NeoNazo356: First Review worth taking note of for a while… From Arc-Angel-Of-Fire we are asked- "So…are you mixing the Ceph into the story or something?"

Spaceman: The CryFibril "Nano-Weave" that makes up the Nanosuit was reversed engineered from Ceph. Without the invasion of the Ceph, the Nanosuits wouldn't have been developed to counter them. A good portion of technology is developed either to fight wars or based on technology used by the enemies.

NeoNazo356: For those of you who have watched Young Justice, you know all about the big alien invasion towards the second half. For those of you who have played Crysis, you know just what kind of scale the war between Man versus Ceph would become. I won't say too much yet because that'd be spoilers, but I do in fact have a plan for this story's endgame. We didn't spend over a year bouncing ideas back and forth for nothing you know. Some things may deviate from the original plan, but suffice it to say, shit will get REAL crazy.

*MODEL CITIZEN*

Bludhaven
September 11, 18:36 EST

'Nearly a week has gone by since then…' Virgil thought as he stared up at the ceiling. He'd just gotten back from training with Boris after work, and like every other day that week since last Saturday, he'd done nothing but think long and hard about the offer that Re-l had made for him until he went to sleep. Those on top of the driver's words, what future awaited him weighed heavily on his mind as he tried to come to terms with what was going on with his life.

He was alive, but labeled dead as far as the US government was concerned. He had a family and a job, but having to hide behind lack of identity and look over his shoulder at every shadow, could that really be called living? On top of all that, the information blackout outside New York Zero was just as bad as it was from the inside. Not a single trace of Blackwatch's Third Reich-esque actions seeing the light of day beyond those waters. No internet in or out, and no whistle-blowers as far as those modern-day Nazis were concerned.

If he signed on to continue using the Nanosuit, all of that would change. He'd have papers, a line of credit, and maybe one day be able to screw over Blackwatch one more time. Possibly, to even take the organization down if the need arose. But what if he were asked to leave everyone at the Red Light behind in exchange for all that? Moxxi who gave him a roof above his head and food in his stomach, Shaula who showed him the ropes of rooftop-running, Athena who had helped him with his "after-hours" work, Rina and Tina who acted like the little sisters he never had. Then there were Marcus and Dr. Zed who were like the eccentric uncles he never knew, Balalaika as the older-woman figure who put the fear of Russian Jesus in him.

As for Scooter and Ellie… he didn't quite know what to think of them, but they'd grown on him regardless of all their oddities. Even if Scooter did smell like a skunk crawled up its own ass and died. Twice.

'I don't know if I can say goodbye to all that,' Virgil sighed heavily as he closed his eyes, before letting his eyes drift to the calendar that hung from his closet wall. Seeing the date that had yet to be crossed out, that day, he let out a sigh through clenched teeth as he closed his eyes.

Looking at the calendar, Virgil had been eight at the time of that day, around a year before he lost his parents. He'd been too young to understand the gravity of what had happened, and it wasn't until years later that he understood why so many men and women were being sent overseas for. On top of all that, it wasn't until he became older that he learned why the superheroes that would go on to form the Justice League two years later, the ones he'd been starry-eyed about until the deaths of his parents, had gotten so much flak over that incident.

The September 11 attacks, commonly referred to as 9/11, were a series of four coordinated terrorist attacks by the Islamic terrorist group al-Qaeda mounted on New York City and the Washington D.C. metropolitan area. The attacks killed 2,996 people including the 19 hijackers, and caused at least $10 billion in property and infrastructure damage. The reason the superheroes had gotten so much flak was because there were so many deaths, and the bulk of the superhero community at the time hadn't arrived until after the four planes had touched down. While the superheroes were able to help with the rescue efforts, the heavy-hitters like Superman and Martian Manhunter were unable to avert any of the airplane-related deaths because they'd been halfway across the globe helping with relief efforts in other countries.

People's opinion of superheroes went every which way that day. Some understood that the superheroes couldn't be everywhere at once, while others were so ignorant as to believe the supers were in league with al-Qaeda. By the time Osama bin Laden actually claimed responsibility for the 9/11 attacks in 2004, the Justice League had already been in action for about a year after the Appellaxian invasion of Earth. In response to that, certain persons in power then requested that the Justice League assist the US' forces in the War on Terror in Afghanistan.

This of course opened a political can of worms that people still couldn't see the bottom of. A major line was drawn in the media between whether or not SPBs should be allowed to involve themselves in military campaigns. While the Justice League was permitted to operate by means of a U.N. Charter, League members had no jurisdiction within the borders of nations that did not sign that charter. While the War on Terror could easily be resolved had someone like Superman gotten involved, because such an act could be interpreted as a declaration of war, combined with the League's own stance on involving themselves with global politics, no SPBs to date had taken part in the War on Terror.

Did I mention people still couldn't see the bottom of that political can of worms?

'Dammit, I'm getting waaay off-topic,' Virgil thought as he shook his head. Putting all that 9/11 stuff at the back of his head where it wouldn't bother him, he turned his attention to more immediate matters. 'Moxxi and the others… they were all… really worried about me…'

*MODEL CITIZEN*

Bludhaven
September 5, 23:15 EST

'Okay… Coast is clear,' Virgil thought to himself as he locked the back door of Moxxxi's Red Light behind himself. 'Now that I'm back, all I have to do is calmly explain just why I left, and hopefully none of them will have a cow,' he thought to himself as he tiptoed up the steps, wary of the creaky board. Peeking around the corner, he saw that the living room was surprisingly vacant. Also, all the lights were off, almost like no-one was home. 'That's odd. Where'd everyone go?'

