3848/The Mandate of Heaven

The Mandate of Heaven
Date of Scene:	10 February 2018
Location:	Unknown
Synopsis:	The truth of the Red Jade Dragon is revealed
Cast of Characters:	Lex Luthor, Super-Man, Insect Queen (OMara), Captain Marvel (Danvers)

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Lex Luthor has posed:
It happens once or twice a year. Lex Luthors many projects turn up artifacts and other assorted items of interest, then they're shipped to his various warehouses across the world... before they're brought to a central metrpolis warehouse on the docks to head to LexCorp.

This time, the collection is a bit bigger than usual, and there are a few oddities that have attracted Luthors attention... and consequently, Team Luthor and Luthor himself. Mercy and Hope flank him as the cargo container with the shipment is offloaded at his private dockyard. Team Luthor are on heightened alert all over the place as they wait for potential robbers.

Then, the crane operator nearly has the container hit the warehouse wall. "This is a delicate set of artifacts. Pay attention, I will not tolerate any damage to this set." Luthor scolds his employee as he watches from the security hub, hands behind his back.

Super-Man has posed:
Kenan had finally discovered that the Red Jade Dragon was recently recovered from the where it had been lost in the San Francisco Earthquake. The property had be being prepared to be built upon as a new manufacturing center for Lexcorp. The item was shipped to Metropolis. Kenan dresses in his costume...this is not a SHIELD matter so he will not wear his uniform. He goes to the place where the shipment is arriving and says to one of the security people, "Excuse me, please inform Mr. Luthor that Chaoren from China would like a word with him."

Insect Queen (OMara) has posed:
Insect Queen stands on guard, surveying the surroundings with a dour expression, with the kind of simmering reluctant countenance someone whose birtright makes her a ruler would show when forced by circumstances to submit to someone else's will. "Patience," she mentally repeats to herself with one brain. "Patience." The hive shall be built, the population elevated from their barbaric mammalian form to the perfection of insectdom, and she, as it is right, as the supreme ruler of them all. She can afford to do this while her other brain focuses on the surroundings, and scans the area for any possible threat coming from any possible direciton. Even her insect telepathy is in constant contact with the local population of insects, aracnids, mites, and other lifeforms which might be contacted (it's a bit of a lottery when it extends outside arthropods, but it can, and does, make contact with (or sense) other animals, and sometimes even humans. It's just much iffier in that case). Anything her subjects see, hear, smell, and otherwise sense will be relayed to her. So commands the Insect Queen.

Lex Luthor has posed:
Then, Kenan walks right up to the security checkpoint, and asks for an invite. The guard in the booth hits his transceiver, "Mr. Luthor, we have a 'Chaoren' requesting a meeting with you out here."

Inside the security hub, the camera on the entry is focused on by Lex, who squinted his eyes at the newcomer, "I'm busy. He'll need to have a good reason for interrupting this." Then, Lex looks to his security chief, "Send 'her highness' over to take a look at the man. I don't think he'll try anything, but he's picked a very odd time to come. I'm sure he's after something in the set."

Meanwhile, the container has been set down, and the doors opened, with dock workers starting to unload into the truck nearby.

Super-Man has posed:
Chaoren has learned a lot more patience than when he first started out. He settles into a Mudra of Immobility, an exercise he has been working on because he still has not figured out his eighth power and working on Tai Chi exercises generally helps him find the proper balance for the Trigram.

He could use his X-ray vision to look for the Red Jade Dragon, but he is hoping to achieve victory...or whatever...without resorting to using his powers.

Insect Queen (OMara) has posed:
Insect Queen approaches the security checkpoint from the inside, chin held high. She does not even deign the security guard of a glance, but heads straight for this so-called 'Chaoren'. If he's using his X-ray vision, he'll notice that her internal structure and organs are definitely not human. She places her two lower hands on her hips, and crosses her upper pair of arms in front of herself, as her antennas twitch as if for sensing something in the air. Well, okay, maybe one did not need X-ray vision to figure out her anatomy is not exactly human. "Mister Luthor is very busy at the moment," she states, in a commanding voice, even if that was not technically a command. "You shall state what your order of business is, and we will consider how to proceed."

Lex Luthor has posed:
As things continue, Luthor starts to head out of the security hub, Mercy and Hope in tow. He's going down to the truck to inspect the new items for his collection.... and once he does, he takes out his camera, and begins to take pictures for his computer database.

