With This Ring (Young Justice SI) (Thread Fourteen)

Dakkan Sall · Sep 22, 2021

Doccer said:
I think I see a truly destined Broship for the ages blossoming here.

Well, up until the low-key hints of "something's not quite right with what we're being told" end up coming to bear and things fall apart.

Sockmonkey · Sep 22, 2021

Translation is part of the ring's communication system, not it's ability to manipulate energy and matter, so a safety system mean to prevent unauthorized people from fucking with Maltusian tech wouldn't bother to block it.

Handlewithcare · Sep 22, 2021

Interesting. Coeus was essentially born into a post-technology society

He probably never even heard of more primitve solutions than what they inplemented.

So he has no idea how to uplift his people. And they in turn would probably never innovate on their own, cared for by their pantheon.

Paul is the best thing that could happen to a place like that.

Chojin Patriarch · Sep 22, 2021

Mr Zoat said:
11th September 2012
15:06 GMT

Naturally, there's no user interface.

In fact, I'm not sure that there's any 'computer' here in the conventional sense of the term. I mean, it's the regulator for the interface, but it was clearly built on the assumption that the Controller would be doing most of the work in their head. It's letting me do it by ring more because it hasn't been designed not to rather than any sort of permission system.

Seriously, I can understand the Controllers not wanting anyone to use use it but themselves... But for frick's sake, at least have some manner of internal security, just in case someone like OL turns up. Someone who can poke around the edges of what a maltusian can do, but doesn't have the knowledge of what not to do...

"Are you able to access it?"

"Yes. Sort of. Unfortunately, it's designed for an actual Controller to do most of the work. They literally have to bridge the gap between dimensions themselves; this system doesn't do it. Which… I'm sorry, but I'm wasting your time. I can't do that."

And this should be the point at which calling Hinon would be the next logical step, isn't it, OL?

I frown.

Can I? Or rather, can my ring?

And in the wings, Murphy is perking up, rummaging in his pockets for something fun to throw at OL...

No, no, I don't think so. The Honden isn't a dimension, not in the way that this place is designed to use the term.

"You can't?"

Thank fuck for that. So, head back outside, send Hinon word and let her handle that side of things. Easy as, nice little diversion... (And Murphy is snapping his fingers angrily at them...)

He sounds genuinely surprised. Which is oddly touching, but it's slightly unfortunate that I'm giving a bad impression.

"Sorry. I'm a Lantern, not a dimensional mathematician. I can do an assessment of the place and report back to the actual Controllers, but as far as activating this is concerned…"

Better to leave it be than poke something and learn he just hit the self-destruct.

"We would rather not have the Controllers come here personally."

"Ah… Okay? I suppose Dox could probably do it. Maybe one or two others? Would you..? Mind telling me why you don't want them here?"

Besides the fact that with a name like 'The Controllers'... If they built this place to make weapons to kill suns, would you want someone like that showing up?

Coeus turns aside and swings his right arm, indicating the rest of the factory.

"Does it seem strange that we are concerned about the people who made all of this?"

Quite reasonable, really, given it all.

"A little? I mean, they left. A long time a go. There's no obvious reason for them to want to take it back. You said that you were worried about their technology decaying due to lack of attention, and those weapons are already here."

He smiles faintly. "Oh, for a rational universe."

Wow, you know just what to say to get on OL's good side, huh? Almost a little suspicious...

"I know what you mean. I suppose… Is this the first planet you've ruled?"

"Without our mother's guidance?" He nods. "Yes. Is there really nothing you can do?"

Which begs the question... Have they ruled planets before? And what happened to those planets that they aren't still ruling there? I can but hope they're doing well for themselves, but...

"There are a lot of things I could do. But I can't be sure in advance what the result would be, which rather defeats the purpose of my coming here."

I take a moment to peer off into the distance.

"How about I take a look around the place and then report back to the Controllers for instructions?"

Such a suggestion these days practically demands the 'Common Sense interrupt' call-out...

Which says so much about OL, doesn't it?

"Very well. I can't really give you a tour as I have no idea what any of this does, but you are welcome to see it."

He turns away to walk back down the rope bridge-.

Oh, boy. Given OL's reaction to coming up that way... I can't imagine going down would be any easier.

"I'm sorry if this is a personal question, but can you fly?"

"Normally, yes. But there is something about this place that distorts magic. I take it that the Controllers made no use of it?"

Interesting. Anti-magic field... Presumably keyed to not affect maltusians, or at least individuals with some manner of security pass.

I try to rise by ring, but the power leaks away almost immediately. Ophidian?

…

...How did you not notice Best Snek breaking contact? Interesting that it allowed constructs to interface with the controls, but not flight.

"They can, but they aren't keen on using power moderated by others."

