FearItself
There is nothing to fear
Los angeles California
9:41 a.m
Franklin was standing over his desk, fingers frantically typing away at his laptop’s keyboard as quickly as he physically could. He’s heard of the Black Templars before, and what they did to supers, how they made an example of them on national television. “We’re coming to you now, live at the reported sight of the super at Canterbury Apartments!” The TV blared from the back of his apartment. He gritted his teeth and slapped his laptop shut, sliding it into an open backpack that hung loosely from his grip. He sped around his apartment, cramming a few stray pieces of clothing that were just clean enough to last him a few days.
He didn’t know how they found him. It’s not like he was one of those supers who wreaked havoc on everyone and everything around them just because. He was just a quiet telepath, who kept to himself and said nothing to nobody. He felt the minds around him in the nearby apartments often. Usually content, or euphoric on those nights that those college kids brought people into their rooms, but it was different. Something like… righteousness, or even zealotry sparked all over. Like, the super deserved to be killed. Like he deserved to be killed. He barged out the door slinging his backpack over his shoulder as he did. All the doors were closed up and down the hallway. Eerie, there was at least one or two people walking around at this time.
Then, he felt something new. Something like intent crossed his mind. Very specific intent from somebody far away. He paused, but saw something flash from a window at the end of the hallway. He realized what that intent was nearly immediately, and sped for the stairway when a body surged through the window boot first. “HANDS BEHIND YOUR HEAD!” The man barked, a templar no doubt, but Franklin was at the stairs by the time the operative hit solid ground. He mentally sensed for anybody else downstairs, and felt a group of people with that same intent, waiting for him not only on the next floor, but above him as well. He cursed to himself and took off his bag, fishing for something, anything that might help him.
“I SAID HANDS BEHIND YOUR HEAD, PUT THAT BAG DOWN!” The soldier barked from down the hall. Franklin dug through all the things that he had just put away: his keys, his clothes, a charger, everything essential that he needed to get out. He had a better idea. He zipped it up, and listened for the footsteps around the corner grow closer. He saw the soldier’s shadow grow on the wall opposite of him, and struck just as he felt the soldier’s mind grow too close for comfort.
He hopped out of hiding and swung his bag at the soldier in an attempt to at least try and stun the soldier, when a bullet entered his cranium from the other side of the hall, out the window, across the street from a sniper who had been watching the hall for the past five minutes.
The sniper got up from his perch, dissembling his rifle. Applause filled the comms on the successful kill. “Good work as always, Zeta.” The man snorted. “Whatever. Theta basically did all the work anyways, pushing him into the stairwell like that.” Zeta watched as his comrade checked the body, putting an extra bullet into his head for good measure. “Still sensitive from that last super Theta?” “Fuck off.” “Alright. We’ll get somebody to clean that up. Now come outside and smile for the cameras, we’ll meet you downstairs.”
Down at the entrance to the complex, a news reporter was delivering her newscast.
“We’re here live at the scene of action, Black Templar forces have just neutralised the super threat in the area. Downtown LA is now safe from the menace of powered individuals!” She delivered with a practiced smile. Suddenly, her expression changed as she held an index finger to her earpiece, before returning to a neutral smile. “Breaking news! Atori industries has just released press footage of their new super hunting device!”
~~~
Atori industries, Downtown new York. 9:46 a.m
The press had gathered around an outdoor stage with a lone podium at its center errected just in front of the atpro industries tower. A large crowd extended in front of the stage, ranging from press & competitors to tech junkies and employees all eager to see what this quarters press release would reveal. The online spoilers indicated it would be juicy. Behind the stage, the front doors to the grandiose skyscraper opened and out stepped a large gathering. Three men walked front and center. One was obviously Dr. Maxwell Atori owner of the company, still in his labcoat with a pair of goggles crookedly sitting on his head. To his left was Harden Bane, The Vice-Ceo, his suit and tie showing his extensive salary. To the right walked a young man in a tailored suit with black hair. The young press secretary for the company Winston Shultz.
Behind them several scientists wheeled two devices in on a display cart, to either side of the enterouge was a squad of Black templar soldiers eyes scanning the crowd hoping to find a potential target the three men reached the stage as the the camera's began to flash and people began to cheer. It was the young dark haired man, Winston, who approached the podium however the other two standing to either side of him.
"Here at atori industries we make it our lifes goal to progress humanity forever onward, by ensuring man has the tools to continue on his journey where ever it may take him." He paused to take a breath but somehow seemed to make it look natural "For twenty years mankind has been haunted by the persistent memories of the event that claimed so many of our loved ones. These metahumans have represented the single greatest threat of the 21st century. The single obstacle in mans path towards their right spot in the cosmos." as he spoke the excitement seemed to build in his voice meanwhile the men with the devices began to wheel them to either side of the podium one held what looked to be a helmet with a large glass visor and some wires connecting to what looked to be a tank which would fit on the back. The other contained what was unmistakably a collar, both were chrome and has several light on them.
"That day ended this this morning when we began mass production of these masterpieces. I present to you Atpri industries answer to the metahuman threat." he held his hand to the helmet and tank. "Atori industries V.D.P.E Systems. Standing for Visual Detection of Powered Energies. This system will allow our brave Templars to identify powered individuals by the same energy that fuels their powers, through walls, through disguises, with a range and focus allowing detection anywhere within the operaters visual range."
He smiled as he held out his other hand towards the collar. "And the P.C Unit. The power containment unit does just as it sounds, it containes powered individuals by emitting a vibratiinal frequency that eliminates any buildup of the same energy that fuels the empowered individuals abilities. As you are likely aware the most dangerous time for our boys is when transporting these dangerous beings. With this containment collar on, they will be no more dangerous than your common criminal." after he made the announcements he was met with a loud applause from the crowd. "We will now begin taking questions." he added
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