Ultimate Superman #7: A Smallville Christmas

[DiscipleofBob]

Ultimate Superman #7:
A Smallville Christmas

It was the night before Christmas. The small town of the aptly named Smallville was decorated from one end of downtown to the other in festive lights and other decorations. A group of carolers dressed in full Victorian Charles Dickens garb filled the air with jovial melodies. Clark Kent and Karen Starr, in civilian clothing for once instead of capes, walked the streets for last minute Christmas shopping.

Clark carried most of the boxes and bags, a stack larger than he was. The weight wasn't a problem, but each additional box added to a Jenga tower of expensive presents. Karen walked ahead, window shopping with a couple light bags. Clark struggled to free up one hand long enough to take some spare change from his pocket for the Salvation Army workers. "Hey, Karen, do you maybe want to take some of these?"

"I could, but if I carry too much, people might start to suspect that I might be stronger than the average earthling, and you know how important it is to keep our cover at all times," Karen smiled as she looked over shoes in a nearby shop. "You think Lana would like these?"

"You're buying Christmas presents for my high school girlfriend?!"

"She's my friend too."

Clark raised an eyebrow. "Just how many people are you buying presents for?"

Karen hesitated and sighed, going over all the names in her head. "Let's see. Your parents. Lana. Chloe. Pete. Jimmy. Everyone at STAR Labs. Shareem at the falafel stand. Should I get something for Lois, or would that be awkward?"

"You don't need to get something for everyone you've ever met," Superman tried to reason.

"Hey, this is your planet's holiday. I'm just trying to be culturally sensitive. Plus someone didn't want to bring anything from Metropolis."

"It's difficult enough to make routine flights from Metropolis to Smallville and back without being noticed. Carrying a bunch of luggage just makes things more complicated."

"What's complicated is doing all of my Christmas shopping the night before. Ooh, these are perfect!" Karen focused her attention back on gift-finding. "What do you think?" Clark had dropped his complaints, and instead his gaze was focused straight ahead. Karen recognized that look, and turned to see what he was looking at.

A black town car had driven around the corner and was now heading down Main Street, Smallville. In a town this small, everyone knew each other by more than just name. Every car in town could identify its owner. Sure, there was the odd traveler passing through, but those were old cars, minivans, and trucks, not luxury town cars. "Did someone in town trade up since we were last here?" Karen asked.

"I don't think so. There's only one person in the world who's customized his cars with a thin layer of lead," Clark said grimly.

Karen's eyes widened. "What the hell is Lex Luthor doing here?! Did he manage to track us?"

"I don't know. But I intend to find out."

Unlike Metropolis, towns like Smallville were often slow to change. Every street had artifacts from previous decades, like soda shops or, Clark's personal favorite, phone booths. Changing from civilian clothes into his cape in one of these was practiced to the point where he could change instantly. He didn't necessarily wanted to be spotted and draw attention so he quickly flew up into the sky before anyone could notice him. With his enhanced vision, his vantage point, and the darkened evening skies, tailing Luthor's car without being seen would be easy. Karen, now in her Power Girl uniform, quickly followed.

"Out of curiosity, what did you do with the gifts?" Power Girl asked.

"I stashed them on a rooftop. They'll be fine."

The black car drove out of town, but instead of getting back on the highway it winded its way through country roads. Finally it stopped at a small farmhouse.

"Who lives there?" asked Power Girl.

"The Bravermans, but last I heard they were moving to Metropolis. I didn't know the place had been bought." Superman continued to watch, his worrying intensifying as time passed. "We're not far from the family farm."

"If Luthor knows that Superman comes here, could he be setting up a base to try and find you? What if he's tracked you to your parents' place?!"

Power Girl's words echoed Superman's fears. He scanned the house and the surrounding area while hovering a safe distance above. His x-ray vision wasn't blocked out by the roof or any mysterious underground complexes, relieving at least some of his fears. "The lights are on. There are two people inside the house. It hasn't been us-proofed."

