Kilowog stood at the head of the bridge. "Alright you jack wagons, sound off like you mean it! Aya."
Aya was sitting at her station to Kilowog's left. She sat straight in her chair with her hand in her lap. "Present."
"Razer."
Razer sat at the station to Kilowog's right. His sat backwards in the chair, propping his chin on his hand. He grunted his response, not caring at all.
"Jordan!"
Hal was sitting at his station playing a construct game a pong with himself. He was so entranced in his game, he completely ignored Kilowog.
"Jordan!" Kilowog snapped.
Jordan snapped to attention. The construct pong ball bounced off his head and disappeared. "Kilowog, there are only four of us and we're all here."
"We may be half a universe from Oa, that doesn't mean we can't maintain a little discipline." Kilowog said.
"Discipline's overrated and I called this meeting so we could assess out situation." Hal said.
"Easy, we'll be dead within a month." Razer said.
Hal's brows furrowed. "How about we leave the tactical analysis to Sergeant Kilowog?"
Kilowog sighed. "Reds right. We're in deep, boom-tech splat. Just when things look a little hopeful, we lose our newfound Green Lantern, Iolande, cause she won't leave home." He walked to his station and sat down. "So it's two green lanterns fighting an entire red lantern invasion."
"Pardon my interruption, but I have completed my search for the late Shyir Rev's power ring. There is good news and there is bad news." Aya explained.
"Let's have good news." Hal answered.
"The rings signal emanates from a nearby planet."
"Outstanding, must've found a replacement GL. Could be another recruit for us. Change course immediately." Hal ordered.
Aya entered the new coordinates into the computer.
"I know I'm going to regret asking, but what's the bad news?" Hal asked.
"The planet in question will be hit by that asteroid in five point two minutes." Aya explained.
Hal looked out the view screen. The massive space rock passed through their line of vision, barreling toward the planet.
"I say we blow that thing apart before it hits." Kilowog said.
"Due to the asteroids huge mass, my cannons will have no impact, even at full power." Aya explained.
"Maybe we don't need to destroy it?" Hal suggested. "We just need to slow it down. Aya, take us around it."
The Interceptor flew around the asteroid into its path. Hal and Kilowog placed their rings on the pads, adding their charge to that of the cannons. The Interceptor fired its cannons at the asteroid. A large construct shield held against the asteroid in an attempt to slow it down.
"Asteroid barring, unchanged. I cannot maintain this level of output." Aya informed.
"What about our personal lanterns? Can you siphon an extra boost from them?" Hal asked.
"Affirmative." Aya answered. "Accessing."
The two lanterns increased the shields size around the asteroid. The asteroids barring began to slow, but only fractionally.
"It's working." Hal said.
The power sensor at Aya's station was rapidly depleting. The energy scan was reducing itself in the red. Aya looked over her shoulder. "Power drain at critical level."
"Shut it down." Kilowog ordered.
"No, keep firing."
"Field regulations Jordan, we don't let our batteries dip below twenty percent!" Kilowog explained.
"Enough with the regulations keep pouring it on!" Hal ordered.
Kilowog grunted in annoyance. The energy shield began cracking against the asteroid pressure. The power level was still dropping on the console.
"Main and portable batteries nearing failure threshold." Aya informed.
The construct shield shattered from the pressure. The asteroid continued on its path, directly toward the Interceptor. Hal quickly grabbed the control and steered the vessel from its path.
"Talk to me Aya, did we do it?" Hal asked.
"Asteroid progress delayed. We now have six hours until impact." Aya explained.
"Yeah great. But we blew all our power doing it. Now when we go down there our rings will be running on fumes. "Kilowog reminded.
"No one will mind that our rings are only partially charged as we rescue them." Hal replied.
"Scanners now at limited capacity. Reading few scattered life forms." Aya informed.
"Looks like we have six hours to find eh new Green Lantern recruit down there, get him and any others off the planet in one piece."
