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

BR549 · 2026-10-23T08:16:44+0100

Chojin Patriarch said:
I'm guessing most telekinetics cap out at around a pound of so of movable mass, and slowly at that.

While B5 is a setting where (thanks to the Vorlons) almost everyone has telepaths, telekinesis is extremely rare. Part of the whole point of the 'enhancements' they gave Ironheart was trying to get a teek, as I recall.

(Unfortunate that the...creative differences...meant the 'gift' of TK he gave Talia before leaving went unexplored.)

Jankl said:
Question. So there is this time loop thing going on with Sinclair/Valen right? Could Matthew's presence disturb the proper course of events, or does the time loop reinforce itself to make sure it works out properly?

How does time work in the Babylon 5 universe? You would think Somebody as powerful as Matthew would be bound to make major changes eventually.

Time works quite well, thank you.

...more seriously, the only real way to time travel is the Great Machine under the surface of Epsilon Eridani. Built by an unspecified ancient race (not, as fanon would tell you, the Vorlons), the only person who knows how it works is Zathras, and Zathras isn't much of one for explanations, they make people yell at Zathras. But it's why B4 became unstuck in time, and how Sinclair - changed into Valen by one of the Great Machine's other functions - took it back in time to win the first Shadow War. I wouldn't put much weight on Matthew's presence disturbing that time loop; it's all but baked into the universe.

The other thing about that has possibilities, though. As a side-effect of sending B4 back in time, Sheridan became briefly unstuck in time, and jumped into the future for a short period. In The Way Home, we learned that he can get unstuck again if exposed to enough tachyons...and can jump between realities that way. He only visited alternate B5s, but given Earth Prime is out there...

Vaermina · 2026-10-23T08:44:16+0100

Mr Zoat said:
"Minbari society is rigid, with everything in its place. Including the telepaths. Generally, minbari assume that they're regulated by their own superiors just like everyone else. There are a few jobs that require telepaths, but generally they're not treated differently to anyone else. That said, joining Minbari society is a lot like joining a monastic order, so it's not for everyone. You might be better off on one of their protectorate planets rather than an actual minbari world."

This is straight up innacurate to what the show portrays.

BR549 said:
While B5 is a setting where (thanks to the Vorlons) almost everyone has telepaths, telekinesis is extremely rare. Part of the whole point of the 'enhancements' they gave Ironheart was trying to get a teek, as I recall.

For humans, Telekinetics are 1 in 10,000 telepaths.

BR549 said:
(Unfortunate that the...creative differences...meant the 'gift' of TK he gave Talia before leaving went unexplored.)

It wasn't really creative differences, Andrea Thompson wasnt happy being a secondary character so left the show to pursue other things.

BR549 said:
Time works quite well, thank you.

...more seriously, the only real way to time travel is the Great Machine under the surface of Epsilon Eridani. Built by an unspecified ancient race (not, as fanon would tell you, the Vorlons), the only person who knows how it works is Zathras, and Zathras isn't much of one for explanations, they make people yell at Zathras. But it's why B4 became unstuck in time, and how Sinclair - changed into Valen by one of the Great Machine's other functions - took it back in time to win the first Shadow War. I wouldn't put much weight on Matthew's presence disturbing that time loop; it's all but baked into the universe.

The other thing about that has possibilities, though. As a side-effect of sending B4 back in time, Sheridan became briefly unstuck in time, and jumped into the future for a short period. In The Way Home, we learned that he can get unstuck again if exposed to enough tachyons...and can jump between realities that way. He only visited alternate B5s, but given Earth Prime is out there...

Its not Fanon that the Vorlons built the great machine, its just from the canon RPG's.

BoML · 2026-10-23T08:58:16+0100

Here, again...and giving Shaal Mayan a headache, it seems. Now what human nonsense is causing that?

...I'm going to be real, why would Mayan even care about potential human military/navy stuff, especially with different cultures involved? Did she just ask, and now she very much regrets asking?

Mr Zoat said:
My ring blinks.

