12815/Watchtower Meetings

Watchtower Meetings
Date of Scene:	09 March 2021
Location:	Monitor Room, Watchtower
Synopsis:	The Justice League gets together to talk about current events and opportunities.
Cast of Characters:	Superman, Aquaman, Wonder Woman, Batman

---

Superman has posed:
For once in maybe a few weeks...

There wasn't a giant robot to fight. There wasn't a deep sea creature intent on vaporizing a city. Nobody was even robbing banks! It was a steady calm before the storm that could rock the hero community...or until something extravagant happens. Who knows?

For just a moment, there was peace in the world.

So, Superman makes a rare decision to take a break from guarding Metropolis, leaving it to other heroes to watch over the place. Meantime, the Watchpower picks up the fast moving object entering into its immediate orbit....which of course, is Superman himself. He steadily makes his way to the Moniter Room for his shift.

Yes, even Superman has monitor duty. Though, the Watchtower is a relatively popular hub for the League, so maybe he won't be alone?

Aquaman has posed:
Much the same can be said of Arthur's world. There hadn't been any major, nor even many minor, catastrophies recently. That lack makes him nervous. Peace just seems strange. There's always one crisis or another. It's the nature of humanity. And so it is that Arthur Curry makes his way to the Zeta Tube going to the Watchtower. That is the quickest way, afterall.

It's not Arthur's shift. He doesn't actually often have time for many of those with his duties in Atlantis, but on the occasions when he does have time, he likes to stop in and have a look at what's going on in the world. "Anything needing dealing with?" Atlantis must be quiet, for the moment. Else he wouldn't be here.

Arthur doesn't say anything further for the moment. He's not much given to small talk at any given time.

Wonder Woman has posed:
Things had been quiet recently, though Diana hadn't taken the time for checking that, just yet. She's only just recently returned from taking some time back at home -- on Themyscira. There hadn't been anything that required her attention there, she just wanted to visit her home. And train with her sisters there, which was always a rewarding thing to do. She checked in with the embassy a couple of days ago, and attempted to get a coffee at her favourite shop -- a story in and of itself. And now... well, now she's decided to come to the Watchtower to check on things there. She steps in only a few moments after Arthur has, and a smile tugs at the corners of her lips as she does so. "It has been a while," Diana says, a flicker of amusement rising into her voice as she looks from one man to the other, one of her eyebrows quirking up a touch. She was gone for a fair number of weeks, after all.

Superman has posed:
Superman, of course, could literally hear Diana and Arthur coming to the Moniter Room, and so, when they arrive, Superman rises up from his chair and smiles at the pair of them. "Too long, Diana. Far too long." Superman approaches them, nodding once to Arthur. "Arthur, how's Atlantis doing?" Aquaman being the resident King in the League, just shy of Diana being a princess.

To Diana specifically. "And Diana, how's the embassy and Themyscira?" he questions curiously of her. Seems he's totally fine for small talk as a distraction from Moniter Duty.

Aquaman has posed:
Aquaman steps further into the room and over toward one set of monitors to look over what happens to be there. He glances over his shoulder at the latest entry into the room. "Diana," he greets. It really has been awhile. It's been a fair number of weeks since he'd been seen for more than a few minutes at a time by anybody outside of Atlantis. His gaze travels from Diana to Superman at the question. "Atlantis is doing well. Prospering. And how is Metropolis doing?" It's a fair question, right? His gaze lingers on the other two for a few moments longer, before going back to the monitors he's standing next to. Thus far, there doesn't appear to be anything really catching his attention.

Wonder Woman has posed:
There's a warm smile given in turn, and Diana gives a nod of agreement to his words. "It has been too long, I will agree with that," she says. "It was good to be able to take the time, though. Themyscira is well, as are all who live there. They were perhaps not as pleased that I was home when I joined them in their training, though. There might have been bruises," she comments, quirking a bit of a grin. "The embassy is also good. It has been quiet of late. Though I may need to get into the habit of walking around the city a bit more now that I have come back. The criminal element seems to never learn, and they seem to have a short memory for things," she says, one of her eyebrows quirking just a touch. With the questions of Metropolis and Atlantis already asked, she doesn't repeat them. She looks to Arthur then and gives a nod to him, as well as a smile. "Arthur, it's good to see you as well, and to hear that all is well," she says.