At the moment he crossed the threshold, a number of hands suddenly clamped down around him, and his feet swiftly left the ground. A blindfold wrapped around his eyes, his limbs were swiftly hog-tied to his sides before he was hoisted even further into the air and taken who knows where. Whoever had him was scrambling like mad, as he sensed a number of double-backs. This swiftly came to an end when the ropes around his body were removed and his back met that of a couch. The blindfold from his eyes ripped free, a lamp was suddenly shown in his face, momentarily burning his retinas.

Beyond the light were a number of silhouettes, not yet visible as his eyes adjusted to the contrast between light and dark.

"Where were you on the sixth of September?!" a manic voice demanded of him.

"That's tomorrow," a laid-back voice said plainly.

"We should probably get this light out of his face, lest we risk permanent damage to his corneas," an intelligent voice spoke up.

"Or we could just turn on the lights," a more mature-sounding voice brought up.

"Now, now, girls. Virgil's been hiding a great deal from us. We'll need the proper atmosphere if we want to... coerce it out of him," a sensual voice brought up.

"Hey uh, guys... I can explain why I left... if that's what you're grouping at," Virgil spoke up.

" . . . Meh, I give it a six out of ten. The innuendo's a little too obvious," the owner of the fifth voice replied, identified as Moxxi once his eyes adjusted.

"I wasn't trying to-"

"Silence government spy!" the owner if the first voice, Tina, demanded of him.

"Um... What?" the second voice, Rina, questioned.

"There's no way the Mens in Black would send the reeeal Virgil back. Nay, for this person before us must be a government spy!" Tina proposed.

"Um... What?" the third voice, Athena, questioned as intelligently as she could manage in the circumstances.

"She's saying he might be an imposter," the fourth voice, Shaula, clarified through the pre-teen's crazed ramblings.

"Would it help if I said I'm the genuine article?" Virgil queried.

"He's wearing a wire!" Tina suddenly blurted out of nowhere.

"We'll have to search him," Moxxi spoke up. And Virgil did not like that glint in her eye.

Suffice it to say, it was pretty much impossible to hide the true nature of his meeting from them. Especially not after how for all intents and purposes he was abducted right out from under their noses.

By some miracle however, they were only able to wring a small amount of information out of him. Even when some of their interrogation methods got a little more... personal, than was the convention.

*MODEL CITIZEN*

Bludhaven
September 11, 15:21 EST

"It feels like forever since someone's been that worried over me," Virgil thought after the flashback had ended. Sure, his family in Manhattan worried over his wellbeing too, but there was always the fact that he wasn't "part of the family" in the traditional sense, that kept those feelings from being completely genuine. And he'd stayed with them for years. So when you consider he'd only known the Moxxi family for a couple months, and they were able to show such wholeheartedly genuine concern for him, and well… it really made one think what the definition of "family" meant.

'And then there's this thing,' Virgil thought as he held up the smart phone he'd been given at the end of his "meeting". He'd had Athena work her magic on the little piece of hardware to see if there were any hidden clues in it. Unfortunately, the thing was practically sterile, factory default, no trackers for back-tracing, no hidden programs, just a single contact number that he was expected to call before the week's end.

*Knock*Knock* "Virgil. Can I come in?" Athena's muffled voice said through the door.

"Door's open," Virgil replied, the door creaking open a moment later before Athena closed it behind herself.

" . . . How's it going?" she asked nervously.

"I'm fine. I feel a little vulnerable at the moment, but at least I have this thing," Virgil said pulling a handgun from under his pillow.

Said handgun was a Makarov Pistol, or PM (Pistolet Makarova), a semiautomatic pistol and close-range weapon of the Spetsnaz. The official sidearm of the Soviet armed forces from 1951 to the beak up of the Soviet Union, it was still used by the Russian armed forces. It featured blowback action, blade-and-notch iron sights, a muzzle velocity of 315 meters per second, an effective range of 50 meters, and an 8-round detachable box magazine taking 9x18 Makarov cartridges.

"So I guess you really are working for the Russians, huh?" the quiet girl asked.

"Yeah. But don't worry, everything I do is clean, and if I ever do get caught with this thing, I'll just open a can of worms about how I don't want to be defenseless when confronted by a super-criminal. That sort of thing tends to work as long as I'm genuine-enough about it."

"Do you even know how to use that thing?"

"Marcus has a shooting range downstairs he lets me test new inventory on to make sure it works. This thing has an effective range of fifty meters, but I'll probably only shoot for thirty."

"Oh, well… Just making sure."

" . . . "

" . . . "

" . . . You're still disappointed I gave up the suit, aren't you?"

"Wh-What? No! No way! Pshaw. Why would you even ask that?"

"Because you looked pretty down when I came home in nothing but laboratory scrubs," Virgil answered. "Look, I know you really loved looking over that suit, and the Predator Cloak was a godsend, don't get me wrong. But the suit wasn't mine to keep, and if they wanted to take it, then they could. I just don't want you guys getting dragged into the middle of it."