"Ah, excuse me." I raise my left hand to my ear and generate a handset. "Matthew Underwood."

"When you said… 'Whatever I can manage'… How fast can you-"

Scan.

Ah, I see. He's… Hiding in an underground car park, and it looks like police in the area are looking for someone.

Oh, Ironheart's here. This should be good...

Mr Zoat said:
Mayan and her room vanish, replaced by… A car park time forgot. I lay my right hand on Mr. Ironheart's shoulder and transition us into orbit.

His head jerks around, staring in shock! "What the fuck!"

"Mister Ironheart. Do you have it?"

Heh, yeah. Your world is about to be rocked, Ironheart.

Mr Zoat said:
He nods jerkily, reaching into his jacket to pull out a data chip. "Everything I could get. They don't exactly keep the backups where anyone can reach them."

Scan.

Oh dear.

Yeah, bet that reading was nasty in their implications. The program Ironheart was a test subject to is...honestly, I bet Psi Corps were more than willing to pay the price in bodies to get a super telepath/telekine.

Mr Zoat said:
"Keep it, you'll likely need it later. And now that I've confirmed your affidavits, I will now tell you that Lyta is a guest of the Vorlon Empire."

"The.. Vorlons..? Because she scanned their ambassador?"

"That's what she gambled on, yes. I've got no idea what they've actually done with her."

Betting Lyta didn't expect what she got, either. She did end up liking it, but honestly, it did seem to alienate her further.

Mr Zoat said:
"First place they'd look." Hm. "Alright, put the chip away, I've taken a copy. Our next stop is Babylon Five, because that's the one place I can speak to a vorlon without intruding on their territory again."

"No one who's gone into vorlon space has ever come back."

...that was true. The fact that Babylon!Paul is the only one to have done it so far is inconsequential.

Mr Zoat said:
"I can ask the other ambassadors if they'll grant you asylum. Ambassador Delenn seemed quite reasonable when I spoke to her. You'd have to abandon your current identity… Honestly, you wouldn't be able to come back from there any more than you would from the Vorlon Empire-. Look, you were on the inside track, right?"

"Of what?"

"Psi Corps." He nods carefully. "How big is the telepath underground? I mean… Are a lot of people trying to avoid Psi Corps, or is it a small number, or what?"

I fully expect it to be a bit bigger the Psi Corps thinks it is. After all, why would they want to not be part of the Psi Corps? All you have to do is obey what Psi Corps says without question, and your golden.

Ignore the minor inconvenience's like you are only allowed to marry this one individual because that way your kids will likely be stronger telepaths, you're free to use your telepathy whenever you feel like to anyone you feel like, ignore the little discomfort when Psi Cops confirm you're a good little subject...

Mr Zoat said:
"I think-. Uh." He cringes, like he just had a stomach cramp-. And… Pale translucent bands of blue-white light run over his visible skin and clothing like a low quality nineties special effect.

"Are you alright?"

Oh, his thing has started. That's bad...

Mr Zoat said:
"No. Psi Corps' attempt to increase my power had certain… Side-effects."

Scan.

Huh.

"I could probably undo the changes to your body, if you wanted. I've got a copy of your pre-experiment medical data."

If I was Ironheart, I'd be tempted to accept. Very tempted.

Mr Zoat said:
"Are you a doctor?"

"No, but I'm not a pilot either, and I fly pretty well."

"No, thank you. I would prefer to ride it out."

...dude, there's no riding that out. You realized it later, but even you knew you were on the tracks with no breaks. Your days as a corporeal being are numbered.

Mr Zoat said:
"No, the jump gate has cameras, and there are a lot of ships in the area."

Set course. Good job Babylon 5 is closer to Earth than to the Vorlon Empire. And engage.

The stars blur around us.

Yeah, who needs hyperspace when you can go fast in real space?

Mr Zoat said:
Mr. Ironheart's eyes widen. "Faster than..? That's… Possible?"

"Yes. They are really quite advanced elder species. Two, one."

And there's Epsilon Eridani. Mr. Ironheart has another quick blue pulse, and then goes back to looking normal.

