A light beams into the face of a cybernetic figure with human flesh only showing in some areas. Is he man, machine, or both? His eyes and cybernetics glow green, and he hears nothing but surgical tools and screams. He lets out a sigh. "Who are you and what do you want of me?"
A man wearing a SOAR uniform and smoking a cigar steps out from the shadows. "Son, we have tried everything we could to locate and save you. You were one of our projects from The Great War, and then you vanished in the final battle with a creature known as "Larza".
Flashes of his smile and sounds of his cackle start to scratch the back of the figure's head.
"Him...the false Rasputin."
"False Rasputin?! Soldier...he WAS Rasputin. We have tried to recover your memories, but that damn cult did a number on you. Most of your flesh is gone. They have turned you into a weapon. Tell me, what do you, remember. What is your name?"
"My name...I only have an alias...Xero. I was a tool for the Crimson Eye. We were to find the "real" Rasputin that is out there somewhere...in the void....but not THAT void...the one we know as...space. Supposedly, he was a visitor from off world-
The burly man laughs, "Sheit, son. You telling me there are aliens now?! Well goddamn. We have suspected but, anyways do go on."
"Yes, an alien. What race, species, no one knows. They only found tomes, and mentions of a strange visitor in various cultures. An Ancient astronaut if you will. My job was to stop anyone from interfering with our search while also taking jobs to fund them."
"Hun..I mean Xero. That is not what I asked you. While we appreciate the information. What memories of YOU do you have?"
"Pain, death, screams. WAR....only the sounds of war and faint whispers of old allies from another time...my head...starts to itch anytime I try to recall names. I remember a man made of liquid, one of gas, a woman hard as steel and one that could call down the heavens on the battlefield with righteous fury. My name...I do not have one."
"Does the name Hunter Williamson or Hawk mean anything?"
"No....but there is laughter in my mind every time you say it. It is rather unpleasant."
"Well, Xero. You work for SOAR now. That cult vanished. No one knows what happened or what they are planning. We are very suspicious as to why you were left behind."
"I suppose they were done with me."
"Perhaps. But until we find out, you shall remain under our watch. You will still be able to take contracts as long as they do not conflict with our interests. With THAT said. We tried building a team of Nhanced, but some were loose canons and made publicity....bad. We are trying again. You WILL be a part of it. The PUBLIC WILL KNOW of your side job as a contract killer. The only change will be that you hunt down evil to stamp it out. Do you accept?"
"Do I have a choice?" He looks at the rank, "General Steel?"
The gray haired, burly man laughs, "You always have a choice between orders and death. I am sure you used your power to hear others that have been in this room?"
Xero sighs, "Fine, I will be your weapon. If i find out that you are in league with my previous captors..."
"Son, we are the reason they vanished. We almost had them. I vow to help you hunt them down or any of their ilk."
The machine's eyes glow red, "Then yes, I accept." As laughter starts brewing in the back of his mind...there is a whisper to ho along with it
"Gooooooood hahahahahaha"
