22nd August
09:45 GMT
Lantern Dulok frowns in puzzlement as we fly towards Betrassus. And probably a little in disapproval. "There are orange power rings scattered throughout the universe, and you have no idea where they are or who wields them?"
"Something like that. I had been assuming that they'd either find bearers in Okaara or be strewn between Okaara and Earth, but if one made it all the way
here then that clearly isn't the case.
"
Lantern Tui looks thoughtful. "Do you think that they have seeker protocols?"
"No, that's… Not
impossible, but highly unlikely. Larfleeze didn't make rings in the way that the Guardians and Controllers do, he just ordered Construct-Lanterns to
become rings. I haven't worn one for any length of time, but apparently their personalities remain
somewhat intact.
"
That makes her look uncomfortable. "Then do you think..? They're trying to get home?"
"Based on the sample of
one that I've located so far, I'd say not.
" I shrug.
"It went to a man who desired something constantly and very strongly. My working hypothesis was that any that weren't just floating in the void would have been drawn to people in a similar way, but I don't have anything like enough evidence to prove that.
"
Lantern Dulok nods. "And what happened to him?"
"Not a lot. King Myand'r recognised the symbol on the ring as belonging to a local legendary monster and refused to wear it. Then, after we destroyed the Citadel, he didn't want it anymore.
"
"Would it not have been helpful in restoring his world, or in protecting it?"
"Maybe. But orange rings have an unfortunate effect on the minds of those who wear them. I haven't studied enough subjects to know exactly how bad it can get-.
"
"Giant cakes, moons spinning around…
"
"I put it back.
"
Lantern Tui blinks. "You… Put back..?"
"Yes? Did-?
" I glance at Guy.
"I can't believe that Guy didn't mention it when you were on Earth.
"
"I've learned to tune Lantern Gardner out."
"And see what you miss!
"
"How come
you're dealing with this, anyway? We're not anywhere near Two Eight One Four.
"
Guy
grins.
"Guardians recognised my skills.
"
"What, they thought you had the best chance of persuading me to help you?
"
"Nope.
" There's a momentary green glow, then a
red sash with a gold lantern badge appears across his chest and a red cloak trails from his shoulders.
"I mean they
formally recognised them. Guess they couldn't have the Host of Ion being a regular Sector Lantern.
"
"Well done. How did Jordan take the news?
"
"U
gh.
" Guy looks away, rolling his eyes as he groans.
"Guardians upped him at the same time. The
exact same time. Said they didn't want either of us claiming seniority over the other.
"
"How well they know you both.
" Oh.
"Does that mean that Two Eight One Four has a new Lantern?
" Because if it's Alan I can put that journey to Qward on the backburner.
"Yeah,
some Russian chick. I haven't met her yet.
"
"And she got chosen ahead of Alan
because..?
"
"'cause the Guardians don't want a guy they can't train from scratch. I
asked, okay? I think he's a great guy too.
"
We've lost Lantern Tui. "Who is 'Alan'?"
"A long time ago there was a Green Lantern called Yalun Gur. He went off the deep end Sinestro-style-.
" Lanterns Tui and Dulok share an awkward glance.
"What?
"
"It is…" Lantern Dulok looks away awkwardly. "Something of a point of contention between us. Betrassus benefited greatly from Lantern Sinestro's protection while he was a Sector Lantern here, and I was called to the Green Lantern Corps to take his place upon his ascension to the Honour Guard. Even after learning.. what he did, I still find much to admire about him."
"You wouldn't say that if it was
your planet he took over."
"On the contrary. On Betrassus, most battles are fought between small numbers of aristocrats. If a single warrior as skilled as Sinestro emerged he might well rise to a position of supreme power by his own abilities. If anything, the relative peace Sinestro brought is more unusual than the return to the old ways that Prince Ragnar's ascendancy is threatening to bring about."
"Anyway, Lantern Gur goes off the deep end and tries to conquer Earth. The Guardians hear about it and remotely destroy his ring's AI. I don't know if he just wasn't a very good fighter without it or if the AI being destroyed shut the rest of the ring off as well. In any case, the locals kill him and dispose of his ring and lantern. Centuries later, it
somehow ends up in the hands of a man named Alan Scott, whose will is powerful enough to activate it. He used it on and off for about twenty five years, and because its AI was fried the first the Guardians heard of it was when Lantern Jordan asked them about him.
"
"So what irritates me about it is that he's a veteran with incredible willpower who would be perfectly happy to work for them, but the Guardians put a block on his recruitment. No matter how strong willed or heroic he is, he will never be chosen.
"
Guy winces slightly.
"He
is ninety, Paul.
"
"And he rejuvenates when exposed to green light. And how old are the Guardians themselves? Age is
no excuse. And I
will be telling them that when I visit Oa.
"
Guy raises his eyebrows slightly at that, but with the atmosphere coming up he decides to ignore it for now.
"So what exactly are you planning on saying to Ragnar?
"
"He likes fighting, I've got a large war that
needs fighters. Unless I see a very good reason not to, recruiting him is my preferred option. Failing that, I'll take his ring and let him think about what he's done.
"
"Need a bit more detail than
that, Paul.
"
"What? I.. can't, not until I've had the chance to examine his psyche. And since when do
you want detailed plans in advance?
"
"Comes with the sash, Paul. I'm the ranking Lantern here, which means I gotta take responsibility.
" He smiles smugly.
"And come to think of it, you should probably call me 'sir'. Y'know, when we've got company.
"
"Okay,
one, being ranking Lantern means nothing if the other Lantern is from a different Corps.
Two.
" I let my own formal robes appear from subspace, my full rank insignia running down the left flap.
"What makes you think you outrank me?
"
. Either there really are less, or one of those neural chaff generators threw me off my game.
