The Mutant Response Division
To understand the Mutant War you have to understand all the players involved in it. It was not only the X-Men, Misfits, the Hellfire Club, Apocalypse and Avalon (With both Magneto and Phoenix). There were many other different divisions and factors in the war, all with different allegiances and methods.
The most mentioned and hated was the military unit named the Mutant Response Division, or the MRD. Often called 'Mardies' or 'Hunters' by their enemies, which were mostly mutants. The MRD became the main branch of the government military involved in policing, capturing, registering and containing mutants. All over the country thousands of offices and former police stations were converted into MRD bases. Construction on several new MRD bases and mutant containment camps were commissioned to be built almost immediately. These were often backed by many of the wealthy and powerful from their own pockets, including senators, congressmen, businessmen and other capitalist ventures. Also many lobbyists contributed as well. But a great deal of money was funded into the program from the government.
It is important to note that not every member of the MRD had a passionate hatred for mutants. More than half of them had simply been drafted from every single branch of the military and others were recruited from police stations. Many of them simply wanted to protect humanity from danger.
In some cities, since there were fewer mutants to track the MRD became more focused with removing gangs from crime ridden areas. Some made up an excuse that the gangs were infiltrated by mutants and were able to not only take their loot but arrest them. Some MRD officers shot and killed these gangs outright and very few people questioned their methods. In fact politicians praised them for getting mutant crime off the streets even if there were no proven mutants involved.
Because of their assistance in some crime ridden cities that was one reason that the MRD was able to bend the law and get away with many offenses during this time. In fact those cities with almost no mutants living in them had some of the biggest supporters of the MRD. Not because they kept mutants away, but because gang violence was curtailed to an all time low.
People in those cities didn't care if there were no mutants living in that city or not. They attributed the drop in both mutant and non mutant crime to the MRD. In some neighborhoods that never even saw a mutant throughout the entire war, the MRD was a godsend.
Of course not every branch of the MRD was corrupt but there were quite a few that were able to take advantage of their power over mutant and human alike. And many of them were able to hide their criminal activities until after the war. For many years after the war, many former MRD officers retained great wealth and profits from their time in the service.
Senator Kelly was the most vocal advocate of the MRD. He was also the one getting the most payoffs from them. The MRD would occasionally donate campaign contributions in order for things to run more smoothly. Again their occasional raids on gang members and 'liberating' their funds for more profitable venues.
Even the regular police, overworked and underpaid with ordinary crimes and murders were grateful for some of the relief the MRD provided. Both MRD and police officers paid each other off under the table. Sometimes it was for information, mostly mutant related. Sometimes the police would have trouble getting an arrest warrant for a certain place. The MRD didn't need warrants if a mutant was involved. All they needed was one of their devices to 'detect' a mutant and they would go in. Often they would hand over surviving suspects to the police in a show of good faith.
The police showed their appreciation by not only paying them off but by doing certain favors for the MRD. Parking tickets for their friends and families were torn up. The MRD were allowed to park anywhere they wanted. Sometimes they got first pick of seized property before it went to auction. Since many members of the MRD used to be police officers or transferred from police academies it wasn't that surprising that both units grew rather close with each other. The MRD could always count on support from the local police and vice versa.
You would find in many of the local police hangouts, there would be a large number of MRD officers also frequenting favorite bars, restaurants, gyms, strip joints and donut shops. Places such as these who gave substantial discounts and freebies to both police and MRD were almost guaranteed protection from robbery and violent crime.
In a quick side note it is also no coincidence that local gun dealers, legal and otherwise were also quickly befriended by the MRD. In fact during this time period, gun sales skyrocketed to unprecedented proportions and the majority of them were not bought by civilians.
Although there were many smaller branches of the MRD, there were six main bases. Base Alpha where the majority of orders were given out was in the state of New York. Base Beta was in Nebraska, which was mostly a holding facility. Base Delta was in Georgia. Base Gamma was in Nevada where it's focus was mainly on experimentation and data collecting on mutations. Base Theta was in Alaska. Finally Base Epsilon was in Southern California.
The most unlikely partnership with the MRD was Lobo's pack of werewolves. Dozens of werewolves were sent out to most of the major cities in order to assist the MRD in tracking mutants and keeping order. These werewolves who mostly stayed in their natural wolf form were nicknamed 'Hounds' for their tracking skills.