I trigger my armour's flight system instead, and… Yes, that works. I rise off the platform and fly after Coeus.

Come now, OL. Are you really going to make him climb down?

"Can I offer you an alternate system? It's fairly instinctual to use."

He looks rather taken aback.

Probably not used to being the one offered aid. What with, you know, fairly significant mystical power.

"How?"

"Basic physics is working more or less the same in here as it does outside. So whatever shielding they've put in place is probably… High order stuff, designed to prevent certain types of extra-planar energy working. So no magic for you and no ring for me. However, normal"-

Including Spectrum technology, for the most part. I wonder, did the ones who made this expect trouble from other maltusians?

I try taking a simple magnet out of subspace, but can't. Ah… Side arm? I draw it and point it off into the distance.

"-manipulations of magnetic forces and electricity work fine."

No subspace access either? Interesting. I would not be surprised if there were some manner of security pass system in use. If there's a synthetic intelligence watching them, OL is probably being pegged as 'undecided threat rating'... Any lesser species without Spectrum technology would likely be dismissed unless they started poking the Sun-Eaters with sticks or something...

I pull the trigger, the bang caused by the exploding powder echoing through the chamber before being lost to the distance.

"As well as chemical reactions."

Threat Rating upgraded to 'minor annoyance.'

"You carry a chemical propellant weapon?"

"They're a pain to stop remotely." I frown. "What… Language are you speaking?"

Unless you have some way to negate combustion processes. Or make the ammunition expand to the point of failure. Or simply disarm them using some manner of telekinesis... Admittedly, all rather advanced technologies. So not inaccurate.

"I speak several languages, though at the moment I'm speaking Greek. Why do you ask?"

So how is my ring translating? I mean, I've learned a little Classical Greek, but I'm not fluent and I wouldn't mistake it for English. So is the ring's translation system separate..? Or is it that he has a normal connection to the orange light and it's running off that? Something else to ask Hinon.

Or it's a loophole in the security system, same as the connection you established to the control terminal.

"My armour has a translation system, but I usually rely on my ring. And I doubt that you speak English."

"So you can bypass the system?"

Not intentionally. Which means it's probably not a good idea to keep poking, or whatever security is in place might decided to take action.

"So I can accidentally bypass the system in one regard without knowing why. Let's not get ahead of ourselves."

He nods. "It is wise to know one's limits. And yes, thank you. I would like you to share whatever system you're using."

...Since any security is likely to be fairly.. decisive.. about its approach to intruders, no doubt...

"I-."

With my rings down, I can't fabricate a flight belt. But I can disconnect my armour's backup and attach a couple of straps… There.

Not to worry. Once you're outside of whatever interdiction field is on this place, you should be fine... Unless the Ophidian had a tantrum when you lost contact...

I hold it out to him.

"Strap this on securely."

He looks it over, then tests the strength of the straps before pulling it around his waist and tightening it.

Boy, this guy is just ticking all of OL's 'sensible' boxes, isn't he?

"Tap it, then sort of angle yourself in the way you want to-"

Coeus launches into the air, narrowing dodging the beams holding up our platform to the ceiling before stopping.

Yeah, not the worst display of first-time flying he's seen.

"I see. A little…"

He shifts sideways, stops, falls a few metres and then stops again.

The joy of Coeus being a smart guy. He picks this shit up fast.

"I see. Interesting. Is this its original purpose?"

"No, it was originally used as crash protection for starship travellers."

For which it is probably well over-designed, but why do things by half-measures?

"Travellers who would often not have been trained in specialised systems." He thinks for a moment. "Tell me; you mentioned geothermal power earlier. What other suggestions do you have for improving this world?"

Oh, boy, don't get him started, he'll talk your ear off all the way back to New Cronus...

Okay, good to see no-one went poking any buttons they shouldn't have (Not that they could, because no buttons at all, bloody maltusians...) And Coeus seems to know just what to say and do to make OL like him. I wonder if that's his talent in particular, or if it's part of some stupid plan or another to manipulate him... Or Mr Zoat could just be playing with our expectations while we wait for the other shoe to drop (thanks to suspicions based on the comics canon...)

Coeus launches into the air, narrowing dodging the beams...

Coeus launches into the air, narrowly dodging the beams...

Darko · Sep 22, 2021

Chojin Patriarch said:
And this should be the point at which calling Hinon would be the next logical step, isn't it, OL?

If only Paul was logical when it is necessary.

Chojin Patriarch said:
Such a suggestion these days practically demands the 'Common Sense interrupt' call-out... Which says so much about OL, doesn't it?

Yes, yes it does.

Chojin Patriarch said:
Interesting. Anti-magic field... Presumably keyed to not affect maltusians, or at least individuals with some manner of security pass.

No, I think it's the planet itself.

