Hal felt sowhat restless. Although he planned to abandon the Green Lantern identity, the recent events filled his mind with a sense of futile frustration.
What had he recently done?
It seed like a lot—collaborating with Shiller to complete his plan, clashing with Gotham's citizens, taking over the duties as deputy at the Green Lantern Corps' headquarters, only to quit in less than a day.
All these actions had left him exhausted, but none of them resulted in any accomplishnts. After running around in circles, he was back to being an ordinary person.
Must power and justice coexist? Which is the right path—pursuing power or pursuing justice? Must one forsake absolute justice on the path toward power? Justice without power is but empty talk, power without justice is tyranny...
As Hal contemplated these questions, he gradually made his way back. When he removed the Green Lantern Ring, he hadn't even thought about how he would get ho. Soon, his thoughts were encumbered by another issue.
As he was about to return to his previous quarters along the corridor, a team stopped him. The leader, an older-looking Green Lantern, said, "I apologize, but the deputy corps commander wants to see you."
"The deputy corps commander?" Hal asked, puzzled.
"Yes, he had been patrolling a nearby sector and just returned today. He heard about your heroic deeds and wanted to et you."
"Sorry, but I'm no longer a Green Lantern. Please let leave." Hal tried to pass through the group, but the leading Green Lantern extended his arm, blocking his path.
Hal glared at him, but the leading Green Lantern was unmoved. Hal averted his gaze and said, "Lead the way."
If anyone who knew Hal was around, they would see that his mouth had set into a straight line, a sign that he was losing patience.
They crossed the bridge, took the elevator, and as they ascended, Hal saw peace in Oa Star City. Everyone was doing their job. The Green Lanterns were interspersed among uniquely shaped buildings, their laughter and chatter filling the air as if nothing had happened the day before.
Once again in the hallway, they reached the office door. The leading Green Lantern knocked, and Hal walked in.
The man standing opposite him was completely unlike Tylenol in deanor and appearance. He looked gentlemanly with his gray complexion, and apart from his eye-protecting goggles, his body and facial features were exactly like a human's.
"Hello, my na is Owen," the deputy said, but Hal's patience was wearing thin. "Hello, I'm Hal. You've t , can I leave now?"
"Why would you want to leave, Hal?" Although Owen phrased it as a question, his tone contained less doubt and more rebuke.
"You have just achieved a glorious victory and been hailed a hero by all the Green Lanterns. You've led us back from the edge of the abyss. Why would you want to leave at this ti of celebration?"
"Victory?" Hal asked, "Do you think that was a victory?"
"And why not? You saved everyone, you're the new hero of the Green Lantern Corps, perhaps even the greatest Green Lantern in history. Doesn't that count as a victory?"
Saying so, Owen put his arm around Hal, "True, there were a few minor flaws during the process, but without a doubt, this will be the brightest victory in your career."
As he walked with Hal, he picked up so docunts from a nearby desk, "I have received orders, and in two weeks, a dal will be awarded to you. You'll receive the Light Emblem of the Green Lantern Corps, and you will be elected the Best Green Lantern Warrior of the year, leading the parade at next year's ceremony."
Owen raised his hand, describing to Hal, "Can you comprehend this honor? Every Green Lantern on this planet dreams of it. It represents the most glorious day in their careers."
"Applause, cheers, praise. You'll be the hero everyone talks about, leaving your heroic deeds forever in the annals of history..."
Hal smirked, "Does every great Green Lantern in history get this treatnt?"
The smile faded from Owen's face. He lowered his arm, released Hal, walked in front of him, and looked him in the eye. "It seems your civilization is a tad too smart, which reminds you of sothing from your hotown, doesn't it?"
"In that case, I won't beat around the bush anymore."
Owen adjusted his goggles and began pacing the room, "Sinestro, once the greatest Green Lantern, betrayed the Green Lantern Corps. This is a heinous incident that hasn't happened for millions of years."
"The betrayal of the Corps commander cast us as a joke in the cosmos sunk our reputation. Even weak civilizations in the remote sectors no longer welco us as they once did."
"We need a hero, a great and bright hero, to lead the Green Lantern Corps out of this predicant!"
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