Posted: Mon Aug 31, 2015 8:35 pm
NYC
The crowd of reporters stood anxiously, nervous about the admittedly unstable nature of the city's infrastructure of late due to the fighting between Heroes, Heroes, and the occasional Villain. They quieted as a decorated soldier in full uniform walked on stage.
"My name is General Jeremy Clarke of the United States military, and I am proud to announce that as of today, there will be no threats to any state in the United States of America." He smiled broadly, well aware of the vagueness of his statement. "Every day, new super-powered Heroes and criminals roam the streets, and no matter how much the UN attempts to regulate them, they simply ignore the demands of us 'lowly humans.' From now on, they will not be able to ignore the law, or to act as if they are above it. My new colleague can explain the rest."
He stepped aside, allowing a blonde woman in a civilian suit to replace him at the microphone. "Hello there, people of the United States, and people of the World." Her voice was strong and uplifting, like you might expect from a motivational speaker. However, it was slightly off somehow- As though it were more machine than man. "My name is Caroline Baker. I have no occupation I can claim. There is no house registered to me- Indeed, according to government records, Caroline Baker died several years ago." Her voice was somber, and her eyes downcast. "And I can say with absolute certainty that the government was correct. I did die when the extraterrestrial known as Braniac destroyed my town over the course of several years." Once soft, her eyes became hard and stubborn, her voice tempered with the wisdom that comes innate with tragedy beyond measure. "I was the only survivor- And I was not left without my scars." She breathed in deeply before looking up and allowing her machine form to reveal itself from the top of her head down. She ignored the gasps of surprise, then recognition, and then fear from the crowd.
"I became Overmind." She said simply, gazing into the camera. "I became a key member of the infamous Secret Society, organized the actions of the Injustice League, and conspired alongside the likes of the Joker and the Brotherhood of Mutants. And as God is my witness- I regret everything."
She once again returned to her human image, her expression downtrodden once more.
"Not too long ago, I realized that the Superhuman Registration Act gave me what I had secretly desired all along- Another chance. Another chance to do right by those who died so that I may live, and to repent from my actions in the past. The United States military and a privately funded organization known as HAMMER agreed. My name is Overmind- And I am the first of the Repentant." Behind Overmind, a holographic display appeared of the United States.
"What is the Repentant?" She asked rhetorically. "One of 50 new HAMMER and US Military sponsored super teams, designed to do what SHIELD, what the Avengers, what the League never could. This 50 state initiative will usher in a new era of peace and prosperity for our nation, keeping the people safe from any super powered threats, and allowing those who were once Villains a way to work off their debt to society in a helpful, non-criminal way. The Repentant is made up of six such former criminals- Myself, and my teammates." She turned around as five others came forward, single file from backstage.
"Dr. Barbara Minerva, more commonly referred to as the Cheetah. Former member of the Secret Society." The Cheetah flipped forward, landing on the edge of the stage with a bow and flourish.
"Michael Steel, the Ironclad, former foe of the Hulk." The Ironclad, a large, muscular man, smiled menacingly as he stepped forward and his skin slowly began to take on a silver hue. By the time he reached the edge of the stage, he was completely metal, not unlike the Colossus.
"Simon Jones, the Psimon, incredible telepath and recurring enemy of most of the super-hero community. Do not worry- His telepathic abilities are controlled by my interface. He cannot affect you." Psimon walked forward with a neutral expression, his hood mostly hiding his partially translucent skull.
"Paul Ebersol, the Fixer. Among the most skilled mechanics and tinkerers in the world." The Fixer gave a simple smile and wave as he walked forward, on the other side of Overmind from the rest.
"James Madrox, the Multiple Man. No further introduction needed, I think." He stood still and smiled, before suddenly duplicating himself several times. Almost instantly, he nearly filled the stage with his own doubles. An instant later, it was just him again. He walked forward, taking his place beside the Fixer.
"And, of course, myself - Overmind, former leadership member of the Secret Society." Overmind stepped forward, still in her human form, into the space between the Fixer and Psimon. "The Repentants will be the first team, based out of California. Once we have some experience in, the rest of the teams will be introduced, and will answer to us. We, in turn, will answer to HAMMER and the United Nations." She smiled sweetly. "Any questions?"
