Kara checked the address Barbara had texted her once again as she walked through Gotham looking for the Armed Forces Recruitment Center. She had no doubt that she could have found it easily enough if she flew around but that held the possibility of every criminal in Gotham becoming aware of her presence so she had decided that wandering around in civies was a better alternative. After walking in circles for almost an hour Kara finally stumbled on the recruitment offices and located the Marines office.
As she walked in she noticed a man in woodland camouflage spinning in an office chair behind a desk as he played on his phone. He seemed oblivious to her presence as he continued to spin around.
"Uh, are you Sergeant Westbrook?" She asked. The man jumped slightly at hearing her speak and came to a sudden halt, dropping his phone on the desk as he looked up to see who was talking to him.
"Oh, sorry! Didn't hear you come in! Yes, I'm Sergeant Westbrook, it says so right here!" He replied, pointing to the name tape on his uniform. "Take a seat, how can I help you?" He asked as Kara sat in the chair across from him.
"Thanks, uh, Sergeant."
"So, looking to enlist and take the fight to ISIS? You know combat arms just opened up to women earlier this year." He told her as he pulled out a binder from the desk and flipped through it, showing Kara the list of jobs the Marine Corps offered.
Kara realized he thought she was a college student looking to enlist. She smiled at his enthusiasm but quickly shook her head. "Thanks but that's not why I'm here. I was told by a General Anderson to meet you here?" Kara replied, hoping the General's name would make him realize who she was.
"Oh, shit. Why didn't you just say so? You must be Supergirl! Been expecting you around here." He replied cheerily, putting the binder away.
"Your right, sorry. I'm Kara by the way." She apologized, offering her hand in greeting.
"Alex, pleasure to meet you. I hear you helped out my Devil Dogs in National City, thanks for keeping them alive." Alex smiled as he shook her hand.
"Just part of the job, besides what kind a friend would I be if I let Barbara get herself killed in my city? Although she certainly made it difficult, falling out of a helicopter and almost getting blown up...That rocket burned up my favorite set of civies!" Kara was still pretty upset about that, though she supposed what had resulted afterwards was a more than fair trade.
"Yeah she does have a knack for getting herself injured, almost bled out in the damn sewers on our first mission." Alex chuckled as he shook his head at the memory.
"Well hopefully with me around I can keep her and the others safe. I hear you've assembled quite the team for your mission." Kara didn't know the specifics of how each member had been appointed, only that Harley and Ivy had been conscripted as part of some crack deal. Barbara had been a different case, she had been awarded her status and was free to leave at anytime if she chose to do so.
"More like they found me. I was sent here solo last year and through a complicated chain of events this task group was formed. And now Headquarters Marine Corps and the League are talking about making this a joint op. We already have Batman as our liaison but you'd be attached to us in more direct support role. I just need to go over a few things before your officially assigned." He said as he retrieved a handful of official looking documents.
"Alright, shoot."
"You understand that you are being assigned to a U.S. military unit and agree to follow all lawful orders from any Officers and Non-Commissioned Officers in the chain of command. Refusal to do so will subject you to being charged under the UCMJ and if convicted you will be detained in a federal prison." Alex read off the paper. There was more to the agreement but he just needed to make sure Kara understood the more important clauses.
"You guys aren't going to have me doing anything extreme are you?" Kara really wanted to help but she didn't want to be thrown into federal prison because of a conflict of interests.
"Let me put it this way, if I gave you an unlawful order I can be charged and imprisoned. So it's in both of our interests to accomplish this mission within established guidelines."
"Oh, that's reasonable. I don't think following your orders will be that different from the Leagues, honestly it'll probably be easier." The Leagues guidelines were extremely strict. Members had to maintain the Leagues reputation as a benevolent force and uphold the ideals the League was founded on. Failure to do so resulted in the offending members immediate termination.
"Just remember that while your attached to us your still a member of the League and they can recall you at anytime." Alex doubted they would, but he was obligated to inform her regardless.
"Well unless an alien invasion happens I think I'm good."
"Cool. Alright, this is is gonna be more of a morals question, it's not official but as your potential team leader it's a question that I feel is important and I need you to answer honestly."
"Why do I feel like I'm not gonna like this question?"
"I understand that the League has a strict no killing policy but if the situation dictated are you capable of killing a human being to save the lives of your teammates?"
Kara frowned at the question. She had been expecting it and it made sense that Alex would care about the answer. Barbara had told her that Alex cared about the lives of his Marines more than the enemies and that he had killed several people to save her life. Kara knew it was a hypothetical question but it did make her think. Could she bring herself to kill if her friends were in danger? If Barbara's life depended on her to do so? Kara had already taken a rocket for her, surely killing wasn't to far a stretch.
After thinking on the question Kara finally answered. "I'd really prefer to avoid killing, I haven't had to in my career so far, but I suppose if lives depended on me and there was no other option..."
"Hey, I get it. We do what we have too when the situation arises. I haven't pressured Barbara into killing and I won't pressure you. All I ask is that you put the lives of your teammates above the enemy."
"I understand Sergeant. I'll do my best to keep your guys alive, you have my word."
