Avenging Justice:

Two Worlds Collide

Part III

Earth, California, Long Beach, L'Opera

Lois Lane left in the restaurant in her rental car. The interview with Tony Stark had been as productive as one could have hoped, for a genius, playboy, philanthropist. He was a force of nature all his own, and lived up to the legend. However, she was Lois Lane, and nobody got the scoop before her.

On the plane ride over, she had studied all the material she could on her subject. Scientists, well engineers and physicists, were falling over themselves to study the miracle he had made. They had studied the huge ARC generator at Stark Industries, but his ability to miniaturize it had flustered them. Thanks to her inquisitive nature and a few friends at STAR Labs, she had a grasp on just how amazing that was.

She relaxed, knowing that Clark would be back at the hotel by now. His proclivity as a womanizer was definitely part of Mr. Stark's character, but something was off. He only seemed to be going through the motions. He was still charismatic, charming, and disarming. However, tonight his heart didn't seem into it, like he was just playing the game on autopilot. Not that she minded, it was just her instinct that something was up.

While she drove, the article began to write itself in her head. She'd edit it once she had it down, but these were always her rough drafts. As long as traffic stayed flowing, she'd be half done by the time she reached the hotel. Clark teased her on this, but she knew that was only it. For all his gifts, he still saw wonder in the simplest of things.

Out of nowhere came police sirens, preceded by a speeding Ford Bronco. It nearly took out the driver's side of Lois' car, but she was able to swerve at the last moment. Her reward was a rude gesture from another car, and several cars honking at her. Apparently, they hadn't seen or cared that she had been nearly creamed by the speeding Bronco.

The seven police cars following whizzed by right after it. Even before Lois realized what she was doing, she was right behind them. Two stories were always better than one. Who still drove Broncos? What had they done to garner such a response from the police? The where and when would be evident enough soon, so that just left why on the standard checklist for a good story.

The driver of the Ford Bronco weaved in and out of traffic, nearly colliding with several more cars. As they sped through an intersection, heading for the highway, a lone pedestrian was still in the middle of the crosswalk. Instead of trying to swerve, the driver hit the accelerator. They weren't going to stop, weren't going back to prison.

A blue streak flashed in front of the car, and was gone again. The driver smiled, glad that the obstacle had been removed, not so much in the life being saved. However, the driver should have been more worried. Instead of relief, panic should have flooded their system, or at least regret.

The White Ford Bronco came to a sudden, jolting stop and the driver slammed headfirst into the windshield. Somewhere in the back of the driver's mind, the thought of wearing a seatbelt had been there, just neglected. Instead as the Bronco's occupants looked around to investigate, they saw him. Thought to be indestructible, faster than a speeding bullet, and all around boy scout, Superman.

He ripped the top off the Bronco, hovering over them, "You four should remain where you are. The police will be here shortly." Superman seemed to look past them, "You seem to have a concussion, stay still and they'll provide you with medical attention. The rest of you, put your weapons on the ground and exit the vehicle."

"What are you doing here?" one of the occupants in the back spat out.

Superman smiled, "Seeing the sights. Now are we doing this the easy way or the hard way?"

He was glad when they all dumped their weapons onto the ground and exited the Bronco with hands on their heads. The police came to round them up, and while not gentle, weren't overly harsh. As promised an ambulance came for the driver, and he was taken to the hospital with a police guard. With the situation in hand, Superman rocketed off into the sky.

Moments later Clark Kent came up to Lois Lane at the press line. She gave him a smirk about missing the story again, and a gentle elbow. That was their act, her way to protect the trust he had in her. The world needed Superman, little did they know, he needed Clark Kent. She could keep that secret for him.

Sector 2813, Mar-Vell's Laboratory

Carol Danvers stood on the bridge of the ship. The Kree, Mar-Vell had used this vessel to hide the Skrulls fleeing the war. This had been dumped into Carol's lap, as Mar-Vell was killed during a test flight. Instead of being killed by Skrulls, which the Kree were at war with, she had died at the hands of other Kree. Commandos sent out to find her and her research, acquire it or destroy it.

Carol was caught in the middle. Her insistence to fly the experimental craft, and then to carry out Mar-Vell's last wishes, all led her to where she was. She didn't regret it, does regret that all her memories were still mishmashed. The Kree had taken her to be their weapon, trained her in their fighting arts, but she never felt right with them. Only recently did she learn the Supreme Intelligence had messed with her head.

"Carol," Talos, a Skrull who had once been her enemy said. "You've got the air of someone mulling a problem."

Carol smiled, it felt right, "Just trying to unscramble my brains. Did the sensors pick up anything?"

"Sorry, Carol, only a lifeless world," Talos explained. "The sun went nova years ago, killing everyone on it. We found a message left, two actually."

Soren calmly interjected, "It seems their people didn't understand the danger they were in. Two scientists were able to send their children off world before it was consumed."

"I guess we'll cross this off our list then," Carol said.

Talos nodded, "Carol, you've done far more then could be asked. You've taken on Mar-Vell's legacy, no one would think less of you for wanting to return home."

"What my husband is so delicately trying to say, is you must miss your home," Soren gently said. "We appreciate what you have done.."

Carol interrupted her, "This is my mission. Besides most everyone I know thinks I'm dead."

Soren was about to say something else when a warning blipped on her screen, "Carol, we have incoming. About two to three meters in length and moving fast."

