Paris, France
Mon, Brainiac 5, military leaders of the new British Empire, and French military leaders discussed the new offensive. "Troops from America will be here soon. We should wait until they arrive for a new offensive," the French war minister said.
"If the Americans come at all, they will be ill-trained and not overly useful," Brainiac 5 replied. "In the meantime, the civilian death toll on the continent continues to rise. The continent is quickly becoming a barren wasteland."
"We have been fighting this war longer than anyone. Our troops are exhausted. This offensive you have planned will only result in massive casualties," the French war minister predicted. The Mimics are not even on the offensive. They're on the retreat and have formed a new defensive line. This offensive will end in disaster."
"We do not have the luxury of time. The longer we wait, the longer the European continent is of no use to us," Brainiac 5 told him.
"The Russians aren't even in the fight anymore," the French war minister complained.
"If we don't proceed with this offensive, I'll quit this whole thing," Mon threatened thoroughly disgusted by what he perceived to be cowardice by the humans.
"Well...shit," the French Prime Minister realized knowing his government would fall if that were to happen.
"The British 3rd Army will attack Vimy Ridge and break the Mimic lines on the way to Cambrai. The French will attack in the south at Chemin de Dames," Brainiac 5 ordered.
At the start of the battle, British and French forces fired on the Mimic lines with a few thousand artillery guns and some limited air bombing. The Mimics dug in and received minimal losses from the barrage. Believing the battle lines had been sufficiently softened up, the British and French got ready to attack.
Midvale
Kara read a datapad of a news article from the Daily Planet and London Times. "Read this shit," she said crossly to Mr. Brown.
"The dominion is overjoyed that the queen will soon come out of mourning," he read.
"Who told them that?" Kara snapped.
"I have no idea," Mr. Brown shrugged.
"Why the fuck not?" Kara asked outraged.
"Forgive me, ma'am. I'm no wiser than yourself," Mr. Brown said lamely.
"No one should think themselves wiser than me! No subject should presume to know when their queen should come out of mourning. It's the queen's sorrow that keeps her secluded. All of this work and responsibility may end up wearing me out entirely. Is it not enough that I should also suffer these malicious rumors. I'm not a fool. I know there are people in the establishment too afraid to attack me so they attack you instead. I feel you're the only true friend I have left. I will not give you up to them," Kara said forcefully.
Mon came by the Midvale mansion estate to talk to Kara on the battle and her issues with the press. Mr. Brown got in his way. "I have urgent business with the queen. Get out of my way," Mon told him as he guarded the door.
"She's busy," Mr. Brown told him off.
"Then I wish to convey her a message," Mon said.
"Have you tried an email?" Mr. Brown asked.
"I will speak to her now," Mon said to him.
"Are you deaf as well as stupid?" Mr. Brown asked him.
"Do you know who you address, Sir? I am the Prince of all Insane," Mon said pissed off.
"Whom you address," Mr. Brown corrected.
"You got balls, titanium balls to talk to me like that...but, God damn it, I respect you for it," Mon said impressed, and walked off.
Shortly thereafter, Kara went to Boston to address the local leaders. That night, disgruntled royalists beat the shit out of Mr. Brown blaming him for the queen's absence.
Aras, France
British and French forces engaged the Mimics on multiple fronts. Mon joined with the Canadian force in a glorious battle to take Vimy Ridge while other British units made some gains. The French ended up stalled and stopped in their tracks. Tanks used on the battlefield were either caught in the mud or destroyed by the Mimic projectile artillery. Brainiac 5 monitored the battle as tens of thousands were wounded or killed on the battlefield. All the while, British and French artillery pounded the Mimic positions. Even chemical weapon agents were used.
Upon capturing a line of territory, reserves would be moved up to allow the main army to go forward once more. After two days of heavy fighting, Brainiac 5 stopped the attack to ensure logistical support was present. Mon's notable adventure was taking out a Mimic nest and then blasting the tunnel system killing quite a few more. The tunnel system the Mimics were using to disguise their movements was destroyed all along the front.
