*See previous issues for the full story on Power Girl's on-again off-again powers.

"Well, at least the time between power and no power is getting shorter." Power Girl mumbled to herself, not turning the rocket boots off as she headed toward her hotel. She could feel super-strength and the increased healing kicking back in, but the floating sensation that accompanied her flying powers was nowhere to be felt. "Although some powers are missing with each reactivation."

Power Girl was several blocks away when she saw the smoke rising from her hotel—she noted that the smoke and the black hole in the side of the hotel appeared to be her room.

"MY CAT!" Power Girl cried out, accelerating the rocket boots as quickly as she could. As she drew nearer, she saw a heavy-seat woman on a stretcher being attended to by paramedics.

Power Girl landed, trying to control her panic, striding straight for the police officers who were clustered around debris. Power Girl recognized her suitcase—the one made of Thanagarian leather and crafted on Rann. It was charred and slightly mangled, with small tears and rips on its surface.

"What seems to be the trouble here?" Power Girl asked smoothly.

A handsome man in a nice suit and with deep green eyes turned to her, the sun glinting on his copper hair. The uniformed cops turned their attention to Power Girl, several of their eyes dipping below neck level.

"There was an explosion here earlier. As near as we can tell, something went seriously wrong with a high end computerized vacuum cleaner while that woman over there was cleaning that room." The handsome man said, pointing at the black hole in the side of the hotel. "She has been going in and out of consciousness and appears to have some of the computer components of the vacuum cleaner imbedded in her. Once they feel secure about her condition, they're going to take her in an ambulance to the hospital. They have been afraid to move her just yet."

"Was there anyone else in that room?" Power Girl swallowed a lump forming in her throat. If anything happened to her cat…. She didn't even want to think about it. Her origins had changed, her family was different, and her powers were unpredictable, but that cat had been a constant in her life since he'd wandered in the Justice League's Paris Embassy all those years ago. She didn't want to contemplate life without him.

"The woman mentioned something about a cat, but--." One of the uniformed cops piped up, but was interrupted by loud angry meowing.

Power Girl looked down just in time to see her cat come limping up, his fur singed and matted, his one good eye wide and angry. He meowed at her, glaring at her with his one eye while rubbing against her rocket boot.

"Well, what is your name little guy?" Power Girl lifted the cat, cuddling him. Mindful of the cops watching her. She lifted the small tag around his neck, reading it aloud, "Creaky." She ruffled the cat's fur, wishing she could give him kisses and cuddles, but it wouldn't do to let these cops see her going all googly and gushy over Karen Starr's cat. "There's a number on the back."

Power Girl handed the cat to the handsome man in the suit. The cat hissed at Power Girl, flicking his tail in irritation. His look said it all, "Why are you betraying me and giving me to this man?"

"Careful, He's—" Power Girl went to warn the man about how temperamental her cat could be, not worrying so much about her secret identity so much as she worried about Creaky tearing the flesh from his face.

"He's fine." The man said, smiling pleasantly. Creaky began purring and curled up in the man's arm easy like a baby, looking up at him with its one good eye with a great deal of affection and love. It cast the green eye toward Power Girl.

"That cat doesn't like anyone." Power Girl mumbled beneath her breath.

"I'm sorry. What did you say?" The man replied.

"Oh nothing." Power Girl said, "I suppose everything here is under control then. I should get going. I'm sure there is crime somewhere to stop."

"Well, thank you for stopping. I know that I'm relieved to have Power Girl in Century City. It's been too long since we've had a hero in this city. And with the recent terrorist attacks against the Bialyan Ambassador… well, we can use all the help we can get."

"Thank you, Officer." Power Girl smiled.

"It's detective. Detective Ian McLean."

"It's nice to meet you Detective McLean." Power Girl grinned, "I'm Power Girl."

She leaped into the air, flying up into the afternoon. Her super-speed was back, even though she wasn't flying of her own volition. She made haste to the top of the hotel to the spot where she'd hidden a small bag. From the bag, Power Girl pulled a pair of wire-frame glasses, hair clips, a nice tweed business suit, some sensible heels, grooming products, and a briefcase. She'd hidden several such bags around the city for instances like this.

