Hank released himself from the clinic as most of his wounds had already healed. Kara, on the other hand, stared blankly on her solar bed while being monitored by medical equipment. The wound to her gut and back was quickly healing as her cells absorbed the radiation.
Hank walked into a somber DEO control room that had been trashed by Hawkeye. Computers and equipment were blasted apart around them. Winn worked on one of the few computers still functional. One television screen was also working.
"Check this out," Winn said grimly.
"I am standing here on one of three helicarriers ready to take off for the first time. To officiate this achievement, Vice President Pence is on board. How does it feel to be here today, Mr. Vice President?" the reporter asked.
"It feels great. This is truly a remarkable achievement in air defense. That is why I have been pushing for its funding while I was in Congress," Pence smiled.
"You intend to give any credit to former President Obama for ordering its construction?" the reporter asked.
"Nope," Pence smiled amused.
Hank turned off the TV. "The Vice President has made himself an unwitting hostage. We can't destroy the helicarriers with him on one."
"The other two are fair game though?" Mon asked hopefully.
"Absolutely," Hank agreed. "But first, can we hack into the helicarriers mainframe?" Hank asked Winn.
"No, the only way to shut its program down is from the inside," Winn said. He then showed the specs of the helicarriers targeting system. The three helicarriers are linked together so even if two systems go down all three can still fire. Also, I can't shut the program down. I can only replace it with a dummy program," Winn explained and showed them three-chip drives.
"Brilliant, Winn," Hank said impressed.
"Too easy. I can instant transmission myself to each of the carriers and replace the chips," Mon said.
"The only problem with that is once the first helicarrier realizes their chip is a dummy, it will cause a lockdown on the other two. You have to replace all three chips at the same exact time," Winn said as he read the manual on the ships.
"We will have to work together as a team, all of us," Hank said to the group.
Kara could feel the energy pathways repair themselves giving her full power. After a brief moment of contemplation, Kara ignited herself in Prime mode exploding the medical room. The explosion blasted out a window in the skyscraper. Kara glowed with anger and then simmered down. The extinguisher system quickly put out the fire.
"Kara, what's wrong?" James asked concernedly as she walked out of the clinic. He had a bandage to his forehead.
"I lost my sister and my adopted father. I was defeated because I was merciful and toying with them. I could have killed them all if none of you were there," Kara said angrily.
"Come on, Kara. The Avengers are the good guys," Hank shook his head.
"There is no good or evil, James. There are only people important to me and people that are not," Kara glared at him.
"You can't mean that," James doubted.
Kara didn't answer him and stormed into the control room. "Nice to see you healed," Hank said pleased.
Kara ignored him and saw the location of the helicarriers on Winn's screen. "I'm going to destroy them and then I am going to kill Cadmus."
"You can't. The Vice President is on one of those helicarriers," Hank objected.
"Watch me," Kara said walking away from him.
Hank ran up to Kara and grabbed her hand. "There are thousands of innocent lives on those helicarriers. We have a plan to stop Cadmus from the inside."
"No more plans, Hank. Not when my sister is involved," Kara told him.
"Your sister puts her life on the line every day to protect this world. Don't dishonor her sacrifice by doing this," Hank said.
The TV screen was then suddenly hacked into. Kara turned around and saw Jeremiah and Alex staring blankly in a dark room. "I hope you're listening, DEO. Any attack by you, Supergirl, or the Avengers will result in both their deaths," the Cadmus white mask said.
"It's a bluff. They're too valuable to be killed," Hank doubted.
"They know...they know I won't attack them, and they know I will defend them from being attacked," Kara realized.
"Thousands of lives are at risk. You cannot sacrifice them to save your sister," Hank pressed.
"Haven't you figured out why I am here? It wasn't to serve your bullshit mission to protect this shithole you call a planet. I would burn this world down if only to save Alex," Kara told him.
"Then I have no choice," Hank said taking out Kryptonite handcuffs.
Kara's after-image faded away as he placed the cuffs on her. The real Kara tapped Hank to the back of the head knocking him out. Kara then turned to Mon. "Stay here and keep everyone at the DEO safe until I come back with Alex and Jeremiah," she ordered.
Mon said nothing to that. "If you disobey, I'll kill you," Kara told him and then flew off towards the helicarriers.
Steve Rodgers, wearing a black leather jacket and jeans, greeted VP Mike Pence on the deck of the helicarrier as it flew towards Metropolis. "Honor to meet you, Sir," Rodgers smiled shaking Pence's hand.
