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There was no other choice. Every appeal to the Guardians had failed and they were still refusing to allow any Green Lantern to save Earth. To go against the Reach as a Green Lantern was forbidden. If Hal wanted to save his home planet, only one option was available to him and that would have to include crossing a few lines.
Guilt was in Hal as he made his way to the sciencells. It didn't matter that he'd been the one to capture Sinestro, that it could've been argued Sinestro was his prisoner. What he was going to do felt very wrong.
It was only lucky for Hal that Sinestro had been so easy to catch in the first place, leaving him conveniently available to receive requests for help. At any other time, it would've taken months to track him down and even then, Hal wouldn't have had any good leverage other than asking really nicely. It could've been a sign that things would go Hal's way for once.
While mentally fumbling over what he'd say to get Sinestro to help him, Hal approached the cell that had only just been filled. There Sinestro sat, radiating smugness.
"Jordan," Sinestro greeted, smirking like he'd planned everything out perfectly and knew it. "I've been expecting you."
That satisfied glint in Sinestro's eye finally put the pieces together for Hal. Catching Sinestro had been so easy because Sinestro had wanted to be caught, had wanted Hal to come to him and request help. With Sinestro's incredible ability to be up in the business of everyone else, he already knew the situation.
Being manipulated into such a position didn't actually bother Hal too much. From Sinestro, he was used to it, and he wasn't going to complain if it got him the help he needed.
Even sitting at a lower height than Hal, Sinestro was absolutely in control, his presence gravitating, and he was still so pleased with himself. "How many humans have suffered for the Guardians' caution?" Sinestro pressed. "How many more -"
With a roll of his eyes, Hal held up his hand for Sinestro to be quiet. "Save it. I'm really not interested in speeches. Besides, I've already decided."
Though Sinestro did stop speaking, he didn't look any less smug. Bright eyes watched Hal while the tiny smirk was on Sinestro's lips.
Frowning in thought, Hal shifted his weight from foot to foot before crossing his arms. "If you get the Reach to leave, what would you want from me? I don't suppose you'd do it just to be nice?"
"Of course not." Derisive of the suggestion, Sinestro turned his nose up at Hal. "It would gain me very little."
While Hal watched with a hard gaze, Sinestro stood and moved towards the shimmering cell door. It took all Hal's willpower to remain where he was, stiff backed and stern. His chin lifted and he stared down Sinestro, as though that could make him feel less like he was exactly where Sinestro wanted him. Never could he forget the danger of Sinestro.
Nothing lessened the distinct impression Hal had that he was the one trapped rather than Sinestro, even as the cell door remained between them, a slither of green light.
The response was sibilant, worming into Hal's brain. "Join me," Sinestro insisted. Yellow eyes were glittering.
It should've been expected and yet Hal was still surprised. Anything else could've been happily given but Sinestro had picked out the one thing that made Hal hesitate.
Out of habit, Hal had to shake his head and pull away. Even considering joining Sinestro was dangerous.
With Earth in danger, Hal had little choice. If he didn't do exactly as Sinestro asked, he'd have no chance to get rid of the Reach and save his home. The decision wasn't about Hal or Sinestro. To refuse Sinestro was selfish. If Hal wanted his planet to survive the Reach, he had to get Sinestro's help.
After giving the situation more thought, Hal faced Sinestro again. "Alright," he agreed, "but only when the Reach are gone. Then I'll decide if I'll join you, and you and your Corps will leave."
To Hal, it was a good deal. Of course, he had no intention of joining Sinestro, and it was an unshakeable conviction, but Sinestro didn't need to know that.
A flicker of emotion crossed Sinestro's face, finally settling on him narrowing his eyes with suspicion and curling his upper lip into a sneer. "The Guardians have ignored the plight of your home. They refuse your pleas. How can you return to them?"
Blazing yellow eyes burned into Hal and Sinestro had pressed himself to the transparent cell door to emphasise that glare.
