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

rkyeun · Jun 5, 2021

Darko said:
Well unless the material and a power ring don't interact all that well and it can't make it.

If an orange power ring can't make something you want, either you don't actually want it, or it can make the machine that makes the thing you want.

Handlewithcare · Jun 5, 2021

Way more interested in the Georgia/Dox thing then the Reach

Which is worrying

Anyway, OL should give them both a few pointers. Just discreetly letting both know the other way nervous too might help?

RichardWhereat · Jun 5, 2021

Mr Zoat said:
Dox isn't wearing his normal uniform jacket. Instead, he's wearing a lab coat, those his posture is exactly the same.

This link is dead for me.

Mr Zoat · Jun 5, 2021

Darko said:
'gives'
'though his posture'
'and I take'

Thank you, corrected.

RichardWhereat said:
This link is dead for me.

Works for me.

Anyone else?

Ngamer11 · Jun 5, 2021

Mr Zoat said:
Anyone else?

Works fine for me.

RichardWhereat · Jun 5, 2021

Mr Zoat said:
Works for me.

ffs, it didn't work the two times I checked it before quoting the link, and it now works. I would have blamed Australian internet, but that site tends to work for me a lot anyway.

Sockmonkey · Jun 5, 2021

It's amusing how the Sivanna kids have found a place where they actually sort of fit in.
I'm looking forward to their next annual family get-together.
He should get along with their mom fairly well. She knows how to wrangle socially stunted geniuses.

Chojin Patriarch · Jun 5, 2021

Mr Zoat said:
24th August 2012
14:18 GMT

"Do you think I should have brought something?"

Well, someone's nervous about their first real-life date... She's just a delightful little neet, isn't she?

I shake my head as we walk along Ranx's corridors in the direction of Dox's office.

"He's an Orange Lantern. If he wanted a material object, he could make it himself."

True, true. But he's also well-socialised enough to recognise the value of a gift. Some useful data or interesting project for him to work on in what little spare time he allows himself, perhaps.

"Yes, but if I'd saved a project we would have something to do."

"He's running a major war. I'm sure that he'll appreciate any insight you…" I frown. "No, honestly, I'm not sure of that, but according to the two people closest to him you're the first person Dox has expressed a desire to see for personal reasons."

Which is atypical enough that they consider it significant. Take from that what you will, Georgia...

"Make up?"

"Unless it would help bolster your confidence, I'd say no. Georgia, why are you this worried?"

It's almost adorable how far out of her comfort zone she's willing to go for this meeting.

She wrings her hands.

"I don't have a great deal of experience with this sort of thing."

What, romance? I'd have thought you'd see plenty of examples in your social science research... Or are you nervous because you don't think you resemble the typical object of a man's affections?

"You've been talking to Dox for months. With full two-way holographics. He knows what you look-. Georgia, you haven't been using someone else's face, have you?"

"Of course not. He'd see right through that."

Why, you're practically dating already, albeit long-distance.

I wave as we walk past a couple of L.E.G.I.O.N. officers, and get respectful nods back.

"So, just be-. Maybe tone down the overtly psychotic evil a little, but otherwise just be yourself."

...But so much of her character is tied to that 'psychotic evil'...

I kid, I kid...

I field Lantern Ratchet in a construct baseball glove.

"Sorry Lantern Ratchet, not today. We've got company."

Aww, no hugs for cuddle-blob?

He rises out of the glove, orientating himself on Georgia who already has her scanner out. "Hello. I'm Lantern Ratchet, Clarissi Vril Dox's aide."

"Yes, he's mentioned you once or twice. How do your species naturally locomote?"

And of course only she could think a question like that is a good way to introduce herself...

"We swim. Out of the water we tend to use a combination of gripping and pulling, and looking pathetic and hoping someone takes pity on us."

She frowns. "Does that work?"

You've never watched an octopus crawling about? It's kind of cute in a gribbly kind of way.

"Oh yes. Our tentacles are quite strong, and we are fairly light."

"No, the pity thing. It seems extremely chancy to me."

