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

[Ngamer11]

And lets face it....OL's ring has been getting worfed for a good long while now. I'm at the point that, post him going ham when Adom's country was attacked, that I'm surprised when his constructs actually work.

Click to shrink...

It mostly depends on who he's fighting/working against. Remember how he was pleasantly surprised that he could get away with freeing all of the people imprisoned for wanting physical interaction from Rachet's homeworld with no problems whatsoever?

 

[Maxx Crowley]

It mostly depends on who he's fighting/working against. Remember how he was pleasantly surprised that he could get away with freeing all of the people imprisoned for wanting physical interaction from Rachet's homeworld with no problems whatsoever?

Click to shrink...

Honestly? Barely.

That's probably on me though. My memory is friggin weird. Some shit I lose instantly...and some stuff sticks with me forever.

Shit, I still remember my childhood phone number, AND a number of a not really even friend that I called ONCE.

 

[Doccer]

Never allow a researcher be the first human recipient and/or test subject of their in experimental serums. Not even when you are that researcher and 'know better'. It will end poorly for them and you. And the worst part the person best able to figure out why is no longer available.

Is this on a Evil Overlord List somewhere?
If not it should be.

 

[Mr Zoat]

4th July 2012
19:46 GMT

"Prince J'emm, thank you for seeing me on such short notice."

He gestures up at the Martian sky, the giant telekinetic pillars piercing the oddly purple-tinted air as they squeeze the atmosphere into a narrow breathable volume. Martian biotechnology based on the pillars Mother of Mercy uses to control Ater Clementia's movement, they're the reason why Martians are starting to resettle the surface of their world in earnest. Near the tops of the pillars I can see clouds, the result of Mother of Mercy deciding that Mars needed more water far more than astronomers needed Halley's Comet.

**With all that you have done for us, it would be churlish in the extreme for me to refuse you.**

**Telepathy?**

He nods, smiling.. in a way that looks very nearly natural. He's copied Mister J'onzz's humanish appearance, though most of the Martians working around us maintain their default shape.

"I find it difficult to remember that the air is now thick enough for speech. And my children will know nothing else."

"How popular is the movement to reclaim the surface?"

"Unlike humans, Martians don't have a longing for privacy. But in some cases, the ability to live a little further away from one another may be… Beneficial."

"And I'm sure that was an implication that a Martian would have understood, but in my case…"

"My… Fellow Reds have been a.. little less receptive than I had hoped to my preferred response to the information you brought me on your first meeting with me."

"I see."

"My own city is now completely-. Legally, it is completely desegregated. And my cabinet is aware of the reason why I have taken such steps without an approving consensus in the Planetary Council. I will not try to claim that everyone.. has complied with my edicts or that there has been no push back, but… Things are changing. And my city is not the only one."

"And in the other cities?"

"They are… Most of them are moderating their position. They are generally so calcified that rapid change… It would tear them apart, to the detriment of all, including their Whites."

"There's a limit to how patient I'm prepared to be, Prelate." I turn away, looking out across Mars for the particular sets of desires I'm-. Hah. "How much trouble would it cause if I gave an orange power ring to a White?"

"That depends on the political beliefs of that particular White. If they were violent, it could cause a great deal of trouble. If they were peacefully inclined, in the current climate… I do not believe that it would cause more than we are already experiencing."

I.. don't really have time to mentor someone now. But Koriand'r should have time, now that the fighting in Vega has died off. I don't think that Komand'r has the right mindset for something this delicate. No, no, she's still too inexperienced for that sort of mentoring. I don't think that Tamaraneans have the same sort of emotional difficulties that Martians can.

"Is there anyone who might decide to be more helpful if I had a chat with them?"

"Yesss-. You mean other Reds."

"Were you about to ask me to ask the Whites to just-" **[Image of a riot officer beating a protestor with a truncheon]** "-lie there and take it?"

"Frankly, yes. I have shown as many Reds as I dare all that you have shown me, but the strongest resistance is coming from Green groups. They do not understand why those they considered beneath them are now decreed to be their equals, and I cannot share that information without causing the anarchy which I do not believe will help anyone. If the White population could be encouraged to gravitate towards the more peaceful reformist groups, that would make my job a little easier."

"Any Greens I can talk to instead?"

"No. There is no real Green leadership to the anti-desegregation movement. Yet, at least. Where the caste system is decreed the leaders of the forces which enforce it are Red."

