I'm posting the next few chapters all at once, 3 through chapter 5, which is that last I have completed so far. Enjoy. Who knows when I'll finish, as I'm more invested in my new Ahsoka story atm, and my investment in Supercorp has flagged since season 5.


Despite Lena's hopes, Kara's first twelve hours aboard yield no answers. It seems as if the commander is determined to give away as little as possible during their various encounters, so rather than wait her out she is taking matters into her own hands.

Lena strips off her uniform and searches through her closet for what to wear. Too casual, too 'come hither', that's a lab coat. She brushes each outfit aside, looking for just the right one, one that says I am your captain, but I can also be your friend.

The reasons for her outfit crises slip to the back of her mind when her eye catches a glimpse of her kryptonian chess set in the wardrobe mirror. Setting out this one object for people to see is the clearest thing she's done to mark this room as hers, to push aside the unbidden memories of Sinclair. Their intimate moments had ceased long before Roulette made captain, and so nothing ever occurred in this room, it's more the sense of … invasion that bothers her. The wrongness of taking possession of something she only has because someone died; so Lena has set out quickly to make the room her own. Her books, her pictures, the only thing of hers she hasn't put out are the pictures of her and Roulette. She doesn't need those memories, especially not right now.

What Lena needs is this space to be her own, a space where she commands respect unconditionally and can also be herself in a way she never can on the bridge. The new cabin, though twice the size, shares the same layout as her old one; bed, desk, and wardrobe on one side and a seating and dining area on the other.

Lena's thoughts return to her new executive officer and what she has managed to learn so far.

06:00 hours

"Everyone, this is commander Kara Zor-El."

Lena sits at the head of a long table, the seats filled with the crew members that make up her support team, most of whom are part of L-Corp. Dr. Jess Oh, Flight Cadet Eli Wessler, Tactical Ensign Mercy Graves, her new chief of security Lt. Hesiod, and Chief Engineer Jarda.

Each one offers their greetings, their eyes never leaving the Commander, some inquisitive like Jess, others like Eli; who on the outside seems calm but whose thoughts scream "she might kill us here and now." Lena suppresses her worry instead watching Kara return their greetings, arms propped on her hips.

"If I may Captain?"

"Of course, no doubt you can introduce yourself better than I can."

"First I want to address what you have heard about me. You have heard my that my name is Kara Zor-El, it is not. It is Kara El. You have also heard that I am "Flamebird", that is correct; however, you will not address me as such. While on this ship you will call me Commander or Ser.

I will expect the best you can give, the same as your captain expects of you. I know I and my people have wronged your people, and have been wronged in return. I am not here to be your friend, but to explore how best the Alliance and the Kryptonian High Command can build a brighter future. Thank You."

Though she uncrosses her arms Kara's thoughts are still unreadable, a quiet calm radiating from her same as when she saved Lena's life. The teasing not-quite recognition of her voice no longer frightening, just… confusing. Right now Lena has a job to do.

"Thank you Commander. Now that you have all been properly introduced, let's get to work. Spaceforce has tasked us with seeking out the cause of the Diasporan attack on our vessel. Our first lead is the pro-human paramilitary group Cadmus. Spaceforce has reason to believe they have connections to the Diasporan attack that might prove useful."

"Why Cadmus?" The rooms attention shifts to Eli. "I thought Cadmus was just some fringe anti-kryptonian group? What would they gain from attacking a Spaceforce vessel and killing their captain?"

"The Ensign has a good point. Cadmus is known for their spur of the moment terrorist plots, not long term planning." Hesiod's high-pitched voice at odds with their large Saturnian frame.

"True Hesiod, but unfortunately Command was extremely tight lipped about the source of the lead. It's going to be up to us to figure out what's going on. On that point, I will be in touch with each of you individually regarding any pertinent questions and your assignments. Good luck everyone, you're dismissed."

Lena smiles at Jess and Eli as they leave the conference room, Mercy, Hesiod, and Jarda following closely. The last to rise from her seat is Kara.

"Commander…?"

"I know you have questions Captain, but they'll have to wait. I ... need time to settle in."

"Of course. Lt. Hesiod can direct you to your quarters."

