THE MAID OF STEEL # 18

Supergirl stood in the corridor where the Kryptonian museum housed precious jewels and gems. In the archway leading out, the criminal Blackflame and her gang held the heroes of Krypton Nightwing and Flamebird hostage - anti-matter guns to their temples to get Supergirl to surrender. Blackflame was pointing an anti-matter gun in Supergirl's direction.

<"So what will it be Supergirl? Death for your compatriots? Or will you surrender to me and allow me to study you in hopes of duplicating your powers."> Blackflame asked, her eyes glittering with what could only be madness.

<"Don't do it Supergirl!"> Flamebird squirmed against her captor, despite the fact that she was handcuffed and there was an anti-matter phaser against her temple.

<"Yeah, if she can duplicate your powers, Krypton is doomed!"> Nightwing said.

Supergirl did not know how to tell them that Krypton was doomed anyway, that the planetary core was growing more and more unstable by the day - and that soon none of them would still be alive. That only one baby would escape Krypton, a baby yet to be born - who would rocket to earth and grow up to be Superman. A baby who was her adopted cousin on this world.

<"Surely you know that I can't let either thing happen Blackflame."> Supergirl said.

<"You don't have any choice Supergirl. I will kill your friends quicker than you can save them, and then I will blast your with a ray of anti-matter. Not even you could survive such a thing."> Blackflame sized Supergirl up, trying to judge what her reaction was going to be.

Supergirl considered her options.

Super-speed and flight were within her abilities. She could save one of them and disarm Blackflame with a telekinetic-blast in one instance. But, she wouldn't be able to save both of them. She wasn't that fast. Flamebird was struggling with her captor, but there was no way to insure that she could escape his clutches even in the pandemonium that would result if she attempted to save Nightwing. And there was a serious question in her mind as to whether or not she could do it. She was faster than a speeding bullet, but it took only an instant for Blackflame to pull the phaser trigger. She was not anti-matter proof.

<"I can tell you are trying to figure out a way to get yourself and your friends out of this predicament. Let me assure you that there is no way out of this."> Blackflame purred.

<"Supergirl! MOVE QUICK!"> Flamebird shouted.

Just as Blackflame turned to the sound of the girl hero shouting, Flamebird managed to pull herself from her captor's grip and knock him into Blackflame. A sizzling bolt of anti-matter erupted from the phaser, streaking toward the museum roof dissolving a huge section of it.

Before the goon holding Nightwing even knew what was happening, Supergirl had liberated his phaser and freed Nightwing - flying up and around in an arc, grabbing Flamebird and flying out of the museum before Blackflame and her gang had recovered.

Outside, Supergirl landed them on a rooftop a safe distance from the museum.

With a TK-blast she broke their handcuffs free.

<"That was amazing Supergirl!"> Nightwing exclaimed.

<"Thank you. Let's not congratulate ourselves just yet. Blackflame and her gang are still loose."> Supergirl cautioned.

<"She's right Nightwing."> Flamebird said, rubbing her wrists where the handcuffs had began to rub through her gloves. She suspected there would be bruises later.

The three heroes focused their attention on the entrance of the museum just as Blackflame and her gang came rushing out, hoping on their sky-cycles. In the distance the sound of sirens grew closer.

<"No wonder she gets away with what she gets away with."> Supergirl scowled, <"The Security Force is slow to respond to museum alarms.">

<"The Security Force has grown comfortable with Krypton's nearly utopist existence over the past few decades. They do not know how to react to the threat Blackflame poses. That was one of the things my fiancé and I were frequently troubled by. When he was killed by her and the Security Force had no real plan for apprehending her, I knew that I had to take matters into my own hands.">

<"And Flamebird was born."> Supergirl said, studying the woman's proud profile-half of her face masked. <"On my world there is a Nightwing and a Flamebird.">

<"Is it possible our two world share histories?"> Nightwing asked.

<"I think we might."> Supergirl had no way of explaining to them that the only survivor of Krypton would later go to earth and inspire an entire generation of heroes-one of whom would relinquish the role of Robin in his adult years and call himself Nightwing.

As Blackflame and her gang sped away through the darkening night, Supergirl turned to Nightwing and Flamebird.

<"Let's follow them.">

They nodded, turning their rocket boots on.

The three young heroes followed Blackflame and her goons, observing several twisting turns as they made their way further and further away from Argo City and toward the wastelands north of Argo.

Nearly an hour later, the three of them found themselves hiding atop a mountain, looking down at a massive complex heavily guarded by men and women wearing Blackflame's symbol.

<"I would venture a guess that this is Blackflame's headquarters."> Supergirl said.

<"It looks that way."> Nightwing agreed.

