Up in the Watchtower high above Earth, the leading members of the Justice League had assembled for a routine meeting to update the others on major developments and discuss some organizational issues. At the head of the large conference table, the Martian Manhunter chaired the meeting and was finishing taking a vote on some new proposed security protocols. As he sat at the table, Clark was only half paying attention as his mind drifted back again to his run-in with Power Girl in New York several days ago. He was snapped back to attention when he heard J'onn's voice call him for the second time, "Superman? What do you think?"

Clark cleared his throat and tried to not look too caught off guard, "Sorry, I was just thinking it over more. Those changes sound just fine J'onn."

The other League members eyed Clark for a moment before the Martian Manhunter shrugged, "Then it's agreed. If there are no other matters, then this meeting is adjourned."

Clark lingered behind and gave polite smiles to his other teammates as they got up and headed out of the room. The only other person that lingered was Batman who sat across from him at the table giving a curious look from under his dark cowl. A moment of silence passed before the Dark Knight spoke, "Something on your mind Superman?"

Clark got up and eyed the empty room before looking back to his comrade, "You could say that. I was wondering if I could get your help with something Bruce."

Batman remained quiet and listened as Superman continued, "I was hoping you could look into something for me. Maybe do it discreetly."

"Oh? Why me?"

Clark offered a wry smile, "For one thing, I've heard others praise you as an amazing detective."

Bruce rose from his chair and walked out of the room with Clark into the now empty hallways, "Deciding on going the route of flattery? I'm guessing this has something to do with your little business trip to New York recently?"

"How did you know about…" Clark began but then stopped when he realized it was a stupid question.

Bruce maintained his stone cold look and continued walking toward a computer lab before Clark sighed, "Yes. More specifically, I'm interested in Starr Industries."

"Doing another investigative journalism piece?" Batman asked off-handedly.

"I'm interested to know why they would seem to be targets of this new alien attack. Power Girl seemed to be a little too interested with Starr Industries' newest prototype too."

"The rogue heroine?" Bruce asked, "You think she knows what's going on and isn't telling you something?"

"I don't know what to think yet," Clark admitted, "But I'm wondering if there's some kind of connection in all this. She didn't seem too thrilled with the idea of getting the League involved, but if there's a bigger threat out there, then we should know."

Bruce mulled it over for a long moment as they entered the lab before giving a small nod, "All right. I'll do some digging, but do you think you can afford to trust her if push comes to shove?"

Superman gave a solemn look and nodded, "She's Kryptonian. I can't afford not to."

Clark stepped back and watched as Bruce sat down to the computer and began to do some research. Normally it would take most people a long time to sift through all the data that was popping up onscreen but Bruce knew some shortcuts and where to look for what he needed. Clark could only sit back watch with an impressed look as Bruce did his work. Unlike most of the other League members, Batman didn't have superhuman powers. He couldn't fly by himself, move buildings, or take bad hits from other superpowered beings so Bruce had to make up for it in other ways, namely his intellect and his resourcefulness. After a short time, Bruce sat back and scratched his chin, "Hmm… very interesting."

Clark came over to observe Batman's work and saw a screen full of records along with digital news articles. Batman asked, "How many of those drones did you say there were in your battle?"

"I counted eleven," Clark answered.

"According to these news reports, the Feds reported having recovered ten drones. Are you thinking what I'm thinking?"

"That Starr Industries R&D Lab must be pretty busy right now," Clark hypothesized while crossing his arms, "Maybe that Caduceus Driver has some sort of alien tech attached to it? Or maybe something about it attracted them?"

Batman narrowed his eyes pensively, "Maybe. Power Girl is technically an alien too."

"You think she has something to do with this?' Clark asked.

"I think someone is hiding something," Bruce answered, "And Power Girl might not be the only one."

He pulled up a record screen of Karan Starr, "I was looking over the records of the CEO just now and found some odd discrepancies."

Clark frowned and scrutinized the screen a little more, "Everything looks to be okay."

"Maybe to the untrained eye," Batman corrected him, "Look at the record again. Everything prior to five years ago is either vague or seems a little too fabricated."

