When David Lightfinger proposed the idea to rebuild New Orleans, he did not honestly know who would join in to help create his tax haven. He did not have to wait long. Because of its semi-independent status, New Market is an ideal location to hide and plan larger schemes. The city attracted interest in altruistic companies, who wanted to be involved. In addition to these two groups, as the project proceeds, many standard corporations are seeing the profit potential.

One person wanted the project to fail. The Senator that had confronted Lightfinger and lost. He had a helper with former congressman Jeff Williamson. Williamson used his contacts to bring in allies in five areas: mutant haters, corporate backing, the streets, anti-Lemurians, and terrorists.

The Fourth Reich, formed by a combination of ex-Nazis, anti-mutants, and xenophobes fit the first category. Drago Hrax, a wealthy industrialist, welcomed the contact. His organization has been quietly gaining power and needed a base of operations. Hrax Industrial moved into New Orleans near the airport.

Louisiana is rich in oil, both on and offshore. Sazzim Oil, however, has gone far beyond when one defines an evil corporation. The irony of Williamson allying with an oil company is not lost on them. However, the factor of revenge makes strange bedfellows.

New Orleans for years housed one of the most entrenched Mafia families in the world. New Orleans garnered the nickname “the Big Easy” supposedly during Prohibition as the town blatantly flaunted the law. However, two floods and many prosecutions later, the Mafia looked done. By allying with Williamson, and with help from supporters in the Chicago mob, they hope to regain their glory.

Carlos Kromberg is a man on a mission. He wants to conquer the land under the sea to reclaim what he considers his birthright. Carlos is part Atlantean, and believes he should be its ruler. With his shipping company fronting for him, he has decided to take up the offer to use New Orleans as his base of operations.

Red Doom are a group of disaffected individuals, who worship the ideals of the communist state. Thus, they wish to recreate the Soviet Union and hate all capitalist enterprises, such as that of New Market.

Lastly, the Islamic Jihad, through a front organization, has joined the cause against New Orleans. Behind this backdrop, the organization is indoctrinating youth and smuggling terrorists into the country. The terrorists ttarget Lightfingers facilities and allies, due to Lightfinger’s vocal support of Israel and against shari’a law.