4197/The Shredders invitation

The Shredders invitation
Date of Scene:	21 April 2018
Location:	Unknown
Synopsis:	The Shredder joins the Light
Cast of Characters:	Lex Luthor, Shredder, Black Queen

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Lex Luthor has posed:
When you're a business leader in the league of Lex Luthor, it's very easy to make out patterns that others would miss.

The smartest man on the planet, Lex Luthor calls himself The Man of Tomorrow for good reason; he's always looking to build a better future. Some people with vision can say the same... others... simply want to ruin the lives of those they hold a grudge against. Lex? His distrust of Superman and aliens in general is very public. His reason for that distrust though... is humanities lack of defense on the day those entities turn on the planet.

He's run the simulations, and since that day, he's been convinced humankind needs a solution. Now, it's become clear that solution will require more than just him to handle it. People with knowledge, resources, and the vision to see a better humanity realized: by any means necessary.

The invitation was given directly to The Shredders current residence... and the letter made it clear that not only did Lex Luthor think Saki was alive, but that he might be interested in 'a council of Enlightened individuals, seeking o uplift humankind."

LexCorp Tower is very clean, and very expensive looking by the time Saki sees it... and when the elevator pings to the floor for Luthors office, members of Team Luthor are seen at attention every ten feet inside the corridor that leads to the office doors.

Le takes security seriously. Especially when a pair of Team Luthor guards stop Saki to do a weapons check.

The inside of Luthors office... is incredibly spacey, and feels like a combination office and apartment. At the end of it is his massive desk... while Luthor himself looks out through the massive glass wall behind said desk. Hope and Mercy are standing to each side of the desk; his bodyguards coming to attention when Saki enters the room.

Shredder has posed:
    Indeed, Saki was still alive. The letter was given to him by his daughter, Karai, and she insisted that she go in his place, lest to tip their hand that the true leader of the Foot was still alive.
    The Shredder, however, was intrigued by the level of cleverness required to even suspect the truth, and that strength of mind is worthy of the Jonin's respect.
    For someone who commands such strength of silent forces, he has come alone. No detection, regardless of the sophistication, has given any indication that Saki came with anything past a handful of smoke pellets and a few kunai, which he surrendered without concern or argument. Those weren't weapons, those are instruments. The Shredder is the weapon, and he takes casual notice of Hope and Mercy, betraying no sign that they are regarded as a threat. Eyes flick once to each corner of the room, a standard examination, and he takes the initiative to speak first.
    "Mr. Luthor," he greets. "Your reputation serves you well, I must give you my congratulations in discovering what no one else has been able to in quite some time."

Lex Luthor has posed:
"My reputation can be exaggerated at times... but when it comes to intelligence, I have no peer." Luthor gives in reply to the greeting. Then, he turns around, that impeccable business suit adjusted as the red tie is put back in place. A few steps, and he's behind that massive desk, "Please, sit down if you like." Lex offers with a hand to the seating on the other side of the desk.

"The little background I've been able to find on you has me intrigued. Tell me; what's your interest? What's your endgame?" Lex asks, seemingly undaunted by the prospect the secretive man might not answer.

Shredder has posed:
    "My endgame," Saki smiles, "That's a bold opening to the conversation," he muses. "I'm afraid that I am not so simply focused. I have many objectives, and they are only readily discussed with those who have earned trust. I will tell you that I seek to take this world and improve upon it. Sometimes that requires a less conventional approach than the people of this day are accustomed to." He glances at the seat, but for the time he chooses to remain standing, returning his eyes back to Luthor. "Thank you for the offer," he acknowledges with another hint of a smile.

Lex Luthor has posed:
"There was a time I would have been coy about it." Lex admits, "That time has passed. The Justice League, the Avengers, SHIELD.... that Legion of Superheroes." Lex gestures upward vaguely, "Alpha Flight. All of these and more stand against people of vision, and seek to preserve this world; as if it deserves to be preserved automatically." He shrugs, "What if I told you I'm working on making people who want to see humanity thrive, instead of subjugated, able to actually work on their plans, and see something come of them?" Lex inquires with a raised brow. "What would you say to such a group?"

Shredder has posed:
    "I would say that the word 'thrive' has many definitions," is Saki's response. He wanders across the office as if it were his own, examining the warrior angel trophy, as if appraising its value. He turns back to face Lex.
    "You'll pardon me, but a man of my age has learned that he must take care of every thread in the cloth, and to do that I must be wary of new invitations."

Lex Luthor has posed:
"That's perfectly fine, and a very reasonable response." Lex offers as he leans forward onto his desk, "In this case, by thrive I mean humanity is guided to its' full potential, and those with the ambition and drive to see us there have their agents and power behind the scenes, making sure that we create a utopia on Earth. The endgoal is simple; to make humans and earth the dominant power in our universe."

Shredder has posed:
    "That is a lofty goal," Saki answers, a slight arch of his brow. "Not one I disagree with particularly." He walks up to one of the chairs previously offer, and places his hands on the back, and strokes it out to rest his fingertips on the edges. "What would be expected of someone in an organization such as this? A group of this sort might have more 'chiefs than indians' as the American phrase puts it." He looks down at the chair, and then back up to Lex.

