Alterverse:  The Sentinel War

© The Elves of Alterverse

Chapter 1: Rules of Engagement

 (featuring ideas and extensive editing by Hipkarma)

An ancient railroad wreck, Fall 2007 (Alterverse time is 4 years, 9 months ahead of the rest of the Continuum)

“This is it, Elise.  This is where the Green Lantern was born.”  Alan Scott gestured sadly towards the remains of a railroad wreck.  “I was so overconfident.  My friend Jimmy asked me whether I thought Dekker would do anything to stop our company from building the railroad.  I said ‘no’.  Then the train exploded.”  He frowned.  “So now you know—this isn’t the first time I’ve been horribly wrong.”

Invulnerable, she still felt the biting wind.  She walked through several inches of snow towards the ancient wreck.  Although the railroad had eventually been completed, the wreckage remained.

“I wouldn’t let them remove the cars.”  Alan admitted.  “I wanted them as a reminder to myself that I’m not always right.”   He smiled.  “Funny—Faith said that she felt connected to this place.   When she has a difficult dilemma, she comes here to think.  She asks them” he gestured to the wreck “what they would want—they who paid the price for the power we possess.”

“And that’s what I had forgotten.”  He grimaced.  “I am responsible for their children, first of all.”

Elise nodded.  “Theirs, and your own.”  She glanced at the rusted debris—the metal that twisted in directions the builders never intended.  All signs of life and death had long since been stripped away from the train by the passing decades.  Elise stepped back and looked at him.

“You made a mistake.  And it won’t be your last.”  She smiled briefly.  “Everyone makes mistakes when dealing with the unknown.  The only true error is not learning from those mistakes.”

“But this one had such a cost.”  Alan grimaced.

“Yes, it did.”  Elise answered.  “Linda has lost much of her memory and her power.  She will never be the Jade we once knew.  She certainly isn’t the same Linda.  But the original Linda wasn’t really ours—she was an inhuman creation that gave Shirley Temple a bad name.  And we never could guide her—she always went her own way.  This time, at least, she has a chance.”

“She still seems willful.”  Alan groused.  “I wonder if we will have the same problems all over again.”

“Willful?”  Elise laughed.  “Standing there with one hand in her pants, pointing the other at you and refusing to give an inch?  I see the two of you argue.  The picture is priceless.   You do the exact same thing!”  She chuckled at his look of confusion.  “Alan, Sweetheart, I never said Linda was a typical child.  I know the family too well.  And I’ve spoken to Mary about how uncontrollable her cousin seemed to be at the same age.  Egypt was it?  She still wants to know how you made it half way around the world at fourteen.”

“My secret.”  He smiled warmly.  “I have to have at least a few.  It makes me seem mysterious.  That way my team won’t be so quick to recognize when I’ve blundered again.”  He chuckled.  “I’m glad to have met the Inheritors.  I’ll miss Faith.”

Elise pursed her lips.  “Then go see her.  And take Lyla with you.  She would jump at the chance.”

Alan blushed.  “I don’t think Lyla and I have come to terms yet.  I know it’s overdue.”

Elise nodded.  “Yes.  And we need to begin the search for ‘Q’ in earnest.  Dad has had some luck, but then the trail disappears again.  And you need to come to terms on strategy with Lyla.  She will help, but her priority is not the war itself.”

“Nor should it be.”  Alan sighed.  “Hers is protecting her family.  And so is mine.  But to protect my family, I need to free this world.  And we both know what we have to do to make that happen.”

“Yes.”  She agreed as he lifted them both into the sky.

Smallville, Kansas

Linda tossed out more seed to the chickens.   Alanna followed behind her.

“Linda, I’m not saying it’s up to you to rescue the universe, but you do have obligations!  You have to learn to use your powers responsibly.”

Linda growled.  “Listen, the last thing I remember I’m safe in my bed.  Then I wake up and find all these aliens in my home.  Not only that, but you tell some bizarre story about the life I’ve led.  And I’m supposed to be related to you and that guy who sure doesn’t look old enough to be my grandfather.”

She grimaced.  “And I’m leaking this weird green energy.”  A pleading look crossed her features.  “Everyone has all these things they want me to be!  But all I’ve ever wanted is to feel safe!  And I have that now!  You tell me that the Danvers aren’t my parents, so I can stay with Aunt Mary and Uncle John.  But too much is wrong.  I still don’t feel safe.”

Linda stopped talking.  She threw more bird seed.

I’m wasting my time.  Alanna realized.  This isn’t the Linda I knew.  This is an abused child grasping to hold onto the only security she’s ever known.  And I don’t have the right to take that away from her. 

We’ve been selfish.  We’ve been trying to meet our needs, not hers.  And I should just leave her alone.

“You are right.”  Alanna admitted.  “And I’m so sorry.”  Alanna faded to shadow form and flew away.

“Alanna?”  Linda turned.  “Alanna?”

Three minutes later—near the farmhouse

Kira Jor-El walked towards the barn.  She could hear John Kent inside.

“You see, Kal, this is how you milk the cow—very carefully.”  John Kent instructed the young Kryptonian while his sister watched.  “Remember, all of these farm animals are very mortal.  Don’t ever hurt them any more than you absolutely have to.  But don’t let them forget who’s the boss, either!”  John grinned.

Kal-El very carefully repeated John’s motions.  Milk poured into the bucket.   John smiled down at Kal, proudly.

“I’m proud of you, little brother!”  Kira Jor-El winked.  She swung her head of long blonde hair and smiled.  Then, she walked out of the barn, back towards the farm house.

Mother has been acting quite differently since The Inheritors’ visit last week.  Kira reminisced.  That was a unique team.  I still can’t believe that Iris Grayson and Dawn Allen are so much alike genetically.  That should be impossible.  And meeting Donna sure made Diana feel a lot better.  Maybe someday, she’ll get to meet that Donna’s Hippolyta.

Kira saw a green light in the heavens.  She waved as Alan and Elise landed.  Alan greeted her.  “Good Day!  How goes the milking?”

