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

Reader mode
doug89 said:
Having seen the new story-only thread I was skipping through and revisiting some parts. I swear your story is worse than TVTropes for being a time vampire.



How did he not set off Diana's truth detection at that point? Was it from his lack of a soul? Anti-scry tattoos? Whatever it was, he was worried about her detecting lies later in the story.
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she knew he was lying she just thought 'well if you're gonna insist' and assumed he was a little younger. I assume the part about finishing GCSE's wasn't a lie
 
Buggy123 said:
Oof, that's gonna wreak some havoc.
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Chojin Patriarch said:
So, Guy basically pulled a Wikileaks manouver.
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I dunno. Snowden pulled a Snowden, with "The government is doing this thing that is supposed to be illegal" and all. And at the end of it arrests did not seem to happen, heads did not seem to roll. The political climate and social landscape seem to be about the same before and after. Except that Snowden is now a fugitive for the crime of exposing the crime, because those crimes were classified.

And we aren't that far in time from watergate, when people seemed to actually give a shit. 40 years or less from impeachable scandal to effective indifference. How long has the Alignment been acting as it has? Less than 40 years, or way longer?
 
Speaking of the story-only thread...

Mr Zoat said:
They think I don't know about the billions they've ploughed into anti-Kryptonian weapons, even though I've never given them cause to think they'll need them."
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American spelling of the "ploughed into" would be "plowed into", but a Midwestern farm boy like me or Clark would be more likely to say "poured into". Or depending on attitude, "sunk into".

Mr Zoat said:
I'm not sure that he's have been technology even if he'd been born today.
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that he'd have been
 
Mr Zoat said:
17th December
09:24 GMT -5
Yes, late nineteenth century, a squad of kryptonians could have forced the nations of the Earth into compliance relatively easily.
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Eh, what I'd expect would actually happen would be that the nations of Earth couldn't do a thing against it, and a couple of immortal-types would beat them to a pulp. The Wizard Shazam, Balewa, Icon, possibly Blood and probably a couple others I'm not thinking about right now could pretty feasibly kill the kryptonians and stop it *eventually*, though it'd probably take a long time for them to get working on the problem.
 
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Well, but the Nations of Earth themselves, except Atlantis, Themyscira and any other hidden/magical realm, would probably have surrendered pretty quickly if that was the Kryptonian squad's focus. They would probably then get thoroughly assassinated by an average cabal of wizards, or any proto-heroes of the time would have handed their asses to them, or they would get really unlucky and would descend in the lair of some really wicked sorcerer(ess) or in the middle of some demonic/eldritch invocation and their sorry carcasses would have lamented the day they landed on this Death Planet. But that's just my opinion.
 
Jirachi said:
Eh, what I'd expect would actually happen would be that the nations of Earth couldn't do a thing against it, and a couple of immortal-types would beat them to a pulp. The Wizard Shazam, Balewa, Icon, possibly Blood and probably a couple others I'm not thinking about right now could pretty feasibly kill the kryptonians and stop it *eventually*, though it'd probably take a long time for them to get working on the problem.
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Shazam and Balewa could for sure - magic being both extremely potent in DC and a weakness of Kryptonians - but it's questionable whether either of them would involve themselves directly. Shazam could send a champion, of course, but given how picky he is regarding his champions after Adom he may have trouble finding one. As for Icon...one on one against a most Kryptonians I'd give him even odds. Outnumbered or against a Kryptonian with decent combat training he'd lose.
 
Siskulous said:
Shazam and Balewa could for sure - magic being both extremely potent in DC and a weakness of Kryptonians - but it's questionable whether either of them would involve themselves directly. Shazam could send a champion, of course, but given how picky he is regarding his champions after Adom he may have trouble finding one. As for Icon...one on one against a most Kryptonians I'd give him even odds. Outnumbered or against a Kryptonian with decent combat training he'd lose.
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They aren't *that* non-interventionist. Balewa said that he's fine with dealing with OCP, and the Wizard avoids really his rock unless he has a good reason, but both probably eventually would leave.
 