...Um, Georgia...

"That was a joke."

"Oh, a.. joke." Georgia fidgets. "Yes, I… Should have spotted that."

Hoo boy. This is going to be an awkward meeting, isn't it?

"We use robot suits. Before we had those, we could use picks or simple mechanisms. Can I touch you?"

She frowns. "Why?"

Because he wants Hugs. Cuddle-blob must have hugs!

Ratchet deflates slightly. "Clarissi Dox didn't mention me at all, did he?"

"No, he mentioned you. He just didn't actually tell me anything about you."

...Dangit, Dox. You dense, cold dummy...

"Just…" He sags in the air slightly. "Never mind. You can go in. Both of you."

Ratchet turns around and floats back to his work station. Georgia watches him go.

See what happens to cuddle-blob when he doesn't get Hugs? Don't you feel bad for him, Georgia?

"Why did he want to touch me?"

"He's a social deviant from a zero tactility culture. He really likes touching people."

He does understand 'bad touch' locations, right?

"And you indulge him."

"Yes. It's harmless and it makes him happy."

I bet he also gives damn good massages.

"Is that..?" She frowns. "You have a girlfriend, don't you?"

"Letting people touch you isn't cheating. It's fulfilling a basic psychological need we get from our monkey ancestors."

True. It's a rare person who doesn't enjoy some form of physical contact...

"I don't think our primate ancestors would have found being grasped by tentacles to fulfilling to their grooming requirements." She give her head a small shake, then marches straight-armed towards Dox's door.

The door opens, and…

But seriously, massages. Tentacle Massages. People would pay for that kind of thing!

And.. someone -I'm going to assume that it wasn't Dox- has decorated. His minimalistic hologram system is still here, but now it's been joined by… Potted plants. A soft seating area. A wooden desk. Carpet. I'd.. guess.. Brande was responsible, but I don't think that this is something that anyone could sneak by Dox without him noticing. So he's approved it, and the first I'm seeing of it is when Georgia appears.

Well paint me pink and call me Star Sapphire.

I don't think you have quite the figure for the modern uniform, with it's ridiculous décolletage, though maybe the legs for the traditional Silver Age model... Also: Dox allowing redecoration just as his internet girlfriend shows up?

Not a coincidence, I think.

"Doctor Sivana."

Dox isn't wearing his normal uniform jacket. Instead, he's wearing a lab coat, those his posture is exactly the same.

Look at that, he even dressed up for her!

"Clarissi Dox."

Georgia is awkwardly looking him over and… It looks like she's trying to work out whether or not she should adopt a similar pose.

Daaaw.

"You have a mission for me, sir?"

Dox's eyes move from Georgia to me for a heartbeat, before returning to Georgia.

Heh. I can tell what he was thinking there: "What? Oh, you're here too?"

"Yes. Would.. you.. both.. like to take a seat?"

He gestures to the seating area, and… That's a tea service.

I think I need to get out of here before they start holding hands or something.

Cute as it is, watching these two cinnamon rolls dance about probably would get boring after a while.

Georgia stiffly takes a seat, and take the position next to her. Dox sits down rigidly opposite us, using his ring to call up a holographic image.

"As I told you prior to your mission to Yuna, the Reach are building up for a counterattack."

Still prepping, after two weeks away? They must really want a numerical advantage there.

A map of the region appears, seventeen locations being highlighted. They're well inside Reach territory, but taking into account travel times… Yes, those would cause significant local problems.

"You want me to destroy one? Or two?"

Hell, he could pop over there right now and shred a fleet. He'd be back before you could even finish pouring the tea.

"No."

A thought and the image zooms in on one of the fleets. Not.. Reach ships. Those are juluuni, a species the Reach overran centuries ago. Dox spots the look of recognition on my face.

Another OC race, I'm guessing? Odd that their fleet would still even exist after all this time, though?

"Leftovers?"

"The Reach wouldn't put their own people on inferior ships. We've been working on the assumption that these species were extinct. If they're still alive and the Reach are just… Storing them somewhere, it undermines our credibility. Doubly so if we are the ones who finally wipe them out."

