Rise of the Phantom

Adam Anders is 6 months dead, having sacrificed himself to give the world a chance to fight against Djeck Vanalls offensive. Now the Knights of Vanall better known as the Aqualists have unleashed their armies across the world, Alliances have been formed to resist their armies on every continent.

In North America. Texas, California, Florida, Louisiana as well as the Dwellers of Roanoke and Vancouver have formed an alliance to try and hold back the Aqualists forces in the occupied plains nations. Supporting them is a collection of tribes from across the continent who have come together under Katrina Eves who now leads a war of survival against Vanalls advance.

The map of North America had changed in just a few months.

Before and after Vanalls Assault

In South America, the Brazilia Alliance, consisting of the hundreds of villages and towns in the amazon have started a war of their own to slow down Vanalls southern attack.

On the African front, the Aqualists unleash their armies from the depths of the Congo jungle, with many nations are trying to form a coalition to try and fight back.

But through all this everyone looks to the United Oceanic Republics, (Atlanteans) who despite providing resources and supplies have yet to properly involve themselves in the battle. All from the many republics large and small bickering amongst themselves trying to decide what it is they are going to do to help their allies on the surface. The reigning protectorate Allen Anders older brother of Adam has put out a call to all reservists to bolster Atlantis's military should a decision finally be made.

All the while the Knights of Vanall have pushed across the entire planet.

Yet now a new rival has arisen from the shadows to challenge them.

Prologue:

Somewhere hidden away in the oceans surrounding the islands and islets of the Bahamas, once famed for their tropical beaches, they are now controlled by the most powerful of the Atlantean republics. The Republic of Atlantis, the very centre of the United Oceanic Republics.

Within the tiered and divided city far from the lower level slums that the majority of the population lived within, high above the smog and soot, was a manor. Living within was a powerful man, Tiberius Anders, father of Allen Anders reigning protectorate of all Atlanteans across the world, Leanne Anders Commander of the "Hunters" an elite special forces unit focused on hunting Aqualists across the world and of course Adam Anders, founder of the Aqualists, disgrace of the entire family, as far as they were all concerned he was not a member of the family.

But a certain message would ever change this.

Upon slamming the solid door to the manor entrance, Allen pushed the solid oak door open and stormed in, finding his father the man he loved and respected sitting along with his sister Leanne just sitting there on the sofa. Tiberius with his greying hair combed back and his pale face beginning to show his age, skin slowly wrinkling.

Leanne with her long brown hair tied back into a tail tied back behind her head and down her back, her face too was pale but not as much as her father but that was trait of constantly leaving the oceans to fight in the light of the sun.

"Dad" he muttered, the pair of them looked to him.

"Allen" Tiberius questioned "Whats wrong?" he stood to meet his son

"Its Adam" Allen stuttered

Tiberius interuptted his son "Whats Happened He causing more Trouble?"

"No Dad its not that.... He's gone" Allen muttered

"What do you mean he's gone? he's been caught... arrested?" he asked before muttering a continued sentence

"NO DAD!" Allen paused  "He's.... He's Gone"

Tiberius saw straight away the truth in his sons voice as well as the emotion in his words and in the eyes which were lost. Without even thinking he embraced his son, knowing the pain he must be feeling, as his son before him poured out tear after tear even the great Tiberius Anders felt a single tear trickle down his cheek.

Leanne was the most hit, she sat there in shock, she had just received two blows in one day, first that Adam was no traitor and that he didn't kill the Uncle she loved so much by choice. But even worse was the knowledge that she would never be able to say two simple words "I'm sorry". She stood up walked out the room and just stood still looking out of a window seeing the beautiful neighbourhood of the upper levels that she grew up in, sealing her eyes shut she too began to feel endless tears stream down her cheek, the only comparison would be a person who had suffered a thousand lifetimes of heart ache and pain.

Chapter 1: From the Shadows

Lazarus War- 91- Nottingham British Commonwealth

An ancient castle sits upon a hill, looking out across a ruined city, which after centuries is still rebuilding itself back into the supposed glory it once held. Yet this was a city under oppression, corruption of the higher powers had bled the innocents dry of nearly every penny they had, the local sheriff had it so the lower classes of society couldn't buy sufficient amounts of food, instead the masses had to save up to buy rancid left overs from the kitchens of the Nobility.

Yet there was hope for the many, in the surrounding forests and hills a small band of freedom fighters known as the Outlaws fought for them, robbing from the rich to give to the poor. And lead by a charismatic and free thinking believer of the rights for all, a man named by the world as Robin Hood. He and his band of outlaws had been fighting for years against the corruption that plagued their homeland, many supported them with information and supplies yet for the most part they fought with bows and arrows.

Yet on this particular day things would change for them, they would achieve a great victory. High up in his castle, The Sheriff of Nottingham and the surrounding Shire, looked over his ledger, a vast book containing the various accounts he maintained. The room in which he sat was extravagant well crafted rugs and carpets draped the floors, the walls although stone cold were decorated with the flags of the British Commonwealth, the red cross of England, the Dragon of Wales and the Thistle of Scotland. He himself was a aged man despite only just entering his fiftieth year of life, he was happy and content with his position of life, he sat as the highest local authority in the region, quite literally when not outranked he could be judge, jury and executioner if it meant maintaining the rule of Law and the order of the Commonwealth.

When suddenly the great dual doors of the room smashed open and the two guards wearing their bright red long coats fell to the ground, a dozen men stormed in wielding bows and arrows nocked and ready to draw at a moments notice. They charged in ready to fight, all wearing a variety of clothing but all simple and full of patched holes, their leader was clear in his form of head wear, he wore a bycocket hat with a long brown feather pinned upon it. The Sheriff recognised this man straight away, he knew who had disturbed his peace "Hood!" he shouted.

"Yes indeed Sheriff... but I'm not the one you should be talking too" Hood replied in a cocky manner "Have I introduced my new friend". he extended his arm back to the door.

A shadowy man entered the room wearing all black from his long leather and silk coat to tall leather boots and the hood that concealed his head to the mask that kept his face unknowable. As he entered the room with a great amount of confidence with a walking cane in his left hand, its grip decorative with the shape of a shark.

The Sheriff shouted "GUARDS....GUARDS".

"No one is coming Sheriff.... you can thank my colleagues" The Phantom spoke, the Sheriff tilted his head to see past this man approaching him, in shock and awe he saw a man he believed he could trust the captain of the Castle Garrison and several other of soldiers just standing there in the doorway in their red coats and tricorne hats, he believed he could trust these men yet they just stood their rifles thrown across their shoulders they held their necks high and proud, And upon their necks was that which identified their true loyalties, each bore the same style of tattoo.

By now the Phantom had reached his desk and in an instant of seeing the mark on the redcoats necks knew instantly who he was and why he had come. Slowly he pulled his right hand out of sight and under his desk, in a flash he pulled a revolver, yet before he could even pull a muscle to fire, a sword was unsheathed from a cane and had struck, slashing across the Sheriffs neck in sudden strike that was so swift it is unlikely that even the air the blade passed through knew not what had occurred.

His throat now gushing blood, the Sheriff gagged and garbled unknowable words, for such a powerful man his last words would be meaningless as he fell forwards. The Phantom now complete in his task whipped the blade in his right hand away to clear the few drops of blood from it, then calmly with his left hand placed the cane upon the desk and reached in his coat pulling a clean handkerchief, Robin stepped forward admiring the cleanness of the kill. The Phantom without making a sound began to carefully clean the blade he had used to commit an assassination, then once clean he placed the handkerchief upon the sheriffs dead body and returned the sword to its resting place. 

Finally he admitted some words "Go my friend return what he stole from the people", Robin just looked at him "The key to the vault is in his pocket".

Robin reluctantly went around the well carved desk now drenched in blood, and systematically ventured through the dead mans pockets until he found what he required an old key for the vault that held all the extortionate taxes taken from the people he loved. Peaking up he saw the Phantom had changed places and was now on the opposite side of the body reaching under the desk, with a pat of his hand against the wood a hidden panel opened to reveal a hiding spot containing a book keeping ledger made from the finest leather, the Phantom picked up the book, sifted through its pages and then just closed it, placed it within his long coat and walked away.

"I wish you good fortune Robin" he said "I take my leave of you..... but know the Brotherhood of the Nautilus shall always be a friend"

"Where are you going?" Robin Shouted

The figure just paused turned slightly showing the one scarred left eye through his mask "To speak to a certain friend of mine across the English Channel"

Lazarus war-day 99- Frankfurt Germany

The bank was pleasant and quiet, customers were coming and going the workers behind their protective fences and walls played their little game of smile and count, smile and count, smiles so plain that they had them glued on their faces. The entrance hall was extravagant a show of wealth and power that the bank itself held in the nation, two men on either side of the solid reinforced wooden double doors that connected to the bustling street, both of whom were armed with simple but freshly made revolvers, their uniforms were nicely pressed suits.

