This was no longer a Daxamite ship. No trace of Daxam remained.

Repeating this mantra to herself over and over didn't stop Kara from using her x-ray vision to pierce every wall, her hearing to search for something out of the ordinary. The place looked a lot like the inside of L-Corp or CatCo: polished floors, white walls and spacious rooms. And as far as she could tell, there was nothing sinister about the place. But her muscles still tensed with every step.

All the staff wore royal blue uniforms with the L-Corp logo printed in a silvery material over the top pocket, and a woman introduced herself as their tour guide while the rest of the guests poured in.

Kara decided to tag along with the tour. At first, she found herself wondering if that was the wrong decision, for as the guide showed the kitchens, lounge area and a canteen that looked more like a five-star restaurant, there appeared to be more eyes on the guide than her. But after a few minutes and a lot of pictures in which Kara did her best to not look like she was about to be attacked, everyone's attentions were firmly on the guide. Well, almost everyone.

'Supergirl?'

Alvarez. Kara turned around and read his name badge—and gave him a gracious smile.

'Hello Mr Alvarez,' she said.

'I'm with the Daily Planet.'

She nodded at the badge. 'So that says.'

They shook hands.

'Now,' he said, 'I know Kara Danvers is your usual lapdog, but I was hoping for a quick chat about this ship when you have a chance.'

'I only give interviews to Kara,' she replied, 'and she is not a lapdog.'

Alvarez held his hands up. 'Of course, of course. Bad phrasing, sorry. I couldn't help but notice the tension in your shoulders when you first walked onto the ship—can I ask—'

'We should catch up with the guide.'

Kara nodded over Alvarez's head, and he turned and stared at the gaggle of people heading off down one of the ship's larger corridors. She spotted Lena and Alex at the back, both glancing at herself and Alvarez every few seconds.

'Yes, we wouldn't want to get lost, would we?' Alvarez tried his hand a smile, but the act didn't reach his eyes, and he hurried over to the crowd in front of the guide.

From that point forwards, Kara stared a couple of paces behind the group. Every so often, Lena would glance behind and look worried, and Kara knew she was expecting her bespectacled friend to come running over, but she couldn't worry about that now. More people were inclined to notice if Supergirl was missing than if Kara was.

All the corridors were at least double the width of the originals. Several prints of famous paintings donned the walls outside their rooms, and Kara was surprised to discover that Kara Danvers' name was on the door to the left of Lena's room, and Supergirl's was to the right.

'I hope you don't mind,' Lena said as Kara walked over to Supergirl's door. 'I—I don't know if you sleep, or if you have luggage.'

Kara shook her head and smiled. 'This is perfect. Thank you.'

'If you would prefer somewhere more private I can—'

'This is all the privacy I need.'

Lena seemed relieved by this. As she stepped into her room, Kara did the same. The guide announced they had fifteen minutes to properly acquaint themselves with their rooms before the tour would continue.

No expense had been spared for Supergirl's room. A king-size bed dominated the space in front of a window that would have a far more inspiring view than the runway in a couple of hours' time. In the furthest corner form the door sat a fridge packed with treats and wine, and a microwave.

The ensuite bathroom was so large Kara was sure half the guests on the ship could fit in the room, and five could stand in the shower alone. Around a corner she found the largest bath she had ever seen.

She couldn't resist stepping back into the bedroom and digging her feet into the thick maroon mat the bed sat on. She next tried laying on the bed, and found it to be so luxurious she had trouble persuading herself she had to leave the room sooner than the allotted time.

She had to get into Kara's room. The corridor was empty, save for the tour guide at the end of it, deep in conversation with another member of staff. Kara slipped out of her room, shut the door and got into Kara's without being seen.

Kara's room was the same size as Supergirl's and a quick check around told her it contained all the same adornments. The only difference between the rooms was the pile of luggage at the foot of Kara's bed.

The smallest container, a backpack, was the first thing she opened. She had to leave the clothes she was wearing at the airport in the toilets, but brought an extra set of identical garments for that reason.

Someone knocked on her door just as she fastened the last button of her cardigan.

'Kara? Are you in there?'

