Ben 10 GL:TAS Queens of the Ram Ch 1

Chapter 1 - Ghost Ship

Green Lantern Universe - The Plant Biot

Of all the places, why did it have to be here? Hal thought.

Green Lantern Honor Guard Hal Jordan hadn't been to Biot in months. Not since he had come here with Kilowog and Tomar Ray to investigate the mysterious anti matter pulse that not only led them to a nest of reactivated Manhunters, but to the Anti-Monitor, a sentient life form that wanted to wipe out life in the entire universe.

It unpacked a lot of painful memories, especially the loss of Aya, the artificial intelligent robot who turned out to have been a living entity. Aya had sacrificed herself to save everything in creation after she had nearly destroyed it all.  

But along with bringing up the sadness there came a joy. What if the signal they received had come from Razer?

The heart broken Red Lantern had left on a journey to find Aya, believing she somehow survived her self eradication and existed somewhere in the vast, unending universe. Razer insisted to take on this quest alone, promising to call for help whenever he needed it.

Hal Jordan continued on in his duties as an honor guard. The handsome browned haired and eyed former test pilot tried to go back to some normal part of life, getting a new job and trying to find some kind of normal.

Now someone had called Hal from Biot.

The Green Lantern immediately got Kilowog to go along, since the hardheaded Sergeant had insisted that if Razer ever contacted Hal, he had to come along. And although Hal could not be certain the signal he received even came from Razer, Kilowog was adamant about coming. The boar like pick skinned Bolovaxian had a soft spot for Razer, who he had nicknamed Red. Kilowog actually hugged the Red Lantern goodbye at their parting and actually cried. Afterward the big softie had warned Hal that if he ever told anyone, he'd put him through a special extended drill camp retraining for a month.

Now the two Green Lanterns were on approach to Biot, their minds jumbling with all different kinds of emotions. This could have been good news, but what if this were some kind of trap?

"You really think the kid would come here?" Kilowog asked Hal in doubt.

"Aya did download herself into a broken down Manhunter to save herself the first time," Hal reminded him.

"Yeah but that was close by. This planet is light years away. No way she could have done it."

"There was something about the way Aya died that didn't seem right. She left no robot parts behind. She always did whenever she transferred out of her body."

"You're as optimistic as Razer," The Bolovaxian grunted.

"It is always better to have a positive attitude," a cheerful voice said from behind them.

Hal and Kilowog sputtered in their flight patterns before stopping and turned around. Fliyng right behind them, carrying a familiar blue battery slung to his chest by energy bands was Blue Lantern Saint Walker. The Astonian face had a broad lipless smile on his pale face. His solid black eyes were equally as merry at seeing his old friends.

"Moon Face!" Kilowog exclaimed.

The husky Bolovaxian greeted Saint Walker almost the same way he had back on Odum. Hal feared the bear hung would snap the lanky alien in two, but the Saint Walker was far tougher than his thin frame portrayed. Still he let out a sputtered cough before responding, "I am equally happy to see you Brother Kilowog."

"What are you doing all the way out here?" Hal asked. "Did Ganthet send you?"

"In a way. I came here because I sensed something," Saint Walker said.

"Sensed?" Kilowog.

"I am very attuned to the blue light that permeates the universe. I told Ganthet I needed to come here some time ago. I only just arrived as you have."

"If you're here, that might mean..." Hal turned to look at Biot with less trepidation and more hope. "Let's get down there."

***

Biot still looked like the ugly refuse heap Hal remember except there were only a few scraps of Manhunter left among all the rest of the debris. The Guardians had taken more care disposing of the Manhunter corpses this time around than the first, making sure that every robot had been taken apart so thoroughly, not one could reactivate. Only an occasional forearm, boot or hollowed out head could be seen among all the desolation over the planet's surface.

If Aya had survived, Hal felt certain she hadn't come here. Hal examined his ring. The signal he had first received on Oa had grown stronger, but he still had no idea who contacted him or why they weren't responding.

