X-Virus #1
A virus known as the X-Virus has infected earth. At first millions of normal humans began to develop mutant abilities. But soon after mutants that were born mutants, started losing there abilities. Chaos Ensued, Governments fell. A globally funded program called The Peace Dome was humanities last hope to survive. This Dome was originally constructed on the African Continent, to provide a place for millions upon millions of people to live in peace and harmony. To research cures for disease, to protect whomever took refuge into the giant Dome. But now it serves as a barrier between violent mutants, and the last remaining humans alive. This story begins 2 years after the virus first hit.
Somewhere is Northern Alberta Canada
He stood there, looking out window of the abandoned house that they used as a base of operations. He wondered why it was so easy for he and his team to escape Omega Red's pursuit. He knew Omega Red was no fool, but it seemed almost as if they were let go. He thought how most people would take it as a sign of good luck, but he'd had to many close calls in his life time to start believing in that stuff. No it was something else, something perhaps beyond his own perception.
"Hey Logan!", a voice said from just outside the room he stood in.
"In here", he replied. A few seconds later he saw the muscular figure walk threw the shadows and into the room.
"I just thought I'd update you on the others, Akroma is recovering, Charlie's wounds were closed up, he should be on his feet again very soon. And Crystal wants to see you." The man said as he walked closer to Logan.
"Crystal wants to see me?" he snapped back, wondering what it was she wanted to nag him about this time. He added, "How are you holding up tin man?"
"My metal skin once again saved my rear, although I thought we were as good as обреченный." He hesitated and winced at the realization that he had just spoken Russian. "Sorry, but after 2 weeks in Russia, its all coming back to me." He glanced at Logan, only to see a sly smile appear on his face.
"Colossus, after 2 weeks in Russia, you could speak dutch for all I care. But I better go see what she wants."
The Council Meets
General Nick Fury was nearing the edge of his calm. He was tired of attending these council meetings, they accomplished nothing. Anytime he recommended an offensive push, it was denied. He still couldn't believe that Project Iron Man had been green lighted 8 months ago, but overtime he came to realize that if he ever wanted to take an offensive stance against the mutants, the council would have to change.
"President Roth." Fury said in a loud coarse voice. "I must protest. Project Iron Man is ready for testing, we have 5 suits ready. Project leader Tony Stark has committed much of his research to this project. And our top test pilot Bruce Banner is ready to take the Alpha Suit out for testing."
President Bill Roth was the President of the United States when the virus first struck. Once he was the most powerful man on the planet, and now he sat on a council of possibly the 7 most influential people left on god's green earth. His Vice President managed to escape the carnage along with him. Vice President Christine Anderson was President Roth's running mate for both of his campaigns. Just like Roth, she managed to remain unaffected by the virus, and aboard Air Force One, they landed on the now abandoned air field located outside of the Dome. Alongside the 2 politicians aboard Air Force One were General Nick Fury and General Ronald McKinley. Both Generals were part of President Roth's military staff, and both were unchanged by the virus. Other high ranking military officers made it to the Dome, but these 2 men where the most qualified military minds known to still be alive or unaffected by the virus. Thus they were somewhat easy choices for being elected onto the council. The final 3 emergency elects to the council are former Ambassador Robert Lang and Ethan Phillips both added for there diplomatic abilities. Former Russian President Sergei Checnev was the last emergency elect. The 7 members of council voted on everything that happened inside the Dome. Military experiments, Dome security, health care, everything that needed to be decided upon, feel on the shoulders of these 7 individuals. Such a burden that when the newly formed United Human Constitution called for an election be held every 2 years, most members would gladly decide to not re-run for a council seat.
"General Fury, I know how passionate you are about Project Iron Man. But you must understand, a fairly large amount of the reserve supplies of Adamantium we had went into constructing the 5 suits. This council wants to make sure the suits are fully combat ready, before we send them out."
General Fury immediately stood up and said, "This council does nothing but take precautions! We have to make sure we're fully combat ready if anymore attacks occur. Already we've had to triple the security at the docks because of constant attacks. If we could only put one or two of the suits on duty there."
As Fury finished speaking, Premier Checnev stood up, cleared his throat and added, "We need to look at this from every angle. The Iron Man suits are not ready for combat. The reports clearly states that they have vulnerabilities, the Adamantium we used was not pure. And.."
General Fury immediately cut him off before he could begin a new sentence, "The reports are inconclusive, even Stark himself doesn't know for sure that the suits are flawed. All I ask is that the council vote whether to at the very least, begin full testing of the suits. We need to see how they handle in every circumstance, flight, combat, recon."
