Vostok-X II is the second hero to wield the Atlantean Helmet as a member of The Others.
History
One of the four genetically engineered Vostok clones the Soviet government placed into different home environments to determine which background and upbringing would produce the best space-faring operative, Vostok-X II grew up in an abusive and broken household. This childhood led him to develop a certain amount of rage that the Soviets decided was beneficial for their needs. Upon this Vostok, designated as "Omega," reaching his teenage years, the Soviet government decided to arrange his adoptive mother's death, after which the young Vostok was placed into a notoriously toxic orphanage.[1]
Later in his teenage years, Vostok-Omega began mirroring his adoptive father's aggressive actions and words against others. After an altercation on the streets, a law-enforcement officer apprehended Vostok, but agents from the Experimental Design Bureau took Vostok into their custody instead, explaining to the young man how they intended for him to become Russia's greatest cosmonaut.[2]
At some point, an adult Vostok was encased in a tank at Project Vostok's moon base. During a confrontation between The Others and Legend, the spirit of the departed Vostok-X who had served on Aquaman's team handed over his Atlantean Helmet to Ya'Wara while she was in the Ghost Lands and instructed her to deliver it to its "proper place." Accepting the helm, Ya'Wara followed the path Vostok-X and Kahina directed her to travel, which led her to return to the physical plane inside Project Vostok's moon base. After fighting her way through robotic security, Ya'Ware finds Vostok-Omega's pod. It opens, revealing a duplicate of her fallen comrade.[3]
The awakened Vostok is initially in a frenzied state until Ya'Ware forces the Atlantean Helmet onto his head, which returns his cognitive functions and uploads the memories of his predecessor into his own mind, allowing Vostok-X II to know the names of those in The Others. Vostok-X II dons a flight suit and weaponry and returns with Ya'Wara to assist in the fight against Legend's forces. The group is able to defeat its enemies, and Sky Alchesay brings The Others into the Ghost Lands to say their final goodbyes to deceased teammates Kahina and Vostok-X (Delta) before their spirits moved on.[4]
Returning to the yacht they use as an aquatic base, The Others question Vostok of his origins. Although he cannot recall his own past, Vostok refuses the theory that he is a clone of their former teammate and instead insists that he is the original. While Aaron Cole's badgering angers Vostok into flying away, Vostok does return shortly afterward to accept Aquaman's invitation to join the team, at least until he establishes a home in Russia.[5]
The team soon confronts the terrorist group Mayhem (Prime Earth), led by KGBeast, whom Vostok recognizes for his loyalty to Russia. When Aquaman again refers to Vostok-X II as a clone, Vostok storms off once more. KGBeast taps into Vostok's radio feed and offers to tell Vostok of his history. Vostok flies to the Project Vostok moon base, which Mayhem is now occupying.[6] After showing Vostok a video that explains his origins, KGBeast invites Vostok-X to join Mayhem rather than continue serving The Others. Vostok neither agrees nor disagrees, though he does attend the group's next meeting.
During the final battle against Mayhem, Ya'Wara of The Others teleports into the moon base and then teleports all the villains to a location free of civilians so that the two groups can fight freely. One of Mayhem's members, NKVDemon, activates a nuclear warhead before being teleported away. Mid-fight, the Operative receives a radio transmission from Vostok-X, who asks for the guidance codes for the missile so that he can prevent it from detonating on Earth and killing countless civilians. After a struggle, Sayeh the Seer successfully sends the codes while Operative is recovering from a blow. Vostok reroutes the missile to instead hit the Project Vostok moon base, while he is still inside. Ya'Ware teleports to the base and convinces Vostok-X to live. She teleports him to safety just before the missile hits and destroys the base, though the damage was minimized due to Operative disarming the nuclear warhead.
Operative sets Vostok-X up with a bank account and a motorcycle so that the latter could determine his life's purpose outside of any government agenda or family legacy.[7]
Vostok-X later appears as a member of the People's Heroes, Russia's team of superhuman defenders.[8]
Paraphernalia
Equipment
- Atlantean Helmet: An Atlantean artifact that was made by Atlan thousands of years ago.
- Self-Sustenance: Wearing the helmet grants the wearer the ability to lack the need for breathing, food or sleep.
Transportation
Weapons
Related
- 12 Appearances of Vostok-X II (Prime Earth)
- 8 Images featuring Vostok-X II (Prime Earth)
- Quotations by or about Vostok-X II (Prime Earth)
- Character Gallery: Vostok-X II (Prime Earth)
Footnotes