Assassins and Kings
Shayera groaned as she got up from her hammock, intending to start her day earlier than usual. She was actually having a difficult time getting to sleep. For the last week, Shayera requested time off from the League in order to provide extra security in Midway over the recent escalation of political assassinations. Shayera spent many days and nights patrolling the city in hopes of capturing the fiend but lately it was like chasing a ghost. Nights when she was supposed I be asleep were spent taking a five minute nap and staring at the ceiling. So far, the Director of Public Relations and the Finance Director were assassinated through method of poisoning. It was a very high profile case that Emmett would rather keep within the Midway City Police Department, ordering Shayera not to involve the Justice League. Shayera followed orders and it had been just her and Kendra that have been investigating the crime scenes. Their new status as Detectives was met with favorability and suspicion. Many thought that Shayera and Kendra definitely deserved the promotions, but others were skeptical because some thought that Shayera's involvement with the Justice League was what gave her the promotion and Kendra was the niece of the Commissioner.
Shayera and Kendra were determined though to prove to the naysayers that they deserve their promotions. This assassination investigation could be the one to convince people that Shayera and Kendra were capable detectives; it was just the stress though that Shayera felt every morning hoping that nobody else died next and that she and Kendra would be capable to stop the perpetrator soon. So far, the only connection Shayera could make was that the Finance Director and the Public Relations Director were both poisoned by a rare wolfsbane, found only in Central America. Shayera had asked Kendra to check the flight records of all incoming passengers for the last month while she used the Absorbascon to scan the Deep Web. It was disturbing to read the many websites that were presented to her and she often bookmarked several sites in order to properly investigate them during her time in the League. With Bruce's help, she was able to help shut down several sites and put many horrible people behind bars. Amanda Waller at one point had inquired as to how Shayera was capable of infiltrating many of the websites, to which she replied that Batman had the advanced computers she needed in order to fully hack into the systems. Much of her hacking skills just came with advance alien knowledge. Shayera stretched as she fully got ready for the day and flew out the balcony, waving to people below as they some yelled good morning to Midway's Hero.
As Shayera flew to the Police Station, she looked below at the people she had adopted as her own. Midway City had grown significantly since Shayera had decided to make Midway her home. It was now equal in Industrialization and Business to Metropolis and Gotham, giving the city a healthy source of income. Bruce had told her it had to do with his dealings with many companies in Midway, creating a Wayne Branch within the city in order help spread the engineering 'miracles' Wayne Industries was able to 'discover'. Midway City became the first city in the country to use maglev trains, a mode of transportation that has been in discussion in the United States since 1968.
As Shayera flew to the steps of the Police Department, she was greeted with the sight of Emmett and Andrew getting into a police car. Emmett saw Shayera fly over and waved her over in order to speak with her. As Shayera landed, Emmett walked to her and said, "Grubs and I have been asked to help with an investigation over in Coast City. I'm leaving the Assistant Commissioner in charge while I'm gone. Keep an eye on the city while I'm gone ok?"
"As though you have to ask me," said Shayera with a slight smile. Emmett chuckled and patted Shayera on the back before getting into the driver's seat. Grubs quickly motioned to Shayera and she went over to the passenger seat of the car. Grubs rolled down the window and said, "Kendra will be along shortly. Listen, Margaret Banks is a very vicious lady so please help keep Kendra's temper down while I'm gone." Shayera nodded in agreement, knowing firsthand how Kendra's easy going nature can switch from hot to cold in an instant. Shayera waved good-bye to Emmett and Grubs as they left and waited for Kendra to arrive. From around the street corner ten minutes later, Kendra came speed walking carrying two thermoses. She nodded in greeting to Shayera and handed her one of the thermoses.
"I had to drop Junior off with Aunt Alice," explained Kendra about her tardiness, "and she wanted me to hand you one of her hot chocolates for this season." Shayera perked up at hearing that the thermos contained Alice's famous Mexican hot chocolate. Shayera assumed it had to do with the retreating summer season and the incoming fall season. Shayera was suddenly hit with the realization that it was almost a year since the Justice League was formed. She wondered if they would celebrate the anniversary like she knew most humans liked to do. For sure, Flash would try to pull something like it. He might rope Lantern and Superman into it and Diana would go along with it, not wanting to be left out of experiencing anything in 'man's' world. If Flash could actually get Bruce to celebrate something like an anniversary, then she would buy him his lunch for a year.
