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

[Khettien]

"I think that the only thing that could do that would be a threat external to all of us."

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For those not aware, this is (among other sources) a paraphrase of Ronald Reagan's address to the UN in 1987. A relevant quote - "Perhaps we need some outside universal threat to make us recognize this common bond. I occasionally think how quickly our differences worldwide would vanish if we were facing an alien threat from outside this world."

I personally detest the effects of Reagan's policies, but it's a damn good quote.

 

[Neruz]

Shame there isn't one. The civilian fleet is going to wake up as it comes in-system, see that A) the war fleet is missing and B) there are unidentified ships present and immediately turn around and head home.

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I'm not actually sure if they can head home, the Race didn't really plan for the possibility of the conquest of Tosev 3 not working, and when they arrived in the OG Worldwar timeline they just sort of had to deal with the reality of Tosev 3 not being properly conquered as expected.

 

[Mr Zoat]

Now I want to know what they think of humans and Earth after Paul did this.

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Immediately after? Not much. There were no survivors in the war fleet, and the reptiloids of Home have absolutely no idea who did it.

Did Taylwn turn any invaders into constructs

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I'm going to provisionally say 'no'. He wasn't that good at it and didn't have time to mess about.

Shame there isn't one. The civilian fleet is going to wake up as it comes in-system, see that A) the war fleet is missing and B) there are unidentified ships present and immediately turn around and head home. Or the British (space) Navy will capture them.
Either way Earth isn't going to be threatened enough for anyone to notice.

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Britain is covering up exactly what it has in space. At the moment, those outside of Britian think it's a few space transports plus the armed satellites. They're not going to intercept the civilian fleet until everyone's gotten a good look at them, which they can afford to do because the civilian fleet doesn't have strategic weapons. Then they offer to make boarding their ships a joint international operation, which they will lead because they know what they're doing.

 

[WereDragon]

I'm not actually sure if they can head home, the Race didn't really plan for the possibility of the conquest of Tosev 3 not working, and when they arrived in the OG Worldwar timeline they just sort of had to deal with the reality of Tosev 3 not being properly conquered as expected.

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Start of the first book we get the Fleetlord agonising over whether he should turn his fleet around and go home because Earth was industrialised.

The Race massively over-prepared for what they expected to face. They brought freaking nukes to fight dudes with swords. They absolutely planned for the possibility that the fleets would have to abort.

Britain is covering up exactly what it has in space. At the moment, those outside of Britian think it's a few space transports plus the armed satellites. They're not going to intercept the civilian fleet until everyone's gotten a good look at them, which they can afford to do because the civilian fleet doesn't have strategic weapons. Then they offer to make boarding their ships a joint international operation, which they will lead because they know what they're doing.

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Problem 1) Hiding their true space presence gets exponentially more difficult as time passes. Because they have more of it. Because other nations have better telescopes and similar. Because more people in Britain know about it and can let the secret slip, intentionally or otherwise.

Problem 2) If there is an international effort against the Race fleet there will be no justification for hoarding the prisoners and databanks. It will soon come out that there was an earlier fleet. And it just so happens that Britain started getting all sorts of new tech not long after that fleet was expected to arrive.

Problem 3) That fleet really isn't a threat and such will become obvious very quickly. It is barely armed and full of civilians. Even if people are briefly worried by it and they somehow avoid a massive scandal from how Britain clearly knew ahead of time and has been using alien tech for years, any unifying effect is going to be extremely short lived.

 

[Mr Zoat]

Problem 1) Hiding their true space presence gets exponentially more difficult as time passes. Because they have more of it. Because other nations have better telescopes and similar. Because more people in Britain know about it and can let the secret slip, intentionally or otherwise.

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It's not that difficult to hide. There was no Marshal Plan in this timeline, and aside from Britain no Space Race. Plenty of nations have telescopes, but there's been little to no advancement in that area due to the Second Great War. Britain has a facility on the far side of the Moon, and everything else is a long way away. Some astronomers might see something, but it's all very easy to explain.

