THE FAMILY THAT PREYS

Part VI: What You Thought Was True

By Stuart Fairchild

Years ago…

The only thing he could see was the endless white of the cold snow whipping around savagely. He had lost the feeling in his outer extremities, not feeling the cold nipping at his limbs without mercy. A helpless stammer forced him onto a knee as the rest of his body soon followed. He could only think of his new wife, alone with the unknown savage they had just shot, as he remained on the cold ground. He could go no further for he was lost and the cold had sapped him of his strength. He saw something in the distance getting closer, a symptom that his mind was beginning to give much like his body did. He managed to squint his eyes yet the figure still approached until it stood over James Hudson’s lifeless body.

“Help…me,” James Hudson pleaded, his voice on the verge of death.

The figure agreed, dragging the almost dead James Hudson away from the cold and the misery. The snow stopped mounting on his prone body, feeling the warmth of a domicile as he slipped into and out of consciousness. He had no strength to speak and thank the figure for saving him. He marveled at the amazing series of structures he witnessed as his consciousness swayed.

The feeling of his fingers in a warm liquid awoke him quickly. The structures he believed to be a dream adorned him from below his room.

“You will live, James Hudson,” a voice said.

James Hudson looked at the source of the voice, revealing a hulk of a man with white trim in his blackened hair. “Thank you. How do you know my name?”

The figure laughed as he extended a steamy liquid toward the recovering James. “I am very familiar with your work.”

“What is this place?” James asked.

“This is my home.”

“It’s amazing. An entire city, an archeological dream,” James replied. “How do you keep it so isolated?”

“It is how I desire it,” Romulus said. “Your strength is returning?”

James Hudson nodded. “How can I ever repay you?”

“The question is how can I repay you?”

“What do you mean?”

The large figure laughed once more. “My name is Romulus but you will not remember that. It is how I desire it. When you wake, you will be on your way back to your cottage and to your wife. Your future has just set flight.”

The room went black, his memory remembering nothing, even how he got into a jeep with RCMPs. The light flickered strangely on the horizon as one of the RCMPs turned to the back to face James. “We should be at your cottage in less than ten minutes.”

James Hudson said nothing as the pounding sensation he felt in his head still boomed. James looked up to the RCMP only for him to speak again.

“Hudson…”

James gave an awkward look as the RCMP spoke again yet in a different tone. It was more feminine and sterner.

“Hudson,” Nemesis called out.

“Dear god,” Guardian said in disgust. “All of it. The whole thing was a lie.”

“What the hell are you talking about?” Nemesis shouted.

“I was just a puppet in his grand scheme. Department H, Alpha Flight; all of it was all initiated under Romulus.”

“It just keeps getting better, huh,” uttered Flashback.

“It changes nothing,” Nemesis answered. “Follow the plan and get Hudson to the Lance’s control system.

The Citadel

Daken remained silent next to Romulus and Scorpio, unaware of the events taken place before him. His attention was elsewhere, more specifically the words that James Hudson spoke to him about his father. He couldn’t shake the feeling which stirred deeply within him and for the first time he could remember, it bothered him.

“You have something to ask me, Daken?” Romulus asked.

“This Hudson’s memories, are they really that close to my father’s?”

“Hudson and your father were good friends. Almost like brothers. It does not change anything.”

“It does for me,” Daken replied as the bass of a horn shook the tower.

“What is that horn?” Scorpio asked.

“It is Hudson,” Romulus said calmly. “He is escaping.”

“Alpha Flight?” Scorpio asked, the glow of his Zodiac Key glowing brightly as he said the name.

“Unlikely,” Romulus responded. “You know him as Director X. James Hudson would know him as his grandfather. It seems family ties are growing closer today.”

“The Director of Department H is Hudson’s grandfather?” Scorpio choked.

“The Director being James Hudson’s family is not the threat. It is what he knows that is.”

“Is it enough to stop you from firing the Lance of Longinus?” Scorpio asked.

Romulus chuckled. “He is too late for that. I have extracted what I needed from James Hudson. The firing codes are in place and with it the start of my grand plan.”

“I shall find him…” Daken said but the impact of a lone bullet prevented the completion of the sentence. Brain and skull fragments splattered on the ground as his lifeless body fell into the swarming energies of a pool which contained James Hudson’s memories.

“Sniper?” Scorpio barked as his body took cover against the wall.

“It is too late,” Romulus said. “The city’s defense will provide me enough time for me to launch the Lance.”

“And my Zodiac?”

“Your services are no longer needed. Leave if you must.”

