The decisions had been made, the teams had been assigned and the die had been cast. (as told in Captain America Annual 14) The fate of Earth and many other worlds hung in the balance. Captain America motioned to his team to follow him into one of the smaller meeting rooms for a briefing. He sighed as the others availed themselves of the refreshments that had been laid out on the sideboard. Let them enjoy their coffee and cakes for a moment, what he had to tell them wouldn't be as easy to swallow, and some that he led out to try to save the universe might well never return.
It sometimes weighed heavily on him. These were his friends, his teammates, and in many ways the largest part of his life; now they were to go off into space again and who knew if any of them would survive. He looked at them, one by one. Yellowjacket, Hank Pym, one of those who had been there when he had first awakened in this new and very different world. How much had Hank already endured? Wonder Man, Simon Williams, dead and alive and dead again, now returned anew to the ranks of the team. If Simon died once more would this be the final time? Forge, the unknown factor, the gifted mutant inventor. How would he work with the team in a situation where one misstep could be fatal for all? Cap's eyes continued to scan the group. Wanda, the Scarlet Witch stood quietly talking to the kingly T'Challa, the Black Panther. Both regal in their own way and both reserved and with their own secrets and personal tragedies. Living Lightning and the Black Knight stood apart from the others. Miguel Santos was always quiet and respectful, almost as if he were afraid that his youth forbade him to speak up. And then there was Dane. Cap actually wished that he had sent Dane with Iron Man but with Crystal on that team it would have been a bad move. Now he knew he had to deal with the Knight, and it wasn't going to be pleasant.
Steve was jolted from his reverie by a poke in the ribs. Hawkeye stood beside him, shoved a cup of coffee in his hand and scowled. Steve sighed, "Okay Clint, before we get started, what's the problem? You don't look very happy."
Hawkeye frowned a bit more and took a deep drink from his own cup before replying. "Yeah, well I'm not very happy either. How come all the 'founding fathers' got hauled into the meeting while I was left to cool my heels outside? Damn it Cap, I'm a team leader! Are we right back to the same old shit? The Avengers West Coast being treated as also rans? I thought we agreed that the teams were going to be equal and we weren't going to be junior partners any more!"
Although he had started out whispering, Hawk's voice had gradually gotten louder and now the other occupants of the room were staring at them. Steve grabbed his arm and shushed him. "Pardon us a moment folks, we'll start the briefing in about five minutes." He turned back to Hawkeye, yanked him towards a corner and hissed "You! Come with me!" Once they were far enough away from the others he began, "Look Clint, I had nothing to do with who was picked, none of us did. It was all Presidential order. Don't you think I wanted you there with us? Or do you really think I have no faith in you, or your team?"
For a moment they were eye to eye, staring intently, almost reading each other's souls, then Clint lowered his gaze and his head ever so slightly. In a muffled tone he replied, "Yeah, I guess you do." He paused a moment, then looking back up, continued, "Damn it Steve, it's just so frustrating. I've got a good solid team and we work well together, but this is just like when the Government stuck us with Agent. I mean, Jack and I are pals now, but it's still the same old second stringer run around we got then."
Steve squeezed his friend's arm briefly. "I know Clint, and I'm truly sorry, but I had little choice, like I have little choice about our mission. Listen, I have to leave a small group here on Earth to coordinate things and, uhhh, take care of a few rather important details. I can give you leadership of that group if you want. What do you think?"
Hawkeye replied immediately, "No way! I was in space the last two times, and even though I darn near bought the farm both times that's where I want to be." He grinned. "You know I don't really mind taking orders from you, Steve. Besides granddad, at your age you need a younger guy around, in case you need one of those quick afternoon naps."
Under his breath Steve whispered, "Smart ass!" He rolled his eyes but continued aloud, "Good man. I'd prefer to have you with me as my back-up anyway, just in case. Now I guess we'd better get this briefing under way. I'm sure some of what I have to say won't be very popular but I have my orders. I trust you'll back me in this, Clint?"
"You bet, Cap. You can count on me, you know that."
|
Just beyond our star system a Kree scout ship was secreted behind a cloud of space debris from a long disintegrated asteroid. On board the Kree rebel forces waited. Galen Kor, leader of the band, locked the door to his private quarters and activated a hidden communicator. A fuzzy figure appeared on the screen. The hidden ally spoke, "Well?" "They come, soon they'll be here. I don't like this. It was bad enough having to trust that Shi'ar child Deathcry, but they are nothing but interfering trouble makers. The Kree need no humans to break free of the loathsome oppression of that whore Lilandra and her ilk." The screen crackled a moment. "Really? And is that how you feel about me, oh mighty Kree? Your group has no super powers like those who have changed. How far would your tiny resistance have gotten without my help? You failed me before (Avengers 366) but I've given you one more chance. The destruction of the Avengers is all I ask in return. Is that too high a price for you, because if it is I shall gladly permit you to break our covenant. Of course I would have to withdraw all I have so freely provided you with." Galen Kor opened his mouth quickly, but no sound emerged. He hesitated, swallowed deeply then finally said, "No, that won't be necessary. We are most grateful for your help... Collector." |
Captain America cleared his throat. "All right people, we're leaving shortly so there are a few things we need to discuss first." He turned towards the Black Knight and tried to keep his voice emotionless. "Dane, since we are going to be meeting with the leaders of the Kree rebel factions I think that your presence could be, uhh, detrimental to our discussions so I'm assigning you to our earthside team."
Dane Whitman, eyes furious, snapped, "Of course the fact that you don't want me with you has nothing to do with your decision, does it, Captain?"
Steve leveled a piercing glance at him. "Black Knight, I try very hard never to let my personal feeling interfere with my battle strategy, but sometimes your attitude sorely tempts me to reply in the affirmative." He swung his eyes to include the rest of the room. "I've made these assignments based on what is best for the mission and the team, and I expect - no - I demand, everyone's co-operation." Hawkeye stepped up beside him, backing Cap's statement with his presence. Steve continued, "All of you volunteered for this mission but if anyone wants out now...."
They all stood in silence for a moment and Dane slowly shook his head. Captain America proceeded, "All right then. T'Challa, I want you to stay as well and head up the team here. I know that your duties to Wakanda make it difficult for you to leave and I appreciate your volunteering, but there are details here that you can take care of from your homeland, plus you should be receiving some instructions later that will make things much clearer about another project that you and Dane will be working on. Tigra, I want you to stay as well, for a couple of reasons. First, many of Wakanda's more superstitious natives seem to think of you as a good luck charm so your presence may make some of the things T'Challa will have to ask of them a bit easier for them to accept." Tigra laughed and Steve continued, "Second, our mission on Hala is an undercover one and you are a bit hard to camouflage."