"The honor is all mine, son," Pence smiled. "You know, my father served in the Korean War. He used to tell me stories of what combat was like. This country owes you a great debt for your sacrifice."
"Thank you, Sir," Rodgers smiled. "She sure is a beauty," he said referring to the ship.
"That she is. It only flies through the air now but someday it will travel the stars," Pence said hopefully.
"Good luck with that, Sir," Rodgers said sincerely.
In the control tower, radar systems picked up an aircraft approaching. "Bogie approaching. Get the fighters in the air," the captain ordered.
F-35s quickly got ready to fly off but it would be too late. The supersonic aircraft approached one of the helicarriers from the side. Flak cannons became activated and started firing. The aircraft avoided the flak and then Hawkeye fired an explosive tipped arrow right at one of the turbines. The arrow hit the turbine and exploded. The helicarrier began to dip as one of its engines completely failed.
The Avengers aircraft circled around the helicarrier for another shot. "There's something ridiculous about that man," Alexander Pierce muttered from DC as he saw a hologram of what had happened.
"A second bogie is approaching," the control tower of the helicarrier reported in.
Kara fired heat vision at the Avenger's aircraft destroying its engines. The aircraft plummeted before Hawkeye could get another shot in. Kara eyed a confused Steve Rodgers. "What's going on?" Pence wondered.
"I wonder the same thing," Rodgers said as he tried to call out. However, his cell phone was blocked by the helicarriers' jamming device.
"My phone as well," Pence said concernedly.
Black Falcon rocketed towards the helicarrier and avoided the flak cannons. Kara shot towards him and punched off one of his wings. Black Falcon spun in circles as he descended to the ground. A fleet of Iron Man suits numbering two dozen approached the helicarriers.
F-35s by this time were circling the helicarriers and started firing missiles at the Iron Man suits destroying most of them. As the suits were being destroyed, one suit managed to get through and was almost about to strike the helicarrier when Kara punched it to pieces.
"Aren't these your friends?" Pence asked Rodgers.
"Something must be wrong," Rodgers realized.
"Something is very wrong," Dr. Strange agreed as he popped out of an orange portal.
"Dr. Strange, nice to see you in person," Rodgers greeted him.
"The same," Pence said but not bothering to offer his hand.
"Your reputation precedes you," Dr. Strange nodded to Pence.
"So, what's happening?" Rodgers asked.
"These helicarriers are carrying a command code to kill all aliens in the country starting with Metropolis," Dr. Strange revealed.
"How?" Rodgers asked shocked and appalled.
"These helicarriers are under the command of Cadmus. SHIELD has been compromised," Dr. Strange told him.
"So, these helicarriers are on their way to kill thousands and...she's protecting them," Rodgers realized. "That's why the Avengers have been attacking them."
"If true, this is quite grave. I will talk with the captain," Pence said.
"I'll go with you," Rodgers volunteered.
"I'll take care of the girl," Dr. Strange smirked and floated towards her. As he did, he divided himself into two dozen versions of himself and then threw red energy ribbons on Kara keeping her still.
Kara went Prime for a few seconds blasting the ribbons off her. Dr. Strange then fired red-hot streams of fire at her. Kara avoided the streams and then blasted him with heat vision. Dr. Strange blocked it with the mirror reality before it could hit him.
Kara then sped towards Dr. Strange before he could react and punched him through the chest and out the other side. "I'm sorry," she said to him.
Dr. Strange passed out as he died and then time went back to before the fight with Dr. Strange still very much alive. "I've come to bargain," he smirked.
Kara quickly realized what was happening and fired a white beam at him paralyzing him. "What do you want?" Kara asked him.
"Stop the helicarriers, and I'll release you," Dr. Strange offered.
"No deal," Kara said coldly and then blew a gentle breeze on his body chilling him. Dr. Strange shivered uncontrollably in her grip. Kara then heated him back up with her heat vision until he was suffocating from it. Kara then cooled him down again and then heated him back up a few more times. After a few minutes of this, Dr. Strange's body was trembling in pain.
"There are fates worse than death," Kara told him. "Release me or we'll play this game for hours," Kara threatened.
"You win," Dr. Strange said deactivating his stone and then passing out in her arms.
Kara became released from the time-loop and then dropped Dr. Strange. His cloak carried him gently to the ground.
Lillian Luthor walked up to Alexander Pierce at his office in SHIELD. "What are you doing here?" Pierce asked her.
"Wasn't it the plan for me to meet you here?" Lillian asked.
"You were supposed to stay with the Danvers to ensure Supergirl stays on our side," Pierce said obviously. "The two of us are never to meet in person. Now, go before someone sees you."