Boston
Kara entertained Nura at the city hall and wondered where Mr. Brown was. "Where's Mr. Brown?" Kara demanded.
"He's unavoidable on the account that he's fucked up, Nura told her.
"Fucked up?" Kara questioned.
"I understand he was in a fight. He was probably drunk and deserved it," Nura said insensitively.
"Is there a reason why you didn't dream this?" Kara asked scornfully.
"The fate of your personal servant is nowhere near worth my dream space," Nura said dismissively.
"You may go," Kara dismissed her.
"There's one other thing. The cabinet wants you to dismiss Mr. Brown on account of drunkenness," Nura said.
"You fucking serious?" Kara asked as she took a sip of pure vodka from a glass. "I drink even more than he does. He can't catch up."
"You're losing support," Nura reminded her.
"I don't give a shit. I'm an absolute ruler. No one tells me what to do when it comes to my servants," Kara told her off.
"You could be so much more than this, Kara," Nura scolded.
"I'm here as a placeholder to keep anyone else from taking power. You wouldn't like me if I had real power. I'm crazy as fuck. I would end up like Hitler or Stalin," Kara said dramatically.
"I don't know who those people are," Nura admitted.
"I would end up killing tens of millions of people in mass genocide. Is that what you want?" Kara asked wide-eyed.
"I seriously doubt you're that fucked up in the head. Even if you were, create checks and balances for yourself," Nura argued.
"No one can check me. I'm all-powerful," Kara boasted.
"You really aren't. You may have power but you don't have Mon's power over space with his instant transmission. You don't have control over reality, time, souls, or the mind. You're vulnerable in many areas. So, instead of sitting on your ass, recruit a team that can check you," Nura said.
"I've had a team. They couldn't check me," Kara said referring to the DEO.
"I'm not talking about just this planet. I know powerful talented people across the galaxy that you can draw from," Nura enticed.
"Give me a list," Kara allowed.
That evening, Kara went to a ruin that was once a cathedral. There, she met up with a human priest. "My sisters always tried to make me move more subtilty. She taught me so much and I can never repay my debt to her or the love I feel even now. I know I don't have a subtle mind but I work hard and I try to do my duty. However, I've noticed my feelings of grief are not as strong as before and I am finding comfort in friends," Kara admitted.
"Seeking comfort from others is not disloyalty towards the memory of the loved one," he said to her.
The next morning, Kara was resolved to rebut Parliament's demands. "I will not be dictated to as to whom I choose for my comfort. Is that clear?" she glared at several British lords including Mon.
"You may go," Kara dismissed them.
That afternoon, Kara and Mr. Brown went horseback riding in the countryside. "I heard you were in a fight. Did you win?"
"Yes, ma'am," he replied.
"You healing well?" Kara asked. "I can get someone to instantly take away your bruises and cuts."
"Your Majesty, I have come to the conclusion I must resign," Mr. Brown said humbly.
"I don't accept," Kara said immediately.
"I didn't think you would accept but Your Majesty should understand, I won't be changed in this," Mr. Brown said sincerely.
"The queen forbids it. I can't allow it because I cannot live without you. Without you, I can't find the strength to be who I must be. Please, promise me you'll stay with me," Kara said heartfelt.
"I promise," Mr. Brown relented.
Reims, France
The French army took on the Mimics and gained very little territory and the cost of many casualties. In their frustration, the French army began to have talk of mutiny. The situation in Gaza had also reached a stalemate frustrating the British. Brainiac 5 arrived in Midvale to see if he could acquire more cooperation from Kara at her mansion estate. He found her playing the piano and singing with her servants. Upon noticing Brainiac 5 entering the room, Kara stopped her playing and exploded on him.
"How dare the Irish think to leave my dominion. They shall stay exactly where they are!" she said furiously. "Next, you're going to tell me that the crown no longer runs this empire."
"Your Majesty, the Crown remains the epicenter of governance," Brainiac 5 said.
"Don't bullshit me. You calling me an earthquake?" Kara antagonized.
