Citizen V smiles at Fracture. "I thought you might pick that one. You'll note that it is self-repairing. Rips and tears will grow back within minutes. Useful with your particular talents."
Verdant -[sblock]Interesting. There is a song coming from Fracture's uniform. You listen closer and you hear an unusually ordered symphony - far too structured for normal plant life. You realize that the uniform is not made of typical cloth, but of a still living plant-like organism that is bred to 'stick together'. Very interesting.[/sblock]
"Now, on to business," Citizen V says.
Each of the screens fills up what appear to be military head shots of a variety of different men and women. Some of the photos look fairly old. Intermixed with these pictures are mug shots - some of those very same soldiers lining up with numbers below their profile.
"Two weeks ago, I was contacted by a group that was interested in my... assistance," Citizen V says. "They were after a rather interesting score, and thought I might like to partner with them. I rejected their offer and blasted them for their presumption in approaching me. Baron Zemo was never one for common thievery!"
Citizen V turns back to the group, and jerks a thumb at the screen behind him. "They are a mercenary group of thieves, and they call themselves the Rat Pack. All of them are ex-military. They are a mixture of special forces, regular infantry, pilots, etcetera. The only commonality among them is greed. And a decided lack of ethics."
Professional - [sblock]Oh boy. You realize you've trained quite a few of those grunts. Hell, the Rat Pack even offered you a permanent job. But it just didn't seem to be the job for you.[/sblock]The main screen changes to that of a single man. The picture is blurry, but it appears he is getting into a vehicle. You see black hair and a moustache. "This is their leader, who only goes by the code name One. In fact, the entire 'Pack use number designates for each member. Useful for both anonymity and tactics on the battlefield."
Screens nearest the main fill with a hodge podge of data on One. Criminal charges, supposed sightings, M.O's, etc. You see approximately ten different military records with different names. Apparently One has covered his own tracks quite well.
"One runs an effective unit of brigands. They usually target high-technology firms. Most of this technology - weaponry, mostly - they use or sell. Their estimated worth is somewhere in the $40 million range, based upon my own discrete inquiries. They have been known to target a variety of military branches across the world, but they have never hit S.H.I.E.L.D."
"Until tonight."
The screens change once more. Now they show scenes you're all quite familiar with. The so-called 'Day of Aggression'. The day when the alien race Chitauri invaded, and thousands died. Not just soldiers. But many across the United States died, as the alien ships crashed to the ground when the Ultimates finally overcame them. It was a great tragedy, but one that the Ultimates spin doctors say would have been worse, but for their own heroic actions.
"There is a warehouse, located in a district very similar to this, thirty miles from here. It is owned by Juniper Industries, but - of course - it is but a front for S.H.I.E.L.D. At this rather well-guarded warehouse sits the objective of the Rat Pack."
The main screen fills with the grainy image of a Chitauri warship. It is vaguely cigar shaped, with vanes and weaponry bristling at every angle. In the background you can see one of the Ultimates - Iron Man - destroying another warship by flying through the thing.
"From what I have learned, it is the only functional warship remaining on Earth. And the Rat Pack wants to make it theirs. They will attack this secret S.H.I.E.L.D. base at midnight tonight. They will kill anyone they come across." Citizen V pauses for a moment, then continues. "Not coincidentally, the Ultimates are on the other side of the globe. In Norway, for reasons unknown."
"Gentlemen... We must stop them."
