In the Metropolis Palace, Kara addressed the people of Earth over the small controversy concerning the incident at Metropolis University via the Global News Network. "Last month, I was in Florida getting some well-deserved 'me-time' after my visit to Moscow. It was then that I heard about the accident at Met Lab. I was shocked and appalled by the illegal and senseless incompetence there. I immediately ordered an appropriate investigation into the matter. As of now, there have been seven indictments in the case. I have asked those investigating the case whether there was any reason to believe I was in any way involved and I have received repeated assurances that I was not. I am confident that my denials are true and that rumors of my involvement are false. I am determined to get to the bottom of this matter and the truth should be let out. Whatever improper activities may yet be discovered in this whole sordid affair, I want the people of Earth to know, without a shadow of a doubt, that I am not a crook. This office is a sacred life-long trust, and I am determined to be worthy of that trust."

Soon thereafter, Kara had a meeting with her legal counselor, Fred Buzzhurt. "First of all, there's a Squire problem. Squire Burroughs is scheduled to appear before the World Senate committee. He's already talking shit about me all over town like an ungrateful asshole and trying to give people the impression that somehow I was involved in the coverup of his brother's accident. Now, this nonsense has to be stopped. I can't have that man saying whatever the hell he wants to with anyone who will listen to his bullshit," Kara told him.

"Does he have anything to back up his shit-talking?" Fred asked.

"He says he has. He told some judge that he removed certain documents from Met U to protect them from being destroyed. He's put these documents in some safety deposit box but that's no problem. I can find it and remove it and then make copies of everything and then make a persuasive explanation for them. That's going to be your job," Kara said.

"I'll do what I can," Fred said stunned.

"You'll do fine," Kara said confidently. "Remember this, Fred: The important thing is the Crown. It is our duty, at all times, to preserve and protect the integrity of the Crown. That must always be your main concern."

That night, Kara and Mon hosted a ball for POWs of recent wars. There were a lot of them, and they were all in dress military uniforms of various services. Kara and Mon personally greeted each and every one of them, a role they both enjoyed for different reasons. It was the largest ball at the palace up to that point.

After the ball, Kara met with Fred who had gone over all the documents related to the accident and the supposed coverup. "The documents indicate a top-secret plan to expand domestic intelligence activities dealing with all university systems oriented towards seditious liberals with wiretaps and drone surveillance," Fred revealed.

"And?" Kara asked.

"It seems you agreed with this plan and then you cancelled it four or five days later," Fred said confused.

"Listen, this supposedly happened several months ago. How the hell did Squire find out about this?" Kara asked annoyed.

"Apparently, Met U disregarded your instructions and made their faculty aware of the program," Fred said.

"I guess so," Kara said pissed off. "Well, I could have been a lot worse to them. The press is inventing all sorts of fairy tales of me being a total tyrant that is corrupt as fuck. They think they can find something to nail me with. No one nails me...except Mon, understand. This shit is relatively unimportant."

"Yes, but clearly this domestic intelligence gathering is clearly illegal," Fred warned.

"That's why I cancelled it," Kara said innocently. "We were looking for legitimate threats that year, arson, bombings, violence on university campuses, students forcing the National Guard to fire on them. Crazy shit."

"So, what do we say?" Fred asked dumbfounded.

"Just say these ideas were considered but rejected because they weren't technically legal," Kara said dismissively.

"There's something else. There's a memo from the CIA that indicates you didn't want Interpol to look into the accident at Met U," Fred brought up.

"Yeah," Kara said nonchalantly. "It's a matter of global security. There was a danger that CIA operations at Met U would be compromised. Global Security, Fred, means I can do whatever the fuck I want."

The next morning, Kara had a meeting with Brainiac 5. "Squire Burrough has told Senate investigators and global prosecutors that he discussed aspects of the Met U coverup with Queen Kara or in her presence on at least 35 occasions. You, seeing this shit?" Kara asked as she put down a datapad with the Daily Planet.

