Bella MacLeod's Twilight Fanfiction

The Life Equation

By BetterInTexas

Chapter 29:

Alex walked into Kara’s home to find Astra waiting for them. To Alex’s relief, Astra spoke English.

“Armor is in your room, Kara.” Astra said, then smiled and hugged her niece. “I have good news. Non contacted me. He and your Mother have made amends.”

Kara let out a breath. “Thank you, Rao. I don’t like to see them at odds.”

“He also reported that your new friends are hard at work following your design for the satellites. Oh… and Kal El told Lois she is pregnant. According to Non, she is very happy, and they are planning on moving here when you return.” Astra added happily.

While Kara squealed and literally hopped up and down in joy with her fists clenched, Alex tried to take that in. “Hold up. Lois is pregnant? And Superman is moving to Argo City? He is leaving Earth?”

Kara looked at her friend excitedly. “It’s great, isn’t it?”

Alex shook her head slowly, a somber expression on her face. “Not so much for Earth.”

Kara saw the doubt on Alex’s face. “Alex, we are his people. Thanks to my toy, we can be on Earth in seconds should an invasion attempt occur. It’s not like he is abandoning the planet. Earth and Krypton will always be linked to each other… more so than ever now considering the next child of the House of El will be part human! Isn’t it awesome?”

Alex shook her head, still looking skeptical. “Not really… I get that he will be with his people, I understand him wanting to be, but I don’t think you realize the symbol of hope he represents to Earth, same as you do for your people. Besides, hasn’t Krypton always been sort of an isolationist planet? I mean Lois is human… would a human even be welcome by your people?”

Astra smiled comfortingly at the woman. “I understand your concerns, Alex, and I’m not dismissing them. I just have faith that these things will be resolved as Rao wills. To your question about Krypton accepting humans, I’m not sure if you noticed much beyond the beauty of our city but we can’t exactly be choosy when it comes to population. Naturally, we wouldn’t want humans to have a run on the planet but one… or two, will be nice. The House of El will claim them as our own so no one will question their right to be here.”

“Besides, I watched Lois Lane get under my sister’s skin and not back down or show any fear whatsoever. That alone impresses me. Alura needs someone to be angry at other than Non all the time. I am sure there are other humans who are impressive… right, Kara?” Astra prompted her niece.

“Alex is impressive.” Kara said with a smile, patting Alex on the back. “Brilliant and brave.”

Alex stilled at the General’s words and the implications seemingly behind them. She had the feeling Astra wasn’t just talking about Lois but was talking about her as well. And Kara’s immediate response? A part of her mind admitted the absurdity of those thoughts.

But a larger part did wonder.

“Oh Kara, there is something else.” Astra said, changing the subject. “Non and Alura wanted me to tell you something in the privacy of our home in case you throw a fit. You need to remain calm or I will put you in an armbar until you relax, understand?”

Astra’s tone let the two girls know she was not joking. Kara swallowed, her eyes wide.

“Those hurt though.” She whined.

“Good, you remember our last sparring session.” Astra replied, pleased. “Although he wasn’t aware of the impact to our people, Kal El shared some good news with Alura while you and Non were flying to Apokolips. There just hasn’t been a chance to tell you yet. Kal El confessed to her that when he found out about his true origin he was a bit… I think she said, ‘creeped out’. You see, he found a crystal skull in his pod. Jor El didn’t tell him what it was, just to put it away and keep it safe…”

The rapid change in Kara’s demeanor was almost frightening. “I’m going into Rao’s light and killing him all over again! I’ve spoken to him twice and he has said nothing! He has had the Codex this entire time! I’m going back right now… owww!”

Alex flinched as Astra caught her niece who had been walking rapidly toward the door, twisting her arm behind her back. “Do we need to take this to the floor, or will you calm down?”

“This is abuse! Alex, you are seeing this right? Abuse!” Kara called out, struggling, Astra twisting a bit more.

“This is training. You should know how to break out of this easily.” The woman told her niece calmly.

“I can’t think right now! Jor El had the Codex this entire time? He never said a word! This is… Owww! Stop! I’m calm. I’m good now. I promise, please let me go.” Kara begged.

“Not until you break out of the hold.” Astra told her.

Kara looked pleadingly at Alex. “This is abuse. You are my witness, Alex. When I tell my Mother… owww!”

Astra grinned, knowing just how to goad Kara into breaking the hold. “Going to run to your Mother? I thought you didn’t want her to fight your battles, Little One.”

Kara’s face turned red and her nostrils flared as she stomped on Astra’s foot and dropped, twisting her body and reversing the grip, shoving Astra to the floor.

The General rolled over and laughed. “That’s my girl. Calmer now?”

Kara groaned and helped her Aunt off the floor. “This? This is the definition of a dysfunctional family, right, Alex? Completely mental. And people wonder why I am so screwed up. I live with violent lunatics!”

Alex shrugged her shoulders. “Seems kind of fun to me. Didn’t you want to spar with Red Shard?”

Astra’s eyes widened, instantly angry. “Did they touch you? It is a breach of law! No one can touch you except us! Everyone knows that!”

