J'onn only had eyes for Despero. Upon arriving over New Tamaran, he had quickly located the Kalanorian leader, still in his restraints, surrounded by Tamaraneans with plasma rifles. Many were pointing their weapons at the despot, a sign that they were taking little chance with their captive.
The rest, however, were taking aim at the Justice League and Green Lantern Corp. As they descended towards the island, their leader Blackfire made her presence known. Standing in front of Despero, she called out, "Come no further! This is Tamaranean land and if there is so much as one footstep on her soil, it will be seen as an invasion!''
The force of heroes and galactic patrolmen came to hover above the volcanic island. The Founders of the League placed themselves front and center, joined by Ganthet. The Green Lanterns that had generously provided transport for the non-flyers of the League maintained the green bubbles that kept them afloat.
It was then that J'onn noticed another party. Standing at the Tamaranean Grand Ruler' side was the Earth-based Koriand'r. She was surrounded by her kinsman, clearly not a guest. She was facing their direction, watching the approach of the League and Lanterns. A cursory probe told the Martian that she was filled with anxiety and a touch of fear and desperation.
"Blackfire," Superman returned, his voice raised so that all could hear him. "We request that you hand over Despero for trial with the Green Lantern Corp."
There was a confident look in Blackfire's posture. She gazed coolly at the Kryptonian. "I will not," she proclaimed. "Despero the Destroyer is a captive of Tamaran. He is ours to do as we see fit."
Hawkgirl growled, but kept her silence. J'onn could sense annoyance and frustration building within his allies. So he drifted forward to draw attention to himself. "Ruler of Tamaran, myself and others went to great lengths to apprehend Despero, only for your forces to ambush us. Please answer with a rationale for why you have done this."
"I do not have to explain my actions; they are all for the survival of Tamaran to whom I am beholden."
"Sister, I beg of you," Koriand'r spoke then. "Please allow these people to escort the Destroyer from these lands. Incredible danger only exists for as long as he is here."
Blackfire gave her sibling a cold stare. "I will not surrender the Destroyer, traitor."
"Please, Sister!"
"Alright, listen, lady," John Stewart then interjected. "This sector is within the jurisdiction of the Green Lantern Corp. Despero was within our custody before you attacked and stole him. One way, or another, he is leaving with us."
"Or you will do…what? Tamaran is a sovereign nation, one that is recognized not only by your Corp, but the Citadel as well. Any hostile action will be met with equal resistance as we protect ourselves."
It seemed the discussions were not going well. Unfortunately, it was quite clear that Blackfire was trying to make a move to solidify her position, using Despero as a bargaining chip. They had yet to reach the negotiation phase, but that would come and no doubt she would have an extensive list of demands. Even now the Martian could sense that she was trying to draw the stand-off in that direction.
Perhaps it would have worked had it not been for a sinister chuckle.
It started low and deep, growing louder until all the attention was focused on its source. There was a look of mirth on Despero's face as he viewed the stand-off. "How entertaining," he remarked.
"You finally have something to say?" Blackfire inquired, irritation notable in her tone. She turned to face her captive, keeping a detached look on her face.
"In fact, I do," the Kalanorian responded. "Watching a weak people like your kinsmen trying to barter is amusing."
"Weak," the dark-haired Tamaranean repeated. "We are not weak. Tamaran is proud and strong, a great race of warriors. We have survived the whips and shackles of slavery and even your attempt at genocide. That does not make us weak."
"Is that right? Then would you explain to me how pride and strength have made your people lowly subjects to the Citadel?" Despero countered. "Those whips and shackles, as you yourself have described them, sit firmly around your necks. It is no secret that even your best warriors are routinely bested."
A stony look appeared on Blackfire's face. "And then there is what remains of your people, hiding out on a world that defeated me," the Kalanorian continued. He glanced around himself at the Tamaranean guards. "Their blind loyalty is quite evident. I do wonder how strong that loyalty is when they learn the truth."
J'onn frowned. What truth was Despero speaking of? It was clear he had no respect for the Tamaraneans. His tone was coy, as if he knew something that no one else did.
"You will silence yourself before I do it for you,"' Blackfire demanded.
