The HOUND HUT, nestled in a secluded industrial zone miles away from any major city, was as much a fortress as it was a research and operations center. Surrounded by barbed wire and armed drones, its exterior was unassuming—a large, gray concrete building with no visible windows or signage. But inside, it was a maze of cutting-edge laboratories, training facilities, and holding cells, all outfitted with technology years ahead of its time. The HOUND HUT was home to The H.O.U.N.D.S (Hyper-Operative Operations for Universal Neutralization and Detainment.) An elite task force established to track, capture, and, if necessary, neutralize Imagi Mark bearers.
At the heart of it all was Darwin Gainees, the chain-smoking, nihilistic leader of the Hounds. Darwin had earned his reputation as a top-tier detective and combatant, and though his outlook on life was grim, his results were undeniable. He didn't see the world in black and white but as shades of gray, and this perspective made him both unpredictable and highly effective. His motto? "Capture, don't kill. Dead men can't answer questions."
Darwin's personal space in the HOUND HUT was a chaotic mess that somehow reflected his personality perfectly. A cigarette-smoke haze hung in the air, and his desk was cluttered with files, coffee-stained mugs, and an ashtray that overflowed with half-smoked cigarettes. A whiteboard on the wall was covered in hastily scribbled notes about active cases, Imagi bearers, and their suspected powers. The phrase "Seek the Truth, Not the Lies." was scrawled in bold red letters at the top—a mantra that guided his work, despite his cynicism.
Darwin's weapon of choice was one of the many creations of Dr. K, the eccentric and insufferably smug genius who provided the task force with their beta technology. His particular favorite was the Neuro-Sync Baton, a collapsible, electrified weapon that could adapt its intensity based on the target's physical resistance. In Darwin's hands, it became an art form of precise strikes and debilitating efficiency.
Dr. K, the infamous white-haired genius with a knack for arrogance, had reluctantly agreed to equip the Hounds. The government tolerated his antics because his inventions were light-years ahead of anything else in development. He often dropped by the HOUND HUT, uninvited, to mock the agents' "primitive" use of his technology. "You're like cavemen playing with fire." he'd say, leaning against a counter with a smug grin, "except I'm Prometheus, and you're all just barely out of the Stone Age."
Thermal Dampener Suits(TDS), were Designed to regulate body temperature and resist extreme heat or cold, essential for handling Imagi bearers with elemental powers.
Pulse-Tracking Goggles(PTG), These allowed agents to see the energy signatures of Imagi Marks, even through walls or terrain, albeit with a maddeningly short battery life.
Mark Suppression Cuffs(MSC), Experimental restraints that temporarily disrupted the activation of an Imagi Mark, though they were prone to malfunctioning under stress.
The "ARGOS" Combat Rig, A modular exoskeleton that enhanced speed, strength, and reflexes. Only a few agents had been cleared to use it due to its extreme physical toll.
Dr. K's partnership with the HOUND HUT was tenuous at best. He openly admitted that his main motivation was testing his tech in live conditions. "If it works for you knuckle-draggers, it'll work anywhere." he quipped during one particularly heated debriefing.
The Hounds were a mix of specialists recruited from law enforcement, military, and even the private sector. Each brought unique skills to the table, but the cohesion of the team was held together by Darwin's leadership.
Darwin Gainees
Jet-black hair, perpetually disheveled, always with a cigarette between his lips.
Charismatic yet nihilistic. Sees the world as a puzzle to be solved, even if the solution doesn't matter in the end. Despite his grim worldview, he's fiercely loyal to his team.
Masterful in hand-to-hand combat and expert with Dr. K's tech, particularly the Neuro-Sync Baton.
Rager
A 6'7" mountain of muscle, bald, always wearing a hat that says "RAGER" in block letters.
Stoic and oddly gentle, despite his imposing presence. He doesn't speak often, but when he does, it's usually profound or unexpectedly funny.
Rager's strength defied explanation. He could tear through reinforced steel doors or go toe-to-toe with Imagi bearers like Christian without breaking a sweat. Theories about him ranged from secret genetic experiments to supernatural origins, but he never confirmed anything.
The team's unstoppable force. When things went sideways, Rager was the one who leveled the playing field.
Agent Harper Velasquez
A sharp-dressed former FBI profiler with a no-nonsense attitude.
Analytical and calm under pressure. She acted as the team's tactical planner, ensuring missions didn't devolve into chaos.
Expert in negotiation, psychology, and marksmanship.
Agent Felix "Stitch" Daniels
Wiry and constantly fidgeting, with a medic's kit strapped to his back.
Sarcastic and quick-witted, Stitch served as the team's medic. He often clashed with Dr. K but secretly admired his work.
A genius in field medicine and improvisation. He once stabilized a critically injured teammate using nothing but duct tape and a syringe.
The Hound Hut's primary focus remained on tracking Christian Kaiser, the first known Imagi bearer. His brutal actions had painted a target on his back, but Darwin was determined to capture him alive.
Darwin leaned against the console in the command room, a cigarette hanging loosely from his lips as he studied the scattered files on Christian. "He's just a kid." he muttered, more to himself than anyone else. "A kid with too much power and no idea how to handle it."
Rager, standing silently nearby, tilted his head. "You think he's redeemable?"
Darwin exhaled a stream of smoke, his gaze distant. "Everyone's redeemable until they're not. It's not my job to decide which one he is—just to bring him in."
The room was tense, filled with the hum of machinery and the quiet chatter of agents coordinating their next move. On a monitor, a map displayed potential sightings of Christian, each marked with red dots spreading like a virus across the screen.
Dr. K's voice crackled through the intercom, dripping with mockery. "Oh, my dear Hounds. You're chasing a god with sticks and stones. Isn't it adorable?"
Darwin rolled his eyes. "K, unless you've got something useful to say, shut up."
"Oh, I always have something useful to say." Dr. K replied smugly. "But you're not ready for all my secrets. Let's see if you can survive with the toys I've already given you."
Darwin crushed his cigarette in an ashtray and straightened. "Let's suit up. If K thinks we're not ready, that probably means we're about to do something right."
The agents exchanged glances, their resolve hardening. The hunt for Christian was just the beginning, and the HOUND HUT would soon find itself at the center of a conflict far greater than they could imagine.