When suddenly the doors flung open and a storm of soldiers charged in, waving rifles, shotguns and pistols at anyone and everyone within the room, at first everyone thought the bank was being robbed but the soldiers were professional, these were not thieves they were the loyal soldiers of the German Republic. The soldiers aimed their weapons carefully ensuring that they did not properly scare the innocents with their show of force, their main priority was to ensure that the guards and staff did not try anything that could kick start a fight. Then their officer steadily came into the entrance his hands behind his back "Auf Anordnung der Republik Deutschland plündern wir diese Bank" (By order of the Republic of Germany we are to search this bank)  he shouted, he made his way straight through the room towards the staff door that lead to the banks vault.

Now standing in front of it he saw the enormity of the vault door, a triple combination door taller than he was, he blew a whistle in amazement. Turning to the manager who had now been dragged in by his troops "Bitte öffnen Sie den Tresor" (Please open the safe).

The manager began to look shifty, his actions began to be more and more of a give away, from the way he spoke producing a clear lie "Aber Sir The Vault erfordert einen bestimmten Durchsuchungsbefehl" (But Sir The Vault requires a specific search warrant) he said, even though the officer had already stated that the raid was authorised by the state.

But before he could answer a call came out from behind them all, swivelling around they all saw the real leader of this raid, a figure covered in dark clothing, a long black rain coat that stretched down his legs, dark leather boots, leather black gloves, but their focus was on what was covering his head and face, his entire head was covered by a yet again a dark black hood, but his identity was protected by a conservative mask that competently covered his face, only his eyes were visible one was clear skinned but the left eye severely scarred, in his left hand was a strong walking cane dark black wood but with a silver tip at the bottom and a decorative shark as its grip. "Öffne den Tresor oder verhandele mit mir Dieter" (Open the vault or deal with me Dieter) he said, his voice was covered slightly by the mask but they all heard the authority in the voice.

The Manager now named felt nothing but fear as he looked at this figure and saw on his gloved hand a ring a symbol he recognised and feared.

 And willingly began to operate the many combinations to unlock the vault. When he completed his task, he was moved back by a soldier, whilst another turned the locks and with a great heave he pulled and pulled until finally the door was clear of the vault, with the metal walls of the extra strong bank was thousands of pounds of different "precious" items, there were piles of gold bars stacked up in selective cages. Further back were thousands of safety deposit boxes.

"nehmen Sie den Herrn Dieter in Gewahrsam" (Take Mr. Dieter into custody) shouted the German officer, his soldiers followed their orders and began to drag him away, while others began to enter the vault to begin the process of seizing all the valuables.

"Stellen Sie sich die Menge an Ressourcen vor, die er mit all dem hätte kaufen können" (Imagine the amount of resources he could have bought with all of this) the mystery man stated, looking into the depths of the vault. Stepping through the open circular door, he brushed straight past all the bars of gold.

"Schau dir all diesen Schatz an" (Look at all this treasure)  he heard a soldier cry.

But this was not his focus, he walked straight past it all, his cane tipping with each step he took, he by the cages filled with gold and soldiers, into the furthest section of the entire vault. Where a table and chair sat alone in the middle of an empty space surrounded by the many, many locked safety deposit boxes. The figure moved through them, looking upon the numbers of each box, until he found what he was after.

Taking his cane in both hands he pivoted the figure of the shark so that its jaws pointed down to the cane, whilst the tail was brought upwards, the dorsal finn however remained still as the rest swivelled taking a firm place between both lengths of the tail, becoming more like a trident than a tail. 

Then with his grip along the length of the body pulled revealing a blade from within only slightly shorter than the cane itself. Then with a swift strike and crash he drove the blade into the space between the box door and the next and with a great force he broke the lock and opened the way to the box within. returning the sword to its home, he retrieved the box, placed upon the table and collected the contents, a collection of many decayed papers, but his eyes went through each piece with a great amount of detail, then he folded the papers and placed them within his pocket. "Nicht jeder Schatz ist Silber und Gold" (Not every treasure is silver and gold) he whispered.

As he walked out the bank, he yet again passed the officer "danke Kommandant" (thank you commander) he walked out of the bank and into the open world without another word, the following day in papers across Europe the headlines were.

                  FRANKFURT BANK RAIDED

            EVIDENCE OF AQUALIST SUPPORT

After a organised raid by the German military upon the Konnigs bank in Frankfurt evidence was discovered that incriminated the bank into secretly supporting the Extremist group known as the Knights of Vanall better known as the Aqualists. Lead by the now notorious Djeck Vanall.

According to sources the bank was holding a various precious items including gold bars as well as bearer bonds linking the Aqualists to several other private companies and political groups across Europe. Documents found within the bank pointed to the Aqualists using the materials to continue the expansion of their military forces currently fighting across the globe.

Lazarus War-Day 108- Charlotte South Carolina

Despite the destruction across the world caused by the Aqualists armies and their troops pushing in on their borders, Florida and Virginia cannot get passed their differences and still are technically at war with each other. With Virginia launching a fleet of Zeppelin bombers against the Floridan territories, these Zeppelins were immense sized creations, capable of carrying and releasing over fifty large bombs and countless smaller bomb-lets.

None knew where the Virginians got these creations, but everyone in Florida knew of the destruction they could cause. In many towns and cities sirens were sounded constantly upon the sight of a Zeppelin coming over the horizon, the Floridan federal government called on the creation of a special unit of lookouts that would scan the horizon for any sightings in order to give the settlements chance to get people to safety.

But then one day Florida decided they have had enough. The factory complex was the largest the Virginians could find, meant to build and store the thousands of bombs and act as a base for the zeppelins that were anchored in the open concrete courtyard just outside.

Running through the factories upon the walkways and paths around the multiple pieces of equipment and machines that were producing the bombs destroying their towns. These were Floridan soldiers in their distinct uniforms that to those of you with history resembled the uniforms of the Old ones from their first world war, and they had come here to end the terror coming from the skies, they moved with purpose constantly aiming their weapons at the workers and captured Virginian militiamen as they were moved out from the complex structures, to any onlookers this was not a simple hash tag raid by a small unit, this was a well planned and brilliantly executed operation, for the Virginians had been caught unawares and did not even have a chance to put up any form of defence.

High upon one of the catwalks stood a well dressed officer, wearing a style of uniform that allowed the others to recognise his rank in an instant, he shouted orders to all around him. "Bring the prisoners with us... Kill any who resist". He made his way down the catwalk stairs and out into the courtyard which divided the different sections of the complex, there standing before him with the Zeppelins anchored to the concrete floor, were three men, all of them different from all the others in the complex.

For two men standing either side of the middle man, their style of clothing was military, dark black clothing and body armour and even helmets. As they turned to look at the officer, he could see their faces too were hidden by black balaclavas that covered their faces except their eyes. They wielded weapons which were very different from the simple bolt/lever action or Breach loader rifles that the Floridans were using, instead they were holding very professional weapons that were very advanced and seemed to be fully automatic. On the back on the one to his left the officer saw on the back of this mysterious soldier a long tube like object strapped onto his back. Yet one thing was clear on both of these two men an emblem on their hands, or at least in this case on their gloves.

For the man in the middle though, his manner of clothing was more stylish, he was wearing a long dark black rain coat that stretched all the way down his legs, with a dark hood covering his head, black leather gloves and boots. Turning to look the man revealed his face to be hidden as well by a mask that covered all but his eyes, within one of his hands was the grip of a long walking cane with the grip being decorated like a shark.

"Do we have them?" he said

The officer stepped forward, stood at attention and saluted this man "We captured the Aqualists Alive as ordered sir...." To the captured Virginians this was a shock a Floridan commander calling a civilian sir "Including this one sir". A pair of Floridan soldiers dragged forward a woman, from the factory the officer had just come from, she was middle aged with red hair and pale skin, they planted her on her knees before this mystery figure.

Looking up she saw what she could only dread, she had heard of this man the relentless hunter of the organisation she was a part of, for the figure once more spoke aloud "Good afternoon Capitan... it has been along time has it not" The figure brought forward his cane gripping it in both hands but not to use but to lean on as the tip never left the ground.

"Please don't hurt me.... I'm just an engineer" she begged with a sense of urgency.

"An engineer that is loyal to someone who seeks to bring peace through the creation of Chaos" The figure said "but now you face someone who knows you... Capitan"

"Stop that why do keep calling me that" she asked pondering why this man was calling her Captain.

The figure lowered himself to look her straight into the eye "That was your rank was it not, when we first met not so long ago.... You wore a uniform back then of course among the Parisienne"

She was then ever more terrified for as she looked this figure in the eyes she finally knew who it was behind the mask "You".

The figure returned to his feet and twisted to look back at the Zeppelins, "A Phantom from the deepest shadow", raising his right hand his clicked his fingers, with this order the soldier to his left pulled the long, fat tube from off his back, took a knee and aimed it directly at the closest Zeppelin. Now the central figure had an open right hand raised slightly signally when to fire the weapon, when from behind him he heard the prisoner beg "Wait.... you Can't.... their all loaded with explosives you'll set the whole place off".

