The following week was filled with news channels showing the pathetic efforts of the Justice League annoying Solomon Grundy.

And then Superman simply removing the undead mob boss from the scene.

Of course, the cameras also caught Harry, Death's Hand and the souls of Katana's family.

The President hadn't really made a comment on the fight other than to say he was disgusted. Instead he said he valued the advice of Doctor Potter and Shield.

Harry had been on television himself opposite members of Congress who had put the team together. Including several from his own interrogation before Congress.

"Shield was given explicit orders to stay out of it." Senator Hoover scowled as they sat around a table on one of America's most popular news channels. "Who knows how many lives they endangered!"

Harry put his hand up with an eager grin. "Oh! Oh! I know! Ask me!" He said like young boy.

Clark sighed and simply pushed his brother's arm down. "The number is zero. Shield didn't get involved until the police had cleared out."

"You endangered the lives of the Justice League who were doing their duty!"

"Video evidence clearly shows Shield saving the lives of each Justice League member." Harry scoffed.

"And the property damage? How do you explain that?"

"Your Justice League were the ones causing all the damage. Even Grundy didn't cause as much as Vibe did when he started shaking everything.

"The Gotham Bank is a historical building, now it has been condemned pending evaluation and repairs."

"That was Grundy's fault!" Hoover was nearly shouting.

"Well, consider this, if Clark had been allowed to deal with Grundy from the beginning there wouldn't have been any damage. He would have grabbed him, taken him elsewhere and dealt with him."

"Well excuse us if the Justice League doesn't have access to illegal teleportation." Hoover sneered.

Harry laughed. "It isn't illegal because it isn't regulated. It isn't mentioned in any laws in America.

"But… your statement proves your stupidity. Vibe has the ability transport anything anywhere. But you didn't bother training your 'team'. You just sent them out and told them to deal with it.

"Grundy could have been neutralised in two moves. Doctor Light could have blinded him so Vibe could easily send him through a boom tube."

Clark stepped in with a firm, calming voice. "Shield wasn't designed. It wasn't created. Nobody went out and said 'wanna join?'

"We were all just people who had abilities, saw a problem and stepped into deal with it.

"These were problems that regular law enforcement were not equipped to handle. They may never be.

"We are talking about people who can kill over distance, control your mind, vanish from sight and even appear in your most secure room without even using the door.

"So we stepped in. We dealt with the issue.

"But, most importantly, we protected the innocent first.

"During the Abduction of Metropolis, Jason Teague literally gave his life to save people.

"During the White Martian Invasion, Barry Allen spent most of his time moving civilians out of the line of fire… during the Central City Blackout he boarded a crashing plane and phased it through a bridge, saving thousands.

"But, what you and the American people don't know, is that there are many more people out there with powers that are aiding the police and saving the innocent.

"There is a woman in Metropolis with exceptional strength who patrols the worst of the city and protects the innocent from gangs.

"True heroes aren't out there to make a name for themselves. They aren't out there to take down the bad guy. They are out there risking everything to protect the innocent."

"Which is where the issue came in with Grundy." Harry said seriously. "The Justice League of America turned up and immediately began violence on Grundy.

"They didn't liaise with the police, they didn't warn them to evacuate, they just attacked."

"They were eliminating the threat." Hoover snarled.

"They were the threat." Harry retorted.

"Until the Justice League arrived, Grundy ignored everything but the gold and money." Clark pointed out.

%

The weeks continued like that for a while. Nobody was stupid enough to try and rebuild the Justice League, but more 'heroes' started popping up.

And so did the villains.

"It's escalation." Xander explained as some of them sat in the common room at the castle. "Criminals had guns… so the cops had guns.

"The guns weren't enough, so now we have people with abilities.

"Because you and your friends are so visible now, others have decided to don a mask and either take what they want or defend who they can." He told Clark.

"But there are hundreds of them." Lex said tiredly. "We can't approach them all. We can't-"

"Why would you?" Xander frowned with a small smile. "What business is it of yours?

"I mean… sure, if you see someone who needs help, someone who is in danger… go ahead, suit up and step in. Otherwise, mind your own business." He finished with a shrug and a smile.

"And the pain, suffering and death they will cause?" Victor asked as he joined them.

Xander sat forward and clasped his hands together on his knees. "Ok, here's the problem: All of you are treating the emergence of these people as a massive event. An anomaly.

