Forced Organization

Hal was on his way back from his date, trying not to think about Carol's reaction to his delay, when his ring began flashing, signaling an incoming message.

Hal raised his ring to his face, and John Stewart's face appeared.

"Hal, good. I've been trying to reach you."

"What's going on?"

"We have visitors. Silver lantern corp members are showing up all over the place. They're insisting that they are here to enforce order."

"Doesn't sound so bad. I can think of a lot worse things than 'order' for a corp to draw upon."

John's face was grave. "Hal, 10 people are already dead, and at least twice that have been injured."

Hal's smile vanished. "Have you called the league? How many of these 'Silver Lanterns' are there?"

"I called the league before I called you. We think there are ten of these new lanterns. But it's not going to be easy to handle them. These rings are attracted to people with strong senses of order. We've had the heart of the league cut out."

Hal paled. "Who do they have?"

"The rings took Superman, Batman, J'onn, and we think Batgirl. They also have Black Adam and Lex Luthor, for some reason. We're not sure who the others are."

"I'm on my way to the Hall of Justice. Be there shortly."

"Good. I still need to call Rayner. See you when you get here."

Hal arrived at the hall a couple minutes later, joining a large crowd of heroes standing out front.

The source of attention was obvious immediately.

A silver construct wall blocked the door, preventing anyone from entering the hall.

The construct was being maintained by someone who looked like Nightwing, crouched on top of the roof of the hall.

Hal floated up toward the silver lantern, ring glowing. "Alright, who are you?"

The silver lantern stood up.

"I am Earth lantern 5, alternatively known as Nightwing. I am preventing access to the building known as the Hall of Justice. By this action, I will ensure that many of the entities collectively known as superheroes arrive at this location, allowing me to deliver the message I was assigned to deliver to the largest number of beings possible." Nightwing gestured to the crowd. "Please return to your place, until such time as I deliver the message."

Nightwing, or Earth lantern 5 returned to his previous position, and Hal drifted back down to the crowd, wondering what message Nightwing would share.

Fifteen minutes later, after John and Kyle had arrived, along with several other heroes and several news vans, he got his answer.

Without any preamble Nightwing stood up and began to speak, loudly enough that everyone could hear him easily.

"Greetings, assembled heroes of the continent designated North America. As you are doubtless aware, your planet has been added to the list of worlds guarded by the Silver Lantern corp. The transition will not cause problems, should you be made aware of what our guardianship entails and not attempt to resist us."

"The changes that you will encounter with regard to your world are as follows; first, all local laws will be obeyed. We will enforce all local laws personally. There will not be any leniency, unless the lantern on site determines that there were extenuating circumstances. Our rings neutralize all emotions, so do not attempt persuasion of any kind. It will not avail you."

"Secondly, all global and multinational laws are now invalid. Criminal occurrences in a country will be dealt with according to local laws. If there are no local laws that cover the crime, the laws of the infractor's birth country will be used. If there are still gaps, the lantern will determine the situation according to logic and the existing legal structure. Laws that provide for exemptions from prosecution, and well as laws that are deemed superfluous are also declared invalid. You will be dealt with evenly, regardless of your rank or position."

"Thirdly, damage of and interference with the natural environment will no longer be tolerated. Those who refuse this dictate will be penalized by the lantern on-scene."

"Fourthly, the silver lantern corp is permitted to induct into the corp any beings on your world who have a strong sense of order."

"Finally, all meta-human, magical, and super-powered destructive activity on this world is to cease immediately. Any infractions on this ban will be met with extreme penalties. All entities designated as either 'superheroes' or 'supervillains' are no longer welcome on this world. Those of them who wish to enforce order will be inducted into the silver lantern corp at the earliest opportunity."

"These statements are not threats. There will be no alternative terms. These are the laws under which your planet will function from now on. Do not attempt to attack the silver lantern corp, or you will receive the local penalty for attempted murder."

As abruptly as his speech had began, it ended. Nightwing gestured, dissolving the wall in front of the hall, and took off skyward.

A second later, four green streaks shot up out of the crowd in pursuit.