Thea casually crumpled a paper ball and flicked it across the room with a sharp whoosh. Supergirl reacted quickly, catching it mid-flight, then stared at Thea in confusion.
Thea beckoned her over, but the young Kryptonian glanced around nervously and shook her head in refusal.
Here on White House business? Thea noticed the access pass hanging around Supergirl's neck and nodded thoughtfully. Tonight's events had nothing to do with her anyway—she just needed to make sure nothing went wrong.
She'd expected this to be a simple briefing, informing the public about current threats and calling it a day. But politicians operated on an entirely different wavelength.
To maximize stability, Moira had assembled an entire team of sociologists, psychologists, and international relations experts to craft a comprehensive plan.
Thea's approach—opening with "You know Earth's about to face catastrophe, right?"—wouldn't fly. According to the advisors, civilians would panic immediately.
Their solution was gradual disclosure. Say a little today, a little more tomorrow, easing the public into accepting reality step by step.
It wasn't until just before the broadcast that Thea learned Kara had gotten into the White House as Cat Grant's assistant.
After graduation, the young woman had submitted several job applications and been hired immediately by Cat Grant International Media.
The very next day, Moira invited her friend Cat Grant to serve as the new White House Press Secretary.
Whether it was the fashionable, tasteful clothing Thea had helped design, or Kara's innocent, trustworthy demeanor, Cat Grant had instantly chosen this girl as her personal assistant—helping carry bags, fetching water, running errands.
"My friends, my fellow citizens, today I need a bit more of your time to discuss some events that are currently unfolding..."
On camera, Moira looked like a kindly neighborhood aunt. She began with politics, economics, democracy, and freedom, then launched into a lengthy discussion of history, culture, and their current quality of life. She emphasized how hard-won their current prosperity was, peppering her speech with rallying cries like "we can't let enemies destroy our way of life" and "we will defend freedom and democracy."
"Enemies are coming?" Kara finished her tasks and quietly slipped into the seat beside Thea, whispering her question.
"Trust us. We can handle this." Thea didn't want Kara rushing to the front lines. She was too innocent, hadn't endured real hardship, and lacked the willpower and conviction needed for the coming war. Better to keep her as a reserve force.
Finding cosmic reinforcements and minimizing Earth's losses—that was Thea's strategy.
Kara looked to be in her early twenties, but she was basically still a kid—the stubborn type who needed the right motivation.
As Thea Queen—the designated nemesis of troublesome youngsters in place of Deathstroke from the original timeline—her eyes gleamed as a plan formed. She adopted an extremely serious expression. "Even if you can't fight on the front lines, your mission is just as crucial. Our families—my mother, Clark's wife and son—they all need your protection. The enemy is ruthless and brutal. There's no guarantee they won't target our loved ones. We're counting on you for this."
Holy crap! Kara, who'd been about to argue with Thea, found herself speechless. So I'm not being sent to the front lines because this mission is so important! Without hesitation, she accepted.
The young Kryptonian pounded her chest, declaring that while she was better at offense, she could absolutely handle defense too!
Thea felt zero guilt about manipulating the girl. Strictly speaking, it wasn't even manipulation. Would Darkseid target Earth's leadership?
From past experience, the Dark Lord considered himself far above such concerns and had no interest in ordinary humans. But his subordinates were another story entirely. Whether it was Steppenwolf, DeSaad, or Granny Goodness—all of whom she'd dealt with—or Kanto, the universe's greatest assassin whom she'd never met, there was no telling what underhanded tactics they might employ if the battle stalled.
Publicly, she'd assigned Supergirl to protect their families. Privately, Thea convened another meeting with the heroes.
"Everyone, we can fight on the front lines, but we cannot neglect protecting our families." She raised this issue first, and the group fell into contemplative silence.
Thea wasn't too worried herself. Green Arrow wasn't easy to kill, and Moira's security was ironclad—Amanda Waller, despite all her issues, had promised out of patriotic duty to mobilize every A.R.G.U.S. resource to protect the President.
Though the Queen family made themselves a prominent target, they also had the most protection. The problem was everyone else.
Diana and Thea were practically family, and no assassination squad could penetrate Themyscira. Queen Hippolyta and the Amazons were safe.
Aquaman's mother Atlanna hid in the ocean depths and possessed demigod-level power herself. Attacking her would be extremely difficult.
Martian Manhunter's family had been wiped out, leaving only spiritual entities living in the mental realm. Ordinary assassins couldn't reach them, and his niece Megan was one of the most powerful Martians, with a vast array of psychic powers. Her combat prowess was off the charts.
Only Superman, Batman, and Flash needed special arrangements to protect their families.
"My family is secure." Batman delivered this statement coolly and said nothing more.
Superman hesitated. "I'll relocate my family to the Fortress of Solitude."
Where exactly was that? The others wisely chose not to ask. That left Flash.
"Me?..." The Flash was attending this type of meeting for only the second time. Seeing Batman's perpetual scowl, he wasn't sure whether to reveal his true identity. After all, once he mentioned who needed protection, his secret identity would be obvious.
Especially since his girlfriend Iris was a walking disaster magnet. Ever since Lois Lane had a child and toned down her recklessness, Iris West had claimed the title of world's biggest trouble magnet.
Most sensible people could be hidden away safely anywhere, but not Iris. She asked questions about everything, her curiosity was boundless, and she wanted to touch everything she saw. Any locked door had to be opened.
She absolutely couldn't be allowed into places like Thea's or Batman's, where secrets were stacked upon secrets.
"Let your friend stay with my wife," Superman offered sincerely.
Thanks to Superman's sterling reputation, Flash agreed to the proposal.
"What reinforcements have we secured so far?" With the family issue settled, Martian Manhunter turned to Thea.
Unlike the original timeline, Moira's support and Thea's relationship with Diana had given her considerable authority in this coalition.
Batman and Superman didn't need to run around making contacts—they could focus on their own responsibilities while someone else took charge.
Fortunately, true heroes had no selfish ambitions. Since someone was leading, they'd each handle their assigned roles.
"Well, several Green Lanterns are coming, plus Violet, Blue, Yellow, and Indigo Lanterns. Each one matches a superhero in power—they're formidable fighters. We might also have some cosmic mercenaries joining the battle, around three thousand in total. Additionally, The Green, The Red, and The Rot will provide limited assistance."