...Oof. That could be awkward, yes. Or it could just be a Reach decoy, modern ships dressed as ancient vessels.

"So I need to board them, find out what's going on and then rescue as many as I can."

"If by 'rescue' you mean 'collect biological samples', yes. The Reach has had them for long enough to overwrite their minds with whatever they want. There's little point in trying to liberate them."

That is true. But the chance that they aren't corrupted is too great to pass up.

"I don't want to pre-judge that."

"You could just wipe them out." I turn to Georgia with raised eyebrows. "That far into Reach space there are unlikely to be any observers. If you destroy them outright, you could dismiss anything the Reach says as mere propaganda."

"I could. But I won't. If you'll excuse me, I'll start requisitioning resources."

And coincidentally leave them alone together.

Smooth, OL.

God, these two kids are so cute. ...Yes, I know Dox isn't a kid, but he's so socially stunted, he may as well be. And now OL has his next mission, eh? Investigate an anomalous fleet in Reach space. What's the bet it's a Reach ploy to discredit N.E.M.O. propaganda about their habit of driving client races to extinction?

Darko · Jun 5, 2021

Chojin Patriarch said:
But so much of her character is tied to that 'psychotic evil'... I kid, I kid...

But you're right.

Chojin Patriarch said:
See what happens to cuddle-blob when he doesn't get Hugs? Don't you feel bad for him, Georgia?

No, she doesn't.

But we do.

Chojin Patriarch said:
He does understand 'bad touch' locations, right

I'm now picturing future meetings where people are asked to point to the location Ratchet touched them on a doll.

I'm also picturing a Sexual Harassment Panda.

Or more accurately Sexual Harassment Space Panda.

Chojin Patriarch said:
But seriously, massages. Tentacle Massages. People would pay for that kind of thing!

If he goes to Japan he'll be rich.

Chojin Patriarch said:
I don't think you have quite the figure for the traditional OG Uniform, with it's ridiculous décolletage. Also: Dox allowing redecoration jsut as his internet girlfriend shows up? Not a coincidence, I think.

It's probably both for her and so the other OLC members see that their leader has a personality.

Mr Zoat · Jun 5, 2021

Chojin Patriarch said:
I don't think you have quite the figure for the traditional OG Uniform, with it's ridiculous décolletage.

I think he could pull it off. Though actually, the traditional uniform is fairly modest.

FreeGod · Jun 5, 2021

rkyeun said:
If an orange power ring can't make something you want, either you don't actually want it, or it can make the machine that makes the thing you want.

I don't think even Paul can make Nth metal without going full snake again.

moralrelativity · Jun 5, 2021

Chojin Patriarch said:
What's the bet it's a Reach ploy to discredit N.E.M.O. propaganda about their habit of driving client races to extinction?

That AND another trap for OL.

RichardWhereat · Jun 5, 2021

Mr Zoat said:
I think he could pull it off. Though actually, the traditional uniform is fairly modest.

I could pull that off. No-one wants to see it, but I could do it.

Prince Charon · Jun 5, 2021

Mr Zoat said:
I think he could pull it off. Though actually, the traditional uniform is fairly modest.

If someone put one of those on me, I would want to pull it off as soon as possible (unless I were very drunk, maybe).

I would point out, though, that the classic Star Sapphire uniform as designed in the 1950s or early '60s, and so some of the modern ones are probably a fairly accurate colloquial translation.

Ngamer11 · Jun 5, 2021

Mr Zoat, random questions. Now that Kara Zor-El is getting accustomed to living on Earth and is even wearing Superman's colors to fight crime, is she going to be made a member of the Team as Supergirl II? Also, what are the differences between the Supergirls' costumes, if there are any?

Mr Zoat · Jun 5, 2021

Ngamer11 said:
Mr Zoat, random questions. Now that Kara Zor-El is getting accustomed to living on Earth and is even wearing Superman's colors to fight crime, is she going to be made a member of the Team as Supergirl II?

