Chapter Thirteen

Metro Tower

Metropolis

United States

10:02 – Eastern Standard Time

March 14, 2007

"Argo," a familiar voice called out.

Kara turned to see Batman approaching her. Even though she knew he wasn't about to attack her, there was something about him that made her uneasy. "What is it?" she questioned.

"I need you to show Nightwing the Watchtower."

She had expected him to want to speak to her regarding her clone, not be a tour guide. "Isn't there someone else that could do that?" she asked. Her mind was currently elsewhere and she didn't really want to deal with the bluebird right now.

"It wasn't a request. You're league now, you follow orders."

Kara didn't like his tone but decided not to argue. "I'll go and find him."

"Good."

Without another word, Batman walked away.

"Yeah, see ya mister joyful," Kara muttered under her breath, before reaching for her ear communicator. "Argo to Nightwing."

There was a pause before he responded. "Nightwing here."

"I've been ordered to take you up to the Watchtower. If you know where the teleporter room is, meet me there."

"Understood."

Kara promptly set off towards the teleporter. She arrived to find Nightwing was already there.

"Ready to see the Watchtower?" she asked him.

"Yes," he replied stoically, neither his voice or his face showing any emotion whatsoever.

Kara wasn't looking forward to this.

They both stood on the large teleporter pad. Kara looked at the operator. "Send us up."

"Beam us up, Scotty," Nightwing mumbled under his breath.

The room shimmered away, replaced by the Watchtower.

"Welcome to the Watchtower," Kara said.

Nightwing looked around, as they both stepped off the pad. "So I'm in space?"

Kara nodded. "Earth orbit at least."

He smiled faintly at her.

"Come on, there's an angled window a few decks down, which has the perfect view of Earth. I think you'll like the view."

Kara led the way, with Nightwing close behind. After a brief elevator ride, she led her around to the hallway with the large angled window.

"There're windows all over, but this one is just right for getting a good look and it's not too busy."

The two stopped in front of the window, and Nightwing just stared.

"First time in orbit?" Kara asked.

Nightwing slowly nodded, keeping his eyes locked on Earth. "Yeah," he said in almost a whisper.

"Seeing your homeworld from orbit is something special. I remember seeing Argo from orbit for the first time." She smiled briefly before she shuddered. "Unfortunately, that memory is overshadowed by seeing it as a frozen husk after Superman rescued me."

Nightwing looked at her. "I don't really know much about where you're from," he commented. "You're technically Kryptonian, right?"

"Yeah, technically. I'm Argoan by birth but we were all of Kryptonian heritage."

Nightwing regarded her for several moments. "We must seem so primitive to you," he commented. "We're still stuck on one planet."

She nodded. "Yeah, especially since coming back from the future."

"How long were you there?"

"A decade."

"Why come back?"

Kara sighed. "I was predestined to come back. Annoying, but life doesn't always take you where you want it too."

"No," Nightwing agreed. "I think a lot of people can attest to that unfortunate fact."

"Where did you want life to take you?"

Nightwing looked away from Earth, looking at her through his eye-mask. "I honestly don't know. My life has taken so many twists and turns when I look back it doesn't make sense. To be honest, I'm not even sure why I'm here or why I even joined the league. Even if it is just as a reserve."

"I can understand that. A few months after arriving in the future, I started having doubts. I overcame them, but every anniversary of me arriving in the future, I'd think about what I'd left behind. I kind of wished I could move forwards and backwards in time between the two, like how we teleported up to the Watchtower from Metropolis."

He nodded in understanding. "I told Batman yesterday that I wanted to join the league full-time, not just reserve."

"Oh? What did he say?"

"He told me that would require a trial period of two weeks."

"Yeah, I know about that."

"Unfortunately, it would be with him. They team you up with the founder that's closest to you in terms of skill set. Both me and him are as close to twins as you can get in that regard."

"They won't necessarily team you up with Batman. I was teamed with Wonder Woman, not Superman, so there's hope."

"Yeah, but no one else on the seven is close to my skill-set. I can't fly, I don't have super strength or supervision."

"I've seen Batman use his grapple and cape. He can practically fly."

