-Onboard the American Steam Ship Lady Luck nearing London's ports, July 1894-

Jay Andrews was once more reading the letter he had received back in the United States some months ago. It was an invitation from a man, a professor, who had seen one of his designs in a small but well published scientific journal. His flying machine had been ridiculed by his peers and superiors, dismissed as pure fantasy, claiming that 'heavier than air travel is a scientific impossibility.'

However, no more than three months after his theories had been published the letter had come to him as he attempted to peddle some of his other wares to pay for his experimentation.

Mr. Andrews,

I find your theories most interesting in regard to heavier than air flight. I would dare say your plans are even plausible. If it might be possible for you to find your way to London, I would like to aid your research and perhaps help you find a sponsor to create your 'Aero-plane'.

Awaiting your response
Professor J. M.

He smiled, once more folding the paper and putting it into his pocket, hoisting his sack filled with note books, designs, and other scientific bric-a-brac. Rather heavy really, but soon it would all be worthwhile...


_____________________

He hated the Opium dens. It wasn't simply that he disliked anything that could dull his senses, although that was a big part of it. Looking around at the men, for it was mostly men here, each of them clutching a pipe and obviously either on the way back from, or into the stupor of the drug he realized it had to do with history as well.

Opium was how the English had finally forced China's hand. The young Asian man sighed looking around though. For now, his latest excursion to this area of the city would prove at least mildly beneficial, seeing how the lower classes lived and thought. And then back to his own work, his own 'boarding school.

Sighing, he turned on his heel and quickly left the building.

The chief inspector from the Scotland Yard walked into a house where a body was discovered, the latest in a string of murders. He nodded to the constable standing guard at the front door as he made his way inside. There, in the drawing room, under a white sheet lay the victim. The inspector knelt down next to the body and lifted the sheet, swearing loudly as he saw the victim and stood back up after placing it back down.

"Bollocks! That was our only suspect in this case. Now we're back to square one." The chief began to pace, wracking his brain as to what his next course of action should be. A little nagging thought at the back of his mind vied for attention but he kept dismissing it because it was ridiculous. It wasn't until a rather green detective walked up that he knew he had no other choice.

"Um, chief inspector, sir. Don't you think it's about time you called in Torchwood on this case. I mean she has helped-" but he was cut off by a rather nasty glare from the chief inspector.

"I bloody will not!" There, someone else had said what he had been dreading, though he was very reluctant to even consider it. "I will not bring in a woman into this investigation. We'll be made a mockery of, letting a woman do police work, that's preposterous." He had already called on her though, knowing this was not going to end well. A feminine "Good evening constable," alerted the inspector that the blasted woman had indeed arrived, dressed to the nines and wearing that silly Sherlock hat just to piss him off. He'd known Patricia Vetinari quite a long time, he'd even come up with her code name of Torchwood so he wouldn't be embarrassed in the presses. She had always been a thorn in his side. And what made it worse was her father encouraged her behavior. As she walked over, her petticoats swishing across the floor, she smiled at the inspector, like she had known all along that he would need her help.

"Evenin' chief inspector. Is this the latest victim? Tragedy that, but another clue to finding the real killer. Same cause of death as the last three?" she asked, kneeling next to the body and lifting up the sheet for herself. All the actual "detectives" looked uncomfortable as she looked at the body with such casuality. Apparently a woman should never be comfortable around death. Another man walked in the door and stood stock still to relay his message.

"Ms. Patricia Vetinari? Message for you ma'am." Patricia stood up after putting the sheet back down and walked over, taking the letter from him. As she read it her eyes got wide and unbelieving.

Dear Ms. Vetinari,

I require the assistance of a detective, a rather good one at that. I cannot tell you the nature of the crime in a mere correspondence, for it requires much explanation and time that I do not have. I would pay you generously for your services, something the Scotland Yard does not. If you wish to further inquire into this matter, my messenger will take you to my estate.

Sincerely,
Professor J.M.

Patricia just stared at the signature, thinking her eyes must be playing jokes on her. James Moriarty was only a fictional character, there were thousands of possibilities of those two initials. And yet......

"I'm sorry chief inspector, something more important requires my immediate attentions. I promise to help as much as I can when I get back." and with a flourish of sweeping petticoats, she was gone, out the door and getting into a carriage that was waiting outside.

