THE MAID OF STEEL # 35

“So, no word from Dick?” Mattie asked as the SUV cruised down the streets of downtown Midway City.

“No. Still all Buzz. It’s been weeks.” Linda said quietly. She was meeting the film crew there to do her intros and some interviews. She was pretty hopeful that most of tonight would just be her hanging out with Cutter and Mattie.

“So call Dr. Fate.” Cutter said, “I’m sure he has some ideas as to how to Buzz out of Dick’s body.”

“I’m afraid to.” Linda’s voice trembled. “What if Dr. Fate tells me that Dick is gone for good? I just got him back and I’m in love with him… I’ve never been in real love before. And, I’m so afraid that I’m going to lose it.”

“You can’t let fear stop you from taking action.” Mattie said, “What if he’s trapped in there? And, you don’t get him out? Isn’t that far worse.”

“I’ve thought that too.” Linda sighed, “I just don’t know what to do. I have all these mystical and supernatural powers, but my knowledge about these things is so woefully sparse.”

“At least call Superman. Or Power Girl. Surely one or the other has an idea.” Cutter said.

“Let’s change the subject.” Linda said finally. She didn’t want to tell them that she was afraid of what Superman and Power Girl would tell her when she explained the situation to them.

“So, wow to us going to the Meta-Research Development Groups fund raiser tonight.” Cutter said. “I mean, they’re kind of racist.”

“It’s part of my job. It’s a big deal among the jet-set here in Midway City. Nice to know they’re not even hiding their racism against meta-humans.” Linda grumbled.

“We’re your moral support. And, maybe we can have a good time drinking all of their alcohol and eating all of their food.” Mattie giggled.

In the conference room located on the top floor of 2323 13th Street, the Council met as the sun set over Midway City.

At the far end of the table, past the members in their robes and masks, facing the Council’s Chairman with his gold mask was an attractive blonde woman wearing a form-fitting red jumpsuit with a round medallion with a B on it.

“How goes our campaign against Supergirl?” The Council’s Chairman asked.

“We are moving to the second phase tonight.” Brains replied. “Our first attack during the Supergirl Parade went according to plan. Our first Silver Scorpion failed miserably, being easily defeated by Supergirl and was released the next day. Through various agents, we got her out on bail. And, now we’ve hidden her away. She’s missed her first court date, and an all-points bulletin has been issued. So tonight, when our second operative begins terrorizing Midway City as the Silver Scorpion, Supergirl will assume she’s dealing with the same ineffective incapable buffoon… and Ellen Dalton will prove that assumption to be Supergirl’s undoing.”

“How do you expect this second Silver Scorpion to defeat Supergirl?” One of the members of the Council seated at the far end of the table asked. “Supergirl exhibits super-strength, flight, and near invulnerability. Plus there are other powers that have been documented—wings of fire, fire blasts from her eyes, some sort of telekinetic blast. How is your operative in a exo-skeleton and energy phasers going to defeat Supergirl.”

“She’s not.” Brains smiled brilliantly. “Not unless she gets really lucky. However, Ellen is hungry and she’s ambitious. She’s going to give Supergirl a battle. And, when it’s time… Supergirl will get a nasty surprise or two.”

“So, you’re planning on Ellen Dalton losing and being captured as well?” Another council member asked.

Brains smiled, “No. Ellen will not be captured.”

“So, there will be no chance of her talking.” The Chairman asked.

“None.” Brains replied, “And once we have the materials we need, we will know that best way to destroy the Girl of Steel both spiritually, physically, and of course her reputation.”

“Very well Brains.” The Chairman said, “You are dismissed.”

“Thank you Chairman.” Brains smiled, pushing her chair from under the table and going to the elevator. She disappeared within.

Once she was gone, the Council member sitting on the Chairman’s right hand turned to the Chairman.

“Brains is ambitious.” The woman said quietly.

“She is. But, she has been patient and worked hard. Unlike the other members of the Gang, she has not gone off on her own. She has remained loyal to us.” The Chairman said.