Kara shook her head and rubbed her arm. “No, they didn’t touch me. I can only fight with my family apparently. That’s normal, right, Alex? It’s against the law to train with your bodyguards but your aunt can put you in an armbar whenever she wants because she thinks you need to calm down.”

“Are you calm?” Astra asked.

“Calmer.” Kara admitted.

Astra smiled widely, pleased. “See? You calmed down and practiced your escapes. I’m proud of you, Little One.”

Kara didn’t feel proud at the moment. She felt very, very irritated even though her initial anger had passed. “Why didn’t Uncle Jor tell me he had the Codex?”

Astra sighed. “I suspect if this AI really is a copy of Jor El’s consciousness he must have assumed you would leave Kal El with a way to contact you. He was most likely waiting until you were naturally pregnant before telling you about the Codex.”

“The odds of me going through natural childbirth are slim especially with Kal and Lois being able to carry on the El name, so why would he do that?!” Kara yelled, incensed.

“You did turn his skin blue for a week.” Astra reminded her, amused at the younger girl’s reaction. “You also tampered with his toilet, causing him quite the emotional trauma if not physical…”

“That was Father’s idea! I just helped.” Kara explained.

“You made a life size hologram of your mother to yell at him when he opened his closet.” Astra reminded her.

“I was testing his bravery. I have never heard such a high pitch yelp from a grown man.” Kara admitted, smiling at the memory.

Astra chuckled herself, remembering the look on Jor’s face.

“Don’t forget the time you reprogrammed his Kelex to sing every time he asked a question. It took him a week to find the virus you placed in his Kelex.” Astra reminded her.

“He needed a little music in his life. It wasn’t a big deal. Maybe if he spent as much time with actual computers as he did with his stupid crystals, he wouldn’t have had such a difficult time.” Kara pointed out.

“How about the electromagnetic pulse field you put around all his tools? Every time he grabbed one he was shocked… for weeks.”

“Minor shocks. Seriously, because of a few harmless pranks he decided from Rao’s Light to pay me back by trying to force me into an experience that could have torn my body in two? That’s taking it too far. If he thinks what I did to him in the past was bad, I hope he enjoys what I plan to do to his AI. If Kal El is coming here, so is his Fortress and it will be property of the Science Guild. Kal can have the crystals if he wants them but that AI is mine. I bet Kal will love seeing his Father in one of Aunt Lara’s more elaborate dresses.”

Astra laughed, glad to see her niece was already plotting revenge instead of losing the temper she inherited from herself and Alura. “Look on the bright side. You can now recreate the Genesis Chamber. Our population can grow more efficiently. The women who share your opinion of natural childbirth may now be motivated to become mothers. Perhaps I will myself one day. What about you, Alex? Have you ever considered being a mother?”

Of course I have, Alex thought, caught off guard yet again. She had doubts it would ever happen though. “My job is very time consuming. Plus most adoption agencies try to place babies with families that have two parents. It isn’t easy. I thought I had a partner who… but it didn’t work out.”

Astra smiled at her with understanding. “That’s a shame. We could certainly use more people that want children on our new planet. With the Codex, you could have a biological… I’m sorry, this is none of my business.”

Alex stared at the woman for a moment in shock. “But… but I’m human.”

Astra nodded her head. “Yes, you are. Just like Lois. The right human, someone brave and intelligent, loving, wanting to love a child and helping a race she could belong to, being a part of saving the race even, building a new world for her child, a world without crime and war… that kind of person would be very welcome regardless of race. As I said before, it is a shame Earth has claimed you.”

Seeing how overwhelmed the younger woman was, Astra changed the subject. “Why don’t you girls change into your armor and I will show you the most impressive battle cruiser in the Universe… the Nightwing.

“Kara can tell you a bit of our history and the place Nightwing and Flamebird held in it. It’s a fascinating story about two Kryptonian heroes of the past. I believe a hero like you will appreciate it.”

Kara and Alex suited up, Kara dispensing with the image inducer and placing a helmet over her head.

The two walked briskly out the door behind Astra, glad to see the citizens gave no more than the usual glance and nod of respect to Astra whenever she walked anywhere. Alex couldn’t help but be impressed by the woman. She walked with the air of a warrior… confident, calm but dangerous under the surface. The respect of the people they walked past was obvious.

Unlike the reverence extended to Kara, Alex saw that Kryptonians found it okay to greet the General and she smiled back at everyone, greeting them by name. Alex wondered if Astra knew everyone in the city by name, another testament to the General’s exceptional character as she was in charge of the safety of a small city yet commanded the best soldiers and, from the way Kara described them, the two most powerful machines of war in the universe.

The three women walked up to a huge tunnel that seemed to go right past the shield. Looking at the entry points, it was obvious the connecting structure to the city had been engineered to be exceptionally strong and were most likely parts of other, strong structures as the metal was different than that of the tubes which were the same liquid metal as the ships.

“These are our boarding points.” Astra explained. “Once we disable a ship, the wing flows under that ship and we move along the vessel, punching holes into it with these tubes. Then, we send small, remote, rolling grenades to take out the enemy surrounding our entry points. Once they blow the hallway clear, our First Wave enters. We have ten of these tubes and usually send fifty to a hundred soldiers in, shielded against enemy fire. Once the entry points are cleared, the Second Wave moves into the engine and navigational rooms. By this point, the armory and bridge are most likely blocked off and Red Shard enters the ship, doing whatever is necessary to take those areas.”