Paul mentioned that it interfered with the Controllers powers so that's why they enslaved the natives.

oct9010 · Sep 22, 2021

Darko said:
Unless you have that device the Sontarans used, or the Tollan used.

The thing is that anything capable of preventing combustion would also work as an all-purpose organic life turner-offer. It could well be that some of the technologies that get labelled 'death rays' function by inhibiting chemical reactions, but if you got caught in a field effect that worked that way without shielding, you'd be too busy being dead to notice your sidearm stopped working.

Mr Zoat · Sep 22, 2021

Chojin Patriarch said:
Coeus launches into the air, narrowly dodging the beams...

Thank you, corrected.

Darko said:
Unless you have that device the Sontarans used, or the Tollan used.

The Tollans used space magic, but the sontarans used an energy field which caused brass to expand, jamming guns which used brass-jacketed rounds. Rounds with steel jackets worked fine.

Hell's Razer · Sep 22, 2021

Mr Zoat said:
Plants don't feel like that about individual plants.

Yeah people don't often realise it due to how slow it happens compared to animal life but plant life is every bit as vicious as animal life if not more, it just happens slow enough that you need time lapse recording to actually see.

Gantradies · Sep 22, 2021

Darko said:
You should have said:

"Dammit man, I'm a Lantern, not a dimensional physicist!"

Worried about the natives not reacting pleasantly to their former overlords and enslavers showing up?

Ohh, so they're worried that the Controllers could defeat them.

Actually there is.

The Reach.

They used the planet as a delivery system for their Sun Eaters in the past, so they may want to reclaim it now and send their Lanterns into Reach space.

I think he and Paul just became very, very close.

So it's not just the Controllers mini chlorian powers that are disrupted.

I'm betting he's thinking it's odd for a space traveler to have such a primitive weapon.

Unless you have that device the Sontarans used, or the Tollan used.

Or the translation system doesn't use all that much power so is not so disrupted.

So, anyone thinking that Paul is going to run into something horrible and not be able to use his ring?

i mean, for someone in the equivalent of a elite special forces unit (or an army/marine unit that constantly has to deal with exotic or hostile environments),
or a deep-space explorer constantly running into, as they say, "weird shit",
a conventional/"advanced" chemical-propellant weapon makes a lot of sense- if you end up in danger near an anomaly/hostile device that fucks with non-biological electricity/magnetic or gravitation fields like some of the stuff here- screw with power generation/storage all you like, it'll still fire unless the field is a game-over to biological life as well, as mentioned
and even with a dated propellant, a physical projectile still has the capability for special payloads/exotic bullets/shells to compensate-

plus there's a lot of room for getting creative with chemical propellants- exotic/high-power loadings using post-FTL chemistry and metallurgy for projectile and weapon both-
depending on the design, you could probably come up with something like a Coil/gravatic assisted sidearm/long gun that STILL can fire using the conventional propellant without the acceleration assist/targeting systems ect if it's shorted out/drained…
I could also see a "simplified" version being popular with civilians/settlers in newly-founded colonies- if you've got the materials/power to charge the batteries, great, for regular hunting/animal defence, you could probably skip the propellant charge barring the equivilent of a Cape buffalo,
-if not, you still have perfectly serviceable hunting rifles/defensive weapons with a bit less kick/velocity that you can reload cartridges for with bulk-imported propellants, or "rough" loads using older/simpler types of powder that are easier to make in a early-colony economy, albeit with a lot of cleaning..…

hmmm… I wonder if anyone ever started looking into liquid gun propellant charges after that project in the 80's/90's by the us navy/army failed due to metallurgy/charge-yield control issues…

Darko · Sep 22, 2021

Mr Zoat said:
What's… That? That line of desire feels familiar. What is-.

Hmm, seeing as this planet is holding Sun Eaters I can't help but feel that we might be seeing Starbreaker soon.

Paul did travel to the future using his orange light powers so he might have sensed him and is now also feeling him.

I know there isn't a lot of evidence here but I just can't help but feel that this is the case.

Ngamer11 · Sep 22, 2021

Darko said:
Hmm, seeing as this planet is holding Sun Eaters I can't help but feel that we might be seeing Starbreaker soon.

Paul did travel to the future using his orange light powers so he might have sensed him and is now also feeling him.

I know there isn't a lot of evidence here but I just can't help but feel that this is the case.

The Renegade was the one who met Starbreaker, not Paul.

Bud-E · Sep 22, 2021

Ngamer11 said:
The Renegade was the one who met Starbreaker, not Paul.

When was that?

Ngamer11 · Sep 22, 2021

Bud-E said:
When was that?

In Episode 103: Summer's End.

Darko · Sep 22, 2021

Ngamer11 said:
The Renegade was the one who met Starbreaker, not Paul.

I know that Paul didn't meet him.

