Thank you all for the reviews.
Special thanks, as always, to Hellacre for her wonderful editing.
Chapter 17 – And I can't get it out of my head.
Day 19
Planet Earth's Orbit – Watchtower, Justice League Headquarters - 22,300 miles above the surface – 9 A.M. GMT
Shayera stood beside the stasis-chamber containing Katar's unconscious body. For the last eight days she couldn't stay away from him, except when exhaustion claimed her. And, even so, she found ways to stay close, like sleeping on a stretcher in the infirmary.
An explosive device had been implanted inside his skull, to be more precise, in the brain itself, deep in the frontal lobe of the right hemisphere, most probably by Darkseid allies. Finally, after much debate in what would be the best way to extract it from Katar's head, a decision has been made.
"Dr. Palmer volunteered to get inside to remove the bomb manually, but we can't be sure that manipulating it won't trigger the explosion," said Dr. Light, Kimiyo Hoshi, "John Henry devised a way to aim a teleportation beam narrow enough to focus on the rice grain sized explosive and teleport it to outer space, far from the station, in case it goes off. At 5 K, which is the operational temperature of the cryo-chamber, it's highly unlikely the beam would set the detonation off, but, just in case, we will do the procedure in a Scientific Javelin at a few kilometers from here. Safety measures, you know. Steel and Ray volunteered to do it themselves…"
"I'll be there as well," said Shayera, in a tone that stated she wouldn't take a 'no' for an answer.
Still, Dr. Light had to say,"Shay, there's no need for you to…"
"Kimi: I'll be there, period." Hawkgirl words were final.
And here she was, waiting for the two scientists to get things ready on board the Javelin to begin the operation. John Henry was in full armor to protect him in case of an explosion, the Atom and Hawkgirl were to put themselves inside a protective pod when the beam was fired.
"You don't have to do this, Shay" said Steel standing behind her.
Without turning, Shayera said, "I HAVE to be here, John. This man's spirit and mine are connected. I feel that if I stay close to him, my soul will call upon his and he will return to me. It may sound crazy to a scientific mind like yours but…"
"A good scientist is not immune to the power of feelings. I understand you completely, as I understand a person who holds the hand of a beloved one in a coma, KNOWING, in spite of what physicians might say that the patient can feel the warm touch of love calling him or her back." John Henry looked at her reflection on the stasis pod glass. Shayera turned, facing the large man's frame. Ignoring the cold metal armor, she hugged him.
"Thank you. I know you and Ray will do everything in your power. I can assure you that Katar is innocent of these machinations, and he is a victim as much as the delegates would have been." And, looking up to Steel's face with a pleading expression, "This operation…will it cause any harm to his brain?"
"The beam will be pin pointed exclusively to the small device. The surrounding tissue, being frozen, will not suffer any collateral damage,"said John Henry.
"Hawkman may be feeling a splitting headache upon waking, though," said Ray Palmer, growing to normal size as he came out of the circuit panel, after verifying everything was okay, "but nothing permanent."
"Hawkman?" Shayera took an amazed look at the doctor.
"Oops! Sorry. We needed a code name to refer to the patient during the procedure, we came with nothing better than that, you know…being you 'Hawkgirl', it sounded proper to call him 'Hawkman'." The Atom rubbed his nape, embarrassed.
"It's okay. I think it is appropriate," said Hawkgirl, "he most probably would laugh at it."
"Glad to hear it." Turning to Steel, the Atom said, "John, we're ready to begin."
"Good" pressing the communicator button, John called "Steel to Dr. Light. Come in, please"
"It's a secure line, John, you can call me by my name," responded Kimiyo.
"Right. We are ready, Kimi. Are your scanners reading his vitals?" he asked.
"Hardly anything to read in his stasis condition, but everything looks as it should. I have my finger over the 'abort' button just in case," said Dr. Light.
"Okay, people, let's do this!" John announced.
Shayera couldn't help but to look at the stasis pod with a worried expression. John saw her.
"It all will be fine, I promise. This will just take a second. Now, go inside the pod. I have this." He reassured her flexing his fingers inside the metal gauntlets and lowering the mask of his suit. Hawkgirl nodded and got into the protective chamber.
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Almerac - City of Potentoris – Royal Palace
Hour of Tarin
The three Leaguers were waiting outside the Throne Hall to be summoned.
The peace treaty had been signed four days ago. No other incident was registered after they took Katar out of the Ancestral Hall. A lot of explaining had to be made to both delegations and the Queen. Thanagarians weren't happy about one of their officers being imprisoned under suspicion of carrying a bomb; they sent a specialist to verify the truth of the League member's allegations. J'onn took her to the Javelin, where he showed the winged woman a live scanning of Katar's head with the tiny explosive inside.
