Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

General Astra In-Ze stood stiffly behind her sister, Dru-Zod was ten feet to her left. A full complement of their soldiers here in a show of strength and respect as they stood on the wide open landing pad. She didn’t look to the other general. They both knew the stakes. At least they were agreed in this, the council was doing something, for once.

The landing platform was raised before their central tower, the council awaited in their chambers. All of them would be here, but it had been decided that bringing their ‘guests’ to the council for business must be an immediate option.

Banners were raised, representatives from every one of the major houses. There were five hundred people arrayed to greet the diplomatic party from The Alliance. If things progress as the council hoped, the treaty that had been in the works for the last six months would be signed, and Krypton would have some hope of surviving what was coming for them.

Distasteful allies. But allies strong enough to see them through the looming threat of Dominator expansion. A threat so severe that the council had broken centuries of isolationism. And now they were here, a black transport vessel lowering to the ground.

The ship was black. Thick metallic sides and nearly no glass that wasn’t recessed beneath thick, heavy metal shields. A transport ship sent for an ambassadorial party, and it was meant for war. The Alliance’s empire was built on war. It was why them, it also made Astra uneasy. It made all of them uneasy.

The ship landed with a heavy thud. None of the smooth elegance they so prized here.

Astra stayed formal, her hands folded behind her back exactingly, a twitch of weakness from any of their military force would be unacceptable. Weakness could not be shown. She watched as the ship’s ramp dropped down. The party in that ship couldn’t be large. Considering the warship in orbit around their planet however, it wasn’t an insult.

Walking down the ramp was a party of twenty. Fifteen were clearly ceremonial guards. To be watched, but not who to pay attention to. The five members of the party that were clearly the diplomatic officials, had Astra’s muscles locking. They’d known this was the final party. That someone from the ruling ranks of The Alliance would come. It wasn’t one, it was two of them. The two most terrifying members of their ruling regency council they were functioning under till their Emperor came of age.

The two Skrull ambassadors they’d spoken to on previous diplomatic visits, Ptonn and Strironn, were in their formal purple robes over a black underlayer. There was also a male blue Kree in what appeared to be a military uniform, but in grey with black and teal piping. A metal ball spinning around him, marking him out as likely the most dangerous guard in a fight. But none of those three were why Astra’s muscles had locked. No, that was the two members of their ruling regent council.

The Alliance had sent the Annihilator and the Destroyer of Worlds. Both had reputations that Krypton had heard of, even with their limited contact with the greater galaxy. They’d hoped for having The Destroyer of Worlds to come. If she was here, the treaty was almost certain to be signed. As the Duke of House Kasius, The Destroyer of Worlds had the authority to complete everything they were requesting.

To her credit, no matter how strained things were, Alura walked forward without showing any fear. Astra and Dru-Zod followed formally. Alura’s voice rose, perfectly calm and clear. “It is an honor to welcome you to Krypton.”

Ptonn, as the senior ambassador, stepped forward, hands folded in front of him. “Greetings, High Justice Alura Zor-El. We thank you for your welcome.”

Astra shared a look with Dru-Zod as they stood stiffly in the council chamber in case their military expertise was needed.

For the occasion, two grand formal seats were prepared before the council where supplicants typically stood. The treaty was projected in the air between them, as the points of the treaty were gone over.

Ptonn and Strironn stood between with the Krypontian ambassadors Rom-Gal and Dull-Em. It was the most boring but highest stakes room that Astra had ever stood in.

Clearly, a point of view that Carol-Danvers and Duke Kasius agreed with from the looks they shot at each other.

Duke Kasius spoke up. “The formal treaty is three thousand, two hundred and twenty-seven pages long. I think summarizing would work till we get to the details that still need to be ironed out.”

“Very well,” Lor-Em agreed from his seat as head of law, before looking at his third cousin. “If you would, Ambassador Dull-Em.”

Would wonders never cease, a Dominator invasion pending any week, and the council could do something. Slowly, and at the request of a horrifying war criminal who was soon to be their ally.

“Then we are to the trade ports of entry as agreed upon.” Dull-Em picked up. “That the three largest cities on Krypton shall make themselves open to-”

Astra knew they would be fortunate to finish this by the end of the week. If the Dominator invasion held that long. To save themselves from evil they were binding themselves to it. Astra found it less easy to swallow than Dru, but she’d advocated for it strongly.

The danger was how much they gave up to the Alliance. Their isolation was at an end. Trade with extremely light tariffs, and a required minimum purchase to ensure trade actually was engaged in. What she was chiefly concerned over was the military station to be built as an Alliance outpost just outside the orbit of Krypton.

Before they got to that, they had to get through the plans for a Kryptonian science guild facility being built on Hala to assist with their interest in rebuilding after their recently concluded civil war, and the conclusion of over a thousand years of expansionism and endless wars besides. Also the ambassadorial facilities and rights between their two people.

The technicalities were endless, boring, and necessary.

“I think it's time my compatriot takes over.” Carol-Danvers gave the Duke a pointed look. “Since I’m not involved in your House.”

It was a flicker, but if looks could kill, the Duke would have done something unfriendly to the Annihilator for that. But the Duke did speak, looking at the council. “The final point of the treaty still to be worked out. You insist on an alliance between my House and one of your own high Houses.”

Al-An spoke from his seat. “A treaty can be violated. It is written words agreed to with words.” His voice was smooth and calm. “An alliance between Houses is far less easily broken. As the head of your Empire’s military, you and your House’s interest in maintaining this treaty is a reassurance we require.”

Dithering idiots, the lot of them. A marriage would not protect them from the fear of colonization. It made sense to bind the House which the greatest threat from the Alliance to Krypton came from. But in Astra’s opinion, it gave a foothold for any child of the union to claim rights on Krypton. Rights backed by the most horrifying House in the galaxy. Dru had argued they could prepare for that eventuality. Astra was less sure. But at the least it would buy them time. And better the yoke of Alliance control, than the utter devastation of the Dominators.

The Duke tapped her finger against the arm of her chair. “And as previously communicated, I will only accept a union between my House and your House of El.”

Astra bit her tongue slightly. They would all be better served if that fool Kal was married into the Duke’s House. The House of El would be better served by Kara becoming heir over her cousin. Not when a member further down the family line would be offered.

“A request we consent to.” Alura spoke from the El seat on the council. “I have been granted authority to negotiate this by Jor-El, head of my noble House.”

The Duke’s jaw twitched slightly. “You requested my sister for this union?”

“As your heir, we thought her suitable for such an arrangement,” Alura stated. Which was a polite way of not saying that after the Duke had finished purging her House, they were only four. The Duke, her sister, and two young children unlikely to be allowed to grow old enough to become threats to the Duke’s direct line.

“You were mistaken.” The Duke’s eyes were sharp. “I am the head of my family, avoiding the burden of that and leaving it to my sister won’t be happening. I’ll be the one marrying someone from your House, councilor.”

Astra breathed in sharply. That was unexpected. And unfortunate. It wouldn’t be Kal then, offering a boy of fourteen to the Duke would be unlikely to be accepted. Which one of the lower members was of the correct age? It’d need to be someone as close to the main line as possible; the poor cousin would not be grateful for this match.

Alura, on her high council seat, paled ever so faintly. But she didn’t hesitate. “That is a generous and most glad offer. The House of El is honored.”

“I assume you’ll want the marriage to happen before we formally sign the treaty at the end of the week?” The Duke’s voice was to the point.

Al-An spoke up. “That would be ideal. Though if there are rituals or ceremonies that require more time, we would accept such delays, provided the union of your two houses is contracted and the process begun.”

The Duke waved him off. “The only part required for it to be binding is the ceremony.”

The minor noble blue Kree with the spinning metal ball made a faint sound of amusement while looking at the Duke. But he and the rest of the party didn’t argue or appear to disagree.

An unwelcome union then, that the Duke clearly saw as a chore to be settled. Astra was grateful requirements for the protection and survival were standard in a contract between Houses. The unfortunate spouse would at the least not be put out an airlock. The fact the Duke insisted on it being a member of House El spoke to at least some value being placed on the science guild. It would be a cold comfort.

“Should we agree on what’s needed from the marriage today and leave the details to House Kasius and House El?” Carol-Danvers’s voice was oddly warmer than anyone else’s in the room. The flickers of glances that passed between her and the Duke were telling the two were having a silent conversation at various intervals.

“Acceptable, so long as the Duke approves the particulars being adjusted without her presence here?” Al-An asked.

“The Alliance has already authorized Danvers to agree to this treaty if it meets her approval. I’m only here because of the marriage contract and as a Military General.” An interesting cue on who was the final authority in their party from the Duke.

