#4: Mystery In Space, Pt. 2 (Burchette / Tupper)

Rann[/b]

Adam Strange, and several scientists he had called in, were talking quietly over the destroyed Zeta Beam machine.

In the other corner, Batman, Flash, Atom, and Green Lantern were having their own personal meeting.

“We need to find the other three as soon as we can,” Flash was saying.

Batman nodded. “Agreed, but first we need to know where they were sent to. And unless Strange can get that machine running, we’re not going to have any idea where they actually went. If anywhere.”

“Always a ray of sunshine, aren’t you,” Green Lantern mumbled.

Adam Strange interrupted them. “It is going to take some time for them to repair this. I think that the best we can do now, is to get to Thanagar as quickly as possible. I’ve got us a ship and a pilot that will take us there.”

“What about our friends?” Flash asked.

“Until we can get the Zeta Beam working, we have no idea where they went,” replied one of the scientists. He was a balding man with spectacles.

“Allow me to introduce you to Sardath. He is the creator of the Zeta Beam, and a good friend. As for your friends, all we can hope is that wherever they are, they will also find their way back to Thanagar. Either way, we know that Despero will not stop until he gets there and gets what he wants. So that must be our main concern.”

The door to the large chamber slid open and an extremely attractive young brunette woman stepped through. She wore a uniform that Hal immediately took to be some kind of flight suit.

She crossed to Adam Strange and smiled. He smiled back and held out his hand to her, which she took.

“Gentlemen, allow me to introduce you to our pilot, Alanna. One of the best pilots on all of Rann.”

She shook all of their hands, coming to Green Lantern last.

“You know, I’m a pilot myself. Perhaps we could get together when this is all over and you could show me some of your best moves.” Hal broke out into a wide smile.

“Hal, I’m thinking she’s with Strange,” Flash whispered into his right ear.

“I don’t see a ring,” Hal whispered back, still holding onto the lady’s hand.

“She’s also my daughter, Earth man,” Sardath whispered into his left ear.

Hal’s hand immediately snapped back to his side. “And what a wonderful job you’ve done raising her, sir.”

Alanna smiled at him. “You are a charmer, aren’t you?”

Adam stepped up and put his arm around the female pilot, grinning himself. “I give Green Lantern credit. He obviously knows true beauty when he sees it.”

Alanna laughed and kissed Adam on the cheek before speaking. “We better get going. It will take us over an hour to get there, and from what I understand, time is of the essence.”

“Beautiful and intelligent; she’s a keeper, Strange,” the Atom said as he stood on Flash’s shoulder. “Let’s move out, we’ve got a planet to save.”

They entered the opulent temple and Superman and Wonder Woman were both struck by the pictures and statues of their gods and the murals of long ago battles, depicted in all their bloody detail. Thanagarian men and women passed them, some in robes, and others in costumes that showed their rank in the hierarchy of the churches. Several of them recognized Katar Hol and bowed to him as they passed by. Katar, who had removed his helmet as soon as he had entered, returned their acknowledgment with a stiff bow of his own. That was, until he saw a figure he wanted to speak to.

She was a young woman of about seventeen, and she carried a bowl of what appeared to be fresh fruits and nuts.

“Mar Lonya,” he called to her, picking up his pace.

She turned, and when she recognized him, she bowed low, “Master Hol, I am pleased to see you have returned. Your mother shall be relieved.”

“I seek an audience with her. Do you know of her whereabouts?”

“Yes, my lord. I was on my way to her private chambers to deliver this to her.”

“Then we shall keep you company,” Katar stated as he helped the girl back up. As they continued walking, he spoke to her. “Mar, I have not seen any of the Hawk-Knights patrolling the city, or the courtyard. Where have they all gone?”

“You have not heard, Master Hol? Those that were sent to help the Rannians, did not return. We received word several hours ago that they had all died by the hands of this terrible creature. As for the rest of the army, I do not know.”

They had made it to the door that was emblazed with a foreign and yet familiar hawk form on it. Above it were words in an alien language.

“What does that say?” Wonder Woman asked.

“Office of the High Priestess; she is in charge of the Priestess Academy here on Thanagar,” Katar said as he knocked on the door.

“Enter, my son,” came the voice that was soft and low.

They entered the office to find Shayera Hol standing in front of her desk, an ornate headdress atop her head. She wore a robe of gold, with three crimson red stripes running down the left side of it. Her stance was regal, to say the least.

