PF-Atlantis Meeting Wrap-up

By Stan Hopewell

File photo:  King Morn

As the Peace Force-Atlantis Meeting wrapped up tonight, a few more details have started to emerge.

First, Speedster eventually made it to the meetings, but no one saw her enter.  From all accounts, she was fidgeting when she did sit down, which distracted everyone, human and Atlantean alike.  She was asked to leave by a Peace Force member, and she did.  Again, no one saw her exit.

Second, the levels of pollution the Atlanteans wanted were, naturally, very low compared to the U.S. numbers.  The Atlanteans felt that the U.S. was going back on their word to reduce water pollution levels to 3% by 2020, and they were also still upset about last year’s oil spills that destroyed their kelp farms and marlin hunting waters.  The U.S. officials maintained that was an aberration and that they will continue to lower their pollution levels.

Third, most intriguingly, an alternative was being proposed to the Atlantis Underway.  The plan to build a 1,500 mile underwater highway and/or high-speed rail line didn’t garner much attraction from the U.S. due to its high cost.  The Atlanteans were, by and large, not too fond of the idea either.  Instead, another project, the Atlantis Elevator, garnered more interest as it would cost considerably less money to build.  Essentially, it would be a giant freight elevator built from the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean to sea level about halfway in between Atlantis and the eastern seaboard.  Freight ships would sail to the elevator which would essentially be a port for the exchange of cargo.  Whether or not the White House goes for the idea is unknown.

No matter what happens in Washington, attendees came away feeling productive.  Next year’s meeting is already being planned as a two-day event.

Meetings Over; On to Washington

By Stan Hopewell

At 7pm the Peace Force-Atlantis Meeting is officially over.  U.S. officials, Peace Force members, and Atlanteans flooded the hall in good spirits.  Adonis, Titana, and the royal couple appeared before the crowd on the balcony, thanking everyone for attending.

“I officially call this year’s meeting to a close,” said Adonis.  “It’s not often that we all get together like this, and I’m honored to have hosted King Morn, Queen Rosn’elia, and their Royal Circle here today.”  He went on to generalize what was said in the meetings but gave no specifics.

King Morn gave a short speech in Atlantean to a jovial response from his Circle and then repeated it, supposedly, in English.  “I know being overland is hard on my people,” he said, “but Adonis and the Peace Force have made our stay a welcomed one.  I thank him and all of you overlanders for your hospitality.”  He and his wife bowed and exited the balcony. 

As for what was discussed, no one was allowed to give specifics.  “These were preliminary meetings to gather facts,” said Senator Saluzzi.  “Any specific deals will be made at Congress and the White House.  But I will say that we did gain ground, so to speak, on some trade deals.”

The Atlanteans filed back into their limousines and left for their ship the M’ranic.  Tomorrow, they will be headed to Washington for a two-day visit with the President.  A wrap-up on today’s meetings will come later tonight.

Lightning Bug Arrested; Meetings Back to Business

By Stan Hopewell

Reports are coming in that Speedster has apprehended the Lightning Bug and turned him over to the NRPD.  While no Peace Force members or Atlanteans seemed worried about it, attendees couldn’t help but think of last year’s incident with the Mind Master.

Regardless, the attendees took a break from the meetings during the incident just to be sure.  “Well, we got to a certain point in the talks when the news broke about Speedster,” said Senator Holloway.  “I was here last year for the meetings, and everyone, American and Atlantean, started looking at each other a little strangely.  But taking a break certainly helped ease any worries.”

As for progress made, no one was willing to say much.  “We made progress, sure,” said Senator Saluzzi.  “Things got stalled by the news, but I think we’re going to make progress on trade routes.”  Saluzzi couldn’t confirm if talks on the proposed Atlantis Underway had started.

With Lightning Bug in police custody, the break ended, and attendees returned to their meetings.  Not much was said, but rumors are popping up about an alternative to the Underway.  More information when it becomes available.

'Reboot Man' Denied Entrance to Meetings

By Stan Hopewell

File photo:  Denver as North-Star

The superhero dubbed “Reboot Man” by the press tried to gain entrance to the Atlantis-Peace Force Meetings but was turned away due to lack of clearance.

Ray Denver, known as “Reboot Man” for his numerous identity changes over the past few years, started his superhero career as Star-Man.  He gained the powers of flight, super-strength, energy blasts, and energy manipulation from a pulsar while exploring Alpha Centauri.  This identity only lasted three months before the original Star-Man, Dan Stewart, spoke out against him using his old moniker.