A man walked up to a large dilapidated building and entered. When he reached where he wanted to go he found a Man with Blond hair and a Trenchcoat sitting Cross-Legged on the floor. "Mr.Constantine?" He walked over and poked Constantine and he fell over looking quite dead. "Oh my. This is no good." He pulled up Constantine's sleeve revealing a series of small holes in his arm. "I suppose i'll have to tell him that Constantine's dead. Just as he was about to leave however he heard a low "Bollocks" and when he turned around he saw John Constantine standing up looking quite annoyed. "Who the hell are you and why are you here?" The man smiled at John and handed him a Letter which read.

Dear Mr. Constantine,

I have a problem that I believe your "Unique" Skills can help with. I will pay you quite handsomely. My Messenger will show you to my Estate.

Sincerely,
Professor J.M.

The man who gave him the Message motioned to the door. "Come. I will show you the way." However John had taken out a Rolled-Up piece of Tobbaco in Paper and lit it using a Candle. "I'll find my own way there,Mate" He then left the room and began his journey there.

The streets of one of London's seedier districts was likely not the sort of place for a teenage American boy on his own, but none the less, there he was looking around the streets, holding a map he'd purchased...somewhere to try and find his way.

"Well...not the best start I could have hoped for on this trip, but...if I can find this Professor i'll be sitting pretty eh?" He asked...no one in particular, shifting his bag of trinkets again.

____

The asian youth was to be found, at this time, reading a newspaper with a sort of grim satisfaction. "Well...we're winning at least..." He mused, reading over the articles pertaining to the 'Sino-Japanese War' occuring at this very moment. Part of the core for his presence, but for now, he had to continue keeping his profile low as he pulled a small cup of coffee closer to himself.

____

"A bit...overdramatic don't you think?" A man spoke, swathed in bandages as he gestured to another figure, his face and body hidden by shadow. "Keeping me from meeting my client face to face."

"One could assert, Mr. Chance, that you are doing the same." He pointed out, his voice carrying a trace of an accent, Eastern European if the bandaged man was not mistake.

"I suppose they could." He conceded.

"Of course...I remain uncertain why you are even a necessity to this plan. Please, enlighten me?" Even without seeing the shadowed man's face, one could imagine the smirk on his features.

"Because, among my other trades, I am very proficient in getting weapons to people who want them. And I have brought one of the newest and most dangerous from America. Several examples actually."

"Oh? What weapons would those be?"

A slight twitch in the bandages over his lower face were the only clue he was smiling. "Gattling guns."

Frederick freeman was done for the day shouting out his usual call as a paperboy "GET YOUR PAPERS HERE READ ALL ABOUT IT!!!!!!" he moved around a corner as he held his sack of belonging and his empty paper bag, lookign around a corner he said "Shazam!" and changed into a huge man with a captain's uniform with a red lightning bolt along the side "That's better." said the man only known as Marvel, Captain of his own ship and the superman of England. As he walked towards his home, he was spotted by a youth who shouted his name "Marvel sir! I've been asked to give you a Letter!" "Thanks Mate!" Marvel replied and looked the message over as the boy ran off running as though he won the lotto, he saw it said:

Dear Cpt. Marvel,

I have a problem that I believe your Uncanny Skills can help with. I will pay you quite handsomely. My Messenger will show you to my Estate.

Sincerely,
Professor J.M.

Marvel looked at the letter as a carriage came up and smiled as the driveropened the door for him "Much Obliged." he replied as he got in the carriage

Mal Stapleton sat on a rock in the middle of the fields. He was resting from the stresses of the day. He spent most of his days earning money in a "freakshow". He was known as Avatar, assistant to the great magician Sorcero. It was his job to make the great wall of flames that Sorcero would walk through. The people of Europe loved the illusion. If only they knew that it was not a trick.

Suddenly, Mal heard a cough behind him. A man stood behind him, holding out a letter.

"I was told to give this to you, young sir." the man said.

Mal took the letter and opened it.

Dear Malcolm,

I require the assistance of multi-talented individuals for a task. I would pay you generously for your services. If you wish to further inquire into this matter, my messenger will take you to my estate.

Sincerely,
Professor J.M

Mal thought it over for a second, then said to the man, "Lead on."