No. There's a difference between fighting at a time of dire necessity and fighting professionally.

Also, what are the differences between the Supergirls' costumes, if there are any?

Overgirl wears shorts. Noriel looks like this, while Kara wore something more like Kal-El's costume.

Darko · Jun 5, 2021

Ngamer11 said:
Mr Zoat, random questions. Now that Kara Zor-El is getting accustomed to living on Earth and is even wearing Superman's colors to fight crime, is she going to be made a member of the Team as Supergirl II? Also, what are the differences between the Supergirls' costumes, if there are any?

If I were to make a guess I'd say that the biggest difference between the two would be the material it's made oout of.

For Loriel it's probably enchanted. while for Kara it's most likely made out of Kryptonian, or at least some other type, of super science materials.

As for looks, I'm thinking that Loriel's may look like the t-shirt and skirt thing from the comics, while Kara's may be different.

Though I'm not sure if Kara really is fighting crime.

Yeah she helped during the Sheeda invasion and with the tech god case, but that could have just been her helping during major crises' instead of dedicating herself to fighting injustice. Like a person volunteering to fight fires if there are a lot of them, but not becoming a fireman.

Edit: Zoat beat me to the punch.

Ngamer11 · Jun 5, 2021

Mr Zoat, since Kara was made known first, does she technically count as Supergirl I? Or does that go to Linda, as she was the one going out in costume first?

Darko · Jun 5, 2021

Ngamer11 said:
Mr Zoat, since Kara was made known first, does she technically count as Supergirl I? Or does that go to Linda, as she was the one going out in costume first?

Some people were at least calling her that, even though she didn't really engage in heroics.

I remember Noriel told Paul that Linda would dress up in a Supergirl costume when she would sometimes have sex with Buzz, so it's likely that she was called that before.

Though Loriel, or Linda or Noriel, or whatever was the first that actually got into the whole heroics thing.

Mr Zoat · Jun 6, 2021

24th August 2012
15:37 GMT

Darkstar Lotta frowns as she scrolls through her pad.

"Cloning tanks."

"Yes, for medical emergencies. It has to be the general purpose ones because there aren't any standard models designed for human physiology."

She nods, apparently unconvinced. "I thought Orange Lanterns of your level could regenerate their injuries?"

"We can. But only if we have an intact brain. I'm going to be storing a complete body here so that my soul can jump into it if I'm completely disintegrated."

She nods, tapping the 'approved' button a little harder than the situation truly required.

"Un-der-stood."

Hm. I should probably.. requisition a spare ring for it. Or…

I call out one of the thralls who took part in the attack on Yuna. Standard pattern humanoids with oddly angular skulls; it's a little like someone painted a face over the corner of a right angle. The face is two flat surfaces with holes for nostrils and eyes. No desires of her own, but just enough undirected orange to maintain a connection.

Let's see…

We pull and tie fragments of desire from the Honden to the remnants, binding and programming the structure to heed our desires, twisting until the construct becomes a thing in the material universe. A pull

and the lich-ring is complete. I-.

"Did you just turn a person into a ring?"

"No, I turned a construct into a ring. I turned a person into a construct a week ago." I pluck the ring out of the air and try making a construct with it. Eh, it's not great, but I could work with it in an emergency. "Though if it makes you feel any better, she was already essentially mindless thanks to the Reach."

Lotta nods. "It does."

"How have you been?"

"Since when?"

"Since last time we saw each other? I don't.. think I've seen you since I first arrived."

"Ah… Better than I was expecting." She exhales amusedly. "Sorry, I've been partnered with Phil for so long that I've forgotten what basic social enquiries sound like."

"You do have other squad mates."

"Yeah, but you spend most time with your partner. As for how well I'm doing… It's… Nice not to be losing the war any more."

"You didn't request a transfer."

"No, I actually listened to you when you said that orange power rings affected your judgement. And Phil wasn't going to transfer, so…" She shrugs. "The new exo-mantles are plenty for me."

