Libra's balance-shaped antennae are broken.
Antennae? Arrows are like antennae. A bit. With the Hawks' knowledge of science, Vina tries to devise an antenna quick. And I do mean quick. Regardless of how that works out, she also uses her superspeed to wake up her porcine comrade.
The devising doesn't go well. Apparently, although the Hawks' science can encode individual atoms so that each molecule is its own circuit module, Libra's technology encodes individual neutrons so each atomic nucleus is ITS own circuit module! Which is, uh, a billion times more complex than atomic-level circuits.
Vina doesn't have the tools to make the tools to invent the tools to adjust Libra's stuff. And her knowledge of alien science says there's no way Libra came up with this on his own. The New Gods are the only ones who can do nucleonic-level engineering, as far as Thanagar knows.
On the other hand, awakening Pig Lantern turns out to be easy. His ring prevented him from sustaining any serious harm.
Green rays flare outward, burning letters in the wall.
IS ANYONE WATCHING LIBRA? they say.
Apart from Sinestro, who's just about ready to begin the slicing and dicing, no, no one is watching Libra.
The Tattooed Man stirs. Because things weren't complicated enough.
At really quick speed, Lady Hawk slaps cuffs on the tattooed man and Libra, hopefully before the slicing and dicing get going.
ReplyDeleteSinestro frowns.
ReplyDelete"Do not seek to stand between Sinestro and his enemy, Ladyhawk. For who stands between Sinestro and his enemy ... has chosen that enemy's side."
Pig Lantern forms a huge green mallet over Sinestro's head.
"Don't force me to render you into more easily fryable chops, Swine Lantern!" says Sinestro. "Surely your bald little masters told you your ring cannot affect yellow ... whereas they who made MY ring put in no corresponding weakness to green."
Sinestro has done enough villain speeches that the Substitute Leaguers outside clearly hear every word.
Vina (Lady Hawk) realizes she doesn't have any armor at all--only what she got from the Super line en passant. Whatever that amounts to. Possibly nothing.
ReplyDeleteShe's still standing in front of Libra.
"It's my job to take him in, Sinestro. I'm new at this, but I'm pretty sure capital punishment isn't part of the Hawks' plan. Well, not directly, anyway.
"Besides," she says cheerfully, "it will make a better ballad this way. The Great Lord of the Golden Circlet not slaying a helpless.." she looks him over. He's still helpless, right? "...prisoner."
"Helpless ... " muses Sinestro, the yellow swords lighting his sinister face from below. "I should never have allowed so long a pause between his defeat and his demise! But now, it will be as you say, that Sinestro destroyed a powerless wretch, appearing that he feared Libra enough to strike the final blow even after his defeat! Ah, villainy, that the legend of Sinestro should be stricken with such a blemish! It must not be -- it CANNOT be! And so Sinestro declares - - IT SHALL NOT BE!"
ReplyDeleteHe switches his swords into mind-cuffs of yellow force, which he zaps onto Libra's temples.
"There. My force-cuffs are an exact copy of your Thanagarian restraint crown. They will vanish after 24 hours, so be quick about bringing him to justice. Oh, and as a former law enforcer myself, I suggest ... NOT confining him in the Ghost Zone."
Sinestro turns away with a "bah!" gesture of his hand, sweeping the ceiling. The Tattooed Man writhes in his cuffs and seems about to say something, but Sinestro silences him with a glare.
"I am filled with wrath enough," he says, "to power Atrocitus' red ring just enough to remove it. ALthough that will cause him to die ... and again, IT MUST NOT BE!"
Sinestro considers letting Atrocitus wake up so he can slay him.
Pig Lantern squeals.
Lady Hawk raises an eyebrow. It's more effective with the pointed ears--and a pretty good impression of an ageless elf who's kind of judgey. She shakes her head. "Rather more of the same, wouldn't you say?"
ReplyDelete