Author's Note: As some of you may have guessed, this is my version of a Smallville introduction for Green Lantern Hal Jordan. One of my favorite things about Smallville is the way they introduce some of Superman's greatest allies but I haven't failed to notice the lack of attention towards my favorite ringslinger. I decided to address the oversight myself by pputting a bit of a Smallville twist on the familiar origin story. You'll undoubtedly recognize some of the characters and plot elements, but i hope I'll be creative enough to put a bit of a fresh spin on the tale.
P.S. If any of Smallville's writers or producers happen to read this, I am available for an episode or two.
As always, leave a review on the way out. It is your input that helps me make a better story for you, the readers.
Twenty minutes later, the jet was on the ground and the pilot out of the cockpit. As he reached the ground, an attractive brunette approached him. She was not happy. "Mind explaining some of those maneuvers, Jordan? You nearly broke about a half dozen safety guidelines with those stunts."
"Just loosening up, Carol, and would it kill you to call me Hal?" he replied as he removed his flight helmet.
"As I have explained before, Captain Jordan, this is business and I expect you to behave as a professional. That means during business hours I will address you as Captain Jordan and you will address me as Miss Ferris, got it?"
"Okay, Miss Ferris, but what about after hours? Perhaps over dinner tonight?"
"Dream on, flyboy. I've told you before about my policy on dating employees." She turned and walked away leaving behind a smiling Hal and his confused mechanic, a young Inuit named Tom. He approached Hal, shaking his head.
"You do love stirring up trouble, don't you, boss?"
"Just wearing her down, Tom. She'll come around." He turned towards the hangar and caught sight of a pretty blonde who seemed lost. "In the meantime, there's always Plan B." He watched as the young woman started towards another hangar and followed her.
Chloe noticed the pilot following her but kept up her lost routine. She spun around when the man said "Excuse me, miss, can I help you? You look lost."
"Maybe you can," she replied with a pretty smile. "I'm looking for Carol Ferris. I'm with the FAA and I just needed to ask her a few questions." She glanced down at his hands and saw that there was nothing on his finger. To a casual observer, it would look like she was checking for a wedding ring. However, she was checking for a different kind of bling.
Hal noticed the young woman's glance and was tempted to ask her out for a drink. "Her office is in Hangar 12, but I think she has a meeting right now. Perhaps I could help you pass the time?"
Chloe couldn't help but smile. She had to admit that the guy was charming and , under different circumstances, she might have taken him up on his offer. However, she had a boyfriend and a job to do. "Tempting, but I think I'll pass. Maybe another time." She walked away, leaving an exasperated Hal staring after her.
Hal was slightly put off at having been turned down twice in the space of ten minutes, but figured he was just having an off day. He headed into the hangar where Carol let him keep his father's plane and climbed into the cockpit. The plane was a rundown antique and hadn't flown in years, but Hal liked coming in here to think. He settled into the pilot's seat and closed his eyes, listening to the sounds of the airfield and reminiscing about flights with his dad.
Out in the desert, a mysterious figure crawled out of the wreckage and collapsed on the ground. He was badly wounded and fading fast, but determination kept him going. He had a job to do and had to do it fast. Lifting his hand, he whispered "Find him." A small green ring removed itself from his finger and streaked off into the distance, leaving a trail of brilliant emerald light in its wake. It, too, had a mission. One of great importance.