Back to GatefoldIssue #59 by Steve Crosby
[snapshot of original issue from defunct M2K site] |
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The television was on in the small Oregon country store where Robert Bruce Banner shopped. He wasn’t paying attention, more concerned with making his purchase and beating the predicted storm. He’d lost enough time waiting for that mangled bear to be removed from the road. Banner was able to hear snippets, a news bulletin for some kind, and mention of a name caught in his ears. “Jessica Walters.” That got his attention. Banner looked up at the television. The image was the steps of the Capitol Building. Law enforcement and paramedics were on the scene. Being carried down those steps on a gurney was Jennifer Walters, otherwise known as She-Hulk. At that moment, Jennifer wasn’t green and she wasn’t a giantess. She was a normal young woman, unconscious and pale from blood loss, but alive. “-after testifying before a closed hearing of the Committee on Super-Human Activities. At this time we can only speculate as to the contents of this hearing, and whether it may be connected to what has transpired. Again, Jennifer Walters, Avengers liaison to the U.S. government, has been shot while leaving the Capitol Building. Authorities have converged on the scene, but we have no reports as to the shooter’s identity.” In the shock of hearing his cousin’s situation, the scientist’s mind needed a second to catch up. When it did, Robert Bruce Banner realized that he’d never seen the store’s other occupants before, and how odd that was for a small town. That realization sent him running in time to save his life. Cans behind Banner exploded as bullets ripped into them. As he ran his head ducked down, feeling the movement of air as bullets whizzed by. Every man and woman in the store seemed to be armed and after Banner. Not a typical military operation; and seeing the opening for the side exit Banner wondered if they were professionals at all. They had to be, Banner told himself as the pieces came together in his mind. It was too much of a coincidence. They had wanted him to hear of Jessica’s attack before they moved. The door flew open and Banner almost made it out in time to avoid a bullet. The shot grazed his backside, not serious but it hurt something fierce, the way rubber would. They wanted him angry. The last thing Banner felt wasn’t surprise to find nobody waiting outside. There was only anger, and everything else became green. MARVEL 2000 PRESENTS... "NO FURTHER"
Written by Steve Crosby
Captain America, Karnak and Warbird didn’t respond. They were observing the holographic recreation of events as it played out around them. Jennifer Walters was walking down the steps, giving a statement to reporters, when she was struck high on the right side of her chest. “Two ribs shattered,” Karnak said. “Right lung shredded. Blood vessels ripped apart, she’s lucky an artery wasn’t hit. Lower spinal column was grazed on the way out. A slower response by seconds would have killed her. As it is the sudden loss of oxygen, blood and feeling would have caused immediate shock.” “Jennifer had no chance to transform,” Warbird said. “That’s her only chance at a full recovery, and unless she wakes up that will never happen. I’ve seen analysis like this in some CIA reports on the Hulk.” Captain America nodded, but also frowned. “The angle is wrong. The shooter was too high and too close to be from any building.” Karnak made a gesture, and suddenly they were in the clouds. “It had to be a flyer, and someone under their own power. Any external means to hover would have disturbed the cloud cover.” Warbird shook her head. “Something would have been needed to steady the rifle. Unless this flyer is super-strong as well. It’s a long list, I’ll look for who might have the proper training.” “Or able to create solid constructs. We also need to account for Quasar, Songbird, maybe there’s a new Doctor Spectrum. The Power Prism is a Skrull device, the Fantastic Four can help look in to that.” “Captain America, there’s another matter,” Diane said. “You had asked for any sign of Banner or the Hulk…he was seen jumping through Oregon.” “That makes sense. Bruce was making an effort to hide and then this happens. Any destruction?” “A general store was leveled, but nobody was reported injured. Right now it’s just eyewitness bloggers, none of the news is official yet.” Captain America sighed. “All right, monitoring and neutralizing the