Chapter Three: The Attack
NEW YOUR CITY. FEDERAL RESERVE BANK.
WB: Hello! This is Wolf Blotzer and you're in the Situation Room. Today we are following the recent attack on the Federal Reserve building in New York City. We will turn to CNN's reporter, Kaitlan who is on the scene of this horrific attack. Kaitlan, can you walk us through what has transpired in the last few minutes or so?
KC: Hello, Wolf. Yes, in short, it is a war zone here. It appears that supporters of the former President have launched a full-scale attack of the Federal Reserve building and managed to take control of it in the process. So far, our sources are saying that there are as many as 30 dead Federal Reserve officers so far and another 15 civilians.
WB: Kaitlan, do we know how the attack started?
KC: Yes, Wolf. It appears this group was armed with an arsenal of weapons that you would not expect to find on the open market. The attack started with a repeated succession of attacks from rocket launchers to the front of the building. The troops then invaded and quickly took over and secured the building. Most are carrying fully automatic assaults rifles, covered in kevlar and appear to be trained in this type of tactical assault. From what we have been told, the former super soldier known as Nuke led that initial wave of attacks that quickly took much of the armored doors on the first floor.
WB: Do we have any indications where they obtained this armory?
KC: That's a great question because our sources have also informed us that the vigilante known as the Punisher is also leading an army of snipers currently housed in the windows of various apartments in the upper perimeter surrounding the building. His involvement has led many to believe that the armory currently in the hands of these supporters was supplied by the Punisher. But that theory is still being vetted because there are hundreds of fully armed troops on the ground here. It would be a surprise to learn that the Punisher had enough weapons to supply this small army.
WB: Have we been able to confirm any rationale for this attack?
KC: Yes, Wolf. From what we have observed, it is believed that the former president's speech from a couple weeks ago has been another trigger point.
WB: We have clips of that speech, Kaitlan. We'll play them now for our audience.
FP: The looooney left is coming after me! They want to jail me. And why?! Because I don't believe in paying taxes to fund their government programs! Programs that were clearly designed to support inner city people. Those who don't support the American dream. Those who free load on the backs of pure Americans! Hard working American patriots like you! I have been winning this fight for years against these thieves and now they want to imprison me for it. You and I both know that if you were to fight them as I have then they would come for you as well!
FP: They don't believe in freedom. They are the ENEMIES of freedom! And they want to enslave us. Think about it! We can't afford these programs so we have pay for them through loans to China. And you work to pay those loans! It's on your backs! How are you not a slave?! And the Liberals are fully aware of this! They have been in collusion with China for years. Decades! You work for China in order to pay the tab for those who have no belief in the American dream. Basically, THEY are the traitors! This scenario is as black and white as it gets…
The former President pauses while the mob screams.
FP: … and WHERE is all of our money? It's in the Treasury! They're in collusion with the Federal Reserve to keep this whoooooole scheme rolling! The value of your labor is being controlled by these institutions who are entirely beholden to a foreign power….
Mob: They're evil! Baby killers! Lock em up!
FP: I know you are disillusioned. I know that you think that we can't resolve this through standard political processes. Hell, we can't even get a fair election anymore, right?!
Mob: Rigged! Rigged! Rigged!
FP: I feel what you are feeling, but we can't give up! You have to be strong. Strength is the only thing that matters! So, we have to continue to fight! We WILL fight this together! And I'll be right by your side…
The mob cheers in rage. The clip ends.
WB: Kaitlan, is this still America?
KC: Wolf, what's interesting is that I could not find one American flag flying anywhere by this army of supporters. There are flags for the former President, some with "Don't Tread on Me" verbiage, lots of Confederate flags, a few Nazi symbols here and there, but many with the infamous "DD" initials we have seen emblazoned across so many propaganda sites. It almost feels like America has been invaded by a foreign enemy.
WB: Have we been able to confirm what these initials represent?
KC: Not yet. On its face, many have assumed that they are the initials of the former president's real name, but this has never been confirmed.
WB: And we have to wonder how any of this may further impact the stock market after its heavy plunge earlier this week when it was reported that CEOs across the country appear to be the target of a serial killer. The 5th gruesome murder occurred last night. Now, add this chaos to that panic….
KC: Wolf. Hold on one second, there appears to be a call coming in.
At that moment, the screen is captured by a cloaked figure in the shadows.
DD: America, we have taken the main Federal Reserve bank. We have shut down its operations. We own its gold. Also, we have taken the Secretary of the Treasury hostage. Your economy will not move again until we say so.
DD: Our demands: One, open all mints across the country and allow Americans access to the gold that is rightfully theirs. Two, take into custody every living Democrat who has served and is currently serving in Congress for immediate imprisonment. Three, reinstate the former president who was unjustly and unlawfully removed from office with your rigged election you refer to as a democracy.
The figure stops talking and quickly looks over his should to another monitor. An army of tanks from the national guard are rolling down the street towards the Federal Reserve.
DD: That is not acceptable.
The figure presses a button and lasers rain down from the sky destroying the tanks and annihilating all the troops.
KC: Wolf! Lasers are everywhere! Agh!
WB: Kaitlan?! Kaitlan!
The video feed goes dead and the figure returns.
DD: You have our demands. You have 24 hours to comply. If they are not met, we will execute the Secretary on TV. Any other attempts to attack our troops will be met with retaliation.
The screen goes black.
WEST CHESTER, NEW YORK. THE X-MANSION. TWO WEEKS AGO.
Professor X and Forge are in the study vigorously debating an issue.
Forge: Charles, this doesn't sit well with me.
Prof X: I understand. To some degree, I have the same ethical reservations, but…
Forge: …but you're still willing to go through with it! Oh wait, you don't have to do anything. That would be on my head because I'll be the one responsible for building the damn thing! Sigh.
Prof X: Forge, only your ability with technology can offer us the possibility to update Cerebro so….
Forge: So, you can play God and start invading everyone's thoughts all at once. Great plan, Charles.
Prof X: I have to find out if my theory is accurate. If I'm correct, then there is another world of energy that we haven't been probing. If I'm right, it may explain the manifestation of Onslaught.
Forge: OK. I get the ask. I'll do it. I'll enhance Cerebro…but only under one condition.
Prof X: Yes?
Forge: Destroy it as soon as you find what you're looking for.
Prof X: You have my word.
Later that evening, Professor X is sitting down at Cerebro.
Prof X: I hope Forge calibrated this correctly. I don't want someone else's emotions contaminating me again.
Professor X puts on the helmet and turns on the machine. There is a low hum. He closes his eyes.
Usually, Professor X would be using this machine to detect mutants in hiding. To help them. Not this time. Tonight, he is hunting down emotions. Base urges. Energy signature patterns. He starts with Africa.
Prof X: Appears normal.
Then he moves to Europe.
Prof X: Same thing here.
Asia next.
Prof X: Hmm. There appears to be a consistent energy pattern here. Let's move over to America.
Lights pop up everywhere and Professor X immediately recognizes that same energy pattern consistently weaving its way across the country. His blood runs cold and his eyes open wide as he realizes what is occurring.
Prof X: Oh my Lord. How did we miss this?