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

So not "Hipployta, Reanimator." then?

 

Cult of primativists on an uncharted island attacking visitors. Not a lot happens for a while, then an inhuman monster attacks the same soldiers on the other side of the continent while their commander goes mad.

 

Actually, this makes me wonder why Paul tried to 'negotiate' at all. I understand he is stalling for time, but to stall by going, "Give me everything I want, and I won't even listen to your terms."... I don't know, not just lazy, but stupid. At least pretend to care about what they say so they don't just walk out? Not listening? That just defeats the whole purpose of the distraction, doesn't it?

 

That really wasn't what he actually wants. He did that because he and the Negotiator both know that N.E.M.O. will never accept the status pro bellum, so the Negotiator asking for that is a waste of time.

 

Ah yes, I’m sure the list of dozens of species that the Reach has genocide over the years will do absolutely nothing to convince the Yunians

I mean, those are all completely separate things though

Firstly the Psions were pure evil and were killed by a completely separate polity with a couple of orange lanterns going rogue to help in their spare time

Secondly all of Paul’s living constructs have been demons who nobody gives a shit about

Thirdly if the Negotiator starts talking about the stuff they said Paul can bring up his confessions of the genocides they’ve committed

And finally not only did Paul not do anything suspicious on Qward in order for the Negotiator to bring that up he’d have to admit that they had

I mean, keep in mind that the whole reason Paul is here is to reassure the Yunians that N.E.M.O aren’t a threat and want to maintain good relations

Basically he went to the negotiations to humour the Yunians not because he actually expected anything to come of them

 

its

This isn't in a story post so you don't have to fix it, but for future reference it's "bellum".

 

Thank you, corrected.

 

Where do i even start reading this story? i select story only and it points me to a 140k word count thread. isnt this story over 1M words?

 

The count only counts threadmarked posts. In my case, that's the first segment of each episode.

 

But isn't that what Paul wants? To waste time?

 

I think he wants the locals to know why he's getting into this fight and that he has no plans to spill it out onto them even if they continue trading with the Reach. The Reach just can't pass through N.E.M.O. space to do said trading.

 

And how will he prove it to the Yunians?

They aren't idiots on earth who don't know that power rings can just fabricate any sort of digital information Paragon wants. And orange ring mind control abilities are well known at this point. So that's a no to any sort of first hand witness. I suppose he could kidnap some of them and show them the planet's... But even then the Reach will just deny it and say Legion fabricated everything...

Nope. This was the time to play the politics game... And Paul's just really bad at it...

 

Well it could be pride or cultural reasons.

When the Reach started out they probably didn't have the tech to build planets so now they're used to conquering.

Ohh you poor naive girl.

So either it's just a trade mission, or the higher ups didn't tell the Negotiator anything in case they tried to extract information.

Pedantic as always.

'to being'

So much for this going peacefully.

 

I hope that kryptonian defense gizmo has a way to protect Earth and Mars from weapons like that.

 

Or this was always the plan and everyone knows it as normal.

 

Paul putting up shields: Remember kids, it's not paranoia if they're truly out to get you!

What do you want to bet that this is exactly what Dox planned?

 

Thank you, corrected.

Just because you're paranoid, doesn't mean you're wrong.

 

I'd hardly call someone who died twice paranoid, more like well schooled in caution.

 

Probably echoing other people's sentiments, but I'd really like to see a world where Arfat got a blue power ring, though I half-suspect everyone around her will automatically be brainwashed to be happy, hopeful and harmonious.

 

No. That sounds like a bet I would lose.

 

Hehehe, that's actually a running gag. I do recommend binge watching show, its so good.

 

This feels very false flag... Because no way would a group as careful and methodical as the Reach attempt a broad daylight public assassination like that...

 

It's also possible that it's a false flag operation and the Reach on planet aren't involved.

 

Ahem.

Supervillains.

 

And thus, the End justifies the Means. Even if that means basically ruining her career. On the other hand, letting the Reach Negotiator get their hands on the Super-Ring would be even worse for everybody... So, the Many must outweigh the One today.

Spoiler: Commentary spoilered for length

They shouldn't have to. Good, sensible races don't go conquering their neighbours, you know.

Though I doubt anyone would trust the Reach citizens with anything in the first few centuries... Some races do have long lifespans, and longer memories...

I suspect more than a few members would laugh in his face. Or maybe punch him for even suggesting it. Or both.

And an empire as big as the Reach has a lot of production potential. That's why the war is going to take a lifetime.

Though most cultures don't start out at that level, you know. Still, by now, it's probably easier. But Reach gonna reach.

To paraphrase the Geth from 'Incompatible System': "Reach Faction is Reach." They're used to doing it this way. I wouldn't be surprised if doing it this way has become a point of pride for some, putting one over entire worlds.

And OL finds that sort of attitude wasteful. And when they're defeated, he will rejoice.

I hope this isn't just a pleasure call, Drusa. Not that OL's busy, but...

...Well, shit. Looks like Reach gonna reach indeed.

Oh, that's bad. I have the feeling the war is coming to Yuna whether they want it to or not...

I rather suspect the High Council Office is in a panic right now...

...Which isn't indicative of anything. They may have emotion-concealing gear. Or they might simply not have known this was coming. It's not impossible they weren't told the military branch might be trying something against the Illustres...

Definitely not a trading party, then. I'm betting they're loaded for bear Lanterns.

I mean, sure, they might be here to collect the Super-Ring as the Negotiator expected to be able to...

Wow, they got pilots that quickly? Someone must have turned quite the profit...

...Or not. Yeah, I don't think they're friendly at all. The system's traffic command is probably screaming rather loudly at them...

And he's definitely in no mood to go for a hat-trick.

Oh, that's not a good sign. He really thinks they'll bombard him from that far out? No, stupid question, of course they'll try.

"Uh... The watch officer says 'No doi!' Is that what you were hoping to hear, ma'am?"

Wow, okay. They really want him dead. You don't bust out big guns like that for just anybody.

On the upside, Yuna is not likely to remain neutral for much longer.

A little late there, Drusa. Then again, FTL beam weapon. It's entirely possible causality got a wee bit confused there.

Cha-ch-...

...-ing! Dangit! No snagging the Super-Ring in the confusion.

Still, being able to go weapons-hot against their attackers is fine. And they can show the gyuanites and company they'll fight Reach aggression to protect them.

Prediction: "I know nothing of this! This is... is a rogue element!"

Boy, the Reach just put their foot in a deep ol' mess. Evidently a chance to take down the Illustres of the Orange Lanterns and secure a valuable Spectrum weapon proved too much for the Reach command to resist going full super-villain... Which does certainly feel not right. There's got to be something more going on... Hopefully we'll learn more tomorrow.

---

They will be directed to the opposite side of the planet to your ships...

 

To be fair to them, getting rid of a powerful enemy and acquiring a powerful weapon does seem like a good reason for doing this.

 

I don't know why I even bother replying to Vaermina, but...

Ahem.
Comicbook Supervillains.


Especially cocky ones, who've never really faced serious set backs.

 

Thank you, corrected.

 

I actually like the false flag idea. The Darkstars capture a few Reach ships, Dox has them appear in system and make an attack Paul can easily handle (but which will kill some local govvies). The Orange Lanterns go and annihilate the ships. Oh look, they had a self-destruct system that prevented bodies from being recovered. Suddenly the Reach looks a lot worse to the local population...