Chapter 13

A/N: Thanks again for the favorites/follows/reviews so far. On to the next chapter!

BTW, the bold type in the next few chapters is for mental conversations. I had some special formatting, but this site doesn't seem to like it. Sorry.

"Leave her alone!" Kara yelled, watching in horror as her big sister suddenly went limp in a way that usually signified death. She knew in her head that Alex would be fine – at least, that's what Maggie said immortality meant – but the knowledge hardly made seeing it happen any easier. The guard gave one final, half-hearted kick to Alex's legs before turning on the Kryptonian.

"Keep quiet or you'll get the same thing," he growled. "Got it?" Kara nodded, not wanting to anger him further while she was unable to fight back. The guard walked away, seemingly satisfied, and she closed her eyes and hung her head in what she hoped would appear to be submission.

What the fuck, Little Danvers? a familiar voice sounded in her head. I thought we agreed that you wouldn't drop out of contact without warning us first. What happened?

I'm in, Kara shot back mentally. She still wasn't quite used to having these pseudo-telepathic conversations, but the Kryptonian Military tech her aunt had told her about when she was younger was by far the safest communication option they had. Thankfully, the AI at the Fortress had been convinced by her argument that the tech was necessary for her protection and only asked her to limit who she shared it with, which is why the mental link was just between herself, Maggie, and Lena. The rest of their backup were using traditional coms. Is the team in place?

Ready and waiting for your signal, Kara.

What she said, Maggie chimed in. And you still haven't answered my question.

Kara sighed. Sorry. Kind of hard to focus on keeping the channel open while taking a beating from the General and his goons.

Shit. You okay?

I've had worse.

I'll take your word for it, Little Danvers. What about Alex?

Alex is good…I think. Guard just beat her to death right in front of me. But she still has her head, so that means she'll be okay. Right?

She'll be fine, kid. Told you before, I've seen her jump out of a fucking penthouse window and come back good as new. Kara frowned as Maggie spoke, not sure if the comment was reassuring or even more cause for concern. Anyway, the former detective continued, other than being temporarily dead, how's she looking?

She's definitely lost weight, and she has this nasty scar down the left side of her face. Did you know about that?

Sorry. I was kind of hoping that was part of my fucked-up dreams and not real life.

It's real, alright. I thought you said she was supposed to heal from pretty much everything?

Well, if my connection with Alex has been giving me accurate information, I believe the scar was a parting gift from Luthor. Something about Cadmus' synthetic Kryptonite disrupting her healing abilities when used to harm her directly by cutting or whatever. Maybe the DEO or one of our other genius friends can find a way to undo it. For now, though, let's just focus on getting her the fuck out of there.

Right. Are those tracking nanites Lena gave me working? Have you and Babs been able to find and map the facility?

Yep. Parts of the facility, anyway. We can't map where you haven't been taken. But it's a start. Oracle has been scouring the web to try and find any blueprints we could match to what we have so far.

Good news for us, Lena interjected. What about you, Kara? How are you holding up?

I'm pretty sore from the beatings and my knee is killing me, but other than that I'm fine. That Kryptonite vaccine you came up with is definitely working.

Excellent. But could you be a bit more specific? How is your strength right now?

Still human. I couldn't break my restraints if I tried. I'm not in any pain from the Kryptonite, though. Not unless Lane cranks it up really high. Right now it's more like what happens under a red sun. She sighed. I just hope Alex doesn't kill me when she finds out I was mostly faking my reaction to the Kryptonite earlier. Maggie, you can tell Babs that those acting classes she made me take with her at Gotham U finally paid off.

Will do, the ex-detective replied. So what's the plan? Ready for the team to bust in and take those fuckers down?

Not yet. The General said that Lord will be here in person tomorrow to witness my execution. And possibly Alex's. It's going to be tight, but I'm waiting until I get eyes on Lord before hitting the switch. That way we can finish this all at once instead of having to chase him down later. Lena, you're sure this thing will work? With some help from the Fortress' tech, Lena, Barbara, and Curtis had come up with a miniature EMP that they implanted under Kara's skin in the palm of her hand. They'd made sure it was completely undetectable by any technology the government had access to, and it would short out any non-Kryptonian power source (leaving the tech for the mental link active, though she wasn't sure how it would affect the trackers). All Kara would have to do when the time came was press her middle and ring fingers into the upper part of her palm…sort of like Spiderman activating his webs.

Positive, and the team is far enough away that none of our tech will be affected when it goes off. But are you sure you want to cut it that close?

