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

The idea of human sacrifice for fun, rather than appeasing a god. Specifically, the image of Americans sacrificing a British person for Independence Day? Given how we usually celebrate, it just brought to mind a British person being tied to a giant fireworks rocket for that final celebratory bang.
 
The idea of human sacrifice for fun, rather than appeasing a god. Specifically, the image of Americans sacrificing a British person for Independence Day? Given how we usually celebrate, it just brought to mind a British person being tied to a giant fireworks rocket for that final celebratory bang.

I mean, the British do it symbolically, so does that count? That's what the Guy Fawkes thing of burning the Pope is supposed to represent, right?
 
Pyrrhucy (part 2)
14th February 2013
16:53 GMT


"Illustres." Diataria Lysis is keeping her face completely still as she looks at me from my ring projection. "What do you require?"

"A conversation with Thaal Sinestro would be nice. But failing that, how's my ring coming?"

"There… Has been a problem in the supply line. I am sorry, but I will need a little longer."

"These things happen. How's Ms. Drak doing?"

"It-? That was you."

"And some friends. Interesting approach. Kalmin wasn't completely contemptuous."

"How did you find out about that..?"

"It's a small universe. Do you have a personal lantern to go with it?"

"…yes. It will.. function. I had intended to fine tune it before notifying you-"

"Uh-huh."

"-that it was ready. I understand your scepticism, but Lantern Sinestro is quite insistent that we honour our agreements."

I nod. That does fit with his personality profile, assuming that he wasn't planning on attacking us immediately. But if she's about to suggest that I come to an isolated planetoid without an escort, I'm going to mock her.

"I suggest that I perform the handover on a planet-."

"Of my choice? Yes, what a good and completely reasonable idea. I'll bring a bodyguard, because I'm not an idiot."

"Ah. Yes. I take it that you have no objection to me doing the same?"

"As long as it's not Ms. Drak."

"No. Since you… Disrupted our operation on Talok, we don't have a spare ring for her."

"In the interest of us not stepping on one another's toes again, might I suggest that she find a way to touch the Shadowlands that doesn't involve the ritual murder of another Lantern? I doubt that Sinestro wants to start a war before he's ready."

"I will pass that on. Do you have a location in mind?"

Needs to be somewhere that doesn't look like an obvious trap from her perspective, too. Sending her to Earth would be stupid. Asking to meet on Korugar… Well, they wouldn't send Sinestro. … Probably. Ungara? No, not with their environmental problems. Too much risk to them if it turns into a fight. Mars would look like a trap.

"Can you get to Dryanna? It's just outside the Vega Systems."

"Your ally Commodore Amalak's base of operations."

"My occasional business partner Amalak's base of operations. We don't have a formal written agreement. And the scenery is actually quite nice."

She… Appears to glance at something off-screen. "Acceptable. I assume that you want it as soon as possible."

"Yes please."

"I can be there…" Off-screen again. "In slightly over one Earth day. Is that acceptable?"

"Completely fine. One bodyguard. See you then."

She nods, and the image vanishes.

Hm. Between Amalak's fleet and sensor network I don't think that I have to worry about getting swarmed. Sinestro's the only person with enough experience to maybe beat me in a fight, so I'm not too worried about losing to a single specialist. I'll be in full armour the whole time.

But who to take with me? Komand'r and Koriand'r are closest, but riding herd on Vega is a full time job. Xor is technically my partner, but I'd rather not call him away from his current assignment. Same with Vran, plus there's the possibility that she might jump ship. Jump back to her old ship.

One possibility, then.

"Illustres to Lantern Natu."

I wait. If she's operating, then she's not going to respond immediately. Actually, I suppose that Kalmin would be a reasonable choice, as I'm sure that he'd like a few words with his former student about her construction methods. But I don't really want him meeting people, or not here to watch his students. Other possibilities-.

"Yes?"

Voice only.

"Are you available for deployment?"

"I-. Ah can be? Casualties?"

"No. We're going to meet the person who makes power rings for your father. I thought that you might have some things you'd like to get off your chest."

"Is he going to be there?"

"Not as far as I know."

"I just woke up. I-."

"Sorry, I didn't realise. This isn't actually an order; I can get someone else. I just thought that it might be helpful."

"You're the Illustres."

"Yes, but that doesn't mean that I should just ride roughshod over-."

"Will this help me?"