"I did see it," Brainiac 5 confirmed.

"I think we can handle this but, as you know, we're up against ruthless people," Kara said confidently.

"Your reign is in good shape, better than ever before. I can prepare a proper response to this and release our own version through Buzzhurt," Brainiac 5 suggested.

"Fred doesn't know about your recording system?" Kara asked.

"No," Brainiac 5 replied.

"I have a draft of my own recollection of these conversations. How did it strike you?" Kara asked. "Was Squire telling me there was a coverup?"

"Not at all," Brainiac 5 answered. "But he does know it happened."

"Maybe we were talking about a coverup. You know, I really didn't know what the hell I was dealing with. Human beings aren't supposed to be exposed to anti-matter propulsion systems, getting vaporized, and returning back to life as pure energy. I mean, what the fuck?" Kara mused.

"You should talk to Buzzhurt," Brainiac 5 advised.

"Yeah, okay," Kara agreed.

Midvale, Maine

Soon thereafter, Kara met with the Russian governor to patch things up since the war. Kara gifted the governor a new hovercar and invited him to give it a test drive. Gov. Leonid was used to driving like a total asshole in Russia by driving in the center line and swerving all over the place. During the test drive, he did the same on a narrow rural road.

"I would take it easy, man," Kara advised.

Leonid increased his speed and swerved all over the place. "Decrease speed," Kara insisted.

"You Supergirl, I super-driver," Leonid replied.

"For the love of God, slow down!" Kara said alarmed.

Leonid then drove straight off a cliff and tumbled all the way. Kara emerged from the crash with the governor clearly dead. "Well...shit," Kara sighed.

Metropolis

Squire came before the World Senate in the capitol building to talk shit about Kara and the supposed coverup. "Did you discuss any aspect of the Met U coverup with the queen?" a senator asked him.

"Well, she told me I did a good job, so I assumed she knew I covered it up and approved," Squire said awkwardly.

"Did you specifically discuss a coverup job with the queen?" the senator asked.

"No, Sir," Squire admitted.

"Did you discuss with the queen wiretapping at Met U?" the senator continued.

"No, I did not," Squire replied.

"Did you discuss with the queen the destruction of documents?" the senator asked.

"No, I did not," Squire answered.

"In other words, your whole thesis on saying the queen knew about the Met U coverup is purely an impression. There's no evidence here," the senator said incredulously.

"Senator, I don't even have a thesis," Squire contradicted.

"Then, what the fuck are we even here for?" the senator asked dumbfounded.

Kara and Brainiac 5 discussed the Senate hearing while she was in bed in her bathrobe. "Why in God's name did he do it?" she asked of Squire.

"I don't think he realized the full significance of what he was saying," Brainiac 5 said condescendingly.

"Well, I can't believe that. Tell Fred to write a formal letter to the Senate committee telling them there is no recording system in the palace," Kara ordered.

"Fred wants to review the recordings," Brainiac 5 brought up.

"Tell him no," Kara said bluntly.

"Special Prosecutor Cocks is going to want those recordings for evidence," Brainiac 5 reminded her.

"Fuck that! No one is going to have those recordings," Kara said resolved.

In the palace, Kara walked with Fred and discussed the case. "Cocks is going to want to see those recordings," Fred said.

"Has he officially asked for them?" Kara stalled.

"No, not yet but he will," Fred admitted.

"I refuse, executive privilege," Kara said as she entered her office.

"It's not that simple. Those recordings have evidence in a criminal prosecution. Cocks is in a very powerful position," Fred said.

"Is he? Because I don't give a damn about Cocks and all this shit! What we're talking about is infinitely more important. No outsider can possibly comprehend the breadth of the intimate material on those recordings. They contain the private thoughts and comments of myself, foreign leaders, congressmen, my staff, my own family. If I were to break the confidence of those who have spoken and advised me in this office, everything goes to shit! It would shatter the Crown! And not just my reign but my children's reign and their children's reign to eternity. This decision is of the highest principle so you can tell Cocks to go fuck himself!" Kara ranted.