Darn.

"Okay. I'll.. think about it. The… Other reason why I'm here is that I want to hire a large number of professional telepaths."

"'Professional' in what regard? I doubt that you need experts on telepathic music."

"Aside from the fact that L.E.G.I.O.N. would like to hire telepaths for military purposes, I'm here on behalf of the people of Colu. Currently, nearly their entire species is held in a computer network which locks their minds outside of their organic brains. We need people who can interact with that network and extract them, or delete anything that isn't an organic Coluan."

"Organic Coluan?" I nod. "You know that Martians… Cannot touch the thoughts of purely synthetic species."

"What if the system they're running on is made of organic brains?"

"I.. have.. no idea. But the sort of precise, controlled telepathy you're looking for… There is little call for it. I doubt that there are more than a few hundred professionals in the field who could help, and only a small fraction of them would be willing to leave the planet. You may be better off asking M'gann M'orzz."

"M'gann can't simply leave Earth for weeks or months on end like that. And while she may have the power, she hasn't really had the opportunity to learn the precision a job like that would require."

"It will be a simple matter for me to make potentially interested parties aware of your request. As for the use of telepaths for your military-."

"I can talk to the more violently-minded Whites, but that leaves the worrying possibility that they might come back with L.E.G.I.O.N. training and form a far more effective insurgency."

"How long will you require their services?"

"Probably a few decades."

"If we haven't resolved the situation here by then, they will have every right to be vengeful."

"Are you speaking just for you there?"

"The prelates only rule Martian cities. If a Martian chooses to leave all presently existing cities, then there are remarkably few laws which apply to their conduct. Anyone who wishes to leave with you is free to do so."

"And to return?"

"I will guarantee that any who wish to do so will be able to return to Mel'dilo'rn. I cannot speak for other cities on that subject, though it is my hope that the matter will be resolved in a way they find pleasing by that time."

I nod. "Alright. Tell me who I'm going to be talking to, then post the job offer. Hopefully I'll be able to pick up at least a few interested people on my way back."

 

[Ngamer11]

It's nice to see that equality is slowly coming for White Martians. Hopefully Karmang won't ruin it and start a violent civil war. Mr Zoat, is there any chance of Karmang reaching out to Paul after everything Paul has done, or is Paul just seen as another servant of the Guardians who caused the racism on Mars in the first place?

 

[Mr Zoat]

It's nice to see that equality is slowly coming for White Martians. Hopefully Karmang won't ruin it and start a violent civil war. Mr Zoat, is there any chance of Karmang reaching out to Paul after everything Paul has done, or is Paul just seen as another servant of the Guardians who caused the racism on Mars in the first place?

Click to shrink...

I haven't written it yet.

 

[Chojin Patriarch]

4th July 2012
19:46 GMT

"Prince J'emm, thank you for seeing me on such short notice."

Click to shrink...

Ah, our old buddy, the 'Son of Saturn' as some older DC fans might know him...

Spoiler: Commentary spoilered for length

He gestures up at the Martian sky, the giant telekinetic pillars piecing the oddly purple-tinted air as they squeeze the atmosphere into a narrow breathable volume. Martian biotechnology based on the pillars Mother of Mercy uses to control Ater Clementia's movement, they're the reason why Martians are starting to resettle the surface of their world in earnest. Near the tops of the pillars I can see clouds, the result of Mother of Mercy deciding that Mars needed more water far more than astronomers needed Halley's Comet.

Click to shrink...

Damn, there's a pity. Halley's was one of the more reliable comets... Still, reshaping a world? No better fate for it.

**With all that you done of us, it would be churlish in the extreme for me to refuse you.**

**Telepathy?**

Click to shrink...

Force of habit, no doubt. After all, who needs to talk amongst a people of mind-readers?

He nods, smiling.. in a way that looks very nearly natural. He's copied Mister J'onzz humanish appearance, though most of the Martians working around us maintain their default shape.

"I find it difficult to remember that the air is now thick enough for speech. And my children will know nothing else."

Click to shrink...

It's a buoying feeling, isn't it? A rare chance to be able to say you left the world a better place for your descendants, and mean it.

"How popular is the movement to reclaim the surface?"

"Unlike humans, Martians don't have a longing for privacy. But in some cases, the ability to live a little further away from one another may be… Beneficial."

Click to shrink...

Some people just need space, sometimes.

