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Chapter 197: Guardians of the Universe
2023-10-23 Author: Rowing Without Oars 233
Apokolips.
"Sir, there's something you might need to know."
"What is it this time?"
The communicating Manhunter appeared again and said, "The Hunter Leader engaged the enemy invader... and was destroyed."
The Machine Hunter Captain pondered for a moment.
"What happened?" he asked. "Was there a security vulnerability in the defense system? Did the enemy possess some bizarre ability, or..."
"That doesn't seem to be the case. We detected high energy data on Biot."
The Manhunter displayed the data for the Captain.
The Captain fell silent for a moment after seeing the string of exaggerated readings, which looked like a data processing error.
"Based on the readings, we speculate that the Hunter Leader fired a star-annihilating energy cannon, but the opponent used an even stronger energy attack to directly counteract the star-annihilating energy, and then took the opportunity to slay the Hunter Leader..."
He didn't continue.
But everyone who heard this, including Desaad, realized just how terrifying the energy must have been to achieve such an effect.
"I need to connect with the Grandmaster." The Machine Hunter Captain once again contacted the Grandmaster, whom they regarded as a deity.
A moment later, it looked up. "The Grandmaster says to withdraw from Biot. In our plan, Biot was never an indispensable part..."
"As I recall, didn't someone just say that anyone who dared to invade your factory would surely die?" Desaad said languidly.
The Machine Hunter Captain's eyes flickered twice, as if it were listening to someone.
Two seconds later, it continued, "The Grandmaster says a single factory... giving it up is not a big deal."
"Don't I recall that your most important Hunter production line is there?" Desaad squinted.
The Machine Hunter Captain pondered briefly again before replying, "The Grandmaster says the production line is a mere material possession..."
"But isn't Biot the homeworld of you Manhunters?" Desaad continued sarcastically.
Your home gets stolen and it's 'not a big deal'? So I suppose your home is also a 'mere material possession,' right?
The red glow in the Machine Hunter Captain's eyes flickered again. This time, however, it listened for a particularly long time. It seemed that the Grandmaster had to struggle for a while before coming up with the next sentence.
"The Grandmaster says there's an old saying on Earth: since ancient times, those who achieve great things... make the Four Seas their home!"
Desaad: "..."
To be able to state one's cowardice in such a fresh and refined way... there was truly no one else like them.
However, this also made Desaad begin to doubt the reliability of these allies.
According to some of his unconfirmed reports, the so-called "Grandmaster" currently leading the Machine Hunter Legion was also suspected to be from Earth. And as for Earth... it wasn't that the New Gods were prejudiced, but most civilizations in the universe probably didn't have a very high opinion of the place.
They seriously doubted whether someone from Earth had the ability to get things done properly.
"So, if there is nothing else, we will take our leave." The Machine Hunter Captain prepared to return.
After all, their Legion had things to be busy with now.
Busy finding a new home.
Biot.
Hal floated in mid-air, speechless for a long while as he looked at the enormous pit blasted before him, a scene filled with shattered debris, ruins, and black smoke.
A moment later, he flew forward and landed beside Orin Vale, who had already shrunk back to his normal size.
"My power ring's readings of the energy you two just unleashed... theoretically, you should have been able to blow the entire planet to smithereens," Hal said with a strange expression. "How did you manage this kind of effect?"
Orin Vale, of course, knew what he was referring to.
The pit from the explosion looked enormous, but it was actually quite restrained compared to the destructive power the two rays should have had.
"It's simple, energy control," Orin Vale said after a moment of thought. "But it's harder to do than it sounds. Where I'm from, this is a key course—controlling the blast radius of compressed light ray techniques. Members who can't suppress the destructive power for precise explosions aren't allowed to leave our homeworld to carry out missions alone."
Orin Vale was actually quite good at this, though he wasn't yet among the best. Back in the Security Patrol, the captain known as "Flame-Head," Lord Zoffy, had an M87 Ray whose power started at a planet-busting level, yet no one had ever seen him blow up Earth with a single shot.
However, Orin Vale felt it was mainly a matter of experience. He didn't lack theoretical knowledge or skill training; it was just that back in the Land of Light, his light ray had never been this powerful. He still lacked practical experience with a light ray that could destroy a planet in one shot, so it was inevitable that he couldn't control it perfectly.
It was a good thing this was Biot, a planet swarming with Manhunters, and not Earth. If he were on Earth, he really might not have dared to fire without 100% certainty, risking blasting through their fragile little planet.
"You guys have training courses?" Hal muttered strangely. "Sounds a bit like the Green Lantern Corps."
"In some ways, I suppose."
Orin Vale didn't plan to continue on this topic.
"We need to go down and see what's there."
"My power ring is detecting something strange, too. It's another unidentifiable energy source, but it seems my ring is reacting to it," Hal frowned.
