Stella – Kastura
Low River Country
You don't miss something until you've had it.
It doesn't even take that much of it really.
As Clark carried a fresh, steaming cup of coffee out to the deck to watch the sunrise he couldn't help smiling. It had been a few days since Kori had spent the night and they made plans for later this evening. He had nothing special to do until then, so he was just going to relax around his house.
As he sat down and took a sip of the coffee, Clark's smile got a little bigger as he watched Krypto coming running towards him. Mentally he corrected himself, this wasn't just his house anymore it was his home. It was a subtle mental distinction. Real estate agents all over the country like to advertise homes for sale, but that's just marketing. They're selling houses. It's the people that buy those houses that either make them homes or not.
Moving around as much as he did all his life, Clark's idea of a home had always been more abstract. If he was with his parents, Jonathan and Martha, he was home no matter where they were living. The apartments, bungalows, trailers, etc., they stayed in were just rooms they occupied to stay out of the elements.
As he looked around at the cabin he'd bought and been remodeling he understood that's what this had been when he bought it, a house. Now it felt like a home, his home. Setting his cup down and petting Krypto, Clark thought back to the other night with Kori. Sometime during the night as they were in bed together she had asked him why there was so little of him in the cabin. He hadn't known what she meant at first but as she explained he started to understand. Pictures, personal items and mementos, those little bits and pieces we all collect and end up littered around us that convey to others that this is our space.
He realized he'd never had a drawer for old photographs or a scrapbook filled with keepsakes from his childhood. There were no report cards, ribbons or valentines from classmates. There weren't even old clothes he'd grown out of but hadn't gotten around to throwing out in his closet. There was no past in the place, nothing that said it was really his and not just another set of rooms he was occupying.
It was a house, not a home and certainly not his home.
As he watched Krypto curl up at his feet Clark realized he was going to have to change his thinking. Maybe it was time he reconsidered what Jonn had been trying to tell him these past years. Perhaps he could carve out a small place for himself and let the rest of the world spin along without him until the climate changed for people like him. Instead of always running and hiding, maybe he could hide by just living a quiet normal life like everyone else. He had a house, his dog, Krypto and if the other night was any indication, a girlfriend. That seemed like a pretty good start to making a home.
Planet 4518
This place had a name. The people that lived here referred to themselves as that name with an -ians suffix. They took great pride in who they were and what their name was.
The Cathar didn't care.
This was just planet 4518 on a stolen star chart to them. They needed fuel and supplies and it was the closest place. They came and took what they wanted. Those that resisted or got in the way, they killed. They weren't Cathar so they were nobody, just the people that happened to live on planet 4518. Depending on which Cathar you spoke to, they were either just unlucky enough to be in their path or it was their fate to be the next to feel the Cathars divine wrath. Either way they were most likely all going to die.
Then the Lanterns showed up.
Tomar-Tu's ring had found no suitable candidates on the planet where he died so it returned to Oa. That set off warning bells with the Guardians so they dispatched a team to investigate. Kilowog was given the assignment and he led five other Lanterns. They were prepared for trouble and found it on planet 4518. What they weren't prepared for was the information their rings provided on whom they were fighting.
The Cathar.
That just didn't make sense to Kilowog. He was old enough to remember hearing about them, but they were supposed to be extinct just like the Kryptonians. How it was possible, he didn't know, but that was for later. They had a fight on their hands and very little information about their opponents. As it went on he was realizing they were much more formidable then his small force could probably deal with.
Kilowog knew they weren't going to win this one.
Reinforcements weren't coming any time soon. What he needed to do was turn from offense to defense and try and protect as many civilians as they could. It wasn't a situation someone like him, a lantern or any soldier really, wanted to be in. It was basically letting the enemy get away and in a sense helping them. Kilowog and his people were herding the Cathar towards their ship and letting them take what they wanted. It would save lives, but it wasn't really what the lanterns were trained to do. It was a defeat, but they were trying to prevent a disaster.