Hulk is a priority. Karnak, we’ll need a report of weaknesses and how to exploit them. Warbird, gather everything on the investigation and find a candidate to hand it over to. We’ll need to reach out to everybody.” His eyes opened to lights passing overhead. Wheels were creaking beneath him. He was on a cart being rolled down a hallway. Doctors in white masks were speaking urgently with nurses, and there was another man too, in a fine pressed suit. “Talk to me son. What happened?” “Uhn, he, grhh!” He coughed violently, and tasted blood. There was no pain, likely due to the tubes in him. “He made it outside and we tagged him like planned. We started, nhn, started out the front to sweep around. Kkn, To make sure he left. But sir he didn’t, he didn’t…” “We know.” A hand on his shoulder cut through the haze. So much pain, but nothing past the shoulder. “He tore through the wall, went back in after you.” “We tried, tried to run.” He clenched his eyes, trying to blot it out even as he spoke. “What he did, uhn, he knocked us all to the ground at once. It was…it was clever sir. It wasn’t grey, but it was still smart. He,” His eyes shot open. “He asked us questions!” The hand on his shoulder trembled. “What did he ask?” “Why? He asked why? Not just the attack. He, he connected us with Washington. He guessed what we wanted, sir. He guessed right!” “And what did you tell him?” “Nothing sir! Not even when he…” He realized why he couldn’t feel anything below the shoulder. “When he…My men, sir. Will they?” “I’m afraid they were dead by the time we all got there.” “No! I heard them. They all were…Hulk doesn’t kill.” He did feel the needle puncture his neck. “Apparently he does now. We found you all dead.” Inside Avengers Mansion, the Assembly Room was a hive of activity. Maps and individual profiles covered the large meeting table, around which most of the Avengers and the Young Avengers were sitting. Binary was more fidgeting, looking with nervous eyes at their Chairperson. Captain America seethed at the blank monitor in front of him, angry at what he’d just been told. “I don’t often see you upset,” said Quicksilver. “And in this situation, I don’t see why. Wonder Man has the right idea to head off the Hulk. Some are going to back him up. We should be among them.” “No we shouldn’t,” Captain America said. “At least not so soon. I with Wonder Man all the best, but without a solid plan, I’ll have to accept that his contribution will be to buy us time.” “Will that honestly make any difference?” Warbird asked. “The X-Men and Fantastic Four will go along with us, and Iron Man’s bringing the rest of the team. But come on, fighting the Hulk while he’s as mad as he must be is tantamount to suicide.” “There are several better strategies we could use,” Karnak said. “Binary could rocket him into orbit. Ant-Man could shrink him to a manageable size. I read in the files what Doctor Strange did. We could call him to do that again.” Espirita was shocked. “This man is only reacting to an attack on his cousin! We don’t have the right!” “We aren’t exiling Hulk anywhere.” Captain America was firm on that. He repositioned several of the maps and pointed to a spot on one. “This is where we’ll face him, to calm him if possible or knock him unconscious if necessary. Warbird, make sure everybody knows to stand by until I call them in. Ant-Man comes with us. Quicksilver will accompany the Young Avengers to Washington.” This enraged Quicksilver. “I will not sit on the sidelines while-” “You’ll join us the moment you learn She-Hulk’s condition and not a moment sooner.” If Captain America thought he’d stay put, he’d order Quicksilver to wait until She-Hulk awoke. “I doubt we’ll encounter Hulk before then.” “And us?” asked Young Avenger. On the wall behind him, a shadow was agitated. “We may be young, but you know we can handle ourselves.” “Somebody shot at She-Hulk. They may try again. Make sure that doesn’t happen. Once she’s improved, let us know immediately.” Espirita nodded. “Because this triggered the Hulk’s rampage, seeing her recovered should calm him down.” “How can we be sure she’ll be fine anytime soon?” Binary asked. Captain America answered as he was walking out the door. “For the same reason we’re in for the fight of our lives. They’re Hulks.” Destruction and pain followed the Incredible Hulk on his journey of rage through America’s Heartland. In a criss-cross fashion he jumped from state-to-state, with each landing creating more damage. In Montanta, a