"So you're just giving it up? Just like that?"

"Not necessarily," Virgil said putting his pistol back beneath his pillow. "Apparently, I have the qualifications needed to be the suit's primary beta tester. I'd have a real identity again, a line of credit, and I'd be able to do what apparently I was born for," he said as he closed his eyes, remembering how easy killing came to him. He still felt guilty afterward, but his lack of hesitation had saved his life countless times.

"I sense a but coming on."

"But… The friends and family I've made here… I'm not sure if I can give that all up again."

"Again?"

" . . . That's not important right now," Virgil said rolling onto his side. "Look, the thing is, if I do this… I feel like my life is going to become some kind of game to these people. Like I'm a pawn on the board to be moved about at their leisure."

"Virgil…" Athena said as she walked over to his bed and sat against the small of his back. "The thing about pawns is, even though they're weak, and they can't move all that far, even they can topple kings and queens. And even if your life does turn into some kind of game for people you don't know, that doesn't mean you can't play big. Play to win," she said before getting up and walking out the room.

"Play to win huh?" Virgil asked, left with that piece of wisdom in his housemate's wake. "I guess you really do your namesake proud," he said as he pulled out the smartphone, and pulling up the only contact number, pressed the green Call button.

*MODEL CITIZEN*

Bludhaven
September 12, 08:30 EST

It was Saturday the following morning. After getting in touch with Re-l, who had apparently been expecting him to call at that late hour, a meeting time had been arranged for which she would hear his answer. He'd been given instructions on which bus to take and where to get off, and as soon as he'd stepped out into Upper Bludhaven, an update was sent to his phone, complete with a map of the nearby blocks and a waypoint indicator.

After walking around for maybe half an hour, taking in the sights of the much-cleaner and more-presentable part of Bludhaven, the waypoint indicator on his phone disappeared, putting Virgil right in front of where he needed to go.

Suffice it to say, he did not expect to wind up at a place like this.

'As far as front companies go, I thought she'd have me walk to a pharmaceuticals lab, or a military recruitment office, not… this,' Virgil thought as he craned his head upwards.

Said building was eight stories tall and made of gray brick with gothic accents in the ground-level construction, two large windows situated on the sides with a set of glass double-doors in front of him. The awnings were pitch black and numbered three, from left to right reading EXOTIC WEAR, GOTHIC RENAISSANCE, and FANTASY APPAREL in white gothic font. Like the name implied, the store was filled with gothic and renaissance-inspired clothing, sometimes a mixture of both, but possessing a modern twist. In fact he'd seen a few of the outfits in the windows on some of the wealthier-looking people of the upper quarter.

'Then again, this kinda goes with her appearance,' Virgil thought as he remembered just how Re-l had dressed. 'What else is around here?' Virgil asked himself, wanting to be aware of the environment around him.

To the left was a store named Halloween Adventure, which obviously, sold Halloween costumes, and was one of the specialty stores where you could not only buy costumes, but also materials to make them as well; the kind of place you'd go in preparation to make cosplay. To the right was a thrift store, nothing too special about it, and it looked a little plain next to Gothic Renaissance. Across the street behind him was a heavily-built and older-looking building labeled 3rd Bank of Bludhaven, an art supplies store a little ways off.

'Alright… Time to enter the lion's den,' Virgil thought to himself as he entered.

Pushing through the double doors, he was able to get a better look at Gothic Renaissance's interior. While the ground floor had gothic and medieval-style apparel, there were two open-air floors above him, the place looking like a miniature shopping mall featuring all kinds of clothing, everything from the latest trends to last-season's fashions. In the center of the ground floor was a ring of glass desks where the cashiers worked, a number of customers and employees milling about, the uniforms mostly monochrome in color.

The phone in his pocket vibrating, Virgil pulled it out to see he'd received another text.

Head to the elevators in the back.

'Guess she knows I'm already here,' Virgil said to himself, the security camera over his right shoulder having homed in on him. Passing the cashiers and dressing rooms to the store's back wall, he came upon a pair of elevators, flights of stairs on opposing sides leading to the second floor above.

*Ding*

The elevator on the left opened moments later, and waiting there for him was Re-l Meyer, her attire strikingly similar to what she'd worn at their first encounter. Then again, no need to fix what isn't broken.

"Virgil," she greeted. "Have you've arrived with an answer to my proposal?"

"I have," the brunette answered, the woman nodding her head and motioning him to step inside. The door closing behind him seconds later, the woman pulled out an ID card and put it in a slot by the buttons. The numbers for the fourth through eighth floors lit up, employees-only sections most-likely. "Something I want to say before we talk business," he stated as the woman pressed the 8 button. "I tried to hide as much of our meeting as I could, but my friends already have some idea as to what's going on. They don't know everything, but they know enough that if I suddenly disappear, they might come looking for me. That, or just make things really difficult for you."

"And you're telling me this because you wish to stay with them?" Re-l asked.

"I do," Virgil answered honestly. "But at the same time, your offer is too good to turn down, even if only so I can get back at Blackwatch. I'm not sure if I want to make a career out of mercenary work or not, but at the very least I want to be able to pay Moxxi and the others back."

"Then what you're wishing for is a double-life?"

"Yes."

"Hmmm… That makes things a little difficult," Re-l admitted. "But not impossible."

