Hal’s ring flashed brightly as his uniform reappeared, and the ring repeated:
<Power levels at 127%>Frowning, he turned to the recently arrived Ion, a quizzical look in his eyes.
“Forget it for now, man,” Kyle said. “We’ve got to take down the big bad.”
“Yeah, he’s--”
“I know all about Mongul,” Ion smiled, cutting Hal off. “Giant. Yellow. Mean. What more is there to know?”
With an explosion of green, Rayner was off, and Hal was left staring at his ring.
<Power levels at 127%>* * * * *
As Carol pulled into the parking lot at Ferris Aircraft, she couldn’t help but notice a certain spot remained empty of a certain Harley-Davidson. She strode into her office, putting down her coffee, and looked at the flight assignment board tacked up next to her desk. Sighing, she pulled out the Sharpie pen and marked through the assignment for the new experimental X-51 prototype. As she crossed out H. Jordan, she remembered the new pilot coming in for an interview in an hour, and wondered if he was any good.
* * * * *
Recalling how useless he had felt when Kyle had fought Parallax in New York, Hal assumed that he knew exactly how the scene would look as he approached where the ring had located Mongul’s bio signature; a deflated would-be despot, and the kid perched over him, with an annoyingly cocky grin on his self-assured face.
He assumed wrong.
Clutched in the grasp of the massive yellow-skinned monster, the boy known as Ion had surrounded himself with a construct giant robot that had started to give. Swallowing hard, Hal charged to help his fellow emerald knight.
Seeing his enemy distracted, Hal thought of a plan quickly. Surrounded by a construct steam engine, he rushed Mongul at three times the speed of sound, assuming that he would at the very least free Ion, and even the odds a bit.
He assumed wrong. Again. And he was starting to see a pattern.
Quicker than seemed possible, he joined Kyle in the massive fists of Mongul, who laughed maniacally into the red sky.
“Pitiful creatures, know you not to bow before your betters?”
Through crushed windpipe and clenched teeth, Kyle sputtered to Hal.
“What was that thing?”
“You never watched Voltron?”
“Stupid kid..”
“Some rescue old man, by the way.”
“Don’t mention it.”
They were drawn even closer by their foe until his face nearly met theirs.
“If you tell me where the Key is, I might not add you to the number of Lanterns I have killed.” Mongul snarled. “Maybe.” A frown came across his face as he looked at the smiling face of Ion. “Why do you grin boy? Do you not believe in my power to crush you Lanterns, you pawns of the Guardians?”
“Nah.” The smile left Ion’s face, as it was overrun by the star field, and he spoke with a voice much unlike his own. “I am no mere Lantern.”
Mongul dropped to the ground as his body seemed to explode from the inside out. As Oan energy flowed between Hal and Kyle, healing them, Kyle’s face turned back to normal.
“What’d you do?”
“Used that cut you made. Pumped energy into his bloodstream.”
“Not bad rook, not bad at all.” Hal walked away from the fallen would-be warlord. “Those little blue men in your head know what he meant by ‘key’?”
As a construct middle finger floated in front of Hal, Kyle began walking near where Mongul had been digging.
“Yeah, I think it’s somewhere this way.”
* * * * *
“You’ll have to excuse some of the confusion today,” Carol Ferris strode across the tarmac. “I had intended you to watch a demonstration of our latest prototype, to see what we are planning on building here at Ferris, but my pilot seems to have come down with something.”
“I understand entirely Ms. Ferris. But don’t worry; I’m intimately familiar with your work on the X-51. In my last position, it was my job to know.”
“Of course it was,” Carol and her interviewee stopped outside of her office. “I do have to ask, what could make the head of R&D for NASA want to go back to being a test pilot?”
“Once you’ve been up there, you just want to go faster and faster, higher and higher. I guess, I just miss the skies.” As he nodded slightly skyward, he followed her into the office.
* * * * *
Having easily cleared a path with their powers, Hal and Kyle walked down into the heart of the red planet, as green light bathed off the sides of the walls, illuminating the strange writings all around them.
“Ya know, this reminds me of every horror movie I’ve ever seen.”
“Shut up,” Hal muttered as he investigated the markings all around him.
“I mean, we knock out the big bad, and head into the scary lair, going exactly where he originally wanted to go.”
“No language in the database…that’s weird. Kyle, shut up.”
“It’s textbook! The second we find whatever it is, he’s gonna wake up, pummel us, and we escape by the skins of our teeth, so the sequel –”
Far from being done talking, both had been stunned into silence at what lay before them. The light emanating from it caused them to shield their eyes, as wave after wave of pure luminescence cascaded toward them.
“Kyle…”
“I shut up already.”
* * * * *
His dingy apartment was still littered with boxes from the move, a bare mattress his only comfort. Cold, half-eaten pizza was the only food in the refrigerator. Letters from collection agencies who had somehow followed him to Coast City covered the tops of the boxes.
Things were not going Hector Hammond’s way.
Relocating to California had been his last ditch effort, a last chance to use these powers for the good of the world…and to make a little money too.