Super-Man has posed:
Chaoren puts his hand on the back of his neck and rubs it, this will be hard to explain, "There is in this shipment of goods just arriving a Chinese National Treasure, stolen from the tomb of the First Emperor over a hundred and fifty years ago. The one who stole it called it the Red Jade Dragon. I am still learning to use my powers, and I think my teacher it trying to tell me I need access to that item before I can finish." OK, it is a bit hard to explain seeing his master in dreams telling him he needs to take the Red Jade Dragon...

Insect Queen (OMara) has posed:
Insect Queen stares with a face which might as well made of stone at Chaoren through his whole explanation. "I don't have time for your history lessons or your opinions on the meaning of life," replies the Insect Queen with an icy glare. "Just say what you want, short and simple, so Mister Luthor can take a quick decision. A second of his time is more worth than you are." And all you mammals are worthless anyway, she thinks, but is very careful not to say.

Lex Luthor has posed:
Having listened to the conversation, Lex frowns at the audio from the checkpoint, before he keys the transmit, "Security, escort the man over to the truck where his precious trinket is. I'll be waiting." Lex starts to walk over to the Dragon mentioned, takes a picture, then steps outside, waiting. "I assume he wants to do something with it." Lex brushes off his business suit slightly as he stands just outside the truck, hands behind his back... camera put in Mercies hand.

Super-Man has posed:
The Security guard cocks his head and her gets new orders, "Mr. Luthor says to escort you to the truch they are loading. Come along."

Kenan follows, carfully not staring at the strange woman who had been questioning him. As he comes closer to the truck, he can feel something...it is like the raw sunlight of outer space, pouring energy into him. He can feel his powers awakening, he will not be limited to using one power a time while the artifact is nearby, he should be able to use them all at once, and possibly above his normal level. Of course, he remembers what happened the LAST time he ran into something with a similar effect...that time a portal to the land of the dead open and he had to fight off the wraiths of the dead.

He bowes respectfully, "Mr. Luthor, the investments you have made in China are will known to me."

Insect Queen (OMara) has posed:
Insect Queen glances down at the man as he passes by, but does not otherwise othesay anything. She follows at a distance, and eventually, stops far away enough not to be considered nosy, yet, still, close enough to be able to jump in should anything happen.

Lex Luthor has posed:
"I want to get this shipment out of the open and into my secure vault, Mr. Kong. Make it quick." Lex studies the man briefly. Inspect Queen gets a glance, before he looks back to Kenan. "You said you wanted access to part of my collection."

Super-Man has posed:
Kenan says, "I am certain this item is going to cause you quite the legal hassle. One moment." He produces a few copied papers, "It was originally stolen from the Emperor's tomb by an Opium addict and given to an Opium Baron from San Francisco. It was brought to California, back before it was a state, and held in the private collection of the man until the house was destroyed in a fire following the San Francisco Earthquake. That piece of property was bought by Lexcorp and the artifact discovered during excavation in the recent past." The papers include sketches of the object from the past as well as others.

Kenan continues, "It was apparently a primary symbol of authority of the first Emporer and holds significant cultural value. There is likely to be quite a legal battle between Tiawan and China over to whom it legally should belong. At the moment, however, there is little doubt it came into your hands by proper means...this is simply corroberating evidence of which article I am discussing." He waits for Luthor to look over the papers.

Insect Queen (OMara) has posed:
Insect Queen glances down at the man as he passes by, but does not otherwise othesay anything. They seem to be busy with paperwork. That will be one of the first things she'll do once she becomes ruler of the planet. All paperwork shall be abolished. Nobody will need a paper trail, anyway, since her own will will be the only thing that will come into resolving conflicts. She follows at a distance, and eventually, stops far away enough not to be considered nosy, yet, still, close enough to be able to jump in should anything happen.

Lex Luthor has posed:
Luthor only takes about thirty seconds to look over the paperwork, before he hands it back to Kenan, "I can settle the matter through the legal system, Mr. Kong. You said you wanted access to my collection, and I'm willing to indulge that request. Or did you lie to me just so you can pressure me?"

Lex raises a brow, before he gives a side head-gesture to the truck, "Mercy, be a dear and grab the Dragon for his inspection." The blonde bodyguard nods, before she steps into the truck, and then a few seconds later jumped down to the ground, the Red Jade Dragon in both hands for Kenan to check. "Feel free to take a look. I expect the legal issues will sort themselves out in time." A beat, "But not here."

