Tales of the Green Lantern Corps: Carsta Vager
The Ghost of Green Lantern 1101
by CSyphrett
When a small but ruthless fleet invades a peaceful planet, Carsta Vager, the local Green Lantern, is struck down in the opening moments of the battle! With their protector gone, the fate of his homeworld hangs in the balance. Can his apprentice rise to the challenge and safeguard his mentor’s legacy as a temporary Green Lantern?
***
The Green Lantern Corps stands as a beacon of justice and courage, with each member entrusted to protect their designated sector using the legendary power ring that transforms willpower into formidable energy. For many, this honor represents a lifelong pursuit — a calling that demands unwavering dedication and sacrifice. My own journey began as a humble apprentice, serving under the watchful eye of my mentor. Little did I know that the path I walked would lead me to a moment of profound significance, forever intertwining my fate with the legacy of a fallen hero.
Years of service to the Green Lanterns of Space Sector 1101 prepared me for the day I would be temporarily bestowed with that esteemed honor myself. The circumstances surrounding my ascension were both unexpected and transformative.
My mentor, Carsta Vager, was the latest champion of the Green Lantern Corps to serve this sector, valiantly defending his home planet and the surrounding region of space for countless years. He embodied the very best of his species — a shining example of bravery and resilience. Carsta faced numerous adversaries and challenges, emerging victorious time and again, knowing defeat only once. Unfortunately, that singular failure was a costly misstep that threatened to mar his legacy forever.
That fateful day began like any other. Carsta Vager awoke before the first light of dawn, the stars still twinkling in the dark expanse above. He immersed himself in his rigorous physical regimen, pushing his limits with every exercise — a sign of his dedication to the job. After completing his training, he donned his Green Lantern uniform and set out on patrol duty with me by his side, ready to confront whatever challenges lay ahead.
As we left the planet’s atmosphere and soared through the cosmos, the advanced sensors built into my spacesuit on high alert, an unsettling feeling nagged at me. Something was off. I soon saw what my mentor had already spotted — four ships emerging from the depths of space. Their hulls, a vibrant yellow, seemed to mock us — a constant reminder of the one weakness in a Green Lantern’s otherwise mighty power.
“Carsta, we have incoming vessels,” I warned, my voice low and steady as I spoke over our private comm channel. “Their stealth capabilities are impressive, but I’m reading four ships, all with yellow-painted hulls.”
My mentor’s expression turned cautious as he nodded, his hand instinctively moving to the power ring on his finger. “This is the Green Lantern of Sector 1101,” he declared, his voice calm and authoritative as he communicated through an open subspace channel with his ring. “Do you require assistance?”
As the ships drew closer, their intentions remained unclear. Carsta’s eyes narrowed, his grip on the ring tightening. I could sense his unease, a feeling I shared. We had faced countless threats together, but the yellow hulls of these ships represented a bold challenge.
“Carsta, I’m reading no signs of overt hostility,” I said, trying to reassure him despite the mounting tension and my own sense of impending danger. “Perhaps they’re simply lost or in need of aid. They might just be unfamiliar with our star system.” I glanced at Carsta, whose expression had turned grave.
My mentor’s gaze remained fixed on the ships. “I’ve never seen vessels like these before,” he said, his voice tinged with curiosity. “Let’s proceed with caution, but be prepared for anything, my friend,” he urged, his tone now serious.
The four ships abruptly halted their flight, hovering ominously in space, their yellow hulls a stark reminder of the danger they posed. The captain of the fleet appeared on the ring-created viewscreen — he was a Sorthian, a species with a reputation for ruthlessness. His voice rumbled like distant thunder, devoid of warmth or compassion.
“Hello, Lantern,” the captain sneered, his tone dripping with disdain. “We are fine.”
As we drew closer, the ships’ intentions soon became chillingly clear. They were not here to make friends. A wave of dread washed over me as I detected another ship approaching from behind, its energy signature masked until the last moment. The Green Lantern of Space Sector 1101, the hero I had served for so long, was about to face his greatest defeat.
“Carsta, incoming!” I shouted, but it was too late. The ship’s guns flared to life, unleashing a barrage of yellow energy blasts that cut through my mentor’s defenses, striking him with devastating force. “No-o-o-o-o-o!” I cried, desperation flooding my voice.
The Green Lantern’s ring flared wildly as he struggled to defend himself, but it was no match for the yellow energy or the sheer power of the assault. My mentor stumbled back, his ring’s power faltering.
And then it happened.
Carsta Vager’s body was torn apart, his agonized screams echoing through the comms as the beams sliced through him, cutting him in half.
The Sorthian captain’s laughter rang out, a cold, mirthless sound that reverberated through the subspace channel. “We fare better than you, it seems,” he taunted, his eyes glinting with triumph.