One quick change later, Karen Starr came running up to where Detective McLean and the other cops were standing. Detective McLean was still holding her cat; the animal purring loudly and looking pleased as punch.

"Oh my God! That's my cat!" Karen said, hoping she sounded convincing as she reached Detective McLean. "What happened?"

"You're Karen Starr?" Detective McLean asked, looking at her intently. Karen's hand flew to her hair self-consciously. She had run some hair mousse through it and clipped it back tightly, giving her a severe look that she never had when it swung loosely around her face. Did he see through the disguise? She had always marveled that no one had realized that Clark Kent was just Superman wearing classes and a suit. For all these years, she had been a bit self-conscious about her disguise. Wire-frame glasses and pulled back hair… it seemed so little. Of course, her suits often covered her figure enough… and she was smart enough to know that most people spent more time looking at her from the neck down.

"Yes." Karen said, taking her cat from the Detective and cradling him. "Oh my God. Thank God he's OK."

"I'm Detective McLean. There was a vacuum cleaner malfunction. The maid was seriously wounded. Your cat appears to be a little crispy, but overall fine. You might want to take him to the vet. Just to be sure." Detective McLean said. "It's pretty far from the third floor to the ground … and if he was thrown like the maid was, then he might have some serious internal injuries."

"I wouldn't doubt it." Karen said, kissing the cat on his forehead. "The fact that he didn't tear you limb from limb says he's not feeling his normal self. He doesn't like anyone."

"That's what Power Girl said." Detective McLean said, just beneath his breath.

"I'm sorry. What did you say?" Karen asked, listening to her cat purr.

"Nothing." Detective McLean said, looking at Karen oddly.

Anath's voice was slightly garbled over the line. It was to be expected. The signal was relayed several times over, just on the off-chance that someone was trying to listen in or trace it. With Watchtowers on the moon and Oracles on the ground, it was a difficult time to be the leader of a secret organization determined to rule the world—or at the very least to be incredibly wealthy with the minimal amount of adhering to the law.

"I escaped Power Girl. Her powers went out again. They appear to be going in and out still. Although it looked as though she were wearing rocket boots and had some sort of exo-skeleton. I did a full scan with the x-ray filter in my goggles. She also appears to have two livers and an extra kidney. What the Hell is she?"

"I've consulted the Professor. Apparently the prototype of the MS76 was a bit ... unreliable. However, at the very least it has Power Girl at reduced power and far less sure of herself. Let's not focus on Power Girl or what she is. I heard she was Kryptonian or Atlantean. Whatever she is, her race is mostly dead or swimming with the fishes. For a moment, let's just pretend like she's not in Century City. I'm more concerned with the Ambassador's continued living. Power Girl disappeared for three days after you first shot her, and during that time you were unable to kill the Ambassador." A heavy sigh punctuated the next thing said, "I thought you were good Anath. I thought you wanted to avenge your family. Your village. Our people. You haven't succeeded in the least. You've had a couple of near misses… but, they were that: misses."

"I am sorry Mistress."

"Being sorry is not getting him dead. Prove you love our people, Anath. Kill the Ambassador."

"I will." Anath sighed, signing off.

"You play a dangerous game with that girl Star-Fyre." Professor Kangle said from where he sat at the conference table. "If you continue to push her, she could break. Her mind is fragile as the hormones work their way on her. She had a tenuous grip on reality and sanity when you first enlisted her.

Lady Star-Fyre looked up at Professor Kangle, her beautiful face hinting at her Asian, Swedish, and Bialyan heritage. Dark almond shaped eyes glittered with spite.

