Tomar-Re

Approaching the planet in the distance, Tomar-Re looked to the Green Lanterns at his side. New recruits, hardly the type he would have thought the Guardians wanting to send on this mission, nor the type he wanted to bring either. However, the Guardians had spoken, Tomar-Re would serve and even though it made little sense, he gathered his best recruits and departed.

A new empire had formed, proudly proclaiming itself to be the New Kryptonian Empire, led by a figure calling themselves Tah-Rao. Tomar-Re despite having been tasked with defending Sector 2813 and therefore, interacting a great deal with the Kryptonians, he had no knowledge of anyone called Tah-Rao.

The closest was the adopted son of General Dru-Zod, Tah-Zod but he had been executed for treason alongside his adopted father. However, it mattered little as in the space of a few months, this Kryptonian had managed to bring the Viltrumites and their empire to heel along with the Vrangs. An impressive feat, especially the defeating of the Viltrumites and in most cases, would have only warranted a diplomatic visit. one that explained the rules and laws put in place by the Guardians.

Yet for some reason, Tyran'r the Mighty had made an appearance in the universe once more and battled against Tah-Rao and was killed. That warranted a very different response from the Guardians the Green Lantern Corps as a whole.

It had only been because of his past with the Kryptonians and his failure to save their planet that he had been able to spare the life of this Kryptonian. However, it had not been easy for Tomar-Re to convince Thaal Sinestro of such a thing, the man had wanted Tah-Rao to be made an example of. But his past as a member of the Honour Guard and his excellent years of service had been enough for Tomar-Re to persuade the decision in his favour.

"Be on high alert," Tomar-Re told the recruits, breaking through the planet's atmosphere. "We do not know how Tah-Rao defeated Tyran'r the Mighty, but he managed it all the same. We are here for diplomatic reasons only, so allow me to do the speaking. You should instead focus on your surroundings, if this meeting goes sour, we must be prepared to come up against something or someone that could defeat Tyran'r the Mighty."

There was not a Green Lantern that didn't know of that name or the accomplishments of the original seven Green Lanterns. They held a status almost on par with the Guardians themselves and in some cases, higher. Their names alone were a source of pride for the Corps and were something that was continually taught to new recruits at some point in their training.

Tomar-Re had never personally met Tyran'r the Mighty, but much like the recruits with him and many others in the Corps, he had heard whispers of Tyran'rs' power. Whether it was exaggerated or not, he was nonetheless held in high regard all the same, even by the Guardians. That was all the answer one needed to know that he was strong. Yet somehow, he had been killed by Tah-Rao or someone within his empire. However, he was defeated, it stood to reason that it would also be here today as well.

"Tomar-Re, there." One of the recruits pointed out, the small group looking upon the floating figures that surrounded what looked to be a crater. Right in the centre of it was a seating arrangement of some kind.

As they flew closer, Tomar-Re and the recruit were alerted by the rings of the floating figures surrounding this crater to be Viltrumities. And down in the centre, was another Viltrumite, but with him was a Kronan and a Kryptonian. Tomar-Re felt it instantly though, ignoring the information of his ring as he grew closer.

He felt like he was entering into the jaws of a powerful beast.

There was just an aura around this place, something emanating from within it that screamed danger. He looked down and knew without a shadow of a doubt, that it was all originating from the man in the centre. The man who reclined against his throne-like chair, one leg draped over the other and cheek resting upon one fist.

So nonchalant and relaxed, yet releasing such pressure that he felt it weighing down upon him. There was power within him, a deep well of it and Tomar-Re was not blind to its presence. Even the recruits, many raw and inexperienced were aware of it in an instant.

They didn't have proof, but they didn't need such a thing.

All knew straight away that the Kryptonian had killed Tyran'r the Mighty.

-X- Line Break -X-

"I must admit, I had thought you would arrive a little later," I muttered, looking upon the Green Lanterns before me, Korg and Nolan at my sides. Dozens of elite Viltrumites handpicked by myself all floating in the air. A perfect little image of strength to unsettle my enemies and give off the image of them being surrounded.

Yet if things did dissolve into blows, they would hardly be of much help. The only people who would be a credible threat to the Green Lanterns was me. Nolan and Korg might stand a chance against one if they worked together, but on their own, I doubted that.

"But I suppose this is a serious matter." I continued, waving my hand. "Let us skip the needless rambling and pleasantries and get to the heart of the matter."

The Green Lantern, one with a fish-like head nodded his head. "Indeed, Tah-Rao, or is it Tah-Zod?" Tomar-Re asked and I shook my head.