Astra wasn’t a politician. But she was military, and that was interesting. The Alliance wanted guarantees that everything wasn’t entirely to the benefit of House Kasius. She made a note to keep an eye on any warning signs. With a child Emperor on the Alliance throne, coups were reasonable to protect against, but also a threat. One that Krypton would need to be cautious of. If a coup did occur, being too tied to the unsuccessful side could be disastrous. The Dominators may be threatening now, but if they survived them it was a sign their isolation was being taken as a sign of weakness. The Dominators would not be the last to come for Krypton if they remained alone.

Alura faced the grim future with the grace that had always aided her purpose. “Then the House of El is pleased to move into seeing our future alliance is in the interests of our two peoples.” She folded her hands formally before her. “If this council is in agreement to the change in negotiation order?”

Formalities were ridiculous as a simple vote was held. It wasn’t as if any of them wanted to circle back to what had been already covered. The Alliance delegation seemed militarily focused and uninterested in pedantics already worked on for months by bureaucrats, and the council was desperate to complete this treaty.

“So, who will our General be marrying?” Carol-Danvers asked, the cheer in her voice was likely fake, and also the most unprofessional thing in these halls since Jor-El’s raised voice demanding the council act over a decade ago now.

The council hadn’t acted, Astra’s niece’s brilliance had.

Alura was placid, not that anyone was ever so uncontrolled not to be on the council. “As the current Head of House El, as well as his brother, are married, and suggesting our heir would be insulting due to his age, we would put forward the third in line for our head of house, Kara Zor-El.”

Astra was barely maintaining the facade of control as the door closed behind them. It had barely closed before her hand was on Alura’s shoulder, forcing her look at her. “How dare you! That woman is a monster! You can’t marry Kara to her!”

“It's what was required.” Alura replied, not a shadow of shame on her face.

“Required?” Astra wanted to strike her sister. “Kara is your daughter.”

“I’m aware of whose daughter she is.” Alura’s voice was firm, righteous. “This marriage will protect the House of El. No individual can be more important than the whole.”

Astra’s hand fisted at her side. “That woman out there is a monster. You’re going to sentence her to an atrocity.”

Alura drew herself up, shoulders soft, hands folded before her, every bit of her was superior and resolute. “If this treaty is not agreed to in time, Krypton is lost. You championed the proposition. If we do not make this treaty, Krypton will be lost to the Dominators. We cannot fight them, the Alliance can. Do you disagree with Dru-Zod’s opinion that an alliance of Houses must prioritize binding House Kasius’s interests to Krypton?”

“Kara is your daughter.” Astra hissed. “Sacrificing your daughter to the gods for the survival of our people is obscene. There are over a hundred members of your House.”

“None that would not give the Duke the right to be insulted. A thing that cannot happen.” Alura’s voice was unshaking.

Astra likely would have broken her hand against the wall if the door across the room hadn’t whooshed open, Kara walking in.

Kara was beautiful, a brilliant mind under Rao’s light. The pride of the House of El. The red light shining through windows illuminated her in her robes, her hair spilling across her shoulders as she walked in. “Mother,” her face lit up in happiness, “Aunt Astra!”

“Little One,” Astra’s chest felt like it would crack from her grief at the knowledge of what was to come.

“Are the negotiations going poorly?” Concern crossed her face as she approached them.

Alura, Rao curse her, reached out catching Kara’s cheek with poisoned affection. “Better than we had hoped.”

“Don’t you dare lie to her.” Astra had never hated her sister before this moment. In all their fights, their disagreements and coldness, she had never hated her twin.

“What is going on?” Kara looked between them, with not even a whisper of enough suspicion, and buckets of trust that was undeserved.

“House El is to be united with House Kasius, as a guarantee the treaty between our two people will be upheld.” Alura explained.

Kara flinched ever so slightly. “House Kasius? But their crimes against sentience and every moral and ethical line there is are infamous?”

“A reputation that will protect Krypton.” Alura’s hand dropped from her daughter’s cheek, taking Kara’s hand. “House Kasius alone can muster a military force ten times what all of Krypton is able to. The Duke of that House has agreed to marry a member of our house, personally.”

Kara swallowed. “It’s me, isn’t it?”

“You were accepted by the Duke. After your mother offered your name.” Astra bit out, Kara withdrawing her hand from her mother’s grasp.

“This will save Krypton?” Kara’s hands shook slightly as she hid them beneath the folds of her robes.

“It will.” Alura replied, unflinching.

The door made a low note of warning, and then Non entered. His face was grim. “Councilor Zor-El,” He gave a stiff nod to Alura. “Our sensors triggered two minutes ago.”

Astra’s heels tapped together as she stiffened. “The Dominators?”

“We’ve run out of time,” Non replied.

“Then we must inform our guests.” And hope they would take some refugees when they left. There was no time for the treaty to be completed. “Stay with my niece, Alura, we need to speak with the diplomatic party, now.”

Alura’s face was stricken for a second, but she nodded. “Of course.”

Astra marched into the council room. Her eyes met Dru-Zod’s. They had twenty minutes, already every part of their fleet and defenses were being raised. They were the last to arrive. Not by far, Lor-Em was still approaching his seat, the Alliance party was not sitting.

Al-An spoke. “I apologize that so much time and effort has been proven, fruitless. Our shields will be raised shortly, as the Dominators grow closer.”

“Fuck that.” The Duke ignored the smack to her shoulder and sharp look from Carol-Danvers. “I did not leave Hala to leave with nothing to show for it. These talks, the manpower, travel, effort for the last six months that both of our people have put in matter.”

“Your outrage is honorable.” Dru-Zod spoke up. “We can offer you only what persons of value that can be moved to your ship in the next ten minutes as apology. Even if this treaty was signed this moment, a single warship is not enough to defend Krypton.”

No one disagreed. Dru had already sent an order for their most important scientists in the city to be moved to the council tower immediately. If they were fortunate, the Duke would take them as assets to her House and take them from Krypton before the end. Science was clearly something the woman and her people desired.

“I don’t need a full fleet to handle a straight forward rush.” The Duke looked at Carol-Danvers. “The Hannibal maneuver?"

Carol-Danvers nodded, a spark in her eye as she raised her hands upward. “You’re insane, but I know better than to ever bet against you.”

The Duke knocked her own hands against Carol-Danvers. “You don’t get to call classic strategy ‘insane’.” She turned looking at the council. “We’ve argued about this treaty for months. Is there anything in it currently that is worth allowing your people to die for?”

They all stilled as the reality of what was being said processed.

Lor-Em found words first. “You believe you can defeat the Dominators with what forces are here?”

“I know I can.” The Duke said it with the same confidence as one might state that Rao was red. “We sign the treaty as it is now, then give me command of your fleet, and I’ll uphold the Alliance’s obligations. I’ll marry your Kara Zor-El as soon as I land after taking care of this. You have my word.”

“Then we will sign.” Alura said, drawing herself up. “And trust in your word.”

It took moments for Carol-Danvers and each council member to sign. The second the last signature was applied, the Duke was looking at Dru-Zod. “Brief me while leading me to a shuttle for your command ship.”

“General Astra In-Ze and I will be the senior military authorities.” Dru said sharply as he moved, Astra falling in beside him.

“The Dark Aster will take the left wing, whichever of you maintains the most powerful of your vessels will need to take the right. It is important the two wings and what vessels can be launched in time focus your strength there, we want them to break through the center. Danvers will pick off anyone who tries to circumnavigate our stand.”

Astra looked at the Duke. “We do not have the numbers for that strategy, nor weapons enough to justify it.”

“I am the weapon.” The Duke replied as they hit the landing platform. The air was full of transport shuttles moving, larger ships hitting the atmosphere as quickly as they could be launched.

Dru’s jaw clenched, but he gave a sharp nod. “Do not fail.” He looked at Astra. “I leave the command of the center to you, General Astra In-Ze. I will hold the right. May Rao light our way.” And then he was veering to a transport, shouting orders as he walked.

“Your Grace, what do you require besides the ship?” Astra could appreciate a simple plan. She did not believe it would work. But it was action, and it was not as if any strategy of theirs gave more hope. The Dominator force outnumbered the Kryptonian forces twelve to one.

“Danvers will have sent what I need to meet us.” The Duke strode with purpose, her face and expression serious. Her black formal jacket that wrapped around her, with a high collar glittering with diamonds that each represented a duel to the death she’d won, everything about her said she was ready for war, Astra didn’t doubt the woman would manage.

At the very least, their new allies were prepared to die with them. Arrogance or not, it was more than they had assumed.

A blue-skinned Alliance soldier came running toward them from the Alliance landing ship, his arms full of black bag. “General!”

“Cotekk-Uz, good timing.” The Duke caught the bag as it was tossed at her. “You’re with me.”

