Breaking Point
Chapter 3 of The Blue S
Despite Superman's warning, Supergirl accepted a meet with the crime boss known as the Chiller. The Man of Steel was wrestling with a few deaths he had caused, accidentally or otherwise. He envisioned things getting out of hand now that there were two Kryptonians in town.
The man at the door wore a brown shirt and yellow tie. Why did they like to advertise themselves as hoods? "Boss wants to see ya." He didn't look overly worried, since this was an obvious trap. He led the way along a well-appointed foyer and up a set of right-angle stairs.
They entered a darkly-paneled room with a view of the lake. Four other men stood around, looking decidedly on guard. Apparently their task was to prevent a poisoned Supergirl from escaping.
Seated at his desk, the Chiller wore the obligatory black shirt and silver (or white) tie. His graying hair was swept up in a pompadour. "Supergirl!" He spread arms expansively. "You honor me. So—what can I do to get you off my back?"
"You know the answer to that."
He looked taken aback, glancing left, then right. "I'm just a guy chasing the American dream. Superman understands that. Why can't you?"
"Superman, if he had the evidence, would see you behind bars," she said.
He examined bejeweled fingers. "What, are we at an impasse? I happen to know Superman doesn't approve of vandalism. But you aren't gonna stop, are you."
"Not until you're living in a cardboard shack."
The Chiller puffed out his lower lip in dour acceptance of that. "Let me appeal to your altruism. Superman is big on charity. I'd like to donate ten big ones for whatever charity takes your fancy. Count it if you want."
Here it comes, she thought. From a tower, she had seen the lead-lined box in a drawer. The other men subtly arranged themselves, two at the door, and two at the window.
The Chiller came around his desk with the box. He triumphantly whipped out the kryptonite and held in her face. "Eat that, you crazy broad!"
Supergirl snatched it and examined the interesting green crystals embedded within.
Backing away, the crime boss gaped. "That's not possible! Why aren't you dead?"
"Why, Chiller—are you admitting this is an attempt on my life?" She tucked the stone in her sash, gripped him at the waist, and hoisted him aloft.
"You can't kill me! It's murder!" He flailed ineffectively. "I'll call my lawyer. I'll call the cops! I want you outta here right now!"
"Don't forget the attempt on me," she reminded him. "I suppose you know what that means."
He spread hands in resignation. "Everybody out! Call the fire department!"
Supergirl set him down so he could flee with his henchmen. He stopped at the door. "How?"
"My parents included a stone from the home world as a souvenir. As my ship neared this system, the stone began to become radioactive. I had plenty of time to adapt. By the time I crashed here, I was immune."
With a fatalistic snarl, the Chiller rushed downstairs.
Supergirl sprang through the ceiling, splintering a piano in the third floor, and continued into the attic, where she burst out the roof. X-ray vision located the best flammables, which her heat vision set to a merry blaze. The luxury yacht drew her notice. She flew toward it, fists at her side, to alight on a grassy knoll.
Heat vision speared the fuel tank. The ensuing blast hurled some oxy/acetylene bottles straight up. The oxygen bottle broke its cap on the deck, which launched it like a missile. It flew half a mile to send up a geyser in the lake.
"That's me flying over the lake," she decided, "if Kal is mad enough." People from neighboring boats, though in no danger, swarmed out to watch. Some pointed at her.
Coming low over the water with grim purpose was Superman. He slammed to ground a few feet away. He made no effort to put out the blaze, as the hulk was about to slip beneath the surface. Looking uphill at the burning villa, he said, "You have a thing for fire, don't you." His look grew stern. "We had an understanding, Kara. What happened?"
"The Chiller tried to kill me with this." She displayed the stone. Superman staggered and nearly fell before she tucked it out of view. She explained why she was immune.
"And your souvenir stone?" he asked, recovering.
"I destroyed it after learning it was harmful to you. I'll drop this one in a volcano."
"I should be grateful for taking that kryptonite out of circulation." His look remained stern.
"You aren't going to let of this, are you."
"Not this time."
Kara nodded glumly. "I get it. This is your town, and we have to play by your rules. Here's an idea."
It took a moment for Superman to agree. "All right. Don't hold back, because this has to look good."
"You asked for it." She dealt a fearsome right to his chest that reverberated across the lake. Superman went flying, digging a hundred foot trench. He got up and raced toward her, hands outstretched as if he intended to push rather than punch.
Now it was Kara's turn to be knocked back, leaving a hundred foot trench in her wake. She picked herself up and flew back into the fray. The pair circled a few feet off the ground, fists clenched. "I think the groundskeeper just had his day ruined."
"Look mad," Superman said. "We're supposed to be mad."
"Right." Kara let her hands relax. "Here's where I yield the field, properly chastised." She flew away into the clouds, and onlookers applauded Superman.
He settled to ground, tempted to think it was big of her to do that, yet doubts remained. The girl was a half-cocked cannon.
Hours later in Perry White's office, Lois and Jimmy awaited Kara's arrival. Inspector Henderson complicated things by insisting on trying to reason with her. At that time, in Jimmy's view, a fine-looking dish walked in. She wore a white blouse over black skirt and heels. She'd pulled her brown hair back in a braid.
"Who are you?" Perry demanded. "And what do you mean by barging in here?"
"You'll want to guard your tone, mortal."
Jimmy recognized the voice. "It's Supergirl!"
"Supergirl?" Henderson, hat in hand, got up to confront her. "About this vendetta of yours—depending on state or federal jurisdiction, we can seize property used in a crime. But not of it's toasted. We use that money to buy police cars, hire more officers."
"I'm up here," Kara said. "The part that talks."
Henderson raised his eyes, a little red-faced.
"Supergirl," Lois said, "we heard about your fight with Superman."
"Oh, that. He was mad when I broke a promise. But cousins can't stay mad for long."
"Great Caesar's ghost," Perry blurted. "You're fighting Superman now?"
Jimmy found his voice. "It's all right, Chief. If they really got into it, the city would be wasted."
Kara looked upward in thought. "I doubt if I'd last that long."
Just then, Clark came in, and Jimmy was quick to introduce him to Supergirl in disguise.
Lois jumped in. "Clark, I know what you're going to say."
"Relax, Lois," he said with a boyish grin. "If the inspector thinks it's reasonably safe, you have my blessing." To the inspector: "The Chiller won't harm them right away. I'm surprised he hasn't already tried to kidnap Lois and Jimmy as leverage against Superman. The only question is whether Supergirl will behave."
"I don't like it," Perry said, "but if it will keep her from immolating the whole town, so be it."
Lois picked up purse and gloves. "Great! I know a dive frequented by underworld types. The Chiller is bound to make a move. Are you ready, Supergirl?"
"Call me Kara, since it won't tip them off." She took Clark's arm. "I'll be down after I have a word with Mr Kent." Everyone filed out, with Kara and Clark going to his office.
"Thanks for pulling your punch," she offered.
Clark took off his glasses. "That wasn't easy for you to say, was it."
She made an effort to look demure. "It hasn't been an easy transition."
"I'm sure. You'll have to fill me in one of these days about what you've been up to. CIA?"
"They aren't what you think," she said cryptically.
"Mm. Getting back to the present—what kind of retribution do you have in mind when the Chiller shows his hand?"
"None at all. I'll simply get Lois and Jimmy out with the evidence. Then I'll be on my merry way."
During a pause, Clark unexpectedly drew her into a hug. "I still don't know what to make of you, Cousin."
She moved to the open door and gifted him a wink. "Neither do I."
End chapter3