MV1 presents ... Earth's
Mightiest Heroes!
Captain America! Vision! Yellowjacket! Ms. Marvel! Namor!
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Ronald Reagan Airport - Morning
Captain America, Yellowjacket, and Ms. Marvel shook hands with airport personnel as they exited the Quinjet.
"What brings you to the nation's capitol, Captain?" one of the workers asked.
"A foe no man should have to face," Yellowjacket answered for Cap.
"Dr. Doom?"
"Hardly," Henry Pym smiled from beneath his mask. "A Senate committee hearing."
"Ouch," the worker grimaced.
"Ouch indeed," Yellowjacket replied, slapping the man on the back.
MANHATTAN - Avengers Mansion - Morning
The Vision lay still on his bed, his systems performing a daily scan and repair function that entered the Avenger into a state not unlike sleep.
He had been in this state for three days now. The Avengers, recognizing the cycle the Vision was undergoing, had let him remain this way. They were growing concerned, but their readings of his systems showed nothing out of the ordinary. Ms. Marvel had taken to calling him Rip Van Vision ...
The Vision stood in the middle of a path inside a dense forest under a scarlet moon. The smell of death hung in the still midnight air. Looking in both directions of the small path, the Vision noted that a light shone in a cabin ahead of him. It was in that direction he walked.
Heightening his sensory perceptions, he found no audible sounds coming to him. Indeed, the trees were still and ... black, white, and grey. Everything was black, white, and grey, he noted, save for the scarlet moon.
He continued on unmoved. Reaching the cabin, he knocked, and the door swung open. Cautiously, he stepped inside ...
... only to find himself once again back where he started.
"My apologies, Vision," a haunting voice came to him from somewhere in the forest. "I am not used to working on someone like you."
"Who are you?" the synthezoid asked.
"I am ... Nightmare!" Vision looked up to see a man dressed as a horrific court jester sitting on the branch of a tree. The man's smile turned quickly into a frown. "What little of it you can access, at any rate. Somehow you have managed to infiltrate my realm, or at least the slums of my realm."
"I do not dream," Vision stated flatly.
"Apparently you do," Nightmare corrected, jumping down to land next to the Avenger. "From what I can gather, all the mind control shenanigans your team has undergone in recent months, from the Mind Alien to Dr. Amazing, has reconfigured your system in such a way that you can actually dream now." Nightmare looked at the Vision seriously. "To be honest, I am fascinated by this sudden emergence of yours. I know I am supposed to be all spooky crazy," Nightmare scratched his head, "but as you can see," he motioned to the scene around them, "I am having a hard time constructing nightmarish fantasies to scare the ... well, you don't have any of that to scare out of you, do you?"
"The scarlet moon was a nice effect," Vision offered.
Nightmare waved the compliment away dramatically. "Pshaw! As difficult as it has been for me to read your stored memories, a blind man could see your attachment to the Scarlet Witch."
"Is that how you were planning to scare me?" Vision asked, generally curious.
"It was," Nightmare admitted. "Rudimentary, I know, and not worthy of a true artiste like myself, but it would have made a nice start."
"What was supposed to be in the cabin?"
Nightmare frowned. "Hadn't gotten that far, yet, I'm afraid. Very difficult for me to access your deep emotional and memory caches."
Vision looked at Nightmare with great interest. "I have to go now, Nightmare. My scan and repair cycle are completed. Will you attempt to coerce me to your realm during my next cycle?"
"But of course," Nightmare replied.
"I look forward to that time," Vision said, offering his hand.
Nightmare shook the synthezoid's hand, then watched his disappear back to the waking world. "What a strange man," Nightmare said aloud, scratching his head.
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Committee on Super Human Affairs - Morning
"The honor is ours, Senator," Captain America said into the microphone before him. To his left sat Yellowjacket. To his far right, Ms. Marvel and right beside him, Monica Rambeau, the hero known as Lady Merveille, a member of the West Coast Avengers.
"Captain," Senator Huttleton, a female Democratic Senator from California began, "could you please tell us your current line-up?"
