Hal Jordan isn't the biggest fan of authority. As a high-ranking peacekeeper in the Green Lantern Corps, he's willing to defy any and all orders if it means getting the job done. So what happens when he becomes the authority? When the Corps gains a...
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Oa was the site of a mass gathering for off-duty Lanterns on one particularly special cycle. The crowd gathered around the Citadel, the meeting place of the Guardians of the Universe, as two very welcome visitors arrived to discuss the threat of a gigantic cosmic storm that was charted for a direct course with a populated galaxy. Hal kept his distance, leaning on the wall of one of the many buildings in the area. He was glad to step aside and make sure his fellow Lanterns got to meet their guests first; after all he did see them every other day back on Earth.
"Is that really him?" Arisia chirped like a little girl, cupping her mouth in shock. "I always imagined him to be really big and scary. Like a giant. But he's...so cute."
Propped up on her shoulder was Ch'p, the squirrel-like protector of Sector 1014. "All those stories are probably loads of grok."
Guy scoffed at the crowds of people gathered to meet the big blue boy scout. "Eh, he's kind of a square."
"Yeah. Being too polite would be an insult to you, wouldn't it?" Said John Stewart. "Like it or not, he's the strongest man in the universe. And I'd rather him be on my side, right?" He quipped with a smirk.
"I could take him." Guy snapped.
"Yeah, no." Hal chuckled. "I've seen him push moons out of orbit without breaking a sweat."
Arisia beamed, and Ch'p cocked his head and sneered "So...the stories are all true?"
"Except the one about how he can mould his face like clay to look like anyone he wants." Hal replied, at which John found himself shaking his head with a smirk.
"I never get tired of hearing that one." John added.
Hal peered over the shoulders of his comrades and caught a glimpse of Clark walking up to the Citadel via its set of emerald steps. At his side was his cousin, the Last Daughter of Krypton, Kara. She looked a lot less comfortable in front of all these people than Clark did, but she always tried her best and Hal really admired her for that. For someone her age, she's been through a hell of a lot. As he watched them stride up the stairs, he pointed out "You guys know what the best part of this is? He hates these kinds of things. Seeing people thank him and stuff like that."
Guy came roaring into the conversation yet again. "'Cause he's a goody good."
"What's wrong with that?" Said Arisia, pouting her lips.
Hal noted that Kal and Kara walked by Vell, who watched them intently as they ascended the steps to the Citadel. Hal noticed that Vell's eyes also darted from every face in the crowd of Green Lanterns, as if she were looking for someone. Hal's easy-going smile faded...and his mind ran to the one Lantern who wouldn't be here.
"This is what a real man looks like. We aren't meant to be afraid to crack skulls." Guy retorted with gusto.
"He can crack planets though. Isn't that a step above?" John prodded, purposefully trying to provoke his hot-headed friend.
Then, Vell came soaring over from her spot in front of the crowd. Her eyes pinned onto Hal as she landed, her brow furrowed in concern. "I don't see Tomar-Re. Where is he?"
The group of Lanterns fell into sombre silence. Only Arisia and Vell were left glancing in between their lowered faces in confusion.
"Uh...guys...?" Arisia timidly spoke.
Hal turned to his friends John, Guy and Ch'p. "I got it." He said quietly.
Ch'p silently complied, hovering off of Arisia's shoulder and following John's lead as he strode away from Hal and the alien women. Guy took a couple seconds to get out, but he eventually did, not finding any clever words.
This left Arisia and Vell staring into Hal's eyes with immense curiosity. "Okay Initiates, pop quiz. What Sector is Tomar-Re assigned to?"
"Two eight one three!" Arisia barked, as if she had always known this bit of information and was surprised that it just became useful to her.
"Nice. Vell, try to keep up here."
Vell crossed her arms "Hilarious."
"Alright, next. What sector was Krypton a part of before its core ruptured and caused it to implode, wiping out over ninety-nine percent of its population?" Hal continued.
The two rookie Lanterns found themselves glancing at each other with dread before they both answered simultaneously "Two eight one three."
Hal nodded. He'd known for a long time that Tomar-Re held himself responsible for Krypton's destruction. To this day, he hadn't felt himself able to meet Kal or even look him in the eye. Hal tried to counsel him but to no avail. He thought maybe today would be a good day to talk him into it, but like all the other times, Tomar didn't give him any consideration. For such a wise, open-minded and friendly Lantern, when Krypton was on his mind, he became a recluse.
"He blames himself for not being able to save Krypton. Not just from it imploding...but from Brainiac."
"The Bottling of Kandor?" Arisia probed.
"Yeah. He was too late to stop it. His personal logs are on record in the archive...but you need executive permissions to access them." Hal summoned a holographic interface, swiped at a couple buttons, then closed the screen. "They're all yours if you girls want to know more."
Vell shot Arisia a stern look, then gazed back at Hal. "Thank you. We'll check them out now."
The two Lantern recruits soared over to the local archive server together, their minds racing. By the time they got to into the empty archive chamber, Vell's curiosity became insatiable. "I wonder what happened."
"It's kind of sad...that he blames himself."
"It depends on whether or not he could've actually saved them."
Arisia's expression dropped. "I dunno if that's fair, Vell."
"It doesn't matter. We'll know the full story in a couple seconds."
