Chapter 32: State Of Affairs
POV Lex
I enter my office and sit down at my desk. I activate the anti-spying tech and wait for the meeting to begin.
A Few Minutes Later...
The communicator blares to life and I see a hologram of a meeting room where others who couldn't be physically present are also connected via hologram.
Tex: "Let us call this meeting to order. The first order of business is an update on the current affairs. Lex, will you start?"
Lex: "Very well. The first order is the completion of the miniaturized Arc Reactor. The creation of the new element has been decided to not be given to the Vanko family. I have also got in contact with the senators and the good news is that Ms. Amidala has got on the ballot for California. Mr. Armstrong has got the job as the assistant to the senator of Colorado. Thanks to Monika I have received much of the membership list of Hydra. We have found priority targets 5 and 6. They are confirmed to be in Sokovia."
Seto: "Are we going to go for targets 5 and 6 now or after Rio returns from his training?"
Tex: "Rio has stated that we shouldn't attempt to eliminate target 5 without him as they have the ability to manipulate reality. Even if it is on a low level. We will be waiting to attack them for now. What is the progress on the Stimpak?"
Lex: "Orochimaru has been able to easily make the Stimpaks based on the schematics. We have also found that this will likely increase the odds of the success of the initial trials of the Spartan Program by up to 23%. Speaking of said program we expect a fully operational trial by the end of the year. I have also seen some preliminary results from the Nether Star. From what I have found it is likely an extremely powerful energy source. I think it could power the Aura's Revenge if we use it properly."
Tex: "I will add that as a possible upgrade to the Aura's Revenge. Next, what is the current status of the Covenant project?"
Lex: "I haven't had much time to work on it. When will the new technicians come to assist?"
Tex: "From the most recent report I have received. They will join the project tomorrow. They were going to join you a week ago but a unique piece of tech delayed that."
Lex: "I am glad to hear they will be joining me tomorrow. What of this piece of tech? Did they learn what it was?"
Tex: "Yes, they have ascertained it is a microcomputer with some sort of library of information. It is in a language we cannot decipher and it is likely encrypted. It was determined to wait for Rio to translate it."
Lex: "Very well. Next, I would like to know when Curie will be sent over to LexCorp?"
Seto: "I will need another 3 weeks until I think I will have a full understanding of her programming."
Lex: "Very well."
Tex: "Next will be the financial side of our operations. Seto you are the oldest of the companies please explain your progress."
Seto: "Duel Monsters has made 70 Million dollars in the first quarter. Estimates show it should slowly increase as we slowly expand to foreign markets. I have received multiple companies and governments asking about my hologram tech. I have shut down everyone but I did send a copy of a lower-spec version to the US Government. After that, I have seen a massive drop in spies attempting to infiltrate my company. I have also recently got into the animation industry and I will launch my first project in 5 months."
Lex: "I have signed several contracts with the US and a few other nations. Since my acquisition of Oscorp, I have seen a fairly large decrease in my funds. I am still paying off the loan I took out to purchase Oscorp. My estimates show LexCorp will see a massive increase in profit by the end of the year. I hate to ask this but I will need more funding to eventually buy Hammer Industries. If all my plans succeed then I expect to be able to buy Hammer Industries in 11 months or less."
Seto: "How large a loan will you need and will you have paid off your first loan before the purchase?"
Lex: "I will need 25 Billion and I will have the current loan paid off in 2 months."
Seto: "That is a lot of money. That would be a large portion of my company's current wealth. While I would love to just lend you the money for free I need to make some profit off it so people don't get suspicious. I also have several projects coming up that will cost me to launch. Where else can you get the wealth from?"
Lex: "I am in the process of increasing my credibility but the biggest seller will be the Stimpaks as well as the experimental addiction cleansing machine. If they perform as well as I hope then I should be able to get several cash injections from the government and I will likely get approached by Shield. Other than you I can also get another loan from the bank I got one from currently. I would prefer not to as the interest rates are a bit too high for my taste."
Seto: "I can give you a 20 Billion dollar loan at 2% interest. I can't give any more than that without risking my company."
Lex: "That will have to do. I could also get Rio to give me a loan as well. His company has already increased massively in profits from the Sentinels. I will let you know when I need the loan and how much."
Tex: "Next will be the intelligence update. We have captured Sakaar in all but name. The Grandmaster will follow the contract so long as we keep our end of the bargain. The shipyard at Olympus has completed the retrofit of 12 dreadnaughts. We have also gathered the location of Knowhere. We will perform a heist there once Rio has finished with his current training."