Realigned (part 18)
7th February
05:48 GMT

Guy slows slightly.

"You know you said those ships could hurt me?"

I fly past him, turning around to keep an eye on him as I do so.

"Yes?"

He looks up and then rockets towards the growing picket, construct rockets appearing around him to boost his speed. Ah, he wants to continue to hold their attention. Or make a point of some kind. Not sure. Alright, him flying through their formation relatively slowly should do that, as well as making a point about their relative capabilities. Would Guy survive? We haven't done much training with laser constructs, but based on their power output and Guy's defensive construct performance…

And assuming that none of them are green. And that he doesn't mind reflecting the shots at least a little rather than flat-out tanking them…

He.. should be okay for a little while. Now, do I follow, or..?

The squadron of aerofighters pulls upwards and begins firing at him. He's moving so much faster than them that sublight weapons would be worthless while those are just nearly worthless. Still, we're trying to keep this part to zero fatalities and the harder they push their vehicles the higher the chance of something going wrong. Like one of the ships taking a shot and their beam attenuating too much to hurt Guy but still being strong enough to melt their own fighters.

I send a photon bomb construct directly upwards and trigger it in their flight path. That should temporarily blind them and remind them that I'm still here. Now-. Ah, they're turning away from the blast and retreating, though the flight pattern… Some sort of emergency AI override? Alignment pilots work with better sensors and pilot-assistance than their human equivalents, but not good enough to maintain formation after losing the humanoid-visible part of the spectrum? I wouldn't have thought so.

Guy is taking fire from the smaller vessels now, the larger ships… Not wanting to risk hitting the city below him at their current angle? Nothing else flying up from the planet. Probably a combination of the fact that he's leaving and the fact that the fleet have far bigger guns. Nothing coming my way.

So what now? I can just teleport to Xor. I can attack the fleet. Or I can stand there next to Guy and let them shoot me for a while. But the point of this exercise is to undermine their faith in their government, not their faith in their military. And just tanking their attacks would make me feel stupid.

Ring, message to Guy. 'Call me if you need help'.

Message sent.

I take a last look around, then raise my right hand to my forehead.

Xor's facing away from me as I appear, but one of his new allies glancing at me and tightening his grip on his gun causes him to turn my way. He salutes me with both fists clenched at his chest.

"Illustres."

"Any trouble?"

He steps aside slightly, revealing the two rows of prisoners he and his team have acquired. Some are uninjured, some unconscious and others are bruised and bleeding. But none are missing limbs, and… Looks like nearly everyone on his target list.

"The rest?"

"We would have had to kill a great many other people to reach them."

I nod. "As you will."

"There will be other times. Where is Lantern Gardner?"

"Making a point to the fleet. Do you agree with his proposed sentence?"

"Yes. I want them alive and suffering. I want them available for a proper trial once honour returns to the Alignment's courts."

"Floor's yours, then."

Xor turns to his prisoners and raises his left hand, strands of orange leaping from his ring and touching each of his prisoners on the forehead. Those who were unconscious wake up with a start, and those who were injured… Their visible injuries shrink a little.

"Attend to me."

Faces blank, scowling and fearful turn in his direction.

"I am Xalitan Xor, formerly a War Hound of the First Array. For ten years I fought for the Alignment, and when I left the army I gained lawful employment first as a construction worker and later as a bodyguard. I was arrested for a murder I did not commit and sentenced to be transported, to spend the rest of my life in penal labour."

"I have decided that I will not let your evil stand."

"You all know what you have done. You have ordered the deaths of those who were politically inconvenient, without even having the decency to allow them trial by combat. Some of you ordered mine. Some of you ordered the deaths of other War Hounds who completed their term of service. But the punishment will be the same. You will be taken to an isolated world, given simple equipment and marooned there. You may die there. You may come to terms with your vices and become more than you are."

None of them say anyth-.

He's removed their voices. Which is a traditional Alignment punishment.

"It does not matter to me. But you will not affect others with your dishonour any longer."