"Yes, well, the queen's private conversations must be protected," Fred relented. "We'll rely on executive privilege. We have no alternative."

As pressure mounted from Cocks, Kara and Brainiac 5 had a meeting on the subject. "Let's throw Cocks a bone. I'll give him edited summaries of the recordings," Kara suggested.

"That might satisfy him," Brainiac 5 said doubtfully.

"I'm a fast typist. I got this," Kara said confidently. "Now, what the fuck is going on in the Middle East now?"

In the Middle East, Egypt and Syria had made an alliance to try to take Israel to expand their overall borders in violation of Kara's map which had Egypt in East Africa and Syria under the Greek/Turks. Mon intervened by slaughtering the Arab forces with shocking brutality but ended the war very quickly. Mon had also been involved in assassinating the Filippino Lt. Governor that had tried to become a leader for life and an authoritarian dictator in Uruguay. An illegal referendum was taken in Ireland to secede from the rest of the United Kingdom. When Kara refused to take them seriously, riots and terrorist bombings took place which Mon quickly put down. An independence movement in West Sahara against Spain was brutally put down by Mon as well. The Lt. Governor of Afghanistan was deposed by his cousin while he was overseas. Mon quickly assassinated the cousin and restored the Lt. Governor back to power. The military in Chille overthrew their Lt. Governor in a coup. Mon intervened there as well, assassinated the military leadership, and disarmed the military to restore democratic order. An uprising of mostly students in Bangkok, Thailand was also put down by Mon. In Cambodia, Mon blasted the fuck out of the country causing a global uproar.

In response, the World Congress and Senate passed amendments to prohibit the Crown from engaging in military action in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia without congressional approval. Kara reluctantly signed the amendment since it had been passed by over a two-thirds vote. The World Congress then passed the War Powers Act that would prohibit the Crown from engaging in any military action without congressional approval. Kara vetoed the bill but she was overridden. Mon ignored the act and continued to wage war on Earth rebels wherever he could find them.

Special Prosecutor Cocks conducted a press conference after the edited summaries were submitted by Kara. "There is some serious, on its face, wrongdoing on the part of high government officials. Wrongdoing to coverup other wrongdoing. Last night, we were told the court order wouldn't be obeyed and that the documents I seek wouldn't be provided at all, and, instead of the recordings, a summary of what they show would be provided. I have also been instructed by the queen not to pursue these recordings through the judicial process. This strikes me as bullshit and I will not comply with them," Cocks said boldly.

Kara watched the press conference with Brainiac 5 with a passive expression. "Okay...fire his ass."

The Attorney General resigned in protest, then the Deputy Attorney General also resigned in protest, but Cocks was eventually fired. The press was in an outrage, but Kara was mostly unconcerned. She held a meeting with Fred after the massacre.

"Alright, Fred, where do we go from here?" Kara asked casually.

"Well, we can continue to defy the court order, or we can comply," Fred said obviously. "If we don't turn over the recordings, there will be a judicial hearing and you could be held in contempt."

"Well, at least we got rid of Cocks," Kara said pleased. "So, what are you saying, Fred? We have no choice?"

"However, releasing the recordings could have some real shock value. It would show that Cocks was not fired for anything damaging on those recordings," Fred said naively.

"That's right," Kara said, playing along.

"Turning them over would be something no one would expect," Fred said.

"Okay, comply," Kara relented.

"I've reviewed the recordings and there's a lot missing, entire days of recordings missing. It's not organized in any kind of archive. It's a mess almost intentionally so," Fred brought up.

"Well, these things happen," Kara said dismissively.

"I have to testify on these recordings. It will look bad if some of these recordings are missing," Fred said.