From Earth to Babylon 5 in barely...I'd say 15 seconds. Just like that. And good luck for Psi Corps to get a trail they could follow. Hint: it doesn't exist.

Mr Zoat said:
"I've got a theme going. To be clear, 'Harvey Dent' isn't a telepath, so don't read anyone's minds."

"I can't completely stop myself; no telepath can."

Synthesise.

A syringe of telepathy suppressant appears in my hand.

...I'm going to be real, here, and guess that's not going to help nearly as well as either of them think.

Mr Zoat said:
"I'm not sure what the glowing thing you're doing is about, but a lot of people live on Babylon Five. I'm fine with taking risks for myself, but I don't intend to put innocent people in danger, or cause unnecessary trouble for my allies. If you're telling me that you have yourself under control, fine. Otherwise…"

He nods, and takes the syringe, while I fly us towards the station.

What an interesting wrinkle. Whatever trail Ironheart may have left, the Corps have to go through Babylon!Paul to get it. And after he left two of their Psi Cops unconscious. Decisions, decisions...

Hmmm, I'm wondering if Ironheart even tried with suppressants in OTL, I don't remember him mentioning such. Only that his control kept slipping, as his mind and powers kept expanding. Or, following his term, blooming open like a flower.

boo600 · 2026-10-23T09:21:24+0100

BoML said:
I'm going to be real, why would Mayan even care about potential human military/navy stuff, especially with different cultures involved?

Well, her goal is mutual understanding that engenders peace. It goes both ways, and she's shown herself - so it makes sense for her to ask.

Mr Zoat · 2026-10-23T09:41:16+0100

BlackCoat13 said:
yes.

Thank you, corrected.

BoML said:
Here, again...and giving Shaal Mayan a headache, it seems. Now what human nonsense is causing that?

...I'm going to be real, why would Mayan even care about potential human military/navy stuff, especially with different cultures involved? Did she just ask, and now she very much regrets asking?

She was asking about how humans relate to authority, because that's the most alien thing about our society to her.

I fully expect it to be a bit bigger the Psi Corps thinks it is. After all, why would they want to not be part of the Psi Corps? All you have to do is obey what Psi Corps says without question, and your golden.

Ignore the minor inconvenience's like you are only allowed to marry this one individual because that way your kids will likely be stronger telepaths, you're free to use your telepathy whenever you feel like to anyone you feel like, ignore the little discomfort when Psi Cops confirm you're a good little subject...

I don't think that's true for most telepaths. They've got to know how crazy that would sound to most people. I imagine that if you're not particularly strong or are obviously not interested, they just make a note in your file and leave you to it.

Darko · 2026-10-23T13:18:11+0100

Mr Zoat said:
after the decided it was better than

'after they decided'

Mr Zoat said:
'Harvey Dent'?"

"I've got a theme going

Well he may get a new face fairly soon.

Vaermina said:
This is straight up innacurate to what the show portrays

Except not really.

The Minbari are extremely rigid and ritualistic in their everyday life, so to a human it would seem like a monk's lifestyle.

The Minbari telepaths are also slowed to do what they want. It's just that they choose to serve because that's what's expected of them.

Mr Zoat · 2026-10-23T13:28:26+0100

RoninSword said:
Also there is still the post I quoted about the double Euanthe-Ivy dialogue.

Okay. What I'm going to say is that Pamela thought that Euanthe's attraction to the SI was a personal thing, and she was surprised by the fact that Euanthe might be attracted to humans generally.

BoML · 2026-10-23T13:43:52+0100

Mr Zoat said:
She was asking about how humans relate to authority, because that's the most alien thing about our society to her.

Okay, that makes sense. Thanks.

Sockmonkey · 2026-10-23T14:55:05+0100

BR549 said:
He only visited alternate B5s, but given Earth Prime is out there...

B5 is semi-hard as far as sci-fi goes so that universe might be "closer" to Prime than most, with regard to how the multiverse is arranged.

