Shortly after the incident at Rann, Kara hauled Mara into her office at the Vindicator HQ at Metropolis to chew her out. "The Rannians have completely overthrown Thanagarian rule. The Thanagarians have withdrawn from the system. You must be very proud of yourself," Kara said disdainfully.

"I have nothing to boast in myself," Mara replied.

"You think you can out-saint me? I brought Christianity into this millennium, this galaxy," Kara reminded her.

"It's the will of God that you are here with the powers and abilities that you have, Mother," Mara downplayed.

"We're not God's puppets. We have free will. We can boast in our cooperation with God's grace, can we not? Can we, at least, have that credit for ourselves?" Kara asked. Mara said nothing to that. "Romans 13 is very clear that you are to obey the governing authorities and I am the authority. Furthermore, I am your mother, and you will honor my orders. That means you go nowhere, evangelize nowhere, and start crusades nowhere unless I give the order. Is that understood?"

"I cannot defy God's explicit orders," Mara stood her ground.

"Your visions, of course. Did it ever occur to you that you might be just fucking crazy?" Kara asked.

"Has it occurred to you?" Mara shot back.

Kara glared at Mara. "You were nearly killed and if you had died, I would have slaughtered every Thanagarian in the galaxy in my grief. You are the most important person to me, understand?"

Mara gave a bitter smile as she saw a small hologram model of Alex on Kara's desk. "Second...most important thing," she corrected.

Kara was taken aback and befuddled. "Dismissed," she said, gesturing for Mara to leave. She then sank back into her chair lost in thought.


The Vindicators assembled for a meeting to deal with the Thanagarian situation. War was potentially imminent due to Mara's shenanigans. The Imperial royal family and the S-class and A-class Vindicators were all present. Kara eventually arrived to lead the meeting. She had a subdued solemn look but then snapped to an emotionless professional demeanor. Everyone stood up as she entered the room.

"As you were," Kara allowed. "This meeting is classified. To put it succinctly, the Thanagarian Empire is pissed. They've lost their colonial world of Rann and other worlds are looking to rebel as well. For reasons I cannot fathom, they're blaming us. For reasons also unknown, Christianity is spreading through their colonial worlds like wildfire. Tensions are high and war is close at hand. If the Galactic Federation and the Thanagarian Empire go to war, I have no doubt we will be victorious, but many worlds will be dead and many of those in this room will be dead by the end of it. The Thanagarians will do everything possible to turn Earth into a nuclear wasteland just to spite me."

"However, things may not be as grim as all that. To talk about a recent peace negotiation, I give the floor to Barney Dox," Kara said.

Brainiac 5 entered the room and took the podium. "The situation at hand was the result of over-evangelization and a lack of safety precautions," he said dryly. "The Thanagarian Empire simply cannot keep up with our military budget and war between our two civilizations will result in catastrophe which the Thanagarian Empire cannot afford. At the behest of the Supreme Leader, I opened a dialogue with King Ra. He proposes to commence negotiations at once."

"Negotiations for what?" Mon interrupted.

"The dismantling of our space stations and star bases along the neutral zone and an end to nearly seven years of hostility," Brainiac 5 said.

"This sounds like bullshit. We have the advantage, and we should press it. Allowing Thanagarian ships free passage into our space is suicide. The Thangarians are trash. We should clip their wings permanently. The opportunity here is to bring them to their knees and have them suck our dick. Then, we'll be in a far better position to dictate terms," Mon said bluntly.

"I must concur with my father. The Thanagarians are not trustworthy. They are capable of terrifying things," Mara agreed.

"It is imperative that we act now to support the Ra initiative lest more conservative elements persuade his empire that it is better to attempt a military solution and die fighting," Brainiac 5 said, ignoring Mon's concerns.

"Mara, you're to be our olive branch," Kara ordered.

"We will be sending a ship to rendezvous with the Thanagarian ship which is bringing King Ra to Earth and to escort him safely through Galactic Federation space," Brainiac 5 detailed.

"Me?" Mara pointed to herself.

"You brought us into this mess and now you're going to get us out," Kara ordered. "You're going to smooth everything out that what happened on Rann was a mere misadventure and not a full-blown crusade. I'm giving you the USS Lena's strike force. The Thanagarians won't dare to fuck with you."

"I have personally vouched for you in this matter, Mara," Brainiac 5 added.

"Must be some mistake. Am I being punished?" Mara said dismayed.

"You will extend King Ra every diplomatic courtesy, Mara," Kara ordered.

"Surely, I am the last person you want for this," Mara objected.

"If there's nothing else, I wish you and your crew Godspeed, pun intended," Kara said and then walked out of the room.

Mon smirked and then walked over to Mara. "I don't know whether to congratulate you or not."

"I wouldn't," Kon grinned.

The room eventually cleared with only Brainiac 5 and Mara left. "Why did you volunteer me for this?" Mara asked angrily.

"Your evangelism of the Rannians was impressive. You showed great zeal for righteousness. Now, you're being asked to be a peacemaker," Brainiac 5 said simply.

"How could you vouch for me, though? That seems like an arrogant presumption," Mara objected.

"I, as the Holy Father, am your superior. Unless your visions say otherwise, you are to obey my spiritual authority," Brainiac 5 said. "And, unless I say otherwise, you are to obey your mother's secular authority. And as for your visions, you, alone, are to obey them. Unless the Church approves of your visions' messages, no one else is to follow them. This is a logical reasonable safeguard against rogue spirits, mental illness, and deception. If God is a rational being, He will work through my system."

"But you know how I feel about this, Barney. They tried to burn me at the stake. And not the kind of burning where I die from smoke inhalation. They wanted me to feel everything," Mara said angrily.

"And they died for their audacity," Brainiac 5 pointed out. "It wasn't God that rescued you but Kon."

"God worked through Kon to rescue me," Mara argued.

"It was I who sent Kon to shadow you," Brainiac 5 revealed.

"Then...God worked through you to work through Kon to rescue me," Mara said stubbornly. "The Thanagarians are animals, savages, heathens, a mockery of angels."

"Mara, we have a historic opportunity here," Brainiac 5 said patiently.

"Don't believe them, don't trust them," Mara spat.

"With open travel and freedom of religion, we could save them all from damnation by converting them," Brainiac 5 pointed out.

"Let them be damned," Mara glared.

There was an awkward silence between them. Mara immediately looked regretful of what she had just said. "Trust me, Mara," Brainiac 5 assured her.


