In the central continental region of the mainland continent where the capital of the Unified Continental Government or the Federation resided. There was a vast city of expanse that covered the horizon and beyond. Enveloped with towering buildings piercing through the skies.
Throne was the capital city of the Federation and had a population of over a hundred million citizens of the UCG. It was known as the economic and military center of the world.
Deep within the interior of the capital city was a metallic hallway with silver neon lights glowing lustrous at its edges. A man wearing a black suit and a red crimson necktie along with a gold-plated pair of glasses.
The man calmly strolled through the futuristic metallic hallway and arrived at the edge. He glances at the camera watching him and a couple of seconds later... The walls opened and revealed a grandiose meeting hall.
Surrounded by enormous heavy pillars that emitted dread and authority was an expansive circular table with luxurious chairs surrounding it. In those chairs were individuals of high authority sitting upon it. Shadows loomed over their faces as if hiding their identity from one another.
The recently-arrived man sat amongst the representatives of the state. Without any further delay or hesitation, the man started the meeting between the upper echelons of the Federation. It was about an impending catastrophe that would strike the nation.
"A couple of months ago. We have detected strange energy signatures throughout the world. After much investigation, we have arrived at the conclusion that a change was about to happen. And it did happen. It had already happened."
"Weeks before this meeting. Terrorists have been attacking the Federation's outer perimeters. They have even begun sneaking through the interior of the nation and are bombing city blocks without any care."
"The reason why they were able to do that was through the emergence of something grand. The rise of the superpowered individuals. We don't know the reason why they appeared, but this is a disaster at the national level."
"Think about a random citizen or a criminal having the power to destroy tanks in mere seconds. What would be of it? The potential of such a thing or its danger? I want to say both. But those with such powers consider themselves higher than normal beings."
"Some would think of themselves as the messenger of God. A small portion might even think of themselves as gods. I believe that this problematic disaster must be quelled before it goes out of control."
Hearing his words, the representatives of the state furrowed their eyebrows. Many thoughts passed through their heads but it was mostly about the positives and negatives of such an existence. The military potential of the superpowered individuals was unparalleled.
"Do you have any solution for this 'so-called disaster', Pluto?" A representative questioned while the others locked their gaze toward the man who called himself Pluto. He was the one who brought up the existence of superpowered individuals and the evidence of their powers.
Pluto lowered his head as the edges of his lips rose. His eyeglasses glinted with light and presented his solution before the representatives of the state.
"The solution to this problem is a counter-balance. Expecting all superpowered individuals to heed the state with their current attitudes is foolish. But we can use such attitudes to create a counter-balance. I propose the creation of a counter-organization."
Pluto finally gave his solution to the representatives. It was a good idea for their current circumstances, but the representatives couldn't help but wonder how Pluto would be able to do that. After all, weren't the superpowered individuals arrogant?
"How are you able to do that, Pluto? What plan do you have to achieve such an organization? Since you have said before that superpowered individuals were difficult to control."
A representative queried and the heads of others perked up. They wanted to know how to control superpowered individuals. After all, who wouldn't want to have someone with abilities as your dog? It was an opportunity that would profit them.
"As I had said, they are difficult to control. But to manipulate them is something else. With their arrogance, we can use them by presenting them with special privileges that would fuel their egos. Whether it be tax exemption or a mansion by the sea, we can give them anything they want."
"One can consider it as an investment and why are they under our manipulation. We can continue research about them and build the technology to counter their abilities. Isn't it quite a simple idea?" Pluto smirked as the representatives nodded in understanding.
"A good idea you have there, Pluto. So what name will you give to this counter-organization of yours and how much budget do you need?" Another representative asked since the amount of investment will determine the feasibility of this solution.
Pluto thought about it for a short while and silence shrouded the entirety of the meeting room. The representatives calmly waited before Pluto got an answer. He grinned at the upper echelon and responded to the question.
"The early-annual budget of the organization should be about 10,000 million in terms of assets inquisition and the support of the first thousands of superpowered individuals. I believe that the investment will immediately hold up."
