With This Ring (Young Justice SI) (Thread Fourteen)

hance1986 · Dec 11, 2020

Mr Zoat said:
"The Martians do owe us a few big favours. We could probably telepathically transfer people out of the simulation. Reduce the Computer Tyrants' hardware capacity."

This is interesting. Given that the Martian leadership like that Prelate Paul spoke to when he visited Mars has had the info on the origins of their species and the conflict with the Guardians of the Universe, can something now be done about the general conditioning on the Martians with the majority not leaving their world?

Signaller · Dec 11, 2020

Should we be reading into the fact that Dox's emotional responses are expanding from single letters to whole words now?

Handlewithcare · Dec 11, 2020

Dox back in action. I suppose a tenth level intellect also recovers much faster from shock?

It's odd how little they are focused on capturing enemy intelligence. They seem almost blase about what the Rech counter strategy might look like.

BlueMangoAdea · Dec 11, 2020

Mr Zoat said:
"So what's special about it?"

"The dominant intelligent species is still populous and -to the best of our knowledge- unmodified."

Mr Zoat said:
"Material resources are plentiful in the universe. Energy is freely available in any of a hundred different ways. The Reach aren't primitive raiders like the gordanians or philosophical obsessives like the Apokoliptians. If they're holding a planet contrary to their usual manner of operating, there's something unique there that they want."

Mr Zoat said:
"Certainly." Gosh, he's mellowed out all of a sudden. "And that's the approach I would expect them to take. Breeding a species for a useful trait if they can't engineer it into themselves or a device, and conditioning them to loyalty. That doesn't appear to be what has happened here."

...Magic? Is this planet one of the few magical planets, which the Reach wants to use?

Chojin Patriarch · Dec 11, 2020

Mr Zoat said:
3rd July 2012
10:51 GMT -5

Dox walks confidently back onto the bridge, his eyes focusing not on the other members of the bridge crew or on the main screen, but on the numerous minor status indicators arranged around it. Of course Dox isn't going to be a summary man. The flag captain hasn't taken Dox's seat, so he just strolls on over to it and begins calling up status reports. Bridge crew hesitate uncertainly, then one after another their eyes alight on the shining lights of the empty box attached to his forehead. The light of false comprehension dawning, their return to their duty stations with renewed vigour.

Well, the bluff worked. Still say he should have made some of the lights blink, but that's just a human thing... And those who can see through it aren't arguing...

My own entry to the bridge passes largely unremarked, and by the time Brand reaches the command podium everyone is focusing on their tasks. What to do now? Dox will give me an order in a couple of minutes just to reinforce his authority so I can't disappear. I'm getting updates from the ship's computer via my ring, but as Dox demonstrated he's far better at processing that sort of thing than I am. Mundane data, anyway.

Remote Honden-routed check-ins on noteworthy lanterns? Make sure no-ones getting a little twitchy?

I'm not completely convinced that he problem he had was with magic, exactly. But I felt Grayven doing something which coincided with the ship's main gun firing. It's perfectly possible to interact with magic using a power ring and I know that Dox is highly skilled with his. Yes, I've… Been assuming that it would require a level of spiritual awareness that he doesn't have, but I'm happy with the idea that there's more than one route to a skill.

So he might get to invent proper Orange Light Magic after all. And teach it successfully to other Lanterns.

The alternative is that he literally just overloaded his brain with data and actually gave himself a mini-stroke. I doubt that's what happened as his ring should have prevented it as long as he wanted to continue to be aware of the incoming data, but I don't think I'm going to look too closely into it just in case.

I mean, that's not impossible. If he shorted out the part of his brain capable of controlling the Light, it might have stuttered long enough for neural damage to occur... And given his known Canon quirks, it's worth making sure he doesn't have any lingering issues on the physical side.

Instead, I look out through the hull of the ship at the other Lanterns in the fleet, spread out as they are across this segment of the outer sphere of Reach territory. The gleeful killers and retribution-seekers are raring to go, while the more disciplined ones are simply focused on the job before them. I-

Good, good. No overloads or untoward desire-sets? Not quite a well-oiled machine yet, but...

"This is Vril Dox, Supreme Commander of L.E.G.I.O.N. and Clarissi of the Orange Lantern Corps. I have recovered from a minor neutral shock created by the Apokoliptian Grayven and am now resuming command of the operation."