Jankl · 2026-10-23T15:02:16+0100

Sockmonkey said:
B5 is semi-hard as far as sci-fi goes so that universe might be "closer" to Prime than most, with regard to how the multiverse is arranged.

Oh definitely. Especially knowing a Paul actually lived there. It's probably the universe closest to Earth Prime that we have seen so far. Though I suppose it depends on how distance works in the Bleed.

Mr Zoat · 2026-10-23T16:14:50+0100

Sockmonkey said:
B5 is semi-hard as far as sci-fi goes so that universe might be "closer" to Prime than most, with regard to how the multiverse is arranged.

It has souls trapped in boxes and literal demons.

Vaermina · 2026-10-23T18:04:39+0100

Darko said:
Except not really.

The Minbari are extremely rigid and ritualistic in their everyday life, so to a human it would seem like a monk's lifestyle.

The Minbari telepaths are also slowed to do what they want. It's just that they choose to serve because that's what's expected of them.

From the episode Legacies where Delenn explains that Minbari Telepaths are basically forced civil servants.

Delenn: For the Minbari, psi ability is considered a gift.

Delenn: The use of it is given as a service to those in need.

Grace: - They're not paid?

Delenn: - Only with our people's high regard.

Delenn: It isn't a job, it's a calling. It's enough for them to be of service.

Grace: Then how do they live?

Delenn: Those who wish to help others are greatly respected within our culture.

Delenn: They are encouraged and helped in their goal.

Delenn: They're clothed and fed, and left to do their work.

Delenn: It's a small price to pay for the benefit of many.

BR549 · 2026-10-23T18:47:32+0100

Sockmonkey said:
B5 is semi-hard as far as sci-fi goes so that universe might be "closer" to Prime than most, with regard to how the multiverse is arranged.

Yeah-

Mr Zoat said:
It has souls trapped in boxes and literal demons.

Don't forget the evolution into living beings made of pure energy.

B5 is more "realsitic space maneuvering physics" than most other series and JMS hedged about souls in comments, which is what everyone remembers. But inside that crunchy shell is just as much soft goodness as any other sci-fi setting.

mastermenthe · 2026-10-23T19:08:25+0100

BR549 said:
But inside that crunchy shell is just as much soft goodness as any other sci-fi setting.

As soon as FTL or Antigravity exists, magic exists.

Darko · 2026-10-23T19:13:46+0100

Vaermina said:
From the episode Legacies where Delenn explains that Minbari Telepaths are basically forced civil servants.

Yeah, but it honestly seems to be just peer pressure rather than a legal necessity like it is for Psi Corp.

Vaermina · 2026-10-23T20:50:10+0100

Mr Zoat said:
It has souls trapped in boxes and literal demons.

It has things people call "demons".

But the basic assumption behind things like that out of universe is supposed to be that it's just something the First One's left behind that seems like a demon.

Darko said:
Yeah, but it honestly seems to be just peer pressure rather than a legal necessity like it is for Psi Corp.

What Matthew claimed was "but generally they're not treated differently to anyone else" and they absolutely are.

BR549 · 2026-10-24T05:43:02+0100

mastermenthe said:
As soon as FTL or Antigravity exists, magic exists.

Arguably in the case of the former. There are mathematically consistent solutions, involving no conservation of momentum or conservation of energy violations, for exotic matter with negative mass, which would be the key to the Alcubierre drive, for instance. We haven't physically found any such thing, of course, but the math is scientifically sound.

Antigravity, however, would to the best of current knowledge be outright magic, yes.

Mr Zoat · 2026-10-24T08:03:46+0100

16th October 2013
14:31 G.M.T.

I frown inquisitively at Thaddeus. "Is it really alright, leaving the recovering OMACs in the storage vault?"

He cranes his neck slightly, a pose judged precisely to imply that I'm an idiot for asking. "The thing about 'suspended animation' is that it suspends… Animation." He glances pointedly at our guests. "Unless we choose to let them out. I don't mind your squad using our family home to spy on Batman, but I don't like the idea of a superhuman army living here."