When Hal past over the crest of a mound of metallic refuse, he stopped up short, causing Kilowog to nearly ram into him. The Bolovaxian uttered a word Hal's ring couldn't translate as the both gaped at the remains of a once beautiful spaceship among the junk pile.

The Interceptor looked as if it had plowed through several hill size stacks of other pieces of vehicles and weapons before resting nose first against a mound with its tail up at a thirty-degree angle. The rear hatch had been lowered to grant access.

"This is where it ended up?" Kilowog asked incredulous. "It can't be."

"From all appearances, the ship is right in front of you," Saint Walker said matter of fact.

"However it got here, it's here," Hal replied. "Let's go."

The three flew right up to the ramp and inside the ships belly. The Interceptor's interior looked eerie lit only by the light of green and blue power rings. Hal swung his light up, finding the hatch to the next floor open as well as the door to the engine room. But the massive Lantern Battery that acted as the ships propulsion system remained cold and dark.

"Let's check the bridge," Hal suggested.

The Green Lantern flew up to the open hatch and entered the next level. He could see the doors to what remained of the bridge partly broken by the impact. He hesitated a moment finally realizing what should have been obvious. Who had opened all the exterior hatches?

As Kilowog and Saint Walker entered the room from below, Hal caught a glimpse of what looked to be a huge golden-eyed green insect cowering just behind the door to the bridge. However the creature wore a red uniform.

"Red Lantern!" Hal shouted.  

The Green Lantern reacted before he could make out more. He enveloped the insect alien in an energy sphere, pulling him out of hiding.

"Hobble!" Someone yelled.

Weapons fire peppered the room from the bridge. Hal dropped his captive as Kilowog and Walker constructed shields of green and blue energy as the ray beams hit them.

The small alien lay on the floor close by, covering its head with his arms and calling out in a panic.

Hal could see the red uniform didn't resemble any Red Lantern outfit he had seen and symbol on the front looked very basic, nothing like the familiar Red Lantern logo. Also why was his companion shooting weapons when all they needed to do was use his to make a construct.  Possibly they were only the kind of Red Lantern soldiers he encountered on Shard. Still this guy seemed too small to be a guard.

"Stop shooting Kodek!" the insect called out. "It's them!"

The firing ceased. A second alien stepped out from the wrecked bridge wearing the same kind of uniform, but he had the same height and stature as Hal. He looked humanoid but had green skin almost the same shade as the insect, with pointy ears, brown eyes and black hair cut in a military fashion.

Kodek glared down at his companion first and complained, "Explain to me again Hobble, how you became a member of Alpha Squad?"

The green insect got up, his stature barely passing three feet. He looked up blinking his yellow eyes. This must have been an exchange the two had before because the insect immediately counted off a list.

"I'm resourceful, good as a decoy and great at playing dead," he replied.

The tall alien sighed before speaking to Hal.

"Green Lantern. My name is Kodek Branigen of Plumber Alpha Squad. This is my fellow Plumber Hobble."

"I'm Hal Jordan of the Green Lantern Corps," Hal then asked. "Somehow I can't figure you guys came here to fix the Interceptors toilet."

Kodek scolded. Hobble added, "He's an Earthling Kodek. On Earth that is a common joke."

"It's not funny," he grumbled.

"Look you guys have the upper hand here," Hal continued. "You know Sargent Kilowog and I are Green Lanterns. Our friend Saint Walker here is a Blue Lantern. We want to know who told you that and what you're doing on my old ship."

"Salvaging," said Hobble. "Trying to find parts for our ship. We were looking for the nav com's power core. A friend of yours told us where but its a mess in there and didn't look intact."

"You were looking for L.A.N.O.S?" Kilowog exclaimed. "But if you know about that then-!"

"Yes," Kodek cut him off. "You're friend Razer is here."

