Golden Guardian: The Birth Of A Superhero Issue- 3

The next few days where the most strenuous of Ryan's life.
He was kept under observation, as Dr. Mitchells and various other military scientists ran tests on every iota of his new powers, pushing him to the max and beyond. Needless to say, he excelled at all of the tests, surpassing Mitchells' wildest dreams.
After a day since the operation, Ryan's muscle mass had relaxed and he had returned to a 'normal' size, although he was still much larger than before, both in muscle size and height. He had shot up to six foot three from five' nine due to the serum and he could now lift over a ton in weight. The test he had most feared, testing his new ability to fly, had ran into some problems, not least when he crashed on his first attempt, bursting through a window into one of the labs. This did, however, show up an unexpected side effect of the serum. Ryan's healing factor had increased, meaning he recovered from the numerous cuts from the broken glass within a few hours. He had also been taken to get his costume made. The designers from the labs had been eager to make the suit gold to fit in with the company name, Midas labs. They had even decided that Ryan's 'hero name' should be the 'Golden Guardian' to that end. The suit was to be made out of a special, lightweight carbon and Kevlar weave, supposedly impenetrable.  This was topped off with a helmet and shield, both made from the same material as the costume, but re-enforced with carbon fiber struts for added rigidity and toughness. They had also made a cape, which Ryan wasn't hugely keen on.
All the time this was going on, Ryan was very aware of General McKeller's presence. The general watched every training session and lab test. Ryan didn't care much for the general. They had met when Ryan volunteered and Ryan had found him cold and distant, the sort of general who only thought about the objective and not the soldiers.
Finally the testing week was over, and Ryan was summoned to General McKeller's office. Ryan hoped it was for him to receive his first mission, or at least to be discharged from the labs, he was getting bored of his current surroundings. McKeller's office was in the administration area of Midas labs, not a place Ryan would normally be allowed to go. It was full of high-ranking military personnel and theoretical research scientists, all working on top secret new military projects. McKeller's office was at the end of the corridor. Ryan knocked on the door.
"Come in." The general's voice replied from behind the door.
The office was much like those in the movies. Along both walls were high bookshelves, upon which various military journals, campaign medals and rolled up maps were placed in immaculate order. The opposite wall from Ryan's position at the door was completely dominated by a large window, overlooking the rest of Midas Labs. In front of the window was a desk, behind which sat McKeller, typing something on the computer that sat atop the desk. Dr. Mitchells was sitting on a chair in front of the desk. He smiled as Ryan entered the room. McKeller did not. Instead he gestured at the spare chair at the desk.
"Sit down, Captain Dawn." He said formally, before returning to his typing.
Ryan pulled back the chair and sat down.
The desk was covered in photographs. Many were of McKeller's wife and children, but there were a few of McKeller on military duties. Places that Ryan recognized, such as Iraq, mixed in with places he didn't, a few in jungles of what Ryan could only assume where Vietnam or Cambodia.
McKeller finished his typing and looked up at Ryan. He considered every aspect of the young soldier, taking in every aspect of his body with his eyes before addressing him.
"So soldier," he said standing up from his seat and going to stand at the window. "How do you feel?"
"Good sir." Ryan replied politely. McKeller turned round and looked sternly at his once more.
"The government hasn't spent billions for you to just feel 'Good'." He said harshly. Ryan looked down at the floor, slightly embarrassed.
McKeller sat back down and leafed through the folder on the desk in front of him.
"I see you have surpassed all expectations in both physical and cognitive tests you have undergone," the general said, without looking up. "It does seem that the operation was a success in your case."
"Yes sir," Ryan said. The general pushed the folder across the desk to Ryan.
"Take a look," he said, although it sounded more like an order.
Ryan took the folder and leafed through it. There were seven files inside, all military personnel. The last file was his own and it was the only one with a green stamp on the top right corner, the rest all had red stamps. Leafing back one file, Ryan considered his direct predecessor.
"Freddie Vass," he said in a rather surprised tone. "I was friends with him. I haven't seen him in a while though."
The general nodded.
"Captain Vass was our last attempt at creating  a superhuman like yourself," Dr. Mitchells explained. "Physically he was the perfect specimen and he came through the operation with perfect results on that side. However…."
"He was mentally unsuitable for the process," General McKeller interrupted. "During the testing week, he slowly began to act more erratically, before he finally attacked one of the technicians and deserted. His current whereabouts are unknown."
"Why are you telling me this sir?" Ryan asked. He had a feeling he knew where this was going and he wasn't comfortable with it.
"We need Captain Vass eliminated." The general said coldly. "He has become a national security threat and can not be allowed to operate in such a way that it could compromise this department."
Ryan  sat silent for a few seconds, allowing the information to sink in. He was being asked to kill one of his best friends, because he had gone through the same thing as he had.
"Have you not tried talking to him?" Ryan asked, desperately trying to find a way out of the situation. "Freddie was always a reasonable man. I'm sure if I could talk to him."
"We have tried communicating with Captain Vass," General McKeller cut across Ryan. "He has lost control of his faculties and is a danger to innocent people. Isn't that what you signed up for, to save innocent lives?"
"Yes, but I didn't expect to have to hunt down and kill one of my best friends," Ryan protested. "I don't know if I could do it."
"You will do it soldier," McKeller replied aggressively. "You are still a soldier and you have your orders."
"Fine then." Ryan stood up. "I resign my commission. Find some one else to do it."
"Sit down."
McKeller's voice had become dangerously quiet and menacing. Ryan stood defiant as the general leaned back on his chair.
"You will take this mission," the general continued. "If not for your country then at least for your family. Your sister, she is in college isn't she? It would be terrible for her too lose her funding or to be found in possession of an illegal substance and be arrested."
"You wouldn't!" Ryan exclaimed, but the general continued.
"Or what about Flight Lieutenant Fairchild. I believe you have feelings for her, am I right? Well, testing such powerful equipment can be so dangerous. So many accidents can happen."
"General!" Dr. Mitchells exclaimed in horror, but a withering look from McKeller shut him up quickly.
"Have I made myself clear, Captain Dawn?" The general asked calmly, with still a dangerous undercurrent.
"Yes," Ryan replied stonily as he turned to exit the room. "Yes you have, sir."