StarFire

The young earthling leads her to a large building with many windows. On the outside of the building, they are unable to be seen through, but inside, she can see outside just fine. An interesting security feature perhaps? It smells strange, like nothing she has smelled on her planet. Not quite unpleasant, but she would not describe it as pleasant either.

There are many earth people sitting or pacing around a large room with many seating units. They do not look at her or the young earthling when they enter. She follows her companion down a hall and they pause when a green young person runs up to them. He gives StarFire a long wide-eyed stare before his face erupts into a grin. He grabs her companion's arm and leads them to a pair of metal doors. The doors open shortly after he presses a button next to them. They go inside a small room. The doors close behind them, and she can feel them traveling through the building. Perhaps this planet is not as primitive as she thought. Though such devices are unneeded on her planet, where everyone can fly. She has not seen any inhabitants of this planet fly yet. It is unlikely that they share this trait with her people.

She and Richard follow the green young humanoid until they stop in front of a white door. He opens it and ushers them in, closing it behind them. Inside a slightly older humanoid of the same sex as the other two. He lays in a bed. Most of him is covered by a blanket, but half his face is metal. Perhaps they are not primitive at all. Kori smiles. This is an exciting discovery. She may be able to find help here after all.

"Hello, I am StarFire of the planet Tameran" she says. "What are you called?" Her two new companions do not speak for a moment, they just smile and give her wide-eyed stares. She understands their expression is a happy one but does not understand their silence.

"That's Garfield and his friend Victor. I'm Richard," Richard points to the green one first and then the one in the bed.

"That Richard?" Victor asks looking at Garfield. He nods. This makes Richard frown and stare at the green boy. StarFire can see something pass between them, but does not understand what.

"So why are you here? Are your people going to invade our planet?" Garfield asks with a grin, ignoring Richard's grimace.

"My planet was at war with the Citadel. The Gordanians are here to find me. Until recently, they had captured me and kept me enslaved, I was able to escape, and your planet was the closest inhabited planet in this star system," StarFire shrugs. "They were able to follow me quicker than I thought, I do not know if they will attempt to attack your planet. I apologize for bringing this star system to their attention." Based on what she has seen, this planet would stand no chance if her captors decided to wage the same war here.

"No worries, nothing that hasn't happened before," Garfield says with such easygoing nonchalance she feels confused. Are these people not worried about such a great threat? Do they not understand the magnitude of destruction such a war could bring?

"Richard promised to take me to people who are powerful, I do not wish to be rude, but I do not think he meant you. Tell me Richard, why are we here?" StarFire asks. Richard nods and pulls out his phone again.

"My guardian is a very important person on this planet. He knows the Justice League. They're a powerful group of people. They'll protect our planet from the people chasing you," Richard says. "They would never let them take you. They've fought off scarier aliens than the Gordanians for sure," Richard says. "We needed somewhere safe to go. We can go to my house from here, but it's a bit far. It will be safer if we travel by car. I'll call my guardian first." Richard steps out of the room. Garfield pulls up a chair.

"You must be tired, why don't you sit down," he says. StarFire smiles.

"Thank-you friend," she says, taking him up on his offer and sitting in the chair. She is tired. She has not had much rest since her capture and none since her escape. The future does not offer the hope of rest either, because now that she has won her freedom, she still needs to find a way to save her people.

"So how long have you been on earth?" Garfield asks.

"Today is my first day," she smiles.

"What do you think?" Victor asks.

"It is pleasant, but I have not had much time to look around," she says. From what she had seen from above it was green and beautiful in some places. Different from her home.

"What is space like?" Victor asks.

"Your people do not travel your star system?" StarFire asks. Victor shrugs.

"We're still figuring that out," Victor says. "Only a small number of people on this planet have ever been to space. Including the ones Richard talked about, the Justice League."

"I see," she says. The door opens and Richard returns.

"Alfred will pick us up soon," Richard says.

"Who is this Alfred person?" StarFire asks.

"He's like... a servant, sort of? But he gets paid and he's not enslaved," Richard adds the last part after StarFire narrows her gaze. "He's going to let my guardian know you're with me and like I said, he can get in touch with the Justice League."

"Tell me more of this Justice League," StarFire says. The three earthlings begin telling her of all the wonderful deeds this group of people have done. Explaining that some are also not from this star system. They show her videos on their small devices and StarFire begins to feel at ease. Perhaps these people can help. If they are anything like these three have told her, they will not send her back with the Gordanians.

It feels like no time at all when Richard says his Alfred is there for them. Garfield stays with Victor, so Richard and StarFire make the short journey downstairs alone. They take the same moving metal box to the first level of the building. When they get to the entrance they are greeted by a thin, gray haired human with a wrinkly face. StarFire can tell it is the one called Alfred, because he looks to Richard immediately. Behind him stand two people StarFire recognizes from the videos the boys had shown her. Wonder Woman and Superman.

"Hello master Grayson," Alfred says.

"You got here fast," Richard says. "StarFire this is Wonder Woman and Superman."

"Yes, I recognize them from the videos you showed me," StarFire says. She's not sure if she should feel relieved to see them or not. Richard seems unhappy to see them, but this was his plan. She does not understand.

"You speak English?" Superman asks, clearly surprised from his tone.

"Yes, I have learned your language," StarFire says. "My name is StarFire, I am from the planet Tameran. I did not come to your star system intending harm." The last part Garfield told her to say. He explained that on this planet, people feared that which did they not understand they did not often meet people from different star systems. She can see the faces of the two warriors softening and is glad she took his advice.

"The ships that appeared here are looking for you," Wonder Woman says. StarFire nods.

"Why don't we go somewhere safe and you can explain your situation," Superman suggests. StarFire looks at Richard. He still seems unhappy, but he nods.

"You can trust them," he says.

"Thank-you for your assistance, if we do not meet again, know that you have my gratitude," StarFire says. She steps forward and moves towards the two members of the Justice League. As they exit the building, she gives Richard one last glance, and he gives a small wave.