Lena watches Kara, the way she holds her shoulders, the tension she carries in her neck… her curiosity about her rescuer building with each observation.

"Captain." Kara nods and exits the room.

Another time then.

08:00 hrs

Lena lets her legs hang over the side of the medical chair, holding her left arm out for Jess to poke and prod.

"I still don't understand why I have to be here. You already have my bloodwork on file, nothing's changed just because I got a promotion."

"It's protocol Lena. Whining about it isn't going to make it go by faster."

"I'm not whining." Lena sticks out her lower lip. "I'm pouting. Besides, don't you have to run tests on the Kryptonians, they can't all have been cleared yet."

"This isn't the twenty-first century Lena, we got most of them cleared before you woke up this morning."

"Really? Even Commander El? There's no way you couldn't hold her here for a few days?"

"Lena, you can't let yourself get thrown off balance by one Kryptonian."

"It's not that Jess." Lena sighs. "I mean yes she is a distraction, but it's this assignment. I know Spaceforce says there is a connection, but I can't see how an attack by aliens is connected to Cadmus. They're notorious for their pro-human views, they threatened to attack the peace talks for gods' sake, what could they possibly have to do with the Diasporans?"

"I'm a doctor, not a detective." Jess presses some gauze to the area where she drew blood, and Lena feels the nanites closing up the small wound. "What do we know about the Diasporans movements before now?"

"Only that they're a collective of exiles and refugees. From what planets and peoples, where they go, what they do? Spaceforce doesn't know." Lena un-balls her fist and relaxes her arm.

"Well, there you go. Spaceforce doesn't know, but we have someone aboard who has access to files on places and peoples in the galaxy we've never even heard of. Bring Kara into the investigation." Jess caps her sentence by chucking her needle and gauze into a bin marked "sterile disposal."

"I know, I know. I just can't shake this feeling that she's watching me, I am personally responsible for her side losing the war."

"Well, don't look now, but she might actually be watching you."

Lena follows Jess's line of sight to another chair in the medbay where Kara sits staring right at her, though she looks away as soon as their eyes meet.

Lena turns back to the table. "I still haven't asked her why Flamebird saved me. What she was doing out so far from the Flower of Heaven."

"Isn't it obvious? You've got a stalker." Jess smirks at her, the teasing intention spilling from her thoughts as well as her tone.

"As I said, she probably wants to kill me." It isn't hard to imagine her doing it either, with her clearly defined muscles accentuated by her tight uniform, even without the Flamebird outfit she looks like she could crush Lena with no effort.

"Invite her to dinner."

"What?"

"You know, dinner with the captain. It'd be a great way to break the ice, get familiar, get some of your questions answered."

"We'll see."

10:00 hrs

Lena is beginning to wonder if Jess was right about Kara being a stalker. She intended this be a private sparring session, just her and the computer to keep her reflexes sharp - something she needs so that she doesn't have to rely on others to save her. She forgot to tell the computer to keep the session private however nd it isn't twenty minutes before Kara walks into the gym in athletic wear. She doesn't acknowledge Lena, but sets up her own holographic sparring partner with the computer. Lena watches her as much as she can without pausing her own practice.

The Kryptonian punches hard, sending her digital opponent flying into the wall several times. More punches, kicks, grapples, all of her movements are firm and aggressive, designed to take out the opponent as quickly as possible. In contrast Lena's own style is calculated, each strike aimed where it will be the most debilitating yet cause the least amount of permanent damage, both to herself and her opponent. Lena blocks and strikes while keeping an eye on Kara, the woman moves so hard and fast she appears to fly off the ground and it's clear she could easily tear through the most well trained soldiers.

Lena dodges another attack from the computer when Kara grabs her opponent by the arms and spins around multiple times before letting the fighter slam into the wall. Lena smirks, happy to have her on her side, when she receives a blow to her ribs. Pain flares from the point of contact, and unable to block due to the pain Lena crumples to the ground at the next blow, her computer partner standing over her in a gesture of victory.

Taking a moment to breath, Lena calls for the computer to shut down the sparring program, pushing herself up from the floor. From the other side of the room Lena hears what she is certain is a stifled laugh. Again she locks eyes with Kara only for the other woman to turn away. Lena's cheeks burn with embarrassment, she gathers her things and exits the room leaving Kara behind.