“If she does succeed in destroying Supergirl for us, she is going to want more.” Another member said. “She is going to want a seat out this table.”

“Brains knows very well that there has to be an opening at this table before she can take a seat here. And she also knows that there must be an unqualified success on her part.” The Chairman replied.

When the elevator reached the bottom floor of the high rise, Brains removed a trench-coat from her briefcase, pulling it on over her red jumpsuit. She had much to do before Kevin Yates fundraising party tonight.

Hailing a cab, Brains slipped into the back seat, “Take me to the corner of 30th and Southeast Hall.”

“Yes, ma’am.” The driver said in heavily accented English.

As the city flashed by, Brains reflected upon the past few years. She had been a small-time hood when the Council had first come to her and her friends—convincing them to form the Gang and terrorize Chicago. Of course, Power Girl had stopped them—despite their powers and abilities. Even when Brains had used the super-robot Matrix-Prime, Power Girl had stopped them—capturing the entire Gang. Except for her. While her friends had gone to maximum security prisons, Brains had gone underground. Working for the Council in a variety of capacities, she had finally come to Midway City to oversee much of their operations here.

And now Supergirl. Brains frowned. It was like Chicago all over again. Power Girl and Supergirl were interchangeable as far as Brains could tell. The only difference was that this time Brains was not going to lose. She was going to destroy her super-powered foe.

Brains’s frown turned upward into a smile. She had big plans, plans the rest of the Council couldn’t even guess at. A contact at LexCorp had clued Brains into the fact, that Supergirl was apparently not even completely human. All records LexCorp had once had of Supergirl had mysteriously disappeared. But, Brain’s contact had said that Supergirl had been comprised of protoplasm. Protoplasm that with the right person could be easily replicated. She’d given all of that information to Chester, her weapon’s man to make her special proto-bomb for tonight.

Brains would get all the information she could on Supergirl, and if all went right—she’d have her very own Supergirl at the end of it.

“Wow, this is swank.” Mattie said approvingly. “It makes me sad that they’re jerks.”

Linda looked around at the surroundings. Kevin Yates, the CEO of the Meta-Research Development Group had rented out a posh penthouse on the sixtieth floor of the Midway City Ambassador Hotel and it had been decorated exquisitely with gold and silver statues and brightly colored lights. Trendy music drifted from speakers throughout the room and waiters and waitresses dressed in suits carried drink trays around the room.

“I hate that I couldn’t rip him apart for my interview earlier.” Linda sighed, grabbing a glass of champagne from a waiter passing by.

“It’s OK. You’re not a serious journalist yet. You do fluff pieces.” Mattie said, taking a glass of champagne for herself.

“That doesn’t make me feel any better. I mean, I’m technically a meta. It’s like being Jewish and siding with the Nazis.” Linda sighed.

“It’s not all that bad Linda.” Cutter chimed in.

“There’s your awful boss Johnny Drew over there.” Mattie said.

“Cutter Sharpe!” Johnny Drew said, coming over with a tall leggy blonde on his arm and several people. “What are you doing here?”

“Linda brought me as her guest.” Cutter said.

“Danvers? What are you thinking?” Johnny Drew asked, laughing. “Cutter Sharpe is not going to help your career at Channel 8 at all.”

“I don’t have a career at Channel 8.” Linda replied coolly. “I film my fluff pieces, I collect my checks. I don’t have big goals for it ever lead to anything else. It’s a cool job to have while I go to college to get a real career.”

“Wow. Seriously, Babe? Don’t you know who I am?” Johnny Drew laughed rudely. “I am Channel 8. You shouldn’t mouth off like that to me. Tell your friend how stupid that is Cutter my man. Tell her what happened to the last person that mouthed off like that. What was her name? That sweet little thing who did hair and make-up? Delia? Della? Deliliah!” Johnny Drew snapped at the memory. “Yeah, I got her fired. Like that.” He snapped again.