After that, Shayera and Katar were authorized to leave, by her request, to get the medical attention he required. The Thanagarians wanted to move him to their own planet, but an investigation was pending, and the Commander's person was evidence. Shayera convinced Adam to get clearance to transport them to Earth using Rannian technology. Z-beamed by Adam Strange to the Justice League satellite to investigate and remove, if possible, the device from the Thanagarian's head, Hawkgirl would no longer be part of the Almerac mission. She would, nevertheless, continue investigating Darkseid's involvement in the attacks to the conference.
Rannians showed skepticism about their historic rival's innocence, in spite of the evidence presented by John Stewart and Zatana. It was necessary for the Queen to intervene to demonstrate how futile it would be for Thanagar to sabotage the peace talks. Frankly, both sides and Almerac would've been seriously harmed by this. Not to mention the security of the whole sector. Four more days of negotiations were needed to finally get the delegates to sign the treaty. In light of the past events, all the involved members and their personnel agreed to partially renounce their diplomatic immunity and allow a search on their persons before entering the conference room as well as the delegations' accommodations, to avoid any other incident.
Maxima couldn't be happier: the treaty they signed was mostly the one presented by her government, with a few modifications, which allowed Almerac, meaning her, to call the shots in case of an invasion to the quadrant. Of equal importance to her personally, the peace negotiations were over, so those annoying pests from the Justice League would leave Almerac immediately. That was why they were waiting outside the Throne Hall for her to let them in.
"This will be quick: I thank them for their valuable services and send them off, on their way," thought the Queen "Hour Page! Time!" she ordered.
"Five crons past the hour of Tarin, Exalted One"
"Lord Brega! Call the League people in!" the ruler voiced.
"At once, Exalted One." After the servants opened the doors, "Justice League members, the Exalted One is ready to see you. You may enter."
With her best smile and sweetest voice, Maxima said "Most dear, dear friends, approach! How can We express our gratitude for your invaluable help!" John and Zatanna exchanged an incredulous look and the Martian's face remained void of all expression as the Queen continued, "Thanks to your efforts the Peace Conference was a complete success. Our quadrant is, finally, at peace and secure, and a potentially disastrous situation was averted! Tonight at the Closing Ceremony a toast shall be made in your honor! Tomorrow, upon your departure to your system, you will receive the Order of Setus, which is the highest decoration this Queendom bestows to Off Worlders! This calls for a celebration! Mead, Page! Four goblets!"
The page gave them a cup for each one. Unable to refuse, the League members rose their glasses with the Queen. J'onn, GL and Zatanna took a brief sip from their cups. Maxima bottomed up hers and threw it against a wall. The ruler was exultant.
"So. Off you go, now! We'll see you tonight at the Closing Gala!" Looking disapprovingly to the sorceress, she added "Dress appropriately!"
Zatanna was about to snap at the Queen when J'onn telepathically ordered her to stay down.
"Exalted One, if I may?" the Manhunter said to Maxima.
"Speak your mind, my friend." She thought to herself, 'Now what?!'
"Unfortunately, we are unable to leave just yet. There are two investigations in progress, both of the utmost importance. What happened to the Trinity team, and, I think you would agree with us on this one, how deep is Darkseid's reach inside the sector's affairs. We don't believe we've heard the last of him."
Maxima's mouth corners dropped suddenly. "I thought with Lord Suupra's suicide that matter was settled!"
"That explains the sabotage to your security net, but not the attempt to detonate a bomb inside the conference room. We are of the idea that there still is someone alive on this Planet who is responsible of, if not of both, at least one of the attacks." And he added, "Would you risk having one of Darkseid's minions at large somewhere in the sector? Respectfully we request that you close all the routes, in and out of Almerac."
"But that would mean…," the Queen began.
"Yes, Exalted One. The delegations won't be able to return to their respective worlds," said the Martian. "But considering the infiltrator could be among them, the diplomatic cost is a small price to pay…"
"I don't have to pay any price! I just finished a series of negotiations that took their toll in time and effort! I'm not going to humiliate our new allies…!" Her royal 'We' was slipping once again.
J'onn looked at his two colleagues. Both Zee and GL nodded in approval. "Maxima! Listen to me, and listen very carefully! We have to contain the situation here on Almerac; we cannot risk more attempts in the sector or more manipulations from Darkseid to poison one world against the other. Our only chance is to cut the infiltration here and now, if we want to stop that despot's plans definitely. If you don't understand this, the Justice League will be forced to summon a council of worlds to form an alliance against Darkseid, and YOU will be the one who'll have to explain to them how you had the chance to kill the beast at birth, and did nothing about it!"
