Serial Four, the name rang a memory in Arthur's mind, but why that was he did not know. He was truth be told, more concerned with the fact that the US president was trying to find Black Manta, a being so hateful that he would destroy Atlantis and the world for nothing more than petty spite. That to him was the far more dangerous thing, than some human shell corporation. Though of course if their plan was to remove Clark then of course that would be an even greater problem for everyone, not just Atlantis.
Arthur shifted slightly, his clothes shifting alongside him. Mera looked at him and asked. "So, what word has there been on this Serial Four business? Have the league decided precisely what to do?"
Arthur snorted. "Watching, we must all keep an eye on the craters and the storage units that they have scattered across the world. And as many of their units are near the water, I must keep an eye on all of them. So far nothing serious has been found relating to the initial cause of worry. They are looking for an amulet that would bring back Gog, but nobody knows where it is."
Mera took a deep breath. "What sort of mad man would want to bring Gog back? Do they not know the sort of horrors that he could inflict on the world?"
Arthur laughed. "My love, I think the mere fact that as humans they know about Gog and they are looking for this thing, suggests that they do not care about the harm. They want what Gog could give them."
His wife shook her head. "The greed and stupidity of humanity will never fail to surprise me. I do not know why they would think bringing such a beast as Gog into the world would be anything of a good idea."
Arthur shrugged. "I do not know, but I do know that should Gog return then we shall need to be ready. I have already instructed Vulko to prepare the defences of all major cities, and to prepare the animals for fight."
Mera nodded, they both knew that the one clear course weapon they had, would only be used in the most drastic of circumstances. "What else has been found? I know that there was more, Arthur, otherwise you would not have come back so concerned."
Arthur sighed, he did not want to mention this now, not when he would need to leave again so soon, but he knew lying to his wife was not a good idea. He took a breath, then spoke. "It appears that President Matthews and Maxwell Lord are looking for Black Manta."
His wife gasped. "Are you sure?" Arthur nodded. "What madness would take hold of them that would convince them that looking for this being would be sensible? If they know about Gog and now Black Manta, then surely they know just how dangerous both beings are? Black Manta will come from a type of people who have been so oppressed that when they are given the tools to change the fate of their people, they will use their tools not for good but for bad. They will try to destroy everything. Arthur, you must do something to stop this!"
"What would you have me do, Mera?" Arthur asked. "I cannot demand that President Matthews stops searching for Black Manta and the amulet of Magog. I am not even supposed to know that he is looking for them, or that he is anything other than the benevolent leader of the United States, that he presents to the world. If I reveal that I know what he is looking for, I will give him and his allies a way to hide their tracks. We need them to bluster into a mistake, and only then can we take advantage of it."
"So, you are willing to allow them to find not only Gog, but Black Manta as well? Especially with the consequences that Black Manta will have not only for Atlantis, but for our family as well?" Mera demanded.
"Diana is looking for the amulet, as is Bruce." Arthur said. "They will find it before Matthews does, and we have our own people looking for it as well. Whoever Black Manta is, when they are found I will know and I will kill them before they have a chance to get their tools and their power."
"Should we recall Rhodos?" His wife asked.
Arthur shook his head. "No, keep him in London, I know he is enjoying it there, and besides he will meet Clark's son soon enough. That will be important for the future."
"He wrote you know, to say that he'd developed the ability to get the sea life in the London Aquarium to follow his instructions. He also said that he managed to bring a whale into the North Sea." Mera said sounding proud. "He stopped the oil spillages from happening."
Arthur felt a hint of pride for his son and said. "Good, he is learning. Soon enough he shall need to do more for the kingdom and its people."
"Electra also wrote to say that she wishes to return home before the king tide comes." Mera said.
"Is everything okay?" Arthur asked concerned, their daughter studied in Melbourne, and was doing great things for science, but he knew she missed her home sometimes.
Mera placed a hand on his and said. "Everything is fine, Arthur. She merely wishes to come home for some time."
"Very well." Arthur said.
His wife smiled, and a messenger entered the hall. "Your Majesties. President Matthews is at the meeting point."
"Thank you." Arthur said. He stood up, kissed Mera on the cheeky and said. "I shall return shortly." Mera nodded, he walked down the steps, took his crown and placed it atop his head, walked out of the hall, and into the open water. He closed his eyes, and pushed off. Arthur emerged a few moments later the shore line of the port Ocean City, Delaware. His guards came with him as well. He dried himself and then walked forward. "Mister President." He said formally.
