CXLI
The Master of Puppets
Meanwhile on far-away Oa, the Council of Guardians had passed Khamett's proposal to recharge their Central Power Battery almost unanimously… What choice did they have after all? The entire power source of their planet had been drained of all energy - and it could draw no further power from Maltus. Without new power, Oa was doomed to become nothing more than a cold rock floating in space - incapable of sustaining life. Their options were expiring quickly and many among them had begun to suspect the worst…
How could it not be sabotage? Their enemy would not be content with simply depriving them of their power. The Guardians had to consider the possibility that they would be attacked when they were at their most vulnerable and defenceless. Therefore, there must be no delay in implementing this new plan to recharge the Central Power Battery.
The Sciencells on Oa housed some of the most powerful criminals in the Universe, including an entire sector of space that had once become sentient and gone mad with its supremacy – ending all life in that quadrant. With prisoners such as MadGod Sector 3600 incarcerated beneath them, Oan engineers had determined that the potential supply of this new energy source exceeded even the power of the six Gods on Maltus!
There were even whispers that this could begin a new era for the Green Lantern Corps…
The technology that had kept these intergalactic felons incapacitated for centuries now proved surprisingly easy to tap a power conduit into - using the same method they had on Maltus with the six Gods. Instead of holding their prisoners in check, that power was now converted from the prison energy matrix and transferred directly to the Central Power Battery. After a few tense hours, the Guardians were once again able to begin recharging their Central Power Battery.
A new era.
But this new light was different.
It was not the familiar green they were renown for, but rather a dull, white light - almost grey. Preliminary tests had shown that it was still a usable energy source for the Lanterns. Their trial-Lantern Kilowog could recharge his Battery and perform the usual feats. Truly, it seemed that only the colour had changed. The brusque and burly alien seemed to show no ill effects from using this new energy source and his willpower seemed as obstinate as ever - although it was decided that continuous study was required and a task force was quickly formed to monitor the effects.
But whatever the colour - green or grey… Oa was powerless no more.
A plan was quickly drafted to investigate Maltus selecting a battalion of the most powerful Lanterns and Guardians. They would charge their rings with this new energy and depart within hours. The remaining Lanterns would remain to protect Oa from possible attack.
Throughout the chamber, rumours and speculation were whispered among the Council as to why the Central Power Battery had originally lost its power… Had the Gods escaped or was there some sort of power siphon between Oa and Maltus? Had this truly been the work of Trigon or had the Gods simply ran out of power or perished?
Amidst the constant buzz of these whispers, Head Councillor Valorex raised his hands for quiet and then gazed at the latest readings from the Central Power Battery, announcing to the Chamber the good news.
"My fellow Guardians… I am pleased to announce that our Central Battery has just now registered at FULL capacity. Our initial tests have confirmed that this new energy is just as viable as the magical energy from Maltus that we had employed previously. With this latest success, that is not to say that we will abandon the Lanterns' traditional power supply... A battalion of our greatest champions will be selected to investigate the affairs on Maltus and report back to us with their findings. It must now be our primary goal to bring Maltus back online.
As Guardians, we are not only the protectors of the Universe, we are also its wardens. All of understand that Oa is not only our home, but also that it is a prison planet home to the most deadly criminals in existence. Some of you – quite understandably - have questions regarding the ethics and sustainability of this new power source. Rest assured my comrades, all concerns will be heard and discussed once the Maltus affair has been investigated and resolved. These are emergency measures that have been forced upon us – a dire situation to which we have responded admirably and democratically…"
Head Councillor Valorex stopped mid-sentence as dark grey smoke swirled biliously at the empty center of the large circular Chamber. In his seat, Ganthet felt his heart skip a beat as he believed that his worst fears had been realized… that the Crimson Scourge now appeared among them to exact his final revenge. For a race of immortal beings who had shorn emotion to the long ravages of time, each of them knew fear once more…
But it was not Trigon.
A large, dark figure calmly strode forward from the thick smoke, his stone features unable to conceal the obvious contempt he bore those in attendance. He surveyed the Guardians in silence, a predatory sneer spread across his stony mouth as he gazed upon them through glowing crimson eyes…
Darkseid.