Reaction to these Hounds was mixed. Although many of the officers distrusted and despised them, most of the ground units had come to respect them. It was not so surprising since the Hounds often rescued the ground troops after a situation got hairy or a higher up officer botched a command.
Even regular police officers respected them since they were familiar with K-9 units. And often the Hounds would be used to track down human suspects in particular cases as well as mutants. They were also used in some cities for tracking down drugs and illegal weapons and were more than proficient at it.
Also since the werewolves preferred their natural wolf forms, it was easier for the MRD officers to relate to them. As far as many of them were concerned, they were not freaks but rather intelligent dogs helping them in a fight against mutants that could replace the human species.
It was a double standard that illustrated the point that most humans prefer to care about animals than their own kind. One that the werewolves did not hesitate to exploit.
One of the more famous exploits of the MRD happened in the New York Branch, commonly known as MRD Base Alpha. It would be later known as the Third Street Incident.
It started three days earlier when two new MRD officers were being transferred to their new command post. Colonel Wraith and his officers welcomed them in his office.
"Agent Haskett and Agent Allen reporting for duty," Allen, a brown haired officer saluted his new commander.
"Good we need new officers as of yesterday," Wraith grunted.
"So you're the new transfers from the FBI huh?" A large man with a mustache snorted. "Sergeant Joe Walcoski. Leader of Squad Seven. Welcome to the freak show."
"Jeff Harrison, Leader of Squad Six," A burly grey haired man in his fifties shook the hand of the blond haired Agent Haskett, then Allen. "That's Joyce Hinden, Leader of Squad Five." He pointed to a tall African-American woman with very short hair.
"Andrew McKesson leader of Squad One is out on patrol," Wraith told them. "Allen you're taking over Squad Two and Haskett you have Squad Four."
"Who's leading Squad Three?" Allen asked.
"Nobody because there is no Squad Three left!" Hinden snapped.
"Normally there are seven squads per MRD unit but…" Wraith let out a breath.
"But the guy leading Squad Three did a stupid thing and forgot to collar one of the freaks we brought in," Harrison fumed. "Apparently the mutant could teleport and most of our prisoners escaped. Not before one of the other prisoners killed him."
"Killed a lot of our officers in the riot," McKesson frowned.
"How many prisoners do we have at the moment sir?" Haskett asked Wraith.
"We managed to collar three of them the other day," Wraith turned on a monitor. It showed mutants in their cells. "Levels 2 and Three. The female over there can create fire and that other one's some kind of shape shifter. Can only turn into a raccoon though. And the big ugly lizard over there is pretty obvious. Don't get too close to him at feeding time."
"That's not many," Allen frowned at all the empty cells.
"Don't worry, we'll fill 'em up again," Walcoski snorted. "New York is crawling with freaks. It's just a matter of hunting them out of the sewers."
"Remember one thing," Harrison said. "Never turn your back on a mutant for a second. No matter how weak you think they look. It is a mistake that could cost you your life. Too many officers learned that lesson the hard way."
"It's a shame though," Haskett looked at the cells. "Some of these mutants could actually be useful with their powers. If only we could put them to work for us."
"Trust me, pal," Walcoski snorted. "What little good those freaks can do with their powers is quickly outweighed by the trouble they cause."
"Really?" Allen asked as he looked at the cells. "I've never even seen a mutant up close before. That I know of anyway."
"See those scars on the colonel's face?" Walcoski told him. "Mutant did that a few months ago."
"Not just any mutant Walcoski," Wraith snarled. "One of the most dangerous mutants of all. And I'm not gonna rest until he and the rest of his kind are behind bars where they belong!"
Suddenly there was an alarm. "Alert! Reported mutant sighting in Sector Two! Repeat Sector Two!" The dispatcher called out. "Mutant reported to be an electrical type. Unarmed and dangerous."
"That's practically next door!" Walcoski gasped.
"Walcoski, take your squad along with Haskett . Walcoski you're in charge. Show him the ropes! Take a couple of Hounds," Wraith barked. "Looks like you're gonna have an eventful first day."
"Hounds?" Haskett followed Walcoski.
"Werewolves," Walcoski barked. "They get the job done. Come on Kid. Now you're gonna see some action!"
