Brainy had managed to find information on the location. It was a remote facility belonging to an organization, called Agenda, dedicated to genetic testing and the creation of Metahumans.
“I don’t understand how we never knew about them before,” Alex said. “The job of the DEO is to know about organizations like this.”
“Do not punish yourself, Director Danvers,” Brainy said. “It would seem they were once affiliated with Project Cadmus. The DEO believed Cadmus and all affiliated parties had been disbanded. Mistakes are easy for humans to make. After all, you lack the deductive skills of Twelfth Level Intellects such as myself.”
“Brainy,” Dreamer said. “Not the time.”
“Of course. My apologies, Director Danvers.”
“Supergirl,” Alex said. “What do you see?”
Supergirl squinted, then shook her head. “Lead. I can’t see anything.”
“Crap,” Alex said. “Okay. New plan. We go in guns blazing. No mercy.”
“Maybe tone it down just a little, Alex,” Supergirl said. “We can show some mercy.”
“Mercy it is,” Dreamer said. “Sorry, Alex, but Supergirl’s my mentor.”
Supergirl kicked the door down. The heavy metal burst off its hinges in a flurry of dust and shrapnel.
They were in a large foyer that vaguely resembled the control room of the DEO. A dozen people scrambled to their feet, guns raised at the Super Friends.
Dreamer spread her palms, summoning two long chains with her dream energy. “It’s time you dream a little dream . . . of me.”
“That one was a little weird,” Supergirl whispered. “I wouldn’t use it again.”
“Really? Man, I thought it would be a hit.”
“Guys,” Alex said, just as several guns went off.
Supergirl spun around, throwing her cape in front of Alex. Dreamer thrust a hand forward, dream energy creating a shield that stopped the bullets mid-flight.
“Not today, boys,” Brainy said. He floated above them, flipped, and landed behind the first of the guards. With a sharp blow from the elbow, the guard was knocked unconscious. “Odds are ninety-five point three to four point seven we defeat you.”
Alex dove behind a desk, peering from it just long enough to get off a few shots.
Dreamer grabbed one, two guards with the chains. They were whipped against each other before crumpling against the concrete floor.
Supergirl approached several guards. She knocked out the first with a fist. The second grabbed her cape. She took hold of it and used the fabric to throw him to the ground. The third pointed his gun at her. “Go ahead and try.” His bullets bounced off harmlessly. Supergirl grabbed the gun and twisted it from his grip.
Alex battled with the last guard hand - to - hand. He threw her on the ground, but she easily regained the upper hand.
“Alex, look out,” Dreamer called. “Time to say nighty night.”
Alex shoeved the guard against the wall before flinging herself out of the way. With a burst of dream energy, the guard was thrust into unconsciousness.
The team made their way down a hall.
“Next time,” Alex said. “Save the chat for after we take down the bad guys.”
“Got it,” Dreamer said. “Fight, then talk.”
“We need to find Y/N,” Supergirl said. “This building is huge. Maybe we should split up.”
“You want to Scooby Doo this?” Dreamer asked. “Shaggy and Scooby always get the short end of the stick, and I have a feeling I’m Shaggy in this scenario.”
“Are you insinuating that I am a talking canine?” Brainy asked.
“Okay, fine,” Supergirl said. “We stick together.”
It was eerily quiet. Nobody seemed to be around. That was a bad sign. They checked room after empty room without a single sign of life.
“Maybe they knew we were coming,” Alex said. “It looks abandoned. They could have taken her and left.” Alex ran her fingers through her hair. She was trying to remain calm, but it seemed impossible to do. She still blamed herself for your disappearance.
“You guys go ahead,” Supergirl said. “Alex and I will catch up in you in a minute.”
“I let this happen. We lost our sister. I can’t believe I allowed this to happen.”
“Alex, I know how hard this is, but now is not the time You cannot let your feelings get in the way of your mission. Yes, it’s our sister. It’s personal. But that means it is even more important to keep a level head. We have no home of bringing her home if you aren’t thinking clearly. Pull it together, Alex. For Y/N.”
Alex hugged her sister tightly as she drew in a deep breath. Her sister was right. She needed to focus. Alex had never lost her head like this before, even when Kara was in danger. Then again, she always knew Kara could save herself. But you - you were her baby sister. Sometimes you still seemed like that wide-eyed little girl who attached herself to Alex - looked up to her for guidance and protection.
It killed Alex to think she’d failed that little girl. It killed not knowing where you were or what you’d been through.
“Guys,” Dreamer called, yanking Alex from her thoughts. “You should see this.”
Alex and Supergirl exchanged a look before running to the nearby room. There was a metal chair and a cabinet,, but it was otherwise empty. Drops of dried blood littered the ground and splattered against the chair.
“Y/N’s?” Brainy asked. “Most certainly, I’m afraid.”
“Oh, Y/N,” Alex said, rubbing a hand over her head. “What did they do to you?”
“And I found this,”Dreamer said, holding up a small device in each hand.
“Her wire,” Supergirl said.
“And a speaker. That’s how we found this. There was a recording of her voice.”
“May I?” Supergirl asked. Dreamer handed over the speaker and Supergirl clicked it on.
Who are you? Your voice echoed through the room. What do you want with me? Why am I here?
You tell me, fifty-eight forty-two. Why did you come? You could have stayed with that little family of yours. Ah, but perhaps you realized they are not your family, after all. You are, and always have been, mine, child.
“Turn it off,” Alex said. “Supergirl, turn it off. Now.”