I raise my left hand slightly. "This is the Illustres. I yield command."

...They're getting there. And the story spreads. Which will make people curious about what the nature of Grayven's attack involved. Would be a good chance for OL to look into Godspeech more.

I then turn, looking back from the way we came, deeper into Reach space. Still don't have a great handle on how they think, and at this distance, without something specific to aim my gaze at, we'd have to have made a much bigger impression that we did for me to see much of anything.

I glance over to Dox and spot that he's moved on to the reports from the Lanterns attacking the periphery. That's as good an opening as any. I walk towards him, and he looks up as I pass through his command station's shield.

Ah, impatient as ever, OL. So many things to do, so little time. Such is life.

"Sir. How are we doing?"

"The Reach ships are pulling back. Most likely, they're going into survival mode until they can either get orders from their regional command or reinforcements."

I see they're smart enough to know to yield before a stronger enemy. Probably a standard procedure. The problem is, they don't know just how big NEMO's war-front is, do they?

"They're not just abandoning this part of the periphery? I thought that was how the Reach usually responded to a concerted attack. Those ships could make it to the next periphery region without too much difficulty."

"The most likely reason is propaganda. They know perfectly well that we're going to tell everyone on our side of the periphery exactly what they do with worlds they annex, with all the evidence and testimonies we can gather."

The question is how many will believe them, depending on how deeply the Reach has their pincers dug in...

"They're destroying evidence?"

"Or creating a false narrative that we hunted down helpless trading vessels. Or perhaps they don't want to make themselves look weak to periphery worlds not presently aligned with us. The fact that they usually do a thing in a particular way is no indication that they will continue to do so forever. We might not be the first time that they've had to deal with significant opposition but we are the first time that someone has tried to envelop their entire border."

They grew complacent, didn't they? The Reach leadership took their peace treaty with the Green lanterns as a given that they'd have an easier time being sneaky... Which makes it a bit harder when someone comes looking for a fight. I mean, sure, they have the weapons and will for a stand-up scrap, but those forces are deeper in, aren't they?

"We could ask-. Some of those Lanterns to take ships in one piece. If they're just armed merchantmen and there aren't any Scarab Warriors present, it's a manageable risk."

"No, we need them here."

You'd better have a good reason for that. Letting the Reach run their cover-ups unopposed is a big risk.

He brings up a holographic image of a… World the Reach seized a generation or two ago. I'm not seeing much in the way of defences, which makes sense. We're the main threat to the Reach in this region, and they wouldn't put defences that could stop us on a world they don't particularly care about. They'd much rather counterpunch us with ships and scarabs than build fixed defences they can't support.

"What, all of them?"

After all, only one or two generations? Hardly time for the Reach to become 'their trustworthy benefactors...' yet. Depending on how long the locals live, especially.

"No, just the ones reliable enough to trust to do anything complex with their rings."

…

The man has a point. You won't need thugs and melee specialists for long-range bombardments, nor would you put artillery Lanterns on electronic warfare duties. Sure, a Lantern can do any of them, but some people just do better than others.

Fair point. Ragnar is a great fighter and master-at-arms, but I'm still not sure that he'd turn down an opportunity to duel with a Scarab Warrior in order to do something of strategic value. And most of the others… Their self-control isn't good enough to ensure that they'd stick to the mission with the orange light influencing them. Normally that's fine, but it does somewhat limit our options in situations like this.

"So what's special about it?"

Yep. Some jobs need people who can stay on task. For Orange Lanterns, that's especially important.

"The dominant intelligent species is still populous and -to the best of our knowledge- unmodified."

I frown. "Collaborators?"

Yeah, that'd be my first thought. Reach conquests usually don't care to keep the locals around, do they? Was leaving their population unmolested something the leadership insisted on in return for a peaceful surrender? Though I doubt the Reach wouldn't eventually start the usual routine after a couple of centuries passed...

"We don't have any pre-annexation records. They weren't fond of other species before the Reach absorbed them, and the local monitoring was too good for a Darkstar team to penetrate for long enough to learn anything until recently. There should be a team there now, and we'll get a data burst once we arrive."

"You wouldn't be putting this level of resource in on the off-chance. What do you think is happening?"