She manages to hold herself together during the walk back to her cabin, but as soon as the door whooshes shut behind her she collapses against it. The heat in her cheeks builds until it spills over into tears. She's grappled with feelings of inadequacy since she fell ill, but nothing brings it into such sharp relief as being knocked flat on one's ass due to her disability while the world's most perfect physical specimen watches and laughs.

How is she supposed to work with this woman? This perfect being who so effortlessly saved her life, who could never understand what it's like to feel like the world is pitying her for existing, valorizing her struggles as if her daily life was meant to inspire others?

Yet, this is what she studied for. To take command of a Starship and explore the unknowns of the galaxy. That's all Kara is, an unknown to be explored. And Lena is certainly more than up to the challenge. She has to be.

12:00 hrs

From the captain's chair Lena overlooks the bridge, her eyes and mind taking in every visible reaction to her new commander, cataloging them for later.

The Kryptonian stands behind Eli, watching as he guides the Venture away from the kryptonian neutral zone and inputs the hyper-speed coordinates for their destination. Eli's shoulders tense up, unused to the scrutiny.

"Everything alright, ser?"

"We'll see." Kara's fluid yet controlled movements take her from station to station, checking over every officer's work.

Lena can't do anything about the crew's tension at the moment, only hope that working together will increase their trust in each other. Her initial feelings of trepidation regarding the new crew member have faded somewhat, replaced with confusion. Confusion over why the same woman who saved her life is now standing in command center.

Lena rises from the captain's chair and walks to her ready-room just off the bridge. Once at her desk she turns off her implant and sinks into the much more comfortable chair. Their destination, the Titanian mining colony Harvest, is a good day's journey at top speed. Enough time for her to put some effort into discovering who exactly her new commander is.

She activates the intercom panel on her desk. "Commander El, report to my ready-room."

"On my way."

After a moments delay Commander Kara El of Krypton walks in, the doors automatically closing behind her.

"Sit please Commander."

Kara sits in the chair across from Lena, her desk between them, the proximity the closest they've been when alone since the attack. Lena finds herself reading Kara's body language, since she can get no sense of who the woman is from her thoughts. Ramrod posture, even deep breaths, clenched fists, and her feet pressed to the floor.

"At ease Commander."

Lena offers a disarming smile, hoping to put Kara at ease. Her posture slackens in response, though her fists remain tightly clenched .

"Thank you. My last captain was not so accommodating."

"Well, I try to be aware of the needs of my people. And despite whatever bad blood may exist between us, you are one my people now. And I think what you need is a chance to unwind. Come to dinner in my cabin tonight."

Lena pauses to gauge Kara's response, when she doesn't Lena continues.

"That's a request, not an order. There are no doubt many things we want to ask each other, and it will be a lot easier without these uniforms."

"On Kryptonian ships you only have dinner with the captain when they're the bearer of bad news."

"The only bad news I have is that our food replicators can't make Kryptonian dishes yet."

"Oh that's… alright ." A smile teases at the corner of Kara's lips. "I've actually acquired a taste for some human foods in the past few years."

"Well then, unless you have any objections, dinner tonight at twenty-hundred. I'll have my replicator ready for the finest of earth cuisine."

"Sounds good Captain." Kara's full smile charms Lena with it's unexpectedness.

"Dismissed." Kara rises and Lena's eyes linger just a second or two longer than necessary as she turns and heads back to the bridge. The feeling of familiarity gnawing again at the back of her mind.

Lena grabs the blue blouse and slips it on over her head, shivering slightly as the cool fabric drapes over her skin. With the matching skirt this should be just the right outfit, something that doesn't say too much, that doesn't put any expectations on the meal. Because that's just what it is, dinner with her new first officer, a way to get to know her in a casual setting, away from the pressures of command and crew.

To get to know the woman who saved her life, whose thoughts are so still they are like are harbor from a storm, whose voice is so hauntingly familiar . Whose presence makes her doubt herself and her abilities...