Katar Hol hurried forward and knelt on one knee, in front of his mother. “Hello, Mother. I have returned.”

“I know, my son. I knew from the moment you appeared outside of the city. I do not see your father with you,” she stated, as she turned her attention to the two guests in the room.

Katar cleared his throat. “He is lost to us, Mother. He disappeared many decades ago, and has not been heard from since. It may be that he no longer lives.”

“Nonsense,” she snapped in that husky, yet seductive voice. “Your father is the reincarnation of Kar Taral. He lives, in one form or another. Who then, did you bring with you?” She walked towards the two Leaguers.

“They are from Earth, and champions of their planet. They have come to help us protect the Nth metal.”

“Two Earth people are all you brought,” she mused, her eyes roaming up and down the figure of Superman. “You. There is something about you.”

Superman shifted uncomfortably. “I am not, technically, from Earth. My planet was destroyed many years ago. My name is Kal-El, and I was born on Krypton.”

Shayera’s eyes widened in amazement. “A real Kryptonian! I had heard rumors that one had survived, but believed them to be nothing more than fairy tales.”

“Mother,” Katar interrupted. “Where are my brethren?”

Her gaze lingered on Kal a bit longer and then she turned, her face instantly becoming a mask of sorrow. “Many of them are dead, by the hands of that monster. The rest have gone to confront him. He is one step closer to reaching Thanagar.”

“Then I must go join them,” he stated suddenly as he headed for the door.

“No, Katar!” Shayera’s deep voice stated with a commanding sound that made him stop. “Not yet. You are to report to Kanjar Ro, first.”

“My duty lies with the Hawk-Knights.” He came back at her, his eyes blazing with an instant anger. “I am the very best they have. They will need me.”

“There are events that have happened that you must be aware of, Son. To needlessly throw your life away when you are destined for greater things is idiocy. Now go to Kanjar Ro and be prepared to do as he tells you.”

The room was quiet as the mother and son faced off. Her eyes were steady and cold, while his blazed with both anger and uncertainty. Finally he relented and, with a soft growl, headed for the door.

“Oh, and, Son,” Shayera said, stopping him, “take the female human with you as well. She may be of some help, I suppose. She looks of sturdy stock.”

Diana’s face reddened. “I am more than just a female human,” Wonder Woman sputtered. “I was born from a race of Gods, myself.”

Shayera smiled patronizingly, “Good for you. You must be very proud. Then you are a warrior that we shall need. Please go with my son, now.”

Diana turned from the High Priestess to Kal and then back. Her lips were trying to move, but nothing was coming out. Finally she gave an exasperated sigh and headed toward the door to follow Katar. Superman began to go with her.

“Not you, Kal-El,” Shayera said deeply. “You, I have need of. I ask that you stay, for a moment.”

Even though his eyes narrowed, Superman nodded as he watched the other two leave the room. “How may I help you?”

Shayera walked to her desk and turned back to him. “I think, perhaps, the question should be… how can I help you, last son of Krypton.”

J’onn went sailing across the Thangarian moon, a dark bruise already forming on his face. He rolled to the ground and watched in horror as Despero snapped the neck of two more Hawk-Knights. They fell at his feet, in a pile with the others.

“I am tired of this,” Despero said, as the last two Hawk-Knights of the planet Thanagar hovered above him.

“We must retreat,” the one stated, on the edge of panic.

“No, our orders were to fight until the end. We will find a way to defeat this monster.”

“But our powers, they are waning. Something has gone wrong.”

With no warning, the second one let out a scream of rage and swung his Nth-metal battle axe at his brother. It struck him full in the chest.

“You are a coward, and not worthy of the title that has been given you. If you will not fight for Thanagar, then you will die a traitor.”

The Knight that was hit, blood coming from his open wound, flew low, “What are you talking about? Why have you turned on me so?”

Martian Manhunter got up slowly. He could tell by the way Despero was concentrating,
that open-mouthed grin on his face, what he was doing. J’onn also knew that these were the last two Hawk-Knights, and he could not let them die. He would not let their special order be wiped out.

He took off at full speed, knowing that, at the most, it would only stun Despero, but not caring. He had to save those two knights. He had to make sure…

However, before he could reach his goal, the one with the huge axe gave a war cry and came down at a blinding speed onto his brethren. The sharp blade of the axe was buried deep, and his comrade fell into the eternal sleep of blackness.

Martian Manhunter struck with all the power that he could deliver. His fist, pointing straight out in front of him, made contact with the center of Despero’s chest and drove him back. It was also enough to break his concentration.