"Okay, don't testify then. I'll invoke attorney client privilege," Kara stalled.

"I don't think that's a good idea," Fred advised.

"Why's that?" Kara wondered.

"It would just add fuel to the coverup claim," Fred said reasonably.

"Well, I've got some notes on those missing days. I'll hand those notes over to you," Kara said with false sincerity.

"That would be manufacturing evidence," Fred pointed out.

"You're right, you're right...," Kara relented. "Keep looking for those recordings. They should be around here...somewhere."

Meanwhile, Mon was facing legal trouble of his own involving massive corruption related to bribing all sorts of officials during his time negotiating the civil rights bill against abortion. Despite all legal advice, Mon toll the Courts and the Senate to go fuck themselves and refused to cooperate with any plea agreement. The World Congress and Senate overwhelmingly voted to impeach and remove him from office which created a constitutional crisis as he was still first in line to the throne before Kara. Mon was therefore still the Crown Prince without an "office" so to speak.

Kara ignored Mon's legal issues as she dealt with her own. "There's eighteen days missing on the recordings," Fred reported. "And that material is being subpoenaed."

"Well...shit," Kara sighed. "There must be a simple explanation for this. Maybe some technical fault with Barney. Eighteen days, God damn. That's a lot of time. Must be technical fault or an accident."

"It appears it was intentional erasure," Fred said. "This could be serious."

"What the fuck do you expect me to do about it?" Kara asked outraged.

"Do you have notes on those days in question?" Fred asked.

"Sure," Kara lied.

"And we should tell the judge and the special prosecutor before they find out, themselves," Fred advised.

Kara scoffed at that. "I'm not telling them shit."

Shortly after the 18-day gap was brought to light, the World Congress Judiciary Committee subpoenaed more recordings. "The House Judiciary Committee has issued a subpoena for an additional 42-day recordings. In my view, the Crown should give the appearance of cooperation," Brainiac 5 advised.

"Well, in my view, we should tell the committee to go to hell," Kara countered.

"There has to be some accommodation," Fred advised.

"You mean...a compromise," Kara considered. "How about an abridged transcript of the relevant parts?"

"The committee is suspicious. They'll think you're manufacturing evidence," Fred said.

"Well, for God's sake, I give them those recordings, they'll want more and more. Fuck these guys," Kara said outraged.

"That is a risk we may have to take," Fred said delicately.

"We can give them enough material from the recordings to give the impression of reasonable behavior," Brainiac 5 advised.

"We have to take the mystery out of those recordings. I suggest a full transcript of the relevant recordings," Fred said timidly.

"Those recordings contain candid conversations. There's rough language on those recordings," Brainiac 5 objected.

"Right," Kara agreed.

"We can delete any offensive language," Fred suggested.

"Well, damn, that pretty much would erase the entire recording," Kara joked. "Tell the committee that despite the fact that their demands are bullshit, I'm willing to meet them half-way."

"This information will be leaked to the public if given to the committee," Brainiac 5 predicted.

"If we defy the committee outright, they'll hold you in contempt of Congress," Fred warned.

"Ha, wouldn't be the first time. Alright, alright, go ahead," Kara rolled her eyes.

Not taking the situation seriously, Kara deleted every other word on the justification it was a "naughty word" in the recordings and then had Brainiac 5 manufacture false recordings while also sticking to the script that several days had been deleted "accidentally." The recordings were then released to the House committee who promptly leaked it to the public.

As this was all going on, Kara supervised the first manned mission to Mercury where the Imperial flag was planted in the soil. A spacelab, in cooperation with all the nations of the world, was also launched into orbit. Despite losing his "office" Mon went ahead and assassinated a would-be dictator in Greece and restored democracy. He did the same in Portugal as well. Kara proposed and passed the Endangered Species Act to forcibly remove human habitation away from the equator as part of her plan to move all of humanity to the goldilocks zone of 30N-60N latitude and 30S-60S latitude. With this, pouching was made a capital offense.

