"There is such a thing as over training." Lena said to Kara as she entered the gym.
"I hate sitting around doing nothing." Kara said hitting the punch bag once more. "Especially with the city being torn up by riots and no one wanting me to help."
"It's not that we don't want help." Lena said. "It is that you helping will give Indomitable an opening."
"Doesn't make me feel better. At least if I train I can feel like I am doing something."
"I know. But say Indomitable attacks now?" Lena asked.
"That's why I have been eating as I train." Kara said pointing to the multiple empty boxes in the corner. "Besides shouldn't you be in bed?"
"I have been released." Lena said.
"You have?" Kara asked.
"Yes. As long as I avoid lifting I'll be okay."
"That's great!" Kara smiled.
"So apart from your frustration, how are you doing?" Lena asked.
"I'm fine."
"Your crinkle implies otherwise."
"I'm just thinking about Alex."
"And whether or not to tell her to stay in Boston?"
"Yes. I mean I want to see her more than anything, but we both know it is about to go to hell here, I mean it already has and it will get worse. I can't risk her being here."
"But if you tell her that she'll come straight back." Lena guessed.
"Yeah."
"When is she due to come back?"
"Eight days."
"It could be over by then." Lena said as Ruby came into the training room.
"Kara, we need you in the control room."
00
"What's going on?" Kara asked as she entered the control room with Lena and Ruby.
"We think Indomitable is about to move."
"Finally."
"I know you are frustrated, but if you fight and lose we are in a worse position than now." Alex said.
"No pressure then." Kara muttered. "Why do you think he is about to make his move?"
"Because protestors are storming city hall and police stations in National City. My guess it is a precursor to an attack on you. Especially as the rioters have signs demanding you show yourself." Alex said.
"The good news is we have been working on your suit." Lena said.
"Weren't you meant to be in the infirmary?" Kara asked.
"Nothing wrong with my brain." Lena replied.
"Let's take you through the upgrades." Alex said. She then looked at Ruby and said. "One of the files on the drive suggested you are a target, so you are to stay at the DEO."
00
"You okay?" Martin asked as he put a coffee down in front of his friend, who sat frowning at her phone.
"Things are getting really bad in National City." She said looking up at him.
"I know. Steve said it has been building for days and has now gone nuts."
"Is he okay?"
"Busy, but other than that okay. How about your mom?"
"She's not saying much. But she sounds stressed."
"And you?"
"I feel kinda useless here."
"Pretty sure your mom would freak out more if you went home." Martin pointed out.
"I know. But now finals are done, it is hard to think about much else." She said as MJ and Mel approached.
"You know you are meant to look happy when the exams end?" Mel asked. "Why is it all three of you look miserable?" She then saw what was on Alex's phone and asked. "Sorry, that was tactless. Are your families okay?"
"For now." Alex said miserably.
"Sorry I'm late." Matt said sliding into the booth next to Alex. Before the others had time to greet him all their phones buzzed with news alerts.
"Indomitable has challenged Supergirl." Matt said reading the headline. "He really is nuts."
"You three need a distraction." Mel said looking from MJ to Alex to Martin.
"Not sure we are in the mood." MJ replied.
"All the more reason." She said before looking at Matt for support and asking. "Isn't it?"
"Um yeah." He agreed.
"What about an escape room?" Martin asked seeing a poster on the wall.
"Good idea." Mel said. "I'll try to book us in." She added walking off. Seeing Alex was about to protest MJ said.
"No point arguing, she'll make you do it regardless."
"She is right, a distraction might be good." Matt said.
00
"Ma'am, I've found something else." Rose said approaching Vasquez.
"What?"
"There was a file summarising the research and some of the meta skills that were taken they actually started to weaponise as standalone technologies."
"What do you mean?"
"It is mainly the psychic ones, but what they have done is create repeaters, most seem to be based round Malaise's power. It is what the Flash said, but now we have locations." Rose said.
"Where are they?"
