The Superions

**The Superions** is an original superhero team based out of Starhaven, CA. The team is composed of eight elite-level heroes that will stop at nothing to make sure Earth is safe.

## History

On September 11, 2001, the world watched in horror as the United States was attacked by metahuman terrorists, resulting in the deaths of nearly 3,000 people. The attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City and the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., changed the course of history and profoundly impacted the world. The metahuman extremist group known as The Sin Raiders were known for their zealous views; they believed that metahumans were to be regarded as the dominant species. President Theresa Hargrove's Special Abilities Registration and Control Act (S.A.R.C) emphasized the need for control and regulation of metahuman abilities. Increased attacks from various metahumans provoked the government to restrict the use of their powers unless otherwise authorized. In response, The Tempest King, leader of the Sin Raiders issued a strike in Starhaven, NY against the World Trade Center. With his ability to control the weather, the Tempest King and his Sin Raiders ushered in a life-threatening hurricane against the city. Soon, widespread destruction and loss of life came throughout the city. The metahuman known as Richter, with the ability to move the tectonic plates beneath the earth, caused a massive earthquake to hit the city. The epicenter of the earthquake was located beneath the World Trade Center resulting in the collapse of the Twin Towers. This event was recorded to have taken thousands of lives. It is recorded to be the Sin Raiders’ largest attack ever in their history. Although tragic, the United States of America refused to see this as defeat. Instead, it became an opportunity to respond without diplomacy: only justice. The events of September 11th, 2001, instilled a greater sense of fear towards metahumans. In the months following the attack, the heroic figures of the day worked tirelessly to establish a more positive and confident image of themselves. As they sensed the decline of faith in superheroes,  the American people became less reliant on those claiming to be their "savior" and were looking to President Hargrove for action. A response of war was made, but the American people nor the terrorists that attacked them could have anticipated what was coming next.

In Starhaven, NY, the United States government formed the Union of Order: A headquarters dedicated to mitigating the "metahuman problem" with science, research, and development. Government funding allowed this to become a new initiative beyond S.A.R.C that would establish a strong resolve against the metahuman problem. The registration of enhanced individuals further inflamed the nation, leading President Hargrove to believe that the 9/11 attack was, in part, a response to the S.A.R.C policy. The Union began to develop several other programs focused on combating against the diverse aspects of the metahuman problem. However, among the several programs, Project Ares was unique initiative tasked with fighting fire with fire.

Dr. Rupert Hathaway, a leading geneticist in the study and research of metahuman DNA, was appointed to spearhead the direction of the project. He was tasked with recruiting, researching, and studying metahumans for the program. Each candidate was put through rigorous testing and experimentation to understand their limits. Some were assigned to an official military response team against any current, past, and future terrorist attacks.

Survivors of the experiment were discovered to be short in number. Leaked confidential data that came from within the program provided insight of the projects' crude processes. As a result, both metahuman and human communities rioted throughout the city of Starhaven and nearby cities. Criminal activity increased significantly as law enforcement became overwhelmed or overpowered by metahuman rioters. Meta-attacks were on the rise following the "Metahuman Lives Matter" march on the capital. As this problem grew increasingly uncontrollable, the Union resorted to taking harsh measures to combat it: a draft.

President Hargrove emphasized the importance of bolstering the country's defenses during times of national insecurity. The belief of drafting metahumans into service was intended to enhance the country's safety and security. In a conflict involving metahumans, the United States recognized the need to deploy its own superhuman assets to counter growing metahuman threats. Enhanced individuals of all kinds either volunteered or were drafted into the operations associated with Project Ares. Neither of the two groups were fully aware of the Unions intentions.

## Fateful Crossroads

Years later, Project Ares continued to improve its direction for countering metahuman terrorism. Over time, the prevalence of people carrying the metagene increased, and with it, a growing paranoia towards the enhanced. Schools began implementing stricter security measures, airports underwent more rigorous screening procedures, and the segregation of metahumans and humans became even more apparent. For years, the Union fought hard in response to various metahuman attacks, but in time their efforts appeared to be in vain. Vain efforts that also extended to the war effort.

