I did some changes and edits. You might want to reread the chapters proceeding this one for it to make sense.
"That leg still twinges a bit, Hektor?" Toj Pintar asks Hol Hektor as they wheeled a trash trough to one of the analytics rooms.
"Yeah, but I'm just glad I can walk," Hektor retorted. Yeah, he lost a lot of blood, and it was critical when it first had it treated. However, he was still able to walk. He was just glad that his wings didn't get hit.
Toj scratches his bushy, red beard in thought. "It's always the wings we worry about, but our legs and arms are important too," he notes. "My right arm wasn't the same for weeks after one particular battle."
Their prized asset was their wings, no doubt, but Toj wasn't wrong either. They still needed their legs for when they didn't use their wings and their hands for wielding their weapons. Even if Hektor shared the sentiment that one would rather lose a leg than a wing.
"4B right?" Toj asks, glancing at the door.
"That's what I have been told," Hektor replied. Just moments ago, the two of them were tasked to wheel a garbage trough to the analytics room. That they were to deposit an Green Lantern to an Gordanian Class-5 cruiser that was sitting in one of the hangar bays ready to be launched.
He'd be lying if he says he wasn't beginning to feel his intestines twist and curdle as an result. Maybe it was because his parents taught him and his siblings that one doesn't have to be Thanagarian to have any value in life.
He didn't like that he had to keep his head down, but only did it to avoid his parents from getting the repercussions.
Hektor forced down an painful swallow as the door slid open. As he helped Toj wheel in the trash trough, did he allow himself to gaze at the unconscious Green Lantern slumped into the chair. Feeling his feathers instinctively bristle at the sight of the uniform worn by this unconscious man.
It wasn't an lie that he despised Green Lanterns. After all, they don't even bother to send any manpower to fight them fight the Gordanians. However, as much as Hektor despised them, this particular Green Lantern still didn't deserve what was going to happen to him.
"Alright, take him to the hangar. Commander Corsar wants him on that Gordanian Cruiser as soon as we unhook him."
"Good riddance anyway. It was rather nauseating seeing that green suit."
He opened the trough and watched as two of his fellow soldiers casually dumped the unconscious man in the trough like it was nothing. As if he was nothing but a piece of rotten fruit. From his periphery, he could see his sister Min'eva Katar turn her face away.
In the years he had known her, even when placed in different units, this was always what she did in order to mask regret. As if she knew her true feelings would not be accepted here.
Here on Thanagar, one had to mask their emotions like they cover their faces if they want to survive.
"Alright." The soldier dusts his hands after the door of the trough is shut. As if he handled particularly dirty trash. "Time for some breakfast and sleep."
"Might take some time for me with all the Illorian coffee in my system," was that reply Hektor heard as he and Toj began moving the trough out the room. As Toj continued to prattle on, Hektor could feel the blood pumping in his ears, fingertips, throat, and wings as they made their way through the hangar.
He goes through the various scenarios in his head of getting this Green Lantern out of here. One ending more precariously than the next. One more foolish then the next.
"Remember to keep your head down until your mother and I say otherwise," his father's words echo in his mind.
How long though, he thinks as he watches the Gordanian Cruiser depart from the hangar to his destination. The very moment where he finds an excuse to pull away from all of this, he hopes that it would come sooner than later.
Intelligence Partner: to be revealed on day of departure.
Cover story: you are the daughter of Katar Hol and Shayera Thal, two Thanagarian Commanders previously known on Earth as Hawkman and Hawkgirl. You are part of the Wingmen Corps. You and your brother (who will have the same name as the man he'll claim to be his father) were bought up in Thanagar to learn about Thanagarian ways. The two of you hearing stories about Earth from a early age. The two of you deserting your posts by travelling to Earth via Zeta Beam to learn more about the planet your parents spent some time on.
Required materials: info from Shayera Thal's Absorbacron and from a human Green Lantern's Absorbacron.
Date of departure: Two weeks from now.
"Since when did we have a Green Lantern from Earth in our vicinity?" Shayera had asked as she heard Hro leave the washroom.
"Porvis' fleet spotted him as they were returning from a battle site in Nati Prime," he answered. "He felt the Green Lantern might have information that would be of use for future missions."
"What are we going to him afterwards," Shayera asked, turning the pendant with her fingers. Feeling the chain against her fingers. She couldn't imagine leaving Thanagar without the gift her father figure gave her before she was sent to the Academy. "We can't risk the Green Lantern Corps being in our doorstep."
"He should be enroute to Karna at this moment," Hro answered, as he was stepping into his uniform. "At least the Gordanians would be good for one thing."
