Nativist. A term often used in a derogatory fashion to describe those who fear the other. Question for you. What's wrong with those who wish to protect their homes from the outsiders?
ASAlien Student
Well, America is a country of immigrants.
Yes, but that's always been controversial. You see, in 1775, Benjamin Franklin himself writes of his own fears of immigrants, whom he warned "The immigrant will never adopt our language or customs any more than he can acquire our complexion."
ASAlien Student
Franklin was talking about German immigrants back when America was still a British colony. I don't see how it applies to anything.
Oh, I can see why this, uh, point of view would be problematic, especially since we are talking about human immigrants; human immigrants who, in the past 200 years, made America great no matter what their complexion. But now, we welcome immigrants not only from outside our borders, but from beyond our atmosphere, so let me just ask you, how does the human worker compete? Anyone? How does the human worker compete against an alien who could lift two tons of steel over its head without even breaking a sweat? How does the human worker compete against an alien that can fly goods from one coast to the other, leaving our trucks to rust away in the sand?
ASAnother Student
[confused] Sorry, professor, what page are we on?
Ben Franklin's fears have come to pass. The modern immigrant cannot assimilate, and it's not a question of desire, it's not a question of culture. It is a question of biology, and from that context... [an alien student, insulted, stands and leaves] From that context, I should be proud if you were to call me a nativist.
ASAlien Student
This... isn't nativism. It's xenophobia.
Well, I can't say I'm surprised to hear that from someone with your complexion.
Sometimes things happen in life that we can't explain. Like a good man being sent to an early grave. And when, not if, these things happen, it can make us feel like we want to give up. So, I'm very happy to, uh, read to you my father's favorite quote. Well, it's the only quote he knew. Winston Churchill. "Never give in." "Never give in. Never, in nothing, great or small, large or petty, except in considerations of honor and good sense. Never yield to force, or the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy that confronts you. Never. Never, ever, give in."
People love you, Ben. You have a rare gift of communication, like Franklin Roosevelt or Mussolini. The people I work with, they don't have such gifts. But I think if we could all work together, we could make this country a much better place.
We're gonna expose the president as a liar, a fraud, and an alien.
Read a little 4chan, do ya?
I can understand why you wouldn't believe me. But can you imagine if we proved it was true? How that would change the world?
Well, that's a nice dream, but, um, I don't even know who you are.
Mercy Graves. And that's my brother, Otis.
[rolling down the limo's driver partition] What's up?
[offering Ben a folder] And most importantly, this is Fiona. Part-time bartender, full-time alien rights activist. Don't be fooled by the lipstick. Beneath the disguise, she's a monster. One who is organizing other monsters to defend themselves against us. But that's okay. Because some of these creatures have skills we can use. So what do you say? Besties?
She's this way. Hey, listen, I know that you and Supergirl, you don't always see eye to eye on everything, but it means a tremendous amount to us, to... to me, that you're always here when we need you the most.
People underestimate me, but I care. I really do.
Man, you picked the wrong house.
MBManchester Black
Don't think so. Man your age lives alone. No personal history to be found. A bit dodgy, that. Red flags. So, tell me, J'onn J'onzz, how do you know Fiona?
That I am. Luckiest man in the world. Only Fiona dropped off the radar. Not like her. And you seem to have spent some time following her about.
Well, friend, I'll ask you once more. Where is she?
[his eyes glowing red as Black grabs him] Today is not the day to push me.
Not from around here, are we? Relax, man. Weren't going to hurt you.
I seem to recall you telling me that Supergirl was dead.
We never said it was official.
We'll make her dead. The plan still stands.
Well, your plan is small.
You want to show people that aliens are monsters. That's good, but you don't do that by attacking their protectors, the police, the DEO. Yeah, that will make them afraid. That'll make them feel fear, up here, in their mind. What you need to do is make them feel it in their bones.
And how do you plan on doing that, exactly?
You show them that they need to be afraid for their children.
That word, ahimsa, it's Hindu?
It means non-violence. Just something Fi used to say.
When I met Fi, I was... well, I guess you'd call it "ganged up".
It was football hooligans. Sorry, soccer hooligans. Any excuse to break a window. We worked for me dad. He taught me how to win a fight. It's easy, once you know the trick. [points to his temple, indicating his brain] There's a switch in here. Keeps you from hurting another person. You can turn it on... [snaps his fingers] ...and off.