"Of course, Senator," Cap answered. "The current line-up of the Avengers consists of myself, Vision, Yellowjacket, Ms. Marvel, and Prince Namor. On the west coast we have-"
"I'm just talking about the Avengers, Captain," Senator Huttleton interjected, "not your junior varsity."
Cap felt Monica Rambeau tense beside him and moved to respond before Monica's anger got the better of her. "Madam Senator, the West Coast Avengers are the Avengers. There is no difference between the teams as far as some kind of ranking system would work. We are all equal Avengers."
"Do you really consider Variable, Living Lightning, and Tigra real Avengers, Captain?" Senator Huttleton asked. "Because the people of California do not."
"Then the people of California are making a mistake," Cap replied. "I will admit that I do not know Variable personally, and my experience with Living Lightning is not vast, but if Hawkeye and Lady Merveille believe they are worthy of being Avengers, then I believe they are worthy of being Avengers."
"It would go a long way to reinforcing that statement if you would move to Los Angeles."
"Now, now, the good people of New York like the Captain right where he is," Senator Edwards, a middle-aged male Republican from New York interjected to a small amount of laughter from the gathered press. "But that does not entirely ease our concerns in New York, either. Where are Thor and Iron Man? Where is the Wasp? What I'm asking, Captain, is why should taxpayers foot the bill when you can't even field a line-up with your most recognizable members? With all due respect, Ms. Marvel."
"Of course," Carol grunted, hating being here, and hating Steve for making her come.
"As you know, Senator," Cap answered the question, "the overwhelming majority of our funds come from the Stark Foundation. The only federal dollars the Avengers receive are through secondary operations, such as paying the government liaison, or waivers for airspace when we need to use the Quinjet."
Senator Edwards wasn't impressed. "But it's the taxpayers who pay for the extra shifts policemen have to take after you've wrecked a city block. It's the taxpayers who see their medical insurance rates go through the roof as insurance companies seek to earn back the money they paid out to victims of your previous battles."
Yellowjacket leaned forward towards his microphone. "You'd like us to stop?"
"I would like you to be competent," Senator Edwards snapped. "The Freedom Force debacle cost this government millions of dollars."
"Oh yeah," Yellowjacket countered, "how many millions do you waste shoving pork amendments onto good bills? How many millions do you waste flying in First Class, or in private jets?"
"That's enough, Yellowjacket," Cap said quietly but firmly. Hank turned to glare at him, but checked himself and sat back in his seat.
It was just then he noticed Ant-Man sitting on the shoulder of a Senator from Illinois.
AVENGERS MANSION - Communications Room - Noon
Vision and Namor stood before the central monitor in the Com Room, attempting to contact Thor.
"There is no need for his return," Namor announced. "The Prince of Atlantis is strength enough to deal with any foe that may cross paths with the Avengers."
Vision turned to Namor, "If you would like, Namor, I could give you a complete breakdown and analysis of your powers versus Thor's. I think you would see that Thor brings more to the Avengers than-"
"The Prince of Atlantis cares little for your analysis," Namor insisted, folding his arms across his chest.
"Why do you do that?" Vision asked.
"Do what?"
"Talk in the third person."
"Bah!" Namor waved his hand in disgust. "The Prince- that is, I ... am hungry. Perhaps Jarvis will be of better company."
As he watched Namor go, a smile played across the face of the Vision.
"Well played, Vision. The God of Thunder finds much amusement in your actions towards the Prince of Atlantis!"
Vision turned to the monitor to see Thor staring back at him with a large smile upon his face. The synthezoid almost asked Thor the same question, but thought better of it. "Thor, it is good to see you."
"And you, mighty Vision! To what purpose doth thou need the God of Thunder? Be there foul deeds about the Mansion?"
"Not at the moment," Vision replied. "Captain America has been called to Washington to appear before the Committee for Super Human Affairs, or else he would have contacted you himself."
"Bah! Politicians! A foul lot!"
