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Chapter 206: Boom Tube Signal
2023-10-23 Author: Rowing Without Oars 233
"I don't know how to thank you."
Back on Odym, Saint Walker brought it up for what felt like the umpteenth time.
"You saved our planet, our world, from a seemingly hopeless situation. I... I don't know what to say..."
"Then you don't have to say anything."
Orin Vale smiled and patted his shoulder.
"Be true to yourself, stay on your path. That's the best way."
This wasn't just a polite formality. Saint Walker was the purest of Blue Lanterns, dedicating his entire life to saving others and spreading hope. As long as he remained so and led the entire Blue Lantern Corps in upholding this philosophy, the stronger the Light of Hope became, the more Orin Vale would directly benefit.
If one day, everyone in the universe truly turned their hearts to the light and were filled with hope, he felt he could probably become a god.
"I understand. I will remember. Astonia will also remember the day you brought hope back to us..."
"It wasn't I who brought hope, but all of you, especially you, Saint Walker," Orin Vale said. "You've studied with Master Ganthet for so long, you should already understand how the Emotional Spectrum works. What saved your planet was the power of the Blue Lantern I just mastered—the Light of Hope. If not for the legacy passed down by people like you who never give up hope, this light would have withered away from the Emotional Spectrum eons ago."
"Yes, I understand... Hope is not the great power of a single person, but the unwavering belief of countless people across generations. The light in our hearts is the reason for its strength."
Saint Walker closed his eyes and smiled as well.
"Yes, I can feel it now too. This warmth, this radiance... this is my light."
Opening his eyes again, a blue light shone within them, reflecting the mark of the power ring.
A blue radiance shot out from the depths of Odym, cutting through the jungle and shrubs, flitting past rocks and mountains, locking onto its target without any hesitation.
"Intelligent being locked on."
"Saint Walker of Astonia, you have the ability to instill great hope."
The power ring flew over and slid onto Saint Walker's finger automatically.
A holy blue brilliance blossomed, its light enveloping his entire body and forming the image of a deep blue uniform. The emblem of the Lantern appeared on his chest, and a gentle blue radiance wrapped around him like a protective shield.
"Welcome to the Blue Lantern Corps!"
Blue light spilled from Saint Walker's eyes. He looked at the power ring on his hand, his joy overflowing.
Ganthet and Sayd soon followed the trail and flew over.
"The official version of the power ring is finally complete?" Orin Vale looked at Ganthet.
Ganthet smiled. "Yes, friend of the Light. And it's also thanks to your help."
"Your learning speed is astonishing. Your perspective and way of thinking have also greatly inspired us," Sayd added.
Orin Vale chuckled. "I don't understand the Emotional Spectrum very well. But when it comes to light and hope, believe me, the time I've spent researching them on my end might not be any less than yours."
Enveloped in a blue glow, Saint Walker flew nimbly into the air, ascending and descending at supersonic speed. He did several spins before suppressing his joy and landing again.
Anyone would find it hard to suppress their excitement upon first gaining the ability to conquer the skies, and Saint Walker was no exception.
Upon landing again, he held up his power ring and said sincerely to Orin Vale, "I will never forget what you told me today. I will definitely pass on this light, go to more galaxies, and give more people hope."
Then he turned to Ganthet and Sayd. "Of course, that includes you, Master Ganthet and Master Sayd."
"Congratulations on becoming the first member of the Blue Lantern Corps. You've earned this yourself," Ganthet said, glancing at Orin Vale. "I know you wouldn't be willing to become a member of a Lantern Corps."
"I have no intention of getting involved in the wars between the Lantern Corps and their complicated affairs," Orin Vale chuckled. "But I'll come back to visit when I have time."
"You're... leaving?" Saint Walker was a little reluctant to see him go.
"Yeah, it's about time. I've been here for quite a while, and I still have a lot to do back where I'm from."
"You said you're from Earth?"
"Yes."
Strictly speaking, Orin Vale wasn't an Earthling, of course, but they were all tacitly aware of this and no one brought it up.
"Alright, then there's something you might want to know."
Ganthet and Sayd glanced at each other, and Ganthet spoke.
"You know, ever since... I encountered the Manhunters, I've been investigating that incident. About who modified the Manhunters, who the 'Grandmaster' behind the scenes is, and what their purpose is. I did some tracking, and the clues just so happened to lead to..."
"Earth."
Orin Vale wasn't surprised, merely stating calmly. "Traces of the Manhunters have already appeared on Earth. I only found you by following the clues."
"I figured you already knew. But recently, I deployed observers to Sector 2814 to search for traces of the Manhunters. I didn't find any Manhunters, but I unexpectedly discovered some other signals."
