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

[Grimnar]

Imagine being such a moron you forget that Story only threads exist.

 

[Idkusername]

Imagine being such a moron you forget that Story only threads exist.

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Are you talking to me? Because the entire point of the story only thread is to not post there.

 

[Darko]

Coriander

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Koriand'r to be exact.

 

[Mr Zoat]

12th April
11:46 GMT

I watch as the nascent fleet reaches orbit.

Fascinating.

Koriand'r frowns in puzzlement.

"They seem so primitive."

The Russian Space Fleet launched entirely without rocket blasts. Instead, they built magnetic subterranean launch rails and anti-air resistance force fields to shoot them off the planet, the ships' own main drive providing the extra thrust needed to make orbit. No one part of the design is new to me, it's just that most species who go into space don't.. use those sorts of methods. Usually, they either build their ships in near-planetary space or they've got sufficiently advanced drive systems that they can take off without special arrangements. Launch rails like that are pretty much… Just used for… Bases on low-gravity planetoids, where it's more efficient than strapping boosters on.

"I think the most technologically advanced part of that whole arrangement is the launch system."

The ships have railguns as their primary armament, and I silently thank the Russian government for not putting nuclear torpedoes on the things. Their guns already have the power to shred anything in the system built on Earth. They… Might even be able to take a fight with a Martian ship of equivalent mass, assuming they could see it. They're slower and less agile, but then Martian gunnery isn't anything to get excited about. Particularly at long range.

"I was expecting… More."

"Why?"

"Some of the devices you carry are so advanced. Compared to what exists in Vega. I assumed that your ships…"

"You knew that we didn't have any."

"I knew that you hadn't built any for many years. There are species who are advanced but have no interest in travelling in space. Those are less advanced than the first ships my people built after settling on Tamaran."

"Yes, but it's more progress than we've made in the last fifty years so I'm calling it a success. I've learned.. to accept baby steps."

And I'm bracing for Russia to decide that they're no longer going to contract for NASA, which is going to leave the North American Space Agency entirely bereft of ways to actually get into space. Would the United States of America be prepared to put in the money needed to resume the space race? For an openly nationalist not-dictatorship like the Russian Federation this sort of national vanity project makes sense. It increases national pride and distracts-.

I narrow my eyes and look down, glaring at the Director's Siberian research centre. There's a flicker of resistance from the basic wards the local shaman probably put up, then…

The Director's not there. I move my attention to Moscow and try to spot-.

Ring, compare that to the usual death rate in Moscow at this time of year?

Substantial increase on seasonal norms.

I mentally pull up a copy of police reports and begin checking people off. Yes, they're cleaning house. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, there was a substantial rise in criminal gangs all across its former territory. With the fire sale of national assets and various types of civil servant not getting paid, I suppose that it was inevitable. Back on Earth Prime the line appeared to be 'don't make waves and you'll be left alone'. But here, with the Director and the President both being pro-internal reform…

The Russian mafia has drawn the attention of something infinitely its greater. Batman sent us a briefing document on the reform of the Russian Federal Police, but I didn't really pay it all that much attention. Looks like the mafia didn't either.

Starting to think that I may have been working on the wrong continent.

"Alright, nothing for us to do here. I'm sure that once everyone stops panicking we'll get an intelligent summary."

Koriand'r blinks at me.

"Are we not going to greet them?"

"No." I consider who I'm talking to. "While I imagine that knowing that Tamaran exists will do wonders to spur on humanity's efforts at space exploration, those ships don't really have an easy way to take on space-going travellers. They've undoubtably calculated every mote of energy and thrust, and… This is a matter of national pride. If I start hanging around it's just going to annoy them."

So, where next? Back to Themyscira, and lurk outside of the meeting hall like a ghost at the feast? Happy Harbour? There must be some people who don't know that the Mountain is operational again. Gotham?

That's actually not a terrible idea.

"Koriand'r, how about I show you the city where I live?"

She smiles. "That would be most delightful."

"That just shows that you've never been there. Follow me."

12th April
06:49 GMT -5

It's early morning here in Gotham. Early morning joggers are out doing circuits of Robinson Park, though I've missed my usual meet up with the Nguyens. Some traffic noise but no screams, explosions or gunshots.

