16th September 2012
13:24 GMT -5
I can't help but smile as I look down on the Earth. Sure, Jade had to go to work, so we didn't really have time to discuss things in detail, but… Yeah, feeling good. I-.
There's a near-hurricane force wind, and then New Kara is floating in front of me.
"Hey, Paul! How's Kara doing?"
"Which one?"
Her eyes widen. "Is Demongirl talking?"
"Ah, yes, but she's not responding to external stimuli."
She tilts her head to the left. "So how do you know her name's Kara?"
"Basic pattern recognition. She's not just a Supergirl, she's a kryptonian Supergirl. Based on all of the examples I have, those are called 'Kara'. But, yes, technically I don't know for certain."
She smiles, tilting her head back proudly.
"Then I'm technically right, and that's the best kind of right!"
"Sure. I don't know that her name's 'Kara'. The other Kara is recovering."
"So are you two going to date now?"
"No. Still dating Jade."
She looks at me uncertainly. "Are you dating Jade? I was starting to think she was Canadian."
"Yes, and after a brief talk about our relationship, we're going to be moving in together in the Darkstars barracks."
She blinks. "Are her parents okay about that?"
"Ah… Her mother is? … Did you want something?"
"Yes. I… Kinda need a job? Or something?"
"Oh, right."
"I've got plenty of qualifications but none of them of them are for Earth and… All my referees are dead. I could probably stay in High Admiral Har-Zod's asteroid, but it wasn't really designed for long-term habitation."
"Your Zor-El didn't send you with a device to seed your own Fortress of Solitude?"
"I would still need somewhere to put it, and everywhere is owned by someone."
"Not everywhere. Plenty of space in Bir Tawil. The sand should be enough for your c-."
Uh! Crushing!
"I can move in with you?! Thank you!"
There's a little more meat on this Kara than on Old Kara, and it's currently pressed against me as she celebrates her new residency. Alright, use the rings.
"While you can live in the trade post if you want, it's more that I was offering you somewhere to plant your crystals."
"I can live there while it grows?"
"Certainly. It'll add visual interest."
She leans back, grinning.
"So we'll be roomies?!"
"Ah-. No, as I said, I'll be living with Jade in the Darkstar barracks, so you'll… Pretty much have the place to yourself."
"Oh." She sinks in the air, mood subdued. "That sounds lonely. Are there any cute animals?"
"No, not really. There's basically nothing there; that's why no country actually wants it. You could.. always build a habitat?"
"Then I could have all the animals I want!"
"All the animals you can look after, certainly. Ah… Kara." I frown. "I've been meaning to ask: I don't seem to be able to see your emotions. You sound very upbeat, but if you're feeling-."
"Torquasm." She nods. "Uncle Jor was a huge fan of ancient Kryptonian society, and Grandpa Seyg actually let him study things like that, so he really encouraged us to learn it. It'll be fun to work on it with Angelika!"
"I'll be nice for her to have access to someone who could study the original texts. Ah, I don't.. really have anything that needs my attention right now, so I can help-"
"Connection made to monitored phone line."
"-you… Move in. Sorry. Answer?"
"Hey. Paul."
Truggs.
"Nice. Trick. With. Super. Hearing. Have. To. Use. Voice. Modulator. And. Even. Better. Sound. Proofing."
"Why are you phoning me, Truggs?"
"I'm. Explaining. My. Plan. We."
"I'm not interested in listening to you w-."
I glance at Kara.
"Pleasure yourself to the sound of your own voice, Truggs. I'd put up with it if I thought there was any chance of you turning your back on the Light, but that's clearly not going to happen."
"Demon. Supergirl. There. Are. More. Where. She. Came. From."
"Obviously."
"They. Know. We. Took. Her. And. They. Know. Where. We. Are."
"Why am I not surprised?"
"Supervillain."
I could ask 'why?', but I don't suppose that it matters at this stage. There are plenty of reasons for travelling between parallel universes, and I can't check his motivation.
"You. Could. Send. Her. Back."
"I'll check with an expert or two, but I really doubt that Demon Earth will just give up like that. If they can reach us, we'll become their next expansion target. It's not worth trying to give them anything to delay things."
"Your. Choice."
"No, it's not, and I'll be warning the Justice League."
"Thank. You. For. Getting. Rid. Of. The. Legion. Not. Thank. You. For-."
"Just go away, Truggs. End."
