November 12th, 2009
Lady Grey was blinded and deafened by the host of reporters that had gathered on the opposite side of the podium which she approached, yet they were quickly subdued at a wave of her hand.
"I hereby declare the title of "Talsorian," given to our weaponry, to be retired. The title no longer holds any meaning for this organization. Henceforth, the Vanguard will use Vanguard weaponry, as we continue in a more focused, united front against those that would threaten our planet. Thank you."
Despite the frustrated questioning of the press, she quickly left the room and began back toward her office. As she went, she felt a familiar presence following her. "I suppose you wish to know why I made such an impulsive decision."
The Dark Watcher grinned slightly, ever amused that she was the only one who knew his presence without seeing him. "Not exactly. You wouldn't be such a good leader if you took a long time to make a decision. However, I have never seen you jump in front of the press so quickly, nor so willingly."
Lady Grey knew her friend, therefore she knew that if this conversation were to last any longer, she would betray the secret she had to keep hidden, even from him. At least for the time being.
"It was necessary. Vanguard needs to be using its own brand of weaponry, and any chance to remind the public of our organization's existence and efforts is a good one. You need not pay it any more unnecessary attention, Devon."
Upon hearing his actual name, a name which only a handful of people alive knew, and fewer ever used, he was taken aback. "Very well. I know better than to test you when you call me that."
Thus, they parted company, but he watched her with curiosity as she headed toward her offices. Though he trusted her, there was rarely a time when she would not give sufficient explanation for her decisions. He decided to pay it no more heed, and headed the other direction.
*********
Lady Grey entered her office and caught a young soldier snapping out of his chair to attention and salute. "At ease, Captain Winters. If I wanted you at attention, you would not be in my office. Please, sit."
As she circled her desk, she gave a swift once-over of Captain Nathan Winters. Despite having seen him around base, he was less than what she was expecting. 6'2", a buck-eighty, and one of the youngest captains in Vanguard at only 24. Though, according to the 5 hour search of the Vanguard database she conducted the previous night, he was the best candidate. She sat casually in her chair, in an attempt to clear the formality of the room. She would need his comfort and trust before he would agree to what she was about to ask.
"Your record is impressive for your age, Captain. Two tours of duty in the caverns, where you were responsible for the survival of most of your platoon (according to their individual debriefings), and a survived encounter with a Magus. That's not something for which many can claim credit. That all supports your rapid progression through the ranks, and I believe you deserve the position you currently hold. However, your past history with Vanguard honestly means little to me. I am more interested in your future. Why did you join Vanguard?"
"To protect the world from the Rikti and all other extraterrestrial threats."
Lady Grey gave him an annoyed look. "While I appreciate your discipline, I find such answers carry little merit. If I wanted that answer, I could have asked any soldier in this base. I am asking you not as a Captain, but as Nathan Winters: what was it that spurred you into joining Vanguard?"
An apologetic look flashed across Nathan's face, and she could see him relax slightly. "I grew tired of the petty squabbles that exist between earthly factions. Growing up in Overbrook, I lived through the Faultline disaster, watching as petty differences between a hero's and villain's ideals brought my entire neighborhood to the ground, literally. What was worse though is that no one learned anything from it. Hundreds of people lost their lives to the earthquake, yet factions like Longbow and Arachnos are still fighting each other over inconsequential things, with supers joining in that endless fight. Even today, from the northern part of New Overbrook, you can hear their battle over the dam continuing south of the war wall. I wanted to make a difference but I knew I wouldn't be able to do that by joining Freedom Corps, and I do not believe in many of the values held by those organizations based in the Rogue Isles. Thus, Vanguard was the obvious and perfect choice. Simply put: I want to stop the biggest bullies out there, and Vanguard is on those front lines."
Lady Grey, having heard what she needed to hear, stoically pulled out a remote from her desk and clicked it in the direction of the security camera, disabling it. "Few people are privy to this knowledge, Captain, but I happen to dislike the myriad of supers that wander the halls of this base. While they are of great help, most of them have concerns that lie elsewhere, as you put it, and most lack the respect I expect out of those privileged enough to work with Gaussian and The Dark Watcher. The fact is that Vanguard needs its own supers.
