|
Post by Spider-Man Beyond on Sept 5, 2006 0:01:08 GMT -5
Written and Illistrated by Scott D.L. Kruger Edited by Daniel Dyer
|
|
|
Post by Spider-Man Beyond on Sept 5, 2006 0:06:06 GMT -5
Legends of the Green Lantern Corps #8 Last Stand on Graxos IV
Prelude: …6 Months later The legion virus had all but decimated the Green Lantern Corps since its mysterious appearance in sector 1417. The Guardians knew very little regarding the virus’s origin, but knew that it attacked only Green Lantern’s, turning them against the Corps. Sinestro, the first to fall victim to the virus, had cut a swath of destruction across dozens of sectors. The Corpsmen that he encountered in the process, were either destroyed or assimilated. Those that were infected, in turn, began infecting others starting a chain reaction unlike anything the Guardians had ever seen. Within 6 months time, the Guardians lost contact with over 900 of their agents, with the number quickly rising. Something had to be done… The Guardians believed, since the true source of the virus was unknown, that if Sinestro were to be stopped, the others may be cured. The theory, though plausible, was just that, a theory. All attempts to stop Sinestro had, so far, resulted in tragedy. Though contact with the infected rings had been, for the most part, lost… the Guardians were still able to track them through the central power battery. Unfortunately, this had become a double-edged sword, for the infected could also track their uninfected brethren. The Guardians began taking defensive measures against Legion by warning Corpsmen when the infected were nearing their sectors… ---
|
|
|
Post by Spider-Man Beyond on Sept 5, 2006 0:13:27 GMT -5
Abin Sur had just arrived at his home when the order came through. He had not even walked through the door when the image of Appa Ali Apsa’s head emanated from the jewel in the center of his power ring. Abin knew that it was dangerous to have a family in this particular line of work. Yet he was betrothed long before Starkaor ever plucked him from his life (not that it was much of a difference, he was a captain in the Ungarian police force) and bequeathed him the ring of power. His wife and son would understand… he was Green Lantern, and had numerous responsibilities that could mean the matter of life and death for trillions of sentient beings. “Abin… we have gathered intelligence that shows Legion is moving towards sector 2815. For reasons unknown, we have not been able to raise Fentara, though we know he is not yet infected. We need you to go to Graxos IV, find Fentara and both of you report to OA immediately.” “Understood Appa…” “Abin, do not use your ring under any circumstance. That would only attract Legion. If they appear, engage them only as a last resort!” “Understood, Appa.” Abin replied with a slight bow of his head. “Please, be careful Abin.” The transmission ended as abruptly as it began. “Off on another adventure, are you?” the familiar voice of Abin’s wife Marin. “I’m sorry, my love… I have no choice,” he replied with a sigh. “I understand… but at least say goodbye to Amon before you leave this time. He was most disappointed when you left last cycle,” she pleaded. “Of course,” he smiled. Amon Sur sat in the floor of his living quarters painting a portrait of some great beast that he had created. His son, though only 12 cycles in age, was an incredible artist and far more creative than Abin could ever be. If he was fearless, he would surely have made a wonderful Green Lantern, but Amon took after his mother, talented and far too emotional to ever be the protector of sector 2814. But that didn’t matter to Abin, his son was perfect just as he was. “Hey champ!” Abin shouted as he walked into the living quarters. “DAD!!!” Amon jumped up and ran to hug his father. “I missed you so much!” “Same here kiddo…” the two of them talked as long as Abin could spare about Amon’s schooling and Abin’s adventures in the stars. Amon followed his father into the cruiser port that held Abin’s old star-fighter from his days in the Ungaran Police Force. Amon stood proudly by the fighter when Abin noticed Amon’s handy work… the boy had painted Green Lantern symbols over the Ungaran defense force emblems. “Thank you, my son… I love it!” Abin scooped Amon into another hug. Amon continued to talk about school as Abin prepped the old ship for lift off. When the fighter was ready, Amon gave his father a small painting of Abin in flight, fighting another horrible creature with an odd dark circle on it’s head. Abin placed the painting on the ships’ console and hugged his family goodbye. As the ship lifted off, Amon stood proudly watching his father fly off to save the Universe again. He hoped that someday he too could become a Green Lantern and go on dangerous missions with his father. Unfortunately, neither he nor his mother would ever see Abin again… ---
|
|
|
Post by Spider-Man Beyond on Sept 5, 2006 0:17:09 GMT -5
Graxos IV, a mining colony in the farthest reaches of sector 2815. It was one of the few sources, outside of the Khundish & Dominion Empires, for Tridarium, the main power source for faster-than-light engines. The planet itself contained hundreds of thousands of miles of mines. In fact, very few structures existed above ground, save for the planet capital of Graxon Prime. Graxon Prime was also the location of Green Lantern Fentara’s citadel. The Alert Claxon sounded early in the morning, not that there was a need for it. There had been an explosion, only seconds before, deep in a Tridarium mine that ran below Graxon Prime. The explosion was so strong that it threatened to sink the capital city, possibly creating a chain reaction that would collapse the entire mining system. In essence, the planet could very well collapse in on itself, destroying every sentient being on the planet. Fentara went to work immediately, placing transparent green support columns in strategic points below the foundation of Graxon Prime. Being a native on the planet, and a former miner, his engineering skills were unparalleled. As he did this, his daughter, Arisia, Green Lantern Alternate, located as many of the injured as she could, taking them to makeshift triage locations on stable ground outside city limits. ---