Koriand'r appears next to me and looks around in fascination.

"This is very different to Themyscira."

"This is a bit more representative of modern Earth cities. At.. least, in the more prosperous parts of the world."

…

"Some parts of the world. A plant elemental turned the whole place into a forest last year, and when we persuaded him to leave he replaced a lot of the foundations and pipes with plant growths as a peace offering. That's why… You see the bridge-"

I point.

"-over there, how the third support along doesn't look quite like the others?"

"I see it."

"It's actually made of a type of ultra-resilient wood. There was a huge argument between the city government, the state government and the national government about whether they should leave stuff like that in place, remove it due to safety concerns or remove it for study. They only left it there because no one wanted to pay for replacing it properly."

"How..? Long did this take?"

"What, the argument? About four weeks, I think."

"How long did it take for the plant elemental to cover the city in a forest?"

"The initial surge of growth was about… Four minutes? It kept growing until we negotiated an armistice."

She turns her head to regard me curiously.

"You are telling me that the plant elemental turned this city into a forest in four minutes?"

"Roughly four minutes. Maybe a bit less. I wasn't monitoring it precisely."

"And now the only sign that it happened is an oddly textured bridge support."

"And some people scream if you sneak up on them while holding a plant." I snort with amusement. "And the sewer system is self-cleaning. Honestly, if Swamp Thing wasn't such an idiot he could make a fortune offering that sort of thing as a service."

I turn to face the direction of Gotham Police Central.

"Come on; let's see if Commissioner Gordon will let us ride along with anyone."

 

[Darko]

'Koriand' r' not 'Komand'r'

 

[Idkusername]

No, their original selves actually showed up proving the other things were just orange light created copies.

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Yes, but Tangseid used an entirely different method, as I pointed out and Mr Zoat elaborated.

They do! That's the whole point of the Great Secret of Hell, you can leave at any time.

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I can't comment on this because I have little experience with the Sandman and Hellblazer side of DC, despite my interest.

Under Zoat's own rules about the Ring not being able to effect Magic, the Eye and Power Ring should be incompatible together since the Eye would be covering his body in a magical effect.

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Ineffectual does not mean mutually exclusive or incompatible. A may not affect B, but both A and B can affect C.

 

[Citizen]

This has to count as hazing one of his recruits, right?

 

[Grimnar]

I narrow my eyes and look down, glaring at the Director's Siberian research centre. There's a flicker of resistance from the basic wards the local shaman probably put up, then…

The Director's not there. I move my attention to Moscow and try to spot-.

Ring, compare that to the usual death rate in Moscow at this time of year?

Substantial increase on seasonal norms.

Click to shrink...

What's 'that'?

There seems to be a leap in logic and thought that isn't explained here.

 

[Mr Zoat]

what book was it?

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On Liberty. I was a callback to the first episode where the SI mentioned that despite the fact that she co-authored it with John Stuart Mill her name was never on the cover.

Coriander

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Thank you, nearly.

Are you talking to me? Because the entire point of the story only thread is to not post there.

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I usually post on the Story Only thread first and then read through the main thread. If there are a lot of comments then there can be a delay.

 

[Grimnar]

Are you talking to me? Because the entire point of the story only thread is to not post there.

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I'm refering to me.

 

[Darko]

Well this could be a way for Robin to meet Kori, but I don't think a romance is going to blossom between them.

 

[Z000]

This has to count as hazing one of his recruits, right?

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oh no, Earth Duty is more like punishment

the planet is so whack that staying there for a weeks straight is more dangerous then some galactic war zone

i don't think OL will haze his recruit with this place, probably something more educational then life threatening

 

[FreeGod]

Honestly, if Swamp Thing wasn't such an idiot he could make a fortune offering that sort of thing as a service.

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What would swamp thing want money for?

 

[Darko]

What would swamp thing want money for?

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He could negotiate for them to not tear down so many forests.

He could also use the money to support his wife and daughter if they need help.

There was this fic where Poison Ivy marries Bruce Wayne and makes a more advanced version of viagra.

Starfire asks one of her teammates why she doesn't just patent any of the inventions she could make and just use the money to buy the forests so that she can keep them safe.