In order to gain the good will of the people, Kara prevented several disasters around the world. A fire broke out in an office building in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Kara quickly put the fire out and saved hundreds of lives. In Cairo, Kara stopped a stampede in its tracks saving a few dozen lives. Near Paris, Kara saved a jetliner from crashing saving a few hundred lives. In America, Kara neutralized a series of tornadoes that would have killed a few hundred people otherwise.

Kara then did a press conference on the recordings. "In giving you these recordings, blemishes and all, I am putting my trust in the basic fairness of the people of Earth. I know in my own heart, this has been a painful difficult process for me. Revealed in these transcripts was my desire to discover what was right and to do what is right."

On her yacht, Kara walked about the deck with a vodka martini. "The special prosecutor will want more than just the edited transcripts. He wants the recordings, themselves," Brainiac 5 told her.

"To hell with that," Kara denied. "I'll fight this all the way to the Supreme Court."

"The special prosecutor has been authorized by the grand jury to cite you as an unindicted co-conspirator in the Met U coverup," Brainiac 5 revealed.

"Holy Jesus...what does that even mean?" Kara wondered.

"If you're willing to give up 15 to 18 of the subpoenaed recordings, they will drop the suit for the rest of them," Brainiac 5 said.

"Sounds like blackmail to me. I sense weakness," Kara refused.

"Listen to the tapes he wants and then see how you feel about it," Brainiac 5 advised.

"I'll think about it," Kara said with false sincerity.

Cairo

Kara visited Egypt, Arabia, Jordan, and Israel to large celebrating parades. In private, Kara proceeded to chew out the governors and lieutenant governors involved in the recent conflicts. "The current borders are fixed. They're fixed until we do another economic census in 3027. I'll remind you all that war among nations is illegal under the Constitution unless approved by the World Congress and, even then, I am the commander in chief. This isn't going to be like the good old days where thousands of soldiers perish on the battlefield, but the leadership remains to live in luxury for decades later. In the 31st century, the leadership dies before the common soldier does. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes, Your Highness!" they all declared.

In public, the lieutenant governor of Jordan hosted Kara. "We, in the Arab world, are grateful that you have made it. Your royal initiative has inspired us all," he said of Kara.

Kara then went to Moscow where she appointed a new governor for Russia.

Metropolis

Kara headed back to Metropolis and had a meeting with Fred who had almost died of a heart attack. "Feeling better, Fred?" Kara asked genuinely concerned.

"Yes, Your Highness," he replied.

"Well, it's good to have you back. You know, it was my health initiatives that have been saving lives on this front. Heart disease will soon be gone. Had it not been for my intervention in this time, well, I don't know what would have happened to you," Kara said as she stared at Fred intently.

"Well, your case certainly has given me a lot of stress," Fred said jokingly.

Kara merely stared at him. "Right. The Supreme Court decision is a bad blow. I was counting on the five I recently appointed to have my back. It's not only me that lost, the Crown has lost, Fred. The Earth has lost. To tell you the truth, I was shocked and appalled."

"I can believe that," Fred said politely.

Kara stalled the House Committee on the false pretense she needed time to review the recordings. In reality, Kara had no intention of handing over the recordings and didn't bother to listen to any of them. Instead, Kara attended a World Cup football game between Netherlands and Germany. At the same time, Mon assassinated the Turkish leadership for militarily invading Cyprus.

With Kara refusing to hand over the recordings, the House Judiciary Committee voted 27-11 to impeach her. Kara paid them no mind as she vacationed in California on the beach.

"If you don't abdicate, you'll be convicted in the Senate," Brainiac 5 predicted. "I know this may sound disloyal to you, but it's not. The circumstances are surrounding us. You cannot ignore it."

"I can...and I shall," Kara said stubbornly.