I was thinking that when Paul tracked down Melmoth in the future he also may have sensed Starbreaker and now he's sensing him again.

randyb · Sep 23, 2021

Can someone help me find a particular part of the story?

IIRC, Paul was talking to someone who asked about which Lanterns he admires, which is almost none of them. Paul mentioned Rot Lop Fan, who's Green Lantern from alien species that doesn't have sight. He mentioned one Green Lantern who managed to internalize that a lot of the time constructs only need to exist very briefly, or something like that, but I don't remember that one's name. The other person asks about Orange Lanterns, and Paul says something along the lines of "I surpass him every time I leave my room."

I've looked through the story and a bunch of the omakes, no luck yet and it's kinda driving me nuts.

Ngamer11 · Sep 23, 2021

randyb said:
Can someone help me find a particular part of the story?

IIRC, Paul was talking to someone who asked about which Lanterns he admires, which is almost none of them. Paul mentioned Rot Lop Fan, who's Green Lantern from alien species that doesn't have sight. He mentioned one Green Lantern who managed to internalize that a lot of the time constructs only need to exist very briefly, or something like that, but I don't remember that one's name. The other person asks about Orange Lanterns, and Paul says something along the lines of "I surpass him every time I leave my room."

I've looked through the story and a bunch of the omakes, no luck yet and it's kinda driving me nuts.

It happened in Episode 4: Prod Zone.

randyb · Sep 23, 2021

Ngamer11 said:
It happened in Episode 4: Prod Zone.

Thanks!

Mr Zoat · Sep 23, 2021

11th September 2012
17:22 GMT

"Half a year?"

I nod as we head back up through the tunnels, my right hand slightly extended as I try and create a construct.

"How much time have you spent in the immaterium?"

"A few moments, while our mother was teaching me."

"You remember what it's like?" He nods. "You're a god. This body you're driving around now? That's an avatar, capable of using a fraction of your full power."

"But I-. We have more access to the world like this."

"Look… Unless I very much miss my guess, you're not much older than me, right?"

"A little older-. But yes, far younger than our titanic forebears."

"So while your powers are notable, they're really nothing that a high end mortal magician couldn't replicate. It's just that for you they're innate rather than learned."

"I haven't seen a magician who could match us."

"I-."

My construct splutters into existence, then stabilises.

"There we go." Coeus frowns. "Trust me, as someone who has seen high end magicians. If I dropped off a book on thaumaturgy in a few of this planet's major cities, you'd see people at that level in… Twenty to thirty years? No one could equal you in full god mode."

"But I would struggle to affect the world."

"And that's what priests are for. Very few people have regular meetings with their planet's overlord, but if you stick a priest with a few divine gifts in every town, suddenly they have a more personal relationship."

"We could have priests without empowering them."

"Then where's the pull? Why would someone become a priest? What are they supposed to be doing that mundane administrators aren't doing? What are the government officials doing that the priests aren't going?"

"Is that how..? How the Olympians organise their devotees?"

"No. As I said, hardly anyone worships the Olympians. Zeus mostly spends his time hanging out in Olympus or… Picking up lonely middle aged women on cruises while in avatar mode. He has at least one recent daughter that I know about sired like that. You want to build this civilisation up?"

"Of.. course, but-."

"Then you need to think about what is it that you can offer it. What you can do that would make people want to worship you. Can you assess the intellectual capacities of everyone on the planet as you are now?"

"Not quickly. I would have to meet them all in person."

"And in the immaterium?"

"I would need to bend the world-sphere around myself, which.. would take some time. But once we created a new Othrys, I could arrange matters so that my attention was drawn to the sharpest of intellects."

"Wouldn't New Cronus work?"

"No, it would need to be tied to somewhere on the planet. We flew New Cronus here; it isn't integrated yet. Do you intend to hand out books on thaumaturgy?"

"I'll give you a few copies when we get back to New Cronus. If you're serious about the uplift project I don't see any reason to make your life unnecessarily difficult." I frown as we emerge into the sunlight. "How has your takeover gone over with the locals?"

"Most mortal rulers have acquiesced. Consolidating our control is slow-going, but there's no unified resistance."

"Mortal rulers might acquiesce to a display of strength, but that won't be enough to make them yours. It won't make them loyal in the way I imagine that you want."

"I am confident that within a few generations, they will become accustomed to us. But I take your point-. Your many points. You have never ruled a world yourself?"

"Not my desire. But I've had access to the records of the rulership of millions of worlds, and the writings of people far wiser than me who analysed them. I would be happy to give you those as well, though I suspect that you will need a very long time to read all of them."

"Time, we have. If we do as you suggest, Hyperion and Thia would be able to rejuvenate this system's star." I frown. I didn't think-. "It's not dying yet, but it's older than it might be."