"He's up to something. I don't know what, exactly. You've lived without his input for most of your life, so I doubt that your relationship is so significant a factor in your mind that it's routinely weakening you. If you don't want to access the higher levels of power you could probably ignore it completely. The issue would be when Sinestro actually does something."

"Because I'd be distracted."

"Just so. It's usually best to deal with psychological issues before they manifest. But as I said, I can get someone else."

"Okay, yeah. Just… Give me twenty minutes."

"Certainly. Meet me at the Central Power Battery when you're ready."

"Lantern Natu out."

And the ring dims, and I begin flying in the direction of the Central Power Battery. Not really enough time to visit the training ground, and I don't really need to do any further preparation.

"Ring. Message to Darkstar Nguyen."
 
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"Are you available for deployment?"

"I-. Ah can be? Casualties?"

"No. We're going to meet the person who makes power rings for your father. I thought that you might have some things you'd like to get off your chest."

"Is he going to be there?"

"Not as far as I know."

"I just woke up. I-."

"Sorry, I didn't realise. This isn't actually an order; I can get someone else. I just thought that it might be helpful."

"You're the Illustres."

"Yes, but that doesn't mean that I should just ride roughshod over-."

"Will this help me?"

"He's up to something. I don't know what, exactly. You've lived without his input for most of your life, so I doubt that your relationship is so significant a factor in your mind that it's routinely weakening you. If you don't want to access the higher levels of power you could probably ignore it completely. The issue would be when Sinestro actually does something."

"Because I'd be distracted."

"Just so. It's usually best to deal with psychological issues before then manifest. But as I said, I can get someone else."

"Okay, yeah. Just… Give me twenty minutes."

"Certainly. Meet me at the Central Power Battery when you're ready."

"Lantern Natu out."
I can't wait to see how Sinestro will react to learning that his daughter is a member of the OLC. Hopefully whatever happens will help Soranik out mentally and emotionally.
 
14th February 2013
16:53 GMT


"Illustres." Diataria Lysis is keeping her face completely still as she looks at me from my ring projection. "What do you require?"

"A conversation with Thaal Sinestro would be nice. But failing that, how's my ring coming?"
Oh, that conversation will be quite the tense moment. But sadly, I don't see him agreeing to it anytime soon. Meanwhile, Lysis looking rather shifty in her disaffected attitude. Now isn't that interesting? :sneaky:

"There… Has been a problem in the supply line. I am sorry, but I will need a little longer."

"These things happen. How's Ms. Drak doing?"
Yes, rather a simple logical step from 'Seemingly random shadow-wielding woman studying Yellow Power Rings' to 'The person working on a yellow Ring for me.'

"It-? That was you."

"And some friends. Interesting approach. Kalmin wasn't completely contemptuous."
And that in itself is high praise, coming from Kalmin.

"How did you find out about that..?"

"It's a small universe. Do you have a personal lantern to go with it?"
...Wonder if she could manage to manufacture an Indigo Lantern. Flush the Ring's buffers back to spec...

"…yes. It will.. function. I had intended to fine tune it before notifying you-"

"Uh-huh."
Honestly, any time taken fine-tuning might have accelerated any malfunction the Ring might suffer. Drawback of hacking it that way.

"-that it was ready. I understand your scepticism, but Lantern Sinestro is quite insistent that we honour our agreements."

I nod. That does fit with his personality profile, assuming that he wasn't planning on attacking us immediately. But if she's about to suggest that I come to an isolated planetoid without an escort, I'm going to mock her.
There's gullible, and then there's gullible. OL may be one, but he's not the other...

"I suggest that I perform the handover on a planet-."

"Of my choice? Yes, what a good and completely reasonable idea. I'll bring a bodyguard, because I'm not an idiot."
Well, when you're focused on the job, anyway. Don't think we've forgotten that little bit with the bikers...

"Ah. Yes. I take it that you have no objection to doing the same?"

"As long as it's not Ms, Drak."
He'd be obliged to arrest her, methinks.

"No. Since you… Disrupted our operation on Talak, we don't have a spare ring for her."

"In the interest of us not stepping on one another's toes again, might I suggest that she find a way to touch the Shadowlands that doesn't involve the ritual murder of another Lantern? I doubt that Sinestro wants to start a war before he's ready."
Especially since the other options for acquiring a Power Ring are limited to Orange or Green, neither of which would take kindly to that plan.

"I will pass that on. Do you have a location in mind?"

