High Society

[tx_instruments]

Noah takes a seat at a large table - a relatively unremarkable table fashioned of sturdy oak, surrounded by a dozen high-backed oak chairs, all of fine craftsmanship. It's a rare personal appearance for a man who prefers to confer over a network connection.

He awaits the arrival of his colleagues, before beginning.

Comments

[jla_villains]

Cameron Mahkent is the second to arrive. In some ways, he's got the least villainous pedigree of the Society leadership - but he's a second generation supervillain, and knows how to talk to the rank and file members.

"Always nice to see your smiling face, Noah."

[cheetah_minerva]

Cheetah enters the room third and jumps unceremoniously into a chair, her tail twitching and her hair seeming to blow in a breeze that isn't there. She picks at her teeth with a sharpened nail, and ignores the men.

[tx_instruments]

"Thank you for joining us, Dr. Minerva. I'm glad you agreed to take a seat on our leadership council. I have the utmost respect for your skills."

[mercwithaneye]

Deathstroke the Terminator is punctual. It's bad business not to be.

He keeps his eye on Cheetah as he takes a seat at the end opposite Calculator. Not entirely sure she won't pull a psycho flip-out of some kind.

[jla_villains]

Cameron leans forward.

"Wealth, and people who can be relied on when things go to hell. I'm easy to please."

[bewaresinestro]

"An eye on the Earth-the most...persistent Green Lanterns have all had extended contact with this world." Sinestro wants to study this property, but that is none of his fellows's business. "My ultimate goal is to restore some semblance of order to the universe, an order the Guardians, in their sloth, have failed to provide. I do not intend to take steps that will injure any of your operations in doing so at the moment."

[mercwithaneye]

At the moment.

Noah gets a look at that assertion.

They'll need contingency plans against this guy if he ever manages to succeed.

[tx_instruments]

It's almost imperceptible, but Noah acknowledges Slade's look with a slight twitch at the edge of his lips.

Hell, the Calculator probably has contingency plans for everyone in this room, but Noah likes to keep things friendly when he can.

"Of course, Sinestro, we'll definitely be keeping an eye on the Green Lanterns. Now that we know something of our individual motivations, let's look at the group - we want a cadre of people with wealth and informational resources who have the skills and power necessary to crack down on any opposition that should arise. People with at least some semblance of professionalism and willingness to work together."

[mercwithaneye]

"Brainiac is a genocidal maniac. There's no need to pick a fight with him, but if we have anything to do with him, it better be a damn good payoff in our favor."

"And speaking of Superman-obsessives, we should discuss Luthor's threats."

[tx_instruments]

"Luthor's threats aren't of consequence. Though they are one of the reasons I have suggested this large revision to our structure. When we had so many villains under our umbrella, it implied a level of control that we didn't wish to exert."

Noah shrugs.

"This change will reinforce the fact that we weren't responsible for the things he wished to blame us for, and should prevent further misunderstanding."

[mercwithaneye]

"He sounded half-crazy," Slade states. "We'll need contingency plans anyway, in case he's entirely forgotten how to respond to logic."

[tx_instruments]

"You know me better than that, Slade. I always have contingency plans."

Noah shrugs.

"The death of his daughter is weighing heavily on his mind, making him angrier and and more paranoiac. We'll play carefully. In the meantime, I'll extend some invitations to expand this council, and then we can reconvene to confirm our path going forward."

He smiles.

"Crime is our business, ladies and gentlemen, and business is good."