SuperCorp Chronicles

Chapter 134

Lena was standing in the Island's hangar, hands clasped behind her back as she waited for the Javelin to touch down. They'd agreed the Island was the safest place for the ship to land — partly because Lena still wasn't authorized for the Watchtower, but mostly because they were coming back with an extra passenger. Her and Kara's new adopted daughter, Cora Till‑Ex.

The Island was the perfect place to introduce Cora to Earth. It was, in so many ways, a small piece of Krypton preserved on the planet's surface — familiar architecture, familiar air, familiar sky. A gentler transition than dropping her straight into National City.

From here, they'd use the Island's Zeta Tube to return home quietly, avoiding the press entirely. The most famous couple in the city adopting a daughter would be headline material, and Cora deserved privacy long before she faced cameras.

Lena was incredibly nervous. She still wasn't sure what kind of mother she'd be — her own had been more of a cautionary tale than a role model. But she'd spent the past day getting everything ready for Cora's arrival. She and J'onn had crafted a cover story, including an Earth name: Cora Essex. It was close enough to her real name that Cora wouldn't forget it, but still sounded human.

The story was simple. Cora was the daughter of an old, undisclosed family friend from Midvale who had passed away unexpectedly. Rather than letting her be placed in foster care, Kara and Lena had taken her in. They had the means to give her a home — and Kara, more than anyone, understood what she was going through.

Lena had set up one of the guest bedrooms for Cora, though she'd refrained from decorating it too much. Cora was old enough to make those choices herself. They'd also decided to hold off on enrolling her in school until she'd caught up in all her subjects. While she was likely ahead in math and science, Earth history and English would take time — and so would learning to control her powers.

Lena was grateful Zatanna had come. Her sister didn't say much, but her presence alone was grounding — a quiet reminder that Lena wasn't doing this alone. The others — Jeremiah, Eliza, and Karen — would have to wait until Cora was settled. Eliza had sent over some of Karen's old clothes, just to give Cora something to wear until they could take her shopping.

Lena was pulled from her thoughts when the hangar doors rumbled open. The Justice League's starship glided inside, engines humming as it came to a stop. Her breath caught when the ramp lowered and Kara appeared — and beside her, half‑hidden behind her cape, was Cora.

Kara guided the girl gently toward her.

"Lena, meet Cora. Cora, meet Lena," Kara said softly.

"Hello," Cora murmured. Her voice was small, careful, like she wasn't sure how loud she was allowed to be.

Lena's smile warmed instantly. "Hey, sweetheart. I know we're not your parents, and Kara and I aren't trying to replace them. But I hope we can give you a good home here on Earth. And once things calm down on Argo, we'll take you there to visit. I promise."

Cora's eyes flicked around the hangar — the architecture, the lighting, the air itself. "I'd rather see more of this planet," she admitted. "This place looks too much like Argo. But... I do feel weird. Stronger."

Kara stepped in gently. "That's the yellow sun. It's charging your cells. Pretty soon you'll have all the powers Kal and I have."

Cora swallowed, unsure whether that was comforting or terrifying.

"And don't worry," Kara added, her tone softening. "You're not expected to control everything right away. You'll be spending a lot of time here on the Island with us, learning how to manage your powers before we even think about school."