Henshaw A Hero

On Earth-9, in the at least 4th year of her time working with Henshaw, the prisoner turned agent Nikita is explaining thier history, that is, her history with hank Henshaw and thier personal history together, to thier newest alien friend, a Daxamite named Mon-el

"I'm still not convinced that in every species no matter how horrible there is room for improvement. But the stories of my people, especially our sacred texts teach that in every species in the galaxy there are exceptions.  That no matter how uniform thier behavior or single-minded thier philosophy, there are always those who's natures run counter to the mainstream. We call them 'horrata'. It means 'an exception to the rule. And not just a minority. A star in the ashes. But all this is in the positive, and it goes the other way too.. White Martians are in general ignorant, arrogant assholes, but I cannot deny there might be some that do not want to be defined by hatred and actually resist the 'truth' that they deserve the world and everything in it.  Human's don't understand this because you are so multi-faceted and so individualistic that the only consistency in your entire race IS variety. We...you have a reputation for being self-focused and self-important. The strive to improve your own situation your ambition and...well this is on an entirely individual basis, singular, ego-driven, self-improvement. And of course that's all true but what is so easy to miss is that individualism allows for an unheard of, and for most cultures unfathomable amount of diversity.

 Most species are known by a tendency or a proclivity. Whether they are known as a race of weapons manufacturers, of warriors or the equivalent of Franciscan Friars --my race is by the way would be in that list-- they are all known and defined by that quality or trait or choice. You could say 'there is some soul of goodness in things evil', but the reverse is just as true. Horrata is exceptions to the rule regardless of whether the rule is virtue or darkness. You cannot put a race into one box or the other, ever. no matter how big the box is, no matter the label, not everyone fits into that box. I have never found a planet where this was so completely true. But it's like, because you don't have boxes, you don't understand how hard...and rare...it is not to live in one."

"I get the feeling there's more you want to say." Mon'el told me easily, if slowly.

"Everyone has good and evil inside of them and you can't put people into a box of virtue and light any more than you can a box of Evil and Darkness. Many would label Hank with the latter. In my experience 'finding a soul of goodness in things evil' is the only time this truth is even considered, or thought upon. As I said the reverse is also true. I can't put someone into a box labeled 'pure light, goodness and truth',  But if I could, Jeremiah would be in it. He is the only human like that I ever knew.” My voice resonated with sadness and I closed my eyes.

"I can't argue with you there." Hank said in a low voice.

I looked over at Mon'el who very politely wasn't saying anything. Perhaps it was closer to genuine consideration than manners. “Jeremiah was the D.E.O. Agent who broke me out of this place, almost 2 years ago now...and died in the line of duty several months later. Hank came looking for me, told me of his death, and asked me to work with him.” I stared at Hank and he stared right back at me. “I am sorry, it is not my place. It really does have to come from you.”

“Jeremiah was...a courageous as well as a noble man.” Hank began slowly. “For own own completely personal reasons, neither of us would question it...or him. I never thought much of him but he showed he could put his duty above his personal feelings, acknowledging but overcoming what he thought of me as an individual, to defend his commanding officer. He died saving my life. And when I came back I asked for Nikita's help, to make sure I never misjudged anyone quite as badly as I did Jeremiah Danvers.”

Superman: He died saving your life. If you weren't hiding anything, like why you were both out there in the first place, why would you cover it up?”

Henshaw's face turned ashen. He stared at me, unsure why he had to explain what he was about to spell out. Turning back to the man who had basically spoken out his own backside Hank enunciated every word of his answer: Because he DIED saving my LIFE.

(after meeting her bizzaro clone) 

Supergirl: She looks like me, she flies like me, she fights like me. I mean other than the fact that she Talks like cookie monster she is me! " -- When Bizzaro talks to James Olsen she says 'no move' instead of 'do not move' and 'Supergirl and me...same.' instead of 'Supergirl and I are alike'. So Supergirl is spot on describing her this way.

Hank Henshaw: The Martian Manhunter earned his name. For once I didn't have to convince Danvers...Jeremiah that this alien was a threat and a warrior. We led a five-man team into the Peruvian mountains. I still don't know what happened to Steel, Collins or Meyers. This thing fought like a warrior when we found it. We fought and I lost. He broke my leg so I couldn't run away. Jeremiah, defended me, verbally to this alien. Eventually physically fighting him...over me...I could not believe it. He died that night, right in front of me. And that is why I do what I do. That memory the knowledge of his sacrifice, and more importantly the COURAGE he carried with him, that I never noticed, changed my mind....and my heart along with it."