As Kendra and Shayera walked in the Police Department they were immediately called over, "GRUBS! HAWKGIRL! TO MY OFFICE, NOW!"
Kendra and Shayera glanced at each and quickly made their way to the Assistant Commissioner's office. Shayera had only ever had to encounter the woman twice in her entire time spent on Earth and they were during social events. Shayera has heard about Margaret Banks' reputation as an Iron Woman. She was difficult to please but not impossible to work with. So long as Shayera kept to her routine and kept an eye on Kendra, then today wouldn't be as stressful as she had dreaded this morning. Of course, she thought this right before Banks began to talk, "I don't believe the two of you deserve those detective badges. I have spoken with Emmett and tried to make him see that his decision was biased and I have decided to see if you two even deserve those badges."
Shayera instinctively grabbed onto Kendra's shoulder, stopping her from jumping up and begin a tirade against the older woman. Thankfully Banks was looking out the window when she had begun her talk and looked at the two detectives. "You have until tonight to present me with a solid lead in this assassination case, otherwise I'm removing the both of you off this case." said Banks. It took everything in Shayera's power not to burst out and behave in the same way Kendra would normally do. How dare this woman try to humiliate her! If she wanted a solid lead then Shayera would do it, without anyone's help aside from Kendra's. They were dismissed from the office and Kendra and Shayera moved to the roof of the Police Station.
"That bitch!" yelled Kendra, as she paced around while Shayera looked over the streets, "She wants a solid lead then fine! We'll give her the damn assassin by tonight if she thinks you and I aren't capable of performing as detectives! And to think, she even doubts your skills."
"It's alright Kendra," said Shayera, "We'll give her the solid lead and if we can wrap the case by tonight, then even better for us. It will show the doubters that we do deserve our rank."
Kendra and Shayera made their way to the museum where they can work more comfortably in Shayera's attic. With the Absorbascon hidden in the closet, Shayera had left the living brain to absorb all forms of information found in the Deep Web. Kendra and Shayera greeted Mavis as they made their way to the attic and Shayera was quick to check on the Absorbascon. She felt relief to see that it was still in the location and still functioning properly. She looked over to Kendra and said, "I'm going to put this on, I don't know how long it will take to file through the information so could you quickly check up on the city council and see if there might be an important event that might attract our killer?"
Kendra nodded and left while Shayera put the Absorbascon on, feeling the familiar sting and headache that came when she 'dumped' information inside her head. If her previous investigations in the Deep Web was horrifying, it had nothing compared to learning about the sadistic fetishes, the disgusting things sold online, and the horrific 'live' theater played for the amusement of sick people. Shayera was quick to file through the information, finally discovering a site for hired assassins. She filed through the list and found a promising lead. It read:
Professional Level
Location: Midway City, New York
Names: Alicia Bitters, Jaime Sumner, and Hunter Magnate
Price: 1,000,000$
Need the hits to be done by end of third week of August.
The name Copperhead was attached next to the advertisement, confirming that he had taken the contract. Shayera was about to remove the Absorbascon when another hit caught her attention. She looked it over as it read:
Professional Target
Location: Metropolis Harbor
Name: Arthur Orin
Price: Upon meeting, we shall discuss the price range
Must contact soon
Right below the advertisement, Shayera read the name of the man who took the contract: Deadshot. Shayera gasped as she finally removed the Absorbascon, feeling almost sick by the way the room was spinning. Shayera took a few minutes to get used to the room again. As she regained control over her senses, Shayera knew that there was no hope for a restful night after the things she had just witnessed on Deep Web. Shayera shuddered at the videos that had played and she vowed that during her spare time she will help the unfortunate victims that had been used for someone else's sick pleasure. Shayera moved to fly out when she decided to inform Superman about the hit made on Arthur Orin. Whoever the man is, he is in serious danger and Shayera hopes that Superman would be able to reach him in time.