"He glides, it's different. I glide too, my outfit acts as a wingsuit." He spread his arms to demonstrate the flaps. He then lowered them and looked back down at Earth. "It's weird to think of how many people are down there, just in my field of vision. People are being born, people are living their daily lives and people are dying. All down there on that little world."

"Wow, this is really affecting you, isn't it," she observed.

"Not many people get to see Earth from orbit," he told her. "A plane is as high as most of us ever get."

"I suppose you're right."

He looked back at her. "So, that black-haired woman that flew off at the induction. That was your clone, right?" he asked, changing the subject.

"Yeah," she confirmed, pulling a face. This wasn't a conversation she wanted to have. She had been trying to put the clone out of her mind. "I wasn't expecting her to be there. I'm just glad she didn't cause any trouble."

"I'm sure Batman had the Kryptonite ready."

"Oh, there's no doubt about that," Kara said.

The two continued to stare down at the planet below for several more minutes before Kara stepped away. "Come on, I should really be showing you the rest of the station."

Nightwing let out a sigh. "I suppose. Lead the way, then."

Metro Tower

Metropolis

United States

10:50 – Eastern Standard Time

March 14, 2007

Flash stared out of an upper floor window towards the tall buildings of Metropolis. His mind was racing, mainly on how Pauline Lester was being treated.

They had her locked in a cell because she had allowed a fugitive into her apartment. Normally he wouldn't have as much of a problem with it. But he was guilty of the exact same thing.

If the others found out, would he find himself locked in a cell? Would they convene to discuss whether to kick him out of the league or not? It worried him. He had already lost his day job, he really couldn't afford to lose his league position as well.

But then, of course, there was Shayera. Compared to what she had done, him dating an ex-villain was small potatoes. It was inconsequential.

But then again, it was Giganta, who the seven founders had all fought. He knew for a fact that Wonder Woman would be seriously upset with him when she found out. And he knew it was when they found out and not if.

"Dammit," he muttered under his breath.

"Everything alright?" J'onn's droning voice asked.

Flash turned to him. "Yeah, everything's fine."

"You don't seem fine."

He shrugged. "Just got things on my mind, y'know."

"Such as?"

"I lost my job."

"That is not the only thing bothering you, though, is it?"

"Reading my mind?" Flash asked.

"No. I have had plenty of time to observe humans and their reactions. Something about Doctor Lester's predicament troubles you."

"She isn't a bad person, J'onn," Flash said with sincerity. "She's just helping out a friend."

"You may be right. However, Galatea is a dangerous individual."

"Only because the government made her dangerous. What she is, is not her fault."

"You seem quite certain of that," the Martian observed.

"You heard her when she asked that question at the induction. 'What's it like to be a hero?' She sounded lost."

"Did she?" J'onn questioned earnestly. "I heard no inflection in her tone that would suggest that."

"Well, she did."

"Perhaps so. Or it could be you hearing what you want to hear. You do always try to see the best in people."

"That's because there's good in everyone," Flash said.

"Even Darkseid?"

"That's because there's good in nearly everyone," the speedster corrected. His thoughts wandered to Giganta. He had gotten to know her somewhat over the past week and she wasn't a bad person. Not like he had thought she was. She had just fallen in with a bad crowd and for her, it had seemed like there was no other option. He wondered if the same was true for Galatea. "Sometimes all people need is to know that there're people out there that believe in them," he said. "That there are people that care for them, that love them."

J'onn frowned. "You're not attracted to Galatea, are you?" the Martian questioned, confused by his statement.

"What!? No, no, I'm not attracted to Giganta."

J'onn's frown deepened. "I did not mention Giganta. We were talking about Galatea."

"Slip of the tongue," Flash said quickly, feeling like an idiot. "Their names are similar," he tried to explain.

J'onn seemed to accept his reasoning. "I suppose."

"I just think we should give her the benefit of the doubt," Flash urged.

"You think that is wise?"

"It's what we base our whole lives on as heroes. People give us the benefit of a doubt all the time. Without it, we'd all be wanted vigilantes"

"You make an interesting argument," the Martian said.

"I'm the heart and soul of the league, remember?"

"You don't allow us to forget," J'onn commented. "Just be careful that your overly trusting attitude doesn't get you hurt."