"My dear Professor. I found Anath when she first arrived in America. I molded her. I trained her. I have guided her to this point. Even without the hormones you have pumped her full of stimulating her meta-gene, she would be useful. The girl is full of anger and hate, and she has focused it on Ambassador Kirkarius and President Stanlos Varkahn. She is the perfect weapon." Lady Star-Fyre said, sipping from her martini glass. "When she kills Kirkarius, it will send the New Republic of Bialya on the offensive. And they will start making mistakes. And the U.N. will find something to nail them with. And then they will be out, and the government of my choosing will be into place. And, then I will be able to use Bialya as a base of operations. It is perfectly positioned between eastern Europe and the Middle East, with Mediterranean access. And eventually, the guilt over the innocents she has killed will push her over the edge. She will either commit suicide, or get herself into a situation that kills hers. Either way she will have served her purpose."

"I can't believe you are looking to overthrow a government just to have a base of operations." Professor Kangle said, shaking his head. "It's quite preposterous."

"I would have an entire country my dear Professor." Lady Star-Fyre's eyes lit up. "I grow weary of undersea complexes. Castles in the Swiss Alps. Roving air-ships. Remote tropical islands. I want a base of operations close to decent shopping. I want to send my assistant to get Starbucks and Taco Bell when I feel the need. And a country I have blood ties to it as it were."

"There are no Starbucks or malls in Bialya." Professor Kangle said. "And your blood ties have never meant anything to you before."

"Not yet." Lady Star-Fyre stood from the conference table, walking over the wall-length display monitor which had a computer generated map of Bialya. "There will be when I'm done. As for my blood ties, do not devalue their importance. My family has a long history of running Bialya that stretches back to when my sister first assassinated Colonel Rumaan Harjavti and assumed power as the first Queen Bee."

"Wasn't she the second Queen Bee?"

"Earth's first Queen Bee." Lady Star-Fyre said with exasperation. "That alien Zazzala doesn't count. Stop being so contrary Professor. Be thankful that I need you and your wonderful brain and technologies or I would have you executed for your frequent insolence."

The telephone on the conference table rang, interrupting Professor Kangle's reply. The tall man with heavy glasses and long cumbersome arms and legs remained silent, watching with hazel eyes through his glasses and Lady Star-Fyre hit the speaker phone button.

"Mistress, the head of sales is here for your two o'clock." Her assistant Muriel said.

"Very good. Send her in." Lady Star-Fyre said. She then turned to Professor Kangle, her long flowing ebony hair gleaming beneath the soft lighting of the conference room. "Don't you have things to work on in your lab?"

"Yes, Lady Star-Fyre." Professor Kangle said, pulling himself to his feet and leaving the room through a secret panel.

Lady Star-Fyre watched after him, thoughtfully twisting the massive yellow diamond on the ring-finger of her right hand.

While a city the size of Century City has many hospitals, there is always one that is considered better than the others or one where people go when they have nowhere else to go. Henry C. Waylander Memorial Hospital fell somewhere in the middle of that. Named after its first chief of surgeons, it was established as Century City Memorial Hospital shortly after the end of World War II. It was renamed in the late 1970's after Dr. Waylander passed away and granted his incredible fortune to the hospital. Although most people just referred to it as Memorial Hospital.

Despite its middle of the road status, its trauma unit was considered the best in the entire city. While you might not want to go to Memorial Hospital when you were getting treatment for cancer or a serious disease, you wanted to be in its trauma unit after a car accident or plane crash or in the case of Brunhilda Hasslicher after a vacuum cleaner explodes, hurling you through a window and embedding you with thousands of electronic and computerized components that appeared now to be merging with your body.

Brunhilda's condition was listed as stable, although the doctors were concerned that several attempts to remove the computer and metal parts of the vacuum cleaner had resulted only Brunhilda's skin growing over them and pulling them more deeply into her flesh, putting them in places that might be dangerous to attempt a removal. The doctors had located traces of the hormone secreted by the meta-gene, and therefore, Brunhilda was now listed as a potential meta. Doctors from S.T.A.R Labs New Athens would arrive in the morning to assess Brunhilda and determine if she needed to be transported to S.T.A.R Labs for healing.

The monitor tracking Brunhilda's vital signs beeped a steady if cheerless tone. It came to a screeching ear-piercing stop as Brunhilda's eyes opened, the pupils flashing angry red surrounded by a ring of brown.