Needs to be somewhere that doesn't look like an obvious trap from her perspective, too. Sending her to Earth would be stupid. Asking to meet on Korugar… Well, they wouldn't send Sinestro. … Probably. Ungara? No, not with their environmental problems. Too much risk to them if it turns into a fight. Mars would look like a trap.
I'm sure you know many planets that would be acceptable to both parties...

"Can you get to Dryanna? It's just outside the Vega Systems."

"Your ally Commodore Amalak's base of operations."
Yes, and? Amalak isn't likely to stick his nose into this unless it impacts his business.

"My occasional business partner Amalak's base of operations. We don't have a formal written agreement. And the scenery is actually quite nice."

She… Appears to glance at something off-screen. "Acceptable. I assume that you want it as soon as possible."
Oh-ho. Methinks she has a visitor hiding off-camera.

"Yes please."

"I can be there…" Off-screen again. "In slightly over one Earth day. Is that acceptable?"
I'm sure said visitor will be paying very close attention to this meeting. From a reasonable distance, hopefully.

"Completely fine. One bodyguard. See you then."

She nods, and the image vanishes.
Show of hands, who thinks she or her guest are going to try something. ;)

Hm. Between Amalak's fleet and sensor network I don't think that I have to worry about getting swarmed. Sinestro's the only person with enough experience to maybe beat me in a fight, so I'm not too worried about losing to a single specialist. I'll be in full armour the whole time.

But who to take with me? Komand'r and Koriand'r are closest, but riding herd on Vega is a full time job. Xor is technically my partner, but I'd rather not call him away from his current assignment. Same with Vran, plus there's the possibility that she might jump ship. Jump back to her old ship.
And it's quite likely she'd do so happily, given the shit she's seen working with OL.

One possibility, then.

"Illustres to Lantern Natu."
Well, if Sinestro is going to be watching, this will make him spit-take.

I wait. If she's operating, then she's not going to respond immediately. Actually, I suppose that Kalmin would be a reasonable choice, as I'm sure that he'd like a few words with his former student about her construction methods. But I don't really want him meeting people, or not here to watch his students. Other possibilities-.

"Yes?"
Never know what they might get up to without a stern eye on them.

Voice only.

"Are you available for deployment?"
Heh. Guessing she doesn't want to be seen. Was she in the shower or something? :p

"I-. Ah can be? Casualties?"

"No. We're going to meet the person who makes power rings for your father. I thought that you might have some things you'd like to get off your chest."
Some words to pass on, perhaps. Or a message from the Korugarians...

"Is he going to be there?"

"Not as far as I know."
You'd think he was avoiding OL, wouldn't you?

"I just woke up. I-."

"Sorry, I didn't realise. This isn't actually an order; I can get someone else. I just thought that it might be helpful."
Because most people do like to sleep normally once in a while...

"You're the Illustres."

"Yes, but that doesn't mean that I should just ride roughshod over-."
I think she means a simple request can be taken as an unspoken order, OL. Most organisations tend to have that kind of subtext.

"Will this help me?"

"He's up to something. I don't know what, exactly. You've lived without his input for most of your life, so I doubt that your relationship is so significant a factor in your mind that it's routinely weakening you. If you don't want to access the higher levels of power you could probably ignore it completely. The issue would be when Sinestro actually does something."
Honestly, if she limits herself to support staff duties, she's not likely to ever need to face him anyway.

"Because I'd be distracted."

"Just so. It's usually best to deal with psychological issues before then manifest. But as I said, I can get someone else."
And with his empathic sight, he can even pick up on issues the other person didn't even realise they had.

"Okay, yeah. Just… Give me twenty minutes."

"Certainly. Meet me at the Central Power Battery when you're ready."
No rush... Except she will rush, because the boss is asking.

"Lantern Natu out."

And the ring dims, and I begin flying in the direction of the Central Power Battery. Not really enough time to visit the training ground, and I don't really need to do any further preparation.

"Ring. Message to Darkstar Nguyen."
Planning on having her on standby just in case of double-cross?

Amusing to learn that Lysis subcontracted her Ring development project. Still, Kalmin wasn't completely insulted by the work, so she gets some points. Still, seems a little unsafe to be having a meeting this important on a pirate-run planet. Even if Amalak himself doesn't poke his nose into OL's business, there's bound to be someone who sees the Illustres of the Orange Lanterns visiting and take note.

It's usually best to deal with psychological issues before then manifest.
It's usually best to deal with psychological issues before they manifest.
 
