Luke's arrival changed the DC world, but some things ultimately remained the same.
The violent impact sent both men flying, skidding several meters across the sand before coming to a halt.
Hal Jordan felt like his body was falling apart, but he forced himself to stand up and asked urgently,
"Tom, are you okay?"
Tom waved his hand, knelt on the ground, and vomited, expelling all the alcohol from his stomach. After throwing up, his mind cleared considerably.
Both men had served in the military. Realizing something was wrong, they quickly drew their weapons and cautiously approached the source of the explosion.
On the flat beach, a ten-meter-wide meteorite crater had appeared. In the center of the crater lay something resembling a spacecraft. The spacecraft was green, its surface shimmering with light, and its appearance suggested it was not a product of Earth's technology.
Tom lowered his voice and said with a solemn expression,
"An alien spacecraft!"
Hal nodded, his body tensed, and the lingering effects of his drunkenness instantly vanished.
Just then, the spacecraft's hatch opened, and a ball of green light emerged, circling rapidly before shooting like a streak of light towards Hal. The latter couldn't dodge; his body was struck by the green light, and in an instant, an indescribable, strange sensation emanated from within him.
Bang!
A powerful burst of green light erupted, his clothes vanished, replaced by a green light battle suit covering his body.
"Hal, you…"
Tom's eyes widened, and he instinctively recoiled.
Hal was also startled. He carefully examined his body; his hands and legs were covered by a green battle suit, and a lantern-like symbol appeared on his chest. Most importantly, on his right middle finger,
a uniquely designed green ring was worn, seemingly containing some kind of power.
Hal followed the guidance in his mind, clenched his fist, and extended it forward.
Bang!
A green basketball hoop appeared out of thin air on the ground, a bizarre scene like a magic show.
Tom nearly lost control of his bladder. He quickly raised his pistol and sternly said,
"Who are you? Where's Hal? Bring him out."
"Don't be nervous, Tom, it's me. I'm Hal, Hal Jordan."
"Damn it, don't try to fool me."
Tom cautiously backed away, fumbling for his phone. However, as soon as he pulled out his phone, it was knocked away by a green light. Hal raised both hands, signaling he had no hostile intentions.
"Tom, don't call the police. This is a bit complicated. I'll explain it to you later."
After speaking, he rose into the air and flew to the front of the spacecraft. He opened the hatch and carried out the purplish-brown humanoid creature inside. The residual information from the Lantern Ring told him that this hairless alien was named Abin Sur, the previous owner of the Lantern Ring, and the greatest warrior of the Green Lantern Corps. He had died protecting Earth from the encroaching power of the Yellow Fear.
Hal didn't know what the Green Lantern Corps or the Yellow Fear were, but he instinctively felt he couldn't leave him exposed in the wilderness.
Using the power of the Lantern Ring, he dug a large pit on the beach. Hal buried the spacecraft and Abin Sur's body in the pit, then returned to his good friend with the green lantern. Feeling the surging power within him, he couldn't help but put his hands on his hips and
burst out laughing.
"Isn't this outfit cool?"
The familiar way of speaking reminded Tom of something, but he was still unsure, "You… you… are you really Hal?"
"Of course, it's me."
Hal took off the ring, the green battle suit disappeared, and he returned to his normal human form.
"See? It's the real Hal Jordan, not controlled by aliens."
Tom glanced at the lantern and ring in his hand, then at the beach not far away. After thinking for a moment, he put away his gun.
"What exactly happened?"
"I don't know either," Hal shrugged, "but I'm sure of one thing: from now on, I'm no longer an ordinary person, but the guardian of Coast City, a superhero who upholds justice and eradicates evil."
When he said the words "eradicate evil," his expression darkened, and his tone became particularly heavy.
Tom thought of something and frowned.
"You're not going to go after Luke Shaw, are you?!"
Hal said with a serious expression, "The Young Masters' Gang is a shadow hanging over Coast City. Only by eradicating it can the city return to normal."
Tom's mouth twitched a few times. He really wanted to ask: Are you going after him because of Carol? But he swallowed the words. Saying that would be a bit much, after all, they were friends, and Luke was an outsider… Luke, who was currently in bed with Carol in the lab, didn't know he had inexplicably gained an enemy. Even if he did, he wouldn't care. Just a Green Lantern, what could he do?
The next morning, Luke groggily opened his eyes.
"You're finally awake, lazy pig!"
Luke grinned and reached out to pull the girl into his arms. Neither of them was wearing clothes; their skin was intimately connected, and with the slightest movement, he could feel the smooth, tender temptation.
Morning was a time of pure passion, especially for an energetic young man like Luke.
Carol noticed something, her face flushed slightly. She raised her wrist and placed it in front of Luke.
"It's almost eight o'clock. If you want the researchers to see us like this, then go ahead, I don't care."
"Of course, you don't care; I'm the one doing all the work."
Carol angrily pinched him, "Don't talk nonsense!"
Luke rubbed his arm and said helplessly, "When did you learn to pinch people?"
"Always."
"Next time, can you be gentler?"
"Dream on."
The two got up from the sofa, chatting and laughing as they picked up their scattered clothes and put them on. During the process, there was inevitably some lingering intimacy. After returning to Carol's residence at the company, they took a hot bath and ate breakfast. It wasn't until ten in the morning that they yawned and returned to the lab.
All twenty-two researchers were present, not one missing. They were all smart people, which made things easier.
Luke drew the initial framework of the engine he had invented while fooling around with Carol last night on a draft paper, then found a chair and lay down, falling into a deep sleep.
Seeing him like this, everyone's expressions were inevitably strange. When they noticed Carol also leaning on the sofa, yawning continuously, their faces instantly darkened.
They were all experienced people; how could they not see the trick behind it?
What could they do even if they were annoyed? He was the boss. Even if he came to work tired the next day because of such activities, what could a 996 (9 am to 9 pm, 6 days a week) employee say? It was none of their business!
Everyone snorted a few times and turned their attention to the draft paper, their eyes somewhat disdainful. You bastard, after a night of that, what good could you possibly come up with?
Unexpectedly, after just a few glances, they fell into a state of confusion.
What is this? Why can't I understand it?
Turbofan engine? No!
Turbojet engine? Not that either!
What exactly is it?
Everyone present was a top expert in the engine industry; the lowest rank was a Ph.D. Yet, they couldn't understand the basic framework on the draft paper. Could it be fake?
Everyone exchanged glances, and in unison, they turned their gaze to Professor Neil.
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