"Maybe Lex is in the market." Both could safely observe with perfect detail what any normal human would be struggling to see even with binoculars. The town car parked, and Mercy, one of Luthor's bodyguards stepped out to open the door for Luthor. Hope went to the trunk and pulled out several bags of green and purple wrapped presents. "Those presents have lead shielding!"

"Everything Luthor does has lead-shielding," Superman retorted. Anyone else with that kind of protection would be suspicious, but this level of paranoia was perfectly normal for Lex Luthor. Power Girl disagreed and wasn't about to let a potential bomb get to the front door of some innocents. She had been itching for an excuse to confront Luthor rather than continue spying from afar anyway. "Power Girl, wait!" Superman called after her, but to no avail.

To Superman's surprise, Power Girl showed enough restraint to not slam into the ground full-force on landing and potentially crater the entire front lawn. She did land in full view of Luthor and his guards, muscles tensed and ready for a fight in case she had to fight Mercy and Hope again. "What's in the box, Luthor?"

The businessman's face contorted with uncharacteristic rage, veins popping on his bald head. "It's not enough you have to harass me all over Metropolis, now you're stalking me out here?! Leave now! You have no right to be here!"

"You think I'm just going to let you get away with whatever it is you're up to?"

"Up to?! I-"

He was interrupted as the front door suddenly opened. "Lex, is that you? Who are you talking-" asked a blonde middle-aged woman with painted-on eyebrows, before seeing Power Girl standing on her front walkway. While the three stood in a perplexed standoff of silence, Superman landed as well, leading the woman to arch a brow. She folded her arms, turning to Lex and asking in a sarcastic scowl. "So what, you have Superman and Power Girl on your payroll now?"

Lex took a deep breath and straightened his tie. "Lena, I assure you this is all a misunder-"

"Is Uncle Lex here?" Pushing past Lena was a young girl in a wheelchair, wearing a wool cap and sweater, both of Christmas themes and dubious qualities. Her wheelchair was a newer model, not electronic, but still a product of modern engineering.

"Lori, get back inside before-"

"Oh. My. God." The girl's eyes widened to saucers at the sight of Superman and Power Girl. "When I asked if you could bring Superman and Power Girl to Christmas dinner, I was filing that under 'rainbow unicorn' and 'space station' in terms of viability! I didn't think you'd actually- You're the best, Uncle Lex!"

Several very uncertain looks were exchanged between all of the adults as Lori wheeled outside manually with surprising speed and energy just so she could give Lex Luthor, the most evil villain Power Girl had ever known, a grateful hug.

Lex couldn't help but smile and hug back. "Lori, why don't you go back inside? You'll catch pneumonia out here in this cold."

Lori nodded and excitedly went back inside, actually taking Power Girl by the hand. The superheroine couldn't think of anything to do but follow suit while sharing various forms of panic with Superman through facial expression alone.

Lena reluctantly sighed. "Well, I guess it's a good thing I made plenty of extra food. Still, it's common courtesy to call ahead if you're bringing guests. Especially if they're... celebrities."

When it was just the two of them, plus the silent bodyguards, Lex turned to Superman. "In the spirit of Christmas and not devastating my niece's feelings, would you join us for Christmas dinner?" Superman had to briefly glance up and scan the skies. Not for Santa, but for flying pigs. "I will pretend I don't loathe you entirely. I will not make any attempts on your life, as tempting as it may be. For doing the same and being amicable for one night, I will pay you ten thousand in cash. Believe me, I'm already paying for this a lot more in other ways."

"I don't want your money, Lex. But I'll stay for... your niece?"

"Yes, there's more of me. Luthors occasionally breed. Try not to act so surprised."

The dinner table was slightly cramped, between Lex, Lena, Lori, Superman, Power Girl, and Lex's two bodyguards who said nothing the entire night. Superman briefly thought about how in any other function Mercy and Hope would be standing guard at exits or watching for intruders. Here they were welcomed and served as members of the family, even if they never said a word.

"One time, when I was in Metropolis General, they had to evacuate the building because you were fighting a giant tree or something," Lori excitedly told the story.

"I remember. It was probably the only memorable Arbor Day I can think of," Superman nodded along.