It feels a bit like he's underestimating Sinestro given the guy has out played him at literally every turn.

Even when he wasn't really trying.
 
Could have sworn you said Vran quit after Paul exploded, "went back her old job". Unless you meant old job as in "lantern for 5 minutes before Paul took her as an apprentice."

Still, would be fun to see her again, flinching every time Paul appears
 
"What would I have to do to involve myself in this work?"

I pull out my spare ring.

"You have to want really hard to involve yourself."

So how many rings does Paul have on him? There is His ring, Larfleeze ring, both of he wears, then I thought he only had one spare.

Add a beacon so that no one flies into it, and my spare ring in case I need to go into action right away

Unless he retrieved this ring off panel?
Of course he could be offering the ring of the dead lantern from the previous fight but I wouldn't think he would call it his spare already.

An orange power ring floats over to me.

"Orange Lantern Flozz'm is deceased."

Gone with.

I take the ring and put it into one of my armour's pouches

Also, how do the clones get Paul's tattoos? I thought they had to be applied by a magically active person?

John may have done the design work, but a woman named Clarice Sackville did the actual tattooing.
 
So how many rings does Paul have on him? There is His ring, Larfleeze ring, both of he wears, then I thought he only had one spare.
Unless he retrieved this ring off panel?
Of course he could be offering the ring of the dead lantern from the previous fight but I wouldn't think he would call it his spare already.
Yes, it was the ring of the recently deceased Lantern.
Also, how do the clones get Paul's tattoos? I thought they had to be applied by a magically active person?
If you're talking about the times he came back from the dead, he reapplied them and the spell was still sufficiently coherent to reattach itself to them. Remember, the whole point was to give him a soul, and the soul has formed as guided by the tattoos. Eventually, he won't need the ink at all.
 
If you're talking about the times he came back from the dead, he reapplied them and the spell was still sufficiently coherent to reattach itself to them. Remember, the whole point was to give him a soul, and the soul has formed as guided by the tattoos. Eventually, he won't need the ink at all.

So is he magical enough to Tattoo himself or are the Tattoos more like a ritual that anyone can do that only works on a soulless body?

I know that the Tattoos were originally to passively absorb magic but, lately Paul uses them as an active attack so has he had any of his friends or subordinates look over updating them like the one Paul with the micro script did?

Finally, still catching up so this might have been answered, was the body created around New Othrys affected when the Thaumosphere was strengthened? I was curious if a soulless body surounded by new religious power might have an effect on him when he slips into it.

yes when not if
 
So is he magical enough to Tattoo himself or are the Tattoos more like a ritual that anyone can do that only works on a soulless body?
Neither. The people who made the original tattoos had the knowledge of how to make them, including how to shape the magic component. Since then, they have done their job and absorbed enough magic that the magic itself will maintain the effect. Without the physical component it might start unbinding, but with the magic already in place the SI can easily recreate the physical component.
I know that the Tattoos were originally to passively absorb magic but, lately Paul uses them as an active attack so has he had any of his friends or subordinates look over updating them like the one Paul with the micro script did?
Attack? When was that?

They wouldn't really work for his friends as they already have souls.
Finally, still catching up so this might have been answered, was the body created around New Othrys affected when the Thaumosphere was strengthened? I was curious if a soulless body surrounded by new religious power might have an effect on him when he slips into it.

yes when not if
I don't remember that happening. I remember him modifying his body to get a duel with the Citizenry, but as far as I know the only time he's had a new body created was after he was disintegrated with qwa matter.
 
Attack? When was that?
I think by attack he means Paul using his tattoos to absorb energy of others to trick various effects (when he takes control of the Sparta's magic to trick the seeds, as an example)
I don't remember that happening. I remember him modifying his body to get a duel with the Citizenry, but as far as I know the only time he's had a new body created was after he was disintegrated with qwa matter.
Here, when they strengthened the local thaumosphere he had a clone put in the sky just in case. I assume he had the clone decommissioned.
1st January 2013
21:26 GMT

Back into the sky, and up I go. Transitioning somewhere like this -particularly when we're going to mess around with the local thaumosphere- wouldn't be a good idea. But I can fly bloody quick when properly motivated. And as I go I begin using my rings to fabricate a suspended animation pod, manoeuvring thrusters and a new adult clone body for myself. Okay, out of the atmosphere, and looking at my own inanimate face like this stopped being strange after the second time. Add a beacon so that no one flies into it, and my spare ring in case I need to go into action right away. Make sure that it's got the velocity to stay in orbit for at least a few days… Yes, good.
 
thank god we are back to paul. i took a break after reading the other orange lanterns' povs.
 