She opened the door and found Lena breathing a sigh of relief outside.

'Sorry I had to run,' Kara said, 'I wasn't feeling well.'

'Are you okay now? Do you need a doctor?'

'Probably just nerves,' Kara shrugged it off and invited her inside.

Lena stepped over the threshold and rubbed her hands together.

'What do you think?'

Kara grinned her reply and gave her a hug.

'This is fantastic,' she said into her shoulder. 'Truly. Are all the rooms this big?'

She nodded. 'We decided to treat all our guests to the same level of luxury.'

Lena fiddled with something on her wrist, and Kara caught a glimpse of a flash of silver before she hid it under the sleeve of her jacket.

'New jewellery,' Kara asked.

'Oh, uh, yeah. Sort of.' Lena slid her jacket sleeve away from the device.

Kara gasped. 'She gave that to you?'

'You've seen on one of these before?'

'I mean, yeah. James Olsen has one.'

'Oh. Wow.'

Lena covered the watch again. Kara could have imagined it, but she could have sworn Lena looked disappointed.

'Can all guests meet me at the end of the corridor, please?' The guide called. 'The tour is set to continue now.'

Lena and Kara filed out of her room. As guests trickled out of their respective bedrooms, Kara caught sight of Alex and Maggie in a room at the opposite end and waved. They came over.

'Lovely rooms, Miss Luthor,' Alex said.

'I'm glad you approve.'

'You'd be hard pressed not to.'

They all spun around. Alvarez scratched the side of his beard and gave them another of his emotionless smiles. He looked up and down the corridor.

'No Supergirl?'

'She told us she wants some time alone,' Alex said quickly.

'That's a shame. I was hoping to pick up breakfast with her. I suppose I'll have to ask Miss Danvers instead. Nice to see you've rematerialized, by the way.'

'Not interested, I'm eating with Lena. And no, I'm not going to tell you anything about her.'

He scratched the back of his neck. 'Ah, well, the jig is up. My cunning ruse thwarted before it had yielded me a single result. See you around, Miss Danvers.'

He shoved his way through to the front of the group and disappeared from view.

'He's a weird one,' Maggie said.

Lena frowned. 'I'm going to have security to keep an eye on him.'

'My boys could help as well if you'd like, Miss Luthor.'

'Lena, Maggie. You're as bad as your fiancée. And yes, that would be helpful. Thank you.'

Maggie nodded and left the group to go and talk to a gaggle of her officers.

'What did he want in the airport?' Alex asked.

'Same thing most reporters want,' Lena said, glancing at Kara, 'a story. He wants to interview my staff, find out more about me through them, I think.'

'Hmm. I don't like the look of him.' Alex replied.

'Who does?' Kara said.

'And I don't like the way he's sniffing around either of you. Before we leave, I might just make a quick call to a friend and run a background check…'

Alex sauntered off, her phone in hand.

Lena clapped her hands together and shook her head like a dog trying to be rid of a fly. 'Can't let that man ruin the fun.'

'Not a chance.'

They linked arms and headed back towards the now moving crowd.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Lena paused, her croissant inches from her lips. 'Never known you to turn down food.'

'Hmm? Oh.' Kara pushed her plate away a little and frowned.

She put her croissant back on the plate and touched one of her friend's shoulders.

'Still not feeling well?'

Kara forced a smile. 'I'm okay. Really.'

The restaurant/canteen. As the guests awaited their food, several came up and congratulated Lena on the design of the place. Lena wondered which member of her well-meaning staff had let that slip. Alvarez tried the same tactic, but was promptly ferried away by one of Maggie's colleagues. He spared Lena a dirty look before returning to his seat.

'Take off isn't for another hour,' Lena said, 'we can get you to the med bay, make sure everything is as okay as you say before then.'

Kara shook her head. 'I'm not sick. Just… worried, I guess.'

'About what?'

'This Alvarez guy. He wants something more than a story. I can feel it.'

Lena frowned at her. She had no doubt that her friend was correct, but that was still a lie. Whatever was at the root of Kara's lack of appetite, Lena doubted it was anything to do with that man. She weighed pushing Kara for the truth against letting her speak in her own time.

