Day 1
At the start of it, Hermes probes circled the globe and took detailed photos of the entire Russian empire. The probes detected all of Russia's ground-based nuclear missile silos and mobile units. That information was then immediately fed to Brainiac 5.
At the palace in Metropolis, Brainiac 5 walked into Kara's office as she was reading news articles on her phone. "Good morning, Your Majesty," he said casually as he entered.
"This thing in Vietnam...," Kara muttered.
"This is more important," Brainiac 5 said and then activated hologram emitters in the room showing the missile sites all over Russia. "It's from our Hermes probes. They found forty thousand missiles with additional thousands in submarines and hidden bunkers below ground. They have a global range, anywhere on the planet, with, at least, 3 megaton yield."
"Jesus Christ," Kara said anxiously. "Where's Mon?"
"I'll call him," Brainiac 5 assured her.
Kara's war council assembled as Mon took his sweet ass time arriving despite instant transmission. He glanced at the holograms and then smirked at Kara. "Looks like we have a Jap carrier steaming toward Pearl Harbor."
"How very inappropriate. Thank you, Mon," Kara said sarcastically.
"It's what I'm here for," Mon rolled his eyes.
Kara, Mon, and Brainiac 5 then entered the war council where they would nominally take human input on the situation. "Good morning, gentlemen," she said as she came in.
"I think I speak for all of us when I say we're thankful you made it alive out of Dallas," Gen. Taylor said.
"Yes, it's a tough town," Kara said dryly as everyone sat down. "So, let's have it."
"Our Hermes probes have discovered disturbing images of surface-to-surface ICBM warheads all over the country. At this time, we believe all missiles are operational. These missiles carry, at least, a three-megaton nuclear missile with a global range. All global major cities are within range of these missiles. In the event of a launch, we would have less than five minutes warning," Brainiac 5 detailed.
"In those five minutes, they could kill eighty percent of the world's population and destroy a significant percentage of our bomber bases degrading our retaliatory options," Gen. Taylor said grimly. "The opinion of the Joint Chiefs, Your Majesty, is that this signals a major shift in Russian doctrinal thinking to a Kryptonian defense policy. It is a massively destabilizing move."
"I want first reactions here. Assuming for the moment President Smirnov isn't crazy as fuck and intends to start WW3...," Kara began.
"World War 3 already happened, Your Majesty," Brainiac 5 interjected.
"Alright, World War 4...5...6...7...8...9," Kara counted off and then looked to Brainiac 5 for confirmation each time.
"Thirteen," he said softly.
"Thirteen, holy fuck," Kara said stunned. "Anyway, what are we looking at?"
"Your Majesty, my team is in agreement if we permit Russia to have these nuclear weapons, the diplomatic consequences will be too terrible to contemplate. The Russians are trying to show the world they can remain independent and free of Imperial influence and we're powerless to stop them. If they succeed, they will be able to have an independent foreign and economic policy to that of the empire," Secretary of State Dean said.
"Well, we can't have that," Kara agreed. "If all the European nations invaded and destroyed Nazi Germany in the 30s, there would have been no World War 2. It is appeasement that leads to an even greater war."
"With time, the Russians will feel emboldened to push us even farther. We must remove their missiles one way or another. As I see it, our options are a combination of international pressure and action on our part till they give in or we hit them," Ambassador Steven said.
"Barney?" Kara called out.
"I've worked several scenarios. A strike on those missiles, even by you, will not guarantee the destruction of all missiles. It's a certainty some missiles will successfully launch. Assuming all forty thousand missiles are launched preemptively by the Russians, you will have less than five minutes to destroy them all, or 133 missiles per second. I must stress that the five-minute timeframes are locations on the opposite side of the globe to Russia. For targets much closer, you'll have a minute or less," Brainiac 5 said.
"Well, it's clear we cannot permit the Russians to have nuclear missiles...in Russia. We have to get those missiles out," Kara sighed.
Kara exited the meeting with Mon and Brainiac 5 unsure of what to do. "I know the Russian intentions. They tried to kill me. They're holding every city and nation on this planet hostage with their missiles. I can't strike at them without risking all of them being launched, but I don't see any way around hitting them."
