[center][img]http://s8.postimg.org/yxi027ag5/The_Cowl_Word_Art.jpg[/img][/center] The small trio of cars rumbled down the empty streets, the sounds of chaos at their backs as they made their way to an undisclosed industrial harbor in one of the few places untouched by the rioting. In the middle car sat the mastermind of tonight's event, the enigma only described as the Cowl, with the Specter sitting across from him in the stretch limo. Specter had been keeping up with the night's events with a small tablet, tracing both news reports and reports coming in from Shroud members across the city, delivering updates from both street level and within the upper echelons of Lost Haven society. [color=7bcdc8]"--And it looks like there is a woman with the lower body of a spider,"[/color] said the Specter. [color=7bcdc8]"We have no information if she has any affiliation with Icon or Ares' right hand man, whom we believe is either called 'War' or 'Polemos', but she is somehow involved in their affairs. From the current situation, she seems to be in alignment with Icon, meaning she is most likely a newer hero."[/color] The Cowl murmured a soft ‘hm’ as he stared out the window, the passing streetlights illuminating his masked face, the eyes scanning the burning horizon. [color=7bcdc8]“There’s also some sort of battle between a giant mechanical suit and the mercenary War-Pulse. We are looking into who would own that kind of technology aside from STRIKE, but the pilot made a tactical retreat before anyone could get a better look at it. War-Pulse was temporarily knocked out during the fight due to a helicopter falling on him, but he seems no worse for wear. Of course, as a mercenary, War-Pulse is a valuable asset, his services may be utilized in future affairs if we waggle enough money under his nose. The boys on the ground will gather what they can on the mech suit after tonight.”[/color] [color=8882be]“Interesting…”[/color] The Cowl admitted, turning his attention back towards Specter.[color=8882be] “The big names are all making an appearance to our little party. Even some small-time capes are making a wonderful showing as well. Somehow all these forces have gathered to one city...a strange coincidence, no?”[/color] [color=7bcdc8]“Sounds like a recipe for disaster, more likely.”[/color] Specter replied, swiping through other reports as they came in. [color=7bcdc8]“I know you always have a plan...but I have my reservations, sir. We’re a criminal organization, not an army, do we really have a place among these beings?”[/color] [color=8882be]“Specter, do you doubt me?” [/color] Cowl said, leaning forward in his seat, trying to force eye contact with his local second-in-command. [color=8882be]“You are metahuman yourself, are you not?”[/color] [color=7bcdc8]“Well, yes, but I’m not on a level like Icon…”[/color] [color=8882be]“Who says? Because his powers are more impressive on paper?” [/color] [color=7bcdc8]“Well yes, he’s much more powerful than I.”[/color] [color=8882be]“My dear shadow, you have yet to realize that powers only bring an individual so far.”[/color] The Cowl responded, leaning back in his seat. [color=8882be]“You can have all the power in the world, but with no direction or drive, powers are meaningless. A person changes the world, powers are just a method to do it.”[/color] [color=7bcdc8]“Of course, sir.”[/color] Specter said, glancing out the window to the fire The Cowl was previously observing. [color=7bcdc8]“However, I can’t help but worry about our scenario. We are not equipped to deal with such beings, we can hide and maneuver around them, but if we catch their ire, it may become a problem.”[/color] [color=8882be]“Of course, which is why we continue to throw them off our trail.”[/color] The Cowl said, pointing at Specter as he spoke. [color=8882be]“Tonight’s riots can be attributed to angry workmen demanding higher wages or the rampant fear of metahumans rising in this town. Some may know our involvement, but they have no proof of our actions, nor can we be held responsible. Our tactics are as they always have been, with The Shroud remaining outside of the limelight until opportunity strikes.” He leaned back in his chair, glancing back out to the fires. “Tonight was a test of the metahuman community, and now that we know their response. They are powerful, but disorganized, a myriad of costumed dogs that become easily distracted at the first shiny chew toy they see. Icon got distracted by Ares’ brood, the mech suit and the mercenary simply spotted each other and attacked like rabid hounds. There may be a few costumed ‘heroes’ out there still trying to follow whatever breadcrumbs we left, but the only ones that have real power are distracted by each other.”[/color] [color=7bcdc8]“I...see.”[/color] Specter said, reclining back in his seat. [color=7bcdc8]“Do you think that’s always going to be the case?”[/color] [color=8882be]“Not if we don’t keep it that way.”[/color] The Cowl replied. [color=8882be]“At the end of the day, people can only follow the information they are given, and most of the newcomers are much flashier than us. Fools like War-Pulse and Nightmare will take the spotlight, continuing to make grandiose appearances and becoming the center of attention. We just need to keep the spotlight on them…”[/color] [color=7bcdc8]“As you say, sir.” [/color] The Specter confirmed, glancing back down to his tablet. [color=7bcdc8]“I will follow your lead.”