"Originally, my grandfather created The Argo City Gazette to provide all Kryptonians up to date information regarding the state of the planet," Kara begins her presentation with a slideshow of early photos of In-Ze working at the newspaper. Taking care to touch on several key stories from Krypton's past. She agreed to speak at her alma mater on career day, but no one seems that interested, in fact all she can see are bored faces staring back at her from the classroom.
Kara decides that it's time to switch to the multi-media presentation, as she grabs the remote, she says distinctly, "My aunt, Astra In-Ze took over The Gazette about ten ahmzet ago…" everyone in the room adjusts their position to better see the screen as the video begins with coverage of Astra announcing that she was taking over from her father.
"I began working at The Gazette when I was your age, as an intern and I was still there helping my grandfather as assistant editor when it transitioned from him to my aunt. It was a tumultuous time in Argo City, there were many who thought that the planet couldn't be saved unless drastic measures were taken and Astra and Non were the leaders of those people, they called themselves KryptoWatch. Many of you may not know that KryptoWatch actually began as an advisory organization to the Science Council," Kara pauses here and a murmur goes through the crowd, she has their complete attention now.
"Darling, how did it go today at the Academy?' Alura asks her daughter over dinner.
"The usual, they were bored until I spoke about KryptoWatch and Aunt Astra, I don't understand, children today have no sense of history. They only want to be entertained," she complains before adding, "I did get two possible students interested in internships," Kara adds.
"Well that's great," Zor-El exclaims. "Especially since they don't really teach KryptoWatch at the academy, I'm surprised that they let you mention it. The new headmaster thinks that by not teaching it, they will prevent another batch of terrorists from being created," he says clearly disagreeing with this theory.
"Well, they may not ask me back to career day," Kara admits a bit embarrassed by her actions, "but did they really think that I would leave that out of my presentation? It was my own internship at their age that gave me the knowledge that I needed to resurrect The Gazette after KryptoWatch practically destroyed it," she exclaims.
"You did an amazing job, darling. Your grandfather would be so proud of you," Alura replies reaching out and squeezing her daughter's hand across the dinner table.
"Thank you Mother," Kara replies her eyes lighting up proudly.
"Kara, now that The Gazette is back on track, don't you think you should appoint a new Editor-in-Chief and return to the Science Council?" Zor-El asks his daughter.
"Father," Kara begins, but he cuts her off.
"Kara, you are a brilliant scientist with so much potential, Krypton needs you on the Science Council. We have stabilized the planet, but we need the best and brightest monitoring it to ensure that it remains stable," he reminds her.
"Father, The Gazette is keeping people informed. It is because of my past working on the Science Council that I am able to practically act as a liaison, explaining the Council's decisions to the public. This is an important role, even if you don't see it or agree," Kara points out as respectfully as possible.
"Well, I believe that Kryptonians are smart enough to know that their planet is in decline and the Science Council is the only thing keeping us from total destruction," Zor-El says pointedly staring at his wife.
"Zor-El, we agreed not to discuss this tonight," Alura says tightly.
"Mother, not discuss what? Is the planet still in danger? I thought the latest readings were positive?" Kara blurts out the questions quickly.
Alura glares at her husband from across the table, challenging him to answer Kara's questions.
"Kara, come by the office for lunch this week and we'll go over the new reports. I can't release them yet, but I will review them with you," Zor-El concedes. "They are worrisome," he adds.
Kara nods to him and bites her lip nervously, a thousand questions running through her head that she can't wait to ask.
"Kara, CATCO Intergalactic Media is meeting with my father today, they want to lease out Aspirion Towers," Kal-El remarks over breakfast.
"Kal-El, Aspirion towers is a prominent Argo City landmark, it is a symbol of our golden age of progress," Kara blurts out.
"That's exactly what I said," Kal-El replies. "And I reminded him that, his grandfather Feln-El, built the towers as a symbol to Kryptonians that the House of El would always be here to guide them. What kind of message would he be sending Krypton if he allows aliens to occupy it?"
"Kal-El, please say Earthling and not Alien, you don't want to sound like those Kandorian bigots," Kara counters.