Super-Man has posed:
Kenan replies, "Indeed, I expect that is true. Knowing your reputation I expect that you will take excellent care of the artifact. I am not here as a representative of the Chinese Government at this time, it is a personal matter. Ever since the day this item was unearthed, I hhave been having dreams about it...dreams in which my mento tells me I must take up the arifact to complete my training. May I hold it?"

Captain Marvel (Danvers) has posed:
There's a lot of hats that Captain Marvel has to wear in her multiple roles, both personal and for the government. In between she also takes the time to help those in need, whenever she can. It's a full schedule, but it also leaves her far too busy than to ponder the many tragedies, losses and abuses she experienced in her life.

At the moment she's at the Avengers HQ, looking over a recent report to do with Iron Man, until she gets a flash from her Kree 7th Sense that makes her take to the air. Painting a glowing cosmic flare in the sky as she makes her way to Lexcorp Warehouse at the docyard in Metropolis.

Lex Luthor has posed:
"You may. Just don't break it." Lex nods to Mercy, who hands the Dragon over to Kenan.
    Then Captain Marvel appears, and Lex squints up at the flare, "Now what." Lex gives a nod to Team Luthor security nearby, who call it in, and suddenly the entire dockyard is on alert, pointing their weapons at the sky.

Super-Man has posed:
Khen touches the plaque and it glows white with his touch. The glow separates out, assuming the form of an elderly chinese man in a bowler and glasses, but made of solid white light. He says, "Well done, Kenan Kong. You now hold the Mandate of Heaven, given unto the First Emperor by the Gods Themselves. Take it up, as is your right, become the Emperor you were meant to be."

Kenan shakes his head, "Emperor, Master I-Ching? I..."

"No! Not my weak brother I-Ching, I am Master All-Yang," states the apparition. "I am Yang incarnate, the personification of Force. You are to be the ruler of this world, setting right the wrongs that have been done to China."

Kenan shakes his head, "I can not be an Emperor, I lack the wisdom to rule or know with certainty what is the right or wrong." He hands the plaque back to Mercy.

All-Yang growls, "If you will not set this world to rights, then there are those who will." The Plaque suddenly splits in two and s huge white rectangular gateway opens up. Out of it steps a yellow giant with four arms and four faces...

Captain Marvel (Danvers) has posed:
There's a glow surrounding Captain Marvel as she floats in air over the LexCorp Warehouse, noting how the security team is arming up, "chill," she calls out, "Alpha Flight and Avengers' Captain Marvel, this is not an assault on your business. I am here to help..." help...? Why would she offer help? Well, there's the portal opening to answer that question. "You want to train your weapons on that yellow giant perhaps?" Captain Marvel offers, immediately flying in closer and demanding of the giant, "what is your purpose here?" Hey, she's a good guy, she gives the benefit of the doubt.

Lex Luthor has posed:
Then, Kenan is talking with a ghost.

Lex is not having a good day, "I did not picture myself watching a Chinese national talking to a dead fool with delusions of world domination, today." Lex Luthor comments with a slight tone of humor, before his eyes go to Captain Marvel, and Lex takes on an irritated expression, "I did not call for the Aven-"

Then, there's a portal opening, with a giant coming through.

"The ghost fool just told us he's planning to 'set the world to rights', after talking about world domination, and you want to know what the giant wants?" Lex asks incredulously of Captain Marvel, before he points at the giant, "Surround that thing. Tell LexCorp Tower to bring the Electro-Projector prototype out here. I want a test run on it. If it moves without permission, shoot it." Then, Lex Luthor moves out of the way as he begins to study the portal itself, Mercy and Hope trailing him. "Hope, go get the dimensional spectrometer from my limo." Hope runs off to do just that, while Mercy brings out her cybernetic laser and aims.

Super-Man has posed:
The Giant steps forward. It does not speak, but a beam of energy erupts from the gem set in the middle of the front forehead. A beam of magical force that strikes Captain Marvel. A second giant, this one blue, follows the Yellow Giant.

Kenan rushes forward and hits the second giant with a haymaker that shatters the air with sheer force...but has no effect on the giant.

Captain Marvel (Danvers) has posed:
Captain Marvel doesn't respond to Lex Luthor, she is well aware of how she operates and how she doesn't act without certainty. Even though Lex makes a good point, it's still a deduction. Her focus is still on the giant, however, and sure enough he does starts with a direct attack. "Mistake." Carol informs him as his attack strikes her, but doesn't seem to do anything. "Last change...go back in that portal, you'll find nothing but misery here..." she warns again. Her eyes starting to glow, and a white radiant aura builds around her, before she points her arms at the giant and returns the favor. Only she doubles up on the power level he hit her with.