|
|
|
Post by Spider-Man Beyond on Sept 5, 2006 0:19:45 GMT -5
The emerald energy bubble flew from the entrance of the collapsed mineshaft. Inside the bubble sat rescued miners as Arisia flew them at best possible speed towards the nearest triage center. “Father!” Arisia called into her power ring. “The main shaft is clear.” “Excellent, Arisia!” Fentara replied. “The last of the support columns are up, and will hold until they can be permanently replaced… My ring has notified me that there’s been a minor collapse below here, I’m going in to help.” “Do you need help?” “No dear, I can handle this… I want you to look into the cause of the blast. You are a much better detective than I.” “Understood, father,” she replied with a smile. ---
|
|
|
Post by Spider-Man Beyond on Sept 5, 2006 0:25:22 GMT -5
Sector 2815, the airspace above planet Graxos IV Abin Sur’s star fighter reverted to normal space. It had been many cycles since he had last seen his dear friend Fentara and he hoped that he was not too late. Abin flipped a switch on the main computer console, opening a communication line with Graxon Prime. “Graxon Prime control, this is Abin Sur of the Green Lantern Corps requesting permission to land.” There was no response. Abin tried several frequencies, all to no avail. Abin looked at the ring on his right hand and shook his head… it had been a long time since he last had to work without it. He flipped another switch on the console activating his tracking computer… standard equipment for Ungaran policemen and definitely helpful in situations like these. “Computer, lock onto any energy signature that could be strong enough to match a Green Lantern’s energy output,” he commanded. “Acknowledged. Processing… Located.” “Excellent, display on the tactical monitor.” The tactical monitor lit up, covering the main view port. “Quadrant 3 of the mining colony beneath Graxon Prime, Northern Hemisphere, two signatures…” Abin began to plot a course to Graxon Prime when the tactical display beeped. “Sprock it!” Abin shouted as he thrust the ship forward. There was a third signature. ---
|
|
|
Post by Spider-Man Beyond on Sept 5, 2006 0:26:45 GMT -5
Arisia glided back through the mine entrance. According to her ring, the blast emanated directly below the center of Graxon Prime. Though young by Graxosian standards, she was quite an accomplished detective. And it was time to put her other skills to the test. She actually preferred to handle most problems without her power ring, but it did make one hell of a portable forensic lab. She quickly located the exact location of the blast, now it was time to figure out the ‘how & why’. She started collecting soil samples for analysis when she heard a voice. “Well, my dear… you’re not quite what I had hoped for…” Arisia spun around, ring hand ready. “Show yourself!” she ordered. “But I suppose you’ll have to do!” the voiced hissed, ignoring her order. “Sinestro!” ---
|
|
|
Post by Spider-Man Beyond on Sept 5, 2006 0:33:45 GMT -5
Abin Sur’s star fighter set down just south of the city. As he lowered the ramp of his ship and gazed in horror at the destruction. The once beautiful grassy plains that completely surrounded Graxon Prime were now upturned. The city itself, though stabilized, wrested at an awkward tilt. The destruction coupled with the third energy signature could mean only one thing… he was too late. Legion had struck. “Abin?” called out a familiar voice. “Fentara!” Abin breathed a sigh of relief… perhaps he had been wrong. “Old man, I’m glad to see you... when I saw this I thought the worst.” “Abin, old friend, it’s been a while! Your assistance is most welcome, and quite timely,” Fentara said as he walked towards the ship. “I wish I could say I was here to help… The Guardians sent me to collect you & Arisia. We must leave immediately for OA,” Abin said as he went back up the ship ramp. “Legion is coming for me, isn’t it?” Fentara asked following Abin into the fighter. “Worse, I fear they might already be here… I detected an arrant energy signature moments ago that matches a ring. It was moving towards the mines.” “Old friend! That was Arisia… she was going back in to investigate the blast…” “There were two energy signals underground already.” Abin interrupted. “Arisia!" Fentara called into his ring. "Come in…” There was no response. It was the closest thing to panic that Abin had ever seen on a fellow Green Lantern’s face... he was suddenly reminded why he was glad Amon could never be a GL. Fentara turned to go back into the mine for his daughter. Abin, grabbed Fentara by the arm to stop him. “It’s too late, Fentara! There’s nothing we can do for her now…” he said mournfully. “Would you say the same thing if it were Amon or Marin?” asked angrily. “Yes, Fentara… as much as it would hurt… the Guardians are coming up with a plan… have faith. Come with me to OA before it’s too late.” “Oh, but Abin,” came a familiar voice from just outside the ship, “It is too late!” Abin & Fentara reflexively activated their rings the moment Sinestro