A small island materialized on the horizon, a verdant speck amidst the vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean.

As they drew closer, Dashuan could make out the ramshackle compound that was half-made across its eastern shore. A hodgepodge of shipping containers, modular homes, and hastily constructed shelters formed a makeshift community that seemed to teeter on the boundary of collapse.

Air Force's grip on Dashuan constricted as they began their descent. "Home sweet home," he murmured, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Try not to get too excited by all the shit...Ultress made us a bunch of fuckin' commies a ways back--So say goodbye to personal stashes."

As they touched down on a cleared area near the compound, Dashuan was struck by the dichotomy of the island.

Beyond the haphazard collection of structures, the landscape was a vision of tropical paradise. Lush vegetation in a hundred shades of green carpeted rolling hills, while pristine beaches of white sand curved around crystal-clear lagoons. The air was heavy with the scent of exotic flowers and the salt of the sea.

Yet even in this idyllic setting, there was an undercurrent of tension.

Dashuan could see it in the wary eyes of the few people who emerged to greet them, in the carefully rationed supplies stacked in a central area, in the makeshift defenses hurriedly erected around the perimeter of the main hut.

Air Force stretched dramatically, making a show of his discomfort. "Great. More mouths to feed. As if we weren't stretched thin enough already...When the hell did they even get here?"

Ultress shot him a reproachful look. "Every life we save matters, Air Force. This isn't just about our comfort."

"Easy for you to say," he grumbled. "You're not the one who has to share a container with Sparky Mc-snitch over there."

Arc, who had been quiet during their journey, seemed to come alive as her feet touched the island's soil.

The constant stress that had marked her features for months began to melt away, replaced by a natural smile that transformed her entire demeanor into something beautiful.

"It's good to be back," she said softly, her eyes roaming over the compound and its inhabitants. "I didn't realize how much I missed this place until I couldn't be here anymore"

Dashuan watched her, a mix of emotions churning within him. He could see now why she had been so resistant to his attempts to disrupt the status quo.

This place, for all its flaws and limitations, represented hope-- a chance for Aberrants to live freely, away from the fear and persecution that plagued them in the outside world.

"I think I'm starting to understand," he mumbled, more to himself than anyone else.

Ultress overheard him and placed a hand on his shoulder as her rose-gold hair swished in the gentle breeze. "Come," she sounded. "We have much to discuss, and time is not on our side."

She led them to a larger container that had been converted into a makeshift command center just outside the main hut. Maps and charts covered the walls, interspersed with screens displaying data feeds from around the world powered by loud diesel generators. A group of people--– a mix of Aberrants and RedRevolt members were huddled around a central table, deep in discussion.

As they entered, the room fell silent, all eyes turning to Ultress. She nodded to them, her presence immediately commanding respect and attention as she gingerly stepped from the floating vehicle.

"Friends," she began, her voice carrying easily in the confined space. "I've brought us new allies, and with them, a plan that may be our only hope for survival."

She gestured for Dashuan to step forward.

"This is Dashuan. Many of you may have heard of him already as the man dubbed Titan. He's agreed to join our cause--the final piece to the puzzle needed."

There were murmurs of approval and curiosity from the assembled group. Dashuan felt the weight of their expectations settling on his shoulders.

Ultress continued her tone growing severe. "I wish I could say I brought only good news, but the reality we face is dire. Our latest intelligence suggests that the situation for Aberrants worldwide is even worse than we feared."

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She tapped a command into a nearby console, and one of the screens lit up with a global map. Red dots began to appear, spreading across continents like a virulent disease.

"Each of these points represents a confirmed Aberrant death," Ultress explained, her voice tight with controlled anger. "The data is incomplete --many deaths go unreported or are covered up--but even this partial picture is horrifying."

The room was silent as they watched the map fill with red, entire regions becoming a sea of crimson.

"Based on our best estimates," Ultress continued, "of the approximately 50 million Aberrants that manifested after the second eclipse, less than 10 percent have survived. And that number continues to drop daily."

Gasps and muttered curses filled the room. Dashuan felt his heart sink, the magnitude of the loss almost too much to comprehend.

"But that's not all," Ultress said, her voice cutting through the shocked reactions. "We've uncovered evidence of a new threat, one that could spell doom not just for Aberrants, but for all of humanity."

She pulled up another set of data, this one showing medical reports and genetic analyses. "We've detected a virus spreading among the human population. It's subtle, often asymptomatic, but it's already infected an estimated 150 million people worldwide."

"A virus?" Dashuan asked, confusion evident in his voice. "What does this have to do with Aberrants?"

Ultress's expression was grim. "Everything. We believe this virus is originating from us-- from Aberrants. Somehow, our altered genetics are causing us to act as carriers for a pathogen that humans have no defense against...and now that there are so many, it is running rampant."