Problem 2) If there is an international effort against the Race fleet there will be no justification for hoarding the prisoners and databanks. It will soon come out that there was an earlier fleet. And it just so happens that Britain started getting all sorts of new tech not long after that fleet was expected to arrive.

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What prisoners?

And of course it will come out, but 'yes, Britain soloed an invading alien space fleet, you're welcome' doesn't exactly paint Britain in a bad light. Yes, they'll probably have to end up sharing some things, but at that point that's acceptable. All of the leading experts in that technology on Earth will be British and the world will allign with British standards for implimenting the new technology.

Problem 3) That fleet really isn't a threat and such will become obvious very quickly. It is barely armed and full of civilians. Even if people are briefly worried by it and they somehow avoid a massive scandal from how Britain clearly knew ahead of time and has been using alien tech for years, any unifying effect is going to be extremely short lived.

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The colonisation fleet will confirm the existence of the aggressively expansionist reptiloid empire. If questioned, Britain can easily say 'we're not actually obliged to share state secrets with nations that were recently our enemies, any more than they are with us'.

 

[PDV]

"Smile. I'm here to help."

I'm not sure if he's taking it in his stride or just too depressed to care. "Myes? How so?"

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Not sure what 'Myes' means here but if it's a Britishism I can't find record of it.

"This is one of their tanks. Note the general shape of the armour. You can keep it; I've got hundreds of thousands of the things. This is one of their fighters.

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And this suggestion's kinda trivial, but can I suggest moving the links to 'one of their tanks' and 'one of their fighters' so that the two instances of 'This' can just be straightforward orange?

 

[Mr Zoat]

Not sure what 'Myes' means here but if it's a Britishism I can't find record of it.

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Myes. Basically, 'Mmm... Yes' if you're a British aristocrat.

And this suggestion's kinda trivial, but can I suggest moving the links to 'one of their tanks' and 'one of their fighters' so that the two instances of 'This' can just be straightforward orange?

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Thank you, corrected.

 

[Neruz]

Not sure what 'Myes' means here but if it's a Britishism I can't find record of it.

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It's a way of writing 'mmm, yes' slurred together as some people often do.

 

[PDV]

Ah, okay, I find it hard to parse with only one 'm', I think "Mmyes" I would have got right.

 

[CrazyNoVa]

Whenever I hear "Myes", I picture the male Inklings from Splatoon because it sounds annoyingly similar to "NGYES".

 

[Ardy]

Whenever I hear "Myes", I picture the male Inklings from Splatoon because it sounds annoyingly similar to "NGYES".

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I picture Nigel Thornberry, "Mmmyes, SMASHING!"

 

[Frozen20XX]

I'm going to provisionally say 'no'.

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Fair. Also, sorry if I missed it, but does he have a way to recharge his ring?

 

[Mr Zoat]

Motivations

12th August 2013
15:12 GMT

I nod at Superman.

"Magic probes revealed that everyone was under the effect of an intelligence suppressor, from about the time that Dru-Zod appeared. The only exception was Amon, which was probably because his magic protects him from things like that automatically."

He nods. "And your ring doesn't?"

I shake my head. "My heavy armour does, there's a… Thing in the helmet. But do you remember that thing a few years ago with Bane?"

He thinks for a moment. "He used Doctor Psycho's brain as a telepathic weapon."

"Just so. I tried it with M'gann and it's possible to work around telepathic intrusion with a power ring, but it's not something… Not something I could keep up full time."

He nods. "I'm the same with the theta wave state. People who master it are supposed to be able to leave it running as by that stage it's completely instinctual, but I'm not quite there yet."

Jordan nods. "Any idea where it was coming from?"

"No. No sign of any sort of device that could have that effect on the Xenon base, no teleport residue, nothing. No sign of a curse or implant on anyone who was there. General Dru-Zod claims to have had no idea it was going to happen and that he just took advantage of circumstances." I shrug. "Which was a pretty good show of initiative on his part, but is completely credible as an answer."

