finally asked. “Remember those?”

“I don’t have one here, but since I am invincible, it’s not like I need one.” she argued.

Non waved his hands at the surrounding rubble. “And this!? This could have been contained by one!”

Kara shrugged her shoulders nonchalantly, unconcerned by his outrage. It’s not like it was the first or last time he got apoplectic over something she had done. “I created a good opportunity for Kal El to get experience being the Head of the House of El and organize the reconstruction. Tell him there is no need for thanks. It will be a good introduction to his role for when he finally lives in Argo City with us.”

Picking up the cylinder, Kara turned it over in hands, noting the stress fractures in the metal. “Kelex was right, the emission inhibitors were not strong enough even if the metal had held. A few more tweaks to the inhibitor though and we should be good. I can’t replace the promethium tube… it’s too warped anyway. The right metal, maybe just a bit taken from one of our chairs or even a bed frame in the scout ship and I will having a working light… um… energy blade, in no time.”

Kara gave her uncle a big, innocent smile and held out her fist, totally unconcerned in the chaos surrounding her.

Non, ignoring her desire for a fist bump, pointed his finger at her, growled, opened his mouth but found he didn’t have the words to tell her how irritating she could truly be. Instead, he shook his head and walked off quickly.

Alex slowly walked towards the blonde, looking at the destruction around her, obviously amused. “You are totally trying to make a lightsaber, aren’t you?”

Kara shook her head. “Of course not. The physics behind lightsabers isn’t possible. Energy would not compress enough to block the energy from another lightsaber or allow a bolt of energy to be deflected. I was simply making an easily carried instant blade in the event tentacles are involved and…”

“You were trying to make a lightsaber.” Alex said again, a huge grin on her face.

Kara nodded, a bit embarrassed. “Yeah, I almost had it too. I was bored. I haven’t made anything in a while. Oh, there is something you could help me with. It’s a bit of a sensitive subject I’ve been studying in my room. I want your opinion on a few things.”

Alex shrugged her shoulders. “Well, that is what I am here for… but there’s one condition.”

Kara looked at her friend, slightly perplexed. “Umm, ok?”

The grin that was already on Alex’s face grew even larger. “I want a lightsaber… I have absolute faith in you to build one that actually works.”

Kara laughed, as the two made their way back into the house. “Of course! No problem… I thought you were going to request something hard… or something that might get me shipped back to Argo prematurely.”

Alex followed her into her large bedroom, nearly identical to the one Alex had two doors down. A laptop was on Kara’s desk.

“Obviously I know everything about reproductive biology and have seen diagrams of sexual activity in motion and 3-D models, but it is important that I be the best.” Kara stated.

“The best? At sex?” Alex asked hesitantly, totally unprepared for this change in topic, though she should probably expect the unexpected from the inquisitive Kryptonian by now.

Kara nodded her head seriously. “I prefer to be the best at everything but yes, sex at least. I suck at cooking and cleaning, I’m a mess without Kelex cleaning up behind me, I don’t make my bed, I don’t program our residential Kelex to cook or do laundry but despite lacking those skills, as a wife I can be the best at sexual intercourse.”

Seeing the dubious look on her friend’s face, the blonde explained further, “I found instructional videos of humans having sex in various positions. I would like to ask you questions about the videos. I realize these are male and female instructors, but I have also found two female instructors on occasion that have some interesting techniques and compatible equipment that might be valuable to my study.”

Kara clicked on a link saved in her favorites and Alex’s eyes widened. “Uh, huh… so you have been watching porn.”

“No! These are educational videos demonstrating different positions I had not previously thought of.” Kara said trying to defend herself.

“It’s porn.” Alex plainly stated.

“It is not! Look at this female. She is wearing an outfit normally associated with educational institutions.”

“It’s called a schoolgirl costume. She is much older than a college girl, that is not a real Professor’s office and that is not a real Professor.” Alex said.

Looking at the flustered Kryptonian and realizing how important this was to her, Alex smiled warmly, easing Kara’s tension immediately. “So what questions did you have? I’m not exactly an expert on hetero sex but it seems like they have everything covered.”

Kara brushed that off. “I don’t need answers about that. I have every technique memorized and catalogued in my head, even muscle movement and reflex memorized, and my flexibility is amazing. My concern is lingerie. What is so important about it? These various types of underclothes, do they add to the experience or are they just a hindrance?”

Alex raised an eyebrow and wondered, not for the first time, what exactly happened in Kryptonian bedrooms. “You don’t have lingerie in Argo City?”

“No… No one makes it that I know of. We have bras and bottoms, but they are much more practical. If anyone did make lingerie, it would be my friend Thora.” Kara pointed out. “I am fairly certain I would know.”

