Midway City Times: Late Night Edition

Armored Winged-Heroine saves the Midway City Police Department

By David Jones

This morning at 10:30 at the Midway City Police Department, Jonathan Cheval, ex-business tycoon and former CEO of Monocle Corps, was seen standing outside the MCPD and unleashing a blast of terror that left over 23 injured and one in critical care. Jonathan Cheval was a respected businessman with specialty in optical eye care. Recent events have led to the decline of Monocle Corps and the revelations of Cheval's involvement with the mob has led to drop in sales and the loss of his fortune and company.

Cheval was seen standing amidst his destruction and conversing with Commissioner

George Emmett. Witnesses report Cheval's madness in blaming the MCPD for his loss of fortune and proceeded to demolish the Police Headquarters with high-tech gear and injured countless more officers and bystanders. It was in his move to kill that witnesses report seeing the armored-angel appear and protect the would-be victim. Witnesses have given testimony that the armored-hero then proceeded to confront Cheval. Cheval made another attempt to disintegrate the armored-hero, but was immediately stopped by the armored-angel.

Continue to pg. 6 for 'Friend or Foe' debate

"Would-be victim? At least learn my name Jones!" said Kendra, irritated at being identified as a victim. "It's better if the press didn't know your name, mija. You know your tio wouldn't like it if Jones had written your name on the paper… or if you gave testimony yourself about what happened today." Said Aunt Alice. Kendra looked up from the paper to see her tia walking about and setting up the dinner table. The ride home was awkward to say the least. Uncle George was furious at Kendra for trying to get involved with what he deemed as 'dangerous' work. When they got home, Uncle George immediately locked himself up in his study while Kendra spent the remainder of her evening helping her Aunt cook. When the Midway City Times released the evening edition, Kendra wanted to see what the city thought of Shayera Hol, the Captain of another world. Kendra was curious and she wanted to know more about worlds outside of Earth and of the different law enforcements outside. When she volunteered to 'partner up' with Shayera, she wanted to know the woman behind the armor but her Uncle was being very adamant that she stays out of this particular case.

Kendra flipped through the Times and read a couple of news articles about the opening of a new exhibit in the Midway Museum, the upcoming trials of Mob Boss Harrison, and several sales at the Midway Pines Mall. Kendra read through the Times with lackluster and waited until it officially time to eat. When her Uncle George came down, the calm and relaxed atmosphere immediately tensed up. Her Aunt Alice though walked and hummed around as though nothing was wrong. When they were served their dinner and began eating, Kendra thought up of ways to try and alleviate the tension but she also wanted to confront the issue with her Uncle.

"So about this morning-"

"Kendra-"

"-I know you can trust me to be with Shayera Hol-"

"Kendra!"

"-so please reconsider this-"

"Mija! Por favor! Escucha!" said Aunt Alice, wanting things to be said and over with. Kendra looked at her Aunt first and looked back at her Uncle, pleading with her eyes.

George Emmett would like to think that he was a fair man: that he listens to other people and was open to ideas. Today though tested him to the brink where he wanted to lock his niece up in her room—never mind that she is already 20 years old—and keep her in there away from all the trouble. When he lost his best friend and brother-in-law in the house fire, he was devasted. His wife, Alice, had also lost her sister that night: Kendra's mother. They both immediately adopted Kendra without a second thought, wanting to provide what was best for her. When Kendra joined the police force, Emmett went ballistic and the two had a silent cold war for a few weeks until they eventually made-up and were a family again. Emmett didn't want to go back to those cold war days as he took a look at his niece and said, "Alright, you can partner up with… her. I want you back before 11 pm though and I want you to call me every other hour."

Kendra smiled a grin that she was sure was going to split her face and ran around the table to hug her Uncle. "Thank you." She whispered and gave him a kiss on the cheek. Emmett chuckled and hugged her before reaching out and hugging Alice as well. They small family laughed and Emmett thought to himself how he needed to inform the alien cop about some more basic rules. When dinner was finished and eaten, Kendra retired early to bed while Emmett and Alice remained in the kitchen and talked.

"Why reject having a hero in the city, George?" asked Alice as she washed the dishes while Emmett dried them.
"Midway doesn't need one of them running around." said Emmett.