Clark raised an eyebrow, "You think Karen Starr is covering something up… maybe some kind of illegal activities?"

"I think there's more to her than she's letting on," Bruce stated bluntly, "She might not be who she says she is... and it might coincide with your new Kryptionian girlfriend."

Clark gave slight scowl at Batman before Bruce spoke again, "Notice that five years ago is also when the first reports surfaced of Power Girl coming on to the scene fighting crime in New York. She might have kept a lower profile, but it's all here. Don't you find that a bit curious?"

"Wait a minute Bruce... you're not suggesting that Karen and Power Girl are the same person, are you?" Clark asked incredulously.

Batman maintained his stoic countenance, "Your words. Not mine. I'm just saying there are an awful lot of coincidences."

Some of those things did add up, and Karen was nowhere to be found for some time after the attack either. Clark gave a pensive look and began to walk toward the door. Batman turned his head and called after him, "Superman! Where are you going?"

Clark gave a sidelong look and a small smirk, "Maybe a little more investigative journalism."

Batman frowned, "I don't think confronting her is a good idea. You're playing a dangerous game and if we're right about Karen Starr, we might create a powerful adversary if you tip your hand."

"I doubt she wants to be our enemy," Clark answered, "We have to try and reach out... understand each other at least, especially if there's a threat from some other enemy out there."

Batman, who had always been more of a guarded person and a cynic when it came to human nature simply frowned and wore an unhappy look, "Are you sure you're not doing all this for the League, or for yourself?"

Clark returned the annoyed frown and headed out of the room, "I appreciate the help today Bruce. I promise I'll keep you updated."

Batman shook his head and called out after him, "For your sake I hope you're right about this!"


The next day, Karen Starr sat at her desk going over stacks of paperwork in her office. She glanced up at a clock and saw that it read 1:30 PM. It was already past noon and she still hadn't gotten around to eating lunch. Despite her own superhuman abilities, she was still not immune from feeling hungry or getting distracted by it. She sighed and set down her current file when she heard her assistant page her on her phone. "Excuse me, Miss Starr? I have someone here to see you?"

"I don't have any one o'clock appointments Cecila," Karen answered, "Tell them I'm busy and I can't see anyone."

"This man is very insistent," Cecilia replied, "He says he's a journalist from Metropolis. Mr. Clark Kent?"

Karen's eyes went wide and she felt a slight wave of panic bubble up within her. She cleared her throat and took a moment to clear her desk and compose herself, "I see. It's all right Cecilia. Please send him in."

Karen leaned back in her chair and assumed her cool and calculating persona watching as the bespectacled news reporter in his dark blue suit entered the spacious well-furnished office. Clark took a look around and saw the light coming in from the bright airy windows while trendy modern pieces lined the shelves and wall. He gave an approving nod before walking forward toward the main desk and offering a polite smile, "Miss Starr. I apologize for dropping by on short notice, but thank you for meeting with me."

Karen gestured to a chair and then folded her hands slowly, "I admit this is a bit of a surprise Mr. Kent. I wasn't expecting to see you, especially after what happened at the expo. Last I saw, one of those alien machines had thrown you clear across the room and I figured you'd be in the hospital."

"Chasing down news stories can be dangerous at times. Let's just say I have a knack for landing on my feet and not getting too banged up," Clark answered with a cryptic smile.

"I imagine there's not much else to report on over here," Karen pointed out, "It's been more than a week and I'm sure you'd rather not waste your time with a long drive from Metropolis."

"Oh that's okay. I flew," Clark said studying her features and looking for any reaction. Karen raised an eyebrow and then cast a level gaze at him.

"In that case, I'll save us both more time. What can I do for you Mr. Kent?"

Clark spoke calmly, "I'd like to ask you a few more questions about what happened at the expo. Namely about those drone things and your company's new power generator."

"What of it?"

"I'm curious to know why those alien drones might have seemed so interested in your project, Clark said, "I imagine that's some pretty advanced tech that your company deals with."

"Of course," Karen said dismissively, "Who wouldn't want that kind of energy resource? A lot of research goes into developing those working prototypes."

