Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Warning – Exotic energy signature detected.  

Running scan.... 

Phantom zone energy signature match, verified.  

Running deep solar system scan... 

Negative results for unidentified craft. 

Chapter Text

Clark was having a normal day at the Planet, it was nearly Five o'clock when he gets a pulse from the Kelex unit at the Fortress. “Just when I thought I'd get to have a normal day for once” he mutters to himself as he walks over to Lois. He and Lois have been dating for the last three years, moved in together last year and he had just gotten General Lanes blessing to marry her, Clark just hasn’t maned up yet and asked the question.  

Lois has known his secret for all that time, He didn’t believe in starting a relationship with secrets and half-truths. “Hey Lois I'm having to go up north and visit an old friend, I’ll see you at home when I get back.” Lois looks at him with a knowing look “Tell me how it all goes, now get going Smallville, you don’t know what he wants.” Clark just smiles as he gives her a fleeting kiss goodbye before he heads down stairs. Quickly walking out of the Daily Planet through the front door, he quickly finds an abandoned alley to change in to his suit and take-off.  

Five minutes later.  

Under the Arctic Tundra  

“Welcome Back Lord Kal-El, there has been an energy signature detected in the outer-bounds of the solar system that you should be aware of.” Is the first thing that comes out of Kelex as soon as Clark walked in to main chamber.  

“What type of energy signature?” “It correlates with something exiting the Phantom Zone Sir, but the Deep space scan didn’t show up any unknown crafts, or any crafts for that matter.”  

As soon as the Floating Orb had finished explaining what was happening the main console started to beep and then Kelex shutdown. Rushing to the console to see what had happened Clark noticed that there was a lot of incoming and outgoing information. Clark tried to stop the data dump and restart Kelex but he was locked out of the system. After five minutes of trying everything he could think of Clark turned to leave and stop the ship no matter the consequences. It was at this exact moment Kelex rebooted.   

 “Skirn class fighter inbound for the fortress, Her Ladyship Archon of the house of El, Warlady of the house of Ze, Chatelaine of the houses and Claimant of the Red Shard hereby reclaims her right as first born and head of ho-”  

“What the hell is happening Kelex!” Clark shouted cutting the Golden Hardlight Robot off not hearing the last of what it was saying . But before he could get answers out of the annoying little robot it said “You should go outside Kal the vessel is incoming, It hasn’t been seen by any human Technology at this time but seems to have sustained damage and is going to crash in the Fortress unless you slow its decent.” Clark rushes quickly rushes outside not even noticing that the robot had not used a title for him. Once out in the cold tundra he sees a completely matte black ship shaped like an arrowhead. One of the three center engines was dead the other two smoking and spluttering, there where holes in both wings and it was quickly losing altitude. Grabbing it underneath, accidentally put his hand through an already damaged part of the ship, he quickly slows the decent and manoeuvres it through the bay doors near the top of the Fortress. Kelex comes in the docking bay and opens the ships hatch. He enters the ship and quickly returns with the body of a Blonde-haired girl that couldn’t be older than fourteen. “Do not enter the ship My Lord it is very protective of its Ladyship and will not talk to you until her Ladyship has awoken and told it your place. The only reason I was let in is because it knew I would be able to give her the proper medical attention as the ship is damaged.” As if to emphasise its point the hatch of the ship violently closed without a sound and the ship powered down and went dead silent. Kelex floats the body into the medical bay and lays her down on the BioBed. The bed start scanning her, tallying injuries, taking DNA, Blood and hair samples to confirm ID and diagnose any possible problems. “This is your cousin Kara Zor-El, now known as Kara El-Ze. She should wake up momentarily, her military guild Nanites are repairing her body and flushing her body with Yellow sun radiation.” This was getting all too much for Clark, he quickly steps away and grabs his phone to call Lois.  

“Hey Smallville, what can I do for you? Did you get lost on your way up north?” Lois always seems to answer the phone with a quip she just couldn’t help herself. “Lois I need you up here, how long till you finish at work?” Sensing that Clark was stressed and knowing that he needed her she held back and just said “Give me ten minutes to go home and changed in to something warm” “Okay Love, I'm going to ask J’onn to come get you I need both of you and I can't leave, I'll explain when you get here” “I’ll see you soon dear, I love you”  

After Lois had hung up, he gave a quick call to J’onn a Green Martian he had met two years ago and had bonded over the fact that they were the last of their kind. After everything was organised, he went back and sat down next to the bed. His thoughts clambering around his head like a thunderstorm. Apparent she was family, but how his father's hologram said that Krypton was destroyed, though he never said how. All his people should be dead but here one is in front of him, His Cousin no less. With her being called a Warlady scared him a bit, but everything else attached to her name confused him. Archon, Chatelaine, Claimant; all these things he would have to look through the databanks to find more information as Kelex was being closed lipped about everything. Every question relating to Kara that wasn’t about how she was doing was met with the same answer, “The Lady El-Ze will answer these questions once she awakes” which just made him have more questions. Five minutes later Kelex beeped “Her vitals are now stabilised, but she has retained a lot of the phantom zone radiation and her cells are not dissipating any of it even with her nanites producing yellow sun energy. She also has had a lot of surgeries and body modifications. I have queried the ship about this and have received a block -CLASSIFICATION ARCHONS EYES ONLY-” Clark stands up “Then as head of the house of El, I Kal-El request access to those files.” “I am sorry Kal, but you are not the head of house nor are you Archon, Head of Heads, that would be Lady El-Ze as I said earlier. She is the first born and has been inducted in to the house unlike you, so it is her right, and as she has claimed that right but has not met you, she must decide to induct you or not. You just have to wait for her to awaken, how long that will take I don’t know as the Phantom Zone energy is an unknown variable. I will continue to scan but most of her injuries are nearly healed thanks to the nanites. We shall have to wait to see if there is any other injuries that haven't been addressed.” Kelex turns and continues to scan Kara. Clark just sits there beside her cousin's bed in shock not knowing what to do or what was happening.   

 
30 Minutes later the proximity sensors of the fortress went of warning of incoming lifeforms. Lois and J’onn were finally here. Not surprising as J’onn has a spaceship that he disguises as a car. 
Clark heads to the main entrance Locked with a Dwarfstar key to heavy but a superhuman to lift. As soon as the door was open Lois rushes in and tackles him. “What's happening Smallville? Why are we up here? Are you ok-” Clark cuts off Lois’s barrage of question with a “slow down Lo, I’m fine, I think.” Clark lets go of Lois and heads to J’onn, looking like his human alter P.I John Jones and gave a handshake and a quick thanks for coming. 

“Follow me I don’t know what's happening and I don’t know what to do about it hence why I need the both of you. So, an hour ago we detected energy from the phantom zone getting released near the Oort Cloud and heading for us. Soon after a Kryptonian fighter broke in to the atmosphere and was heading to the fortress, Kelex received a data dump shutting him down. It was five minutes of continuous upload and down, we’re talking exabyte's of data a second. Once he rebooted, he said the Archon of the house of El was in the ship and that it was damaged and if I didn’t stop it it would break through the fortress.”  

As they neared the MedBay Clark slowed, “apparently Shes my older cousin, part of the data dump updated the line of succession for the house El, she has claimed it as her right as the first born. I found out when I tried to open up the classified files from her ship about what Shes been through; extensive body modifications and surgeries and nanite integration. Also, her cells are storing all the energy from the phantom zone and not taking any solar radiation. I Just don’t know what's happening or what to do.” by the end of his spiel Clark sounded exhausted. Lois nudged his shoulder “we should go in and check on her”.  

After entering the Medbay Lois turns around confused, “i though you said she was her older cousin, why does she look like a teenager” “I Don’t know it's on the list of things I need to ask but haven't yet.” J’onn placed a green hand on his shoulder; must have changed back in to his natural form as they were walking to the medbay. “Be patient Kal you will get your answers soon” “thanks j’onn, do you get any residual readings off her like you do me?” “I only get surface emotions from you, she looks like she's in a coma so there's no emotion to feel, now why did you want us here Kal?”   

Clark was sitting in a chair looking like his on his last leg. “I just needed some support, you’re my oldest friend J’onn your family, and I don’t want to make any decisions without Lois or You encase I make the wrong one and she hits me over the head with a frying pan.” J’onn and Clark have a chuckle while Lois just grins. The three, slip in to an easy quite just waiting. A Couple of hours later J’onn Decided to go to a walk and stretch his legs while Lois went to the kitchen to scrounge up something edible. Clark just sat in the chair looking at his cousin sleeping willing her to awake.  

J’onn found that he had walked in to a hanger and there lay the ship that brought the girl to earth. J’onn was old enough to remember Kryptonian diplomats coming to mars before the world was scorched and the air put aflame and the survivors put to death, only escaping on order from the Triumvirate, protect the package until the Imperium's fist arrives for only, she can defeat what is to come. J’onn always hated prophecy but the Triumvirate was Law. It's been three hundred years since he landed on earth. 300 Years of changing faces. Of cultivating relationships for the soul sake of gathering information, information on what the Imperium’s Fist is and who they are and waiting for word of their arrival.  

A piercing wail broke out shattering the dark feelings J’onn was starting to feel from being to deep in his memories. Before he could go back to the MedBay, a white blur escapes the fighter and is running to the Medbay.  

J’onn runs after it and upon entering the Medbay what he sees breaks his heart. Kara is curled up in a corner trying to hide, while a giant white cat with a pair of horns on its head a mane that would put any Lion to shame and the body the size of a bear was just staring at Clark growling. Kara starts to say something to Clark in a melodic sound that makes J’onn stagger from the memories of escorting his wife to dinner with diplomats from Krypton Ever the Linguist she had made him learn it for the upcoming events. Coming back from the memories so vivid, Clark is still talking in English not understanding the girl. The cat still growling at Clark  

J’onn steps forward “don't be scared little one, we just want to help” Kara’s head snaps to J’onn “Martian who are you? What do you want from me? Where am I? Why does this horror stand here with the crest of the House of El on his chest he should be dead but why he does not speak Kryptonian or galactic basic what's happening?” “My name is J’onn, you are on the planet earth, though in Galactic standard Mapping it would be called Sol-3.” on hearing the name earth and sol-3 Kara lets out a breath and interrupts J’onn “So I have arrived, you must let me go I must find Kal. As the Archon of the House of El I invoke C'eridyall Convent, I must find my cousin. I must find Kal.” J’onn was spooked this girl had just spoken perfect Martian and invoked one of their old laws. He collected himself and continuing in Kryptonian said to the girl “Your Cousin is right there, that boy with the house El symbol is Kal.” Kara looked uncertain and calls for Kelex “Droid what year is it?” Answering in English “1997 My Lady, your AI has updated my databa-” “what are you speaking Kelex, why are you not speaking Kryptonian? Are you in need of repair?” “Sorry My Lady but before you had claimed your right as head of house Kal son Jor-El and Lara-El had requested the language I speak as English” all that was coming from Kara now was close to a sob and a growl “Speak Kryptonian and phrasing from now on please Kelex, how late am I? I was supposed to land in time to look after him how is he a man child and how does he look so old for being so young?” Kelex Beeping an affirmative to orders responds “According to your Nav Computer you were in the Phantom Zone for 10 Cycles. Kal landed on time so he is now what you see before you” Kara starts sobbing on the ground. A feather light touch has embraced her and a melodic hum begins near her ears and Kara just crumples and cries herself to sleep in Lois’s arms.  

J’onn picks the girl up placing herself back on the bed as Clark was still having a stare down with the giant cat. After she was on the bed the cat turns and jumps on the bed laying over the girl's legs with an eye on Clark at all time.  
 
“J’onn what happened what did she say, why is she scared of me and what is that giant cat doing here?” Clark demanded acting not like his normal Kansas self “She was supposed to arrive with you and look after you, she's been in the phantom zone for 10 cycles, which roughly acquaints to 25 earth years. As for you she called you a horror and that you should be dead like she was seeing a ghost. As for the Cat, I'm not sure but I'm picking up psywaves from him that I shouldn’t be able to sense, but I don’t want to push it till later. Also, you might want to start learning kryptonian Kal she just told the droid unit to only speak in kryptonian and use kryptonian phrases. To be honest you should have learnt it a long time ago.” 

Clark's head hung in shame, “I never needed to, Kelex knew English and so it didn’t matter, I thought I was the only one left, I didn’t think it would matter that I hadn't learnt it, it was a dead language.” “Clark they might have been dead but they still lived on through you and your actions” Lois finally saying something as she just stood at the head of the bed and ran her hand through Kara's hair, humming quietly.  J’onn was on his way to the door when he said “we Should all get some rest it's going to be a busy couple of days, and today was draining for everyone.”  Lois nods “I’ll stay with her you two get some sleep J’onn you can take over when you wake up. We shouldn’t leave Smallville with her without one of there. J’onn nods and leaves, Clark gets up from the chair he’d been sitting in staying far away from the cat that is eyeing him like a snack and enemy at the same time. Going over to Lois he kisses her good night and goes down for a nap.  Lois just stays at the end of the bed humming a lullaby and soothing the girl by putting her hand through her hair. It wasn’t long before Lois fell asleep head on the bed.  

Chapter Text

Lois woke with start, seeing it was only a few minutes after she had fallen asleep. The blonde laying in front of her whimpering and calling out. Lois does the one thing she can think of and starts to brush her fingers through the girl's hair and humming. The girl stops calling out but continues to whimper. After a few minutes Kara starts to calm down and stops whimpering. Shortly after J’onn looking regal in his Martian Robes, taking a respite from his armour and revealing in being in his natural form, walks in with Clark. The girl starts to whimper then rolls off the bed with a thud and curls in to the corner of the room. The giant cat woke on up upon hearing the, thud having moved closer to the door after Kara had lulled to sleep when the two men had left earlier, the cat is now on all fours growling at Clark. J’onn turns to Clark “Maybe you should step out until we can talk to her about you and why she has such a visceral reaction to you.” “I’ll go do a loop of the planet, clear my head” Clark goes to Lois kisses her and hugs her as tight as he could without hurting her “Thank you for staying, I don’t know what I would do without you Lo. Thank you for helping her, I can't believe I’m not alone, let alone family. I’ll be back in a couple of hours, call me if you need anything or for me to comeback early. I love you.” Lois just holds her Farmboy “Smallville there is no where I would rather be, and if she's really family, and you already know she is, those eyes are a dead giveaway, we do whatever we can for her. Now go do some loops I've got this. I Love you too Farmboy.” and with that Clark turns and leaves.  

J’onn had moved towards Kara as Lois and Clark where talking, he now kneels down bottom on heels hands open in front of him a respectable distance from Kara but close enough that if he needed too he could lean forward and touch her. When the White lion, as the more Lois looked at the cat the more it started to look like a giant lion, was satisfied that Clark was no longer there it padded over to Kara and nuzzled the side of her face then sat on its haunches while Kara hid her face in its mane. J’onn was feeling odd sitting next to the cat, he keeps thinking that the cat is sending Psywaves but he can never properly feel them, but now is not the time for figuring it out, more import things to worry about.  

“How are you feeling young one?” Kara turns “Who is he?” she sobs “is that really Kal, have I already failed my house, my general?” “Yes, that is Kal-El he arrived on earth 25 years ago as a babe, no older than one. He crash-landed at a farm and the couple that owned it took him in and raised him, they called him Clark not knowing his name. I found them two days after the crash, helped them with identification and background, helped set up money and helped him when he started to get his powers. I became a surrogate uncle.” Kara’s sobbing just got worse the longer J’onn talked, then like a light switch she stopped. Grounding herself and admonishing herself for being weak in front of strangers. She starts the techniques her Aunt had taught her about stress and trauma and how to not let it control you. After a couple of minutes Kara speaks, “He Looks Just like my uncle and too much like my father.” She all but whispers. J’onn sits there confused as the words she used for father and uncle where not regular kryptonian, but an ancient form of Kryptonian for out casted family. “Why are you afraid Little one?” Kara gasps and tries to hide in the corner “An El is never afraid” she whimpers in to the lions main. “You are allowed to feel afraid; I've been scared many times in my long life, there is no dishonour in it.” “Martian Hunters aren't allowed to be afraid” Kara points to the sigil that sits on his left breast of his robes. J’onn just chuckles “Hunters are afraid all the time it is how we deal with that feeling and how we overcome it that matters. So can you tell me when you cannot look at Kal-El.” He says softly baffled that this girl knows of the Martian Hunters, we haven't left the solar system in 500 years and then died out 300 years ago. 

 “He is no El, not yet anyway. His father and Brother were stripped of name and house and Kal wasn’t inducted, it is only that he is family by blood that I haven't ripped that sigil of his chest.” Kara ending up growling. Closing her eyes and centering herself “My father and Kal’s committed war crimes and worse of all crime and treason against one's own house.” The emotion raw in her voice “ For ten years I was their experiment, even before I was born they changed me. It wasn’t until my Aunt Astra came home early from a mission and found my father and uncle in their hidden lab, nothing about what she walked in on looked innocent. She later told me that that room reminded her of a Gordanian Frigate she once boarded, where they were doing experiments and organ harvesting. Trying to make better slaves. I was still on the BioBed when she came in. I had never seen my Aunt so angry.  She knocked them out before they could even say anything. After she came and just held me and called for a squad from her personal platoon to detain my father and uncle in house, not trusting the house guard wouldn’t let them leave.”  

“I was in the Medical Guild halls for a week while they ran tests on me. My Aunt barley left my side while my mother as head Adjudicator was making sure that the two men who had experimented on her daughter wouldn’t get away with it, even with all their contacts in the High Houses, it didn’t even matter in the end.” Karas voice slowly losing some of its emotion but sounding bitter at the end. 

“Before I was even birthed, they had changed me, experimented with gene splicing and gene therapy. I would have been stronger, faster and more intelligent than the average kryptonian just from what they did to me before and while I was in the matrix. But then when mother returned to work, they continued to modify my body, experimented on me.” Kara let out a breath and sobbed emotion filling her up again and the weight of it all pressing down on her chest till she felt like she couldn’t breathe. J’onn touched her hand and instead of feeling her emotions like he did Clark, he felt a connection from Kara to the Cat who while car was talking and laid down with its head in Kara's lap, the cat was big enough that Kara could comfortable lean down and bury her face in its fur. Feeling nothing but the link which confused J’onn even further, he then went and squeezed her hand feeling mortified for the girl. “You don’t have to keep explaining if you don’t want to Kara, but if you do, we’re here.” J’onn looks at Lois and gently nods to the girl, who he had been translating for in real time through a mind link. Lois getting out off the chair she was sitting in tears running down her face went and bobbed down next to the distraught alien. “I’m Sorry you have to deal with all that, maybe we should all wait for Clark to comeback and we can explain it to him, he would want to know and this a conversation you don’t want to have to repeat.” Kara who had been going through various kryptonian mantras and coping techniques looks at the Martian who had just translated what Lois had said and Kara nods and asks “Clark is the name that the couple gave him, correct?” J’onn nods his head as he translates. “It will do as a name till he is inducted, if what you say is true.” Kara says with a little bit of steel under the words. As she stands, she calls for Kelex. “Have you synced data banks with my ship?” “Yes, your Ladyship. She has been very tight lipped, but she did ask me to relay that she had to shut everything down as the ship has extensive damage to multiple systems and the hull is compromised with the main engine dead. So, she is reserving energy as the last of the repair bots where depleted when Kal contact and damaged the part of the life support system and multiple power relays, and she does not want the ship to suffer a power surge.” Kara growls again saying something about men and breaking things. “Was this outpost was made from a basic outpost schema crystal?” Her military training finally kicking in. “Yes, my lady. That was all your mother and Lady Lara could obtain on such short notice.” “Good, then fire up all the fabricators and make a couple of Tier 3 repair units then start repairing The Dagger of Rao.” Kelex Beeps and a few seconds later a rumble starts under everyone's feet then slowly dissipates “It is done your Ladyship.” Kara lets out a relieved sigh, at least she won't lose her last connection to Krypton. 
Giving Kara a minute to just be J’onn asks a question that been bugging him while Kara and Kelex where talking. “Who is this she you keep referring to Kara?” “Oh, right. It's my personal AI. Shes onboard the ship. But the ship is in need of repair, even more to after Kal helped. So I'm getting the outpost to make some repair units to analyse and fix it and if there is anything they can't do I'll do it rest.” 

 As soon as she finishes Clark comes storming in. “Why is the Fortress expanding and constructing someth-” Clark doesn’t get to finish his question as the giant cat pounced on him pinning him to the ground, teeth bared at his throat eyes ablaze with held back heat vision. 

No one is looking at Clark, all to concerned about the girl that was sobbing and heaving for breath in the corner of the room again. “I'm sorry My Lady but if you do not calm down, I will have to inject you with a sedative, otherwise you could harm yourself.” Kara nearly jumps out of her skin at the word inject, in between sobs and ragged pulls of breath Kara shudders “No.... over...ride.... Archons authorative......authenticate.” Kelex comes over to her and takes a sample of blood and hair which then disappears in white hot flame as he over heats his hardlight hand to destroy the sample. “Authenticated. May the Archons will win out.” Kara then begins her mantras again, the ones her Aunt had lovingly taught her. Out loud she begins to pray to Rao. J’onn breaks his connection to Lois not wanting to share the prayer with Lois, as a Kryptonians relationship with Rao was private and sacred.  

While this was happening, the cat had not moved and using all of his strength Clark could not move it, and every time he tried to move, he could feel the claws start to dig into his shoulders. Clark lost all his bluster as soon as he entered the room. The girl was terrified of him and he just yelled, if she really was family, he wasn’t being a very good part of it. Twenty minutes later Kara had finished praying and let J’onn pick her up and put her back on the bed. As soon as she was resituated the cat gave one last growl and a bite that was millimeters from his ear and jumped back on the bed over Karas lap and started licking its front paws while still keeping one eye on Clark at all times. With the weight of her oldest friend on her legs and the fact that it had been an emotional roller-coaster since she had woken up Kara quickly fell back to sleep. 

The tension in the air was palpable, Lois gave it a few minutes to simmer then walked over to Clark, who had gotten off the ground a little worse for wear, and grabbed him by the ear and pulled him outside of the medical bay and towards what one would assume was the common room. J’onn followed knowing what was about to come. 

Letting go of his ear as she pushed him in to a chair, Lois started angrily “What the fuck Smallville? You come in to the room all guns blazing, chest out. What the actual fuck?” at this point Lois was pacing up and down the length of the room. “I’m sorry Lo, I don’t know what came over me? I had just gotten back and the next thing I know the fortress it rumbling and as i'm coming here the wall starts turning into a door. I didn’t know what to think. Shes been here less than a day and things are already changing, I don’t even know if she is who she says she is, and if she is what that all means.” Lois nearly slaps him “Clark what made you think that barging in to the room of the person who is afraid of you was going to help in any capacity?” “I don’t know? I Just want to know what happening, what she is saying?” Clark says sounding lost. J’onn goes and sits beside the confused Kryptonian and starts to tell him what his cousin had been saying. It wasn’t long before he started to cry, for his cousin, for his mother and for the now tainted picture of his father. By the time J’onn had finished getting Clark up to date, Lois came over held him why he cried.  

He would do better; he would say he would fix this but his father and uncle did too much damage to fix but maybe he could do enough to fill a hole that they made. 

“Kal, when she wakes up, I'll talk to her.  Ask what she’ll be comfortable sharing and how she would like to share it. She might not be comfortable with you in the room.” J’onn says getting up to go back to the Medbay so that Kara wouldn’t wake up alone. Clark just nods his head. Feeling to many emotions at once that he was just numb. “Let's go to bed Smallville, its late and been a long day.” Lois says standing up hand outstretched toward him. Clark takes her hand and follows her wordlessly to bed silently promising to do better.  

Chapter Text

J’onn sat with his eyes closed in vigil over the traumatised girl he would pray to H'ronmeer to ease her pain but he had lost his faith a long time ago. So instead letting out calming psywaves hoping it would affect the girl. An hour later he felt a change in the room, a quick burst of energy. Opening his eyes he noticed that there wasn’t a white bear sized lion with horns but instead a dog whose coat was rippling from black to white, its features changing as it went, after a couple of minutes it settled in to something that looked mostly like a dog breed from earth but still gave off a bit of an alien feel. It looked like a a large white crossbreed of a Great Pyrenees and a Kuvasz. J’onn just sat there stupefied. The energy wave he felt was Martian but it was not anything that came from mars that he knew of. The dog opened up a single eye and looked at him with an intelligent look and held eye contact with him before opening the other and blinking at him. The dog scanned the room, seeing no threats it yawned and settled down back on the bed. J’onn just sat and continued his vigil hoping the girl would sleep for a while.  

It was nine o’clock in the morning when Lois’s phone started ringing. It was Perry White. Lois wakes up and groans when she sees whose calling her. “Morning Perry what can I do for you?” “Where the hell are you and Kent? You both missed the morning staff meeting!” “We took time off for a family emergency. I contacted HR last night. We are both down to help with researching and editing but we can't come in. I'm sorry for the short notice.” Perry was fuming “someone better be dead or dying Lane!” the phone then went dead. Groaning at the fact the she had to deal with Perry when she went back to work, she rolls over and Clark is already gone. She quickly gets dressed in the clothes that she packed before she left metropolis and heads to the Medbay to concerned for Kara to think about breakfast.  

J’onn was still sitting in vigil opening his eyes when Lois walks in. Lois stops in her tracks when she notices that there isn't a bear-lion in the room anymore but a dog a normal sized dog, large but at least normal. J’onn just looks at her and shrugs. “I suppose we just add that to the list of questions that is never ending.” Lois says making J’onn chuckle.  

Kara wakes with a start, her eyes dart around the room the and slowly calms down. She looks down at her feet looking at the dog and she smiles for the first time since she landed. Small but it was a start J’onn thought. She stretches her hand forward and pats it heads and just whispers a hey girl in the dog's ear. “At least now we the gender of the creature” J’onn says to Lois having linked with her so he could translate over a mind link instead of verbally so as not to further confuse the girl.   

Kara looks at both of them warily " I am sorry for my outburst of emotion it seems my time alone as deconditioned my training, the house of El and Ze are grateful for your kindness” Looking at Lois with a surprised look like it was the first time she was actually seeing her. “It seems that in my distress I have overlooked basic civilities, my name is Kara El-Ze the last Scion of the house of El, Ward of the house of Ze and most likely my AI has added a whole slew of others titles. And this beautiful girl here at my feet it is Kirkrighia, Who are you? Why are you here?” Kara asks in perfect English then again in Martian “My name is Lois Lane, I'm Clark’s fiancé” Lois’s voice stilted in surprise that the alien in front of her spoke English. Karas face scrunched up in a combination of pain and anger. Kara gets up out of bed and stands in front of and bows to J’onn “ J’onn J’onzz last Hunter of the Green Martians, Surrogate uncle to Kal. ” bowing and replying in Martian in return, just as surprised as Lois.  

 It was then that Kal walked in to the medbay. Kara Stiffened but instead of looking like she was going to hide again she looked like she was ready to fight and it looked like she could, based on how her stance changed and her body coiled, ready to strike. And it didn’t feel like she was posturing it felt like she would if she had too. Just another question to ask, J’onn and Clark both thought. “ I would like to access the outposts computer and look at the pod, I have been lax in proper protocol, I would like to confirm that we are on Sol 3, the location of Krypton, any possible communications from Imperial High Command and confirmation of identity. ” Kara said slipping back in to Kryptonian.   

Clark just looked at this girl in front of him daze. Kara was starting to get Angry that this supposed Kryptonian didn’t know the language of his people. J’onn quickly translated and Clark stiffened and got defensive. “And how do I know you are who you say you are? You could be just some girl that stole a ship to escape krypton's destruction. Then hacked Kelex to say you were my cousin.”  Clark's voice getting louder. Everyone in the room stiffened, suddenly Clark was on the floor again with a giant cat pinning him to the ground. Kelex starts to Chime in “ I'm sorry that that I have not informed you of his genetic verification, my data packaging was updated before he was born, I am sorry for the oversite of manual verification your Ladyship. If you would follow me, I will bring you to his pod and then to the main computer ” Kelex Floats over the pinned Kryptonian. As Kara moves around Kal, she makes sure never to have his back to him until she is out the door. Kara makes a quick sound between a chirp and a growl along with a hand movement, the cat gets off of Kal, and goes to is bonded. With a look of anger and hurt Kara goes and follows Kelex.  

Lois goes to follow them and as she leaves all she says is “You fucked up Clark, you could have watched and waited if you were worried. Now instead you’ve made her close off. Get your head on straight Smallville.” She turns to J’onn “Can you help him calm down? Hopefully she still will explain the rest after his outburst.” J’onn nods, Lois turns to leave giving Clark a peck on the cheek then goes to try follow the blonde. Hoping not to get lost.  

Kara looked around the room she just entered, more of a hall than a room she thinks with its vaulted ceiling and curved walls. On her right was the closest section, she didn’t look to close knowing the basic layout of an outpost would have its lab there, she couldn’t bare to see. Across from it was a kitchen blocked off by counters, in pride of place in a depression a few steps down from the rest of the room, on a raised dais was the pod. Beyond that on the far wall was the main data center, flanked by huge twenty-meter statues of Jor-El and Zor-El holding up Krypton. Kara walked to the wall in between the Data centre and the lab, putting her hand against a hidden panel. The wall dissolves revealing a weapons locker. She grabs a Kir-Shom (Little Flame) and fires two silent shots at each of the statue heads, slagging them to molten crystal. “Kelex task a droid to get rid of the rest of these abominations. And any others.” Kara all just spits in disgust, before turning to look back at the pod before her, it was a deep space escape pod upgraded with military grade shields, thrusters and Nav and has a stealth system. Kara goes and access the flight computer and her eyes darken. She turns goes to the main computer types some commands her hands moving faster than a humans because of her Kryptonian biology. In the first two minutes of looking through files she had confirmed that Kal was her cousin. The next 3 confirmed what had been done to her half of it she didn’t even know. The next 8 would of made her eyes glow in anger if her cells weren’t full of energy from the phantom zone.  

“ Kelex, Put an immediate stop to all outpost functions except for this terminal. Run a deep scan of all your processes and data. Partition off all data and commands given to you by Jor-El and Zor-El, Once completed compile and display every command that you have enacted since activation up on screen, then reboot the fortress with basic functions only. Confirm all information with the data archive on the Dagger. Override any blocks with my authorisation .” “At once My Lady, May you will win out.”  The lighting in the fortress dims as the outpost shuts down. The only light left is from Kelex’s Hard light and the screens shining on Kara’s face as she shifts through information and queues up commands for after the reboot. Soon the light from Kelex dims as he shuts down and drops to the floor as he does a deep scan of his own systems.   

With the last of the lights gone Kara breaks down and collapses, Kirkrighia catching her with the side of her body so that her master doesn’t get injured, The giant creature starts to hum to try and calm her bonded feeling Kara’s distress. Kara struggling to process some of the information she just read. While the thrumming of cat’s chest and the darkness of the room helping to calm her.  

Clark, J’onn and Lois arrive just as the outpost starts to reboot as the shut down and reverted the internal Sunlamps from Sol rays to Rao and had locked all doors till the reboot. So Clark was stuck with J’onn in the Medbay while Lois was just plain lost. It was still to dark to see properly.   

Before long the outpost had finished rebooting. Kelex beeped on the floor before floating up and reactivating his HardLight Shell. The light from Kelex reveals Kara sobbing in to Kirkri’s mane going unnoticed by the trio.  

 A short time later the main lights turn back on. The trio notice the statues and their melted heads the pistol that did the damage discarded on a console near Kara still not noticing her on the ground. Before Clark could say anything the other two had put a hand on his arm to stop him as if to say just wait. It was when Kirkrighia starts to make a whine that the trios snap towards Karas crumpled form.  The go towards her but couldn’t get to close as Kirkrighia starts to growl no matter who got close.   

The trio go over to the kitchen area and sit just keeping an eye on Kara and the cat. Clark goes and opens his mouth but before he can speak J’onn interjects “You have to remember Kal, and I’ll keep calling you that as you need to understand that you have to be both, Kal and Clark, but one does not diminish the other. Is that girl there has been traumatised by two people who should of protected her. She has lived through what no one should so you need to stop being a bull headed man from the Midwest that thinks they know everything and have a right to everything. From what I can understand and what I know of Kryptonian society is that she has more right to this place than you. And from what you told me you haven’t wanted to embrace this side of yourself. The only reason this outpost is even here is because you wanted to stop having the pod at the farm, that constant reminder and you only wear that suit to go to and from here. So let her explain, she has lived as a Kryptonian longer than you’ve been alive.” “I keep messing up, don’t I? I said to myself I would do better and instead I just did what I did last night all over again.” Lois looks turns to look at him “At least you recognise that you’ve messed up. Now you need to apologise and make sure you don’t make the same mistake.”    

Kara breaks from her sob when the terminal behind her beeps, she pats her friend between the ears and gets up off the floor, noticing she’s no longer alone. She turns to the terminal , it’s the list of commands and she wishes she could say she’s surprised but she’s not any more.   

Kara turns away and grabs the pistol that she had discarded earlier and returns it to the locker, her Aunt would of been angry that she had been so careless with it.     

Joining the others in the kitchen she sits and begins “I will speak in English as Kal is an Aos and I don’t want to have to repeat myself too often. I want to say I’m sorry I wasn’t here 25 years ago to look after you and teach you.” J’onn smiles to himself at the fact Kal just got called a baby. Clark looks at her, before his eyes are drawn to the destroyed statues. “Our fathers were despicable men, the sooner you realise that the easier it will be.” Kara cuts in. “If experimenting on me wasn’t enough, which I’ll come back too, your father corrupted the data in this outpost so that he came across as a good man and Kryptonian’s benevolent. He tasked the outpost to start producing a virus that you could release that would wipe out all life except Kryptonian that you can thank my father for that creation. There is currently over 578 defence platforms orbiting earth. Each one has enough power to level a city in minutes. Which I admit is going to be helpful if what we fled follows us. Which is likely. Our fathers were supposed to be in prison but for yours to have been able to upload commands and corrupt data he must have been let out or escaped before you were launched. I’ll find out when I read his journals he uploaded.” Clark didn’t know what to process first. Kara wasn’t pulling punches. “I’ve already destroyed the virus and shut down the processes to make more. There is a lot that needs to be said and I'm sure the three of you have questions, but first I need to right lies that were told to Kal.” Before anyone says anything, Kara’s stomach rumbles followed by Clarks, Lois Smiles and says “Sounds good, but first food.”  

Chapter Text

After Lois had cooked some of human food that Clark had stored in the outpost and Kara had Kelex synthesise some Kryptonian food they sat in a lounge off of the main hall. “What do you think you know of what happened to Krypton and why you got sent away?” Kara asks.  “The core was unstable and the planet dying, the council wouldn’t listen to out fathers and so they sent me away as the planet crumbled." The silence that followed got uncomfortable for everyone, Clark was about to break it when Kara starts swearing in Kryptonian and cursing the men in the house.  

It took a solid ten minutes of Kara ranting to herself and walking backwards and forwards before she calmed down enough to start speaking. “Wrong on all accounts, let me give you some background, ten thousand years ago a planet next to Krypton had been used as a penal colony since we could space travel, we had stopped using it as such close to two thousand years earlier, they became a monarchy and broke from the Imperium. That planet was called Daxam and until then hadn’t caused any problems until the Queen was killed by her daughter and her consort and launch an attack on Krypton. The Imperium did not take it lightly and pushed the attack back to Daxam and killed the ruling family down to the last noble. We took it a step further and evicted nearly one billion people to the other side of the galaxy. We kept an eye on them for the next thousand years then slowly forgot about them as a threat. 100 years ago,” kara stops mid-sentence “sorry I keep direct translating in my head which doesn’t help when definitions are different. So, give or take 250 years ago trade routes started getting hit, deep space stations start going dark within a year of the first station doing dark we were at war with the Daxamites. In the course of 100 years whole fleets where lost planets reduced to ash on both sides. Allies where hit at the same time by their own enemies so no help would come. We fought them back to the system they claimed as home.  We left them there but cordoned them off from the rest of the galaxy. Until some unknown force decimated the fleet we had at Daxam Prime fifty years ago. The Imperium was pushed back to our sector but we held it. No one had breached the home sector in the history of the Imperium and we weren’t going to start. We were so wrong.” 

Kara’s face was dark with emotion but her voice was void of it. “You were conceived a week before Astra found out what our fathers where doing. Once they were arrested, they were exiled from the house and cast out of the guilds. Astra became a second mother, going as far as legally adopting me. I later found out from a message from my aunt as I was entering the hyperspace window that sent me to the Phantom Zone that my mother’s DNA couldn’t be used in the Matrix some sort of mutation or corruption. My Aunt gave her DNA instead so I’m Biologically My Aunts legally both of theirs.” Kara stops and takes a breath and calms herself. “Any way there’s more to unpack there but moving on. After the adoption Astra asked her heads of house if I could go through the Warlady trials. Apon seeing my Academy test scores and having the word of a high general backing up the request they granted the request. A six-week trial that killed or maimed a quarter of participants and which more than half the people failed took me four, no living soul could remember the last time the trial was so quickly completed. I was named a Warlady of the house of Ze and so my name was changed from Kara Zor-El to Kara El-Ze. I was accepted in to the military guild straight after.”  Kara stopped and grabbed a glass of water that Kelex had deposited on the table. Her throat dry and sore from all the talking. 