For a moment, Flash wondered if he had looked into his thoughts and knew of him and Giganta. He quickly dismissed it, as J'onn respected privacy and only did that when it was deemed absolutely necessary.

"Don't worry. I'm always cautious in my optimism," Flash reassured him. "I've protected a city on my own for years now. I know what I'm doing."

"I don't doubt your abilities Flash. I just fear that someone might take advantage of you."

"Thanks for the concern, but it's not needed. I know what I'm doing."

"If you're certain."

"I am. I just think that Galatea deserves a chance and that we shouldn't condemn Pauline or Doctor Hamilton."

"It is not our place to make that decision, though," J'onn said. "The government has deemed her dangerous, and anyone that helps her to be a felon. This means that both Doctor Hamilton and Doctor Lester are now felons."

"That's stupid, J'onn. You know it's not as black and white as that."

"I understand where you're coming from. But what if the clone is dangerous and immoral?" J'onn questioned. "A dangerous combination for a Kryptonian."

"I don't know. All I'm saying is we shouldn't just automatically think she's bad."

"I'm not. I'm basing it on her past actions."

"Under orders from Cadmus."

"She destroyed that facility just last week, and seriously injured people."

"We know enough to know they were trying to execute her."

"Perhaps they had a reason?" J'onn questioned.

"I can't believe you said that!"

"I do not condone it. I am simply stating that they might have had a reason for believing it was the best course of action."

"Killing is never the best course of action, J'onn," Flash argued.

"For us, that's true. But your government has no qualms about it, with the death penalty and the wars overseas."

"We're not the government," Flash said.

"No, we're not," J'onn agreed.

"I just believe she deserves a chance," Flash repeated.

"Then I wish you luck in convincing the others," J'onn said.

"Does that mean you're convinced?"

"Perhaps."

"Thanks, J'onn."

Watchtower II

Earth Orbit

12:28 – Station Time (EST)

March 14, 2007

Nightwing and Kara sat down at the table in the cafeteria with their tray of food. Kara had noticed that he hadn't said much, even when she had shown him the station's power source, the fabled Binary Fusion Generator. It was though something was troubling him and she wasn't sure whether she should ask to find out or just leave him alone.

Kara decided to bite the proverbial bullet and ask. "Everything okay?"

He looked up from his plate, his emotions hidden behind his eye mask. The truth was, his thoughts had fallen onto Barbara and how he had left on such bad terms.

"I need to ask you something," he said to her.

"Um, okay. What is it?"

"Next time you see Babs, can you tell her I'm sorry."

She frowned. "Sorry? For what?"

"I can't be the friend she wants me to be."

"What is that supposed to mean?" Kara questioned, feeling completely confused.

"She needs a fresh start, away from me, away from Batman. She needs people who won't let her down. Be that friend Argo, because I can't."

"Huh?" Kara asked confused. "What's brought this on?"

"Does it matter?" he asked her, not wanting to get into it. "Just promise me that you'll take care of her."

"Of course I will. She's a good friend."

Nightwing nodded and began to chow down on his dinner. Kara on the other hand, stared at him for a few moments, unsure as to what he was even trying to tell.

She was about to put her attention back into her meal when she saw the three alien guests, the Thanagarian and two Tamaranians, as they entered the cafeteria. She knew of their presence here, though she hadn't expected to see them out of their rooms.

She glanced over at Nightwing to see him staring at them.

"They're guests," Kara told him. "They won't be here long. Soon they'll be heading off to the Vega system."

He looked at her. "Vega system?" he asked, completely unaware.

"Yeah. Well, I assume that's where they're going. They are Tamaranians."

"What about the Thanagarian?"

"He's with them."

"Why?"

"You are a suspicious one, aren't you," Kara commented.

"Sorry. Being raised by Batman does that to you," he said to her, mentally kicking himself for once again falling into the caricature of Batman he had unwillingly become.

Kara returned to her food while he found himself watching the Tamaranian woman as the group sat down with their meals.

She picked up a bottle of vinegar and unscrewed the cap before sniffing it. She smiled before she added some to her drink.

Nightwing pulled a face, which fully screwed up as she took a sip, then added more vinegar to it.

"Something wrong?" Kara asked him.

"She's putting vinegar in her drink."

She waggled a finger at him. "Now, now, Bluebird. Different species have different tastes."

