Nigredo Fist/Chronicles
From Unofficial Handbook of the Virtue Universe
In here are stories of what happens to Albert while he's with New Age Mutants, with the SuperGroup in a coalition with the Global Defense Alliance. Other SGs there include: The Palladium Sentry, The Jadewire, and Black Cell.
Troubles seemed to be abrew, however. On approximately 26 Aug 2009, The Palladium Sentry broke away from the Global Defense Alliance. With much discussion with fellow officers, New Age Mutants has broken away from the Global Defense Alliance as well on 28 Aug 2009. On 29 Aug 2009, formed a re-alliance with The Palladium Sentry. In addition, New Age Mutants established an alliance with the Empire of Atlantis on 27 Aug 2009.
First Era
New Age Mutants and The Palladium Sentry
Very quickly did Albert gain the trust of New Age Mutants' leader, Gabriel Winter. In a short amount of time, Albert was able to display leadership, responsibility, and recognition of power. That, and all that he is able to contribute to others and the SuperGroup as a whole made him climb up the ranks very quickly, as he is now a Seneschal (or a Commander) within the SG, putting him second-in-command. While he doubts himself with this newfound responsibility, Gabriel keeps his faith in him, and this helps Albert accept his current role at NAM.
During the SuperGroup Fair that took place in Galaxy City's arena, Knight Sentinel (leader of The Palladium Sentry) expressed high interest in creating a coalition with New Age Mutants. At first, Albert was excited to have this coalition, as The Sentry has done many good deeds and seems to be pro-mutants rights. This, however, changed when Albert and two other members of NAM were given a tour of The Sentry's base and found that they have access to global surveillance. This immediately puts Albert at great odds with The Sentry, immediately displacing distrust against them.
As an agreement between Gabriel and Albert, they have decided to study The Sentry more. And this involved sneaking around their base finding out all they can. It seems that some of their answers were found in this crisis room of theirs. They found that they have access to many records. Many of which were unknown to the public. While it was explained that this crisis room is not intended for such use, it further disturbed Albert and fellow NAM member Enterphase that such information was readily available to The Sentry.
The Palladium Sentry recently had a meeting and when Gabriel abruptly left it, he contacted Albert to go in his place to, more or less, keep Enterphase company but to also get an idea on how The Sentry operated. To his surprise, he noticed some members there from The Jadewire there through listening to others' conversations, though later he thought this may have been something normal. Albert arrived after the meeting had ended and there was a social gathering with The Sentry and members of The Jadewire who were there. As they were dispersed due to a rescue mission, Albert was briefly left alone with The Jadewire's leader, Dark Zephir. After having been rejected and given bad lip service with passing on a simple message (regarding not signing coalition papers anytime soon with The Sentry), Albert found him to be rude and condescending, even to the point of mentioning that he had a superiority complex, which even further gives him reason to distrust The Sentry. He expressed his frustration with Gabriel as soon as he saw him.
That same night, Albert had attempted to get into The Sentry's system to find where exactly they were getting such information. Before he could get any farther, however, he was quickly found by Knight Sentinel, and immediately warned Enterphase that he had been caught. The bald man immediately intervened and Albert promptly walked away from the situation before Knight Sentinel could assume anything, though Albert is almost certain that ideas had already been planted in Knight Sentinel's mind.
A SG-wide meeting was scheduled to discuss what has been found within The Sentry and to come to an agreement to whether or not to form this coalition officially. As made obvious, Albert is against the idea of forming this coalition. He has great distrust against them, and further states that the only person he will be taking orders from is Gabriel himself.
Before the meeting, however, Albert had done a lot of thinking. He realized that all this time, he was only thinking of how he felt about this coalition and has put his personal and selfish views of life in the way of what's really best for NAM. He remembered that if you want people to trust you, you have to trust them in return. After a lengthy speech, Gabriel and Albert then agreed to form this coalition and join the Global Defense Alliance.
After the meeting, Albert was very surprised to see Dynnin assisting Knight Sentinel during this meeting and was very surprised to see him part of The Sentry. It seems like they have much to catch up on.
Some Revelations
Seeds of doubt has always been within Albert due to how he grew up, and how much he had to grow up at such a young age. While struggling to find the one he wants, a friend by the name of Engeles helped him with some sort of mystical aura that was placed within Albert to help him get a taste of life, per say. For that time being, Albert felt very good about himself. It was as if all doubts within him have been removed. The bad things he had gone through didn't seem to hurt so much at this point. It was a very good night, all thanks to Engeles.