Metropolis

In the House, representatives were talking mad shit about Kara. "We cannot tolerate the flouting of our laws by a queen who is constitutionally charged with seeing to faithful execution of the laws. This is not a pleasant duty, but it is our constitutional duty. Its performance may mean ignoring personal and political relationships of long standing. But we as well as the queen are on trial for how faithfully we fulfill our constitutional responsibility," Rep. Jack Crooks declared.

"I feel that if we don't impeach, we'd just ingrain and stamp in our highest office a standard of conduct that's just unacceptable," Rep. Sun Flowers said.

"Some say this is a sad day in Earth's history. I think it could perhaps be one of our brightest days. It could be really a test of the strength of our Constitution, because what I think it means to most humans is that when this or any other queen violates his sacred oath of office, the people are not left helpless," Rep. Charles Bagel said somberly.

"I am not going to sit here and be an idle spectator to the diminution, the subversion, the destruction of the Constitution!" Rep. Barbara Gordon shouted.

"The queen has lied repeatedly to Congress and to the people of Earth. After reading the transcripts, it is obvious that there is a number of untruths, deception, and immoral attitudes present in our queen," Rep. Hulk Hogan said, a former royalist.

"At the very least," Rep. Ham Fish explained, "the queen is bound not to violate the law, not to order others to violate the law, and not to participate in the concealment of evidence respecting violations of the law of which she is made aware."

"I have been faced with the terrible responsibility of assessing the conduct of a queen that I surrendered to, believed to be the best woman to lead this planet. But a queen who in the process by act or acquiescence allowed the rule of law and the Constitution to slip under the boots of indifference and arrogance and abuse," Rep. Bill Cohen said sorrowfully.

"For years we Royalists have campaigned against corruption and misconduct, but the queen is our shame," Rep. Bell Butler said.

"This case is entirely circumstantial and nothing but a series of inferences piled upon other inferences. Even so, the sorry example, which was set by the queen, in her personal as well as official conduct is deplorable," Rep. Willy Maine said.

"If somebody, for the first time in seven weeks, gives me something that is direct, I will vote to impeach," Rep. Wesley Sandman objected.

"Simple theories, of course, are inadequate. That is not evidence. A supposition, however persuasive, is not evidence. A bare possibility that something might have happened is not evidence," Rep. Charlie Biggins said.

In all, Kara was hit with articles of impeachment on obstruction of justice, abuse of royal power, and contempt of Congress.

Brainiac 5 discussed the matter with Kara on her yacht. "By my estimation, more than 300 in congress will vote to impeach you and 60 in the senate."

"So long as I keep 34 Royalist Senators, I'll be fine," Kara said dismissively.

"Your political situation is deteriorating quickly," Brainiac 5 warned.

"Let them try, a bunch of elitist snobs. The people are behind me," Kara said confidently. "Prepare for a snap election."

After the election, Kara was dismayed by the results. The Republicans had won 49 Congressional seats and 4 Senate seats giving them 291 and 61. At first, Kara was relieved that the Republicans in the Senate had not gained 2/3rds in both houses but was quickly informed by Brainiac 5 that there were several defections among the Royalists. At this point, Kara called in Imra to her office.

"Imra, I...have decided to abdicate effective noon on Friday. You'll need to inform your government tonight, and I'd like to send special messages to your leaders," Kara said somberly.

"I'll see to it right away," Imra promised.

"I recall when we tricked you guys into visiting Earth, the first contact between humans and Titans. That was a great triumph, Imra," Kara said reflectively.

"It was," Imra agreed.

"And now this disaster. I don't know if I can go through with this. Can I really be like all those other human monarchs that have abdicated and have gone into exile? Can I really quit this planet...Alex's planet?" Kara wondered.

"Whatever you decide, you will always be respected as one of the finest statesmen this planet has ever known," Imra complimented.

"Low bar, right?" Kara joked sadly. "Do you really think history will treat me kindly than my contemporaries?"