I met Fi. She kept the books for the gang. Didn't hurt no one. No one but me, because one look from her, and I was dead, man, gone, hers. And she showed me... showed me other ways. Non-violent ways. Ahimsa. Then the boys found out she was an alien. Mm. Wasn't safe there anymore. So I told her... I told her to go to the States so she'd be safe.
I just wanted to mention how thankful I am. 'Cause, uh, I've been reading about Ms. Grant, and CatCo, and you. You know what we do up here is important, right? I... I've also been reading about matters of the law. Did you know someone could be prosecuted for continued instances of the same crime?
Of course. I'm not even saying you're thinking of taking up the shield again. But, if you were, especially with Supergirl down, don't.
Is this the same Nia Nal I'm talking to, the cub reporter who convincingly and rightfully convinced her boss to act? And to speak out when the innocent are being attacked?
I know. I don't sound like myself. But that's because this is different. If you go out there again, I have a feeling something bad will happen.
Heroes go out there, even when they know something bad's gonna happen. That's what makes them heroes.
Well, CatCo's newest addition. It's very nice to finally meet you.
We've heard a lot about you.
Well, James said your passion for making the world a better place is matched only by the elegance of your prose, so...
I wish I could say I paid him, but I could not have made that up.
CLColonel Lauren Haley
I've noticed you reorganized the strike team command and control system.
Are you aware that system has been in place since the DEO's inception?
Yes. But with all due respect, the system was outmoded. It used to take us 90 seconds to get out the door after first alert. And now by re-tasking two analysts...
You cut out the middle men and reduced deployment time to 60 seconds, which could be the difference between life and death.
I'm commending you, Director Danvers.
You've declined interviews for decades, but you've graciously agreed to speak with me today. Why now?
ADAmadei Derros
I see what is happening to our country. Divisiveness and discrimination. If we want to fight prejudice, people need to know about who we are as aliens and what we do. To lead as an example for others, I must be seen. It's not comfortable to me. But comfort is not my priority right now.
Well, I'm sure your example will inspire many. You've saved countless lives with your gift. Is it true your healing abilities don't work on humans?
AAmadei
As of yet, my frequency cannot reach humans. But it is my greatest wish to heal the human heart.
You know, I was just talking about you on my show recently.
So I heard. And just to be clear, you and I do not represent the same things.
Hmm. Far be it for James Olsen to listen to an opinion that is not his own.
I listen to opinions that are not my own. But what I heard in your show was full of discrimination and hate, and that's when I stopped listening.
I see. So this is the part where you and others like you start making crass generalizations based on ignorance and stereotype.
And you forgot the part where people like me walk away.
You did good work today. But the next time I give you orders, I expect for you to follow them.
Still, I have to say, it's much better to have you in charge than that imposter, J'onn J'onzz.
When we at the White House learned about your former director's true identity, I recommended his removal. He was trying to erode the DEO's mission. Employing aliens instead of catching them, all the while pretending to be someone he's not. I am glad order's been restored, and we're heading towards more civil, honest times.
J'onn J'onzz is the one who recruited me, promoted me, and taught me everything that I know. He's my family. And he is the best director this organization has ever seen.
J'onzz set a bad precedent. But we will set things right. From now on, we are strictly by-the-book, which means are going to act according to rank, and let's be clear about yours. Now, you might run this place, but I am your superior officer. You report to me. Understood?
Understood. [turns to leave]
Director Danvers, when you exit, you salute your ranking officer.
[returning the salute] We'll work on that. I still believe there's hope for you yet.
So when do I get to meet Agent Liberty?
TTom
You're talking to him.
TTom
We're all agents of liberty.
Nah, I mean the big guy, the guy who signed the leaflet. I was hoping to get to interview him.
TTom
Well, that's above my pay grade. I was just asked to show you what we do, answer some questions.
TTom
Patrol the streets, keep them safe for humans, just like you do with Guardian. I mean, this week is special. We don't want any roaches crashing people's Thanksgiving dinners.
Roaches? That's pretty heavy language, and I would really appreciate it if you didn't call aliens roaches in my presence.
TTom
That's what they are.
Or you just classify them that way so you don't have to deal with the fact that they're living and breathing beings, just like you and I.
