#8: The Legion Virus Saga, Finale (Kruger / ArtTeach)

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Tales of the Green Lantern Corps
Issue 8: "The Legion Virus Saga, Finale: The Source!"
Written by Scott Kruger
Cover by ArtTeach
Edited by David Charlton

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The place: the space above the planet OA...

Hal Jordan, Green Lantern of sector 2814, fearless as he was told he is, was scared out of his mind. Bad choice of words… Not scared, more like ‘freaked out’ as he would put it. He and his fellow Corpsman had just signed up, actually, more like drafted, for what would most likely be a suicide mission.

Hal’s ring gave the little blue Guardians of the Universe the information they needed to discern the origin of the Legion virus. And in moments he would be entering a dimensional rift that will send him and the rest of the Corps Elite into the Anti-Matter Universe of Qward.

Another dimension…

Hal was still trying to wrap his head around all that had happened to him over the past month. To say it was a bit overwhelming… was an understatement. He had always dreamed of being among the stars, in a shuttle or a Mars lander… never in a million years would he have thought that he could actually fly among them with just a ring and his willpower keeping him aloft.

Now though, was something entirely different… no power ring, just a green colored suit of armor between he & the void… cool. For him…. Danger was commonplace. It was the inter-dimensional thing that was more than a bit foreign. But who was he to argue with the little blue men in the dresses? They’d been doing this a lot longer than he had, so he decided suck it up & have a little faith.

Hal couldn’t help but think that the inter-dimensional portal looked an awful lot like something from the movie Stargate. Just a bit greener… big surprise there.

Hal took a deep breath as Kilowog patted him on the back, nearly knocking him over… it was time.

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The experience of the dimensional rift was much more pleasant than a space warp. It was more like walking under a light waterfall. Much better than the feeling of having your guts twisted around. The Corpsman used their suits propulsion systems to navigate through the treacherous debris field surrounding Qward. Hal stuck close to Kilowog & Tomar Re since they were the closest thing to friends he had up there.

He had imagined the Anti-Matter Universe to be, somehow, different in appearance than the “normal” universe. Maybe the ‘space’ to be white, with black stars or something. But it was not, everything looked basically the same. The planet Qward, on the other hand, looked much different than it’s positive Universe counter-part.

OA resembled Earth’s moon where Qward looked like a large rock with no discernable shape. The space surrounding the planet was thick with asteroids and other spatial debris. Not as impressive as he’d expected, especially since the entire dimension was named after this one planet.

“So, that heap of rock is Qward?” Hal asked Kilowog, who just glared at him in response.

“Yes, once it was a planet much like your Earth, but in the last great battle between the Guardians & the Qwardians, the Qwardians moon was destroyed. This is the result of that cataclysm.” Tomar Re offered.

“You two shut yer holes. Ya wanna give away our position?” Kilowog quietly snarled. “Salakk, take Ch’p & Katma, make your way down the left flank towards the planet. Then spread out with the debris, try ta find the source & contact us. Don’t engage until we’re all ready. Tomar you and Chaselon are with me,” Kilowog continued, “same order, right flank. Newbie, you stay here and keep an eye out for Thunderer’s, Destroyers or any of our own.”

“What the hell are Thunderer’s and Destroyers?”

“The bad guys, genius,” Katma growled. “Anyone not wearing green, got it?”

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Hal remained behind a piece of the fragmented moon as the Elite spread throughout. He watched vigilantly for what could be a Thunderer or Destroyer, though he wouldn’t know the difference and he doubted he would care if they were shooting at him.

He was amazed at how maneuverable Kilowog was even without the ring, but had to wonder about the Guardians military strategy… was it wise to send their agents into a stealth operation in bright green armor?

And what exactly was the deal with Katma Tui? He wasn’t the one that killed Sinestro. Did she hate him by default, simply because he survived the confrontation? That was pretty crappy.