"Look no further than the sales of your journals. The people love you," Brainiac 5 flattered her.
"The people love me. Their leaders do not, apparently," Kara glared.
"No doubt you miss your people and they miss you," Brainiac 5 said delicately.
"They can read about me," Kara pointed out.
"And the people are eternally grateful for the privilege of buying your book on your extraordinary adventures," Brainiac 5 said condescendingly.
"Is that not enough?" Kara asked.
"Indeed, in so many ways, but it is your presence they crave. A figurehead," Brainiac 5 said politely.
"I didn't think I'd end up bullied by you, Barney. I thought you understood my grief," Kara shot back.
"Forgive me, ma'am. I confess I miss your presence but that is an expression of my own selfish desire and I should not bother you with it," Brainiac 5 said.
"Damn straight," Kara agreed. "I stay here because I'm happy. Is that such a terrible crime?"
"No, ma'am," Brainiac 5 backed down.
"So, what brings you here?" Mr. Brown asked him.
"A man can only excuse himself from so many invitations from his queen. It was remiss for me to not come earlier," Brainiac 5 said diplomatically.
"What do you know of the Maine wilderness?" Mr. Brown asked.
"A little," Brainiac 5 said coyly.
"Do you hunt?" Mr. Brown pressed.
"Occasionally," Brainiac 5 said without stipulating the type.
"I dare say you can be taught," Mr. Brown said unimpressed.
"I'll do my best," Brainiac 5 humored him.
Kara gave them a look of concern wondering if Brainiac 5 would see this as an opportunity to have Mr. Brown killed.
Maine Wilderness
Mr. Brown led a hunting party out into the forest. Despite the rain and wind, they eventually reached a suitable spot. After several hours, the hunting party managed to score a few kills and bring it back to the mansion. Brainiac 5 fired but missed all of his shots earning a lecture or two from Mr. Brown on how to shoot. Afterward, Kara took Brainiac 5 aside.
"I know you can shoot. What's your deal?" she asked crossly.
"I simply didn't want to embarrass our guide. He takes pride in being able to instruct others," Brainiac 5 said simply.
Kara gave him a weary look believing he was luring Mr. Brown into a false sense of security. An individual drone was capable of massacring her entire hunting party if he wished to do so.
The next day, Brainiac 5 and Mr. Brown had a walk around the Maine countryside. Mr. Brown appeared to struggle a bit as a guide while Brainiac 5 walked without difficulty. "This is the end," Mr. Brown said finally.
"Do you have ambition?" Brainiac 5 asked conversationally.
"Maybe once," Mr. Brown admitted.
"To achieve one's ambition or to reconcile one's limits takes a lifetime's work," Brainiac 5 complimented.
"I do what I do," Mr. Brown shrugged.
"There is the threat of Republicanism in the empire," Brainiac 5 brought up.
"Why do you think I kept her here?" Mr. Brown asked rhetorically.
"But there lies the paradox. It's her very isolation that allows for the malcontent. The longer she is away, the stronger they become," Brainiac 5 pointed out.
"Her mind is set," Mr. Brown sighed. "She'll never change it now."
"She trusts you," Brainiac 5 reminded him.
"I came here to protect her from people like you," Mr. Brown resisted.
"For once, I'm not the threat," Brainiac 5 downplayed.
"She'll never understand. If I bring it up, she'll never forgive me," Mr. Brown said.
"In time, I think she will. Others will know you acted for the greater good," Brainiac 5 told him.
Western Front, France
Two soldiers entered a small room where they met Brainiac 5 acting as a general. Along with him were his staff and on a table was a map of the front. "You have a brother, a lieutenant on the front," Brainiac 5 identified one of the soldiers.
"Is he...," Blake asked.
"Alive? As far as I know, yes," Brainiac 5 replied. "With your help, I'd like to keep it that way. I have been told you're good at maps."
"Good enough, Sir," Blake replied.
"We are here. The 2nd army is moving here. How long would it take for you to get there?" Brainiac 5 asked.
