I stood off to the side and surveyed the newcomers as they chatted about old times with each other. Our number, so far, was seven: myself (TTT), Captain Howdy, Kristogar Velo, Gooz, Eurostar, I-Man, and Mxy. The number seven is always a good, solid number for a team. Others would be arriving in due time, of course, but as far as I was concerned, the requisite number had been met. Our meeting could begin.
"Fellow MBLers," I said, the volume level of my voice raised just enough to cut through the noise level which had been rising as everyone competed for available sound while they conversed. As I waited a few moments, all grew silent and looked my way.
"Thank you for responding to my call so quickly," I said. "The MBL has a long tradition of protecting Thunder City and, indeed, the world, and there is a 87% probability that we will continue to do so for a number of years in the future.
"The numbers of this team have dwindled in recent months as the MBL has found itself with few cases to work on. I assure you all, however, that this peaceful trend is nothing more than the calm before the storm." I inwardly congratulated myself on my use of human colloquialisms before continuing on.
"There are a number of threats, seen and unseen, which are currently growing into MBL-level menaces, and we must seek to prevent them from becoming the dangers that they will become if unchecked.
"First: A mysterious rash of computer viruses have struck worldwide recently. They all seem to be interconnected, somehow. Though the authorities have kept this information out of the media, each one has a digital signature naming an entity called 'Big Bob' as the one responsible for them. We fear that this is only the tip of the iceberg, and that so far this Big Bob -- whoever or whatever he may be -- is only testing his limits. Currently a crack team of computer technicians are combatting the viruses, but there may be a much more dangerous and much more tangible threat to the world than mere computer viruses. And the President has asked the MBL to investigate this matter.
"Second: Information concerning billionaire industrialist Gerald Forrest has come to light recently. As you know, Forrest has not allowed himself to be interviewed or even photographed for well over a decade, preferring to live the life of a recluse. The reasons for this have been speculated as everything from his having been in a car crash which destroyed his facial features to the rumor that he actually died several years ago and is currently preserved in a cryogenic freeze. We can't confirm either of these rumors, but we do have solid information that a number of Forrest-owned corporations have been busy in the field of robotics. Allegations that he is amassing an army of powerful 'super-robots' to use as soldiers to take over the nation and, indeed, the world have come to light, but nothing can be proven. The MBL has been asked to investigate this matter.
"Third: The number of UFO sightings has quadrupled in recent weeks. Although kept from the mainstream media, a number of important people seem to have disappeared at the same time as these sightings. This could be another alien invasion. We need to investigate this possible threat.
"Finally, a number of rumors have been flying recently about a group called the 'Nature Boys' -- we don't know whether they're metahumans, heroes, villains, terrorists or something else altogether. But they seem to be everywhere, and the MBL has been asked to find out whether there are any facts behind the rumors and assess whether they pose any threat to the nation."
Captain Howdy snorted with laughter and said, "You're daft. There are no Nature Boys, and there never were. It's just an urban myth."
"That may be," I said, "but the President wants to know for sure."