"I guess," he said, scooping up some beans.

Before long, he found himself staring at her again. She was quite tall, he figured over six-foot, and had long red hair, which almost looked like it was aflame. Her green eyes were bright, and her orange skin was odd but oddly appealing.

"You're staring."

Nightwing looked to Argo, who had spoken. "Huh?"

"You're staring at them," she told him in a hushed tone.

He looked back down to his meal and began to eat it properly, forcing himself not to look at the orange alien.

Soon he had finished. He looked back up, to find himself gazing into her eyes, as she looked across at him. Unlike her, his eyes were covered by a mask, which had always given him a sense of security. Now, however, he felt as though her bright green eyes were looking right through it, right into his soul.

He looked away, feeling uncharacteristically embarrassed.

"Looks like you've gotten her attention," Kara commented.

Nightwing looked over out of the corner of his eye, seeing that she was still looking at him.

"This is awkward," Kara mumbled. "Good luck talking to her. She doesn't speak a language our communicators can translate. Not yet anyway."

The Tamaranean was still staring, till the younger male whispered something to her. She looked away, and continued eating her meal.

Kara couldn't help but think it was adorable. She was about to say something when her communicator in her hear chimed.

"Superman to Argo."

"Argo here," she said, raising her hand to her earpiece.

"We'll need you down here within the next half-hour."

"Okay. Should I bring Nightwing down with me?"

"Only if he wants to. He can stay up there, it's no problem."

"Understood. Argo out."

Nightwing looked over at her. "Something important?"

"Yeah. I'm needed at the Metro Tower. You can stay up here, or come down with me."

"I'm staying."

"Okay, I'll see you some other time, then."

"Yeah, sure. I'll see you later."

Metro Tower

Metropolis

United States

12:41 – Eastern Standard Time

March 14, 2007

Superman stepped over to Kara, who was stood outside the founder's conference room.

"We have to speak with Doctor Lester first," he told her. "So, you'll have to wait out here, till we're done."

"Sure, that's fine," she accepted.

Superman stepped into the room, closing the door behind him. The others were waiting, including a very nervous Pauline Lester.

As soon as he sat down, the Man of Steel began, "We've all been thinking on the situation. Flash believes you deserve a chance, but we all believe that you need to explain your actions."

Pauline webbed her fingers nervously. "I-I was just helping a friend. He's not a bad person, not really. You know that, Superman. You know that he's not really a bad person."

"I'm not so sure," Superman responded. "And what about Galatea?"

"I told you before. She's undeveloped mentally. She needs guidance, not to be hunted."

"I agree," Flash said. "Better to be pals than enemies."

Lantern gave him a sharp look. "This isn't a game Flash. This clone is dangerous."

"I know it's not a game. I'm serious here. I think the clone deserves a chance."

Shayera added her opinion. "I don't know if she wants to even change, but if she does, I think she deserves the chance. I've been in a situation similar to hers, outcast and alone."

"You were never outcast," Lantern said.

"No, but I felt like I was," she said.

J'onn nodded in agreement. "It's better to give her the chance. To just treat her like a criminal could make her become one."

"You're forgetting something," Lantern said. "From the moment she was conceived, she has been programmed to kill."

"You're wrong," Pauline said. "She's a person, not a machine. Emil told me that she killed less than a handful of people while with Cadmus."

"She has still killed," Superman said.

Pauline looked to Lantern, then to Shayera. "I suppose while those two were in their respective military careers, they didn't kill anyone?"

"Well, she's got us there," Shayera said.

Superman looked at her. "You've killed?"

"Of course. While I was in the Thanagarian military, I killed Gordanians."

"I've done the same," Lantern admitted. "Not Gordanians, but while I was in the United States Marine Corps."

"And as a Lantern?" Wonder Woman questioned.

"When it was warranted, yes."

"See," Pauline argued. "Unless you're hypocrites, then you have to forgive her for that. She killed by order of her government, the same as John, and Shayera."

"It's true," Lantern said. "I'm not proud, but it doesn't change the fact that I have taken lives during my service. We cannot hold that against her. She was under orders."

"So, you're saying we trust her?" Batman questioned.

