6437/Return of the Warrior Princess

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Return of the Warrior Princess
Date of Scene: 04 June 2021
Location: Justice League Watchtower, The Moon
Synopsis: Maxima returns to Earth and declares her intent to be part of the Justice League. Kara is surprised. Aquaman is not impressed. Clark challenges her to a wild goose chase beneath the sea.
Cast of Characters: Maxima, Clark Kent, Arthur Curry, Kara Danvers




Maxima has posed:
It has been a few weeks since everyone parted ways in space and most of the Kryptonians and Lois returned to Earth with the Guardians of the Galaxy. During the intervening time Maxima, Scott Lang, and Power Girl continued onward to the Almeracian Galaxy and the throneworld of the empire, Almerac itself. Save for a transmission received by Pym Technologies from a panicked Scott Lang there has been no contact since ...until now.

Heralding the arrival are the watchtowers alarm systems. Outside in the dark void of space just beyond lunar orbit an Almeracian Imperial Starship 'The Raacal' has dropped out of hyperspace. Moments after it does an energy pod rockets out from it towards Earth, before the ship seems to set course for the Moon and the Watchtower itself.

Somewhere down below on Earth, a very confused and likely queasy Scott Lang is deposited in a small shallow crater outside of his house, cracks spiderwebbing through the concrete around him as the energy pod that kept him safe through re-entry dissipates.

Clark Kent has posed:
Clark is in the Watchtower. What is he doing?

Paperwork, actually. Superman was gone for a 'week', and while his super-friends are great, they're pretty merciless about missing monitor womb rotations. Even at super-speed, the process is a little dull...Clark half thinks Bruce and Diana designed it that way, to keep speedsters from doing the stuff on autopilot. Still, it's important work, and he's got to set a good example, right?

The Rascal just sort of shows up. "Oh thank Rao, an invasion." Superman says, stepping up and pressing a button that says 'HAILING: DO NOT PLAY WITH', sending a ping to Maxima's flagship. He thinks its her flagship anyway. "Maxima? Is that you?"

Arthur Curry has posed:
Arthur is on monitor duty when the ship drops into realspace. Which means there's beer and pizza in the monitor room, and at least one expensive piece of high tech equipment being used to watch a baseball game. This however is forgotten as alarms start to sound when the Watchtower AI detects the ship and centers it on the main display. He's about to whack a button to open up comms to the other League members when Clark's voice sounds over the comm system addressing the ship. Just to be safe, he dials up more sensores and the like onto the ship so they can keep an eye on it in case it proves not to be who Superman thinks it is.

Kara Danvers has posed:
    As Kara streaks across the sky, the sound of that energy pod hitting atmosphere and then crackling against the ground catches her attention. She turns abruptly and races toward it. You never know what could fall from the sky these days. Giant alien vessels keep showing up."

    Kara lands next to a very confused looking Scott. She smiles, "Scott," and places a hand on his shoulder. "Welcome home," she says and makes sure he has some money to get back to his place before she looks up at the big blue sky, then out through the atmosphere and sees the Raacal on approach.

    Kara leaps off of the ground and shoots her hands out in front of her, racing up in to the sky. The transition to space always feels a bit like a sudden cold shower but is also exhilarating. She continues on to the moon and in to the hanger, then fast-walks up to the command deck saying, "I think Maxima is.. oh, you're already monitoring. Hi Aquaman."

Maxima has posed:
The screens fill with a view of a command deck, very familiar to Clark and Kara, with Maxima standing on her raised metal dais commanding the ship. "Yes Kal-El, it is I Maxima, I have returned." She says, hands on her hips, as imperious as ever. "I will join you shortly."

Even as they are still talking, once the ship moves into a synchronous position above the Watchtower another figure that also appears to be Maxima has already exited the ship and is flying down towards the Watchtower encased in a field of translucent psychic force. Clark and Kara have seen this trick before, one of the two is no doubt one of her energy simulacrums.

