"Ah…"
"Alan, if you want to admit something…" I look around the meeting room. "It's just the two of us here."
It wasn't
that big during his peak era, was it?
When did it really take off...
He looks confused. "I beg your-?" He blinks as realisation sets in. "Oh-. No, I've never used… That kind of thing. I got a shot of morphine when I broke my arm one time, and… I smoked a marijuana cigarette once. Back when it was still legal."
I wave my right hand dismissively. "Oh, of course."
"But weren't you supposed to be coming up with a plan for making what happened in Louisiana public, not actually making it public?"
How do you know that
wasn't part of his plan? Albeit one a bit more off-the-cuff than some.
I shrug. "I was just trying to give one man closure. Once I realised that he'd gone public with it I decided that the important thing was to control the narrative. To.. get ahead of things. And actually use one of my plans. I actually brought up the drug thing because neither Miss Willis or her audience are particularly highbrow and I could feel I was losing them. And because I didn't actually need to lie about it and no one really likes Washington."
He has a point. On all points, really.
"We've got five congressmen complaining about unsubstantiated allegations."
"I can substantiate them if they like. Or Diana and I can meet them, they can lay their hands on her lasso and state that they've never taken proscribed narcotics and I will happily bear witness to that. Honestly, the ideal thing would be if-"
Oh, that hasn't got huge potential to backfire.
The door opens and Batman and Diana walk through together.
"-we-"
Ah, time to face the music.
Alan stands up, and after a momentary delay I do as well. I'm not sure if it's 'lady present' or 'officers present' but being polite can't hurt.
"-could make that an open challenge." I smile broadly. "Good morning, sirs!"
Old-fashioned politeness on Alan's part, for sure.
Diana and Batman share a glance as they walk around the table. Diana looks mildly amused, while Batman looks Batman. Then they sit down, so Alan and I do as well.
"Orange Lantern." Batman fixes me with a level gaze. "In future, you will clear all press interviews with either me or Diana."
Honestly, I'm surprised they didn't realise the need for that earlier... Then again, CS!OL is a lot less public than the Paragon.
"Certainly, sir. What would you like me to say if they approach me in the street?"
I think I hear a very faint sigh. "Orange Lantern, I'm not doing that. You understand perfectly well what I mean."
There's a big difference between 'Don't talk to the press without checking first' and 'Don't talk to the press at all without permission.'
"Sir, I think I defused the potential fallout about lethal force pretty well, which from what I understood of your instructions to me was the thing you were most concerned about. If you're now implementing an absolute prohibition on me speaking to journalists, then clearly it is your view that my judgement isn't good enough." I spread my arms out to the side before allowing them to fall back onto the table. "And I'm fine with that. I haven't been doing this very long and may well have made a mistake. But a blanket ban leaves no room for judgement, so I have to know exactly what you mean."
And you know
someone will practically ambush him sooner or later. It's inevitable, Orange Lanterns attract controversy like magnets attract iron shavings.
"Very well. No scheduled interviews without prior discussion. If you are on-site at a crime scene with a member of the Justice League, direct all questions relating to the case to them. You may answer personal questions relating to yourself as you see fit."
I nod. "And if I'm at a crime scene without a member of the Justice League?"
Or if they ask about something that isn't their current case or a personal matter? Never know what they'll drag out.
"Refer questions about the case to the police. Avoid questions relating to anything political, including policing policy."
"Understood. I will of course comply. Though… You understand that any prohibition stops applying after eight months, right?"
At which point he becomes a lot more
troublesome for the League. Fortunately, he's not going to be on Earth for some time anyway at that point, if his plans are the same as Paragon's.
"Yes."
I think Diana is trying not to smile. "Were you discussing how to moderate the fallout of your interview with Alan?"
It would be helpful, Alan is familiar with how the press operates, having been a radio-man back in the day.
"Yes. Firstly, it's one aggressively contentious radio host on a Gotham radio station. Not all that many people are going to hear it anyway."
Batman gives me a mild glower. "Nationwide radio networks are now syndicating her show, and she's been getting offers of employment from other stations."
