Europe is in turmoil, shaken up by the arrival - and continued presence - of World War II. Men across several different countries have been called to fight for their nation and the government, knowing how little training the majority of them have received, just sends them out like lambs to the slaughter. The death toll is growing with each day that passes and fighting spirit is beginning to wane. Everyone seems to think that this war will stretch on forever and the future is beginning to look bleaker and bleaker. It seems that there is no end in sight...at least not for them, anyway.
London, England
People in authority are becoming desperate. Nothing seems to be working against the Germans – the blasted country seems able to anticipate England’s every move and tactic. They need a new weapon, a weapon the likes of the world has never seen before. And it was then, that scientist Ralf Hagueson stumbled across the answer to their problems.
Hagueson was an expert Doctor, known for his cutting edge medical procedures (quite literally, in fact). He had discovered the likelihood of humans developing abnormal trait that allowed them to achieve the impossible and though, little was known about genetics, it was traced back to the make-up of a person. He was certain that these results were anomalous at first but repeated testing proved them beyond doubt. ‘Mutants’ were discovered. And the potential for their uses - the destruction a mutant soldier could cause, or even if they learnt the ingredient to creating a mutant army - was mindblowing.
The understanding of how they worked and developed was still painfully unclear. They only knew of a handful in existence and even that information had to be kept top secret (under the code name, Operation Blip), for fear enemies would hear and draw up their own ideas of how to utilise them. So finding them would be nearly impossible.
Nearly impossible. If ever strange incidents were reported, particularly amongst the children and young adults (so viewing of how abilities develop with age was still possible) they would receive a visit from a government official and then soon after – if their story checked out - tragically disappear in an air raid siren, for example. And another cell at Hagueson’s underground research center – location: unknown - would be filled that very same day. But the staff involved talked themselves out of feeling guilt; it was all for the greater good of the war, they told themselves. This was how they prevented themselves from reacting to the victim’s confused screams.
Time grew and so did Hagueson’s research. The government turned a blind eye to the ‘unethical’ element of the project and the disappearing people didn’t matter too much – the war covered over any major scandal that may have arisen as a result. People were too distracted to notice and anything remotely suspicious was easily blamed on ‘those bloody Germans’.
What the people with the power didn’t realise, however, was Hagueson’s growing obsession with finding out the secret of these anomalous people. And just how far he was willing to go to extract it…
Name
Christina Ann Buckley
Age
20
Appearance
Personality
Christina had – as of late – been quite an obedient girl. She, trained by her parent, had been taught to respect and never question her elders, though this doesn’t mean she doesn’t have her own opinions. She certainly does. But she has learnt to hold her tongue.
She is quite intelligent – particularly in consideration to maths and science (though the scientist planning to experiment on her is rapidly putting her off the subject). She is more the observant type (though this is more of a learned habit) and notices small details that others would probably miss. She has a very strong moral compass, though again, this is more of a product of her religious upbringing, which taught her the ways of a devout Christian. Sometimes, she worries her mutation will deny her access to heaven and tries to make up for this, by being overly righteous and charitable.
Mutation
Christina has the ability of ice manipulation. This is typically focused from her hands, with which she can create ice shields, slides, blocks, an ice form for herself, etc.
The drawback of this power is that if she is kept above a certain temperate, she can’t generate this ice.
Background
Christina was born just before the First World War. As a result, she has never known a world without rationing or being/anticipating attack from another country. Her mother, grandmother, her and her older brother live out in the countryside and own a small farm, where they produce their own food and supply to surrounding houses. Nobody really talks about her father. Her mother and grandmother are strongly Christian and it has been drilled into her that the Devil is punishing them with a war; though quite what they’ve done wrong, Christina doesn’t know.
She grew up, helping her mother and her grandmother in their seamstress’ business. She doesn’t particularly like sewing but she has no other choice. Her mother is an influential person in the village she lives in and has a say, in most things in Christina’s life. Even the first person who asked her out on a date – Victor, he was called - was told to by their mother, who had been chatting with Christina’s mother. Christina declined, mortified, and her mother was annoyed with her for simply ages.
As the Second World War came and stayed, Christina’s elder brother, Peter, was called to the army. Christina’s mother was distraught – Peter, less so – and they didn’t hear back from him for months. A telegram arrived exactly eight months late, informing them of his death. Christina’s mother put on a lavish funeral service (that she was certainly Peter wouldn’t appreciate at all) and talked to anyone who would listen about how her brave soldier boy was in heaven now. Christina was pretty much forgotten and grew more and more withdrawn into herself.
Her ability manifested a few weeks after she had heard her brother was dead. She had wandered off – desperate to be alone, away from her mother’s continued pity speeches – and found herself stumbling around the wheat fields. She bumped into Victor, who had grown considerably since her had first asked her out. He asked he what was wrong and she confided in how she thought her mother acted as though she didn’t have any children left. He then tried to kiss her. Surprised – and angry that he was trying to take advantage of her when she was feeling emotionally vulnerable – she pushed him away, only to see that he had become encased in a block of ice. Startled and scared, she ran away and slipped back into her house, sneaking up to her bedroom and her mother was none the wiser. Victor was discovered the next day. Rumours flew around that it was the work of the devil and as Christina began to notice the signs of her ability to create ice, she became convinced that it was because she was cursed and going to hell for speaking ill of her mother.
A little later, she found herself chatting to someone dressed in black. Said they were from the government, that they knew about her little ice tricks. They needed her to help with the war efforts, to use her ability to help England win against Germany. She refused – she couldn’t leave her mother childless.
Christina disappeared the very next day.
May be a little rough around the edges but I wanted to get something up, to get you thinking.