 

[Ace Dreamer]

nationalists

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should this be a plural?

intelligent summary

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'intelligence'?

---

Nice episode showing the Russian space tech, DC Comics Russian politics, and the weirdness that is Gotham City.

 

[Slayer Anderson]

anti-air resistance force fields to shoot them off the planet, the ships' own main drive

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I know this is nit-picking to a crazy degree, but... I'm pretty sure that is supposed to be a plural possessive.

Great chapter. I'm enjoying yet another alien trying to wrap their mind around Earth's... 'special-ness.'

 

[Darko]

special-ness.'

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Ohh, just call it what it is, bat shit crazyness.

Though I'm sure a polite girl like Kori would never call the planet of the Illustres that in front of him, probably not even away from him, and she'll just say that it's a 'difficult' and 'unique' world.

This episode could be about an alien trying to get used to life on Earth if Kori is going to be tagging along.

Though I'm sure that her stay will not result in her going bat shit like the comic Plutonian.

Hopefully.

She does have experience in dealing with a shitty place, considering she's a Lantern in Vega.

 

[AtomicGeneral25]

And I'm bracing for Russia to decide that they're no longer going to contract for NASA, which is going to leave the North America Space Agency entirely bereft of ways to actually get into space.

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Apparently SpaceX isn't a thing in this continuity. Unfortunate, Paul and Elon would have a field day together! Also, is the North America Space Agency a DC thing? If not, NASA is the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

 

[Idkusername]

Apparently SpaceX isn't a thing in this continuity. Unfortunate, Paul and Elon would have a field day together! Also, is the North America Space Agency a DC thing? If not, NASA is the National Aeronautic and Space Administration.

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It's probably too early for that.

I'm refering to me.

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Oh. Okay, then.

Well this could be a way for Robin to meet Kori, but I don't think a romance is going to blossom between them.

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Considering the age gap, well...

 

[Massgamer]

"They seem so primitive."

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Yes, but actual space forces run by a government is actual progress despite all the super tech laying around.

Here is hoping other countries get proper kick to rear to get own fleets into space now.

"You are telling me that the plant elemental turned this city into a forest in four minutes?"

"Roughly four minutes. Maybe a bit less. I wasn't monitoring it precisely."

"And now the only sign that it happened is an oddly textured bridge support."

Click to shrink...

DC earth has become quite good at rebuilding quickly after major events like that. I mean, Metropolis can look like a warzone on a good day with Superman vs one of his rogue's gallery and a week later it's good as new!

"Come on; let's see if Commissioner Gordon will let us ride along with anyone."

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Heh, ride along with Bullock and he can threaten people that he has two lanterns in his backseat.

 

[AtomicGeneral25]

It's probably too early for that.



Oh. Okay, then.



Considering the age gap, well...

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Oh right, forgot that this is set a few years earlier. Still, now I can't get the image of an Orange Lantern Elon Musk out of my head!

 

[Vaermina]

And I'm bracing for Russia to decide that they're no longer going to contract for NASA, which is going to leave the North America Space Agency entirely bereft of ways to actually get into space. Would the United States of America be prepared to put in the money needed to resume the space race? For an openly nationalists not-dictatorship like the Russian Federation this sort of national vanity project makes sense. It increases national pride and distracts-.

Click to shrink...

Even assuming this was Real Life Earth, and not Young Justice 30 years more advanced then Real Life Earth Earth, the Space Shuttle would have only been retired a handful of months ago. (Which means they could just unmothball it.)

But since this is Young Justice 30 years more advanced then Real Life Earth Earth, the shuttle wouldn't have realistically been retired since the tech would have been advanced enough when first building it that the same maintenance issues that ended up causing the retirement wouldn't have cropped up.

Basically put, this paragraph makes absolutely no sense given the year it was said at and the world it was said in.

 

[Darko]

Considering the age gap, well...

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Also Kori may not stay on Earth all that much for them to develop romantic feelings.

Vega is still rebuilding and requires Lanterns, while Earth is relatively stable and doesn't require to be rebuilt after having a tyrannical empire destroyed.

 

[Mr Zoat]

should this be a plural?

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Thank you, corrected.

'intelligence'

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No, a summary which is intelligent and well informed, not a summary from an information gathering organisation.