A self-conscious chuckle ran through the group and Captain America went on, "As for the rest of you, as I mentioned, we are on our way to Hala. You may have wondered why I have rather under-powered this team. Well, I picked this team for stealth. While the other teams are making direct approaches to the leaders of the Shi'ar and Kree, we are taking a more active role. We are going to meet with the Kree underground, listen to their request and probably offer them our assistance in their attempted, and hopefully bloodless, coup." He paused for a moment to gauge their reactions. Most of them looked slightly shocked, only Forge and Hank, who had been in the presidential briefing, remained expressionless. Beside him, Hawkeye stood grimly, supporting his statement, but Steve caught the slight twitch of a muscle beneath Clint's right eye that betrayed the bowman's reaction. He pressed on before any further discussion could get started. "I know that the Avengers have always pretty much worked in the open, and underground or sabotage work isn't usually our way, but these are our orders folks. Now I think we've kept Quasar waiting long enough. He'll transport us to space and then he's off with Thor's team. We will be met there by a group from the Kree resistance Lets get to it."
|
In the Imperial palace of the Shi'ar all was not well. In her quarters Deathbird paced. So far Empress Lilandra seemed unconcerned about the Kree rebellion or the reasons behind it. Deathbird knew better; she listened more closely to the reports of the advisors, the news broadcasts, even to the whimpering of the priests. The Kree uprising was causing trouble everywhere and Lilandra had misjudged the situation. Now it seemed likely that the earthlings would become involved. Deathbird shuddered. Humans! Avengers! She'd had enough run ins with them. Lilandra turned a blind eye most of the time; perhaps it was because of her futile and fruitless relationship with her absent human consort Xavier. Deathbird had once considered taking a human mate (during Operation: Galactic Storm). Such a union would no doubt have proven barren but she smiled as she thought of Captain America and reflected that it might have been at least amusing to try. Her face became serious once more. Other humans had humiliated her when she was on Earth and there were some things she could never totally forgive. Still, although she had long since given up her quest for control and pledged her support to the Empress, if action wasn't taken soon she might have to intervene, for the good of the Empire, of course. She resumed reading the reports on her desk. |
Quasar quickly and efficiently transported the team to their rendezvous site. He made sure they were all safely aboard the Kree rebel ship then returned to Earth to rejoin his fellows on Thor's team (see Thor Annual '98). On board the vessel the Avengers stood alone, awaiting the approach of their erstwhile allies.
Forge cast an experienced eye over the surroundings. "All in all, this seems to be a fairly advanced craft, from what little I've seen of it. I have to wonder where an underground Kree group gets such highly evolved equipment. I wouldn't think that the Shi'ar would turn a blind eye to such development by a subjugated race."
"Perhaps it's because we have been forced to make some rather odious alliances to win freedom for our race, Avenger."
The Avengers turned to see Kree rebel leader Galen Kor entering the room. His distaste was easily apparent. He motioned, wordlessly, for the Avengers to follow him and led them to a small room just off the airlock. He gestured towards the chairs scattered about and then left, slamming the door behind him.
The team was puzzled and most of them were annoyed at this seemingly ungracious treatment. Wonder Man and Hawkeye both started to voice their protests but Captain America shushed them as he surveyed their surroundings. If this was a trap he intended to have an escape pre-planned.
The door opened and Ron-Varr and Deathcry entered, followed by the sullen Galen Kor. Ron-Varr spoke first. "Avengers, I'm glad you are here. After the attack on Earth (See Captain America Annual 14) we were afraid that our pleas for your assistance would fall on deaf ears. Deathcry assured me you would help us, but I couldn't bring myself to hope..."
Captain America interrupted, "We haven't said that we were going to help yet Ron-Varr. Right now we' re here to listen to your request but we need more details of the problem before we can commit ourselves to taking sides."
Deathcry gestured to Galen Kor. "Here Captain, here are your details." Kor pressed a couple of switches, the lights dimmed and a view screen at the end of the room was activated.
Some scenes were fleeting while some lasted for what seemed hours.... a Kree village, the broken buildings and unsanitary conditions... Kree workers in a mine... time lapse photos of a public execution that took two days before the victim finally died... the burning of a clandestine and illegal school for Kree children, the students trapped inside... a Kree peasant who failed to respectfully bow to passing Shi'ar troops, beaten, then restrained as his wife was repeatedly raped before his eyes. It was when the wife was pushed aside and the troops turned their attentions to the pre-teen daughter that Captain America called out, "Enough!"
As the lights came up Deathcry and Ron-Varr looked at the heroes. Wanda sat weeping. Both Wonder Man and Hawkeye were red faced with rage, their hands clenched into fists. Yellowjacket had his head bowed, his hand over his eyes. Living Lightning also looked downward, but his lips moved in a softly whispered prayer. At first glance only Forge and Captain America looked expressionless but on closer examination Deathcry could see just a hint of moisture in the corners of their eyes.
Cap cleared his throat. "I think we've seen enough to get the picture. Is there some place that we can discuss this alone before we give you our answer."
"Of course Captain. We'll leave so you can talk it over." Ron-Varr pointed to a button on a console. "Just press this when you want us to return." He motioned to his companions to follow him.
As soon as the door closed Captain America began, "Well, I don't think any of us are thrilled at being ordered by the government to do this, but I think we were all inclined to help anyway, and after seeing those films my mind is made up, but if anyone here has any objections or anything to add I think we should discuss it now." His eyes swept the room, but no one spoke. "All right then, we agree to pledge the full support of this Avengers team at least. The others can decide what to do once their missions are finished."
Forge rose. "Actually Captain, we agree to more than that." Everyone turned to him in surprise. "I've been appointed official Earth emissary and given unlimited discretionary power to negotiate a treaty between the Kree and Earth. The United Nations leaders are tired of Earth being basically treated like a poor relation in interstellar relations. Even though we may not be as technologically advanced as the others, we seem to be repeatedly involved in their conflicts and often have to settle them one way or another. Earth has decided to ally herself with the Kree race so that we can gain some official standing in galactic affairs instead of always being the designated war zone. The President relayed these instructions to me and told me to take over control of the team once we were here, and then to arrange the best possible deal I can with the Kree underground, in exchange for Earth's moral backing and the unconditional support all of the available Earth heroes. Once the other teams have completed their missions they will be instructed to join us and place themselves under my command." He turned to face Steve Rogers directly. "I'm sorry Captain. This isn't really the way I wanted to join the Avengers but I have my orders."