"No," Lantern said. "I'm saying we cannot use that as a means to say she's dangerous as she did it under orders. But we can use the incident at Keystone City to say she is."

"They tried to kill her," Pauline said.

"I admit, I would be angry too, in that situation," Wonder Woman said. "But she must understand that her actions have consequences."

"Did anyone die?" Pauline asked them.

"Not that we know of," J'onn said, speaking up. "Many recovered, but some will be disabled for the rest of their lives."

"And that's unacceptable," Batman said.

"You guys are unbelievable," Pauline said in disbelief. "You don't know her outside of combat. She's not a bad person, just misunderstood. You have to understand, that she was betrayed, almost murdered. That, with the fact that she's mentally undeveloped, as I keep trying to tell you, meant that she reacted badly. She needs guidance, please you have to understand this."

"And how long have you known her?" Batman asked.

"Okay, a few days, and only seen her for a few hours at a time, I admit that. But I truly believe what I say is correct. She's lost, she needs help. Don't treat her like she's evil, because she's really not."

Flash rose his hand. "I'm all for it," he said.

"For what?" Batman questioned. "Giving her a chance at redemption?"

"Yes," Flash said.

"She's been classified as a criminal," Superman said. "By extension, anyone that assists her knowingly is also a criminal."

"You've been classed as a dangerous criminal, also," J'onn pointed out to the Man of Steel, referring back to when he had been controlled by Darkseid. "At any time, the entire league could be classified as vigilantes and as such criminals." J'onn looked to Flash as he thought back to what the speedster had said earlier. "We are all on very precarious ground, each and every one of us every single day."

"So you agree with Flash?" Wonder Woman asked the Martian.

"Perhaps."

"What does that mean?" Lantern asked him.

"If what Doctor Lester says it true, then it would be in both ours, and in Galatea's best interest if we reached out to her as potential allies instead of definite enemies."

"We're talking in circles," Lantern said. "We need to come up with a definitive answer for this. Are we going to give the clone the benefit of a doubt, or do we detain her?"

Shayera half shrugged. "I say we give her a chance, but keep an eye on her, just in case."

Superman sighed begrudgingly. "I suppose it makes sense to do that."

"Maybe," Batman said.

"You've already been spying on them," the Amazon pointed out to the Dark Knight. "What do you think?"

"She acts fairly normal," he said. "Though seems emotionally adolescent."

"That's what I've been saying," Pauline argued.

"Yes and her tantrums are dangerous," Batman said. "That said, I think observation at this point is the best course of action. I also think she should know we're watching."

"How are we going to let her know we're watching?" Superman asked.

"We have Doctor Lester here tell them when she goes home tonight."

"Huh?" Pauline said in surprise.

"So we're letting her go?" Lantern said, folding his arms.

"Apart from aiding Galatea and Doctor Hamilton, Doctor Lester hasn't done anything wrong," Batman said.

"You're not serious?" Lantern asked in disbelief. "I thought you were the most level-headed out of all of us."

Batman looked Pauline straight in the eye. "Can you be trusted?"

She swallowed hard. "I just wanted to do what I thought was right. He's a friend and he didn't ask for any of this. The government betrayed his daughter and I had to help them."

"The clone is not his daughter," Superman said firmly.

"But he sees her as a daughter, and she sees him as her father," Pauline told them. "To each other, they are family."

Flash raised his hand again. "I say we trust them for now."

Batman looked to Doctor Lester. "I say we make a decision, now." He stood up. "Doctor Lester, if you will go and wait outside."

Pauline turned and left the room, the others remaining silent for several moments after the doors had closed.

Flash was the first to speak, "We should give Galatea a chance."

"I haven't met her," Shayera added. "But I agree with Flash. She is a victim of her own circumstance. I know first hand what that's like."

"It is the safest course of action at this time," Batman added, getting a glare from Lantern.

Wonder Woman just shrugged. "I have no definite opinion on this."

J'onn simply nodded in agreement.

Lantern and Superman exchanged a glance. "I don't know about this," the Man of Steel said.

"I do. It's stupid," Lantern concluded. "She needs to be brought in, not allowed to remain wild. She's dangerous."

Batman regarded him. "Not as dangerous as trying to forcefully detain her within the city. Sometimes it is best to show compassion."

