Chapter Text
After leaving Altamid, Jaylah contemplated returning to her old pirating life but eventually deemed it pointless and instead joined the crew of the mercenary ship Leaping Lizard, giving herself a new name to signal a fresh start—Jaylah Osana Dawnbreaker, "Osana" meaning "demon goddess" in her native tongue. With that, she decided to shed her old image as well and completely immerse herself in the green killing machine she's become. She lined her yellow eyes with a special kind of green powder, and tied her long silvery-white hair into braids and dreadlocks, weaving lots of trinkets into it. Her joining of the Lizard's crew had made life easy for them, although her being the only female had led to some complications. Many of her crew members had tried to get her into bed more than once, but she let them all down, since she did not feel for men the way most women did, and thankfully, the captain knew that.
The next turning point in her life arrived when the Romulan Star Empire heard of the Lizard, and the strange woman bearing a green ring who fought aboard her. A Commander in one of its military branches sought to employ Jaylah, and the crew looked appalled when they heard the details.
"Only her?" the captain asked.
"Only her." said the Romulan officer, making it very clear. Jaylah ignored the looks of betrayal on the Lizard crew's faces as she followed him to her new employer's vessel, the RIS Memenda.
"Welcome, ring-wielder." said a female voice. "I am Liviana Charvanek, commander of this vessel and three others. May you state your name?"
"Jaylah Osana Dawnbreaker." said the young Green Lantern, still unfazed.
"Very well then, Miss Dawnbreaker. Me and my division are working under direct orders from Her Imperial Majesty, Empress Ael t'Rllaillieu herself, my aunt. We are to reclaim the Klingon-occupied planet Korai, once Romulan territory, now theirs. For that, I requested for your help and if the rumors they've told about you are true..."
"You're pretty." said Jaylah, cutting in.
"Pretty..." The Romulan commander rolled the word around in her mouth. Apparently she had a preference for both men and women, and everyone in her division knew that.
"You're welcome." Jaylah remarked.
"Miss Dawnbreaker, are you trying to hit on me or..."
"No." laughed the mercenary, spinning around in her seat. "Even a girl has standards, I'm not blind. My ring, it's for bringing justice to this universe only. To get rid of evil men, like Krall."
"Who's Krall?" inquired Charvanek.
"He imprisoned my family on this planet called Altamid." said Jaylah. "He took my father, and my sister. I avenged them, with this very ring." she said, as she held up her ring for her employer to see.
"I see. If you truly wish to rid this universe of evil, then why not start with those Klingon filth that took over Korai?"
"F-ine." the mercenary said. "Just promise you'll pay me pretty good so that I won't starve when I take back to the stars."
"I will." Charvanek promised—in the end, it was all just good business and, in all honesty, she too found the bearer of the green ring quite attractive. She poured two glasses of Romulan ale for them both, and offered a toast, which Jaylah happily accepted.
The next day, Jaylah was out in the front, up against a battalion of Klingon vessels. For a moment, she doubted if they were truly evil but quickly shoved that thought into the back of her mind and readied her ring. Aboard the Memenda, Sub-Commander Tal was asking Charvanek "You really seem to have bought into the ring-wielder, Commander Charvanek."
"It's just good business." said the commander.
Back outside, the Green Lantern was flying head-on into danger as the Klingon leader gave out orders, and every vessel began firing at her. A disruptor blast, aimed straight for her head, was fended off by an energy barrier from the green ring, followed by another, then another, then soon, all the Klingon ships focused their attacks on Jaylah, who fought them off, hardly bothered.
"She's taking all the fire!" Charvanek exclaimed. "All ships—engage!"
Jaylah cracked a defiant grin as disruptor blasts and torpedoes rained on her. "Alright, time to take this one down." She then picked a song from her playlist. "Ring?"
Initiating blackout.
Just A Girl-No Doubt
Take this pink ribbon off my eyes,
I'm exposed and it's no big surprise,
Don't you think I know exactly where I stand?
This world is forcing me to hold your hand,
'Cause I'm just a girl, oh, little ol' me,
Well, don't let me out of your sight,
Oh, I'm just a girl, all pretty and petite,
So don't let me have any rights!
Oh, I've had it up to here...
The moment that I step outside,
So many reasons for me to run and hide,
I can't do the little things I hold so dear,
'Cause it's all those little things that I fear,
'Cause I'm just a girl, I'd rather not be,
'Cause they won't let me drive late at night,
Oh, I'm just a girl, guess I'm some kind of freak,
'Cause they all sit and stare with their eyes,
Oh, I'm just a girl, take a good look at me,
Just your typical prototype...