The figure didn't move, just twisting his head slightly to look back "Commander... are your men clear", the officer just looked at him, and nodded his head with a crooked grin on his face, "Then why shouldn't we light the fireworks", with this final statement he dropped his hand firmly.

The soldier fired the weapon sending a rocket gushing out of the tube with a great Swoosh, the rocket sped through the air ripping through the closest Zeppelin in one way and then out the other until finally as it struck the second in line, it ignited the entire Zeppelin into a great burst of fire and explosions. This set off a chain reaction igniting all the others around it and as they began to plummet to earth the stores of explosives below began to burst into flames themselves.

As soon as the flames ignited above them, the band of three mysterious figures made their way out of the complex in a calm and professional manner as if the whole place was not about to burst into a cataclysm of fire and smoke.

The following day the newspapers had a new headline.

                                VIRGINIA LOSES AIRPOWER

           FLORIDANS RAID ZEPPELIN COMPLEX

Yesterday afternoon, Floridan forces launched a coordinated raid against a factory complex within the Virginian town of Charlotte South Carolina. The attack although destructive has according to sources completely destroyed the Virginian Zeppelin fleet which had been used for several months to commit bombing raids across the Federation of Florida.

The Floridan President told reporters yesterday that the raid was a tremendous success and continued by stating that she now had high hopes that Florida and Virginia could finally negotiate terms for a peace treaty so that both nations can better fight the Aqualist armies advancing from the Plains.

Lazarus War- Day 110- United Oceanic Republic Capital of Atlantis

The city had changed since the defeat of the Vanallist Coup, but even now those who supported them, years on were being hunted down. By two different individuals.

Her name was Leanne Anders, sister of the reigning Protectorate Allen Anders and sister to a man who is now considered to be a traitor, hers and Allens younger brother Adam. Leanne was a military woman, now a commander she lead here own team.

She sat back in the command centre recovering from raid they had launched on the lower levels of the city, the aim was capture, arrest and bring in for questioning a suspected Vanallist supporter. Yet when they had stormed the building, they found the Vanall cell entirely wiped out, their bodies stretching the building, some had been shot others had been cut up with a sword or dagger.
Their entire operation had been recorded by helmet cameras, so then they would be able to go over every detail should anything happen, and it did especially for Leanne.

They continued into the building, checking and clearing corners and rooms, until finally they found a single closed door, stacking up properly on either side, Leanne gave the signal to breach. They crashed the door down and poured in ready to fight, yet they found a single person tied to a chair in the middle of the room. "Check him" Leanne ordered.
One soldier came up and examined the face "Its our target boss..... badly beaten... looks like he was interrogated early"

A thud from another room set them back in place ready to fire. They stormed the room and saw a single cloaked and hooded man wearing mask dart out of an open window down onto the street below. "Cut him Off!!" Leanne ordered as she gave chase following the same path.

She chased the figure down various streets and alleys, she found herself amazed at this persons speed and agility, able to weave and manoeuvre around even the tightest spaces. Then near the abandoned moon pools, meant originally for the unloading of cargo, she lost him.

Slowly she began to check the doors to every warehouse and pool, then a click, one of them was open. Slowly she peaked through "Alpha 1.. to all team... street 616 moon pool 12.... R.V now"

The replies came in and soon the team arrived ready to help. They entered like they did before, slowly smoothly, swiftly, from the proverb, "Slow is smooth, smooth is fast". Until they came to the entrance to the main pool.

They breached the door and saw the room that would resemble a swimming pool, with a body of water surrounded by strong walls and ladders leading within. But the Pool had an occupant a single submersible, that was unknown in design, more width than length, with long wings stretching out across the calm water.

And then... "BANG!" an explosion struck them followed by multiple elements of gun fire, Leanne suddenly realised, this man was the Phantom and looking at their assailants, he had deliberately lead them to another Aqualist Cell.

Over the Gun Fire, Leanne looked to see the Phantom standing atop the submarine, looking straight at her "EVER THE BADASS.... HUH..." his words were suddenly covered up as the fire fight got worse.

Back in the Command centre later that day, the technician was going through all the footage from the helmet cams, With Leanne just next to him filling out reports. "See he says something there" he said.

Leanne just chuckled "Sure.... T.... sure"

The technician did some of his tricks on the computer replaying constantly trying to make it work.

"EVER THE BADASS.. HUH.. L" He tried again, with something else "EVER THE BADASS... HUH...L" Yet again he failed, the Gunfire was just too much, so he decided to reduce certain areas of the sounds.

Until finally "EVER THE BADASS... HUH...LITTLE LEE" Leanne all but jumped out of her seat, Little Lee was, her.
Little Lee was a name she had not heard in years, not since the death of her uncle, the only person in the world who knew that nick name for her.

Chapter 2: On the Wall was the Resistance

Lazarus War - Day 180

North America, the first front line to be created in the war against the Aqualists and their allies, Vanalls forces in the Plains Nations despite losing their base of operations and their ability to produce more weapons and tanks, they are still a force to be reckoned with the number of tanks was limited but still technically invincible, the air drones they had were impervious against standard weapons.

As the remaining nations attempt to establish a firm defence against the advance, the Resistance a collection of tribes that still held the fighting spirit, lead by the now infamous Katrina Eves, whom despite 7 months pregnant was still leading the fight by example. Yet she was fighting an unwinnable war, from hundreds of strongholds now she only had one left, Chicago Illinois and it was only holding out against the Aqualist army and the traitorous tribes that have decided to side with them to gain more power. The only reason Chicago was holding out was due to its colossal wall made of bullet proof scrap metal, that ran all around the city.
(Map below- Red= Resistance -Dark=Aqualist/Allie)

Yet as previously stated they were losing the fight, everyday their supplies of food were dwindling with over 1,000 fighters and around 4,000 civilians within the walls. But even worse was the rate that they were using their stores of ammunition, with every defence of the different sections of the wall the number of rounds got lower and lower, as does the number of fighters, for the resistance despite their determination to continue to the battle their courage gives no safety from the power of the robotic tanks and the airborne drones.

The night was cold yet also warm, for a fire kept the small bedroom well lit and comfortable, sitting nice and relaxed looking out at the dark night sky was a young woman, her dark hair tied back into a pony tail which hung up behind her head, her skin was pale yet not perfect white a trait for many Atlanteans. Yet the clear sign was her engorged belly, this was Katrina Eves, leader of the resistance and former love of Adam Anders.

Since his sacrifice Adam had somewhat passed into legend, the Founder of the Knights who turned against them, the man who in a moment of courage and bravery willingly gave his life. But for Katrina she knew the truth, he had died for her. But as she stared out the broken window her silence was broken.
A voice came from the doorway "Excuse me ma'am the Vanallists are moving on the wall again".

She slowly rose from he place and steadied herself her breath heavy from having to watch herself and the child she bore. One step at a time she stepped over to a table on the far side of the room, picking up a fast acting assault rifle, fully automatic and powerful stolen from the Aqualists during the battle, she fixed a magazine and locked the first round into place. She was ready to fight, marching out of the room and down the hall towards a ramp that lead upwards, as she moved forward others followed suit, metallic from across the plains like Jesse a young woman of the Plains, with long blonde hair tied back into a long pony tail in her hands was an old but efficient bolt action rifle, Dwellers from the Hoover Dam, like Mick Neldon, a shorter man like all Dwellers, a rough man with an affinity for explosives and big bangs, he followed to Katrina's left pump action shotgun in hand, with Jesse to his right.

These three were members of the original group that destroyed the Base in Nevada, now they were leaders of the resistance fighting to give others a chance. As they rose up the ramp, the world was opening up to them, the air became less constrictive, instead of decaying wood the air was filled with smoke and soot from the burning city around them. They were now atop the monumental metal wall that circled the inner city.

Chicago famed throughout North America as the only city never to fall to the Plains Nations, the city had built a great wall to surround the city to defend it, made of reinforced metal that was completely bullet proof, with a small gates for access. The city was well established, with a proper police force, proper uniforms and electric cars that resembled true police cars with sirens and paint jobs. Yet now it was the last stronghold for the resistance, an annoyance that the Knights of Vanall and their supporters wanted to extinguish forever. A fight that they were barely making come true, the only effective battle the Vanallist were winning was in the air, using their air drones to bombard the city behind the wall.

Yet atop the wall the resistance, police officers in their proper black uniforms and citizens of Chicago readied themselves for another fight, as they turned to see Katrina, Jesse and Mick rising atop the wall they watched with pride as their leaders came forward.

Katrina took her position, "Fire on my command" she shouted, she then aimed her weapon outwards at a low angle down from the wall, the others all followed suit, then with a small whisper she gave the order "For Adam" she then pulled on the trigger unleashing countless bullets, all followed firing again and again with every weapon they had, some with rifles, others with shotguns some with pistols, some even with bows and arrows.

