The Oan archives stretched endlessly before Hal, their crystalline walls glowing with emerald light that pulsed in perfect rhythm with the Central Power Battery miles away. After three days of grueling combat training under Kilowog—whose idea of "education" involved hurling constructs at Hal until he either deflected them or spent time in the medical chambers—Sinestro had insisted on a different form of instruction.
"Combat readiness is essential," the senior Lantern had explained as they traversed the labyrinthine corridors of the archive complex, "but knowledge is equally powerful. A Lantern who can punch through a battleship hull is useless if they cannot comprehend the forces that shape our universe."
Now Hal stood before a three-dimensional stellar map that occupied an entire chamber, its scale so vast that entire galaxies appeared as mere pinpricks of light within the projection. The sensation was disorienting—like floating in space itself, surrounded by stars and cosmic phenomena that shifted and moved in real-time according to their actual celestial patterns.
"Impressive, isn't it?" The voice belonged to K'rok, the massive Strontian Lantern who had become an unexpected ally during Hal's training. "The Archive of Cosmic Entities. Most new Lanterns don't receive clearance for this section until they've completed at least a full cycle of service."
"Then why am I here?" Hal asked, watching as a supernova blossomed within the simulation, its explosive force rendered in breathtaking detail.
"Because," Sinestro said, entering the chamber behind them, "your sector has drawn unusual attention recently. Forces that typically ignore Earth have begun observing it with increasing interest." His expression was unreadable as he approached the map's control console. "Forces you should understand before encountering them."
With a gesture from Sinestro, the map zoomed outward, revealing the universe in even greater scale—a vast web of interconnected galaxies, clusters, and superclusters. Hal felt a momentary vertigo, his mind struggling to comprehend the sheer enormity of what he was seeing.
"The observable universe," Tomar-Re explained, joining them quietly. The Xudarian's movements were precise as he manipulated the controls, highlighting specific regions. "Though even this represents only a fraction of what exists beyond our perceptual capabilities."
The display shifted to reveal the universe in its earliest state—a swirling mass of primordial energy, gradually coalescing into more structured forms. Several distinct entities began to emerge from the chaos, their forms incomprehensible even in the simulation.
"The universe's first beings," Tomar-Re continued. "Before stars, before planets, before conventional physics as we understand it. First came the Abstract Entities—manifestations of fundamental cosmic concepts." The display showed shadowy, barely comprehensible forms. "Eternity, representing all time and consciousness in the universe. Infinity, embodying all space. Order and Chaos, balanced forces shaping reality's structure."
K'rok gestured toward a particularly intricate formation taking shape. "And the most enigmatic of all—the Source, what some cultures call the Presence or the One-Above-All. The ultimate creative force, existing beyond even the Abstracts."
Hal shook his head, trying to process concepts that strained against the limits of human understanding. "And these... beings... they're still around?"
"They are the universe," Sinestro corrected. "Not beings within it, but the fundamental framework upon which reality is constructed. They do not 'exist' as we understand existence."
The simulation advanced, showing the universe's evolution across billions of years. Galaxies formed, expanded, and collided in a cosmic dance spanning incomprehensible timescales.
"As the universe matured," Tomar-Re continued, "the first true conscious entities emerged. Among them were the Celestials."
The map shifted again, focusing now on massive humanoid figures scattered across different galaxies. Each stood dozens of times taller than planets, their armor reminiscent of ancient designs yet composed of materials that seemed to exist partially outside conventional physics.
"The Celestials," K'rok announced, his voice dropping to a reverential tone that Hal hadn't heard from the warrior before. "Among the first sentient beings to emerge after the universe's creation. They are to us what we might be to single-celled organisms—operating on scales of power and purpose beyond our comprehension."
Hal studied the towering figures with growing awe. "They look almost like giant armored humans."
"A perceptual adaptation," Tomar-Re corrected. "Your mind—even enhanced by the ring—cannot truly perceive their actual form. The simulation presents them in a manner your consciousness can process."
"The Celestials are creators," Sinestro continued. "They forge stars, birth worlds, and seed potential throughout the cosmos. They are responsible for the majority of life-bearing worlds we know today, including your Earth."
The display zoomed in on one Celestial, showing it plunging a massive hand into a planet's crust. Energy flowed from the giant into the world, restructuring molecular patterns deep within the planet's biosphere.
"This is their primary function," Tomar-Re explained. "Celestial experimentation. On each world they visit, they create three distinct evolutionary branches from the existing genetic material."
The display shifted to show humanoid figures divided into three distinct groups—each visibly different yet clearly derived from common ancestry.