"Definitely, probably, maybe," Imra considered. "Titan leaders know you for being of the greatest distinction in galactic diplomacy. Met U isn't going to change that. Your reputation is secure with us."

"Yes...but what have I done? What have I done to this planet and its people? Everything is so confused. I don't understand how all this happened. How can a simple fuck up in a university lab cause all of this. I've...murdered countless thousands in war, assassinated political leaders, I have confiscated people's wealth, I have overturned economic systems, I have forcibly relocated entire populations, I have censored the Internet, forced religion down people's throats, and have treated convicted criminals with unimaginable cruelty but...this is what gets me? Really?" Kara asked dumbfounded.

"Since I have known you, you have shown remarkable courage, made tough decisions, and never faltered. Don't lose that courage now," Imra said to her.

"Imra, I know that you're not an Orthodox Titan and I'm not an Orthodox Kryptonian, but...will you pray with me?" Kara beseeched her. Imra went over to her and held her hand.

"God...," Kara began, as she got on her knees. "...I...fucked up," she said and then began to sob as a drunken mess.

"Kara, you're a great warrior and a great peacemaker. You've never lost sight of the ideas you believed in. You will go down in history as one of the great peacemakers of all time," Imra told her.

Kara got up and snapped out of her funk as she got down to business. "When I leave office, I expect the Titan delegation to leave this world. Do not negotiate or conduct business with the human leadership," she ordered.

"As you wish," Imra replied.

The next day, Kara, Mon, and Brainiac 5 came together. "I'm abdicating and I'm going back to Midvale to be with my children," Kara informed Mon.

"I'll go with you," Mon replied.

"You must think I'm some kind of loser. Go on and give me a 'I told you so'," Kara said tearfully.

"That depends greatly on what you do next," Mon said cryptically.

"I've already said what I intend to do," Kara reminded him.

"Right," Mon smirked knowing otherwise.

Kara sat with Fred in the legal office for the last time. "Will I be prosecuted, Fred?" Kara asked nonchalantly.

"Impossible to say. I don't know what will happen," Fred admitted.

"Well, if they want to put me in jail, let them try," Kara smirked. "You know, all the great politicians of the world did their best writing in jail. Like, Ghandhi, MLK, Hitler...wait...scratch Hitler. I mean, if they send me to jail, I'll be sort of a political prisoner like Ghandhi and, like him, I've been persecuted. Don't you agree?"

"Sure," Fred allowed.

"Persecuted, Fred," Kara said self-absorbed.

"If any other Earth leader had been as thoroughly investigated as you, they'd all be in jail. The press has been hard on you, too," Fred said.

"That's right," Kara agreed. "What matters to me, Fred, is the loyalty and respect of those close to me. People come into my office crying, and I cry with them. That's the difference between me and my cousin. He always wanted the whole world to love him, but I just wanted close loyal friends."

Fred simply eyed Kara wondering if he was one of her loyal friends. "I've never been a quitter. I hate quitting. Midvale Highschool, I made the football team as the kicker. I was the best and my adopted mother wanted me to quit because I would reveal my powers and cause a scandal. But I didn't quit, and I went all the way to the championship game. God, did I push myself not to kick that ball into outer space. The level of focus and mastery I had to develop just to kick the ball just enough to get across...I astound myself. Our team didn't win, but we didn't come last either. I didn't quit," Kara said somberly.

"Regarding this thing about the pardons," Fred brought up.

"Oh, right, here they are," Kara said as she handed him a thick folder of official pardons to the entire Met U faculty and staff and anyone else remotely involved in the so-called coverup. "And that's the end of that."

Kara and Mon walked side-by-side to her oval office where Kara wound announce her abdication. "Do you think I'm doing the right thing?" she asked.

"Fuck no," Mon scoffed.

"Do you support me?" Kara asked offended.

"Yes," Mon said sincerely. "But you should hang in there."