Alex looked at the large tube, imagining killer remote bombs rolling over the passageways and hundreds of soldiers rushing into an enemy ship under fire.

“We don’t board the vessel until the engines or bridge has been destroyed. So, once these tubes break into the enemy ship, the battle is ours. It has never taken us longer than 20 minutes and 6 seconds. Unfortunately, the record is Non’s. He beat me at 11 minutes and forty-two seconds which was 20 seconds faster than my crew has ever done. Rao forbid, but if we ever face war again, I will beat him.” Astra promised.

“So how long are these tubes? I don’t see the Nightwing.” Alex mentioned, looking at the wall of dark space on what she supposed was the other side of the shield.

Kara giggled. “You are looking at her.”

Alex looked closely, trying to peer through the darkness when she realized it wasn’t space on the other side of the shield but black, smooth metal. She followed it up and could almost make out where the metal separated from the dome of the shield and continued to rise.

“You’re kidding me.” Alex whispered. The size and height of the thing made her shudder and she wondered how far below the city its bulk went.

She followed Kara and Astra into the tube, past two guards who were standing by the door. They saluted Astra and stepped aside, granting them entrance.

Once again, Alex’s breath was taken away. She walked to the edge of a walkway and leaned against the metal barrier. Looking down, it must have been thirty stories below and thirty stories above her. At the bottom, she could see people moving, barely. They were so small, so it was hard to tell how many.

“Only two thousand people run this ship?” she asked Astra.

The General nodded. “It only takes four hundred to actually run the ship, prepare the weapons, modify or fix any problems on the fly. The rest are soldiers and pilots who are also trained in one area of the ship as back up. Like Kara’s fighter and the scout ship, this cruiser is mostly self-automated. Only a select few officers and I are allowed on the bridge during battle.

“The Captain usually flies while I plan the approach of our ships and our attack strategy. The captain is literally locked into the ship, it will respond to her slightest movements. It can make automated corrections during lightspeed travel though we tend not to fight in lightspeed obviously. It makes aiming difficult, but it is not impossible. Let’s take the elevator and the transport to the armory.”

They walked along a bit further finding the elevator which didn’t feel as if it even moved to a cube about the size of a subway car. Once inside, it took off and Alex once again didn’t feel it moving though she realized she was. It was a surreal experience. When they stepped off, the group walked to another door where two guards stood. They also didn’t ask for identification, instead offering a salute to the General and paying no mind to the helmeted individuals behind her.

Alex wasn’t sure she had any breath remaining as she gazed at the sight before her. The room was massive and covered with weapons. Some she recognized as they type Kell carried and others she had never seen before.

“This is one of our armories.” Astra explained. “The walls have panels hidden behind that store the armor of each section not on duty. As you noticed from our guards, we do not wear armor unless in battle. Red and black standard uniforms are mostly worn unless training is ongoing.”

Alex’s eyes took in the weapons which must have numbered in the thousands. “One of your armories?”

“Yes, we have one on every deck. There are sixty-two decks on the ship not including engine and weapons systems monitoring.” Kara answered. Sighing, she added wistfully, “I love these ships.”

Alex followed the two Kryptonians, dumbfounded by what she saw. This wasn’t just a gigantic living weapon, it was a work of art. The insides were not all black as she imagined but silver in places, blue in other places and a few decks she passed had clear crystalline walls.

“How many of these did Krypton have before…” Alex began, not wanting to bring up the planet’s death.

“Ten.” Astra answered. “In times of peace, only two patrolled in orbit while the rest stayed in dock planet side for repairs and to allow soldiers to practice drills while on the ground. We were fortunate that Non and I were on patrols when the final event occurred. It saved time and allowed us to land on Kandor and Kryptonopolis quickly.

“We had kept our ships primed and ready for launch months before in the event it struck quickly, and we were in dock. We had our crews working twenty-four hours a day in twelve-hour shifts. For those with families, we invited them on board for a ‘family experience’. Unfortunately, we could not keep them on board as questions started to be asked and eventually we had to go on patrol. Zor communicated with me secretly on our second rotation that the time was coming soon.”

While Astra had spoken with an air of confidence and pride before, her voice was now much more solemn, more introspective, and it was obvious it pained her to speak of that day. Alex wished she hadn’t asked.

Astra shook her head and smiled. “The final stop, the bridge.”

Alex followed Kara and Astra, who had their arms linked, into the elevator and soon found herself in a huge room, looking out over the darkness of space, with only a few small stars able to be seen in the distance. She looked to her right and left and could not see Argo City.

“Argo City is only half as long as the Nightwing.” Kara explained, seeing where she was looking. “It’s back there. If you look hard enough you can see the Flamebird across from us… though being on the dark side of a moon makes it a pain to see anything.”

Unable to see the Flamebird, Alex took in the huge bridge. There were perhaps twenty people sitting at consoles staring at holographic boards in front of them. In the middle, a woman stood with her hands on two columns that rose to meet them.

