Overview
Myra Jones, later known publicly as Dark Strike, is the central protagonist of the Dark Strike web serial series published under the Strike 7 Network banner. Introduced in Dark Strike: Shadow of Ashbourne, Myra begins as a private investigator operating in the fictional city of Ashbourne, Georgia before becoming the only known successful host of the experimental Project Phoenix compound developed by Ashbourne Research and Defense (ARD).
Following exposure to the compound during the Route 9 transport disaster, Myra develops the ability to generate a living biological armor system that enhances her strength, reflexes, senses, and survivability. Unlike traditional superheroes, Dark Strike operates primarily as an investigator and urban vigilante whose conflicts revolve around corporate conspiracies, organized crime, scientific corruption, and mutagen-related threats emerging throughout Ashbourne.
The character is known for her black bio-armor suit, dark gray Split Lightning Strike emblem, flowing black cape, and grounded investigative approach to vigilantism.
Publication History
Myra Jones first appears in Dark Strike: Shadow of Ashbourne as the lead protagonist of the Dark Strike universe. The character was created as part of the Strike 7 Network web serial lineup and designed to function as a darker, grounded supernatural vigilante operating within a realistic urban environment.
The series blends:
Crime thriller elements
Corporate conspiracy fiction
Mutagen-based science fiction
Supernatural-inspired vigilantism
Urban noir storytelling
The character was intentionally written as a professional investigator before becoming a powered figure, emphasizing intelligence, strategy, and investigative skill as core aspects of her identity.
Fictional Character Biography
Early Life
Myra Jones was born and raised in Ashbourne, Georgia. She was primarily raised by her mother, Sharon Jones, who remained one of the most important emotional anchors in her life. Growing up in Ashbourne exposed Myra to both the city’s opportunities and its corruption, shaping her practical worldview and skeptical nature.
From a young age, Myra demonstrated strong observational instincts and a tendency to question inconsistencies others ignored. Those traits eventually pushed her toward investigative work.
Career as a Private Investigator
Prior to becoming Dark Strike, Myra worked as a private investigator operating a small office on Decatur Avenue in Ashbourne. Most of her cases involved surveillance, fraud investigations, missing persons, and domestic disputes.
Unlike law enforcement officers or federal agents, Myra operated independently and often relied on persistence, observation, and careful planning rather than institutional resources. Her work gave her extensive familiarity with Ashbourne’s neighborhoods, transportation systems, criminal activity, and corporate infrastructure.
Her closest professional ally during this period was Clay, who assisted her with logistics, transportation, and field operations during dangerous investigations.
The James Shields Investigation
The events that transformed Myra began when Melissa Shields hired her to locate her missing brother, James Shields, a commercial courier employed through Hartwell Freight.
James had disappeared after discovering irregularities involving a classified shipment connected to Ashbourne Research and Defense. While investigating the disappearance, Myra uncovered evidence pointing toward Project Phoenix, a secret ARD biological enhancement initiative.
As she dug deeper into the conspiracy, Myra became the target of surveillance and intimidation operations conducted by Crestview Protective Solutions, a private security contractor tied to ARD.
Route 9 Incident
The defining moment of Myra’s life occurred during the Route 9 transport disaster.
A criminal interception attempt connected to Willie Clay escalated into a violent high-speed pursuit involving an ARD transport vehicle carrying the Project Phoenix compound. The transport truck crashed during the pursuit, rupturing a sealed biological container.
Myra was exposed directly to the compound.
Rather than killing her as it had previous test subjects, the mutagen bonded to her biology and merged with the black leather jacket she wore during the incident. The result was the creation of a living adaptive armor system integrated permanently into her body.
This event marked the birth of Dark Strike.
Emergence of Dark Strike
After the Route 9 exposure, Myra began experiencing dramatic physiological changes.
These changes included:
Enhanced strength
Accelerated healing
Heightened senses
Danger detection instincts
Increased endurance
Adaptive reflexes
Under moments of stress or danger, the compound generated a black armored form around her body. Unlike mechanical armor, the suit was biological in nature and reacted directly to her emotional and physical state.
The identity “Dark Strike” emerged publicly following media coverage surrounding the exposure of Project Phoenix and eyewitness reports describing a black-cloaked figure appearing during confrontations tied to ARD.
Though initially reluctant to embrace the identity, Myra eventually accepted Dark Strike as part of who she had become.
Personality
Myra Jones is characterized by emotional restraint, professionalism, intelligence, and determination. Even after gaining powers, she approaches problems primarily as an investigator rather than a traditional superhero.