"I wouldn't suggest prioritising it, but visibly changing the sun would certainly give an undeniable impression of power. Oh, and you should probably divide up responsibility between you. Not just your domains, but what parts of lives of your people you oversee."

"How so?"

"Would schools be the responsibility of Crius and Mnemosyne, or you and Phoebe? Who is responsible for law and order? How about public health and medicine? Civic planning? Industry? If you're trying to create a unified civilisation and culture, you'll need a unified plan."

"I will need to discuss all of this with Phoebe, and with the others."

"Of course. And I need to talk to Controller Hinon about-."

Coeus doubles over, clutching his head! A moment later he straightens, a look of horror on his face!

"No!"

A second later he's faded from view. Some sort of teleportation? It makes sense that he'd be able to do that, but I've got no idea why he's so concerned. I… Doubt that there's anything I could help with; we've built up a rapport and if he wanted me he'd have asked.

We didn't really… Stop to talk to the garrison protecting this entrance before we came in, but I did get a brief introduction to the man in charge. Athyns came with the New Titans from Karrakan, and he's the head of their military here. I fly towards his command post, returning my armour to subspace and switching to my formal robes. Athyns is a very serious warrior and commander, and I want to be sure that I'm not immediately seen as a potential threat.

As it turns out, I don't need to head to his command post. He's already out, mustering soldiers and preparing them for action. I get a quick and extremely hard look as I land, and then he nods.

"Ambassador."

"Lord Coeus has been called away. I wouldn't want anyone to think that I was poking around secure sites without an escort."

"It's best if you just stay here. I'll assign you an escort once everyone else is prepared."

"Prepared for what? If you can tell me. I can see there's some sort of alert, but I don't know what for."

"Someone attacked one of the gods. That's all I know. Now go sit over there, and stay out of the way."

Bud-E · Sep 23, 2021

Mr Zoat said:
"Someone attacked one of the gods. That's all I know. Now go sit over there, and stay out of the way."

I don't think Paul can do that

Someguy Somewhere · Sep 23, 2021

Use of the term 'Immaterium' certainly had me looking if this was P'aul, Gue'vesa Lantern, just on reflex. Of course by the sounds of it things are about to get very Chaotic, no matter what realm you're in.

Darko · Sep 23, 2021

Mr Zoat said:
few divine gifts in ever town,

'every town'

Mr Zoat said:
Why would someone become a priest?

Because they want to please their gods by worshipping them extra hard.

Mr Zoat said:
What are they supposed to be doing that mundane administrators aren't doing? What are the government officials doing that the priests aren't going?"

Tend to the spiritual needs of the people instead of the more mundane knew.

Mr Zoat said:
land, and then nods.

'he nods'

Chojin Patriarch · Sep 23, 2021

Mr Zoat said:
11th September 2012
17:22 GMT

"Half a year?"

I nod as we head back up through the tunnels, my right hand slightly extended as I try and create a construct.

Hmm... Now what is he referring to with that? The brief trip to the Witch-world and his side-trip in pursuit of Melmoth, which did take quite some time, presumably. At least he's confirming the range of the anti-magic field. That'll make further trips much easier.

"How much time have you spent in the immaterium?"

"A few moments, while our mother was teaching me."

Ah, I see. So the Titans haven't really flexed their full divine power, instead living in avatars full-time...

"You remember what it's like?" He nods. "You're a god. This body you're driving around now? That's an avatar, capable of using a fraction of your full power."

"But I-. We have more access to the world like this."

Which would you prefer? Temporal power in this form, or cosmic power over all you claim?

"Look… Unless I very much miss my guess, you're not much older than me, right?"

"A little older-. But yes, far younger than our titanic forebears."

Suggesting that they do age slower. But not by much.

"So while your powers are notable, they're really nothing that a high end mortal magician couldn't replicate. It's just that for you they're innate rather than learned."

"I haven't seen a magician who could match us."

You haven't seen an Earth magician, kid. Though I bet there's a story there.

"I-."

My construct splutters into existence, then stabilises.

Well, then. Found the edge of the suppression effect. Now, to pass a summary over to Hinon?

"There we go." Coeus frowns. "Trust me, as someone who has seen high end magicians. If I dropped off a book on thaumaturgy in a few of this planet's major cities, you'd see people at that level in… Twenty to thirty years? No one could equal you in full god mode."

"But I would struggle to affect the world."

He really can't get past that little sticking point, can he? Spent too long in borrowed flesh, I suppose.

"And that's what priests are for. Very few people have regular meetings with their planet's overlord, but if you stick a priest with a few divine gifts in ever town, suddenly they have a more personal relationship."

"We could have priests without empowering them."

Well, where's the fun in that?

"Then where's the pull? Why would someone become a priest? What are they supposed to be doing that mundane administrators aren't doing? What are the government officials doing that the priests aren't going?"