Okay, so there may be more pressure on this dinner that she is willing to admit. That's okay. Lena knows how to handle tough situations. And that's all this is, a tough situation. She, Lena Luthor, inventor of Kryptonite, the woman who is personally responsible for winning the war, is going to have dinner with Kara Zor-, no , Kara El, the Flamebird, Kryptonian War Hero and daughter of two of Krypton's most revered leaders. Lena's thoughts swirl, settling on this is a bad idea.

But she has to. She has to defuse the tension, and it's too late now to back out.

The door chime rings. It's twenty-hundred and no doubt Kara is standing outside her door.

She takes a deep breath, takes one last look in the mirror before responding, "Come In."

Lena finds her seat as Kara walks in, the nagging tug at the back of her mind starts up, acting almost like an indicator of the Kryptonian's presence.

She watches Kara's eyes go wide as they take in Lena's cabin.

"This is much less … spartan than I expected."

"No time for luxuries on Kryptonian ships?" Lena lounges on the couch watching Kara explore the room, attempting to ignore the faint tugging.

"Not really. Our ships are built for war and conquest, not exploration. And as you're aware, we can't really bring anything from home aboard, everything is built from material mined from neighboring asteroids or from Daxam."

"Well, that's a shame. Being out here in space, thinking only about war, with nothing else to occupy your time, nothing to remind you of home?"

Kara's hand rests on Lena's chess set for a moment before turning back to Lena. "When you're in the middle of a war, there isn't much else to think about. For us it's simple. We overwhelm the enemy as quickly as possible, we never had to worry much about strategy, where to move our pawns, whether to sacrifice a knight or not. Our wars never lasted long enough for us to need distractions. That is until you came along."

Kara walks over to the sitting area and sitting across from Lena, crosses her arms over her dark red button-up.

"I'm not going to apologize for protecting my people." Lena's voice takes on a defensive tone.

"Oh no, that's not what I'm saying. It was awful, that culture of the warrior. I was certainly going to get myself exiled long before you ended the war with your Kryptonite."

"What do you mean, exiled?"

"That wasn't in my dossier? Rao, what did they tell you? That I've been on "extended leave" or some nonsense?"

"Yes, actually." Lena is surprised at the ease in Kara, after everything that's happened and her interactions with the crew, an air of hostility would have been, well… expected.

"That's a lie, a way for them to save face. High Command doesn't want to announce to the galaxy that the acclaimed daughter of the House of El has shamed her entire family."

"That certainly wasn't in the dossier."

Kara laughs. "That's not the only thing I imagine."

Lena activates the replicator in her dining table. "So Kara, what are you hungry for? Marina can replicate a variety of earth cuisines. Just tell them what you want." Lena demonstrates by ordering a Kale salad with grilled lemon chicken, the meal instantly materializes on the table, fresh greens and piping hot chicken ready to eat.

"Ok then Marina, I will have ten pork jiaozi ." Kara grabs the plate as soon as it materialises, steam rising from the dumplings. "Thank You Marina."

"You are welcome Commander El."

Lena watches her, waiting to take her first bite until her guest is seated across from her. After closing her eyes for a few seconds Kara begins to eat. Lena has to hide surprise as Kara fits an entire fist-sized dumpling in her mouth.

"I don't know that I could enjoy eating something that big."

Kara looks up at her, her eyes betraying an embarrassment that Lena otherwise cannot sense. "Uhh, Captain. I'm sorry. This is the first meal I've had all day."

Lena suppresses a laugh. "Take your time Commander. Enjoy your food."

Time passes silently as each woman enjoys her meal.

"So, Captain. You have questions?" Kara sets her utensils down and looks up from her plate.

"Yes. My first question would be why you? Why were you the one assigned to my command?"

"No one else would accept coming here. Officially, this is a peace mission and too few of my people believe in peace."

"And you do?"

Kara sighs. "I believe that I have a mission, and that making peace with you and gaining your trust is part of that. More than that I cannot yet say."

Lena rises from her seat, ignoring the flaring pain in her back. "That is good to hear. At least then we have compatible goals. I would also like to gain your trust."

Walking to the viewport Lena hesitates, staring out into space. "I should warn you. There are members of the Alliance crew who blame you and yours for the deaths of family and friends. Building that trust won't be easy. As such, you should know that we have installed a security measure that will even things out between our people should anything go wrong."