Section Two turned out to be a small town not even a mile away from the MRD facility. It wasn't long before Haskett and Walcoski's units were surrounding a tall thin mutant with long stringy white hair in torn jeans and a sweatshirt. The mutant had some kind of electric static all over him, sparking wildly.
"All right Mutant! Just put up your hands and surrender!" Walcoski snarled. "You don't we're gonna start shooting!"
"The name's Nitro!" The mutant hissed as his body sparked. "And since I've already lost everything, I don't care if I do lose my life! But trust me, if you don't step back, you'll lose yours!"
"Get back!" One of the Hounds yelped. "Something's wrong with that one! Get back!" The Hounds backed away.
"What are you doing you crazy mutts? Get back here!" Haskett fumed.
"Start containment! On three!" Walcoski raised his shield. "One…"
"You're gonna be sorry!" Nitro laughed manically. Electric strands of some sort began to emanate wildly.
"Walcoski! Look out!" Haskett shoved the older man out of the way before one strand hit him. Haskett screamed in agony as the strand's energy went through his body. A Hound managed to grab him, using his fangs to pull on his arm out of the way, but it was electrocuted itself.
BOOOOOOOOOOOOM!
Then everything went black.
The next thing Haskett knew he was waking up in an infirmary. "You are a very lucky man Haskett," The medic shone a light in his eyes as he examined him. "No concussions, barley a scratch. It's amazing considering we had to dig you out from under a rock."
"What?" Haskett asked, still a bit groggy.
"The blast destroyed nearly half a city block and three buildings. You'd still be under a rock if the Hounds didn't find you," A medic told him. "And a Hound took the worst of that shot. Somehow by grabbing onto you it took the brunt of the attack. It's dead."
"Jesus…" Haskett was stunned. Then he caught a glimpse of his reflection in a nearby mirror. His hair had turned completely white. "What the hell?"
"Haskett you're lucky to be alive," Wraith grunted as he walked in with Walcoski. He pointed to his face. "Trust me, a little white hair is nothing compared to what could have happened to you. I should know."
"How many casualties?" Haskett asked.
"Not counting you, we got a couple injured," Walcoski told him. "But we lost at least eight guys from both our squads. You lost Timmons, Herves and McCullan. Garrontelle's arm is broken but he'll live."
"It's not the worst of it though," Wraith frowned. "About six civilians were killed and there was untold property damage. And somehow during the confusion the mutant got away. Apparently after exploding and destroying an entire street he's somehow able to put himself together without any side effects."
"Damn it," Haskett fumed.
"I know. Son of a bitch got away," Walcoski snarled.
"Wasn't your fault," Wraith told him. "You followed procedure. There was no way you could know what that freak could do. Or how much power he really had."
"Should have pulled back the second I saw him spark up," Walcoski snarled. "Or when the Hounds told us to. The Hounds warned us. Should have listened! They're a hell of a lot more reliable than half the equipment we got!"
"Scanners said he was an electric mutant," The medic told him.
"Well the damn scanners were obviously wrong!" Walcoski snapped. "When are we gonna get some decent scanners for a change that can tell us exactly what mutant's powers are what?"
"They're working on it," Wraith said. "I've been assured that soon we might get something like that."
"Not soon enough," Haskett growled.
"There's a briefing in five," Wraith said. "You up for it?"
"Yeah, yeah I'm up for it," Haskett nodded.
Soon he was with a large group of MRD soldiers and officers in a briefing room. "This film was captured by one of our black box units we have installed in most of our containment vehicles," Wraith explained as a video of what happened on screen. "Our mutant specialist Doctor Howard will explain what you are seeing here."
"Mutant specialist?" Haskett asked.
"Every division has one," Walcoski explained. "Guys who study mutation and figure out certain mutie's powers. Also in case some freak is sick or something so the bleeding hearts can't complain."
A thin man with a mustache and a white doctor's coat walked up. "Based on what we've seen and the scans we were able to recover, we've determined the basis of the mutant's powers. It appears he can transform his body into a gaseous state that has an explosive force of approximately 251 pounds of dynamite. After the explosion he can reconstitute himself into his human form."
"Gas? The guy was sparking up like a downed power wire!" Walcoski snapped.