group of heroes tried to stop him. Broken sunglasses rested precariously on a mountain ledge. Low tremors threatened each time to knock them off, but somehow the glasses remained balanced. A head smashed face-first against the glasses, shattering them completely and breaking off small chunks of the ledge. Wonder Man was then hauled up by the green hand that still held the back of his head, and thrown back against the mountain. Of the eight heroes that had come to his aid thus far, Wonder Man remained the only one standing. Lying nearby was Hellcat, somehow still conscious and muttering, “Not done yet. Never done.” Swordsman and Magdalene lay unconscious amidst their broken weapons. In spite of the blood covering her face and chest, Moondragon didn’t have a mark on her. Hope remained. Out of the corner of his swollen eye, Wonder Man saw Luke Cage and Iron Fist rise to their feet. The Heroes of Hire moved as one, charging the behemoth. Hulk caught Luke Cage’s fist with a hand three times larger. He squeezed, and Luke Cage screamed. Screaming a word of power, Iron Fist smashed a chi-charged blow to a bloody spot beneath Hulk’s ribcage. Black Knight with his Ebony Blade had been the only one to wound Hulk at all. A crack sounded from that weak spot, but Hulk only grunted as he back-handed Iron Fist. The man went flying, and crashed to the ground near Hellcat. As for Luke Cage, Hulk nonchalantly threw the man over his shoulder. The scream seemed to last forever before it finally faded. He had no chance, Wonder Man knew. He’d thought that intelligence and skill would decide the fight, and it was. But he’d been mistaken about who had more of both. As Wonder Man scrambled to his feet, a hand fumbled for his identicard. The Avengers had to know what they were up against. Hulk clapped his hands and the solid force of air nearly knocked Wonder Man back off his feet. The identicard fluttered away from his desperate reach. “I’m not going to let you spoil the surprise.” A green fist smashed into Wonder Man’s chest, followed by a brutal roundhouse to the face. He fell to the ground, barely able to breathe and flirting with a darkness on the edge of his mind. “Anybody stupid enough to get in my way deserves to be unprepared.” A foot stomped hard on Wonder Man’s back, and he couldn’t help but cry out. “You’ll all survive, I think. One dead body would tip my hand, and I wouldn’t want that. Not until I’m in Washington, twisting off the heads of fools who think they can use me!” Wonder Man’s back was used as a launching pad for Hulk’s leap. The Avenger-turned-actor felt something break inside him, and the darkness closed in. But just a short time ago, the Hulk had made another encounter in Montana. Roger Brokeridge sat behind the building, the black mask on his head not yet pulled over his face. The power was building up in his hands, globes of red energy that contracted and expanded according to his mood. Around the building’s corner, an armored truck was just driving into view. “Okay, first time for everything.” Roger stood up and leaned against the wall, then peeked out at the approaching truck. “It’s natural to be nervous, but there’s nothing to be scared of.” The mask was pulled over his head. “You’re ready. It’s the world that isn’t ready…” Roger leapt out from around the corner and rushed straight forward. When he reached the street, the armored truck would be right there. “…for Hardball!” A glowing fist of power smashed against the side of the armored truck. It skidded sideways across the street before flipping end-over-end. Hardball was about to step forward to finish the job and take his money, thirty percent after the Power Broker received his cut. He had completely missed the large shape falling from the sky until it landed beside him. The massive tremor from the Hulk’s landing knocked Hardball off his feet. He landed on his side, and looked up with fear at the towering green goliath. Instantly Hardball wondered if the Hulk was there to stop him, if this was to be his first super-battle. The thought made the young man piss himself. But thankfully, the Hulk jumped back into the sky without so much as a glance toward Hardball. Still shivering with fright, he rose on unsteady feet. He could still do it, just move forward and take the money. “Hey, nice going kid!” It was the driver of the truck, climbing out of his door and giving Hardball thumbs up. “Any further and the Hulk would’ve crushed us like sardines.” “You saved our