[center][h2][color=green][b]G R E E N L A N T E R N[/b][/color][/h2][/center] [color=#ED1414]"Got it! Everyone! Gather behind me!"[/color] As what Peacekeepers remained got to work freeing the civilians, Aken shifted his shield's focus to the front line, covering his allies and the civilians from any stray gunfire while they beat a hasty retreat. Aken kept his shield up as the prisoners headed for the elevator shaft. While the Peacekeepers covered his back, he loaded the prisoners onto a rudimentary elevator that fit into the shaft. Aken flew into the elevator shaft, closed the bright green doors made of light and brought the entire thing up and out of the lab. The rest of the mission was a blur. After the prisoners had been brought to safety, he'd gone back down to help the other Peacekeepers clean up. Rounded up escaping soldiers and sent them off to Peacekeeper trucks to be carted off to some prison to be processed. Watched as Perseus brought in their super villain targets. Dismantled the operation as best as he could and contained a few stray explosions from chemical spills and electrical fires. Once that was done, he followed the rest of the Leaguers into space and to the Tower for the debriefing. -- The Green Lanterns had appeared in force at the funeral of Wesley Dodds. The Sandman had been an ally of Alan Scott, and both his son and grandson had fought with the other Earth-based Lanterns on numerous occasions. It was only right that they stood vigil for him now in Valhalla. Besides Alan Scott and Hal Jordan, John Stewart, Guy Gardner, Kyle Rayner, Simon Baz, and Jessica Cruz were all present. And of course, Kai-Ro and Aken Sur. Not all of them were active in the Corps any longer, not all even had rings any more. But once a Lantern, always a Lantern. And the Corps remembered their friends. As the coffin was lowered into the ground they all bowed their heads and recited a soldier's prayer for Wesley, one that stretched back to the beginning of the Corps. They stood silently until the ceremony was finally complete. -- On the Watchtower, Kai-Ro led Aken Sur away from all the others as they returned via zeta beam. The young monk gripped Aken's shoulder and said, "I sense you are troubled. These recent events weigh heavily on your mind Aken. Please, do not keep your troubles bottled within. We are brothers-in-arms and I would hear your concerns voiced." Aken's lips were drawn in a tight, thin line. He was troubled indeed, not just by the death of one of Earth's oldest heroes, but by what he'd seen in that lab. As Kai-Ro led him away, he sighed and shook his head. [color=#ED1414]"It's...these people do not deserve to be treated like laboratory animals. What I saw in that facility..."[/color] Kai-Ro nodded gravely, "I saw the footage. It is a terrible atrocity what the Legion has done and will continue to do. This is the result of avarice and greed unchecked Aken. Pure corruption. But this is exactly what we as Lanterns and as members of the Justice League, have doubly vowed to fight." Kai-Ro was roughly the same age as Aken Sur, but the wisdom in his eyes made him seem far older. He had trained as a monk in Nanda Parbat since birth, and had honed his mind and his body with martial arts and meditative discipline. When his home had been attacked by the League of Shadows during his youth, his resolve and strength of will had attracted the attention of a Green Lantern Ring and he had fought for Justice ever since, standing shoulder to shoulder with Superman and the other mighty heroes. That same resolve manifested itself now as Kai-Ro spoke. "We will see many more horrible things. But we must not let this horror sap our will. Instead, let it galvanize us. Give us the strength to keep protecting the innocent and to do everything in our power to stop the Legion. We shall pierce this darkness, as long as we are willing to stand for the light." Kai-Ro closed his eyes for a moment, "I saw many friends twisted by the League of Shadows into monsters for their army. I will not let this happen to more innocents. Stand strong Aken, for the people. And stand strong for your comrades and friends, who are beside you always." Aken nodded and tried to compose himself. He took a few deep, slow breaths and calmed himself, just like Kai-Ro had taught him, his fists clenching and unclenching slowly. [color=#ED1414]"Yes, Kai-Ro. I understand. But...where else will we fight? I cannot just stand by and allow these...atrocities to happen."[/color] Kai-Ro was silent for a moment, leaned in and said softly, "I've heard it said that command is forming a special strike force. Veterans and experienced fighters forming covert teams to strike the Legion and dismantle their operations. They're taking a more proactive stance now that it seems the Legion is building an army. I've heard it said Perseus was going to be one of the coordinators of this strike force. I will be too busy with normal duties. But perhaps you would like to join this enterprise?" "I must warn you friend, that you are likely to encounter more such atrocities if you do join. The teams will delve into darkness, and must be prepared for all that entails." [color=#ED1414]"Then...if the Light itself wills it, I will go. But... I will need a while to meditate on what I've seen."[/color] Aken walked along the Tower hallway next to his friend, deep in thought. Taking up the mantle of his grandfather wasn't as easy as he'd first thought, even though he'd proven himself to the Light and those who wielded the Rings in their honor. It felt as if the shoes he'd chosen were so vast, he'd spend his entire life trying to fill them. [color=#ED1414]"Kai-Ro...you have been a Lantern for longer than I have. How do you cope with all of this madness?"[/color] Kai-Ro replied, "I have. The elders at the monastery spoke of tranquility, detachment. Some truly mastered this art. But I have not. I feel sorrow and regret for every life lost in this endless battle of light and dark. Meditation and peace provide much, but for me they only went so far." At this, the other Lantern smiled at Aken, "Inner will alone can be limited. It has been the friends I've made along the way, those who are as family to me now, that have allowed me to keep fighting. Along with the knowledge that though this is an endless fight, it is a worthwhile one. For every child who can grow without fear. For every innocent spared suffering. For every ember of goodness spread into the world. We have a purpose Aken. A calling. And that certainty has been an immense help to me." [color=#ED1414]"I... I suppose that is correct too, Kai-Ro. I am just...not used to all of this."[/color] Aken returned the smile and shook his head. [color=#ED1414]"It is... So much has been going on. After I gained my ring, I felt like I had to retake my grandfather's mantle so quickly and learn so much in such a little time. I'm thankful that you were there to tutor me though. To give me a direction."[/color] Kai-Ro clasped Aken's shoulder, "I remember when I was in a similar situation. Barely more than a child. Thrust into a role of defense of not just my home but of the world. If it wasn't for my mentors in the Justice League, I wouldn't have succeeded. And I am honored to help light your path. For I see great potential in you Aken, if you have the will to keep walking this path. And I will be beside you always." "Do you wish to meditate together friend, or would you rather be alone?" [color=#ED1414]"I suppose... We can meditate together."[/color] Kai-Ro smiled warmly, "Come. The world is troubled. But perhaps we can find a measure of peace, if only for just a moment. It is in such moments that the spirit is rejuvenated. And the will to fight is tempered even further." The monk led his friend to the meditation chamber and crossed into a lotus position as he floated in the air with the help of his ring. Together they faced the blue visage of Earth. Even though violence and discord blighted parts of the world, it was reassuring to see that for the most part, absolutely nothing was happening.