Legends of the Green lantern Corps #9

[Lantern Lad]

Legends of the Green Lantern Corps, issue #9: The Source-

Written by: Scott D.L. Kruger
Art by: Scott D.L. Kruger
Edited by: Julie Kruger

The place, the space above the planet OA.

Hal Jordan, Green Lantern of sector 2814, was scared out of his mind. Bad choice of words… Not scared, more like ‘freaked out’ as he would put it. He and his fellow Corpsman had just signed up, actually, more like drafted, for what would most likely be a suicide mission.

The body of Sinestro gave the little blue Guardians of the Universe the information they needed to discern the origin of the Legion virus. And in moments he would be entering a dimensional rift that will send him and the rest of the Corps Elite into the Anti-Matter Universe of Qward.

Another dimension…

Hal was still trying to wrap his head around all that had happened to him over the past month. To say it was a bit overwhelming… was an understatement. He had always dreamed of being among the stars, in a shuttle or a Mars lander… never in a million years would he have thought that he could actually fly among them with just a ring and his willpower keeping him aloft.

Now though, was something entirely different… no power ring, just a green colored suit of armor between him & the void… cool. For him…. Danger was commonplace. It was the interdimensional thing that was more than a bit foreign. But who was he to argue with the little blue men in the dresses? They’d been doing this a lot longer than he had, so he decided to suck it up & have a little faith.

Hal couldn’t help but think that the interdinmensional portal looked an awful lot like something from the movie Stargate. Just a bit greener… big surprise there.

Hal took a deep breath as Kilowog patted him on the back, nearly knocking him over… it was time.

~

[Lantern Lad]

The experience of the dimensional rift was much more pleasant than a space warp. It was more like walking under a light waterfall. Much better than the feeling of having your guts twisted around. The Corpsman used their suits propulsion systems to navigate through the treacherous debris field surrounding Qward. Hal stuck close to Kilowog & Tomar Re since they were the closest thing to friends he had up there.

He had imagined the Anti-Matter Universe to be, somehow, different in appearance than the “normal” universe. Maybe the ‘space’ to be white, with black stars or something. But it was not, everything looked basically the same. The planet Qward, on the other hand, looked much different than it’s positive Universe counter-part.

OA resembled Earth’s moon where Qward looked like a large rock with no discernable shape. The space surrounding the planet was thick with asteroids and other spacial debris. Not as impressive as he’d expected, especially since the entire dimension was named after this one planet.

“So, that heap of rock is Qward?” Hal asked Kilowog, who just glared at him in response.

“Yes, once it was a planet much like your Earth, but in the last great battle between the Guardians & the Qwardians, the Qwardians moon was destroyed. This is the result of that cataclysm.” Tomar Re offered.

“You two shut yer holes. Ya wanna give away our position?” Kilowog quietly snarled. “Salakk, take Ch’p & Katma, make your way down the left flank towards the planet. Then spread out with the debris, try ta find the source & contact us. Don’t engage until we’re all ready. Tomar you and Chaselon are with me,” Kilowog continued, “same order, right flank. Newbie, you stay here and keep an eye out for Thunderer’s, Destroyers or any of our own.”

“What the hell are Thunderer’s and Destroyers?”

“The bad guys genius,” Katma growled. “Anyone not wearing green, got it?”

~

[Lantern Lad]

Hal remained behind a piece of the fragmented moon as the Elite spread throughout. He watched vigilantly for what could be a Thunderer or Destroyer, though he wouldn’t know the difference and he doubted he would care if they were shooting at him.

He was amazed at how maneuverable Kilowog was even without the ring, but had to wonder about the Guardians military strategy… was it wise to send their agents into a stealth operation in bright green armor?

And what exactly was the deal with Katma Tui? He wasn’t the one that killed Sinestro. Did she hate him by default, simply because he survived the confrontation? That was pretty crappy.

Suddenly his train of thought was interrupted by a yellow burst of energy and a flying “Thunderer” (or Destroyer, since he still didn’t know the difference)… followed by a certain missing Air Force Lieutenant.

Guy?

Guy Gardner stood there on a cliff… literally standing on the edge of the world. Guy’s military fatigue pants were covered in yellow veins emanating from the yellow ring on his right hand, all converging into the “G” on his “Green Bay Packers” T-shirt. Guy turned, and walked back to where he had come from, out of sight. Although Hal couldn’t hear anything in the vacuum of space, he could tell that Guy had been laughing hysterically at what he had just done.