"And I'm sure that was an implication that a Martian would have understood, but in my case…"

"My… Fellow Reds have been a.. little less receptive than I had hoped to my preferred response to the information you brought me on your first meeting with me."

Click to shrink...

Ah... Despite the clear proof, they're keeping their heads in the sand?

"I see."

"My own city is now completely-. Legally, it is completely desegregated. And my cabinet is aware of the reason why I have taken such steps without an approving consensus in the Planetary Council. I will not try to claim that everyone.. has complied with my edicts or that there has been no push back, but… Things are changing. And my city is not the only one."

Click to shrink...

Someone had to be the first. You showed great courage in doing so. And that'll make you remembered in the years to come...

"And in the other cities?"

"They are… Most of them are moderating their position. They are generally so calcified that rapid change… It would tear them apart, to the detriment of all, including their Whites."

Click to shrink...

Because 'Things were fine until now. Why do we need to change?' is a strong urge to resist. And fear of change is even harder to overcome...

"There's a limit to how patient I'm prepared to be, Prelate." I turn away, looking out across Mars for the particular sets of desires I'm-. Hah. "How would much trouble would it cause if I gave an orange power ring to a White?"

"That depends on the political beliefs of that particular White. If they were violent, it could cause a great deal of trouble. If they were peacefully inclined, in the current climate… I do not believe that it would cause more than we are already experiencing."

Click to shrink...

So, you'd much prefer a Martin Luther King, to a Malcolm X. Understandable, but not great for OL's needs.

I.. don't really have time to mentor someone now. But Koriand'r should have time, now that the fighting in Vega has died off. I don't think that Komand'r has the right mindset for something this delicate. No, no, she's still too inexperienced for that sort of mentoring. I don't think that Tamaraneans have the same sort of emotional difficulties that Martians can.

"Is there anyone who might decide to be more helpful if I had a chat with them?"

Click to shrink...

And Kalmin is still refusing to make another Blue ring yet? As for emotions, I can imagine the martians picturing Tamaraneans as those small, yappy hyperactive dogs, in terms of emotional output...

"Yesss-. You mean other Reds."

"Were you about to ask me to ask the Whites to just-" **[Image of a riot officer beating a protestor with a truncheon]** "-lie there and take it?"

Click to shrink...

Ah, good to see OL's natural telepathic openness begin used again. It's been a while...

"Frankly, yes. I have shown as many Reds as I dare all that you have shown me, but the strongest resistance is coming from Green groups. They do not understand why those they considered beneath them are now decreed to be their equals, and I cannot share that information without causing the anarchy which I do not believe will help anyone. If the White population could be encouraged to gravitate towards the more peaceful reformist groups, that would make my job a little easier."

Click to shrink...

Unfortunately, I don't think some parties are going to be so patient or reserved...

"Any Greens I can talk to instead?"

"No. There is no real Green leadership to the anti-desegregation movement. Yet, at least. Where the caste system is decreed the leaders of the forces which enforce it are Red."

Click to shrink...

So, naturally following the lead of their 'noble' leaders. Still so set in their ways, they are...

Darn.

"Okay. I'll.. think about it. The… Other reason why I'm here is that I want to hire a large number of professional telepaths."

Click to shrink...

Better be more specific, OL. 'Professional' can cover a lot of things.

"'Professional' in what regard? I doubt that you need experts on telepathic music."

"Aside from the fact that L.E.G.I.O.N. would like to hire telepaths for military purposes, I'm here on behalf of the people of Colu. Currently, nearly their entire species is held in a computer network which locks their minds outside of their organic brains. We need people who can interact with that network and extract them, or delete anything that isn't a organic Coluan."

Click to shrink...

Seriously getting Matrix vibes from this scenario, despite it predating the movies by years. And now the Martians are going to be the resistance, diving in to free Coluans and fight 'Agents' of the Tyrants...

"Organic Coluan?" I nod. "You know that Martians… Cannot touch the thoughts of purely synthetic species."

"What if the system they're running on is made of organic brains?"

Click to shrink...

I doubt any Martian has ever encountered something like that before, have they? Imagine if they got some clever ideas from the experience...

"I.. have.. no idea. But the sort of precise, controlled telepathy you're looking for… There is little call for it. I doubt that there are more than a few hundred professionals in the field who could help, and only a small fraction of them would be willing to leave the planet. You may be better off asking M'gann M'orzz."

