"Aaaaaaahhhhhhh!" Issi screamed in a hot rage as she pummeled her sparring partner.
"What now?" Katar asked as he came strolling into the gym. Issi stopped and turned to face her husband. She wiped the sweat from her face and moved the black hair from her eyes before pointing her sparring sword, which was a real sword, at Katar and screeched, "Lobo betrayed us!"
"What!" Katar exclaimed angrily.
"He said he received an offer he just couldn't refuse," Issi growled, kicking the sparring partner who had yet to pick herself up off the floor.
"What did they offer him?" Katar asked.
"Quality time with Space Dolphins."
"I'm sorry, what?"
"You heard me," Issi threw her weapon on the ground before stepping over the unconscious female.
"He gave up Nth metal to hang out with Space Dolphins?" Katar asked incredulously.
"Yes."
"The Gordanians are expecting – "
"I know what the Gordanians are expecting!" Issi said in a rage as she swore. "Forget Lobo. We're going to have to get Shayera ourselves."
"The Justice League – "
"A war with the Justice League or a never-ending war with the Gordanians – pick one."
Katar was silent for a moment. Only a moment. "We should ask General Trogaar to send a few men," Katar said. "If they get to her first," he continued, "they can have her alive. If we get to her first, they'll receive a dead, wingless, Thanagarian."
Something had changed within Shayera after Wonder Woman's tirade. One didn't have to be Batman to figure that out. The longer Batman remained at the Watchtower with Shayera, the more she withdrew into herself. While Batman remained stoic, Bruce feared that she would digress in her recovery. He knew the loss of her wings still bothered her. That was a wound that would never fully heal. Batman sighed inwardly. The sooner they could return to the manor, the better.
When Batman and Shayera returned to the mansion, Shayera informed him that she was tired and needed to sleep. Batman let her go. They would talk later.
Instead of making himself busy with mundane tasks like he was wont to do, Batman trudged up the stairs after Shayera. Usually, Bruce would take his suit off before leaving the cave; but tonight, he was just too exhausted. He was going to sleep in his Batman uniform – minus the cape, mask, and anything that could impale him while he slept. Bruce fell onto his bed and looked at the time. 6:30 a.m. "Damn it", he moaned into his pillow. Today was a show-up-to-work day. He couldn't stay home. There were several meetings he had to attend. Bruce needed an hour. Unfortunately, he couldn't shut his mind off. He thought about Lobo and the repercussions that had yet to follow. He thought about Shayera and what their next action should be. He thought about what little he knew of the Gordanians. He thought about Shayera. He thought about the meetings he needed to attend and the topics he needed to discuss at said meetings. Then he thought about Shayera…again. She was a whirlwind of – he didn't know. All he knew was that he liked her. A lot.
However, instead of throwing walls up as he expected, Shayera threw up labyrinths. He hated to admit it, but he was stumped. It was…different and unexpected. He hated it, but Bruce was not perturbed. Bruce never backed down from a problem, and he loved solving intricate puzzles. Alas, he would solve the Shayera Labyrinth later. For now, he had to figure out how to find another bird.
Issi went to her parents for council - the next steps now that Lobo was out of the picture. "This is a good idea," Talov said after hearing Issi's thoughts on the Gordanians aiding in the capture of Shayera. "Work with the Gordanians to capture the traitor."
"But what about the Justice League?" Issi's mother, Che-yara, asked.
"Oh, yes," Issi sighed, "We promised to leave Earth alone."
"No," her mother said. "We promised to leave the Justice League alone. If they had paid attention to our wording at the time, they would know that, too."
"My spy got captured," Issi admitted to her shame. "Now I have no idea where they are hiding Shayera."
"Well when you rescue this spy of yours," Talov gave Issi a look of disgust, "you need to make an example of her. Ignorance and weakness will not be tolerated on Thanagar."
"Yes, Father."
"Do a better job training your soldiers," he glared.
"Should I banish her?" Issi asked, humbled.
"Goodness, no," Che-yara answered. "Kill her in front of everyone. Make it known to your soldiers that any and all failures will be dealt with harshly." Issi nodded in agreement. "I'm guessing the homing chip in her arm is a no-go."
"They've found it by now, no doubt," Issi said, "they may not possess Thanagarian-level intelligence, but they don't lack common sense. I thought about sending our best tracker and assassin."
"The league may see that as an act of war."
"Waste of time," her father said. "Focus on the Gordanians and the invasion."
"Is a second invasion of Earth prudent at this time?" Che-yara asked.
"Of course," Talov answered confidently. "Last time we invaded Earth, we had a traitor in our midst, feeding them information, colluding with the enemy rather than spying. They no longer have the advantage. We will send the entirety of our army. Show them what real soldiers look like." Talov walked over to a window. "I had such high hopes for your older sister," he said looking at the golden wings of Thanagar, "but she was ungrateful and followed her own path. She became a disgrace to Thanagarians and what we stand for," he balled up his fists.
"We should have seen the signs. You remember that day she saved that pathetic boy?" Che-yara spat, a snarl marring her beautiful features.
"I remember it like it was yesterday," Talov replied. "But the gods gave us Issi, and you, Issi, are better than her in every way," he turned to face Issi. "You are now the pride of Thanagar, and soon, you will be its ruler. The gods will smile favorably upon you. Finish this mission; gain the Gordanians trust if you must; then crush them."
"They won't know what hit them," Issi bowed respectfully, a right fist over her heart. "I will not waste any more of your time."