I know this is nit-picking to a crazy degree, but... I'm pretty sure that is supposed to be a plural possessive.

Click to shrink...

Thank you, corrected.

Apparently SpaceX isn't a thing in this continuity. Unfortunate, Paul and Elon would have a field day together! Also, is the North America Space Agency a DC thing? If not, NASA is the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

Click to shrink...

That's at least partly me not bothering to check, and also the SI emphasising its role.

 

[Chojin Patriarch]

12th April
11:46 GMT

I watch as the nascent fleet reaches orbit.

Fascinating.

Click to shrink...

Amazing what people can do when they actually want to. Bet this'll be a kick in the pants of the Americans... Russia basically started a second Space Race.

Spoiler: Commentary spoilered for length

Koriand'r frowns in puzzlement.

"They seem so primitive."

Click to shrink...

Despite what you may have seen, Kori, Humanity is primitive. We still huddle in tribes (just on a larger scale,) we argue and scream about the slightest thing we don't like (at least we don't fling actual poo, most of the time,) and we turn to violence at the drop of a fart. This fleet shows we can do greater things. Or we're just going to bring our monkey ways into space with us...

The Russian Space Fleet launched entirely without rocket blasts. Instead, they build subterranean launch rails and anti-air resistance force fields to shoot them off the planet, the ships own main drive providing the extra thrust needed to make orbit. No one part of the design is new to me, it's just that most species who go into space don't.. use those sorts of methods. Usually, they either build their ships in near-planetary space or they've got sufficiently advanced drive systems that they can take off without special arrangements. Launch rails like that are pretty much… Just used for… Bases on low-gravity planetoids, where it's more efficient than strapping boosters on.

Click to shrink...

Not linear magnetic accelerators, are they? Just big metal poles to guide the ships out of the launch tube? So it's practically a giant mortar.

"I think the most technologically advanced part of that whole arrangement is the launch system."

The ships have railguns as their primary armament, and I silently thank the Russian government for not putting nuclear torpedoes on the things. Their guns already have the power to shred anything in the system built on Earth. They… Might even be able to take a fight with a Martian ship of equivalent mass, assuming they could see it. They're slower and less agile, but then Martian gunnery isn't anything to get excited about. Particularly at long range.

Click to shrink...

I expect their sensory systems aren't up to much beyond visual range. I hope those guns are at least on turrets. Don't want to make the Mass Effect mistake of spinal cannons you have to move the entire ship to aim.

"I was expecting… More."

"Why?"

"Some of the devices you carry are so advanced. Compared to what exists in Vega. I assumed that your ships…"

Click to shrink...

The devices OL carries are made by people who are very specifically crazy, in a useful way. Seriously, it's amazing how many technological heroes and villains are a little cracked.

"You knew that we didn't have any."

"I knew that you hadn't built any for many years. There are species who are advanced but have no interest in travelling in space. Those are less advanced than the first ships my people built after settling on Tamaran."

Click to shrink...

But your people already had advanced technology. Humans are bootstrapping themselves with every advancement.

"Yes, but it's more progress than we've made in the last fifty years so I'm calling it a success. I've learned.. to accept baby steps."

And I'm bracing for Russia to decide that they're no longer going to contract for NASA, which is going to leave the North America Space Agency entirely bereft of ways to actually get into space. Would the United States of America be prepared to put in the money needed to resume the space race? For an openly nationalists not-dictatorship like the Russian Federation this sort of national vanity project makes sense. It increases national pride and distracts-.

Click to shrink...

Like I said, this may start a second Space Race. Not just between national governments, either. There must be private space-flight companies trying to get off the ground, as it were.

I narrow my eyes and look down, glaring at the Director's Siberian research centre. There's a flicker of resistance from the basic wards the local shaman probably put up, then…

The Director's not there. I move my attention to Moscow and try to spot-.

Click to shrink...

Checking up on what the old warbird plans to use his fleet for?

Ring, compare that to the usual death rate in Moscow at this time of year?

Substantial increase on seasonal norms.

Click to shrink...

...Oh dear, that doesn't sound good.