I know it's risky, Lena, but if we take this place down and Lord isn't here, he'll probably go underground and we'll never find him. Besides, if those schematics for the Kryptonite restraints you found in your mother's papers are accurate, the Kryptonite should go inert once the electronics short out and my powers will come back. Any luck finding Alex's sword?

Maggie jumped in before Lena had a chance to respond. Sorry, kid. Teo has been in contact with the Watchers in National City, but no one's actually seen that blade in months. Though at least one Watcher is pretty sure that Lord keeps the sword on his person at all times. Apparently he's started wearing a long coat regularly for the first time in…well…ever.

Well, the good news is that if he brings it along for his visit, all Alex and I will have to do is get it off of him. Then she can do…whatever it is she has to do. Kara wasn't entirely comfortable with the idea of her sister decapitating someone – even a man as vile as Maxwell Lord – but at the same time she knew that if they let him walk away, he'd just keep coming for them. Removing him permanently would be the only way they'd get any peace. A loud gasp interrupted her thoughts, and Kara raised her gaze in time to see Alex returning to life. I have to go, guys. Alex just woke up. I'll be in touch. Mentally shutting down the link for the moment, Kara offered her sister a small smile. "I don't know if I'll ever get used to this whole 'human reset button' thing you've got going on."

"You should try it from my end," Alex grumbled, sitting up a bit straighter. "How long was I out?"

"Not sure. Haven't really been paying much attention to the time. Is there even a clock in here?"

Alex nodded, cutting her eyes to one side. Kara followed her gaze to a large digital clock on the wall opposite the entrance she'd been brought through. It was just after midnight. "Gee…we've only got…what? Maybe 8 hours before Lane puts our heads on spikes for the whole fucking world to see? How the fuck are we going to entertain ourselves until then?"

"I know you're only dipping into the sarcasm because you're pissed. And scared. And that's okay. But you need to keep it together. If you lose it here, these guys win."

"They've already won," the elder Danvers muttered, shaking her head. "They have me…you…Dad…."

Kara frowned. "Jeremiah's here? Where?"

"Wherever the fuck Lord is keeping his immortal prisoners that aren't me. I've only ever seen Dad on days when Lord's goons dragged me over to his lab so he could take samples and try to turn me against you."

"What are you talking about? Jeremiah wouldn't do that!"

"The guy we knew wouldn't. But Lord fucked with his head somehow…turned him into this cold-hearted bastard who doesn't even know who I am and couldn't care less. And I don't know if there's any way to get Dad back." Tears started to fall from Alex's eyes, and all Kara wanted to do was run over and throw her arms around her big sister. But that wouldn't be happening anytime soon. She briefly turned the link back on and relayed the information about Jeremiah before returning her attention to Alex.

"It's going to be okay, Lexie," she whispered. "I promise."

"How? These guys have all the fucking cards right now."

Kara sighed. "Do you trust me?"

"Of course I do."

"Then believe me when I say this is not the end for us. Not even close."

Alex nodded again, but before either of them could say anything else another guard strolled by, shooting them a warning glare. This was definitely going to be a long night. Kara looked at her sister, who had already closed her eyes and leaned her head back against the pillar, obviously intent on trying to get at least some sleep since talking was forbidden. With a resigned sigh, the younger Danvers shifted more weight onto her good knee and tried to raise herself up a bit straighter to take some strain off her arms. As she did, her mind whirled with the revelation that Jeremiah was just like Alex. Had he always been that way? Did Henshaw trigger it during that fight in South America? Did Cadmus do something to bring it about? Kara hadn't really known him that well, but she did recall one area of the house in Midvale that neither her nor Alex had ever been allowed into. He'd lined the walls with lead after Kara's arrival, and even after his supposed death, no one had ever dared try to enter that room. Kara had always assumed it was his private laboratory, but maybe it had something to do with that sword training stuff Maggie had told her about. Not that the details really mattered at this point. She didn't really care about the fact that he was apparently immortal. It would be nice to have yet another person around who wouldn't leave her. What worried her was the part about him being brainwashed and acting like one of those true believer types Cadmus liked to keep around. Kara didn't want her sister to lose her father yet again, but she honestly wasn't sure what to do if there was no way to reverse whatever Lord had done to make Jeremiah the way he was now. She closed her eyes, silently praying to Rao to spare them from having to make that sort of decision as she attempted to follow Alex's example and get a bit of sleep despite the distinctly uncomfortable position she'd been left in….

"Get your fucking hands off me you sick fucks!"

