A/N: Okay so this chapter is just filled with inner spite. My tablet broke and I lost not only my outline and written out scenes for future chapters but I had lost the original of this chapter as well...7k words just gone like that. I was extremely salty over losing all of that progress. It honestly killed my motivation for a good while. Now...I'm rusty as shit. I also think it was a way for the universe to tell me that 7k words may have been a bit too long and drawn out. So we're back to slow-paced plot building again. I apologize for the mess below. I promise it will piece itself together by the end of this arc.
The surface of the planet was harsh and the wind whipped wildly at his feet. The desert covered plains crunched dryly as he walked alongside his Green Lantern comrades. John couldn't believe someone would actually want to live on this planet. The last time he was on Tamaran the planet had lush and vibrant vegetation. It was now reduced to nothing but a barren wasteland. The planet was just a mere shadow of the former oasis it once was.
John continued to study his surroundings as he released a sigh and he looked up. Given they were even closer to the system's red sun, Tamaran's sky had an orange hue to it. It was much unlike the blue skies John was accustomed to seeing back on Earth. Despite the apocalyptic-state of the planet, its clear waters had reminded John of the tropical oceans on Earth. The other difference John took notice of were the two moons in the sky that were even visible in broad daylight. The last detail was the one that unnerved John. Its two neighboring planets, Okaara and Karna, were visible from Tamaran without the need of a telescope. While they were much smaller than what the moon looked like from a perspective from Earth it was enough to constantly remind John that they were getting closer to the heart of the Citadel itself.
The thought of being even closer to finally reaching the Citadel gave John both hope and dread at the same time. On one hand, it meant the war could potentially reach its end sooner than expected. While on the other, John knew he could be thrown into the worst of the battles yet to come.
In his peripheral vision, John saw Katma fall into step next to him. He briefly glanced over and saw the frown on her face. John exhaled as he looked forward, "What is it Kat?"
Katma was silent for a moment, as though musing over her words before she spoke. "I just want to be clear with you." John frowned at her quiet yet stern tone. It were as though she were the mentor and he just the student once more. "Kilowog, Boodikka, and I had to pull a lot of...as you would say strings to get you, Rayner, and Isamot off guard duty. Do not take this opportunity lightly."
John lightly rolled his eyes, "I'll be sure not to." He was silent for a moment before he spoke again, "What happened here? This isn't what Tamaran looked like the last time I was here."
"The last time you were here?" Katma slowly asked as she raised an eyebrow. "I will pretend I did not just hear you say that. To answer your question, the Gordanians are what happened. They have been ravaging this planet for well over a year now, under the command of the Citadelians. Once they jumped ship to the Psions, things didn't change at all. They continued to plunder this planet for all of its resources and to enslave those on this planet. Despite being emotional and rather peaceful individuals, Tamaraneans are through-and-through a warrior race. It is built into their culture and thus they have yet to concede to the Gordanians despite their losses. The royal family of Tamaran was lost some time ago and the Tamaraneans have since been in a power struggle within a failing feudal society."
"They're fighting amongst each other while still being at war?" John asked incredulously.
"As I stated before they are a warrior race," Katma dryly replied. "Much like the Thanagarians but less brutish. That's the best comparison I can give you."
"Right," John muttered with an eyeroll. He looked over his shoulder and spotted Isamot trudging behind the others. John knew Isamot was purposely doing this and that he had still yet to fully recover from the events that had transpired on Euphorix. Now that he thought of it, he hadn't even talked to Isamot since they had left Euphorix. Though Isamot had refused to talk to anyone since leaving that planet. John then deliberately slowed his pace until he was walking side-by-side with Isamot.
Isamot narrowed his eyes slightly but didn't look over at John, "What is it you nir'satk?"
John rolled his eyes slightly in annoyance, "Hello to you too. I was going to ask how you were but you seem to be doing just fine if you can mouth off like that."
Isamot let out a light huff. John could tell it wasn't one of either annoyance or amusement. The Lizarkon was silent for a moment before he spoke, "Fucking mer'narkths think something's wrong with me. I won't use lethal force on my people and that's considered wrong? I'd like to see them have to plow through their friends and family and see how they like it." Isamot then glanced over at John, "I heard about how you spared that Thanagarian soldier. They might not be your people but it's the same principle. Hell I'm surprised they let us out finally."