Super-Man has posed:
The Giant looks at Captain Marvel and Laughs, "No force you can wield can harm us, child of Yin you may be but the powers of Yang do you yield." He was as uneffected by the force she used against him as she was by his attack. He tries again, this time with a gout of fire from his mouth."r
Kenan has discovered that strength and heat vision are useless...but his Freeze Breath is a different matter. That can knock them down and even freeze them solid...given enough exposure. Of course, they are coming through the portal faster than he can freeze them...

Lex Luthor has posed:
"This is the last time I indulge requests during shipments." Lex Luthor grumbles as Hope brings him the intrument... and Mercy fires her cybernetic laser at the first giant at max setting; enough power behind it to sheer right through steel and concrete.

Over the radio, "Mr. Luthor, we have the projector loaded onto the cargo helicoptor, and can have it at the dockyard in two minutes." Lex sighs, pinching his nose, "Cancel that, pilot. I just realized what we're dealing with, and it won't do anything to these creatures. Take your helicoptor and head over to Warehouse 7. You'll have a cargo of gems to load up. I'll expect you here in three minutes." The pilot replies, "What? But-" Luthors raises his voice, "Just do it! I don't pay you for buts." Then, he pulls out his satellite phone, and calls his Metropolis warehouse manager, "Bill, I need you to grab as much Jade and Obsidian from the gem warehouse as you can and put it out front. I know it was slated for other projects, but I have an emergency at Dockyard one." With that, Lex Luthor leaves the two to their squabbles, "keep them busy." Lex orders of Team Luthor as they fire their guns into the giants. Useless they may be, but it might annoy them enough as a distraction.

Once inside the warehouse looking out over the fight, the spectrometer is used, with Lex taking his time with reading.

Captain Marvel (Danvers) has posed:
"Oh, so you want some yang?" Captain Marvel is apparently quite learned, as she actually makes sense of the giant's taunt. She dives low underneath his firey breath, and then soars to deliver a mighty sparklefisted uppercut straight to his chin. "There's some yang for you..."

Super-Man has posed:
The Giant seems to ignore the latest attack just as easily as it had the last few...though it DOES actually react to it, to the extent of elictrifying itself so any further attempts to touch it will have a shocking result. The Lexcorp security is having even less effect, as the giant does not even bother attacking them.

Kenan is flying about...yes flying, he can do that when his powers are boosted it seems...using his Freexe Breath to freeze the eyes of the Giants closed. Blinding them is not as effective as freezing them solid, but much faster.

Lex Luthor has posed:
"Mr. Kong. Your Dragon artifact is resonating at your energy frequency. If you'd be so kind as to close this portal before your playmates destroy my dockyard, I'd appreciate it." Lex raises his voice out the window so Kenan hears him, "I have a weapon for them coming, meanwhile." Mercy and Hope, along with Team Luthor, continue to fire their guns into the two giants. They're still useless though, and not even being a distraction, 'Cease fire. Anymore would just be useless cleanup after of brass." Lex orders of Team Luthor as he observes from his window.

Captain Marvel (Danvers) has posed:
It doesn't take much more than this exchange for Captain Marvel to assess they are at an impasse, neither party able to harm the other. On the plus side, Luthor sounds like he has a solution that will take some time. This changes Captain Marvel's plan to stalling tactics, so she flies higher into the air, before starting to blast the giants with intermittent photon blasts.

Super-Man has posed:
Kenan is no genius, but hears Luthor's request. Fortunately, he currently has super speed, so he can take a long time thinking without a lot of time passing. The artifact resonates to the frequency his powers operate on, and is a power of Yang, or force. What he needs to do then is a Yin act while touching the Red Jade Dragon. He quickly scoops up the parts of the plaque and, sitting himself in the Lotus position, opens the channel he uses to draw power from the ideal of superman, and sends the power from the plaque back along the channel, leaving himself utterly drained of power. The Portal winks out and the giants find themselves no longer invulnerable...though Kenan is unable to do anything but sit in place and shiver with cold and exhaustion.

