บท 13: 13: The Strongest Team
The cell door opened. Nolan lifted his head to see Mark entering. They both looked at each other without any expression on their faces.
There was a silence that was broken by Nolan.
"How's your mother?" In response to his question, Mark remained silent for a moment before approaching and leaning against the wall next to where his father was sitting.
The cell had only a metal chair and nothing else.
"Well, she found out that the last twenty years of her life were a lie. I don't think she's doing very well" he said calmly.
Nolan frowned deeply.
"I may have lied about where I come from and why I came, but my love for her is not a lie" If it were so easy for him to rid himself of his own feelings, he would never have betrayed the empire.
From outside the cell, behind a special glass where people could only see from one side, Debbie clenched her fist, her eyes still red and tearful.
Cecil put a hand on her shoulder and looked back at the cell.
Next to them was Donald, Cecil's most trusted assistant. Apart from these people, all other GDA agents and staff members had been evacuated to a safe area. They didn't know if Nolan would regret it and if a fight would start, so they couldn't take any chances.
Back in the cell.
Mark looked at his father with mixed feelings. He had expected many things, but this took him by surprise like it did everyone else. The choice Nolan had made was not an easy one.
Now the world feared him, many hated him, and some defended him. Seeing the different types of public opinions starting to hit every corner of the earth was revealing.
"Whether it's real or not doesn't matter now" Mark sighed.
Nolan nodded in agreement.
"What do you want to know?" Of course, he knew this was an interrogation.
"Everything, everything we can use, everything that can help us fight" Mark responded. He needed a clear path, to see the possibilities, and to start planning for what was to come.
Playing his cards right, he could have the whole earth on his side and with it, its resources, solving his budget problem.
Nolan thought deeply, gathering the information in his mind.
"Let's start with something simple. Why are they in a hurry? Why do they want to conquer Earth now?"
This was an important question. The Viltrumites lived for thousands or tens of thousands of years; waiting had never been a problem for them before. They had already waited 20 years, so why was it different now?
"Because of you" Nolan replied, making Mark blink in confusion and causing Cecil to furrow his brows and Debbie to look at her husband with bewilderment.
Nolan continued.
"A few years ago, six to be exact, a virus of unknown origin attacked the Viltrumite home planet. Normally, no disease could pose a threat to the Viltrumites, but this was different. The virus acted strangely, weakening our strength, causing some to lose their powers temporarily. In a short time, almost all life on Viltrum died, and only the strongest remained, those who could overcome the virus and gain immunity. Others like me survived by being far from the infection center"
This information shocked everyone listening.
"Wait, you mean the Viltrumites are going extinct?!" Mark straightened up suddenly. This... this changed everything.
Nolan nodded.
"After the virus wiped out 99% of life on Viltrum, currently, only 50 Viltrumites are alive, not counting you." That last part was what made Mark understand.
"They want to recover; they want to avoid extinction, and humanity is their best chance."
Nolan nodded.
"Viltrumite and human DNA have been shown to be 100% compatible. Viltrum didn't do anything before because you hadn't developed your powers, but..."
"Once my powers emerged, it was the final confirmation they needed" Mark finished for him, now understanding the situation.
"Are they aware of what's happening on Earth? Or how did they find out?" he asked, and Nolan lowered his head.
"Because I told them" he confessed, making Mark frown and Cecil curse.
So, a super-powerful race on the brink of extinction saw Earth, more precisely, humanity, as their last hope and seemed unlikely to take no for an answer.
"Is there any way to avoid confrontation? A way to reach an agreement?" Although Mark now had more confidence knowing he wasn't facing an army of billions, 49 adult Viltrumites were still something he wasn't sure he could face without Earth exploding as collateral damage.
Even if he won, if all life on Earth was extinguished, it would be meaningless.
Nolan thought deeply before shaking his head.
"Viltrum never retreats, never wavers, and sees all other races as inferior to them. They don't care what Earth thinks or wants. To them, from the moment I arrived here, this planet was already part of the empire" Violence and struggle ran through Viltrumite veins; changing that overnight wouldn't be so easy.
"More importantly, the Grand Regent, the most powerful Viltrumite that has ever existed, will not allow the empire to bow to anyone"
Grand Regent? That title sounded important. Moreover, to be called the most powerful Viltrumite by his father... Mark couldn't help but ask.
"This 'Grand Regent,' how strong is he compared to you?"
Nolan laughed bitterly.