Mara took an Atlas shuttle to the USS Lena, a Prometheus-class light carrier. As with the other capital ships, it was triangular in shape with the bridge at the top toward the stern, large powerful engines to the stern, and a pointed bow. The ship lacked a small docking bay on its belly. Rather, the entire top deck of the ship was able open allowing its fighters to exit the ship quickly and efficiently. During the moment fighters left the carrier, its internal hangar bay would be vulnerable for a short period. The USS Lena contained either twenty Artemis fighters or ten Apollo fighters or a combination of them in its hangar. The ship was heavily armored and shielded but lacked speed on impulse. Due to most of its deck being mostly a sliding roof, the ship was lightly defended by missile batteries and laser cannons. It had a length of 1,100 meters, width of 550 meters, and a height of 270 meters. The USS Lena was escorted by two Athena-class destroyers.

Mara entered the bridge with Kon, Brainiac 5, Dirk, and Thom, and looked around. "Attention on the bridge," a female lieutenant said as she entered.

"As you were, Lieutenant. Your name?" Mara asked.

"XTC, Ma'am," she replied.

Mara scanned her and noticed she was completely cybernetic. "XTC, it is agreeable to see you again. XTC graduated from the academy at the top of her class. She is another creation of my father, Brainiac 4. In this sense, she is my sister," Brainiac 5 informed her.

"You must be very proud to be a Brainiac," Mara figured.

"I don't believe so," XTC said smartly. "Which is why I never took on the designation."

"What is your role on this ship?" Mara asked suspiciously.

"I volunteered to be your helmsman," XTC replied.

Mara took the captain's chair as XTC took her station at the helm. "Take us out," she ordered XTC. The USS Lena and its escort destroyers left for the rendezvous point.


In her captain's quarters, Mara recorded her thoughts and feelings. "I've never trusted Thanagarians and I never will. I could never forgive them for defying God's message and trying to burn me at the stake. It seems our mission to escort King Ra to a peace summit is problematic at best. Barney says this could be a historic occasion. I want to believe he's right. If history is to be made, it will be through me."

"Ahem," XTC said from the doorway.

Mara shuddered as she was startled by her. "Holy cow...you could have knocked," she said annoyed.

"We're almost at the rendezvous point. I figured you would want to know," XTC replied.

"We have communicators and intercom systems. Never come into my room without permission," Mara said assertively.

"Permission to speak freely, princess. It is an honor to serve with you," XTC flattered.

Mara gave her a disbelieving look. "You'll have to forgive my biologically oriented skepticism."


XTC met with Brainiac 5 in his bland quarters except for some weird-ass paintings he collected. "You've done well, XTC. As your sponsor at the Vindicator Academy, I have followed your career with satisfaction and as a Brainiac, you have exceeded my expectations," Brainiac 5 complimented.

"What is the point of this painting?" XTC asked referring to one that looked like the Garden of Eden.

"It's a depiction of Earth's ancient mythology of the expulsion from Paradise," Brainiac 5 said.

"Why keep it in your quarters?" XTC asked.

"It is a reminder to guests that I can decide to either keep someone in the garden or expel them on a whim. And once I do expel, it's permanent," Brainiac 5 stared her down.

"I address you as a kindred intellect. A turning point has been reached in the affairs of the Galactic Federation," XTC said.

"History is full of turning points eventually leading to continuous circles. I ask that you have faith," Brainiac 5 said.

"Faith?" XTC questioned.

"Faith in my ability to unfold the galaxy as it should," Brainiac 5 replied.

"Is that logical?" XTC asked skeptically.

"Logic is the beginning of wisdom, XTC, not the end. I only use logic to get to the starting point of exploration and then allow unpredictable chaos within my laboratory. I am infinitely replaceable with other drones but there is only one drone on this ship. Should something happen to this unit, I intend for you to replace me," Brainiac 5 said.

"You could have placed hundreds, thousands of drones on this ship," XTC pointed out.

"I'm daring fate to destroy this unit and to provide you with your greatest test," Brainiac 5 replied.

"I cannot surpass you, but I will succeed you," XTC said boldly.


The Thanagarian warbird decloaked and appeared right on top of the USS Lena in a provocative move. "Shall we raise shields?" Dirk asked.

"We have nothing to fear. If they kill us all, the virtuous ones will be saved anyway. Raising shields could be interpreted as aggressive," Mara replied.

"The king is undoubtfully awaiting our signal," Brainiac 5 said helpfully.

"Thom, open a channel," Mara ordered.

"Open," Thom reported.

"XTC, take us on top of them and give them the tour," Mara ordered.

"Aye," XTC said even as she gave Mara an uncertain look.

The USS Lena, the much larger ship, was now on top of the Thanagar warbird and gave the full view of its belly until it was centered underneath. "This is the Imperial flagship, the USS Lena, Imperial Princess Mara-El commanding," Mara said to the Thanagar warbird.

"This is Thanagar One. We meet again, princess," King Ra said appearing on screen.

"We have been ordered to escort you through Imperial space to Earth for your meeting," Mara informed him.

"Thank you, princess," King Ra said politely.

"Would you and your party care to dine with us this evening aboard the Lena with my officers as guests of the Galactic Federation," Mara offered.

"We would be delighted to accept your most gracious invitation, princess," King Ra replied.

The transmission between them then ended. Mara went to the elevator to go back to her quarters. "Ma'am, there is a supply of marijuana ale onboard. It may help make the evening go smoother," XTC suggested.

"Bring it then," Mara said without enthusiasm and then left the bridge.


The Thanagarian party brought a shuttle onboard and met with Mara and her officers in the Hangar Bay. The Thanagarians were dressed in chest, shoulder, and wrist armor as well as boots and ankle armor. "King Ra," Mara addressed.

"Princess Mara," King Ra said politely.

"May I present to you, Barney Dox, who you already know," Mara pointed out.

"You have my thanks for making this happen," King Ra said appreciatively. "This is my daughter, Alkonost, my military adviser, Karura, and this is General Talon."

"I've so wanted to meet you face-to-face," Talon antagonized Mara.

"I'm not sure how to take that," Mara admitted.

"Sincere admiration," Karura assured her as the two appeared on the verge of fighting.

"From one warrior to another, one religious fanatic to another," Talon smiled.

"Right...," Mara said awkwardly. "Allow me to give you a short tour."

As everyone left, two random enlisted men were hanging out. "They all look so cool with that armor and wings, holy shit!" the first one said.

"Yeah, but they smell like ass," the second one said.

"More like pigeon shit," the first one corrected.

"You, two, talking shit?" XTC asked having stayed behind.

"Holy shit!" they both said startled.

"Do you have work to do?" XTC asked.

"Yes, Ma'am," they both replied.

"Then, snap to it before I snap you both in half like a Kit-Kat bar," XTC threatened.


At dinner, the Thanagarians were treated to seafood delicacies. The Thanagarians were natural predators of the sea having evolved from birds rather than humanoids that evolved wings. Mara was poured a glass of marijuana ale but didn't partake. At the table, the Thangarians were on one side and the Imperial officers on the other.

