This is a reference document for some noteworthy elements (people, places and things) of this super hero universe. It will expand over time, but for now it is focused on Earth.
Alien
"extra terrestrials", any people or creatures who's origins lie beyond the stars.
"Area 51"
The formerly secret military research base, and an increasingly common location for meetings between Earth political figures and representatives of Mars (though they call it "Barsoom"). Negotiations are currently intensely interested in sharing of technology and resources, with a particular interest in Barsoomian sourced Atlantanium. Many other things have also been achieved through interplanetary cooperation, such as the quick construction of "Tartarus" in Antarctica.
More secretive operations still take place, here, including (unbeknownst to the public) extensive, decades long research on Meta Genetics, in the interest of developing super soldiers and bio weapons.
About 3 years ago an alien animal they'd been working at turning into some kind of bio weapon escaped, and set off a lot of "chupacabra" sightings around Groom Lake and Roswell. It was a badly embarrassing incident, because they weren't able to distance themselves from the creatures existence, and it came out that they had been secretly engaging in counter observations, study of the occasional alien crafts and that they have been aware of alien visitations for some time. Suddenly being public knowledge seems to have afforded them a new level protection; had they remained completely secret, the whole site might have been on the budgetary chopping block for the gross incompetence that led to the beast escaping in the first place.
They're still in the habit of lying to the public, though- much more than matters of alien visitation are taking place, there...
Atlantis
Ancient and secretive, nobody knows just how advanced Atlantis actually is. Sailors unfortunate enough to crash against their jagged reefs are never seen or heard from again. What little contact has taken place has been concentrated through the last century.
Tales from WW2 suggest they are also possessed of strong magic, or that their technology is so advanced that it might as well be magic. Whatever the case, they had no need of aid to fend off The Germans when the Furor grew desperate for new super weapons. After the atomic weapons exchange against Japan, they spoke to world leaders and established strictly limited communications. ON the promise that their borders be respected, and their waters given a wide birth (effectively splitting the Atlantic across the middle), from time to time they release small quantities of a super-rare mineral called "Atlantanium" into U.N. custody, to be distributed by negotiation, usually for study.
Atlantis seems to have a warrior queen figure, "Tritania". Whether it's magic or technology or some odd amalgamation of the 2, she is often the first responder when outsiders violate their waters or air-space. Sailors speak in hushed tones of whaler vessels being suddenly impaled by glaciers, only to be swallowed by the sea itself.
Attempts at bypassing their secrecy without violating Atlantean airspace and waters have failed miserably. Satellite observations are quickly jammed, fallowed by public announcements to "stay off my lawn". The only glimpse of their civilization available to the outside is the very top of a shining pyramid, visible from international waters, and indeed, orbit.
The Atlanteans aren't happy about negotiations to side-step them and get who knows how much Atlantanium from Mars/Barsoom, and are furiously demanding more intense regulation, or even outright restrictions of the substance, regardless of it's source. They've seen what the outside world does with things like Uranium and Plutonium, and they'd prefer a healthy respect for powerful/dangerous substances became the norm before they obtain large quantities of Atlantanium. They'd rather not see the Earth destroy itself, which it would if they decided to go to war over this mineral. But, the Martians need resources, like unfrozen water, and they happen to have a richer supply of what Earth recognizes as "magic metal"...
It's rumored that Atlantis has a much higher percentage of Meta Humans within their populace, but no one has been able to verify this rumor.
Atlantanium
comparable to Vibranium of the Marvel Universe, it's rumored to be "the most versatile substance known to man", and efforts are being made around the clock for the rest of Earth to try and demystify it. Where science fails, though, it's basically magic metal. It's stronger even than military grade alloys, while only having to be smelt and poured into shape. blades and points practically edge themselves with little working, never dulls and it's highly conductive, with extraordinary heat/energy tolerance once forged. And that's the most basic information currently available to public sources. Demonstrations have shown further properties and applications, but rare few have learned precisely how it works.
Avery Malone
To date, the worlds top scientist in the field of Meta Genetic Research. It's believed his Meta Theory predicted the current state of things, but he's been missing and presumed dead for some time, now.
Secretly, he was the chief scientist working at Meta Life Laboratories, on what, nobody could speculate beyond "research". 30 years ago there was an industrial accident in the lab where he worked and developed his "Meta Gene Hypothesis" (now widely accepted as a proper Theory). Many projects were destroyed, and subjects were lost, living subjects having escaped iretreavably. To this day some "monsters" and "mutants" are attributed to his work all those years ago, but he's assumed dead, since he too was never seen after that incident.
He's very much alive.
He orchestrated the "accident" in order to aid in the escape of the subjects, many of whom were human.
History characterized him as an emotionless, uncaring sort in the years leading up to the accident, but he lost his disconnection and engaged what would've been called "the greatest act of industrial sabotage in history", had the facts surrounding the incident not been carefully suppressed by their largest client, the U.S. Military.
He stays in hiding, aiding or temporarily sheltering Meta Humans as best he can without revealing himself.
Though the truth is hidden from the world, some disreputable tabloids and "news" sites will occasionally refer to Meta Humans as "Malone's Grandchildren".
Balrog of Barsoom
Balrog is a "Green Martian"; 7 feet tall, short tusks, 4 arms, eyes that seem too large for his head. He's been a "non-citizen resident" of Earth for a year, since the diplomatic vessel he was assigned to was mistaken for a hostile target and they were unceremoniously shot out of the sky by a "weather satellite" that "just happened" to be armed with a particle-beam weapon.
Balrog and a "Red Martian" that the Terrans (people of Earth) have begun calling "Promethea" were the only survivors of the crash. They thought they were going to die in Area 51; they couldn't speak the language, the atmosphere was like inhaling smoke constantly, and the gravity was like carrying an extra 50 pounds they couldn't put down. They'd also heard rumor of the cruelty of Terrans- desecrating the dead for reasons unknown. He managed to get to his feet, and was ready to die fighting to protect Promethea.
Thankfully, rescue came, and it never came to that. He's been assigned as Promethea's Champion, protecting her during various diplomatic functions. He's equipped with a variable atmospheric compensator; worn center of the chest, this glowing implant alters the affect of gravity for the wearer, as well as scrubbing the atmosphere within it's small field (1 ft around his entire body) to make it more breathable. He is also equipped with high tech full armor that enhances his strength considerably- enough to turn over cars with little effort. He specializes in melee weapons combat, but as a Green Martian, he does have some experience with firearms (those of Earth are strange in design to him, but work mostly the same). He favors the lance, and is a proud warrior, with a sense of honor and fair play. A savage roar is his battle cry.
