It was a lush, vibrant green field. Wildflowers numbered in the millions within the field, ranging in a vast spectrum of colors. Dozens of weeping willows filled the field, their branches forming lush green curtains. She stood beneath the branches of one of the willow trees. Her hand gently grasped the coarse rope that tied a wooden swing to the branch of the tree. A cool breeze caught the foliage and made them dance in the sunlight. Wisps of white stands of hair floated in front of her face, caught in the breeze. It was beautiful.
Laughter filled the air and children ran through the field. They were no older than seven. Strands of white bobbed from young boys and girls while they screamed and laughed their way through the field. They weaved around each other, running from a single boy. He chased after the group, trying to separate them, laughing as he went.
Suddenly the children stopped running. They turned their eyes to the sky. She stepped from the willows shelter and looked to the sky. The wind increased as the clouds were pushed away. A battalion of red armored beings flew toward the planet. Fire sprouted from their bodies, sending the beautiful world aflame. The children screamed in terror and ran from the beings. The field burned in the fire, trees fell to the burning earth.
One of the boys ran to her and grabbed her hand. It was only then that she realized she too was a child. "Run!"
The horde of menacing red fighters flew toward them. Streams of fire ignited the fields in their paths. They flew over the children and herself. The children screamed in agony, filling her ears.
Aya bolted upright in her bed. She placed a trembling hand over her chest. She felt the heavy thumbing of her internal battery against her ribs. Beams of perspiration rolled down her face. She wiped the beads from her face and looked at her hand. Something was wrong. She tossed the sheet from her body and rose from her bed. She quickly walked out of her quarters and through the hall. Her link with the Interceptor provided her with the early morning time. Three hours remained in her sleep cycle and another four in Green Lanterns Hal and Kilowog's cycle. She quietly walked past their chambers, knowing that her accelerated respiration could cause her to act rashly.
She stepped onto the main deck. The lights activated with her presence. She walked to the bridge and entered. She would not be able to resume her regeneration cycle now that it had been interrupted. She would best be of use on the bridge, observing and beginning her daily duties. Aya took a seat at the command station. She initiated a quick update of the Interceptors position. She started running scans over the ship and noted the status of the ultra-warp repairs. Repairs were on schedule, the Interceptor had travel forty light-years since the crew had retreated to their quarters, and the ship was operating in prime condition. Aya looked up from the console. The Interceptor was passing by a nebula. The colors reminded her of the wildflowers in the field. The waves resembled the dancing flowers. Aya closed her eyes and returned her attention to her work.
They had started during her deactivation on Mogo. When Drusa's devise had taken control, leaving Aya immobile on the ship, Aya had found herself on a lush planet. It was similar to Earth, yet not nearly had technologically advanced. And when Razer had destroyed the device, Aya had regained consciousness immediately. The logical assumption was that the device had triggered some sort of failsafe in her programming resulting in a hologram. However, when they began manifesting during her regeneration cycles, Aya realized it was not a program failsafe.
Ever since these dreams-for lack of a better word- manifested weeks ago, Aya had found increasingly difficult to resume her duties onboard. She found herself easily distracted by the familiarity of ordinary moments and linking them to her dreams. Yet there was nothing to show for the dreams. No memories to revert to for comparison. And with every medical and technological reason disproven, Aya's only option was to endure. Notifying the crew was an acceptable course of action, however with the threat of the Red Lanterns so dire and their teams number remaining the same rank, her dreams/hallucinations were not on the priority list.
"Something wrong?"
Aya opened her eyes and immediately located the voices origin. Razer had joined her on the bridge without her knowledge of doing so. She had become so consumed by her internal thoughts that she hadn't noted Razer's presence.
"Razer." She said. She noted the time. "You have risen ahead of predicted time."
Razer shrugged. "I simply woke early." He walked to one of the lower statins and sat down.
Aya watched Razer for a moment. She mentally debated of speaking with Razer about her situation. She could rely on him for confidentiality. "Razer, may I ask a personal question?"
Razer turned his chair, looking back at her. "Depends."
"What do your dreams consist of?" Aya asked.
Razer blinked.
"If I have offender, I mean no harm. I am simply gathering information on the subject." Aya explained.
Razer turned back to his station. "I am not offend, merely surprised by your question."
Aya remained focused on Razer.
"I haven't remembered a dream since I received my ring." Razer informed.
"Interesting." Aya said. "If you were able to dream, what would you dream about?"
"If I could, I suppose it would be of my home." Razer answered. "Why are you so interested?"
"As I specified before, I am gathering information on the subjects of dreams." Aya explained.
