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

Chojin Patriarch · Mar 18, 2025

Mr Zoat said:
2nd June 2013
11:35 GMT

"…facilities available."

Queen Artemis and a couple of her ministers nod as I make my proposal. From what I've been able to determine, since their world never industrialised their culture didn't really pick up on the idea of mass production. The closest they've really got is their basic education system, but even then they mostly do it as a master-apprentice thing.

The joy of having reliable magic. I expect most worlds with that sort of casual magical access wouldn't bother to advance ~~scientifically~~ technologically much. Unless they had some good reason for it, anyway.

"Now, I don't know how many people have had a chance to read through the books on thaumaturgy which I left last time..?"

Artemis and a man with a impressive Father Christmas beard and opulent purple robes nod.

"How hard would it be to convert it to your notation?"

I'm guessing not many, then. Presumably Papa there is the head of the local magic university. Not a patch on Ridcully at first look...

The man shakes his head. "For something as advanced as your gateways there would be little point in converting it. The Atlantean command of thaumaturgy is far and away more advanced than ours. It would be easier to learn their notation from the beginning rather than confuse matters with an imprecise translation."

Perhaps inventing a sort of hybrid of both traditions if some clever clogs gets ideas.

I nod. "Okay, but you'll need to be aware that some of your thaumosphere's constants are going to be different from the environment the Atlanteans are used to working in."

He nods enthusiastically. "I have already begun charting them, though it would be convenient to have an expert to refer to."

In other words, he'd like to have an Atlantean mage or two stop by for a visit and consultation?

"King Orin has reverted Gamemnae's order, so after a brief break Atlantean scholars will be available for foreign employment once more. Minus the specialists who are going to be working with Venturia on the deep thaumaturgy research. At this point the techniques needed to manufacture the Dolmen Gates are well known enough to be handled by skilled craftsmen, rather than expert thaumaturgists."

Good to know NEMO will get its Atlantean support back. And the good word on Dolmen Gates too.

King Orin seemed to think that it would be a good deal easier to get a larger pool of volunteers for a project intended to directly benefit Earth than for one which just involved hiring people for a foreign war on the other side of the galaxy. And even fairly pessimistic suggestions show that it will take millennia before the Reach reach Earth at their current rate of expansion. The galaxy is too big a place for things to be otherwise. They are a threat, and Kadabra and Truggs' historical reports make it clear that they'll eventually be one to us… But they're not now and won't be anytime soon.

Ah, and now you just know the Universal Narrative will take that as a challenge.

"So the next question I have is… What do you want in exchange?"

A man in a red robe with a thick belt nods. "Naturally, we have no agreed-upon exchange rate."

I'm sure all these colourful outfits have some significance to the locals.

All it sounds is like a fashion parade at a Renfaire.

"If we did I'd just work out what the going rate was and add a few percent. Now, I can offer payment in any Earth currency you like, but unless Dream transportation is a lot more simple than I think it will be, that's not much use to you. It would probably be easiest to either allow me to purchase a large amount of local currency with… Metal, lore, equipment, or… Whatever you want. Alternately I could issue my own currency here, but I don't know how that works within your legal system."

Though offering resources would have to be done carefully to avoid crashing their market prices.

Red robe shakes his head rather sharply. "It is absolutely forbidden."

Artemis considers it for a moment, then shakes her head as well. "Part of the way in which we ensure that our physical coins are legitimate requires them to be the only type in circulation."

So, a minor magical spell that ensures they can't be counterfeited or milled? Logical enough.

"So, no script?"

Red robe's mildly contemptuous expression conveys the negative. "As far as the magic we use is concerned there is very little difference."

Now I'm kind of mildly curious as to how they legitimise their coins...

"And a currency purchase?"

"That's…" He makes eye contact with several other councillors for a moment. "Something that we could do, though it would be… Unusual."

Though the kinds of amounts OL can throw around would probably bankrupt a small country.

"Okay. Ah, don't keep me in suspense. How does it usually work around here?"

"Usually, someone from off-world would contract with a local noble. A contract would be drawn up and bound in blood. The off-worlder would provide whatever was agreed upon and the noble would arrange for the work to be carried out."

...It can't be that simple, can it? There's got to be a catch.