Shayera looks back at the memo on her tablet screen. What stuck out to her was some of the truth in her cover story. While she was Shayera Thal's daughter, Katar Hol wasn't her father by blood.
She sighs. She might as well tell him.
"My cover story will be that I am one of the two children of Commanders Hol and Thal," she answered.
"I believe it will ensure that the humans will trust you and your mission partner," he said. "When people believe that you are associated with those who protected them in the past, the more the odds would be for them to let their guard down."
"What if I told you there was some truth to my cover story," Shayera answered. "That I am the daughter of at least one of them. It wasn't like I was hunting for that information. I found it by accident."
Shayera proceeds telling him her findings when reviewing the redactions of records and other confidential information. That she had expected to learn the offspring died in the hotzone like most Downside-bred and raised soldiers, only to surprised that the child in question was herself.
At the end, she was startled to see Hro's lack of surprise.
"It was all too convenient for Thal Porvis to attain guardianship of a woman who resembles his daughter and happens to have her name," Hro spoke finally. "My digging of information led to the paperwork of Andar Pul's inquiry."
"You knew?" she asked.
He nodded. "I didn't think it was in my place to tell you, Shayera. I don't think I'm the only one who guessed either. Though others might have their own reasons for sitting on that piece of information."
It would be a stretch for him to be the only one who investigated. It also added context to the level of venom she heard in response to their Promise. Becoming Promised to a Downsider was one thing but becoming Promised to a bastard child as well? Speaking of the response to becoming Promised to Hro –
"Your grandfather probably pushed for me to be the other intelligent agent, you know," she made known. "Not a slight to myself but they could have picked anyone else."
"This isn't supposed to happen either," Hro concurred. "Having a seat in the High Council, he could find a loophole or two for his advantage."
"Wish it would be so easy to Unite in secret, you know," she states. "That we could do it right now without wanting to…"
"And if it wouldn't delegalize the Promise contract." He twirls the pendant she was wearing in his hand. "As if we didn't have a war going on. This pendant might make your cover story believable. I would be surprised if Katar didn't share this piece of Thanagarian folklore while he was on Earth."
"Wasn't Kalmoran real?" she asked.
"Even real figures of history have their stories shrouded in myth as time goes on, Shay." Hro puts his flared helmet back over his head. "The revolt against Polara, history can account for, but Icthultu…how he and his underlings were driven out of Thanagar is often debated. Though Kalmoran driving him out is the popular interpretation."
Maybe it's popular because that how it happened, she thinks. Placing the brass helmet over her head. "Who is my mission partner anyway?" she asked. "Or shouldn't I be asking that question, as that would be bending the rules."
"Careful, Shayera, your question wouldn't be met as kindly had anyone else been your Commanding Officer," was his reply, though that smirk he was wearing indicated that he'd answer her question. "The High Council has assigned Fel Andar to accompany you to Earth."
Sweet Icthultu. He'd be one of the last people she'd want to be sent on an high stakes mission with. However, it wasn't like she couldn't be choosy on who she'd work with. Even if she hoped it wouldn't come to the point where one might kill the other.
The two of them do not stay long for breakfast ("I should hope to invite members of your family over for dinner," Thal mentioned. "After all, it is tradition after a Promise." "Nefeti and Tros might," Hro answered. "Not sure if my grandfather would be able to attend") before going off to base.
There was a important coordination meeting where even her attendance and input was mandatory. To plan in the event where Hro's unit should be on call. Chances are he might be on call after her departure to Earth. Even if she wouldn't be on the battle roster due to her impending mission.
Thankfully, she and Hro pre-arranged everything. Even if it meant Kragger taking the position of First Lieutenant Commander during her absence.
Corla, Nal, and Kragger were already seated when they got to the conference room. Shayera pretending not to notice the thinly veiled resentment in Kragger's eyes as he seemed to notice her Promise earrings and Corla gazing between both her and Hro.
"The Admiral has put Commander Corsar's fleet on standby. However, due to the current situation regarding our numbers, this meeting has to be held," Hro had started once he had taken his seat. "Apologies if I had to call off your strike squad exercise, Kragger, however, this meeting has to be first priority. For we need to prepare for when it is our turn to be on standby. Or if Commanders Lian or Corsar need our or any other fleet's assistance."
"Understood, Commander Talak," Kragger answers with a nod.
"Do you have any concerns about defensive and offensive mobilization?" Hro asks Kragger. "Our small-scale squadrons and the wholesale units commandeered by other Commanders have been scrapping by."