Razer, either satisfied by the answer or simply uninterested, turned back to his console. The bridge slipped into a familiar form of silence. Aya returned her attention to the console in front of her. She could feel her attention slipping away already. Aya closed her eyes and forced herself to focus. She opened them again and found herself standing in the middle of the grassy field again. She could feel the cool breeze over her face, smell the scent of the trees and flowers, hear the birds.
"Aya!"
Aya opened her eyes and turned her head sharply. Razer was looking at her. He appeared…concerned almost. She recognized several features on his face that only occurred while he was concerned over a plan or action.
"You've been staring at your console for ten minutes, without moving." He explained. "Is something wrong?"
"Negative." Aya replied quickly. "I was merely calculating in my head. I did not mean to concern you, Razer."
Razer grumbled. "I was merely concerned with what Jordan and Kilowog would think of your actions." He turned his attention back to his console.
Razer brought up a fair point. If Green Lantern Kilowog or Jordan noticed her odd behavior, they would have questions. Questions that Aya was unaware how to answer. There must be a virus or program interfering with her interface. Aya rose from her chair silently. Razer didn't look over his shoulder or acknowledge her departure, much to her advantage. Aya walked onto the empty deck. A bio bed emerged from the wall. Aya walked to the console and entered a series of commands before lying on the bed. The scans initiated and began scanning Aya. Her internal battery was tested for stress fractures and power level. Her interface was scanned for viruses, burn out, and any other dysfunctions. The scanner designated, allowing Aya to sit up. She walked back to the console and inspected the results.
To her surprise, her interface was working within normal parameters. All of her systems were within normal parameters, in fact. Internal battery: functioning within given parameters. Cerebral Interface: functioning within given parameters. Organic components negative for foreign bacteria and viruses. Slight elevated heart rate and anxiety levels. Unsatisfied with the results, Aya inspected her cerebral results. The results were astonishing, and impossible. Her brain activity had increased exponentially. She compared the recent results to the results upon activation. There was a fifty percent increase of activity. Motor functions, emotional responses, vital functions, even memory improvement. Aya had believed that Drusa's attempt at immobilizing her had been the cause, but it had merely been another chance for Aya to further separate herself from her cybernetic components. The scans did not make any sense to Aya. She stored her results in her private medical file.
Aya returned to the bridge. Razer tossed a casual glance in her direction but remained silent. Aya returned to her console and resumed her duties. Hal Jordan had asked her to search for the Red Lantern home ship; Shard. He and Kilowog both felt it was time to survey the enemy some more. With Razer's reluctant help, she had managed to calibrate the scanners. But as of yet, the scanners had found no trace of shard.
The bridge doors slid open. Hal Jordan calmly walked onto the bridge. "Good morning Aya, Razer."
Razer grunted.
Aya turned to face Hal. "Good morning."
"Everybody get a good night sleep? We got Red Lanterns to find." He said.
"As if anyone can sleep in the adjacent room of the snoring Bolovaxian." Razer mumbled.
Hal chuckled. "I believe it, Glad Aya's my neighbor. Aya, any sign of Shard?"
"Negative. All scans have found no traces of the Red Lanterns." Aya explained.
Hal leaned back in his chair. "They're out there somewhere."
"Probably sleeping." Razer mumbled.
"What was that?" Hal asked.
Razer remained silent.
Aya shot up in bed again. Sweat rolled down her face and neck. Her heart fluttered dangerously fast. Her plate even seemed to be fluctuating. Her white hair fell over her face, freed by her disengaged helmet. Aya threw the sheets from her trembling body and rushed out of her quarters. She moved quickly to the bridge disregarding her helmet, armor, or the crew. She would never be able to function correctly with these dreams interfering with her regeneration cycle.
She sat down at the stellar cartography station and brought up the planetary system list. Aya input the planet and waited. The planet immediately appeared in front of Aya. It was an M class planet in the very section of space the Interceptor was passing through. There was minimal information. None actually, merely the planets classification and coordinates. Aya brought up the ships course regiment. Aya calculated she could easily return to the interceptor before the crew realized her departure.
Aya rose from the chair and walked through to the docking ramp. Her armor initiated and engulfed around her body. Her helmet drew back her hair and lowered the facial plates. The ramped opened to space. Aya took flight and departed the ship. She flew through the coldness of space for the first time. She was familiar with the knowledge that space was cold and had calibrated her field to maintain an acceptable temperature.
"Going somewhere?"
Aya turned quickly. Razer was flying out to meet her.
"You should return to the Interceptor Razer." She replied.
"You didn't answer my question." Razer answered.
"An event has drawn my attention that I must tend to." She explained.
"Without Jordan and Kilowog?"
"Green Lanterns Hal and Kilowog require rest. I have calculated that they are not necessary to tend to the situation." Aya explained.
Razer stared at her closely. "You think I can't tell when someone's lying, Aya?"