"I don't understand, That land is held by the Mimics," Schofield pointed out.
"The Mimics are gone. It appears to be a strategic withdrawal. They've created a new line nine miles back. Prince Mon-El is leading the 2nd. He informed me this morning he's going after the retreating Mimics. He's convinced he has them on the run. He's wrong. Prince Mon-El has not seen the latest satellite imagery and the new Mimics lines. He intends to attack tomorrow at noon. He has no idea what he's in for," Brainiac 5 said flatly.
"Can we warn them, Sir?" Blake asked.
"He's not answering his phone. You'll have to meet with him in person and deliver this letter to him. If you don't, it will be a massacre. Two battalions, sixteen hundred men with your brother among them will perish. Do you think you can get there in time?" Brainiac 5 asked them.
"Yes, Sir," Blake answered.
"Do not be concerned. You should face no resistance," Brainiac 5 assured them.
"Sir, is it just us?" Schofield asked incredulously.
"Yeah," Brainiac 5 confirmed.
The two soldiers muttered to themselves as they exited headquarters. "This is some bullshit."
London, England
Brainiac 5 and Nura went over the maps of the war with the Mimics. "We have stalemated in France and in Gaza with over a hundred thousand casualties," Brainiac 5 reported.
"When will your drone army be ready?" Nura asked.
"It would take a few years to reach the same numbers as the human armies and they wouldn't fare much better. I need meta-humans if I am to save the continent," Brainiac 5 said frustrated.
"I will try to persuade Mon-El to take this war more seriously," Nura said.
"How do you hope to accomplish that?" Brainiac 5 asked.
"By overshadowing him," Nura replied.
Western Front-France
The two messengers traveled over a muddy cratered wasteland full of barbed wire, ruined tanks, and human corpses everywhere. They eventually arrived at an abandoned trench and worked to clear it. "So, we're out here risking our lives because some Insane prince can't answer his phone?" Schofield pointed out.
"That's how it is," Blake confirmed.
"And this Insane prince could easily defeat the Mimics all by himself," Schofield brought up.
"Is that really true?" Blake wondered.
"I've seen him when he's in a pinch. He goes all gold and shit," Schofield said wide-eyed. "He also has instant transmission which means he could just easily go back and forth on the battlefield."
"Wait...that drone general is everywhere, too. So, can't one drone communicate with another drone to give Prince Mon-El the message?" Blake wondered.
"You know how Prince Mon-El is about drones," Schofield brought up. "But what's to stop the Dreamer from doing an astral projection to let Prince Mon-El know?"
"Dreamer? Astral-projection?" Blake questioned.
"She can project her image across space and shit. She can also predict the future," Schofield said.
"If that's true, maybe she predicted we would succeed in this mission," Blake said optimistically.
"But then why would Prince Mon-El even make this charge in the first place?" Schofield wondered. "And, of course, our queen..,"
"God save the queen," Blake said automatically.
"Damn it, I lost my train of thought," Schofield said upon being interrupted.
"We're on this mission to empower us, humans, in our war. Do you feel empowered?" Blake asked.
"I feel hungry," Schofield admitted.
"Well, here's some dog meat," Blake pointed out inside a trench bunker.
"Really?" Schofield shook his head and then the bunker exploded burying them both.
Midvale
Kara and Mr. Brown went on a boat ride on a cold lake. Mr. Brown did all the rowing and Kara was mostly silent. "I received a letter from Barney. Parliament is requesting that I return to my public duties. He insists I preside over the opening of a new session. I refuse to help him just because his grip is weakening. Besides, I would hate it. It frightens me," Kara said. "Well...what's your honest opinion on the matter?"
"Well...shit," Mr. Brown muttered.
Kara waited for them to come back to the mansion and then exploded on him. "You talk of duty! You say this now! I've relied on you this entire time. You know how I would hate it. You know my greatest fear."
"Woman, I'm just trying to keep you safe," Mr. Brown said defensively.
"I won't hear any more about my safety. I'm the most powerful being in the universe," Kara told him off.