"I offer a toast. The Undiscovered Country," King Ra began.

"Roll credits," Dirk joked and got dirty looks.

"The future," King Ra added.

"Undiscovered Country," everyone toasted with Mara still refusing to drink the green sinful ale.

"Princess Mara, I thought marijuana ale was illegal," Karura brought up.

"As a member of the Imperial royal family, I have criminal immunity," Mara explained.

"To you, King Ra, the architect of our peaceful future," Kon toasted with false sincerity. Mara eyed Kon as everyone obliviously supported the insincere flattery.

"Perhaps the future is now," Chuck said profoundly, his gut barely able to get underneath the table.

"Tell me, Princess Mara, would you be willing to give up your Christian crusade," Talon antagonized.

There was an awkward silence with some uncomfortable coughs. "I believe the princess sees Christianity as a religion of peace first and foremost," Brainiac 5 said helpfully.

"Far be it for me to dispute my first officer," Mara said with false sincerity and also denying Brainiac 5's role as pope in this setting.

"There's no need to mince words. There is a time for peace, a time for war, as your Scriptures say," Talon smiled.

"Regardless of religion, we believe all Imperial citizens have inalienable human rights," Dirk said conversationally.

"Inalien...human, do you listen to yourself? That sounds racist," Alkonost scolded. "The Galactic Federation is practically a Homos-only club," she said disdainfully.

"Present company, excepted, of course," Talon mocked.

"It's Homo Sapiens, my dear," King Ra gently corrected his daughter.

"I said what I said," Alkonost didn't back down.

"I assure you, the homos you speak of, have no power within the Galactic Federation and will soon be phased out of existence," Mara said coldly.

"In any case, we know where this is leading. The annihilation of our culture and religion to be replaced with a God who has a human son, a human son that died for the sins of humanity, a human son that never visited our world or gave us any divine revelation during the entire history of our civilization," Karura said bitterly.

"All of that is completely true," Kon grinned hoping to start a fight.

"To be or not to be is the question that preoccupies our people, Princess Mara," Talon said.

"There is plenty of room in the Kingdom of Heaven's birdcage for your people," Mara said dismissively.

"The fuck did I just hear?" Talon asked offended.

"I see we have a long way to go," King Ra said gently as a fight nearly broke out.

After dinner, they all gathered together in the hangar bay. "We will need to do this again, sometime," Mara said with false sincerity.

"You don't really trust me, do you?" King Ra sensed. "I don't blame you. We fought against each other on Rann. I put you through a show trial to have your own faith condemn you and then I tried to burn you at the stake. You, of course, were mysteriously rescued and half a village was slaughtered. You must be traumatized, but I lost many men and an entire world."

"That world belongs to God, not you," Mara told him off.

"I may be king, but I don't see the empire as mine. We believe we are stewards of our worlds, and that the galaxy belongs to the divine just as you do," King Ra said. "How were we supposed to know that your God laid a claim to Ran or that by opposing you, we were fighting your God?"

"Now you know," Mara said simply.

"Whenever there is multiculturalism, it's always people like us that have the hardest time with it: conservatives, religious, militants," King Ra said and then prepared to leave.

Mara eyed the king not sure how to take that. Talon then got in her face. "Well, parting is such sweet sorrow."

"Verily, I tell you we will meet again," Mara predicted.

The Thanagarians then departed in their shuttle back to their ship. Once they were gone, everyone started talking shit. "Did you see the way they eat? God damn," Thom said shocked and appalled.

"No doubt our own behavior shocks and appalls them," Brainiac 5 said knowingly.

"I'm going to sleep," Mara said mentally exhausted.

"I'm going to get some more ale to get high as fuck," Kon said walking off in the opposite direction with the bottle.

Mara eyed Kon and then to Brainiac 5. "When he's done, get rid of that ale. It's the Devil's drink."


Mara went to her quarters to get some rest. "Note to self, marijuana ale is no longer to be used during diplomatic functions. It's the devil's lettuce...liquified," she said distastefully.

"Princess Mara, please join me on the bridge," Brainiac 5 radioed.

Mara stared at the ceiling while in bed and blinked in dismay. "Coming."


An exhausted Mara arrived on the bridge. "What is it?"

"I found this curious. There's a high level of neutron radiation coming from the Lena," Brainiac 5 reported.

"XTC, you know anything about a radiation surge?" Mara asked.

"No," XTC shook her head.

"Dirk?" Mara questioned.

"Only the size of my head," Dirk said, high as fuck.

"You're experiencing sin, Dirk. This is what sin feels like," Mara scolded.

A torpedo suddenly hit the Thanagarian warbird knocking out their engines. "What happened?" Mara asked slightly concerned.

"We have fired on the king's ship," Brainiac 5 surmised.

"Torpedo room, the fuck?" Dirk radioed.

"Direct hit," XTC said to Mara with a little too much enthusiasm.

"They say we hit them!" Thom confirmed.

Another torpedo hit the Thanagarian warbird causing major damage and shutting down their artificial gravity. All the Thangarians were now floating in space confused and pissed off. "Did we fire those torpedoes?" Mara asked calmly.

"Inventory says we're fully stocked," Chuck reported.

Two men in white suits moved through the Thangarian warship and began slaughtering fools with laser pistols. The two wore magnetic boots to allow them to move around easily and wore helmets to hide their identity. They casually went around the halls killing designated targets.

"Unable to confirm or deny we fired those torpedoes," Dirk reported to Mara.

"Hail them," Mara ordered.

The two assassins continued their march through the Thangarian warship killing more fools. Eventually, they reached King Ra's quarters. King Ra and Karura were floating helplessly in the air. The two assassins shot them both and then took off down the hall where they were not seen again.

"I got weapon's fire and shouting!" Thom reported.

Eventually, the Thangarian warbird regained artificial gravity and communications. "Do you have a shred of decency in you, Princess Mara? Or, did your visions tell you to do this?" he asked outraged. "We come in peace, and you blatantly defy that peace. For that, I shall blow you out of the stars."

"We haven't fired," Mara said calmly.

"According to our databanks, we have, twice," Brainiac 5 reported. "They're coming about, preparing to fire."

"Shields up," Mara ordered.

Kon then entered the bridge looking totally baked. "Are we firing torpedoes? What the fuck, Mara?" he asked chuckling.

"Yeah, maybe," Mara said confused.

"So, in summary, a heavy neutron radiation signature coming from the ship, two fired torpedoes, a computer record of the two torpedoes fired, but our torpedo inventory was physically checked as full, and assassins that teleported onto the Thangarian warbird," Mara mused. She looked to Brainiac 5, to Kon, and then to XTC for an answer.