Suddenly his train of thought was interrupted by a yellow burst of energy and a flying “Thunderer” (or Destroyer since he still didn’t know the difference)… followed by a certain missing Air Force Lieutenant.

Guy?

Guy Gardner stood there on a cliff… literally standing on the edge of the world. Guy’s military fatigue pants were covered in yellow veins emanating from the yellow ring on his right hand, all converging into the “G” on his “Green Bay Packers” T-shirt. Guy turned, and walked back from where he had come, out of sight. Although Hal couldn’t hear anything in the vacuum of space, he could tell that Guy had been laughing hysterically at what he had just done.

Hal left the relative security of the asteroid behind, moving closer to the remains of Qward. He moved from asteroid to asteroid, much like Kilowog had, to avoid detection. The Qwardians were there, but not in the number he had expected. Maybe they truly were going to take them by surprise.

Hal found a rocky outcropping near the spot Guy was standing just moments before when his helmet intercom came to life.

>Rookie, what the sprock do ya think yer doin?<

“Following a hunch… Suit, radio silence.”

>What??? Listen here rook…*< Kilowog protested as the suit cut off the transmission.

{Acknowledged}

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Kilowog looked toward Tomar Re in disbelief when the transmission cut off. Tomar just stood there shaking his head.

“The meat just cut me off…” he explained to Tomar & Chaselon.

“So much like Abin Sur…” Chaselon replied happily.

“Yeah, gonna get himself killed… sprock it! If he’s seen, this operation is over.” Kilowog grunted.

Kilowog tapped a button on his wrist control opening a comm-link between all of the elite.

>Change in plan kids… Tomar & Chaselon are going to cover the rookie. Katma, you’re with me… Ch’p, Salakk, keep your orders the same.<

Moments later the redeployed Lanterns were in position when Hal re-opens his comm-link.

>Guys, I think I may have found what we’re looking for…<

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Hal crouched down behind the boulder he used as cover. His helmet, though necessary, was getting in the way. In the distance he could see something large & yellow but couldn’t discern exactly what it was. It didn’t help that an army of Qwardians & a small army of Yellow Lanterns surrounded it.

“Suit, enhanced vision mode” Hal commanded.

{Acknowledged} The suit complied & the view screen inside the helmet magnified.

The tower of a large palace protruded from what had to have been a crater. The tower was yellow… but at it’s peak a yellow lantern, a duplicate of the one on OA. It had to be the source of the Legion Virus… but how were they going to get to it?

“Suit, regular vision mode and re-open comm” Hal commanded.

{Acknowledged}

“Guys, I think I may have found what we’re looking for…” Hal began, “Large yellow power battery looks just like the one on OA”

>Huh, Good job rookie, stand down, we’ll meet up at your location.< Kilowog replied.

“10-4.” Hal acknowledged.

Hal noticed a commotion near the Qwardians & Yellow Lanterns gathered near the crater.

“Suit, enhanced vision mode again” Hal commanded.

{Acknowledged} Hal ignored the computer voice as the view screen magnified once again. Guy had emerged from a cavern with a young girl in chains. The elf-like blonde girl wore a tattered Green Lantern uniform and had been beaten severely. She couldn’t have been more than 14 or 15 years old… and she wasn’t infected with the virus.

Hal watched as she was taken towards the crater, and down to the Citadel entrance. The Yellow Lanterns followed Guy, and the Qwardian guards dispersed.

The girl had no ring… and no protective suit. Breathable air?

“Suit, analyze air composition.”

{Acknowledged: 78.08% Nitrogen; 20.95% Oxygen; .93% Argon; .03…}

“That’s enough...”

The air’s breathable…

Hal unfastened his helmet slowly and set it on the ground next to him. He held his breath the entire time, just to be safe… it was his first time on an alien world in another dimension, after all. He drew in a deep breath and exhaled… coughing quietly into his hand.

Good lord, it may be breathable, but it reeks.

He’s tapped on the shoulder & spins, weapon system ready, until he sees Kilowog.