A evil curl appeared on Scorpio’s lip, touching only his communication device in anger. “Aquarius, get us out of here.”

Northwest Territories

The once calm cold air of the Canadian territory boomed as three passenger aircrafts appeared seemingly out of nowhere. They took position in a V–pattern, barely breaking pace as they continued quickly over the Canadian skies.

“How you holding up, Michael?” Vindicator asked.

Mystical energies flowed around the Sacree shaman as the strain of teleporting the three massive vessels easily evident on his face. “I will be fine, Heather,” Shaman huffed. “I will use my last dying breathe to find James.”

“Let’s not hope it comes to that, eh,” Puck said as he moved forward in the aircraft. “Glad to see you tagged along, Northstar.”

Northstar, with his arms crossed, kept an annoyed look on his face as he turned his head to the diminutive Alpha. “I had nothing better to do this day, Judd. Like I said to Walter and James before they went missing, I’m always the one Alpha turns to when they need help.”

“It must be your magnetic personality,” Diamond Lil smirked.

“Do not attempt to mock me, Crawley,” said Northstar.

“Do not antagonize Jean-Paul, Lil,” Vindicator responded. “I do not have time to hear any more ego during this time.”

“Pardon me, Heather,” Northstar emphatically replied.

“It is what it is, Jean-Paul. I could care less about how the world mistreats you or how much little respect you get, if you are here to help me find my husband then I thank you. If you want to leave then leave. I have a child of my own and I can’t baby-sit anyone on this team.”

Northstar did not respond. He could see the determination in Vindicator’s eyes and knew now was not a time to argue. Pressing his back once more against his seat he decided to listen. “I shall help, Heather.”

“Very good,” Vindicator nodded. “Now let’s find James.”

Department H

“Sensors have detected an unknown energy signature in our atmosphere,” an agent called out as numerous alarms rang throughout the room. “We have confirmation of a hit.”

“Where?” Gentry called out.

“The Baffin Sea.”

“There is nothing out there?” questioned Proctor.

“Not that we know of,” Gentry replied.

“Ecological readings are registering now. Water temperature has risen twenty degrees since impact with a radius of seventeen miles.”

“Jesus,” Proctor exclaimed. “Can we get someone to calculate what kind of energy output can super heat artic waters that fast?”

“We can’t,” Gentry said.

“You can’t get Department H scientist to calculate that type of energy ratio.”

“No,” Gentry replied with a phone on his ear. “Our scientists say you can’t super heat arctic waters that fast. Not to the depths we are registering”

A concerned Proctor pulled his phone out and perched it on his own ear while contemplating the event as his heart began to quicken. “Occulus. This is Proctor. I need a video feed of what the hell is happening in the Baffin Sea.”

The request was almost instantaneous as a momentary static filled with the events of North East Canada. The once-serene clouds of the Nunavut territory quickly darken then disperse as a single pillar of energy erupt from a figure in the sky, only to disappear just as quickly. The effects of its attack are left as once frigid waters ripple forcefully on the video feed.

A video feed smaller in size appeared adjacent to the disaster in the Baffin Sea to show a large satellite hunkering over Canadian space. As it remained still and silent, the people gathered in the Department H monitoring room know it is the source of the nightmare. Numerous phone lines begin to ring with only Gentry’s assistant speaking up.

“Mr. Gentry…Sir. You have a phone call.”

“Who is it, Hames?”

It’s SHIELD…and SWORD…and MI:13…and every other organization with an acronym I can think of. Even some I haven’t heard about.”

The Citadel
Tower

“Look at me, Jim. Look what they made me.”

The words were not his own yet the passion and vividness of the conversation rang out as if he was present when the conversation took place. The participants, a young James Hudson and a shorter man, angry at the world as three metallic claws proved his point as they extended from his fist.

Daken began to experience more memories that did not belong to him as his once shattered skull began to reform in the pool of liquid which contained the memories of James Hudson. They ran through sporadically, some more vibrant and louder to remember while others just a passing whisper. Still, the louder memories conjured a wide spectrum of emotions as a gasping Daken arose from the pool, the last particles of liquid which filled his lungs being forcefully extracted with a ferocious cough.

“I don’t know a lot of things, Jim, but I do know this. If I have a child somewhere out there, don’t make him be like me. He should find peace. And peace is in Izo. There he will find it.”

“Romulus…” Daken muttered, his fist clenching tightly at the sound of the name. “Now I know.”

The Citadel
Courtyard

“There are a lot of them,” Wildchild commented as he pounced on one white armored soldier and then to another, his elongated nails shredding whatever flesh he could rake across.