"It's not. It is natural. The only thing that makes it a big deal is that it is new.

"People have been dying and suffering since people existed. Before there were meta-humans. Now they will continue to do so.

"That hasn't changed."

"We have to wait for normalisation." Scott said as he also joined them. "In my world it was the same way. But Harry came along and saw the problem.

"All of us mutants and powered people were out there in costumes doing grandiose acts.

"But there were none of us out there just… buying groceries."

"What my husband means is that people weren't seeing mutants and metas using their powers for mundane activities." Emma took over as she wrapped an arm around Scott.

"Victor, your abilities could see you opening a repair shop. People could bring their broken computers and devices and you could repair them in seconds.

"Andrea Rojas could work as a furniture mover.

"Homura could melt the icy roads in the winter.

"Miya could fly to the top shelf to reach the products she wishes to purchase."

"And if the government decides someone looks too… enticing?" Clark asked.

"Then you remember that you are bound by laws greater than those of men." Xander said firmly. "You are a god, an avatar and the second most highest being in Existence.

"Deal with it or… send me."

"Ok, new rule." Harry sighed as he joined them. "No one is obligated to hide their powers. No one is forced to show them. But I would be most grateful if my friends and family would lead the way in showing the world how it should be."

%

"Emma… I don't think Harry meant we should immediately go out and make a statement." Scott said worriedly as he took in the looks they were getting.

"Scott Darling, don't be such a prude. My outfit is perfectly suitable for public." Emma smirked as she smoothed down her short white skirt.

Scott glared at her. Her transparent diamond face.

They were standing in a high-end fashion boutique in Metropolis. And of course, Emma was browsing through the lingerie in her diamond form.

"This is hardly a big deal, Scott." She said as she pulled out a lacy set of corset and panties. "It is easily the simplest thing we can do for Harry and Clark."

"Honey, I know Harry will be amused… but Clark… ?"

Emma laughed. "Clark has come a long way from the small town farm boy. He's had to. He has married a goddess of love, one of her daughters and… lets face it, he had to change to cope with Matsu and Musubi."

Scott chuckled and put his hands around her waist, hugging her from behind. "I still don't know how he and Harry cope with multiple wives."

"That's because you've never managed to grasp the concept that it isn't one husband and multiple wives. It is simply a mutual collection of spouses." She turned in his arms and smirked. "But don't worry, we've got eternity to find more to add to our family."

%

Loki was now a permanent fixture in Clark's life. She had asked him to arrange an audience with his father Odin where she had surprised them all by asking his permission to stay in Clark's world, even offering to swear herself to Odin's service.

But Clark's adopted father was not known as Odin the Wise for nothing. He had accepted her presence as family of Lord Death and made it clear she was always welcome in Asgard. He went as far as gifting her the possessions and holdings of her counterpart, who had long ago vanished.

But Loki spent her time on Midgard, working with Amara who was like a sister/aunt, and flirting with Clark. She had her eyes set on him and had gained the approval of his wives. But she was patient and wanted to draw things out.

Loki was more than just the Goddess of Mischief and Lies, she was an Avatar of Magic. Her duty was to Magic the Aspect, it superseded all others.

"Father's Beard! What was that?" She swore as she stood from the table she and Amara were working at with Ryan.

"I didn't feel anything." Amara frowned. "Ryan?"

The telepath closed his eyes. "Nothing nearby is causing trouble."

"Somebody is throwing a lot of magic around." Loki scowled. "And not in a good way."

"Harry is through the portal at the moment." Amara said.

Loki stood and her jeans and blouse rippled and transformed into a long emerald green dress. Her horned headpiece appeared and so did her staff. "Duty calls."

And she vanished.

Ryan looked to Amara. "Without backup?"

"Are you up for your first field mission?" Amara asked as her own business dress morphed into a white body suit with a distinctive black 'x' on a red circle for a belt buckle.

Ryan stood and morphed his own smart trousers, shirt and tie into a grey set of sturdy trousers, t-shirt and jacket. "If you are going to partake in trial by fire… might as well be friends with the fire." He smirked, causing Amara to laugh.

%

Ryan and Amara arrived in a large street in Philadelphia. There were destroyed cars and shop fronts everywhere.

They saw six colourfully dressed adults standing nearby as they watched Loki scream at a man in black. All seven of these adults had an illuminated lightning bolt on their chests.

