SteelCorp

Chapter 4

After breakfast Thalia gets the all clear from Chadwick. She drops off Lena at L-Corp then heads into the office to write up her report.
    Just as she is finishing, Steel pipes up in her head. “Ugh. Here comes Mr. I don’t know how to shut up.” He groans.
    Glancing around Thalia notices Chadwick making his way over excitedly. She quickly turns back to her report hoping he will notice and not interrupt.
    “Hey there’s our superstar Agent!” Bellows Chadwick.
    Rolling her eyes and looking up, Thalia mumbles. “‘Morning Keane. How do you have so much energy this early in the morning? Also don’t call me that again, it’s creepy.”
    Chuckling Chadwick answers. “The key is a good night sleep and a great cup of coffee. I say it cause it’s true. Someone video taped you protecting Lena Luthor at the party and it’s gone viral.”
    “Okay first you know I barely slept last night. Second the coffee here sucks and third that’s really bad! The attackers now know who was protecting Miss. Luthor, thus putting my entire staff in danger!” Shouts Thalia in Chadwick’s face irritated. “Has anyone here even tried to contain the situation or even block the video!” she shouts whirling to face the rest of the office, she then storms off to the roof.
    “Wow you really lost it back there kid. You going to be okay?” Asks Steel worried.
    Before Thalia can answer she hears the door to the roof open. Turning she sees Director Dabral approaching.
    “I’m sorry about that.” Sighs Thalia.
    “Don’t worry about it. After what happened last night, I wasn’t even expecting you to come in to work today. I know the rest of your team didn’t.” Answers Kashvi with a small smile. “Why don’t you finish your report then take a mental health day?” She suggests resting a supportive hand on Thalia’s shoulder.
    With a sigh Thalia answers. “My report is on my desk. Thank you I think I’ll do that.”
    “Alright I’ll leave you to it then.” Replies Kashvi as she makes her way back down stairs.
    “Man, I thought we were gonna get it for sure.” States Steel letting out a sigh.
    Thalia chuckles. “We should head to the DEO; they need to know what we are dealing with.” 
    Arriving at the DEO, Thalia heads straight to the main command room. She brushes past Supergirl without a second thought and addresses J'onn.
    “The bomb and weapons from last night’s attack are of Tachyan design and manufacturing.” She says as she pulls up schematics of the weapons.
    Looking skeptical J'onn takes a closer look. “Are you sure? I thought you and your father and grandfather were the only Tachyans on earth.”
    “We are the only ones. Also, four men tried to abduct Lena Luthor from my house last night. They were wearing Tachyan armor.” States Thalia annoyed that J'onn doesn’t entirely believe her.
    “Is Lena alright?” Cuts in Supergirl clearly worried.
    Now more annoyed than before Thalia answers. “Of course, the estate has NTek grade automatic defenses. Not even you could reach the house without my override code.”
    “But if they were wearing Tachyan armor it’s possible that more Tachyans could have arrived on earth without our knowing.” States Alex as she pours over the images and schematics.
    Turning to Alex, Thalia replies. “No chance of that. I took bio scans of the intruders. Two were human, one Infernian, and a cyborg.”
    “Then how did they get that armor?” Asks Super girl concerned.
    “Yeesh. This conversation is going in circles.” States Steel disconnecting from the armor to float over the holograms.
    “Shut up. It is not.” Reply J'onn, Alex, Supergirl, and Thalia in union.
    “Okay, okay sheesh.” Says Steel defensively.
    Looking around the table, Thalia clears her throat. “There is some good news. Lena and I disrupted the armor on the Infernian and cyborg. They are now frozen and can’t move.”
    Frowning J'onn looks at Thalia. “How did you do that?”
    “I had my uncle Berto design Disruptor Grenades that shutdown Tachyan technology.  They are technically for taking me down in case I ever turn but it pays to be prepared.” Thalia answers matter of factly. 
    “How is someone supposed to take you down if you have the grenades?” Accuses Supergirl.
    Raising a brow with a smirk, Thalia answers. “Simple. I’m not in possession of all the grenades.”
    “Hahahaha! She got you there!” Gufaws Steel loudly.
    Supergirl merely pouts folding her arms defiantly.  
   “Well he's technically not wrong.” Agrees Alex chuckling. 
    At that moment, Thalia's radio begins to flash with an incoming message. She opens it revealing a hologram of Berto.
    “Hey I finished analyzing that part you sent me. You were right about it being of Tachyan origin. It is a partial circuit from a Contained Field Bomb.” Explains Berto looking around the room but making an effort to avoid Thalia’s gaze.
    “What is a Contained Field Bomb?” Asks J'onn with a frown.
    Berto turns to face the Martian. “It is a bomb that has a controllable blast radius. The Tachyans designed it in an attempt to reduce collateral damage in combat.
    “That would explain how such a powerful blast stayed in such a small area.” States Alex, turning her focus to the schematics of the bomb.
    Crossing her arms, Thalia addresses her father's best friend. “By the way uncle Berto, how did these guys get Tachyan armor and tech?”