"So you say!" snorted Hawkeye. "Do you really think it's that easy? Being Avengers chairman isn't a snap job, and you expect to lead us instead of Cap? You can't possibly expect us to buy that!"
"Clint, belay that." Cap turned back to Forge.
"No he's within his rights Cap." Forge reached into a pocket and brought out some very official looking papers. "This is what I expect you to buy, Hawkeye. Official orders from the United Nations, and confirmed with the Presidential seal. So I'm afraid it really is that easy. Now, do you still want to argue about it?"
Hawk and some of the others glanced at the papers Forge had thrown on the table. Clint muttered, "No I won't argue about it, but that doesn't say I have to like it either."
"Nor do I like it. All I ask is that you follow my orders." Forge turned back to Captain America. "Cap, I'd really appreciate it if you'd come with me to help in the negotiations with the Kree. I didn't ask to lead the team; I didn't even really ask to be an Avenger but it's been thrust upon me. I hope to rely on your experience."
Steve nodded. "Of course, I suppose we all have our parts to play. Let's go and see them. Then we can plan how to best deploy our resources until the other teams show up."
As they left Hawkeye picked up one of the pages with the presidential seal and grumbled, "I knew I shouldn't have voted for that guy."
| On Earth..... |
Tigra sat disconsolately at a communications panel. She had flown to Wakanda with Black Panther and the Black Knight. The two of them had quickly rushed off to one of T'Challa's labs and now here she sat, alone and bored. Calls had come in from the Fantastic Four and the Champions, two of the teams who would try to take up the slack while so many of the Earth's heroes were off in space.
Reed Richards had talked at length with T'Challa and Dane. Tigra had chatted briefly with Natasha but for the most part she had sat at the console, feeling bored and useless. She didn't even know what super secret project the others were working on. She flicked her tail impatiently and wondered once again what she had seen in being an Avenger.
The door to the monitor room opened and the Black Panther wandered in. "Good afternoon, Tigra. How are you?"
"Bored, T'Challa. And wondering why I bothered to volunteer for this mission too. Once again. I'm shunted aside and stuck on monitor duty. Greer Nelson. Earth's Mightiest switchboard operator." She sighed and leaned her chin on her hand.
T'Challa lifted her chin with his hand and stared into her eyes. "Tigra, your beauty alone serves as inspiration to us all."
"Oh, Panther, you flattering fool. Not that I don't appreciate that but I wish I could be of more help."
"Tigra, we all make out own contributions. Don't be discouraged. You may yet save the day for all of us."
As the Wakandan monarch turned and left Tigra whispered softly, "I hope so T'Challa, I certainly hope so."
Three Kree vessels landed on the Shi'ar homeworld. Their approach had been carefully shielded from the Shi'ar defense systems. Galen Kor refused to explain the cloaking device to anyone except to say that it was the gift of an ally. None of the Avengers were comfortable with that but, since Ron-Varr and Deathcry seemed to take such 'gifts' as a matter of course, Forge suggested they let the matter lie.
The rebels and the Avengers split forces. Galen Kor was heading for the prison to free those held there. Ron-Varr's group was going to infiltrate the Empress's headquarters. The Avengers were to take out a main power plant that supplied both of these areas as well as the planetary defense system. It was heavily guarded, but Galen Kor had given them a map that would help them get in and also had marked spots for them to attack.
As they slipped along in the shadows Hawkeye whispered, "I really hate this. I feel like some kind of reject from a James Bond movie skulking along like this. Give me a straight out fight over this undercover crap any day."
"I agree, we're Avengers.. so why aren't we avenging instead of pussy footing around!" Wonderman's face was stormy and he slammed a fist into a wall beside him. He had rarely spoken since first arriving at the mansion and, when he had, it had usually been nothing more than a surly grunt. (see recent issues of AWC).
"Hey Simon." Clint admonished him. "Back off a bit. Sure I was grumbling, but at least I was quiet about it. Don't forget not all of us are invulnerable, so let's not call the Shi'ar down on us just yet okay?"
Cap and Yellowjacket exchanged a quick glance. Hawkeye was Wonderman's chairman on the west coast but his recent erratic behavior and perpetual bad mood were well known to them too. Cap murmured, "Simon, none of us likes this much. We want to avenge the wrongs done to the Kree people but there aren't enough of us to take on a whole planet. That's why we're doing this. A three pronged attack should be our best bet. But Hawk's right. We have to be quiet or we'll fail and the other teams will be probably be captured as well. And we've seen how the Shi'ar treat Kree prisoners."
Wonderman muttered "Yeah, yeah, lets just get on with it then." He stomped ahead, the others following quickly, trying to keep pace.
Hawkeye caught up to Captain America and Forge. "Geez guys, I'm really sorry. Simon's been pretty troubled ever since he rejoined us and I still can't get to what's bothering him. I've even though of asking him to step down to reserve status until he gets it together."
Forge replied before Steve has the chance. "Not your fault Hawkeye. You can't be expected to be responsible for your teammate's every move."
Under his breath Hawk whispered, "Sure I can." Aloud he replied, "Hey Forge, that's why they pay me the big bucks, right?" He grinned crookedly.
Soon they slipped into the back of the building that had been identified to them as the power center. Cap, Forge and Yellowjacket studied the plans they had been given. Hank mused, "Something about this doesn't look quite right Cap. The support columns seem different, out of position. Are you sure these are the most up to date plans?"
Forge answered, "They are the most up to date ones the Kree were able to get Yellowjacket. Galen Kor has assured us that, even though there have been some changes to the building, the places he's marked are still the correct strike points."
Cap nodded. "He did indeed. As a matter of fact he seemed quite emphatic about it. Forge, I know you're in charge, but I'd like to make a suggestion. I think we should split up the team. It's not going to take all of us to set the explosives and I'd like to have some of us elsewhere, just in case anything goes wrong. There's something not quite right about all of this and I'd rather we covered ourselves a bit."
Forge thought a moment then nodded. "You're right, of course. How would you suggest we divide the team?"