Kara gives a half-hearted smile. "Of course Captain, I understand. My people have an unfair advantage against those of the alliance. But I would hope it won't be necessary, I handpicked the people I brought over, and I promise they won't be problem."

Lena clasps her hands at the small of her back. "Good. I don't want this to be any harder than it has to be, on my end I promise that it will only be a measure of last resort."

She turns back to Kara and smiles.

"If we're going to trust each other I think we can take a step back from protocol, when in private you can call me Lena."

Kara rises so that the two women are at eye level. "Thank you Lena, I hope that we can work together to build peace."

When Lena hears her name the tugging at the back of her mind intensifies. The familiar voice, the blonde hair...

Grasping for thought, Lena asks the first thing that comes to mind.

"Why did you save me?"

Silence stretches for a long moment and it seems like Kara isn't going to respond and when she speaks it's quieter than before, yet with a fullness to her voice that is new.

"Why would I let you die?"

Lena answers with the only response she has, one conditioned from years of guilt.

"Because I'm a Luthor, because of what I created. What it did to your people."

" Do not hate your enemy. They are simply a friend you haven't met yet. Embrace them, love them as you would yourself. " The words tumble from Kara's lips, like a whispered secret.

"What is that?"

Looking almost startled Kara's hands drop from her hips. "It's nothing. Just an old Kryptonian teaching from an era we've chosen to forget."

The conversation, and Lena's thoughts, are brought to an abrupt end, disrupted by blaring sirens and a flashing red light.

Marina's computerised voice echoes from the speakers. "Red Alert. Hostile forces detected. Captain Luthor, Commander El report to the bridge."

Startled, Kara excuses herself. "Looks like your questions will have to wait. I'll see you on the Bridge Captain." Lena watches her leave, the sight of a flustered Kara fleeing her room familiar in a way she can't place.

Lena is thankful for the interruption, the quiet intensity of the last few minutes is more than she expected from this evening. She takes a deep breath, trying to let the conversation go as she quickly changes into her uniform. Pain from a long day of using her implant making her slower than she'd like, giving her more time to think about things she doesn't have time for.

Love them as you would yourself.

What does that mean?

If Kara wasn't a distraction before, she is now, not in the way Jess implied, but Lena is acutely aware of the woman standing beside her on the turbolift. There's something familiar about her voice, and the way she says Lena's name…

Absorbed in these thoughts she doesn't notice when Kara orders Hesiod to drop to a yellow alert. Lena's mind is stuck in her cabin, replaying the last moments of their conversation. She blinks when Kara's hand touches her own, her reverie fading away in the instant of her touch. At the urgency in her voice Lena comes crashing back to reality and pulls her hand away from Kara.

"What's going on?"

"You were out of it."

"Not me Commander, outside." Lena steps off the turbolift and addresses Hesiod. "What's going on up here?"

Hesiod shifts in place, "We're supposed to be the only non-civilian ship in the area. Yet…" He gestures to the view screen where Lena sees the other vessel.

"Do we have an ID?

"Negative Captain. Their transponder is scrambled, all I can tell is that she's not Diasporan." Mercy pipes in.

"Thank You." Lena taker her seat in the Captain's chair. She turns to Kara, whatever familiarity between them fades away and the same focus she saw in her eyes in the Cargo Bay takes over. "Why did you drop the alert level?"

"Obviously we aren't under attack, and from the size of the vessel it poses no threat. Red Alert was unnecessary."

Lena turns her head, looking over her shoulder to Hesiod's station. "Commander Hesiod please keep that in mind in the future. Red alert is only necessary when we're in danger."

"Yes Ma'am". Hesiod nods, turning his attention back to his computer.

"Hail them please. Give us visual if you can"

"On it Captain, hailing frequencies open." Mercy flips a switch on her console.

"This is Captain Lena Luthor of the E.S.F. Venture. Identify yourself."

Seconds pass before a holographic image appears on the bridge a few feet from Lena's chair. Cropped brunette hair adorns the head of a woman about Lena's height when standing, she wears no distinctive markings on her clothing, forcing Lena to wait for the woman's response.

