"Then it's settled," said Superman. "Batman, you worry about Joker, I'll take care of Lex Luthor. Vel, you can deal with whatever lackeys Luthor's got running around in Metropolis… without killing them, please." He chuckled. "Kendra, you help the Black Knight."
"Batman?"
"The Black knight," said Batman with a chuckle. "Not the dark one."
"Alright," Superman said, "let's adjourn this meeting and have lunch."
"Hey Batman," Kendra said, surprised, "I didn't know you could laugh."
Batman shrugged. "There's something you should understand about me," he replied. "As Batman, when I'm actually protecting Gotham, yes. I'm edgy, I'm brooding, I'm the night… I'm Batman. But now, since I married Selina, I've got a reason to actually feel a bit of happiness. Harley's a psychiatrist, and I've decided… well, why not be her patient? I've got a lot on my shoulders, and bottling it up is unhealthy. In the old days, when I first started out, that might've worked, but now… Batman doesn't fight alone. I've got a whole team at my side, and honestly… besides all the sickos and creeps I deal with, life isn't horrible."
"That's good to hear," said Kendra. "I need some help with thinking up a Superhero name."
"Hmmm…" Batman studies Kendra's outfit. Se was wearing a red Kryptonian skinsuit with gold trim, the glyph of House Veks on her chest. The suit sported a strapless top, decorated with a modest assortment of sequins and rhinestones. On her hands, she wore what were basically fingerless opera gloves. "How about the Scarlet Avenger?"
"Oh, please," Kara interjected, walking into the room. "That suit is obviously crimson."
"I'm telling you, it's scarlet," said batman.
"Excuse me… who has super eyesight?"
"How about Scarlet?" Kendra put in. "At least, I like the scarlet theme. Hmmm… and these sequins do make me look rather, ah… glowy. The Scarlet Star… no, that ain't it."
"Starlette?" Supergirl suggested.
Kendra nodded vigorously. "I like that!" She walked off, exploring the Fortress of Solitude and trying to take it all in.
"Seems I have a curious guest on my hands."
Kendra had just entered a room with a domed ceiling.
"Oh! Uh… Superman. Am- Am I not supposed to be here?"
Superman turned to Kendra and smiled. "You're fine," he said. "Just remarking on the fact that you've been exploring. This is my father, Jor-El… or rather, a projection of his consciousness."
"Pleased to meet you, sir," said Kendra. "My name's Kendra Beauregard… my Kryptonian name is Lixa Kel-Veks."
"It's a pleasure. And who is this, Kal?"
"Vel-Zar," said the Black Knight, who'd just walked in, "son of Ken-Zar."
"Admiral Zar was a great friend," said Jor-El. "He aided Krypton in putting down General Zod's rebellion."
"I was actually after some advice myself," said Vel-Zar, "if you don't mind."
"Go ahead," said Superman. "I was just shooting the breeze with my dad, nothing major."
"Firstly, it's an honor to meet you… I've heard some great things about you. Secondly… I came to Earth in an exploration vessel. Its name, I believe, was Hope's Light."
"That ship was sent out years before Krypton's destruction. It was Zod who provided the passengers… those who got in the way of his plans."
"If I was a baby at the time… how could I have gotten in the way?"
"To punish your father for his so-called disobedience. He was hoping you'd die… but here you are. You needed advice?"
"Yes. The ship was heavily damaged and isn't spaceworthy at this point. Is there a way to repair the shields? Life support? The engines?"
"I can answer that," said Superman. "I've got, as you might have noticed, a good number of robotic workers in the Fortress of Solitude. How about I lend you some to fix the ship?"
"That would be a good start," said Vel-Zar. "It's half-buried in the English countryside, and… well, honestly, it's a big octahedron."
"Oh, don't worry… my robots are more than capable of digging it out."
"If your robotic friends can do that… why not have it brought here?"
"Sounds good to me," said Kal-El.
"In that case," said Vel-Zar, "I suppose it's time for me to shove off for Metropolis."
"Lemme stay here a while," said Lixa. "I've got a lot of questions about Krypton. I'll catch up."
"Sounds fine," said Vel-Zar, leaving the room.
A few moments later, Vel-Zar had arrived in Metropolis, landing on the roof of the Daily Planet. He smiled as he felt the sun's rays energize him.
"Hey, Superman!" a voice called out.
"Sorry!" Vel-Zar replied. "Guess again, mate." He landed in front of the voice's source. "I am, however, a good friend of the Man of Steel… and I have all his powers, so you're close."
"Huh… well, I'm Jimmy Olsen. Who are you?"
"I'm the Black Knight, and I know about you. Superman says you're really handy with a camera."
"I like to think I am. I saw the cape and thought you were him!"
"Oh, don't give me that 'all Kryptonians look alike' nonsense, come on! Anyway, Superman sent me here to keep an eye on things while he dealt with old Luthor."
"Well, welcome to Metropolis… even though Superman tells me you've been here before."
The real Superman flew in a moment later. "Bank robbers… they never seem to learn. And I even found a neat symbol on a piece of a jacket I wound up tearing off in the scuffle."
"Outstanding," said Vel-Zar. "Do we know what that symbol is?"
"It's Zod's crest," Kal-El replied. "These guys are working for Luthor and Joker's little… initiative. I'm gonna continue keeping an eye out… but be on the lookout for that symbol." Superman handed Vel-Zar the patch in question and flew off.
"Seems you're in pretty deep."
"Don't tell me you smell a scoop."
"I'm afraid so," Jimmy said darkly. "Lex Luthor and the Joker working together is news enough… but Zod? I shudder to think."