He's learned a few Terran languages, and when he isn't "working", he likes to take advantage of his diplomatic immunity and go to places where there's more Meta Human activity ("just looking for a good fight, and maybe a stiff drink, puny human.").
Cazillian Conglomerate, The
This trade company holds a surprising amount of influence, almost as surprising as how quickly this company rose onto levels of success comparable to Meta-Life Laboratories. Ezekiel Cazillian is often held up as a classic "rags to riches" business man, and he is secretly an abusive parent and complete fraud.
Ezekiel started as a failed conman, and was never eable to change that, even when able to live on the wealth and success of his wife, Patricia Newmire Cazillian (of the affluent Newmire Family). Some time after giving birth to a child, though, his fortunes took a hard turn.
His son is a Meta-Human, and it's his son's uncontrollable power to change the fortunes of others that has fueled his success, and he knows it. He never wanted children, and only barely hid his resentment, but when he figured out his kids power, was shameless in his exploitation. People were just assets or resources to be exploited, and their child wasn't an exception.
Cazillian Conglomerate has it's hands in a lot of pies, as a trading company. Old habits die hard, though, and in his dealings in technology, Ezekiel has begun a lucrative side racket. He has the money to pay off law enforcement, and buy politicians, which is why noone in power has drawn any connections between his dealings in technology and the rise of criminals armed with advanced equipment and the knowledge to use and maintain it. He eventually hopes that his shady arms dealing will motivate military and law enforcement contracts to combat these villains. The Heroes are something of a problem for this plan, thus in addition to his wife's hatred (she was injured and scarred in the collateral damage of a battle between heroes and villains) the Cazillians are openly hostile to Heroes and the ways they "make things worse, for society!" Business deals that are more headscratching, but unquestioned, are how some of their dealings, to the discerning eye, always seem to hurt the Newmire Family (because Patricia is so entitled to success and privilege that she feels compelled to destroy her family in order to take theirs).
Since their son ran away, Cazillian Conglomerate has begun to suffer- the public at large was not aware of their sons' Meta-Human status, and thus this decline as attributed to Ezekiel sinking an inordinate amount of time and money into finding him. It's been a few years, and he's beginning to get desperate, since his success is on the decline, slowly, but consistently. He's on the verge of turning to less legal operations to find and reclaim his "property"...
Detective
Lesley Jimenez is an investigative journalist for the "Trying Times", a small news printer in Metatropolis. She was on a coffee run when she got caught up in some kind of armed robbery! The culprits were attacking a Meta-Life Labs truck delivering materials to the Metatropolis general Hospital- she found out later, carrying experimental substances, for trial applications, some new painkillers and other things. She lost her hearing (the hooligans somehow stole... Something like a bazooka, only it fired sound instead of rockets), temporarily, and being at ground zero of the attack, she also got severely injured.
When she came to in the hospital, she found out she'd been not only cut up badly from debris (and even a bit of shrapnel), likely to be severely scarred, but exposed to many of the substances in the truck. They had no idea what effect it was going to have, frankly they were shocked she woke up at all for how much of these chemicals were in her system.
Miraculously, she made a full recovery; hearing, no death by mystery drugs, and very little scarring! However, she soon found that she'd lost her ability to feel pain! The doctors couldn't find any signs of nerve damage, and speculated (half jokingly) that "maybe you're Meta Gene was activated".
She was able to get back to work, but couldn't stop thinking about what happened to her. She did some digging, and was surprised to find that incidents like this were happening more often than anyone cared to admit! Whether it was just denial, or a cover-up, she decided she was going to try and put a stop to it, to find these criminals and fight them to a stand still. If need be, she'd even follow leads and personally take down not only these clowns running around with super-tech, but whatever jerk was giving it to them.
She couldn't afford to do anything too conspicuous like a silly costume (those seemed to be on the rise, though), and she couldn't afford that anyway. Lesley hides her face behind a simple red bandana. She dons a grey fedora, a white dress shirt and red waist coat, and a good trench coat (that matches the hat) instead of a cape. She oddly matches that with denim jeans and steel toed boots, moon lighting as a vigilante private eye type, simply calling herself "The Detective". When she isn't chasing leads on who's giving criminals the edge in the street level arms race, she's terrorizing petty criminals and thugs, making her "territory" (the area surrounding Metatropolis General, mostly, but also any business that has dealings with Meta-Life, as they're prime targets) just a little more dangerous for criminals.
In particular she keeps having run ins with a real psycho in a leather jacket and weaponized guitar called "The Rocker". She can't figure out who he actually is, despite the fact he doesn't even where a mask, but eventually, she hopes to put him behind bars and make sure he stays there.
Cold-Snap
A speedster, with ice powers. Some have proposed he change his alias to "Mean-streak", because he's not only a villain, but a particularly cruel guy- his ice powers are so strong, he leaves a trail of slippery frost when he runs, often causing traffic accidents, and sometimes fights with "ice gauntlets"; turning his fists into solid ice blocks, with icicle spikes. He even sometimes freezes parts of people; many law enforcers have been pushed into early retirement for limbs and appendages lost to frostbite. Why does he do this? "If I just killed them, they could try me for murder." Thankfully, he can't seem to freeze anything further than 50 feet from him, although his super speed renders that pointless.
He was part of an experiment to try and create soldiers or something more resistant to cold (in connection to Tartarus, some speculate). The super speed surprised everyone. He escaped, not long after that, and his identity seems to be confidential (whoever is responsible for him is likely a combination of embarrassed, powerful, and desperate to not be held responsible).
Gearhead
Heroes and Villains that rely on gadgets and technology.
Impact
If Marvel's Juggernaut is an "Unstoppable Force", this Meta-Human is the "Immovable Object".
He's described as "immune to kinetic force"; he has a form of limited telekinesis that allows him to ignore the force or impact of anything that interacts with him, so long as he's aware of it. Falls from great height, oncoming vehicles, the strongest of strikes from the strongest of attackers? all incapable of so much as scratching him. This is dependent, however, on him seeing it coming, or otherwise being aware of the impending contact, and having the focus to trigger this "immunity".