lives,” the second armed guard said from inside the truck. “I don’t know who you are, but you’re a hero in my book!” “I concur!” Said a voice from above before Hardball could think of showing those men wrong. It was Wonder Man, landing much softer than Hulk had. “I was too far away to stop Hulk, so I owe you one for making sure he did no damage. Do you have enhanced senses to go with those energy powers?” Hardball was flabbergasted. “Uh, just the energy, Mr. Wonder Man, sir.” “Call me Simon,” said Wonder Man as he offered a hand. “And you are…?” “I’m Hardball.” He accepted the hand and started to shake it. “Well, Hardball, as impressed as I am, you shouldn’t mix it up with Hulk on your first time out. My friends and I will be dealing with him soon enough. Just stay here and do what you can, and I’ll try to look you up later.” “Uh, sure,” Hardball said as Wonder Man flew into the sky. How many more super-heroes were in the area? “I’ll jus stay here and…be a hero…” The Hulk’s next encounter would be in South Dakota. Melati Kusuma checked to make sure nobody was watching as she closed the door. Quietly she crossed the floor toward her locker, reaching for the handle. Melati opened the locker door and looked at the tiny vial she’d stolen. Finally, after months of research, the laboratory she worked in had developed a regenerative serum based off Curt Connors’ original formula. Much larger companies would pay millions for the secret, and Melati planned to cash in big. She reached forward to pocket the vial, and that was when the roof crashed in. The Hulk landed amidst twisted metal and shattered stone. He jumped out with no thought to the damage he caused or the scream he left behind. Even the slight pain of his scratched arm, healed almost instantaneously, didn’t register. “Aaahhh!” The rubble had half-buried Melati. Only her head and arms were visible, but fortunately her chest hadn’t been caved in. That piece of debris was being propped up by what had crushed her waist and legs. Melati could feel a blackness seeping into her mind, and the hazy vision wasn’t only the blood in her eyes. The last thing Melati saw before she went unconscious from the shock was the broken vial. Its contents had spilled onto the twisted metal over Melati’s head. One sharp jag of metal was stained with green blood, and the serum flowed over this before dripping down. More than the raging Mississippi River rose up to meet the Hulk. As she stood on the edge of the bridge, looking down at the tumultuous waters, Violet Lightner felt nothing. A man from one of the stopped cars was talking to her gently. “Whatever’s wrong, we can fix it,” he said. “You can’t fix my life,” Violet said. Her teary eyes clenched tight. “No one can.” She was over the edge when the Hulk landed. The force of his weight shook the entire bridge, but it had been built well and stood fast. Vibrations shok all the way down to the riverbed however, and beneath Violet something stirred. Violet had felt nothing when she jumped. As she fell, however…she would later describe it as a consciousness touching her own. And the emptiness inside her was exactly what it needed. It should out of the water and met Violet in mid-air. She didn’t know what the thing was as it wrapped around her arm. But it knew what she was, and what she needed. A grapple shot from it, catching the bridge and halting Violet’s fall. She swung away from the water, landing hard at dry land in the same second Hulk made his jump. If he’d noticed what happened below, Hulk gave no sign. Violet leaned against a base support for the bridge. She tentatively touched the thing that had shaped itself into a bulky glove. She could feel it, and she understood it. The…whatever it was, it became whatever its wearer needed the most. And what Violet had needed most was a reason for being. She now had one. As the Hulk fell towards a city in Indiana, he felt a twinge of fear. The doctor wrote a notation in his clipboard. The patient he was standing over, Terrance Ward, had been asleep now for over a week. Every attempt made by the staff to shock the young man awake had failed. The only reason Terrance wasn’t categorized as being in a coma was because there was nothing physically wrong with him. Every scan had revealed nothing. One morning he simply hadn’t woken up from bed. Whatever trauma the young man had sustained, the doctor was certain that it was psychological. Or perhaps, the doctor thought with a chuckle, supernatural. The chuckle