"Shooting from the hip as usual. Gonna get us all killed." Kilowog snapped. "Jordan, regulations exist for a reason. They're not suggestions, and since we're at war we should follow them."
"I concur." Aya said. "Putting the lives of two, well trained Green Lanterns at risk, in an effort to save one none trained novice, is impractical."
"Look, I may not have followed all the regs to the letter, but there are people on that planet who need to be rescued. Not to mention a Green Lantern. And one Green Lantern can make all the difference." Hal explained.
To say the matter of following regulations was settled, would be a disappointing understatement. Kilowog had yet to cease the matter of its importance, and Hal wouldn't be budged in his actions. The continuous argument had grown increasingly annoying to Razer, who had left the bridge for some quite before they landed. Aya joined him not long after he left, as the argument had made it difficult to work.
"At the rate Green Lanterns Hal and Kilowog continue to argue, one would assume them to be the age of infants." Aya stated.
Razer looked at Aya, unsure if she was making another attempt at humor. If she was, she was definitely improving. If not, she was very accurate. "Something they've managed to perfect from working together for so long."
"Agreed." Aya replied.
"With limited power remaining, will we have enough power to get off this planet before the asteroid destroys it?" Razer asked.
"Affirmative. I would not have allowed such actions to have resumed if they endangered our departure from this planet." Aya answered.
The bridge doors slid open. Hal and Kilowog walked off together, though still irritated with each other.
"Alright, let's go find this Lantern." Hal ordered.
The crew stepped into the lift doors and departed the ship. Outside, the planet was lush with vegetation life. Trees towering over them were in shades of blue. The ground was nothing but dirt and small, skinny leaves.
"So, which way?" Hal asked.
"A strange seismic interference is disrupting the scanners ability to pinpoint the rings exact location." Aya said. "But it is in this vicinity."
"Then let's move." Hal ordered.
The team walked for several miles under Aya's guidance. The entire planet seemed to be void of any life forms; that they could see. But Aya had confirmed several times that there was life on the planet. And like the Green Lantern, they had yet to be found. They ventured over a small hill and found themselves just above a small encampment where three people were located. One was a woman, sitting on the ground, working on some device. Her hair was a deep purple color with slightly pointed ears. The second being was some kind of creature. It loomed over its food as it tried to devoir it. The third stood beside his comrade. His face was covered in tentacles beneath his one eye.
Hal raised his hands as they reached the camp. "We come in peace." He leaned back to Kilowog. "I've always wanted to say that."
"Why?" Kilowog asked.
"Greetings travelers, you are well met on this desolate rock of a planet. I am Zartock. My fellow castaways are Drusa and Grude." Zartock said.
"I'm Hal Jordan. This is Kilowog, Aya, and Razer." Hal said.
"Where did your ship crash?" Zartock asked.
"We didn't crash; we landed just over that rise." Hal explained.
Zartock seemed to be surprise by the news.
"That, what you're holding, is a Thalian Moon Staff." Kilowog said in awe. "Only soldiers who fought in the last stand of Thalious Prime wielded that blade."
"I know. I was in that battle." Zartock answered.
"We're looking for a Green Lantern here." Hal explained.
"A search, I want to point out, that is pathetic and pointless." Razer said. "Look around you, there's no Green Lantern here."
"Oh okay, we should just give up. Or we could look for ourselves." Hal said. He pointed into the sky where the asteroid had come into view. "That asteroid's going to hit in six hours, we'll get you to safety before that happens, but in the meantime, we could use some help finding our Green Lantern."
"You will have our aid." Zartock said.
"We'll split into teams; we can cover more ground that way." Hal suggested.
"I'll go with Zartock." Kilowog offered.
Druse walked up behind Aya. "If you don't mind, I'd like to go with Aya. Nice to talk to another girl for a change." She gently pushed Aya off in their direction.
"Must be losing my game out here." Hal muttered.