“I beg to differ.” Linda said coolly. “The way I heard it, when your contract was up last year, you almost ended up walking since they wouldn’t meet your salary demands. In fact, I hear you ended up taking a pay cut and were told if you got stopped for DUI again you were out of job—no matter how many of your rich friends you called in favors from to make the DUI go away.”

Johnny Drew’s eyes widened, “How do you know that?”

“You shouldn’t have loud cell phone conversations in your hair and make-up chair Mr. Drew, especially not when you have a habit of getting your hair and make-up people fired. People talk.” Linda smiled wickedly, “Now if you’ll excuse me and my friends… Cutter, Mattie…”

“Oh my God. Linda.” Cutter said as they walked away from the gape-mouthed Johnny Drew. “You are my new hero. But, you do realize I’m going to get fired tomorrow, right?”

“You’ll be fine.” Linda smiled, “Alan Ward told me today I could hire an assistant. The higher ups like my work and apparently I’m scoring high marks in key demographics. Also, my interview with Wonder Woman last week has gone viral and apparently my clips on the Channel 8 website are the most popular.”

“That’s cool. Anything to get out from under that tyrant.” Cutter sighed.

They stopped in front of the plate glass window. On the other side, the night was dark and the orange haze that hung over Midway City more and more lately was beginning to settle in.

“Well, having you as an assistant would make things easier. Especially if I need someone to cover so I can go and change to Supergirl and stop some stupid super-villain.” Linda said, killing her champagne. “I need another drink. I’ll be back.”

Linda rushed over to a waitress with a platter of drinks and grabbed one.

“Linda Danvers!”

Linda turned at the sound of the voice.

“Craig!” She said, looking into his blue eyes and handsome face.

“I’m glad to see you here! Jocelyn dragged me here. I was afraid it was just going to be a bunch of boring old farts.” He said, smiling brightly.

“Unfortunately not. I was assigned to cover this for Channel 8, so I dragged Cutter and Mattie along with me.” Linda smiled back at him. For a minute she felt a little guilt as Dick entered her thoughts, but she quickly pushed it away. Just because she had a crush on Craig didn’t mean she couldn’t talk to him.

“I’m kind of surprised you’re here.” Craig said, “They’re anti-meta. And you’re … you know.”

“I’m been wondering why I’m here too.” Linda replied quietly, “I’ve seen a lot of people here that I would have never expected to be anti-meta. It’s sad to see people who are well-respected and well-thought of in this city here. I mean, I expect Leda Thorul. And jerks like Johnny Drew. But, Joan Raymond? And Father O’Donoughy from my mom’s church? I saved his ass last week when Dynamic attacked during their fund raiser.”

“Yeah, I know what you mean. Imean, I know that Jocelyn is anti-meta.” Craig shrugged.

“Well, Jocelyn is a moron. And who cares what she thinks?” Linda laughed, taking a deep swig from her champagne glass.

“Craig!”

The voice caused Linda to grimace.

“Jocelyn.” Craig said evenly as Jocelyn Rogers, Linda’s former boss at the Midway City Museum came up to them.

Jocelyn ignored Linda.

“Why did you run off so quickly once we were through the door? You’d think you were ashamed to be seen with me.” Jocelyn said brightly. Linda noted that she had put on way too much make-up and was wearing a slinky little dress that did not at all compliment her.

“Not at all.” Craig said, his voice still level, although Linda could see frustration in his eyes. “I saw Linda over here and wanted to say hi.”

“Oh.” Jocelyn looked at Linda, not even bothering to conceal the look of disgust. “I’m surprised to see you here Linda. This is a pretty well-to-do crowd. And, it’s full of the crème-de-le-crème of Midway City society.”

“I’m covering the event for Channel 8.” Linda smiled brightly. “I am surprised to see you here too. Becase you are neither well-to-do or crème-de-le-crème.”

“There’s no reason to be rude.” Jocelyn sniffed. “My parents happen to be very rich and very well-connected. They’re on the board of the Meta-Research Development Group.”

“Oh.” Linda nodded, “That makes perfect sense. Is that how you got your job at the museum? Through mommy and daddy’s connections?”

