Xtreme X-Men #1: Warpath Part 1 (Mutopia Tie-In)
Manhattan, New York
Our story begins here in Manhattan, New York where we get a look at the inside of a building belonging to the Essex Corporation. In the main office is Nathaniel Essex Chairman of the Board and owner of the company.
"Mr. Essex today at noon you have a press conference in the main lobby concerning the mutant gene," says Essex's assistant Nicolas Small.
"Thanks for the reminder. I believe I'm prepared for it," says Essex. "Now where's my son?"
"I'm right here," says Remy.
Nathaniel Essex had one son, Remy who is now currently twenty years old. Remy is a mutant. Essex was surprised to find out Remy had become a mutant, since he studies them. Unlike most people he doesn't think mutants as curse or a threat, but as an amazing step in evolution.
"What are you doing today," asks Essex.
"Nothing really… I was thinking of taking Cassandra out," replies Remy.
"Really? You wouldn't happen to want to have dinner with your old father would you," asks Essex.
"I wouldn't mind. What do you have in mind," asks Remy.
"I was thinking Cajun," says Essex.
Remy takes a moment to think and replies, "Sound goods. Cajun it is."
Elsewhere in Manhattan
Along the rooftops of Manhattan we find a man known as Daredevil running along them.
Daredevil narrates: It's been awhile since I've had a decent lead. This current one leads me to the Essex Corporation. The rumor in hell's kitchen these days is that Nathaniel Essex is experimenting on humans and mutants. Some of which are from the kitchen. When I was finding clues on this I came across a woman who couldn't keep her body together. She had become rubbery, that's probably the best term I can explain it with. She kept saying Essex's name repeatedly. Later I learned from a local informant of his experiences. He said there are more people turning up mutated in the area and have some connection to Essex. It's gonna be awhile till I can get into his labs and see what he's doing.
Daredevil stops on a rooftop with one foot on the edge.
"Hey, how about some privacy," asks Araña.
"Huh? Shouldn't you be in school or something kid," says Daredevil.
"Hey, I can do what I want," claims Araña.
"Okay do whatever. I have more important things to do," says Daredevil.
"Is that so," says Araña. "What is so important?"
Daredevil remains silent. Araña sighs when she gets no response out of him. "Fine, don't tell me anything I don't care," responds Araña.
"I'm trying to decide what to do about a potential mad scientist," says Daredevil.
"Mad scientist," questions Araña. "Do tell more."
"Nathaniel Essex, head of Essex Corp., is possibly experimenting on people. I need to get proof," says Daredevil.
"Hmm… I heard that he is holding a press conference today at noon," claims Araña.
"He is? Are you sure," asks Daredevil.
"Over heard it at the Daily Bugle," says Araña. "I was there hoping to get some info on any possible crime sprees, but there was nothing good happening. It's a slow news day."
"Don't get off topic. What else have you heard," asks Daredevil.
"Nothing much. Just that Essex is gonna be giving a speech on his finds on the mutant gene," says Araña.
"I need to get there before the conference is up," says Daredevil.
"You mean we need to get there before the conference is up," says Araña. "I've wanted some action all day. There's no way you're leaving me out of this."
"Well, if you must come along… We're gonna need to fit into the crowd and there's no way to costumed characters will get away unnoticed," says Daredevil.
Back at Essex Corp.
It's almost time for the conference and Essex is getting prepared. We cut to another level of the building where Remy is walking through. "Good afternoon Remy," says a woman passing by him.
"Well, good afternoon to you as well Cheri," says Remy.
The woman goes into a room. "Cheri… I think I'll keep that," says Remy.
Remy walks up to the lab where his father is experimenting on the mutant gene. "I guess I could see what the old man is experimenting on," says Remy.
He walks into the lab and shuts the door behind him. The lab is pitch black. "Now where's that light switch," asks Remy.
He puts his hands up against the wall and moves it around to find the light switch. "Ahh, here it is," says Remy.
The lights turn on and Remy begins to look around. "There's a lot of stuff in here. I wonder what he uses all this stuff for," says Remy.
He looks around some more and then walks up to this big thing under a cover. This cover is concealing a cage and something that is in it. Remy grabs the cover and pulls it off. "What the," says a shocked Remy.
In the cage is a man covered in blue fur. Remy sees a clipboard hanging from the cage and picks it up. "Hank McCoy," says Remy as he reads the top paper. "Mutant with amazing strength and agility also has proven to be very agile. After contact with certain chemicals I believe I've triggered what seems to be a second mutation. This blue fur truly makes him look like an animal hence the code-name Beast."
The mutant known as Beast notices Remy and begins to growl, "Raahhhh."
"What has been going on in here," asks Remy.
"Raahhhh," growls Beast.
"Whoa! Please relax! Tell me what happened to you. Can you still talk," asks Remy.
We cut back to the main lobby where the conference is taking place. Daredevil and Araña are among the people in the crowd, but now they're out of costume and they have no way of telling each other apart.
Anya narrates: Okay, so I'm out of my spider costume and walking in a crowd of strangers. I'm surprised security doesn't stop me or something. I mean it's got to be weird that a fifteen-year-old girl is roaming around a business conference. I wonder where that guy Daredevil is.
Matt narrates: No one would suspect that this blind man is actually the crime fighter known as Daredevil, nor would that girl calling herself Araña. Well it won't be hard to find this Spanish spider. She's the only Latina girl in the crowd.
"Good afternoon. I am Nathaniel Essex and I am the owner of Essex Corp.," says Essex. "As you know I have been researching the mutant gene for sometime now and I am proud to announce that I have come up with a cure for mutations in humans."
Matt narrates: What did he say? Cure for mutations? But that's not what I've seen in Hell's Kitchen.
"Tests have shown that the x-gene, as it's called, is turned back to normal when worked on with extreme care," says Essex.
Matt narrates: Okay I have to get into his lab. Hopefully I'll be able to make my way to the roof.
Anya walks around the crowd till she moves closer to Matt. He then gets her attention by using his hands to signal to her. He tells her to go to the roof. While Essex finishes his speech Matt and Anya get back into costume and make their way to the rooftop. "So you're blind," asks Araña.
"Yes, I am," replies Daredevil. "Now let's go. Before the conference is over."
Daredevil and Araña both go down the stairwell. They go down a couple flights and get to the level where the main lab is. "You sure this is the right floor," asks Araña.
"Positive," replies Daredevil.
Daredevil looks for the right room. After going down the hallway and passing many doors he finds the lab and enters. Araña is right behind him. Inside we find Remy sitting on a stool near the cage. "What have you done to this…," says Daredevil.
"What… It wasn't me," says Remy as he hops from the stool. "It wasn't me it was my father."
"Your father," asks Araña.
"This is Remy Essex, Nathaniel Essex's son," replies Daredevil.
"I had nothing to do with this. I didn't know he was doing this," says Remy.
"What are we gonna do about this guy," asks Araña. "I mean he's blue and hairy. I don't think he can go into public anymore."
"Oh, I think he can go back into the world once I change it," says Essex.
"You… What do you have to say for yourself," asks Daredevil.
"I say that the two of you have seen too much," says Essex.
With a flash of light Nathaniel Essex changes into a purple and black costume. "And with that, you will feel the wrath of MISTER SINISTER," yells Essex.
Remy and the two heroes are shocked at what they see and with that we close.
To Be Continued…