"That is much the same reaction as Ms. Marvel," Vision relayed. "However, the reason Captain America asked me to contact you is that he wishes to know if you would like to rejoin the team. We have had much internal conflict of late, as well as a dwindling level of performance due to the mind machinations of Dr. Amazing. We all believe that your return to the team would help stabilize our line-up and increase our effectiveness in battle." Vision paused, giving Thor a moment to think, then added, "It has been too long since you have been among our ranks, Thor. Your presence is sorely missed."
Thor rubbed his chin, thinking hard of the request. "Verily, Vision, I am troubled by what thou tells me, though I fear I am unable to heed thine request. I will do my best to make my presence felt once again within the walls of Avengers Mansion, and will make a greater effort to join thee in battle, but I cannot return to full-time, active duty."
"We understand, of course," Vision remarked.
"If stability and performance is what thou seek, the God of Thunder knows one who would fit well within our ranks. Tell me, Vision, how does one get in contact with Nicholas Fury?"
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Committee on Super Human Affairs - Noon
Henry Pym placed his hands under the table to hide from view the fact that they were shaking. Did no one else in the room see Ant-Man buzzing around the heads of the Senators?
Senator Samantha Jones, a Democrat, leveled her gaze at the Avengers. "I am concerned that the Avengers are, to put it bluntly, too white. That you fail to reflect the diversity of the United States and as a result, you fail our children of color who have no minority superheroes to look up to."
Ms. Marvel remained calm, but shifted uncomfortably in her seat. She had just been talking about this very same thing with Quasar before the Star Stalker attack.
Senator Jones turned to Lady Merveille. "Isn't it true that you are the only African-American woman to have been an Avenger? How many white men have been Avengers?"
Monica Rambeau did not back down from the question. "While I understand your concerns, Senator, Avengers are not judged by anything but performance."
"Yet your diversity is, shall we say, severely lacking."
"I have heard that charge made against the Avengers on many occasions, Senator," Monica continued, "and I find it to be without merit."
"You think one black woman is sufficient?"
"What I think," Monica continued, her voice steady, "is that the Avengers have a long history of inclusion, not exclusion. "You say the Avengers are too white, yet that simplistic statement fails to consider the diversity within that accusation. Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch are eastern European. Crystal is an Inhuman. Thor and Hercules are ..." she caught herself and instantly recovered, "Nordic and Greek, respectively. The Black Widow is Russian. And that's just ethnic differences. We haven't even considered the socio-economic differences among just this small group, which ranges from gypsy to royalty. Or religious difference. Or that two of that group are mutants. Or that women, including the one and only black female Avenger, have led the Avengers. So you see, Senator, when I hear someone claim the Avengers are 'too white,' what I hear is a simplistic slam against one of the most diverse groups of people you are likely to find anywhere."
"Well said, Ms. Merveille," Senator Tom Kastings from Georgia said without much sincerity, his southern drawl accented for effect. "But your colorful speech has highlighted in dramatic fashion one of the problems that many patriotic Americans have with the Avengers. To use the language of my esteemed colleague from Illinois, the Avengers are, too put it bluntly, too un-American. While you have chosen to present four Americans to us at this committee hearing there is an unquestioned strong un-American membership in your group. And now we hear, yet again, that Namor has rejoined your ranks. I would say more on this man who has, in the past, attacked the United States, but I know the Senator from Florida has more to say regarding this man. My question for you today is why should the American taxpayers be satisfied that you are looking our for their interests when so many un-Americans fill out your roster?"
Captain America leaned forward but Carol spoke first. "I would remind the Senator to be careful with his prefixes."
"How so, ma'am?" Senator Kastings asked.
"You keep referring to our members as 'un-American,' instead of 'non-American,'" Ms. Marvel replied. "There is a difference - unless, of course, you mean to imply that all non-Americans are working against the United States."
Senator Kastings gave them a quick, phony smile. "I thank the Avenger for correcting my grammar. But the question remains in need of an answer. Our neighbors to the north, Canada, have signed an accord with the mutant terrorist Magneto, in which he agrees to defend any attack upon Canadian soil. Would the Avengers be willing to sign such an accord with the United States government? Or are you too 'non-American' to consider that?"
