Putting the pieces together

[mm]

"Gaaah!"

Mary Bromfield sat bolt upright up in the mattress, hair matted to her forehead with a thin layer of cold sweat. It had been the second nightmare she'd had since taking up permanent residence in Gotham City with both identities. The caped one and the secret one who just yesterday, when she was about to abandon all hope, somehow managed to luck into a job as a taxicab driver. Far from the top of her list of desired employment options but at the moment it would have to suffice until something better came along. Beggars couldn't be choosers and all that. Plus it helped keep the rent paid and her from having to find a nice cardboard box to keep out of the rain with in some alley.

This nightmare had been similar to the last one she had three nights ago. Short and horrific but to the point. She was out and about, shopping in the heart of Gotham when an electronic billboard on all four sides stopped plugging their advertisements and showed the same piece of cinematic footage for all the eyes of Gotham to gawk at simultaneously: Herself standing in an alley undergoing the lightning bolt triggered transformation that turned her from powerless 18 year old into Mary Marvel; maiden of might and champion of the gods. The climax was the same too. A new pair of shiny metal bracelets around her wrists, inhibitor collar around her neck and orange jumpsuit with a number on it to round out her new wardrobe.

For some it perhaps would be taken as a sign to take their ball and go home. For Mary Bromfield however she knew what it meant. She'd been out of the game too long and still wasn't completely familiar with all the rules the FBI run city was playing by. Would she be arrested on sight? Would she be left alone because she played by the rules when flashing her cape? It finally dawned on her that she wouldn't get the answer by laying low any further.

After a quick trip into the kitchen and splashing a bottle of natural spring water down her throat until it was gone, Mary snuck out a window, made it to the grove of trees and shouted the magic word, summoning the lightning strike and flying away before anyone could catch on.

Eventually making her way to the north side, flying above the clouds clad in the red version of her costume on this occasion, she descended gracefully, coming to rest atop one of the tallest buildings in this sector. If there was one thing about Gotham that held true it's that if the activity unfolding around you isn't doing so quickly enough, wait a few minutes. Things change like the weather and so Mary Marvel sat Indian style. Deep in thought about the future, the FBI, her fellow heroes and where they were, lots of things, while waiting for something to happen she could assist with or someone to pass by she could talk to and make sense out of things with.

"Welcome to Gotham, Mary Marvel." She whispered nonchalantly while the waiting game played itself out.

[Deleted]

Generally speaking, the top of a very tall building is a good place to be if you want to be alone while you keep an eye on things. Hawkgirl doesn't take advantage of that herself very often since it's her physical strength and not her mental strength that keeps her airborne, and she usually has plenty of physical strength to go around.

But being positioned in the sky and possessing superhuman eyesight means that it should surprise nobody that she takes note of someone free-flying above north Gotham. Even before she identifies the woman, she curves her course and picks up speed to meet up with her. She knows most of the people on this planet who can do that, and knows of the rest. And any of them being within Gotham definitely warrants a conversation, especially given the current state of things.

As she comes just a little closer, she smiles when she recognizes the costume. "Mary Marvel," she says to herself. Of course she'd recognize the hero - Hawkgirl is a senior member of the Justice League, after all - though she doesn't recall ever working directly with her.

Not slowing her pace, it only takes Hawkgirl a minute or two to reach the building where the young woman has positioned herself in spite of the fact that she'd been over central Gotham at the time. Even so, Hawkgirl isn't the fastest flier in the world, not by a long shot. No, her claim in flying prowess is her agility, which surpasses every single person who flies around under the power of their mind. Which is only fair, since flying without wings is obviously cheating.

"Hey, there!" she calls over once she's flown close enough to talk, "I didn't know that you were in Gotham." And to judge by her expression, she's rather pleased to see her. Though actually she's not exactly certain whether she's more happy or more worried.

[mm]

Ah autumn, Mary's favorite of the four seasons in terms of beauty. The wind is cooler and crisper. The leaves are brown and orange, plenty colorful and scenic. The moon seemed fuller this time of year and the stars seemed bigger & brighter. The maiden of might had been sitting in her Indian style perch before she fell back and lay against the rooftop, hand tucked comfortably behind her head and the index finger of her free hand pointing skyward while she lazily attempted to count as many stars as possible, admiring them all.