Steve quickly replied, "Why don't you, Simon and Wanda provide the backup. That should give you enough strength to either rescue us or complete the mission if something happens. Hank, Clint and I can handle the charges, and Miguel will make a good lookout. In his electrical form he's fast enough to either get to us, or back to you in case we need the help."
The plan was quickly relayed to the others, a rendezvous location agreed upon and the two groups split up. Forge, Wanda and Simon headed for the back of what seemed to be a small temple right beside the power plant. Although there was much hurried activity in the front, the Shi'ar had avoided that back, had often pointedly gone out of their way to not have to go behind it. Whether superstition or religious interdiction, it still seemed to make the rear of the building a good place to wait, while providing a view of the entrance of the power plant as well. Forge wondered at the silence of his companions and the distance they kept from each other but he shrugged and decided not to pursue it. After all he had been placed on the east coast Avenger team now and was going to be busy enough getting used to his own teammates. The affairs of the west coasters would have to be puzzled out later.
Cap lead his team deeper into the confines of the building. Their targets had been identified for them. As they approached the first detonation spot he motioned to Miguel to slip back to keep watch for them. Hank began to set the first of the explosives as Hawkeye and the Captain continued on. The timers on the detonation devices were pre-set to go off in a cascade effect, a series of carefully planned explosions designed to bring down the unoccupied portion of the building.
When Hank and Clint had finished they met at a split in one of the hallways. Cap, who had gone farther into the building, was approaching them from the left. Hawkeye glanced anxiously at his watch. "Okay, according to what the Kree told us, the first of those bombs should go off in about five minutes." He raised his voice slightly. "Come on old timer, move it. We gotta book."
As the words left his mouth there was a loud blast and the first of the walls started to collapse. Yellowjacket reacted instantly, shrinking down and flying towards Cap and returning to normal size in just seconds in an attempt to yank him out of the way of the falling debris.
"Hank! No!" Captain America raised his shield to shelter his teammate from a hunk of cement that was heading for YJ's back. In doing so, he left himself vulnerable and went down quickly as a piece of a girder clipped the side of his head. Hawkeye raced towards the two of them, calling Living Lightning on his communicard as he ran. More explosions could be heard, all far too early according to what had been planned. By the time he reached the spot where the two Avengers had stood all that was visible was a pile of rock and steel.
Hawkeye dropped to his knees and frantically started to drag the rubble away as he tried to locate his buried friends. His bow, slung over his shoulder, was in his way; he yanked it off and dropped it beside him. In the distance he could hear energy blasts and knew that Miguel was under attack. Well Living Lightning would just have to defend himself for now. He was a reservist, but a good dependable fighter, and right now Clint's primary concern was freeing Cap and YJ as quickly as possible. He shoved aside a large section of concrete and exposed most of Cap's upper body. He checked quickly. Good, there was a pulse, although Steve was bleeding heavily from a deep wound to the head. Clint dragged him free and then spotted Hank Pym who had been sheltered beneath Cap.
As he struggled to release his teammates Hawk heard someone approaching, He dove for his bow to defend himself but a energy bolt caught him and he dropped, gasping. He rolled to one side, his muscles on fire, but managed to still grab the bow as he went. With an arrow already drawn and nocked his heart sank as he spotted his attackers, a squad of Shi'ar soldiers, two of whom roughly dragged a battered and unconscious Miguel Santos between them. Clint fired and rolled and fired again, but then two more stun beams hit him and he collapsed.
Shi'ar soldiers surged forward, grabbing Clint's limp form and cruelly hauling him up so they could hit and kick him. Others directed the same treatment to Captain America and Yellowjacket. So furious were the attacks on the Avengers that it seemed doubtful that any would survive more than a few minutes.
"Stop! Now!" The Shi'ar commander stepped forward. The soldiers hesitated a moment and then dropped the four Avengers in a jumbled heap and stood at attention. "We Shi'ar are a proud but just people. The unprovoked and savage assault by these meddling
militants has no doubt caused the deaths of hundreds, possibly thousands of loyal citizens
but we will follow the letter of the law. Take these Earth terrorists to the Imperial palace.
They'll stand trial for their crimes and then they will be executed." He stopped and
surveyed his silent troops, slowly making eye contact with each of them. A smile spread
languidly across his face, then he abruptly kicked at the fallen pile of Earthmen and
shouted "And they shall all die slowly and horribly. Long live the Shi'ar empire!" The
cheers were almost deafening as the defeated Avengers were hauled off to meet their
fates.
| On Earth..... |
Scientists from far and wide bustled back and forth. T'Challa, Dane Whitman and Tigra sat at a conference table In spite of input from Reed Richards and notes left by Hank Pym the work was going badly. T'Challa thought that perhaps a brainstorming session might be in order.
"But I don't even know what you're working on." Tigra protested. "How can I help."
The Black Knight said, "Well, maybe just us verbalizing it will give us some ideas Tigra. This project isn't part of the Untied Nations plan. What we've been trying to develop is a shield, based on Vibranium, that will protect Earth from another space attack. The destruction of the Earth's space vessels caught us all by surprise. We don't want to be unprepared again. We've succeeded too. We've managed to convert the properties of vibranium into a thin vibrationless field that would stop incoming missiles. The biggest problem is, the device required to project a field that far up through the atmosphere draws too much power. We could use it for a few minutes, but as a long term defense it's useless."
Tigra shrugged. "Too bad you couldn't use solar power. Then you could set them up near the suns of the Kree, Skrull and the Shi'ar and wrap their nasty little worlds up in bubbles. If they couldn't get out then we wouldn't have to worry about them, would we?"
Dane and T'Challa looked at each other and smiles slowly spread across their faces. Black Panther jumped to his feet, lifted Tigra up by her elbows and planted a big kiss on her forehead. "Tigra, my dear, you are a genius!"
He set her back down and he and Dane dashed from the room. Tigra looked confused. "I am?"
"Unnhhh..."
"Hawkeye, please... I really need you to wake up."
"Wha..? Ohhhh man.... what hit me?" Clint Barton opened his eyes slightly. The light cut straight through to his brain. He blinked a few times and his vision slowly cleared. He was lying on his back, Living Lightning leaning anxiously over him. "Miguel? What happened? Where are we?" In a rush the memories flooded back to his still woozy mind. "Geez, are you okay? Where are YJ and Cap? They were buried under all that..."
"We're in a cell of some sort. I just woke up myself a few minutes ago. Yellowjacket is awake but he's pretty banged up. I think he might have a busted leg. I can't get Captain America to come around though. He's got a head injury and I don't know if it's a concussion or what."
