Nia woke up in the middle of the night and walked over to the TV to turn it off. Behind her, a crane hook swung back and forth. Noticing something was odd, she turned around and saw a woman shouting at her. She then turned around and was face-to-face with Agent Liberty.
Nia then woke up in her bed. "What the fuck was that?" she wondered. She then saw her fat black gothic transgender roommate and screamed. "You sleep weird," she said unphased.
"What else is new?" Nia said getting up. "I told you not to let me sleep."
"I gave you two hours, so you wouldn't look like a crack-head at work, again," she said.
"The average Fortune 500 CEO only gets five hours of sleep," Nia pointed out as she got some coffee.
"The average CEO doesn't become CEO...if they die of exhaustion," she said with a sassy tone.
"When I dream, it's like I'm in a Final Destination movie," Nia said and then drank down coffee like it were water.
Mara showed up to work at Catco and found James and Nia in the elevator. Nia had three espressos in her hand. "Are those for me, because I told you how I don't like coffee," Mara scolded Nia.
"Actually, they're for me," Nia said embarrassed.
"Nice," James approved.
"How goes it with Lena?" Mara asked conversationally.
"She built me a badass suit. We couldn't be better," James said happily.
The elevator opened with Agent Liberty pointing a pistol at Nia. She instantly dropped her coffee and shielded her face. "You okay?" James asked Nia.
"I'm fine," Nia said picking up her coffee drinks.
"You going to be a supportive boss, get her some help, maybe talk her through her issues?" James asked Mara.
"No," Mara replied.
At the DEO, Col. Haley was interrogating a Liberty goon. "I'm Agent Liberty," he said.
"Frank, respectfully, you're not leadership material," Col. Haley said to him.
"Damn," Frank said feeling insulted.
"We know you were on Shelley Island and your background has been oddly erased. So, I got a hunch you can tell us where Agent Liberty is," Col. Haley said.
"I am Agent Liberty," he repeated.
"Damn it, Frank," Col Haley shook her head.
Meanwhile, Alex and Brainiac 5 were watching the interrogation scene on the TV monitor. "We offer them plea deals, but they all say the same thing."
"Perhaps, we should use some of Hank's interrogation techniques," Brainiac 5 suggested.
"Maybe I can help," Mara said in civilian clothes.
"That would expose who you are," Alex rejected.
"It's amazing what casual clothes, glasses, and brown hair can do to disguise oneself," Mara mused.
"How is your intern, Nia?" Brainiac 5 asked.
"She gets nightmares and PTSD moments. I can relate," Mara said honestly. "Except when I freak out, it's not at work."
"No, you just freak out when the world is in danger," Alex scolded.
"Nia is exhibiting signs of being a Dreamer," Brainiac 5 revealed.
"Well, no shit," Alex said unimpressed.
"I mean, she's of the Dreamer race. She has the power to see the future through her dreams," Brainiac 5 explained. "I know the distant future, but she knows what will happen in the near future."
"Can she lead us to Agent Liberty?" Alex asked.
"Possibly," Brainiac 5 allowed.
"She's my intern. I'll question her," Mara volunteered.
"Tell me what you find out. I have to report to the president soon," Alex said not looking forward to it.
Col. Haley and Alex stood in front of a TV in the conference room and addressed President Trump. "This is a complete disaster. A radical alien group almost killed everyone in Metropolis and a radical human group detonated a dirty bomb destroying everything on Shelley Island. Not to mention, Guardian, who I pardoned, is mixed up in all of this," Trump said displeased.
"The alien leader is dead and soon we will have Agent Liberty," Col. Haley assured him.
"Do what you have to," Trump ordered. "Get me a coke!" he shouted to someone off-screen.
Ben Lockwood arrived at his house and went inside. There he found Manchester Black having tea with his wife Lydia. "Why is there a Black British man in my house?" Ben wondered.
"He's your friend from the university, Mr. Black," Lydia introduced.
"Thought I come by and say hello," Black smiled.
"I think it's very thoughtful of you to come by in person," Lydia said to Black.
"How could I not after what he did?" Black said playing along. "You know, the gift."
"Of course, the gift," Ben said having no idea what he was talking about.
"What gift?" Lydia wondered.
"Oh, the wedding gift, a set of knives for me and my fiance," Black told her.
"Let me show your Black ass out the door," Ben said to him.
"Yeah, thanks," Black said walking with him.
"Lovely to meet you," Lydia said absolutely smitten.
"Same to you, my dear," Black replied politely.