Lori nodded and continued. "Well, I hid until they stopped looking for me. Then I got to watch the rest of you beating it up!"

"You really should have left with the rest of the hospital," said Superman, smiling as to not put the girl down too hard.

"They always evacuate the hospital whether or not you actually get close or not. Besides, I had THE perfect view. It was amazing!"

"Lori, didn't I get you an electric wheelchair last year?" Lex interrupted.

"Yeah, and I use it sometimes, but this chair's better for exercise. And I can't do tricks on that chair." Lori backed up and balanced her chair on one wheel. "See?"

"Lori, sit down. You'll hurt yourself!" said Lena, though probably everyone else would have said so as well given the chance. Even Mercy and Hope had started to get up in case someone needed to catch the girl.

"I'm fine! Really!" Lori rolled her eyes before setting her chair back down.

"So what did you ask Santa for?" Superman asked.

"I'm 13. I'm a little old for Santa Claus," Lori replied before continuing, "Well, I asked Uncle Lex if he could get it snow this Christmas, but he said he hadn't finished his weather control machine yet."

Power Girl whispered over to Superman, "How sad is it that I have no idea if that's true or not?"

"Hey, after dinner, want to see my collection? I've got all sorts of action figures and posters of both of you!"

Power Girl looked up in surprise. "I have action figures?"

Between Lex, his sister, and the two heroes, the evening would have been spent in awkward tension if not for Lori's energy. Completely ignorant of any animosity between anyone in the room, she excitedly asked Superman and Power Girl questions all night, which he gladly answered like he'd done with many fans in the past. He even promised to take her flying, though not tonight considering the temperature. Both Lex and Lena glared at the idea, but said nothing that would disappoint a 13-year old girl on Christmas Eve.

The two heroes spent much of the night with young Lori, who despite her condition was full of more energy than Superman could remember seeing in any other kid her age. While they were getting the grand tour, Power Girl noticed Lex's two bodyguards exit the house to the backyard. Curious, and a little suspicious, Power Girl excused herself and followed them. Once they were some distance from the house, they approached a small stone table and lit a candle, putting a glass shield around it to protect against the wind.

"You may as well come out into the open. We can already see you," Mercy said in Power Girl's direction. While she hadn't really had the opportunity to approach with full stealth, she had hoped to observe from a distance in the darkness.

"What are you doing out here? I've never seen this kind of Christmas tradition before."

"That's because it's not a Christmas tradition. That's part of Mr. Luthor's religion. Not ours. This is for us." Even with the only source of light being the candle, the accusatory glare coming from Power Girl was apparent. "Do you really think we'd be up to something sinister out here, at the family of our employer?"

"I could say something about the record credibility of anyone working for Lex Luthor, but last I checked Superman and Lex agreed on a ceasefire tonight."

"That they did. Just so you know, we have nothing personal against you. Our allegiance to our employer just puts at odds with you and yours."

"He's not my boss, he's my friend," Power Girl protested.

"Apologies." Both of their deadpan tones of voice made it difficult for Power Girl to tell whether they or not they were sarcastic.

"May I ask what you're doing out here, then? Call it cultural curiosity."

"We are remembering our sister," Mercy replied as Power Girl's suspicion finally completed its transformation into guilt. "When we left our original home, it was the three of us. We left under unfavorable circumstances. We couldn't go back. None of us had seen the outside world. We traveled for a while, but then we got separated. We spent years looking for her, but the world is a very large place, and we were just as lost finding our way through it."

Hope continued, "We were approached by Mr. Luthor once he'd heard of our strength. We had no reservations about using it to survive. In return for our allegiance, he agreed to help us find our sister with all the resources he could provide. It was certainly a better option than wandering around in the dark looking for food."

"Did Luthor ever find your sister?" Power Girl asked.

"Not yet, but we've eliminated possibilities in the meantime."

"Is he even looking?" She tried not to sound confrontational, but it was against her nature.

"Admittedly Mr. Luthor has a lot of different priorities, but he has never refused a request from either of us, we are free to leave and take as much time as we need to search, and we are no longer starving. Our queen was not so generous."

