The next day: Asagi was in her chambers with Gamera when Naoya burst in.
"Surely you've heard the news about Nomanor?" he asked breathing heavily after having apparently run to her shrine.
"Yes," said Asagi not really caring as she helped Gamera totter around on his rear legs. "He's going on a diplomatic mission to the Trojan War in hopes of achieving peace between those two nations."
"It's a vain mission though, you know that!" shouted Naoya.
"Nomanor doesn't seem to think so," she said absently as she continued 'walking' Gamera.
"He's lying!" shouted Naoya. "He's going there to organize an attack on us and use it to jump to power!"
"You don't know that," said Asagi cutting in. "To assume that he is doing anything makes an ass of you and me. Besides, I don't believe it's in his character. He may be dedicated, but he's not a fanatic."
"You don't know that!" Naoya protested. "He's leaving in a few hours on his ship, we need to sneak in someone among his crew to report back to us on what he's doing."
"WE DO NOT SPY ON OTHERS!" shouted Asagi angrily at Naoya as she let go of Gamera who stumbled around for a little bit on its back legs before tumbling over onto its back and flailing its stubby legs in the air as it desperately tried to right itself. Unable to do say, it resorted to growling helplessly.
"See," she said. "Now look and what you've made me do. Sorry Gamera."
She placed the turtle on its feet and it ambled off across the floor. Asagi pushed a loose strand of hair behind her head and tried to regain her composure.
"We do not spy on others, it is not our way and I do not intend to start now," she said.
"But-," began Naoya.
"No," said Asagi. "My decision is final. Besides, if you were to put a spy on his boat and Nomanor found out, he could use that against us and we would both loose face and give him control over the whole of Atlantis."
"Fine, but this is all going to blow up in our face, one way or another," said Naoya leaving in a huff.
"Yes," Asagi agreed quietly after he had left. "Yes it will."
With that she picked up Gamera and exited her room.
"Priestess," said another handmaiden worriedly as soon as she exited. "Where are you going?"
"I need to see the head scientists," she said sadly. "Gods help us all."
Docks: Nomanor Gyaos's ship The Swarm of Legion, sat next to the docks as workers began filling it with supplies for the journey ahead. Nomanor stood advising everyone of their duties until he was approached by Naoya.
"Oh look, everyone's favorite governor," said Nomanor. "Come to see me off?"
"Yes I suppose I am," said Naoya. "And I know what you're really up to. You won't get away with it, otherwise it'll be the downfall of our entire civilization."
"Well I don't know what you think that I'm doing," began Nomanor. "But rest assured that whatever it is, I am definitely doing it."
Nomanor grinned and walked off.
"This isn't over!" shouted Naoya. Nomanor quickly spun around.
"On the contrary, it's only just begun," he said finally before leaving. Naoya growled before walking back behind a group of crates. Standing back there was, Kam, a worker on Nomanor's ship and was currently being employed as Naoya as a spy, despite Asagi's warnings.
"Do you know what you have to do?" asked Naoya one final time.
"Yes," said Kam. "Now pay up."
Naoya sighed and retrieved a small pouch filled with gold.
"Now remember, you cannot be caught or found out otherwise it'll mean the end of all of us," warned Naoya.
"Whatever, I'm going," said Kam not caring. With that he was gone leaving Naoya and his worries behind. Sighing he looked at his hands, which were trembling and willed them to stop. With that he left as a figure emerged from the shadows.
"Well, well, well," said Irys evilly. "So he does have a backbone after all."
With that she left to find Nomanor.
Classified Location: Asagi stroked Gamera's head as she carried him through a series of underground tunnels while being led by an Atlantian scientist. Asagi sighed, a more seemingly common trait among her, since the discovery of this new science in the field of genetics. Finally after several minutes of walking, she emerged in a large cavern filled with dozens of cylindrical tubes, each possessing a genetically modified creature inside. Four years ago, when she was just a mere twelve years old, she had ordered the construction of this hidden laboratory and the creation of creatures that might one day have to protect Atlantis and its assets. Then she didn't know if it was the right idea and had constantly debated over whether or not it was a good idea, even to today she still debated it out to no avail.
"We're delighted you've finally decided to take an interest in our work priestess," said the lead scientist.
"You've been on your own for four years, you'd better have created something good in that time," said Asagi sharply. The scientist nodded.
"We have," he said nodding sharply. "The newfound genetics technology has allowed us to create some wonderful specimens that all can in one way or another protect Atlantis and wreak havoc on our enemies."