To a limited extent, he can even increase the force of his own strikes in a fight! He's currently only ever seen doing disaster relief, mid-disaster, aiding rescue efforts during hurricanes and tornadoes, situations where his abilities are very convenient.
Inhibitors
Inhibitor Technology was reverse engineered from early technology that Meta-Life Labs was using to artificially trigger the Meta Gene in it's subjects. A disastrous incident forced them to turn to issues of not only being able to create Meta-Humans, but than in some way control them.
They may never be able to reverse the effects of Meta-Gene activation, but they've at least worked out a means to "interrupt" it's effects. Shine the (green) light on a Meta target, and you don't just make a shadow, you reduce their ability to use their powers. with a great many flashes, or long enough uninterrupted exposure, and their Meta-Gene becomes completely dormant- not inactive, just dormant. For some reason, once it's been activated, it can't be shut off again. So, once the target is no longer under the light of an Inhibitor, their Meta-Gene resumes activity and their powers begin to return.
Inhibitors come in 2 varieties- "Restraint" and "Active Containment". "Restraint" Inhibitors are fixed within a structure, like a light fixture, and are turned on in a room where it's necessary to ensure the containment or good behavior of a Meta-Human. This seems to be working fairly well for containing inmates in the Tartarus facility, since observation over time has shown that the "Inhibitor Effect" sets in faster than it wears off. Thus the practice currently is setting Restraints on repeating timers whilst an inmate is in there cell; 15 minutes on, 1 hour off (sleep masks are provided to assist in proper sleep, despite the lights). "Active Containment" is essentially the Inhibitors, weaponized. Smaller, portable, like a spot-light. They cast I wide beam, in order to fully envelop a target in the debilitating light.
The overwhelming majority of available Inhibitor tech is concentrated in Tartarus, due to the Anti-Meta effects being dependent on Atlantanium in the construction of the device...
Metatropolis
A large city in North America that has effectively branded an identity strongly linked to Meta-Humans.
Meta-Human
People who have special abilities/powers (most aliens would not fall into this category for 2 reasons: 1, they aren't human, and 2, more often than not, special abilities seen in extra terrestrials are normal to their people)
Meta-Life Laboratories
A research and development company that specializes in theoretical technologies, and advanced genetic sciences. Unknown to the public at large, they've been exploring the phenomenon of Meta-Humans before the public knew anything about them. Nobody even realizes these days that Meta-Life is where the "Meta" in "Meta-Human" comes from. For a very long time they've had lucrative contracts with the military, some labs even previously maintaining other activities strictly as a front to hide their human experimentation.
much of there work today, the miracle medicines and technologies they've developed, are the final product of decades of illegal experiments on humans, and confirming Dr. Malones' hypothesis.
Much of their shadier work goes on in Area 51 after "The Accident". Letting the military take over security on the projects in which they had an interest was the only way to maintain the contracts at all- the escape dealt them a devastating blow.
Since then, they've also developed technology useful to controlling Meta-Humans, derived from the same science and technology that helped make some of them...
Mystic
Heroes and Villains who rely on magic.
Olympus
A proposed extension of the United Nations and Interpol, meant to engage the increasing issue of effectively governing (and policing) Meta-Humans and other extraordinary individuals on Earth who couldn't necessarily be made to respect borders, nevermind laws. It would also have jurisdiction over matters of punishment and incarceration, including control of the Tartarus Detention Center.
For the time being, the threat of an entire government dedicated to dealing with them deters a number of would be super villains from if not rethinking a life of crime, at least rethink how far their willing to go, and not trying to jump jurisdictional borders only to expedite Olympus becoming a reality.
Still, incidents, both good and bad, are on the rise, and in addition to formal relations established with another planet and it's civilzations, many expect that global governance as the norm on Earth is an eventuality.
Promethea
A "Red Martian", Promethea more closely resembles a Terran, but with brilliant red skin-tone. She was initially captured by the Earth American Military (after shooting her vessel down without warning, no less), but is currently confident in her status as a sort of ambassador for Barsoom. Currently, her primary occupation is concerned with negotiating interactions between Earth and Barsoom, and hopefully they'll soon come to agreements, and begin proper trade and relations.
Mars needs water; they've become over-dependent on their glaciers, and unlike Earth, they have fewer alternatives for water-sources. However, they've seen how aggressive Earth is with their current level of technology, and they aren't so sure they'll calm down with space-faring capability. They have a strong bargaining position primarily with their large quantities of what the Terrans call "Atlantanium", but then the Atlanteans came to the table. Apparently the Terrans were not a united people, just yet (all the more reason not to better arm any of them), and secretly the people of Atlantis share Barsoom's hesitation to give away too much, too quickly. Still, as a show of good faith (and no hard feelings) they've assisted in the rapid construction of a prison colony in Antarctica, called the "Tartarus Detention Center". They don't have Meta people on Barsoom, and the whole idea left a bad taste in her mouth, but if she was going to lead by example, the least she could do was facilitate not killing each other quite so much. Indeed, the establishment of the entire complex was dependent on commitment to non-lethal measures, and humane treatment of it's occupants. Similarly, to thwart the more violent among them, it was forebade, as part of the initial truce, that no single Earth civilization would have control of Tartarus.
She has, like her body guard, Balrog, been forced to receive a variable atmospheric compensator implant. Capable of living comfortably enough on Earth for the time being, she's looking forward to working on something other than peace treaties and trade, and do more in the way of relations. She's also been made aware that she is a likely nominee for the lead position of a developing "Olympus" organization. The idea sounds exhausting, to her, but she isn't going to worry about that until it becomes more than mere rumor.
Randall Lazarus
Randall Lazarus is a mean old bastard, through and through. His sole concern in most matters is how he might benefit, and if it can improve his image.
As the "Senior Executive Chairman" of Meta-Life Laboratories, and a ruthless business man in general, he's been behind some fairly shady dealings. It was by his brow-beating, and outright coercion that Doctor Avery Malone was "convinced" to focus his efforts on "theoretical" human experimentation to secure his most lucrative contract; military research and development.
Sure, his company has it's hands in a fair number of pies- pharmaceuticals, agriculture, electronics, even entertainment. Military was always a major goal, for him, though- nobody has a bigger budget; if you want government contracts and money, always go for the military.