Whilst down below them Tribes loyal to Vanall alongside Knights of Vanalls own forces pushed forward trying to get close enough so that they can break the walls down and move into the city. Yet like many times before they were never even able to get close, those in front fell to the ground riddled with bullets, others dove for whatever cover they could find around them, whether it be ruined walls, rusted old cars or even the bodies of their fallen, there would be no mercy here. Their determination and foolishness to attack head on without a real battle plan was a clear sign of who they were.

Everything about these attackers, from their tactics to their clothing, none of them were wearing proper military style equipment like that of the true Aqualist armies, but instead they were wearing whatever they could get their hands on, but to identify themselves they all wore High visibility vest and gas masks of different kinds to stop the uptake of dust in the air. These were Vanallists, tribes, cities and peoples that had chosen to support The Knights of Vanall even going so far as to give them fighters and resources at their disposal. But unlike the true Aqualist troops they were not properly trained in combat or large scale engagements. But they were backed up by the more powerful robotic Tanks and Aerial Drones that reigned fire upon the defenders.

Against all the odds they held out, But Katrina was worried for many things, the resistance for it was in shambles, barely holding out against the armies constantly wearing them down. She feared for the thousands who had taken shelter behind the Chicago walls, all of them terrified that the enemy would break through and slaughter them all or worse. But as well as all this she was scared for the life she was carrying within her, the unborn child she carried, she wasn't afraid to die before but as the months have gone on and her pregnancy has continued she began to question her place in the fight how could she risk so much when she would be responsible for another.

Yet for the moment she must focus, she remembered where she was. The makeshift war room in the heart of the city, a ruined building patched up and repaired so often there was little of the original walls, lit up by dozens of candles of different sizes, a centre table was the focus holding a map of the entire city detailing the position of the walls drawn upon it and coins painted red and black for the two different sides detailing where was what.

"We're in bad way Katrina" Jesse stated with gruff in her voice from fatigue and countless amounts of dust and smoke in her lungs "I'd say at the moment out fighters are down to at least 30 shots per man...."

The stocky Dweller Mick continued "The Walls in a bad place too... those tanks are making it hard, we've started collecting whatever scrap metal we can but its limited"

Jesse regained the debate "Hell they don't even need to go through the wall.... those bloody drones are wiping us out.... whenever they can the bastards send them up to rain either bombs on us or to strafe us" and she was right they all knew it, no weapon they had was of any use against any of the more powerful Aqualists forces, the tanks and the drones could win the battle if they wanted too, the only reason they had been sent in force was because they couldn't be replaced only repaired and Vanallists didn't want to risk losing them.  "Kat.... we need help... Florida promised help but not one ship has been here in over a month... and the last one only had food not ammunition"


"They said they can't get the ships through to our friends in Canada, Virginia has sealed off access to any but their flags" Katrina was ever afraid she knew it was now only a matter of time, either the drones bomb them into surrender or more likely they would run out of ammunition and be overrun when they break down the walls, what then? Fight with bows and arrows against the automatic rifles the enemy wielded.

Yet her attention was drawn away for a second a strange sound began to hum in her ears, she knew instantly what it was. Turning to look through the ruined walls, there in the distance, coming across the horizon, high in the sky were large metal oval like shapes, Aqualist airships, large zeppelin like vessels reinforced with heavy armour capable of dropping dozens of large bombs or hundreds of smaller bomb-lets, coming in for another bomb raid.


Chapter 3: The Brotherhood of the Nautilus

Across the hills and mountains in a great city of Virginia, was a drunken man who was known for his focus yet now here he was in a bar, drinking without a care in the world. Rumour had it, that he had sold information about some shadowy group for a hefty profit and was now enjoying the spoils.

People cheered alongside him as he bought round after round for all present, until a sudden knocking came at the door, they paid no attention until the knocking came once again much stronger than before. Everyone froze in place as the bartender came around his place towards the already unlocked door, slowly opening the door thinking that a Virginian raid was coming he readied himself to run, but as he opened he saw just one Virginian soldier who was unarmed.

The soldier said "Thank you sir.... I understand you have a Jason Bennett present... I would like to speak to him" The bartender immediately pointed him out, the man who had buying rounds for everyone. The soldier smiled nodding his head as he made entry, taking a seat in a private section of the booths, he offered his hand to Mr Jason Bennett, who cautiously took his place opposite the soldier.

His first thought was that the soldier was here with the remainder of his payment, as well as to collect on the information he had promised them. The soldier smiled at him "He is not happy Jason" he whispered, Jason became terrified he knew exactly whom he was discussing, "He doesn't like the fact that your willing to sell out your brothers and sisters"

"I can make it work for us... give them false leads" Jason begged, the soldier raised his hand calling for the begging to stop.

"The decision has been made Jason....." The Soldier reached into his uniform and slowly pulled an envelope, placing on the table "He wants you to have this" he slides it over, then leaves without another word.

Jason slowly looks at the envelope, the front merely states "For the Crime of Betrayal"
He became ever more afraid it meant that the group he was selling out had passed judgement, he opened the envelope out into a sheet of paper, his hands shaking the whole time, until he saw the message within. The Bartender approached the man who had looked like he had seen deaths hood-less face. "What is it?"

Without blinking Jason just shouts with the greatest sense of terror of the words "THE MARK OF BLOOD!" before screaming off up a set of stairs to his rented room. The bartender looks at the paper to see an emblem of some kind the message was like three droplets drawn onto the paper.

He questioned the recipient "What is it meant to mean?"

"It means I've been found guilty........That Mark is her calling card..... she'll becoming to kill me tonight!" He ran around his room collecting everything, but searching for one specific item, his pistol, he grabbed a bottle from his bag, the simplest but strongest rum taking a great sip to try and ease the tension within his head, He looked around but then began to feel strange pulling his index finger across his upper lip he found blood running from both his nostrils, dropping the bottle he saw that the liquid within was discoloured, he realised now that The Blood has already killed him.

Elsewhere in the world was another like poor Jason, those willing to sell out their faith and beliefs for profit or for an advantage over others. Like the self proclaimed lord of Sevastopol Maksim who for many years had ruled the city and the surrounding peninsular of the Crimea like a Tyrannical king, taking whatever he wished. The City was a centre for all trade in the Black Sea from the south and into the Eastern Asian heartland, this gave to him a great profit from taxes and levies.

This he either used on his self styled lavished life or to fund his strong military and his dream of expanding the Crimean territories into the rest of Europa and Russia. But one day whilst he enjoyed the life he was living, he found a peculiar letter upon his table beneath the plate filled with the best meats and fruits.

Curious he looked upon the address on its front, yet there was none just the words "For the crime of Tyranny and for Supporting the Knights of Vanall"

He opened the letter and found it was blank except for the strange drawing of a hammer, scoffing at the strange mark he tossed it aside and continued to eat. When a gentle tapping came upon his dining room door, "Go away" he shouted in his native Russian, again he returned to stuffing his mouth with the fruits of someone else's labour. The knocking came upon the door again but more furiously than before, Again he shouted "I Said Go.." he had sudden need to pause when the doors came tumbling down with such a force that the table shook and the food spread across it shuffled in many directions.

Maksim now looked directly ahead of him, looking upon a strange man, very tall and muscular wearing padded clothing and armour across his body like a radiation suit but with elements of armour plating covering it, his head was hidden away however with a protective gas mask covering much his face, the mask was an old one with two cylindrical filters one on either side of the mouth.

This strong man slowly walked into the room with the force of his thick heavy boots hitting the floor echoing in all directions, this individual was so strong and powerful that he couldn't walk and move quietly.

Maskim looked at this man as he got ever closer, his only bodyguard now stepping forward to defend his master. Yet before he could even draw his weapon, the stranger picked him up with his left hand alone, lifted him up into the air and as the guard gasped for air the stranger made a simple move with his wrist and fingers and a sudden sound could be heard "Crack!". Releasing his grip the bodyguard just dropped to the floor with a thud.

Now Alone Maskim began to try another method "I see you are capable man.... Someone I could have use for.... I have an offer one that could make you a very rich man"

Through his mask the stranger began to speak with a deep intimidating pitch to each word coming through the mask, "There is nothing you can offer Maskim.... this has been a long time coming"

"How come I get the feeling I've wronged you" He asked

"You do not remember" The stranger tilted his head looking down at the man he was here for,"A small farming village in the Caucasus where people were happy.... until you decided they needed to be an example..... remember.... the screams of my wife...  as you raped her..... the cries of my daughters as you hung them" Maskim was now remembering... for this stranger this was far from Vengeance, far from Justice, far from even being Personnel, this was something else, something undefinable.

"Now you have overstepped" The stranger muttered picking up the letter from the table side "You have been Judged by the Brotherhood of the Nautilus, and it seems you didn't care to even understand the verdict"

"Verdict?" Maskim muttered

The Stranger pulled off his back a large hammer, the same kind depicted in the letter holding it steadily in his hand with the head closest to his right hand "I am the Hammer of the Nautilus.... and by that letter your fate is sealed".