Power Girl dropped the questions. The mention of some foreign monarchy of a nation that apparently produced human women capable of taking on her was just too strange, and this night already had more than enough strange to tie her over until next Christmas.

Mercy and Hope opened their arms and bowed their heads in silence.

"Now what happens?"

"Now that the candle is lit, we pray silently in the name of whom we have lost and in hope that we will find them again. If you like you can join us. The tradition is not exclusive."

There were. Many, in fact, that Power Girl could remember. It had been years. Since before she had even come to this planet, but normally they were pushed to the back of her mind. Power Girl took a deep breath and mimicked Mercy's movement as best as she could. Yesterday the two were her hated enemies, but tonight, on this silent night, the three stood together in remembrance.

When Superman next found Lex Luthor, the latter had been nursing holiday brandy for the greater portion of the night just to get through a dinner with the two superheroes. "I'm not going to say you owe me an explanation or anything. But it would be greatly appreciated."

"I hope you don't believe we're suddenly friends, Superman." Superman could easily distinguish Lex's alcohol level from the saturation of alcohol particulates on Lex's breath, not enough to be completely drunk, but significantly buzzed.

"Consider it in lieu of payment."

Lex actually chuckled with a smile, and Superman knew it was more than just Christmas spirit. "I suppose that's worth ten thousand dollars. Lena was never one for the family business. She considered it unsavory, I'm sure you can sympathize. Someone needed to take over. At least it made determining succession easier."

"She didn't agree," Superman guessed.

"She felt I was becoming more like our father, which if you knew Lionel, you'd realize how horrifying that could be. She would have cut ties completely, but nursing school is expensive. And then she fell for some opportunistic parasite who wanted a shot at the Luthor family fortune and Lori was born."

"Where's her father?"

"No longer in the picture." Superman's thoughts immediately turned to some of Lex's less reputable contacts. There were plenty of ways, both legal and otherwise, Lex could make someone disappear. "Don't look at me like that. I called him on his commitment and offered him a substantial amount of money to leave and never contact Lena, Lori, or anyone in my family ever again. Afterward, I paid for Lori's treatments, education, and any funds my sister would allow for. The only thing I ask for exchange is to be able to see Lori on Christmas and birthdays, since that's what my sister haggled me down to."

"Treatments?"

"Really, Superman, there's a difference between being polite and deliberately obtuse. The wheelchair and wool cap aren't fashion choices you know." Superman didn't want to assume anything or bring up any sensitive subjects. He also didn't want to think about a sweet, kind, young girl like Lori suffering something so serious at her age.

"What does she have?"

"The big C. It was inevitable. Our entire family has contracted some form of it for generations. Even nature holds a grudge against us Luthors. We all get it when we're young. Lori. Lena. My father. Me." Lex absent-mindedly rubbed his bald head, a habit Superman viewed with a grim new understanding. "Fortunately we can afford the best doctors and the latest treatments. Even then we get maybe a fifty-fifty chance."

"I'm sorry, Lex. I didn't know."

"I'm not looking for sympathy. We Luthors are, if anything, capable of surviving on our own. Lori is going through what will hopefully be the final stages of her treatment. The next few years will be painful, but I will do everything in my power to make sure she lives through it."

"She's the Tiny Tim to your Ebenezer Scrooge," Superman commented before he realized what he'd just said. "Sorry, I didn't mean-"

"Why apologize? Ebenezer Scrooge was a businessman, and a fair one. His only crime was being depressed during the Christmas season, and if you've ever read the book, you'd know that his past Christmases gave him little to celebrate."

"He was a miser though."

"He was a moneylender during a time of recession. If it weren't for his pragmatism, more people would have gone homeless and starving. His primary argument was that his debtors in dire straits shouldn't be spending money they don't have on frivolities in the name of Christmas spirit, when that money could be the difference in starving to death later."

"You identify with Ebenezer Scrooge?"

"The tale of a successful businessman who earns friendship and redemption appeals to my demographic, yes, but I've always considered myself a George Bailey."