Hal left the relative security of the asteroid behind, moving closer to the remains of Qward. He moved from asteroid to asteroid, much like Kilowog had, to avoid detection. The Qwardians were there, but not in the number he had expected. Maybe they truly were going to take them by surprise.

Hal found a rocky outcropping near the spot Guy was standing just moments before when his helmet intercom came to life.

>"Rookie, what the sprock do ya think yer doin'?"<

“Following a hunch… Suit, radio silence.”

>"What??? Listen here roo…*"< Kilowog protested as the suit cut off the transmission.

{Acknowledged}

~

[Lantern Lad]

Kilowog looked toward Tomar Re in disbelief when the transmission cut off. Tomar just stood there shaking his head.

“The meat just cut me off…” he explained to Tomar & Chaselon.

“So much like Abin Sur…” Chaselon replied happily.

“Yeah, gonna get himself killed… sprock it! If he’s seen, this operation is over.” Kilowog grunted.

Kilowog tapped a button on his wrist control opening a comm-link between all of the elite.

>"Change in plan kids… Tomar & Chaselon are going to cover the rookie. Katma, you’re with me… Ch’p, Salakk, your orders are the same."<

Moments later the redeployed Lanterns were in position when Hal re-opened his comm-link.

>"Guys, I think I may have found what we’re looking for…"<

~

[Lantern Lad]

Hal crouched down behind the boulder he used as cover. His helmet, though necessary, was getting in the way. In the distance he could see something large & yellow but couldn’t discern exactly what it was. It didn’t help that an army of Qwardians & a small army of Yellow Lanterns surrounded it.

“Suit, enhanced vision mode” Hal commanded.

{Acknowledged} The suit complied & the view screen inside the helmet magnified.



The tower of a large palace portruded from what had to have been a crater. The tower was yellow… but at it’s peak a yellow lantern, a duplicate of the one on OA. It had to be the source of the Legion Virus… but how were they going to get to it?

“Suit, regular vision mode and re-open comm” Hal commanded.

{Acknowledged}

“Guys, I think I may have found what we’re looking for…” Hal began, “Large yellow power battery looks just like the one on OA”

>"Huh, Good job rookie, stand down, we’ll meet up at your location."< Kilowog replied.

“10-4.” Hal acknowledged.

Hal noticed a commotion near the Qwardian & Yellow Lantern’s gathered near the crater.

“Suit, enhanced vision mode again” Hal commanded.

{Acknowledged} Hal ignored the computer voice as the view screen magnified once again. Guy had emerged from a cavern with a young girl in chains. The elf-like blonde girl wore a tattered Green Lantern uniform and had been beaten severely. She couldn’t have been more than 14 or 15 years old… and she wasn’t infected with the virus.

Hal watched as she was taken towards the crater, and down to the Citadel enterance. The Yellow Lanterns followed Guy, and the Qwardian guards dispersed.

The girl had no ring… and no protective suit. Breathable air?

“Suit, analyze air compostition.”

{Acknowledged: 78.08% Nitrogen; 20.95% Oxygen; .93% Argon; .03…}

“That’s enough...”

The air’s breathable…

Hal unfastened his helmet slowly and set it on the ground next to him. He held his breath the entire time, just to be safe… it was his first time on an alien world in another dimension, after all. He drew in a deep breath and exhaled… coughing quietly into his hand.

Good lord, it may be breathable, but it reeks.



He’s suddenly tapped on the shoulder & spins, weapon system ready, until he sees Kilowog.

“Ya really are fearless…” Kilowog snorted, taking off his helmet. Katma followed suit, standing behind the big brute.

“The man that killed Sinestro is here... he’s got Sinestro’s ring.” Hal explained, “He had a young girl Lantern with him… she wasn’t infected, but she looked really bad. Took her into the crater

“Yeah, we saw them too… don’t know who the girl is, but there’s not much we can do about it right now.” Kilowog said nodding in the direction of the tower. “We gotta take that thing down.”

> “We have a visual on the tower."< Sallak’s voice came through the comm unit, > "It looks like a rougher, smaller version of our own central power battery. It’s being guarded by one Destroyer & two of our own."<

“Kilowog?” Hal interrupted.

“What?”

“Send the Chipmunk in for the girl…” Hal explained the idea as it came to him, “he’s small enough to sneak in, get her & sneak out. If everything goes as planned, we should be up & running with our rings if he runs into trouble and needs extraction.”

“That sounds like a feasable idea,” Katma offered, staring at Hal. She was startled that the human cared so much about a stranger he had never met.