Lillian morphed into Hank. "Well...shit," Alexander Pierce realized.
"Oh, shit is right," Hank said and then quickly took hold of Pierce's mind. He then saw the location of where Alex and Jeremiah were being held.
Morphing into Alexander Pierce, Hank connected with the helicarrier's captain. "This is Director Alexander Pierce of SHIELD. Return the helicarriers back to base," Hank ordered.
"Director Pierce ordered us to continue mission even if he canceled it later," the captain replied.
"I am giving you a direct order to stand down," Hank said firmly.
"Yeah, he also said he might say that," the captain said dismissively and then signed off.
"Damn it," Hank said and then exited the building.
Rodgers went to the control tower to confront the captain. SHIELD agents blocked his access. After a few moments, he kicked their asses and barged into the control room grabbing the captain by his uniform. "Turn the ship around," Rodgers ordered.
"The ships are already automated. There's nothing I can do to stop it," the captain told him.
Rodgers looked at the captain frustrated and then punched him knocking him out. "The automated system is at this desk," a lieutenant told Rodgers showing him on a computer screen.
"Thanks," Rodgers said gratefully and made his way down.
Mon and Vision appeared before Kara as the helicarriers continued their slow approach to Metropolis. "I told you if you interfered, I would kill you," Kara said to him.
"Being killed by you would be an honor," Mon smirked.
"What is honor?" Kara wondered.
"I know your sister is dear to you, but you must understand the common good," Vision said to her.
"So, you two made up after he sent you the center of the Earth?" Kara wondered.
"I don't hold grudges," Vision smiled.
Mon then divided himself into three versions of himself. The original Mon handed the other two the chips needed to stop the program. Mon then used instant transmission to get inside the three ships. Kara turned to go after the original but was stopped by Vision's grip.
"I see that humanity has rubbed off on you...Kryptonian," he complimented.
"I see your cold computer logic has remained," Kara insulted.
"Perhaps," Vision allowed. "I only know that my mind and heart are one on this point."
Mon (1) appeared on an observation deck that had a glass floor allowing anyone to see down at the city of Metropolis below. Cyborg Superman was waiting for him. At a third of his strength, Mon fought Cyborg Superman evenly as they struggled over the command console.
Mon (2) also appeared on the same observation deck and was confronted by Jeremiah with his cyborg's arm noticeably revealed. Jeremiah gave him a blank expression as he activated the plasma cannon in his arm.
Mon (3) was answered by Alex who was wearing a suicide vest. She had a blank look on her face. She took out a pistol and fired off her magazine at Mon. Unaffected, Mon raised a finger against her and aimed for the head.
Kara used her X-ray vision on the third helicarrier and saw Mon fire into Alex's head killing her. "No," Kara said stunned.
"I am so sorry," Vision said to her.
"I'll kill him," Kara said angrily as tears freely flowed.
"That won't help," Vision said softly.
Kara clutched her hair in grief and then flew into space.
Mon (1) overwhelmed Cyborg Superman in a physical fight between them and then tossed him to the glass floor below. Mon aimed at him and then blasted him out of the ship. Cyborg Superman screamed in rage as he fell into the bay below.
Mon (2) had a worse time as he was being blasted and hit by Jeremiah's robotic arm. Jeremiah finally blasted a hole through Mon's armored chest and out the other side. Dropping the chip, Mon then disappeared recombining with the others. Mon(3) also disappeared becoming one with the Mon on the first helicarrier.
Jeremiah was about to pick up the chip when he was hit hard by a vibranium shield. Rodgers picked up the chip, put it on his belt, and fought Jeremiah off. The two physically attacked each other with punches and kicks. Jeremiah took out a knife and stabbed Rodgers in the shoulder with it. He then used a pistol with his left hand and managed to get two shots into Rodger's gut. Jeremiah then tossed Rodgers off the bridge to the glass floor below.
Jeremiah then dropped down and started pummeling the weakened Rodgers. Vision then used his stone to confuse Jeremiah's mind control. Rodgers then took the opportunity to grip him by the neck and raise him above the floor. He then slammed Jeremiah down to the glass floor, took hold of his human left arm, and broke it. Rodgers then put Jeremiah into a stranglehold until he passed out.
The beaten and bloody Rodgers climbed back to the command console. "Now what?" he wondered.
On the third helicarrier, Hank disguised as Maggie approached a very much alive Alex who was guarding the command console. In her hand was the chip Mon had dropped when he had recombined. "Give me the chip, Alex," Hank said to her.
Alex reached for the trigger on her suicide vest. "Please, give me the chip," Hank said to her.