The Watchtower
Diana found Bruce where he usually was, in the computer room. Victor was also there, but when Bruce was into something he rarely spoke to anyone. Privately the others thought this was a bit rude, but it was just one of his quirks so they let it slide. Of course some members were a little more straightforward than others, so they only let it slide until they needed something. Diana would be a prime example of this. She waved at Victor but walked right up to Bruce and stood next to him. He didn't look up and continued with what he was doing. Hardly deterred, Diana pressed forward.
"I need to talk to you, Bruce."
'Busy."
The instant rebuff didn't stop her either.
"I have some questions I'd like help with the answers to,' Diana continued.
"So do I, that's why I'm working."
Diana was about to counter, but if she'd learned anything from her recent encounters with Mr. Kent it was that direct confrontations don't always yield the results she wanted. Using this new knowledge, Diana turned and walked over to Victor.
"Victor, would you be willing to help me?"
"Sure, Diana, what do you need?" He replied with a smile.
"Our affiliation with the government is through ARGUS, is it not?" She began.
"Yes," Victor replied. "You know that Diana, Steve's our liaison."
"Does that mean they have access to our files, League files?"
"To some degree, yeah,' Victor said with a nod.
"So in return do we have access to their files?"
Out of the corner of her eye, Diana could see that Bruce hadn't turned but he had stopped working on the computer and was listening. She did her best to hold back her smile.
"We have some access, but not complete access if that's what you're asking,' Victor stated. "Didn't Steve tell you that?"
'Yes but I was curious how much of a give and take we have with them,' Diana explained. "Are we officially connected to them? If so, would their actions technically be our actions because of our relationship with them?"
Victor seemed to consider this. Diana noted she now had more of Bruce's attention.
"That's difficult to say,' Victor offered. "ARGUS is something of a secret agency, so most of what they do isn't public. Is that something specific you're thinking about?"
"Yes. Does ARGUS have secret prisons set up where they are holding people without the public or our knowledge?"
Now Diana had Bruce and Victor's complete attention.
"What?" They both said.
"Prisons." Diana repeated. "Does ARGUS and by extension the government have secret prisons?"
Bruce was up and moving over to where Diana and Victor were standing.
"Do you mean CIA black sites?" Bruce asked and then continued before she could reply. "Yes, they and the government have them scattered around the globe but as we're not allowed to interfere with the internal workings of the governments we're partnered with there's nothing we can do about it. Also since they aren't on American soil, they don't fall under the same rules as regular US prisons. I don't like it, but those are the rules set up for us to work under."
He waited for her reply.
"I see,' Diana replied. "So who is in those prisons?"
Feeling a bit more comfortable with this line of questions, Bruce explained.
"Terrorist, enemy combatants, your guess is as good as mine over exactly who all of them are,' Bruce said. "If the government deems you a threat they can theoretically whisk anyone away to one of them."
"How about aliens?"
"Are you thinking of anyone in specific, Diana?" Victor chimed in.
"Yes,' she replied. "Mr. Kent, if he were captured would they put him in one of these black site, secret prisons?"
"Probably," Bruce conceded.
"You said the CIA, but does ARGUS have them too?" Diana asked.
"Officially no." Bruce said.
"They are who would take custody of him, aren't they though?"
"I suppose or the military." Bruce conceded. "I imagine they have prisons or at least places they could stick him."
"But what would ARGUS do with him?" Diana asked. "Where would they put him, or for that matter another alien since they would be in charge of them correct?"
"They might not be,' Bruce explained. "ARGUS isn't the only covert organization the government has. The military would also be involved. Officially I don't think ARGUS would handle him."
"Unofficially, I'm not so sure,' Victor said. "I've been getting some unusual data from an ARGUS site."
"Which one?" Bruce asked, turning his attention to Victor.
"ARGUS has a field office in Detroit of all places,' Victor replied, and then brought a satellite image up on the large screen. "I assumed it was some sort of warehouse for dangerous or magical items like the one they have in Washington, but it's shielded from me. There's way more shielding then the office should have. Also Amanda Waller visits at least once a week."