Superman has posed:
"I'm glad Atlantis is still prospering, Arthur. Comforting, even. Do you intend on putting Atlantean representatives on the United Nations Council?" Superman questions Arthur, as if wondering the Atlanteans will step out a little from their extreme isolation. "As for Metropolis, it's going pretty well. The city is still there and it's people still happy." so good, generally speaking.

To Diana, he gives her a warm smile as she gives an update on the Embassy and Themyscira. "Glad to hear it, Diana. to be honest, its a little strange not seeing you guys for awhile. Makes me smile a little in my heart to see you guys are good. Believe it or not, Batman is doing good too, busy as always." he updates them on their missing major member.

"And Flash...I hear he's happily still in Starling." he informs them with a smile. "Well, as for the criminal element...what did we always call it? The never-ending battle?" Where good and evil never truly gain footholds over the other, thus their crusade continues onwards.

Aquaman has posed:
"You're not training right if there aren't at least a few bruises," says Arthur, a very faint smile touching his tone if not his expression at present. His eyes scan the monitors even as he nods his agreement with Diana's words. "Criminals never learn or they probably wouldn't be criminals in the first place." One would think, at least. His lips do curl up faintly now, "Then again, they probably say the same thing of us never learning." Even though the heroes win more often than not! Not seeing anything worthy of attention in the first set of monitors, Arthur moves to the next. His eyes go back to scanning what's there to be seen. "Likewise, good to see you and that all is well. For both of you."

The question of Atlantean representation on the United Nations Council is something that Arthur might have been thinking about. It doesn't seem to surprise him. "I had given that thought. I have in mind a pair who are fairly outgoing. And willing to try new and strange things. The problem will be, as always, the lack of water." He goes silent for a time, listening to the conversation. The mention of an embassy brings a thoughtful look. "Perhaps it would be better to start with an embassy. With that, I could see having aquarium tanks for the Atlanteans. I'm uncertain if the United Nations Council would be as... accomodating."

Wonder Woman has posed:
Given the isolation of her own home, the choices open to the Atlanteans is one that she can relate to. Her attention turns to Arthur, watching him for a long moment in the wake of the question being asked. Her attention shifts back to Superman, and she tilts her head a touch to one side before giving a nod. "The people are supposed to be happy," Diana says, a smile easily coming to her features. "It was strange to not see either of you for a while, as well. Were you worried?" she asks, a sparkle of amusement showing in her eyes. She can't fault him if he was, all things considered -- she was gone just a smidge longer than what she had intended to be. "He is always busy. Perhaps I will have to drop in on him, now that I have returned," she comments, a smile coming to her features. Then she chuckles before giving a nod of agreement. "There is a reason that we called it the never-ending battle, or so I find myself reminded. They thought they would make off with the day's profits from the coffee shop. I dissuaded them from the idea and stepped out just before the police arrived," she explains. She could have stuck around to make a statement, but she hadn't felt it to be necessary. Her attention shifts to Arthur, and she gives a soft chuckle. "People make the wrong decisions sometimes. A quick path to money or to other things that they want. They can learn and choose the right way," she comments with a smile. "They likely do, that is true," she agrees, giving a nod to him. She raises an eyebrow as she looks to Arthur at his mention of an embassy, and then she gives a nod. "It is a fair place to start. The challenge is finding or having built a place that is ideal for the Atlanteans. It may take time, but I think that the United Nations would become willing to be accomodating, even if they are not right now," she says, her tone thoughtful. "It is not an easy decision to make," she adds, a note of understanding to her voice.