I mentally pull up a copy of police reports and begin checking people off. Yes, they're cleaning house. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, there was a substantial rise in criminal gangs all across its former territory. With the fire sale of national assets and various types of civil servant not getting paid, I suppose that it was inevitable. Back on Earth Prime the line appeared to be 'don't make waves and you'll be left alone'. But here, with the Director and the President both being pro-internal reform…

Click to shrink...

The less legal businesses are getting cracked down on. And their police aren't playing nice.

The Russian mafia has drawn the attention of something infinitely its greater. Batman sent us a briefing document on the reform of the Russian Federal Police, but I didn't really pay it all that much attention. Looks like the mafia didn't either.

Starting to think that I may have been working on the wrong continent.

Click to shrink...

Ha! Imagine seeing that as an Alt-OL.

"Alright, nothing for us to do here. I'm sure that once everyone stops panicking we'll get an intelligent summary."

Koriand'r blinks at me.

"Are we not going to greet them?"

Click to shrink...

At best, they'd consider it a polite escort. At worst, an armed escort. It's likely to trigger something that makes Batman yell at you again...

"No." I consider who I'm talking to. "While I imagine that knowing that Tamaran exists will do wonders to spur on humanity's efforts at space exploration, those ships don't really have an easy way to take on space going travellers. They've undoubtably calculated every mote of energy and thrust, and… This is a matter of national pride. If I start hanging around it's just going to annoy them."

Click to shrink...

Heh, knowing there's a planet of orange beach babes and surfer dudes out there might get Humanity Boldly Coming, but it might be a while before they get that far...

So, where next? Back to Themyscira, and lurk outside of the meeting hall like a ghost at the feast? Happy Harbour? There must be some people who don't know that the Mountain is operational again. Gotham?

That's actually not a terrible idea.

Click to shrink...

...You're showing her Gotham as her first major American city? Are you insa-... No, wait, you are, but this is crazy even for you.

"Koriand'r, how about I show you the city where I live?"

She smiles. "That would be most delightful."

"That just shows that you've never been there. Follow me."

Click to shrink...

Oh, boy. Gotham has no idea what it's in for, does it?

12th April
06:49 GMT -5

It's early morning here in Gotham. Early morning joggers are out doing circuits of Robinson Park, though I've missed my usual meet up with the Nguyens. Some traffic noise but no screams, explosions or gunshots.

Click to shrink...

Huh, must be a real quiet day, then. Public holiday, maybe?

Koriand'r appears next to me and looks around in fascination.

"This is very different to Themyscira."

Click to shrink...

"For one thing, there are more males..."

"This is a bit more representative of modern Earth cities. At.. least, in the more prosperous parts of the world."

…

"Some parts of the world. A plant elemental turned the whole place into a forest last year, and when we persuaded him to leave he replaced a lot of the foundations and pipes with plant growths as a peace offering. That's why… You see the bridge-"

Click to shrink...

Surprised some union or lobbyist group hasn't pushed to have them ripped out and 'proper' installations restored. Naturally, their company would be putting forwards a reasonable bid for the project...

I point.

"-over there, how the third support along doesn't look quite like the others?"

"I see it."

Click to shrink...

So, Swampy couldn't help but try and leave the place better than he found it? He's something of a nice guy...

"It's actually made of a type of ultra-resilient wood. There was a huge argument between the city government, the state government and the national government about whether they should leave stuff like that in place, remove it due to safety concerns or remove it for study. They only left it there because no one wanted to pay for replacing it properly."

"How..? Long did this take?"

"What, the argument? About four weeks, I think."

Click to shrink...

Wow, that's lightning quick for government work. I'm impressed.

"How long did it take for the plant elemental to cover the city in a forest?"

"The initial surge of growth was about… Four minutes? It kept growing until we negotiated an armistice."

Click to shrink...

Yeah, don't fuck with Swamp Thing. He's scary when roused in anger.

She turns her head to regard me curiously.

"You are telling me that the plant elemental turned this city into a forest in four minutes?"

Click to shrink...

Well, he might have been going slow, to avoid hurting people.

"Roughly four minutes. Maybe a bit less. I wasn't monitoring it precisely."

"And now the only sign that it happened is an oddly textured bridge support."

Click to shrink...

