Chapter 7

Underground mines; Oa

As the prisoners returned to the mines, Hal formulated an escape plan in his mind. The prisoners all returned to their previous positions before Hal turned to see a massive Alien Creature looking down at him.

"That's my spot" the alien said "Move!"

"Sorry, but I believe you are mistaken" Hal insisted "This spot was assigned to me."

"Are you calling me a liar?"

"I never said that you were, just that there was a misunderstanding."

"Oh, don't worry. I know just what to do" the Alien closed in on him. Instinctively, Hal slid the ring onto his finger and formed a fist like construct, sending the alien flying back and knocking him out.

The other prisoners turned to look at him in awe.

"A Green Lantern" one of them said.

"I told you one might be here." Another said.

Hal then heard a loud noise coming in his direction and turned to see several Manhunters charging straight at him.

"Ok" he said to himself "Plan B"

Hal ran in the opposite direction, occasionally shooting beams of energy at nearby rock to slow the Manhunters down.

Making a U-turn, Hal hid behind the corner, watching the Manhunters passing by. His breath began to slow before feeling a hand touch his shoulder. He turned in the direction of the hand, his ring at the ready should he need to use it, but stopped himself when he saw a familiar face.

"Arisia?" he whispered in disbelief.

"Don't ask, just follow me." Arisia stated before walking away, Hal following closely behind her.

Citadel Ruins; Oa

Hal and Arisia hid behind some wreckage as the acid rain fell on the surface of the planet. They managed to escape from the Manhunters before coming across this hideout. Han examined his ring while Arisia looked at the ruins around them.

"I thought Kilowog would be with you" Arisia commented.

"He was, but we were separated on Mogo." Hal explained "The Manhunters knocked me out and brought me here. And there really wasn't much I could do since my ring was dead."

"Then how did you do that?" Hal then pointed to the dome.

"There must be something in there that is charging my ring."

"I guess it might be worth investigating, we just need to wait for the acid rain to pass."

"How long do you think it would take?"

"All night for all I know." Hal then noticed something, Arisia seemed grief stricken.

"Are you okay?" he asked "You look down."

Arisia then turned to face the large building with the dome.

"This place is all that's left of the guardians' base of operations here on Oa. Last time I was here this place was still standing. Then the Manhunters came and destroyed everything."

"Why'd you come looking for me?" Hal asked quietly.

"I thought about what you said about Kilowog's planet, and I think I'd probably do the same if I was in your position."

"What about your father?"

"Don't worry, I left him a note."

The two chuckled for a while before drifting off to sleep.

Citadel Dome; Oa

As the sun rose in the distance, Hal and Arisia flew closer to the large dome, it was a lot bigger than they first expected. Upon closer inspection, Hal noticed it was thick but also hollow.

"How are we gonna get in there?" Hal asked examining the structure in front of them.

Arisia examined the dome, trying to see any way to get inside.

"There" she pointed to a large opening near the base of the dome "We could use that to get inside and see what's charging your ring."

The two Lanterns walked closer to the gap only to stop when a blue beam hit the ground, startling them. Turning they saw a group of Manhunters heading towards them.

Arisia created a construct to pin one of the Manhunters to the ground, but a second one got in a clean shot to her side.

Hal rushed to aid her, creating a shield with his ring before going into the opening at the base of the dome.

"Are you alright?" he asked while inspecting her wound.

"Yeah, thanks." She responded. The two continued walking hearing the echoes of foot prints following them through the dome.

Hal then shielded his eyes at a bright green light emanating from the center of the dome. Arisia's eyes widened at the sight.

"The Central Battery" she whispered "It was never destroyed."

"Is that why the ring was charged?" Hal asked. Before Arisia could respond, however, the battery began glowing brighter as surges of energy flowed into their rings.

"Who are you?" a voice asked, the two lanterns saw the light dimming and a short figure with blue skin wearing a long red robe stood in front of the battery.

"My name is Harold Jordan." Hal responded "I am the new lantern of…"

"It doesn't matter what sector you hail from." the small figure responded "Now, listen closely. It won't take long before the Manhunters enter the containment dome, so I will not repeat myself."

Arisia continued clutching her wound as large footsteps echoed throughout the dome.

"We the Council of Oa created the Manhunters to assist and keep the Green Lanterns under control, but a flaw in their programing made them perceive the lanterns as a threat. So they began attacking them and when my brethren attempted to shut them down, we found ourselves in the line of fire. I was the only survivor."

Arisia held her ring up ready to use it as the footsteps got closer.

"As you are no doubt aware, it is not easy to destroy a Manhunter. But I might be able to provide you with some assistance. This dome prevents the Central Battery's Green Energy from flowing freely, and as such your rings are not as powerful."

Hal looked down at his ring.

"I can see that your will is strong, Harold Jordan, greater than that of any Lantern that has ever joined the Corps aside from Mogo, and so there is no one better suited to do as I ask you. You must destroy the containment dome and allow the energy to flow, and thus reach every Lantern ring in the Galaxy. Then, send a single to all the other lanterns and with their combined power focus your attack on the battery. That will destroy both Oa and the Manhunters."

"Wait, we can't do that" Hal stated "There are thousands of people here, if we destroy the planet they'll all die."

"What are thousands of lives on one planet compared to millions across the galaxy? The battery cannot be destroyed, now go."

Hal turned to see several Manhunters closing in on them as the light began to fade.

As the Manhunters charged forward, Hal rushed to Arisia before blasting one of the Manhunters, destroying its head. The blast, however, was stronger than Hal expected and blasted a whole through the dome.

The remaining Manhunters charged forward, nearly grabbing Arisia, who created a construct and ripped them apart.

The two Lanterns flew out through the hole that was created, only to see well over one thousand Manhunters floating in front of them.

"So, what's the plan?" Arisia asked, clutching her wound.

"We need to send a distress signal to all the other lanterns" Hal responded, causing his ring to bleep.

"Omni Directional Distress Signal prepared." A voice came from the ring.