Denver relinquished his first identity and took up the name of North-Star, a name and costume inspired by the star Polaris.  He enjoyed a rather successful career in this guise and joined the Peace Force.  But this identity came to an end eight months later when he died fighting the Sparlox in deep space.

Somehow, Denver was resurrected several months later in an explosion above the moon, which no one has been able to fully explain.  This time his powers included teleportation, and he became Portal-Man.  Unfortunately, one month later, he accidentally teleported himself into the bedrock below the Rocky Mountains of Colorado.

Then, Denver absorbed the rocks to become Rock-Man, whose rock-based powers lasted only four months after he was caught in a mudslide in California and dissolved into the Sacramento River.  Five months later, he had absorbed the mud and clay from the river and can now apparently shapeshift.  He calls himself Clayman, and no one at Peace Force Headquarters recognizes him.

“I’m a member,” he said.  “They know me.  I’ve fought side-by-side with them.  I even shapeshifted into my North-Star body and let them scan my mind.  They know I’m telling the truth.”

Denver seemed depressed leaving the building.  He expressed how he thought he was dead in the Sacramento River and tried to convey how terrifying it was to become mud and clay.  According to him, it was a dark, wet experience that made him feel helpless.  Once he gained control of his newfound abilities, he turned into an eagle and flew across the country.  Denver acknowledged how often he’s changed identities and powers, holding back mud tears, but said it’s out of his control.  “How many of them control how they got their powers?” he said.  “How many of them have had reboots?  If it weren’t for one dumb thing or another, half of them wouldn’t even be in there.”

Clayman, as he preferred to be called, left PFHQ in disgust.  When asked about a former member being turned away, Cloudwalker said, “He’s a shapeshifter.  After what happened last year, a creepy shapeshifter is the last thing we need.”

Meeting Attendees Aware of Speedster Incident

By Stan Hopewell

Reports have been flying in of Speedster chasing Lightning Bug through East Town.  So far, the Peace Force and Atlanteans don’t seem worried.

The Lightning Bug, who may’ve blown up an apartment at the Verzatt Estates, was spotted somewhere in East Town by Speedster.  A chase has ensued, but the Peace Force members here at PFHQ have reassured everyone that she can handle it.  “Speedster is very capable of taking care of Lightning Bug on her own,” said Cloudwalker.

Apparently, she was also supposed to attend the meetings today, seeing as she’s a Peace Force member as well, but was told to investigate the Verzatt incident.  Rumors had been swirling of the Lightning Bug, a.k.a. Horace Wagner, setting up shop in New Romford.

Cloudwalker assured that everyone in and around PFHQ was safe.  More information to come.

First Meetings Wrapping Up

By Stan Hopewell

The first meetings are wrapping up at around 1pm as U.S. officials, Peace Force members, and Atlanteans are trickling into the main hall of PFHQ.  The meetings are taking a break for lunch as the Peace Force has laid out a five-star buffet of American and French dishes along with several Atlantean dishes.  The royal couple was not present.

Reporters were allowed to ask questions after a half-hour lunch.  Senator Jan Holloway wasn’t able to go into too many details but stated that progress was being made.  “Mostly, we’ve been discussing pollution levels so far,” she said.  “We’ve got our numbers, and they have theirs.  Not much has been done just yet.”

Peace Force member Cloudwalker reiterated much of the same.  “Most of the meetings have been preliminary,” he said.  “We’re getting all of our facts together.  There’s nothing more I can say at the moment, but I feel we’ve started on the right foot.”

The Atlanteans seem hopeful for their part as well, though understanding their broken English is difficult at times.  The general mood, though, is one of hopeful progress that will continue on throughout the day and onward to Washington tomorrow where King Morn will meet with the President.

At roughly 2:15 pm, everyone went back inside to continue the meetings.  Reportedly, King Morn and his wife had live octopi brought to them so they could kill the creatures themselves as is their custom.

More to come later today.

PFHQ Abuzz with Activity

By Stan Hopewell

The Peace Force-Atlantis Meeting has gotten underway at Peace Force Headquaters.  The Royal Circle is talking with their counterparts in the U.S. cabinet and state department over hors d’oeuvres in the main hall.  Various members of the Peace Force are chatting with the Atlanteans as well, but Adonis, Titana, and Secretary of State are separated on the balcony with the royal couple.

