PREVIOUSLY: Projekt Unmenschliches.

That is the dreaded name of a Nazi operation housed in a secret installation in the heart of the Artic, which was ruined by the Allied Forces. If it were not, the Nazi would have turned the tides of war to their will. S.H.I.E.L.D., the government agency that was pending investigations on the installation after the war, discovered much of its past records and a journal detailing events that took place before the bombing. They knew that to revive the project would not be a success, given that they do not have the right technology and the right man to utilize it.

2002; that man is Reed Richards.

The proposal was denied. Reed then hired his own team and went straight to the Artic against S.H.I.E.L.D.'s behest. But the team was met by Baron Blood, a Nazi vampire who was preserved under the icy catacombs of the Artic. The creature was successful in transforming most of the team into vampires and attacking Reed, but not before he was saved by Steve Rogers, mysteriously having super powers. The jaded soldier then guides Reed to the source of his powers, to a man (or inhuman) known as Black Bolt.

Meanwhile, a mysterious "Mister Millions" offered his help to Reed's research, but S.H.I.E.L.D. is on the edge to make sure that his help will not reach Reed. Ever.

"Kind of…steep," Reed pointed out, as Steve Rogers dropped to a lower cliff. The scientist grabbed a piece of rock, and climbed his way down, landing on the rocky platform, panting. "We must make our way carefully, the ledges are quite weak," Steve replied. He took a deep breathe, and leaping down onto a steep rock formation, sliding his way down deep into the bottom of the wide crevice. Reed followed suit, only to be tumble down, until he reached the edge, grabbing hold of the edge in time. Letting go, he found himself falling deep into the deep gap, only to find himself being reached out by Steve, grabbing his collar. "Hold on," Steve cried, and he suddenly dive-bombed, dropping both of them onto the ground. Reed tumbled onto the rocky ground, and Steve dropped perfectly on his two feet. "Are you okay?" The soldier asked, his hand reaching for Reed's, and lifted him up.

"Yes…pretty fine," he replied, brushing the dirt off. He then turned to view the bottom. There were miles beneath the surface before they had dropped down into the crevice and now so much more. But now at the bottom, he never expected there to be a massive, lush jungle. Reed was speechless, trudging across the green grass, following Steve's lead. The soldier led him across the bushes and the trees, to a spot in the heart of the jungle, a lake, which its waters were green as emeralds and clearer than diamonds, steam slowly evaporating on the surface "Speechless?" Steve asked, and Reed, who somewhat developed a locked jaw, nodded. The scientist took a test tube and slowly took some from the lake, and placing it in his pocket.

"Over here then."

The scientist followed once more, not taking his eyes off the lake. But Steve tapped him on the shoulder, and motioned him to look forward. Before them, there were two men, one was cloaked in black armor that seemingly had metallic wings and was encased in a green crystalline formation rooted deep beneath the ground. The other seemed fish-like, with scales, and had webbed feet. Steve knelt before the first one and acknowledged the other. "Triton," he uttered, and the other one bowed. "We must speak with Black Bolt. This is…"

"Reed. Reed Richards."

Triton snorted, eyeing the scientist with less than keen interest. "Outsider, he is an outsider," he muttered, then turned to the soldier. "You have been blessed with uncanny power, and you've been considered one of us, Steven Rogers, but…"

"He is of good heart." Steve replied, defending Reed. "I can sense it."

"Well, and who gave you the power of seeing through men's hearts? Let Black Bolt decide, for he is still the son of the king, despite his long exile."

Deep beneath the crystalline, the figure stirred, as listening. His head turned towards Reed, who bowed with sincerity. Black Bolt did not smile, but only nodded. Triton then turned back to Steve and sighed. "It is in his wishes then, Steven Rogers. Let your human friend have his audience."

Steve backed away, and Reed slowly walked towards the figure in the crystalline. Reed stared up at it, eyeing the one called Black Bolt.

"Make your request, human," Triton grumbled. "He is waiting."

"I'm sorry, I…" Reed was out of words. A great mystery stood before him, and he had so many questions. "I…I want to know…what really happened here?"

Black Bolt did not move his lips. In silence, he closed is eyes and Reed waited. A few minutes passed by, and he opened his eyes once more, and gestured to Triton.