Albert was called with his employer, Atlas Park's city hall (he's a city official after all), and was informed at 2:30 am that he needed to have a physical exam done, and this included getting blood drawn. Afterwards, Albert requested the nurse at Chiron Medical Center to give him a sample of his own blood for testing. Because of the resources The Sentry has, he became curious to know if his DNA would have any matches to the national homo superior registrar. In a way, to find anyone who was related to him. Albert was having a hard time decoding some IDs so he sought the help of NAM Mentor, Savage Nightshade. There were some shocking results.
It was found that a match by the name of Tracy Drakinsky was found, but she was unfortunately reported deceased. It can be assumed that this is his mother. He also found two matches that were of Canadian origin so no records were found. The last match, however, was found to be from a man named Sue Mandingo. Further research by Savage Nightshade revealed that this Sue Mandingo was a registered hero in Paragon City. And he went by the hero name, Enterphase. The data between Enterphase's DNA registrar entry and Albert's mutant DNA had a very accurate match.
This newfound revelation came at a fairly heavy price. It made Albert wonder all this time where his father had been, and why his mother vanished after childbirth. He also learned that Tracy Drakinsky was Enterphase's ex-fiancee until he was sent off by the army. Enterphase claimed that doctors have told Tracy that she is unable to bear a child so there could have been no way this was possible. Still, the DNA report that Albert had printed out and shoved at Enterphase's face showed otherwise. Albert was once again filled with a completely different void. All that time, he was forced to go through all he did throughout life when all this time, he had a father who was alive. After a screaming match between the two, Albert quicky turned his fists and punched Enterphase and transformed into his smoky mutant form.
Immediately, Gabriel tranquilized Albert and he immediately collapsed on the ground, turning him back into normal. He laid unconscious for a few minutes and woke up with his usual headache. It seems the magic that was worked within Albert previously had been nullified because of this newfound revelation. Doubts once again filled his mind. Uncertainty returned to him. Distrust filled his mind once more.
Though after having a discussion with Enterphase about his mother and with the way Enterphase talked about her, Albert came to accept that he really is his father. And he didn't seem like such a bad guy. This is when Albert finally gave his father the time of the day to explain everything. While he does not show it or express it in words, Albert has come to care about him a whole lot, as now he knows he has a biological relative and perhaps a further purpose with his "pathetic life", as he likes to call it constantly.
Ancient Rome (Cimerora)
There was a night when Albert got a distress call from others in NAM regarding Gabriel. After apprehending him in Steel Canyon with Keira Gale and Enterphase, Albert discovered that a Nictus has entered Gabriel's being. Immediately, Albert began gathering information about the Nictus and how to remove it from someone. So far, the only answer he has found are quantum crystals but that unfortunately kills its host.
After many hours of research and asking quite a bit of people, Albert decided that the best way to find out is to do some time travelling since that's where it happened. Though at the time, Albert did not feel strong enough so he trained. At this point, he feels that he is ready and find out exactly how Gabriel got this Nictus inside of him.
There came a night where Albert couldn't wait any longer and went to Ancient Rome (without Gabriel) with the trusted help of Molior, Savage Nightshade, and Jaden Drake from NAM, and his acquaintance, Joey. In the process, two of Molior's acquaintances also came along, and a distraught traveler. During this taskforce trek with Imperious, Albert found some answers on how Gabriel received his Nictus. To his surprise (and probably the rest of the team), they found technology that should not exist within this timeline and also found Fifth Column leader Requiem here. After defeating him, they went up against usurper Romulus.
While they defeated Romulus a first time, he came back even stronger merging himself with a Nictus. With this aid, Romulus was able to wipe out Albert's entire team with a few single strikes. Defeated, his team decided to retreat and go back to 2009. Albert has a score to settle with Romulus and make him talk. Molior later suggested that Requiem might have the answers Albert is looking for, though it wouldn't hurt to have Romulus and the Nictus inside of him defeated to see if answers can be obtained.
Missing Ralphie
Several hours prior to Albert making a trip out to Ancient Rome, Albert received an urgent message from other members of NAM that Radiation Ralphie is missing. He arrived at NAM base as soon as possible and tried to gather as much information as he can. NAM's psychometrist, Imperfect Future, tried all she could to locate him and see where Ralphie might be and all she saw were Ralphie in a foggy, unrecognizable place. And spiders.
Arachnos.