She clicked on the comm-link and tried to connect with Superman… nothing. She decided that he must be out of range and tried Diana, who took over Monitor Duty for Flash, who needed to be present for the Flash Day ceremony in Central City. Again, she couldn't connect with Diana. Next she tried Green Lantern and growled in frustration when she couldn't connect. J'onn was the same way and she tried to call out to him telepathically but nothing. Shayera was close to cursing when she remembered that Batman was currently in Gotham. If she can't reach Superman then Batman had a higher chance to contact him. Shayera began the connection and was elated that he answered with a brisk, "Shayera?"
"Batman, I'm currently in an investigation and I managed to come by an assassination contract made in Metropolis." said Shayera.
"Why not contact Superman" asked Batman as he typed into the computer to open up his connection so Shayera can send the information.
"He's not responding. I've tried to contact Diana, J'onn, and Lantern and they also have their lines disconnected." said Shayera as she willed the Absorbascon to send the assassination information to Batman.
"They must be on a mission then," said Batman as he received the files, "Continue with your investigation and I'll try to get into contact with Superman. How did you come across this information?"
"Deep Web." Said Shayera, a slight hitch in her voice as she recalled the video of the man screaming. Bruce heard the hitch and asked, "Are you ok?"
"Yeah, I'll be fine," said Shayera as she quickly shook her head in order to clear her mind, "I'll try to finish this investigation soon to help."
"Don't rush anything Shayera," advised Bruce as he began to search for Arthur Orin, "Be sure to cover all your tracks and be careful." Shayera smiled at his words and said, "Ok, I'll contact you if there's anything else."
Shayera left the attic and made her way downstairs, intent on leaving to reunite with Kendra when a thought suddenly occurred to her. Whoever had put the hit was very specific about the hits being done until the end of August. Shayera thought it over and realized the connection. She walked along the exhibits looking for Mavis and finally found her and Danny arguing over a folder in Danny's office.
"Mavis!" she called out, wanting to get things done quickly before anything happens. Mavis looked up and greeted Shayera with a smile, "Hey Shay! How's the investigation?"
"Hopefully finished by tonight. I need you to call Kendra. I may have found the connection we needed to solve this case." said Shayera. Mavis took her cellphone out quickly and Kendra answered immediately, "Hello?"
Mavis put the phone on speaker and Shayera said, "Kendra, are you anywhere near Jaime Sumner?"
"The Parks and Recreations Director? He's actually with me right now, I was asking him if there was—"
"Kendra, he's the next target!" interrupted Shayera, needing Kendra to listen.
"What?" asked Kendra.
"The city elections are in the first week of September. Alicia Bitters and Hunter Magnate were both running for re-election! Ask Jaime if he is running for re-election." said Shayera. Mavis and Danny were listening with suspense as Kendra confirmed a minute later, "Yeah, yeah he is. Jesus Christ Shay. Do you think it's anyone in this building that has been pulling the hits?"
"I don't believe so," said Shayera, "One of the things your uncle has made me do in my early years here in Midway was to check the background of every city official. As far as I can tell, whoever the new candidates are would be our best bet. There's too many running for the positions."
"Then what? You want me to keep him in his office?" asked Kendra. Shayera thought it over quickly and said, "Yes, keep him there until I inform Banks."
"Shay, do you know the name of the assassin?" asked Kendra.
"Someone who goes by the name of Copperhead." said Shayera. Mavis and Danny both stiffened at the name while Kendra swore on the other line. Shayera looked confused and asked, "What's wrong?"
"Copperhead has always been an urban legend around these parts. A swift poisonous bite and that's it, witnesses always tell the media that they've seen a snake-man slither away from the crime scene but no one was able to confirm his existence." said Danny.
"Why is he a problem now then? Why haven't we made this connection?" asked Shayera.
"The victims were poisoned injection, not a bite," said Kendra, "If it was a bite then we could have easily have identified him as the killer."
"Stay with Jaime Kendra, I'll be over shortly." said Shayera. Mavis hung up the phone and said, "Be careful Shayera. Copperhead has always been an urban legend because he kills and sneaks away with only a shadow left."