"The electrical discharge is a side effect of storing up too much energy," Doctor Howard explained. "There's some kind of chemical reaction happening within his body but we're not sure exactly what the process is. But as you can see from this video, it's extremely powerful."
"Holy smokes…" Allen whistled at the destruction of the street. "I've seen smaller holes in the Grand Canyon."
"Obviously it goes without saying that this mutant is extremely unstable and dangerous," Doctor Howard said.
"Could have used that information before we went in, Doc!" Haskett snapped.
"We're still working on reliable scanners," Doctor Howard said. "And let's not forget that the MRD is working on a budget! We are in a recession you know? Even with the threat mutants cause Congress is only willing to give so much and allow us to hire so many people for our staff! We're doing the best we can!"
"At least now we got a name," Wraith said. An image of Nitro was put up on screen. "Robert Hunter from Chicago. Mom's dead, Dad's a drunk. Been in and out of foster homes for years. Apparently the last time his old man had custody of him was his last time. Turned the entire apartment complex into a hole in the ground. At first they thought he died in the blast until today. He hadn't been seen for about a month. But there have been several unexplained explosions from here to New York during that time."
"Abused angry kid gets the power to blow up entire city blocks and decides to take it out on society," Walcoski grunted. "Don't you miss the good old days when they just used guns?"
"Not funny Walcoski," Hinden frowned.
"Wasn't meant to be," Walcoski gave her a look. "This country has been going to Hell in a hand basket even before those mutants showed up. Somebody's gotta take a stand to bring law and order back."
"You're not just talking about mutants are you?" Wraith let out a sigh.
"Let's be honest, they may be the largest threat but by no means they're the only one," Walcoski snorted. "I mean come on! Not even ten years ago no one had ever even heard of these freaks! There weren't that many of them and those that were there were smart enough to stay hidden in the shadows where they belonged."
"So what's your point?" Haskett asked.
"Point is where the hell did these mutants come from in the first place?" Walcoski asked. "Drugs? Pollution? Come on! You know they must have had something to do with it! X-Gene my ass. There's more going on here and you know it."
"They?" Haskett asked. "Who's they?"
"Whoever the geniuses were that decided that tweaking genetic codes in people was a good idea," Walcoski snapped.
"Not this theory again," An MRD soldier groaned.
"Come on Walcoski, you really think the government had something to do with creating mutants?" Another MRD soldier asked.
"Why not? We know the Russians made 'em during the Cold War!" Walcoski barked. "Don't forget Captain America. That super soldier formula. How many people did they try that formula on before it worked? And what about all those other rumors going around. Haskett, Allen…You guys were in FBI. You must have heard the rumors about those secret genetic labs during the Cold War."
"Actually…" Allen hesitated. "We have heard a few things. Rumors mostly. Something called the Black Womb project. Tried to replicate the Captain America super soldier formula to take on the Soviets. Nothing substantial…"
"Not just that," Walcoski said. "Ever hear of a place called Genosha? Stories vary but they all have the same theme. It's a big island near Africa that makes mutants for whoever pays the highest price. Dictators, mobsters, nut jobs wanting to rule the world…"
"Let's not forget about terrorist organizations like Hydra and Cobra," Hinden added. "I know for a fact they've been polluting the human gene pool for decades. I was stationed in this base in Antarctica about seven years ago. Cobra decided to attack with some bizarre hybrid of human slash polar bear thing. The things I saw that day… I was lucky to get out with my life."
"That's what I'm saying! Too many mad scientists out there playing god! And too many of them are getting protected by people higher up. Don't trust the rich or the brass when it comes to certain situations," Walcoski snapped. "Because they tend to protect each other when they screw up and it's us grunts that get stuck paying the price."
"If we've finished this little foray into Conspiracy Theory Land can we get on with bringing this freak in?" An MRD soldier groaned. "I mean come on. I can see other countries doing that but the USA? Never gonna happen."
"Then you're a fool who failed his history classes," Walcoski snarled. "And can't see the truth right in front of his face."
"Can we please save this argument for another day and tell us how the hell do we stop this guy?" Haskett asked.
"We're still figuring it out," Doctor Howard sighed. "If we can get him into a stasis containment unit we might be able to stop him from charging up."
"Sure, all we gotta do is wait for him to drop on by and beg us to help put him away!" Walcoski said sarcastically. "Not gonna happen!"