"Even if they can hold their own, our numbers have a lot to be desired," Kragger vocalized. "In spite of the exercise being cut short, I found that while large scale strike squads would be able to stomp out small threats, they would be scrapping by with the numbers that the Gordanians are currently producing."
"Lieutenant Javat, how many of your medical staff are combat ready?" Hro asks Corla. "We're at the point where we need the numbers."
"About seventy percent, Commander," Corla answers promptly. "Though the remaining twenty percent are due for their hex-monthly combat exercises."
"See to it that it is eighty percent in the future," Hro prompts. "We need as many bodies as we can to throw at our enemies. Darian, do you have the number of those graduating from the Academies in the coming week?"
"All together, more than last year," Nal answers. "In part from that baby boom from the colder periods of conflict years back."
"Even so, meet with Paran from engineering to see how many she can spare for the time being," Hro replies. "Don't forget a visit to the Wingmen Corps headquarters as well. Tell Commissioner Dul Thrax that he needs to spare thirty percent of his Wingmen."
"Paran is going to love that," Shayera groans under her breath. Paran had been working with her staff at the engineering department in all hours of the day lately, working on some secret project. Though she had always been a workaholic.
"Hol, how are you with intelligence?" Hro had finally addressed her.
"At the moment, I only have a few operatives on low critical recon missions," Shayera answers. "I believe I can spare the majority for battle squadrons. Some of them can work with the soldiers in Kragger's jurisdiction. Though I can ask Second Lieutenant Marshal Erian Darian to meet with him during my absence."
Shayera would rather be working on some garbage scow than collaborate with Kragger when it came to battlefield squadrons, but he was the First Lieutenant in charge of defense and offensive operations. And fighting in wars meant working with people you didn't like.
"I could only imagine what a loss that would be," Kragger surmised, curling his lips in that smug smirk of his. "Where would our Armada be without your keen eye?'
"Oh, you'll survive," Shayera retorted. "Therefore, I am confident that Erain will take over my duties as Chief Intelligence Officer and lending her my squadron for the time being."
"Now with that matter settled," Hro began. "With our numbers discussed, we need to plot out our formations so we can have everything ready should Commander Lian need our numbers."
For the next couple hours, they outlined and discussed their formations should both Lian and Corsar call them to the battlefield. With Hro affirming that Nal's wife would lead her squadron in her absence.
"Due to Shayera's absence, we will be doing some shifting of the ranks," Hro concluded. "Effective on the day she leaves, Kragger will assume the rank of First Lieutenant Commander though he would still be in charge of defense and offense operations. And Commander Lor Synn has given permission to place Erian Darian as First Lieutenant Colonel under my unit, where she'll be given charge of Shayera's duties as Chief Intelligence Officer."
Shayera was certain that Kragger was trying to hard not to wear a satisfied smirk at that announcement. No doubt, he'd be walking with a spring in his step. Even if this placement would be temporary. He better not get too comfortable in that bracket.
After Hro had dismissed them ("Be sure to meet with each other and the aforementioned officers when you have the time today," he said as they filed out), Corla decided to fall into step with Shayera.
"You're leaving," Corla whispered after she made sure that the other two Lieutenants weren't in earshot. "Right after you and Hro have been Promised to each other?"
"Just some intelligence mission," Shayera answered, trying to come off as casual. "To stop a certain enemy from spreading, you know."
Though she is allowed to tell Corla what kind of mission, she wasn't allowed to mention the specifics. It was common espionage protocol to avoid complications.
Corla sighed. "High Councilor Lelkae is upset that his contract with father didn't go through. Yes, couples get parted once in a while in this war but to separate you because he didn't like that Hro went to your guardian..." she shakes her head. "That is petty."
"It is what it is, unfortunately," Shayera whispered. She'd wish that it have to be this way. That it wasn't until she was Bound with Hro to go on this mission. Unfortunately, it was the way it was, and she had to accept it.
The information library was not hard to find. Shayera had been there many times when she had to do redaction audits or retrieve info for minor intelligence missions. Corporal Andar would not be thrilled to see her since he was in charge of cataloging this information, but that was how it went.
She was going to have to work with him anyway when they were on Earth.
"Fair morning, Lieutenant Hol," the clerk greeted her as the doors slid shut behind her. "What can I do for you, today?"
"Is Corporal Andar in?" she asked. "It's for information pertaining to a future mission."
"I could get Corporal Kyr Vran to help you," he answered. "Corporal Andar is with analytics at the moment."
"I see," Shayera answered. Of course, he was probably getting ready for his mission prep. Of course, she wasn't supposed to know that he was going with her anyway. "Whatever. Page her that I am here and what it is for. I haven't got all day."
