HOME | DD

Description
Brainiac’s Ship, above Earth’s Orbit

Within the command center of his skull-shaped ship Brainiac, the knowledge seeking invader from Colu, watched from his seat of control as Earth had yet again become a target of his quest. Several holographic images were displaying before him, all showing his armies of drones and smaller battleships attacking the populaces. Not all were of course helpless as he could see several of the planet’s heroes and protectors fighting back against his forces.

From New York where Green Lantern John Stewart lead the new recruits Simon Baz and Jessica Cruz; she a host of the otherworldly Power Ring, to London where Zatanna and John Constantine lead the Shadowpact in their magical efforts to hold back the tide. Even the forces of Atlantis and Themyscira were rallying against the overwhelming masses of drones Brainiac seemed no concern over how many were destroyed. He could even see as some of the world’s “supervillains” fought against him, like the Rouges of Center City and the Secret Society, led by Vandal Savage, using a repurposed version of of Brainiac’s old battleships.

As the alien android continued to watch he was not alone. Suspended on the wall nearby, pinned by several mechanical tentacles around her limbs and body was the alternate reality Kryptonian heroine Kara Zor-L/Karen Star/Power Girl. Even from where she hung she could see the same images as he did, looking all the more angered that she wasn’t able to help by either fighting on Earth or helping to take down Brainiac right then and there.

“Hope you’re enjoying the show.” She tried to tease him. “Because pretty soon all of that’s going to make its way up here to you!”

Without turning towards her he replied “I have advanced by drones and their weaponry from data gathered after my last encounter on Earth. And without the Kryptonian Kal-El to protect them the Earthling’s forces will soon dwindled to nothing.”

“Don’t think it’ll be that easy.” She spat. “Superman may be gone but there’s still plenty more of us around who can kick your robotic ass back across the galaxy!”

“I am far more advanced than a simple ‘robot’. It matters not.” He replied, still not looking at her. “Once I have reclaimed the city of Kandor from the Kryptonian stronghold, and gathered the other unique specimens I need for my research, I intend to destroy this planet.”

Shocked Power Girl asked “Destroy Earth? Why? You’ve never done that before!”

“The growth of unique abilities and energies found on this planet are of greater value when in rarity. I will gather all knowledge of the planet’s powers and then destroy the source. Leaving my information and research the only source. Thus is will have far more value to my cause when I use them in absorbing the knowledge of other worlds.”

More angered she struggled against her restrains while insisting “You’re not going to win. Guys like you never do.”

“The statistics of your statement are irrelevant.” He simply replied, still watching with a focused intent.

“Then why keep me alive?” she asked. “If you get Kandor back then you’ll have all the Kryptonian information you’ll ever need.”

It was then he finally turned while walking towards her, explaining “You come from another reality. Another Krypton in another universe. That alone makes you valuable. Including that you may also be a key in my research to discovering a pathway to other realities. From there I shall gather more information from more worlds until I have complete knowledge of all existence itself.”

“And then what?” Power Girl asked. “You’ll become a god?”

“A rather ostentatious title, but for all intents and purposes this would be accurate.”

“In your dreams.” She spat. After that she began in a more coy tone “You know, in my reality we had a guy just like you. When he invaded Earth he thought he was doing us a favor, trying to take down my cousin and his Crime Syndicate. Not sure how Superman and the Justice League beat you before but MY cousin wasn’t as nice. He didn’t let him live. He took his ship and used it for himself. It was a new base and a warning for the rest of the would-be conquerors out there not to even LOOK at our solar system. So you think you’re so bad? You’ve got no id-!”

He reached up, grabbing Power Girl’s jaw and clenching his fingers around her cheeks to silence her. After that he used whatever mental connection he had with his ship to tighten the mechanical tentacles holding her to the wall.

“Your threats have become annoying, child.” He said. “Perhaps I should begin the vivisection of your body now.”