'Hey. Like I said before, nothing could ruin this trip. Not even Alvarez.' Lena gave her best reassuring smile, which Kara returned without looking the least bit convincing.

Kara picked up one of her croissants and took a bite.

'Mmm.'

'I know, right?'

Lena grinned. She'd paid the chef at that fancy hotel a nice fee for his recipe. It had never seemed more worth it.

'So,' Kara said at a higher pitch than usual, 'you and Supergirl. You seem to be getting close.'

'Oh,' Lena traced the symbol on her watch. 'Yeah. I suppose we are. Has she spoken about me in your interviews?'

Kara nodded. She took another bite of her croissant.

'Well don't leave me hanging! Good things, I hope?' Lena reached across for her orange juice.

'She seems quite taken with you, actually.'

She almost inhaled the juice. Kara patted her back with enough strength to make her entire body judder as she coughed.

'I'm fine,' she caught Kara's arm before the next thud, 'what do you mean by "taken"?'

'I don't know. We've had conversations about other things before. Her cousin, Krypton. But these days, she mentions you a lot more than she does her cousin or past.'

'Why-why do you think that is?'

Kara shrugged. 'I can see why she would, I mean—I'm your friend. Maybe she sees you in a similar way?'

Lena glanced at her watch. 'I'd like it if she did. I-I mean…'

She didn't bother finishing that sentence. Kara's gaze told Lena she understood without the need for words. Perhaps, Lena thought, once again she understood a little too much. Her cheeks felt hot.

'Kara, Lena,' Alex strode over.

Lena coughed one more time and hoped Alex thought that was the reason for the red face instead.

'I thought you'd like to know—Alvarez came up clean. No priors, no known dubious connections. Maybe he really is an overzealous reporter.'

'With few social skills,' Kara added.

'That's good to know. Thank you for running that on such short notice.'

'You're more than welcome Miss—Lena. Could I borrow Kara for a moment?'

Lena smiled and nodded.

Danvers sisters. Lena only had to witness one conversation between them to know they were raised by the same people. Persistence and tenacity—their parents had done a great job. That, and closeness. Kara had once alluded to she and Alex not having the best relationship growing up, and Lena had struggled to believe it.

Kara returned after thirty seconds. She straightened the front of her cardigan and went back to munching away at her croissant.

'Everything alright?'

'Oh. Yeah. What were we saying?'

'Um, we were talking about Supergirl and, well…'

'I remember now. And I'm sure she'd love to speak to you more.'

'Me? I'm sure she has better things to be getting on with.'

'You helped her save National City. And if she can sit down with a reporter, she can talk to the CEO of L-Corp.'

'I wouldn't want to bother—'

'Lena. You wouldn't be bothering her. Trust me. Besides, for the next three weeks, she hasn't got a city to save. She's got a vacation. What better time to gain a new friend?'

'I'll speak to her later—you know, when she's around.'

'Fair enough.'

Lena stood up. She folded her napkin away and placed it on her empty plate.

'Going so soon?'

'You stay and eat,' she said, 'I've got things to do. CEO stuff.'

'Oh, okay. See you at the launch?'

'Count on it.'

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Supergirl walked over to Alvarez's room. His door was unlocked. She frowned and pushed it open.

Alex had been right to pull her away from Lena and ask Supergirl to snoop in his bedroom, just to be sure. Even if it did spoil her breakfast a little—but no more than she had herself.

She wanted to tell Lena the truth. Hiding Supergirl from her felt wrong, and Kara's intention was to steer the conversation in that direction, try and gauge Lena's reaction when she finally found the courage to reveal herself. But now there was an added problem: Lena appeared to be nursing some kind of crush on Supergirl.

Alvarez's room needed her full attention, and it didn't have it. Moments of her conversation with Lena kept on flashing through her thoughts and distracting her from the task at hand.

'Supergirl?' Alex had insisted on a proper comms system.

'I'm in his room. There's not much to see.'

Kara scanned the room with her x-ray vision, and found nothing out of the ordinary. He appeared to have already packed away his clothes, and the bathroom was freshly stocked with his toiletries.

'Nothing at all?'

'Nope. Is he still in the canteen?'

