Into the Abyss
The interceptor flew fluidly through space. Hal was on the bridge, watching the uninhabited planets pass by. Razer and Aya were situated in the main room of the ship. Razer was sitting in silence, eating. Aya sat beside Razer, though giving him space, making adjustments to her cyber-band unit on her left arm and simultaneously working on a small bot. Her tools were set in front of her. She reached out for a small electric welder in front of her and continued working in silence. The doors opened across from them. Kilowog entered the deck carrying a bowl full of grubs. He walked past Razer and jabbed his elbow into Razer's back as he passed. Razer grunted and glared after Kilowog.
He sat his plate down across from Razer. "Ah, grub time." Kilowog sat down and threw his face into his bowl. Grubs burst across the table toward Aya and Razer. Aya seemed too engrossed in her work to notice or care.
Razer turned his attention back to his food.
Kilowog wiped his face clean of grub guts. "You gotta problem pooser?"
"Only that I dislike clumsy seven foot pigs." Razer replied.
Kilowog growled and reached across the table. He grabbed Razer by his uniform and dragged him across the table. The commotion startled Aya from her work as dishes and tools scattered to the floor. The deck doors slid open once more and Hal entered the room. He quickly noticed Kilowog ready to punch Razer.
"Hey! Hey! Hey! Kilowog!" Hal called. He jumped down to the table and pulled the two Lanterns apart. "Break it up, you too Razer. What did I say about killing each other?"
"I believe your exact words were, 'Under no circumstances are either of you two allowed-"
"Thank you Aya." Hal said. "And bots off the table."
"Come on Hal, we're just fooling around." Kilowog explained. He glanced over toward Razer, tightening his voice. "Right?"
"This ship's too small for this nonsense. I want you two to shake hands. It's an earth custom to show there's no hard feelings." Hal ordered.
Razer and Kilowog glared angrily at each other.
"Come on, shake hands. "Hal ordered.
Razer and Kilowog raised their fists and shook them in the air.
Hal sighed and grabbed both fists. "Not like that."
Aya's head rose from her bot. "Attention, incoming distress call."
"Bring it up."
In the center of the table, a pilot's face appeared from the projection. He was small and visually in distress. "This is Captain Goray of the container ship Trubidon. I've struck a pin hole and am unable to proceed. One of my engines has failed and the other is at full power but it's just slowing the inevitable. I need help."
"Aya, hold the transmission." Kilowog ordered.
Aya pressed a command on her band, pausing their transmission.
Kilowog turned to Hal. "Could be a trap, Hal? We get there, the disabled ship opens up and the red start pouring out."
"There are no Red Lanterns in this sector. It's not a trap." Razer explained.
"How do you know?" Kilowog demanded.
"Because I was in charge of setting those traps. "Razer answered.
Hal tuned his attention back to Aya. "Bring the captain back. This is Hal Jordan of the Green Lantern Corps. Sit tight, Trubidon, we're on our way."
"Transmission terminated. "Aya said.
"Let's get moving." Hal ordered.
Everyone rose from the table and jogged into the bridge. Hal took the main control seat. Kilowog, Razer, and Aya sat at the controls at the lower level.
"Aya, change course." Hal ordered.
Aya moved her hands quickly over the controls. "Trajectory altered."
The Interceptor subtly began turning around toward the coordinates.
"I've got questions. A: how far are we from that pin hole?" Hal asked.
"One point eight terraquads and closing." Aya answered.
"Which brings me to B: what's a pin hole?"
"It's a microscopic black hole at the center of whirl pool of energy. The closer that ship gets to the pin hole, the stronger gravity becomes." Razer answered.
"It'll compress that ship tighter than a space grubs vacuum." Kilowog stated.
Hal nodded. "Then we better move fast."
The Interceptor move quickly through space. The Trubidon soon came into the crews view. It was a large container ship with two massive engines attached to the rear of the ship. One was clearly working correctly while the other was dead weight. Surrounding rock debris floated past the ship and into the pin hole that was dragging the Trubidon in.
"That's close enough Aya; we don't wanna get pulled in to." Hal said. "Deploy the tractor beam."
The green beam burst from the Interceptor toward the cargo vessel. The beam nearly reached the vessel, before plunging deep into the pin hole.
