The first recorded instance of a superhuman individual happened in May of the year 2047. After that, it was a slow windup to complete and utter pandemonium.
It wasnโt as though no one expected it. Such dangerous powers in the hands of any random person, thereโs no telling what theyโll do. Even with their global population never rising above a million, they were still a catastrophic threat to mankind. In most cases, it was simply a matter of lack of control. Superhumans didnโt know their triggers and switches, or at least, didnโt know how to block them from turning on and wreaking unintended havoc. Then, of course, there were the deliberate ones. Using their abilities to rob banks, go on killing sprees, all in all bringing general disarray to the public. This isnโt to say that all superhumans were so malicious. A considerable number of them were actually quite responsible with their gifts. But the bad far outweighed the good, unfortunately.
Over time, matters grew worse. Cities were ruined, governments were toppled, and millions of lives were lost. But away from the thick of everything, men and women of science were racing to bring their technological prowess up to a competing level. And while no cure was ever found, per say, there were plenty of sudden breakthroughs in other fields, all thanks to โmorally questionable experimentsโ carried out in the dark. Performance enhancing exosuits, kinetic shields, advanced weaponry, cloaking technology, and most importantly, power-suppressing tools were rapidly designed and constructed to counter the superhuman threat. It took time, but eventually, humans reclaimed their position at the top of the ladder.
However, by the mid 2050s, the damage to global infrastructure had been well and done. In the wake of all the chaos, anti-superhuman groups rose to prominence. Paramilitary organizations were hired to both exterminate and capture any qualifying specimens they could locate. One group in particular, a majorly influential PMC known worldwide simply as Adelon, who were vital in turning the tide of war, later launched an operation that raised concerns from many. After spending quite some time helping to bring back order around the globe, Adelon began rounding up any surviving superhumans they could find. Those that were deemed too dangerous, according to agreed safety standards, were executed. Those that were too weak were simply suppressed and imprisoned indefinitely. The rest?
The rest were sent to Arkos.
Arkos is a large, predominantly tropical island far off the coasts of the Americas, located somewhere in the southern Pacific Ocean, not too far south of the equator. The lush, isolated habitat acts as a penitentiary for any and all superhumans apprehended by Adelon. It was first occupied in 2031 and fitted into a research and development center for the groupโs own utilization. However, sometime during the superhuman crisis, the decision was made to scrap the existing facilities and turn the whole thing into an enclosure for their newfound charges. Adelon began bringing in waves of prisoners, setting them loose on the island and letting them have the run of the land. To what end? Well, thatโs been made clear to all of Arkosโ occupants - the island is a storehouse. When Adelon finds a use for someone, they come and take them away, by any means necessary.
As is to be expected, the occupants retaliate in whatever fashion they see fit. Once theyโre on the island, theyโre free to use their powers as they wish - this being a decision to monitor the development of every prisonerโs abilities, keeping records and highlighting those that make for potentially lucrative sells. Problematic individuals who attempt to go on murderous rampages are dealt with relatively quickly, either by Adelon themselves, or the rest of the islandโs dwellers. And while they share a common enemy, not all of Arkosโ occupants are in league. Many form their own separate cabals, extending hostilities to anyone whoโs not with them, taking the supplies Adelon drops from on high for themselves. For the most part, itโs purely out of bad nature. But a fair few have come to work together and settle down in one of the islandโs former major facilities - Site Borea. All of the major equipment has long since been removed, but what remains has been converted into a proper settlement. They even managed to get the power back on. None of itโs ideal, but itโs the best these people can do for themselves. Other sites exist, such as Vidan and Durahe, but not all of them are the welcoming sort.
The year is now 2059, three years since Arkosโ first round of prisoners was brought in. The islandโs population now rests at around 7,200 and upward. The distant, surrounding waters are heavily occupied by Adelon forces, and their various aircraft hang high in the sky, monitoring their assets around the clock.
