Though the mask displayed no emotion, the Phantom’s eyes flashed with irritation underneath. He had expected some pushback, of course, but not for it to be unanimous. Did they not recognize what he was doing for them? Did they not realize how generous he had been to make this offer?

He carefully resealed his flask of cognac and slipped it back into his pocket. [color=00aeef]“If you are all content to grovel to the ordinary people and cower in darkness, that is your business,”[/color] he said with an affected measured tone. Underneath, however, he was seething with indignation. They refused to acknowledge his genius. Pearls before swine. [color=00aeef]“Is this not what we craved, though? To live without fear? Now that I offer you the opportunity to do exactly that you push it away?”[/color]

Erik’s anger grew as he spoke, and he stood up and began pacing the room in a more animated fashion, cape trailing behind him.[color=00aeef] “I assure you I have thought this out to the smallest detail. This is no more difficult than a commonplace extortion. I have the means to prevent retaliation- simply make it too dangerous and difficult for them to even contemplate. There are many great secrets in the Catacombs, friends, and one in particular is more dangerous than any army. Mutually assured destruction, to borrow an older phrase. I can release it at a moment’s notice, and I will if my demands are not met. It’s so very simple.”[/color] 

Erik turned, finger pointing at the group as he prepared another rebuttal, when suddenly the room shook. A clap of thunder directly overhead- no, Erik corrected himself, the sharp crack of an explosion just over the roof of the castle. This was followed by the heart-stopping rattle of a machine gun, a brief burst followed by the echo of bullets ricocheting off the ancient stone. Erik dropped to the floor, inching towards the window on his belly to try to get a glimpse at their assailants. No further gunfire or explosions- warning shots then. That was good, Erik figured, they didn’t necessarily want them dead outright. He peeped out towards the front of the castle, only accessible by a narrow unpaved road. 

Outside, he saw a number of men in military fatigues gathered, each of them wearing a green beret. As he watched, they took positions, trained machine guns and mortars on the castle walls. Others guarded the road leading back down the mountain. Erik could see that the only way to escape by land would be to fight through them. [color=00aeef]“Romanian Army,”[/color] he hissed back to the others. [color=00aeef]“Vânători de Munte. Troops that specialize in fighting in the mountains. I understand they’re rather good at it, too.”[/color]

As the Phantom watched, one of the troops (an officer, perhaps) raised a megaphone towards the castle and addressed them in accented English. [color=007236]“Your escape is cut off! Throw out your weapons and come out with your hands up! You have five minutes to comply!”[/color]

[color=00aeef]"This is sub-optimal,"[/color] the Phantom said quietly as he contemplated their available options.