The Flightless

The Death of Sera Gordon

I'm cursed to watch my life pass by from behind the film of insanity. Everywhere I look, I see Nabu. He sits on tables, invisible to any eye but my own. He mournfully grants me company, so I'm not entirely isolated.

I hear myself mumble ancient truths and prophesy things to come. Sometimes it leaves my mouth as a whisper. Other times, I shout it. I never have control over the actions, nor the words. An ordinary person might mistake it for a loon's babbling. Anyone with a brain would sit at my feet and absorb whatever knowledge they could.

"Nah, this is your fault!" Deadshot loads his weapon. He aims it at Amanda Waller's head.

For once, Jim stands back.

Waller produces her own gun. Instead of retaliating against Floyd, she aims it at me.

"She needs to die."

Rick Flag cocks his assault rifle into position against his boss's head. "Not this time, boss. We've done enough damage."

"Sera is a hero," Livewire argues. "Even insane, she deserves to live out her days."

Agent Waller scoffs. "The most dangerous woman in the universe can't even defend herself! Who's to keep her safe when Darkseid comes back?"

"We should ask her husband what to do," Constantine interrupts.

Oswald hasn't moved from his position at my side. He cradles my head in his arms. "The only way to keep her safe is to kill her."

"What?"

"Sera Gordon must die," he says. "We'll change her name. Broadcast it to the world that Sera Gordon, the Cardinal died in battle. We can give her a new name. You can do that, can't you, Amanda?"

She holsters her weapon, agreeing angerly. "We already have her fake identification ready, should she need to go undercover. From now on, she will only be known as Sara Lance. She's a resident of Starling City, recently moved to Gotham."

"I want the same for my daughter."

"Fine," Waller sneers. "Sara Lance is a resident of Starling City, recently moved to Gotham with her daughter, Dinah Lance."

"What will happen to us now that you're going to jail?"

The devil doesn't know. "You'll return to your jail cells. As far as I'm concerned, you're all still criminals."

"No," Jim snaps. "That doesn't work for me. Do better, Amanda."

"What do you want?"

Floyd's answer is easy. "I want to see my girl again."

"I want this bomb out of my head," Livewire follows.

"No can do," Rick informs. "We don't have the technology advanced enough to remove it without disturbing the nano bomb."

Jim defends my team. "Then I suppose that'll be ARGUS' new task, won't it?"

Constantine wants the same.

"And you, Cobblepot?"

"I want to go home and take care of my wife and daughter."

Amanda refuses. "We can't do that, Penguin. You were only a part-time member of the squad. You will serve your full sentence."

"It'll be cut in half," Jim reassures my husband. "You've got four years left. Can you manage?"

Penguin wants to demand more but eventually settles for the deal. "Fine. Just— please take care of her, Jim. I can't lose Dinah, too."