[ March 3, 2121 - 9:38 PM ]
Five hours. For five solid hours the beast had been terrorizing downtown New Haven. Powerful jaws with razorlike teeth, claws sharp enough to gouge steel, and muscles that could easily lift a streetcar. But this wasn’t just any beast; the Variant known as Behemoth had gone rogue from N.O.V.A.’s special task force...and not just rogue, but on an all-out rampage. Ravaging block after block, shrugging off bullets and feeble attempts at sedation, letting his feral rage drive him. After four deaths and countless injuries, he had finally been subdued by using an armored truck as a battering ram and 5-inch thick steel rope as a makeshift straitjacket.
N.O.V.A.’s Strike Initiative, a special task force of Variants meant to aid in law enforcement, had been in a shaky state since its inception for various reasons. It had become more of a liability than an asset, and was under heavy fire despite the drop in crime rate. The stress of the job and the treatment from the government as well as the public had pushed one of the more dangerous members, Behemoth, over the edge. He lost control of his power, transforming into his beast form without being able to change back. He basically stopped caring about the welfare of ‘normal’ humans and his abilities took over and did the rest.
It was after this tragedy that N.O.V.A. finally decided to pull the plug. Behemoth was shipped to a secret, secure prison, and the acceptance of Variants would severely decline. And with the ‘threat’ of a superpowered task force removed from the equation, it became open season for any and all criminals, normal and Variant alike.
[ Present day: May 16, 2126 - 7:04 PM ]
The scene was complete chaos. Police and news crews swarmed the bank as several helicopters hovered overhead. The members inside were being held hostage as the thieves prepared to escape with their newly swiped riches. This had been the third bank robbery within a month’s time and was looking to be one that would end with casualties. SWAT had been called in several minutes before and were in route.
-----
Manny sat in his apartment with his hands folded, elbows resting on his knees, and his face frozen in contemplation. The spectacle unfolding on the screen was both disturbing and compelling. The need to intervene and the apprehension to do so were waging a war inside his head.
“You should help them, Manny,” his brother Ellis said as he rolled into the room. Manny let out a heavy sigh and slightly tilted his head as Ellis parked his chair. “You can’t just sit back every time and do nothing.”
Manny finally lifted his gaze to his older brother. “The police are there, El. They can handle it.”
“You mean just like the last couple of times…”
“It’s not my job, bro.”
“But it’s perfectly fine to patrol the streets at night like some neighborhood watchmen.”
“You know that’s different...besides it’s not like they would welcome me with open arms and wave me in. Vigilantism is still illegal. Plus, I’m not bulletproof. You’d either be visiting me in a prison or a cemetery.”
“Well…” A defeated look washed across Ellis’ face as he turned back to watch the news. Manny shrugged apologetically and glanced up at the screen himself. For a moment, he considered himself a coward, but he shook off the notion after the realization of the risks involved with using his abilities in such a public way settled in his mind. In uneasy silence, the two brothers continued to watch the events unfold onscreen.
Five hours. For five solid hours the beast had been terrorizing downtown New Haven. Powerful jaws with razorlike teeth, claws sharp enough to gouge steel, and muscles that could easily lift a streetcar. But this wasn’t just any beast; the Variant known as Behemoth had gone rogue from N.O.V.A.’s special task force...and not just rogue, but on an all-out rampage. Ravaging block after block, shrugging off bullets and feeble attempts at sedation, letting his feral rage drive him. After four deaths and countless injuries, he had finally been subdued by using an armored truck as a battering ram and 5-inch thick steel rope as a makeshift straitjacket.
N.O.V.A.’s Strike Initiative, a special task force of Variants meant to aid in law enforcement, had been in a shaky state since its inception for various reasons. It had become more of a liability than an asset, and was under heavy fire despite the drop in crime rate. The stress of the job and the treatment from the government as well as the public had pushed one of the more dangerous members, Behemoth, over the edge. He lost control of his power, transforming into his beast form without being able to change back. He basically stopped caring about the welfare of ‘normal’ humans and his abilities took over and did the rest.
It was after this tragedy that N.O.V.A. finally decided to pull the plug. Behemoth was shipped to a secret, secure prison, and the acceptance of Variants would severely decline. And with the ‘threat’ of a superpowered task force removed from the equation, it became open season for any and all criminals, normal and Variant alike.
[ Present day: May 16, 2126 - 7:04 PM ]
The scene was complete chaos. Police and news crews swarmed the bank as several helicopters hovered overhead. The members inside were being held hostage as the thieves prepared to escape with their newly swiped riches. This had been the third bank robbery within a month’s time and was looking to be one that would end with casualties. SWAT had been called in several minutes before and were in route.
-----
Manny sat in his apartment with his hands folded, elbows resting on his knees, and his face frozen in contemplation. The spectacle unfolding on the screen was both disturbing and compelling. The need to intervene and the apprehension to do so were waging a war inside his head.
“You should help them, Manny,” his brother Ellis said as he rolled into the room. Manny let out a heavy sigh and slightly tilted his head as Ellis parked his chair. “You can’t just sit back every time and do nothing.”
Manny finally lifted his gaze to his older brother. “The police are there, El. They can handle it.”
“You mean just like the last couple of times…”
“It’s not my job, bro.”
“But it’s perfectly fine to patrol the streets at night like some neighborhood watchmen.”
“You know that’s different...besides it’s not like they would welcome me with open arms and wave me in. Vigilantism is still illegal. Plus, I’m not bulletproof. You’d either be visiting me in a prison or a cemetery.”
“Well…” A defeated look washed across Ellis’ face as he turned back to watch the news. Manny shrugged apologetically and glanced up at the screen himself. For a moment, he considered himself a coward, but he shook off the notion after the realization of the risks involved with using his abilities in such a public way settled in his mind. In uneasy silence, the two brothers continued to watch the events unfold onscreen.