All that remained were himself, Razer, and Grude.
Hal glanced toward Razer, who shot him a look.
"I work better alone." He said. Razer took flight in his own direction.
Hal turned back to Grude. "I guess it's just you and me pal."
Aya and Drusa walked through a small valley side by side. The walls of the valley were layered with different colored minerals and sediments. There were no trees in the valley, though the roots above dug into the valley wall.
"I've been marooned on this planet for quite some time." Drusa said. "It's so exciting to see you. A walking, talking cybernetic form. Such technology. Such perfection."
"Perfection is incorrect." Aya replied. "Since my activation, I must continuously adjust for every flawed action I am to perform. My cerebral interface prevents a reckless course of action regularly taken by Green Lantern Jordan; however I remain able to act on my own volition, which can easily be flawed."
"Well you sure sound perfect to-ah!" Drusa slipped on a rock and stumbled to the ground. Aya knelt down beside her. "Stupid. I twisted it."
"I can construct a field dressing and split from surrounding materials." Aya explained.
"I'd feel better if you took me back to your ship for medical attention." Druse replied.
"Certainly." Aya answered. She carefully lifted Druse from and ground and took flight.
They flew out of the canyon toward the Interceptor. Drusa seemed unafraid of flight and more interested in the ship. She questioned her to no end, but Aya did not mind the questions. It was…nice to be inquired upon. The Interceptor came into view as they flew toward the ground. The ramp lowered upon Aya's command.
"This ship is more than my home. It is all that remains of the planet I originated from. I have no memories prior to my awakening of my home world." Aya explained. She flew up the landing ramp into the main deck.
"Is this the infirmary?" Drusa asked.
"That, and numerous other uses." Ay explained. One of the bio beds emerged from the wall. Aya gingerly set Drusa on the bed and walked to the console. "There is not sufficient space on this ship, so each room serves multiple functions."
Drusa silently slid off the bed without Aya's knowledge. She quietly walked across the deck. "You know Aya, the ship's design and function reminds me of the Lunar Scionians. They were gifted in technological designs." She reached the other side of the room. She ran her hand over the smooth console. "What's this?"
Aya turned to Drusa. "That is the main access panel to my interface."
Drusa smiled and pulled a small devise from her belt. "Perfect." She placed the device on the panel. A surge of electricity flooded the panel. Aya collapsed onto the floor in front of the console. Her armor disengaged and detached from her body, the energy stripes of her suit powered down, and her plate flickered as it attempted to maintain her survival. Even her helmet retracted from her skull, releasing a cascade of white hair pooling around Aya's head. She lay on the floor, glass eyed and completely motionless.
Druse took a step toward Aya's unconscious from. She chuckled to herself. "Well I'll be. A Lunar survivor. You're just full of surprises Aya." She turned and charged into the bridge.
Razer stomped through the thick forestry. His anger bubbled higher with every step he took. The bushes seemed to be intent on causing him trouble. Once he pushed some aside, they would snap back on him. Still, he found it better than being paired with the green Lanterns and the castaways. He pushed another bush aside, only to have it slam into his back once more. He growled angrily. Suddenly laughter echoed above him. He turned and looked up. Above him, crouching on a branch was another being. An Astonian. He remembered the destruction of their planet long before his joining the Red Lanterns. He crouched on the branch, looking down t Razer and laughed. The Astonian stood and leapt from the branch, leading away from Razer.
"Don't turn your back on me!" Razer called, running after him. He took flight, looking above the tree line, but the Astonian had vanished. Razer took off after the Astonian. He flew above the trees, searching for a chance sighting of the man. He dipped back below the tree line. Perhaps the level would present a better chance of spotting him.
Razer came out into a clearing and stopped. He landed on the ground and stared out at the clearing in front of him. Thousands of vessels lay in waste before him. All crashed and destroyed beyond any hope of repair. He'd never seen such a sight. "A graveyard of space wrecks. Vrashay pirate ships. Warships of the Cardonian Horde."