He never could understand why he still did this. Why this same time every week, he'd leave the safety of his secluded home to come and visit her. The very reason he was in this predicament to begin with. But as he looked at his mother, who was strapped to the bed, mumbling incoherently all he could do was sigh. Walking up to her, he gently moved some of the hair out of her face as she continued to stare at the celing. He didn't actually say anything but he never did in all of his weekly visits. She wouldn't understand anything he said anyway. "Goodbye, Mother..." As much as he wanted to say more, nothing could come to mind as he began to walk away. A soft clinking sound was heard as he walked due to the various small charms he had around his coat.

He stopped suddenly as he approached the door. Someone was waiting for him on the other side. He could sense it. One of the good things about always being on the run is that you find quite a few ways to get out of sticky situations. One such way was to find the darkest area of the room and access his arcane energies. Stepping into the darkness, he exited in an alleyway close to the hospital his mother frequented. Giving it one last look, he turned and walked briskly. "Mr. William Hayes, we mean you no harm." A voice said from behind him, causing him to stop. Slowly turning his head, he could see that it was a different man, but one obviously still waiting for him as well. "That's what they all say." William said darkly as in one motion, he pushed his pursuer into a nearby alley, pulling out a small knife. "I merely came to give you this. No more." William found a letter being thrown at him, much to his curiosity.

Dear William,

A situation has come that requires your knowledge of the occult. I understand that money is of little interest to you, but you shall be handsomely rewarded as well as all of my resources being at your disposal to help get you out of your problem. If you are interested and haven't killed my messengers, they will take you to my estate.

Sincerely,
Professor J.M.

After reading the letter, William suddenly but the blade of his knife to the messenger's neck. The little light that got through the alley reflected over his dark lenses making him look even more menacing. "I go through a lot of trouble and aliases to make sure I'm never found. Who is this, J.M?" William threatened. "I am...just a messenger." William's eyes narrowed before he let out a sigh. He didn't like it, but if there was a chance to not have to look over his shoulder everywhere he went, even if it was a trap, he had to take that chance. "Fine. Go ahead."

Patricia peered out the carriage window as it rolled to a stop in the driveway of a large estate. The letter hadn't lied about being able to pay her for her detective skills. (I would say services but that leaves me open for too many jokes.) The door swung open and a hand offered to help her out.

" 'ere we are ma'am. There should be someone at the door to escort you in."

Patricia took the footman's hand and stepped out of the carriage, marveling at the expansive estate in front of her. The hedges were well maintained, and the garden was vibrant, something that was difficult in the dreary London weather. Someone paid a lot of money for the upkeep, Patricia noted, wondering if it was all for show, a front to show people and impress them. She walked to the front door, and before she even knocked the massive wooden door swung open revealing a butler standing beside it.

"Evening ma'am. If you'll just follow me, we'll be waiting for the other guests to arrive shortly."

"O-other guests?"

"Yes, ma'am. Sir has requested quite a few of you here, all with your specialties, to assist him. Now, if you would follow me I will take you to the sunroom where there is hot tea an coffee waiting." With that, he closed the front door and started walking down the entryway through a maze of hallways and into a room with a wall of windows that let the sun in to brighten up the room. As Patricia walked in to the room, the butler promptly turned on his heel and left, leaving her to find her own way about the room. She made herself a cup of tea and sat in an overstuffed armchair near the window, looking outside at the sky.

Jay, it seems, had finally managed to get back on his right track and find the location of the Professor. Wringing his hands a bit, and more than a little hungry, he charged foreward, trying to get to the building that loomed ahead of him.

He didn't quite make it before the door was shut with the people entering, but he DID stop himself from slamming into the door face first.

Pausing only momentarily for breath, he knocked on the door until, once more, the Butler answered.

"You must be the American?" He asked, making it sound more like an accusation an a statement, looking at the slightly dirty and a bit bedraggled form of Jay Andrews, who could only nod a bit sheepishly. "Come with me." He sighed, leading Jay down the same winding hallways Patricia had been sent down, opening the door for him, and leaving Jay to his own devices for the moment.

"...Uhm...Hi?" He said to Patricial, setting down his sack.

___

"It would appear some of your guests have already arrived." The bandaged man 'Chance' commented seeing the butler enter the room.

"So it would." The shadowed figure agreed. "I suppose this concludes our meeting. Shall I call you a Hansom?"

"That wont be necessary, I have my own." He said simply.

"...I see. In that case, simply make sure our...other partner...does not cause anymore undue trouble?"

"Of course." He nodded rising up.