***

Hal Jordan encased Kodek and Hoddle in a green energy sphere to carry them back to their crippled ship. Kilowog and Saint Walker flew along behind them as they gave the Lanterns precise directions to locate the vessel.

"When we crashed here several days ago and began looking for parts to maker repairs," Kodek explained, "we found your old ship, thought it might have what we needed and boarded her. This Razer friend of yours was already in there. He thought we were Red Lanterns too. He put up quite a fight until we figured out neither of us were hostiles. Only lost in outer space."

"Razer isn't lost," Hal started to explain. "He's looking for someone."

"Yeah," Kodek shook his head. "It's insane for him to be roaming around the universe trying to locate one person. I think he was trying to find some clues to where to look by coming here."

"But we just want to go home," Hobble said.

"Well now that we're here, you'll be back to whatever sector you came from in no time."

They flew over the crest of one enormous mound and saw the other ship at once.

Hal let out a whistle. The ship's design lacked the elegance of the Interceptor but it still looked impressive. The wings were long, jutting out along a triangular shaped cockpit giving it the appearance of an arrowhead. But like the Interceptor the vessel it had a white and green hull, with some black and the same red markings on the Alpha Squad's uniforms.

"That is one sweet looking ride," Hal commented.

"Yes," Hobble agreed. "The modifications they made to the model are quite striking. But I'm too short to pilot."

"You can't reach the foot petals, huh?" Hal joked. The Plumbers only stared at him with no comprehension. He added, "It's a test pilot joke."

"Don't worry," Kilowog said. "I never get most of Hal's humor either."

They floated down to the ground. Hal released Kodek and Hobble from within the green bubble of Lantern energy and they walked to the ship.

Like the Interceptor, the ships entrance ramp was in its belly. As Kodek led them inside and through the vessels interior, Hal noted that though it didn't have the shape of his old ship, it had an almost identical layout.

"Did you guys steal the Guardians blue prints for the Interceptor?" Hal asked.

"It is a strange coincidence," Kodek remarked. "But it does line up with our theory."

"What theory?" The Green Lantern began to ask. However the answer to Hal's question got delayed.

When they entered the ship's cockpit, they saw two more red uniformed Plumbers at the main controls of the vehicle. They were on either side of a very familiar Red Lantern. The three were in such deep conversation, looking over holographic layouts of the spacecraft that Hobble had to interrupt them.

"Razer! Look who finally showed up," the insect called.

The Volkregian turned around, looking no different than when Hal, Kilowog and Walker had last seen him. The pale faced alien with his etched black markings had changed in one way. Razer could now produce a smile far easier than he used to, even after the loss of Aya.

"Hal," Razer grinned.

That was the other thing. Razer had always been more formal with Hal's name, using Green Lantern Jordan, Hal Jordan or simply Jordan. Hal always told him to use his first name. It only happened when they had said goodbye at their last parting.

"Kid. Am I happy to see you," Hal said.

They met halfway across the cockpit, shaking hands. Kilowog got a little more personal. Throwing his arm around Razer and hugging him again.

"Red! We've missed ya!" Kilowog bellowed.

"I noticed," Razer grimaced from the intensity of the embrace. The Red Lantern level of jovially dropped slightly the sight of Saint Walker. Razer became more formal when speaking to him, "Saint Walker. I am pleased to see you."

"You did not expect me, Brother," Walker said in a regretful tone. " Or perhaps you did not want to see me."

The frown on the Astonian face contradicted Hal and Kilowog's reactions. The Green Lanterns wondered what exactly Razer had done to deserve such a cool response from Saint Walker.

"We must speak," Saint Walker added.

"Later," Razer insisted. "These Plumbers need help getting back to their universe."

"Wait?" Hal said. "Did you just say universe?"

"Yes Hal Jordan," the Red Lantern continued being prim instead of casual. "These aliens are from a parallel universe."

Plumber Universe - The Planet Earth

You'd think saving the Earth from a planetary wide invasion might give you a few days to knock off and relax in the shade of an umbrella with a smoothie.