Only outwards sign, yes. Damage control companies in the DC Universe work fast.

"And some people scream if you sneak up on them while holding a plant." I snort with amusement. "And the sewer system is self-cleaning. Honestly, if Swamp Thing wasn't such an idiot he could make a fortune offering that sort of thing as a service."

I turn to face the direction of Gotham Police Central.

"Come on; let's see if Commissioner Gordon will let us ride along with anyone."

Click to shrink...

I doubt Detective Bullock is even awake at this time of day, but maybe he'll be up for it.

Well, this promises to bring on all manner of shenanigans. The criminals of Gotham are going to be having a long day, I think... Wonder if he'll find the time to introduce Kori to the team...

Instead, they build subterranean launch rails...

Click to shrink...

Might you have meant 'built' here? The tense seems odd.

 

[Mr Zoat]

Not linear magnetic accelerators, are they? Just big metal poles to guide the ships out of the launch tube? So it's practically a giant mortar.

Click to shrink...

Ah, no. Let me change that.

Might you have meant 'built' here? The tense seems odd.

Click to shrink...

Thank you, corrected.

 

[RichardWhereat]

"And some people scream if you sneak up on them while holding a plant." I snort with amusement.

Click to shrink...

How many times did he try that?

 

[Gantradies]

12th April
08:08 GMT -5

"And done."

I open my eyes, sitting up as I carefully look over the hundreds of tiny tattoos which now cover my body. As I watch as they fade, the token shapes absorbed into my augmented metaphysique. But I make sure to note exactly what they look like. Even now, even knowing that the person who worked on me is literally incapable of wanting to act contrary to my interests, I'm not entirely comfortable putting myself in her hands.

I know that evil overlords traditionally aren't good at trusting people, but in my defence, this is Circe.

I put my rings back on my fingers, opening and closing my fists as my environmental shield re-engages. "Is it working?"

She triggers her Nabu-ring to conjure an ankh and presses it against my chest. The golden light of Nabu's totemic image fades and fails almost immediately. And I can't help but feel a little sorry for my alter-ego. As remarkable as his achievements are, he had Constantine and Sackville create his tattoos before he fully investigated what micro-inscriptions could achieve. That's the problem with being an early adopter, I suppose.

"Thank you. Good work."

A blush of pleasure appears on her face, and the illusion covering the orange of her irises flickers slightly.

"I'm happy to be of service."

And as Alucard would say, she means it too.

I float off the bier and then don my clothes and my armour. And inwardly I sigh. I thought I had everything covered, but a parallel universe version of me went and trumped me. Merging with the Ophidian? Achieving enlightenment? Okay, that was a desperation hail Mary, but still... I can't deny that I'm impressed. And letting Krona get the drop on me like that. I'll be rewriting a few Standard Operating Procedure documents, I don't mind telling you.

"How long will it take you to incorporate this new information into the curriculum?"

She shakes her head.

"None of it really changes what we teach at the entry level. We could improve the tattoos the Atlantean battlemage students receive, but it might limit what they can do later in their lives."

I frown. "Don't the tattoos they already use do that?"

"No, they're weak enough that they can be removed far more easily." Her eyes widen slightly as an idea occurs. "But we could switch them over to enchanted bracers entirely. The bindings the other Constantine developed would work perfectly to enable a switch over from body tattoos. Ah-." She looks nervously at me. "It wouldn't have worked for you, the warding tattoos wouldn't allow for it."

"Don't worry. I understand that technical specialists need more precision that non-specialists like myself. Let Queen Mera know that you have my approval."

Circe nods. "And I'll try and find our version of this 'Sephtian'. There's no reason why we can't recruit him just as easily as your doppelgänger did. A soft sell; special measures won't be necessary." I nod. "A shame about our Constantine."

I nod again. I hadn't realised that he was so principled. Even after I got hold of his brain, he preferred to die rather than be controlled. I can respect that. And it was a useful lesson; if you really want to keep somebody, make sure that you take away all of their choices.

I smile at Circe. "If there's nothing else, I've got an interrogation that requires my personal attention."

"No, that's everything. I'll see you again at our next briefing."

She fades away in a cloud of glitter.

It's so nice when people take full advantage of the opportunities I force upon them.

