Winn stared at the rover, frowning. He had been inspecting it since the team's delivery to him the night before, shooing them away as he started deconstructing the device. When they reconvened in the lab in the morning, they were met with a frustrated tech wiz who hadn't gotten any rest.
"Tell me your secrets, you freakin' death Roomba!" He threw up his hands dramatically.
Kara paced, racking her brain for any sort of lead. She had handled the rover attack in the canals with no issue last night, thanks to the help of Winn's latest invention.
"Slip into this little number," Winn had directed proudly through the earpiece as she arrived on the scene. J'onn handed her a lightweight medallion. When she fastened it atop her family crest, the device instantly transformed into an underwater suit. Black with a silver "S," the outfit felt no heavier than a wetsuit and was designed to reduce drag.
"Oxygen source is located on the back. Mask is at the base of your collar to pull over your mouth," he explained. "You're good to go as deep as 50 feet. Anything deeper would mean bulky and restricting equipment. Do not exceed 50 feet!"
With the matter of breathing covered, Kara had dodged the green blasts, destroyed 11 rovers that were scattered throughout the city's canal system, and deactivated the twelfth to bring to the lab. Throughout the process Kara hadn't detected a single heartbeat. The suit was a Rao -send, equipping her well for possible future confrontations. But the encounter felt entirely too easy.
"Does its processor bear any resemblance to the first?" J'onn looked on patiently as Winn examined the edges of the metal carcass.
"Totally identical," Winn answered, rubbing his sleep-deprived eyes. "That's the problem. No sign of origin or clues about the larger system. We have no idea how many are out there, or what they're doing here."
"Because the technology is so advanced?" Maggie asked from across the room, reviewing the criminal database with Alex.
"Well, Lena Luthor helped us there." Winn nodded towards Kara, then poked around his work table. He overturned a few loose parts, then patted around his pockets in search of something. "Still, it's completely human tech, which tells us nothing about Fish Man."
"Lena's been a valuable resource," J'onn observed, handing Winn a screwdriver that sat plainly in front of him. Winn thanked him hurriedly and resumed tinkering. "What do you think, Kara, should we consult her again?"
"Not a bad idea," Kara said, examining her nails. "In fact, maybe I should tell her about the Merman? It might help us get more data."
J'onn raised his eyebrows in consideration, nodding slightly until Alex slowly rose from her desk. She shared a quick look with her girlfriend before addressing the 'younger' Danvers.
"I don't know, Kara. Maggie and I were wondering if she knows too much already."
"Too much already." Kara repeated slowly, taken off guard. "As if she's dangerous?"
It was Maggie who spoke next, standing to join Alex.
"There's a good chance she isn't. But we don't totally know her priorities, especially running such a large corporation."
"One that's put resources into protecting aliens." Kara replied, defensiveness creeping into her tone.
"That's true," Maggie acknowledged, folding her arms. "But her family's PR with aliens isn't great. Take the Daxamite exploitation, for example. Who's to say there aren't ulterior motives at play?"
Before Kara could counter, Alex interjected.
"Let's say that this Merman is a bad apple in a larger, unidentified species, from a planet we haven't even heard of yet."
"Don't see how that's possible, given our extensive database." Winn muttered, not taking his eyes off the rover.
"Or how that has any bearing on trusting Lena. Look, she doesn't seem like that kind of person."
Maggie elaborated.
"If we give Lena access to all we know, she might get curious. She could see the people and their planet as profit. Clearly the merman you met," she gestured toward Kara, "has bad motives, so exposing him, studying him while he rots behind bars isn't too immoral. But if there's also innocent people from his world trying to blend in with ours? Who's to say they aren't at risk?"
Kara felt a surge of anger on Lena's behalf, but took a breath, reminding herself of Alex's perspective. The Kryptonian knew that Maggie was speaking for her sister. After some recent arguments, Kara had to remind Alex that her protectiveness was veering on smothering. When one of Alex's recent retorts was something to the effect of: "I wouldn't be so protective if you weren't so trusting," the elder Danvers started to noticeably hold back, knowing she struck a nerve with Kara. That didn't stop her from teaming up with her girlfriend to convey a message, however. A message that Kara knew was wrong.
"While I have good reason to believe that she wouldn't be opportunistic," Kara stated evenly, "I'll respect that this is sensitive information. I won't tell her anything more about this case."
"Thank you, Kara." Alex sighed gratefully, then glanced pointedly towards Winn and J'onn. The two looked quickly at each other, then back to Alex quizzically, before finally getting the cue.