“Ok, so what do you wear to bed?” Alex asked, probing for information.

“A long nightgown, pajamas or, for when I plan to have sex after I am married, nothing.” Kara answered. “I noticed Kell reacting favorably to my bathing suit and the outfits I have worn in my superhero persona, but these ‘ lingerie ‘ seem to be more specialized to intercourse. Where can I find these outfits and what sorts should be worn in what situations? I like the lace, but I would prefer something that doesn’t itch, maybe silk? Also stockings, garter belts, some boots… oh! What about leather? I knew humans did a lot of stuff with dead cows but… wow. That leather thing really took me off guard, but I like it.”

Alex opened her mouth then closed it again, like Non earlier that day, not quite sure how to answer. “I uh… there are a few shopping malls in Metropolis… a few independent stores. I would think you would probably want something a bit higher standard… wow. I’ve honestly never thought of this. Are you sure you need lingerie? Like you said, it isn’t going to be on long.”

Kara nodded emphatically. “Presentation is everything and at times, some of these lingerie outfits are kept on. Garter belts, stockings, tops, bottoms that may as well not even be there, impractical bras… you get the idea. Maybe a corset or two.

“Anyway, since I’m going to do this, I will be the best at it. So… a shopping mall you say? I’ve been wanting to visit one of those. After I take a shower, are you up for a shopping trip?”

“Wouldn’t miss it.” Alex said sincerely, thought a moment, then added, “Gonna be hard with twenty something Kryptonian Guards.”

Kara shrugged. “They aren’t my problem. They must remain unseen. Uncle Non said I couldn’t dress like Supergirl anymore. He never said I couldn’t go where I want. We can take the long black SUV in the garage. I don’t care how the Lanterns and Red Shard get there. Mother will probably want to go with us. She needs to see more of Earth than just Smallville and this lake house.”

“You want to take your mother lingerie shopping with you?” Alex asked alarmed.

“Not really, but she will insist so it’s either invite her or she will show up anyway. Don’t worry, my Mom is really cool about things related to me being a wife and giving her grandchildren. I think she will be able to relax and enjoy interacting with humans.”

Two hours later, Alex led Kara and Alura into the largest Mall in Metropolis. Both Alex and Kara had large handbags. Alex was carrying her armor and weapons in hers and Kara hoped no one had seen the costume in hers. While Kara was dressed like Alex, with her faded blue jeans and black shirt, a large diamond engagement ring on her finger, Alura had refused to wear any human clothes. Instead, she was in what she considered a casual dress: a crimson red, floor length number, that looked as if it belonged on a woman going to the opera or a five-star restaurant.

“Yep, she fits right in.” Alex mumbled, trying not to laugh. Alex could already recognize Red Shard soldiers in the crowded mall, wearing black suits, each staying in a designated spot while trying to look casual. “Kara, your posse needs to take lessons from the US Secret Service. Those guys are much more discreet than your bodyguards.”

Kara rolled her eyes. “Life was so much more fun before they came. I’m thinking of ditching them again soon.”

The nearest guard, who was only about a hundred feet away, looked at her sharply. Kara remembered too late that they had gotten used to the hearing and, unlike her Mother who was wearing earplugs, they could hear everything. She would have to be extra vigilant in what she said.

“Where is my bestie, Kell?” Alex asked curiously. “Didn’t Non say you two had to stick together when he was yelling at both of you for your ‘ successful’ night of being sidekicks?”

Kara laughed, waving that off. “Uncle Non yells all the time. You learn to tune him out. I don’t understand him. He can be so calm with everyone around him, but he seems to save his frustrations for me. ‘Kara, what were you thinking? Kara what is wrong with you? Why would you think that was a good idea? If you knew it would probably blow up, why did you do it anyway?’ The same old questions from him, time and time again. It’s not his fault, he isn’t a scientist, so he doesn’t understand discoveries are not always made in the first or second attempt.”

She sighed. “As to your question, I don’t know where Kell is. He had better be at the residence or with Uncle Non. I certainly wasn’t going to let him come with us shopping for lingerie.”

Before Alex could lead them to the store they needed, Alura placed a hand on Kara’s shoulder.

“I like that dress for you, Kara.” she pointed to a nearby shop. “It might look good on you. Let’s have you try it on.”

Alex and Kara glanced at each other and silently agreed to go along with her. They had plenty of time.

It didn’t take Alura long at all.

“Excuse me. Human girl?” The High Councilor of Argo City called out to a female employee. Kara and Alex groaned. Alura would need more work in interacting with humans. “Yes, you… why are there multiple versions of the same dress in different sizes?”