"I've made up my mind," Kara told him.

Kara sat down before a desk with the cameras in her face. "Good evening, I'm speaking to you from this office where so many decisions have been made that have shaped the history of this planet. From the discussions I've had with congressional leaders, because of the Met U matter, I may not have the support of the congress I would consider necessary to make the difficult decisions and carry out the duties of this office in a way the interests of this world require. Therefore, I shall abdicate effective noon tomorrow."

The next day, just before noon, Kara and Mon greeted the royal staff. The staff applauded them as they entered and took the stage. "Thank you, members of the cabinet, members of the palace staff, all of our friends here, you are here today to say goodbye to us. I'd like to say it in my mother's tongue: Nyke jāhor ūndegon ao arlī, which means 'I'll see you again,'" Kara began.

"I see so many of you here that I should have come by your office and shook your hands. And I would have loved to have talked with you and known your world. Everybody likes to tell the queen what to do...and she needs to be told many times, but I want you all to know that each and every one of you is indispensable to this government. I am proud of this cabinet, this palace staff. Sure, we've done some things wrong in this administration and the top woman always takes responsibility, and I have never ducked it. But I would like to say, we can be proud of it. After two and a half years, no man or woman has left this world worse than when they found it. No man or woman has profited at the public's expense. Mistakes, yes, but personal gain, never. You did what you believed in, sometimes right, sometimes wrong," Kara told them.

"And I will recompense you all for all the sacrifices you have made for the sake of this government," Kara promised.

"I remember...I remember my adopted father. He would have been called a little man, a common man. He didn't see himself that way though. He was a great man because he did his job and every job counts. My adopted mother was a saint and I think of her every day. And I think every day of the pain she must have gone through when I disappeared from the 21st century to be here and when her daughter, Alex, my sister...died as well shortly thereafter. No book about her was ever written, none that survived to this time, but she was a saint," Kara said tearfully.

"Now, I look to the future. I've never liked to read books except the ones I write about myself. It looks like I'll have plenty of time to read when I get back to Midvale, where my sister grew up," Kara said as she wiped away tears. "We think that when someone dear to us dies, we think that when we lose an election, we think that when we suffer a defeat, that all is ended. Not true. It's only a beginning-always. The young must know it; the old must know it. It must always sustain us because the greatness comes not when things go always good for you, but the greatness comes when you are really tested, when you take some knocks, some disappointments, when sadness comes; because only if you've been in the deepest valley can you ever know how magnificent it is to be on the highest mountain."

"And so, we leave with high hopes, in good spirit and with deep humility, and with very much gratefulness in our hearts. I can only say to each and every one of you, not only will we always remember you, not only will we always be grateful to you, but always you will be in our hearts, and you will be in our prayers," Kara concluded.

Kara and Mon then exited the room, entered a hall, and went outside as jet was to take them back to Midvale. As she did, members of every branch of the service stood at attention for her. Mon entered the jet first as Kara gave the palace one last look. Kara eyed the palace, the service members, and all those seeing her goodbye. She gave them all a sad smile and a simple peace sign to them all and then entered the jet.

The jet then took off to Midvale leaving Metropolis behind. Brainiac 5 exited the cockpit and sat across from Kara and Mon. "What are your orders?" he asked her.

"Pull the plug, Barney," Kara replied.

The ten billion drones that worked tirelessly and unceasingly to bring goods and services to the human population all went into sleep mode. The entire human economy suddenly halted abruptly, the energy grid went down, the Internet went down, transportation systems stopped, food and water systems ceased, and the world was violently thrown into darkness.

Midvale

The jet arrived at Kara's palace in Midvale within a few minutes. Kara and Mon went inside and greeted the children being taken care of by Brainiac 5 nanny drones. "Mommy, Daddy!" the two children screamed as they rushed them. Kara embraced Mara and Kon and came to realize being a mother was more rewarding than reigning as an empress.