“Ya really are fearless…” Kilowog snorted, taking off his helmet. Katma followed suit, standing behind the big brute.

“The man that shot Sinestro is here... he’s got Sinestro’s ring.” Hal explained, “He had a young girl Lantern with him… she wasn’t infected, but she looked really bad. Took her into the crater

“Yeah, we saw them too… don’t know who the girl is, but there’s not much we can do about it right now.” Kilowog said nodding in the direction of the tower. “We gotta take that thing down.”

> “We have a visual on the tower.< Sallak’s voice came through the comm unit, > It looks like a rougher, smaller version of our own central power battery. It’s being guarded by one Destroyer & two of our own.<

“Kilowog?” Hal interrupted.

“What?”

“Send the Chipmunk in for the girl…” Hal explained the idea as it came to him, “he’s small enough to sneak in, get her & sneak out. If everything goes as planned, we should be up & running with our rings if he runs into trouble and needs extraction.”

“That sounds like a feasible idea,” Katma offered, staring at Hal. She was startled that the human cared so much about a stranger he had never met.

“Ch’p, you copy that?” Kilowog spoke into his comm-system.

>Copy, Kil… and I’m not a Chipmunk, Human.< Ch’p growled back into the comm-system. The word ‘human’ was obviously meant as an insult. >I will comply, Salakk will cover my insertion. Ch’p out.<

“We need to run a distraction to draw the guards away from the battery.” Kilowog went over the plan again. “Tomar & Chaselon will place the charge. We blow the battery, go in rings blazin’ & pull our people out. The rookie here is the only one ta face an infected Corpsman & live to tell about it… so listen up.”

Kilowog & the Katma stared at Hal expecting him to speak.

“What?” Hal asked.

“You fought Sinestro… how’d you beat him?”

“Oh, right. The infected ring’s work differently than ours. Instead of the ring automatically protecting the bearer, they have to produce a shield. Basic Guerilla warfare tactics are your best bet.” Hal said bluntly.

“What’s a Gorilla?” Katma asked sincerely.

>Probably a distant cousin to a Chipmunk< Ch’p chimed in.

“No, sneak attacks… strike & hide. Avoid face to face confrontation.” Hal explained to the gasps of the others.

“It’s low, but that’s the way they do it on Earth.” Kilowog explained.

>How barbaric< Salakk countered.

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Ch’p approached the crater containing the citadel clutched to the back of a small asteroid fragment, using his containment suit to propel it. It was just small enough to avoid detection, but large enough to shield his small body from prying eyes.

Just before the asteroid impacted into the crater floor, Ch’p jumped and latched onto the side of the Citadel’s tower. A nearby open window offered the best chance at getting into the Citadel. Sticking to the shadows, Ch’p made his way slowly into the tower and out of site.

“Ch’p is in…” Salakk spoke into the comm-system.

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Kilowog, still crouched with Hal & Katma, received the message. “Alright, Ch’p’s in… it’s distraction time!”

“I’ll do it,” Hal offered.

“No way!” Katma declared. “Let me, I’ve got the experience…”

“Come on! I’ve fought one of these guys before…” Hal protested.

“She’s right meat, she’s got a few months on ya.” Kilowog nodded at Katma. “Get out there Kid, we’ll cover ya.”

Katma steps out from behind cover, igniting the jet-pack on her battle armor. The gravity of Qward slowed the unit down significantly… not to mention, she wasn’t gliding around very aero-dynamically.

“Kilowog… she’s too slow. She won’t be able to get away when they spot her…” Hal protested again as he got to his feet and stepped out from behind cover.

“Get back under cover Jordan! Ya haven’t got enough experience in these suits…” Kilowog ordered.

“Know what big guy? You’re right! Screw this.” Hal shouted energizing his ring. Instantly the armor disengaged revealing a modified GL flight suit.