"That'll have to do. Alright, welcome to Special Tasks Group E." He said as he passed the documents and a pen to her. Kara saw that the documents were marked with the seal of both the Department of Defense and the Justice League, signaling that the two organizations were now officially working together.
"What's the E stand for?" Kara asked curiously after she reread the terms of her contract and sighed at the bottom. Alex took the papers and filed them away to be sent up to headquarters later before answering.
"It's our designation, and no I didn't pick it because alpha through delta were taken. I'm trying to have our call sign changed from Knight to Empire, you know from Star Wars? It sounds way cooler and it makes sense cause we're fighting a bunch of rebels." Alex hated the rebels and imagining the New Era as rebels made them all the more fun to fight.
"Makes sense, though the Empire lost if I remember correctly." Kara reminded him.
"Lies! The Empire will crush the rebellion and bring order to the galaxy, just like we'll crush these terrorists!" Alex proclaimed excitedly. He didn't care if the Empire actually won or not they were still his favorite.
"Ok ok! Yeah, let's crush these rebels!"
"Fuck yeah we will! Come on, let's go see the rest of the guys." Alex smiled as he got up and led Kara towards the back patio. "The team hangs around back PTing the Poolees or helping me with paperwork during the week. Weekends are off duty days but we're always on call when the General needs us." He explained to her.
"Sounds like a sweet gig. Wish the League gave us weekends off..." Kara mused as she followed Alex out back.
"You've already met Barbara and Harley, they're my intel specialist and point man respectively. Both are very good at what they do but I'm guessing you've already learned that from working with them." Alex continued as he opened the door leading outside.
They walked onto the patio to find Barbara and Ivy gathered around Harley, all dressed in the same woodland cammies as Alex with their hair tied up in regulation buns save for Harley thanks to her cutting hers down. Kara had to stifle a giggle at seeing them in uniform, but she was happy to see that Barbara looked as beautiful as ever even in military regulations. Harley was showing them something on her phone and she started laughing at whatever she was showing them while Barbara gagged and Ivy rolled her eyes.
"Aw come on guys that's funny! Sergeant come see this!" Harley waved them over and replayed the video for them.
Alex and Kara watched as what appeared to be an ISIS fighter trying to fire a PKM machine gun from a roof. The terrorist only managed to fire of a short burst before being suddenly shot dead center of the forehead and collapsing in a heap as his comrades started shouting. The video ended with a shot of the dead fighter lying in a rapidly growing pool of blood.
"Hell yeah, fuck that ISIS motherfucker! You gotta send me that link, shits funny as fuck!" Alex wiped his eyes as he laughed. One thing he loved more than Star Wars was watching terrorists get what they deserved and was a sure fire way to bring a smile to his face.
"Wow, that's definitely something Harley..." Kara replied. While she didn't believe in killing she understood that ISIS was one of the most evil organizations on the planet and that the military was justified in killing their members.
"Blondie! Nice to see you again!" Harley exclaimed as she gathered Kara into a hug.
"Oof, you too Harley!" Kara returned the embrace as Barbara and Ivy walked over. Kara let go of Harley and turned to Barbara, smiling happily as she gave her a quick peck on the lips. "Hey you..."
"Hey yourself..." Barbara grinned.
Alex looked at the two confused before everything clicked together. "Oh, so your Barbara's new special someone! I've been asking Harley but she held out on me."
"And you owe me a hundred dollars Sergeant, pay up." Ivy interrupted with a smug smile on her face. Alex sighed as he pulled out his wallet and handed Ivy a handful of bills.
"You two had a bet on who I'd end up dating!?" Barbara exclaimed angrily as she glared at the two.
"Well I assumed Harley was setting you up with a guy and Ivy was all like what if it's not a guy. I mean, personally I don't care what you put your dingaling in, but a hundred dollars is a hundred dollars and I was pretty sure you were straight..." Alex shrugged as he explained.
"A hundred dollars you just lost." Ivy reminded him. "Nice catch by the way Babybat." She winked at Barbara.
"Uh, thanks Ivy. Also I'm a female, I don't have a dingaling to put into things! And I still like guys, I think? Oh my god am I turning into a lesbian!?" Barbara was getting really confused. She liked being with Kara, holding and kissing her felt right, but she never really considered herself to be anything other than straight before.
"Well that's a question you have to figure out for yourself Devil Dog. Sorry to say I can't answer that one but I don't give a fuck either way." Alex reassured her and Barbara seemed to calm down a bit at his acceptance of her. Hopefully her father was as accepting as he was.
"Thanks Sergeant, oh man I gotta lot to figure out..." Barbara massaged her temple as she sat back down on the nearby bench.
"You can do all the soul searching you want on your time, not mine. But hey, congrats you two. Really I'm happy for you, just don't be stupid in the field. Moving on, Kara this is Ivy my second in command..." Alex said, changing the subject to Barbara's relief.
"We've met before, you tried to kill me by kissing me remember?" Kara said as she crossed her arms and glared at the older woman. She knew Ivy wasn't a villain anymore but attempted murder was a hard thing to get over.
"And yet here you are, alive and well. Seems I need to work on the concentration of my poison." Ivy smirked back at Kara. "If it makes you feel better that punch to the face you gave me afterwards really hurt."
