"…missed all the excitement."
Artemis pauses at the zeta tube entrance, checks around us and then looks at me for confirmation. My eyes glow for a moment…
Talia's watching us from under some sort of active camouflage system. I generate a construct in the shape of the words 'HI BATWOMAN' and then nod to Artemis.
One last poke to the ego, for the lulz.
"We're clear. And if I'm honest I just found the whole business rather trying."
"Yeah, well…" She opens the booth and steps inside. "Your standards are kinda weird."
"I'm not arguing."
Gotham in general is trying.
"Recognized, Artemis, B Zero Eight."
I've got to talk to someone about making that silent. Frankly… I don't see why the zeta tube system announces people anyway, but it certainly shouldn't do so in public areas. Before, I dismissed it because I didn't think that secret identities could withstand serious scrutiny anyway, but now that I'm making more of an effort not to bottle things up… Yeah, that's going on the list.
Kind of a giveaway for arriving superheroes, yes.
"Recognized, Orange Lantern, B Zero Six."
I look around-.
"HAHAHAHA!"
Artemis breaks off from staring at the people I assume to be our new recruits and frowns at me. "What?"
<Rubs hands together> Break out the popcorn, boys, girls and assorted others...
Arisia Rrab's eyes flick briefly to Lantern Jordan, whose arms are crossed and who is regarding me with mild frustration. Dame Carol Ferris -14's armour has undergone a little modification since last time I saw her, a lilac undersuit augmented with glowing crystal plates. She even has a helmet. I'm actually impressed. I don't recognised the similarly dressed grey skinned blue eyed young woman with her, but they've both got glowing violet rings so I'm going to assume that Carol's mission on Zamaron was a success.
Ah, rookies...
Correction: 'don't recognise the'
"And you brought them here? Oh you poor poor Lanterns."
Jordan's gaze hardens. "Knock it off, Paul."
What? In all honesty, Earth is the perfect training ground for Lanterns. There's never any shortage of unusual scenarios.
"I have fully briefed Ghia'ta-" Dame Carol glances at her young charge, who meets her eyes and smiles. "-on the difficulties which she may encounter here. I have every confidence that -with your aid- she may learn to overcome them, and in doing so serve to inspire the other Zamarons of this universe to change their ways."
"Change-?" 'Other'? I regard her with a frown. "You don't look like a Zamaron. Or.. can you change shape?"
Oof, kinda rude, OL.
"My father was from Korugar."
That really doesn't explain the ears, but… I suppose that the strange genetics of interspecies reproduction will do some weird things.
Just look at all the human-hybrids running around Earth.
"Right." I transition forward and offer her my right hand. "Pleased to meet you, Lantern Ghia'ta."
She doesn't look entirely certain about touching me, so I think about when I watched Jade focus her entire attention to assemble a proton pistol and Ghia'ta blinks and then relaxes. She takes my hand in a slightly awkward grip, but manages the handshake in a way which makes me think that she's actually paying attention to her cultural database.
Show her he's not completely marinated in
Want. Good show.
"And Lantern Rrab."
I head over to greet her as well, and she steps forward almost defiantly to meet me half way.
Ah, the one from a long line of local Lanterns. She's going to have a chip on her shoulder about proving herself worthy, isn't she?
"Lantern Paul."
"Illustres Paul actually, but 'Paul' is fine. Welcome to hard mode. We have demons, monsters, demon monsters, robots, robot magicians, monster magicians, demon magicians, telepathic starfish magicians, time travellers and people made of mud. I'm sure that you'll fit fight in."
They're right, this really needs some indication about how he's saying his name...
There's a moment of confusion, then she nods. "I will."
Artemis snorts with amusement. "Maybe you shouldn't sound so sure that's a good thing." She frowns. "Where's everyone else?"
"The team members who've actually shown up are either getting ready or waiting in the living area. How often do Cornwall Boy or Squire manage to show?"
Probably not often enough, I bet. Though not through any fault of their own...
"Week days, it's pretty much holidays only." I shrug. "It's a five hour time difference."
Artemis comes a little closer. "What are we doing tonight, anyway?"
The right edge of Jordan's lip curves upward slightly. "Low gravity op training on the moon."
Sounds about average for a Comic Book universe.
She twitches. "Really? You got a space suit I won't tear apart every time I move?"
"Sure. How d'you think Superman manages?"
"By having his force field improve his proprioception so he doesn't do exactly what I'm worried about doing?"
Wow, associating with OL has
really improved her vocabulary. Can you imagine canon Artemis saying 'proprioception'?
"Artemis, there are going to be at least seven Lanterns on standby. If anyone gets into serious trouble it takes seconds to attach an environmental shield to someone."
Jordan frowns. "Where are you getting seven Lanterns from?"
Practically a Common Sense interrupt moment.
"You, Lantern Rrab, Dame Carol, Lantern Ghia'ta, me, Guy and Alan, who has more experience than the rest of us put together."
"I don't think we need all-."
"Do you remember a year and a half ago, when J'onn J'onzz decided that he didn't need a second when he ran us through a telepathic training scenario? Do you remember the Ophidian manifesting on the Earth?"
Do you want the
Predator turning up? Because that's how you get the
Predator showing up.
"Yes."
"After that, we decided that if the Justice League member running a training session was suggesting a session without adequate safety planning, we'd call them on it right at the beginning. We have twenty people, of whom only one is fine with vacuum exposure and most of whom have no zero or low gravity experience. And if you're expecting me to take off my rings so I learn something, that's one less. Seven Lanterns."
"Fine. You can call Alan and Guy." He rises off the ground. "I'm going to check in on Aqualad. Arisia-."
I can picture the annoyed expression. Nice.
"Ghia'ta, remain with Orange Lantern and Artemis. I will go with Sir Harold while you get to know your sisters in arms."
Jordan takes a breath. "Arisia, did you bring a space suit?"
"Ah, no?"
What
have you been teaching her, Jordan?
"Not to worry. I can construct one for you."
"Right. You do that." Jordan nods. "We're heading out in half an hour."
He floats back slowly for a moment, then Dame Carol loops her left arm around his right and tugs, causing him to start moving in earnest rather than be dragged along by her.
Hmm, possible cross-dimensional romance or just politeness?
Artemis shakes her head. "I don't have a space suit either."
"This won't take long. Ghia'ta?"
She bows her head slightly, the crystals of her armour's outer layer growing and merging into a seamless whole.
"Good show." I make eye contact with Arisia and Artemis. "What sort of auxiliary systems do you want included?"
Oh, they are going to get an
education here on Earth. Could be two of the most crazy-prepared lanterns ever...