“Yes, Ma’am.” The soldier fell in behind his General’s shoulder.

Astra passed a pad to the Kree Duke. “Our fleet numbers, 80% should have finished scrambling in time.”

The Duke swiped through the numbers. “Make the trap as obvious as possible.”

Professionalism was something.

Astra looked at Lieutenant Mavag who was waiting at the ramp to the transport for the flagship. “Hail the Mordo, tell them to raise battle stations, then get me fleet wide channel, and get the Dark Aster invited into it.”

“General!” Lieutenant Mavag replied, instantly moving to do as ordered. Professionalism kept him from questioning the alien General accompanying her.

Astra grabbed a handle on the inside of the transport as the ramp closed, thrusters lifting them the same second they closed. She had a fleet to prepare to fly as one. And a plan that depended purely on an alien general’s powers. Powers that couldn’t be as strong as required by this. But she saw the strategy. To make the trap as desperate and obvious as possible.

“General on deck.” Was announced as they reached the command deck.

Astra took the command seat. “Helmsman, take us to the center, coordinates on your screen.” She pulled up the latest readings of the approaching fleet. It was as utterly unstoppable as expected. They’d swamp them completely before any civilian transports could get as far as their third moon. Their years of isolation left them with a fleet incapable of evacuation, seven months of added production had focused on military vessels. And seven months was not enough to make a true difference.

“Ensure we’re at least three rows back, dead center.” The Duke ordered while dropping the bag into the arms of her soldier, Cotekk-Uz, and reaching up, unfastening her jacket, pulling it off as she spoke.

“The left wing will answer to the Dark Aster.” Astra was at least assured the Duke meant this, the Dark Aster was flying to its ordered quadrant as they spoke.

“Good, I want every fighting shift prepared to fake the damage and a death spiral to remove them from the line of fire. They need to fall in the center fast. We want the Dominators to over commit.”

Astra looked at her. “If it's that fast they may pull back?”

The Duke shook her head. “Not the Dominators. They’re going to Leeroy Jenkins themselves because they’ll assume that even if it’s a trap, their numbers are so superior it won’t matter.” She pulled a proper military space jacket out of the bag, pulling it on, heedless of how much skin she showed in her thin undershirt. Her fingers quickly zipping it shut. “They want your civilian population to have no time to flee. Anyone who flees is lost profits on the slave market.”

The term ‘Leeroy Jenkins’ meant nothing to Astra, but she could take the meaning. It was inline with what they knew of Dominator tactics. Overwhelming force, conquest that turned every sentient being into slaves or the dead. “Let us hope you are correct.”

“If I’m not, Danvers and I will adjust.” She pulled metal cuffs onto her wrists, snapping her hands in a specific motion. The clear nanobots spread out themetal gauntlets from fingertip to elbow on her arms. “I haven’t lost a stand yet.”

“If they funnel themselves knowing the Dark Aster is here, they are fools.” Cotekk-Uz said with a vicious glee.

“No commentary, soldier.” The Duke shot him a look that had him straightening while pulling her hair up into a knot before grabbing a helmet out of the bag.

Well then, the Duke had kept an entire field military uniform on a diplomatic landing vessel. Mildly horrifying, but essentially practical considering the circumstances.

Astra looked at the communications officer. “I want a fleet wide channel open, now.”

The Mordo, flagship of the Kryptonian fleet came to a halt in the center of the net they’d laid. It was named for their god of strength. From latest readings, the Dominators would be within visual range in minutes. Astra felt the calm that came before action. She looked to the Duke who was fastening a helmet to her head. “You plan to leave the airlock?”

“Need to avoid breaking this ship too.” The Duke cracked her neck. “This is going to kill me one day.”

Astra glanced at the readout of more Kryptonian vessels joining the net as quickly as possible. The formation was pitifully inadequate. Astra regretted not agreeing to Dru-Zod’s petitions to grow their military for the last two decades. If they’d done that earlier, this would have been more than a final stand.

There wasn’t time for words, the Dominators were faster than expected as their ships started dropping into system.

The Duke’s eyes swept the massive fleet, she swiped to a side comms channel. “Danvers, as soon as they commit, take out the planetary bombardment vessels.”

The streaking light that was the Annihilator swooped till she was a burning spot of light. -“Think I can handle it.”- There was distinctive, cocky confidence in the woman’s tone. -“I have the outer edges once that’s done.”-

The first burning bright red burst of laser fire lit up the sky.

Astra didn’t wait for commands, the Duke clearly understood that having the general command did not make her fully aware of how to run a Kryptonian fleet. Professionalism made things run smoothly.

“Target engines." Astra barked from the command seat, and the Mordo opened fire.

The organized chaos of battle exploded around them.

The Mordo shook as fire hit their shields.

“General, the ships in quadrant center lower left.” The Duke snapped highlighting them. “Get them out of there.”

Astra didn’t question it. She was bred to follow orders. “Torg and Hemo, blow a port and pull back.”

The field of battle lit up as the the rear bombardment barge exploded from the Annihilator flew straight through it’s fuel cells. It was a flicker of hope.

Three more bombardment barges were lost in explosions in short order.

The Mordo violently shook, alarms flashing.

“Shut the bulkheads to cordon off the damage.” Astra ordered. “Shokho quadrant, pull back.” She pulled up damage reports. “Duke, we won’t hold.”

The Duke’s eyes narrowed. “Center retreat, they’re committing.”

If this failed, the edges would need to descend on the center to slow the devastation. A better showing than expected so far, mostly from the Annihilator dropping the bombardment barges.

“When I jump out, pull back twenty klicks and have every bit of power diverted to the shields. Fleet wide.” The Duke looked at her.

Astra’s teeth were tight as she sent signals to more ships to pull back as they took too much damage. “Rao’s light be with you.”

The Duke paused two steps toward the doors. “And also with you.” And then the Duke was out of the doors, heading directly toward the airlocks.

Officer Joven looked up from their shield station. “General, what can the Duke do? There’s too many of them.”

Astra didn’t have real comfort to give. “Eyes on your station.” She yanked up command signals for another twelve sections from their quadrants, ordering them to pull back. “This is the plan.”

Out of the corner of her eye, she noted the vicious anticipation on the Kree soldier, Cotekk-Uz, the man was eager, not afraid.

A tremor that felt like a warning went down Astra’s spine. She refused to set her full hopes on this.

Astra pulled up a three dimensional map shared with Dru-Zod on his ship, which was holding its position. They didn’t need to speak to pull up a secondary defensive position to swing into when this suicide strategy failed. Her voice was sharp as she spoke over the communication channel selected just for the center fleet. “Pull back to your secondary positions, all power to shields.”

The fleet moved as one. Twelve ships were destroyed before they could do so. Shields went up. For a second the tiny spec of a figure, visible only because the computer knew to highlight her, floated in the black, in front of the Dominator fleet rushing at them exactly as predicted.

And then the world shattered.

A wave of destruction rushed through the Dominator fleet. Ships disintegrated in explosions as they were torn to pieces. The wave buffeted against the Kryptonian fleet, but their shields held. The force wasn’t directed at them.

Laser fire no longer filled the air. Debris and burning fuel cells being ripped to shreds did. There just wasn’t an enemy fleet left.

The enemy simply was gone.

And floating in the black, was Duke Kasius.

Chapter Text

Kara Zor-El stood in the formal meeting room off the second from the highest floor of the council tower. Rao’s light was lowering in the sky, though not yet setting. She would be married before Rao set. Kara didn’t need to be a politician to know that.

The treaty had been signed on the condition that she be married to Duke Kasius as soon as the Duke returned to the planet. The destruction of the Dominator fleet had been complete, overwhelming, and was done. The honor of House El, of Krypton, could not bear Rao’s light setting without the union complete.

“You look beautiful, niece,” Non said, pulling her from her thoughts.

She smiled, even if it didn’t feel real. “Thank you.”

His own expression was sad. “Your cousin and Lord El should arrive shortly.”

“Do you think they found the marriage treaty from our last union between House El and House Zod to adjust to offer to the Duke?” Kara was unsure exactly, marital contract was not a field she’d ever studied. She wasn’t sure if there was a set contract to be altered for such things or not.

Non made a faint sound of amusement. “House Zod? Never. They must be going back to before our isolation from the wider universe.”

The history of House El very much was a part of her education. “You mean the agreement used for the marriage of Jun-El to the local Ogigi people, along with other settlers that led to the creation of Daxam?” That was a terrifying thought. The separation from her people, her home, would be so final that her descendants would not even be considered the same species. “If I have a child, they will not even be Kryptonian.”

“You will have saved Krypton twice. That means more than what species your child may or may not be considered.” Non said firmly.