The threat drew a small smile on the despot's face. "Do they know? Do they know why it was that I destroyed Tamaran? Or have you fed them the fiction that best served you?"
"Fiction? What does he speak of, Sister?" Koriand'r asked.
"He only speaks of lies and deceit, nothing more," the Tamaranean leader declared. "He only seeks to undermine and poison."
"Perhaps," Despero admitted. "But there is one indisputable fact that not even you can deny. Prior to your home's destruction, I had sent an envoy."
J'onn could feel the surprise that radiated from the Tamaranean forces. A few even shared questioning looks with each other. Apparently there was a deceit present, but not from the quarter they expected.
"The message was a simple one as I sent it out to many worlds that lay in my path to Earth. I have made it quite clear I was coming this way and to all that stood before me, I only asked that they lay their arms down and allow me safe passage." Despero paused. "Except for the Citadel, I will admit. I purposefully wanted to leave them a scar that they could not deny, or twist to serve their purpose. Generations will remember the damage I inflicted upon them."
"I do not know what you are talking about," Blackfire responded.
"How shameful, lying to a telepath," Despero said mockingly. "You may try this facade, but you know as well as I that you purposefully chose to battle my forces. You deliberately placed yourself in my warpath to gain the notoriety of being victorious over myself. Your ego needed validation and it cost you quite dearly. That is why Tamaran is no more. I may have been the one to pull the trigger, but you were the one that made the decision to place yourself in the firing line."
Despero's grin widened wickedly. "And you were also the first to flee, might I add."
"Lies!" Blackfire shrieked. "Be silent! I want him silenced!"
"Komand'r," Galfore suddenly said. "Is what he says is true? Did you ignore the envoy?"
Despero chuckled darkly. "I see your subjects need time with you, Tamaranean Ruler. Seeing as you have heavy matters to see to, I will see myself off."
"You are not going anywhere," Blackfire seethed.
"Oh, I believe I will."
It came out of nowhere. Incredible pain suddenly erupted within J'onn's mind, seering, stabbing, overwhelming. He gasped as his hands flew up to his head, his mind threatening to tear itself apart. A pain cry escaped his lips as he hunched over, his form changing. His cape and uniform faded into his body until only his green skin remained. His head began to elongate, forming a rounded tip at its full length. His true Martian body was revealing itself.
And then he saw nothing but darkness.
Stunned, confused, these were the emotions of devastation that Koriand'r felt most keenly. The revelations of the Destroyer had once again left their mark on her.
First, her dearest family was lost to his destruction; now, she learned that this was all a result of her sister's disastrous choice. The way Komand'r seethed and shrieked indicated there was truth to these allegations. If they were false, she would have toyed with them, much like she toyed with her. Her mind was filled with chaos and despair, a single question echoing over and over.
Why? Why did Komand'r try to face the Destroyer? Why did she feel the loss of their home, their family, and the annihilation of their people was worth the gamble? The current status of their people was depressing, hanging by a string that threatened to break at any moment.
The scream that came next made her jump with fright. Her head turned and she saw the Martian Manhunter gripping his cranium, his body twisting, changing, until he resembled himself no longer. It was quite distracting.
"I must thank you, Tamaranean Ruler," the Destroyer said suddenly. Finding herself focusing on the large Kalanorian, she noticed he was holding up his restraints before him. "Because of you, I was given quite the opportunity."
"I have given you nothing and I promise, I will take everything," her rage-filled sister hissed.
"Oh, but you have. Because of your people's attack, you solved an issue of mine. These restraints were created to render me quite feeble," Despero explained. "And during the attack and subsequent crash, well, they received quite a bit of damage."
It came as sudden as it was unexpected. A rush of energy flared around the Kalanorian, a flame-like aura roaring like a blaze. With minimal strain, he pulled his arms to either side of him, breaking the restraints right down their middle, leaving them appearing as little more than arm guards.
If Koriand'r thought she had felt despair before, she felt a graver, darker emotion now.
Despero rose to his feet. This action caused his guards to open immediate fire with their plasma rifle. The beams never damaged his skin as they clashed with the Destroyer's aura and approached no farther. It was like a shield that protected him from the energy beams.
