Chapter 11:

P'thal stared at the view screen within the command center, scanning for any clues that would lead to the escapees current whereabouts. This Green Lantern was a bit more adroit than what the reports had indicated; for there was no mention that he was a skilled tactician. No one had ever eluded the Black Talon so easily. She could see why Shayera was intrigued with these humans.

"Any progress, Lieutenant?" Kragger asked as he walked into the command center.

Kragger's demeanor was one of utter contempt. He refused to believe that one human had the ability to out maneuver his genius. He had her, even had a chance to kill the human, but somehow the opportunity worked in their favor. For now, that is. He would find her again, she couldn't escape, and he knew it. He would pursue her to the end of his days because she deserved nothing more than for him to slide the blade of his knife into her deceitful heart, so that he can watch the life drain from her putrid body slowly. He smiled; it would be better if she suffered prior to her slow death.

"Nothing to report at this time, sir," P'thal stated, noting the look of disdain across his lips.

"How is it that we cannot find them?"

"I cannot answer that, Commander. Perhaps we do not know where to look?"

"The records do not mention the location of Green Lantern's civilian home?" Kragger demanded incredulously.

"No... there is no mention."

"What about that cave location?"

"Currently under surveillance... so far nothing."

"Lieutenant... I want to stress one thing to you...when she is found I want her killed. No questions."

What the... P'thal cleared her throat. "Sir, may I remind you... that our mission is to capture Lieutenant Hol ...alive to stand before the Tribunal. The High Council will make the decision of whether she lives or dies."

Kragger eyed her slyly. "Of course, Lieutenant. I stand corrected."

He turned, headed for the exit of the command center, and then hesitated, his back still to her, "How do you know Lieutenant Hol?"

"Uh... we were at the academy together."

"I see... and what's your opinion of her now?" he asked, while listening intently.

"I believe that she is guilty of high treason..."

"Do you believe that she should be put to death for her treachery?"

"It's irrelevant what I believe, sir. My job is to carry out what the High Council have asked me to do... nothing more."

"Then carry on ... Lieutenant. And thank you," he said as he walked out the room.

"Sir..." she nodded. What was that about... P'thal pondered, returning to her task of finding the possibilities that could hopefully lead to Shayera's capture.

Shayera was certain that she was doing the right thing, because her sanity had depended on it. She has always had a tremendous sense for right and wrong. One could say that that was one of her two weaknesses the other was John Stewart.

When she was lying in bed she knew that the nightmares would return so she didn't even bother to go to sleep. All she knew was that she had made her decision to turn herself in after the discussion she shared with John. After that look of heavy sadness on his face, she just couldn't let him be unhappy with her any longer. He had to move on. She knew that he would never leave her, so she would have to leave him. It was for his own good.

Anyway, in her mind, she didn't leave empty-handed. She would always remember the feeling of completeness that she felt while he held her in his arms. The feeling of unity when she actually fell asleep with no nightmares after she had said goodbye to him in her own special way. She wanted it to be the last thing from John that she would cherish for the rest of her days. Which may not be for much longer... she thought.

It had been a little over three hours since she had left the warmness of the sanctuary that was his home, which she would have gladly called hers as well, but certain factors wouldn't allow it.

She felt she was well out of the vicinity of John's home, and it wouldn't be in range for the Thanagarians to ascertain its location when they would attempt to triangulate her position. He'll be safe now, she thought as she pulled out the communicator that John had given to her earlier.

"Lieutenant P'thal...over..."

Silence.

"Lieutenant Pilar P'thal... this is Lieutenant Hol... over."

"This is Lieutenant P'thal... over."

"Hello Pilar, I wish to discuss the terms for my surrender...over."

P'thal was dumbfounded; she never would have thought that Shayera would give herself up.

"Lieutenant Hol... are you sure that you want to do this? Over."

"Y-yeah I'm sure... over."

"We have her position on the scope, Lieutenant," a Talon soldier reported.

"Very well..." P'thal answered, confused at Shayera's request. "Bring her in..."

P'thal look down, she realized that she secretly wanted Shayera to get away, to stay hidden from the political circus that this would bring on.

"A contingent is en route to your position now... over" she said dejectedly.

"Inform Commander Kragger that the prisoner is surrendering to us..." P'thal ordered.

The moon was mid-way along its lonely trek within the night sky, as the contingent of winged warriors returned to the thanagarian-enclosed encampment. The cave entrance was dimly lit, but once inside, one could see that several structures were built to house the Talon soldiers comfortably. Shayera Hol, her hands shackled, was led through the twists and turns of the cave dwelling until finally arriving to a make shift hangar for the crew carriers that were parked there. They made their way to the command center, where P'thal and Kragger awaited their arrival.