"Hmm, well as far as snake-head is concerned, I'm a hawk. I'm the one that's on top of the food chain." said Shayera confidently. She flew away from the museum and made her way to City Hall. She caught a small thermal wind and rose above the buildings, giving her a better bird's eye view of the streets. She highly doubted she would be able to spot a man dressed in a snake costume walking among the civilians. She can only hope that she could perhaps lure out the killer. Shayera descended on the steps of City Hall and greeted the security officials, who after a brief check-up, they allowed Shayera through. She asked the secretary for Jaime Sumner's office and was led to the top part of the building. Shayera walked in the office to see a middle aged man holding his head in his hands as he controlled his breathing while Kendra stood by the window with the blinds closed.
Upon seeing Shayera enter the office, Kendra gently moved to the man and said, "Sir? Hawkgirl is here. I promise that we will do everything in our power to keep you safe."
The man looked up to Hawkgirl and cried out, "Thank you! Thank you so much! I have a little boy at home, I'm all he has left." Shayera felt her heart twist and she wondered how the poor families of the previous two victims were doing. Did they too leave behind children orphaned? Shayera walked up to him and said, "I promise sir, you'll be safe."
It took a while, almost close to midnight, but after Kendra had the good mind to call in Banks about their discovery, SWAT forces was concealed as citizens and civil workers. Shayera and Kendra remained inside with Jaime until Kendra heard Banks call through the police radio, "Alright girls, we have a shadowed figured climbing up the side of the building, be alert and push him out so the SWAT division can handle him."
Kendra felt her heart beating erratically in her chest. She never had to deal with these types of criminals before as she hid behind the closet door. This was a professional killer who at one point served as an Urban Legend during her training years. Shayera was crouched under the desk, ready to shield Jaime who was pretending to be doing some work. Shayera watched as the window slid open quietly and a pair of yellow eyes peeked over the window sill. Shayera reacted almost the same speed as Copperhead did, knocking the assassin back into the wall and using her talon hand to grip his costume. Kendra was just as swift as she led Jaime away to safety while Shayera tackled Copperhead outside the window. She flapped her wings until they were in the middle of the front lawn and Shayera quickly raised her arm brace to shield herself as Copperhead intended to bite her. Shayera quickly grabbed her mace and knocked Copperhead back into the city fountain where SWAT forces were quick to surround the unconscious assassin. As Copperhead was led away, Banks approached Shayera and Kendra who were separated from the group.
"You ladies certainly proved me wrong today," said Banks, with a smirk, "I'll be sure to admit to Emmett that he isn't such a half-wit." Kendra scoffed at her words in good nature while Shayera smiled and bowed her head in respect to Banks as she walked away. Kendra did a slight dance as soon as Banks was out of sight, making Shayera laugh out loud. Kendra had been the one to quickly make the connection about the candidates when Shayera had earlier informed her of her suspicions. Hugo Smith, Steve Jacks, and Daniel Escobar were all in the pocket of Mob Boss Harrison, who had probably tried to retain control over Midway even if he sat in a jail cell. The three candidates were quickly arrested after Copperhead was properly detained to Stryker's Island and Shayera and Kendra were resting comfortably with Alice and Junior.
"I'm so proud of you mija." said Alice as she handed Shayera another cup full of the Mexican hot chocolate, "Wait until your tio comes back to hear the good news." Junior was happily clapping in his mother's lap as Shayera lightly brushed her wing against him when she received a call through the comm-link.
"Hawkgirl, here."
"Shayera, I need you to get to the Metropolis General Hospital, now!" ordered Bruce. Shayera quickly jumped to attention and handed Alice back the cup. After promising to visit them soon, Shayera left the cozy house to fly into the crisp night air and comm-linked to Batman, "I need a teleport. I'm too far away."
The feeling of the teleportation was suddenly around her and she was soon in front of the Metropolis General Hospital. She looked around in confusion until she caught sight of Batman who was waiting for her in front of the hospital. "How?" she asked, not sure how to ask the question.