*Ding*

The elevator doors opening to the top floor, Virgil stepped into what appeared to be a waiting room of sorts. The walls and ceiling were mostly white, the carpet varying shades of gray, and the furniture was upholstered with black leather and golden accents. In front of the couches were coffee tables with stacks of various magazines stacked neatly on the center of each, a cylindrical floor-to-ceiling tank filled with tropical fish dominating the center of the room. On the opposite side was a pair of black double doors with silver handles on them, and to the right side was a mahogany desk and counter, the only other person in the room sitting behind it and typing on the computer.

The man was Asian in descent, giving off a humble, almost subservient vibe as he typed away. His black hair was combed down to the right, and his eyes looked like they were closed. From what Vincent could see of his attire, the man was wearing a dark red suit and black tie. Crimson eyes honing in on the man's lapel, Virgil was able to see a gold-colored nametag with black engravings reading Vincent Law.

"Vincent. Please hold my calls," Re-l stated to the man behind the desk as she walked past the fish tank.

"Yes ma'am," the man replied with a nod. When Virgil followed Re-l, the man momentarily looked up from his work, and the two briefly locked eyes. Vincent's eyes opening slightly, there was a sudden sharpness in them the brunette hadn't expected to see from a personal assistant, and it gave Virgil the impression that the man he was walking past, wasn't to be taken lightly.

'For all I know, he's one of those FOXHOUND guys on Re-l's payroll,' the brunette thought to himself as he entered the office, closing the doors behind him.

"Have a seat. I'll be with you in a moment," Re-l spoke up, the brunette nodding as he took note of his surroundings.

The penthouse office was expansive, featuring a panoramic-view window all across the forward wall that gave a nearly unopposed view of Upper Bludhaven's cityscape. The walls were white, a number of black and white paintings set within elegant frames, the occasional splash of blue interrupting the monochrome-colored decor. The carpeting across the floor was an incredibly dark shade of blue, nearly black. On the right side of the room was a large shelf containing books, awards, and a coffee machine. In the center of the room was a polished and rather expensive-looking hardwood desk, to the left the newest model of computer on the market colored jet black, while a white-colored lamp was on the right. Nearby was a trash bin with a paper shredder, and a water cooler situated in the nearby corner. Re-l was already seated in a black chair with gold accents, and there was only a single seat across from her.

After taking in the sight of Re-l's office, the windows began to polarize until nearly all the light from the outside was cut off, a small lamp on Re-l's desk bating the room in a light glow. Taking a seat across from the woman in front of him, Re-l put a hand to the brooch around her neck, and Virgil suddenly felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand up as a wave of some kind washed over him.

"Alright, no one should be able to listen in on us now," Re-l stated as she interlaced her fingers in front of herself, the brooch around her neck glowing slightly.

'Must've been an EMP of some kind, probably targeted toward listening devices,' Virgil mused to himself.

"So there are no misunderstandings between us, you do in fact wish to continue testing the Nanosuit for my employer, correct?"

"Yes," Virgil nodded. "As much as I want to, I can't just go back to a normal life after the things I've seen and done. And what your driver said to me... unsettled me."

"About being able to kill without hesitation?" the woman asked, Virgil nodding grimly in return. "You don't have to worry about becoming some kind of serial killer if that's your major concern. Your neurochemistry from the time you put on the suit indicated traces of guilt whenever you were forced to take a life. Your lack of hesitation is simply a psychosomatic means of protecting your own self by allowing you to act in the swiftest manner possible. As long as that guilt remains, and you acknowledge the lives you took as human, then you won't become someone like the Joker, or Bane, or Killer Croc."

" . . . And if I do need psychological help?"

"Then it will be provided, from the best and brightest the world over. In the past, numerous second-tier heroes had psychological breakdowns, became super-criminals, and met their ends either from the proper authorities, or by result of their own hubris," Re-l explained. "You're a valuable resource, the next-best Nanosuit testing candidate a decade older than you at the least. I can't guarantee we won't try to brainwash you, but you have my personal guarantee we won't try to subvert your free will."

"At least you're being straight-up with me," Virgil sighed as he let it all sink in. Dollars to donuts says he'll be needing psychological help before they year is out, and if he didn't have a breakdown before then, it'd be a fuck mothering miracle. "So... Where do I sign?"

"Right here," Re-l said passing him a tablet, the electronic contract displayed on the screen, a stylus attached to the side. "What you're looking at is the standard nondisclosure agreement for special operatives who are privy to government secrets. In exchange for your silence on the more-sensitive matters, we will offer you protection from those you can and can't see, family by extension if need be. In exchange for your compliance in the testing of the Nanosuit in various battlefield simulation tests, you will be compensated appropriately. A percentile of all your earnings will be placed into a 401K in the event you choose to take retirement, early or otherwise. Money from your pay will also be funneled into your Health, Life, and Car Insurance policies when you reach applicable age."

"And my training?" Virgil asked as he leafed through the electronic document, taking in as much of it as he could comprehend. "I know I survived for about a month in a quarantine zone with bulletproof zombies and trigger-happy Nazis, but I doubt the rest of the world will be that easy to handle. Relatively speaking."

