Zor-El was quite different from Kara. She had flowing golden hair that fell past her shoulders; he wore the close-cropped black hair typical of the House of El's male line. He bore a passing resemblance to Superman—square jaw, slightly older features—and even in unconsciousness his brow was furrowed, as though locked in some invisible struggle.
Thea gave him a brief glance. "Relax. They'll all wake up shortly."
While they waited, she discreetly rewrote the Kryptonians' genetic code. Apart from Faora, Kara, and Superman, the rest of these Kryptonians would never reach significant power levels under stellar radiation—Green Lantern caliber at best.
The universe had no use for a mass-produced god-race. Kryptonians had pushed their genetic technology too far, and the extinction-level catastrophe they'd suffered was no accident. Thea's modifications operated at the level of reality itself. Future generations would inevitably decline—their civilization might regress to a level-seven or even level-six rating—but that was infinitely preferable to annihilation by some unknown power.
Gradually, people began to stir.
Kara's reunion didn't go as smoothly as she'd hoped. She'd left Krypton as a child; now she was a young woman. Zor-El wasn't entirely certain this was his daughter.
Faora fared much better. Her appearance hadn't changed, and some of her former subordinates—or at least people who'd once served under her—were still on-site. A cluster of newly awakened Kryptonians quickly gathered around them, firing off questions from every direction.
The three Kryptonians were the stars of the moment. Thea and Batman withdrew from the crowd, watching from a distance.
"You're absolutely sure this won't bring disaster to Earth?" Batman asked.
"...It won't. None of them can reach Clark's level. Not even close. Your worst-case scenario isn't going to happen. Kandor was an ancient city, not a technological hub. You've seen the technology here. The gaps in their genetic research, the knowledge discontinuities, the entirely new social environment—they'll need years to recover even a fraction of what they had."
"Meanwhile, humanity has already expanded beyond the Solar System. Contact with Kryptonians is inevitable. Mutual competition, mutual growth. Even if Earth's politicians decide to treat Krypton as a hypothetical enemy, that's fine. Hostility toward Kryptonians is better than hostility toward other humans. Less internal friction, better for the species overall."
It was rare for her to deliver a speech that long. And it wasn't just for Batman's benefit—it was also meant for the three Kryptonians in the distance.
"Will there be complications on the Earth side?" Superman didn't know a single person here. Faora and Kara kept stopping to chat with old acquaintances, and he had nothing to do, so he drifted over to join the conversation.
"Not in the short term. With you as the bridge, the two races will learn to coexist."
Thea thought for a moment, then added, "Actually, Kryptonian and human DNA share a surprising number of commonalities. They might even have a common ancestor."
Batman nodded slightly at that. He'd studied Kryptonian genetics. The overlap with human DNA was significant. The two species might well share a single point of origin.
Whether humans descended from Kryptonians or Kryptonians from humans wasn't a question worth pursuing. All that mattered was that, for the foreseeable future, both peoples would live under the same sun.
Toward evening, Zor-El came to speak with them as the Kryptonian representative. The future positioning of Krypton, the current living situation, resource shortages, and a tangle of other issues—all requiring careful negotiation.
Thea ignored Zor-El entirely. She looked at her adjutant instead.
"Faora. My friend. Thank you for all these years of service. Our agreement is fulfilled. You're free. Go back to your people."
The woman had served her faithfully for years, setting aside her own moral compass to carry out every task asked of her—consolidating Thea's forces, participating in every operation and engagement. She'd done it all flawlessly, and she was the most capable aide Thea had ever had.
Their original arrangement had been nothing more than a verbal promise. Faora's enhancement only required sunlight; Thea hadn't provided anything material. In return, she'd received years of selfless dedication. Even someone with skin as thick as Thea's felt a twinge of guilt. So the very first thing she'd done after reaching the apex was honor her word.
Faora smiled, a hint of self-deprecation in it. She looked back at the Kryptonians. "They need to rebuild, and I don't have the skills for that. If you still need me, I'd like to continue in your service."
Thea was delighted. Her other subordinates were an absolute circus. Grodd was a walking comedy routine. Livewire was half-unhinged on her best day. The fierce, thuggish-looking Yellow Lanterns, the Bug army that traversed the stars but needed constant supervision. Having Faora in place to manage relationships between all these factions would save her an enormous amount of grief.
After all these years at Thea's side, traveling across worlds, Faora's horizons had broadened immeasurably. Deep down, she'd come to enjoy this life. Sending her back to help Kryptonians farm fields and lay bricks would probably feel like a prison sentence.
"Of course. It would be my honor. And if you're willing, accept a soul godhood in the Underworld. You could serve as my deputy there."
Thea had left a projection bearing the Death godhood to guard the Underworld, but a projection's strength had its limits. Faora was a perfect fit. With a soul godhood, she'd be virtually unmatched within the Underworld's domain—barring a handful like Hades.
Their partnership would continue. Thea also raised the subject of Zod.
"The General's personality is too forceful. He'd tear apart the current structure they're trying to build. Let him stay asleep." Faora's time on Earth had taught her some diplomacy.
Thea understood the implication clearly enough. If Zod were revived, he'd seize power. Then it would be open war between him and Zor-El, and New Krypton's fragile new order would shatter before it began. They needed a measured leader, not a conquering general. Let him rest.
And even if Thea could alter reality to produce a mild-mannered, genteel Zod... would that still be Zod? Better not to revive him at all.
Faora's words drew visible relief from Zor-El, Kara, and Batman. Only Superman looked slightly wistful. But everyone accepted the decision without protest.
Faora relinquished all her standing among the Kryptonian people. Zor-El, as the senior member of the House of El and an elder of the community, held a position neither Superman nor Supergirl could challenge. He would represent the Kryptonians going forward.
It was only now that Thea learned the man had some real mettle. After Brainiac had abducted Kandor, Zor-El and his wife had first sent their daughter to safety. Then he'd armed himself with one of Jor-El's advanced devices and chased after Brainiac alone. Without solar enhancement he hadn't stood a chance, essentially delivering himself straight to the enemy. His attempt at talking Brainiac down failed spectacularly, and he'd been tossed into a glass enclosure for his trouble.
He'd failed, yes. But yesterday's misfortune had made today's reunion possible. Father and daughter shared only one regret: that Kara's mother hadn't lived to see this moment.