    Berto rubs the back of his neck sheepishly. “Well…um…the storage facility we have outside of National City was broken into last week. Four sets of armor and the bomb’s schematics as well as several small weapons were stolen.”
    “Last week! Why was I not told about it!?” Shouts Thalia anger rising quickly.
   “Hey don’t shoot the messenger! It was your dad’s idea not to tell you!” Berto shouts back defensively
    Taking a deep breath and calming down Thalia answers with a sigh. “Why would he not want to tell me about something like this?”
    “Because you were so excited about moving to National City and he didn’t want to ruin that for you.” Replies Berto apologetically.
    “That makes sense I guess.” Sighs Thalia massaging her temples.
    “It seems the only thing we can do now is try and track down those thieves.” Says J'onn crossing his arms and turning to Wynn.
    “Already on it.” Answers Winn as he begins typing away at his computer.
    Just then, Thalia’s dad steps into view beside Berto. “No need. My team has already found them and we have a strike squad already on route.”
    “That was fast.” Comments Thalia suspiciously.
    Chuckling Max replies. “You forget, the suits are powered by Turbo Energy. You and I can track it Thalia.”
    “I can’t. Every time I try all I can pick up is Steel.” Frowns Thalia.
    Turning to Winn, J'onn tells him to cancel his search. He then turns to Max and Berto. “Anything else we should know?”
    Berto is the first to answer. “Not at the moment no. We will keep you updated. Bye.”
    Berto promptly ends the call leaving J'onn stunned and Thalia laughing.
    “Hahaha! I think you scare him J'onzz.” Laughs Thalia.
    “Well that just happened.” Replies Alex blinking with confusion and amusement.
    Rolling his eyes J'onn addresses Thalia. “Why don’t you take Steel and tell Miss. Luthor the good news. We will take care of things here.”
    “Fine. But I am going home after that. It’s still early afternoon and I have the day off. Considering last night’s events, I need some sleep.” Retorts Thalia, rolling her eyes at the dismissal.
    Once in her car and on her way home, Thalia calls Lena.
    “Hello?” Answers Lena on the first ring.
    “Hello Miss. Luthor it’s Agent McGrath. I have some good news for you. The FBI was able to track down last night’s bombers.” Replies Thalia trying hard to remain professional despite her excitement.
    “Well that was fast.” Says Lena clearly surprised.
    Chuckling Thalia answers. “Turns out they were total amateurs. Also, our current Max Steel’s predecessor was able to track them using the energy signatures emitted from the armor.”
    “Wait. Max Steel has a predecessor?” Asks Lena completely shocked.
    “Yes, she does. The first Max Steel was her father. But he retired when she displayed signs of the Turbo Energy and began training her.” Answers Thalia laughing.
    Then Lena’s voice goes serious. “You seem to know a lot about Max Steel.”
    “Well of course, we worked together. I even met her father; he is the CEO of Trans Human Industries.” Answers Thalia, scrambling for a usable excuse.
    Placated Lena says goodbye and ends the call.
    “That was close.” Mumbles Steel from the passenger seat.
    Glancing over at the little alien Thalia answers. “Not really. I just told her the truth about my dad that’s all.”
    “Still I don’t like it. She is way too smart for her own good.” Replies Steel.
    Trying to hold back a laugh, Thalia answers. “She has a scientific mind; she is naturally curious. It is something we have in common.”
    Steel answers with a sigh. “Yeah but you don’t have a psychotic mass murderer for a brother and an alien hater for a mother.”
    “Okay that’s a low blow Steel. Supergirl has already confirmed that Lena is different, that she is good.” Snaps Thalia annoyed that Steel would use Lena's family as an excuse to voice his doubts about her.
    Once back at the house, Thalia has a quick lunch then heads out to the gardens and Steel heads off to sleep. She isn’t out there long before Kori joins her.
    “You are home early, is everything alright Thalia?” Asks Kori from behind Thalia.
    “Gyaaaahhh! Ow! Dang Kori give a girl a little warning next time!” Shouts Thalia startled and wincing from the stitches still in her cheek.
    Rushing over to help Kori replies. “I’m sorry I thought you saw me. Are you alright? You didn’t pull your stitches, did you?”
    “No, I’m fine. The Director gave me a mental health day after what happened yesterday.” Answers Thalia with a light laugh when she sees the concern on Kori's face. 
    Noticing, Kori frowns. “I am in charge of your well being. It’s only natural that I would be concerned if you were injured.”
    “I’m sorry for laughing Kori, it’s just the only other people who ever showed that kind of concern were my parents.” States Thalia apologetically.
    Thalia and Kori walk around the garden for a while before Thalia heads off to get some sleep.
    “See you in the morning Kori. Be sure to get some sleep yourself.” Says Thalia before entering her room.
    Kori answers with a smile. “Yes, see you in the morning and I will I promise.”
    Once Thalia reaches her bed, she falls asleep almost instantly letting the exhaustion of the last couple days take over.