A few seconds later following that she began humming to herself as she continued her counting. Without the aid of x-ray vision like certain people with an oversized S marking their chests have, Mary Marvel's pupils widened slightly at the sight of what looked like a falling star. A falling star heading her direction. No. It's a falling star...with wings?" Mary jokingly asked herself, already knowing full well what it meant and who was likely making a hawkline straight for her.

"Hey yourself!" Mary Marvel smiled, climbing to her feet and brushing her hands and back off best as she could reach it. Making my presence known around here wasn't originally part of my agenda. I had been spending alot of time in Metropolis while in costume but now it looks like I am going to be here awhile."

Mary was definitely not one of the founding members of the JL, just a straggler that had joined not too long ago but she enjoyed being part of helping out when they needed it. The meeting presented to her now was one she'd been looking forward to for awhile, that of meeting the winged warrior from Thanagar. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you. I seem to have alot to learn about what's happening with this city and the way the government has virtually taken it over."

[Deleted]

Landing easily on the rooftop, Hawkgirl nods at the young woman's explanation. No doubt the fault of the FBI, and thinking about that causes her smile to fade somewhat. The government's takeover has become very serious business indeed, and is ever present in her thoughts anymore. Everywhere she flies there's a sign of her presence.

"Well, you could probably fly out of the city if you really needed to," she comments, glancing down at the city stretching out below this high building, "But that may not be wise. It seems like the government around here is already paranoid enough without giving them anything more to be suspicious about. And, more importantly, I guarantee that Gotham could use you a lot more than Metropolis right now - as long as you're not afraid of a tricky situation." It's actually a bit of a hidden compliment, given that the young woman could probably leave if she wanted to, that Hawkgirl isn't going to suggest doing that. Given what she fears may happen, this could turn out to not be a very pleasant place for heroes.

Her eyes shift back up to Mary and her smile returns as she holds out a hand for a shake. Mary Marvel may not have quite her level of prestige in the League, but even if she could use more experience the young woman is still a powerhouse of ability and Hawkgirl has to respect that. "Nice to meet you too - and I'll be happy to tell you what I know."

[mm]

Mary said nothing, simply nodded as Hawkgirl spoke. She had an array of thought collected in her head but getting them spoken without Hawkgirl looking down on & talking down to her and treat her like a child was the challenge. Some people in the league knew this 30 year old heroine was really only 18, some didn't. Some knew her identity and some didn't. Since she had never met Hawkgirl before Mary certainly never told her but that didn't mean other league members hadn't. She certainly didn't know who Hawkgirl was under the mask but to Mary not knowing wouldn't kill her anymore than knowing would turn her world upside down. Hawkgirl's choice either way.

"I don't really believe in coincidence, Hawkgirl." Mary spoke quietly after clearing her throat. "Perhaps the FBI has taken over because we as heroes, all of us collectively have gotten complacent and need to stand up for our rights as much as we do the rights of the people we protect. Perhaps I am here now because I am needed here. Perhaps Fate brought me here. Perhaps the Cubs haven't wom a world series in almost a hundred years because they genuinely suck and don't deserve to pick up another baseball bat unless they beat themselves with them." She gave a slight laugh, turned to establish eye contact with her teammate and received her hand then shook it.

"I'm not afraid. It takes alot to slip past the courage of Achilles. I'm not sure what to make of everything yet. I have been living in Gotham for awhile now. Under wraps of course but this is the first time I have actually out in an appearance while in costume. I wouldn't do anyone any good if I end up behind bars. I was hesitant until now to announce that I am here but I couldn't hide anymore." She drew a deep breath and exhaled. "Have YOU ever felt like kicking your costume to the curb before and calling it quits?" She asked pointedly, indicating that she herself had. "I'd like to know everything you can tell me."