“I invented a stabilizing system that gave us time to repair damage. I didn’t save our planet.” She protested, it wasn’t that she wasn’t proud of what she’d done. She fiercely was. But the projects that returned their seas from pools of acid to real waters that life was engineered for and returned to had barely been touched by her. The thousands of projects and the labor required had been the work of their entire people. She’d just given them the time to do it. “And I don’t think—” She swallowed. Their planet should be overrun right now. But it wasn’t. “I don’t think we’re alive right now because I did or am anything.”

“Perhaps not, but the council will never allow this union not to go forward.” Non looked sorry for her as he said it. “Without it, we’ll appear weak. Others will try now that the Dominators have, unless we are under the protection of a more powerful ally. And we cannot defend against the Alliance if they respond to so grave an insult.”

Kara touched the thick material of her white robes, which she had been brought. The red piping and underlayer. They were formal, what she typically wore on high holy days. “Thank you for waiting with me.”

He didn’t take the gratitude. “I was ordered not to leave your side.”

She didn’t prod. Her uncle could be prickly, she knew he and Aunt Astra grieved that they hadn’t been allowed a child. A grief her presence often made worse. Especially for her uncle, who quietly blamed himself for the denial. She did dare to ask something else. “Were you scared, before your marriage?”

“No,” There was an apology on his face for his answer.

The door whooshed open, and it was oddly not relieving to see her mother and uncle Jor. Two servants followed, as well as three assistant robots floating in behind them.

“Kara.” Jor greeted, his expression was grim.

She straightened. “Will Father be able to arrive?”

Jor shook his head. “Zor cannot leave Argos. I’m sorry, niece.”

That was that then. Kara knew better than to argue. “You’ve finished a contract to offer Duke Kasius?” She didn’t really know what else to say.

“One we hope is fair.” Alrua’s gaze was proud. “The ceremony is being prepared for before the jewel of truth and honor.”

“You will make our House proud, once more.” Jor laid a warm hand on her shoulder.

Her throat felt thick. It was the right thing to do. She was terrified. She’d woken this morning trusting her mother and the council to protect their people, and considering a new project on the terraforming of their moon. Artificial atmosphere to stabilize any introduced elements. Now…Krypton stood, and the Dominator threat was eliminated as of two hours ago.

She was saved from finding something to say that didn’t reveal her reluctance to face her new reality by a chime from the door to the main hallway.

As the senior member of the room, they all allowed Jor to decide on whether to answer the request at the door. Jor spoke cleanly and clearly. “Enter.”

The doors swooshed open, a darker pink-skinned Kree stood there. He was tall, not a hair on his face, but then fine black hair falling to his ears, wearing the classic swooping, if tight, militaristic Kree style. The fabric was a dark green with black detailing. He stepped into a room, a box that appeared to be made from real wood. “Greetings, I come as an emissary from Friend Daisy, I believe you know her as Duke Kasius of Hala.”

It was odd, Kara hadn’t known that her soon to be spouse's first name was apparently Daisy. A thought that struck her.

Jor folded his hands. “Then you are, of course, welcome. May we have your name, Kree?”

“I am not Kree, I am a Chronicom from a planet that revolved around a star in the system you know as Zhguzhor. The name I have been known by is Zachariah, Lord El.” Zachariah didn’t emote; his voice less animated than that of some assistant robots. “I am already aware of who all of you are.”

Kara had never heard of a Chonicom before, but she knew her uncle clearly had, and it meant something to him.

“Is there a message her Grace has sent you with, Zachariah?” Jor asked, not showing whatever thoughts he was having.

“An object.” Zachariah corrected simply. “Friend Daisy ensured she was made aware of Kryptonian marriage rituals before arriving. She, of course, has the appropriate bracelets prepared, but reports were unclear on whether your people still engaged in circlets for the ceremony.” He opened up the box, showing a silver circlet within. “For if it is deemed appropriate or wanted.”

“That was thoughtful of her Grace.” Alura accepted the box from Zachariah. “And entirely appropriate.”

Zachariah’s hands fell back to his sides. “If you require any clarification, I am to be at your disposal.” He just kinda stared absently.

Non spoke, stiffly; he never was at ease around Jor. “We should prepare, landing craft from the Mordo have departed.

It was hard to breathe suddenly.

Zachariah looked at Kara. “I will be at your disposal in future as well. Unless there is any cause for concern, I will depart.”

There wasn’t a question she could really bear the answer to. Kara gave what could generously be called a ‘smile’. “Thank you, Zachariah. That is very kind of you.”

“It was not my suggestion.” He turned and left the room.

That was…not comforting. At least it meant the Duke probably wanted the marriage? Maybe?

Jor lifted the circlet of silver which—now that it was out of the box—clearly had constellations etched into the metal. He set it on Kara’s head. “You make our House proud, niece.”

Alura pulled Kara into one of her rare hugs, her arms so tight it ached. Her voice was thick with emotions she so rarely expressed. “I am so proud to have you as my daughter.”

Barely choking back a sob at the face of what felt like a too-real nightmare, Kara hugged her mother back. “I love you.”

“I love you too, my brilliant girl.” Alura gave a final squeeze before pulling back. One hand cupping her cheek. “May Rao shine upon you and light your way with his blessings.”

Her eyes burned with tears she couldn’t shed. “And on our people.” Because that’s why this was happening. To protect their people. In payment for the billions of lives still beating in freedom that would not be doing so without this agreement. For that, she could bear this.

Kara had always known that as a daughter of House El, she would be permitted to marry in front of the jewel of truth and honor. The huge, three-foot-wide, perfect gem was polished to a glittering shine in the upper halls of the towering grandeur of Kandor. The light of Rao lighting it with fiery prisms of light. The hall was all open windows and metal polished till it shone, reflecting the light that had been reflected upon it in turn.

Even as a daughter of House El, the presence of not just the entire Council, but every person of standing that could be gathered from all of Kandor had not been expected. Nor the full military guard. Nor that this was being recorded to be shown to all of Krypton, to ease fears. That it was organized faster than reasonable, hardly mattered.

The presence of aliens had been so far from imaginable that Kara was still, even as she was brought into the hall of truth and honor, surprised. They were so colorful, and yet, all of them wore some degree of black on their person. The ones whom she recognized as Skrulls with their green skin and reptilian features wore a great deal of purple. The pink and blue Kree favored teal with their blacks. All of them were military uniforms, save the two Skrull ambassadors she had seen in passing on previous visits.

But standing at the head of the Alliance party was who was clearly her future wife.

Duke Kasius, whose first name was apparently Daisy, wasn’t particularly tall or broad. But she didn’t lack authority. There was a firm certainty to her stance that drew the eye. Her skin was like that of her pink-Kree brethren, if a shade or two darker. Long brown hair, with a streak of purple in it. Her clothing was pure black. A dusty black with a shinier black lattice-like pattern woven over the top. The only color were the glittering white diamonds across her high collar that caught Rao’s red light.

Intimidatingly, her face was painted similar to the images of warriors from Krypton’s age of heroes. Around her eyes, the skin was painted black, from just below the eye till her eyebrows. A thick, black line was painted from just below her bottom lip down her chin and vanished into her clothing at her neck. A matching silver circlet lightly resting upon her head.

As Uncle Jor brought her to the jewel and away from the ordered crowds, the Duke stepped forward, unaccompanied.

The priest of Rao they had chosen was Rom-Var, head of House Var. A rare honor. His long and flowing black and purple robes were exactingly perfect, his face covered with the glowing, featureless mask all of their order wore for ceremonies. Kara only knew it was him because the chain with a medallion of Flamebird was larger than any other priest due to his position as head of their entire guild.

He stood behind the jem, and as the audience pulled back, leaving only herself, the Duke, and Rom-Var alone upon the upper level. Then, in Rao’s fading light, he half spoke, half sang the old words in a dialect so old it no longer could be understood without study. The chant was beautiful. The room and light were beautiful.

But standing here, awash in the light of Rao, she was terrified.

Kara dared to look at her soon to be wife. Kasius had brown eyes that met hers. Her bride was stiff, but she didn’t look upon Kara with disgust or annoyance or anything sharp and uncomfortable. It was similar to Uncle Non’s expression when forced to attend ceremonies with the House of El.

It felt like something to hope for. Something recognizable to hold onto.

Rom-Var held out his hands over the jewel in silent order. Kara raised her own hand, giving him her hand, the Duke mirroring her motion. The last lines of the high poetry of the ceremony were recited in the same chanting tone that echoed off the walls of the hall. And then he brought their hands together, laying Kara’s hand in the Duke’s.

Kara swallowed. The woman’s hand was warm, her grip gentle, but it felt final. Her hand laid on top of Kasius’ had only one meaning. She was no longer an El. She’d been given into House Kasius. It felt like her heart was breaking as the shimmering white length of fabric was wrapped around their hands, binding them for eternity in holy vow.