“After your birth, both our fathers were broken out of prison, my mother and aunt believe it was by a rouge military faction hoping to use their research to win the war we were barely holding at a stalemate.” 

“A year later I was with my aunt at Fort Rozz, it was our base for our special operations. Soldiers and Agents. I was slated to be an Imperial agent once I turned 16. I had already finished basic training and my aunt had applied secretly to train me with the next special force cadet group at the start of that year.” “ 

Its why we were at Fort Rozz. We had just finish the training and the cadets where getting promoted when the call came in. Krypton was under attack.”  

“My aunt was High General so she commanded the main Imperial Dreadnought battle group. Three dreadnought, 21 destroyers, 66 battleships, 300 frigates and 600 cruisers. Every ship with Fighter squadrons and boarding crews.  We were away from Fort Rozz and on our way to Krypton within the hour. By the time we got there Krypton was being laid waste to from space from mass drivers, weapons outlawed by every Race of the galaxy when they join the Galactic community. It wasnt just Daxamite ships either they had help which confirmed the suspicion of outside help.”  

“We noticed you leave the system soon after arriving and with a look my aunt sent me to follow you, knowing it was the only way to save both of us. Her duty was with Krypton but she could send me, she could spare a sergeant, spare her daughter. I started to follow in her personal fighter, she said I would need the extra strength and speed. By the time I reached you, you where nearly taken out by enemy fighters. I took them out as quick as I could then just after i slaved on to your nav and you had jumped to hyperspace and my fighter went to follow Krypton exploded. Causing a shock wave that pushed me just as I went in to hyperspace pushing me in to the Phantom Zone, a broken Hyperspace dimension. I was awake the whole time but my body didn't age, it changed but only because I continued training my body and mind. I continued lessons through my AI, overriding lesson blocks with the updates my aunt sent with her message and the fact that I might be the last so I had highest authority anyway. That was a debate that lasted a week. After the lessons blocks where taken down, I finished all the military, diplomacy, intelligence and culture lessons I would have had to go through anyway plus all the bonus course work. Learnt a dozen more Galactic languages and what I think was a year before escaping the phantom zone we picked up either broadcasts and so the AI was able to create language and culture lessons so now I know most of the main languages on earth. Eventually my pod broke out of the phantom zone in to hyperspace and so I've ended up here and now 25 years too late. I don’t know if everyone I once loved is dead or if there are survivors. I don't want to be the last.” Kara finally broke. J'onn sat there processing. Kara was going to join the galaxies best spy agency as a field agent. No Imperial spy had been caught in ten thousand years and it was thought that every government in the galaxy could be collapsed if a Kryptonian agent willed it. Their skills and technology were unmatched. It was what made the Imperium so effective. He needs to talk to Sam; he’s going to have a field day with all this. 

Clark's whole view of his family and his origins where smashed so he did what he always did when he need to process and flew. He was out the door in a gale of wind . “I need to train him to control his powers better he’s all brute strength with no finesse.” Kara huffs out. 

Lois just laughs not knowing what else to do. 

“Lois we should talk to your father, Karas going to need papers and a background.” J'onn says knowing that things needed 5o be put in place to protect Kara as well as Clark. “I think you need to have a chat with him in person J’onn then if you can, bring him to meet Kara.” 

J’onn Takes his leave as he  nods his head as Lois goes to sit next to the girl who had just buried herself in her giant Cat.  

“Your not the last Kara you have Clark”  Kara stops crying and laughs startling Lois. “He’s no Kryptonian, he might be Biologically but that’s it. He doesn’t know the language or the culture. In everyway that matters he’s human.” Kara gets up from the floor, untangling herself from Kir and heading out of the room. Lois scrambles to follow her. 

A few minutes later they walk in to the hanger where four robots similar to Kelex where whirring around Kara’s ship. As soon as Kara entered the hanger the ship seemed to ripple. Kara put her hand against the nose of the ship  “Everything will be alright girl I promise.” A beep was all the response Kara got before the hatch to the inside slid open. 

Lois just stood in front of the ship as Kara entered it. It was huge, Lois was expecting something from star wars or something but no this ship was big. Even a B-2 stealth bomber would be dwarfed by this thing. After a few minutes Kara came out of the ship with a duffel bag a large metal case and a huge smile on her face. “What’s got you all Sunny?” Lois asks. “I have her back, I have Dav back.” as the blonde says this a little projection shoots out of Kara’s wrist and waves at Lois, who can do nothing but wave back. 

“My ship should be back to normal in the next couple of days, a lot needs to be replaced so the outpost will need to fabricate it which will take time.” Kara says as they leave the hanger. Kelex meets them “The deep-space scanner and relay is ready to launch your Ladyship.” “Thank you Kelex, launch at the next safe opportunity. Then send the message when it’s in place.” Lois looks at Kara confused. “I need to know if my race continues on hence the relay, and the galaxy is a dangerous place hence the early warning system.” Is all Kara says as they find themselves back in the lounge. “Can you tell me about Kal while we wait?” “Sure thing kid” Lois replies even though the alien girl was older. Lois starts to tell Kara about meeting a bumbling farm boy of an intern at the daily planet.  

It would be hours before either of the men came back. 

Chapter Text

J’onn was the first to return with the newly promoted General Sam Lane. Lois gets up from where she was sitting and hugged her father, “Hey Dad” “Hey Kiddo" The General replies with a smile breaking the embrace the General looks at Kara. Kara recognises that look from her own Aunt when she was inspecting troops. She snaps to attention on rote, the look making her training kick in. Her heels clicked together right hand open and straight down by her side with her left hand closed in a fist snaps over her chest with a crisp thump. She holds the stance for a few seconds before bowing at the waist, her back straight and parallel to the floor. Straightening up still at attention but both hands at her sides. Sam was taken back at the precision of what he assumed was a Kryptonian Salute, he’s seen soldiers with years of service not be able to do the same when saluting and he was surprised she bowed to him in what was akin to the Japanese, but the amount of strength and control to be able to hold it at such an angle was astounding.  

J'onn steps up and begins the introductions “Lady El-Ze may I introduce a personal friend as well as Lois’s father, General Samuel Lane of the United States Army. General Lane may I introduce Lady Kara El-Ze Archon of the house, Warlady of the House Ze and Sergeant in the Kryptonian military.”  Sam was taken aback by his friend being so formal and the titles this girl that looked fourteen had, still he had been in enough diplomatic situations that he saluted the girl and bowed before extending his hand towards her. “A pleasure to meet you my lady” instead of grabbing his hand like he expected Kara clasped his forearm and shook, “Please just Kara I'm not on Krypton anymore General, and it’s a pleasure you have a wonderful daughter.”  Lois laughs and the pair break the shake and look at the woman rolling on the couch.  

After collecting herself “Sorry, but I haven't seen dad be so diplomatic to a 14-year-old before. Let alone bow.” the end of her sentence cut off with more laughing. “I was 14 Ahmzeht before I left, plus another ten in the phantom zone means I'm actually 60 Sols.” Kara the laughing girl but this just makes her laugh even more. “She’s older than you are Dad” the girl says between bouts of laughter. “Ignore her, she gets like that. J’onn asked me to come because he thinks I might be able to help you settle in on earth.” This confuses Kara. “Why would I not stay with Kal” J’onn cuts Kara off before she can spiral which he realises  that the girl sometimes does. “It's not just about where you will be staying, but organising papers and generating a back story and backstopping it. Making sure that what we decide can be looked in to by people and it not be challenged.” J’onn’s smooth baritone had a slight fatherly tone to it, a tone Kara recognised from watching other kids interact with their fathers but never did she hear it from her own.  

Lois pipes up from her place on the couch having stopped laughing at her dad. “We should wait for Clark, though I have no idea how long Smallville will be.” “Yes, where is the Boy Scout?” the general asks which cause Lois to laugh again. “He ran off after I gave him a history lesson and told him what his father was really like.” Karas voice was dead flat before she switches to a friendlier tone “can I get you anything to drink General?” “No thank you Kara I’m fine, seeing as we are waiting on Clark could I steal sometime with my daughter?” “Of course, I'll head off to the training room I haven't done my Kata today. If you need anything just call out for Kelex and he’ll sort it out for you or get me.” Kara dips her head in a small bow as was proper for leaving a foreign dignitary, General Lane nods in response.  

J’onn takes his leave as well leaving his friend and god-daughter to catch up. “May I join you in your Kata My Lady? I must confess I haven't done my peoples in many centuries.” “Of course you can Sir, but can we continue to talk in your mother tounge, it would be nice to practice. And please its Kara” Kara replies in Martian. “Thank you Kara, then please call me J’onn. And it would be a pleasure, I don’t have much chance to speak it.”   

They soon arrive at the outposts training room; Kara removes her tunic leaving her in close fitting black combat underlay pants and a crossed back combat bra. She goes to the middle of the room and moves through some light stretches before doing a ten minute run with a constant top speed that would put an Olympian to shame, she finishes the run off with another set of stretches before moving onto her kata. Kara berates herself as she goes through her forms, rusty from misuse as she hasn’t done her forms for 25 years. J’onn just stands there and if he was to be honest with himself a little scared, this girl had no powers but the way she moved and the power in her form she would probably be able to take him on and win. A shot of shame went through him, training was everything and he had been lax in keeping up with his Martian disciplines and he knew enough of earth's martial arts that used alongside each other with help from his powers he was able to get out of most situations not that he got himself in much trouble now days. He shook himself out of his funk and went and joined the girl and started doing the kata he learnt when he Joined the Martian Hunters.  

An hour Later both of them where drenched in sweat, Kara having moved through her kata multiple times till it had started to smooth out started to study the movements the Martian was doing beside her and started to copy and follow along. It took ten minutes before J’onn noticed that Kara was moving through the forms with him, a half second behind.  

“Would you like so spar My Lady?” “Stop it with the Lady please J’onn and it would be a pleasure.”  

Kara goes and moves to a panel inset in the wall near the door, after putting a command through, a large sparing circle is lit on the floor. Kara grins before entering a slew of new commands after finishing the symbol of the Martian Hunters was on the left side of the back wall with the Kryptonian glyph for 7 under it, on the right side was a House Symbol that J’onn had never seen. “Its the Combined Crests of El and Ze.” Is all Kara says before entering the circle, before J’onn can enter the door enter and the Lane pair enter. “Are we interrupting?” the General asks. “Looks like we got here just intime for the fun” Lois quips. Switching back to English for the sake of the new audience “It's fine, the rules are simple if you go over the line first you lose a point and the other gains two, you must yield if you can't break a hold within ten seconds, to yield you can say fahtul or if you are close enough to the edge tap the outside of the circle. If you yield you lose two points and the other gains three. The first to 0 loses. It becomes a tie no matter the points after an hour. As the challenged I get to decide on weapons, but seeing as we just met and this is a friendly spar, we shall just use our bodies but no powers. Acceptable?” Kara’s eyebrow raised at the end which was all J’onn needed to see to know that she only added that because of him and the likelihood of him phasing. “That's fine Kara.” was all J’onn said before he entered the circle. Upon entering the lights outside the circle went dark while the light inside the circle went to a shade of red.   

Being in this circle felt like home to Kara, at first it was with her Aunt as she thought everyone need to know self-defence then after Zor-el's arrest it was to get use to her new strength, but Kara soon realised she enjoyed it and kept pestering her aunt to spar. Then she spent months in the ring at the Ze estate after becoming a Warlady learning their base forms, then they sent me off to the Military Guild to basic and said after I was older I was to come back for more in-depth Warlady training. Basic was easy compared to the Warlady trails and Kara never lost a spar to any of the other recruits even when they had weapons and she didn’t it got to the point where she was only allowed to use one set of limbs to attack per a spar. She end up sparing with the training instructors as the recruits refused to fight her.  After finishing basic she had to wait for a squad placement, though Kara didn’t know that her Aunt had stopped any placements because she was waiting for the next round of training at Fort Rozz to start. So Kara spent her time at the Military base just outside of Argo challenging anyone she could and running the courses with the morning shift and then again in the evening with the night shift. Kara was in heaven when she got to Fort Rozz, surrounded by special Op’s soldiers, her aunt had made Kara go first on their first day, the other recruits laughed when the one of the soldiers that where in charge of their training asked why there was a child at Fort Rozz and if they had to fight her let the janitor, at least he was old and frail and wouldn’t hurt her too much. The squad sergeant made the loud-mouth fight her and he made the mistake of not taking kara seriously and he was in a hold he couldn’t get out of within the first ten second of the fight, the recruits whooped and whistled while the soldiers laughed at their comrade.  

Kara was broken out of her reverie by a cough from J’onn. “Sorry, it's been so long since I've stepped foot in the circle, it brought back a lot of memories.” Kara nods her head at J’onn who responds in kind they circled each other feeling each other out, it wasn’t long before blows where exchanged. Three minutes later a kick to J’onn’s leg made him fall to the floor and one hand land outside the circle. A buzzing sound was heard and the glyphs changed J’onn losing a point and Kara gaining two. They started again blow after blow was given and taken and it was Karas foot sliding back from the force of blocking one of J’onns hits that made the points change for the second time. The circled each other and then J’onn was pinned, he had to tap out. After that they both upped their game. But no one was able to get the other pinned or over the line so when the hour was up both of them where exhausted. They bowed at each other then clasped forearms.  Lois was gobsmacked, she'd never seen anyone fight like that either in training or in real life. General Lane was impressed there might be 10 top tier operators in the world that could fight like that but none of them could fight like that for such an extended amount of time, she would be a big asset, but she was still a girl that had lost everything. He wasn’t going to suggest anything or try and sway the girl. Sam then thought to himself are you happy there J’onn, after noticing his friend looking at him, he just got a smile in reply.    

Kara went back over to the console and reset the training room. Opening a cabinet beside it she grabbed a two towels, throwing one at J’onn. Towelling off the excess sweat she then put her tunic back on. Discarding the used towel down a chute near the door, J’onn following suit.  

“Thanks for that J’onn I thoroughly enjoyed it.” Kara says smiling at him. “Not a problem I haven't had a work out like that in a long while.” Chuckled J’onn in reply. “Shall we see if Kal’s back” asks hopefully her face full of trepidation. “If he’s not back, I’ll give Ma and Pa Kent a ring.”   

As they enter the main room there was no sight of him, Kara's face fell “Kelex is Kal back yet?” “No your Ladyship, he floated above the outpost for about half an hour before flying around the globe 13 times before landing somewhere in the American Midwest, where he is still currently located.”  Lois was caught up in the melodic language that the two were speaking not understanding anything but two words that could be American Midwest, so on a whim she called the farm.  

Lois was on the phone for less than a minute before she hung up. “He’s coming back thoroughly talked to. All of us have been ordered to appear at the farm after everything is settled, including you general.” Lois finishes with a smile. The General just grunts in response but there was a tug of a smile on his lips.  

The Four settle down in the lounge waiting for a lost boy.  

Chapter Text

When Clark arrived at the outpost after doing some more loops of the planet, making sure to steer clear of radar and satellites. Landing at the entrance he notices that the massive Dwarf star key was gone replaced by a smaller version, still too heavy to lift by humans and even most aliens. He picked it up and put it in the lock, as soon as he finished turning it, unbeknownst to him he underwent a full body scan. A disembodied voice asked him to state his name. Upon stating that his name was Clark Kent the Dwarf Star Key was Pulled in to the door and a blast door closed over the opening into the outpost. Before he could do anything, the blast door retracted and the main door opened revealing Kelex. Clark starts following the floating robot down the passage in to the main hall where Kara is working at the console with Kir at her feet, while the other three where in the small kitchen area where Lois was cooking 

Kelex continued on floating and made his way over to Kara as Clark went over to the trio.  

“I’m sorry I bailed on everyone.” Clark says meekly looking at J’onn and Lois before turning to General Lane “It's good to see you Sir, thank you for coming.” Finishing off his sentence as he extends his hand towards his soon to be father-in-law.  “Anything for family son.” Was all the response that was given as they shook hands. 

“How was Ma and Pa?”  Lois enquires after saddling up to his side. “Disappointed in me, the most disappointed I've ever seen either of them. They offered to take her in if we didn’t have a better idea. How was everything here?” “I told Kara about you, told her how we met that sort of thing then J’onn and Dad arrived. It was the strangest thing as soon as dad looked at Kara she snapped to attention, gave what I assume was a salute then bowed. J’onn then went all formal” “I was introducing for the first time what is essentially a princess to a high-level government official.” J’onn says cutting Lois off who just rolls her eyes in response. “Anyway, Dad salutes and bows to Kara and then extends his hand for a handshake but instead of grabbing his hand she grabs his forearm. It was all so bizarre it made me start to laugh. We start talking then she drops the bomb on us that she's older than dad. Which just sends me off laughing again.” the aforementioned man just shakes his head at his daughter's antics.  

“We decided to wait for you to discuss backstory and papers and all that so I stay talking with dad while Kara went to train, it was two three hours later that me and dad went and found Kara and J’onn about to Spar. It was a draw after an hour. It was intense. We came back to see if you were here but you weren't and so then I rang the farm and here we are. Kara has been distracting herself at the computer muttering about security and that anyone strong enough could have come in here.” Lois stops and catches her breath after her whirlwind breakdown of events.  

“That explains the new key and me not being let in.” Clark responds until he backtracks “Wait she held her own against J’onn?” 

 “We were fighting hand to hand and I wasn’t allowed to use my powers. For someone who hasn’t been able to keep up her training for 25 years she is quite proficient. I haven’t had so much trouble, yet so much fun since Mars.” J’onns voice getting heavy by the end.  

“I know of maybe 10 top tier operators in the world and maybe a half dozen mercs that could fight like that but none of them could fight like that for long.” Sam putting in his ten cents a little bit of awe breaking through his usual rough no nonsense tone.  

Kara and Kir soon joined them, “Can we get started, I’m expected on base tomorrow morning.” Sam says deciding to cut through any awkwardness from Clark running away. Everyone nods their heads. “We need to decide who will adopt Kara, she may be older than most of us but she still looks 14 so she can’t be by herself. It will be suspicious. From there we can build a background and I can get documents made.” 

 “I’ve being thinking about it and I think there's only three options, Ma and Pa, The Danvers's they know my secret and helped with my powers and have a daughter the same age and the third option is you sir" Clark stops while looking at General Lane. 

 “Can you all stop talking like I’m not here!” Kara’s tone was angry “You may not be a member of The House of El but you are a Scion of El. You still have responsibilities.  It is YOU and yours that must provide shelter. Not another’s!”  

“I can’t take you in, I just became a junior reporter, I live in a shoebox. I have no means to support you. And Ma and Pa said that they would take you, but I think it’s too risky to grave another alien live with them. It’s a risk we will all be found out.”  

“So instead you give the risk to another. Risking two houses instead of one. I have no powers to be ousted by and so the risk comes from you if you decide to go flying around in that suit.”  Clark felt chastened. “She has a point son, there is little increased risk for your parents, there’s no point putting anyone else at risk.” Sam’s voice soft yet still gruff. “We don’t need some elaborate ploy either, we all know Ma and Pa have been feeling like empty nester's since you left home, so them adopting Kara isn't going to raise any red flags in town. And Kara, you’ll love them they are good people.” Lois trying to ease Clark's discomfort and making sure Kara was involved.  “How do we explain that even while looking 14 she's built like a brick house and can throw someone over her shoulder?” Clark asks. 

“She was rescued from a house fire, Anything else can be classified under national security, protecting the parents and witness protection to protect Kara. Parents where friends of Sam’s and Jonathan's from their time in ‘Nam” J’onns idea accepted by the group, with most of it going over Kara’s head. “Sam are you able to make the papers and backstory for us?” “Yes J’onn, it will take a couple of days to set up then backstop. Though you have as many contacts as I do, so you could do it too.”  

Lois looks at an uncomfortable Kara “You will still be Kara El-Ze, none of us expect you to be something you are not” She shoots a look at her fiancé. “This is so you can blend in and have a life here, even if it is just for the short term.”  Kara just nods her head before she trots off back to the computer.  

The others spend time hashing out the minutiae of Karas back story and the adoption. Meanwhile Karas been ordering the outpost computer that once repaired, to launch her fighter in stealth and have it in Geosynchronous orbit to maintain communication with her AI and the outpost while at the same time monitoring communications and keeping an eye out on the solar system as a whole. She also had the outpost keep upgrading its security systems and also connect to the human computer systems, finishing off at the computer she grabs a bundle of dark grey and heads over to the group while she has Kelex collect a datapad with language and culture learning programs which she quickly hands over to Kal. “You need to learn the language and the culture Kal, and meanwhile if you decide you want to gallivant around you can't do it with that symbol on your chest, you do not yet have the right.” She flicks a small plasma knife out and cuts the symbol off his chest. “Here” She then hands over the bundle of Dark Grey. “One it's more of an actual suit instead of undergarments so it will actually offer some protection,” the plasma knife flickering back to life and trying but failing to cut the material. “And second it heralds you as a postulant to the house of El.”  

Clark looks at the new suit, instead of the royal blue it was a dark grey with royal blue piping going up the leg and meeting a dark belt with the golden outline of the crest shield. There was piping going up the side of his chest and meeting at his shoulder and instead of having the sigil of the House of El on his chest it was same Golden shield but instead it was just filled in with red with no sigil and the size of his fist set over his left breast.  

Clark looks up and the look he sees in the eyes of his cousin makes him not want to fight, he had fought to much with her as it is. He could give this inch. Even though it angered him that she destroyed a gift from his father. “I’ll go change.” Turning to Lois “I’ll meet you at J’onn’s car.” 

After Clark had left everyone was eyeing Kara with caution as the girl got Kelex to burn the rest of the sigil. Collecting the bag and case from where she stashed it earlier. “Shall we get going” even though Karas voice came out strong the look of apprehension on her face told another story. 

“Sure thing Kiddo.” Lois’s chipper voice, forced as it was, breaking the weird feeling that had settled around the room.  

As they walked out of the fortress Kara stops and breaks. She's no longer on Kryptonian soil. The only family that she knows is actually alive may as well not exist. She is a stranger in a strange land. Kara pulls herself together and with every ounce of will reimbues herself with kryptonian regality. She decides that she will just have to integrate into earth society and hope she hears something from her Aunt or she access the Kryptonian Intel Net. But she won't do that until she has a better understanding of her predicament and what has changed in the galactic community in the time she was stuck. No point in giving away information if the Net is compromised. So it’s a wait and cultivate game. 

It wasn’t long until Clark stepped out of the outpost in his new suit. “Looking good Smallville, lets get this show on the road, I’m freezing my ass off here.” Lois says before anyone else can make a jab. 

Everyone goes and makes their way over to J’onns car, a light bird egg blue 1952 Chevrolet Deluxe convertible. As Kara steps towards the car it shifts in to a large Martian cruiser, letting out a low welcoming pulse as it lowers a hatch in the side to let everyone walk in. Kara starts laughing her first genuine laugh, in for what she feels like the first time since she left Krypton. Kara just stares at the fascinating technology in front of her as everyone but J’onn start to board the ship. “I haven't ever seen them react to a Non-Martian like that, there where legends and stories about some. You are something extraordinary Lady El-Ze.” J’onn claims, even knowing that he was missing something, like the information is all there but every time he tries to grab it is moves, like he is trying to catch fog. Kara just smiles at him as the two of them board after some encouragement from Kirkri in the form of her butting her head against their knees, causing the two to laugh at the cat's antics.

The ship starts humming to its self as both of them takes their seats.

Chapter Text

***

This is an Emergency Broadcast.

A Tornado Warning is now in effect for the State of Kansas.

Be on alert.

This is not a drill.

A Tornado Emergency is now in effect for the city of Metropolis and it surrounding area.
Please seek shelter.

Repeat this is not a drill.

A Tornado Warning is now in effect for the State of Kansas.

***

This message will repeat in 10 Seconds.

Chapter Text

It wasn’t long after lift-off that both Kryptonian’s drifted off to sleep; Clark because of all his flying, something he still wasn’t used to using for long periods of time usually just from his apartment in Metropolis to the Kent farm. While Kara was exhausted from an emotional couple of days and still getting used to not being in the Phantom Zone. Lois soon joined them, never one to shy away from grabbing a nap.  

A couple of hours later the ship landed in a deserted stretch of road and transformed in to a Black SUV. The transformation so seamless that the sleeping Kryptonian’s didn’t flinch. Lois ever the light sleeper awoke as J’onn started the ten-minute drive to the farm.  

Lois leaned over the centre console and flicked on the radio not being able to bear the silence. Static was all that came through the speakers.  

As the static came through Clark woke up and with in a second was out the car door and gone. 
 
“That is not a good sign” Lois mutters to herself. 

It wasn’t long before they had an idea of what happened. The fields around them were barren of crops, Barns where reduced to rubble, there wasn’t a fence to be seen, the road littered with debris.  

J'onn stepped on the gas feeling the anxiousness rolling off everyone in the car. Everyone awake that was. Kara was dead to the world, her face buried in the giant cats side.  

They soon arrived at the Kent farm. What was left of the Kent farm anyway. All that was left standing of the large red two story barn was one wall. Most of the fence line was gone. Dead cattle lay strewn about. Then came the farmhouse. The large three story yellow weatherboard house was in shambles the top floor was just gone, the second floor didn’t fair much better. On the bottom floor the only room that still had four walls and a ceiling was the kitchen but even that was a mess.  

Kara woke as everyone was getting out of the car. She felt groggy. The feeling didn’t last long as she took in the devastation around her. Kara grabbed the silver case from the back of the car as the other headed towards the house. She had a feeling that she would be needing it.   

Entering the house reminded everyone of a war zone and it was there that they found Martha sitting against the wall of the kitchen cradling her arm.  Sam crouches infront of his friends wife taking in her injuries. “How are you doing there Ma?” “I’ll survive.” Was all Ma could say before she started a wet coughing fit.   

Before anyone could move Kara was at her side the silver case open and a scanner in her hand. A second later a clear tube with a swirling silver substance was in her hand. She looked at Sam and Lois, “She is important to him yes?” no one answered “She is important yes?!” she shouted in a hurry. “ She is his mother."  J'onn said understanding the importance of her question. “His Jeju must be saved” was all Kara said before she jabbed the tube in to Martha’s neck and the tube emptied. At first nothing happened and then she screamed, her back arched and her arms went straight. And as quick as it started it was over.  

Everyone took a breath as Martha opened her eyes.   

In the distance a bang was heard and in the next moment Jonathan was put next to his wife and Kara was sent flying though the last remaining upstanding wall, Clark had grabbed her by the shoulders and barrelled her through the wall. Kara’s training kicked in and she wrapped her legs around his body then put a thumb underneath his arm pit, hitting one of the only pressure points that remains no matter the sun. The unexpected attack on his pressure point causes him to flip over, doing exactly what Kara wanted him to do. “Calm down I was trying to help.” But Clark just kept seeing red and so He pushed her off of him as he landed back first in to the paddock and sent Kara crashing fifty meters away, causing her to cry out in pain.  

His grip had broken her collar bone and shoulder blades but they were slowly getting fixed by her nanites. The push through the wall and subsequently the ground did more damage then hey normal nanites could handle. Her neck and both sets of arms and legs would of been broken if not for the nth metal nanotubing grafted into her bones. Her left lung burst, both kidneys bruised. Her heart had fluid in the sac surrounding it, her head was bleeding profusely, gushing the bright blue blood of a high born Kryptonian, multiple splinters of wood from the wall were sticking out of her body  

Clark looked at the body in front of him but before he could do anything and before Kara could try and placate him or defend herself, a white blur hit him from behind with a force such that he had never felt in his life before. The two bodies tumbled clear over Kara. When they landed next to her it was with Clark pinned to the ground and Kirkri, who had been sleeping by the car.  

 She had been perfectly happy lazing in the sun in her white dog form, or as she thinks to herself her family form as it was the form closest to the form she took when she was at home with her family and not needed for war. But that was to alien and when the first lots of transmissions that the pod received from earth where old black and white films with no sound and there was a creature so similar to her but different and she decided this would do. So as was laying in the sun she hears a crash just moments after a scream, her ears perked up and then she heard her friend, her sister in arms, her pack-mate and most important her Bonded speak then cry out in pain. She Shifted then started to bound towards her packmate. She notices that it is the one from before, the one that looks like one of the men that tortured both her and her bondmate, though he smells different. Same air of arrogance though. She tackles him from behind and pins him to the ground and just growls low and harsh.  

With Kirkri now there Kara starts to let go and soon whimpers causing her friend to bound over, and give a small headbutt in reassurance before growling at Clark again as he begins to move. Seeing the state of Kara and what he nearly did Clark launches off in to the sky and flies off.    

With the immediate threat no longer in the vicinity and with Kirkri standing guard Kara’s body decides it can shut down. The micro military-chem factories grafted in to her bone marrow stop producing, stopping the flow of chemicals keeping her awake, enhancing all her senses and reaction times. Her nanites switch from short term quick fixes meant to keep her fighting and able and to long term survivability.  

Lois, Martha and J’onn ran outside just as Clark took off.  They ran to see Kara’s Body in a three foot deep hole fifty meters away from a six foot deep divot running the length of the paddock, as they move towards her there’s a brief flash of light and six kelex units where on scene. Four of them were meter long, half meter wide tear drops with the point pointing down in matte black with their hardlight a dark red. The other two units had two halves both the same size, but they equal up to the size of a shoe box. Constantly shifting one half on top and back down again then below then back. Coloured white with bright blue hardlight.   

The four tear drops had taken up positions around Kara like points on a compass while the Boxes hovered and their hard light pulsed. Kirkri lets out a noise somewhere between a growl and a whimper as she has to move from Kara’s side.  

J’onn stopped Lois or Martha from going any further not knowing what would happen or what was currently happening.  Ten minutes later the Kelex units were gone as quickly as they had arrived and Kara started climbing out of the hole.  Her face was twisted between anger and anguish. Kirkri doesn’t leave her side though she does change her form in that of her smaller brown furred Belgian Malinois, a form reminiscent of the Battle hounds of the house of Ze.  

“Lois call him back, Martha I must apologise but I used military grade emergency nanites on you without your permission, but you did not have long to live.” Lois was on the phone trying to call Clark with it going to voicemail while Martha just went and hugged Kara “No apology necessary, I should be thanking you, I would like it actually if you had a look at Jonathan Hes looking a bit clammy.” Ma Kent said as she led Kara back to the house.   

Chapter Text

Kara had spent an hour going over both Kent’s vitals after she had given Jonathan a less dire version of nanites than his wife. All in all both where healthier than they had been in decades and the bad leg Jon had suffered in his last day’s in ‘Nam had healed and would no longer be a problem. The one side effect of their use was that they would both have a longer than normal human life span with excellent health as long as they didn’t have any catastrophic injuries. The nanites where non-replicating and so as age and the need to repair damage was needed the nanites would slowly degrade.   

Kara was sleeping head against Kirkri's side the creature still in her Belgian Malinois form but twitching at every loud sound and fast movement but staying still so that her bonded would stay asleep. Everyone else was going through the house trying to find anything salvageable but it was all a lost cause.   

They moved to the storm cellar underneath the now non existent barn, J’onn picked up Kara’s sleeping form while sending out waves of calm to placate the dog and to not wake up the girl. It wasn’t long after he had put her down on the bed in the corner that she rose from her slumber, the fact that Martha was cooking on the small camping stove might of been the reason.  

“I would like to apologise about your home Mr and Mrs Kent, I would also like to thank you for offering to take me in. But before anyone says anything I need to say somethings, I know the plan was for me to live with the Kent’s, mainly at my insistence as they are Kal’s family and it was his responsibility as a family of the house of El’s, and so his and whom he calls family to offer  shelter and take me in. But after what’s transpired today this is no longer the case. I’ll explain more after Kal gets back as he needs to be here and its his right to hear first" Everyone was somewhat shocked while  Jon and Martha looked sad “we're sorry Clark has been such a hothead we swear we raised him better” Jon said. “after he returns ot would be best if I moved on as ypu most likely won’t want me here and I wouldn’t want to intrude.” Kara said. “we will cross that bridge when we come to it dear” is all Jon said in reply. Kara just nodded her head and sat back down next to kirkri. It wasn’t long until Martha declared dinner ready.  

Kal returned soon after everyone had finished. As he entered Kara stood up “ Kal postulant to the house of El, you have attacked a member of your house with put provocation and for this we deny you entrance to the great house of El. Kal son of Lara and Jor-El you have attacked the Archon of a great house and worse the Archon of the house that birthed and housed you and that you were a postulant of and so we call you nameless. You will be removed from the codex and stricken from the books. You have no rights or claims but you have your life.” As Kara is saying her declaration the suit Clark is wearing changes to an All dark grey, all the coloured piping changed to a light grey and the crest on his chest has a white X through it. “You may keep the suit and the datapads with the kryptonian lessons and histories and I pray that you learn” Kara stepped around his and went up the stairs Kirkri following not far behind.     

Sam looked at J’onn who nodded his head and the two turned to the group with Sam saying “Me and J’onn will go find Kara and we will go to a hotel or even back to home. We will let you know what happens Let us know what we can do to help rebuild” he pulls his best man in to a hug then Martha before giving Clark a hand shake and then pulling his daughter in to a hug “I better see you at home soon or Lucy will have my head how does a 16 year old have so much spunk” “You survived me dad you’ll survive her, now go find the wayward alien, and let me know if I can do anything to help even if it doesn’t involve Clark I want to be there for her.”  Sam smiled at her daughter then went upstairs to look for Kara. J’onn soon joined him as he had finished his goodbyes.  

They found Kara moving through her Kata’s with grace only the best professional dancers could even try and match. The pair walked towards her and she stopped mid move. “What is to happen now? I have no family to take me in, those bridges are burnt.” “We won’t abandon you because of Clark’s stupidity. We can discuss options when we have all had some food and sleep as it’s late.” Sam says trying to placate the girl. “I’ll fly us to Sam’s, I think that would be the best place to have the conversation.”  J’onn interjects. The others just nod.  

A five minute drive followed by a fire minute flight and a further twenty minute drive has them arriving at a Large two story log house nestled in a the back of a large field surrounded by forest on all four sides.   

The trio all sit around the table in the dining room eating a late dinner while Kirkri lays infant of the fire blazing at Kara’s back. “So, what happens now?” Kara asks with a combination of resignation and steel. “Sadly, there is not a lot of options. This is something that needs to be kept in the family, so to speak” Sam says not noticing Kara wince at his blunder. “I would say there is two solid options with a possible third if J’onn can contact her. The first is you stay with me, but that means you would have to go to boarding school as I am away most of the time. Which is not ideal. The second and what I think is the best option is our friends the Danvers, Jeremiah is a friend from the Army, he was mine and Jonathan’s field medic, he was the one that saved Jon’s leg. then when he left the army, he became a robotics engineer and biologist met his wife who was a doctor and is now a world-renowned Biologist paving the way for Xenobiology. They have a 13 year old daughter so on paper she would be a year younger than you. They are good people and I think they are the best people to help you adjust to earth and let you leave a semi normal life.” Kara nods her head, deep in thought. “And what do you think J’onn?” “I agree with Sam they are the best option we have until you look of legal age.” “Well that going to be a problem it will be at least another ten earth years till I look like an adult by earth standards, that is if the energy from the Phantom zone hasn’t changed me. I will have to run some test and if they are normal, I could use a growth serum speed up my body to normal human standards. At least till I'm old enough.” The men hadn't thought about her aging differently. “Is a growth serum safe to use?” concern laced in Sam’s voice. “In small doses it should be, I'll have to run simulations but that’s something Rraozh can do for me, or should I say is already doing the sneaky thing.” The Ai sent a chuckle and a feeling of warmth from its Greybox at Karas comment. “Also, another thing, whomever takes me in will have to be granted a householdship and then will be taken as members of the house of El. This adds a level of danger as well as protection but customs must be adhered too. So, if you think they are the best option and you trust them, I will meet them and we will explain everything, I will not make them make a decision without all the facts.” Kara’s face had a stony expression conveying that she would take no argument about it. “ I’ll ring them in the morning and we can go from there. But now its late and I think its time for bed.” And with that the General Stands and ushers the two out of the dinning room and up the stairs to the bedrooms. J’onn taking his usual guest bedroom while Kara goes in to what was Lois room.  

Kara doesn’t sleep that night but sits on the floor her back against the wall looking up at the stars while talking to Rraozh and petting Kirkri.  