[Deleted]

Given how weak the ordinary humans of this planet are, it isn't all that often that she shakes the hand of someone who is actually stronger than her. That, and the young woman's words, cause Hawkgirl to smirk and nod. But the difference Mary Marvel's heroic age and actual age is of no importance to Hawkgirl whatsoever; given that the Thanagarian is 89 herself, both 18 and 30 seem very young to her. But she tends to treat everyone based on how they're acting at the moment - if a 30 year old acts like a child, then she'll treat them like a child and vice versa.

The question that Mary Marvel asks prompts what is probably an unexpected response from Hawkgirl - she reaches up and takes off her helmet, revealing her very human-like face. "My 'costume' doesn't mean anything," she says, "I can take off my helmet, put down my mace, but I'm a little attached to my wings. Oh - and my real name is Shayera Hol, though I actually do like 'Hawkgirl' better. But it doesn't matter who sees or hears any of that, because it's impossible for me to hide who I am. I'm still the only Thanagarian on the planet." When you have wings, the whole 'secret identity' thing is kind of pointless.

"Though I suppose I could retire, find a quiet corner of the planet where the people can get used to me. But then I'd never be able to watch the news without flying off to go help. You can take the hero out of the costume, but never the costume out of the hero, you might say," she says with a smile, though she doesn't put her helmet back on immediately - instead she simply holds it.

"Now, here's the situation," she adds in a much more businesslike tone as she once again looks out at the city, "The FBI have been rounding up criminals right and left. But also a few innocents are getting mixed in there - it's a real problem. The PROTECT Act they're operating under allows them absolute freedom to arrest whoever they want and for no reason whatsoever, but they seem to be trying to leave the innocent out of it even if they're failing. The real problem is that they've decided that the city's vigilantes are criminals, and while I suppose that's technically correct and I don't approve of their methods, they hardly deserve this kind of response.

"But they have been leaving me alone - they haven't tried to catch me or shoot at me like they do the vigilantes, and I suspect they'll do the same to you. But I haven't exactly been interacting with them. Leaving them criminals to find? Yes, but I try to avoid them. Because the way this has been going has me worried - at first they were just clearing up the street crime, and then they started chasing the rogues and organized crime. More recently they arrested the Question, though he was able to escape, and started going after the other vigilantes as well. It's possible that they'll stop there, but honestly I think that it's more likely that the heroes are next," she concludes her explanation somewhat grimly, still staring out at the city.

[mm]

Hawkgirl's next move after she'd asked her questions, Mary didn't come right out and say that it shocked her but you could figure that out by the look on her face. She'd heard Hawkgirl was a warrior type with a real gung-ho personality. Bad-ass and all that hence the reason why Mary found it so surprising she'd remove her mask so nonchalantly. "I love your hair, beautiful color." She complimented her after it spread across her shoulders with the helmet removed. "I understand how that is for you but it's different for me. I have a family to protect, a set of adopted parents and one big red cheesy brother. If the FBI or any of the villains or rogues found out my real name it would put them all in jeopardy. I don't plan on throwing in the towel because I believe in what I am fighting for. There's got to be a way we can show them how wrong their decision process is though with the way they keep tightening the screws on us."

She wasn't entirely certain what to make of it all as she processed Shayera's words, looking down at the city once more just as Hawkgirl did. "It's only a matter of time. I can sense it. It's just a matter of time until they buy themselves bigger more dangerous weapons, develop stricter methods of doing their job and get to big for their pants when they decide to come after us. I think you're exactly right Hawkgirl, The gods that power me are saying the same thing, i can pick up on their counsel.""

Mary had heard of the protect act through word of mouth previously., it seemed just a pretense, a cover to allow the inmates to run the asylum as the saying goes. With all her powers it was clear this this nightmare is one bigger than her. She couldn't be a one woman show. Not here. Not in Gotham City with everything the government is trying to pull. "The way the vigilantes are being hunted and arrested I'm not sure who else I can trust here in Gotham, present company excluded. I am certain I can trust you if you don't mind a new tag team partner." She smiled meekly. "And for that I think I should allow you to be able to trust me also. My real name's Mary Bromfield, I just moved into Gotham Tower from another place I had til I ran low on cash. I needed something cheaper but that's another subject. Care to take our show on the streets together?

