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The Auction Chapter 1

3 weeks after the Prologue

Lena didn't know why she was asked to board a shuttle to fly to the Fort Rozz Space Station. The Director on board the space station, Hank Henshaw had personally called to request her presence but refused to give any details why. She guessed it might be because she was considered a leader in the fields of bio and mechanical engineering. Lena's brain was always problem solving, trying to be five chess steps ahead of all her opponents, so going in blind like this, unknowing was really unsettling to her. She couldn't help but think of worst case scenarios to try and prepare herself, like maybe there was a dire mechanical issue, and if that were the case then she hoped it wasn't so bad that this would be a one-way trip. There were a lot of cons to consider to why they would need her expertise on a ship like that and they only compounded when they refused to tell her why she was wanted aboard. But then, on the other hand; Space. How often do you get that chance? So, Lena jumped at the opportunity.

When Lena exited the shuttle's ramp she was greeted by Director Henshaw, "Welcome aboard Fort Rozz, Ms. Luther."

Lena reached out her hand to shake the director's. "Thank you for having me" she responded and then added with a little reservation, "I think." Lena was looking around taking in the massive cargo bay where the shuttle had landed.

"It's impressive, isn't it?" asked Hank noticing her eyes taking it all in.

Lena was impressed, period. Something this size with its capabilities, even if humans had all the specs, it would probably take decades to build on Earth. So, naturally, she played it down "It's alright" she said with a small shrug.

Hank gave just a hint of a grin reading Lena's play. He wasn't reading her mind even though he had the ability to do that. He's just been around enough bureaucracy to recognize when someone's playing tight to the chest. After all, this was Lena Luthor, one of the richest and smartest business women on Earth, he didn't expect any less. "Well, if you'd follow me?" he gestured to the door and hall he came in from.

"I'd like to know why I'm here?" Lena asked with a serious tone.

"And I will tell you" Hank said, "Just as soon as we get to my office.

Lena pursed her lips to show her displeasure with being kept on the hook, but she had just traveled over three hundred fifty thousand miles, she wasn't exactly going to hop back on the shuttle and go home because she had to wait a little longer. "Fine" she said and started walking in the direction the director had indicated.

While Lena and Hank were walking together down the corridors of the station Lena would try to take in as much as she could see, trying to figure out on her own why they needed her expertise on this space station. She noticed damage in many places; burn marks, panels missing with exposed wiring, they even walked by a room that had looked like it had been completely engulfed in flames at one point. The walls were black and all the equipment inside, whatever it was, was completely charred. Lena had heard about the battle that had taken place in order to take over Fort Rozz, she imagined much of the damage she saw came from that fight. The burn marks and missing panels were just superficial though and the exposed wiring she saw, all looked new or in order so she thought they must have an engineer and electricians already on board fixing things. Lena was at a loss as to what her purpose was here.

Lena and Hank walked by a huge, floor to ceiling window that looked out into space. Lena could see the Earth and the view was breath taking so she stopped. Hank noticed and stopped with her. "Beautiful, isn't it?" he said.

"Yes, it is" Lena was smiling as she was taking in the beauty when she responded.

"Being up here a year now, you begin to take it for granted" Hank said appreciating the view.

"I don't know how you could ever take this view for granted" she countered.

"You'd be surprised at just what can become common place after a while" he said.

"I don't know how seeing your planet in your rear view could ever become common place" a new voice had interrupted Lena and Hank's conversation. Lena turned to see a dark-haired woman, possibly red, it was hard to tell in this lighting and a blonde woman coming up behind them. The dark-haired woman was a doctor based on her dress, stethoscope, and clipboard. The blonde was younger, low to mid-twenties and had eyes so blue they drew you in like they were small oceans. She was striking in appearance even though she was wearing what appeared to be more comfortable attire, workout clothing perhaps, a tank top with the DEO logo and jogging pants.

Hank smiled at the newcomers, "I assure you, even that is possible Dr. Danvers" he greeted her happily Lena noticed. "Lena this is Dr. Alex Danvers, she's the head medical specialist aboard the station, specializing in bio engineering and pathogens." Lena reached out to shake the doctor's hand and Hank continued, "The DEO snatched her up when we found out she also had a fascination with astronomy, there's no one better suited for our mission up here."

