Chapter 3

Shayera disembarked the jet as it landed at their designated location, a small town on the outskirts of Gotham. She surveyed her surroundings, pausing when the others came to a halt.

"What's the plan?" Shayera inquired, glancing at Diana who stood behind Vixen and Supergirl. "Perhaps a trap?" she suggested, catching the attention of the others.

"It's not your place to offer suggestions, Shayera," Supergirl retorted. "Wonder Woman and Green Lantern will make that decision."

Shayera averted her gaze from the young hero. "Actually, Shayera may have a valid point," John interjected, surprising the redhead. "A trap could flush out the thieves."

"But we can devise an alternative plan," Diana asserted, reluctant to embrace the Thanagarian suggestion despite its potential effectiveness. "Diana, pardon me, but we could attempt to set a trap. If that fails, we can brainstorm another concept," John countered.

Shayera observed her companions' discussion while scanning the town for suitable ambush locations. "We must determine the thieves' target areas and their preferred loot," John suggested, guiding the group toward the mayor's residence.

"Hey!" Shayera turned to find Vixen beside her. "We're meeting with the mayor," Vixen explained, noticing Shayera's distraction. "Understood," Shayera responded, following Vixen behind the others.

As they traversed the town, Shayera clenched her hands, aware of the piercing gazes of the locals. Ignoring them, she walked alongside Vixen, who attentively surveyed their surroundings.

"No wonder this place gets stolen from," Vixen observed, glancing around. "They don't seem to have any security."

Shayera surveyed the area and agreed, "They could be hiding, though. That's why we're here."

"Yeah, maybe," Vixen said. They paused as a loud crash echoed from a nearby building, followed by a cry for help.

"I guess we found the thieves," Diana said, glaring at Shayera.

Shayera returned the glare. "What are you waiting for? Let's go after them!" she exclaimed, about to charge towards the building.

"Shayera, wait!" John shouted, using his Green Lantern ring to block her path. "We need to be careful," he said. "We don't know what we're up against."

Shayera gazed at her ex-boyfriend. "We need a plan!" John retorted, "Forget the plan."

"We have people to save," Shayera insisted, spreading her wings. "That's why we're here."

"You're right," John conceded, removing his hand shield. "Let's stop them. Supergirl, Vixen, you two with Shayera. Diana and I will take the other side."

Supergirl hesitated, but Vixen urged her on. "Come on, Kara! We need to catch up." They followed Shayera, who had already taken flight.

"What's the plan?" Vixen asked once they had landed on the building.

"We infiltrate without alerting the thieves," Shayera said, listening to the voices inside.

Vixen nodded. She could hear the thieves' shouts: "Get down! Now!" A cry of fear followed. "Please don't hurt..."

Shayera strode along the rooftop until a small window at the peak caught her eye. "We enter through there," she stated, gesturing toward the opening. "Let's proceed stealthily..."

Supergirl interrupted her. "We should charge in now and subdue these criminals!"

"Kara," Vixen cautioned the younger heroine. But it was too late. Supergirl had already slipped inside.

"Hey there, mates!" Supergirl called out. "Release the hostages at once!"

"Oh, do tell us who's giving the orders," a thief retorted.

Shayera suppressed her anger. "We must intervene before she gets injured," she said, following Supergirl into the building with Vixen.

They concealed themselves behind a snack rack. "What's our next move?" Vixen whispered.

Shayera cautiously peered out and saw Supergirl standing on the counter. "I repeat, release the hostages!" she demanded.

"Not likely, child," a thief sneered, brandishing a bomb. "Have a taste of this." He hurled the explosive at Supergirl.

Shayera watched anxiously as the bomb hurtled at the wall behind Supergirl. "We need to help her before she's harmed," she exclaimed. With a determined surge, she emerged from her hiding place.

Swiftly, Shayera intercepted the bomb before it could reach its target. "Attacking a woman is unsportsmanlike!" she declared, landing behind the assailants. She dismissed Supergirl's protests, "I didn't require your assistance!"

"I beg to differ," the thief retorted, turning to face his interloper. His eyes widened as he recognized Shayera. "A vile Thanagarian!" he hissed, eliciting a venomous glare from her.

Unfazed, Shayera held the bomb aloft. "Surrender yourselves now. Release the hostages and accompany us," she commanded, hoping her words would sway them.

On the opposite side, Vixen stood poised, blocking their escape. "I refuse to heed the commands of a betrayer!" one thief snarled, his gaze fixed on the bomb in Shayera's grip.

Shayera glared at the thief. "Surrender or we'll use force!" she demanded.

Vixen stepped towards the men. "Make this easy for us."

"I don't think so," one thief said. He clicked a remote, causing smoke to billow from a bomb.

"Goodbye, ladies!" the thief said, grabbing bags as the bomb exploded. Shayera, Vixen, and Supergirl flew into the air but were knocked to the floor by the smoke.

Shayera covered her face. She hissed in pain when her back hit a wall. She could hear Vixen nearby and the footsteps of the thieves fleeing.

Her thoughts raced to John and Diana. Where were they? Why hadn't they come to help?

The hostages yelled in fear, not only from the thieves but also from the sight of the Thanagarian.