"If we hit them, we will kill a lot of Russians. They'll march into Europe," Brainiac 5 warned.
"Sounds like you're damned if you do, damn if you don't. If you don't handle this now, you'll have to revisit this six months from now somewhere else," Mon advised.
"Well, there are alternatives that make sense," Kara said snarkily.
"You could let the World Congress now," Brainiac 5 suggested.
"Fuck no. They'd leak it. I don't need Congress or the Earth Secretary General or alien allies. I can do this. I just have to figure out how," Kara said.
"I say we lock those human experts in the basement until they come up with a solution," Mon suggested. "I'll do it. You're too politicized anyway," he said to Kara.
"Yeah, knock yourself out," Kara allowed with low expectations. "Barney, this can't come out. If word gets out, there will be a panic and it will ruin the element of surprise if we do decide to hit them."
Day 2
Kara continued her existing schedule with occasional military briefings throughout the day. "Our major attack option 1 is divided into two options: counter force and counter value. The counterforce attack plan is the destruction of all Russian nuclear forces and military facilities. The countervalue attack plan targets Russian civilian population centers and economic infrastructure," Gen. Taylor began.
"The countervalue attack plan is out unless they attack the empire first or they manage to retaliate against our preemptive strike," Kara ruled. "I will not preemptively end tens of millions of Russian lives in a preemptive nuclear strike."
"Of course, our priority in a preemptive strike would be the Russian nuclear and military capabilities. In our counterforce plan, we would target sub-bases, silo-based ICBMs, strategic bomber bases, nuclear weapon storage facilities, nuclear production and design factories, and Russian military command," Gen. Taylor said.
"I still think there are diplomatic approaches we haven't considered yet," Steven protested.
"Jesus, Steve, they tried to shoot me in the head...and I take that personally," Kara said annoyed.
"We have high confidence we can destroy their ICBM silos. There are 126 of them in four regional areas. The first is near Bryansk with 20 ICBM silos, then Samara with 60 ICBM silos, Chelyabinsk with 24 ICBM silos, and 22 ICBM silos at Kyzl. The problem, Your Majesty, is that they can be quickly launched before our nuclear missiles hit them," Gen. Taylor said.
"What do you suggest?" Kara asked.
"The Joint Chiefs advise a full-blown invasion of Russia. We can make sure we get all the missiles, and we get rid of Smirnov so this can never happen again," Gen. Taylor said forcefully. "We give them a preemptive nuclear strike and then the invasion starts eight days later."
"Dean, what do you got?" Kara asked.
"I've dealt with the Russians all my life before you came to this time. I don't want to sound melodramatic, but the Ruskie only understands force. I concur with General Taylor. I recommend a nuclear preemptive strike followed by an invasion," Dean said seriously.
"Well, we're certainly going to take those missiles out. Their assassination attempt on me and my general impatience to unify the planet doesn't give us much time. We should, at least, be making preparations," Kara said resolved. "In the meantime, can we stall them diplomatically?
"Our first step would be to demand the Russians destroy their own nuclear stockpile within 12 to 24 hours. They will tell us to go fuck ourselves. When they do, you will order the strikes followed by the invasion. They will resist and be overrun. They will retaliate against a target somewhere else in the world. We will defeat them on the battlefield," Dean said.
"Thank you, gentlemen," Kara said standing up and then exiting the room with Mon and Brainiac 5.
Kara went to her office and got herself a drink. "What if Dean's right and talking alone won't solve anything? If I talk to the Russians to dismantle their missiles, they know I'm coming for them."
"Just bomb the shit out of them," Mon advised.
"A sneak attack could kill millions of Russian lives. It goes against my philosophy to preserve human life," Brainiac 5 rebuked.
"Even if it means saving more Russian lives in the long run? Look, if we have Russia on our side, the world is ours. The puzzle is complete," Kara stressed.
"The Russians are one seventh the world's land mass but only 2 percent of world GDP. Vast areas of their land are inhospitable and undesirable. Their population density is 7 times less than the world average. They're not necessary," Brainiac 5 said coldly.