It did not take long to work with Corporal Vran to get the information cards needed. The two of them concealed in a envelope with her name on it. "For a mission like this, we had to make a second Asorbacron data card for one of them," she mentions. "For a mission that is described as having high stakes, they usually send one."
"Maybe the stakes are high to the point where they think they can't afford sending just one." Shayera answered, taking the envelope. "Thanks, and remind Corporal Andar that I want to meet with him this evening on when to conduct the redaction audit."
As much as Shayera had wanted to get a start on gleaning the info for her mission, there was a war to attend to first. She might as well meet with that thorn in her side now to get that over with.
"Not too bad," Jarl Kragger mused when going over the drone footage of the interrupted exercise. "There is still that blind spot that needs to be taken care of."
The door to the Operations Center slides open, and he looks up from his monitor. There was anyone else he'd like to talk than with this…thing who slithered her way up the ranks. He couldn't think of anyone else less deserving of that First Lieutenant bracket than her.
Couldn't think anyone else less deserving of being Promised to Hro Talak than her. Commander Talak gazing at her as if she was the center of his universe further added insult to injury.
Oh, how he longed for the day when Hro Talak would gaze at him like he was the center of his universe instead.
"Long time, no see, Lieutenant Hol," he greeted, making sure that a sliver of contempt was in his tone. He didn't miss some members of his Operations staff busying themselves as if they'd rather not be party to their discussion. They would no doubt pick up his disdain for the Lieutenant that was ranked above him. "I see this is about merging some of your intelligence members with my squadrons."
"Why else." She rolled her those poison green eyes of hers. What Hro saw in them was beyond him. If not him, even Katar Hol would have been a better alternative to receive his affections. "Let's get this over with. I have things to do and no doubt it would be the same with you."
"I understand, as you have a lot on your plate as it is," he said, waiting to see her reaction. Hol's lips pressed in a thin line, and he could see that glint of annoyance in those eyes. At least he did something. Oh, how he enjoyed getting under her skin. Too bad she is set to go on a mission in deep space in two weeks.
Throughout the conversation, as he often had, imagined what it would have been like cracking her skull in two with his axe. To see her blood blossoming under her head. There were some days he thought of crushing her windpipe. It would be easy.
However, as tantalizing as killing her was, it wouldn't be cathartic. It wouldn't be as satisfying such as…finding an way to get her stripped of her rank and creating an wedge between her and Hro. Therefore, keeping his hands clean. Alas, he didn't have the ammunition for such.
If she dies, Hro would be nothing but an empty shell. And as much as Kragger despised Shayera, orchestrating her death would be more of a detriment.
In the end, it was decided that she'd spare thirty percent of her intelligence officers. As much as he wanted to place them in the squadrons designated to the hotzone out of spite, that wouldn't be the wisest decision, aside from breaking protocol. Intelligence officers were always placed from the middle waves to back to increase their chances of survival. He could also use it to his advantage as well. Having keen eyes for intelligence in his squadrons could solve that issue with the blind spot.
"Well," he starts as they were wrapping up, "I heard that you too couldn't find anything on this Shadow-lord during your visit to the Downside."
"There was nothing viable to act upon," Hol had answered without a moment's hesitation. "Whoever this Shadow-Lord is doesn't want to be found. He's probably laughing at us."
"Indeed," he answered. If it weren't for the fact that others with a keen eye have been having trouble with determining the identity of this Shadow-Lord and the nature of his enterprise, this would be ammunition against her.
However, he had the feeling that she was lying and covering for someone. That she found out who this Shadow-Lord was and his operations. That she had chosen not to act on it. Even so, it gave him an idea what it could be.
After all, someone with a background such as herself would be more apt to protect an illegal enterprise if it was food and medicine illegally exported from Upside instead of the usual weapons and drugs racket.
As she left, he didn't waste the time sending a message to Commissioner Dul Thrax.
Shayera didn't have a good feeling after leaving the Operations Center. In the years that she worked with him, whenever he had that look in his eyes as if the cogs were turning in his head, nothing good came out of it. She was going to find a way to warn Commander Hol. Though she hoped thar he had come up with a plan the moment she discovered their operations.
She already had enough on her plate as it was.
"Ah, Shayera, I was wondering if I was going to catch you!" Nefeti's delighted exclamation as a nearest elevator opens. "Congratulations!"
"Thank you!" Had they not at base, she would have hugged her. Except such contact was considered tactless in this setting. Hugs were more reserved for more private settings. So she shook her hand instead.
"I apologize if my grandfather is being miserable about it." Nefeti snorted. "I mean, you are basically family. I have always considered you family."
