A YJA Moment - A.I.M.

HYDRA has many heads; separate divisions and sects, all of which are led by charismatic leaders with grandiose plans.  Though this has caused many civil wars within its ranks, it has also been a source of survivability for the greater organization. In other words, try as they might, it's very hard to permanently eliminate HYDRA.

Advanced Idea Mechanics (or A.I.M.) was founded in the 1960s by Dr. Killian Devo, it was composed of some of the brilliant but unethical scientists at that time.  Most of those working for A.I.M. believed they were undertaking cutting-edge research unfettered by legal and ethical concerns.  Instead, they were the technical division of HYDRA, a return to the deep-science roots of the organization.

Initially, A.I.M. was seen as a conventional, albeit eccentric think-tank.  They even garnered government contracts, supplied technology to various covert agencies such as the Office of National Emergency.  Eventually, their allegiance was revealed and A.I.M. shifted to what it's universally known for today - technological terrorism.  The most intelligent, resourceful, and ruthless of their number would be elevated to leadership, taking the title of Scientist Supreme.

In the intervening decades, A.I.M has remained steadfast in both its commitment to unrestrained science and its dedication to The Hydra, the mythical beast at the center of their mythology.  Though its anonymity has depended on who was the Scientist Supreme, few ever thought of abandoning the organization which spawned them.  At least until their progenitor was destroyed.

The elimination of the White Martian known as the Hydra struck the group to the core.  While few believed their mythological progenitor was a god or worshipped it in any way, it was a pivotal figure within HYDRA as a whole.  The aftermath of the revelation caused widespread disruption in worldwide operations and left A.I.M isolated. Some even abandoned the organization to groups such as Orchis.

This caused a further schism in the ranks of A.I.M which only grew worse after the Apokalips Invasion occurred.  A.I.M. facilities across the globe were under attack by Parademons and Hunger Dogs, but calls for military assistance from HYDRA went unanswered.  The already fragmented HYDRA further fractured and were unable to provide meaningful support to themselves, let alone one of their branches.

 A commander of a force of elite HYDRA soldiers stationed on the Eastern Seaboard violated orders to come to the Scientist Supreme's aid.  The two leaders then were further assisted by various other criminal groups, many of them that had been rivals previously. From those harrowing days was forged an alliance that would be the basis for Underside.

When HYRDA representatives returned, they were met not with open arms, but with charged energy weapons.  The message was clear - Advanced Idea Mechanics answered to no one.