"Not necessary? They have over forty thousand nukes. They have a gun to my head. I'll constantly be dealing with their shenanigans. My world will be in constant fear of them. Tell me where I can sign on the dotted lines for the invasion. I'll do it now," Kara said forcefully.
"There are other options," Brainiac 5 insisted.
"I'm going to do what I go to do to make this turn out right. I'm going to get drunk as fuck and I'm going to hammer this out tonight," Kara pledged.
"You have a scheduled visit to Connecticut," Brainiac 5 reminded her.
"That's right. Shit," Kara realized.
Day 3
Kara ended up going to Connecticut and greeting constituents. "It's okay if you don't go to work today. The world could end tomorrow," Kara said wide-eyed to the crowd.
Meanwhile, Brainiac 5 held a meeting with the war council. "The full spectrum of airstrikes is the minimum response the Joint Chiefs will accept," Gen. Taylor said frustrated.
"No, there is more than one option here. If one isn't occurring to you, then you're not thinking hard enough," Brainiac 5 said condescendingly.
"Barney, sometimes there's only one right choice and you thank science when it's so clear," John of the CIA pressed.
"A sneak attack on a nuclear scale is going to make us look bad on the galactic stage," Brainiac 5 reminded them.
"Come on, Barney, no one on this planet gives a shit what the galaxy thinks," Dean said.
"You weren't so hesitant when it came to assassinating world leaders with impunity," John pointed out.
"Give me the right answer," Brainiac 5 demanded of them. "I don't care how crazy, inadequate, or stupid it sounds. Give it to me."
"A blockade of Russia," said Secretary of Defense, Bob.
Everyone simply stared at him. "What the fuck?" Gen. Taylor mouthed.
Day 6
A few days later, Hermes probes got a more accurate picture of Russia's nuclear capabilities. "The Russians have ten nuclear ballistic submarines. Each submarine can launch 16 nuclear missiles with each missile having 4 kiloton warheads. There are seven subs that deploy from the northern fleet and three in the Pacific fleet. The subs can fire nuclear missiles from anywhere in the ocean or act as stationary launchers from naval bases. Generally, a third of the submarine fleet is under maintenance at any one time but the subs can quickly move from sub-base to sub-base which means we'd have to target all sub-bases. In total, there are 92 naval shipping yard facilities we would have to target," Admiral Anderson explained. "Some of those bases will need several nuclear missiles to get the job done so we're looking at around 150 of them."
"Do you have all ten accounted for?" Kara asked.
"Nope. Seven out of the ten are at sea, and I have no clue where they are," he admitted.
Kara then turned to Airforce General Curtis. "What do you got?"
"Your Majesty, you give me the order right now, my 60 bombers will be ready to carry out a nuclear airstrike in three days' time. All you got to say is go and my bombs will fuck up those Ruskies," Gen. Curtis said confidently.
"What about the army?" Kara asked.
"We've begun mobilizing under cover of a pre-arranged exercise. We're looking at a week and a half," Gen. Taylor said.
"But you can order the strikes now," Gen Curtis said aggressively. "That big red dog tried to kill you. We are justified in shooting him."
"How many nuclear bombers does Russia have?" Kara asked.
"About fifty spread out among four airbases, but forty of those bombers are pieces of shit," Gen. Curtis said.
"You expect me to believe you can bomb those airbases deep into Russian territory?" Kara asked.
"No, but I can bomb their cities with ease, Your Majesty," he replied. "The very presence of those missiles in Russia gives them the first-strike capability. Those missiles make a nuclear exchange more likely. And I think talk of a blockade is a weak-ass response."
"Someone suggested we blockade Russia?" Kara wondered.
"You're in a pretty bad fix, Your Majesty," Gen. Curtis noted.
"Yeah, well, if I'm fucked, all of you are fucked," Kara clarified for everyone in the room. "If we attack only their nuclear and military capabilities, what are the Russians going to do?"
"Nothin," Gen. Curtis replied.
"Really?" Kara doubted.
"They know you can fry their whole country to ash. So, they'll do nothing," Gen. Curtis said.
"There's an old saying about a scorpion and a fox. It's within the Russian nature to sting us with all their strength even if it destroys them completely," Kara said.
