Thursday, October 30th, 2030. Sector Zero, Oa…..
Hal Jordan flew alone towards the high climbing vermillion towers that made up the capitol buildings of Oa.
The home and hearing grounds of The Guardians of the Universe.
Below him, lanterns traveled and socialized in groups and teams. Above him, others flew off world to go guard their sectors or pursue intergalactic peace-keeping missions.
Hal was ready to get back in the field.
To depart from Oa like the others above him.
With their permission or not.
He was tired of people and entities who had no direct involvement in things telling him what he could and couldn't do. When he'd lost and gained everything by his own merits and sacrifice. Heroism wasn't supposed to only be a debate or passing of laws. It was a journey that needed traveling. Full speed ahead. Without fear. Within will.
[Willpower Spiking…]
The ring notification came as his ring began to flow with power, vibrating on his finger like a jet engine.
Even so, he approached the Guardians. In truth— despite their disagreements, he looked up to them. They endured. Their own failures, hubris and misdeeds were heavy. Planetary. And still, they found the will and desire to try again and again. Until they created a planet of all-powerful heroes.
He had to respect it.
He had to speak with them one more time.
He hoped they'd understand.
When he reached the guardians tower, he landed on a solid plataue of verdant glass seemingly standing at the top of the world, joined only by clear dark skies and spires where they sat.
Like blue-skinned gods in red robe.
"Hal Jordan of Earth, welcome."
"Hey." Hal held his hands behind his back, "I'm sure you all know why I'm here."
"The Vega-Star System."
Hal nodded, "We need to make a move before it's too late—"
"If it is too late now, then it was too late a month ago, Hal Jordan."
Hal clenched his jaw, "People are dying because we aren't moving."
"Always moving…." One of the guardians said. A woman. Sayd. "From the school yard, to the fighter jets, to the star systems of your sector and beyond."
Hal didn't reply.
"Do you know what the through line is in all that? Recklessness. You can be very…. reckless."
"Recklessness and altruism tend to go hand in hand." Another added.
"But what is left when altruism fails? Simple recklessness—followed by casualty… and an expulsion of fear—"
"Oh my lord!" Hal yelled.
The Guardians eyed him.
"Is this really what you'll do for another thousand years? Just sit up here and debate like Greek philosophers if they drank methylene blue instead of wine and…. olive oil? What the hell! You taught us to overcome our fears. You gave us these rings to make a difference. Everywhere. Even in places where you messed up."
"Hal Jordan, watch your ton—"
"Don't bother. It's obvious this discussion will be on standby for another decade. I'm already greying, I don't have the time."
"You're dismissed." Sayd replied.
"Your damn right I am."
Hal flew from the tower.
As he flew further from it, the sound of a loud engine and beeping horn became unavoidable.
To his left, a construct of a mustang gt drove on air.
Guy Gardner was in the driver seat with a beer in hand and cigar behind his ear, "I'm guessing the talk with the higher ups didn't go too well?"
Hal shook his head.
"I'm not gonna say I told you so, rookie—"
"You didn't tell me so." Hal replied seriously.
"Man, get in the damn car and stop ruining my moment."
The door flung open.
Hal barrel rolled to the left and flipped into the car.
"I'll go get Killowog and Tomar-re. We picking up anyone else on the way?"
"Just a couple." Hal replied.
"Perfect. A few lanterns against a tyrannical genius alien empire? This sounds like a cakewalk!"