Immediately the infected Green Lanterns were aware of his presence and set off in Hal’s direction. Hal flew at top speed toward Katma and used his ring to snatch her up in a green bubble. Hal sent the Katma-filled bubble back toward Kilowog.

“Sprock! Well, if we needed our diversion, that’ll do.” Kilowog said to himself before barking orders into the comm-system, “Salakk, move in, use conventional weapons, no rings until the charge is planted. Chaselon has the charge, Tomar, cover him directly. Move it Poozers, we only get one shot at this…”

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Ch’p made his way cautiously through the ventilation system of the Qwardian fortress. He quickly found the main audience chamber where the girl was chained to a pillar. In an interesting twist of events, the foul red haired human that Jordan knew was sitting on the Qwardian throne. He was flanked on either side by Thunderers, fanning him with large yellow leaves.

Sitting at his feet, on the ground, was Chief Weaponer Kiman looking very, very angry.

This is unexpected… now if I can just get by them somehow.

Suddenly the yellow leaves disappeared and the human's ring began to glow. He barked orders to the drone Yellow Lanterns and the Thunderers, then flew from the room.

Chief Weaponer Kiman turned and walked towards a set of stairs that went up the main tower, leaving the young girl alone.

Ch’p made sure the coast was clear and blew a hole in the ventilation duct. Leaving his armor behind, he scampered down and to the feet of the unconscious girl.

“Ring?” Ch’p took a chance on using the ring and inquired aiming his ringed paw at her.

{Arisia, of Graxos IV, daughter of Fentara. Green Lantern alternate}

“Indeed?” Ch’p responded sadly, knowing that she was the last survivor of the doomed planet. He powered his ring down again and tapped Arisia on the leg. “Awaken child… we must go.” She did not respond.

Oh dear…

Risking a little more this time, he used his ring to destroy the chains binding her and cushioned her fall with a translucent green nest of twigs & soft leaves.

“Assimilate or destroy!” Came a voice from behind him.

“Oh dear…”

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Hal continued to lead the Yellow Lanterns away, until they suddenly halted. He glanced over his shoulder when a familiar voice reached his ears.

“Well now… Look at what the cat dragged in, if it isn’t old ‘Highball’ himself. How’re the Corps treatin’ ya, Jordan? Don’t bother answerin’, I really couldn’t give a damn.” Guy Gardner taunted, as he produced a pair of yellow fists that smashed into Hal.

Hal regained his composure and took cover behind an asteroid.

“Come on Jordan, don’t you want to come out & play???” Guy shouted, “Can you believe it, I take this ring from that alien, I get all of these powers, an army and a king that obeys every command I give them. Watch this…”

Guy pointed at one of the Yellow Lanterns. “You, kill yourself.”

“Guy, don’t!!!” Hal shouted as he flew out from behind the asteroid.

But it was too late. The Yellow Lantern, once Green Lantern Arkis of sector 3272, used a beam of yellow energy to disintegrate himself leaving nothing but the yellow glowing ring.

“Hahahaaaa! Pretty cool huh, Jordan? Look who’s the better man now… I command an army and you’re still just someone’s lap dog.”

“This isn’t you Guy, you’ve been infected with a virus by that ring.” Hal pleaded.

“Yeah, yeah, yeah. So what? I can now, officially, beat the crap outta you without breakin’ a sweat. Get over it.” Guy declared as he unleashed a salvo of yellow missiles toward Hal.

Hal ducked behind the asteroid again, but the missiles destroyed it utterly, sending Hal reeling end over end.

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Kilowog & Katma Tui lost the battle armor & began fighting in earnest once a few battalions of Destroyers & Yellow Lanterns began chasing Hal. They weren’t going to let the Pooz die… They just had to buy enough time for Salakk & Chaselon to plant the charge & get the sprock out of there!

The Qwardians were easy enough to beat, but the Yellow Lanterns, on the other hand, were a bit tougher. The guerilla tactics worked well enough one on one… maybe even one on two… but twenty on one odds…? Not that great.