Aya said nothing.
"I'm impressed you've learned so quickly, but I know you're lying. So why don't you tell me why you're leaving, or I'll notify Jordan and Kilowog of your departure and you can explain to them." Razer explained.
Aya calculated Razer's offer. The odds were with him to inform Hal and Kilowog. It would do no one any good to inform them of what Aya suspects. And should Razer join her to the planet, she would feel safer with the company. "Are you familiar with the planet; Lunar Scion?"
Her question caught Razer by surprise. His eyes grew wide, his anger melting quickly. "Where did you hear that?"
"Drusa informed me that the Interceptor reminded her of the people of Lunar Scoin, before she deactivated me. Is she correct?" Aya asked.
Razer avoided her question. "Is that what has been bothering you? Drusa is a criminal."
"My organic components are increasing in activity." She replied. "My scans inform me that my cerebral activity has increased fifty percent since my activation. My cerebral interface should render such activity impossible, yet everything is operating at normal parameters."
"And you believe Lunar Scion hold answers for you?" Razer asked.
Aya nodded.
"Let's go." He said. Razer began flying past Aya.
"You will accompany me?" Aya asked.
"Unless you want to be intercepted by Jordan and Kilowog." Razer answered.
Aya began flying alongside Razer. "You have yet to respond to my inquiry, Razer."
Razer glanced toward Aya. "Yes, I'm familiar with the planet."
They flew through space silently. Aya lead them toward the planet, occasionally checking their coordinates. Neither said a word to each other, it was unnecessary. Razer was merely accompanying her to ensure her safety, and Aya was abandoning her post aboard the Interceptor. The coordinates lead to a small M class planet that Aya had viewed back on the ship. It was at least three times smaller than the planet Earth. It's atmosphere consisting of a purple color with green oceans, an silver land masses.
"Lunar Scion. Razer stated.
Aya nodded. She began entering the atmosphere with Razer beside her. She disengaged her tracker; now that they had arrived the coordinates were no longer necessary. They touched down in the silvery-green field. Flowers of thousands of colors danced in the breeze. Aya's face plate retracted into her helmet. The breeze fluttered over her skin. The scent of the flowers and fields filled her. Like a familiar scent one associates with belonging.
Razer landed not far from her. He looked out at the field. "There's nothing here. Our trip was wasted."
Aya remained silent. It took only another moment longer before Razer turned his attention toward Aya. She was standing perfectly still in the field, looking at it intently. Razer stepped closer toward Aya.
"Aya?"
"This field…is familiar to me." She said.
Razer remained silent.
Aya began slowly walking through the field. Her armor disengaged piece by piece, until she stood in the field in only her flight dress. Her white hair blew in the breeze around her face. "We would play and gather here." She turned her attention from the field. In a split second her armor reengaged and she took off flying.
"Aya!" Razer yelled. He flew after. "Just what do you hope of finding here?"
Aya looked to Razer. "I am unsure."
They flew to the remains of a town. They landed and began walking through the remnants. Buildings had long since given in to the elements, nothing but piles of rocks truly remained. The trees and grass had retaken the town. Razer looked at the remnants apprehensively. It had been centuries since word of the planets fate spread through the frontier. He would like nothing more than to leave the planet and forget every setting foot back on it, but he couldn't leave without Aya. He feared her connection to the dead planet.
"Curious." Aya said.
"What?"
"Drusa's statement of technology appears to be false." Aya explained. "Sensors are not picking up any sign of technology, however they reading tunnels beneath the surface."
"There won't be. Not now. This planets been dead for centuries." Razer said. He continued walking through the street. "The tunnels were probably-ahh!"
The earth crumbled beneath his feet, sending Razer into the darkness below. The fall was not far, but enough to catch Razer by surprise. He hit the ground, grunting on impact. He looked up at the hole he'd fallen through. Aya's face appeared above him.
"Are you injured?" she called.
"No." he growled.
Aya flew down and landed beside him. "It would appear the tunnels stability was compromised over time."
"Whatever gave you that clue?" Razer asked.
Aya ignored Razer comment and inspected the area. The walls were smooth with corroded metal. Panels were missing from walls and vines and grass had sneaked into the tunnel. They began walked through the tunnel. The tunnel was fairly long, with no other access points. It appeared to be accessed from two points only, the destination and entrance.
"How long is this tunnel?" Razer asked.
"The end is approximately twenty yards ahead of us." Aya answered.
The tunnel came to an arch, leading them to a large open room. Vines hung from the walls, cover consoles and panels. The roof had caved in long ago, allowing light to flood the area. A single computer console stood against the wall. It had been covered in vines, but it had managed to survive the elements. Aya walked to the console and cleared it of vegetation. She opened one of the panels and inspected the interior components.