"I knew they had a site in Detroit," Bruce replied, moving over to the screen. "If Amanda's visiting that often there's more going on there than they're letting on."
"So do they have any prisons?" Diana asked again.
"They run Belle Rev, but that's not official and the government would deny it,' Bruce said. "Amanda Waller is deeply connected with that too."
"Is that where they would put Mr. Kent if he were captured?" Diana asked.
"Why are you suddenly interested in which prison he'd be held in, Princess?" Bruce countered.
"I …. I came into contact with him,' Diana reluctantly admitted.
"Oh, really?" Bruce said.
"Yes,' Diana replied. "He seemed to think that if he were captured he'd be sent to some secret prison that ARGUS has for aliens. He didn't say but I don't think this Belle Rev is the prison he was referring to."
"Because he claimed it, doesn't mean it's true,' Bruce countered.
"He was in my lasso at the time, so what he said he believed was true," Diana stated.
"If I can't access it, I'm not sure how he would,' Victor said.
"I didn't get a chance to ask him,' Diana admitted.
"We still don't know exactly what his full abilities are,' Bruce pointed out. "It's not beyond the question he might know something we don't. That's troubling for the very reason you brought up earlier, Diana. We're connected with ARGUS in the public and government's mind."
"He also seemed very sure there are others,' Diana added. "If they can whisk regular humans away to secret prisons as you say, Bruce, doesn't that mean they could certainly do the same with aliens?"
"I think that's something we should definitely find out."
The three nodded in agreement and Bruce started back to his terminal as Victor turned to his. Something Diana had said caught Bruce's attention, so he stopped and turned to her.
"You said he was caught in your lasso, Princess?"
"Yes."
"I thought it was unbreakable?"
"It is,' Diana replied.
"So how did he get away?"
That was the part Diana hadn't wanted to talk about but of course Bruce would go there.
"He caught me off guard,' Diana reluctantly admitted. "He'd escaped earlier and I finally caught up with him, but I let my guard down and he took advantage of it. It won't happen again, I promise you."
"He escaped from you twice?" Victor asked out of curiosity.
"Yes."
"Are you including Vegas?" Bruce asked.
"NO."
"So he tricked you two more times? Is that what you're saying Princess?" Bruce asked. "He bested you again?"
"I wouldn't call it besting me, but he did managed to escape, again." Diana hissed, hating admitting it and was still angry over it happening.
"I see,' Bruce replied. As he turned back to his work, Diana would have sworn she saw him smile. She wasn't pleased, but unlike with Mr. Kent Diana held her temper and didn't respond.
Langley Virginia
Lynch read the report on General Lane's debacle at his secret base and smiled. While he remembered to not underestimate Lane or the military, Lynch knew his primary concern had to be Amanda Waller. Being in charge of ARGUS gave Waller certain structural advantages over Lynch and his International Operations group. His was a strictly off the books operation, while she had the ability to use ARGUS and it's connection with the Justice League as basically a PR front for the secret levels of her agency that the public didn't know about. That meant more money and resources. She could also trot out Steve Trevor, military hero as her spokesman and people would just eat it up. Lynch had to work behind the scenes and in the shadow world of spies and espionage.
Lynch was a multitasker though. His interest in Kent was still there, but it wasn't the only thing on his agenda. He had terrorists to catch, groups to destabilize, covert operations running in several parts of the globe and recruitment of more assets. He knew all about ARGUS and their secret prison below Detroit, called the Circus for aliens. To Lynch that was a waste of resources. Why lock them up when you can use them was his mindset. Amanda Waller had quite the collection down there, but Lynch as actively pursuing the ones she hadn't found yet.
The big prize was Kent, but despite his best efforts Lynch's people couldn't find him. He'd dropped off the map completely. He still believed the key to finding him was the girl, Kori but so far his satellite hadn't picked up anything. Sending a stray missile towards her space ship to flush Kent out was still an option but Lynch was holding that in reserve. Someone else had a satellite monitoring Princess Koriand'r and Lynch didn't like having an audience when he worked. He would watch and wait, but his long-term goal was still the same.