Kira smiled.  “Kal is getting the hang of it.  You’re looking for the girls?”

“In a bit.”  Elise answered.  “First, we need to talk to Lyla.”

“Mother is in the house.”  Kira guided them in.  “She did say to expect that the two of you would come to see her.”

Alan nodded.  “So much for surprise.”

Kira laughed.  “I’ve had that problem with her, too.”

Kira led them into the kitchen.  They found Lyla Lerrol floating cross-legged in front of a small portable computer and several sheaths of paper.  Alan and Elise quickly glanced at the papers and smiled in amazement.  Kira faded to the back of the room, but did not leave.

“And what brings you here,” Lyla teased, “to my bed of sin and haven for run-away children?”

“More than one reality check.”  Alan admitted.  “It seems our future revolves around this little farm and its occupants.  First Linda, then the children of Krypton, and now both of my children, as well as the legendary Starchild.”

Lyla smiled slightly. “If you’re looking for answers, I don’t have any.  I pinch hit because I had to, but given the information you had, I’m not sure I would have made a different decision.”

“Kryptonian tact is legendary.”  Alan noted.  “Not to mention their willingness to watch over wayward children.”

Lyla smiled. “Linda needs time to cope with everything that has happened to her.  We both know that.  She’s not the same person she once was, but I still owe her quite a bit.  Despite Linda’s immaturity, she always came through for me—time after time after time.  If that’s not friendship, I don’t know what is.  It’s just our turn to be the friends.”  She gestured with a smile towards Kira.  Kira returned her warm smile.

Lyla relaxed slightly.  “I never thought I would have what I have today.  Both my children are alive and well, and both are on their way to productive lives.  I very much appreciate what I have and the people who made it possible:  the Kents, who have welcomed us into their home, your team, who freed us from the horrors of Ares’ imprisonment, and Linda, who stood with me every step of the way.  She has a lot to deal with and a lot to learn before she reaches full adulthood, but I wonder.”  Lyla prodded Alan gently.  “How different was Alan Scott at her age?” 

Elise chuckled.  “I’m sure Mary has told you the story too many times: that her parents were murdered in Egypt, stranding her with some money, but no way to get home.  And her cousin, Alan Scott, refused to accept the situation.  She still wants to know how a fourteen year old boy made it to all the way to Egypt just in time to flatten the local thug who tried to cart her away.”  (Elf note:  Alterverse Book 1:  Terra’s Revenge, Chapter 7.)

Alan colored.  “I think we’ve already established Linda’s ancestry.  And that we will do a better job of guiding her.”

“Given time and your guidance, Linda will be fine.”  Lyla assured them.  “And we Kryptonians live a very long time.  Just remember, I make very few friends.  Those I make, I keep close.”

“I hadn’t noticed.”  Elise teased.

“But I’m not sure Alanna is one of them.”  Lyla continued.  “You’ve got a problem.  And I don’t know what it is.”

“What?”  Alan and Elise both stuttered.

“I saw what she did to Hallie Jordan.”  Lyla added.  “At the time, I didn’t have the maturity to understand it.  But I do now.  She almost killed Linda, and then she reclaimed Hallie into an almost non-life.  Astra has to force herself to manifest to be visible.  A useful tool, but hardly a human existence.  Almost killing Linda may have been the effect of Ares’ magic, but not what Alanna did to Hallie.  That’s one of the few things Diana and I strongly agree about.  And Kent is even more emphatic.”

Alan drew a sharp breath.  “I never realized how much of a problem that was.  Astra seems so happy-go-lucky.”

“She’s flighty.”  Elise answered.  “Always was.  But she has resigned herself to her fate.  And she loves her father, too.”  Her eyebrows lifted.  “Why bring this up now?”

Lyla bit her lip.  “Faith.  Such a different person, from a different world, with a much more reserved personality.”  Lyla smiled.  “I would so like to meet her again.”  She drew a sharp breath.  “But when it came right down to it, she was the natural bridge between Alan and Linda, not Alanna.  And Alanna is supposed to be almost Alan’s clone.  Perhaps there was a real reason that the Kryptonian geneticists gave up on repetitive cloning.  I never saw that research.”  She blinked.  “But none of this is why you are here.  What can I do for the Champion of the Green Flame and the Command Assassin today?”

Alan smiled.  “We have the same goal—giving our children a chance to grow up with the Kayzik gone from our skies.  We’d like to work with you to make that happen.  I’ll have to admit it looks like you’ve anticipated this conversation.  But I have to ask: why didn’t you tell us who you were?”

Lyla answered bitterly.  “I am still very angry with the way the Kryptonian Planetary Defense Force treated me after the accident that ended my career.  After everything I had done for them, not a one of my so-called friends in the PDF trusted me enough to tell me that I had become the true Starchild—that I could leave the planet.  I could have helped make the case for Krypton on other worlds.  If nothing else, I could have been a far more effective pilot.  But instead, the PDF was mortified of the fear I might cause in our allies if they knew that a single Kryptonian could walk another world.

She scowled.  “I was stripped of my commission and put out to pasture.  My records were classified.  I never even knew that I had been awarded the Science Council Medal of Honor.  Not until Jor-El told me the day he sent me off Krypton.”

They saw the steel in her eyes.  “No one was there for me, no one but the House of El.  Zor-El and Allura looked after me. They both took a great number of personal risks for me.  Science Council or no, Zor-El could not undo what the PDF did to me.  But he did try.  He was injured thwarting a rogue assassin while I lay semi-conscious in that hospital bed.  After that, Zor-El posted his personal security detail to my room.”  She smiled.  “Zor-El sent me to his parents’ home to recover--Sor-El and Amanda.  Amanda said that I reminded her of Allura and I found that quite comforting.”

Lyla smiled with pride.  “Do you have any idea what it feels like to belong to a family when you’ve never had one before?  I do.  Sor-El and Amanda were the first family I ever knew.  I still think of them every day.  They found instructors for me and they helped me to work through the loss of everything I had worked for my entire life.  And they even paid for it—which means something when all you have is a veteran’s stipend.  I still miss them so very much.”