<"It's heavily guarded. No offense to you or your abilities Supergirl, but I think we may be in over our heads."> Flamebird sounded skeptical.

<"If they didn't have those anti-matter phasers, I would disagree with you. But unfortunately, those things are particularly deadly."> Supergirl frowned. She did not even know if Superman could have withstood a direct blast of anti-matter energy.

<"So what do we do?"> Nightwing asked finally.

<"We wait and watch."> Supergirl told them, <"We know where they are headquartered. As they send out groups to commit various crimes we can simply stop them before they get to Argo City. Take them prisoner and drop them off at the Security Force precinct.">

<"That's a start."> Flamebird agreed. <"And just so you know, the fuel packs in my and Nightwing's rocket boots are running low. I doubt we have even enough to get half-way back to Argo City.">

<"I think I can take care of that."> Supergirl said, <"I'll fly into the city and grab a couple packs. If you want, I could bring you some lunch back.">

<"Sounds like a plan."> Nightwing said.

<"I'll be back in a jiffy."> Supergirl grinned, taking off.

<"What is a jiffy?"> Flamebird asked once Supergirl was out of sight.

<"I'm not sure."> Nightwing shook his head.

<"Dad?"> Supergirl walked into Zor-El's laboratory. Her father was at his lab table working with a device.

<"Kara!"> He greeted her jovially.

<"What is that?"> Supergirl asked.

The device was cube-shaped and a little bit bigger than her adoptive father's fist. It was riddled with many circuits on it's surface.

<"Many years ago I discovered the existence of a mirror universe to this one. One composed of anti-matter."> Zor-El said.

Supergirl shivered at the mention of the anti-matter universe. She had heard of Qward back when she was a Titan; she'd read about the Crisis of the Anti-Monitor in the Titan's files. She'd had awful nightmares for weeks after about being killed by the Anti-Monitor.

<"On my home world I have heard of it."> Supergirl said cautiously.

<"This device might open a gateway to that universe. It might be just what we need to-"> Zor-El stopped himself before completed the thought.

<"To do what?">

<"Nothing. It just might be a doorway to other that other universe. People might be able to travel to that other world within a few moments."> Zor-El said quietly, his gaze far away.

He plans on trying to use that to transport the people of Krypton away! Supergirl thought.

In the corner of his lab, she noticed the rocket ships. They looked similar to the one in Jor-El's lab, except they were slightly larger. It looked like they would both fit one full-sized adult, whereas the one in Jor-El's lab hadn't even had a compartment on it for someone to ride in.

<"What brings you to my lab? This is twice in one day.">

<"I need some fuel cells for rocket boots.">

<"I have a couple of those. Let me find them for you.">

<"Thanks Dad.">

Zor-El got up and went over to one of the cabinets lining the wall, opening it and going through it's contents. Supergirl looked down at the schematics on his computer console.

There were notes that she could make out barely, something about the wastelands south of Argo City. Something about his anti-matter device. If she was reading it correctly, she guessed that it was his plans to take the device and test it somewhere safely outside of the city.

<"Here you are."> Zor-El said, coming back over to her and handing her four fuel cells.

<"Thanks Dad."> Supergirl gave him a quick peck on the cheek.

He smiled at her sadly, <"Make sure to check on your mother before you head out again. She is worrying again.">

<"There is no reason for her to do that."> Supergirl smiled.

<"I suppose not. Just humor me."> Then his smile faded, <"You have been a blessing to us Kara. I am so happy and grateful to have had you here with us.">

<"That sounds like a good-bye."> Supergirl said to him, hesitating in the door.

He glanced worriedly at his device and then back at her, <"No. I'm just tired and old. And feeling sentimental.">

<"OK. Don't scare me that way Dad.">

She rushed out of the room to check on Alura.

After she was gone and the door to the lab had closed, Zor-El looked at his device, which he was calling the Universal Key in his notes. He was going to go to the Wastelands to the south of Argo City to test it later this afternoon. And, if something went wrong with the device, it was quite likely he'd die then and there. He only hoped that Kara was able to get herself and Alura out of Argo City and off of Krypton if it came to that. He'd programmed the coordinates to planet Earth into the two rocket ships he'd made earlier today after receiving a communiqué from his brother Jor-El.

Flying as quickly as she could, Supergirl clutched the power cells close to her chest, hoping that they would fit Nightwing and Flamebird's rocket boots. She had no idea if one power cell fit all or if she would be arriving with some useless junk.

The scene with Zor-El played out in her mind. She knew that Krypton had exploded much sooner than Jor-El had expected. She wondered if that was what had been troubling him when she'd left; perhaps they had discovered that Krypton's days were shorter than they'd previously suspected.

Worry filled her heart, and her mind turned to the Anti-Matter Universe Qward, where Zor-El hoped that perhaps they could escape.