“Ch’p, you copy that?” Kilowog spoke into his comm-system.

>"Copy, Kil… and I’m not a Chipmunk, Human."< Ch’p growled back into the comm-system. The word ‘human’ was obviously meant as an insult. >"I will comply, Salakk will cover my insertion. Ch’p out."<

“We need to run a distraction to draw the guards away from the battery.” Kilowog went over the plan again. “Tomar & Chasellon will place the charge. We blow the battery, go in rings blazin’ & pull our people out. The rookie here is the only one ta face an infected Corpsman & live to tell about it… so listen up.”

Kilowog & Katma stared at Hal expecting him to speak.

“What?” Hal asked.

“You fought Sinestro… how’d you beat him?”

“Oh, right. The infected ring’s work differently than ours. Instead of the ring automatically protecting the bearer, they have to produce a shield. Basic Guerilla warfare tactics are your best bet.” Hal said bluntly.

“What’s a Guerilla?” Katma asked sincerely.

>"Probably a distant cousin to a Chipmunk"< Ch’p chimed in.

“No, sneak attacks… strike & hide. Avoid face to face confrontation.” Hal explained to the gasps of the others.

“It’s low, but that’s the way they do it on Earth.” Kilowog explained.

>"How barbaric"< Salakk countered.

~

[Lantern Lad]

Ch’p approached the crater containing the citadel clutched to the back of a small asteroid fragment, using his containment suit to propel it. It was just small enough to avoid detection, but large enough to shield his small body from prying eyes.

Just before the asteroid impacted into the crater floor, Ch’p jumped and clutched onto the side of the Citadel’s tower. A nearby open window offered the best chance at getting into the Citadel. Sticking to the shadows, Ch’p made his way slowly into the tower and out of site.

“Ch’p is in…” Salakk spoke into the comm-system.

~

[Lantern Lad]

Kilowog, still crouched with Hal & Katma, received the message. “Alright, Ch’p’s in… it’s distraction time!”

“I’ll do it,” Hal offered.

“No way!” Katma declared. “Let me, I’ve got the experience…”

“Come on! I’ve fought one of these guys before…” Hal protested.

“She’s right meat, she’s got a few months on ya.” Kilowog nodded at Katma. “Get out there Kid, we’ll cover ya.”

Katma steps out from behind cover, igniting the jet-pack on her battle armor. The gravity of Qward slowed the unit down significantly… not to mention, she wasn’t gliding around very aero-dynamically.

“Kilowog… she’s too slow. She won’t be able to get away when they spot her…” Hal protested again as he got to his feet and stepped out from behind cover.

“Get back under cover Jordan! Ya haven’t got enough experience in these suits…” Kilowog ordered.



“Know what big guy? You’re right! Screw this.” Hal shouted energizing his ring. Instantly the armor disengaged revealing a modified GL flight suit.



Immediately the infected Green Lanterns were aware of his presence and set off in Hal’s direction. Hal flew at top speed toward Katma and used his ring to snatch her up in a green bubble. Hal sent the Katma filled bubble back toward Kilowog.

“Sprock! Well, if we needed our diversion, that’ll do.” Kilowog said to himself before barking orders into the comm-system, “Salakk, move in, use conventional weapons, no rings until the charge is planted. Chaselon has the charge, Tomar, cover him directly. Move it Poozers, we only get one shot at this…”

~

[Lantern Lad]

Ch’p made his way cautiously through the ventilation system of the Qwardian palace. He quickly found the main audience chamber where the girl was chained to a pillar. In an interesting twist of events, the fowl red haired human that Jordan knew was sitting on the Qwardian throne. He was flanked on either side by thunderers, fanning him with large yellow leaves.

Sitting at his feet, on the ground, was Chief Weaponer Kiman looking very, very angry.

This is unexpected… now if I can just get by them somehow.

Suddenly the yellow leaves disappeared and the humans ring began to glow. He barked orders to the drone Yellow Lanterns and the Thunderers, then flew from the room.

Chief Weaponer Kiman turned and walked towards a set of stairs that went up the main tower, leaving the young girl alone.

Ch’p made sure the coast was clear and blew a hole in the ventilation duct. Leaving his armor behind, he scampered down and to the feet of the unconscious girl.

“Ring?” Ch’p took a chance on using the ring and inquired aiming his ringed paw at her.