Chapter Text

The sun had just risen when Sam awoke, he went down stairs and found Kara sitting cross-legged out on the wrap around porch the Sun shinning over her causing her blond hair to look like it was glowing like a halo around her head.  “Good morning General” the girl murmured as he stepped out of the house. “How many times do I have to tell you call me Sam, otherwise I’ll start calling you Archon, and we wouldn’t want that would we Sargent.” Sam’s voice full of mischief. It felt good to have light conversation. “As long as you call me Kara, Sam.” “Deal. How did you sleep?” “I didn’t I stayed up watching the stars while talking to Rraozh and then played with Kirkri. I just finished my morning in Kata’s...” the rest of Kara’s sentence was cut off by a giant ball of fur that had bound across the lawn from the trees and up the stairs before tackling Kara, white paws on her shoulders and tongue licking either side of her face. Sam started laughing before his legs was swatted by a paw, which sent kara off laughing.

It wasn’t long before J’onn came out exclaiming “What’s happening out here?” his question was answered when he saw Kara rolling on the grass wrestling Kirkri in her large war form. J'onn wouldn’t want to even try wrestling either of them even with his considerable size of Kara’s slight stature. “They’ve been at it for the last fifteen minutes” Sam responded. “Well I’ve made breakfast. So we should eat it’s a couple of hours to drive to Jerimiah’s I don’t want to risk flying. They been enough in the last couple of days and more and more satellites and radar to dodge.” Sam nodded and went down the stairs of the porch to go tell Kara about breakfast.

It was about midday when they arrived at a Large two story white weatherboard house standing alone atop of a cliff at the end of a long lane. As they got out of the car they noticed the silhouettes of two figures looking over the water. Sam and J’onn started to move towards the couple recognising the figures as Jeremiah and Eliza, Kara stayed back her hand a fist in Kirkri’s fur, full of uncertainty for what felt like the first time since she landed .  As Sam and J’onn reached the silhouettes the couple turned to reveal a middle aged blonde woman and a man with dark hair and stubble over his face. The man smiled and embraced the other men who returned it with enthusiasm. After the hellos where given the four turned and looked back over the ocean as the man called put over the ocean “Alex come back in , we have guests!” It was then that Kara noticed a black dot moving over the ocean. She moved closer to the cliffs edge to get a better look. It was a girl standing on a board riding the waves. “What is she doing? Is that safe?” Kara asked. “It’s called surfing and for her it is fun but there is some danger to it but she is as safe as she can be.” Answered the woman. “I’m Eliza and this is my husband Jeremiah and down their being a daredevil is our daughter Alexandra.” Kara was taken aback by the introduction. So used to intermediaries introducing as was done on krypton.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you ma’am, I’m Kara El-Ze, Archon of the house of El, Warlady of the House of Ze, Chatelaine of the great houses, Sargent of the Imperial Kryptonian Military guild and claimant of the red shard it is an honour to meet you Eliza and Jeremiah of the house of Danvers.” Kara rattling off her titles like she had been for years even though she only found out that grand council had decided upon hearing she was going after Kal that she would be their last beacon of hope and dumped the title of Chatelaine, a title not used in over a millennia, on her and that she was now head of her house. It took all her training not to curse and shout when she found out at the outpost.

Jeremiah laughed “That’s a bit of a mouthful, she's got an imagination I'll give her that, though she is a bit pompous. Now what did you want to talk about Sam you where Cryptic on the phone.” By the time Jeremiah was finished speaking Kara was seething. “I wish it was my imagination that my planet blew up and the last thing the council did was saddle me with the responsibility of extra titles that I never wanted SIR! But one must deal with what they are dealt but I will not take being mocked” her voice sent a chill down everyone’s spine and the venom she spit out the word sir made them all flinch. Kara turned around walked back to the car dog in tow.

“She is Clark’s older cousin and she’s why we are here. Your lucky she didn't lay you out” J’onn said after a beat. “Well shit!” “You really put your foot in that one dear”

“Why does Dad look like a cat that the canary?”

The group all turn around to face the new voice that had just come up the stairs from the beach.  

“Your father just insulted an alien princess if I understood some of those titles” Eliza says to her daughter.

“Right..... well I’m going to go have a shower."

“You might of just ruined a chance of us settling her down on planet Jeremiah.” J'onn says. “Sam can you explain what’s happening while I go talk to Kara?” “Sure thing J'onn.”

“I’m sorry about Jeremiah kara he always did have a problem of putting his foot in his mouth.”

“Is he really the best option?” Kara says with some trepidation.

“You can always become Sam’s Ward but as he said you’d be at boarding school with his daughter Lucy. It’s a military boarding school so you could get injured and seeing as you have blue blood that’s a bit of a problem.

I would take you in but I live a dangerous life. And never stay in one place.

There is one other person I could call. But it’s a long shot.”

“The blood thing is an easy fix. Wouldn’t of been an effective spy if something as simple as that could expose us. An injection every month should mask it. And if blood test are necessary. Then my nanites will destroy by cells and replicate human cells before destroying themselves.

But I would like to know who this other person is.”

“Its not my story to tell but I think you two would get along well. If you want I can try and contact her.”

“Yes please J'onn. If it doesn’t work I think I will take up Sam’s offer.”

“You sure you don’t want to give the Danvers a try.”

“No.” Kara says in an imperious tone, dining not to say anything else.

“Okay.... I’ll go see if I can get in contact with my friend. I shouldn’t be gone long.”

J'onn quickly tells Sam what was happening via his telepathy before getting in his car/Spaceship and driving off.

Kara sat on a bench underneath a large Oak tree. Kirkri laying over her lap in her Great Pyrenees form.

After about dive minutes soft foot falls came from behind Kara.

“So why is Uncle Sam here and who are you?”

“I’m Kara El-Ze. Sam and J'onn  wanted me to live with you. But I don’t think it will work out.”

“Why? Because of what dad said.”

All Kara did was hmm in response, not really giving a yes or no answer.

It wasn’t long before Alex was called back in to the house. Most likely to keep her away from the unknown alien Kara thought.

Kara fell in to a deep meditation. A prayer to Rao on her lips.

The sun had dipped down below the horizon when J'onn returned and he wasn’t alone.

Kara was still meditating so J'onn went and roused her.

As soon as J'onn's hand touch Kara's shoulder. Kara had clamped down on his hand and twisted her body. Using the inertia  she forced J’onn through the bench and in to the ground with one hand pinned underneath his body and the other in Kara's iron grip behind his back.

It happened so fast that J'onn couldn’t react. The noise alerted everyone in the house so they all came running out.

Kara was quick to get off of J'onn and apologised. J'onn in turn apologised saying he knew better than to touch a warrior unaware. They both bowed to each other and that was that.

“Sorry about your bench Eliza"

“Don’t worry about it dear it was getting old and we needed a new one anyway.”

“Lady Kara El-Ze may i introduce you to Diana Prince, Princess of themyscira home of the Amazons. Diana may I introduce Lady Kara El-Ze Archon of the house El, Warlady of the House Ze and Sargent in the Kryptonian military.”

Kara bowed at the waist right hand to chest. “Honour to meet you, your highness"

“The honour is all mine my lady"

Off to the side Eliza was fan girling with her daughter.

“Please come inside, it’ll be more comfortable.” Eliza says before turning and entering the house.

As soon as everyone was settled in the lounge room. Alex was quick to speak up.

“What the fuck is happening?”

“language young lady” Eliza says.

“As we discussed we were going to ask you to take Kara in.” J’onn says. “but kara doesn’t feel comfortable with that so now we need to figure out what to do. She needs a new identity. But most importantly a place to stay.”

“I have already made a backstopped ID for myself as well as my dead parents. Including bank accounts, Sorry Sam but I borrowed some money to play with on the markets. It’s back in your account with interest. I have enough to be self sufficient.”

The group went silent, stunned. At least they didn’t have to make a new identity for her.

“Well you still need someone to legally take you on until your 18. I’m happy to do it but you’ll be at a military academy most of the time.” Sam says ignoring the fact that the girl had hacked his bank accounts.

Kara laughed. “You forget that I went through two of the most gruelling trainings in the Galaxy. I’m sure I will survive.” Kara turned to Diana.

“What about you? Why did J’onn think you would be a good choice?”

“Im immortal and I come from an all female warrior society.”

Karas eyes light up at the mention of a warrior society. Then her eyes go black for a second before going back to normal.

“I'd like to take you up on your offer Sam.”

Kara pauses for a second. Before continuing

“I'm sorry that my House failed in its duties to house me and have put that burden on you, strangers.”

“You not a burden honey" Eliza says. “Anyone of us would gladly take you in.”

Kara nods.

“Part of taking me in would require that house to join my Household and the house of El. There’s a lot of customs around taking in orphans and the joining of houses and the like.”

“But your on earth now why does it matter?” Jerimiah says.

Kara stands, seething. “Because it is my culture and my life. As Archon of the house of El it is my duty to see that our culture not die.

Insult me or my culture again human and I will make you nameless and destitute.

You have shown me that Your house is not worthy.” Disdain was dripping from Kara’s lips by the end. She turned away from the group and went outside and started to do some of her Katas to try and calm down.

Kirkri growls at Jeremiah before trotting off and following her bonded.

“There’s no chance she’ll stay here anymore. Even for holidays. And I totally understand were she’s coming from. I'm the last Green Martian and someone attacked my culture or insulted me like you did to her I would be mad too. And before you say anything  yes she can make you nameless and destitute. She has access to a Kryptonian AI that would be able to slice through any firewall like butter. Take all your money. Take the house. Get you kicked out of your teaching position at the university. And under galactic law she would be well in her right too. She’s a leader of an important galactic empire. And seeing as this is a non space faring planet with no planetary leader she can’t get reparations. So don’t fuck up again Jerimiah.” J’onn says.

Before Jerimiah can respond Eliza hits him over the head and says “ Stop being such a jackass.”

“lets move on. She can stay with me as long as she wants. I can either adopt her or have as my ward. I have a week off. And the new school term starts in five days. So plenty of time for settling in"

“I'm sorry we couldn’t help.” Eliza says giving Jerimiah the evil eye.

“Thank you for you hospitality we’ll get out of your hair” says J’onn

Sam and Diana also say their thanks before leaving the house.

Kara notices the trio and stops her katas. She goes up to Diana and bows.  “Apologies but I can’t get involved with you and yours. Our Gods forbid it. At least for now. May you go in peace and may Rao's light guide your way.” Afterwards she bows again then heads straight to the car.

“Well Fuck. Something is happening then if the gods are getting involved. I need to return home and talk to my mother. I'm sorry I couldn’t help J'onn. Let me know if there’s anything I can do. Always a pleasure boys.” Diana then disappears into her jet and fly off.

“Lets get this show on the road then.” Sam says as he and J’onn get in to the car.

Chapter Text

It was late evening when they arrived back at the cabin. No lights where on but Sam new Lucy would be home, so she was probably already asleep. The trio, though you really should call it a quadro as kirkri was intelligent enough to be included, left the car and wandered into the house.   

“Will you be alright Kara?” Sam asks paternally.  

“Yes thank you Sam.” Kara replied before walking into Lois's room Kirkri not far behind in her family form.  

“Want a drink J'onn?” Sam asks one of his oldest friends.   

“Please, it’s been a hell of a couple of days" the Martian replied.  

“I think I still have some of that fireflower brandy that you like.”  

Sam walked over to his liquor cabinet in his den and pulled out an alien looking bottle of glowing orange liquid, pouring a finger into a glass before pouring a glass of bourbon from a crystal decanter.  

Sam passes the glowing glass to his friend who was standing by the bay windows before sitting in one of the two club chairs that faced an unlit fireplace.   

“This is all fucked up. I liked the boy scout before all this. Now not so much. I think Lois does as well. She was colder towards him than I have ever seen her.”  

“She was so angry at Clark that even without me trying to read her mind her thoughts were loud and clear. She would leave Clark if it would help heal Kara.”  

“Fuck!”  

“I'm sorry that you have to deal with all this Sam. You shouldn’t have to. But apparently Gods are involved so our best bet after Jeremiah Royally fucked up wasn’t able to help.”  

“Its okay she’s as good as family, probably. But even if she wasn’t she’s just a girl who lost everything, I wouldn’t be able to look my daughters in the face let alone look in the mirror if I turned her a way. Already she and that dog, cat, whatever it is has weaselled their way to my heart. We'll get her settled and any problems we will handle.”  

“You're a good man Sam.”  

The two men sat in companionable silence for an hour nursing their drinks before they too headed off to bed.  

Sam woke with the door to his room being open. Sitting up in his bed he saw his daughter slink into his room.  

“Morning daughter mine.” The man says.  

“Hey Dad. What’s with the girl built like a brick-house doing martial katas outside, and why is Uncle J'onn here? And shouldn't you be on base” The teen blurts out, climbing into the bed giving her dad a side hug.  

“Slow down Lucy take a breath. She’s going to be staying with us. As my ward or by adoption it hasn’t been decided yet. We will explain everything to you after breakfast. And i called into the base citing a family emergency.”  

“What! I'm gonna have a sister! Don’t you think me and Lo should of been talked to first?”  

“It happened very suddenly its why i left the house so quickly a couple of nights ago. And your sister knows and approves. And as I said everything will be explained after breakfast. Now skedaddle I need to take a shower and change, that is if you’ve left me enough hot water.” Sam explains his tone joking by the end.   

“Fine. Buy I’m going to go interrogate her right now.”  

“Good luck with that"  

Lucy jumped out of bed and left Sam alone chuckling to himself. He raised to firecrackers he thought. After a quick shower that any military instructor would be proud of he changed and went down to start breakfast.   

J'onn was already in the kitchen cooking up eggs and sausage leaving the bacon in the fridge as the smell always made the Martian sick.   

There was enough food to feed ten people. Though J'onn usually ate like he was two people. He must of cooked enough so Kara wouldn’t feel the need to ask for seconds. Both men had noticed how much Kara had eaten at the fortress.  

Sam went outside to call the two girls inside for food and when he did, he noticed Kara flowing through Katas with her eyes closed. Lucy was ten meters away trying to get to Kara buy was blocked at everything by Kirkri. The creature looked like it was having the time of its life meanwhile Lucy looked frustrated. Sam just chuckled to himself.   

“Girls, Time for breakfast" The man hollows in his best drill Sergeant's voice. Kara immediately stiffened mid move before turning on her heel with military precision then began slowly walking towards the house.  Lucy just ran inside eager for food and answers. 

Breakfast was not a quite affair. Lucy kept up a barrage of questions that no one answered all the while Kara was sneakily feed Kirkri under the table ignoring the older though technically younger girl.  

After half an hour everyone was finished with breakfast Kara eating enough for four people. The leftover food was put in the fridge for later. Once the cleaning of the breakfast dishes where done everyone moved to the family room for the long-awaited discussion. J'onn and Sam sat in a club chair each while Lucy sat on the side of a three-seater couch and Kara took a love seat Kirkri sitting at her feet.  

“So, care to explain what the hell is happening” Lucy jumped in with.   

“My name is Kara El-Ze, Archon of the house of El, Warlady of the House of Ze, Chatelaine of the great houses, Sergeant of the Imperial Kryptonian Military guild and claimant of the red shard. My fighter was damaged on the way to earth after leaving krypton after its destruction. I was supposed to look after Kal, Clark. But instead, I was pushed in to the phantom zone a distorted hyperspace dimension I was stuck there for 25 years until the eddies pushed my ship back in to normal hyperspace and I was able to complete the journey. I crashed at the kryptonian outpost at the north pole. Clark bought in Lois and J'onn and later Sam. He did not accept that I was who I said I was until Kalex, the fortress AI confirmed it. We went to the Kent farm, but it was damaged by a tornado. Ma Kent was dying so I did what I had to for someone of my house and injected her with nanites to heal her body. Because of the damage this caused her pain. Clark attacked me, if not for my enhancements I’d be dead. Kirkri came to my rescue tackling Clark off of me. Bots from the fortress transmatted to my location and where able to heal the worst of the damage. After that I cast him out and called him nameless. He is now anathema. There is no return for him. Next we went to the Danvers where I was insulted multiple times by the head of house and so I deemed it unsuitable. Next J'onn introduced me to Diana Prince. But Rao was against it. So now I am here at Sam’s behest to be taken in by him as family or ward we have not yet decided. But there are things that would need to happen from my side for me to accept.”  

“Okay Wow that’s a lot. I can’t believe Boy scout was such a dick. I'm sorry for everything you’ve been through.” Lucy quietly says.  

“Yes he has very unpleasant. And Lois isn’t happy about it.”  

“I'm sorry for bring strife to your house.” Kara says demurely.  

“Its not your fault kid, the fault lies squarely on his shoulders. Now I was able to get you Papers and back stop a background for you. You’ll keep your name, but the story is your parents worked for the government and died in a fire and your under witness protection.” Sam says  

“Can you please give me all the details so i am able to get Rraozh and Duhv to monitor if anyone looks into me and trace it.”  Kara asks.  

“Of course I’ll give it all to you after, I’m still getting the physical papers drawn up including passport. Now as you said there’s two options on the table. I officially adopt you or you become my ward.”  

“I was reading all the legalities and i think Ward would be the best option it doesn't change the kryptonian things but i think i would prefer to remain as I am.”  

“Of course, now what are these Kryptonian things you need to do before you become my ward?”  

“I have to induct you as a minor house under the house of El. As only those with ties to a house can look after a child of the house and take in the orphans of the house”  

“And what would that entail?” Sam asks  

“You, Lois and Lucy would have to come to the fortress where we would place your blood in to the codex and I would make and name you as a house under El. It also means you are under the protection of the house of El meaning I can offer you and the girls personal security devices.”  

“Seems simple enough, but what's a personal security device"  

“Its a ring, bracelet or necklace with a VI. You’d have to have an optical interface installed to use it. But it monitors your health and pings your optical interface with a warning. Also has transmat capabilities, recording of sound and vision that when activated transmits directly to the central hub. Nothing to crazy.”  

“Because teleportation isn’t crazy.” Lucy dryly states.   

“Well I accept but it’s up to the girls whether or not to have one.”  

“Duh I want one.” Lucy quickly adds.   

“We are in no hurry to do it so does anyone have any questions?”  

“You said you where enhanced. Is that why you look like a brick house?” Lucy asks.   

“I don't think you need to know Lucy" Sam says.  

“Its fine i had 25 years to come to terms with what my father and uncle did to me. Plus Lucy will become family she has a right to know.  

My Father and uncle enhanced me since I was an embryo, genetic enhancements beyond what was the norm. I would be faster and stronger. Intellectually faster able to compute and filter information quickly. I have enhanced sight and hearing as well. They were trying to create the perfect kryptonian. But they didn’t stop there. Once I was old enough they did physical experimentations on me as well, viral payloads to strength and immunise me to pathogens. Then they went further. They enhanced my strength and speed with Biological nanites. Then replaced my bone marrow with nanite factories for healing. Installed a neural cortex mesh over my brain. Installed a military grade optical and auditory interface and greybox, Which gives me a HUD, a virtual connection to computers and all my enhancements, protection against sudden changes in light and sound such as flash bangs plus much more and the greybox acts as a miniature computer connected to my system. They also replaced all my major organs with military grade bio-mechanical alternatives lastly, they installed Nth metal lattice over all my bones. That’s all I’ve been able to find out. I’m sure they did more than that, but they destroyed their files. My Aunt found me and Kirkri one day getting experimented on. She arrested them and adopted me. When I was of age, I went through Kryptonian basic training and breezed through it. My Aunt applied for me to take the Warlady trials which are only for the house of Ze and are the hardest trials in the empire. I went through a six week trial in four. And was named the youngest Warlady in recent history.”  

“Okay wow. I’m sorry I asked those must be painful memories. What about all your titles where do they come from.” Lucy asks  

“Archon means I’m the head of the house and all houses under it. Warlady I’ve explained, I reached the rank of sergeant while i was in the military before krypton's destruction. You must remember one of our years is two and a half of yours. I was nicknamed the imperium’s fist as punch like an Imperial dreadnought.”  

This cause J'onn to take a breath. Kara was the one the triumvirate talked about  

I was anointed as Chatelaine of the houses of krypton as I was leaving, it means I hold stewardship over all the other houses. I am basically de-facto ruler of what is left of the empire.  

And lastly I am claimant of the red shard. Which is a religious claim foisted on me. The Red Shard is the sword Rao forged at the beginning of time. It is said that anyone that has a claim on the sword is blessed by the gods.  

This gives me a lot of religious and political clout. There’s a whole prophecy about the destruction of krypton and that the claimant of the red shard. But the Red shard was lost on a campaign.”  

“So I live with royalty, sick.” Lucy sniggered.   

“please don’t say that just treat me as a normal girl. I just need to be Kara for a little while before I have to do the things I need to do. ” Kara pleads.  

“I can do that Kara" Lucy says.   

“Now Kara as I said to you a couple of days ago who will be going to the same military boarding school as Lucy, I’ve already contacted them and they’ve agreed to take you. I’ve asked that you be able to be in the same room as Lucy. Also You’ll go through a series of tests so they can place you in the correct classes. I’m sure it will all be fine and probably easy for you. They know to contact me if there are any issues.” Sam states.  

“Thank you for the consideration Sam, what about Kirkri?” Replies Kara.  

“Awesome. We’re gonna have so much fun.” Lucy interjects.  

“Please keep any plans under wraps I don’t want a call saying you got caught. And the school have accepted Kirkri as a service dog after I explained your circumstances."  

“Gotcha General no getting caught.” Lucy says with a sly smile showing off her dimples. “Thank you Sam" Kara days at the same time.   

Sam just laughs at his daughters antics.   

The rest of the day consisted of Lucy drilling Kara for anything and everything she could about krypton and other Alien life while also teaching Kara the nuances of current Pop culture.  

Meanwhile J'onn and Sam where finishing finalising the papers for Kara and making her Sam's official Ward. After they had finished Sam made sure to give Kara a copy of everything like she asked. Which she quickly flicked through the papers quickly snapping photos with her HUD to digitise them before sending them off to Rraozh and Duhv to monitor.  

Dinner was a quite affair, or as quite as any dinner with Lucy could be.  

The next day quickly came along, and the household awoke to a surprise. Lois was in the kitchen making coffee. She hands a cup to her father as he stumbles in bleary eyed.   

“Morning Lois. Thank you, but what are you doing here so early?” the man asked before taking a sip from his cup.  

“Clark and I had a fight, So now we’re on a break, while hopefully Ma and Pa get some sense into him otherwise, I think we’re finished.” Lois says her eyes getting teary.   

“I’m sorry love" Sam says before putting down his mug and wrapping his daughter in a hug.   

“How’s Kara?” Lois asks trying to change subjects  

Knowing that’s what she was doing Sam let’s her get away with it.  “Good, I think. She trains twice a day and when she’s not Lucy is grilling her. Those two are going to be trouble together. She agreed to become my Ward. And the school has agreed to take her. The papers should be arriving today and it’s all backstopped. Now all we can do is live our lives and hope for the best.”   

As the two were talking Kara and Kirkri snuck out the bedroom window and dropped down to the ground so that Kara could do her morning workout.  

Lucy had tried to join her for her afternoon session but quickly bowed out not being able to keep up. Lucy made a comment that the leader board at school was about to get trounced. Kara didn’t know what that meant so just kept on going.   

An hour later and Kara finished up her Katas early after noticing the extra car in the driveway. As she entered the house, she noticed that newcomer was Lois. She was sitting in one of the chairs in the lounge writing in a note pad while looking through files strewn about the lounge room table.  

“Good morning Lois, I did not expect to see you again so soon.” Kara bluntly states.  

“Yes, well me and Clark got into an argument after you left and it didn't end well. I decided that it was best if we didn't see each other for a while. And before you apologise. It wasn't your fault and won't be your fault if we never get back together. The way he reacted wasn't acceptable nor were his excuses.”  

Kara didn't know what to say. Marriage was sacred on krypton. There was no such thing as divorce, and it bought much shame to both houses if a pairing fell through before vows where made.            

“I’m Sorry Lois.” Kara said before quickly retreating to her room where she sits and meditates on what she could of done differently so not to trigger Clark and to not of been part of the breaking of a pairing. But after three hours of meditating every choice she made she made with the information she had and Clark failing to learn kryptonian and their history was on him. So the choices he made where his and his alone and the damage he caused was squarely on his shoulders. After that realisation Kara fell in to a deep mediation.  

Chapter Text

It was evening by the time Kara was out of her meditation. She got up and stretched her muscles cramped from sitting for so long without moving. She went downstairs and found everyone in the dining room sitting around the table chatting or in the case of Lois and Lucy arguing. As soon as she entered the room Sam ushered her to a seat and gave her a plate piled high with food. She quietly and quickly tucked in to her food. Once she finished, she interjected into Lucy and Lois’s argument about something Kara couldn't follow. “Hey Lois, I'm sorry i run away earlier it was wrong of me. It’s just that marriage is sacred on Krypton and it was a shock, The possibility of you and  Ka..Clark breaking off your marriage would of been sacrilege. But I shouldn't hold any Kryptonian standards against him as he might as well be human especially now that I have cast him out. I meditated long and hard and have accepted that his choices are his alone. And the damage he has caused are his fault and I shouldn't hold it against myself or anyone else. Again, i shouldn't of run and I'm sorry if anything I did was the cause of you and Clark taking a break, at least i think that is what you called it.” Kara explained.  

“It’s alright Kiddo me and Clark were rocky before you came along, you arriving and the way he acted just cemented some of the problems. Please don't think that anything you did caused any problems. Like you said the damaged he caused and the way he reacted are his demons to fight and he will have to bare those burdens.” Lois replies kindly. Kara nods her head.  

“Kara, Lucy something has come up at command so I'm going to have to drop you off to school early, we will be leaving tomorrow morning.” Sam says to the girls.  

Lucy groaned. “None of that now oh miss dramatic. Its only a couple of days early.” Sam chuckles good naturedly. Kara just nods her head before going outside and starting her Evening katas.  

“Do you think she knows that she's not going to have time to do her katas when we get to school.” Lucy asks. “knowing her as little as i do, she will make time” Lois replies. “If she does shes going to be given so much shit.” “Hey language young lady. And she already has more military training than most soldiers so school will be a breeze so people will pick on her anyway for being odd.”  

A little while later J’onn says his goodbyes saying he’ll keep in contact. Lois also said her goodbye as she wasn't going to see them in the morning as she wasn't an early riser.  

In the morning Kara, Lucy and Sam tumble into Sam's SUV before the sun had even rose. To no one’s surprise Kara had been doing her Katas when the other awoke. Sam was dressed in his Dress Greens, Medals and Badges shined to a polish while Lucy was in the academy's Dress Greys. Kara was dressed in blacks.  

A couple of hours of driving later and the trio had arrived at the academy. They drove through the front gate after being stopped by armed guards. Kara thought it was a bit much for a school but Lucy explained that most of the top Brass sent their kids here as it was the top Military boarding school in the country, and it would be a nightmare if one of the kids was kidnapped.   

Sam pulled the car to a stop in front of the main administration building.   

They were met at the steps by the superintendent, a retired three star General who was the superintendent at West Point before retiring from the military and taking up the post at National City Military Academy.  

“Good Morning General McLean.” Sam says giving a salute.   

“Morning General Lane congratulations on the promotion.” McLean replies copying the salute. “Cadet Lane good to see you, and you must be Sam’s new ward" he says after receiving a salute from Lucy. Kara gives a salute as well. “Yes sir. Kara El-Ze. He’s taken me in after my parents died and thank you for letting Kirkri stay with me.” She says while giving the dog, currently in its Belgian Malinois form, a scratch between the ears. Kirkri preen at the attention.  

“Thats not a problem there are multiple other students with service animals, and we have a program that kids can choose to do that lets them work with dogs we have on campus to go towards working with a K9 Unit, if your interested.”  

“Kirkri is already trained sir.”  

“Well you can apply for the program and ask to be fast tracked then.”  The General replies a little surprised.  

“Now why don’t we head to reception and finish Kara's paperwork and then get her fitted for her Dress Greys.” The General says before turning around and heading up the stairs towards the building. Just expecting them to follow.   

“Seeing your early we'll see about getting your placement tests started today or tomorrow. My office will let you know.”  

The superintendent then left them at reception citing the need to do his own paperwork.   

It took an hour to finish the paperwork. Now Kara was officially a Cadet again and she didn’t know how that made her feel. After the paperwork was finish Sam said his goodbyes before heading off to base wondering what on earth he got called in early for.   

Lucy then started to show Kara around as they headed to the Quartermasters office.   

As they entered the office a gruff voice calls out. “You better of not ruined another set of Greys again lane or so help me God not even the superintendent will stop me from making your life hell.”  

“Oh Perish the thought. You think so little of me Major Hunt. But no I have a new Cadet that needs Dress Greys, Camos and workout clothes as well as the normal welcome package.” Lucy replies good naturedly.   

A tall brick-house of a man steps out of an office.  

“Ah new meat for the grinder hey. Let’s see what we can do.”  

They spent a quarter of an hour sizing kara up and getting everything she needed before changing in to the schools grey Camos. The pair said their goodbyes to Major Hunt before heading off towards the dorms.   

Lucy and Kara weren’t going to share a dorm room but that didn’t bother Kara as she had already gone through a Cadetship and was ready for any hazing she didnt need to be protected.   

They found Kara’s dorm room and quickly put all Kara’s things away before heading to Lucy’s to do the same.   

Afterwards Lucy continued to show Kara around before they realised it was lunch time and headed to the Mess Hall for some chow.   

The afternoon was spent in Lucy's room as Lucy did extra homework and Kara did research on the school and the curriculum.   

The next morning after her morning katas and a run around the track a runner from the superintendent's office found her in the mess hall telling her that her placement test would start that morning. The runner handed her a piece of paper with times and places for her tests over the next couple of days.  

The first couple of tests were physical which she passed without breaking a sweat. Next hand to hand which Kara had to pull back from wining to fast. After lunch she was on the rifle range and after acclimating to the primitive weapons flew through the courses. First pistol on range then through a course. Then a rifle on range then through a course and then Her favourite as it always has been, was the sniper. She bull’s-eyed every shot she was given. The instructor was more than impressed say that Kara had just broken all the school records in one go. Kara blushed, she should of held back but once she was in the zone she was in the zone.   

The next day were all classroom-based tests. English, math, science the whole nine yards. That night Kara was laying on Lucy’s bed complaining about it all while Lucy did more homework.   

The next day Kara was called to the Superintendents office.  

“Good-morning Cadet, Well you excelled in all your placement tests, even breaking records already and so there is no reason to put you in with your age group you’ll just be held back and be bored. So You’ll be placed in the Seniors age group it's the first time we have had a fifteen-year-old placed with seniors so this will be new for all of us.” Kara forgot that on her earth papers she was fifteen. Her, J’onn and Sam and decided that while she might look thirteen she acted to old for that age and so bumped her age up. It also helped get her in to NCMA as they had an age limit for application  “We do not accept any type of bullying or hazing of our cadets so if you have any trouble with fellow cadets, please feel free to bring it up with any of your instructors. Now get going and go to the front desk to enrol in your classes.” 
“Of course Sir.”  Kara says saluting before turning on her heel and exiting the office. Kara enrolled in her classes and even picked up the K9 elective asking to be fast-tracked. The rest she would just suffer through. 

Lucy was beside herself with laughter when Kara told her she was placed with the seniors instead of the first years. “Why am i not surprised. You’ve already broken school records and the year hasnt even started.” “its not my fault that all the tests were childs play. I could of done them when i was six” Lucy just huffed in response  

Over the next couple of days more and more students rolled in to school and it wasn't long before the school year started.  

Chapter Text

The school year went quickly, Kara tested out of a lot of classes but loved the K9 extracurricular so much she didn't test out of it. Kara got moved up to the senior year level with in a month.  

The seniors looked down on her. They all thought that there was no way that this girl could keep up with them given her age. Forgetting she was built like a brick house and was as tall as them. The younger kids hated her because they were passed up by the new pretty blonde. 

The only friend Kara had was Lucy which was fine by her and Lucy who lost some friends because she was hanging out with Kara so much which was fine by Lucy as she was busy as she picked up pre-law on top of her normal Academy classes.  

She was at the top of her classes beating every record the school had. 

Half way through term three the seniors had the option to go through a faux seal and ranger training. Kara jumped at the idea. The school was hesitant but with a sign off from Sam she was able to.  

So for two weeks Kara was at National City naval academy going through a less harsh version of Hell week. As usual Kara was the first to finish tasks and was at the top of the charts.  And was actually the only one from the academy that didn’t ring the bell. After her two weeks at the Naval academy she had two weeks back at the Academy before she had two weeks at the National City army base for basic ranger training. Again she was the first to finish and at the top. After the two weeks at the army base it was back to normal at school except she got more hate from her peers especially the ones that went with her to either training. Kara ignored it and just focused on her studies. Her combat team work suffered as if she was put in to command the team wouldnt listen to her and if she wasn’t given command she was treated like trash. It got to the point that the teachers pulled the whole class and shredded them. Then put together a team of teachers with Kara in command against the rest of the class. Karas team work seamlessly. They won with no one on Karas squad taking a hit. They ran it again this time with a teacher in charge and again they won.  This was enough for Kara to earn full marks as her orders where clear and precise and she took to giving orders to receiving them like a natural.  

The rest of the year was unimpressive and soon Kara and Lucy where ready to graduate.  

Sam, Lois and J'onn took time off to see the graduation ceremony of the class of 1998/1999 

Kara had become close to the Martian having weekly conversations and bonding over the loss of their worlds.  Both Lois and Sam had checked in with Kara and Lucy weekly for the first two months before they just checked in every month. Kara felt like she had an older sister in Lois and a best friend in Lucy possible even feeling more but Kara had stomped those feelings down into the recesses of her mind. Sam was the father figure she wished she always had.  

After graduation Lucy went straight to West Point to study law and become a JAG Lawyer for the army.  

Kara still had a year left before she could legally join the military and she still looked like she was 14 or 15 in the face.  

She decided to go to the fortress and go through a quick cycle in a chrysalis chamber so that she looked older. Once out of the chamber she looked around 18. She then synthesised a serum that would slowly age her. No matter how much solar energy she absorbed. 

She decided to stay at the fortress for a couple of months under red sun lamps to further train her body while also cataloguing what was in the fortress and expanding it and its defences.

It was the start of September two weeks before Kara’s birthday when she returned home. 

“You look beautiful Kara, welcome home" Sam says when his ward transmats in to the middle of the den.  

“thank you Sam. You dont think I aged to far?”  

“No Kara you just look like a mature 18 year old.” 

“Thats good. After my birthday I’m going to apply for the army. Take the aptitude tests see where they would want to place me. Might even follow Lucy to West Point and become an officer." 

“Your scores from the academy will get you in to west point. But at the same time they might want you as a groundpounder because of your combat scores. 

“Eh, we’ll see what comes of it.” 

“will everyone able to take time off?” 

“Yes. They should all be here by the 12th for your birthday on the 13th" 

“I still don't understand why you celebrate getting old so much” Kara says 

“its a normal human tradition.” 

Kara Humphed. 

 
Lucy arrived early. The pair were watching the news when an emergency segment started about a plane on fire above metropolis. It just so happened to be the plane Lois was on. Before Kara could react, there was a streak of grey coming up underneath the plane grabbing it. The figure flew the plane down back to the airport before floating above the plane and flying off. 

“Clark just revealed himself to the world.” Lucy said shaken. 

“If he hadn't i would of flew there myself.” Kara says Lucy smiles at her. “I'm going to call Lois and offer a transmat.”  

“why didnt you offer one to me. I had to fly commercial.” Lucy pouted. 

“You know why, everything has to appear normal. But every plane is going to be grounded for hours at this point because of what happened.”  

Kara quickly called Lois and checked in with her. Lois agreed she would go home and Kara would transmat her from there. 

It took two hours for Lois so be let go by officials at the airport. Another half hour to get a taxi to her apartment. When she arrived she sent a quick text to Kara who then initialised the transmat. As the transmat activated there was a knock at her door.  

When she arrived in the middle of the living room Lois’s phone rang. She picked it up. “I’m fine smallville I'm with my family. Yes it was Kara. Yes. No you don't get a say. You fucked up enough that you’ll never get a say. Goodbye smallville.”  

“what was that about?” Lucy asked. 

“Clark came to talk to me. He knocked on my door just as the transmat started. He called worried about me then started to complain about kara and her use of kryptonian technology. He was starting to get all high and mighty. I dont know how i stood it for so long. But his holier than thou farm boy attitude is really grating me now days, its why we haven't gotten back together.”  

“I’m sorry Lois.” Kara said but was quickly cut off by Lois. “Don't finish that sentence Kara we’ve been over this none of this is your fault. Anyway  Perry wants an article on his desk by the morning so I’m going up stairs to write.” 

The next day it was the 13th Kara's earth birthday. The Family spent all day playing board games and watching movies, even Sam and J'onn suffered through the ordeal until it was dinner time and the two men went outside and started a BBQ. All in all it was a lovely day for Kara,  full of laughter and Joy. She had found a family and besides her Aunt Astra and her mother to some extent they were a lot better than her old one. 

The next day Lara took the truck Sam had Gifted her last year in to national city to the Army recruitment centre. 