*Deet-Deet-Deet*
His company-issued cell phone broke through any thoughts he had, as he approached it carefully. Not many people had the number, but the creditors had long arms…
“Hola?”
“Knock it off, Hector.”
“Chris? Oh man, I thought--”
“You thought?” The director of programming at NCB exhaled hard. “And you want to sell reading minds…look, I’ve got you a great opportunity. Someone of note from Star City wants to meet you and be read.
“Star City? Mayor Alva? Wow, this is great, Chris!” Hector caught himself. “Wait, wasn’t he involved in all that chemical stuff a ways back?
“Ancient history Hec. Look, this guy…he wants to meet you later tonight, are you busy?”
Looking around at the disarray around him, he swiftly decided.
“I think I can make it.”
* * * * *
The two humans were still transfixed by the bight glowing artifact in front of them, when a too-familiar voice cut into their trance.
“How do you even know if something so small is worth all this trouble?”
Hal and Kyle both turned to face down the returning behemoth who now blocked their only exit.
“Told you so,” Kyle whispered even as he began to charge an attack.
Hal stepped between the powering up Ion and Mongul.
“If the Guardians saw fit to keep it from you, then it must be worth defending.”
“And yet,” Mongul bellowed, “You stand between me and attack of the Oan. You have asked these questions too. You doubt their motivations.” The silence between the three was palpable. “Good.”
“You shall not leave this place with the Key.” The starfield had completely overtaken Kyle’s face now, and that disembodied voice had returned. “For years you were imprisoned, and thus shall you return.”
As he spoke, a swarm of construct Guardians appeared around the room, each slowly closing in on the would-be conqueror.
“Back in the box then?” Kyle’s normal voice was back, as the field had retreated back into his uniform. “I wonder if he’s still got that Guardian-phobia.”
Enraged beyond measure, Mongul unleashed a roar that shook the cavern, knocked the heroes from their feet, and even forced the constructs to dissipate around him.
“Well, that was new,” exhaled Ion.
“We can’t let him near the Key!” Hal sprang from the ground, slamming the monster with every construct he could imagine. Missiles, spears, and beams of pure green flew towards the behemoth. Ion contributed as well, construct after construct trying futilely to stop Mongul. But, the limited space to battle hampered the heroes; it seemed every construct they sent to attack, they had to create three more to keep the walls from coming down on them.
“Pour it on!” Kyle screamed over the din, juggling dozens of attacks, while throwing up sutures and braces to keep the walls from literally caving in on all of them. Nothing seemed to even slow Mongul, as he pressed onward against their assault. Getting closer and closer to Ion, Kyle was forced to divert all of his energy into attacking, having no time for his patented creative constructs, directing pure Oan energy offensively.
Thinking quickly, Hal took control of the support constructs that Kyle had been forced to abandon. Using all of his will power, he was barely able to keep the cavern from caving in, while the Torchbearer of the Corps rushed Mongul.
As he flew, his energy flickered, and his eyes rolled back in his head, all life seemingly snuffed from within his body. Mongul caught the limp boy between his thumb and forefinger, and was poised to snap his neck.
“What now, Lantern?”
* * * * *
“Anything else?” The handsome, square-jawed man smiled warmly across the desk at her. Clearing her throat, she forced herself to look away from his deep blue eyes.
Get a hold of yourself, Carol.“Yes. I mean...no, I mean.” She nervously shuffled papers on her desk. Taking a deep breath, she looked back up at him, and smiled. “What I mean to say, is that everything has checked out, and all I really want to know is, when can you start?”
“Is tomorrow too soon?”
“Tomorrow is great.” Carol got up to leave the office, crossing in front of her new pilot and moving to open the door. She felt a firm, yet gentle hand touch her arm.
“Ms. Ferris,”
there was that damn smile again, she thought. “Could you be bothered to take your newest employee out for a celebratory drink? I’m still getting settled, and don’t really know the area.”
Carol mulled it over for all of two seconds.
“One drink, sir.” With a smile he followed her out of the office. “You pilots have a way about you, you know that?”
“So I’ve been told.”
* * * * *
This is not good. Hal was looking at his friend in the clutches of a would-be universal conqueror, and he was barely holding the cavern they were in up.
No, not good at all. Ring, scan Kyle for vital signs.
<Vital signs strong, but no noted brain activity> Abin Sur’s voice rang out in his head.
Energy readings?<No detection of Oan energy>“Checking to see if there is even a point to saving him?” Mongul sneered, breaking the short silence between them. “Good tactical move. There have been dumber Lanterns.”
“So,” sweat rolled down Hal’s face. “What now?”
“Now, I leave with the Key. And I let him live.”
Hal swallowed hard, knowing that there really was no choice. He had been charged with Ion’s safety, and he was not about to fail now. Slowly, he nodded.
“Such heroic nonsense,” Mongul sneered.
“And I guess I’m just supposed to sit back and watch?” Hal’s anger was palpable, but he fought to stay under control, if only for the kid’s sake.
“Of course not.” The evil smile on Mongul’s face widened. “You are to aid me in starting one of these old Martian cruisers on the far side of the planet. And then you get to watch me leave.”