Pyrrhucy (part 3)
14th February 2013
17:17 GMT


"Prepare for transition."

Lantern Natu nods, checking that her stabiliser is securely attached to her armour with her left hand. The original spellwork used to allow me to drag a fleet through the Honden has been substantially improved to allow individual Lanterns to travel with me with a minimum of mental disquiet, though the team working on them is understandably distracted at the moment. Several of them expressed a desire to return to Earth after the Anti-Life broadcast happened, but the request was refused on the grounds that not only was it incredibly unsafe, but that other than Adam Blake they're the only uninfected humans in the universe. Our species can't risk them getting exposed.

"Transition in three, two,

one."

I feel the mass of desires that makes up Lantern Natu and sight the mass of desires that make up Amalak. I know him well enough that finding him isn't exactly hard, though it is interesting to note that his desire to expand his operations appears to have been well and truly

satiated.

We're standing on the roof of his headquarters, and I'm mildly pleased to note that not only are the automated defences already aimed at us, but Lantern Natu already has a dome shield up. Long practice evacuating people under fire, I imagine.

"We're authorised!"

The limited AIs controlling the guns takes a moment to compare me to their 'approved' list and then put the guns back onto standby before sending a high priority message to the Commodore to alert him.

"Good reactions, Lantern Natu."

She gives it a moment before dropping her construct and lowering… Her right hand. Interesting. Most humanoid members of the Corps copy me and wear it on their left hand. I suppose her home Sector has had more Green Lantern contact than the Periphery.

"I thought you teleported to people."

"Usually, yes, but I can vary the emergence point a little."

She considers that for a moment and then reaches the obvious conclusion. "Did you walk in on someone?"

"I can't tell where the target is located and… His species is going extinct. Ring, message to Weaponer Lysis. Tell her that we're here."

"Compliance. Message incoming."

"Answer."

"Illustres! Welcome back. Do I need to recall a fleet?"

"No, Commodore, that shouldn't be necessary. I just needed a neutral location for a meeting, and you were the first person I thought of."

"I'll be happy to host you. Do you need catering?"

"No, thank you. It's just a handover, and should only take a few minutes."

"Then feel free to avail yourself of the facilities."

"Thank you. Is there anything happening here that I need to know about?"

"No, no, not at present. I've even managed to improve relations with the Crown Imperium thanks to the additional trade revenue coming through your gateway."

"I'm glad to hear it."

"I am too! As a mercenary, I always want to have enemies, or friends with enemies. I just don't want them too close."

"True, true. Mind if we use plaza three?"

"I'll notify the training sergeants that it's off-limits until further notice."

"I appreciate that. Good day."

Lantern Natu looks out across the barracks and training grounds, a slight frown on her face. "Mercenaries?"

"Yes. One of the disadvantages of living next to a lawless and Lantern-free region of space is that it's pretty lawless. There were a lot of pirate groups in this region, far more than most worlds could afford to build a navy to counter."

"So they hire some pirates as private security contractors and have them fight the other pirates?"

"Basically. Although as time passed, those groups engaged in security work got used to working in a defensive way. Amalak has contracts with a dozen or more inhabited worlds, and no one he has a contract with has ever gone to war with anyone else he has a contract with. And now that law and order are emerging, he's switching over to shipping. Amalak himself prefers a recurring revenue model."

"Are you saying people pay him to conquer them?"

"More or less. Though his recruits come from-. Mostly come from the worlds hiring him. If he tried acting as a tyrant, they'd mutiny."

"What happened to his species? You said they were going extinct."

"General Zod of Krypton. He fabricated a conflict and killed most of the targetted population before trying to take over his own planet. He wasn't successful in the second part, but that was too late for most of Amalak's people."

"What happened to Zod?"

"He and his closest confidants were sent to a place called the Phantom Zone. It's an extra-planar prison where the inmates are unable to interact with the material universe. Krypton… Didn't have a death penalty at the time, so eternal imprisonment had to do."

"Eternal? They don't age?"

"I don't believe so. I can't say that I've really studied it."

Because the only person I might want to take out is perfectly happy where he is.

"How do they get in there?"

"The device that sends them there is about the size of a large gun."