Despero held out one arm then. With one gesture, he swung it out to his side, unleashing his awful power. A wave of purple flames flowed from his extended, swinging arm, washing over her kinsmen like a flood. The Tamaraneans were consumed by it, screaming as they vanished within the flames.
Another scream rang out, but this time it was from her sister. It was animalistic, befitting a beast. Blackfire's arms radiated purple light that could have been mistaken as darkness. Life energy erupted in her hands and she launched herself at the Destroyer. She rammed right into him, his feet leaving the rocky ground as she forced him backwards through the air.
"Sister!" Koriand'r cried out as she made to follow immediately. She was only able to detect Galfore doing the same, his cudgel in hand.
Before they could give into the chase, her k'norfka raised his hand and placed in on her thin shoulder. "We must take your sister from here," he told her sternly. "No matter what it costs us."
Koriand'r only nodded her acceptance, but she could not construct a plan that would accomplish this. Komand'r was on the path of war and diverting such hostilities would be great.
Still, for the sake of their people, she would try.
The scream had come out of nowhere. Diana whipped her head to one side and found J'onn…changing. No longer was he in his humanoid form, taking on a rather alien-like visage. Faintly, she wondered if this was his true form, or if he was transforming to something that would better withstand the pain.
She did not see any physical force attacking him, so it could have only been telepathic. Before anyone could move, J'onn suddenly fell through the air, heading right for the ground.
The very ground they had been warned not to set foot on.
Immediately, she gave chase, flying as fast as Hermes would allow her. She caught up to J'onn, her arms wrapping around his naked form.
Unfortunately, she was not quick enough. Though she had caught her friend, the both of them landed on the black, rocky ground, the Amazon lying her companion down gently.
The response was automatic. Tamaraneans pointed their plasma rifles right at the two and opened fire. Immediately, Diana had her arms up, using her bracers to deflect the beams away from her and her comrade. As her arms weaved a familiar pattern, plasma beams struck her bracers and bounced off, striking the ground around them. While she could have rebounded a few of them at her attackers, that would have risked striking and potentially killing the gunmen.
They had just gotten through that moral quandary; making that mistake would have invited it back to the fore.
Fortunately, the others jumped in. A green barrier formed in front of Diana, John Stewart landing right next to her as he kept up the construct. Plasma beams pelted it, but made no discernable damage. "What the hell happened?" the Lantern demanded.
"I don't know," she admitted as she turned her attention to J'onn. The Martian was laying still, his orange eyes duller than usual. Was he unconscious?
A red-and-blue blur rushed by the front line of Tamaraneans, barreling through them as they were knocked off of their feet, crying out from the sudden attack. This was followed by Shayera swooping in, landing right in the middle of a group of Tamaraneans as she swung her mace back and forth. She hit her first target on the head, the second with her backswing that collided with the side of their face.
Though diminished, the onslaught of plasma beams continued on. The Green Lantern Corp formed a shield from combining many rings. It was a defensive measure, one that would allow them to come up with an offensive strategy and put it into action.
"Feels like we just got done doing this," John muttered as he raised his other hand up, gripping his ring hand around the wrist. "I am so sick of fighting Tamaraneans."
Then he unleashed his counterattack. Small bubbles began to form on the side opposite of his construct. Then each bubble erupted, a barrage of green fists flying through the air. They slammed into faces, torsos, and even groins, battering the Tamaraneans unfortunate to be in their paths. Many of them flew around Hawkgirl, striking the Tamaraneans surrounding her, knocking them to the ground. Unperturbed by this, the Thanagarian took to the air, seeking another opponent.
"I'm getting J'onn out of here," Diana told John, picking up the Martian.
"Good idea," he agreed. "I'll cover for you."
Ganthet stared through the shield construct passively. The attack from the Tamaraneans was immediate the moment the Martian touched their soil. Thankfully, the Corp was quick to stop their attack.
Members of the Justice League went into action. Ganthet could see the Kryptonian, Superman, flying through the Tamaranean ranks, knocking them down with every pass he made. He was quite fast, he had to admit. By the edge of a shield was a human woman in blue with white hair. She was peering around the construct, biding her time before she thrust a hand around the edge. There was a rush of blue-tinged air and a couple of Tamaraneans were suddenly encased in a layer of ice.
