Chapter 20: Better Angels and a Devastating Loss
The air crackled with anticipation, a grim tension hanging over the D.E.O. as the final confrontation with Non and Indigo loomed. Myriad was still active, its insidious hum a constant reminder of the stakes. Kara, fueled by a desperate hope and a fierce resolve, was ready to face her family, to stop them, no matter the cost. Adam stood beside her, his own resolve hardened. He knew what was coming. He knew the cost.
The D.E.O. had located the source of Myriad: Fort Rozz. The plan was simple, yet terrifying: a direct assault to disable the mind-control device. Adam, armed with his meta-knowledge, was actively participating in the strategy sessions, offering "insights" that baffled even Alex.
"So, if Myriad's signal is originating from Fort Rozz," Adam explained, pointing at a holographic map, "and it's designed to affect all life forms, there has to be a central processing unit. And if it's Kryptonian tech, it's probably got a failsafe. Or a really big red button. And if Non is protecting it, he's probably got Indigo acting as a shield. Her powers are all about data manipulation, right? So, maybe she's vulnerable to a system overload. Or a really bad virus. Like, the kind that makes your computer play 'It's a Small World' on repeat."
Alex stared at him, then at Winn, who was already scribbling notes furiously. "A system overload for Indigo? And a failsafe for Myriad? How do you know this?"
"I've seen it in a documentary," Adam said with a shrug. "Very detailed. Trust me. When it comes to alien tech and evil plans, I'm practically a walking encyclopedia. Just focus on the weak points. Every villain has one. Even the ones with laser eyes."
The assault on Fort Rozz was chaotic, a desperate struggle against Non's forces. Adam fought alongside the D.E.O. agents, a human anomaly in a battle of gods. His Adapt System was constantly flaring, protecting him from blasters, from physical blows, making him a surprisingly effective combatant.
During the intense firefight, a Kryptonian soldier, a hulking brute, suddenly targeted Winn, who was frantically trying to hack into Myriad's core. A searing energy blast shot towards Winn.
"Not today, buddy!" Adam roared, lunging forward.
[ADAPT SYSTEM: Host in danger. Threat: Kryptonian energy blast. Adaptation: Doubled energy absorption and resistance.]
Adam stepped in front of Winn, bracing himself. The energy blast slammed into him, and he felt the familiar surge of power, the faint glow around his body. The energy washed over him, absorbed and dissipated, leaving him unharmed. He then deflected a follow-up physical attack from the soldier, delivering a powerful counter-shove that sent the Kryptonian reeling. "Seriously, dude? This one's mine! Go play with someone your own size!"
Winn, wide-eyed, stared at Adam, then back at the retreating soldier. "Adam! You just… you just took a Kryptonian blast!"
"Just a good day for my immune system!" Adam yelled back, already moving to intercept another soldier. He was buying Winn time, protecting the key to stopping Myriad.
The battle raged, a desperate dance of power and strategy. Kara fought Non, a brutal, heartbreaking confrontation between family. Adam, meanwhile, focused on the soldiers, on protecting his friends, on ensuring Winn could do his job.
Then, it happened. Astra. Her final confrontation with Alex. The agonizing choice. The fatal blow.
Adam saw it from a distance, a flash of pain, a moment of stillness. He felt Kara's scream, a raw, guttural sound of pure anguish, reverberate through the D.E.O. He knew. He knew what it meant. Astra was gone.
After Myriad was finally disabled, its insidious hum replaced by a deafening silence, the D.E.O. was a scene of exhausted triumph and profound grief. Kara knelt beside Astra's body, her shoulders shaking with silent sobs.
Adam walked over, his own heart heavy. He knelt beside her, pulling her close, letting her cry into his shoulder. He didn't offer platitudes. He just held her, sharing her grief, his presence a silent anchor in her storm of sorrow.
"I know this pain," he thought, his own memories of loss flickering. "It's a reminder of what we're fighting for. And why we can't give up."
"I'm so sorry, Kara," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "She was… she was your family."
Kara just clung to him, her tears soaking his shirt. "She was… she was my aunt. And she was trying to save us. In her own way."
Adam just held her tighter. "I know. And you honored her, Kara. By fighting for this world. By being the hero she couldn't be. You're stronger than you know. Stronger than all of them."
Their relationship reached a new level of emotional intimacy after Astra's death. He became her rock, her unwavering support, a silent promise of a future where they would face every challenge, every loss, together.
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