His secretary buzzed the intercom. Lynch pressed the reply button.
"Yes?"
"Just received a message from team 7, Mr. Lynch,' the secretary replied. "Subject 'Angel' has been located, but there are hostiles in the area."
"Good, good, tell them to proceed in acquiring her before she's captured by others,' Lynch directed. "Also get my jet ready for me to travel to that location immediately."
"Yes sir."
Lynch was about to press the button to end the conversation, but a thought occurred to him.
"Make sure they don't damage her wings,' he instructed. "She's useless to us if they are."
"Understood, sir."
"Good, keep me informed of their progress. I'm leaving for the jet right now."
"Yes sir."
Apokolips
Darkseid received all the news about what was happening in the galaxy. He made it a point to know, as even the smallest thing could affect his long-term plans. Part of him still bristled at his army being turned back on Earth. If he were the impulsive type he would lead another attack immediately to destroy the world once and for all. Fortunately for him, he wasn't the impulsive type. While he believed he was the most powerful force in the galaxy, Darkseid wasn't such a fool to think he couldn't be defeated. The right combination of elements could overcome him in battle if they came together. He was going to make sure that didn't happen.
The reports of Death coming to the humans aid still troubled him. He didn't believe it was actually Death, but it was still an unknown. If he led another assault on Earth and lost again, some would start to question his authority and power. Being questioned was a dangerous position for a tyrant lie Darkseid to be in. It made his subjects start to believe he wasn't all-powerful and gave them hope. Hope was truly perilous as people with it tended to act. Usually those actions were directed towards their oppressor, specifically in this case, Darkseid.
One report caught his attention. It was a small item, but Darkseid understood its implication. His spies had learned the Lanterns had encountered a group of Cathar, a long believed dead race. The Lanterns had been rebuffed and had to pull back. It seemed the Cathar had gained formidable abilities since they were last seen in the galaxy. Indications were that there were only about 100 of them, but they posed a formidable threat. The Lanterns as well as several planets were starting to turn their focus on the Cathar.
For Darkseid this was an opportunity. A group spreading terror through the galaxy could aid his ultimate cause by weakening those that might one day oppose him. If he aided them, covertly of course, they could prove to be a useful tool. It was strategy employed by many before him. You take radicals or terrorists and directed them away from you. Let their frustrations and anger play out against your enemies and even aid them with money and supplies.
What Darkseid knew that most governments didn't seem to understand was that while this strategy was useful in the short term it eventually came back to haunt those that employed it. Sooner or later those terrorists and radicals turned their gaze back at their benefactors. A rabid dog eventually bites the hand that feeds it. The key was knowing this and being prepared when it tried. Darkseid believed he could aid in unleashing the Cathar for his own benefit, yet would also know when they're usefulness was over. It's the classic mistake all tyrants and governments make. They think they can control chaos and it won't eventually come back to haunt them.
Darkseid instructed Granny Goodness and a few of his inner circle to supple weapons and ships to the Cathar. They would weaken his enemies and he wouldn't have to use his own forces. For him it was another chess move on the board towards his eventual winning of the game. An occupied Lantern Corp and weakened planets were all helpful to his long-term goals.
Anywhere, USA
It could have been a scene out of so many movies.
Clark and Kori had ventured a little further away from his place for dinner. It was a nice quiet city of about 25,000 people. It had a violent crime rate that was far below the national average, and hadn't had a homicide in more than five years. It could be anywhere USA. As they strolled down the sidewalks, people smiled and said hello, which they returned.
The rumble of motorcycles suddenly came from the distance. Rounding the corner at the edge of town they began to appear one after another. The riders were all decked out in Harley Davidson gear and people stopped on the sidewalk and watched as they rolled by. Clark and Kori picked up a sense of nervousness in the crowd.
"Is there going to be trouble?" Kori asked.
"I don't know,' Clark admitted.
They watched as perhaps sixty riders rolled by and then stopped at the local Raceway retail gas station/convenience store. Everyone seemed to be watching them as if waiting to see what would happen next. The bikers began to fill up their cycles and several went inside the store. Clark glanced around and could hear nervousness in the people's voices. Kori must have noticed it too.