Jade puts down her drumstick. "We can sort through them while they're unconscious. Aliens, we can send back to their homeworlds. The humans, we can dose with amnestics and send them wherever they should go."

"By 'we', she means 'me'."

"Ah." Narran, the large yellow alien man who was recovered pre-transformation, nods slowly. Given his size, I gave him a turkey. "Do I have to go back?"

"Er. It… Would be better. We're happy to free you, but this is a covert operation we're running here."

Jade raises he eyebrows. "By 'we', he-"

"Yes, sorry."

"-means 'me'."

"I would prefer to take any form of work, no matter how demeaning, than return home."

The rest of the table -myself included- sort of stare at him, but he's focusing on his food, quickly and efficiently putting it into his mouth and down his throat.

"Would you care to expand upon that? I thought your people overthrew Mongul."

"We did, and we were fools. The man we raised up in his place is far worse." He looks up. "Is there a place for me here? If not, I would like to know, so that I can better appreciate my last meal."

"We're not going to execute you."

"No, I will kill myself."

"Ah… I don't know about keeping you here, but the galaxy is a big place and I'm sure we can find somewhere that isn't Debstam Four for you to go."

"Ah." He smiles. "Thank you."

"How is the new guy worse than Mongul?"

"Mongul was violent, prideful, vain and callous. But he had ambitions to rule more than one world, and to do that he needed skilled labourers, fighters, scientists… All the parts of a complex civilisation. The Arkymandryte decreed that we have developed our civilisation contrary to the will of the gods. His fanatical followers targetted the most educated first, aiming to destroy all knowledge that has been earned since the death of our last prophet. By his command, we have torn our civilisation down and flagellated ourselves for our moral failings in not doing so sooner."

"… I see. I'm happy to take five minutes out of my day to kill him, if that helps?"

"He commands magic."

"Ten minutes."

"And has a ring like yours."

Oh? "Two minutes."

"But yellow."

Arrrrrrrrhhh…

"Do you know where he got it?"

"Do I know where the ruler of my world got his jewellery? No. I only saw him for a few moments before he sentenced me."

Faceoff grimaces. "What were you sentenced for?"

"I made a better harness for my family's farm animals, to make it easier for them to plough the soil. Such a thing did not exist in the Godly Days, and so I was punished."

Darren crushes his fork. "Well shit. Lantern, take me there. I'll kill the bastard."

"Faceoff, you have no way to kill a Lantern, and you couldn't pass for local to infiltrate them."

"So you give me a ring, then. I know you can. I even took a look at your book."

"Did you read it all the way through?"

"Skimmed it."

"To summarise, you'd be terrible with it, and then you'd go mad. If you're actually interested in learning to be an Orange Lantern, I can take you to Maltus for training."

Though taking a closer look, I suspect that he'd be a better red, at least if it was possible for a normal person to use a red ring without going berserk. I suppose that I could suggest it and let him try it as a way to encourage him to abandon the idea of becoming a Lantern all together..?

Narran turns to me. "Could I do that?"

I take a look… "No, sorry. Entirely wrong way of looking at the universe. Though I'll keep your name in mind if we ever get a reliable source of blue rings. Uh, I'm going to have to go to your homeworld and look around, find out what's happening."

Jade gives me a mild glare. "And by 'I', he means 'we'."

I smile affectionately at her. "I'm always delighted to have the opportunity to work with you, darling."

She rolls her eyes, smiling faintly as she turns to Faceoff. "If you're not joining the Orange Lantern Corps, have you got any idea what else you'd like to do?"

"For how long?"

"Until we work out what Batman's doing, and either stop him or close down the investigation. We can't send you back to Britain because if you get spotted you'll be interrogated."

"Yeah. Right." He spears a carrot with more than necessary force, bent fork making it awkward. "What are my options?"

"Spend some time away from Earth? Plenty of places for a decent man who knows how to use weapons."

"Or?"

"I could give you a new face-."

"Another new face."

"And drop you off in England. You wouldn't be able to contact anyone until our investigation is concluded, and you couldn't go back to vigilantism in the style of Faceoff. Or we could put you in suspended animation with the others. You would be able to go back to your life with only a brief gap."