Oh, I've had it up to here...
The Memenda flew over to Jaylah, who received a transmission from Charvanek. "I'm impressed, Miss Dawnbreaker. It seems the rumors were true indeed."
"Well, thank you." said the mercenary.
Oh, am I making myself clear?
I'm just a girl,
I'm just a girl in the world,
That's all that you'll let me be...
Oh, I'm just a girl, living in captivity,
Your rule of thumb makes me worrisome,
Oh, I'm just a girl, what's my destiny?
What I've succumbed to is making me numb,
Oh, I'm just a girl, my apologies,
What I've become is so burdensome,
Oh, I'm just a girl, lucky me,
Twiddle-dum, there's no comparison,
Oh, I've had it up to,
Oh, I've had it up to,
Oh, I've had it up to here...
In the end, the Romulans had triumphed and the Klingons had to surrender Korai back to them. Empress t'Rllaillieu wished to honor her niece and the green ring-bearer, so Charvanek's division was called back to Romulus, and of course, Jaylah was in tow. A lavish victory party was thrown, and Jaylah was obliged to attend. Tal threw an emerald green dress in her face, saying "Might as well be dressed for the occasion, alien."
"Aye, sir." she spat back.
Even at the party, she felt uncomfortable. There were Romulans everywhere, and she seemed to be the only alien. She would rather be dancing among the endless span of stars, listening to sweet songs from the playlist Kalara had given her and searching for new evil to vanquish. But surprisingly, it all vanished when Charvanek came up next to her, in her military uniform. "Hello, Miss Dawnbreaker." said the commander.
"Hello, Charvanek." Jaylah said. "Enjoying yourself, I see..."
Charvanek handed her glass of Romulan ale to Jaylah. "I know you want bloodshed, but trust me, you'll grow on us. Our people are warriors. Often savage. But we are also many other pleasant things."
"Yeah, whutever. Just release me with the promised bounty when it's all over." said the girl before downing the glass, and leaned in to whisper in her employer's pointed ear:"Besides, you wouldn't mind if I spice this boring party up a bit, right?"
"Do as you wish." said the Romulan, and the black-and-white alien complied. She made a construct table and jumped on it before yelling out a verse from a well-known pirate shanty, drawing everyone's attention to her.
"Drink up, me hearties, yo-ho!"
"Damn alien!" Tal muttered under his breath. Strangely enough, everyone else in attendance found the sight entertaining, or, in Charvanek's case, seductive as the Lantern danced on the table, strumming a green axe-guitar, her skirt fluttering like wings.
"Yo-ho, yo-ho, a pirate's life for me..."
The commander's eyes were trained on the young Lantern like an eagle stalking its prey. One thought crossed her mind:Devil. Jaylah Osana Dawnbreaker danced like a devil from Hell. She felt a green blush coming up her cheeks. But in the last minute, Jaylah lost balance and fell down as her constructs disappeared, and Charvanek knew she had to act—fast. She rushed forward and caught the younger woman's wrist, preventing her from hitting the cold, hard floor. That was when a servant announced her aunt's arrival.
"Presenting Her Honored Majesty, ruler of the Star Empire and her people, Empress Ael i-Mhiessan t'Rllaillieu!"
The grand hall erupted into cheers of "Long live the Empress!" as the Romulan ruler entered.
"First and foremost, we have good news. A special envoy from the Klingon Empire brought word that an armistice agreement with our Star Empire has been signed." spoke the Empress. "We thank from all of our hearts all those who have endured this lengthy time of trial along with us. There are quite a many people who speak out in opposition to this armistice. Hatred of the Klingons among those who have lost friends and loved ones to the war has no doubt persisted for three generations. We sincerely sympathize with them. However, the rebuilding of our wearied nation is far more urgent. Hereafter, we must focus all of our strength towards our empire's prosperity. As you all know, my niece Commander Charvanek and her military division demonstrated exceedingly great merit leading to this armistice, but the one who achieved the greatest feat of them all would be, without a doubt, the green ring-wielder who gladly lent us her might."
"May I have a word with you, Miss Dawnbreaker?" asked Charvanek, before pulling Jaylah aside and to a terrace devoid of people.
"Wha—" Jaylah was surprised, but had no choice but to follow her employer.
"Her Majesty looks quite fond of you, so I've been thinking, if you could stay in my division and continue fighting for us."