Jordan sags slightly. "Great. The trial of the century is happening in my Sector and my brain can get turned off at any time."

"Well, on the plus side, sir-"

His eyes narrow. "Watch it."

"-this isn't technically your Sector, so it's really Lantern Stewart and Lantern Savenlovich's problem."

"Arisia wants to go, and there's no sense sending more than one Green Lantern." I frown-. "Fully qualified Green Lantern."

Arnus looks pensive. "Do you have any idea how to prevent it from happening again?"

"A full mind shield system should do it. Everyone would have to wear full body armour because there are ways to get in via the peripheral nervous system. I can put something together for everyone inside an hour."

"That would be… Militaristic."

"Yes."

"And therefore inappropriate for a civilian tribunal."

"Xudar is a good deal more sane in its technological development than Earth is. They're laying on extra security and screening all visitors. And we know everyone on Earth who has interstellar capacity. Other than asking Amon to stick by the prisoners every step of the-."

"Hey, guys!" William Batson strolls into the meeting room in Captain Marvel mode. "Osiris told me about the brain drain ray."

We all perk up slightly, Superman nodding. "Are you free to attend the trial?"

He winces. "Ah, no. Sorry. But Mary Marvel can. That way, Osiris won't have to try staying awake all day."

Jordan smirks. "You can do that, can you?"

William looks awkward for a moment. "Yeah, but it's not a good idea."

Jordan nods. "Tell me about it."

"I'd… Rather not. It was pretty embarrassing, and-."

"No, I mean, I did the same thing when I got my ring." He shrugs. "It wasn't easy working two full time jobs, so I tried cutting out sleep. Not a smart thing to do."

"Oh." William looks reassured, his eyes drifting towards me.

"No. I am a paragon of flawless judgement and am offended you would even think that."

"Ah…" He looks thoughtful. "That brain drain ray isn't still affecting you, right?"

Superman clears his throat. "What have you told Mary's parents?"

"That we're going camping, with my uncle supervising us."

"And if they check..?"

"We're in a cell phone dead zone with no reception. And we're actually gunna be there." He shrugs. "It'll only take us a few seconds to fly back to Fawcett each day, and my Justice League communicator will still work."

Superman nods. "Okay, good. Does she know that if he's found guilty, he'll be executed?"

"Um." William looks confused. "Did you think we didn't see people die after the Anti-Life happened?"

Kal-El sags slightly. "Ah. No, I suppose not."

"At least this time he deserves it. Ah, not that I want to prejudge the trial. If he did it, I mean." He turns to Arnus. "Has he said anything about that?"

"It would not be appropriate to discuss my client's defense strategy."

"Oh. No, okay, I-. I guess you've got a point. Is Lar-On okay?"

"Yes. Unless Superman wants to volunteer for further studies-"

He shakes his head. "I don't."

"-then I'm as sure as I can be that he won't transform again. The red kryptonite samples are in subspace, so-."

Superman frowns. "Why didn't you just destroy them?"

"Well, because in the long term I think red kryptonite should be studied in case it can be used to do something useful. And I can't think of anywhere I could put them that's more secure."

"Can't you just get more from Krypton?"

"Yes, but werewolves have rapid regeneration. You saw what happened whenever you hurt Lar-On. These flakes could save someone's life."

He doesn't look happy, but he does nod. "Okay, that's a good point. Just keep it away from me."

"Would-?"

"Unless I'm dying. Then you can expose me to it."

"I will bear that in mind. So, ah… If there's nothing else, we can transport the prisoners to their holding cells on Xudar?"

Jordan shrugs. "What happens if we get ambushed on the way?"

"Xudar can try the survivors as well. Dru-Zod didn't have a lot of supporters, and anyone who might have been sympathetic died when Krypton was destroyed. The people who hate him most have approved the trial. I can't think of any reason anyone else would want to intervene."