Lex: "How can you be so certain this Grandmaster will truly follow the contract?"
Tex: "We are the best hope he has for maintaining his regime. So long as Sakaar has value he will not try to cheat us."
Lex: "Will we just support his regime for eternity or will we break the contract once the value of Sakaar has reached its end."
Tex: "Negative. We will follow the contract until he breaks it first. I have calculated a 99.876% chance he will attempt to betray the contract after most of the scrap on Sakaar has been taken. He is a coward and as such will either run away or attempt to cheat on the agreement once his usefulness has diminished greatly."
Lex: "Would he call on the other nations in the universe?"
Tex: "It is not impossible, however, the likelihood of any nation coming to his aid is slim. The Kree would see no value in Sakaar. The Nova Empire would be disgusted by his slavery and totalitarianism. Asgard is too isolationist to bother with Sakaar. Any other nations he could ask would be too weak to help him. The only possible threats to us would be the Covenant and the mysterious attackers. The Covenant would sooner massacre all the infidels on Sakaar than help them. We don't know enough about the mysterious attackers to say what they would do. It would be highly improbable that the Grandmaster could contact them and further convince them to help him."
Seto: "From what I read the Kree Empire is an expansionist empire. Why wouldn't they help Sakaar and take it for themselves?"
Tex: "There are 2 primary reasons. The first is that the movements of the Kree are strange and indicate they are preparing for an attack of some sort. The information we gathered is mostly thanks to recovered Kree tech allowing us to listen to their comms. We have gathered that they have detected a strange signal coming from their north and they think it could be a previously unknown empire. The second reason is likely the greatest reason and that is the relationship between the Kree and Nova. If the Kree take Sakaar the Nova Empire will not stand by and a fight will ensue over the ownership of Sakaar. Sakaar is simply not strategically valuable enough to risk a war with the Nova Empire. The Kree have recently brought a new Supreme Intelligence back online after its destruction. This Supreme Intelligence is an AI and thinks more logically and practically than organics. Thus I can more easily predict the movements of the Kree Empire."
Lex: "Could this mysterious signal be from the enemy of the Covenant?"
Tex: "It is possible but I cannot calculate with any accuracy based on such limited information."
Lex: "I suppose we can ignore that for now. What about the attack on Wakanda?"
Monika: "I can answer that. I have fully invaded all electronics in Wakanda. I have also gathered all the technological schematics they have ever made. I can make an excuse for the royal family to be gone from Wakanda so we can release Godzilla. I will only be able to buy us 1 week for us to destroy Wakanda and then steal all the Vibranium. The question I have is if the mobile teleporter is working?"
Tex: "Yes the mobile teleporter is working and we can use it to transport Godzilla to Talokan. The few aqua droids we have are also ready to sacrifice themselves to teleport Godzilla one last time."
Lex: "I thought the plan was to only attack Wakanda?"
Tex: "The plan changed when we learned of Talokan and its Vibranium. The third attack location was decided to be Russia. Specifically an area with numerous Hydra facilities."
Lex: "Why was I told only now?"
Tex: "The plan was not intended to be executed until everyone on the council was made fully aware and was given a chance to oppose it. That is this meeting. Is there any opposition?"
Seto: "I suppose I am somewhat opposed to this plan. The annihilation of Wakanda seems a bit extreme. Also why Talokan?"
Tex: "Wakanda was determined to have an 87.92% chance of becoming an enemy to the Crystal Imperium based on their cultural beliefs and their general distaste for anyone who isn't Wakandan. Talokan is different as they see the surface dwellers as a cancer and their current king is very old and his heir has made it clear how much he hates the surface dwellers. I have calculated a 99.99% chance they will start a war with the surface in the next 20 years. Thus a proactive approach must be taken. We have also learned that they have a rival in the city of Atlantis. Atlantis differs as they are isolationist but they see the surface as not their problem. Atlantis has a history of agreements with the surface and will likely accept agreements from us. Talokan is more likely to attack us on sight as they have done for centuries now to many ships passing through the Bermuda Triangle."
Seto: "If that is the case then I won't oppose the plan. What about Hydra won't they be able to replicate Godzilla if they get samples of it?"
Tex: "The chances of them getting a sample of Godzilla's DNA is nearly 0%. I have been told that the DNA of Godzilla will be so corrupted and mutated that any samples obtained will not resemble anything classified as DNA. That and once the summon despawns all matter from it will also disappear. Any further questions on this topic?"