"Grumph…well then, human…"

Janet van Dyne tapped her office table quietly, silently passing the time in thought. In front of her, Hank Pym paused, and then gently pushed his rook towards her bishop. "Not a bad move," Hank muttered. "What do you think?"

"Huh? Wait…wait, oh. It's good." She slumped back on her chair, and sighed. She then pushed her pawn across the board, eating Hank's other pawn.

"You okay?"

"Oh…yeah, sure. Just fine."

"Well, you don't look so good," Hank replied, taking his knight across the board, placing it right before Jan's queen. "I know something's bugging you. General Ross and his Operation Betty Boop Two?"

"Sort of. I don't know anymore, Hank. As a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent, it seems quite reasonable, but…I'm sorry, I'm bogging you down with these problems…"

"No…no, Jan, that's fine. Let it all out."

Jan sighed, grabbing her queen, and eating Hank's knight. "Well, it doesn't seem right. To kill Reed? Just because we don't want this to blow over with scandals? I mean, even if this is Mister Millions we're talking about…"

Suddenly, the alarms began to ring across the building. Through the speakers, General Ross' voice echoed throughout the headquarters.

{…All engineers prepare at your designated positions for Operation Betty Boop Two…I repeat…}

Hank sighed; his rook topples Janet's queen down.

"Jan, hon, you better do something. You're S.H.I.E.L.D.'s top agent, and I'm sure that gives you some credibility with the higher powers. You have to stop Ross before this whole thing topples down on all of us. And believe me; this will cause more suspicion than Reed's discoveries."

Jan stared at the toppled queen. Hank took the phone of the side of her table and handed it to her. "It's all up to you."

"Home.

"It was eons ago, when and before the great reptiles roamed the earth, there were two forces; the creator and the devourer. The creator was the life force of all things, creating as his namesake suggests. The devourer…for him, for every life that begins, one hundred shall end. He leaves destruction in its path, paving death across the stars.

"It was during a brief meeting, that the two titans clashed; and after, the creator was faced with a dilemma. Was there any way to stop the devourer? Was there a potential threat? Wandering planet after planet, the creator saw a solution. With the help of his children, the creator summed a chosen few from the primary race of the planet, and genetically altered them with the help of a cosmic essence known as Terrigen, hoping that one day they would be able to halt the coming of the devourer.

"So far, no race had succeeded.

"On Earth however, the creator has sensed something powerful. There was an aura surrounding the live planet that does not compare to others. Was there hope for this tiny planet to turn away the devourer? Immediately, he began subjecting a chosen few to Terrigen, ultimately creating several sub-races. Among the races, the Inhumans were created deep in the cold mountain ranges of the Himalayas, and were chosen to guard the secrets of the Terrigen Pool, leftover Terrigen condensed into the liquid form.

"Over the centuries, there were rumors that they were other Terrigen Pools left unordered in the world, and then-ruler Agon chose one of his sons, Black Bolt, and a team of Inhumans to scout the world for these other pools, and permanently destroy them. I, Triton, was part of his team.

"A year before the beginning of the second great war, there where…humans who discovered this Terrigen Pool in the undergrounds of the cold Artic. Unfortunately, Black Bolt arrived too late, and was captured and subjected to horrendous tests, that being those humans had siphoned most of his power, and gave it to test subjects of their own. Thus, artificial Inhumans, or the term they gave them, Unmenschliches, were born.

"Black Bolt and I were chained deep in this crevice, and he was weakening, slowly dying. It was when most of the walls of the caverns caved in, and the other Inhumans escaped, that we were freed by them from the shackles of those abhorred humans. "Steven Rogers had tumbled upon us, and Black Bolt, sensing the good heart deep within him, gave him his powers. However, Black Bolt was weakened so, to the point that he encased himself in a crystal cocoon, entrapped within until he fully recovers from the exploitation of the humans.

"Over years, it seemed that we were the only survivors left in these caverns. And the nefarious creature who made it so, killing all those who cross his path. Hopefully, once Black Bolt is renewed, we can escape. Escape and return to the peacefulness of our city. Forevermore."

As Triton concluded his tale, he sat on a soft patch of dirt beside the crystal housing of Black Bolt and sighed. Reed turned to Steve, whose eyes were asking if he were satisfied. Suddenly, his headset woke to life, startling everyone.