[Deleted]

Yeah, she thought that Mary Marvel would be surprised by her taking her helmet off. Partly because of that certain culture that developed among heroes - most of them have family and friends to protect so showing people who you actually are really means something. But nobody's protection rests on Hawkgirl's identity - all her family are on Thanagar and her only friends here are the masked kind. A fact that she just might have to take advantage of.

She smirks at the compliment on her hair - anyone should be able to guess that she's a redhead. "Good to hear," she says simply with a nod to Mary's explanation. Given that the vast majority have very good reason to keep their identity a secret and she's worked with so many of them it's hardly a foreign concept. But she does have to admire so many people who are willing to take a much larger risk than herself simply because they're strong and want to help others with that strength.

With her helmet not obscuring her face, it's much easier for the winged woman's expressions to be seen. And they turn halfway skeptical when Mary starts talking about the gods who give her power. Hawkgirl doesn't really 'believe' in gods. Oh, she's sure that Mary is getting her power from somewhere, but she doubts that it's from an actual deity and not simply some advanced race. But that probably goes along with the fact that she doesn't really believe in 'magic' either - to her it's simply something else that can be smashed with her mace. Never mind the fact that the Nth metal in her mace is one of only a few things that are proof against it. She literally killed a god with it once. Nevertheless, she rhetorically asks, "What do they say about the idea that since the PROTECT Act is a national law, this may happen in other cities? Like Metropolis, for example?"

But she moves along quickly from that disturbing thought and instead listens to Mary's own revelation. As causal as she's able to be with her own real name, she doesn't take knowing the name of someone who is actually protecting others with theirs lightly. "I don't mind, at least until you get your feet under you in Gotham. I'm normally out during the day, but since I'm trying to help make up for all the vigilantes who are being forced to keep their heads down I'm working lots more hours - that's why I'm glad you're here. I can't promise to be here for you for the longer term though, but that's another story. Why don't I tell it to you while we fly?" she suggests as she puts her helmet back on and her wings spread in anticipation of being airborne.

[mm]

"What do they say? That's...a good question." Mary gave her shoulders a shrug. "More often than not they talk in riddles, Shayera. Sometimes it's hard for me to understand them even with the wisdom of Solomon. Hard for me to separate what they are saying from the hidden meaning sometimes. I am thinking it's like a fire." Her lips twisted into a half scowl while her hands rested on her hips. She started tom pace aimlessly on the roof, agitation building up within her the more she thought about how misguided, how warped, and possibly even corrupt her own government had become.

"A fire. It's like a fire that has burned down a few trees by spiraling out of control. I hate the thought that it might be necessary to fight the FBI but something has to be done. This fire needs to have water dumped on it and dumped on it now before it burns down the whole forest."

A small smile returned to her lips when Hawkgirlagreed to temporarily work as a team as they served their similar purposes in protecting Gotham while also keeping a wary eye on the FBI in the event they should cross paths. "Wait! Please." Mary pleaded, her arms outstretched, calling out to Shayera before she put her headpiece back in place. A bit of the personality of the 18 year old currently locked beneath the surface of 30 year old Mary Marvel's body rose to the surface. A hopeful, expectant look was in her eyes. "May I?" She asked as she rose off the building and hovered in the air as they took off, hoping for a moment to hold the helmet in her hands just to see what it felt like. She had to admit to a bit of awe of the mystique Hawkgirl's disguise held with it.

[Deleted]

Yeah, the fact that the beings that are supposed to be able to predict the future are talking in riddles and are hard to understand give Hawkgirl real confidence in the fact that they have any idea what they're talking about. She'll rely on good old-fashioned intuition, thank you very much. Her intuition isn't known to fail her very often, after all, and it's extremely clear. But she's polite enough to simply nod, though she comments, "There are other ways than water to fight a fire." Gentler ways that just might work.