"Obviously tasers and nets are out," Wraith frowned. "And obviously lasers won't work. Bullets might cause a reaction too."
"So? Just use some knock out gas on the freak," An officer spoke up.
"I wouldn't try that," Doctor Howard warned. "Unless you want the explosion to be even bigger. Knock out gas might enhance the reaction."
"I told you, just wait for the guy to show up and surrender himself," Walcoski sneered.
"We're working on it," Doctor Howard told Wraith. "We've got a Sentinel on back order but you know how that works."
"Yeah. The regular army takes most of 'em for themselves. I swear they don't build those things fast enough. All right, let's move on to our next assignment," Wraith sighed. "Tomorrow afternoon we need to protect Senator Tentpole. He's giving a speech downtown somewhere. Where is it again?"
"It'll be on Third Street," Allen told him.
"Third street," Wraith nodded. "Tentpole is one of our strongest supporters so you know some mutant is gonna want to take a crack at him."
"Wouldn't surprise me if our friend Nitro shows up," Walcoski frowned.
"What makes you say that?" Hinden asked.
"Just a hunch," Walcoski shrugged.
It turned out Walcoski's hunch was right.
Haskett found himself partnered with a Hound that day. Their assignment was to patrol the perimeter. "At least we won't hear that gas bag's speech," Walcoski was with them. "Even if he is on our side I don't trust a politician as far as I can throw him."
The large black Hound stopped and growled. "There's a mutant here. I can smell him."
Haskett was stunned. He had temporarily forgotten that Hounds could talk. "Great! A mutant uh…"
"Name's Dark Grin. My brother Dark Fang was the one that saved your life."
"I'm sorry," Haskett really was.
"He died a wolf's death," Dark Grin snarled. "Save what pity you have for the mutant who killed him. He will need it."
"This is Walcoski! Mutant detected!" Walcoski spoke into his communicator. "Mutant…"
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!
"Oh great!" Walcoski groaned as smoke rose in the distance. "Come on!"
They happened upon a scene of chaos and smoke. Dead bodies and destroyed properties. MRD vehicles destroyed and broken. "Sir…" One officer coughed. "It's Nitro…Slipped through the crowd and went off…"
"Looks like he's still going off…" Walcoski noticed Nitro had made his way to a ruined podium. He held a squirming senator in his hands. Nitro was still sparking. "Oh great! We need reinforcements!"
"There's no time! We have to save the senator!" Haskett shouted.
"I can just pick him off…" Walcoski picked up his revolver.
"No bullets!" Dark Grin warned. "When we get close enough use a knife!"
"Bullets won't do it but a knife will?" Walcoski asked. "Why don't we use a wooden stake while we're at it?"
"Dark Grin, what do you mean by get close?" Haskett asked.
"There is a way to get him," Dark Grin growled. "After he expends all his energy and reforms he'll be helpless for a few minutes. That's when we attack."
"Won't he just change into gas again?" Haskett asked.
"No, the gas needs to store itself in a container, that is his body before it reaches critical mass and explodes," Dark Grin snorted. "After the explosion his body is almost completely devoid of gas and has to make more before he can transform."
"How do you know all this?" Walcoski asked.
"Here's a hint, Hounds can read," Dark Grin gave him a look. "You should try reading technical reports sometime. They give good insight into how to take down an enemy."
"Great the only trick is surviving the explosion," Walcoski grumbled. "Anybody got any bright ideas on that?"
"SOMEBODY HELP ME!" Senator Tentpole screamed.
"Shut up old man! You're gonna pay for what you did to me!" Nitro yelled.
"He's got a hostage," Haskett hissed as backup arrived.
"Not for long!" Walcoski charged in. "HEY FREAK! YOU WANNA PIECE OF ME?"
"Walcoski what the hell are you doing?" Haskett shouted. "We need a plan!"
"Plan shman! I still say all it takes is one bullet!" Walcoski held his revolver on Nitro.
"You better stay back, Mardie! Or we all go boom!" Nitro snarled.
"Do as he says! He's dangerous!" Tentpole shouted.
"All mutants are dangerous," Walcoski snarled. "That's why you gotta take care of them permanently!"
"Walcoski! Don't shoot!" Haskett shouted.