"Anomalous gravitational readings are affecting the instruments." Aya explained. "Unable to compensate."
"Captain, do you have any tow cables?" Hal asked.
"Deploying them now." The captain replied. Three massive cables shot from the Trubidon toward the Interceptor. But like the tractor beam, they were pulled toward the pin hole. "Missed."
"We'll have to go out there an attached them to the Interceptor manually." Hal said, rising from his chair.
"Anomalous gravity always puts a bug in my britches." Kilowog grumbled as he followed Hal toward the platform.
"If you don't think you're up to the task-"
"Just try and keep up punk. Green Lanterns in variable gravity. Let's see how you fly when you weigh a thousand kilos. Then six thousand, then two thousand." Kilowog snapped.
Aya activated her facial shields and followed the team toward the open platform. "This is a dangerous undertaking. Why are we risking three lives to save one?"
"A Green Lantern protects lives even at the risk of his own. That's what we do." Hal explained. He turned from Aya and jumped out of the ship.
The platform doors sealed and Aya's helmet plate dropped. "Oh."
Flying in variable gravity hadn't been Hals best memories of training. As he flew with Razer and Kilowog, he couldn't help but think back at his first attempt at flying. Needless to say it was a short flight with a bad ending. He hoped this wouldn't be a repeat with a worse ending.
"Great, a down draft." Razer called.
"That's down draught!" Kilowog snapped. "You don't make it over the gravity whirlpool, you're dark matter."
They each grabbed one of the tow cables and began their retreat. Razer struggled with the cable and the gravity changes. Kilowog flew passed him without a second look. Hal noticed Kilowog's speed increased and Razer slowing down. He flew alongside Razer and helped him across the pin hole. Hal gave Kilowog a warning glare as they reached the Interceptor hull. They attached the cabled to the lower section of the hull.
"Alright Aya, let's haul this baby out!" Hal ordered.
"Warning, gravitational pull is too intense." Aya explained. "Cables may not withstand the strain."
"The ship's stable for now, but sooner or later I'm telling you it's going in." Kilowog said
"We'll have to get the captain ourselves." Hal said. He turned back and flew toward the Trubidon.
They flew to closest external hatch. Razer reached to open the hatch, but Kilowog shoved him from the hatch. He pulled it open quickly, allowing Hal and Razer to slip in. Kilowog climbed in, sealing them all in a confined space. Hal released the internal hatch. The sudden free space forced the lanterns through the hatch onto the floor. Razer growled and rose to his feet.
Hal turned to Kilowog. "You could've given him a hand."
"I don't need a recruit on my six. Especially not a red recruit." Kilowog answered.
"Down here!" the captain called.
"Deal with it." Hal ordered. They flew down the corridor toward the captain's voice. The level beneath them was an entire refrigerated cargo unit. Crates upon crates were filled spheres encased in polymerized shields.
"Thank the gall mother you're here." Goray called, climbing down from the bridge. "I'm at half power and have no way to pull myself out."
"Exactly what are you hauling?" Hal asked.
Kilowog look closer at the units. "Some kind of eggs?"
"Leave them. With the refrigeration out, they're going to spoil anyway." Goray stated.
"Spoil? It's only a matter of time before these things hatch." Kilowog replied.
"Hatch?"
Hal removed one of the eggs from the unit. The shell was covered in tiny cracks. Whatever was inside was getting ready to hatch. He picked up the egg and held it close to his ring. "I can't tell what kind of creatures inside."
"Who cares? Only vermin and insects hatch from eggs." Razer said.
"I hatched from an egg." Kilowog snapped.
"My point exactly." Razer replied.
Kilowog growled.
"Ease up." Hal ordered.
"The Trubidon's logs identify them as Smignarians." Aya said. "They are incredibly rare ever since their planet was devastated by volcanic activity."
"So these eggs are some kind of last ditch colony?" Hal asked.
Goray shrugged. "I suppose so. I was paid to avoid major shipping lanes."
"Well you sure did that." Hal said. He placed the egg back into the unit. "Change of plans, we're going to rescue every life form here."
"It's a waste of time." Razer said.
"He's right, the starboard engines dead." Goray explained.
