"So, how long will you be off-planet?" Brittany Nguyen asked, her tone as casual as if she was asking for the length of a beach vacation.
"A month at least. Maybe longer." Janet McCullen sounded serious, as she had a right to be. "It all depends on how quickly we can end the rampage, and how much damage has been done. We've got nearly two full sectors of space we need to free."
"Well, good luck." Amber Nelson shifted her weight onto her other foot, wrapping her coat more tightly about her body. "And don't worry about us. We'll be fine."
The three young women were standing on a high rooftop, about a half-hour after sunset. The sky in the west still showed a slight glow, but it was almost completely gone. All three wore clothes best suited to their respective jobs: Amber, a computer technician, was still in her business suit and shivering slightly in the chill breeze; Brittany, an instructor at the local YMCA, was in a bright orange gym outfit that constrasted sharply with her dark skin; and Janet, a freelance writer and what was best described as a space cop, wore a glowing uniform with the symbol of the Green Lantern Corps on it.
The three were best friends, and had been since their freshman year of college. There were no secrets between them. When, during their junior year, Janet became their universe's sole Green Lantern, it had tied them together even more tightly than they had thought possible. Janet had been eager to share her new life with her two friends, and Brittany and Amber were thrilled to be part of it.
Even if it did involve times like this.
"I certainly hope nothing happens while I'm gone," Janet said. "Earth is a magnet for trouble."
"We'll be fine," Amber repeated. "Beside, we'll have three other Lanterns flying around, won't we?"
Janet smirked slightly. "Just hope that Nirc doesn't come to help if you get into trouble. He's got no tact. It's like giving the Hulk a power ring."
"He's a Red Lantern, isn't that what they do?" Brittany pointed out. "You just take care of yourself. And don't let that Sinestro give you any backtalk."
"I can handle Morrin. And Nahdir will be there. He can teleport us out if things get too bad."
Janet suddenly looked up, and the others followed her example. High overhead, a tiny spot of yellow light was flashing. A bit of indigo light shone beside it.
"Looks like your ride is here," Brittany quipped, and immediately found herself being pulled into a hug by Janet.
"I'll see you girls later," she said, and quickly gave Amber a hug before shooting up into the sky. The two watched their friend as she became a speck of green, almost lost among the many stars, and then all three lights disappeared.