The press has been allowed to wander around as this opening hour is left open to the public.  So far, most of the Atlanteans have kept their conversations with reporters brief as many of them aren’t fluent in English.  Aja N’jorna, who is part of the Atlantean city project council, was the best English speaker of the Royal Circle and most open to comment.

“I believe much good can be done today,” she said.  “Our benevolent King Morn is wise and honorable, and the Peace Force is great force for good.”  Asked about whether she thought the Atlantis Underway could be built, she said, “Yes, I think it can.  Atlantis has wonderful engineers, and you overlanders have the great Dr. Amazing.  There is none reason we cannot build it.”

After an hour of mingling, Adonis and King Morn called for everyone’s attention from the balcony.  Adonis said, “Thank you everyone for coming.  It is always a great pleasure to have our friends, the Atlanteans, here in our home.”  He spoke for another few minutes, greeting specific members of the Royal Circle, and offered the King a chance to speak.

“You overlanders have been most gracious to us this day,” said King Morn, “and I thank you.”

Adonis thanked everyone again and encouraged the press to hang around the main hall until later in the day.  Then, the Peace Force, Atlanteans, and U.S. officials retreated into various hallways and rooms for their meetings.

More information to come throughout the day.

King Morn A’Ganor Greeted at Docks

By Stan Hopewell

Left to right:  Titana, Adonis, King Morn, Queen Rosn'elia

A little after 9am, the Atlanteans arrived at pier 34 as the M’ranic surfaced from Winston Bay.  Several Atlantean troops, wearing the country’s patented SCOBA devices around their gilled necks, exited the giant ship to form a royal procession for their king.

Morn A’Ganor, along with his wife, Rosn’elia, exited the M’ranic to greet Adonis and Titana.  They had a small conversation at the pier, and then greeted Mayor Lawrence and the U.S. officials before entering their limousine with some of their Royal Circle.  As the limousine drove down Trevor Rd, King Morn and Queen Rosn’elia waved to the onlookers behind the police barricades.

The rest of the Royal Circle joined the U.S. officials in their limousines and proceeded to follow the royal couple.  Adonis and Titana flew away to PFHQ while Dr. Amazing wrapped his arms around two light posts and slingshot himself into the air in the form of a bouncing ball.

The remaining Atlanteans stayed with the M’ranic.  More to come later today from PFHQ.

Atlantis-Peace Force Meeting to Begin at 9am

By Stan Hopewell

File photo:  King Morn A'Ganor

The Atlantis-Peace Force Meeting is set to start in an hour, and downtown New Romford is abuzz with activity.  The NRPD has barricaded Trevor Rd, 31^st St, and 4^th Ave to make a clear path for the Atlanteans.  Adonis, Titana, and Dr. Amazing are waiting at the docks to greet King Morn A’Ganor and his Royal Circle, along with Senator Saluzzi and Secretary of State Clinton.  The rest of the Peace Force is waiting at PFHQ.

Adonis and Titana could not be reached for comment, but Dr. Amazing was able to step away for a few moments.  “I think we can expect a thorough and engaging discussion today,” he said.  “King Morn is a very smart man and always has the best and brightest in his Circle, so I predict a spirited discussion.”

Asked about the possibility of the Atlantis Underway, Dr. Amazing was excited but subdued.  “This would be an amazing project.  So many ideas and goods could be exchanged with this, but unfortunately, it’s also an expensive endeavor.  We’ll have to see how the government and Atlanteans approach it and go from there.”

Behind the police barricades are hundreds of onlookers and Atlantean fans, waiting for a glimpse of the Visitors from Down Below.  Several of them are dressed up in Atlantean clothing, some are holding up signs they’ve made (some written in Atlantean), and everyone has their phone or camera out.

But not everyone is so excited.  Most of the store keepers along Trevor Rd grumbled about the intrusion.  “I have to deal with this every year,” said Sal Coulton.  “Nobody wants to buy my seafood when they’re around.  Everybody thinks it’s their cousins or something.  But guess what?  They eat fish, too.”

In the rest of New Romford, it’s business as usual when the Atlanteans emerge.  “There’s always something like this going around town,” said Julie McCalister, owner of Floral Dreams, just a few blocks off the barricaded roads.  “Yesterday, it was bug people.  Today, it’s fish people.  I’m sure tomorrow will be some other kind of people.

“Nothing we can do about it, so we just carry on.  Just another day in New Romford.”