"It seems like we could use one. The Cheval man nearly killed Kendra, and as valiant as your efforts were even you couldn't stop him. We can only thank the Lord that this woman was there to save her." reasoned Alice. Emmett looked at his wife of thirty years and smiled at her. She always was the voice of reason.

"Then what do I do?" he asked, hugging his wife and kissing her forehead. "Add her to your squadron." said Alice, smiling as she felt him stiffen.

"What?" he asked, backing away to get a better view of his wife's face. "Add her to your force. If Kendra will be partnered up with her, then you may as well include them into your squadron." said Alice. Emmett looked at his wife with the idea spinning in his head. It was when he received the call from the Station that his good mood from earlier was replaced with determination and the uneasy migraine that is now starting to associate with the alien cop.

Shayera had a long but very promising day. Aside from combing through the national park from above and below, the only indication that Byth had hidden the artifacts was when she located the remains of Byth's ship deep in the caves and discovered the Inventory Control Sheet. She never would have found it if not for the Absorbascon. One of the hidden features of the Absorbascon was that while on, Shayera was able to learn avian languages… a language that not even humans were able to understand.

It came as a surprise to her when around mid-afternoon Shayera was basking in the sun, taking a break from her search. So far, she had managed to evade the cameras of the public and had tried her best to avoid curious followers who wanted a glimpse of her. Shayera was frustrated when she came up with nothing during her search so she decided to rest her body and enjoy the sunlight that Gotham City was somehow opposed to. Shayera had managed to find a meadow in the park that was further away from the city and more into the mountains. She had taken her mask off and her armor, setting them aside with her mace as she laid down and flared her wings out, wanting to feel the rays of this planet's sun. Time passed and Shayera had almost fallen asleep when she heard a chirp in the distance. The meadow was mostly quiet so it was surprising to finally hear a noise come from the trees.

Shayera sat up and looked around, thinking if a human had managed to reach her location. She turned to see that a medium-sized bird was perched on a low branch across the meadow from her. Shayera redressed in her mask and armor, wondering if this bird might belong to someone. Shayera could feel the Absorbascon light up and the information once again flowed into her brain. The hawk was looking at her with piercing eyes and gave a piercing cry, except Shayera could hear the words in the cry: Winged Sister.

Shayera flared her wings a bit before settling them back against her, feeling a bit nervous. "Can you understand me?" she asked the hawk. The hawk turned its head to get a better view of Shayera and gave another cry: Yes.

Shayera studied the graceful creature and asked, "May I ask for your assistance?"

You may.

"I am searching for strange objects that have landed here from the skies many moons ago."

Objects? Such as a large burning nest?

"A nest? You mean a ship?"

If that is what it is called, then yes.

"Do you know of the location?"

Yes. Strange creature brought it to a cave down by the cliffs.

"Can you take me there?"

Yes. Follow me.

The hawk flew from its perch and rose above to the skies and Shayera followed it after clipping her mace back on. Shayera followed the hawk away from the forest and towards a steep-sided canyon carved by raging river down below. Shayera followed the hawk down in the canyon and landed on the ground while the hawk perched on a fallen tree.

There, behind the loose boulders is the cave.

Shayera walked towards the loose boulders and moved them out of the way to reveal the cave. She walked in and fought against her claustrophobia again as she walked deeper into the cave. It took a few minutes spelunking down the cave but she managed to reach the ship in a wide-open cavern. Shayera was praising small miracles as she flew down to the ship and examined the damages. There was no hope for it to be able to travel in space so Shayera went inside to find clues. Most of the control pad was wrecked beyond repair but the discovery of the Inventory Control Sheet helped Shayera discover exactly what was in the ship.

Thanagarian Research and Archeological Division

Inventory Control Sheet

Items #1-6

1.) Life-Enhancer: Confirmed working model. Useable for further experimentation at Orak

Testing Facility.

2.) Absorbascon: Newly Upgraded Model. To be sent to General Hro Talek.

3.) Rakon: Working model. Allows consumer to shift into any life form. Needs further

experimentation.

4.) Portable Beam Ray: Working model. To be sent to Lieutenant Paran Dul.

5.) Unconfirmed Artifact #52: Unknown artifact. Dated to 30 million years back. To be sent to

Orak Testing Facility for further

6.) Hyperspace Bypass Network: Blueprints to be sent to General Hro Talek and High Council.