Promptly, other Tamaraneans began increasing the number of plasma rifles firing at her location, forcing the female to seek cover again. Ganthat removed a hand from his robe and pointed it towards her. "Move cover for the Earthling," he ordered.
Two Lanterns answered his call, swooping in and firing their rings at that section of the shield. The additional energy increased the size of the shield, spreading it further out.
That was when a number of Tamaraneans began rushing up to the shield. They carried no weapon, using only their power of flight to bring them to the construct. With drawn fists, they threw punches at the construct, pounding it with all of their strength.
There was a chorus of grunts from the Lanterns fueling the shield. One of them even exclaimed, "Damn, they're strong!" Over and over, Ganthet watched as the Tamaraneans slammed punch after punch on the construct. Alarming, cracks began to show in the construct for all of their efforts.
So he used his own power.
As a Tamaranean punched the shield, a blast of energy suddenly erupted from where he had struck it, the beam sending the attacker flying backwards with a cry. Several more Tamaraneans that were in the process of attacking suffered the same fate, hitting the shield only to be instantly blasted by raw willpower. This gave pause to the other Tamaraneans as they saw their compatriots thrown away.
That would cause them to hesitate for the time being. Ganthet let his eyes wander over the enemy forces, stopping when he noticed flashes of green and dark violet energy. Then there was the rush of purple flames.
That was where Despero was.
It would seem his presence was needed over there.
Plasma beams scorched the air, making it unsafe to even stand. Earth's defenses were engaging with the Tamaraneans for better or for worse, and it did not matter to the Psion who won. What mattered was that he survived.
It was obvious by now that continuing to remain with the Tamaraneans was a losing gamble. Blackfire no longer held any control and with the ruler of Kalanor so close by, there was only one course of action for one such as himself.
He needed to escape.
The majority of Tamaraneans were scattered about, fighting and falling to their foes. This meant that the ships were not in use. They would be protected, but not all of them. All he had to do was sneak aboard one and then make good his escape while the fighting continued.
He would return to his brethren. He would see about perhaps constructing a new World Engine. The amount of study and research they would be able to do with no regards to what the Citadel wanted was too tempting to pass up.
That was for the future; the present required survival. He kept low to the ground, making sure not to bring any attention to himself as he scurried about the battlefield. Using what little cover the Tamaranean camp provided, the Psion peeked about as he did his best to keep from being noticed or even drawing attention to himself. So far, his presence hadn't been missed or detected.
The ships drew closer, and then a new problem presented itself. There were Tamaraneans using the ships themselves as cover. They'd spot him in an instant if he tried to board any of the vessels around them. He'd have to go to the ones furthest from the fighting if he wanted the best chance.
There were less plasma beams burning the air as he made his way further and further out of the camp, the parked spacecraft to his left. The further distance he placed between himself and the fighting, the faster his pace increased. The promise of freedom and the pursuit of scientific rigor grew stronger by the second.
Was he far enough away? Had he managed to slip by them all? Was there a craft nearby to slip onto? There would be no need for a crew since these were all former Citadel vessels, and the Citadelians tended to rely on Psion design. He'd be able to pilot one without need of a crew.
All he needed to do was find one—
A muscle arm caught the Psion in the chest. His lower body continued forward while his upper body came to a stop. The next sensation he felt was the ground impacting his back, and air expelling out of his legs.
His mind was in a daze, the physical trauma stopping all cognition. As he laid there, the shadows fell over him. A large humanoid in red and wearing a mechanical helmet stood over him prominently.
"And that's one for the good guys," the humanoid bragged.
"He doesn't look like he's doing too well. Did you hit him too hard? He's worth more alive than all ours combined."
"It was just a love tap. It's not my fault that a pussy alien can't take a hit," the humanoid in red retorted as he bent down and grabbed the Psion by the front of his garments. The world seemed to spin and then a muscular shoulder was pressing right into his stomach.
"For all of our sakes, Peacemaker, you better hope you didn't cause any internal damage," the second voice chastised.