“As a matter of fact, I got the job because I had a double-degree in business management and museum arts.” Jocelyn’s voice took an edge. “I’ve had to work extra hard for everything I’ve ever had. Unlike you Miss Danvers, who has lucked into everything in your life and can’t even bother to put in the work required to make it through life.”

Linda opened her mouth to say something, but Craig grabbed her by the arm.

“Please excuse us Jocelyn. I’ll see you in a few. I’m going to take Linda out to get some air.” Craig said quickly, getting the two women apart.

Jocelyn’s face fell as she watched Craig lead Linda out onto the balcony.

“Stupid little tramp.” Jocelyn hissed. She then looked around for someone, anyone, she knew in the crowd. But, there was no one she actually knew. Plenty of people she recognized and knew from these society parties and fund-raisers and of course the society page in the Midway City Banner. But, none of them she could call friend or even acquaintance.

Jocelyn went over to the bar and ordered a strong drink, still fuming. She couldn’t believe that little tramp Linda Danvers. First she totally treated her job at the museum like an after-thought, then she stole Phillip Decker away from Jocelyn, then she got such a high-profile job at Channel 8 and was becoming the toast of Midway City—her parents actually spent all of dinner last night gushing over Linda Danvers from Channel 8, and now she was diverting Craig’s attentions.

Jocelyn knew that she was a catch. She was successful, attractive, and came from a good family. She was responsible and dependable. She was the kind of person that a wealthy successful multi-billionaire businessman like Phillip Decker should be dating. Not an irresponsible girl like Linda Danvers who couldn’t even be bothered to make it to work on time. When Phillip Decker had left town after Supergirl had nearly killed him, Jocelyn had known her chances of ever landing him were out the window. Thanks to Linda and Supergirl. Jocelyn didn’t know who she hated worse.

And to make it worse, Craig was now nursing some unhealthy crush on Supergirl since that blonde twit had saved him from Chryseis. He had decorated his locker at the museum with pictures of Supergirl. Supergirl.

Jocelyn shook her head, killing her drink with one big swallow. She ordered another and turned around, watching Linda Danvers and Craig Morris out on the balcony. Adding insult to injury, now Linda was stealing Craig away from her too.

“I thought you and Jocelyn were going to come to blows. And that would have been bad. You being Supergirl and all.” Phillip said, the evening air pleasant and cool. Fall was drawing to a close, and soon the months would be long cold and unbearable. But, for now, it was nice out. Craig enjoyed the weather when it was like this. “You two are like oil and vinegar.”

“No. She would have been fine. For some reason when I’m Linda, I’m not as invulnerable or strong as Supergirl. I’m still pretty tough, but I have to actually transform into Supergirl to be at full power.” Linda said levelly, her heart and pulse still racing as anger pumped through her veins.

“That’s weird.” Craig commented. He looked over at Linda, gazing into her bright blue eyes. “You’re eyes are so beautiful.”

“They used to be brown.” Linda replied, “Before I became Supergirl.” Linda remembered her past, how she’d been mixed-up confused Linda Danvers heading down a dark and corrupt path thanks to Buzz’s influence. And how Buzz had been sacrificing her to his then-demon lord when Matrix had intervened as Supergirl and the two of them had merged—playing host to one of the original Earth-Bound angels and become a new Supergirl. Those days had been heavy in her thoughts as of late as Buzz had taken up occupation of Dick Malverne’s soul.

“Weird. I never knew that.” Craig said, not taking his eyes off of her.

Linda began to feel distinctly uncomfortable. Was Craig flirting with her? She knew that there had appeared to be some mutual attraction months ago, but neither of them had really acted upon it. And, now with her being in love with Dick, it was impossible. Although, Craig did seem to be infatuated with Supergirl… so now that he knew they were one and the same, maybe it was just his Supergirl-fetish.

“Why would you?” Linda shook her head and then quickly asked, “Are you from Midway City?” She knew so little about this guy and his past. And right now with all of the crap going on in her life, it felt easier to let him talk about himself.