"Then we'll restart it." Hal replied. "I'll get the civilian clear."
"You're leaving me with him?" Kilowog asked.
"You two need some bonding time." Hal answered.
Since the departure of the Lanterns to the Trubidon, Aya had set herself to work at repairing the second engine while still maintaining on standby should the Interceptor need to make a quick escape. Her fingers moved quickly over the console as she calculated her bots programming. Her head rose from the console as Hal and Goray returned onboard the ship. She rose from the main control chair.
"I heard about you Green Lanterns." Goray said. "I know you're brave an all, but you're crazy to go back."
"Brave, crazy, it's a fine line." Hal said.
Goray walked to the bridge, where Aya was waiting. She walked out into the main deck.
"Green Lantern Hal Jordan, I have several suggestions to conserve energy using my bots until the inoperative engine is repaired." Aya explained.
"Uh yeah, that's great Aya. Keep us outta the crush zone for as long as you can." Hal replied, departing the ship again.
Aya blinked, standing in the deck alone. "He must not have heard me."
After Hal's departure with the captain, Kilowog and Razer set out in search of the engine room. The act would have gone faster without the constant glaring, insulting, and childish behavior from both parties. They walked through the upper cargo hall of the Trubidon, guided by Kilowog's ring light. Razer followed, but kept his distance from Kilowog. When the corridor split into two, they stopped.
"Engine room's this way." Kilowog said, turning to the right.
"This way." Razer replied, pointing to the left, "That's the main power line."
"As if you know how a cargo ship works. It's not some Red Lantern death ride made out of lead, foil, and scrap metal." Kilowog snapped. He shined his light at Razer. "And stay in front of me."
Razer flew to the catwalk above Kilowog, out of the lights path. They walked through the corridor toward the engine room.
"How's that phony ring holding out?" Kilowog asked.
"Without a red lantern battery eventually its charge will die." Razer answered.
Kilowog grunted. "The sooner the better."
"But for now, as long as I feel rage it's as powerful as yours." Razer continued.
The Trubidon shook violently from the pin hole stress. Kilowog looked up to see a-once secured crate- now falling toward him from above. He leapt out of its way, allowing it to crash on the floor. He glared up at Razer, who was looking down at him. The Lantern had tried to kill him.
He growled viciously. "I hope you're good and mad, killer!" he hurled the crate up ay Razer.
Razer leapt onto the floor, dodging the incoming crate. "It wasn't me. This ship is falling to pieces. And I'm sick of your self-righteous braying you fat rayo!" He flew toward Kilowog, grabbing a fallen chain from the ground.
Kilowog constructed a large hammer and swung at Razer. Razer leapt above the hammer so it slammed into the crated stowed beneath the catwalk. Razer whipped the chain down at Kilowog. Kilowog raised his arm and caught the chain around him. He gave the chain a strong jerk and pulled Razer down from above. He slammed his fist into Razer's face, sending him tumbling across the corridor. Razer groaned and pushed himself to his feet. Razer constructed a spear and charged. Kilowog contrasted another hammer and swung it at Razer. Razer slid beneath Kilowog's hammer and ended up behind Kilowog. Kilowog swung the hammer again, which met with Razer's spear. Razer held the spear in both hands, using as much force as he could. Kilowog put the weight of the hammer to one of his hands and slammed his fist into Razer's chest, throwing him down the corridor. Razer landed on his back and flipped himself up onto his feet. He charged Kilowog again. Kilowog shrunk his construct to a shield. Kilowog's shield disappeared after making contact with Razer's spear. Razer leapt and hit Kilowog in the jaw. He kicked Kilowog in the stomach, but the Bolovaxian grabbed his leg and hurled him into the wall. Razer managed to catch himself on the support beam for the catwalk and launched himself back toward Kilowog.
Right before they collided again, two construct hands braced Kilowog and Razer and separated them. Hal flew down from above. "You can stop that now, or I'm turning this ship right around."
"Isn't that exactly what we're trying to do?" Razer demanded.
"Try something like that again and I'm blowing my ring charge you." Kilowog warned. "Pin hole or no pin hole."
"I'm not afraid to die." Razer replied.
The Trubidon shuddered.