Maxima's face was distorted by an outraged scowl. 'The nerve, the audacity of this alien to speak to me like that in my own court!' she thought. Floating down the steps in front of her throne, she stopped right in front of the Manhunter's face, fixing her amber eyes in his red ones. "How dare you! I can have you killed for this. You and your little League friends! I am the Queen of all you see!"
J'onn rose from the ground to put himself at her level, holding her gaze. "Yes, you might, but it will cost you dearly, in personnel and property. We Leaguers don't go down easily."
Lantern and Zatanna put themselves at both sides of the Martian in a fighting stance "Then you will be alone when your recently acquired allies turn against you, having Darkseid men managed to change their minds with lies, intimidation, bribery, manipulation and terrorism because YOU let them escape." His tone was ice cold. "You know it is true, and time is a luxury we don't have. You've seen it happen before. When that happens, remember this moment. The moment when you had the chance to turn the scales in everybody's favor, and you refused it because you are too proud and too stupid to admit you need help."
Maxima's right fist flashed in J'onn's face direction. The Manhunter caught it midflight in his big left hand. Her other hand shot as well, only to end inside the green cage of his right hand fingers.
"Bastard! You are…too…strong! Let go me!" Unable to get her extremities lose, she shot a psionic blast to his mind, which he deflected with one of his own. A guard aimed his weapon towards the Martian, but Zatanna made his and all the others' helmets turn backwards, obstructing their vision.
"Stemleh etator!"
Green Lantern created a lasso with his ring, tying all the guards' weapons together and pulling them far beyond their reach. Meanwhile, the Queen's and J'onn's minds and strength struggle ended with her shouting, "Enough! Let's talk!"
Both of them dropped to the floor. Putting herself together, Maxima returned to her throne, trying to pick up the pieces of her dignity. She'd never confronted the Martian Manhunter before; she knew his power levels were comparable to Kal-El's, but she didn't expect this.
Rubbing her aching knuckles and shooting daggers from her eyes, the ruler said, "We will consider your request. There may be some merit to it. As long as the safety of the sector is compromised, we can't dismiss any possibility. You'll have Our answer at the reception, tonight." Looking again at Zatanna from head to toe, "Remember it is a GALA!"
"Why you…!" Zee couldn't finish. John pulled her from her arm and dragged her towards the doors.
"Thank you, Exalted One," J'onn said in a polite tone, taking a bow. "That's all we're asking." And he turned to leave.
"Martian!" Maxima called him. Then softening her tone, "J'onn. I wish you'll make me the honor of having lunch with me tomorrow. I have things to discuss with you…alone."
Looking back at her, the Manhunter said, somewhat confused, "Of course, Exalted One."
"Maxima," she corrected him.
"Maxima. It will be my honor." J'onn took another bow and quickly faced the doors so she didn't notice his puzzled expression.
Green Lantern and Zatanna were already outside.
"Can you believe that harpy?!" said an indignant sorceress "What's wrong with the way I dress?"
"Don't look at me," John defended himself. "I always thought that a top hat and, specially, fishnets are always trendy. Ask Dinah."
"Don't get cute, Lantern. You don't want to see my ugly side." J'onn was approaching them, "and what's with his face?" Zee pointed at the Martian.
"J'onn," asked GL, "is something the matter? You look positively astounded."
"Maxima invited me to have lunch tomorrow with her. Alone," said the Manhunter, almost whispering.
"Oh, boy!" mused GL, shaking his head.
"Oh, crap!" added Zatanna.
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Planet Earth's Orbit – Scientific Javelin JL024, 25 miles from Watchtower – 10:11 Hs. A.M. GMT
Micrometric adjustment screws were meticulously turned by Dr. Palmer in order to focus the teleporter beam emitting head exactly on the bomb. This was a task that required the human hand, because of the subtlety of the procedure.
A green light and a beep on the panel indicated the precision of the positioning.
"Okay, John. Shoot it!" he said through the intercom. He looked at Shayera by his side, and corrected himself, "Er…I mean, start the teleportation."
Irons rolled his eyes. Focusing again on the task at hand, he pressed the blue button with the word 'ON' on it. One tenth of a second later, Kimiyo's voice came out of the speakers, "It's gone! The implant has been removed! Good work, people!"
The Atom and Shayera came out of the protective pod. Palmer went to the electronic microscope scanning the operation area.
After a minute he looked at Shayera saying, "No tissue damage! The procedure was successful!" The red headed woman let out the air she had being holding. Ray held up his hand, and Hawkgirl gave him a 'Hi-Five' smiling.
"You guys are the be…," began Shayera.
A flash of light entered through the starboard porthole, and a second later the Javelin was shook by the blast wave.
