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Twelve months ago, I watched Guy hold a eulogy for dozens of brave allies who fell defending Oa from the plans of a deluded young man. It was the first time I looked at him and knew that the Corp was in safe hands.

Six months ago I stood face-to-face with the future and faced it down. Even in the Twenty Third century, this era is underlined by its lack of a Superman and Tharok and his cronies thought they could invade us..they were wrong.

Three months ago, John Stewart was lost in action.. I pray for him every day. The Corps have scoured space but not a trace has been found of him. Our only hope is that his ring has never returned. Our worst fear is ..

Today..today I do what I have done every day since one dying hero placed his faith in me, all those years ago.

A white gauntleted hand reaches down and points a small, simple green ring at a similarly simple, old fashioned glowing replica of a train lantern.

"In brightest day, in darkest night, no evil shall escape my sight.

let those who worship evil's might, beware my power - Green Lantern's light!"

 

DC Infinity Proudly Presents

#1

by Neil Gow

"Still, The Thin Green Line"

 

The summer sun beats down in a cloudless sky on the playground of a small school in the suburbs of Los Angeles . Children run around laughing and playing as the freedom of recess ticks away around them. It starts gently, a small rumbling, a gentle shudder. If any of them knew what to look for, the children would see their soda cans shaking and crumpling as magnetic fields go into massive flux. And then the earth moves!

More than an earthquake, this is an immense, localised tectonic explosion. The playground splits in half and a deep rift opens beneath the children's feet. Chunks of asphalt and concrete are thrown through the air and the school building itself begins to buckle and crumble. Through the crashing of the rock and twisting metal, the high pitched screams of the children and the panicking shouts of the teachers add a strangely human element to a very natural disaster and then everything seems to fall quiet as the rocks crash, the ground shatters and finally, as if to herald the end of all things here, an immense explosion from within the main school building blows half of the building into the air. A chunk of masonry turns and arcs through the air, heading for a cowering clump of children and their helpless warden. The teacher, in a vain hope of protection gathers them in her arms and shields their eyes from the deadly rock.

.and the glowing green hand that catches it in mid-air! The wall is lowered to the ground as dozens of small green shields appear in mid-air, protecting the children from the plummeting debris. A gargantuan green brace appears on the site of the school, holing up the crumbling structure and a giant green net appears over the shuddering rift, lest another child falls.

In the centre of this emerald wonderland stands Green Lantern, hovering ten feet off the ground, his hand glowing brightly as his power ring begins to gather the children together in one safe space. His face is a mask of determined concentration.this is not the first quake he has had to deal with this year and it certainly won't be the last. The degree of natural disaster activity has spiked since the incidents of last year, to such an extent that some people have been questioning whether the planet itself is stable or whether the insane machinations of Alex Luthor have one final sting in the tail. Whatever the reason, these children have borne the brunt of the damage today but they are safe now.

Green Lantern floats down and places the last sobbing child into the arms of the teacher he saved. "Ring? Have we missed anyone?"

No. I cannot detect anyone in immediate danger within our vicinity

"Excellent." Hal turns to address the teacher. "I'm sorry about your school, ma'am, but at least we got the children to safety. It was only good luck that they were on recess.if they had been in school at the time..well, it isn't worth thinking about."

"I..I..thank you, Green Lantern. I don't know how I can thank you enough." The teacher finally releases her tensed frame, puts the child down and offers her hand. "My name is Jennifer. Jennifer Gates. If there is anything.."

Hal takes her hand and shakes it politely as he hears the approaching emergency services. "This is what we do ma'am." And with that he glides into the air and zooms off into the clear blue sky, a trail of green behind him. Jennifer Gates looks on and even amidst the terror and destruction, she cracks a small smile.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hovering above the sea, between Los Angeles and Coast City

"How many is that now, Ring?"

23 on the west coast of North America alone, and over 120 worldwide. That's over double the normal predicted and historical ratings for these natural disasters.

"And we have checked for the usual suspects?"

The Masters of Disaster are incarcerated in Europe and Major Disaster is present and accounted for in Boston . No other metahuman activity has been detected in the area of the disasters.

"Except for the magnetic activity?"

Except for the surge in magnetic activity just before the disasters, yes, that is correct. Green Lantern, I have a message incoming from Oa.