Financially, it's been a rough recovery period, the past 30 years, since "The Accident", but he refused to let Malone burn his company, everything he'd built, to the ground. He knew, as well, Malone was responsible, and still alive, but since he made it out, and recovered what was lost (save complete control over special projects' security and procedures; one break out, one bad day and suddenly the army thinks it can better handle security...), he'd objectively won, in the end. Malone could hide until the day he died, and it wouldn't matter. He'd beaten him.
His ultimate triumph in the wake of Malone's pathetic Meta-Jail Break was when their military contract provided them access to "Atlantanium", even if they could only manage to obtain it by the ounce. It didn't take much, and it paired wonderfully with alien tech they'd reverse engineered over in 51. That was how they'd turned around the same tech that made artificial Meta-Gene activation possible, and created ways to control what Meta-Humans and other subjects they'd worked up since The Accident. Combined with their massive contributions to Tartarus, he had his foot in the door- as far as he was concerned, international contracts and defacto control of protecting people from their fears of Meta-Humans was inevitable.
He was injured in The Accident, and required prosthesis for his right leg, and a cane. Well, that wasn't technically true- he had his own company handle the procedure, on account of the advanced technology they had, even back then. He feigns a limp, and uses the cane as a matter of softening his public image. These days, in his old age (rapidly approaching 80) he puts out a more public presence, having carefully cultivated a "grandfatherly" persona for the public eye. In private he's still mean, though. Slow to trust, and only when he feels in control- he made that mistake with Malone.
He doesn't forgive or forget, despite his success. One day, he hopes to know when Malone has died, hiding like the rat he was...
Rocker, The
"The Rocker" is not what one would call "well adjusted". Despite the grey streak in his shoulder length, wavy hair (of which he is very proud), he still maintains a 5 o'clock shadow, wears eyeliner and one earring. He has no special powers, but as he puts it, "still knows how to work a crowd"; he has a small gang of teenagers around him as his lieutenants- the same 3 delinquents, his entourage. Any others frequently come and go, he views them as disposable anyway, so their loyalty means little.
He has a knack for getting his hands on higher tech than he ought to have access to, and is surprisingly adept at working with it. He makes gear for his lieutenants, of course, but keeps the best for himself.
His most prized possession and weapon of choice is his "axe". He's rigged his electric guitar to be wireless, with a built in power supply, and high-powered speaker. The speaker can, when on the correct settings, project sonic attacks or defense of varying power (he and his lieutenants have blue-tooth sonic dampeners so they don't get hurt, of course)! He's also armored the body of the instrument, so he can wield it as a melee weapon. He's also shown himself to be as skilled with the chain he wears for a belt as a lion tamer with their whip.
He frequently likes to taunt or fight with the Detective, announcing himself with his laugh, which also tends to be his calling card whilst making a hasty retreat. He's irrationally violent towards anyone that might try to kill the Detective- he has dibs, apparently, and not unlike Detective, is fiercely protective of his perceived territory, or, in his case, property.
Tank Man
Tank Man is a creative engineer, that much has to be admitted. He started out with a bulldozer, and built it up into an armored assault vehicle, akin to a tank, hence his moniker. It's hard to stop him from his work as a force of destruction; he works with materials that can largely be obtained by intermediaries through public sources. Concrete, scrap metal, non military firearms, and of course necessary tools and even some electronics!
He frequently modifies or alters his "tank" (within a garage nobody seems to be able to locate) to suit a given target or objective; he always has a target in mind, and plans accordingly. Lately, it seems he's getting more sophisticated- he's donned a suit of surprisingly effective scrap armor (which seems to be built around the basic workings or skeleton of actual powered armor), complete with a helmet he's convinced protects his mind from mystics and psychics. Not only that, but work and materials are becoming less... "junky".
He often butt's heads with Impact, in various locations.
Tartarus Detention Center, The
A high tech international prison facility recently established in Antarctica- like alcatraz, the point of the location is to deter escape attempts. Otherwise they'd have simply fitted existing facilities with inhibitor technology. The entire complex can house a rotating staff of military personnel acting as guards, as well as up to 100 inmates for 6 months with a full stock of supplies. Meta-Humans are the intended populace, but they'll also take in non powered criminals if they're deemed to be sufficiently high risk in normal facilities.
Mystic inmates present the real problem; no amount of technology seems to be able to guarantee containment, but efforts are being made to bridge the gaps in security.
A facility such as Tartarus should have taken years, but with extraordinary aid and assistence from Atlantis and Mars, it was constructed and ready to begin operations within 6 months! However, Earth is expected to handle the logistics of managing and maintaining this place in the long term, and Atlantis isn't going to help any further, it seems.
Nobody knows how they manage to keep so well informed on the rest of the world, but it's suspected they have sophisticated spying operations.
Tritania
The Warrior Queen of Atlantis. It's rumored she's sustained by their advanced technology (she supposedly hasn't aged since WW2, where she was first sighted single handedly sinking a German invasion fleet). She's actually immortal; the divine protector of Atlantis, and it's surrounding oceans.
Her high tech Atlantanium armor is not only amphibious, but capable of limited flight! Some think it's her armor that makes her so tall, but no; she's over 6 feet tall! With her Atlantanium Trident, she can control water, and even conjur up powerful storms. She has super human strength, and limited telepathy, and is a force of nature when it comes to defending her nation and it's people.
Tritania presents herself as a "daughter of Poseidon", and has proven difficult for many a diplomat to deal with. She has little patience, and doesn't pull any punches in negotiations with the U.N. She's very stingy with Atlantanium, mostly because she assumes eventually they want to try and make weapons and start fights for more of it. Still, despite this, she does occasionally spend time in the world outside her kingdoms' borders, and has seen enough to believe people are basically good. A little trust and good faith might be the guidance they need to move past their war-like tendencies? In the meantime, it's her planet too, and she's been increasingly involved with stopping international threats before they get out of hand.
She's worried about Mars. She finds Promethea to be a pleasant sort of woman, and strong leader, and if she could, she'd hang out with Balrog. She also finds her outlook on the rest of Earth to be naiive, though. "Give them an inch, and they'll take a mile", she once warned. She was against trade negotiations, and the limited sharing of technology that went into Tartarus, but has cooperated to avoid making enemies on Earth. All in all, She bears no grudge against the Martians, but they have sorely complicated Atlantis' strength and position on the global stage.