"Captain Sawyer, Space Police." Sawyer stands with her hand on her hip, gripping her weapon. A strange gesture, since Lena is a ship's distance away.

"What is the most famous woman in Spaceforce doing all the way out here?" Sawyer smirks.

Lena leans back in her chair, a hint of a smirk on her lips. "You know I don't have to tell you anything Captain, Spaceforce has jurisdiction in all matters of galactic security."

"Of course." Sawyer's stance relaxes a bit. "I have actually been awaiting your arrival, there's some important business we have to discuss."

"Oh? I'll have my people beam you aboard if that's alright."

"Perfectly. Standing by."

Lena nods to Mercy and the image of Captain Sawyer vanishes.

Lena turns to Kara. "Commander, meet our guest in transportation room two and escort her to my ready room."

"Captain, are you sure this is the best course of action? She could be lying for all we know."

"We'll deal with that when we have to. For now, follow orders."

Kara nods, rises from her chair and walks towards the turbolift.

Lena stands as behind her the turbolift doors whoosh open and closed.

"Ensign Wessler, hold this position. Hopefully this won't take too long."

"Aye Captain." Eli flips a few switches on his console.

Lena marches to her ready room off the bridge and takes her seat again as she waits for the time to pass. She can't imagine what information a police captain could bring her that Spaceforce wouldn't have. She doesn't have to wait long to find out however, as in short order her door chime goes off.

"Come in."

Kara steps into the room, leading the new arrival. "Captain Lena Luthor, this is Space Police Captain, Maggie Sawyer."

Lena nods in acknowledgment. "Thank you Commander." Lena stands and holds out a hand for Sawyer. "Welcome aboard the Venture. You've caught us at an interesting time, we're in the middle of an investigation."

Maggie nods. "I'm aware Luthor. You're looking into Cadmus' possible connection to the attack on your vessel."

"Why would you say that?"

"It's true isn't it?"

"Yes..." Lena looks from Maggie to Kara and back. "What none of us understand is why Spaceforce thinks Cadmus would be connected to this at all. They're small-time terrorists, not elaborate conspiracists."

"That would be my fault. I sent word that I suspected a connection." Sawyer starts pacing. "I'd been on the Cadmus case for almost a year when they went dark. No attacks, no viral messaging, nothing … until the Venture was attacked. And then the Space Police intercepted this." She holds up her left arm, displaying the nano-computer strapped to it. "May I?"

Lena nods. "Go ahead." She watches as Maggie taps her computer, sending a video onto the wall. A crisp image bursts to life, displaying a golden-masked figure. On the wall behind the figure is a fresco done in the classical grecian style depicting a helmeted man slaying a dragon. A second passes and the masked figure begins speaking, their voice electronically distorted.

"Citizens of the Alliance, once again we have been attacked. The pre-eminent representative of our people, the E.S.F Venture was nearly destroyed by beings from beyond our stars. Their captain, the hero Roulette, was killed attempting to negotiate with the attackers on behalf of her crew. It is only thanks to the actions of Commander Lena Luthor that the ship and crew survived.

You are hearing about this from us because Spaceforce is going to lie to you, they will cover up what happened and say Roulette's death was a tragic accident - they don't want you to be afraid of what's out there. That we could be facing a new war. They want you to believe they can be trusted to keep the peace.

But you should be afraid. You should be terrified that the Alliance and Spaceforce are so weak willed that their weakness invites other, stronger, people to attack us. First the Kryptonians and now these new unknown invaders, who see our weakness and despise us for it. Rest assured Cadmus will be watching, and to those in the Alliance... We. Will. Be Waiting."

The message ends and Lena stares at the frozen image for a moment longer before turning to Maggie. "When was this sent?"

"Immediately after you alerted Spaceforce of the attack."

"Any idea how many people saw it?"

"No idea. We cut off the broadcast, but you know how these things are, once they're out there, they're out there."

"What's the point?" Kara turns to Lena, hands on hips. "Besides spreading fear and mistrust. Unless your government actually was planning to cover up the attack, as long as they tell the truth Cadmus won't have any ground to stand on. They could undermine these terrorists before they even get started with whatever they're planning."

