"We assure you all that these restraints are not necessary. We will offer no further resistance." insists one of the three alien beings acting as the group's spokesman. The super heroic contingent stares with contempt at their trio of prisoners. "You three will have to excuse us for being less than trusting given the circumstances." Superman declares sternly.

The Justice League of America has transitioned its captives to the Hawkship which orbits the planet Saturn. The five member rescue team is joined by fellow JLA colleagues Hawkman and Hawkgirl and Teen Titans Wonder Girl and Nightwing. The three men, who each answer to the moniker of Phranyx, are quite uneasy, for it is clear that they are expected to release the missing super heroines and explain their actions.

The Phranyx men provide the testy super heroes and heroines with pertinent background information. In the words of their advocate, Phranyx 1 ...

*****

We hail from the planet Phanos which is located twenty light years from this solar system. Our home is the sixth of twenty-one planets orbiting a large orange sun. Phanos is a beautiful globe, one quarter the size of Earth. It is considerably older than your world and our civilization dates back far earlier than yours.

Phanosian society is vastly different than that of Earth. Specifically, the male of our species outnumbers the female by approximately one million to one. The rarity of the female on Phanos makes her extremely vital to the proliferation of our people. As such, the female is revered in our culture.

Our young are bred in groups of three whose life forces are intertwined. For example, the three of us collectively are Phranyx. We are each capable of independent thought and action, but we share the same soul. We think very similarly and have a sixth sense which allows us to instinctively read each other's minds. When one of us suffers emotional or physical trauma, we all do. Should one of us die, the other two will perish within seconds. Given this natural bond that all Phanosians have, it has become customary for trios of brothers and trios of sisters to live and work together.

We are a reserved, peace-loving people. We are self-sufficient and engage very little in interplanetary relations with the three other populated worlds within our star's system. Our practice of isolationism served us well for eons, but eventually our neighbors evolved to the point where their technology became a threat. The three planets, Zalcos, Rajon, and Bolrakor waged war against one another for centuries while we remained neutral. Eventually, the warring powers reconciled their differences and formed an evil coalition intent upon ruling the galaxy together.

Naturally Phanos was the first target of the Z.R.B. Order. The three worlds had taken heavy losses during their wars and sought to rebuild. They believed Phanos would be an easy conquest which would provide them with considerable food, raw materials and slave labor. Fortunately, they grossly underestimated our resolve. Our government had long been concerned over the potential danger the nearby war zone presented; therefore we devoted vast resources and manpower into defense. We were ready for their invasion.

The war lasted less than one of your Earth years. Our military repelled the attackers and sent their remaining forces retreating from whence they came. We sought a peaceful resolution, but the Z.R.B. Order would not listen to reason. This left us with no choice but to launch an offensive against our enemies to crush their armadas.

The Z.R.B. Order was running out of resources. It was only a matter of days before they would fall. Alas, we had no inkling as to the desperate lows our enemies were willing to resort. Their undercover operatives had assembled vast intelligence information on our species, far more detailed than we ever could have imagined. They knew precious specifics about our culture and limitations. The fanatical Z.R.B. leadership initiated an assault against the Blessed Land, the ramification of which is the slow yet deliberate genocide of the Phanosian race!

*****

The aliens are visibly distraught over the retelling of this history and their speaker is too choked up to continue. Superman, Batman and Nightwing step away into an adjacent room while their captives attempt to compose themselves. "What do you think? Is this legit or are these guys the greatest con artists going?" Dick Grayson asks.

"I've been monitoring their heartbeats with my super hearing, Nightwing." Superman notes. "Granted this method has the same limitations as a polygraph test, but I detect no traces of deceit." The Batman concurs with his JLA colleague. "I've seen hundreds of suspects fabricate tales. I don't sense here that they're feeding us a fish story."