"Damn! Okay, I better see if I can do anything, although I don't know what I'm gonna do." Hawkeye started to push himself up, wincing as his abused muscles protested. Miguel grabbed his arm and kept him upright when he swayed. "Whoa... dizzy. Just gimme a sec to get my bearings kid." In a few moments he slowly stood up, Miguel still close at his side, just in case. "Hank, how are you doing over there?"
Yellowjacket grimaced slightly. "Well as can be expected after having a building dumped on my head, I guess. My right leg is pretty bad though. I don't think I can walk on it. Better check on Cap. Looks like he took the worst of it, although neither of you guys look like you're going to be in the super hero swimsuit issue this year."
A slight smile flickered across Hawkeye's features. "Yeah, my adoring public better get used to me being color coordinated with my costume I guess." He sat down beside Captain America and shook his shoulder gently. "Yo, Capster. Come on buddy, snap out of it, okay?" He pulled Cap's mask back to reveal the deep head wound. Sighing heavily he rolled one of Cap's eyelids back then shook his head. "Geez, I've been watching ER too often. All that did for me was show me that he's got blue eyes, and I already knew that."
Hank pushed himself up. "Clint, Miguel, help me over there. I should be able to see how he's doing." Moments later he continued, "Well his pupils are reactive. It's a bad cut, he's lost more blood than I'd like and he has what I hope is just a minor concussion but I think he'll be all right. So now I guess we have to figure out how we're going to get out of here."
Living Lightning spoke. "Well, don't you think that the other..."
Hawkeye interrupted him quickly before he could mention their other teammates, shaking his head. "Don't you think this room is bugged? Cap's out of action so it looks like I'm in charge, and I think, for now, we had better just bide our time and see what the Shi'ar have in mind. Lightning, since none of us have our weapons, how about you? Can you change to your energy form?"
"Sorry Hawk." Miguel shook his head. "They've done something to my control pods. I tried but all I seemed to do was start to dissipate instead. I can try again if you want."
"No, there's no point. If all you're doing is endangering yourself just keep it a last resort." Hawkeye looked at the disconsolate young man. "Miguel, I mean it. Unless it looks like you're gonna be killed then don't take the chance. There's no point in committing suicide on the off chance that your powers will work."
A noise at the door caught their attention. Four soldiers entered and stood at attention, their weapons drawn and ready. Four more Shi'ar entered, these ones wearing what looked like white lab coats and carrying medical equipment. Each Avenger was examined and their wounds treated. Miguel and Clint had only minor cuts and bruises and the medics quickly focused their attention on the others. Once Yellowjacket's leg was in a cast the four Shi'ar consulted quickly then motioned to someone outside the door. A gurney was brought in and Captain America loaded on in. Hawkeye's protests only earned him a blow from a gun butt that dropped him to his knees. The gurney and the unconscious Steve Rogers were removed, followed by the medical staff and guards.
Living Lightning helped a groggy Hawkeye to his feet and got him seated on the edge of Hank's cot. "Well, Hawk, now what do we do?"
Hawkeye sighed and gingerly touched the new bruise that was forming on his cheekbone.
"I don't know, Lightning, at this point I just don't know."
| On Earth..... |
T'Challa had again called a conference. The project was a success. A solar powered satellite had been put in orbit around the moon. Once activated while light had passed through, the test vehicle on the surface had been unable to penetrate the barrier to leave.
The three Avengers in Wakanda as well as Reed Richards and Natasha Romanoff discussed the matter via conference call. This weapon was a last resort. If peace couldn't be won by the other teams then the Avengers could always threaten to encapsulate the other worlds to prevent further destruction on Earth. Perhaps the loss of their space travel might succeed where reason had not. They decided that the politicians need not know about the shield. This weapon would have to remain an Avengers secret.
Simon had wanted to go into the wreckage immediately to search for the others. Forge had refused. For a moment it had appeared that Wonder Man was going to go anyway until Wanda had appealed to him. No matter how badly they wanted to save the others, there were more troops here than the three of them could handle. Reluctantly Simon agreed to follow Forge's lead and try to locate the other rebels so they could mount a rescue attempt.
Four days had now passed, and they had been unable to find the others or their friends. Another argument had just broken out between the two men when Wanda brought their attention to the large public viewscreen overhead.
The scene was a Shi'ar courtroom. Security was heavy as four prisoners were brought into the room. Living Lightning was first, he walked slowly and looked nervous. Behind him hobbled Yellowjacket on a pair of crutches, one leg in a cast. Bringing up the rear were Captain America and Hawkeye. Clint had a few deep bruises showing beneath his mask but he looked more angry than injured. He had his arm around Cap's back and was helping the pale and shaken looking Steve Rogers into the room. Cap's head was heavily bandaged and he seemed to sink to his seat gratefully.
The trio of refugees watched and listened in horror as the charges were read. Espionage. Sabotage. Four hundred and twenty seven charges of murder. The building they had believed to have been a power plant was actually a house of worship. The front building was in fact only the entrance to the larger temple. The explosions had gone off in the middle of a service. Many of those killed had been women and children.
The accused looked stunned. Clearly they had not been previously informed of the
charges against them. As pictures of the bodies of the victims were displayed Miguel and
Hank wept openly. Steve watched sadly. Clint looked furious. He knew now that they had
been set up by Galen Kor, but the Shi'ar would never believe it. They were given no
chance to testify in their own behalf. Judgment was quickly rendered. Guilty! The
sentence: death! The prisoners were removed and the transmission stopped.
