"An anatomy study"
Written by Roberto Fernandez
Note:
English is not Roberto's first language
What has come before:: Expelled from their own universe by a strange
Anomaly, the Squadron Supreme has ended up beneath the Barrier. Worst of all:
they are under the power of Dr. Doom!!!
“Look at him. Is not he
magnificent?”
“Look at him! He is terrifying!!!!”
He
stops observing with satisfaction the face of all those present. The images are
distributed slowly on the screens, with a cadence paced to impress to those
present with his visual power. He knows that this could be his master play, the
one that positions him on the playground. He will not allow himself to
lose this opportunity.
-
The image that you are seeing was taken two days ago,
during one of our routine transports to Kiev. As
all of you know, we have suffered many attacks on this area, something that
worries to the local authorities. We all agree that our objective was a
punishment applied the sufficiently forceful thing as to be exemplary before
anyone that was deciding to threaten the current situation.
Provided that these guerrilla warfares could adapt themselves very well
to the tactics and armament of our conventional forces, I felt free to try
something totally different this time: using against them post human
operatives. I know we have talked about this subject many times, but all we
know about the European authorities negation to use their own operatives on
this kina of operations. Lucky, we must not to depend anymore of them. Please,
open the dossiers you have on your desks.
For an
instant I take down the binoculars and stay in silence. The wind brings me the
noise of the combat. The explosions fill the air but they cannot extinguish the
echo of the shouts of the men. Till this moment, the power of the latverians
weapons had been compensated by the slowness of the doombots, for his
disability to adapt with rapidity to the skilful assaults of the guerrilla, but
this time the things had changed.
I always
see me as a good soldier. Since I entered the first time the door of the
barrack till when I realized secret missions as member of the Spetnatz, I never
discussed an order. But the times are changing. It is supposed that I should
not be here, that I should not see this.
Many had
heard about the pressure that the latverian goverment was exercising over the
everyday-more-debilitated European Council to force measurements of this one
type, of how they were pressing with the threat of finishing his collaboration
with other European governments. Am I the only one that sees their poisoned
presents?? Damn the Barrier and
the one that dared to lift it! Till this moment I’ve managed to avoid this
madness, preventing that the ones on the higher spheres send me and my fellows
comrades on the Commonwealth against these men, but I know that I can’t do it
for many more time. I‘ve gained many enemies among them with my attitude.
Someday they’ll make me paid for it. But at least they find a way to avoid myself.
-
The information you can find
on the dossiers had being extrapolated form fragments coming from NATO and U.N.
database. Many of them should be confirmed but I hope you’ll understand the
difficulties that we are working for. Many of these databases are corrupted
since the electromagnatic shock provoked by the Barrier’s lift and the problems
we had to restore the Web integrity.
-
We requested you to leave giving returns with stupid
excuses and goes of once for all to the subject. All we have pending work to support
your theatricalities- someone shouts him from back of the room
For
a moment
silence is made. Gerhard Tollhaus is on the verge of losing control. Since he came to his destiny, the fight maintained
with ambassador has been growing. Hate that both practise is mutual. Both know
that this movement is successful, it should make him wins many points,
debilitating the position of the other. He must be ready to any possible attack
from his side.
-
The individuals seem to have a extradimensional
origin. Its appearance could be bound to the event detected in the Barrier for
one week. Our technicians not yet have found conclusive data but they continue
working in it.- it answers to him, with a specially abrupt tone
Some noise of
dissatisfaction responds to him. Whereupon taste would he breaks his head.
-
The data that we have been able to extract of the
interrogations and the monitoring of the subjects confirm us this part. They say that that they come from a place
where they are the most powerful beings in their world. Searching for this
entrance on the database we have found some match, confirming their
information. They seem to have confronted many times the Avengers, not always
on pacific ways.-continues, trying to forget the recent incident.- The first
one of subjects that we are going to study denominate himself "Hyperion".
Please, continue until the next page so that they can read the data.