John Henry uncovered his face and checked the instruments. "Detonation took place at the destination point of teleportation, located 55 miles from origin, starboard side. Estimated magnitude of blast: 23 MTs." A whistle escaped his lips. "Pretty bad boy for its size we had there! Deflectors holding."
"Most probably anti-matter based kind of bomb," added Dr. Palmer.
After Shayera regained her footing, she moved to the stasis pod to check its integrity. The panels said it was in perfect condition. Staring at Katar's peaceful expression she put her hand on the crystal. A single tear rolled from her eye. She went to John Henry and Ray and kissed them both on the cheek.
"As I was saying: you guys are the best! Thank you!"
"Just doing our jobs," said Palmer.
"Bullshit! She's right: we're the best!" joked John Henry, letting out a sonorous laugh, to which the others followed.
"Let's take our patient, a.k.a.: Hawkman, back to the Infirmary, to begin the reviving process," said Ray, placing a hand on Hawkgirl's shoulder.
Two hours and a half later Katar was lying on a bed at the Infirmary. Shayera was sitting on a chair besides the bed, waiting for him to wake up. After the strong emotions of the morning's events, she got to relax a bit and was slowly slipping in and out consciousness, her head falling on her chest and suddenly rising, when she tried to stay awake. Finally she appeared to have surrendered to slumber but a larger hand grabbed her own.
"Ma…Magpie?" Katar was regaining consciousness, and saw her sitting next to him.
"Peacock! You're awake, blessed Haani!" Hawkgirl pressed the button to call the nurse, and then she kneeled by the bed, putting her hands on his cheeks.
"Where am I? What happ…the conference! Anything happen with the conference? Are you alright, Shay?" He grabbed her by the shoulders, sitting up and checking there were no injuries on her body. Suddenly, he felt as if a knife was stuck into his head.
"Easy. Easy, big boy." She helped him back down. "Everything is alright. The Peace Negotiations are over. For what the Triad team told us, they were successful. A treaty was signed, and our world, as well as the others, is safe. Relax."
"What am I doing here? WHERE is here?" the Commander asked massaging his temples, "What happened, Magpie"
"You are in the Justice League Headquarters medical facility. Somehow an explosive device was implanted in your head. We had to knock you down, froze you and extract the bomb, which we already did. I've been told the headaches will eventually subside," the woman informed him.
"You brought me here?" he asked. She nodded.
"That was a very stupid thing to do! What if I really am a traitor? What if I still plan to destroy this building? Shay, given the current circumstances you can't trust anyone, not even me!" he snapped at her.
"Relax. First: I trust you implicitly. Second:you were in stasis until the last hour. Third:you are under surveillance constantly, and, even though I know you can take down an army, we don't need an army…" She whistled through her teeth and a seven foot tall, blue and gold armor clad and very beautiful woman showed, occupying most of the door's frame, "Fourth: we have Barda. BIG Barda, if you like. You can see why."
"Everything okay, Birdie?" Barda asked
Shayera waved her hand to the Apokoliptian woman. "All good here; just putting our patient's mind at ease about our security measures. Thank you, Biggie."
"Humm. Any time. So this is him? He doesn't look half bad. Hello, Commander." Katar rose a hand as a way of salutation. He was clearly impressed by the power emanating from this woman. Barda was one of the few that went easy on Shayera right after the Thanagarian invasion, because, being from Apokolips herself, she also had problems of trust within the League. Barda stepped aside to let the medical team get in.
After examining Katar, Dr. Hoshi said to them, "Everything is okay. We will have you under observation only two more days, just for safety, but your vital readings look excellent. Take one of these every two hours to calm the headaches." After that, she left, followed by her team.
"Magpie: who of the Leaguers took me down? Just curious, you know. Warriors pride and all that," the Commander asked.
Almost whispering and looking to the other way, she said "I did…"
"Sorry, I can't hear you. Who?"
"I did! Okay? I sucker-stroke you from behind with my mace!" she repeated in a louder voice. "I'm sorry."
The Thanagarian male let go a laugh that made him take his hands to his head in pain. "That's my girl! I'm so glad it was you!" They both shared a laughing moment.
"Sooo. Now that you checked our security, and the doctors checked your sorry (but pretty) ass," the red head teased, "there's one thing I've been dying to do for many days now." She leaned forward and captured his lips with hers, in a passionate kiss, to which he responded accordingly. When they parted the kiss, they both were smiling, looking at each other in the eye.
All of the sudden, Katar's smile dropped and looked at her wide eyed.
"What is it, Peacock? You are scaring me," said Hawkgirl with a desperate expression.
He responded "I…I can't feel you in my head anymore! The images we used to share are gone!"