The question was directed directly at Captain America, who didn't hesitate in his response. "Senator, that is against Avenger by-laws as they currently stand. We are not a government agency. We enjoy a working relationship with the United States government but signing such an accord would make us, in effect, a branch of the United States military."
"I find it hard to believe that you, Captain America, hero of World War II, would have a problem being in a member of a military force."
"You misunderstand me, Senator," Cap replied. "Being a member of the United State army is one of the proudest achievements of my life. But the Avengers are not a military force. We are a private force, banded together for the public good. Earlier the question was raised about tax dollars. While I dislike thinking of anything we do in financial terms, it has been explained to me by Mr. Stark the tax dollars we, and the other heroes, save the American public by facing threats such as Kang or Ultron or Onslaught. Whenever the United States goes to war we see a dramatic increase in budget expenditures; if not for teams like the Avengers and Fantastic Four and X-Men, the United States military would, in effect, be at war on a constant basis."
"And again," Senator Kastings pushed his point, "I ask, what is wrong with that? Shouldn't the American military be in charge of Homeland Security? Why should we leave it up to private citizens, many of whom are non-Americans, to defend our way of life?"
Monica Rambeau had had just about enough. "There's nothing stopping you from creating a superhuman military force, Senator."
"Well, you see, missy," Kastings chided, "we just did that. A little group called Freedom Force. Maybe you heard of them? Or do I need to remind you that they're dead because they got in a fight with ... what was the name of that group ... oh, yes, the Avengers?"
AVENGERS QUINJET - Cockpit - Evening
"Well, that could've gone better," Monica Rambeau stated from the pilot's chair as the Quinjet took off from Reagan Airport.
"It's all a big joke," Henry Pym replied beside her. "They love to bash us when the cameras are on, but the minute C-SPAN and SCN cut their coverage they trip over themselves trying to get pictures taken with us."
"I know," Monica sighed. "The worst was when they tried to say Namor's membership was akin to allowing Bin Laden to join. I thought you were going to break the table, Steve," Monica said, turning around. "Steve? Where'd Steve and Carol go?"
Henry waved his hand, "Probably making out in the back. Either that or Carol's ripping his head off."
"So the rumors are true?" Monica asked, dropping her voice to a whisper. "Cap and Carol are an item? Is it serious?"
Henry smiled, shook his head. "If you think I'm going to give you gossip to bring back to the 'junior varsity' without hearing some in return you're crazy, Monica."
"So it is true."
"Well," Henry said, turning around to make certain neither Cap nor Carol was within earshot, "it was, but with everything that's gone on ... you know how Steve is. He's all work anyway, but when things are going bad, he takes it as a personal failure. It's taken us some time to shake off all the effects of Amazing's mind control, but Steve just keeps pushing harder and harder. It's not surprising, is it, that in this time of turmoil he's allowed Namor to come back? He's also having Vision contact Thor today, asking him to return, and I suspect the only reason he hasn't called Jan, yet, is that he hasn't talked to me about it."
Monica nodded. "When things get tough, surround yourself with the people you most trust. Sound strategy."
"Yeah," Henry replied, "but if all we ever do is keep the line-up stuffed with us old-timers, then there's never any new blood. We're not going to live forever, you know."
"Speak for yourself, Henry," Monica smiled. "Are you good to fly the Quinjet back to New York? I want to zap home before heading back out West."
"Sure thing," Henry nodded. "Good talking to you, Monica."
"Same here," she said, then transformed into light and shot out across the sky, heading south.
"Whew, glad she's gone. Got any munchies on this craft?"
Henry swallowed hard at the words, then looked down to see Ant-Man sitting in the seat Monica just vacated.
AVENGERS QUINJET - Storage Room - Evening
"We need to talk, Steve," Carol said determinedly.
"I know, Carol, I know," Steve put his hands up. The two stood in the small storage room at the rear of the Quinjet, sipping on coffee.
