Elite Comic Universe PBP

Galatea had rented a small terrasse of a well rated but small-ish traditionnal Ethiopian restaurant. It was not a touristic location and more of a hidden gem: it's open air terrasse happened to overlook the canal which combined with the generationnal culinary art proudly practiced by the familly that still owned it allowed for a wonderful dining experience.

She sat at one of the tables, gazing at the man-made river.

Bea came, glad for the chance to talk more with her friends about what the heck they should be doing or trying to help save the world.

"Hey. Thanks for putting this together. It will be good to have a chance to talk away from the cameras and all the ... " she couldn't seem to find the words. The ... ick? "... the tension."

''...the pretense?..the falsehood?'' she sighed ''Yeah...we needed a chance to be ourselves and not perform for the camera.''

She gave a slow nod

''What a shit show. I don't know how much miss Pattel knew but she did genuinely seem unaware.''

"I think it is better to assume they are all just uninformed. Truly, I am not sure why they invited any of us who did not lie to the reunion show at all."

"But it was nice to see the other contestants. It really was. To see that it really is Malik alive. That was good."

"It is sad, though, reflecting back on the Academy House. I was so happy to participate, to think it was a chance to be a role model, to think it was genuinely a competition. None of that will ever see the light of day."

"But it does not matter when the world is going to end in two and a half years if we don't stop it. My heart tells me we need everyone who can help to help. But they do not want our help. They do not want Pantheon's help (though I assure you they have been getting it, and at least some folks at UNJE are perfectly aware of it). So we can help. If we do so sufficiently invisibly."

Galatea nodded slowly in agreement with Bea's sentiment

''Yes. I was a bit cynical, fully intent on playing the game but I could not dismiss Frankie's warning...even if I acted skeptical for the camera's sake. After the Ultrum attack playing games is entirely out of the question.''

She waived at the waiter to attract his attention...not that she needed much effort.

''But we need not be invisible. I don't intent to at least. The UNJE's approach is irresponsible at best and being public about it can help correct the issues for future cases. As far as the two and a half years are concerned...I might run for office in the upcoming Brazilian elections.''

She smiled.

"That is a good idea. I am working with the religious leaders, our growing ecumenical council. The Pope is at the table. Brazil has the most Catholics in the world in a single nation. Over 100 million. Perhaps far more than that, since the last time I was looking at that kind of data."

"The show... it made me realize that unity is hard. And it has to be more than words. It has to be profoundly genuine. I think I am going to go back to the council and say ... we cannot be One Team of the Earth if so many are suffering and far from able to join such a battle. Not when we have the means and opportunity to change that. The injustice is too poisoning. We have two and a half years. We can actually lift people out of poverty, get them enough to eat, connect people with recovery resources so they are unchained from addiction. That matters. It may not defeat the Ultrum empire alone, but it may move us toward a world that is capable of unifying, and that may be needed to rise to meet what lies ahead."

A world that God might intervene to save.

''Speaking of'' the waiter brought a small bag which was deposited next to Bea ''I got you something from Rio. I do not know much about mormonism but I though that a rosary from the Igreja da Candelaria could do the trick. It's made with wood from the Brazilian Nut tree''

''I would add that the feeling of powerlessness is also poisonous. That's why I advocated for local action...it might be little but it is something that can be done and victories have been often won with those small edges''

"Oh thank you. How beautiful! It is definitely a time of rapid learning about other faith traditions, respecting and honoring."

"You are right about feeling powerless. And that is the trap of telling people you don't need them, that they don't have a place, that they aren't welcome. No one can just ... do nothing when faced with an existential threat. We are either working together, or working separately, and possibly redundantly, or worse at cross purposes."

"But I do think there are opportunities to connect folks with information. Quietly."

''There is always the need for intelligence work, that's for certain.'' She seemed to ponder something ''I have a contact called Arachnea...i'll likely use her as an intermediary.''

"I have an idea for intelligence work, but it is not time yet. There may be a proper window for it. Before our time is over."