“So the heroes have come to save the day.”
They turned around to see a smug looking man in the doorway. His voice matched the one on the recording.
“Who are you?” Supergirl demanded.
“The name is Edward Noble. You have me to thank for . . . all of this,” He said, gesturing around the building.
“Where’s my sister?” Alex asked, raising her gun. Dreamer’s dream chains reappeared in her hands.
“Uh-uh, I wouldn’t do that if I were you” Noble held up a remote control. “One flip of the switch and I can cause your baby sister unimaginable pain. Shall we try it?”
“You don’t want to do that.” Alex lowered her gun before elbowing Dreamer, who dropped the chains.
“Unfortunately for you, Alex Danvers, that’s exactly what I wish to do.” He flipped the switch.
Supergirl’s eyes widened. The sound of strained gasps had reached her ears. “Y/N’s here. She’s close. I can hear her.” She could hardly stand to hear the pain in your voice. “Stop! Please, you’re hurting her!” She took a step toward Edward Noble, but he raised his hand.
“I warned you. You see, Supergirl, I have the power here. Do you see this button? I press that and the girl dies.”
“No,” Alex said. “Don’t kill her. I - I’m begging you. Don’t kill my sister.”
“Subject fifty-eight forty-two is very important. I do not want to kill her, but force my hand and I will not hesitate.”
“Put it down,” Supergirl said. “We can work this out. You don’t need to hurt her.”
Edward Noble laughed. “So desperate. As I said, Supergirl, I hold the power.”
Her current of dream energy sent Noble flying back against the wall. The remote clattered to the floor. Supergirl snatched it before approaching Noble. “Never underestimate an alien.” She punched him square in the nose and he went limp. “That was easy.”
“Let’s go get our sister,” Alex said.
As they sped down the hallway, a voice stopped them in their tracks. “Not so fast.”
“Seriously?” Supergirl asked. “Another one?”
The blond haired woman held a ball of crackling energy in each hand and wore an evil grin on her face. She screamed with rage. Ball after ball of lightning flew in their direction.
Alex groaned as one hit her. The electricity spread throughout her body, forcing her to her knees as she tried to ride through the pain.
Supergirl gasped when she was hit by several of them. They slowed her down enough that she could hardly make her way toward the woman.
Dreamer created a shield around herself as she prepared to attack.
Brainy easily dodged each of the projectiles, inching his way closer though a series of ducks and twists. He landed a punch to the side of her face. It was enough to knock her off balance, stopping the attacks. A dream chain caught her ankles and she was thrown to the floor. Supergirl moved toward the woman, but Alex beat her to it.
“Where is she?” Alex demanded. She pressed her knee against the woman’s back and pinning her arms behind her.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” the woman said.
“You know exactly what I’m talking about,” Alex growled. “Tell me where my sister is or live to regret it.” She pulled one arm further behind her back and the woman whimpered in pain.
“West wing, third floor. There’s a hidden door. Find the fuse panel. You can open the door remotely from there.”
“Thank you,” Alex knocked the woman out before leading the charge to the third floor.
“There’s the box,” Dreamer said.
Brainy opened the box, his eyes scanning it for just a few seconds before he pressed a small button hidden between the fuses.
Nearby, a piece of wall slid into itself. It revealed a small, blindingly white room.
And there you were, back against the wall, knees pulled to your chest. Your eyes were sunken in, you had lost a considerable amount of weight, and there were more visible blood and bruises than actual flesh.
“Y/N,” Supergirl said. She knelt by your side, extending an arm to place it on your shoulder. “Are you okay? We’ve been so worried.”
You didn’t answer, didn’t react to her touch. You hadn’t so much as looked at her.
“Y/N?” Alex asked kneeling in front of you. “Can you talk to us? Please?”
But still, you stared straight ahead.
“I’m going to take this off,” Supergirl said. She grabbed the collar around your neck, and as she did, you gasped, eyes becoming wide with fear. She pulled it in half, and as soon as you were freed, the blank expression returned to your face.
“Let’s get you out of here, kiddo,” Alex said. “Supergirl, she needs medical attention right away. Take her - we’ll meet you back at the DEO.”
With a nod, Supergirl pulled you into her arms, where you hung limp and unmoving, and sped from the room.
-------------------------------------------------
Back at the DEO, the Super Friends and Lena gathered around your bedside. Alex’s hand ran through your hair as she watched your heart monitor. It had been nothing but steady, but she still worried that something could happen at any second.
Kara’s hand grasped yours. She held it tightly, as if she worried that if she let go, she would lose you all over again.
“She is doing very well physically,” Lena said. “Considering the circumstances, Y/N is in very good condition. Alex, Kara, your sister is very strong. She’ll be okay.” Lena grabbed Kara’s free hand and gave it a tight squeeze.
“She wouldn’t talk,” Alex said. “She wouldn’t look at us. It’s like we weren’t there. I wish I knew what that -”
“She’s been through a major trauma,” Lena reminded. “We have no way of knowing what was done to her in that facility. The only thing we can do now is be there for her and allow her time to heal.”
“Thank you, Lena,” Kara said. Without letting go of your hand, she pulled Lena into a hug.
“I’m not leaving your side,” Alex whispered. “I’m right here. Always.”
“So am I,” Kara said, pulling away from Lena to look at your sleeping face.
“We all are,” Nia said. “Aren’t we?”
Brainy and Lena both piped up in agreement. They weren’t sure if you could hear them, but they were going to let you know how much they cared anyway.