Jordan and Arnus look at Kal-El, who nods.

"Then let's get this show on the road."

 

[Darko]

Jordan sage slightly.

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"sags"

"Oh." William looks reassured, his eyes drifting towards me.

"No. I am a paragon of flawless judgement and am offended you would even think that."

"Ah…" He looks thoughtful. "That brain drain ray isn't still affecting you, right

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Ha!

 

[Ngamer11]

"Xudar can try the survivors as well. Dru-Zod didn't have a lot of supporters, and anyone who might have been sympathetic died when Krypton was destroyed. The people who hate him most have approved the trail. I can't think of any reason anyone else would want to intervene."

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That should say 'trial'.

 

[CrazyNoVa]

So, how many times has Zoat mindfricked himself in his own story? Is anyone keeping count?

 

[Mr Zoat]

"sags"

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That should say 'trial'.

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Thank you, corrected.

 

[thebishop8]

Hmm, so did the person using the intelligence suppressing device know that Lar-On would transform, or did that derail their plans?

 

[BR549]

"Xudar can try the survivors as well. Dru-Zod didn't have a lot of supporters, and anyone who might have been sympathetic died when Krypton was destroyed. The people who hate him most have approved the trial. I can't think of any reason anyone else would want to intervene."

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...Paul, you didn't just taunt Murphy, you stuck him in the arse with an overvoltage cattle prod.

 

[Chojin Patriarch]

Motivations

12th August 2013
15:12 GMT

I nod at Superman.

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Ah, a new episode already? I hadn't even been keeping track of Negotiations chapter count. And from the looks of things, the trial of Zod is about to get underway. So this is likely to be an episode full of courtroom drama, barring any unexpected complications...

Spoiler: Commentary spoilered for length

"Magic probes revealed that everyone was under the effect of an intelligence suppressor, from about the time that Dru-Zod appeared. The only exception was Amon, which was probably because his magic protects him from things like that automatically."

He nods. "And your ring doesn't?"

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Think about what you just said. A thought-controlled device that you just asked whether it can operate indefinitely?

I shake my head. "My heavy armour does, there's a… Thing in the helmet. But do you remember that thing a few years ago with Bane?"

He thinks for a moment. "He used Doctor Psycho's brain as a telepathic weapon."

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Which is still such a crazy comic-booky moment. At least the misogynistic midget is out of the picture.

"Just so. I tried it with M'gann and it's possible to work around telepathic intrusion with a power ring, but it's not something… Not something I could keep up full time."

He nods. "I'm the same with the theta wave state. People who master it are supposed to be able to leave it running as by that stage it's completely instinctual, but I'm not quite there yet."

Jordan nods. "Any idea where it was coming from?"

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And that is the million-dollar question, isn't it? Who did it? Why?

"No. No sign of any sort of device that could have that effect on the Xenon base, no teleport residue, nothing. No sign of a curse or implant on anyone who was there. General Dru-Zod claims to have had no idea it was going to happen and that he just took advantage of circumstances." I shrug. "Which was a pretty good show of initiative on his part, but is completely credible as an answer."

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So whatever happened, it may have been linked to the Phantom Zone itself. Some emission from the portal they didn't notice before, perhaps? Or someone standing just inside the entry on the Zone side, thinking hard at them in hopes of escaping.

Jordan sage slightly. "Great. The trial of the century is happening in my Sector and my brain can get turned off at any time."

"Well, on the plus side, sir-"

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If this is going to be a wisecrack about Jordan's intelligence, please don't...

His eyes narrow. "Watch it."

"-this isn't technically your Sector, so it's really Lantern Stewart and Lantern Savenlovich's problem."

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Huh. That is an honestly accurate point. Though as an Honour Guard, he does have clearance to step in, doesn't he?

"Arisia wants to go, and there's no sense sending more than one Green Lantern." I frown-. "Fully qualified Green Lantern."

Arnus looks pensive. "Do you have any idea how to prevent it from happening again?"