Notes: Items #1-6 to be sent immediately for the Military.

Shayera almost teared when she recognized her mother's handwriting on the Control Sheet and carefully folded it and placed it inside her chest-armor's hidden pocket. She investigated around the ship more in the hopes of discovering more until she tripped over a hidden wire. Shayera quickly glanced down to follow it and see that she had detonated a crudely constructed bomb. She flew out of the ship quickly and began to run out of the cave just as the bomb set off. Shayera managed to jump out of the cave just when the whole cave collapsed.

Did you find what you were looking for? asked the Hawk, still perched on the fallen tree.

"Yes, thank you my friend." said Shayera as she took out the Inventory Sheet again. She mentally crossed off the items on the list that she knew were already destroyed or possibly located. The sheet provided pictures next to the name on the list and for that, Shayera again praised for small miracles.

She looked at the list and knew that the Life-Enhancer is with Byth, destroyed by the crash and now slowly consuming Byth. The Rakon was a pill that Shayera knows Byth swallowed for what else could explain his grotesque appearance. Byth must have attempted to shift his form and ended up in his new body. Shayera looked at the picture of the Beam Ray and realized that the criminal from earlier today had it in his possession… or did until Shayera crushed the glass piece in her hands. So out of the six items on the list, four had been discovered and located. The Life-Enhancer and the Rakon were with Byth and are now obsolete. Shayera is currently in possession of the Absorbascon and the Portable Beam Ray is destroyed. That left the Blueprints and the Unconfirmed Artifact to be found.

Shayera looked at the picture of the Unconfirmed Artifact and saw that while shiny, the silver smooth stone looked nothing remarkable. Shayera read her mother's words and knows that it holds historic value if her mother actually took the time to date the stone. The blueprints would be the key item to find. For it to be sent to General Talek and the High Council means that it probably holds great importance for the war. Shayera was going to fly back to Midway when her stomach growled. Damn her hunger. Shayera almost wished she decided to join the military if only to be able to train her body when the appropriate times were for personal needs. Shayera glanced at the hawk and asked, "Do you know where I might find a food source?"

Follow me. said the hawk and it flew up into the sky. Shayera followed it up and was at first confused when they began to circle around the meadow until she spotted a small creature hop along the tall grass. She was assaulted with images of the creature thanks to the Absorbascon and now knows everything there is to know about rabbits and bunnies. The hawk circled a few times until it dove down with talons out front. Shayera watched in amazement at the speed and agility the hawk held as it squeezed its talons around the rabbit. Shayera followed the hawk down and watched as it ate the carcass of the rabbit but it left a little behind and hopped away.

Eat friend. said the hawk. Shayera glanced down at the still bloody carcass and said, "Thank you." With her talon hand, she skinned the pelt off the carcass and ate the meat. She did her best to swallow the meat, but the copper taste of the blood made her squeamish. When she finished the offered meat, Shayera found that she didn't really mind after getting used to it, but it did make a messy meal. Shayera flew towards the running river from the canyon and cleaned herself up. She first cleaned the blood from her armor and face before drinking from the river, enjoying the cool and refreshing taste.

Night had fallen and Shayera lazily flew around the trees with her hawk companion. She thought about the whole day and wondered how she was going to find those blueprints. For sure the Thanagarian Research and Archeological Division would have back ups of the blueprints, but Shayera had felt a bitter and acidic feeling building in the pit of her stomach when she first read about the Hyperspace Bypass. Shayera flew to the city and landed on top of a clock tower, her hawk friend landing beside her. The city truly was beautiful at night. Lights from the vehicles and the buildings gave a beautiful light show unseen on Thanagar.

Shayera sighed as she thought of Thanagar. How is she ever going to get home? Much of Earth's space traveling was only ever intended for reaching their sister planet, Mars. Shayera couldn't really do much herself if all her basic knowledge of space engineering was only meant for commercial flight and not warp-drive… she doesn't even know the basic science behind warp drive! Shayera growled in frustration and removed her helmet and Absorbascon. She felt the night air lightly breeze by her.

Are you upset my friend? asked the hawk.

"Very much. I am not from this world and I am stranded here away from my family and friends." said Shayera.

Why do you have need for them? You are hawk, you should be used to the loneliness. said the hawk.