"I shouldn't be reading yet, right?" Ryan asked.

"That is a judgement call. Only you can make it. The important thing is what you do with any knowledge you gain."

"Ah… well, that bunch over there are not what they seem. They're just kids."

Amara gave him a weird look.

"Fourteen and younger." The seventeen-year-old flushed.

Amara chuckled before hooking her arm in the taller male's and leading him over to the gobsmacked 'adults' who were staring at Loki and her 'victim'.

"Children, perhaps you can explain all this damage?" Amara asked the four boys and two girls.

"You know what we are?" A tanned skinned 'man' asked with wide eyes. He was wearing green with a white cape and gold trimming.

"Shut up Pedro!" The Asian male hissed. He was wearing black, much like the individual Loki was ripping into.

"Names and explanations, please." Ryan asked firmly. "I know none of you are over fourteen."

"Who are you?" The Caucasian girl with dark hair demanded as she stepped in front of the others. She was the only one in a dress version of their costumes. Hers was red. The Caucasian male with dark hair who was also wearing red, stood behind her and looked at them menacingly.

The other three, including the black woman in purple, all moved protectively around the last member in blue. He had long blonde hair.

"We are the ones you get to talk to politely before Superman or Batman decide to come and handle this personally." Ryan gave them a pointed look.

"You're throwing your brother's name around already?" Amara asked with magical telepathy and clear amusement.

"It works for Kyla."

"That's a big cat." Ryan said with wide eyes at the tiger the size of a small car that was padding up behind the colourful bunch.

"Tawny! You're ok!" The largest of the group, the dark haired male in red, turned and ran up to the tiger, hugging it and checking it.

"You lot are a bit young for Avatars."

They all looked to see Loki standing there with a chain in her hand, looped around the man's neck.

"These children were about to explain what happened here." Amara said pointedly to her friend.

"Yes… Uncle would know best, but I feel these have tried to act nobly." Loki waved her staff at them and Amara gasped as she saw just how young they were.

"Hey! What did you do?" The formerly large male in red demanded.

"I cancelled the spell. Now, I can see you were not born with magic. How did you acquire the position of Avatar?"

"None of your business." The boy scowled.

"Wrong, young man." Loki scowled back. "It is very much my business. I too am an Avatar of Magic. Should our Aspect find you lacking he may well take back your gifts."

The boy's eyebrows rose. "The Wizard gave you the powers as well?"

"You've met Harry?" Ryan asked.

"Who?"

"Harry Potter!" The little black girl said excitedly. "He does all sorts of magic with Superman."

"He's the Aspect of Magic." Ryan smiled at her. "He is where all natural magic comes from." He held up his hand and conjured a small light show.

"That is so cool!" The little girl clapped excitedly.

"I'm Ryan, this is Amara and Loki. Who are you?" He asked the girl.

"I'm Darla this is-"

"Shhh!" The other girl wrapped her hand around Darla's mouth and dragged her back.

Ryan sighed. "Ok, you know what facial recognition technology is, right? Well we've seen your faces. It will take all of five minutes to get your names and addresses.

"Now, either you be polite and good citizens and answer our questions… or we find out for ourselves and then tell your parents you were out after curfew and fighting."

"Choose wisely Billy Batson." Loki warned. "Just because you are an Avatar doesn't mean it can't be taken away."

Billy just glared at her. "If you aren't really going to give us a choice, why make it easy for you?"

%

Victor and Rosa Vasquez were a loving young couple who simply wanted spread happiness. They had adopted five children and Billy Batson was their sixth. He hadn't been with them for more than a few months, but they knew he wasn't happy. Some people never are.

"Superheroes? All of them?" Rosa asked as she clung to her husband.

"No." Loki said firmly as she stood before them, Ryan and Amara standing unobtrusively in the background. She had removed her headdress as it simply wouldn't fit through the door.

The couple were standing behind the couch upon which sat the five children, each with emotions ranging from fear, excitement to anger.

"Although they have acted heroically, they have yet to learn what it truly means to be a hero.

"But they have the potential.

"They are children and they are subject to your household rules and the laws of the land. Power is not privilege."

"And this wizard, the one who gave them the power?" Victor asked.

"Was a fool." Loki scowled. "You do not thrust power on someone and not ensure they have guidance and support. Your children will be required to attend special schooling for those with abilities."