Atlantis intelligence report 229845

Subject: Brotherhood of the Nautilus

From what information we have been able to collect regarding the Brotherhood, they are an break away of the Knights of Vanall, yet are set against the Vanallist extremism.

From analysis of information given to us by Commander Leanne Anders, which apparently was left to her by her Uncle, Former Admiral Constantine Anders. The Brotherhood was initially founded by a triumvirate which include Constantine Anders, Adam Anders who was one of the Knights of Vanalls founders and Katrina Eves.

According to the information the Brotherhood was created by the three as a way to counter the growing radicalism that the Knights were going down even before they attempted a coup against Atlantis. It would appear that Constantine provided the Loyal government forces secretly with information that aided in the defeat of the Vanallists, whilst Adam and Katrina recruited individuals from with the ranks of the Knights .

After which according to Katrina Eves in a communicai we had with her after Adams death the Brotherhood under Adam Anders began to spread across the world in secret providing information of Vanalls operations to nations and states that resisted them.

Now however after Adams death it seems that the Brotherhood has become more active, our agents have linked the Brotherhood to hundreds of acts of destruction and espionage across the world, raging from a bombing in Mumbai, to the Assassination of a Sheriff in the British Commonwealth and the deposing and circumstantial murder of a Crimean Warlord.

All information seems to point to a mysterious individual who calls himself the Phantom, we have no knowledge of the man, except that he is a man, this is due to his obsession in keeping his identity a complete secret, he wears a mask and keeps his body covered at all times so we don't have a face or even DNA. According to our information the Phantom is approximately in his twenties, highly skilled in combat and tactical thinking, is severely scarred and appears to have extensive knowledge of the Aqualist operations across the world.

Thanks to our Agents we have begun to build up a picture of what the structure of the Brotherhood Appears to be, the best we have so far is shown below, made from the inquires of Commander Leanne Anders.

Now as it shows above, the Phantom sits at the top, with six below him, according to our information these Six acts as the elite of the elite of the Brotherhood, a statement given to a Virginian law officer states that an informant had been poisoned after he apparently received a letter bearing what he said to be the "Mark of Blood" where upon he raved that the mark meant he had been found guilty and that a woman was coming to kill him, our agents were able to obtain a copy of the autopsy report, which revealed the informant was killed by drinking a combination of some of the deadliest fast acting toxins in the world.

So it is to our assumption that the Six act as both the elite force of the Brotherhood each with a squad of soldiers to command, but are also responsible for assassinations and eliminating any who threaten the Brotherhoods survival.

As the Phantom himself, We have little to no information on him, there are many stories about him and his origins. The most believed was that he was a early member of the Knights of Vanall yet he was then excommunicated by Djeck Vanall himself, and some think that this was because the Phantom was more radical than Vanall himself, which has made many fearful of the Phantom because of Vanalls infamy for his Radical ideology.

Some consider that this was a deliberate act, that instead of The Phantom being excommunicated because of his radicalism but instead because of his resistance to Vanalls type of radicalism as information has come to us that indicates that the Phantom is not as racial biased as Vanall is.

However the Phantoms radicalism may be more focused on the destruction of ordered nations, in the last few months dozens of nations have either fallen apart or have been radically changed, these include the British Commonwealth, the German Confederate States, the New Ottoman Empire, The State of Gibraltar, The Kingdom of Mozambique and various smaller nations across the world.

The Following Documents are from operatives and assets we have placed in various nations:

German Confederate States- 

In the aftermath of the discovery of several banking associates clandestinely supporting the Aqualist cause, the German army has enacted a coup de'tait against the Confederacy, several of the states have declared their support for the Coup. Within those states the Confederate army has begun conducting mass arrests of all individuals related to the Aqualists in any way, whether like the banks, providing resources and funding, or political and military support.

Fighting is mostly focused around the larger cities of Berlin, Hamburg, Munich and Vienna. However the Forces loyal to the Coup are pushing hard against those loyal to the previous government most notably those of the Fascists, Already they have set up a system of free elections to allow for a civilian government to take over once this Civil war is over.

The New Ottoman Empire-

Our Operatives have confirmed that the Ottoman Emperor has made a declaration, calling on his viziers and ministers across the empire to actively hunt down any who have any support for the Aqualist cause, whether it be active or not. 

Already we have reports of the Janissary arresting several high ranking ministers and several emissaries from the Arab Republic of Egypt.

The Kingdom of Mozambique-

The Reigning Sultan of Mozambique has relented to Atlantis having an embassy within his City,
It would appear that this change of mind has come in the aftermath of several Aqualist sleeper cells being discovered within his Kingdom. Our intelligence believes that the Brotherhood had a hand in the discovery, so much so that one of our agents believes that the Sultans own Son is a member of the Organisation.

Chapter 4: The Brotherhood Knows it Friends

The shadows are a dark place a haven for those with chaos in mind, but hidden away across the world was an organisation of able bodied fighters, spies, assassins and saboteurs all united under a mysterious figure that some compared with the boogeyman, where as other would say "He's the man that even the Boogeyman fears".

Many would think that the Phantom would choose a secret location hidden away from the world, when in fact he was hiding in plain site. His Global Headquarters was in the heart of a once great city of the Old ones, named after their nations first leader, as was the seat of what they believed to be the greatest country in the world. Now it was a ruin with thousands living within the crumbling remnants, but some buildings still stood strong, like what was a seat of power and was now the headquarters of the Brotherhood, a great house of the palest white, covered in plants, with a great garden and security fence surrounding it and beyond that fence a sanctuary known as Haven, a protected walled community where all were welcome as long as they did not conduct acts of violence, prejudice or racial distinction, all of it protected by a militia calling themselves the "Brotherhood". As far as anyone was concerned they were merely one of several gangs in the city, yet they were the only one that allowed all within their territory.

Now the Phantom sat in a great office, looking out across a collection of ruins in the black night that were still being reformed darkness covered much of the city but some light could be seen in small plots on all horizons, he sat in a leather swivel chair, his leather coat gripping the staunch leather of the chair, his cloth and leather gloves covering his hands, his left twiddling a small coin near his head and the right swivelling his shark cane on around on the floor, the shark in his hand, and the tip never leaving the floor.

His face hidden behind a solid metal mask of the darkest black, only his eyes white as perfect snow coming through his eye slots his left the palest of either. Through the mask and hood he could hear music bellowing away around him, after all every secret society needs a cover and for the brotherhood, theirs was the most popular night club and bar in the whole city. Hundreds of people crammed in the building, in the various rooms as well as in the gardens partying and enjoying life little knowing that they were being used as a front cover.

Meanwhile the real purpose of the Building could be found in a secret bunker located deep beneath the club. It was there that more lights and sounds could be found but instead of people enjoying themselves it would be focused individuals from across the world working a great interactive board showing the entire planet and the activities of the Nautilus across the seas, oceans and continents.

Above them was the Phantom who just sat there looking into the abyss, many who knew him understood that he had suffered, very few knew his true Identity, those among them were the "Six", the elite of the elite amongst the Brotherhood. He sat within this office of power, his attention was turned to something more personal, a small picture 4 by 6 in size, it was very old but nice and clean, not a single crease at any point not even the corners, this photograph was very precious to him, yet none really knew why he kept hold of something so small for so long.

So would say that it is a reminder for what he has lost or to remember who he was, others say it was what he was fighting for. But no one knew for sure, yet this was as previously stated personal, he preferred that no one would know why he kept hold of this single picture it was his reason no one elses. He needed something to distract him, turning away from the window he nudged his mask ever so slightly to allow his gloved hand up and behind it. Once back in view he checked and saw what everyone would recognise, a tear, rubbing the liquid drop between his finger and thumb he edged it away. Returning the photo to its safe place within his desk, he bolted the drawer in which he placed it and tucked the key safely to a pocket within his long coat.

A sudden knock at the door returned the phantom to the land of the living, "Sorry sir" a voice went, the Phantom looked up and saw one of the Six entering, slim but muscular in his movements, a long rifle upon his back, atop his head was a top hat with a long feather tied upon it extending upwards and outwards to the hats top rim. "I know you asked for some privacy sir" the man continued with his voice being that of the higher class, clear and elegant.

The Phantom raised a hand "Bullet.... My friend" he uttered "it is alright... what have you brought?".

The Man now identified walked forward to stand in front of the desk "The reports for you sir" handing a bundle of small folders and placing them carefully upon the desk.

The Phantom just looked without making a move "The Summary?"

"Operations are going well.... our allies in Germany are making life extremely difficult for Vanalls boys over there" He paused to catch a breath "Also sir the parcel you dispatched has arrived safely in Atlantis and has been left with the Family as requested, we can confirm that they opened the boxes and read the files" The Phantom seemed to relax slightly, leaning back into the chair.

"I have a mission if you want it Bullet?" He asked

The Bullet just took short quick breaths before answering "My boys sir are always ready...." he was excited "Any chance to get back at those bastards".

