Vol I | Chapter VI

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"What?!"

Kara screamed in bewilderment while J'onn and Batman kept their posture affirm. "Look. Sorry, but Green Lantern needs more abled bodies to search for this Imperium, and gather any intel we can should this Imperium appear. Though Superman would be the best choice, he is needed at Metropolis – and you are tasked with supervising our visitors." "Yeah! We were both tasked on that – yet now you're telling me I'm to do it alone?!" The blonde Superhero exclaimed and with eyeing dagger towards Batman. "Plans changed. You can work it out." Batman's pathetic short and simple guise to motivate and encourage Supergirl was seen right through. 'Hah! He really just said, 'work it out' like that's equivalent to being said; 'well that is not my problem, so it is all yours' urgh! Clark why are you friends with him?!'

"It will be simple – just keep an eye on them and observe them – and keep us posted." J'onn reassured as he grasps Kara's shoulder; in a form to comfort the girl. "I know you have a lot on your plate, especially right now. But I know you can do this, you're Supergirl – the toughest woman I know!" The comment successfully made Supergirl break out a smile. "Okay" her voice was low and quiet; nearly as silence, yet with her word on it – J'onn and Batman could rest assured that Supergirl would take on the role magnificently.

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Within the end of the meeting's dismissal, Batman began a private interaction between him and the Watchmaster, while the Grenadier and Martian Manhunter stood waiting by the door. "Watchmaster 057299-3287, or would you prefer the name Masha; Watchmaster?" Batman illustrated an impressive feat to remember her designated number, as opposed to the humans and certain psyker that struggled to even make her speak. "Whichever suits you, sir." She replied, to which Batman nodded before he continued. "Since you and your subordinate will be allowed to catch and apprehend this psyker, you will need to abide by the planet's law, rule and regulation. You will be permitted weapons, but must be under observation at all times – that being Supergirl – which will be your acting-commanding-officer on the fields." Batman paused to see whether the soldiers were following through, to only be not disappointed at how attentive the soldiers were.

"Now I don't have to mention that there will be consequences should any rule, or law be broken. So as a reminder, you should do well on listening to whatever orders Supergirl relays to you. Am I clear?" Batman's voice was what a korpsman would listen to, only it would have been better if he had been an Inquisitor, or perhaps a Space Marine. "Understood, sir!" the Watchmaster stomped her boots together and saluted.

'For now, I would do best in cooperating with them until I can guarantee a way to communicate the Imperium.'

The Watchmaster devised as she knew the Justice League was wary of them, and the Imperium. She could see it, through their eyes and through the thick stench of anxiousness that filled the room. There were no chances that the korpsmen would be allowed to leave freely, and even if there were a subtle little chance – the main question would be 'why'. Though for now, the Watchmaster would await and act accordingly to the situation – and see how their situation would turn out. 'The Emperor protects.'

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Under the agreement between Batman and the Watchmaster, the former captives were freed from the chains and cuffs – and suited in their elements. Strapped and cleaned in their uniforms; their dark heavy grey trenchcoat, rugged helmet, and the oddly menacing gas mask that nearly represented a good portrayal of a skull – that was attached to a tube that seems to lead to their own oxygen supply – everyone who saw them either scurried and trip in their haste, or stood frozen and still as these 'dead soldiers' walked past them.

Their boots marched through the halls – each step almost resonating a platoon that was marching in sync. Heads turned, and silence followed, only ever a few muttered and whispered in the korpsmen's presence. The halls that were crowded – split apart in two, as these soldiers gave no effort to excuse nor pardon themselves as they continued to push through. Until a group of cadets; a fresh unit had been unaware of the cold threatening presence.

"Hey! Watch it!" The man yelled as he had been pushed forward, nearly colliding with his cute lady friend, and as he turned, all the irritation – within his voice and face – were gone in an instant. The 'freak' that had forced him aside had been taller than him, as he stood five foot nine proud – the leader presumably a woman tower over him as he assumed she could be six foot tall, and the other roughly near his height, perhaps five foot seven.

As the korpsmen passed through, and he had been offered a glimpse of fear, though he had lost his voice in a brief moment, he was able to get it back as he soon shouted.

"Watch where you're going, you 'toy' soldiers!"

To which he and his buddies laughed, and the girls hesitantly laughed alongside. The korpsmen would have continued on, as uncaring as korpsmen were. But, in a twisted thought – the Watchmaster had an idea as she came to an immediate stop, followed by the Grenadier who had been close behind her side.

In a slow predatorial turn and approach, the Watchmaster has silently prompted to keep a locked view on the group, and in a slow creeping stroll to them and the Grenadier accompanying her – the korpsmen came to a halt; right in front of their faces.

Until the Watchmaster leaned in and whispered through the gas mask which came out disoriented and muffled – "You shouldn't be scared of me..." – she paused before she continued – "There are other things you should be scared of instead..." – which the frightened man replied in horrible stutters. "W-w-what would those be?"

"Are you a religious man?" she ignored his question and shot her own. "Y-yes..."

