Episode 106: Back Seat
Takes place 4-6 July 2012.
Short version
The Martian color segregation is finally broken by the revelation that Karmang the Good was white, rather than red as was popularly believed. Paul recruits disaffected Whites to work for LEGION, starting by freeing the planet Colu from the Computer Tyrants.
Longer version
Paul visits Mars, hoping to recruit expert telepaths to help release the Coluans from the digital simulation they're living in. Mother of Mercy's repairs to the planet are working well, with the surface becoming more habitable, but the social reforms to end colour prejudice are encountering pushback from Green Martians who don't want to give up their privileged position over Whites — so Paul goes to the city that's dragging its feet and makes an employment offer to the revolutionary Whites. The city government, however, doesn't want to let the rebels leave, triggering a landmark consultation by the Planetary Council to decide just how the law should work in relation to other planets.
Knowing that even the Martians won't be enough to free sixty billion Coluans, Paul returns to the Vega Systems and visits the planet Euphorix, passing on a message from its absent queen to let them know that it's become safe to lower the planetary shield. The regent is disappointed at the prospect of the queen returning, but willing to talk with Paul about employment contracts for telepaths. Adam Blake (Captain Comet) is also willing to participate, though even his extraordinary telepathic abilities aren't enough to overwhelm the Computer Tyrants alone.
Having learned that the more prejudiced Martians attribute their discriminatory system to the ancient Martian "Karmang the Good", Paul seeks out a necromancer to consult Karmang and find out his true position. However, in keeping with the Renegade timeline's discovery that Karmang is still alive, Paul's necromancer is unable to find his soul in death. She does manage to locate one of his disciples, who reveals that Karmang had no strong opinions on colour roles, but was White himself, which throws the government into further upheaval and brings about more of the reforms Paul wants.
A group of mixed colour Martians, working with Captain Comet, is then able to attack the Computer Tyrants directly and erase them from their own virtual reality, allowing the Coluans' return to begin.
An omake shows Guy Gardner asking one of the Guardians, specifically Appa Ali Apsa, about what the Guardians did to the Martians.
The title possibly refers to Paul stepping away from the Team and from the front line of the war to assist in a support role.
- Alternate Universe: The backstory of "Tangseid" is explored, where Paul started out similarly to universe 16, but took an enhancement drug that enhanced his physical strength at the cost of his moral code. As seen in Episode 99, this eventually leads to him using Mind Control to restructure the Justice League for more effectiveness, impose a Heel–Face Turn on Circe, and completely rewrite Wonder Woman's personality to be his enforcer and willing Sex Slave. In the early stages however, he was just testing out what his adjusted mindset could and couldn't do. And hitting on Artemis despite their age gap. He eventually decides that setting aside moral concerns is a benefit since it makes his ring constructs stronger.
- Anti-Climax: With some assistance from several Martians, Captain Comet is able to make short work of the Computer Tyrants.
- Dropping the Bombshell: Paul brings a necromancer to Mars and learns, in front of witnesses, that the founder of their whole civilisation was a White Martian. All the Martians who hear it are stunned.
- Fantastic Racism: Even if the Red Martians know the truth about their history, they can't immediately get rid of the prejudice against the White Martians, as doing so may bring about civil unrest (the Field Trip episode shows what that could look like, and it's ugly). Not to mention that some Red and Green Martians will still look down on White Martians because that's what they've been raised to believe their whole lives.
- Internal Reveal: Guy is made aware of the Massacre of Sector 666.
- Landslide Election: The referendum in Venturia comes down about 98% in favour of seceding from Atlantis.
- Noble Bigot: Prelate P'thet genuinely believes that Red Martians are innately superior and that that gives them obligations to care for their inferiors. She has her subordinates — all Red and Green — bow to her, and is entirely unwilling to revisit their social stratification, but probably wouldn't directly abuse Whites.
- Omake: One part has Guy Gardner asking Guardian Appa Ali Apsa about what the Guardians did to the Martians, as well as a few other things that they have kept secret from the Corps.
- Xanatos Gambit: B'enn B'lanx, who leads the resistance in Xan'xie, isn't keen on "running away" — until Paul points out that one way or another, his offer will solve their problems.Paul: I want you to come and receive professional military training in a place where you can buy weapons with your pay. If Prelate J'emm is successful, you'll be able to return to an egalitarian Mars where your company can be folded into the Manhunters. If he failed… You'll have professional military training and guns.