"Ah, yes, we have something similar on Earth, though I… Imagine that the intent is a little different. Is it-." I turn to Queen Artemis. "Are you able and willing to serve in that capacity? I have no idea what the royal demesne is like here."

From the.. somewhat less than pleased looks I'm going to assume that I shouldn't have asked that.

Oh, there's definitely a catch.

"I apologise if I've violated local custom-."

Queen Artemis raises her right hand to stop me. "I am a head of state without issue. Given the nature of the contractual binding, I have avoided putting my name to such agreements."

...I'm guessing the catch is very lethal, then.

"It's immediately fatal?"

"It can be, if the violation is severe enough. One off-worlder once used a trade agreement to bring a large fission bomb here. Since then, we have used a clause to.. prevent the signatories living long enough to perform such a betrayal."

Well, I can see why they make the penalty so severe.

"And you're the queen, so you can't put yourself in position to be affected just in case you need to break the contract." I nod. "So can your castellan sign it under their own authority, or do I have to find someone else?"

She tilts her head slightly. "I am a little surprised that you aren't more concerned about the binding that you would undergo."

Eh, what's one more death? At some point, Death is going to give him a frequent Die-er card or something...

"Oh, psh." I shrug, smiling. "When I first came to this universe I agreed to a year's servitude under pain of being endlessly attacked by supermonsters if I disobeyed an order. A simple thing like 'pay on time and don't nuke our planet' is nothing compared to that one."

She sits back, her eyes widening slightly. "You didn't tell me about that."

Well, it never came to pass. Why bother mentioning it.

"I've been involved in a lot of crazy things in the last three years. I.. needed to get some of my planet's senior heroes to trust me quickly, and making myself unable to disobey achieved that. I trusted them not to abuse that authority, and… They never did."

Let me down in a big way once, yes. Made inappropriate use of my oath, no.

Still, it paid off. You got to peace out to Vega once the year was up, found a Lantern Corps and have cool adventures in space...

"Actually, your situation reminds me of my own queen. Queen Hippolyta only had an heir relatively recently, and when Princess Diana got curious about who'd been next in line before her she tracked the woman down. She was a distant cousin of the queen, and when Diana told her that she'd been Crown Princess until she was born, she said 'That can't be right. Are you sure?'"

To be fair, Themyscira was more or less in isolation for three thousand-odd years, so her lack of an heir wasn't too big a problem.

"I don't think it's quite the same. I came of age fifteen hundred years ago."

"You're right: you're half Queen Hippolyta's age." She blinks in shock, her expression fading. "And she had a daughter by using clay infused with titanic magic, shaping it into a girl and then getting her patron gods to bring it to life."

So... New life goal for Artemis, or would she prefer to do it the old-fashioned way?

She stares at me for a moment, and then nods slowly. "Your homeworld sounds… Fascinating."

"The word you're looking for is 'mad'. And yes, it is."

Ah, another world learns about Earth Bullshit™. Always amusing to see their faces.

"I think I should like to visit it."

"Um. You can? But… The Anti-Life wrecked our civilisation. If you could give us a couple of years we could probably have things running properly again, otherwise it's… Not going to look very impressive."

Honestly, I think she'd rather see you at a low point, just so she can imagine how much more awesome they are.

"I understand. But if we are to be a part of the rebuilding, I should see what it is like." I nod. "Because I see the wisdom in keeping a pact of this size under direct royal control, and the only way that could be done-" A couple of the advisors give her an odd look. And then give me an odd look. "-requires both parties to be completely certain about the relationship."

"Alright, well, give me a day to sort out accommodation and I'll await your pleasure."

Man, OL inadvertently making himself sound all the cooler. So no surprise her advisors are starting to notice that she's apparently got the 'marriage potential' goggles on...

I'm sure OL must have some inkling that she's starting to find an interest in him. Somehow, I don't think Alan will have to have that date with her now. Though I worry about how she might react when he inevitably refuses her on grounds of prior romantic engagement... Or perhaps she can meet another Earth hero a bit more to her tastes...