[…REED! Thank…thank god, I thought…with Dugan injured and Nicholas dead…]

"Percy?" The scientist pulled down the microphone, and began adjusting its frequency. "Quick, how'd you get contact?"

[I had help from someone and their satellite uplink...listen, here's the scoop. Just tap onto the sonic disruptor in your watch, and we'll pick up its frequency by sound trail. It's a S.H.I.E.L.D. watch isn't it?]

"Of course…but there are bats here, and we're risking drawing them out in the open. Vampire bats, Percy."

[…That's fine; I had my own encounter with the real deal. Nicholas became a vampire, Reed! What the hell's going on?]

"It's the Baron's work," Steve said to Reed, suddenly becoming concerned. "Baron Blood is responsible for all this. I presume you would have seen him by now, swooping figure with wings?"

"Done," Reed said.

[Reed! Look, whatever's going on here, we need you out of there! Even with the bats relaying sonic frequencies, sonic disruptors usually have a different vibration. I can pinpoint your location and get you out of there.]

"Fine, that's good enough for me." Reed grinned a bit. "Just follow my signal, and I'll be out of these caverns."

"I'll fly you out," Steve offered. "We can avoid the creature that way. And Triton can…Triton?"

The two turned back to the Inhuman, who lay slumped on the ground stained in blood. Suddenly, two claws grabbed Steve from behind, and threw him across the jungle. Reed turned, only to find himself under the thrall of the man-bat monstrosity of Baron Blood.

"Yes."

Thunderbolt Ross stood before the launch scene, as the crew made post-preparations for the next batch of stealth bombers. The platform he was standing upon was slowly brought down by the cranes, placing it on solid ground. The general and the head mechanic stepped down, and walked amongst the crew working on preparing the other planes. "Interesting post-facts of our operation, general. Within 15 minutes, the bombers should be able to reach the…the…"

"Schwarzer Schatten. It's a Nazi facility, Banner."

"Yes! Yes, yes…and they should be able to launch the prototype gamma bombs me and Reed designed, for…"

"I know. For military defense against terror factions."

"Yes, well, in a way…are you sure this area is uninhabited?"

General Ross turned to him, and a grim look in his eyes, and left him standing on the runway. Banner stared down onto his clipboard and sighed.

"Twelve minutes and six seconds, and counting…"

"Damn it…what the…"

[SCREEN OUTPUT]

Operation Betty Boop: 2
Access Code:
12 mins. 4 secs._

"Jan! Did the Secretary of Defense tell you…?"

"What? What's going on?" Jan stood behind him, eyeing the screen. "Shoot. He's launched the stealth bombers already. Can you hack this thing? Get his location."

Quickly, Hank began accessing the mainframe, steadily following her instructions. After a few minutes, the screen lit up.

Operation Bet13$(@f#^3190
9#@*(#-89$@(-090-ui$(@
8 mins. 40 secs.
*(^*****************************%&*

…Frt. Salsburo, Colorado Rockies.

"Salsburo," Jan grumbled, grabbing her cel phone. Dialing the number she had in her hands, and she waited for a few moments. "Hello? Yes, I want to speak with…no, no this isn't another embassy complaint. No, I have no appointment, but when there's an emergency…what? Please, just let me…" For the next few seconds, Jan was caught in silence. Then, with a gulp, she held her cel phone firmly.

"…Mr. President?

"Sir…we have a major problem."

7 mins. 23 secs

The Baron's grip was quick and deadly, instantly pulling Reed to him. "Amerikanisches Blut," the creature muttered, only to have Reed kicking himself away from the vampire. Steve grabbed the monster's neck, and slammed them both into the wall of the gap. The strength of the tremors that followed began to resonate deep in the chasm. Reed instantly tapped twice unto his watch, and a sudden alarm raged throughout the caverns, awaking multitudes of vampire bats that began swarming above the crevice. "Sure they got my location now," Reed muttered, as he cushioned Steve's fall. The Baron then flew into the air, outwards from the chasm. "Have to-Have to…to get out. Out," Reed muttered, and Steve acknowledged it, grabbing Reed and taking off after Blood.

The vampire, who saw them behind him, called onto his bats and the creatures flew towards Steve, all at once clawing and biting his flesh. "Coward!" He yelled, dropping Reed onto the floor. Steve rolled back onto the ground, as more bats began surrounding him. Reed ran back for the man, only to find that Blood was in his way.