"Er, thanks, Kara-"
"We appreciate it, Kara."
"Of course." Kara fought back an eye roll while heading towards the exit. "Besides," she said over her shoulder to the group "I doubt the subject of mer-people will even come up on my date with her tonight."
With that announcement she rounded the corner and disappeared. After a few seconds of the news sinking in, Alex and Maggie stared at the doorway, mouths agape. J'onn nearly spit out his coffee in surprise. Winn was doubled over in the type of hysterical laughter that only accompanies sleep deprivation.
When Kara arrived at the L-Corp lobby later that evening, most employees had headed home for the day. Wearing a black sleeveless turtleneck and white jeans, she made her way to the elevator. Her supersonic hearing picked up Lena and Jess' conversation twelve floors up.
"...which is why Sebastian cooked us a divine paella last night." She heard Jess rave.
"He seems like so much fun for you!" Lena crooned.
Kara could picture the CEO absorbed in the story, chin on her hands as she leaned against the desk. The blonde felt familiar flutters as she summoned the elevator.
"...is on the scene with Captain Mike Spalding, who's vessel capsized just thirty minutes ago…"
Kara's head snapped up as she overheard the TV at Jess' desk. Lena and Jess' conversation was abruptly halted, the two likely listening to the breaking news report.
".. .the commercial fisherman claims to have seen a man with fins…"
Kara zeroed in, listening intently for the location. She soon learned that the sighting was in the southern end of the harbor.
"...five members of his crew are safe with minor injuries on shore, but authorities are searching for the sixth, Gerald Chamberlain, who Mr. Spalding believes was captured by the unidentified person, or animal, before reaching shore…"
Kara was halfway to the harbor by the time the elevator doors opened.
"Approaching the scene." Kara reported.
"Roger that." Winn confirmed in her ear. "Sorry about your date."
"Sorry you still haven't slept." She replied, disappointment coating her voice as she activated the watersuit mid-air. "See if you can locate the sixth man's coordinates, Winn. And maybe we'll figure out who this mer-guy is!"
"He was last spotted 45 degrees due west of the jetty. Hank, Maggie, and Alex are on their way via chopper."
Kara descended on the harbor, surveying the area for any signs of activity. EMT's, news crews, and a crowd had gathered at the shore, swarming the rescued fishermen. Impossible to distinguish the many heartbeats on land from those lurking beneath the water, the Kryptonian dove down until she was mere feet from the surface. Flying parallel allowed her to scan the hazy depths. She was about 200 yards from shore, on the opposite side of the jetty while rescue boats circled nearby.
The flash of an orange fishing bib caused her to stop abruptly, motion to the adjacent boats, and dive in. A rough current greeted her as she broke through the water. Fighting against it and moving towards the unconscious fisherman who was sinking, Kara received an update on her depth.
"15 feet below." Winn informed.
"Got him!" she reported, pressing a finger to his carotid artery and detecting a faint pulse. "Ascending now!"
The Kryptonian kicked her way to the surface. Spotting first responders on the nearest boat, Kara flew the man to safety. She helped the responder lay him onto the floor of the vessel. He thanked Supergirl while jumping into CPR. The man came to a few repetitions. Just past sundown, the sky was growing dark.
"Get your fleet to shore as soon as possible!" She advised, shouting over the wind that was picking up. "It's not safe here."
Kara kicked back down into the water.
"20 feet." Winn updated her as she sank.
Her oxygen, combined with the calm of the depths, allowed her to thoroughly scout the vicinity. The current grew weaker the further she ventured, weaving between the slippery rock formations that jutted out from the floor.
"30 feet."
She ceased her treading to pick up any and all noise. Adrenaline was high and minutes felt like hours as the only sound was her sharp breathing into the mask.
In-two-three.
Out-two-three.
In-two-three.
Out-two…THUD.
"Agggghh!"
Kara's back was suddenly flush against the unyielding boulder. The air was snatched from her lungs as she was pinned. Unable to escape the sudden hit, she looked down to see a continuous, spiraling blast of water. She couldn't see the source, but it was powerful enough to temporarily render her arms and legs motionless. Struggling against it, she flexed her abdomen to take the pressure of her aching ribcage, simultaneously sweeping the area with heat vision, hoping to incapacitate the source. It worked, buying the Kryptonian enough time to finally inhale and propelling herself away before the second blast could make contact.
"Well, I've crossed into their turf." Kara relayed to Winn.