|
Galen Kor and the troops loyal to him were aboard their ship and out of Shi'ar space. Kor, his door locked, again activated his hidden communicator. "Well, it's done Collector. The Avengers have been captured, tried and sentenced to death. I had to sacrifice ten of my own men to go with the Shi'ar traitor Deathcry. They died but her fate is unknown. My people now believe that the Avengers are responsible for the failed mission and the deaths of those men while the Shi'ar think the Avengers are responsible for the deaths at the temple. Are you happy now?" "You think I'm a fool do you? I intercepted that broadcast. Four Avengers are to die. There were seven with you and there are dozens of others. I want them all. If I can't possess them, then I want them dead." Galen Kor laughed. "You don't know enough about the Shi'ar then. That trial was taped. Even now I hear that the Empress's ministers are putting that with more footage. They'll be beaming it back to Earth to show the meddling Avengers what the fate of their friends is and as a warning to stay out of Shi'ar affairs. Do you really think the other Avengers won't attack the Shi'ar? The Avengers will die, Collector, make no mistake. All of them will die. I only hope they take enough of the Shi'ar scum with them that we can strike while they are weakened and that we can obliterate them." The Collector nodded. "Well, you have thought this out I see. But I warn you Galen Kor, don't count the Avengers defeated until every last one of them is dead. I've fought them before and they are a tenacious bunch. A single free Avenger, even the weakest of the lot, can still triumph. Our bargain was for the total defeat of the team and four Avengers certainly isn't all of them. My support and all of the technology I've provided you with depends on your success. For your sake, I hope you haven't over estimated the Shi'ar or under estimated the Avengers." With a snap of his fingers he cut off the transmission leaving Galen Kor feeling far less confident than he had been just minutes before. |
Miguel Santos had made his peace. He had thought he was beyond the teachings of the old priest from the parish church that his mother had made him attend as a child, but now, facing almost certain execution, he had purged his soul in silent prayer. The deaths of four hundred and twenty seven Shi'ar innocents had weighed on him heavily for the last two days, but he had now accepted that he had been gulled and the sins of those murders need not be his. He sat quietly in the corner of the cell and awaited his fate.
His teammates weren't quite as complacent. They were all livid that Galen Kor had made them the instruments of such destruction. Hank Pym paced their room on his crutches constantly, trying to put as much pressure on his injured leg as he could. Captain America seemed much improved. Color had returned to his cheeks, but he still tired easily, not yet fully recovered from his head wound. Hawkeye changed from moment to moment, sometimes stomping back and forth, enraged that they had been tricked, sometimes calm and gentle as he had cared for the recuperating Steve Rogers, but most often he was thoughtful as he examined every inch of the holding area looking for some means of escape.
The door of the cell opened. It wasn't time for a meal to be served, and each of the Avengers looked up, wondering if this was the moment when they would be taken for execution. Again guards entered the room. They stepped back, as if forming an honor guard for someone. A high ranking Shi'ar woman came in, arrogant and strangely compelling. It was Deathbird.
"Well, well, my little Avengers. How the mighty have fallen." She laughed and continued. "As you can see I am still in the good graces of our beloved Empress. While Lilandra sits on her throne and contemplates weighty matters of state, she has seen fit to leave your disposition up to my tender mercies."
She walked forward. The guards started to follow but she waved them back to their positions. She approached each of the men in turn. "So, you are Yellowjacket are you? And how long will you keep this guise, Mr. Pym. Oh yes, considering the verdict of the court I imagine this is your final identity, isn't it?" She turned to Living Lightning. "Now you I don't know. The Avengers are reduced to recruiting from children I see." Miguel flushed angrily as Deathbird turned her attentions to Captain America. She leaned forward to stroke his face softly. "Ah my fine Captain. How good to see that you are recovering from your injuries. I had to threaten to disembowel several of our doctors before they finally assured me that you would survive. I once considered you a suitable consort Captain (during Operation: Galactic Storm) and it is remotely possible that I may be able to delay your execution for a while if I take you as my... now what is that term... ah yes... my boy toy."
The smile left her face as she turned to the last Avenger. "And then there's this one. I didn't recognize you the last time we met (Clint had assumed his Goliath II identity during O:GS) but I know who you are now, Hawkeye, and I remember how you humiliated me. (in Avengers 189)"
Clint smiled easily, "Hey, those were the good old days weren't they DB?"
She slapped him, her talons leaving several deep cuts on his cheek. "No one disgraces a member of the Imperial house, human! No one!." She turned back to the guardsmen. "Take this one to my quarters now. He'll serve as a suitable example."
The other three Avengers started to protest but the guards stepped forward, their weapons pointed towards the prisoners. Captain America, Yellowjacket and Living Lightning watched helplessly as a struggling Hawkeye was dragged from the room.
About twenty minutes later two guards returned and set up a viewing screen in the Avengers cell. They left wordlessly. Moments later the screen lit up. Deathbird appeared and began to speak.
"People of Shi'ar, a heinous crime has been committed against us by the people of Earth. This tape, along with the records of the trial, will be broadcast back to them, so that they can see how the Imperial house of Shi'ar reacts to their interference in our affairs."
She stepped back to reveal Clint Barton behind her. He was standing, arms extended, securely bound. Stripped to the waist, he had some wires connected to various places on his head, arms and chest. He looked calm, almost arrogant, but the fingers of one hand twitched restlessly.
"This is one of the cowardly band who were responsible for the deaths and injuries to so many of our faithful citizens. As shown earlier, all of them have been sentenced to death. This demonstration is to show that there are many ways that a man can die, some quick and painless," she turned to Clint, stroked his cheek with a taloned finger and smiled, "and some extended and agonizing. This device has been used on many of the Kree dissidents. It stimulates the nerve endings, causing tremendous pain, but inflicting no actual physical damage, at least not to a Kree. Of course, we've never tested it on a human before. Oh, it has one other lovely little feature. It also affects the brain, preventing the victim from losing consciousness. That way they can enjoy every exquisite moment. I once had a Kree rebel hooked to this machine for three days and at the end there was no harm done at all to his body. Regrettably, I am unable to say the same for his mind."
Back in the cell the three Avengers watched in dismay as the broadcast continued. Yellowjacket blurted, "Cap, we have to do something, anything."
Captain America slowly shook his head. "There's nothing we can do Hank. Miguel can't use his electrical powers and neither of us is in any shape for a fight, even if we could get out of this cell. When they took Clint out of here I feared he was going to his death. Yes, they are going to torture him, and yes, I hate this, but hopefully that apparatus won't have any lasting affect on a human and he'll be brought back to us. It won't be pleasant, not for us, and certainly not for Hawkeye, but, where there's life, there is always hope."
Hank Pym whispered, "I suppose. Oh dear God, Clint....."
On the screen Deathbird walked over to Hawkeye and grabbed his blonde hair firmly. She bent his head sharply back, whispered something to him and then kissed him. When she removed her lips, Clint smirked at her, then spat in her face. She slapped him again and raised her hand as if to continued, but stopped. "Very well Avenger. Enjoy your minor victory. I shall soon enjoy listening to you beg me to turn the pain off." She whirled and walked over to the machine. On a large timer she set a number, 427. "I'm sure that our time units mean nothing to you, Earther, so know this. Approximately every four of your seconds this counter will reduce by one as it counts off the number of Shi'ar that you and your compatriots have butchered. When it reaches zero your anguish will finally stop, you will, however, wish to die long before that. This tape, along with the record of your trial will be broadcast to Earth. We will brook no further interference in our affairs. If the Avengers dare to oppose us again then you and I shall try to see if we can break that three day record. Now scream, Hawkeye, scream long and loud so that Earth will be warned."