"Yes," suddenly the Astonian appeared beside Razer. "and those are space clipper of the Tarkonian Marauders."
"Who are you?" Razer demanded. "One of the castaways?"
"Those over there, Arrkaddy Slavers from Gir." He continued. "Quite the collection. All of them seriously bad people who have done seriously bad things."
Razer raised his ring angrily. "Tell me who you are or so help me-"
"The path they walked led to their doom." He continued and turned toward Razer. "It is the same path you travel now. I am Saint Walker. And you are?"
"About to kick your smug rear." Razer answered.
"That is not a very pleasant name. Not in the least." Saint Walker remarked.
"You got a problem with me?"
"Do you have a problem with you?" he replied.
"I only have one problem, but it's a problem I intend to correct. Taste the power of my rage!" Razer lunged at Walker. He shot a blast of energy to Walker, but he easily dodged it.
"Rage has no real power or taste for that matter." Saint Walker commented.
Razer annoyance for Walker grew and he tried to kick him. But Walker easily stepped aside. Razer dropped to the ground and tried to trip him, but calmly jumped out of reach.
"It's the orphan child of fear and despair." Walker continued.
Razer growled and charged his ring. He spun around at Walker. Walker calmly raised his arm and blocked Razer's blast, allowing the energy to shoot safely into the air. Razer threw punch and punch at Walker, but the Astonian easily blocked each strike effortlessly. Razer kicked at him. Walk easily flipped over Razer and into the tree.
"Your kicks need work. A little higher at the knee, I think." He said.
Razer slammed his fist into the trees trunk. The fruit from the tree rained onto the ground. The tree swayed and began falling. Walker calmly walked along the branches while the tree fell to the ground and calmly jumped onto the ground. He held out his hand and caught one of the falling fruits.
"Speaking of taste, though, you really should try this melon, brother. Very sweet." Walker said, biting into the fruit.
Razer charged again. Walker leapt out of Razer's reached and leapt cross the branches. Razer's fired angrily after Walker, only missing him at every shot. With every miss, Razer's rage grew. He landed in front of a scorch mark on the ground, where Walker once stood. There was no sign of Walker, though. Razer sighed heavily and looked at his ring. The charge was failing. He turned and found himself facing Walker.
Razer threw another punch. "Sit still so I can hit you."
"No, brother." Walker said. He jabbed Razer's neck with two fingers. "You sit still."
Razer felt his body seize and fall backwards onto the ground. He lay completely unable to move.
"There's a storm coming, brother." Walker said. "And the galaxy will need every one of strong and true heart to survive."
"What in the name of Grotz are you talking about?" Razer demanded.
Walker calmly strolled toward Razer's body. "Your anger and rage may lead to your doom. Personally, I think you should avoid that." He held out the Green Lantern power ring. "But there is always hope."
"You're the Green Lantern." He said.
"No, not me." Walker placed the ring on Razer's chest. "I travel a different path." And without another word, Walker walked back into the forest, leaving Razer alone.
"Nice going, kid." Hal called from above. He landed near Razer. "You found the ring."
"Actually…"
"Funny that the ring hasn't chosen a Green Lantern yet." Hal said. He helped Razer to his feet.
"Maybe one of the castaways?" Razer suggested.
Hal chuckled. "No, those castaways are bad news. Trust me. We need to find the others and get off this planet now."
They two Lanterns found Kilowog chasing after the Interceptor. Both quickly adjusted course and followed after them.
"Um, Kilowog, is there a reason Aya is flying off and leaving us?" Hal asked.
"She's not, it's those castaways. They stole the ship." Kilowog explained.
"But how? Aya's linked with the ship." Razer said.
"I'd hate to say it, but anything could've happened to her while she was with Drusa." Hal said. "Which makes it all the more important we get back the ship."