With a giant airborne flip, Nemesis landed next to the feral Wildchild, her Soul Sword slicing through another of the mysterious soldiers that occupied the hidden subterranean city. “We have to stall until Flashback and Guardian find the Lance.”

“I don’t think we are getting out of this fight,” Tigerstryke shouted as he began to be engulfed by the sheer numbers of the city’s guards.

“I have seen far worse,” Northstar said as a gust of wind surging into the fray introduced the speedster as he connected on high velocity punches on each of the soldiers which once crippled Tygerstryke.

“Northstar…” Nemesis shouted. “I see you found our homing beacon.We have to destroy the Lance.”

“Woman, and I say that lightly, I have not the slightest clue what you are rambling about.”

“Excuse Northstar, Nemesis,” Puck chuckled as he wheeled into sight. “He was always short on manners.”

“I can back that statement,” Vindicator said as her suit unleashed pillars of steam and magma exploding from the ground dispersing flocks of soldiers into the air. The smoke was thick from the attack, dispersing slowly from the command as silhouettes appeared from the mist. Shaman, Box, Diamond Lil and a small contingent of armed Epsilon Guards stood by Vindicator as they awaited her next order. “Find James and whatever this Lance Nemesis is referring to.”

The Citadel
Sub-City

The corridor was dark but Romulus did not need any form of light to guide his path. He knew every inch, every crevice that belonged to the hub of the city. It was a city which sparked many dark plots which affected many of the men and women which now stormed his door. He reached for a head piece, the brain of the city, mounting it on his head which made many of the smaller organisms which fueled the city glow with life.

“I would say what I see is beautiful but I know it is tainted if it originated with you,” Directed X called from the shadows.

“Frederick, how nice of you to come,” Romulus replied. “You know you are too late. This plan was set in motion long ago.”

“I know,” The Director said. “And I have tried to stop you the moment I realized that the real name of the devil was Romulus.”

Romulus laughed, the mere comparison intrigued to him. “You have tried and failed. Placing your grandson in position to create Alpha Flight was a good attempt; Super heroes for the defense of Canada. Protecting the country from the ideas from their very own.”

“Do not twist the subject, you bastard,” the Director hollered, revealing an explosive trigger at the tip of his thumb. “I did what I had to do once you started meddling if the affairs of my family.”

“Are you referring to your grandson or your wife?” Romulus asked.

The shot was loud as it penetrated the armor and skin of Romulus. The stream of blood which appeared flowing down his armored chest plate slowing its pace until it stopped by Romulus’ healing factor.

Romulus revealed a sinister smirk. “You Hudsons are all alike; soft, all unable to see the true future which stares you in the face.”

“Oh shit,” Flashback mumbled as he appeared with Guardian heaped over his shoulder as the two appeared in the midst of the conversation.

“What is he talking about?” Guardian asked, the subject of their conversation confusing him.

Romulus snarl turned to a smiled filled with sinister intent. “James Hudson, allow me to introduce you to grandfather, Frederick Hudson. You know him as the Director of Department H.”

Guardian’s confused eyes fixed on the Director as he still maintained his aim on Romulus with one hand, the explosive trigger in the other. He had never seen the Director in person. All matters related with Alpha Flight were relayed through Gentry, who was a good man, and therefore who Gentry was receiving orders from never calculated as any of his business under the new, kinder Department H.

“I don’t understand,” Guardian mumbled. “I was always told my grandfather had died.”

“It was all a ruse, James,” Romulus answered. “Frederick Hudson died around the same time as your grandmother. After that, only the Director lived.”

“Is that true?” Guardian asked.

“This…creature is a plague,” the Director replied. “He has tainted or killed every Hudson throughout history; my father and mother. Elias Hudson. Victor Hudson and many more. He has operated in the shadows for so long that the only way to find him was to go in the shadows myself.”

Romulus chuckled loudly. “Are your memories coming back to you, James? I know how it must feel. All those memories you don’t remember all washing over you at once. It’s almost unbearable.”

“Shut up!” exclaimed the Director.

“Who created Department H and Alpha Flight?” Guardian asked.

“Please enlighten your grandson, Frederick,” Romulus snickered.

“Department H was the most easily influenced branch of the Canadian defense government. When it officially began to operate, I placed your father to operate the Department. He was then killed by this grimacing bastard whom stands before you. He began to take hold of certain projects. I then asserted my influence to counter any such movement within the Department. That constant shift of power was the reason funding was cut for Alpha Flight so many times over the years.”

“Then you created Alpha Flight?”