As they headed out the door, Ben went for his phone to get some back-up. Black quickly revealed his pistol and took the phone from him. "Alright, you got me. Just don't do anything to Lydia," Ben said to him.
"She's the guest of honor, mother-fucker," Black said wide-eyed. "Now, play nice," he ordered.
"Hey, Lydia, why don't you make some more tea. Manchester here is going to stay a little longer," Ben said awkwardly.
"Yeah, sure," Lydia said exiting the room.
"Say anything and she dies screaming," Black told Ben.
Nia opened the door and saw Mara. "I know you want to be left alone, but I am your boss, after all," Mara smiled and then barged in.
The two sat on a couch as they talked. "My family is from far away on the planet Naltor," Nia revealed.
"Wow, that's amazing," Mara said with false amazement. "You could have told me," she said crossly. "I mean, I know it's not the best time to out yourself."
"I know myself," Nia said offended. "But once in a generation, some of our women can dream the future."
"And you can do that?" Mara asked skeptically.
"I can't control these dreams. I don't know what I am seeing or what's going on in my dreams," Nia said. "When I do, it's terrifying."
"Let me stop you, right there. You said, the women of your planet? So, how does it make any sense that you have this power?" Mara asked.
"Because I'm a...," Nia said.
"No, you're not. You're biologically male with XY chromosomes and male sex organs. If you wanted to, you could impregnate a female," Mara corrected.
"But I feel...," Nia objected.
"What you feel is irrelevant to your biological nature that is allowing you to see these dreams. You know what I think? I think the men of your planet also have dreams, but your feminist society has beaten them down to the point where they no longer think they can dream. You see yourself as under-privileged because you're an alien and a trans-woman on Earth but on Naltor, it was a promotion to the high-levels of your matriarchal society. By the time you realized your family was headed to Earth, it was already too late. You goofed up," Mara told her.
"How can you know that? You've never been to Naltor," Nia said stunned.
"No, but I have," Brainiac 5 said as he casually entered the room.
"What is this shit?" Nia asked staring at them both.
"She could be the answer we have been seeking," Mara said to Brainiac 5.
"Indeed," he agreed.
"What? To find Agent Liberty?" Nia wondered.
"Well, sure, whatever, but more importantly which sex are you attracted to?" Mara asked.
"Both, I think," Nia said uncertainly.
"And are you still fertile?" Mara asked.
"I don't know. I haven't tried," Nia said awkwardly.
"A semen sample would be needed to know for sure," Brainiac 5 said obviously.
"You two don't even know if I still have my male parts," Nia said offended.
"We know you do. Don't ask how," Mara said rolling her eyes.
"We can kill two birds with one stone," Brainiac 5 said intrigued.
"Won't that mess up the future?" Mara asked.
"I stopped caring about that the moment we came to this time period," Brainiac 5 said honestly.
"Wait, you're from the future?" Nia asked astounded.
"Yeah," Brainiac 5 said nonchalantly. "Your race was of strategic importance to Earth's security. We used several members of your race to accurately predict whether we would successfully be able to attack an enemy."
"You want to weaponize me?" Nia realized.
"We want you to be a team player," Mara corrected.
"You've questioned my gender, my sexuality, my alien heritage, and see me as a weapon for your agenda. Why the fuck would I help you?" Nia asked pissed-off.
"Because I'll fire you, I'll buy your apartment complex and then evict you, and my friend Barney will revoke your alien residency," Mara said simply.
"Damn," Nia realized how fucked she was.
"And in case you want to be all noble and self-sacrificing, we'll do the same to your roommate," Mara added.
"What do you want me to do?" Nia asked finally.
"Dream the future and tell us what you see," Brainiac 5 ordered.
"That's a little hard. I've been drinking coffee all day," Nia said positively jacked.
"Don't worry. I got this," Brainiac 5 said and then stunned her with his laser pistol.
As Nia slept, Mara and Brainiac 5 made small talk. "You going to scold me for using Reign?" Mara asked him.
"On the contrary, it's an intriguing development. How did you domesticate the angel of Rao?" he asked curiously.
"I asked her nicely," Mara replied.
"How do you know you can control her?" Brainiac 5 asked.
"She only did those things, because she was tricked by Selena. She's actually super chill otherwise," Mara said.
"She grants you impressive powers and gives you immortality. However, she could use you to destroy the Earth and kill all your loved ones," Brainiac 5 weighed.
"Whenever I feel sad or grieved, I let her take over. It makes me feel better," Mara admitted.
"Like a crutch?" Brainiac 5 assumed.