"CAT! I WILL FIND YOU DEMON SPAWN!" She screamed. The air in the room began to swirl around as massive suction radiated from Brunhilda's hands. Items in the room began to move, dragging slowly toward Brunhilda's hand, where they disappeared in the unfathomable darkness that covered the palms of her hand.

The flight from Century City to New Athens, Virginia had taken thirty minutes due to her having to use the rocket boots. Power Girl had slept poorly all night, worrying about her cat—whom the vet clinic had wanted to keep over night to run tests on—and of course the cat had been less than civil about that, and her powers going in and out kept waking her up. Each time they left, she would wake up gasping as though she couldn't breathe and when they would come back in she would wake up with a feeling like bees and bugs crawling around inside her skin. Plus, the hotel had stuck her in a different room, a smaller one and she found herself adjusting to a new bed.

Beverly had gotten most of Karen's stuff into the new penthouse apartment that Karen would soon call home, but the bed had not been delivered yet, and Karen had not wanted to sleep on a floor or couch. She also hadn't wanted her first night in the new place to be spent without her cat.

Karen knew that her cat was a little beast and that he terrorized most people, but Karen had loved him from the moment she'd first saw him and he had taken a shine to her from the beginning. Save the late Tora Olafsdotter (better known as Ice), Detective McLean was the first person Karen had seen Creaky let hold him for longer than three seconds without attacking. The cat didn't even like Wonder Woman that much, and Diana had a natural affinity with animals.

S.T.A.R. Labs had several locations around the world. Oracle had gotten her an appointment here because S.T.A.R. Labs' New Athens location specialized in super-humans more so than any of the other locations. While they all dabbled in meta-humans and super-humans, it was New Athens's specialty. Oracle had assured Power Girl earlier that her best bet was the New Athens location. It was also where they had developed the Meta Stun 76 or MS76 the weapon Anath had used to send Power Girl's powers all topsy turvy.

Now sitting in the examination room, Power Girl was a bundle of nerves. The tests had been quite rigorous and had involved just about everything one could imagine. Now, she was waiting for the doctor to return with the preliminary results.

The fear in the back of her mind was that they wouldn't be able to solve her on-again off-again powers any sooner than "four to six weeks". Or worse, that due to the instability of the prototype, that they would tell her that her on-again off-again powers were a permanent thing.

"Karen, thank you for waiting." The doctor said coming into the room with a file in his hand.

"So, what's the diagnosis Dr. Livingston?" Power Girl asked.

"Well, the effects of the MS76 should wear off within a few weeks, it is working on you the same way it did in our testing. One of the reasons it is still in the prototype stage is that, as you've discovered, it creates an on-again off-again situation. Obviously, not ideal when trying to de-power a villain to take them into custody. You don't want Blockbuster suddenly getting his full strength back and snapping his restraints. We are still working the kinks out." Dr. Livingston said, he then removed his glasses looking at Power Girl. "However, there could be a complication. One unique to you."

"What kind of complication?" Power Girl asked, dread feeling her heart.

"Well, it's your meta-gene. Your meta-gene is not quite normal. Well, if a meta-gene can ever be called normal." Dr. Livingston said. "But, yours acts in a way I've never seen a meta-gene work."

"I don't have the meta-gene, doctor. My powers come from my Atlantean heritage. My grandfather Arion did some sort of experimental genetic stuff on me when I was a child. That's why I have these powers. It's purely physiological. Not a meta-gene."

"Well, you're part right." Dr. Livingston said. "You do have inherent genetic differences. Extra organs, stronger than average bone structure and muscle mass. You also have gravity nullifying properties that help in flying. However, you also have a meta-gene. And, as I said it's not quite normal."

"What do you mean by not quite normal? Is anyone's meta-gene normal? One person's meta-gene activates and they get spider-like powers. Someone else's activates and they can radiate light. Someone else is suddenly has a unbreakable metal skeleton, razors in their hands, and becomes completely over-rated. The only common denominator is great mental and physical stress activates it, usually latching on to something—the radioactive spider, or the supernova that nearly consumed them, giving them powers similar to the incident. My thinking has always been that it was a survival mechanism."