...What are the chances Jade is on the team on-site right now? I mean, she's probably a good choice for the more covert jobs Darkstars might need to run...

"Material resources are plentiful in the universe. Energy is freely available in any of a hundred different ways. The Reach aren't primitive raiders like the gordanians or philosophical obsessives like the Apokoliptians. If they're holding a planet contrary to their usual manner of operating, there's something unique there that they want."

"You read my reports on the future of my own species, I assume."

He's no idiot OL. Even a mere Tenth-level intellect like him will pick up on Earth's bullshit nature. Now, what's so special about this world... What's it called, I wonder?

"Certainly." Gosh, he's mellowed out all of a sudden. "And that's the approach I would expect them to take. Breeding a species for a useful trait if they can't engineer it into themselves or a device, and conditioning them to loyalty. That doesn't appear to be what has happened here."

"I assume that you want me on it?"

And what happened on Earth during their initial probing missions. We saw them in Canon, investigating the Meta-gene. Something like that, something that can give people any number of exotic abilities? Not to be passed up on.

"I want you on the planet supporting the Darkstar team the moment we know what's going on."

I nod.

Nothing but the best, eh? As long as things don't go tits-up once OL sticks his nose in... And the likelihood of that occurring rise with every moment...

"Speaking of useful traits, do you know what's happening on Colu at the moment? The last I heard, a Green Lantern Honour Guard strike force was attacking the Computer Tyrants."

"Coluans would make better analysts then most alternatives. If they were willing to work with me."

I'm honestly not sure Dox cares too much about his homeworld except as a resource. So if you're expecting any concern, OL... I think you'll be out of luck.

"You're not even biologically identical to your tissue donor."

"He isn't biological any longer. But that's beside the point. And irrelevant. The Green Lanterns managed to land on Colu and destroy the Computer Tyrant defence force, but the majority of the population remain locked in the simulations. And with the Computer Tyrants effectively running on their neural structures and adapting to the Green Lantern Corps' attempts to extract them, it's a deadlock."

Heh. It's funny how similar that is to the Matrix. Not the 'energy-generating' crap they had in the movie, but the original concept. I wonder if the Wachowskis had read about Colu before that?

"Nothing you can do to help?"

"I'm the most intelligent Coluan there has ever been, but I can't outthink a billion other Coluans running in parallel."

Quantity is a quality all its own, after all.

"Do the Computer Tyrants have radio telepathy?"

"Not a version that's compatible with an unmodified organic brain."

Probably a good thing, since it means they couldn't mind-whammy invaders into submission...

"The Martians do owe us a few big favours. We could probably telepathically transfer people out of the simulation. Reduce the Computer Tyrants' hardware capacity."

"I'll give it some thought. Hm." He changes a screen, and turns the sound dampening around us right down. "We're being intercepted by a security fleet. Mercenaries. Capture as many as you can for questioning."

Shouldn't be too hard. OL could probably disable the fleet in his sleep. Alone.

Check position… Feel them.

"Certainly, sir. Back shortly."

And as soon as he's gone, Dox relaxes. Imperceptibly Slightly.

Well, well... A world where the Reach hasn't performed their usual methods? That's definitely anomalous. Anyone recognise the scenario? At least with OL being deployed there, we'll get to see what's up.

I'm not completely convinced that he problem he had was with magic...

I'm not completely convinced that the problem he had was with magic...

Vaermina · Dec 11, 2020

It's a pity they don't seem to know about the planetary suicide charges the Reach always install.

Mr Zoat · Dec 11, 2020

Chojin Patriarch said:
I'm not completely convinced that the problem he had was with magic...

Thank you, corrected.

WhiteNoise · Dec 11, 2020

Mr Zoat said:
I have recovered from a minor neutral shock created by the Apokoliptian Grayven

Should this be "minor neural shock"?

Mr Zoat · Dec 11, 2020

WhiteNoise said:
Should this be "minor neural shock"?

Thank you, corrected.

Pez · Dec 11, 2020

hance1986 said:
This is interesting. Given that the Martian leadership like that Prelate Paul spoke to when he visited Mars has had the info on the origins of their species and the conflict with the Guardians of the Universe, can something now be done about the general conditioning on the Martians with the majority not leaving their world?