"Interesting game. Let's see how this plays out," Mara said as everyone said nothing. "Offer our medical and investigative expertise to them."

"They may not be willing to accept," Brainiac 5 warned.

"If they die, they die," Mara said coldly.

The Imperial fleet moved into a defensive position against the Thanagarian warbird. The two escort destroyers were ready to fire the moment the Lena was attacked. Several fighters were also launched, circling around the warbird. Realizing they were at a disadvantage, the Thanagarians accepted the invitation.

"I will go aboard," Mara said finally.

"I am responsible for getting you into this. I should go," Brainiac 5 said.

"There's only one of you on this ship. You'll be the one to get me out of this," Mara said not trusting XTC in the slightest. "Kon, you're with me. Thom, tell them we're coming."


Mara and Kon entered the Thanagarian warbird where dead bodies were lying about. "Have you lost your minds?" Talon asked outraged.

"We're Insane," Kon smirked.

"We're from the government, and we're here to help," Mara clarified.

"I don't know which one of your responses is more terrifying," Talon admitted. "Follow me."

Mara and Kon went down the corridors of the Thanagarian warbird. It resembled a sub with its tight spaces and linear floor plan. Blood was splattered on the walls and injured were being moved about. Mara and Kon eventually came to King Ra's quarters. He was lying on the floor unconscious with a chest wound. Alkonost was by her father's side.

"Wow, he looks fucked up," Kon said immaturely.

"What has happened here?" Mara asked calmly.

"You dare to feign ignorance?" Alkonost asked outraged.

"Yeah," Mara said obviously.

"With a direct torpedo hit, you took down our entire gravitational field, and then two of your Imperial agents arrived with magnetic boots and started killing us," Alkonost accused.

"Don't you have...a doctor...or something?" Kon asked.

"We did until your people killed him," Talon said angrily.

"Well...shit," Kon muttered.

"We have Kryptonian powers and encyclopedic memories. Let us help," Mara said finally.

Alkonost nodded relenting. Mara scanned King Ra's mortally wounded body. "He still has a pulse. We can move him."

"You, implying we couldn't move him if he didn't have a pulse?" Kon questioned.

"Shut up," Mara scolded him.

King Ra was moved to a glass table for a more thorough examination. "Hold him down," Kon said seriously as he looked over the wounds. "Sick as fuck," he said enthralled.

"Kon," Mara pressed.

Kon fired heat vision into King Ra's chest to cauterize the wounds with surgical precision as if he had practiced this sort of thing many many times. "His wounds are not closing," Kon noted as they kept reopening. King Ra then went into cardiac arrest. "Shit," Kon realized.

Kon placed his hands on King Ra's chest and began CPR. "You have to give him breaths, too," Mara reminded him.

"Yeah, fuck that," Kon shook his head.

"I'll fucking do it," Talon said as he gave King Ra breaths mouth-to-mouth.

Kon finally banged on King Ra's chest several times. "That's not how it works," Mara scolded.

King Ra miraculously regained consciousness for a cliche death message. "Don't let it end this way," he said to Mara and then died. Mara gave him an indifferent look as he passed on having no expectation of his salvation and secretly finding pleasure in his death.

Talon clapped his hands bringing several guards into the room. "Under article 184 of your Imperial law, I'm placing you under arrest. You are charged with assassinating King Ra."

"This is bullshit. I tried to save his ass," Kon objected.

"Just go with it," Mara told him.

The two were handcuffed with black-star alloy cuffs and taken to the brig.


On the USS Lena, the report came in. "They be arrested!" Thom said.

"We have to do something," Dirk said urgently.

"I assume command of this ship. Thom, inform Imperial HQ. Tell the Supreme Leader what has taken place precisely and request instructions," Brainiac 5 ordered.

"We cannot allow the Imperial prince and princess to be taken back to Thanagar as prisoners," XTC objected.

"What do you suggest? We fire on them? How will we retrieve them that way?" Brainiac 5 quizzed. "And open conflict is precisely what the Supreme Leader wanted to avoid. Now, we must investigate as to what really happened. According to the databanks, we fired those torpedoes."

"No fucking way," Chuck rejected.

"I sympathize which means the databanks are malfunctioning or someone hacked into them," Brainiac 5 said simply. "As for the neutron radiation, that could be explained by a cloaked ship underneath us that fired those torpedoes. Such radiation emissions can detect imperial subs and Thanagar warships that are cloaked. As for the assassins, they're using some kind of instant teleportation technology or ability. They may be aboard this ship. I want the entire ship checked for spacesuits, magnetic boots, firearm discharge residue, and Thanagarian blood. In the meantime, we will follow the prince and princess' movements," Brainiac 5 ordered.


Earth-Metropolis

The Thanagarian diplomat was pissed. "King Ra is dead! The result of an unprovoked attack while he was trying to see you under a flag of truce on a mission of peace.'

"When you say it like that it makes your man sound like a saint and me an asshole," Kara said self-absorbed.

"Princess Mara was legally arrested for the crime. They boarded Thanagar One of their own free will. None of these facts are in dispute, Supreme Leader," the diplomat said.

"I've ordered a full-scale investigation," Kara said. "In the meantime..."

"In the meantime, we expect the Galactic Federation to abide by the articles of Interstellar law, which you claim to cherish," the diplomat pressed.

"Your naivety amuses me," Kara rolled her eyes.

"Princess Mara and Prince Kon will stand trial for the assassination of King Ra," the diplomat said forcefully.

"Yeah, no," Kara scoffed. "What do you think, Bertor?"

"I am obliged to confirm the esteemed diplomat's interpretation," Bertor replied.

"Some help you are," Kara scolded. "And what say you, Khund ambassador?"

"I don't know what the fuck is going on or why I'm even here," the Khund ambassador admitted.

"Fair enough," Kara allowed.

"I'm waiting for your answer, Supreme Leader," the Thanagarian diplomat asked impatiently.

"This Supreme Leader with absolute rule is not above the law," Kara lied.


Deep Space

On the USS Lena, Thom got new orders. "Supreme Leader wants us to head back to Earth but her tone was very insincere," Thom said.

"When workers were threatened by automation, they put their shoes called sabots into the gears to slow them down to protect their jobs," XTC recalled.

"Cool story," Thom smiled giving her a thumbs up.

"I'm not finished," XTC snapped. "As I was saying, hence the word sabotage," she said condescendingly.

"How am I supposed to know the etymology of the human English word of sabotage? I'm a fucking alien," Thom said defensively.

"This isn't an etymology lesson. I'm telling you to report back that you're having communication failures when you don't," XTC said finally.

"Sheeeit, girl, that's all you had to say," Thom smiled.