Kara jolted awake from where she'd apparently dozed off to find her sister surrounded by half the guards on the cell block. They were in the process of releasing her from the pillar she'd been bound to, and she was fighting them every step of the way. The second Alex's legs were freed, the elder Danvers managed to land a solid kick to one guard's crotch, sending him to his knees. Unfortunately, his comrades were quick to subdue Alex and soon had her hands cuffed behind her back and her feet shackled together with a very short chain.

Then it was Kara's turn. She put up a token protest as the guards ripped away the duct tape securing her elbows to the crossbar and momentarily unlocked one side of the handcuffs, but quieted down when they predictably threatened her sister, allowing them to believe that they'd gotten to her. They reattached the cuff so her hands were in front, then unlocked one of the shackles around her ankles just long enough to stand her back up. A shooting pain went through her bad knee at the sudden movement, but she gritted her teeth and waited for it to pass while the guards finished their work, adding a chain between the handcuffs and shackles that kept her from lifting her hands up even a little. Kara dared a glance over at Alex and saw very real fear filling her big sister's eyes. And since Alex very rarely let those sorts of emotions show when she was with people other than those she considered family, the sight was enough to tell Kara just how serious this was. She wished she could tell her sister that help was on the way, but – as the others had rightfully pointed out – doing so risked Alex acting in a way that would tip Lane off and possibly increase the security at the facility. Alex was a good agent. One of the best, in fact. But she'd also been under unimaginable stress for the past few months and might find it more difficult to resist the urge to throw the General's imminent failure in his face.

"Please tell me this isn't part of your big plan," Alex suddenly muttered. Kara was about to respond when she noticed that her sister wasn't looking at her, but at some point over by the wall. "Offering my sister up as a sacrificial lamb is definitely not okay." The elder Danvers frowned as though someone had said something she didn't like, but no one in the room had spoken and the guards were looking rather uncomfortable. Kara opened the mental link back up.

You guys there?

Of course, Little Danvers.

Always. The latter came from Lena, and Kara had to force herself not to smile even as her heart skipped a couple of beats at the declaration.

Are you seeing Alex right now, Maggie?

No. Why?

Because she's arguing with someone who isn't there, and it's starting to freak me out. The guards, too. And I'm afraid they might do something if she doesn't stop soon.

Sorry, but I think the whole seeing into her dreams thing only works when I'm actually asleep. Or, you know, comatose. I could grab a nap…see if I can break into whatever this is and calm her down.

No time. The guards have us trussed up and ready for whatever Lane has planned. I'm sure we'll be moving along any second. The nanites are still transmitting, right?

Yes. Lena responded. We have your location. What do you want us to do?

Like I said last night, I want to wait until I have eyes on Lord before making a move. But be ready to go as soon as the facility goes dark. And in the meantime, Maggie, get Babs – and Curtis, if he's there – to keep an eye on any outgoing transmissions by Cadmus and shut them down. The last thing we need is any of their propaganda going viral, even if we do stop him from carrying out his execution plan.

Speaking of which, Lena chimed in before Maggie had the chance to respond. Promise me you'll be careful, Kara. I couldn't stand it if anything happened to you.

I'm with Luthor on this one, Little Danvers. I know this seemed like the best plan when you thought it up – and maybe it is – but I can't lose my sister. And we both know Alex would go full-on homicidal if she lost you to these fuckers. Just don't do anything stupid, okay?

Would it make you guys feel better if I left this channel open? The response was a resounding 'yes' from both of them. Alright. If I get in trouble I'll send out an SOS so you can start the party early. Otherwise, just wait for my signal that I've triggered the EMP. A loud crack disrupted her train of thought, and Kara looked to find her sister doubled over, wheezing like it was hard to breathe, and a guard standing nearby with some sort of heavy club in his hand. He probably broke some of Alex's ribs, no doubt as some sort of twisted punishment over the hallucination thing. She mentally let loose a string of Kryptonese curses, making Lena gasp in shock. Gotta go. Be ready to tear this place down when I say the word. Kara returned her attention to her big sister. "You okay?"

"I've had worse," Alex shrugged, still wheezing a bit. Kara frowned, but didn't have time to think too much about what that meant before the guards started pushing them forward. Neither of them could move very fast, given the way they'd been restrained, but that didn't stop their 'escorts' from trying to get more speed out of them. The Kryptonian was rather surprised that the guards were allowing them to walk on their own instead of simply dragging them wherever they were supposed to go.