The Lord of Apokolips, the God of Tyranny, the author of the Paix Arcana, now stood silently at the center of them.
They watched as twelve green flashes suddenly appeared around the Great Tyrant - their hearts lifted in hope as they awaited their Green Lanterns to materialize and confront this arrogant deity who dared to trespass into their inner Chamber. Surely the Lanterns must have detected his presence by now… But it was not Lanterns. Instead the Guardians were now being haunted by their past… by something they had not beheld for many thousands of years. Things they believed that had been buried deep in their past.
How wrong they had been.
Manhunters.
This rebuilt progeny of their ancient, sentient robots made so long ago now stared coldly back into their eyes. Had the criminals of the third era felt the same chill run down their spines as they gazed into those cold steel eyes?
Ganthet recognized the same hard, impassive blue face and the red armoured body, but these new 'children' housed a round, green light that shone eerily from the center of their chests. It took Ganthet a moment to realize that this was a Power Battery embedded into each of these Manhunter robots. Which meant these machines actually harnessed the same power as a Green Lantern! With that realization, Ganthet had even more reason to fear these mechanized weapons as Head Councillor Valorex issued a warning to Darkseid…
"You and your toys are not welcome here, Darkseid. Plead your case and be gone!"
Although each had not seen the other for centuries, there was still open hostility between this God and this Guardian. The current Head Councillor named Valorex had been one of the key figures who had negotiated the Paix Arcana so long ago in the presence of the dread Lord of Apokolips. Now, the large, ominous God stood once again before the seated leader of the Oan Chamber, and calmly extended an open hand to him…
"I have come to offer the hand of peace to the Guardians, Valorex. Let it be known that any Guardian who kneels before Darkseid, names me as their rightful God and takes my divine hand shall be spared my wrath. I have to come to offer all of you mercy. Those who choose not to take my hand shall feel the omnipotent fist of Darkseid and be destroyed."
The shock wave that reverberated across the Council of Guardians was almost visible. Now glowing with emerald energy, Valorex stood and rebuked the New God… no longer to contain his obvious anger.
"You… dare?! Do you think we are so weak, Darkseid? That you may dig up relics from our past and then threaten us with antiques? I was immortal before you were even hatched, New God. Each Guardian surrounding you wields the power of a Green Lantern by their very thoughts alone… Observe!"
The Council gasped as an emerald beam shot forth from Valorex's hand - pounding with a thunderclap directly into Darkseid's dark body, drowning the entire room instantly in a green fury. It was extremely rare to see a Guardian even use his power offensively in this manner. Although they had long ago mastered the divine energy that the Green Lanterns harnessed with their rings, the Guardians displayed remarkable restraint. Each of them was capable of destroying an entire planet by will power alone if they chose to do so.
And yet… Darkseid was unfazed by the powerful blast that had scorched the floor surrounding him. The God had not moved, nor had He been moved… only amused. With a dark menacing grin, the New God spoke to Valorex…
"The power you have, I have given to you, Valorex. For all your proclaimed wisdom, did you never question why I would toss my only daughter to the blue-skinned jackals of Maltus for their righteous feast? Perhaps you truly did believe I was capable of fear..."
Darkseid suddenly roared with laughter at their collective expense. He was certainly not afraid of them – nor did he seem to have reason to be. In his seat, frantic with repressed emotion and panic, Ganthet struggled to analyze the current situation. There was some fact he was missing here, some critical realization that had dug its desperate claws into his gut - impatiently waiting to be presented to his beleaguered mind. While other Guardians now glowed with green light barriers, ready to aid their Head Councillor, Ganthet tapped his fingers vigorously on the rail of his chair while brave Valorex rebuffed the God's laughter.
"So it is true... Foul Trigon and mischievous Darkseid are immune to our power… And it becomes clear to me that it was You who was the saboteur of Maltus! For this Darkseid, I declare that the Paix Arcana has ended – that You have become our enemy and will be arrested without delay. You may have come to our world as a conqueror – but like all the others before You, Oa will serve only as your eternal prison!"
Darkseid scoffed.
