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***HR, Sol System, Bright Side of the Moon***

Hawkman, and Hawkwoman sat aboard the Watch Tower shuttle. A droid was the primary pilot and was teaching a JLI member the controls as the another JLI member scanned the surface of the moon. It looked like it always had, a barren rock with huge pits and craters across its vast surface. That was until they activated the full spectrum, and magical sensors on the view screen. A ghostly city was carved, and built into one of the canyons along the moon. It was a bee hive of activity as creatures moved about their predetermined lives.

According to the Warden, and Supernatural Council. The creatures were revenants, and would live out the last year of their life in a rotation. The last day of their lives before reset? Halloween. They had approximately 4 months before Halloween. But this was just a recon mission. The shuttle flew over the moon and looked around. They wanted a bunker that was with in the main capital of the ghost city. But far enough away to establish a foot hold.

“Wraith's shield can pass through rock. So we wont have to worry about them phasing through the stone.” Hawkman said, as he pulled up an additional view screen.

“Do we know if they can phase through the ground? Not all ghostly beings on Thanagar could do that.” Hawkwoman replied as she got a partial scan of the revenants.

“Can't we just bomb the city, and mop up after?” The JLI that was training to be a pilot got a soft chop to his noggin for taking his eyes off the controls by the droid pilot.

“The council says the city is protected by an energy shield. Thankfully the pylons are on the outer edge of the city. We'll have to make them demolition targets. If we can take them out, then we could bomb the city.” Hawkman agreed with the trainee pilot and smiled at him for being punished.

“It's also not the only city, its the only city visible on the surface. But the ghosts have extensive subterranean cities. No, this will be a urban combat zone at its best. Unless we want to crack the whole moon.” Hawkwoman finished with a thoughtful expression.

“Let's put it in our report. Wraith has always placed multiple solutions in his plans. Ethical or not, he would fit right in at Thanagar.” Hawkman said with a smile to his wife who agreed with him.

The mapping of the moon would take a few days since the Watch Tower had only assigned one shuttle for the mission. The rest, along with their star fighters were patrolling the Sol System, and setting up communication and observation satellites. Mars was getting their first Watch Tower satellite today. Which would allow instant teleportation from site to the Watch Tower in the future. Hawkman, and Hawkwoman stepped back to the galley aboard the shuttle.

“Remind me to thank Wraith for the design of the shuttles.” Hawkman said as he removed his helmet and placed it on the table in the back. He rolled his shoulders and walked towards the miniature kitchen.

“Not like home! Remember the B-2 shuttles. That had enough room for two people to barely sit down in.” Hawkwoman said as she removed her helmet as well and took a seat at the galley table.

The galley to the shuttle wasn't very big. Just a ten by ten room. Further up were bunk beds two on each side of the wall. With a 'refresher' room on either side. (Toilet, sink, Immaculate console) Hawkman came back with two cups of black ichor. Black sludge stuff that tasted sweet, and had the same effect as coffee. Sitting at the table that would rise out of the floor normally. The chairs they saw in auto fit to accommodate their wings even if they were retracted.

“Did you read that message from home?” Hawkman said as he looked at his wife.

Shayera Hall was 6' even. With brown eyes, and flecks of green in them. Brown, to red hair that was shoulder length now that her helmet was off. She had a killer body, and Carter Hall always loved watching her move around in her armor. Shayera caught her husband checking her out and she winked at him.

“I did... They are interested in meeting Wraith. They also want to set up a Thanagarian hub aboard the station. However, the idea was met with a bit of feedback from the different councilors back home. Wraith uses magic, a lot of it!” Shayera said, as she in turn looked at her husband who nodded and drank his ichor.

Carter Hall was 6'2” with a strong body that filled out his armor nicely. Short brown hair that was slicked back, and amber eyes like a hawk. She bit her lip looking him up and down. Thanks to the Nth metal alloy they both wore they could fly in space with just their gear on. Carter always showed off a bit of skin. For no practical reason other than claiming it helped him move. To Shayera all it did was provide a distraction.