"Good, show me," said Asagi leading on.
"Alright load it up and we'll be going," said Nomanor to a worker who nodded and left as a cannon was hoisted overhead. As he was looking over the operations, Irys sauntered up to him.
"Guess what I just saw?" she asked sneakily. Nomanor looked at her nonplussed.
"No," he said finally. "If it's that important keep it to yourself, but if it isn't then just tell me."
"Fine," said Irys harrumphing. "You're no fun."
"This is no laughing matter," said Nomanor sternly. "I'm trying to save our entire civilization here in case you hadn't noticed."
Irys rolled her eyes. "Alright, alright. I just found out that Naoya has a spy among your crew, his name's Kam and he'll report everything you do to him when you get back."
"It figures he'd pull something like that," said Nomanor shrugging.
"Yeah, but who'd have thought the priestess would reduce herself to that level, it goes against her personal code of ethics," said Irys.
"That's why she didn't authorize it," said Nomanor signing off on something. "He's obviously going behind her back to do it."
"So you don't have to leave, this is your chance to seize control and prove that Naoya is unstable," said Irys happily. Nomanor shook his head.
"I only have your word to go on, that's not good enough," said Nomanor. "And besides, when I finally gain control, I want the people behind me. Until then I have no problem with Naoya ruling Atlantis."
"But," protested Irys.
"I'm not evil Irys, don't think that I am. Everything I'm doing is for Atlantis, not for me," he said leaving. Irys just looked after him darkly.
"You may not be in for this for yourself, but I am," she said with an evil grin before leaving herself. As she did, The Swarm of Legion, moved away from the docks and headed out for Troy.
"This is Zigra,"
The scientist was showing Asagi a strange looking shark filled with nothing but sleek and sharp edges. It was currently barely taller than she was, and was motionless inside of its cage, but it radiated power and ferocity.
"It's not very big," said Asagi still somewhat unimpressed.
"All of our creatures have a special enzyme encoded in their pituitary glands to allow for instant and substantial growth. This thing could grow to be several feet long if not taller," said the scientist.
"And just who would control this growth?" asked Asagi concerned.
"Well we would," said the scientist. "But if need be, they could grow on their own I guess."
"You 'guess'?" asked Asagi. The scientist shrugged.
"We don't know, we haven't really enlarged any ourselves so we don't know what they're capable of," said the scientist. "Although this thing can shoot a laser from its mouth and fly."
"What's next?" asked Asagi waving her hand beginning to regret all this.
"Next we have Barugon," said the scientist dramatically. He threw down a cloth around another tube, this one containing a strange blue and purple bipedal beast with a horn on its head.
"Wow," said Asagi nonplussed.
"It gets better," said the scientist. "This thing can shoot freezing rays from its mouth and has an impressive long range weapon that looks like a rainbow. It really packs a punch."
He produced some pictures showing the creature on a battlefield full of cardboard cutouts and its freezing breath and rainbow ray destroying things left and right. Then a final shot showing the ravaged room.
"It has…potential," said Asagi finally putting the photos aside. "What's next?"
The scientist moved to another tube and yanked it down revealing a manta ray. Asagi was about to make some witty remark about unoriginality before the scientist spoke up.
"This is Mantia," said the scientist. "It too can fly and it shoots a very powerful multi-colored ray from its mouth while shooting electricity from its tail. It's ferocious as hell. It truly is 'the scourge of the skies.'"
"What's next?" Asagi said laughing. "A giant squid?"
"Ummm…." began the scientist. Asagi's jaw dropped.
"It is a giant squid?" she asked incredulously. The scientist didn't say anything but just pulled down another curtain revealing a squid with a massive knife shaped head.
"It used to shoot TK blasts and take over peoples minds before we removed that portion of its brain. Now it's pretty much just a vegetable," said the scientist sadly. "You point it and it attacks but that's about it for this thing."
"Oh well," said Asagi looking at the blank stare of the creature.
"Next is Jiger," said the scientist revealing a new creature that didn't look altogether that much different than Baragon.
"Super strength is about all this thing has," said the scientist moving on.
"Gods my headache feels like a knife cutting through my head," said Asagi holding her head.
"Which brings us to our next creature," said the scientist throwing back another cloth revealing a bipedal creature with a large knife and two throwing stars embedded on each side for a head.
"Behold Guiron, he's a real cut up," said the scientist with a cheap grin. "Ha, ha, sorry old joke around here."
"You need to get out more," said Asagi shaking her head. "Is that it?"