"I'm a little surprised that Phil stuck with it. I'd have thought that direct combat was more his thing."

"According to him, power rings take most of the fun out of it. They're too 'remote'."

I nod. "They're not for everyone. Though if it.. comes up, please point out that there's nothing to stop him just using a construct axe or something."

"I'll pass that on." She looks around the Darkstar infiltration ship's cargo hold. "Putting a bio-lab in here is easy enough. Can you tell me what we're going to be studying?"

"Reach bio-modification techniques on novel species."

She nods. "We have the expertise. Which species in particular?"

I throw an orange dot at her pad, transferring the files Dox gave me. She moves her finger as she scrolls through.

"This is-. These are extinct species."

"Maybe not. But you see why I want a Darkstar ship; I'm going to be flying into a hostile fleet, kidnapping the crew and flying back while inside Reach territory."

"Yes. So, about that power ring?"

She chuckles, but it's awkward and nervous. She's a veteran, but flying into Reach territory like this is triggering her 'and they send the medals to your next of kin' instinct.

"If you're serious-."

"No, I'm.. not. So all we're doing is hiding until you get back, and then running away?"

"That's the plan. Though if you tell me that it can't be done, then I'll come up with something else."

"I assume that we're running to somewhere?"

I nod. "Into a waiting L.E.G.I.O.N. assault fleet. If for some reason that's unworkable, orders have been sent to L.E.G.I.O.N. ships over-" I create a construct map. "-here to assemble here to give us protection. Obviously that creates a lot of holes in our perimeter and Commander Dox would rather we didn't do that, but the option's there if we need it."

"And Lanterns?"

"Those are not small fleets. I'm going to ask Lantern Natu if she'll come along, but she'll be joining the science staff. I'll be heading in on my own."

"Are there Lanterns who could make the ship faster?"

"Faster?" I nod. "I can make it faster. There are a couple of paranoids who could make us better at hiding, but there are some… Rather serious side effects to them using their abilities."

"Such as?"

"We might forget that they're on the ship. Or that we're on the ship. Or that ships exist, or that the universe exists, or-."

"Right." She frowns. "How do we know we haven't already recruited them?"

"Dox has an alert system, and we think I should be immune. But… You see the problem."

"I see I was right sticking with the exo-mantle."

I nod, twitching my nose. "Probably. How long will it take to get the module installed?"

"If we put your name on the order, half an hour."

"Do it. Though point out that since I'm not a L.E.G.I.O.N. or Darkstar officer it probably shouldn't be accelerated like that."

"Do I tell them that before or after-?"

"After."

"Request sent. Any preference on the crew?"

"Darkstars who are used to hiding and running."

"That's still most of us. Just about. I'll see who's available. When do we leave?"

"As soon as possible. I'll go talk to Lantern Natu."

Darko · Jun 6, 2021

Mr Zoat said:
She nods, tapping the 'approved' button a little harder than the situation truly required.

"Un-der-stood."

Ahh, Paul always frustrating people.

Mr Zoat said:
to stop his just using a construct axe or something."

'stop him'

Mr Zoat said:
the files Dox game me.

'Dox gave'

Mr Zoat said:
Lantern Natu is she'll come along

'if she'll'

Mr Zoat said:
"Are there Lanterns would could make the ship faster?"

'who could'

Mr Zoat said:
"I see I was right sticking with the exo-mantle."

Sometimes power isn't everything.

Mr Zoat said:
"If we put your name on the order, half an hour."

Perks of being the boss, or a boss in your case, Paul.

Zig · Jun 6, 2021

Mr Zoat said:
"Darkstars who are used to hiding and running."

So not explicitly asking for his girlfriend but making sure she's on the short list?

moralrelativity · Jun 6, 2021

Mr Zoat said:
And Phil wasn't doing to transfer

doing to -> going to
doing to -> doing a

Mr Zoat said:

nothing to stop his just using a construct axe

Click to expand...

Click to shrink...

his -> him

Mr Zoat · Jun 6, 2021

Darko said:
'stop him'
'Dox gave'
'if she'll'
'who could'

moralrelativity said:
doing to -> going to
doing to -> doing a

Thank you, corrected.