"Let me see?"

Hal extends his arm and his ring projects an image of another Green Lantern before him. The familiar rugged face of Guy Gardner appears. Older and wiser than the arrogant bully that had first worn the emerald ring, but still one of the most aggressive Lanterns in the service - it makes him a strange choice to be the Green Lantern Corps Grand Marshal, but it is a role that he has made his own.

"Captain, my Captain, how's things back on Earth Hal?" The sarcasm in Guy's voice is playful rather than biting. Despite his coordinating role with the Corp, Guy knows more than anyone else that the real leader of the 7200 sentients that form the galaxies space-faring police force is Hal Jordan .

"You've read the reports Guy. Same old, same old - but we still don't know where some of the old guys are. Anyway, what's happening on Oa that needs me?"

"The Council has decided that we should commemorate what happened last year - the deaths caused by Superboy. The Guardians have called in the Corp for a memorial service and they have asked me to ask you to speak. To everyone."

"They've called in the entire Corps?! But that would leave everywhere unguarded!"

"Hal, remember, this is the new regime. Double the numbers of Lanterns? Half are here on Oa, the others are in their sectors, watching and listening by their rings."

"But why me? After everything I have done."

"Don't get all high and mighty with me Jordan, because it doesn't cut it. You and me both know that the entire Parallax business was all your standard monster-possession-slaughter-universe-ends-nonsense and that's behind you now. Mind you,' Guy slips Hal a crafty grin,' whatever anyone accuses me of, I have never ever restarted all of space-time."

Hal glowers at Gardner

"OK, OK, that was below the belt. Anyway, I've sent a fastest-direct route to your ring. Kick back and prepare your speech. See you with the bald chicks!" And Guy disappears.

I have a course plotted. Shall I execute?

" Yes. Let's return to Oa."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Oa, The Centre of the Universe

" We are pleased that you could be here, Hal Jordan of Earth, Green Lantern 2814.1." A dozen diminutive blue skinned men and women stand before Hal as he lands after his final approach to Oa. The Green Lanterns network of space warps makes travel from anywhere to Oa quick and simple, but it is still a daunting journey. Hal was not prepared for a welcoming party.

"I wouldn't miss it Guardians. We should all pay our respects."

"Indeed, Hal Jordan . The events of the last solar year and the intervention of Superboy in our reality have made our responsibilities clearer to us than ever before."

Hal looks down at the Guardians. "This is usually where I hear something I don't want to."

"We have decided that your home planet, Earth, has once again become a nexus point for matters of galactic import. There are matters afoot that require our closest attention. Due to this matter, and the continued..instability on your planet, we have decided to assign an observer to Earth." Before Hal can object, a young looking female Guardian steps forward.

"My name is Darla and I will be the Oan Observer on Earth for the foreseeable future. I pledge that I will, of course, not intervene in your work - my job is to watch, learn and report back to the Guardians."

Hal scratches his head. "Of course the Guardians are welcome to come to Earth, but in the past when this has happened..well, it has never really worked well?"

"Well, this time, we shall ensure that it does work, Green Lantern 2814.1." Darla smiles at him, like a teacher reassuring a nervous child. "However, before our departure, I believe you have some Corpsmen to address.."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Before the Great Power Battery , the Citadel of the Guardians, Oa

Hal stands within the Citadel of the Guardians, on Oa, at the centre of the Universe and looks out across 3600 sentients. Every size, shape and creed are represented here - humanoids, animals, insectoid, plants, silicates - everything. Through his power ring he could feel the presence of the balance of the Corps - another 3600 souls, pledged to protect the Universe with their lives. He reaches up to adjust the scarlet cape he wears as his ceremonial dress. The jade clasp at his left shoulder never quite feels right. He has never really understood how guys like Clark and Bruce can wear a cape.

"It is your time, Hal Jordan . The Corps awaits." He looks down to see the small figure of Darla, his new observer Guardian. She smiles at him, warmly as she gestures towards the waiting balcony.

Hal stands forward and enters the balcony. As he appears, he sees Guy standing at the front of the mass of Lanterns, raise his hand and fire off a bolt of emerald energy in the traditional Corps salute. The rest of the room follow suit in a show of respect and honour. Hal clears his throat and steps forward once again.