“I don't think the hub will be set up. But I don't see why Wraith would turn down Thanagarian ships for fuel, ship repair, and supplies.” Shayera said at last, once she finished eating Carter up with her eyes.

“Oh! Are we going to the Seelie Court Ball thing? We were invited.” Carter asked his wife, she leaned back in her chair that auto adjusted for her.

“I'm not sure, it could be fun. That woman...Li'Ana says there is a challenge hall at the castle. Plenty of space to test our mettle against the supernatural warriors.” Shayera said with a smile on her face as Carter's face lit up.

“Oh! We are so going now!” Carter said with a grin.

“Hopefully Wraith finished up with that Rift in time.” Carter said, as the good mood in the galley evaporated. Shayera frowned at the mention of the Rift in Metropolis.

“How long has be been gone?” Shayera asked, but before Carter could respond.

“Approximately seven hours, and thirty five minutes.” Vici replied through the communication line. “Sorry, I didn't mean to eavesdrop.” She finished, her voice held an edge of nervous tension.

“Don't be... He'll be fine, Vici. He's a stubborn old monster.” Carter said with a grin.

“How are the galactic sheriffs settling in?” Shayera asked, trying to change the subject.

“They've discovered that the bar in the pleasure palace has drinks suited to their alien physiology.” Vici replied, her voice filled with both a bit of pride for building it. Along with a bit of irritation.

“Aha! The party hall on the promenade has liquor capable of getting Superman drunk! Of course the sheriffs would be happy in the pleasure palace!” Carter said with a grin, and a few fond memories.

“Do you remember that time when Flash drank four bottles in three seconds and tried to run around the bar?” Shayera said with a grin, and Carter howled with laughter.

“He took three steps and planted his face straight into a wall! I heard his nose break! I was to busy laughing on the floor to help!” Carter said between breaths.

“Oho! I just remembered something! Remember the private resort in Rio?” Carter said to his lovely wife. She nodded her head remembering that very nice hotel bed, and the memories attached to it.

“Well apparently, if we ever want to go back. Wraith has to impregnate the hotel owners daughters.” Carter said with a grin. Shayera blinked, and a wry grin spread across her face.

“Wait, so Wraith is a breeding stallion now?” Shayera said, and started to snicker.

“Yes! Turns out the owner of the hotel is a dragon. Her daughters are required to breed by law of their race. They are an endangered species. Wraith, and what ever race he is. Can auto impregnate someone.” Carter said with a grin that grew into a face splitting smile when he saw his wife balk at him.

“A lot of the supernatural communities want his time as well. I had always wondered why, now I know. If Wraith isn't careful he could end up with an entire legion to his name.” Shayera said with a laugh, and finished her ichor.

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Lash shivered and felt a rush of cold run through his whole body. Someone was walking over his grave. He looked around trying to find the source. He was currently working on the medical bed that had been installed in the clinic. This was clearly a hand me down, had several parts that had been pulled out and cleaned by a second class technician. He was making a list of issues because he was told by the temple that he would be getting a brand new march-4 medical bed. This was a march-1, a poorly maintained march-1. The medicine, antibiotics, tools, all poorly represented and crafted. This was a yard sale medical clinic. Lash would not have it in his temple!

The education room wasn't much better. The view screen was cracked, and gave off shattered information. He was suppose to get a holographic teacher! With a full student, and teacher interface. It was also suppose to be granted the credit license agreement. So people could take a test, and it would link up to the Kryptonopolis community network. Their citizen code could be auto updated and they could apply for different living conditions. This module had none of those things! Lash was pissed, and the shadows across the walls took on a jagged appearance, and the temperature in the room dropped several degrees.

The only highlight was the security doors for the front entrance of the temple. They were steel alloy, reinforced frame with eye, and hand print scanner. Along with a single blood drop. Key locked to Lash, and the Head Justicar Kemuna Ke-Zod. In case the justicar forces needed to get inside the temple she could do an auto unlock from the barracks or in person.

Kemuna, and her father Wym-Zod were currently traveling back home with the body of Tak-Zod. Who had not survived the tribulation. They had both taken the situation rather well. Wym was reborn after Sherogoth's Punishment finished with him. The justicar troop hand packed up and left with all due haste. While the faithful masses had celebrated the ritual with open arms. While more than a few were also terrified on the situation.

