Dana Richter // Green Lantern 2814.4

"Mr. Richter." said Admiral Dawes "We understand your reservations about this, but in this case the recommendation of the Justice League carries a great deal of weight. We've been looking for a leader for this endeavor for some time. We feel it is inappropriate to assign a military officer to this post at this time."

"I'm not a soldier, Admiral." Dana said, stopping in his pacing. "I just don't understand why you think I would be a good person for this job."

"As I said, the Justice League suggested you." Admiral Dawes said.

"I don't understand why they suggested me!" Dana said. "I have no military training, no command experience. I'm a goddamn pacifist!"

He couldn't believe where he was and what was going on. In the briefing room of the White House itself, speaking with a dozen of the world's finest admirals and generals, all of whom were there to offer him a highly unusual job. At 27, he was positively stunned they were doing so, considering what it was.

"The Earth Defense Fleet is a new kind of mission for us, Dana." said Admiral Pellard. They were personal friends since Dana saved Pellard's flagship almost five years ago. "This is mankind's first foray into the greater galaxy. You have a chance to set the tone. As Bill said," he indicated Admiral Dawes. "A military officer is not necessarily the kind of blood we want spearheading mankind's first attempt to explore the stars beyond our own solar system. As a Green Lantern, you have a knowledge and experience that no officer we'd be able to assign would have. You've seen the sort of dangers the galaxy has in store. And though I run the risk of sounding ridiculous for saying so, you aren't the only Trekkie in this room, my friend. I'd rather have a pacifist lead the way and lay the groundwork for a peaceful intergalactic relationship than send a military man who reacts as military men do."

"As the newest branch of NATO, the EDF is going to be a major focus for world resources. The seventeen ships of the primary fleet cost twelve trillion dollars and have taken us the better part of seven years to build." General Ainsley said. "I can't say I'm overly thrilled with my colleagues' choice in commanders for this fleet."

"Fleet?" Dana said. "Now, wait a minute. You're not offering me a flagship. You're offering me a fleet?"

"Technically yes." Admiral Pellard said. "However, the greater administrative duties for the fleet will be carried out by the people in this room. Excluding you, I'm afraid. You'll be a figurehead, Dana. But an important one. The way you do things will be the way of the fleet. We are, all of us, pledged to that goal. Thanks to the advice of the Justice League, most of the world leaders devoted to this goal have decided that your particular brand of diplomacy is a good face for this project. By setting you as the leader here, we establish the standards we set for our commanders for generations to come. This will not be a short term project. These are humanity's first great strides toward joining the rest of the universe.

"Whether you realize it or not, Dana, you have a reputation. As a Lantern, you are a superhero, yes. But those who know you in more detail, your fellows in the league, your friends, the Titans. These people know you to be a voice of wisdom and good judgement, a man of decisive action, of strong will, and of caring for the greater good in its truest form. Above all, you have no great love for conflict. In this, you are an ideal commander to oversee our first contact on even terms with our neighbors."

"I'm forced to agree." General Ainsley said.

"Aye." Admiral Lord Tinsley of the English Royal Navy nodded. The word was repeated by a few others, accompanied by nods and satisfied exchanges of gaze.

"Okay, okay!" Dana said. "Let me just... entertain this possibility. And believe you me, I really relish the thought of being able to skip across the stars like Jim Kirk, building an intergalactic community of peace. Believe me, it's an appealing thought. But you're asking me to take over a military ship with military rules and military objectives. This isn't 'Starfleet', this is the Earth Defense Fleet. Conflict is in the name. I mean, what are the primary objectives of this new fleet?"

"The primary mission of the fleet is to assist in the establishment of defensive emplacements throughout the Sol System." Admiral Dawes said. "But that's a temporary objective. We'll be sharing it with the martians. The four primary vessels, Endeavor, Intrepid, Constitution, and Liberty will be tasked with stellar exploration. With the new martian engines, we'll be able to achieve multi-light speeds. This is going to be real exploration, not a ship drifting for years through the void just to reach one planet."

"Needless to say, your goal is to establish peaceful relations with our cosmic neighbors. Trade and diplomatic relations are a focus of your mission. Cultural, artistic, and scientific exchange are also a major focus." Admiral Ma of NATO said. "Not necessarily in that order."

"Whatever you can arrange, we'll accept. You have authority to negotiate on behalf of the United Nations. What we have to trade with will be compiled in lists and made available to you in a burst transmission at the first of every month." Admiral Dawes explained. "Thousands of organizations have chipped into the stores. Governments, companies, individuals. If they want something that isn't on the list, you talk to us. If we can arrange something, we will."

"So I'm a glorified trader." Dana nodded slowly.

"Can I have the room for a moment, gentlemen?" Pellard asked, looking around. All of them nodded and stood, turning and exiting through the doors into the hall where building security stopped them. They were, after all, in the same building with the president and many of these people were foreign officers. The venue had been chosen in lieu of the EDF's headquarters owing to the fact that it was still under construction. Pellard stood and walked around the long table toward Dana.

"You know what I loved about science fiction?" he said slowly. "The staggering optimism. Star Trek especially. The idea of a military force that was more scientists and researchers and inventors and doctors and every other thing you can imagine instead of just plain old soldiers... it's an idea I like. Frankly, if we send a bunch of soldiers out into the stars with enough firepower to level a continent in the space of five minutes, we're going to make a mistake quickly and end up coming to blows with an alien superpower and, in all likelihood, it'll be a foolish mistake.

"You have an opportunity to advance mankind's scientific knowledge dozens if not hundreds of years. Every first contact situation increases that potential. And with every experience, you make us all that much wiser about cosmos. Dana. To put things bluntly, I want you to reign in humanity's violent streak and guide us into peaceful coexistence with the rest of the cosmos. You know better than me, even, the dangers we face out there. As a Lantern, you have more experience of the galaxy than anyone else we could assign to this post. What happens if we send that ship out there with a military officer in the hot seat and he responds to a negotiation with a threat. What happens when his patience fails him? We could embroil ourselves in a very unforgiving war. And I don't like our odds. A man like you wouldn't make that kind of mistake and that's what I'm counting on. Liberty, Constitution, and Intrepid are all being assigned advisers from the Martian Prime Ministry to advise on all actions. They have the authority to overrule the commanders. However, in this case, we wanted at least one ship truly commanded by humans. You are in a position to guarantee the safety of the crew, the stability of any negotiations, and you know the pit-falls.

"Now, I've done a lot of promoting in my time. And I have to say this is going to be the first time I'm giving a ship to a rookie. But I'm not expecting you to do this alone. And I believe that you're going to prove yourself." He gestured covertly at the admirals and generals in the hall, visible through the glass doors. "They needed convincing. They needed the league to step up and tell them that you were a good pick. I didn't. The moment we decided that this wasn't just going to be another military endeavor, I thought of you because I know you. I know you believe in this. I know that if I give you freedom to act in accordance with your convictions, you'll change the way humanity does things forever. I'm asking you to set a precedent that can change everything. That can make people like me obsolete forever. When all is said and done... I'm asking you to be John Archer, the man who starts it all. I'm asking you to turn this into the Starfleet. I'm tired of war for war's sake. I want to fight for something again, something more than just politics. And this... this is a first step to a better humanity. Tell me you'll do it."

Dana folded his arms...

"I guess it is an offer I can't refuse after all."

Pellard smiled.

"Then I'll tell the boys at EDF HQ to prep a shuttle." Pellard smiled. "It's about time you met the old girl.