"I'll have t'think about it." He considers me for a moment, and then gives his meal his full attention.

I turns to the full Darkstar squad. "Other than Batman getting OMACs from novel places, is there anything else that you would like to tell me?"

Jade nods. "He's been using his ring to contact other Yellow Lanterns."

I slumps slightly.

"I wish I could say that I'm surprised, but… Yes. Alright. Tell me everything."

Ngamer11 · 2026-10-24T08:08:37+0100

I'm honestly curious if Batman could usurp Sinestro in his current mindset.

Neruz · 2026-10-24T08:21:37+0100

Ngamer11 said:
I'm honestly curious if Batman could usurp Sinestro in his current mindset.

Probably not, while Batman is indeed a master of fear, canonically it's his willpower that is his defining trait. Batman is more precise with fear than Sinestro, being likened to a scalpel compared to Sinestro's hammer. But in a direct conflict Sinestro overpowers him.

Of course it's Batman so he's never going to engage in a direct conflict in the first place, and he's certainly more than capable of getting Sinestro in an indirect way.

Jankl · 2026-10-24T08:22:05+0100

Mr Zoat said:
Jade nods. "He's been using his ring to contact other Yellow Lanterns."

Ah so it's even worse then we thought.

Vaermina · 2026-10-24T08:23:16+0100

Mr Zoat said:
"But yellow."

Arrrrrrrrhhh…

The running gag of Orange Lantern being outplayed by Sinestro will never get old.

WereDragon · 2026-10-24T08:39:28+0100

Mr Zoat said:
Uh, I'm going to have to go to your homeworld and look around, find out what's happening."

Jade gives me a mild glare. "And by 'I', he means 'we'."

Nothing stated thus far is an argument for Paul not simply turning up, assimilating the idiot in charge and ripping any useful info from his enslaved soul. Jade's area of expertise is gathering info when you are unable or unwilling to confront the local civilisation directly. Which is worthless in this situation.

Chojin Patriarch · 2026-10-24T08:49:05+0100

Mr Zoat said:
16th October 2013
14:31 G.M.T.

I frown inquisitively at Thaddeus. "Is it really alright, leaving the recovering OMACs in the storage vault?"

He cranes his neck slightly, a pose judged precisely to imply that I'm an idiot for asking. "The thing about 'suspended animation' is that it suspends… Animation." He glances pointedly at our guests. "Unless we choose to let them out. I don't mind your squad using our family home to spy on Batman, but I don't like the idea of a superhuman army living here."

Especially if Brother Eye can detect their active system links while they're conscious. Admittedly, detecting them ~~halfway~~ a fair distance across the solar system might be tricky, but who knows what technology Eye has built into it?

Jade puts down her drumstick. "We can sort through them while they're unconscious. Aliens, we can send back to their homeworlds. The humans, we can dose with amnestics and send them wherever they should go."

"By 'we', she means 'me'."

Oh, stop complaining, the scans will take like thirty seconds to collate, and the treatment a few hours at most.

"Ah." Narran, the large yellow alien man who was recovered pre-transformation, nods slowly. Given his size, I gave him a turkey. "Do I have to go back?"

"Er. It… Would be better. We're happy to free you, but this is a covert operation we're running here."

From what's been said of Mongul's homeworld, he's better off elsewhere, even if he has living family there.

Jade raises he eyebrows. "By 'we', he-"

"Yes, sorry."

"-means 'me'."

You are very good at winnowing out information, though. Just look at the progress made into this investigation...

"I would prefer to take any form of work, no matter how demeaning, than return home."

The rest of the table -myself included- sort of stare at him, but he's focusing on his food, quickly and efficiently putting it into his mouth and down his throat.

Yeah, someone says something like that, you bet you stop and stare.

"Would you care to expand upon that? I thought your people overthrew Mongul."

"We did, and we were fools. The man we raised up in his place is far worse." He looks up. "Is there a place for me here? If not, I would like to know, so that I can better appreciate my last meal."