Lash had proven to them that Raoism wasn't dead. It was very much alive. Even if it was more or less a lie. Lash was not in a hurry to correct them. But he also understood there were difficulties ahead of them all. If Kemuna, and Wym do their job then the justicars should start patrolling the streets of the sector 68 again. Petty gangs will be pushed out, but the Bylock Syndicate where here to stay. Lash may have to call a sit down with the justicars, and syndicate. The temple was neutral ground after all.

Lash went to his home in the temple and went to his office. He sent a long, long list of complaints to temple prime. He compared what he was promised to what he was sent. He then used his imprinted knowledge from Dawn to name, names. If the issue was not handled with care, and speed. He would use his resources to ensure those that made the mistake would be rank-less, and with out a house by weeks end. He sent this notification to the Labor Guild, and the Religious Guild.

His contacts back in Temple Prime responded with in a few minutes. Sending a priority message to the Labor Guild to fix their mistake immediately! The Labor Guild responded with in the hour and said that the real shipment had been misplaced and it would be arriving tomorrow morning. Lash also on the sly received 10,000 credits from the manager to not press charges. Lash could even keep the broken, and misplaced items he had already received. Goody.

Lash flipped out his communicator and contacted the syndicate, along with the justicars. He gave short, and to the point explanation of the circumstance. The justicars said they would have an escort there again in the morning. An actual escort. While the syndicate wanted to buy the crap items. This time Or-Jar would be showing up to retrieve them. March-1 with shitty parts was still worth 25,000 credits on the market.

With the temple cleaned, but not stocked. There was not a lot for Lash to do at the time. So he grabbed his broom and dust pan and went outside. He started to clean temple square. The square was a broken piece of rubble especially after this mornings attack by the blood fist, and rogue justicars. Street lights didn't work. The dumpster which Lash found out was suppose to compress and shape all trash into cubes for easy pick up did not work.

Lash went back inside the temple then came out with a paint brush, and some basic white paint. He started to inscribe a ritual circle into a part of the square. The square it self was almost a city block of empty space. According to records way back when they use to hold festivals to the different gods, and goddesses on their days of birth. Lash wondered if they would have time before the world exploded. Sector 68 could use some good cheer. Half way through the inscription several people stood by to watch him. The circle was actually just for theatrics. He used the Raoism scriptures for the design, and used the glyph of Vohc the builder as the center piece.

Once Lash was finished it was sunset in the sector, but still daylight above the walk ways. Light faded fast when you were at the bottom. The painted ritual circle glowed with magical light as Lash reached into his Technomancy Domain. The domain was active but no spell had been reactivated yet. Then he tried to cast Restoration from Nature, Repair from Technomancy at the same time. Repair reactivated, and then from the Synthesis Domain Renew reactivated.

The ritual circle flared to life! The entire concrete slab that was the temple square rippled like a pond of water with a stone thrown into the center. Broken concrete snapped back into place, cracks mended, the street lamps along the walk ways turned on. The cracked crystal lights flickered to life, and light. The trash compacted whined, whirled, then started to automatically crush the trash inside. Every broken window in the outside temple area was restored. Though not all of them were clean yet. With one brief flash the ritual circle flared then faded from sight.

“By Rao!” Someone shouted.

“Vohc actually. Son of Rao, and god of builders.” Lash called back with a smile on his face. Several dozen people fell to their knees and started to pray. Lash cast Sooth, Nature's Supplement, and Nature's Kiss on them all. His magical energy took a nose dive, while he got a lot of experience.

Temple square was rebuilt. But still incredibly filthy! He didn't have Immaculate yet. So he'd have to take a scrub brush and chemical cleaner to it before it was clean again. For the first time in decades however there was light along the walk ways, and streets. Oh, and the dumpster compacted trash into nice little cubs for storage and transport. Life's little victories. Lash moved inside the temple and shut the doors but didn't lock them. He had camera's now on the outside, and inside the temple. Everything worth steeling was secured behind security doors. At least the doors to the clinic, and education center were strong.

