2313/Latverian Dreams and Brainiac Things

Latverian Dreams and Brainiac Things
Date of Scene:	03 July 2020
Location:	Secret Basement - Latverian Embassy
Synopsis:	Doom and his inner circle discussed what to do regarding Brainiac, and the formation of the Legion.
Cast of Characters:	Victor Von Doom, Zora Vukovic, Clea

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Victor Von Doom has posed:
Doctor Doom, Ruler of Latveria, would-be ruler of the world save for the shortsighted fools that do not recognize his genius, looks at the central monitor screen in his underground lair, deep beneath the Embassy.

The footage he's studying is the attack on Mutant Town, specifically the 'disintegration' performed by Brainiac and studying what, precisely, was done there. A disdainful sneer coats his mask, as he mutters, "First Zod, and now this Brainiac. Clearly humanity needs to be led properly to thwart these would-be conquerers from assailing us in the first place." He shakes his head, glancing over his shoulder, then he taps a few commands on the console, changing the spectra of the observed footage to analyze something more... peculiar.

Zora Vukovic has posed:
    Zora watches quietly from behind and to the right of her master as he views the footage. "The technology is formidable. Simply being high enough towards space has been sufficient to guard the invader from retaliation." She tilts her head slightly, watching as the scene changes. "Perhaps a nontechnological solution would defeat merely technological defenses."

Clea has posed:
When entire chunks of cities vanish because of puffed-chest alien beings, the wise Terran tourist nopes out. An ideal time for a Faltine queen to hasten back home and survey her subjects on their annual taxes, perhaps. The Dark Dimension is a simple beckons away and there, Brainiac's vaunted technological advantages might very well be decimated. Instead, she is floating down the stairs a half-foot off the ground, carrying a carafe of Tibetan tea and unfathomably serene about being in a Latverian laboratory.

"One must question what attracts them to the cornerstone of all realities," she answers the query with the very statement, and opens a good many doors. "You both have been down here long enough that I wanted to check in." The tea might be for them or her, possibly both.

Victor Von Doom has posed:
Doom glances over at Clea, "Indeed. I have been analyzing the data that Zora collected, applying some specific filters I have devised over the years." He smiles coldly, "The technology is, in fact, superior to anything found on Earth. Even Latveria or Wakanda." Of course he said Latveria first.

"However, I have determined certain factors about this. First, Brainiac is, in fact, collected Mutant Town. It was shrunk, and this is the interesting thing about that... there is zero trace of Pym Particle activity in the area formerly Mutant Town." He mmms, "Which means, this Brainiac has a means of shrinking objects that do not involve such technology, but rather something completely new."

Zora Vukovic has posed:
    Zora bows respectfully as Clea arrives, looking over at her. "You are most kind." she sasy simply at the offer of tea, thoughs he will take any cup after Doom has chosen to do so or not. "Does this mean that the missing inhabitants of Genosha, rather than being vaporized, have been shrunken as well? If we are looking at those who went missing...there were many who were powerful. Including its king."

Clea has posed:
White hair radiating a faint glow down here, the efforts taken by Clea to suppress the backlit effect barely bothered with here except out of care for any auxiliary electronics. It's not as though a Herald of Doom or Doom himself are likely threatened by the living spellfire trailing after her now and then, and she smiles with a warmth to match her mother's people for Zora. "It is no trouble at all for me," she answers warmly and puts down the carafe. Cups are smoothly rubbed with a pristine cloth, and they can certainly enjoy the steeped brew. It's hot, though not exceptionally so.

"A transmission on the radio suggests there are some alive up there. Consequently, it changes the factors for any response when dealing with a rescue over a recovery," she suggests softly, not given to imposing on the surface of it. "An empowered nation does rather change things. He must be suppressing them while performing that harvest." A hinted question in there. "Though what means he uses? Are there any insights to this end? My own assumptions are bound to be wrong on this."

Victor Von Doom has posed:
Doom takes the offered tea, then chuckles softly at Zora's observation, "Indeed. It does seem likely that most of the inhabitants of Genosha are alive. Probably held as shrunken captives aboard that ship. Others will likely prepare to storm that ship, but we will prepare for our own endeavors. Particularly in regards to this new technology."

"If nothing else, the difference between this Brainiac and ourselves is that, for all this cyborg might be advanced from us, technologically... it likely knows nothing of magic. That is the difference between us and him. Why we are its better." He nods towards Clea, "And should these so-called heroes fail to stop it, the Earth will survive. Doom will see to it." He pauses, considering Clea's questions, "A good question. It seems that he has some manner of power suppression of the mutant genome. Which would also explain why he was targeting mutants almost exclusively at first, if he lacked the capability to hinter, say, Kryptonians, or altered genetics of metahumans." He then smiles coldly, sipping his tea as he looks over at Zora, "Or the Power Cosmic, for that matter."