"First, the Eternals," K'rok identified. "Beings gifted with near-immortality, cosmic power manipulation, and perfect genetic stability. They were created to serve as protectors and guides for developing worlds."
"Second, baseline species," Tomar-Re continued. "Beings allowed to evolve naturally, but given the potential for spontaneous beneficial mutation. Your species falls into this category, which explains phenomena like your 'metahumans' and other enhanced individuals."
"And third," Sinestro concluded, "the Deviants—genetically unstable beings with unpredictable mutations and aberrant development patterns."
The display showed two distinct categories of Deviants—one group possessed sentience and sophisticated social structures despite their physical irregularities, while the other appeared more bestial and feral.
"The non-sentient Deviant branch has caused numerous disruptions throughout galactic history," Tomar-Re noted. "Predatory, aggressive, and without the moral constraints of consciousness, they've threatened many developing civilizations. The Eternals were often tasked with containing these threats."
"One such Eternal settlement existed on Titan, a moon of your system's Saturn," K'rok added, the display shifting to show a once-beautiful city now in ruins. "An advanced, prosperous culture that followed the Celestials' directive to watch over your sector."
"What happened to them?" Hal asked, studying the devastated landscape.
"Overpopulation," Sinestro answered simply. "Their long lifespans and perfect health led to resource depletion beyond sustainable levels. Civil war erupted. Their civilization collapsed into ruin approximately one thousand years ago."
The simulation showed scenes of a society's gradual deterioration—first crowding, then resource shortages, finally open conflict that reduced a magnificent civilization to rubble.
"Only two survived—brothers with dramatically different perspectives on the experience," Tomar-Re continued. "Eros, now known as Starfox, who travels the galaxy pursuing pleasures and occasional heroism. And Thanos, who drew a terrible lesson from Titan's fall."
K'rok gestured toward a specific Celestial in the display, its armor more ornate than the others. "Arishem the Judge is perhaps the most active in our galactic neighborhood. He evaluates civilizations, determines their cosmic worth, and renders judgment. When a Celestial appears over a world..." The massive Lantern shook his head grimly. "Entire species have been known to either transcend or vanish within cycles."
The simulation flickered, showing a Celestial standing in judgment over a world. With a gesture, the planet's inhabitants simply ceased to exist—a mass extinction carried out with the dispassionate efficiency of a gardener culling weeds.
"This happened on countless worlds," Sinestro noted, watching Hal's reaction carefully. "Including, nearly fifty thousand years ago, on Earth. Your species was judged worthy of continuation, but with modifications to your genetic potential—hence your metahumans."
"Wait," Hal interrupted, turning to face Sinestro directly. "Are you saying these cosmic giants experimented on humans? Decided whether we lived or died?"
"And continue to do so," Tomar-Re confirmed. "Not just humans. Xudarians, Korugarians, Thanagarians, Kree, and dozens of other species. The Celestials' manipulations are responsible for the surprising physiological similarities across many galaxies—the prevalence of the humanoid form, compatible biochemistry, even certain shared psychological traits."
"The Guardians themselves were among the first races the Celestials modified," K'rok added, lowering his voice as if sharing forbidden knowledge. "Though they rarely acknowledge this origin."
The revelation hung in the air like a physical presence. Hal tried to process the idea that beings like the Guardians—already godlike from his perspective—were themselves the product of even more powerful entities.
The display shifted again, showing another category of cosmic power—beings less imposing than the Celestials but still operating far beyond conventional parameters.
"The New Gods," Sinestro identified them. "Emerging after the previous universe's collapse and this one's birth, they exist in a realm partially outside our universe called the Fourth World, divided between two planets—New Genesis and Apokolips, locked in eternal conflict."
Images showed two worlds—one gleaming and beautiful, the other a hellscape of fire pits and industrial horror. Between them raged a war that had lasted millennia, occasionally spilling into the mainstream universe.
"Your Earth has been of particular interest to Darkseid, ruler of Apokolips," Tomar-Re noted. "Corps records indicate multiple incursions to your world throughout your history, often seeking something called the 'Anti-Life Equation'—a mathematical formula capable of eliminating all free will in the universe."
"These different cosmic powers—Celestials, New Gods, even the Guardians—maintain an uneasy coexistence," K'rok explained. "Direct confrontation between such forces could destroy entire galactic sectors, so they observe certain boundaries, despite occasional friction."
As Hal processed this information, the display shifted again, focusing on a single entity unlike the others. Where the Celestials appeared as armored humanoids, this being seemed almost mechanical in nature, its massive form composed of interlinked sections that resembled both technology and organic matter. Most striking was its helmet—an oddly shaped protuberance that reminded Hal of nothing so much as an elongated salad fork.