"And that is….." Lena said turning her attention toward him. Lena couldn't help but drop that one in there even though she was sure she wouldn't get a response. And she didn't.

"And this is Kara" Hank gestured to the blonde but didn't expand on her job description Lena noticed. She was guessing an agent, perhaps out of commission due to illness or injury, that could explain the no title and doctor Lena thought.

"How do you do?" Lena asked reaching out her hand to Kara. Lena noticed Kara hesitate, momentarily looking to the director as if asking for permission. This actually wasn't that unusual for Lena, she's been apart of many meetings where less ranking secretaries or employees feel the need to seek permission from their higher-ranking employers to introduce themselves or speak up, a fear of overstepping their bounds she guessed. Lena felt this confirmed Kara was on the low end of agent rankings. She was young as well, so that made sense. Lena always tried to be approachable to her employees but sometimes rank, title, and power are just intimidating to people who have little to none of their own. Lena knew it wasn't good for business if your employees were afraid to bring up ideas with you. Sometimes ideas from the quietest employees were the best ones.

"I'm fine, thank you" Kara responded while extending her hand to meet Lena's.

Lena pulled her hand away flexing it a bit for effect. "Firm grip" she said hoping to make the lower ranking agent smile. Lena noticed both the director and doctor seemed to be watching their exchange with intense curiosity.

"Did I hurt you? I'm sorry." Kara asked with a slight uptick of worry in her voice. After this, Lena caught that Hank brought his hand up briefly to cover a smile. Lena was beginning to think she was missing something, a vital piece of information.

"No, of course not" she told Kara trying to reassure her still smiling, "A strong hand shake is a great sign."

The doctor turned to Kara also confirming it, "It is a good sign Kara, just not too hard." Then Alex turned to Director Henshaw going into her clipboard and pulling out a manila folder and handing it to the him, "Since you're here, here's the updated medical charts you asked for."

"Thank you" he replied briefly eyeing the top sheet in the folder. Hank, reduced his smile to bring things back to a more serious tone, "Alex, how about you take Kara back to her room."

Alex nodded, "Yes sir" and motioned down the hall to Kara.

Kara looked at Lena, "It was nice to meet you" she said sincerely.

Lena responded with a smile, "And you as well." Dr. Danvers and Kara both proceeded down the hall in the direction they were originally headed. Lena turned to Director Henshaw, "Did I miss something?" she asked wanting to be let in on whatever she had missed.

"My office is just around the corner. How about we go discuss what I asked you here for" he said gesturing to an off-shooting hall from the one they were at. Lena noticed Hank skirt her question again but complied and walked to the corresponding hallway.

Hank's office was bare bones. Lena supposed that was to be expected since bringing your personal belongings to outer space probably wasn't easy. In the room was only the desk, a 4-drawer locking file cabinet and a half a dozen chairs; 1 behind the desk, 2 in front and 3 along the walls probably for when more was needed. Hank sat behind his desk and Lena took a chair in front.

Hank had thought previously how he was going to broach the subject of the auction with Ms. Luthor because he knew it was a bit of a tricky subject. He figured she was a well-regarded business woman so he would try to appeal to her fact driven business senses. "Business, is what's brought you here, I suppose. I have a proposal for you, Ms. Luther."

Intrigued now Lena asked, "And what kind of business could I possibly have aboard an alien space prison."

Hank explained, "It's an alien prison now, yes. But it's not going to be for that much longer. The US Government has bigger plans for this station, repairs are going slowly while we have to maintain so much security but many parts of the station even now are being reconfigured and updated. The Government is trying to get as much bang for their buck out of this place as possible considering how much they spent securing it. The station is being segmented into 3rds, the first is the obvious, military use. Another portion is being outfitted for research, it's going to have the most advanced technology available and because its large enough to house astronauts and scientists from countries all across the Earth, they're hoping the unification will advance new technologies and medicines that much faster." Hank went on with a slight eye roll for the next segment, "There's also a section being outfitted for the rich as you might have guessed. There's going to be a luxury vacation get away for those families and high-profile guests that can afford the ticket to space" he finished.