She smiled wickedly and poised her finger over a large red switch. Clint struggled vainly to loosen the ropes that held him. Deathbird laughed and flipped the switch. Hawkeye's body arched as the current flowed through him His eyes clenched tightly; he bit hard on his lower lip as he tried not to cry out in his torment. Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth and from the cuts on his cheek, sweat ran freely down his body as the display slowly counted off the time... 427... 426... 425... Finally a sob slipped from his lips, he gasped once, and then the screaming started and just wouldn't stop.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA !!!!!!!"
Every four seconds the number dropped by one. For approximately seventeen hundred and eight seconds, just over twenty-eight minutes, the Avengers watched in horror, the counter continued, and Clint Barton screamed and screamed. At last the display read zero, the machine turned off and Clint fainted. The broadcast ended.
Several minutes later Hawkeye was roughly dumped on to the floor of the holding cell. Living Lightning and Captain America gingerly lifted him, then carried him over and laid him gently on one of the cots. Yellowjacket examined him carefully. Hawk's skin was ashen, there were dark shadows under his eyes and his body was drenched in sweat.
Hank shook his head. "I can't tell if he's been harmed permanently or not. He could just be in shock. We'll have to wait until he comes around."
A little later Clint's eyes fluttered, then slowly opened. Steve sat beside him, wiping his forehead with a damp cloth. Clint whispered weakly, "Hiya Cap. I g.. guess it's t.. true. Hell hath no f.. fury like a woman s.. scorned."
"Shhh, Clint, just rest. You took a pretty rough ride, partner."
"Yeah but I... I'm okay. Couple of hours sleep and I'll b.. be fine." He stopped, catching his breath and looking up into the concerned eyes of his friend. He lowered his voice. "Steve, don't look so worried. Humans aren't harmed by that thing, honest." He shuddered a moment. "Although I don't wanna ever have to go through that again. Damn, that really hurt!" His eyes closed weakly. Steve thought perhaps he had fallen asleep when he heard a softly murmured, "Cap, listen buddy, everything's cool, we're all gonna be fine, just watch for my signals okay? Ohhh man, so tired..." As Clint's eyes drifted shut once more his voice dropped to almost inaudible. Steve barely caught his next line. "I just hope the other Whackos get the message..."
Captain America frowned at his friend's sleeping face then suddenly he began to smile. He understood.
Earlier the remaining free Avengers had peered out from their hiding place. Deathcry, who had finally found them only yesterday, had told them that yet another broadcast was due from the Imperial Palace. As the telecast began Wonder Man again began to berated Forge. "Some leader you are. We cower in the shadows and do nothing and now that bitch Deathbird has one of our teammates strung up like a side of beef. I've had enough. I'm going to break in there and rescue Hawkeye, now!"
"Simon no! Look!" Wanda caught his arm and pointed towards the screen at the bound figure of the West Coast Avengers chairman. "Don't you see what he's doing. Oh, noooo..." Wanda turned away as the torture started.
Simon stood still, his eyes riveted to the screen. Finally he whispered, "But I didn't catch all of it. Did you, Wanda?" Wanda shook her head sadly. In the background Clint's cries could be heard, reverberating throughout the city from the viewing screens set up every few blocks.
"What did you see? Some kind of signal?" Forge queried.
Wanda replied, her voice breaking as she spoke. "Yes, at least I think it was. But I didn't see all of it either. And now... oh why are they doing this to him?"
Deathcry spoke calmly. "If I know my people, and unfortunately I do, this will be rebroadcast, time and time again. Not the most pleasant entertainment I've seen," she turned her head back to the screen, looked at the close-up of the agonized Avenger, then carried on, "but at least he still lives. Difficult as it is, we'll have to watch it again."
| On Earth..... |
AVENGERS MANSION
Thor's team stumbled wearily from the Force Works ship into the hanger bay at the
Mansion. They knew the battle was not yet over, in spite of their latest efforts (see
Defenders GS 7). They planned to rearm themselves, get another Quinjet and continue the
fight. They were surprised to be greeted by Iron Man.
"What ho, friend Iron Man. Hast defeated the Supreme Intelligence? Our brief meeting with the cur was most unseemly." (Inhumans Special Edition)
IM shook his head. "Regretfully no, Thor. I take it you haven't seen the latest broadcast from space yet?" As the God of Thunder shook his head Tony continued. "Then you had all better come to the meeting room. I'm afraid we are going to have to leave control of the Supreme Intelligence up to T'Challa's team. It appears that we're going to have to take our attack directly to the Shi'ar Imperial Palace. Most of our undercover team is under sentence of death. And the way they are being treated... Damned Shi'ar bastards...."
Hank McCoy wandered down the halls of the Mansion. In the past he had enjoyed his times here. Today there was no enjoyment. He couldn't get the image of Hawkeye out of his mind. Over the years he had seen many friends in pain, even seen a few die, but almost half an hour of deliberate torment was different, it was perverse, twisted, evil. Deeply troubled he roamed aimlessly. A noise from one of the small lounges caught his attention.
He glimpsed in only to spot USAgent seated before a television, a VCR remote clutched in his hand. Then he glanced at the TV screen and was stunned. "Oh my stars and garters! Jack, why on earth are you watching that? I thought you and Clint were friends now. How can you watch what they are doing to him?"
Agent snarled, "We are friends, the best of friends. Now leave me alone."
Beast gestured at the screen, at the tears that streamed down the face of the pain-wracked archer. "Agent, my Lord man, can't you see how he's suffering? How can you watch it a second time?"
Jack slammed his hand down on the arm of the chair, cracking the wood. "Of course I can see how he's suffering, and this is the fifth time I've watched it. Damn it! I have to watch it. He knew this would be transmitted back to Earth. If he could, then Clint would have given me a signal or a message somehow. It has to be there, and I'm going to keep watching it until I find it." He savagely hit a button on the remote control and rewound the tape. "Wait! There, do you see it?"