Huh. So, bets on how he's worse: Religious fanatic, psychopathic dictator or wastrel conqueror? Because I doubt they've got that kind of warrior culture where a pacifist, equality-lover or compassionate healer would be reviled.

"We're not going to execute you."

"No, I will kill myself."

And that says so much about his feelings on the matter.

"Ah… I don't know about keeping you here, but the galaxy is a big place and I'm sure we can find somewhere that isn't Debstam Four for you to go."

"Ah." He smiles. "Thank you."

As long as it's nowhere near Mongul's stomping grounds. The species' resemblance would probably not earn him friends amongst Warworld's victims.

"How is the new guy worse than Mongul?"

"Mongul was violent, prideful, vain and callous. But he had ambitions to rule more than one world, and to do that he needed skilled labourers, fighters, scientists… All the parts of a complex civilisation. The Arkymandryte decreed that we have developed our civilisation contrary to the will of the gods. His fanatical followers targetted the most educated first, aiming to destroy all knowledge that has been earned since the death of our last prophet. By his command, we have torn our civilisation down and flagellated ourselves for our moral failings in not doing so sooner."

Religious fanatic it is, with a side-dish of psychopathic dictator. That's a bad time for them.

"… I see. I'm happy to take five minutes out of my day to kill him, if that helps?"

"He commands magic."

"Ten minutes."

Just means he has to take a shot from further out, and employ a mage-slayer shot.

"And has a ring like yours."

Oh? "Two minutes."

If that. It's probably mostly fly up, offer surrender and then "You may not use our light".

"But yellow."

Arrrrrrrrhhh…

...Okay, that complicates matters somewhat.

"Do you know where he got it?"

"Do I know where the ruler of my world got his jewellery? No. I only saw him for a few moments before he sentenced me."

Probably another experimental seeking protocol text from Sinestro. This one being a leader who can inspire fear and obedience in his people.

Faceoff grimaces. "What were you sentenced for?"

"I made a better harness for my family's farm animals, to make it easier for them to plough the soil. Such a thing did not exist in the Godly Days, and so I was punished."

Because inefficiency is next to suffering and suffering is holy, or some rubbish like that, eh?

Darren crushes his fork. "Well shit. Lantern, take me there. I'll kill the bastard."

"Faceoff, you have no way to kill a Lantern, and you couldn't pass for local to infiltrate them."

And he doesn't exactly have access to OMAC powers to assist in the process.

"So you give me a ring, then. I know you can. I even took a look at your book."

"Did you read it all the way through?"

Given what he's shown of his character, I'd be amazed if he did.

"Skimmed it."

"To summarise, you'd be terrible with it, and then you'd go mad. If you're actually interested in learning to be an Orange Lantern, I can take you to Maltus for training."

He'd probably be in a lockdown recovery cell before the day was out, but at least he'd have tried.

Though taking a closer look, I suspect that he'd be a better red, at least if it was possible for a normal person to use a red ring without going berserk. I suppose that I could suggest it and let him try it as a way to encourage him to abandon the idea of becoming a Lantern all together..?

With plenty of strong Lanterns on hand to pin him down if he goes full berserker, of course. On the other hand, it might work out well. Humans do oddly well with Reds.

Narran turns to me. "Could I do that?"

I take a look… "No, sorry. Entirely wrong way of looking at the universe. Though I'll keep your name in mind if we ever get a reliable source of blue rings. Uh, I'm going to have to go to your homeworld and look around, find out what's happening."

Heh, that does bode well for any future Blue Lantern Corps.

Jade gives me a mild glare. "And by 'I', he means 'we'."

I smile affectionately at her. "I'm always delighted to have the opportunity to work with you, darling."

Probably not the reason it's normally improper to date military subordinates, but I'm sure her team are tired of the lovey-dovey stuff.

She rolls her eyes, smiling faintly as she turns to Faceoff. "If you're not joining the Orange Lantern Corps, have you got any idea what else you'd like to do?"

"For how long?"

