Chapter 9:

Lantern quickly slipped into stealth mode, rose above the grass, careful of not brushing against the tree branches above him, and cautiously made his way out into the clearing. Kragger was standing not more than fifteen feet from Shayera. He remembered him from the introduction when he first met Talek and found out about Shayera's betrothal. Why would he want Shayera dead?

Shayera was on her knees, and appeared to be coping with the grogginess from the blow she received not moments before. He counted eighteen soldiers within the clearing; five were standing behind the soldier that grasped Shayera by her hair, his knife held dangerously close to her neck, which made it too risky for Lantern to rush him.

P'thal signaled to a group of Talon soldiers closest to the trees to search for Green Lantern. Everything was quiet, too quiet for her taste. The soldiers focused first on the area that the explosive had hurled the human, which was near a group of outlying trees within the edge of the clearing. They next searched the under brush within a thirty foot radius, and signaled back that he was not there. Where is he? P'thal contemplated. The human couldn't have flown away... they would've seen him.

"Let me say this once more. Time is running out for Lieutenant Hol, Green Lantern. Either give up your power ring... or she dies..." Kragger smiled neurotically.

Suddenly there was an abrupt rustling of tree limbs and the scattering of leaves to the right of the clearing, a green hued form shot upward into the night sky heading southward.

"There he goes!" a soldier shouted.

"Don't let him get away!!!" Kragger gasped rigidly. "Bring him back...!!"

P'thal looked around. "Take two squads... Go!!"

Shayera found it difficult to focus on anything; but she heard the shouting of orders, and the beating of wings somewhere to her right. Through her dizziness she saw the contingent of soldiers moving swiftly upward into the sky. She prayed that John would get away, and if he did, she would be glad. She on the other hand, was beginning to accept her fate.

The Black Talon soldiers were beating their wings in unison as they tried to close in on the fleeing human. They prided themselves as being the Elite of the Thanagarian Armed Forces, and no mere human was going to tarnish their reputation. They were briefed on the Green Lantern's weaknesses and the lead soldier pulled out the yellow ray disruptor, which should render the human inutile, however the human was too far away for him to get a clear shot. They had to get closer.
"Let him go!! He has nothing to do with this...!!" Shayera spat, vision still blurred.

Kragger gazed upon Shayera, smiling wickedly.

"Did you think you would just walk away from what you have done? That there would be no price to pay?"

"Well, Lieutenant... HE will be your price..."

"I don't think so..." a voice from the middle of the clearing countered.

The emerald hued form veered left sharply, and so did its pursuers. The Talan managed to close the gap, and was prepared to fire the disruptor. Just as the Talon soldier pressed the trigger, the human form dispersed into nothingness before the beam reached its target.
The voice came from within earshot of where P'thal stood. She saw the green energy bolt shoot out from the middle of the clearing, and hit the lone soldier holding Shayera on the left side of his face. The force of the blow sent the soldier reeling to his right that caused his hand with the knife to go in the same direction, falling away from Shayera's neck. Before the remaining group of the Talon could react, Lantern materialized slamming energy beams into them all simultaneously, catching them completely off-guard.

P'thal attempted to sweep herself up into the air, but Lantern was too quick. The energy bolt caught her in the chest, and sent her sprawling to the ground. Kragger tried to run back into the cave entrance, however green energy in the shape of a giant hand streaked across the few feet that separated him from Lantern and shoved the Thanagarian Commander into a horrific collision with the rock wall of the mountain.

Lantern scooped Hawkgirl up into his arms and at top speed headed northeast away from the encampment. He looked back to make sure that he wasn't followed. That was sloppy...Stewart! We were lucky this time... he reflected.

"Hey... you all right?"

"Think I'm gonna feel this for awhile..." Shayera replied, blinking her eyes, trying to clear her vision. "I thought you left me...?"

"No way..."

"Well... maybe you should have. Now they're gonna want your head, too."

"So what... Look, I told you... we're in this together." John smiled.

She put her arms around his neck and kissed him slowly on his cheek.

John brought her closer to him, feeling her weight, recognizing how much he had missed holding her. He wouldn't exchange this moment for anything.

"Where we headed?" she asked absently, her eyes closed.

"My place..."

A/N: I want to thank everyone for their reviews on my project. This is my first and I welcome any constructive criticism. Thanks again.