John raised an eyebrow, "The difference is that you did lose it. You ripped apart those two Gordanians, lethal force or not, practically with your bare hands."
"And?" Isamot rhetorically asked. "Either way I was going to kill them, with or without the ring."
John sighed and lightly shook his head, "Anyways, we got out of there because of Katma, Boodikka, and Kilowog. We screw this up again and we'll be sitting on guard duty until this war is over."
"Good and bad thing honestly," Isamot muttered before he spoke up. "Don't you agree Stewart?"
John didn't immediately reply as he lightly frowned. A part of John didn't want to admit that he had preferred guard duty over battle. It meant he was relatively safe and had a better shot of making it out of this war in one piece. On the other hand, John felt like a coward just sitting around everyday as the other Green Lanterns were out on the battlefield risking their lives, with some even losing theirs.
John finally relented and shrugged, "Guess it is but us just sitting around doesn't help anyone."
Isamot glanced over at Kyle before looking back at John, "You think the kid will be okay? He's still against lethal force."
John as well glanced over at Kyle and sighed, "I don't know honestly. Kyle's not the type to fight in a war. Fighting bad guys, sure...but fighting in a war? It's not his thing that's for sure."
"How long you think he'll last?" Isamot asked in a hushed tone.
John let out another sigh, "I don't know. Honestly I don't think he'll last much longer. They should have left him on guard duty. I mean it's not like he won't fight back but at the same time he has to be willing to kill at least the Gordanians at this point."
"He's better than we are," Isamot murmured. "That's for sure."
"Halt!" Before any of the Green Lanterns could react something landed in front of them with a loud crash, kicking up dust and rocks.
John squinted through the cloud of dirt that hung over them. He could tell that whatever it was that had landed in front of them was something big. Slowly a shadowy figure appeared within the dust cloud and John could see the figure was massive. It was easily taller than him but at least it wasn't as large as Kilowog. He then paused and scanned the area. He saw there were orange-skinned humanoids standing on top the cliff edges above them. They were dressed in leotards and unitards and John immediately recognized them as Tamaraneans.
As the dust finally settled John could see the male Tamaranean in front of him had red skin unlike the other Tamaraneans. Also unlike the other Tamaraneans, who had either red or brown hair, this one had pure white colored hair. He also had full armor and a cape. If John didn't know any better he would assume the Tamaranean was a military general just by appearance alone.
The Tamaranean then scowled, "Who are you to trespass on our planet Green Lanterns?"
Katma stepped forward, "I am Katma Tui of Korugar. We came here to seek an alliance against the Gordanians, Citadelians, and the Psions. We were hoping that you Tamaraneans could help us with that."
"This used to be a beautiful world filled with cities unrivaled in all existence," the Tamaranean spoke once more. "We prospered under our king, the mighty Myand'r, but the Gordanians destroyed him and hunted his family across the galaxy like sport until they were all eliminated. Our empire has since crumbled and we're forced to struggle for our very survival. We are powerless to escape this world but you...you might be able to help us get our vengeance against the Gordanians." The other Tamaraneans suddenly jumped down from the cliff edges and surrounded the Green Lanterns. The group stood their ground as they surrounded them. The red-skinned Tamaranean chuckled, "Be at ease friends. They do not mean you any harm. Come, we shall discuss things."
The Tamaranean entourage walked down the valley with the Green Lanterns in the center of the entire group. The walk took them an hour before they reached something that partially resembled civilization. The buildings were badly damaged and were on the brink of collapsing. John saw more Tamaraneans as he walked through the ruins of their city. Most of them looked frightened while others looked angry. John was more surprised with the damage the Gordanians were able to cause over the course of two years.
"This is where we will speak," the Tamaranean said while pointing to a pathway into a large pit.
The group entered the pit and saw weapons everywhere. In the center of the pit was the most pitiful barracks John had ever seen. What was being passed off for "beds" were simple clothes on the ground with leaves and shrubbery thrown over them.
The large Tamaranean sat on a large boulder with a heavy sigh. He then waved his hand in the arm dismissively, "You can leave us. I'll speak with the Green Lanterns. Zirral, you shall stay."
"As you wish Lord Ph'yzzon," the lone female Tamaranean in the group stated as the others quickly left.
"Now then," Ph'yzzon smirked. "What exactly is it that the Green Lantern Corps thinks we can do for them?"
"Well for starters," John began but was cut off by Katma putting her hand on his shoulder. He in turn frowned but relented and let her take the lead.