"Why I am filled with such dread whenever I think of Qward?" She asked herself as she drew closer to the place she had left Nightwing and Flamebird. Every time she heard the name of it or was even faced with anti-matter a quite tremor went through her. It made no sense. She had never been to Qward, and while anti-matter was pretty lethal, it was no worse than facing off against Mongul or Brainiac or one of the many threats she had faced up until now. She was an Earth-bound Angel for God's sake. What terrors could Qward hold that would give her such a feeling of unease?

Arriving at the mountaintop she'd left earlier, Supergirl found Nightwing and Flamebird in combat with an army of Blackflame's goons. She counted at least twenty; and while Flamebird and Nightwing were holding their own, it was evident they could not hold out much longer.

Flamebird had trussed several of Blackflame's foot soldiers up in the golden cord she carried in her utility belt, while her fists connected with the face of another. Nightwing was using a silver staff of lightweight metal, swinging it in rapid arcs, knocking back anyone who got too close.

From the air, Supergirl tossed off several TK-blasts, knocking aside some of the villains swarming Nightwing and Flamebird.

<"She's back!"> Nightwing exclaimed, knocking three of Blackflame's thugs aside with one well-aimed swing of his silver staff.

<"The cavalry has arrived."> Supergirl swooped down grabbing a goon in each hand, jerking them both up into the sky by the collar and tossing them over the side of the mountain. They both crashed into the dusty green mountainside and began tumbling end over end to the bottom.

<"What is a cavalry?"> Nightwing asked as Supergirl landed directly center to him and Flamebird and began pounding any of Blackflame's soldiers who strayed too close.

"Uh…" Supergirl frowned, <"I don't know the word in Kryptonian. But, I guess you would say reinforcements.">

<"Oh."> Nightwing swung his staff again this time clipping his attacker in the face, and cracking the man's teeth. <"Sorry about that. But when you become a criminal, you accept certain dangers as part of the job.">

<"This is getting old!"> Flamebird said, taking out a female foot soldier with a roundhouse kick.

<"Agreed."> Supergirl looked around, there were close to twenty soldiers still swarming them, not to mention the fact that several of the downed ones would be pulling themselves to their feet. <"I know we call them Blackflame's gang, but there are enough people here to qualify as a small army.">

<"Blackflame's influence is insidious and is acting as a deceptive call to more and more people who grow disenchanted with what they perceive as Krypton's flaws."> Flamebird punched another goon in the face. <"Her propaganda truly speaks to the younger generation and the poorer members of Kryptonian society.">

<"And she is right!"> A man with a scar across his cheek yelled, right before punching Nightwing in the face. Nightwing groaned and staggered back. Before he could recover the scarred man and two other goons were on top of Nightwing, pounding him all over his body.

<"Nightwing!"> Supergirl cried out, sending a TK-blast toward the men attacking Nightwing. One of the goons attacking her took the opening as an opportunity to try and take her out. Although once his face connected with her face, he cried out in pain.

<"They don't call me the Girl of Steel for nothing."> Supergirl said, shucking the goons aside and rushing to Nightwing. Before she got there the scar faced man had a gun against Nightwing's temple.

<"Stop right there Supergirl. He is quite unconscious and unable to fight back. And if you try to free him with your super-flight, all you are going to find his that he has a nice hole through his head."> The man said to her.

Supergirl stopped where she was. <"OK, I've stopped.">

<"Tell Flamebird to stop fighting. And the two of you will surrender to us and come with us to the fortress to face Blackflame. Or Nightwing dies."> The scarred man said.

<"I heard you fine. She doesn't need to tell me anything."> Flamebird said, stopping where she was.

<"You may have us now. But, you will not find this to be so much longer. And then you will pay. Along with Blackflame."> Supergirl glared at the man, her eyes blazing with anger.

<"You talk tough Supergirl. But, you have shown yourself to be a weakling when it comes to the lives of others. And you will do whatever it takes to save your friend here."> The scarred man laughed, <"Super-strength and speed, flight, and those energy blasts from your mind will not be enough to save your friends or you from Blackflame.">

Supergirl said nothing. She had not used her angel powers much while here in Krypton, because there had been not much use for the angel fire. She suspected it would be the ace in the hole she needed.

<"This used to be a monastery where monks devoted to the ways of Rao lived and worshipped."> Flamebird told Supergirl as they entered the complex Blackflame was using as a base.

<"I did not think there was any real religion here on Krypton."> Supergirl said quietly, her eyes studying the man at the front of the group leading them-the scarred one holding Nightwing, still pointing a blaster at the unconscious man's head.