The girl, who couldn’t have been more than 19, was not sure what to say to the woman who looked like she had just come from a fancy party.

“So that if someone likes the dress, they can find it in their size would be my guess.” the employee told her.

“Yes, but my daughter does not wear dresses that are the same design as others. Do you have any unique dresses that could be custom fit for her size? She has the perfect figure for fashion, she could be a model on this planet if she weren’t so much more intelligent than everyone in the Universe. Is there a dress maker here I can speak to? I’m sure once they see her, they will be inspired to make a lovely dress. Some of the best dress makers on Kry… Smallville had requested to design her clothes.”

The girl shook her head and then looked at the very casually dressed and obviously embarrassed blonde in glasses and a tight ponytail.

“Lady, if you want unique, you can go to Paris, not the Mall. I don’t think your daughter’s beauty is going to inspire my manager to make something new just for your little princess.”

Alura clenched her jaw, ignoring the princess comment. The girl was obviously jealous of Kara, something Alura had become used to from others over the years. “I am an understanding and gracious woman, so I forgive your jealousy of her. Can you give me directions to this Paris? How far a drive is it?”

Kara grabbed her Mother’s arm and swung her around firmly, walking the two of them out of the store.

“Kara? Shall we go to Paris? I wanted to get you an Earth dress as a souvenir, but poor quality and mass production are not what I had in mind. That little brat was obviously jealous of you. This is why I never let many children around you as a child. As if it were your fault you were prettier and smarter…”

Kara’s face was turning shades of red that weren’t on the normal color wheel at this point. “Any dress will do Mother. Earth has many people and…”

“You will not wear the same clothes as others! Out of the question.” Alura calmly told her. “Do not forget where you come from or who you are.”

Alex laughed beside Kara. In a low voice, she said, “No one will ever say Alura El was an inattentive mother who didn’t bolster her daughter’s self-esteem. Has she always been this way?”

The blonde shrugged her shoulders, embarrassed by her mother’s obvious elitist attitude especially regarding Kara. The blonde would never admit it aloud but a part of her wondered if she wouldn’t have had more friends than Thora if not for her mother isolating her from those she didn’t feel were worthy.

Resigned to that possibility, she explained, “My mother has strong opinions and likes things to be a certain way. It’s why she hates me in the military uniform my Aunt gave me so I could work out in the ships and fly in simulators. Other than that, every dress I have ever worn has been custom made for me. I stopped trying to choose my own clothes a long time ago, I just put on what she tells me to for the day. What I wear has no effect on my mind or my work, so it is pointless to argue with her over it.”

Alura followed the two girls, content to let them have what Kara called ‘girl time’ while she stayed back taking in this Mall. She was certain the Mall held as many people as the population of Argo City. She had not worn her red sun cuff and though her hearing was leveled out by the ear plugs, she was certainly not a fan of the smells.

She noticed Kara and Alex were walking with a purpose as they approached a particular shop. Alura became a bit leery when she saw the window displays, understanding exactly why Kara did not want Kell on this outing.

“Victory’s Season.” Alura read aloud.

“Victoria’s Secret.” Alex corrected.

“No, I am sure I am right. I can read English. I am fairly certain that…” Alura began saying before she saw the look of disbelief on Alex’s face to match her raised eyebrows. “Okay, you are probably right, Alex. Your English is better than mine. Kara, what are we doing here?”

Kara opened her bag and pulled out a wallet. “I’m buying lingerie using Bruce Wayne’s credit card. He said to use it as I wished. It would be an insult to him to turn down such a generous gift. Alex, if you find anything you want, I will purchase it for you as well.

“I may get Kell some clothes when we are done with this shop. I like the outfits in the window of Old Navy and is that… American… Eagle?”

Alex gave her a thumbs up. Though not one for shopping normally, the idea of spending Bruce Wayne’s money on something she wouldn’t normally buy was exhilarating.

“Sounds great.” Alex agreed. “Let’s find you some threads to get laid in.”

That caught Alura’s attention. “Excuse me?”

Kara looked at her mother who, she now noticed, was watching her young daughter rather than allowing her eyes to sweep over this place and its… merchandise.

“You said you want grandchildren, right?” Kara asked her mother innocently. “This is part of the process.”

“Yes… but what do clothes… undergarments, like these, have to do with grandchildren? You don’t need clothes in the act of… beside these are common threads. I thought we had this conversation when you were fifteen. It is normal to wear no clothes when having sex. But… if it is so important to you, imagine the designs you want and ask Thora to make you…”

“There is no way under Rao’s light that I am asking Thora for this!” Kara exclaimed.