Superman has posed:
Superman chuckles just a little bit, even as Arthur seems to be giving Atlantean presence in decisions deep thought. Though he shrugs a little bit. "May as well give it a chance, right? I mean, the worst that can happen is it just isn't in the cards." Superman offers perhaps a little too idealistically.

Looking then to Diana. "I mean, just a little..N-Not that you couldn?t handle yourself, but..." he shrugs. "Yes, I was worried. "Many wrong decisions are made to try and better one's life, but it can never be at the expense of someone else." To Aquaman, he smiles.

"We could ask Batman to help you establish a comfortable embassy for Atlantis."

Aquaman has posed:
"Happy people are good. They don't intentionally cause problems for the most part." Arthur finishes looking at that set of monitors and moves to another. He's slowly making a circuit around the room. He shakes his head. "I wasn't worried. I knew if there was a problem someone would let me know." He glances over his shoulder to Diana once again and nods. "Of course they can be. Sometimes. But criminals often as not don't choose the right way. Sometimes, they think the wrong way is easier. Or more profitable. Or somehow more gratifying." He shakes his head, mystified at that way of thinking. He can understand the point of view, but he'll never really be able to fully understand why people think that way. "An embassy might be the place to start. At least if we have an embassy, it will be a place to meet that is safe for Atlanteans. Perhaps a building on the ocean, connected to the water..." It's clear the gears are already turning in his head. He blinks at looks at Superman at his suggestion of asking Batman for help. "Hm. Perhaps. Help with a design would be good. And finding a building or empty lot. For the actual building itself, we'll use Atlantean methods. It'll be more... novel that way. A good draw for the public." Something new!

Batman has posed:
The doors swish open to reveal Batman as he makes his way inside. Dressed in his costume of the 'Dark Knight', he is the epitome of seriousness as always. He heads for the large table and sinks down into his seat, giving a glance towards his three teammates.

"Good evening, everyone." He says in a rough tone of voice, clipped and to the point. "Is there anything to report?"

He taps along the glass of the table, pulling up a 3D visual of a building in Gotham, then leans forward to study it with a frown on his face.

Wonder Woman has posed:
"There are risks in many things. The only way to find out if the risks are worth it is to take a chance," Diana says, a thoughtful tone to her voice. "It is not just yourself that you make the decision for, but for all of your people," she adds, a smile coming to her features. Whatever his decision ends up being, she's certain that it will be the right one for him and for his people. Her attention turns to Superman, and she gives a nod to him, her blue eyes bright with amusement. "I can accept just a little," she comments, a grin tugging her lips. "Stranger things have happened sometimes, after all," she adds, giving a light laugh. And there have been strange things, in the past. "Decisions should never be at the expense of someone else, and yet... it happens fairly often. The criminal elements will either learn the right way or repeat their errors and be reminded that there is a right way," she comments. She falls quiet for a moment, her gaze turning to Arthur and following the progress that he's making from one set of monitors to the other. "Looking for something?" she asks, a flicker of curiosity in her voice. "People do tend to be drawn to things that are new and different. Perhaps you could have a museum, as well," she suggests, one of her eyebrows quirking up a touch. As the doors open, she turns her head to watch Batman enter, a smile easily coming to her features. "Good evening," she offers in greeting, then lifts a hand to gesture towards the monitors. "Feel free to take a look. Though I think we have been refraining from using the 'q' word lest we jinx things," she comments with amusement.

Superman has posed:
"True." Superman replies to Arthur ever so slightly. "I think that's a great idea, Arthur." His eyes then shift to Bruce as he arrives.

"Good to see you, Batman. How's Gotham city?" and then a digital visual is brought up, which leaves Superman to assume that things may not be as peachy as preferred. "Is the judge your looking into acting up?" he questions.

He smirks just a tad at Diana, but otherwise keeps focus on Batman and what's going on in the most dangerous city on earth.