“In the name of truth and honor, I declare the marriage vows binding upon you. From this day forward, throughout all time and space, even unto eternity.” Rom-Var’s attention fell on Kara. “Daughter of El, give your vows.”

Kara could only ensure her voice did not waver. It was all she had. “I Kara Zor-el pledge my body, mind, and soul with all loyalty and dedication to this bonding and unto my new House.”

The Duke’s hand tightened ever so slightly, though not painfully, at her words, brown eyes never leaving her.

“Head of Kasius, give your vows,” Rom-Var intoned.

The Duke’s voice was calm. “I Daisy Johnson of House Kasius, pledge my body, mind, and soul with all loyalty and protection to this bonding.” She didn’t look at Rom-Var, her attention entirely on Kara.

It felt like…something.

“So be it. Your vows are known, may they guide you in Rao’s light.” Rom-Var declared as he pulled away the shimmering tie wrapped around their hands. As the fabric fell away, he snapped a metal band closed around Kara’s wrist first, and then her wife’s.

Kara had always quietly hoped for a wedding band that was beautiful. They were all unique, meant to display the bond between mates. The bands provided by the Duke were obsidian black, the last rays of Rao’s light glinting off of them.

“Made wife and wife this day, and for all days hence. May the countenance of Rao ever shine on you.” Rom-Var’s hands rose in a gesture of presentation of them as one being.

Clearly, the Duke knew the ceremony, because she didn’t let go of Kara’s hand, simply lowering their joined hands between them. Her expression had the faintest question on it.

It struck Kara suddenly that she was taller than her wife.

The air shuddered slightly as she exhaled, but she leaned ever so slightly forward. It wasn’t how she’d pictured this in the least.

Her wife pressed their lips together. It was a sort of dry press, not uncomfortable, but odd. And then her wife was pulling away. She left only the faint taste of burning stars.

Applause greeted the completion of the marriage.

Kara was half relieved and half terrified as the doors closed, leaving her alone with her new wife in the largest diplomatic chambers in Kandor. During the day, they were no doubt stunning, but Rao had fully set, leaving darkness and the lights of the city as all that was visible from the large windows.

“Give me a minute, I’m going to get this stupid warpaint off of my face.” Her wife shot her a look, and then vanished toward the washroom, the sound of water immediately beginning as soon as she was out of sight.

It was quiet except for the sound of running water.

Kara walked further into the room. The meditation mats were laid out before the window that would first light with Rao’s light in the morning. The shelf to one side was stocked with white candles. All of the room was exactingly prepared. She was…unsure what she was permitted to do?

If this were a marriage to any Kryptonian House, she would know what to do. In any marriage on Krypton, she would have been equal or higher in rank than her spouse. She was nobility on a planet. The Duke was likely royalty from an empire. What was expected of her, and her position were…unknown to her.

She stood in the quiet. All the quiet whispers and giggles between friends when she was a child about some of the scandalous marriages during the Age of Heroes were far less titillating now. It was like her throat was strangled with a thousand words that wanted to come spilling out. Her hands kept fluttering slightly. She pushed them into the folds of her rope to hide the nervous tick.

Her wife apparently had nearly silent footsteps, as she walked back, the turning off of water the only reason Kara had turned toward her. Her wife paused as she reached the room, her face clean of the black paint, leaving a less intimidating visage. “So…” The woman hesitated. “We’re married then.”

“Yes? Is there further ceremony or ritual required for your people? I wasn’t told if there is, do I need to do anything, I just…sorry.” Kara bit down harshly on her tongue. “I ramble…I can stop. Sorry.”

“You’re fine,” There was something actually amused in Kasius’s face. “We kind of just met, at the wedding.” Her wife lifted the circlet off her head. “And no, there’s not really anything needed for it to be like, legitimate or whatever for the Alliance.”

Kara hesitated, but nodded. “That’s good. And I, sorry, today was just sudden.”

Kasius laughed, unhooking the top of her tight jacket that wrapped around her, it loosening. She held out her hand. “It’s nice to meet you, I’m Daisy Johnson.”

That was…not a Kryptonian gesture, but Kara wasn’t stupid. She took her wife’s hand, even if the touch felt intimate with a near stranger. “Kara,” She frowned slightly. “Is our name not Kasius?”

Daisy released her hand. “It is, it's just not the one I was born with.”

“Oh,” That made sense. Even she knew that the woman in front of her had murdered her entire House till she was its Head. “I shouldn’t have…that is…”

“It's ok.” Daisy winced slightly, touching one of her own arms before brushing it off. “Is there anything expected from us still tonight?”

“No, um…were you injured?” Kara shouldn’t have asked, or maybe should have? The woman had destroyed an armada just hours ago.

Daisy’s mouth opened slightly, but then she sighed. She reached up to unfasten her outer jacket.

Kara felt her face grow warm. “I, um, I don’t-” Her voice caught as she realized why her wife was removing the jacket.

Underneath the jacket, Daisy was possibly the most scandalously revealing shirt that Kara had ever seen. It didn’t have arms. But it wasn’t that which stole the words from Kara’s throat. The skin was a mottled tapestry of bruising. Daisy’s arms, her shoulders, her chest, all of it.

Kara’s eyes snapped back to her wife’s face. “We should go to the halls of healing, immediately. You have to be in so much pain!”

“It’s fine.” Daisy set her jacket on the curved couch. “I’ve had worse, it’ll be healed by morning.” Her expression said she meant it to be funny, but it didn’t feel funny. “Destroying a fleet is kind of hard.”

“You need sleep to heal this?” Kara was horrified, but she felt the weight of it. She moved her hands, but if she touched her wife’s arm, it’d be her skin, and that was…they’d only just met for liberties like that. And what if it hurt her?!

Daisy’s expression was curious, but also…almost as if she was laughing at her. “It’ll help. You don’t need to worry, it's not the first time I’ve done this. Is there anything else you expect to happen, tonight?”

The obvious answer was ‘yes’. It was customary for a newly mated pair to perform some activity to represent their bond. Often, something to do with their guild. She knew Aunt Astra and Uncle Non had sparred before discussing historical battles together. But that it wasn’t required, and her wife was injured from the battle she’d just returned from. A battle that had left her kiss tasting of the burning stars that all things in the black returned with the smell of.

“Not tonight, it just--it’s tradition to meditate in the morning. Together, that is.” Kara didn’t want to bother her wife with this. “It’s alright if that is not something you want. Or would hurt you.”

“That sounds nice. I mean it.” Daisy smiled faintly. “But in that case, I’m going to go to sleep before I pass out. Is there anything you need?”

“No, I’m fine. Are you sure you don’t require the halls of healing? We could even summon someone to at least treat you here.” Kara didn’t know what to do. She hadn’t seen injuries like that in person before.

Daisy’s smile didn’t leave her face. “I’m fine.” She hesitated. “Good night, Kara. I’ll see you in the morning.”

“Good night?” Kara managed to not babble this time.

Her wife made a sort of amused huff, but vanished into one of the bedrooms.

That was…it could have gone worse?

Kara walked into her own room. As she entered, the lights automatically illuminated the space. It was a diplomatic room, rarely used. As such it was nice. Clean. Grand, if expected Kryptonian in style. White sheets on the round bed, smooth lines. The closet was filled.

She hesitantly walked to it. Her own clothing that was kept on Kandor was hung neatly. Touching one, she couldn’t miss it had been tailored. The El robots must have been entirely dedicated to the task to have finished this quickly. They must have started immediately upon the marriage being agreed on. The crest of El was no longer raised up in white against white fabric. In its place was the symbol of House Kasius.

Her new crest was in a hexagon containing a twelve-point star. She didn’t need to look to know all of the clothing would be the same. There was something cloying about seeing a symbol she’d only known as an emblem of horror and atrocity. A warning in the archives of the Science Guild of what unchecked horror could become. It was her name and House now.

Kara released it and reached up and took her circlet off of her head. Looking at it, the craftsmanship was beautiful, sharper, and heavier than the Kryptonian style. Setting it aside, she lifted her ceremonial robes off of herself.

A sharp pang stabbed her heart as she set aside the last piece of fabric with the crest of El on it that she would ever wear.

Her vision blurred as she disrobed before pulling a sleeping gown on. As she crawled into bed, she curled, the lights turning down as she buried her face into a pillow. If her eyes were shut, it didn’t count as crying.

Kara woke to the faint chime declaring the first hour of Rao’s light. Sitting up, she looked at the room, and it all…it was real. She was married. It hadn’t all been a detailed and strange nightmare.

But morning meditation with, perhaps, her new wife. If Daisy remembered or had meant it. Either way, Kara would be prepared.