"I may look like one of you by my wings, friend. In my home world, family is everything. I should be at home with my family, help train my little brother, have conversations with my father, and spend time with my mother in the library. I am truly alone here." said Shayera sadly. It never really hit her until now that she actually had to fend for herself.

You seemed to be handling it pretty well. observed the hawk.

"In my home world, we are trained at a young age to be able to survive the harshness that my home planet brings. We are at war with another planet and we constantly have air raids and invasions. We are trained to be fighters, but only some would ever truly reject the ideals of war and embrace protecting and serving. I wanted to remain with my family so I became a protector. I was along yes, but I was with family." explained Shayera.

A siren alarmed down below them and Shayera placed her mask back on to see the commotion. A large truck was going down the street followed by two other vehicles with blue and red lights. Shayera used her vision to see Midway City Police written on the side of the blue and red vehicles…. a Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor according to the Absorbascon. She watched as the chase came to a standstill and officers came out of the vehicles brandishing weapons in their hands. The owners of the large truck came out spraying projectiles everywhere, causing innocent bystanders to scream and run for cover.

Humans. scoffed the hawk. I do not understand why they must commit such acts of violence. For green paper of all things. Many of the more violent humans have come running through my tree and attempted to hide the green paper where the blue ones will never find it. They often get caught in the end though, so I don't worry too much of ever seeing those despicable humans.

"A crime's a crime. I must stop this before it gets out of hand." said Shayera. She unclipped her mace from her side and jumped off the building, spreading her wings to catch the air breezing past her. She flew down and witnessed an officer fall by a lucky projectile. "HOWARDS!" she heard the other officer yell. Shayera knew that more would be injured or more likely die if she didn't stop this once and for all.

With a war cry she raised her mace up high and slammed on top of the truck, causing the criminals scatter in surprise and fear. She furled her wings around her to protect her from the projectiles that were now redirected towards her. They stung, but they didn't penetrate her wings and armor. Shayera charged her mace up and the electricity swirled around it. She hit the side of the truck, sending it flying towards the criminals who screamed and ducked down. She quickly flew up and rammed her feet on top of one criminal, pinning him down and threw her still charged mace at the other. The criminal was knocked back into a building and groaned as the electricity incapacitated him. Shayera was glad to have kept the current at low when she first charged it, knowing humans to be very fragile. Shayera kicked the criminal down at her feet at the side of his head, not hard but her armored feet certainly rendered him unconscious.

Shayera walked towards her mace where the second unconscious criminal was and didn't see the third dive out of his hiding place and aimed his weapon at her. The criminal didn't expect to hear the piercing cry of the hawk suddenly appear in the air and he felt his face get gouged by a hawk's talons. He screamed and tried to knock the hawk away but was suddenly met with a fist to the face and was knocked unconscious. "Thank you." said Shayera to the hawk as it landed on top of a light post.

You're welcome. said the hawk.

"HEY! You're the lady that saved the police station! May I ask a few questions please?" cried out a voice. Shayera turned in surprise to see a man carrying an odd looking device in his hand while a woman behind him carried another odd-looking contraption in her hand and shoulders. The Absorbascon blared to life again and assaulted Shayera with images and information about microphones, cameras, and news reporting. Shayera blinked in surprise as the microphone was suddenly in her face and the man asked, "Please miss, what do you call yourself?"

"Santiago Munoz! Why am I not surprised to see you?" said the voice of Commissioner Emmett. The man, Santiago Munoz, turned his attention towards Commissioner Emmett and shoved the microphone in his face and asked, "Commissioner, what is the relationship between Hawkgirl and the Midway City Police Department?"

"Hawkgirl?" asked Emmett, confused as to what was going on. He just finished dinner with his family when he received a call from Howards about an armed robbery at the Midway National Bank. It seemed that even with their boss behind bars, much of Harrison's men were still in active duty. When Emmett reached the scene of the shoot out, Howards was being placed on a gurney and on his way to a hospital while Santiago Munoz was harassing the alien cop.

"Like the name? Really fits her whole hero look, especially with the hawk helping her take out the third man." explained Santiago, wanting to get the story quickly before anyone else can. With luck, he could possibly have an award-winning story comparable to Lois Lane's stories on Superman.

