and justice for all
And Justice For All
Hal Jordan thought that the Green Lantern Corps was, perhaps, the greatest achievement in all the universe. A veritable army of men and women dedicated to protecting their home sectors from the terrors that seemed to spring unaided from the blackness of space; a galaxy-spanning round table of knights, and he was part of it - he had been chosen to wield a Green Power Ring.
It never seemed to get old.
Sometimes he found himself muttering his oath under his breath, his heart beating just a little faster as he remembered speaking it for the first time. He had been overwhelmed by the idea that Earth wasn't alone, but had felt something inside him pushing forward towards a future he couldn't quite see. He hadn't even registered what he was doing when his mouth opened, and then he had heard his own voice saying, "In brightest day, in blackest night, no evil shall escape my sight. Let those who worship evil's might beware my power, Green Lantern's light!"
And Suddenly Hal Jordan, airforce pilot extraoirdinare, was Hal Jordan, Green Lantern of Space Sector 2814. He had gone from protecting his country to protecting his galaxy in a matter of seconds, and had excelled at it. He was the best of the best, and he knew it.
Except, even the best of the best couldn't protect everyone or everything.
The island was obliterated before he could even think about changing into his uniform; Hal had been at home, watching TV and relaxing after a particularly trying mission. It had been on the news: terrorists holding the island nation of Guaran hostage against the UN. No one had been able to do anything; no one had known what was happening until it was too late.
Hal swore to himself he would never let that happen again. He would make sure that Earth was protected from itself, as well as the universe at large.
Superman, Wonder Woman, Hawkman, Aquaman and Batman. He had asked them all; he had wanted their opinions. They'd need a citadel, Superman had said. They'd need a public relations branch, Wonder Woman had insisted, in order to keep the governments of the world appeased. They'd need a governing body, something small and managable, according to Hawkman. Aquaman had been concerned that Atlantis wouldn't be included in the project. Batman's lips had upturned ever so slightly, and he had nodded. Hal took that to mean that the Dark Knight approved.
With the cooperation of the heroes of earth secured, Hal and the guardians of nearby sectors banded together to build the Watchtower, and the International League of Justice was born. A union of the strongest men and women of Earth dedicated to protecting the innocent of the planet from their fellow man. Seven primary members led by a chairman (Hawkman), with any number of auxilary members all across the globe.
As he stared out the viewports across the pockmarked landscape of the moon, the lights powered on and the computer terminals booted for the first time. Hal Jordan felt a sense of calm excitement fall over him; the Earth was now truely safe, from itself and from those beyond. He could sleep peacefully again, now that justice would prevail.
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