In the Emotional Spectrum, the Blue Lantern light and Green Lantern light are the two most closely connected, so it was normal for them to sense each other. However, at this point in time, Hal was still a rookie. Among the Seven Lantern Corps, only the Green Lantern Corps was a publicly established Lantern Corps. Barely anyone in the entire universe had even heard of the Blue Lantern Corps, so it was normal that Hal didn't recognize it.
The Blue Lantern energy had come and gone quickly. The temporary charge had already been mostly consumed by Orin Vale. It seemed someone had intentionally released this energy to help him.
Orin Vale wanted to find out who it was, and he also hoped to take this opportunity to come into contact with the Blue Lantern energy source and figure out the principle and application methods of this Light of Hope.
Of all the power systems he had encountered since coming to the DC Universe, this was the energy system with attributes most similar to his own and the best compatibility.
The two of them descended into the underground through the debris cleared by the explosion. They continued downward, following a complex and dilapidated system of pipes deeper and deeper, soon arriving at the area from which the energy source was emanating.
Then, completely unexpectedly, they encountered a person down here.
He had elf-like blue skin, white hair, was less than 1.5 meters tall, and was dressed in a white robe. On his chest was the insignia of the Green Lantern Corps...
"A Guardian!?" Hal exclaimed in shock.
Appearing before them was none other than one of the founders of the Manhunters and the Green Lantern Corps, one of those Guardians of the Universe who had each lived for billions of years and claimed to be immortal.
At this moment, this Guardian was as limp as a dried, salted fish on a beach. His arms were spread out, hung limply in mid-air by iron chains. His expression was listless, and his aged face was etched with exhaustion.
He struggled to lift his head as the two entered and managed to force a smile.
"Finally."
His mouth didn't move, but a voice rang out in both of their minds.
Telepathy.
And Orin Vale quickly recognized this was the person who had spoken to him during the battle. It was just that his telepathy seemed to have been affected by the depth of this underground space, or perhaps he was too weak, which was why it had sounded so intermittent.
"You're... a Guardian? But aren't all the Guardians on Oa?" Hal was uncertain and alarmed.
"I am a Guardian, Green Lantern Hal. Unlike my colleagues, I held you in particularly high regard from the moment you took over from Abin Sur."
The Guardian said weakly.
"My name is Ganthet."
Hal frowned slightly with a hint of suspicion. "I thought the Guardians didn't have names."
"Obviously, I do," the Guardian Ganthet said. "Now, can you let me down?"
(end of chapter)
2023-10-23 Author: Rowing Without Oars 233
Apokolips.
"Sir, there's something you might need to know."
"What is it this time?"
The communicating Manhunter appeared again and said, "The Hunter Leader engaged the enemy invader... and was destroyed."
The Machine Hunter Captain pondered for a moment.
"What happened?" he asked. "Was there a security vulnerability in the defense system? Did the enemy possess some bizarre ability, or..."
"That doesn't seem to be the case. We detected high energy data on Biot."
The Manhunter displayed the data for the Captain.
The Captain fell silent for a moment after seeing the string of exaggerated readings, which looked like a data processing error.
"Based on the readings, we speculate that the Hunter Leader fired a star-annihilating energy cannon, but the opponent used an even stronger energy attack to directly counteract the star-annihilating energy, and then took the opportunity to slay the Hunter Leader..."
He didn't continue.
But everyone who heard this, including Desaad, realized just how terrifying the energy must have been to achieve such an effect.
"I need to connect with the Grandmaster." The Machine Hunter Captain once again contacted the Grandmaster, whom they regarded as a deity.
A moment later, it looked up. "The Grandmaster says to withdraw from Biot. In our plan, Biot was never an indispensable part..."
"As I recall, didn't someone just say that anyone who dared to invade your factory would surely die?" Desaad said languidly.
The Machine Hunter Captain's eyes flickered twice, as if it were listening to someone.
Two seconds later, it continued, "The Grandmaster says a single factory... giving it up is not a big deal."
"Don't I recall that your most important Hunter production line is there?" Desaad squinted.
The Machine Hunter Captain pondered briefly again before replying, "The Grandmaster says the production line is a mere material possession..."
"But isn't Biot the homeworld of you Manhunters?" Desaad continued sarcastically.
Your home gets stolen and it's 'not a big deal'? So I suppose your home is also a 'mere material possession,' right?
The red glow in the Machine Hunter Captain's eyes flickered again. This time, however, it listened for a particularly long time. It seemed that the Grandmaster had to struggle for a while before coming up with the next sentence.
"The Grandmaster says there's an old saying on Earth: since ancient times, those who achieve great things... make the Four Seas their home!"
Desaad: "..."
To be able to state one's cowardice in such a fresh and refined way... there was truly no one else like them.
However, this also made Desaad begin to doubt the reliability of these allies.