quickly subsided as the doctor took the thought seriously. In the world they lived it was certainly possible. He was about to make a note of contacting a specialist, a doctor by the name of Strange. The ground suddenly shook something terrible. Once the doctor steadied himself with a hand on his patient’s bed, he leaned to look out the window. The sight of the Hulk caused him to stop breathing, and time seemed to stand still when the behemoth look up and met his eyes. Then the Hulk jumped and was gone. The doctor breathed a sigh of relief, and began to turn when a hand that was ice cold suddenly gripped his wrist. He gasped in shock and looked down at the rotting corpse looking up at him. It was the young girl he’d treated some years ago. She had been so innocent then, until she’d threaten to tell about their sessions and so he’d had to… Seconds later, Terrance Ward woke up. His first act was to scream over the body lying on top of him. The doctor’s eyes were wide open but a blank white, and blood was dripping from the mouth where his tongue was torn. Was the Hulk aware of these events even as he inadvertently caused them? Would he have cared? Three small jet planes and a unique open aircraft all landed quietly on a field in southeast Ohio. In the open aircraft the current members of the Fantastic Four were visible: Invisible Woman, Namor the Sub-Mariner, Human Torch and the Thing. Exiting the jets – two Quinjets and a modified Lockheed – were members of the X-Men and Avengers, respectively. Traditionally a large team, Captain America noted there were presently only five X-Men. Fortunately Rogue, Iceman and Phoenix were among the most powerful; Wolverine had extensive experience with Hulk, and as a former Avenger Beast was always welcome. The bouncing blue mutant jumped effortlessly on top of the Quinjet, flipped down so that he was hanging from the edge by his feet, and saluted Captain America. “You issued a summons, my esteemed compatriot, and we have so assembled.” “Thank you for coming Beast.” Captain America returned the salute. His attention then turned to the second Quinjet and those Avengers departing. Iron Man was accompanied by Wasp, Hawkeye and Darkhawk. It was a far cry from the large, capable team Iron Man had led a short time ago. Once Iron Man was close enough he extended an arm and took Captain America’s hand. “Please don’t make me regret not backing up Wonder Man.” “We’ve rushed the Hulk before and it’s never worked,” Captain America said. “It’s impossible to overwhelm him with sheer numbers. Do you have it?” he asked the Invisible Woman as she approached. In her hands was a thick electronic pad that beeped intermittently. “This is Reed’s gamma-detector. I can’t make heads of it, but hopefully it’s more Beast’s or Iron Man’s speed.” Beast flipped over Invisible Woman and tsked at the brief view he got. “Oh dear, he’s certainly heading in this direction. I would say he’s three leaps, perhaps fifteen minutes away.” With only a nearby lake the closest source of water, Captain America thought with disappointment. A reservoir would have been much better. “May I?” Invisible Woman handed the detector to Beast. “Hmmm, I think I could fashion a workable gamma-sponge from this.” “Get on it.” Captain America turned to Iron Man. “You can help him, but before Hulk arrives all the fliers need to be airborne. Invisible Woman, I’d like them out of sight if possible.” “Multiple targets are difficult, especially when they’re not close together. Anybody who can cloak on their own I recommend it,” she said with a look toward Iron Man, who nodded. “All right. Phoenix, link us up!” Through the Phoenix’s telepathic power, Captain America’s mind was connected with everybody present. The plans he had thought up over the past few hours were transmitted. Instantly everybody knew their part in the coming struggle. Binary, Warbird, Espirita, Human Torch and Namor went airborne. Ant-Man and Wasp shrank to almost invisible size but were staying close to Hawkeye. Wolverine and Thing shared a warm handshake and started toward the tree line. With a frown on her face, Rogue started forward. “Why are y’all holdin’ me back? Once ah get a grip on Hulk, the fight’s over.” “Because Rogue, you don’t just absorb a person’s abilities,” Captain America said. “The Hulk’s rage can be all-consuming. If he manages to overwhelm your mind, we’ll be worse off, so I would like to avoid the risk for as long as possible.” Rogue said nothing, but it was