___________________________________________________
Cynthia
Studio "C"...it was vastly becoming almost as world renowned as Studio A had been before the Champions and the Clique destroyed it. But it was more becoming known as "Cyn's Studio".
It was set up differently this time, three chairs instead of two...two small tables between the chairs...both set up exactly opposite of each other. She'd done it...or someone higher up did it. She'd have to take her director out for dinner some time for making these things work. She was the on air talent lately...poor Trish, practically outted by the new chica.
But, Cynthia got the ratings...and she got the interviews. Even crazy whack-jobs like Winston Philmont sat in one of her chairs...but now, for what may possibly be a once in a life time opportunity, she had both hybrid rulers of Atlantis on her show. It was big enough they put it in prime time.
She settles into her chair and looks between the two of them and smiles, her award winning smile.
"Thank you both for coming..."
Alright Cynthia, we're live in five...four...three.."
He signalled the final two of the count and the camera went live.
"Good evening New York, and good day to the rest of our viewers out there. We're interrupting Trish Tribley's usual evening broadcast to bring you a special session. I have with me tonight, returning to the studio, Prince Llyron...and his estranged father, the former ruler of Atlantis, Namor."
__________________________
Llyron
Llyron leaned back in his chair, relaxed and oozing of self confidence. It was a charade of course. His father DID make him .... not nervous, but cautious. The man had beaten the hulk ... twice. He smiled and slipped in two words before the camera came on.
"Hiya Pop."
__________________________
Namor
It is my pleasure to be here. *He said never taking his eyes off Llyron.* So much has been said and done that needs to be set straight, I felt it my obligation as the rightful ruler of Atlantis to step forth and tell the actual truth. Not that put forth by this creature....this pale ambombination...this illegally created clone....that seeks to become me.
*He ignored Llyron's comment....straining not to be goaded by his flippant remarks.*
___________________________
Cynthia
She nods. "Welcome, both of you. Though...my research team did a minor bit of fact finding, and they told me that, Namor...as a hybrid, you are actually infertile. Is this true? I'm sure that you, Llyron have the facts on this, as you've done extensive work into your own history and...well, creation."
____________________________
Llyron
He smiled sympathetically.
"Father. Let me say, that I appreciate your attempts at calm discussion, and I hope this will be a fruitful meeting ... and helpful to you."
He turned at Namor.
"My father has accused me of being a clone. I am not. I was born of Princess Llyra of Lemuria. My mother seduced Namor, while taking the form of Susan Storm. My noble father thought he was bedding the wife of Reed Richards, while he was missing in action for a time. As the Fantastic Four are prone to do from time to time. I've yet to decide who was worse ... my mother for seducing him, or my father for taking to bed one who he thought was the wife of a friend and colleague."
He raised an eyebrow, a bit disparagingly. Then he turned back to Cynthia and smiled.
"All hybrids are NOT infertile. Wolf-Canine mixes can interbreed. Granted ... my father's sperm is a bit ....lacking. So my mother sought medical aid ... and in vitro fertilization was used. A common medical procedure used by surface people around the world with fertility problems."
He shook his head.
"I know some have told Namor that I am the son of a near relative of his. A human. Perhaps someone should point out our common ankle wings to him. Or the fact that when he attacked me upon our first meeting, I easily met him blow for blow in combat. That doesn't sound like one who is three quarters human to me. But, regardless of whether I am Namor's son or Leon McKenzie's, it is a moot point. It's all right, if it makes him feel better. I am still in line for the throne, and was voted IN when Namor was voted OUT by the people."
________________________
Namor
*He nodded at the reporters question....dismissing Llyron's comments with a few well chosen words.* Indeed. I cannot bear offspring. Llyron's words are as false as his claims to being a naturally produced child. Llyron is the creation of she that killed my lady Dorma....she was to be my queen. Llyra....hence the likeness between his name and her. Through this clone, she sought to take over the kingdom eternal.....Atlantis. Little did she suspect that Llyron's mind contained her evil...and that of another. Making him to clever and ruthless to be controlled.
During my time away from Atlantis....working with the likes of the suface heroes, The defenders and Avengers....Atlantis suffered greatly.....and Llyron used these tragedies to insert himself as ruler.