According to some of his unconfirmed reports, the so-called "Grandmaster" currently leading the Machine Hunter Legion was also suspected to be from Earth. And as for Earth... it wasn't that the New Gods were prejudiced, but most civilizations in the universe probably didn't have a very high opinion of the place.
They seriously doubted whether someone from Earth had the ability to get things done properly.
"So, if there is nothing else, we will take our leave." The Machine Hunter Captain prepared to return.
After all, their Legion had things to be busy with now.
Busy finding a new home.
Biot.
Hal floated in mid-air, speechless for a long while as he looked at the enormous pit blasted before him, a scene filled with shattered debris, ruins, and black smoke.
A moment later, he flew forward and landed beside Orin Vale, who had already shrunk back to his normal size.
"My power ring's readings of the energy you two just unleashed... theoretically, you should have been able to blow the entire planet to smithereens," Hal said with a strange expression. "How did you manage this kind of effect?"
Orin Vale, of course, knew what he was referring to.
The pit from the explosion looked enormous, but it was actually quite restrained compared to the destructive power the two rays should have had.
"It's simple, energy control," Orin Vale said after a moment of thought. "But it's harder to do than it sounds. Where I'm from, this is a key course—controlling the blast radius of compressed light ray techniques. Members who can't suppress the destructive power for precise explosions aren't allowed to leave our homeworld to carry out missions alone."
Orin Vale was actually quite good at this, though he wasn't yet among the best. Back in the Security Patrol, the captain known as "Flame-Head," Lord Zoffy, had an M87 Ray whose power started at a planet-busting level, yet no one had ever seen him blow up Earth with a single shot.
However, Orin Vale felt it was mainly a matter of experience. He didn't lack theoretical knowledge or skill training; it was just that back in the Land of Light, his light ray had never been this powerful. He still lacked practical experience with a light ray that could destroy a planet in one shot, so it was inevitable that he couldn't control it perfectly.
It was a good thing this was Biot, a planet swarming with Manhunters, and not Earth. If he were on Earth, he really might not have dared to fire without 100% certainty, risking blasting through their fragile little planet.
"You guys have training courses?" Hal muttered strangely. "Sounds a bit like the Green Lantern Corps."
"In some ways, I suppose."
Orin Vale didn't plan to continue on this topic.
"We need to go down and see what's there."
"My power ring is detecting something strange, too. It's another unidentifiable energy source, but it seems my ring is reacting to it," Hal frowned.
In the Emotional Spectrum, the Blue Lantern light and Green Lantern light are the two most closely connected, so it was normal for them to sense each other. However, at this point in time, Hal was still a rookie. Among the Seven Lantern Corps, only the Green Lantern Corps was a publicly established Lantern Corps. Barely anyone in the entire universe had even heard of the Blue Lantern Corps, so it was normal that Hal didn't recognize it.
The Blue Lantern energy had come and gone quickly. The temporary charge had already been mostly consumed by Orin Vale. It seemed someone had intentionally released this energy to help him.
Orin Vale wanted to find out who it was, and he also hoped to take this opportunity to come into contact with the Blue Lantern energy source and figure out the principle and application methods of this Light of Hope.
Of all the power systems he had encountered since coming to the DC Universe, this was the energy system with attributes most similar to his own and the best compatibility.
The two of them descended into the underground through the debris cleared by the explosion. They continued downward, following a complex and dilapidated system of pipes deeper and deeper, soon arriving at the area from which the energy source was emanating.
Then, completely unexpectedly, they encountered a person down here.
He had elf-like blue skin, white hair, was less than 1.5 meters tall, and was dressed in a white robe. On his chest was the insignia of the Green Lantern Corps...
"A Guardian!?" Hal exclaimed in shock.
Appearing before them was none other than one of the founders of the Manhunters and the Green Lantern Corps, one of those Guardians of the Universe who had each lived for billions of years and claimed to be immortal.
At this moment, this Guardian was as limp as a dried, salted fish on a beach. His arms were spread out, hung limply in mid-air by iron chains. His expression was listless, and his aged face was etched with exhaustion.
He struggled to lift his head as the two entered and managed to force a smile.
"Finally."
His mouth didn't move, but a voice rang out in both of their minds.
Telepathy.
And Orin Vale quickly recognized this was the person who had spoken to him during the battle. It was just that his telepathy seemed to have been affected by the depth of this underground space, or perhaps he was too weak, which was why it had sounded so intermittent.
"You're... a Guardian? But aren't all the Guardians on Oa?" Hal was uncertain and alarmed.
"I am a Guardian, Green Lantern Hal. Unlike my colleagues, I held you in particularly high regard from the moment you took over from Abin Sur."
The Guardian said weakly.
"My name is Ganthet."
Hal frowned slightly with a hint of suspicion. "I thought the Guardians didn't have names."
"Obviously, I do," the Guardian Ganthet said. "Now, can you let me down?"
(end of chapter)
