Twenty miles away, in a building which had a height to rival the Sears Tower, Joseph Alvosta sat planning a murder. The victim would walk into their office, click the pen on their desk which he would have a man place, and blow sky-high. A miniature bomb would have been placed inside the pen. No one would ever know that it was him. After all, once the mission was over, he'd quickly kill the minion who placed the pen on the victim's desk. The minion would have to have no connections to anyone. Alvosta smiled. This was going to be one of the more creative murders he had ordered.

Joseph Alvosta was the owner of a multi-billion dollar corporation called Bullseye Weapons Inc. that produced spy equipment and bombs for the United States government. He was also, under the name of John Van Herkstein, the biggest crime lord in New York, if not the United States. This particular killing was of one of his own workers, one who was having suspicions about his spring-clean boss. The man was intelligent. He had to go before he learned anything.          

Alvosta was tall and muscular, genuinely handsome. He had jade-green eyes and a dark complexion, as well as straight black hair. He was always wearing a suit.

Panting, a man by the name of Thomas Shaw burst in.

"Mr. Alvosta, we need you in the Chemical Warfare room, right away! There's been an accident!"

Pretending he cared, Alvosta followed Shaw into the room, where several doctors stood whispering and occasionally pointing to a figure on the ground. After a minute, one of them noticed their boss.

"M-Mr. Alvosta! So glad you c-could come! Th-there's been an accident!"

"I can see that, stupid dolt!" he thought. He said: "Who was it? What happened? Are they all right?"

"Oh yes, Mr. Alvosta, sir. We think. A Mr. Bradley Grey was exposed to Project 444's chemicals. Are you familiar with this chemical?"

Familiar with it? He'd invented it! It was a gas that ate at whatever it touched, endowing it with extra energy, usually resulting with either death or increased strength. It had been in the Chemical Warfare room for further testing.

"Yes, I'm familiar with it. Is Mr. Grey still alive?"

"Barely, sir. Chemical  444 seems to be having the effect it is intended to, but it is affecting his brain. For the past minute or so, he's been mumbling to himself. It is my professional opinion that he is stronger by twofold than he was previously, but insane."

"He should be moved to a mental hospital immediately then, gentlemen. I myself will escort Mr. Grey to the nearest hospital in my private jet. He deserves the best of care. Everyone back to work! You two, give me a hand with this man!"

In his jet, Alvosta was thinking of much more than Grey's safety. An insane, super-strong man who had worked for him before his accident: what could be better? The key, he knew, was to get Grey on his side before he went completely insane.

He went to the back of the plane and sat by his bedside.

"Can you hear me, Thomas?"

"I am Grey!!!" hissed the supposedly-unconscious man.

"Can you hear me Grey?"

"Yesss!"

"What happened to you?"

"I became strong- stronger than any can imagine!!"

"What will you do with your power?"

"What should I?"

"Use it to seek vengeance on those who would wish to harm you!"

"Yesss!!!"

"I could help you!"

"You could help me!"

"You will serve me!"

"I will- serve you. You were my master before- you are my master now!"

"Who do you serve, forever and always?"

"None!!!!!!"

"Wrong! Who do you serve, forever and always?"

"Alvosta!"

"Who?"

"Alvosta!!!!"

"Perfect."

"I serve Alvosta, forever and alwaysss!!!"

"Perfect."