Silver Sablinova simply sneered at Iron Man and blasted him in the chest again. The handgun she held was deceptively powerful. Tony could feel the concussive pressure of each plasma blast through his chest plate. Another few shots and she might pierce his armor entirely. The sensors in his helmet screamed and he realized that it was one of his teammates.
Ultra Girl burst into the room, her body almost overflowing with power. “Seriously, who am I going to beat the hell out of first?!” she screamed.
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#3
MAY 10 |
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“Things Get Complicated”
“Seriously, who am I going to beat the hell out of first?” Clint Barton joked. “The Leader or Sable?”
“I would go with the Leader,” Dane Whitman said. “He’s pretty scrawny.”
“And Sable would mop the floor with you,” Hank Pym interjected. “She’s tougher than she looks. Just ask Spidey when you see him again.”
“Spider-Man’s been beaten up by so many girls, I doubt he’s kept track,” Barton chuckled.
“That’s definitely the truth,” Jessica Drew added.
Stark smiled under his helmet. The team was somewhat relaxed, thank goodness. The jokes hadn’t been present for the week since the bombing. They needed it; they needed to relax. True, they were the Avengers, but underneath the spandex and armor, they were also people; extraordinary people, but people just the same.
“Tony,” Hank McCoy said, “how far out are we?”
Tony glanced over his shoulder at the Beast. “About two and a half hours from Symkarian airspace,” he said. “Getting a little antsy back there?”
“Just wondering what’s waiting for us in Symkaria,” Hank said.
“I think we all are,” Dane said. “We have any back-up going in?”
“Fury has a Hulk-Buster team in the area, just in case,” Stark said, “but since this mission is purely fact-finding…”
“Nothing official,” Clint said, obviously annoyed.
With a final calculation, the Quinjet came to a stop right upon the pad they were directed to use. The Avengers had arrived in Symkaria. A whir and click accompanied the descending of the ramp. Iron Man led the way from their transport with Pym and Hawkeye close behind. There was no sign of the ruler of the nation at all. Instead, a large black man in a blue and red striped suit with a star stood at the edge of the landing pad. At one time the man had been known as Bucky, alongside a replacement Captain America that served during the time that the first Captain America had given up his shield during a dispute with the Commission on Super-Human Activities. Now he was the member of the Wild Pack called Battlestar.
“Tony Stark. You will follow me.”
“Where is Silver?”
“Her Majesty will meet with you within the castle walls.”
“Very well.”
The Avengers fell into line behind the man as they began the long walk towards the castle in the distance. The face plate of the heavy helmet upon Stark’s head was pulled up as he took a breath of fresh air and took in their surroundings.
“I got a bad feeling about this Tin-head,” Hawkeye muttered. The bow and arrow that was his trademark was held tight in Clint’s hands as he followed behind the armor-plated Avenger leader. “I know Sable can be a bit of a bitch sometimes, but she’s generally good about working with others.”
“So why refuse to extradite Stearns?” he asked.
Clint nodded at Tony’s addition. “I really wish I could tell you that.”
The large doorway of the castle loomed before them as Battlestar entered a code into a small keypad. The doors opened and once again he led the way. The man hadn’t uttered more to them than his words at the landing pad, which was unusual since from what most of them knew he liked to talk. USAgent, the replacement Cap who had worked with Battlestar and was his best friend, said it was too much sometimes. Yet now silence. It did not bode well for their efforts. Another sign came as they moved through the opulent hallways and the hired help before them uttered no words as they scattered. There seemed to be no other people around. Even the rest of Silver’s world renowned Wild Pack was apparently nowhere to be seen. It was odd in a way
“You know those moments in a horror movie,” Dane muttered as he held his sword tighter, “the ones where the really creepy music starts and some ugly dude in a poorly constructed mask or bag over his face bursts out? Well, this is definitely one of those moments.”
Battlestar came to another door and pushed it open while gesturing for the heroes to enter; nodding, Stark led the way in. The doors closed and sealed right behind them with a click, and they were secure within the large room. The lithe form of Silver Sablinova, clad in her trademark silver gear, rose from a plush chair at the head of an ornate table and faced the heroes. She wasn’t moving as they bridged the distance to reach her. They were in her court after all.
“Silver, it’s a pleasure to see you again.”
“Stark. I know why you are here. You have come for nothing. The answer is no.”
Taking a breath, Tony decided to forego his usual charm in favor of expediency to get to the point. “So then why are we here?”
“You’re here for Stearns. He is not for you to question.”
“To hell he’s not!” Clint slammed a fist onto the table as Jessica leaned over and placed a hand upon his chest, calming the irate man slightly.