"You should be you'll live longer." Hal stated.
"Hello? Can anybody hear me? Start the engine now or both ships are going in!" Goray called.
"Goray, why is the computer offline?" Hal asked. "Aya are you there? Aya? What happened to her?"
"I don't care, we're out of time!" Goray called.
The Trubidon suddenly shuddered, stronger than the previous. The ship shuddered from the tension of the cables attached to the Interceptor. Hal, Kilowog, and Razer jerked inside the ship. They managed to stay on their feet, but just barely.
"Wait Captain, ease off that wench!" Kilowog ordered.
But Goray didn't hear him. The moment the cables separated from the Interceptor, the Trubidon was then victim to the pin holes gravity. The ship's level tilted, tossing the Lanterns falling toward the bow of the ship.
"WE'RE GOING IN!" Kilowog yelled.
Crates broke from their restraints, falling below and above the lanterns. The moment they hit the bottom, the crates would no doubt crush the lanterns to dust. Granted the choice between a pin hole or compression as a death choice weren't the best options. Either way, you would know both were coming, but one was faster than the other…theoretically.
"The pin holes overpowering the ships autograv, hold on!" Kilowog yelled.
Hal constructed a shield and pushed back one of the oncoming crates from the, but there was still more debris coming. He pushed back a canister, only to collide with another crate. Hal grunted and fell toward the bow of the ship. Kilowog caught Hal in a bubble just as Razer was pummeled with debris. Not two seconds later was Kilowog struck by the cargo as well. All three men plummeted toward the bow of the ship, already filled with falling cargo. Kilowog shot construct bubbles ahead of them. They landed on the bubbles, giving them the moment of safety before the remainder of the cargo fell on top of them.
The hull of the Trubidon slowly back enclosing on itself. Crates, canisters, and metal were all forced toward the center of the ship from the pin holes gravity force. Hal quickly constructed a brace and set it up on the enclosing sections.
"There's it's braced for now." Hal said.
"But we're on the lift, almost in the crushed zone." Razer said. "Let's get out of here."
"Not without the eggs." Hal said.
Kilowog turned from the other toward the hatch door.
"Where are you going?" Hal demanded.
"To buy us some time." Kilowog answered. He lifted to door of the hatch and walked through. "I'll keep you outta the hole as long as I can. Fix that engine. And Jordan, watch your back."
Hal and Razer took flight through the debris.
"It's hopeless. Kilowog's a fool, he'll die out there." Razer said.
The ship shuddered again. The hull became enclosing faster than before. Crates and canisters flattened within seconds. Razer and Hal flew faster up the ships corridor. Hal slipped through a snug hole through the debris. Razer followed behind him, but the hole was tighter for him. Another batch of debris fell from above, aiming for them. Hal jumped from its path, but Razer struggled to free himself. Razer slipped from the hole and sliced the beam in half. He flew up to Hal but caught sight of something below them. He glanced back at the debris, but saw nothing. He turned and followed Jordan up the corridor.
They flew up past the egg units. Razer took a close look at the units. Several units were missing eggs. "You see that, the eggs are hatching."
Hal looked at the unit. "Let's keep moving."
Razer flew up behind Hal. He weaved through the debris and caught the sound of something metallic crawling behind them. He turned behind them and shined his ring. Below them, the creatures were crawling on the power lines, draining them of energy.
"They're eating the power line!" Razer exclaimed.
Hal sent a construct wave over the creature, but they simply passed through. "My constructs don't even slow them down."
Razer sent a construct wave over the creatures, knocking them off the lines. "Mine do."
"Hey, hey, hey! Remember, incredible rare species?" Hal asked.
The ship shuddered under the gravity again.
"What's the hold up in there?" Kilowog asked.
"Hatchlings, they're eating through the power cables." Razer explained.
"Don't stop unless you want to get a lot thinner." Hal warned.
The walls started caving in again. Hal and Razer flew up through the debris with the creatures crawling up the walls after them. Razer leapt from debris to debris, keeping an eye on the creatures following them. Hal flew ahead, clearing any blockage in front of them. They paused for a moment on a support beam when the creatures crawled past them.
"They're moving past us. If they start eating the engine before we get there, it's over." Razer explained.