"M'gann can't simply leave Earth for weeks or months on end like that. And while she may have the power, she hasn't really had the opportunity to learn the precision a job like that would require."

Click to shrink...

Ah, She's still in the sledge-hammer level of precision, eh? Not many who could train someone that strong, after all.

"It will be a simple matter for me to make potentially interested parties aware of your request. As for the use of telepaths for your military-."

"I can talk to the more violently-minded Whites, but that leaves the worrying possibility that they might come back with L.E.G.I.O.N. training and form a far more effective insurgency."

Click to shrink...

Oooh, there's a bad image. Right now, the best the Whites have are barely-skilled militia... Throw even one experienced soldier in there, and... The Reds and Greens would be in for a bad time.

"How long will you require their services?"

"Probably a few decades."

Click to shrink...

Yeah, this isn't going to be over by Christmas. I wonder how many will take up his offer when they realise just how long it'll last for.

"If we haven't resolved the situation here by then, they will have every right to be vengeful."

"Are you speaking just for you there?"

Click to shrink...

Fellow's got a good point. But... Things like this won't just get resolved in a couple of weeks anyway.

"The prelates only rule Martian cities. If a Martian chooses to leave all presently existing cities, then there are remarkably few laws which apply to their conduct. Anyone who wishes to leave with you is free to do so."

"And to return?"

Click to shrink...

I have the suspicion many of those who leave will be the sort who wouldn't want to come back anytime soon...

"I will guarantee that any who wish to do so will be able to return to Mel'dilo'rn. I cannot speak for other cities on that subject, though it is my hope that the matter will be resolved in a way they find pleasing by that time."

I nod. "Alright. Tell me who I'm going to be talking to, then post the job offer. Hopefully I'll be able to pick up at least a few interested people on my way back."

Click to shrink...

And hopefully vet them for suitability. You don't want the ones who won't hesitate to mind-wipe people at the drop of a hat... Outside of very special applications, at least.

So, part one of his recruiting drive is underway. Let's hope the ones who respond prove to be suitable. You never know who you're going to get, after all... I wonder what the ancient Martian thinks of this, assuming he's even been awakened in this timeline...

 

[Someguy Somewhere]

The push back from the Greens reminds me a little of some of the EU issues that Star Wars had. The Empire was very much pro human, so once the New Republic took over and stated that Humans and Other Races were equal, they had push back. Not just from the old hard line Imperials, but also just average humans, because well....their part of the pie just got smaller to even things out.

Greens that suddenly have to compete for jobs or housing and such equally with Whites suddenly feel put out from the change.

Having the surface opened up for spread out sprawls the population out a bit more, offering added resources. And separation from groups that they don't wish to deal with, but requires them to put more effort into making those new settlements function without leaning on a previously exploitable underclass. Opening up the West to settlement in the early days of North American History comes to mind as a decent comparison point. hope the Prelate read some of the books J'onn sent back covering such things on earth.

 

[iamnuff]

Putting aside the cringe for a moment, for someone who is so afraid of death, isn't what he just did killing himself but with extra steps?

Click to shrink...

No, because the 'anything that changes your thought-process or personality is actually killing you and replacing you with someone else' is an argument put forwards by gravel-brained morons.

If change was death then we'd die every day, when we change our minds on what our favourite song is or what we want to eat today.
As we acquire new memories or forget old ones, or as we pick up new skills.

What he did was closer to giving himself a serious head-injury with associated brain-damage.

 

[Sockmonkey]

If they really miss Haley's comet OL could build them a new one out of ice from Saturn's rings. There's enough ice there for a bunch of comets. MOM probably just grabbed it because it was all in one big chunk and didn't want to spend time gathering ice dust.

 

[Darko]

that you done of us

Click to shrink...

'have done for us'

difficulties that Martians can.

Click to shrink...

'Martians have'

isn't a organic Coluan

Click to shrink...

'an organic'

 

[Darko]

Ah... Despite the clear proof, they're keeping their heads in the sand?

Click to shrink...

Something that sadly also happens in real life.

So, you'd much prefer a Martin Luther King, to a Malcolm X. Understandable, but not great for OL's needs.

Click to shrink...

OL is always more of a peaceful solution kind of guy, so he may want to try a more non violent way first.

And Kalmin is still refusing to make another Blue ring yet? As for emotions, I can imagine the martians picturing Tamaraneans as those small, yappy hyperactive dogs, in terms of emotional output...