He holds out his left hand and forces his ring off his finger.

"Or if you prefer a swift and honourable death, you may stand. You will be unbound and fully healed, and then we will fight to the death. Whether you live or die, there will be no further examination of your crimes. Do any of you hold your honour in high enough regard to die for it?"

Some of the prisoners look at one another, but no one rises.

"You know what I am. You know how you programmed me to think. You know that my offer is genuine. Will you not affirm your actions one more time? Did not one of you hold a higher ideal in your heart? Do none of you have a belief you would die for?"

Still no movement.

"I am not surprised." Xor holds out his left hand and calls his ring back. "Take them to the cells."

One of his aides begins pulling prisoners to their feet and shoving them in the direction of the ship's hold.

Hm. Haven't heard anything from-.

"Illustres to Lantern Gardner. Still in one piece?"

"P-lease." Guy's face appears over my ring. "What kinda Honor Guard Lantern can't take a little fleet? Be with yah in a couple minutes."

"See you shortly." I look over to Xor. "I'm heading to Vega next, so if you want you can stay here."

"No. I will accompany you. I wish to see how you handle multiple groups of dishonourable people." He grimaces. "I believe that I will have to do that myself."

"Okay then. Next stop, Vega."
 
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Mr Zoat said:
He looks up and then rockets towards the growing picket, construct rockets appearing around him to boost his speed. Ah, he wants to continue to hold their attention. Or make a point of some kind. Not sure.
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Wouldn't be Guy otherwise.

The squadron of aerofighters pulls upwards and begins firing at him. He's moving so much faster than them that sublight weapons would be worthless while those are just nearly worthless. Still, we're trying to keep this part to zero fatalities and the harder they push their vehicles the higher the chance of something going wrong. Like one of the ships taking a shot and their beam attenuating too much to hurt Guy but still being strong enough to melt their own fighters.
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Can't count on your opponent having the same goals you do, after all.

I send a photon bomb construct directly upwards and trigger it in their flight path. That should temporarily blind them and remind them that I'm still here. Now-. Ah, they're turning away from the blast and retreating, through the flight pattern… Some sort of emergency AI override? Alignment pilots work with better sensors and pilot-assistance than their human equivalents, but not good enough to maintain formation after losing the humanoid-visible part of the spectrum? I wouldn't have thought so.
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Makes sense, especially in an urban environment. Don't want them going nose-first into something valuable.

Xor's facing away from me as I appear, but one of his new allies glancing at me and tightening his grip on his gun cause him to turn my way. He salutes me with both fists clenched at his chest.
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Looks like he's taking well to a command position.

"We would have had to kill a great many other people to reach them."
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Sensible. no point wasting resources on low-profit situations.

"Yes. I want them alive and suffering. I want them available for a proper trial once honour returns to the Alignment's courts."
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And still honorable. Good man.

Xor turns to his prisoners and raises his left hand, strands of orange leaping from his ring and touching each of his prisoners on the forehead. Those who were unconscious wake up with a start, and those who were injured… Their visible injuries shrinks a little.
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He wants them healthy enough to not die, of course.

He's removed their voices. Which is a traditional Alignment punishment.
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Appropriate.

He holds out his left hand and forces his ring off his finger.
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I'm impressed at the strength to do that. Not of body, but of character.

Some of the prisoners look at one another, but no one rises.
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No takers? Anyone? Bueller?

"No. I will accompany you. I wish to see how you handle multiple groups of dishonourable people." He grimaces. "I believe that I will have to do that myself."
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Sensible, learning from the best.

A nice finish to the situation, and you've got to wonder what the ones who got away will think... Let's hope no reprisals against... No, let's hope they do make reprisals against other War Hounds. Show them just who they're serving!
 
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Ganurath said:
So, Xor, what are your feelings and genocide and/or arachnophilia?
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Xor would feel little or nothing for the Citadel, as they waged war on everyone and as such have no right to complain when someone wages it back.
He would feel a degree of fellowship with Jarko, who armed an underclass kept down by a high-handed government.
 