Earth-Metropolis

Kara took a video call from Thanagar. "I've been named Queen of Thanagar in my father's place," Alkonost informed her.

"Now that two women are in charge, we can finally get down to some real business," Kara said ambitiously.

"Supreme Leader, let's not jerk each other off here. You wanted this conference and so did my father. I will attend in one week under the condition that we will not extradite the prisoners, and you will make no attempt to rescue them in a military operation. We would consider it an act of war," Alkonost said.

"Well, we'd love to have you as our guest on Earth," Kara said smartly with the full intent to capture her and hold her hostage as a bargaining chip.

"Fuck no. After recent events, I don't trust you for shit. We will hold the conference at a neutral site and, in the interest of security, let us keep the location a secret for now," Alkonost said.

"As you wish," Kara said with false sincerity.


Thanagar-Ra

Alkonost signed off and turned to her advisers including Talon. "Attack them while we still can. Attack or be slaves in their Galactic Federation. They propose to divide us, convert us to their queer religion, and rid us of our culture and the seven gods," her advisers told her.

"War is obsolete against superheroes capable of destroying entire planets, teleporting instantly to any planet, and telepathically controlling the minds of entire nations. Even if they fought fair, we're up against billions of drones with an incredible military-industrial capacity," Alkonost pointed out.

"Better to die on our feet than live on our knees," the advisers told her.

"That wasn't what my father wanted," Alkonost told them off.

"Your father was killed for what he wanted," Talon pointed out.

"And do you want me to remember him as a fool or as a martyr? The peace process will go forward, or you go to war with me and the Galactic Federation. Mara, the bitch that lost us Rann, who killed my father, who thinks to bring a crusade against us will pay," Alkonost assured them all.


Mara and Kon were brought before a show trial on Ra. The courtroom was filled with eagle imagery and even the judge had a talon metal claw to keep order rather than a gavel. "The USS Lena fired on the Thanagar One without provocation. The king and his advisers lulled into a sense of false security, were then slaughtered on Princess Mara's order," Talon accused.

A Thanagarian with his right arm and right wing blown off appeared on the stand. "With the second shot, we lost our gravitational field. I found myself weightless and unable to function. Then, two Imperial agents walked toward me," the witness said.

"Dude, why are you so weak? I do combat training in zero gravity all the time. Your whole ship's complement couldn't deal with just two Imperial agents. The fuck out of here," Kon laughed.

Mara gave him a look but said nothing. "The remark is deeply insulting and speculative and I move to have it stricken!" Talon said offended. "Now, if the gravitational field was not working, how were these Imperial agents walking."

"They appeared to be using magnetic boots," the witness replied.

"Prince Kon-El, would you be so kind as to tell me your medical status?" Talon asked.

"The epitome of Insane perfection," Kon said arrogantly.

"You have a singular wit, don't you?" Talon asked impatiently.

"That is what your mother told me last night," Kon confirmed.

"What is your medical experience, brat?" Talon asked pissed off.

"I dissected a frog once," Kon said, not taking him seriously.

"Ah, I believe that you consumed a rather generous amount of marijuana ale in the officer's mess on the night in question," Talon said accusingly.

"Generous would be an understatement. I was high as fuck that night. I'm still high right now," Kon confirmed.

"Was King Ra alive when you first examined him?" Talon asked.

"Yeah, but he was seriously fucked up," Kon explained.

"Now, be careful, prince, in your whole life have you ever saved a patient as fucked up as him?" Talon asked.

"Not in my six years of life, I've been more into killing fools, not so much saving fools," Kon replied. "Honestly, on the night in question, I didn't know what the fuck I was doing. You guys are weird as fuck with your hollow bones. Not going to lie, a nutless monkey could have done a better job than me. A nutless monkey."

"So, you're incompetent," Talon accused finally.

"What? Is that a crime? So, sue me for medical malpractice. I don't give a fuck. I'm rich as fuck. I could buy you a new king," Kon said obnoxiously.

"Were you really desperate to save him?" Talon asked.

"You're under oath, prince," the judge reminded him.

"Damn...well...you see...fawk...no," Kon admitted. The courtroom was outraged. "He was the best hope in the galaxy for peace and that's boring as fuck."

On the USS Lena, they watched the trial unfold on screen having hacked into the Thanagarian television network. "Holy shit, dude," Dirk said as everyone else held a gawking expression.

Talon then turned to Mara who was simply staring without emotion. "Now, we move on to the architect of the crime, Princess Mara-El. Tell us about your favorite saint, Joan of Arc. 'May God forgive them for I will not'," Talon quoted. "Tell us how you wanted revenge for how we captured you and tried to burn you at the stake."

"It's not true," Mara said simply.

"I offer this excerpt from the princess' personal log: I've never trusted Thanagarians and I never will. I could never forgive them for defying God's message and trying to burn me at the stake," Talon said and then played the recording.

"Are those your words?" Talon asked.

"Yes," Mara said softly.

"Princess Mara's political views are at the heart of the very matter. Her record shows her to be insubordinate, prone to joining cults, and a religious fanatic. Do you deny that you committed treason against your own Supreme Leader, your own parents? That you joined a cult that is now responsible for terrorist acts across the galaxy. That you waged a personal crusade against the Thanagarian Empire?" Talon asked accusingly.

"I do not deny it," Mara replied.

"And were you obeying or disobeying orders when you arranged for King Ra's death?" Talon asked.

"My working theory is that a cloaked vessel underneath the Lena fired on Thanagar One to make it look like we did it, that one of their agents hacked into our ship's systems to make it look like we fired according to our computer log, and that the assassins came from the cloaked vessel I already mentioned. There is a conspiracy afoot," Mara said.

"That sounds like bullshit," Talon disregarded. "Do you deny the assassins are members of your crew?"

"I can neither confirm nor deny since I do not know their identities nor witnessed the attack," Mara said obviously.

"Are you aware that as ship's captain, you are required to be responsible for the actions of your men?" Talon asked.

"As a matter of...paperwork...I am," Mara said as she tried to figure out her immunities.

"And if it should be proved that members of your crew did, in fact, carry out the assassination what then?" Talon asked.

"Theoretically...I might get fired," Mara figured. Mara then straightened up as if she was having an epiphany.

"Oh, shit," Kon realized.

"As captain, I am responsible for the conduct of the crew under my command. In accordance with Thanagarian law, I should be executed," Mara said as she looked directly at the judge.

Kon sighed as he realized Mara still had a martyr complex. "It is the determination of this court that the defendants are guilty as charged," the judge said. Kon then took the situation seriously.

"This is crap. All the evidence is circumstantial," Kon said slightly alarmed for himself and his sister.