He turned his palm over, and the energy of a Guardian was released, transforming into a virtual image. Orin Vale could tell the background seemed to be in the Solar System, not too far from Earth. An eerie vortex was spinning open in the vacuum of space.
"What's that?" Orin Vale asked.
"My observers reported a signal with the characteristics of a Boom Tube," Ganthet said in a low voice. "We believe that's a Boom Tube."
Orin Vale's gaze grew solemn.
A Boom Tube. Any civilization in the entire DC Universe would be terrified upon seeing one of those.
It's a portal typically created by a piece of advanced interstellar technology known as a Mother Box. The portal's size could vary; small ones can accommodate a single person, while large ones can directly teleport an entire interstellar fleet.
And this technology is generally exclusive to the New Gods.
The most well-known user is the king of Apokolips, Darkseid, the most violent and terrifying New God, a destroyer of civilizations. Wherever he goes, only bones and ruins remain, plunging sentient life into misery and death.
And if a Boom Tube were to appear near Earth...
Orin Vale pondered for a moment, then asked, "When did this happen?"
"A few days ago. There's a delay in the data feedback from the observers," Ganthet explained. "We're very far from Sector 2814 here."
"Then I must go back."
Orin Vale had planned to stay for another day or two, but the appearance of the Boom Tube gave him a sense of urgency. He had long known it was only a matter of time before the Earth of the DC World was targeted by Apokolips; it was one of the Justice League's most terrifying enemies.
In worlds like the main universe, the Justice League could sometimes successfully repel Darkseid. But in most other parallel dimensions, they failed. Throughout his long career of conquest, Darkseid had faced the Justice League countless times, and he won far more often than he lost. The Earth of most dimensions ended up as fodder for Apokolips.
Orin Vale needed to ensure the world he was in wouldn't suffer the same fate.
And just as he was preparing to depart.
"An object has breached the atmosphere," Saint Walker's Blue Lantern ring alerted him. "It's moving at extremely high speed."
The few of them looked up in unison.
His super-vision pierced through the mountain peaks and clouds, and Orin Vale instantly locked onto the green afterimage that had broken through the atmosphere and was now diving down menacingly.
Hal Jordan landed with a deafening boom, kicking up a massive wave of dust. He flew through the smoke screen to appear before Ganthet and asked with a hostile expression.
"What else have you Little Blue Men been hiding from me?" he demanded. "And what the hell is Parallax!?"
(end of chapter)
2023-10-23 Author: Rowing Without Oars 233
"I don't know how to thank you."
Back on Odym, Saint Walker brought it up for what felt like the umpteenth time.
"You saved our planet, our world, from a seemingly hopeless situation. I... I don't know what to say..."
"Then you don't have to say anything."
Orin Vale smiled and patted his shoulder.
"Be true to yourself, stay on your path. That's the best way."
This wasn't just a polite formality. Saint Walker was the purest of Blue Lanterns, dedicating his entire life to saving others and spreading hope. As long as he remained so and led the entire Blue Lantern Corps in upholding this philosophy, the stronger the Light of Hope became, the more Orin Vale would directly benefit.
If one day, everyone in the universe truly turned their hearts to the light and were filled with hope, he felt he could probably become a god.
"I understand. I will remember. Astonia will also remember the day you brought hope back to us..."
"It wasn't I who brought hope, but all of you, especially you, Saint Walker," Orin Vale said. "You've studied with Master Ganthet for so long, you should already understand how the Emotional Spectrum works. What saved your planet was the power of the Blue Lantern I just mastered—the Light of Hope. If not for the legacy passed down by people like you who never give up hope, this light would have withered away from the Emotional Spectrum eons ago."
"Yes, I understand... Hope is not the great power of a single person, but the unwavering belief of countless people across generations. The light in our hearts is the reason for its strength."
Saint Walker closed his eyes and smiled as well.
"Yes, I can feel it now too. This warmth, this radiance... this is my light."
Opening his eyes again, a blue light shone within them, reflecting the mark of the power ring.
A blue radiance shot out from the depths of Odym, cutting through the jungle and shrubs, flitting past rocks and mountains, locking onto its target without any hesitation.
"Intelligent being locked on."
"Saint Walker of Astonia, you have the ability to instill great hope."
The power ring flew over and slid onto Saint Walker's finger automatically.
A holy blue brilliance blossomed, its light enveloping his entire body and forming the image of a deep blue uniform. The emblem of the Lantern appeared on his chest, and a gentle blue radiance wrapped around him like a protective shield.
"Welcome to the Blue Lantern Corps!"
Blue light spilled from Saint Walker's eyes. He looked at the power ring on his hand, his joy overflowing.
Ganthet and Sayd soon followed the trail and flew over.
