Lena pulled up the furred hood of her parka over her head, and walked outside. She had no idea what to expect, and neither did anyone else, apparently. She huddled close to Kara -her Kara- who stood out in the arctic cold without showing a single sign of discomfort. Neither did Clark.
The cyborg stood off by herself, cold, steel fingers resting on the hovering stasis pod that carried her Lena, a doppelgänger from another universe. The pod’s transparent casing was rimed with frost, leaving its inhabitant a blur.
They heard the Themysciran ship before they saw it- because it was invisible, at least at first. When it approached it folded out of the air in a winding blur, just appearing- a sleek chromed flying machine with curious classical ancients in brass and gold, a blend of high technology and ancient elegance.
As it landed, Kara raised her cape to shield Lena from the engine blast. A ramp lowered at the front and out walked the largest woman Lena had ever seen. Not just tall, but large. She made Kara look downright skinny by comparison, striding down the ramp in skirted armor and mail with the pelt of some huge beast laid about her shoulders for warmth. When she approached, Kara looked up at her.
“Clark,” she said.
“Diana. This is my cousin, Kara and Lena, her partner.”
The Themysciran princess turned to Lena and regarded her briefly with a curt nod.
“You’ll have to stay behind, Clark. The others are welcome aboard.”
More Amazons descended from the aircraft. Kara leaned over to Lena.
“I could take her,” she whispered.
“You mean in a fight, right?” Alex said, leaning past Lena.
“What else would I mean?” said Kara.
Alex snickered, and motioned Kelly and Nia over. They’d portaled in earlier.
Kelly was clearly excited but Nia looked a little green. It was probably from the shock of the portal jump. It could be… disconcerting.
Lena and Kara were among the last to board, and Lena was stunned by the elegantly appointed interior and sank comfortably into a plush seat. She politely declined a glass of wine but Kara took it, smiling in shock after taking a taste.
Lena decided she’d have a glass after all. It was the sweetest, most delightful wine she’d ever tasted, and the alcohol content had to be through the roof, because one was enough for her.
The cyborg sat by the stasis pod, staring at the floor.
Lena stood and moved over to sit beside her.
“Are you alright?”
The cyborg glanced at her.
“I am… comfortable, thank you.”
“That’s not what I meant.”
They were silent for a long time.
The cyborg said, “I’m afraid. When we heal her and she wakes up, why on Earth would she still want this? This thing? I’m virtually a corpse.”
Lena put her hand on the cyborg’s.
“Kara, remember how you told me how much my Kara loves me?”
The cyborg nodded.
“If she’s like me, your Lena will never let you go. You are her red sunrise. I know it.”
Lena left her to think on that, and rejoined her Kara, eventually falling asleep on her shoulder.
The jolt of landing woke her. Kara put an arm around her and pulled her gently back to awareness, planting a soft kiss on her forehead.
Diana rose and the ramp opened, and Lena’s breath caught. She had never seen a land so beautiful. Verdant plains of grace swept out before them, the air sweet with the scent of flowers. An entire delegation was there to greet them before the gleaming marble structures in the distance.
They moved the pod first, the cyborg hesitant to walk out in the light until Kara put a hand on her shoulder. Soon everyone was on the ground. Even the earth here was soft and inviting; Lena had an urge to take off her shoes, and she absently noted that the Amazons wore none.
Everyone was on the ground except Nia. She hesitated at the edge of the ramp, eyes darting back and forth, searching for something between Lena and Kara.
“Why do you hesitate?” Diana asked.
“Only women can set foot on the island, right?” Nia asked, sounding a little choked.
“Yes,” said Diana. “What of it? You’re a woman.”
“Yes, but…”
“But nothing,” said Diana. “Take my hand.”
She reached out. Nia stared at her palm for a brief eternity and then took it, shaking as she stepped off the ramp and her foot touched the ground. She took a few wobbly steps and let out a long, pained sigh.
“See?” said Diana. “Only women may set foot here. Now, let’s see about healing your friends.”
“Friends?” said the cyborg.
