Chapter 195: Sinestro's Resolve
Disowned
The Green Lantern Corps soldiers did not approve of Sinestro's actions, yet no one stood up to object. After all, he was the Corps Commander, a great warrior with a brilliant record.
Soon, the Guardians' command was transmitted to the central system of the starship: Sinestro was relieved of all duties and stripped of his status as a Green Lantern.
This decision meant Sinestro was no longer under the protection of the starship, leaving him only two options: one, enter the brig to await judgment; or two, leave alone.
He chose the latter without hesitation.
The Vice President's New Problem
In Washington D.C., inside the Vice Presidential Residence.
Dick Cheney was discussing with his close aides how to handle the alien attack on the A.R.G.U.S. base. The crucial point of the case was not the "escaped" alien but the attitude of the Department of Defense.
The Fourth Mechanized Infantry Division was the pride of the U.S. Army—the Army's ace. Now that it had been annihilated because of A.R.G.U.S., many powerful generals were deeply unhappy with Dick Cheney, believing he was the cause of the tragedy.
This was the most lethal threat.
As a shrewd politician, Dick Cheney clearly understood his advantage. The main reason he dared to ride roughshod over the President was his position as the military's spokesman. With the support of the armed forces, he could act with impunity. If the Department of Defense chose another partner, all his power and status would instantly vanish.
For the sake of his political career and a happy, comfortable late life, Dick Cheney had to find a way to repair the rift with the military and prevent anyone else from taking advantage of the vacuum.
As for the alien... he hadn't given it a second thought.
Mending a broken relationship is easier said than done.
Dick Cheney and his aides pondered for most of the day but found no suitable method. The office was thick with smoke, and everyone was burdened with worry. Just then, the ceiling exploded, and a beam of green light descended.
The light flickered, coalescing into a red-skinned humanoid, the very alien that had attacked the underground base.
The faces of everyone in the room changed drastically. They quickly drew their weapons. In the next second, countless green chains shot out from the floor, wrapping around their bodies and pinning them motionlessly to the ground.
The imposing Sinestro approached Dick Cheney, staring at him coldly.
"Dick Cheney?"
Dick Cheney gritted his teeth, shouting, "I warn you, this is the Vice President's official residence! Your actions are not just breaking and entering; they concern national security! I advise you to leave immediately, or you will be provoking the entire United States!"
"I see. You are Dick Cheney."
Sinestro grabbed him by the collar and shot out the window, disappearing like a stream of light.
The news that the Vice President had been kidnapped by an alien quickly reached the White House office. The secretly ecstatic Joel Nash ordered the FBI and CIA to launch a full-scale search while commanding Jason Lowe to open champagne, staging a spirited two-person party in the office. However, before the celebration was complete, the police department delivered "good" news:
Dick Cheney had been found in a nearby patch of woods. He was physically unharmed, but his face was deathly white—chillingly so.
Hal's Second Chance
"Luke Shaw!"
This was the name Sinestro extracted from the Vice President. The meteorite that killed Hector was closely related to Luke Shaw. This meant that the person named Luke Shaw was likely the first human on Earth to encounter Parallax.
That name sounds familiar?
The person who stole Hal's Lantern Ring was also named Luke Shaw!
Sinestro stroked his chin in thought for a moment, then flew to Coast City and located Hal Jordan, who was wandering the streets. He did not approach but remained invisible, following him from a distance.
The trial had dealt him a massive blow, leaving him demoralized and full of negative emotions. Sinestro disliked this but could not refute the Guardians' reasoning. They were not wrong; the slaughter he committed was not driven by will, but by anger and hatred.
It was anger and hatred that had driven him to slaughter sentient beings of a lesser civilization, an act strictly forbidden by the Green Lantern Corps.
Because of this "massacre," his great and brilliant Lantern career might be drawing to a close.
Therefore, before leaving, he wanted to observe the successor chosen by his closest friend and see if this Earthling, Hal Jordan, was worthy of inheriting Abin Sur's great qualities.
Hal was unaware of the eyes silently watching him. Recently discharged from the hospital, he planned to find a restaurant and get something to eat.
They say you only appreciate something once it's gone. When he first got the Ring, Hal hadn't viewed being a Green Lantern as a great responsibility. He simply thought it was cool, fun, and impressive. The power the Ring gave him created the illusion that his luck had changed, which led to the ensuing tragedies.
Many times, he thought that if he hadn't caused trouble at the Heir Gang headquarters, the outcome might have been different.
That bastard Luke Shaw, though annoying, was a man who played by the rules. If you didn't provoke him, he generally couldn't be bothered with you.
Unfortunately, there is no magic remedy for regret, and no 'what if' option in life. Three fingers, the Green Lantern Ring, and his dream of being a pilot—that was the price he paid for his impulsiveness.
Was it tragic?
It certainly was. Thankfully, he was alive, and Tom hadn't been implicated because of it.
After days of recuperation, Hal had recovered from the despair of losing everything and was beginning to contemplate the future.
What could he do without the Lantern Ring and missing fingers?
Aircraft mechanic?
A good choice. With his skills and mind, he could definitely become the best airplane mechanic. But why did a feeling of deep dissatisfaction linger in his heart?
There was once a great career placed before me, but I didn't cherish it. Only when I lost it did I regret it deeply. The most painful thing in the world is this. If the heavens gave me one more chance, I would definitely tell Luke Shaw...
"Help!"
"Waaah! Save me, boo-hoo!!"
A sudden cry for help interrupted Hal's thoughts. He looked up to see a young girl being dragged into a van by two burly men at the intersection ahead.
"Stop! Let her go!"
Without thinking, Hal rushed forward. One of the thugs pulled out a pistol and fired in his direction. Hal quickly rolled into a nearby baby goods store, the bullet sparking off the ground near him.
Hal pulled out the Browning pistol he carried with him and aimed for the van's tires.
Bang! Bang!
Two shots, and the tires immediately deflated.
One of the thugs shouted, "Shit!" threw the girl to his partner, pulled a submachine gun from the van, and began wildly spraying bullets as he walked.
A torrent of bullets shattered large sections of the store's plate-glass windows. The female cashier, unaware of the situation outside, was struck in the abdomen and collapsed in a pool of blood.
"Bastard!"
Hal cursed, disregarding the danger. He quickly dashed into the store, dragged the wounded cashier to safety, and gave her a basic field dressing using the medical skills he learned in the military.
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