"Especially with the future arms race of superpowered individuals. I believe that other nations will caught up in the fact that there are supernatural abilities. An arms race will start and we, the Federation, must be in the lead."
"I'm sure you already know about foreign nations slowly but surely arming themselves for another war. The Federation must be prepared against any weapons. So a 10,000 million budget is a must."
Pluto gave a speech about the budget which didn't affect any representatives within the dark hall. Instead, the upper echelons were calculating the gains they could get from the superpowered individuals.
After a short while, the representatives raised their hands in agreement with the creation of the counter-organization. 10,000 million wasn't a problem to them. In fact, it was merely a drop in the bucket when compared to the wealth they had.
"The banking clan will provide private investment to the counter-organization project." A representative member expressed his intention of private investment which would go along with the 10,000 million annual budget.
"The triad of conglomerates expressed their interest in the counter-organization project." Another member who was the representative of the conglomerates raised his hands.
"The houses of nobles..."
"The trading sector..."
"The bureau of defense..."
Many representatives expressed their interest in private investment with the counter-organization. Obviously, their actions weren't out of goodwill but merely were driven by profit. But unexpectedly, Pluto shook his head and rejected their investment.
"I am grateful, but the annual-yearly budget will be enough for the counter-organization."
The representatives of the state furrowed their eyebrows after hearing Pluto's rejection. Though, they didn't utter their dissatisfaction with the rejection and simply went silent. As if not bothering them, Pluto continued.
"With the enactment of the counter-organization project also known as Project Vanguard. How about we start talking about the adversaries of our nation? Mainly, the terrorist that keeps bombing interior cities."
Pluto decided to change the subject to a more serious topic that was related to the dangerous superpowered individuals roaming throughout the Federation. They must take care of the individual otherwise damages would be catastrophic.
"We have gained information that the terrorist came from Adikia."
"What!? That region of instability?"
"As expected... Only those from that disorderly region would do such things."
"Those bastards are bothering us again, huh?"
"Should we strike back?"
The representative had different reactions after hearing about the origin of the terrorist. But their reactions were mostly of contempt. They disliked the region since it didn't bring them any profits. It was a blackhole economy that the Federation wanted to take off from their nation.
But unfortunately, it was nearly improbable for such a thing to happen.
"The military has sent a couple of military squads to start their investigation in regards to the terrorist's identity. Although nonetheless, the terrorist has already been given a nickname."
"Burst..."
"With the capabilities of unleashing an explosion in every single thing the terrorist could touch. The danger it poses is significant. Think about a pen touched by this terrorist which you might hold in your office?"
"The ability of Burst can be correlated to incidental assassination."
Pluto kept reporting about the most dangerous enemy of the state. Many military personnel had been allocated to investigating the superpowered terrorist. And many more were trying to contain or terminate the criminal.
However, after concluding his report regarding the infamous terrorist, Burst. Pluto continued as another threat emerged within the interior of the city. While not as destructive or infamous as Burst, the newly-emerged individual was as problematic as the terrorist.
"And we have another newly-emerged high-ranking adversary. This figure appeared in a particular district and caused a massacre that numbered hundreds in one night. The figure disappeared after that, but then reappeared in the MSPI-7 Pandemonium."
"We lacked information about this individual and haven't confirmed a lot of things. We suspect that this individual is a superpowered one. But there appeared to be no supernatural abilities other than extraordinary strength and enhanced speed."
"But I believe that this individual shouldn't be underestimated. Unlike the chaotic terrorist who keeps blowing things up. This superpowered individual is waiting in the shadows waiting for the right. The figure had already broken out the infamous rogue assassin, Thomas."
"Who knows what they may be planning."
"Also... The most noticeable appearance of the superpowered individual is the demon-fox mask. And it appears that a nickname has already emerged for the unknown figure."
"In the criminal underworld, the individual has names such as Devil, Death, Reaper, and mostly..."
"Solace."