"Therefore, I am putting together a special team, one that will take orders exclusively from me, and I need you to lead it. Each member will undergo augmentation and enhancement, granting them abilities. Dr. Broadet (whom you've escorted before) has perfected a serum, dubbed 'Talsorract,' by reverse engineering the Rikti's DNA. However, you would be the first human test subject, and though this version of the serum has thus far yielded no negative response, there is no 100% guarantee. Normally, I would simply give you an order, but due to the potential risks involved, I am offering you a chance to decline."
Nathan paused only briefly before responding. "I will do it. Vanguard has become my greatest concern. If there is a way to better serve our world and dimension, I am willing and able. Your recognition is reason enough for me to accept."
"Then enough with the compliments. Upon leaving this room, you are to continue in your service as though this conversation never occurred. Two weeks from today at 0600, you will accompany Dr. Broadet to a warehouse in the Pork Chop Hill region of the War Zone. Officially, you are offering escort to the doctor. You will be separated while on mission, and will thenceforth be marked as Missing In Action. Unofficially, you will remain at the warehouse, to undergo prep for the doctor's Talsorract procedure. Your possessions and dwelling will be maintained by Vanguard funding until you return, as is typically done with MIA personnel. Clear?"
"Yes ma'am."
"Dismissed then."
As she reactivated the security camera and watched Nathan leave, the Lady Grey struggled to maintain her composure. Excitement mingled with dread, anxiousness with caution, but to indulge in any of these feelings would be premature. She would await the outcome of the experiment and proceed accordingly. However, there was one thing of which she was certain: Vanguard was taking its first steps toward its own super-powered defense force.
((The conclusion is coming! Feedback/comments are welcome.))
@Winter. Because I'm Winter. Period.
I am a blaster first, and an alt-oholic second.
November 12, 2011
The ride to the remote warehouse was an unpleasant one: many turns, rough roads, and plenty of debris that needed to be dodged. Though by now, the Lady Grey was used to this particular trip through the ruins of the War Zone. The rocking of the Humvee was almost methodical, and tended to lull her into a slightly meditative state. Twenty three months ago to the day she had set her plan in motion, and today she would unveil it to the world.
Nathan Winters's operation had been a complete success. Due to Dr. Broadet's extensive testing on less civilized mammals, his Talsorract Serum had been perfectly refined, and indeed granted Nathan with superior endurance and regenerative properties without any negative side effects. The Lady Grey and Broadet both agreed that any further attempted modifications should not be life threatening, since they did not know how powerful nor reliable these enhancements would be.
Nathan's vocal chords were the chosen site for augmentation, as the worst outcome would leave him voiceless but living. Dr. Broadet introduced a series of micro-injections into the nerves surrounding Nathan's vocal chords, with the intention of allowing him to emit sound waves of a destructive frequency. The procedure left Nathan catatonic for a full week as his neck slowly decreased from the swelling. On any normal human, the recovery process would have been months before they could emit even a whisper. Nathan was conscious after only seven days, and speaking after ten, though his first sounds shook the entire room and left the doctor's ears ringing.
The important thing was that Nathan was in perfect health, and now possessed the abilities of a super. The nature of his abilities earned him the codename "Vox." He would remain under observation as he explored the extent of his enhancements, but Lady Grey felt confident in proceeding with further experimentation.
In the following months, the Lady Grey approached three other operatives who had proven themselves worthy and loyal. They too underwent similar procedures, leaving them all with enhanced regeneration and endurance as well as abilities unique to each individual.
The foursome, dubbed "the first generation," had been training in secret for over a year now, and as the Lady Grey reached her destination, she could tell from outside the building that they were in the middle of an exercise. She entered the warehouse just in time to see Chill freeze a dummy's feet to the ground as Blade Dancer attacked with a two handed slice. In another corner, Vox used his aural emitter gauntlets to charge Tech's armor, and Tech let loose with a blindingly fast maneuver with his claws. Their teamwork was flawless.