"Even if all the remaining Viltrumites united against him, he would still win" The statement left Mark silent, and a heavy atmosphere filled the place.
So, not only were there at least 48 adult Viltrumites ready to unleash their wrath on Earth, but their leader, the Grand Regent, was stronger than all of them combined.
"Well, shit" Mark muttered. Things didn't look very good for humanity in such a scenario.
Mark paced the room, deep in thought. There had to be something more; this couldn't be a hopeless fight. The fact that there were only 49 enemy Viltrumites left was a good start, but it wasn't enough.
"Do we have any chance? Is there any way to win?" he asked, and Nolan smiled.
"I've been waiting for you to ask that question"
"In my travels across the universe, I have been one of the few officers Viltrum has entrusted with the most important and dangerous tasks. Because of this, I have discovered many ways to hurt Viltrumites and even kill them"
Cecil's interest was piqued immediately. He decided it was time to stop observing and nodded to Donald, who understood the unspoken message. Soon, Cecil entered the cell, walking up to Nolan.
Both men looked at each other with cold expressions.
"I'd punch you right now, but it wouldn't accomplish anything" Cecil said. Saying he was angry was an understatement; his blood was boiling. But he also knew that now was not the time to let his emotions take over.
With Earth in danger, he had to set aside his own pride and focus.
Nolan said nothing. What could he say? Apologize? What good would that do for Cecil?
"So, is that your plan? Find those 'things' and defeat the empire with them?" Mark asked, not wanting to waste time on pointless arguments.
"No" Nolan denied, taking both Mark and Cecil by surprise.
"What do you mean?" asked the GDA leader, clearly not pleased.
Nolan sighed and continued.
"Even if I gather everything that can harm us, the fight will still be fierce. The empire, even if reduced so much, has annexed thousands of worlds and commands billions of troops. It's not a war Earth can win."
"So what? We just surrender to them? What difference does it make that you're here then?" Cecil said, his eyes cold.
"But Earth doesn't have to fight alone" Mark suddenly spoke, interrupting Cecil.
"There's still the Coalition of Planets" Mark said. If the empire decided to attack with numbers, Earth had no chance. No matter how strong Mark or his father were, they would eventually tire of an endless fight, and in the end, Earth would be conquered.
Nolan smiled at his son's words and nodded.
"If we can face the remaining Viltrumites directly, we have a chance. I don't think we can win, not against the Regent, but we can corner them"
"They won't want to lose more numbers, not when so few of them remain" Cecil said, already thinking about Nolan's intentions.
"You don't plan to defeat them. You want us to force them to retreat" Cecil concluded.
Nolan nodded. "The empire wants to annex Earth and turn it into a breeding ground to replenish their numbers. Humans would be nothing but slaves if that happens. But if we force the empire to retreat, we can make them reconsider the terms"
Cecil began pacing, thinking about all the pros and cons—what they might lose, what they could gain, and what the cost would be.
"And what would your role be in this?" Cecil asked, looking at Nolan.
"Buy time" Nolan said seriously. Mark looked at him.
"What does that mean?"
"The empire can't deploy Viltrumites casually, not now. That's why I had to conquer Earth on my own. But once they realize that I abandoned my mission, they'll send other Viltrumite officers after me. What I've done is an insult and a betrayal. They will set aside their intentions with Earth temporarily to punish me. So, I'll draw them away, far from Earth and far from the Coalition. While that happens, you can use that time to prepare. Mark, you will have to be the one to find the weapons and the 'things' that will help humanity against the empire"
While the empire believes it can maintain its image, they will not deploy all their remaining troops. But once they know that Earth and the coalition are aware of their greatest secret, they will no longer hesitate to act with all their might.
"Do you think we'll just let you go? Just like that?" Cecil asked, clear irritation on his face.
Nolan stood up, taller than Mark, taller than Cecil. His imposing figure instantly changed the atmosphere of the room.
"You have no choice. Don't confuse my confession with weakness. I didn't surrender to sit in a cell. Without my help, Viltrum will conquer Earth and make humanity its slaves. Is that what you want?" he asked in a deep voice. Both men locked eyes for what seemed like centuries.
Then Cecil clicked his tongue and stepped back.
Mark quickly intervened.
"This is no time for internal conflicts. Whatever punishment humanity wants for Omniman won't matter if the empire wins" He didn't call him 'father' on purpose; he needed to draw a certain line.
Nolan noticed this and frowned.
Cecil grunted but nodded in agreement.