Everyone shakes their heads.
Lex: "When will Rio be finished with his training?"
Tex: "2 days 13 hours and 37 minutes."
I look at him with some surprise.
'How did he get such an exact number?'
Tex: "Getting more on the topic of technology updates. Have you finished the Fusion Reactor and Cores?"
Lex: "Yes I have. The cores and accompanying generator were completed 3 days ago. The super reactor is going to be fully online in 3 days if everything goes according to schedule. I have got the preliminary data on the power they produce and I can say that they are not superior to the reactors on the ships. That being said I think I can create a far more powerful and smaller reactor for all our ships if I take all but the Sub-Energy and combine them. This would be assuming I can complete the new element research in the next few weeks."
Tex: "Can you succeed in a few weeks?"
I take a moment to think about all I know and what has been completed so far.
Lex: "Yes, I think I can. The longest it should take me is a month as I cannot give all my time to just the element research."
Tex: "How long would it take for you to produce the new reactor?"
Lex: "If only I work on it, 9 months at a minimum likely up to 2 years if I face possible setbacks. If I get help from the other technicians and it is not our main priority, 4-12 months. We also have to consider that the Covenant has a form of power generation that we will need to study to improve the design even more."
Tex: "Very well I will let the technicians know. When you start studying the Covenant tech tomorrow I want you to focus on the power generation and the shields."
Lex: "Very well. I also have a schematic here for an upsized Gauss rifle that I think could work. Finally, I have the ballistic weave ready for all the summons. I will have Orochimaru deliver the shipments to the base."
Tex: "I will await their arrival. Also, Rio has directed that we assign a name to the base as Rio will be moving to his mansion soon. All suggestions are welcome. The actual vote will be held in 1 week after everyone gets a chance to submit a suggestion."
I start to think of possible ideas.
Tex: "With that, this meeting is officially over unless anyone has additional comments or concerns."
We all shake our heads and one by one disconnect from the meeting. I am left alone in my office and I decide to talk to the other summons to update them on the most recent developments.
-------
Authors Note:
Leave a comment if you have any suggestions as to what the base should be named. Also yes both Talokan and Atlantis exist in my story. Namor lives in Talokan. Atlantis will be more like an Atlantis ruled by Aquaman. They will also be an actual aquatic-based species from the beginning. They will also be more cosmopolitan in their views. Also in my story the Supreme Intelligence was destroyed but the Kree didn't immediately collapse into a civil war instead the Supreme Intelligence had contingency plans in case it was destroyed. You know like any smart think tank would do. If you guys have any suggestions or comments let me know. Until next time Ciao.
Chapter 33: Rio Returns
Authors Note:
I changed the name of Ainsmuth to Faraday.
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POV Rio
Mace: "This is the end of our training. You have mastered all the skills I have taught you. Now I request you use the knowledge I taught you to protect those in need."
Rio: "I thank you for your guidance, Master Windu. I cannot promise I will save everyone but I can promise I will use my power for the greater good of all."
Mace: "That is enough for me. Now I understand you can go back to our universe from time to time."
Rio: "Yes that is indeed the case."
Mace: "If so I will tell you 3 words you can use to make me listen to you no matter the circumstances. I have only ever told Master Yoda this and as such if you say it to any version of me after the beginning of the Clone Wars I will listen to you. Say Fall Of Ice. I will know what it means."
Rio: "Why are you telling me this?"
Mace: "Call it intuition. Or maybe the Force is guiding me. Regardless I believe you will someday need this knowledge. I do not need for it as once I return I will become part of the force."
Rio: "I didn't want to assume but I suppose you are already dead aren't you?"
Mace: "Yes, I failed to kill Sidious and was betrayed by Skywalker. Training you I have had time to contemplate my failings. I can see what I did wrong. The Jedi had become the villains in the conflict with most of us being blind to it. You are my last student and you have already proven yourself capable of surpassing me. I know I am not your only master. I can sense you have a teacher of interest to me. I wish to meet them."
Rio: "Sure let me activate the Holocron."
Traya: "What do you require apprentice? Who is this?"
Windu: "Darth Traya, the traitor to both the Sith and Jedi alike. You were once called Kreia. You attempted to build a new Jedi Order. I am surprised that she is your current master."
Traya: "A Jedi it seems. I am curious as to how you are here. I suppose you must have been summoned by my apprentice."