"Your Majesty." The President said, a hint of something dark on the face that had won the hearts of a nation through falsehoods. "Come, let us talk." The President led the way to a building with a great many portraits, portraits of men and women Arthur had met during his travels over the years. They eventually settled down in a great white hall, like something one would find in the White House, with similar grotesque designs.
There was a brief moment of silence, as they all sat down then President Matthews spoke. "Your Majesty, thank you for coming. I know these talks are at short notice, but I felt that it was important to discuss something as important as the oil rigs and natural resources which we are in agreement and in alliance about." There was a brief pause, Arthur knew that this was the way in which Matthews had won people over especially in the south, he was thoughtful in speech and deferentially polite. Matthews continued. "Your Majesty, I find it most troubling that you have suspended any and all activity in the Bermuda Streams. That source of activity is vital to US employment and to work productivity."
"Your men should have thought of that before they decided to drill in areas where they were not supposed to drill. The spillages which your government has covered up, were harming wildlife that is natural to that area, and they were also harming the Atlanteans that lived there. I could not allow such a thing to stand." Arthur said simply.
"You could have attempted diplomacy, Your Majesty." Matthews said.
"I did, I had communication with your Secretary of State and your Secretary for the Environment, I reminded them of the treaties signed, and I told them what my response would be if they did not remind the companies drilling of the consequences to infraction. They did nothing to remove the fools from their nuisance making. And so, I lived up to my end, and did what I needed to protect my people. I am sure you can understand that. After all, you did burn through several villages for a man accused of paedophilia because he was an American citizen." Arthur replied.
Matthews blushed, only those in power throughout the world knew that Charles Michaels was a paedophile and that President Matthews had had evidence against him buried. Arthur had wanted to have the man thrown in prison for such a abhorrent act, but had been over ruled. His fellow leaders considered Matthews a better bet for President than some republican. Matthews said nothing, and Arthur knew the man's pride was stung. Eventually he spoke. "How might we resolve this issue in a manner that does not continue any further embarrassment?"
Arthur said nothing, knowing that the silence would make Matthews impatient. There was one thing he had learned about American leaders throughout his twenty-year reign, they loved to hear the sound of their own voices. Be they Democrat or Republican, they wanted the silence filled. And so, they would speak about anything to prevent silence from becoming the norm. It was quite sad if he were being honest. Consequently, he was not all that surprised when Matthews began shifting and pulling at his shirt collar. Arthur broke his silence. "Remove the men from the Bermuda Streams, and have them pay compensation to the people of Atlantis. Furthermore, you will not be drilling there anymore, nobody will."
"And where will we drill if not the streams?" The President asked.
"You will drill nowhere. There is a UN treaty stating that all such activities must stop. Or do you not remember?" Arthur queried. "I understand that being assailed by crying adult children about your policies and the colour of your skin can take its toll Mister President, however, there are treaties which have been signed by both of us, to reduce the sort of drilling damage that would hurt my kingdom and the environment." Arthur could tell the President was not happy with this. "So, why not start now and set an example for the rest of the world?"
The President looked as though he might say something in anger, but then he seemingly reconsidered it. Matthews blinked, blinked again, exhaled then said. "Very well, Your Majesty, I shall make the call today, and request they pull out."
"Good." Arthur said. He stood up, as did the President, they shook hands, Arthur turned and walked out of the building his guards accompanying him. He made his way back to the port, took a breath then jumped into the water. A moment later he was back in Atlantis, Mera waiting for him.
"How did it go?" She asked.
"He will pull out of the Bermuda Streams, and he will do so at once." Arthur said happily.
Mera smiled, then placed a hand on his cheek. "You didn't mention the incidents that he has suffered, did you?"
Arthur grinned. "I might have mentioned it once or twice." Mera sighed. "What? I didn't want him thinking that he could get away with violating treaties just because he had a special skill in charming people. He has the benefit of not being a white male, and he is charming and capable. That means more people are willing to listen and not notice when he lies. I am a King, I am not elected, I must make the choices for my kingdom and people and live with them. I will not allow anyone to threaten Atlantis."
"I know Arthur," Mera replied. "It's just that with everything going on right now, don't you think that perhaps it is not wise to antagonise him right now?"
"If that antagonises him, then he should not have become President of a country. There are no safe spaces in the world, this is not a college campus." Arthur said simply.