Duke Long · Mar 18, 2025

Chojin Patriarch said:
I'm sure OL must have some inkling that she's starting to find an interest in him. Somehow, I don't think Alan will have to have that date with her now. Though I worry about how she might react when he inevitably refuses her on grounds of prior romantic engagement... Or perhaps she can meet another Earth hero a bit more to her tastes...

He told her he was affianced when they first met, so I'd hope she wouldn't be too displeased. It is strange that she's giving off these romantic vibes with that knowledge. Maybe in her culture that would be acceptable? Or maybe she's excited to meet Alan on his planet, either because the first date already happened and went well or because with how much Paul is hyping himself up she has very high expectations of someone he considers a hero?

Mr Zoat · Mar 18, 2025

Chojin Patriarch said:
The joy of having reliable magic. I expect most worlds with that sort of casual magical access wouldn't bother to advance scientifically much. Unless they had some good reason for it, anyway.

No, thaumaturgy is a science. They don't develop much technologically.

Lord Ernest said:
Is it me or did something of the last part of the exchange flew over the Illustres' head?

So Aquaman wants more of the Atlanteans to stay on Earth, rather than go back to NEMO service, so he established a volunteer program for the rapid creation of a global Dolmen Gate Network. Did I get that right or am I lost?

No. Aquaman thinks they'd be fine going to another planet to make Dolmen Gates, because those are going to be used on Earth. He doesn't think that many will want to go back to N.E.M.O., but he's not insisting as long as the immediate damage to Atlantis is fixed first.

Chaoswind · Mar 18, 2025

@Mr Zoat Alan already talked to Paul about meeting queen Artemis and having a date with her a while ago, and the dialog here is written as if that date never happened... Did the date fall through?

PJ739 · Mar 18, 2025

Well then, Jade isn't going to be happy.
Jade: "this is the third strike, you are forbiden from dealing with any more Queens"
Paul: " but i may have"
Jade: "FOR.BI.DEN."
Paul: "... yes honey"

WereDragon · Mar 18, 2025

Mr Zoat said:
And even fairly pessimistic suggestions show that it will take millennia before the Reach reach Earth at their current rate of expansion. The galaxy is too big a place for things to be otherwise. They are a threat, and Kadabra and Truggs' historical reports make it clear that they'll eventually be one to us… But they're not now and won't be anytime soon.

Sooner or later he is going to meet an alt who is currently dealing with the Reach on Earth and is going to become very worried.

"I understand. But if we are to be a part of the rebuilding, I should see what it is like." I nod. "Because I see the wisdom in keeping a pact of this size under direct royal control, and the only way that could be done-" A couple of the advisors give her an odd look. And then give me an odd look. "-requires both parties to be completely certain about the relationship."

Another queen wants Paul to make them some children.
Wonder if this one will have the brains to just ask outright rather than dangling vague hints he can pretend to miss.

Lord Ernest · Mar 18, 2025

Mr Zoat said:
Aquaman thinks they'd be fine going to another planet to make Dolmen Gates, because those are going to be used on Earth.

So are the Dolmen Gates getting constructed on Queen Artemis' planet? I'm not sure if I understood what the agreement is, exactly. Wasn't the Illustres contacting this planet to hire mages for N.E.M.O.?

WereDragon said:
Wonder if this one will have the brains to just ask outright rather than dangling vague hints he can pretend to miss.

Pretend? That's generous. I'm fairly sure he doesn't pretend, mostly.

Wheenesss · Mar 18, 2025

The mention of Steppenwolf being defeated by the JL in Creation Commandos seems to imply that Lan IS in the DCEU, or at least a version of it.

So this is definitely Post-Apokolips War, but is it Post-Crisis on Infinite Earths? It seems safe to assume the former but not the latter. A second COIE would be the kind of thing that would draw in all the other Pauls given how they'd be affected by it.

Mr Zoat · Mar 18, 2025

Chaoswind said:
@Mr Zoat Alan already talked to Paul about meeting queen Artemis and having a date with her a while ago, and the dialog here is written as if that date never happened... Did the date fall through?

Alan hasn't gotten around to it, yet. He's only agreed in principle.

PJ739 said:
Well then, Jade isn't going to be happy.
Jade: "this is the third strike, you are forbiden from dealing with any more Queens"
Paul: " but i may have"
Jade: "FOR.BI.DEN."
Paul: "... yes honey"

I think she'd just find it amusing, and mildly pleasing to her ego.