President Roth looked uncomfortable, he knew that this was just one of many programs Fury watched over, and that they needed the suits to be a success. He decided to back Fury, this time. "Okay Fury, I'll second your request to begin full scale testings on the suits. All in favor of testing say aye."
Captain Simmons
Captain Christopher Simmons is the leader of Fury's Factor. An elite strike force made up of 4 exceptional people. Captain Simmons himself is a gifted athlete, very agile and quick, skilled in numerous forms of combat. A civilian when he was evacuated to the Dome, he quickly rose in the ranks of the new military to the rank of captain. LT. Matt Murdoch, code named Daredevil, a man who even though the X-Virus gave him super human hearing, and agility, decided to only use his abilities to defend against any mutants who wish to harm the remnants of humanity. Sergeant Alex O'Hirn, code named Rhino, before the virus hit he was a test operator for an Exo-Suit that increased his strength and muscle mass. Unfortunately the project was put on halt and his suit was the only one to exist. Due to the suits bio linked design, only O'Hirn can use it, anyone else would be rejected by the suit. Last but not least is Sergeant Andrew Peters, code named First Strike, he is very stealthy and can sneak up on almost anything, human or mutant.
"Captain Simmons, have you read the report about that ancient tomb that was discovered nearby the Dome?"
"Yes sir General Fury. But if you don't mind me asking sir, why did you pass it along to me?"
As Fury and Simmons round a corner leading to the Dome's main research facility, Fury halts Simmons and begins to explain. "Well my boy its very simple, we detected an unusual energy signature coming from the tomb. Some book worms are being sent in to examine the tomb more closely, I want your team to protect them. If this is some sort of new power source, then I want it. It may be just what we're looking for to power Project CA-1940"
"Yes sir." Simmons said as he raised his hand to his forehead to salute his superior officer.
"Now Captain, on a personal note, Tracey has told me that your still having those nightmares?" Fury added in a gentler tone.
Simmons adjusted his stance as the new subject made him uncomfortable. "I asked her not to tell anyone....especially her father."
Fury smirked, remembering that his daughters fiance was also his best officer. "My boy, it's nothing to be ashamed of, we all have nightmares. Especially with how things are. My daughters worried though, and even as a kid she never worried about anything, so this concerns me as well. When you complete this mission, I want you to see a doctor, see if you can get over these nightmares."
Simmons cringed when he heard the word doctor. "Yes sir." He replied
John Doe
"Doctor Reed Richards please report to room 319." The Public Address system screeched.
As Dr. Richards heard this, he remembered that in room 319 lay a man that had been in a coma for nearly 2 years now. An older gentleman, no record of who he is. No family members found living inside the Dome, nothing. It's likely that if the man ever awoke from his deep sleep, that he would be so shocked by what had happened in the past, he might lapse back into another coma. His blood tests and DNA scans revealed that he may have had mutant abilities, and that the virus lay dormant in his body, possible the reason he's lying in a bed now, instead of living a normal life. The virus itself still baffles scientists, no one knows were it came from, and why it does what it does, its a mystery. As Dr. Richards reached the doorway to room 319, he took a second to ponder whether or not this poor old man would every pull out of it.
"Ah Nurse Grey, why was I summoned?"
The young nurse was standing over the comatose patients almost lifeless body. "The scanner detected a faint sign of brain activity. It was very brief, but it did happen, this man may be close to coming out of his coma."
Dr. Richards gave a slight head nod. "Interesting, but until he wakes, if he wakes up, he's still in a coma. So next time, please only page me when he's awake and asking where he is." Nurse Grey still got a shock from Dr. Reed's cold reaction to patients. If only she could complete medical school, if only to give some patients of Dr. Reed's a more sympathetic ear to talk to.
"Yes Dr. Richards off course, I just thought you'd like to know one of your patients progress." Nurse Grey remarked.
The doctor just gave a slight nod, turned around and left the room.
"That man sometimes, I think he just wants to forget about his patients and never leave his precious project CA-1940." The Nurse said in a angry tone.