Later that night, Kara hauled the Russian ambassador into her office. "You tried to assassinate me, and I take that personally," she accused Gromyko.
"I don't know what the fuck you're talking about, Your Majesty," Gromyko replied politely.
"I read the assassin's memories. He was given a Kryptonite pulse rifle, money, and asylum in return for killing me from your guys," Kara said pissed off. "I lost my best bodyguard and the whole world thought I was dead on national TV for several hours."
"Your Majesty, whatever you saw, it must have been some rogue Russian outfit," Gromyko lied.
"You're full of shit," Kara shook her head.
"Is this why you called me down here? To talk about how your poor bodyguard got killed. Bitch, please," Gromyko rolled his eyes.
"You have over forty thousand nuclear missiles in your country. That pisses me off," Kara said bluntly.
"They're for defensive purposes. You're a crazy bitch. We must protect our sovereignty and independence," Gromyko replied.
"You don't need nuclear missiles for offensive or defensive purposes if you surrender to me like every other nation on this planet," Kara told him off.
"It is the position of the Russian government to resist your Kryptonian colonization, to defend ourselves, to protect our sovereignty, to ensure our independence, and I have nothing to add to that," Gromyko said stubbornly.
"Get the fuck out of my office," Kara ordered.
"A most constructive meeting, Your Majesty," Gromyko muttered and left the room.
Day 7
The next day, Kara went to a Cubs baseball game with the mayor and toured the city as if nothing was happening. Upon returning, Kara met with her advisers on what to do with Russia with Bob taking point. "Your Majesty, our deliberations have led us to the conclusion that a blockade of Russia is the way to go. A blockade is technically an act of war so we're going to call it a quarantine instead."
"A blockade of Russia? You fucking serious?" Kara asked and then looked at a map of Russia. She blinked a few times and went back to the conversation.
"There are roughly a thousand navy ships in the Russian fleet. The Imperial fleet will stop, board, and disarm each one of these ships. A quarantine doesn't remove the missiles, nor does it stop Russia from making more of them. We still reserve the right to strike and invade," Bob said.
"A sneak attack will risk a full-blown nuclear war," Brainiac 5 cautioned.
"We should proceed with the strikes. With the blockade, we lose strategic surprise and we run the risk of the Russians striking first if they have to decide to use the missiles or lose them," John advised.
"There is a third option. With either course, we undertake the risk of nuclear war. So, it seems to me, cowards should have some representation in this room. So, I'll be that coward," Steven said with humility.
"Go on," Kara allowed.
"We strike a deal. They get rid of their missiles in return for a promise of their sovereignty," Steve suggested.
"Yeah, fuck that!" the entire room exploded.
"I'm not sure that's possible, Steve," Kara said condescendingly. "I'll make my decision on Monday. Thank you for all your advice."
Day 8-10
Kara gave thought to the nuclear strike and invasion plans over the weekend, went to church, had a Sunday night party, threatened to murder the entire Daily Planet staff if they leaked anything, and then received more advice from her Joint Chiefs that Monday morning. "Can you guarantee me you can get all the missiles, including the mobile ones?" Kara asked them all.
"Yeah, sure, probably, maybe," Gen. Sweeney shrugged.
"Your Majesty, we can get more than ninety percent of them," Gen. Curtis insisted.
"I'm going to consult with the World Congress this afternoon," Kara told them.
At the World Congressional meeting, Kara got chewed out. She exited the room pissed off. "They can't have my job. I am the Queeeeeeen!" Kara shouted as she left to her office.
"Give me a minute," Mon said to her.
"Mon, I don't have time for your bullshit," Kara told him off.
"A minute," Mon said gently.
Kara and Mon went into the office. "I don't need another prep talk from you. We're on the brink! They're trying to second-guess me on World War 13. I know what I'm doing," Kara said angrily.
"What did you think they would do? Offer unconditional support? Kiss your Kryptonian ass? They don't even think we should be here, ruling over them. Here they are questioning our good judgment," Mon said condescendingly.
"What the fuck do you want, Mon?" Kara asked impatiently.
"I want you to sit down take off your clothes and take a minute," Mon said seriously.