Lord Ernest said:
So are the Dolmen Gates getting constructed on Queen Artemis' planet? I'm not sure if I understood what the agreement is, exactly.

Not yet. They're discussing the details on how that will happen.

Wasn't the Illustres contacting this planet to hire mages for N.E.M.O.?

Yes, but not that Gamamnae has been dealt with they don't need that, and as with Atlantis a simple manufacturing job is a lot less contentious than getting involved in a war.

Wheenesss said:
The mention of Steppenwolf being defeated by the JL in Creation Commandos seems to imply that Lan IS in the DCEU, or at least a version of it.

So this is definitely Post-Apokolips War, but is it Post-Crisis on Infinite Earths? It seems safe to assume the former but not the latter. A second COIE would be the kind of thing that would draw in all the other Pauls given how they'd be affected by it.

It's whatever the current television/film DC continuety is.

BartlettMagic · Mar 18, 2025

Mr Zoat said:
"Alright, well, give me a day to sort out accommodation and I'll await your pleasure."

i enjoy it when these threads get tied together. so as a citizen of Themiscyra, would OL be obligated to first introduce Queen Artemis to Queen Hippolyta, and then King Orin? with the world a wreck from the Anti-Life, and everybody wanting to avoid implicating the Justice League as a global governing body, it seems like diplomacy would go in order based on OL's civil allegiances. first Hippolyta, then Orin, then whomever else Artemis would like to meet.

do Hippolyta and Orin have a functioning head-of-state relationship?

~~also, and it might have been addressed already and i'm forgetting, how did the date with Blue Lantern go?~~

cancel that, i just read the above response to another commenter.

Mr Zoat · Mar 18, 2025

BartlettMagic said:
i enjoy it when these threads get tied together. so as a citizen of Themiscyra, would OL be obligated to first introduce Queen Artemis to Queen Hippolyta, and then King Orin? with the world a wreck from the Anti-Life, and everybody wanting to avoid implicating the Justice League as a global governing body, it seems like diplomacy would go in order based on OL's civil allegiances. first Hippolyta, then Orin, then whomever else Artemis would like to meet.

do Hippolyta and Orin have a functioning head-of-state relationship?

Kind of... Not really? King Orin rules what might well be the most powerful country on the planet. Queen Hippolyta rules one small island, and it's in the wrong ocean to boot. They're met a couple of times, but their nations are too different for them to trade pointers.

Mr Zoat · Mar 19, 2025

10th December 2023
09:13 GMT +3

The usher opens the door for me, and while he does his best to keep his expression neutral he isn't entirely able to keep his eyes from my wings. Then he tears his eyes away and notices that I noticed him staring, and just looks awkward. I hold out my right hand and lay it on his left shoulder, smiling warmly as I do so.

"God bless you and keep you, Markuss Kalējs."

He goldfishes, then inclines his head. "Thank-thank you, sir."

I walk past into Princess Rostovic's study, the princess-. Hurriedly adjusting her dress.

"A-h." She smiles nervously. "Am I late for mass? Thank you, Markuss."

Markuss bows, then backs out of the room, closing the door behind him.

"You are late for morning mass, but that isn't why I'm here. I want to-."

The door behind me opens, there's a slight intake of breath, the Princess makes slightly panicked eye contact with whoever it is, then the door closes again.

Then the Princess sits up primly, and clears her throat.

"I.. believe that a great many people are hoping to see you at Saint Basil's Cathedral today. Which is.. where I thought that you were."

I stop a short distance in front of her desk, hands clasped across my chest inside my robe sleeves.

"You don't need to do this with me."

"Do..? What?"

I nod my head slightly towards her. "This. The pretence. The ingénue princess."

She affects an expression of awkward guilt. "Is this about Rick? I.. know that we should have waited-."

"No, it's about your intense bloodlust. " I frown slightly. "And it's not just sociopathy. A sociopath might kill if it was in their interests to do so or if someone offended them, but with you it's just… A raw, passionate desire to kill and destroy. Really, your self control is admirable."

She looks at me with false uncertainty. But it's a very good impression. If it wasn't for the Most High moving through me I wouldn't spot it. "I think that you may be confused."