"The majority of your training will take place in the bunker where you passed off the Nanosuit to Dr. Yumeno. Both myself, and my employer, will provide you with missions when deemed appropriate to your then-current level of skill, or whenever certain technologies need real-world testing. Your training will be in the hands of specialists from fields in which your combat aptitude is most-applicable."

"Like hacking or close quarters combat?"

"If you have the aptitude for hacking, you will be taught. If not, then on missions that will be left to your Support. As for CQC, you are already learning Systema from Hotel Moscow, which for all intents and purposes is the second-best place to learn outside the motherland. The ordeals will be many and rigorous, but by the time you come out the other side, you might even be able to go toe-to-toe with the Justice League."

"The Justice League? Wait, is your employer expecting me to fight those guys someday?" Virgil asked incredulously. "Don't get me wrong, the Nanosuit makes me a monster on the battlefield, but I doubt it bridges the gap between be and Batman, let alone the ones with powers."

"The Nanosuit... was not created with the combating of SPBs in mind," Re-l admitted. "However, the possibility exists that you would be able to do so after undergoing enough training. Your psychosomatic condition as a Two Percenter renders a portion of your planned training null, and how you manage those feelings will be handled in therapy. However, you're a long way from fighting the Justice League's founding members."

"Hey, you won't hear me complaining. The longer I can go without meeting up with those caped yahoos, the better."

"Yes, well... Getting back on topic, the rest of he details will be made known to you as they become relevant," Re-l stated as Virgil took the stylus in his hand and scribbled his John Hancock on the screen.

"Alright, I've signed my life away. What's next?" Virgil asked passing the tablet forward.

"These are your new documents," Re-l said as she passed a manilla folder forward. "Birth certificate, medical records, social security, legal passport, and so on," she explained as Virgil leafed through the contents. "It's easier to alter information that already exists, as opposed to completely fabricating it. The story behind your new identity is that you, Vincent Valentine, are the genetic twin of the now-deceased Virgil Valentine, the two of you being separated by foster care after the deaths of your parents."

"So then legally speaking, I'm not even the same person anymore?" Virgil asked. There was something about the new name that was being given that registered in the back of his mind, but at the moment he was too focused on this life-altering meeting to think on it.

"It's the only way. You were pronounced dead by Blackwatch in the wake of the Second Outbreak of New York Zero, and your existing outside the confines of the quarantine zone is a crime unto itself. At least this way, they will not be able to pin you to the second outbreak of the Mercer Virus. Honestly, it's a miracle you're as clean as you are."

"I treated everything like it was a zombie apocalypse," Virgil answered.

"An excellent policy for a quarantine zone," Re-l stated plainly. "Onto more pressing matters. While we are already aware of your part-time job with one Marcus Kincaid, and his employer, I have made arrangements for your employment within Real Fashions."

"Real Fashions? You mean the fashion magazine?" Virgil asked thinking back to one of the magazines he'd leafed through in Moxxi's living room. "What's your tie to them?"

"I own it, as well as the other Gothic Renaissance stores across the globe."

" . . . Honestly, I shouldn't even be surprised anymore," Virgil said shaking his head.

In his full-blown Conspiracy Mode, Virgil had connected Lex Luthor's ownership of every major media outlet in Metropolis to his completely unopposed positive public image. At least until Superman showed up. If a well-known philanthropist could manipulate an entire city from behind the scenes without anyone noticing, than a woman with connections to the Spec Ops of Spec Ops owning a chain of clothing stores across the world wasn't outside the realm of possibility.

"Okay next question. Why?" the brunette asked, wondering why he was going to be working for a clothing store of all places. In all honesty though, it made for the perfect cover, because who would suspect a person working at the clothing store to be a mercenary testing next-generation combat hardware.

"Because we need to establish a degree of predictability within your timetable to facilitate your true occupation," Re-l answered. "You are not officially employed at this point in time, everything you've done before now has been strictly off-the-books. Your work under me however, is not. I am not saying you should cut all ties. A network of associates is key for someone in your situation, and your connection to the Russians could prove useful in the future. I am saying however, that this will be your job from now on. Whenever you are not working for me, you are free to do as you wish. Your schedule will be dictated by what job you are given."

"And what am I doing here, exactly?"

"Think of this next step as an interview of sorts," Re-l said getting up from her seat, motioning Virgil to follow her out of the room and back to the elevators. "As I said before, connections are important, and your ties to Real Fashions will enable you to move about with less scrutiny to your person in certain circumstances."

'What on earth did I just sign up for?' Virgil asked himself as the elevator doors closed behind him.

*MODEL CITIZEN*

Gothic Renaissance had stores on every continent sans Antarctica, but what made this building special was that it was apparently the headquarters for Real Fashions magazine. Why Re-l chose to place the spearhead of Gothic Renaissance in Bludhaven, as opposed to Metropolis, he had no idea, but at the very least it meant he wouldn't have to commute long hours every day.

The first three floors were for the clothing store, and the penthouse was Re-l's personal office. The fourth floor was for the employee lounge and office space, the fifth floor was the photo studio, the sixth floor was where Real Fashions' magazine line and website were managed, while the seventh floor was the board room and international offices.

When Re-l pressed the 5 button, he'd expected a mundane job as a photography assistant, like lighting, or even photo development. However, when he was herded into a changing room, and handed a change of clothes… that was a bit of a curveball.