"Oh, Maggie," Alex said breaking free of the mind-control. Hank then took the chip, phased into the circuitry inside her suicide vest, and deactivated it.
"What the?" Alex wondered confused.
Hank returned to his usual self and proceeded to communicate telepathically with the others. "On my command," Hank told the other two.
"Do it," Hank ordered.
Hank, Steve, and Mon put the chip in at the same time. The helicarriers "kill alien program" was deactivated. Mon grinned as the helicarrier's guns turned off.
On the second middle helicarrier, Jeremiah was treated by military doctors. Alex and Hank visited him as he recovered. "I'll pray for him," VP Mike Pence said to them and then gave Alex a wink as he left.
"Where's Kara?" Hank asked concerned.
Mon sensed for her but only got a weak connection. "I'll get her," he said and then vanished. He instantly found himself in space. Kara barely noticed as he grabbed her. The air in Mon's lungs and blood quickly escaped and he was about to lose consciousness when he put two fingers to his forehead and brought them both to the ship.
Kara looked around confused and then saw Mon not moving. Using her X-ray vision, she noticed his heart wasn't beating. "Not you, too," she sobbed.
Medical personnel rushed over to Mon to resuscitate him. As it seemed all hope was lost, Vision landed on the ship and fired a beam from his stone into Mon's heart awakening him. Kara stared at Vision with confusion and then saw Alex running towards her.
"Alex?" Kara wondered and then turned back to Vision.
He merely pointed to the stone in his head and flew off. Alex embraced a dumbfounded Kara. "I thought I had lost you," Kara told her.
"I lost myself," Alex said. "But I'm back. We can be a family again. Jeremiah is with us."
"Family," Kara muttered. "Be with your father. I need time to think," Kara said and then flew off.
Meanwhile, a disguised Lt. Commander Lillian Luthor discreetly exited the helicarrier as soon as it landed outside the city.
Kara arrived at the Fortress of Solitude and activated the Alura program. "What do you wish to know?" she asked.
"It's all her fault!" Kara raged. "Why did she have to become a DEO agent? Doesn't she know I love her and that I would burn the whole world for her?" Kara sobbed.
"The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few...or the one," Alura told her.
"Fuck that! I have nothing to live for without her. I'm so tired of protecting all these people, so tired of killing the same idiots over-and-over, and I'm tired of being bossed around. I need a vacation from all this, but Alex won't stop getting herself into danger. I'm fucking trapped!" Kara shouted at her mother's hologram.
"I understand, Kara," a calm voice said from behind.
Kara turned around and saw Superman. "Lois is always getting herself in danger, and I feel I have to always be one step behind her every moment of the day. For her, I continue being a reporter, so I know where she's going. I've had to save her from every threat imaginable, but she won't stop getting into danger," he said to her.
"How do you deal with it?" Kara asked.
"I suffer through it because a relationship is about sacrifice," Superman told her.
"What if you were given a choice between the world and Lois?" Kara asked.
"That's why I formed the Justice League, so I wouldn't have to make that painful choice," Superman said.
"I'm not joining your stupid league," Kara said scornfully.
"You don't have to. Form a league of your own if you want. Trust your friends. Today, they saved the world from Cadmus...in spite of you," Superman said to her.
"I'm afraid that if I get too deep into this super-hero business, I'll become corrupted," Kara said.
"Power doesn't corrupt good men. The corrupt were already corrupt, to begin with. If you fear what you will do with power, you should look inward," Superman advised.
"Alright," Kara allowed.
"Could you please clean this place up? It's a mess in here," Superman requested.
"I'll think about it," Kara said having no intention of doing so.
That night, Kara sat across from Hank at a long table in a conference room. "What do you want to talk about?" he asked.
"I want you to fire Alex. Her mind is compromised by Cadmus," Kara said.
"Our medics have cleared her. With Jeremiah, you might have a point," Hank allowed.
"I don't want to be responsible for Alex's safety. I want a life," Kara said to him.
"Always the self-centered one. What about the people?" Hank asked.
"Fuck'em," Kara said seriously.
"There's a saying from World War II and it goes like this: First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out, because I was not a socialist. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out, because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out, because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me and there was no one left to speak for me," Hank said.
"I have the luxury of not having to listen to BS arguments. I have all the power," Kara said to him.
"No, rather I think I have all the power, Kara. If I fire Alex, you might come in every so often whenever you please. You'll never follow my orders and you'll make a mockery of my department. But...if I keep Alex around, now I have you both on a leash. I even have your friends James and Winn with me. You won't leave the DEO so long as Alex is here, and she wants to be here," Hank said.
