Chapter 2: Renegade
"I have set the coordinates according to Lt. Korin's instructions. Course plotted for Ishra" Aya announced as she typed the coordinates into the monitor. Korin wore his military armor and was completely suited up as he watched them all from the corner. He pushed his hair back and turned to Hal Jordan as if looking for confidence.
"Green Lantern Jordan, forgive me for asking but what exactly is your plan?" He asked politely, he stood up straight as if to give respect to a superior.
"It's simple Korin, we're gonna have a talk with your princes" Hal replied as he relaxed into his pilot seat. Korin was taken aback but maintained politeness as he protested.
"With all due respect Green Lantern Jordan, that doesn't inspire that much confidence"
Kilowog turned from his seat at the control panel and regarded Korin with a loud chuckle. "You'll get used to that kid. Jordan has a knack for schemes like this" he said and returned to managing the control panel.
"Hey, they get results!" Hal exclaimed while Korin still looked uncomfortable with the current state of affairs. "Back me up, Razer!"
Everyone turned to Razer who was busy calibrating the systems hoping for a good answer. Razer realized all eyes were on him expecting an answer, he allowed a sigh to escape his lips and answered.
"They do get results" he murmured. Just as Hal was smiling triumphantly, Razer added. "Sometimes"
Korin chuckled. "It's nice to know that your team have much confidence in you"
Hal rolled his eyes and looked out the glass at the planet that they were approaching. Even at this distance, he could see that black smoke and dust from the war.
"We have arrived at the planet of Ishra" Aya announced as they were slowly making their way down on the planet. "Green Lantern Hal, may I suggest we keep the Interceptor airborne? The war on this planet has not yet ended and the Interceptor is our only route for escape if something goes wrong"
Hal thought about it for a bit. What Aya said was indeed true, they were now on a war-torn planet and they don't exactly know how the civilians are right now. If something goes south (which usually is the case), it is reassuring to know that their escape is ensured. Hal nodded and turned to Aya.
"Good thinking Aya, we'll do that" Hal turned to Korin, Kilowog and Razer. "Remember to keep your guard up guys. Korin, could you be our guide?"
Korin nodded and pulled out his phaser as the five of them left the Interceptor onto the dusty plains of the desert world Ishra.
Ishra definitely looked like a planet calling for help. Smoke rose from burnt vehicles and weapons on the desert plains, torn army uniforms and logos from flags lay on the ground and Hal could see corpses covered by plain white cloths.
Razer squirmed slightly at the sight of this chaos. He lifted his gaze to the back of Korin who was walking in front of him, he felt like he understood what Korin went through. After all, he was in a similar position. He fought in the militia believing that he was doing the right thing, that he was protecting Ilana. But that wasn't the case. He understood what it felt like to question everything you believed in, everything you fought for.
What was Korin fighting for?
Something cold and metallic brushed against Razer's hand which caused him to jerk in surprise. He looked his left and saw Aya walking beside him with a concerned look on her face.
"Razer, are you alright?" Aya inquired, her eyes wide concern. He regained composure and nodded to show that he was fine. "You were in a daze"
"I'm alright Aya" Razer replied. He gave a quick smile to reassure her and continued walking forward. Aya was still concerned but she didn't question further.
They soon came to a halt when they reached an encampment. The soldiers there wore the exact blue military armor as Korin and they were all resting beneath the large tent that was pitched. Beside the encampment were about 5 large tanks and 3 Gatling guns, they were not active but Hal kept them in mind.
"They are on my side, we can approach them" Korin said as he led them to the encampment. This time, Korin's physicality and aura changed instantaneously. He carried himself like how a leader would. He was direct and regarded everyone with a stern gaze. The soldiers noticed them walking toward the encampment and quickly raced out with phasers in hand.
Korin's eyes looked stern and strict.
"Men, it's Lt. Korin. These are my friends and we need to head to the capital Ishvan as soon as possible" he commanded with a authoritative tone which surprised Hal and the others, even Kilowog.
The soldiers didn't budge from their spot, they kept their phasers pointed at them. Panic rose from Hal and the others and Korin knew something was wrong. A loud voice boomed from behind the soldiers.
"What's the matter men?" A tall man stood behind the soldiers. He had a crew-cut hairstyle and looked rugged. He had the same marking on his face as Korin except it was a slightly different pattern. He was muscular and represented the true physicality of a soldier.
"Lt. Serren! He has returned" one of the soldiers replied, still pointing the phaser at Korin's head.
"So it seems" Lt. Serren replied. He gazed at Korin as if in triumph. "So, the prodigal son returns at last, Korin"
"What is the meaning of this Serren?" Korin questioned, his voice now like a growl. Lt. Serren chuckled slyly.