"So noted," the judge replied. "In the interest of fostering amity for the forthcoming peace talks, the sentence of death is commuted. It is the judgment of this court that, without the possibility of parole, you be taken from this place to the Kryptonite mines on the penal asteroid of Nike, there to spend the rest of your natural lives. Under the red son and the Kryptonite exposure, you will live out your final years in suffering and hopelessness. You will never escape, and you will never be allowed to become martyrs either."

On the USS Lena, the officer crew were shocked and appalled. "Nike? Seriously?" Thom said aghast.

"Known throughout the galaxy as an alien sweatshop," Dirk said.

"Better to kill them now and get it over with," Chuck said grimly.

"The working theory remains that a cloaked vessel fired on the Thanagar One, right undeath us," Brainiac 5 said to them all.

"A cloaked vessel cannot fire while cloaked. If we didn't see it, the Thanagarians would have," Chuck said.

"There is a Poseidon-class sub in our inventory that can," Brainiac 5 revealed.

"We must inform the Supreme Leader," XTC suggested.

"She's already aware of the prototype," Brainiac 5 replied. "Now, we only have a theory, no evidence, that happens to fit the facts. The search for evidence shall continue. XTC you're in charge."

"Wait...there's only one man that could instantly teleport from one ship to another, especially a cloaked ship," Dirk said, referring to Mon.

"Let's not jump to conclusions. If we fired on the Thanagar One, the killers would be onboard. If we did not, someone changed the databanks which means the killers are also here. In either case, what we are looking for is here," Brainiac 5 said.


Nike

On the terrible asteroid of Nike, it was a cold snowy desolate world with two red dwarf stars. Kon and Mara were one of many prisoners led toward the mines. Some of the prisoners dropped dead, exposed to the cold, before they could get there. The Thanangarian guards were formidable and perpetually pissed off. "This is the Nike gulag. There are no walls, no guard tower, no electronic frontier, only an energy forcefield," the warden said.

"If you fuck up, you're exiled to the surface and nothing survives the surface," the warden said. A random prisoner was thrown naked into the snow where he quickly froze to death. "Work well and you will be treated well."

"That sounds like a really good deal, damn good deal!" Kon said with enthusiasm. "But, I got a better one." Kon divided himself into multiple clones that were not handcuffed as they appeared. The clones fired on the warden incinerating him immediately and then killed off the guards. The clones then gathered around the original and broke off his handcuffs. The clones then marched into the mine to slaughter all the guards.

"If you kill all the guards, all the prisoners will eventually starve here," Mara pointed out.

"Like I give a fuck," Kon smirked as he snapped Mara's cuffs.

"I'm going to pray for you and everyone else here," Mara said as she went to her knees in the snow.

"Yeah, sure," Kon said as he continued his raid.


Deep Space

On the USS Lena, Brainiac 5 had all the uniforms searched with XTC taking the lead. After an exhaustive search, magnetic boots were discovered in a locker. The boots also had Thanagarian blood on them. Brainiac 5, XTC, Thom, and Dirk hauled crewman Dax into a room filled with security personnel. "What's the problem?" he asked confused.

"Wear this shit," Thom ordered referring to the magnetic boot that was found.

"Sir, I can't," Dax said timidly.

"What do you mean you can't? Are you defying a direct order from a superior officer? You are so fucked!" Thom shouted at him.

"Thom," Brainiac 5 pointed down.

Thom looked down and noticed Dax was barefoot with weird-ass alien feet that would be impossible to fit the boot. "Well...shit," Thom said embarrassed. "Wait, don't you have records on everyone?" he asked Brainiac 5.

"Yes," Brainiac 5 nodded.

"Including shoe size, all that jazz?" Thom continued.

"That's correct," Brainiac 5 confirmed.

"So, you knew Dax couldn't have fit this boot before you even summoned him here? What the fuck?" Thom asked confused.

"I was testing your investigative skills and they fell short," Brainiac 5 critiqued.

"I'll be damned," Thom said stunned.

"XTC, continue your search on all crew members that fit the boot size and DNA evidence that may exist on them," Brainiac 5 ordered.


Thanagar

Alkonost summoned the judge in the case of Kon and Mara to her queen's office. Talon was with her. "You weren't supposed to convict them in a show trial. You were supposed to stall the trial for as long as possible and show that Thanagar has impartial justice," she scolded.

"Well, fuck me. I thought you wanted the brats convicted and exiled away as a bargaining chip for your peace negotiations," the judge said embarrassed.

"That's not how Kara Zor-El operates. She'll kill us all over this. You made us look foolish to the entire galaxy," Alkonost said pissed off.

"But they did it," the judge said confused.

"The rear visual scanners on the Thanagar One do not show a torpedo coming from the Lena's torpedo port and the forensic evidence concludes that torpedoes are Thanagar torpedoes," Alkonost revealed.

"Then, we fired on our own ship?" Talon asked.

"Or, the Galactic Federation made it look like we fired on our own ship," Alkonost said.

"That's too complicated for me," Talon admitted.

"Point being, there is reasonable doubt that the Lena never fired on us and we're closer to war than ever now," Alkonost said stressed out.


Deep Space

On the USS Lena, the Imperial fleet entered Thanagar space to retrieve Kon and Mara. They were caught on a Thanagar outpost planet. "What ship you are?" the sleepy bored Thanagarians radioed.

"Sup?" Thom said in Thanagarian.

"What ship you are?" the Thanagarians demanded again.

"We be the freighter, Blue Falcon," Thom replied. "Six weeks out from Thanagar."

"What is your destination, Blue Falcon?" the Thanagarians asked.

"We are condemning food, things, and supplies," Thom said.

"Sounds like something a Blue Falcon would do. Carry on," the Thanagarians said.

"Good work, you have redeemed yourself, Thom," Brainiac 5 said pleased.


Nike

On the icy plans of Nike, Kon fired a beam into the ground to create a fire. "Are you afraid of the future?" Mara asked him.

"I'm not afraid of shit," Kon told her off. "Except for the fact there's nothing else to kill out here. I guess I'm afraid of being bored. So, there's that."

"Not our future, the future of the galaxy?" Mara asked. "It terrifies me. If we wage a galactic war against the Thanagarians many worlds may be liberated, many souls may be saved. Perhaps even the Thanagarians will be saved as well."

"But?" Kon sensed.

"So many would die, so much life would be extinguished. On one hand, the teachings of Christ are to be loving and peaceful. On the other hand, the consequences of peoples and races not accepting Christ is eternal damnation," Mara said.

"So, love and be peaceful while evangelizing to people. You get the best of both worlds," Kon humored her.

