One more to go:

[lanternslight.livejournal.com]

Surprised that he left the Batcave without so much as a bruised jaw, Hal heads to the last person on his short list of people to talk to. He's heard that Diana and J'onn have been asking questions; he might as well take it directly to one of them. Gotham is relatively close to DC; a short time later, and he's landing in front of the Themyscerian embassy, knocking politely.

Comments

[amazon-diana.livejournal.com]

Hal is led quickly to Diana who is in her office.

"Hello Hal. How is Arisia?" her voice betrays nothing but inquiry.

[lanternslight.livejournal.com]

"Recovering, thank you," Hal nods. "Guy has set her up. I thought it best if I give her space."

He looks around. "Are we free to speak openly here?"

[amazon-diana.livejournal.com]

"Yes, you may say whatever is on your mind here. I take it you wished to save us the trouble of coming to you?"

[lanternslight.livejournal.com]

"Yes. I wish to cooperate fully with this investigation, and do whatever I can to help solve this. This secret has lasted far too long, and the damage it has caused must be undone."

[amazon-diana.livejournal.com]

"Then tell me your version of that night Hal." She does not ask him to sit but instead stands herself to face him while he speaks.

[lanternslight.livejournal.com]

Hal is a military man; he's used to standing when debriefing. Indeed, it helps him slip into habits, reciting facts without feeling the emotions of the event.

"The League returned from duty to the satellite. Dr. Light was raping Sue Dibney. The League captured Dr. Light, and while Ralph took Sue to the hospital, the rest of us debated what to do with Light. The possibility was raised that Light had stolen information that he was not entitled to, and, by the rights granted in the League's charter, to remove those memories from his mind.

"Light, in the meantime, taunted the League, showing holograms of the rape and threatening to do the same to all we cared about. He saw Barry's ring and suspected it was a wedding ring, and threatened to torture and rape his wife, mere weeks after Iris had been apparently killed on the altar by the Reverse Flash.

"At this, one of our member suggested that erasing his memory was not sufficient. Instead, that Dr. Light's core personality should be altered, to prevent him from ever doing such a terrible act again. There was... a disagreement about whether or not such a thing could be allowed."

[amazon-diana.livejournal.com]

"And that is when you decided to vote?"

[lanternslight.livejournal.com]

"It was determined that nothing in the bylaws specifically forbid this sort of act, though interpretation of certain bylaws certainly would forbid it. We had a choice -- we could fight over it, and likely cause the entire League to fragment, possibly forever. Or, we could follow the League charter, which at that time called for an emergency vote of those present. It was a very close vote, but the motion to alter Light's personality was carried 3 to 4."

Despite his military bearing, it is clear to Diana that Hal did not approve of this vote.

[amazon-diana.livejournal.com]

"So Zatanna was told to alter his personality. Go on." her voice and posture is nuetral she will not inadvertantly influence what he is saying.

[lanternslight.livejournal.com]

"While in the process of this act, Batman returned to the scene. He attempted to stop Zatanna, and was in turn stopped by one of the supporters of the vote. Another vote was held to determine whether or not we should erase 10 minutes from the memory of the Batman. Again, the argument was made that the charter forbid this act, but other interpretations of the charter left such an option open. Again faced with the same decision -- fracture the League or vote once more -- the vote was cast. The vote fell along identical lines."

[amazon-diana.livejournal.com]

"And so we attacked our own."

She tilts her head studying him, although she cannot see there is little she misses.

"And now that I know the dry facts tell me what you feel of what happened that day Hal."

[lanternslight.livejournal.com]

"I feel that on that day, the League failed. I was forced to make a decision where any choice I made was the wrong one. I felt at the time that the League needed to survive, however, and I made a choice to help the League survive. I reasoned that someday we could undo the damage we did that day -- erased memories can be restored. But if the League shattered and people died because the League was not there to help... those lives could never be restored.

"It is my hope that this investigation will allow the League to repair the damage that was caused on that day."

[amazon-diana.livejournal.com]

"And if you had the opportunity to make that choice again now that you know what you know?"

[lanternslight.livejournal.com]

"I hope never to be forced into making such a choice again, Diana. I'd like to see the League's charter corrected, so that such loose interpretations of the charter is made more clear. So that I am never again faced with the destruction of the League on one hand, and the betrayal of a comrade on the other."

[amazon-diana.livejournal.com]

"And yet there can be no guarantees for such a thing. We can write as many sub laws into the charter as we desire and it will still not cover every eventuality." her anger comes through a little now.

"What I wish to know is should such a choice come up again what would you do? Do you really think there is a lesser evil of commiting an evil act to keep the League together?"

[lanternslight.livejournal.com]

"Diana, I also believe that if I had resigned from the League then, or if the League had been split at that time, then those who felt that the acts they performed were actually 'justice' would have no further brakes. If the League had split, what was to stop them from doing the same to every criminal they faced? If those of us who disagreed with the vote had left trying to stop them, then what would happen the next time the League held such a vote?"

He shakes his head. "Still, there is no excuse for what was done, nor for my part in it. Do I regret my decision? Every day. And I am sorry... deeply sorry... for my part in those events. Do I think I would do it differently if placed in a similar situation in the future? To be honest... I don't know. I only know that if such a decision came, I would listen to my heart, and do what I feel is right."

[amazon-diana.livejournal.com]

"And if it were up to you what would you do to the ones who had committed the act?"

[lanternslight.livejournal.com]

Hal pauses. He hadn't been expecting that.

"Those who committed the act were merely following through on a decision that the League came to, Diana. This act was not carried out by individuals, but by the League as a whole. Despite the disagreement, a decision was reached, albeit far from unanimously.

"No. Whatever punishment is meted out on those who voted in favor of the act, I will face it with them. And I am not the right person to judge what should be done to those individuals."

[amazon-diana.livejournal.com]

"I count all who were there as the same, whether they voted yea or nay. But it is not my say that counts. While the founding members conduct the tribunal it will be for all your peers to judge you." she turns away from him.

"You will be called upon for the meeting when it is time."

[lanternslight.livejournal.com]

"I understand, Diana. I hope that you can understand why I did what I did, even if you don't agree with it. And... Diana. I know that I have let you down. And I am sorry for that."

[amazon-diana.livejournal.com]

"Hal, my entire island of people were placed where they were because they attacked those who could not defend themselves. I realize I may take a harsher view of it than others. But I also will not bend my principals on this matter and I will vote how I must." She thinks of other people and other times.

"I should be used to it by now. Please, I would like some time to think Hal."

[lanternslight.livejournal.com]

"I would never ask you to betray your principles, Diana." He turns to leave. "Thank you for hearing me out. If you need me before the Tribunal for any reason, please contact me. I will help however I can."

[amazon-diana.livejournal.com]

"Thank you. And give Arisia my greetings when you see her."