President Hargrove expressed urgency for the Union to address the ongoing conflict. She recognized the delayed justice for the September 11th attack, the failure to locate the Tempest King and his Sin Raiders, and the country-wide frustration at an elusive enemy. Numerous reports of various military operations from Project Ares indicated an increased loss of life in battle. The United States of America was steadily losing ground, and the desired justice was more out of reach with each passing day. As a result, Project Ares shifted its focus from divising a *defense* *against* those with the metagene to gaining *control* over them. By tapping into foreign resources, Project Ares pursued the development of an experimental serum that focused on altering the course of warfare. To administer the serum, Dr. Hathaway selected nine eligible candidates from across various military units based on prestige and their exceptional skill. The best of the best endured rigorous testing in order to survive the side effects of the serum. With this, they would embark on a new path setting the Union of Order into a more victorious outcome --- or so it seemed. Together, these nine would be called Elite.

In years past, the Unions various military operations often encountered enemies that seemingly overpowered them. The Elite became a response to the impossible when administered the serum. This would amplify the Elite's abilities, providing them with a vital advantage in battle. It was also modified to include a specialized power-blocking agent, enabling the Union to turn on/turn off the Elite's powers as needed. This was the Union's first step in taking control of the metagene. This Superion serum (Super Ionic Xenogene 7 or SIX-7) created the Elite to be the nation’s most efficient meta-military force in the world. They possessed remarkable abilities, an unwavering obedience, and were known for their unrivaled strength that surpassed anything ever witnessed before.

In the months following the success of the serum, it was discovered that its effects had gradually diminished. After prolonged use of their abilities, the Elite unknowingly depleted the serum in their bloodstream at an alarmingly fast rate. The serum's diminishing effects led the Elite into a period of withdrawal and indirectly created an addiction for the serum. Over time the serum's imperfections began to take a toll on the Elite's mental state. Random outbursts of anger, periods of extreme depression and moments of PTSD were among the many symptoms of the failing serum. As the Union began to slowly lose control of their assets, they provided extra dosage of the SIX-7. This enabled the Elite to continue in the war effort.

## The Elite Nine

Despite the negative effects of the serum, President Hargrove insisted on the continuation of the Project emphasizing its importance. During a classified mission on the island of Havenshine (off the coast of Argentina), the Elite soldier named Gamma Ray experienced a psychotic break. Possessing the ability to absorb and manipulate gamma radiation, it allowed Gamma Ray to also release powerful bursts of energy. His abilities were revealed to have expedited the depletion of the serum from his system. During a conflict with Sin Raider supporters, Gamma Ray's final act resulted in an explosive event resulting in the loss of thousands of innocent lives as well as his own. The Elite team also found themselves caught in Gamma Ray's blast radius. After the blast, they discovered the serum in their bloodstream had disappeared. The gamma radiation explosion completely vaporized any remaining trace of the serum inside them. The Elite were no longer under the control of the Union of Order. Recognizing their freedom and reflecting on the unnecessary lives lost, their leader Nucleon encouraged a decision to never allow this to ever happen again.

## The Worst Decision Ever Made

The morality of war slowly became jaded by the Union's delayed results. The goal they sought to accomplish became more distant with each passing mission. The event on Havenshine Island slowly became a tragic irony. The Elite were appointed to subdue metahuman terrorists, not become them. The outlook of metahumans, the Elite, the Union of Order and everything else was without doubt, the worst decision ever made by the United States government. Metahuman attacks persisted in Starhaven, NY and other cities, causing loss of life on both sides. The longer it took to capture the Tempest King, the more impatient the country became. A call for a new organization was needed. A team of heroes dedicated to equal rights for both metahuman and human alike.

## Superion Inc.

In the aftermath of Gamma Ray's demise and the civilians of Havenshine Island, a resounding plea was made for the Elite to secure a brighter future. Nucleon and the remaining Elite refused continued use of the Superion serum and embarked on a mission establishing a new order. This direction would go on to challenge the misleading ideals of the Union of Order as well as change the negative perception of metahumans. Together, they formulated the organization known as Superion Inc. The superion serum may have caused rampant destruction, but it would be the embodiment of "superion" within individuals to lead a new sense of purpose. The headquarters for this new ideal was placed in the heart of Starhaven city, taking the place of the now destroyed Twin Towers.  It stands as a symbol for metahumans everywhere. The Superions, and anyone who joins, have become the heroes of tomorrow in order to build a new age of ethical heroism and to deliver a cleaner justice.