To my fellow Americans.... [Invite only]

Adam looked at himself in the mirror, his once matte black mane of hair now a shore crop of salt-and-pepper. He had grayed visibly around the temples while the top remained dark. His few colleagues said he had aged well, though he disregarded their words as sycophantic nonsense aimed at bolstering his ego so that they themselves might advance to whatever personal goals they held. It was the way of politics, offer friendship in one hand while keeping a dagger in the other. The most timid and inconsequential men could become the next big force on the world stage given the chance. He himself had proven that. He had been a simple soldier who got lucky. Lucky? No. No, Adam was the unluckiest son-of-a-bitch on the planet. He had thought the United States military the greatest force on earth, a thing so powerful that not even an empire that controlled over a third of the world had been able to stop them. That comfortable illusion had been shattered very quickly when he became the acting of head of Dominus, then a fledgling version of itself. He had seen it back then, little more than vigilantes with rich backers. When the government had put him in charge, that had changed. What was once a ragtag band of people desperate to protect their great country from harm was now the premier organization on the world stage. Dominus was his, he had made it everything it was today. Still, the bureaucrats liked to think that they were pulling the strings, when the real puppet master was far more subtle. He had been given one metahuman -a little girl named Sheryll- to work with, that was all. He had turned that little girl into the ultimate weapon for nearly twenty years, even as he built up the rest of his forces. Others came or were brought to him with time, some still lived, others had been dealt with. That fool Lucius had believed himself safe due to a few robot copies. Adam had eliminated him.

Sighing, he straightened his tie and donned his coat, a blue overcoat that matched his pants, a small American flag pin was attached to the lapel. As he turned, brushing his firm hand over his hair to tidy any unruly strands, he thought on it. How everything in his life had led up to this moment. Now was the first time he was truly alive. Everything from here on out was his own doing. Adam looked up at the clock, only a few minutes before 2:00 o'clock. He was set to arrive at the podium at exactly 2:01, giving time for all the audience members to seat themselves and the vultures operating the cameras the precious few seconds needed to make last moment adjustments to their little toys.
Adam exited the dressing room and walked to the just behind the curtain. Only thirty seconds until he would go out.

The man before him was dithering about, trying to extend his stage time like an amateur. No matter, a voice had already announced his name and the curtain behind the podium was opening to reveal a thin white sheet that spread the length of the stage. At the very edge on each side of the screen was a thin metal piece keeping the length rigid and unwavering. Good, it would help convey the point up until its destruction.
Sighing one last time before he walked out, Adam began his march to the podium. The lights had dimmed slightly while the podium seemed brighter, a small effect added for obvious reasons. As he got to the podium, he cleared his throat softly and looked out onto the audience, the veritable bouquet of mics in front of him doing nothing to hide his visage.

"My fellow Americans, I would like to start by thanking you for taking the time to listen to my words. In this day and age it's important that we have responsible people who take an interest in such important matters as these. Now I'm not just speaking to those present, I also mean the folks tuning it at home. Each and every one of you has taken the time to listen to me, and I thank you for that. Of course, this is about more than America isn't it? This is about the world as a whole. These United States will be the birthplace of a new era for everyone. An era of peace and security from a threat greater than any we have faced before." He stopped, allowing the words to sink in for only a moment.

"I speak of course, about Metahumans. Now I'm sure some of you are wondering what I mean. Aren't metahumans our protectors? Well my fellow Americans, I ask you in response: protection from what? Have you guessed it? That's right: other metahumans. Now there are those among you who are probably thinking things like 'Phoenix saved me from a mugger' or 'Sul-Fury stopped a bank robbery'. That is a job for the police, a job they do exceedingly well and with far less collateral damage I might add. Look out at New York city, one of our nation's biggest and most historical cities as it is today. Who caused that? It wasn't a terrorist with a bomb, nor was it a declaration of war from a hostile country. It was metahumans. The city where so many souls dwelt now lies in ruins because of them. Have any of them offered to help rebuild it? Not one. It's obviously not a matter of cost since I've seen that at least a good portion can afford gunships.
The Talons, for example, who came to our so called 'heroic rescue' did little more than engage in wholesale slaughter and as soon as the bloodbath was complete, they disappeared, only to appear again when -you guessed it- more metahumans attacked. These so called heroes don't care about rebuilding or evening protecting you, all they care about is fighting. They haven't made any effort to rebuild the city or even turned themselves in for breaking numerous laws regarding vigilantism or destruction of public property. Do they believe themselves above the law? Above you, simply because they have a special power? It seems so. Though, perhaps I am being too hard on them. They're only children after all. Perhaps I should focus more on the United Nation's personal hit squad, who call themselves G.U.N.. Our great and noble protector Pain has disappeared, and the remnants of his organization have scattered, leaving little more than rogue vigilantes and groups of misguided children to fight against the growing threat to national security."

