Frenemies

Chapter 6 of Deirdre of the Shadows

Fresh from her adventure at Collinwood, Kara joined Superman atop a building across from the sprawling warehouse complex where the aliens were storing high-tech game systems. The one owned by David Collins had proven useful for righting an old injustice—not to mention bringing him a girlfriend he'd never have known otherwise. Other than that, they represented what the aliens intended: a way to subvert the populace with a sort of bread-and-circuses diversion. Sirtis had gone inside to eavesdrop on the man in beige, who was given free rein to sound the alarm. It was hoped this would flush some aliens out of hiding.

Kara looked down at the busy street below. "Those people don't even know what's happening here. I wonder how deep it goes inside our own government?"

"That's the rub," Superman said. "How much can we do to protect people from their own reps? It's a legal gray area. But I'll tell you this—I'm not going to watch it happen and do nothing." He'd used X-ray vision to verify the upper level was full of the alien gadgets, but hadn't seen any UFO drivers.

Sirtis flew across to meet them. "Our man in beige did as we thought. He's warned them that we're coming for the units."

"What response to that?" Kara asked.

"Nothing. I don't know why they're so confident. It could be another trap."

Superman pondered the matter. "Another concern is setting ourselves against a secret cabal. They'll always be looking for a way to get rid of us."

Sirtis patted the box with the phantom zone projector. "Let them. We have a way of making people disappear if they seek to harm us." She picked it up. "Shall we bring it along?"

"Let's," Superman said. "Though I fear we're only buying some time. This thing may be worldwide." He launched into the air, followed by the other two.

Not one to be subtle, Superman smashed through the wall, startling some workers packing boxes. "You men vacate the premises. This contraband is about to be destroyed." When Sirtis and Supergirl flew in, they were of a mind to obey. All three Kryptonians swept the boxes with heat vision, melting the alien units into slag and setting fire to boxes. The aliens had disabled the fire system, not wanting any accidents to bring firemen bashing down the doors.

General Carter entered from an office in the rear. "You're wasting your time, Superman. The Air Force is keenly interested in their technology. We've revolutionized our aircraft design already." He coughed from the smoke.

"At what price?" Kara accused. "Suppose you tell us where they come from."

"They say they're from Alpha Centauri."

"I can attest," Kara went on, "they come from another dimension. I escaped from it after they captured me. Since they thought I'd never be back, they told me their plan: to gain your trust and dependence until they become wise benefactors—and ultimately masters."

Carter seemed a little shaken by that. "Even if it's true, it's too late to stop. The brass certainly won't listen to me. Get with the program, folks. This is bigger than you."

"This is treason," Sirtis said. "You know the penalty for that." She uncrated the projector, waited for Superman's decision.

"What's that?" the general asked nervously.

"A portal to the phantom zone," Superman replied. "It's full of nasty folks from Krypton, including one of your alien masters." He crossed arms judiciously. "I realize you have a wife and kids. So we'll do this: you'll spend one week there, and then you'll tell your superiors it's where they'll end up if this treason continues." He nodded, and Sirtis activated the device. With a howl of dismay, the general was vaporized and pulled inside.

"Now that the war has begun," Kara suggested, "why don't we enlist the power of the press? These game platforms can be shown as dangerous because the public doesn't know who is behind the wizard science."

Superman nodded. "We'll leave out the UFO angle, because Perry will never go for it."

"I like my idea better," Sirtis put in. "I want to blow up Mars."

Kara was taken aback. "That's sort of drastic. They'll just infest another planet. But we could pay a visit and see what kind of mischief we can get up to." Another angle occurred to her. "Or would that cause them to attack Earth?"

"No," Superman said. "They'll never represent themselves as a threat, since they want to take over by subterfuge. I'm going to leave a message with Air Force brass. You two can see about putting out an article on these game systems that are way before their time." With a basic plan set, the trio flew off on their various assignments.

Metropolis, a week later

Perry read Lois' article with a scowl. "Verified instance of supernatural infiltration of a game; unknown manufacturer with suspect purpose; possible government collusion." He set the sheet down, but at least didn't slap it down. "On one hand, it's great copy that's bound to sell papers. On the other, it's bound to get us calls from the Air Force. Especially this bit about General Carter gone missing."

Supergirl sat next to an amazed Jimmy on the sofa. "If they do, refer them to me."

"Jeepers, Supergirl—are you getting into something with the military?"

"They started it."

Perry rubbed his temple in frustration. "I'm sure the Russians are loving this. Our super heroes at odds with the military."

"She may have a point," Lois pointed out. "Have you noticed how our latest fighter design is immediately copied by other countries? Either they have world-class spies, or they're getting the technical plans from the same source."

"Great Caesar's ghost," Perry blurted. "I'd rather stick to crime-busting. This international conspiracy stuff is going out on a limb. Our competitors can use it against us."

Sirtis didn't improve his mood by sailing in the window and alighting next to Kara. "General Carter has been delivered to an air base. Let us see whether he is honest about his experience."

"Carter?" Perry asked. "What's he got to do with it?"

Lois had a way of breaking bad news to the chief. "Superman has proof that Carter is part of the ring distributing the high-tech systems to game dealers. They had a little chat, not that I expect it to do much good. The carrot these people are dangling is just too big and juicy."

"Golly," Jim mused. "Could it really come to that? I mean, the super heroes against the military?"

Supergirl traded looks with Sirtis. "We believe in being proactive. Rather than waiting for what the enemy does next, we launch our own plan. I'm going to pay a call on Professor Periwinkle."

Lois shook her head with a rueful smile. "You're asking for trouble, Kara. What do you need from him?"

"A jet pack."

"And while she is busy with that," Sirtis said, "I will visit the base where the captured UFOs are being kept."

"All right," Perry groaned. "I'll bite. What for?"

"To learn how to fly them, of course."