"Including research of alien technology?" Clark asked to prod her further, "Would Starr Industries also be interested in researching things like the wreckage of those drones too?"

"I don't know what you're talking about or where you're coming up with those outrageous claims," Karen answered sharply, "The authorities picked up all the drones that had been destroyed."

"All except for one."

"And how would you know that?" Karen demanded, clearly looking a little unsettled now.

"I have my sources," Clark replied with a small smile.

Karen scowled, "If you're just going to sit and bother me with baseless accusations, then I think we're done here Mr. Kent."

"I don't think it's all that baseless," Clark said reaching for a file that he carried and presenting her it to her, "I think you're the one who's been evasive and hiding things."

Karen opened the file and looked in alarm at her own fabricated records that Batman had printed out and picked apart marking discrepancies. She glared at Clark and tried to deflect her growing fear with a display of outrage and anger, "What is this? Are you trying to strong-arm me here? Is this some kind of sick joke Mr. Kent?

"It's no joke," he said seriously, "Those records are falsified and you know it. If you know anything else about this alien technology or the missing drone, then I'd like you to tell me the truth Miss Starr... if that's your real name."

"Am I going to have to call security on you?" Karen asked as she rose up from her seat.

Clark shook his head, "No. I imagine you can handle yourself just fine Miss Star... or should I call you Power Girl?"

Karen fell silent and wore a mortified expression on her face before deciding to finally level the playing field. She had not expected for any of this to happen, for them to even meet or let alone figuring out one another's identities. She would play the game but wouldn't reveal her entire hand either. Karen took a deep breath and changed her expression to that of an equally smug smile to match his.

"I'm impressed. I'll have to give you some credit because I didn't think you'd look into things this deeply. I underestimated you Mr. Kent... or should I call you Superman?"

Now it was Clark's turn to panic and fall silent. Karen couldn't help but smile inwardly and enjoy the sight of Clark squirm for a minute trying to figure out what to say next. After a long pause, Clark adjusted his glasses and cleared his throat, "Well... it looks like we're in a bit of an awkward position now, aren't we?"

"Yes, I'd say so," Karen agreed as she removed her own pair of glasses and set them down on her desk, "You realize we're kind of in a mutually assured destruction scenario here, right?"

Clark nodded, "Yes but I'm hoping it doesn't need to come to that. At the very least, we can start by trying to be a little more open with each other, don't you think?"

"That's a big ask," Karen said while crossing her arms, "Why should I even try to open up about anything here? And to you of all people."

"You do remember who I am, right?" Clark reminded her, "Last I checked Superman was one of the good guys who doesn't do that kind of stuff."

"We hardly know anything about each other."

"Then let's fix that," Clark said with a thoughtful look on his face, "Have you had lunch yet?"

"Really? You're asking me out to lunch?" Karen said skeptically.

"To talk business. Yes," Clark answered before flashing a small joking smile, "Unless you'd rather I pencil in lunch with Wonder Woman or Hawkgirl instead."

Karen gave him an incredulous look but couldn't find a reasonable excuse to decline without sounding like a complete bitch either. "You're serious here, aren't you?"

"We're both interested in protecting the people around us so I think it's important we try to find some common ground here. Being honest and hearing each other out would be a good place to start."

Karen considered it for a minute. Maybe his actions of coming today to confront her here had been little brash and bold but she could understand. She was just as young and daring herself, but his words rang true to the same fundamental character of the older wiser Superman that she had known and admired. One that always tried to see the good in other people and extend a kind hand to those who were in need of it. For a brief moment, she saw the same kind of light in this man before her and she couldn't refuse.

"You're not involving the rest of the Justice League on this, are you?"

Clark shook his head, "No. You said you want us to respect your privacy so this is all just between you and me. So what do you say, Miss Starr?"

"Karen. Call me Karen."

He gave a small hopeful smile, "Okay Karen. Are you still up for this?"

Karen gave a deep sigh and took her purse which was in her desk. She looked to him and began to walk toward the doorway, "All right Clark. Let's do lunch... but I'm choosing the place."