It was later found that Ralphie's last location before he became missing was the Paragon City University grounds in Steel Canyon and Albert sent Matt Ciprien and Imperfect Future to investigate. The only thing found of any significance was his communicator. No one on campus witnessed anything strange or unusual that day.
Albert was later contacted by Ralphie's father, Donald Morse, and begged for help. How could Albert say no at this point? Donald Morse is a technomancer, and after working his specialty around the base, Donald has concluded that a man named Die-Kut was the one who took Ralphie and the possibility that he is in The Isles was very very likely. To gain access to The Isles, Albert was left with no choice but to make illegal transactions with both a mercenary named Viktor Keravnos and a woman mastermind named Machina Mistress.
At this point, Albert feels that he has gathered all the information he can and they do not have enough information to go by to go to The Isles, as going there right now would be going there blindly. Donald also has said that he will be making rounds and gathering information. The two have decided to keep in touch for now, but time is of the essence.
Miscellaneous NAM Predicaments
Albert discovered that mentor Versalis Fayte and initiate Jacob Dawson have both obtained Kheldians, making them a Warshade and a Peacebringer, respectively. Sadly, they were about to discover that this comes with a price. Versalis' Kheldian, Gemini, is being hunted down by Jacob's Kheldian, Orion. Albert then knew that this would put their relationship at huge odds, despite Versalis being Jacob's adopted father.
After having a meeting with the rest of GDA concerning the addition of the SG The Tomorrow Project, Albert was checking things around the base when he was alerted of an intruder in base. The intruder was very vague, refused to explain anything after being asked as to why he was here and what his business was here, and proceeded to threaten Albert's life and Molior's. He seemed to have been cohorts with Jacob's Kheldian, Orion. Albert needed to alter their security systems so he told Molior to take care of the intruders. After Albert returned, he found that the intruder was still in base so he then asked Orion to leave and the intruder left soon thereafter.
As Albert returned to central control to make more alterations to security, one of the mentors Jaden Drake marched himself in central control and attempted to reprimand Albert for disallowing his friend to enter the base. He then explained to Jaden that he was an intruder since no one was aware of his arrival, and never stated what his business was. The wyrm then explained that Gabriel had given him a mission that meant protecting his life and it was not Albert's duty to know and that all he had to know was that the intruder was supposed to be helping them. Hearing that offended Albert a lot. Jaden didn't seem to understand that Albert had a duty to protect everyone in NAM, and it seemed like the wyrm wasn't taking anything for an answer or reason. So Albert then told Jaden to take care of all of this by himself, and he will stay out of it, nor does he care about what is going on. After exchanging a few choice words, Jaden left central control.
After hearing all of that, it seemed as if Albert has lost reason for being in NAM. The person he thought he could trust and has placed trust in, it felt to Albert that the trust he had placed in Jaden had been spit on. After all the time, effort, blood, and sweat he had put in the organization, the end result was disrespect and lack of communication on his end. At this point, he had thought of quitting the organization entirely. However, Molior had advised him to take some time off. Think things over. Clear his mind, and talk to the leader. Albert then later advised him that if he does not return within 4 days to consider him gone. Though, Molior knew better.
Of course, Albert had a lot to get out of his chest. As much as he didn't want to, he seeked out counsel from American Avenger., leader of the Assault team for The Palladium Sentry, and explained to him what has been going on. Albert figured that if he was going to use his talents, he would give his services to The Sentry and put him at their disposal. Mr. Avenger, as Albert likes to call him, agreed. However, he was, once again, advised, to talk to Gabriel about all of this. Additionally, he talked about a mission that was to take place on Sunday, July 5th in Strigal Isle. It was a perfect opportunity for Albert to give his services to The Sentry.
He then soon made a return to NAM base and explained everything to Side-shift, Enterphase, and Molior about his intentions. He would be working for The Sentry until he gets an explanation from Gabe, much to their dismay. Gabriel returned the next day and messaged Albert saying that they need to talk. And talk, they did. Gabriel explained to him that the mission that he had Jaden help with, Gabriel didn't want anyone else involved to begin with since it involved his daughter Vivian and his brother Michael. Apparently, Jaden insisted on helping so Albert assumed that Gabriel allowed him to just to shut him up. Gabriel made it apparent that his biggest fear within the organization was losing Albert. Being told how important he was as a part of the SG, Albert then agreed to stay in NAM.