Given the choice between two bad masters, Hal preferred inaction over murderous action. Telling Sinestro that wouldn't help though. If Sinestro was to help Hal with the Reach, he had to have something to get out of it and it was easiest if that something was Hal. No one else would be in any danger.
Relaxing with a playful smile, Hal leaned against the sciencell door. "Can't you convince me to stay with you? Thaal... you don't deserve me."
Teeth flashed in white as Sinestro growled and the sound shivered across Hal's skin with a spark of excitement. It was difficult for Hal to remember he wasn't meant to be enjoying himself. Sometimes getting Sinestro to do what he wanted was too much fun, because he knew just how to do it.
After a brief moment, teeth grinding, Sinestro gave in. "I accept your terms." In his eyes was already beginning to gleam a new scheming light.
As Hal still had no intention of letting Sinestro get to him, he wasn't too concerned by whatever Sinestro might've been planning. Only he felt a little bad because Sinestro wouldn't actually get anything out of the deal in the end. It was underhanded to let Sinestro think he had any chance of changing Hal's mind.
Drawing Hal's attention, Sinestro tapped his fingers on the green barrier. "Will you not release me? I could do it myself but that would take time you can't waste."
A moment of hesitation passed before Hal relented and swiped his ring on the sciencell like he was using a key card. It opened, releasing Sinestro. In the middle of the highest security on Oa, a dangerous criminal had been let out. Even Hal couldn't have explained that away if he was found.
The coast was clear, when Hal looked around, but the Corps would discover Sinestro was gone with time.
All matter of fact business, Hal darted into the sciencell and seized Sinestro by the arm. "Let's go," he ordered, and he pulled Sinestro with him as he left.
"So forceful, darling." That was Sinestro with his usual delight in messing with Hal. "You wouldn't want to injure your benefactor."
Though Hal snorted with disbelief and did release Sinestro, he didn't respond. It amused him that Sinestro was pretending to be some kind of delicate tea cup. In the past, Hal had given everything to protect Sinestro but really, Sinestro could protect himself. When Sinestro wanted to be, he was a vicious and fierce fighter that wouldn't get dragged around by anyone.
Their path to the armoury, so they could retrieve yellow rings, was along a hallway that Hal was constantly checking for fellow Green Lanterns. At his back, Sinestro was following, and it was impossible not to sense his presence. It was like static electricity, raising the hairs on Hal's skin.
Consumed utterly by the distraction of Sinestro, Hal was startled when arms wrapped around his middle and yanked him into a different hallway. One hand clamped over Hal's mouth and he was pressed into the wall with a hard surface at his back and Sinestro flush against his front.
Innocent eyes, concealing the mischief behind them, looked down at Hal. "You were about to lead us into a Green Lantern."
Concerned by the news, Hal strained to peer around Sinestro and see who they were hiding from. No one was there. Suspicious, Hal turned an accusing glare on Sinestro who only quirked an eyebrow at him. Humouring Sinestro, Hal took another look and finally, a Green Lantern did indeed stroll past, ignoring any escaped prisoners.
Lips brushed Hal's ear and Sinestro was pressing to every part of him. "Do not doubt me, Jordan. I know what you need."
That voice was barely above a murmur and soft as warm honey. It oozed into Hal, ensnaring him with sweetness, and Sinestro truly had risen to Hal's challenge. Everything about him was an unfairly appealing seduction.
As much as he could while pinned to the wall, Hal leaned away from Sinestro. Unwilling to give up so easily, Sinestro followed. His hands had moved, sliding across Hal's body with a perfect solid touch and Hal had to fight not to give in to it. His brain was stuttering. What he was supposed to be doing had vacated him.
If Hal continued as he was, he had doubts he'd really be able to resist Sinestro. That was the danger. With honeyed words and a claiming touch, Sinestro would get under Hal's skin and it would hurt a great deal to leave him.
There was the possibility of simply dragging Sinestro back to his cell and forgetting about the whole plan. It was safest for Hal, but not for his planet. He didn't know what to do.