'Yeah. He's chatting to one of the waiters.'

'Good. I'm going to take a closer look.'

Sometimes, Kara thought, the humans had a point. X-ray vision didn't always cut it. Alvarez's bedside table contained a couple of fiction books, one a murder mystery and the other a romance.

'Anything?' Alex asked.

Kara relayed his book choices to her as she turned each book upside down and rifled through the pages. Aside from a bookmark, there was nothing hidden between the pages.

Next came his laptop. It was under the bed, and password protected as she'd expected.

'I could call Winn,' Alex suggested, 'he could talk you through getting in.'

'No. I don't think we have that kind of time. We launch in less than an hour, and breakfast is over in ten minutes.'

'Good point.'

Kara stared at the lock screen. There was a picture of Alvarez with his arm around a woman on a beach. He was at least ten years younger, and the woman looked around his age in the photo. She guessed they were both in their mid-twenties.

She put the laptop back under the bed, careful to place it where she got it from. A quick search through his wardrobe yielded nothing but a couple of packets of condoms. Kara decided Alex didn't need that info.

'He's standing up. I think you may need to get out, Kara.'

'One moment.'

The bottom of the wardrobe did have something. A tiny box her vision hadn't picked up on. The outside of it was canvas, but the inside...

'There's a container lined with lead in here,' Supergirl said, 'nothing inside, though.'

'Any clues as to what was in it?'

'None, but it's about the size of a ring box.'

'Could be nothing. Maybe there was a ring inside.'

'Yeah, but why line the box with lead? And I didn't notice any jewellery on him earlier.'

'Kara, get out of there, now. He's heading towards the elevator.'

'Okay, okay, I'm gone.'

She put the box back where had found it and shut the wardrobe doors. There was just enough time for Kara to step out of his room and march further up the corridor before a 'ding' sound announced the elevator was now on this level.

'Ah supergirl.'

She turned. 'Mr Alvarez.'

'You remembered my name.'

'We only met a couple of hours ago.'

'Ah, yes. Of course.' He scratched the back of his neck and came closer. 'I was wondering… no. Never mind.'

'What is it?'

'Will you be joining us at the launch?'

'Most likely not. Why?'

'It'd be nice to get a quote from you, is all.'

Kara narrowed her eyes. 'Why was that so hard to ask?'

He shrugged. 'It wasn't. I'm just… surprised. By your willingness to talk to humans.'

'I'm on a ship full of them. What else would I be doing?'

'Of course,' he forced a laugh, 'don't mind me. Just… thinking out loud, as it were.'

'Well, have a good morning, Mr Alvarez.' Kara nodded her goodbyes and turned away, intending to walk into her room.

'Wait—perhaps you'd like to join me? At the launch, I mean.'

'I'm afraid I can't.'

'Ah. Well, can't blame me for trying. See you around, Supergirl.'

'Goodbye, Mr Alvarez.'

Kara marched up to her room and stepped inside, then used her super hearing to make sure Alvarez did the same.

'There is definitely something weird going on with him.'

'I know,' Alex replied, 'I was listening. Willingness to talk to humans?'

'What do we do now?'

'Leave it with me,' she replied. 'Alvarez will be—'

'Alex? Hello?'

A sudden rush of static passed through the device, and Kara took it out of her ear to examine it. After a few seconds, the static passed, and Kara could hear Alex's voice again.

'Kara? Hey. What happened there? All I could hear was static.'

'I don't know. The same thing happened to me. Interference, maybe?'

'Don't see how.'

'I'll come and meet you in the canteen.'

'Okay, but do it as Kara Danvers. Lena's back, and she's looking for you.'

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Once again, Lena got to enjoy the sight of sheer awe on the faces of her guests. They would be watching the launch in style from a section of the ship designed specifically for it. At the very top of the craft, where the control hub for the entire ship had once sat, Lena had hollowed out the place, turned the walls into windows and added seating. The perfect place to watch the earth grow small and the stars larger.

The seating was arranged in front of a small stage, not unlike a theatre. Behind her was a small projector and a white screen with her presentation slides beamed onto it.

'Welcome,' she called to the crowd.