* * * * *
Hector kept looking at the crumpled paper in his hand, as he carefully approached the darkened street. His bottom lip trembled, as he nervously approached the corner he had scribbled down.
“Evenin’, Hec.” Even though Chris Byrne and Hector Hammond had known each other since their high school days in Gotham, the shock of the greeting still garnered a scream from Hector, who jumped to the ground. Rolling his eyes, Chris extended a hand to help up his old friend.
“Are you ready to meet your first celebrity guest for the show?”
“Of...of course.” Hector cleared his throat, and tried to stand as tall as his 5’5” frame would allow. “It is an honor having you not only on my show, but as a guest in our fair city. This is the beginning of a friendship between our two municipalities that…”
“Why’s this runt talking so much?” Out of the shadows came not the well dressed mayor of Star City Hector had seen on television, but a lumbering thug encased in a gaudy metal suit. “Thought this was just a meet and greet?”
“Calm down, Ohm, that’s all it is.” Chris turned back towards his now fear stricken friend. “Now, Hector, I know this isn’t exactly what you were thinking, but here’s what is going to happen: Ohm here is going to attack the city tomorrow, and probably be stopped. You will be providing the first ever look into the mind of a criminal, right after a crime.”
“Chris, this is—this is crazy!” Hector backed away quickly. “What if someone is hurt?”
“Better ratings, buddy. Plus, you’ll get to do a follow-up with Alva, exonerating him of any complicity in the bang baby nonsense.” Chris grinned. “All the better for you, hell, for us. This is what you want, to be famous, right? Don’t you think you can do it?”
“Um,” swallowing hard, Hector pressed on. “I mean, I can do it,” his breathing became more labored. “My powers, you know…I…just…urk…”
He fell to the ground, grasping at his throat, when next to him clattered an inhaler. So desperate he was, he failed to notice the Alva Industries logo on the side.
“I figured you would react like this, so I brought your medicine.” Chris knelt next to Hector, as he plunged the contents into his mouth. “Just relax, take a cab home, and we’ll see you tomorrow.”
* * * * *
Hal watched as the starcraft clumsily escaped the atmosphere, and launched into the blackness of space. Looking at the young man at his feet, he hoped the Torchbearer was worth it.
“What the hell man?” Groggily, Kyle attempted to stand, clinging onto Hal for support.
“Did we win?”
“You don’t remember?”
“Nah, I blacked out, figured the little men in my head were doing their thing.” Kyle rubbed his head. “Though, this would have been the first time they took over and I woke up with a tequila hangover. Unless this is Mexico --”
Hal couldn’t help but smile. The kid seemed no worse for wear, rambling on and on about the battle, his ring even told him the power was flowing through him again.*
Whatever it was, I’m glad the kid’s alright.*
(Check GL Corps back ups to see what is going on with his power) “—who would have thought, when I called in sick to work, I’d spend my day fighting an ages old monster on Mars!”
“Ugh,” Hal exhaled. “Did you say work?”
“Yeah, old man. I know you and your buddies are big heroes, but average joes like me still have to work.” A stack of construct money appeared in his hands. “All this power or not, if I miss work, I get to be the homeless Ion. Doesn’t have the best ring to it.”
“I gotta go Kyle, you ready?” Hal looked at his watch, and it was easily 9:30 Coast City time.
I’ve almost been gone 24 hours! Carol is going to kill me!“You kidding? How often do I get to go to Mars? I’m gonna look around and then go home.” Hal was already taking off. “See you later, old man.”
As Hal pierced the blackness of space like an emerald bullet, he tried to get to the bottom of the overcharging issues he had with his ring at the beginning of all this, ordering the ring to tell him the current power levels.
Silence. He repeated his command again, and Abin Sur’s voice remained absent.
Curiouser and curiouser. But he had more important things on his mind.
I know Carol Ferris, and when she’s mad, she goes out. And there’s only one bar in Coast City she loves midweek…As the neon Road House sign came into view and Hal lowered himself through the clouds, his ring suddenly came to life.
<Download from Central Power Battery complete. Power levels at 129%>Touching down and powering off his uniform, he tried to put the strange message out of his mind. He prepared himself to face Carol, spitting mad, ranting, screaming at him. Sure enough, as he opened the door, there she was…laughing?
Hal couldn’t believe the sight in front of him, as Carol Ferris was sitting chatting, flirting, dangerously close to dropping the beer –
beer? – from her professionally manicured hands.
Approaching her from behind, he steadied the beer in her hand. “Almost dropped something, Ms. Ferris.”
Before she could answer, a man rose from the bar. About two inches taller than Hal, and a bit more solidly built, he strode towards them with a confidence Hal knew all too well.
“I’m afraid that’s my doing. I’m –”
“This is our new pilot,” Carol cut in. “This is Hal Jordan, our current pilot of record.” She swallowed hard, trying to compose herself.
“So, you’re the new guy.”
“I guess. That is,” the other pilot grinned, “until I’m the only guy.” He smiled at his own joke. Hal did not.
“Didn’t catch your name friend.” Hal extended his hand coolly.
“Oh my fault,” his hand enveloping Hal’s. “Name's Hank Henshaw. Pleased to meet you.”