“Get off of me,” Despero bellowed as he grabbed J’onn by the face and began to squeeze it with all his might.

“What have I done!?” the last remaining knight of Thangarian’s most elite fighting team cried out, as he fell to his knees in front of his murdered comrade.

J’onn’s hands went to Despero’s as he felt the pressure on his face. He could not believe how strong this alien was. How much raw power he had in him. He focused with all his might and then, just when he thought he was going to black out, he sent his most concentrated burst of mental energy at the pink creature. He felt, for just a brief moment, the shields give way in the alien’s mind. It was enough for him to throw Despero off center, and he grabbed the alien’s arm and flipped him over his head.

The Martian Manhunter gasped for breath; his head was pounding, he was feeling dizzy, but Despero stood up chuckling. He was amused.

“You are powerful,” he said with that toothy grin. “I like that.”

The last Hawk-Knight was beginning to rise, taking his axe in both hands. “You shall be avenged my brethren. If this is to be the last stand of our kind, then our enemy will go down with…”

“Oh shut up,” Despero said in exasperation, as he passed the knight. He swung out his arm and drove it completely through the final knight’s chest. The Hawk-Knight died instantly.

“You have slaughtered an entire army,” J’onn said through gritted teeth. “However, you still haven’t made it to Thanagar, and you will not. Not as long as I stand.”

“Then it’s time for you to fall, isn’t it.”

They came together again, fists raised, their meeting causing a boom that could be heard for miles, had the moon been populated.

They matched each other, blow for blow. Neither letting up, nor relenting. Each strike was felt, but, for J’onn, it felt as though each of them was another nail in a coffin that he feared was coming to claim him.

J’onn, can you hear me?

Despero tried to break from the Martian’s grip, but J’onn would not let him go. His muscles strained at the exertion that it took to keep the alien from Kalanor in his grasp.

I hear you, Green Lantern. It is good to hear your voice. Things are bleak down here. All the Hawk-Knights are dead. I fear that my time, as well, has come to an end.

We’re just glad that we ran across you. We’re going to try a very desperate measure. When I give you the word, get out of the way. Just keep him there, until I give you the word.

Understood.

Despero let out a cry of rage, “I’m through playing games with you, Martian! My destiny awaits! The power of the Nth metal will be mine.”

“Your time… has come… to an… end.” J’onn was weakening, his arms were going numb, but he would not let go. He took the punishment that was dealt to him.

On the planet Thanagar, the door to the High Priestess’s office opened, and Shayera and Superman stepped out.

“Then we are agreed?” she asked him quietly.

The Man of Steel said nothing, but nodded.

They saw Wonder Woman and Katar Hol coming down the corridor towards them. Behind them was a man in dark blue robes. His name was Kanjar Ro and his face was expressionless as he followed the two heroes.

They all met in the middle of the outer-sanctum.

Katar Hol’s face was contorted into a mix of rage and shock. Wonder Woman was obviously holding her composure, but barely.

“Has my mother spoken to you?” Katar Hol asked Superman.

“Yes.”

“Then are we agreed?” Wonder Woman asked them all.

Katar Hol’s mouth closed tightly, but he nodded along with Superman. “Yes,” he said finally. “We are agreed. For Thanagar to survive, we must give Despero exactly what he wants. May the Gods have mercy on our souls.”

As the three heroes looked at each other, behind them, Kanjar Ro glanced at Shayera, who turned and acknowledged him with a slight nod of the head, and a very small smile that played at the corner of her lips.

Suddenly Katar Hol grabbed the side of his head, crying out in pain. They reached for him, but he was already on his knees.

“What is it, Katar?” Shayera demanded as she knelt next to him, genuine concern on her face.

“I just felt them… They’re dead… All of them.”

Kanjar Ro’s face drained of color. “All of them?” he repeated in a whisper.

Diana and Clark looked at them, confused.

“What is he talking about?” Superman asked.

Shayera held her son by the shoulders and looked up at them. “The Hawk-Knights, due to some of the elements that are in the Nth metal, have a sort of rapport with each other. They are, in a way, connected with each other at all times. It’s a limited ability, but a powerful one.”

Wonder Woman’s eyes widened. “Then what he just felt…?”

Katar Hol looked up at them, his eyes blazing, his teeth clenched. “Was their deaths. I am the last remaining Hawk-Knight. And by all that I hold sacred, they will be avenged!”