"Do you think that I am here looking for a confession? This is an Orthodox country. I am here to say that the Most High knows your nature and loves you still, but… In the more practical context, you… Might benefit from some advice on how you might… Safely manifest your nature."

She shakes her head uncomprehendingly, but there's a slight… Something in her eyes.

"Circe informed us why she tried to kill you. She showed Director Waller some quite unpleasant visions. You leading an army and slaughtering all in your path. Now, as anyone aware of American history should know, they're not adverse to slaughter, they just want the slaughterees to be people they feel are deserving. Similarly, Thou Shalt Not Murder is a very specific restriction which does not prevent the killing of other people in situations where it would not be murder."

Her face is… Slightly still. She isn't doubling down on pretending not to understand, but she also isn't admitting anything.

"I believe that the Order of Saint Dumas would be able to aid you in using your innate drives for a sacred purpose, after you completed their training. And if that doesn't appeal, then I'm sure that Director Waller can find you something to kill."

"I… Will bear that in mind."

Even the hesitation was planned ahead of time for maximum effectiveness. It's impressive, if a little sad.

"The Most High does not make people 'wrong', but it can be a bit of a challenge to understand where you fit within His plan. I can always make myself available if you wish to discuss something."

I turn, and walk slowly towards the door just in case she wants to discuss something.

I put my hand on the knob, and-.

"They have bound you with magic. Did you know that?"

I stop moving. But I don't turn to look at her.

"I did not. But I am not surprised. They could hardly fit me with an explosive implant."

"Don't you want to be free?"

"Freedom is for humans. I am a simple messenger."

I wait for a moment, but she doesn't appear to have anything else to say. I wonder..? How she found out? Although I suppose she could just be making a guess.

Ah, it hardly matters.

I turn the knob and open the door, stepping through and… Finding General Flag straightening his pullover.

"General."

"Lan." His eyes flick away for a moment, before he meets mine. "I've got a… A question, I've been wanting to ask ever since I found out you existed."

"I am happy to answer any question which you may have."

"It's-. Do you know if someone's gone to Heaven? I mean, I-. I don't know if Heaven exists-."

"It does… More or less. Not all depictions in popular fiction are accurate, and virtually all miss the point. For example, the South Park depiction with the Most High as a magical Buddhist cow living in a land of clouds and Mormons is a joke with no basis in reality." I smile, but he's not receptive. "Is there someone in particular you are concerned for?"

He nods, once. "My son. Rick Junior. Suicide Squad does black ops. Even if you're not a convict, families don't get told exactly how they died. My grandson is never gunna know what happened to his father. And I'm not gunna know what happened to my son. And that's-."

He takes a deep breath.

"That's something I can live with. I've been in the game long enough… I don't expect to like everything that happens. If I'd died, he wouldn't have found out what happened to me either. But knowing where his soul went, that doesn't… That doesn't threaten national security. That's just-."

I reach out and lay my right hand on his upper left arm.

"I understand. One moment."

I clasp my hands at my chest and pray for the soul of Richard Flag Junior. I-.

"Ah."

"W-. Well?"

"Yes, his soul dwells with the Most High. He… In his final moments, he decided to completely violate his orders so that he could serve a higher good. He… Died trying to bring evidence of the wrongdoing of… Many people in the American political and military establishment to public attention."

That's.. not what I was-.

Flag grabs both of my shoulders, eyes wide and staring.

"'Establishment'. Does that include Waller?"

"I.. don't-. I can find that out to comfort the bereaved or give a salutary lesson. I can't imagine a situation where she wasn't involved, but I can't tell you for certain."

He loosens his grip, glancing away.

"General?"

"I was retired. I wanted to help out June. I only agreed to come back because I wanted to see if I could find out anything about what happened-. Do you know anything else?"

"I know who killed him, and I know that he feels tremendous guilt over-."

"Then he can confess to you before I kill the bastard."

Darko · Mar 19, 2025

Mr Zoat said:
what happened to father.

"to his father"

Bigking321 · Mar 19, 2025

Ah. Is that the second suicide squad movie?

Neat!

Mr Zoat · Mar 19, 2025

Darko said:
"to his father"

Thank you, corrected.