Lex Luthor has posed:
"Hope, go and bring Mr. Kong and his toy into the warehouse. I'd prefer that portal stay closed, and him dying might reverse the effect." Luthor gives. Then, he looks to Mercy, "Try firing at them again." Lex orders of Mercy and team Luthor, who bring up laser and carbines as they prepare to shoot again.

Above it all, a helicoptor can be heard approaching from far away.

Captain Marvel (Danvers) has posed:
With Kenan apparently having found a means to negate a power source driving these giants, Captain Marvel swopps back in for the offensive, hammering the giants with photon blasts, before trying to fly right through the yellow one with her extended fist, her searing white aura engulfing her entire body.

Super-Man has posed:
Human weaponry has advanced to the point that it can damage stone with relative ease. The bullets either chip off small pieces or loege in the stone...punching through the thinner sections. The Laser cuts through the statur even as it slowly loses animation...then Captain Marver hit it and shatters it to pieces. Kenan and the plaque are separated and pulled out of the way. The Helicopter arrives over the area, though it may not be needed.

Lex Luthor has posed:
As the statues harden, Luthor watches until they're completely still, then.. "Cease fire." Luthor orders, and everyone in the dockyard under his employ drops to battle ready stances... and Luthor walks out into the open air again. Approaching the giants, Luthor runs the meter over the two, before he looks at it, and grunts. "Mr. Kong, you and I will need to have a chat soon about damage reparations from this, but for now, I will let you take your leave once you're able to travel." Lex gives with an official tone, before he looks to Captain Marvel, "As for you, since you were only a responder, I will consider your visit necessary. There probably would have been more property damage without your stalling. Good day." He nods to Captain Marvel, before he speaks into his ear transceiver, "Get cargo 2, 3, 4, and 5 in the air. I want what's left of these statues delivered to LexTech for examination." Then, as the helicoptor arrives... "Cargo 1, move to the helipad and stand by."

Captain Marvel (Danvers) has posed:
Captain Marvel turns and floats in the air, surveying the damage done, and that the situation is fully under control. She nods at Kenan and Luthor, before smirking at the owner of the warehouse, "I'll take that as a thank you, so, you're welcome," she offers a salute, and takes to the air.

Super-Man has posed:
Once separated from the, now once more intact, Red Jade Dragon, Kenan starts to recover. He says, "I sorrow for the damages caused. I will see what repayment can be made when possible." He starts to bow to Luthor when Master All-Yang reappears (though much more transparent than the first time), "You fool, you have ruined everything." His eyes start to glow red as he stares at Kenan...

Lex Luthor has posed:
Now comes cleanup, and Lex dials his satphone to the chief of police for MPD... only for the line to be dead this time. "Rising Tide..." Lex mutters, before he swings around at the ghost being back, "First, you declare him Emperor of the world, then, you try to kill him. You're a fickle little deluded ghost fool, aren't you?" Lex muses. Not like anything he has can effect it...

Captain Marvel (Danvers) has posed:
Captain Marvel was just taking off when she registered the power up from the spirit creature, causing her to stop on dime and swoop right back down. "Mr. Spirit...you may not realize it, but there's a yin to every yang, we don't leave in a yang only world anymore..."

Super-Man has posed:
Kenan replies to Lex, "He claimed that he wanted an Emperor, but he did not, he wanted a mouthpiece, a puppet he could control. I refused to be that puppet, so he wants to discard me and find another tool. I see now why I had to face this...The Mandate of Heaven is the temptation of Absolute Power. All-yang failed when he faced that temptation. In reality, he is powerless now, he can only tempt and trick other into acting, not act himself." The eyes flash, but Kenan stands unharmed.

Lex Luthor has posed:
"I need to put dimensional wards up on my properties from now on." Lex muses calmly, before he starts to head for his limo, hands clasped behind his back, "LexCorp security can escort you off premises, Mr. Kong, when you're ready." With that, Lex gets in along with Hope, with Mercy getting into the drivers seat... and heads out, the truck with his collection following the limo as Luthor heads for LexCorp Tower.

Captain Marvel (Danvers) has posed:
Carol looks from the demon spirit thing back to Kenan, "do you need any support here? Or do you have it covered?" She asks, before glancing at Lex, and offering, "sorry for lingering, it looked like this may get out of hand again..."

Super-Man has posed:
Kenan rises unsteadily, "I think I need to get away from that artifact before I power up again, just to be safe. Lex, contact SHIELD when you decide how I can repay you for the damages." Kenan will lean on whoever escorts him off property, he is exhausted and powerless for now. At least no one was seriously hurt...