About an hour later inside his home he received a notification at the temple doors. Bylock Syndicate had shown up for the items in question. Lash came out to greet them and saw a pleasant surprise. Or-Jar was with them. The man in question looked a little worse for wear, and paled at the sight of Lash as he came to greet them. Lash gave his standard Rao greeting, and many of the gangsters replied. Several requested a blessing, and Lash gave them all one. Including Or-Jar who looked better but was still terrified of Lash.

“Or-Jar, may I speak to you for a moment?” Lash asked the man who swallowed audibly. The rest of his men and women glanced at him then went back inside the clinic to prepare the medical bed for shipping.

“I know why you are afraid of me. But you must understand that unless you mean ill harm to myself or my flock you have nothing to fear from me.” Lash said to Or-Jar as they stepped further into the main hall.

“I saw your battle records at Kandor rim.” Or-Jar said, trying to not look at Lash in the eye.

Ah! Every justicar officer, and soldier wears a head camera in their helmets. Though it wasn't actually Lash on the Kandor rim where they fought Brainiac's forces. Dawn had done an excellent job at making Lash look like a stellar warrior. The memories Lash could look through showed he was a berserker on the field. The Military Guild wanted to award him the medal of courage. But Lash turned it down, 'In life, or death, Rao's light guides me on my path. What is there to fear?' was how Lash responded. So combined with his 'power of faith' and his combat record Or-Jar was terrified of Lash.

“What I did, I did for Krypton. Or-Jar, even you should understand that. But I digress from the main reason I pulled you aside. With Wym-Zod being reborn he will more than likely start sending active patrols through 68. At temple prime we were taught that even crime has a purpose.” Lash said to Or-Jar who looked at him like Lash had grown a second head.

“Citizen economics 101. Crime is the product of the people, for the people.” Lash said with a smile. Did Or-Jar never wonder why he seemed so at home with treating with the syndicate? Apparently not. “Crime can not be removed, but it can be controlled. Tell your boss if things get to heavy to contact me. I will arrange a sit down between the Justicars, and Bylock Syndicate. The temple as you said is neutral ground.” Lash offered his hand to Or-Jar who looked at it like it might grown claws at any moment.

Or-Jar eventually shook Lash's hand and nodded in agreement. The Bylock Syndicate took everything Lash offered and gave him a cut of 15,000 credits. Once again the clinic, and education room were empty. They even took the doors! No, not the temple doors. The doors to the rooms. Lash retreated to his home, then came back out. Just like last time he sat on the temple stairs with tylak in hand.

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A few dozen homeless came by and slept next to temple stairs near Lash. He gave them all 'blessings' and they slept easily knowing in the protection of Rao, and his priest. That was until a rifle shot rang out and Lash whipped his head back as a bullet had gone straight through it! Blood, bone, and brain matter scattered behind him. He collapsed into a fleshy heap, and alarms sounded off. The homeless woke up and screamed at the grisly murder of the priest of Rao.

From the shadows across the street came a man in full tactical gear. Unlike modern military gear on Earth. This man was all stream lined with out extra bulk, pockets, or exposure. Tight sleek gray, and black clothing under military grade metal alloy flex plates. His helmet was a metal skull mask that revealed nothing of who was under neath except for a soft ghostly image of a skull on the front. A smoking rifle was in the assailants hands.

The homeless ran for it, but were gun down one by one in methodical action by the assassin. Over a dozen men, and women dead in the ground. Still warm to the touch as the last of their breath left the bodies. The assassin walked over to Lash and looked down at him. He made a quick hand gesture to himself. Killing a priest was dangerous business, the religious guild would not let this stand. The alarm was still blaring but no one was coming to check. That was life in 68.

“I'm sorry Priest, please forgive me.” The man said as he took a knee and started to rifle through Lash's pockets.

“You're forgiven...” Lash said with a growl, the man whipped his head up just in time to get kicked in the chest. WHAM! The man went sailing through the air, impacted into the ground and rolled back to his feet.

