The Right Guy

Sector 2262, Planet Mogo

“So I said ‘You go by Evil Star and hang out with miniature versions of yourself, and you have the nerve to make fun of my haircut?! Get outta here with that stuff, man!”  
Guy Gardner laughed as he willed his Power Ring to generate holographic versions of Evil Star and his “Starlings” for the amusement of the leader of the Blue Lanterns, Saint Walker. The Astonian smiled as Guy made the holograms run amok like manic cartoon characters.
“There are truly strange villains that challenge us, Lantern Gardner,” Walker said. “Some more… whimsical in appearance than others.” 

“Don’t let the goofy outfit fool ya,” Guy replied. “Evil Star’s a stone-cold killer, with or without his itsy-bitsy buddies.  He wiped out all life on his home planet chasing after immortality, and that ‘Star-Band’ of his can do most of what a Power Ring can. That said, he’s still a goofball. Can you imagine me running around with a gaggle of Mini-Guys?  Ha!”  

With that, he dismissed the comical constructs, replacing them with a gigantic green hand. Using the new construct, Guy lifted the first of many refurbished Survival Pods and moved it into place within a makeshift refugee camp on the snowy surface of Mogo. “Gimme a power boost and we can get these things set up in record time. Way the temperature’s droppin’ lately, every second counts for the people freezing their backsides off out here!”

“Indeed so, my friend,” Walker said as he used his own ring to energize the one on Guy’s finger. “The dangerous events of late have taken a bitter toll on so many here, Lanterns and civilians alike.”

“Yeah, that’s true,” said Guy. “We paid for our victories in blood, sweat and tears. Took down Sinestro’s renegades, sent Nekron and his zombies packin’… but there’s one big Gray problem left to deal with. Luzia Cavalera.”

“I am not certain I like the way you put that,” Walker replied. “Luzia’s sister Esperanza was one of the Blue, and we feel a certain responsibility for her as a result. In a way, she is part of our family… and we would like to lead her away from the great sorrow that overwhelms her. Restore her body, mind, and soul.”

“Look, I get it, Hope’s your jam, all will be well, yada yada yada,” Guy said. “Thing is, sometimes… all won’t be well. Some things can’t be fixed and some people – they’re hopeless.”

“And you believe this to be the case with Luzia? That she is beyond redemption… beyond hope?” Walker said. “Has your time as a Lantern made you so deeply pessimistic?”

“It aint pessimism if it’s true, bud,” Guy said as he used his construct to move another pod into place. “Then it become pragmatism, ya know? And I’m thinkin’ we could use a little more of that around here, especially when it comes to the Gray.” 

“Then perhaps it is fortunate that the final decision regarding Luzia is not yours to make,” Walker said. “Though I admit the time to make that decision is closing upon us.”

“No argument there, pal. A bunch of the top Rings in most of the Corps are having a sit-down to go over that very thing while we’re out here doin’ grunt work. Kinda surprised you aren’t in that meeting, to be honest.” said Guy. 

“I made my position on Luzia clear before we departed for this camp,” Walker replied. “Brother Warth is quite capable of representing our Corps in my stead.”

“Heh, that’s true,” Guy said, grinning. “He might look cuddly, but he’s one tough pachyderm. He won’t get bullied by guys like Sinestro or Atrocitus, that’s for sure.” 

“Quite so,” said Walker. “Speaking of Atrocitus, I cannot help but notice the increasing number of Red Lanterns on Mogo. One does not usually associate them with… rescue efforts.”

“Yeah, seems a bit fishy to me too, but they’re behaving themselves… so far,” Guy replied. “Bet your blue boots I’ll be the first one to knock ‘em back in line if they act up, though.” 

“You were once a member of their ranks,” Walker said as Guy moved the last of the pods into position. “That gives you a particular insight into their ranks, and their behavior patterns.”

“Yep,” said Guy as he activated the pods. “When it comes to dealin’ with the Rage-Heads, you could say I’m the right Guy for the job!  Hah!”

“Indeed. But for now, you and I are the right “guys” for the job of bringing refugees to places of warmth and shelter,” said Walker. “And that is a most important job, for it will bring hope to those here who need it most.”

“Can’t argue with that,” Guy said. “Let’s make that motto of yours apply to them.”

Walker smiled. “I believe there is hope for you yet, Lantern Gardner,” he said. “Come - let us gather refugees and deliver them to this camp before the weather grows worse. Luzia and the Red Lanterns can wait.”

“Sure, pal… but not for much longer,” Guy replied. “We wait too long, and it’ll be Luzia and the Reds makin’ the decisions for us… and neither one of us are gonna like that, buddy.  Not one bit.”