"While that's fascinating, it still doesn't explain why I'm here" Lena said pointing out the obvious.

Hank leaned forward in his chair, "As you said, this place currently is an alien prison and the US government needed to figure out what to do with those aliens." Hank paused for a moment, "After we had taken over we were given a little time to figure out which aliens were useful and which ones could be safely controlled. The ones that were deemed unsafe were," Hank seemed to struggle with the next word, "euthanized." Lena sat up in the chair fully engrossed now in what she was hearing. "After that, there were forty alien prisoners still on the station, twenty-two were taken by the military last week for research and… other uses." Hank reached into a drawer in his desk and pulled out a piece of paper sliding it to Lena, "The other eighteen, the lowest risk ones, are being auctioned off to billionaires and rich corporations, like yourself and Luthor Corp."

Lena took a look at what appeared to be a flyer of sorts for the auction that the director was talking about. It wasn't a finished advert, perhaps just a mock up but it had much of the pertinent information on it; the who, what, where, when, and how. It would be held privately in New York in six weeks' time. "First off, I'm in the process of changing the company name to L Corp. Second, why are you telling me about this?" Lena asked feeling uncomfortable.

"The honest answer is I'm hoping to appeal to your kindness, if not that, then your business intuition." Hank said leaning back in his chair a little bit. "In about three weeks you'll be receiving the finished invitation to that event, but I'd like to offer an exclusive. Now." Lena's eyes narrowed. Hank reached for another file in his desk sliding it to Lena, "there's and alien. An alien who doesn't deserve to be…" Hank struggled with finding the right words, "bought by just anyone."

"And what makes me worthy?" Lena asked.

Hank shrugged, "Oprah wouldn't take my call." At that statement Lena eye rolled. "She's hands down going to be the most in demand and the most expensive alien at that event, should you decide not to purchase. She's young, she's beautiful. She has extraordinary abilities including extremely accelerated healing which I'm sure the Pharmaceutical division at L Corp could make profitable, VERY profitable. And she's the last female we know of her kind…..she's Kryptonian" Hank said with finality, as if that should be all the information she needs.

Lena's eyes went wide, "Kryptonian? Like the Superman in Metropolis Kryptonian?" Hank nodded confirming Lena's statement. He also braced a little inside as he was trying to gage Lena's reaction. He knew Lena's brother Lex went to prison in part because of Superman's vigilante work but he also knew the Lena had publicly denounced Lex and his crimes which was also a reason for the company name change she mentioned moments ago.

Hank knew from Lena's public appearances she was much different than her brother and WAY different that her parents who ran the company before them. Lena has been known to be much more liberal in business and in her personal life. In business she was considered tough but still found ways to be green with her company and progressive thinking. In her personal life from what Hank knew, politically; she was an independent, a philanthropist with many righteous causes she's championed, her largest being a children's hospital. She's also been photographed on dates with men and woman both, and Hank knows at least publicly, she's mentioned support for Superman's amnesty. Hank prayed it wasn't all for show and public sway now, because the list of people who could afford what he asked is limited.

Lena flipped open the cover of the manila folder she was handed and immediately brought her hand to cover her mouth with shock, "Oh my God." Lena was staring at a 4 by 6 photograph paperclipped inside the file, of the blonde girl she had just met in the corridor, Kara. Lena was fumbling her words a little but managed, "Kara, she's… she's an alien?"

"Yes." Hank said simply.

Lena began pouring over the file before her, absorbing the medical charts. She paid special attention to the information on the regenerative abilities because Hank was right, the medicines and treatments that could be harnessed from those genetic codes could be priceless. Then as Lena thought of money, she thought of price. "You mentioned an exclusive, so what's the price?" she asked.

The director let a breath escape before he answered, "Five Hundred Million" he answered. Lena's eyes bolted open. "All research an analysis show's her auction value could push toward a billion, possibly over" Hank said as he reached for another file and slide it to her. "You're getting the option to purchase without competition at the opening bid price" he finished.

Lena flipped open the new folder briefly but wasn't really interested in the auction analysis and closed it quickly. Lena almost choked out "That's a lot of money. That's an enormous amount of money." Lena continued "But If she's really worth this much, why me? Why am I getting a half off deal?"

