One Week Later
Gotham City, Maryland

Nemo, Priest and Mona stood atop the roof of a derelict building a few minutes after sunset. "Do you see that building right there?" asked Nemo as he pointed at a building in the distance, situated within reasonable distance of the City's unofficial center; Wayne Tower.

"That's the Novick building." said Mona.
"Correct. It allegedly houses the offices of twelve companies and businesses."
"Allegedly?" asked Priest.
"It is in reality, the Gotham City Branch of the League's headquarters." said Nemo before turning to face them, "It will also be your target."

"Target?" asked Priest, "Target for what? Do you want us to attack it? Cowboy our way in and rape, pillage and plunder? Well, maybe not so much rape..."

"Not at this point," said Nemo, "Your mission statement will be surveillance for the time being.

"As I've already told you, the League consists of Seven Members, each Running a Branch in a major city, all around the world. These seven are overseen by a senior member, James Bond, Codenamed Jahbulon, he is a formal British SIS Agent, recruited into the League in the early seventies. He rose through the ranks to his current position.

"Each of the Branch leaders has a Codename that is passed down from Branch Leader to branch Leader. We have discovered the real Identities of most of them, with the notable exception of the Gotham City and Caracas Branches.

"Codename Josephine is the one you are tasked to discover, she runs the Gotham Branch."

"How the hell are we supposed to do that?" asked Priest.
"I've picked you two for a reason." said Nemo with a sly smile, "Surprise me."

"Here's a question, why the secrecy surrounding Josephine and the Venezuela guy?"
"The Caracas Branch Head, Codenamed Hugo, was Assassinated two months ago, not by us, mind you. He must have been replaced, our men in Caracas are working on it. Josephine on the other hand, is especially vicious, and would do anything to maintain her anonymity."
"Meaning what, exactly?"
"I mean that the seven men I've known who have been in contact with her have died. One of which was only three months ago, which led to the capture of the two others of his cell. I never said this would be easy.

"Now, I have some business to tend to, but I'll be in the City for a few days. I've arranged for my men to deliver some equipment to this building."

"This building?" asked Priest, "Here I was thinking we were holed up pretending to be a couple in a nice two bedroom apartment across town."
"Orientation is over, Priest," said Nemo as he headed to the door that led to the stairs, "Welcome to the gritty part."

January, 1901

Captain Nemo stood near the West End of London Bridge, the cold wind toying with his massive beard. He looked upon the river themes, covered by the red weed the invading martians had released.

Sawyer and Mina had returned just an hour ago, alone. When asked by Campion Bond regarding the whereabouts of Skinner, they said they had no idea where he went, and that they last saw him in his carriage on the train half-way to the government installation they visited. They said that he had simply vanished, leaving his coat, gloves, boots, hat and grease paint behind. They had brought back the weapon in a crate as Sawyer said, it was delivered to an army squad at the train station.

There they all stood, Nemo, the Jekylls, Sawyer and Bond, looking across the river at nearly three dozen Martian tri-pods that have gathered there, having just wreaked havoc all over the East End, simply waiting.

"They must think we have artillery here, that's why they haven't crossed yet." said Bond as he nervously struck a match to light a cuban cigar lodged between his teeth, "We have no such thing, and soon they will realize it. And then..."

Bond didn't finish, not that he needed to anyway, it was clear to everyone what would follow.

Nemo looked out the corner of his eye at Dr. Jekyll, who stood violently toying with his pocket watch, looking as odd as he ever did , Nemo even thought he could hear him faintly growling.

"What's this red stuff?" asked Sawyer.
"It's some sort of Alien Weed. It expands tremendously upon contact with Water, I believe they have released it as a means to immobilize the Nautilus."
"But how could they have managed something like this?" asked Mina.

"It's obvious, isn't it?" exclaimed Bond, "It's that bastard Skinner, why else would he choose to escort the two of you to Doctor Moreau's installation and disappear on the way? He must have sold us out to the Martians!"

Nemo thought about what Bond said for a moment, for a second he thought it was possible, but changed his mind quickly, it wasn't like Skinner to do such a thing.

"Jesus Christ..." muttered Sawyer, "I think they're getting ready to move."

Sawyer's observation was accurate, as three tri-pods appeared to be preparing to cross the bridge in a triangular formation.

"God, Blind me." cursed Bond.

"Do you plan on releasing this weapon of yours anytime soon?" asked Nemo.
"It isn't ready, the assigned army squad needs at least five more minutes." said Bond as he looked at his watch, "We're doomed."

"What? Are you saying there's nothing we can do?" asked Sawyer anxiously, Nemo sensed Jekyll's fidgeting with watch increase terribly.

"If only we could delay them," said Bond, "Just long enough till the weapon is delivered."

A noticeable metallic click was heard, the group's focus turned to Jekyll, who had shut his watch and put it into his breast pocket, "I'll do it." he quietly said.

Now

Manhattan, New York

Bond couldn't help but notice the young woman who walked down the corridor in his direction, carrying a few folders and a cup of coffee in her hands.

She was slightly taller than average, her hair was Blonde and wavy, she moved with hypnotic grace and elegance. She stood out due to her age, as she appeared no older than twenty, perhaps even younger. She wore black high heeled shoes and a low cut brown dress.

Vaughn stopped talking and smiled as he noticed his superior's attention was elsewhere at the moment.

"She's a vampire."

Bond smiled, "Of course she is. That would explain her age, I suppose."

The Blonde bombshell turned to the left, heading into a different corridor and out of Bond and Vaughn's attention.

"As I was saying, Mister Leiter will see you now." said Vaughn as he led Bond to the New York Branch Director's office.

Once in the ample office, Vaughn took his leave, Leiter got up from his desk and walked to the still standing Bond, the two aged former super-spies embraced each other.

"Jimmy, you old son of a gun. Good to see you." said Leiter, laughing before letting go of his friend and heading to a cabinet by one of the walls.

"Vesper?" asked Leiter, as he opened the cabinet, revealing a mini-bar.
"Yes."

"I gotta hand it to ya," said Leiter as he prepared a vodka martini, "At this age, I wouldn't know how to handle all the moving you do."
"Well..." said Bond.

"I know, there's the Leg." said Leiter as he paused to knock on his prosthetic left leg, "But still... Enough about that, I understand this is your last stop before getting back to London?"

"Yes it is. So, how's the job? And your son?"
"Richard is having another kid. Him and his wife keep telling me I should retire, leave Manhattan and move to Florida with them. Hah! That'll be the day."

Leiter handed Bond his drink while he poured himself a glass of Cognac.

"The job is running tip-top. Hell, at the rate we're doing work, I might get to take some time off this summer."
"You already have my approval."
"Thanks. Yourself?"
"As usual. The President and I talked the other day, he assures me he's on board with us for the rest of his term."

"I'm meeting him next week. It's a shame he won't be around in 2012, when Phoniex will be in full swing."

"I've also had to let my personal Assistant go."
"Pregnancy?"

Bond looked wide-eyed at Felix, not entirely sure how to respond to what he heard.

Felix burst laughing, "Oh Jim. If only you could use the look on your face! Come on, I didn't mean it that way. One of my staff had to take off on the count of her getting pregnant, that's why I asked."

"Oh, no. Drugs, actually. She tested positive on a random drug sweep."
"Drugs, huh? Shame."
"Yes, it is. I haven't had the time to replace her as of yet."
"Well, we have some excellent girls here."
"Sure you do."

Both drinks were done with, the two former spies put down their glasses.

"So, to business?" asked Leiter.
"Yes. Let's start with Project Phoniex."