She frowned.  “So, to answer your question, I didn’t leave.  The military ran me out.  And with Zor-El’s help, I started over in one of the few fields I could enter with no clearances.  And who the Hell was going to come to a theatre to watch Commander Lyla Lerrol, author of the Starchild maneuvers?  No thank you!  That’s why he suggested the nom de plume of Kara Zor-El to me.  And now I hope you understand why I was so touched by the offer.”

Lyla made a visible effort to calm down.  “So now you know more of the dirty laundry that should have stayed in the hamper.”  She relaxed.  Shocked by the revelations, Kira kept her distance, but her support remained evident through her expressions.

“But in my way, I have become Zor-El and Allura’s legacy, just as much as my children are.”  Lyla smiled wryly.  “And I learned their lessons.  Number one—there are a lot of truly good people in this universe who don’t deserve what the Kayzik will do to them.  Number two—you’re never really alone unless you think you are.”  She smiled warmly at Kira.  “And number three—sometimes other things are more important than your own ego.  So, here I sit, picking up work I haven’t touched in almost thirty years.  Mapping out Hyperspace approaches and maneuvers.  And dreaming Kira’s dream—looking overhead to a sky clear of the Kayzik satellites and freedom for her friends on Daxam.”

Kira answered pleasurably.  “It’s nice to know you’re listening.”

“I always listen, always.”  Lyla teased back.  “I simply choose whether to respond.”

“It’s nice to know that I’m being dismissed, rather than ignored!”  Kira chuckled.  “I think!”

“My daughter,” Lyla teased again, “I think I’ll keep her, anyway!”  Kira howled with laughter.  Alan and Elise smiled at the warm interchange.  Distracted, Kira waved a friendly greeting and made her way out of the kitchen.

“And I do need ‘Q’.”  Lyla addressed Alan.  “Alan, I’m not a theoretician.  Zor-El was and Jor-El was and Lara was.  Allura used to say that was one of the reasons she liked me.  She wasn’t either.”  Lyla smiled.  “That’s why I was so pleased when ‘Q’ contacted me.  I couldn’t believe that my work had attracted the attention of the very best the universe had to offer.  He had apparently been quite impressed with my applications of Zor-El’s theory.  But I only knew him as ‘Q’.  I never knew his full name.”

“Even the Shantar don’t.”  Alan admitted.  “They don’t have any real way to identify him.  No one living has ever seen ‘Q’.  Not that the Shantar knew, anyway.  He was determined that no one know his identity.”

Lyla grinned.  “I know.  I had the same problem.”  She laughed.  “So I hacked into his systems.  I stole a copy of his genetic code and let Krypton’s computers postulate his appearance.  I should be able to recognize him.  If not, he’ll recognize me.” 

Lyla frowned. 

“If he is still alive.”  Elise spoke Lyla’s thoughts.  “And if he still has his mind.”

“Yes.”  Lyla admitted.  “If.”

San Francisco Bay

Alanna landed.  She walked over to a hillside, overlooking the bay.  She sat on the edge of a cliff and let her legs dangle as she listened to the birds overhead. I have made so many mistakes lately.  She shivered.  Poor Linda.  Poor me. I’m supposed to be a big girl.  But I guess this is too strange, even for me. 

I miss you Mom and Dad.  She remembered her mother, Molly Scott, and her father, Edmund Kyle.  This version of Linda doesn’t even remember meeting your ghosts.  How tragic… denied the only memories she will ever have of her real parents.

I’m surprised Selina has stayed so calm about this.  She’s our first cousin, but she acts so unconcerned.  She seems so convinced that Linda will find her way.  I wish I had that kind of confidence. 

And how could I have done what did I do to Hallie?  Hallie is not much more than a living ghost. What is wrong with me?  I’ll have to do something about it, if I can.  But I no longer have the sources of power available to fix the problem that I did before Linda lost the Phoenix powers.

Linda, I’m supposed to be the elder sister, but you’ve always been a bit more of the leader.  And I let you lead.  But now I’ve lost you, too. 

Defeated, she put her face into her blue hands.  She sobbed quietly.  “Oh, Linda, I miss you so much!  I’ve tried so hard to show you that you still have a place in my life.  But all I am to you is another unwanted stranger.  And one who threatens the safety you so desperately crave.”

Her breathing became ragged.  “Maybe I should leave Earth for a while.  Before I make things worse than they already are.”  She looked down towards the bay. 

“No.”  She heard behind her.  “Please don’t leave.”

“Linda?”  Alanna asked with embarrassment as she turned.  “I’m sorry.  I didn’t mean…”

“You’ve never hurt me.”  Linda admitted.  “It’s just that everything is so strange.  Sometimes I don’t know what’s real and what’s not.”  She sat down beside her sister.  Linda looked up with a certain glance.  “But I know you’re real.  You try too hard not to be.”  Linda smiled gently at Alanna.  Then, she reached for Alanna’s hand.  “I’m sorry it took me so long to get here.  I’ve never tried to fly before.  It’s a weird feeling, you know?”

Alanna smiled quietly.  “But a fun kind of weird?”  She found herself rewarded by Linda’s smile.  “How did you find your way out here?”

“I…I didn’t mean for you to leave.  I got worried about you and I wanted to find you.  So I…”

Half a mile away, Kira Jor-El floated in the sky.  “Mom?”  She called into her comms.  “You won’t believe this!  Linda found her before I got here.  They’re going to be all right.  And I’m headed home.”  Kira accelerated towards Kansas.

Terran Resistance Headquarters, Mammoth Cave, Kentucky

Alexander Luthor walked out the cave entrance into daylight.  The fall air sped by thanks to a stiff breeze.   He looked into the sky.  Surprised, he spied two sky-bound visitors.  They landed in front of him.

“Well, well, well, if it isn’t Mama Krypton and the Great Green Glow Worm!”  Alexander teased.   “Come to pass your sympathies to the families of more victims of the Kayzik swarm?”

“Not this time.”  Alan  rebuffed.  “We have work to do.”

“What kind of work?”  Alexander queried.  “Selina said that something was up.”