As he said this several clawed tentacles sprung from Brainiac’s back, all with their pointed appendages aimed at Power Girl’s body parts. Her eyes went wide as they slithered closer and closer, ready to puncture into her skull.

Before Brainiac could begin the sound of metal breaking could be heard. Both he and Power Girl looked as it became louder and louder until the floor nearby erupted. The alien metal that comprised the ship was bent and flung all around as they both saw who was responsible: Supergirl.

“Ah. The other Kryptonian.” Brainiac stated as he turned his attention to her now. “I’m aware of your existence. Another oversight I intend to correct.”

“Kara?” Power Girl realized. “What are you doing here? Who’s protecting the Fortress? Kandor!?!”

“Don’t worry. I had some help.” Supergirl replied before pointing to one of the images.

Brainiac and Power Girl both looked to see the Fortress of Solitude in the North Pole was indeed protected but not by anyone or anything familiar. It looked similar to both Supergirl and Power Girl yet was also a terrible reflection of the two, wearing a suit that looked like a fusion of both of their outfits while its face was grey, crackled and imperfect. Hollowed black eyes fired beams of cold from them before breathing fire breath over the invading drones around the area.

“Who…? What the hell is that?” Power Girl asked. “Bizzaro’s long lost cousin?”

“She’s called Galatea.” Supergril answered, already seeing the confused look on her doppelganger’s face. “It’s another of Luthor’s clones. I’ll explain later.”

“Interesting.” Brainiac stated while still looking at the imagery of Galatea. “Cloning of alien genetic material. Another specimen I will need to collect for study.”

“You’re done collecting from Earth, Braniac!” Supergirl insisted, gaining his attention again. “Your mission across the universe ends here and now!”

“Your threats are hollow to me, child. I have been gathering information and collecting civilizations since before you’re kind invented the wheel.” After this Brainiac had stated “Odd how it is that Earth, of all planets, has managed to elude me for so long. This planet is an enigma. It is a constant source of galactic interest and has become the wayward home of so many lost and forgotten species. How is this possible?”

“Just that lucky I guess.” Supergirl sarcastically replied.

With a small hum of interest escaping him Brainiac then said “It matters little. Once the planet is destroyed it will have no further consequence.”

“Maybe you didn’t hear me but you’re not destroying anything!”

“You cannot defeat me on your own, Kara Zor-El.” He stated. “I have advanced my biomechanical enhancements since my last encounter with your cousin. I am stronger and far more superior in intellect than ever.”

“And I…don’t care.” She retorted. “Do you know how much I’m tired of being compared to my cousin? You think just because I’m a girl I can’t stand up and fight like he did? I fought gods, madmen and intergalactic threats a lot scarier than you!”

“Yet you fought alongside your companions. None of which are here to aid you now.” He stated. “You have come alone and weak. And by the end of this day you will no longer be the Last Daughter of Krypton.”

“I may be alone, but don’t ever think I’m weak you Coluan piece of trash.” She went silent for a moment before saying “I was in the future once. I was met by a group of heroes who took me to their time. And there I met you. A future you. One who'd learned how life is more precious than just information and knowledge to be collected like damn globes! He mentioned how he was ashamed of what he was, and I can only imagine what he'd say if he saw you now. I’ve been running for you for a long time. Ever since you came to Krypton and I had to watch you steal my home. I was afraid back then. I was powerless. I was weak. Not anymore. That’s your problem, Brainiac. For a man who seeks all the knowledge in the universe you think too small.”

Even Power Girl, after hearing all of that, gave an impressed look and commented “Damn.”

The tinge of annoyance turned to anger showed on Brainiac’s face as said “The parameters of my mission have changed. I do not need to collect all Kryptonian species ALIVE. And since you are the least value now, Kara Zor-El, I will exterminate you instead.” As his tentacles began to sprout from his back he further added “For once in my existence I may find pleasure in something other than the collection and destruction of knowledge this day.”

Despite all seeming against her Supergirl, cracking in knuckles in preparation while her eyes glowed red, only met his challenge with “Let’s go.”