“Clint, this isn’t the time,” she whispered.
Muttering, the archer deferred to the investigator as Tony turned back to Silver. “While my compatriot isn’t as well spoken in such matters, his point is correct. We have suspicion that Stearns was part of an attack upon the Avengers Mansion that may have claimed four lives.”
“I am aware of the attack you speak of. Your media enjoys the follies and tragedies that befall their heroes. It is a backwards system.”
“While I’d love to debate the finer points of U.S societal quirks, we have more important matters to discuss.”
“No, we do not.” With a wave of a silver gloved hand the door opened to reveal Battlestar and Man-Eater. “This matter is over.”
“Sable…”
“We will discuss it no more, Stark. I would be honored if your team would join us for a state dinner tonight. You came all this way after all.”
There wasn’t much choice left and Tony knew it. Pressing the point would get them nowhere. One couldn’t deny a ruler such as Silver’s request. It was poor form and the Avengers were part of the United Nations. Their actions were known to many and very publicized. The media could spin such a denial many ways. “Of course, Silver. It would be our pleasure. I assume that costumes for those protecting identities are allowed?”
“Of course; Lemar will show you to resting facilities. We shall see one another tonight.”
Symkaria’s ruler moved away as the team began to gather towards the doors. As Battlestar waved for them to follow, a metallic glove landed upon Hank Pym’s shoulder. “Hank, hang back a sec.”
“I have a feeling I’m not gonna like what you have to say, Tony.”
“Take Clint and Jess, get into that prison. Get to Stearns, before dinner is over preferably.”
Tony moved away to join the others, leaving Hank shaking his head. “I knew I wouldn’t like it.”
Hours had passed quickly as the Avengers waited within the fancy rooms provided to them. Pym had taken Clint and Jessica as soon as they all made it to the rooms, headed back out to the jet small and undetectable. The real test would be what to say if Silver noticed them missing. Tony assured the others he’d handle it. There were none slicker than Tony Stark when it came to dealing with beautiful women.
“It’s time.”
Battlestar’s voice rang out in the large room as his head appeared through the door crack. Soon enough another procession of Avengers followed behind the man again, headed towards the dining room this time. As they entered, eyes couldn’t help but be drawn to the grand appearance of the room, including giant chandeliers and sparkling china. Silver hadn’t skimped on anything; then again most of it was her normal fare so it didn’t surprise them that it would be there for their dinner.
Even changed into a fine suit, Tony retained a connection to his armor and its sensors. A presence hung above the castle as Ultra Girl hovered outside keeping an eye on all comings and goings; the Kree heroine was their ace in the hole if all hell broke loose and shit hit the fan.
“I trust everything is desirable.”
“Very much so, Silver; your generosity knows no bounds.” Tony bowed his head slightly as he caught eyes with Beast and Black Knight across the table.
“Truly your chef is quite talented,” Beast said. “This is the most delectable array of cuisine I have ever had the pleasure to sample.”
“Dial it down, Hank.” Dane tried to keep a straight face as he stared at his genius teammate. “We wouldn’t want to bore our host with such things.”
Tony’s fork paused in the air as eyes caught Sable’s inspection of those at the table. The most charming smile the man was able to muster was brought up and ready for deployment if needed. “Your compatriots are missing.”
“Ah, yes. There is much to be dealt with back in New York after the attack. I left the others in the jet to manage all that needs to be taken care of back home. While we’re not there to deal with it, we can still manage most from afar. Time management, I’m sure you’re quite familiar with it.”
“You’re not as adept as a charmer or liar as you perceive yourself to be, Stark.”
The doors of the hall opened as Battlestar and the rest of the Wild Pack appeared, all in their costumes and weapons drawn. “We know of your compatriot’s whereabouts, as well as Ultra Girl’s position above the castle. Did you think that you could pull such a ruse in my presence?”
Leaning back in the chair, Stark gave a shrug and a big smile. “I thought I could. Guess you learn something new every day.”
“Wild Pack, finish them.”
“I can’t believe we’re doing this,” Hawkeye grumbled. He raised his bow and fired a grapple arrow over the wall of the Symkarian national prison. He grabbed the thick cord it was attached to and gave it a pull. It held firm.
“I know,” Yellowjacket replied at his shoulder. “You heard Sable, though. She’s burying her head in the sand with the Leader. It could be months before he goes to trial and he may never leave the country. This may be our only chance.” Hank flew up to the top of the wall and hovered there, waiting for Hawkeye.
Hawkeye began climbing up the wall and responded once he reached the top. “Doesn’t mean I like it.” He retrieved his arrow and returned it to its quiver. He glanced up at Jessica Drew, who glided above them.