The room erupted into chaos, voices overlapping as people shouted questions and expressed their disbelief. Ultress raised her hand, and suddenly, silence fell once more.

"I know this is difficult to accept," she articulated. "But we have two working theories as to the cause of this phenomenon. Neither is particularly comforting, but we must face the possibilities if we hope to find a solution."

She brought up two new displays, each filled with complex diagrams and data. "The first theory involves solar radiation. We know that the eclipses triggered the manifestation of Aberrant abilities. It's possible that continued exposure to specific wavelengths of solar radiation is causing ongoing mutations in our DNA. These mutations could be producing the virus as a byproduct."

Ultress paused, letting the information plunge in before continuing. "The second theory is... more controversial. Some of earth's researchers believe that the origin of our powers, and now this virus, may not be entirely terrestrial."

A ripple of unease passed through the room. Dashuan found himself leaning forward, hanging on Ultress's every word.

"There are patterns in the genetic alterations that don't align with any known natural processes," Ultress clarified. "Some have suggested that an extraterrestrial influence, whether deliberate or accidental, may be responsible for both our abilities and the virus we're now spreading."

The silence that followed was deafening. Dashuan's mind was trying to process the implications of what he'd just heard. Solar radiation or aliens--

Neither option seemed particularly comforting.

"I... I don't understand," he finally organized the words. "If we're causing this virus, why haven't we seen its effects before now? And what can we possibly do about it?"

Ultress shook her head, acknowledging the validity of his questions. "The virus appears to be more prevalent in unstable Aberrants. It's only now beginning to manifest in noticeable ways as more of them show up. As for what we can do..." She took a deep breath, her eyes scanning the room. "That brings us to our plan. A plan that, I warn you now, will be controversial and dangerous."

She straightened, her posture radiating determination. "We're going to start a war."

The room exploded into noise once more, but Ultress pressed on, her voice rising above the cacophony. "Not a war of conquest or destruction, but a war of necessity. We're going to provoke the United States into action against us, here on this island."

Dashuan's jaw dropped as his eyes widened. "You want us to fight the U.S. military here!? That's suicide!"

"Not fight," Ultress redrafted his words. "Surrender. Strategically."

She pulled up a new set of documents on the screen.

"Our goal is to force the United States to take us on as a protectorate. By surrendering after a brief show of resistance, we can position ourselves as a colonized territory. This will give us legal standing to negotiate for the rights and protection of Aberrants worldwide as refugees and asylum seekers."

The plan was audacious, bordering on insane.

Yet as Ultress laid out the details, Dashuan began to see the twisted logic behind it. It would give them a platform from which to advocate for their people on a global stage.

"And what about the virus?" Arc requested, speaking up for the first time since they'd entered the room. "How does this plan do anything about that?"

Ultress's expression unwound slightly. "By bringing ourselves under U.S. jurisdiction, we gain access to their medical and scientific resources. We can work with their researchers to find a cure or a vaccine. It's our best chance at stopping this before it becomes a global pandemic."

The room fell into murmured discussions, people debating the merits and risks of the plan. Dashuan found himself torn, seeing both the potential benefits and the enormous dangers.

"It's a huge gamble," he said finally. "If it goes wrong..."

"If it goes wrong, we're no worse off than we are now," Ultress finished for him. "But if it succeeds, we have a chance to save not just our people, but potentially all of humanity."

She turned to address the entire room once more. "I know I'm asking for an enormous leap of faith. But look around you. This island, beautiful as it is, cannot sustain us indefinitely. Our people are dying by the thousands every day. We must take bold action if we hope to survive."

Dashuan felt the weight of the moment pressing down on him. He thought of all the Aberrants he'd failed to save, of the countless others still out there, living in fear or ignorance of the threats they faced. He thought of the virus, spreading silently through the human population, a ticking time bomb that could destroy everything.

Finally, he nodded.

"Makes sense to me," he said, his voice steady despite the fear churning in his gut. "Whatever it takes to protect our people and find a cure for this virus."

One by one, others in the room voiced their agreement. Even Air-Force, after a long moment of sullen silence, gave a curt nod after being stared at by Ultress. "Fine," he lamented. "But when this all goes to hell, remember I told you so...The only good human--Is a fucking dead one."

Ultress smiled at the RedRevolt members who moved slightly away from the man. "Then it's settled. We have much work to do and little time to do it. Let's get started."

As the room bustled with renewed purpose, Dashuan found himself staring out a small window at the peaceful island beyond.

Soon, this tranquil haven would become the focal point of a conflict that could reshape the world. He only hoped they were making the right choice.

The sun began to set over the Pacific, painting the sky in brilliant hues of orange and purple.

On this small island, a plan was set in motion that would determine the fate of Aberrants and humans alike. The war for survival--and for the future of two species, was about to begin.