She rarely acts impulsively and tends to analyze situations carefully before engaging. Her investigative background makes her highly observant and methodical, often allowing her to identify patterns and inconsistencies others overlook.
Despite the aggressive nature of the armor and the violence surrounding her transformation, Myra remains morally grounded and deeply protective of innocent people caught in larger conflicts.
A defining trait of the character is her refusal to allow the compound to erase her humanity or identity.
Physical Appearance
Human Form
Myra is portrayed as an athletic and physically fit woman with a lean but muscular physique. Her appearance reflects years of field work and investigative activity rather than formal military training.
She commonly wears dark clothing and her signature black leather jacket prior to transformation.
Dark Strike Form
When transformed, Myra’s body becomes covered by a living black bio-armor system.
Key features include:
Matte black armored appearance
Dark Gray Split Lightning Strike chest emblem
Flowing black cape
White eye lenses
Muscular but agile silhouette
Enhanced physical proportions
The armor retains a sleek and intimidating appearance while remaining flexible enough for stealth and rapid movement.
The dark gray Split Lightning Strike emblem serves as the defining visual symbol of the character.
Powers and Abilities
Adaptive Bio-Armor
Dark Strike’s primary ability is the generation of a living biological armor system created through the Project Phoenix compound.
The armor forms automatically during moments of danger or stress.
Superhuman Strength
The compound significantly enhances Myra’s physical power, allowing her to overpower trained opponents and survive impacts beyond normal human tolerance.
Enhanced Durability
The armor provides substantial protection against firearms, blunt force trauma, and environmental hazards.
Accelerated Healing
Myra heals from injuries at a rate far beyond normal human capability.
Heightened Senses
The compound amplifies her hearing, vision, and situational awareness.
Danger Sense
One of her most important abilities is an instinctive awareness of nearby threats. This ability often activates before an attack occurs.
Enhanced Reflexes and Agility
Dark Strike can react and move with superhuman speed during combat situations.
Investigative Expertise
Even without the armor, Myra is highly skilled in:
Surveillance
Deductive reasoning
Tracking
Case analysis
Operational planning
These skills remain central to her effectiveness.
Weaknesses
Despite her abilities, Dark Strike is not invulnerable.
Her primary weaknesses include:
Emotional stress
Mental exhaustion
Overactivation of the compound
Limited understanding of the mutagen’s long-term effects
The armor also responds to her psychological state, meaning fear, anger, or instability can influence its behavior.
Relationships
Sharon Jones
Myra’s mother and emotional foundation. Sharon remains one of the few people who fully accepts Myra after her transformation without fear or judgment.
Clay
Myra’s closest operational ally and investigative partner. Clay assists with logistics, intelligence gathering, transportation, and tactical planning throughout the series.
James Shields
The courier whose disappearance initiated the events of Shadow of Ashbourne. Myra’s rescue of James ultimately exposes Project Phoenix publicly.
Melissa Shields
James’s sister and the original client who hires Myra to investigate his disappearance.
Renata Cross
An investigative journalist for the Independent Ledger who helps expose ARD and Project Phoenix to the public.
Enemies
Ashbourne Research & Defense (ARD)
The primary institutional antagonist of the series. ARD created the Project Phoenix compound and seeks to recover or control Myra after her successful bond with the mutagen.
Dr. Xavier Walton
Lead scientist behind Project Phoenix. Walton becomes obsessed with studying Myra as the only confirmed successful host of the compound.
Crestview Protective Solutions
A private security contractor used by ARD for surveillance, intimidation, and containment operations.
Willie Clay
A criminal figure whose attempted theft of the ARD transport contributed directly to the Route 9 incident that created Dark Strike.
Themes and Symbolism
Dark Strike’s story explores themes of:
Identity after transformation
Corporate secrecy
Survival through trauma
Power and responsibility
Truth versus institutional control
Humanity beneath violence
The Split Lightning Strike emblem symbolizes sudden change, personal division, and justice emerging from catastrophe.
Legacy Within the Universe
By the end of Dark Strike: Shadow of Ashbourne, Myra’s existence permanently changes Ashbourne.
The public exposure of Project Phoenix reveals that powerful organizations have been conducting illegal biological experimentation beneath the surface of the city. At the same time, rumors of a black-cloaked vigilante begin spreading throughout Ashbourne’s streets and media channels.
Dark Strike becomes both:
A living consequence of Project Phoenix
A growing symbol of resistance against corruption within the city.
Show Your Support
Support the works of Strike 7 Network by heading over to our Patreon page and subscribing to the five-dollar paid tier. As a paying subscriber, you will receive future Dark Strike stories and advanced chapters well in advance before they reach platforms such as Royal Road. If you are interested, click on the link below.