"Yeah," Mara said lamely.
"A crutch is a tool for the disabled to walk. It's a tool, not a weakness," Brainiac 5 told her.
"So, you don't hate me for this?" Mara asked him.
"Without condoning or condemning, I understand," Brainiac 5 said to her. "I'm more surprised you think this plan of yours will work. Doesn't it go against your religiously held beliefs?" he said pointing to Nia.
"What are the odds Alex will get married to a man, never divorce, and have children naturally?" Mara asked.
"I have calculated fourteen million scenarios with there only being one positive outcome," Brainiac 5 said.
"This is the next best thing," Mara said simply.
"The Danvers' bloodline is strong," Brainiac 5 said thoughtfully.
"Holy Shit!" Nia shouted as she awoke.
"You got anything for us?" Mara asked.
"Agent Liberty was about to kill a woman. I have a clue to find out who she is," Nia said.
Lydia graciously gave Black a tour of the home. "Lydia, Benjamin, you have a lovely home," Black complimented.
"I have a lot of work to catch up on," Ben said dismissively.
"What is this?" Black asked fascinated by a display case.
"Ben's great-great-grandfather made those," Lydia said.
"He was a blacksmith. The Lockwoods forged bayonets during the American Revolution," Ben said looking straight at Black.
"Oh really?" Black said becoming a little crazier than usual. "Can I?" he asked opening the case and taking out the bayonet.
"You know, it's from Bunker Hill. Remember that one? The Brits thought they had won the battle but their losses were so high, they eventually abandoned the campaign. It was so bloody, they realized it wasn't worth it," Ben antagonized.
"Like Vietnam?" Black shot back.
"Fuck you," Ben glared at him.
"And, of course, the Lockwoods are no longer in the steel business. More into the wearing masks and killing aliens business," Black said finally revealing his true purpose. "Isn't that right, Agent Liberty?"
"That blade is dull as fuck," Ben said to him.
"I prefer it dull," Black glared.
Lydia took out a pistol and shot Black in the chest. "God damn, woman!" Black retreated from the room.
"Kick his Black ass out of our house," Lydia said to Ben handing him the pistol.
Mara, Nia, and Brainiac 5 strolled into the principal's office of Collonwood High school. "I need the names of every girl that ran the 5k," Mara said to the principal.
"We don't release that information," the principal replied.
Brainiac 5 stunned the principal with his laser pistol and then got on his computer. He then took on the appearance of the principal in case anyone came in. Quickly looking through the names, one particular one stood out: Lydia Lockwood.
"I think I know the name of Agent Liberty's target," Brainiac 5 said to them.
As they exited the school, Brainiac 5 received a phone call from Hank. "Manchester Black is at the Lockwood's residence. He's in trouble," he said.
"Thank you, J'onn," Brainiac 5 said and then hung up. "My theory has been corroborated."
"What about my dream?" Nia wondered.
"The images of a crane hook are consistent with the Lockwood steel mill that was closed down," Brainiac 5 replied.
"Well, should we go to the steel mill or go to the Lockwood residence?" Mara wondered.
"Manchester Black has been a bit of a problem for us. Let us have Agent Liberty finish him off for us and then we can take down Agent Liberty ourselves at the steel mill," Brainiac 5 considered.
"Maybe the future has been changed? I mean, we're making new decisions now," Nia said uncertainly.
"She makes a good point," Brainiac 5 agreed and then stunned Nia dropping her.
Black retreated to the basement as Ben hunted him down with pistol in hand. He looked through the closets looking for a weapon to defend himself. He then came across the Agent Liberty suit. "Well, fuck me," Black said upon seeing it.
Ben shot at Black nearly hitting him. Black took out his own pistol and fired back. What proceeded was a shootout in the basement with neither getting hit. "When the police arrive, do you really think they will side with you?" Ben mocked Black.
"I'll kill you before they arrive," Black shot back.
With them, both out of bullets, Ben and Black punched and slammed each other into random objects. As they fought, Hank arrived at the residence. "Are you friends with Black?" Lydia asked holding the old bayonet in her hand.
"Bitch, please," Hank said touching her forehead and dropping her to the floor. He then phased down to the basement level.
"Well, well, well," Hank said amused as he saw the Agent Liberty suit. "You are so fucked," he said to Ben.
"This doesn't prove anything. Plenty of Liberty members have the same exact suit. We're all Agent Liberty," Ben said to him.
"If I take you, we'll see how well your organization functions," Hank threatened.