<"Not any longer. Once upon a time there was. Before we became too evolved for it. Rao was the father god, the great sun-lord. He gave birth to the sun which in turn gave birth to the planet Krypton and the great mother of us all Baro. They gave birth to four children who each one symbolized the elements. There was Cir, the goddess of earth. Her brother was Kal, the god of the skies. Finally was born the twins Kon, god of the oceans and Kara, goddess of fire."> Flamebird explained.

A chill went through Supergirl as she realized how truly apropos her adopted parents naming her Kara was.

<"Shut up back there!"> The scarred man said.

<"He is going to pay."> Flamebird whispered.

<"Undoubtedly."> Supergirl replied in a quiet whisper.

Both women fell silent just as they crossed from the great hallway and entered a massive chamber.

<"Welcome to the main temple and my lair."> Blackflame stood across the room on a massive platform where an altar of tarnished silver metal sat as the focal point. <"It's nice of you to join us Supergirl.">

<"Do not fool yourself into believing you could have taken me had your goon not resulted to taking a hostage."> Supergirl said; it was all that she could do to refrain from unleashing the angel-fire. As her temper began to flair, she felt the fire within her begin to churn and blaze.

<"And do not fool yourself that I care what it took to capture you. That is what you heroes never seem to realize about people like me. We don't care about manners and being polite. We're out to change the system; to shake-up the world. To do that, we sometimes have to resort to less than courteous tactics."> Blackflame chuckled, lounging on a throne that looked mismatched with the room. It was massive and bronze colored, made of metal and carved ornately. Whereas the room was very stark and stripped-down in it's design. The only decoration was a shimmering chandelier in the center of the ceiling in strips of either glass or crystal that mirrored the tall thin razor-like architecture of Krypton's buildings.

<"If you were truly concerned with changing the world and making the system better for the people of this planet, you would be working within the system. You are listed as brilliant and genius Blackflame. With your intellect you could have gone into the government system and enacted change through the proper channels."> Supergirl said, <"You are only using social change and liberation of the poor and disenfranchised as a means to further your own goals and personal gain.">

Blackflame laughed darkly, <"You talk to much. I should hope that when you are going through the tests so I can determine what makes your physiology so unique and try to replicate your powers that you will be less talkative. I hate when subjects can't stop talking.">

<"I came here without a fight for Nightwing's benefit."> Supergirl met Blackflame's eyes across the room, <"I think you should know that you will not be getting the chance to study or examine me or replicate my powers. Before the end of this day, you will be in custody and awaiting trial.">

<"You hold quite a high opinion of yourself."> Blackflame laughed, then her tone grew threatening, <"And a dangerous low opinion of me.">

<"I escaped you earlier today. And saved my friends."> Supergirl said, her voice cool and smooth. <"Obviously you have underestimated me once already, and overestimated yourself.">

At that point, three men came into the main temple from a doorway on the left side of the temple. They walked up to Blackflame, all three wearing black robes with the red flame outline on their chest.

<"Mistress, the bomb is ready."> One of the men said.

<"Excellent."> Blackflame smiled, turning her attention to Supergirl.

<"What bomb?"> Flamebird asked, her voice full of horror.

<"The 200 mega-ton bomb my minions stole today while you were busy being distracted at the Krypton Museum of Science and Nature."> Blackflame smiled brightly, <"Surely, you did not think I would send four incompetents to rob the museum? It was a ploy to distract you and get you to fall into my trap while my capable agents stole a bomb from the defunct military bunkers in north Argo City.">

<"200 mega-tons."> Flamebird's face was pale and ghostly, <"That is enough of a charge to destroy all of Argo City and create earth-quakes, atmospheric storms, and destroy vegetation for a thousand kilometers in every direction.">

<"Right you are Flamebird. Which is why we stole it. We are going to detonate it in the Wastelands south of Argo City tomorrow. It will cause severe damage out that way, doing all the planetary damage you speak of, but it will not cause much damage to the city. Except the South-Side.">

<"Which is where the Government and Science buildings are."> Supergirl said, her voice filled with horror.

<"But of course."> Blackflame's grin grew monstrous. <"With the scientists and the bureaucrats gone, Argo City will be ours for the taking. And seeing as how we took more than one bomb… well, the rest of Krypton will be less likely to attempt a take-over of Argo City. Especially when they see what we are capable of.">

<"We will stop you."> Flamebird swore. <"Right Supergirl?">

Supergirl found herself speechless.

Krypton had perished earlier than Jor-El and Zor-El had expected.

She realized that the bomb Blackflame detonated must have been the cause!

"If I stop her, I will change the future irrevocably." Supergirl said in English, "But if I don't stop her, an entire planet will die."

TO BE CONTINUED

Next Issue: Supergirl vs. Blackflame with the fate of Krypton in the balance. But, can even a Supergirl prevent the destruction of Krypton?