Hey Mr Zoat found a minor inconsistency
So at the start of this episode Artemis and Paul talked about names
Mr Zoat said:
"I was talking to Wally about names. If you and Jade do get married, is she taking yours or are you taking hers?"

"Why, does Artemis West not work for you and you want moral support? Because I don't think Wallace Crock sounds any better."

..........................................

"Would I take her name?"

Four sets of female eyes swing my way, and Artemis nods.

"Would I take her name..? Over the name that not only can I not say, not only can I not think, but I haven't actually even been able to communicate to anyone?"

"Oh." Artemis dips her eyes. "Yeah."

"Yes, yes I would. As long as she agrees to rationalise the spelling."

"Rational-?" Artemis frowns, then nods. "Right."

Holly frowns. "So you'd be Paul Crock?"

Paula shakes her head. "Jade uses my maiden name. Nguyen."

"What's wrong with 'Win'?"

"The person who came up with romanisations for Vietnamese pictograms was some sort of moron, that's what. 'Win' is spelt En-Gee-You-Why-Ee-En."
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And I thought this was mentioned before (especially the spelling). And it did.
As a result of the whole 'saying his name while in heaven'
Mr Zoat said:
""What's my name?""
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Mr Zoat said:
Because honestly, if God can't say it I may as well start calling myself 'Pavlos Nguyen' now so I can get used to it.
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they talked about it when they met again
Mr Zoat said:
"So…" Artemis looks me over again. "Are you gunna take her name?"

"Probably." I flick my tail a couple of times until it begins reconstituting itself. "I mean, I can't say mine. But I'm not keen on the spelling."

"Huh?"

"Nuh-guy-en. If we can change it to double ewe eye en or double ewe why en en ee I'd be fine with it, but as it stands the lack of any grapheme phoneme correspondence just bugs me too much."
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Green lanterns can make their constucts much stronger without going crazy. I expect that Guy can tank quite a bit more than Paul can using a straight forward shield. Of course Paul is unlikely to ever use a straight forward shield if he can help it.
 
Remind me again, is Illustres Paul the continuity where Starman was saved, or was that the Graven/NewGod Paul continuity?
 
Handlewithcare said:
Was that little speech publicly broadcast? Would have helped, me thinks.
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A public broadcast of the sentencing/mortal combat of the old officials might be a little too on the nose for what Xor is going for.

Sure, it'll get the message across, but it also rather has implications about what the future governance is going to act like if you punch someone's spleen through their eye socket on live television.
 
Twilight666 said:
Hey Mr Zoat found a minor inconsistency
So at the start of this episode Artemis and Paul talked about names

And I thought this was mentioned before (especially the spelling). And it did.
As a result of the whole 'saying his name while in heaven'

they talked about it when they met again
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Having seen the original Ophidian merger, Artemis doesn't take anything he says while being a snake as necessarily being his considered opinion.
Nioz said:
Remind me again, is Illustres Paul the continuity where Starman was saved, or was that the Graven/NewGod Paul continuity?
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Which Starman? Jack Knight is quite happily running his bric-a-brac shop in the SI's timeline.
 
Mr Zoat said:
Xor would feel little or nothing for the Citadel, as they waged war on everyone and as such have no right to complain when someone wages it back.
He would feel a degree of fellowship with Jarko, who armed an underclass kept down by a high-handed government.
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So that's a "yes" to the arachnophobia? Time to go find those sexy, single, giant spiders!
 
Once again, Xor is fucking awesome.
Minor nitpick: Space fighters are not going to be using the mark 1 eyeball to look at anything directly, and their sensors are going to see a good bit outside the visible spectrum.
 
Sockmonkey said:
Once again, Xor is fucking awesome.
Minor nitpick: Space fighters are not going to be using the mark 1 eyeball to look at anything directly, and their sensors are going to see a good bit outside the visible spectrum.
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The fighters here are aerofighters. As noted earlier, the Alignment doesn't really use attack craft as part of their navy.
 
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