Looking around, she not so subtly suggested to any Red Shard who were listening, rightly assuming it was all of them, “I would recommend any male guards outside this shop to back away as well.”

Alura placed a hand on her daughter’s shoulder. “Kara, dearest, you simply wear your nicest gown, let him take it off of you and… do what comes naturally.”

“You know what? I’ll call him and ask his opinion.” Kara suggested, pulling out her phone while enjoying the scandalous look on her mother’s face.

“Fine. Pick what you want. I’m sure he has already seen you in a swimsuit and that skirt and those denim pants that may as well be painted on you. Wear whatever you wish on the night of your bonding.” Alura proceeded to walk out of the store, some of the guard noticeably shifting to better keep an eye on their three charges.

A saleswoman walked up to Kara and Alex. “Can I help you?”

“Yes.” Kara answered. She took Bruce Wayne’s black credit card from her bag. Judging by the wide-eyed look on the saleswoman’s face, Alex guessed she worked on commission. “I want one of everything in my size.”

The attendant leaned forward a bit, figuring she must have misheard that. “One of everything? In what section?”

“All of them. Call the number on the back of this card. I am sure they can verify its credit limit. I want one of everything,” Kara replied, then motioned to her grinning friend. “Also, anything Alex wants.”

“That’s… that will take quite a few bags.” the shocked woman said.

“Lucky for me, I have a lot of help. Mother, how many of your girlfriends came with us?”

Alura looked out the door, taking in the Red Shard soldiers and pleased to see at least four of them were female.

“Four?”

“Looks like we will have quite a bit of work to do. Alex, could you arrange for another SUV to arrive?”

Alex nodded happily. “I’ll order a delivery truck and have it brought to the loading dock behind the mall.”

Batcave

Bruce sat in front of the large screen of Brother Eye and wondered when life had gotten so complicated. He once used this computer to search for criminals in Gotham, track money laundering operations, identify drug trade routes and monitor police communication.

Now he was receiving real time data from a Kryptonian fighter craft zipping through the Galaxy at three times the speed of light, searching for an interdimensional rip that a skull-shaped ship could enter through and slip back out unseen without any physical property that can be observed by three dimensional physics.

The Kryptonian fighter craft belonged to a 22-year-old, blonde Kryptonian who was considered important enough that she warranted multiple Green Lanterns and a Kryptonian warship and commandos for her protection.

Bruce had watched that same Kryptonian playing with promethium in his workshop and one of the crystals from Clark’s Fortress. Whatever she had been doing, Kara knew she was being watched, even turned to the camera and waved, said ‘Hi Bruce’ and went back to her project. She had bent and worked the promethium slab into a cylinder of some sort and was placing glowing wires inside.

Then a ray of blue light shot up from the table through the ceiling and the camera was gone.

If he didn’t know better, he would have thought she was trying to make a lightsaber. Whatever she was trying to make, his metal shop was gone. An overhead satellite told him as much.

Diana walked in behind Bruce. He didn’t need to look. Armored boots tended to make a distinct sound.

“What are you doing here? I would have thought you would be at Watchtower.” the Amazon asked him.

Bruce didn’t bother to turn around, so Diana stepped in front of him, arms crossed.

“I asked you a question.” she told him.

“This is my place, my base of operation under my mansion. Why wouldn’t I be here?” Batman replied.

Diana shook her head, growing angry. “You are the one who activated the Unlimited Protocol. Now there are dozens of people at Watchtower, many of them inexperienced members, even children, waiting for word on what may happen. They can’t stay there forever. We have no idea if there is even a foreseeable threat. You wanted them at Watchtower, so brief them, prepare them or send them away. When Billy Batson is the one watching children and telling them not to touch things, there is a problem!”

Bruce took a deep breath. He hadn’t expected such a quick reaction. “How many are there?”

“More by the hour.” The War Goddess replied.

“The Titans?”

“No. Dick said to patch Titan’s Tower through to the briefing room.” Diana told him. “Do not even think of bringing Jason Todd into this.”

Bruce stared at her for a moment, a scowl on his face. “I want the Unlimited Protocol activated so the situation can be controlled, not turned into total anarchy by someone like Jason. Has Zatanna arrived?”

“Yes, your favorite Sorceress has appeared. Before you ask, I have no idea where Dr. Fate is. You know he shows up when he wants to.”

Bruce agreed. “And if he isn’t showing up, that means there is something coming that he doesn’t feel the need to tell us about.”

Diana huffed and turned away. “I cannot stand that… man. He is not a teammate. He uses us when he decides he needs us to maintain some semblance of order. He is unpredictable and powerful. That makes him dangerous.”