"You would be right. And your meta-gene is like that. However, where your meta-gene is different is that it doesn't take upon the traits of whatever is causing it to go off… instead, your meta-gene appears to completely remap your DNA."

"What?"

"Come, look at these charts." Dr. Livingston went over to a computer console, removing a disc from the file and sliding it in. The computer quickly pulled up a series of charts, displaying them on the massive screen on the wall. "Now, this first one, is one taken at S.T.A.R. Labs Metropolis the first time Superman brought you in. Your DNA closely matches Kryptonian DNA. There are only a few differences, indicating you could be of a race closely related or branched off from Kryptonian. You display the standard powers that we associate with Superman, and all of the genetic make-up to back that up. Solar energy affects your cellular make-up and makes you stronger."

Power Girl looked at the chart. She was good with computers and technology, but she was a bit rusty with biology. Especially her own. "So, you're saying I'm sort of Superman's cousin?"

"Sort of. Based on your DNA and genetic materials here in this chart. There appears to be Daxamite DNA as well as homo magi DNA in there. There is a third DNA type in there of a species the system was unable to locate—although still humanoid in composition."

"Homo magi is the race my grandfather was." Power Girl said quietly. So, she was sort of related to Superman? She tried to ignore the fact that suddenly there were blossoms of hope filling her heart.

"Now, look at this chart." Dr. Livingston pointed to the chart next to the first. "Here, your genetic make-up is predominately homo magi. There is no trace of the Kryptonian and the Daxamite DNA. There appears to be regular human in there. But, your system is flooded with a hormone we now know the meta-gene secretes, and there are traces of anti-matter radiation in your cells. We had not yet discovered the meta-gene, so it's easy to see why Dr. Klyburn missed the hormones presence."

"That was after the Crisis. When the Anti-Monitor struck me down while I was saving Superman and Dr. Light." Power Girl said, trembling.

"Now, your meta-gene appears to have kicked in based on that event. Anti-matter should have destroyed you. No one should be able to survive that. But, your meta-gene absorbed some of it, and then started re-writing your DNA so that you could survive it. Also, a handful of your powers—the ones that were more Kryptonian and Daxamite related were gone. Whatever powers remained were from the homo-magi and unknown DNA type."

"So, my meta-gene changed my DNA? I thought the meta-gene adapted the body and conformed to it. I didn't know it rewrote."

"It doesn't. At least not in our studies so far." Dr. Livingston said, clearing his throat. "Now, look at this one. It was after you were seriously wounded in Europe by the Gray Man. The files say that the Gray Man was some sort of Lord of Chaos and that everyone else he touched died. You're one of the only known survivors of the Gray Man's touch. Again, your meta-gene flooded your system, took the energy referred to as ‘Chaos Magic' and rewrote your DNA. Suddenly most of your cosmic powers were gone, and your strength and speed were reduced. But, physically you were more homo magi, and you exuded the energy the un-scientific refer to as magic. You started displaying more mystical abilities."

"Those faded too, though." Power Girl said. Looking at the charts, it was like comparing apples and oranges, the print-outs were so different.

"Right, around the time of this chart—when you were struck by a so-called Godwave while fighting Darkseid." Dr. Livingston said, "Again, your meta-gene stepped in. Your powers were increased, but you were given a weakness to raw unprocessed materials such as wood and stones. And, now, here is your chart from today."

Power Girl looked at it.

"It shows you to be mostly human, with only the barest levels of super-powers, even though your meta-gene is active—and flooding your system with hormones."

"Meaning?" Power Girl asked the question, even though she had taken from his tone and his words a meaning.

"At this rate, you're losing your powers. And it might be permanent. Your body is adapting to the hormones that the MS76 releases to suppress meta-status and is effectively removing your powers." Dr. Livingston said.

Power Girl felt her heart sink to her gut and tears collecting behind her eyes. "Is there anything we can do?"

"Well, there just might be." Dr. Livingston said, "It's risky. But, based on these charts and the way you're meta-gene works… I think it will do the trick."