And like your Frankenstein monster.....he is quite mad. Planning not only to tighten is grip of my homeland but over all lands. The creation of the redeemers points to this. Tiger Shark.....and others in that group are criminals.....murderers and thieves all.
*He sneered at the ankle wing comparison.* A clone would possess all my attritbutes.....would he not??? You need but ask your own. *He said glancing at Cynthia.* Captain America. Iron Man. Long have they been friends of mine. Trusted among the people of this great land of yours. They will vouch for my charactor.....Namor does not lie. Particularly on matters such as this.
___________________________
Cynthia
"So, technically, both of you could be considered villains in your own right. Llyron, you were born into villainy, but seemed to have made quite a turn around and have started trying to redeem yourself, as it were. And Namor, the infamous Submariner whom attacked this very city on occassion thinking the best defense was a good offense, to borrow a notion...has worked with heros of the world to try to save the planet as a whole as well."
She looks between the two of them and chuckles softly.
"Whether you are an exact duplicate of Namor or more of a second-cousin and such, it would seem that the both of you follow similar routes in your life."
______________________________
Llyron
He smiled
"No one is saying you're lying, father. I'm sorry ... shall I call you Namor? You've not been much of a father. "
He leaned back
"Yes, my people KNOW you spent your time on the surface world, ignoring your duties. That is why I was chosen over you. That and your fits of violence. As for your time on the surface world being spent altruistically, some of it was. I admire the environmental efforts you made. However, you were as likely to lash out against friend as foe during your time on the surface. Claiming heroism when all you sought was an excuse for combat against foes, ANY foes, is hardly commendable."
He turned to Cynthia.
"I was born OF villainous acts. Seduction and adultery. I don't deny that my fathe .... Namor has done good while on the surface. But I have my doubts as to what motivated his actions. I myself have striven from the day I took power to aid my people and, now that we have the resources, to aid other peoples of the world also."
He looked at Namor.
"Tigershark is striving to turn his life around. I myself am striving to put behind me the darker aspects of my heritage. Can you do the same, Namor? I'd LIKE us both to take a similar path. Will you join me in the service of your people? And mankind in their fight against villainous forces like the clique? We can put the past behind us, and strive to move forward ...."
__________________________
Namor
Of course he follows my path. *Namor replied quickly.* Part of me is in him. He cannot help help himself. Unfortunatley....Llyra and another of sisnister bent placed their mental engrams upon his foul mind. Thus he has descended into a realm of mad dreams of conquest.
*He eyeds Llyron.* At last truth....I will never be father to you base clone. All else you say is lies...it is like a curse....which prevents you from speaking the truth. I listen not to your words. Noe should others.
*He nodded at the reporters comments.* Yes...I did once attack New York....thinking the surface world was united against atlantis. But it was made clear it was th nazis who were responsible.....and thus did I join Captain America...Spitfire and others as member of the invaders to help end there vile threat....which as you know...eventually....we did.
So it was then....so shall it be now. With Llyron. He who I charge as being a menace to all countries. Like Doom.....like magneto....like the Schemer.....he is devoted to personal power and conquest of all. I suggest sending in Untied Nations inspectors to his various bases....now today..before he has time to hide the evidence.....to see the truth....and witness the evil he has wrought with his redeemers....and the cloning experments he claims he does not engage in.*
____________________________________________________
Llyron
He smiled and shook his head sadly.
"I offer you a chance to rejoin me in the service of our people, and to unite against the dark forces of the surface world, and am summarily rejected. There are dark forces at work every bit as evil as the nazi's of world war II. You don't understand the good you could do if you JUST showed some sense of duty."
He sighed and turned to Cynthia.
"Cloning is illegal among my people. Clones are considered to have NO legal status in Atlantis. Although I personally consider all sentient life sacred and worthy of respect, I enforce the ancient laws. Namor himself killed over a half dozen fully mature and sentient cloned women shortly before my birth. Such a waste of life."
He shook his head.
"I myself am NOT a clone. When I first was introduced to the Atlantean council, I welcomed them to test my blood. They did so, and and they determined not only that I was NOT a clone, but that I was also heir to the throne. This testing was done before I was acknowledged, much less voted into power. I think Namor maintains his anger and denial as a way to shield against the humiliation of having been seduced and having been caught in attempted adultery. He beat my mother
nearly to death when he found out she had seduced him. She was only saved by the intervention of the Fantastic Four."