He paused, taking a breath. He was allowing his own personal fervor to surface far too much. It was not yet the time.

"I'm sorry, I'm sure I'm must seem biased, I've only criticized those who believe they are helping, even if their definition of help is far from my own. Please don't think I'm not grateful for their assistance regarding such threats as those posed by Doctor Necrodium or the likes of the Harbingers. I only wish to point out that the threats they are stopping are not domestic or even foreign, but coming from themselves. Metahumans as a whole have done little to better our world and have served only to destroy it. That is why Dominus exists, to protect the world from metahumans using good old fashioned soldiers and elbow grease. We are the first line of defense against the metahuman threat. Now, there is more, but first I must say something. I do not blame people for being born metahuman, for you cannot help your genetics, why even my very own adopted daughter is one." He stopped, allowing a brief moment of silence and looking away from where the cameras were.

With a quick motion, he signaled his aide to send out Lilia. This was the moment of truth.

The frail looking ballerina stepped lightly out from behind the curtain, her golden-brown locks tied tightly into a bun. Adam had had her wear a tasteful business dress and low heels. As the poor girl reached him, he felt a small twinge of satisfaction. The Russian government would undoubtedly recognize her. She had been one of their greatest dancers after all.

Adam turned back to the podium and placed his hand lightly on the girl's shoulder, a small smile visible on his face.

"This is my daughter Lilia, though she does not share my blood, I love her like my own. When she was little more than twelve years old, she was kidnapped by a group of metahuman terrorists bent on using her as a weapon of mass destruction. You see, Lilia has a power both beautiful and deadly" he said, squeezing her shoulder lightly. A gesture they had practiced.
The girl's fair skin quickly became a shimmering crystal as she engaged her powers, holding them for only a moment before resuming her normal state. Adam smiled and continued speaking.

"However, before they could brainwash the poor girl, a squad of Dominus troopers rescued her. In the six years that have followed, I brought her into my home and raised her as my own, all while tirelessly searching for her real family..." He continued, stopping only momentarily -as if he had developed a lump in his throat-.

"It was only today that I found them."

Adam moved away from behind the podium and stood behind Lilia, motioning as a two people came out from the opposite side of the curtain.The two appeared to be her parents, a small woman and a thick man of low class, his beard large and his eyes sad.In reality, the two were actors, each one given plastic surgery so flawless, not even their own parents would know them. Lilia's real family had been found and terminated, their corpses hidden away and used as reference for the surgery.

"Lilia, these are your real parents" he said softly into the girl's ear. He didn't care if she understood or not. He had rehearsed a similar scenario with her a thousand times, what mattered was the small push he gave her, signalling her to walk to the pair standing on the opposite end of the stage.

Tears formed in the girl's eyes as she rushed across, not wasting a moment before the pair embraced her and slowly walked off the stage where the poor girl began to sob inaudibly. Her tears hadn't been filled with joy, rather, they were her only way of honoring her now dead parents, whom Salt had showed her in the morgue. Adam returned to the podium and wiped a false tear from his eye.

"That is why Dominus exists. We aren't G.U.N., we aren't the government's sword for killing those they are afraid of. No, we are the shield of the people. We are here to make it so no one will ever lose a loved one to a metahuman threat ever again. That is Dominus." He stated, smiling softly as the white screen that stretched the stage behind him suddenly ignited, a thick flame that lasted only a moment as it consumed the paper. Behind it stood a row of Dominus troopers, each one decked out in full combat regalia, save their helmets, which they each held under their arm, while a rifle was slung across their shoulders.