Aquaman has posed:
"Good evening." No longer is Arthur looking at the monitors, but deep in thought. "Nothing major," he says, tone somewhat distracted from his thoughts being elsewhere. He nods to Diana. "Of course. But I will not put my people at risk if there's any way to prevent it." Unspoken and likely in his thoughts, Arthur would rather take that risk than inflict it on his people. "I wonder if the UN Council would be willing to meet at our embassy." He shakes his head. "Neh. I'm sure the pair I'm thinking of would be willing and they're already diplomatically trained and have been working there for some time." He glances to Diana and shakes his head. "Nothing in particular. Just... looking. To see what's going on." He looks thoughtful again. "A museum addition to the embassy might not be a bad idea," he says. He very carefully makes no mention of the 'q' word. Instead, he walks over to Batman and has a glance at that 3D visual of a building. "Which building is this?" He nods to Superman, but Arthur's attention is on that building for the moment.

Batman has posed:
"No, this is something else." Batman rumbles out in his chest as he expands the visual with a motion of his hands. "This is an apartment complex in the East Side of Gotham. We call it .. Crime Alley."

As he spins the building around, he taps the table again to pull up a 'street' view of the surrounding neighborhood. It's a real dump. Miserable.

"I got a tip that the owner of the apartment complex, in which it's not being used as such, was refusing to sell the building even at a price considered 'too' generous. It got my curiosity up. Last night, I did a recon of the building. It was empty. Obviously."

He folds his hands on the table together, steepling them.

"But then I found multiple shipping containers in the parking garage welded together with industrial grade mulch. Tons of it. There was so much it gave off quite a heat signature. After taking a shovel to it, I found what appeared to be clothing that still hasn't decomposed completely, along with what is possibly DNA."

He leans back to give the others a look. "Someone is using this building as a way to get rid of bodies. It takes four days for a human body to decompose in mulch of that quantity. Two weeks for a fully grown horse. It leaves no trace of DNA, even for non cabons such as clothing. It appears I was lucky."

Wonder Woman has posed:
There's a raised eyebrow at the question about the judge, and Diana turns her attention towards Bruce, studying him for a lingering moment. "I did not realize that there was a potentially questionable judge that was being watched," she comments, a thoughtful tone to her voice. Shifting her weight, she steps forward to be able to have a more clear view of the monitors, her gaze flicking over each of them in turn. Her attention turns to Arthur, and she tilts her head to one side before giving a nod to him, paired with a smile. "I know. It is a thing that you and many other great leaders have in common," Diana says softly. Her attention shifts back to the monitors, no doubt from curiosity. "A museum is not a bad idea. It can help people to understand your people better," she adds. She raises an eyebrow slightly, her attention turned to the apartment complex. "Lovely name," she says quietly, a touch sarcastically. Yet she falls quiet to listen to the information that's relayed, her brow furrowing a bit, and she crosses her arms in front of herself. "Your curiosity often proves to turn up interesting things. It may be the building owner but it could be that the owner is being paid by another for the use of the building. Are there any leads as to who is responsible?" she asks, raising an eyebrow.

Aquaman has posed:
Now that is something of a surprising thing. Not the empty apartment building, but the disposal facility within it. "It would appear that not everywhere is without incident, then. Do you have any idea who is being gotten rid of? Or who is doing the disposal?" He nods absently to Diana, but for the moment, most thoughts about his people have been put aside. They're always there, deep down, but the more immediate mystery now has the bulk of his attention. He does have to nod in agreement about Batman's curiousity. "Or blackmailed or coerced by another." That's always a possibility.

Batman has posed:
There is a shake of the head from Batman. "No leads, no clue, but I have set up cameras to monitor from here out. Whoever it was, left barely any traces. I found some blood stains that were soaked in amonia to clear away traces of DNA. These are professionals."

He rubs his chin with his hand, looking thoughtful before he taps the screen off. "I contacted the commissioer to let him know that I am dealing with it and I will give him more information once I come across it. There is no reason to waste their resources on a lost cause at the moment."