Chojin Patriarch · Jun 6, 2021

Mr Zoat said:
24th August 2012
15:37 GMT

Darkstar Lotta frowns as she scrolls through her pad.

If anyone's forgotten, she's one of the first Darkstars he met, way back when he first made contact with the Maltusians. Rescued them from a Reach Scarab Warrior and all. Evidently building a team for this mission, then. Looks like we got a heist underway.

"Cloning tanks."

"Yes, for medical emergencies. It has to be the general purpose ones because there aren't any standard models designed for human physiology."

Not yet. I'm sure you can make some adjustments during transit.

She nods, apparently unconvinced. "I thought Orange Lanterns of your level could regenerate their injuries?"

"We can. But only if we have an intact brain. I'm going to be storing a complete body here so that my soul can jump into it if I'm completely disintegrated."

And I love that that's a possibility for him. For most people, disintegration is it. Finité. Sweep up what's left with a dustpan and put it in an urn for the next-of-kin...

She nods, tapping the 'approved' button a little harder than the situation truly required.

"Un-der-stood."

...And she doesn't even question it. Probably doesn't believe it, but hey, Illustres wants it, Illustres gets it.

Hm. I should probably.. requisition a spare ring for it. Or…

I call out one of the thralls who took part in the attack on Yuna. Standard pattern humanoids with oddly angular skulls; it's a little like someone painted a face over the corner of a right angle. The face is two flat surfaces with holes for nostrils and eyes. No desires of her own, but just enough undirected orange to maintain a connection.

Probably drawn from one of those 'extinct' races the Reach seem to be keeping in their back pocket, I'll bet...

Let's see…

We pull and tie fragments of desire from the Honden to the remnants, binding and programming the structure to heed our desires, twisting until the construct becomes a thing in the material universe. A pull

and the lich-ring is complete. I-.

Well, not quite making a ring from scratch, but it's progress. Helps that the construct-lantern had no real mind beforehand, I suspect.

"Did you just turn a person into a ring?"

"No, I turned a construct into a ring. I turned a person into a construct a week ago." I pluck the ring out of the air and try making a construct with it. Eh, it's not great, but I could work with it in an emergency. "Though if it makes you feel any better, she was already essentially mindless thanks to the Reach."

Lotta nods. "It does."

No real will to resist the process, after all. And it's hardly going to be a ring you'll actually use in any combat situation. Might want to arrange a spare actual ring, just in case, anyway.

"How have you been?"

"Since when?"

"Since last time we saw each other? I don't.. think I've seen you since I first arrived."

Bet she's been keeping busy. It has been over a year.

"Ah… Better than I was expecting." She exhales amusedly. "Sorry, I've been partnered with Phil for so long that I've forgotten what basic social enquiries sound like."

"You do have other squad mates."

Yeah, but they're replaceable. A good partner...

"Yeah, but you spend most time with your partner. As for how well I'm doing… It's… Nice not to be losing the war any more."

"You didn't request a transfer."

...A good partner is not. As for a transfer, she's smart.

"No, I actually listened to you when you said that orange power rings affected your judgement. And Phil wasn't doing to transfer, so…" She shrugs. "The new exo-mantles are plenty for me."

"I'm a little surprised that Phil stuck with it. I'd have thought that direct combat was more his thing."

Plus, having seen how OL fought, I bet he didn't find it that interesting. Neither the weapons, or the 'being a big glowing-orange target'...

"According to him, power rings take most of the fun out of it. They're too 'remote'."

I nod. "They're not for everyone. Though if it.. comes up, please point out that there's nothing to stop his just using a construct axe or something."

Just point him at the no-doubt-plentiful number of melee-preferring Lanterns already about. Ragnar, for example.

"I'll pass that on." She looks around the Darkstar infiltration ship's cargo hold. "Putting a bio-lab in here is easy enough. Can you tell me what we're going to be studying?"

"Reach bio-modification techniques on novel species."