Bruce smiled condescendingly. “Kara Zor El is unpredictable and powerful. She is more powerful than Clark because, though they have the same powers, she has an army of Green Lanterns and Kryptonians at her beck and call. She has superior aircraft and firepower. How could Clark, or any of us, compete with that? The Green Lanterns would turn on us if she told them to, even Hal. Have you ever seen Hal act the way he does around anyone as he does around Kara? You know I’m right. She is very dangerous, yet you worry about Fate.”

Diana nearly grabbed the man by his throat but restrained her temper. Barely. “Are we going to have this conversation again? I thought you had agreed she was not a threat.”

“I said I didn’t believe she had anything to do with Luthor escaping… but Brainiac being here, the timing of it bothers me. I’m not saying I don’t trust her. I’m just not saying I do.” Batman replied.

Before Diana could decide if she wanted to further the argument, Alfred entered the Cave.

“Master Bruce, I received an alert on the credit card you gave Lady Kara.” Alfred said, and Bruce could tell his longtime friend and mentor was barely holding in a smile.

“Yes, I am aware she entered a mall four hours ago. I told her to use it as she wished. Have you come across any suspicious purchases?”

Alfred nodded his head. “Several. To start off, a moving truck was rented seemingly for the purpose of transporting her bags. She spent $46,762 at Victoria’s Secret, $4,509 at a boutique named Syndi’s, $167 at Corndog Express and $32 at Mario’s Pizza Slices.

“The Starbucks bill is unbelievable. What they charge for coffee today is criminal. She also spent $3,089 dollars at Macy’s, $628 at Old Navy, $108 at Footlocker and $3.75 at Hallmark Express, probably a ‘thank you’ card to give you.”

Bruce closed his eyes, wondering how the hell one girl could spend that much money in four hours.

Alfred continued with his report, barely able to keep a straight face. “Finally, I looked at the call log of the cell phone you gave her. Kara contacted a horse breeding stable so you… or should I say, she… may well be an owner of a fine thoroughbred horse soon. Congratulations.”

Alfred exited the Batcave, breaking down in laughter before he had made it to the door.

“Yeah, she is definitely dangerous. Dr. Fate level dangerous.” Diana agreed, the snark evident in her tone.

“I don’t suppose you have any idea where Clark is?” Bruce asked, changing the subject.

“Of course I do. Unlike you, he checks in. He and Lois are at the Planet.”

“Doing what?” Batman asked, truly confused.

“Working. It’s this thing people who aren’t billionaires have to do at times to eat and pay bills. After he gets off, he is going to the Fortress to search for any information his father has on Apokolips. We learned everything about Darkseid’s battle tactics. He wants to know if there is any information on Darkseid’s defenses and if the planet had ever been invaded before.” Diana explained.

Batman considered this. “So he believes Non is right?”

“We have to look at all possibilities.” She replied. “John Stewart has contacted the Lantern assigned to that sector and more are on their way. I’m sure the Guardians will love being in a position where it is essential Apokolips is protected.”

Bruce nodded, imagining if he was in the position of having to provide protection for one who had caused so much harm.

“This Anti-Life Equation.” Diana said in distaste. “Even if Brainiac does not attack Earth or Apokolips soon, he will come for it eventually. If not him, then some other megalomaniac. The pieces on both planets must be destroyed.”

Batman shook his head. “That will do no good. Long ago, someone figured out a mathematical equation that can brainwash people into believing there is no point in living, make them a lifeless soul in their bodies. It will always be out there unless someone can prove a counterargument to nullify it.”

Diana smirked at the man. “So you admit we need her.”

Bruce nodded. He had never doubted they needed her. He just wondered why now. Why had Brainiac come, why had Kara Zor El arrived, at nearly the same time?

Fate? Bruce wasn’t sure he believed in fate. Like Diana, he even had the same doubts as to the usefulness of their sometime teammate, Hector Hall, who went by that name.

“I would like to ask her some questions.” Bruce finally decided.

Diana smiled widely. “I am certain she does not mind answering questions. I think she may love it.”

“I want her to be holding your lasso when she does.” Batman said next.

The smile on Diana’s face was gone instantly. She became still, standing over the chair where Batman sat with a look of fury etched onto her face.

“I suppose I have a decision to make then.” Diana told him calmly. “Cut you out of this operation completely and work it with Clark and Hal, or risk cutting off our best tactical advantage by angering the Kryptonians. In my opinion, your curiosity, not to mention your distrust, is not worth the Kryptonians and Kara Zor El leaving us to fend for ourselves.”

