The ship hurdled through space at warp speed, weaving past planets and asteroids en route to it's final destination. The craft itself was black, with a metallic sheen, and had glowing violet lights. The lights on the front of the ship were arranged in a pattern of three dots, in the shape of a triangle, with the dots connected by a pair of lines, looking almost like the letter V. The ship's destination came into view, a brilliant blue planet with fragments of land and clouds visible from space. After soaring past the planet's solitary moon, the craft entered the atmosphere. 

Meanwhile, at the very depths of the blue planets ocean.

"And I say again, I will not sanction this punitive raid. I will suffer no more discussion on the matter" The speaker was Arthur Curry, king of Atlantis. Sitting upon his throne, he was trapped in a long and heated debate with his top generals and politicians. Most of the Atlantean gentry in attendance were demanding a raid upon the surface world, in retaliation for the sinking of an offshore oil drilling rig, which had spewed toxic chemicals into the sea. This was just the latest in a long line of affronts that the humans had offered their under-sea neighbours, and tensions were rising. Arthur was trying to cool the tempers of his subjects, but he could only do so much in the face of human ignorance. If something was not done soon then this could all lead to blood.

"But sire. . ." began Priam, a particularly thorny general who seemed to have great trouble with listening.

"Not one. More. Word." stated the king icily, a definitive end to the discussions. Priam had enough wisdom to hold his peace after that.[I] At least for now,[/I] thought Arthur,[I] But I can only table this discussion for so long. Something will have to be done, and done soon.[/I] His thoughts were disturbed by a commotion at the large double doors at the opposite end of the throne room however. Two scientists from the royal Atlantean university had barged their way in, to the obvious annoyance of the guards posted at the door. They began to give chase but Arthur waved them back to their posts, intrigued to find out what had gotten the scientists in such an excitement. 

"My king, you must see this!" huffed one, waving a data pad at the king, while the other stared open mouthed at the assembled Atlantean dignitary's, obviously just know just starting to realise the possible ramifications at disturbing such an assemblage. Arthur crossed towards the two and took the pad, offering a small smile to the second man to put him at ease. The king studied the pad, a growing amount of apprehension growing in him.

"What is this?"

"It is an unidentified ship sir, and it has just entered earths orbit." responded the first scientist. 

A pregnant silence befell the room, as all gathered there waited for the kings to speak. 

"Gentlemen," he began, turning to stride back towards his throne, and the Trident left leaning there "I'm afraid you will have to show yourselves out." A low murmur began, a mixture of excitement and disappointment. They were all well aware of the kings adventures as 'Aquaman', hero to the surface dwellers. While some seen it as a valuable opportunity to show humanity the strength of their king, others viewed it as both a worthless waste of time, especially as so many surfacers didn't seem to appreciate Arthur's abilities or contributions as much as that as other, more well known heroes.

"But sire, what is it?" asked one puzzled scientist as the Atlantean king strode out of the hall, his Trident held gently under one arm. Arthur didn't stop walking, or even turn to answer. 

"Right now it's interesting, and I desire a closer look. Soon, however, it could become dangerous."