Wonder Woman has posed:
"I would be surprised if everywhere was without incident," Diana says, a wistful sort of smile tugging at the corners of her lips. Her attention turns back to the apartment complex, studying the building and keeping her arms crossed before her. "Without DNA, it will be hard to determine who the victims are. Though it makes me wonder how many of such containers would be in a building of that size. And depending on how many there are, that could turn out to be a considerable number of people being disposed off without much in the way of any trace," she says softly, frowning a bit. She doesn't like it. There's a look and a nod to Arthur, whose thoughts seem to follow a similar vein as her own. "Yes. Blackmail and coercion are always options as well," she agrees. Her gaze shifts to Batman, studying him and listening as more details are offered. "There are many unanswered questions. There has to be more information somewhere. Although if need be, then the apartment complex owner could always be taken aside for a chat," she muses.

Aquaman has posed:
Aquaman listens quietly, and then nods thoughtfully. "Keeping watch is likely the better use of resources for this. At least, until there is more information," he agrees. He glances to Diana and nods. "Also makes me wonder how many such facilities like this these professionals have. If they are that professional, they almost certainly have more than one." He watches that building for a few minutes more than shakes his head. "I have to get back to Atlantis. Keep me updated." He turns and heads toward the door with little more fanfare than that. But pauses before he exits, to glance back. "Take care, all of you." He looks at each one in turn, and then turns to leave.

Batman has posed:
"It is obvious that someone is most likely a large number of bodies there. This seems to be a large project for a serial killer, or perhaps gang activity. Either way, I will find whoever is doing this and I will resolve it." The voice of Batman is a rumble of thunder as he sweeps his gaze to the others. When Arthur makes his leave, he gives him a firm nod of his head.

"Take care of yourself. Let me know if there is anything you need from us." He has deep pockets after all.

Looking back to Diana, he rubs a hand along his chin. "What were you all talking about before I got here?"

Wonder Woman has posed:
"For the time being, it likely is," Diana says, giving a nod of agreement with Arthur's words. Then she arches an eyebrow. That was a thought she hadn't given consideration to. Other buildings serving the same purpose. With more rotting dead bodies. It's a distasteful notion. "If you need or want help with it, then feel free to ask," she offers, giving a small nod to him. Her attention turns to Arthur, and she gifts him a smile and a nod. "Take care as well, Arthur," she says, watching him as he leaves. Then her attention turns back to the building, studying it a bit further. She raises an eyebrow slightly at the question from Bruce, her gaze turning to him, and a smile tugging her lips. "There was talk of adding a museum to the Atlantean embassy, and of the Atlanteans joining the United Nations Council," she says, a thoughtful tone to her voice.

Batman has posed:
"I see. That sounds interesting. I hope it works out. Let me know if any support is needed. I can always make a call to a friend." Bruce says as he offers up a quick half-smile towards Diana. "As far as it goes in getting help for this, I think I can handle it. This is well below yours, or Superman's paygrade. I will have Nightwing and Oracle support me if necessary. Besides, it's been awhile since I've had a chance to feel like a detective again. This has me curious."

He gives a glance over to Superman, then back to the Amazonian. "How are you doing, Diana? Has life been interesting for you?"

Wonder Woman has posed:
"I think it would be a good step for them to have representatives, but the decision is not mine to make," Diana says in a thoughtful tone. A smile easily returns to her features, and she turns to Bruce, giving a nod to him. "I will let you know if that turns out to be the case. If he lets me know, anyways," she comments, giving a glance towards the departed Arthur. "And it might be what you consider below my paygrade, but... I am here if you change your mind and decide otherwise. Keep me posted about it, if you do not mind? It has my curiosity as well," she says with a smile. And the smile remains with his questions asked, and she gives a nod. "I'm doing well. I spent some time at home, so... it has been interesting. I returned a couple of days ago, so still getting settled into the different rhythm of living here," she answers. "Come on, let us have a drink and catch up," she suggests with a smile.