"With the door working, I understand that travel is possible to other universes. I think we need to get an agent into either the Ultrum home universe or an annexed universe. Purely observation. Quite undetectable mind reading. Are the people from other universes slaves? Mind-controlled? Miserable? Acclimated? Workers? Food? Looking for a chance to rebel? Are they annexing any other universe prior to ours such that we could see what that entails through their news coverage of it? Do they have fears that might speak to weaknesses? Do they have enemies who have fought them successfully before? Do they boast of their tactics? Who leads them? Are they immortal? Machines?"

"I plan to be ready. Skills honed for non-detectability."

"But I don't think we have precision yet, nor coordinates for any such Universe. But if we do in the future, it is a possibility."

She gave a nod those were good bones indeed

''Warfare is won with intelligence, movement and communication. I have an idea for the latter but it's only theorical now''

While a bit of a long shot, Sergei had hoped he would find… then he laid eyes on them, they were just like he saw on the live video. His motorcycle came to a gentle stop in the spot and he removed his helmet and then started walking towards the two elites and said in accented English, “Hello, pleased to meet you. I have much apologies for disturbing you, but I am, as they say, a big fan.”

“Also I have a big question to ask, please. Much apologies, English is not my first language.”

Bea smiled brightly at him.

"Hello! It's a pleasure to meet you. How can we help you? Would you be more comfortable speaking in Amharic?" She switched to Amharic for the second question, and continued in whichever language he preferred.

"I am Bea Hawkins. You are a fan of the Academy House TV program?"

He looked even more confused and said, “No, no… I am Russian, I came here when I heard you may be in the town, yes? Much apologies. I am Sergei Zholtay, I am entrepreneur and run a business for Elites. Private interests, but dedicated to fighting the big threat, yes.”

Galatea tried to take good measure of the man. She did not doubt some would approach them, as they always would, but something about their visitor from Russia was...different. She was wary of private interests but they should hear him out, at least.

''Good evening Mister Zholtay, please take a seat.'' she gestured to one of the chairs at the table ''What brings you here and what can we do for you?''

"It's good to hear you are focused on the big threat. We all are. I must apologize that I don't speak Russian."

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Mister Zholtay. What kind of business are you in?"

“Business of saving the world, the UNJE can’t be everywhere so we, Bogatyr Unlimited, contract with agencies, nations, and private interests to fill the gaps. We are big company, well growing company, yes. I, Sergei, am the founder, well one of three founders. We believe that security and peace can be brought to the world and at a very competitive price.”

“But now we face something different and we agree with you that UNJE is not doing enough. I would like to bring you on board, competitive rate, yes. We believe in your message, you have big name, recognizable. Together we work to fight the Ultrum aliens,” he said proudly, taking the offered seat.

“That is pitch, yes.”

There was a couple of red flags that popped in Galatea's mind. Mercenaries? Probably. A criminal organization? She would not be surprised to find shady stuff about this company

Bogatyr Unlimited

She mulled the name in her mind but she was far from familiar with Eastern Europe.

''It is a very interesting offer ser Zholtay. Your approach was quite bold as well.'' she replied with a smile, trying to put the man at ease...perhaps even off-guard

Something about Russia...Gibson related? She tried to remember

''Can you tell us a bit about yourself? What brought you to create Bogatyr Unlimited with your fellow founders?''

This pitch was probably for Galatea.

Bea herself had very few financial resources. Though... "Do you mean you wish to provide contact information? For us to share with others who may have resource needs?"

"Can you say who your fellow founders are, and what values you share?"

“Yes, there is me, Sergei Zholtay, and then there is Serenia Popov, also Russian, and then Hana Korviyanikova; but we are very international. We have offices in the Null Zone, Moscow, and Los Angeles currently. Serenia and me, we are Elites, while Hana is baseline. But we all equal co-founders, yes?” he responded.

“I am business man now, but also served in army, six years as technician or mechanic, yes. I did not wish to work for state and wanted to go into business for myself, found partners and we started Bogatyr Unlimited. Ah, Bogatyr is warrior in the old style, comes from turkic word, bhagatyr, yes, hero or champion. We are heroes yes, and we want to save the world,” he said proudly.

“Oh you are Bee Haw and you are Galatea, offer for both as contractors, pay good money,” he said with a smile.