"I don't have a minute," Kara refused.
"You're the Queen. Those assholes can't wait for you," Mon pointed out.
Kara sat down on her couch and relaxed. Mon got her a drink. "You know, I didn't get you at first," Mon said reflectively. "I thought you were lucky. You were skinny. Girls loved you. I thought Barney and I could take you down, but he kept going on and on about you. I thought it was because he was your robot sex slave."
There was a long awkward pause between them. "Mon...what the fuck are we talking about?"
"Sleeping?" Mon asked, ignoring her.
"No, not much," Kara admitted. "You know, I watched the footage of the assassination. I imagined it was me that was shot. I wished for a second it had been me and that she had lived."
"You mean that?" Mon questioned.
"I said, just for a second," Kara clarified.
"I was there," Mon reminded her.
"Did it shake you up, make you nervous?" Kara asked.
"Nope," Mon shook his head.
"Would you tell me if it did?" Kara asked intently.
"Nope," Mon said honestly.
"There's a lot of noise out there," Kara said looking out the window.
"You know what you're doing...probably...maybe," Mon said supportively. "You're going to make the best call a blond ditz can, and everyone is going to second-guess you. So what?"
"Bring Barney in," Kara requested.
Brainiac 5 entered the room as World Congressional leaders continued to talk shit. "Barney, it's time," Kara said resolved. "I'm ordering you to win Russia for me, and I'm ordering you to take command of us to do it."
Brainiac 5 eyed Kara and Mon skeptically. "You will do exactly as I tell you."
"Within reason," Mon scoffed.
"Yes, Barney, yes," Kara confirmed.
"Shall we begin?" Brainiac 5 asked as he opened a case.
Kara addressed the world on global TV that night. "Good evening, my fellow citizens. This government, as promised, has maintained the closest surveillance on the Russin military build-up. Acting therefore in the defense of our own security, and under the authority of the Constitution, I have directed that Russia is to no longer exist as of...now."
Missile silos in America, China, England, and France suddenly became active and fired all of their nuclear ICBMs toward Russian targets. Tens of thousands of nuclear missiles went into high altitude and then came back down on Russia. Imperial submarines fired their nuclear missiles from their positions. At the same time, Russian communications with their satellites and on the ground were hacked into. Russia was immediately blind to what was happening to them.
In Moscow, random clerks, soldiers, and politicians turned on Russian government officials as they revealed themselves to be Brainiac 5 drones. Within minutes, Brainiac 5 had assassinated the Russian executive branch and general leadership. These targeted assassinations occurred all over Russia as no general or colonel was safe. As Brainiac 5 worked down the ranks, he began to take down more junior officers. Drones onboard the ten Russian submarines committed mutiny, assassinated the officer crew, and then worked to disable the ship.
As expected, the Imperial ICBMS targeted the missile silos first. As they arrived, the Russian missile silos fired off first. Within five minutes, they would target every civilian and military target in the rest of the world. The Russian bombers took from their airfields before the Imperial ICBMS could take out their runways. The mobile ICBMs were also firing from their various locations before they could be hit. Two-thirds of Russian nuclear missiles were in storage facility bunkers. These targets were largely ignored as it would take time to get them prepped.
In the war room, Brainiac 5 reported the news. All Imperial ICBMs have landed. "The Russians managed to fire off ten thousand ICBMs towards Imperial targets, mostly oriented towards America. We have a few minutes."
"The missile defense shield?" Kara asked.
"Entirely ineffective," Brainiac 5 replied.
"Let's get to work," Kara said to Mon.
Kara and Mon took to the air to take down the ten thousand Russian ICBMs that were about to rain down on mostly America and Europe. Kara was fed rapid coordinates from Brainiac 5 via an earpiece as she fired and punched through as many nuclear missiles as she could before they could be armed. At this rate, Kara and Mon only needed to take down 50 missiles per second.
"Shit," Kara realized as she sped toward each missile and fired upon it as quickly as she could. If she increased her speed to the necessary amount, Brainiac 5's transmissions would be garbled nonsense. At her current rate, she wouldn't be able to take them all down.
