Beware My Power
"Good call, Ganthet. Another minute and I would've-"
"Said something stupid?" Kilowog asked. "Yeah I think that ship sailed a long time ago, Jordan."
Hal Jordan and Kilowog followed the lead of Guardian Ganthet toward the commissary, or the direction they thought the commissary was in. After a heated argument with Guardian Appa, Hal had completely forgotten their direction. Kilowog, on the other hand, had not.
"Hey, this ain't the way to the commissary." Kilowog said.
"Indeed. I thought we might enjoy taking a more scenic route." Ganthet said.
They flew over the aviary dome. The white dome retracted beneath them. Hals jaw dropped when he spied the vessel within the dome. The sleek, green and white ship was the most stunning ship he'd ever seen. A large green orb was station just between the tail and main section of the ship.
"What is that?" Hal drooled.
"Oh that. Nothing really." Ganthet answered nonchalantly. "The Interceptor crashed landed on Oa over a century ago. After extensive repairs, the ship is now powered on the green energy itself."
"HOLY CRUD." Kilowog mused.
"How…fast?" Hal asked.
"Well the Interceptor is potentially the fastest ever created by sentient life." Ganthet explained.
"Potentially?"
"The Interceptor hasn't flown since it landed. What more, when it was discovered, we found a passenger stowed away in a stasis pod, however, she was severely injured. Combining cybernetic technology with the green energy, we were able to revive her. She is now the Interceptor's Artificial Intelligence." Ganthet explained.
"Wait, didn't she have any memories, any planet to return to?" Kilowog asked.
Ganthet shook his head. "The damage to her mind was so extensive, that all she knows now is what she learns through the Guardian's and the Interceptor programming. All through a cerebral interface that links her mind to the vessel."
Hal started flying down toward the ship.
"Uh uh." Kilowog said, grabbing Hal's shoulder. "I know that look. Jordan, this isn't one a your Earth jet-thingies."
"Look, I'll take her up, I'll work the bugs out, then we'll fly her to the frontier and we'll take care of the lantern killer." Hal explained.
"I doubt that will come to pass. It is much too risky." Ganthet said. "And all guardians must be in agreement. Some will doubt the very existence of this lantern killer."
"Then why show us this?" Kilowog asked.
"I told you my friends; we're simply taking the scenic route." Ganthet answered. He flew past Kilowog and Hal toward the commissary.
Hal was used to disobeying orders. Especially ones given by Guardian Appa. The little Guardian had a knack for giving him orders that were just begging to be disobeyed. And with Ganthet's subtle viewing of the Interceptor, Hal couldn't resist the opportunity now. He hugged himself against the wall, out of sight of the security system. He glanced around the corner at the patrol rod guarding the entrance to the hanger dome. He constructed an energy replica of Ganthet and sent him down the corridor.
"Identify." the guard said.
"Ganthet of the Guardians." Hal mimicked.
"Incorrect. Simulant detected. Contacting security."
Hal quickly blasted the guard post and ran through the corridor. The hanger was empty and dark. Hal moved quickly toward the ship. He took a quick glance around and ran into a strong chest. Hal topped backwards and looked up.
"Kinda figured you turn up here, hot shot." It was Kilowog. "Just your style. You borrow the ship, rush into danger, catch the killer, save the day. Big hero."
"You forgot get the girl." Hal said, getting up from the floor. "There's probably a girl somewhere in all this. Don't try to stop me big guy."
"Who's tryin' to stop ya? I'm coming with you." Kilowog said. He lifted two lantern batteries from behind his back. "Forget anything?"
Hal smirked. "Okay, you can tag along."
"I've been saving your butt ever since boot camp. No reason to stop now." Kilowog replied.
They flew onto the docking ramp and walked up into the Interceptor. They walked up into landing deck. They stopped short of entering the deck.
"Whoa." Kilowog mused.
"Look at that." Hal said.
In front of them was a large green lantern batter just in the next room.
"This thing's engine is a giant power battery." Kilowog mused.
They walked into the lift and found themselves on the main deck. The deck was empty of any furniture, with console spread out across the deck.
"She's beautiful." Hal said.
"She?"
"She. A ship is always a she." Hal explained. "I wonder how you fly this baby."
Suddenly one of the pods inside the wall emerged. A long cylinder pod emerged from the wall and stopped. It was encased in a frost covered seal. The seal popped opened, hissing as it released in interior pressure slowly. The lid opened completely and a young woman sat up. She wore a white, skin tight flight suit that looked more like a dress. The suit covered her body just below her shoulders and stopped just mid-thigh, leaving the remainder of her legs uncovered. Ring cluster of what looked like pearls, wrapped around her left leg. Green energy strips enhanced the suit, running across sections of her suit, all leading to the green energy plate on her chest. The left wrist held a cybernetic armband built into the suit. Her head was protected by a white helmet. Her mouth was covered by a shield along with a clear shield over her eyes. The shield dropped, revealing a human face with bright blue eyes.
"Please define term beautiful." She said.
"She must the survivor." Kilowog whispered.