Batman stood up quickly, then was forced back into his chair just as quickly when her finger hit his chest.

The man slid his chair back and stood up slower. “You think it is easy being the one who has to temper yours and Clark’s optimism? I don’t like being the bad guy constantly, but someone has to!”

Diana was livid, she was having a hard time maintaining any composure at this point. “In case you haven’t noticed, the Green Lanterns, our teammates, the Kryptonians, and the Guardians of the Universe treat her like my sisters treat my Mother! No matter what kind of government Krypton claims, she is royalty! Asking her to take a lie detector test would be tantamount to asking a dignitary from another nation to take a lie detector test upon entering the United States! You cannot be this stupid!”

“Fine! I’ll take it on faith…” Batman replied as a new voice interrupted him.

“I’ll do it.”

Both heroes jumped around, shocked by the sight of Kara Zor El standing in the middle of the Batcave with her hands on her hips.

Diana walked up to her slowly and lifted a hand towards her face. Kara watched the hand come closer and touch her. Diana jumped back slightly.

“You’re not a hologram.” The Amazon whispered, shocked.

Kara shook her head. “Sorry to pop in. I thought of going to Watchtower, but Clark told me you and Bruce were here. Besides, I know there are a strange assortment of people at Watchtower and thought we might keep this on the downlow for a while.”

“How are you…” Bruce started to ask, until Kara held up a hand stopping him.

She pulled her phone from her handbag and dialed. “Kell? I was calling to let you know where I am so no one would worry. Yes… I know I just went into the ship. Yes… well, I am in Gotham City now, sort of… I’m with Bruce Wayne and Diana… no I didn’t sneak out. I was simply testing a theory and it worked. What? You want me to explain it to you? Really? Right now? No, I didn’t teleport, not exactly… If you would relax… no, don’t come to Gotham. I’ll be back very soon. I’m coming back the same way I got here… using interdimensional travel, duh…”

Kara rolled her eyes at the two superheroes and smiled. “No, tell Uncle Non… hi, Uncle Non. Yes, I’m fine. Good news! I figured out how Brainiac is entering the system without leaving an energy signal. It’s not really good news, I guess, but the good news is I know how to stop it… no, I thought of it when I was eating a corndog. I can multitask.

“As I was saying, I used the core of my miniature… it’s not a toy. I just had to create a bit of antigravity and replicate an event horizon but from a nearly microscopic black hole that spins thousands of times faster… yes, I need to get to the point, I opened up a tear in the fabric of space and time, took a peek around to see where I might want to go, found Bruce and Diana in the Batcave… this place is really cool. Totally goth like Hot Topic… goth means… fine, you don’t care what it means… I would have said something, but I just wanted to test it out first. I slipped through the tear and here I am. I can be back in less than a second but first I’m going to give Bruce and Diana the rundown… no, I will be back in twenty minutes. Do not send the guard after me. I’m fine… I realize we will talk about this later. Only you could be this upset that I made a major discovery in interstellar travel. I love you, too. No! I’ll talk to Mother when I get back. If she wants me back so badly, I should stop wasting time on the phone… yes, see you then. Give Kell a kiss for me.”

Kara ended the call and looked at her two friends.

“So… I have this.” The girl reached back into her purse and pulled out a blue, disk-shaped object. “It’s kind of like a compass for the Universe that can track and rearrange gravity and magnetism, using a very small blue dwarf star core coupled with a very tiny, hardly noticeable self-contained black hole inside.

“By adjusting the numbers, I can create an interdimensional gate and look around the Universe. Unfortunately, I cannot see everything, and I can’t hear anything. So he may be able to spy on us, but he cannot download information or transmit. He has to be in this galaxy to do that. I will have blockers made in the morning for our secure facilities like here and Watchtower. He won’t be able to get in. If I can find the right materials to make satellites, I can at least close any gates he may open in the planetary system before he can slip through.”

Kara placed the small blue disk back into her bag and smiled at the two individuals who were speechless.

“So… we have that problem solved. Is everything okay? Why aren’t you speaking?” she asked.

Bruce shook his head, an incredulous look on his face. “You figured this out while eating a corndog?”

Kara nodded her head. “Yeah, but it had nothing to do with the corndog. I was thinking about some of the material I had just bought, the lingerie. Most of our clothes on Krypton are hard to tear or burn but the material here is so easily ripped. Then I thought about rips that might happen during… never mind.