“Yes.”  Lyla confirmed.  “How extensive is the Resistance?  Planet-wide?  And how well connected are you to the rest of the world?  How do you make decisions?”

Alexander looked thoughtful.  “I can get a message anywhere in 24 hours. I’ll get an answer back in 48.  I do lead the North American Resistance, but nothing beyond that.  The leaders of the other organizations do as they will.  Their cultures and customs are very different.  Other than the Chyrran resistance in Australia and the European Resistance under Victor Von Doom, I can’t guarantee much cooperation.  But the others will at least listen and provide an answer.”

“We need to talk.”  Alan emphasized.  “But without an audience.”

Alexander motioned them inside Mammoth Cave.  “We’ve done a lot of rebuilding since the bombing.  For all the physical damage it did, it could have been far worse.  We lost just a few people.”  (Editor’s note: way back in Alterverse Book 1, Birds of Prey, Chapter 1).

He guided them into a small cavern.  Lyla scanned the room.  Satisfied, she nodded to Alan.  He nodded back.  Then he projected a Hologram of the Earth.  He projected a second Hologram of several universes and gestured towards that hologram.

“This is the dividing line between Shantar and Kayzik territory.  Right between the Milky Way Galaxy and Andromeda.  The real trick is to get that dividing line on the other side of the Milky Way Galaxy.  But that will take years, maybe generations.  So, we’ll work our more immediate objective—freeing Earth.”

Lyla took over.  “Galaxies look fairly open, like you can use Hyperspace to get to any destination from any other destination.  But that’s simply not true.  Much of Hyperspace is impossible to transit for anyone but the select few of us with the power levels to plow through.  There are only so many ways that most travelers, including the Kayzik, can get to Earth, since they have to use a ship or a transporter.  Right now, the Kayzik use the transporters in their floating pyramids to move warriors and equipment between worlds.  And there are only a few worlds that they can reach from here.  One is Amrak, in Alpha Centauri.  Another is Vega.  I know this doesn’t make sense, but Hyperspace routes are not linear.”

“Alexander,” Alan continued.  “Freeing Earth is not a priority for our Shantar allies, but it is our only priority.  Our grandchildren will have no memory of pyramids in the sky.”

Alexander smiled.  “You’ve changed your entire approach.  What happened?”

“I got a wakeup call.”  Alan grinned.  “I learned the value of Faith.”

Lyla’s eyebrow rose.  She laughed.  “I guess you did, at that.  Interesting way to put it.  But back to our story.  Alexander, we’ve mapped a route that requires the taking of four worlds before this one.  Then, we absolutely must free the next world in the chain.  Amrak is a major Shantar base.  Once it’s free, they’ll defend it and they will be fully committed to defending all the pathways to Earth.  The pyramids leave the sky, once and for all.  The Shantar will use the Lair for transport, but otherwise leave this world alone.”

“But we have to free those other worlds, first.”  Alan gestured.  “And that’s our job.  We’re going to show the universe what a rag-tag bunch of Galaxy Class Metas can really do.  But once we’re done, you have the more difficult job.”

“Which is?”  Alexander smiled.  “As if I didn’t know.”

“Once we’ve freed our home,” Lyla countered, “we have to have a working world government.  Something with both local and world-wide reach.”

“Right now,” Alan confirmed, “I speak for Earth because no one else can.  But at some point, other voices must be heard.  And I am determined that they will be.”

Alexander nodded.  “Yes.  Very wise.  The governed must allow the government.  And that requires that they feel they are heard.  My father might have disagreed in his early years, but even Lex Luthor realized that he could not govern alone.”  He laughed.  “Not that anyone can rule my mother!  Lois Lane bows to no man!”

“Interesting assignment you’ve given me, Alan.”  Alexander grinned.  “I am glad that you trust me with it.  I am curious why you seem to assume that the Shantar will go along with your strategy.  We Terrans are not known for mapping out strategies for intergalactic war.”

“We’ve located the best battle tactician the Shantar Empire has ever known.”  Alan grinned fiercely.  “And, together, we’re going to try to locate a lost strategic theoretician.”

“Why would either want to help you?”  Alexander’s curiosity was piqued.  “We’re not exactly on the beaten path.”

“For me,” Lyla answered with warning look to Alan, “I ensure my children’s future.  For the strategist, intellectual curiosity, I think.  But I have not heard from him in over 30 years.  That is our first assignment—to track him down.  Actually, second.  Our first is a meta catalogue.  Jay Garrick and his son, Garth Grayson, and Diana are working on that one.”

“Don’t forget your old friends.”  Alexander reminded them.  “The Lair is not the only place with metas who can help your cause.  Some will require more training than others.  And there are a few you’ve never met.”

“Good point.”  Alan agreed.  “Very good point.  And we need to do a far better job of protecting Earth.  We’re defining a team who will remain Earthbound.  But this time, we’ll make sure that we have the resources to do it right.  You’ll never be without the meta power you need to defend the planet, even when I have my task forces off world.”

“And how do you propose to do that?”  Alexander asked.  “Previous attempts haven’t worked very well.”

“This time, we’re deadly serious.”  Alan answered.  “And we have to do as you suggested—integrate in the other metas who want to play.  In fact we’re doing that now.”

“How?”  Alexander asked.  “And with whom?”

Themyscira

Diana landed on the grounds of her ancestral home.   Despite Kent’s warnings of supernatural activity, she found herself amazed by what she discovered.  She moved through what should have been desolate streets, but was not. 

She heard voices.  Approaching the palace, she watched with surprise as a young woman stepped towards her.  The young woman seemed out of place, even for Themyscira.  For a moment, Diana wondered if the young woman had simply washed ashore.  Dressed as an Australian settler, she seemed out of place on the island.  But there was no mistaking the bracelets or the face.

“I beg your pardon?”  The young woman asked with a noticeable Australian accent.  “Have we been introduced before?”

“Donna Troy?”  Diana asked with confusion.  She sure looks like Donna Troy of the Inheritors.  Sounds a bit like Faith.  Ah… So this world does have a Donna Troy.  Now, how did she get here?