"What is it?"

"Well, back in the 1940's a doctor at Holliday College named Dr. Zeul created an invention called the Evolver." Dr. Livingston said, "He used to the Evolver to convert a female ape into the super-villain called Giganta who ran afoul of the Wonder Woman of World War II several times over. Now, the Evolver also had the ability to de-evolve. We have the newest version of the Evolver here. Dr. Zeul's great-grand-daughter Dr. Doris Zeul has perfected the original design. I think that if we put you into the Evolver and de-evolve you, we can bring you back to your original genetic make-up and your original power levels. It should also de-activate your meta-gene since it was not activated until you were struck with Anti-Matter."

Power Girl looked at the first chart, remembering the super-strength, super-flight, and super-speed, plus the heat vision, x-ray vision, super-hearing, super-vision, and super-breath.

"What are the risks?" Power Girl forced herself to remain calm inside and to stay rational.

"Well, there is the possibility the shock to your system might cause your meta-gene to over-react and de-evolve you past those power levels. In fact, all the way back to fetus… and beyond. We lost a monkey that way." Dr. Livingston said. "Or, based on the various different DNA types you originally started with, it could leave you with a completely different set of powers and abilities. Or none. It might de-evolve them all and leave you powerless. Also, there is no guarantee that it will un-activate your meta-gene. So, you could end up having this issue any time you are seriously close to being killed by an opponent. You might want to try a different line of work, Ms. Steele."

"OK. Let me think about it." Power Girl said, sighing deeply. The possible risks could leave her exactly where she seemed to be headed.

"Definitely. Think it over and let me know. I'll let Dr. Zeul know and have her on stand-by." Dr. Livingston said. "In the meantime, I would recommend against putting yourself in any situation where you might be in real physical danger. If your meta-gene is active and you are at full power, it could another mutation, and with the MS76 still effecting you… well, it could be dangerous."

"I'll do what I can Dr. Livingston." Power Girl said, although her voice lacked any real conviction.

The Happy Pet Animal Hospital was the most respected and most expensive pet care facility in Century City. Any one who was anyone in Century City brought their pets here. Among those was Karen Starr, CEO and co-founder of Starrware Software. While not well-known outside of the computer software and game industry, Karen was still wealthy, successful, and just the kind of person who trusted Happy Pet with her pet.

Her cat Creaky had been brought in the evening before after an explosion at the Century City Plaza Hotel. Now the cat was in his carrier, waiting on a counter for Dr. Edmond to examine him again—there was something odd about the cat's results from the tests ran last night when Ms. Starr had rushed him into the emergency care center. But, until the doctor was ready, he was sitting there on the counter, hissing and growling through the cage at Lisa the receptionist filed her nails and watched a soap opera.

"Johnny… you must know that I'm not really your wife Ann." The woman on the TV screen said breathlessly, "I'm really her twin sister Jann. Her evil twin…" The woman on the TV screen pulled a butcher knife from her purse and lunged at Johnny. The program was interrupted by a grim faced reporter.

"We interrupt ‘The Young and the Reckless' to bring you this special breaking report," the reporter said, his tone serious. "Downtown Century City is being attacked, by a flying woman in a hospital gown displaying incredibly wind powers calling herself Brunhilda the Human Vacuum Cleaner. Reporter Kelly Joseph reports from the scene."

The reporter was replaced by a scene of carnage in downtown Century City as vehicles and bicycles, newspaper boxes and vendor carts swirled in hurricane force wind, being drawn hopelessly toward the hands of the floating woman, who laughed manically.

"Yes Bart, approximately fifteen minutes ago a woman calling herself Brunhilda the Human Vacuum Cleaner appeared above Seventh Street during the afternoon traffic rush and began to create massive sucking winds drawing objects and people from the street. They appear to be disappearing into her hands—whether this is some form of teleportation or absorption is unknown. What is known that these powerful sucking winds are devastating downtown. We can only hope that Power Girl arrives in time to stop her."

Lisa the receptionist was startled by the sound of metal and plastic shattering.

