"Kara, Daughter of the house of El. Welcome." An old Kryptonian greeted as Kara approached him.
"Teloth." Kara nodded. "Thank you for seeing me."
"Of course my child." He smiled. "Please sit."
"Thank you." Kara said sitting opposite him.
"Your mother said you have questions about the Lanterns." He said.
"I fought someone who had a yellow ring. A ring that made me see things."
"Your fears?"
"Yes. I need to know were they my fears or my future?"
"You believe this was a Qwardian power ring?" He asked, clearly doubting the statement.
"A what? All I know is it was a yellow lantern ring. Well that's what it looked like."
"You survived?" He asked confused.
"Yes." Kara said.
"How?"
"I don't know exactly."
"Some believe the Qwardian ring is the most powerful weapon in the universe." He said. "They should not be treated lightly."
"I'm not." Kara assured him. "Which is why I am here. I need to know what that ring does."
"Where is the ring now?"
"Locked away, where no one can use it." Kara explained.
"Have you used it?"
"No. Having been on the receiving end I want nothing to do with it." She replied. For a moment Teloth said nothing as he contemplated her words. Finally he said.
"The ring allows the bearer to manipulate fear. An opponent's fears can be laid bare by delving into their minds. They can create the energy constructs of an opponent's worst nightmare. Also, once that fear is exposed, the ring's ability allows the wielder to amplify the fear to the point of irrationality and true horror on the part of victim and conversely empowering the ring wielder."
"The ring feeds off fear?"
"Yes. The ring's one weakness is the need to recharge regularly. However, energy can be drawn from fear. A skilled user can power the ring indefinitely through magnifying fear in others."
"But what I saw was not the future it was just my own fears magnified?" Kara asked hopefully.
"Yes. However, they were your fears and if you allow yourself to be controlled by those fears they may come to pass."
"So it is my future?" Kara asked feeling the conversation was getting circular.
"It is a possible future, but nothing is written in stone. And only you control your destiny. The natural antidote to the yellow ring is the blue ring. The blue ring is based on hope. The way to ensure what you saw does not happen is to focus on your hopes, not your fears." He explained. "There is a corporation, the Sinestro Corps. They are behind the yellow rings. Their purpose is to spread fear and they will do anything to achieve that. Including targeting the families of their enemies. Like fear itself they hide in the shadows and are not suppressed easily. They have also sent rings across the universe. Rings that seek out suitable bearers."
"So there could be more rings on Earth?"
"Anything is possible. But they are not the only threat. Before Krypton's destruction we were worried by the Lanterns. They have many factions. All competing for dominance. Their fight threatened to encompass the galaxy. While we may have lost track of what is happening, I am sure the threat is still there. While the yellow ring may be the most powerful weapon, the red ring, the ring of anger is the most dangerous. While the yellows and reds are enemies, the yellows will exploit the carnage caused by the reds."
-00-
"Human." Mongul sad as Alex approached his cell.
"Failed warlord." Alex countered.
"What do you want?"
"I thought it was time we talked. I mean no one is coming for you. Maybe it is time you reconsidered your options."
"My options? I live for far longer than humans. I can wait many years and it means nothing to me. They will come for me and you will perish."
"Do you want a comic or something to help spice up your imagination?" Alex asked.
"You are only here because you are scared." Mongul said. "The second you walked in here I won."
"Enjoy your victory." Alex said walking out.
"I'm not sure you won that round." J'onn, in the form of Supergirl, commented as he fell into step along side Alex.
"I'd say it was a draw. Did you get anything from him?"
"No. He can shield his thoughts. He does so at all times." J'onn said. "So are all the other Lieutenants. But if you want me to do any more interrogations just let me know."
"They aren't going to give us anything." Alex said.
"Want to talk about what is really bothering you?"
"I still feel like we are missing something. But I'm not sure if it Mongul or the Kai gang or everything."
"Do you think that hunch is real or paranoia?" J'onn asked.
"You taught me to trust my instinct."
"I did. And you should. But is it instinct or fear?"