She visibly surprised by Mary's request. Nobody has ever had the audacity to ask her something like that before. Well, there's been the occasional little boy who wants to see her mace (a definite no!), but the quick smirk on Hawkgirl's face indicates she's not offended by it in the least. "Why not?" she asks as she takes off with it still in her hand, easily passing it over.

The helmet feels like it's made of metal, but is surprisingly thin and light - kind of like aluminum. But Hawkgirl explains, "It's made of Nth metal, like my mace. Strong enough that even Superman can't break it. Only Thanagarians have the technology and knowledge to use the stuff. It absorbs electricity and repels magic. All Thanagarians get one when they're old enough to fight." She pauses, wondering if there's anything else to say about it that Mary would consider 'cool'. Given just how long she's worn it and the fact that she comes from a planet where pretty much everyone as one, it's completely ordinary to her even though she's aware that she's probably the only one around here who thinks so.

[mm]

The silence that grew between herself and Hawkgirl spoke volumes, at least to Mary. Of course the possibility remained that she could always be reading her wrong but skepticism she sensed from Hawkgirl when Mary mentioned her gods was duly noted. In the end though whatever message Solomon, Hercules and the rest laid out for her always seemed to prove beneficial, at least so far, it just took awhile sometimes to decipher it. Hawkgirl didn't openly say anything however an so Mary didn't ask any questions either. Everyone held their own beliefs and no matter if Mary thought they were right or wrong they were all entitled to them and she wouldn't raise a fuss unless she was ever backed into a corner. "You are right again, I just pray that when the time comes the other methods work and cooler heads will prevail. I don't want to have to fight the government unless there are absolutely no other options. If it doesn't come to that, so much the better."

Hawkgirl's visual reaction when Mary asked to have a closer look at her helmet made her wish she were a turtle or an ostrich so she could either pull her head into her shell or shove it into the ground and scout for worms. All of that ran through her head and she felt as if she had committed the unpardonable Thanagarian sin until the smirk that spread across Shayera's lips set her nerves at ease.

"Thank you!" The Maiden of Might beamed from ear to ear as she took it and held it tightly, running her fingers over the surface to get a feel for the Nth metal. Although she always wondered how well the strength of the Marvel Family would match against Superman's she would never put that theory to the test willingly and certainly wouldn't put it to the test on Hawkgirl's helmet. Nor would she dare to try it on though it was a bit tempting. Instead she passed it back after a few seconds, still smiling in admiration. "Quite honestly I have never seen anything like it on Earth. I'm impressed."

She carefully handed it back and stretched her arms out in front of her, shifting into a horizontal position , prepared to fly off and waiting for Hawkgirl to join her. If she chose she could become a blur and leave Hawkgirl eating her dust and sonic boom as far as Mary knew at the moment but then that would defeat the purpose of a temporary partnership.

Gently holding out her arm as a bird passed by, Mary softly whispered, her love for animals leaving her hoping that as she held perfectly still and waited for Hawkgirl to set her helmet back in place the bird would perch for a moment, which it did to slight bit of surprise on Mary's part. "You are more in touch with everything that's happening around here right now than I am. I'll follow your lead if that's alright, Hawkgirl."

[Deleted]

Hawkgirl smiles as she takes the helmet back and returns it to her head. Despite its unique characteristics, it's only occasionally useful as more than an intimidating headpiece. Her skull is strong enough most of the time to shake off head injuries, and she's a skilled enough fighter that blows to the head are extremely rare anyhow.

She has to smile when she's finished and sees Mary with the bird. Cute little thing. But they do have some serious stuff to take care of now, so when Mary invites her to lead, she nods and speeds up considerably. Hawkgirl is a pretty fast flier when she wants to be - nowhere near as fast as a few in the League like Mary, but she can easily out-fly the vast majority of aircraft - but most of the time that sort of speed isn't that useful. If you get going too fast then you don't see what's going on below you, so the pace she's set is fast but not too fast.

"This part of Gotham is usually the quietest," she says, "Most of the crime around here is white-collar, though it's worth an occasional fly-over anyway." That's one difference between heroes and vigilantes: heroes mainly stick to rescues and stopping crimes in progress unless they're specifically asked to do something, while vigilantes actually investigate and collect evidence. When a hero finds evidence, they're more likely to hand it over to the police so that the police can do their job.