Clark Kent has posed:
"Aquaman." Clark says, switching to hero names...

Well Arthur doesn't have MUCH of a secret identity but you never know. He frowns, boyishly, a second later. "You got pizza and didn't tell me? Man I haven't eaten all day." Clark sniffs. "...did you put shrimp on a pizza, Aquaman?"

Maxima then does her brain projection thing. It's pretty impressive, but Superman responds by crossing his arms and straightening his back a little, which he knows from experience is also pretty damn impressive.

"It's probably not an invasion." Clark asides to the others, winking at Supergirl. "Maxima! So, uh, what do we owe the pleasure?"

Arthur Curry has posed:
Arthur looks over as the others come in, "Friend of yours, I take it? Geez, another one who can fly in space, I'm gonna get all jealous or something." He grins and indicates the box, "Grab a couple slices, I don't mind. And you'd think by now you would know what when I'm on duty there's pizza, that's just a given. So what do ya think she wants? Just a visit, or something else? She's not the Earth conquering type, I hope?"

Kara Danvers has posed:
    She smiles to Clark and says, "Well. We shouldn't put words in Maxima's mouth, may be she is here to conquer us. You never know. She is totally the conquering type." There's a playful smirk at the screen and she also says, "Maxima. We thought you'd gone home. Did you come back just to drop off Scott? Thank you, he's safe down on Earth and headed back to his home."

She tucks her arms behind her and asks, "Also, where is Power Girl?" Because losing track of her doppelganger sister would be awkward. Very awkward.

Maxima has posed:
"It's probably not an invasion." Maxima echoes Clark's words looking faintly amused, "Unless you would like it to be an invasion? I probably should have brought more ships for a proper siege cordon and enough soldiers for an occupation." She gives an 'oh well it can't be helped' shrug holding up her hands.

Kara receives a genuine smile from Maxima, "I have returned Scott Lang..."

"...Yes. He did a great service for the Almeracian Empire restoring the city of Falaaria." The Maxima on the screen stops talking midway through the statement as it is finished by the second Maxima. She stands there in the entryway, flowing red hair, metal space bikini armor, and all, having flown in through the hangar bays and made her way to the Watchtower's command deck.

"But that is not the only reason I have returned." The Maxima in the room continues as the Maxima on the view screens breaks the hailing connection. "One of the boons Scott Lang requested of my mother the Empress Zeenith in return for his service was that Almerac should aid Earth in turn in its time of need. So I have decided, I will be part of your Justice League." She declares in true Maxima fashion.

Clark Kent has posed:
Clark quietly gives one of his oldest friends what can only be described as a 'maybe' hand signal. You know, the so-so one where you wave your hand up and down?

"I'm sure Power Girl's taking some time to herself." Superman offers to his cousin; it's only logical, after all, they were pretty cramped in that ship for a while. And then the proposal.

Hoo boy.

It is nice to hear that at least someone can save lost cities, and it's nice seeing Scott get the respect he deserves, but. "Will you now?" Superman finds himself asking, smiling a little at the presumption.

Arthur Curry has posed:
One of Arthur's eyebrows shoots up at the announcement, a sardonic smile gracing his lips. "Oh, well, aren't we lucky. But um, generally we kind of like to get to know that someone's a good fit for the League before they just muscle right in." Diplomatic as ever. Apparently being named Ambassador by Namor has not really softened the sharp edges quite yet. He crosses his arms over his chest and adds, "I mean, do you even know what we do here?"

Kara Danvers has posed:
    There's a quiet little nod from Kara. They were quite cramped together - it was a real family vacation without any of the usual fun bits.

    Kara double takes at Maxima's declaration too. A perplexed look crosses her face and she nods at what Arthur says, "And why we do it." Heck, Kara is technically a reserve in case something happens to her cousin. She's always happy to lend a hand though.