The young woman smiled.  “You must be Diana.  You do resemble your mother strongly.”

“My mother?”  Diana asked.  “How do you know Hippolyta?”

Sixty-six years prior:  Themyscira, 1941

From her throne, Queen Hippolyta gazed across the magnificent palace throne room.  The murmurs of the crowd hushed and heads turned, as they parted to allow the guard detail through.  Though the room was crowded, her attention focused on an errant Amazon: an Amazon who refused to carry out an order.  Hippolyta had no sympathy for the woman.  Amazon guards stood around the bound raven-haired woman who was forced to kneel before her.

“Your Majesty.  You have always encouraged us to speak our mind.  I cannot obey your order.  I will not attack the Green Lantern.”

Fingers tapped impatiently against the Throne of Themyscira.  Hippolyta hissed.  “Chyrra, I have been tolerant of your wild ideas and your insubordination.  But I will tolerate them no longer!  You have your choice.  Death, or exile as a mortal.  I do not care which.”

Chyrra looked up at her queen, eyes clear and resolute.  She replied decisively, “Exile.  There is madness to be fought.  And where there is life, there is hope.”

Hippolyta scowled, and waved the guards forward.  “So be it.  I will have your bracelets.”

Head erect, Chyrra held out her arms.

Within the span of an hour, Chyrra had been stripped of her Amazon heritage and birthrights.  She was set to drift on a raft with no provisions.  She thought she heard the cry of carrion overhead.  Head flung towards the remorseless sun, Chyrra prayed once more to the Goddesses she had worshipped for millennia.

Several months ago: Somewhere in the Outback, Australia

Breaking through cloud cover, the sun stained the dusty, ochre landscape a deep red.  It beat mercilessly upon a tall, young woman working fences.  Her steady rhythm of checking tension, twisting, and cutting the wires was broken by a slip of her pliers.

“Bugger!!  Just bloody brilliant! “

The young woman stood, removed her hat, wiped her forehead and looked around.  This sucks!  First that bloody dust storm wipes out my lean-to.  Then it scatters my animals.

Gloved hands beat a battered hat against dusty jeans.

I haven’t seen my family for days!  Damned if I know what’s happened to any of them.  Well, I’m gonna find out.  

Reaching for the rifle never far from her side, she loaded it.  Life beyond the Black Stump!   Even in this drought we have just enough water here to run a small farm, but not much more.  Thank the Gods.  Most of the fences are solid now.  Hopefully, I’ll have a little more time to myself.

Buckley, her stock horse, whickered at her approach.  She pulled her hat on, flicked back a long raven colored plait and leapt easily into the saddle.

I’ve got to be insane to keep doing this.  I need to find a safer occupation!  ‘course out here, the Kayzik seem to lose interest.  Maybe it’s too close to The Red Centre.  Maybe even they get fried.  She laughed to herself and rode her fence lines towards home.

My fences have been holding up.  Hopefully, I’ll have enough time later today to finish my lean-to.  She heard a commotion and, looking around, saw a dust cloud in the distance.  Bugger!  Marauders again.  And by the sounds of it, they’ve trapped Uncle Charlie and Annie!  Obedient to her silent command, Buckley charged to higher ground.

Yep.  They’ve got Uncle Charlie and Annie.  Guess it’s just the luck of the draw.  Lousy draw. 

She smiled grimly, moved closer, and dismounted.  Well, time to stack the deck, boys.

Keeping low and close to the ground she edged into a protected position against some rocks and scrub.  It gave a clear view of the proceedings.  The conversation drifting towards her confirmed her fears.

“It’s like this.  Give us what we want old man and we’ll kill you now.  Don’t give us what we want and we’ll torture you first.”

Stepping closer to Annie, Charlie’s armed snaked protectively around her as he irritably demanded.  “Who are you?  Why are you doing this?”

The lead marauder laughed.  “Why not?  Easy pickings, old man.  Survival of the meanest!”

Letting go of Annie, he loosened his shoulders.  Then Charlie snarled.  “I’m not that old!  And if you ‘re after easy pickings, then I suggest you look elsewhere!”

Not a coward, are you Uncle Charlie?  She aimed her rifle and fired at the lead marauder.  Her target pitched, stumbled, and fell.  The gaping wound in his forehead left no doubt of her accuracy.  Coolly, she fired at the next marauder in line.  He fell to the ground.  The remaining marauders melted into the landscape.  Stupid!  Good strategy as they go, but there are too many of them and this is no semi automatic.  She primed the rifle and fired again.  Marauders fired above her.  They started to scatter and withdraw.  Carefully avoiding their horses she fired again.  Dismayed, the marauders fired back, wildly.  A bullet struck the rocks behind her.  A shard of rock grazed her forehead.  The world went dark.  Lightning split the sky, striking her unconscious form. 

An hour later

She awoke inside the old homestead.  Annie smiled down at her and held a water soaked cloth to the younger woman’s head.  She struggled to rise.

“What happened?”  She looked around.  Annie helped her to sit up.  The older woman pushed a pillow behind her back and let her lean back.

“We don’t know, Donna.”  Annie scowled.  “Something odd.  No sooner had the marauders fled than the lightning started.  And weird lightning.  Seemed to be everywhere at once.” (Elf note:  Sure was!  Alterverse Book 1: The Search for Kal-El—Chapter 6—The House of El).  “So loud!  Sounded like the Gods beating on a forge.”

Donna sat up.  Charlie brought over a weird, glowing golden rope. 

“We found this laying beside you.  Strong piece of rope.”

Donna eyed the rope.  “I’ve never seen it before.”

“Charlie,” Annie pointed to Donna’s forehead.  “Look!”

“I see it.”  Charlie touched her forehead.  “It’s completely gone.” 

“What?”  Donna reached up to feel her forehead.  She felt smooth skin.  Annie held out a blood-soaked cloth.

“Donna, something’s going on.  Any history of mutants in your father’s family?”

Donna scowled.  “Not that I know of.  And Uncle Charlie knows the other side better than I do.”