Ngamer11 · Mar 19, 2025

Now I'm interested in seeing where this leads.

Darko · Mar 19, 2025

Ngamer11 said:
Now I'm interested in seeing where this leads.

I'm guessing Flag may tell him about his whole "being once a man" thing.

KyleDaScourge · Mar 19, 2025

I haven't actually seen the newer Suicide Squad, but I have seen Peacemaker. I didn't realize the Rick Flag he was so guilty about killing was a Jr. but I'm interested to see where this goes.

Duke Long · Mar 19, 2025

Mr Zoat said:
"Do you think that I am here looking for a confession? This is an Orthodox country. I am here to say that the Most High knows you nature and loves you still, but… In the more practical context, you… Might benefit from some advice on how you might… Safely manifest your nature."

'your nature'

Mr Zoat said:
"Yes, his soul dwells with the Most High. He… In his final moments, he decided to completely violate his orders so that he could serve a higher good. He… Died trying to bring evidence of the wrongdoing of… Many people in the American political and military establishment to public attention."

That's.. not what I was-.

Is this him remembering something from a different timeline again?

Vaermina · Mar 19, 2025

Duke Long said:
Is this him remembering something from a different timeline again?

Given MrZoat said he doesn't know what the current state of the DC television/film continuity is I'd say it's more likely the author just adding stuff in.

Chojin Patriarch · Mar 19, 2025

Mr Zoat said:
10th December 2023
09:13 GMT +3

The usher opens the door for me, and while he does his best to keep his expression neutral he isn't entirely able to keep his eyes from my wings. Then he tears his eyes away and notices that I noticed him staring, and just looks awkward. I hold out my right hand and lay it on his left shoulder, smiling warmly as I do so.

I expect he gets that reaction a lot, especially with more devout followers of the Abrahamic faiths. And no doubt more than a few folks feel the cold hand of fear run up their spine and their thoughts turning to all those little things they do that are considered sins...

"God bless you and keep you, Markuss Kalējs."

He goldfishes, then inclines his head. "Thank-thank you, sir."

Heh. Probably an even cooler moment than being blessed by a sitting pope.

I walk past into Princess Rostovic's study, the princess-. Hurriedly adjusting her dress.

"A-h." She smiles nervously. "Am I late for mass? Thank you, Markuss."

Ah, she was waiting for someone else, I bet. No doubt Rick is right behind Lan.

Markuss bows, then backs out of the room, closing the door behind him.

"You are late for morning mass, but that isn't why I'm here. I want to-."

Presumably a spiritual welfare check, since Circe was poking around.

The door behind me opens, there's a slight intake of breath, the Princess makes slightly panicked eye contact with whoever it is, then the door closes again.

Then the Princess sits up primly, and clears her throat.

I bet that was Rick about to come in, only to see Lan there already, and deciding to give them a moment.

"I.. believe that a great many people are hoping to see you at Saint Basil's Cathedral today. Which is.. where I thought that you were."

I stop a short distance in front of her desk, hands clasped across my chest inside my robe sleeves.

...So it's likely he went there first, appearing in public at the cathedral and leaving a lot of people in awe...

"You don't need to do this with me."

"Do..? What?"

Ah, she's trying the 'Totally not a threat' trick, eh? pity Lan is immune to human attractions.

I nod my head slightly towards her. "This. The pretence. The ingénue princess."

She affects an expression of awkward guilt. "Is this about Rick? I.. know that we should have waited-."

I rather suspect it was a bit sus that she hooked up with Rick so soon after the attacks.

"No, it's about your intense bloodlust. " I frown slightly. "And it's not just sociopathy. A sociopath might kill if it was in their interests to do so or if someone offended them, but with you it's just… A raw, passionate desire to kill and destroy. Really, your self control is admirable."

Interesting... I wonder if that's what prompted Circe to go after her. I assume that's what happened, anyway.

She looks at me with false uncertainty. But it's a very good impression. If it wasn't for the Most High moving through me I wouldn't spot it. "I think that you may be confused."

"Do you think that I am here looking for a confession? This is an Orthodox country. I am here to say that the Most High knows you nature and loves you still, but… In the more practical context, you… Might benefit from some advice on how you might… Safely manifest your nature."