I walk in
silence among the rest of the battle once it have finished. I read the rest as
clear as they were photographs, giving me more information that my commanders
will ever give me. The first thing his track says to me was about his strength.
I can find everywhere signs of his enormous power: ruined buildings, crashed
cars, his fingers marked on tempered steel only by pressure… The overturned tanks
give me an idea of his strength: he can lift almost 45 tons.
“Subject
1: Hyperion. 1,93 meters high and 208 kg weight.. Although his aspect is human,
his physical stats and our analysis indicate that it’s only in appearance:
thanks to a denser than ours, his physical progress places him at the same
level of American heroes like Wonderman. This greater density provides him a
extraordinary resistance to physical damage. Nothing make us to doubt about
his resistance was similar.”
I stop myself in front
of the rest of an explosion. Clearly here several howitzers had hit, enough to
have collapsed a small building. I know he was at the center of that explosion
and left unharmed. Superstrength, great resistance to damage, flight and who
knows what else… Where have been hiding Doom some one like him? It’s
not own of him to maintain it so in secret.
But once I begin to
examine the rest of the convoy I discover that the surprises have
not done more than to begin...
-
Which is the origin of such
power?
-
We suspect that the origin of
such strength comes from som kind of internal mechanism of energy manipulation.
His body is able to absorb and accumulate residual energy of his surroundings
and use it on his own benefits. The
nature of that energy that feeds him it’s still strange to us, but we are
working on it.
-
According to I can verify, you
have presented us a report full of speculation and insecurity. With these data
you justify the incredible investment that supposes to us these... invited, as
you say??
-
You must have more vision of future, Mr ambassador.
Instead of seeing it like a cost... look at him as an investment, as you said. Are
you worried about invoices no anticipated in your budget? Think better about
the money that we are going to save now that they have freed to us of those
annoying plunderers...
-
What are you both talking
about?
-
Here commandant Tolhaus had avoided the chain of
control and had authorized without permission a cost over 18.000 € in one of
those rarities!
-
The one thing I won’t allow you is that, by your
negligence and your lack of vision, I couldn’t make the work that has been
ordered to me!!!
-
IT IS ENOUGH!!
Nobody
dares to speak on that moment.
-
Explain to me what are you
talking about.
-
Sir, the one called
“Hyperion” was blind when he was arrested. Apparently,
his optical nerve was damaged during a battle previous to his arrival to
our world. Among his formidable powers he
could beam energy pulses fed on the same source that its incredible
strength. In order to replace this
damage, he was equipped with some type of viewfinder that emitted signals directly
to his cortex on a very ingenious way, if it is allowed to me say it.
Unfortunately, this device was damaged during its trip, but our laboratories
were able to take advantage to design "artificial eyes" to replace
the damaged viewfinder.
-
And as it is the justification for similar cost? -ambassador
elevates his voice again.
-
Can’t you see it? We have gained its
confidence, but also we have gained its disinterested collaboration. And the more important thing: we obtained his
“permission” to that exhaustive study you have in front of you. How we managed
to obtain results of his molecular structure? By the force? Would not be
the cost of replacement of doombots that would fall in the confrontation higher? And which would be the political consequences of such fight
among the local authorities??
-
Doom does not have to give
explanations to nobody
-
That’s true Sir, but I think that we can obtain many
things by the ways of collaboration more than the ways of conflict, in this
situation.
-
And what about the other
strangers?
-
We do not have anything of worry us about. Our data
indicates that Hyperion is the most powerful of them all. He even boasts himself of it. Two of them
still are convalescent in the hospital. Naturally, we maintain them watched the
24 hours of the day.
>Clack-clack-clack…<
-
Is she ok??
-
Oh
>Clack-clack<
Seeing
him move makes me shake. He was the fastest man alive, be able to run faster
than thought itself. Seeing him crawl this way nearly makes me cry.
While
I help him to sit down I can examine closely his wounds. His body is full of
burns caused by the Anomaly. I admire the courage of his man. In spite of the
pain that he has to suffer with any move, at no moment you can hear him
complain about it.