"Galactus," Tomar-Re said quietly. "The Devourer of Worlds."
"Unlike the Celestials, who act as cultivators and judges, Galactus serves a more direct cosmic function," Sinestro explained. "He consumes the life energy of entire planets to sustain himself. Worlds that took billions of years to develop are reduced to husks in days."
Hal stared at the representation, trying to comprehend a being that treated planets like snacks. "And the Corps just... allows this?"
The question brought a moment of uncomfortable silence among the senior Lanterns. It was K'rok who finally answered, his massive shoulders rising in a resigned shrug.
"The Guardians attempted to stop him once, approximately two billion years ago. Three hundred Lanterns were dispatched." His voice grew solemn. "None returned. The Central Battery itself dimmed for a full cycle afterward."
"Galactus is not merely powerful," Tomar-Re elaborated. "He is a fundamental force of the universe—as essential to cosmic balance as gravity or electromagnetism. His consumption of worlds serves a greater purpose, preventing the accumulation of certain energies that would otherwise accelerate entropic decay."
"So he's a necessary evil," Hal concluded, the concept disturbing yet somehow comprehensible. After all, even on Earth, the food chain involved predation and consumption. Apparently, the principle scaled all the way up to cosmic beings.
"Precisely," Sinestro nodded. "The Corps now maintains monitoring protocols. Galactus himself permits evacuation efforts—seemingly understanding the moral implications of his necessary consumption."
"He allows this?" Hal asked, surprised.
"Not from compassion as we understand it," Tomar-Re clarified. "Galactus exists in a state of perpetual hunger—a condition he neither chose nor can escape. Corps records indicate direct communication with him during several feeding cycles. He expressed that one day, he would 'give back to the universe far more than he has ever taken from it.' What this means, we can only speculate."
The display showed footage of Green Lanterns evacuating populations from a doomed world while the massive form of Galactus waited in orbit, his planet-sized vessel positioned above the primary population centers.
"When our early warning systems detect his approach, we deploy immediately," K'rok explained. "He grants a standard period for evacuation—approximately forty-eight hours in your Earth time. If evacuation is incomplete when this grace period ends, he proceeds regardless. The hunger eventually overcomes any other consideration."
"Not all inhabited worlds receive warning," Sinestro added grimly. "Some are simply too remote, beyond our monitoring capacity. Others fall to his hunger during times of Corps crisis, when our resources are deployed elsewhere."
The display shifted once more, zooming in on a region that appeared to be an asteroid field drifting between galaxies. Among the floating rocks was what looked like artificial structures—a crude outpost or base of operations hidden within the debris.
"Sanctuary," K'rok identified it, his expression darkening. "Headquarters of the being currently designated as the universe's most wanted criminal."
With a gesture from Sinestro, the image focused on a single figure. Unlike the cosmic entities they'd been examining, this being appeared almost mundane by comparison—a massive but recognizably humanoid figure with purple-hued skin and a heavily muscled physique. He wore golden armor that accentuated his imposing frame, and even in the holographic representation, his eyes conveyed a cold, calculating intelligence.
"Thanos of Titan," Sinestro announced. "A relative newcomer to our threat assessment protocols, but one whose actions have earned him the highest danger classification in Corps history."
Hal studied the figure. "He doesn't look like much compared to those Celestials or Galactus."
"A dangerous misconception," Tomar-Re cautioned. "Thanos lacks their cosmic scale, but his cunning, resources, and sheer determination make him arguably more dangerous in many respects. Where Galactus consumes worlds out of necessity, Thanos exterminates populations out of conviction."
"Conviction?" Hal asked.
"He believes the universe suffers from overpopulation," Sinestro explained, his tone clinically detached. "That resources are finite, and life has expanded beyond sustainable limits. His solution is methodical genocide—specifically, the elimination of exactly half of all life on any world he targets."
"The irony," K'rok interjected, "is that his worldview was shaped by Titan's collapse—witnessing firsthand how an advanced civilization destroyed itself through unsustainable population growth. Yet rather than seeking constructive solutions, he found inspiration in Galactus's consumption patterns, distorted through his own psychological damage."
The simulation expanded to show multiple planets, each bearing the same distinctive pattern of devastation—cities partially destroyed, populations visibly reduced but not eliminated. The precision was somehow more disturbing than total destruction would have been.