Striga Isle Conflicts
(to follow)
The Slag and Atlas Park Conflicts
(to follow)
Rescuing Ralphie
(to follow)
Stealth Acquisition
After returning from a mission from assisting The Sentry in Croatoa and in The Hollows, Albert had a brief discussion about several things with good friend Aquila Hawk in Skyway City. After a very awkward conversation, Albert headed to Striga Isle to detain a few members of The Council when suddenly, Albert was abducted without being able to do anything. He was immediately apprehended by two men in a black ninja-type costume, and two women in a similar costume but in green. Of course, Albert tried to put up a fight. He was doing fairly well until his fists and feet were frozen with ice. Right before Albert was acquired, his hat had fallen off of him and into the water. Fearing that reinforcements would arrive immediately, these four individuals immediately took the nearest boat that was still bound to a dock and drove off while they had apprehended Albert. From the coalition communicators, sounds of commotion, fighting, some minor explosions, and yelling were heard right before he was apprehended.
Just then, future lawyer and NAM member Cyclone Shield (Chris) returned after two and a half weeks of inactivity due to state bar studies and decided to check out the base. After speaking for a bit with N'ur Head (Versalis Fayte), Chris had found an e-mail message in NAM central control. Retrieving the password from the A.I., Chris found the following e-mail message:
From: Anonymous [xxxxx.xxxx@xxx.net]
Sent: Friday, July 17, 2009 01:57 AM EDT
To: New Age Mutants General [general@newagemutants.org]
Subject: <blank>
Dear New Age Mutants,
By the time you are reading this message, you will have found that something important to you is missing. Do not worry. We only need to borrow it for a little while for undisclosed reasons, though we cannot say when it will be returned.
If you have any questions, please contact Cyclone Shield. Thank you.
Reading this e-mail, Chris was given the notion that it was a covert scientific group named Stealth who have acquired him. Contacting the coalition, Aquila Hawk and Dynara (both from The Sentry) immediately arrived so that Chris can share this information with them.
Because of his knowledge with Stealth, Chris immediately began researching more about Stealth. He did not think he would hear of them again but he was obviously mistaken, and he knew it would be a very big challenge to get any information out there. Though at this point, this was going off the assumption that this is actually Stealth. At the moment, Dynara and Enterphase went back to Striga to do some reasearch in the area that Albert was last heard from and found that his communicator was dropped in the water floating. His black hat was also found near the docks. What they found odd was that there seemed to have been a rope that snapped off the docks, indicating a fast getaway.
A few days later, Versalis received a phone call from a blocked number and instructed him to meet with him in Pocket D. This man presented to Versalis two things. One would be a pair of black rectangular sunglasses and a cel phone that he found on the shores of Cap au Diable. While Versalis did not seem to believe this man at first, he began reading names off this cellphone. Aquila Hawk, Dynnin, Gabriel Winter, Knight Sentinel, Side-shift, Versalis Fayte... just to name a few. After finally introducing himself as a mercenary of The Isles, he offered to sell Versalis more information about this organization that seems to have taken Albert. At the time, Albert seemed to have still been in Cap au Diable, but the man did not guarantee that Albert would remain there.
This man later contacted Aquila Hawk (Kyle) the next day with updated information. It seems that it actually is Stealth who had taken Albert and learned that he was brought there for experimentation. He did, however, make it a point to say that Albert was raising hell with those Stealth people and learned that the woman who had taken him in this warehouse was someone named Falcon Strike. That same night, Chris had found a forum website that spies on so-called secret and covert organizations such as Stealth and has tried to track their every move and his findings were consistent of the mercenary in The Isles.
Days later, it was discovered that Albert was moved from Cap au Diable to the Nerva Archipelago to possibly contain him better. The merc had called Kyle once again to let him know that he has been moved and Stealth seems to have found trouble keeping him contained and out of the public eye. He advised that this would be the perfect time to retrieve Albert, and guaranteed a safe passage to The Isles. For no extra charge. However, this man who called himself Viktor did offer his services in battle for a surcharge of one grand, but American Avenger. immediately declined.
Because of Stealth's involvement, Chris asked to help retrieve him. And retrieve him they did. They were taken to Nerva Archipelago and immediately, they found themselves immersed in water. Sure enough, Stealth was there. Fighting their way through, they found several Stealth commanders. In Nerva, they found Falcon Strike and Novum Eclipse. This is also where they would learn that Stealth has acquired the help of an organization that they feared they'd get. Arachnos. They found Scirocco lending some assistance, as well as some Arachnos lackeys. After defeating the two Stealth Generals and Scirocco, they learned that because of the troubles Stealth has been having, they moved Albert back to the warehouse that he was previously in Cap au Diable.
