[08th November 2010]

[Secure Bunker, Posedonis, Deep Atlantic Ocean]

"I see we are short yet another of our number..." Prince Orm, True King of Atlantis, stated curtly as the faces of his 'allies' amongst the surface-worlders came into view on the various screens in a semi-circle around him "...this does not bode well I expect"

"No, The Brain is currently en-route to a more secure location as we speak. His previous one had been compromised, with self-destruction of the communications device initiated prior to his evacuation of the facility..." the obnoxious bald headed member of their now reduced group stated calmly as Orm frowned at this unexpected turn of events "...it appears the echinoderm became activated during the course of events two days prior, explaining the sudden silence of the team assigned to its capture. Said team returned to the facility a few hours ago apparently under the influence of the organism. Our colleague was forced to evacuate when security became compromised and the creature failed to achieve control of him due to his armoured chassis"

"It has not been leaked to the public?" concern from crude and appropriately named Savage, and Luthor, who was seemingly coordinating with the body challenged abomination The Brain, shook his head in the negative while providing a more detailed explanation.

"No, the facility's self-destruction is being explained as a severe gas leak gone dreadfully wrong owing to its location, and business cover identity. While it seems several of those infected with the organism were eliminated it is clear several, including a controlled Nigma and Crock, likely evaded this outcome"

Orm hissed softly "The creature became alive again? It was dead, or at least dormant..." realisation hit "...ahh, the magic healing of the young that occurred applied to beast as well as more developed creatures". This may present a problem with the creature Klarion...not around...to control such a beast yes?"

"Indeed it will, regardless of our temporary inability to control the creature if the fact of our attempting to recover it becomes known it will a severe blow to spreading our influence, and likely incur the wrath of the Justice League prematurely. Especially in the wake of our mysterious opposites revealing their own hand to the world and forming this public front of theirs. Myself..."

Luthor nodded at the continually reanimated old zombie "...and L-2 have begun readying of recovery strike teams to deal with the current situation. Unfortunately, owing to the current chaos and public attention to all things, we cannot easily locate the organism...nor deploy our teams without risk of detection. The organism appears to show some rudimentary intelligence and animal cunning I'm afraid, albeit thankfully not much in the way of higher reasoning from the captured camera footage"

The crime against biomancy and nature nodded in agreement "Yes, from what I've seen it may have been following the last orders of Nigma and Sportsmaster upon taking control. What information our...ally...has supplied prior indicates that the creature has displayed such before in other environments. Sedatives have been prepared to tranquilise it upon location. I believe we must still proceed with Operation Blizzard now regardless of recent losses; even if simply to mask our recovery of the creature"

"Is that a wise course of action now that we know the depths of power available to this 'Dark' organisation, and this SHIELD organisation of theirs? We have yet to discuss what impact the loss of Klarion will be, nor how to counter those entities our opponents may have recruited to aid them in their own objectives?" pretty face queried seriously. For a surface dweller, she was almost worthy of being a Queen, or at least a concubine perhaps. Once his own victory had been assured it would merely take some spellwork and she would make a fine addition to his throne room serving at his feet declaring to the world of his power. Especially if he was forced to slay fair Mera like he had almost done not too long ago...a true shame she would likely not acknowledge him as the True King that he was.

"I was opposed to the operation in support of Count Vertigo as you may recall..." the bald fool calmly retorted with a shake of his head "...but we have limited options currently. The organism must be contained and recovered before it attracts attention, and due to the loss of Klarion solidifying the good Count's control over his nation as a secondary base of operations into the future. It would also appear that the control of this other organisation is limited to the British Isles and to recent acquisitions such as Santa Prisca, but they are making inroads into the United States government as well. As such we may have a limited window with which to strike before a similar group is formed here by their minions"

"Such as the fact the Christian Devil is now based in Los Angeles and clearly filling the role that Klarion filled with ourselves till his very recent demise I believe?" the savage asked with a unhappy grumble "...but I expect we have a limited time frame to carry out such actions. If only for the fact it will take them a significant period of time to induct those they are currently recruiting to their public face without giving away the true puppet-masters behind the curtains over there. As such we must expand our own strength as quickly, yet carefully, as possible. I too approve Operation Blizzard's continue go ahead despite events"

Orm nodded slowly "Agreed, implement the operation. Though countering this new variable will be rather difficult I fear as we have lost almost the entirety of our surface world mages in the battle? Nor can we call down the power of the very Gods as they have done, much to the great fear roaring through the City-States I must add to my own distaste"

"I too affirm support for the continuation despite circumstances..." pretty-face acknowledged with a frown "...though can any of your mages aid us in this task Prince Orm? My own few users of those have expressed little but hysteria, or just simple fear, despite not knowing of our true purpose. Atlantis is perhaps the most advanced human civilization for usage of magic upon the Earth"