Atlantis-Peace Force Meeting Set for Tomorrow

By Stan Hopewell

King Morn A'Ganor

The final touches are being made at the Peace Force Headquarters today as the annual Atlantis-Peace Force Meeting will take place all day tomorrow.  Members of Congress and the State Department have arrived in New Romford, and the majority of the Peace Force has been seen in and around the PFHQ.

Adonis, leader of the Peace Force, is hoping that the meetings will be productive.  “King Morn A’Ganor and I go way back, so hopefully that means we can move forward on a lot of issues,” he said.  “Considering what happened last year, there can’t be much worse that could happen.”

Last year’s meeting was infamous for the brawl between King Morn’s army and the Peace Force which blew several holes through PFHQ.  The fight spilled outside before eventually ending in Winston Bay when it was discovered that the King and his army were being mind-controlled by the supervillain, Mind Master.  Reportedly, he was trying to impress Jodie Foster.  The meeting ended before it even got started, and no issues were discussed.

This year, barring any mind-controlled fights, the topics will be centered around water pollution levels, particularly the oil spills in the Gulf Region, trade routes, and the possibility of an underwater highway from New Romford to Atlantis.  Pollution levels and trade routes have been a staple of these meetings ever since the first one took place over 40 years ago, but the proposed Atlantis Underway is a new topic that will surely get a lot of talk tomorrow.

“In theory it sounds like a great idea,” said Senator Mike Saluzzi.  “It’d be like the Chunnel between England and France, and it’d be a direct path to trade with the Atlanteans, and a lot better than the way we currently do it [which is a series of “drop-up” points where barges are tied to balloons inflated with air pumped from the surface].  I mean, we could just send a train down there and back without having to worry about the conditions above the water.  But of course, this would be an enormous project.  There are so many details that need to be ironed out.”

Still, Saluzzi and other U.S. officials sounded optimistic going into the meetings.  The Atlanteans are expected to arrive in the morning.

Atlantean Dishes Just In Time for Atlantis Meetings

By Julia Crumpleman

Elizabeth Schumacher

As the Atlantis-Peace Force Meetings get underway tomorrow, at least one New Romforder is embracing their culture via their food.  Elizabeth Schumacher, head chef of Amethyst in LoDo, has debuted a new Atlantean menu today.

“Atlantean cuisine is so foreign to us land-lubbers,” Schumacher said.  “We think we know seafood, but we know so very little.  They eat creatures that we’ve never even seen.  It just fascinates me.”

Crafting an Atlantean menu was a particularly difficult task due to lack of authentic ingredients.  “I can go online and find so many recipes, but half of the ingredients come from the bottom of the ocean,” she said.  “Their skin is so thick that they can survive the pressure, and there’s no way I can afford a submarine.  So I do the best I can.”

One dish, called Ac’jurlnnam Ka’put’ka, involves sautéing the liver of a Trench Crawler, an animal that crawls deep trenches in the ocean.  Famed ocean explorer Jacques Cousteau is the only human who has ever seen one.  According to Cousteau, the creature was at least seven meters (about 23 feet) long, virtually blind, and moved at a snail’s pace.  “It was as magnificent as a turtle,” Cousteau said.  “Its movements were exact and carefully planned.  The pads on its feet felt the ocean bed’s surface like a blind man with a cane.  It had a grace to it, not forcing its way through the world but, instead, moving where the universe led it.  We could learn so much from this gentle creature.”  Schumacher is substituting the liver with tuna, peppercorns, and fennel.

Another dish, P’kan An’kan, mostly uses kelp and sea salt but requires coral reef, which is also difficult to obtain.  “I don’t really swim,” Schumacher said, “and it’s not like people go out to fish for coral reef.  So I’m using hard pretzels, paprika, and red wine vinegar instead.  I hear it’s practically the same.”

For the most part, Atlantean dishes can substitute most ingredients for any sort of seafood from Hobbs Market.  Squid, octopus, sea anemone, and even sponge are common ingredients.  “But it’s all in the preparation.  They can’t have fire or electricity down there, so most of their food is eaten cold.  They cure a lot of their food, and if they do use heat, it’s from an underwater volcano pit or whatever they call it, and that’s takes hours to cook.”

As for whether or not an Atlanteans will visit her restaurant, Schumacher is skeptical but hopeful.  “I would love for a few of them to stop by,” she said.  “It would be a great honor.  I’d love to just pick their brains about food and their culture.

“I’d even serve them raw puffer fish.  I hear they eat those like fruit.”