She was greeted as she entered by a staff sergeant who led her to his desk. 

“Welcome to the National City Army Recruitment Office, My name is Staff Sergeant Fells how can I help you today?” 

“My name is Kara El-Ze I want to apply for the Army I went to National City Military Academy and loved it and want to serve.” Kara says handing over her school records. The Sergeant gave a quick glance through eyes bulging at her scores.  

“That's very admirable. Well there’s a couple of pathways. You could apply for West point and become a commissioned officer. From your school scores that should be quite achievable. Or you can join the rank and file see were it takes you. And you can always apply to become a commissioned officer later on if your aptitude is right.” 

“I don’t know what do you think Sir.” 

“I think you have the aptitude to be a fine soldier but you would be wasted as a grunt full-time. I recommend joining as an infantryman K9 handler as I see your dog has its military accreditation,then apply for Spec Ops or ranger school in a couple of years You have the scores for it and my intuition says that's where you'll land.” 

“Okay Sir I’ll join as a grunt. See where it all takes me.” Kara says smiling. 

“I’ll grab the paperwork and once that's done we can get you in for the physical and mental testing.” 

Kara spent the next half an hour filling out paperwork before handing it back over. The next date for testing was next week which wasn’t so bad.  

Kara shook the mans hand and thanked the Staff Sergeant for his time. 

The day of testing had come and Kara was more than ready for it to be over and done with as she was ready for the next part of her life.  

The first part of her day was testing her body. Running, sit ups, push ups and the like. There was two levels basic which was the bare minimum to past and advanced. Kara pushed through advanced with out breaking a sweat. The Army recruiters where impressed next was a psych eval and an aptitude test. Afterwards Kara was talked to by a recruiter about her options. She had the physical and mental fortitude and aptitude to be anything she wanted to be in the military. She kept with her decision and signed up as a K9 Handler. The recruiter gave Kara more paper work while the recruiter checked Kirkris Accreditation and made some phone calls about it.  

It went quicker than the recruiter thought as there was a not attached to the accreditation by a General lane personally signing off on it.  

When that was done formally welcomed her in to the US Army. Though the recruiter did joke about her having to survive basic training first. 

That night when Sam came home kara said “Welcome home General, you're looking at the newest K-9 handler  for the US Army.” The General laugh at the antics of his ward. “Good to have you private.” “Thank you Sir, couple years time maybe ill apply for Spec Ops or ranger school. I was to young to apply as a special operations candidate apparently. Apparently I have you to thank for let Kirkri come along.” “No need to thank me and you’ll do well Kara and you’ll get there.” Sam replied.  

Kara wasn’t due to ship out to basic for another month so she just mooched around the house everyday. She did her katas, meditations and prayers everyday, still a devoted follower of Roaism.  

There was a bus picking up the recruits at the recruitment centre before it would head off to the Army base at Fort Moore in Georgia. Sam dropped her off and bade her farewell and good luck. 

Chapter Text

Upon arriving all the recruits lined up in front of the bus all trying to stand at attention. Kara the only one able to do so properly.   

“Okay you Maggots for the next ten weeks you are mine till you go your way to your MOS training. My name Is Staff Sergeant McGregor everything I say goes.”  

The Sergeant looks up and down the line and focuses on Kara.  

“ah I heard we had a K9 handler recruit. Sadly you won’t be seeing your dog for ten week. Corporal Manning come take this dog to the kennel make sure it’s logged properly.” Kara hands over the leash as well as some paper work to the corporal.   

“What’s your name Private?”  

“ Kara El-Ze sir"  

“well that won’t do you name is close to our military slang, got another last name you could go by?”  

“No sir, plus it’s culturally significant.”  

The Sergeant grunts before noticing one of the recruits slouching and so goes over and berets the man.  

They were quickly sorted in to companies and taken to their bunks.  

Hell week was a breeze thanks to already having lived through similar. The following nine weeks went quickly though Kara made no friends as she was on the top of every leader-board.  

After ten weeks of boot camp it was time for her MOS training. She was the only one in her group doing K9 handling so she had a whole new group of people to get to know. MOS training was 22 weeks long. But at least she had Kirkri at her side. The pair worked side by side like they had been for years, which they had but the trainers didn’t know that. They excelled most at CQC takedowns and while Kirkri could smell out bombs it was a trick that the pair kept up their sleeves.   

 Soon enough Kara was graduating from MOS training and given the rank of Corporal. She was to be attached to a front line combat unit instead of stuck on a base fulltime    

Luckily the unit she was attached to was out of National city so she was going home. She would most likely spend the next couple of months if not years training with her squad and company. The world was a quite place. At least it would allow her to show her skills and hopefully she could move up.   

It was halfway through the year and she’d been on base a couple of months. She worked well with her squad mates. She had even earned expert weapons qualifications in pistol and in rifle getting a perfect score in each. Unlike through boot camp her squadmates where happy for her and didn’t resent her.   

Currently She was working towards her Sergeant exams. As her CO put her forward for it just last week. Tomorrow she was finally going off base and was going home for the weekend. It will be good to see Sam. Kara still kept in touch with Lucy and Lois. Who in turn was keeping KZara upto date with the goings on of her cousin who had come out as superman after saving Lois’s plane. Though Lois did run certain things past Kara for her articles.  

The next day Kara woke before everyone else and settled in to do her morning meditation. Before long others where moving and together they went to the mess hall all the while talking about what they where going to be doing on leave.   

After breakfast Kara took a Taxi to Sams.   

When she arrived she arrived she was surprised to see extra cars in the drive.  

As she entered the house, she saw Lois sitting at the kitchen counter talking to Sam over a cup of coffee “Welcome home Kar” Lois says. “Thanks Lois. What are you doing home?” “Visiting a friend in national city. Thought i would say hi to dad while i was around, just so happens to coincide with your leave.” Lois smiles. Kara smiles in return while walking up to the General and offering a handshake. “Good to see you offbase sir.” “You too Kara, i hear your getting ready for your sergeant's exams. Your LT sent in paperwork to my office asking for a waiver to the minimum time in the army for you to be able to take the exam. People have already started snooping around and some have even asked for your transfer. You're doing good kid.” The general says. “Anyway, I have a call to Washington in ten minutes I'll leave you girls to chat.” He finishes off his coffee and moves towards his office.  

As soon as Sam was out of ear shot Lois turns to Kara and asks “Has Lucy told you about her new girlfriend?!” “All i know is shes a fellow cadet at west point and is studying to be a Doctor.” Kara replies.   

“ERGH. I already know all that, your no help.” Lois laments.   

Kara Chuckles at the woman’s antics   

“So what’s this about about you taking your sergeant’s exams early?” Lois asks after she calms down.  

“My LT put me forward for them. Apparently I’m wasted where I am. They want me leading my own squad. And if what the general said is true it looks like I’m being head hunted as well.” Kara replies.  

“Its nice that my efforts are being noticed.”  

“Now you’ve been in the army for a bit do you want to follow in Dads and Lucy’s footsteps and become a CO?”  

“I don’t think so.  I enjoy being on the ground to much so I think being a NCO is as far as I go. Though I might apply for Spec Ops training after my Exams.”  

“They would be lucky to have you squirt.” Lois says. Kara just Hummed while drinking her coffee.   

Lois soon left to go meet up with her friend. Though from Lois body reactions when said friend was mentioned. Kara thinks there’s something more there. Kara is happy for the woman either way.   

Kara starts reading the paper that Lois left on the kitchen counter and isn’t surprised when every second article is about her cousin.   

Kara shakes her head. Fighting in the middle of a city when you can fly  and have superspeed is just stupid. The amount of damage Clark had done to Metropolis would of bankrupted the city if it wasn’t for LuthorCorp stepping in. The mayor seems to be so enamoured with Superman that the man can’t see the damage he is doing. Crime might be down but the police department isn’t getting utilised and so the more work superman will have to do. It’s a cycle that will end badly. But it wasn’t Karas problem. It wasn’t her city and Clark’s problems where his and his alone.  

The weekend went quickly and soon Kara was back on base with her squad. She was currently emailing J'onn and Sam about slowly integrating aliens in to earth legally. Superman wasn’t helping as anything that was even remotely alien like was punched out. No talking nothing just straight to smashing. Kara was going to have to have a chat with the farm boy and she wasn’t looking forward to it.  

First she would send a video message through Lois to see if that would get through to him. If not direct intervention might be necessary if she wanted Aliens to be able to have a life.   

Sam mentioned that the White House and Brass where looking in to ways to police the situation. Kara knew at worst it would lead to experimentations and best plain incarceration.  

As long as things stayed the same for the next couple of years the three of them should be able to get something in place.   

Kara had been with her squad now for a year and some change. the day of her Sergeant’s exam, She flew through the testing. It had been a week since and her LT and Staff Sergeant had just called her in to the office.   

“Corporal El-Ze. You’ve been with our Squad now for over a year and if you include Boot camp and MOS training you’ve been in the Army for Two.  After applying to the brass to waiver the minimum time requirements, Last week you took your sergeant’s Exam. It is with great honour that we bestow upon you the rank of Sergeant.” The LT says. “Sadly, you won’t be staying with us, you’ve been accepted for SFQC training. So will be transferring to Camp Mackall at Fort Liberty, North Carolina.”   

The staff sergeant removes Karas patches and then applies her new Sergeant patches before giving her a handshake and a small smile. Which from the Staff sergeant was the closest one would get to a good job.  

“You ship out to Mackall tomorrow. Good luck Sergeant El-Ze.”   

“Thank you LT, Staff sergeant.” She says with a salute to the LT and a nod to the Staff Sergeant.  

When she returned to the barracks her squad notice the new patches on her shoulders and swarm her. Congratulating her. Kara goes on and explains that shes shipping out tomorrow and she was grateful for the support that the squad had given her.  

There where hugs all round. Then the Staff sergeant comes in and tells them to arm up. They were going to run the gauntlet. The bases CQC training arena.  

“El-Ze is going to lead all of us.” The Staff sergeant says. Kara was a bit surprised usually the staff sergeant was in charge of the squad and when they split off in to the fire teams the Staff sergeant would be in charge of one team and a sergeant in charge of the other.  For Kara to be leading the squad was a big deal.   

They ran the Gauntlet and due to Karas direction set a new record. The Staff sergeant gave her another small smile before grunting and letting the squad have some R&R.  

The next day Kara was all packed and ready to go. She really missed Transmatting places. Buses where so slow. Most human Tech was slow.   

After travelling across the country to North Carolina. Kara was ready to get started with the SFAS. She quickly went and found the kennels and got Kirkri settled before heading to the mess hall.  

Everyone was mingling and Kara noticed that she was the only female there. She wasn't surprised the Army was only just starting to open up to females in the military and still a lot of men thought that females didn't belong on the front line. Kara was ready and rearing to prove them all wrong and blaze a path for future female soldiers.   

The Next twenty four days where the hardest Kara had gone through only because she had to be so mindful of her strength and speed which had slowly been getting stronger the longer she been on earth.  

Kara Passed the SFAS with flying colours so was able to move on to Phase one of SFQC.  

Phase one was a seven-week Course focusing on orientation. She also went to Fort Moore in Georgia for three weeks to complete Jump school.  

After completing Jump School she returned to Fort Liberty for Phase two of her SFQC Training which focused on language and culture.  Kara found the next 25 weeks a breeze. Having every language on earth downloaded in to your brain makes life easy she thought.  

After finishing phase two she moved on to phase three which was small unit tactics and SERE Training which lasted for 13 weeks.  

Kara had to be told to stop trying to escape during her SERE Training. She argued that if you escaped that was a better outcome than torture. Sadly, her arguments didn't fly with the trainers. She still passed.  

Kara skipped Phases four training as she already had a specialised MOS so didn't need or want to change MOS.  

Phase five was the final part of the SFQC, which was the Robin Sage test. A four-week litmus test to test the year of training that the soldiers had gone through. It was four weeks of unconventional warfare and guerrilla fighting.  

After the four weeks was over Kara received her Green beret.  

Chapter Text

Before getting shipped out Kara signed up for further training at the behest of her trainers.  

She went to Florida, Key West to get her Combat Diver qualifications then headed to Fort Bragg to complete the Special Forces Sniper school. She graduated both with distinction.  

Kara was soon shipped out to her new squad. A group of thirty year old men, all with at least ten years of Spec Ops experience. Kara was so going to get hazed she thought. But it didn’t come because days after meeting her new squad. A terrorist attack happened.   

It was September 11 and hijackers took over numerous planes flying them in to the twin towers and the pentagon on the east coast along with a plane trying to crash in Metropolis. The Metropolis plane was stopped by superman but the others hit their targets.  

Days later the squad was spun up along with a load of other Spec Ops squads and flown in to Afghanistan. The squads spent months raiding Al-Qaeda cells trying to capture Osama bin laden the Master mind behind the attack.  

During a night raid Kara's squad was attacking a compound and when completing a final sweep her companion, CPL Anderson tripped a trap. Luckily the rest of the squad was outside because as soon as the trap went off the room was engulfed inflames and Anderson was dead.   

Kara quickly found an access hatch that led underneath the floors. She grabbed Kirkri and dove for it. She stayed under the house until the flames were gone, but by that time the rest of the squad had bugged out as it was now daylight.

She found Andersons body and after pulling a blanket from his pack she covered his body  and then said a prayer to Rao.   

Kara went to contact command but noticed that the flames had melted her Radio. Before she could think further on the subject she heard the sound of a technical coming up the road. She ran to an outcropping of rocks and aimed her M4A1 down the road towards the sound.   

As soon as the truck had crested the hill Kara was able to tell that it was a group of Taliban and so quickly took aim and fired. In three short bursts they all lay dead and the technical was idling in front of the burnt down compound.  

Kara went up to the truck and removed the bodies from the truck. She searched the bodies but found nothing of importance. While she was doing this Kara's mind was going a mile a minute until she came up with a plan.  

Command probably thought she was dead and so that gave her some leeway to go off grid.   

She would hunt down Bin Laden and the others in command and dismantle Al-qaeda.   

Kara then used her neuralink to contact Rraozh as she was a more powerful A.I than Duhv and got her to hack in to every intelligence agency and army database and gather all the information on Al-Qaeda that the databases had while also cross checking all phones in Afghanistan and Iraq.  

 
“Estimated time of completion five hours.” Rraozh said.  

Kara than gathered what supplies she could then checked her weapons before settling down for a meditation.   

An hour in to her meditation and Kara was interrupted by Rraozh telling her of a HVT a couple hundred clicks east. Kara got up and put her stuff in to the truck. Kirkri jumped in to the truck bed. Kara then drove the truck east.  

A couple of hours later and it was dark but Kara had arrived at her destination. She killed the engine and got out of the truck and gathered her stuff while Kirkri jumped out of the bed of the truck. Kara told the animal to stay with the truck.  

She snuck in to town until she found the compound that Rraozh had indicated.  

She had Duhv pull up a satellite feed of the compound and noted guard rotations.   

Kara was going to do this as quite as possible. She pulled out her knife and M9 and attached a silencer to the barrel. She jumped the fence with a little bit of super strength and landed with a roll.  

Ever so slowly she went around the outside of the compound and took out the guards. She then went asnd entered the main house. It was the middle of the night and according to Karas heightened senses they were all asleep. She cleared the ground floor before heading up stairs. She found her HVT alone. She knocked the man out and then started to rummage through everything she could find and uploaded it to Rraozh. She found a satellite phone and had the A.I pull all the information from it. She also found a laptop which she quickly had Rraozh download everything on it before shutting it down. Kara planned on leaving everything where it was and alerting army intelligence.  

Kara woke the HVT up and started to interrogate the man. The man just spat in Karas face. That was fine. Time to do it the kryptonian way. She Grabbed the man by the scruff of his neck and then got Duhv to Transmat them to the fortress. She threw the man in to a chair that automatically strapped the man down. The chair injected the man with a truth serum. After ten minutes the man was spewing all that he knew. Kara made a recording of it, gave a copy to Rraozh and made a physical copy to give to army intelligence. After she gave the man another injection causing him to go unconscious and forget the last 24 hours.  

Kara then Transmatted back to the compound with the man and left him laying in the bed. She then went to the laptop and sent an email to Army intelligence giving them the location. Kara then bugged out. She returned to the truck and drove off north towards an encampment in the hills that the HTV  told Kara about.  

Weeks later and Kara had been all over Afghanistan. From what Kara could gather Bin Laden was the last high ranking member standing. From the information Kara and Rraozh had been able to gather Kara finally  found out where Bin Laden was. He was sitting in a compound on the border of Afghanistan and Iran.   

After scouting out the compound there was no way Kara would be able to take it by herself, not with out giving herself away as an alien. And according to Rraozh the government had covered up the existence of Aliens after the 9/11 bombings.   

Which made no sense to Kara. Clark was literally flying around in metropolis.   

Kara made the decision to come in from the dark and used a satellite phone she had pilfered from the last compound and tried to call command but it didn't go through so she went and called Sam.  

“This is general lanes office, Lt Hill speaking.” Came the voice over the phone.  

“Hi Lt Hill its SGT Kara El-Ze. I was hoping to talk to the General.”  

The voice gasped, most likely in surprise.   

“Of Course, one moment please.”  

There was a click then the gruff voice of General Sam Lane was on the line.   

“This is Lane.”  

“Hey General, its Kara.”  

“Oh My God. We thought you were dead. What have you been up to?”  

“Oh you know taking down Al-Qaeda, tracking down Bin Laden. You know the usual.”  

“Do you mean to say that you’ve found public enemy number one?”  

“Yes and I can take him out from where I am, and probably half the base, But if you want him alive I’m gonna need a team.”  

“Let me talk to the president and the Joint chiefs. I’ll get back to you. Are you secure?”  

“Affirmative General."  

“Sit tight Sergeant and ill call you with in the hour.”  

“Copy General. El-Ze Out.”  

Fifteen minutes later.  

White House situation room.  

“Mr President we have a confirmed sighting of Bin Laden.” General Lane states once the president and the Joint chiefs are seated.   

“Where?” The President asks.  

“On the boarder of Afghanistan and Iran. We have a Spec Ops Sniper in Position and can take him out but will need back up if we want the target alive.” Lane Explains.  

“How soon can we get a team there?” Asks the president.  

“ A couple of hours minimum. They would chopper in and then hike the last couple of clicks on foot.”  

“How did we find Him?” Admiral Greer asks.  

“Sergeant El-Ze was Presumed dead after one of her team mates tripped a booby trap when clearing a Taliban compound a couple of months ago. Since then she’s been acting in the dark. We presume that she is the one that’s been feeding army intelligence all the data. She was the one that found Bin Laden. She called me twenty minutes ago to say she had eyes on Bin Laden and what where her orders. I’m not sure why she called me and not command. But I told her we would have orders for her within the hour."  

“I can answer that, Army comms in the middle east have been down for the last hour due to a  virtual attack on our systems. She wouldn’t of been able to get in touch with anyone.” Said Army General Nash.   

“Lets get back on track people. I’m not sure about you but I want his head on a spike. I say we Get Sergeant El-Ze to take him out then send the rangers to mop up the stragglers.” The President says.  

“El-Ze says from where she’s perched she can probably take out half the compound before having to bounce.” Sam says.  

“Alright Lane give her the green light, and Nash send the rangers in ASAP. Loud and Proud.”  

“Yes Mr President” Both Generals say.  

A minute Later.  

Afghan-Iran border.   

Kara was laying on the cold rocky ground her cheek pressed against the stock of her sniper rifle eyes looking down the sight. She didn’t necessarily need it but it was easier than using her powers. The Satellite phone sat near her other cheek as she waited for the call. She had the sight set for distance and current wind and the cross-hair was currently over the head of a guard doing their rounds.   

The phone soon rang and Kara put down the rifle and rolled on to her back as she picked up the phone and answered it.   

“El-Ze”  

“Sergeant it’s General Lane I have the joint chiefs and the President here in the room with me. You are green lit for take out. Rangers will be along ASAP for mop up.” Lane says.   

“I don’t have eyes on the target. It could be hours before I have eyes on again.” Kara explains.  

“We will have the rangers chopper in and land a couple of clicks out and wait for your signal for them to go in.” General Nash says.  

“Copy that sir. I’ll stay on the line and keep you updated.”  

It was three hours later when Osama Bin Laden came out of the compounds building and in to the yard.  

“Target is in the yard. Confirming that i am green to taker down target?”  

“You are Green lit Sergeant. As soon as your shot is off the rangers will be on the way. The Helo’s are already spun up.” 
“Copy command.” With a breath in and then out Kara squeezed the trigger and moments later Osama had a hole in his chest where his heart used to be. 

“Target down, Time to send in the back up. I’ll take down as many as i can in the mean time.”  

“Copy that sergeant, Rangers are on the way T-Minus five minutes.”  

Kara methodically took down Taliban members left right and centre all over the yard. By the time the Helicopters with the Rangers arrived Kara had run out of bullets for her sniper rifle. She slung the sniper rifle over her back, grabbed her pack and then shouldered her M4A1 and started to trek towards the compound. From her vantage she was still able to take shots at the compound with her rifle. By the time the rangers landed, Kara's kill count was over 30, just for this compound alone.  

She joined in on sweeping the rest of the compound with the rangers. Within fifteen minutes the compound was cleared and any and all papers and devices where loaded up in to a chopper along with the body of Bin Laden.  

Kara and Kirkri were in the last chopper to leave the compound. On its way to the local FOB. Kara could finally rest.

Chapter Text

On arrival at the FOB Kara was taken to medical to make sure nothing was wrong.    

Kara asked to quickly go to the bathroom before the check,  there she injected herself with the serum that makes her blood work look normal and her body powerless for an hour.   

The medical check went with out a hitch, they didn’t even want to draw bloods. Afterwards she was taken to the command tent where she was debriefed by the camps C.O, Colonel O’Neill who Kara found out was a friend of Sams and J'onns from desert storm.   

The debrief took all afternoon and soon it was chow time. The Colonel got a private to take Kara to the Quatermaster so that she could be given a bunk and she could offload her gear before going and getting some chow.   

O'Neill got on the horn to General Lane as soon as she left.  

“Your girl is a force to be reckoned with Sam.” O'Neill says after the pair got past the pleasantries.  

“Why do you say that Jack?” Sam replies  

“From the intel we had of someone taking out Al-Qaeda Cells and from the report Kara just gave me she has a kill count in the triple digits, hell her kill count was over 30 for the Bin Laden compound alone.   

She was able to infiltrate enemy compounds with out alerting guards, able to clear compounds by herself with only her dog as back up. She lived in the desert going from camp to camp for over a month with out resupply. She’s a Goddamn one woman army and I don’t want to end up on her bad side.”  

“Well lucky for us she’s on our side then, how long till she’s state side?”  

“How soon do you want her?”  

“The Joint chiefs want an in person debrief ASAP, so first flight out.”  

“Copy that general, I’ll talk to you later Sam.”  

“Bye Jack, be safe.”  

Kara was on a helicopter heading for Kabul first thing the next morning.   

The flight to Kabul was over quickly and soon Kara was hopping in to a C-130 Hercules which would take her to Ramstein Air Base in Germany where she would then have a full medical and psych eval at Landstuhl before taking a C-17 to Washington.  

The flight to Germany went quick as the kryptonian fell asleep as soon as they were in the air.   

As soon as she landed at Ramstein she was driven to Landstuhl where she was met by a private that took her to a Doctors room for a medical check, while a corporal took Kirkri to the kennels.  

Kara had taken another shot serum before arriving at Landstuhl and it still had another thirty minuets of effect left.  

The Doctor got a nurse to draw blood, and Kara was glad to see it as a human ruby red instead of her Royal Blue. The nurse took the blood to get tested while the doctor ran through a slew of other tests.  

After getting a clean bill of health, Kara was once again following a private to another room.  

The room they arrived at had a plaque stating name and rank. LT. Kelly Olsen.  

Kara knocked on the door and when she heard a female voice beckoning her in she opened the door.  

Behind the desk was a fairly attractive African American, she was shorter the Kara though that wasn’t hard as kara was well beyond six feet tall.   

“Please take a seat, My Name is Lieutenant Kelly Olsen I'm a Psychologist and I’ll be conducting an evaluation on. I understand you’ve been behind enemy lines for quite a while?”  

“Yes Ma'am.” Kara says before going in and explaining for the second and for sure not the last time what had happened. Kelly asks questions here and there but is mainly silent until the end where she asks Kara to answer a series of questions on a scale of one to ten. After about fifty of these questions she was free to go.  

The third private of the day took Kara to the barracks. Where she stowed her stuff and went down for a nap. She was woken up a few hours later by the same private who took her back to Kelly’s office.  

“You wanted to see me Ma'am.” Kara says when she enters the office.   

“Yes thank you for coming. I thought I would let you know that I see no reason why you can not continue to serve. I do recommend that you see a psychologist you have been through a lot but you seem to be handling it and from what you’ve told me you have a support network when you get home so I’m not worried.”  

“Thank you Ma'am.”  

“You’ll be departing at 0600 tomorrow morning so be at the front gate at 0500 and someone will come and pick you up and take you to Ramstein for your flight.”  

“Copy that Ma'am”  

“Dismissed sergeant.”  

Kara gives off a salute before turning and leaving the office. She returns to the barracks where she meditates until dinner time. The mess hall isn’t overly busy which suited Kara fine. After a quick meal she returned to the barracks and laid down for the night knowing she had an early morning.  

Kara woke at four o’clock, she packed her bag and gathered her things before heading outside  

She found a patch of grass near the front gate and started to go through her Katas. A corporal had come and dropped Kirkri off just as she had started.  

Had she been human she would of built up a sweat by the time a military Jeep pulled up to the front gate.   

Kara grabbed her gear then went up to the Jeep. “Are you my ride to the Airfield?” Kara asks.  

“If your Sergeant El-Ze, then yes Ma'am.” The driver replied.   

Kara dropped her gear in to the bed of the Jeep before jumping in to the front seat, Kirkri jumping in the back.  

It wasn’t a long drive from Landstuhl to Ramstein and before long they were ushered through numerous checkpoints before the driver pulled up in front of a C-17.   

Kara grabbed her gear and was soon standing in front of a captain who was looking over her transfer paperwork and passport.  

Once she was cleared she handed over Kirkri to an airman who then loaded the dog in to a carrier.   

Kara found a seat and fell in to a light meditation as she waited for the plane to take off.   

Hours later the C-17 was flying in to Andrews Airforce base. Kara picked up her gear and Kirkri before heading for a transport that would take her to Fort Myers where she would be able to drop off her gear. And put Kirkri in to a kennel as Kara wouldn’t be able to take the dog with her in to the pentagon.  

It was late evening by the time Kara had settled in to Fort Myers so she went straight to bed instead of doing her nightly Kata’s.   

The next morning Kara got up at her usual time but did an extra long session of kata's and meditation before heading to the pentagon.  

The security at the pentagon was tight. Her I.D and orders where checked multiple times before she was ushered in to a SCIF where General Lane and The Joint Chiefs where waiting for her.  

She spent the next hour explaining what happened. Then she was grilled about every tiny detail.  

“You’ve put as in a bit of a jam Sergeant, you’re a national hero but your also a wild card. You should of made contact with command as soon as you where able, barring that you should of made your way to the nearest base.” General Nash says. “We have two options, honourable discharge with full benefits, or we move you off book. Army intelligence and the CIA are salivating at the chance to get a hold of you. We can’t keep you in SOCOM your to much of a wild card even for Spec Ops.”  

“I'm sorry Sir, I was doing what I thought was right. The intelligence I gathered was always on a short time frame by the time I called it in, or returned to command and got orders the Intel would be out of date. I did send in all intelligence I gathered as I went though.” Kara explains.   

“Yes, we understand that, it’s why you're not getting court martialed. You found and acted upon  time sensitive Intel that led you to public enemy number one. We'll give you a week to think about it but then we expect a response. Dismissed Sergeant.” General Nash says.  

Kara gives a salute to the group before exiting the SCIF.   

As she was leaving the pentagon she got a text from J'onn saying to meet him at an apartment downtown at 1900.   

With time to kill kara made her way back to Fort Myers so that she could change in to Civies.  

Kara got to the address early, She recognised the heartbeats behind the door. Sam was there with J'onn.  

She knocked on the door and waited. J'onn answered the door in a bright pink apron, for which made Kara laugh.   

She stopped as she entered in the hallway. “Nice apartment.” Kara said in greeting. “Thanks, it’s one of the many Safe houses I have around the country.” J'onn replied.   

“Okay.... so I’m here. What’s all this about.”  

“There’s chatter of an off books DOD program called the DEO, Department of Extranormal operations, the chatter in the alien community has gotten louder since the September eleven attacks.   

The DEO apparently is apprehending Aliens and they aren’t seen from again.” J'onn says.   

“it’s not chatter. The DOD and the Army have been funding the DEO ever since superman came out. Prior to superman the DEO was a CIA initiative that was cooked up in the fifties. It wasn’t until superman came out and was fighting Aliens on the street that it became funded by the DOD and the army.” Sam adds.   

“most of those fights never needed to happen, most of the Aliens on earth have nowhere left to go and are just trying to live their lives. Everyone knows Aliens exist, its the governments fault that we have to live like rats on the edge of society. Clark needs to ask more questions and do less punching. If he punches one more peaceful alien I’m going there and feeding him my fist.   

But anyway what’s the DEO have to do with anything? Why am I here?” Kara asks.  

“We think we can get you transferred in to the DEO, you just have to accept going off book?” Sam says.   

“For what purpose?”  

“to bring it down, or at the very least change it."  

“Give me five minutes and I’ll have all the information you need to bring down the DEO.” Kara says.   

“I'll be back before you know it.” Then Kara transmatted herself to the fortress where she and both her A.I.’s worked in tandem and found every little bit of information she could on the DEO.  

The three of them went through firewalls like they weren’t there, plucking the information leaving no trace.  

Five minutes later Kara was back in the apartment.   

“We have to talk to the President right away." Kara says as soon as she enters the kitchen.   

“Why what have you found?” Sam asks.  

“General Nash along with the Vice President and certain senators have been funnelling funding earmarked for the DEO to a side project where they are trying to create superhumans. They are also planning on attacking the President with alien weapons and blaming it on Aliens.  Using the outrage to acquire more power and get rid of any sentiment for Aliens.  

Hank Henshaw the current head of the DEO is the Master mind behind it.”  

“There’s no way to get this to the President with out it throwing up red flags. Like how we got the information.”  

“Then we take them down. It would be easy enough to stage some accidents and blackmail the rest. We could even have J'onn take over the DEO as Hank and do internal changes as hank. Some of the agents at the DEO will have to go, mind wiped or 6 feet under. General Nash will need to go he has too much clout, even with a discharge he still wields too much power. The Vice President will also need to go along with some of his cabinet. ”  

The two men looked perturbed by the blaseness of Karas statement. Before remembering that she was military trained twice over. “Seems like a good plan, saves Kara from having to do more work than she already is. We can’t keep running too her to fix our problems.” Sam says. “Sam your problems are my problems and any problems to do with Aliens are definitely my problem.” Kara replies. The trio chuckle.  

“So, i can take care of Nash and the VP, natural causes of course. We then air their dirty laundry for all to see and see where the dice fall. Then lets say, I make a ruckus down, South America way that draws the D.E.O’s attention. Then when they are at the site we take down who’s there, J’onn takes over as hank, who then slowly starts making changes. Anything that needs to be actioned on immediately but cant be done by him he’ll pass on to me.” Kara says.  

They spent the next couple of hours fine tuning their treason and murder and when America woke up the next morning it was to the death of the Vice-President of the United States by heart attack and the death of General Nash of a stroke.  

The following day every news outlet and newspaper were clamouring over each other as documents got released to the press about shady dealings with foreign countries or taking money from fortune five hundred companies and many other illegal dealings. Along with their plans on killing the president and framing aliens for the attack.  

Five of the VP’s Cabinet died in the following week two from heart attack, real this time not induced. And three suicides, only one was assisted. Most of General Nash’s staff were bought up on charges and summarily dishonourably discharged. Along with other high-ranking officers in other branches of the military. It was the biggest scandal in American history.  

Before Kara's Seven days where up she was called back in to the pentagon.   

The new Army General for the Joint Chiefs eyes her down.   

“It has come to light that General Nash and his Cohorts in the Senate wanted the war in the Middle East and the hunt for Osama to Last much longer so they could line their pockets a as well as destabilise the region for profit. Your one man march ruined their plans and you staying with SOCOM threatened them further. Now that their plans are in the open and the real reason why Nash pushed for you to be discharged from SOCOM, the Army would like to apologise and state you are in fact welcome in SOCOM.”  

“Thank you General, SOCOM is where I would like to stay. I believe it’s where I would do the most good. And I am close to finishing up pre-reqs for officer candidacy school, and would hate for that work to go to waste.” Kara says with a smile.  

“Well then Sergeant SOCOM is happy to have you back. And I’m sure you’ll excel at officer school. Now with all that out of the way and you not joining one of the alphabet agencies. We will be releasing a statement saying that Osama Bin Laden was killed. We will try to keep your name out of it but I’m sure some reporter will eventually find it. Until then No comment.  Last thing Sergeant now that everything is squared away you’ll be returning to your posting in National city. Report to Andrews Airforce base tomorrow at 0500 for transport to National City. Dismissed Sergeant.”  

“Yes General” Kara says with a salute.  

Kara Found herself at the Apartment with J’onn and Sam.  

“Everything has gone to plan, Hank Henshaw is scrambling, all his support in the senate is gone and he's lost his most staunch supporters in the military. If we are going to go ahead with the plan on taking over Henshaw’s life tonight is the night to do it, while he’s scrambling.”  

“I agree this is the best plan for everyone, though I do detest the thought of living that man's life.” J’onn sighs. “I’ll go set off the right warning signs that should alert the D.E.O. I’ll Meet you in Peru in a couple of hours.” And after a quick goodbye j’onn left Kara alone with Sam.  

“I have meetings for the next couple of weeks thanks to this mess we created. So, I won't be home. But know I'm proud of you. Now go. You have places to be.” Sam says pushing Kara to the door, causing the girl to laugh.  

A couple of hours later Kara was hidden in a crow's nest overlooking a clearing where J’onn in his Martian form was leaning against a fallen down log. In the distance Kara heard the sound of choppers. It was showtime.  

Chapter Text

It wasn’t long before the choppers landed in the clearing. As soon as they started to land Kara deactivated the local satellite network then left her Crows nest and with a bit of enhanced speed got to the edge of the clearing just as the tires hit dirt.   

A squad of eight exited each chopper one group fanning out around the edges of the clearing while the other squad went straight to J'onn. A Moment later Hank Henshaw exited one of the choppers and walked up to J'onn.  

Kara slowly went around the clearing knocking out the soldiers without anyone noticing then moved to the pilots. Until it was just Henshaw and the squad of soldiers surrounding J'onn.  

Henshaw knelt down so he was eye to eye with J'onn and went to speak but before he could Kara threw a flashbang in to the middle of the group and as it went off J'onn grabbed Henshaw by the head and crawled in to his mind. Meanwhile Kara launched herself at the soldiers guarding J'onn and quickly took them out.   

After about ten minutes of J'onn rifling through Henshaws brain he let the man go and fall to the ground before taking on his form.  

“I have more work than I thought I would. Clearing house is going to take a while. I'll report to the President that due to the incident with General Nash and the fact he had oversight I want to do an inquiry into everyone employed by the D.E.O. Now help me load up the troopers in the choppers.”  

Kara nodded and the two quickly put the soldiers in the choppers leaving Henshaw as the last person on the ground.   

“I'll take Henshaw to the Fortress and dispose of him, we don't want him returning and making a mess of things.” Kara says as she moves towards the man's body. Kara picked up the man's body and transmatted her way to the fortress where she quickly disposed of the body by disintegrating it. Kara then returned to D.C where she picked up her belongings and made her way to Andrews Airforce base where she would then be taken to National City.  

She was a couple of hours early so found a seat in the hanger and fell in to a light meditation and waited.  

It was about half an hour before take off when she heard the woof of Kirkri at the other end of the hanger. Kara got up from her seat and grabbed her bags and made her way to the front of the hanger to go meet Kirkri.  

The Kryptonian War Cat in its Belgian Malinois form was sitting on its hind legs next to a corporal.   

“You have a very well behaved dog Sergeant El-Ze. Haven’t had a single problem with them while they where in the kennels.” “That's good to hear. Thank you for taking care of them while I was busy in D.C. Corporal.” “ Its always a pleasure with such well behaved dogs, ’ll leave them back in your hands. Have a good day Sergeant.” “You to Corporal.” Kara took Kirkri’s leas and proceeded to run some laps to get rid of some energy before the flight as well as to stay out of the way of the flight crew as they got the C-130 ready for take off.  

It wasn't long before the flight crew ushered Kara and Kirkri up the ramp.  Kara was the only personnel getting transported the rest of the manifest was Miscellaneous goods.  

They landed at National City Airforce base after an unexciting flight. After disembarking a Jeep took them to the Army base where Kara was finally able to decompress. She put away her things then went to the armoury to pick up her Kit that had be transferred directly here from the middle east.   