"Why did you invite Namor back?" she asked, getting straight to the point.
"I didn't," Steve answered. "He asked to come back."
"But why allow it? And what was that crack about? 'If anyone has a problem with it, they can leave'? Was that directed at me?"
"No- yes," Steve dropped his head. "I didn't want to fight. Not right there. Not around Namor and not with Forge headed for emergency surgery." He looked up. "I'm sorry, I am, but you've been looking for a fight with me - which I deserve - and that wasn't the right place."
"God, Steve, you can rationalize putting anything off for the good of the team, can't you?"
"Have to," Steve replied.
"No, you don't," Carol countered. "If the Avengers get in a big argument in their backyard the world will not end."
"The team has to be as ready as it can, Carol," Steve said unapologetically. "And the team always comes first."
"Even before personal feelings?" Carol asked. "Even before me?"
Cap looked down into his coffee. "Yes." He looked up. "Carol, I ... I don't know what to say. We came together so quickly, but over the past few months, ever since Henry's 50th birthday party, we've moved apart. I don't think it was intentional, but ..."
"It happens," Carol replied, nodding. "I know. I've lost so much of my life, Steve, to the Air Force, to Rogue, to Marcus, during my time as Binary ... since I've been back I guess I've tried to jam too much of what I've missed too quickly. The truth is that, right now, I'm not in love with you, and, if you're honest, you're not in love with me. It has nothing to do with Namor, either. He just ... heightened everything: the love, the guilt, the hurt, the doubt." She took a step towards Steve, placing a hand on his arm. "I see the pain you go through, the agony of what this team has done over the past few months, the death of Freedom Force, the injuries to Forge, being duped by Dr. Amazing, and I want to make that pain go away, but that's not enough for a relationship."
"No," Steve answered, "it isn't. Will we be okay after this? Will the team-"
"The team will be fine," Carol said, and they wrapped their arms around each other and held the other close.
MANHATTAN - Five Blocks West of Avengers Mansion - Night
A man hired for purposes unknown sat in a chair with binoculars trained on Avengers Mansion. For the past week he'd been here, watching, waiting for the correct moment to hit his target. To the left of him rested one of the most powerful snipers ever constructed. To the right, a wireless phone.
He watched silently as the Quinjet had landed, then the Avengers gathered below in the living room to have dinner. How Cleaver-ish of them, the mercenary thought. Ordinary binoculars couldn't get peer inside, of course, but the merc had equipment that went far beyond the ordinary.
He watched as a SHIELD Hummer pulled up to the gates and two occupants, a fat old man and a gorgeous young agent, walked out and rang the doorbell.
"This is where things get interesting," the mercenary thought, his binoculars having no trouble with the young agent's uniform.
AVENGERS MANSION - Living Room - Night
Jarvis led the two guests into the Living Room, where the Avengers stood ready to meet them.
"May I present to you," the old butler announced, "Master Dugan, and Miss Dani Moonstar."
"Dugan, what a surprise," Cap said, moving forward to shake the old soldier's hand. "To what do we owe the pleasure?"
Dum Dum removed his trademark hat, and frowned. "I'm afraid your appearance today before the Senators ruffled a few feathers, Cap. And you know what Washington does when it wants to punish someone - they get more involved."
"What now?" Cap asked, wondering if the Avengers were ever going to get out of their current rut.
Dugan shrugged. "Don't know how you'll take this, but I'm your new government liaison and Dani," he crooked a thumb to the young woman, "is your newest member. Yay diversity."
"Stuff it, old man," Dani shot back.
"Oh yes," Namor drolled, "she's going to fit in here just fine."
AVENGERS ASSEMBLE! Comments to bousquet22@earthlink.net
NEXT ISSUE: AVENGERS 444: "Giant-Yellow-Ant-Jacket-Man" - Henry Pym is determined to get to the bottom of the appearances of Ant-Man, even if it drives him from the team!
Mark Bousquet 23 May 2003 Northern Bear Productions