"extra terrestrials", any people or creatures who's origins lie beyond the stars.
"Area 51"
The formerly secret military research base, and an increasingly common location for meetings between Earth political figures and representatives of Mars (though they call it "Barsoom"). Negotiations are currently intensely interested in sharing of technology and resources, with a particular interest in Barsoomian sourced Atlantanium. Many other things have also been achieved through interplanetary cooperation, such as the quick construction of "Tartarus" in Antarctica.
More secretive operations still take place, here, including (unbeknownst to the public) extensive, decades long research on Meta Genetics, in the interest of developing super soldiers and bio weapons.
About 3 years ago an alien animal they'd been working at turning into some kind of bio weapon escaped, and set off a lot of "chupacabra" sightings around Groom Lake and Roswell. It was a badly embarrassing incident, because they weren't able to distance themselves from the creatures existence, and it came out that they had been secretly engaging in counter observations, study of the occasional alien crafts and that they have been aware of alien visitations for some time. Suddenly being public knowledge seems to have afforded them a new level protection; had they remained completely secret, the whole site might have been on the budgetary chopping block for the gross incompetence that led to the beast escaping in the first place.
They're still in the habit of lying to the public, though- much more than matters of alien visitation are taking place, there...
Atlantis
Ancient and secretive, nobody knows just how advanced Atlantis actually is. Sailors unfortunate enough to crash against their jagged reefs are never seen or heard from again. What little contact has taken place has been concentrated through the last century.
Tales from WW2 suggest they are also possessed of strong magic, or that their technology is so advanced that it might as well be magic. Whatever the case, they had no need of aid to fend off The Germans when the Furor grew desperate for new super weapons. After the atomic weapons exchange against Japan, they spoke to world leaders and established strictly limited communications. ON the promise that their borders be respected, and their waters given a wide birth (effectively splitting the Atlantic across the middle), from time to time they release small quantities of a super-rare mineral called "Atlantanium" into U.N. custody, to be distributed by negotiation, usually for study.
Atlantis seems to have a warrior queen figure, "Tritania". Whether it's magic or technology or some odd amalgamation of the 2, she is often the first responder when outsiders violate their waters or air-space. Sailors speak in hushed tones of whaler vessels being suddenly impaled by glaciers, only to be swallowed by the sea itself.
Attempts at bypassing their secrecy without violating Atlantean airspace and waters have failed miserably. Satellite observations are quickly jammed, fallowed by public announcements to "stay off my lawn". The only glimpse of their civilization available to the outside is the very top of a shining pyramid, visible from international waters, and indeed, orbit.
The Atlanteans aren't happy about negotiations to side-step them and get who knows how much Atlantanium from Mars/Barsoom, and are furiously demanding more intense regulation, or even outright restrictions of the substance, regardless of it's source. They've seen what the outside world does with things like Uranium and Plutonium, and they'd prefer a healthy respect for powerful/dangerous substances became the norm before they obtain large quantities of Atlantanium. They'd rather not see the Earth destroy itself, which it would if they decided to go to war over this mineral. But, the Martians need resources, like unfrozen water, and they happen to have a richer supply of what Earth recognizes as "magic metal"...
It's rumored that Atlantis has a much higher percentage of Meta Humans within their populace, but no one has been able to verify this rumor.
Atlantanium
comparable to Vibranium of the Marvel Universe, it's rumored to be "the most versatile substance known to man", and efforts are being made around the clock for the rest of Earth to try and demystify it. Where science fails, though, it's basically magic metal. It's stronger even than military grade alloys, while only having to be smelt and poured into shape. blades and points practically edge themselves with little working, never dulls and it's highly conductive, with extraordinary heat/energy tolerance once forged. And that's the most basic information currently available to public sources. Demonstrations have shown further properties and applications, but rare few have learned precisely how it works.
Avery Malone
To date, the worlds top scientist in the field of Meta Genetic Research. It's believed his Meta Theory predicted the current state of things, but he's been missing and presumed dead for some time, now.
Secretly, he was the chief scientist working at Meta Life Laboratories, on what, nobody could speculate beyond "research". 30 years ago there was an industrial accident in the lab where he worked and developed his "Meta Gene Hypothesis" (now widely accepted as a proper Theory). Many projects were destroyed, and subjects were lost, living subjects having escaped iretreavably. To this day some "monsters" and "mutants" are attributed to his work all those years ago, but he's assumed dead, since he too was never seen after that incident.
He's very much alive.
He orchestrated the "accident" in order to aid in the escape of the subjects, many of whom were human.
History characterized him as an emotionless, uncaring sort in the years leading up to the accident, but he lost his disconnection and engaged what would've been called "the greatest act of industrial sabotage in history", had the facts surrounding the incident not been carefully suppressed by their largest client, the U.S. Military.
He stays in hiding, aiding or temporarily sheltering Meta Humans as best he can without revealing himself.
Though the truth is hidden from the world, some disreputable tabloids and "news" sites will occasionally refer to Meta Humans as "Malone's Grandchildren".
Balrog of Barsoom
Balrog is a "Green Martian"; 7 feet tall, short tusks, 4 arms, eyes that seem too large for his head. He's been a "non-citizen resident" of Earth for a year, since the diplomatic vessel he was assigned to was mistaken for a hostile target and they were unceremoniously shot out of the sky by a "weather satellite" that "just happened" to be armed with a particle-beam weapon.
Balrog and a "Red Martian" that the Terrans (people of Earth) have begun calling "Promethea" were the only survivors of the crash. They thought they were going to die in Area 51; they couldn't speak the language, the atmosphere was like inhaling smoke constantly, and the gravity was like carrying an extra 50 pounds they couldn't put down. They'd also heard rumor of the cruelty of Terrans- desecrating the dead for reasons unknown. He managed to get to his feet, and was ready to die fighting to protect Promethea.
Thankfully, rescue came, and it never came to that. He's been assigned as Promethea's Champion, protecting her during various diplomatic functions. He's equipped with a variable atmospheric compensator; worn center of the chest, this glowing implant alters the affect of gravity for the wearer, as well as scrubbing the atmosphere within it's small field (1 ft around his entire body) to make it more breathable. He is also equipped with high tech full armor that enhances his strength considerably- enough to turn over cars with little effort. He specializes in melee weapons combat, but as a Green Martian, he does have some experience with firearms (those of Earth are strange in design to him, but work mostly the same). He favors the lance, and is a proud warrior, with a sense of honor and fair play. A savage roar is his battle cry.