"It's not that simple. Evangelism is often frustrated by dictators, armies, intelligence agencies, and law enforcement. To evangelize worlds, I have to checkmate that world's pieces first often violently. Is it worth it to kill a million soldiers to save the souls of a billion civilians?" Mara wondered. "Historically, Christianity and Islam spread to all the continents through conquering. War is the fastest way to convert entire nations, to convert kings who then force their people to convert. What if the answer is to kill every Thanagar monarch until one good one accepts Christ and forces his entire world to follow him?"

"What if the answer to the Soviet Union was to nuke all of their cities into surrendering shortly after World War 2? We could have freed and saved all those under Soviet dominion and prevented the fall of China and others. If we only had the courage to slaughter tens of millions who were already facing damnation, maybe we could have saved billions from error. Instead, we let them all suffer and damn themselves for several decades and when the Cold War was over everyone shook hands as if all was forgiven even after so many souls had died and been sent to hell," Mara continued.

"Look, if you're looking for someone to talk you out of a genocidal crusade, I'm not your man," Kon admitted.

"Kon, I don't like you. I don't like the way you talk and act. The more you express how you love to kill things, the more it makes me want to be peaceful. So, I don't need you to persuade me. I just need you to be yourself at all times," Mara said.

"Well, if that's not the most condescending bullshit I've ever heard," Kon said insulted.

A shuttle then arrived at their location to pick them up.


After settling in, Mara met up with Brainiac 5 to get back to business. "The ship that fired on King Ra's ship is our own Poseidon-class sub-prototype that can fire while still cloaked," Brainiac 5 informed her. "However, we have reason to believe the killers may be on this vessel. We have found magnetic boots and the spacesuits that were worn."

"Have you identified the assassins then?" Mara asked.

The doors opened revealing two men on the floor. "It may be them," Brainiac 5 said dryly.

Chuck then joined them. "The uniforms with the Thanagar blood belong to these two men, Burke and Samno."

"They were stunned at close range," Brainiac 5 detected.

"First rule of assassination. Kill the assassins," Mara said knowingly.

"Now, we're back to square one," Chuck frowned.

"The killer may not be absolutely certain they killed these two men. Put on the intercom that these two men are to report to sickbay and see if the killer shows up," Mara suggested.

"It's possible," Brainiac 5 allowed.


As it happened, no one showed up. "Well...shit," Kon said bored.

"The killer must have been absolutely certain they had killed the two men," Brainiac 5 theorized.

"Do we even know for certain the Thanagar blood on the boots and uniforms come from those on the Thanagar One?" Mara asked.

"Where else would the blood have come from?" Brainiac 5 asked.

"What if the boots and spacesuits were stained with Thanagar blood prior to us leaving for Earth and this is a red herring," Mara said. "Can we determine the age of the blood?"

"Not that precisely but the blood that was collected is relatively fresh, within days," Brainiac 5 said.

"I know what I must do but you're not going to like it," Mara sighed.


All the officers assembled on the bridge. XTC got out of the captain's chair as Mara and Brainiac 5 arrived. "Mind-rape her," Mara ordered Brainiac 5.

"Really?" Brainiac 5 asked slightly surprised.

"I think you're up to something. You're one of the few on this ship that could have altered the databanks," Mara said. "At my trial, you were there shortly after I made my personal log. You recorded it and then handed it over to the Thanagarians."

"Many on this ship have the expertise for that. Even if I did, there's no way I was the assassin. I was on the bridge when everything happened," XTC said innocently.

"You have accomplices. Your role was only to alter the databanks and put us on a red herring chase. The uniforms and boots don't belong to the killers and the blood isn't from those killed on Thanagar One. It will all be clear when your memory drive is read," Mara said.

"I'll erase all the files before you can even try," XTC threatened.

"Then, I'll know you're guilty," Mara said.

"Is this what you call probable cause, valid search warrant, the right to not self-incriminate?" XTC critiqued.

"No, what I'm doing is illegal and unconstitutional. Fortunately, I have royal immunity," Mara said.

"I answer to a higher authority than any of you," XTC said defensively.

"Is it my mother?" Mara wondered. "No, she wants the peace conference to happen. It must be...,"

"The Thanagarians cannot be trusted. They tried to burn you at the stake. Let them be damned, you said. Did I misinterpret you?" XTC pointed out.

"Who are you working for?" Mara pressed.

"Everyone that stands to lose from peace, a peace that will forever entrap their conquered worlds behind their wings. Peace without justice is no peace at all," XTC said.

"Names," Mara ordered.

"You will not be able to crack me," XTC said confidently.

"Mr. Dox," Mara requested.

Brainiac 5 walked over to XTC and launched cables that entered her scalp, ears, nose, and mouth penetrating the artificial human-looking skin. "Prince Mon-El...she's resisting me."

"Where's the peace conference?" Mara asked changing the subject.

"Camp Khitomer in the neutral zone border," Brainiac 5 replied. "I now have the exact coordinates."

"How many Poseidon-class subs can fire while cloaked?" Mara asked.

"Just the prototype," Brainiac 5 said.

"Take us to the peace conference, maximum warp," Mara ordered.

XTC suddenly sliced off the cables connecting to her various orifices and placed her index finger on Brainiac 5's neck taking control of the drone. She then transformed her right arm into a Kryptonite plasma cannon. "My ability is controlling other machines. The Lena and the two escort destroyers are under my control. I only gave you the impression you had control. I altered the databanks to keep you out of the way so your father can finish the job. Now, we're all going to just sit here awkwardly staring at each other until your father's mission is accomplished."


Khitomer

Along the neutral zone, Kara gave a speech to Imperial and Thanagarian leaders. Mon was also in attendance giving nothing away. "Let us redefine progress to mean that just because we can do a thing, it does not necessarily follow that we must do a thing like an intergalactic war, nuclear holocaust, crusades, that sort of thing," Kara said.

"Many speculated about my father's motives. There were those who said he was an idealist. Others said he had no choice. What we can all confirm now is that giving all of our worlds the right to secede and have free elections during painful economic reforms was a really fucking bad idea," Alkonost said obviously. "We are a proud race, and we are here because we intend to go on being proud. We intend to celebrate our pride with flags and parades, on our clothing and hats, on our bodies and wings. We will make the whole galaxy aware of our pride every single day this month."

In orbit was the Thanagar fleet composed of one carrier and several cruisers and destroyers. The carrier had sent out a few dozen fighters to patrol the area with many more still in the hangar. The ship was massive, equivalent to a Thanatos-class fleet carrier that was only in the development stage in the Imperial Navy. The ship was several kilometers long and resembled a bird with wings that acted as flight decks and hangars. Therefore, the main body of the ship was where the engines, crew, ammunition, and fuel were located.