{Arisia, of Graxos IV, daughter of Fentara. Green Lantern alternate}

“Indeed?” Ch’p responded sadly, knowing that she was the last survivor of the doomed planet. He powered his ring down again and tapped Arisia on the leg. “Awaken child… we must go.” She did not respond.

Oh dear…

Risking a little more this time, he used his ring to destroy the chains binding her and cushioned her fall with a translucent green nest of twigs & soft leaves.

“Assimilate or destroy!” Came a voice from behind him.

“Oh dear…”

~

[Lantern Lad]

Hal continued to lead the Yellow Lanterns away, until they suddenly halted. He glanced over his shoulder when a familiar voice reached his ears.

“Well now… Look at what the cat dragged in, if it isn’t old ‘Lucky Ace’ himself. How’re the Corps treatin’ ya, Jordan? Don’t bother answerin’, I really couldn’t give a damn.” Guy Gardner taunted, as he produced a pair of yellow fists that smashed into Hal.

Hal regained his composure and took cover behind an asteroid.

“Come on Jordan, don’t you want to come out & play???” Guy shouted, “Can you believe it, I take this ring from that alien, I get all of these powers, an army and a king that obeys every command I give them. Watch this…”

Guy pointed at one of the Yellow Lanterns. “You, kill yourself.”

“Guy, don’t!!!” Hal shouted as he flew out from behind the asteroid.

But it was too late. The Yellow Lantern, once Green Lantern Arkis of sector 3272, used a beam of yellow energy to disintegrate himself leaving nothing but the yellow glowing ring.

“Hahahaaaa! Pretty damn cool huh, Jordan? Look who’s better than who now… I command an army and you’re still just someone’s lap dog.”

“This isn’t you Guy, you’ve been infected with a virus by that ring.” Hal pleaded.

“Yeah, yeah, yeah. So what? I can now, officially, beat the crap outta you without breakin’ a sweat. Get over it.” Guy declared as he unleashed a salvo of yellow missiles toward Hal.

Hal ducked behind the asteroid again, but the missiles destroyed it utterly, sending Hal reeling end over end.

~

[Lantern Lad]

Kilowog & Katma Tui lost the battle armor & began fighting in earnest once a few battalions of Destroyers & Yellow Lanterns began chasing Hal. They weren’t going to let the Pooz die… They just had to buy enough time for Salakk & Chaselon to plant the charge & get the sporck out of there!

The Qwardians were easy enough to beat, but the Yellow Lanterns, on the other hand, were a bit tougher. The Guerilla tactics worked well enough one on one… maybe even two on one… but twenty on one odds… not that great.

Kilowog, with his back against a boulder looked to Katma and smiled. “Well, it was an honor servin’ with ya, Poozer.”

Before she could respond they were tackled by dozens of Yellow Lanterns.

~

[Lantern Lad]

Hal righted himself and used his ring to snare a large rock fragment, hurling it towards Guy. He quickly produced a pair of giant green boxing gloves and sent them after the asteroid. He knew Guy well enough to know that Guy, infected or not, would still be a show off.

Guy saw the asteroid coming straight for him and stood defiantly with his arms folded. He conjured a yellow saw blade and cut the rock in half, clearing a path for the boxing gloves to hit their target. The boxing gloves nail him in the head from both sides, sending him spinning.

Guy fell onto a meteor fragment, dazed. He wiped blood from his lips & nose. The army of Destroyers and Yellow Lanterns surrounded Hal preparing to pounce.

“STAND DOWN NOW!!!” Guy commanded.

Guy stood up, staggering to one side he nearly fell over, but used his ring to right himself.

“He’s mine” Guy declared.

~

[Lantern Lad]

Chaselon floated near the base of yellow power battery setting the charge, yet taking caution not to get too close to the battery itself. He remained in his protective battle armor so as to not draw attention to himself from the Yellow Lanterns. Salakk, also in armor, flew nearby, picking off the Thunderers & Destroyers that got too close with his particle cannon.

Finally, the charge was set & ready for detonation.

“Salakk, my friend, the time for us to depart is upon us!” Chaselon declared.

“As elegant as ever my frie…,” Salakk’s reply was cut short by a large explosion.

Salakk activated his ring to protect himself as shards of crystal & green pelt him. All that was left of poor Chaselon were twitching robotic arms & legs.

Kiman, the Chief Weaponer stood by, smoke coming from the staff of Yokal. He walked towards the remains of Chaselon, grinding them beneath his sandaled feet. He knelt down, and picked up Chaselon’s ringed robotic arm.