"Lieutenant Hol..." Kragger was grinning devilishly.

"It is so good that you made it here without incident... Tell me, why did you decide to surrender?"

"Simple... I didn't want anyone else to get hurt because of my actions. I wanted to put an end to this, to all of this," Shayera surmised.

"Excellent... I'm glad that you decided to meet your fate head on."

"When do I go before the High Council? I'd like to make sure that they know my side of the story..."

It wasn't until Shayera spoke those words that P'thal suddenly realized what Kragger was so happy about. Now she knew.

"Well, that would be a problem..." Kragger said with glee. "You see, Lieutenant... you won't be able to say anything in your defense. In your absence, a law was passed on Thanagar that states: 'if the accused commits an act of treason and there is evidence of such an act, the accused cannot defend one self. The council will only listen to such arguments from a thanagarian citizen free of malice, that is a witness to the act, and is willing to speak on behalf of the accused.'"

He walked up to Shayera, grabbing her chin between his thumb and forefinger.

"So, as you can see, no one ...will speak on your behalf, and that means that you... are going to ...die." Kragger laughed mockingly.

The fury was beginning to build within her when she heard his laughter. She didn't know what she did to him that made her so detestable to him, but enough was enough. Shayera brought her shackled hands up so quickly that Kragger didn't have time to step back and avoid the wrenching blow she sent to his jaw. He fell to the floor still laughing.

"P'thal take the Lieutenant to the holding cell," he spoke still holding his jaw, getting off the floor. "Get me the High Council, this I have to report myself!"

"Yes, sir..." a Talon soldier replied.

The force field made a slight humming noise as it came up in the holding cell. Shayera hated the noises of being locked up. Her greatest fear of all time is being caged, or the feeling of being trapped, especially in small places.

"Same old Shayera..." P'thal remarked. "Always jumping in before knowing what's involved..."

"Yeah... I guess some things never change," Shayera smiled. "But, believe it or not, I really thought this through. I didn't know about the change to the law. Oh well..."

"How's the head...?"

"I'm fine...It's really good to see you, Pilar. How have you been?"

"I'm good... just wish I could help you out of this..."

"Don't worry about me... it's just time for me to pay for my sins. That's all."

"How long have you been a part of the Black Talon?" Shayera asked.

"Couple of years now... never expected to see your name on my retrieval list."

P'thal looked away, hating to see that Shayera would be treated unfairly at the Tribunal.

"Can I ask you something?"

"Sure..."

"Shayera... why? Why did you do it?"

Shayera looked up, holding back the tears. "These are a noble people, Pilar. We had no right to destroy their civilization so that we can win a war."

"And John Stewart...?"

P'thal studied the look on Shayera's face. Her eyes softened at the mere mention of his name and her lower lip quivered as she searched for an answer.

"John was an accident... I-I didn't mean to fall in love with him. He's just..." her voice trailed off. "I don't want to talk about him."

P'thal was puzzled. What manner of man was this John Stewart to make Shayera Hol so feeble? She never spoke this way for Hro Talek, and in her opinion, he was as strong as they could come. It was clear that Shayera was in love with this human. Deeply.

"Well... it doesn't matter. I just wish I could talk to the High Council on your behalf... but I can't because I wasn't there... wait-a-minute!!"

"What about the T'jinn Jakat?" P'thal suggested.

Shayera's eyes widened. "NO!! You can't... that's not even an option!"

"But maybe he would..." P'thal interjected.

"NO!! It's too dangerous... and I've put him through enough as it is..."

"So what are you going to do... just accept the verdict of death?!!"

"I don't have a choice..." Shayera conceded.

"You do have a choice... you're just not willing to make it..."

"You have to promise me, Pilar ...that you will not ask him...!"

"Shayera..."

"PROMISE ME...!!!"

"All right... all right. It's your life ...isn't it?" P'thal replied, clearly disappointed with her decision.

"Thank you..."

"PROMISE ME...!!!"

The light from the view screen illuminated his features as he sat back with armored hands clasped together, up to his face, his fore fingers tapping his lips. He reached out and turned the view screen off.

T'jinn Jakat... Kragger smiled, an evil and twisted smile. Who would have thought a simple, innocent, even an honorable rite could help effectuate his revenge two-fold, and not even Lieutenant Hol would be able to prevent herself from suffering before her own slow, and painful death. This might work...just might work...