clear she didn’t like it. That frown quickly disappeared when Quicksilver suddenly appeared by her side. For his part, Quicksilver appeared not to notice Rogue as he conveyed his news. “She-Hulk is stable but still unresponsive. I suggested that boy Wiccan simply teleport her here, but her refused! I’m sure if you gave the order Captain-” “Not until she’s awake,” he said sternly. “He thinks he has a spell for that too, but then he wouldn’t try. Why suggest something and not do it!” “I’ll keep it under advisement.” Captain America added Quicksilver to the mind-link. Even though everybody was privy to his thoughts, Captain America spoke aloud. “Everybody here knows the situation, knows what’s at stake. We understand his motives, but however justified the Hulk is a force of rage and he cannot reach our nation’s-” “Not my nation, Rogers!” “This nation’s capitol,” he corrected for Namor’s sake. “We all know the Hulk’s strength. Many of us are here today because he held up a mountain that had been dropped on us! But we also know that he has weaknesses. We will restrain, deprive, and incapacitate! When you fall others will move in, and as you recover you wait to back up others as they fall! We can stop the Hulk! We can help Robert Bruce Banner! We will prevail!” In the far distance, a speck that was the Hulk appear over the horizon. Captain America raised his shield. “Avengers Assemble!” NEXT ISSUE: The aftermath of the biggest battle ever as the writer delves straight into the ramifications of…oh hell no! Come back for a brawl between three iconic teams and the Strongest One There Is! But first, stick around for the second part of Captain Mar-Vell’s first post-return adventure!
Part Two
Written by Steve Crosby
Hours ago, Captain Mar-Vell saved the Eternals of Titan from ISAAC, their own super-computer. He has been a prisoner ever since, trapped in an energy field while the Titan leader Mentor examined him. You’re still better off than me. “Be quiet,” Mentor said without looking up from his readings. “Yes Mar-Vell, I am able to access the link between you and Genis. I also know of the circumstances. Kronos informed me immediately when Immortus took Genis.” “Kronos?” “My father.” Mentor looked up. “You wouldn’t know that now, but you will. Make no mistake Mar-Vell, the only reason I seek to sever your link with Genis is so that you will return to your own time. The sake of the cosmos depends on it.” “So I have been told. Otherwise you would be content to have my son trapped.” “That is not your son! Any more than the Titans are my children save for Eros and…” Mentor refused to say the name. “You were a donor, and unwilling at that. Genis is a fatherless monster, one that has threatened Titan and Earth.” He means Nu-Hala. “He was manipulated by the Supreme Intelligence. I believe I can help him.” But Mentor shook his head. “You still have too much of the Kree soldier in you, not at all like the Mar-Vell I knew. Where I failed you cannot succeed. But have no fear; it is not the way of Titan to execute. Once the link has been severed, we shall continue to imprison Genis and try to help him.” Until I infect ISAAC again and take over this whole moon! Captain Mar-Vell felt beyond the boast and knew that Genis had infected ISAAC before he trapped the Titans in the Negative Zone. “Please let me go. There is no reason to bind me while you run these examinations.” Oh, do you really think you can trust the father of Thanos? Again, Mentor shook his head. “The scans are extremely complex and require that you stay perfectly still. You will know I speak the truth when you take these scans after contracting cancer. But don’t worry, they should be done in only another hour, and you can pass the time conversing with other visitors.” Why, when you have me? Here’s a game Rick and I used to play. Try to connect Matt Salinger with Robert Downey Jr. The first to come speak with Captain Mar-Vell was Eros who, for a man so recently used to enslave a population, was remarkably upbeat. This quickly annoyed Captain Mar-Vell, particularly when he brought up women. “I bet it was great to see Warbird again,” the Titan’s tone said he considered his definition of seeing. “And did you meet that broad who took your name? I hit that.” He’s lying, unless he means he literally hit her. Photon was trying to kill me at the time. Genis didn’t mention she had been in the Controller’s thrall, but Captain Mar-Vell had already been told of the incident. And no wonder Mentor