spoke. They turned and saw Sinestro standing side by side with Arisia, she was now infected with the virus. “And look at this, three for the price of one!” Sinestro goaded. “Arisia, no!” Fentara called out. “Oh yes… She show’s such promise too… Actually put up quite a fight. Nothing I couldn’t handle, of course.” “There’s nothing we can do for her Fentara, we must go NOW!” Abin shouted throwing a protective bubble around the fighter. Fentara ignored Abin, and flew through the protective shield straight at Sinestro & Arisia. Before he could reach them, he was struck down by a yellow energy beam. The flesh on his bones turned to ash as it burned through his ring’s protective aura. Sinestro, shocked (and irritated), spun and looked over his shoulder at Arisia, who stood there holding a smoking yellow cannon produced by her ring. “I wanted your father alive or, at least, I wanted the kill… you over zealous half-wit!” Sinestro scolded. “Assimilate or destroy.” Arisia droned in response as tremors began to rock the planet. Taking advantage of the poor turn in events, Abin Sur launched his star-fighter, full throttle, into the Graxosian atmosphere. “Idiot! Grab your father’s ring, and follow me, we need to get Abin or his ring before he escapes.” ---
|
|
|
Post by Spider-Man Beyond on Sept 5, 2006 0:43:30 GMT -5
Abin’s fighter streaked through the upper atmosphere and outward into space. The planet below collapsed in on itself. Its moon was pulled down into it by the gravity well… the atmosphere dispersed into a cloud of gas and ice. Every man, woman & child on the planet, dead, just so Sinestro… no, so Legion, could add more rings and warriors to their army. Sinestro would never have done anything like this, no matter what his methods were like in the past. Abin put his head in his hands. There was nothing I could do… Now I know how Tomar Re felt when Krypton was destroyed.His ship was violently jarred as it was hit with an energy blast. “Computer, intensify aft shields… tactical display up!” he barked, at his computer. “If I can get to my own sector, at least I might be able to lose them,” he said to himself. He was thrown forward, the ship sent reeling as it was hit by a massive explosion. { Shields at 10%. Failure immanent.} Another explosion. { Shields down, atmosphere at 80% and falling.} Abin’s power ring covered him in an emerald protective aura to compensate for the lack of atmosphere. There was no sound though, as the yellow spiked projectiles pierced the hull of the ship, and flew into the back of the pilot chair. Abin’s body was struck multiple times, each wound more grievous than the next. Wounded, alone, and unable to defend himself from Sinestro and Arisia. Each labored breath was more painful than the last, Abin knew he would be dead within minutes. The ring. The ring must not be taken…{ Zz… now…zzz… ering…zz…ector 2814…zzzz.} Abin’s fingers moved across the computer console. The tactical screen before him showing systems status. Enough fuel for one hyper-jump… no time… “Urhn!” blood poured into his collapsed lung. No time to plot a course. Blind jump…---
|
|
|
Post by Spider-Man Beyond on Sept 5, 2006 0:46:45 GMT -5
The crippled starfighter limped along an erratic path. Sinestro smiled broadly at the damage Arisia had inflicted on the ship. “Excellent shot child, there is hope for you yet…” Sinestro beamed before turning back to the ship, his ring broadcasted his voice through the fighters speaker system, “ABIN SUR, YOU WILL SURRENDER AND HAND YOURSELF OVER TO LEGION, OR YOU WILL BE DESTROYED!!!” There was no response. The ship turned end over end. “Well… perhaps he’s dead already!” Sinestro said to himself as he approached the ship. Afterburners on the fighter suddenly lit steadying the ship, and in an instant, it was gone. “NO!!!” Sinestro screamed as he smacked Arisia, perfectly aware that it truly was not her fault, but unable to contain his anger nonetheless. “YOU BLUNDERING IMBECILE!!! I will make you suffer for this!” Arisia just floated there expressionless. “Your ring will take you back to our masters for the proper punishment, I now have the daunting task of tracking this fool.” Sinestro spat, knowing that even with a ring, following a blind hyper-jump was near impossible. Unless of course, Abin used his ring. ---
|
|
|
Post by Spider-Man Beyond on Sept 5, 2006 0:51:39 GMT -5
Abin coughed up blood as he attempted to ease himself back into his seat. It would not be long now… The fighter reverted to real space when the fuel cells ran dry. The tactical display showed that collision was immanent with the third planet in the Sol system. Landing would have been preferred, but without fuel… there was no chance. “…ring?…” { Acknowledged,} came the familiar voice of Starkor, his predecessor. “Find someone… to bear y.. * cough *… to bear you. Find them quickly… Sinestro will… “ { Acknowledged & understood, Abin Sur.} Abin attempted a smile, knowing that soon it would be his voice that came from the ring. He willed his power battery to appear before him as the starfighter entered the Terran atmosphere. Without his deflector shields the heat began to tear the ship apart, only his ring protected him from the fire. “In brightest day… in… blackest night,” Abin began his oath as the fighter plunged to the planet below. “No evil shall…escape my sight… let those that… that worship evil’s might… beware… my power, the Green Lantern’s li…” The beginning. Now you’ve seen how the Legion saga truly began! Be back in two weeks to see how it ends! Heores will live, heroes will die and the Corps will never be the same!BONUS!: The combined covers of issues 7 & 8!
|
|