Aside from the fast-track program in the Academy, older soldiers could take the cadets under their wing. Shayera was surprised that an seasoned soldier bothered to train her, a cadet hailing from the Downside. Even with Nefeti's explanation that she didn't ruffle the feathers of her peers to chose one of the Upside cadets, Shayera thought that something was up. Even to this day, it hurt her head to make sense of it all.
"I'd be surprised if your grandfather does come to like it," Shayera vocalized. She wondered if Nefti ever learned of her upcoming departure. If she ever came to the same conclusion that Hro and Corla came up with. If so, perhaps she figured that now is not the time.
"Well, I have things to do, and it seems that you do as well," Nefeti noted. "Hope to see you sometime soon."
"You, too," Shayera acknowledged as the two-part ways.
"Right." She swallows. Hesitating before entering the elevator Nefeti vacated. If only she took one of the nearest flyways instead. Especially since there were two other people standing with an database server in it.
"…and working with them in the beginning can be a headache," one soldier tells his companion. "It must have taken a week before – Oh, fair day, Lieutenant."
"Fair day to you," Shayera replied before turning to her scroll. The two soldiers resuming their conversation about working with Absorbacrons as she opened the message board. One of the things she learned in her early days of espionage were coded messages. The more complicated the code, the more secure it was. How it would be coded depended on the situation.
Of the nine Commanders, only one had spent time in the espionage wing. She had to be careful on how she coded it, for Kragger had a couple friends who worked at the Comm Center screening messages before they could be forwarded to its recipient. Therefore, Commander Katar Hol might not be the right person to send it to.
She was barely aware of the two soldiers carting the server out of the lift as she typed up her message. Not too complicated that Commander Thal wouldn't understand, but still something she could get the urgency of the situation. After all, Shayera couldn't imagine her not knowing about this underground clinic. For Commanders Hol and Thal are just as tight as she herself and Hro are. The blood pumping in her fingertips when she sends it.
Her head somewhat clears as she sits in her office. Setting one of the envelopes on her desk. She swallows as she turns the card with her mother's information.
Here goes, she thinks before activating the inhibitor for her Asorbacron.
"It is good to see you back on your feet, Commander," Second Lieutenant Sergeant Ivrol Dul says as she escorts her to her office.
"Well, one of them at least," Yera quips back. While the medics were able to save her wing, they had to amputate part of her right leg below the knee. Swiftly replacing it with a cybernetic prosthetic while she was under. "Anything I missed that I should be made aware of?"
"The Admiral sent a video of the last coordination meeting, and that should be it professionally," Lieutenant Ivrol Dul answered. "You'll see that some people have nothing better to do but gossip. I mean, we're getting shorthanded in a war."
"I think I know what you are referring to," she says. When she had woken up, one of the first things she heard from Katar was her daughter being Promised to Hro. Finally explaining the white orbs she saw her wear the first time she met her daughter during World War II. Confirming that she had yet to meet with them in that period of time on her end. "People do have better things to do in this time."
"Do you want to send for me if you need anything?" Dul asked her.
"No." Yera eases in her chair behind her desk. "I should be good. You have a repair hangar to manage."
"Yes, Commander." When the Lieutenant leaves the room, Yera turns on her monitor. Gritting her teeth at the pain in her temple. She was going to these headaches in the beginning as the result of the neural implant to activate her leg.
The sight of messages didn't surprise her. There was catching up that she had to do. Though the one from an First Lieutenant Commander Shayera Hol was on the top. While her daughter was subordinate to Hro Talak, she was the chief intelligence officer. Usually sending a monthly intelligence newsletter that one of them could forward to the Admiral. What was unusual upon opening it was that the other Commanders were not listed in the recipient field.
However, it made sense when she read the contents of the message. Resulting in her blood running cold and her feathers stiffen. Yera had only been involved in the intelligence division for half a decade before moving into the defensive division. But she knew enough to learn about coding in messaging.
That factored in with what Katar told her last night. That she found the clinic. That he was afraid that Kragger would figure out the nature of the enterprise simply due to her covering for the clinic coupled with her Downside upbringing.
This message indicates that she had this conversation with Kragger about her trip to the Downside.
Katar was making plans to move operations, but she had to tell him that they had to be quick with this.
In the DCAU, Shayera's cover story was that she was an Wingman who was stranded on Earth while pursuing criminals while in the comics, Fel Andar's whole thing was that he was the son of Carter and Shiera Hall who was raised on Thanagar to benefit from their advanced society. So I decided to blend their stories somewhat since the both of them are in here.