Mal had seen some impressive estates in his time as a traveling performer. Noblemen loved having unique shows for their guests at parties. However, this estate seemed grander than any of the others. Not necessarily bigger (maybe it was), but more forceful in its stature. Whoever lived here had power, and wanted everyone to know it.

To say that Mal was intimidated was an understatement. He was utterly terrified. "What have I gotten myself into?" he asked no one in particular.

The carriage stopped. He got out and walked up to the door. Before he could knock, the butler opened the door. "Follow me, young man."

Mal followed, quickly losing track of the many hallways and corridors he was lead down. "We'll be in China by the time we're done."

He did not know if the butler reacted because the man opened a door, and Mal could two other people there. He entered.

"Hello, I am Malcolm. Uh, nice to meet you." he said, "Are either of you the one who sent the letter?"

The only thing John could think of when he saw the Mansion was "Blimey" Upon thinking that he began the long trek to the door and just before he could grab the Handle to let himself in a Butler opened the door. "Hello Mr.Constantine we've been expecting you. Allow me to show you to where the Others are." John looked at him for a moment suprised. "Others? No one said anything about Others." "Our lord has procured the help of several other people to help him in this matter" John leaned his head back and sighed. "Great. Better get paid as much as them" The Butler smirked at this. "You will Mr. Constantine. You will."

He was then showed to a room where Two men and a Female were standing causing John to instinctively grin. "Guess i'm in time for the Party then?"

As William arrived, his face didn't show his surprise at how impressive the house was, but it was felt. But the fact was it was going to take more than money to take care of his problem. It was going to take some heavy duty power, and if this person had that much power, needing him didn't make any sense. Between being lost in his own thought and doing his best to memorize the layout of the place as he was being led, the two remained walking quietly until his guide finally stopped in front of a door and went to open it before William grabbed him by the back of the neck. "There are others in there...I wasn't told anything about others." William growled. "Please...sir...if you...would stop throttling me...I am merely a servant." William gave him a curious expression as he let go. "For a servant you sure seem to be taking me attacking you in stride. You haven't tried to fight back once." The servant let out a small cough before a slight smile crossed his face. "I was told you'd most likely attack me, and it'd be in my best interest not to fight back."

William returned the smile. "Smart man." His expression went immediately back to a stern one as he entered the room. "I try, young Sir." The man gave a polite bow and allowed William to enter the room. He gave a quick glance to those assembled. A woman and three men from obviously different backgrounds. He wasn't liking the look of this as he silently had a seat.

Marvel looked out as he arrived to the mansion "Blimey! This is Wicked!" he thought he then felt a stop as the driver said "Captain." "Thank you" Marvel said he had heared on the way that there will be others so he wqas intreagued to meet them. As he opened the door, he saw four men and a woman there "She's cute." he thought as he took on eof the avalible seats and started to check his marvel uniform.

Patricia heard footsteps coming down the hall as she stared out the window. Upon the opening of the door she stood to greet the newcomer, slightly intrigued by his slightly impoverished state of being. Keeping that to herself as he walked in, she stepped forward to introduce herself, but he greeted her first.

"Uhm....Hi?"

Holding out her hand, she introduced herself, "Hello indeed. I'm Patricia Vetinari, how do you do?" Remembering that she was still wearing the Sherlock Holmes hat, she quickly reached up and took it off, hiding it behind her back. "Well, um, care for some tea? Or coffee I would gather would be more your liking, seeing as you are an American." Patricia turned and walked back to the small table with the serving tray of cups and saucers, sugar and cream. As she went to make herself another cup of tea as well as hand a cup to the new arrival, she heard footsteps once again, announcing the coming of another guest. The door opened to reveal a rather pallid youth who walked in.

"Hello, I am Malcolm. Uh, nice to meet you. Are either of you the one who sent the letter?"

"Hello Malcom, I am Patricia, and no, I'm sorry, I'm not the one who sent the letter. Judging by his appearance and accent, I don't think he sent it either."

Fairly soon two more gentlemen joined the small gathering, and Patricia felt out of sorts. Sure she was used to being outspoken in a society full of men, but all of these men looked radically different than those she was used to dealing with. Some of them looked nice enough, but the last one to join them gave her the chills. Just as she was contemplating what they all could have been called there for, because a simple crime would not require all these people from different walks of life to solve, the last member of the group walked in and she gasped slightly, bringing her hands to her mouth.