"It's not that simple Commander. If what Sawyer says is true and the video was released as soon as we contacted Spaceforce, that means Cadmus somehow knew about it before Spaceforce brass did. Our initial message didn't include any details about the attack, let alone that I saved everyone."

"You mean we." Kara looks indignant at Lena's omission.

Lena grimaces. "Yes, Commander. We. But that is besides the point, none of what they announced in their message was common knowledge at the time they sent it."

"So how? How'd they'd know?" Lena catches Kara shift as she speaks, the strength of her stance giving way almost imperceptibly to doubt.

"That's actually why I'm here." Maggie clasps her hands behind her back. "Captain Luthor, our superiors believe you have a Cadmus spy on your ship."

There's a moment of silence before Lena speaks.

"That's not possible Sawyer, the only people who knew the full details of the attack at the time you claim the message was sent are people I trust with my life. There's no spy. Not on my ship."

"Captain, with respect, it's not possible to know that for sure."

Lena leans forward in her seat, resting her elbows on her desk, responding to the sense of Sawyer's frustration with her own. "I can promise you, Captain, that none of my crew are working for Cadmus."

Lena holds Sawyer's gaze until her frustration peaks and she breaks contact.

"Regardless, there was a second message, shortly after you made the announcement to your crew the Venture would be participating in the cultural exchange program. Cadmus announced that Spaceforce was forcing the Hero of the Kryptonian War to accept Kryptonian presence on your ship, against your will. If there isn't a spy on board, there is at least someone working with Cadmus who has eyes on your vessel."

Lena sighs, she can sense Sawyer believes what she's saying, that there is truth to her words, at least so far as the captain knows. "Thank you Captain Sawyer, for the warning. I'll take it under advisement. In the meantime, we do have an investigation to complete. If you would like to assist, I'd welcome an outside eye."

"Thank you, I would like to help however I can."

"Great, then you can take point on uncovering the Cadmus-Venture connection, while L-Corp and I look into what's going on on Harvest ."

"That …" Maggie is interrupted by a raspy voice over the comm.

"Commander El, if you could report to engineering ASAP, there's a situation with one of your Kry, uhh, Kryptonian engineers."

"Captain?" Kara's arms drop to her side.

"Go, take care of it Commander. And fill me in afterwards."

"Of course Captain." Kara nods and leaves the room.

Lena stands, turning back to Maggie. "If there's nothing else, I believe we both have work…" Lena stops, sensing Sawyer's hesitation. "Captain Sawyer, what other news do you have for me today?"

"Your new Commander, Flamebird, you trust her to handle a confrontation between your crews?"

"She knows the Kryptonians better than I do, and she's ... different, somehow, than the Kryptonians I met and fought during the war. I want to trust her."

"Be careful." Maggie produces a holographic file from her arm computer. "Flamebird isn't the only alias she's used in the past few years."

"What are you talking about?"

"No one else knows, she's frustratingly good at hiding her tracks, I just happened to be in the right place at the right time. But..." A holographic picture flares to life from Maggie's arm, displaying a woman Lena couldn't easily forget.

"I know her." Lena blinks slowly, her mind refusing to accept the evidence in front of her.

"I'm not surprised. You know her background, it only makes sense that she would be interested in learning about the woman who destroyed her people's chance at victory."

Lena grimaces. "Thank you Captain Sawyer. That'll be all." Lena turns her back to the door and braces herself against her desk.

"And, captain. You will keep this to yourself?"

"Of Course." Sawyer's fade as she steps through the door.

When they whirr closed behind her Lena curses. "Why can't anything ever be simple?"

Lena isn't angry, not really, but as she marches down the hallway toward engineering, she isn't exactly pleased either. Is she being toyed with?

When she rounds a corner the sounds of fighting reach her. She crosses the distance to engineering quickly and presses her hand to the security pad. The door whirrs open revealing Kara standing between two shouting engineers. She's lifts them both into the air as Lena walks into the room. With everyone's attention on Kara, no one notices Lena, giving her an opportunity to simply watch.