"Your insolence and ignorance offend Me Valorex, but this… This, I do in the name of Zareah…"
Twin streams of crimson energy suddenly zigzagged from Darkseid's eyes, weaving death like red-and-yellow butterflies fluttering across the divide between them – flickering through the green energy sphere encasing Valorex as though it were nothing more than gentle sunlight.
Omega Beams.
Ganthet watched in horror as Valorex resisted the power of the deadly beams with all of his will – only to be slowly and painfully disintegrated - in the end leaving nothing more than a smouldering pile of ash where one of the mightiest Guardians had only just stood. For all of their years, their obtained immortality and their immense power, Darkseid had provided them with a disheartening reminder… Maltusians were only flesh and blood.
"… As for the rest of you, I will ask one more time... Who among you will take the proffered hand of Darkseid and swear their eternal fealty to Him? And who among you shall follow insolent Valorex into the awaiting arms of Death? She awaits your decision. Live for Darkseid or die standing against Him… The choice is yours, Guardians."
There was a prolonged, stunned silence – only broken as they watched as the architect of their new power source, the Guardian called Khamett slowly rise and walk down towards Darkseid. Approaching the God of Tyranny, Khamett dropped to his knees and placed his small blue hand upon Darkseid's large, grey hand.
"I… Khamett accept your offer of fealty, my Lord. I pledge my existence to Darkseid."
"Then rise Khamett and live. Live for Darkseid. I will regard you as the wisest of all Oans to accept my mercy." The Great Tyrant smiled wickedly.
Ganthet watched in horror as many of the engineers of the Sciencells now followed Khamett's lead and approached the stone-faced God on bended knees. As these Guardians pledged their fealty to Darkseid, the realization that had gnawed at his insides finally chewed its way upwards towards Ganthet's startled mind…
It hadn't been Maltus alone that scheming Darkseid had sabotaged!
Khamett had been in league with the New God long before the Central Power Battery had been drained of power!
The epiphany finally burst forth… Ganthet remembered an innocent (and somewhat lurid) conversation from eight hundred and seventy-six years ago. A strange rumour that he had heard from two female Lanterns…
Nothing had ever been substantiated of course, but it had been said that wise Khamett had fallen in love with one of the female Lanterns; a beautiful, fierce warrior named Boodikka. More surprisingly, it had also been said that Boodikka had fallen in love with him. Their illicit affair was being kept secret and these lady Lanterns questioned whether such affairs were indeed forbidden. Were the Guardians beyond physical love? Ganthet smiled and assured them that they were, that perhaps some witness had only misinterpreted Khamett's kindness for something deeper…
But what if it had been true?
Tragically, Boodikka had been one of the Lanterns that had fallen to Trigon while defending her home world over six centuries ago. But what if Khamett and Boodikka had been lovers? Would the emotional impact of her loss have allowed Darkseid to twist grieving Khamett to His cause? Had Khamett secured a deal with Darkseid against Trigon in the hopes of revenge for Boodikka? Was this why they required a new energy source to battle Trigon who was immune to the old?
It was then that the full impact of the revelation struck him like a blow.
It had not been Khamett's idea to use the prisoners as a power source.
Khamett had been nothing more than a pawn of Darkseid from the beginning.
It had all been part of Darkseid's master plan. The Great Tyrant had delivered the power of the Paix Arcana to the Green Lantern Corps so that they could contain the most powerful beings in the Universe on Oa. They were nothing more than lowly shepherds, providing the sheep for Darkseid's final harvest.
Even before the Paix Arcana had been signed, Darkseid knew this day would come. Since the time the last three Gods had been added to cruel crucifixes on Maltus, the Lord of Apokolips had secretly used the Green Lantern Corps towards his own nefarious ends…
Like unquestioning fools, they had unwittingly given him all the power he required to rule supreme over the Universe. And he would use their Manhunter designs to do it. In their noble efforts to save the Universe, the Guardians had only doomed it.
An angry Guardian near Ganthet flew into the air and confronted Darkseid in open rebellion.
"Our old power may be ineffective against you Darkseid, but our new power will destroy you! Fellow Guardians, do not fall for his tricks! With our new energy, we will be able to stop this evil God and His twelve Manhunters! Join me! Let us bring forth the Green Lanterns and avenge Valorex!"