"I had Flash resume his monitor duties after Flash Day was done, I need your help in setting the pod up." said Batman as he led Shayera into the hospital. She saw the familiar sight of the incubation pod normally found in the Batcave. After spending a good portion of the early morning setting it up, Shayera asked, "What do you need this for?"
Just as soon as she said it, the doors burst open and she looked to see a blonde-haired man get wheeled into the hospital room, followed by Superman, Diana, J'onn, and Lantern. Superman and Batman quickly placed the blonde-haired man in the incubation pod where Shayera watched as he filled it with water. A doctor came running in and checked the monitor before exclaiming, "He's stabilizing! How did you know?"
"He's a fish out of water. Keep the sodium at three percent and he'll heal on his own." informed Batman. Shayera glanced at the others to see them worse for the wear. Their mission must have taken its toll on them. Shayera looked at Diana and asked, "Care to give me a brief summary?"
And what a summary it was. The man in the pod is actually a king of the underwater city of Atlantis. Shayera recalled the Absorbascon feeding her the myth surrounding Atlantis but she had no reason to follow up on it considering how she lives on land and air rather than land and sea. The king was lucky to have survived the rocket blast that was aimed at him and Shayera stood guard over him while the others rested, ignoring her own need for sleep. Bruce had been the one to quickly connect the dots after learning about the existence of the Atlantean king. The King turned out to be the Arthur Orin from the Assassination contract Shayera had sent to Batman.
Shayera felt her eyes closing in exhaustion when she heard the glass tapping that she turned to see the King waking up and rising out of the pod, fully regenerated. She quickly woke the others and they were quick to surround the King. Apparently his diplomatic arrival wasn't so well rehearsed.
"I need to get back to my kingdom," he demanded, to which Shayera fell down on the seat as Lantern demanded, "Not until you tell us where you took the warheads."
"My orders were to leave the submarine alone," snarled the king, "believe what you want but I must return to my kingdom."
"I'd advise you to wait, your majesty," said Superman, "the man who tried to kill you is still out there and we need to find out who he is first before we can let you leave."
"His name is Deadshot," yawned Shayera, "he's been hired by some unknown patron. I bet he's waiting outside until you leave to finish the job."
All was quiet in the room, but Shayera paid little attention to it. Too tired to care up until she was suddenly lifted off the chair by her armor collar and face to face with an angry king.
"How did you come across such information? Are you a spy?" demanded the King. Shayera sputtered as Batman quickly tried to intervene.
"I was handling a similar case yesterday! I was investigating and I didn't realize the contract was for you!" explained Shayera. When he didn't let go of her though, Shayera took his wrist and easily flipped him over her shoulder. He looked mystified that she had managed to break free of his hold and he got up from the floor in order to properly address her.
"How did you come across this information?"
Shayera was feeling exhaustion take over her senses. She needed sleep. Five nights straight without any sleep and Shayera was actually surprised she has lasted this long. Diana was the one to spot her exhaustion and gestured to Batman to take over.
"Shayera, get some rest. We'll handle the mission." ordered Batman. Shayera nodded in sluggishly and to the amusement of everyone but the king, she fell right to sleep on the hospital bed. Batman just shook his head at the sight and gestured to everybody to leave the room quietly. He motioned for a doctor to come over and instructed him to check on Hawkgirl's progress. Her over exhaustion was too much and she needed time to rest.
"She worked herself too hard this week trying to stop the assassin in Midway." noted J'onn as they left the hallway and into a conference room.
"It's unhealthy." said Batman, already planning a lecture in his head.
"Sounds like somebody I know," teased Superman, looking at Batman. Batman just glared at him before the group began to plan in order to help Aquaman. It was going to be a long and tedious mission and for once, Bruce envied Shayera's brief break.
Hey readers :) so I want to take a poll on some chapter decisions before I start writing them. For 'A Better World' should Flash still be the slain hero or should I make it Shayera or Bruce? For 'Only a Dream' I want to switch Batman's role with Shayera because I find it more believable that John Dee's ESP shouldn't break through Shayera's capabilities since J'onn couldn't infiltrate her mind easily. Thanks for reading and please leave reviews :)