Kara is facing way from Lena, but when she speaks Lena doesn't hear any malice, just... certainty. "You don't want to fight each other." Kara sets the two engineers down. "I know you're scared, you've both lost friends and family, and you're now surrounded by people you've been at war with for years. But don't you see, that we are all in this together? There are things that could be used to stop this, to force you to work together, but I don't think we have to do anything like that." Kara's eyes rest on the Kryptonian engineer. "This isn't you Sig, this isn't any of you. You have a choice to make, and you can choose to be better than those who want war, you can choose to see that there's no good reason for this fighting, and there never has been."

The two engineers look sheepishly at each other.

The short, bald dark skinned human woman speaks first. "Lt. Sig, I'm sorry. The Commander's right. If you want to take a look at the drive core, go right ahead."

"Yeah, thanks. And sorry for calling you a, for what I called you."

As Lena watches Kara interact with the crew the nagging familiarity of Kara's face, voice, mannerisms, draws taught like a string about to snap. Seeing is believing, certainly. Lena steps forward, the attention in the room turning to her. "That was remarkably well handled Commander."

Kara nods. "Thank You Captain."

Lena turns her attention to the two engineers. "I trust this will be the last time I hear about something like this?"

The two engineers snap to attention, hands at their sides, all traces of the previous conflict erased from their faces.

"Yes Ma'am." Their voices ring in unison.

"At ease, you know there's no need for the formality here."

The captain and commander lock eyes for a moment. "Everyone, return to your duties."

The quiet room quickly returns to normal, with the crew running to their stations, checking calculations, performing tests, and doing whatever is needed to keep the Venture flying.

No one hears Kara ask, "What's wrong" Her face serious, whatever else had been present before is gone, replaced by the visage Lena expects of a hardened Kryptonian warrior, even one supposedly disgraced.

"If you can keep doing what you just did, then absolutely nothing for you to worry about." Lena remarks candidly.

Whatever Kara may be, warrior, hero, or savior, Lena will not allow her to get under her skin.

"Keep that in mind Commander. Dismissed."

"Captain." Kara looks at Lena, a twinge of confusion radiating off her before she nods and exits engineering.

Lena watches the busy crew, ignoring the door opening and closing behind her. What she said to Kara is true. If the commander really is the person who would see a conflict resolved with words rather than violence, despite her origins, then what Sawyer said doesn't matter. Lena just needs an opportunity to make certain.

Lena flops on her bed, anxiety burning it's way through her, mixing with the pain from her implant, an entirely unwelcome cocktail.

Knowing it won't help she turns on the news updates, her eyes close as Lena listens to the news reporter's voice echo throughout the room.

"Today's top story is that of a brewing conflict on Krypton, General Dru-Zod, head of the Kryptonian armed forces held a rally today in Argo City where he tapped into anti-establishment sentiment through a nationalist and populist platform aimed at returning Krypton to its former glory. The general claimed the Kryptonian Science Command's influence with the High Command is responsible for their loss in the war and that the recent peace and cultural exchange agreements will weaken Krypton further. Dru-Zod claims only a military government can restore Kryptonian glory. Kryptonian authorities have yet to respond.

This has been Loud & Clear on the Galaxy News Network, I'm your host Leslie..."

"Marina, that's enough." Lena rubs between her eyes, though rather than releasing her tension, it seems to embed it further in her skull. Unrest on Krypton, she wonders what Commander El would have to say about that?

"Marina, any messages for me?"

"Yes Captain, two from Admiral Pike, one from your mother, and one still unread from Kara Danvers."

Lena's eyes pop open at the last name. "Ignore the Admiral and Lillian. When did Miss Danvers' message arrive?"

"Two days ago."

Lena presses her palm to her forehead, vaguely remembering passing over the email when it first arrived, deeming it a possible distraction.

"What does she say?"

"Miss Danvers says she is currently aboard the Venture on assignment. She is requesting a follow-up interview."

"How was I not made aware there was a reporter aboard my ship?"

"I deemed Miss Danvers' arrival un-essential to the functioning of the ship Captain, if protocols are followed Commander El will be briefing you on new arrivals once she has acclimated to her new duties."

Lena suppresses a smile. "Let's give her time to do so then. Send no reply, we'll let her sweat it out."

"Yes Captain.

"Thank You Marina."

Still dressed, Lena rolls onto her pillow, curious how things will go with Kara over the next few days.