“Anyway, I started thinking about tears and how to prevent them, then thinking that some tears in the right places could be good, broke down the fabric into the three dimensions that we know of, and added seven other dimensions of what you would call a ‘string theory’, which humans almost have right… anyway it came to me. I can only move forward, no time travel, but I can move quickly and be anywhere in the Universe as simply as stepping through a door. It’s not as difficult as it sounds. The important thing is we know how to do it now and we know how to stop him from using it to his advantage. Go team!”

Bruce and Diana looked at each other, neither sure what to say.

Hearing nothing, Kara decided it was time for her to break the silence. “You were arguing about asking me questions while I hold Diana’s rope, correct? Uncle Non is probably going to yell at me some more tonight for doing him a favor so I don’t have much time. So… give me the golden lasso maybe?”

Diana slowly handed the lasso to Kara, who grabbed it without hesitation and sped to Bruce’s chair, having a seat.

“So, ask away.” she offered. “Anything you want. Don’t worry about offending me. I’m an open book.”

Diana looked at Bruce and motioned that he should start. Bruce walked slowly towards her and took a seat.

“I am sorry I doubted you, Kara.” he told her carefully. “I did not mean to offend you. There is no need to answer my questions.”

“No, you’re not sorry, but you have every right to be suspicious. I would be suspicious as well.” she told him.

Bruce glanced at Diana who was giving him a look filled with warning. “Okay… Kara, why did you come to Earth?”

The blonde smiled. “Three reasons. One, I really wanted to know what it is like to fly in the open. Two, I wanted to study Earth in regards to building a new planet. I have always been fascinated by stories of the ecosystems of this planet, the harmony, while intrigued by the wars and political divides. There are things on Earth I want my new planet to emulate and there are things I want it to avoid. The third reason is I wanted to meet my cousin and offer him a chance to return home to his people if he wanted. If not, I just wanted to know him, spend time with him, let him know that his people still exist and that he is not alone.”

Diana shook her head and rose an eyebrow towards Bruce. “You got her on the ropes detective, literally.” Diana encouraged. “Go for the kill.”

Bruce ignored her sarcasm as best he could. “Before you arrived here, before Clark told you about Lex Luthor being taken over by a parasite, had you ever heard of Brainiac 13?”

Kara thought for a moment. “Yes, I overheard things. I knew there was a supposedly immortal Coluan in the Universe who did bad things. I listened in on a conversation between my Father and Uncle I wasn’t supposed to hear. I was only eight, so I was obviously curious and didn’t like to be kept in the dark. I entered a ventilation shaft and listened in. I looked up what information there was in Uncle Jor’s lab after they left. I didn’t have much time since I was never supposed to be in there alone and had to sneak around his Kelex. Brainiac had never been seen by any Kryptonian so not much was known about him. I still don’t know enough about him.”

“Do you have any reason to think he may have tracked you to Earth?” Batman asked.

Kara snorted. “There is no way. If he knew Argo City survived, he would have come for us when we were weakest. Besides, I had no idea I would be coming to Earth. It was a spur of the moment decision. I mean that literally. I had planned to come to Earth one day and had bags packed but never knew when I would go.”

Bruce found this interesting. He had thought Kara’s trip must have been more planned out than Clark believed. “What made you decide to come to Earth when you did?”

Kara laughed a bit. “I was annoyed and very bored. Argo City was safe, thriving, my systems were running perfectly. I had identified uninhabited planets that could be our new home and was told I was too important to join the scouting trips. If anyone should have been on a scouting trip, it was me. My family has always been so overprotective.

“Then my Mom and Aunt started trying to hook me up, you know? Set me up with a guy who I was not supposed to date like you humans do but marry. Supposedly Kryptonians are so evolved that when we meet our mate, we know immediately. I turned down every guy my Mother set up an interview with. All of them were handsome and so boring. I fell asleep at two dinners. Then I met Kell. When he came to the door and I saw him… and I just knew.

“I became scared. I knew if I stayed, got married, I would never have a chance to explore, so I ran. My Uncle knows me too well, though, and suspected I would, so he sent Kell to hide in my ship, kind of like a bodyguard. I left a note for my Mother, but she woke up for a glass of water, and then caught me in the Hangar about to leave.

“By the grace of Rao, she didn’t kill me and let me go, but Kell had to go with me. It was a fun trip. We went through the ‘Wormhole of Death’. I named it that. The wormhole is small so has a greater gravitational force, but the real challenge is getting through the asteroid belt at its mouth without so much damage that the ship would implode inside the bend.”

Diana and Bruce found this incredible.

“So you were annoyed that you weren’t invited to explore, met a guy you were attracted to and made a split second decision to travel through a deadly wormhole to Earth because you were afraid of getting tied down.” Bruce summed up.

