Ape-X (aka Xinia)

  Ape-X was the product of an experiment in artificial enhancement of simian intelligence. It is possible that during these tests that she had her lower torso and legs removed and was attached to the dual track mechanism. When her trainer was slain, she turned now genius level smarts to crime and soon became the leader of the Institute of Evil.
  While laying low during the Squadron Supreme's ironfisted reformation of a destroyed America, the Institute captures Golden Archer, a former SS member who left in disgrace. Torturing the sullied hero, Ape-X and her cohorts learn of the Squadron's Behavior Modification Device. Tempted by this potent weapon Ape-X instructs the Institute to kidnap the friends and family of the Squad; this was followed by an assault on the Squadron's homebase where Tom Thumb, the team's pint-size genius, is the lone defender as the team is preoccupied elsewhere. 
  Tom is quickly overcome and although he refuses to cooperate, the B-Mod Machine is found and Institute of Evil member, Doctor Decibel uses the device on Tom. Responding to the alert sent out by A.I.D.A (Artificial Intelligence Data Analyzer), the Squad's sentient computer, most of the SS rush back to their base, but after a short battle with their foes, an altered Tom Thumb directs their attention to a monitor displaying their kidnapped loved ones. Unwilling to sacrifice the innocent prisoners, they surrender and are absorbed into the Institutes ranks after brainwashing. 

  Remaining members are likewise turned and the group returns to the Institutes base where Ape-X greets them warmly, pleased with the total defeat of the Squadron Supreme. It is, however, a short lived victory as the SS lash out and quickly subdue the criminals and free their friends and family. Tom thumb reveals that the Behavior Modification Device had been rigged not to affect any of the Squad's members in the event that something like this would happen.

  Ape-X and her minions are taken into custody and after some heated debate, a vote is taken and it's decided that the Institute of Evil will be subjected to the B-Mod, the criminal portion of their brain forever altered, and the reformed villains added to the Squadron Supreme's ranks. Ape-X (also known as Xinia) quickly proves herself a valuable asset to the team and uses her scientific genius to assist Tom Thumb in his laboratory, doing her part to further the goals of the SS in reforming America.

  Yet, not all the Squad's members are convinced that that the B-Mod Machine is a morally justifiable tool. After destroying the few devices that Tom has built, SS member Amphibian orders Ape-X to erase all plans for the machine from the computer's memory. Unable to refuse the orders of any Squadron member, Xinia reluctantly does so. Amphibian returns to the ocean depths, abandoning the team and their fascist path.
As the days pass, Ape-X continues to work closely with Tom and finds herself pleased with her efforts and aware of a deepening emotional bond to her lab mate. Xinia also notices that Tom Thumb's health is deteriorating but he brushes her concerns aside; she is later informed by AIDA that Tom is dying of cancer. She confronts Tom and implores him to let her help. Tom knows of a cure, possessed by the tyrant Scarlet Centurion in the distant 40th century.

  Xinia convinces Tom to look past his ethical restraints and commit a small act of evil for the greater good, but she is unable to assist him in the theft due to her modification. Tom has another of the Institute's former thugs, Lamprey join him in his journey, deceiving the reformed criminal with the claim that something has been stolen from the SS and they must snatch it back. The mission is a success but Tom discovers the cure is only effective for people of the future whose immune systems are immensely stronger after centuries of eugenics. Ape-X is helpless to do anything and a week later Tom dies, leaving Xinia the lone scientific whiz at Squadron City.

  She continues her hard work for mankind's benefit while secretly working on a robotic replica of Tom Thumb, hoping to resurrect her friend with recorded brain patterns.

  New members are drafted into the Squadron's Supremes ranks but unknown to them, the newcomers are part of a plot to destroy the Squad and end the fascist stranglehold on America. The illusion master, Moonglow (a member of the resistance) sneaks into the labs and transmits information on the behavior modification devices to her comrades on the outside. When AIDA alerts Ape-X to the underhanded act, she finds herself unable to betray the new addition to the team. Xinia has been modified to never act against an official member of the Squadron Supreme, and Moonglow's actions put her in an impossible position. 

  The strain of this quandary cripples Xinia and she is reduced to a vegetative state. Confused by the reaction to this information, AIDA assumes that it is somehow lethal and does not reveal the cause of Ape-X's condition to Hyperion and Princess Power (Squadron's top heroes). It is assumed that Ape-X was disabled by her strenuous work habits, and she is hospitalized. Xinia remained there, never waking, forever trapped in her scarred mind.

Character Biographies