He shook his head "Nay, I fear not my lady. Save that the magics wielded against Klarion and his allies were as others have likely already told you – they were the powers of the Gods made manifest and beyond mortal abilities after the summoning. Klarion was an abomination, a creature of power from beyond the outer planes, and I fear we must seeking out others such he to narrow the gap in power we appear to currently suffer..." he sighed softly "...as to mages, I have some few to consult but all but one is a Purist and would be unwilling to aid surface dwellers in this task"

'Even if they were not scared out of their minds' he admitted privately as the discussion moved to debating the disaster they had just suffered, and what means needed to be implemented to rectify it. Something that was suddenly on the mind of everyone of any influence within Atlantis as well; even slipping away for this brief summary of disasters had been troublesome enough. Blood fool of a brother Orin had slipped away for nearly two days on end to the surface world and left Queen Mera...pregnant and exhausted Queen Mera...in charge of things. This, in all truth, meant that Orm was in charge for this nightmarish crisis...

'Orin, even when you're not here you cause my blood to boil. All flash and style, with no substance behind it while you gallivant about with your surface friends and Atlantis struggles' he seethed internally over the fact he was currently having a position of influence and control...and had to spend hour after hour dealing with one panicked demand after another.

That, and having to deal with the idiocy of his own damnable supporters as Ocean Master; suddenly discovering the surface-worlders had such powerful magics at their disposal had unhinged some it seemed and spontaneous riots were erupting despite his own efforts to rein them in. The day he finally got to be King in name as in thought was the day he could smile and kill off those useless cretins in the Purist movement. They couldn't even be his tools without causing him a headache it seemed!

"Who amongst Klarion's allies has survived?" he queried after a few moments. Truly he needed to know more of this Conclave of surface mages that had come together into their own Conservatory of Sorcery as Atlantis had done generations ago. If their power was as great as feared then perhaps it might be time to consider readjusting his own alliances to ones more favourable as Orin, the Usurper, had clearly no knowledge or alliance with them either. Having interviewed several of the 'heroic' young mages that these outsiders had co-opted and the tale was far from his liking.

"Blackbriar Thorn has apparently survived and escaped capture despite failing to contain Doctor Fate during the magical battle, though he knows nothing of our involvement with the Lord of Chaos. So there are difficulties in bringing him to our sphere of influence without risk of tainting us with Klarion's own ill fated distraction operation" the eternal zombie answered and Orm silently voiced his agreement with the opinion. If it became publically known that they had been involved with the Elemental being's madness...well, dead would likely be a rather painful and bloody affair all in all...

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[08th November 2010]

[Scottish Hi – Plane o – Scot – Plane of F...Unknown]

"...indeed my Lord, we are an unusual group this one can admit, but there has been a recent opening in these lands and an opportunity for supplying such worthies as thyself, and those of far lesser breeding this one must also admit due to our cooperative agreement. There is a market that can be filled, and for thy aid in the matter we would gladly offer goods and services at a premium in this day and age"

"Perhaps, perhaps...though tis a strange sight to see indeed. In my day it was not done in such a manner, but these are no longer my lands, no longer indeed, so it should be no great surprise that times and places have changed in such a manner"

"Indeed Noble Lord, the joys of modern technology and animal husbandry methods I assure thee. This one would hope that the facilities, custom made for purpose, have assured thee of our seriousness in establishing a quality provider of goods and services over the long term...and of the great boon it would be for thee to aid these three humble farmers before thine eyes in acquiring quality stock"

"Hmm, hmmm, perhaps... you have my interest despite the status of you and your associates I admit"

"Thank you Noble Sir, Thank you...Now here we have a working example of what we can provide with thine aid and support. As you can see we have a mere three heifers, though two are of rather low quality this one must say with profuse apologies, and not worthy of thine noble palette. This one though is both young and of the quality that we would be aiming to provide thee when production is begun in earnest. Here, please accept this meagre glass to test Noble Sir?"

"Hmmm... Hmmmm... adequate, but in these times such is even hard to come by I admit. Do you have test of its bloodline? And the bleating is most irritating I must say"

"Here my Noble Lord, quality this one can assure thee with apologies. It is the nature of the parlour to by unworthy I fear, our most profuse apologies Lord. Please let us bring you outside to the fresh air and calm night beyond. In honour of your August and Noble presence we have prepared a Hunt for thine enjoyment, and for that of thy followers if it is pleasing to thee Noble Lord"

"Ah, a Hunt, it has been far too long since I have hunted beneath the moon and stars on these lands. These are you lands and with your invitation?"

"Indeed Noble Sir, by the laws of these lands this land is legal held by our three hands. Our humble hands have prepared a creature worthy of thine Huntsmen one can but hope"

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