The One With A Surprising Lack of Solitude
At the Fortress, Kara is quick to input Marshall Tate’s bloodwork into the Fortress’s database.
“Welcome Kara Zor-El, how may I assist you today?”
She may have had to destroy Kalex’s physical form, but the bot’s programing was still alive and well within the Fortress.
“Can you help me identify the toxin in this blood sample? I need to know how to help him.”
“Of course, Kara Zor-El, give me a moment.” The computer screen begins to analyze the blood and rabidly compare it to the Fortress’s records.
Kara sighs and takes a few steps back, throwing her head back to stare up into heights of the frozen structure. This could take awhile.
“You seem troubled, Kara.” a voice bellows from the stalactites. Kara startles, looking around for the owner of the voice, before recognizing it as her Uncle Jor-El.
“Uncle? Is that you?”
Kara knew the Fortress held her Uncle’s consciousness similar to the hologram program of her mother, but it had never spoken to her before.
“I did not mean to frighten you.”
Kara sits nervously.
“Y-You didn’t. I just...I expected to be alone here.”
“Would you like to be alone?” Jor-El asks. Kara looks down fiddling with her hands. She shakes her head. No. To be alone was the last thing she ever wanted.
“I thought maybe you only spoke to Clar- I mean Kal-El.”
“What is troubling you, my niece?”
Kara shakes her head. How could she possibly explain to her long dead uncle, who was a great scientist and philosopher of his time that she was having girl problems?
“Nothing, Uncle. I’m fine.” Kara lied. The Fortress is quiet for several moments, and Kara begins to think she’s silenced him.
“This Fortress can sense you, Kara. Your moods and feelings. You are deeply disheartened. And perhaps...even angry.”
Kara huffs, annoyed. I never realized Jor-El was so nosy.
“I don’t have the luxury of feeling such things.” Kara tells him. “Tell me, Uncle, on Krypton we were mated according to who would make the best match, right? That’s how I remember it.”
Jor-El didn’t have a physical form, but it sounded like he was nodding when he responded.
“The best match, yes. According to who was deemed most physically, intellectually, and emotionally compatible. The goal was to acquire life partners who were most likely to support and inspire one another to greatness. Those most likely to understand each other, and together reach a greater understanding of life.”
Kara nods slowly, absorbing his words.
“And did they? Support, inspire, understand one another?”
Jor-El is quiet for another long stretch. Kara worries he doesn’t have enough programming to answer her question. Then finally…
“They certainly tried.”
Kara nods sadly.
“And was someone ever...compatible with more than one person? Was it ever difficult to choose the right match?”
“Life on Krypton was full of difficult choices, Kara. The science could only take us so far. When someone was presented with more than one suitable match it would come down to a leap of faith.”
“Analysis complete.” Kalex’s voice replaces her uncle’s. Kara jumps up and goes over to the console.
“What did you find?”
“This sample has traces of Jinixs venom. The Jinixs are one of the prime species of the planet Janixs. The venom from their quills incapacitates and kills their victims if not properly treated.”
“How? How do we treat him?” Kara asks, downloading the Jinixs file.
“I have included a list of ingredients to produce an anti-venom. However, not all of the ingredients are found in this galaxy.”
Kara sighs, looking at the list Kalex produced. Four or five of the items would be easily found her on Earth, but several were from off world.
“How long does he have, Kalex?”
The computer takes a moment to calculate.
“I have insufficient data on the venom’s effects on human beings.”
“We’ll just have to work fast then, won’t we?”
Kara safely tucked away the flash drive for the flight back. But she hesitates to leave the Fortress just yet. She turns back and speaks to the empty room.
“Uncle?”
“Yes, Kara.” Jor-El’s voice booms back into existence. She wasn’t sure what she had wanted to ask.
“I think, I may have found a good match here on Earth. But I’m afraid she may not choose me.”
“Kara, if this human is intelligent enough to be a suitable match for you, she will come to the same conclusion you have.”
Kara smiles. Lena was the smartest person she knew.
“Thank you, Uncle.”
"You are not alone, Kara. Your parents and I will always be with you. Remember...El Mayarah."
Kara nods "Stronger together."
------------
Back in National City, Kara wastes no time getting the Jinxis file to Alex.
“Hey, good news?” Alex asks, reaching out for the flash drive. Kara hands it to her and sighs.
“Good and bad. I know what stung Marshall Tate and it’s curable. But I’m afraid we may not have what we need to make the anti-venom here on Earth.”
“Missing ingredients?” Alex plugs the flash drive in and begins speed reading the file.
“Yeah, a couple of the substances just aren’t available in this galaxy.”
Alex stares at the list for a few minutes, Kara can see the wheels turning in her sister’s brain.
“Alex, what are you thinking?” Kara leans on Alex's desk.
“Well, you know, how this all started because Marshall was trying to buy alien weapons on the black market?”
“Yes, of course.”
Alex takes out her phone and starts texting Maggie.
“Maggie has been telling me about similar black markets here in National City. Not just weapons, but all kinds of perishables from off world. We were talking about forming a joint task force with the NCPD to monitor it for dangerous goods.”
Kara nods understanding what Alex is thinking.
“You think you could find these missing ingredients?”
Alex shrugs and continues texting Maggie.
“It’s worth a shot, right?”
“Absolutely! Let’s go!” Kara stands handing Alex her leather jacket. Alex makes a face. The same face she use to make when she wanted to go out with her friends without her weird alien sister tagging along. Kara frowns.
“What?”
“It’s just...Supergirl might be a little too authoritative for where we’re going. Maggie and I can talk to these vendors discreetly, ya know?”
“I can be discreet!” Kara argues “I can change clothes. And be totally...ya know, undercover.” Alex looks skeptical. She reaches up and soothes away the crinkle that’s formed between Kara’s eyebrows.
“Kara, didn’t you need to make an appearance at L-Corp, anyway? Lena will be missing you.” Kara’s frown deepens, and Alex’s face softens. “Look, I don’t know what happen between you two, but…”
Kara groans “What happened between us isn’t the problem.” She mutters.
Now it’s Alex’s turn to frown, that familiar protectiveness settles on her face.
“What does that mean?”
Kara shakes her head and takes a step back.
“Nothing.” Kara says too quickly. “You’re right, I should get back to L-Corp. And you need to hurry. Marshall Tate is counting on us.”
Alex hesitates, clearly concerned. But ultimately she relents, slipping on her jacket and heading for the door.
“Okay, I’ll figure out whose ass I need to kick later.”
Kara rolls her eyes at her sister’s words, but a smile tugs at her lips too.