"Alien just means not of this planet Kara," he reminds her. "It's perfectly acceptable to use the word 'alien', even if the Kandorians use it derogatorily to refer to anyone not from Kandor."
"Thanks for the linguistics lesson Kal-El. But I've still banned it from use in The Gazette," she replies. "Now what exactly do you think CATCO Media is up to? Why Krypton? Why now?" Kara asks.
"Father says 75% of Kryptonians subscribe to the Intergalactic News and he wasn't surprised that they would want to place an office here," Kal-El explains.
"The Gazette readership is only at 65 percent, you mean that more Kryptonians follow her news site than mine?" Kara blurts out.
"Kara, you know how Kryptonians are, they always want to seem more otherworldly than they are. You are winning them back, 65 percent is better than the 20 percent you had when you took it over," he reminds her.
"Kal-El, what if they are coming in here to compete with me and shut me down. I can't compete with an Intergalactic News empire," Kara says realizing what it means to have CATCO on Krypton.
"A latte, it is made with espresso, you have espresso on this planet, don't you?" The woman asks impatiently in English as she fumbles trying to use a translator app on her phone to communicate with the barista.
Kara steps forward and easily translates the woman's request for the Kandorian behind the counter.
"Oh, thank you, I know a little Kryptonian and this app was supposed to help me," the woman explains turning slightly towards the taller blonde. "Your English is excellent, by the way," she says with a sly smile.
"Thank you. Your app doesn't take the Kandorian dialect into account and Latte doesn't translate to Kryptonian. We actually don't have coffee here, the beans won't grow in our soil. I've ordered you the Kryptonian equivalent of a Latte, see what you think," Kara says laughing as she explains it to the other woman.
Cat finds herself laughing along, drawn in easily by this enchanting woman. "Catherine, Catherine Foster," she says extending her hand and introducing herself with her lesser known name.
Taking the offered hand, Kara replies, "Kara Zor-El, welcome to Argo City, Ms Foster."
"Kara Zor-El," Cat repeats the name, then suddenly realizes why it's familiar.
"Have you heard of me? I mean, I am the Editor-in-Chief of The Argo City Gazette," she says nervously. Then self-consciously glances over at her office across the street, where there's a large photo of her in the window announcing her latest book launch.
Cat follows Kara's eyes and smiles, "Those photos do not do you justice, Ms Zor-El," Cat says almost breathlessly, surprised that she's practically swooning over this woman. Cat Grant hasn't swooned over anyone in a very long time.
"Publicity is always better when it's not your own, but it does sell books and newspapers," Kara admits shyly as she reaches over to grab their drinks. Cat reaches for her own and their hands collide a bit awkwardly.
"Well, this isn't terrible, at least it's hot," Cat says taking a tentative sip of the beverage. Then pulling out her intergalactic credit card, she looks for the card reader to pay, but Kara places her hand over the reader.
"It's my treat," Kara says taking a sip of her own cup and smiling again.
Damn this woman, between her beguiling smile and the extra pull of gravity from the red sun, Cat has to close her eyes for a moment so that she can think clearly.
"What brings you to Argo City, Ms Foster?" Kara asks, receiving no answer she reaches out to get Cat's attention and the woman flinches at the touch.
"Excuse me, I'm still adjusting to your planet," Cat explains. "Inter-galaxy travel is so much worse than jet lag."
"I have it on good authority that it takes Earthlings a week to adjust to our gravity," Kara remarks taking another sip of her Thonie tea.
"That's good to know," Cat replies curiously, before asking, "You've met Earthlings before?"
"Yes, I have a good friend who lives there, she is like a sister to me," Kara replies her eyes twinkling happily.
Cat returns the smile, thinking to herself how the press would have a field day with the sight of Cat Grant grinning like an idiot at this attractive woman. Taking a moment, she glances around for paparazzi until she remembers that she is on Krypton and the only press in sight is the woman standing in front of her. Then remembering the question asked earlier, Cat responds.
"Actually, I am here for a few weeks on business and I'm staying at Arcadian Towers, suite 4100. Call me sometime, I'd enjoy visiting with you again," Cat says extending her hand, this time taking a moment to linger on the handshake, causing Kara to look down at their hands curiously. "Oh and thank you again for the coffee," she says warmly as she lets go of Kara's hand and walks away.