Itโs the month of August, and a new batch of superhumans are scheduled to arrive soon.
It wasnโt as though no one expected it. Such dangerous powers in the hands of any random person, thereโs no telling what theyโll do. Even with their global population never rising above a million, they were still a catastrophic threat to mankind. In most cases, it was simply a matter of lack of control. Superhumans didnโt know their triggers and switches, or at least, didnโt know how to block them from turning on and wreaking unintended havoc. Then, of course, there were the deliberate ones. Using their abilities to rob banks, go on killing sprees, all in all bringing general disarray to the public. This isnโt to say that all superhumans were so malicious. A considerable number of them were actually quite responsible with their gifts. But the bad far outweighed the good, unfortunately.
Over time, matters grew worse. Cities were ruined, governments were toppled, and millions of lives were lost. But away from the thick of everything, men and women of science were racing to bring their technological prowess up to a competing level. And while no cure was ever found, per say, there were plenty of sudden breakthroughs in other fields, all thanks to โmorally questionable experimentsโ carried out in the dark. Performance enhancing exosuits, kinetic shields, advanced weaponry, cloaking technology, and most importantly, power-suppressing tools were rapidly designed and constructed to counter the superhuman threat. It took time, but eventually, humans reclaimed their position at the top of the ladder.
However, by the mid 2050s, the damage to global infrastructure had been well and done. In the wake of all the chaos, anti-superhuman groups rose to prominence. Paramilitary organizations were hired to both exterminate and capture any qualifying specimens they could locate. One group in particular, a majorly influential PMC known worldwide simply as Adelon, who were vital in turning the tide of war, later launched an operation that raised concerns from many. After spending quite some time helping to bring back order around the globe, Adelon began rounding up any surviving superhumans they could find. Those that were deemed too dangerous, according to agreed safety standards, were executed. Those that were too weak were simply suppressed and imprisoned indefinitely. The rest?
The rest were sent to Arkos.
Arkos is a large, predominantly tropical island far off the coasts of the Americas, located somewhere in the southern Pacific Ocean, not too far south of the equator. The lush, isolated habitat acts as a penitentiary for any and all superhumans apprehended by Adelon. It was first occupied in 2031 and fitted into a research and development center for the groupโs own utilization. However, sometime during the superhuman crisis, the decision was made to scrap the existing facilities and turn the whole thing into an enclosure for their newfound charges. Adelon began bringing in waves of prisoners, setting them loose on the island and letting them have the run of the land. To what end? Well, thatโs been made clear to all of Arkosโ occupants - the island is a storehouse. When Adelon finds a use for someone, they come and take them away, by any means necessary.
As is to be expected, the occupants retaliate in whatever fashion they see fit. Once theyโre on the island, theyโre free to use their powers as they wish - this being a decision to monitor the development of every prisonerโs abilities, keeping records and highlighting those that make for potentially lucrative sells. Problematic individuals who attempt to go on murderous rampages are dealt with relatively quickly, either by Adelon themselves, or the rest of the islandโs dwellers. And while they share a common enemy, not all of Arkosโ occupants are in league. Many form their own separate cabals, extending hostilities to anyone whoโs not with them, taking the supplies Adelon drops from on high for themselves. For the most part, itโs purely out of bad nature. But a fair few have come to work together and settle down in one of the islandโs former major facilities - Site Borea. All of the major equipment has long since been removed, but what remains has been converted into a proper settlement. They even managed to get the power back on. None of itโs ideal, but itโs the best these people can do for themselves. Other sites exist, such as Vidan and Durahe, but not all of them are the welcoming sort.
The year is now 2059, three years since Arkosโ first round of prisoners was brought in. The islandโs population now rests at around 7,200 and upward. The distant, surrounding waters are heavily occupied by Adelon forces, and their various aircraft hang high in the sky, monitoring their assets around the clock.
Itโs the month of August, and a new batch of superhumans are scheduled to arrive soon.