“Those are steering columns…” Astra explained, following her gaze. “and that is Captain Tre. If we were to fly into battle, she would activate the column. It would rise, lock her lower legs in, support her back, wrap around her arms and place a neural sensor on her head with a screen that can see everything around, not just what is in front but behind and to her sides. They make her feel as if she is part of the ship and, in a way, she is. The ship responds as if reading her thoughts, feeling the subtle movements of her body and recognizing the neural output of her brain.

“I have to say, I love flying myself. Becoming a part of something so large and powerful is a rush you cannot imagine. I am usually stuck here in the back, though, watching ship movements and positioning, planning attacks and formations, communicating with other Generals.”

Astra had a fond smile on her face and Alex had the feeling she was remembering what it felt like to fly. She also recognized a look of longing on Kara’s face, telling her the blonde never had a chance to do so.

“So, what do you think?” Astra asked, turning her attention back to Alex.

“I… I was on a mission once, my team was stationed on a state-of-the-art aircraft carrier for a few days.” Alex told her companions. “I thought that was impressive, but it was nothing compared to this. I’ve never seen anything like this before… I’ve never imagined anything like this. Honestly, I’m speechless.”

Kara eyes widened. “We didn’t take her to the hangars! We have hundreds of fighters, more scout ships… but we should probably get back. I wish we had time to take you there. My hangar spot is on the Flamebird and I could show you the weapons bay… over three thousand missiles, the biggest ion cannons in the Universe and… my baby. I’m not sure I could even show her that, could I, Aunt Astra?”

Astra nodded, smiling. “Of course, you could. I’m sure she would love to see your Alphahedron. Do you really have to leave now?”

Kara nodded and Alex could see, even through her tinted faceplate, the blonde did not want to go back right away. As much as Kara loved Earth, she could understand why Kara would be homesick.

Alex had been told that Kryptonian tech was millions of years ahead of Earth’s but seeing all this and knowing she had not seen even ten percent of what there was to see… it was obvious Kara was roughing it on Earth.

The three woman stepped into the area outside the bridge to make sure no one was watching them, where Kara hugged her Aunt tightly. Still holding her niece close, Astra turned to Alex, “I want you to know, you will always be welcome in Argo City, Alex. Thank you for what you have done for my Little One. I think the two of you could make a very good team. She could use someone strong… but of course Earth has claimed you.”

Looking back at her niece, she said, “Be careful, Kara. I will be watching you very closely. No more trips to hostile planets… or else an armbar will be the least of your worries.”

Astra and Alex shook hands as Kara took out the breach device and opened a small tear, grabbing Alex by the hand. Before the agent could catch up to what was happening, they were back in Kara’s lab.

Kara grabbed a large bag, filled with her tools. “Do you know the address of the warehouse Bruce was talking about?”

Alex shook her head.

“That’s fine.” Kara said, “I have the coordinates of a place in Gotham. We can find our way from there. Ready?”

Alex took one long look around the beautiful lab. No, she really wasn’t, but Kara was right, they did have a world to save.

The two slipped into the nearly invisible, thin, silent breach and entered…

“Are we in the Batcave?” Alex asked, never having been here but recognizing the Batmobile.

Kara nodded excitedly. “I am guessing Bruce flew his little bat jet… thingy, to the warehouse. I could carry you in my arms in the air but… I was thinking he wouldn’t mind if we borrowed his car and brought it to him.”

Alex looked at her for a moment, thinking she was joking. Kara wasn’t smiling, waiting for Alex to respond.

Realizing Kara was serious, a huge smile lit her face as she gleefully replied, “Steal the Batmobile? How can I turn that down?”

Kara winked at her. “That’s my girl. Besides, it’s only stealing if you don’t plan to give it back.”

While Kara and Alex were testing the acceleration times of the Batmobile, Bruce looked over the eight, nearly square shells made of Element X that Kara had ordered. Between Victor, Superman’s heat vision, the Green Lanterns’ light and Diana’s strength the metal had been bent and cut perfectly according to her instructions.

Now they were just waiting for Kara and Alex.

Alex had called twenty minutes ago asking for the address of the Hangar and assured the man they were on their way.

Non had stayed in the back of the warehouse with Kell and the Red Shard unit speaking quietly. Alura and Kelex had approached their fellow Kryptonians, reporting that Kara had left Argo City and Alex’s phone call confirmed they had arrived back on Earth.

What wasn’t confirmed was their present location. Everyone was tense… until Kelex informed them that he had picked up Kara’s tracker and she was near, though moving at a much slower speed than she could fly and was zig zagging across country.

“She is here.” Kelex announced. “Open the hangar door.”

Kal El opened the door and Bruce heard a familiar sound… one he should not have heard. He checked his wrist and saw no alerts from the Batcave or Alfred so it shouldn’t have been possible.

He was quickly learning that Kara Zor El made the impossible happen with ease and lots of flair.

A quick look at Clark and Diana confirmed what his ears were telling him, the grins on their faces adding to his growing irritability.