"I guess we can talk to the local government about financial aid." Rosa looked to her husband.

"This schooling is free. As is transportation to Smallville."

"We'll need to visit and see if the school is appropriate." Victor said firmly.

Loki raised an eyebrow. "And how would you, a being with no real concept of magic and power determine that?"

"I meant if it is safe and a suitable nurturing environment." Victor glared.

"You would impugn the honour of my Uncle?"

Victor and Rosa quailed slightly as Loki seemed to glow.

%

Billy Batson and his family were soon introduced to Harry. Billy then received a demonstration on why Harry was his ultimate boss.

It was not pleasant but it did instil some level respect in the boy.

But Harry wanted more answers about this wizard that had empowered the boy. So Clark was sent to Asgard and Olympus to ask his father and father-in-law to arrange a meeting between the Aspect and the gods.

"You won't find him." Billy smirked as he stood in the Great Hall with Harry as they waited for Clark. "He's dead."

"Billy, I am really having to fight the urge to take these powers away from you." Harry sighed. "I know you've had a hard life, but you need to start controlling yourself or you will find yourself alone, unhappy and… sitting in one of the underworlds of my Avatars of Death."

Billy scowled at him.

"You know, you had a pretty decent life as a kid. Sure, your parents died. But you were well cared for. I was raised by abusive relatives and lived in a small cupboard. Ryan was used by his stepdad for criminal acts.

"You have the potential to be great. A true hero like Superman. But you have to learn to put that cynicism behind you."

"Oh son, focus on the future." Billy gasped as he saw his parents appear. His mother looking at him sadly. "The past is gone. You've made friends at your new home and Lord Death won't let anyone hurt you if he can help it."

"I'll give you a few minutes." Harry nodded to the ethereal couple.

%

Billy Batson was always going to have an attitude. But he had the potential to be an amazing person. It was that recommendation from Harry and Clark that had Bruce suggesting they take him as an apprentice.

Clark wasn't happy as he didn't want another fourteen-year-old being dragged into the field, but he recognised that it would help to mould the boy into a better person.

%

"Teth-Adam." Harry declared as he stood outside the dungeon cell holding the man who had been attacking Billy and his family. With him were Superman, Loki and Billy. "I don't appreciate it when my Avatars start messing up the place."

"I am no one's avatar." The man sneered with a heavy middle eastern accent.

"You are. But you don't have to be." Harry shrugged. "I could always take away your powers."

"My power comes from the gods themselves." Teth smirked.

"Not exactly. I mean… sure, you've been empowered by the gods, but a majority of it is magic. It is all bound to you by magic." Harry explained. "It's actually quite ingenious. Whoever did this enabled you to be empowered by multiple gods… even the Amazons are only empowered by Aphrodite."

"Can you turn his powers off temporarily?" Superman asked.

"Sure."

"Then do that and set him to work the farms and castle for a bit. Give him a chance to see what his options are."

"I will supervise him Uncle." Loki promised.

%

Superman floated above Philadelphia next to Billy Batson in his empowered form: Shazam. It was night time and they were watching the city.

"So you think he will just roll over and obey, just like that?" Shazam asked, regarding Teth or Black Adam.

"You did." Superman smirked. "But like you, he'll probably need a lecture now and again."

It was amusing to see the childish scowl on the large muscled man's face.

"Relax, take each day as it comes. Every now and again myself or someone else will bring you out for a patrol of your city. It won't be often as this isn't a job. It's a calling. But we will push you every day in training."

"Did you have to train? I thought you were born this way." Shazam frowned.

"And I had to train very hard so I didn't accidentally kill someone."

%

There were a ton of new heroes and villains coming out of the woodwork. Superman and Batman were having to step in as mediators between police and heroes when things became frayed.

Alfred had actually dragged Bruce to the castle and demanded that they send Bruce through the portal for some rest.

Jason was the only member of Shield that actually had the free time to be a fulltime hero. He spent most of it training people like Shazam, Vibe, Doctor Light and others. It was the closest he could come to being a coach again.

Victor was often monitoring the sessions when he wasn't acting as a logistics centre. Something the others were trying to break him of.

"Why don't either of you go out in the field?" Kara asked as the three of them sat on the benches at the side of the gym in the castle after a training session.