The Lost Claws
As Logan walked down the basement stairs, he saw Charlie talking to Akroma. What an odd pair, a big red furry guy, and a chick with wings. He remembered when he first met both of them. Charlie was fighting off thugs who were trying to loot a hospital in what was New York that was still treating patients. A large beast with red fur who helped the needy seemed like someone you'd want around in case you ran into someone who wanted to start trouble with you. Akroma on the other hand was pretending to still be a normal human, until her family tried to evacuate out of Miami. Some group of Mumans decided that Miami was there's, and that anyone still trying to live there belonged to them. Akroma, never being one to accept a life of servitude, used her newly grown wings to drop home made explosives on the Mumans. I bet the look on there faces was priceless, seeing another Muman dropping bombs on you, and one with big white wings. She decided to join us, to help free any trapped humans from mutant slavery.
Logan saw Crystal sitting in the corner, the look on her face was one of worry.
"Crystal, the tin man said you were looking for me?" Logan said.
She stood up and looked right into his eyes, "Yes Logan, I wanted to talk to you about what happened in Russia."
Logan reacted like he always does when she looked him right in the eye. "Look I know what your going to say, but we don't have time for it. I think we should leave here as soon as we can, we may have been followed, and I don't want to be caught in this place if Omega's men decide to attack."
But Crystal maintained her eye contact. "Logan, it's something we really should discuss." She replied. He knew that no matter what he said, she wouldn't drop the subject completely, it's partially what he found so attractive about her.
"All right Logan, we'll talk about it later when the time is right." He felt relieved that at least for now he wouldn't have to talk about what had happened only a few weeks earlier.
Logan felt relieved and decided to change the subject. "I still can't believe I lost my Tiger Claws." Logan said in an agitated voice. "I guess I'll have to get some more use out of my Katana blades." Logan was a skilled melee combatant, he usually relied on his favored Tiger Claws, a set of claws that attached on top of his hands. They were given to him as a gift from his former martial arts teacher. They were made from a rare metal called Adamantium.
"Well Logan." Crystal added. "I've always told you that you'd lose those claws one day, it's not like they were implanted in your arms."
From behind Logan heard Charlie let off a loud chuckle. "Laugh it up fur ball. I guess your the only one now who's got claws." Just as Logan finished speaking a loud explosion could be heard from outside.
Akroma hovered to a nearby window. "I think they've found us."
Exploring The Temple
"Captain Simmons I presume?" Simmons looked up to see a skinny pale man. "Hi, I'm Peter Parker, I'm leading the research team that your going to be protecting."
Simmons took a look at the rest of Parkers team and realized immediately why they needed protection. "Al right Pete, let me introduce my team, this is Daredevil, that's First Strike, and the big man in the exo suit is Rhino." Parker took note of each members name and began introducing his own team.
"It's nice to meet you all" Parker said "On my left is Eric Sierra, and Phillip Brown, and on my right is Conner Jonathon. We're all very excited to study this temple."
Simmons just nodded to parker and motioned for him to get into the waiting helicopter.
As the helicopter was making it's landing, Parker was astonished by this temple, it had writing on it that he didn't recognize. As both teams made there way out of the helicopter, every member of Parkers team stood and stared at the temple is awe.
"Parker, lets move, we can't stay in the open." Simmons yelled to be heard over the helicopter.
Parker motioned for the rest of his team to follow him. Both teams made it through the temples over sized doorway that lead into a large room covered in a strange writing.
"Team secure the area." Simmons barked his orders into a headset, and immediately his team obeyed. "Parker, get cracking on getting us inside this place." Peter motioned for the rest of his team to start deciphering the language on the wall.
After an hour Brown and Sierra had found a hidden doorway while trying to read what was written all over the interior. Only Parker had made any progress on figuring out what was written.
"Captain Simmons, So far we've established that this temple was built to store the life force of an unnamed being. But we did find this stone door that appears to be locked."
As Simmons heard this, he motioned for Rhino to get the door open, and with a loud snort, Rhino charged at the door. He collided with it causing the door to break open. Parker was amazed by this mans raw power.
"This Rhino sure has a lot of potential." Parker added in before he motioned for his team to move through the door.
"Rhino, stay here and guard this room. Daredevil and First Strike follow me."
The next room contained more stone walls, but this time the long narrow hallway lead to a door made of metal. The door had some of the same writing on it.
"What in the world, a metal door in a temple this old?" Parker was dumbfounded by there discovery. He quickly moved closer to the door so that he could read what was written.
"Parker, can you make it out" Simmons said in a almost demanding tone.
"Yes, Conner bring that flash light closer. Ah much better. Okay if I'm reading this right it says, Here rests the evil bringer, the destroyer of man. Oh I cant make out the last word." Parker Strained his eyes and started to sound out the word. "Armageddon, catastrophe...I got it! Here rests the evil bringer, the destroyer of man. Apocalypse."