'Novel'. That's one way to put it.

She nods. "We have the expertise. Which species in particular?"

I throw a orange dot at her pad, transferring the files Dox game me. She moves her finger as she scrolls through.

"This is-. These are extinct species."

Not extinct enough, it seems. Wouldn't be the first time people declared something gone only for one to turn up somewhere unexpected. Like Kryptonians.

"Maybe not. But you see why I want a Darkstar ship; I'm going to be flying into a hostile fleet, kidnapping the crew and flying back while inside Reach territory."

"Yes. So, about that power ring?"

You say that, but... Again: Big. Glowing orange. Target.

She chuckles, but it's awkward and nervous. She's a veteran, but flying into Reach territory like this is triggering her 'and they send the medals to your next of kin' instinct.

Completely understandable, especially if she's heard the scuttlebutt about how the Illustres' missions usually go. Seriously, nearly every mission we've seen him take on has had something go awry.

"If you're serious-."

"No, I'm.. not. So all we're doing is hiding until you get back, and then running away?"

Doesn't sound so bad, does it? ...Until he respawns in the bio-pod because something out there was enough to kill him again. Because you know she's thinking something like that...

"That's the plan. Though if you tell me that it can't be done, then I'll come up with something else."

"I assume that we're running to somewhere?"

Well, duh. Not like you'll be on a one-way trip.

I nod. "Into a waiting L.E.G.I.O.N. assault fleet. If for some reason that's unworkable, orders have been sent to L.E.G.I.O.N. ships over-" I create a construct map. "-here to assemble here to give us protection. Obviously that creates a lot of holes in our perimeter and Commander Dox would rather we didn't do that, but the option's there if we need it."

Good to hear he's not going to be completely unsupported.

"And Lanterns?"

"Those are not small fleets. I'm going to ask Lantern Natu is she'll come along, but she'll be joining the science staff. I'll be heading in on my own."

Presumably for her expert medical knowledge. Might need it to keep their 'rescuees' alive, if the Reach have them booby-trapped.

"Are there Lanterns would could make the ship faster?"

"Faster?" I nod. "I can make it faster. There are a couple of paranoids who could make us better at hiding, but there are some… Rather serious side effects to them using their abilities."

The typical Orange Lantern method of overkill? "If no bad guys are alive to see me, I'm hidden! HALPING!"

"Such as?"

"We might forget that they're on the ship. Or that we're on the ship. Or that ships exist, or that the universe exists, or-."

...That sounds like a serious existential nightmare...

"Right." She frowns. "How do we know we haven't already recruited them?"

"Dox has an alert system, and we think I should be immune. But… You see the problem."

Why, one of them could be standing right there and you wouldn't notice him...

"I see I was right sticking with the exo-mantle."

I nod, twitching my nose. "Probably. How long will it take to get the module installed?"

"If we put your name on the order, half an hour."

Well, that's quick. Logistics department is nothing to sneeze at around here, eh?

"Do it. Though point out that since I'm not a L.E.G.I.O.N. or Darkstar officer it probably shouldn't be accelerated like that."

"Do I tell them that before or after-?"

"After."

He's not that much of an idiot, after all.

"Request sent. Any preference on the crew?"

"Darkstars who are used to hiding and running."

...The ship is only so large, OL. Can you be a little more specific on skillsets?

"That's still most of us. Just about. I'll see who's available. When do we leave?"

"As soon as possible. I'll go talk to Lantern Natu."

Well, I bet there'll be a few sore heads if she picks veterans. They'll have to drag them screaming out of the bars...

Heh, good to see an old face. I see OL's taking no chances this time out. Full espionage team for backup, a respawn point that isn't half the galaxy away or dependant on another Orange lantern... While I half expect this 'heist' to go off flawlessly, we all know things will end in explosions...

Handlewithcare · Jun 6, 2021

"So how good are you at hiding?"

"I am no longer convinced I exist"

"You're in"

"Or am I...,"

"Oh, shush you"

Darko · Jun 6, 2021

Chojin Patriarch said:
Looks like we got a heist underway.