“Yep, that pretty well sums it up.” She continued on then, seemingly unable to stop talking, not that this was unusual. “But it’s not uncommon for a person to be frightened of having an intimate relationship. I was afraid at first but the longer I was around him the more I knew I wanted to be with him. He has an amazing body and is very good at combat, yet he is also kind of a dork. He is so sweet and loving and protective in a good way. I still can’t get over how his lips feel. He understands my need to do things on my own, to fight my own battles. He has a great sense of humor and when he holds me as I fall asleep it feels so good and ever since that day on the beach when I saw him without a shirt and his reaction to me in the bathing suit…”

“Kara, that’s good enough…” Bruce tried to stop her.

“… I became jealous because this Green Lantern slut named Jade was talking to him. She was totally trying to hook up with him. Like I would ever let that happen. Not the point. I believe I’m ready to be married now and it’s not just because of my physical reaction. He is so sweet… Did I mention that? And he appreciates my independence.

“I have been a bit annoyed because ever since I asked him to marry me, I seem to think about sex constantly. It’s always on my mind. Is it like this for humans? It isn’t easy thinking of ways to defeat a Coluan while also wondering how much sex we can have in one day. I am certain once the initial pain is gone, I will enjoy it and be very good at it. I’ve never experienced an orgasm, but they sound wonderful.”

“Kara, let me have the lasso.” Diana told her. The lasso was obviously having a strange effect on Kara. Instead of handing it over, Kara held it tighter.

“I have been conducting a lot of research. A lot. I want to have sex in my lab too. I picked up a few interesting gadgets to go with the lingerie I bought tonight, thank you for that by the way, Bruce. I bought you a thank you card but left it on the ship. Back to sex, I’ve thought of it at least twice while sitting here. I’ve also been conducting research on sexual techniques, but Alex calls it porn. It’s not by the way. Simply educational videos. Do you know about Kama Sutra? I have a special interest in book 2 chapter 1. I haven’t read the rest yet, but the videos were amazing. My mother never told me about techniques like this when she explained sex. There is this one technique I am very excited to attempt. Want to know which one?”

Diana jerked her lasso out of Kara’s hand.

“Wow,” Kara said after a moment, her voice barely above a whisper and eyes slightly glazed. “Can I have it back? It felt so warm and fuzzy, like this blanket my Mother gave me once… oh, Rao… that was… so inappropriate. Oh no… wow… I said those things, didn’t I? Oh, Rao… okay… let’s just pretend none of that was said. It must have been the lasso talking, right? That wasn’t me, it was the lasso. Yes, magic… bad magic! I am so sorry. That was totally not cool. I probably just made you both extremely uncomfortable. I just couldn’t stop talking. It’s like I wanted to say everything on my mind and my mind has constantly been thinking about sex… damn it! I said it again. That lasso is worse than alcohol. Please never let my mother touch it around me. I may learn things no girl should know about her parents. Okay… I’m good now. Seriously… wow. That rope feels really good. Do you have any more lying around, Diana? Never mind, we can talk about it later. So, any more questions for me?”

“No!” both told her quickly.

Kara’s phone made a very loud noise, one that made her take a sharp breath. She pulled it from her pocket and started at the screen.

“My ship just picked up the right distortion in the gravity and magnetic field near Jupiter. The numbers are right. It occurred 20 minutes ago and has just been identified. I’m going to have to reconfigure the analyzer to give us a quicker warning. Brainiac is, or was, in the Planetary System, near Jupiter.” she told Bruce and Diana.

Bruce turned his satellites towards the giant gas planet. The distance was too great to be seen and he doubted he would have seen anything regardless. The ship could be hiding in the storms or gas clouds.

“My ship picked something up. Turning away from Jupiter… oh, wow.” Kara told him.

“Could you be more specific?” Bruce asked, face showing his apprehension. “You say ‘wow’ a lot.”

“Whatever Brainiac launched, they are larger than parasites. There are perhaps over a thousand and they are headed straight to Earth. I’m getting a clearer number, but I don’t want my ship too close while it’s on remote. At their speed, I would guess we have twelve hours before they break atmosphere. I’ll have a better picture of them when my ship closes the distance, but they are either thousands of missiles or worse.”

“What could be worse than thousands of alien missiles attacking Earth?” Diana wondered.

Kara shrugged her shoulders. “Thousands of androids? If he can turn humans into weaponized cyborgs… what could he make without needing a human host? We need to be prepared. Something is coming and there are a lot of them.

“Go to Watchtower. My crew will be there in twenty minutes and I should have more information. I think this is his opening move. By the way, if we could keep the details of our discussion to ourselves, I would so appreciate it.”