Once her presence was noted, the four lined up to be addressed.
"Your work has payed off. The four of you seem to know each others' moves even before they are made. That is just the kind of behavior I expect out of a group like this, and I am pleased to announce that you no longer need to keep it hidden here in the War Zone. As of 17:00 today, the world will know you exist and that you fight for Vanguard."
With that, she left the troops to celebrate and pack up while she returned to base. For the first time in her memory, the Lady Grey was eager to meet the press.
On the twelfth of November, 2011, at 5:00pm local time, Paragon City and the Rogue Isles were given their first look at the soldiers upon which they could rely for protection against the Rikti, the Praetorians, and all other manner of extraterrestrial threats: The Talsorian Guard was officially on watch.
((Thus ends the beginning. But the rest can be written by you! The Talsorian Guard is a real Super Group, located on the Pinnacle server. If you like the idea, check out this topic, or click on the emblem below to see our website for info. If not, I appreciate you reading the story all the same!))
@Winter. Because I'm Winter. Period.
I am a blaster first, and an alt-oholic second.
November 11th, 2009
As Lady Grey sent off an over-eager Task Force Silver to face Hro'Dhotz and his numerous Rikti forces, she was once again visited by that increasingly familiar feeling of triviality. The second Rikti War had ended over two years ago, and despite the Rikti maintaining activity in the War Zone and their occasional attempts at different parts of Paragon City and the Rogue Isles, Vanguard had managed to keep them at bay, with the help of Earth's super-powered beings. Vanguard was thriving, yet a dark feeling persisted to grow in her stomach, and this feeling had nothing to do with her powers.
The fact was that Vanguard's importance had dwindled. Lady Grey and her substituents were no longer an important facet in the safety of the world. Rather, they had become mere vehicles for the volunteers. Supers were running all over her base, using Vanguard's equipment as they pleased, and there was little to no gratitude to show for it. While she was glad for the supers' constant efforts at the downed mother ship and against Vanguard's enemies, she found it infuriating while watching a costumed crusader talk to Serpent Drummer and, essentially, ignore all that he had to say besides the particular mission objective. Or perhaps worse, watch as a one blew off his/her introduction to The Dark Watcher, one of Lady Grey's most valued consultants. She and her team deserved better than this.
The problem, she had determined, was that none of these supers were part of the Vanguard. Sure, many had assisted her forces countless times, and bore the same badges as most of her troops, but there was no loyalty. Their allegiances were to Freedom Corps or Arachnos, the people of Paragon or the freedom of the Rogue Isles, justice or anarchy. As long as there was another threat to deal with, or another opportunity to be had, she could not count on any of them be there for Vanguard 100%. The recent resurgence of the 5th Column had proven that anything could happen at any given moment, and that the supers would follow the fight wherever it took them.
Though the problem had been identified, a plausible solution continued to elude her. Her consternation must have been quite visible as she stepped through the portal into the Atlas Park Vanguard Base to meet with Dr. Broadet, for he immediately inquired as to why she felt that way. Dismissing his question, she followed him to the lab where they were dissecting a dead Rikti Chief Mesmerist, attempting to discern what exactly gave these humanoid creatures their supernatural abilities. Indeed, Dr. Broadet had made notable progress on that front, isolating clean genes and reverse engineering their tech. He told Lady Grey that, with just a few more days time, he should be able to make some modifications to the Talsorian weaponry to make them over twice as potent in battle. And suddenly there was a light in Lady Grey's head, so bright that would have shamed the darkest of her powers.
She immediately ordered everyone in the room to leave, save for Dr. Broadet, and set a dark illusion about the surveillance cameras. She explained her idea to Broadet, and only allowed him to leave after swearing to secrecy. As she exited the lab, she did not worry about his ability to keep the secret: either he would be too honored to betray her seldom-given trust, or too scared of the consequences.
((Part 2 coming soon. Feel free to post comments/feedback!))
@Winter. Because I'm Winter. Period.
I am a blaster first, and an alt-oholic second.