"I'll say this again. You want me to become a male model?"

"That should be obvious," Re-l stated.

"Look, I'll admit that I've had a few girls call me handsome over the years, cute even, but I'm not super-good-looking. I'm above-average at best, plain at worst."

"Not all fashion models have to be 'super-good-looking' as you so bluntly put it. Gothic Renaissance offers clothes that are stylish, practical, but most importantly, our brand name is affordable to most income ranges. You say you are above-average at best and plain at the worst, but it's exactly those qualities that will convey the affordability of our products to a wider clientelle."

"But aren't your women's lines advertised by super models?" Virgil asked incredulously.

"Men and women's clothing require different advertising techniques," Re-l answered. "Now get changed so we can put you through hair and makeup."

"Alright, alright," Virgil said as he stepped behind the curtain. Honestly, posing for a camera was the last thing he'd expected to do waking up that morning.

The clothing he found waiting for him consisted of a loose grey shirt, casual black tie, a dark red stylish jacket, black pants, black boots, black gloves, and a polished silver watch. While it was supposed to look casual, to Virgil it looked like something he'd be wearing to his own funeral.

Still, Gothic fashion was a clothing style marked by conspicuously dark, mysterious, exotic, and complex features, so this was pretty much par for the course.

After he stepped out from behind the curtain, he was guided into the next room over, where he was greeted with a setup that was atypical to his expectations of a hair & makeup room. A large mirror dominating one wall with plenty of lights, a barber chair with a nearby sink, numerous hair products and makeup. As brightly-lit as it was, it looked like something you'd see just outside a fashion line.

"Um… Hello?" Virgil called out, not seeing anyone there.

"Well heythere~" a voice said from behind him in a sing-song tone.

"Gah!" Virgil jumped back at the tone. 'How did this person sneak up behind me?'

"Oh, my bad," the owner of said voice waved off. "Anyway, you must be the new kid. My name's Leeron, but you can call me Ron. It's a pleasure," the man said extending his hand. And I use the word "man" very loosely.

Leeron was fairly tall and on the skinny side with an androgynous figure, purple eyeliner over his dark-brown eyes with a touch of mascara, his hair cut incredibly short and dyed seafoam green, a pair of small pink hoop earrings hanging from his earlobes, and a small beauty mark under his right eye. His attire looked like casual women's wear, consisting of tasteful red shoes, blue skinny jeans and a matching long-sleeved top, and a thin pink sleeveless jacket with the collar upturned, a pair of white sunglasses with orange lenses resting on his forehead. Attached to the belt around his hips were a number of combs, hair sprays, gels, and other hair-care products.

"Just to be one-hundred percent clear, I am completely straight, and am in no way, shape, or form, bi-curious," Virgil stated. He didn't have a problem with homosexuals, heck he lived with a pair of them, but with the way Leeron was looking at him, it wouldn't hurt to set some boundaries.

"Oh, I know that. I'm just having a little fun with the new kid is all," Leeron said waving him off. "Anywho, what say we get you ready for your Real Fashions debut, hm?"

"Yeah. I probably look like a mess, don't I?"

"Oh, you don't know the half of it. You look like you got a haircut in a warzone."

"Um… I haven't had a great run with barbers recently… Yeah… That's totally it," Virgil trailed off to himself.

"Well don't you worry about a thing. Once I'm through with you, you'll be beating girls back with a ten foot pole," he said guiding Virgil over to the barber's chair and throwing a flower-print apron over his body. "So, where're you from?" he asked making light conversation as he combed out Virgil's hair.

"Oh… Upstate," Virgil answered. His new papers weren't all that different from who he really was, but now that he'd be interacting with people who cared where he was from, he should probably get his stories straight. "What about you?" he asked, steering the conversation away from himself.

"Miami Beach, Florida. Great town, wonderful scenery, if you catch my drift," Leeron said waggling his eyebrows.

"Yeah… Sure…" Virgil replied. "So… Why exactly am I being brought on as a model? I'd think there'd be way more screening for this sort of thing."

"Well, you see, two of our models got hitched last season, and we need some fresh blood to fill the gaps," Leeron said as he drew out a pair of barber's scissors. "As for why you made the cut, Ms. Meyer hand-picks her talent personally. She must've seen something special in you and made you an offer."

"And what about the scar?" he asked motioning to the scar beneath his left eye.

"Oh, a little makeup on that and you'll be a real heartbreaker," Leeron cooed as he began snipping at the teen's dark-brown lochs. "Has anyone told you that you have the smoothest skin? It's like you've got an army of tiny janitors cleaning your pores."

"Really… You don't say?" Virgil asked as he brought a hand up to his face. 'I still had acne a couple months ago… Does that mean the Nanobots in my system are cleaning my skin as well? Just how versatile are these things?'

"Oh trust me hon, the camera will adore you," Leeron gushed. "Just wait until you meet my sister. With her, every side is a good side."

' . . . A SISTER!?' Virgil blurted out mentally, imagining a masculine version of Leeron but with boobs.

*MODEL CITIZEN*

By the time Virgil's hair and makeup were done, his appearance had pulled a one-eighty. His once-messy hair had been trimmed, and a bit of gel gave him that perfectly messy look, while the scar beneath his left eye might as well've not even existed. With his ratty hair and street clothes he looked like he'd been living under a bridge, but now, he really did look the part of a male model.