For Benjamin Kirby Tennyson, that was far from his task.

He and the Plumbers were helping wherever possible to put the planet back together after the extensive damage from the month long Incursean conquest of Earth. Ben primary stayed in his hometown of Bellwood, using whatever alien forms came in the handiest for what repairs he volunteered to do.

What made it a little more enjoyable is he had his entire team to pitch in.

Gwen Tennyson, his closest and dearest cousin and Kevin Levin, who pulled the double duty of being his friend and Gwen's boyfriend, were staying in town to help out. Gwen's college had gotten trashed during the invasion so her college courses were still canceled until further notice.

Rook Blanko, Ben's current Plumber partner, focused on helping get the planets defense systems back up. He used his Proto-Truk to fly around Earth with other Plumbers making repairs and upgrades to the satellites rimming the atmosphere.

Now, not only did most of the world's public know about Ben Tennyson, they also knew about the Plumbers existence as intergalactic law officers. Also, practically every one in Bellwood had founded out that all the aliens in the city were not just he. An entire town of aliens lived beneath the streets, living their own lives.

There were still people acting as nativist, but after many aliens stayed on Earth to help the resistance and Ben's made a quick PR campaign, a good portion of the population accepted they were part of a much bigger universe.

Ben took a quick break from alien swapping to use his Tenn-Speed motorcycle to zip across town. He had stopped by Mr. Smoothies to grab a six-pack container of the beverage. They were strapped to the rear seat of his cycle. He resisted the urge to pull over to drink his when his Omnitrix beeped.

He pulled up to the curve of a street, lifting the device towards his face. Azmuth, a super brainy alien who wanted to make a device to teach the user how to felt to walk a mile in another alien’s form, had created the Omnitrix. It also was intended to be a type of storage for DNA samples of every intelligent species of life in the universe. Then Ben Tennyson had accidentally got the Omnitrix when an evil galactic overlord named Vilgax shot down the transport ship carrying it to Earth. The Omnitrix had been intended for his grandfather, Max Tennyson, but the elder Plumber insisted Ben keep it. And Ben had turned it into a weapon in which to help save the world. Azmuth never liked the idea but Ben proved himself such a hero, the Galvin not only let him continue to use it, but also gave him an updated version.

"Hey Grandpa? What's up?" Ben asked.

"I need you back at headquarters," the man elder ordered.

"I was just on my way there. Anything else exciting happening?"

"Only the need for an extra pair of hands to get the Plumber ground assault vehicles working."

"You sure you trust me with that?"

"No but I'm sure Gwen will keep you from breaking anything worse."

"I'll be right there."

Ben revved the engine on his Tenn-Speed and sped off towards downtown. He took the exit to the tunnel going under the river. He tapped a button on the console of his cycle. Swiftly a stone entranceway big enough to drive a truck through slid open on an offshoot next to the roadway. Ben drove inside, down a long amber green-lit tunnel and into the Plumber garage. He parked next to Rook's Proto-Truk, which sat in its disguise as a commercial truck for Max's Plumbing Supplies. On the other side of it was a custom green and black Dodge Challenger. Beyond it, was a Plumber Humvee with its hood open.

Ben grabbed the six-pack of drinks off the seat. Instead of taking off his biking clothes, they morphed off of him, leaving him in his green and black t-shirt, cargo pants and sneakers. Ben loved this bike. His alien Jury Rigg had built it for him. He still didn't know how the whole matter transferred clothing worked but he didn't care. Still he ruffled his brown hair to get rid of his helmet hairdo before walking towards the green car.

As he did, two very small grey aliens, one dressed in a silver white Plumber suit, the other in coveralls and a hat, walked towards him in the opposite direction.

"Yes it did!" Driba the Gavin insisted.

"No it didn't," Blukic replied every time.

Ben greeted them. "Hi guys. Here."

The Galvins each took a smoothie and continued their argument between slurps.