"Tah-Zod was simply a name I assumed in service of the Council. One I am no longer fit nor desiring to assume after my actions. Tah-Rao is my name now." I was not surprised to note that Tomar-Re had recognised me. General Zod had many encounters with the Green Lantern of our Sector, as had my father, Lor-Em.

My personal interactions with the Green Lantern were non-existent, always existing as a background in those meetings if I was present at all. Despite the many differences both Dru-Zod and Lor-Em shared, the similarities they shared were eerily alike. Perhaps in a different life, they could have been as close as brothers, working together to save Krypton from its destruction rather than fighting one another for control. But alas we'd never know, or maybe we would, who knows?

The Multiverse might exist, I can't be certain though considering this amalgamation of universes that I found myself with.

But I was surprised to realise that Tomar-Re recognised me considering we had never personally talked. "Tah-Rao, we do not want war with you or your people."

"Nor I, with the Green Lanterns." Personally, I'd like to manipulate events that force others to get rid of the Green Lanterns for me, and other Lantern Corps. The effectiveness and power of the Power Rings meant that facing them head-on was suicide for most empires. Even the Kree if they were a conventional empire would be hesitant to battle the Green Lanterns openly.

Keyword there, conventional.

The Kree were anything but conventional. They had secured victory time and time again against the Green Lanterns to such a degree that it was the Lanterns who backed away. Not because victory was impossible, in the early days of the Kree it was very much possible, but because the loss of life would have been immense. You see, the Kree won by simply throwing millions upon millions of lives at the Green Lanterns until they simply broke down the mental fortitude of the Lanterns themselves.

Effectively the Kree won by forcing the Lanterns to become so horrified by how many people they had killed they had a mental breakdown. Thus, making their constructs unstable and weak.

The Kree were downright insane.

But I was getting off-track, outright war with the Green Lanterns would only cause absolute destruction amongst my empire. It had almost crippled the Kree on numerous occasions and would no doubt do the same to me. Unlike the Kree though, I didn't have the luxury of having a similarly psychopathic/sociopathic population who cared little for the number of deaths it took to secure victory.

So, no.

Outright war was going to have to be a hard pass for now.

"But the question becomes, what does it take to secure peace?" I asked. "You would not come all this way simply to say you do not wish for war without a means for me to avoid said outcome."

Tomar-Re shook his head. "All you need to do is hand over the Power Ring of Tyran'r the Mighty."

"That's all?" I wondered, momentarily looking to see that both Korg and Nolan were surprised by the little they asked for in compensation. I had been prepared to hand over much more than that. "I doubt the Guardians nor many amongst your Corps are happy with asking for so little?"

"Not all are, no." Tomar-Re agreed. "However, I have an extensive history within the Corps and have accomplished much. While my reputation may have suffered from this incident, it's a small price to make amends for my failure to save your planet."

Ah, so that's what happened.

In order to make up for failing to save Krypton, he used every ounce of influence he had to get the Guardians to ask for so little. This was not what I had expected at all, but something I was not going to overlook at all.

"Well, I will not be able to return to the Power Ring straightaway. I had a trusted ally take it elsewhere for safekeeping should you come here to invade. It will take many months for him to return. You are welcome to stay within the boundaries of my empire until that time if it makes your Guardians feel comfortable." I explained, though it was not a complete lie, I withheld a great deal of the truth as well.

"That will be perfectly fine," Tomar-Re replied. "I shall contact the Guardians and explain the situation."

"Of course."

-X- Line Break -X-

"Bill, change of plans," I said as soon as the hologram came to life. "Inform Atrocitus that the Green Lanterns have made contact with me already and I would like to move up our pre-planned meeting by a few weeks. Provide him with the notes I have made on the Power Rings as an incentive to make haste."

It wouldn't be as good as a Power Ring itself, my plans were rough and contained little information. All I had been able to do was identify maybe a third of the materials that went into creating the Power Ring, and a few speculations as to how it was possibly forged. But it was little information in the grand total of things and it was not accurate either.

While I had scientists working, they were hardly the most trustworthy, not enough for me to give them the Power Ring to study just yet. Perhaps if I spent a few months of dedicated study to the Power Ring I could crack to the code on how to create more, but I would rather leave that stuff to other people.

Right now, I wanted to avoid war with the Green Lanterns for as long as possible. To give only the Power Ring to secure that? It was a bargain I was not going to pass up on and one I would be a fool to do so. Especially considering the idea to forge their own Lantern Rings was now in the mind of the Five Inversions, more importantly, in the mind of Atrocitus. The notes may not be much help, but he would nonetheless find a way, he had in the comics.

Besides, it wouldn't be me that would attack the Green Lanterns on their exit of my empire, but an old foe of theirs. It was their fault for only bringing a team comprised mostly of recruits, it was like asking for their enemies to pick them off.