Razer was right. Without that second engine, the ship and its passengers were finished. But with so much debris in between them and the engine room there was no chance they would beat the creatures there. "We need a shortcut." Hal looked around. He spotted a clear exterior hatch.
They opened the hatches and slipped out of the Trubidon. The pin hole's gravity has increased drastically along with the space debris falling past the ship. They flew up alongside of the ship toward the engine room.
"It's less cluttered out here." Hal yelled.
"Yes, we'll have a nice clear plummet into the pin hole." Razer replied.
Hal ignored Razer's sarcasm and focused on flying. The changes in the gravity were happening too fast for him to keep track of. The falling debris gave him an even harder time flying. He moved up against the ship and started climbing up the hull.
"How ya doing buddy?" Hal asked. He saw Kilowog give him a thumbs up.
Debris struck the ship by Razer's hand. Razer tried to regain his grasp, but the gravity was too strong. He slipped off the hull and plummeted toward the pin hole.
"Razer!" Hal yelled.
Razer tumbled toward the pin hole. He aimed his ring toward the pin hole and fired. The energy from his ring propelled him from the pin hole up the hull of the Trubidon past Hal. Hal released the hull and fired his ring just as Razer had. Both men propelled up the Trubidon hull to the hatch at the engine room. They flew back into the engine room, Razer sealing the door behind them. He caught sight of more hatchlings crawling toward the engine.
"More hatchings." Razer called. He turned and flew after Hal. "We're already outnumbered. Think of how bad thing will be when the rest of the eggs open."
Hal entered the code to the engine room. "Look, I have no problem bringing a red lantern onto the team, but I will not tolerate pessimists." Hal snapped.
The engine room doors opened. The quickly entered the engine room and sealed the doors just as the hatchlings reached them. Razer turned to the engine. The massive engine was encased is solid ice, preventing it from not only firing, but starting up.
"They've doomed us all." He snapped.
"What now?" Hal asked.
"This engine isn't just offline, it's frozen solid!" Razer explained. "Those alien hatchlings ate through the lines that power the heaters! It would take a team of engineers to restart it before we collapse into the pin hole."
"We don't have a team of engineers." Hal said. "Or time."
The engine room doors groaned. The hatchlings were slowly prying open the doors. Hal could already see a tentacle of one of the creatures peeking between the doors. Hal thought quickly. The engine needed to be restarted or they would die. But the engine was encased in a sheet of ice. Hatchlings were eating power lines, making any attempts at restarting virtually impossible. Nothing like an against the odds mission to make you miss home.
"Razer, let's light this candle." Hal said.
"You want to us to fire a frozen engine? The explosion with be spectacular." He answered.
"He's right Hal." Kilowog said.
"If we start going in Kilowog, I want you to cut us loose." Hal ordered.
"Not happening. You go, we all go and the worst part is the captain who can't fly straight gets to keep the Interceptor." Kilowog snapped.
"Your stubborn friend is right, I can't fix this. Not without another five pairs of hands." Razer explained.
The engine room doors were pried open a bit more. More tentacles slipped through. They were running out of time.
"We're not giving up." Hal ordered. "Yell about the unfairness of it all after words."
Razer raised his ring. "Then we'll go down fighting. At least my red energy makes a dent in them."
"That's right, green energy doesn't affect them." Hal mumbled as he watched one of the hatchlings slipped through the doors. It appeared metallic as it crawled across the wall. Suddenly it hit Hal. "Wait, stop. Maybe I can get you those ten hands Razer." Hal flew to the control panel and opened the door. The dozen hatchlings entered the engine room and crawled to the engine.
"What are you doing?" Razer demanded.
"These things didn't come from the eggs. They came from the Interceptor, they're Aya's bots." Hal said.
"You're deranged."
Suddenly Aya entered the engine room. She grabbed the guard rail of the catwalk and used it to pull herself to the engine. Her visual guard and mask plate covered her face, but there was no mistaking the green and white cybernetic suit. She crawled up to the engine control panel.
"Aya's been gone since before the bugs showed up. Somehow she must've put herself into these bots, like she did back in the prison, and snuck herself and these bugs onboard." Hal explained.
"But they ate the power lines." Razer said.