“Still no sign of guards,” she said through her communicard. “It’s very quiet.”
“Do I need to say it?” Clint said.
“A little too quiet?” Pym asked.
“It’s like you’re psychic. This whole damn thing is so strange.” He jumped down the wall, landed and rolled forward several feet before coming to a stop. Jessica dropped down next to him, flipped and landed in a crouch.
“Show off,” Clint muttered with a grin. Jess simply smiled. The trio of Avengers moved quickly through the darkened yard. Yellowjacket reached the outside wall first and resumed his normal size, and Hawkeye and Spider-Woman stopped when they reached his side.
Pym was reading data from a PDA and pointed down the wall. “There’s a door about ten meters to the south,” he said. “We get down there, I’ll shrink all of us and we’re in.”
“Yay,” Jessica said.
Plates clattered to the floor amidst expensive silverware and painstakingly created food as figures were sent tumbling over the table, and blue and orange fur flew as Beast and Man-Eater rolled across the floor. A thud sounded as a crossbow projectile became embedded in the wall; the sword within Black Knight’s hands stood firm in its place having just deflected said projectile. Amy Chen, one of Sable’s Wild Pack and deadly in various forms of martial arts and swordplay, along with her trademark crossbow, cursed and loaded another arrow. Dane rushed across the room and dodged to the side as the arrow slid past. With practiced ease the sword was brought down to splinter the bow into pieces and drove the woman back. Her own sword emerged and slammed into Dane’s
“Hmm… seems we’re evenly matched.”
The woman sneered at the Black Knight. “I haven’t even begun.”
“Sable!” Tony cried. “We’re here as friends, dammit! We’re here as friends!”
Silver Sablinova simply sneered at Iron Man and blasted him in the chest again. The handgun she held was deceptively powerful. Tony could feel the concussive pressure of each plasma blast through his chest plate. Another few shots and she could pierce the armor entirely. The sensors in his helmet screamed, alarming the hero till he realized it was one of his teammates.
The upper portion of the ceiling shattered, raining stone and mortar as Ultra Girl burst into the room, her body almost overflowing with power. The upper deck weapons had been fired at her as soon as the fight started causing the young woman some irritation as her uniform was burned and singed. “Seriously, who am I going to beat the hell out of first?!” she screamed.
“How about I give it a try?” Suzy gasped as she was pushed back by the rushing form of Battlestar. The enhanced former hero drove her through a wall into the next room. A clatter sounded as ancient suits of armor clattered to the ground.
Tony struggled up during the distraction, dodging another blast from Sable. The edge of a blast caught the right leg and sent the electronics crazy, causing them to freeze up. Tumbling to the ground, the hero was glad for the armor as the impact was lessened. Within seconds Sable was over the armored hero and squatted with the weapon trained upon his face plate. “It’s over, Iron Man. You should have never come.” Then she pulled the trigger.
Hawkeye rubbed Spider-Woman’s back as she dry-heaved just inside the door of the prison. After gaining her composure she glanced at Pym. “Warn me next time,” she growled. “That was ten times worse than motion sickness and vertigo combined.”
“Sorry, I’m used to it,” he said.
“Next time, just close your eyes,” Clint said. “It’s not perfect, but it helps me.”
“Shhhhh,” Pym whispered, putting his fingers to his lips. He looked down the dimly-lit grey hall; from around a nearby corner they could hear the sound of heavy footsteps at a run growing closer.
“So much for too quiet,” Jessica said.
Clint simply drew an arrow with a small bulb attached to its head and gave his companions a grin. “Let’s make sure it gets quiet again quick.” He notched the arrowed and drew his bowstring back as the first of the guards appeared from around the corner in front of them. He fired the arrow at the ceiling just above them, loosing a cloud of white smoke that enveloped the guards.
Knowing the advantage her enhanced senses gave her, Jessica grinned and jumped into the cloud. She slammed her fists into the stomachs of the first two men and then shoved them away. She dropped to the ground, spun and kicked the legs from under two more. The last two men stumbled blindly towards her, and she raised her arms as they got close. Twin venom blasts struck them in the chests and dropped them both.
“Come on out, boys, it’s all clear,” she called over her shoulder. The cloud of smoke slowly cleared, revealing Jessica standing over the six men, panting slightly. Hawkeye glanced at Yellowjacket and grinned.
“You’ve got to admit it, old man,” he said. “That’s hot.”
“Quoting Paris Hilton?” Hank muttered. “That’s a new low.”
Hawkeye held his hands out. “What, I thought it was good.”
Pym walked past shaking his head and Jessica laughed. “You’re not as funny as you think you are,” she said. “Cute though.”