"We know that your people are splintered," Katma began. "We were hoping that we could begin to unify your people and launch a counter strike on the Gordanian stronghold on this planet. From there we would use our combined forces to then proceed to Okaara and liberate that planet before moving onto Karna."
"Unify you say?" Ph'yzzon questioned. "Do you realize the scope of destruction the Gordanians have caused? This is what is left of the Tamaranean race."
"But we were told there were various factions that ruled on this planet," Boodikka stated in shock. "How did this happen? You are a warrior race."
"The Gordanians are what happened," Zirral replied with a scowl. "They went after the heads of each ruling family. One by one they killed them. Each clan was then mercilessly eradicated. With no leader, they had no guidance and no way of strategizing. For warriors it was a pathetic show and we are better without them."
"Zirral," Ph'yzzon warningly stated with narrowed eyes. He then exhaled before turning his attention back to the Green Lanterns before him, "Forgive Zirral, she has suffered much these past few years. She speaks in anger."
"Understandable considering," Katma curtly nodded. "Despite this we would still wish to broker an alliance. We can help each other."
Ph'yzzon slowly stood and turned his back to them. He then deeply inhaled as he placed his hands behind his back, "I worked my way through the Tamaranean military. I and my clan went through hell and back thanks to the Psions. I served Lord Myand'r until the end. The Citadelians then sicked their pets upon us." He slowly turned back around, "I will allow this alliance to go forward but on one condition."
John raised an eyebrow, "Which is?"
Ph'yzzon smirked, "You must defeat my greatest warriors in combat. It shall be our oldest tradition. The competition of Romkagorf."
"And what exactly is that?" John asked.
"Just a simple battle is all, a battle royale. Our three strongest warriors against three of your Lanterns," Ph'yzzon explained. "You win Romkagorf and you win our respect and allegiance to your cause. After all, you Green Lanterns must be desperate to want help from an inferior race such as us."
Katma lightly frowned and narrowed her eyes, "We shall abide by your customs. We do not want to disrespect you or your people. We know of the strain relations between the planets of the Vega system and Oa."
Ph'yzzon grinned, "I knew some of you beasts were sensible." His gaze drifted to John and the others. "You've picked a good leader. She's smart enough."
"I can't believe you let him talk to you like that," John said to Katma with a frown as the group was stationed outside the Tamaranean settlement. "If that were me I wou-"
"You would have what?" Katma questioned with a raised eyebrow. "Punched him? Impaled him with a construct? We are here to broker peace John not start yet another war. You must understand the society the Tamaraneans live by. We must earn their respect through combat."
John crossed his arms over his chest, "Where I come from respect is a two-way street and should be mutual. I don't see why we should be bowing down to some asshole demanding it."
Katma sighed and shook her head, "I understand and yes I cannot stand him either. Yet we need the Tamaraneans and their strength. Tamaraneans are extremely powerful. Even with our power rings we will be in for an arduous fight."
"For what?" Isamot cuttingly asked as his tail flicked back and forth. "A few dozen warriors? We're better off liberating my people and the Thanagarians at that point. At least they would number in the tens of thousands. These sith'mirtks aren't worth our time."
"So they can stab us in the back?" Katma asked with a raised eyebrow, earning her a glare from the Lizarkon.
Kilowog shrugged, "I say we go and just do it. What's the worst that happens? I doubt we'd lose to some Tamaraneans."
"We get our asses kicked," Kyle said. "That's what. You heard Kat, they're strong. I highly doubt it'd be that easy to beat them in a fight."
"Which is highly improbable," Boodikka stated. "We have two Honor Guard members, two Green Lantern trainers, a long time veteran Green Lantern, and you're on par with Honor Guard members yourself Rayner. We clearly have an advantage. We can easily take them on and be done with this quickly."
"So who do you suggest?" Katma asked Boodikka. "I have a reconnaissance task in mind so if at all I'd like to keep at least Isamot for it."
Boodikka nodded, "That's fine. What we need in a situation like this is teamwork. That is why I was going to suggest myself, Kilowog, and John. John and I have plenty of experience fighting together. From what I've heard the same could be said about Kilowog and John. We'll easily be able to fight with each other."
Kilowog smirked as he lightly smacked the back of John's shoulder, "You ready for a fight poozer?"
John smirked in return, "I could use the exercise. I'm in."