Thus we remain in silence,
observing her we both. After some minutes I take care about him. His glance was
lost, as if it was in his own world. Somebody could say that he is completely
gone. Alter all, he was the most affected by the
Anomaly. He was the only one that faced it alone. Mark did it too but Mark is
no human. Stanley is only quick. But somehow he found a way to survive. He only knows the price he had to pay for it…
-
I’ll go out to drink some
water. Do you want it too?
No
answer received. I leave the room in silence. I can’t see him
thus.
“Subject
2: Stanley Stewart. Codename Whizzer. Till this moment we couldn’t
find any relationship with Robert Frank, our own universe Whizzer. If we are
facing some kind of dimensional twins affair, this one is able to run at
supersonic speeds too. At this moment, we are talking only about speculations. Our subject suffers
serious burns in 80 % of its body, caused by direct contact with the
"Anomaly" that brought to them to this world. We are looking for
residual energy on his tissues with no match. Our analysis about him not
reveals anything beyond normal. We can talk about the lost of his powers during
his experience. Mentally, he is completely unstable. But we can still use him
as a pressure element against his companions.”
Steps
resound at a strangely solitaire corridor for a hospital. I pretend not have
heard anything and stay calm near the fountain, waiting that he be the one who
speaks to me first. His stinky scent exposes him more than the steps that he
never tried to disguise.
-
Good morning, Zarda. I hope not to have bothered you.
-
Good morning, commandant
Tollhaus. Buenos días, comandante Tollhaus. I was wishing to speak with you.
I’d like to thankful you for everything you are doing with us.
-
You don’t have anything to be
thankful! Hahaha!
I come to ask for the wounded. How feels this morning
the young lady Jones??
“Subject
3: Arcanna Jones. Of all these subjects, this is the one who seems to be far
from the typical “superhero” role. And she is the more
enigmatic. Our information indicates that some link
between the Anomaly and herself exists. We can’t extract more information from
her because she remains in comma since we found them. As subject 2 we can use
her as a pressure element against her companions.”
-
Her condition continues being
stable. I insists on be thankful with you for all are doing, commandant. I suppose that to
close a whole floor of a hospital for us would have supposed many problems to
you, mainly with all the people who come here looking for help, as we can see
through the windows…
-
I repeat to you that you have nothing to be worry
about. Latverian government and the local authorities will do anything thinking
only on your comfort.
-
I see… Where is Mark?
-
Mark? Oh yes! You must talk about Hyperion. I’m afraid that we can’t locate him at
this moment. He was so happy about the results of the intervention that nearly
begs to us for a way to help us. He will return soon. Don’t worry.
I keep silence by
moments, measuring clearly the words.
-
Let me tell you some thing,
Tollhaus: you don’t like me. If you think that I don’t notice what you are
doing you are on a big mistake. I swear you that I’ll do all the necessary to
keep you away from us.
“Subject 2: Zarda. Her physical and intellectual capacities are very superior
to the average human. The limits
of these capacities not could have been fixed yet but biomedical examinations
speculate with a physical force on the 15 tons We have found foreign traces in her AND, probably
kree. Of all the subjects, she is the most conflicting one. She refuses to
collaborate with our technicians and doesn’t recognize our authority. It is
imperative to maintain her moved away from the rest of the subjects, because she
could interfere on future actions”
Great! I love that girl!! She looks like a real
woman. While she stays near we don’t have to worry about Doom could use her or two convalescent companions in ours against. Once I had the opportunity
to observe them more closely, I can’t avoid feeling pity for them. And now they
have seen catched within this madness that is the world under the Barrier.
Perhaps it can do something to be able to help them...
That only leaves me with only one of them to whom I have to control...
And with
that thoughts, a quiet and inadvertent beadle leaves the floor. Zarda return to
the room in silence, leaving a surprised Tollhaus stopped in the middle of the
corridor, unable to answer them. She sit down on the bed and take hold the hand
of her friend.
