Shrike Corp All Access

[Remianen]

Shrike Corp – All Access by Karen Millard


Editor’s note: In the interest of full disclosure, we feel it important to note to our readers that the Paragon Picayune and our sister publication, Paragon Time, are both owned by VMV Communications, a division of Valorian Enterprises.


When I was first informed that my request for an interview with the elusive Remianen Valorian would be granted, I must admit to being a bit stunned. What further puzzled me were the stipulations he requested. He wanted us to be the first to get an inside look into the inner workings of what may be Paragon City’s most promising superteam.

Prior to my departure for the Valorian compound, I received a phone call from Remianen himself. He said he and “the girls” were looking forward to meeting and talking to me. This, from a man many have called the modern day, late life Howard Hughes. The surprises didn’t cease there, however. I was driven to the airport where I boarded a customized Gulfstream G150 jet (the pilot beamed as he ran off the aircraft’s specs) and settled in. The flight attendant informed me that the flight would only be a couple of hours and handed me a leather bound book. When I opened it, I found that it listed the various beverages available on the flight. The wine list alone would make a sommelier burst with envious rage. Being somewhat unfamiliar with all the various types of wines, I decide to go with the safe bet and select a vintage ’99 Roederer Cristal champagne. The attendant returns moments later with the most beautiful tall tulip glass I had ever seen, filled with what I found to be liquid heaven.

Shortly thereafter, I dozed off to be gently awakened by the attendant who informed me that we were landing soon. I glanced outside my window upon our final approach to find what I can only describe as a city in and of itself. However, there was no sense of clutter amongst the buildings, with what seemed like a profusion of parks and greenery interspersed amongst the structures. In the very center of the “city” stood what must have been the tallest cathedral I have ever seen. Gothic in design, it was seemingly constructed of pure, white marble.

Exiting the aircraft upon landing, I was directed to the terminal. Upon stepping inside, I was struck once again with wonder. Constructed of what appeared to be a glass/crystal hybrid material, it gave a full, unobstructed view of the sky. My minor case of jet lag was washed away by the smell of rose, orchid, chrysanthemum, menthol, jasmine, myrrh, all intermingling with the scent of aspen and cypress. Lost in my reverie, I heard a welcoming voice with a soothing tone. I could hear the voice but could not discern where it came from. I opened my eyes and standing before me was a man who exuded warmth. Extending his hand, he said, “Welcome, Ms Millard. I am Remianen. And no doubt behind me stand several of my sisters, waiting to step in should you be a doppelganger of some sort, intent on assassinating me.” He smirked at that and threw a look of mock annoyance over his shoulder. I looked past him, until now held transfixed by this most unusual man, and true to his word, a group of heroines in full regalia cast watchful gazes in all directions.

“Come,” said Remianen, “let’s head inside. I’m sure you have many questions that need to be answered.” With that, he turned and strode toward the group of heroines, who smiled at our approach.

Exiting the terminal, I walked out to find the streets paved with what appeared to be rubber, much like schoolyard playgrounds. Making a mental note to inquire about this, we walked into a courtyard where I noticed an odd sounding bird call. Before I could inquire about this, Remianen turned to me and said, “It’s the mating call of the loggerhead shrike you hear. Rough and harsh to some, I find it beautiful in its uniqueness.” Apparently having reached our destination, we walked into a nondescript building and the wonders continued.

Stepping into an entryway made of the blackest marble (“It’s actually obsidian,” corrected Remianen), we walked into what appeared to be the largest sitting room I had ever seen. With an immense sectional sofa featured prominently in the center of the room, I saw that the room was partially occupied already. As the other girls hurried to find places to sit, I found the central table and prepared to set up my gear. Making note of how the girls acted around each other, I was surprised to find that this group of heroes often called a family, actually seemed to be just that.

“Damn Peedy, move your big ass over some!”
“MY big ass? Swifty, you have so much junk in your trunk, I’m expecting to see Fred Sanford show up any minute now.”

Laughter filled the room, which led me to look around a bit more. The ceiling was vaulted so far, I could barely see where it ended. I made yet another mental note to ask about that. All set up, I looked up at Remianen who was just taking his seat.

“Ready?” he inquired, “well then, let the questions begin.”
“Wait, aren’t you going to have counsel present?” I asked.
“Oh but I do,” he smirked, “don’t I, girls?”
A round of nods circled the room.
“Okay then,” I said “here we go.”