“Sort of. I was born in the suburbs of Midway City—in Arlington Park. My father was a state senator for awhile and my mother was dean of the art department at Midway City University.” Craig said. “I had a pretty standard affluent white kid upbringing. Went to college and got a degree in Art, with a minor in archeology and ended up at Midway City Museum about a two years ago. Starting as an intern and then after graduation getting hired on in my current position. Although I think a lot of that has to do with Jocelyn. She has been a great friend in some ways.” Craig shrugged. “But, she can be weird about other stuff.”

“Yeah, she seems to hate me.” Linda replied. Was it possible that Craig didn’t realize that Jocelyn was nursing a monster crush on him?

“She just doesn’t have a lot of friends. So, she gets really possessive of me and my time. She hasn’t had the easiest life, despite all of the wealth and privilege she was born to. Her family is from Arlington Park also, although I didn’t know her growing up, I knew about her family. There was always some scandal or gossip. And her father often had to pay people to make stuff go away with Jocelyn’s older brother. It was a big mess all the time. I feel bad for her. I sort of understand why she’s like she is.” Craig continued.

“That must be hard for her.” Linda said, without much conviction. Jocelyn’s family might have had it rough, but Jocelyn didn’t seem to be doing anything to make it easier on herself or to move past whatever family dramas there might be.

“What about you? What about your family and life outside of Supergirl?” Craig asked.

Linda looked over the balcony at the city sixty floors below. She loved looking a life from way up here sometimes. It seemed much easier and simpler.

“My dad is from Metropolis. My mom is from New York City. They met when he was a cop in Metropolis and she was studying at Metropolis University. After they married they moved to Leesburg, which is just outside of Metropolis, which is where my dad’s parents grew up.” Linda replied, mesmerized by the children running around sixty floors below. The people looked like ants as they scurried about. It was odd. As Supergirl she flew miles above people. But, standing here on a balcony she marveled at how small the people looked. “Then Leesburg was destroyed during Mongul’s Cold Armageddon war and we moved to Midway City.”

“I thought Superman was your cousin.” Craig said quietly.

“My adopted cousin. When you and I were thrown back into time, I ended up spending a bit of time on Superman’s home planet of Krypton. I was adopted by his aunt and uncle while I was there.” Linda replied softly.

“Oh. So, Superman isn’t your cousin here on Earth. I thought he might be your cousin Clark who you mentioned working at the Daily Planet.” Craig said thoughtfully.

Even though warning bells went off in Linda’s head, she realized the best way to play this off was to be calm.

Laughing, she said dismissively, “Clark? Superman? No way. He’s way too timid. Superman is just Superman. No secret identity. When he’s not being Superman he’s chilling at his Fortress of Solitude.”

“Oh.” Craig nodded, “That makes sense. I can’t imagine that Superman would need to pretend to be a normal Joe in his off hours.”

“Yeah, that totally makes no sense.” Linda replied, sensing that Craig had accepted this as gospel. “So, I take it you understand how important it is that you keep my identity secret? That whole nightmare with Phillip Decker just proves how important it is to not tell anyone that Linda Danvers is really Supergirl. Especially since Superman is my cousin. People would use me or my family to get to him.”

“Oh, I totally get that.” Craig said, “You can trust me. I wouldn’t ever tell anyone that you are Supergirl.”

“Cool.” Linda said, sensing he was being sincere. She breathed a deep sigh of relief.

They both fell silent for several minutes. For Linda the silence between them was nice and soothing. With only the murmur of voices and music on the other side of the glass where the party was going full swing, and the music of the traffic and people whizzing by below, Linda felt a sudden moment of serenity. Despite the craziness going on in the rest of her life. This was a moment to savor.

“Linda…” Craig said, clearing his throat.

“Yes, Craig?” Linda asked, taking a deep breath and enjoying feeling relaxed.

“Would you like to go on a date Friday night, Linda?” Craig stammered.

Linda’s eyes widened. The feeling of peace disappeared in an instant.

