Live Via Satellite

[proto_humanist]

Several global news networks have sent representatives. His message will go out on channels all around the world. Putting a smile on his face, Vandal Savage steps out onto the stage that has been prepared. A large podium stands in front of his manor house on New Albion - and some of his new lieutenants already are waiting on the stage

Comments

[jla_extras]

A reporter raises a hand.

"How do you account for the rumors surrounding you, regarding acts of cannibalism and depravity?"

[proto_humanist]

Savage chuckles patiently.

"As you say, they are rumors. I have lived a long lifespan, and thus there have been many opportunities for misunderstanding. And of course, my frequent adversaries in the Justice Society are getting on in years, so its understandable that they'd muddle a few details. I'd hate to think that any of them would resort to exaggerating the crimes of an opponent for their own self-aggrandizement."

[jl_metropolis]

Jimmy Olsen, looking a bit more haggard than usual, is still game. He's practically standing on tiptoes to be noticed.

"Ah, Mr. Savage!" Now there's an honorific Jimmy never thought he'd use to address the infamous villain.

"What will the stance of this new nation be towards the governments of the world? This announcement has surely drawn the attention of every nation on the planet. How will you answer the inevitable accusations that this new nation is just a front for yet another scheme to control the world?"

[contessaerica]

From amongst the various Vandal Savage lieutenants and hangs-on emerges a heretofore unseen figure, unseen today, seen before, most assuredly, on television. Not in a very long time, however, at least a handful of years. She touches Savage's arm lightly and steps to the microphone to say to Jimmy. "Baseless accusations and misapprehensions are, alas, nothing new to him. Concerns for public perception are useless when the health and welfare of the entire planet are at stake."

Her eyes train on the cameras as she adds, "Those with a keen interest in surviving - no, in flourishing, in advancing - are wise to visit, stay and judge for themselves without the discoloration from certain global media stained by prejudice."

[dark_progenitor]

Black Adam does not normally indulge in the boob tube. A cadre of his advisers have to come before their monarch, persuading Great Adam that there is something on display that he really needs to see.

Yes, there are televisions in Kahndaq, thank you

[jsaboss]

Mr. Terrific stands in the Brownstone kitchen, cycling through his normal routine of three newspapers and a pot of conflict-free coffee.

He reaches for his mug and takes a sip. Savage's press conference is providing interesting background noise if nothing else. As he continues to drink, his hand slips behind the coffee machine, checking the power cord for anomalies.

[swiftjustice]

Elsewhere in the Brownstone, an incredulous speedster watches the broadcast - tipping his helmet back a little in disbelief.

"That disingenuous son of a.."

[jsaboss]

"Bad men are full of repentance Jay." Terrific eyes his teammate, then back to the broadcast.

"But legally, Savage has his bases covered. Not much we can do here."

[swiftjustice]

"I'm sure when he tips his hand, we'll have the means to go after him. That's not the problem."

Jay shakes his head.

"The problem is the backhanded way he's cast aspersions on the Justice Society. He's insulted a lot of good men and women that are friends of mine, many of whom are no longer around to defend themselves."

[miss_kowalski]

There's a TV in the corner of her office, turned to CNN as usual. Kitty pays little attention to it, focused on paperwork and emails and all of the millions of tiny little things that keep clamoring for her time.

A woman's voice causes her to look up and pay closer attention.

That voice.

Calmly, Kitty reaches out and grabs her phone headset, hesitating only for a second before dialing the legal department.

"I need to speak to Rufus." A pause, during which her face tightens in anger. "I don't CARE if he's busy. Get him on the phone NOW."

A longer pause, and when she speaks, her voice is much more friendly, almost flirtatious.

"Rufus, I assume you've been watching the news? Right, I saw her too... I'm sure you realize the full implications of this. So here's what I need..."

[dont_callmekid]

Pete's in, appropriately enough, an international relation class, when the broadcast hits New York.

A lot of the college kids are taking the unexpected break to gossip and send texts, but Pete isn't one of them. He gets an odd feeling across his skin as he watches Savage onscreen, something akin to what he felt when he was eleven and saw the planes crash into the World Trade Center.

A single event that changes the course of history. That's what this is, he's sure of it.

What of Savage himself? Pete knows little about the man, other than what is commonly available on the Internet. He doesn't share the opinion much of the public shares about Savage, partly due to his skeptical view of superheroes and partly due to his doubts that any man could possibly live forever. Whether any of the stories about this man are true or not, though, what he's just done is something that's going to change the world.

The image of Savage becomes translucent as Pete suddenly finds himself looking through the television... and most everything else, too.