ʻ REVENGE was the only CLEAR THOUGHT in my head... the only one I could call MINE. ʼ

I. BACKGROUND — BLACKLIGHT DX-1118 C is an engineered bioweapon, a strain taken from its mother virus REDLIGHT DX-1118 A, and funded by the government. The lead viral engineer of GENTEK, Alex J. Mercer smuggles the sample of BLACKLIGHT DX-1118 C from the lab after his coworkers begin disappearing, as a means of insurance and a mix of pride. When the man gets cornered in Penn Station, he smashes open the vial containing the sample, fully intending to kill everyone surrounding him. With particles of the virus now airborne, hundreds in Penn Station die within minutes, and thousands more within hours of infection. Subsequently shot down and killed, Alex J. Mercer is branded a terrorist to the public; and his corpse is taken in to be later examined.Unknown to all, BLACKLIGHT DX-1118 C was quietly integrating itself with the body of Alex J. Mercer, who was ground zero to its release before his confirmed death. BLACKLIGHT DX-1118 C is noted with the capability to repurpose and change its hosts cells; to replicate the DNA and activate dormant genetic codes. In controlled tests, these changes were too drastic and caused organ failure and cell saturation, leading to death. Through an unprecedented chance, BLACKLIGHT DX-1118 C perfectly replicates Alex J. Mercer from the inside out.Suddenly thrust into sentience, BLACKLIGHT DX-1118 C wakes up confused and disorientated on the vivisect table less than twenty four hours later, with only a handful of Mercer's memories to work with; and in the beginning, it believes itself to be Alex J. Mercer. With this belief it tries to figure out what's happened, and later tries to enact revenge on those involved in the deep conspiracy it begins to unravel.cont. — In its own search for answers, BLACKLIGHT DX-1118 C reunites with Mercer's sister, Dana A. Mercer, a skilled hackivist. She helps uncover what Gentek was doing and a project called CARNIVAL II, of HOPE, IDAHO. In investigating the lead, BLACKLIGHT DX-1118 C unintentionally releases the host of REDLIGHT DX-1118 A, Elizabeth Greene, aka MOTHER; a viral RUNNER, thought to be the sole survivor of HOPE, IDAHO. Her escape throws the city into further chaos as the infection spreads substantially with MOTHER at its head. Worse than rampant sickness and infected WALKERS, Elizabeth Greene begins making infected HUNTERS and viral HIVES, turning half the city into a waking nightmare. BLACKWATCH, the military branch involved with the development of these viruses, deploy their own troops specialized in dealing with infected, and Manhattan island goes into lockdown.Now BLACKLIGHT DX-1118 C finds itself fighting against BLACKWATCH forces while combating MOTHER and her encroachment of Manhattan. The following days are arduous, a constant dance of one step forward and two steps back. The worst of it happens when Elizabeth Greene sends a LEADER HUNTER to abduct a screaming Dana A. Mercer, to whatever end.When BLACKLIGHT DX-1118 C learns the truth; that it is not Alex J. Mercer, that it's never been human, the revelation frees it and kills it. The mess of horrors Manhattan sees both begins and ends with it. BLACKLIGHT DX-1118 C successfully rescues a now comatose Dana A. Mercer; and defeats and CONSUMES Elizabeth Greene, severing the viral remnants from their MOTHER and halting its spread. By this point everything has gone to hell and the head of the occupying military decides the solution is to bomb Manhattan, just like HOPE, IDAHO.Deciding that it won't let them erase Manhattan, BLACKLIGHT DX-1118 C steals away the activated nuclear warhead and flies over the ocean with it in a helicopter. The resulting blast reduces BLACKLIGHT DX-1118 C to a fraction of itself that sloshes up dockside in a harbor, *which BLACKWATCH capitalizes on. Captured and transported to a secure GENTEK facility,BLACKLIGHT DX-1118 C spends nearly a year in containment before it escapes. BLACKLIGHT DX-1118 C, or Alex, since lives on the go but is most at home in New York City.

*canon divergence begins here.

ʻ My name WAS Alex Mercer... and my work is almost done. ʼ

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II. DESCRIPTION — BLACKLIGHT DX-1118 C is considered a shapeshifter by layperson's terms, able to perfectly replicate anyone it's CONSUMED down to their DNA structure. Its form may vary in threads and will oftentimes have inhuman features, but unless otherwise stated Alex defaults to the face of Alex J. Mercer. It is masculine presenting with a sharp face, pale toned skin, blue-grey eyes, and wavy, dark brown hair; and is most often wearing jeans and layered outwear, with an unmistakable red tribal design on the back of a leather jacket.

AGE — Young, less than a decade
GENDER — Agender, it/its or any
ORIENTATION — Asexual, panromantic
HEIGHT — 5'8" at default
WEIGHT — Varies, dependent on stored BIOMASS
OTHER PHYSICALITY NOTES — Clothing is similarly a replication, and Alex sticks to organic textiles; sometimes altogether forgoes, swaps or moves common organs around within itself; often doesn't blink
MORE — Still requires oxygen; has mild to severe PTSD responses

ʻ The virus didn't just kill him, it BECAME him. Copied his body down to the genetic level. ʼ

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III. PERSONALITY — BLACKLIGHT DX-1118 C, or just simply Alex to those that know it, has an impassive countenance with sharp teeth underneath; slow to rankle, yet unforgiving and fierce when put to it. Alex is most driven by its own sense of justice and struggles with interpersonal connections. Fully capable of warmth, but slow to admit to attachments.

POSITIVES — Staunch, considerate, patient, resourceful
NEGATIVES — Cynical, judgmental, acerbic, merciless

ʻ Alex Mercer… this city suffered for his MISTAKES... and whoever he was, that's a PART of me. ʼ

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III. ABILITIES — BLACKLIGHT DX-1118 C is capable of lifting nearly one hundred tons, throwing tanks and helicopters alike; it can run at great speeds and leap great distances; it has enhanced senses and is able to communicate telepathically; it can shapeshift and stretch itself however it wishes. It can infect others with a mere touch. BLACKLIGHT DX-1118 C is a highly lethal and highly adaptable viral bioweapon that's able to utilize the memories, skills or genetics of any living organism it CONSUMES. It's bodily limitations are down to its creativity.

ʻ The people I've killed... they're in me. I can HEAR them, see the things they've done... What have I become? Something LESS than human... but also something MORE. ʼ

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Though once less stoic, Alex's long stint in containment has changed its personality some. It's a little less human acting, just a little more like the virus it is.Alex is contradictorily listless & impassive, while also sharp witted, judgmental, and full of teeth. It carries itself with a purposeful patience, its eyes open and ever watchful, but slow to rankle or lose its temper. Familiar with violence and quick to it when necessary, but not without provocation.Though amiable in the right situation, its mistrusting of others and often poor at conversation itself, more often than not mimicking what it knows of human interaction.And while slow to warm up to others, Alex is steadfast to those it likes. It's protective, thoughtful, easy going - and sometimes even lightens up enough to have fun.

𝙑𝙀𝙍𝙎𝙀𝙎

For those unfamilar with the game, see Timeline.

CERBERUS ADMINASTRATIVE LOG ;

FILE: THEOGONY ;ENCODING....

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