[04th February 2011]
[The Watchtower, Low Earth Orbit]
Arnus, in his guise as Icon, sat at ease at the large conference table as the other members of the Justice League arrived and likewise began to take their seats. It had been a wise decision to join forces in this manner as the past months had stretched even the coalition of heroes he had joined to the breaking point. Of course some part of him was concerned that the creation and expansion of such a group had been the impetus to such events, but this planet had hit that stage of planetary development...
And it was, rarely, not a messy evolution according to his own homeworld's histories. Even more messily than should have been as his new home appeared to be both a dimensional nexus, as well as increasingly strategic sector in the wake of recent Reach advances...oh, and did he mention the fact the world's mythological being were, actually, some sort of energy beings with enormous power?
'That certainly was a surprise' he thought silently ending his studying of the report on the most recent clash and incident between such and various international organisations. In part it was the cause of this full meeting, even if largely through the indirect impacts of badly needed organisational reform and dealing with the fact the youth team's home base had yet again been compromised. Compromised and several of the young prospective heroes traumatised by all accounts.
Raquel had held up well despite events, but it really wasn't acceptable to have a return to the facility...or maybe it was since apparently these 'Gods' could infiltrate the Watchtower at seeming will. This area was sadly beyond his own level of expertise, and perhaps beyond the level of expertise of most experts available to them, so he could do was guess at the threat levels and attempt to plan accordingly. The Batman and Martian Manhunter at the very least seemed to have done some planning on what to do with the situation the Justice League now found itself in.
"So, another crisis solved, time for the party eh?" the Flash asked jocularly resting back in his chair to break what seemed to be an uncomfortable silence as every sat. Wonder Woman had been a subject of concern after all, having sided...forced seemingly...with the crazy creatures that had assaulted a Justice League location, and nearly killed one of the protégés. One who was also a follower of another so-called God and, more importantly, worked for an organisation potentially a great help, as well as danger to legal vigilantes such the League were in reality.
"I'm afraid any celebrations will have to wait Flash; other matters require attention, ones that recent events have hindered us voting upon, and also brought more clearly into focus for the urgent need to deal with them in the here and now, rather than in the future" Aquaman answered, though with an undercurrent of amusement, or simply tension easing, as he rested forward arms on the table "...such as the fact of what to do with the youth team in the wake of the attack upon Mount Justice, and our own resources been stretched to breaking point dealing with various crisis of late"
"Yes, they seem to be coming hard and fast lately don't they?"
"Well, we've hit that societal level where threats held down by low populations are more apparent thanks to growth and technological advantage, and that has sparked greater awareness and damage potential. Which in turn has given easier access to advanced technology to criminal elements while planetary law enforcement are still moving from own paradigm to another" one of the Green Lantern's, Hal Jordan, replied to Flash and Icon gave the man a curious look...along with many others around the table.
Lantern Jordan blinked, spreading his arms apparent in an almost questioning gesture to his fellow Lanterns, League members "What? I listen to the Guardians sometimes"
The Batman drummed his fingers off the table "Be that as it may, one of the matters at hand is the need for the further expansion of the membership, and the increased number of members of the Green Lantern Corps present upon the Earth"
Icon watched as the three Lanterns exchanged glances amongst themselves, then Lantern Stewart sighing as the other two Lantern's eyes settled upon him "Fine. The Guardians are intent upon increasing the number of Lanterns present here, but that would be primarily for the protection of particular items, and for the training of the new Red Corps members. In strictest terms they'll be trainers, and an escort for the Guardians studying certain phenomena on Earth, and they've expressed wariness at having too large a presence on an organisation such as we are. Myself, Kyle, and Hal being human and Earth born so it's considered less of an issue...though they would allow one more Lantern, a junior one, be assigned to the League if we were to request"
"She's mighty photogenic is our Arisia"
"Jordan" Lantern Stewart replied coldly and the other Lantern rolled his eyes and folded his arms across his chest as Stewart continued, bringing up an image of a female humanoid in red clothing and crimson power ring on her hand "But that would be the most acceptable to them. What has been put forward is the potential of including Red Lantern Laira Omoto, she herself has put her name forward and all parties feel that it would help build a relationship between those wielding the Red Power Rings and the protectors of the world their Central Battery is on"
Icon nodded in agreement "I believe that would be an excellent idea, especially in the wake of recent events and our seeming need for an expanded membership"
Perhaps somewhat bold on his behalf, barely a member two months, but it seemed to be a subject with general support. The Red Lantern in question's background information was rather glowing despite the incident that had resulted in her becoming a Red Lantern from a Green one, and she recovered both mentally and physical from all checks. Ironically perhaps the next new member consideration was also Red; the younger clone of Roy Harper who called himself Red Arrow. He made a mental note to query if the man had solidified an actual new legal identity with Green Arrow and Black Canary once the meeting had ended.
