[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/M3SfSt4.png[/img][/center]

[center][h2][b][u]SICKNESS[/u][/b][/h2]
[b]PROLOGUE[/b][/center]



[color=Lime]"The universe is full of unanswered questions, my friend, so many things that we simply don't know and might possibly never know.  Some find that a daunting, even a defeatist thought.  I, on the other hand, revel in the thought that there is always something new to discover, something else to add to the archive of collected knowledge.  I think that's something you and I have in common; an appreciation for the beauty of discovery."[/color]

[color=PaleGreen][i]I am driven by the pursuit of collecting information, yes.  As for beauty, I do not believe that is for me to judge.[/i][/color]

[color=Lime]"I suppose not.  Nevertheless, we are about to embark upon possibly the most important application of the Scientific Method in the history of humanity, one that may free us from the yoke of the spandex-clad pantheon that would be our rulers.  First and foremost, we start with a question: what is the Superman?"[/color]

[color=PaleGreen][i]Analysis: the entity identified as 'Superman' is an independent operator which primarily focuses on crisis control and rescue.  Humanoid in shape, physical appearance matching that of a caucasian male human.  However, the entity demonstrates abillities that are far beyond the capability of baseline humans.  The creature can manipulate its own gravitational field, allowing for unassisted flight, unlimited physical strength, and durability that can survive a direct hit from nuclear weapons.  It has no visible technological means of producing these effects, and its abilities are beyond even the most extreme documented cases of Mutation.[/i][/color]

[color=Lime]"A hypothesis, then: 'Superman' isn't a man at all, but an inhuman creature disguised as one.  Next question: from where would such a creature come?"[/color]

[color=PaleGreen][i]Analysis: the 'Superman' entity appears to be approximately twenty-six years old.  This coincides with the incident of an object making impact in a rural area on the outskirts of Smallville, Kansas, approximately twenty-six years ago.  This object was identified as a spacecraft, in all likelihood extraterrestrial and possibly extragalactic in nature.  Several artifacts were recovered from this craft-- including the fragments of virtual intelligence that led to my own creation-- but no occupant was ever discovered.[/i][/color]

[color=Lime]"Our second hypothesis: the occupant of the Smallville Spacecraft escaped into the wild, ingratiated itself with the local population, and once its abilities matured, emerged as the 'Superman' to begin enacting its true long-term agenda.  That still does not explain the next question: how do the creature's abilities work?"[/color]

[color=PaleGreen][i]Analysis: many of the artifacts in the recovered spacecraft are composed of a crystalline element previously not found on the Periodic Table.  This element, designated "K-1," can cause gravitational warping when exposed to various forms of radiation, particularly U-V rays like the ones generated from natural sunlight.[/i][/color]

[color=Lime]"Then that gives us Hypothesis Number Three: the alien likely has this 'K-1' element embedded into its cellular structure, and has been drinking in so much sunlight that it can cause gravitational warps on reflex.  This is all well and good, but right now it's pure conjecture, nothing more.  How do we [i]prove[/i] our hypotheses?"[/color]

[color=PaleGreen][i]Addendum: An additional isotope of the K-1 element-- designated 'K-2'-- was found in the form of a crystal shard embedded into the side of the craft.  This isotope, which can grow highly volatile when an electrical current is run through it, generates a unique form of radiation that causes rapid molecular decay in other K-1 samples.[/i][/color]

[color=Lime]"Which brings us to our final hypothesis: [i]if[/i] the Superman is the creature from the Smallville Spacecraft, and [i]if[/i] it has K-1 as part of its cellular makeup, [i]then[/i] exposing it to radiation generated by K-2 should cause a similar reaction.  And since we're talking a living organism and not a chunk of crystal, that reaction should be a fairly nasty one.  Which brings us to my favorite step of the Scientific Method."[/color]

[color=PaleGreen][i]Your favorite, sir?[/i][/color]

[color=Lime]"Ohhhh, yes.  As much as I may enjoy theorizing and brainstorming, nothing quite beats the thrill of putting those thoughts to action.  We've asked the right questions, collected more than enough data, and formed our hypotheses.  Now comes the real fun....."[/color]

[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/VDuILmM.jpg?1[/img][/center]

[color=Lime]"Now....we experiment...."[/color]