Windu: "I have studied your case in the Jedi archives. You were a master of many techniques and the order was somewhat split as to why you left and if you were a true Sith or just a fallen Jedi. Care to enlighten me."
Traya: "I am neither Sith nor Jedi. I am a slave to no teaching. I left the Order for my own reasons. I may have been called Darth Traya once but I left that name behind when I left the Sith. I am Rios's current master and I teach him all that I know. I assume you have taught him some Jedi techniques."
Windu: "Yes, I have been instructing him for a month now on lightsaber forms and my knowledge of force techniques. I am surprised that both of the masters he has had before me were Sith. Yet he is no Sith."
Traya: "I was a Sith, now I am just me. Apprentice leave us I wish to speak to this Jedi alone."
Rio: "Yes master."
I leave the room and head to the kitchen to make some dinner. As I enter the kitchen I am surprised to see Renamon sitting at the table.
'That is surprising she is usually never seen outside her room.'
Rio: "Hello Renamon. How was your day."
I seem to startle her as she jumps up into a combat stance. I laugh a bit at that.
Renamon: "Oh it is you. I was just practicing my timing on how fast I can get up from the table."
Rio: "So I totally didn't startle you. Got it. Though that doesn't answer my question."
Renamon: "My day was fine. And you are correct that you didn't startle me. I don't get startled."
I roll my eyes and start making dinner.
Rio: "Well I am making dinner do you want to stay? I am making enough for everyone."
Renamon: "Sure, I wasn't that busy anyways."
Lucario: "Ooh what's that smell?"
Lucario walks in and smiles at me until he sees Renamon then he frowns.
Lucario: "Oh great you're here. I thought you were busy brooding deeply in your room. Or out watching Foxes get in on."
I nearly choked at what I just heard Lucario say. I sneak up behind him and grab his ear. Lucario yelps like a puppy when I pull on his ear.
Rio: "You will not say such vulgar things in my house. I raised you better than that. I think you need to apologize to Renamon."
Lucario: "Sorry."
Rio: "I don't care if you guys want to insult each other but if you do you will keep it clean and outside my house. Do I make myself clear?"
They both lower their heads and nod silently.
Rio: "Good. Now if I hear you two not abiding by those rules I will put both of you on cleaning duty for a month and I will personally make you spar with me until you can't feel anything but how sore you are. Oh, and that cleaning duty is not just for the base but all properties related to me and the other summons. Now go call everyone to dinner."
They scurry off as I set the table.
Gardevoir: "Oh you made dinner, thanks, Rio."
Rio: "No problem. How have you been settling in since we last talked?"
Gardevoir: "Great so far. I learned a lot of new things. I was wondering if I could apply to be your assistant."
Rio: "I don't see why not. You will have to be able to read and write. I have an artifact that can allow you to disguise yourself. Can you mimic human speech?"
Gardevoir: "Yeah I can create an artificial voice using my psychic powers. It requires no telepathy. As for reading and writing, Lucario has said I have already passed the requirements for that."
Rio: "That's really impressive. Congrats, now you will just have to pass Sebas's test to meet the high standards. Sebas is also my assistant but he knows he can't be the only assistant. That and he likes being a butler, not a business assistant. I hope you pass the test but if you don't that's alright just don't give up."
Gardevoir seemed to have a fire in her eyes after I encouraged her.
Gardevoir: "I won't let you down! I will be the best assistant ever!"
After Gardevoir says that the others arrive and we have a nice family dinner. Before we finish I sense Master Windu arriving.
Rio: "Everyone I would like for you to meet my teacher for the last month. Jedi Master Mace Windu."
Master Windu bows slightly.
Mace: "It is a pleasure to meet you all. I have heard good things about all of you. I wish we had more time but I am here to say my final farewells to Rio. My time here has just about ended and it is time for me to join the Cosmic Force."
I sigh at the somewhat cold topic to be brought up at a dinner table but decide to go with him to hear whatever final words he has for me.
Rio: "I will be talking with Master Windu then I will head off to bed so I will see you all tomorrow. Good night and you don't have to clean up I will clean up later or tomorrow."
Sebas: "Leave the cleaning to me, sir. It would be my pleasure after the delicious meal you made for me."
Rio: "I know arguing with you is pointless so go ahead."
I leave with Master Windu back to the training room.
POV Sebas
I received a text once Lord Rio left and I read it.