“Ah… a trophy.” He said glaring at the enraged Salakk. “You will not destroy all that I have worked for. I will have my revenge… Legionnaires, Destroyers ATTACK!!!”

Salakk launched himself at Kiman and the approaching Yellow Lanterns, ring blazing.

~

[Lantern Lad]

Guy stood facing Hal, neither movin, neither speaking, both with their ringed fists aimed at the other. Both combatants wait for the other to make the first move.

Guy’s ring began to glow, but not of his own volition. Hal braced himself for the attack, when an inhuman voice emanated from the yellow ring.

{LEAVE HIM… PROTECT THE BATTERY}

“NO!… I will not…” Guy stammered, grabbing his head. “GO!” he screamed at his followers who turned and flew back toward the Palace.

Hal immediately took advantage of the distraction and pounced on Guy. Due to his lack of training Guy was no match for Hal & his ring of power. Hal threw everything he had at Guy, beating him down with every blow.

Guy staggered back, conjuring a yellow M60 & unleashed a barrage of gunfire at Hal, hitting him in the shoulder. Hal dove for cover.

“You’re still a crap shot Gardner.” Hal shouted over his shoulder biting back the pain.

“Kill you… you sonova…” Guy mumbled as he unleashed another Salvo of bullets in Hal’s general direction.

Hal noticed that Guy was dazed, and firing randomly. He again took advantage of Guys state, smashing him in the back of the head with a glowing baseball bat. Gardner went down, moaning, but not unconscious. Hal flew over to him intending to disarm him when Guy began to raise up…

“God, you’re skull is thicker than I thought.” Hal taunted, “Alright, let’s make this fair, I’ll end this without my ring…”

“Bastard,” Guy drooled blood on his shirt.

Guy stood up slowly and struck a fighters stance. His stocky frame swayed from side to side. Hal took one swing, a right hook, and Guy was out cold.

“Stay down… I’ll be back for you later.” Hal said rubbing his knuckles.

~

[Lantern Lad]

Hal flew towards the palace, hoping to find it in smoking ruins, but was horrified with what he saw. Kilowog, Tomar Re, Katma Tui all infected with the Legion Virus.

“Ah, crap…” Hal said as Kilowog launched himself in the air at him.

Kilowog hit Hal in the stomach, full force… knocking him to the ground on his knees. Had Hal’s ring not worked, Kilowog would have punched through Hal. Kilowog doubled back and pounced on Hal, tackling him. Kilowog wrapped his large hands around Hal’s neck and began to slowly squeeze.

“Assimilate or destroy…” Kilowog droned.

Drool ran from Kilowogs mouth and splashed Hal in the face. This was it… he knew he was going to die with some big aliens slobber all over him.

Kilowog is suddenly knocked upside the head with a large rock. Hal, suddenly able to breathe again, stood up and saw Ch’p, Arisia & a gravely wounded Salakk. Arisia was armed to the teeth with every Qwardian weapon ever designed. Ch’p had the explosive device… in the background, Kiman & the Qwardians were closing in.

“Things are looking a bit bleak, I’d say.” Ch’p said pointing out the obvious as the infected Katma & Tomar Re began to charge. “The weapon is armed, but it isn’t where it needs to be. We have failed…”

“No. What needs to happen?” Hal spat.

“It must be detonated as close to the battery…” Ch’p replied stunned at the human’s resiliance.

“Fine... Get as far away as possible.” Hal grabbed the explosive and with all the speed he could muster, flew directly for the power battery.

He Knocked everyone and everything down that got in his way.

As close to the battery as possible huh? OK… no problem.

Hal flew head-first into the battery. In a brilliant green flash the battery exploded, dousing everything in a bright green light. Qward itself began to break up, finishing the job the Guardians began many years before.

~

[Lantern Lad]

Katma Tui, Kilowog, Tomar Re and all other Green Lanterns that were infected by the Legion virus were immediately released from it’s hold. Hundreds of Green Lanterns floated above the destruction. Kiman was pinned between a large fragment of the battery and a piece of the planet he ruled. Katma Tui approached him, ring hand extended.

“Kiman, by code 263 of interplanetary law, you are under arrest…” she began.

“As if I give a frag about your interplanetary law” Kiman interrupted, “you are all just puppets bein… mrphphph.” Katma smiled as she gagged him.

“You have the right to remain silent… please use it.” She replied.

The surviving Green Lanterns tried to round up as many of the fleeing Qwardians, but far too many were able to escape to unknown regions.

~