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

PJCG · 2026-05-26T06:31:01+0100

Mr Zoat said:
"No, you've have phased.

I think it should be

"No, you'd have phased.

??

Darko · 2026-05-26T06:33:15+0100

Mr Zoat said:
we will offer not further resistance."

"no further"

Chojin Patriarch · 2026-05-26T07:01:01+0100

Mr Zoat said:
8th September 2013
10:58 GMT

Mosteel. The outermost planet of the Antares system, and almost on the opposite side of the system from where the Thanagarian fleet appeared. Stellar cartographers in this region of space have suggested that it might be a capture, because otherwise there's no obvious reason for a metal-rich planet being this far out in a naturally-developing solar system. And due to the high levels of radioactive material inside and the lack of sunlight outside, radiotrophic life replaces the photosynthesis of plants in the food chain.

Also, the absolutely bizarre metallic biology of the native population. Doesn't really fit with the other planets in the system, does it? I see they don't really have any dog in the fight against the Thanagarians, though. Wonder if they'll keep out if it...

Unlike the other planets of this system -before I stuck my oar in- they actually engaged in some trade with other systems, exchanging radiological material for radiotrophic fungi that species who'd been less careful in their development of nuclear technology could use to clean up after themselves.

Though I expect they're very careful with their use. Not really the kind of thing you want running loose in an unfamiliar ecosystem.

They only really got involved in the war when the other participants started trying to mine the nearby asteroids, so I might consider them an innocent party were it not for how enthusiastic they've been about throwing radiological weapons at the homeworlds of the other participants. Also mildly interesting that they don't bother to defend the surface of their planet when one of the other three manages to send ships this far because there's not really much there. The only things worth targetting are the giant silo doors that lead to their subterranean ship yards, and they're purposely designed to take a battering.

Heh. They sound like the classic 'ultimate defensive build' sort of 4X race. Hard to deal with a planet that's unpleasantly hostile to any ground troops that might land, especially if the locals are resistant to the same conditions.

They favour heavy armour for their ships. Their guns aren't anything particularly special, but on the few occasions the Llarrians tried boarding them they found out that they can broadcast enough radiation at short range to give the people on hostile ships terminal radiation sickness. Given that Hyathis managed to melt one of their ships with a spore cloud last time I was here, I imagine that she's found a way around that.

Some sort of metal-eating plant, perhaps.

"I'm not seeing many ships."

"They don't need much food or air as long as the environment is radioactive enough. And they're good at insulating. They've managed to get past all three of their enemies by having ships run dark and drift past them."

Naturally patient folks, eh? At least when it comes to important things.

…

"Are you going to send me the results of your scan-?"

OL getting a little distracted, eh?

Send. "Sorry."

Compliance.

"I'm sure the history of a system like this is fascinating, but it probably doesn't relate to what we're investigating."

Never know how some small detail might become important.

"No, it's just-. People have tried to kill me a lot. They've succeeded twice. How about you?"

"No, I'm still Jade One."

To be fair, she is a bit more vulnerable to death than OL is. He's a bit shot of it, having done it a couple of times now.

"I think you're Jade Sixteen, actually. Given how we number universes-."

"I haven't died."

Not the time, OL.

"But people have tried to kill you."

"You've tried to kill me."

"Are you referring to the tentacles or the time I gave you a ring? Because-."

He was very apologetic about the tentacle thing, though. And the Ring thing did a lot of good for the Vietnamese.

"Did you forget what happened in Belle Reve?"

"That was Miss Frost. I'm the one who-"

Ah, right, nearly freezing to death at the hands of Killer Frost.

"Put me in there."

"-healed-. I was not involved in that decision."

Admittedly, that was the League or the Courts, not OL personally.

"I'd have gotten away if it wasn't for you. Mosteel ships are in dispersed formation… Apart from a small group near… Does their version of Mercury have a name?"

"It has five different names that I know of." Hm. "Have you been taking couples communication advice from Artemis? Because while I'm happy for her and Wallace, that's not really how I want things to be with us."

Guessing the planet has a lot of claims laid on it by the other polities. And it's hard to have a solid relationship misunderstanding with an Empath.

"Yes, people have tried to kill me."

"So I'm having trouble taking this one personally."

He's just a bit blase about the whole dying thing these days, isn't he?

"I would have died if you hadn't been there."

"No, you'd have phased. Bleez would have died, and I'm a little upset about that, but she's not you. So, Artemis lessons?"

Ah, he just understands that Jade can take care of herself and hovering concernedly isn't helpful, eh?

"I didn't forget the tentacles, but I wasn't talking about that. I was talking about the time I nearly choked to death on your cookie when you told me what you said."

"Well, if it's such a foundational part of our relationship… Nine days, and I'll see what I can do about choking you again."

I mean, a little spice in the bedroom never hurt anyone..

"That wasn't a request."

"Are you sure? What're the ships near Antares One doing?"

"Nothing, and yes."

I think they're starting to get a little distracted with this little discussion...

"But was it an objection?"

"We'll see. Do you want to contact the planet's authorities?"

I suppose he should, if only to touch base.

"Might as well. Orange Lantern to… Kromm."

Assuming that he's still in charge. Not much is on record about Mosteel's internal politics, so I don't know how big a deal getting beaten up by Mr. J'onzz was for him.

And if he isn't in a high position anymore, he can always point OL towards someone who is.

"Orange Lantern. Are those Thanagarian ships?"

Voice matches Justice League recordings, though he's not transmitting an image. "Yes, they are."

No time-wasting with pleasantries, I see. I'm Guessing Kromm has been steeling himself for this call once they saw him in orbit.