"Too long have I waited for this moment," He began in a lustful tone, in what seemed to be heavily accented English. "And your blood I will savor." The creature raised his claws and slashed Reed's shoulder. Stumbling back, the scientist found himself being thrown onto the floor by Blood, next to a sharp rock. Immediately grabbing hold off it, Reed slammed it straight into Blood's stomach. The vampire screeched, flying upwards into the air. In what seemed to be his victory, Reed rushed to help Steve. "Yo-your dev-vice will not save him, Blut Sklave!" Blood yelled after him, as he lifted the rock from his stomach. "My children only listen to one sound…the sound of my voice. And there is nothing that will stop them. Not a thing."

Reed pulled the wounded soldier away from the bats, who seemed to follow them despite their irritancy to the sonic disruptor's alarm. Stumbling to stand on his own two feet, Steve was grabbing rocks, hopelessly throwing them at the bats to drive them away. Still, they were hit by barrage after barrage, until both fell, blood trickling from their wounds. Baron Blood landed in front of them, his two bat-like limbs kicking dirt in their faces. "Once, I considered myself the best of all predators," The vampire whispered to them, its bats flocking on his shoulders, arms and back, as if extensions of his body. "I chose my prey wisely. Now I am a beast of hunger, ravaged and destroyed by your kind. And I ask you; why?" He knelt and lifted Steve's head to meet him face to face. "Why, Amerikanisch? Why sixty years of hellish torment? I could have given you eternity…Why?"

"Liar," Steve sputtered, trembling in anger. "Filth. Monster. S'what you are. You never chose your prey. Just kill anything in your way. Even the Unmenschliches. You killed them."

"I ally myself with those who are worth fighting with, fool. I ally with those who are worth living."

"You allied yourself with the Nazis. Goes to show what you are, a filthy, no good mons-"

"ENOUGH!"

The Baron slammed his claw onto Steve's chest, and the soldier sputtered blood on the ground. Reed was amazed that Steve still kept his calm contempt even after. "W-why, Blood? Why si-s-ixty years of hounding you, keeping you at bay? Because…someone. Someone had to stop you."

Suddenly, Steve's hands grabbed Blood's shoulders, and suddenly pushed them both towards a stalagmite. Reed shut his eyes, as the instantaneous moment passed in darkness with a bloodcurdling howl of death. Opening his eyes, Reed found the vampire impaled in the chest on the wall, but along with him, a brave soldier, ready to meet the end. They were both barely breathing, and the monster was staring at Steve face to face, his voice in fear and surprise. "Die…I can't die. I…"

"Y-you told me…once. You have no heart," Reed stuttered at Blood, every word growing faint. "You…died a long…long time ago…"

The vampire bats began to disperse, seeing that their master is finally dead, and fled from the caverns free at last from his thrall. Reed pulled Steve from the stalagmite, and placed him on the floor, checking the blood loss and his pulse. "It's…it's so beautiful…" Steve began muttering, as Reed held fast on his hand. "Gail…it's…I can't really say…"

"Steve," Reed began, but words failed him. Every breath was growing weaker for the soldier, who finally found rest at last.

"Oh Gail! Never thought…it's just the way you said it would be...after the war."

"Steve? Good lord, you're dying…I'm sorry."

"No…no, I'm fine. I just never thought I'd see her aga…"

Reed slowly shut the soldier's eyes, as his heart stopped beating. "Rest in peace," he uttered, shedding a tear. Wiping it away, he stood up and then realized something. In instinct, he checked his pocket and lifted the test tube full of the lake water and sighed. "This is…this is trouble," he muttered, eyeing it. "Were you worth it? I…I hope so."

Suddenly, the caverns began to quake.

"Miss van Dyne!"

The trackers had picked up a fourth jet. It flew out of nowhere, reaching at incredible speeds the site of the facility. Jan's eyes widened and she made a grab for the headset, her voice crying out to stop. Her hands grasped the microphone, but no words came out save the man's.

"…done."

Seconds past. The jet made a quick getaway, and there was no explosion. Hank eyed the watch in hesitation. Jan quietly closed her eyes, praying for a miracle. The whole command center was silent, as the tracking device picked up the jet's escape.

And the big bang thereafter.