Ben stopped beside the Dodge. Gwen and Kevin stood in front of the engine block of the Plumber Humvee. For the most part Gwen handed her boyfriend tools and attempted to give him advice that he didn't listen to.

"Guys! Break time!" Ben called.

Ben's red headed cousin turned and smiled, gazing through the pair of retro eyeglasses she used to feel older than her age of sixteen. But her t-shirt, skirt, knee-highs and flats showed she still enjoyed being her age among so many older students in college. Kevin, gothic with his oily long black hair, frayed t-shirts and jeans, still could produce charming smiles when he wanted to.

The teenagers took the smoothies before all leaning against the green car to drink.

"Like old times again," Ben said.

"Not quite," Gwen noticed the extra smoothies still in the carton. "That one is for Rook?"

"Yeah. Do you know where he is?"

"I think he's in the training room," Kevin said.

"All work. Even during down time," Ben sighed.

After hanging out with them for a few more minutes, Ben went looking for his current partner. He made for the training room, expecting to have to change into some kind of alien to keep whatever program from killing him. Instead he found Rook quietly sitting on the floor with his legs crossed and eyes closed.

Ben leaned over him and said a bit too loudly, "Hi Rook!"

The Revonnahgander's amber and gold eyes flew open. Ben could almost see the fur on his face bristle like a real feline might when startled.

"Ben. You did not have to speak so loudly," Rook said.

"You looked like you were asleep," Ben shrugged.

"I was merely relaxing. It is a technique your cousin Gwen taught me."

"Yeah. She tried to do it with me. All I did was fall asleep." Ben sat beside Rook and placed the smoothie in front of him. "Are you finished with the satellites?"

"The entire grid is back on line. We will not have to worry about it being inactive when the next threat occurs."

Ben winced, "Dude! Seriously? You want something else to happen."

"No I am only saying we will be ready."

"The universe can hear you!"

"Ben. I think you are going to have to learn Gwen's relaxation technique. It will remove some tension."

The door to the training room opened. A grey haired elderly man in a loud Hawaiian shirt and white slacks came inside.

"Ben. I need you and Rook to help in locating a missing Plumber ship," Grandpa Max said.

"See what I mean?" Ben muttered to Rook as they got up.

"It contains four members of Alpha Squad. Including Kodek Branigen and Hobble."

Ben grimaced. Kodek Branigen had been a show off in the Plumbers Academy and a high class jerk. Hobble had assisted Ben in his failed transport of Vilgax to a prison planet that had ended in the tyrant escaping. It's hadn't been Hobble's fault, yet the insect made one sorry Plumber whether he worked in Alpha Squad or not.

Maybe the universe felt it owed Ben a favor.

"Do you have an idea of there last location?" Rook asked.

"Out near the galactic rim," Max said. "They were making sure the Incurseans were following through on their withdrawal."

"As if they wouldn't," Ben said. "We all but creamed them."

"You were not here for a month Ben," Rook reminded him.

"But it was all part of the plan and it still worked out."

"Plumber Molly Gunther will be going with you," Max added. "You need to leave within the hour."

"Molly?" Ben asked. "Okay."

Ben wondered why Molly wanted to go. She had been an Alpha, but she tended to stay on Earth bound. Why would she want to go?

"Let us go, Ben," Rook said.

"Sure. After fighting off The Incurseans, I'm ready for anything else the universe will throw at me!"

Plumber Universe - Galactic Rim

The universe truly was a cruel taskmaster.

The three Manhunter robots floated in the weightless expanse of space. They're systems were dead, long ravaged by a virus that had somehow even reached the machine men through the paradoxical rift they had gone into.

A tiny object, about the size of an Earth cockroach, buzzed up to one of the deactivated Manhunters. It crawled around its neck until it wiggled its way through a chink in its armor. After a few minutes the Manhunter's eyes glowed red as its dead CPU began to function once more.

In a grabbed female voice the Manhunter said, "S-s-sys-tem re-start."