Project Champions (Solo)

Kristoph hated the tech and genetic side of things. He understood what the hire ups were going for when they started the Weapon S program but it always felt like a sell out to him. May as well just pump their field agents full of Ambrosia (a proposal that has crossed his desk lately). The whole point of SUPER was to try and draw that line between human and mutants, to show humanity that they still had the biggest, brassiest set, despite what evolution was trying to say. It was frustrating enough that they were black bagging mutants off the street and making them work for them, but creating submissive mutants? That was something that even Kristoph Karlson was having trouble with.

But, being one of the newest heads of this world’s department, he knew that there were things he was going to have to accept. This world’s SUPER had been amputated from the main body and now was struggling to survive on its own. It could be worse, they could be starting from scratch, but as it would appear they had some resources to still live off of until they could find their own feet. A hard, uphill battle was waiting for them and that meant some lines and morals on questionable practices needed to be sacrificed.

This was a war, as his own bosses constantly reminded them, and that meant needing to do what was necessary for ensure survival.

Kristoph sighed as he adjusted the cufflinks of his suit. Descending down into the depths of SUPER’s Weapon S facility, he eyed himself in the reflection of the chrome plated panels. A small smirk tugged at his lips; he never thought he would have to trade in his comfy sweaters for these types of monkey suits, but life makes fools of us all, as they say.

A telltale *DING* drew the ginger’s attention to the floor numbers. His hand slipped into his pockets, pulling out his phone where he started to fill in some details that were needed for his report. Stepping out, he followed the sounds of working and training. Through the frost glass walls that surrounded him, he could hear the sounds of recruits being put their limits. The sounds used to make Kristoph stop and take a look, but these days he just accepted it and moved on.

Following a memorized path, Kristoph did not once need to look up from his phone and instead carried on for the exact lab he was looking for. He didn’t even bother to knock as he walked in. The familiar voice of Dr. Weber chastising him came to his right but the new important agent didn’t bother to lift his gaze from his phone. Rather he simply continued to reply to a new text message from a higher up, tapped “SEND”, then returned his phone to his pocket and raised his eyes to her.

”Dr. Weber! Thanks for making time to see me.”

The scientist ground her teeth, mumbling under her breath before she simply nodded her head in reply.

Kristoph sighed as he looked around her lab. He really didn’t know how any of it worked but that wasn’t his job to. It was his job to ensure that the results matched what was promised -- hence his reason for being here. As head of this branch, the viking arched a brow.

”Come on, Weber, you know why I’m here. Upper Management is getting a little...antsy. Your Weapon S project promised a lot of return and, unfortunately, they’re not seeing results. Sure your little test tube babies are bringing in a dangerous mutant or two, but little else. They’re not allowing people to feel safe. I’m telling you, if you don’t produce, your funding is going to be cut and given to Dr. Downey’s proposal.”

Weber looked incredulous at the idea. “What? You mean that stupid Steel Legion? You really thing that army field agents with mechs is going to raise awareness of our ‘good intentions’?”

Kristoph shrugged. ”Boys upstairs like it. As a matter of fact, with the proper branding, it could certainly…”

“Wait. Just...wait…’ Weber sighed. Another deep breath and she beckoned Kristoph to follow her. Heading towards the farthest corner of the room, she pulled aside a curtain to show her latest project. “I know Weapon S is less than stellar...but...I have something different in mind…”

Kristoph arched a brow at her before looking up at the wall, the schematics, and the live video feed of another, isolated pod, that is being carefully tended to by lab staff. For a second the Viking didn’t understand and kept shifting his gaze at the monitor and the paperwork, but as it finally came into focus he smirked. He shook his head as he turned to eye her.

”Are you serious? This is what you’ve been working on?”

Weber nodded. “That was what Weapon S was for. Not a ends to a means, but a testing ground for this.”

Kristoph continued to look at the monitor and breathed a deep breath. ”Do you think this will benefit SUPER?”

For the first time Dr. Weber smiled, her overconfidence gleaming like a flare from a star. “I know it will.” Pulling a flashdrive from a computer she handed it off to him. “Take that to the board. Trust me, Mr. Karlson, after watching it, the higher ups will be begging to move forward with Project Champions.”