[Remianen]

First question is one of personal philosophy. It’s been reported that you advocate using the death penalty in the apprehension of criminals. Is this true?

Well, to be honest, I don’t have a preference or a side I lean toward. However, given the range of powers represented on our team, sometimes lethal force is a side effect. For example, how do you tell Jadeshrike or Spiritshrike, who use swords, to not harm a villain they’re apprehending? Sometimes a villain will succumb to third degree burns or gunshot wounds or hypothermia. Not everyone is capable of surviving the impact of a forklift colliding with their bodies, chemically enhanced or not. I’m not going to lambaste my sisters for putting the boots to some punk whose sole purpose in life is to terrorize and harm the citizens of Paragon City. If this is something that the “powers that be” cannot agree with, they can do whatever they think they can do to put a halt to it. I think their chances of success are poor, however. Besides, these criminals are like roaches. For everyone that you see, there’s likely a million you don’t. As we’ve already seen, no matter how many of them you throw in the Zig, their numbers never seem to abate.

What made you want to put together a super team anyway?

Certain events in my life led my father, who at one time was an employee of Crey Industries, to explore the possibility of assembling a group of people who had been victims of Crey’s overzealous testing procedures. Upon his death, I felt there was a real need for someone to guide people of a particular genetic predisposition to learn to control and harness abilities that were beginning to complicate their lives. At the same time, I would be saving these people from falling into the grubby hands of that harlot, Countess Crey. So I undertook the task of doing just that.

But, and I’m sure this has been brought up before, all of the members of your teams are female. Is that by intent?

Yes and no. You see, girls of mutant backgrounds have a double whammy to deal with. Often, their powers manifest themselves around the same time as their first ovulation. Perhaps as a result of sudden shock to the body and its systems, we don’t know yet. What we do know is that when these powers come to the fore, their intensity is often enough to bring a young girl to emotional collapse. Think about that. How would you have felt if around the time you’re trying to deal with your first period, you find that you set things on fire randomly or you freeze the air around you or find you can throw things with your mind? Boys are far more likely to flaunt their powers, which seem ‘cool’ to them, and unfortunately lead them to the attention of the authorities (or worse).

So I take it there’s no love lost between Valorian Enterprises and Crey?

Very perceptive of you. My father was a scientist for Crey Biotech early in his career. The horrors he witnessed left an indelible mark on him. It also shaped his ethics for the remainder of his career. Let me say this for the record: If I could wipe Crey and its leadership from the face of the earth at the cost of my own life, I would do it and not feel a moment’s remorse. And it pleases me to no end that I’m sure the fair Countess will read this. To her I say, quit the subversive garbage. If you’re feelin’ froggy, well, there’s only one thing you should do.

Wow, harsh words. But I notice your teams are very young which would imply inexperience. As you well know, Crey’s armed forces are far more seasoned. Assuming an all-out war were waged, how do you think you would fare?

Let me pose similar questions to you. How does a cheetah eat? Considering how small the animal is compared to its prey, how does it manage to emerge victorious often enough to keep its belly full? Our namesake, the shrike, is an exceedingly small bird. How does it manage to be a bird of prey when it is in many cases, smaller than a mockingbird? Which has cost more lives in history? The gun, the atomic bomb, or viruses? How and why? When you answer those questions, the one you posed to me will be answered in kind.

Every team has the occasional power struggle. Has this occurred within your teams and how did you deal with it?

No, we’ve had no power struggles of any kind. Every member of every team has a say in how the team is run. Team leaders generally put it all together. Besides, we’re all on the same page and share the same goals, though we often take different paths to reach those goals.

How many members are there in total?

Well, while I cannot disclose the exact number, I can tell you that we have about 36 members currently assigned to teams and perhaps twice that amount still undergoing basic training, at the end of which they will be assigned to a team.

And they all reside here? Where do they sleep?

As you saw, our campus is rather large. Far larger than you might think, however. As the old saying goes, things are not always as they seem. That’s been the one tenet on which we based the design of the entire campus. Counting the residential areas, we house well over 11,000 people here. We have one of the world’s foremost research hospitals, the preeminent technological advancement corporation, the most exclusive schools with standards that surpass that of any school in the entire world. We manage.

Would it be possible to speak to some of the team members to get their take?

Surely! In fact, you can do that now, as I’m being called away for a moment. We can continue when you’re ready….