You son of a bitch, I'm in.

And Paul already knows Hephaestus, so he can recruit him!

Chojin Patriarch said:
...And she doesn't even question it. Probably doesn't believe it, but hey, Illustres wants it, Illustres gets it.

I think she's frustrated.

Chojin Patriarch said:
Probably drawn from one of those 'extinct' races the Reach seem to be keeping in their back pocket, I'll bet...

Or one they're in the process of assimilating.

Chojin Patriarch said:
Neither the weapons, or the 'being a big glowing-orange target'...

And Paul tends to insult other superheroes or their costume choices.

At least their colors look good.

Orange is just...ughhh

Chojin Patriarch said:
Just point him at the no-doubt-plentiful number of melee-preferring Lanterns already about. Ragnar, for example.

He may think they're cheating.

Chojin Patriarch said:
Completely understandable, especially if she's heard the scuttlebutt about how the Illustres' missions usually go. Seriously, nearly every mission we've seen him take on has had something go awry.

A Thunderer, a giant Starro, a qwa-matter bomb, a secret power ring...

Chojin Patriarch said:
...That sounds like a serious existential nightmare...

I remember this one X-Man called Forget Me Not who's ability essentially made other people forget he existed.

Chojin Patriarch said:
Well, that's quick. Logistics department is nothing to sneeze at around here, eh?

Dox probably had a hand in building it.

Chojin Patriarch said:
He's not that much of an idiot, after all.

Though he's still an idiot.

BlueMangoAdea · Jun 6, 2021

Stealth obsessed paranoid orange lanterns. They might do decently with a yellow ring as well, though not the usual style of making others fear you, but closer to using their fear to hide better.

Vaermina · Jun 6, 2021

Can we skip the rest of this storyline and just spend the entire time watching the Sivana's get up to various shenanigans instead?

Because "Paul effortlessly walks over everyone" stopped being amusing some time ago.

DrThoth · Jun 6, 2021

Mr Zoat said:
There are a couple of paranoids who could make us better at hiding, but there are some… Rather serious side effects to them using their abilities."

"Such as?"

"We might forget that they're on the ship. Or that we're on the ship. Or that ships exist, or that the universe exists, or-."

I'm having trouble figuring out how an orange ring can make something like that happen, it sounds like a pervasive and persisting mental effect; we haven't really seen power rings for straight up mental manipulation, as far as I remember.

BlueMangoAdea said:
Stealth obsessed paranoid orange lanterns. They might do decently with a yellow ring as well, though not the usual style of making others fear you, but closer to using their fear to hide better.

I've never really liked that yellow rings work by creating what others fear rather than using your own; yes, I know the latter is still possible and part of getting a Sinestro Corps ring is mastering your own fears, but the former application is still the most common portrayal and what people associate yellow rings with. It makes sense for a Qwardian weapon to do that since it fits their methodology/philosophy, but one of my favorite moments regarding the yellow light (that I know I've brought up before, sorry) is when Renegade uses his fear of trusting others/commitment to make wedding rings when mock-courting the Justice Lords Supergirl, since that's a great example of harnessing your own fears, so that's what I'd like to see more of. Unless I'm mistaken, making yellow constructs that other people fear doesn't mean you yourself fear them.

I like the concept of tapping into other people's fears as a higher-order/more esoteric use of the yellow light, like something a fear-enlightened Lantern could do; and it would be interesting to see analogous uses from the other lights- Blue Lanterns already make people around them hopeful, and I think the Saint Walker origin story shows their ability to channel collective hope to make their hopes real. Paragon's enlightenment made people more consciously aware of their desires when around him, I believe (though that was mainly Danette/Red Inferno, I don't think we've seen it really come up since then unless he's actually Enkindling Avarice); someone using the Green light for outright mind-control via willpower manipulation would make sense (I forget if Malvolio used it in that fashion) and Red Lanterns should be able to stir up the rage of other people (as far as I know, they don't do this, but maybe there are examples).

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

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