The assassins eyes were wide under his helmet. As Lash had jumped to his feet and was sprinting towards him. Behind him the shadows peeled off the temple and raced towards them both like the goddesses of Cythonna's hungry children. Thanks to years of experience on the job the assassin switched his rifle to automatic and started to spray towards Lash. Lash jumped to the sides in serpentine fashion. The assassin barked off a code phrase and from his back pack a drone activated and flew up above them to scope out the scene.

Woo-tchk! A grapple line came out of the assassins back and pulled him further away as it wrapped around one of the newly repaired lamp posts. The darkness was still rushing towards them, and the assassin lost track of Lash in the darkness. The sensor drone lost all visual location on the target and was soon swallowed by the same darkness.

The assassin moved with the swing of the grapple line and disconnected from the lamp post flying backwards. He turned thanks to his athleticism and rolled with the fall. Turning his back to the darkness, just as he did a man that was not a man jumped from the shadows towards his back. Just as the assassin hope, a riffle barrel popped up from the back pack and shot the creature point blank straight through the chest. Lash was flung back into the ever growing darkness.

The assassin started to run but realized he was sinking into the concrete around him? It was like trying to move through a marsh! Then the concrete solidified around him, trapping his legs. He took out his tactical shotgun and blew into the concrete. He pulled his feet out of the ground after a few short seconds. Right has an arm wrapped around his throat, he was in a choke hold. An alarm went off on his helmet that a type of gas was being filtered into his mouth piece. It automatically adjusted to used his built in oxygen.

Lash raked his hand claws through the man's armor, and suit. The assassin screamed in agony as poison was pumped into his body from Lash's claws. Then another rifle shot cracked across the temple square and Lash received another hole to his side. Blood, bone, and flesh exploded from his body. Lash let go of his prey and jumped back through the growing darkness. A woman came sprinting over wearing the same type of gear as the man.

The man flipped to his back, and she grabbed his collar and started to pull him back. He covered them both with his rifle in hand as his suit automatically tried to administer medical treatment. A wisp of darkness slithered across the ground from the main body. Unnoticed by the pair as it moved ahead of the woman. When she stepped on it a spike made of darkness shot straight through her heel and into her calf. She screamed in agony and dropped her partner. The man turned around to see what was wrong and his helmet sent him a warning as Lash came sprinting back towards him on all fours.

CRACK! Went a high powered rifle, the bullet went straight through the head of the female assassin. She dropped into the ground, and the man screamed in horror just in time for Lash to pounce on top of him and rip out his throat. The darkness behind Lash boiled with intensity as Lash stood up and looked to the far corner of the street. There standing on top of a building was a justicar with a command rank.

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“Are you alright Lash-Rao!?” Kemuna called out to him, as she jumped down from her perch. Her long range rifle collapsed into itself, making it easy to holster and carry.

Lash watched her land and make her way over to him. He had a decision to make. She had seen his...Alternate self. Even now skin was regrowing over scales. His injuries were healing at a visible rate. Should he kill her? Could he kill her and get away with it? No, she trusts us. Leave her alive, for now -Saurian said across the link.

“I'll heal...” Lash said in response. Then he looked down at the man and heard the unmistakable sound of a beep...beep...beep. That grew in increasing speed. Lash's eyes opened wide and he sprinted towards Kemuna. For a brief moment she took a defensive stance.

“Hot zone! Bug out!” Lash screamed, and Kemuna turned on her heel and ran the opposite direction.

BOOM! Both bodies exploded in glorious fire! Their bodies, and armor making perfect shrapnel! If the assassins fail to kill, then hopefully their bodies would do the job. Unfortunately neither had killed Lash, or Kemuna for that matter. Not for a lack of trying! Kemuna screamed in agony as a piece of shrapnel was impeded into her leg. Lash ran over to her not looking much better. Pieces of metal in his face, and back.

“Call it in!” Lash said to Kemuna as he grabbed her collar and started to drag her back to the temple. Why move her when she has a leg injury? They didn't know if there were only two assassins.

