Shayera had some experience with Absorbacrons. First being on the operating end while the other person was hooked up to the computer. One of those times when Commanders Hol and Thal were hooked up to one after their return to Earth. The thing about Asorbacrons was that one had to activate the inhibitor to half power to avoid conflict with one's own thoughts and memories. They could be able to feel their emotions and thoughts during that time, but the inhibitor ensures that they don't absorb that person's feelings and memories.
She placed her status as Do Not Disturb, only allowing certain people to contact her if it was important. The blood pumping in parts of her body as she placed her mother's information card in the slot. She remembered operating the Asorbacron hooked to her mother. While others would have no problem placing which memory with whom, if she had at the time, she's forgotten the exact specifics.
One doesn't dwell on information that they hand over to analytics and don't revisit unless it's for a mission. Especially as analytic workers adjust the inhibitor to full power to avoid absorbing the knowledge as well.
She removes her helmet and activates the inhibitor before placing the band over her head. Closing her eyes and leaning back in her chair. Exhaling to clear her mind. An clear mind was needed for the information to flow into her brain with ease.
"You sent for us, Admiral?" Katar asked as they entered Admiral Pul's office. Yera clenching her fists at the sight of that…well, he wasn't even a man. She flexed her hands to avoid knocking over his desk and strangling him with her hands.
"I'm certain you are aware of the recent events that had bought you here." Admiral Pul tears his gaze away from a monitor. "The traitor Rok had evaded our soldiers after he was caught communicating with our enemies. Selling our secrets." Pul shakes his head. "What a waste. He had just become a Commander."
It had happened a week ago. Corporal Sul had walked in on Byth communicating with one of the Gordanians. Only living long enough to tell the ones who found him what Rok was doing. A ship wasn't taken, so it was speculated that he used either the relativity beam transporter or the zeta beam technology that they took from the Rannians.
"What does this have to do with us, Admiral?" Yera had asked. Oh, how she wanted to bludgeon his head with her mace. "If it's about any information on his whereabouts, we don't have it."
"Even if you didn't, my dear, there were those that were able to find that information," Pul had answered, seeming to ignore Yera's brief flinch. Oh, how she hated it when he called her that. As if he hadn't made things difficult for her in the Academy that year. "Operatives discovered the illicit use of a relativity-beam transporter around the time of the traitor's escape. They were able to recover the coordinates, tracing him to the only Terran planet in the Sol star system: Earth."
"You want us to follow him to Earth," Katar deduced. That would be the only conclusion why Pul had bought up Byth's location. "He's not going to be easy to find, Admiral Pul. He's going to be using his addiction to the Krotan drug to his advantage."
"Oh, I believe that when you'll find him, you'll know." Admiral Pul curled his lips in a smirk.
For Fel, the timing couldn't have been more perfect. Even if he'd rather not be the last choice. Though he had a feeling that his uncle Pul might have swayed Province Councilor Pom.
The brown wooden box containing those white orbs just sat on his desk as he gazed at the two information cards given to him. One of which contains the memories of a blasted human Green Lantern. The other the memories of Katar Hol.
To say that he wasn't looking forward to being in either of their heads was correct. One was technically an animal. The other was a Downside-insect lover. Fel never understood why Commander Talak was friends with Commander Hol in the first place.
Perhaps this mission would be worth going through the degradation of pretending to be the youngest son of this Off-Worlder sympathizer. If he didn't know any better, he could say that perhaps his mission companion would probably feel the same way. His grandfather never hesitated to tell him that he be accompanying his Downside insect of a cousin Shayera Hol on the mission.
Oh, how fate was cruel to him. To pretend to be the brother of an Downsider who wasn't worthy of the wings she was born with and the rank she held was just as degrading.
He activates the inhibitor to only absorb the knowledge before placing the band over his bare forehead. Before leaning back to clear his mind.
It was quite interesting to look into a fragment of someone else's mind. See their memories and absorb the knowledge from there. Perhaps the last time he had seen his Uncle Andar Pul in the Admiral's uniform was a few decades before Corla's mother succeeded him. That as the memories play out, does he acquire that knowledge. Being sure to write notes about what he acquired when removing the Absorbacron band from his head.
Even if Earth would have a lot to be desired, their inhabitants weren't entirely gullible according to his father's dossier. They'd expect the son of the second Hawkman and Hawkgirl to know certain things.
Didn't mean that he couldn't play his cards right to be convincing.
Katar hadn't read his wife's message until he was done with his coordination meeting. It was as if every blood cell in his veins froze at the contents of the message. At the implication that Kragger would be onto him sooner than later.