The heroes rejoin the others as they urge Phranyx to continue. "Please elaborate on the horrible catastrophe which was inflicted upon your people." Hawkman insists with an appropriate balance of firmness and sympathy. The aliens' testimony resumes ...

*****

We are an innovative people who have endeavored to reach a full understanding of all branches of science. Phanos has considerable technology. We are masters of our environment and have made tremendous advances in medical science. Alas, there is one mystery of nature which we have never been able to explain or overcome, despite the countless brilliant minds who have devoted lifetimes in pursuit of the answer.

Phanos shares a link with a divine locale which we know as the Blessed Land. Essentially, it is a small island which shares a portion of space with our planet, but within a different dimension. The female of our species has the ability to traverse the two dimensions through intense meditation. Men can not do likewise, but we have developed mechanical means for males to reach the Blessed Land on their own. Inexplicably, the sacred ground is the only place where our female offspring can be conceived. Perhaps it's simply nature's method of controlling our population growth.

The Bolrakorans developed a weapon which the Z.R.B. deployed against the Blessed Land. The attack was devastating for it fundamentally altered the dynamics between the dimensions. We still have the means of reaching the hallowed region, but it has become a one-way journey. The current generation of adult females can not safely spawn their successors and if this dreadful predicament is not overcome soon, the Phanosian people will die out.

We have explored every conceivable option in the crusade to save our species. Our militia defeated the Z.R.B. Order. In the aftermath, we established a peaceful truce with the peoples of our neighboring worlds. The civilian populations were horrified at the extreme actions taken by their fanatical militant leaders. Each planet has devoted its best scientists and resources in an effort to undo this terrible act, but unfortunately they know as little as we do. The Z.R.B. officials were a cowardly lot. Rather than accepting capture, they willingly took their diabolical secrets to the grave.

Over the past twenty years, hundreds of expertly trained expeditions have been dispatched into the Blessed Land. None have been successful, in large part because the uniqueness of the island presents challenges which are all but impossible to prepare for. All forms of technology cease to function within the hallowed territory; this predates the Z.R.B. attack. As such, we can not communicate with our people once they traverse dimensions. Machinery and weapons will not function. Even protective body armor loses its cohesiveness and proves ineffective.

Details of damage to our holy land are very sketchy. All that we know comes from thoughts sensed by individuals who intentionally remained behind while their brothers crossed the dimensional plane. The accuracy of these reports is debatable due to the probability that the barrier inhibits and distorts mental impulses. Nevertheless, there is enough consistency in certain basic facts to give us some clue as to what to expect.

The Blessed Land was once a rugged, yet fertile terrain which sported an ideal climate. Indications are that this has changed drastically. Bizarre weather patterns are apparently scattered across the landscape in ways that defy any logic we understand. Time also passes about ten times more rapidly than it does in our dimension.

More alarmingly, the environment seems to have debilitating effects upon the people we send in there. Meta-human and supernatural abilities are nullified throughout most of the region. Furthermore, the mind breaks down very rapidly. Within days, rationality slips completely away. The purpose of the mission fades from consciousness. Those who do survive regress into primitive savages who ironically enough pose additional threats to future rescue teams.

*****

The group listens intently as Phranyx 1 recounts the mysterious prophesy. As the alien finishes his thought, Black Canary voices a question on the minds of all. "I take it you've sent Wonder Woman, Supergirl and Batgirl to this Blessed Land against their wills in the hope that they will save your people from extinction?" The Phranyx brothers nod affirmatively ...

*****

The three of us are 'super heroes' on Phanos. We each possess different heightened abilities. Phranyx 2 can fly and mimic the appearance of others. Phranyx 3 has five times the strength of the normal Phanosian while I have been blessed with the ability to heal virtually any injury or malady. Granted these talents pale in comparison to those of the Justice League and Teen Titans, but on our world they make us superior. Despite our talents, we are realistic about our slim chances of success should we enter the Blessed Land.