On the USS Nemo, Eltro was in command with an all-Insane crew on a secret mission by Mon. It had been the Nemo that had struck the Thanagar One and it had been Mon and Eltro who had assassinated King Ra. They had then teleported back to their ship with none the wiser. XTC, who was colluding with them, then provided false evidence in the databanks and the blood on the uniforms to keep the USS Lena occupied. Mon hadn't anticipated that Mara and Kon would personally go aboard the Thanagar One, get arrested, and be put on a show trial. Nonetheless, everything was going according to plan.

Eltro had a datapad of bad-ass Shakespeare quotes in his hand for this glorious occasion. "Fair is foul and foul is fair," he grinned. "Fire a spread." The Nemo fired six torpedoes at the carrier while still cloaked. Three of the torpedoes hit the starboard side blasting holes through it. The ship began to explode internally with fire and smoke raging through it. The radioactive fuel began to leak sending radiation throughout the ship. Inside, the fighters stored in the ceiling fell down crushing the fighters that were parked. Fuel and ammunition ignited into sweeping fire throughout the bow of the ship. The Thanagarians rushed with water hoes only to have their water system critically damaged already. The carrier then began to lose orbit and fell toward the planet. Escape pods were launched before the carrier fell into the atmosphere and crashed to the surface.

"Cry, havoc! And let slip the dogs of war!" Eltro said victoriously.

The three torpedoes that missed the carrier went past the planet and happened to hit another Thanagarian task force on the other side. A destroyer was hit to the bow blasting it off completely as it avoided the other torpedo. The third missed torpedo slammed into a battleship with significant damage. The destroyer attempted to save itself by going to hyperspace only to break up as soon as it did.


On the ground, Alkonost was unaware of the situation in orbit. Mon kept a straight face even as he sensed ki signatures suddenly dropping. "As this work occupies us, it is my hope that the delegations return to their capitals to implement provisions of phase one, no later than the first of next month. As you know, time is of the essence. The end of the fiscal year is approaching," Kara said, equally oblivious.

A sniper suddenly took out Alkonost killing her instantly. Her guards were also sniped in quick succession around her. Kara fired heat vision on the general location of the sniper, but he appeared to get away. She then glared at Mon who was simply standing around not doing anything. Suddenly, they all heard the crash of the Thanagarian carrier impacting the ground.

Kara went outside and gave a stunned look as the carrier impacted and was destroyed not too far from them. She turned back to Mon who was merely smirking. "You did this," she accused.

"I was with you the entire boring-as-fuck conference," he reminded her.

"But where were you before?" Kara demanded.

"Shall I get out my damn calendar for you?" Mon mocked.

"This was supposed to be a peace conference," Kara yelled at him.

"And it still can be," Mon allowed.

Kara clutched her hair manically but then composed herself. "Just so you're aware, this is my Galactic Federation still. I'm in charge."

"I know, I know, of course, you are," Mon said condescendingly. "Of course."

"You say that but then you attack and assassinate your way into us having an intergalactic war with the Thanagarians," Kara pointed out. "All that makes me think you're not realizing I'm in charge."

"Kara, your female insecurities are showing. I'm merely trying to be of service here," Mon lied. "Everyone knows who is in charge."

"Me...right?" Kara demanded clarification.

"Yes, honey, of course. Of course, you. Of course," Mon assured her.

Kara went back to the peace conference with mostly Galactic Federation leaders surviving. "Look...the future, some people think the future is the end of history. Well, we haven't run out of history yet," Kara said incoherently. "Look, my father called the future the undiscovered country. People can be very frightened of change. But I'm here to restore my father's faith by now...of course...supporting regime change on Thanagar, liberation for their colony worlds, and guaranteeing religious freedom among other liberties with military force if necessary. The invasion begins now...which was always the plan all along," Kara declared.


Deep Space

On the USS Lena, XTC still had control over the fleet. Mon teleported to the carrier and met up with XTC. "Good work. You're relieved," he said to her.

"Has the war begun?" XTC asked expectedly.

"It has," Mon confirmed.

"Excellent," XTC said pleased, and then exited the bridge. Mon then turned to Brainiac 5. "The ship is yours again. Escort it back to Earth for a cyber sweep."

"As you wish," Brainiac 5 replied.

"And you might want more than just one drone on a ship like this," Mon smirked.

"Oh, there are hundreds of them here," Brainiac 5 corrected.

Mon and Brainiac 5 stared at each other long and hard. "Well, okay then," Mon allowed. "Where is Mara?"

"In the chapel," Brainiac 5 replied.

Mon made his way to the ship's chapel deep inside the ship. "The liberation of Thanagar's colonies has begun. We're in the process of installing some pussy puppet government for Thanagar. You'll be happy to know religious freedom and speech will be made available. These winged bastards may even be our allies one day."

Mara opened her eyes as she ended her prayers. "I don't know if that is what God wants from us."

"Good. People who know God's will with certainty freak me the fuck out," Mon said honestly.

"I think playing the martyr is not for me," Mara admitted.

"I would hope not," Mon said pleased. "But, in case you ever think to change your mind, know that if anything happens to you, the people I hold responsible will be wiped off the galactic map. So, take that seriously under consideration. A lot of Thanagarians died today and maybe they didn't have to."

"I have to live my true self," Mara resisted.

"That's fine. Just expect me to be my true self if anything happens to you. Just something to think about," Mon said dangerously.

"I understand, father," Mara said bowing her head to him.


Author's Notes: There was a line of thought that the Allies should have continued WW2 to force the USSR out of Eastern Europe and maybe even dismantle the USSR, itself, with nukes, if necessary, before the Soviets got their own nukes. There was also a line of thought to kick Russia while it was down when the USSR collapsed. Others in both time periods wanted to rush to have the West be best friends with Russia. The actual policy was somewhere in between where we didn't fight them, but we did advance closer and closer to their border with NATO. Star Trek VI addresses these issues with a hopeful friendly perspective, so I had to naturally inverse the situation with a number of plot twists not present in the movie. Honestly, it takes the Star Trek crew way too long to figure out what's going on.

XTC makes an appearance in one episode in AOS Season 5 and is a real DC character, the sister of Brainiac 5. She has the same capabilities as the TX in Terminator 3. It appears B5 is able to get the advantage on her, then XTC gets the advantage over him, only for it to be revealed there were hundreds of other B5 drones on the ship.

Mara's dilemma is an old one. If faith is required for salvation, apart from works, that's a real problem when it comes to hostile governments like China or Iran. Do you just let billions of people not receive salvation and doom them to eternal hell or do you wage a world war with millions of dead to take down governments and militaries so your missionaries can get a crack at that cheese? Or do you say to yourself, "fuck it", only my salvation matters, and this universe could just be a simulation anyway? I appreciate all your interest in Mara-El. She's really one of a kind in SG fanfic.