Kadabra's skills as an illusionist have increased to the point that if we were on a thaumically active world he wouldn't need a conductive medium like this. But we're far enough away from Earth that he's forced to revert to purely technological methods, creating a full-spectrum hologram showing that we haven't exited the prison yet.
Though I expect their security systems are effective enough that thermal and sonic sensors would tell them that what they're seeing is wrong. Still, the disruption will delay them
just enough.
Because as much as I'd like to do something clever like go out through a wall or something -and that is what I'd do if I had my orange rings and somewhere to put the civilians- smashing though to make an alternate exit would just result in them repositioning their troops thanks to the very obvious seismic shocks we'd be sending through the hull. But this is what happens when you're stuck at low power and can't just reshape the universe to your whims.
Well, while you're using a method you're inexperienced with, anyway...
I sigh, quietly. I do not like this feeling, which is kind of stupid when you realise that I'm still more powerful than any human to have ever existed on Earth Prime. I guess it's what you've become used to.
A final clunking and tearing of metal, and Eiling and Standing Bear move the pieces of the bulkhead out of the way, allowing us a clear view of the shaft. Once the burning plasma fire guttered out there wasn't anything here to burn, though some of the metal is charred and warped. And above us…
I expect it will be
very satisfying once you clean your Rings out and get back to your primary skill focus.
My word. What a lot of guns.
Okay, as far as I can tell, the top part of the lift stayed at the top of the shaft where Kadabra wedged it, probably helped a bit my the explosion. But I doubt that it's solidly wedged, so it could fall down at any point.
Below that…
...Let me guess,
all the guns?
Troopers are positioned at every lift shaft opening, guns pointing down. Other troopers have clamped themselves around the shaft itself. They're all using standard pattern plasma pulse guns… I imagine it's because their doctrine calls for standardised production because Antares doesn't have a lot of free raw materials. Their soldiers have good armour and personal force fields because their people are a limited resource too, but they don't have wonder weapons because they're inefficient even if they work.
So, the classic 'practical but effective' methodology. Makes sense for a race caught in a multi-party war. Fanciness invites
weakness.
I don't hate these people. Objectively, they're no worse than Hyathis. Okay, a little worse; the deal she offered the Thanagarians was better than what the Dhorians offered their prisoners. But within the same division.
Can't see anyone with obvious officer markings. Alright, none of them are tracking me when I move, so I'm going to guess that Kadabra's hologram is working as intended.
Safe bet the officers are hiding out of sight, just out of the line of fire.
"Shock and awe on my signal."
Eiling grunts, while Tuppence and Standing Bear nod.
...They're going to need
mops to clean up after this, aren't they?
Ring, connect to internal communications.
"Gentlemen, is there any chance that we could negotiate a peaceful settlement. I reiterate that as far as I'm concerned none of our core interests are in conflict here."
None of the soldiers move. Sealed armour, so it's perfectly possible that they don't get general broadcasts.
Or sufficient discipline that even after hearing him, they're not willing to be the first to lower their weapon. Heck, an offer like this could well be considered a sign of
weakness in some warrior cultures...
"A little while ago I spent some time with a man I admire, a kryptonian by the name of Kal-El. I've tried to incorporate some of his generous, open-handed and kind attitude into my work. And to a degree, it's worked. I'd really much rather work with you than against you, but we've reached the point where I can't afford to pull punches any longer. So we either reach an agreement, or we're going to do our level best to kill you all. And because we can't risk any reversal, after you're dead, I'll be travelling to your homeworld and permanently removing its ability to make war. Not because I hate your people, but because I have a duty to mine."
And no doubt the calm, pleasant voice he said that in will be sending some chills up their spines.
Still no response.
"So how about it? Everyone goes home with what they want, or no one goes home at all?"
And I don't know about them, but I would rather
live, were I in this situation.
I look up further. I.. don't know what I'm looking-
"A-huh wiener a-huh a-huh."
Careful, Truggs, OL can order Kadabra to drop the illusion on you specifically. Or just toss you up into them alongside the beefcakes.
-for, and now I'm looking at Truggs, who's pretending to cough into his fist.
I guess sometimes you've got to be a bit of a wiener to stay a bit human.
It takes a little of
all colours to be alive, after all.
And now I'm thinking of human sausage-.
"So how about it?"
...Hopefully not
that kind.

That is the last sort of thing you want running through your mind before a fight.
"I don't know what part of us trying to kill you it is that you didn't understand, but the answer's 'no'." Volgar Zo. Still alive, still in command. "But if you surrender and-"
"Go."
Well, then. They've chosen the
hard way.
Mahkent raises his hands, and a hurricane of ice shards roars up the shaft! Low level kinetic impacts, low level electrical discharges and thermal imaging disruption. Won't kill anyone but it's a big help. There are three woosh sounds as the strike team throw themselves upwards, because while we usually train super strong people to apply themselves precisely and carefully, they all… Well, can do things like this.
Throw their force around. Use your body as a projectile to smash someone else into paste. Superman doesn't want anyone to ever think about the fact that it he turns around at top speed and you're standing too close his cape will be moving fast enough to sheer through your spine.
...I'd post a clip of the '
Thunderbolt Fantasy' scene from Season 1, Episode 12, where Shang Bu Huan cuts off a mook's head with the edge of his cloak, but sadly, I can't find one... Still, when you're as durable and strong as that, the world really is made of
cardboard...
Because I need fear, and the Dhorians are similar enough to us that not being able to see the things that are killing them will do the job nicely.
Empathic vision shows me their fear as they suddenly don't know what they're supposed to be doing, and as Kadabra switches from illusion to jamming they find out that they can't retreat.
Yeah, this is really showing us just how
terrifying the Yellow Lanterns will be when they get going.
Shield.
The glowing yellow barrier appears, but it doesn't look like I'll need it for blocking many shots. There are some hitting, but it's doing more to catch the bodies of those torn loose from their moorings as the Dhorians keep their attention focused on the immediate threat fairly well.
...Or what's
left of said bodies. I don't know what colour they bleed, but it is going to be painting the walls by the time they're done, I think.
But their fear is building because while they don't know if they're hitting anything or not they do know that the killing isn't stopping.
Huh. It actually feels… Good. I think there's some sort of feedback between my empathic vision and the ring…
Logical, really. The Yellow Light doesn't operate solely on the fears of the user, after all. So naturally, generating the needed fear in others leads to making you
want to make more of it. So why not
encourage that sort of sadistic urge?
"Heh."
But I remember that sensation, and I will not be indulging it, because it's impractical for Batman to confiscate my ring for a week this time.
The joy of Enlightenment: Being able to remain clear-headed even when soaked in a particular light.
One of the troopers tries struggling upright-.
"Stop moving. Yield. And I won't kill you immediately."
And that cold, dispassionate demeanour just
terrified that trooper even
more than any kind of blood-rage.
He stops moving at once.
"Good man. Helmet off, discard weapon."
And try not to make any sudden moves. Just because he's not looking at you, doesn't mean he can't
see you.
"A-ah."
"Volgar Zo. Good to hear from you."
No doubt feeling a little worried, after seeing
what these freakish Humans can do, eh?
"Your offer, is-?"
"No. You can surrender, or you can try running. You have entirely exhausted my patience."
Good move. Relenting would lessen their
fear, give them
hope of survival...