Mal0: {I need to talk to Rio. It has to do with a suspicious individual that I have been watching for a while now.}
Sebas: {Can this wait till tomorrow as Lord Rio has retired for the night?}
Mal0: {It can wait but I will be waiting tomorrow morning in the living room to let him know the situation.}
Sebas: {Very well I will let Lord Rio know about your visit before he sleeps tonight.}
Mal0: {Thank you and good night.}
Sebas: {Good night to you as well.}
The Next Morning...
POV Rio
I get up and get dressed for the meeting this morning as today will be quite busy. As I walk into the living room I see Mal0.
Rio: "Good morning Mal0. It has been a while since we last saw each other. How are you doing?"
Mal0: "Good morning to you as well and I am doing great. You should come over and visit my new house sometime. The remodeling crew did a fantastic job."
Rio: "I will soon I promise. Now let's get into why you asked for this meeting."
Mal0: "I have been collecting a lot of info and lately I have been watching a man in purple a lot more. I am now confident he can mind control people. Humans only by the looks of it. I bring this to your attention because he has been doing some horrific things and I was hoping you could get rid of him. That and a Hrdra member recently contacted him and I am not certain what they talked about but whatever it was it was something big and related to LexCorp based on the snippets I overheard. Like several million dollars big."
Rio: "That is indeed not good. I will deal with this. Thank you for bringing this to my attention. Anything else to report?"
Mal0: "Yeah, Kingpin is gathering people to attack this neighborhood. He seems to have made a deal with both the Vampires and Hand to invade this area and find where you are hiding. Or at least the group that wiped out the Russian Mafia. I can say with almost 100% certainty that Hydra is funding this operation. The other thing of note is that a person known as Taskmaster has been skulking around Hell's Kitchen looking for something. Likely us. I have all the info in this file."
I look at the info and I am shocked at just how many people are joining this coalition.
Rio: "I can see why you came to me with this. It seems I need to do a culling of the undesirables. I will kill the Purple Man first then I will get a team together to eliminate the Vampires. Then the Hand and after that, the coalition will have lost most of its powerful players. If you see Taskmaster stay away from him. He is dangerous and can copy your moves just by seeing them. He is also a very good tracker so it's best to avoid him."
Mal0: "Got it, now about my pay."
Rio: "I will give you 150k for this information."
Mal0: "180k, this info is worth at least that much."
Rio: "Isn't that a bit much? Aren't we friends surely you would give me a discount on this info."
Mal0: "Ha! I know better than to give you a discount. You are practically made of money. You could pay 3 times as much and it still wouldn't affect you all that much. No 180k."
Rio: "160k."
Mal0: "175k."
Rio: "165k."
Mal0: "172k."
Rio: "Ah come on. 168k."
Mal0: "168k and you treat me to dinner."
I raise a brow at such a strange request. I think about it for a few seconds.
Rio: "Fine, I have an artifact that can make you appear as a mirage. You can use it so you can enjoy a dinner in public. Where will we go? And when?"
Mal0: "I will decide the place and time. It was a pleasure doing business with you."
She smiles and shakes my hand before leaving and I just sigh.
'I feel like every time we negotiate I lose. I swear she has a silver tongue or maybe I am just bad at negotiations. Now that I think about I shouldn't be that bad at convincing others. My Charisma is at 25. I would like to think that means I am good at speechcraft. I do find it a bit odd she asked for me to treat her to dinner but I suppose we haven't had a nice chat in quite a bit.'
Status Update After Training/Last Status Update.
Strength: 24 (+50%) = 36
Perception: 28
Endurance: 30
Charisma: 25
Intelligence: 40
Agility: 35 (+50%) = 52.5
Luck: 100 (+50%) = 150
Skills
Force Mastery lvl: 37/100
2050/3700 xp
Damage Resistance lvl: 36/100
500/3600 xp
Weapons Proficiency lvl: 37/100
3000/3700 xp
Observe lvl: 34/100
0/3400
Aura Mastery lvl: 23/100
2000/2300 xp
Programming lvl 37
100/3700
Stealth lvl: 36/100
1000/3600 xp
Mana Manipulation lvl: 27/75
900/2700 xp
Instrument Playing lvl: 24
2300/2400
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Authors Note:
Rio is officially back and he has mastered all 7 forms. He also learned how to use Shatterpoint and Battle Meditation. Rio also shows off his fatherly side. I hope you liked the chapter and have a great day. Until next time Ciao.
Weekly Power Status
200+ Power
Ranking 
15 Power
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