"You bastard, I could destroy you!" Kara grabbed him by the throat and slammed him against the wall.
"Do your worse. I'll just see my wife and daughters again," Hank replied without fear.
Kara gave Hank a frustrated look and then lowered him to the floor letting go of him. Alex then came into the room with a happy expression on her face. "I'm about to take dad home."
"That's...great," Kara muttered.
"What you guys talking about?" she asked.
"Religion and politics," Hank replied.
"Oh...I'm gone," Alex smiled disappearing.
"See you tomorrow, Agent Danvers," Hank mocked Kara.
Kara clenched her fists and departed the DEO in a huff.
Alex brought Jeremiah to their home in Midvale. Eliza came out and gave Jeremiah a hug. Kara, dressed in civilians, watched from afar as the three hugged. "Come on in," Eliza called out to Kara.
She stood apart from them as Mon appeared by her side in civilian clothes. "What are you doing here?" Kara asked.
"I was invited," he said simply.
"I told you I would kill you if you disobeyed me," Kara reminded him.
"I'm right here," Mon said not intimidated.
"Wow, I guess I have no leverage against the suicidal," Kara muttered.
"Or men of faith," Mon corrected. "You use your strange religion as a shield to excuse your bad behavior. You have turned your adopted family into an idol. If you really believed in your faith, you would accept that once they die, they will be reunited with their god," Mon said to her.
"And what am I to do after they're dead?" Kara asked scornfully.
"If you're bored, create a family of your own," Mon suggested.
"I need a break from all this but if I take any amount of time off, Alex and this whole world could be destroyed," Kara said.
"You have me," Mon reminded her.
"You're not strong enough," Kara told him.
"I saved those lives, today. Not you. Now, get your ass in that house," Mon ordered.
Kara begrudgingly walked into the house with Mon following behind. Jeremiah was sitting awkwardly at the table still shaken up by what had happened. Eliza and Alex worked in the kitchen preparing for dinner. Kara sat down next to Jeremiah. "Tequilla?" she asked him as she put a bottle on the table.
"Please," he said softly.
Kara poured him a shot and then poured a shot for herself. "So, Eliza never remarried, Alex is gay, and you're dating a blood-thirsty alien," Jeremiah commented.
"That sounds almost like disapproval," Kara smiled sadly.
"Your good outweighs your bad. I was told things about you two over the last fifteen years," Jeremiah said.
"You're the patriarch again. Tell me what I should do," Kara requested.
"I'm in no moral position to tell you to do anything," Jeremiah said bitterly. "I have seen and done things I am not proud of."
"You and me, both," Kara said pouring another shot.
Eliza and Alex then delivered dinner plates with steaks on them. "My favorite," Mon complimented.
The entire family then sat down and waited for Jeremiah to speak. "Obviously, this is going to be a time of adjustment, but I hope you'll be patient with me," Jeremiah said to them all.
"Of course, daddy," Alex agreed, giving him a toast.
"Would you like to say grace?" Eliza asked gently.
"Sure. Oh, holy father...," Jeremiah began and then broke down. "I can't," he said leaving the table altogether.
"Dad?" Alex called after him.
"Let him be," Eliza said as Jeremiah needed his space.
Kara followed after Jeremiah as he entered a bedroom. "So, what's your deal?" she asked.
"I am not worthy," Jeremiah said sobbingly.
"Remember what you used to teach me: That we're all shit covered in snow that is God's grace?" Kara reminded him. "You're still shit and the snow is still snow."
"I don't know if I believe that anymore," Jeremiah said honestly. "I can't forget what I did to all those people."
"Look, this is going to be weird for me. I can only hope its weirder for you," Kara said as she kissed him on the lips.
Jeremiah went into a trance for a few moments and then he gave Kara a peaceful expression as he fell asleep in her arms. Kara gently placed Jeremiah on the bed and went back to the others. "He just needs some rest," Kara said to the group.
Alex stared at Kara wondering what she did to him. "Well, more for the rest of us," Mon joked.
"Exactly right, Mon," Eliza smiled.
Kara eyed the bottle of tequila. "Well...fuck it," she said drinking the bottle down.
Meanwhile, a city-sized heavily armed Insane battleship approached the Earth casting a shadow on the moon. Queen Rhea looked out the window of the bridge and saw Earth come closer. "I feel different," she said to her husband.
"How so?" King Mon asked her.
"I feel...hope," she said as she sensed her son's distant energy.
King Mon walked up to her and put his arm around her shoulders. "Finally, we will have our son back."