He's learned a few Terran languages, and when he isn't "working", he likes to take advantage of his diplomatic immunity and go to places where there's more Meta Human activity ("just looking for a good fight, and maybe a stiff drink, puny human.").
Cazillian Conglomerate, The
This trade company holds a surprising amount of influence, almost as surprising as how quickly this company rose onto levels of success comparable to Meta-Life Laboratories. Ezekiel Cazillian is often held up as a classic "rags to riches" business man, and he is secretly an abusive parent and complete fraud.
Ezekiel started as a failed conman, and was never eable to change that, even when able to live on the wealth and success of his wife, Patricia Newmire Cazillian (of the affluent Newmire Family). Some time after giving birth to a child, though, his fortunes took a hard turn.
His son is a Meta-Human, and it's his son's uncontrollable power to change the fortunes of others that has fueled his success, and he knows it. He never wanted children, and only barely hid his resentment, but when he figured out his kids power, was shameless in his exploitation. People were just assets or resources to be exploited, and their child wasn't an exception.
Cazillian Conglomerate has it's hands in a lot of pies, as a trading company. Old habits die hard, though, and in his dealings in technology, Ezekiel has begun a lucrative side racket. He has the money to pay off law enforcement, and buy politicians, which is why noone in power has drawn any connections between his dealings in technology and the rise of criminals armed with advanced equipment and the knowledge to use and maintain it. He eventually hopes that his shady arms dealing will motivate military and law enforcement contracts to combat these villains. The Heroes are something of a problem for this plan, thus in addition to his wife's hatred (she was injured and scarred in the collateral damage of a battle between heroes and villains) the Cazillians are openly hostile to Heroes and the ways they "make things worse, for society!" Business deals that are more headscratching, but unquestioned, are how some of their dealings, to the discerning eye, always seem to hurt the Newmire Family (because Patricia is so entitled to success and privilege that she feels compelled to destroy her family in order to take theirs).
Since their son ran away, Cazillian Conglomerate has begun to suffer- the public at large was not aware of their sons' Meta-Human status, and thus this decline as attributed to Ezekiel sinking an inordinate amount of time and money into finding him. It's been a few years, and he's beginning to get desperate, since his success is on the decline, slowly, but consistently. He's on the verge of turning to less legal operations to find and reclaim his "property"...
Detective
Lesley Jimenez is an investigative journalist for the "Trying Times", a small news printer in Metatropolis. She was on a coffee run when she got caught up in some kind of armed robbery! The culprits were attacking a Meta-Life Labs truck delivering materials to the Metatropolis general Hospital- she found out later, carrying experimental substances, for trial applications, some new painkillers and other things. She lost her hearing (the hooligans somehow stole... Something like a bazooka, only it fired sound instead of rockets), temporarily, and being at ground zero of the attack, she also got severely injured.
When she came to in the hospital, she found out she'd been not only cut up badly from debris (and even a bit of shrapnel), likely to be severely scarred, but exposed to many of the substances in the truck. They had no idea what effect it was going to have, frankly they were shocked she woke up at all for how much of these chemicals were in her system.
Miraculously, she made a full recovery; hearing, no death by mystery drugs, and very little scarring! However, she soon found that she'd lost her ability to feel pain! The doctors couldn't find any signs of nerve damage, and speculated (half jokingly) that "maybe you're Meta Gene was activated".
She was able to get back to work, but couldn't stop thinking about what happened to her. She did some digging, and was surprised to find that incidents like this were happening more often than anyone cared to admit! Whether it was just denial, or a cover-up, she decided she was going to try and put a stop to it, to find these criminals and fight them to a stand still. If need be, she'd even follow leads and personally take down not only these clowns running around with super-tech, but whatever jerk was giving it to them.
She couldn't afford to do anything too conspicuous like a silly costume (those seemed to be on the rise, though), and she couldn't afford that anyway. Lesley hides her face behind a simple red bandana. She dons a grey fedora, a white dress shirt and red waist coat, and a good trench coat (that matches the hat) instead of a cape. She oddly matches that with denim jeans and steel toed boots, moon lighting as a vigilante private eye type, simply calling herself "The Detective". When she isn't chasing leads on who's giving criminals the edge in the street level arms race, she's terrorizing petty criminals and thugs, making her "territory" (the area surrounding Metatropolis General, mostly, but also any business that has dealings with Meta-Life, as they're prime targets) just a little more dangerous for criminals.
In particular she keeps having run ins with a real psycho in a leather jacket and weaponized guitar called "The Rocker". She can't figure out who he actually is, despite the fact he doesn't even where a mask, but eventually, she hopes to put him behind bars and make sure he stays there.
Cold-Snap
A speedster, with ice powers. Some have proposed he change his alias to "Mean-streak", because he's not only a villain, but a particularly cruel guy- his ice powers are so strong, he leaves a trail of slippery frost when he runs, often causing traffic accidents, and sometimes fights with "ice gauntlets"; turning his fists into solid ice blocks, with icicle spikes. He even sometimes freezes parts of people; many law enforcers have been pushed into early retirement for limbs and appendages lost to frostbite. Why does he do this? "If I just killed them, they could try me for murder." Thankfully, he can't seem to freeze anything further than 50 feet from him, although his super speed renders that pointless.
He was part of an experiment to try and create soldiers or something more resistant to cold (in connection to Tartarus, some speculate). The super speed surprised everyone. He escaped, not long after that, and his identity seems to be confidential (whoever is responsible for him is likely a combination of embarrassed, powerful, and desperate to not be held responsible).
Gearhead
Heroes and Villains that rely on gadgets and technology.
Impact
If Marvel's Juggernaut is an "Unstoppable Force", this Meta-Human is the "Immovable Object".
He's described as "immune to kinetic force"; he has a form of limited telekinesis that allows him to ignore the force or impact of anything that interacts with him, so long as he's aware of it. Falls from great height, oncoming vehicles, the strongest of strikes from the strongest of attackers? all incapable of so much as scratching him. This is dependent, however, on him seeing it coming, or otherwise being aware of the impending contact, and having the focus to trigger this "immunity".