The Phantom tapped his cane "There is no call for bad language"

The Bullet paused before muttering the words "Sorry sir, I got carried away"

A moment of silence ensued before the Phantom explained the mission "Katrina Eves" he muttered "Her resistance is currently under heavy siege in Chicago..... Without help they will not last much longer.... Your orders are to escort myself, the other members of the six, a stock-load of supplies which will include weapons, ammunition, food and medical supplies"

The Bullet smiled a cheeky grin "Well sir I thought you'd be asking for something difficult"

"An entire Army is laying siege to Chicago.... Vanallist forces and Aqualist Tribes..... make sure your fighters are ready for a war" Standing up the Phantom looked out the window towards the nearby bay, seeing a fleet of submersible ships being loaded with everything they would be taking with them, including very big guns. "Its time we let people know that the Brotherhood Knows its Friends.... and is ready to fight for them"

"There is another matter sir.... Leanne Anders is in the city"

The Phantom froze almost out of fear, "Then we must welcome our guest, send a message inviting her to stay at the Capitol hotel" the Capitol hotel being the once mighty building in which a "Great government would convene. "And grant her V.I.P access in the club"

The Bullet bowed her head tipping his top hat and walked out without another word.


Chapter 5: Welcome to the VIP

Leanne had come to investigate, her curiosity of this Brotherhood of the Nautilus had been spiked with the documents left by her Uncle. Stepping off an old tram-steamer, with her undercover alias alongside her fellow commandos, she was suddenly stopped by a young girl running past, bumping into her. At first she passed it off as a simple accident, but as she placed her hands in her pockets she found a slip of paper.

" My dear Miss Leanne Anders

You and your "Associates" have been granted rooms at the Capitol Hotel on the hill, Forgoing all expenses at the request of the owner.

Please present this document to the front desk and declare yourself by your true name and say you have a reservation

Yours in Brotherhood"


She was at a loss, she didn't understand, but then her focus noticed the words "Yours in Brotherhood" she suddenly realised this was a message from the group she was seeking out. So She decided to let caution go to the wind for the moment at least, secretly signalling the other commandos to regroup and follow her lead, she began to follow the route from the Potomac river docks and towards the now clearly define Capitol hotel.

On her Arrival she found something very different than what she was expecting, most the Washington D.C was ruins and half built homes, yet the Hotel was immaculately clean and organised, yet people from all walks of life could be seen within, whether they were employees or guests.

As instructed she approached the front desk with every member of staff watching her and her troop, The front desk was made of solid marble like the stone that held the building up with great columns of White rock. The attendant was a woman no more than 20 wearing a nicely pressed black and white suit and a short black tie around her neck, her hairline was cut short not lower than her ears.

"How might I help miss" She asked, Leanne slowly reached into her pocket and pulled out her note.

"Um.... Leanne Anders..... I believe we have a reservation" She replied cautiously noticing the armed guards watching the stairs.

The Attendant didn't even look at anything "Oh yes of course, Madam, we have you and your associates in rooms 1.19 through to 1.23" Reaching beneath the desk the attendant passed over a set of four separate keys each labelled with the room numbers engraved on a metal tag. "Oh and this was left for you miss".

The Attendant then passed over a brochure, detailing the White House Club, the most popular club and bar in the city. But Leanne noticed something more important when she opened it up, "Come to the V.I.P.... Come Alone"

Leanne was worried at first but, came to the conclusion if the Brotherhood wanted her dead, then they could have done it several times already.

So it was she came in her best clothing possible, walking up the front steps of the White House front entrance, the fashionable entrance with people dancing the night away, drinking and celebrating life. Yet this was not what she was here for, as she came up to the front door a doormen stopped her "With your permission miss.... no weapons are allowed in the club", Leanne smiled and nodded her head. She expected the Guard to pat her down, but no the guard merely waved some paddle like tool around her, with a strange beep as it went. Satisfied the Guard stopped and extended his arm into the building.

Okay now she was in, now she needed to keep moving, next stop V.I.P section as stated in the invitation, moving through the close nit crowd she moved from room to room on the ground floor. Or at least what would be considered the ground floor in this case, finally she spotted two armed individuals guarding a set of stairs that unlike all the others which had been boarded up were open.

Thinking this was the path, she approached them "Is this the V.I.P section" she asked, one guard nodded his head before pulling a clipboard and paper from behind him.

"Name" he asked

"Anders... Leanne Anders" The reply came, the Guard just nodded and stepped aside, obvious granting of passage Leanne began the walk up the stairs. Into something very different from below, on the ground floor there were hundreds of people crammed in rooms or terraces, yet here there were only less than a hundred, all of them enjoying the peace and serenity of the calming smooth jazz music being played by a live band. In this great expanse of a room, were many tables and chairs, a bar on the far side and opposite on the furthest side were a set of around seven booths with only one person sitting within one in the far corner, a cane being twiddled by his free hand as he watched the band and a martini upon the table, she just presumed he must be the owner, yet his head was mired in shadow.

Suddenly a word was heard "Miss" she jumped in surprise "Sorry madam I didn't mean to spook you" she turned and saw a man who was clearly Atlantean from his body, partially webbed hands and greasy hair. He was wearing a very stylish suit like those worn by violinists with the long tails behind and a top hat with a feather hooked in, "Follow me please" he stated.

Leading the way he took her to the back where the Booths were, extending his arm down, ushering her to take a seat, she realised she was going to be sitting across from the only person in the whole "V.I.P section" who was sitting back here.

Taking her seat, she placed her hands onto the table, one atop the other. Yet nothing happened, this mysterious figure just continued watching, until finally he looked away still twiddling his shark grip cane "Aah Miss Anders" he stated looking up, Leanne was ever more surprised as the figure did not show his face, instead he was wearing a dark mask which covered much of his face except around his mouth which was severely scarred by what appeared to be burn marks on at least his right side, so that he might enjoy his martini.

"Do apologise for any trouble.... Allow me to introduce myself.."

"Your the Phantom" she interrupted "The leader of the Brotherhood of the Nautilus" She paused looking to his Top hat friend "And I'd guess he would be one of the Six elites you have"

The Phantom smiled "Now my ears have heard that you have come to seek us out" she was suddenly on the defensive, how did he know she was here for him? "How can the Brotherhood help Atlantis"

Leanne leaned forward "I need information.... on someone" she paused "A politician who I suspect has been selling minerals and other such illegally"

Suddenly the Phantom turned darker, she could tell from the way his mouth sealed shut and his eyes through the eye holes narrowed "Miss Anders we cannot involve ourselves in the affairs of the Political Spectrum, Our focus is at this moment preventing the spread of Vanalls Influence across this world and ensure he does not succeed in winning this war" Leanne leaned back in disappointment.

But the Phantom was not done yet "But whilst your here, have a drink and relax.... you are my guest after all" he took a sip of his martini and returned to watching the band.

But before Leanne left, she muttered the words "Its not politics for me....this politician was there when my uncle was murdered" the Phantom stopped twiddling his cane. and peered through his eyes slots to watch as Leanne approached the bar.

Leanne was now in anger, she had hoped to get a evil man exposed and take another name from a list she held close to her heart, a list of all those who were there that night when Adam Anders her little brother killed the uncle she loved so much. She waited for her drink, when the waitress returned "Compliments of the owner" She just figured that he was trying to curry favour for not helping her.

But when she turned around back to the bar grabbed her own Martini and looked down at the serviette, she saw the words "For Constantine Anders R.I.P" and beneath the serviette she found a floppy disk. Turning back to the Phantom she found the booth empty and the Martini glass drank. She could only smile as she realised the words for Constantine meant something more.

A few weeks later the United Oceanic Republics (Atlantean Republics) were hit by a definitive story.

Vanallist in The High Council!

The United Republics received a shock yesterday when well renowned member of the Protectorate High Council Charles Thorton was arrested on a charge of High treason.

Protectorate Allen Anders in a public declaration had stated that after a long going investigation, evidence was unveiled that detailed the councillors not only corruption but also membership and support of the Knights of Vanall, the evidence was said to have provided irrefutable proof that the Councillor had been secretly supplying the Traitor Djeck Vanall with vast quantities of minerals and ores to support the  continued war against Atlantean Allies in North America and Africa.

The Councillor was arrested and is currently being held in maximum security facility until a trial date can be set. When asked how the evidence came to be, Protectorate Anders called on his younger sister Commander Leanne Anders who stated that it was passed on by an confidential informant.

Chapter 5: Light the way

The Air was cold again, as Katrina could only look out and watch as the large drone bombers began coming in once again to set the city alight, one thing that gave her hope was the fact that the city lay next to the water so they had endless supply to put out the fires. For thats all the bombers would drop, not bombs to tear the city apart but merely to light up through the night.

All she could do was watch as the great metal monsters flew closer and closer, all she expected was to hear the great booms alongside the screams. But as she looked out she something very different, she heard a sudden thunderclap like sound, then she witnessed never before seen, the three great bombers that were originally fast approaching were now slowly falling to earth in great balls of flame themselves.