"Because I explained to a dozen Senators the ramifications of a leaked photo of a beautiful young blonde girl being sold into slavery by the US Government. That it would look horrible." Lena cringed at the word slavery. Lena had been so distracted by the business aspect of this she hadn't yet thought about what this really was. Hank continued, "The media backlash alone would tank years of future stock in this station" the director explained.

"So, your motives are patriotic?" Lena sked, "Trying to save the government's investment in this station?"

Hank sat forward and said with all seriousness, "I don't give a crap about the government's new military toy and vacation hot spot. The DEO's job here is done when there are no more aliens to watch over. My motives are for Kara, you met her, she doesn't deserve to bought by some Middle Eastern King and put into a harem."

"But the other seventeen aliens in the auction do?" Lena countered testing the director's resolve.

Hank quickly shot back, "The other seventeen aliens were convicted felons aboard this prison. Kara was, how do I put it, a hitch hiker who has gotten caught in the crossfire. Plus, they're not humanoid in appearance the way Kara is. They'll be purchased for study or for some symbol of status for rich people."

"If she wasn't a prisoner aboard the ship and isn't a danger then why is she being held like this?" Lena asked appalled at this girl's situation.

Hank paused trying to choose his words. He completely understood where Lena was coming from and quite frankly he felt the government was choosing to dole out punishment before a crime was committed which he thought went against American ideals. But on the other hand he began replying, "Kara's abilities; her strength, her power, I know she wouldn't, but if she chose to she could wipe out a city in hours. The US government isn't willing to risk letting a nuclear warhead roam around the Earth unchecked."

"No, but they're willing to give the key to said warhead to a random asshole with a lot of money. Talk about shirking responsibility." Lena cringed again, she was shaking her head thinking to herself, feeling very much conflicted. "The power…. how am I to be expected to control that?" she whispered to herself. They obviously have the technology on the ship to control the Kryptonian. The cells were built for Kryptonians she knew but was that it, a cage? A cage in her lab, Lena thought and she didn't like the idea of it.

Lena was having trouble with what was probably a great business investment and the thought of venturing into what is essentially human trafficking. Okay, not 'Human' trafficking per say but Kara was a person. How can you buy a person? How could she support this, be a part of this at all? Whatever cloak the government was trying to defend their actions with, this was straight up profiteering and trafficking; slavery. Lena moved forward putting her elbows on the desk placing her head in her hands, messaging her temples with her fingers trying to reduce the pressure she was feeling. "I don't like this" she said eventually, "I don't think I can be a part of this."

"Ms. Luther,…" Hank started but was cut off by Lena.

"No, I'm not going to be a part of this. I'm trying to turn Luthor Corp around, start fresh, new name, new ideals. I'm trying to make it a company that helps people. Same thing you said about the picture of the blonde girl being sold into slavery that would tank this station, well it would tank L Corp, it would sink me and lump me right in with Lex if a picture of an alien, in a prison cell, in my lab was leaked. No, I can't do it." Lena said with finality.

Hank pursed his lips and released a breath in disappointment, but he understood. In fact, he was even more sure than before that Lena was the best candidate for Kara's care. But her decision was made and how do you argue against someone's values, especially when he thought they were right. He heard her whisper about the ability to control Kara and the off-putting idea of a cage. He felt he should explain Kryptonite and the cuffs they had developed but now wasn't the time. It was obvious Lena had absorbed all she could from this conversation and needed a break. If he continued to push he would only stress and anger her further, "Listen, I'm not going to push you anymore right this instant. I will have one of my agents take you to a room that has been set up for you tonight. If you'd be agreeable though, I would like you to meet Kara?" Hank asked almost pleading with his eyes.

Lena's shoulder's sagged as she seemed to be thinking, no good can come from meeting this girl. "I'm not changing my mind" she told Hank flatly.

"That's fine" he said. "But you came all this way, you might as well meet an alien while you're here."

Lena shook her head as she knew the director was playing to her scientific mind, shit, "Fine."

"Good, after supper then" Hank smiled taking his small victory.

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