"Is that how..? How the Olympians organise their devotees?"

Olympians... Organising?

Not these days, unless your name is Athena or Hephaestus (what with him gaining a following in engineering and metallurgist circles.)

"No. As I said, hardly anyone worships the Olympians. Zeus mostly spends his time hanging out in Olympus or… Picking up lonely middle aged women on cruises while in avatar mode. He has at least one recent daughter than I know about sired like that. You want to build this civilisation up?"

"Of.. course, but-."

Then you have to be prepared to put the work in, and make the necessary sacrifices. No such thing as a free lunch and all that, especially in magic.

"Then you need to think about what is it that you can offer it. What you can do that would make people want to worship you. Can you assess the intellectual capacities of everyone on the planet as you are now?"

"Not quickly. I would have to meet them all in person."

That sounds... Boring.

And how many of them would be well below your standards, then?

"And in the immaterium?"

"I would need to bend the world-sphere around myself, which.. would take some time. But once we created a new Othrys, I could arrange matters so that my attention was drawn to the sharpest of intellects."

That would be Mount Othrys, ancestral home of the Titans. Much as the Olympians mostly use Olympus as the seat of their power. Presumably, they need to make a location that acts as a lens for their full divine power upon the world...

"Wouldn't New Cronus work?"

"No, it would need to be tied to somewhere on the planet. We flew New Cronus here; it isn't integrated yet. Do you intend to hand out books on thaumaturgy?"

I rather suspect that depends on you and yours, hmm? I mean, get on OL's bad side, he'll do his best to remove you as obstacles...

"I'll give you a few copies when we get back to New Cronus. If you're serious about the uplift project I don't see any reason to make your life unnecessarily difficult." I frown as we emerge into the sunlight. "How has your takeover gone over with the locals?"

"Most mortal rulers have acquiesced. Consolidating our control is slow-going, but there's no unified resistance."

The joy of a relatively low-tech culture: no unifying contact between peoples. No grand central parliament to convince or overthrow.

"Mortal rulers might acquiesce to a display of strength, but that won't be enough to make them yours. It won't make them loyal in the way I imagine that you want."

"I am confident that within a few generations, they will become accustomed to us. But I take your point-. Your many points. You have never ruled a world yourself?"

True. Their children might also have objections, but their children's children will only ever have known your rule. The problem is the sheer amount of time that would take, and the likelihood of someone hiding away and raising a resistance.

"Not my desire. But I've had access to the records of the rulership of millions of worlds, and the writings of people far wiser than me who analysed them. I would be happy to give you those as well, though I suspect that you will need a very long time to read all of them."

"Time, we have. If we do as you suggest, Hyperion and Thia would be able to rejuvenate this system's star." I frown. I didn't think-. "It's not dying yet, but it's older than it might be."

Heh. That mind-reading again. I suppose OL's so telepathically open that it's like reading a newspaper... But that's a good point about the star. If it was newly-born when the maltusians were last here, it's likely very, very old.

"I wouldn't suggest prioritising it, but visibly changing the sun would certainly give an undeniable impression of power. Oh, and you should probably divide up responsibility between you. Not just your domains, but what parts of lives of your people you oversee."

"How so?"

Well, I'm not suggesting you each pick a favourite tribe, that just leads to sour grapes down the line, but...

"Would schools be the responsibility of Crius and Mnemosyne, or you and Phoebe? Who is responsible for law and order? How about public health and medicine? Civic planning? Industry? If you're trying to create a unified civilisation and culture, you'll need a unified plan."

"I will need to discuss all of this with Phoebe, and with the others."

Yes, not a good idea for someone to go off doing their own thing, only to find someone else had the same idea, and both of you end up in conflict.

"Of course. And I need to talk to Controller Hinon about-."

Coeus doubles over, clutching his head! A moment later he straightens, a look of horror on his face!

Oh, that's not good. Surely he's not that upset about the Controllers?

"No!"

A second later he's faded from view. Some sort of teleportation? It makes sense that he'd be able to do that, but I've got no idea why he's so concerned. I… Doubt that there's anything I could help with; we've built up a rapport and if he wanted me he'd have asked.

...Ooooh, dear. That kind of reaction suggest something happened to his sister-wife...

We didn't really… Stop to talk to the garrison protecting this entrance before we came in, but I did get a brief introduction to the man in charge. Athyns came with the New Titans from Karrakan, and he's the head of their military here. I fly towards his command post, returning my armour to subspace and switching to my formal robes. Athyns is a very serious warrior and commander, and I want to be sure that I'm not immediately seen as a potential threat.

Interesting that he's present. Part of the group they previously ruled before coming here... Which makes me wonder if someone else if following behind them.