"Goodness me, Captian Marvel. You've been invited here too? My, my, my this is intriguing." Her mind began to entertain all sorts of scenarios and possibilities as to why they were all gathered here.

Jay had been about to ask if his accent had given him away as an American before the other guests began filtering into the room, he did a double take as Marvel entered the room.

"Curiouser and curiouser." Jay commented idly, taking in the group. At first he had assumed them to be lab assitants, but that was becoming a less and less likely scenario in his mind.


"Good. You have all arrived." A new man entered into the room, dressed in finery bespeaking a man of wealth, power, and privilege. He was dressed in an immaculate black suit and hat, carrying an ebony cane with a silver eagle head topping it. From what could be seen of his face, he wasn't a very old man, certainly no more than his mid to late thirties, at a stretch one could claim him in his fourties.

"I am Professor J.M. no doubt you've all arrived here from my letters. It's good to see you all so punctual." He gave them a wry smile, looking around the group, his eyes lingering particularly on Patricia, and Jay.

"Hello Malcom, I am Patricia, and no, I'm sorry, I'm not the one who sent the letter. Judging by his appearance and accent, I don't think he sent it either."

Malcolm was glad to meet the woman and the man, but he was still confused about what was going on.

The next two men who entered made him uncomfortable. The first looked as if he'd seen hell, and the second looked as if he was hell, not hell, HELL!

"This is going to be interesting." he said, when a third new guest arrived. Mal had heard of Captain Marvel, stories traveled fast, but he never really thought that it was true.

"Good. You have all arrived." A new man entered into the room, "I am Professor J.M. no doubt you've all arrived here from my letters. It's good to see you all so punctual."

"Why are we here, sir?" he asked. "We seem to be a rather strange band to gather."

William had heard of Captain Marvel as well, but didn't show anymore enthusiasm at his appearance than a slight double take. So far there were a couple of people with strong auras around them, and the ones who seemed to be normal gave off a vibe of intelligence. They were indeed special in their own ways, but as the older man entered it seemed like these questions were going to get answered.

"Why are we here, sir? We seem to be a rather strange band to gather."

"And while we're on that subject, how did you find us?" William asked, opening his mouth for the first time since he entered the room. Honestly, he was rather interested in the answer to that question, especially. William had been hiding so long with the use of so many aliases, anyone finding him was a task in itself. And more importantly, if this Professor found him were the other demons far behind?

Marvel looked at everyone as they were staring at him "I know I'm the British Superman but honestly!" he thought about how he was going to answer their questions when he was interupted by Avatar and Will asking about what they were being assembled here for "I would like to know myself." he thought as he waited for the answer.

John had not heard of Captain Marvel before and did not seem to care much for William either as he looked at the Professor, "I'd like to know too. Just why are we here? And who the bloody hell are these people?"

J.M. smiled at the questions. "Ah yes, the reason I brought you all here." He nodded. "Well now, some people are not entirely...satisfied...with the world as it is. No doubt each of you feel this same displeasure in your own way. Some dream of a golden new tomorrow," He gestured to Marvel and Jay. "some merely dissatisfied, no doubt, with the set up of the world." He nodded to Patricia. "While others...wish to simply avoid problems in their past." He focused his gaze on William.

"I, therefore, am proposing an...alliance...between us yes? To bring about this great glorious future for all of mankind. I assure you...we will all get what we want out of this." He smiled gesturing around the room with his cane. "With your talents and my influence, we shall see a new age dawn in the world."

Jay fidgeted nervously obviously intrigued by the prospect of what his benefactor was offering but still...

William listened quietly as J.M. made his pitch. His face was unreadable as he was the first to speak up. "This might sound selfish. And to be honest I don't care if it does, but I have more than my share of problems as it is. I see no reason why I should take on the world's problems on top of mine. Unless your 'new age' involve me not needing these." William motioned to the multiple charms and crosses dangling off of his outfit. "I see no reason for me to stay any longer."

Marvel looked at Will as he stated his complaint "But if we can do some good, why don't we try?" he smiled as his millitary style uniform glistened in the sunlight.

As the Professor walked into the room, Patricia eyed him warily, taking in his very "Moriarty-like" appearance. The cane, the top hat, the mannerisms all reminded her of him, but she knew he was a famous literary character so it wouldn't be hard for someone to emulate him quite well. It was the way he made it look so easy that intrigued her.

"Good. You have all arrived."