She spun to find the pet carrier Karen Starr's cat had been in laying in ruins and the cat standing there amid the debris hissing.

"Oh my god…" Lisa gasped, she'd been warned that the cat was dangerous. She hadn't realized it could break out of a pet carrier.

Then before Lisa could react any further the cat lifted itself up into the air and flew away, smashing through a window and taking off into the afternoon.

Lisa passed out, the sight too much for her fragile psyche to take.

Tabitha Kane hugged the files to her chest tightly, gazing out at the Atlantic from the wall-length windows of the topmost office of the Kestler Building in downtown Century City. The sky above the sea was dark with storms, and the clouds were tumbling slowly toward the skyscrapers and buildings lining the coast that Century City claimed within its limits. Several streets away a woman floated, creating swirling winds and discord. Tabitha smiled to herself, everything was lining up and converging. Soon it would be time. All of their hard work would soon be rewarded.

"I assume you came here for something other than the view Ms. Kane." Adramelek said from behind her; the voice was like gravel and broken glass.

"Yes, although that flying woman is quite entertaining and your office has the best view of it." Tabitha smiled, her eyes full of light. "I have these for you."

Tabitha handed over three files. The first was labeled Starrware, the second Karen Starr, and the third New Athens Experimental School.

"And what are these?" Her master's voice was polite, but beneath it Tabitha could hear disapproval. Normally the hours between noon and five p.m. were off-limits and the master was not to be disturbed unless it was something of the utmost importance.

"Did you know that Starrware has moved its offices to Century City?"

"I was aware. I am a stockholder in that company. And, as you know I keep abreast of all goings on here in my city." Tabitha could hear the edge of impatience enter his voice.

"Starrware's offices used to be in San Francisco. And before that they were in Chicago, where the company was founded by Karen Starr, Cheryl Delarye, and Daryll Simmons just before they graduated with degrees in Computer Software Design from Shoreside University." Tabitha said smartly.

"And?"

"You know as well as I do that Power Girl is now operating in Century City. Her last home base was in San Francisco. Before that was in Chicago. Before that she operated in New York City with the Justice Society of America, and she first operated in Metropolis alongside Superman." Tabitha's eyes were bright with joy.

"Are you going somewhere with this?"

"Surely you see the pattern." Tabitha said, then she pushed the file labeled Karen Starr to the front.

"Karen Starr just moved to Century City from San Francisco. Before that she lived in Chicago. And for a time she lived in New York City, and well before that she lived in Metropolis where she graduated from Northeast Metropolis High School. Before that, she attended high school at the New Athens Experimental School in New Athens, Virginia." Tabitha said. She then opened the file on New Athens Experimental School.

"The only thing about that," she continued, "is that that New Athens Experimental School doesn't exist as an actual school. It's a front for the New Athens Academy. Other students who have spent time at New Athens Experimental School are Gabrielle Doe, Donna Troy, Lyta Trevor, Bart Allen, and Kori Anders."

"Please continue." Adramelek said, gold eyes sparkling brightly.

Tabitha's smile grew wider. "As you may or may not know, Gabrielle Doe is better known as Halo, one of the first people to join the Outsiders. Bart Allen is actually Impulse, who was a Titan and a member of Young Justice. Lyta Trevor become Fury, a charter member of Infinity Inc. Kori Anders is Starfire, Princess Koriander of Tamaran. And of course everyone knows that Donna Troy was the first Wonder Girl, and now she's Troia."

"And Karen Starr?" His voice was filled with what sounded like glee.

"Karen Starr," Tabitha said, removing a picture of a blonde woman with glasses and slicked back hair, "bears an uncanny resemblance to Power Girl." Tabitha laid the picture down and set a picture of Power Girl next to her. "I've taken the liberty of having one of our operatives take a position at Starrware. Cheryl Delayre was in need of a personal assistant. So, he'll be our eyes and ears inside those offices. I'm also looking into other ways to infiltrate Ms. Starr's life so that when the time comes we have sufficient information and can strike quickly and efficiently."