Kilowog, with his back against a boulder looked to Katma and smiled. “Well, it was an honor servin’ with ya, Poozer.”

Before she could respond they were tackled by dozens of Yellow Lanterns.

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Hal righted himself and used his ring to snare a large rock fragment, hurling it towards Guy. He quickly produced a pair of giant green boxing gloves and sent them after the asteroid. He knew Guy well enough to know that Guy, infected or not, would still be a show off.

Guy saw the asteroid coming straight for him and stood defiantly with his arms folded. He conjured a yellow saw blade and cut the rock in half, clearing a path for the boxing gloves to hit their target. The boxing gloves nail him in the head from both sides, sending him spinning.

Guy fell onto a meteor fragment, dazed. He wiped blood from his lips & nose. The army of Destroyers and Yellow Lanterns surrounded Hal preparing to pounce.

“STAND DOWN NOW!!!” Guy commanded.

Guy stood up, staggering to one side he nearly fell over, but used his ring to right himself.

“He’s mine” Guy declared.

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Chaselon floated near the base of the yellow power battery setting the charge, yet taking caution not to get too close to the battery itself. He remained in his protective battle armor so as to not draw attention to himself from the Yellow Lanterns. Salakk, also in armor, flew nearby, picking off the Thunderers & Destroyers that got too close with his particle cannon.

Finally, the charge was set & ready for detonation.

“Salakk, my friend, the time to depart is upon us!” Chaselon declared.

“As elegant as ever my frie…,” Salakk’s reply was cut short by a large explosion.

Salakk activated his ring to protect himself as shards of crystal & green pelt him. All that is left of poor Chaselon are twitching robotic arms & legs.

Kiman, the Chief Weaponer stood by, smoke coming from the staff of Yokal. He walked towards the remains of Chaselon, grinding them beneath his sandaled feet. He knelt down, and picked up Chaselon’s ringed robotic arm.

“Ah… a trophy.” He said glaring at the enraged Salakk. “You will not destroy all that I have worked for. I will have my revenge… Legionnaires, Destroyers ATTACK!!!”

Salakk launched himself at Kiman and the approaching Yellow Lanterns, ring blazing.

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Guy stood facing Hal, neither moving, neither speaking, both with their ringed fists aimed at the other. Both combatants wait for the other to make the first move.

Guy’s ring began to glow, but not of his own volition. Hal braced himself for the attack, when an inhuman voice emanated from the yellow ring.

{LEAVE HIM… PROTECT THE BATTERY}

“NO!… I will not…” Guy stammered, grabbing his head. “GO!” he screamed at his followers who turned and flew back toward the Palace.

Hal immediately took advantage of the distraction and pounced on Guy. Due to his lack of training Guy was no match for Hal & his ring of power. Hal threw everything he had at Guy, beating him down with every blow.

Guy staggered back, conjuring a yellow M60 & unleashed a barrage of gunfire at Hal, hitting him in the shoulder. Hal dove for cover.

“You’re still a crap shot Gardner.” Hal shouted over his shoulder biting back the pain.

“Kill you… you sonova…” Guy mumbled as he unleashed another Salvo of bullets in Hal’s general direction.

Hal noticed that Guy was dazed, and firing randomly. He again took advantage of Guy's state, smashing him in the back of the head with a glowing baseball bat. Gardner went down, moaning, but not unconscious. Hal flew over to him intending to disarm him when Guy began to raise up…

“God, you’re skull is thicker than I thought.” Hal taunted, “Alright, let’s make this fair, I’ll end this without my ring…”

“Bastard,” Guy drooled blood on his shirt.

Guy stood up slowly and struck a fighters stance. His stocky frame swayed from side to side. Hal took one swing, a right hook, and Guy was out cold with the imprint of Hal‘s ring on his cheek.

“Stay down… I’ll be back for you later.” Hal said rubbing his knuckles.

