𝐋𝐎𝐂𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍|
— Daedala Co. Tower, Amsterdam, New York.
— 7:30 p.m., January 15, 2015.

𝐀𝐃𝐑𝐈𝐀𝐍 𝐖𝐑𝐄𝐍 clicked his pen and finally looked up from his desk to the faces seated before him. Most would have assumed that the evil lair of a villain was located regally within the mountains overlooking the city to be conquered; however, that wasn't the case for the organization known as K.A.O.S. They preferred subtlety over just about anything else. True, their goal was to conquer, but not with the intentions of ruling the world. They would do that through business. No, they needed power for an entirely different reason and when the shadow had failed to bring back the scepter, well it reflected poorly back on him.

Adrian set the pen down and folded his hands together. "You wished to call a meeting, and that is precisely what I have done. Now stop wasting my time and get on with it."

The Titans Council remained silent. He frowned as they seemed to ignore him. Although he had founded the organization and taken on the leader mantle of Lord Kaos, the Titans Council served as his group of advisors that helped oversee each of the separate branches that he had united. Including himself, the council was made up of six individuals, each who had a pull in a very different aspect of society.

Anthony Lyon, A.K.A. Eros, owned a vineyard in southern Italy and one of the most successful wine companies sold around the world. His profits and contacts came in handy when funding many of the less than ethical projects within the Labyrinth, K.A.O.S.'s science division that had once been a subgroup of HYDRA. Additionally, many experimental plants and pathogens were developed in secret using Lyon's land.

Dominic Hunt, A.K.A. Erebus, was a high-ranking politician who spent most of his time in D.C.; however, he had a variety relations with many of the national embassies in the area that made him exceedingly useful. Although mostly characterized as simply a corrupt politician, he was a useful resource that also provided funding for many of the Labyrinth's projects as well as some of the Argonaut training, the military branch of K.A.O.S.

Ivan Cohen, A.K.A. Tartarus, was a known war-criminal and weapons dealer that provided the Argonaut with many invaluable resources. He also had a background in successfully retrieving information via less than ethical means of interrogation, which explained his presence within Tartarus, not coincidentally of the same name, the hidden prisons of K.A.O.S.

Monica Levine, A.K.A. Gaia, one of New York's finest lawyers. Although Adrian was typically against women in positions of power, she had proven herself to be an invaluable resource in finding loopholes to remain unnoticed within their operations. Through her clients, she also provided several contacts that kept the shady side of the industry within business.

Vikki Sullivan, A.K.A. Nyx, an heiress to a multibillion-dollar company located within Barcelona, Spain. Another woman that Adrian couldn't afford to remove from his council no matter how much his prejudices demanded it. Aside from K.A.O.S., Sullivan industries had been previously partnered with Daedala Co. for a multitude of years which produced many prosperous projects.

Finally, there was himself, Adrian Wren, A.K.A. Lord Kaos, leader of the organization known as K.A.O.S. and the C.E.O. of Daedala Co., the world's foremost technological center competing with the likes of Stark Industries, Hammer Industries, and Pym Technologies. Although an engineer by nature, he'd been dragged down the dark path of revenge after the 2012 alien invasion that led to the death of his wife. Just over a year later, he'd learned that his son also belonged to the circus freaks of the world that exhibited supernatural powers over others. Despite everything he tried, it couldn't be undone... yet. However, that was his end-goal, to rid the world of the freakish nature and abilities that didn't belong in this world. He was close too, which explained his need for the scepter that he had failed to retrieve.

Dominic Hunt finally cleared his throat and broke the unbearable silence of the room. "Adrian. We've supported your efforts for the past two years but have received nothing in return."

"We're close," Adrian protested, "So very close. I just need a little more time, funds, and perhaps miliary assistance to retrieve—"

Dominic shook his head and raised a hand. "Adrian, come now. We can't provide any more aid without something of substantial promise."

"You've had your eyes on the big picture too long," Ivan Cohen agreed, his Russian accent thick, "What is the status of the Wings of Icarus program?"

Adrian frowned. "The exploits of Dr. Jones have been placed on hold. His personal projects have gone directly against the mission instilled within this organization when I first—"

"Perhaps it's time to grow then," Anthony suggested with a southern drawl.

"What are you suggesting?" Adrian raised an eyebrow, almost afraid of what was to be said next.

"You started this organization in an attempt to rid the world of super-powered individuals," Monica explained, "As that has yet to work, perhaps it is time to get caught up with the times and use the idea of this power to our advantage."

"You're talking about world domination," Adrian noted.

"We have the resources and the capability to do great things," Dominic agreed, "not to mention the element of surprise on our side as Ms. Levine has done a wonderful job of covering our tracks, even with the exposure we received less than six months ago."

"I'll admit that I wasn't expecting the girl to provide so much trouble, but specimen 0-13 handled her." Adrian could feel the heat rising in his face as he grew more frustrated.

"Six months," Dominic replied curtly, "we'll give you six months to get this under control or we pull out. I'd think that amount of time is extremely generous as well but given out of respect for you as a businessman, Adrian."

Adrian slowly nodded his head, although he didn't agree, as the five individuals gathered their belongings and left the room. The second the elevator doors attached to his office closed, he picked up his phone and dialed the first number at the top of his most recent calls. The dial tone lasted only a second before the individual on the other end picked up.

"Miss Stein—" Adrian was cut off, but quickly recovered, "My apologies, Dr. Stein, have the laboratory prepared and the test subjects ready. I have a new proposition for the department that I believe you will find beneficial for the great minds of the Labyrinth."