"It was meant too..." Kara shot back as Alex stepped between the two.
"Knock it off Ivy." Alex ordered sternly, but before Kara could smile in triumph he turned and pointed at her. "And you, like it or not Ivy's a part of this team just like you, and I will not tolerate any hostility between you two. Is that understood?" Alex hated having to raise his voice and snap at his Marines but he knew from experience that he had to squash this now, otherwise they risked ruining the units cohesion which could lead to trouble on the battlefield.
"Yes Sergeant..." Ivy and Kara replied together.
"Good, Pamela this is Kara, Kara this is Pamela. Make nice with each other." Alex knew he couldn't order them to be friends but he could order them to at least be civil with each other.
"Look Supergirl, I'm sorry I tried to kill you. I'm a different person than I was then and if your willing to I'd like to start over." Ivy apologized. She wasn't so petty as to hold a grudge and was hoping Supergirl was the same.
Kara sighed as she considered Ivy's words. She had tried to kill her but that had been awhile ago and Kara knew the woman was doing her best to reinvent herself just like Harley was. As much as she wanted to Kara couldn't bring herself to reject Ivy's apology. "Alright Ivy, I forgive you. Maybe just keep your lips to yourself."
"Not all my kisses are poisonous..." Ivy replied humorously in an attempt to lift the mood.
"Hmm, tempting but I already have a beautiful redhead as my girlfriend." Kara replied with a grin as she wrapped her arm around Barbara's waist and held her close.
"That you do, and I sincerely hope your worthy of her affection."Ivy's eyes flashed dangerously as she warned Kara. Ivy hadn't told Barbara but she had grown to like the younger woman, despite them having been enemies little over a year ago, and she had begun to think that if she had the ability to have a daughter she'd want her to be like Barbara and as such she wanted the best for her. She supposed that she really had fallen into being the "Mom" that Alex kept insisting she was.
"Alright, that's better." Alex checked the time on his phone and saw it was about time to close shop. "I got nothing else for you guys today. Kara I'll need your number before you go. The rest of you, remember to keep your phones on hand and be back here same time tomorrow."
...
After changing over into civies and letting her hair down Barbara had driven herself and Kara to the park so she could get some air and gather her thoughts after her little worry session. She sat on a bench next to Kara who watched her worriedly.
"You alright Barbara? You haven't said anything sense we left." The car ride over had been uncomfortably silent and Kara had stared out the window the whole ride to avoid the awkward silence.
"Huh? Oh, yeah. Sorry I'm just feeling really confused right now. I always thought I was straight but here I am with you, another woman..." Barbara explained, hoping that Kara would understand the predicament she found herself in.
"Oh...you don't regret that do you?" Kara was worried that Barbara may have started to have second thoughts about being with her.
"No, of course not! Your really sweet Kara and I love spending time with you. I just think it all happened so fast I haven't had time to process it fully. I'm still attracted to guys but when I look at you I definitely feel something." Barbara reassured her.
"Is it a good feeling?" Kara asked hopefully as she looked into Barbara's brilliant green eyes.
Barbara's answer was to smile as she leaned in to kiss her. Kara grinned as she felt Barbara nibble her lip and she parted her lips to let her tongue explore. She groaned in pleasure as Barbara continued to kiss her and left her out of breathe when she eventually had to come up for air.
"Does that answer your question?" Barbara asked once she caught her breath.
"Mmm, your a good kisser..." Kara smiled happily. She loved that Barbara wasn't afraid to take charge like that.
"Better than Ivy?" Barbara asked jokingly.
"Much better. So are you feeling better now?"
"Yeah, I'm still getting used to us, but I'll be fine. Let's just take things slow and see what happens, ok?"
"Of course, whatever you need. I just want to make you happy Barbara." Kara didn't want to make Barbara feel uncomfortable so if taking things slow was what she needed to do than Kara wouldn't rush things anymore than they already had.
"Well your doing a good job of it so far, I haven't felt this great in a long time. Alright, I'm done moping, you wanna pop smoke and grab some food?"
"How could I say no to you?"
The two walked blissfully back to Barbara's car with smiles on their faces and hands intertwined. As they reached the car Barbara quickly gave Kara another peck on the lips before circling around to the drivers seat and starting the car. An hour later Barbara and Kara were just finishing up dinner when their phones buzzed. They looked to see it was from Alex over the teams group chat.
"Change of word. All hands brief ASAP at my place, weapons and ammo draw immediately after."
Kara frowned as she read the text. "What do you thinks going on?" She asked worriedly. She hadn't even been in Gotham for twenty four hours and she was already being called in.
"Whatever it is it warrant weapons, so it's gotta be something dangerous." Barbara answered with a shrug. She'd become more accustomed to the violence of military operations and she found herself caring less and less about her allies use of guns, though she still hadn't drawn her issued rifle yet. That was a quick way to get a lecture from Bruce if he found out, and she knew that he would if she did.
"So business as normal I take it?" Kara replied with grin.
"Unfortunately, come on we better get going. I gotta feeling it's going to be a long night..."
...Mission Complete...