Carsta lay mortally wounded, his vision beginning to fade as his life slipped away with each passing moment. We both understood the grim reality of the situation; his power ring could hold back the inevitable for only a short while. I could sense his pain, but also his unwavering determination. He knew he had to pass on his duty to me, to ensure the planet below was protected.
“I want you… to listen,” he whispered, summoning the phenomenal willpower that had defined him. His voice was barely audible over the comms. “You will defend the planet… from any threat… until someone more worthy than I… can be found… and appointed. Do you understand?”
I nodded, my mind racing with the weight of his words. “Yes,” I replied, my voice steady despite the turmoil around us.
Carsta’s eyes locked onto mine, burning with intensity. “Then go about your business… my friend,” he whispered, his voice fading into silence as he took his last breath.
The yellow fleet descended toward the planet far below, their intentions unmistakable. I knew I had to act, to protect the innocent civilians below from the looming threat. The local Green Lantern had been their sole protector, and now he floated lifeless in the void of space. I steeled myself for the battle ahead, my heart pounding with determination. I would not allow Carsta’s sacrifice to be in vain.
As I donned the iconic uniform of the Green Lanterns, the weight of my new responsibility settled heavily upon me. The power ring, once worn by my fallen mentor, now glowed brightly on my finger, a constant reminder of the legacy I was tasked to uphold. I left Carsta Vager’s lifeless body suspended in an energy bubble, reminding myself of the sacrifice he had made. I would not let it be in vain.
Taking a deep breath, I set out to fulfill his final command: to defend the planet from the yellow fleet that threatened its destruction. Soaring into the void, I drew upon my years of experience serving alongside the Green Lanterns of this sector, drawing upon their tactics and strategies to shape my own approach.
As I pursued the yellow fleet, now rapidly descending toward Carsta Vager’s homeworld, I knew that the emerald light of my power ring would be ineffective against their yellow hulls. I needed a more cunning strategy — one that would catch them off guard. That’s when I spotted one of the planet’s moons, its rugged terrain presenting the perfect opportunity.
Flying past the moon on an intercept course, I swooped in, channeling the ring’s energy to scoop up a massive chunk of its surface. My years of service in the Corps had equipped me with a solid understanding of combat tactics, and I was determined to put that knowledge to use.
The yellow fleet, alerted to my presence and detecting the massive payload on their screens, began firing their lasers at me, attempting to scatter. But I was prepared. With a swift motion, I swung the rocky mass through their formation, reveling in the sight of their ships being utterly crippled. A small sense of satisfaction surged within me as I watched lifeboats launch from the wreckage, fleeing the chaos I had unleashed.
As the last lifeboat escaped from the wreckage of the broken ships, I projected an image of Carsta Vager onto their viewscreens — a stark reminder of the hero who had sacrificed everything to protect this world. “This world is protected,” I declared, my voice firm and resolute. “Leave now, and never return.”
The lifeboats, the final remnants of the yellow fleet, fled into the depths of space, tails tucked between their legs as they limped away on the last vestiges of power left to them.
Yet, my work was far from over. Now victorious over the defeated fleet, I set about the task of disposing of the wrecked enemy ships. One by one, I grasped each vessel and propelled them out of the system and into hyperspace. Once that was done, I returned the massive chunk of rock to its rightful place on the moon’s surface, restoring the natural balance of the planet’s satellite. It was a laborious process, but one that was necessary.
Now, only one solemn task remained: to recover Carsta Vager’s body from the cold void of space and give him the burial he deserved.
After a thorough search, I gathered every last fragment of my fallen mentor’s remains and brought them to the moon where I had earlier uprooted the mountain. There, I buried him in a simple grave, marking the site with a stone monument in his memory and honor.
As I stood before the grave, a profound sense of responsibility washed over me. I knew I had to continue Carsta Vager’s legacy, to serve as a Green Lantern in his stead until a worthy successor could be found. In that moment, I chose to embrace his identity, setting aside my own name and face to become a symbol of hope for the people of Space Sector 1101.
For a long time, I patrolled the sector, performing good deeds and protecting the innocent. Every act of valor was done in Carsta Vager’s name. My own identity faded into the background, overshadowed by the legacy of my late mentor. All that mattered was that the entire sector knew their chosen Green Lantern was still watching over them.
During this time, I tirelessly searched for someone who could live up to Carsta’s high standards — someone worthy of inheriting the mantle of Green Lantern and continuing his legacy. My quest took me to several inhabited planets within my sector, where I met many brave souls who were considered worthy by conventional standards. Yet, none matched Carsta’s exceptional criteria.
Now, after all this time, I believe I have finally found the individual who is truly worthy to inherit Carsta Vager’s mantle.
The moment has now come for a new Green Lantern to protect Space Sector 1101 — not the ghost of a dead one.
The End
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