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Message: <blockquote data-quote="MnM_UH" data-source="post: 688511" data-attributes="member: 10023">Issue #4 - "Crackling"Scene 1: "The Chosen"Generally, the people of Atlantis are a peaceful lot.  They tend to their own needs, and are focused on their land's prosperity and safety above all else.  Most Atlanteans are friendly, though cautious with outsiders.There are, however, less friendly and peaceful factions within Atlantis.  General Dagon was the most recent to tap into the Atlantean warrior spirit, though he was by no means the first.  Dagon's "Chosen", as they were called, rose up against the rulers of Atlantis, to put an end to the kingdom's malaise and inability to make itself a presence in the world.  General Dagon's mission was to make Atlantis a force to be reckoned with, and he nearly destroyed Atlantis in the process.But this uprising did not go unnoticed.  The heroes of the surface world battled the Atlantean armies, and the air-breathers finally came to believe that Atlantis really did exist.  Many surface-dwellers watched with interest as Atlantis became a world power after living in hiding beneath the waves for so long.  Though it began as one of aggression, the relationship between Atlantis and the surface world eventually became one of trade and sharing of ideas and resources, and Atlantis became a valued member of the world community.The Chosen never forgot their dream.  They had waited a long time for a new leader to emerge, and they found it in the return of Lieutenant (now General) Klimordial, one of the late General Dagon's most trusted henchmen.  The time was ripe for a return to glory, and perhaps another war with the surface world...*************************************************[The following dialogue is translated from Atlantean. - ed]"General Klimordial," Lieutenant Ag began, "the men grow restless.  When can we expect to be ready to attack?"The general sat back in his command chair.  He looked around the room at the rest of his lieutenants and gauged the look on each Atlantean's face.  Klimordial was most impressed that the men were all ready to do battle with the surface-dwellers.This was the first time that most of these men had seen Klimordial out of his traditional Atlantean battle armor.  He had long black hair, braided in the warrior tradition.  He was of a very powerful build, as any who would rule an Atlantean army would be expected to have.  Atlantean warriors could only be impressed by physical prowess, and commanders would need to rule by their presence as much as their tactical aptitude."Patience, Lieutenant," Klimordial replied.  "Things are in motion that will enable us to take our plans forward.  We will not be the first to act.  Instead, we will wait for the people of the surface world to attack Atlantis.  When they do, be prepared for war!""I don't understand," Lieutenant Mardral said.  "They will attack us?  Why would they do that?  They have us at a disadvantage now.  Why would they want to change things?""The air-breathers are pragmatic, General," Ag added, "not stupid."Klimordial laughed.  In a corner hidden away from the table around which Klimordial and his lieutenants sat and discussed their plans, a man -- an air-breather -- hid and listened to the conversation.  He was no stranger to Atlantis; he had been here many times before.  Trickster had to stifle a laugh as he eavesdropped.  They still have no clue, he thought.  So eager are these 'Chosen' to go to war that they would believe anything I choose to throw at them.  They will be ready, and so will I."The gauntlet will be thrown down soon enough, gentlemen," Klimordial responded.  "I am satisfied that you will have your divisions ready within a week, and then we will learn more about our air-breathing friends."Trickster, seeing that the meeting was pretty much adjourned, turned invisible so that the lieutenants would not see him.  Klimordial stood up.  "I believe this meeting is over," he said.  "I will contact all of you when we are ready to make specific tactical plans.  Until then, remember that no one can know of our mission."The lieutenants stood up and gathered their things -- mostly ceremonial weapons and armor, and then left the chamber.  When they were all gone, Trickster made his own exit through a secret door in the rear of the chamber.But there was another spy in the meeting chamber.  This one hid in a maintenance tube above the room, and recorded everything that was being said.  The spy was an Atlantean female, and she was very well concealed, and was able to take in the entire meeting.Interesting, she thought.  Klimordial is still imprisoned within the Deep Vault.  So, who is this impostor?She put away her recording device and slowly retreated from her position high above the chamber.  As she did, several Atlantean villains came to mind, but all were very unlikely candidates.She popped out of the maintenance tube and scurried far from the Chosen's headquarters.  When she was satisfied that she was a safe distance from the meeting room, she produced a communicator and pressed a button."Bariunas," the voice on the communicator replied."Marina checking in," she said.  "Observed Chosen making plans.  Will transmit recording.""Agreed," Bariunas said.Marina plugged the recorder into the bottom of the communicator, and electronics within the recorder whirred as the data was sent along to her superiors.  When it was done, Marina disconnected the two devices and put the recorder back in her pouch."Will analyze," Bariunas said.  "Return to base.""Acknowledged," Marina replied and turned off the communicator.  She looked down a corridor and saw several of Klimordial's lieutenants exiting from the meeting chamber.  Before they could spot her, Marina disappeared, and made her way back to Atlantis City. Watch for Scene 2, Coming Soon!</blockquote>

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