The Batmobile entered the hangar at a high rate of speed, skidding to a stop, the wheels turning so the car faced the entrance once again. The smell of burnt tires filled the room and the heat from the glowing engine thruster at the back of the car was immediately felt by all in the spacious area.

The engine died and the doors opened, Alex stepping out of the driver’s seat and Kara from the passenger seat, holding multiple greasy bags. Both had huge, excited grins on their faces.

“Hi, everybody. Bruce, I brought your car to you.” Kara announced. “I didn’t think you would want to fly all around in your jet so I can fly it back for you to the Batcave.”

With the exception of Clark and Diana who were openly laughing, the other occupants in the room were all holding back smiles including recent arrivals, Non and Alura.

Batman decided he needed to address this issue with the cheerful blonde. “Does Alfred know the Batmobile is gone?”

“No, I temporarily disabled the alarms. They were reactivated after we left. The poor man was sleeping soundly on the third floor, and I didn’t want to wake him.”

Bruce gritted his teeth. “And the tracker that informs me where and when the Batmobile is at all times?”

Kara shrugged he shoulders. “Well, it wouldn’t be much of a surprise if you knew we were coming, now would it? We picked up cheeseburgers for everyone!”

Bruce shook his head, incredulous. “You took the Batmobile through a drive through?”

Kara shook her head. “Of course not… it wouldn’t fit. We had to park so we went in, brought out the orders and Alex took over driving. It handles amazingly well. Considering you have used Earth tech and metals to build this, I must say, outstanding job, Bruce.”

Looking around the room, she said, “There are more bags in the car if some of you want to get them out. I had to stuff them around that machine gun that extends towards the roof. By the way, those bullets are powerful, much better than standard human weapons. We fired at some boulders on the side of the road while driving. Cracked them in half. It was sweet, man!”

Bruce looked back at the assembled audience hoping to gain a little support in telling Kara it was a bad idea to steal his very expensive and highly weaponized vehicle. Instead, he saw Wally moving towards the car with Hal to grab the remaining bags of food while many of the Kryptonians were joining in with Clark and Diana, no longer holding back their laughter. Even the normally stoic Victor had turned away, but Bruce knew he was silently laughing.

Kara walked back towards the Batmobile and pulled out a large red bag that clashed badly with her green dress.

“Kelex I need my…”

“I have already recalled your ship.” her robotic friend told her. “It should arrive at Watchtower in twenty-two minutes and six seconds. I assume you brought the device to replicate what we need and plan to use the training room there as needed space?”

Kara nodded her head, pleased that once again her counterpart knew exactly what she wanted. “I have everything I need to give us a working lab. I also need you to remove the emergency stasis containment unit from the ship.”

Kelex stilled for a moment. “Do I want to know why?”

Kara shrugged her shoulders. “Just in case. Think of it as a contingency plan. You never know when we might need a stasis bed. Also, take the matter manipulator out and reconfigure it over a work bench. If you could set up the screen and scope over the stasis unit that would be awesome.”

Kelex stared at her for a moment. “I don’t like where you are going with this, but that is nothing unusual. It shall be done.”

Kara grabbed a couple of small devices from her bag, then handed the bag to Kelex who disappeared through the interdimensional tear she opened. Turning to her cousin, she asked, “Kal, would you mind grabbing my mini-particle accelerator from my room at the Lake House? I want it in Watchtower as well. You can wait until after you eat. I had two burgers on the drive here so I’m good.”

Kal stepped away and did as asked, simply grabbing a bag of burgers and flying away quickly with a smile on his face.

The occupants of the room watched Kara, who had activated a small rectangular device in her hands from which brightly colored coils emerged. She moved in a blur around the eight satellites, then stopped, grabbed another tool that was as small as her fist and began moving again.

In what seemed like seconds but was actually around five minutes, she placed the tops over the eight satellites and welded them with her heat vision.

“Okay. Hal… can your Green Lanterns place these just outside of orbit?”

The Green Lantern nodded. “Kelex has given us the coordinates. We will take them at once.”

Kara smiled widely. “Excellent. They are activated now and will prevent interdimensional tears if Brainiac decides to open one above the planet. I wish I could cover the entire solar system but that would take much more materials.”

While Kara was giving out more detailed orders, Non walked behind Alex and touched her shoulder to catch her attention. When she turned, Non motioned with his head, non-verbally asking if they could step outside. Alex followed, wondering what this could be about.

Non waved his hand and the scout ship uncloaked, seeming to appear from nowhere and surprising Alex, though by now it probably shouldn’t.

“Could we talk inside?” Non asked.

Alex nodded and moved into the beautiful craft that, while meant for exploration, was ready for war if needed.

Non led her to the lounge and they had a seat across from each other at the table Alura had used to look at options for Kara’s hair style during the bonding ceremony.

Once they were both comfortable, Non addressed her, a solemn look on his face. “Alex, there is something I want to speak to you about… something I hope you will give serious consideration. I don’t need an answer immediately, take some time to think it over because what I am offering you will change the course of your life.”

Alex heart began to race, and she felt warm. She had suspected something like this but wondered if she was reading into things that perhaps weren’t there.

“I’m listening.” She responded.