"Is it functional?" Razer asked.
"Unknown. The components appear to be in working condition." Aya explained, closing the panel. She placed her hand on the console controls. "Perhaps it is encrypted?"
The screen burst to life. A woman stood in front of the console. Her hair was white, reaching to her shoulders. She was a striking resemblance of Aya. The same pearl cluster formed around her neck. She was covered in dirt and scratches, visibly panicked. Behind her were hundreds more, huddled together. Sounds of thunder echoed around them, sending the people into terror filled screams. The bunker seemed to barely hold its stability.
"We've taken shelter in the hanger, Many of us have already fallen] to their hands. We've managed to find the origin of these metallic creatures. Our best pilot and ship has already departed for their home world in hopes of retracting this order. Our hopes and prayers go to our angel. If you see this Andel, good luck my child."
The screen went black. Razer looked to Aya. He watched as she typed on the console. The screen began another playback. This time from an earlier segment. Razer watched in astonishment and regret as he spotted the Interceptor in the hanger behind them. He quickly spotted the pilot. She was dressed in black and blue. Her white hair lay flat against her back. It was impossible to mistake Aya for anyone else. She bid the people goodbye and boarded the ship. The hanger doors opened to fire and cries as the ship took off into space. The video ended abruptly, leaving them in silence.
"It would appear the Interceptor never reached its destination." Aya stated.
Razer turned to her. She stared at the screen. Glimpses of guilt and pain danced across her face. "It wasn't your fault Aya."
"There is no data of what took place on the planet." Aya said. "Do you know, Razer?"
Razer shook his head.
"Then our presence is no longer required on this planet." Aya said. Her armor reengaged and she took flight. Razer flew right behind her, taking a lingering glance at the last stand of the people.
Hal entered the bridge to find Razer and Aya at their stations once again. They sat in silence, working. "Geeze, don't you two ever sleep?"
Neither answered him, but Aya turned toward Hal.
Hal rose from his chair. "Well, if you two have everything under control, I think I'm going to get breakfast."
"I believe Razer and I can maintain the bridge, Hal Jordan." Aya answered.
"Glad to hear it." He walked toward the door. "Be back in a few."
The moment the doors closed behind him, Aya returned to her console. Razer watched from the corner of his eye. Only hours ago she found the remains of her village, no she continued as if nothing had happened. Had her interface reduced so much of her emotions to her previous level? Was the act of abandoning her post a mere glitch in the program that had corrected itself upon their return? He didn't understand. He watched as she worked at her console…finally noticing the file she'd accessed.
"Extinction unknown?" he asked.
"There is no exact record of what lead to the citizen's demise. And until my memory files recall the events, it seemed to be an appropriate designation." Aya explained.
Razer snorted. "Do you honestly believe you will uncover what happened on your planet?"
"As the last survivor of my planet, I have no right to do any less." She answered. She finished typing and closed the file. "Perhaps, in time, Lunar Scion will be recolonized."
Razer turned toward the stars. Perhaps she was not as closed off from her humanity as she appeared. Aya had certainly proven herself to have a deeper connection to her emotions than he allowed himself to have. "Aya, what do you remember about the crash?"
Aya looked up from her console. "Fragments. However the Interceptor recorded the entire event." She brought up the footage. Hazy footage of Aya appeared in front of him. He watched as the ship was tossed about violently. Aya was thrown from her seat and tossed around the bridge. And every time she still reclaimed the helm. Even after painful injuries, hull failure, and the inevitable crash on Oa, she stayed at her post.
"What injuries did you sustain during the crash?" he asked.
"Fractures of six abdominal bones, four in upper appendages, three in lower appendages, minor internal bleeding, total loss of motion and feeling in lower appendages, cardiac arrest, and brain failure." She explained. "Many of my injuries were simple to heal. My spinal was repaired by a cybernetic column that travels from the base of by skull to the damaged nerves. However healing the cerebral and cardiac damage was more difficult."
"Your interface and energy plate." He said.
"Yes. Linked together with the Interceptor keeps me alive." She explained.
So much damage done. The loss of her legs, her memories, her entire previous life, and planet. All lost to her. Yet she still manages to continue, to fight on. He would never say this to anyone but himself, but there was something more than the mere plate that kept her going.
Suddenly a quick beeping sounded throughout the bridge. Razer turned. Aya typed quickly at her console. By her stern expression and quick motions, they had finally found it.
"Shard?"
Aya nodded. "Affirmative. Aya to Hal Jordan, sensors have located the Red Lantern planet."
okay i hope that made since. and if you kinda thought Razer knew more about her planet than she does...you're right. i wanted to hint that he knows more than he told her. might come up again later, but not sure yet.