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Plus there'll be at least one other Lantern besides OL and Arisia: Ghi'ata. I assume she's going along out of curiosity.

"A full mind shield system should do it. Everyone would have to wear full body armour because there are ways to get in via the peripheral nervous system. I can put something together for everyone inside an hour."

"That would be… Militaristic."

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...He could make them colourful and individualised? They might end up looking like MCU costumes, but...

"Yes."

"And therefore inappropriate for a civilian tribunal."

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You don't think there's going to be other military representatives present from the non-litigious interested worlds?

"Xudar is a good deal more sane in its technological development than Earth is. They're laying on extra security and screening all visitors. And we know everyone on Earth who has interstellar capacity. Other than asking Amon to stick by the prisoners every step of the-."

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And he's just one person. ideally, you want a shift rotation of some kind...

"Hey, guys!" William Batson strolls into the meeting room in Captain Marvel mode. "Osiris told me about the brain drain ray."

We all perk up slightly, Superman nodding. "Are you free to attend the trial?"

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Well, there's potentially one more immune hero ready to serve...

He winces. "Ah, no. Sorry. But Mary Marvel can. That way, Osiris won't have to try staying awake all day."

Jordan smirks. "You can do that, can you?"

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Why not Freddy 'Sergeant Marvel' Freeman as well? That way you get an eight hour shift cycle. Or was he busy?

William looks awkward for a moment. "Yeah, but it's not a good idea."

Jordan nods. "Tell me about it."

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Yeah, human brains aren't built for that kind of uptime. We need eight hours of sleep a day or so to stay stable. Not always easy, depending on circumstances...

"I'd… Rather not. It was pretty embarrassing, and-."

"No, I mean, I did the same thing when I got my ring." He shrugs. "It wasn't easy working two full time jobs, so I tried cutting out sleep. Not a smart thing to do."

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And no doubt his productivity in both jobs suffered for it. Bet that was a strange week for his friends, though.

"Oh." William looks reassured, his eyes drifting towards me.

"No. I am a paragon of flawless judgement and am offended you would even think that."

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Mostly because he knows better than to try and force himself to stay awake using Desire. Only time that really happened was during his first Embodiment session with the Ophidian, wasn't it?

"Ah…" He looks thoughtful. "That brain drain ray isn't still affecting you, right?"

Superman clears his throat. "What have you told Mary's parents?"

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Ah, the drawback of them not knowing she's basically a magical girl henshin hero. No, seriously, she transforms into an alternative form using a magic word, gains magical powers while transformed, and fights super-powered villains. How is that not on par with Sailor Moon or Pretty Cure?

"That we're going camping, with my uncle supervising us."

"And if they check..?"

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I suppose that's a logical way to do it, especially if she can get back to Earth quickly via Zeta Tube.

"We're in a cell phone dead zone with no reception. And we're actually gunna be there." He shrugs. "It'll only take us a few seconds to fly back to Fawcett each day, and my Justice League communicator will still work."

Superman nods. "Okay, good. Does she know that if he's found guilty, he'll be executed?"

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You think she doesn't know how the justice system works?

"Um." William looks confused. "Did you think we didn't see people die after the Anti-Life happened?"

Kal-El sags slightly. "Ah. No, I suppose not."

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It's just depressing to think that preteen kids have been through that sort of thing before they hit high school.

"At least this time he deserves it. Ah, not that I want to prejudge the trial. If he did it, I mean." He turns to Arnus. "Has he said anything about that?"

"It would not be appropriate to discuss my client's defense strategy."

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Quit fishing for scuttlebutt, Billy.

"Oh. No, okay, I-. I guess you've got a point. Is Lar-On okay?"

"Yes. Unless Superman wants to volunteer for further studies-"

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I doubt it. Nice of Billy to ask, though.

He shakes his head. "I don't."

"-then I'm as sure as I can be that he won't transform again. The red kryptonite samples are in subspace, so-."

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Ah, OL playing packrat again. Never throw away anything superhero adjacent, never know when it might be useful.