[/color] The drive took another fifteen minutes after the duo’s brief discussion, the line of cars taking a quick right towards the nearby harbor, their route still conveniently been untouched by the city’s chaos, weaving between destroyed streets as if they already knew which areas of the city had been attacked. Because they did. It was not much longer until the trio of cars came to a stop at the nearby industrial harbor, the cars in front and behind the Cowl’s car parking and shutting off first. Out of the cars came the heavily armed Veilguard, quickly moving into formation around the car, providing armed cover for the Cowl’s entrance. When the Veilguard signaled, the car door was swung open with Specter coming out of the car first, the ocean wind catching his robes to project his ethereal nature, tablet securely in his hands as he strode away from the vehicle. Within a short moment, the Cowl stepped out of the car as well, his eyes piercing into every Veilguard within range as he took his first few steps towards the nearby docks, causing even the hardened guards to shift uncomfortably. They were greeted at the docks by three men, each representing their colors to the Cowl. The first man was wearing a sleek, respectable suit, though it was offset by the distinct tattoos crawling out of the collar, his easter descent apparent by his jet black, shoulder length hair and pale skin. The second man was dressed in what looked like occultist robes, long draping purple cloth with red symbols embroidered along the cuffs and boarders of the attire. The third man bore the attire of a warrior, flak vest and camo pants, decorated with battle scars and assorted grenades, a sidearm distinctly visible on his hip. The Specter’s eyes widened from underneath his wraps, the shock apparent as his eyes flitted between the three, eventually his surprise came vocally, with admitted fear wavering in his tone. [color=7bcdc8]“S...sir? These are...are they who I think they are?”[/color] Specter said, taking a step back from the three as soon as he recognized their colors. [color=7bcdc8]“But...they are--they’re your--”[/color] [color=8882be]“Yes, they are old rivals and enemies, I forgot how little I keep you informed outside this city.” [/color] The Cowl said, grabbing his lieutenant by the shoulder and lightly guiding him back towards the three. [color=8882be]“From the East, the Steel Lotus. The most powerful Yakuza in the Eastern world and the top smugglers of illegal cybernetics and technology.”[/color] “You do us much praise, Great Cowl.” The suited man spoke, giving the man a short bow. Undeterred, the Cowl gestured to the robed gentleman. [color=8882be]“From Europe, the Egregore Consortium, the largest gathering of what I used to believe was rubbish. Magicians, sorcerers, wizards, and shamans, undisputed experts in the fields of occultism and sacrifice, also top of Europes most feared terrorist organizations.”[/color] The robed man said nothing, merely bowing at their mention. [color=8882be]“And lastly, a representative from the R&D side of the security corporation VIGIL.”[/color] The Cowl gestured to the armed gentleman. [color=8882be]“Or...at least a small section I have bribed into smuggling some of their...experimental weaponry.”[/color] The man simply chuckled and pounded his chest. “Pleasure doin’ lucrative business with ya, hoodie.” The Cowl merely chuckled at the soldier’s sass, distinctly amused by the rough man’s antics. Not convinced, the Specter was quick to point at the three. [color=7bcdc8]“These are known enemies, sir. You told me before you left that you were going to try and take Japan from the Steel Lotus.”[/color] [color=8882be]“Well, you cannot win every war you start. I'm no fool, but I know a good business deal when I see one.”[/color] The Cowl replied, leering at the Yakuza member as he spoke. [color=8882be]“While I cannot say we’re truly at peace, I can say we have established a...working relationship, wouldn’t you agree?”[/color] “Of course, Cowl.” The Steel Lotus representative responded. “But we are not here to exchange pleasantries. “ [color=8882be]“Of course, I’m just here to finalize my purchase, and then the three of you can leave.”[/color] The Cowl laid out in a blunt tone, moving straight through the three towards the large ships in the harbor. The Specter, still in shock from the gathering of old foes, made a quick jog to gather back up to the Cowl, saying to him.[color=7bcdc8] “I can’t believe it, you got three of your old enemies together and stored a bunch of illegal occult tools, weapons, and tech onto one cargo ship?”[/color] The Cowl stopped for a moment, glancing back at his panicked attendant with a smooth, amused chortle. [color=8882be]“No, that would be ridiculous.”[/color] He said. [color=8882be]“They all brought their own cargo ship.”[/color] Sure enough, the Specter’s jaw dropped, visible even from behind his mask, as he viewed the three large cargo liners in the harbor. Before the ships lay a sea of tractor trailers, all marked with different companies from the city’s infrastructure, from supermarket names to restaurants, even delivery companies and contractor trucks were in place, now being loaded with the three ship’s cargo. [color=8882be]“I am glad to see that unloading the ships is already taking place, we have a very small window to disperse all of this before the police and the metahuman community are finished with the riots.”[/color] “Of course, Mister Cowl.” The VIGIL representative chimed in. “The boys you left here to unload began pretty much as soon as we docked. They will be done in an hour, tops.” [color=8882be]“Good,”[/color] The Cowl hummed, turning to his lieutenant. [color=8882be]“Once these trucks are loaded, they will disperse across town. As soon as they begin moving, I will need the riots to disperse. Can you sound the full retreat back to our safe houses?”[/color] [color=7bcdc8]“Well...yes, of course.”[/color] Specter replied, fumbling with his tablet as he tried to regain his composure, adjusting his posture to signify his ranking with the Cowl to the three representatives. [color=8882be]“Good. The contents of these trucks over the next few days should resupply and upgrade all of our safe houses, along with deliver some important contents to our contracting business.”[/color] [color=7bcdc8]“Wait, you mean..we aren’t just buying up property just for the value?”[/color] [color=8882be]“Of course not, there is a plan in place to take this city…”[/color] The Cowl took a few steps away from Specter, looking over the chaotic workings of his men loading the trucks. [color=8882be]“It will take careful planning...but with a few steps, the Shroud will control Lost Haven, inside and out.”[/color] [color=7bcdc8]“As you wish, sir.”[/color] Specter said, already plotting the course of the assorted vehicles over the next few days. [color=7ea7d8]“If I may be so bold...what is the next step after this?”[/color] [color=8882be]“Aside from continuing to buy up the destroyed pieces of town?”[/color] The Cowl made a quick glance to Specter before continuing to oversee the work. His hands drifted behind his back as he observed, his voice dropping in tone as he spoke in heavy growl, [color=8882be]“We set up a meeting....it’s time for us to go play nice with a god…”[/color]