Chapter 6: The DEO Debrief & Martian Mentorship
[SYSTEM MESSAGE: ARC PROGRESSION: INITIATING ARC 2: SUPER-BOYFRIEND & SUBTLE SAVIOR. PRIMARY OBJECTIVE: DEEPEN RELATIONSHIP WITH KARA DANVERS. SECONDARY OBJECTIVE: ACQUIRE ADDITIONAL KEY SKILLS (FLIGHT). TERTIARY OBJECTIVE: PREVENT MINOR CANON TRAGEDIES. WARNING: INCREASED EXPOSURE TO DEO AND META-HUMAN THREATS. MAINTAIN PLAUSIBLE DENIABILITY WHILE MAXIMIZING INTERVENTION EFFECTIVENESS.]
The revelation had been a seismic shift in Adam's life, even though he had anticipated it for weeks. Kara's tearful confession, followed by his own carefully crafted partial truth, had forged a bond between them stronger than any he'd ever known. He was no longer just a fan, but a confidante, an anchor, and a secret weapon for the Girl of Steel. Her love and trust had unlocked the Kryptonian Data Crystal and Empathic Resonance, adding new layers to his burgeoning capabilities. His Enhanced Strength now hummed at a comfortable 15%, a subtle but constant reminder of his growing power.
The very next morning, still basking in the afterglow of their shared vulnerability, Kara had suggested something that made Adam's inner fanboy leap with uncontained glee. "Adam," she'd said, her eyes still a little red but shining with newfound lightness, "there are two more people in the world who know about me. My sister, Alex, and our… boss, J'onn J'onzz. They're at the DEO. I want you to meet them. Really meet them. They need to know who you are, what you bring to the table."
Adam had, of course, feigned a moment of contemplative hesitation before agreeing. "The DEO, huh? Sounds… official. And potentially filled with very sharp objects. Are you sure they're ready for my particular brand of charming chaos?" But inwardly, he was already strategizing. This was his gateway to the inner circle, his chance to build trust with J'onn and set the stage for acquiring Flight.
Later that afternoon, a sleek, unmarked black SUV with tinted windows picked them up from Adam's penthouse. Kara held his hand the entire way, a silent reassurance that eased the slight tension in the air. The drive was short, ending at a deceptively mundane industrial complex on the outskirts of National City. Inside, however, was a bustling, high-tech command center, a symphony of flashing screens, chattering agents, and the hum of advanced alien technology.
Alex Danvers was the first to greet them, her posture rigid, her gaze sharper than any blade. She wore her tactical gear, a no-nonsense expression etched on her face. Her eyes immediately landed on Adam, assessing him with an intensity that could strip paint. "Kara," she began, her voice firm, "J'onn and I need to talk to him. Alone."
Kara squeezed Adam's hand. "Alex, he knows everything. And he's proven himself. Please, just… hear him out."
Alex's jaw tightened, but she nodded, leading them into a spacious, spartan office. J'onn J'onzz, the Martian Manhunter, stood waiting. He was in his human form, a towering, dignified man with kind, yet piercing, eyes. Adam felt a strange sense of reverence in his presence. This was a true hero, a being of immense wisdom and power.
[J'ONN J'ONZZ: (TO ADAM, VOICE GRAVELY DEEP) Kara speaks highly of you, Adam Stiels. She trusts you implicitly. That carries immense weight. But trust, here, is earned. I sense… much about you. Much that is hidden.]
Adam met J'onn's gaze evenly, resisting the urge to twitch under the Martian's psychic scrutiny. His Empathic Resonance flared, a subtle vibration within him. He sensed J'onn's deep concern for Kara, his protective instincts, but also a profound sense of duty and a quiet weariness from years of fighting. There was a layer of intrigue, too, an intellectual curiosity about Adam that was a promising sign.
"Commander J'onzz," Adam said, his tone respectful but confident, "the pleasure is entirely mine. And you're right; there's a lot about me that's hidden. For now, let's just say I have a unique perspective on… certain probabilities. My 'hunches' tend to be uncannily accurate, and I've found them rather useful in navigating the complexities of the modern world. And Kara, bless her, has a knack for finding those complexities." He offered a charming, self-deprecating smile, hoping to diffuse the tension.
Alex scoffed, crossing her arms. "Uncannily accurate doesn't usually prevent data explosions, Mr. Stiels. Or tell you where to find hidden chips in ventilation systems."
Adam inclined his head slightly. "Indeed, Agent Danvers. Sometimes, one just gets… a very strong feeling. And a willingness to look in unconventional places. My financial ventures, you see, often involve a keen eye for… hidden assets." He kept his story vague, yet plausible, rooted in the "wealthy investor" persona.
J'onn watched him, his gaze unwavering. Adam felt a gentle probe against his mind – a Martian telepathic scan. His Mental Manipulation Resistance (50%) was still a potential future copy from J'onn, but for now, his natural mental fortitude, combined with his system's defenses, allowed him to deflect the probe. He kept his thoughts clear, projecting only what he wanted them to see: genuine affection for Kara, a desire to help, and a deeply analytical mind.