Returning to her office, Kara lets out a sigh. Curious, she heads right to her computer and commands it to search the Earth database for Katherine Foster. The search returns an author profile and list of books, all fiction and the photos look nothing like the woman Kara just met.
"Ms Zor-El?" Ja-Ron asks from the doorway to the office.
"Yes, Ja-Ron," Kara replies looking over to him.
"I have the layouts for tomorrow's edition, if you'd like to review them," he says handing her the file.
"I'll review them, thank you," she replies as he enters and sets the file on her desk.
"I've already made notes for you," he points out eagerly. "Just a few small changes needed, they look really good."
Ja-Ron has been her assistant for over a year now and lately he's been trying to show her that he's ready for more responsibility. Previewing the layouts and making notes is just one of the many things that he's begun doing for her.
Kara takes the file and glances through it quickly. Go ahead and approve it with these changes," she replies with a smile.
"Thank you Ms Zor-El," he replies backing out of the room.
"Kal-X," Kara says loudly, commanding her other assistant to appear.
"Hello Kara Zor-El, how can I help you today?" Kal-X, the robot says entering her office a moment later.
"What do we know about CATCO Media?" She asks.
"CATCO Intergalactic Media is an Earth based media corporation, it is the largest in the galaxy commonly known as the Milky Way. They have satellites on Mars and Saturn, but recently decided to expand to Krypton. The president of the company is James Olsen, he is currently on Krypton scouting locations for a new office," Kal-X informs her and displays a photo of Olsen.
"Hmm," Kara murmurs to herself as she reviews the information.
"CATCO Media was founded by Cat Grant, who remains the CEO of the Earth based operations in National City, California, USA," Kal-X adds.
"Are there no photos available of her?" Kara asks surprised.
"Photos of Cat Grant are not available," Kal-X replies.
"Wow, I guess that's one of the perks of being the Queen of all Media," Kara quips to herself.
"All photos were removed from the database at the request of CATCO media after a multiple vehicle accident that killed a family of four," Kal-X continues and then provides a link to the story.
"Rao," Kara says solemnly reading the story quickly and thankful that Krypton doesn't have a celebrity culture like Earth does.
"What can you tell me about Catherine Foster?" Kara asks remembering her earlier search.
"Robert and Catherine Foster announce the birth of their son, Adam Foster," Kal-X says linking to a micro clip from an old newspaper, the photo is quite grainy, but Kara thinks maybe it's the same woman.
Kara spends another hour researching Robert and Adam Foster and gleans just a few meager details about Catherine Foster, but no recent photos. Still curious about the woman and why she's on Krypton, Kara decides to message her at the Arcadian Tower.
Cat is entering her suite when a small robot approaches her. "Ms Catherine Foster, I have a message from Kara Zor-El," it announces.
"Fine. What is the message?" Cat asks curiously. She is not used to these robots roaming the office freely, although James is quite enamored with them.
"It was lovely to meet you today," Kara replies through the robot and for a second Cat is confused. Is this a phone call or a message? "I would like to offer you a tour of The Gazette, I believe that you mentioned an interest in publishing."
"Your reply is requested Ms Catherine Foster," the robot prompts.
Cat grimaces. As soon as Kara Zor-El introduced herself Cat realized that she'd made a mistake and should have steered clear of The Gazette, now that she has met the woman, the last thing she wants is a hostile takeover to ruin their budding friendship.
"Thank you Kara Zor-El, I would very much like to tour your facility. But my schedule is a bit up in the air right now," Cat replies.
"Up in the air? Your language is so interesting and challenging, I am taking this to mean that you are unsure of your availability," Kara replies through Kal-X.
Cat smiles, for a non-native speaker, Kara's ability to decipher American idioms is remarkable. "Yes, I am unsure of my availability at the moment," Cat confirms.
And after another exchange Kara signs off and Cat is left alone wondering what it is about this woman that seems so utterly attractive. Kara is beautiful, but her beauty is on a different level. Is that a Kryptonian thing? Cat wonders to herself.