"What's the difference?" Alex asked. "I mean they both have the same source. One just turns out to not be groundless."
"You have a point." J'onn agreed. "I have an idea. Why don't you meditate with me?"
"Meditate? Me? You know it isn't my thing."
"True, but I think the troops could use some time off." J'onn said. "And it may provide clarity."
-00-
"How did it go?" Alura asked.
"Teloth gave me lots of information." Kara said.
"You look troubled."
"Well, it wasn't exactly good information." Kara sighed. "And it seemed to raise more questions than answers."
"Why don't we go to temple?" Alura suggested.
"Temple? To pray?"
"Or contemplate." Alura said. "You may have forgotten, but when you were six Astra and I had a big argument. You were not meant to hear, but you listening from one of the side rooms. You became upset and tried to fix things. Neither Astra or I were willing to listen."
"I remember." Kara said recalling the events. "I got so upset I ran off and ended up at the temple. I knew I would get into trouble if anyone found me so I hid at the back under some robes. Then a service started, I can't even remember what it was for, but I fell to sleep listening to the priest."
"Your snoring gave you away." Alura said smiling at the memory. "But that day Astra and I stopped arguing long enough that we could find you. Sometimes you find answers in unexpected ways."
-00-
"What did you do to her?" Eliza asked when she returned home and found Alex passed out on the couch.
"We meditated." J'onn explained before following Eliza to the kitchen.
"Alex?" Eliza asked confused.
"She was reluctant, but I think it did her some good." J'onn said. "At the very least she fell to sleep."
"I thought when Kara came back Alex would, I don't know, magically recover."
"You know more than anyone that it is not that easy." J'onn said. "Overcoming grief takes time. Even with Kara's persistence."
"I know. I just feel so helpless."
"But I think she is changing." J'onn said. "She is far less angry than she was when I returned with Alex."
"But still angry." Eliza said.
"She has always had a fire."
"That is why I am worried every time she goes to the DEO." Eliza pointed out.
"She has built a good team, they look out for her." J'onn assured her. "So do I and so does Kara. "
"I know. But I still worry. Especially when she seems so lost."
"Alex will find her way." J'onn said. "She just needs time."
-00-
"How did it go?" Alex asked when Agent Aptil entered the DEO.
"The raids were a success, in the sense none of our guys got hurt and we made several arrests."
"But?" Alex probed.
"We found nothing."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean nothing. It is like there isn't a leader. Only there clearly is, but there is no paper trail. On one level it was like Kai doesn't exist. Only there are a huge number of dead bodies that proves it does."
"You've lost me." Alex said.
"Kai is run as a conglomerate. The city is divided into patches. Each patch has a leader. Like the guy who tried taking your daughter. Within their patch they can do what they want. But something stops them encroaching onto neighbouring patches. In gangs that is normally the boss who maintains control through money and power. But that always leaves a trail. This time we can't find it. There is no money flowing into the local leaders."
"Weapons? Other hardware?" Alex suggested.
"There is plenty. But none of it can be traced."
"Everything can be traced." Alex argued.
"Not this. There are no serial numbers on anything. The guess is, it is made in house. But to make that much would require multiple factories, not to mention a distribution hub akin to a mid size retailer. Both of which we should have heard rumours of. But we haven't. All the raids gave us nothing. Whoever took over the running of Kai has put in an incredible amount of effort to stop them being linked to Kai. That is hard to do."
"And requires resources in the first place, which should narrow the suspect pool." Alex said.
"Sure, but there is no proof, it is all hearsay and even then weak. When I say no evidence I mean nothing. Not even hints."
"The local leaders must know something." Alex said.
"That's why I am here. I believe you have access to telepathic resources that could shed light on the matter."
"Of course." Alex said. "But you know you can't use anything we get in court."
"Getting a name gives us something to work with." Aptil argued.
"I can loan you Agent Rashid for as long as you need." Alex said.
"Thank you. I'll let you know if we find anything." Aptil said leaving the room. As he did so Alex picked up a phone and dialled J'onn.
"Every thing okay?" He asked.
"I don't know. I need you check the whereabouts of someone."