"She was shutting down nonessential systems to save power." Hal replied.
The bots crawled up the engine. Several slipped through the components and disappeared inside the engine. The engine suddenly roared to life. The ice melted off the casing. The engine rotated around, shifting into its firing position. The bots emerged from the engine.
"Both engines are up." Razer said with astonishment.
"Aya, full reverse!" Hal ordered.
Aya nodded and quickly set to work. She initiated the activation sequence. The engine roared to life and began pulled the ship from the pin hole.
Hal flew up to Aya. "We're going to have a long talk about this Aya."
Aya made no notion she heard him, but it ignoring him wasn't quite in her yet. She started pulling herself along the catwalk toward the door. Razer took her hand and lifted her from the engine. Aya wrapped her arms around Razer's neck as they flew out of the engine room.
"Even with both engines online, we're past the point of no return." Razer explained.
"I live past the point of no return." Hal said. "Express elevator, going down." He flew ahead of them toward the bridge.
Aya tapped Razer's shoulder. Razer turned. Kilowog was floating past the ship toward the pin hole. It would be easy to let the brash Bolovaxian get sucked into the pin hole, but something hit Razer, and it wasn't the weight of Aya on his back. The Bolovaxian had done all he could to buy them time. A brave, but foolish endeavor that Razer had proclaimed would lead to Kilowog's demise. Razer grabbed Aya's hands and released her from his neck. He flew to the closest hatch and opened it. He held onto the exterior hatch and fired a construct sphere at Kilowog, catching him before he could drift out of ring range. Razer hauled Kilowog into the interior hatch and sealed it tight.
"Not bad, for a red." Kilowog mumbled.
Kilowog stood slowly, using the wall for support. "Where's Jordan?"
"My guess, on the bridge trying to pull us out." Razer answered.
Aya opened the interior hatch.
"How the blazes did Aya get onboard?" Kilowog demanded.
"It's long story. We better get to the bridge." Razer said. He flew past Kilowog and grabbed Aya's hand, pulling her around his back once again.
Kilowog shook his head. "Haul a cargo ship for a little bit and everyone slips past ya."
By the time the others reached the bridge, Jordan was well into trying to pull the Trubidon free of the pin hole. His endeavor was futile as the crush bow of the ship broke free and tumbled into the pin hole. The hull shuddered from the stress and combination of the pin holes gravity and the attempt to break free.
"It's no use we don't have enough power to pull away." Razer said.
Hal turned to Aya. "Aya, any chance your bots could boost the engine output?"
Aya's face shield dropped. "Negative. Engine output is at maximum capacity."
"Then we're not pulling away." Hal said. "I'm going to fly this baby right at it."
"You're going to what?"
"If I can fly with the current of the pin hole, maybe I can generate enough velocity to slingshot us out of here." Hal explained.
"Hal Jordan, although the theory is sound, the chances of successfully piloting such a maneuver you suggest is highly unlikely." Aya said. "However, as you will do it anyways, I recommend bracing yourselves."
"That's the spirit Aya." Hal said. He cut the engine, allowing the pull of the pin hole to bring them in. the ship immediately began falling into the pin hole. Hal adjusted course again and activated the engine, pushing them faster into the pin hole. The force sent Razer and Kilowog flying into the wall of the bridge. Aya kept herself brace beside the consol.
Hal steered the Trubidon to the edge of the pin hole. The ship shuttered from the force of the pull. The ship circled the edge of the pin hole, growing in velocity with every pass. The pressure of the velocity increased within the ship, pushing Kilowog and Razer tighter against the wall. Aya's bots latched onto her suit, keeping her rooted by the console. Her eyes watched the console by Hal.
"Come on, hold together." Hal begged.
Aya's shield dropped. "Maximum velocity reached." Aya informed. Her shield instantly returned.
Hal grunted and pulled the steering column back. The ship slowly lifted from the pin holes edge. It circled the pin hole once more before the velocity sent the ship cruising out of the pin holes gravity. The pressure within the ship decreased within seconds. Kilowog and Razer slid onto the floor in exhaustion. Aya's bots relaxed at her feet.
"Yeah baby. Still got it." Hal called.
Kilowog and Razer exchanged uncertain glanced.