At first she thought herself to be dreaming, but then a sudden knock at her door "Katrina..... some boats have come into the harbour" a shout came, she knew who it was Mick the Dweller, grabbing her rifle she ran out as fast as she could possibly move.

By the time she got to the harbour however a crowd had gathered, many of the resistance fighters had their weapons readied, after all they were not expecting visitors. pushing through she came to the head and found a fleet of small submarine like ships unloading cargo onto the shore, and standing in front of her were seven mysterious figures, six of them wearing military style clothing, three men and three women. One of the men was incredibly tall and muscular, but was wearing a stronger set of armour and a strange gas-mask of some kind, upon his back was a large sledgehammer, the other military man was skinnier, but had a variety of ballistic weapons upon his person, ranging from simple pistols upon his hips, a dual barrelled shotgun upon his lower right leg and a long sniper rifle on his back, yet like the larger man his face was hidden but this time with a simple swatch of cloth around his mouth and nose.

The Third and final male wearing junta styled armour was slightly shorter, he seemed older by comparison from the way he leaned into his long staff from the looks of it. His style of clothing was similar to that of a voodoo priest from Africa, even his dark skin pointed to this as it was covered in tribal paint and markings. Covering his face was a long tribal like war mask made from single piece of dark wood.

The women were dressed differently but still military.

One was slightly shorter than the other possibly from being younger her clothing looser to allow better movement, on her back were a quiver filled with arrows and in her hands was a metallic looking bow, like her arrows which were clearly sophisticated not simple wooden shafts and metal scrap tips the resistance used. Her face was protected by some kind of wooden mask with only two small eye slots. The other woman seemed slightly older, yet her weapon was much like that of the larger man, instead of a ranged weapon she had on her back a long Katana like sword her clothing was similar to the stories she had heard of shadowy warriors known as Ninjas in the far east.

The Third woman was somewhat skinny, she had only small knives along her belt and shoulder straps, but also strange looking pouches and tiny test tube like vials.

Yet Katrina's attention was suddenly met with the leading man, the one who stood out, for he did not wear any military equipment, but instead a tailor made suit, waistcoat and a long coat and hood, his face hidden by a scary looking mask that loosely resembled a skull, but painted black. His gloved hands held the handle of a shark connected to a simple black wooded cane.

"Miss Eves I presume" The figure announced his voice altered by the mask "Allow me to introduce myself" Bowing down, extending his left arm out and away "I am the Phantom", standing up again he continued his introductions "Allow me also to introduce, The Hammer, the Bow, The Bullet, The Blood, The Spear and the Sword"

"Who Are you guys?" She asked "And how did you bring down those War bombers?"

The Phantom chuckled behind his mask "Katrina.... Surely you jest.... Don't you recognise us", a slight pause, seeing no response the phantom extended his arms out for all to see "We're the Brotherhood of the Nautilus" but then the Phantom paused noticing that Katrina was pregnant.

"I uh..." he paused to clear his throat "I see you've been busy.... after Adams death" pointing to her growing belly.

"If your referring to me being pregnant.... know that the baby's Adams" She responded abruptly and furiously. The Phantom before her, suddenly ceased any movement as if he was in a state of shock "How exactly did you know Adam?"

"Oh We go way back..... back to when he first challenged Vanall" He paused "But enough about the past.... we're here to get you folks out" gesturing with his hand and thumb pointing away.

Offering her hand, into the crowd, she lead the way into the city and towards the command centre. Where with a bit of privacy she continued her questioning "Adam was the only one who knew the Brotherhoods layout... how have you took over"

"Miss Eves..... Adam knew he couldn't trust anyone with that information.... but he could trust someone who doesn't exist" The response came "But can we get back to the matter at hand, My people and I will bust a hole in the besiegers around you... which will allow you and your lot outta here.... and with the supplies we're giving you.... can restart you fight closer to allies who can help you in the long run"

Katrina paused, "Let me get this straight, you and six other people are going to punch a hole in an army of hundreds of Vanallists tribesmen".

The Phantom chuckled and walked out only muttering "I'll light a flare when its clear" leaving Katrina pondering, the way this Phantom spoke was similar to someone she knew, yet she just couldn't put her finger on. Even Mick questioned that thought, for him though it was the way the Phantom acted after he heard that Adam was the father of the child Katrina was carrying.


Meanwhile on a completely different side of the city, on the other side of the metal walls that surround the city, the Commander of the Aqualist forces prepared to make the final blow. As he walked out of the Factory that served as his headquarters. All the soldiers within his command watched him walk with a swagger only a leader holds, his arms on either side of him, his black armour reflecting the light of the floodlights the surrounded the HQ, his entire Face hidden behind a mask like visor meant for the special forces of the Old ones.

As he walked past the numerous soldiers and Drone like tanks, the tanks lined up in groups, four across and four long, with the soldiers all in their elite equipment gathered by Squads, 3  rows of 6 soldiers. Above them the various sizes in Drones hovered, the heavy large bomber like craft, packed with a variety of bombs and bomblets, from high explosive to incendiary. Some were more maneuvrable, meant to straf the enemy with machine gun fire. With raised head the commander gave the order "Vanall!" he shouted, this shout was returned by a reply from all the troops behind him, "VANALL!" these same troops then stormed off, running in formation behind the factory to what could only be called a landing zone, with helicopter like craft,  with twin rotors atop them at the front and back, capable of carrying dozens of troops, and for the bigger ones countless dozens.

Back upon the wall however a crowd was gathering upon the walls, Katrina, Mick and Jesse included. They all watched as the Phantom and his six walked out the gate without a care in the world.

They walked forward in an arrow head formation the Phantom in the lead, lights erupted from the other side as the Vanallists saw the approaching enemy, the great drone tanks pulled up and aimed their weapons.

Then....


Chapter 6: We are the Brotherhood

Darkness and nothing more, the entire world had suddenly gone dark, the tanks lay dead with not  a single inch of damage at all to them, the electrical lights flickered until they went completely dead. The Vanallists ran back and forth grabbing traditional fire torches. looking towards the city to see that the approaching Seven figures had gone.

They had taken their roles seriously, upon the sudden darkness, they had divided and ran into the enemy in complete silence. Using the darkness they melted through the enemy camp and positions, no one could see them, only where they had been from the bodies that would be seen, the screams of the dead, the sound of their feet as they ran by.

The Vanallist were now terrified, they were the hunters yet now they were the hunted, looking back and forth some would band together only to fall one by one to shadows, bones and skulls crushed, bodies sliced open and cut up with precise slashes, arrows embedded in every mortal shot, small bullet holes from the silent shooter.
The Vanallists ran but none could escape the grip of the Brotherhood, none could escape becoming an anvil for the Hammer, the slash of the Sword, The Flying Arrow of the Bow, the whistle of the Bullet, the hiss of the Blood, the whoosh of the Spear and the Strikes of the Phantom.

High upon the wall Katrina, felt a sudden pain within, she passed it off as the baby fidgeting, making her feel unwell. But all she could hear and see was the screams of the Vanallists dying by the dozens at a time then hundreds,
The fiery light from the torches growing ever more distant as the bearers were killed and the torches tossed aside and die themselves.

Down in the camp itself, the men of the Vanall ran this way and that screaming "Save yourselves..... don't bother fighting just run..... get the hell out..... just fucking run...." but none could run now, the Brotherhood had come to make sure they paid their penance and more importantly the Phantom had come to send a message

The Message was Clear.... "You cannot hide from the Brotherhood.... not even in the shadows...... for the Brotherhood was born to the Shadows"

All Vanallist fell one by one, no matter who they were they may have been tribesmen who supported The Knights, or had been true members of the order wearing their elite uniforms and equipment, yet this did not save them. For they now faced not a band of guerrilla fighters and poorly equipped tribes, they were fighting not even human beings anymore.

They Were fighting Shadows, they were fighting the Phantom.

As she watched high upon the walls, Katrina felt both fear and amazement as she listened the constant screams of Terror. Followed only by a sudden and deafening silence, as if all life had vanished from the land, then zipping up into the air like a shooting star, a red light followed by a trail of reddish smoke. This was the signal that had been promised.

She gave a slight nod to the others, as the order was given "Right lets get everyone out of here!".

As the resistance opened the gates to their city once again, step by step Katrina led them into the open, still questioning whether or not the Phantom was successful in his promise of showing the way for them to go. Yet the question was answered as light returned to the Vanallist Camp, thus shining down upon the hundreds of bodies that had been its previous inhabitants.

They were all lying upon the grass or within the mud that was the ground, some were complete corpses, with no visible method of killing visible, as if they had just dropped dead, others were more gruesome with their skulls crushed as if by a machine, others with great gashes across their throats, chests or backs.

One Katrina found somewhat disturbing was a single standing corpse leaning against a wooden post, a single arrow holding the poor soul in place, through the neck front to back and into the post. To the naked eye it was like he was merely leaning against it instead of being pinned to the wood.

But then something caught her eye, tied around the neck of the "Leaning man", a block of wood and upon it was a message written in blood.

