"Naturally, I'd try and talk him down from that position first. I'm hoping that Jor-El or Har-Zod have genetic records of life on his homeworld I can offer him in trade. And I've got scans of the Citadel's cloning technology which he almost certainly doesn't have. But while I'll know almost immediately whether he's genuinely prepared to call off his vendetta the only way I'd be able to prevent him acting on it once I tell him that you're here is by altering his mind or killing him."
Yep. If he can't look past his old
hate, it's going to take altering his
desires to stop him... Even beign able to work to restore his homeworld's ecology is not likely to cool his head.
"Katar?" King Orin looks over to the Honourable Member for Thanagar. "What will Thanagar do when they hear about this?"
"Nothing. Whatever future plans my government might have regarding its relationship to Earth, the ClusterCorp isn't an entity our government considers a threat. Until they start selling things produced on Earth to our enemies I can't think of a reason for the Thanagarian government to intervene."
Huh. They're staying hands-off? The Hawks' reports must have convinced them Earth is too crazy to mess with
openly.
In a way, I'm pleased that all of the Justice League members here are wearing their wards. But as always, it does make my life just a little harder. His answer is reasonable and it would be difficult for Thanagar to take any action quickly even if they wanted to. But I don't know for sure.
"And if Earth hired the Blades of Alstair to run our security?"
Which would be quite the side-trip, given they're operating in Vega primarily... Sixty-plus light years, wasn't it? That's quite the commute.
His eyes dart to me for a second before fixing on King Orin.
"I would strongly suggest not recommending them to the UN."
Heh. Too much? Hopefully that's not a political opinion.
Batman doesn't look up from his copy of the Orange Lantern Corps Code of Conduct.
"How does the Orange Lantern Corps define 'Competent Authority'."
"It doesn't. The rule exists to encourage cooperation wherever practical without compelling it, because for the most part we trust our Lanterns with their rings and there are all sorts of situations where it's convenient to ignore people."
...That feels like a major oversight. I expect it'll quickly get amended due to what happens here. Obvious Rules Patch for the win.
I carefully avoid making eye contact with anyone in particular when I say that line.
"There isn't any body on Earth with the authority to determine interstellar trade policy, and Manga Khan has set up shop in territory that he could 'reasonably' claim isn't owned by anyone. That implies but doesn't prove that he's actually paying attention to our Code of Conduct. If the Security Council votes itself the authority to regulate interstellar trade and all members ratify the decision, he might pay attention to it."
After all, it
might get in the way of his bottom line.
Batman freezes the relevant sections on three holographic screens.
"And if he doesn't?"
Expulsion from the Corps, at a minimum, I would hope?
"He has to refrain from using his power ring, or he gets ejected from the Corps. And that's a decision I can make without referring it to Dox."
Though I probably shouldn't make it without referring it to Dox.
Yeah, you don't need Dox yelling at you again for ruining
more experiments...
King Orin nods. "But that wouldn't make him leave."
"Correct. And it would probably result in Dox appointing someone else."
Hopefully someone less obsessive about profit.
"Such as?"
"Anyone with strong avarice and a sense of mission. Amalak would be an appropriate, as he wants to create stability and to recreate his species. Lex Luthor is similarly well motivated."
Now wouldn't that be a butterfly from hell? Orange Lantern Lex Luthor, without needing the War of Light.
Kal-El's eyes narrow.
"Luthor?"
Admittedly, I wonder if he could control himself enough to avoid attacking Superman. Imagine if Supes kept getting harassed by minor orange constructs whenever he came too close to LexCorp Tower?

And Lex apologising that sometimes his ring gets a little confused about the difference between subconscious and conscious desires.
"I considered him myself prior to him deciding to double down on the Light. He has many worthwhile character traits, the undesirable ones just outweigh them. Dox told me that he is experimenting to see what sort of person makes the best Orange Lantern. I don't know who he'll pick next, and chances are he doesn't yet know either. And of course doing nothing is an option because now that we're reasonably confident that Manga Khan isn't a military threat dealing with this isn't our j-."
Ah, OL? I though you were trying to play hands-off here?
I blink.
"Sorry, isn't your job. I'm happy to enact any of my proposed solutions, though I reiterate that doing nothing is very much an option. Is there anything else you would like to know?"
That's better.
King Orin shakes his head.
"No. I think you've done enough."
I'm impressed he didn't sigh and rub his throbbing headache.
And in a remarkable display of self control I don't stick my tongue out at him.
"Thank you. On the subject we were discussing before we were so rudely interrupted, do you actually want to run a 'remain' campaign?"
I assume the other Leaguers present know about the Venturian situation...
"Does it matter?"
"It's the difference between them running the referendum in two months or next week."
"… Yes, I will."
That's putting a lot of trust that the Venturian people will listen to his offers... But when the alternative is possibly military action...
I nod politely.
"I will inform King Cyprian. I imagine that you can liaise with him via Venturia's ex-senators, who.. are still in Poseidonis, to sort out the particulars."
I imagine their situation is complicated...
Apparently, they're under house arrest. With Poseidonis backing Ptra and Venturia backing Cyprian something like that was inevitable. But there's no need for me to underline it.
I raise my right hand to my forehead.
"I will bid you all a good evening."
I'm sure there'll be discussion once he's gone, mostly on the topic of complications...
I step out
8th April
20:27 GMT -1
and reappear just outside of King Cyprian's private quarters, next to the charmed circle set aside for magic teleportation.
Sensible. No need to set off the alarms again.
The duty magician recognises me immediately.
"Orange Lantern. What news?"
"King Orin opted to run the campaign, though I suspect that it's just a delaying tactic."
Ultimately, it comes down to what the Venturian people want...
She nods.
"Do you wish to be escorted to the king?"
"No, there's.. no need. Please just pass the message on. No need for an immediate reply."
Yay, playing messenger boy. The pleasure of being a mostly neutral party.
"As you require."
"Thank you."
I raise-.
Just a flying visit...
"Would you..? Object to me recording your teleportation? My mentor was one of those who aided you against the eye creature, and his description made it sound fascinating."
"Not a problem at all. Actually, if you want to study it in detail I'm happy to make room in my schedule."
Do remember to make it clear that you're taken, OL. Don't want to tick off Jade...
"I-. Yes! That would be splendid."
I smile at her.
"I will be fascinated to hear what you discover."
Boy, that conversation could sound so wrong to the right ears...