A nuclear missile anticipated her and detonated in front of her with synthetic Kryptonite shards. Kara was hit hard and dropped out of the sky as she was hit. As Kara fell to the ground, she realized she had doomed the world and failed Alex.
Brainiac 5 activated the missile defense shield to see if it would give him any result. It took down a few here and there. He then noticed Kara had been neutralized. "Mon-El, I will need you to step up if this world is to survive."
"Not surprised," Mon said dryly.
Mon divided himself into a thousand clones and then each clone instantly teleported to where Brainiac 5 said where the missiles were headed. Each of the clones then fired down the rain of missiles not allowing any of them to hit the ground or detonate. Many of the nuclear missiles detonated with Kryptonite shards that slightly annoyed the Mon clone. Within a few minutes, Mon had prevented any of the Russian missiles from getting through.
Assured the task was done, Mon's clones then evaporated.
Day 11
An American/European Imperial fleet moved into position to blockade St. Petersburg and the North Atlantic Ocean. The lone Russian aircraft, still in port, was bombed and destroyed immediately. On the Pacific side, a Chinese/Japanese fleet blockaded Vladivostok and other Russian Pacific ports. On the ground, American, Chinese, and Japanese troops sacked Vladivostok. On the European front, the Imperial army aggressively moved into Belarus, Ukraine, and into Russia proper. The Turks moved through the Caucuses and the Central Asians moved into Siberia to cut Russia in half.
Mon teleported to Kara's position where she was a bloody mess. "Is the world fucked?" Kara asked, severely wounded.
"Yeah," Mon nodded.
"Liar," Kara said hopefully.
Mon merely gave her a stone face and then smirked. "They gave me a run for my money though."
Kara embraced him and kissed him passionately. "I love you, Mon. I always have. I will always be yours for this."
"It's not over," he reminded her.
Mon then teleported her to Metropolis for treatment.
Day 12
With Kara being treated, Mon took control of the war room with several nations. "We have blockaded the port and we are landing on Murmansk shortly," the English PM informed Mon.
"You are to secure the city before advancing," Mon ordered.
"The Scandinavian army has advanced into Russian territory via Finland and will be meeting up with the English. St. Petersburg has been effectively blockaded," the Scandinavian PM reported.
"Do not attempt to take St. Petersburg until the northern army is consolidated," Mon ordered.
"Ukraine is treating us more like liberators than conquerors so we're going to focus more on Minsk in Belarus," the Eastern European PM informed Mon. "With support from the Turks, we have blockaded the Russians in the Black Sea."
Mon then turned to the Persiastan PM. "We have cut off the highway and railways in Siberia. Russia is now cut in half," he reported.
"Hold that position," Mon ordered.
"We have taken Vladivostok," the Japanese PM reported.
"Continue to advance to the Persiastan position at Omsk," Mon ordered. He then turned to Brainiac 5. "What are you going to do?"
"Win the war," Brainiac 5 said simply.
Day 13
On the Eastern European front, several million Brainiac 5 drones marched into Russia at high-speed. The still disorganized Russian army couldn't adapt to the situation in time. Brainiac 5 quickly encircled Russian forces near Minsk and forced the surrender of 300,000 soldiers and then sacked Minsk. Brainiac 5 forces rapidly moved against Smolensk and encircled Russian forces again with 300,000 captured.
At St. Petersburg, Brainiac 5 and Mon met with Scandinavian and English generals. "Keep up the pressure while I continue to terminate uncooperative leaders," Brainiac 5 said to them. Inside the city, Brainiac 5 drones impersonated ordinary Russians and went about assassinating anyone who had any leadership role.
At Kyiv, Brainiac 5 encircled the Russians and their Ukrainian allies with 665,000 prisoners. Romanian forces surrounded Odesa and sacked it. Brainiac 5 drones flooded into Crimea and took 100,000 more Russian prisoners. At Osipenko, Brainiac 5 encircled and trapped Russian forces forcing 100,000 to surrender.
At this point, 19 million drones pushed toward Moscow against 1.25 million Russian troops who were having chronic leadership issues. Brainiac 5 encircled and forced the surrender of 663,000 Russian soldiers at Vyazma and formed a front right outside of Moscow. Brainiac 5 then moved his drones to surround the city to encircle Russian defenders.