"A real man can handle internal damage. I'm sure this freaky lizard alien is a man." The Psion felt his body being jostled to emphasize this Peacemaker's argument.
A much softer, identifiably feminine voice asked, "And how can you tell it's even a guy?"
There was a noticeable silence.
"Well… I mean… He looks like… All freaky-looking aliens are guys except for that one alien queen… Um… Does anyone know where the balls are on this alien?"
"Don't encourage him, Plastique. We gotta get outta here before anyone notices we're here."
"Oh, how about one little—"
"No explosions. We do that, the next ones are ours. Now let's go."
Somehow, someway, circumstances were getting worse for this Psion.
Wind whipped at Despero's back as he sailed through the air. The Tamaranean Ruler, Komand'r, had rammed into him with quite some force. Had he been lesser, he would have grunted from the blow.
Pulling an energy-enveloped fist back, Komand'r slammed it into his torso, repeating the action with her other fist soon after. Arms pumped back and forth as she pounded energy-infused punch after energy-infused punch into him. He felt only the pressure of each blow, the Flame of Py'tar protecting him from the energy Komand'r tried to sear him with.
Then the Tamaranean drew a fist back further than the others and slammed it against his chest. There was an incredible amount of force behind it, surprising even him. He flew away from his attacker, drawing further and further away.
Despero's face hardened into stone. That was quite enough of that. Stomping his feet down onto the rocky ground, Despero skidded to a stop, his cape wrapping around his body until he finally stood still. His eyes never left Komand'r, who held both of her hands above her head. The energy that glowed from her fists combined with each other, forming a greater orb of power.
Then she swung her arms down, pointing them right at the Kalanorian. An incredibly large blast fired, racing towards him with incredible speed.
Despero drew a fist back. He waited, then he threw it forward. His fist collided with the beam and for a moment, there was a struggle between his strength and the blast's power.
That second ended as abruptly as it started. The blast ricocheted off of his knuckles, arching back through the air. It sailed high over Komand'r's head, the dark-haired female turning her head to follow her attack as it flew back towards the battlefield. There was a powerful eruption as it detonated.
Despero surged forward, long strides quickly bringing him closer to his foe. By the time she had turned back to face him, he was right in front of her. With his other hand, he slammed a fist into the side of her face, her head snapping to one side before it was her turn to launch backwards through the air.
She did not fly very far. A large Tamaranean male appeared in her flightpath and caught her, skidding his feet across the ground much like Despero had done previously. A red-haired Tamaranean female then flew in, her hands enveloped in green energy. Pumping her arms back and forth, she threw energy blast after energy blast.
Despero held both of his arms up, crossing them before him. The energy attacks hit his crossed arms, erupting into explosions one after the other. He felt minute pain, but it was nothing he could not weather.
However, this defensive stance blinded him to what was in front of him. Opening his third eye, he was able to peer over his forearms, seeing only green smoke thinning. Suddenly, the female emerged from the smoke, throwing a fist that collided with his forearms.
The strength behind the blow was rather surprising. It seemed these Tamaraneans were stronger than they visually appeared. Once more, Despero was careening backwards, moving much faster than when the Tamaranean Ruler had rammed into him. Again, he had to dig his feet into the ground, leaving small trenches in the wake of his skidding feet. Coming to a stop, he lowered his arms and immediately found himself tilting his head up.
The female had taken to the air, flying straight up. She was preparing more of those energy attacks if her glowing hands were any indication.
Despero allowed his flame-like aura to vanish even as his legs coiled beneath him. Then he sprung off of the ground, launching himself through the air as he headed right for the airborne Tamaranean. Drawing a fist back, he threw it the moment he was within striking distance.
The Tamaranean immediately darted to one side, avoiding the Kalanorian leader. He sailed through the air, traveling a great distance before he came to a landing right on top of a Tamaranean ship. Its hull dented the moment he dropped onto it. Standing up straight, Despero turned around to face the Tamaranean female.
Only for a pair of feet to slam into the side of his head. There was enough force to actually snap his head to one side, knocking him off of his feet as he began to sail off of the ship. With his third eye, he was able to see Komand'r was the attacker this time, floating horizontal in the air, arms above her head with her legs pressed together.