“No. Alpha Flight was your idea. I just helped the process of you finding certain individuals to help achieve your goal after the Bedlam experiment. That insane idea came from Romulus.”

“How do you know that?” Guardian asked, the memory of activating a convicted murderer’s latent power a mistake he knew he would never forget.

“Because I have the evidence that caused the thought,” the Director said, revealing a dead bug in a small plastic container. “This is how Romulus is involved in such things. Certain implants are injected into a certain individual by the bite of this project. The subject would get a sudden epiphanic solution in matters of science.”

“And Wolverine…”

“Logan…”

“Was the name of my father,” Daken said as he entered from the opposite tunnel into the room.

The Director shuffled back, trying to better position himself defensively from Daken and Romulus. “Your father was the only thing that Romulus couldn’t control. His healing factor made him the best variable against Romulus’ equation. Romulus tried but it only unleashed a temporary feral state in Logan which caused him to gut James in a training exercise. His healing factor excreted the effects of the bug’s bite. Logan was the only person who could see the twisted future of Department H.”

Daken stared at the Director who had now taken position next to Guardian and Flashback, his finger still tight on the trigger. His hand grasped the back of his neck as the mentioned memory caused a stir of emotions as it flashed vividly in his now shared memory with James Hudson. Wolverine did almost kill Guardian in a training exercise years ago and the look in Guardian’s eyes confirmed the story.

“You can not win, Director,” Romulus said. “With Daken at my side, you know I gained the edge. I have…” Romulus’ words began to mumble, unable to speak as the sight of three claws ripping through his chest choked any chance of speech. With a pull of Daken’s fist, the once pounding heart of Romulus now splattered helplessly on the floor.

“Daken…” Guardian shouted to the mohawked assassin who stood coldly with a bloody hand over the lifeless Romulus.

“It seems Romulus has caused as much grief to your family as he has mine.”

“When we get out of this, we have stuff to talk about,” Guardian suggested.

“I already know what you want to say, James Hudson. Believe me, I will find peace but you and the rest of your team have to get out of here.”

“I’m not leaving without you.”

The Director expected his grandson to say such a thing, a simple glance at Flashback and then a strong electrical charge to the back of Guardian’s head stunned the already weak Guardian into unconsciousness.

“Take James and find the rest of Alpha Flight. Shaman can do the rest,” the Director commanded as he grabbed the helmet which controlled the Lance of Longinus. “This place must be destroyed.”

Daken nodded as he scooped Guardian into his arms, moving quickly where he knew Alpha Flight was still in battle.

Elsewhere…

“We are being overrun!” Madison Jeffries exclaimed, the hull of his Box armor taking the heavy onslaught from Romulus’ soldiers. Even with the sound of its mechanical tone, Vindicator knew Mr. Jeffries had cause for concern.

“We haven’t found James yet,” Heather cried out as more bursts of steam erupted from the ground.

The cold voice of Nemesis rang out, matching the cold steel of her sword slicing through the soldiers. “James needs to find the Lance’s control system.”

“We have a lot of things to do. We get it,” Sasquatch replied. “Witchfire, what is wrong?”

The eyes of Witchfire whiten causing her to stop casting a spell. She shouted to anyone that could hear her faint voice. “We are getting help.”

Witchfire pointed to a certain tunnel above their position and so appeared Daken running toward them with Guardian still in his arms. He leapt with no hesitation into the ruckus, using the soldiers he once thought as the defense of the city as a cushion, landing firmly on his feet.

“James?” Vindicator shouted, worried for her husband in an unresponsive state.

“He will be okay,” assured Daken as Vindicator flew down next to them. “Heather Hudson, if you lead Alpha Flight then let them know to follow me. We have to get out of here.”

“What is going to happen?”

“Just do it.”

Department H

“Another energy shot has been fired from the satellite,” a worried technician shouted from his terminal.

“Where did it hit?” Gentry barked, the sweat of worry beginning to become uncontrollable.

“Northwest Territories.”

“That’s where Alpha Flight is located,” Gentry stated. “Someone establish a link over there and find out what the hell is going on.”

The request was quickly answered as a video feed from the location was started from the mentioned location.

“Gentry…” a garbled voice rang out. The static and interference was immense on the giant video screen which tracked the destruction, only the sound of a sporadic familiar female voice speaking eased the thick tension which had amassed within Department H. In seconds, the video cleared showing the person reporting from the site.

“Vindicator, what in blue blazes just happened?”

“I think I can best explain that, Gentry,” Guardian said as he came into the video screen. “We have a lot to talk about.”