"I'll check it out," she said racing to the airlock.

Talos and Soren's daughter saw her and yelled out, "Be careful, Captain Marvel!"

Carol turned for just a moment to throw a confused look at Talos, only for the Skrull to shrug. Someone was going to have to explain that later. Right at the moment she needed to intercept whatever was coming at the ship. Moments later she was out flying in space, in binary form, with energy flowing all around her.

Ahead of her, coming in very fast was a bright glowing green object. She couldn't make out its distinct shape, but as she got closer, it was vaguely humanoid. Kree, Skrull, Humans, and multitudes of other peoples tended to follow the two arms, two leg layout. Meant most beings looked the same, but just slightly different.

This particular being was dressed in green and black, with a mask around its face. The eyes were white, but just like her glowing eyes, probably due to whatever was keeping it alive in the vacuum of space. The rest of the face was more bird like, or lizard like, depending on how you saw the beak it used for a mouth. On top of its head was a frill, like what you might see on an Earth lizard. However, the rest of its shape, willowy and slight, made her think more of birds.

"Greetings, I am Tomar-Re of the Green Lantern Corps," the being said. "Your ship is of Kree origin, but inside I detect Skrull life signs."

Carol was at least glad this hadn't devolved into a fight right off the bat, "Yes, I'm leading these survivors to find a new home. They are looking to escape the war, only seeking safe passage and haven."

Tomar-Re seemed to like this notion, nodding his head, "A noble goal noble warrior, but I can not let them reside here. Skrulls are infamous, and for all the wrong reasons. Master shapeshifters and infiltrators, they would find no welcome in any world of this sector."

"There has to be somewhere, are you sure we couldn't negotiate with anyone?" Carol asked, knowing the answer already. They had spent years hearing the reply that came next.

Tomar-Re politely, but firmly said, "No, I am sorry. There are several worlds you might barter for some more fuel and food, but I would advise you to go in their stead."

"You would allow them wander endlessly? That seems rather harsh," Carol argued, although she really understood. As a Kree warrior she had fought against them for years, but the Supreme Intelligence hadn't been honest with her over the reason why.

Tomar-Re cocked his head like a curious bird, "As I have said, their reputation precedes them. If the Kryptonians of this system were still here, they would have already run you off already. Unfortunately, you orbit near their dead world."

"Any idea where they might be able to settle in peace?" Carol didn't want to hear what she knew was coming. It wasn't fair to those on the ship that had never participated in the war.

The Green Lantern thought for a moment, "There is a sector patrolled by a Lantern that might help you out. Those worlds are full of crime and villainy, so the Guardians allow this Lantern a lot more latitude then normal. I can not say this Lantern will allow it, but I can not see them doing any further damage there."

"Great!" Carol couldn't help but let her enthusiasm show. "I'll have them head there. You're sure we won't get the same reaction there?"

Tomar-Re shrugged, "I know not. It would be your best option, though. When you approach Sector 1148, ask for the Emerald Knight. He is a Human, and like a fellow lantern, prone to amazing compassion."

"That's better than what we have. Thank you, Green Lantern Tomar-Re," Carol flew off, making sure to keep an eye on the other figure.

Tomar-Re flew off, but she could still see his green glow off in the distance. He was watching them. That was okay, and she could understand that. Reputations and all, it could have gone far worse. Then again, if Talos had met with the Green Lantern, it might have. Without needing to be said, Skrulls weren't trusted by anyone. Except for her it seemed, she trusted Talos and Soren. That was progress.

Carol stepped back on the bridge of the ship, her cowl already sinking back into her Kree suit. The Skrulls nearby quieted, and she could see the tension in their forms. It wasn't that they were still afraid of her. No, it was because they knew the news she brought. She couldn't blame them, it was hard to live without a home.

"What did our glowing friend have to say?" Talos asked.

Carol took a breath, "Same as usual, 'move along.' He was very polite about it, though. He did give us a new destination, something he called Sector 1148."

Soren went to the computer, "According to the Kree star charts, I think I've found it. Course is set in."

Carol grinned, hope was out there yet, "Alright, let's get going. Now, what is this Captain Marvel thing?"

Talos took over for his wife, allowing her to explain, "Our daughter looks up to you, just as she did Mar-Vell. Having stayed up in Earth orbit, she has taken on the Human need to shorten names. You are also our leader on this expedition, our captain."

"So, I became Captain Marvel," Carol liked it. Her own identity, but a homage to the woman that believe in her. Turning to Soren's daughter, she said, "I think that fits rather well. Good job little one."

Tomar-Re watched the Kree ship disappear. His ring recorded everything for the Guardians on Oa, so if they were upset, they hadn't notified him yet. He wasn't sure he trusted Skrulls, but the strange Kree woman seemed earnest enough. That was the only reason he told her of Sector 1148. For the life of him though, he couldn't understand why he couldn't remember the Lantern's name in that sector. He only knew the alias of the Emerald Knight.

That was one of the monikers Lantern Jordan had been nicknamed on Earth. Even his ring failed to come back with any information on the protectors of Sector 1148. There was plenty of information on the previous due that patrolled there, just not the current duo. It was all very strange. Still, if the Guardians kept that information back, there was a good reason for it. That Tomar-Re was very much sure of. In the meantime, he had the rest of his sector to patrol.