"It's east Gotham that's the real trouble spot, though the south and west have their problems. Thanks to the FBI, it's like a pot on the stove - getting hotter and hotter and it'll start to boil soon," she continues, her tone very serious, "But like I said, there's more then one way to put out a fire. And we have to do everything we can to avoid turning this isn't a war. If the heroes start fighting the government, then we'll confirm their worst fears. So rather than fight, we need to convince them to change their minds."

[mm]

As soon as Hawkgirl took off Mary was right behind her, slightly to the side so she could see past her wings but still not on par neck and neck with the winged warrior. Until recently Gotham was just a place for her to lay her head down at the end of the day after making the rounds of Metropolis and returning as Mary Bromfield. With the FBI changing the rules on her, getting familiar with Batman's town from border to border was of vital importance. Besides desperation that was the other reason she took the job as t a cab driver. Before the month was up she was confident she'd see every mile of the city at least once. It actually floored her that she managed to talk her way into that job, surprised they would be willing to hire a female cab driver.

Attention to detail was crucial. Her eyes were sharp and Mary Marvel's memory was equally so. More so. Her eyes didn't possess x-ray vision but she could remember little things that happened long ago that some would have long forgotten. She hung on every word Hawkgirl spoke, not missing a beat even while her baby blues swept the landscape during the transition from north side to east as the subject of conversation.

She nodded as Hawkgirl again mentioned the fact that talking peace was needed more than trying to pound fists upside the heads of the FBI. It was the third time Hawkgirl had said it and it began to disturb the Maiden of Might. She didn't say a word but it almost sounded like Hawkgirl thought she was a savage brute that would go off the minute she saw someone flash a badge. She tended to think things out and through more than Billy or Freddy tend to. Instead of speaking she'd just have to show Hawkgirl that they were on the same page when the opportunity arose.

"You've made your point. I mean I really do understand. I don't want a war either. How do you suggest we begin?"

[Deleted]

Hawkgirl hardly sees Mary as a brute. No, she sees her as young and inexperienced, and those who are young and inexperienced often need to be told something more than once just to make sure that they take it seriously. And in a situation as volatile as this, they can't afford any such errors. But, once again, Hawkgirl didn't tell her to leave right off the bat so that shows some confidence in her at least.

However, she wisely takes that hint and moves on, "These actions by the FBI seem to indicate that the government has no faith in vigilantes, and likely not in the heroes either. Understandable, perhaps - even though we fight for justice, we're also very powerful. However, the government in this country is itself ruled by a higher power: the voice of the people. And perhaps the most peaceable way to resolve this is to bring the voice of the people over to our side - if we can make the people who decided the PROTECT Act was a good idea fear for their jobs, I'm sure that they'd start falling over themselves blaming each other and the FBI would be out of here very quickly." She smirks to herself at the mental image.

"So that's exactly what I plan on doing - and I could really use your help," she says, casting a smile Mary's way as they head southward toward the more central part of Gotham. But that's only the outline and not the details of her plan.

[mm]

"For someone that swings a pretty heavy mace, you have an awfully wise head on your shoulders Hawkgirl. There is alot of wisdom in your words." Mary smiled, smirking at the same time Shayera did at the mental image of FBI agents fleeing Gotham like a horde of rats chasing a piece of cheese. That was the image Mary had at least. "You sound as if you have a specific idea in mind on how to bring the people to our side. I am hoping you do because I must admit to drawing blanks at the moment." She smiled once more, offering her hand to Hawkgirl again for her to shake it as though to bind this pact Shayera offered.

"I am in this with you no matter what. You have my help however I can give it." She continued speaking quietly. "If you don't see me in the skies over Gotham whenever you need me, you can normally find Mary Bromfield in the Gotham Tower apartments on the south side or you can find her driving a cab for the Checker Cab company of Gotham. Cab number 42." She paused for a few moments during their flight. "Where are we off to now?"