After collecting her kit she did a thorough disassembly and cleaning of her Sniper and Combat rifle as well as her pistol before putting it all back together and heading for the range. After an hour on the range she returned her kit to the armoury then went and ran Kirkri through their paces on the K9 course. By the time all this was done it was dinner time. So she headed to the mess where she was greeted by hey squad. They apologised for leaving her for dead, she apologised for not being able to save Anderson.   

Kara was very Mum about what happened as her escapades where classified and her squad hadn’t been read in. They grumbled but where understanding.   

At the end of dinner they planned on running drills the next day seeing that the whole squad was back together.   

Kara fell back in to the rhythm of being back on base. She trained with her squad and during that time she finished her pre-reqs for officer training. She was fast tracked and within a year had earned her Bars.  

Kara kept in contact with Lucy who was now a captain with JAG and well on her way to Major.  

Lois was still giving Clark the cold shoulder and he wasn’t handling it well.  

Sam was off Base and in D.C. more often than not and J'onn was busy with the D.E.O.  

Ever since he took over the chatter in the alien community was a lot more positive and the disappearances all but stopped.  

The media still hadn’t gotten the full story of what happened in the Middle East and the brass and Kara liked it that was.   

Kara now she was a lieutenant was transferred out of her squad and base hopped for the next three years until she was promoted to Captain and asked to go to the Special Forces Sniper School to be one of its instructors. After six months the Army and the Alphabet soup agencies realised that she was wasted as an instructor. And so was put back in to rotation with SOCOM and given out to agencies as needed.   

She mostly worked alone, or as alone as one can be with a canine only working with squads now and again.

Years passed and Kara grew bored. Knowing that she would never break from the rank of captain as she was to needed in the field and that Kirkri couldn’t pass as an active K-9 for much longer.  

Kara in the summer of 2010 decided to give up her commission much to the dismay of the Brass though Sam was of course supportive.  

Kara moved back to National City, or at least it looked like it to those watching. She spent much of her time at the fortress going over what her father and uncle did to her as well as the effects the phantom zone had on her.  She now had the time to do proper studies. Luckily Clark had a baseline for her to work off of.   

She was able to theorise that due to the phantom zone energy imbuing her cells that compared to Clark her energy absorption was much slower but on the flip side he expenditure was much lower, it also let her cells store more energy than Clark, though if that is from her father’s meddling or the phantom zone energy Kara was still unsure.  

That slower absorption would of been the reason that Clark was able to wound her so easily at the farm.  

Now after 13 years she would be much more hardy than Clark. As well as stronger and faster, thanks to her continued training of her body and the changed cells.  

She had micro vision like Clark but unlike Clark lead did nothing against her thanks again to her father.  

She hadn’t been able to tap in to her laser vision yet but put that down to having to much control as the notes that Clark had written said he could only tap in to it with his emotions.   

Her hearing, sight and other sense where also enhanced beyond Clark’s.  

Kara couldn’t fly  or even hover but didn’t need to when she could literally launch herself in to the stratosphere. She spent a while practising her jumping so she could control it.  

While studying what her father and the phantom zone did to her she also went through the learning modules that where in the fortress. Something that Clark never touched.   

He may be smart by human standards but by kryptonian standards he would be dumb and Kara was a genius and her intellect only grew thanks to the speed in which she was able to discern information and the fact that she made sure she was always learning    

A year later Clark made a mistake that couldn’t be ignored. On live TV he was attacking an alien in the street.   

Kara transmatted herself to Metropolis in a Kryptonian warsuit.   

She leaped at Clark just as he was going to swing for the alien at the ground.   

She grabbed him by the scruff of his neck and leapt out of Metropolis in to the fields beyond.   

Clark saw red and just went and attacked Kara. Kara was quick to put him to the ground her knee in his back and arms held above his head.  

“What do you think you are doing superman” Kara spits out with venom in her voice. “I removed you from a situation that never should of happened so we could talk and all you do is attack me have you learnt nothing?”  

“That thing! Attacked a human" Clark started, but was cut off by Kara. “That thing as you call it,  is a sapient being. And no it wasn’t. It was crossing the street when it’s hood fell off and the lady next to him fell over and screamed they then went to help the lady get up before you barrelled on in. You didn’t assess the situation you didn’t ask what happened you as you always do barrelled on in on your white horse thinking you know best.”  

“How do you know you weren’t there k.” He grunted before Kara interrupted.  

“No names, we have no idea who’s listening. And to answer your question no I wasn’t there but there are street cameras and before I put myself in between you two I looked at what happened. Assessed you where being an arse and removed you.”   

Before either could continue a billowing of air hit them. Kara had noticed the whirring of engines but had deigned to ignore it.   

A few meters away the grass flattened and out of seemingly nowhere jumped out Wonder Woman.  

“AH Wonder Woman I would say it was great to see you again but given the circumstances I can’t.” Kara says in greeting.  

Diana didn’t show it but was a bit taken aback by the greeting. Did she know this woman in armour.   

“I would say the same but I don’t believe we’ve met.” The demi-goddess says.   

“We have, though it was over a decade ago. Your gods where against you training me.”  

“Ah, yes our mutual friends where looking for someone to take you in after your cousins failings.”  

“So glad we are all on the same page, now get her off me D...” Superman starts to sneer.  

“What did I say about names" kara says.  

“No I don’t think I will. This is obviously a family affair. And I don’t know the whys of it.” Diana says  

“See, this is the way you should take every unknown encounter superman.” Kara says sneering at the use of superman.  

“I take it he went in guns blazing” Diana says.  

“Yes, he attacked an Alien going about their life when the wind blew their hood off and scared the lady next to them. Superman here took exception at that. And I in turn took exception at his bullheadedness. I removed him from the situation then he decided to attack me. That has led us to me immobilising him.”  

Understandable.” Diana replies.  

“What! Your taking her side!” Clark shouts.   

“There’s no need for shouting we are all of sound hearing.” Diana scolds. “Do you have evidence of this infraction?” She asks Kara.  

Kara pulls up a holo displaying the cross-walk. It starts playing and shows the wind blowing the hood off the Aliens face and scaring the woman and the alien going to help her up before superman flies in and starts a beat down.  

“So she is correct superman. You flew in with no foreknowledge and attacked an innocent with excessive force. She was right to remove you.” Agrees Diana   

“I will tell you this once and only once. Pull something like this again and I will remove you permanently from the playing board. I don’t want to, there are things coming that your help would be appreciated with and you have done good work. But I have no qualms against losing a piece of the board if you mess up again.” Seethes Kara.   

“And to clarify what would be removing him permanently mean?” Diana asks.  

“Removal of his powers. He would just be an enhanced human." Kara replies.   

Clark blanches and tries to buck Kara off while shouting no.  

“Calm down, it wont happen if you change your ways. To be honest I’ve too have been concerned with your actions. You need to change. Let him up. He’ll either learn or won’t we can do nothing further. In the meantime why don’t you come with me there’s someone I like you to meet. And we should talk about what’s supposedly coming.” Diana says.   

Kara gets up and moves to stand beside Diana. “Be better Cousin.” She says before turning towards Diana’s invisible Jet.   

Clark glares daggers in to Kara’s back.   

“she’s right superman. You need to do better. Not just for yourself but those you claim to protect.” Wonder woman says before leaving Clark and joining Kara at the jet. The pair then board and the jet silently takes off leaving Clark gaping in the field alone.  

The media was quick to latch on to the armoured figure that took off with superman wondering who it was and what they wanted with superman. The choppers covering Supermans fight with the alien couldnt follow so there was a lot of guessing and armchair warrioring.  

Meanwhile J'onn was trying to do damage control at the D.E.O. The senate and Brass where up in arms about the fact that Superman was just manhandled by an unknown being, not sure if it was an alien or a human in a suit. The fact that the being left with wonder woman eased some nerves.  

A statement was given through Lois Lane at the planet.   

“As a concerned citizen I couldn’t let superman attack an innocent being. Already there is video showing that the Alien that was attacked was just crossing the street when the wind blew their hood off. The Lady next to them screamed and fell. The Alien then went to help them up when superman without assessing the situation or asking what happened brutally attacked a defenceless sentient.   

I could not let this stand and so removed him from the situation.   

This was an unacceptable attack and I hope that he can learn from this and that a situation like this doesn’t happen again.   

Yes there are Aliens amongst us and we need to accept that. Most are here because they have no where else to go. And is not America a country of immigrants. We should be accepting of them and what they can bring to the table. Not attacking them.”  

This threw the populace in to an uproar. Many agreeing with the statement but some that where staunchly defending superman while others attacked him and fewer still wanting to get rid of superman and every alien from America.   

Mean while Kara was having a friendly chat with Diana as the demi-goddess flew the jet.   

“I'm bringing you to a man called Bruce Wayne. Together we have been trying to curb Clark's worse tendencies. I would like to introduce you, as Clark’s cousin but if your not comfortable with that I’m happy to introduce you as just a friend back from service. I asked J'onn to keep me appraised so that I could offer my help if it was ever needed.”  

“Though I don’t like people talking about me without my knowledge I understand it came from a good place. And I would prefer it if I was just introduced as a friend. I don’t know this man. And I like to keep those in the know low.”  

“As you wish Kara.”  

It wasn’t long before Diana landed the jet in a manicured lawn.  

The pair exited the jet and walked up a flight of stairs in to the foyer of a mansion. Kara had dematerialised her suit as she walked up the stairs leaving her in a crisp undersuit.   

“Miss Prince how wonderful it is to see you again." An elderly Gentleman in a three piece suit says.   

“Alfred it’s just as wonderful to see you. Is Bruce in?” Diana replies as she gives the man a peck on the cheek.   

“I believe that Master Bruce is down stairs, shall I call for him.”  

“if you please thank you Alfred, Also this is a friend of mine Kara El-Ze”  

“A pleasure Ms El-Ze. Please make yourself at home." The Manservant says as he leads them in to a parlour.  

Alfred leaves down a servant’s corridor.  

A couple of minutes later a dark haired man dressed in slacks and a rolled up white shirt enters the Parlour.   

“Diana it’s good to see you, and who is this?” The man asks.  

“it’s good to see you too Bruce. This is Kara El-Ze, she recently left the Army and so we are catching up and I thought it might be a good idea for you to meet she is at loose ends and I thought You might have an opening at Wayne Securities.” Diana replies. Kara was a bit taken aback by what Diana says but shows no outward sign of it.  

“And by recently she means a year. It’s a pleasure to meet you Mr Wayne.”  

“The pleasure is all mine Ms El-Ze. Thank you for your service. And please any friend of Diana’s can call me Bruce.”  

“Than please call me Kara.”  

“Ah wonderful everyone knows everyone now. Would anyone like refreshments.” Alfred quips as he enters the room.  

“Nothing for me Alfred.” Bruce replies   

“Some of that amazing tea of yours please Alfred if you would be so kind.” Diana asks.  

“Of course Ms Prince. And For you Ms El-Ze.”  

“The same please Alfred and please call me Kara.”  

“Right away Ms El-Ze.” Alfred says before scurrying out of the room.  

Kara huffs while the others laugh.   

“Pay no mind to Alfred he is an old school butler through and through. So Kara what did you do in the Army.”  

“I was a captain in the special forces. A Sniper and K-9 handler.”  

“Not many women in the special forces quite an achievement.”  

“Started as a grunt made may way up in to special forces. Then took officer school. I left when I realised that my canine was getting on in years and wouldn’t be able to serve. Also the brass was keeping me where I was for being to good at my job.”  

Bruce laughed. “The joys of being to good at your job.”  

“Indeed"  

“Well I’m sure I could find you a position in Wayne securities if you wanted.”  

“Would i have to move, i quite like National City.”  

“No we have satellite offices all over.”  

“To be honest I was thinking of starting my own private military company. So some experience would be great.”  

“While Wayne securities doesn’t do any PMC work, we are much more domestic it would be good experience either way, let me make some phone calls for you, I’ll just be a moment.” Bruce says before getting up and leaving the room passing Alfred on his way out.  

“Here you go Ladies. Please let me know if there is anything else you need.” Alfred says as he pours the tea out of a tea pot in to two tea cups.  

“Thank you Alfred we will.” Diana says as she picks up her tea cup. Alfred nods his head then leaves again.  

“Is Bruce really just going to get me a position in one of his companies?” Kara asks Diana.  

“Yes. The fact that your here with me speaks volumes to him plus his probably doing a quick search of you as we speak.” Diana laughs, Kara Grunts in return unimpressed.  

Ten minutes later Bruce returns.   

“Next Monday turn up at our offices in National City and the Chief Operations officer, Will Gentry will greet you. In the meantime he'll run a background on you and get all the boring paperwork all squared away.”  

“Thank you Bruce.”  

“Think nothing of it. Now Diana are you staying for dinner?”  

“No I don’t think so I need to return Kara to National City but we do need to talk of our mutual friend soon.”  

“Of course we do.” Bruce replies sardonically.   

The three rise from their seats and make their way outside.   

“Leaving so soon Ms Prince?” Alfred says as they pass him in the foyer.   

“Sadly it is time to go, the tea was heavenly as usual.” Diana says   

“Yes the Tea was exquisite thank you Alfred.” Kara tacks on.  

“Yes yes well next time please do stay for Dinner. Master Bruce won’t eat otherwise.”  

Diana laughs. “Of course Alfred next time Dinner, maybe you’ll do your famous lamb roast.”  

“Maybe, maybe. Well have a safe flight ladies.”  

The pair enter the jet after a final goodbye to Bruce and Alfred and where soon in the air off on their way to National City.  

Chapter Text

  Monday rolled around and Kara put on a neat black suit she bought the Saturday prior, though she did put on a pair of black combat boots.   

She walked from her apartment on the outskirts of town in to downtown where Wayne securities was located as she saw no point in driving.   

When she reached the building she walked inside and up to the front security desk.  

“Hi, My name is Kara El-Ze and Mr Gentry is expecting me.” Kara says.  

“Ah yes, Mr Gentry did mention that this morning to me. Please take a seat and I’ll call him for you.”  

“Thank so much"   

Five minutes later a man in his late thirties early forties walks out the back elevator and up to the security desk. Kara is quickly pointed out and a badge handed over, the man makes his way over to where Kara is seated.   

“Kara El-Ze my name is Will Gentry, I’m the Chief Operations Officer here which means I run this ship we call an office.”  

“A pleasure to meet you Mr Gentry, I take it you where a Navy man.” Kara replies.  

Will laughs “How could you tell?”    

“All you frogs walk the same.” Kara replies with a smile.   

Gentry just laughed. “I’ll have to work on that.” He said with a smile.   

“Here’s your visitor pass, you’ll get a personnel card if all goes well. Now if you’ll follow me we will head up to my office and deal with the paperwork.” He explains as he pass over the visitor pass.  

Kara gets up from her seat clipping the pass to her suit.  

The elevator ride was quick thankfully. Kara since the phantom zone had an issue with tight enclosed spaces but the army drilled it out of her so now it was just a quite unease.  

“So, over the weekend I ran a background check on you. Haven't seen a dossier so redacted. Your test scores are impressive so i see no way you'll fail the physical and aptitude tests. We will have to teach you more about general security and executive protection but I'm sure you’ll pick it up quick. The paperwork is general release forms, an N.D.A, an application for an open carry licence and your salary package. You’ll be receiving a high base salary than normal due to your military background and expertise. You'll be on a six-month probation where we can fire you at any time for any reason but it's rarely done, also after that six months you'll get a raise. We’ll probably start you off in event security as a K-9 handler due to your past experience.  When not working a job, you’ll have training in general security and executive protection and after six months see where your interests lie. Mr Wayne also explained to me you're interested in the running of the company and so once a week will be working side by side with me. Does that all sound alright with you?” Mr Gentry explained as Kara was going over the paper work.  

“Yes sounds good to me, but before i sign anything i would like my lawyer to take a look at all the paperwork.” Kara replies.  

“That’s good thinking, though i promise there is nothing nefarious in them.” Will chuckled.  

 
“Now while you're here I’ll get you to have our medical staff do a medical physical just to cover our bases then afterwards we will do the aptitude and physical tests.” 

Kara nods, having foreseen the likelihood of having a physical done had already taken the hypo that hides her genes and changes her blood.  

The physical takes about an hour and after Kara spends three hours in a room taking a written exam. After the exam was done Will takes Kara down to the cafeteria so that she could eat before her final lot of test.  

The final lot of tests was a fitness tests which was easily completed and a weapon certification.  

It was around three when Kara found herself back in Will’s office.  

“Well, congratulations you passed everything and also shattered every test score. I'm surprised the military let you go.” 
“There was a lot of grumbling about it but they could do nothing about it.” 
“Well once you have gone through the paperwork with your lawyer and signed it, you can officially start but unofficially welcome to Wayne Securities.” Gentry said shaking Kara's hand. 

When Kara left the offices with an envelope full of paperwork Kara headed home, not to her apartment, it still felt hollow and empty to her besides the spare room that she turned in to a shrine to Rao, but to the place where her family was, she did swing past the apartment to pick up Kirkri and the car though.  

All the Lanes where in National City for once, Lois had news and Lucy and Sam both had leave.   

Kara was the first one to arrive so she unlocked the front door, and realised that the place was fusty, no one had been around in a while, so Kara decided to clean the house.  

She opened all the windows and took to dusting all the surfaces she could before vacuuming.   

It was around five when Lucy walked through the front door.  

“Hey Luce, how are you? How’s JAG treating you?” Kara says as she gives her a hug for a second to long.   

“I'm good nothing to complain about and work is good well the actual work is good but some of my colleagues aren’t. They keep coming on to me, to bad I can’t come out as gay thanks to the militaries don’t ask, don’t tell policies. Though thanks to the ruling last year saying the policy was unconstitutional it seems like its being rolled back. Hopefully I can be out and proud soon." Lucy replies.   

“Ergh, I don’t understand you humans and your need to table everything and put everyone in boxes. I’m sorry you have to go through all that. Luckily I worked alone most of the time and when I didn’t I think everyone was to scared to approach me.” Kara chuckled.   

“What about you? How are you? I saw your picking up of Clark by the scruff on T.V and the statement you made, how you holding up?”  

“I’m okay, Clark was being an idiot so I gave him another ultimatum hopefully he learns  meet wonder woman again, she took me to meet Bruce Wayne, he offered me a Job at Wayne Securities. Speaking of if you’ve got time can you look over the paperwork for me and read through the legalese.”  

“Thats so amazing Kara I’m so happy for you, of course I will, now givey givey.”  

Kara laughed at Lucy’s antics and went and fetched the paperwork that she left in the car.   

As she was walking to the car Sam was driving up the driveway so Kara decided to wait for him.  

“Hey Kara, how are you? Any reason someone would run a background on you?” Sam says in greeting.  

“Hey Sam I’m good, how are you? Yeah I’m getting a job at Wayne Securities if the paperwork is all on the up and up, and how did you know about the background check?” Kara replied walking side by side the man up the steps in the house.  

“I’m fine, work is busy thanks to your little escapade with Clark. And to answer your other question I have a flag on your file so I can head off any problems. Wayne securities is one of the good ones, I’m proud of you.” Sam replies with a rare smile.  

Kara handed off the papers to Lucy who ripped in to the envelope and started reading.  

Meanwhile Sam and Kara worked in tandem to start dinner.   

By the time dinner was on the table Lois was waltzing through the door. With more baggage than usual.  

“Hello one and all, do not fret for I am here.” Lois says with a grin as she puts her bags next to the door.  

Everyone groans at the woman’s antics.   

“Hello Lois, be a dear and set the table.” Sam says in reply.  

“Why can’t Lucy do it? I just got here." She whines. But goes to do it anyway for no one in the household ignored the general.  

“Because Lucy is busy looking over paperwork for me.” Kara says as she gives Lois a quick hug.  

“Ergh, fine but I’m not happy about it.”  

Five minutes later the table was set and dinner served.   

“So, Lois what brings you home? You said you had news." Sam asks his daughter.   

“Yes! I'm moving back to National City I sign the lease tomorrow." She says excitedly.  

“What about the planet?” Kara asks.   

“It's going no where and I can't stand Clark’s looks any longer. Cat grant offered me a job as her editor in chief of her newly acquired venture, The Tribune. I'll still be doing pieces but I won’t be pounding the streets like I was.”  

“And Perry's okay with this?” Lucy enquires.  

“Oh hell no, he tried sweet talking me, offered me a raise and then shouting at me and everything else under the sun. His raise was nothing compared to what I’ll get under Cat anyway. But it needs to happen. Clark’s being insufferable and ever since you took him out of metropolis and I assume beat his ass his been sulking hasn’t even put on the suit.”  

“Yeah, i gave him an ultimatum so hopefully his thinking about his life choices doubly now you’ve left." Kara says.   

“hopefully.” Lois says letting out a long sigh.   

“Well it will be good to have you around Lois.” Sam says.  

“Your never around Sam, this place was full of dust when I got here" Kara says with a chuckle causing the other two girls to laugh.  

“Anywho, why is Lucy looking at Paperwork for you Kara?” Lois asks.  

“Anywho?” Lucy says under her breath questioningly.   

“I got offered a Job at Wayne Securities.” Kara replies.   

“Speaking of which, the paper work is on the up and up there’s nothing hidden in there that’s a problem. Though that Salary package is mint. 90 grand a year to start off with, full health and life insurance which would be a given, given the work. Nice amount of leave and sick leave, even mental health and bereavement leave. Free car. And a salary increase every six months dependent on performance. You won’t get a better salary package elsewhere I don’t think. Wayne must really car for his employees.” Lucy buts in and explains.  

“So the salary is about the same as when I left the army, sweet.”  

“Kara, we all know you have millions thanks to your AI working its magic on the stock exchange. Lucy laughs.  

“Eh, it’s still nice to be reward for what your worth, Mr Gentry, my soon to be new boss, did say I was going to be on a high remuneration package due to my experience.”  

From there the family caught up with the goings on in their lives and soon dinner was quickly over. Lois and Lucy where going to stay at the house while Kara returned to her apartment.   

The next day Kara signs all the paperwork and goes back downtown to her soon to be work offices.   

Walking up to the security desk Kara greeted the guard who so happened to be the same one.  

“would you please be able to call Mr Gentry and tell him Kara El-Ze is here to see him.”  

“Welcome back, and of course Ms El-Ze. Please take a seat while you wait.” The guard says.  

Kara thanks the guard before going and sitting down.  

It was about fifteen minutes before Will came down from his office.   

“Sorry, was on the phone to a client. How are you Captain? Your here quicker than I expected” Gentry says in greeting.  

“No worries. And I’m fine thanks for asking. I came to hand in the paperwork. My lawyer looked over it last night and I signed it all this morning.”  

“Wow quick turn around. Why don’t we head up to my office, I’ll double check the paperwork and then we can get you situated."  

“Sounds good Mr Gentry.”  

“Please call me Will, we'll be working together no need for formalities.”  

The pair walked up to the security desk and picked up a visitor pass for Kara before heading upstairs.   

Once in Will’s office, he began looking over the paperwork.   

“Well seems like everything is in order, will just have to drop everything to HR. You open carry permit and security licence will take a couple of weeks so you’ll be stuck in the office till then.”  

“Thats not a problem, I look forward to it.”  

“Once HR looks over the paperwork it will all be official. I’ll make sure they do that today so you can start tomorrow. I’ll have the front desk have your employee pass ready for you by then. Otherwise your free for the day.” Gentry smiled.  

“Thank you for the opportunity sir.”  

“Please don’t call me sir, to be honest I should be calling you sir. I was only ever a Sergeant.” Will laughed, Kara quickly joining in.  

Kara left the offices happier than she had been all year. She walked around downtown for a while before her belly rumbled and she decided to go eat.  

She stopped in on Noonans her favourite Cafe.   

She ordered a coffee and a couple of sticky buns before going and taking a seat. A couple of minutes later she was interrupted. A brunette in high heels and a business suit had walked up to her table.  

“Hi, sorry to interrupt but your table Is the only one with a free seat do you mind if I sit with you?” they ask.  

“Sure, I'm Kara by the way.”  

“Thanks, My name is Lena.” The brunette says.   

As soon as the stranger says her name it clicks.  

“You wouldn’t happen to be Lena Luthor would you?” Kara asks.  

Something flashes over Lena’s face.  

“I would be yes.”  

Before Lena could say anything else Kara excitedly exclaimed. “That’s so awesome, it’s wonderful to meet you, I’ve followed some of your work.”  

Lena starts to look surprised. “oh, thank you. Are you a scientist?” she asks.  

“No I just dabble but I like to keep up with what’s happening in the science community. You and your brother are doing good work.”  

“Thanks, I’m surprised your so civil with me. Most people see a author and run or just out right hate."  

“A lot of people are bitter about your success more like and don’t understand that not everything are people in powers fault. It wasn't you or your brothers fault that some in you company where found out to be experimenting on Aliens and humans. You are your own person and I’ll judge you by that not by what happened in your company.”  

“That's bit of fresh air, most people blame my brother because he’s CEO and by extension me.”  

Kara was on her third sticky bun by now. The two sat in silence for a spell before Lena says.  

“you have some appetite there.”  

“Fast metabolism.”  

“Never seen anyone eat as much as that” Lena says as Kara starts her fourth sticky bun.  

“What can I say I’m an Alien.” Kara says half jokingly.  Lena gives her a look.  

“I exercise a lot, ex-military. You eat when you can.” Lena’s face returns to normal.  

“So what are you doing in National City Lena?”  

“Just business. Luthor Corp is doing some acquisitions in National City. So how long have you been out of the military?”  

“just over a year.”  

“How long did you serve for?”  

“Joined up a year or so prior to 9/11 served until last year.”  

“What do you plan on doing now?”  

“I’ll be starting at Wayne Securities tomorrow.”  

“Congratulations.”  

“Thanks.”  

The pair continued talking, mainly Kara asking Lena about her work.   

It was an hour later when Lena noticed the time.   

“Shit is that the time, im running late. It was wonderful to meet you Kara and thank you for spending time with me it was a pleasure." Lena says.  

“Not a problem Lena it was nice to meet you too, have a good day.”  

The pair left Noonans together, Lena got in to the back of a black town car and Kara started to walk back to her flat.  

That night Kara felt inspired by Lena, so had her AI whip up a Pseudonym and fake back ground in multiple science fields and posted some Papers online. Nothing to grandiose but advanced enough that it would ruffle some feathers in the science community, plus it was time she used what she new of kryptonian science and what she had at the fortress. Maybe she should start a tech company instead of a PMC, but Kara knew that she couldn’t, at least not straight away, it would be odd as she had no background in science according to earth, but maybe just posting papers online and helping other scientist anonymously would be enough.   

The next day Kara walked in to her new work at eight and was greeted by the front desk security officer again.   

“Good morning Ms El-Ze, Mr Gentry left you an Employee pass for you, you’ll have to swipe your card to use the elevator.  Feel free to head straight on up. I'm Paul by the way and welcome to Wayne securities.” The guard says with a smile handing over the pass.   

The Pass was on a key-bak instead of a clip or lanyard.  

“Thank you Paul, and please call me Kara, I’m sure we will be seeing a lot of each other.” She says as she clips the pass on to her belt.  

Kara knocks on Will’s open door.  

Will head comes up from his paperwork.   

“Welcome Officially to Wayne securities Kara. Let me show you around before we get started.”  

“Morning Will, and thanks that would be great.   

The tour was quick.   

The offices had a cafeteria floor, a gym, a shooting range in the basement and a whole slew of office space. The last stop was the locker room a few floors down from the main office floor.   

“Well here’s your Locker, and said key to Locker.” He says handing over a key. “Its the only copy so if you loose it you’ll have to get maintenance to drill out the lock and install a new one. Inside the locker is a gun safe for you hand gun. Once you cleared for open carry the company will give you one of your preference. In the meantime feel free to use the ones down on the range. Leave your stuff in the locker and we can get started with the day.” Kara quickly stashed he bag in the locker before locking it and putting a key on the key-ring of her Key-Bak.  

“You’re early, you don’t have to come in till nine or ten depending if your a morning person or not. A lot of our employees have kids so do school drop off and so can’t come in until after nine anyway. We like to think we are a family friendly workplace.”  

“Don’t worry I’m an early bird, thanks to the military I’m up at five every morning like clock work and if I’m not my dog will wake me up or if their lazy the sun.” Kara chuckled.  

“Well it’s up to you what time you start really just make sure you’re doing eight hour days in the office otherwise HR and Payroll will be on my arse about overworking you and paying overtime.”  

Kara laughed.   

Back on the office floor will showed her in to an office. “This office will be your home for the near future. IT has already set up a work account for you, you'll just have to change the password. It’s all in the induction packet on the desk, which contains said login details as well as the company guidelines and other boring bits and bobs. I'll leave you to give it all a read and get your account sorted. Once your done shoot me an email and once I’m free I’ll start showing you the ropes. I might be busy so there’s an online induction that needs to be done that you can do in that time.” Will says showing Kara a corner office.  

“Are you sure this is my office, shouldn’t I be starting in a cramped cubicle in a dark corner somewhere?” Kara asks.  

 “This floor is for Senior personnel and while your not specifically senior, you’ll be working with me a lot so it made sense for you to be on the same floor as me and this was the only empty office space without juggling people.”  

“Alright then” Kara says taking off her jacket and hanging it on the coat rack by the door.   

Will closes the door behind him as Kara is taking a seat at her desk.  

Kara quickly reads through the induction packet on the desk and then logins in to the computer which promptly asks for a new password. With that done she sends will an email and starts the online induction. Halfway through the induction there’s a knock on the door.   

“Come in" Kara calls out.   

A gentleman in his fifties walks through the door.   

“I heard we had flesh blood, My name is Bill, I’m the Event Director which means I'm in charge of every event contract that comes through the office. I here Events is where you’ll be starting out.”  

“Yes Sir, My names Kara I’ll be shadowing Will for the next two weeks till my permits come through then I’m heading to events.”  

“Sir? Well you must be ex-military then. Don't have many of those working events, they usually do Executive or building protection. Which branch did you serve in?”  

“Served in the Army for over a decade. Served as a K-9 handler and special forces Sniper.”  

“Well you’ll be useful to me then" Bill says with a grin. “Either on the ground or in a perch. Depending on need. Well, I just thought I would pop my head in and say hello and introduce myself. Welcome to the team Kara.” He says put his hand out for a handshake. Kara grips his hand and gives it a shake before saying “Thanks for the warm welcome, look forward to working with you."  

Kara’s office soon become a turning door of people as they came and introduced themselves. All of them Directors or supervisors. All of them seemed genuinely happy to meet her.   

It was two hours until Will was able to get away and go to Kara.  

“Sorry there where some issues with some contracts that needed to be ironed out. Seeing that its nearly lunch time why don’t we go out for a bite to eat and then I’ll take you somewhere I think you’ll enjoy.”  

“Sure I could eat.”  

Kara grabbed her jacket and followed Will.   

Instead of the cafeteria will brought her to the parking garage.   

“I did say go out for a bite to eat" He says when he notices Kara's inquisitive look.  

Will took her to Big Belly Burger.   

“Its a vice what can I say" when Kara gave him an incredulous look.   

After they ate. Will started to drive to the outskirts of town and after ten minutes pulled in to a parking lot.   

They got put of the car and walked through a double set of doors into a nondescript building.  

“Mr Gentry I didn’t know you would be coming in today.” A woman with fiery Red Hair says.  

“Afternoon Niamh, I wanted to surprise Kara here, its her first day. She’s going to be working as a K-9 handler in events for the next six months, she's an Ex-Army K-9 handler so she has experience.” Will explains to Niamh.  

“Welcome Kara. Well then if you follow me then.”  

Niamh leads them through another set of double doors behind the desk and down a corridor in to a large room full of dogs in a pen. Kara's eyes lit up.  

“This is where we keep all our dogs for our K-9 units. Niamh here is in charge of the facility as well as our head trainer. I thought we might try and match you today so that you could get a feel for each other and train together before we deploy you.” Will explains.  

Kara with excitement in her voice but still professional says. “That would be great, Thank you Will.”  

“Why don’t you follow me then Kara and we’ll try to find you a match.” Niamh says as she walks in to the pen. Kara quickly followed. She was quickly swarmed. None of the dogs jumped, all to well trained for that but they did vie for her affection. All but one who was in the corner laying down head resting on its front paws eyeing everything cautiously. Kara gave each dog some attention before moving to the dog in the corner.   

“He’s been off ever since his handler passed, we're not sure he'll ever be back in service.” Niamh says as the dog growls.   

Kara kneels down in front of the dog and raises her hand to its snout. The dog gives it a sniff. Kara slowly starts quietly talking to it in kryptonese. After a while the dog stops growling and head buts Kara's hand, taking it as permission Kara starts patting the dog.   

“wow, no one’s ever gotten as close to him as you have, you have excellent handling skills.” Niamh praises.   

“I think I would like to train with him, what’s his name?” Kara asks.  

“His name is Cody. He’s a seven years old German shepherd. Been in service for four years. He’s one of our best or was he hasn’t worked for six months since his previous handler died. If you want you can taking him to one of the training rooms for some one on one time if you would like?” Niamh says.  

Kara looks at Gentry who was on the phone but gives her a nod anyway.   

Niamh leads Kara in to a training room, Cody slowly walking behind the pair.  

Niamh leaves Kara alone with Cody in the training room. Kara starts to give some simple commands that Cody does flawlessly. Five minutes in Will pops his head in. “there’s an emergency at the office, if your happy I’ll leave you here and send a car when your ready to pick you up. Sadly I don’t think I'll have time to show you anything else today.” “Thats okay, and if your sure, I’m happy to walk home.”  

“Eh don’t worry about it we have drivers as part of our business why not utilise them when they aren’t on a job.”  

Kara spent the next two hours training with Cody, after the first hour he had started to come out of his shell by the second he was a completely different dog, he still didnt trust Kara fully but trust was built over time so it didnt bother Kara. Niamh had popped her head in now and again to see how they where travelling but saw no issues so let them be.  

Kara returned Cody to the pen and then went to hunt down Niamh.    

She found her back at the front desk working on the computer there.   

“Hey Niamh, Cody's back in the pen with the others. I think he’s the one I want to work with. I know it will be hard work to gain his trust but I think it will be worth it.”  

“I had nearly lost hope that he would be able to trust anyone else but me, and he only trusts me because I was the one that trained him. If your sure I’ll put in the paperwork for you.”  

“That would be great thank you, I best get back to the office. Thanks for letting me spend time with Cody.”  

“Not a problem. I'm glad I can help.” Niamh says before the pair said goodbye and parted ways.  

Out in the parking lot Kara called the office to ask for a driver.  

Ten minutes later a black SVU rolled up and a man in his Forties gets out. And walks around the car and opens the rear passenger door for Kara.  

“Ms El-Ze, My name is Frank and I'll be your driver this afternoon.” The man says professionally.   

“Thank you Frank and please call me Kara, I appreciate the lift.”  

On the car ride Kara got talking to Frank. They talked mostly about Frank’s Daughter Abigail but touches lightly on Kara's time in service.  

Frank pulled in front of the office. “Here you go Ms Kara. Have a nice rest of your day.” “Thanks Frank and you too.”  

Kara swiped in to the elevator and rode it up to the floor with her locker, getting her stuff that she stashed in there earlier before heading back down stairs saying goodbye to Paul on the way out and heading home.  

The next two weeks went quickly, Kara shadowed Will in meetings Learning how they did briefings and debriefings and learning how contracts where decided on. She also spent every evening and a full day with Cody. By the end of the two weeks Cody and Kara where working well together as Handler and canine.   

Chapter Text

The next two weeks went quickly, Kara shadowed Will in meetings Learning how they did briefings and debriefings and learning how contracts where decided on. She also spent every evening and a full day with Cody. By the end of the two weeks Cody and Kara where working well together as Handler and canine.   

On the Monday of her third week she got called in to Will’s office.   

“Your Permits got approved your now officially a register security officer with the state as well as have an open carry permit.” He says in greeting handing over two laminated pieces of card. Kara had gotten use to Will skipping pleasantries and getting straight to the point. “All you have to do is send an email to requisitions about which handgun you want to carry and they will organise it for you.”  

“Thanks Will, I’ll do that. Does that mean I’m officially starting in events.”  

“Yes it does. Bill will come around and brief you on the going ons in events when he has a moment.” It was then that Will’s phone began to ring. “Sorry but I have to take this.” Kara nods her head in response before leaving the office.  

Once in her own office she shoots an email off to requisitions who promptly reply that they had it in stock and someone would bring it up for her.   

It wasn’t long before Bill was knocking on her door.  

“I hear your mine now.” He says with a grin. “why don’t you come with me and you can meet some of the others you’ll be working with before I give you all a briefing. I just had a job come over my desk for the end of the week."   

The pair head down a couple of levels.   

Bill introduced Kara to various different officers before calling the briefing.   