"And what of your mind and spirit? I came here to keep those things safe because I knew you could take care of yourself. The storm I've been trying to keep you safe from is not the one out there but the one in your head," Mr. Brown replied passionately.
"Then, why take me back to them?" Kara asked him.
"Because I have to! Woman, please listen to me," Mr. Brown beseeched her.
"Don't presume to talk to your queen like that," Kara glared at him and then went to her bedroom.
Western Front-France
The two disgruntled messengers survived the blast and exited the trench bunker as it was collapsing. They eventually reached the outside and found an abandoned artillery site. Blake took out a compass and got their heading. "Why did you volunteer me for this shit mission?" Schofield complained.
"You want to go home? Is that it?" Blake asked him. "I didn't know what I was volunteering you for. I thought it would be easy like getting food down the line."
"You betrayed the shammer's creed by volunteering me," Schofield accused. "I will strive to maintain invisible and unavailable for details. Never ever volunteering for anything is my rallying cry," he recited the creed.
"No, no, shammers sham the best when they volunteer for little shit here and there. Otherwise, people take notice and then they volunteer you for the big shit," Blake disagreed.
"Well, I would categorize this mission as the big shit," Schofield complained.
The two then came across a large open field. "Well...shit," they both said as they crossed.
They eventually came to an old farmhouse only to witness two British fighter jets taking on a Mimic dragon. "Who's winning?" Schofield asked.
"I think we are. It's two to one," Blake said.
The two British fighters took down the dragon with missiles. The dragon went straight for the two soldiers and slammed into the farmhouse. "Holy shit," Blake said stunned. The dying dragon whipped tentacles everywhere even as it was on fire. As Schofield went to put the fire out, Blake was sliced in the gut by one of the tentacles. Alarmed, Schofield fired his plasma rifle at the dragon killing it.
Blake was now bleeding profusely and couldn't get back to his feet. "Leave me, man. Finish the mission,"
"I will," Schofield promised.
"Tell my mom I wasn't a bitch," Blake requested.
"Will do," Schofield assured him.
"Tell me you know the way," Blake asked of him.
"Well...shit," Schofield said unsure of himself. "I know the way," he lied to comfort him.
"With your heroic deeds, maybe those superheroes will take pity on us and save us all," Blake said and then died.
The next day, a disheveled and wounded Schofield finally arrived at the 2nd army. He had taken a ride by some helpful Canadians, ambushed by a wounded Mimic drone in an abandoned town, saved a mother and baby from a Mimic attack, dived into a river, and hiked miles through a forest. He eventually came upon a gathering of soldiers and determined them to be the 2nd army.
"Where's this bugger from?" one soldier asked him as he collapsed.
"Well, he's not one of ours," another soldier noted.
"He's bloody soaked," the first soldier said.
"Fuck it, let's pick him up and take him with us," the second soldier said.
"Wait...what?" Schofield thought he misheard. "Where's Prince Mon-El?"
"He got himself a heart issue so they canceled the attack," the first soldier told him.
Schofield simply stared at them. "You fucking serious?"
London, England
Upon hearing of Mon's condition, Kara went to London to see him. "He's getting worse. It's a heart virus the Jin-Saiyan are susceptible to, their only real weakness," Brainiac 5 informed Kara.
"And how the fuck did an Insane virus manage to be present in France?" Kara asked skeptically.
"The Mimics may be using biological warfare," Brainiac 5 excused.
"Or more likely, you gave it to him to motivate me to come out in the open. I will not be tricked into doing anything I do not wish to do," Kara scolded.
"Then, he'll die. He refused to use his full power on the battlefield. Like you, he's expendable," Brainiac 5 said rudely.
"I could destroy all your drones on this planet. I could scorch the surface clean," Kara threatened.
"Even if you did, I have drones on other worlds. Earth would not be a catastrophic disaster for me," Brainiac 5 replied. "You're free to try to cure him yourself but you only have a few days left."
"Like I give a shit," Kara bluffed.