Hank peered at the screen. Deathbird had just stepped back to reveal the constrained Hawkeye behind her, proud, arrogant, unafraid. "I don't see anything, except that in a moment she's going to turn on that infernal machine again."
"No," Agent leapt to his feet, "There! Damn, how could I have missed it before? His hand, look at his hand. It's a signal. We've been working on this out west. It's a sort of Morse code crossed with sign language. He's giving us a meeting time and location. Oh Barton, I love you, you devious son of a... Beast, quick, get me a pen and some paper. I'm going to run it again in slow motion."
WAKANDA
Dane Whitman was exhausted, He hadn't actively been a scientist in years. Now he had done nothing else for almost a week. He had thought the endless training he had undergone while an Avenger was tiring, but for the last six days he had exercised nothing but his mind, and now he felt totally drained. But they had succeeded. The theoretical shield was theory no longer. Weary as he was the Black Knight felt a satisfaction in this job that he had rarely felt in his days as an Avenger.
His reverie was broken by the sudden entrance of Tigra. "Dane, come quickly. We're having a conference with the other teams. Clint managed to sent us a message in that horrible tape. Jack and I both figured it out. Now everyone is getting together and we're going to plan how to end this miserable war and bring our friends safely home."
Once more the cell door opened at an unexpected time. Once more the honor guard preceded Deathbird as she strode into the room. Once more the Avengers weren't quite sure what to expect. Captain America and Living Lightning jumped quickly to their feet, Yellowjacket rose, but more slowly, still leaning on his crutches. Hawkeye, who had been sleeping, sat up, rubbing his bleary eyes.
Deathbird surveyed them and laughed. "Well, my little Avengers, here I am again. My beloved Empress has given me a small present. You! It seems she has just had a most unsettling experience, but can't recall any of it (see Defenders GS 7) but has decided to salve her conscience by permitting me the pleasure of seeing to your executions." She walked over to Captain America and stood very close to him. "I have decided to take you to my personal estate, as I'm not quite finished playing with you yet." She gestured to the guards, and they started to hustle the Avengers from the cell. As he passed her, Deathbird grabbed Hawkeye's arm and pulled him near her. She murmured something in this ear, then laughed and pushed him towards his teammates. Clint nodded and looked back over his shoulder at her as the guards hurried him away.
The transport was comfortable enough, although windowless. The four Avengers sat quietly, unable to see where they were going or even who was driving or guarding them. Finally Yellowjacket spoke, "Clint, are you all right? You haven't said much and you still look pretty wiped out. You took some pretty rough treatment earlier."
"Yeah, I'm fine, Hank. Just tired, thats all." Hawk shrugged. " I was waiting until we were far enough away from the palace. Deathbird just told me that this vehicle is supposed to be clean of bugs, but I didn't know if there might be directional mikes trained at us. I guess I can let you guys in on what's happening now."
Yellowjacket and Living Lightning both looked at him in surprise. Captain America just smiled. He had already puzzled out some of it himself.
Hawkeye continued, "Deathbird is on our side, at least as far as she can be trusted anyway. Her quarters are one of the few places in the palace that aren't bugged so the two of us made a little deal before they started that broadcast. She gets us away and we go back to what we started to do by helping to stop the Shi'ar mistreatment of the Kree. Only this time we'll be working with sections of the underground that are a bit more dependable than Galen Kor was. I'm not really sure how far we can trust her but so far DB's been playing it pretty straight with us, even if she does play a bit rough." He ruefully rubbed his aching muscles.
Hank interrupted. "Are you trying to tell me that Deathbird tortured you for almost half an hour with your cooperation? Clint, you idiot, what were you thinking? You could have been killed. Just because it doesn't damaged Kree physiology doesn't mean that..."
"Whoa there, YJ! You really think that's how I wanted to play it? I may be a bit reckless, but I'm not a total masochist. DB's orders were to kill one of us as an example. This was a sort of compromise. That thingamie was created by an Earth scientist, if you can believe it, and Deathbird knew that half an hour wasn't nearly enough to harm me physically or mentally. I mean, I admit that I hurt in muscles I didn't even know I had, but it's nothing a good massage and a week long nap ain't gonna fix up. Of course if I'd know it was gonna hurt that much I might not have agreed quite so fast, but somehow I think ending up dead would have hurt a lot more. But I'll still bet she enjoyed it. Teach me to be a smart ass, I guess"
Hawkeye rose stiffly and started examining the walls of the vehicle they were riding in. Captain America recognized what he was doing and joined him. As the two of them looked for concealed listening devices the archer continued his story. "Well, Deathbird told me where she was going to take us, and when we'd be there, and I told her I could get a message to the other Whackos as long as she made sure I got a couple of minutes on camera before she flipped on her gizmo."
Lightning looked up quizzically. "Message? I didn't see any message."
"Sorry, Miguel. This is something new we were working on. You had exams and missed those meetings. I was gonna fill you in later, once your exams were over, but this whole thing came up a little fast. Remember this?" Clint winced as he raised his arms as though he were bound once more, and twitched his fingers nervously. "That's it, guys, time and location of the meeting with just a few finger wiggles. Not too shabby, eh? It's just a good thing that all of the west coast team is here to get the message."
Hank frowned, but Cap put his fingers to his lips and shook his head. Hawkeye wasn't letting everything out of the bag yet. Deathbird didn't know that the message would be seen by other West Coast Avengers on other teams. He slapped Hawkeye on the back. "Well done, Clint. Looks like I couldn't have picked a better back-up man."
"Thanks, gramps." Hawk rotated his shoulder and grimaced. "Just do me a favor, okay? Next time you wanna give me a pat on the back, don't do it so hard. I'm way overdue for an extended date with a Jacuzzi I think."
Earth: Avengers Mansion:
Thor rose and spoke. "Boon companions of these two teams, we know now what must be done." At his side Iron man nodded. "Then I say thee...."
Earth: Wakanda
Black Panther rose and spoke. "Through the combined efforts of scientists all over the world we have developed something that may well stop intergalactic war. Now it is time to head off to space because it is finally time for..."
Hala: Just outside the estate of Deathbird:
Forge rose and spoke: "First my thanks to the three of you for gathering the materials I needed. I've now built enough weapons to outfit a small army. I never thought I'd have the chance to say this..."
Hala: In a transport heading for Deathbird's estate:
Captain America rose and spoke: "Well, it looks like we're finally heading to the ultimate conclusion. There has been enough death, enough suffering. Soon we'll be again able to say..."
TO BE CONCLUDED....