"No, thanks." Jaylah simply said. "I'd rather be out there, among those stars." A flash of green light, and the dress fell off her lean frame, replaced with her Lantern Uniform in less than a minute. "Bed aoi, my lady." was what she said, before flying away. Goodbye forever. Like a bat out of hell, she had left before morning came.
In the following week, Jaylah continued scourging the stars for what she could do to prevent further injustice and rescue others from suffering the same fate as her—her before she got the green ring, of course. Some called her a miracle-worker, others a threat.
Her resolve had not yet broken, that was when she came in first contact with the United Federation Of Planets. One of its ships, the Constellation, had wandered into hostile space...which turned out to be Romulan space and through some assistance from her ring, she was able to figure out the Federation goons were in a covert mission to steal a cloaking device from her former bosses. She, being the kind-hearted person she was, decided to give the Romulans a little warning...only to meet Liviana Charvanek again.
"So, we meet again, Miss Dawnbreaker." the commander had said, "Felt compelled to return?"
"Um..." The Lantern couldn't find the words. Second time's a charm, they said, and she found herself drawn to her former employer. After the Constellation crew's attempt to steal the cloaking device was foiled, she permanently installed herself into Charvanek's military division and, as time grew on, even the most stubborn and conservative Romulan soldiers acknowledged the alien as their sister-in-arms.
And for four more months, Jaylah stayed, relaying her favorite tales to her once-employer, now-superior. How "King" Iora Daris, a legendary pirate captain who was the most powerful and influential pirate of his time, rallied his crew to go against Alte're, the queen of the stars, and imprisoned her in mortal form so everyone could roam the stars freely. The courtship of the young huntress Nekoma of Amerind and the lake spirit Wanji. And even a story from Earth, the core planet of the Federation, about a girl who made the stars.
With each story told, Jaylah found herself falling in love. And apparently, Charvanek felt the same, since she had begun calling her "Jay" when they were in private.
One night, the Lantern had called her superior out and tried to teach her how to dance. She made a green sash from her ring and began to move in the same manner as when she entertained everyone at the party. Her long limbs seemed to be everywhere at once and her body moved with a practiced grace although the dance was certainly the most unconventional thing the commander had ever seen in her life, but yet, it was just as alluring. Then Jaylah shuffled through her playlist for a moment, and when she found the right song, she reached out and grabbed Charvanek.
"Jay, I—This is most crude." said the Romulan, but the Lantern paid those words no mind.
"Who cares? Just follow me." she giggled. Charvanek stumbled for a moment, but she suddenly found that there was something almost predictable about the movements once she learned the rhythm and she was able to join Jaylah in this wild and joyous dance.
You Belong To The City-Glenn Frey
The sun goes down, the night rolls in,
You can feel it starting all over again,
The moon comes up, and the music calls,
You're getting tired of staring at the same four walls,
You're out of your room and down on the street,
You can feel the crowds in the midnight heat,
The traffic roars, the sirens scream,
Look at the faces, it's just like a dream,
Nobody knows where you're going,
Nobody cares where you've been,
'Cause you belong to the city,
You belong to the night,
Living in a river of darkness beneath the neon light,
You were born in the city,
Concrete under your feet,
It's in your moves, it's in your blood,
You're a man of the street,
When you said goodbye, you were on the run,
Tryin' to get away from the things you'd done,
Now you're back again and you're feeling strange,
So much has happened but nothing has changed,
Still don't know where you're going,
You're still just a face in the crowd,
You belong to the city,
You belong to the night,
Living in a river of darkness beneath the neon light,
You were born in the city,
Concrete under your feet,
It's in your blood, it's in your moves,
For a man of the streets.
When it finished and they wound up in each other's arms staring right at each other, Jaylah leaned forward and kissed her quickly on the lips.
Before Charvanek could quite figure out the proper reaction to this, and even as her brain thrummed with the confirmation that this was in fact her t'hy'la, Jaylah pulled her into another kiss which soon turned into more.
"You're crazy." said the commander as deft hands made work of the ties that fastened her uniform close.
"Thank goodness for that," the Lantern remarked, "because if I wasn't, this'd probably never work. And this, this is without a single drop of ale."
You can feel it,
You can taste it,
You can see it,
You can face it,
You can hear it,
You're getting near it,
You're wanna make it,
'Cause you can take it,
You belong to the city,
You belong to the night,
You belong to the city,
You belong to the night,
You belong,
You belong.