In the deep, boundless expanse of space, a streak of green light sliced through a dense asteroid belt.
At the leading edge of the light, Hal Jordan gritted his teeth.
The Green Lantern Ring on his right middle finger beeped a steady warning.
Its green energy indicator glowed dimly, on the verge of depletion.
Ahead, a planet wreathed in an emerald halo filled his entire field of vision.
Oa.
Hal plunged into the atmosphere.
Without slowing, he dove straight toward the building suspended above the center of the planet.
The Guardians' Council Hall.
Beneath a heavy metal dome, twelve stone pillars, each as thick as an armspan, supported the ancient hall.
The green light slammed into the stone floor at the center of the hall.
Hal landed on one knee.
He raised his right hand, clenched his fist, and struck his left breast hard.
"Guardians."
"On behalf of Earth in Sector 2814, I request reinforcements."
The center of the hall was vast and empty.
Ahead stood a raised circular platform.
Twelve enormous stone chairs formed a semicircle.
Twelve deep-blue-skinned Guardians sat on the platform, looking down at the Green Lantern who had burst into the hall.
No one spoke.
Only Hal's rough, hurried breathing broke the silence.
A Guardian just left of center leaned his gaunt body forward.
His gaze fell on Hal's tattered uniform, then swept over his bloodless face.
"What happened on Earth?"
Hal raised his head.
"The entire planet has been enslaved by a single man."
A faint rustle of whispered exchanges rose from the platform.
"What about the Justice League?" another Guardian asked.
"You possess extraordinary powers, and you have a Kryptonian."
"Your duty is to protect that planet. Why did you let power fall into someone else's hands?"
"They were all defeated."
Hal tilted his