It did not take long to wash herself and pull on a simple dress appropriate for the morning. Leaving these quarters, at least today, would be improper. Though if that would be respected, she didn’t know.

Walking into the main room that was just beginning to glow with the soft morning light of Rao. And sort of slumped on one couch, holding a cup like it was her lifeline, was her wife.

Daisy looked at her, her upper garment, while tight, was soft with a loose, almost robe-like neck, her pants as tight and black as any military guild uniform’s. “Morning, there’s coffee in the silver pitcher, and something called yẽf in the round container.”

It felt…not terrifying, and completely terrifying at the same time. Mostly awkward. Kara walked to the table, pouring herself a cup of yẽf. “Good morning, are your injuries improved?”

“A lot.” Daisy pulled the cuff of her soft-looking upper garment up enough to show her arm. The bruising was no longer dark purple and nearly black from pooling blood, but instead a sort of mottled green. “Taking a bit long, but it’s healing.” She pulled down her sleeve. “So, anything I need to know about meditation?”

Kara hesitated but sat down, kind of stiffly, further down the couch. “Do you know how to meditate? I know it's not a Kryptonian practice only, but if you don’t know how, I can explain. I appreciate that you’d do this, even if it’s not your custom.”

Daisy’s lips twitched slightly where she was sipping her ‘coffee’. She lowered the cup. “I can meditate.” She paused. “I know everything was fast. But, I think maybe we could be friends?”

“I--I would like that very much.” Kara felt like breathing was ever so slightly easier. “Being friends.”

The expression on Daisy’s face felt--nice. “So, besides sitting mats, what should we do?”

“We light candles and meditate as Rao rises over the horizon, to make ourselves right before Rao. To center on our futures.” Kara knew religion was often reviled in alien societies. “I’m sure it must seem very odd to you.”

“It doesn’t,” Daisy hesitated, “I’m not that Kree. And the Kree aren’t the only species in the Alliance.” Her head tilted slightly. “Do you think the Kryptonian embassy will need a temple to Rao or something? That actually wasn’t covered in the treaty, I think.”

Thank Rao, at least that she knew. “A single room for the purpose with a window facing toward the light, and permission for a priest would be more than I think the council would ask for. It’s been a long time since we’ve had diplomatic ties with anyone.”

Daisy hummed in understanding. “Not since the Daxamites discovered the frequency of radiation that’s poisonous to you and pushed your people out of the galaxy.” She stood up, an amused lilt to her expression as she set her empty cup of coffee aside. “Generally, it's the kind of information they want me to know instead of what yẽf is.”

“You could try yẽf, it’s delicious.” Kara offered, forcing herself to ignore the slight discomfort at the reminder of her wife’s position.

“After we meditate?” Daisy tilted her head toward the window through which the growing light of Rao spilled.

And that…it felt like an offer of something that might be good.

Chapter Text

Daisy hadn’t ever exactly pictured a day after her wedding. She hadn’t pictured a wedding. But taking a nap was kind of amazing. She was really trying to pretend she could remember the last nap she’d had that wasn’t enforced by a concussion. And actual sleep, almost no pain, and an actually comfortable sweater left her feeling human. Human enough to not know what to do about how kinda awkward it was.

The yẽf was amazing, though. It definitely had some kind of caffeine in it, but it kinda tasted like hot chocolate, chai, and hazelnut had some kind of cinnamon-coated orgy. “So Kandor’s food is different from Argos’?”

Kara, her wife, seemed genuinely pleased with the subject. “Before the biome was destroyed by overconsumption and runoff from our industry, what grew in this hemisphere was different from the southern hemisphere. The resulting divergence in crop viability directly influenced the development of distinct culinary traditions, which remain culturally significant in their respective cities to this day.”

She hummed, “Next time I’m on Terra, you should come with me. The diversity of food on Terra is great. I miss Terran food. Never trust Kree food.” Her nose wrinkled. “I don’t know why Xandarian Snails get served at every event, but they do, and they’re… slimy.”

“Do you eat them?” Kara asked, and she nearly sounded like she might have laughed if she wasn’t still in some kind of partial shock since the wedding.

“Unfortunately, politics.” Daisy refilled her cup of yẽf. “Not eating what is offered if it’s not poisonous is usually rude. At least the Emperor hates the snails as much as I do, so I don’t have to eat them at events he’s dragged to.”

“What is the Emperor like?” Kara was working on eating a stuffed bun with some kind of spiced potato-like filling. Kryptonian food was kind of great. She hesitated. “I just have heard so little of the Alliance.”

“He cares and is very generous to the people around him. His regnant name is Dorrek VIII, but in private, he goes by Teddy.” Daisy snorted. “He’ll be excited to meet you, he sent the circlets actually.”

Kara went very still. “The wedding circlets were from the Emperor?”

“If the Emperor avoiding a third hour of negotiation tutoring with the excuse of ‘imperial favor demonstrating a united face’ to hide in the old vaults for six hours for a nap and then just grabbing something in a last-second rush counts, yeah.” Daisy didn’t mind being his excuse to avoid tutoring. “Dar-Benn would chain him to the desk in his study if she could.”

“You sound very close to him?”

“He hides from Dar-Benn in treasure vaults, I hide from Xandarian Snails by taking over the kid’s combat training when I’m on Hala.” Daisy put one of the buns on her own plate. “What about you, you have anything you hide from?”

“My uncle Jor any time he’s brought another scandal in front of the council.” And for a second, it was like Kara forgot to be nervous, a flash of happy humor. “And there’s always a new project to disappear into.”

Daisy smiled. “Is it awkward, working with so many family members?”

Kara looked at her with a faint sort of confusion. “Why would that be awkward?”

“It's totally expected here.” Daisy kinda felt stupid; alien cultures were so different sometimes. “Sorry, that was probably obvious.”

There was a pause. Kara was clearly trying to find words or just get the nerve to ask. Which, her wife being scared of her was…hopefully not going to be a thing for forever. Kara did find the words. “What are my duties going to be for our House?”

Saddling anyone else with the legacy of evil that was House Kasius was probably a crime. “You mean other than the stuff in the treaty?” She shrugged. “I guess you’ll have to come to some political things.”

Kara’s expression was confused, but the door chimed before she answered.

Daisy sighed and looked at the door. “Come in.” She could feel the familiar vibrations of Zach on the other side.

Sure enough, her Chromicrom assistant came walking in, not a flicker of realization that this was definitely breaking some kind of social expectation. “Friend Daisy.”

“Zach, I’m in seclusion for the day.” She’d gotten a nap after her wife snorted over the yawning after the morning meditation. It’d been really nice. She’d missed naps.

“That is factual, Friend Daisy.” He stood there like there was nothing wrong.

Daisy sighed, Chromicoms. “Why are you here Zach?”

“The Remorath Minister put out a statement that he intends to violate the treaty unless it is renegotiated,” Zach replied. “Especially the economic restrictions that he feels are limiting to his people.”

She closed her eyes, fuck. Of course, the dipshit minister was throwing a tantrum about the slave trade being shut down the second she wasn’t in the system. And that couldn’t wait. The idiot would spark off the half of the Alliance that was still furious about slavery being outlawed and the reparation measures being put in place. If that didn’t get stomped out, it’d be a minor rebellion by the end of the week. Again.

Daisy shifted as she opened her eyes, looking at her wife. “I have to handle that.” She stood up. “I’m sorry.”

“You are very important to the Alliance.” Kara mostly managed not to look hurt.

That was…just fuck. Daisy shouldn’t have married anyone. The only light in the tunnel was that Kryptonians were asexual, so just, thank god for that. Daisy looked at Zach. “Zach, wait outside. I’ll join you in a minute. And get a comms channel with the Minister. He needs to be reminded of what I did to his last three predecessors.”

Zach gave a slight nod. “That is satisfactory.” He turned and walked out of the room. His vibrations remained exactingly stationary as the door closed.

Daisy stood. “I don’t know how long it’ll take to take care of this.” This was pathetic. One day, just one day, to at least get to know her wife shouldn’t have been too much. She hated being on the regency council. Fuck all of it. She walked to a cupboard, opened it, and pulled out the box she’d been hoping to put off till her wife at least had vocally laughed or something. Not happening apparently.

She turned and walked back, box in her hands. “Here, it’s a traditional gift, and you should have it, especially if I don’t know if I’ll be back before the end of the day or not.”

Kara cautiously accepted the box. “Thank you, the wooden boxes are really beautiful.”

Daisy smiled. Krypton’s forests were still young, wood wasn’t really a thing on this planet. It was too precious to make things out of. “Terra has a lot of wood, comparatively, to most planets.” It was actually one of her better arguments for leaving Earth alone. It needed environmental help, but at least it still had huge swathes of wilderness.