Walking into the Meta-Research Development Group’s party, Brains looked around. She was dressed in a red sequined dress and had piled her long blonde hair atop her head. This would be the perfect place.

Brains ordered a vodka martini and stood at the bar, then after taking two sips, she pressed a button on her wristwatch.

“You got the time?”

Brains turned to a drunk disheveled Jocelyn Rogers.

“I’m sorry. No.” She smiled at the drunk woman, and then walked to a different corner of the bar. Brains looked to the doors from the elevators expectantly. Her patience was awarded within minutes.

The doors exploded inward, as bright pink bolts of energy tore up the carpet. Strutting through the blasted doors, her silver costume shimmering was the Silver Scorpion. This time silver gloves fitted with phasers added to the volleys of energy blasts.

“OUT OF MY WAY!” The Silver Scorpion cackled, blasting everything in her way.

People ran for cover.

“What is going on here?!” Johnny Drew asked, cowering behind his date.

“It looks like that Silver Scorpion person from the Supergirl Parade is back.” Mattie said, as she and Cutter rushed to hide behind a table.

“Where is Linda?” Cutter asked.

“She was out on the balcony with Craig Morris last time I saw her.” Mattie replied.

The Silver Scorpion headed straight for the bar.

A drunken Jocelyn Rogers stared at the Silver Scorpion, her mouth wide-open and gaping.

“What are you looking at?” The Silver Scorpion asked, her eyes were obscured by the lenses on her silver mask.

“Some moron in a suit.” Jocelyn said, taking another swig of her drink. She spilled a healthy portion of it on her dress.

“SHUT UP!” The Silver Scorpion released a blast from her wrist. The bolt slammed into Jocelyn’s stomach, knocking the woman off her barstool and sending her to the floor with an anguished scream.

The Silver Scorpion pointed her wrist phaser at the bartender standing nearest the cash registers.

“I would recommend you empty all the registers into this bag for me mister.” The Silver Scorpion tossed a burlap sack onto the bar. “Otherwise you’ll get a nice healthy sting to the face from the Silver Scorpion.”

Out on the balcony, Craig Morris had protectively put an arm around Linda. Trying not to smile at the gesture, but thankful the Silver Scorpion’s arrival had given her the perfect excuse not to answer Craig’s invitation to a date on Friday.

“Wait here, Craig. I’m going to turn into Supergirl and then go in there and try to reason with that person.” Linda said.

“Be careful, Linda.” Craig said.

“Craig, will you cover me while I change?” Linda asked, looking around. Thankfully they were the only ones on the balcony. Everyone on the other side of the glass was paying attention to the Silver Scorpion, save Mattie and Cutter who were looking at her and giving her that, “Are you going to do something about this look?”

Stepping behind Craig, Linda jumped over the side of the balcony.

Inside the party, Kevin Yates, CEO of the Meta-Research Development Group stepped forward from the crowd.

“Surely there is no reason for you to be here. Doing this.” Kevin Yates said, walking toward the Silver Scorpion, removing a checkbook from his suit pocket. “The money from that register is going to my organization to help fund various charity groups and studies. All of which are incredibly important and in need of assistance. Surely you don’t want to deprive sick children of medicine and research that could cure them.”

“I don’t care about sick kids you pompous ass. I care about myself. That money is going to get me an awesome stereo system.” The Silver Scorpion laughed. “Besides, you and I both know those kids aren’t really sick. They’re meta-humans. And you and your group are trying to eliminate them. Nullify their powers. Suppress who they really are. You and your organization and the charities and scientists you support are racists and bigots.”

“What if I write you a check? For a million dollars. I’ll make it out to cash.” Kevin Yates flashed a charismatic smile at the Silver Scorpion. “I’m very rich.”

The woman pointed her free hand at him, the phaser on either side of her wrists sparked with the pink energy.

“Write a check to the charities and scientists trying to eliminate the poor little meta kids. I’ll take the cash from the registers and donation boxes.” The Silver Scorpion replied coolly.

Supergirl flew in through the ruined doors.