"That could have medical uses. If we could send critically injured people there and take them out at a medical facility, we could almost eliminate field medicine entirely."

"Ah. I suppose we could. I'll talk to Kal-El about it once Earth's liberated, see what he can do. His species didn't use it like that, so I wouldn't be surprised if there weren't some fairly severe-"

My ring blinks.

"-drawbacks. Answer."

Weaponer Lysis's face appears. "We are in-system. Are you prepared?"

I look up, and see the tiny fleck of yellow towards the inner edge of the Oort cloud. Earlier than she said, but it's not like I was expecting honesty from her.

"Yes. The locals know that you're coming. We'll be ready when you get here."
 
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only was in incredibly unsafe

"was it in"

Lantern Nate already

"Natu"

"Ah. I suppose we could. I'll talk to Kal-El about it once Earth's liberated, see what he can do. His species didn't use it like that, so I wouldn't be surprised if there weren't some fairly severe-"

My ring blinks.

"-drawbacks

Unless they just didn't think to use it like that.
 
"Ah. I suppose we could. I'll talk to Kal-El about it once Earth's liberated, see what he can do. His species didn't use it like that, so I wouldn't be surprised if there weren't some fairly severe-"

My ring blinks.

"-drawbacks. Answer."
There aren't.

Unless you count monsters that will eat you a drawback.
 
14th February 2013
17:17 GMT


"Prepare for transition."

Lantern Natu nods, checking that her stabiliser is securely attached to her armour with her left hand. The original spellwork used to allow me to drag a fleet through the Honden has been substantially improved to allow individual Lanterns to travel with me with a minimum of mental disquiet, though the team working on them is understandably distracted at the moment. Several of them expressed a desire to return to Earth after the Anti-Life broadcast happened, but the request was refused on the grounds that not only was in incredibly unsafe, but that other than Adam Blake they're the only uninfected humans in the universe. Our species can't risk them getting exposed.
Well, good to hear magitechnological research hasn't been standing still since last we saw it. I expect it's a hefty time investment to prepare and is thus not an efficient way to use OL to deploy Lanterns into the field...

"Transition in three, two,

one."

I feel the mass of desires that makes up Lantern Natu and sight the mass of desires that make up Amalak. I know him well enough that finding him isn't exactly hard, though it is interesting to note that his desire to expand his operations appears to have been well and truly
Looks like Amalak's been successful in his many endeavours. Hopefully without stepping on too many toes or making too many enemies.

satiated.

We're standing on the roof of his headquarters, and I'm mildly pleased to note that not only are the automated defences already aimed at us, but Lantern Nate already has a dome shield up. Long practice evacuating people under fire, I imagine.
Impressive response time on both parties. Though she loses points for only having one layer of shield active. Or is the multi-layered thing so ubiquitous amongst the Corps that OL doesn't even mention it? :p

"We're authorised!"

The limited AIs controlling the guns takes a moment to compare me to their 'approved' list and then put the guns back onto standby before sending a high priority message to the Commodore to alert him.
Heh. Reminds me of Edna Mode's security. "...And Guest."

"Good reactions, Lantern Natu."

She gives it a moment before dropping her construct and lowering… Her right hand. Interesting. Most humanoid members of the Corps copy me and wear it on their left hand. I suppose her home Sector has had more Green Lantern contact that the Periphery.
There's a reason the Greenies scooped her up in the series. And it wasn't just because she was a damn good medic.

"I thought you teleported to people."

"Usually, yes, but I can vary the emergence point a little."
Because some people don't like having him pop up right next to them.

She considers that for a moment and then reaches the obvious conclusion. "Did you walk in on someone?"

"I can't tell where the target is located and… His species is going extinct. Ring, message to Weaponer Lysis. Tell her that we're here."
Heh. Natural assumption to make. Wonder if, when anyone else manages to copy it, they'll experience that embarrassment on their first few jumps?

"Compliance. Message incoming."

"Answer."

"Illistres! Welcome back. Do I need to recall a fleet?"
Ah, he knows OL well. Our hero's gotten something of a reputation as a harbinger of trouble, hasn't he?

"No, Commodore, that shouldn't be necessary. I just needed a neutral location for a meeting, and you were the first person I thought of."

"I'll be happy to host you. Do you need catering?"
These aren't the kind of people you'd like to associate with, Commodore...

"No, thank you. It's just a handover, and should only take a few minutes."

"Then feel free to avail yourself of the facilities."
The joy of knowing the owner.