"Should we wait and see if there's trouble?" She asked. "Perhaps we could help."
"I don't know." Clark repeated, feeling like he was in some bad movie. If the situation wasn't weird enough another rumble was heard from a different direction. The level of tension seemed to spike as everyone turned in that direction.
It was the police responding to the appearance of the bikers, yet these weren't like any police most people think about when they picture them in their heads. Leading was an armored combat vehicle that stood over 9 feet tall and weighed 30 tons. It was decorated in camouflage and was clearly a military issue vehicle, the kind that was built to withstand land mines. It rolled to a stop across from the Raceway and suddenly M-16-toting; SWAT-apparel-wearing police officers began to pour out to confront the bikers. It had changed to a scene out of a war movie. The bikers all looked at each other and then slowly raised their hands as the SWAT outfitted cops moved towards them.
Several tense minutes passed and then it was discovered this wasn't a biker gang, but a poker run to raise money for a charity in a neighboring city.
"I don't understand what's happening?" Kori said, looking at Clark. "Why is the military here?"
"They're not the military,' Clark replied. "They're the local police. I read somewhere that over the last few years surplus military equipment has been given to police, but I didn't imagine something like this. It makes you wonder who the real threat to the people is."
"Their vehicles say 'to Protect and Serve," Kori noticed. "Who are they protecting and serving?"
"Good question."
Chicago
They were after her and she was running. To take to the air was too risky, as they most likely were expected that. The last month had been like this, but they had never been as close before. Shayera Hol knew she was in trouble. The former Thanagarian police officer had been forced to land on Earth when her ship was damaged. Falling back on her training, she tried her best not to attract any attention while she found parts that could repair her ship. She had been on more than one hostile world to outsiders since leaving Thanagar rather hastily. Her falling out with the authorities back on her home world was still a source of anger with her, but her immediate trouble took precedent.
Who was after her she hadn't known until recently. Something called ARGUS had a team of beings not from this planet and they seemed to be tasked with finding and capturing others from off world. Shayera unfortunately had come to their notice and the last month had been a scramble to stay one step ahead of them. She had seen a group of heroes called the Justice League on the local mass communications device and thought about contacted them for help but it turned out they were somehow connected to this ARGUS too.
With no other options, she ran but now they had found her once again. She raced down the alley and could hear them gaining on her. As she reached the street she ventured a glance back to see how close they were. That was a mistake, because the moment she did, something was thrust over her head and she felt an electrical shock render her helpless. Blind and immobile, she was picked up and roughly tossed into some sort of vehicle. She heard a door slam and then they were moving. She tried to speak, but the shock had overwhelmed her system. She cursed herself for being careless and quickly turned her thoughts to how she was going to get out of this mess.
"Take the sack off her and let's get a look at our angel,' a voice said.
Shayera felt someone lift her body and then whatever had been covering her eyes was removed. Three people, two men and a woman stared down at her. She tried to ask what was going on, but her voice still didn't seem to want to work.
"Amazing, she's still conscious,' one of them said. "I figured the charge you gave her, Deathstroke would knock her out for hours."
The woman moved closer and had something of a concerned look on her face.
"My name is Zealot, Miss Hol, are you injured?" She asked.
Shayera tried to answer and after another failed attempt her voice finally seemed to start working again.
"Who are you?" She managed to ask.
"My name is Lynch, Angel and these two are Deathstroke and Zealot,' the man in the suit said. "We're the people that just got you away from the ARGUS team."
"You helped me? Why?" Shayera asked. "Are you friends?"
Lynch smiled broadly at this.
"Hardly." He said. "As to why, Angel, let's just say you're more valuable to us then you would be to them. You've just been hired for a job by me, Angel."
"And if I'm not interested in working for you?" Shayera asked, instinctively disliking the man called Lynch.
"Then I'll just have Deathstroke and Zealot toss you out of this moving van and you can take your chances in an ARGUS prison. You're choice Angel."