"Until we work out what Batman's doing, and either stop him or close down the investigation. We can't send you back to Britain because if you get spotted you'll be interrogated."

And I doubt whatever interrogation methods employed will be especially easy to resist. Telepathic readings at the very least.

"Yeah. Right." He spears a carrot with more than necessary force, bent fork making it awkward. "What are my options?"

"Spend some time away from Earth? Plenty of places for a decent man who knows how to use weapons."

...And if he should happen to bring a few of them home with him, well...

"Or?"

"I could give you a new face-."

"Another new face."

Wouldn't be too hard to make him look like an idealised version of his original face. Or at least like a brother or cousin.

"And drop you off in England. You wouldn't be able to contact anyone until our investigation is concluded, and you couldn't go back to vigilantism in the style of Faceoff. Or we could put you in suspended animation with the others. You would be able to go back to your life with only a brief gap."

And really, it's compassionate in this case. Better a short nap (to him, anyway) and a quick reversion to his original self than enduring these changes for however long it'll be.

"I'll have t'think about it." He considers me for a moment, and then gives his meal his full attention.

I turns to the full Darkstar squad. "Other than Batman getting OMACs from novel places, is there anything else that you would like to tell me?"

Like possible leads on what aliens he employed to get these off-world recruits and mental reconditioning experts...

Jade nods. "He's been using his ring to contact other Yellow Lanterns."

I slumps slightly.

"I wish I could say that I'm surprised, but… Yes. Alright. Tell me everything."

...He's been consulting with Sinestro directly, hasn't he? Or possibly unknowingly. Nothing says Sinestro has to show his own face and voice from a RIng.

Well, bugger. Looks like Batman's been playing stupid games with his Yellow Ring. And no matter how paranoid he's being about potential manipulation, Sinestro or his lieutenants seem to be twisting him into a more suitable shape. As painful as it might be, it looks like OL is going to have to take the Yellow Ring away.

...Probably after checking on the Arkymandryte.

Vaermina · 2026-10-24T08:50:48+0100

WereDragon said:
Nothing stated thus far is an argument for Paul not simply turning up, assimilating the idiot in charge and ripping any useful info from his enslaved soul. Jade's area of expertise is gathering info when you are unable or unwilling to confront the local civilisation directly. Which is worthless in this situation.

The threat of Sinestro is whats keeping him from doing that.

DAT_NOOB · 2026-10-24T08:59:35+0100

Vaermina said:
The running gag of Orange Lantern being outplayed by Sinestro will never get old.

I mean, Sinestro is one of the greatest Lanterns for a reason.

Poimenikos · 2026-10-24T09:00:43+0100

Ether batman has gone bonkers, or there somethings else at play. Like him being so afraid of death that he turns people from all over the galaxy to omacs who were sentenced to death (maybe for a time?) To save thir lives.
We also shouldn't discount the possibility him knowing everything about sinistro and getting ready for a face off while playing the student until he can use the fear corps for good.
Sinistro would love to have an example of a yellow landern saving s such important world and ruling it effectively

Mr Zoat · 2026-10-24T09:13:25+0100

WereDragon said:
Nothing stated thus far is an argument for Paul not simply turning up, assimilating the idiot in charge and ripping any useful info from his enslaved soul.

The potential for Sinestro and the unknown number of yellow lanterns he has at his command taking exception.

Grimnar · 2026-10-24T09:39:11+0100

Mr Zoat said:
The potential for Sinestro and the unknown number of yellow lanterns he has at his command taking exception.

Oh no, the bad guys might take exception to the hero being a hero!

Better do nothing instead...

WereDragon · 2026-10-24T09:54:52+0100

Mr Zoat said:
The potential for Sinestro and the unknown number of yellow lanterns he has at his command taking exception.

Nothing in the entire story suggests that any Yellow Lantern, Sinestro included, is a meaningful threat to Paul.
Nothing in the entire story suggests that the entire Yellow Lantern Corps is a threat to Paulphidion.

The worst probably outcome is the yellows taking exception and Paul having to actually treat them as enemies rather than adamantly ignoring them.

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

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