“First of all, you need to know that J’onn arrived while you were in Argo City. He could not contact you by phone and was worried. He asked to speak to me.”

Alex cringed, wondering briefly if J’onn was hurt.

“He’s fine.” Non told her, recognizing the brief apprehensive look on Alex’s face. “He was a bit upset when I told him where you had gone. He wants to pull you from this assignment and have you report back to the DEO.”

Alex felt her heart race even faster and her cheeks were burning bright in anger. “Why?”

Non settled back in his chair, folding his hands across his stomach. “He accused me of trying to recruit you… and he isn’t wrong, I have been.”

Alex was motionless, her anger fading into shock mixed with disbelief as Non continued. “I have been paying close attention from the moment Kara told me of you. I have watched you fight, watched you lead… how you interacted with other Kryptonians. I had hoped to speak to you after this Brainiac problem was over, but I am afraid J’onn’s actions have forced my hand.”

Non took a deep breath. “I realize Earth is your home, but Argo City and Krypton need you, Alex.”

Alex felt the air leave her body. For every hint that had been dropped, for all the interest she had noted from both Kryptonian Generals, she was still at a loss as to why she had drawn their attention.

“You want me in your military?” she finally guessed.

Non shook his head. “No. I want you to work side by side with Kara to build our new world.”

Alex was completely stunned. His offer was beyond what she could possibly have dreamed of.

Seeing her disbelief, he leaned forward, both elbows on the table and proceeded to explain a plan long in the making. “Astra, Alura and I have had discussions over the years on what our new planet will need. For instance, I have been grooming Kell for a position that has nothing to do with being Kara’s mate. Now that I know Kal El and his mate will be joining us, Kal will be a great help to Kell. And Lois… well, I suspect she will become the biggest pain in the ass Krypton has ever seen and Alura has personally dealt with, but media will be important as our people grow.

“You, however, bring something unique to the table. You are a scientist and a warrior… someone who has impressed Kara and trust me, that is rare.

“As you undoubtably know, it takes billions of years for an ecosystem to evolve starting with single-celled organisms… at least that is what Kara told me. We can’t live on a planet with no natural life, waiting billions of years for it to evolve.”

“Kara is going to jump start the ecosystem.” Alex realized, finally blinking as she intently listened.

Non nodded. “It will be a massive undertaking, one that is extremely complex. I would tell you how Kara plans to do it but obviously, I have no idea. When I asked for a simple explanation, she told me not to worry about it, that she will handle it herself.”

Alex shook her head. “That’s impossible, even for her. She can’t be all over the planet and work on other projects and…”

Alex stopped speaking, as her mind wandered, lost in thought.

Non smiled widely as he recognized the look and realized that she understood. He waited patiently until she refocused on him. “You are right, Kara is going to need people in the field. People who understand biology, who are strong enough to handle the terrain, study what is going on… people she will trust. We have scientists who can monitor the growth but none of them have the physical skills as well as the scientific knowledge necessary.

“Someone will need to be on the ground, watching the ecosystem develop, overseeing the groups that are deployed and I want that someone to be you. As such, you would be a member of the Science Guild, working directly with Kara. I’ve been watching the two of you closely and you seem to get along rather well.”

Alex shook her head. “I’m not Kara. I can’t do the things she does. Kryptonians, they are geniuses…”

Non raised his hands, wanting to correct her misconceptions. “Something you should understand about our people. We are not ‘ geniuses ‘ as you say. We live with advanced technology built up over a million years by some geniuses, mostly those from the House of El. Our construction guild, our military, our agriculture guild, they are all incredibly good at what they do. But none of them are good at other jobs. For instance, I am a General and I am very good at tactics, soldiering and following orders of my superiors, but I have no idea how to plant anything that would actually grow.

“You, however, are unique in that you excel in two disciplines: you are a scientist… and you are a warrior.

“As a scientist, you will have access to Kryptonian technology, tech that could give you more information about the Universe, answers to questions that humanity has not developed technology to even dream about, much less discover. You could take that information and learn from it, advance it, guide a new ecosystem, shepherd life on a new planet.

“As a warrior, you are aware it won’t be a safe job. There will be many challenges in this new world, but I have faith that you, leading a team of soldiers and a group of scientists, could accomplish the needed tasks.”

Alex leaned back in her chair, her mind working to absorb everything Non was explaining.

Going to a new planet, seeing a world born, monitoring the growth of new plant and animal species, fighting any natural diseases that may occur, with access to amazing technology, not stuck in a lab all the time but actually in the world she was studying. All of this while working alongside the greatest mind in the known universe. It was a lot to take in.

Non studied her face, could see she was overwhelmed. “I told you, it’s a big decision. To state it simply, I am offering you the chance to create a world by Kara’s side… to start a new explorers guild, not one that searches other worlds but one that studies our own.”

Alex closed her eyes and took a deep breath, forcibly trying to relax though she was still slightly dazed.

“I can’t offer a salary at this time.” Non continued, dangling the ever growing carrot in front of the pensive woman. “I can offer free accommodations, free food, free clothes and an unbelievable health and dental plan. You would be given special vitamins… the kind that would extend your life by a great many years so you can carry on your work for decades.”

