Crime Punchers, Issue 1: Atlantis Rising

[Arhra]

A tandem rotor helicopter flew low over the sea. Distant dots moved in the same direction. There was a storm on the horizon, lightning flashing constantly.

In the front of the passenger hold was a grizzled looking man of military bearing, his black hair starting to turn grey. His combat fatigues identified him as Sergeant Rockwell. He was talking to the extremely mixed group sitting before him, voice raised over the sound of the helicopter's rotors.

"First off the United States Government would like to thank you for volunteering to help resolve this state of emergency. You are all heroes, blah blah blah. Let's get down to business."

"You all know what Atlantis is. Big island, swallowed by the sea long time ago. As of 0300 today, the sea coughed it back up. Structure is manufacturing an ice floe around itself and seems to be drawing on a storm for power."

This was bad news. So bad in fact, that the official international response had been to roll out the Army, the Navy and the Coast Guard, and made a call for help for any superpowered individuals who wanted to lend a hand.

"Turns out it was founded by aliens from Neptune. Jellyfish sorta things. Just six of 'em. They are BAD NEWS. Legends painted 'em as completely indestructible psychic alchemists."

He paused for a moment to let this sink in. "Have to remember the up and coming invention of the time was bronze. No boys and girls, I have no idea how we sank Atlantis the first time either."

"No direct contact yet. The Neptunians are deep in and still waking up. Psychic static generators are in place to stop them messing with your heads. Last thing we want to do is to give the Neptunians an army. The generators are tuned to their brainwaves, so any spoonbenders among you shouldn't be affected. If you see a generator team in trouble, HELP THEM OUT. If you still hear voices telling you to stab everyone, DO NOT LISTEN."

"The eggheads are saying Atlantis is a complex technological artifact that could take years to analyse. What they really mean is they have no idea what anything does. So if you see anything that looks important, SMASH IT. If it turns out it was something more than an expresso machine, pass the intel on."

"We don't know what you'll be up against. Don't go wandering off and keep track of each other. You do NOT want to be wandering through an alien superstructure on your little lonesome."

He paused and looked thoughtful for a moment. "Haven't said that one for a loooong time."

"So stick together, don't get mind controlled, destroy everything and get out if it starts flooding. If you run into a shapechanging iceberg with a jellyfish inside, you are in DEEP SHIT."

"This is survival of the species stuff so DON'T SCREW IT UP." He formed his gloved hand into a fist with the faintest of whirs and shook it at them warningly.

"Any questions?"