"You can't kill me. I have my own talk show now. That makes me important!" Ben shouted.
"Like Ben Shapiro?" Hank questioned.
"Fuck you!" Ben said enraged.
"This is how it's going to go. I'm going to put you into a DEO cell where you will never face trial. Then, I am going to shapeshift into you and disband your organization," Hank said. "Then, I am going to make sweet love to your wife."
"How can you do this?" Ben asked stunned.
"It helps to be a badass," Hank smirked.
"God damn, that's savage, J'onn," Black said amazed.
Ben retreated out of the basement and ran off towards the steel mill. "Manchester Black, you're the son I never had. Take this," Hank said giving him a loaded pistol.
"Thanks, man," Black said running after Ben.
Mara, Brainiac 5, and Nia came to the steel mill. Nia suddenly awoke in Brainiac's arms. "There are three people here, all armed," she said.
"Interesting," Brainiac 5 said putting her down.
The three Liberty goons came out with guns blazing. Brainiac 5 shielded Mara and Nia as he was shot. Brainiac 5 then took his own pistol and shot them all in the heads dropping them. Nia screamed horrified.
"Everything is alright. There is no need for apprehension," Brainiac 5 told her.
"You killed those guys," Nia said stunned.
"Of course, I'm a Brainiac," Brainiac 5 replied.
"You can't go around killing people," Nia scolded.
"Why?" Brainiac 5 asked.
"What do you mean? Because you just can't," Nia said obviously.
"Why?" Brainiac 5 repeated.
"Because you just can't," Nia said lamely.
"Our match-making may be more difficult than we thought," Brainiac 5 said referring to Alex's kill count.
"What the fuck are you talking about?" Nia asked them both.
"We would like to set you up with a friend of ours," Mara said vaguely.
"Wait, what?" Nia thought she misheard.
"Because of your life decisions, you've greatly reduced your romantic opportunities. As your boss, I have to provide you assistance in this area," Mara said simply.
"Actually, it's none of your business. I get along just fine," Nia said defensively.
"Not according to my reports," Brainiac 5 said.
"You spying on me?" Nia asked outraged.
"We're trying to help you," Mara said condescendingly.
"I don't need help. I mean, I could be romantically involved with my roommate for all you know," Nia said.
"But I know you're not. The morbidly obese ones aren't your type. I can get you a highly trained athletic biological female with a decent income that can provide you protection," Brainiac 5 said to her.
"You two are fucked up," Nia said backing away from them.
"We all have our abnormalities, Nia. Cooperate with our plan, and you will succeed Mara at Catco, gain a family, and become a super-hero," Brainiac 5 told her.
"Alright, I'll play ball. But can we deal with the problem at hand?" Nia asked.
"Yes, of course," Brainiac 5 agreed.
"I'm going back to work. Kill Agent Liberty and bring back my intern...alive," Mara ordered Brainiac 5.
"As you wish," Brainiac 5 allowed.
"Wait, you're leaving?" Nia asked amazed.
"I'm just a weak human. Barney still needs your abilities. See you at work tomorrow," Mara said walking off.
"Damn, that's cold," Nia rolled her eyes.
Black entered the alien steel mill factory looking for Ben. "Ben Lockwood! Come here and take your medicine, lad!" he shouted calling him out.
Agent Liberty then came out and beat Black to the back with a pipe. Black sprung a wire trap on Agent Liberty pinning his arms to his sides. Black then took out his pistol and aimed at his chest. "Any last words?" he asked.
"Fuck the Queen," Agent Liberty said.
Black fired several shots into Agent Liberty's chest. "Nobody disrespects the Queen," Black shook his head.
Agent Liberty then took out a knife and sliced off his restraints. "Bulletproof suit, idiot," Agent Liberty said to him. Agent Liberty then proceeded to beat the shit out of Black until Supergirl arrived.
"You will find me a little more formidable in this arena, Lockwood," Mara said to him.
Agent Liberty took out a grenade and threw it at her. She caught it unconcerned and then it exploded filling her eyes with metallic dust blinding her for a moment. Agent Liberty then quickly went to a control panel and poured Nth liquid metal onto Mara trapping her to the floor.
"You were saying, bitch?" Agent Liberty asked the trapped Mara.
"You may find creative ways to stall me, but I can never be killed. I can never be stopped. You will never win," Mara said to him.
"Look what I have already achieved. I've turned the people and the government against you. I have forever ruined your reputation," Agent Liberty said to her.
"I'm Supergirl, remember? We've never cared about our reputations," Mara smirked at him.