Charlie looked at her with concern.  Though a memory tickled the edges of his consciousness, he bit his tongue.  He put his hand on her shoulder.  “Something’s going on.  How do you feel?”

Donna sat up and swung her legs off the bed.

“I feel fine.  Really!”  She stretched down to grab her boots.  Annie smiled.

“I’m sure you do.”  Annie looked at Donna’s wrists.  Pretty bracelets.  I never knew you were into such things.”

Donna stretched out her arms.  The first four inches of her forearms were covered by exquisitely crafted matching burnished metal bracelets. 

“What the hell is this?”  She rolled up her sleeves.  “I’ve never seen them before.”  She looked for a way to remove them.  “I can’t figure out how to get these things off.”

Charlie thought he heard a strike of thunder in the distance.  Athena is reclaiming her children.  I wonder why?  I will have to get a message through Art to Alexander.

Charlie walked outside.  So, Cheryl really was Chyrra.  I wonder why my sister was so insistent we not tell Donna?  He reached an old tree stump and kicked it to the side.  He bent down and removed a heavy metal box.  Memories of his mother’s stories ran through his mind.  Charlie headed back into his house.

Gravely, he handed the dusty box to Donna.  “Open this.” 

“How?”  She grumbled.  “It’s metal and locked.”

“Open it, please.”  He repeated.  Donna shrugged.  She snapped the box open easily.  A small necklace fell out.  Eyes wide, she looked at the box and then her uncle as he bent to retrieve the necklace.  Charlie opened the clasp.  He looked into Donna’s eyes, his own tinged with pride and resignation.

“Remember us, Donna Troy.  And fight well.”  He put the necklace around her neck.

“Charlie?”  Annie asked.  “What are you talking about?  Fight what?”

Charlie looked at her with authority in his eyes.  “A very ancient evil.  The one from the stars.”  Charlie closed his eyes.  He seemed to be reaching inside himself for something.  He found it.  They watched eldritch energies arise from within him.  They flashed.  A strong woman appeared in front of him.  “Queen Hippolyta, I presume?”

The woman nodded with disdain.  “I am Hippolyta.  I have come to reclaim my subject.”

Charlie laughed.  “You have no right.  She is not your subject.  My mother was, until you cast her out.  You have no right to command here.”

With a regal toss of her head, Hippolyta snarled.

“I know who you are, Outsider.  I know the power you possess.  But that does not give you the right to interfere.”

Donna interrupted.  “Uncle Charlie, what’s going on here?”

“Rules of Engagement, Love.”  He grinned.  “A sorcerer’s best friend.  Especially when he’s dealing with the dead.

“Dead?!” Donna exclaimed, her gaze drawn to the image of the proud woman in strange clothing before her.

“Yes, Love.  A dead Amazon to be precise.  You see, Hippolyta and her crew screwed up—they aided the Kayzik in taking over our world.  They engineered the death of the Green Lantern.”  Charlie derisively measured the spectre of Queen Hippolyta.  “Notch the bow yourself, didn’t you, sweetheart?  Not satisfied with destroying your daughter’s life?  Now, you’ve come to take revenge through the grandchild of the woman you cast out?”

Pain flickered briefly in Queen Hippolyta’s eyes before she bit out.

“We may have lost Diana.  But we still retain a claim to this one!  She shall be our warrior in this battle.  Through her, Themyscira will reclaim its honor!”

Charlie laughed.  “Really?  Donna, this is what’s known as negotiation.  Watch closely.”

Donna appeared incredulous, but Annie grinned.

“Now listen to me, sweetheart.”  Charlie continued.  “Here’s the way it works.  Way I figure it, you owe the Sentinel’s team one hell of an apology.  Not only that, but you owe my Grandmother one, too.”

“You should see him haggle for horses.”  Annie whispered to Donna.  Donna snickered.

Overhearing, he tried to keep a straight face.  “Way I see it, you’ve got no right what-so-ever to Donna.  We don’t, so why the Hell should you?  If you really want to do right, then what you ought to do is teach her how to be the best Amazon she can be, and then trust her.  When all is said and done, what she does will be on her balance sheet, not yours.”

The Queen of Themyscira glared at him.  “I am of Themyscira.  I do not need your approval nor do I need your agreement.”

“No,” he answered honestly, “you don’t.  But Donna is a good soul.  You have no right to darken her soul for your own revenge.  None of us do.  I strongly suspect you couldn’t reclaim those bracelets from her, even if you wanted to.  She has the power and she has the responsibility for it.  So, the only question left, really, is how do we guide her?  How do we teach her to make the choices she will have to make?  We don’t have the right to tell her to do anything.”

Drawing herself up to her full height Hippolyta replied with disdain.  “I am Queen of Themyscira.  All Amazons are my responsibility.  They are mine to guide and rule.”

Charlie looked back.  “Your Highness, I do not doubt the authority you once had.  I remember the stories of Themyscira in its days of glory.  And all of it wasted.”

He sighed.  “There are no researchers to research.  No students to teach.  I wonder if the texts are still even on the library shelves?  Such a waste.  Not even a caretaker.”  Hippolyta saw the pain in his eyes.  “Such a terrible, terrible waste.  So much knowledge and beauty lost.” 

Hippolyta knew she had won.  She walked to Donna Troy.  “It is true.  Donna, I have no right to rule the living.  But I and my sisters wish to train and guide you.  In the end, each decision you make must be yours, not ours.”

Donna gazed into Hippolyta’s eyes and after a moment replied, “I think I can live with that.”

Hippolyta turned and smiled condescendingly at Charlie.  “You are aware of the rule?”

Charlie answered firmly.  “That Themyscira will lose its protection if a male sets foot on it?”

Hippolyta smiled knowingly.  “Yes, that one.  But it does not apply to the descendents of our Island.  Do not worry—there is no Kayzik base there.”

“Haven.”  Charlie decided.  “May we?  The Haven at Themyscira?”

“Haven.”  Hippolyta affirmed.  “A new beginning.”

With a look of joy on his face, the Outsider walked out into the daylight.