Click to shrink...

Though I bet they may like them due to their earnestness or joy.

Except for Komand'r.

I think they'll compare her to that wild dog that you don't go near to.

So, part one of his recruiting drive is underway. Let's hope the ones who respond prove to be suitable. You never know who you're going to get, after all... I wonder what the ancient Martian thinks of this, assuming he's even been awakened in this timeline...

Click to shrink...

Karmang is awake here.

When some of the Team went to Mars one of the terrorists mentioned his name.

 

[Vaermina]

I nod. "Alright. Tell me who I'm going to be talking to, then post the job offer. Hopefully I'll be able to pick up at least a few interested people on my way back."

Click to shrink...

Please be Martian Womanhunter... Please be Martian Womanhunter... Please be Martian Womanhunter...

 

[Stsword]

Seriously getting Matrix vibes from this scenario, despite it predating the movies by years. And now the Martians are going to be the resistance, diving in to free Coluans and fight 'Agents' of the Tyrants...

Click to shrink...

I'm pretty sure this is Zoat making stuff up, so this would be Zoat taking homage from the Matrix movies, not the Wachowski siblings re-using an idea from DC comics.

The Computer Tyrants were more like Friend Computer than the Matrix movies. Physically enslaving the coluans pre-crisis, and using brainwashing and memory erasing post crisis, from what I understand.

They closest they came to this sort of thing in the comics that I am aware of, is creating an avatar for themselves- Pulsar Stargrave.

Unless someone can direct me to the comic that does show the Coluan occupation by the Computer Tyrants as something out of the Matrix?

 

[Mr Zoat]

If they really miss Haley's comet OL could build them a new one out of ice from Saturn's rings. There's enough ice there for a bunch of comets. MOM probably just grabbed it because it was all in one big chunk and didn't want to spend time gathering ice dust.

Click to shrink...

Yeah, Mars needed a lot of water.

'have done for us'
'an organic'

Click to shrink...

Thank you, corrected.

'Martians have'

Click to shrink...

No, that's correct.

 

[Darko]

No, that's correct.

Click to shrink...

Okay then maybe 'Tamaraneans can have the same', since it sounds a bit better when you read the sentence.

 

[jaelin910]

No, because the 'anything that changes your thought-process or personality is actually killing you and replacing you with someone else' is an argument put forwards by gravel-brained morons.

If change was death then we'd die every day, when we change our minds on what our favourite song is or what we want to eat today.
As we acquire new memories or forget old ones, or as we pick up new skills.

What he did was closer to giving himself a serious head-injury with associated brain-damage.

Click to shrink...

I mean, he literally took a mind altering substance. He's in an altered mental state that he's decided is fine.

Please be Martian Womanhunter... Please be Martian Womanhunter... Please be Martian Womanhunter...

Click to shrink...

I rarely agree with you but he was fun.

 

[Awkward]

I mean, he literally took a mind altering substance. He's in an altered mental state that he's decided is fine.

Click to shrink...

By that logic drinking medicine or alcohol is also suicide. Some medicines change the hormonal balance which affects your thought processes, but it is specifically designed to prolong your life via healing shit. Alcohol is a literal poison, that humanity drinks specifically for that woozy woollen feeling in their heads, so that they feel less burdened or just to feel weird for a few hours.

Hell, drinking coffee or tea is also suicide by this logic, since they're both caffeinated and act as central nervous system stimulants. When it (caffeine) reaches your brain, the most noticeable effect is alertness. You'll feel more awake and less tired, so it's a common ingredient in medications to treat or manage drowsiness, headaches, and migraines.
Which, according to the argument of "changing = suicide/death" means that drinking coffee is suicide.

 

[Mr Zoat]

Okay then maybe 'Tamaraneans can have the same', since it sounds a bit better when you read the sentence.

Click to shrink...

I still disagree.

 

[WereDragon]

]Prince J'emm

Click to shrink...

A man desperately trying to overturn the existing social order without collapsing civilisation.
Doing a decent job at it too given the time frame.

Halley's Comet

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Eh, plenty more clumps of faintly luminescent stuff hurtling through the void to look at.

 

[nobodez]

The Green Martian reluctance to accept the equality of the White Martians is also reflective of how things were in the USA following the ACW, while poor whites in the role of the Greens and former slaves in the role of the Whites. I'm sure there are other analogues in Earth's history as well, but I've done most of my historical studies in the USA, particularly the early 19th Century.