Kara was the first to enter the room, and Lena beckoned her onto the stage.

'Can you handle the slides?' she asked.

'No problem.'

Kara took a seat behind the projector and gave Lena a reassuring smile. Once the crowd was seated, Lena cleared her throat, waited for the murmuring to stop and began.

'The ship is set to launch in fifteen minutes, but before it does there are some safety protocols I would like to discuss with you.'

She nodded to Kara, and the slide changed from the L-Corp logo to that of a schematic of the ship.

'Firstly, in the event of a fire, all guests are to head to one of these three safety points and await further instruction. Should the need for evacuation arise, there are escape pods capable of taking every person on board the ship back to earth.'

Lena decided it was best they didn't know the 'escape pods' were actually repurposed fighter crafts designed for fast-paced combat.

'The safety points are here,' she pointed at the entrance, and canteen and a room a little ways past the living areas, 'here, and here. A member of staff will come around to tick of your name on a register before we leave.'

'It is also worth noting that the floors below the canteen and entrance are only accessible to staff. Any attempt to access these areas without permission will result in the individual or individuals being confined to their rooms for the duration of the trip.'

'What's down there?' Alvarez called out.

'The ship controls and staff living quarters,' Lena replied, 'along with the engine room and storage.'

'Will there be a tour?'

'No.'

A couple of the members of the press looked angered by this, but Lena soldiered on. She found she had less and less tolerance for the whims of the press. She nodded to Kara, and the slide changed again. This time, an image of the solar system popped up, and zoomed in on a space between earth and mars.

'This is the area we will be travelling through. There are plans for more ambitious journeys in the future, but for the Dawn's first voyage we are sticking an area of space deemed safe by NASA, as in there is no known alien or meteoric activity in this area at this time, and should not be over the next 21 days.'

'And if there is?' Alvarez again.

Lena gave him a wry smile. 'That is what the escape pods are for.'

She nodded at Kara to change the slide again, and this time a diagram of the seats they were all currently in popped up.

'Now, you will notice your seats have belts. We are not expecting turbulence of any kind, but health and safety is still a must. Please affix the belts now.'

Lena watched as Kara did so. Lena thought her eyes were playing tricks on her: the clips seemed dented as she forced one into the other.

'Okay, good. Now, this should be obvious, but at no point should anyone leave their seats over the course of the next ten minutes. In a couple of seconds, you will begin to feel a slight vibration—'

The 'slight' vibration her staff had warned her of nearly took her off her feet. Lena dashed for the empty chair next to Kara and continued her speech as she buckled herself in.

'Now,' she shouted, 'if you pay attention to the windows, you will begin to notice the craft rise…'

The vibration grew to a point Lena could barely stand, and then it stopped and the ship began to move down the runway. Several press officials gasped as the craft rose out of the air after only getting a few metres, and someone screamed.

'There is no need to be alarmed,' Lena called, 'you may feel your ears pop as you adapt to the pressure changes—'

Hers popped seconds after she got the words out. Her hearing was momentarily affected, but soon returned to normal. She waited another ten seconds before speaking again.

'Now all you have to do is keep your attentions on the windows—we'll be leaving the earth's atmosphere any moment now.'

Lena had seen countless satellite images over the course of her planning this trip, but nothing quite prepared her for the sight of the earth. The view outside became ever darker as they reached the outskirts of the earth's atmosphere.

Lena glanced at Kara. Her gaze was still fixed squarely on earth, and her expression was nearly unreadable.

'You alright?' Lena whispered.

Kara turned and smiled. 'It's beautiful.'

Lena had been disappointed when Supergirl hadn't joined the group, but she understood. This view was something the Kryptonian could enjoy whenever she wanted—perhaps it had lost its magic? Though Lena couldn't imagine it ever doing so.

'People of earth,' Lena said, 'welcome to space.'

The crowd laughed and clapped, and over her shoulder Lena could see even Alvarez looked genuinely pleased. But it was Kara who clapped hardest of all, and Lena thought of how glad she was to be able to share this experience with her friend.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Alvarez thought they were all stupid. Every guest had been awestruck by the sight outside the windows, including the CEO herself. What a fool of a woman she was, leaving her projector unattended. While she and her friend gazed out the window together, it didn't take much for Alvarez cycle back through the presentation and snap a quick photo of the schematics.