"GET DOWN!" Dark Grin pulled him down.
"Bye bye freak…" Walcoski smiled as he pulled the trigger. He intended to shoot the mutant between the eyes, effectively freeing the hostage.
It didn't work out that way.
BOOOOOOOOOOM!
"WALCOSKI!" Haskett shouted.
"There's no time to grieve! Get on my back!" Dark Grin ordered. "He's almost reformed! NOW!"
Haskett reacted instinctively, jumping on the Hound's back and held on for dear life with one hand as he pulled out his knife with the other. They reached Nitro almost immediately after he reformed. Because most of the gas inside his body had been expelled, Nitro was helpless. With a quick thrust they were upon Nitro. Haskett stabbed the mutant in the heart.
"DIE YOU MUTANT FROM HELL!" Dark Grin howled as he sank his fangs into Nitro's neck for good measure.
Death was almost instantaneous. Nitro didn't have time to react. However his body began to fizzle and before Haskett knew it, he and the Hound were violently blown backward.
However to Haskett's surprise they weren't killed. "Guess he had enough inside him for one last explosion…" Dark Grin hissed. "Are you all right?"
"Yeah," Haskett looked at the devastation around him. "Just peachy."
It wasn't long before Haskett and Wraith were informing Gyrich what happened in Wraith's office. "Walcoski always was a hot head who didn't think before he pulled a gun," Gyrich frowned as he heard the report. "Gentlemen, I'm not happy."
"You're not happy? Tentpole was assassinated. Twenty six civilians dead, twelve MRD officers killed, untold property damage…" Wraith sighed. "Gyrich we need a Sentinel and we need it yesterday! How many more of my men must I lose before I get one?"
"As soon as the new Sentinels are online you'll get five of them," Gyrich promised.
"They can't come soon enough. We got the bastard," Haskett frowned. "One less mutant to terrorize the streets. And we had to lose at least a dozen guys and a couple of buildings to get him."
"That's why we need men like you Haskett," Gyrich told him. "People like you who are willing to do whatever it takes to keep those dangerous mutants under control. So that normal humans will be safe."
Haskett noticed that Wraith was trying to hold onto his temper. That's why he didn't ask the question until Gyrich left.
"He wasn't just some drunk's kid was he?" Haskett asked. "He was related to Tentpole wasn't he?"
"Nitro was Tentpole's nephew," Wraith admitted. "Tentpole's brother used to cat around a lot and got Nitro's mother pregnant. But he smashed himself up in a drunk driving wreck that killed him and another woman who turned out to be his fiancé from a wealthy family. The Tentpole family paid the woman to go away and…Well I think you can figure out the rest."
"And the reason we weren't told this was?" Haskett's voice grew sharper.
"Why do you think?" Wraith glared at him. "Tentpole was a supporter of the local Purity Chapter. You know how they feel about family members being related to mutants. Didn't matter if Tentpole renounced him or not. Man didn't want to risk his career and he was a friend of Gyrich so…"
Haskett fumed. "Of all the stupid selfish…"
"I know," Wraith let out a breath. "I always said Gyrich is too political for my tastes. And I hate to say it but I suspect this isn't the first time he's done something like this. Well Tentpole got what he deserved in my book. If he just told us the truth from the beginning he'd still be alive today."
"Not just Tentpole. Men died because of that," Haskett snapped. "Good men! It's bad enough that those freaks are running wild but when human beings cover for them and let them…"
"You're not saying anything that I haven't said to myself a thousand times these past few months," Wraith interrupted. "Walcoski was right. It is time to take back this country. It's time for decency and normal people to stand up to not only the mutants but those who profit from the chaos they make. Should have listened to him. It may be too late for Walcoski…But not for us. We're going to fight and take down every mutant in the world if we have to, one at a time if need be. And not just them, those who hide them or give them shelter in any way. Especially those crooks who make a profit off of them. And if we just happen to take out a few drug dealers and thugs that act like mutants…So much the better. Whatever it takes Haskett, we're going to win this war. Because that's what this is. A war between good human beings and the monsters. We are going to win because we have to win. The alternative is unthinkable. Whatever it takes."
"Whatever it takes," Haskett vowed.
Next: We learn about a few more factions in the Mutant War in the following chapters! Hope you enjoy!