"Thank you. Is there anything happening here that I need to know about?"

"No, no, not at present. I've even managed to improve relations with the Crown Imperium thanks to the additional trade revenue coming through your gateway."
Good to see associates getting ahead in business.

"I'm glad to hear it."

"I am too! As a mercenary, I always want to have enemies, or friends with enemies. I just don't want them too close."
After all, feuds, police actions and civil unrest are profit for him.

"True, true. Mind if we use plaza three?"

"I'll notify the training sergeants that it's off-limits until further notice."
And discreetly evacuate anyone of importance from the area, just in case?

"I appreciate that. Good day."

Lantern Natu looks out across the barracks and training grounds, a slight frown on her face. "Mercenaries?"
They have their uses. Sometimes you don't have the luxury of deploying ground troops of your own.

"Yes. One of the disadvantages of living next to a lawless and Lantern-free region of space is that it's pretty lawless. There were a lot of pirate groups in this region, far more than most worlds could afford to build a navy to counter."

"So they hire some pirates as private security contractors and have them fight the other pirates?"
And the first ones to work that out became very rich.

"Basically. Although as time passed, those groups engaged in security work got used to working in a defensive way. Amalak has contracts with a dozen or more inhabited worlds, and no one he has a contract with has ever gone to war with anyone else he has a contract with. And now that law and order are emerging, he's switching over to shipping. Amalak himself prefers a recurring revenue model."

"Are you saying people pay him to conquer them?"
I expect he has clauses in said contracts that his personnel can't be deployed in actions against other contractees... Far too much potential for graft and fixing fights.

"More or less. Though his recruits come from-. Mostly come from the worlds hiring him. If he tried acting as a tyrant, they'd mutiny."

"What happened to his species? You said they were going extinct."
And after all, ruling a whole world is far too much work. Better to leave it to someone else and get paid to handle their security.

"General Zod of Krypton. He fabricated a conflict and killed most of the targetted population before trying to take over his own planet. He wasn't successful in the second part, but that was too late for most of Amalak's people."

"What happened to Zod?"
Always did strike me as a soldier looking for a war to fight. And when he couldn't, he made one.

"He and his closest confidants were sent to a place called the Phantom Zone. It's an extra-planar prison where the inmates are unable to interact with the material universe. Krypton… Didn't have a death penalty at the time, so eternal imprisonment had to do."

"Eternal? They don't age?"
Well, assuming they don't get attacked by whatever creatures exist within the Zone in this universe.

"I don't believe so. I can't say that I've really studied it."

Because the only person I might want to take out is perfectly happy where he is.
Mon-El? He'll be getting out sooner or later, after all.

"How do they get in there?"

"The device that sends them there is about the size of a large gun."
And well guarded, if it even exists in physical form right now. I expect Kal-El would be leery of keeping a working one handy.

"That could have medical uses. If we could send critically injured people there and take them out at a medical facility, we could almost eliminate field medicine entirely."

"Ah. I suppose we could. I'll talk to Kal-El about it once Earth's liberated, see what he can do. His species didn't use it like that, so I wouldn't be surprised if there weren't some fairly severe-"
After all, would you want to use a prison dimension for your worst criminals as an ambulance?

My ring blinks.

"-drawbacks. Answer."

Weaponer Lysis's face appears. "We are in-system. Are you prepared?"
Ah, now to see if she's living up to the spirit of their agreement.

I look up, and see the tiny fleck of yellow towards the inner edge of the Oort cloud. Earlier than she said, but it's not like I was expecting honesty from her.

"Yes. The locals know that you're coming. We'll be ready when you get here."
And you don't want a Weaponer having the advantage of a prepared ground.

A fairly traditional walk-and-talk scene. Albeit one that travelled a few thousand light-years in seconds. Good to see Amalak's doing well for himself in the business of keeping the peace. And the business of waging war, when needed. Now, let's see if Lysis is going to play nice and not play the stupid evil card for the lulz...

Illistres! Welcome back.
Illustres! Welcome back.
 
Random reminder that LePaul still hasn't bothered to try and contact the Sivana family on Venus.
 
Random reminder that LePaul still hasn't bothered to try and contact the Sivana family on Venus.
Last I remember, Dr Sivana and Venus Sivana were touring the galaxy or universe. Junior and Georgia might still be on Maltus. If so the only Sivanas on Earth might by Beautia and Magnificus, and neither of them would be able to help in that case.
 

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