Why that vindictive, slimy –
He had to be smart about this. React rashly or have too much interest might give him away. Taking a deep breath, he had sent a coded message to D'Shar about the progress of moving their operations. He decided to check with them the next day, for they wouldn't act immediately.
He then turned his attention to the necessary documents waiting for him. Aware of Big Red landing on his shoulder.
"What is that old saying, brother hawk?" he mused as he patted Big Red. "If the battle doesn't kill you, the paperwork will?"
Halfway through going over reports and the sort, he hears a buzzer requesting entry into his office. In these days, it was always something. He sighs as he presses the button to confirm entry. Looking away from his screen to see his eldest son striding into the room.
"If I were your commanding officer, you'd probably be demanded to give a better reason for coming to my office unannounced," Katar pointed out to Hektor.
"Only you're not my Commanding Officer." Hektor slides into the seat opposite him. "Also, you and mother said that we can talk to either of you about anything."
"What is concerning you, then," Katar had asked him.
"There's been some talk around my assigned unit," Hektor sighed. "That our fleet might have to come along with the one mobilizing and the one on call feels as if they might not be enough. That it will be a matter of time before we're stretched thin. Would be nice if those Oan Guardians would send a fraction of their green men to help us out. By Polaris, I'd like it if that one Green Lantern stationed here would help us out instead of roaming the galaxy when he's not in the Downside."
There was no sugarcoating the situation. Things were getting worse for them by the year. Not even the Green Lantern Corps, who would send aid to one side of interplanetary conflicts, were stepping in for assistance. As much as Katar could understand the Corps decision to not step into Thanagarian affairs with Kral trying to overthrow the Oan Guardians decades ago, he could also understand his peers' aggravation for the Corps inaction when it came to the conflict.
However, Thanagarians were also a stubborn and prideful species. Should the Guardians decide to send a fraction of the Corps to help them, they'd refuse it. If anything, the Lizakorn recruited by the Lantern Corps was concerning himself with protecting the other Off-Worlders from the heavy handedness of the Wingmen Corps.
"But would you accept it had they decide to send some of their own?" Katar asked as Big Red flew on the armrest of his son's seat.
Hektor shrugged as he ruffles Red's feathers. "I asked about it. Most of my unit would rather have the Gordanians conquer us than accept their help. As for me, well, it would be better late than never. Though the odds of that happening are the same as the Gordanians cutting their losses."
"True," Katar made known. As much as they could also use external help, Katar felt uncomfortable about dragging outsiders to their problems. Moreso because they might get hurt the most.
Additionally, if he and Yera had a choice, their children wouldn't be raised to fight this never-ending war. A war that they seemed to be losing by the day. However, it was required to have children. To produce more soldiers. When Hro called him and Yera back to Thanagar after sixteen years, he was tempted to break his end of the bargain with the Admiral to stay behind on Earth (after all, they could only stay after capturing Rok if he and Yera provided information about Earth). To stay behind with his mother, her family that she had with her second husband, and Charlie Parker. For Midway, Michigan on Earth was a ideal place to cultivate and grow that family.
Though what motivated him most to return to Thanagar were the people in the slums below the cities. To help them out as his father had before his murder. As his mother had during her brief time in Thanagar.
It wasn't that he regretted coming back to Thanagar. Only he regretted bringing his children into this sort of world. Ideally, his children should be in that town in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Living life as human American children do. To apply the Cherokee medicine that his mother taught him. They deserved better than inheriting a losing war.
"You might want to leave, Sergeant Hektor. Or else your CO might be asking about your whereabouts. He's a friend of mine after all," he tells him. "We should hopefully continue this conversation this evening,"
"Yes, Commander," his son returns formally. Wearing an about-face as he gets up and leaves the room. Leaving Katar with his bird and his paperwork.
His paperwork was only a fraction of the problem. Where these days, the biggest worries loading his plate were the lives of his family and friends in this war. And the safety of those in his care in the Downside.
Beads of sweat runs down Shayera's face as she tightens the grip of her electrified mace. The blood pumping in her veins as her mace met with the blade of Hro's axe.
"I take it that your prep is going well." Hro dodges a swipe of her mace. Quickly swerving around him in the time it took for him to pull a fist.
"As well as any mission prep can go," she grunted as the two engaged in their dance of dodging swipes and punches, and Nth metal meeting Nth Metal. She had left off at the part of where her mother, stepfather, and their ensemble of friends – calling themselves the Justice Society – traveled to a country called Germany to fight a military force known as the Nazis.
And what better temporary reprieve than a practice spar with her Promised One.
After what seemed like a half hour, she had managed to fling him across the room. Lips broadening into a triumphant smirk as she flew to pin him against the wall the moment his back hits it.