"The official version of the power ring is finally complete?" Orin Vale looked at Ganthet.
Ganthet smiled. "Yes, friend of the Light. And it's also thanks to your help."
"Your learning speed is astonishing. Your perspective and way of thinking have also greatly inspired us," Sayd added.
Orin Vale chuckled. "I don't understand the Emotional Spectrum very well. But when it comes to light and hope, believe me, the time I've spent researching them on my end might not be any less than yours."
Enveloped in a blue glow, Saint Walker flew nimbly into the air, ascending and descending at supersonic speed. He did several spins before suppressing his joy and landing again.
Anyone would find it hard to suppress their excitement upon first gaining the ability to conquer the skies, and Saint Walker was no exception.
Upon landing again, he held up his power ring and said sincerely to Orin Vale, "I will never forget what you told me today. I will definitely pass on this light, go to more galaxies, and give more people hope."
Then he turned to Ganthet and Sayd. "Of course, that includes you, Master Ganthet and Master Sayd."
"Congratulations on becoming the first member of the Blue Lantern Corps. You've earned this yourself," Ganthet said, glancing at Orin Vale. "I know you wouldn't be willing to become a member of a Lantern Corps."
"I have no intention of getting involved in the wars between the Lantern Corps and their complicated affairs," Orin Vale chuckled. "But I'll come back to visit when I have time."
"You're... leaving?" Saint Walker was a little reluctant to see him go.
"Yeah, it's about time. I've been here for quite a while, and I still have a lot to do back where I'm from."
"You said you're from Earth?"
"Yes."
Strictly speaking, Orin Vale wasn't an Earthling, of course, but they were all tacitly aware of this and no one brought it up.
"Alright, then there's something you might want to know."
Ganthet and Sayd glanced at each other, and Ganthet spoke.
"You know, ever since... I encountered the Manhunters, I've been investigating that incident. About who modified the Manhunters, who the 'Grandmaster' behind the scenes is, and what their purpose is. I did some tracking, and the clues just so happened to lead to..."
"Earth."
Orin Vale wasn't surprised, merely stating calmly. "Traces of the Manhunters have already appeared on Earth. I only found you by following the clues."
"I figured you already knew. But recently, I deployed observers to Sector 2814 to search for traces of the Manhunters. I didn't find any Manhunters, but I unexpectedly discovered some other signals."
He turned his palm over, and the energy of a Guardian was released, transforming into a virtual image. Orin Vale could tell the background seemed to be in the Solar System, not too far from Earth. An eerie vortex was spinning open in the vacuum of space.
"What's that?" Orin Vale asked.
"My observers reported a signal with the characteristics of a Boom Tube," Ganthet said in a low voice. "We believe that's a Boom Tube."
Orin Vale's gaze grew solemn.
A Boom Tube. Any civilization in the entire DC Universe would be terrified upon seeing one of those.
It's a portal typically created by a piece of advanced interstellar technology known as a Mother Box. The portal's size could vary; small ones can accommodate a single person, while large ones can directly teleport an entire interstellar fleet.
And this technology is generally exclusive to the New Gods.
The most well-known user is the king of Apokolips, Darkseid, the most violent and terrifying New God, a destroyer of civilizations. Wherever he goes, only bones and ruins remain, plunging sentient life into misery and death.
And if a Boom Tube were to appear near Earth...
Orin Vale pondered for a moment, then asked, "When did this happen?"
"A few days ago. There's a delay in the data feedback from the observers," Ganthet explained. "We're very far from Sector 2814 here."
"Then I must go back."
Orin Vale had planned to stay for another day or two, but the appearance of the Boom Tube gave him a sense of urgency. He had long known it was only a matter of time before the Earth of the DC World was targeted by Apokolips; it was one of the Justice League's most terrifying enemies.
In worlds like the main universe, the Justice League could sometimes successfully repel Darkseid. But in most other parallel dimensions, they failed. Throughout his long career of conquest, Darkseid had faced the Justice League countless times, and he won far more often than he lost. The Earth of most dimensions ended up as fodder for Apokolips.
Orin Vale needed to ensure the world he was in wouldn't suffer the same fate.
And just as he was preparing to depart.
"An object has breached the atmosphere," Saint Walker's Blue Lantern ring alerted him. "It's moving at extremely high speed."
The few of them looked up in unison.
His super-vision pierced through the mountain peaks and clouds, and Orin Vale instantly locked onto the green afterimage that had broken through the atmosphere and was now diving down menacingly.
Hal Jordan landed with a deafening boom, kicking up a massive wave of dust. He flew through the smoke screen to appear before Ganthet and asked with a hostile expression.
"What else have you Little Blue Men been hiding from me?" he demanded. "And what the hell is Parallax!?"
(end of chapter)