The crowd of reporters stood anxiously, nervous about the admittedly unstable nature of the city's infrastructure of late due to the fighting between Heroes, Heroes, and the occasional Villain. They quieted as a decorated soldier in full uniform walked on stage.
"My name is General Jeremy Clarke of the United States military, and I am proud to announce that as of today, there will be no threats to any state in the United States of America." He smiled broadly, well aware of the vagueness of his statement. "Every day, new super-powered Heroes and criminals roam the streets, and no matter how much the UN attempts to regulate them, they simply ignore the demands of us 'lowly humans.' From now on, they will not be able to ignore the law, or to act as if they are above it. My new colleague can explain the rest."
He stepped aside, allowing a blonde woman in a civilian suit to replace him at the microphone. "Hello there, people of the United States, and people of the World." Her voice was strong and uplifting, like you might expect from a motivational speaker. However, it was slightly off somehow- As though it were more machine than man. "My name is Caroline Baker. I have no occupation I can claim. There is no house registered to me- Indeed, according to government records, Caroline Baker died several years ago." Her voice was somber, and her eyes downcast. "And I can say with absolute certainty that the government was correct. I did die when the extraterrestrial known as Braniac destroyed my town over the course of several years." Once soft, her eyes became hard and stubborn, her voice tempered with the wisdom that comes innate with tragedy beyond measure. "I was the only survivor- And I was not left without my scars." She breathed in deeply before looking up and allowing her machine form to reveal itself from the top of her head down. She ignored the gasps of surprise, then recognition, and then fear from the crowd.
"I became Overmind." She said simply, gazing into the camera. "I became a key member of the infamous Secret Society, organized the actions of the Injustice League, and conspired alongside the likes of the Joker and the Brotherhood of Mutants. And as God is my witness- I regret everything."
She once again returned to her human image, her expression downtrodden once more.
"Not too long ago, I realized that the Superhuman Registration Act gave me what I had secretly desired all along- Another chance. Another chance to do right by those who died so that I may live, and to repent from my actions in the past. The United States military and a privately funded organization known as HAMMER agreed. My name is Overmind- And I am the first of the Repentant." Behind Overmind, a holographic display appeared of the United States.
"What is the Repentant?" She asked rhetorically. "One of 50 new HAMMER and US Military sponsored super teams, designed to do what SHIELD, what the Avengers, what the League never could. This 50 state initiative will usher in a new era of peace and prosperity for our nation, keeping the people safe from any super powered threats, and allowing those who were once Villains a way to work off their debt to society in a helpful, non-criminal way. The Repentant is made up of six such former criminals- Myself, and my teammates." She turned around as five others came forward, single file from backstage.
"Dr. Barbara Minerva, more commonly referred to as the Cheetah. Former member of the Secret Society." The Cheetah flipped forward, landing on the edge of the stage with a bow and flourish.
"Michael Steel, the Ironclad, former foe of the Hulk." The Ironclad, a large, muscular man, smiled menacingly as he stepped forward and his skin slowly began to take on a silver hue. By the time he reached the edge of the stage, he was completely metal, not unlike the Colossus.
"Simon Jones, the Psimon, incredible telepath and recurring enemy of most of the super-hero community. Do not worry- His telepathic abilities are controlled by my interface. He cannot affect you." Psimon walked forward with a neutral expression, his hood mostly hiding his partially translucent skull.
"Paul Ebersol, the Fixer. Among the most skilled mechanics and tinkerers in the world." The Fixer gave a simple smile and wave as he walked forward, on the other side of Overmind from the rest.
"James Madrox, the Multiple Man. No further introduction needed, I think." He stood still and smiled, before suddenly duplicating himself several times. Almost instantly, he nearly filled the stage with his own doubles. An instant later, it was just him again. He walked forward, taking his place beside the Fixer.
"And, of course, myself - Overmind, former leadership member of the Secret Society." Overmind stepped forward, still in her human form, into the space between the Fixer and Psimon. "The Repentants will be the first team, based out of California. Once we have some experience in, the rest of the teams will be introduced, and will answer to us. We, in turn, will answer to HAMMER and the United Nations." She smiled sweetly. "Any questions?"