Their labored breathing mingling with each other as she looks into his silver pools of gray. Closing that short distance in seconds as their lips crush together in a bruising kiss. The blood rushing to her face as his free hand travels to her neck. His metal coated fingers twinning with her hair.
The connection was broken as one of their scrolls pings. Her mind still hazy as she goes to the red belt pocket on her right side. However, Hro cursing under his breath beat her to it, and she looks up to see him gazing at his own scroll with visible agitation.
"I'll be right back," he says. "There's a transmission waiting for me."
As Shayera watches him leave, she couldn't help but feel her stomach knot itself up. As if an stronger sense of foreboding then the time she came to his office last night settled in.
Hro didn't have a good feeling as he strolled into his office to receive the transmission. Not that the current stakes weren't helping any. This had always been a high stakes war as long as he could remember. Given that the Gordanians seemed to be outnumbering them twenty to one…
When he pressed the button and saw both Commanders Dokir Lian and Porvis Corsar in a split screen on his monitor, he had a feeling what this was about.
"Well?" he asked.
"Porvis and I have been talking," Lian began, "and I don't have a good feeling about this Gordanian battalion I will be facing. That this might need three Commander units to deal with."
It felt as if a ball was lodged in his throat as he forced a painful swallow. It was clear why the two of them were contacting him. It wasn't the thought of mobilizing and deploying his fleet why he had felt uncomfortable.
It was that his last night with his Promised One would be sooner than he'd think.
Sooner then he'd like.
"When do you want me to begin mobilizing my fleet?" Hro asked him.
"As early as the next hour, but no later than tomorrow morning," Lian answered.
"I will begin mobilizing immediately," Porvis vocalized.
Hro swallowed. He could mobilize immediately like Porvis. Though he'd like that last night with Shayera before that deployment. For when he returns, she'll be in another part of the universe.
"I'll begin mobilizing my forces tomorrow morning, if you have no problem, Lian," Hro vocalized.
"That shouldn't be a problem," Lian returns. "I should be seeing your fleet within the next few days."
"Understood. Talak out." Hro ends the correspondence before typing up Kragger's communication code. "Kragger, Commander Lian has not only enlisted Commander Corsar but me as well to counter the fleet he'll be facing. Inform those under your jurisdiction that they should prepare mobilization at the Thirty-Eighth Dal tomorrow morning."
"Understood. By your command," was Kragger's prompt reply. That transmission ended and Hro typed up Corla's transmission code. When he was done informing three of his four First Lieutenant and Second Lieutenant Erian Darian, did he message Commander Lor Synn.
Someone had to oversee the progress of the two intelligence agents under his jurisdiction. Hro was not looking forward to telling Shayera about this development. Even if they would have expected it with the current stakes.
Corla Javat had that dread seeding into her after that coordination meeting this morning. Given the current stakes, they might find themselves mobilizing for deployment. It wasn't that she didn't want to fight.
After the Wingman coming in to ask questions about whether equipment had gone missing and now this….
Her problem was the increasing numbers of their enemies. She had seen it in the infirmary. Simply due to the increase in soldiers coming in with more gruesome injuries. It was bound to be another long night. Though that meant she would have to notify a portion of her staff that they had to start mobilizing at the thirty-eighth Dal tomorrow morning.
She had meant to go to the canteen to grab something to eat in her office. As soon as the doors sliding open, Fel comes in before she could even step out.
"Oh, Fel," she steps back, seeing those meal cartons in his hands. "You didn't need to. I was going to get my dinner."
He shrugged. "I thought I would save you the time. Not when you have to mobilize tomorrow morning."
Corla raised her eyebrow at the fact that he didn't include himself in that sentence. Then she remembered her conversation with her friend this morning. "Is there a reason you are not coming for the deployment?"
"Oh, just some mission to ensure the Gordanians don't spread," he answers casually. "So I figured we can have one last meal together before then."
Even if he sounded casual, Corla had tried to swallow down any apprehension and nervousness. Just like Shayera, he was leaving them for some time. Except his impending absence would have different ramifications.
It wasn't a lie that she wasn't over Hro. True, at the time they ended their romantic relationship, she agreed that they'd remain friends. Then a couple years later he had gotten with their mutual friend. Even if it wasn't fair to Fel, the big reason why she bared her face for him and slept in his bed was to keep her mind off of Hro. And Shayera.
"Why not just kill her?" Mayiah asked one time. "Nothing would be stopping you."
"Remember when that guy killed his friend because he was with his former partner? She wound up killing him in retaliation," Corla reminded her. "It would be something like that. Hro would literally kill me if I killed her."
