5th April
16:56 GMT -5
I smile, because why wouldn't I?
"King Orin. Kaldur'ahm.
" Kaldur's face is neutral, while Orin looks mildly annoyed.
"Do you want to do this here? I don't really have an
office in my official capacity.
"
Orin gives me a curt nod. "We may as well."
We watch each other for a moment.
After I feel that it's dragging on, I raise my eyebrows and shrug.
"As King of Atlantis, I formally request that you rescind your offer of a defensive pact with the City of Venturia."
"As Illustres of the Orange Lantern Corps, I refuse. The Orange Lantern Corps and its allies will stand by its commitment to the City-State of Venturia.
"
"You have the authority to do that?"
"My powers aren't precisely defined yet. But naturally, I talked the issue through with Clarissi Vril Dox, who can deploy both Orange Lanterns and LEGION fleet resources on his own authority, and he agreed to it. The only higher authority would be the full NEMO council, and between us Dox and I have three out of seven votes. If you want to try and get us overruled then you'll need to convince three Controllers and the head of the Darkstars that this offer is contrary to NEMO's broader interests, and frankly I don't think they'll care enough.
"
He nods. He didn't think that was a workable avenue, but he had to ask.
"Why are you doing this?"
"The Orange Lantern Corps needs magicians, and a single city-state that depends on us for its protection is a lot easier to deal with than anywhere else on Earth we could get them from.
"
He doesn't
start exactly, but that clearly surprised him.
"That's it?"
"No, no, there are a lot of other factors that made them a good choice and now a good time. But if we didn't need their expertise Dox wouldn't have agreed to use LEGION resources, and if the Atlantean political side was different then they wouldn't have wanted what we're offering.
"
"You're intervening in an internal Atlantean political dispute. If you actually send troops into the ocean it's an act of war."
"Is Atlantis renewing its claim to the entirety of Earth's oceans?
"
Which
was actually a thing. Not for a few generations now, though some slogans referencing it occasionally make the rounds even today.
"Our
part of the ocean."
"Venturia considers itself to be an independent political entity, something which it has de facto been for several decades. Have you been informed of the referendum they intend to hold on the subject?
"
"The Queen hasn't authorised it, and wouldn't have the authority to even if she wanted to."
"I.. haven't actually met King Cyprian's wife, but since
he has full regnant authority I'm not clear why her feelings matter?
"
"Queen Ptra, the rightful ruler of Venturia."
"Venturian rulership isn't strictly hereditary, and there might be a
slight problem with expecting a city to accept the rule of a woman who hasn't ever
visited, let alone lived there.
"
I look him pointedly in the eyes when I say that. We both know perfectly well what Queen Cora was trying to do when she left him to be raised by his father, but he moved to Poseidonis when he was eighteen and not
sixty. And he
still struggled to be accepted. Still does in some places. Ptra is not only older but a
total outsider trying to get the top job. Orin was tutored by his mother for
years before her death.
"If Cyprian wanted to dispute the approved succession arrangements, then he should have brought it to me for adjudication."
"The approved succession arrangement, in accordance with Venturian law and tradition
and in keeping with their treaties with Poseidonis, is that the monarch nominates their successor. The fact that the Poseidonis government for some reason decided to ignore the notification or treat it like something that required its approval is irrelevant. If you were unaware of this, then I can only suggest that you fire your legal counsel. There is no dispute in law; the law is very clear. Also -not entirely relevant to me, but worth mentioning- last time they went to the ruler of Atlantis for adjudication your grandmother stole Queen Clea's daughter. They have no confidence in you or your position.
"
"Even
if I accept that, Cyprian still doesn't have the authority to secede from Atlantis."
"Does it matter?
"
"Of course it matters."
"Why?
"
"Why does the
law matter?"
"Yes. From where does the law derive its authority? If it's royal authority, Cyprian wants to secede. If it's the consent of the governed, they're having a referendum. If it's military force…
"
"If it's military force then I've got until your fleet arrives to pacify Venturia."
"Our treaty went live the moment he signed it. If the fleet arrives and finds Venturia occupied, they'll still attack. In the interim, I and any other Orange Lanterns who can get here will undertake the defence of Venturia, should it become necessary. My recommendation is that you send official observers to the referendum and then focus your efforts on building a working relationship with the newly independent Venturia.
"
"Sending observers would demonstrate that I considered that referendum valid."
"A free and fair referendum
is an expression of the will of the people, whether it has the force of law or not.
"
"People who've only heard Queen Clea's propaganda for the last fifty years."
"So you'd accept it if you were able to run a 'remain' campaign?
"
"I wouldn't-."
"Hawkman to Mount Justice." A holographic screen appears with Mr Hol's face on it. "And.. Orange Lantern. I commend you for your efficiency. We weren't expecting your fleet for some time."
King Orin stares. "They're here-?"
I frown.
"I wasn't expecting them for.. months.
"
Mr Hol presses a button, and a second smaller screen appears. A representation of the solar system and a marker approaching the inner planets.
"It seems that your Corps has prioritised you."
"Ring?
"
"Fleet is broadcasting LEGION codes. An Orange Lantern is also present."
"Oh. Okay.
" I frown. Can't think who-. Did Lantern Xor finish.. really quickly? I don't
think that Dox would have given him new orders…
"Show me the ships?
"
A construct appears, an.. odd conglomeration of spheres linked by tubes. The size suggests a generation ship or space borne habitat. It clearly doesn't look like a conventional ship. I don't recognise-.
**Greetings, Earthlings and future customers!**
Mr Hol's grimace suggests that he heard that. I glance at Orin and Kaldur and from their responses they heard that too.
**I am Lord-Lantern Manga Khan, and I am proud to announce that your system has been chosen as the new site of ClusterCorp's ongoing megasale! You will shop! You will consume! We will be enriched! Or else! ClusterCorp: for all your needs, forever!**
Slowly, the attention of the others turns towards me.
"Don't look at
me.
I didn't give him a power ring.
"