Non leaned back in his seat again and played his last card. “You will also be declared a member of the House of El.”

Alex felt so many emotions as her mind ran wild with the possibilities, but she still had one main concern, regardless of Astra’s reassurances. She asked softly, “Would Kryptonians even accept me among them?”

Non looked a bit sheepish and cleared his throat. “In the past, Krypton was an isolationist planet because most of our visitors did not have the best intentions. But you won’t be seen as a human. You will be seen as a member of the House of El. This is going to sound arrogant but being declared an El… working alongside Kara, will make you a… very big deal. You will also have access to Kara’s lab, something no other Kryptonian scientist has.”

That caught Alex totally off guard. “I thought the lab I saw…”

Non shook his head. “That is Kara’s lab. She does not allow anyone in it other than my wife, sister-in-law and me. The other scientists work in a different lab complex.”

“Wow. I knew she was protective of it… this is a lot to consider.” Alex admitted, her eyes not leaving the General’s.

Non nodded. “I don’t need an answer right away. I would prefer you give me one before we all return to Argo City as I would like you to get started learning to use the technology, flying the skimmers and scout ships, and begin learning the language before we reach our new home. As I said, this is a life changing decision and I will understand if you turn us down, though it is my hope that you don’t.

“As far as this mission, I would like you by our side while we work on this Brainiac problem but that is between you and your Director. You should probably contact him. I appreciate you giving me the opportunity to speak to you, Alex.”

Non stood and Alex followed suit, walking out in a daze. While Non walked back inside the warehouse, Alex stood outside in the fresh air, breathing deeply, trying to calm herself while taking in everything Non told her.

She could do so much there. She could learn so much. She could see a planet develop in decades, life that would normally take billions of years of evolution to accomplish.

A small part of her, realized she could have a child.

She shakily took out her phone and dialed J’onn.

“Hello, Alex.” Her friend and mentor answered affectionately.

“Are you still near Gotham?”

“Yes.” He replied.

“If I give you my address, would you come pick me up? I need… I need somebody to talk to.”

An hour later, Alex and J’onn sat in a 24-hour diner, coffee in front of both but neither drinking.

Alex finally broke the silence. “General Non told me he spoke to you. You accused him of trying to recruit me and when he admitted that he was, you told him you were pulling me from this assignment. Is that true?”

J’onn sighed and nodded. “Yes, that’s true… but I decided to wait and talk with you first before doing anything rash.”

“Did he tell you why he wants me?” Alex asked quietly.

“He gave me an overview, but no real details. It was enough that I have thought of nothing else since we talked.” J’onn replied truthfully. “Just take your time and tell me what he said.”

So Alex began slowly working through everything, explaining exactly what Non had offered her. When she finished, she said, “When Kara asked if I wanted to go to Argo City with her, I didn’t hesitate. I figured it would be my one chance to see a world beyond what my mind could comprehend… and in a lot of ways, it was all that and more. But there was a great amount of familiarity, because the people aren’t that different, only their experiences.”

She looked down at cup of lukewarm coffee, hesitant to explain the few issues she had about the proposal beyond the obvious one of leaving behind everything and everyone she knew. Looking up, she saw understanding in J’onn’s warm and patient expression.

Taking a deep breath, she then told him of what she experienced on Argo. She spoke mostly of meeting Kara’s Aunt Astra, seeing how the people reacted to the General when she walked in their midst, how impressive the woman was, how she made Alex feel at ease. She also explained what she saw in the Temple of Rao and while the young Kryptonian was ill at ease with the all the adoration, Alex realized Kara accepted it as a consequence of being the savior of her people and did nothing to dispel their beliefs.

“They worship her, J’onn. Rao may be their God, but Kara is like…”

“The physical embodiment of their god?” J’onn guessed.

It was obvious by Alex’s face, her problem. “There was a hologram in the Temple, so lifelike I thought Kara had a twin. The words above the head of the hologram read ‘Hand of Rao’. A woman was kneeling before it, adding a glowing blue pebble to the collection at her feet. Kara told me they were praying for her safe return.

“It didn’t look like that to me. It looked like they were praying to her, not for her. Children stood outside her home, stared at it as if it were a holy site, became nervous when Kara, even in disguise talked to them. They looked as if they had been caught staring at something that was… godlike and it wasn’t permitted.”

J’onn nodded in understanding. “I am not surprised. From what you have told me, after the death of Krypton, the people were likely in despair. They had lost everything, even in Argo City they were surrounded by death. The city was in ruin, the planet gone. They were stuck in a timeless void, frightened and grieving, not knowing if they would ever be united in Rao’s light with their loved ones.

“Then suddenly, their prayers were answered. Battleships joined to the city, a rift was opened and they escaped that nightmarish space… all because of a little girl.”

Alex thought of this, trying to imagine what that time must have been like for the remainder of the traumatized Kryptonian race. “They escaped but they still faced death. The air must have been stale, only a limited amount of food, water, no animals, many buildings still in ruin. It must have been hell.”

J’onn nodded. “And then the same twelve-year-old girl who allowed them to escape the Phantom Zone, stood in the middle of the city and told them she would solve all their problems… and she did.

