Nature Boys 2 The cross of the four

Chapter One: The Crack Left Open...

The people surrounded the area, for it was the news which suprised them most. Some said it was a bomb planted in that building: The Loyal Hospital, the pediatric hospital for cancer. The subject name was George Smith, less than an hour ago he was confirmed a mutant. The board of Astro Cities' Emergency Center (ACEC) had accepted the demand of McDougall's loan, lending him $100,000 only for his savior project. For eight months, the first prototype of the Mutant Hunter Force (MHF) had been developed for the purpose of avoiding another "disastrous event". In the eight months, two actions of Hunter Inc. were sued by mutants against McDougall's project and had lost the plead leading to a tasteful, lustrous victory. The project was again sued, but this time it was reinforced by the new members of With Mutants Support Group (WMSG), once again they lost the sue.

For the past months the Nature Boys are reminded as the creators of chaos. Dirty names and no thank you, even though, the Nature Boys were no more. Alex sat on his office chair, investigating the bomber case. It was strange and ironic that someone from the anti-bomb unit, blew himself up in a hospital. Alex knew George, a honorable mutant of peace, but people change or hide their true looks so it was hard to determine if he had commited suicide... Alex still searched from this mysterious case. It was as walking through endless, dark hallways knowing that you'll find only a dead end. In a way Alex did have a light, because he knew how McDougall had a grudge against mutants. It was suspicious, suddenly a mutant attacking humans (more importantly a good man). As a forensic scientist, Alex had all access to the scenes evidence. It took him by surprised that some of it was missing. He wondered why, already knowing who was responsable. Alex ought to find another "hall" toward the evidence. He encountered himself asking to a trustful friend for help: Kate. She brought a large, white box which contained "all" the evidence.
"Sorry, Alex. I thought everything was here." She apologized to Alex. He took out a skull from the box.
"Don't worry Kate, I have what I need" He said. For a minute of silence a question came out of Kate: How's Tim? Alex responded with "k" and that final sigh before departure, left Kate suspicious of what was really going on.

In September 29, 1990, The top story in the newspapers was of the forty dead politicians, confirmed that the cause were mutants. The board once again requested help from McDougall's projects, which wasn't finished because of the suing against the project(or so he says). It may take a little further, McDougall excused the project. Including that the money was not enough. Without other options the board granted more money to the project, with a limited time.
"McDougall, if you are not up for the job... We can always find someone else." The director of the board threatened. McDougall walked out with a peace (only expected in saints) towards the car, awaiting in the driveway. The street was full of people, after all it was the "Employ street". McDougall was reminded once he had traveled to New York. The automobilist stepped out of the car, well dressed in a tuxedo, to open the door. McDougall was now staring at Natalie. She carried a folder and a portable television.
"What do you want?" McDougall asked. She made the same, usual expression, rolling her light green eyes, she specified that the tenth exoskeleton suit of the project was just finished. McDougall only needed more money to make more, so he was sure that the board ought to give it to him.
"Reed wants no witness to know about this"
"You think someone knows?" He asked humorless. Natalie had proof that there was someone that soon enough would hold knowledge of this.
''I don't know him.'' Natalie had showed McDougall a photo from a security camera in the SWAT evidence room. He was telling the truth, in the other hand Natalie knew who he was. Natalie zoomed the photo in the portable, small television.
''Idiot, you were suppose to burn the evidence'' Natalie said, she hissed at McDougall.
''I couldn't burn it all. It would have been foolish and strange; so strange it would've attract too much attention to the project.'' McDougall was not wrong in this, but the dangerous Viperia thought differently.
''You will fix this! Kill him, do whatever you need to... Just get the evidence!'' She whizzed again, as McDougall advanced out of the black car, she threw a copy of the photo in the television. Viperia taunted him with a smirk combined with a wink of the right eye. He really despises her and viceversa. McDougall reached to his pocket of the fancy military suit he was wearing for his phone. A phone number he dialed. He called for a squad to search for a forensic researcher. He stopped for a second to look at the photo (It was black and white with a heart drawn around the forensic; an X on the SWAT), that contained the names.
''Look for Alex.'' The voice asked: anyone else? McDougall replied no.He was sure that a SWAT officer wouldn't hurt him, that he could take care of Kate. McDougall hanged the call, walking toward the building he was sure he would find Kate. McDougall had a little history with Kate. Meanwhile Kate's father was in work McDougall trained her to be a military officer. Sadly she dropped out, in search of revenge. He had also mentored Sally, so he was completely safe with Kate...But he couldn't promise anything to Kate. McDougall walked with the pace of a saint (slow, slower and slower), as he arrived to the front of the SWAT edifice. Kate was in the basement organizing the evidence, when McDougall had come down the stairs. Kate didn't see him standing in last step. A simple "uhm" was enough to alert her. Also, as she noticed him a strange ominous feeling came across the atmosphere, continuing looking with solemn eyes and poignant face. The strong feeling of sadness of the man that had trained her and make her become a SWAT officer. She hugged McDougall and kissed him in the cheek. Following the question: "why are you here?" McDougall answered... He said there couldn't be witnesses that he felt sorry he had to do such thing, McDougall held his gun against his back, noticing how hard was going to be to pull the trigger. Then he noticed the camera, recording everything. He asked Kate to come with him, she did come with him to the alley at the side of the building. McDougall apologized once more, he took out his gun without Kate having time to avoid it...The trigger was pulled.The bullet had hit Kate on the right side of the chest. McDougall had no longer sadness because now his life work could continue, only guilt. The gunshot was not heard by anyone in the edifice. He walked away, calling Mark again to send someone to pick her body. That there was only one more target he needed to take care of, Mark had already found the floor and office on which Alex worked.