Episode 76: Foundation
Takes place December 20-23
Short version
Paul, Alan, and Jade travel to Maltus, where Alan gets to see the greatly expanded Orange Lantern Corps, Jade joins the Darkstars, and Paul accompanies (and protects) a diplomatic mission to gather allies against the Reach.
Longer version
Vril Dox summons Paul to Maltus, to accompany a diplomatic envoy to a meeting of planets opposed to the Reach, where the Corps is hoping to negotiate access to shipyards and raw materials. Paul also brings Jade along, to be evaluated for Darkstar training, and Alan, so he can see the Corps that his lantern built. Along the way, they make a brief stop at Zamaron, but get a hostile reception and promptly move on.
At Hinon's request, Paul also visits the Lantern recruits, over 600 strong by now. He expresses regret over not having been more present to see the Corps grow, but provides some individual instruction to the Lanterns who volunteer for the mission. He also demonstrates his skill by forging a crude, but functional personal lantern, hoping to inspire other Lanterns with the vision of what is possible.
The diplomatic mission has some success in impressing the delegates, and when it is attacked by a Qwardian Lantern-hunter known as St'nnli, Paul is able to drive him off. Dox gives Paul a leave of absence for Christmas, and Paul puts him in contact with Georgia Sivana, who shares his interest in social science and is brilliant enough to keep up with him.
A chapter shows the Red Queen, another alternate version of Jade, who used an object that gave her the ability to live countless alternate lives based on what she chose to do. She ends up being recruited by the Time Trapper.
The title's meaning is unclear, but may refer to the building of the Orange Lantern Corps.
- Alternate Universe: The episode ends with the Red Queen, an alternate version of Jade, who has experienced life over and over again hundreds of times, meeting with the Time Trapper and declaring that she's ready (to help him study the nature of the multiverse, as it later turns out).
- Berserk Button: Paul arrives at the planet Zamaron and looks at it with his empathic vision, which touches them with the orange light. They respond by firing a giant violet laser beam. Paul later learns that it feels like having the Ophidian stare at them, and they've been taught that she wants to eat the universe.
- Cherry Tapping: Paul wins a spar by slowly branding his opponent with the orange light, while inviting him to resist. When it becomes apparent that resistance is futile, the other Lantern surrenders. Note that it wasn't originally a test of branding resistance, it was a full-contact spar, but Paul just found him to be that easy.
- Flash Step: While sparring, Paul teleports behind his opponent, but doesn't press the advantage, just demonstrates his ring mastery.
- Greed: Paul holds a lecture with several Lantern recruits, discussing the nature of desire, helping them to identify their core desires and relate them to the specific actions that they're taking.Paul: They aren't separate, competing drives. I have one drive; to me the universe just as hard as I can. I didn't care about the trumpet. I cared about the point I was making with it. And that's why it was strong.
- Intelligence Equals Isolation: Dox has been clearly displaying this whenever he has appeared. It's telling that he is immediately fascinated when Paul gives him a way to contact a woman who may be as smart as him.
- Psychic Static: Lantern Drusa attempts to shield her mind from Paul by focusing on base 15 planar physics. It doesn't help, though, because he uses empathic vision rather than telepathy.
- Recognition Failure: Lantern Zartok doesn't recognise Paul, and apparently didn't ask his ring for more information, preferring to test the "newcomer" by sparring. It's rather one-sided, but hopefully educational for him.
- There Is No Kill Like Overkill: Since Jade will be away at Darkstar training, Paul gets her a spaceship for Christmas. And makes a giant Christmas tree to put it under.Paul: Of course I decorated it. And I wrapped the ship. Who do you think I am?
- The Virus: The Renegade is of the opinion that pony cutie marks are simply parasites that influence their hosts to like and value them. His reasoning is that since a special talent predates the associated mark, and is not enhanced by having the mark, but can be lost if the mark is erased, the mark adds nothing except a point of vulnerability.
- Wave-Motion Gun: St'nnli is able to deflect, counter, or shrug off most of Paul's attacks, but he retreats when attacked with a beam singularity projector.
- Years Too Early: Paul makes it clear to Lantern Zartok that he is outmatched.Ring: Branding eighty percent complete.
Paul: You should yield now. I'll be perfectly happy to fight you again when you've a little more experience.
Ring: Branding ninety percent complete.