-
Please, Arcanna. Come back…
“For
now, the conclusion that our scientist had come is that the subjects aren’t implied
on anyway in the origin of the Barrier. The residual energy detected on them is
different from the one that compose the Barrier. Only on subject 3 we found
some similar data, so we recommend keep her and her companions as much
controlled as possible.
I’d
recommend that, on the actual, with the current power balance on the continent
and with the position that the paranormal beings who cohabits with us are taking,
we should contemplate the possibility of looking for an alliance with these
beings that assures us a victory in the case of clash.”
The
room keeps in silence. For a moment, it seems that nothing happens. Suddenly,
Tollhaus falls down, shaking himself in agony on the floor. Slowly, a heavy
figure cross the room and lift him easily from the floor as he were a toy.
-
Do not dare to doubt of the
power of Doom.
He
throws his body against the floor again. Tollhaus looks for some fresh air
desperately while he feels like his body were burning from inside.
-
You are lucky that I’m
satisfied with your work until now. You’ll never have a second opportunity. I hope that you
know to take advantage of it.
With
these words, Doctor Doom ends the conference. Heavy security doors open themselves
before him while two doombots escort the imposing figure. The last who leaves
the conference room is the ambassador, whom dedicates to Tollhaus a mocking
smile.
Tollhaus remains in the room
minutes more, vomiting and trying that his body recovers. He knew that this
movement would finish calling the attention of Doom but he didn’t think that it
happened so soon. But he couldn’t leave
the treason without punishment! If Nemov
thought that he could leave him outside their small business after had been the
one who organized everything, he was so mistaken. It’s sure that now he
has it clear...
The
activity in the old manor’s corridor is febrile. People run everywhere, most of
them with grieved faces carrying bad news. Others run taking
provisions, while the moan of the wounded brings death echoes. The secrecy has maintained to them with
life until now but the precariousness to which it forces them is a weapon in
his against in these moments. They don’t
have the correct equipment to heal the wounded but the great wound you can find
is on their proud, and that wound wouldn’t be easy to heal…
Nemov
Sviatoslav, leader of the called “forces
of opposition to the regime”, strikes with fury the table of his office. He
never waited this kind of movement from the latverian. They worked together for
months, conspiring to attack convoys to deal with the provisions on black
market, where they reach to astronomic amounts of money. Only a few weeks ago
he had broken that relationship. Tollhaus wanted a so high part of the
benefits. They were prepared if he would send the robots but this new … man is
so much strong. We can count the casualties by dozens y the amount of lost
material supposes a cost that is unable to take up office. Their lieutenants
remain in silence, incapable to appease the wrath of its commander or to face him.
Like answer they only hear
an outburst of laughter coming from one of the attached curtains to the room.
Angered, Nemov enters violently the small reserved. And for a moment he
remembers why decided to separate him from the others.
On a bed lies something that
only could be described as a despoliation human. They found him some weeks ago,
near where the great explosion illuminated the ucranian skies. If then was
difficult to determine when the man ends and begins the machine, seeing him
there, attached to the artificial respirator makes him still less human. Many
are the voices that have been raised against Menov to insist on keep him alive by
the enormous cost that supposes it. Perhaps was more... human to have let him
die.
-
I already said to you... that could be others like me...
- the dying one says with a voice extremelly disagreeable.
-
What do you know?? Tell me
what you know!!-orders Menov, shaking him on the bed.
The
dying one begins to cough, staining with blood the single-breasted uniform that Menov
dresses. Some faithful lieutenants rush to separate them but the single rubbing
of his skin disgusts them. The instruments shout while the constants of the
subject go off up to dangerous levels. The doctors take some minutes to recover
them to normal level. tranquilizers little by little enter their body, moving
away the pain. The sedatives enter little
by little in his body, removing the pain.
-
Once I promise you… that if
you save my life… you would not regret for it. … I know very well your enemy…
If… you follow my instructions… I’ll give you a technology… with you should…
defeat them all. Are you agree??
Menov hefts its
options. An impious alliance arises with a handshake.
What’s next: HYPERION
VS RED GUARDIAN. Needs to say more???