Lash pulled her into the overflowing darkness. Kemuna was attempting to contact the barracks requesting back up. She was momentarily scared because she couldn't see her hands, her body, not even her interface in her helmet. But she could still hear her aid over the communication line asking her questions. Her leg screamed at her, and she started to go into shock. She heard the sound of a security lock being opened. Then felt the temple steps beneath her as she was pulled up. She bit back her scream of pain.

Lash came out of the darkness inside the temple. Pulling Kemuna by her collar. He went to his now empty clinic. With all the grace of a injured soldier he picked her up and set her down on the metal table he always had available. Kemuna screamed in agony through her helmet. Her aid was continuing to ask her questions just for the sake of asking.

“Reinforcements, ETA five minutes!” Her aid said over the communication line.

“Copy! Send medical, with a few bags of blood this is going to be messy!” Lash said to her in response. He gripped the impeded piece of shrapnel and Kemuna's eyes went wide in panic.

“No! Don't! GAAAAAAAAH!” She screamed in pure white hot agony so undiluted that she passed out.

“Primus! Primus, please respond!” Her aid shouted over the comms.

“She's passed out! Her breathing is strong. Talk to me about the readings you got from the view screen who tried to kill me?” Lash asked, as cast Sooth, Nature's Supplement, and Nature's Kiss. Kemuna's bone, arteries, vessels, tendons, and muscles regrew. But the wound still looked bad.

“They are called the Black Guard. A shadow organization of the....” The aid said across the line, and slowed at the end.

“The military guild?” Lash asked, as he reached into his Grave Domain, and accessed his sub-domain Necromancy. He held his hand over the wound and slowly started to mend the flesh together. Necromancy could be use to heal, just as much as it was used to kill.

“Yes, that is right. Tak-Zod was... Supposedly a member.” The aid said.

“I'm sorry, I've been distracted. I never got your name. May know it?” Lash asked, as he felt his body attempting to push out the pieces of metal in his body.

“Kursta Soll-Vo.” Kursta said over the line.

Lash pulled back the darkness that swallowed the temple square as the justicar transport vessels showed up. The soldiers repelled down and secured the area. Kursta sprinted towards the temple door, and Lash unlocked it just as they arrived. Kursta, along with several soldiers worked their way through the temple to the clinic which was marked by directions on the walls.

“By Rao's light!” Kursta said as she looked from Kemuna, then to Lash. Kemuna looked better but clearly still needed treatment. She was at least no longer at deaths door. Lash however had several dozen pieces of metal sticking out of his face, and sides.

“Great! Can you take us both to the medical wing?” Lash asked, and blacked out.

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Lash opened his eyes a few short hours later. His Clock said it would be another hour before his shipment would arrive. He looked around the familiar medical wing of the sector 68 justicar barracks. To his left was Kemuna laying down across the medical bed softly talking to Wym, and Kursta. Wym looked a lot better though it had only been a few hours since Lash last saw him.

Wym-Zod was 6' with black skin, golden amber eyes. He had freshly shaved head, and face. With a rectangular figure, with his body builder physique. Even though he had recently been strung out on narcotics thanks to Sooth, and Nature's Supplement he had regained a lot of muscle mass. He wore a officer uniform. Black, on red, with his house colors proudly displayed.

Kursta Soll-Vo was 5'8” with clear blue eyes, and short cropped blond hair slicked back. Pale skin, with a hour glass figure, and muscular build. She still wore her combat uniform, but her uniform had been tailored to her shape. So Lash could pick out a few details. She repeatedly clenched her jaw as she listened to Kemuna, and Wym speak.

“Anything I should know?” Lash asked softly, making all three jump in surprise.

“You were always were a tough mynox! Broken bones, lacerations, energy burns? Nothing keeping you down. I still remember when you taped your insides in so you could carry some one else to medical.” Wym said with a worn out smile that looked and felt new to him as well.

“They only sent two. Seems Rao was with you, Lash.” Kemuna said to him from her own bed. She was wearing a hospital Kryptonian scrubs. It was essentially just one long piece, like a red gown! Lash wore a black gown.

“Isn't he always?” Lash said with a smile as he slowly sat up. The computer display next to him sent up an alarm. He should not be moving! It was such a big-->>

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