As he talked, Patricia studied him taking in the group, watching as he showed particular interest in not only herself but the American as well. She let the others talk, knowing they would ask the more simple questions for her, while she tried to find out things about the others gathered there. By appearance alone she could tell one or two were occultists or had vast knowledge of it, one seemed to have seen a vast amount of the world and one was an acclaimed hero. The American she couldn't pinpoint exactly but whatever was in his bag would be more telling.

"I, therefore, am proposing an...alliance...between us yes? To bring about this great glorious future for all of mankind. I assure you...we will all get what we want out of this. With your talents and my influence, we shall see a new age dawn in the world."

At this Patrica started. This man was after domination on a global scale. But, why then, would he be so open about it, when, if he was as smart as she supposed, he knew she would figure this out if not all of them?

"You called us here to see if we want to help you take over the world? Frankly that's a little preposterous don't you think?"

Jay had jumped when Patricia spoke up, a bit of color draining from his face when she had declared the Professor was simply out to build an empire.

The Professor, for his part, simply gave Patricia a smile, a somewhat vicious smile at that before speaking again. "Please now, one question at a time." He finally said, turning back to William.

"You see, once we have accomplished our mission, I can promise you, you will have no more need for your charms. And if it calms you any more then perhaps you would prefer speaking to Mr. Constantine about your problem? That IS his field after all."

With Will spoken too, he moved his attention back to Patricia. "I don't think it's preposterous at all actually." He said, pinning her with his gaze. "England has come rather close too it...The Roman Empire, Alexander the Great, why even the Mongol Hordes stretched an empire from Asia, to Europe, took China, and even forced Russia to give them tribute for two hundered years. Is it then, so hard to believe another man cannot take a sizable part of the world? All he needs is the right kind of support. The proper weapons."

Jay mumbled something at the end of J.M.'s lecture, someone with particularly acute senses may have caught the words 'Invention' and 'War'.

The professor's smile did nothing but confirm her suspicions as Patricia waited, rather impatiently, for an answer to her question. As he turned back to her, his gaze unfaltering, she knew the battle of wits had begun.

"I don't think it's preposterous at all actually. England has come rather close too it...The Roman Empire, Alexander the Great, why even the Mongol Hordes stretched an empire from Asia, to Europe, took China, and even forced Russia to give them tribute for two hundred years. Is it then, so hard to believe another man cannot take a sizable part of the world? All he needs is the right kind of support. The proper weapons."

As he finished, Patricia thought she heard something from the American that sounded like 'inventions' and put two and two together, figuring he was a scientist. "So he plans to use magic and science to take over the world. Interesting." she thought as tried to word her answer correctly.

"Yes, yes. The Roman Empire, Alexander the Great, the Mongols, even England. They came close, but why did none succeed? Because there was resistance. Because one society is not meant to rule the world. They all had vast armies and were still defeated, yet you only require a small group of people? What makes you think you can succeed where others have failed?"

"Knowledge dear girl. Knowledge." He said, watching her closely. "And yes, there is always resistance." He acknolwedged. "That means simply, one empire must fall before a new one may rise."

"What do you-"

Before Jay could finish his question the Professor was speaking again. "In only a few more days England will fall. London will burn, and while the nations of the world prey upon the former Empire like hungry vultures there will be a new baptism of fire as the world enters our era." His eyes were narrowed as he looked at Patricia, almost as though he was attempting to see diretly into her brain, to watch her thoughts as she processed them.

"The world is changing, it is growing smaller with faster ships, new means of communication. A message that would have taken years to pass before will be given in only a few days' time. With these advancements, one man, or a few people, could easily control entire continents. And from there...they can create a better world."

Meanwhile, Jay was shouldering his sack and looking around the room, possibly for a means to escape.

John listened to the Professor and Patricia argue for a while before speaking up, "I don't care much for this World. If you really can make it better then i'm in."

Mal had listened to the Professor's speech. "Listen, Professor, the world may be getting smaller, but it is still too big for one person, or even a small group of seven. Even if the British Empire falls, which is unlikely, what is to prevent someone else from taking it before you?"

'Unless you're in control of the collapse' Mal thought but didn't say

"But if we can do some good, why don't we try?"