Clint swung around the corner, bow held steady. He relaxed as the corridor was once again empty. He glanced at his companions. “Only six guards in the entire prison?” he asked rhetorically. “This really is like something out of a horror movie. Next door we come to, there’s going to be zombies clawing at the glass, ready to get out!”
“That sounds like a cool idea for a novel,” Jessica said. “I’ll have to tell Carol about that next time we have lunch. Zombies versus superheroes in a prison.”
“The only thing that would be cooler is zombies in space,” Clint said. “Ooooooh! Star Trek zombies!”
“That’s a terrible mash-up,” Hank said without looking up from his PDA. “And before you say it, Star Wars would be equally as bad.” He stopped in front of the door denoted as the warden’s office in the blueprints he read.
“I have one book that proves you wrong,” Clint said. “Pride & Prejudice & Zombies…which was awesome!! That proves zombies are awesome in anything.”
“Whatever Clint,” Hank said. “Looks like this is the place we need.” He glanced at the other two. “You ready for anything?”
“Always,” Jessica said with her fists balled at her side. Clint raised his bow and nodded in agreement. Hank nodded, grew as tall as the hallway would allow, around eleven feet and then kicked in the door. They weren’t disappointed by what they saw.
On one side of the office a wall was filled entirely by televisions screens, with about half of the screens displaying scenes from inside the prison while others were focused on a brawl between the Avengers and the Wild Pack. Near the desk, two large human-like androids stood, and both androids glanced at them with little concern. A second man stood at the back of the room. Clint’s eyes narrowed as he watched the Sandman carefully.
At the desk sat the figure they had expected to see: Samuel Stearns, the Leader, watching the scene unfold in front of him with some sort of remote control in his lap. He glanced at the three Avengers just long enough to acknowledge them.
“Hello there,” he said. “I was starting to wonder where the three of you disappeared to. I guess you’ve answered that question.”
“Oh my hell,” Hank said, “he’s controlling the Wild Pack.” Stearns looked at him and rolled his eyes.
“Of course I am,” he said. “And after they beat you and your friends, I’ll control you too.” He waved at the androids. “Boys, take care of them.”
Wanda Maximoff sat at the round dining table of Pier A. To her left sat her sister in law, Crystalia Amaquelin Maximoff, and across from her sat the android Jocasta. Jarvis stood nearby, sipping tea sent from England. Because of her pregnancy Wanda drank an herbal mixture that her nursemaid Bova had frequently given her as a child, while Crystal sipped a fine Columbian coffee.
“Jarvis,” Crystal said, “there are few human comforts I enjoy, but your coffee is one of them.”
He smiled and gave her a slight nod. “Naturally, Mistress Maximoff,” he said. “And I’d be happy to make it any time you visit.”
“Wanda, how are you… holding up?” Jocasta asked. Wanda grinned at the human-like android and patted her hand. She was slightly surprised by the warmth and flesh-like feel of her metal skin, but much surprised her about Jocasta.
“I’m doing very well, thank you,” she said. “However, Hank has told me that the baby is growing much quicker than we expected. Because my mutant physiology, the ionic energy of Simon’s body and the mystical energies I frequently manipulate, he will be born very soon.”
“It’s a scary feeling,” Crystal said. “I felt nothing but fear during my pregnancy with Luna. When I first held her though, it was worth it.”
“I feel sorrow that I will never have such an opportunity,” Jocasta said. “I am overjoyed for the opportunity presented to you.”
“Thank you, Jocasta,” Wanda said.
“Has there been any word on Simon or Vision?” Crystal asked.
“We haven’t heard anything from the team,” Wanda said. “They’re currently in Symkaria, trying to get access to the Leader. Whoever arranged the bombing hired him to build the weapon and, hopefully, we can use him to get some answers.”
“I certainly hope so,” Crystal said. “To lose two men you care in just a moment is unbearable. If Pietro and Johnny were harmed in the same fight…”
A chime suddenly began ringing. Jarvis turned and set down his tea cup. “That’s probably Mistress Rambeau,” he said. “She said she was running a little late.” He left the three women in the kitchen, where they continued talking until they heard a cry from Jarvis. Crystal and Jocasta were on their feet quickly, and they found Jarvis at the front entry where he held a small form in his hand. Wanda hurried behind her friends.
“Jarvis,” she said, looking at the small form, “what is--?” She gasped as she realized what, or more accurately who, he held.
“JAN!”
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To Be Continued...
Next: In Avengers #4: Janet Van Dyne is back in the present, but the Avengers are in the middle of a fight for their lives against the Wild Pack! Can Hawkeye, Yellowjacket and Spider-Woman stop the Leader’s plot and get the information the Avengers need?
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