"Hello…Aya, we're your new best friends, Hal and Kilowog. We want to learn how to fly the Interceptor." Hal explained.
Doors slid open behind them "In flight preparation protocols, it is productive to be on the bridge." Aya slid off the bed and onto the floor in one fluid motion. She walked between them and led them to the bridge. The bridge was section into two levels. The main flight console was situation on the upper portion of the bridge. The second level held the remainder of the bridge controls with four other seats.
"A.I. does not spell Aya. It spells Iieee. And how do you even know she doesn't already have a name?" Kilowog said.
"But Aya's a pretty name. Pretty name for a pretty girl." Hal said, taking the upper level seat.
"Don't you ever stop?" Kilowog asked.
"New designation accepted, Aya." Aya said.
"Aya, would you like to play a game?" Hal asked.
"What game?"
"This game is called 'Joy Ride'." Hal answered.
Aya was silent for a moment. Her face was expressionless, but the amount of time spent in silence told them she was contemplating the idea. "How was one play 'Joy Ride'?"
"It's actually very simply." Hal said. "We fly out to the frontier space, to these coordinates, and back to Oa."
"Understood." Aya nodded. She walked to the lower deck and took a seat.
The landing ramp rose back to the ship. The doors sealed shut. The hanger dome opened up, revealing the Oan night sky. The Interceptor slowly rose from the hanger. It flew quietly over Oa, toward the sky.
Kilowog glanced out the side panel of the view screen. "Company's coming."
Hal looked toward Kilowog and balked. The Guardians were flying alongside the Interceptor. Appa was pounding on the screen, ordering them to the ground. If they landed it was over for them and the frontier lanterns. "Initiate ultra-warp now."
"Ultra-warp protocols require at least forty-three minutes to calculate." Aya replied. She turned in her chair to face Hal.
"Aya, listen to me, Kilowog and I are Green Lanterns. We help people, right now there's some other Green Lanterns in trouble at the coordinates I gave you." Hal explained.
"It is unsafe to bypass protocols." Aya replied.
"Green Lanterns risk their lives to save the lives of theirs. Aya, please." Hal begged.
Aya turned toward her consol. Hal look down at his consol. The ultra-warp protocols were quickly bypassed. The Interceptor began to shudder around them. The Interceptor was thrust into a worm-hole like stream. Colors passed by in seconds.
"Warning, bypassing protocols has resulted in unstable ultra-warp field. Disintegration, immanent." Aya informed.
The warning systems rang out loudly.
"Hull integrity at seven point seven one percent." Aya informed.
"Aya, can you convert to manual controls?" Hal asked.
"Affirmative, however manual control of the vehicle while in ultra-warp-"
"Do it!" Hal ordered.
Aya initiated the transfer from her console. At Hal's console, the manual steering column emerged from the console. Hal took control over the ship. Hal steered the Interceptor into the side of the ultra-warp field. Kilowog staggered around the bridge.
"How is this better? "He asked.
"If I can slow us down, I might be able to punch through the ultra-warp conduit without breaking her apart." Hal explained.
The Interceptor bounced from side to side of the field. Inside, Kilowog was tossed from side to side around the bridge. Aya remained firmly planet in her seat. Alarms continued to ring out on the bridge. Hal steered the Interceptor into the field again. This time, the ship punched through the field in a burst of white light. The ship emerged from the field, into open space.
Kilowog groaned and sat up. "Whoa. Frontier space."
Hal leaned back in his chair. "I wonder what the odds are of making my date with Carol."
"A billion light years from home and that's what you're thinking? You must've really lost it for this girl." Kilowog said.
"Uh no." Hal said.
"Attention, I am picking telemetry from a nearby power ring." Aya said.
Kilowog walked down to the main console. "It's a GL. And Hal, whoever he is, he's alive."
"But not for long." Aya said, her voice almost hinting to concern. "He is in a firefight and losing."
Hal's eyes narrowed. This was it. "Buckle up, people. This is now officially a rescue mission. Aya, plot us a course."
Aya quickly entered the coordinates. "Plotted."
The Interceptor came to the planet where the lantern energy originated from. They pulled into the planets gravity, dipping toward the surface. They could see the GL lying on the ground, confronted by two red suited enemies. Hal rose from his seat in disbelief.
"What the heck are those?" Kilowog asked.
"A problem. Aya, take control." Hal ordered. "Bring us around and separate that GL from the others."
Aya rose from her seat and took the controls. "Understood."
Kilowog and Hal left the bridge and ran to the lift. They dropped onto the landing ramp. The ramp lowered them out into the atmosphere. They watched the Interceptor open fire on the reds, sending them far from the GL. The Intercept came back around and landed outside the gorge. Kilowog and Hal jumped off the ramp and took flight. Just seconds after taking flight, red energy blasted them both out of the air. They hit the ground hard, but easily managed to regain their footing.
Hal charged his ring and launched a construct hand at the two incoming. The taller of the two managed to break through the construct with ease. The round one launched a fire construct, which easily shattered Kilowog's shield. Kilowog and Hal quickly took flight.