"I figured you'd be more of a Potter," said Superman.

Lex took another deep swig of brandy and pointed an accusatory finger. "That I will take offense to. Bailey was a man who sacrificed everything for the good of his family's business and the town that he was raised in. Potter was a shortsighted slumlord whose selfish policies and catering to the lowest bidder would have driven the community to ruin."

"You see yourself as a hero, even after everything you've done?"

"That's your problem. You only see what's on the surface. Your world is all rescuing kittens from trees, bank robbers in ski masks with burlap sacks decorated with dollar signs, and color-coded self-proclaimed supervillains you can punch until they go away. Mine is investing in new technologies and infrastructure. Laying off a hundred workers so a thousand can keep their jobs. Making deals with criminals or worse, politicians. Success takes hard work, sacrifice, and tough negotiations. You think you inspire people to be heroes. You inspire them to cry out 'save me Superman' instead of trying for one second to save themselves.

"My father was a Potter. He cared nothing for anyone's life, and as far as he was concerned if Metropolis fell to complete ruin and destitution, he'd just move somewhere else to suck money. I've spent my entire life rebuilding this city from the shambles he left it in. I've done terrible things. I've dined with devils. I've done bad things to good people, but I got results. Metropolis isn't Bludhaven because of me.

"So tell me, Superman, which of us is actually the hero of Metropolis?" Lex challenged.

Superman took his time forming the words, but it wasn't the first time he'd come across similar rhetoric. "It's not the cape that makes me a hero. And it's not calling myself a hero that makes me one either. I believe that not just Metropolis, but the world needs as many different kinds of heroes as possible. Some of us are born with powers. Others are born with multimillion dollar legacies. Others are born with nothing at all but the desire to make a difference. Just as it would be wrong for you not to use your money and business to help Metropolis and people like your niece, it would be wrong of me not to use all of my powers to save as many people as possible and protect them. A hero isn't something you or I can make ourselves, it's what the people we help make us into."

"Public perception is often faulty. In fact they often idolize and vilify exactly the wrong people," Lex said cynically before finishing his drink.

"Maybe a cape would help? Just a suggestion," Superman offered with a wink and a shrug.

Lex actually broke out in laughter. And for once it wasn't the sort of maniacal evil genius laugh that Superman had always expected. It was genuine, ridiculous, happy, and more than a little intoxicated. "We should both go before my sister kicks us out," Lex said as he turned to leave.

"Lex," Superman called out before Lex could go. "For what it's worth, Merry Christmas."

Lex Luthor gave a wide, sneering grin before retorting, "Bah humbug."

The night had certainly been eventful, and if it were up to Lori Luthor wanted to stay up and hang out with her superhero idols, much to the continued irritation of Lex, who suffered in silence so his niece could stay happy. At one point Mercy, Hope, and Power Girl came back in from the cold. None of them said anything, but Superman could tell something had transpired between them, he just had no idea what since there were no sounds of fighting or acres of collateral damage.

But as much as Lori wanted the night to last forever, eventually she had to go to bed and the guests had to leave. Superman and Power Girl promised to visit again soon, something that they could both do more often than they could admit.

They flew off into the night sky back to where they had left their civilian clothing and gifts. "Have you ever had a stranger evening?" Power Girl asked.

"Well, there was that one time I..." Superman had to pause. "Actually, no, I haven't. I can't honestly think of a single event. Not just on Christmas either."

"Either way, we're going to have to explain things to Martha and Jonathan. They'll be thrilled to have Luthors for neighbors."

"I'm sure they'll be fine. Lena and Lori seem like decent folk. I'm sure they'll hit it off," Clark assured her as he dressed back into regular clothing in the blink of an eye. "Actually, could you go on ahead? I need to make a call."

"Are you serious? They've got to be wondering where we are by now!"

"Just tell them I'll be along shortly," Clark assured her.

Karen shrugged. "Fine, I'll see you at the farm." She took what presents she could and went off to the Smallville farm.

Clark pulled out his cell and dialed the familiar number. The tone rang for what seemed like forever, and Clark wondered whether the person on the other end would ever pick up.