"Over twenty years ago, he attacked Zen-Whoberi, homeworld of the Zehoberei people," K'rok continued, highlighting a specific planet. The simulation zoomed in, showing scenes that made Hal's stomach turn—mass executions conducted with mechanical efficiency, separating populations down the middle with mathematical precision. "Half their population, eliminated in a single day. Among the survivors was a child he adopted—though 'kidnapped' would be more accurate. She is now his deadliest assassin, known only as Gamora, 'The Deadliest Woman in the Galaxy.'"
The display showed a green-skinned woman moving with lethal grace through combat scenarios, her skill obviously honed through decades of brutal training.
"She is not his only 'child,'" Tomar-Re added, the display showing several other beings of various species. "Thanos collects exceptional individuals from worlds he culls, raising them as his personal enforcers. Most notable among them is Nebula, extensively cybernetically modified and conditioned for absolute loyalty."
"His army?" Hal asked, noting the massive forces surrounding Sanctuary.
"The Chitauri and Outriders," Sinestro identified them. "Genetically engineered warrior races, entirely loyal to Thanos. The Chitauri function as his primary military force, while the Outriders serve as infiltration and assassination units. Together, they form a formidable fighting force capable of overwhelming planetary defenses."
The display shifted to show what appeared to be intercepted communications—fragmentary data streams and partial intelligence reports from various sectors.
"Our intelligence network has detected disturbing patterns," Tomar-Re continued. "Thanos has recently acquired a powerful artifact—a weapon capable of dominating minds. Its exact nature remains unknown, but reports from affected worlds describe victims whose will simply vanishes, replaced by absolute loyalty to Thanos."
The simulation showed scenes of previously resistant populations suddenly surrendering without visible coercion, their eyes taking on an unnatural blue glow.
"Ancient texts reference legendary artifacts of immense power," K'rok explained, his tone suggesting limited certainty. "Most information exists only as fragments and myths—stories of objects created during the universe's formation, each containing unimaginable power over different aspects of existence."
"The Guardians deliberately restrict information on these artifacts," Sinestro added. "They believe even knowledge of their potential represents a dangerous temptation. What little we know comes primarily from historical incidents where such objects briefly surfaced."
Hal noticed the careful phrasing, the deliberate vagueness. "So the Corps tracks these objects without actually knowing what they are?"
"Precisely," Tomar-Re confirmed. "We monitor energy signatures, unusual phenomena, historical patterns—but the Guardians have classified detailed information beyond our access level. Most Lanterns perform their duties without even knowing these objects exist."
"Recently, Thanos has established concerning alliances," K'rok continued, the display shifting to show two figures. "He's brokered agreements with powerful individuals capable of extending his reach into normally inaccessible territories."
The first figure appeared humanoid but with unmistakably alien features—muscular to the point of deformity, with a bestial face locked in a permanent snarl.
"Kalibak, son of Darkseid," Sinestro identified him. "Normally fiercely loyal to Apokolips, his recent communications with Thanos suggest a potential schism within the hierarchy of New Gods. The implications are... troubling."
The second figure appeared more conventionally humanoid—tall, slender, with sharp features and a calculating expression. His elaborate armor and subtle gestures suggested both aristocratic bearing and dangerous cunning.
"This individual has been observed on multiple worlds, though his identity remains unconfirmed," Tomar-Re explained. "His abilities include advanced illusion-casting and matter manipulation. He was recently detected on Asgard, suggesting potential access to their considerable resources and knowledge."
"These alliances expand Thanos's reach exponentially," K'rok warned. "Whatever his ultimate goal, he's methodically assembling the resources, information, and power necessary to achieve it."
"Is there no way to stop him?" Hal asked. "If the Corps has identified the threat—"
"The Guardians' position is complicated," Sinestro interrupted, his tone suggesting personal disagreement with Corps policy. "Thanos operates primarily in unclaimed territories or regions under disputed jurisdiction. Direct intervention would potentially violate multiple intergalactic treaties and risk wider conflict."
"So we just watch as he massacres more worlds?" Hal couldn't keep the disbelief from his voice.
"We monitor," Tomar-Re corrected gently. "We gather intelligence. We prepare. And when—not if—he eventually crosses into Corps jurisdiction, we will be ready with complete information on his capabilities, strategies, and weaknesses."
The practical ruthlessness of this approach left Hal momentarily speechless. It made strategic sense, yet the thought of allowing Thanos to continue his campaign of half-genocide while the Corps simply observed felt fundamentally wrong.
The briefing continued for hours, expanding to cover other significant cosmic players—the Kree Empire with its Supreme Intelligence, the shape-shifting Skrulls and their ongoing civil conflict, the mysterious Shi'ar with their advanced technology. Hal absorbed it all, the ring helping process information that would otherwise have overwhelmed his human mind.