I head out of the door and down the corridor, towards the more heavily secure parts of the tower. Things become so much easier to make happen when ego is taken out of-.

"Hey, Orange!"

Ollie waves as I head past the training area where he's overseeing a class.

"Green Arrow. How are things?"

He looks around the tired but enthusiastic metahumans in his charge.

"Ah, the kids are doing great. I'm organising a soccer tournament after class. Any chance you could put in an appearance?"

I nod happily. "Wouldn't miss it. As long as you don't expect me to call it 'soccer'."

He chuckles. "Great. Ah. Is Empress going to be back in class soon?"

I nod. This is the advantage of changing a person's motives without altering their intellect or imposing 'Asimovs'; they can still question you. Especially if they think you're acting against your own interests. "Oh yes, I just need a quick word with her. Shouldn't take more than an hour, if that. In fact, if you'll excuse me..?"

He waves me off, and I continue on my way. He's an excellent role model for the trainees, and this is a far better use of his abilities and character than trying to keep up with superpowered brawlers on the front line. I'm not sure whether I'll have extended periods of field experience continue to be a requirement for teaching here in the future. There are obvious advantages, but it's not as if schools require biology teachers to have worked as doctors.

Diana's on guard duty, making sure that Anita remains where she is. Heh, I remember very well how resistant Diana is to mental intrusion. When I made my move she lasted longer than anyone else on the League; I had to tie her to the Orange Central Power Battery with her own lasso before I could muster enough power to dominate her, and didn't that cause trouble. Fortunately, she's just as resistant to further changes as she was to mine, which means that Anita's arcane coercion abilities won't do a thing.

Oh I do so like having Diana.

In fact…

I know it's unprofessional, but rather than wait for her to complete the security scans I just walk up to her and kiss her. She responds happily, because who wants miserable slaves? Of course, she's in full armour so I can't fondle her arse or breasts… Ah well, it's not like either of us are getting any older.

I pull back, smiling. "Is Anita causing any trouble?"

She shakes her head. "No. Now stand still. You implemented this procedure."

I nod and hold up my arms as she completes the identity check, then walk into the airlock as she buzzes me through.

Anita's eyes dart to me, but her self-control is good enough that she doesn't immediately make a move. Not that the chair she's strapped to gives her a lot of room to move, but a lot of people I've had in this position have strained against it anyway.

Though that.. could just be the drugs…

"Anita-."

"Are you going to rape me too?"

I frown. "Now, why would you say a thing like that?"

"I saw what you did to Wonder Woman. You're fucking evil."

"No." I shake my head. "No. I'm.. bad. Perhaps very bad. But I'm not evil."

"You mind control people and rape them."

"If I were 'evil', I'd be doing it for the sake of causing suffering. As it is, I'm doing it for my own selfish benefit. To efficiently realise my goals. And often that means that other people benefit as well. Sometimes, that means convincing a group of isolationist primitives to share a groundbreaking technology, sometimes it means convincing vigilantes to adopt a utilitarian standard when it comes to dealing with unrepentant serial killers-."

"And sometimes it means raping Wonder Woman."

I frown. "I wouldn't call that 'rape'. It was really… More like murder. Her original personality and values don't exist any more; it's like her body is inhabited by a new person who's a bit like her former self. That's.. why your effort to free her didn't work, by the way. You were trying to remove a spell which.. wasn't there. It couldn't work any more than a fire extinguisher can turn ash into wood. There's no binding to remove."

And now she's crying. Oh dear.

"Now, obviously I need to know everything about how you found out, and the names and locations of anyone else who suspects or whom you spoke to about your suspicions… But I can see this is very stressful for you, and I don't like inflicting unnecessary suffering when I don't profit from it."

I raise my left hand in benediction as my rings glow and I activate the Left Eye of Zoltec.

"So why don't I take your suffering away?"

Click to shrink...

..... i feel physically sick

 

[Yog]

So, if Russia has mass producible air resistance cancelers (and damn, that's actually a terrifying technology), are we going to see it being used? I mean, super fast (multiple 10s of machs) and superefficient passenger jets and trains at least.

 

[Darko]

..... i feel physically sick

Click to shrink...

Welcome to the club. Bet you regret entering the club.