Quickly following their tracks, they headed for the Cap and went back to the warehouse that Albert was taken in. After destroying their surveillance, they immediately raided the warehouse in search for Albert only for them to run into more lackeys and more of Stealth's Generals, Freeze Blade and Magus Red. Sadly, they were also met with a Captain Mako. The Arachnos elite then got tired of their meddling so he immediately fled the scene. While there, however, they learned that Albert was taken to an actual laboratory this time and learned of two clone projects that Stealth had been working on.
Arriving in the laboratory, they found more of Stealth's lackeys and it became more and more apparent that these lackeys were a result of experimentation, genetic mutilation, and cloning. They didn't seem to have very apt minds to begin with and they were disposed of quickly. Defeating yet another Stealth General, they ascended towards the lab and finally found Albert surrounded by lackeys being lead to a room with a quantum tazer pointed at his head. Quickly, the others found him and Albert seized this opportunity to get the lackeys off of him.
Albert then lead the way in order for them to get out of here. Unfortunately, they were stopped by none other than a clone. A clone that looked very much like Albert in his mutant form. While it looked and fought exactly like Albert himself, it didn't have much of a personality and it seemed like all it was out for was blood. With the combined effort of everyone, they were able to contain it. However, they would then meet another one of these clones that seemed a lot more powerful than Albert's clone himself. A clone of Freedom Phalanx's Synapse. Like Albert's clone, it had no personality and it was out for blood. Unfortunately, they were unable to contain it as it ran away.
Despite being unable to defeat the clone, Albert made it a point that they needed to leave, and was very thankful that everyone helped him get out of there. Still, Albert felt like he could have prevented this entire ordeal, and has vowed to himself to take precautionary measures should Stealth attempt to do this once more.
Gabe's Sudden Departure
It was finally business as usual for NAM when Albert had returned. At the same time, Albert had realized that there had been a few things that had been going on with leader, Ghast Blade (Gabriel Winter). The only thing that Albert knew of what Gabe had been going through was something about his daughter Vivian and his brother, Michael. Though at the time, Albert had not realized it yet. About a week after Albert had been apprehended, he received a short note from Gabe in his office:
Albert,
- Gabe
Albert was afraid of two particular things. Whether Gabe was going to be alright, and whether he will be a good leader for NAM in his absence. The entire way, Albert questioned his leadership abilities and wasn't sure if they would follow him in the first place. But... this was what Gabe wanted and he was going to stay true to his wishes.
It took Albert two weeks to figure out or have any sort of idea why Gabe was gone in the first place and he realized it when they had received note that Jaden was not going to return to NAM as a mentor. Along the way, Albert would receive random and very vague messages from him giving a vague time of his return. Working out kinks and quirks within NAM (namely some members who need a fair amount of mentoring), Albert tried his best to keep NAM in one piece.
At approximately 17 August 2009, Albert was running errands and paying for the upkeep of their base when the registrar declared Albert the leader of New Age Mutants. While he thought this was wrong, Albert had been acting leader as is. He held a short meeting about this and expressed both his uncertainty and his expectations. He made sure to let everyone know that this was completely temporary and he would hand back leadership to Gabe as soon as he returned.
Then on 28 August 2009, Albert checked security logs (like he does every day or every other day) and noticed that an entry log by the user name "Ghast Blade" was recorded at approximately 1400 Eastern time. Did this actually mean that Gabe was finally back? Security tapes revealed that he was indeed back. And oh did he have a few choice words for the real leader of NAM.
The next day, Albert finally came face to face with Gabe. At the first sight of Gabe, Albert was very much speechless. So many thoughts raced in his mind. Emotion filled him. Just then, Albert threw a punch at his leader. It was difficult to say what Albert was really feeling but in truth, he was angry, lost, confused, and so happy that he was back. Gabe then vowed to never leave like he did again.
Leader Blues
(to follow)
NAM's End with The Global Defense Alliance
(to follow)
Second Era
Keep on Keepin' On
(to follow)
The Empire of Atlantis
(to follow)
The Tragedy of The Palladium Sentry
(to follow)
Praetorian Counterparts
(to follow)
Attack of the Mages
(to follow)
Departure from New Age Mutants
(to follow)
New Age
Reattachments
The Young Watchers
Interests
Romantic Interests
(to follow)