"Sentients, fellow Corpsman. This is a solemn day. On this day, we have chosen to remember those that have gone before - those that have died wearing the emerald ring.

We do not choose to be Green Lanterns. When one Lantern dies, the rings seek out the best replacement from the local population. We trust in the rings and they seek one thing - a person without fear, a person who is willing and ready to face whatever danger they may face. How many of us knew what wonders we were being offered when we first saw this tiny band? How many of us knew the responsibilities fate was delivering to us. Not many.

But we take the ring and we become Corps. We trust in our elders to train us, our peers to support us and the Guardians to guide us. And every turn of our planet, we make our pledge - that regardless, we will turn back the tide of evil that runs through this Universe.

But there are some of us that fall in our battle. Too many. We face down threats large and small and sometimes we cannot win alone. We are Corps. We fight as one. And when we die, the pain is felt by each and every one of us."

Hal swallows, knowing that during his possession by Parallax, he killed more Lanterns than any other threat.

"I am not going to stand here and say that none of us will die in the line of duty. I am not going to stand here and say that we will ever be able to turn back the tide of evil forever. But I will stand here and tell you that for every Lantern that falls, there WILL be another to take his place. We will make every sacrifice count. Every Lantern that falls will be avenged.

The Corps will prevail!"

Solemnly, Hal turns and raises his hand towards the great central power battery - the centre of the Corps.

"I call upon you all. Show your respect for your fallen friends and recharge your rings."

The Citadel is filled with the chants of thousands of Lanterns and the air crackles with the released energies. As he makes his pledge Hal remembers.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Within the Citadel

"That was a moving speech, Green Lantern 2814.1. Especially considering your history with the Corps." Darla looks up at Hal with curiosity as he removes his ceremonial dress.

"And what exactly do you mean my 'history'?"

"I have always found it fascinating that the Corpsmen are so willing to accept you as their figurehead, despite the pain and anguish that you and your kind have caused them. Humans are by far and away the race most prone to drama in this galaxy."

Hal takes a deep breath and kneels down so that he is face-to-face with the young Guardian. "Understand something Darla. If the Guardians believe that Earth needs a Guardian as an observer, that's fine, but I do not need your pithy little comments. If you think for one minute I have ever been able to forget the Lanterns that fell when I was possessed by Parallax, you are hugely mistaken. If you think that I underestimate the carnage that occurred a year ago when we stopped Superboy Prime, you are hugely mistaken. And if you think that I have not earned back every single iota of respect from each and every Corpsman out there, you are hugely mistaken."

"Is that a degree of pride I am hearing?" Darla raises a white eyebrow.

"If it is pride, he's earned it." Guy Gardner appears in the doorway behind Hal and swaggers across the room. "There's a rumour going around some of the new Lanterns, that the Big Yellow chose Hal for one reason - he was the only one that could kick our butts. I'm happy to let it slide cos' I know it's the truth. Me and Jordan have had our run-ins in the past, but when it hits the fan, you don't want anyone else by your side. I know it, we all know it and the sooner you learn it, the better. He is The Green Lantern."

Darla shakes her head and disappears. Hal jokingly grabs onto Guy's face and tries to pull off an imaginary mask.

"Come on, that's not the real Guy Gardner in there is it?"

" Jordan , after what you have done over the last year, you deserve the praise, but hey, you prove me wrong and I will kick your ass from here to home and back again."

They are both interrupted by a startled young Lantern from Sector 234 - a four foot tall lightly furred humanoid fox. "Sirs, you are wanted immediately. There is a problem in your home system!"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

One Half Light Minute inside the orbit of Jupiter

Hal hovers in space, a smooth green glow protecting him from the ravages of the vacuum. In front of him is a sleek crescent shaped dreadnaught class spaceship with an attendant screen of destroyers and fighters. The design was none that Hal or his ring had ever encountered before - and it was on an intercept course with Earth with weapons hot!

"Hailing unidentified spacecraft. I am the Green Lantern for this sector and this planet is under my protection. Please stand down your weapons and leave this system. This is your first warning."

The ships do not slow down. Instead the fighters break off into an attack formation and slip in two groups to either side of the dreadnaught. A subspace transmission is picked up by Hal's power ring.