The Heart of the Artic Circle.

The bleak landscape that was once Schwarzer Schatten.

{Keep searching,} The man holding onto the megaphone said, as he stood atop his giant tank. Luckily for them, Percy Luccard, Reed's contact for the expedition, was trying to locate the sound frequency that came from Reed's watch during the time. He never imagined that he would also pick up the sonic booms jets would make. They had a chance to escape from the area for that moment, before the bomb fell upon it.

Reed wasn't so lucky. His watch had stopped working.

Percy looked at the man, who sat on the tank and sighed. "One hundred and twenty minutes and still," Luccard uttered hopelessly. "Is he still alive? You call yourself Mister Millions. Bring him back."

Mister Millions looked at him and turned to face the sky. His black hair glinted in the sun, as the first crack of dawn in six months came. "Well…we can hope and pray then, Mr. Luccard. How is your associate, by the by?"

"Dum Dum? He's holding out fine. His injuries aren't so bad, after all…"

"Sir!" One of the men yelled, calling their attention. "We found him!"

{The man,} Millions yelled back through the megaphone. {…or the corpse?}

"I think it's a man, sir."

Luccard dropped from the tank, and rushed towards the men, helping lift a bloody and battered scientist. "Reed!" Luccard exclaimed, and the scientist nodded in reply. Behind him, Mister Millions smiled, walking towards Reed. "Hello. Reed," Millions muttered. "You are just the man we're looking for."

"W-wha.." Reed said, trying to stay conscious. Luccard grabbed a blanket and wrapped it over him, while Mister Millions passed him a cup of coffee. "Hmm…I'm impressed, Doctor Richards. Very impressed. You've just survived a bomb. Consider yourself admired."

"A-admire…d?" The scientist sputtered. "W…hu…who are y..?"

"Well, let's just say I'm someone who's...intrigued by your work, Doctor Richards. Particularly this recent adventure of yours, searching for ways to make super humans." Patting Reed on the back, he smiled and brought him into the tank.

"I'm the Corporate Executive Officer of Stark Enterprises, Doctor Richards. Anthony Stark, at your service."

I remember that expedition quite well.

It has given me several memorable experiences, both good and bad, in my life. Particularly, I could say this is where it all began. Looking at it now, I ask myself if it was worth it again and again, seeing how much research I have achieved under the Stark Scientific Foundation. Tony has been quite supportive of my work, and even named me one of the head scientists. My relation with S.H.I.E.L.D….has ceased. Tony told me that his went the same way, although there were no bombs involved.

Speaking of which, I read about General Ross' arrest for unauthorized use of government facilities the morning after, those months ago. I am pretty sure S.H.I.E.L.D. has a new director now, one who would be more sufficient.

Maybe I should also mention that Bruce (my partner in scientific experiments such as the Gamma Bomb) Banner was actually involved in the conspiracy and was charged with an arrest. Tony bailed him and later, recruited him.

I met Janet and Hank at Tony's Iron Forge Gala Opening. They seem to be together now, although I'm not jealous, and wanted to see me. They were also sorry about what happened during the expedition. I could never forget, and though there is no love gained between us, I reconciled with them. They still work for S.H.I.E.L.D.

There was one last thing I should've taken care of. Unfinished business for an acquaintance of mine dearly departed.

Reed closed his journal gently and placed it in his pocket. He had been sitting on the stone bench for quite some time, among the graves of those who had left us. Standing, he walked towards one tombstone, with an angel statuette perched on the top, and knelt before it.

"Hi, Auntie Gail," Reed said with a deep breath.

"…how long has it been?"

He lifted a package from his other pocket and unfolded it. He placed the journal of Steve Rogers on the tombstone and smiled. "I hope you're happy now…together once again."

AUTHOR'S NOTE:

Hey guys! It's me, Mo_o, writer of this Alternate Unlimited tale, hoping that you've had as much a great ride as I did! If anyone has any comments or things they want to ask me about such work, please ask me at m5031986@hotmail.com. I would be honored to answer feedback from readers and critics alike!

Truth is, Unmenschliches is actually the prologue for a bigger story…starting with an Alternate Marvel mini-series, which will be followed by the ongoing title itself! Well, can you take a guess who…?

Just two words.

The 4.

Catch their origin, coming soon here to M2K!