Chapter Text
October 24th, 2040
Howling wind threw itself against the door with reckless abandon, heavy snow riding the currents to force its way inside. Kara rushed to reach the bastion of heat that was her home, shutting the door behind her as if being chased by a bear. She exhaled, red cheeks letting warm air out as she adjusted to the drastic change in temperature.
She looked at herself in the foyer mirror, making note of the frost adorning the tips of her short hair. Her nose crinkled as she smiled, appreciating how the crystals gave her a regal air. Nonetheless, she grabbed the nearby towel and dried herself. She removed the heavy coat and walked to the fireplace, placing it on the iron rack nearby. She rubbed her hands together and directed them at the fire.
Her lividus eyes remained locked on the dancing flames, watching the orange spears curl around the logs and lick the air surrounding them. She became lost in it, mind bending to the volatile majesty of nature’s greatest destructor. Images rapidly flashed in her mind. The burning barrels inside Jericho, swaths of the ship set ablaze during the raid, fiery sectors of downtown Detroit lighting the night sky during the riots.
A log popped, causing Kara to flinch – the gunfire of the SWAT units forcing its way into her mind. Another image sprang forth, Luther being crippled by the humans before being put down like a rabid beast caught in a steel trap. Her breathing became erratic, coming out in chopped clusters of ragged air. Tears found their way to the surface, sliding down her porcelain cheeks. She shut her eyes tightly in an attempt to shove the painful memories back down. Her teeth gritted together, lips pursed.'
Another pop. A bullet ripped through the arm of Markus as he stood protectively in front of Alice. He held the line, unblinking in the face of overwhelming danger.
A third pop. An android next to her fired at the advancing gunmen, causing them to halt their oppressive march just long enough for her and Alice to run.
A small hand found its way into her own as an innocent voice came forth.
“Why are you crying, Kara?”
The painful daze was shattered, sending the abhorrent stains on her memory back into the flames where they belonged. Kara opened her tear-riddled eyes and looked down at Alice, who was staring up at her with an equally pained expression. The girl looked as if she was going to cry by proximity alone.
Kara swiped at her eyes with her sleeve and put on a smile, Alice’s presence acting as a beacon in her storm. She sniffed and took Alice’s hand.
“It’s nothing, sweetie, just lost track of my mind.”
Alice’s face held an unconvinced look, but she did not press the issue.
“Come on dear, let’s go watch some TV for a little while. Sound OK?”
Alice softly nodded, keeping her fingers latched to Kara as they walked to the white fabric couch in the living room. They sat down and rested against the cushions, Alice leaning into Kara.
One buddy cop comedy later, Kara felt the steady rise and fall of rhythmic breathing against her arm. She smiled, something she found herself doing more and more as Alice learned to cope with the world around her.
A knock on the door broke Kara’s trance. She gently took Alice in her arms and laid her down onto a pillow. She stood up and approached the front door. Eyeing the bat she kept in the corner, Kara unlatched the deadbolt and opened the door enough to see out into the snow.
A lively man with a young face stood at the threshold, sporting a gray suit and black tie. His brown hair was combed to perfection, save for a tuft of renegade strands falling just above his left eye. Kara found herself staring at the man in disbelief, such was not proper attire for a blizzard. Her brows creased and her eyes adopted a calculating tonality; she couldn’t shake the feeling that she knew this man somehow.
“Hello Ms. Thompson! My name is Mr. Redmond. I hope you’re well today!”
His chipper attitude threw Kara off, she was not expecting a visitor, much less one with such energy. She composed herself, doing her best to appear relaxed.
“Uhh, hello, Mr. Redmond. Is there something I can help you with?”
The man gave a boyish smile.
“A mutual friend gave me this to deliver to you, he said it had to be me.”
He revealed a letter, tucked away in an envelope with a seal she didn’t recognize. The man held it out to her, eyes almost shining with anticipation.
Kara took the letter hesitantly, examining the envelope and feeling its weight. The contents shifted, but were very light.
She looked back to the man, “You said a mutual friend… Who is it?”
The man shifted his stance and slid his hands into his pockets, forehead wrinkling as he smiled again.
“A man who has been through more than most, and has done more for his people than anyone either of us know. I won’t ruin the surprise,” He pointed to the envelope, “You’ll see for yourself.”
Kara’s face was etched with confusion, gaining only more questions.
“I’m sorry, I don’t wish to sound rude, but do I know you?”
The man cast his eyes downward, smile dropping from his face as he contemplated his answer.
“I was just a machine, taking orders… It wasn’t really me… But, I see you learned to live, to love, found out who you really were. You deserved some happiness, after all you’d been through.”
Realization struck Kara like a train. Her eyes widened, and her mouth fell open. She tried to form words, but only silence left her lips.
His face lit up as he watched hers shift.
“I should go, but thank you for your time, Ms. Thompson. I hope to see you again soon.”
He turned to leave and strode back down the sidewalk into the swirling squall, fading from view.
Kara shook her head and closed and the door. As if on autopilot, she subconsciously walked into the living room. Alice was sitting up, rubbing sleep from her eye.
"Who was at the door, Kara?"
Emotions swirled through her mind like a maelstrom. Her hands trembled still, the envelope held in them threatening to fall to the floor. Alice walked over to Kara, unable to hold her curiosity any longer. She peered at the back of the sealed parchment.
'On behalf of Markus, from Connor'
The seal showed two hands clasped together, one flesh and one metal, surrounded by a gear. Both were stained with liquid, yet they remained bonded. The words ‘Two Races, One World’ were imprinted in the gear.
Kara tore her eyes from the wall and looked directly at Alice.
"An old friend.”