"Weaklings, your feeble constructs are crushed beneath Red Lanterns might!" yelled the round one.
Hal and Kilowog landed behind a ruble pile.
"Red Lantern? What the narts is a Red Lantern?" Kilowog demanded.
"These guys I'm guessing." Hal answered. He glanced back. "Let's move."
They took flight again, trying to put more distance between themselves and the reds. Several blasts came from behind, trying to take them out of the sky, but Kilowog and Hal managed to avoid them. Kilowog turned and constructed a large shield that collided with the round Red Lantern. The second lantern cut the construct and zeroed in on Kilowog. He slammed his fist into Kilowog. Kilowog constructed a hammer and slammed it into the lantern, throwing him back. The red stopped short and launched an energy beam at Kilowog. Kilowog took flight and weaved between the remains.
"Kilowog, I got a sight on the GL!" Hal said.
Kilowog followed after him.
The Green Lantern was just ahead of them, using the ruble as a brace while he walked. He dropped to his knees just as they touched down. Kilowog constructed a shield, still taking on fire from the reds.
"Easy, we're the cavalry here to rescue you." Hal said. He lifted the lantern and flew him out of the danger zone.
Kilowog leapt out of the path of another energy blast.
Hal looked at his ring. "I'm running low; you have enough juice to fly him back?"
"Big shot GLh from Oa, huh? Maybe I oughta be saving you?" the lantern asked.
"I'll draw their fire while you get the comedian back to the Interceptor." Hal said.
"Yeah I had a feelin' that was coming. What do you want written on your tomb stone?" Kilowog asked.
"Spent the rest of his long life making sure his ring was charged." Hal answered. He flew out from their post behind the Red Lanterns. He shot out a beam, catching their attention and giving time for Kilowog to get out. The Reds launched a whip at him, but Hal managed to dodge and fly away.
Hal dodged the incoming fire from the red lanterns. He weaved around buildings and rocks. He constructed a mace and took out one of the hollowed towers. It collapsed on the round lantern, but the lead lantern remained. He fired at Hal, sending him to the ground. Hal landed on his stomach and pushed himself up. The red came barreling down on him. Hal jumped out of the way as the lanterns fist slammed into the ground. The lantern fired another blast, but Hal dodged, firing oe of his own. The red easily avoided the beam and tried another punch at Hal. Hal dodged and retaliated, but the red ducked his fist and managed a blow to his jaw. Hal stumbled to his knees.
The red constructed a small beam of light. Hal constructed a bat and charged. The two lanterns crossed their constructs, but both retained their shape. Hal's bat began crumbled in his hands. His ring beeped warningly. The red took the chance and blasted Hal into the air. Hal quickly flew off, leaving the lantern behind him. His ring was just about out. He ducked behind the ruble and checked his ring.
"Just enough for one last trick." He said. He stepped out and constructed himself flying away. He watched the red lantern follow his construct and take the bait. But the diversion didn't last long. His ring lost all power; his uniform vanished from his body, as did his construct diversion.
Hal took off running toward the Interceptor. The red lantern closed in on him, firing at him. Kilowog flew down from above and took out the lantern, allowing Hal his moment to get back to the ship. He could hear the fight continuing behind him and knew that Kilowog would have his back. He came to the ledge just over the Interceptor. If he could land on top of the engine room, he could charge his ring using the Interceptors battery. The two lanterns continued their pursuit on him. The fire at the ground, but Hl managed to avoid them. He willed himself to move faster.
"In brightest day, in blackest night, no evil shall escape my sight. Let those who worship evils might beware my power, Green Lanterns Light!" Hal leapt off the ledge and onto the Interceptors hull. The energy from the ship flowed into his ring. He stood up and turned to the red lanterns. He fired directly at the lanterns, sending them flying into space. Hal lowered his arm and collapsed on the hull.
Hal came to slowly. He opened his eyes to find Kilowog looking over him.
"Easy hotshot." He said. "Think you're pretty clever charging your ring off the engine like that? I say you're lucky you didn't blow your arm off."
"It feels like I did." Hal said.
"By my calculations, the energy output from the engines is more than enough to do so, Green Lantern Kilowog. I suggest refraining from doing so again from the exterior Hal Jordan." Aya said. She stood by Shyr Rev, who was lying unconscious on the other bed.
"What about the other-"
"Don't worry about hard case over there. He's gonna be a little sore, for the rest of his life." Kilowog answered.
"Actually I predict a six week healing factor before he is back to prime action." Aya said.
"Where are our friends, ball and chain?" Hal climbed off the bed.
"Your fireworks display sent them on a little trip." Kilowog answered. They walked into the bridge. "I got a bad feeling we'll be seeing them again soon. But in the meantime, who knows? Maybe we'll be back in time for your date with Carol after all."
"Dinner will have to wait. We're here now. We fight them. We stop them." Hal said. "Whatever it takes. However long it takes. We stop them."
okay so first attempt at gltas. basically a complete series reprise with a human Aya. so...let me know what you think.