"Then imagine things that would skin you alive, and hurt you till you die. Yet even then, your soul will be tormented, to the most extent and excruciating pain... until you cease to exist"

With a stoic emotionless expression hidden beneath the gas mask, the Watchmaster pulled away as she gazes at the horror she has instilled upon the pissed-frightened man. 'I could shape and discipline him, but then I am in no jurisdiction to do so. What a waste.' With that, as silent as could be aside from the boots that thud against the floor with each step, the korpsmen left.

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"Do not let them discover you're an alien, Kara – thread carefully" was J'onn advice and only warning before he had departed. Kara knew that, as she had been behind the glass mirror as the scene unfold when the Grenadier took on four muscled men and had been able to inflict a few punches and kicks on J'onn until he had been put to sleep. Though surely, J'onn couldn't have felt any pain from those assaults, as would her – but that was not where the worry lies – but instead, on being utterly uncomfortable on commanding the most xenophobic humans she has seen, in great exception to Agent Liberty.

'I wonder just why do they hate xenos so much, perhaps a bad history?' Kara began to overanalyze as she thought of lists of reasons to justify the korpsmen attitude towards xenos, which had brought some memories of Agent Liberty motives and his tragic background. However, just before Kara could think any further and speculate as she waited for the korpsmen arrival, she could hear the subtle sign of the trooper's approach.

Their loud boots demanding attention, and their march coordinated and disciplined – have caused Supergirl to observe them from afar and through the halls until they came to a halt as they greeted their assigned commanding officer. "Watchmaster 057299-3287" "Grenadier 017823-9348"

The awkward silence began to seep into the atmosphere as Kara remained quiet and perplexed. The guardsmen are reminded all too well – 'that' expression that has ever been shared among other regiments was the obvious signs of; How do I work with these guardsmen?!

"Masha"

The Watchmaster gave an answer that would appease the commanding officer, followed by her subordinate who croaked out his name through his damaged vocal cord after an intense yelling in the interrogation room. "Very well then! Masha, Hylric." Kara made an attempt to be unfazed and enthusiastic even, but the black lenses that looked back to meet her just gave a terrible gut-wrenching feeling. 'Just how many have seen their own reflection – just before they're killed' and as to add further reasons, the korpsmen never replied and opted instead to remain silent.

"Okay!" She said aloud, but all in the effort to actually distract herself and be on the task instead. "I know your main objective is to catch the psyker from your world. But I would need you to verify anything in the ruins that you came with." In an almost comical gesture, the Watchmaster and Grenadier tilted their head slightly – showing their confusion. "Oh, you didn't know you came with a large cathedral?" In response, the korpsmen shifted their head from left to right, and Kara reasoned for their unawareness was due to the foggy night of their poor state arrival.

"Alright, so I have requested an escort to accompany us to the ruins. I hope you wouldn't mind if we take a detour from your main objective, Watchmaster Masha?" Kara asked softly and wished there weren't an issue, and to her surprise, the Watchmaster complied almost immediately. "Understood" and with that as confirmation, Kara nodded until she waited for them to move. "Officers lead the way" the Watchmaster initiated which made her embarrassed at being too caught up in the situation, that her cheeks blushed as she reminded herself, she was their commanding officer. "R-right, well let's get a move on."

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With the korpsmen attached to Supergirl's rank, and squad – the Superhero and Guardsmen made their debut as these trio made their way to meet with the rest before their departure.

"Masha, Hylric – please meet James Olsen, and our tech genius Winn Schott" Kara introduced chirpily, as James remained leaning against a table with arms crossed and Winn looking horrified when he turned from his seat. "Oh hi!" Winn screeched as he greeted, but scurried to offer an exciting handshake – which he began to reconsider when his hand has been left hanging – until the Watchmaster grasp it, hard and firm. "A tech genius, you are mentioned. Then perhaps you consider yourself as a tech priest?"

The shaking between hands stopped, but remained fixed and held.

"U-uh I guess?" Winn nervously and uncertainly replied as he began to feel his palm sweat. 'Crap crap crap! I might soak her gloves with my waterfall hand!' The thoughts ran wild and rampant until the Watchmaster gave one last firm grip before she let go. "Then we will come to you – if we ever need your assistance upon our wares." "Y-yeah sure! No problem! Always happy to help!" At this point, Winn has begun to play with his hands.

"So, you the ones who came along with the massive ruins that have smashed into National City's wilderness?" James took the prying interest from Winn, as he made himself at the center of the stage as approached them. "Let me introduce myself again, I'm James – and what about you?"

"Watchmaster 057299-3287" "Grenadier 017823-9348"

'Okay, these guys don't look to be the type to be messed around' James deduced based on their form and ethics. "Alright. Nice to meet you too." He simply replied to save himself the embarrassment of making an error should he attempt on replicating those numbers via words.

"Well! Now that you've met the team, we should get going now. However, they won't be joining us on this expedition to the mountains." "Yeah! Too many people and reporters crowding the area – you showmen have been on the news for weeks on ends." James shouted when he had already gone too far and made it to his station.

'Urgh! Totally forgot about the news!' Kara groaned aloud at the remembrance.

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