"From the Shadows We have Come
  From the Shadows We shall Strike
   From the Shadows We have returned
    And From the Shadows shall we Reclaim
     We are the Brotherhood"



Chapter 7 The Truth

The Night was cold, even in the thermal heated air that was filtered and cleaned within the air recycler within the city of Atlantis, yet there were times when even those who lived in the upper levels felt the cold in the air. No one minded, it allowed them to live more freely, as if they were not living in a collection of massive pressurised domes.

Within this city was a manor, the Anders home, where Tiberius Anders lived and worked to better the society he strives to protect and aid the children whom he loved so much. Even they were adults and fully able to live on their own, they still resided within his home, many would judge him, but none ever said it to his face, because they all knew that to him his children were more important than anything.

Leanne wandered through the halls of the second floor, walking atop the luxurious carpets and running her fingers along the finely plastered walls. Up to her bedroom door, where the frame held memories in itself, carved along the wooden frame, were small notches, written next to them on the hallway wall were markers from her childhood, from her birthdays to her 1st tooth.

When she opened the door though, her pleasantness was dashed, when she noticed in an instant that something was wrong, even though nothing was really out of place, and the windows were all locked, she could tell that someone had been in her room. This was a feeling she had not felt in many years, not since before Adam had run away from home and never came back, even though she could never really tell what he was after, she always knew that he had been in her room.

Pondering around her room carefully she found the reason something was wrong, placed almost perfectly upon her pillows was another floppy disk. With a small note place atop.

"Your Uncle left this to me when he died.... he asked that it be given to you when the time was right!"

Leanne was at a loss, she had know Idea what it was meant to mean, she placed the note upon her bedside table and picked up the disk, the name written on, read "The Truth"

Her curiosity spiked she entered it into her computer. As she moved the cursor over she paused. Questioning the validity of the disk, she readied herself, accessing the computers internal system she activated all the virus safety and disconnected the computer from the military and government networks.

Finally she brought the cursor back, clicking into the files, she found a collection  of  4 video files organised by some system of names.

The first was named, "The Birth"

When she clicked into it, the video opened and began to play, it looked like a recording from a hidden camera, of her Uncles library, she knew it had to be for she had been in it a million times, because it where he could always be found when he was at home.

The recording began to play and it showed in perfect detail, her uncle Alive and well, at least as well as he could be. Still within his wheelchair, he moved himself around from his reading desk to the table where he would eat, when from out of view Adam came into view carrying a tray with what looked like breakfast for Constantine. It discouraged her seeing them together for she still held it in her heart that Adam had betrayed him and murdered him.

Then he was followed by two others Adam, her little brother and another a woman she had only seen in briefings come into view, Katrina Eves the woman that Adam had loved and was now allegedly pregnant with his child.

The three gathered around the main table, where Adam and Katrina took a seat opposite each other with Constantine being at the head of the table.

"Djeck is driving us even further... we cannot keep doing this" Adam declared

Katrina butted in "He's going to destroy everything we've built.... if he succeeds in igniting an UPRISING  of some kind then thousands of innocents will die and could lead to all of the cities facing similar rebellions"

Constantine interrupted "Which would lead to a civil war we cannot allow.... this could not only destroy the Republics, but could open the entire world up to the chaos of the past"
"We need to do something then... " Adam Questioned

"We will" Constantine declared "We will continue the plan.....we will construct a rebellion but when Vanall takes it in his direction, we will sabotage it and ensure that the Vanallists lose the battle"
Katrina was quick to question this though "But then Djeck would just retreat and go to his back up plan of going to the surface and starting the fight to unite the world under Atlantis from there"

Leanne couldn't believe what she was seeing and hearing, the person she thought was a traitor was actually going to betray the Knights of Vanall.  She could tell from the way that Adam was looking he had ideas of his own "But forcing him out means we can get other nations to join the fight against him"

"Which is why, we shall lead them, or should I say our Brotherhood will...." Constantine declared. Leanne was put into shock she was watching the founding of the Brotherhood of the Nautilus.

The Second was named "Why"

It started relatively the same way, but then.

Suddenly her attention was Caught when Constantine started to cough and gag as if he couldn't breath, Adam dropped the tray of food and ran to him, before running out of view and coming back with what looked like a syringe and vial of what she could only assume was medicine.

She could hear audio kick in "Kat help!", from out of view Katrina came running in.

The video and audio continued but she could not make anything out, until things changed when Adam and Katrina moved off a bit to talk "How long has he got?" Adam asked, Leanne could see even from the distance of the camera even when she had zoomed in, that Katrina was not looking well, "I'd say a few Months if he's lucky".

Katrina left the room leaving the two alone, Adam focused on something else "Let me make you something fresher" as he returned to the food thrown across the floor and the turned over tray which had laid still since being dropped.

But Constantine had other Ideas "Don't ignore me Adam, We both knew this was coming.." he paused "The Best thing I can do is use the time I have left" Adam focused on his Uncle "Now is everything ready" he asked

"Yes" Adam Replied, "Djeck intends to ignite a rebellion.... but I've got a number of recruits in place ready to destroy it.... they'll get the intelligence to you"

"And From there I'll get it too those We can trust" Constantine continued.

Then Katrina returned "Meanwhile I'll organise those who we've recruited, give them assignments across the world in various nations... so we can begin to build a power base"

They all nodded, but when Katrina was out of sight, Leanne refocused on the two family members she was watching, "Adam there is one more thing"

"What?" He questioned

Constantine wheeled himself up to sit before Adam, "When the rebellion fails, Djeck will question loyalty, this is why when the time comes.... you will find the traitor... being me.... and execute me" Leanne was even more in shock as she heard these words, Constantine wanted Adam to kill him.
Adam looked shocked "NO!" he shouted "I don't care we can make some other person the scape goat"

"And I'll continue to suffer." Constantine interrupted, "Adam my boy..... I don't want to face the fate that is coming for me..... I would rather have a quick and painless death......So promise me this...... that when the time comes..... you will do it"
Adam hesitantly nodded.

The Third Video was named "R.I.P"

The view was very different however, this time it was from a camera hidden down low, she could only see the wheels of her uncles chair. And hear the words "I'm sorry".

She suddenly realised what it was, it was the day Adam had murdered their Uncle. She should have known because she was there that night, hidden away, Constantine had made her promise to stay hidden, then Adam had found her hiding place and told her to keep quiet else no of them would escape.

She heard the shot from Adams Pistol, then the thud as Constantines body fell from his wheelchair and onto the floor she could see he face and shoulders as he lay on his back, "Can I say goodbye.. before we go.... He was still my Uncle, Djeck"

Then Adam came into view and he knelt down and lowered his head down to Constantines ear "Please forgive me Uncle.... May you find peace in the endless Oceans beyond the world", he said with sadness and tears coming from his eyes.

Then she made out what he Uncles Last words were "And May the Brotherhood live until the end of Days"

The Final Video was one that gave the hardest shock of all and made her question everything she knew of her Uncle and younger Brother, for it was named "The Truth"
Like the previous it was a view from above in the library, but this was different because this one was just of Adam and Constantine in his wheelchair.

"You know usually we have ceremonies on occassions such as this....." Constantine muttered "But I don't think you care for such extravagence"
Adam stepped forward and stood in the middle of the room as a group of hooded and masked individuals wearing long cloaks came out from the shadows.

"So I will say only this..... You understand our purpose.... You have our Goal.....  And soon You shall face your destiny......"


Adam Knelt down before his Uncle, Constantine place his hand on Adams right shoulder and declared "Welcome to the Brotherhood..... Adam of the Nautilus"

Leanne stood frozen, everything she thought about the Brotherhood was wrong, and more importantly everything that she knew about he Uncle, the Uncle she loved so much, the Uncle she thought was betrayed was in fact involved with it all along. For her it was as if the very fabric of reality of the Earth was broken, never there, never even existed. She was now shaken so much that she nearly missed the question that needed to be answered. And it was this Question that she stormed out to answer.

She left Atlantis, left the oceans, smuggled herself back into the city that was Washington, using her skills in espionage and infiltration broke into the White building of power, avoiding the crowds and the guards, she found the room she was after, the Oval shaped office like room, the heart of the Phantoms home. Where he rested, where he planned.

She noticed the desk, all the draws were empty except one which was locked, she pulled a knife jammed it into the crook between the draw and the lock. With a mighty snap the lock broke and the draw came free, slowly she pulled it ever so carefully, to find something she did not expect to find, she thought the Phantom would have more files on the Brotherhood, or on her Uncle, and yet there was only one small slip of laminated paper.

With the utmost care she retrieved it, with even more caution she flipped it around, terrified as to what she would see. And she truly was.

The Laminated Paper was a photograph.  A Photograph of three young people in Atlantean military uniforms, two of the Marines and one of the Navy.

The people within the Photograph, Djeck Vanall on the Left, Katrina Eves in the Middle and on the Right, Her Brother Adam Anders.