 

[Maxx Crowley]

No, because the 'anything that changes your thought-process or personality is actually killing you and replacing you with someone else' is an argument put forwards by gravel-brained morons.

Click to shrink...

I will say that if your entire personality is changed by an outside source, that qualifies as death. Even more so if all your memories are erased.

Though, as you say, where do you draw the line? The OL of now is not anywhere near the Paul who first woke up in his PJ's in space. While he did grow as a person, he's also been warped and changed by powerful outside sources. Primarily the orange light.

Does that mean OG Paul "died"? I'd say no, but its an interesting question.

Now...Tangsied, who this is about. That's trickier I think. Because of him taking this evil potion...he'll do things OG Paul would never do, would be horrified by doing. But...is it because he was changed? Or because like The Good Doctor Jekyll...it just drew out the darkness within?

At what point are you not you anymore? Is it the point where the OG you would fight to stop the Now you?

I dunno.

Interesting thought though.

 

[Mr Zoat]

A few days ago someone (sorry, don't remember who) asked what Jade sees in the SI. Her falling in love with him went a little like this:

Favourable initial impression. She found out that he beat up her father like it wasn't even hard. After apprehending her he visited her in prison and was probably her 'best' social contact during the initial part of her imprisonment.
Relationship building. He invested a significant amount of effort into helping her, and while she wasn't hugely enthusiastic about the help itself, she appreciated the time he was putting in. But she didn't get really interested until he asked her to involve herself in the Nabu situation. That was a big deal because while she expected a superhero to have a strong moral compass, there was always an element of... Blue code of silence. She assumed that most people picked a team and 'voted the party line'. That the SI was willing to go against friends and mentors on a moral issue and pursue his objective ruthlessly without becoming as ruthless in every part of his life as some of the murderers she'd known impressed her.

 

[Lazurman]

Chicks dig bad boys, it is known.

 

[Flightless Man]

I will say that if your entire personality is changed by an outside source, that qualifies as death. Even more so if all your memories are erased.

Though, as you say, where do you draw the line? The OL of now is not anywhere near the Paul who first woke up in his PJ's in space. While he did grow as a person, he's also been warped and changed by powerful outside sources. Primarily the orange light.

Does that mean OG Paul "died"? I'd say no, but its an interesting question.

Now...Tangsied, who this is about. That's trickier I think. Because of him taking this evil potion...he'll do things OG Paul would never do, would be horrified by doing. But...is it because he was changed? Or because like The Good Doctor Jekyll...it just drew out the darkness within?

At what point are you not you anymore? Is it the point where the OG you would fight to stop the Now you?

I dunno.

Interesting thought though.

Click to shrink...

I look at OL more like a Butterfly. He grew and changed, even rebuilt his body.

Tangseid is more like a traumatized version of himself. Instant change but still core self mentally only morals are changed.

 

[Mr Zoat]

4th July 2012
21:34 GMT

The situation in Xan'Xie is tense. The locals move around the caverns quickly, with no inter-colour mixing at all. Armed Manhunters are visible at every thoroughfare, and even without mobile faces I can feel the malice coming from the nearby Whites. Their bodies are.. non-standard. They've shifted to increase their musculature, and several are wearing decorations that.. aren't quite the red circle of the Hyperclan, but are certainly reminiscent of it.

John Stewart looks around.

"Are things usually this bad?"

"This city is generally considered pretty racist, but I haven't been here before. Prince J'emm implied that things had gotten worse recently, but I can't personally confirm that."

"This place is one wrong word away from a full blown riot."

"One wrong thought."

He frowns for a second, then nods. "I guess I should thank you for calling me in."

"That's really more something I did because I can't spend the time here that I'd need to. But it-."

"My Sector, my problem. I know." He looks around again. "And this really all happened because of that mission-?"

"How good is your telepath blocking?"

"Good. Not great." He points to the back of his neck with his right hand. "But I picked this up on Ogoro. Telepath disruptor. Just in case."

"Nice to see someone taking his personal protective equipment so seriously. But if things turn nasty here, you might want-"

I tap his cuirass with the knuckle of my right index finger.

"-something a little tougher than that."

He shakes his head. "Lighter armour makes me look less intimidating. Helps social interactions. If I was coming into an actual war zone I'd agree with you, but we're trying to negotiate."