Icon voiced no opinion upon this addition, beyond voting in the approval once it was clear the man was confirmed both free of mental influences, and had expressed a desire to remain being a hero despite the personal crisis discovering being a clone had most likely caused. Despite that he seemed perhaps more stable than Plastic Man was, so that was a positive, and the healing of the original Roy Harpers arm appeared to be helping with that further. With those votes it seemed their membership had expanded by four, though it seemed Mister Zatara had expressed the need to expand the number of magic users in the coming months; even for things such as improving the protections upon League facilities.
"...and perhaps ironically, less of an issue with the Junior Team it seems" the human stage magician finished as Icon scrolled down the list of prospective young members, and the issues with said Team "...despite the current difficulties we, it, faces"
"Troia wishes to return and meet with them, though to join I do not know" Wonder Woman stated softly after been largely being quiet throughout the meeting. Not surprising based on all he himself had heard over the past two days "...but with the Mountain compromised we have decisions to make before such a meeting could occur"
"Rocket is the same, now that she knows nobody actually died that day..." Icon agreed with a smile of encouragement at the Amazon "...though I think it might be just to see that the young man is, in fact, alive"
Another reason of course was the research project on Rocket's tech-belt, and the trading of native magic items to help boost her crime fighting abilities. Personally Arnus was happier with the fact it would allow Raquel have funds to build her life up, and that of her family, without anything too dangerous slipping into the hands of humanity before it was ready. Yes he had agreed to help with certain parts of the design, but it was a trade and he was allowing back-working of technology by the locals rather than handing over a design proper...so there would be no complaints levered against him for that.
"Who's on psych leave by order of his government right now..." Black Canary reminded "...and Artemis got dragged home, or actually to where they are keeping Fortune, by her mother so she's likely getting the same treatment..." the blonde haired woman sighed, running a hand through those long tresses "...not that I disagree with that assessment. We've, the world really, has put those kids through a lot lately I think this reorganisation is probably overdue, and we need to rest them after...everything"
"Something that leads us into the associated matter: SHIELD in particular, such as the magic school being established in Ireland, and what look like meta-human training facilities in the China and Russia for their own national developments" Batman agreed bringing up a number of children and teenagers upon the screen with basic biographies "...these individuals have expressed interest, or have had by the patrons for them, in associating with the Junior League training programme"
"Which doesn't really exist right now, but I do agree with young Tula's and Garth's decision...and others may attempt to follow in years to come" Aquaman replied indicting the two Atlantian teenagers on the screen "but, now speaking as King of Atlantis, I believe the matter needs to better developed. Neither Tula nor Garth are my apprentices, and as such would have no individual mentor as we have done so far, and these ones who are associated with SHIELD, Jinx and Cassandra, would not either"
"Cassandra would actually, two in fact, maybe more, as I have sworn to teach and protect her under the guidance of young Fortune and his employers..." Wonder Woman disagreed with Aquaman a little, then shifted to agreeing with him "...but, I agree the situation demands a different approach than we have been taken to date"
The Amazon raised her hands in a protective gesture at a look, glare perhaps from The Batman and Green Arrow "This is different that my original objections to heroes having sidekicks of a certain age, or in forming the Team. If our numbers are to expand, and with...what has happened of late...then we cannot keep attempting the same situation with the children either. Most importantly we will be dealing with the fact those training and teaching them might not be members of the Justice League themselves, but will be working alongside us in the future as we saw in Star City, and...I had involved myself with"
"I don't see any problem with it, from a Corps point of view at least" Lantern Jordan stated nodding at Wonder Woman supportively and then at the other Lanterns "...we work with planetary law enforcement all the time, and the Justice League can adopt that model through the United Nations. It's why their giving us support staff for this big empty space station...we saw how bad it got, and having Bats or Manhunter or Flash here playing tech support when their needed on the field doesn't help matters. I say we approach them, link in, and make everything a bit more organised. Team leaders, active rosters, reserve rosters...and it would be a help in getting future magic users into the League"
"Also, the psychological leave and support might now be a bad idea, I've done my best, but I have to agree with Hal splitting our roles might not be the best idea. We're crime fighters, disaster relief, and fighters of threats, and that's hard to and dedicate full time to training and supporting the healthy development of future heroes"
Green Arrow nodded "Yeah, issues with two apprentices has shown me that, and it's got us the problem of secure training facilities. Sure, there's up here, but I think learning to train and work with regular law enforcement might not be a bad idea. Even down to the fact everybody else seems to be recruiting right now, am I right Bats?"
"Green Arrow is correct. Both the Chinese and Russian governments have received support from the Security Council and General Assembly for the recognition of their superhero teams, and with the current crisis a Turkish meta-human or magic user that had come to our attention has moved to meet with members of SHIELD, NATO, and her own government due to the...issue with Olympian deities"
The Batman clicked a button and circulated several large documents to their data-slates "If we are to engage with these organisations then we must be careful we do not find ourselves prevented from saving lives due to some bureaucratic difficulty. But likewise if we are do the job we are needed to do then we must create these links, and the training of young heroes in cooperation with them may perhaps be a viable option to..."
--