"To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die." - Thomas Campbell
Tanmar, Thanagar, Thanagarian Empire
9:19 PM EST, February 22, 1986
This planet was once a beautiful world. The floating cities gleam in the bright sun. Children playing Skyl Ball in the clouds. The mountains green with life as the Doalo Birds screamed their mating calls. Those days were long gone. Replaced with the sounds of war. The Mongul came to conquer an empire with his Warworld. Lieutenant Shayera Thal remembers the stars igniting when he unleashed a wave of devastating missiles. The First Home Starfleet was gone in minutes. Now Mongul's fleet was descending onto the floating cities. The Lieutenant flew her Thar IV fighter straight towards one of the enemy's frigates attacking Landy Park. It's defense plasma turrets firing at her. Swerving and banking to avoid the incoming fire. The computer sights locked onto the frigate.
Launching the missiles, before banking hard. Avoiding its own missiles. The green mountains were in flames. The sky was filled with burning stations, ships, and fighters. As she spotted a flight of enemy fighters. Speeding towards them, her only advantage was surprise. Switching to blasters. Pressing the trigger, the closest fighter spiraled down, smoking. The enemy scattered, forcing her to choose one. Locking a missile on it, the computer proved lethal. But the burning enemy gave his pilots the chance to escape.
"Lieutenant Thal. Report to War Station Yath Four." military personnel ordered.
Punching the side of her cockpit, she cursed silently. Shayera sped towards the war station, hundreds of clicks away. Pushing the fighter to max speed, she would arrive in minutes. As she flew, an enemy dreadnought was crashing into a Housing Station. Bring it down with it. Civilians flew out of the station, prey for the enemy. She could only watch and get a few fighters and stray frigates. When the war station was in sight, the fighter drastically reduced speed.
The station's towers erased enemy warships, while the wall's defense boxes shoot down any fighter in the gunner's sights. The Lieutenant flew through the falling debris, aiming for the lower hanger. Lowering the landing gear, turning the engine vertically. She was coming in hot, but slow enough to land safely. Bringing the fighter to a stall, ground crews began working on the fighter. Opening the cockpit, Shayera took her helmet off. Spreading her wings out, she flew through the hanger and halls. Straight for the Command Center. The only reason for her to leave the battle, would be Commander Hro Talak.
Reaching the center, she found the room in chaos. Orders were being yelled out, situations reported, and in the center of it all was Talak commanding the Tanmar Air Fleet. Putting all of their might in protecting Thanagar. Shayera landed next to the tall, bulk officer. Standing at attention, hands behind her back.
"You asked for me, Commander?" she asked. Talak turned to the woman, his face stern, cold.
"I just received word from Imperial Command. Mongul made a deal with the Gordanians. The colonies have already surrendered. Isamot Kol has been killed on Laz Four." the commander said. The mighty empire was falling. Shayera had expected this from the Rannians, but she didn't think the Gordanian pride would aid the Warworld.
"What do you need me for, sir?" she asked, hiding her shock.
"Military Intelligence revealed that Captain Katar Hol gave Mongul gave everything. Defense reports, troop movements, schematics, and our tactics." At those words, her discipline demeanor buckled. Her betrothed, a traitor. She knew him at the tender age of nine. He was a proud, dutiful, determine little soldier. Imagining him being a traitor was beyond her. Talak stood tall compared to the woman. "Your mission is to hunt down the traitor. Eliminate the enemy. You will be placed in command of reserve ship TF-46545."
"Yes sir." Shayera said, still in shock. He talked to her side, placing his rough yet gentle hand on her shoulder.
"Good luck Captain."
RITF TF-46545, Price of Greed Station, Ro Confederation
10:46 AM EST, May 30, 1986
The frigate has been in the stars for months now. Entering a dangerous part of space. Where the outlaws and warlords thrive. But Shayera needs tracked Katar here. Why is a mystery. One she intends to find out. Seeing the large station ahead, she planned for the worst. For Kanjar Ro to attacked her instead of answering her questions. When the ship was preparing to dock, the station started to tail for them.
"It's the station's bridge." Ensign Yolet reported. Shayera nodded at the young man. The hologram of the Dhorian warlord stood in front of the Captain.