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Hal flew towards the palace, hoping to find it in smoking ruins, but was horrified at what he saw. Kilowog, Tomar Re, Katma Tui all infected with the Legion Virus.

“Ah, crap…” Hal said as Kilowog launched himself in the air at him.

Kilowog hit Hal in the stomach, full force… knocking him to the ground on his knees. Had Hal’s ring not worked, Kilowog would have punched through him completely. Kilowog doubled back and pounced on Hal, tackling him. Kilowog wrapped his large hands around Hal’s neck and began to slowly squeeze.

“Assimilate or destroy…” Kilowog droned.

Drool ran from Kilowog's mouth and splashed Hal in the face. This was it… he knew he was going to die with some big aliens slobber all over him.

Kilowog was suddenly knocked upside the head with a large rock. Hal, able to breathe again, stood up and saw Ch’p, Arisia & a gravely wounded Salakk. Arisia was armed to the teeth with every Qwardian weapon ever designed. Ch’p had the explosive device… in the background, Kiman & the Qwardians were closing in.

“Things are looking a bit bleak, I’d say.” Ch’p said pointing out the obvious as the infected Katma & Tomar Re began to charge. “The weapon is armed, but it isn’t where it needs to be. We have failed…”

“No. What needs to happen?” Hal spat.

“It must be detonated as close to the battery…” Ch’p replied stunned at the human’s resilience.

“Fine... Get as far away as possible.” Hal grabbed the explosive and with all the speed he could muster, flew directly for the power battery.

He knocked everyone and everything down that got in his way.

As close to the battery as possible huh? OK… no problem.

Hal flew head-first into the battery.

In a brilliant green flash the battery exploded, dousing everything in a bright green light. Qward itself began to break up, finishing the job the Guardians began many years before.

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Katma Tui, Kilowog, Tomar Re and all the other Green Lanterns that were infected by the Legion virus were immediately released from its hold. Dozens of Green Lanterns floated above the destruction. Kiman was pinned between a large fragment of the battery and a piece of the planet he once ruled. Katma Tui approached him, ringhand extended.

“Kiman, by code 263 of interplanetary law, you are under arrest…” she began.

“As if I give a frag about your interplanetary law” Kiman interrupted, “you are all just puppets… mrphphph.” Katma smiled as she gagged him.

“You have the right to remain silent… please use it.” She replied.

The surviving Green Lanterns tried to round up as many of the fleeing Qwardians, but far too many were able to escape to unknown regions.

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Kilowog, Tomar Re, Ch’p and Arisia approached the ruins of the power battery, hoping for some sign of Hal. Kilowog began furiously digging until he caught sight of a black glove. He doubled his effort until Hal was uncovered. Tomar knelt down and listened to Hal’s chest.

“He’s alive!” Tomar squawked in a very bird-like manner.

“Son of a pooz…” Kilowog said shocked. “Tomar, get him, Salakk & the girl back to OA immediately. We’ll follow with the prisoners.

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Hal awoke in a large room surrounded with beds full of injured Green Lanterns. Medical droids tended many of the more gravely injured. And, as far as he could tell, he was in a recovery area. He started to rise when a little blue hand came down on his chest and stopped him. He glanced over and saw a single Guardian standing beside him. Either he was incredibly weak or the Guardians were far stronger than they appeared.

“Harold Jordan of sector 2814, you have shown exemplary courage, skill and, if I may say, a bit of luck. My brothers and I were most impressed with your abilities and, due to an unfortunate vacancy, would like to offer you a permanent place among the Elite.”

“Please, call me Hal. Thank you for your generous offer, but if it is all the same, I would really like to get back home…” Hal replied.

“Alright, ‘Hal’, you may return home as soon as you wish.” The Guardian continued, “But the offer stands, you are not required to make OA your permanent residence to be one of the elite… just be prepared, you may be called on occasion to assist with urgent matters not pertaining to your sector. And you may call me Appa Ali Apsa. I am the Guardian that governs your sector. I do expect great things from you… I will be watching…”

Appa Ali Apsa turns and floats off as a familiar voice breaks the silence.

