Band of Blue TOCDisclaimer: From chapter 33 onwards there are chances of certain phrases and situations coming almost directly from The Death and Life of Superman novel. In each chapter there could be anything from a couple of words (phase) up to whole choreographed scenes. I do not claim these as my own work, but have just inserted them into my narrative. Some of these may not even be noticeable to someone who
has read the book, and especially to those who have never read it (why have you not read it?). Still I would not wish to claim that these words were mine when someone far better than me penned them years ago.
Chapter 39Oliver Queen looked around at the few assembled members of the Justice League. “So you think we can do this?”
“No problem, amigos,” Bart replied.
“Hold on there, hop-a-long.” Ollie held up his hand then pointed to Bart’s leg encased in plaster. “Don’t know how you think you’ll be able to help.”
“It’s just for show,” he knocked on the pot. “Gotta keep up appearances with the acquaintances. They don’t know I heal ten times faster than everyone else.”
“Ok then. Anyone else?” There were multiple nods and murmurs. “Right. Our biggest obstacle is going to be getting past security. For some reason Lex won’t let anyone near her. And whenever she comes out in public he is by her side.”
“I believe I can be of some assistance in that matter.” Ollie turned to the dark gentleman who was a little of a mystery even though he’d fought alongside the League on numerous occasions.
“Thank you, Detective Jones.”
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
“Morning Mr Luthor,” a guard nodded at him as he walked past. He nodded back and continued down the corridor. He could tell she was in this direction.
“Sir!” Another guard stood to attention. He probed the man’s mind.
Yes, she’s further down. His expensive Italian shoes click-clacked on the wooden floor as he strode on.
He approached a turn and reached out to hear any thoughts.
‘Why does she even need guarding? She’s bullet proof. I guess Luthor is just overprotective. Even of an invulnerable alien.’ He turned to look and then aimed for the particular mind he’d just touched.
At the end of the corridor he came to a room. He looked the guard directly in the eyes.
“There you go Mr Luthor, sir,” said the man as he opened the door to allow access. He entered then turned to watch over his shoulder, making sure the door closed behind him. After the audible click he turned back to the room. It was like so many others in this mansion. Antiques, wooden decorations, plush curtains. But this room had one thing that the others didn’t; his target.
He stood and examined her. She was sitting on the far side of a king-size bed, facing away. Her long blonde hair rippled down her back. She was wearing Superman’s colours and had added an ‘S’ shield to the front of her top. He coughed softly to announce his presence.
She stood and turned. “Lex,” she said a little surprised, and he could read an excited, but confused tone in her voice. It was all he could read. Her mind was a closed book to him. That was a positive sign in one way, but it meant he had no definitive proof of her claims.
She stepped towards him. “Oh, Lex. When can I leave this place? I feel like a caged animal. I should be out there. I can continue his legacy. I could help people.” She paused and looked wistful. “I could be flying.”
It was at that moment that he began to relax his mental control and he saw her expression change to one of worry and then terror. She was a split second from anger when he held up a hand and spoke.
“Miss, please. Do not worry. I am not here to harm you; merely to confirm your claims to being Superman’s cousin.”
She stepped back and squinted. “How ... did you do that?”
He felt his transformation complete and her shock turned to anger when she saw his true face.
“You may have been able to bully me on Krypton but not on this planet.” She stepped forward and reached out to punch him. He side-stepped and moved away. “You broke into our house in the middle of the night and forced our family from their home.”
“Considering what your father did you were lucky.” He had his proof. She really was Kal-El’s cousin if she knew that. “Your father tried to assassinate Jor-El.”
“My father would never do such a thing, they were brothers.” She looked him up and down warily.
“Their hatred for one another was stronger than any familial bond.” He shook his head a little.
“How can I trust you, Martian?”
“I’m a friend. I was sent here by Jor-El to keep an eye on Kal-El.”
“Good job.” He heard the sarcasm in her voice, and the pain.
“I have done my best. He does not know of the help I have given him over the years, but when he stepped into the light as Superman he found his own place in this world. I stepped back from my silent duties. Unfortunately I did so too soon and he faced Doomsday alone.”
“Not completely alone.” She turned away from him.
“Kara, why do you stay here ... with Lex Luthor?” He stepped forward with his hand out in open friendship.
“He’s all I know. With Kal-El gone ...”
“What about Clark’s family?”
“Clark?” She spun round to him, questioning.
“His human name.”
“I never got the chance to know that. I was here for such a short time before Doomsday and I spent most of that time training with Jor-El, for all the good that did me.”
“Jor-El?”
That is not possible. “Yes, at Kal-El’s fortress.”
“He had a fortress?
“Yes, didn’t you know?” She used a tone that obviously meant ‘you should have known’.
“I kept out of his life as much as possible so that he was unaware of my interference and existence.” He cocked his head to the side. “You know. Lois Lane said that Superman’s wounds closed, even after he died. Perhaps Jor-El should take a look at Kal-El’s body at the fortress.”
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Kara and Martian Manhunter left the mansion by air. Kara smashed a hole in the window to her room. She had been surprised to find everything locked. A pointless exercise by Lex but it just proved to Kara what the Green Martian had said about him. She followed him through the sky eager to meet the people he had just mentioned. When he dropped out of sight she followed him downwards to land on an open balcony.
“I have confirmed her identity, Mr Queen. She is Kal-El’s cousin from Krypton.” He nodded his head slightly.
The man he had just address smiled brightly at her. “Come in then, Supergirl. Meet the team.”
“There is no time for that. We must retrieve the body of Superman immediately.” His voice was incredibly earnest.
“Body, what?” Mr Queen looked confused.
“I believe there may be hope yet.”
“Yeah, well. It’s being held in the city morgue. Considered public property.”
“Maybe if family turned up to claim it?” Kara suggested.
“Good idea. But just in case that doesn’t work I think we should have a back-up plan.”
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
“Mighty Maid has the package, Watchtower. Delivery is on the way.” Kara heard the voice fading as she lifted off with her cousin’s body. The direct approach hadn’t worked with the city morgue director questioning her authenticity and claiming he needed authorisation from multiple city officials. She had left and immediately put the back-up plan into motion. Not wanting to cause a scene she had been unable to just take Kal-El. The Justice League had convinced her that it would be better to be secretive.
Now she was flying north, considering what her words would be to Jor-El when she arrived.
If what the Martian said is true then why did Jor-El accept me so easily? What will he say if I confront him about these accusations? She landed soon after and gently placed the body to the cold ground.
“Jor-El. I have brought Kal-El.”
“Why did you not return after Doomsday was defeated,” came the emotionless voice.
Kara shifted nervously. “I was unable to. Lex kept me locked up.”
“You had the power to leave.”
“I felt obligated to him as he found me during the Doomsday fight. I also did not realise that I
was a prisoner.” She looked down at her cousin’s body. “Can you do something for him?”
Kara watched as the body started to glow brighter and brighter. Eventually she couldn’t watch any longer and she turned away. When she looked back Kal-El had been encased in a large crystal. A faint and very slowly pulsing light surrounded it.
“Leave him here Kara.”
“Thank you Jor-El.” She turned to leave but was stopped by the voice continuing to speak.
“You may choose to continue your training Kara Zor-El, or you may choose to believe your memories of your father and leave my fortress.”
She hung her head a little. “You know?”
“J'onn J'onzz spoke the truth about your father and my original self. Now what is your decision?”
“I will stay Uncle. I will train.” As a beam of light surrounded her and resumed the training she had left many days ago she glanced at the crystal to her side. It was pulsing steadily and brightly.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
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