Hal turned. "Everyone okay back there?"
"Considering we were nearly sucked into a pin hole, I'm fine." Razer said.
"I feel like I got trampled by an army, but I'll live." Kilowog answered.
"Aya?"
Aya's shield dropped. "I received no damage in the maneuver."
Hal nodded. "Good job team. Now let's go get our ship back."
The crew of the Interceptor entered the main deck from the landing hatch. Aya's bots maneuvered through the crews steps. Kilowog had several Smignarian hatchling's crawling on his shoulders. The hatchlings were small creatures with a single large eye in the center of their heads. Their bodies were small, resembling insects, with stubby legs allowing them to crawl quickly. Razer and Hal walked around Kilowog and sat down at the table.
Goray walked through the doors out of the bridge. "Well, what do you know? So that's my cargo."
"Cargo huh? Look at you." Kilowog said, scratching one of the hatchlings beneath the neck. He passed the hatchling to Goray. "There's a few more of these rascals roaming around that tub of yours."
The Smignarian hatchling drooled on top of Razer's head. Razer groaned and wiped the drool from his head.
"And to think I was going to abandon them." Goray said.
One of the hatchlings hopped from Kilowog into Aya's hands. Aya tilted her head at the little hatchling. The hatchling mimicked Aya's movements and blinked at her.
"Well, I suppose I should get back to my ship. Thank you all for your help." Goray said.
"You're very welcome Goray. Good luck with your cargo." Hal said.
Aya passed the hatchling to Goray. The hatchling waved its head as Goray walked to the lift. Aya slowly waved her hand at the hatchling. Kilowog followed Goray to the lift, transporting him and the hatchlings to the ship.
Hours later, Razer sat once again at the main deck table eating. Aya was sitting nearby, with her back to him. Her bots were set on the floor behind her, minding Hal's rule of her bots on the table. The doors opened and Kilowog entered the deck. He walked around Razer without incident and sat down beside Aya. He set his food down and proceeded to messily eat his grubs. He looked up to find Razer watching again.
"You were foolishly brave today." Razer said.
Kilowog wiped his face. "Yeah well back at you. Nice job saving me. Thanks."
Razer gave him a short nod.
"And thank you Aya." Hal said, joining them at the table. Aya turned toward the team. "We'd all be feeling pretty crammed right now if it wasn't for you coming out of your shell like that."
"Yes, like a hatchling an egg." Aya replied.
"I'm not done." Hal continued. "It was dangerous to up and leave your post. We need to set a few parameters young lady."
"A green lantern protects innocent life even at the risk of their own, correct?" Aya asked.
"Wait Aya, you do understand you're a nav com, not a green lantern right?"
"Negative. Although several prime components of my organic form are indeed cybernetic technology linked to a green lantern battery, I am still a sentient being with the task of navigating the Interceptor." Aya explained.
"You can't be a GL." Kilowog said.
"Why not?" Aya asked.
"Well first off, the rings gotta pick you." Kilowog answered.
Aya's head titled to one side. "Why?"
Kilowog turned to Hal. "Uh, help me out."
"Oh no, I wanna hear this." Hal answered, trying not to laugh.
"Red?"
"Leave me out of it." Razer answered.
"Look Aya, it's not just the ring that grants you the position of a GL. We train for months of end how to use our rings for offensive and defensive positions. No offence, but your Oan space suit wouldn't last one shot from my ring let alone Razer's." Kilowog explained. "You need something like, armor, to keep yourself protected if we run into anymore reds."
"Your concern for my wellbeing Sergeant Kilowog is unnecessary, but appreciated." Aya said she rose from her seat and stepped onto the main deck level. She reached down on her cyber-band and initiated some sequence. All at once the bots began forming themselves around Aya's body. They connected around her forearms, hips, upper torso, and calves. The bots linked with her spinal column hub. Her space suit began glowing green, light a lantern ring. "Armor like this?"
Everyone started up at Aya in awe. Kilowog lowered his head into his hands and groaned. Somehow, when the guardians saved Aya, Hal doubted they could've predicted this kind of rebellious, yet assertive behavior from her. It looked like their mission has gotten a lot more interesting, in Hal's opinion.
okay...any questions?