He didn't go very far, however. As he cleared the edge of the ship, something rammed into him from below, arms wrapping around his body. Twisting his head around, he saw the large Tamaranean male from earlier grabbing hold of him. The air began to whip at them as they changed directions, the bearded Tamaranean bringing them right down to the ground. The next thing Despero knew, he was slammed headfirst into the ground, causing it to crack and buckle. He sank into the dark, volcanic rock.
This was…interesting. A three-on-one fight was new to him, especially with the sort of teamwork that was being used. Perhaps these Tamaraneans could be a challenge. Not feeling himself being restrained by the male Tamaranean, Despero brought his legs and feet down until they were on the ground. Using them, he pulled his upper body out of the ground, finding himself all by himself.
That was until he noticed green and dark energy blasts racing towards him from two different directions. He shot his arms up in time to protect his head before the barrage of blasts hit him.
Without the protective barrier of the Flame of Py'tar, he actually felt the detonations of blasts, burning and searing his pink skin. He gritted his teeth as he was continuously attacked this way.
Then all three of his eyes began to glow and he flung his arms out to either side of himself. A shield of telekinetic energy formed around him, a brilliantly glowing bubble that stopped the energy beams from reaching him. Mentally, he could sense the two Tamaraneans firing at him, one full of desperation, the other with anger.
He stood there, allowing his shield to protect himself. When it became quite clear these females weren't going to stop, he did something about it. He lashed out with the equivalent of a mental slap, striking the females' minds. There were sharp cries, ones that ended the onslaught of energy blasts.
"In case you have yet to notice," Despero called out, "your attacks are no longer harming me. If you wish to attack, I suggest doing something else."
Seeing as the females weren't about to continue, he allowed his telekinetic shield to leave. That was when a cudgel suddenly appeared in his sights right before it hit him in the face. Face twisting from the pain of the blow, Despero took a step back to maintain his balance.
He saw the next swing coming, promptly raising an arm up as he blocked the cudgel from hitting him. Following the weapon to the hand that held it and up the arm to whom it belonged to, he saw the male Tamaranean. Growling, Despero lunged forward, ramming into the man as he wrapped his arms around him. He tackled the Tamaranean, driving him right into the ship they were next to. The force they hit it caused the hull to give way, the two men bursting into the vessel. Despero continued to power through it, crashing through wall after wall until they exploded out the other side of the ship.
Slowing himself to a stop, Despero moved a hand so that he could grab onto the outer garb the Tamaranean wore. He pushed his foe out with one hand so that he could pull the other back. Then in one smooth motion, he slammed his fist into the Tamaranean's bearded face, sending him flying backwards through the air as he cried out.
Angered thoughts reached his mind then. Despero looked in one direction with his two main eyes, his third searching in another. He spotted the Tamaranean females flying towards him, both of their hands glowing with their life energy once more.
That was enough. Despero began to crouch, biding his time. Then he leapt towards the red-haired Tamaranean, leading with his shoulder. She was unable to dodge him this time as he rammed his shoulder into her smaller body. The air in her lungs was forced out, leaving her breathless, the energy glowing from her hands and eyes fading away.
Extending his arm, he forced the female off of him, but then reached low, grabbing onto one of her legs by the ankle. Yanking her to one side, Despero spun around in a circle, swinging the female with him until he faced the dark-haired female. His timing was perfect as he slammed the red-haired Tamaranean into the dark-haired woman, sending both of them careening through the air. They hit the ground, one on top of the other, forming a small crater beneath them.
Once more, Despero reached out with his mind, but this time he did not seek to harm, but to obtain knowledge. Once satisfied, he watched as Komand'r roughly shoved her sister, Koriand'r, off of her. "Off of me, gnorf," she snarled.
"Such language," Despero remarked as he watched the Tamaranean ruler struggle back onto her feet. Her legs wobbled beneath her, but she at least succeeded in standing. Her sister was slower to stand. "Is this how Tamaraneans speak to their siblings?"
"Only when they interfere," Komand'r responded. "I will see to it that you are punished for your transgressions."