A small number of female parties have taken the initiative to make rescue efforts. While the women have also failed, they have managed to maintain their scruples far longer than the males. It is our theory that the genetic differences between the female body and brain are such that the inevitable regression into savageness manifests itself more slowly. Unfortunately, our female population has dwindled to a perilously dangerous level. We can not risk allowing any more Phanosian women to cross dimensions until we are absolutely certain the danger has passed.

Phanosian people are very proud, admittedly to the extent that it is detrimental. We have always been steadfastly independent. It is difficult for us to even accept help from our three neighbors who inflicted this wrong upon us. Our leaders stubbornly cling to the belief that an answer will soon be found. They have rejected proposals to seek further outside aid and the majority of our population is unaware of just how dire the situation truly is.

Stories of the great JLA have reached our solar system. Although both Superman and Green Lantern are also known to us, it was Wonder Woman who most intriguing. Her exploits in liberating the Sangtee Empire from slavery are legendary. We believed that if anyone could save our world, it was the Terran heroine, Diana of Themyscira.

We knew that our superiors would adamantly deny any request to recruit Wonder Woman. Given our inherent regard for the female, it is sacrilegious to ask or expect even alien women to jeopardize their lives for us. Even the heralded Phranyx would be incarcerated for suggesting such tactics. We therefore saw no alternative but to secretly defy our government and our own personal beliefs to do what was ultimately best for Phanos. Our actions will result in a swift death sentence for us upon our return home, but our lives are a small price to pay for the survival of our species.

*****

Having gained a modicum of trust from his captors, Phranyx 1 gently places his now glowing right hand upon Zatanna's chin. Miraculously, her broken jawbone heals within seconds. The alien proceeds to treat Green Arrow, Black Canary and the Batman in similar fashion.

"Why did you three go through the charade of a contest?" an indignant Donna Troy inquires. "You could have brought your plight to the Titans and the JLA. There would have been volunteers ready to assist with Diana at the front of the line. There was no need to do this by force!" Wonder Girl insists.

Phranyx 1 sheepishly embellishes upon the motivations behind their actions ...

*****

We strongly considered diplomatically approaching your organizations, but we were unsure of the reception that we would receive. We knew of your great deeds and had every reason to believe you would offer assistance, but it was possible that you would refuse our appeal. In such an event we would lose any element of surprise in the process.

As we approached Earth, it became more and more clear that our best strategy was to covertly study your planet's super heroines and abduct those who best suited our needs. Admittedly, this approach is bewildering to you and quite frankly we now see how misguided it was. Unfortunately, what we did not realize is that our physiology is not readily compatible for Earth. Once inside your moon's orbit, our minds were unwittingly subjected to a bizarre polarization of attitudes. Our inherent respect of women was supplanted with disdain.

We experienced vile impulses which are normally unthinkable to us. There was an undeniable desire to exploit the heroines we sought. Deep down we knew this was wrong, yet somehow we rationalized it to make sense. Mercifully, our true morality asserted itself to the limited extent that we refrained from taking advantage of your friends. We devised the stalking game as a joint means of testing our subjects while providing ego gratification to satisfy our twisted cravings.

Once Batgirl was abducted, we hastily left orbit. I healed the injuries she sustained in our battle and we dispatched the trio into the Blessed Land. We opted to hide within the rings of Saturn while awaiting the outcome. Presuming they succeeded, we wanted to be in position to return them to Earth before making our own journey home to our executions.

Having distanced ourselves from Terra, our minds soon reverted to normal. By then, we had already sent your friends into the other dimension. They were each denied the opportunity to choose for themselves whether to undertake this dangerous mission. We deeply regret having forced our wills upon them, especially given our intuitive sense that their collective fortunes have recently taken a severe turn for the worse. We truly share in your hope and concern for their safety.

*****

"You're concerned for their safety?" Green Arrow snaps sarcastically. "Well you guys sure have a strange way of showing it! You tell us you know they're in trouble. How come you three aren't in there trying to help? What kind of heroes are you?"