He smiled at Cynthia.
"As to hybrids, I've brought some third generation wolf-dog pups in for you to see. Their parents are hybrids, as were their grandparents. They are fertile, breedable puppies."
____________________________________________________
Cynthia
"I can see why certain species can be more easily intermingled...though, wolves and dogs are closer in species, I would think than true Atlanteans and humans, though...it should be noted that there are remarkable similarities between our races."
She sneezes softly, but still pets one of the hybrid puppies.
____________________________________________________
Namor
Ever the statesman, Llyron. But your words are as false and the hopes of peace you seek to bring to this planet. You seek naught but to lull people with your politically correct mannerisms and then showing your true colors when it is to late.
*Namor eyes the dogs closely. He knew what Llyron was trying to do and was disgusted by it. It amazed him the surface dwellers would believe such vile prattle. But they were ever the fools. He was almost tempted to rise up and leave....let the human suffer a terrible fate at Llyron's hands. A fitting punishment for the gullible. And yet...he could not do this.
Many surface dwellers had proven noble. Steven Rogers, Betty Dean...so many that stoof up to the arrogance that infected the surface dwellers. From those few he had to try and make people see Llyron for what he truely was....a vile infection on skin of the planet.*
Hybrids. *Namor shook his head.* Clones...like yourself. And despite your many comments toward me and my brutality....I stand with Avengers....and they back my statements...are they liars as well??? Everyone lies but Llyron???
It is as if you are cursed....and everytime you speak you tell a lie. You mention the fantastic four.....ask them about Llyron. Though their has been strife between they and I....they no I am no menace....but Llyron is. I am certain even Reed Richards would admit to that.
____________________________________________________
Cynthia
"Gentlemen...let's not get into insults. You aren't here to be trying to one up each other or call each other liars. We are all here to get the simple facts straight. Cloning, as defined as complete genetic duplication of a being, is illegal. If the genome is not an exact duplicate, then it is not a clone. I may have my mother's eyes, but I'm not a clone of her, no matter how much my father says I'm like her." She chuckles softly.
"If there are no true clones on Atlantis, I'm sure that you would have no problem having a team visit and investigate the claims, would you, Prince Llyron?"
____________________________________________________
Llyron
The attendant who'd brought out the pups, removed them again ...
"Sorry, I didn't know you were alergic. Namor has always stressed the differences in our races. I don't know how many old recordings I've reviewed listening to him rant about surface crawlers and vile humans. It's good to see he's learned to respect some humans. But now I'm subjected to the same rants about those conceived using In Vitro Fertilization, a procedure used world wide. A procedure more than able to deal with his fertility issues. If my father had more faith in modern medicine, he'd probably have less issues with chemical imbalance induced rages. I've taken tests to prove I am not a clone, and will do so again, if need be. And I've stated how I respect the good things you've done, father. Though, again, I suspect it was your love of combat and not altruism that prompted you to aid the avengers at times. And lust for Mrs Richards that prompted your involvements with the FF."
He sighed.
"I've been told you also fathered offspring with your ill fated wife Marinna. But then claimed them to be spontaneous births. Do you wonder that some atlantean scientist may have exaggerated your infertility issues to soothe your rage? Again, I ask you father ... help me help our people, and the people of the world. I find mother's seduction of you abhorent and wrong. Must you punish the child for the wrongdoing of mother? I'm not asking you for child support. I am quite financially secure. But I ask you to stop such delusions and return with me to the service of your people."
He looked to Cynthia and smiled.
"I see you know your science. I'm not saying that the scientist who helped my mother conceive did not pick the healthiest, most favorable sex cells from my father ... but I'm definitely not a clone. Anyone with a color television can tell that. As for me cloning our new population ... THAT is what I find offensive. Say what you will about me, but I don't like people speaking badly of my people. You are welcome to tour our facilities at any time, Cynthia, and right now if you wish. Perhaps Namor would like to invite one of his scientist friends from one of the groups he's so selflessly aided in the past?"
____________________________________________________