Kara at Work

Once she heard Alex leave and Lena settle for the day, Kara got to work.

"Harley, let's approach this problem from two sides. How much Nth metal do we currently have in our lab at DEO headquarters."

"According to inventory we have 1248 pounds, if I may assume your thoughts, that would be enough to build 4-5 Tempest Units."

"What if we combined the Nth metal with nanites?"

"Probability of success with current nanite technology, 74 percent, I would recommend using updated experimental nanites, success rate increases to 97 percent."

"For testing purposes, print one of each at 1/60 scale at the DEO, include Winn's stealth tech and have them come here after they are completed."

"Printing commencing. Estimated time to completion 45 minutes."

"That's enough time for testing the field generator."

"Agreed"

"What level were we up to Harley"

"Current level is at 65 percent."

"Up to 70 percent, and prepare for rapid assault."

Kara picked up a handful of ball bearings and walked into the next room. In the center of the room was a mannequin. "Okay Harley, set up for test, set fire point at 1/10 second and beep on each, we will try wide disbursement."

"Set, begin test in 4, 3, 2, 1…"

Beep…fire…bounce

Beep…fire..bounce

Beep…

This continued for about 10 minutes, till Kara used up all her ball bearings.

"Results Harley?"

"All projectiles were deflected, power levels and programming well below emergency levels. Battery drained by less than 1% overall, charging now."

"Okay Harley, let's take it to 75 percent, rapid response, small area."

"Test parameters set, begin in 4, 3, 2, 1…"

Every ball bearing was out of her hands in less than a second.

"No damage, battery drain at less than one percent. Would recommend 30 minute test cycle at 100 percent levels, variable programming."

"Set parameters Harley."

For the next 30 minutes Kara sent a steady hale of heat vision, ball bearings and fist going at the mannequin, nothing could get through.

"Test complete, battery drain at 2 percent, charging is working as normal, all parameters met, I would qualify this test as a success, should I log it at headquarters."

"Yes ma'am and text Alex, let her know we got it working the way we wanted. It's ready for production."

Kara received a text from Alex minutes later, "Great job sis."

Kara smiled and let Harley know she was going to dash out for lunch. She returned 20 minutes later with Big Belly and an extra peanut butter chocolate smoothie.

"Kara while you were out both models arrived. I completed a scan and model one is in good condition, however I noticed 4 major faults in the armor and two faults in the old nanite tech. Model two is in perfect condition, only one nanite failed, and it looks to be a bad production unit, not a fault in the model itself."

"Fantastic Harley, I figured you would be right, I just needed to see the results for myself."

"Of course Kara."

"Okay Harley, next step, full size production, but we need a way for Lena to carry it everywhere and be able to access it quickly."

"Lena has a fondness for silver jewelry, perhaps silver bracelets"

"Excellent idea Harley."

"Test with small model 2, lets see if we can make it work."

Kara placed the model on the table, and she and Harley went to work to shrink it into two bracelets. After an hour, she could make everything work except the power source. "We need a smaller more efficient power source Harley."

"Current Earth technology cannot be further adapted."

"What about Kryptonian tech.", Kara thought aloud. "Harley, pull up file Astra 05 and display on center table."

"Acknowledged Kara."

A model of her Aunt Astra appeared in 3D on the center of her work table. "Hello Kara, what can I help you with."

"Aunt Astra, can Kryptonian power crystals be adapted to work with Earth technology."

"Yes, but the power source would not be have to be very large."

"So to power a exoskeleton, human size, I would need a very small crystal."

"Yes but it would have to be cut properly"

"Of course it would, diamond cut. Weight vs. power output would need to be maybe ½ earth karat to power Lena's armor."

"I am not programmed to understand Lena's armor"

"Sorry Aunt Astra, I was thinking out loud."

"Your mother did the same thing."

Kara smiled, "Thank you Aunt Astra, that's all I need for now."

"Good evening Kara Zor-El"

"Love you Aunt Astra", Kara whispered.

Harley, I need two Kryptonian Crystals cut into ½ carat cuts, one green, one blue. This will power the full suit. They will become the center piece of each bracelet.