"Hello?"

"Hi, Lois. I hope I'm not interrupting anything."

"On the contrary, I could use any excuse right now. Dad's been at it all night."

"Uh-oh. Calling Superman a menace or talking about how successful your sister is?" He briefly wondered whether Lois knew about General Lane's role in Argus, or if he should even tell her. If she didn't before, he'd discuss the full details when they next met in person. As journalists, they both recognized the dangers of exchanging information over the phone where the government could easily be listening in.

"Yeah, with a dash of how my job at the Daily Planet is equal to treason and how I should trade my Pullitzer for a boyfriend, preferably a marine."

"He never did like anything about me, did he?"

"Hey, you want to become irresistible to a girl, get her father to disapprove of you."

Superman laughed, wishing he could be together with Lois for Christmas. Either his presence could act as a sponge for verbal abuse with the general, or Lois could have spent the holidays with his much more welcoming family instead. Or maybe they could have spent Christmas together with just the two of them. "I miss you."

Lois hesitated, wondering whether she should try to start pushing Clark away, but she knew Clark would know if she lied. "I miss you too, Clark." He briefly overheard a familiar elderly male voice from the other end of the line. "Sorry, Dad's starting to yell for me. If I talk any longer he's going to start accusing me of selling spies to the Russians."

"I understand. I need to get going as well before my folks send out a search party. I just wanted to call and say Merry Christmas."

"Merry Christmas to you too. And Happy New Year and all that other stuff."

"I love you, Lois."

"I love you too, Clark."

It was bittersweet, but something both of them needed. Spending the holidays apart was especially painful, but it wouldn't change Lois's mind. Clark was certain in his mind they'd eventually get back together. It was just a matter of when and how, and to settle Lois's fears. For now, it would just take time. He would just have to wait patiently, no matter how painful it got.

Before Superman headed to catch up with Power Girl, there was one more thing he needed to do. He flew high up into the sky unseen by anyone below, and with careful precision blew super cooled air into the clouds.

Once he was finished, the newly created cold front began to lightly snow on the town of Metropolis and the surrounding farms. The next morning would have a picturesque blanket of snow across the countryside, but the other meteorological effects would be minimal. At the very least, Lori Luthor's first Christmas in her new home would be a white one. Whether she would give the credit to him or Lex Luthor for his 'weather machine', either result meant a happy young girl on Christmas.

It was the following Monday. Besides New Year's in a couple days, the holidays were over and the rest of the world got back to work. While Clark and Lois would be catching up on their work from the break, Karen headed to her workplace at STAR Labs.

It was amazing how a slightly different haircut, glasses, and a slight personality adjustment were all it took to pass for a secret identity. Then again, in a world of nearly seven billion, lookalikes were bound to happen.

Once her civilian identity and all appropriate documents had been established, Karen had been overqualified for a job at STAR Labs in the field of astrophysics. In fact she had to be careful not to divulge too much of what she knew as it was beyond what Earth was currently capable of. She was, after all, supposed to be just a primitive Earthling scientist.

"Ms. Starr, I hope the holidays treated you well," greeted Dr. Emil Hamilton, her somewhat subdued but otherwise kind boss.

"They did. And before you ask, yes, I brought presents," Karen smiled as she laid out several boxes of cookies. "There's this small little corner shop bakery in Smallville. It makes the best chocolate chip cookies in the world."

"I'm sure everyone will be very grateful," Dr. Hamilton smiled. "But let's not let the excitement of the holidays distract us from the work at hand. That comet you've been observing? Dr. Lane tells me she's observed some new data. She thinks there might be more to it. That some of the readings may be more than just random emissions or that the comet may even be changing course towards Earth."

"Of course she does, no matter how many times I tell Lucille it's just a comet. It'll pass by our solar system but that's it." Karen rolled her eyes. "I'll give it a once-over, if for no other reason than Lucille can sleep at night and maybe get back to her own projects instead of trying to take over everyone else's."

"Now, Karen, we're all scientists here. You know how I feel about interlab politics," Dr. Hamilton said while polishing his glasses.