"Then I suppose that our war is over."

"Looks like. Would you like me to ask for terms on your behalf, or do you intend to make a fight of it?"

What, no defiance? I'm surprised.

"I thought that you were supporting Hyathis?"

"Right, but did you notice how I didn't actually give her any military equipment?"

...Relatively speaking, anyway.

"Dominion battleship computers aren't military equipment?"

"It was a computer. A novel technology, yes, but it wasn't a weapon. I… Sort of assumed that the rest of you would either three-on-one her or come to terms."

What's the bet it was far better than anything Hyathis had beforehand?

"And new allies with compatible technology?"

"J is a peaceful world. I was sort of hoping that they'd influence her in that direction."

Evidently those hopes were in vain.

"I suppose that it doesn't matter. Let the thanagarians know that if they make it this far we will offer not further resistance."

"Will do. One question, though."

Not that there's much need to make a personal showing or anything, given the radiation.

"I have little to do but wait. You may as well ask."

"Where does the metal for gamma gongs come from?"

Ah, still chasing this lead. Hopefully it's not made from Mosteelian bodies or something.

"The Dhorians mined it from our asteroids."

"And you never developed the technology yourselves?"

Might have been a trick the Dhorians worked out that wouldn't work for Mosteel.

"Our nervous systems don't work like yours. And they're of little use in space combat."

"But you know how to make them?"

"At this point in the war we all know something of the technology the others use. Alstair has just developed faster than we have."

Huh. So it doesn't rule out someone copying the tech involved on all sides.

"I suppose that-."

"Paul, there's something wrong with Antares. It-."

I scan it detail just in time to see an entire star undulate!

Oh, that's definitely bad.

That sounds like a system-wide issue, because stars really aren't meant to move like that. At the least, there's going to be massive solar flares as the surface stabilises. The real worry is who did that and how. There were ships over there, right? I didn't think Thanagarian technology had anything capable of this, does it?

Vaermina · 2026-05-26T07:07:26+0100

Mr Zoat said:
"Paul, there's something wrong with Antares. It-."

I scan it detail just in time to see an entire star undulate!

Man, Orange Lantern has really really made things worse for this star system.

BR549 · 2026-05-26T07:30:17+0100

Mr Zoat said:
I might consider them an innocent party were it not for how enthusiastic they've been about throwing radiological weapons at the homeworlds of the other participants.

To be fair, considering the evolutionary adaptations of the Mosteel themselves, radiation is, metaphorically, their hammer, and we all know what one does with a hammer when it is all you have.

They've managed to get passed all three of their enemies by having ships run dark and drift past them."

'past'

Chojin Patriarch said:
That sounds like a system-wide issue, because stars really aren't meant to move like that. At the least, there's going to be massive solar flares as the surface stabilises. The real worry is who did that and how. There were ships over there, right? I didn't think Thanagarian technology had anything capable of this, does it?

I don't think it's the Thanagarians. They might want to blow up five-sixths of the solar system, but the fact their entire fleet went charging in indicates they're not doing that; even if they're simply going to slingshot through the system at max burn, you don't send twelve command carriers to chuck a sun-killer at the star and run, you send one cruiser.

Meanwhile, recall that Hyathis was caught completely off-guard by being informed that gamma gongs had been used to control a Thangarian official; the Dhorians didn't outright deny it but didn't confirm it either while pointing OL to look elsewhere for the culprit, and the Mosteel basically said "yes we know how to make them but why would we?".

I have a feeling somebody is playing every party in this conflict, and they've just started their endgame.

ziggrrauglurr · 2026-05-26T07:51:30+0100

Mr Zoat said:
I
scan it detail just in time to see an entire star undulate!

Now that's a cliffhanger!

Is it wrong that the political exploits in fallout verse is more appealing then the main story?

Mr Zoat · 2026-05-26T08:35:12+0100

PJCG said:
I think it should be

"No, you'd have phased.

??

Darko said:
"no further"

BR549 said:
'past'

Thank you, corrected.

ziggrrauglurr said:
Is it wrong that the political exploits in fallout verse is more appealing then the main story?

Being in the minority doesn't make you wrong, except mathematically.

Artemisnemo · 2026-05-26T11:43:03+0100

Ah, gotcha it's a surviving Psion.

mastermenthe · 2026-05-26T15:47:17+0100

Chojin Patriarch said:
The real worry is who did that and how.

Do you think OL has what it takes to singlehandedly stabilize the sun?

Steelplaza · 2026-05-26T17:18:35+0100

The premise of this entire investigation is wrong.

The story hawk guy intel chief told is that he was mind controlled to only act in ways that would benefit his controller's objectives, and he managed to convince himself that striking OL would do that, when really he wanted to reveal himself so as to end his ability to sabotage Thanagar.

The controlling party didn't want OL dead. That was the intel chef's idea. At least that is how I understood his explanation.

PDV · 2026-05-26T18:00:53+0100

Steelplaza said:
The premise of this entire investigation is wrong.

The story hawk guy intel chief told is that he was mind controlled to only act in ways that would benefit his controller's objectives, and he managed to convince himself that striking OL would do that, when really he wanted to reveal himself so as to end his ability to sabotage Thanagar.

The controlling party didn't want OL dead. That was the intel chef's idea. At least that is how I understood his explanation.

Striking OL and failing didn't serve their objectives. That doesn't narrow it down. Best not miss.

Mosteel is acting like they want to deny it but expect to be facing a lie detector. Interesting on both sides.

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

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PJCG

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This is filth! FILTH!!

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Stood behind the last guy when Gravitas was given

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Getting sticky.

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