He also felt like a bishie out of a Final Fantasy game, but right now he had other things on his mind.

'Okay Virgil, calm down. Sure, Leeron's appearance may've shocked you a little, but just because he looks like that, doesn't mean his sister will be some kind of man-lady,' he said trying to keep himself calm. Seriously, he'd stared down butt-ugly viral-zombie things, and hadn't lost his cool. Nothing a run-of-the-mill human could throw at him should've been able to unbalance him.

"Good luck out there," Leeron said escorting Virgil to the next room, the back wall dominated by a white photography stage and numerous lights, a camera directly across from the most-faded part.

"So, um… Do I just stand over there or what?" Virgil asked, not noticing anyone else in the room.

"That's fine. Just make yourself comfortable and we can start in a minute," a feminine voice said from behind him. "My name's Yoko, and I'll be taking your picture today."

"Oh, it's a pleasure to meet-" Virgil said turning around, only for his words to die on his lips at the sight of the woman in front of him. 'Oh… my… god…' the brunette gaped utterly slack-jawed.

Yoko, for all intents and purposes, was by far the hottest woman he'd ever seen in his life. Ever.

Standing a little over five feet tall, she had a very large chest and wide hips, giving her an hourglass figure that would've put Black Canary or even Wonder Woman to shame. Her peach-colored skin was absolutely flawless, her eyes a beautiful golden-amber color, an orange visor with a white nose-guard sitting atop delicate features. Her hair was the brightest, most fiery shade of red he'd ever seen, styled into a high ponytail held in place with two golden chopsticks, her bangs brushed to the right and parted around her eyes, a cute skull-shaped barrette with a lightning shaped bolt over the right eye holding her hair in place. Her attire consisted of white high heels and matching creased pants that hugged her hips, a black dress shirt that was struggling to keep her voluptuous body contained, and a white jacket with red flame patterns on the ends of the sleeves.

All in all, she looked like she should be in front of a camera, not behind it.

"Uhhhhhhhhhhh…"

Aaand… Virgil's brain had completely shut down at the sight of her.

"Hmhmhm. Well, it's nice to know I still got it," Yoko giggled. "Helloooo? Earth to Vincent?" she asked snapping her fingers in front of his face, the teen remaining dumbfounded for a couple seconds until her fifth snap.

"S-Sorry? When Leeron said I was meeting his sister, I didn't expect… I mean I didn't think you'd look like…" Virgil stammered. " . . . Your looks caught me by surprise is all. You and Leeron look nothing alike."

"Sister from another mister, that's what Leeron says," Yoko replied with a shrug of her shoulders.

'Oh, well that explains it,' Virgil thought to himself.

"Anyway, is this your first photo shoot?" Yoko asked as she got behind the camera.

"Pretty much, yeah. Don't really know what I'm supposed to be doing out here," Virgil replied as he stepped onto the most-faded part of the white backdrop.

"Well, one of our other models is in today, so he'll help put you through your paces," Yoko replied, the door behind her opening moments later. "Ah, Kazkis, right on time."

"Hello there, Vincent. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance," he said extending his hand. The man known as Kazkis had light skin, wavy blond hair partially kept up in several ponytails, blue eyes, and a bit of stubble. His features were sharp as well as soft, his voice somewhat soothing. His attire consisted of a white loosely-buttoned shirt, a thin gold necklace, brown khaki pants, and matching sandals.

"Nice to meet you too," Virgil said shaking the man's hand.

"Alright, now that everyone's acquainted, let's get this photo shoot started," Yoko said as she brought the camera into focus.

*MODEL CITIZEN*

The photo shoot that followed went on for about an hour until Yoko decided they had enough material. It wasn't like every picture she took was going to be in the next issue of Real Fashions, she simply wanted to give the editors plenty to work with for the young men's line. Through it all, Kazkis would tell "Vincent" which poses to do, sometimes moving him slightly like a mannequin, and telling him what emotions to portray.

"Man, I had no idea posing for photos was so exhausting," Virgil sighed as he got a drink of water from the fountain. Only a few poses had been used, but the majority of the photographs were slight variations of each one to show off different angles for the clothes he was wearing. Training with the Russians or no, posing this way and that for an hour would tire anyone out.

"Most people tend to think that way, but being a model is a lot of work," Kazkis, last name Hauser, stated.

"I'll take your word for it," Virgil replied. "So, you think I have a shot?"

"Re-l wouldn't have brought you on if she didn't think you had 'The Look'," Yoko replied.

"The look?" Virgil asked.

"Not the look, 'The Look'," Leeron emphasized. "But I wouldn't worry. You were simply captivating."

"I... need an adult?" Virgil hazarded.

"I am an adult, hon'," Leeron winked.

"That's enough, Leeron. You're going to scare him away if you keep that up," Yoko said pulling him back to her chest like a mother in the face of someone they didn't want their child going near. If said mother was stacked like nobody's business and had kickin' curves.

'Her boobs are as big as my head!' Virgil's mind blurted out at him. Thankfully, he was able to keep a lid on those thoughts, even as the back of his head rested between the photographer's very ample bosom.

"So, how old are you anyway?" Yoko asked once Leeron relented.

"Sixteen. Why do you ask?"

"Just curious is all," the red-headed woman replied.