Didn't they also have Mother Mercy help restart their core?

Even if the Martians take issue with the Guardians, they aren't strong enough to make war on them, and they have never waged a space war. Unless they formed an alliance with the OLC, the GLC would decimate them.

[Edit: added]
If anything, I could see them making a deal with the Martians similar to what happened in Shadow War on Babylon 5. Just place a Telepath or two on every ship to help them out, if their strongest telepaths can do things from a distance.

Mr Zoat · Dec 11, 2020

Pez said:
If anything, I could see them making a deal with the Martians similar to what happened in Shadow War on Babylon 5. Just place a Telepath or two on every ship to help them out, if their strongest telepaths can do things from a distance.

The problem there is how Martians have psychological problems if they aren't around other minds. A small flotilla might be alright if they could have at least surface contact with other minds, but most of the crew wouldn't be happy with that.

Gantradies · Dec 11, 2020

WereDragon said:
Dox continues to be amazing proof that: Intelligent =/= Smart.

"As a being who is, by nature a D&D Character, let me to be the first- or at least most EARNEST to assure you that Intelligence and Wisdom are not always, or even usually, close bedfellows..."

i was trying to remember where i heard a quote- something about never underestimating the ability of smart people to do something spectacularly STUPID

huh. Dox is being a little less Restrained/Controlled, Emotionally speaking-
lingering effects/a sign of just HOW badly he was Rattled, or could he genuinely be slightly more relaxed around OL now that he knows he's not -entirely- a loose cannon, and is more then happy to back him up when his position is shaky?

i mean, its one thing to have reports/analysis saying someone's reliable/an asset when they're constantly giving you additional headaches by acting on their own without orders/contact with you/command, its another thing to have it confirmed they really AREN'T just another ring-addled facepuncher...

Maxx Crowley · Dec 11, 2020

Based upon how personal, powerful, and competent OL comes across to the other lanterns, I'm surprised any of the others would want to follow Dox

Gantradies · Dec 11, 2020

Maxx Crowley said:
Based upon how personal, powerful, and competent OL comes across to the other lanterns, I'm surprised any of the others would want to follow Dox

to be fair, he does appear more then a little bit impulsive without a line inside his head like we have-a worrying trait in someone who actually HAS the power to single-handedly overthrow a civilization,and exterminate their ruling species on, if not a whim, simply because they decided they WANTED to....

i mean, there's a VERY good reason nobody on earth will ever let him live down the time he perved on the entire planet, altered the moon's orbit/rotational speed to make one side always face earth and built a cake larger then some cities,turned himself in a demon and had to be shot/shot repeatedly with a demon-killing weapon to not go native, randomly carried out a performance of New York, new York in front of planet-wide media coverage on a whim.....
not to mention the stress-induced meltdown that lead to most of the above that almost turned him into a planetary/galactic scale threat until he was successful de-escalated by a task-force including a/several Sector lantern(s)...
-and if those stories make their way off earth, well....
you can excuse eccentricity in members of your elite guard/special forces units if they're extremely competent when they're on duty, and hold off the shenanigans until they're not, but having a seeming flake/fruitcake in charge SELDOM makes people feel confident... wither they're potential allies or potential employees...

Darko · Dec 11, 2020

Mr Zoat said:
their return to their duty

'they return'

Mr Zoat said:
Fair point. Ragnar is a great fighter and master-at-arms, but I'm still not sure that he'd turn down an opportunity to duel with a Scarab Warrior in order to do something of strategic value. And most of the others… Their self-control isn't good enough to ensure that they'd stick to the mission with the orange light influencing them. Normally that's fine, but it does somewhat limit our options in situations like this.

Is that guy that made Effigy making more soldiers like Effigy, or at least other similar superweapons, because he seems like a more useful destructive guy than someone that can't do something if he doesn't want it?

Will Effigy show up and fight in this war?

Mr Zoat said:
I'm the most intelligent Coluan there has ever been,

Technically your father/creator/slave master is more intelligent, unless you've modified yourself to be smarter.

Has Dox increased his intelligence level?

Gantradies said:
,turned himself in a demon and had to be shot/shot repeatedly with a demon-killing weapon to not go native

Technically only a few people know about that and it isn't brought up as much as the cake thing.