"Well, okay then," Brainiac 5 said leaving.
"You intend to blackmail the two of us with bio-warfare? Is that how it's going to be, you moral nihilist!" Kara shouted at him.
"The two of you could easily end this war. Your refusal to intervene has cost thousands, possibly millions of lives on this continent. Elsewhere, on other continents, humans are dying of disease and starvation. You have no moral high ground against me," Brainiac 5 lecture.
"You're entitled! What if Mon and I had never come to this time! Then, where the fuck would you be? You're like everyone else I've encountered that just wants to use me for my power," Kara accused.
"I'm not here to debate you, Kara. If you do not agree to my terms, he dies," Brainiac 5 said simply.
"What are your terms?" Kara relented.
After Mon had recovered, Kara finally came out in public. She waved to the adoring crowd in a hover transport car. Mon, Brainiac 5, and Nura were with her. Mon had recovered suspiciously quickly and Nura had given no indication she had a vision about it. Kara went along with the charade but noticed the common people were more interested in Mon, the war hero, than her. As per usual, Mon was wearing his ceremonial Insane armor. After an uneventful tour of London, the car came back to Buckingham Palace. There, an assassin came out and went straight for Kara.
Mr. Brown went into action to tackle the assassin. The assassin fired a Kryptonite beam that went through Mr. Brown's heart killing him instantly. As the assassin tried to escape, Mon fired on him incinerating him where he stood. Brainiac 5 recovered the pistol from the scene. Kara stared in shock at what had happened but then made her way over to Mr. Brown's body. The crowd got a glimpse of Kara kneeling over the body before a swarm of security personnel surrounded her.
At dinner, Kara sat at the head of the table as Mon detailed the whole scene to all of the lords and ladies present. "And so there he is, running madly towards us waving something that looks vaguely like a pen!" Mon laughed much to the amusement of those present. "I thought he must be one of Kara's fanboys looking for an autograph. I believe I saw him first, and then I alerted Brown," Mon continued.
"So, I must say that Brown acquitted himself admirably. Of course, I could have stopped the beam myself but, uh, well, you know, nonetheless it was...yes, um, well done," Mon said condescendingly. "Maybe we can give him a posthumous devoted service medal. What do you think?" Mon asked those present.
The table clapped and pounded the table in agreement. "Here, here."
Kara simply stared completely shell-shocked by what had happened. She eyed Mon, Brainiac 5, and Nura wondering if any of them were responsible for a human civilian in possession of a Kryptonite gun. As her guests laughed and were having a good time, she remained silent and full of rage. Of course, Mon was egging her on hoping she would give a reaction. When the dinner was over, Kara went over to Brainiac 5.
"I want you to find out who is responsible for this attack on my life," Kara ordered.
"My sources indicate he acted alone," Brainiac 5 replied.
"That sounds like bullshit. Dig deeper," Kara doubted.
"As it happens, the assassination attempt has increased your position in the polls. The monarchy is politically secure for the foreseeable future. You may go back to Midvale and live in peace as I handle everything," Brainiac 5 said.
"You call one hundred fifty thousand casualties on the front handling things?" Kara glared.
"The Mimics are formidable and they have nothing to lose. We are containing their advance," Brainiac 5 assured her.
"Barney, I'm sick...and I need your help," Kara admitted.
"I am at your disposal," Brainiac 5 bowed his head to her.
Author's Notes: These last few chapters have referenced Edge of Tomorrow, Mrs. Brown, 1917, and some World War I history. The death and carnage faced by the humans in war with Kara chilling in Maine were meant to create some whiplash. There is also behind-the-scenes manipulation going on among the superheroes that may or may not be there. The philosophical question is presented on what the superheroes should do and/or what they're morally obligated to do. In WW, Diana felt the need to help end WW1 but the rest of her sisters did not. As for 1917, itself, it would never have occurred this way with the miscommunication between battalions and a lack of artillery support. A note of this importance would have been taken by aircraft or vehicle if need be and wouldn't have been just two guys.