"My dear girl…" Adramelek's voice was a hiss. "I think you've just earned yourself a raise."

"I'll leave you now." Tabitha said, leaving her master's office. The door closed soundlessly behind her.

"Karen Starr is Power Girl." He laughed darkly, his laughter deep and deadly. "Well, my dear Power Girl… this is just the edge I needed to get you before you can get me."

The master rose from the heavy leather chair, heavy robes swishing with the movement, ornate gold jewelry gleaming in the afternoon light streaming from the windows.

"Ah, Power Girl. Our destiny draws closer. What I do next is going to be tricky. How to eliminate you without endangering the fabric of reality or the universe? Tricky are the fates. But, I will figure it out."

Adramelek stood before the window, watching through filtered glass, his attention intent on a woman floating several streets over appearing to suck things into her hands where they disappeared even though his mind whirled with thoughts of Power Girl and Karen Starr.

Power Girl took her time flying back from New Athens, floating along with the gentle winds while mulling over everything Dr. Livingston had told her.

The risks were great. She frowned, biting the corner of her lip. When Barbara had been crippled, she wasted no time in funneling her energy into becoming Oracle. And as Oracle she had done far more good than she'd ever done as Batgirl. But, that was different. If Power Girl lost the powers, what did she have to fall back on? She was smart and good with electronics and computers. She also wasn't half-shabby when it came to science and technology. She spent hours studying the training modules at the Fortress of Solitude during her first few years on Earth.

"Oh maybe I could just be Karen Starr for a little while." She mumbled to herself, passing over Pennsylvania. The thought of that was almost intoxicating. Spending her days at the office, with her cat, with friends, maybe even finding a boyfriend that she could devote enough time and energy to that their relationship would be successful. It would be exciting and thrilling, of course, at first. But she'd grow bored. She knew herself well enough to know that. At some point there would be a crisis or a super-villain and she'd have to do something… "Better not give back the rocket boots or exo-skeleton." She muttered.

The sky in front of her opened in a flash of sparkling golden light and a man dressed in gold armor stepped from nowhere.

"Power Girl, your assistance is needed." The young man said, his face smooth and unblemished. His bright blue eyes peered at Power Girl with an intensity she recognized from somewhere, although she wasn't sure where or even how. His curly red hair glittered with darkness that seemed to reflect a mysterious cosmos and star patterns she did not recognize.

"Alexander?" Power Girl whispered, although she wasn't sure how she knew his name. "Alexander Luthor." Her head filled with a rapid succession of memories that flickered by so quickly she couldn't really grasp any of them. Although in them she saw Alexander and other heroes. The memories felt like memories of the Crisis, but they didn't look quite right. This Alexander was in them. Heroes she didn't recognize, some she did and some looked wrong. "Who the Hell is that old Superman?" She asked herself, wondering why he seemed so familiar.

"Nice to be remembered. Don't stress on the memories too much, Kara. They are fleeting and only a symptom of our close proximity. They will fade back to your deepest subconscious where they belong once we part ways." Alexander said, "They are not what's important. What's important is that Supergirl needs your help."

"I think Supergirl can help herself." Power Girl said, her expression going cold and steely. She flew past Alexander, but he grabbed her by the arm.

A spark of pure electricity shot through her.

"HEY!" Power Girl's entire body filled with pain which quickly subsided as soon as Alexander released his hold on her. "You've got my attention. Cripes."

"Sorry. But, this is far more important than your bruised ego where Supergirl is concerned. The whole of existence is endangered and it is up to you to help Supergirl," Alexander said.

Power Girl peered into his blue eyes, searching for some sign of deception, and she found none. There was something trustworthy about him, despite the fact he vaguely looked like Lex Luthor. A kinder gentler Lex Luthor.

"What does Protoplasm Girl need help with?" Power Girl folded her arms tightly across her chest. "And, I'm assuming the fact that my powers are on the fritz mean nothing to you."

"None." Alexander drew Power Girl close, "You'll need to go to Midway City…"*

*follow Power Girl into Supergirl: The Maid of Steel #23!

TO BE CONTINUED