Also, she probably has internet radio, livestream and podcast versions available. Makes sense for a modern radio talk-show host.
"Oh." I frown. "I'd.. be surprised if she can maintain that level of engagement."
"That's beside the point. The point is that your comments have attracted a disproportionate degree of media attention."
Well, do you want them looking at CS!OL, or at the League's response to the Injustice League situation?
I nod. "I'm afraid that my best idea for dealing with the issue involves utilising that attention."
"Explain."
Out, proud and unapologetic? So to speak. I'd laugh if he ended up becoming something of a spokesperson for the League jsut by popular familiarity.
I turn my head towards Diana. "Does you lasso work on congressional representatives?"
She nods slowly. "In my experience, yes."
If she heard their discussion at the door, she might be guessing where he's going with this.
"Then it seems simple. I agree to do further appearances on her program, and say that any Senator or Representative who wishes to be excluded can come on, put their hand on the lasso and proclaim their innocence. Alternately, I can begin a formal investigation into cocaine use in Washington and hand a file to the press."
If nothing else, for some of those politicians, that would be golden for their reputation.
If they thought could pass the test. Or
hilarious when one thinks he can beat the 'divine coil of truthfulness' like it's a basic lie detector...
Alan frowns. "I think that should go to the police, firstly."
"I certainly don't object to sending it to the police, but I don't think the evidence I gather would be admissible. But if I only have to convince the electorate, that wouldn't matter. And, of course, keeping attention on congressional narcotic consumption would most likely distract everyone from discussing the eminently sensible idea of executing mass murderers. It would also distract congress from legislating on the subject." I smile faintly. "Did you know that insider trading isn't a crime if you're an elected representative?"
Oh, clever. Get everyone looking left while you sneak by on the right.
"Yes." Batman looks disinterested. "I already have information on both corrupt financial practices and narcotic consumption amongst our elected representatives."
I… I mean, I'm not surprised that he has that. He's Batman. But I am a little surprised that he hasn't done anything about something like that. Unless it's.. supposed to be blackmail material? No, that doesn't seem likely.
Or he feels it has the same issue of admissibility. Or might bring attention on places he doesn't want it.
"You look surprised. The simple fact is that compared to things that the League deals with, minor acts of personal corruption just aren't that important. Particularly considering the additional impediments politicians can create to League operation."
Hm. Unpleasant, but certainly true. On the other hand…
And Batman doesn't really focus on corporate crime stuff unless it's turned loud and dangerous.
"Sir, you sent the Team to Bialya because they aren't Justice League members. I may not be on the team any longer, but I'm not a Justice League member either."
"The team was also intended to be covert. While my interpretation of the Justice League charter is legally correct, I doubt that would prevent our detractors complaining about the League operating by proxy outside of its remit."
Perhaps the League needs a group of adult
outsiders that can do the things the public group can't?
For once, my expression mirrors his. "Some of them might also comment on the use of child soldiers, sir. Contrary to Security Council Resolution Twelve Sixty One."
That gets him hard looks from Diana and Alan. He settles for inclining his head very slightly. "Yes."
At least he's copping to that barb. He did mess up when he planned to send the Team up against the Injustice League.
"But that's not my problem. I would suggest, since it's unlikely that you would want the reason why I'm taking orders from you to become public knowledge, that you simply say if asked that while Justice League members are participating in my training, ultimately you have no control over my actions? It would be a lot more credible than claiming that of team members due to the age difference and prior association."
And a lot of other League affiliates do the same thing. It's only notable here because CS!OL is an adult and more closely mentored than most of them.
He looks at Diana. Diana looks back at him.
"Have you considered this in detail?"
Not bad for something off the cuff. But it could use some workshopping, I bet.
"No yet sir, no. But I will have time to do so after Lantern Jordan's lesson today."
"Do so. I will consider your strategic utility once I have your report to review. Dismissed."
Which, as a Lantern without a lethal force restriction, is quite high. I half-expect that CS!OL ends up with a bit of a rep as 'the hero that
will kill bad guys doing heinous stuff.'