Black Queen has posed:
Entering into the office is one Selene. Both of the men who are already there already know here from one time or another. She is walking in as was expected perhaps by Lex, but not necessarily known by Saki. She waits though, leaning up against the door she just entered, being as quiet as she can to not disturb the conversation just yet. Her presence is pretty easily picked out of a crowd, let alone a mostly empty office, and so just the darkness she brings is probably familiar enough to Saki to let her entrance be known. "I do not mean to interrupt, but perhaps I can also help answer some questions on this?"

Lex Luthor has posed:
"The idea is to not show our hand until the other party is interested, and you know if they're willing to commit." Lex notes to Selene, "but if you'd like dear, you may." Lex gives a look to Shreder, then. A button is pressed on his desk, and a set of holographic documents display above it in front of him. "Take a look over the rules and regulation for the council I'm proposing."

Shredder has posed:
    Saki's gaze and stance shifting at Selene's entrance. "Your input would be most valuable, Ms. Gallio," he answers. "It is a pleasure to see you." He offers a mild bow in her direction, and then turns a stone frown to examine the documents that enter the air, studying them without indication of his feeling on them.

Black Queen has posed:
Walking further into the room, Selene smiles a bit, "Saki and I go back a bit." She indicates to Lex before turning her attention to the man who bows, she bows a little in response. "You know that I am not one to work with others, often. Not at least, in this capacity, but I believe very strongly that with this goal. A goal of changing the world, creating the world, as it ought to be, requires a great deal of resources." She gets up closer and waves at the holographic documents, "In those I am sure you will find the rules on voting and such, but not to bore you, we all are equals. All work with one another to aid in what we see, as a group, are necessary endeavors to the end goal. These so-called heroes who group up, less of a thorn and easier to manage."

Lex Luthor has posed:
"I'll usually be the legitimate front of the organization... the rest of the council and our agents will likely be doing the ground work towards our vision. So far, I haven't convened the council for our first discussion of agendas, so you'll have the opportunity to discuss our first order of business with the rest." Lex adds, "there will be no initial hierarchy, so there won't be too many cooks."

Shredder has posed:
    "Yes, so called," Saki agrees, looking at Selene. He considers her presence for many seconds, and then tilts his head back toward Lex. "The acquisition of this most prudent woman to your cause gives you a great deal of borrowed trust," he tells Lex. "But, I would caution you that it is still borrowed only long enough for you to gain your own." He steps closer to the holographic image, looking at Lex through it. "She can also tell you that I do not respond well to those who wish to control me. The challenges you have listed are, in fact, real, and I recognize that I am not the only one who faces them."

Lex Luthor has posed:
There's a shrug to that, before a warm smile as Lex listens. "Building trust and bonds is what I do best, The Shredder. I built a corporate and financial empire from nothing, and I am the smartest man on earth. Join us, and our assets become part of a greater whole dedicated to seeing those with the Enlightened vision take control of this planet from those who would see it stagnate under their misguided rules." Lex gives Selene a nod, "Selene here brings her considerable mystical talents to the table. You... would be your own talents. We need to stop thinking like individuals, and start thinking like an army, if we want to adapt."

Black Queen has posed:
With Saki giving mostly what she'd consider consent to this scenario, and Selene smiles lightly, "A city can be built by one man." She waves her hand in the direction of Lex, "A very complex one." She places her hands on her own collar to indicate herself, "The realms of mystical arts, the underworld of high society, is at my beck and call." A hand reaches out in the direction of Saki to indicate him, "A strategist, and fighter, and one with great foresight. And yet, none of us individually have been able to overcome the ignorance of them..." She dismissively waves out into the world. "We do not have the exact same goals, but we are all headed in the same direction. And I for one will attempt to come to the council always with that on my mind."

Shredder has posed:
    Saki nods contemplatively. "Indeed, well spoken on both accounts." There's a beat, and he extends his hand to Lex. "Very well, Mr. Luthor," he acknowledges. "Do you yet have the date set for this first council? And at what pace shall we know the identities of the other individuals?"

Lex Luthor has posed:
"Only those on the council will know each others identities for security purposes. For everyone else? They will know us as the Ls. I am L1. Selene is L5. You will be L6." Lex taps another button, and the holographic display pops up. (http://youngjustice.wikia.com/wiki/File:Psimon_reports_to_the_Light.png), "We will communicate with our assets, agents, and others via this interface." Then, a thumb drive is pulled out of a drawer, and he offers it over the desk to The Shredder... before extends his own, "The thumb drive has our software and encryption key for global communication... along with current council identities." Lex smiles, "Welcome to the Light, The Shredder."

Black Queen has posed:
"I am somewhat interested in having everyone meet up as well." Selene mentions in the direction of Lex, and then to Shredder, "I believe that the Hellfire club may be the most appropriate of locations. Demons, angels, mutants and much more come through our doors on a regular basis. Though in this case, we could certainly bring people into my penthouse and meet, talk, see what everyone is bringing to the table...?"

Shredder has posed:
    "Thank you," Saki responds with a cordial bow. The thumb drive disappears into his suit pocket. "May we all find this to be a most fruitful and mutually beneficial endeavor." He nods in agreement. "The Hellfire Club would be a good location, it would allow those who might be detected entering to do so without as much concern for consequence."

Lex Luthor has posed:
"We can discuss whether or not we'll meet physically at the first meeting. For now, this software is designed to handle our communication needs." Lex nods to them both, "I look forward to working with you, Shredder."