1st September 2012
14:51 GMT
A grey metal corridor, blue tinted lights from above making it look even colder than it actually is. Diana frowns for a moment, but the ongoing action of my healing drone appears to convince her that this isn't some sort of backstab attempt.
As if.
She slows, keeping a grip on her prisoner.
"Where are we, Grayven?"
"Karras kindly pointed out which ship held their command staff. We're on it." Let's see, the interdiction systems should be that way. "Obviously we can't leave it to carry on its work, much less reach Vega. Plus…"
Scan Astarte.
Unable to comply.
Yes, she is knitting herself back together a bit, isn't she? I'd assume it's the killing down below giving her some sort of boost, though I suppose it could be the presence of her ships.
"Diana, can you do something to reduce her resilience?"
"Why?"
"Because I'm trying to scan her and I can't. New Gods like me -or you, apparently- can resist some types of probe. I'd like to learn more about who we're fighting."
"I can't, but we-."
I punch Astarte across the face, causing her to fly back before being tethered back to the deck by the Lasso of Truth. Subject To My Whims.
Scan Astarte.
Unable to comply.
Ah well. I-.
Diana steps in the way.
"What are you doing?!"
"Trying to weaken her resilience." I lower my fist and shrug at her. "You can see how she's healing, right?"
"You will not assault my prisoner."
"What, you want to do it? I suppose that I could shoot her or assimilate her, but-."
"It's called the Lasso of Truth for a reason, Grayven."
"And how would that let me check her for internal injuries?"
"She's healing herself."
We maintain eye contact for a few moments. Alright, fine.
"Astarte. What are the snakes for?"
She glowers, then the lasso glows.
"The Providers harvest worlds with inferior populations before returning to our ships to be processed into porridge."
"To be clear." I look at Diana with my eyebrows raised. "You kill people for the sole purpose of eating them?"
"The strongest women are recruited. Some of the strongest men are used for breeding before they are killed."
"Is this a ritual thing, or a religious thing..? High days and holidays? To mark a victory?"
"It is all we eat."
"So you've done this a lot?"
"Yes."
"And you personally…" I shrug and shake my head. "How long..?"
"I have been a Citizen for around three thousand years."
"Gosh." I raise my eyebrows and look at the clearly horrified Diana. "Eaten a lot of planets in three thousand years?"
"I haven't counted how many, but it is a large number. And I fully intend to eat yours once Grayven is done with you."
"You want to eat Apokolips? Good luck." I take a step back and smile at Diana. "So, about hitting her until her scan-blocking ability stops working?"
"No matter how monstrous she is, it is still wrong to beat a defenceless prisoner."
"Oh. Oh! Sorry, silly me." I return my attention to the prisoner. "Astarte, whereabouts are you from?"
"Themyscira. It is a Greek nation on Earth."
"Three thousand years ago? Diana, when was it that your forebears left the mainland?"
"It was three thousand years ago, as well you know. Astarte, do you remember your mother?"
"No."
"Diana, I just-."
"Astarte, who was your mother?" Truth Unchanging.
The lasso glows, the usual mute gold colour suddenly shining brilliantly!
Astarte gasps-.
Ring, scan her.
Compliance.
I smile at Diana as I feel the data come in. "Well done on-."
"Not now, Grayven."
Astarte's eyes glow with the same golden light as the lasso. "Queen Otrera is my mother."
And I jump in. "Any other family?"
"A younger sister. Hippolyta."
Diana's jaw tenses, and her eyes shift to me. "Did you know?"
"N-."
"Put your hand on the lasso and tell me that you did not know."
I roll my eyes and put my right hand on the lasso.
"I did not have confirmation that the mysterious Olympian -whoever they were- was related to you. I suspected, and I am not surprised, but this part of what's happening-"
Darn it.
"-was not a set up."
I take my hand off in something of a hurry.
"I mean, how many women were having sex with gods in the Old City? It can't have been that many; you don't have that many gods. And the goddesses would have gotten annoyed about it. Anyway, yeah, your aunt is a mass murdering cannibal warlady. Thoughts?"
"What is he-" Astarte strains briefly against her bonds. "-talking about?"
"I am Diana, Princess of Themyscira, and your niece. And now I must decide what I am to do with you."