"Greetings, your highest excellency, crowned king." she said bitterly. The fool wishes to receive the highest honor. A pirate's dream. One she must pamper too for now. "I am Captain Shayera Thal of the Royal Imperial Thanagarian Empire"
Ro chuckled at that last sentence. Amused at the idea of a Thanagarian using their old rank. Ever since Mongul conquered her world, Thanagarians have been forced under his will. Others escaped to go among the lawless. Such as the Dhorian.
"So tell me what brings the grand might of Thanagar to my system?" Ro asked snarky.
"I've heard rumor that you recently bought a Shredder II-Class Shuttle. I want the identity of the pilot." she said. The Dhorian laughed.
"Why would I give you that? You hold no power. The great Thanagar Empire is no more."
"In exchange for the name and location of the pilot, you will receive this vessel and the loyalty of my crew." she offered, surprising Ro and her crew. The Dhorian ended the call.
The crew looked at her stunned. They were silent that she would trade what little they have left for Katar. But for him, she'll give anything she needs to get the mission done. Her love betrayed everything she held dear. Cost her everything. She was going to get answers and justice. Waiting on Ro to get his shock over, then give her an answer. Typing in commands to the shuttle bay. She'll use it to escape. Then return to the hunt. When Ro's hologram appeared, he was stroking the tendrils on his face.
"I've thought of your offer and accept the terms." Ro said. Shayera leaned forward.
"Who and where is the pilot?"
"I don't have a name, but he did buy a cheap shuttle. Because I don't trust outside my circle, I left a tracker on it. Sending it to you now."
"Thank you, your excellency, crowned king." she said and the hologram disappeared. Turning to the crew, she prepared for the finale goodbye. "Send the codes to the shuttle. Good luck and keep the Thanagarian honor."
Those were her final words to the crew. Flying towards the bay for the lone shuttle. It was time to hunt down the traitor. Bitterness filled her heart.
Florida Airspace, United States of America
12:03 AM EST, June 2, 1986
Descending in the atmosphere, Shayera expected little resistance. Her hails were meet with silence, and there was no star ship in the system. If there was a native population, she expected them to have primitive tech. The night clouds reminded her of the nights of Thanagar. The nights she spent with Katar. The memory of his name pierce her heart. At ten thousand meters, the radar picked up two bandits on her six. She tried to hail them, but failed. They must be using a different wavelength than her. A problem for both sides.
She knew what this looked like. A possible hostile not answers comms. Their weapons unknown. Target could be civilian. She had to act before they fire at her. Arming the rear Sai XV Missile, she downloaded the tracker codes on her Datapad. A precaution. When the lights of a city caught her attention, she was surprised. From orbit, she had thought it was a massive wildfire, but not a city. The tracker was in the wilderness. Before she could maneuver towards the tracker, four more bandits were on her radar. Reinforcements.
It was now or never. Kill or be killed. She fired the missile, armed the shuttle's defenses, and activated the shields. One of the bandits was erased in a large explosion. Their wingman performed evasive maneuvers while the four new fighters scattered. Two enemy missiles were launched. The shuttle's Plasma Turret eliminated the threats. Maneuvering the bulky shuttle was slow compared to the nimble fighters. Aiming the shuttle towards a pair of fighters, she launched two missiles. Two more explosive kills. As she turned left, a fighter tailed her. They fired a missile, putting the tail fin in the turret's way.
Banking hard right, pressing on speed, she hoped to confuse the missile. After a few moments, the missile just fell. Surprising Shayera. Despite the weapons of these natives, they still had flaws. But they gained distance to her. Their guns struck the shuttle, shredding the metal hull. Cursing to herself, she knew it was only a matter of time until the fuel or the reactor get hit. She pressed the eject button, gripped the seat. The cockpit glass opened, the seat launched her into the air. Grabbing her Nth Mace, she used the cover of darkness to escape to the surface.
Sun City, Florida, United States of America
12:16 AM EST, June 2, 1986
The circus was a refuge for those without a home or anything. As long as they pulled their weight. One man helped load crates onto the train boxcar. Ever since his home was taken away, he found his way here. The people were strange in his eyes, but he was strange in their eyes. While they had abnormal genetic features, none of them had wings. His name was Captain Katar Hol. A lifetime ago. He was Carter Hall on this world. The Hawkman of Haly's Circus. As the boxcar's doors closed, bright lights lit up the sky. He turned to see a Thanagarian shuttle fighting American fighters.