Now everyone was drinking themselves silly. It was barely midday back in the USA. He'd accepted the champagne he was offered by a waiter, but soon dumped it down the nearest plant pot and headed out of the room.

No one noticed. He passed a couple of staff members, but they too were giddy with the delights of space travel. All he had to do was smile and laugh along with them and they let him pass without question. The girl didn't notice him take a slip of paper out of her pocket.

He referred to the schematics photo several times as he decided on his route. She wasn't happy. She needed him to go faster.

She said, 'I have enough reserve power to keep this functional for another hour at best. I need a home…'

'I know,' he murmured back, 'and I'll have you there in minutes.'

The ring felt like it was burning a hole in his chest where it sat, held in place by a necklace chain. He'd tried wearing it on his finger once, but the scorch marks it left raised too many questions.

He stepped into the elevator and took the slip of paper out. Just like she had said, below the elevator buttons was a small metal panel that could be pushed aside, and behind it a numerical pad. He keyed in the code on the slip of paper, and the elevator took him down.

'Yes,' the ring hissed in his head, 'yes, this is home. I can feel it. Take me closer.'

The renovations were only skin deep, it seemed. The bottom half of the ship bore a sharp resemblance to its Daxamite origins, more so than the lick of paint could cover.

'Left now,' the ring commanded.

Alvarez went left, and then right, and then left. The corridors were thinner down here, and a complicated array of lights along the walls flashed on and off as he walked. He passed several rooms in which staff members tapped away at consoles or sat around with drinks and food, laughing and joking. No one noticed him—he supposed Lena thought the warnings, the hidden panels and the code would be enough to keep people out.

It was hotter down here than on the rest of the ship, and Alvarez dashed thin beads of sweat off of his forehead.

'They have desecrated it,' the ring hissed, 'the last remnant of my home on earth, and it is a pit in which human filth lays.'

'We're going to fix that,' he said.

'Yes, my pet. We are. Left again. We are almost there.'

Alvarez could see it. The engine room was vast, and the source of the heat seemed to be a large motor in the centre of it. The ring seemed hotter now, too, and as he took it off it alternated between hissing and laughing. He held is close to his face and peered at pulsating neon green light that ran around the band.

'Head to the back of this room, you should find another control panel.'

He did so, and stared at the array of nobs and buttons.

'And?'

'Look towards your feet. A small panel.'

He found it. A black square of metal among the silver. He fit his nails into the groove and attempted to pry it open. The ring laughed at his efforts.

'Remove me from this chain and place me against it.'

He did so. The ring burned so hot in his hand he gasped and flung it towards the panel, and the ring stuck to the dead centre as though it was magnetised.

'What the—'

'You have done well,' the ring said as it began to glow red, 'and now you should leave. This room will be hazardous to human life in a moment or two.'

'But—what now? What are your orders for me?'

The ring laughed again as it glowed white.

'You were so easy to manipulate. So intent on bettering your station. Go now, and enjoy the last of your days. Soon, I will take control, and Supergirl, the Luthor and her minions will pay for their misdeeds.'

'What are you talking about? "My last days?" I helped you! I—I—'

'You proved yourself useful, but that usefulness has reached its end. Go, now.'

The panel the ring was stuck to fizzed and spat molten metal onto the floor as the ring sank into it. Alvarez tried to grab it back as its laughter reached ever higher pitches. He howled and pulled his burnt fingers away.

'What are you doing? What have you done?'

'You will see, my dear human. But you will not know your part in all this.'

With a final bout of laughter, the ring disappeared through the panel, and the molten metal reformed around it, as though the ring had never been there.

Alvarez studied his burnt fingers for a moment in shock.

'Where am I? What did I—what did I do?'

He turned and walked towards the exit, and just as he left two staff members came barrelling towards him.

'How did you get down here?'

'Stay where you are.'

One spoke into walkie talkie, while the other shoved Alvarez into a wall and held his hands behind his back.

'What did I just do?' He whispered.