Black got back up and took out his laser staff. Lydia arrived just in time with a pistol getting in front of Agent Liberty. "Hiding behind your wife, eh? I'll shoot right through her to get to you," Black said ready to fire.
Black was suddenly hit by a hook and taken to the floor. "Hook," Nia realized holding the control device.
"Steven Spielberg, 1991, a mess of a movie but very entertaining," Brainiac 5 judged.
Ben then took his wife's pistol and aimed it at Black. "For America, you Brit bastard."
"Reign," Mara said softly. The factory began to shake as Mara powered up to Super Insane god. Her hair became bright red as her red aura melted away the metal.
"That's Nth metal. Impossible," Ben said amazed.
The factory began to collapse around them. Pipes came down from the second level about to crush Lydia. Ben pushed her out of the way and was nearly crushed by the pipes. Mara then walked over to Ben and created an energy sphere in her hand.
"Please, don't kill him. He's a husband and father," Lydia pleaded.
"Plenty of those were killed in this war he started," Reign replied.
"Do it, Supergirl. Make me a martyr," Ben said severely injured.
Reign evaporated the energy sphere. "You're not worth it."
Police arrived shortly and collected both Ben and Black. "Is it over?" Nia asked Mara.
"It's a start," Mara replied.
"Any comment?" a reporter asked Ben as he was taken away.
"Just look at my face. See what they've done to me. I put on the mask to protect my family from aliens attacking our planet. You know who I am! Who is Supergirl? Who is she!" Ben shouted.
Mara handed a completed magazine to James. "It's going to be hard for Ben Lockwood to be taken seriously now that everyone knows he's a psycho in a mask," James said.
"Like...you?" Mara wondered.
"Hey, that's not cool. I'm a God damn hero. I only did all that stuff to save people," James raged.
"You're just mad you didn't get to take him in yourself," Mara rolled her eyes.
"Could it have hurt to have called me?" James asked.
"Anyway, I have a new hobby now. I want to get Aunt Alex a family of her own done naturally," Mara said.
"That's fucking impossible. I mean, you're super but not that super," James doubted.
Mara pointed to the passed out Nia at her desk. "No way," James smiled.
'Yes way," Mara grinned.
"I like it. Let's make it happen," James said amused.
Washington DC
Mara, dressed in civilians, came to the White House and greeted President Trump and Vice President Pence. "How's my favorite donor," Trump said shaking her hand.
"Good work balancing out Catco. Their reporting has been much improved," Pence complimented.
Trump took out a chart. "You were here at 'Enemy of the People' with the New York Times, CNN, and NBC. Now, you're here at 'Fake News'."
"I appreciate the promotion," Mara said seriously. "But I'm not here for Catco."
"Morgan Industries has done quite well, and you have brought back American jobs. You're a model for all other companies," Trump said impressed.
"Thank you, Mr. President, but I'm not here for that, either," Mara said.
"What's on your mind, Miss Jade?" Pence asked patiently.
Mara took off her glasses and gently went Super Insane becoming blond and blue-eyed. "I'm Supergirl."
Moscow, PATRIOT
Nikolai, Alina, and Kara watched the protests to Ben Lockwood's arrest. "We'll let the trial inflame the country and then use a strike team to release him," Nikolai said.
"Can I do it?" Kara raised her hand.
"No," Nikolai shut her down.
"I'm bored. You won't like me when I'm bored," Kara said peeved.
"The Admiral Kuznetsov will soon be deploying to the Mediterranean. You two will be on-board to assist the crew with any problems that should arise. We're also going to be testing the Kuznetsov's anti-missile system with you acting as the missile. If it can hit you, it can hit any American missile," Nikolai said.
"Well, finally some respect," Kara allowed.
"The fleet leaves in one week. Don't do anything stupid in the meantime," Nikolai ordered.
"Like what?" Kara scoffed as he left.
"You intend to see your niece," Alina detected.
"It's inevitable. Why not?" Kara asked her.
"I have family in Ukraine. Family can complicated allegiances," Alina warned.
"I just want to get to know her a little. When I am done, I'll erase her memory of it," Kara assured her.
"I'll be watching from here," Alina told her.
"Creepy as fuck. You go ahead and do that," Kara smiled.
Kara then shed her military uniform and flew off across Siberia, into Alaska, and towards the Fortress of Solitude. Entering the fortress, she looked around in amazement. A Kelex droid then floated near her and identified her. "Kara Zor-El, welcome back."
"Glad to be back," Kara smirked.