Oliver's New Life

 (Or Sarrin's)

A GOOD WAY TO START A NEW LIFE

“I won't let you take her.” Olive Queen stated firmly.

“You're saying you'd risk you life to keep her from me?” The green-skinned alien said coarsely.

“I'm saying if you have such a problem with me you can go ahead and kill me and I won't give a damn. But I will not let you hurt her.”

The alien actually took a step back. “Say what you need to say.”

“I've spent the last 5 days trying to figure out what you have against us, why you apparently think we're such a threat. I've realized I had that wrong. You don't see Sarrin as a threat you see me as a threat, out of control and aggressive. That's why she's tried so hard to keep me from fighting you. That's why she's been trying so hard to calm me down. She didn't want you to...she didn't want me to provoke a fight and get beaten to a pulp. And honestly, if you really want to get rid of the 'threat of my kind' then go ahead, I welcome it. Just let her go. Please, she's not like me. I will beg for it...if necessary.”

This speech did not have quite the effect he'd intended. The stranger did not take up a battle stance or agree to his terms. He gave no indication of preparing for a fight. Instead he backed away and lowered his eyes. “I was wrong about you; I'm sorry.”

“Ka-Lar, water please.” He called.

Another alien, this one with powder blue skin and shining gold eyes walked in with a tray and three glasses of water. With the slightest tilt of his head J'onn indicated the others were to be served first. And with a sharp jerk of his hand told Ka-Lar to leave. The man looked surprised and suspicious but did not object to the order. Oliver tried to offer his thanks for the water, and then looked with utter shock as the alien, J'onn knelt down swiftly at Sarrin's side and began wrapping her injured leg. “How'd she go from being your prisoner to your patient?” J'onn made no reply.

“Look not that I'm not grateful, I am. But seriously what's changed?”

“I thought that you were trying to keep her quiet, not keep her safe. I thought that you were doing something other than protecting her. And I hated you for it.”

“You knew what she was?”

“I knew she was Xavallen, Naltorian or Atraxi. Enkarens would not endure captivity so much without protestation. If she was Enkaren she'd be the one spoiling for a fight. Speaking of, may I ask.” He turned to face Sarrin directly. “Which are you?”

“Atraxi.” Sarrin said simply. "Also if I were Enkaren I wouldn't look so human.”

“Fair point.” J'onn said with a faint smile.

“How many human looking alien races are there in the galaxy?” Oliver asked instantly.

“I could look human if I wanted to. But as far as races who naturally look as human as yourself? Kryptonians, Naltorians, Xavallens, Elions (L-E-on's). No one has seen a Euphorian and recognized them as such, so we don't really know what they look like. Which is why I didn't ask about them.”

“You've officially lost lost me.”

“Oliver, my people share the same language and mostly the same culture with Enkarens and Xavallens. They are siblings to my own race. Euphorians and Naltorians would be our cousins. I can't be Enkaren because they don't look as human. Naltorians looks closer to humans than I do.”

Sarrin stood up and raised both of her hands as if to call for calm. “Listen as you presumably have both figured out, Oliver is my protector and about as human as it gets. But he's the best example of everything humanity is, if not what one would consider the best OF humanity. Flawed but working on it. Proud AND self-aware. The question Sajen, is what kind of person are you.”

“I am...J'onn Jo'nzz.” The stranger said slowly.

“I mean more literally, and far more generally than that.” Sarrin said with a slight smile.

“I am a Green Martian.”

“Which officially explains a lot.” Sarrin said, sinking back down to the floor. “Phobos not Deimos.”

“The other way around.” J'onn said harshly. A moment later his expression softened. “But it's good to meet someone who understands that.” J'onn gave a short bow of his head and left without another word.

“Okay, Sarrin, I seriously need a translation here.” Oliver said after several moments of quiet.

“J'onn introduced himself as a Green Martian and it means more than just the color of his skin. White and Green Martians are as different as daylight and darkness, virtue and evil. Philosophy and aggressiveness. Most especially that last one. In the earliest days of their planet there were two brothers, Phobos and Deimos who had a serious Isaac and Ishmael type thing between them. So much so that they became two separate races. 'In the early days of Mars there were two brothers, Phobos and Deimos. Their rivalry and blood-shed was the reason for the split of the Green and White Martians.' To quote the educational reading programs people learn these days. White Martians would be Ishmael in the metaphor. Greens, Isaac.”

“And you got the brothers confused.”

“Yeah. Fortunately J'onn was pleased enough to learn other races are still taught that history, he didn't particularly care.”

“I take it there's more to being a White?” Oliver prompted. Sarrin looked at him. “From your perspective I mean. When he treated your wound, his being...Deimos...explained a lot for you.”

“White Martians are considered assholes by any race that aren't themselves militaristic and self-absorbed. Enkarens are one of a very few species known that could stand up to them in a fight. Well equal them in a fight and gladly join a fight against them.”

“...Then you're absolutely right. This explains A-Lot.”