"Well... If that's all, I guess I'll be going," Virgil said as he headed out of the employee lounge. "If I get the job, maybe I'll see you again."

"Later," Kazkis said waving him off.

*Ding*

'So... Potential male model by day, secret government mercenary by night,' Virgil thought to himself as he stepped into the elevator. 'A year ago, and I never would've thought I'd be in a place like this. Then again, a year ago and all I had to worry about was school and whether or not I'd have to pack my bags and leave again.'

*Ding*

'Anyway, I got my pictures taken, but I'm not even sure if I'll make the cut or not,' Virgil said as he ran his fingers through his hair. 'If I don't, I guess I'll end up stocking shelves or something. Or at least that'll be my cover.'

*Riiing*Riiing*

*Riiing*Riiing*

"Hello?" Virgil asked pulling the smartphone out of his pocket.

"Virgil. This is Re-l."

"Oh, hey. Do you need something? Because if not, I'm going to head home now. Got a lot to think about."

"I just wanted to let you know that your 'employment' will come into effect in a couple of weeks. Until then, you're free to do as you please. I recommend getting a planner to help consolidate your time."

"Get planner," Virgil spoke to himself. "Got it. Anything else?"

"Yes. The signing bonus will be delivered to your residence in a week's time. Consider it a gift from me to you."

"Money's always nice."

"Also, I would recommend getting rid of this phone."

"Why? Because now that I'm employed to who-knows-who, it contains sensitive government secrets?"

"No. Its on a timer, and is about to self-destruct," Re-l answered. "Your replacement will be shipped alongside your signing bonus. Until then."

"Bloody Nora!" Virgil yelped as the phone began to smoke in his hand.

Living with a girl who infrequently spoke in British tongue would do that to your vernacular.

*MODEL CITIZEN*

NeoNazo356: To start things off, I didn't plan on bringing up Nine-Eleven in this chapter, it just sorta played out that way. However, it seemed like a good opportunity to shed a little light on this alternate Earth-16s history.

Spaceman: Most Super heroes are patriotic, but they usually operate outside normal laws. The higher level heroes are willing to help all countries despite political conflicts, but since the Justice League falls under United Nations, their actions are sometimes limited. An example would be the Young Justice team's "covert" missions to other countries because the Justice League had to maintain their public image. Another example is DCAU in which the Brimstone nuclear war machine was endangering everyone, but the country's government refused to allow the Justice League into their country due to xenophobia and politics. Governments are about self-interest, what they can do themselves and their country, as opposed to what they can do for other countries. A country's government is based on their own people's interests. They support heroes that do actions that support their view and criminalize heroes that don't support them. An example would be Marvel's Civil War in which registration offered support and payment, but put the safety of loved ones and control of their hero activities in the hands of the government. A government which had proven corrupt in Mutant Registration (there are parallels between registering as mutant with the government and registering as a Jew in Nazi Germany right before the murders and extermination camps) and later had Norman Ozborn gain political power. In the case of 9/11 and other horrific terrorist bombings, the heroes would help the victims and try to prevent attacks, but if they agreed to go into other countries for the government, they could be manipulated. Get rid of terrorists, then get rid of the terrorist supporters, then get rid of the government that allowed terrorist supporters, then get rid of people protesting those removals. The end result is a hero, a symbol of justice, becoming a symbol of another country's oppression. Super heroism and Politics don't mix. The government either tries to control the heroes or the super heroes take over the government and become tyrants (benign or not).

NeoNazo356: I couldn't have said it better myself. Next on the agenda is, for those of you who are thinking "Virgil's too young to be recruited as a model", let me remind the Capcom fans out there that Hibiki Misora/Sonia Strumm of the Ryuusei no Rockman/MegaMan Starfoce series, is canonically a child model (on top of being a singer and actress), all at the age of 12. Virgil (legally "Vincent") has four years on her, and being hand-picked as a model will allow Re-l to control his timetable for his real job. Gotta make an alibi somehow.

Spaceman: We wanted a unique character to interact throughout Hunterverse, and my anime collection provided the answer. The main reason I bought the anime in the first place is because of the art. The inspiration for Re-l owning Gothic Renaissance and Real Fashions magazine has based on two factors. The unique art style and clothing design of Ergo Proxy reminds me of techno and gothic fashions. I can imagine some oddly dressed woman or ambiguous man talking about designs at some fashion show in Paris or New York, with models strutting the runway in similar fashions. The other factor was when I looked up Dr. Stephen Strange's Marvel address on Google Maps, I found the street in which the Real Life Gothic Renaissance exists. It's kinda of ironic when you consider Re-l in the anime wore the exact same outfit for several months.

NeoNazo356: That being said, I'm not the most in-tune with the fashion world. I mostly dress in what's comfortable, or has cool graphics on the front, so the attire-centric descriptions for some of the characters might be a bit lackluster. If anyone out there IS into the fashion scene, maybe you can help me out. It won't have a HUGE impact on plot, but I'll influence the elaboration between characters.

Spaceman: Reviews are Good. We want more than simply praises, we want your thoughts. Feel free to ask questions, as they will be answered to the best of out ability. This story was created from many months of interactions between two people and it developed quickly. Your reviews could help us improve our stories even further and I'm sure the reviewers would like see parts of themselves in the stories.