“You’ll do no such thing!” Supergirl grabbed the Silver Scorpion by the shoulders.

“STOP!! Both of you!” Kevin Yates said, “Take your petty fight elsewhere!”

Supergirl turned toward Kevin Yates, “With all due respect Mr. Yates, this bozo is about to steal your proceeds. As far as how you and the other bigots at this party feel about ‘kind’ I find it deplorable. But, I’m not going to let that stop me from keeping some stupid super-villain from stealing money from you.”

“Get out of here! Both of you!” Kevin Yates shouted, his face turning bright red.

“Where’s Linda?” Peter Barton, Linda’s director asked the camera man Hector.

“I don’t know Peter. But, I’m filming this anyway. We can get Linda to report over it later.”

“Screw later.” Peter hissed under his breath, “Patch into the studio with the live feed.”

“Already tried. I can’t get a signal in this room.” Hector replied.

“What?” Peter looked at his cell phone and found that it too said “No Signal”.

“You’re stupid to be distracted.” The Silver Scorpion scoffed, “You should keep your attention on your enemy at all times.”

Supergirl cried out, as a shock tore through her hands—emanating from the Silver Scorpion’s suit. The shock jolted Supergirl, knocking her on to her butt.

“You didn’t have that last time.” Supergirl told the woman in silver, pulling herself to her feet after sliding across the floor several feet.

“I’m better prepared this time.” The Silver Scorpion replied, turning and facing Supergirl. The tail attachment on her costume began glowing and throbbing as it built up energy. “I took your advice. I know what I’m doing.”

“We’ll see about that.” Supergirl said. “But, realize you only knocked me down that time because you got lucky. You won’t be lucky again.”

“You’re probably right.” The Silver Scorpion replied, “But, you can’t be in two places at one time. Even you aren’t that super.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Supergirl asked.

“Well,” The Silver Scorpion tilted to her head, smiling wickedly. A bolt of energy exploded from her left wrist smashing out the windows overlooking the balcony. People ducked, but not every one evaded the blast. Several of them were knocked out onto the balcony.

“Wow. That was impressive. You blew out the windows.” Supergirl rolled her eyes, “You are such a better super-villain now. How did you get that suit back anyway? I heard it got returned to S.T.A.R Labs.”

“I had more than one.” The Silver Scorpion replied, “And blowing out the windows makes it easier to do this—“

A bolt of energy exploded from her wrist. This one slammed into a man who had just stood up, dusting bits of glass off of him out on the balcony, knocking him back, flipping over the side of the balcony, and plummeting down to the street sixty floors below.

“You---“ Supergirl did not finish the thought. She shook her head in disgust. In a flash she was gone out the window, rescuing the man from splattering on the sidewalk.

She caught the man and set him down safely on the ground.

“Stay here, sir. It’s safer.” She told him.

“Thank you Supergirl! I’m sorry I was at that party with all of those bigots.” The man said, his breathing quick and labored as he tried to calm himself.

Supergirl heard more screams.

She looked up to the sky to see three more people falling from the balcony.

“It’s OK sir. Just remember that because we’re different doesn’t mean we’re bad.” Supergirl shook her head, “Now if you’ll excuse me, I have more people to save.”

Supergirl rocketing into the sky to save them. She caught the first one and then arched over to get another. She landed them safely on the ground and jetted up into the sky to grab the third person.

Supergirl caught the third person, only to find that it was a stuffed dummy.

“Weird.” Supergirl said.

Then she saw the timer on it’s chest.

“Oh, this is not good.” Supergirl flew as quickly as she could, even as the timer on the dummy began to go off. She was nearly a mile from the ground when the explosion tore through the sky, lighting the dark night up in a blaze of hellish orange.

TO BE CONTINUED

NEXT ISSUE: Did Supergirl survive the bomb explosion? And if she does, what will the fall-out will she face from the Silver Scorpion’s attack on the Meta-Research Development Group’s fund raiser. The answera might not be as cut and dried as you think as Brains’ plot thickens in “The Silver Scorpion Strikes Back Part 2”.