"I'm not comfortable being seen." Victor grimaced. "It actually takes effort to hide my cybernetics. I still don't believe I'm really human anymore. Despite what Harry tells me."

"We all tell you that Vic." Jason sighed. "You prove it when we catch you laughing at the TV."

"What about you, Jason?" Kara directed the conversation back and away from the uncomfortable Cyborg.

"My codename is 'War Machine'. I'll do the work of a hero, but when people hear that War Machine is on the scene… it isn't meant to inspire hope."

"How are you finding American culture?" Victor asked the alien.

"Difficult." Kara admitted. "Everybody seems more… disrespectful compared to home. Japan is better and Smallville is definitely… 'a step up'."

"What's difficult?" Victor asked.

"People are obsessed with taking my picture. They want me to write my name. They are always asking me to join them for a meal and… I do not like how some of them look at me."

"Yeah… that's not how it is supposed to be." Jason scowled. "You'll find the Amazons and Sekirei say the same thing."

"I have often heard Kyla telling the Amazons to 'slap him', over the comm."

"Damn straight."

"She never tells me to do that."

Victor chuckled. "Kara, if you slapped a human, you'd take their head clean off."

"Next time it happens, just send a mental call out for me or another human. Lois would do it. We'll slap them for you." Jason promised.

"Is this just because I'm a female?" Kara frowned.

"A beautiful female… sure." Jason nodded. "Your outfit was designed by Lana. She wanted to be a fashion designer so anything she makes is gonna make you look drop dead gorgeous."

"So… you are only helping me because I am attractive?" She asked warily.

"No, Kara." Victor assured her. "We do it because it is the right thing to do. Harry and Clark both went and dealt with a bully who was attacking Arthur."

"If some asshole started harassing Victor you can be damned sure I'd be there in a flash to defend him." Jason declared.

"Kara? Is something wrong?" Victor asked.

The Kryptonian was looking around as though trying to find something. "I'm sure I can hear someone else in here."

A quick look was shared between the males and they both stood, metal covering them in seconds.

"I'm not getting anything." Cyborg reported, his red eye glowing as his cybernetics powered up.

"I am." War Machine pointed his arm at the wall behind them. "It won't matter how small you are, I can still hit you."

Kara was immediately on her feet and staring at where the armoured man was pointing. She activated her costume. "I can see them. Victor?"

"Confirmed. State your intentions or we will act."

In less than a second a young Hispanic woman grew to full size in front of them. "Whoa! Don't shoot! I come in peace!" She held up her hands.

She was dressed in a red body suit with blue shoulders and a blue mask. She had a pair of red goggles on her forehead.

"Who are you?" War Machine demanded.

"Call me Atom." She grinned. "I was curious about all the mystery around this place and Shield."

"And you thought breaking and entering was the best way to introduce yourself?" War Machine sneered.

"Gentlemen, Lady." Harry greeted them as he appeared. "Huh… and what do we have here?" He regarded the new woman.

"She some how managed to get into the castle, past all your magic." Cyborg reported. "She seems to have the ability to shrink to atomic levels."

"Really?" Harry waved a hand at the girl and she collapsed.

"She's not from this universe." Cyborg informed them, he kept his weaponised hands trained on the unconscious woman as War Machine bound her with magic.

"And her soul is black." Harry nodded.

"Black? Not dark?" War Machine asked.

"Black."

"What's the emergency?" Batman asked as he appeared with the rest of Shield and Xander.

"This young lady managed to sneak by all our security and magic and she has a black soul." He then turned to the three who caught her. "How did you find her?"

"Supergirl did." Cyborg answered.

"I- I could hear a new heartbeat in the room." She said somewhat nervous at being on the spot in front of all the heroes and powerful beings.

"Excellent work, Supergirl." Batman nodded.

"She's also not from this universe." Cyborg added.

"Threat level?" John Stewart asked professionally.

"Unknown." Cyborg answered. "But she can sneak past magic and reach atomic size."

"So extreme potential as a threat, but not if we can find her." Xander mused. "You said her soul was 'black'?" He asked his son.

"And completely natural."

"No telepaths then. Wonder Woman, you might want to get Chloe to join you for the interrogation."

%

The castle was on immediate lockdown whilst Chloe and Diana interrogated Atom, or as she really was; Atomica. Harry activated wards that would target any soul that he didn't allow inside… and it wouldn't be pretty.