She didn't say her real reason why she didn't want to kill Shayera to get Hro back. Over the past few years, she had felt a stir of yearning in her heart when she was around Shayera. Not only the way those green eyes lit up when she smiled, though there was that part of her. That kind part of her that only one can see if they squinted hard. Kindness was synonymous with weakness here on Thanagar, and Corla was certain that had Shayera been in any other environment, that kindness would be nurtured and cultivated.
Corla's heart would ache as she'd seen the way Hro and Shayera would look at each other. Desiring that they both would look at her that way. Though the odds of that happening were the same as the Gordanians cutting their losses, especially given the latter.
It wasn't unusual for a man to engage in side relationships with another man. Especially when in the early days, the Thanagarian Imperial Armada only had men. However, it was considered unheard of for a woman to seek the touch and companionship of another woman instead of a man.
Over the course of the meal, the two exchanged some words here and there. After all, what was there to be said when one of them was going to be gone for who knows how long.
However, she was about to find out another reason for this dinner. Maybe she shouldn't have been surprised at the sight of the white orbs, though her eyes couldn't help but widen.
"Oh, Fel, thank you," was all she breathed as she took the plain wooden box from his hands. "It would be a honor to be Promised to you."
Though what good will that do? When Fel will be many stars away to distract her from Hro? When she'd come back, he be gone. Just like Shayera.
Maybe she should tell Shayera how she feels before she leaves. Even if it was easier said than done.
"It's near that time. Are you ready for it?"
"If I had a choice, we could stay in this moment together."
"So do I."
They couldn't lay in bed like this for long, even if Shayera wanted to. To have more time to feel him under her hands and lips. To taste him one last time before they part. To see every little detail of him. Knowing that it was going to be a while.
"Commander Synn will be overseeing your progress in the coming days before your departure," Hro tells her. "As cursory I am supposed to tell you to report any questions, even you wouldn't have the need."
Shayera nodded, as she knew what to do and what to expect. That she has to report in every two weeks. Though she'd have to get in touch with her deputy officer in the event where Hro can't be reached.
"Here." He offers her an atlas. It was similar to the art-sphere given to Commanders upon their ascension. "I want you to take this to Earth with you. Something that will remind you of home."
When a Promised or Bound pair would part, the one deploying will give his or her beloved an token to remember them by should they die. If the soldier in question came back alive, he or she were to return the token to the offeree.
"Thank you." Shayera gazed at the golden orb for an moment. Opening the lid to see the projection of Thanagar, and it's two moons and Polaris star orbiting around it. Curling her lips to a smile at the projection before closing the orb. "I'll keep this safe with my life."
Even if there was a high chance she'll see him again, she wouldn't want to lose this.
When she met with Corla, she noticed the white orbs sticking out of her brass helmet. There was no question who those were from.
"I don't have to ask who presented those to you," she vocalized.
"Oh, these?" Corla brushed her earrings with the pads of her fingers. "I mean, I wish he didn't have present them to me last night at that moment. When I come back, he won't be here. Just like you won't be here."
"Maybe we can each other's guests of honor in our Uniting Ceremonies when we get back," Shayera noted. Of course, she didn't tell Corla that Fel was also assigned to with her to go to Earth. As technically, she herself, wasn't supposed to know.
"Shayera?" Corla asked at one point, her eyes full of uncertainty.
"Yes," Shayera asked.
"I…" she begins, before shaking her head, "I'll miss you."
"I'll miss you, too," she acknowledged. She had a feeling that this was far from what Corla wanted to tell her. Though she wasn't going to dwell on it.
A few mere minutes before their deployment, Shayera lifts the chain of her Kalmoran pendant. Placing the pendant on her palm and offering it to him. Shayera had planned on taking it with it to Earth for her, for she had never parted from it. Yet, it would be wrong to not give Hro an token to remind him of her. Even if she wasn't going into battle, she was going on an mission where one misstep could spell consequences.
Hro's eyes widen at her offering. Gazing at her again as if he was asking for permission. To make sure it was okay.
Shayera looks into his eyes. Letting him know that it was okay, and gingerly, he takes the pendant from her palm.
Then they shared an Ca'arra Hawk kiss. Brushing the side of their faces with their nose if touching lips was too intimate for all to see. When she had brushed the side of his face with her nose, did she look into his eyes.
Noting the intensity of his gaze before his lips pressed to hers. The blood pumping in her veins as she groaned. Leaning in as she savored every second of it before their lips parted.
Allowing herself to rest her concealed forehead against his for an moment before they part.
"See you in a few years," he tells her before departing to his flagship.
As she watched his fleet depart from the hangar; as the curved, yellow winged fighter jets follow did she feel her eyes become wet. Tasting the salt of the tears as she tried to swallow back any sob.
It did not help that there was a sense of foreboding as she watched his fleet leave. Except what was more unsettling was that the foreboding she felt wasn't one that hinted towards death.