“Okay, so Friday we have an event we will be running security on. LuthorCorp is opening a new hospital and want extra security for the event. The Luthors each have their own private security guard so we won’t have to worry about that. Kara you'll be one of our K-9 handlers but I want you backstage you’re more personable than this lot combined. So you should be able to ease any tensions backstage.” Everyone laughed at the jab. Bill then went in to the minutiae of who was where and doing what.   

“Lastly I'll be in the command post. And remember to call in before you do anything, alright everyone dismissed.”  

The rest of the week went quickly and it was suddenly Friday. Kara arrived at the office at nine and went to hunt down a driver, but first she was hungry so went to the cafeteria for something to eat. She just so happened to find Frank drinking a coffee at a table. Grabbing a sticky bun from the box on the counter she goes over to Frank.  

“Morning Frank, how are you?”  

“Morning Ms Kara, I’m alright a bit tired Abigail was up all night hence the coffee. How are you?”  

“No complaints, I was wondering if you where busy I need a lift to pick up Cody from the kennel and then to the new LuthorCorp Hospital.”  

“Yeah I'm Free I don’t have anything till eleven.” He goes to chug his coffee before Kara stops him. “I have time, enjoy the coffee.” Kara says as she sits down. The pair chat for five minutes before heading to the garage and on to the kennel.   

Kara was the first to arrive at the hospital do decided to do a preliminary check of the grounds. The rest of the team would do one when they get here but it gave Kara something to do. By ten o’clock the rest of the team had arrived and where in position. The event didn’t start till twelve so there was a bit of a wait.   

At Eleven thirty there was a flurry of activity at the front of the hospital as two town cars sandwiched in between two black SVU's pulled up to the entrance. Kara had a good view from where she was standing backstage. From the first car came out a stern looking woman in her fifties hair pulled up in to a bun. She looked at everything with disdain before walking briskly off into the hospital with a security guard at her shoulder and what could only be a personal assistant scurrying behind the two,  that could only be Lillian Luthor, the matriarch of the Luthor household. The other town cars occupants had yet to get out but when they did she wad shocked to see Lena and a short blonde woman with shoulder length hair. Lena’s security guard hung back a respectful distance to the pair but still close enough to evacuate his charge if need be. Instead of heading in to the hospital Lena and the other woman headed towards the stage.   

It wasn’t long before the pair arrived backstage. Lena noticed Kara immediately and made a beeline for her ignoring everything going on. The blonde woman just humphed and followed.  

“Kara it’s wonderful to see you again, I didn’t think I would after our chance meeting. It didn’t even click that you might be working today. How are you?” Lena says.  

“I'm Good Lena, thanks for asking how are you? You must be very proud of the new hospital?” Kara replies.  

“I'm fine, busy busy. And yes i am.” Before the pair could be pulled in to their own world a deliberate but quite cough was heard from behind Lena.  

“Sorry Cat. Cat this is Kara El-Ze, Kara, Cat Grant.” Kara offered her hand towards Cat for a shake. “It’s nice to finally nice to meet you Miss Grant I’ve heard lots about you.” Kara offers as the pair shakes hand. “And what have you heard?” Cat says with an iconic raised eyebrow.   

“That you work your people hard but work twice as hard, that your pioneering a way for other women to step up to the plate and fill shoes mostly filled by men. That your a wonderful mother.” With the last comment Cat cuts Kara off. “And who is spouting that drivel” she says with a bit of acid in her tone. “Lois Lane.”   

Lena laughs at the mention of Lois's name. But cuts it short after a look from Cat.  

“And how do you know that Harpy from the planet.”  

“Calling your new editor-in-chief a Harpy isn’t nice.” Kara says straightening her spine a little ready to go on the offensive for Lois.  

“I know for a fact that the only people she's told is her direct family and that information has yet to be released to the public, which must make you the Kara that Lois always talks about.”  

“All I can tell you is that she told me, whether or not I’m the Kara she talks about you'll have to ask her.”  

“Oh, I don't have to. She told me that her father’s ward had returned from active service and had started at Wayne Securities. Your name is Kara, that’s a Wayne Securities Logo on your vest. I can put two and two together.” Kara laughs.   

“well it was nice seeing you Lena and it was nice to meet you Miss Grant but I have to get back to work.” Kara says. “You too Kara.” Lena and Cat both say at the same time.   

Kara goes off and checks in with the command centre confirming the sighting of Lena and Cat before continuing on with her rounds.  

Lena and Cat head off towards a trailer where they would wait until the ceremony.   

“So how did you meet Kara?” Cat asks as soon as they had sat down.  

“Met her in a coffee shop. She was nice. Didn’t judge me about being a Luthor. Asked me about work. Actually asked pointed questions about it. She seemed smart underneath the rough army exterior, though she didnt really seem to want to talk about her time in the army.”  

“That tracks with what Lois had told me. She’s quite accomplished though she doesn’t like to boast.   

Youngest woman to join the special forces. Has the highest score on the Special Forces Sniper school course and that score hasn’t been beaten. Spent a lot of time in the middle east as a solo operator. So wouldn’t be surprised if she has trouble with social encounters. Spent time at the special forces Sniper school as an instructor. Started her career as a private before making her way up through the ranks to Captain.”   

“Interesting.”  

The two women moved the conversation on to more mundane things before it was twelve o’clock and time for the ceremony. Cat squeezes Lena’s hand before leaving and heading towards the seating reserved for media.  

Lena met her mother backstage. “Was everything up to you specifications mother.” Lena asks. “it will do.” Lillian says before walking on stage with Lena following.   

Lena walks up to the podium set in the centre of stage. “Good afternoon National City. We are gathered here today for the opening of LuthorCorp’s flagship research hospital. The largest research hospital in the country. My mother Lillian Luthor will be Research director and CEO of the Hospital.” Lena went in to how many jobs the hospital hoped to make and the benefits of the hospital before closing her remarks and letting her mother take the podium and exiting the stage.  

Cat Joined Lena on her way back to the trailer.   

Kara noticed them as they where walking that a figure was lurking near the trailer and was suddenly briskly walking off.  Kara did a cursory glance over the trailer and noticed a bomb on the under carriage.   

“Control I have an unidentified suspect that was lurking near Trailer one and is now walking away, i believe they’ve planted a bomb. Permission to engage and disarm.”   

“Permission to engage authorised. Make sure all civilians are out of the area”  

“Copy control.”  

Kara got the attention of Lena’s Security guard and with some hand gestures relayed that there was a possible bomb and to Evac.   

“Cody, Go, Detain.” Kara says to her K-9 as she releases him from his leash. Cody goes bounding after the suspect, meanwhile Kara shimmies underneath the trailer and has a look at the bomb. Cody gives a bark to let Kara know he’s successful.   

“Control I have eyes on the bomb and suspect is detained.”  

 “Yes we see the suspect. Cody is sitting on his back. We have officers moving in. Do not touch that Bomb El-Ze. Let the NCPD handle it.” Bill says over comms.  

“Too late. My hands are in its guts. I’ve seen better made bombs in Afghanistan and Iraq.” She quips. “Give me five secs." Kara replies through her teeth which was currently holding her Combat knife. Her hands where occupied by wires and her OHT.  Using her enhanced vision she was able to see all the wires and figure out which one to cut and soon she had disarmed the bomb.  

“Control, Bomb is disarmed. Feel free to send in the EOD unit.” Kara says as he she goes over towards Cody and the suspect.  

“EOD Enroute. El-Ze we'll be having words. In the meantime keep the suspect detained till NCPD takes over.”  

“Copy Command.” Kara lifts the man up off the ground and ties his hands with plastic cuffs, as this was happening the cops where moving in. The EOD team towards the trailer and a detective towards Kara.  

“Hi, my name is Detective Maggie Sawyer. Is this the suspect?” She asks Kara.  

“Yes detective, my name is Kara El-Ze I work for Wayne Securities. I saw him lingering near the trailer and when Miss Luthor and Ms Grant moved towards it, he started to briskly walk off. I glimpsed a package on the underside of the trailer that wasn't there when I did my sweep this morning and concluded that it was most likely a bomb. I moved towards the trailer to confirm while I commanded Cody to detain the suspect while i went for the bomb.” Kara explained. The man decided this was the perfect time to but in and said, “Cat Grant is a traitor to mankind. Spouting for Alien rights. They don't belong here. Anyone that stands up for Aliens are traitors to the race and must be taken out.”  

Kara grew angry and lifted the man by the collar until his feet was off the ground. “Watch your tone. Aliens deserve the same rights as everyone else. And blowing people up is no way to show your discontentment.” Kara seethed before dropping him to the ground. “He’s all yours detective. I need to go and do another sweep of the grounds if there's nothing else that needs to be discussed.” 
“No there's nothing else that needs to be discussed as of right now, but here’s my card please call me by end of day there's something we need to discuss.” Maggie said as she motioned some uniformed police officers to take charge of the man. 

Kara took the offered card and nodded before taking Cody’s lead and heading off to do another sweep of the hospital grounds.   

It was an hour later after Bill had calmed down everyone and smoothed over feathers that he went hunting for Kara. He found her watching over the deconstruction of the stage, Cody loyally at her side.  

“We're wrapping up here. Frank is already waiting for you, Go drop Cosy off at the Kennel and once you return to the office, meet me in my office.” He says.   

“Copy that.” Kara says not wanting to dig the hole she dug herself any deeper.  

She found Frank leaning against the front of the SVU in the hospital parking lot. They greeted each other warmly before Frank opened up the back of the car for Cody. Once everyone was secured they drove to the Kennel. It didn’t take long to sign Cody back in and Kara was back in the car on the way to the office.   

Once at the office Kara went past her locker. Removed her bullet proof vest and hung it up inside the locker and put her handgun inside the Gun safe that was in her locker. Once she was presentable she headed up to Bill's office.  

Luckily he was alone and seemed calm. Kara knocked on the door.  

“Come, have a seat.” Bill says as he waves her in. Kara closes the door and sits herself in the seat in front of Bill's desk.  

“Firstly I want to say you and Cody did a good Job today. But what you did with the bomb was reckless. I know you have basic EOD experience through her time in the army and your used to working solo most likely with out having command in your ear. But you cant do that again. We are there as security, our number one priority is our clients and then civilians. You should of helped with evac and let the police do their job, also when I say something I expect you to follow it.”  

“I'm sorry Bill. I just reacted. And by the time you said don’t touch the bomb I was already inside it.  I'm sorry for any trouble I might of caused though.”  

“The EOD boys where impressed by your work and apparently their captain wants to give you a civilian commendation. Lillian Luthor is unimpressed by our security measures, she says that a bomb shouldn’t of been able to be planted in the first place. Ms Grant when told she was told she was the target just laughed and said she must be doing something right then.”   

“Mrs Luthor is right. It shouldn’t of happened. There was a hole in our perimeter that shouldn’t of been there. To plant the bomb he needed time. Which means both overwatch and our perimeter officers failed at their jobs.”  

“Your right and for the next couple of weeks the whole department is going to be running drills and training. Speaking of I want you to be the fox in these drills. Your training lends you to being the perfect foil to our team. And then you can show them what they did wrong. I also want you training the Overwatch team, not as snipers but as our eyes.”  

“I can do that sir. It will just be like the times we played war games in the army. I look forward to it.”  

“Alright. I’ll send through an email either today or tomorrow with all the details in the meantime go home and get some rest.”  

Kara left the office and started on her walk home. She decided she might as well ring the detective and see what she wanted.   

The phone rang and it wasn't long before it connected. “Sawyer.” The voice at the other end of the line answered. “Hello Detective, Its Kara El-Ze from bomb scare this afternoon, just calling you like you asked.” Kara replied.  

"Hey Kara, I’ve just finished work. Could you meet me at Al’s Bar.” Maggie says. Kara gives an affirmative after which Maggie rattles off the address not knowing that Kara already knew where it was. 
  

Maggie told her to wait for her put front as it required a password for entry. Kara decided to surprise the detective by being inside already. Kara noticed the galactic sign for sanctuary next to the door.  

She walks up to the door and taps on it quickly three times. A security slide opens at eye level, but before the person on the other side could say anything she flashes a holo of her family crest. “We all thought you where dead.” The voice says. “No the house of El and Ze lives on.” The person on the other side of the door unlocks it and opens it for Kara.  On the other side of the door was a large nondescript man. That was before he deactivated his personal Shape-Change, revealing a K'hund.  

“Everyone calls me Rudy, I'm the bouncer here. Welcome to Al's Bar. Everyone’s home a way from home. This place is a sanctuary, so no fighting and no selling.”  

Kara nods in understanding before heading down the flight of stairs and to the bar. No one gives her a second look but she doesn’t give anyone a second look either. She messages Maggie to say she is inside waiting for her.   

Kara orders a drink from the bar and slowly sips on it as she waits for Maggie. Ten minutes later she sees her coming down the stairs.  

“Afternoon detective. Interesting place you bought me too.” Kara says in greeting.  

“Afternoon Kara. Yes, I find it interesting how you got inside, but before questions are asked let’s grab a booth.” The detective says.  

The pair grab a booth as far from anyone else as they could. Kara notices a sound field up against the wall and activates it. Now at least they'll have privacy. Maggie arches her eyebrow at Kara for doing so.  

“So Detective Sawyer, how did you come to find an Alien Sanctuary?” Kara asks cutting right to the chase.  

“worked closely with the alien community in Gotham City when I worked there and when i moved to National City I dated a Roltikkon for two years. Buy I asked you here so you would be comfortable, when you went off at the suspect today your eyes briefly glowed. So either your a Meta human, an alien or something Mythical. And seeing as you talked your way inside I’m guessing Alien.”  

“And what do you want Detective?” Kara asked her voice sharp and deadly.  

Maggie realised maybe she should of left it be and ignored it given the deadly tone she was just given but she was already here so she might as well carry on.  

“I want nothing. I just wanted to let you know of your slip and to say I am her to help. But after looking you up I should of just left you alone. I am Sorry if I overstepped.” Maggie says.  

“You lucky I come from a place with honour. Otherwise you might of ended up in a ditch. Beware full with finding out secrets detective. Even more so revealing you know them.” Kara says as she stands up and finishes her drink and then says goodbye.   

On the walk home Kara scolds herself for losing control and revealing herself. Kara decides to give J’onn a call on one of his dead drop phones. “Hey J'onn. Had a run in with a detective Maggie Sawyer. Can you run a background on her and check her out to see if she’s above board.” Kara asks before ending the call.  

When Kara got home she changed in to Joggers and grabbed Kirkri’s lead so that the pair could go for a run. Kara had been neglecting Kirkri. Even though the beast understood.  

Chapter Text

When Kara got back from her run she rung Lois.  

“So I met your boss today, she called you a Harpy.” Kara opens with.   

“I heard, trying to defend my honour was very noble of you.” Lois laughed. “Also heard you saved her life and disabled a bomb. Which heads up, you’re going to be in the paper tomorrow.”  

“Oh Joy.” Kara deadpans.   

“Cat's written up the article herself. The only reason you didn’t get interview is because she found out about the NDA you signed.”  

“Well small mercies I suppose.” Kara says as she scratches kirkri on the head.   

The pair chat for another ten minutes before Lois says goodbye citing the need to work.   

When Kara got in to the office the whole floor went up in to a roar of cheers.   

“what’s all the racket for?” Kara asks Bill as the man walks up to her with a huge grin on his face.   

“Your front page news young lady.” Bill says as he hands over the paper.  

There on the front page is a picture of Kara standing next to Cody as the K-9 stands on the bombers back most of her face was hidden though. As well as a smaller photo of Kara underneath the trailer.   

Ex-Army Captain apprehends bomber while disarming Bomb at LuthorCorp event, Was the headline in bright red.  

“Well this is embarrassing.” Kara says.   

“You did good El-ze. While Wayne securities got a thorough drag through the mud for letting a bomb on sites you got a glowing review.”  

“All we can do is improve boss.” Kara replies.   

Kara went to her office and sent a message to Lois basically yelling at her for not saying she would be front page news.  

Over the next week working closely with Bill and Will, Kara came up with a training plan. She would start with  a two week intensive course for the guys working overwatch while Bill ran through drills with the officers and K-9 units on the ground. After that Kara would be the fox trying to get into the hen house. While overwatch and everyone else tries to stop her. After every run Kara would break down what happened and they would run it again, every time Kara would do something different.   

Bill and Will where concerned that one person wouldn’t be enough against the team after the drills. Kara just gave them a look that just conveyed a daring watch me.   

The two weeks working with the overwatch teams went quickly. They improved in leaps and bounds.   

When it came to Kara playing the Fox she was in and out of  the “Hen House" in under two minutes.  

They had been playing with paintball guns but Kara hadn’t fired a shot instead she knocked out one guard. Now in the debrief that guard was livid. Saying Kara went of script. Kara quickly shut him down saying “any operator worth their salt won’t fire their weapon on American soil. Instead taking out in non lethal ways is preferable because if they are caught they won’t be bought up on murder charges.”  

Kara and Bill worked the teams for a month before accepting another job. The new job was security for some celebrities Charity gala at one of the five-star hotels. There was no overwatch or K-9 units just security personnel at the entrances and exits and scattered around the Gala.   

Kara was with Bill in the command centre in a room next to the ballroom. The Gala went off with out a hitch and the teams where working much more seamlessly together. Something Kara had implemented was more regular check ins. As she thinks that it could of helped at the LuthorCorp event.   

Every night Kara would go to Al's Bar and get to know the local Alien community. She helped some find jobs and others housing.  Kara gave every non human presenting alien who didn’t have one a  shape-changer and upgraded the ones that did have one.   

When Kara wasn’t working she started building a company called Argo solutions. So that she had a company that she could put her patents and the money they could accrue would go too. She also hired some of the aliens she met at the bar who where out of work and where scientists on their home planet.   

Argo solutions focused on green initiatives such as Nuclear Fusion which would be a great leap forward compared to the currently used fission reactors. They also worked on defence solutions, Kara had already gotten a patent for a new type of body armour composite which was stronger and lighter than anything on the market and manufactures where buying the rights to the patent every which way. Kara had given the patent to Wayne industries to test and to start trying to sell it to the military months earlier. And when the tests had come back and every branch of the military wanted to use that’s when the patent started to sell.  

She hoped Argo would be the first company to publicly hire Aliens but until the government grants Aliens asylum that wasn’t going to happen.   

Kara also kept posting papers on scientific forums in her free time.  

Kara’s six months in events came and went with no further issues and so found herself in Will's office   

“I have your performance review. Apart from going above and beyond and disarming a bomb bill was very happy with how you went and is thankful for the extra training you gave everyone. He wants to keep you in events but I told him that it wasn’t possible. Congratulations you’ve passed your six month probation. I’ll let HR and Payroll know you’ll receive your new increased paypacket in the next pay period. Now I’m going to put you with Greg Kay, he’s one of our executive protection officers. You’ll spend two months working with him before he gives me an assessment and whether or not your good to go for One on One details.” Will says.  

“That’s it. Also try to stay out of the papers this time.” Adds on with a smile.  

“Thanks Will, and I’ll try" Kara replies with a smirk.   

“I’ll call Greg up now and do introductions. Then he’ll take you through everything you need to know.  

Greg came into the office a couple of minutes later. He was a large burly Scotsman late thirties early forties, dressed in a crisp black suit. After Will did the introductions Greg took Kara to his office where they chatted for forty minutes in which they discussed Kara's experience and Gregs time in the British Army and then they talked about the broad strokes of executive protection. Greg than grabbed one of the other officers and the three headed down to one of the training rooms where they ran through the basics. Kara picked it up quick and Greg was silently pleased.   

Nearly everyday Kara was on a Job with Greg, some where just single day jobs others where week-long. The two months went quickly and Kara was once again Kara was in Will’s office.  

“Well Greg is happy with you, he’s always pleased to work with ex-service people, strong foundation he says. He also said you caught things before he did which is impressive.” Not really that impressive when you have enhanced sense Kara thinks after Will’s praise. “So your good to go for one on one details. Which is a good thing. We just had a detail come across the desk that asked specifically for you. Cat Grant needs a detail, she is about to release an exposé on a gang that where targeting Aliens, killing or maiming them and selling drugs to at risk kids. The gang had links to the humanity first movement. She doesn’t want a bodyguard but her board doesn’t want to risk it either from the gang or humanity first. She had her own Security at her penthouse and at her work as well ad a driver so you’ll be in charge of getting her too and from her residence to her work. Seven fifteen pick up. You’ll stay with her on her floor until end of day where you will then escort her home. If she goes out anywhere your her shadow. I'll send the dossier across to her computer. You’ll start tomorrow.” Will explained before Kara left his office to go look at the dossier.   

Reading through it looked like Cat was getting daily death threats but didn’t take it seriously until her driver noticed someone following them when Cat picked up her son from day-care. Carter was only three. Kara would meet Cat in the lobby of her apartment complex escort her to and from her car and then would have a desk in front of Cat's along with her assistant Rachel who would everyday run Kara through Cat's schedule.   

Half the dossier was what they knew of the possible threats. One from the gang its self even though thanks to Cat a lot of them where in jail but even so criminals had pull even inside jail. The other threat was Humanity First a pro Human movement that started in the south after the news that Aliens where amongst the population post 9/11. They where now a nation wide movement and while 80% where deemed to not be a threat there was the 20% that where very vocal and had hands on with there distaste. Attacking Aliens and killing them. Of course the leaders of Humanity first like senator Miranda Crane decry the actions of those members. Kara was sure that they didn’t actually mind.   

Kara decided to go to the fortress and do some research in to humanity first, and so after work transmatted herself to the Arctic.   

After an hour of digging Kara had her own dossier, with emails from the leaders actually praising the work that their members where doing as well as plans for Senator crane to stonewall the Alien Amnesty act that had been on the congress floor for the pass year. There where links to more gangs around the country as well as foreign ties, most likely those foreign ties where just using it to sow discontent within the country than actually believing the cause.   

Instead of info dumping on to the Web like last time Kara sent an Email from a burner account to Ms Grant as well as J’onn with all the information. Sure that she would do her own investigating and publish the story when it was all verified.  

Afterwards Kara did some training under red sun lamps but notices that it was talking longer and longer for her to feel her powers drain. It was something to look in to when she had more time.   

Kara returned to her apartment and got changed so she could walk Kirkri. Before heading order take-out and going to bed.  

Kara woke up at five, got changed in to Joggers before going on an hour long run with Kirkri. After returning to her apartment for a shower.  

She put on her usual black suit and Combat boots before she headed to the kitchen and started breakfast. She had already figured out last night that it would take half an hour to walk to Ms grants Apartment building and so at six thirty left the apartment so that she was early.  

Ms Grant arrived in the lobby at exactly seven fifteen.   

“Ah Kiera how wonderful to see you again if your to be my shadow your to be seen and not heard, I hate the fact I had to hire you.”  

“Good morning Ms Grant and its Kara not Kiera.” Kara said and she fell in to step with Ms Grant.   

The doorman opened the door to the outside, Kara was half a step in front of Cat as they exited.   

Cat's driver was already at the driver’s side rear passenger door and opened it as they approached. Kara did a quick scan of the car with her vision but found nothing.   

They both slid in to the car, Cat first then Kara the driver closing it after them. A Moment later the car started and they where moving.  

“So Kiera, you seemed chummy with Lena at the LuthorCorp event”  

“Its Kara Ms Grant and if you can’t be respectful and use my name properly I’ll ask someone else to take over I won’t take being disrespected.”  

Cat smiled. “I like a girl with backbone. I apologise Kara.”  

“And to answer your question we have only ever met the one time before the event. A chance encounter at a Cafe.”  

Cat just hummed as she started to look through her emails. Kara saw her open her emails and there at the top was hers. Cat opened it and stilled and dropped her phone in her lap.  

“Everything alright Ms Grant" Kara asks. The question broke the spell that held the other woman.  

“Yes Kara, fine. A story of mine just got a whole lot bigger if this email is true.”  

Cat picked up her phone and dialled a number. As soon as it was picked up on the other end Cat started talking. “Rachel, pull my story from print and Call Snapper and Lois get them to come in early and straight to my office.” The person at the other end replied and Cat hung up and started to read the email more fully. 15 minutes later they where at the office. The driver opened the door and Kara stepped out and scanned the area before letting Cat out which caused the C.E.O to hurumph at her.  

The pair walked in to the building, briefly stopping at the security desk to get Kara a pass before heading to Cat’s private elevator.   

“Your lucky you don’t smell or use awful perfume, I never let other people use my elevator.” Cat says.   

Kara doesn’t say anything just stands there quietly as they went up.   

As they exited the elevator Kara let out a breathe. It was a smaller elevator than she was used to. Nearly big enough for three people.    

They were met by Cat's assistant who instantly started prattling on about what was happening in the day.   

The three of them walked towards Cat’s office. Kara stood outside as the assistant gave Cat her debrief before she came out closing the door to Cat’s office.  

“Hi, I’m Rebecca, I’m Cat’s assistant. Your desk is right here across from mine. Your computer has access to CCTV and Cat’s Calendar. Today should be easy for you as she just cancelled all her appointments for the day, something has come up with her latest piece.” The brunette says.  

“Thanks, It's nice to meet you Rebecca. Does Ms Grant always call people by the wrong name?” Kara asks. Rebecca laughs. “Yes no one knows why though. Any ways let me quickly show you around the office.” Rebeccas shows Kara the break room and bathrooms before returning to their desks. Where they both sat down. Rebecca already deep in to work. Kara accessed the CCTV to see if there were any blind spots and to see what to look out for.  

Half an hour later. Lois and a middle-aged man with a sour face strolled on to the floor and headed straight to Cat’s Office. Lois gave Kara a smile before going in.  

The first day was boring but Kara knew this going in. Plus she was used to waiting for long periods of time she was a sniper after all. Cat, Lois and Snapper were in the office all morning before Lois and Snapper left to do what Cat asked of them. Meanwhile Cat was tapping a way at her keyboard with her phone between her shoulder and ear.  

By six o’clock the bullpen was empty once again save for Kara, Rebecca and Cat.  

By Seven Rebecca left saying a quick goodbye.  

It wasnt till nine o’clock that Cat stopped and noticed the empty bullpen save for Kara.  

Cat Called Kara into her office. “I need a drink, would you care for one.” knowing that alcohol did nothing to her she nodded her head. Cat poured a finger of scotch in to two glasses then headed for her balcony while Kara followed. They sat in reclining chairs in silence as they sipped the scotch.  

The two didn't chat but sat in companionable silence until both had finished their glasses. Cat collected them and put them away. She dialled her driver who said he’d be there in five minutes.  

The two women collected their things and headed down stairs where they said goodbye to the night guards and waited for the driver.  

It was the same thing as the morning, the driver got out and opened the back-seat and waited for the women to enter before closing the door and getting in himself.  

Once Cat was safely in her elevator Kara paused to make sure she got in to her apartment okay before she turned and started her walk home.  

Chapter Text

For the first week Cat didn’t leave her office except to go home. Though after the first night she made sure she left by five, five thirty at the latest, so she could spend time with Carter.   

Her exposé went from being a multi-page publication to a special edition. The information she received from the anonymous email was double checked by both her and either Lois or Snapper, and also verified by outside sources. The week after the email, Cat launched the special edition. At first it was quite, then soon the phone was running off the hook, and Cat was fielding calls from the Justice Department, the D.A's office and Senators from the Hill.  

The public outcry was enormous. They demanded for the resignation of the C.E.Os that were implicated and for Senator Crane to step down immediately. The Senate held an emergency meeting where they decided to put senator Crane on leave until the Justice Department conducted an investigation into the allegations.   

It took a couple of days for things to return to normal, or to as normal as a day could be for Cat. It took the D.A.s office and the Justice Department a month for their own investigation, with the help of Cat and her information and sources to get enough information, to indict Senator Crane, some of her cronies and multiple C.E.O's along with a whole slew of others. The public was crying for blood so the cases were fast tracked through the system.   

Three months after the drop of the special edition everyone who was indicted was charged, it was the first time in a long time that a sitting Senator was charged with jail time.  

It had been four months since Kara had started working with Miss Grant, but that time was now over. Cat had decided the worst was over and no longer needed her services. So for the first time in four months she was at the Wayne securities offices giving Will a debrief. They had done weekly phone debriefs but this was the official debrief. It went smoothly and Kara was commended for doing a good job. Kara took the praise but didn’t believe it. All she did for four months was walk Cat to and from her car and spent the majority of the time spent time sitting at a desk. Though during that time she had filed another four patents and written a dozen papers.   

Argo solutions was doing well. Kara's patents were getting recognised and the company was mentioned in a science magazine as an up-and-coming company to look out for.   

Kara was contacted one night by her old squad leader. Everyone was in town and were going to catch up. So that’s how Kara found herself in a serviceman’s bar on the edge of town. They were swapping war stories as after Kara left the squad was split up and used to fill out other squads.   

Kara was talking to George who was their front doorman when they worked together. He lost his leg in a blast. That got Kara thinking about prosthetics and augmentations. After drinking their fair share and playing multiple rounds of pool and darts the team said their goodbyes and promises to stay in touch.   

Kara couldn’t stop thinking about George and so pulled up medical journals from the fortress. In one night with out sleeping she had written a paper on prosthetics and posted it to a medical journal site.   

The next day was Saturday, so Kara spent her time in the fortress working on a prototyping a prosthetic using human resources but Kryptonian designs. She worked all weekend without sleep, and on Monday, she applied for a patent. Kara hired her first lot of humans for Argo Solutions an osteo surgeon specialising in prosthetics and a couple of engineers. Their goal, to take Kara's prototype to market. Kara’s goal was to be able to make multiple models from cheap affordable ones that anyone could afford to expensive ones. But both had to work exactly as the replacement limb. She even planned on making military grade prosthetics so that soldiers weren’t immediately discharged.   

A month after finishing with Cat, the sensors at the fortress went off. Luckily it was a Sunday.   

Kara was in her apartment when the sensors went off so was in the fortress in a flash.  

Four Kryptonian cruisers had just entered the solar system. She sent a ping to the ships, but it was ignored. Not good. Kara thought. She would have to wait a couple of minutes for them to pass Jupiter to hack their systems.   

Couple of minutes later they were close enough to one of Kara’s satellites orbiting Jupiter that she was able to hack their systems.  

Dru-Zod. Not good, Not good. Kara sent an alert to J'onn. Then sent a message to the Cruisers.   

“You have entered the Sol system, this system is protected by Kara El-Ze, Archon of the house of El, Warlady of the house of Ze, Chatelaine of the houses and Claimant of the Red Shard.  

 You will halt all movements and await further instructions.”   

Hopefully they followed the instructions. Kara could defeat the four cruisers, but that would reveal the weapon platforms in orbit, which Kara didn’t want to do. Kara's mind went in to overdrive.  

They hadn’t stopped and so Kara grew desperate.   

“I Kara El-Ze Challenge the disgraced Dru-Zod for his illegal command by trial of combat in the challenge circle by the old ways.”  

There was a minute where nothing happened when Kara got a reply. The challenge was accepted.   

Kara refused the challenge circle on board their ship and refused to let them closer to earth. So sent them coordinates to the far side of Mars.   

She quickly linked the weapons platforms to her biosigniture so if she died they would automatically activate. She also fabbed some Kalex units with cloaks so she wasn’t completely alone.  

She activated her war suit and Transmatted to the coordinates. Now all she had to do was wait.  

An hour later a dropship entered the atmosphere. It quickly landed and out came Dru-Zod followed by a platoon of soldiers. They walked from the ship and surrounded Kara. A soldier a head taller than Zod stepped forward. Their rank of captain embolized on their shoulder.  

“Kara El-Ze, Dru-Zod accepts the challenge but does not recognise your claims. As you challenged him in the old ways it will be to the death  and he will choose the weapon as is his right as challenged. Know that with your death we will conquer this system and build a new Krypton.”  

“You have no right to Conquer Dru-Zod" Kara spat out. “Do your soldiers know that you where stripped of rank for the massacre on Hayla-Four? You escaped before judgement could be properly served, otherwise you would be dead. I will gladly ensure judgement is passed properly this time.”  

Some of the soldiers looked shock and the captain gave a quick look to Zod who stepped forward.   

“Its going to be a pleasure to kill you whelp. We fight with Skirns and Body.” He says as he draws a wicked blade from his back.  

The soldiers quickly draw a circle and then surround it leaving Kara and Zod alone in the middle.   

Kara draws her own blade in a reverse grip and waits.  

“This circle is sacred and final. May Roa's blessing be upon you both and his will be done. Begin.”  

Zod moved fast. But kara had been under Sol's sun for so long that to her he was moving like he was in molasses.  He hadn’t been in atmosphere long enough to give him a lot of extra power. Even though they had been in system for several hours, but Kara knew that Kryptonian ships where well shielded and so Sol would of had no effect on them in the ship. Kara had the advantage, she easily blocked his slash and punched him in the solar plexus. Kara was umming and aaring over whether or not to drag out the fight out. But decided it was better to end it quick. If Zod had the full powers of Sol at his disposal Kara might have been screwed, he was a general and a ruthless one at that, but he didn’t so Kara quickly disarmed him at the next opportunity before getting behind him and snapping his neck. The fight lasted less than a minute.   

Just as Kara snapped Zod's neck Clark floated down from the sky.  

“Kara! What have you done?!” Clark shouted as he landed and stalked towards Kara.   

The captain steps in between Clark and Kara  

“Her Ladyship survived a trial of combat within the challenge circle by ancient kryptonian law Kara El-Ze is the victor. Show some respect. By right of trial Roa's will has been done. You challenged for the right to command and so it is now yours.” The tall soldier says saluting Kara. The other soldiers quickly following suit.  

Clark look horrified.  “You just can’t kill people Kara. It’s wrong.”  

“Do not demean our customs outsider. It was either Her life or His.” The Captain seethes at Clark. Towering over him.   

“Do not judge what you do not understand Clark. Zod was a war criminal and was coming to earth to conquer it. You would of stood no chance. I enacted ancient law to stop him. Leave Clark. Actually read what I’ve given you before you judge my actions.”  

Clark just looked at Kara with horror in his eyes. “I'm going to talk to Diana about you. You have to be stopped.” Clark says before launching off.  

“Will he be a problem your Ladyship?”  

“Nothing I can’t handle captain.” Kara replies. “Leave Sol and go searching for survivors of Krypton’s destruction. But there will be a time that I will call for you and expect you to answer it. If you find a General or Council member put yourself under their command.”  

“Yes, Your Ladyship.” The Captain said saluting once more before giving orders for the platoon to move out. “What are your plans for the body my lady?” they ask.  

“Nothing. It can rot. He was disgraced in the eyes of Rao for his actions he does not deserve burial rights.” Kara says with a blank expression.  

“As you say your Ladyship." The captain says giving the body a final look before joining their troops in the dropship.   

Kara waited for the ship to leave atmo before leaving herself. Back at the fortress she watched the ships on sensors turn around and enter hyperspace. Kara took the time to clean her armour and blade which she also sharpened before she returned to her apartment where a concerned Kirkri in War cat form was waiting, their bond did not stretch to Mars.   

Kara sat on the couch and ate a sticky bun while patting the giant cat and sank in to a meditation to calm her nerves after the fight and her anger at Clark.  

Chapter Text

It was a couple of months after the Zod incident and Kara was having a drink with Lois at the bar at the airport.  The family had just had a girls weekend together. Lucy was flying commercial back to D.C leaving Lois and Kara alone in National city. 

While the pair where having drinks the T.V.’s over the bar switched to an emergency news report. A plane that had just left National City Airport had one of its engines stop mid ascent. It was now in an uncontrolled decent into National City.   

“Lucy!” Lois gasped.   

Kara cocked her head and listened. Yep Lucy was definitely on that flight. Kara gave Lois a look.   

“You can’t expose yourself Kara it’s too risky.” Lois whispered.  

“I have to. It’s Lucy. Plus that plan has hundreds of other people on board and it’s also heading for the city. I can do something. I have to do something.” She skulled her drink and got up out of her chair “Grab your camera and go to the airfield ”   

Kara gave Lois her jacket and headed for the door. She entered an alleyway, made sure there were no cameras or people around and jumped up on to the roof before activating her war suit. She had upgraded her war suit with aerojets to compensate for the fact she couldn’t fly. At least not yet. She hypothesised that given more time she might be able to but her suit will have to do in the mean time.   

She roof jumped until she was underneath the plane. It was still several thousand feet above the city but it was falling fast.   

Kara put all her strength in to her jump. She was moving so fast that the news report thought a missile had been launched at the plane.  

Kara reached the belly of the plane and with the ignition of her aerojets stopped her ascent. She grabbed on to the underside of the plane. Using her strength she pushed the nose up. She linked in to the pilots headsets.   

“Evening Gentleman, as you’ve noticed I’ve righted the plane. I have minor manoeuvrability so if you could start to move towards the airfield I will try to keep us all stable."  

The pilots pause not knowing what to do.   

“Flight 479, this is flight control do as instructed and hopefully you’ll get home."  

The pilots weren’t going to kick a gift gorse in the mouth and just rolled with it and aimed for the airfield.   

Kara would later find out it was thanks to J'onn that flight control stepped in. Apparently he knew the control manager.   