"Woah," Flash said. "Who's this guy and what'd he do with Bats?"

Batman glared at him. "I'm not saying we trust her. I fully endorse watching them all very closely. I do have a plan ready if the clone shows she has ill will."

Superman scoffed at that. "She's already shown she has ill will."

"Has she?" Batman asked. "Up until now, she has either been following orders or reacting to extreme circumstances."

"And that costume shop earlier?" Lantern asked. "Wilful property damage with no concern for anyone's safety."

"From what I gathered, witnesses said she was acting childish. I believe that Galatea is emotionally and mentally undeveloped, as has been stated several times before by Doctor Lester."

"And that makes her a potential danger," Superman argued.

"Agreed," Batman accepted. "However, going after her at this moment isn't a good idea. Observation is. In fact, if she hadn't come to the induction today, I would have simply kept observing them."

"And how long till you would have informed us?" Superman asked.

"I already filed a report," Batman pointed out.

"Yeah, you filed away the report quietly without telling anyone," Lantern said angrily. "You should have told the rest of us about this, not just your girlfriend."

Diana glared at him. "I'm not his girlfriend."

Lantern continued, "We only found out because the clone came to the Metro Tower. That's not acceptable. We should have all been made aware that the clone was in the city before she showed up on our doorstep."

J'onn spoke up, "Diana was not the only other one that knew. I read the report that he submitted, as I do every new report."

"And you didn't think it necessary to tell the rest of us?" Superman asked, not at all happy with any of this.

"I was going to bring it up after the induction," he said in his usual tone. "And to conclude, I believe the decision has been made to observe Galatea, Hamilton, and Lester."

Superman folded his arms. "I want someone staying with them, to keep an eye on them, someone who is Justice League."

Shayera frowned. "And who do you propose?" she asked. "She is hostile towards Argo and at a guess, she won't like you much either."

"Diana could," Lantern said.

"No," Wonder Woman disagreed. "I have no desire to do that."

"Could be a bad idea anyway," Shayera said. "If we drop someone on them suddenly, she could react badly."

"And that would be the proof we need to go in and detain her," Lantern argued.

"Antagonising her isn't the goal here," Batman said. "But I do have someone in mind."

"Fine," Superman relented. "We'll do it your way, for now, Batman. But if something goes wrong, it's on you."

"Acceptable," Batman agreed.

"Then I suppose this is concluded," Superman said. "I want to speak with Kara alone anyway, so we're dismissed, for now, I guess."

Everyone stood up and began to file out of the room.

13:04 – Eastern Standard Time

Kara had been watching Doctor Lester with interest. Ever since she had stepped out of the meeting room, she had been pacing. The woman was obviously scared and seemed confused. About what exactly, Kara didn't know.

The door opened and the league founders stepped out, all except Superman. While Batman and Doctor Lester moved off, J'onn approached her.

"Superman would like to speak with you alone."

Kara nodded and headed inside.

"Sit down," The Man of Steel said as the door slid closed behind her.

She made her way over and sat next to him. "Is this about Galatea?" she questioned.

"Yes. I just wanted to know how you're holding up?"

"I'm fine. She didn't attack, so that's good."

"Yes, it is."

"So, why were you speaking with Doctor Lester?"

He grimaced. "I can't really discuss that. I'm just going to tell you that we'll deal with Galatea. If you see her, maintain your distance. If she attacks, call in reinforcements. Do not even try and take her down by yourself."

"I have no intention of fighting her, Clark," Kara said earnestly. "I never wanted to fight her, not really."

"Good to hear. I want you to keep going to your appointments with J'onn. We're working on a way to try and sort this whole mess out. Hopefully, things will turn out for the best."

"Ever the optimist, eh, Clark?"

"No point in being a pessimist."

"Yeah, I suppose you're right," Kara accepted. "I just try not to think about it. The mental link with her I mean. I'm just grateful I haven't had any visions like last time."

"Just keep your hopes up. We'll have it figured out before you know it."

"Thanks for all the support Clark. It means a lot."

"I know Kara. Listen, you can take the rest of the day off."

"Okay. Thanks."

Kara headed out of the room and up towards the roof. There were two people she wanted to go and see in a little town in Kansas and she had been putting it off for too long already.

Updated December 2017