Kara worked on the armor design for an hour, making minor tweaks here and there, always listening for any change in Lena. Finally the design was done, and she stood back to look over the 3D representation of Tempest.

"Harley, update software and do you mind taking over as Tempest AI?"

"My opinion does not matter, I was built to serve."

"It matters to me Harley."

"Then I have no objections Kara."

Prepare final model and send to DEO printer in main lab. I will pick it up when it is complete.

"Main printer is online, no other jobs in the queue."

"Proceed please Harley."

"Estimated time to completion 1 hour at high speed, will check for faults as it prints. Software writing will take approximately 15 minutes, shall I have it come here when it is complete."

"No this one I will pick up Harley, thanks."

"Your welcome Kara. Printing commencing."

Kara straightened up the lab, cleaned up the coffee cups and donuts, threw away her trash from lunch and headed upstairs while calling Alex.

"Alex, I am printing something at DEO Lab 2, I will be by to pick it up when it is complete."

"What did you make?"

"Be here at 7:30 and I will show you."

"Won't Lena mind?"

"I'm betting no."

"See you then sis."

"Love ya Alex."

She hung up and headed to the balcony. After scanning the city and seeing everything was okay, she decided she need a shower. She had just rinsed her hair when Harley beeped her. "Process complete, with 10 minutes to spare." Harley announced.

"Kara?"

"I'm in the bathroom hon, be right there."

Kara came into the living room and saw Lena waking up. She smiled and kissed her on the forehead. "How do you feel?"

"Better, guess my body is still healing."

"You're doing wonderful"

"I have a surprise for you tonight, and I invited Alex to see it too."

"Really, what is it?"

"Wouldn't be a surprise if I told you."

"Please", Lena pouted.

"That actually works, but nope, not telling."

There was a knock at the door. Alex let herself in after knocking.

"So what's the secret?", she asked.

"Be back in a second.", then using super speed she dashed to the DEO, gathered the bracelets and boxed them, and got back to her apartment, "okay, so maybe 3 seconds."

"Kara?", Lena asked.

These are for you Lena. Lena opened the box, and saw two beautiful silver cuff bracelets one with a blue stone the other with green. "These are beautiful Kara. What are they for?"

"They are just a gift Lee, nothing more I promise.", Kara answered with a blush, then continued, "Can you put them on and think about Tempest?"

Alex looked at Kara, trying to figure out where this was going, Lena on the other hand was studying the bracelets, "Are they remotes?"

"Not exactly, try them on, and remember think about Tempest."

Lena slid the bracelets on, and thought about Tempest just like Kara asked. Suddenly the bracelets started to cover her body with a thin armor until finally she was covered completely in the Tempest armor.

"Oh my god, Kara you did this?"

"Wow", Alex gasped.

"It was me, do you like?"

"Hello Lena, how does the armor feel?", Harley asked.

"Harley, are you in my AI?"

"If that is acceptable."

"It's wonderful."

"Neural connection is complete, try thinking of removing your helmet."

Lena barely got the thought in her head and her face and head were uncovered.

"Reaction time is in the nano seconds." Harley said.

"Kara this is wonderful, I love it. Can I test it?"

"No", both Alex and Kara said simultaneously.

"48 more hours Lena."

"Okay", she pouted.

"Now think of the bracelets."

Instantly the armor began to retract, forming back into the bracelets on her wrist. The process was barely complete when she walked up to Kara, grabbed her and kissed her fully on the mouth. As she pulled away, she looked Kara in the eye, "I love you"

"I love you too", Kara said with a tear in her eye.

The pizza and potstickers were delivered a short time later, and they all settled down to watch a movie. Kara insisted that Alex stay, since she had kept her up so late.

Kara got Alex settled and then her and Lena headed towards the bedroom. Lena was feeling better, but still a bit tired. Kara was tired, but a good tired. They settled onto the bed, then Lena remembered and removed her new bracelets, placing them reverently on the nightstand. She rolled over to face Kara and smiled as she leaned in for a good night kiss.

"Love you babe."

"Love you too Lena."

They fell asleep in each other's arms.