The Interceptor veered around the mountains, trying to outmaneuver the Lanterns. It weaved between tight peaks and under arches, but the Lanterns still followed. Kilowog and Jordan launched clamps and grabbed onto the tail of the ship. Drusa steered the ship sharply around another peak, causing the Lanterns to crash into the peak and release the ship.
"Wonderful, they're getting away!" Razer growled. He took off after the Interceptor. He was too far from the ship to try and stop it, but from where he was, he could see numerous mountain peaks rising. He watched as the Interceptor managed to avoid the peaks, but they continued to rise. It was as if the peaks were deliberately trying to stop the ship.
Suddenly a peak managed to hit the starboard wing of the ship, sending it into a dive roll. It spiraled toward the forest. Two trees rose up and stopped the ship in midair. The trees shrunk back to the ground, bringing the Interceptor with them. Razer flew up the landing ramp and into the bridge. Zartock and Drusa were lying battered on the ground. Razer blasted them out of the ship and down the ramp. He walked back into the main deck, where Aya was lying.
For a moment, he marveled at the difference in her appearance. As she lay on the floor, without her armor, hair around her face, Aya appeared human for the first time since he reluctantly joined the crew. He noted her chest plate failing and quickly gathered her into his arms. He ripped Drusa's device from the panel, but Aya remained unconscious. He walked down the ramp to the Green Lanterns. They would no doubt want reassurance she was safe. Outside of the ship, Razer crushed the device in his hands. Aya's plate immediately began glowing green. Her blue eyes popped open and she lifted her head off Razer's shoulder. She looked to him as he avoided her gaze. The ship powered up to full power. Razer set her down on the ramp.
"Aya's back online. We're ready to blow this Mungtoor stand." Kilowog said. He ran to the ramp, dragging Drusa and Zartock behind him. "Jordan now!"
Hal looked up at the incoming asteroid. Something wasn't right just leaving. They had the ring, but it landed on the planet for a reason. "It doesn't make sense. Why did the ring stay on this planet and not go back to Oa?" He threw it into the air. "Go! Go back to Oa!"
The ring flew into the air and stopped. It fell back onto the planet's surface near Jordan. The ring began glowing and spinning.
"It can't be." He said. He picked up the ring. "Kilowog, take off now. Right now. I have to stay behind. There's something I have to do."
"Jordan, times up." Kilowog warned. "The ring didn't find a replacement. We gotta go!"
"It did. Our hero's been here the whole time." Hal called. "Get Aya and Razer off this planet. Trust me." He constructed a drill and started drilling through the earth.
Kilowog, Razer, and Aya joined him on the ground.
"I ordered you off this rock. What are you doing?" he demanded.
"I'm disobeying orders." Kilowog stated.
Hal smirked and stopped drilling. He dropped the ring into the hole and stepped back. A green beam of energy burst form the hole and shot into the sky. It collided with the asteroid and destroyed the rock before entering the atmosphere. A second beam burst from the sky. It formed a ring around the entire planet. Emitting the Green Lantern symbol.
"I am Mogo." Came a voice. "Thank you, Hal Jordan of Earth. You have saved me. Rather, by giving me the ring, by knighting me, you allowed me the power to save myself from that asteroid."
"Our pleasure." Hal said.
"For countless millennia I have trapped evil-doers here on my surface until they reform. I will keep these prisoners if you do not mind." Mogo said.
"Knock yourself out." Kilowog answered. He released Drusa and Zartock. The earth rose around them, sealing them inside.
"You have given me new purpose. New power. I am proud to be a Green Lantern. Very Proud. And I will be here whenever you have need of me." Mogo explained.
"I gotta say, Jordan, you're gathering one unorthodox team." Kilowog said. "But it's an honor to be a part of it."
Hal smiled. "Welcome to the Green Lantern Corps, Mogo."
okay...so the next chapter is Aya's base. it answers the question of where she came from...at least i hope it does.