As it turns out, I don't need to head to his command post. He's already out, mustering soldiers and preparing them for action. I get a quick and extremely hard look as I land, and then nods.

"Ambassador."

"Lord Coeus has been called away. I wouldn't want anyone to think that I was poking around secure sites without an escort."

Sensible, OL, but probably not the best time for levity.

"It's best if you just stay here. I'll assign you an escort once everyone else is prepared."

"Prepared for what? If you can tell me. I can see there's some sort of alert, but I don't know what for."

"Someone attacked one of the gods. That's all I know. Now go sit over there, and stay out of the way."

Now, bets as to who? One of their own? One of the Olympians present? Or a certain someone with a bone to pick with the Titans?

And of course something has gone wrong. Because why would OL ever have a mission go quietly and calmly? Let's just hope it's confined to the Titans, and the trouble doesn't end up coming to the Sun-Eater Factory...

Eh, who am I kidding? Chekhov has barely had time to put his gun on the mantelpiece before it gets fired these days...

Darko · Sep 23, 2021

Chojin Patriarch said:
Olympians... Organising? Not these days, unless your name is Athena or Hephaestus (what with him gaining a following in engineering and metallurgist circles.)

Though I'd describe them less as worshippers and more like workers.

Chojin Patriarch said:
True. Their children might also have objections, but their children's children will only ever have known your rule. The problem is the sheer amount of time that would take, and the likelihood of someone hiding away and raising a resistance.

So basically a secret society..

Chojin Patriarch said:
Heh. That mind-reading again. I suppose OL's so telepathically open that it's like reading a newspaper... But that's a good point about the star. If it was newly-born when the maltusians were last here, it's likely very, very old.

I think M'gann mentioned him being very open and easy to read.

Chojin Patriarch said:
Ooooh, dear. That kind of reaction suggest something happened to his sister-wife...

My money is on Hyperion and Thia.

Chojin Patriarch said:
Now, bets as to who? One of their own? One of the Olympians present? Or a certain someone with a bone to pick with the Titans?

Or a Sun Eater got loose.

Chojin Patriarch said:
Let's just hope it's confined to the Titans, and the trouble doesn't end up coming to the Sun-Eater Factory... Eh, who am I kidding? Chekhov has barely had time to put his gun on the mantelpiece before it gets fired these days...

Nice to see you're learning to not taunt Murphy.

Mr Zoat · Sep 23, 2021

Darko said:
'every town'
'he nods'

Thank you, corrected.

Because they want to please their goss by worshipping them extra hard.

Silveraith · Sep 23, 2021

Mr Zoat said:
He has at least one recent daughter than I know about sired like that. You want to build this civilisation up?"

That.

Mr Zoat · Sep 23, 2021

Silveraith said:
That.

Thank you, corrected.

And to explain the joke, that's DaiMon Goss.

Impartial Panic · Sep 23, 2021

Mr Zoat said:
11th September 2012
17:22 GMT
"Someone attacked one of the gods. That's all I know. Now go sit over there, and stay out of the way."

Welp there goes Phoebe, Looks like Donna Troy gets to skip over the Terry Long Disaster if she's lucky.

hkim · Sep 23, 2021

Put me down for "someone propositioned Melinöe and the expected happened".

Pinklestia · Sep 23, 2021

Ah right there is a Paul whose powers come from the Dreaming...

Mr Zoat · Sep 24, 2021

"Recognised, Power Ring Blue, Made Man of Power Ring."

Earth -14
Oranga
11th September 2012
20:23 GMT +3

I appear in the antechamber of the team's new base of operations, and take a moment to relax. Things… Things are going as well as they could…

I chuckle slightly for a moment.

I can't even finish that thought.

But they could be going a great deal worse, and -to quote Dilbert- that's not nothing.

The Syndicate has almost completely moved to the arse ends of the world. The Answer is heading up Asian operations, their Byzantine political and economic systems suiting him perfectly. 'Al' -because apparently we're on first name terms now- is having fun scaring the night soil out of the drug cartels of South America while the Director is stretching his tentacles out across Africa. This hotel is one of his, and the staff and guests are robots operating under his direction.

"So?"

Most of the guests.

"Mister Quick, you know full well-."

"We're all gunna get tole inna bit, ain't we?" He shrugs, and I note that despite the enforced inactivity he's barely jittering at all. Looks like the new formulation of the speed formula has ironed out that problem. "What's it ma'ahr?"

"Because it undermines Ultraboy. He's the team leader. I bring news to him, he decides how to share it with the team." I nod politely. "Excuse me."

I head towards-

"But we're gettin' out, roight?"

-Jon's suite-

"Roight?"

-and knock politely on the door.

"Ultraboy?"