So he believes it's better to release it like a safety valve, rather than let it build up into an explosion.

She shakes her head uncomprehendingly, but there's a slight… Something in her eyes.

"Circe informed us why she tried to kill you. She showed Director Waller some quite unpleasant visions. You leading an army and slaughtering all in your path. Now, as anyone aware of American history should know, they're not adverse to slaughter, they just want the slaughterees to be people they feel are deserving. Similarly, Thou Shalt Not Murder is a very specific restriction which does not prevent the killing of other people in situations where it would not be murder."

And it's an interesting interpretation of that one commandment, since most translations put it as 'Thou shall not kill'. ironically, the Quran apparently lists it as 'Do not take a life except justly'. This reading, though, allows for judicial killings - executions, basically.

Her face is… Slightly still. She isn't doubling down on pretending not to understand, but she also isn't admitting anything.

"I believe that the Order of Saint Dumas would be able to aid you in using your innate drives for a sacred purpose, after you completed their training. And if that doesn't appeal, then I'm sure that Director Waller can find you something to kill."

Ooh, there's a familiar DC name... The order that produced Jean-Paul Valley.

"I… Will bear that in mind."

Even the hesitation was planned ahead of time for maximum effectiveness. It's impressive, if a little sad.

A little sociopathic, even if he said she wasn't. It's very calculating.

"The Most High does not make people 'wrong', but it can be a bit of a challenge to understand where you fit within His plan. I can always make myself available if you wish to discuss something."

I turn, and walk slowly towards the door just in case she wants to discuss something.

Ah, typical Angelic mysteriousness. Drop some knowledge on someone, then up and leave them to sort through it...

I put my hand on the knob, and-.

"They have bound you with magic. Did you know that?"

Oh-ho. I wonder how she knew that? I doubt Rick would have commented on it. That just makes it more suspicious.

I stop moving. But I don't turn to look at her.

"I did not. But I am not surprised. They could hardly fit me with an explosive implant."

I suspect his angelic biology would have burnt away the nanites, for sure.

"Don't you want to be free?"

"Freedom is for humans. I am a simple messenger."

Man, is he going to feel a bit annoyed when he finds out the truth...

I wait for a moment, but she doesn't appear to have anything else to say. I wonder..? How she found out? Although I suppose she could just be making a guess.

Ah, it hardly matters.

Oh it definitely matters. But in your current state, you can't see that.

I turn the knob and open the door, stepping through and… Finding General Flag straightening his pullover.

"General."

'Pullover' being a sweater, for you Americans. I'm betting it's a nice one, though, if he's here to see the Princess.

"Lan." His eyes flick away for a moment, before he meets mine. "I've got a… A question, I've been wanting to ask ever since I found out you existed."

"I am happy to answer any question which you may have."

"It's-. Do you know if someone's gone to Heaven? I mean, I-. I don't know if Heaven exists-."

Ah, it's about his son, of course.

"It does… More or less. Not all depictions in popular fiction are accurate, and virtually all miss the point. For example, the South Park depiction with the Most High as a magical Buddhist cow living in a land of clouds and Mormons is a joke with no basis in reality." I smile, but he's not receptive. "Is there someone in particular you are concerned for?"

If I remember the usual depictions from stuff like 'JLA', it's more a fantasy super-city with angels flitting about.

He nods, once. "My son. Rick Junior. Suicide Squad does black ops. Even if you're not a convict, families don't get told exactly how they died. My grandson is never gunna know what happened to his father. And I'm not gunna know what happened to my son. And that's-."

Well, there is a couple of persons to ask, not that Waller would say anything about it.

He takes a deep breath.

"That's something I can live with. I've been in the game long enough… I don't expect to like everything that happens. If I'd died, he wouldn't have found out what happened to me either. But knowing where his soul went, that doesn't… That doesn't threaten national security. That's just-."

It just gives him peace of mind, and that is something Lan can do.

I reach out and lay my right hand on his upper left arm.

"I understand. One moment."

And now he'll move heaven and earth to bring him that peace, at least in this moment.

I clasp my hands at my chest and pray for the soul of Richard Flag Junior. I-.