Dur'id the Druid · Dec 11, 2020

Mr Zoat said:
-

Hey, where is Jade? Shouldn't she be around the OL corps? Why isn't OL taking a few minutes to see her?

Darko · Dec 11, 2020

Chojin Patriarch said:
After all, only one or two generations? Hardly time for the Reach to become 'their trustworthy benefactors...' yet. Depending on how long the locals live, especially.

Or on how good Reach propaganda is.

Or how stupid the population is.

Chojin Patriarch said:
Yeah, that'd be my first thought. Reach conquests usually don't care to keep the locals around, do they? Was leaving their population unmolested something the leadership insisted on in return for a peaceful surrender? Though I doubt the Reach wouldn't eventually start the usual routine after a couple of centuries passed...

They may view the population as more useful unmodified, or just haven't figured out how to modify them.

Chojin Patriarch said:
As long as things don't go tits-up once OL sticks his nose in

You just love summoning Murphy, don't you?

Chojin Patriarch said:
I'm honestly not sure Dox cares too much about his homeworld except as a resource. So if you're expecting any concern, OL... I think you'll be out of luck.

If they imprisoned him for being too smart like in the comics, then he may not care,

Though I think he also helped free them in the comics.

And even if he doesn't care he may still want to get revenge on the Computer Tyrants for selling him.

Gantradies · Dec 11, 2020

Darko said:
'they return'

Is that guy that made Effigy making more soldiers like Effigy, or at least other similar superweapons, because he seems like a more useful destructive guy than someone that can't do something if he doesn't want it?

Will Effigy show up and fight in this war?

Technically your father/creator/slave master is more intelligent, unless you've modified yourself to be smarter.

Has Dox increased his intelligence level?

Technically only a few people know about that and it isn't brought up as much as the cake thing.

yeah, fair point on that one, mostly chose it as an example of the kind of impromptu/ impulsive- action that backfired,in this case almost to the point of death of personality/permanent alignment shift, though i guess it doesn't really match the others due to being contained info

Darko · Dec 11, 2020

Dur'id the Druid said:
Hey, where is Jade? Shouldn't she be around the OL corps? Why isn't OL taking a few minutes to see her?

She may be on assignment right now, so him going to her may not be wise.

Pez · Dec 11, 2020

Mr Zoat said:
The problem there is how Martians have psychological problems if they aren't around other minds. A small flotilla might be alright if they could have at least surface contact with other minds, but most of the crew wouldn't be happy with that.

Is that natural to them? Or is that a holdover from what the Guardians did to them. Because, if there wasn't, then the fears of Burners ever leaving their solar system would be pretty nil.

I think another problem is that Martians just aren't that telepathically powerful in YJ. We know M'gann's link has distance limits (though the Bialya mission suggests that it might be a good distance - on land). We never see M'gann read more than one mind at a time. And the distances ships would be in space would be great. But, maybe a Martian version of Battle Meditation would do wonders for the fleet.

In Justice League, we see Manhunter scan an entire city, and it nearly breaks him (though that was more from humans, than the stress). I have no idea the true strength of the comic-versions of Martians.

I think it really shows just how powerful telepaths are in Babylon 5, that the stronger ones can affect the Shadows from huge distances.

[Edit: added]

Dur'id the Druid said:
Hey, where is Jade? Shouldn't she be around the OL corps? Why isn't OL taking a few minutes to see her?

Darko said:
She may be on assignment right now, so him going to her may not be wise.

Maybe she's part of the team Paul is going to support. She was skilled with these kinds of things on Earth, so it probably didn't take her long to learn the skills needed to do it on alien planets.

Mr Zoat · Dec 11, 2020

Darko said:
'they return'

Thank you, corrected.

Dur'id the Druid said:
Hey, where is Jade? Shouldn't she be around the OL corps? Why isn't OL taking a few minutes to see her?

Jade's a Darkstar. Covert operation, intelligence and counterintelligence. She shouldn't be anywhere near the SI during combat operations.

Coda · Dec 11, 2020

Mr Zoat said:
they can either get orders from their regional command or reinforcements.

Either "they can get either" or "or get reinforcements".