"This is ridiculous!" Black Canary concurs. "You've sent our friends into a death trap and the best recommendation you can make is that we sit back and hope they survive? Well, I don't work that way mister. I'll take my chances in there!" Dinah receives enthusiastic support from her colleagues. Everyone voices willingness to join the rescue efforts, including the male heroes whose minds would likely face even greater risk. "If I can be of any help at all to Kara, then that is where I belong!" Superman boldly asserts. "Hawkgirl, Zatanna and I are ready to go into the Blessed Land right now to help them!" Black Canary proclaims. "I can have Starfire and Raven here within the hour and the three of us will follow you in!" adds Donna Troy.

Phranyx is impressed by this universal display of selflessness, but the aliens remain adamant in their opposition. "No! We will not permit any of that!" the three aliens declare in unison. "We have violated our own code of ethics once. We can not justify endangering any more of your lives for our cause." "It's a little too late for that!" Shayera Hol decrees. "The Justice League of America does not abandon its colleagues and friends."

Earth's brave heroes and heroines bicker with the Phanosians for a few moments before Phranyx 1 prevails upon everyone to hear him out ...

*****

None of you seem to understand what great thought and preparation went into our selections. Obviously we were compelled to select an elite trio of heroines. Wonder Woman was an automatic choice. Her Amazon background allows her to adapt to the harsh wilderness even in the absence of her super abilities. Her fortitude is matchless. We had the utmost confidence that she could thrive in those conditions and find the oasis region where one's special powers can be tapped.

Upon reaching Earth, we were very surprised to discover the presence of Superman's younger cousin. We spent most of our initial time studying Supergirl. Naturally, her awesome Kryptonian abilities intrigued us greatly, but there were grave reservations. Kara is relatively untested and relies solely upon her gifts. Her super powers were vital, but without them she was a serious liability. Supergirl was the cause of much debate, because she was a big reward, yet high risk addition to the team.

Ultimately, the Kryptonian's extraordinary talents were too enticing to reject. Having settled upon Supergirl and Wonder Woman, we felt it was imperative that the third member not be a meta-human. Such an individual would have no powers to lose and therefore would never be disadvantaged. Our screening process narrowed the candidates down to Batgirl and Black Canary. Both heroines are very skilled, experienced and resourceful, yet each had potential drawbacks. Black Canary has supernatural sonic abilities while Batgirl depends upon assorted technology and gadgetry.

We arranged suitable tests to determine which female was less reliant upon those traits. Although Black Canary performed very well in hand to hand combat, she used her Canary cry at every opportunity. By contrast, Batgirl overcame the loss of her equipment with her fists and unwittingly earned her place on the Blessed Land roster.

As for the rest of you gallant young ladies, it would be very ill-advised to dispatch any combination of you even if we were so inclined. For starters, Wonder Woman is the lynch pin of our chosen trio. There is no one like her. Even Wonder Girl can't approach her sister's level, because she was born outside of Themyscira. Despite her powers and training, she is much younger than Princess Diana and lacks her warrior experience and savvy. Wonder Woman shoulders much of the group's burden for survival; other expeditions would not have that invaluable luxury.

To be blunt, without their enchanted talents, Zatanna and Raven could not last a day in the current conditions within the Blessed Land. Starfire, Wonder Girl, Hawkgirl and Black Canary might fare better, but consider what awaits. Wonder Girl's Amazon powers would be gone. Hawkgirl would lose the power of flight. Starfire would be unable to launch her energy bolts and Black Canary would be without her Canary cry.

We fully appreciate your offers of assistance and the extraordinary courage behind them. Please accept that there is nothing that you can do to help your friends. By the normal flow of time in this dimension, it would take nearly two hours to send any of you into the Blessed Land. By then, another day will have passed in the sacred realm. The fate of your friends, good or bad, will surely be decided before you could ever reach them.