    "Maxima you should know by now that Earth isn't as simple as 'what I say goes'..," she says and then smiles though. "Perhaps you'd like to elaborate on why you think you should be a part of the Justice League?"

Maxima has posed:
"Power Girl elected to fly back on her own." Maxima adds to Clark's statement about Power Girl perhaps needing time. "Hopefully she did not become lost between galaxies."

She nods her head sharply at Clark's last comment, "I will." It is both the unshakable confidence of someone accustomed to standing at the pinnacle of all around them and a princess who has likely rarely been denied anything in her life.

"You are." She concurs with Arthur's statement about their luck. "Who could be better? I am Maxima. You defend this planet. You are the only group of such individuals strong enough to have a reputation extending at all beyond this planet. I have conquered worlds, defending one is much easier. I will see the Earth Hero Scott Lang's boon fulfilled. "Should you wish to test Maxima, I stand ready and remain undefeated." Because in her world, everything is strength. The strong can enforce whatever laws they wish or protect whomever they wish.

Clark Kent has posed:
Superman shoots Arthur a look. It means, roughly, 'back me up here'.

"Might alone doesn't make a Leaguer, Maxima." Superman says, sounding a lot more Superman just now. His arms are crossed and he's standing as if he's about to start floating or something. Depending on your perspective this can be a very good or very bad sign. "We look for all sorts of heroes with all sorts of skill sets. But I feel you're sincere in your ambitions to help the Earth."

Even if the whole 'conquered worlds' thing is off-putting. "Aquaman, I propose we give her a super-trial. That'll show that her heart's in the right place with all of this."

"Aquaman, Super Girl, any ideas?"

Arthur Curry has posed:
Arthur snorts, "Yeah, that tends to be more the people we fight against, who think they should be in charge just because they're strong."

He gestures around the room, "If we believed that, anyone here could have taken over the Earth already instead of protecting it. It's not just strength, it's heart and attitude that matters. I mean hell, look at the Bat compared to these Super types, it's not his arms, it's his head and his heart that make him one of our leaders."

He looks over at Superman and shakes his head, "I'm honestly not sure. Sounds like we need to test her attitude, not her ability to punch things though."

Maxima has posed:
Maxima listens to Clark nodding slowly. Her gaze then moves to Aquaman, "Your example does not make sense. If any of you could have conquered it, the rest would have stopped them so they couldn't. Only one among you could truly conquer it for they would need to defeat all the rest. That is why defense is easier than conquest." It is perhaps a bit too literal of a response, with a tactician's tendency to analyze things. "Attitude? I suppose such things might be seen as necessary when you cannot sense them." She reminds herself.

Clark Kent has posed:
Clark pauses.

What he really needs to do is buy time. And also see if Maxima's heart is in the right place, like Aquaman pointed out. It's one thing to read someone's mind, but in Clark's experience that's a less certain thing than a lot of psychics think.

Hey now. Superman again does the Superman thing, posing a little and pointing at Maxima. It's not overacting, it's something subtler, like the Man of Steel being aware of what his presence can do to a room all of a sudden. "Maxima!"

"As chairman of the Justice League of America, I challenge you to venture to the sunken city of Mu and recover the gold pearl of Psidontas! This mystic relic was lost during the first fall of the seven cities of the sea, and it's recovery would be a powerful boon for our underwater allies! Do you accept this quest?!"

Arthur Curry has posed:
Arthur looks a little confused at first, given that he _is_ one of the mentioned underwater allies and has never heard of the thing before, but he trusts Superman completely, so simply nods his head in agreement with the offered quest and awaits Maxima's answer.

Maxima has posed:
Now /this/, imperious challenges are something that Maxima understands. It will not be my first time venturing into the depths of your oceans, my lost city was recovered from their deepest depths." She glances in Arthur's direction when his expression betrays confusion, however brief, but doesn't comment on it. "I accept your challenge Kal-El. It will be done." She declares as if it is already a foregone conclusion in her mind.