"Roger, stay close to an escape route, Supergirl."
She pushed sideways off the nearby rock, the blast following her movements like a laser cutter, leaving gaping scars in the formation. When the second blast let up, she focused her heat vision and moved toward the source. A few kicks in that direction, Kara discovered a merman: this one had a full head of hair and purple eyes.
"Why have you come here?" The Kryptonian inquired. The merman smiled condescendingly in response.
"Darling, I've been here an awfully long time." He threw a punch in her direction, this time a singular flash of energy erupting from his hand. His attack hit Kara square in the jaw, causing her to lose sight of him. As she recovered, she was met with nothing but a trail of bubbles in his place.
"It's time you knew we're here." His voice suddenly boomed from behind her, kicking her square between the shoulder blades. The force of his blow plunged Kara downwards as rapidly as a torpedo.
"48 feet, Supergirl."
Kara ignored Winn's warning tone and charged towards the aggressor. Tortoise-like in comparison to him, the Kryptonian was livid that he effortlessly evaded her. With the kick of each leg, the merman was moving at three times her pace.
"Why are you terrorizing our people?" Swooping to try to grab him, Kara was desperate for some explanation, anything.
"Because," The merman stated and stopped mid stride, allowing Supergirl to almost catch up to him. Just as she was about to be face to face with him, however, two pairs of hands grabbed each of her arms, dragging her swiftly downwards. Kara was startled by the reveal of at least two more mermen whose faces she couldn't quite decipher from her angle. The purple-eyed antagonist fixed her with that same patronizing glare, becoming smaller and smaller as she was dragged far beyond the suit's limitations.
"We're done dwelling in the shadows, right under your noses."
"70 feet, Supergirl! Do you copy?" Winn exclaimed.
Kara could feel the last remnants of oxygen slip away, trying to stay calm and preserve what was left in her lungs.
"87 feet! You have to fight before you get too low!"
While the pressure would not be fatal to the Kryptonian, the lack of air certainly would.
"100 feet! The supersuit is failing under the pressure!" Winn exclaimed. "It's not designed to sustain those depths. Abort, Kara! Ab-"
But Winn's voice had already become engulfed by static, along with Kara's mind. She fought desperately for consciousness as the bodies dragged her deeper and deeper, the iron grasp not unlike the clutches of the first merman. With a broken oxygen source, no strength to propel herself out, lungs constricted in protest, Kara slipped out of consciousness. Crossing the near-dead Supergirl's thoughts was the "woman of steel" motto - a bit of a double-edged sword when one considers the buoyancy of steel. Were she able to breathe, Kara would have laughed mirthlessly.
Then there was a new blast, releasing her from her captors.
Followed soon by pulsing, pulsing, pulsing.
First it began as the faint thumping of her heart. Then the steady drag as her body was pushed upward in steady bursts, not unlike the pulsing of a jellyfish. Wind hit her face in short gusts. The Kryptonian could barely open her eyes, the energy of trying to free her airway became her barely-living body's sole focus. Doing so wouldn't reveal much, anyway, as it was already pitch black outside.
While Kara's vision was blocked, the feeling of everything was keen. Her back laid carefully on sand as hands pushed down on her chest in a rapid rhythm. The crook of an ear barely brushing her mouth, followed swiftly by warm, soft lips covering her own, delivering air. One soothing hand tucking errant strands behind her ears while the other propped her up as she choked out the water from her airway.
The burn in her chest and throat finally gave way to ragged breaths. Unable to hold herself up immediately, she rested against the stranger's sturdy embrace, slumping into their neck as she tried to inhale as much oxygen as possible. Finally opening her eyes, she could just make out smooth, fair skin and dark hair in the moonlight.
An irritation in her throat caused her to turn away from her rescuer suddenly, hacking ungracefully to the side. With a brief splash, the person was gone. Kara scanned her surroundings, but was quickly interrupted by J'onn breaking through the shrubbery behind her, followed closely by Alex who gathered Kara in a gentle but frantic hug.
Merman encounters fresh in her mind, Kara allowed the sense of defeat to creep into her thoughts. No doubt she would be obsessing about every clue and lead with the team in the coming days. So long as the mermen were stationed in the bay, the DEO team was out of its element. She was shaken up by this revelation, but found some comfort in her own rescue. It was odd, but Kara inexplicably knew that she was safe with whomever retrieved her.
It was in that moment that Kara also remembered the date.
Oh shit, Lena!