"You are welcome to try," Despero replied, "though I think it would behoove you to inform your own blood of your own transgressions."
"What are these transgressions?" Koriand'r questioned.
"Only more lies," the dark-haired Tamaranean tried to reassure.
"You are the only one that lies here, Ruler," Despero countered. "Trying to hide the truth from a telepath is an exercise in futility. I had thoroughly investigated your mind while I waited for this planet's defenders to arrive. There are so many secrets you have been keeping from your Sister Dear."
"Still your tongue," Komand'r seethed.
Despero directed his attention to the one called Koriand'r. "I don't suppose she told you about her little deal with the Citidelians."
"She has," the red-haired female confirmed.
"Has she?" Despero glanced at the dark-haired woman with amusement. "Surely she didn't tell you all of the details—like the agreement concerning you."
"Me?" Koriand'r repeated with surprise.
"Do not listen to him, he only means to deceive you!" Komand'r insisted.
"What was deceitful was your delivery of your kin to Lord Damyn," Despero continued. "Along with the request that he use her as a guinea pig."
"But..but I was given to Trogaar," Koriand'r protested.
"Ah, the Gordanian," Despero surmised. "He oversaw the experiments, the one that granted you your abilities to make—" he searched her mind for the words she called them and found it, "your Starbolts. It was your ruler that discovered the process prior and requested that the experiments be done to you so that she could obtain those powers."
"No…" the female trailed off, her green eyes darted towards her kin. "This cannot be true, can it, Sister?"
"It is true," the Kalanorian pressed, not giving Komand'r the chance to refute him. "Should you have died, your dear brother and mother and father would have been offered as test subjects until the correct method was found. You are very lucky the process worked as it has."
"Silence!" Komand'r roared as she launched herself at the Kalanorian. Despero waited even as the female prepared her dark Starbolts to blast him with, her mind plotting to use them in close quarters.
The moment she was practically on top of him, Despero sidestepped the charging Tamaranean, grabbing her by her arm with one hand, and the back of her head with the other. He yanked her arm behind her back, pulling the Tamaranean up against his body, wrenching her arm most uncomfortably behind her. Komand'r cried out from the pain she felt.
He stopped the cry by dropping to one knee and shoving her face first into the rock. He continued to add pressure as he sank her down into crumbling stone. He only stopped when he detected the rapid approach of Koriand'r.
Releasing Komand'r's head, he performed a backhand swing with his arm, nailing the charging Tamaranean and sending her sailing towards a nearby ship. She hit the side of it, crying out as she bounced off of it, and ricocheted right into the ground.
"Gyah!" An odd sound, but Despero turned his head to look down, finding Komand'r tilting her head back so that it was no longer buried in the ground.
"So easy to manipulate, aren't you?" Despero remarked. He rose up onto his feet, pulling the dark-haired female up off the ground with him. He then whipped her around, throwing her right for the same ship her sister had crashed into, doing the same as the redhead had as she hit the hull and promptly ricocheted to the ground.
"I have learned many things since my defeat on this very planet," he continued as he faced the two females, both of whom were slowly pushing themselves up. "An Earthling used a similar tactic on myself, goading me into anger so that I sprung a trap. Had I been a lesser Kalanorian, I would have succumbed."
"I…have also learned things…as well," Koriand'r responded as she pushed herself up, her arms trembling as she did so. "I have seen a human never give up, even digging himself out of his place of final rest."
Despero had to frown at that. In fact, even Komand'r was giving her an odd look. "Place of final rest?" she questioned.
"It is a place where humans perform mourning rights for their deceased," she explained.
"Ah. Then I suggest we send this brute to his place of final rest."
The voice had come from next to Despero. However, he had sensed a presence approaching him and merely raised a hand up, catching the cudgel of the one called Galfore. As large as he was, the Tamaranean had done his best to remain silent. Had Despero not sensed his mind, he could very well had succeeded.
"Enough of you," Despero said as his third eye glowed, his head turning to face the man.
An energy beam then fired from his eye and ripped right through Galfore's chest, erupting out of his back. A surprised look twisted into pain before Galfore teetered over and fell to his—to quote the red-haired female—place of final rest.