The New Journey Begins...

"Green Lanterns Hal Jordan and Kilowog," came Appa's voice over the Interceptor II's Comm-Link. "I assume you have apprehended the Black Lantern Ilana, and are transporting her to the Prison Asteroid as we speak?"

"Well, Appa," began Hal, seeming to search for the right words. "I wouldn't say 'apprehended'-seeing as she wouldn't come quietly. Although we did manage to separate her from her ring."

"You managed to-how?", came a confused response from the green tinted Guardian's holographic image. "The only way would've been to-"

"Destroy her?", came Razer's voice, his entrance unnoticed up to now. "Hal is right. She left us no choice. I had long accepted that what we faced was not the Ilana I remembered and loved-but an abomination brought to life by-this." At his last word, he produced from behind him the energy-encased black ring-Ilana's black ring-which seemed almost imbued with its own life force as it repeatedly struggled against its confines.

"What the norx?!", yelled Kilowog, aiming his ring reflexively. "That thing's trying to get out?! So, what now? I guess it's trying to get to a new owner, huh? Same as ours would've if we'd've lost-"

He looked over at Razer. "Look, kid," he began, "I know what you did back there wasn't easy, but-"

"It had to be done," Razer responded. "I see that. One thing I learned from Saint Walker and Ganthet was that Hope always shows us the way that Rage makes us too blind to see. If there had been a way to save her, I would've seen it the moment I donned the blue ring. Right?"

In all the confusion, Kilowog hadn't really paid attention to Razer's new appearance. Aside from the fact that his uniform was now blue-the almost bladelike extensions on his helmet and gauntlets seemed to be shorter and a little less menacing. In fact, it almost mirrored a GL uniform-almost. And to hear him speak this way-speaking of Hope instead of acting blindly out of Rage-was enough to make him wonder if this really was Razer. It was the kind of turnaround you had to actually see to believe...and even then you might have some reservations. His obversations were interrupted by repetitive blue flashes from Razer's ring.

"Yes, Ganthet?", he answered. "I'm here. Is something wrong?"

"I see, Razer," Ganthet began, "that your time as a Red Lantern has conditioned you to expect the worst when your ring flashes. I just wanted to see how you've taken to the change from Rage to Hope. Also, the other Blue Lanterns were anxious to hear from you. On another note, we have noticed, how shall we say, fluctuations, in the emotional spectrum-particularly with Love and Fear. The Star Sapphires have sent out a request for help from anyone available-but Queen Aga'po specifically asked for you three."

"It appears, Ganthet," interrupted Appa's hologram, "that we both have the same ideas. I was informing Green Lantern 2814 of the exact same message. We have sent co-ordinates to the Interceptor's navigation systems and expect your report on the situation immediately!"

"So what exactly does the Sinestro Corps gain going after the Star Sapphires?," inquired Hal. "They're not exactly the most threatening members of the spectrum! You'd think they'd find the Black Lanterns more of a conquest. After all, they do-" He was silenced by a stern glance from Kilowog, who shook his head, "no", almost unnoticeably. "Seem to be better at the fighting part.", he recovered.

"Maybe those poozers know who not to mess with," came Kilowog's retort. "After all, I'd rather face an army of Reds than face another Black Lantern!" Everyone on board was inclined to agree.