Mr Zoat said:
Coluans would make better analysts then most alternatives.

than

Someguy Somewhere · Dec 11, 2020

Gantradies said:
"As a being who is, by nature a D&D Character, let me to be the first- or at least most EARNEST to assure you that Intelligence and Wisdom are not always, or even usually, close bedfellows..."

Mr Zoat · Dec 11, 2020

Coda said:
Either "they can get either" or "or get reinforcements".
than

Thank you, corrected.

Istaran · Dec 11, 2020

Mr Zoat said:
Thank you, corrected.

Jade's a Darkstar. Covert operation, intelligence and counterintelligence. She shouldn't be anywhere near the SI during combat operations.

Unless the combat operation is, say, exfiltrating her and her team. But otherwise, yes.

Stsword · Dec 12, 2020

Darko said:
Technically your father/creator/slave master is more intelligent, unless you've modified yourself to be smarter.

Has Dox increased his intelligence level?

Brainiac is no longer a Coluan, he's an AI now.

Perhaps that indicates that Brianiac's 12th level intellect was one of the improvements of his transformation?

In which case Brainiac being smarter doesn't invalidate the statement that Vril Dox is the smartest Coluan ever.

But I thought Dox's issues came partially from his father being disappointed in him because he wasn't as smart as him, so I was surprised by that statement too.

Darko · Dec 12, 2020

Stsword said:
Brainiac is no longer a Coluan, he's an AI now.

Perhaps that indicates that Brianiac's 12th level intellect was one of the improvements of his transformation?

In which case Brainiac being smarter doesn't invalidate the statement that Vril Dox is the smartest Coluan ever.

But I thought Dox's issues came partially from his father being disappointed in him because he wasn't as smart as him, so I was surprised by that statement too.

Dox's issue comes from him never having control in his life.

First Brainiac tortured and experimented on him since he was a child, then the Computer Tyrants imprisoned him, and then the Dominators also imprisoned and experimented on him.

Stsword · Dec 12, 2020

Darko said:
Dox's issue comes from him never having control in his life.

First Brainiac tortured and experimented on him since he was a child, then the Computer Tyrants imprisoned him, and then the Dominators also imprisoned and experimented on him.

You do realize that people can have more than one issue, right?

Because Dox has more than one.

Having a supervillain father and being a pariah for having a supervillain father would give someone more than one issue right there.

Darko · Dec 12, 2020

Stsword said:
You do realize that people can have more than one issue, right?

Because Dox has more than one.

Having a supervillain father and being a pariah for having a supervillain father would give someone more than one issue right there.

Yes I do realize that people can have more than one issue.

Though Dox's lack of control for most of his life is probably the biggest reason he's such a control freak.

His hatred for his father also probably comes from his father basically torturing him and treating him like an object for most of his life.

It would also kind of difficult for Brainiac to be dissapointed in his creation, seeing as he made him less intelligent than him.

I also doubt Dox cares about the opinion of his creator.

And aside from that thing with Guy, we haven't really seen his relation to Brainiac be brought up and how people mistrust him for it.

Mr Zoat · Dec 12, 2020

3rd July 2012
10:59 GMT -5

"…matter what you do to me, you damned bilge-rat!"

I suppose that in the grand scheme of things she's not wrong. I send a construct-spike up into the second cruiser's primary drive, my construct shield easily absorbing the fire from its frigate escort.

These clearly aren't Reach ships, just small fleets they hire to 'provide security' in the areas they're observing. Mostly to make sure that external parties don't get a better look at the Reach's true fleet capacity. And also to indulge in a little raiding here and there against targets who are reluctant to accept Reach 'protection'.

My construct shears snip through the shielding around the frigate's dorsal turret and slice it clean off the hull.

Still, on the off-chance that they're a reasonably upstanding private security firm, I'd rather not slaughter them out of hand. Heck, Dox would probably hire them on in a slightly modified version of their current role if he thought they'd keep to the terms of the contract.

Probably need to stick their ships back together a bit, first.

"I'm still perfectly willing to accept your surrender."

The cruiser that still has guns fires another volley… In my general direction. I'm close enough that sensor lag shouldn't be a problem, so I… Guess that their gunnery just isn't accurate against small targets?

"May I ask why you're so insistent about this?"

I'm not transmitting to their communications array. I'm broadcasting to every communications device on each of the ships, which means that the entire crew can hear that I'm saying that I'm not interested in fighting them.