“You son of a Pooz, I knew you were too stubborn to die.” Kilowog beamed at Hal as he and Tomar Re approached.

“Yeah, how’re the others?” Hal asked.

Kilowog’s smile (Hal had finally determined that it was, in fact a smile) quickly faded, “Well, Chaselon is gone. Kiman killed him. Salakk has seen better days, the Guardians have fitted him with a prosthetic arm, of my own design, I might add.”

“Ch’p & Katma’s got a few bumps & bruises, but she’s stopped calling you names under her breath anytime you’re mentioned.” Tomar Re added cheerfully.

“The girl Ch’p rescued will be OK, her name is Arisia, she’s an alternate GL, I’m actually off to complete her training now.” Kilowog said.

“Well, at least some good things have come of this… Where’s Guy?” Hal asked rising up out of the bed again.

“Gone.” Tomar Re explained. “As far as we can tell, his ring did not turn back to normal. The virus was completely obliterated, but Sinestro’s ring was the first to be infected and suffered irreparable damage. Strangely, he was the only one that didn’t become a mindless drone… It indeed, corrupted his mind, but it left his memories & thoughts intact. It just amplified his hate & anger. When the virus died, he most likely became himself again…”

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Epilogue 1

Outpost Delta, Centauri system...

Guy Gardner sat on a stool in a bar on a space station somewhere in the middle of ‘Nowhere’s Ville’ outer-space. He was surrounded by all sorts of unsavory types. Aliens… lots of alien scum. He nursed a pint of some sort of green ale (it had to be green, didn‘t it?)… lost in thoughts & memories that were his, but not. He had killed the ugly pink alien guy & taken his magic ring well over 3 months ago… yet for the life of him, he had no idea why he had done the things he did up to now.

He knew that Hal Jordan was a Green Lantern… he knew the names of other Green Lanterns… though he didn’t know why. He remembered the name Qward & that it was a nasty lump of rock in another dimension… but again, he didn’t know why. Hell, he couldn’t even remember how he got back into his own dimension. Hell he wasn’t even sure he knew what a ‘dimension’ was.

What the @#$& am I doin’ out here? I’m a @#$&ing pilot! Well… at least I still got you baby. He thought to himself as he gazed down upon the ugly yellow ring on his right hand.

One thing was for sure… he couldn’t go home again. How would he explain being AWOL for so long? How could he face Jordan again knowing the @$$hole beat the snot out of him… even if he did deserve it. But still what was he going to do with his life?

He looked over at a flyer stuck to a cork board… a picture of an Ugly pasty white alien in what looked like KISS makeup. The caption beneath read:

“LOBO, the baddest bounty hunter in the FRAGGIN’ Galaxy!”

Well… maybe I’ll try my hand at bein’ a bounty hunter…

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Epilogue 2

Earth...

Hal never thought he’d see it again. He had been back for a little over two weeks and he couldn’t be happier. He spent a few days with his brother Jim, in Los Angeles and was now on his way back to his new apartment. He drove North on Highway 1, up the coast of California, towards Coast City. Oh how he loved the sunshine…! The black convertible Mustang he’d purchased soon after his return didn’t hurt either.

The following day would be his first at Ferris aircraft, and he couldn’t be more ready to start his new life. He had not heard from the Guardians or any of the other Corpsman since returning, which was fine, he needed a break.

He had discovered an interesting change in the behavior of his power ring while he was foiling a bank robbery, though… his ring no longer held a weakness to the color yellow. He wasn’t sure if it was his alone… but he wasn’t going to press the issue… so he kept it to himself. He had no idea if the change was permanent, but if not, so be it, he’d proven himself already.

Yes indeed, his life looked pretty darn good…

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The End!

[mockingbird]

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