"I am Commodore Na'Tal of the Issarian Transdimensional Battlegroup N'Kata. Our scouts have detected valuable deposits within this system and we claim sovereign rights to mine them. Your primitive cultures mean nothing to us. Stand aside or be destroyed."

Transdimensional energies detected. Sentients within this craft are not from this Universe. Green Lantern Corpsmen are not present in their reality. Alert! Pockets of transdimensional energy detected.

Dozens of jump points open behind the dreadnaught as more ships appear. Carriers, miners and at least five more massive capital ships and their scurrying screens. A full fledged invasion fleet!

"As I said, green man, move aside or be destroyed."

"And as I said, Commodore Na'Tal. Stand down and leave this system.indeed, this reality. This is your second warning. You will not receive another one." Hal's power ring flashes once.

"Do not threaten me, animal. There is no way that one man could stand against the might of the Issarian Empire. Talak Wing - commence assault. Remove this bug!" Three battleships break from their formation and launch massive laser blasts at Hal. He whips up a shield and the coherent light bounces off the green protection, but staggers him back a little in space.

"You are resilient, whelp, but you are but one man.you cannot prevail!"

"And that, Commodore Na'Tal, is your error. I stand as one man..but I AM CORPS! Green Lanterns..decloak!"

The space around Hal Jordan is filled with green stars as the 3599 other Green Lanterns he addressed on Oa drop through their self-made space warps and appear behind him. The sky is filled with their green and white uniforms and the sparks of their power rings.

"It was a good job these poozers needed to take a detour on the way back to their sectors, right Jordan ?" The gargantuan figure of Killowog, the head of the Oan training unit floats to Hal's shoulders.

"Ah c'mon, 'Wog - anyone stupid enough to attack Earth after that speech should have known what would happen!" Guy Gardner stands at Hal's other shoulder. Hal Jordan smiles and addresses the armada.

"Commodore Na'Tal. You have received two warnings to leave this reality. You have refused to do so. The Green Lantern Corps has been charged with protecting every being in this Universe. Proceed and face the Corps. I give you one last chance to retreat." Hal raises his ring, ready to signal the attack.

"You heard the man, poozers. Game on. Assume formation 23. Target the screens and the fighters first. I want it clean and I want it quick. No deaths. Maximum collateral damage." Killowog barks out the orders and as one the Corp moves into it's attack position.

The two sides stand.poised..waiting. And then one ship blinks out of the formation. And another. And another. And then as one, the remaining ships disappear.

" Ring. Where have they gone."

The energy signatures would indicate a transdimensional jump rather than an in-system warp. They have retreated.

The Corps prevails.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hal's Apartment in Coast City

Hal's finger stabs the glowing button on his answer phone. As the recorder jutters into life, he walks to his balcony and takes a sip on his nightcap as he looks out across waterfront of Coast City .

"..Hal, this is Fredricks. The new boss wants to see all of the pilots tomorrow for a debrief session and to explain how he sees things panning out over the next few weeks. Make sure you're on time, this time. This one's a real nasty piece of work and I'd hate to see you get kicked.again."

"..Hal, it's Jim. Are we still on for bowling on Thursday. The kid's really hyped about it but I thought I had better check to see whether you were . y'know, otherwise engaged. Let me know."

".hey Jordan , it's Cowgirl. You owe me a beer. Pay up or I'll kick your ass. Laters"

"You have no more messages."

Hal swallows the last of his drink and walks to his bedroom, ready for a good night's sleep. An earthquake, a trip to the centre of the galaxy, a rallying cry to a small army and averting a major transdimensional invasion. Not a bad day's work. He slips between the sheets and before his head hits the pillow he is asleep.

Alert. Major underwater tectonic activity thirty two miles off the coast of Coast City . Green Lantern intervention required.

"What? Ring? ANOTHER quake? What time is it?!"

3.23 am . Your Power Ring stands at 22.1% power.

"I know, I know." Hal slides out of bed and his spartan bedroom is filled with a vibrant green glow as he automatically changes into the green and white uniform of the Green Lantern. Turning to the outdated emerald lamp on the bedside he allows himself a knowing smile and begins his ritual all over again.

" In Brightest Day, In Darkest Night, No Evil Shall Escape My Sight.."

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Next Issue: Hal's employers have some issues, the source of the earthquakes is revealed, aid comes from the other side of the galaxy and a former Titan is changed forever.