"What else could it mean, Korin?" He moved forward and looked down on Korin.
"You have been replaced. You are no longer a lieutenant and you are no longer welcomed here"
"What do you mean not welcomed here?!" Kilowog bellowed at Serren. "The kid's a war hero, he fought for you with honor!"
"Silence stranger!" Lt. Serren shouted. He turned to Korin and looked him dead in the eye. "This boy is now a renegade, the traitor of our race. The very fact that you strangers are with him shows that he truly is a traitor"
"Who ordered that?" Korin growled as he stared back at Serren with his blue-hazel eyes, it's wildness slowly returning. Razer could see Serren pull back as if of fear. What if there was more to Korin than meets they eye?
What if the other side of Korin is one that should be feared?
"Isn't it obvious Korin? Prince Drevin, our true king and sovereign is the one who labeled you a renegade and traitor. And he's ordered your death"
Korin looked down and Hal felt empathy for him. His own people have turned against him. Hal took a look around and noticed the lynchpin that held the tent up. It was small and it was quite the distance from them, but if they were to drop the entire tent on the soldiers and distract them. They might be able to escape.
Hal tapped Korin on the shoulder and whispered in his ear. "Kid, can you shot that lynchpin there?"
Korin looked up at the lynchpin holding the tent and whispered back;
"Yes I can, but I need a bit more room to pull my phaser" Korin looked at Hal from the corner of his eye. Hal saw nothing but cold fury emanating from his eye and knew that Korin was now dead serious. "Can you handle that?"
Hal smirked and winked at Kilowog. Kilowog smiled approvingly and bellowed;
"Finally" Suddenly there was a swirl of green energy and a large green hammer in Kilowog's hands. He swung it at the soldiers and they fell like dominoes. "You want some, poozer?!"
The soldiers from inside the encampment began running out with weapons in hand ready to attack them. As soon as they freed up space, Hal and team just did their thing. Pushing back their opposition with their constructs. They made sure to be able to buy more time for Korin to shoot the lynchpin.
They were soon surprised at how quickly he did the job.
Hal saw it again. The wild eyes and this time they just became even more unpredictable. It was frightening because he finally saw what the war had done to this boy. It made him a skilled killer, a dangerous wild card.
All it took was a swift hand motion. Korin reached for his phaser which was slung on his waist and without hesitation, fired a shot aimed at the lynchpin. He didn't even stop to blink or take aim. He just pulled out his phaser and took the shot.
At that moment, Hal and the group were stunned. The shot hit its mark and broke the lynchpin, the entire tent collapsed on the soldiers. The battalion is now distracted which presented an opportunity for escape.
"Alright team! Let's bounce!" Hal called out. In the midst of the chaos, he noticed the capital in the distance. It wasn't all that far, and they did come all this way.
"What are you doing, Jordan?!" Kilowog yelled. "We gotta get outta here and fast!"
"No, I got an idea!" Hal exclaimed. He turned and saw the tanks being parked beside the now downed tent. "Razer, Aya. You guys can get those tanks up and running?"
The two of them nodded and flew over to the tanks and revved up the engine. Kilowog could only manage a sigh as he hurried off to help Razer and Aya, he knew Hal's harebrained schemes would come out soon but now wasn't really the time to argue. Once the tank's engine was alive, Hal turned to Korin who looked betrayed. He just stood there watching Lt. Serren struggle beneath the tent yelling at Korin.
"You are a fallen hero, Korin! Do you honestly think she would ever love you, now?" Korin turned his back on Lt. Serren who continued to yell at him. "She will never love you! Never!"
Hal held a hand on Korin's shoulder. "Are you alright, kid?"
"I'm fine. We should hurry"
They were still driving through the wilderness in the tank which they have stolen from the encampment. They were still amazed at how quickly diplomacy had failed in their mission today. It must be a record.
Kilowog looked uneasy as they fast approached the main gates of the capital Ishvan. The higher authorities would've already heard of their arrival, if they were going to survive they needed to sneak in and hide out in someplace safe. So far, they don't have any.
"Look Jordan, you see that capital? It's infested with soldiers, how are we going to sneak into something that heavily guarded?" He bellowed at him, earning a wince of annoyance from Razer.
"Green Lantern Kilowog, there is no need to fear. There is someone who will help us, someone who knows I'm not a renegade" Korin replied, his gaze not leaving the floor.
"Who might that be?" Hal asked.
"My grandfather and let me warn you...he can get quite...excited" Korin murmured.
The tank continued on its path toward Ishvan, the team survived their first trial but can they free Korin's childhood friend, Havanna and stop the war?
And is there more to the boy-soldier than meets the eye?