Episode 58: Headhunted
Takes place July 30-August 14
Short version
Paul frees Vril Dox the Second from illegal imprisonment and recruits him as the Clarissi (strategic commander) of the Orange Lantern Corps.
Longer version
After disposing of his Citadelian prisoners, Paul brings Lanterns Komand'r and Koriand'r to see Lantern Medphyll. Medphyll is dubious about their capabilities, but agrees to test their skills while Paul obtains samples of plant-based computers for him to practise his control. Paul purchases one of the Dominators' older models, and an Alstairian plant-based spacecraft, which Medphyll finds acceptable.
Medphyll and Paul then inspect Starlag, the Dominator-run prison where Paul suspects (based on comic knowledge) that Vril Dox the Second is being held and illegally experimented on. The Dominators initially try to conceal their illegal activities, but Paul compares the observed structure of the station to its blueprints and finds Dox in a room that isn't supposed to exist. The Dominators then try to attack and silence them, but are unsuccessful, and Medphyll alerts an Honour Guard task force to the situation; the Dominators surrender to him rather than face Paul's harsher justice.
In the aftermath, Paul offers Dox the position of Clarissi (strategic command) over the Orange Lantern Corps, with Paul serving as Illustres (tactical command), and Dox admits that he is interested.
The Renegade makes his goodbyes to the Team before going to Vega, and arranges to work with the new Department of Metahuman Affairs to promote a standard training and licensing system when he gets back.
The title refers to Paul's eventual success in recruiting Vril Dox II, after all his preparations in the previous episode.
- Ancient Conspiracy: Lantern Medphyll refuses to believe that the Guardians have erased records of actions they're not proud of, without strong proof.
- Brain/Computer Interface: Vril Dox the Second is found with 256 wires plugged into his skull, keeping him trapped in a series of simulations and monitoring all his responses.
- Destructive Teleportation: The Dominator teleportation system appears to start by dissolving the subject into shimmering particles. When Paul finds Dox and their guide tries to flee, Paul considers blocking it, but decides that that might kill him, which would displease the Green Lantern Corps.
- Double Meaning: The branded Citadelians are told that they're going to get shore leave.Paul: (internally) True enough, if they agree to work with Amalak. Otherwise… Robot guns.
- Drill Sergeant Nasty: Katarina Armstrong seems to think that her job as Director of the Department of Metahuman Affairs is to make superheroes know their place. Not really a smart approach when dealing with the Renegade.
- Everyone Knows Morse: Justified in that Vril Dox II is officially a genius from a genius race. Paul is able to communicate with him by stimulating his nerves as if he were being tapped on the arm. Technically it wasn't Morse code, but a more sophisticated Coluan system, allowing Paul to transmit quite a lot of data in a short time.
- Get into Jail Free: After hearing the likely results of Orange Lantern Corps custody, the ranking Dominator asks Lantern Medphyll to arrest them instead.
- Green Thumb: Paul is going to pick a fight with the Dominators, who use plant-based computers, so he contacts people he knows who can control plants: Lantern Medphyll and Queen Hyathis.
- My God, What Have I Done?: The branded Citadelians break down in horror upon realizing that they participated in the eradication of the Citadel Empire.
- Pay Evil unto Evil: Koriand'r is unsettled by how Paul deals with the leftover Citadelians. Paul is pragmatic; he gave them a chance, and isn't concerned about whether or not they took it. Komand'r however, uses her ring to record their wails as a lullaby.
- Retirony: Lampshaded. Lantern Medphyll, concerned about the political fallout of helping Paul, tells him that he was considering retirement anyway.Medphyll: According to the Green Lantern Corps database on Human culture, informing you of that fact indicates that we are now doomed.
Paul: No, no it doesn't.
Medphyll: Lantern Gardner-.
Paul: You're doomed. I'm fine. - Riddle for the Ages: Thanagar lost a lot of records during the Equalization Plague, and now it's nigh-impossible to be sure whether or not Queen Hyathis was at fault. note
- Wrong Assumption: When Paul seems to know what Vril Dox II wants to do, the latter at first assumes he took the scans that the Dominators took of him while trapped in their Brain/Computer Interface.