“Amateur.”  Queen Hippolyta smiled fondly.  “Doesn’t do to well with horses, either, does he?”

“Way I see it,” Annie answered, “any negotiation where everybody wins is a good negotiation.  And he does really well with horses.  He might not win on every bid, but he finds the horses that want a good home.  He treats them well.  And they work hard for him.”  She smiled.  “In the end that is what most of us seek—a happy home and a place to be.”

Hippolyta smiled and inclined her head.

“Goddess, I would not think to disagree.  Any mortal who could claim your heart is more than worthy of the task we have set forth.”

“Goddess?”  Donna looked confused.

Annie’s appearance changed.  She put her hand on Donna’s shoulder.

“Hestia,” Hippolyta answered, “the Goddess of Hearth, Family, and Peace.  And now the Mistress of Themyscira.  It is as it should be and more than we could have hoped for.  Welcome, Goddess.  Welcome and well met.”

She turned to Donna Troy.  “We of Themyscira seek only two things.  We wish to redress our wrongs, where we can.  Thus we offer all we can give to you.  Themyscira should have value to those who still live.  And we have found the only steward who could possibly make that happen.”

She smiled.  “The Outsider.  A sorcerer who refuses to deal with the creatures of the Dark.  The chosen mate of Hestia.  What better caretaker could Themyscira have?  A haven for our world to reclaim what it has lost.  Yes Goddess, we of Themyscira have had a good day, today.”  She bowed her head once more to the new Mistress of Themyscira and vanished.

Present Day

Diana listened to the Ocean waters.  She stood as Donna watched the waves.  They heard footsteps behind them: the same footsteps Diana had heard for so many years.

“No, daughter: neither insanity nor death could keep me from my duty—not for long.  I will defend my children and my world.”

Diana tried to suppress a smile as she turned.  She couldn’t.  “Excuses, excuses…”

Several weeks later—San Francisco Bay

“It’s still so hard to believe.”  Linda munched on a hamburger as she spoke to Alan, Elise, and Alanna.  “I was put together just to be someone’s tool for revenge?”

Alan poured a glass of water and handed it to her.  “Only the first time.  Your life now belongs to you.  Faith tried very hard to separate what made you the person from everything else that tried to drive you.”

She accepted the glass.  “But am I a real person?  I don’t understand.”

Elise smiled.  “If you can ask the question, you already have the answer.”

Linda nodded.  “You know, I’m starting to remember a few snatches here and there of the time I lost.  Not a whole lot, but a little.”

Alanna pondered.  “Maybe you’re remembering the pieces of those times that were Linda, more than they were Jade.”

Linda smiled wryly.  “Maybe.  I’m starting to remember snatches of being here before with the three of you, time with Helena, and a few other things.”

She rose to her feet and stood beside the bay.  She pulled the sleeves of her pink sweater loosely around her neck.    Her growing brown hair began to brush her shoulders.  “And someone.”  She whispered only to herself.  Where are you, my dear friend?  If I’m so important to you, why haven’t you come?

She sighed as she looked out over the waters.  Then she found herself in shadow.  She heard a booming, but pleading voice.

“Does ya even remember me at all, Linda?  Even a liddle?”

She turned to face the gigantic Green Lantern.  A gentle smile crossed her lips.  “Of course I remember you, Kilowog!  You’re much too big to forget!”  Her green flame powered jump landed her in his arms and him on his back.  

That’s the first time I’ve seen her laugh in far too long.  Alan smiled at Elise.  She’s going to be all right.

Yes.  He sensed her response.  She is.  And maybe for the first time.
 

Sentinel’s Lair—the Oracle Console

Bruce walked up to Selina’s console. 

“You’re wanted in the main conference room.  I’ll take over for you.”

Selina nodded and smiled.  She relinquished her station and walked down towards the conference room.  She entered, finding an unusual group of heroes.  She looked out to see Dick Grayson (Hawkman), Barbara Gordon (Hawkgirl), Kira Jor-El, and Iris Grayson.  She looked inquiringly at Dick.  He spoke first.

“Selina, thank you for coming.  Forgive us if we seem a little presumptuous.”  He looked questioningly at Kira.

Kira Jor-El spoke next.  “Before Ares hit us, the Birds of Prey were making a difference.  We filled a critical need – we took care of the Earth-side meta requirements.  Selina, I realize that your original motives were not completely altruistic, but it was a very good idea.”

Barbara Gordon sat on the table.  She smiled sardonically.  “I feel the oddest of all being here, but I second Kira.  I think we each have something to add to the Birds of Prey.”

Iris grinned.  “And Dick thinks it will keep me out of trouble.”  The air shimmered slightly.  A chocolate bar appeared in her hand.  “Of course,” she grinned, “your cafeteria alone solves most of my problems.”

Selina looked at Kira.  “What does Lyla think?”

Kira raised an eyebrow.  “She strongly endorsed my idea.  She wondered why we ever dropped the idea of a Planetary Defense Force.  My Mother is a little different sometimes, but she usually makes good sense.”

Kira changed her stance.  “Selina, Ares burned us so badly because we had no idea what else was going on in our world.  The off-planet teams are going to keep focusing on the battle with the Kayzik.  But there will always be other foes and other allies.  We need to know who they are.  We need the ongoing contact with the Resistance.  We need the information broker.  The Birds of Prey need the Oracle to stay on-line permanently.”

Selina smiled.   “I notice that you’re not volunteering for the Oracle role.”

Kira smiled with a hint of mischief.  “Cute.  But we both know why I can’t.  While I can focus my efforts on the Birds of Prey, I won’t always be on planet.  And can you honestly see me at a console during any fight?  Don’t forget—I am Lyla’s daughter.  And I have her strength.”

“Not to mention a better sense of humor.”  Selina smiled warmly.  But you have changed so much over the last several months.  I don’t know you any more.  But I think I respect you.  And I never did before.  Is this Lyla’s influence?  Or am I truly seeing Kiragee Tennan of Daxam for the first time?