[J'ONN J'ONZZ: (TO ADAM, SOFTLY) Your mind is… shielded. Unusual. But your intentions regarding Kara are pure. And you possess a unique intellect. We will monitor you, Mr. Stiels. But for Kara's sake, we will hear your insights.]
And that was it. Not an embrace, but an acceptance. A grudging, professional acceptance based on Kara's trust and J'onn's Martian senses. Over the next few days, Adam became a regular, albeit unofficial, "consultant" at the DEO. He sat in on briefings, his sharp mind and Future Insight allowing him to offer seemingly brilliant, out-of-the-box solutions or predict minor alien skirmishes before they escalated into major threats. He might suggest that a particular alien artifact would react badly to a specific energy frequency, or that a rogue alien operative would attempt an escape via a rarely used ventilation shaft. He always presented it as astute deduction, rapid analytical processing, or "just a gut feeling" that had served him well in the high-stakes world of finance.
Alex, despite her initial skepticism, found herself grudgingly impressed. Adam's "hunches" consistently saved them time, resources, and sometimes, lives. She'd see him subtly point out a flaw in a tactical plan or suggest a different approach that invariably turned out to be the correct one. His presence streamlined their operations, making her already demanding job a little less chaotic. He also provided a much-needed source of levity in the often-somber DEO halls, his sarcastic remarks cutting through the tension.
Adam focused on building rapport with J'onn. He'd seek out the Martian, sometimes just to chat about human culture, other times to subtly express admiration for J'onn's wisdom and self-control. He used his Empathic Resonance constantly, allowing him to subtly understand J'onn's moods, his moments of stress, his deep sense of responsibility. He saw the quiet burdens J'onn carried, the loneliness of being the last of his kind, the immense weight of protecting both humanity and his adopted family.
One afternoon, a particularly distressing case came across the DEO's monitors: a group of alien refugees, vulnerable and seeking asylum, were being targeted by an anti-alien hate group. J'onn was visibly distressed, his human facade strained with worry and a profound sense of injustice. Adam walked over to him, sensing the deep pain and anxiety radiating from the Martian.
[ADAM STIELS: (TO J'ONN, QUIETLY) This kind of hatred… it's a cancer. No matter what form it takes, or what species it targets. It's disgusting. You have every right to be angry, J'onn.]
J'onn looked at him, surprised by the directness, the lack of his usual playful banter. [J'ONN J'ONZZ: (VOICE LOW, TINGED WITH PAIN) It is a feeling I know too well, Adam. The senseless persecution. The fear. My people… they suffered for it.]
Adam placed a hand gently on J'onn's shoulder, a gesture of profound empathy. "Then let's stop it. Let's make sure these people don't suffer. You've taught me a lot about courage and compassion since I've been here, Commander. Let me help you protect them." His voice was firm, sincere. He felt J'onn's emotional state, a powerful surge of renewed determination mixed with deep-seated sorrow and a fierce protective instinct. It was the perfect trigger.
[SYSTEM ALERT: SKILL COPY INITIATED. SOURCE: J'ONN J'ONZZ. EMOTION: DUTY/PROTECTION/TRUST. SKILL ACQUIRED: FLIGHT (10% PROFICIENCY). INITIALIZING ADAPTATION PROTOCOL. CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR SECOND SKILL ACQUISITION. PROFICIENCY WILL IMPROVE WITH PRACTICE AND CONTINUED POSITIVE EMOTIONAL ENGAGEMENT.]
Adam felt a profound lightness, a subtle shifting within his core. It wasn't the raw power of Enhanced Strength, but something more ethereal, a sense of innate lift, an intuitive understanding of air currents and propulsion. He fought to keep his expression neutral, his focus on J'onn.
[J'ONN J'ONZZ: (TO ADAM, A GLIMMER OF APPRECIATION IN HIS EYES) We will, Adam. With every fiber of our being. Thank you. For seeing beyond the surface.]
The resolution of the refugee crisis, thanks in no small part to Adam's "strategic input," further cemented his place within the DEO. That night, after Kara had fallen asleep, exhausted but content in his arms, Adam slipped out onto his penthouse balcony. The city lights glittered below, a silent invitation. He focused, concentrating on the new sensation within him. He felt the familiar hum of the Copy System, guiding him.
He took a deep breath, extended his hands, and pushed. Slowly, awkwardly, he lifted off the ground. It wasn't graceful, more like a controlled hover, a gentle rise of a few feet. He wobbled, almost lost balance, but then stabilized, his Enhanced Strength subtly aiding the rudimentary Flight. He moved cautiously forward, a few feet, then back. It was exhilarating, terrifying, and utterly glorious. Ten percent proficiency was clumsy, but it was flight. He was flying. In the Arrowverse.
A wide, unbridled grin stretched across his face. "Oh, J'onn," he whispered to the night sky, feeling the profound connection to the Martian. "Thank you. This changes everything." He spent the next hour practicing in the privacy of the vast, open balcony, learning to control his movements, to push against the air. He knew he was nowhere near Supergirl or J'onn's mastery, but the groundwork was laid. He was no longer just the guy in the chair; he was now the guy who could potentially join the action. The adventure, and his arsenal of abilities, were truly beginning to take shape.