Superman frowns. "Why didn't you just destroy them?"

"Well, because in the long term I think red kryptonite should be studied in case it can be used to do something useful. And I can't think of anywhere I could put them that's more secure."

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After all, anywhere that isn't basically in his pocket is vulnerable to break-ins.

"Can't you just get more from Krypton?"

"Yes, but werewolves have rapid regeneration. You saw what happened whenever you hurt Lar-On. These flakes could save someone's life."

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Huh, that's actually a good idea. Since OL can't be everywhere near a kryptonian, and most of the other Lanterns aren't really suited to anything more than first-aid, besides Alan.

He doesn't look happy, but he does nod. "Okay, that's a good point. Just keep it away from me."

"Would-?"

"Unless I'm dying. Then you can expose me to it."

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Ah, yes. got to be very precise about your wording around OL. Good to see he remembers.

"I will bear that in mind. So, ah… If there's nothing else, we can transport the prisoners to their holding cells on Xudar?"

Jordan shrugs. "What happens if we get ambushed on the way?"

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With this many Lanterns and superheroes around? They'd be very strong or very foolish.

"Xudar can try the survivors as well. Dru-Zod didn't have a lot of supporters, and anyone who might have been sympathetic died when Krypton was destroyed. The people who hate him most have approved the trial. I can't think of any reason anyone else would want to intervene."

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Never say never, OL. I can just see the Light going 'Having a couple of veteran kryptonian soldiers in our pocket might be useful', even if Lex objects.

Jordan and Arnus look at Kal-El, who nods.

"Then let's get this show on the road."

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Gather the Team, it's time for a road trip!

And the trial arc gets underway. So, bets on what the first complication will be? Angry victims trying to take a shot at Zod? Attempted breakout by whoever unleashed that intelligence dampener? Sudden revelation that Zod isn't guilty? There are so many options to choose from. Because no way is this going to go flawlessly, surely...

 

[Duke Long]

"Xudar is a good deal more sane in its technological development than Earth is. They're laying on extra security and screening all visitors. And we know everyone on Earth who has interstellar capacity. Other than asking Amon to stick by the prisoners every step of they-."

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'the'?

"Well, because in the long term I think red kryptonite should be studied in case it can be used to do something useful. And I can't think of anywhere I could put them that's more secure."

"Can't you just get more from Krypton?"

"Yes, but werewolves have rapid regeneration. You saw what happened whenever you hurt Lar-On. These flakes could save someone's life."

He doesn't look happy, but he does nod. "Okay, that's a good point. Just keep it away from me."

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Is the implication that this bit of red kryptonite will consistently turn people into werewolves, instead of turning them into random bullshit like ant people or giants? Or is Oh El merely hoping that's how it works?

Also, funny how rapidly he contradicts himself. One moment sub space is the most secure storage he can think of (which is obviously not true), the next he admits that he wants to have quick access to the kryptonite.

 

[AverusBlack]

Who benefits?

Lets suppose that Dru-Zod had gotten free, the good guys lost and now Zod and Ursa are at large. Who benefits from this outcome?

Remind me, where is Savage again?

 

[Mr Zoat]

'the'?

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Thank you, corrected.

Also, funny how rapidly he contradicts himself. One moment sub space is the most secure storage he can think of (which is obviously not true), the next he admits that he wants to have quick access to the kryptonite.

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It's secure against external intrusion, not secure against him the legimitate owner.

 

[Sordid Snake]

It's secure against external intrusion, not secure against him the legimitate owner.

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So if the legitimate owner is hit by a sudden burst of questionable judgement like from an intelligence supression ray...

 

[Duke Long]

It's secure against external intrusion, not secure against him the legimitate owner.

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I meant more that there are presumably vaults on Maltus, or something like that, which would be even more secure. I suppose it is possible I'm wrong. That time the Sivanas opened his subspace made me doubt its security, but he did lock it after that so it could be very secure now.