"Things Change" Part Two

"The Omni Competent's loose?!" Obidiah Blott, nearly yelped, "What the hell, Grey?"

The ancient old man sitting across from Blott scowled. Aldrich Grey had lost more than anyone when the villain wnet rogue, and wasn't in mood for lectures. That's why he was glad he brought support.

"Excuse me, sir, smoking is not allowed in federal buildings," the heavy-set woman in the drab blazer and skirt announced, casting a critical eye at the crinkled pack of cigarettes Blott pulled from his coat pocket.

The CEO and primary shareholder of Blott Munitions sneered, "Maybe you're unaware of how these meetings work, lady, but we tell you what is and isn't allowed."

"Actually, no. Mr. Grey wants me to run this briefing, which means it will be done my way," she responded.

There was a brief moment where Blott looked like he was about to demonstrate the falsity of that claim by lighting up. Then, "Just get this thing started."

Doctor Harmanda Barrierre nodded, "Yes, sir. At 0630 Hours this morning the Omni Competent escaped from our detention facility in Groom Lake. He killed twelve members of the security staff and also Rex Regent, who was handling Clancy for us. The Omni Competent was also able to activate and steal the remains of the Mutant Obiliterating Robot; Obtusely Nasty instrumentation that was also stored at the base."

"What else did he get away with? Any files or intel?" telecommunications magnate Stewart Swivel asked.

"Just what he had in his head, which was a lot," Dr. Barriere admitted, "He has a significant amount of knowledge about our day to day operations.

"He knows everything!" the Reverand Larry Dropov of he charismatic Christian group Proper Preponderance spoke up, "He could destroy us with one phone call!"

Grey snorted, "Relax, Larry. He doesn't know everything. We kept Clancy in the dark about our own personal security measures, and the safeguards in place to take him out if he tried to leave the reservation."

"Which were obviously worthless," lobbyist Abe Jackamhoff noted dismissively before looking at Dr. Barriere, "What options do we have?"

The head of the Special Protocols Against Metahumans came clean, "Not much. The Satellite Reconnasaince Office can't pick up his energy signature. We think he's using the MOR;ON tech to shield himself.

"Never could figure out how that shit worked," Swivel muttered darkly. The commerical possibilities for self-evolving software would have been limitless.

"Clancy did," Dropov said back.

Dr. Barriere ignored the interruption, "I'm sending Agent St. Ides and the remaining Deathwish Detail to Nevada to be briefed by security. They'll be on point in the field for the investigation."

"What about activating the Omike Project?" Blott offered, "This is exactly what it was desgined for."

"I've read General Leiling's evaluation of your program, Obidiah, and it wasn't kind. I believe he described it as a 38 billion dollar boondoggle. No, the Omike Project has been scrapped," the Grey Eminence said forcefully. Being back here, in this room, among the men he had led for so long, had restored some of his equilibrium he had lost when learning of the morning's disaster. He took charge, "I ain't going to lie to you gents, this is bad: but its not the worst thing we ever faced. We stick together, we stay vigilant and listen to the Doctor here, and the Company will survive."

"Mr. Grey is right. The Omni Competent won't try to expose or shut us down. He wants the group as a resource."

"He'll come after us though. For revenge for what we did to him," Reverand Dropov said.

"Damn straight he will. Clancy's sees you all as traitors for allying yourselves with the Parody Master back when 1066 became law," Aldrich Grey spat, "And the crazy bastard is right. Hanging's too good for ya. But the fact is we all need each other now. Losing Flask crippled us, especially since it looks like Factor X is going to start stepping up operations on US Soil."

"Intelligence says he is already attempting to seize control of organized crime in Paradopolis through proxies, his standard M.O.," SPAM's Director added.

"Right, we got that to deal with on top of the entire aftermath of the fight with the Parody Master. I've lived through at least a half dozen wars, and I know the real hard part of them is winning the peace that comes later. We're going to have to make some hard choices soon. Make some alliances we don't necessarily want to."

Which didn't sound like anything new to the men seated around the table, given their past activities.



Next: Glory and Artemis take part in some gang violence, and a secret is revealed

Footnotes:

The Conspiracy: Organized by Aldrich Grey and several other industrialists back in the late 1930s for the purpose of better preparing America for the coming world war, this group has existed for several decades concurrent with the more subsersive (and active) Shadow Cabinet. They exist today to promote American power throughout the world, and to maintain the domestic status quo. Some of the heads of the group have been shown here. Other people and operatives include Rex Regent (deceased), Paradopolis's former Lynchpin of Crime Harry Flask (imprisoned), ZOXXON Oil's chairman Montviler Vole, internet spam king Roni Y. Avis, and industrial spy and sabotuer Tech-Spectre (real name Henry St. Ides). Before Mr. Epitome lost his memories and regressed in age 15 years, he was part of th conspiracy as well, working as Grey's chief agent, and eventual successor.