"Because you're enslaving people's minds and forcing them to serve you!"

I frown, scoffing as the shears snip through the hull, severing a main power conduit and causing the ship's safeties to shut down most of the ship's systems.

"You work for the Reach."

"We do not work for the Reach!"

"You're a Security Fleet in the Reach Periphery. Who do you think you work for?"

"It's a development zone!"

"That's technically an accurate statement, yes."

I grab the now-disabled frigate and reduce its relative momentum to zero before shoving it into a cluster with the other crippled ships.

"In the same sense that I 'develop' a forest when I cut it down so I can build a mine. Look, you're running out of functioning ships. Once they all stop working the option for parole rather evaporates."

"I won't be-!"

There's a… Humming sound.

"Commodore?"

The still-mobile ships kill their acceleration and close what still-functioning gun ports they have.

"This is Captain Graan. The commodore-."

"Say no more. Do you have the authority to negotiate with me?"

"At the moment, yes. What are your intentions?"

"I'm going to check your crew for Reach plants or mental tampering. After that, you'll have a choice between leaving the region or remaining. I will warn you now that if you opt to remain, we will take a significantly closer look at what you've been doing in this region."

"And what else?"

"The Orange Lantern Corps doesn't hold naked self-interest against people. If your company made a deal with the Reach to keep yourselves alive… Heck, I'd probably have done the same in your position. But we're going to be working with the people of this region and expelling the Reach with extreme violence. If you or particular members of your company have gained too much notoriety, then I'm afraid that we'll give you a show trial and then kill you because we're not offering you a chance to live because we're nice but more because you're not worth the bother."

"I'm not-. We just do patrols."

"Then you probably won't have anything to worry about. And of course if you accept parole and come back while the war is still ongoing then we'll automatically kill you, so that's not a safe option."

Quick scan…

"I'm afraid that I'm going to need to rush you. My presence is required elsewhere."

"Is that something we can assist with?"

"Possibly. I'm willing to suspend judgement and offer payment relative to the level of aid you are actually able to provide."

I begin jamming communication out from the fleet. They can talk to each other, but they can't warn anyone else.

"We're liberating the Reach-held world of Callallan. Any data you can provide on Reach operations there would be appreciated."

"We have.. maps-?"

"We have maps. I was really more talking about-."

And there's the emergency transponder squawk Reach plants use.

"Excuse me a moment."

I step out

and reappear next to… Oh, that's a bit obvious. They weren't even trying to keep their mind-state anything like it's original shape. I grasp the purple flesh of the plant's bald head and brand. Are they-?

The sigil shimmers into existence and the Reach-programmed 'security' operative drops their communicator.

No suicide device. Low priority, or a long term asset, I wonder?

"Sorry, one of your crew just tried sending a message out. Looks like a class two neural overlay. Might I suggest vetting people in future?"

"You're-? On board?"

"Not on your ship. I felt that having a conversation remotely might make things easier. Make me a little less intimidating. So I'm afraid that I'm going to have to take this gentleman off your hands until we can get it removed. Can I ask-?"

"We will accompany you and offer you any and all aid. Some.. of our ships will need repairs-."

"No no, I'll just drag them with us. You're far too slow anyway. Please bear in mind that I'm going to be really upset if you try and backstab me."

"I will not forget."

"Good show."

I

step

back outside the ship and drag the more distant vessels together.

"Warp in two, one, now."

With This Ring (Young Justice SI) (Thread Fourteen)

A pitiful excuse for a man.

Know what you're doing yet?

Versed in the lewd.

Alive. For now.

Veteran Lurker

Well worn.

Dedicated ragequitter

Making the rounds.

Dedicated ragequitter

Spaceman

Dedicated ragequitter

Not too sore, are you?

I trust you know where the happy button is?

Not too sore, are you?

Connoisseur.

Know what you're doing yet?

Connoisseur.

Not too sore, are you?

Connoisseur.

Spaceman

Dedicated ragequitter

Versed in the lewd.

The Critical Fumbler

Dedicated ragequitter

Know what you're doing yet?

Versed in the lewd.

Connoisseur.

Versed in the lewd.

Connoisseur.

Dedicated ragequitter

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