Opening the box, Kara sucked in a startled breath. It was probably a really kind of terrible gift for a Kryptonian. But it’d be used against the marriage politically if it didn’t happen. Politics sucked. Laid across the silk padding was a dagger. At least it was a pretty one? Daisy had chosen the most decorative and least practical one she could find. But it was a Kree dagger, it was annoyingly practical anyway. A stained glass sheath with silver holding the pieces together or not, it was still a knife.

“Oh, is this ceremonial?” Kara didn’t quite touch it, instead looking up at Daisy.

“Technically yes? Honor duels are legal in the Alliance.” They were too tied to the culture to remove. And unlike slavery, not worth the effort to do it anyway, despite it. “A single knife is the traditional weapon for that. Since you’re part of a Kree House now, it’s expected.” Daisy tried to smile slightly at the horror on her wife’s face. “But even if someone is stupid enough to challenge you, I’m your wife. I’ll take care of it.”

“But you could be killed!” Kara’s face was horrified.

“I won’t be.” Daisy’d stopped being stressed about idiotic duels a while ago. Between the serum and being Melinda May’s rookie, she didn’t even need her powers 99.9999% of the time. “You know the diamonds on my jacket I wore yesterday?”

Kara was clearly still outraged, even if she was confused. “Yes? I don’t understand, what do they have to do with anything?”

“Every one represents a duel to the death.” Daisy probably had been too hopeful with the friend thing for this marriage. Non-yelling co-workers was probably achievable…hopefully. With work. “It’ll be ceremonial for you.”

“But it's not for you.” Kara was spooked. It was interesting; she seemed more solid when she was spooked. “That is…a lot of diamonds.”

“Politics in the Alliance can be violent.” An understatement. Getting everyone to stop killing each other was exhausting. Nobody was happy about compromise. Daisy looked at the door, time mattered if she wanted to avoid the Remorath situation from becoming something bloody. Again. “I need to go. I’ll try and be back before you’re asleep.” Daisy kind of hated herself.

/////

Kara hadn’t touched the box, let alone the knife, since she’d set it on the table. She wasn’t really sure what to think. It was a relief to hear the door open. “Mom.” She stood up in greeting. “Aunt Astra.”

“My sweet star,” Alura walked to her, opening her arms. “We were alerted your wife left these rooms?”

She hugged her mom, even if it felt…not the same. Kara tightened her arms anyway. She didn’t miss the way Astra was tense. Looking between them, she pulled back. “She was called away with Alliance business.”

Astra’s jaw tightened.

“Your wife is very important,” Alura said.

“It’s completely unacceptable.” Astra’s was barely not yelling. “You should not be alone on this day, Little One.”

“I’m not alone, you’re here now.” Kara could understand that today meant nothing to her wife. It wasn’t her wife’s custom. Even if it hurt. “And she’ll return when her business is done.”

“Your marriage is the most important business she could possibly have.” Astra reached out, taking a lock of her hair between her fingers, her expression devastated for her. “It's unforgivable.”

Alura’s hand on Kara’s shoulder squeezed as she looked at Astra. “Our ways are not hers, the Duke has more than fulfilled her obligations. And she wanted this marriage.”

“And now she has it, she clearly sees your daughter as not worth even basic respect.” Astra’s voice was hot with outrage.

“She hasn’t been rude.” Well, not exactly. But Kara wasn’t going to assume the worst. She was married for eternity, and her wife hadn’t been…cold. “She’s intense, but she isn’t unkind. And has asked what expectations there were for us. I’m sure her business is important enough to justify her absence.” Kara really hoped that was true. “She meditated with me.”

Astra looked away, simmering, but she didn’t argue.

“That is very wise of you to understand,” Alura replied gently. “This marriage should protect our people for generations.”

“You sold your daughter to a monster for a ‘maybe’.” Astra spat, one arm gesturing.

“What would you have me do? We all hold a duty to Krypton.” Alura looked at her sister.

“I know that!” Astra snapped. “But tell me you didn’t hand Kara over to one of, if not the most brutal warlords in the universe, because House El has been divided on supporting Kal as heir?”

“Stop. Just stop, both of you.” Kara hurt as she looked between her mother and aunt. “It’s done, Aunt Astra. I am bound to my wife in the light of Rao.”

The sigh that left Astra’s lips was grieved. “I am so sorry, Little One.”

“Thank you,” Alura began.

“No.” Kara looked at her mother, and she understood why it’d hurt to hug her. “Aunt Astra is correct, isn’t she?” She swallowed at the expression on her mother’s face. “It’s why I wasn’t prepared for this. You didn’t want Aunt Astra to speak out against the treaty.”

Alura’s eyes were sad. “Our planet would be razed, and what people survived yesterday enslaved, if I hadn’t made the choice I did.”

“I would have agreed if you had asked.” Kara would think about how it hurt her mother had not trusted her to understand her duty later. “But I need to know what I need to do now.”

“Very well.” Alura sat down, her posture perfect. It was always perfect. She was always the most proper and elegant voice in any room she was ever in. “I will leave you with the treaty to review. But in essence, we have exchanged technology for protection.”

As Kara sat down facing her mother, her aunt sat beside her, reaching out to take her hand. Astra’s grip was firm and steady.

“Your marriage, we hope, will ensure that the price of our protection does not become colonization by an empire deemed marginally less abhorrent than the Dominators.” Alura’s voice was sure. "Under the terms of the agreement, the Alliance will establish a permanent embassy in Kandor, with Krypton receiving reciprocal representation in Kree-Lar. A trade agreement with mandatory trade commitments to ensure sustained economic engagement. Krypton will also construct and maintain a space station in our solar system to serve as an Alliance military outpost. In return, the Alliance has committed to defend Krypton against any invasion or military incursion."

Kara gave a nod. That was not enough. She knew that was not enough for complete military defence. Trade and a military base were not worth a complete military commitment. Not when they were not along any trade routes or other resources worth extending themselves over. She’d heard enough growing up to know their isolation had worked because strategically, their system was not worth the cost of conquering it. “What is the House of El giving to House Kasius to pay for complete military defense?”

“We are giving full scientific support and assistance in their labs and halls of education. The Alliance’s empire has been at war internally for centuries. Reconstruction requires environmental work. The extent of which they haven’t defined. No doubt it will be extensive damage from planetary bombardment across their territorial acquisitions. House Kasius specifically wanted a link to House El for our control of the science guild.”

“So I’ll be expected to work in the equivalent of the science guild on Hala then.” And in her specialty of environmental sciences. Likely repairing what her wife had broken. The title of ‘The Destroyer of Worlds’ painted a picture.

“You will, but House El will not be sending only you. The science guild is committed to sending two hundred members to Hala over the next year. As well as a great deal of access to scientific discovery. We likely will also be asked for more, as the Duke fulfilled her side without guarantee.”

Astra looked at her. “You won’t be sent on your own.”

It was better than it could have been. Touching the science that House Kasius was infamous for was nauseating if she thought about it. But she wouldn’t be alone. “How long till I leave Krypton?”

“One week,” Alura replied. “But you will be given all the help that House El and Krypton can give you.” She paused at the ping from her communicator. “I need to go to a meeting on the personnel being sent with you at the end of this week. If you remain abandoned on your day of peace, I’ll return.”

Kara couldn’t quite bring herself to say anything to her mother as she stood and walked to the door. It was unkind of her.

Alura looked back at her. “I’ll see that you have access to the relevant documents immediately. I am so very proud of you.” And then she left.

Meditating in the setting light of Rao gave Kara time to organize her thoughts. The treaty was quite thorough, the marriage contract less so. The marriage contract was also unsigned and still being negotiated. The previous formal addendums had been interesting. Her wife really had requested House El, and done so in a way that was uncompromising. Not that House El would have refused. But still.

In some ways, she was glad to have had the time to herself. To read and think through things. The marriage made some sense. The Alliance gained the benefits of a colony at a fraction of the cost. Krypton was saved from the clear folly of its isolationism with its independence. And the marriage alliance hopefully ensured that remained the case.

It was neat.

Kara felt her muscles tighten at the sound of the door opening. She didn’t open her eyes. The person who entered walked to where she was sitting on a meditation mat and joined her. The sound of them sitting across from her was soft, but it was there. A part of her knew it was Daisy. Her aunt’s steps were sharper, her mother’s more sedate, and no one else would dare enter this room today.

The hurt felt less painful as the minutes passed peacefully. The tension faded with every exhale. It wasn’t the expected in sync meditation in an attempt to begin the latching process. The insurance that their souls could never be parted. But it felt safe.

That could be enough. More than enough with what it meant for her people.

