Swamp Thing (Volume 5) Issue 36

## "The Machine Queen - Part II: Calibration"

"*We cannot know if having an Avatar would make us stronger or weaker until we* have *an Avatar. Our lack of knowledge on this subject is* itself *a weakness. We must appoint one.*"
―A Calculus
## Synopsis

### "The Machine Queen - Part II: Calibration"

The Metal has located the Grove in Swamp Thing's absence, and has begun *burning* the sapling growing from its center. Within the Green, Capucine reacts with horror as Brother Jonah slumps back unresponsive with the fire approaching him. Taking a wooden blade, she cuts through the burning wood, saving him from the flames. Jonah recovers, and explains that he had *warned* Alec not to let it come to this. War with the machines was inevitable, and he had not expected them to strike so *soon*.

Alec, meanwhile, realizes what has happened and attacks the machines, outraged that they failed to heed his warnings. He refuses to hold back as he fights their calculated, mechanical methods of battle with unpredictable *creativity*. When he proves that he is superior, he grabs the A Calculus in his fist, and tears its head from its body. He explains that he is *everywhere* and he cannot be hurt, only *annoyed*. He does not wish to destroy the new intelligence of the Metal, but he will not warn them again. With that, he crushes the head in his fingers.

With some effort, Alec reopens the Grove and checks to see that his friends are still all right. Jonah warns that *more* will come. Alec admits that he sees now that things will get worse before they get better. He warns that he will have to seal the grove off again, for now. In the mean time, though, he is excited to do something he has long *wanted* to do.

Alec travels to the gateway to the stronghold of The Rot, and begs to be allowed in. The gate opens, and as he journeys into the darkness, he discovers that the Rot's avatar has built a house for herself that mirrors the home he built for her in the swamp. Abby steps down from the threshold and warns him not to touch her—nor to give her hope that one day they *might*. Much as they might want to be together, they *can't*, as opposing forces of life and death. She admits that *this* is why she has never come to see him, though she should have. She believes her uncle Anton Arcane has returned, *somehow*. Alec explains that he has come to warn *her* of something *else*.

At Servus, the fortress of the Metal, the Calculi discuss A Calculus's failure against the Swamp Thing. A Calculus reminds that new data *was* collected, which will help them correct course. The fact that the other realms use *humans* as their avatars seems to suggest the cause of why they appear to be *stronger* than the Metal. Previously, the Calculi had rejected humanity as a *weakness* and Avatars as useless. A Calculus argues that without having *tried* an Avatar for themselves, their data set is incomplete. They cannot know if they would be stronger with one if they don't *try* one. While B and C Calucli reject this point outright, they are overruled by Omega Calculus, who insists that they select an avatar for the Metal.

Alec and Abby form an alliance against the Metal—should it be necessary. Abby comments that they should not go so long without seeing each other—they shouldn't need to use a robot uprising as an *excuse*, even if seeing each other *hurts*.

The Calculi suggest several machine-related options, but find flaws in each. A Calculus suggests that they needn't restrict their options so much. *They* are machines—their avatar does not need to be have a pre-established association with machines to serve. What they require is *skill*; someone with *experience* and *desire*. A Calculus has just such a person in mind: Lady Weeds.

## Appearances

### "The Machine Queen - Part II: Calibration"

#### Individuals

* Swamp Thing (Alec Holland)
* Abigail Arcane
* Capucine
* Brother Jonah
* The Calculus ***(First Appearance)***
* Omega Calculus ***(First Appearance)***
	+ A Calculus
	+ B Calculus ***(First Appearance)***
	+ C Calculus ***(First Appearance)***
* Anton Arcane ***(Mentioned only)***
* Lady Weeds ***(Cameo)***
* Cyborg (Victor Stone) ***(Hologram)***
* Metallo (John Corben) ***(Hologram)***
* Cyborg Superman ***(Hologram)***
* Brainiac ***(Mentioned only)***
* Earl J. Dukeston ***(First Appearance)*** ***(Hologram)***
* Metal Men ***(Hologram)***
	+ Gold ***(Hologram)***
	+ Iron ***(Hologram)***
	+ Lead ***(Hologram)***
	+ Mercury ***(Hologram)***
	+ Platinum ***(Hologram)***

#### Locations

* Louisiana
	+ Houma
* Arctic Circle
	+ Servus

#### Concepts

* The Green
* The Metal
* The Rot

#### Items

* White Lantern Ring ***(Mentioned only)***

## External links

* *Swamp Thing (Volume 5)* Issue 36 on DC Wiki
* *Swamp Thing (Volume 5)* Issue 36 on Comic Vine