"All over. Including Colleges. There is one in the Director's daughter's dorm." Rose explained.
"Get Stones to collect it." Vasquez said. "In the mean time do you have a map with the locations?"
"Yes, it may be out of date but here it is." Rose said putting it up on the screen.
"They are everywhere." Vasquez said. "Do you know when the map was last updated?"
"A few weeks ago, but based on the metadata, a quarter of these data points go back a year."
"No wonder the county has been acting nuts." Vasquez said. "We need to shut them down."
"I'm not sure how. There are so many." Rose said.
"We are going to need LEOs." Vasquez replied as Supergirl and Alex marched into the control room.
"Indomitable has called out Supergirl, we are about to start Operation Star." Alex announced.
"There is something you need to know first." Vasquez said.
"What?" Alex asked.
"Look at this." Vasquez said pointing. "Each dot is a device that spreads psychic energy, we think fear and hatred."
"Wait, that is where Kara lives." Alex said zooming in on the map.
"We are dealing with it." Vasquez assured her.
"Do you want me to get Kara?" The older Kara offered.
"No. You have enough on your plate. Go face Indomitable." Alex said, although she was clearly torn.
"You sure?" Kara asked just as Rose reported.
"Stones has deactivated the device in the dorm."
"Kara's okay. Do what you need to do." Alex said. "We'll give you all the back up we can." She added before pleading. "Please come back."
"I will." Kara said hugging her.
00
"This place is creepy." Martin said as the door shut behind them in a dingy room, lit by soft red lighting.
"It's an escape room." MJ said. "It's meant to have atmosphere."
"It is definitely atmospheric." Matt said looking round.
"First challenge is on the table." Mel said reaching for a card as the room tilted. Reaching out Alex put her hand on a pipe for support only to exclaim.
"Ow!"
"What's wrong?" Matt asked.
"I burnt my hand." She said looking at it. The comment causing MJ and Martin to exchange worried glances as Matt took hold of her hand and commented. "That looks nasty."
"Maybe we should go." Martin suggested as dry ice came through the vents.
"Is that normal?" Mel asked.
"I don't know." MJ said looking round before feeling dizzy.
"I don't feel-" Matt said before collapsing to the floor, shortly followed by the others.
00
"I have to hand it to you, I didn't think you'd show up." Indomitable said when Supergirl landed in front of him.
"I am not afraid of you." Supergirl said. "And you will be stopped."
"So you, an alien, is now the spokesperson for humanity?" He asked laughing. "The people are behind me. Anything you do against me is against their will."
"You are brainwashing them." Supergirl reminded him. "We know about the psychic emitters and how you are controlling them."
"I think you'll find that is a Kryptonian tactic." He smiled, flashing his white teeth. Before holding out his hand showing electricity sparking from one finger to another. "I prefer human tactics. It is time for a show of power. It is time for the world to see you are powerless against me." He said as the electricity kept sparking between his fingers. "Electricity is one of your weaknesses. Not your biggest, but the easiest one to use right now. I will defeat you so easily that those who don't follow me will cower in obedience." Indomitable grinned as electricity flew from his hands to Supergirl. As she was hit by the blast she fell to her knees writhing in pain. But still Indomitable kept hitting the smouldering body of Supergirl.
"Why?" Kara groaned as pain ran through her body faster than the electricity.
"Power." He smiled as Supergirl fell to a prone position, her body twitching with electricity.
"Ohhhh, too much." He said stopping the flow of electricity. He then moved over to her unmoving body and crouched down next to her, whispering so the cameras couldn't here. "I don't actually want you dead yet, I have so many plans for you. But first, I need your daughter." He smiled before standing.
Hearing the words Kara tried to fight against the pain only to have Indomitable kick her face so hard she was knocked out cold.
Indomitable then turned to the cameras and said. "There you have it. Humans are stronger than the fake god of Krypton. Join me in making the world a better place." He then signalled for the feed to end. Once the camera was off he ordered one of his men.
"Take her to the pit. I have her daughter to deal with."