When the shuttle began to spiral down, he could tell where it was going to hit. The city. People would be injured. Spreading his wings out, he took off to the sky. Closing the distance, he wondered if the pilot ejected. Bracing the brunt of the force, he gripped into the metal frame. Looking inside, he saw that the pilot did eject. He focused on lifting the crashing shuttle. Using the nth armor's properties to lift the shuttle. As the city got closer, he slowed down. Landing on the street, gasps and camera clicks filled the air. He sat the shuttle down, before inspecting it. Entering it, his eyes widened. The reactor was hit. Flying out, he yelled the few english words he knew.
"Go! Go! Go! Go!" As they ran, he went back.
Disconecting the medium size reactor. Carrying it out, he soared straight for the ocean. Gaining attitude. The metal frame getting hot without the collant systems. His arms was starting to burn. Ignoring the pain, he wanted to save as many as he could. Going over the ocean, he dropped it. He waited. When a bright light lit the sea, he let out a breath of relief. Now for the Thanagarian pilot. If he was to get in contact with them, his best option would be his ship.
Everglades National Park, Florida, United States of America
12:25 AM EST, June 2, 1986
"Tarmek!" Shayera cursed after kicking a crate. Splashing leaking water from the swamp. Katar was gone. On this planet, but searching it would take a lifetime. She flew out of the nearly submerge ship. Sitting on the cold wet metal, thinking of what her next move. She has lost everything. Now he last chance to have something was gone.
Taking off her helmet, she brushed her hair. Thinking of the time she shared with her betrothed. His touch was warm on the cold nights. They had protected each other in the harsh training camps. His betray stuck the hardest. As she was lost to her thoughts, a warm hand touched her shoulder. Startled, she grabbed the mace, bolting up, ready for a fight. Only to be surprised, seeing Katar's smile.
"Shayera, I can't believe its you." he said taking a few steps forward. Tightening her grip on the mace. In rage, she swung the weapon, striking his face. Tearing skin off. Surprised, the man looked at her stunned. "What was that for?"
"Why?" she asked taking another swing. This time the traitor dodged the attack. He was confused. But that didn't matter. They were in a melee. She had her weapon, he had his fists. A clear disadvantage. The mace sparked with electricity, illuminating the swampland. Going for his side. This time, Katar took a risk. He went for the handle, but the mace still hit his arm. The sounds of bones shredding muscles and skin was horrific. He screamed out in pain, but he was able to throw the weapon away.
Out of options, she drew out her dagger. The gift that he proposed with. Their most sacred gift. He was stunned to see the blade. His bloody arm barely holding on. Now he was fighting for survival. Going for quick strikes, Shayera's heart was breaking. Katar was taking the strikes. His other arm was bloody along from defensive moves. The armor kept his torso safe from her strikes. Swinging the dagger for his neck, he grabbed her arm with his best arm. Just as planned. She let go of the dagger, grabbing it with her other arm. One swing was all she needed. The dagger sliced his neck. Katar back up, grabbing his neck. Falling to the ground, Shayera held him. He brushed her hair.
"You are beautiful." he whispered, choking in his blood. Seconds later, his final breathes were taken. Shayera clung to the body, crying for the loss.
Everglades National Park, Florida, United States of America
5:25 AM EST, June 2, 1986
The sun was about to rise. Shayera kneeled next to the pyre. Katar's bloody body was covered in a now blood soaked cloth. Her tears still rolling down her cheeks. She touched his hands, feeling only cold. He was gone. Killed by her hand. She wanted something after everything she lost, yet she still has nothing. Putting a incinerator in the pyre, she stood up. Walking a few meters away, she kneeled as the pyre burst in flames.
"Raognem sael Diment, umek woult pemen il q kilu zan wo venent xe Thanamar. Yan qei bou joun mokua xe Yomil o qei papul. Cem wa mo em-Tanagar ui wo siet xe Thanamar." Shayera said in her native language. The rites of the dead. Dear lady Diment, protect this soul as he travel to the fields of Thanamar. Let his deeds have mercy of Yomil on his side. May we be reunited in the city of Thanamar. Wiping away the last of her tears, she flew away. Her heart broken knowing that she will never see him in life nor the afterlife.