Red Orchid

The American people had made many sacrifices in order to prevail against Japanese and German aggression during World War II. Many mourned the passing of loved ones killed in battle. Those who survived came home to begin the long, difficult process of rebuilding their lives. During this period of grief and recovery, elements of the government went too far to make us safe from our perceived enemies. We had the 'bomb' but the Russians had scientists working day and night on a version of their own. Our military leaders were in a lather to develop a bigger, better doomsday weapon than our Communist counterparts. It was a chaotic time, testing this and testing that. Things were being done that would have been considered unconscionable before. Citizens were being targeted and used as human guinea pigs. Forced to endure painful and humiliating 'tests', these citizens were often wounded beyond repair. Many perished after months of suffering. Creighten Zmeela was victimized in this insidious manner. Just a boy, he and his family would pay the ultimate price for these clandestine efforts to keep America 'safe' and its citizens fearful of the 'Red Menace'. It was this fear that enabled one man to exploit and continue his reign of terror even after the 'Program' had been exposed and dismantled. That man, now in his seventies, would prove to be a formidable quarry for those tasked to track him down and bring him to justice. In the end, Creighten Zmeela would be instrumental in the downfall of this notorious villain.