The Hand You're Dealt
This is a piece of fan fiction. “Wild Cards” created by George R.R. Martin.
In 1945, an alien virus was released over the skies of New York City. Eventually, that virus would be known as the Wild Card. Of those who contracted the virus, nine of ten died, most horribly. Of the survivors, nine of ten mutated into monsters and freaks, known as Jokers. But one out of every one hundred people who contracted the virus developed super-human abilities, and these fortunate few became known as Aces. The virus traveled on the winds, reaching most of the world, leaving behind a trail of destruction and pain wherever it went. This is the story of one community, how it became affected by the Wild Card, and how the survivors tried to pick up the pieces afterward.