He doesn't run, but I hear his heavy footfalls on the other side of the door immediately. His self control is pretty good, all things considered, but he's been feeling the enforced inactivity just as much as everyone else. He's looking… Okay. Though I personally think that the goatee is a terrible look for him, it does fulfil the recommendation that everyone alter their usual appearance during the relocation. He's even abandoned the 'U' insignia he used to have on just about every piece of clothing he owned. No one familiar with his old appearance would look for a young man in a suit.

"You got something, Blue?"

His elocution training has been more miss than hit, but unlike many of our colleagues he is actually making an effort.

"Indeed I do. Would you please accompany me to the briefing room?"

"Sure, just… Give me a minute."

I nod. "Of course."

He heads back inside, closing the door after him, while I head towards the meeting room. I'm not sure whether the Director meant it as an insult or not, but the main meeting table was originally a replica of the one the old Management used to use. I had it taken out almost immediately, and replaced with a more collegial circle. I also added some soft seating off to the side for less formal one-to-one chats, and it's there that I head. And in deference to the preferences of my colleagues, I pull out a decanter and a couple of tumblers before sitting down.

How… To sell this.

Jon pushes the door open and does a quick scan of the door before coming inside and closing the door. He makes eye contact with me, and I hold up Zorina's anti-detection ward and do a quick scan to make sure. Nothing detected, so I give Jon a nod.

He hesitates for a moment and then walks slowly over, eyes alighting on the glasses.

"Since when do you drink?"

"I don't. It's alcohol free; basically wheat juice. It's practically a health drink."

Jon frowns, a snort escaping his nostrils. "Fer real?"

"Eh… A few other chemicals. Nothing intoxicating, but it tastes just like the real thing."

He sits down opposite, picking up his glass and sniffing it. "And no one figured it out?"

I shrug. "I changed it five months ago and no one's said anything." I pick up my glass and hold it out to him. He taps his own against it with a chink, then we each take a small sip. "Your health."

He nods. "Makes me think of the first time we had a drink together. Guess that's a happier memory for me than you."

"I've found that life isn't quite so easily sorted into 'good' and 'bad' these days."

"Guess I should be grateful about that." Jon puts his glass down and sits back. "What're our orders?"

I shake my head. "The Management don't-."

"Sure. 'Requests'."

"It's an important distinction. They're recognising your independence and-."

"And that I gotta do what they say if I want the lights t'stay on."

"You can look at it like that." I shrug. "You can do your own thing, or you can answer requests and receive the commensurate rewards."

"We did what you said to make the New Management happen. Not like I had any better ideas." I shrug. "Plan any good?"

"I think it will achieve the Syndicate's medium term objectives. Whether it's the best thing to do or not…" I shrug again. "You remember our alter egos?"

"Yeah."

"Their team is used by their mentors as a covert operations unit. Their United Nations imposes rules on the Justice League, and they use their apprentices to bypass them without anyone knowing. The Management want to do the reverse with the Young Offenders. While the Syndicate beds down in its new areas of operation, your team will carry out random acts of brigandage with the aim of drawing as much attention as possible." Jon frowns. "Luthor's sticking to the deal, but there are more excitable elements-"

"The Justice Underground."

"-who will come after the Syndicate anyway, and the New Management want them led away from the more vulnerable areas of the business. And you've got plenty of vinegar in you, so I doubt that you'll complain if they catch up with you."

"Easy to sell it to the others. I'm guessing we can't go back to America."

"No, but you could attack US interests outside of the States. Just as long as you don't draw attention to other Syndicate assets."

He nods, looking at his drink for a moment. "Or what else?"

"What else?"

"You got some other idea." He looks up. "Don't you."

"I… Do."

"So?"

"We do need a decoy, but we can get anyone to do that. There are a few of the less stable Made Men I wouldn't mind seeing the back of. But for you… How would you like to head up your own operation?"

"What's the catch?"

"You have to create one."

He frowns. "How?"

"The Syndicate has been moving into highly criminalised areas and inserting itself as the top level boss. My idea for the team is to go somewhere that has suffered a complete breakdown in law and order and creating order."

A wry smile. "Like heroes."

"Like empire-builders. You saw how fast Slade threw every law he swore to uphold out of the window the moment he thought that's what he needed to do to win. Ultimately, that's what law is; what the strongest force in a society says will happen. Constitutions are just paper. If you conquer an area, if you enforce your will and bring stability, people will support you."

"Time fer me to make my own mark on the world?" I nod-shrug. "Interesting idea. Kinda assumed I'd get this talk from Pa."

"Yeah." I sigh. "That would be better. Or your grandpa, or grandma, or your Uncle Jimmy or Uncle Pete. But I'm what you've got."

"Yeah. I guess you are."

He swirls his drink around in his glass.

"Where were you thinking we'd do this?"

With This Ring (Young Justice SI) (Thread Fourteen)

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