William remained sterned faced as he turned to Captain Marvel. "All of us haven't been given reason to care about the rest of the world." He was about to turn to Constantine to do just what J.M. suggested, knowing full well who he had to be since there was only one other person there who gave off a knowledge of the occult. Though before he could actually ask, he heard J.M.'s idea. "...wait...you want us to be the rulers of entire continents...? Any chance you'll tell us exactly how you're so sure England's going to fall?" To be honest, he was quite sure at this point J.M. had lost his ever-loving mind, but he was going to give him this answer before he confirmed it.

Patricia's expression darkened as J.M. went on. He was insane, yet, she knew he meant it. That's what intrigued and scared her; that he was insane enough to be calculating and precise and make threats a real problem. And he was right, the world was getting smaller but that didn't make it any more manageable for a small group of people. Yes, he had shut her up for now, but she only wanted the others to realize his problematic threat to society. Though, with the questions they were asking, her hunch that not all of them were savory sort of persons were coming true.

"...wait...you want us to be the rulers of entire continents...? Any chance you'll tell us exactly how you're so sure England's going to fall?"

"Oh yes, do tell. Or did you plan on ruling the world by yourself and getting rid of us after we've outlived our usefulness?"

J.M. smiled at Patricia's question. "Well now my girl, what role you play in this new world is all really up to you. You could be the new nobility, or you could be the last whispers of a dying age." He said, his eyes now trained on Jay even as he attempted to sneak to the door.

The polished wood of his cane suddenly blocked the young American's path.

"And where are you going my friend?"

He did look nervous, unsure what to do. "I...I...didn't design them to be used like that."

The Professor actually laughed at Jay's stuttered answer. "Nor did Richard Gatling intend his device to simply become the most terrible weapon on the battle field. But it is. In any case, I believe our meeting has reached it's conclusion yes? I have extended my offer, and now my six friends, it is time for you to decide where you stand."

Marvel thought about Wil's answer and smiled "I'm England's Savior. I gotta look after the Queen and my country." he then looked at J.M and said "If this'll help save England then I'll do it!!"

((I will be going to Ohio for a week for a job trip. I don't know if I will have internet access, so I may not be able to post for the next week.))

"Could be my personal imagination, but it doesn't really sound so much as we're saving England. More like we're waiting for it to fall and picking up the pieces and molding them into our own forms." William pointed out. "Or am I getting a wrong understanding of the situation?" Beneath William's glasses a slight red glow could be seen.

"Mr. Hayes is, I regret to inform you, correct Captain. England has had it's chance to run the world, and I must say it's only made a frightful mess of everything. It's time for some new blood as the expression goes." The Professor said, sparing a glance at William, not liking the omen of his glowing eyes, and now he had to worry about Captain Marvel's reaction to the news...

Marvel looked shocked as he heard that Britain had not a lot of time to rule " JUST BECAUSE OF SOME MAN'S TALKING I SHOULD DO NOTHING!!??" "THEIR TIME IS OVER WHEN I CAN DO NOTHING MORE!! I SAY WHEN IT'S BLOODY OVER!!!!!" he slammed his hand on the table making the mansion shake.

The Professor raised an eyebrow at the Captain's reaction. "Even if the will of the people is different? If the people of England were to rise up in rebellion against the royal family, if the subjects no longer wish for their current rulers would you still enforce such a government upon them captain?" He inquired, his calm demeanor a distinct contrast to Captain Marvel's recent outburst.

Entranced and intrigued by the red glow coming from behind William's eyes, Patricia was caught completely unawares by Captain Marvel's outburst.

"Oh my," she said as she grabbed onto the back of a chair to steady herself from the shaking of the mansion. The professor's reaction was quite different, though it also made her think.

"There have been no signs of upheaval, what makes you so sure England will fall because of rebellion? Or are you orchestrating some sort of coup?"

Mal did not like the ominous glow from the scary man's eyes. Nor did he like Captain Marvel's theatrical outburst. He made a mental not to make him angry.

"There have no signs of upheaval, what makes you so sure England will fall because of rebellion? Or are you orchestrating some sort of coup?

"Perhaps we should call you Guy Fawkes, professor," Mal said, "he also knew of an impending rebellion against England."

Mal stepped closer to the doorway. "Don't get me wrong, Professor. The idea of ruling is tempting, but people can revolt against you as well."

After listening to the Back and Forth between the Professor and Patricia John was happy that no one had heard him say he would join as he stood up. "Sorry Professor but I really don't think I have much to earn from this. What's in it for me,Specifically?"