Zora Vukovic has posed:
    Zora sips quietly from the tea, letting out a grunt of approval at the taste as she listens quietly. "I would assume, given the creature's behavior, that he has enslaved them, or plans to, for his own ends. I cannot think what value they would have as...components." She frowns slightly. "If the heroes of the degraded Justice League or the so-called Avengers choose to fight them, would it be more valuable to strike quietly while they make noise?"

Clea has posed:
"Those dependent wholly and utterly on a single mode of thought frequently fail to consider other tools, as it were." Clea nods to that fact, the concealment of a smile behind the rim of a cup of tea lifted to her lips. Though it could be left to cool, she simply does not bother, preferring to imbibe it as Doom and Zora exchange their thoughts and weave possibilities together.

"Power suppression," she repeats, "has dangers for us. He may have samples for other species here. Targeting them would be difficult but not all in Genosha were mutantkind." No need to stretch beyond that, the loophole being plane. Her eyes thin in thought, pupils mere amethyst drops in a vast, incarnadine sea awash in shadows. "Whomever confronts him will batter him to a degree should he appear in person. I presume they will bring the fight as they did with Zod. Transporting an army of men isn't wise. He fights with, which, hybrid beings? Machine and organic matter?"

Victor Von Doom has posed:
Doom nods, "Reports indicate that he uses cyborgs that are advanced technologically, supported by mutant DNA he has harvested to this point." He frowns, "It would be best to have a presence in this conflict first hand. Though, that might be difficult to arrange as these heroes do not trust my motives." A snort at that, then Doom looks over at Zora.

"In any event, have you read the briefing files on the potential candidates for the Legion? What did you think of the initial selections?" He sips his tea, giving Zora a curious look, as well as one inviting her to speak frankly.

Zora Vukovic has posed:
    Zora considers. "Nadia van Dyne seems in need of a leader who will accept her. Deathstroke is competent and skilled. He would be a useful agent, and he is usually loyal to his employers. Punchline and Catwoman, however...." She frowns. "Punchline is loyal to the maddened clown, and Catwoman seems loyal primarily to herself. She has been on friendly terms with the Batman on occasion as well. She might be a liability."

Clea has posed:
Drawing a circle against her thumb, Clea continues to indulge in her tea. The conversation's fluidity is something comforting and familiar. "Radiation, then, would be advantageous. Something fit to overcome particular resistance, frying the cybernetics." Her eyes glitter with thought, but she doesn't go further with a roll call of plausible affiliates of the Legion.

A raised brow for the mention of Punchline.

Victor Von Doom has posed:
Doom nods, "A calculated risk for those two. The main forces in Gotham are ones that we do not have an insight on." He smiles a bit, "Catwoman is going to be a perfect conduit to get more information on this Batman, regardless of what she, and he, intend. I suspect we'll be able to use her for more information than she'll get from us. As far as Punchline..." He pauses, and frowns a bit.

"The Joker is... predictable in his penchant for chaos. If he feels that he has a 'hand' in things, then he won't act against our efforts. And he has an underappreciated talent for disruption, that I would rather see turned against our enemies and not against /us/." He sips his tea, then glances over at Clea.

"I suspect we can generate some manner of interference field for the cyborgs, if not technologically than perhaps by magical means. They are likely not hardened against that influence."

Zora Vukovic has posed:
    "And if we are seen as rescuing them...we may have many new loyal servants of Latveria and of Doom afterwards, should they choose to remain instead of returning to a ruined country." Zora says simply. "If nothing else, if Brainiac has the means to supress powers, that technology should be in your hands, my lord, to use effectively as needed." She sips from her tea, then frowns a bit, before she bows her head. "As you say, my lord. I will watch her, all the same, should she join. The Clown often serve chaos when those with him can ill afford it."

Victor Von Doom has posed:
Doom nods, "If nothing else, our continued friendship with Lorna can cause a schism between her and her father, should he still be alive. Magneto would be... troublesome, on occasion." Which is an understatement, but they did share an unrelenting hatred of Nazis. He nods at the mention of the technology, "And we shall attempt to salvage what we can of this Brainiac's work. I'm certain it would prove most instructive."

At the mention of keeping an eye on Punchline, Doom smiles, "Indeed, Zora, that is why you will ever be Victorious, because you know my wishes in such things without my having to articulate them. Now, it is time to plan further in regards to this Brainiac... and my Legion."