13654/The Morning After: Wakey Wakey!

The Morning After: Wakey Wakey!
Date of Scene:	21 July 2021
Location:	An Isolated Bunker...somewhere.
Synopsis:	Shredder interrogates John Stewart about his power ring.
Cast of Characters:	Shredder, Green Lantern (Stewart)

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Shredder has posed:
    It's been twelve hours since John was knocked out. In that time, he's been taken a good long distance from his home. The bunker is certainly not in the city. It's not near any concentration of population. Isolation is key. The Shredder himself stands over John. The underworld knows of him, and you'd be hard pressed to find a crook in New York City who doesn't fear him, but most heroes on galactic levels probably don't have him on their radar.
    The ring is in the next room, separated by concrete and still in the sealed titanium alloy box, the finest TCRI can construct.

    John is bound at the wrists with leather straps, contained within a hard chair, and hasn't been offered any clothing past the boxers he was wearing when he was captured. By the door stand two familiar Foot assassins, his initial captors. The Shredder loooms over him, shadows keeping his face hidden within his mask, the blades of his shoulders giving him an even larger profile than he already holds. He simply stands there, and for all anyone has known, has been standing there for a good while before John's consciousness returned to him.

Green Lantern (Stewart) has posed:
Staring at a black man in boxers for that long would usually get concerned stares... but then again, John isn't just any man. He's been all around the galaxy in the last few years, and was sent as Oa's primary Green Lantern for the sector.

When John wakes up... it isn't much of a surprise when he wakes up somewhere completely different and in darkness.

It was reasonable to assume upon waking up that the only reason he's still alive is they haven't figured out how to get the ring to work for them, and they wanted information. Not many people on Earth knew too much about the Corps, after all.

So, when he wakes up, his eyes take in his surroundings briefly, and seeing that the shadowed figure was the only one locally, his eyes turn to him... and he smirks. "Guess I need to find a new loft."

Shredder has posed:
    There is silence to the quip, and the armored figure just stares for several uncomfortable seconds. "John Stewart. United States Marine. Intergalactic warrior. You have quite the reputation, Mr. Stewart. I was surprised at how little it took to apprehend you. I expected...more. Do you know who I am?" he asks, the dim light glinting off the helmet.

Green Lantern (Stewart) has posed:
"The loft I was living at needs to up their security. The rings warning came too late." John shrugs in his bonds, "I don't know who you are. I just came back to Earth a month ago. Should I?"

Shredder has posed:
    The Shredder doesn't laugh, but does answer. "A weak man blames the folly of others," he says, a tone that indicates no interest in debating his claim. "You have been gone from Earth, and the power to preserve it has been abroad. I intend to see to it that the power is used here for order, and to maintain this world, rather than going to a pup who would leave the world he has to protect." A bold statement perhaps from someone who has little understanding of galactic affairs. "You are going to help me understand how this power is wielded."

Green Lantern (Stewart) has posed:
He's heard that tone before in the marine corps, and John apparently has little interest in pursuing the matter further either. He's silent for a good half minute, before he gets comfortable and raises a brow at Shredder, "Normally, I'd love the initiative. Sometimes decisive action is a great thing." John shrugs, "But you don't have a clue what you're actually talking about, and it shows."

He glances around the room, now that his eyes have had time to adjust, and speaks as he does so, "What should I call you, shadow guy?"

Shredder has posed:
    "You are correct, I don't know anything about how to wield the power. But I do know how to wield Power. I have conquered lands, nations, and hell itself," he says. "I am the immortal dragon warrior. The Shredder. Your shallow experience, however well intended, cannot compare to my ability to fulfill the ring's destiny more completely. How do you activate it?" he asks.

Green Lantern (Stewart) has posed:
"/You/ don't." John has a moment of visibly intense concentration, and suddenly the Power Ring -whereever it is- starts to flaot on it's own... and slowly begins to move around the room as it tries to find a way out. "Those rings have rules of their own, and don't care about you. Put it on, and it's just a bit of fancy jewelry for you." He smiles, a bit cruelly, "Kill me, and it has a pre-programmed recall with an emergency power reserve. Unless /I/ will it, no one else can command it."

How he reacts to that bit will tell John more about who he's dealing with. It's mostly truth, with just enough of a lie to keep Shredder from immediately killing him.

Shredder has posed:
    Shredder narrows his eyes, leaning in to study signs of deception. His emotional status seems unaffected, and he shifts his gaze toward the door.

    This is because in the next room, the small container that seals away the ring lifts, carried by the ring in an attempt to return to its owner. "You summon it?" he asks. "Very interesting, a bond that is to a singular soul. I respect a man who does not fear death," he congratulates John. "But do not think it means I will not kill you. How do you come across such a bond?" he asks. "I'm aware that there are other rings, like yours, and those that are different from yours but of similar ilk. Yours was just the one I was able to isolate the most easily."

Green Lantern (Stewart) has posed:
Telling Shredder anything is a gamble... but most of what he's telling the other man is common knowlege in the galaxy... and who knows? Maybe learning the rules might bring about some sort of reform. One can dream, right?

"The ring choses you. You don't chose it. You can give a ring to someone, but unless the ring recognizes the qualities of a Green Lantern, trying to bypass that authorization gets you nowhere." He listens for the ring, but since it's not coming immedaitely, John can only assume it's being contained.

"We're galactic peacekeepers. We keep the universe safe from those who would destroy it for selfish gain. If you haven't been chosen, you don't have the best interests of the universe in your heart."

Shredder has posed:
    "I have the best interests of Earth in my concern," he answers. "The rest of the universe can seek someone else." His facial expression is hid by the shozuko mask that covers his face. He seems to think for several seconds, and then raises his hand. "Put him back under. I have things to consider. Thank you for your cooperation, Mr. Stewart."

Green Lantern (Stewart) has posed:
"That isn't enough, shadow guy." John states with finality as the drugs start to kick in. "You want in? You need to think big pict..." And he's out.

On a side note, the Power Ring suddenly drops to the ground as well.