It was a stirring speech and predictable strategy, but Ganthet realized the final piece of the stone puzzle. There were more than twelve Manhunters. Darkseid's hearty laughter at the rebellious Guardian echoed in the darkest chamber of Ganthet's weary heart as he knew the Green Lantern Corps were doomed.
"How incredibly obtuse you are! You Guardians declare yourselves the wisest beings in all of existence, and yet… only one among you has even begun to comprehend what has happened here today. During all your countless discussions and debates, did none of you ever bother to ask that one fundamental question?...
Did even one of you even consider the tragic possibility?
That if your precious Central Power Battery was drained of power once by an outside force, what's to stop the same process from happening again once it's been recharged?"
The impact of those words and Darkseid's evil smirk caused tears to well in Ganthet's ancient eyes - as he watched the embedded Power Batteries of the twelve Manhunters change from an eerie green glow to a dull, grey glow... It was the colour of hope lost.
Ganthet's sinking heart comprehended that it had been the Manhunters who had been remotely draining their power supply. The robots were a living Power Battery tied to Darkseid's will. And there were many, many more than twelve…
All eyes turned upwards as the entire roof of the inner Chamber glowed with dull white energy… and then evaporated into crackling sparks. They should have been peering into the Oan night sky, but they could not. The presence of thousands upon thousands of Manhunters blocked out the night sky itself, giving the illusion that an oppressive grey sun had descended upon them and filled the heavens above.
Ganthet knew that was closer to the truth as he heard Darkseid utter his final words…
"Twelve Manhunters?... Oh no, my friends… I have brought one million. Behold the future, Oans! Behold the sun that shall shine upon the Age of Darkseid! Your Green Lanterns who have not tucked their tales between their legs and fled like frightened bitches are now dead. Their brave corpses are heaped upon the barren soil of cold Oa as a monument to those who would stand against Darkseid. Their rings belong to me.
And for those shining champions who have abandoned you in your darkest hour, rest assured, they will be hunted into extinction. No Green Lantern may ever draw power… or breath… in this Age of Darkseid. Your champions have run, but even they must recall that no man escapes the Manhunters… not even cowardly Green Lanterns.
And now, for those of you who have not taken my hand, I bid you Adieu as you have chosen to take the pale hand of Death… So be it. Oa now belongs to Darkseid."
Just before thousands of shining beams of death rained down from the skies upon his companions, Ganthet instinctively teleported with but one single thought in his mind. It was something he had not considered during Darkseid's speech, but it was someone he felt he needed to warn about what had just transpired here…
Someone innocent who was now in deadly peril…
Barbara Gordon.
Author's Notes:
Now that you're done reading, in your search engine, type 'Darkseid' and press Enter. Select the Images filter. Now pick you favourite image of the Lord of Apokolips and make sure it's nice and large.
NOW BOW!... BOW BEFORE DARKSEID!
Fore who else could have devised such a plan?
Thousands of years ago, after killing his own mother, the Lord of Apokolips 'donated' His daughter, His niece and poor Metron to the Guardians under the Paix Arcana. This increased the Corps magical power supply on Maltus - and kept them out of His affairs. As an added bonus, Darkseid also realized that by including His own daughter into their power source, the Lanterns would be unable to affect Him.
Over time, the Green Lantern Corps did what they do best and imprisoned some of the most powerful criminals in the entire Universe on Oa… which Darkseid had planned all along to tap into for power, but only after his Manhunters were perfected and his million-Manhunter army was completed. What you just read was the fruition of that plan and the dawn of the Fifth World…. The Age of Darkseid.
Khamett did indeed have an affair with Boodikka – only to lose her tragically to Trigon. It was only after this heartbreaking loss that Darkseid was finally able to extend his influence and corrupt the Guardian. Khamett became increasingly enraged at how the Council arrogantly kept allowing Green Lanterns to perish before the wrath of Trigon - without changing their engagement strategy.
It was this anger that Darkseid exploited, allowing him to manipulate and eventually bring Khamett to His side. In exchange for his treachery, Darkseid promised Khamett that He would spare any Guardian who declared fealty to Him and immediately destroy Trigon. And as we all know, Darkseid keeps his promises…
Next Chapter: Darkseid vs. Trigon!