“She gave them clean air, water, food, wildlife, light in the darkness of space. The Kryptonians always looked to the sun to see their god but the red sun was gone. All they had was who they believed was the physical embodiment of Rao, a young girl who was more intelligent than their greatest scientists, the potential successor to the former Head of the Science Guild, Jor El, the daughter of Argo City’s greatest scientist, who was not only giving them life but making that life better. Is it any wonder they treat her like a god?”

Alex felt her heart sinking a bit. “No, I suppose it isn’t. She casts a long shadow. I may stand by her side, but I would always be in the shade.”

Seeing the big picture a little clearer than Alex was at the moment, J’onn asked, “Do you think she enjoys being who she is? Being untouchable, not a person but a symbol, an icon?”

Alex remembered the crestfallen look on Kara’s face after she heard the children’s conversation outside her home. “No, I don’t think she does. She has been protected most of her life, sheltered even. Her mother is as much to blame as anyone. While she loves Kara deeply, Alura has done nothing to alter how her daughter is perceived by Kryptonians. Though she would never admit it, I think the woman likes how Kara is perceived and encourages it.”

J’onn had suspected as much. Alex had kept him apprised of the Kryptonians actions and had also given her impressions of how they interacted with each other. She told him of the Uncle who gives her more freedom, even takes her to Apokolips. The boyfriend or fiancé who is not afraid to argue with her, the Mother who loves her deeply but wanted nothing more than to keep Kara in a comfortable cage.

“Maybe that is another reason Non believes that Kara needs you. Not just for your talents but as someone who can show her how to be normal… to feel less like a god and more like a girl. Alex, you will be someone she can trust, a true friend and partner.”

He wasn’t going to break her trust by reading her mind, no matter how tempting it was, but he could tell she was thinking on what he was saying. Her eyes were unfocused as she looked past him, staring out the café’s window.

She responded quietly, “J’onn, I know what my heart is telling me to do, but my head keeps saying it’s too good to be true… that I’m not good enough to take on something of this magnitude. I’m not above admitting I take a lot of pride in my abilities and I’ve worked hard to get where I am… I don’t want to be in anyone’s shadow but at best, I will be seen as Kara’s assistant or sidekick, never her equal because that isn’t possible, she has no equal.”

“And to go to another planet? To be the alien? There are so many questions I have… I am so afraid of… of not being able to do what Non believes I can… I’m afraid of failing them… of failing myself.” Alex looked back at him, her inner turmoil evident in her expression. “What do I do?”

J’onn closed his eyes, elbows propped on the table as he thought through everything she had told him, everything they had discussed.

To say he was blown away by the details of Non’s offer was an understatement. He could only guess what she must be feeling. He also knew, deep down, that he couldn’t stand in her way… no matter how much it pained him to lose her to Krypton. Her destiny wasn’t on Earth… and he loved her too much to hold her back.

J’onn sighed and opened his eyes. He reached over, pulled her hands away from the coffee mug she had a death grip on and grasped them reassuringly. “Alex, I can’t make this decision for you, but I can give you my opinion and help guide you into making the best choice for yourself.

“I will admit, General Non is not at all what I expected. He is a straightforward man, so I have no reason to believe that he isn’t serious about what he’s offering you.”

Seeing her nod in agreement, J’onn continued, his voice low but insistent. “One thing I will disagree adamantly with you on is the notion that you aren’t good enough. Not only are you my second-in-command, you are one of the leading bioengineers on this planet specializing in alien lifeforms… and you’re only twenty-four years old!

“As a team leader, you know when to use force against alien threats and when to show compassion for refugees who are simply looking for a new start… for themselves or for their families. Non is right… you are unique, but it’s in the way you are unique that makes you so very special. Your mind and love of science isn’t in question, what sets you apart is your ability to work with others and bring out the best in them. You are a natural leader, one that I’ve relied on heavily.”

Alex felt such emotion at his words she was momentarily speechless. Taking in his comforting words, feeling the strength in his hands as he held hers, she asked hesitantly, “You really see me that way? I mean, I’ve only tried to do what you’ve taught me, to make you proud.”

J’onn nodded, looking at her fondly. “I think of you as I would a daughter and I could not be prouder of you. As to your concerns and fears about your place working with Kara, you should have an honest talk with her about them.”

J’onn smiled then, though his eyes were sad. “Alex, as much as I hate it… as much as I don’t want to lose you and though it kills me to say this, I think you should accept Non’s offer.”

Alex’s eyes widened. “Really?”

“Yes.” J’onn said without hesitation. Seeing her uncertainty, he added, “There is something else you should consider as much as the life changing job offer. By offering to bring you under the banner of the House of El, he is offering you a new family… his own family. As an El, you give Kara something even more precious than just your friendship… you will give her a sister. That alone tells me how serious he is and how much he believes in you.

“Alex, this world is too small for you. Krypton can offer you so much more than Earth ever could and besides, it’s not like you couldn’t visit occasionally so it’s not goodbye.”

Alex smiled, finally relaxing slightly as the two sat in silence, drinking coffee, not saying a word, just taking comfort in the other’s presence.