It was a full contingent that met around the table in the Great Hall for the briefing on the interrogation.

"'Earth-3' is where she claims she is from." Chloe read from her notes. "Apparently that is its designation in the multiverse. Everyone there is evil on some level."

Chloe put her notes down and looked around the table. "Look guys, a lot of this stuff is about alternate realities and the physics involved and… hell, even The Vision admitted he didn't fully understand it."

"He understands it just fine." Harry smirked. "Just accept the fact that there is a multi-verse and that we're all part of it."

Chloe sighed and picked her notes back up. "Atomica, a.k.a: Rhonda Pineda. She was half of a Bonnie and Clyde team with her version of The Flash, or Johnny Quick."

"Laaaaammeeee."

"Thanks man. I appreciate it." Barry patted the proud and smirking Hal Jordan.

"Anyway… they didn't survive their skirmish with something called the 'Anti-Monitor'. Or their world didn't. They managed to open up a portal to our world but only two of them made it through.

"The other goes by The Outsider. Also known as Alfred Pennyworth."

Bruce immediately sat forward. "Harry-"

"I saw Alfred last week. He was the same good man I've known him to be. I'll go and check again now." Harry said before he vanished.

"Carry on Chloe, he is still in the loop." Emma instructed.

"They are currently recruiting and building their version of their 'Crime Syndicate'. They are searching for a way to bring the surviving members of their Earth-3 natives here.

"To conquer us of course."

"Who is in their team?" Hal asked.

"Brace yourselves:" Chloe warned. "Owlman, a.k.a Thomas Wayne Junior."

"Junior?" Bruce frowned.

"Apparently." Chloe shrugged. "Next is Jonathan Allen, the aforementioned Johnny Quick.

"The Sea King… no other name given." She gave Arthur Curry an apologetic shrug.

"Martin Stein, a.k.a Deathstorm.

"Harold Jordan, a.k.a Power Ring."

"Super lame!" Barry called out with a grin.

"Ultraman, a.k.a Kal-Il."

"No Earth name?" Clark asked.

"From what we learned, these people are nothing like us." Diana said. "Ultraman is their most powerful, but his sole goal is to conquer humanity."

"And last, but certainly not least…" Chloe grinned maniacally as she looked at- "Lois Lane, a.k.a Superwoman."

"No shit!" Lois grinned, casually ignoring the ladle clanging off the shield she generated above her head.

The others chuckled at Miya's confusion.

"I'm a Kryptonian over there?"

"An Amazon." Diana smirked.

"Still not happening, Toots." Lois smirked back. "Someone needs to be able to slap Clark's hiney without permission."

"Can Atomica lead us to The Outsider?" Clark asked as he tried to derail the gossip train.

"No. Not directly." Chloe answered through obvious pleasure at Clark's embarrassment. "He contacts her."

"Still your second father, Bruce." Harry said as he appeared with Alfred.

There was a bit of surprise from everyone as Bruce stood and hugged Alfred. Alfred simply returned it before guiding his charge to his seat and conjuring his own.

"Doctor Potter, a thought has occurred." Alfred spoke up. "As my potential to be replaced has become a legitimate threat, perhaps you could create a Fidelius secret and let me in on it. Something innocuous that Master Bruce could use to verify my identity?"

"Huh… good idea." Harry mused.

Clark floated out of his seat and to the middle of the table. He then took his knife from his boot and lodged it in the table. "The location of my knife should do."

"Won't you need that?" Jason frowned.

"I'll get a spare."

"Couldn't you conjure one?" Kara asked.

"Yes, but the knife is a tool and weapon, it is always there, even if I lose my magic. I replace it from the armoury every time I have to turn into lightning."

Kara's eyes went wide. "Erm…"

"I will take you to Themiscyra." Diana smiled at her. "We would be honoured for our god's kin to carry one of our blades."

Kara just nodded gratefully. Kal always said she should just accept with gratitude. They could sort any messes out later.

"Alright, so what is the plan? We've got a dangerous spy in the dungeon with no way to use her." Xander asked.

"We wipe her mind, put some tracking on her and let her loose." Harry said.

"And the monsters from Earth-3 trying to get in here?" Lex asked.

"There isn't much we can do except be vigilant." Scott told him. "We don't know if they will ever find a way to come here. We could try going there and eliminating the threat, but that introduces the risk that we might provide them with a way to reach here."