"I'll go and get this done right away so we can get back to science as normal then," said Power Girl as she headed for her office.

Once inside, she quickly got to work, setting up the data on a holographic display for maximum resolution. Many three dimensional number-filled windows conveyed additional data of the comet, gathered through technology she considered antiquated.

Karen closed the door to her office and secured the locks. Despite Dr. Hamilton's ideals, plenty of individuals at STAR Labs were opportunistic and greedy enough that much of the work had to be done behind locked doors. That was the official reason. Karen had another reason though.

She pressed a hidden panel on the desk, one that couldn't be triggered without the biometrics of a Kryptonian. The lights dimmed, and hidden compartments unfolded from the desk. The holographic data went through several filters until it phased out into a completely different picture. The hazy comet barreling was now a dark metal spaceship on a specific course. The numbers and other data switched from English to Kryptonian. And the 'random, perfectly natural' energy readings decrypted into the signal it actually was.

A holographic mold of a head faded into existence. "<Forward scout Kara. Report,>" the voice spoke.

She didn't appreciate the terseness considering how rare she had the opportunity to actually contact the ship, but nonetheless she conducted herself professionally. "<I have discovered an attempt by a few Earth scientists to clone a Kryptonian.>"

"<What?!>" the voice gasped in shock. "<That is blasphemy! An abomination! An outrage!>"

"<The matter is settled,>" Kara interrupted. "<Their one and only cloning attempt was a failure. The specimen they created has degraded mental capacities and a rapidly degenerating cellular structure.>"

"<Still this cannot be allowed to stand! The same twisted creatures hoarding weapons and chemicals designed to kill our kind.>"

"<They are few and far between. Earth has a very diverse population, the majority of which adores Kal-El for his heroics. They are peaceful here.>"

"<Your previous reports would seem to indicate otherwise. Nearly 200 nation-states, some vying for basic resources, others seeking to hoard all the world's wealth. Not just fighting each other in repetitive wars, but amongst their own citizenry in petty squabbles.>"

"<Much like Krypton was before unification, right?>" Kara retorted. "<The actions of one laboratory are terrible beyond measure I agree, but if I recall correctly, Krypton was guilty of similar experiments. They can respond to diplomacy if we give them the chance.>"

"<If it were up to me, we'd blow the lot of them to kingdom come from low orbit,>" the voice simmered in contempt. "<Fortunately for you, General Zod has made up his mind.>"

Kara's heart skipped a beat. "<And? What'd he say?>"

"<I'll let him tell you.>"

Kara barely had time to react as the holographic face faded, and another one took its place. This one older, more defined but more scarred than Kara could remember. The face smiled, an action that was more of a strain than it had been in the past. "<Kara. You have done excellent work. You have every reason to be proud of what you've accomplished. Your name will go down in the annals of our history as a noble hero. And I, personally, could not be prouder.>"

"<How can I further serve?>" she responded, reverting to military discipline.

"<Be patient. For now, continue to lay low. I will deliver your next instructions... in person.>"

"<You're coming to Earth?!>"

"<After many, many long years, on the last planet we visited we finally gained the capability to do so. I look forward to seeing this Earth if it is half as beautiful as you describe it.>"

"<When?>"

"<Soon. Very soon.>"

"<Should I inform Kal-El, or...>" Kara hesitated, "<take other actions?>"

"<No. If Kal-El or any of the natives learn of our impending arrival before we can communicate, they may have time for paranoia and distrust to cloud their actions and turn on us. From what you've told me, they certainly have the responsibility. Once I arrive, we will speak with Kal-El and tell him everything. I should be there to answer any questions you might not be able to. I know keeping this deception for so long must be painful, but I assure you it is necessary.>"

"<I have other news to give you as well, though I would prefer to do so in person. It won't be long now. In the end it will all be worth it. For now, I need you to maintain your cover for just a little while longer. We will be together again soon.>"[/i]

"<Thank you...>" Kara said as the connection dropped, the holograms faded, and Kara was once again left as Karen in her primitive lab, "...father."

To be continued...