"Look, Santi. The Midway City Police Department has no comments whatsoever. We can only say that we are glad that the crooks are now behind bars and that is It." said Emmett, wanting the media to go away from the scene. Santi had other plans though and gestured for the woman to turn the camera off. He turned to the Commissioner and said, "Come on George, you gotta give me something."

"Look Santi, right now this is official police business. I promise you, that once things are settled we can give an official statement to the public." said Emmett. Santi was placated and he walked away with the camerawoman. Emmett turned to the alien cop and saw her stroking the feathers of an actual hawk that had perched on her shoulder. "Alright, you," said Emmett pointing at Shayera, "Come with me." Shayera followed him to the squad car and balked at the thought of getting in another vehicle as compacted as this. She stopped following Emmett and said, "I'll fly."

"What?" asked Emmett, turning to see her backing away from him.

"I have already been caged in those vehicles, I'd rather fly." explained Shayera. Emmett looked at her in confusion and looked from her to the squad car until comprehension dawned on his face. "You have a fear of small spaces?" he asked. Shayera winced at his question but nodded and said, "I… I'd rather fly please. I promise to follow." Emmett noticed the way her wings twitched in agitation and the slight twitch on her jaw. She was truly afraid.

"Alright then. Follow me." Said Emmett as he hopped in the driver's seat and began the drive towards the police station. Shayera followed behind him, grateful that he understood her fear. Her fear has always been a handicap for her especially when she needed to follow criminals in their hideouts. Her superiors have always tried to help her beat her phobia but it was something that refuses to go away. Shayera and her hawk companion followed Emmett and landed next to the squad car once they reached the station. Shayera could hear the bystanders murmur to each other once they caught a glimpse of her but she paid them no mind and followed Emmett into the Station. Her hawk companion settled his perch outside the police station and stood vigil as people just stared at the sight of the winged heroine and her newly acquired side-kick.

The Police Station was slowly being rebuilt but most of the holes that Cheval had knocked down and the police station was well underway to being rebuilt. Emmett took Shayera up to his office with the new floor and sat down at his desk. Shayera remained standing, not finding comfort in the small office: her wings could touch the ceiling and Shayera felt squeezed in the room, but said nothing out of respect for Emmett.

"Look, I thought we agreed that you were only going to be in search for your artifacts. I don't want you getting involved in police work." said Emmett, feeling tired but wanting to get things done now than later. The idea his wife gave him was still swirling in his head but he didn't want to think about it. "We did agree that I would be on the search for the artifacts. I never agreed however to stand by and allow criminal activity pass by. I am an officer of the law, Commissioner. Please don't forget, I am trained to stop criminals and to ensure justice has been served." argued Shayera, feeling irritated that she needed to explain her actions to him. She is a Captain for crying out loud!

Emmett looked at her with tired eyes. All his years he spent arguing about how vigilantes and the supers were interfering with police work and often times taking justice into their own hands was suddenly going down the drain as his wife's idea was quickly gripping his head. The woman in front of him had respectfully followed his orders and even explained her actions to him very much like an insubordinate will do to their superiors. Emmett looked at the woman—no... Shayera in a new light. Perhaps she might be an asset to the police corps, he just needed to know if she would actually cooperate. After all, she is Captain which is a lower rank than Commissioner.

"Listen, I might have held the wrong impression on you for a while. I am currently considering hiring you officially into the police force, but I need to know though: will you be comfortable taking orders from a superior of another species?" asked Emmett, hoping that whatever powers motivated him to make this decision be a good one. Shayera in her part actually felt shock flash across her face, but with her mask in place Emmett couldn't really see her reaction. She was already following his orders anyways so it never bothered her. Law Enforcement was the same everywhere was it not? To actually be adopted into another police force however might help her gain more trust in the community, though, so Shayera said, "I have no problems whatsoever in respecting your higher rank in the police force. I would love to join the police force."

Emmett smiled an actual sincere smile to her and said, "Alright then. Best we announce it on our terms then." Shayera looked at him in confusion and watched as he reached for a phone and dialed in the buttons.

"Hello? Yeah Jesse, it's Emmett. Listen I need you to organize a press conference in two days. I've decided it's time for Midway City to meet our newest recruit in the Midway City Police Department. Who? Hawkgirl."