Kara finally opened her eyes. It was her wife. Daisy’s eyes were closed, her softer clothing from this morning showed, but her military jacket was over it, the front open. She looked peaceful. Her features were nearly Kryptonian. Not quite, but close. Not a lot of her skin was visible, but there were scars. One across a cheek, a mess of scar tissue on the side of her neck. The bruises from last night. Whatever strength her wife held, it cost her.

The glittering diamonds encrusted along her collar were a warning. The scars likely were as well. But she didn’t look terrifying, like this. Kara had hope. Maybe it was silly, or naive. She knew Astra thought it was. But her wife had wanted this. That had to mean something. And she was an El by birth, how could she not believe in hope?

Daisy’s eyes opened, immediately finding hers. She didn’t say anything, just staying quiet. It felt like she was waiting for Kara.

“Was your business with the Remorath successful?” Kara asked because it’d mattered to Daisy. Even if she had no idea how important it was.

“Well, I won’t have to go quash a rebellion in the Remorath system.” Daisy’s voice was slightly glib, but she looked…tired. “I will have to fight at least one honor duel about the thing before the end of the month. But it’s not a revolt, so as good as it probably could have gone.”

Kara’s eyes widened slightly. “You left to stop a civil war?”

“It wouldn’t have lasted long enough to be a ‘civil war’, but yeah. I’m sorry it couldn’t be put off till tomorrow.” Daisy raked her fingers through her hair, pushing it back. “The change from a slave economy is…unpopular.”

“You’re enforcing the emancipation of the slaves in the Alliance?” Kara stayed settled, she was only slightly comforted that the Alliance had banned slavery within their territory.

Daisy looked at her. “I’m Inhuman, you could say it’s personal.”

Kara’s brow furrowed. “Inhuman?”

“House Kasius’ great success at creating a slave race of soldiers.” There was a joke on Daisy’s face. “It was a bad idea. I’m only a Kasius by one great-grandfather. He thought genetic ties would keep his new slave race ‘submissive’.”

Oh.

“That’s horrible.” Kara looked at her. “It has to make being the Head of House hard.”

Daisy’s expression was lopsided. “There’s a reason the ‘House’ is us, two toddlers, and my sister. It kinda sucks, but I’ve signed you up for helping turn an Empire of Evil into, at least not a slave empire. It's kind of endless work.”

Kara tilted her slightly. “You want me to reform the science labs.”

“The Kasius labs are kind of famous for their experiments on sentient people. It's a horror show. So, whatever is useful for not war crimes is yours, feel free to get rid of the torture.” Daisy sighed, leaning back slightly. “I can at least promise you won’t be bored.”

“You’re not disappointed that I specialize in environmental sciences?” Kara had so many questions, she wasn’t going to ask Daisy to her face if she’d been born a slave. Even she wasn’t that socially stupid twelve hours deep into a project.

“I didn’t know your House would offer you, but I was planning on political arm-twisting to get your work. The air scrubbers alone would be amazing.” Daisy sounded genuinely and honestly impressed by her. “In talks, I saw you’ve been working on converting volcanology into energy?”

Kara hadn’t expected that. “You read my paper?”

Daisy tipped her head. “I mean, read doesn’t mean understand, but yeah, I read it.”

“Do you want to understand?” Kara asked, she’d watched her mother’s eyes glaze a few too many times while talking with her father about their work.

“Is it bad to make more yẽf while you explain it?” Daisy grinned as she floated to her feet, holding out her hand.

A flush rose on her cheeks, but Kara took her wife’s hand, allowing her to pull her to her feet. “Yẽf is delicious. I’m going to miss it.”

Daisy shot her a look. “Unless it can be only made on Krypton, we can so cram the Dark Aster with as much of it as you want. And trade lines will open soon.”

It was simple, but it warmed Kara all the same. She had been right to have hope. What had called her wife away on this day of peace had been deeply important. Her wife was interested in her, and clearly did not mean to remove all pieces of Krypton from her. “It is made from a dried root we genetically recreated three years ago. It was artificial before that.”

“One of your projects?” Daisy asked while walking to the small area for procuring food without needing to leave their oasis of peace.

“No, a third cousin of mine, Zos-El. His work on synthesizing genetic material from ancient fossils and rewilding our planet is fascinating. It makes me almost wish I had studied genetics as a third speciality.” Kara couldn’t help how her hands moved as she talked, but it didn’t seem to annoy her wife. “It is one of my father’s specialties.”

Her wife looked at her while pulling the carafe of yẽf from the wall. “Zor-el, yeah?”

Kara nodded. “He’s the head of the labs in Argo.” She pushed down the…hurt there. “With Uncle Jor and I here, he’s unable to leave.”

Daisy paused where she’d been pouring. “Your parents can visit any time you want. And, I’m sure we’ll be needed on Krypton occasionally.”

A rush of relief left her nearly giddy. “Once I’ve been replaced, my father might be able to help with the reform of your scientific halls of education.”

“I’d never say ‘no’ to that.” Daisy picked up the cups, passing one to Kara before leaning against the counter. “So, volcanology?”

“It's my project that allowed us to begin to repair Krypton.” The pride in her work warmed her every time she spoke of her second project with the guild. She’d been so young. “We overmined our core, it destabilized our tectonic plates. The geothermal stasis between the layers of our mantle and core were unstable, leading to extreme tectonic movements. To prevent the growing fracturing of our crust, I designed a method of transferring the geothermal energy away from the collapsing layers within our planet into power cells. We have enough energy to power Krypton for another thousand years from just what we transferred in the first year after implementing it. But by reducing the energy, the instabilities became less intense. It gave us time to truly repair what we had damaged.”

“Can that be turned into a source of energy without doing anything radical to a core?” Daisy asked, with a clearly pleased expression every time she took a drink of yẽf.

Forcing herself not to use technical terms had been difficult. It’d been worth it. Kara knew her work was more advanced than almost any species in the known universe. “Geothermal energy is far more implementable than stabilizing an unstable core through energy transference. It produces power without any of the variables that make other forms of clean energy unpredictable. It also produces hydrogen that substitutes for multiple fuels.”

Daisy was looking at her thoughtfully over her cup of yẽf. “You have multiple project proposals on the topic, don’t you?”

She flushed. “All project implementations require approval from outside the science guild.” She’d written hundreds of proposals that had been turned down before being accepted. The council only accepted things that were easy, or the case was so compelling that they had no choice. Uncle Jor’s habit of yelling at the council was…understandable.

“How many project proposals do you have that weren’t accepted?”

Kara looked at her wife. “You think my substandard projects could be useful to the Alliance?”

“Your idea of a ‘standard’ level project is stabilizing a planet’s core.” Daisy was looking at her, she was definitely silently laughing.

“Kryptonian science is more advanced than other species,” Kara admitted.

Daisy snorted. “I’d say that’s ridiculous, but we kind of are married because of it. Your whole planet are nerds.”

“That’s not nice.” Kara wanted to sink through the floor. ‘That’s not nice’ to The Destroyer of Worlds. Worlds she was likely about to spend her life helping rebuild.

“Oh no, some of my favorite people are nerds. Age of the brain.” Daisy paused. “Just don’t invent time travel again. I hate time travel.”

That brought Kara up short. “Time travel?”

“It's terrible.”

“Someone invented it? Theoretically that’s possible, but the ramifications-”

“Are terrible.” Daisy reached out, taking her cup of yẽf. “This definitely has caffeine in it, and I think your brain is melting.”

“Does that mean whether the flow of time is causational or fixed is determined and not just a theory?” Kara could shake her wife to get answers out of her, she really could.

“Any changes in the past create alternate realities because changing actions have changed outcomes.” Daisy was definitely smiling. “And getting back to your starting point from the future is a lot easier than from the past. By being in the past it stops being your past.”

She blinked. “Do you have reports on that? Data? Readings? Just, how far-reaching were the effects?!” Kara huffed, “Stop laughing and tell me you have measurements of something!”

Daisy was too busy giggling into her sleeve to answer.

“No! Did you materially prove free will? Did you prove multiversal time discrepancies? Daisy!”

Kara knew it would be advisable to retire to her bedroom. But she’d had so little time to even know her wife. She didn’t want to lose this bubble of conversation. “Will you meditate with me tomorrow?” Her face felt warm.

Yawning, Daisy nodded before finishing her sip of yẽf. A thing that was probably the only reason she was awake. “Sure.” Daisy looked at her curiously. “Is that something you do every morning?”

“To begin each day in Rao’s light.” Kara hesitated. Daisy had been kind about it, but religion was not accepted in many alien cultures. “I know that may seem silly.”

“It’s not silly.” Daisy set aside her empty cup. “I’ll join you tomorrow, but I can’t promise to do it every morning. If I can, I will, though.”

Kara smiled wider than was polite. “That would be nice.”