claims the Titans aren’t his children. Otherwise Eros has committed incest with everyone in the moon. Captain Mar-Vell makes some small talk, but soon Eros realizes he’s not speaking with his old friend and leaves. Mentor was right. The Kree soldier in Captain Mar-Vell simply has no tolerance for men preaching love and life. You should meet Thanos. He’s all about war and death. Mostly how much he loves them, come to think. Wow, he and his brother are a lot alike. The visit by Elysius was far more uncomfortable. This is a woman that Captain Mar-Vell knows he’ll love one day, but right now he doesn’t feel that. It will be a different man. “We spoke of having children, before you died.” I am a monster. You made me a monster. “Mentor said unkind things about Genis.” Elysius stepped forward and reached out a hand as though to touch Captain Mar-Vell. “What do you think of your son?” “I think he’s been used as I’ve been used. But I feel his mind and know that he’s not beyond saving.” Her face twisted. “You have the luxury of forgiveness, knowing you didn’t have a hand in its creation. His actions are among the sins I bear, and he hasn’t lived up to what I intended for him.” This woman looks at Captain Mar-Vell the way a child looks at a pet she begs her parents for. Like Genis she was also created, and it is suspected that she did not intend for Genis as a son for a mother. When she leaves Captain Mar-Vell is glad. These Titans are long-lived and childish, playing at being gods and surprised when nothing works out as they intend. Oh thank Pama, I thought it was only mad me! Living on Titan gave me a whole new understanding of Thanos. “From what I’ve heard he isn’t any different.” He’s not and that’s the point! They call him a Mad God and Thanos is only a reflection of themselves. He can have anything he wants, reaching for something that should be far beyond his grasp yet taking it anyway. Only his ego allows it to slip away. His family aren’t on the same scale, but they’re all the same. “This includes you, Genis. Like it or not you are also a Titan. Can you argue that your actions are not a mirror of theirs?” Let he who is without sin cast the first stone. “No man admits to his sins, and so they all will cast stones. But as I escaped my Kree heritage Genis so too can you escape yours. Genis?” There was no answer, and Captain Mar-Vell suffered the rest of his imprisonment in silence. Eventually Mentor returned, flanked by Eros and Elysius. Neither would look him in the eye, while Mentor met the gaze backed by the force of his ego. “ISAAC and I believe we’ve found a way to sever the link and return you to the past.” Men tor raised a hand and the energy field vanished. Once again Captain Mar-Vell was free to move. “The key is the Nega Bands. They are what truly keep you hear. Once destroyed, you will cast loose once again.” Immediately Captain Mar-Vell was wary. “And what of Genis? I don’t believe he would be freed so easily.” Mentor’s shrug was almost beyond notice. Eros and Elysius straightened in shored up defiance. “I don’t see how he would be,” Mentor said. “It does not matter. He was a failure, and better cast aside.” Captain Mar-Vell’s instinct was to settle in a fighter’s stance. “I will not give up on a life so easily as you.” Mentor raised a hand. “You do not have a choice in the matter!” As an Eternal, Mentor possessed the Power Cosmic, and he cast it toward Captain Mar-Vell with the intent of destroying the Nega Bands. But while Captain Mar-Vell’s first, Kree-born, instinct was fight, his second was flight. The Nega Bands made thought into reality, and for Captain Mar-Vell flight included teleportation. He was gone like that, leaving nothing for the Power Cosmic to strike. “No!” Mentor clenched a fist, energy crackling between the knuckles. “We cannot risk him freeing Genis one day.” Every hopeful, Eros suggested, “Maybe he can help Genis?” But Elysius shook her head. “The Mar-Vell we knew, perhaps. But he is not that man. Whatever it takes, we must find him and make things right!” Far, far away, Captain Mar-Vell rematerialized. Between the solar systems, there was nothing to occupy a man save for his thoughts. I’ve been thinking on what you said, about running from one’s heritage. “That is good, Genis. Someday I will free you, and when it happens it will mean something because you’ll truly be free!” No I won’t. Soldier. God. Protector. Every turn I make brings me to another heritage. I’m trapped. TO BE CONTINUED... |