They moved to the opposite end of the cell block from where Kara had entered, and she spotted what looked like a freight elevator off to one side – no doubt leading down to the mines. But the guards prodded them in the opposite direction, through a door and into some corridor that, based on Alex's expression, the elder Danvers had never seen before. They shuffled (and, in Kara's case, limped) their way down the long hallway until the guards eventually redirected them through a door and into a large room with a camera and spotlights set up. Kara also couldn't help but notice the high-tech guillotine in one corner – one that Lane had most likely used his DEO access to get, since it had previously belonged to Draper – and a crude gallows along the wall. Just two pillars and a crossbeam with a noose hanging down, and a stool set up underneath. Lane was there in full dress uniform, and at his signal the guards forced her and Alex to their knees before him.

"Where the fuck is Lord?" Alex growled, warily eyeing the guillotine.

Lane's eyebrow shot up. "In a hurry to die, are you? Don't worry…he'll be here soon. I just wanted to get the preliminaries out of the way before we get started." He turned to Kara, pulling a piece of paper from his pocket and setting it down in front of her. "Here's how this is going to work, alien. When that camera goes on, I'll introduce myself and explain Cadmus' true purpose, and then you will read the statement I just gave you. Once you've finished, we'll move on to the main event." He gestured towards the gallows. "Much as I would've loved to boil you in oil or roast you on a pyre, the people watching need to see something that looks like justice. But I haven't forgotten my promise. This will be slow and painful, because I won't do you the courtesy of snapping your neck. No…you're going to feel every agonizing second as your air supply is choked off and your body shuts down from lack of oxygen. The world will watch as Supergirl takes her last breath, and then they'll know that Cadmus was right all along."

"Forget it," Kara snarled, pushing the paper aside. "Kill me if you must, but I won't help you justify my own murder. You can figure that part out for yourself."

The words were barely out of her mouth when Alex suddenly surged to her feet and attempted to go for Lane despite the restraints. It took every single one of the guards in the room to wrestle her back down. "Lay one fucking hand on my sister and I swear you won't live long enough to regret it!"

Lane shook his head. "We've been over this, 10-15. You're hardly in a position to be making threats. And, at any rate, I believe your time has just run out." As he spoke, Kara saw her sister stiffen, eyes darting about as though searching for something. That something turned out to be Lord himself, who strode into the room carrying what looked like a customized version of Longclaw. The sword Maggie had described as the one Jo had gifted Alex shortly before her death. Lord moved over to Lane and the two had a quiet conversation. While they were distracted, Kara glanced around to make sure she wasn't being watched, then pressed her fingers into her palm to activate the EMP. Only nothing happened.

It's not working! she called out mentally, trying her best not to panic.

Lena responded first. Stay calm, Kara. It may have just shifted position. Just keep trying, and I'll get plan B ready.

There's a plan B?

Of course. One of the few worthwhile things Lex taught me was that no plan survives initial contact. I always make sure to have at least two backups ready. So – like I said – keep trying to activate your EMP, and keep us up to date. And if you can't get it working and run out of time, call out to me and I'll send in the backup. You're not alone in there, Kara. We're in this together. El-Mayara.

El-Mayara, Kara repeated automatically. Lord's here, and he has Alex's sword. Probably wants to use that to take her head for some sort of twisted symbolism. And Lane has a noose all ready for me. We don't have much time left.

We've got your back, Little Danvers, Maggie assured her. Just hang in there…I mean…well…you know….

I get it. Thanks. And in case this doesn't work, I want you both to know that I love you. Maggie, you're my sister, and not just because of Alex. I honestly don't know how I would've gotten through all of this if my plan to bring you out of the coma had failed. Your guidance and support has meant more to me than I could ever hope to express.

Love you too, Little Danvers.

And Lena, Kara continued, if I'm being honest with myself, I think I started falling for you from the moment Clark and I walked into your office at L-Corp and I watched you throw his suspicions back in his face, making it clear that you weren't going to sit back and let anyone judge you because of your last name. You've been the best friend I've ever had, and – Rao willing – I want to try taking that next step towards becoming more. But, if the worst happens, just know that I don't think even Krypton's stupid Marriage Computer could've found me a better partner.

I love you too, Kara. And when this is over, we will definitely be having that talk. Don't give up just yet.

I'm not. But when Krypton was destroyed there were so many things I never got to say to my family. I don't want to risk that happening with anyone else I care about. Footsteps approached, and Kara looked up to see Lord and Lane both standing over her.

"Isn't this sweet," Lord sneered. "The Danvers sisters, together in life and death." He shared a look with the General before approaching Alex and putting the tip of her sword beneath her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze. "I'm truly sorry it had to come to this, Danvers. If only you hadn't been so stubborn about helping me out."