"Ah."

"W-. Well?"

Wonder if he managed to reach him, or if he got an error message?

"Yes, his soul dwells with the Most High. He… In his final moments, he decided to completely violate his orders so that he could serve a higher good. He… Died trying to bring evidence of the wrongdoing of… Many people in the American political and military establishment to public attention."

Which sort of happens in the movie. It's mostly just American - read ARGUS - involvement in the Corto Maltese research. But I could see it snowballing into a lot more of ARGUS' dirty laundry being exposed.

That's.. not what I was-.

Flag grabs both of my shoulders, eyes wide and staring.

"'Establishment'. Does that include Waller?"

Ah,, Lan realising that yes, Waller would lie even to him.

"I.. don't-. I can find that out to comfort the bereaved or give a salutary lesson. I can't imagine a situation where she wasn't involved, but I can't tell you for certain."

He loosens his grip, glancing away.

In other words, he's not privy to details, he just got a sort of case file summary. Wonder if he could make a trip to visit Rick Flag Jr in person. Though I suspect he's banned from visiting.

"General?"

"I was retired. I wanted to help out June. I only agreed to come back because I wanted to see if I could find out anything about what happened-. Do you know anything else?"

Ah. The bulldog has a grip on the meat of the matter, and he's not about to let go of this, even if Waller orders him to...

"I know who killed him, and I know that he feels tremendous guilt over-."

"Then he can confess to you before I kill the bastard."

Crossover with the Peacemaker series incoming!

This promises to have some very interesting consequences, both for Waller and for Peacemaker. I wonder what Lan will make of Chris Smith. Will he find a man steeped in sin, or someone who is entirely free of it? And some fascinating insight into the Princess, and presumably Circe's reasons for attacking. That 'prophecy' makes more sense now...

Lord Ernest · Mar 19, 2025

Oof, Peacemaker may be on his way to meet his maker soon, if Rick Sr. has anything to say about that.

I haven't watched (nor do I have any desire to watch) Creature Commandos, but from how Angel SI was advocating a more moderate path I thought maybe this Princess situation had been Waller blowing it out of proportion. It seems, however, that this Princess is actually a villain of some sort? How curious.

Darko · Mar 19, 2025

Chojin Patriarch said:
This promises to have some very interesting consequences, both for Waller and for Peacemaker. I wonder what Lan will make of Chris Smith. Will he find a man steeped in sin, or someone who is entirely free of it

I'm wondering if he can help him banish his father.

Mr Zoat · Mar 19, 2025

Duke Long said:
'your nature'

Is this a correction? What are you correcting?

Is this him remembering something from a different timeline again?

No.

Darko said:
I'm wondering if he can help him banish his father.

His father has already met his reward at this point.

Duke Long · Mar 19, 2025

Mr Zoat said:
Is this a correction? What are you correcting?

I'm correcting 'the Most High knows you nature'
I thought it should be 'your'.
Am I wrong here? I'll be pretty surprised if so.

WereDragon · Mar 19, 2025

Mr Zoat said:
10th December 2023
09:13 GMT +3

Even mind-controlled and enslaved, Paul continues to be Paul.

LazySloth13 · Mar 19, 2025

Man I wonder what things would like like had AngelPaul landed in the Suicide Squad Isekai timeline instead.

Mr Zoat · Mar 19, 2025

Duke Long said:
I'm correcting 'the Most High knows you nature'
I thought it should be 'your'.
Am I wrong here? I'll be pretty surprised if so.

No, you're right. The problem is that the phrase 'your nature' also occurs in the block you quoted. I suggest making the part you're correcting bold in future.

Doccer · Mar 19, 2025

Mr Zoat said:
Don't you want to be free?"

"Freedom is for humans. I am a simple messenger."

There's chekov's gun! Wonder what inopportune moment she's gonna use it?

Thundersmight94 · Mar 19, 2025

I am looking forward to seeing how you write Angel!Paul trying to deal with the hot mess that is Eric Frankenstein and his obsessive love for the Bride! I imagine it would include a lot of movie and book quotes being thrown back and forth between the two.
I also wonder if Flagg Sr. will reveal the Power Rings to Angel!Paul for feeling betrayed by Waller?

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

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