"Yeah," said the scientist suddenly nervous. "Yeah that's it."
Suddenly an ear wrenching scream was heard and a nearby heavy metal door began shaking before shots rang out and then silence.
"What was that?" demanded Asagi.
"Our greatest success, our greatest failure," said the scientist sadly. Asagi ran over to the door and looked through a peephole as a decent sized bat-like creature was having its mouth wrapped shut by scientists and placed back in its cage.
"That was our first experiment and it was more powerful than we could have anticipated and is not docile in anyway. It cannot be controlled no matter how hard we've tried," said the scientist.
"Then what's to stop it from taking over the world?" Asagi asked.
"The only advantage we have is that it's very sensitive to light and will do anything to avoid it. Until it evolves to protect itself from the light, it'll remain that way and that is our only advantage," said the scientist worriedly. "So there you have it, Atlantis's new protectors, what do you think?"
"They're all…nice," said Asagi. "But none of them are that appealing aesthetically. It looks like you ate dinner one day and decided to turn your meal into living weapons. I want something that is both powerful and in its own way cuddly. Something that will defend us, but would never turn against us."
"And that would be?" asked the scientist confused.
"How long would it take you to create a new bio-weapon?" Asagi asked.
"A few months, half a year I'd say," said the scientist. "Why?"
"I have a new goal I want you to accomplish, one that will both protect us but never turn against us," said Asagi as she stroked Gamera's head.
"And?" asked the scientist.
"This is our Guardian of the Universe," said Asagi. "And it will never turn against us because it will forever be linked with humanity through this."
Asagi took off her amulet and handed it to the scientist.
"Can it be done?" she asked handing over one other thing.
"Are you sure about all this?" asked the scientist.
"I am," said Asagi. "No one is to know about this, because the final night is about to fall on Atlantis and we need a flicker of light to bring us from the darkness."
"Yes priestess, it will be done," said the scientist leaving with the two items. Asagi nodded with tears in her eyes and left the cavern and its secrets behind.
Weeks later: The Swarm of Legion came to a halt amidst the joyous celebrations of the Greeks over the defeat of the Trojans thanks to their wooden horse.
"Wooden horses will one day be no match for real bioweapons," said Nomanor with disdain at the excessive partying.
"Yes," agreed J'onn. "One day."
They approached a massive tent that was full of guards who were too wasted to put up any resistance against them entering. Nomanor entered with his entourage and saw a desk upon which sitting behind it was a very happy Menelaus.
"Nomanor? Is it you?" Menelaus asked rubbing his eyes. "I must be drunk!"
"No it's me," said Nomanor. "Congratulations on your victory over the Trojans."
"Thank you, thank you," said Menelaus. "You are too kind."
"Yes," said Nomanor. "So what are your plans now? Surely the Greek war machine will not be stopped so easily…"
"Yeah," laughed Menelaus. "Maybe we'll come after you and Atlantis!"
Nomanor shrugged lightly. "Maybe, but you'll never win."
"What?" demanded Menelaus still drunk. "We have defeated Troy, we can defeat anyone!"
"You fought with Troy for countless years," said Nomanor. "You've lost your best warriors, Achilles is gone, who will spur you troops to action? Odysseus? Somehow I see him wanting to return home to his family, provided he doesn't get lost on the way back. No, there's no chance, especially with our improved defenses."
"Nothing can stand against the Greek Army!" shouted Menelaus his speech becoming more and more slurred.
"Yeah," said Nomanor leaving. "You just keep telling yourself that."
"We will destroy you!" shouted Menelaus before slamming down on the table out cold.
"Well that's about all I needed to accomplish here," said Nomanor leaving.
"That's it?" J'onn asked. "I thought you would've really provoked him or something."
"It's an aptitude test," said Nomanor. "If he really has any desire to attack Atlantis he will, if not then we really do have nothing to worry about and I'll stop making trouble for Naoya."
"Seems like a waste of a trip," said Kam who was also with them. "That's really all?"
"Yes," said Nomanor, cautious around what he said around him. "Besides, I wasn't too big a fan of Troy anyways, seeing it fallen like this feels good in a way."
In the far distance they saw smoke still rising from the destroyed city.
"Enough of this, we'll swing by Italy real quick, pick up a few things and head back to Atlantis," said Nomanor leaving the scene of intense partying behind.
"One day, the weapons of Atlantis will descend upon our enemies and there will be nothing that can stop them," thought Nomanor with disdain at the situation around them as he entered into his boat and it set off for Italy, Atlantis, and the future.