Kira let Selina finish her thought. Then, she spoke confidently.  “Selina, it’s simple.  You’re Oracle.  You made the Oracle and you made it work.”  She smiled.  “So, make it work.”

Selina nodded approvingly.  “It would seem you’ve already made my decision for me.”

The others in the room watched the interplay with piqued interest.  On the surface, it appeared to be a friendly conversation.  But a current of tension raged just beneath.

Kira smiled with self assurance.  “Not at all.  I will recharter the Birds of Prey with or without you.  I made that decision during the Inheritors’ visit.  We got the job done, but our efforts were neither well-planned nor well-coordinated with the Resistance.”  She smiled wryly.  “I won’t allow Earth to be left defenseless again.  I would prefer to have your help; I think you have a lot to offer.  But I won’t make your decision for you.”

Selina looked over the group as she thought of a reply to Kira.  I don’t know you any more.  Not at all.  Your appearance changed drastically after your trip to Dark Earth.  But you have changed even more than your appearance.  She sighed.  Still, it’s not you that no one trusts.  And it is you that is offering me a chance to redeem myself, even after I withheld the knowledge that almost got you killed.  I can tell you know how much I want that chance.  You are so much more than the Kira I used to know.

Finally, she found words.  “Certainly a capable group.  Not quite as much muscle as before, but a Hell of a lot more flexible.”

“And,” Kira added, “a Hell of a lot more clear-headed.”  She smiled genuinely.

“There is that.”  Kent Nelson walked into the room.  He held out a hand to a young raven-haired woman dressed in a light drizabone coat and outdoor gear.  She took his hand and followed him in.  She looked around questioningly.

Selina puzzled.  What’s Kent doing here?  He sure isn’t here to shoot the breeze with the Birds of Prey.  And how did she get back here?

Barbara Gordon smiled at the newcomer.  Who’s the newbie? 

“Barbara Gordon, Gotham City.”  She held out a hand.  The newcomer returned Barbara’s smile.

“You will have to forgive me.”  She walked towards Barbara.  “I’m not used to being around so many people.”  She stretched out her hand. A silver bracelet followed it out of the coat.  “Donna Troy, Themyscira.”

Must be this world’s version.  Selina smiled.  Well, if she’s anything like the Inheritors’ version, we just got lucky!

“I didn’t realize Themyscira was part of Australia.”  Dick asked, intrigued.

Donna giggled.  “I did take a rather long path in life before I got there.  But it’s not too far from home!”

Kent smiled warmly at Donna.  He turned towards Kira.

“Kira, Diana asked that I introduce Donna to you.  Donna is still learning the game, but she shares Diana’s abilities.  She wants to make a difference, and Diana and I both believe you would offer her the best chance of doing just that.”

Donna’s eyes brightened.  “Supergirl, I’m pleased to finally meet you.”

Kira favored Donna with a warm smile.  “You’ve come to the right place at the right time.  Welcome to the very first meeting of the rechartered Birds of Prey.” 

“The Birds of Prey underpowered?”  Kent grinned.  “I think not.”  He smiled at Donna.  “And let me know if they don’t treat you well.  I’ll turn them all into frogs.  And ugly ones at that!”

Donna looked around uncertainly.  “Ummm.”

“Knee deep.  Knee deep.”  Dick Grayson teased.

Donna howled with laughter.

“Always keep an Amazon smiling!”  Kent warned.  “I have a lot of first hand experience in what happens if you don’t!”  He feigned terror as he eased back out the door.

“What is he on about?”   Donna asked.

“Oh, that.”  Iris smirked.  “He wants us to introduce you to his Grandson, Jeffrey.  Jeffrey is the final member of the Birds of Prey who lives at the Lair.”

Kira chuckled.  Sneaky, Iris, sneaky.  But wait until Garja Jenna catches you!  “I think Donna will have to take a rain-check on that one.”  Kira grinned at the rest of the group.  “Donna, we’ve been around this uninteresting and male-starved group long enough!  Let’s go visit the Resistance.  There’s even more of the team at their headquarters.”  Kira’s eyes twinkled.  “You’ll get to meet some available men!”

“I think I shall take you up on that!”  Donna grinned.  “Just as soon as we’re done here.”

Across the room Barbara watched Dick Grayson.  “Don’t even think it!”  Barbara growled at Dick.  “Ever!”

“No Ma’am!”  Dick chuckled. “Not me!”

Kira smiled warmly at Selina.  “Are we done here?  And would you like to join us?  We won’t tell Bruce where you’ve gone.”

Selina looked at the team members already present.  The Hawks, who had traveled so far to come to the meeting; Kid Flash, of the fast mouth and faster feet; Donna, who had not even chosen a non de plume; and Kira—Kira, her previously innocent, ditzy, and addled companion, but now someone very different.  I don’t know you at all.  I used to think that you couldn’t live up to what the name ‘Supergirl’ was supposed to mean.  But now I look at you and I see why the name means what it does.  Kira, I promise that this is one olive branch that won’t be stuck in your eye.

Selina smiled towards her fellow Birds of Prey.  She flipped the comms and gestured towards Kira.

“Alan, this is Kira.  The Birds of Prey are back on-line.”  Kira smiled confidently.  “And this time, we’re here to stay!”

End—Chapter One–The Sentinel War

-- Story written and copyrighted (C) 2002 by Eldric

-- and may not be reprinted without permission. 

-- Otherverse and Dark Earth, as depicted in the Continuum Worlds,

-- are original creations of Dylan Clearbrook

-- Alterverse and The Inheritors, as depicted in the Continuum Worlds,

-- are the original creations of Eldric

-- The Realm and Shadowverse, as depicted in the Continuum Worlds,

-- are original creations of John P. and Jason G respectively.

-- Some characters in Continuum Worlds stories are original

-- creations of Dylan Clearbrook, Michael Liebhart,

-- Jake H., Jason Froikin, Eldric, Jason G, or Andrew Shields and may not

-- be used without express permission of the respective author

-- Supergirl, Lar Gand and other DC characters are property of D.C. Comics

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-- the property of Twentieth Century Fox, Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, and/or the

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-- the property of Davis-Panzer Productions