They slowly descended in to the airfield and Kara lessened her hold on the plane. The pilots lowered the landing gears and with some thrust from the aerojets began to glide into land. They where still coming in to fast and so Kara dropped to the ground and as soon as she touch the ground jumped up towards the plane again this time aiming for the nose so she could hopefully stop some of its momentum. Using her vision she looked through the metal to find the struts so she had something solid to hold on too.  

The tires hit the ground but the plane was still going to fast and so Kara dug her heels in to the ground. Tarmac ripped to pieces around her feet but the plane began to slow. The pilots also put the flaps down to make more drag to try and help.  

Eventually the plane stopped just shy of the grass surrounding the landing strip. Kara cocked her ear to listen inside the plane to make sure everyone was okay. She found Lucy’s heartbeat in a second, it was fast but nothing to indicate anything wrong. Kara then heard the Sirens of the emergency services coming from the airport.   

It was time for her to leave. She stepped out from under the nose of the plane, gave the pilots a salute then jumped over the security fence nearby and disappearing.   

As she made her way in to the city she got a text for Sam. Just four simple words.   

Thank you. I'm Sorry.  

Why was Sam sorry. Kara put it out of her mind and went in to the city.  

Kara went directly to CatCo to make an appearance to Cat and give an interview, Kara needed to control the narrative as much as possible. Cat would be impartial and also Kara had a hunch that she could be trusted. Maybe not straight away. But an ally in the making for sure.   

Kara landed on Cat’s balcony, Cat was sitting inside at her desk scribbling away. Kara knocked on the window. Cat turned around in her chair shocked. It was the first time Kara had seen Cat not composed. Cat quickly schooled her features and rose from her chair and walked over to the glass door.   

“The Mysterious Being that saved a plane from crashing in to the city is here at my doorstep. Too what do I owe the pleasure of your visit?” Cat asks.  

“I want to tell my story, and I’ve done my research. Your impartial and do your research. I would of gone with Ms Lane but she wouldn’t be able to be impartial." Kara says.  

“And why would Ms Lane not be able to be impartial. It’s part of the reason I hired her.”  

“I saw her hugging a woman as they came from the plane. Girlfriend or sister I think.” Kara says even though she knew the truth. “Also she is still thought of as Superman’s reporter."  

“Sister I believe.” Cat says. “and what’s your problem with the man in tights?”   

Kara laughed.   

“Can we sit and we can start?” Kara asks.  

“Of course. Are you going to take off that helmet?”  

Kara activated her shape-changer, darkening her hair. Elongating her ears, making her eyes a brighter blue and changing her bone structure. A photo search wouldn’t show up any matches but she still looked close enough to be Kara.   

She then deactivated her helmet that split up and retracted in to her suit.  

Cat was shocked. In front of her was a human presenting woman in her late twenties early thirties. She was stunning. The woman’s hair was in a tight knotted bun that showed off her elongated ears which wasn’t the only thing that showed her not quite humanness. Her eyes were a bright blue to bright for a natural human and her movements where unnaturally gracefully and smooth.   

“Do you have a name I could call you? Cat asks.  

“Nothing I can share or is pronounceable. But call me b y thgr, which in my language means leader. For I am Archon of my fathers house Warlady of my Mother’s and Chatelaine of the Great Houses.”   

Great, Cat thought she was talking to Alien royalty.   

“Where are you from?” Cat asks.  

“Krypton” Kara says with a sad look.  

“The same as Superman.”  

“That child is no Kryptonian.” Kara Spat. “He was a babe when he left Krypton. He never learned the language, the laws, the customs.” Kara stopped and breathed for a second. “And anyway he is outcast. He is of no house.” Kara knew that Clark would lash out at Kara for that comment. “is that why his costume has changed over the years?” Cat inquires. “Yes, He had no Claim to the emblem on his chest and so he became postulant to my house but he disgraced it, so it was removed.”  

Cat smartly moved on.  

“Where you the same being that removed Superman from metropolis when he attacked the Alien crossing the street.”  

“Yes, I assessed the situation and his response was wrong and aggressive. So I removed him and talked to him. Hopefully he has learnt from his mistakes. As I would hate for him to go to far on the wrong person. As any Kryptonian on Earth would be under my judgement. And as he has already been judged multiple times drastic measures would have to be taken. Kryptonian law is much harsher than human Law.” Kara explains.  

“I'm sure that the Alien you stepped in for is thankful for stepping in.” Cat pauses before continuing. “Superman said he was the last. That his planet was destroyed. How are you here?”  

“I was around twenty of your earth years when I left which means I remember my parents, I Remember Rao’s red light rising through the crystal spires of my home city. I left in a ship only minutes after his but those minutes meant that I saw the desolation of my planet, the great crystal cities on fire. Then the planet exploded as I was entering hyperspace and it knocked me in to an alternate dimension called the phantom zone where time doesn’t pass and you live in eternal darkness. I was stuck in the phantom zone for twenty-five of your earth years before I came out. I arrived at earth and superman was all grown. I had failed my people. I’ve hid on earth since. And only revealed myself to remove superman before he could make a mistake. And then tonight happened. Tonight thousands would of died. And I was close and I could do something. And before you ask. I didn’t think that earth needed another hero. We aren’t gods. We can not be everywhere at once. But tonight lit something in me. I can help so many people. I can be a force for good. A champion for the alien community. I don’t want to take away the Jobs of our emergency services so only when an emergency is dire will I step in. Death is apart of life. We just have to remember to celebrate life and accept that death is apart of that.  

I want to help the emergency services and the government with the alien community. They are not here to take over. Many are here because they had no where else to go or like me crashed here and can’t leave. The rest are here because their family are here or are multiple generations in on being on earth. I hope one day I can reveal who I have been and don’t have to hide” Kara says.   

“I'm so sorry for you loss Bythgr.” Cat butchered the pronunciation making it sound like Bertha. But Kara couldn’t care at that point.   

The pair sat in silence.   

Kara stood to leave.  

“Please whatever you do don’t call me Supergirl or Superwoman.”  

Cat chuckled. “As you wish Archon."  

It didn’t feel right but it was miles better than being called Supergirl or Superwoman, She didn't want to be connected to Clark.  

“Please no. I don’t need people thinking I’m high and mighty.” Kara thought for a second and then remembered one of her favourite stories her aunt used to tell her. “Call me Flamebird.”  

Kara took off and then listened for Lois and Lucy’s heartbeat. They where at Lois's. So Kara headed there.  

Before she could reach Lois's. She was attacked. As she was jumping over an alley she was hit in the chest by something solid.   

She careened in to the ground. Suddenly the alley was alight with a green glow and she was shot with a dozen liquid green darts. None of the darts could penetrate Kara’s armour and just pinged off the metal. Kara rolled up off the ground and crouch in a defensive position.   

She was surrounded by a dozen D.E.O agents. What was J'onn thinking Kara thought.   

A couple of agents stepped forward with stun batons.  

She quickly disarmed them. The rest of the soldiers either tried to shoot her with more darts or stun darts. Nothing worked. Kara quickly disarmed them and knocked them all out. She pulled out an earpiece from one of the soldiers than spoke. “If you wanted a meeting all you had to do was ask. Attack me again and I won’t be so kind.” Kara's voice was full of betrayal and venom.  

Kara arrived at Lois's apartment soon after still seething with anger.  

She schooled her face and stuffed her anger in a box for later. Lois and Lucy needed her.  

Kara knocked on the door. Lois opened the door and as soon as she say it was Kara dragged her through the door and gave her a big hug. “Thank you.” Lois whispers in her ear.  

 As soon as Lois let go Lucy was there giving her a hug. Lucy and Kara went to the couch to sit while Lois went to get another wine glass.  

Lois returned and sandwiched Lucy between her and Kara.  

The trio drank wine and talked about what happened. Their fears. Kara banned them from thanking her after the fifth time they did it.  

Lucy and Lois fell asleep after an hour of chatting.   

Kara got up and headed to the roof she needed answers.   

She called Sam. Before she could talk Sam was talking. “I'm sorry but the joint chiefs ordered the D.E.O to detain you. I voted against it but was out numbered. Please don’t be mad at J'onn he was following orders. I’m glad your safe.”  

“Next time ask. Or soldiers will return with more than just a bruised ego." Sam laughed.  

“Thanks again Kara. I know this was a big thing for you but it was even a bigger thing for me.”  

“Lucy is family of course I saved her. I’ll talk to you later Sam. Goodnight.”  

The next morning every paper and news outlet where running stories about the flying figure. But all their photos or video where grainy or out of focus except CatCo's and the Tribune’s. Lois had been able to snatch her DSLR from the car and caught multiple photos, the best three being, Kara with the plane on her back, the next with her pushing on the planes nose to halt it and lastly the salute to the pilots.  

Lois's photos went along with Cat’s interview which riled up a storm.   

Flamebird was introduced to the world.   

Most people where accepting of her.   

Except for the anti-alien community and the superman apologists.   

Kara was sitting at her desk writing up a report after her most recent Job when a call from down stairs interrupts her.   

“I'm sorry to interrupt you Ms El-Ze but there is a Clark Kent here to see you.” Paul says.  

“Tell Mr Kent that I'm unavailable.” Kara says. Then under her breath not loud enough for human ears but loud enough for Clark to hear. “Leave Clark. There is nothing for me to say to you.”  

“Of course Ms El-Ze.” Paul says before hanging up.   

Kara could hear Clark arguing with the Guards down stairs.  

It wasn’t until Paul threaten legal action if Clark didn’t remove himself from the premises did the man leave.  

An hour later Kara’s phone rang. Looking at the caller I.D she was shocked to see it was the head office of Wayne Enterprises.  

Kara picks up the phone and hears the tell tale signs of an encryption kicking in.  

“Hello Kara El-Ze speaking.”   

“Kara. We need to meet.” The voice of Bruce Wayne says.  

“Do we? Because if it’s about our mutual nuisance, there’s nothing to say. And he never should of bought it to your attention. He revealed my secret to you with out my permission.”  

Bruce laughs. “I’ve never seen him so riled up before. Diana and I are concerned. Also he bought forward complaints about you. We want to hear your side.”  

“What happened was something he has no right to judge on. I have no need to defend myself to you or Diana, Mr Wayne. Good day.” Kara says hanging up on him.  

That night Kara was lounging around her apartment when she hears the tell tale signs of people landing on her balcony. There was a knock on her sliding door leading to her balcony.   

Kara turned to her balcony and saw Superman, Wonder Woman and Batman standing there.  

Kara got up and opened stepped outside closing the door behind her. Before anyone could say anything. Kara activated a transmat that she organised earlier, knowing neither Clark or Bruce could let go.  

The transmat, transported them to the training room in the fortress. Which Kara had locked down earlier and put the light to emit red sun energy.  

Clark immediately staggered under the loss of his powers. Kara didn’t as her cells held Sol’s energy and would only dissipate after days under the red sun lamps or if she used her powers extensively.    

“What did you do to him" Bruce demanded.  

“Watch your tone Bruce. All I did was take away his powers. And before you ask. Yes I know it’s you Bruce. Same heartbeat.”  

“Kara all we want to do is talk." Diana says.  

“And as I told Bruce there is nothing to talk about. Speaking of. Clark you had no right to reveal my secret to Bruce. It wasn’t yours to tell.”  

“You killed someone Kara, like it was nothing.” Clark says enraged.  

“It wasn’t nothing. It was everything. I took no pleasure in it but it was the only way. He was on his way to conquer earth. And he would of wiped the floor with you. He was Krypton’s most aggressive General until he went to far on a mission and was brought up on charges, he escaped before he could face justice.   

What I did was save earth. What I did was enact ancient Kryptonian Law, which I have told you to read. And part of that law is that such a fight in the challenge circle is to the death. As is Rao's will. It was me or him. You do not get to judge me for following through. For saving earth.”  

“This isn’t Krypton Kara. This is earth.”  

“Don’t you think I know that. I remember Krypton every day. It might be gone but it lives on through me. And I know I am not the last Kryptonian as shown by Dru-Zod appearing. Other Kryptonians aren’t going to care about Earth laws. Hell, most aliens dont care about earth law. They will care about Galactic standard Law and Kryptonian law. Hence why you need to know it. I will not say it again. My threat stands. Do better Clark. And you two do not interfere in things you so not understand.” With a wave of her hand the three where transmatted away. Clark to Metropolis, Bruce to Gotham city and Diana to Jump city.  

Kara sat on the floor of the training room with her eyes closed imagining the red glow was Rao's Light.   

Meanwhile Bruce was thinking. He was surprised when Clark revealed Kara's identity and would have to keep a closer eye on her. He soon got a call from Diana.  

With no preamble Diana speaks. “She’s right you know. We had no right to interfere. Clark over stepped by the sounds of it and has fucked up by not knowing Kryptonian customs, laws and culture. Also he also shouldn’t of told you her identity.   

I’ll reach out to her and ask for a copy of the laws. If they are anything like what I think they are, what she did was just. If I am able to get a copy I’ll send it too you as well and after reading them talk to Clark. He’s on thin ice and if we want Superman to continue being around he can’t keep antagonising her. She’s threatened to take his powers away if messes up again. And yes I believe she can do it and would do it. You cant deny he has had some major fuck ups.”  

“We acted on the Intel we had. Which is another strike against Clark. If he had actually studied his culture like you said we might not be in this mess with an angry Kryptonian. I thought Clark was ready for more responsibility but apparently not. We will have to adjust our plans.” Bruce replies.   

“If things work out we might ask her instead of Clark.”  

“Lets see how things work out first before any more planning.”  

“Agreed. I'll let you know how my talk with Kara goes and one more thing don’t look in to her just let her be for now.” Diana says before hanging up.  

Kara returned to her apartment hours later. She had thought long and hard and had come to the decision that she could no longer work for Wayne Securities. She didn’t know Bruce and after what happened doesn’t trust him. So she decided that she would remove herself from his company. Argo solutions was taking off and there was more need for her to act as C.E.O. She had also heard from her old squad that in the coming months they were all retiring from the Army, so maybe she could start her P.M.C with her old squad.   

Also she wanted to spend more time doing alien activism. California was well on its way to being the first state to think of Aliens as refugees rather than an infestation and National City was spearheading those reforms as they realised that they had the largest alien community in the country. Kara was hopeful but realistic.   

Kara also knew now that she came out as Flamebird there would be times that she would have to get away quickly and it would be easier if she was her own boss.  

So Kara sat down at her desk and sent an email giving her two week notice.  

Chapter Text

The next day Kara was called in to Will's office.   

“Are you sure about this Kara?” Will asks.  

“Yes Will, I am. Things have changed and I can no longer work here" Kara kept the reason to herself not wanting to cause strife. “Also as you know, I started my own company and it needs me more and more so I'll be stepping up as full time C.E.O. I'm thankful for the opportunities you’ve given me.”  

“Not a problem Kara. Just know you’ll always have a job here if you need it.”  

“Thanks Will.” Kara says as she goes and leaves his office and set about the rest of her day.  

That night Kara decides to go to Al's. She’s sitting at the bar talking to Al and the changes happening in National City. More and more Aliens are seeming to settle here and Al’s is getting to small to cater to the growing community. So Kara asks if Al was willing to move.  

He was.  

They spent a good hour looking through possible new venues on Kara’s tablet, when they see an old warehouse that was perfect but out of Al's price range. Kara said that she would buy it for him. As she said that it was important that Aliens had a place to go.  

Al tried to refuse but Kara pulled out the big guns, as Archon it was her responsibility to provide for Imperial citizens. And Al's was an important waystation.   

She also said she wanted to start a program to help settle Aliens in to National City. And that she would fund it.    

She trusted Al to give money to those who needed it, so gave him access to a discretionary fund until she could organise a proper program.  

Al refused Kara's money that night saying that she was a business partner now and was doing him and the community a huge favour.  

Kara did the rounds going and checking in with regulars and talking to new arrivals.   

Upon leaving the bar Kara decided that she was going to buy an apartment complex close to where Al’s will be so that she can rent them out to her fellow Aliens until they where on their feet.  

The two weeks went fast with only a couple of single day jobs.   

It was Kara’s final day with Wayne Securities so she was finishing off the last of her reports and doing her exit paper work. She had an exit interview with HR in the afternoon, then she was free.   

That weekend Kara got a message from J'onn asking for an official meet up with Flamebird.   

Kara agreed but only with him and one other. They met outside of National city. J'onn was accompanied by a short red haired woman.  

Kara was fully armoured, helmet and all.   

“Hello Flamebird, My name is Hank Henshaw I’m Director of the Department of Extranormal Operations. Which is a Government funded policing force for Aliens. And this is Agent Danvers. My second.”  

Kara pointed a finger at Alex. “Your the one that shoot me out of the sky and tried to take me against my will.”  

Alex gulped, but nodded her head.  J'onn cut in saying “She was following my orders. Which came from the joint chiefs. We apologise if we offended you. But every Superpowered being or Alien has to come in.”  

“Ha. Don’t lie to me. Superman never got this treatment.  The Joint chiefs were scared of me. An unknown. They didn’t know my name. Let alone my race or gender. And that scared them.  

You should know better than to try to apprehend a superpowered being by force Hank. It isn’t a good start to relations. But I’m feeling generous. What do you want?” Kara says.   

“We want to know your intentions on the record.” J'onn says.  

“As I told Cat Grant and the rest of the world . I want to help. I want to be useful. That plane would of killed thousands and caused millions of dollars in damage. I was nearby and I could help so I did. I will not be like superman and but in to every little thing. That’s what the Police force, fireman and paramedics are for. I’ll help with major events and anything Alien related." Kara explains.  

“Thats what we are afraid of. The DEO is there to Police Aliens.”  

“And what a bang up job you’ve done. The Alien population is scared of you. Instead of making inroads into the community you march in and give orders and take them away at a whim. You need to be less iron fist and more velvet glove.” Kara cut in.   

“And I suppose you think you can do a better job.” Alex sneers. J'onn gives her a disappointed look before Kara says. “As I said in my interview which you should of read before meeting me. I am an Archon of Krypton. We were an empire. I have more pull within the Alien community than you, also more tact. I’ve been helping them since I arrived.”  

“Okay then Princess what do you recommend.” Alex says saccharinly

“Do not mock me Agent. If you mock me or my culture again I will give you more than a bruised ego.” Kara said voice dripping with venom.  

“Hank this is over. I will not interfere with local law enforcement unless an alien is being abused. You and your organisation need to step up and be a force for good. Stop scaring the Alien population and start helping them. Most of the time it’s Humans being prejudiced against them or its a cultural misunderstanding. Also keep your dog on a leash.” Kara says sneering at Alex before zipping away then transmitting herself when she was far enough away.   

“I told you not to antagonise her, instead now we have a pissed off Kryptonian. We need her on our side. As she said she has clout within the Alien community. I’m sure if she wanted she could rally them to her. When we get back to base your officially off of Ops. I want you to read what we have on Kryptonian culture and once your done tell me what you found and how you messed up." J'onn says to Alex.  

Alex bows her head know she fucked up. She wasn’t built for relations. At first she was a Trauma Doctor and Combat Medic with the army. She wasn’t trained to deal with civilians or other personnel she didn’t need too.  

And when her father passed away, she drank herself to oblivion and got dishonourably discharged and lost her girlfriend. Hank pulled her out of a local lock up. She owed everything to Hank and she hated to disappoint him. “Now I have to find a way to salvage what relationship we can with them.”  

“I'm sorry Director, I don’t know what came over me.” Alex says.  

“Nothing came over you Danvers, you just weren’t thinking.” Replies J’onn.  

Meanwhile Bruce just got told that Kara had left his employ. Damn it he thought. It was probably all because of the collective blunder of confronting her.    

Now it’s going to be harder to keep an eye on her. Though he dared not do anything more than read her reports. He knew that she would find any device or program and track it back to him which would burn bridges he didn’t want to burn. Though Wayne Industries did have an ongoing relationship with her company Argo Solutions. Hopefully none of that changed.  

Hopefully Diana will have luck talking to her.  

Kara had just gotten home when there was a knock on the door.  

With a quick look with her vision, revealing Diana at her door.   

Kara kept the armour on sans helmet, Kirkri in War cat form laying in the sun behind her and opened the door.  

“Ms Prince, what a surprise. To what do I owe the pleasure?” Kara says voice even as she invites Diana in.  

“Bruce and I would like to apologise for confronting you with out all the facts and on Clark's word alone. We had too much faith in him and not enough in you. We were wondering if you would give us information on your laws and customs so we do not make the same mistake again and to also better understand you.” Diana says.  

“I accept your apology Diana" Kara says stressing the word your.  

“Bruce will have to apologise himself. And of course it would bring me great joy to give you that information but I also request that we talk about it as well. Some of it is hard to parse in English and would be better explained in person.” Kara continues.  

Kara quickly types on a holodisplay on her arm and moment later two datapads appeared on the nearby kitchen island.   

Kara goes and grabs them and hands them to Diana.  

“At the moment they are open, but as soon as you log in only you will be able to log into that pad. Make sure Bruce logs in as soon as he gets it.” Kara says. Diana quickly logs into one of the pads and then locks it and puts both in her bag.  

“I was just about to order dinner would you like to stay.” Kara says hoping Diana would accept. She wanted to repair the broken bridges between the goddess and herself.   

“I would be honoured.” Diana says.   

They order from a nearby Chinese restaurant.  

They sat around the kitchen counter and chatted about work Diana's sisters which she hasn’t seen since she left for man’s world.  

At the end of dinner there was a blossom of friendship forming. There would be a lot of work to do to get it to a real friendship, but it was a start.  

When Monday rolled around, Kara went and picked up Al, so that the pair could go and meet the relator and the lawyer she hired at the warehouse. It was on the border of down town and the industrial area and was only a ten minute walk from where Al’s current bar is. It wasn’t a massive warehouse and it must of housed delicate goods of some sort at some point as everything was insulated including the roof.   

The pair were walked through the space by the relator. Though there wasn’t much to walk through. Then Kara and Al did a second longer walk through talking about what could go where and the work that needed to be done. An industrial kitchen would need to be installed along with walk in freezer and fridge. Beer lines would have to be run from the fridge to the Bar. Booths installed and extra furniture and pool tables bought.   

Kara could see the space as a haven and a place of community and wanted to make it a reality.   

Kara nodded her head at Al then walked to the relator and gave an offer, low balling the asking price. The relator said that she would call the owner.   

After a quick call the relator said that the owner agreed to the price. So Kara got the lawyer to look over it before she signed the paperwork buying it outright. She then organised through her lawyer to transfer the deed to Al in full, once everything went through. Before leaving she tasked the lawyer to get the proper zoning and paperwork to let the warehouse become a bar. Kara said she wanted it all fast tracked and that money wasn’t an issue.   

Kara and Al then returned to the bar where they drank in celebration.   

Kara left soon after but not before Al gave her a hug and nearly squeezed the life out of her and thanked her profusely.   

It was around lunch time when Kara left, so she grabbed some lunch from Noonans before she went to the Argo Solutions offices. It was a small building in the industrial area. It was only a couple of floors but it would do for now.   

Kara went up to her office on the top floor after going through security.   

There always seemed to be paper work waiting for her so she decided to tackle that before going to the labs and tinkering.  

A lot of project were ready to go to the next phase and just needed her sign off. But Kara wasn’t lax and some might even call her a hard arse.   

She wanted each project to run her through the progress, in person before she signed off on anything, just to make sure nothing was missed. She knew that the larger her company got, the harder that would be. But with the current size it was still feasible.   

Kara was surprised by one of her emails, apparently Catco want an interview with the C.E.O of Argo Solution’s. She didn’t have a P.R department so any requests that go to the P.R email address gets automatically forwarded to her. Kara would have to think about it.  

Kara spent nearly an hour going through her emails. She really needed an assistant and to hire a P.R and H.R department. She was wearing to many hats. She decided to post on some Job websites and in the local newspapers for an assistant a H.R manager and P.R manager, she hoped that it wouldn’t take to long to hire people.  

Kara spent the rest of the day and half the night tinkering down in the labs. She had nothing concrete, just half formed ideas. It was nearly ten thirty when she finally left and drove home.  

Coming through the door Kirkri gave Kara the cold shoulder for getting home so late.   

After feed Kirkri, Kara got ready for bed, and as soon as she was laying down the war cat laid over her feet eliciting a chuckle from Kara, who quickly fell asleep content.  

Over the coming weeks Kara hired a H.R manager and P.R agent along with a personal assistant, Jess. The three hires took a lot off of her plate so Kara could spend more time in the lab. Or helping Al with setting up the new bar. Her lawyer was able to fast track the permits they needed, thanks to some greasing of hands, so construction had already begun.   

Kara had also found a run down apartment complex just a block away that would be perfect for temporary living. It needed work done to be liveable but Kara didn’t care. As soon as she got the papers for the apartment complex she hired a work crew to start revitalising it. It would take over a year to fix the entire building but Kara got them to work from the ground up so that she could at least get some people moved in within a month or two.  

It was two months later and the new bar was built. It was a Saturday night and the bar was full, the Alien community loved the new bar, Al was run off his feet. Kara had installed security tech all around the venue to ensure peace of mind for both Al and herself. She also had over the entrance and over the bar, a sigil installed, which basically was the galactic standard of a white flag, a place of peace, a safe place, no violence will be tolerated. There was also another Sigil that placed the bar under the protection of the House of El.  

Kara was in a booth nursing an alien spirit of some sort similar to gin. But unlike gin she could actually feel the effects.   

Her solo night out wad interrupted by J'onn in his Martian form sliding in on the opposite side to her.   

“Evening J'onn, what can I do for you?”  

“Nothing, I heard Al moved and came to see the new place. I used to frequent Al's quite a lot before the D.E.O.   

I heard from Al that this place is all thanks to you.” J'onn says.  

“Yeah, the old place was getting to small. And the community deserved a place where they can be themselves.” Kara replies.   

“I'm not judging. It’s nice to see so many different races just relaxing together. I see that you’ve put the place under your protection.”  

“They deserve to be safe, and if I can help provide that I will.”  

“I'm glad.”  

“Well this has been swell J'onn but I’ve got to go. Landslide in Japan. I’ll talk to you later.” Kara says after seeing a news report from the T.V over the bar.  

Chapter Text

Kara spent two days in Japan helping emergency services stem the tide and mitigate damage. She also did rescues but only for those that emergency services couldn’t do. She returned to National City tired but in high spirits. She had talked to officials about Aliens, some of the casualties were extra-terrestrial and when one village was about to be swept away a family of aliens stepped up and held back the mud. Japan didn’t have their own D.E.O or equivalent but soon will now that Kara had explained what was happening in the states and that most alien related crime was a difference in culture and that trying to solve alien crimes is a whole different can of worms. Not that there wasn’t bad eggs.   

When Kara got back she wrote a proposal to the U.N outlining the need for immigration reform and alien rights as well as explain the need for specialised departments trained to deal with the needs of the growing alien community. With some slight hacking she got the list of all the Ambassadors to the U.N as well as high ranking officials and sent it off. Hopefully by pushing the U.N it would push America.  

Kara spent a lot of time in the lab. She created a new insect repellent material that could be made in to tents, clothes or other items.   

With the help of Wayne Industries, who created the material and Diana through her charity, The Hera Foundation, who would distribute.  

She also created water filters that were over 1000 times more effect than anything else on the market, they also needed no power.  

 Luckily these were near completion when the landslide happened. And so all she needed to do was push them to Wayne industries and get them over to Japan ASAP.  

These caused her to lose profit in the short term but luckily her contracts with the military kept her afloat. And her patents helped her keep appearances. Kara was the richest person alive. She just had her money stretched over different names and shell companies.   

Kara was working in the lab one day when her hearing picked up something. A voice. On a frequency beyond human hearing.  

“Kryptonian! Meet me at the National City Power Plant or this city will burn!”  

Kara didn’t know who it was or what was happening but she wouldn’t  take chances.   

She called J'onn telling him what happened and that he would need to secure the scene but that she was going in.  

“How the mighty Empire has fallen, I look forward to taking you out of that shell Kryptonian.” a voice echoed through the Plant.  

“Come and face me then instead of hiding like a coward.” Kara mockingly says.   

A growl reverberated off the walls.  

Kara heard foot steps behind her, but didn’t move. Playing the unaware sitting duck.  

Just as she heard the footfall close enough to her she spins around kicks the assailant through the nearby wall. It was a Valeronian going by the radioactive axe that just fell out of his hand.  

Kara starts to stalked towards the c.  

“You are far from home Valeronian. What is your beef with me.”  

“The fact your Kryptonian is enough.” He spat as he called his axe to him as he gets up. Once the axe was securely in hand he charged Kara.  

Kara swiftly dodges and punches him on the way past causing him to stagger.   

Kara could here the tell tale signs of choppers in the distance. The D.E.O were on their way. Time to wrap it up.  

“Why? Krypton never did anything to Valeron. Why such hatred?”  

“True,  but your precious judicial council sent me to the phantom zone.”  

Kara was glad that the Valeronian didn’t know she was Alura's daughter otherwise he would be more angry, Alura was head of the Judicial council. Kara also would have to look in to the phantom zone. It might be breaking down if people are escaping.   

“Then you did something to deserve it. The Judicial council didn’t believe in the death penalty. They only sent people to the Phantom Zone for heinous crimes.” Kara says dodging another swipe of the axe.   

“I, on the other hand have no qualms in taking you to your grave.   

As Archon of the house of El I sentence you to death for attempted terrorism and attacking an Archon of the Empire.”  

This statement causes the man to rage. His speed increased to that of Kara and so she had no time to dodge the bull rush. Kara gets sent flying in to some metal pylons.  

As she’s extracting herself from the pylons she hears the sounds of doors slamming. Just as she got up a squad of D.E.O soldiers were surrounding the Valeronian.   

Before Kara could do anything the Valeronian had killed five and  taken another hostage.  

Kara was going to end this.  

She pulled a knife from a sheath on her back and supersped her way towards the Valeronian. Before he could react Kara’s knife was in his eye.   

Kara removed the knife and wiped it clean on his shirt before returning it to her back.   

She turned towards the D.E.O agent, it was Alex.   

“I thought I told Hank to just lock down the scene!”  

“He did, but I made the judgement call to go in after you went down.”  

“Well done, You've played hero and got five of your mean dead. Next time don’t play hero with superpowered beings.”  

“We didn’t know... “ Kara cuts her off.   

“Exactly you didn’t know what you were walking in to which is part of your problem.”  Kara stops before stooping to the ground and grabbing a radio off of one of the dead agents. She activated the radio, “Hank, get you people in order before more people die. I called you as a courtesy. I'll give you one more chance otherwise I’ll never work with the D.E.O again.” Kara drops the radio, Grabs the Valeronian fire axe and jumps in to the air activating her Aerojets and flying away.   

Kara went to the fortress to dispose of the axe. She didn’t like the idea of such a weapon being in human hands, so she destroyed it having no use for it herself and not wanting it just lying around.  

J'onn called her later that night both to apologise for what happened and also to give her a warning to watch herself some of the Joint Chiefs didn’t like what went down. They especially didn’t like the loss of such a potential gold mind of RnD that was the axe. There was talk of trying to bring her in by the military. Kara didn’t care saying that there are plenty of countries that would gladly have her. And if Flamebird was seen getting attacked by the US Military on US soil some countries would object.   

Kara reminded J’onn that she wasn’t a government lackey and that she would do anything she had to protect her community from Alien threats and natural disasters. She also said that he was a galactic criminal and that it was her right as an Archon of the Kryptonian empire to deal out Justice.  

J'onn sighs saying her would try and calm the fires.  

After the call with J'onn, Kara rang Sam. He was on the Joint Chief of staff so should no more about what’s going on.  

Apparently some of the Chief of staff don’t like a masked Alien killing.  

Kara said that the Military should know the cost of one life against many. Sam said he would keep her appraised of the situation and then said his goodbyes.   

Kara spent all her free time at Al's working with community leaders on a plan to push the Californian government then the US government to start proper alien immigration laws and protections.   

They wrote letters to government officials and Kara as Flamebird had another chat with Cat Grant.  

It was late in the evening and Cat was still working in her office when the life was scared out of her by a knock on her balcony door.  

Flamebird was at her door with a bottle of scotch in her hand.  

Cat opened the balcony door and stepped outside and to the cool air of the Californian night.   

“Its nice to see you again Flamebird but what exactly are you doing on my balcony.”  

“First I want to ask you a question. What’s your position on Alien rights and immigration?”  

Cat ushered the kryptonian to the set of chairs. Going quickly inside and grabbing two glasses.  

“I'm assuming that scotch is to drink and not look pretty.” Cat says. Kara nods her head. Popping the cork and pouring a generous amount in each.  

“And to answer you question I fully support it. I even have employed some though they don’t know that I know.” Cat says tapping her nose with her finger and giving a grin. “They need to have a legal way to be a benefit to society. And so much of their knowledge could help the human race. How many lives could be saved by Alien inventions. Or by Aliens themselves, a fireproof Alien would make a wonderful fireman for instance. And as you’ve said before most Aliens are here because they have no where else to go. And besides the American indigenous tribes, which is a whole other can of worms, America is a country built by immigrants for immigrants. No, the country needs proper immigration and rights for Aliens.”  

“I'm glad to hear that. I want to make a statement about Alien immigration and a plea to law makers. I might not have much sway but an alien voice must be heard and most Aliens are to scared to talk out encase it threatens the community.”  

“I would gladly print your statement and I’ll put my statement alongside it. Along with other activists and prominent figures.”  

They spent another hour talking after Cat took her statement and plea.   

Cat then got to work making a list of names that would possible make a public statement. She only had four days till the next issue of the magazine and paper were due. A short deadline but doable.  

A week later the Tribune and CatCo magazine had Kara and Cat’s statement as well three local C.E.Os, five prominent businesses men. Multiple activists and a nearly a dozen high profile government officials.  

It threw the rest of the media into a storm. News networks where interviewing congressman and women, government officials and the people who released statements. The internet blew up with support for immigration and protection. The UN also released a statement , that they were looking in to a global solution after receiving letters from multiple countries about the issue.  

That night Kara went for drinks at Al's in celebration of such a win. All the patrons at the bar that knew her as the Archon of the house of El also knew she was Flamebird, they thanked her and bought her drink after drink.  

Kara was doing a loop of the city before she went home, when suddenly out of nowhere a red blur barrelled in to her side.   

At a quick glance it was a shining red robot. The robot came in for another attack, Kara grabbed it as it got close and used her aerojets to rocket up in to the atmosphere hoping that the cold of space would freeze its circuitry. As she was flying she got her suits A.I, Duhv to hack in to the robot and download all the information on its hard drives.   

As she reached the upper atmosphere the robot had stopped working, now being frozen. Duhv had found a control signal that was coming from the desert. So with that information in mind Kara decided to pay a visit.   

She cut off her aerojets and dived back in to the atmosphere. She entered the lower atmosphere fast enough that she was forming a corona around herself and the robot, which wasn’t holding up very well.   

A military camp came in to view as she neared the control signals coordinates.   

At the last second, Kara activated her aerojets and threw the robot at the feet of a Colonel and a scientist.   

The robot shattered in to a thousand pieces and the two men’s feet.  

The scientist screamed while the Colonel just looked livid.  

Kara looked at the Colonel’s uniform to get a name.  

“Colonel Harper I'll be letting your superiors know what transpired today.” She says before leaving the Colonel and scientist with gaping mouths.   

“Duhv lock the Colonel’s financial's and put a flag on his I.d" Kara asks the A.I  

After getting a confirmation from the A.I Kara rang Sam.  

“Lane" the General answers.  

“Hey Sam, Your going to need to look in to an army Colonel called Harper. He and a scientist launched an attack on me with a military grade robot. Either he got sanctioned by someone or he’s gone rouge.”  

“I hope your okay Kara, I'll look into it. I’ll have MP’s pick him up next time he enters the base. If he doesn’t decide to go AWOL.”  

“he’ll find that hard, I froze his accounts and flagged his I.D.” Kara laughs.   

“Of course you did.” Sam sighs “I’ll get it sorted.”  

“I’ll talk to you later General.” Kara says before hanging up.  

It wasn’t long before Kara was in bed cuddle up with Kirkri.  

Chapter Text

A month later and Kara was in her office with the news going softly in the background. 

When something the anchor said caught her attention. Kara zeroes in on the T.V. 

The president was about to do an address.  

“Today I am announcing the Alien Amnesty Act. This act will open up avenues for Aliens to become American citizens. Any criminal act perpetrated by an alien before this act will be re-examined and given the proper American justice. Aliens will be able to openly apply for jobs, new discrimination laws will also come in to effect. A small trial run in the army will see how Aliens will work within the military if they so choose. Any Alien in a position of government or in the military will not be prosecuted. There is a lot more to the act but those are the broad strokes of it. I will be presenting it to the house of representatives this coming week and hope that it will go through.” 

The crowd at the address went wild with shouting.  

Kara turned the T.V down. This is more than she would of hoped. She will have to give the act a read when it is fully released.  

Kara was interrupted by a knock on her door.  “Enter” she says. 