"With telepaths who aren't used to human facial expression."

"Then they'll hear what I think-."

"No. Because…" I start to point at my neck, then point at his.

He looks away awkwardly. "It's not a hundred percent effective. Are we supposed to be meeting someone-?"

A lot of Whites converge on one of the entrances. Civilian Greens stream away in all directions while the Manhunters hold their ground.

"Uh-oh. This our guy?"

I take a look at the desires of the group.

"Those are Martians who have the desires I'm looking for. Combined with the Hyperclan emblem they're narrowly not wearing, I'm pretty sure that he's in there. But they're shapeshifters and I've never met him before, so I can't swear to it."

The Whites try to enter the cavern in a mass. The Manhunters move to stop them. The Whites stop advancing, but they don't retreat an inch either. I can't hear it, but I rather imagine that the Manhunters are trying to give them orders to that effect. It's a weird silent film version of deliberate provocation chicken, and even knowing how serious it is it still seems a little ridiculous. Other than the body structure alterations there isn't even any body language to read. They're just floating there next to each other.

"John, you're up."

"You don't wanna take the lead?"

"You're the senior Sector Lantern."

"Gee. Thanks."

He flies upwards towards the pending confrontation. Not his first time defusing this sort of confrontation; he was trained by Katma Tui on Korugar when it was trying to decide how to govern itself in the post-Sinestro era, and that was anything but peaceful. I-.

"Excuse me? You're… Orange Lantern, right?"

I turn around to see a White Martian who has adopted the humanish appearance well enough for me to see that they're nervous. Or at least, mimicking the outwards appearance of humanoid nervousness.

"One of several hundred, yes."

"Yeah, but, the one who M-. Who comes from Earth?"

"Was that cut off sentence 'who Mister J'aarkn met'?"

"Um." The Martian awkwardly rubs his hands together. "Yeah?"

"I met him, certainly. And I'm aware of the memories he's been sharing, and while I'm sure that you're perfectly capable of assuming attractive shapes, that's not why I'm here."

"Ah. I hadn't-. Uh. R-? Really? Because. No no no, just forget I… Um."

"What was it you wanted?"

"Is there going to be a fight? Because I don't want to be here, but they're closing the exits."

I look around… Darn it.

"If it comes to it, I'll shield any bystanders. But we're trying to avoid having a fight break out."

"I don't just mean this cavern. When Mel'dilo'rn got rid of the Neapolitan laws I wanted to move there, but the Prelate brought in travel restrictions. We've got even less freedom now than when the changes started."

"Are there a lot of people who want to get out before things blow up?"

"Is that an option?"

"I'm here to hire some people for work off planet. I mostly need skilled telepaths or people with military experience, but if you don't mind learning then I can make use of you."

"I'd.. love to get better at telepathy. We only get basic education here. I know that's not the case in other cities…"

We have a few telepaths in L.E.G.I.O.N., and… One, in the Orange Lantern Corps. On the other hand, I could just hire Mr. King to train them up. I doubt that he'd mind taking time away from Earth.

"If you had existing skills in that area, I'd recruit you at once. As you don't, I'm afraid any offer will have to wait until-"

I feel it as John activates his ring, and look up to see him sticking a construct barrier between the belligerent parties.

"-after I've spoken to your Prelate. Excuse me."

I fly upwards, a somewhat fixed smile on my face. I know it's useless for exactly the same reason I gave John, and I'm doing it for the same reason he did. I never claimed to be perfectly rational.

"Lantern Stewart. Problem?"

The Manhunters draw their guns and point them at one of the Whites, who doesn't outwardly react.

"No. No problems. But we might wanna change of venue."

"Not a problem. We can all fly. Why not have our meeting right here?"

 

[moralrelativity]

with not inter-colour

Click to shrink...

not -> no

 

[Darko]

with not inter-colour mixing at all

Click to shrink...

;with no'

Helps social interactions.

Click to shrink...

maybe 'Helps with'

 

[King of Frost]

You know what, thinking about it, it would be interesting if the Tangseid story is leading up to Tangseid becoming this massive horrible villain, and then he somehow gets cured of the "evil serum" or whatever he took, and has to deal with the fallout of every fucked up thing he did.

In the same kinda vein as Superior Spiderman but everything is a million times worse.

 

[Alasnuyo]

The easiest way would be to stick an indigo ring on him.