Alex spat at his feet. "I told you before, Lord…the only way you're getting anything out of my brain is if you take my head. So if you're going to do it, just get it the fuck over with already. Stop with the theatrical bullshit."

Kara winced as Lord backhanded her sister across the face. "You aren't in control here, Danvers," he growled, putting the blade to her throat once more. "Tempting as it is to finish you right now, I think I want you to watch your beloved sister meet the fate she deserves, knowing that things might have played out differently had you just agreed to my offer." Before Alex had a chance to respond, the billionaire gestured to the guards, who dragged her over to the wall opposite the gallows. They forced Alex to her knees and locked some kind of collar around her throat. The collar was attached to a short chain that was bolted into the wall, keeping her from going anywhere. "Don't worry," Lord grinned, patting the elder Danvers' head like she was a dog. "Your turn will come soon enough." Alex lunged for the arrogant billionaire, who simply stepped back and laughed at her efforts as the chain pulled her up short and made her gag.

While Lord was focused on her sister, Kara kept trying to activate the EMP and put an end to it. Unfortunately, her fingers just couldn't seem to find the right spot. Hands wrapped around her biceps and pulled her upright as the overhead lights suddenly turned red. And Kara had a sinking feeling that it wasn't mood lighting. Lane strode over, smug smirk firmly in place. "I've decided to forego having you read that statement, since I really can't afford to waste time trying to strong-arm you into it. Instead, we'll just film the important parts now and then splice in the security footage of your misdeeds before we broadcast. It won't be quite as effective as a live feed, but the end result is all that really matters." He mockingly patted her cheek and nodded to the guards before approaching the camera and starting in on his spiel. Kara only half-listened as he railed against the 'alien menace' and claimed that Cadmus' only purpose was to protect the planet from invaders. "…and these so-called 'Supers' are the most insidious of them all," he raved. "They swoop in from above, claiming to bring hope. But the only thing these false gods bring with them is destruction. We all remember what happened when Supergirl was allegedly poisoned. And since abandoning National City, her behavior has become even more erratic. She cares for nothing and no one but herself, and uses gullible humans to help her avoid the consequences of her actions." Kara knew he was likely talking about Barbara keeping her out of Blackgate – though she had no idea how he'd found out – and the accusations against her and her friend were maddening. The only thing keeping her from going after Lane despite her restraints was the fact that doing so with that camera rolling would just prove him right. "But not to worry," Lane continued. "Cadmus has finally brought this mad dog to heel, and we are more than prepared to eliminate the threat she presents." He stepped aside so that Kara was in full view of the camera, then nodded to the guards holding her. They removed the collar and Kryptonite restraints, zip-tying Kara's hands behind her before she could even think about trying anything. The Kryptonian kept attempting to activate the EMP, pressing her fingers into her palm hard enough to cut herself with her own nails, but to no avail. She planted her feet when the guards started to drag her over to the gallows in a desperate attempt to buy time. But the red sunlight had left her human enough for them to overpower her, and she soon found herself standing on the stool, the noose brushing against the back of her head. "Any last words, Supergirl?" Lane sneered as his cameraman closed in. Kara could hear Alex screaming her name, and defiantly turned from the camera to focus on her big sister.

"I love you, Lexie. Whatever happens, it was worth it to see you again. Please don't blame yourself. This was my choice. Okay?"

"I love you, too," Alex sobbed. "El-Mayara."

"El-Mayara."

"How touching," Lane growled. "Of course, no one will ever see that little exchange." He gave the cameraman some signal, then waited a moment or two before resuming his posturing. "Nothing to say, alien? Pity." Shaking his head, Lane took up a more 'official' stance. "Supergirl, for your crimes against the human race, Cadmus hereby sentences you to hang by the neck until dead. May whatever heathen gods you believe in have mercy on your soul. Assuming, of course, you even have one." As he spoke, the guards zip-tied her ankles and strapped what looked like a thick leather belt around her knees. In her head, Kara was practically screaming for help from Lena and/or Maggie, since plan A clearly wasn't working. Someone yanked a dark hood over her head, blocking out all light, and a moment later she felt the noose around her throat. A strange noise filled the room, followed by the sounds of panic. But before Kara had a chance to even begin figuring out what it all meant, the stool suddenly disappeared from beneath her feet and the noose tightened….

TBC (*big evil laugh* Would I really do it? Find out Wednesday in Alex's next chapter!)