Jess, her assistant enters with a company tablet, Kara had designed the whole computer system from the hardware to the software and firewalls, no outside technology could interface with the network, it was more advanced than anything else on earth. 

“Morning Dr El-Ze. Maxwell Lord has rang again, asking for an appointment." Jess says as she goes to stand beside Kara’s desk. 

“I only just sent in my thesis's to the universities yesterday. It’s little early to be calling me Doctor. Plus how many times have I told you to call me Kara?” 

Kara had decided to get some Doctorates from multiple different universities so that her name would have some more clout. She was getting a Doctorate in mathematics form Harvard, Doctorates of Physics, Engineering and Robotics from M.I.T. Plus she was in a masters program for business in Nation City. 

“Ms. El-Ze i gathered you wouldn’t take the appointment so declined on your behalf.” 

Kara smiles “Thanks Jess. Anything else?” 

“Yes a Lois Lane from the tribune has been trying to contact you for an interview.” 

Kara groans. “Put her in at the earliest convenience." She said, not understanding why Lois didn’t just call her mobile. 

“Will do Ms El-Ze.” Jess says before leaving.  

Just as Kara was about to head down to her Lab she got a call from General Lane. 

“Morning General, how are you?” 

“I'm fine Kara. How many times do I have to tell you you don’t have to call me General” 

“A few more i think." She replies with a smile. 

“Well I thought I would give you a call and tell you that Colonel Harper was rouge. There is no evidence that he had any sanction from higher up in the military. He’ll be spending the rest of his life in Leavenworth.” 

“Thanks for letting me know, i wasn't expecting a reply so quickly.” 

“When the president heard that a rouge colonel attacked a prominent alien they made things move quickly.” 

Kara laughed, she was liking the current president more and more. 

The two quickly wrapped up the conversation and Kara was able to spend some time down in her lab before lunch.  

Lunch was bought to her by Jess who had an interesting bit of news.  

“We just got a job application.” Jess teases.  

“Yes, we get those every other day. What’s so special about this one?” 

“Its the head researcher for LuthorCorp. Lena Luthor.” 

“What!.” Kara exclaims. 

“Yes she applied for the open research role. It would be a step down as she wouldn’t be running anything so I wonder why she has applied.” Jess ponders. 

“Have HR do a thorough background check on her. Ill do a less than official one as well” 

“HR already did one before they passed the resume on, nothing glaring besides the fact she’s the daughter of the founder of the company she works for.” 

“Organise an interview with her for next week. That will give me time to do some of my own scouting.” 

“of course Ms El-Ze.” Jess says leaving Kara to eat her lunch in peace.  

It was the end of the day and it was time for her meeting with Lois.  

The reporter was ushered in to Kara’s office by Jess who promptly left.  

Lois gave Kara a hand signal. One of the many that Kara had taught the lane family. 

Lois need this to be hush hush. So Kara activated her anti-eavesdropping tech that no technology in the Galaxy could break or Aliens with enhanced hearing. There was a sudden heaviness and electric charge in the room. 

“So Lois, why are you here and didn't pick up the phone.” 

“Clark has gotten it in to his head that you are the next big threat to earth. I think  he intends to come and fight you, or at least try and smear your name through the mud. So to preemptively combat a smear campaign I thought I could do a Bio of you and an article on your new company.” 

“Of course he’s going to be an idiot. Your plan has merit. I just ask to see the final draft before printing.” 

“Of course.” 

The two ladies spent the next hour discussing Kara’s company and its plans before Lois left with a promise of a draft by the end of the week. 

Kara needed to find a lawyer and there was only one person she could think of. Picking up her phone she dialed the saved number. 

“Major Lane speaking.” 

“Lucy its Kara, did you not look at caller I.D.?” Kara replied 

“Nope I've been neck deep in paperwork due to the Colonel Harper situation. Anyway, whats up? You don't usually call me during the day.” 

“I have a proposition for you. I need a Lawyer that knows of my origins and my family to do some defensive legalities also I need a Head of Legal for my company. According to Lois Clarks going to try and smear me in the press. So you would be employed by the company but be on retainer as a personal lawyer for me as well. I know you love the military but i really could use you.” Kara says. 

“I have been looking at getting out actually, the work environment here is a bit toxic and i got a letter yesterday asking if i was going to re-up. Let me think about it and I'll get back to you, but no matter what ill help you with Clark.” 

“Thanks Lucy, ill get HR to send you the job description and salary package information.” 

Lucy laughs, “You’re gonna try and persuade me with extra zeros aren't you?” 

“Don't know what your talking about.” Kara says Petulantly.  

“I’ll talk to you later Kar” Lucy says with a laugh before hanging up. 

A couple of days later Jess knocks on her door a security guard behind her. 

 He was a Stocky build and nothing humans would take note of but he wasn’t Terran, at least not fully. Before Aliens came on the scene and stared the pot any one that looked at his DNA would think he was a meta human like those X-Men from those comics but instead somewhere in his ancestry was alien DNA. It wasn't till Kara hired him that he found out. Kara did a DNA check on all employees as part of their medical, mainly so if there is any health issues she could help address them. But sometimes it threw up things like that. 

“Ah Terrance what can I do you for?” 

“This got delivered by courier, the scans didn’t pick up anything, so as per policy we opened the box and found something definitely not of this earth. So decided to bring it straight up. Instead of waiting.” 

“Thank you Terrance, it can’t be anything dangerous or our scans would of picked something up. So you can head back to your post.” 

“Yes Ma'am.” He says after putting the box on her desk. 

Kara opens the box and inside is a black case with an insignia on it. One she hadn’t seen in an age, the sigil of the Protectorate. An Alliance of galactic powers that came together for galactic peace. Krypton was one of its founding members. 

There was a Kryptonese phrase written on the box. Upon saying the phrase aloud the box opened up for Kara. 

Inside was a datapad. Intrigued she powered it on. It was a Document from the Oans, not from the Protectorate council. 

It was basically a cease and desist letter ordering her to stop parading around a dead planets power, blah blah blah. Kara had stopped reading her eyes burning red. She was filled with rage. This had Clark’s hands written all over it. He had worked with the green lantern before and most likely spend lies and pressured the man to contact Oa. 

Kara grabbed her phone and rang Lucy. “Hey Lucy, Don't suppose you thought on my offer?” 

“I thought i was gonna contact you not you me? And yes I have. Those are a lot of 0’s on that contract, not that it sways me. But it’s solid and I don’t want to change anything, I’ve thought long and hard on it and I Accept. I put in my resignation letter this morning.” 

“Wonderful, Welcome aboard. I don’t suppose you’re home?” 

“Yes? Why?” Lucy says curiously, before jumping as a portal appears in front of her. 

“Step through. I need you to read something as my council.” 

Lucy steps through the portal and through to Kara’s office. The pair hang up their phones and go and embrace.  

“So what has happened that you need council?” 

“I got a letter from Oa, home of little blue men who think they are masters of the universe.” Kara says with sarcasm and disdain dripping off of every word. “They are also uncharged of the Green Lantern Corp.” Kara hands the datapad to Lucy who quickly reads it. 

“They have no jurisdiction here to start with and secondly you’re a head of state that should count for something, right?” 

“Jurisdiction means little to them and it should but I’m more concerned with how they found out. And my only conclusion is Earth’s Green Lantern. But he hasn’t stepped foot in California let alone National City for as long as I’ve been here. Which means someone talked to him. And that could only be three people. Clark, Wonder Woman and Batman who have all on separate occasions worked with the Green Lantern. My belief is that it’s Clark. There’s to much drivel that would of had to come from lies in that document. Wonder woman doesn’t lie its her thing also her and batman don’t understand the Galactic stage. That leaves Clark.” 

“I can see your logic. But what are we going to do about it?” 

“I’m going to see about getting a meet with the Green Lantern. I want you working on any strategies we might need to battle Clark in the Earthen courts both as Argo Solutions and as Flamebird. Lois is already working on a fluff piece that is going to come out next week. I reviewed and approved it this morning. So she’s helping in the court of public opinion.” 

“And Lois is okay going head to head with Clark.” 

“I don't know she hasn't been forthcoming. You should talk to her yourself, you’re sisters after all.” 

“Looks like i have a lot of work a head of me. I’ll be able to start in a month. I also expect you to help me move across the country. Now I need to head home. I have work this afternoon.” 

“Of course I will Luce.” Kara goes up and gives a farewell hug before activating a portal back to Lucy’s apartment which Lucy quickly stepped through with a wave.  

The week quickly came and went with the only notable thing that happened was that the paper work for the Security arm of Argo solutions came through. So Kara was now the proud owner of a PMC. She had hired her Ex-Army buddies and put her current security guards through the PMC training that she and her ex CO put together.  

Thanks to her connections she already had a couple of gigs lined up for her men to do. Bodyguard work in combat zones, as well as some wet work. Kara had never shied away from the grey of the world. And so had no qualms accepting wet work as long as there was reasonable background which was verified in house. She had decided that any wet work would be done by her alone for the time being until she found someone else  her team mates were great but had never done wet work and kara didn’t want to put that on them.  

The following Monday the Tribunes paper had Lois's interview with Kara as well as a couple of other new and up coming C.E.O’s. Lois had also got Kara to sit down with Cat Grant for an interview as Flamebird. That interview was released in CatCo Magazine. In it Kara explains that she isn’t from earth and is in fact a kryptonian of royal blood. In it we’re subtle jabs at Superman, merely stated as to get a rise from the man of steel and cast him in a bad light if he rose to the bait.  

Both interviews got positive attention. Which was a win.  

Wednesday came around and with it and unattended consequence. 

A man was attacking cars on the bridge in to the city. He was destroying Cars with a giant red beam from his chest. 

Kara transformed in to Flamebird and flew to the bridge. Her HUD automatically alerted her to a radioactive signature on the bridge. A demon core to be precise.  

It must be what is powering the beam. 

Kara lands in front of the man who had just about to fire in to a school bus.  

“Flamebird. You will die here and superman will then suffer the same fate. Kryptonians are nothing but a blight.” The man says.  

“I don’t think so buddy.” Kara says grinning before she pulls out a led lined case seemingly out of thin air and then speeds towards the man grabbing the Demon core from his chest and quickly shoving it in to the case.  

The man dropped, dead.  

Kara heard the tell-tale signs of a Cape fluttering at supersonic speed.  

Great Clark was coming.  

Clark landed in front of Kara. Rage evident on his face. 

“What have you done?” he all but screamed in her face. 

“I took down a threat. He had already killed people and was about to kill a bus full of children.” 

“You can’t just kill people it’s not who we are.” 

“Who we are? As hero’s or as Kryptonians? Because if it’s as Hero's we need to nip threats in the bud. I know you have fought this guy on multiple occasions. Every time people died not to mention the damage caused in the fight. If you had removed him from play from your first encounter, Hundreds of people would still be alive and family’s wouldn’t be broken. That's something you need to think about. Get off your high horse and think of long term implications. Yes there will be times when people can be talked down or arrested and rehabilitated but sometimes a threat will always be a threat   

And if it’s because we are Kryptonians then you obviously have no inkling about our culture or thoughts on justice.  

Go back to metropolis Superman. You aren’t wanted here.”  

Kara turned around and lifted off the ground and started to head to the fortress to dispose of the demon core.  

Superman stood there stunned as Kara left.  

Karas tirade was caught on film. Both by the Catco News chopper and multiple people filming on their phones.  

Most of National City was behind Flamebirds statement. Especially the people from the bridge. 

CatCo called Flamebird a hero for what she did on the bridge while other news outlets argued over what she did. Some outlets even picked up on the thread of multiple attacks from single individuals. Looking in to Superman and Batman and the amount of lives lost from their obvious need to not kill. 

Chapter Text

The following day, Kara was supposed to have her interview with Lena Luthor, but apparently something came up and she asked if she could reschedule for the following month. Kara obliged saying that it was fine, but that she was looking forward to meeting her.  

Instead, Kara rang Diana and asked if she could orginise a meeting between her and the green lantern for the sector. Diana asks why Kara needed to talk to the man, so Kara explained. Diana sighed through the phone. The Green Lantern for the sector was a man named Hal Jordan, an ex-fighter pilot turned Lantern. He operated out of coast city. Diana said she would call him and organise a meet. Kara thanked Diana before hanging up.  

Kara got a text a couple hours later telling her that the meet was to happen that night in coast city.  

Kara transmatted to outside the city limits of Coast City before activating her Aerojets and taking off for the meeting point, an abandoned pier on the docks.   

Kara had noticed that flying was getting easier. And had tested her cells earlier that day. Her cells had 50% more of Sol’s energy than last time she checked roughly three months ago, she also noticed she was getting faster and stronger. She played with the idea of going orbital and soaking some rays but had just been to busy.   

She reached the pier and set up on a building not to far away and sat and waited.   

It wasn't long before Hal Jordan appeared in that green glow of the Green Lantern Corp.  

Kara jumped off the building and glided to the man.   

“Greetings Hal Jordan of Earth, Green Lantern of Sector 2814. My Name is Kara El-Ze Archon of the House of El, Warlady of the House of Ze, Chatelaine of the great houses i have asked for this meeting to inquire as to why you reported me to the Oans.”  

“Well, Kara. Superman....” “You mean Clark, we both know who he is. But please continue.” Hal then goes in to a convoluted story with so many holes in it that it nearly made her laugh.   

“And so you took the word of one man to damn a woman. Did you even think to come and talk to me, or to investigate any of his claims.”  

“ahh, well, no. Clark has always had a good head on his shoulders so I took him at his word.” Kara scoffed at Clark having a good head on his shoulders. Kara then rebutts every statement that Clark made against her. Explaining what she was doing and why she was doing it. Even explain her threat to Clark.  

“You need to fix this. Return to Oa and explain your mistake. That you took the word of one man. A man with a bruised ego. Tell them I mean no harm to earth and want nothing more than to protect her from what is to come. Otherwise ill go their myself and talk to them or better yet bring it up with the Protectorate council, Seeing as they used the Protectorate Seal and everything most likely without the councils knowledge. Also why you’re there tell them that Krypton won’t be the last planet lost in the Galaxy. War is brewing. Krypton was just the starting blow.”  

Hal paled but nodded his head. Kara knew Hal would get chewed out over it but she couldn’t careless, this was his mistake now he had to deal with the consequences.   

Kara gave her goodbyes and transmatted back home where she bundled up in to bed and snuggled up with Kirkri.   

The month that followed was slow, nothing happened in the world that needed Flamebirds attention, some in the media thought she was hiding luckily CatCo reminded the populace that Flamebird said she would only intervene in emergency and that she wouldn't be like other “Heroes” taking away jobs from the real everyday heroes.  

Clark had written a piece in the Daily Planet defending superman and blasting Flamebird for killing. The amount of follow up articles from other publishers descended on the man like an avalanche, defending Flamebird and her decision to kill the man on the bridge, especially after everyone saw that he was targeting a school bus full of children. Clark lost a lot of good will both from fellow reporters as well as the public both as Clark Kent and as superman.  

Bruce had a heavy conversation with Diana about whether his no kill policy was actually a good thing or detrimental. The pair came to the same conclusion as Kara did. That some people just wouldn't change. The next time Batman faced the Joker, Batman put a battarang through his heart. He still would mainly disarm and disable but for people like the Joker and the penguin, Batman changed his stance and took them off the board, permanently.  

Meanwhile, the Alien Amnesty Act had gone through congress and was written in to law. It happened a lot faster than a lot of political analysts thought it would. Once the AAA past California went one further and made a law prohibiting discrimination against aliens, Argo solutions was the first company to publicly back the law and say that they were open for applications from anyone.  

The president was on their way to National city to do a meet and greet with local Alien leaders  to see what could be done to help them now that the AAA was passed, but as she was coming in to land at National City Airport, her plane was attacked.   

Luckily Kara had anticipated it  and was on scene in seconds. The first missile was stopped with a burst of laser vision before Kara zeroes in on the position of where the missile came from, the docks and in moments was there. It was a single human. Manning a missile system. Before Kara could do anything the man Bites down hard on something in his mouth and then says “Cadmus will prevail.” Before dying from a poison. Kara quickly disables the Missile system and alerts the D.E.O. before flying off to the Airport again. When she arrived it was to a cacophony of bullets. Two fire teams were attacking the plane. The secret Service Ground team were all dead and so Kara with a burst of superspeed knocks the assailants  out and rounds them up dumping them in front of the plane.  

Moments later the doors to the plane open and Secret service agents swarm out of the plane. Two of them keep their rifles trained on Kara while, the rest secure the perimeter. It wasn't long till the president steps out and says. “You can stop pointing those rifles at our savior. I want to thank you Flamebird. You saved our lives. First with the missile then with the attack. Please know you will always be welcome in the White House as long as I’m in office and if there’s anything I can do for you please let me know.”  

Kara nods her head. “It was nothing Madam President. Your backup should be arriving shortly.” She says, and if on cue five black SVU’s come racing on to the tarmac. “I’ll leave you in your men’s capable hands and I’ll see you at the meeting.” Kara says. The president looks surprised. Kara laughs. I’m one of the leaders you’ll be meeting with Madam President, I thought you knew.” “All we knew was it was a representative of Krypton. We assumed it was superman.”   

Kara’s face darkened. “Superman is no true Kryptonian. He may be by blood but not by culture or actions. He is more human than Kryptonian, and ill be dealing with him at the next possible moment. But do not worry, I do not plan to fight him, only remove the crest from his chest which he has no right to any longer as is my right as Archon.”  

“I’m glad to hear that, we cant have our heroes fighting each other. Well Flamebird I’ll see you shortly then.” Kara nodded before launching off.  

The president meanwhile was floored, Flamebird wasn’t just any old alien but a leader of their people.  

The meetings came and went and it wasn’t long before the president was on their way back to D.C.  

The Aliens present at the meeting weren’t overly hopefully that anything would bare fruit but at least the had a voice now.   

When the president reached the White House she held a small press conference. Detailing the meetings and at the end thanked the Archon of Krypton for facilitating the meetings.   

Kara was at Al's when the press conference went live and just knew that statement was going to cause problems with Clark.   

And to no surprise minutes later Superman comes barging through the front door of Al's.   

“It was bad enough that you “claim" to be Archon of the house of El but to force that drivel on to the president is to far. You are a girl without a planet you are nothing.”  

He shouts as soon as he sees her. The whole joint goes quite. Before everyone in the place start yelling at him at once. One of the leaders from the meeting a big 9ft hulk of an alien, who was really just a teddy bear walked up to Clark and said. “You are not welcome here superman. And you have no right to say the things you do to her, now apologise.” Clark having gone in to flight or fight mode at seeing this large Alien walking towards him punches the guy and sends him flying over the bar.  

“Enough!” Kara yells. “It’s bad enough that you barge in here and say what you did but what you did just broke intergalactic law. This bar is natural ground. To spill blood here is to declare war. And so it is with a heavy heart that as Archon of the House of El and Chatelaine of the great houses I declare you Caste-less, I banish you from your house and strike your name from codex.” She flicks out a knife and with a deft hand cuts the Symbol for the House of El off of Superman’s suit. “You no longer have Kryptonian citizenship and the protection therein. You no longer have the right to bare a family crest. If i see you wearing this crest again i will come straight there and remove it.  

I’ll be announcing to the public first thing in the morning what has happened. Now go in peace.” Kara says in finality. Clark’s face was enraged but he for once took stock in the situation, every person in the bar was looking at him in either rage or disgust. So Clark turned around with a flick of his cape a flew out the door.  

Kara watched him go, tears un-shed in her eyes, she turns around and walks towards Al who had come out from behind the bar and was holding a modified shotgun.  

“Hey, Al can I borrow your office?” Kara asks.  

“Of course you can kid. It’s unlocked.” Al replies.  

Kara walks in to the office, and after looking the door, crumples on to the ground and cries. She was on the floor for half an hour before she picks herself up and puts herself back together. She heads out of the office and thanks Al before saying goodbye to everyone and heading out.  

She transmats to the fortress as soon as she can and goes up to the main terminal where a Kelex unit was stationed.  

“By order of Kara El-Ze, Archon of the house of El hereby declare Kal-El Caste-less and banish him from the house of El. As Chatelaine of the Great Houses order that his name be stricken from the Codex.” Kara tells the Robot.  

“Verification needed to fulfill request.” Kara removes a strand of hair and hands it to the robot who scans it then her. After the scans were complete the Kelex unit destroys the sample and beeps out. “Verification confirmed, request completed. The Codex has been updated and all necessary documents have been altered. Is there anything else I can help you with Archon?”  

“No thank you Kelex. That will be all thank you.” Kara replies.   

Once Kara was home she rang Lois.  

“Hey Lois I need you to set up a meeting between me and Cat Grant, with you and Lucy as Flamebirds lawyer in the room for tonight?”  

“Thats a tall order do i want to know why?”  

“Its not pretty I'll tell everyone at the same time. But I need a press release sent out first thing in the morning.”  

“Okay let me call Cat and get back to you.”  

Fifteen minutes later Kara had a time to meet Cat. She texted Lucy who had just moved to national City that she was needed as Flamebirds Lawyer at Catco at 7PM.  Lucy's reply was just a thumbs up.  

7PM rolled around and Kara slowly descended on to the balcony of Cat’s office. Lois and Lucy where already inside. Kara walked through the open door in to the office.  

Cat turns to face her intrigued. “And what can I do for you Flamebird?” She asks.  

“I need you to send out a press release tomorrow on my behalf. We can also do a video if necessary.”  

“And why do you need to do a press release?”  

“Today Superman entered a neutral space protected by Interplanetary Law and Accords, while there he verbally attacked me and when someone went up to him to tell him to apologise, Superman attacked him, breaking interplanetary law. And as a kryptonian citizen by birth it could of started a war, if he was human it wouldn’t of mattered as you guys haven’t signed the accords, but anyway,  if the planet of the party that broke the law doesn’t remedy the situation it is within the rights of the other signees of the accords to take action. And so as an Archon of the house of El, I remedied the situation and I have Banished Superman from the house of El and made him caste-less. I cut the Crest of his chest myself. He is no longer a Kryptonian citizen and so no longer has the protection therein. The Aliens from the bar will disperse the information through their own network but I would like to inform the public.”  

“So you're going after Superman. This infraction was enough for this action?” Lucy asks.  

“Yes but there has also been past instances he has either verbally attacked me or physically attacked me where in kryptonian law he would be executed but I just let him off with a warning. But he broke interplanetary law in a public place and so I had to punish him in a public place.”  

“We can write up a press release but I do think you need to do a video that we can release as well.” Cat says.   

The four of them spend the next three hours hammering out the press release and filming the video. At the end Kara was tired. She didn’t want to do this but knew she had to.  

The next morning the video and press release were sent out. It seemed like it sent the world on fire. Every news outlet was running the story every paper had it as their front page.   

Kara knew this was the opening salvo of a war with Clark. Clark had more influence as superman but Kara was in the right so only time will tell if right wins out.  

It was a Saturday morning and Kara was at the training facility that she had built for the PMC branch of Argo Solutions, running through a bunch of potential recruits through basic tests, when she got a ping on her HUD. The fortress had detected something. Excusing herself and getting someone to handle the rest of the tests she left the facility and quickly drove home, before she transmatted herself to the fortress.  

The main computer terminal was blinking warnings. It had detected multiple hyperspace exits at the edge of the solar system. Far beyond the Kuiper belt. Luckily Kara had installed a wide array of micro satellites through the belt, and she was getting preliminary scans. It was a dreadnought and its flotilla, along with what was coming up as a battle station. Who the hell jumped a battle station through hyperspace. Seconds later she was getting IFF information, they were Kryptonian signals. It was Fort Rozz, and the Phoenix battle group.  

Kara spent no more time and jumped in her fighter and flew off into space. Thanks to some upgrades she did to it she arrived at the edge of the belt within an hour. All the while the micro satellites where streaming her more and more information. Each ship of the battle group had carbon scoring. The only pristine thing was Fort Rozz. Surprisingly one of the ships that was pinged was the same ship that had come to earth earlier and Kara sent packing.  

Kara flew through the belt at breakneck speed and when she reached the other side she went in to hyperspace for a nanosecond and landed right on top of the battle group.  

She got a comm hail. From a Kryptonian high command frequency.   

“This is Battle Group Phoenix, halt your approach immediately or you will be fired upon. You are in a Kryptonian vessel, if you are Kryptonian state your name and house. If you are not you will be tractored on board and questioned.” a man's voice commands.  

“This is Sargent Kara El-Ze, Archon of the house of El, Warlady of the house of Ze, Chatelaine of the Great houses, claimant of the red shard. I demand to talk to the captain of this battle group immediately.” 
"Of course you ladyship, one moment please.” the man stutters out. 

Kara sat in her fighter waiting. Until there was a buzz from the comms.  

“The General will meet you on Fort Rozz please follow the following flight plan.” The man said before Kara received the flight plan to Fort Rozz. Two fighters soon came and flew as escorts.  

Kara took it slow, no need to cause a fuss or cause a Flight Jocky to get twitchy.  

It wasnt long and Kara had landed in one of the flight bays. The flight deck was empty of ships, most likely on patrol, though the deck it self still had a human of activity. A Lieutenant was waiting for her as she got out of the fighter.   

“Its good to know you’re alive Ma'am we didn’t think you were until the Direstrike found us and told us what happened on Mars. The General is going to meet you in the Staff meeting room. I’ve been asked to escort you.” The Lieutenant says in greeting.   

“That would be appreciated Lieutenant it’s been a while since I’ve been on Fort Rozz, though at the same time it seems like only yesterday.” Kara replies.  

“Thats usually how things be. Now if you will follow me the General is eager to greet you.”  

Kara had an inkling of who it might be, but did not hold on to any hope.  

The trip to the meeting room was quick.   

And when the Lieutenant opened the door to the meeting room Kara saw the face of her Aunt Astra for the first time since that fateful day.  

Chapter Text

Kara just stared. Locked in place. Shocked. Astra on the other hand forgot all decorum and ran at Kara intent on hugging the living daylight out of her. But just as Astra reached touching distance. Kara grabbed Astra by her outstretched hand and flipped her, slamming her into the ground and straddled her. A knife appearing from as if from no where held against Astra’s throat. “Little one. It’s me. Put the knife down.” Astra pleaded. “My Aunt is dead.” “I escaped moments after you,  just as Krypton exploded. We escaped back to Fort Rozz and have been harrying the Daximites ever since. Trying to find out information on their mysterious backers. We searched for you but we had no idea where you were going and your tracker must of malfunctioned because we could find no trace of it or you.” Kara rolled off of her Aunt on to her feet the knife disappearing as if it was never there. “Before we go any further I want to know its you.” With a quick tap on her Arm, her Kelex Unit transmatted in to the meeting room. “Kelex please confirm Identity of Astra In-Ze.” Kara says with a cold voice.  

Astra was hurt but would give anything to make her little starlight believe her. The Kelex unit does a scan than takes a hair off of Astra head before scanning and destroying it. “Identity confirmed. This is High General Astra In-Ze of the house of Ze.” 

“Thank you Kelex.” Kara replies before tapping her arm again and the robot disappearing in a flash.  

Kara collapses on top of Astra and sobs. For fifteen minutes Astra held her starlight. Before Kara took control of herself and got up on the floor, helping Astra up at the same time.  

“I'm Sorry for my response.” “No Kara I'm Sorry. I never should of run at you like I did. You where clearly in shock and every soldier knows not to exacerbate a situation like that which i clearly did.” 

“Lets agree we were both wrong and move on.” 

The pair sat down at the table in the middle of the room and swapped their stories  Astra was heart broken hearing that Kara was trapped in the Phantom zone, her heart break turned to anger when Kara explained what happened with Clark. Astra was so proud of Kara and what she had done and accomplished.  

Astra in turned shared what little information they had on the Daximites, luckily current intel had them on the other side of the galaxy, licking their wounds as most of their fleet was wiped out in kryptons destructive blast. 

The pair talked for hours after they debriefed each other about the mundane stuff in their lives. They were soon interrupted by a corporal bringing in some food for them.  

Before exiting the Corporal gave a salute to Astra and a bow to Kara. 

“What’s with the bow?” Kara asks Astra.  

“You may not be use to people being deferential to you on earth but here we know and respect the titles you bare.” 

“The titles I never wanted. The titles bequeathed to me by parents and a now dead council. I'm glad your alive though means i can start rebuilding the high council. Is there anyone here of high rank from a high house?” 

“You just dont want to be Chatelaine.” Astra laughed.  

“And sadly no, also you do know that because you killed Dru-Zod in a challenge you have inherited his house and so have become Archon of the house of Zod as well” 

“Ergh, please don’t remind me. I don’t need more titles. Well seeing as we are currently the only Archons of Krypton we should plan on what to do.” 

The pair put their heads together and planned. They decided Fort Rozz with a small flight detachment, would stay where it was and be the first line of defense against the invasion that was sure to come. Fort Rozz would use its Fab Plants to create defensive satellites that it would deploy through the Kuiper Belt as well as Hyperspace jammers so that any ship jumping in to the Sol system would have to go through the Kuiper belt, in the mean time the fleet would move out and gather intel, and try and gather alliances 

Kara would continue what she was doing and try and get earth ready, Kara was going to Talk to J’onn about setting up a factory on Mars to get defensive satellites launched in to the asteroid belt just past Mars. 

Much to Kara's dismay a squad of soldiers would be following Kara to earth as a protection detail, no matter how much Kara argued against it Astra wouldn’t budge. So in the end Kara relented and went to meet the squad. 

Astra strode in to the training room first earning her a quick salute. But as soon as Kara came in they all stopped. Astra introduced Kara.  

The four soldiers at this point had formed a line in front of their general and so when it was mentioned that Kara was an Archon and the Chatelaine all four without missing a beat Saluted fist to chest before quickly bowing. 

Astra explained their assignment. They were to protect Kara but Kara would be the one to call them in. They were not to interfere with Kara’s life or Job or work as a superhero, something that had to be explained to them.  

Kara in turn would house them and give them cover identities with her company.  The squad nodded in unison, Kara just sighed. “Fine, I’ll take them for a trial run. But I will send them packing back to Fort Rozz if I so choose.” 

The squad were dismissed to go gather their personal affects.  

After Kara had spent twelve hours talking to her Aunt she knew it was time to return to earth. They both knew their duty and so didn’t fight it. 

Kara said a teary farewell to her aunt who promised to stay in contact and update her. 

Returning to earth was a quick affair , on the way she had made a list of people she needed to talk to.  

She sent a quick text to what she quietly called her war council, J'onn, Sam, Lucy and Lois. She asked them all to Join her at the fortress. Kara and recently given them all personal Transmats so she didn’t have to organise it herself. 

Once she landed the four of them where already there waiting. 

Kara gave each Lane a hug and a handshake to J'onn, before quickly changing out of her flight suit.  

Kara goes on and explains where she’s been and what’s happened including the scuffle with Clark and her meeting with Hal Jordan. She goes on to explain that she believes that earth might be targeted, especially because there are two well known kryptonians there, and explains her plan of defense. Kara had been talking for what seems like hours but J'onn agrees to having a factory on Mars as well as increasing training for the D.E.O. 

Kara thanks him knowing how hard a decision it was. 

 Sam Suggests going to the President and explaining now that earth is openly accepting aliens there will always be a bad bunch and that it might be wise to expand the militaries capabilities in defense of the planet.  

Lois pipes in on how the media warfare against superman was going or should it be called a pummeling. As more and more people back Flamebird and her stance and disagree with Supermans High Horse mentality. Apparently according to the Journalist watercooler talk Clark had been fired for pushing to many Pro Superman articles with little to no substance and Perry White got sick of it. 

The group have a quick dinner before going their separate ways. 

Kara gets home to a very unimpressed Kirkri, who is sated after a walk and feed. 

Kara rolls in to bed exhausted. 

The next day Kara walks in to her office Jess hot on her heels. Apparently today was the day Lena Luthor was coming. After some quick admin Jess leaves Kara to her own devices.  

It wasn't long before there was a knock on the door. Apparently Kara got so engrossed in her work that time flew and it was time for the interview as when Kara calls enter in come Lena Luthor dressed in red three piece suit. 

“Welcome Ms Luthor, Please have a seat.” Kara says. “Can I get you anything to drink.” 

“No thank you Ms El-Ze. To be honest I’m surprised you agreed to interview me for the position given my family.” Lena says.  

“I am interested as to why you want to leave LuthorCorp and come work for me, it’s a step backwards in every sense of the word. You’ll just be a researcher, not a team leader or department head as you’re used to.” 

“My father runs a tight ship. And as much as I love him he is a bit of a sexist prick. The only reason I’m currently department head is because he wanted a Luthor there just for the look. I don’t have any actual control of the department. Everything is run by my father and brother. I’ve been stuck doing research for things that I find no joy in or disagree with. But your company and the work you do is important. Already you’ve done more for the planet in one year than any company has done in ten. Just Your bio-mechanics are leagues ahead of anyone else, and the fact you got a military contract within your first year sent my father in to a tizz. We where up for the same contract and had spent years and billions of dollars on R&D. It made my day when I heard that bit of news. I also want to work for a green company, a company that cares about the planet and its people. That’s not LuthorCorp, it’s all about the bottom line. I want to do good in the world, I want to be apart of something greater than me I also can’t work for a company that no longer aligns with my values. And lastly i want to work under a woman who is most likely smarter than me.” 

“and what are those values?” Kara asks, ignoring her last statement.  

“Equality for everyone even non humans.” 

“And what are your feelings on Aliens?” 

“I don’t really have any feelings on them. From what I know most of them have come as refugees from destroyed planets or running from war. To me that is no different than a human seeking asylum." 

“So you would have no problem working with Aliens or under Aliens?” 

“I dont believe so. As long as I’m treated respectfully than I don’t see that I would have any issues. But how would you know about their qualifications? If I may be so bold to ask.” 

“Well some of the Aliens who currently work here were able to pass as human and have achieved degrees here on earth  while others have passed in house testing.” 

“I see.”  

Kara hummed. “Now what are you keen on researching?” 

“well green energy is a big thing for me but my personal crusade has always been cancer. Before I worked at LuthorCorp I was researching possibly using Nanobots but my funding was cut and so I had to mothball it. And luthorCorp makes to much money from the current way of things that they didn’t want to invest in something that could disrupt revenue.” 

“before we continue, I want to say I’m pretty happy with how things are going but before we go any further you’ll need to sign an N.D.A. as I will be discussing current projects.” 

“I see. That’s not a problem I suppose.” 

Kara hands over the N.D.A and Lena reads the whole thing before signing. 

“Now that’s out of the way. We are currently actually working on both those things. In the way of green energy we are currently 80% of the way there on new solar panel designs that should be over 300 percent more efficient and half the price of anything on the market. We also have battery tech that’s about 65 percent there. Lastly we are working on a fission reactor. Though that’s in baby stages. As for cancer treatment. We are looking in to gene therapy as well as nanobots. We also have a plethora of other projects going on. We are currently over three buildings at the moment. I’m hopping to be in a new building by the end of the year. Our growth has been bigger than expected. And with the AAA we have made some good strides thanks to some new employees. You would be working under Dr Flyt if you wanted to work on green energy. She’s one of the last of her species, when you meet her don't stare, they consider it rude, also don't ask about her race or homeworld. So to forewarn you she is a bipedal plant based alien. But if you wanted to work on cancer research you would be working under Dr Klein, he named himself after the mathematician. He’s also an Alien. He might look dangerous but really he’s a teddy bear. In more ways than one. He’s like a wookiee on steroids.” Kara laughed.  

“I'd be interested in meeting them both. And I don’t mind where you put me.” 

“Well then I’ll put you in cancer research as you have the most experience there. Now why don’t we go and meet the team.” 

Kara introduced Lena to Dr Klein who immediately enveloped Lena in a welcoming hug. And soon the pair where talking about attack vectors. Kara left them too it and returned to her office. 

Kara set up a VI to track anything Lena accessed and did just to be on the safe side. 

That afternoon Kara got a message from the fortress that troop carrier running on stealth had pierced the upper atmosphere and was heading towards it.  

Kara collected her things and left her office. She ordered Jess to go home and that she would see her in the morning. Kara quickly headed home dropped off her things and transmatted to the fortress.  

Kara went to the computer and quickly made up some I.D's that even the F.B.I wouldn’t be able to fault. She didn’t backstop stop them because the more information she put in the identities the more holes could be poked.  

Just as she finished the last I.D Kelex appeared saying that the carrier had landed. 

Kara met them in the hanger, welcoming them to earth. She quickly gave them a rundown of what was going to happen seeing as she had more time to do so.  

They walked into the lounge and sat down and hashed out the finer details before Kara transmatted them back to her apartment and brought them down a level to where they would be staying, she had organised their accommodation earlier in the day and it just so happened that there was an apartment below her free. In the morning, she would bring them to the training facility, where they would get a crash course in human firearms and laws as well as how to drive and blend in as an American this would last until Kara was happy with their progress then they would join her security team. 

Kara left them to settle in and returned to her own apartment to rest before the next day.