To a limited extent, he can even increase the force of his own strikes in a fight! He's currently only ever seen doing disaster relief, mid-disaster, aiding rescue efforts during hurricanes and tornadoes, situations where his abilities are very convenient.
Inhibitors
Inhibitor Technology was reverse engineered from early technology that Meta-Life Labs was using to artificially trigger the Meta Gene in it's subjects. A disastrous incident forced them to turn to issues of not only being able to create Meta-Humans, but than in some way control them.
They may never be able to reverse the effects of Meta-Gene activation, but they've at least worked out a means to "interrupt" it's effects. Shine the (green) light on a Meta target, and you don't just make a shadow, you reduce their ability to use their powers. with a great many flashes, or long enough uninterrupted exposure, and their Meta-Gene becomes completely dormant- not inactive, just dormant. For some reason, once it's been activated, it can't be shut off again. So, once the target is no longer under the light of an Inhibitor, their Meta-Gene resumes activity and their powers begin to return.
Inhibitors come in 2 varieties- "Restraint" and "Active Containment". "Restraint" Inhibitors are fixed within a structure, like a light fixture, and are turned on in a room where it's necessary to ensure the containment or good behavior of a Meta-Human. This seems to be working fairly well for containing inmates in the Tartarus facility, since observation over time has shown that the "Inhibitor Effect" sets in faster than it wears off. Thus the practice currently is setting Restraints on repeating timers whilst an inmate is in there cell; 15 minutes on, 1 hour off (sleep masks are provided to assist in proper sleep, despite the lights). "Active Containment" is essentially the Inhibitors, weaponized. Smaller, portable, like a spot-light. They cast I wide beam, in order to fully envelop a target in the debilitating light.
The overwhelming majority of available Inhibitor tech is concentrated in Tartarus, due to the Anti-Meta effects being dependent on Atlantanium in the construction of the device...
Metatropolis
A large city in North America that has effectively branded an identity strongly linked to Meta-Humans.
Meta-Human
People who have special abilities/powers (most aliens would not fall into this category for 2 reasons: 1, they aren't human, and 2, more often than not, special abilities seen in extra terrestrials are normal to their people)
Meta-Life Laboratories
A research and development company that specializes in theoretical technologies, and advanced genetic sciences. Unknown to the public at large, they've been exploring the phenomenon of Meta-Humans before the public knew anything about them. Nobody even realizes these days that Meta-Life is where the "Meta" in "Meta-Human" comes from. For a very long time they've had lucrative contracts with the military, some labs even previously maintaining other activities strictly as a front to hide their human experimentation.
much of there work today, the miracle medicines and technologies they've developed, are the final product of decades of illegal experiments on humans, and confirming Dr. Malones' hypothesis.
Much of their shadier work goes on in Area 51 after "The Accident". Letting the military take over security on the projects in which they had an interest was the only way to maintain the contracts at all- the escape dealt them a devastating blow.
Since then, they've also developed technology useful to controlling Meta-Humans, derived from the same science and technology that helped make some of them...
Mystic
Heroes and Villains who rely on magic.
Olympus
A proposed extension of the United Nations and Interpol, meant to engage the increasing issue of effectively governing (and policing) Meta-Humans and other extraordinary individuals on Earth who couldn't necessarily be made to respect borders, nevermind laws. It would also have jurisdiction over matters of punishment and incarceration, including control of the Tartarus Detention Center.
For the time being, the threat of an entire government dedicated to dealing with them deters a number of would be super villains from if not rethinking a life of crime, at least rethink how far their willing to go, and not trying to jump jurisdictional borders only to expedite Olympus becoming a reality.
Still, incidents, both good and bad, are on the rise, and in addition to formal relations established with another planet and it's civilzations, many expect that global governance as the norm on Earth is an eventuality.
Promethea
A "Red Martian", Promethea more closely resembles a Terran, but with brilliant red skin-tone. She was initially captured by the Earth American Military (after shooting her vessel down without warning, no less), but is currently confident in her status as a sort of ambassador for Barsoom. Currently, her primary occupation is concerned with negotiating interactions between Earth and Barsoom, and hopefully they'll soon come to agreements, and begin proper trade and relations.
Mars needs water; they've become over-dependent on their glaciers, and unlike Earth, they have fewer alternatives for water-sources. However, they've seen how aggressive Earth is with their current level of technology, and they aren't so sure they'll calm down with space-faring capability. They have a strong bargaining position primarily with their large quantities of what the Terrans call "Atlantanium", but then the Atlanteans came to the table. Apparently the Terrans were not a united people, just yet (all the more reason not to better arm any of them), and secretly the people of Atlantis share Barsoom's hesitation to give away too much, too quickly. Still, as a show of good faith (and no hard feelings) they've assisted in the rapid construction of a prison colony in Antarctica, called the "Tartarus Detention Center". They don't have Meta people on Barsoom, and the whole idea left a bad taste in her mouth, but if she was going to lead by example, the least she could do was facilitate not killing each other quite so much. Indeed, the establishment of the entire complex was dependent on commitment to non-lethal measures, and humane treatment of it's occupants. Similarly, to thwart the more violent among them, it was forebade, as part of the initial truce, that no single Earth civilization would have control of Tartarus.
She has, like her body guard, Balrog, been forced to receive a variable atmospheric compensator implant. Capable of living comfortably enough on Earth for the time being, she's looking forward to working on something other than peace treaties and trade, and do more in the way of relations. She's also been made aware that she is a likely nominee for the lead position of a developing "Olympus" organization. The idea sounds exhausting, to her, but she isn't going to worry about that until it becomes more than mere rumor.
Randall Lazarus
Randall Lazarus is a mean old bastard, through and through. His sole concern in most matters is how he might benefit, and if it can improve his image.
As the "Senior Executive Chairman" of Meta-Life Laboratories, and a ruthless business man in general, he's been behind some fairly shady dealings. It was by his brow-beating, and outright coercion that Doctor Avery Malone was "convinced" to focus his efforts on "theoretical" human experimentation to secure his most lucrative contract; military research and development.
Sure, his company has it's hands in a fair number of pies- pharmaceuticals, agriculture, electronics, even entertainment. Military was always a major goal, for him, though- nobody has a bigger budget; if you want government contracts and money, always go for the military.