"We'll discuss this more deeply later. I have an entire world to calm down right now" he said and started to leave. Nolan sat back down and spoke.
"We don't have much time, so convince whoever you need to convince and gather all the resources you can" At his words, Cecil paused for a moment before growling and walking out the door.
Once he was gone, Mark crossed his arms and looked at Nolan.
"Tell me about these 'things' I need to find"
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.
.
After a few more hours, Mark left the cell with deep thoughts in his mind, a lot of new information now swirling in his head.
"So, what do you think?" Cecil asked, having returned from wherever he had gone.
"I think we don't have many options. Either we trust him and use his plan as best we can, or Viltrum conquers Earth"
Indeed, his father's plan had some obvious gaps, many "what ifs" and many things that could go wrong.
But aside from that, Earth had no other options: either they fought with a faint hope of achieving a negotiation, or they bowed down completely.
Cecil grunted.
"I never stick to just one plan, kid" he said, and Mark looked at him.
"Do you have something else in mind?"
"Follow me" Cecil said and began to walk. Mark followed him. The GDA facilities were huge, but the place Cecil took them to was nearby. Soon, they entered the central command room where all the most important operations were carried out. Mark saw people working hard, with many screens showing different data and images from around the world.
"The public isn't aware of much of what happens on the planet. Many threats strike Earth all the time, and to avoid collective panic, the GDA ensures that many things are hidden" Cecil said as he guided him to the large main monitors. Mark listened, still unsure of what he meant.
"I don't trust Nolan anymore. His plan may be our best option, but I won't make it our only option. That's why I'll form a new team, one with the sole mission of killing all the Viltrumites if necessary" Cecil, reluctantly, could accept negotiation; negotiation was always preferable to waging war. But if war was to be waged, then he would prepare the most powerful army Earth had to offer.
On the screens in front of Mark, images began to appear along with information about different individuals.
The first one he saw was a huge monster with gray skin, chains around its body, long black hair slicked back, and a massive grin full of sharp teeth, its muscles bulging on top of each other as if its muscles had their own muscles and hands with enormously pointed and sharp claws.
Red eyes full of violence stared into the camera making anyone who saw them tremble.
It looked like a more jagged version of the Hulk. He read the name beside the image.
The Pitt.
Everything about him screamed violence, and he seemed quite strong, very strong.
He saw another image, this time of what appeared to be a human wearing a highly advanced technological suit. Silver and blue with touches of green, his technology looked beyond anything Mark had ever seen, even in Flaxan.
Tech-Jacket.
He looked at the next one, with scaly orange skin and golden hair, as if it were a fusion between a dragon and a human.. Mark had heard of the kaiju that used to attack the world, but he never thought much about them until he noticed the lines - Half human - half kaiju - in the information in front of him, causing him to raise an eyebrow.
Firebreather.
Then he saw the last one and almost jumped back in shock.
With a cape as red as blood, long and tattered, skin as dark as night with white stripes on the torso, and a chain around his waist, his green eyes burning with Necroplasm seemed to stare directly into your soul.
Spawn.
"Together with you, they will be the first and last line of defense against the empire" Cecil looked at the images. He never thought he would have to go this far, gathering the most dangerous beings on the planet could lead to a great disaster, but he didn't have many options.
"What do you say, do you think you can help me gather them all?" Mark read all the information about the four individuals, and a huge, fierce smile formed on his face, absolute confidence returning to him.
"Let's do it!!"
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Note:
Here it is! The strongest anti-Viltrumite team! They don't have a name yet (I accept suggestions).
The members that will comprise it are:
The Pitt.
Tech-Jacket.
Firebreather.
Spawn.
Invincible.
Allen the Alien.
And lastly, Omniman.
If anyone else has information about another character (from Image Comics) that could measure up, please comment. All suggestions are welcome.
I also want to say that I'll use AU (Alternate Universe) versions of all the characters since many of their stories are incompatible in certain ways to be combined with each other. But essentially, they'll be the same, just with modifications to allow them to coexist perfectly in the same universe.
And now that characters as powerful as Spawn have entered the scene (and no, I'm not going to nerf him), then I'll use their strongest feats, and if necessary, buff the other characters a bit or find ways to make them stronger naturally.
For now, the updates for Almost Invincible will have to be a bit slower as I have to study and inform myself about all these characters to create an appropriate representation and adaptation of them.
The next update of Almost Invincible is now available on Patreon (patreon.com/EmmaCruzader) If you don't want to wait for a public update, you can take a look at it n.n
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