"These are the men and women who give their lives to protect you, each and every one of them is a hero and have my deepest respect and admiration. Each and every one of them is out there every day holding the line. Each and every one of them is human. Unmodified and 100% trustworthy. Each and every one of them has a family. Each and every one of them has a name. Something most metahumans seem reluctant to admit they possess. I am Adam Paxton, leader of Dominus. That is my name. Everyone knows it and I am accountable for my actions as such. Phoenix, if you're watching this, do you have a name? Pain, do you have one? Do any of you out there have a name, or has your own egotism allowed you to discard that simply because you were born with a special talent?" He said, his own voice carrying throughout the room.

Adam swiftly moved back to the podium, his posture rigid and his eyes alight with passion.

"My fellow Americans, nay, my fellow humans, we need to hold these people accountable for their actions. Each and every one of them. That is why I am proposing the Dominus Unification Act, where any metahuman will be required by law to reveal their identity to their country of residence' government and join Dominus as a special operations agent. Ladies and gentlemen of the world, help us pass this bill into law. Ladies and gentlemen, help us bring about a safer tomorrow. Ladies and gentlemen, help us, help you." He said, holding his head high. The lights on the podium dimmed, and he walked into the shadow.

Andrew sat in the Talons living quarters with the four members of his team. He felt a chill with the words that came from Adam's mouth.
He knew that his visions were starting to unfold. Andrew had done the best he could to prepare his team, but his visions were very blurry. Mostly just shadowy figures killing off meta humans. He was still trying to figure out how the different colored eyes played into this, but in due time it would all play out. It was a short time ago The Talons saved the world. The assault on New York was first, they had helped fend off the fleets of all sorts of threats.
The Attack of Holocaust was next. Phoenix had given his life, to save everyone from his evil counterpart, or so he thought. Elena Marie from the reverse dimension had managed to save Andrew's life on a whim. He was sucked into another dimension. One of Magic and Sorcery instead of science and technology. His visions there from Elena had all lead to this moment.

Turning to his Team, Andrew stood up and began his speech to the higher ups. "Well here it is guys, what we've been waiting for. I can't exactly tell you everything is going to be ok, 'cuz it isn't. Things are about to get really ugly."
The look of his team was that of a defeated sports team. They all had just given their all to save this planet, and now they were being picked on like criminals. He couldn't help but feel a bit of anger. His parents had died in the attack by Holocaust, and he wanted his message now more than ever to be heard. His friend Pain was now where to be found, after multiple attempts at contacting him. One by one the Talons began looking around waiting for someone to speak. Gabriel looked like he was about to say something but ended up just closing his mouth. "I haven't had the one on one time with you all that I would've liked to before this. It sucks,but this is the hand we got dealt, let's play."

More lives were at risk now than the Assault and the Holocaust attack combined. The world was but a board in the sick game that was about to begin, and we the people were the pieces. Adam was trying to turn everyone against the very heroes risking their lives to accomplish tasks the police fail. Phoenix gathered a few thoughts while still staring at the TV. At Adam's ugly face. "I'd like to see an officer take on Vexus or Paine." he thought to himself.
The once joyful and immature kid in him was gone. When he failed to save those closest to him, a piece broke. He had been trying hard to fix it, but nothing seemed t keep it together. He wanted only justice in this world now, and he would se to it that we got what he wanted.

Pressing the button on his dog tags to communicate with all Talons and honorary Talons, Andrew began speaking. "This is a call to all of you. We need to prepare for something awful about to occur. Meet at the HQ for more details. A storm is coming, and we need to be ready to tackle it." A.I. pulled up some of the files on weapons some of Paxton's soldiers had used when they were attacking Doctor Everyone. The team took time going through them, but Phoenix knew this was only the surface. This organization was hiding something. A weapon. That's when it all hit him. Their secret weapon would be the pair of eyes Andrew had seen in his visions. The question was, who did they belong to? Even Elena Marie couldn't fully prepare the hero for what was coming his way. The world as everyone knew it was over. Things were about to change. Andrew just hoped everyone was ready. He looked around for a moment and suddenly his eyes widened. "Has anyone seen Tyuki?"