Financially, it's been a rough recovery period, the past 30 years, since "The Accident", but he refused to let Malone burn his company, everything he'd built, to the ground. He knew, as well, Malone was responsible, and still alive, but since he made it out, and recovered what was lost (save complete control over special projects' security and procedures; one break out, one bad day and suddenly the army thinks it can better handle security...), he'd objectively won, in the end. Malone could hide until the day he died, and it wouldn't matter. He'd beaten him.
His ultimate triumph in the wake of Malone's pathetic Meta-Jail Break was when their military contract provided them access to "Atlantanium", even if they could only manage to obtain it by the ounce. It didn't take much, and it paired wonderfully with alien tech they'd reverse engineered over in 51. That was how they'd turned around the same tech that made artificial Meta-Gene activation possible, and created ways to control what Meta-Humans and other subjects they'd worked up since The Accident. Combined with their massive contributions to Tartarus, he had his foot in the door- as far as he was concerned, international contracts and defacto control of protecting people from their fears of Meta-Humans was inevitable.
He was injured in The Accident, and required prosthesis for his right leg, and a cane. Well, that wasn't technically true- he had his own company handle the procedure, on account of the advanced technology they had, even back then. He feigns a limp, and uses the cane as a matter of softening his public image. These days, in his old age (rapidly approaching 80) he puts out a more public presence, having carefully cultivated a "grandfatherly" persona for the public eye. In private he's still mean, though. Slow to trust, and only when he feels in control- he made that mistake with Malone.
He doesn't forgive or forget, despite his success. One day, he hopes to know when Malone has died, hiding like the rat he was...
Rocker, The
"The Rocker" is not what one would call "well adjusted". Despite the grey streak in his shoulder length, wavy hair (of which he is very proud), he still maintains a 5 o'clock shadow, wears eyeliner and one earring. He has no special powers, but as he puts it, "still knows how to work a crowd"; he has a small gang of teenagers around him as his lieutenants- the same 3 delinquents, his entourage. Any others frequently come and go, he views them as disposable anyway, so their loyalty means little.
He has a knack for getting his hands on higher tech than he ought to have access to, and is surprisingly adept at working with it. He makes gear for his lieutenants, of course, but keeps the best for himself.
His most prized possession and weapon of choice is his "axe". He's rigged his electric guitar to be wireless, with a built in power supply, and high-powered speaker. The speaker can, when on the correct settings, project sonic attacks or defense of varying power (he and his lieutenants have blue-tooth sonic dampeners so they don't get hurt, of course)! He's also armored the body of the instrument, so he can wield it as a melee weapon. He's also shown himself to be as skilled with the chain he wears for a belt as a lion tamer with their whip.
He frequently likes to taunt or fight with the Detective, announcing himself with his laugh, which also tends to be his calling card whilst making a hasty retreat. He's irrationally violent towards anyone that might try to kill the Detective- he has dibs, apparently, and not unlike Detective, is fiercely protective of his perceived territory, or, in his case, property.
Tank Man
Tank Man is a creative engineer, that much has to be admitted. He started out with a bulldozer, and built it up into an armored assault vehicle, akin to a tank, hence his moniker. It's hard to stop him from his work as a force of destruction; he works with materials that can largely be obtained by intermediaries through public sources. Concrete, scrap metal, non military firearms, and of course necessary tools and even some electronics!
He frequently modifies or alters his "tank" (within a garage nobody seems to be able to locate) to suit a given target or objective; he always has a target in mind, and plans accordingly. Lately, it seems he's getting more sophisticated- he's donned a suit of surprisingly effective scrap armor (which seems to be built around the basic workings or skeleton of actual powered armor), complete with a helmet he's convinced protects his mind from mystics and psychics. Not only that, but work and materials are becoming less... "junky".
He often butt's heads with Impact, in various locations.
Tartarus Detention Center, The
A high tech international prison facility recently established in Antarctica- like alcatraz, the point of the location is to deter escape attempts. Otherwise they'd have simply fitted existing facilities with inhibitor technology. The entire complex can house a rotating staff of military personnel acting as guards, as well as up to 100 inmates for 6 months with a full stock of supplies. Meta-Humans are the intended populace, but they'll also take in non powered criminals if they're deemed to be sufficiently high risk in normal facilities.
Mystic inmates present the real problem; no amount of technology seems to be able to guarantee containment, but efforts are being made to bridge the gaps in security.
A facility such as Tartarus should have taken years, but with extraordinary aid and assistence from Atlantis and Mars, it was constructed and ready to begin operations within 6 months! However, Earth is expected to handle the logistics of managing and maintaining this place in the long term, and Atlantis isn't going to help any further, it seems.
Nobody knows how they manage to keep so well informed on the rest of the world, but it's suspected they have sophisticated spying operations.
Tritania
The Warrior Queen of Atlantis. It's rumored she's sustained by their advanced technology (she supposedly hasn't aged since WW2, where she was first sighted single handedly sinking a German invasion fleet). She's actually immortal; the divine protector of Atlantis, and it's surrounding oceans.
Her high tech Atlantanium armor is not only amphibious, but capable of limited flight! Some think it's her armor that makes her so tall, but no; she's over 6 feet tall! With her Atlantanium Trident, she can control water, and even conjur up powerful storms. She has super human strength, and limited telepathy, and is a force of nature when it comes to defending her nation and it's people.
Tritania presents herself as a "daughter of Poseidon", and has proven difficult for many a diplomat to deal with. She has little patience, and doesn't pull any punches in negotiations with the U.N. She's very stingy with Atlantanium, mostly because she assumes eventually they want to try and make weapons and start fights for more of it. Still, despite this, she does occasionally spend time in the world outside her kingdoms' borders, and has seen enough to believe people are basically good. A little trust and good faith might be the guidance they need to move past their war-like tendencies? In the meantime, it's her planet too, and she's been increasingly involved with stopping international threats before they get out of hand.
She's worried about Mars. She finds Promethea to be a pleasant sort of woman, and strong leader, and if she could, she'd hang out with Balrog. She also finds her outlook on the rest of Earth to be naiive, though. "Give them an inch, and they'll take a mile", she once warned. She was against trade negotiations, and the limited sharing of technology that went into Tartarus, but has cooperated to avoid making enemies on Earth. All in all, She bears no grudge against the Martians, but they have sorely complicated Atlantis' strength and position on the global stage.