In the north, Mon acted as a military adviser and took St. Petersburg. As the city fell, Mon received a hologram transmission. "We have secured all Russian territory east of the Ural Mountains," the Persiastan general informed him.
"Volgograd is ours," the Turkish general reported.
Brainiac 5 overwhelmed the Russian defenders and took Moscow. Upon entering the city, he continued to purge military officers until the remaining ones surrendered to him.
In an open field, Brainiac 5 allowed a surrendering general to address his troops. "It's been a short war, but a tough war. You have fought bravely, valiantly for your country. You are a special group. You have created a bond amongst each other, one that only exists through combat. You are brothers. You have seen death and suffered together. I'm proud to have served with each and every one of you. You deserve long and happy lives," he said to them.
The general then turned to Brainiac 5. "I am at your service."
"And I accept your service," Brainiac 5 replied.
Metropolis
Kara, fully healed, addressed the world on global TV. The Imperial ICBMs that had been fired were all duds with no nuclear payload. They had been modified years before. No actual nuclear warhead landed on Russian soil. It had been a ruse to get the Russians to fire all of their available missiles, which they did. The Russian nuclear weapons in storage facilities were taken and accounted for. The new Russian government officially became part of Kara's empire. With Russian capitulation, the entire world was now under Kara's control. The Imperial flag was raised in Russia and the fifty stars of that flag became a reality. The world was now divided into only fifty countries with relatively equal GDP output so no country could dominate the planet. In this regard, Russia became joined with Belarus and Ukraine. Foreign armies continued to occupy Russia until all nuclear and conventional weaponry was accounted for.
Despite the victory, Kara felt like a failure. While Mon and Brainiac 5 were out in the field, Kara remained behind and sent letters to the parents of those who had died in the war she started and then went to funeral services. Mon found Kara at Alex's memorial in Midvale. There, a statue of Alex's likeness was built similar to the Jefferson Memorial.
"I have to say, that was a lot of fun," Mon said insensitively.
Kara simply sobbed at the base of the statue ashamed and humiliated. "What's your deal? You now have the whole planet under your thumb. It only took you three years to do it. Fuck, I could have done it in three days."
"So many could have died because of me," Kara acknowledged.
"Remember all those times you saved the entire world. All of these people living today wouldn't be here if not for you," Mon reminded her.
"They say whoever kills one, kills the whole world," Kara said tearfully.
"Well, then I am so fucked," Mon realized.
"Don't...try to make me laugh," Kara chuckled in spite of herself.
"Look, nothing happened, Armageddon averted. We destroyed their defenses so quickly that the casualties were minimal," Mon told her.
"Why did you do it, Mon? You saved this world when you didn't have to. We'd all be lost without you," Kara said, looking back at him.
"This shithole planet is a jewel to you. It's her planet," Mon said pointing to the statue. "I know you'll give me the entire galaxy so long as I keep this one planet intact."
Kara stood up to face him. "Barney has a special ceremony planned for me. Are you going to behave?"
"Only in front of the cameras," Mon allowed.
"After what you've done, you have gained my trust," Kara said sincerely.
Rome
In St. Peter's Basilica, Kara was dressed in her black Supergirl uniform as she approached Pope Barney. She then knelt before him as he held a simple golden Roman laurel crown resembling that of a Roman Emperor in his hands. "Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake," Pope Barney said to the packed basilica and to those watching on global TV.
He then made a series of statements about Kara. "When the Lord was hungry, you gave him meat. When he was thirsty, you gave him drink. When he was a stranger, you took him in. When naked, you clothed him. When he was sick, you visited him. When he was in prison, you came to him," Pope Barney declared. "Do you recall this?"
"When did I do any such thing for the Lord?" Kara replied.
"Verily, I say unto you, inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto the Lord," Pope Barney replied.
"Amen," Kara replied.
"I now crown you the Empress of a united Earth. Take heed that every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand," Pope Barney said. He then placed the crown on her head which looked nearly invisible next to her blond hair.
Kara then stood up to the applause of all those present. For better or worse, Kara was now the Empress of Earth.