Back to Gatefold
Issue #14 by Steve Crosby
|
“DISCOVERY OF FIRE”
When the shaking began, Steve Rogers lamented his decision to fly home commercial. Director Fury had offered the use of SHIELD transport, but after the recent incident with Juggernaut the organization’s resources were stretched thin. Captain America hadn’t wanted to contribute, so the moment his injuries were healed he bought a ticket and boarded a flight for New York. Customs hadn’t been a problem, as Captain America was making the trip without his shield.
Throughout the flight, Captain America had been in touch with various contacts, all on the lookout for the disc Juggernaut had thrown from the Helicarrier. There had been no word, and after SHIELD detected the radiation on Juggernaut it was feared to be in the hands of HYDRA. Still, Captain America wasn’t worried. Even the best efforts of Mister Fantastic hadn’t been able to duplicate the shield’s indestructible properties, so there was little danger of that. Eventually the shield would turn up in the midst of a HYDRA scheme, and thus would be recovered as a result of foiling that scheme. Either by Captain America or SHIELD, or any of the numerous brave men and women who fought against tyranny every day.
“So on top of repairing the Helicarrier,” Sharon Carter was saying over the transmission, “We’re scrubbing to removing any traces of the isotope. Otherwise HYDRA could find us wherever we are. I suggest you stop at a dry-cleaner first thing.”
“Thanks Sharon. We’re approaching the city now. I’ll call you back when I’m on the ground.”
The shaking began soon after, and Captain America was certain it wasn’t turbulence. Looking out the window next to his seat, he saw smoke billowing out of one of the engines. Sparks were also visible, and Captain America feared the sight of it may cause panic among the passengers.
The pilot’s voice came over the loudspeaker, informing the passengers of the situation. Something unidentified had been sucked into an engine, which was rapidly failing. Normally that shouldn’t be a problem, Captain America knew, but somehow the other engines were also failing in rapid succession. The intention for an emergency landing was announced, likely into the approaching Hudson River.
As quickly as he thought about it, Captain America dismissed the idea of offering assistance. Though experienced in emergency landings, he had none in a plane of this size. Without the uniform, he wouldn’t have the presence needed to calm the passengers more effectively than the flight crew. He would only appear to be difficult, and dealing with him would distract the crew from other tasks. So Steve Rogers sat with a quiet confidence that he hoped would spread throughout the plane.
A final glance out the window threatened his confidence, but only for a split second. Almost obscured by the smoke, so much so that Captain America hoped that others missed it, a long metal tentacle whipped out of the engine. It wasn’t something normally part of the plane, Captain America knew, and his feeling of helplessness lapsed. There may be something he could do to help after all.
# # # # #
1944
It skittered across the street on a beeline for the manhole. Metal tentacles grabbed the cover, ripped it from the opening. Before it could disappear into the bowels of Manhatten, a pair of winged feet smashed into it from above. Namor gave the machine a final stomp to confirm destruction, then flew back into the sky.
Dozens more of the machines called Gremlins were on the loose. They scaled the skyscrapers, rode atop small aircraft and automobiles, and all were seeking to go underground. Opposing them were American soldiers with their small arms fire and three super-heroes known collectively as the Invaders. On the ground was Captain America leading the troops, while Namor and the Human Torch battled the machines high above the streets.
“If these things get underground we may never find them all,” Captain America said. He threw his shield and it bounced beneath an automobile. It caught in the axle, bringing the car to such a jolt the Gremlin shot off it. Metal tentacles tore loose, setting off deadly sparks. The shield also tore the fuel line, and once sparks struck gasoline the automobile exploded.
The Human Torch flew into the blaze. He soon emerged with Captain America’s shield in his hands. As he handed the shield over, the Human Torch said, “Fleeing is a survival instinct of animals. These are machines, Captain. If they seek the tunnels, it may be with a programmed purpose.”
Captain America nodded. “Somehow they’re taking control of every vehicle they attach to. Today, troops and munitions are coming into the city by train.”
The implications were clear. The Human Torch’s body blazed. “You and Namor can control things here. I’m most suited to hunt any you miss.”
Captain America agreed. He shouted out orders for the soldiers to sweep out. Above, Namor smashed a Gremlin to pieces, and the plane it had controlled plummeted to the ground. As he was walking across the street, leaving molten footprints in the pavement, the Human Torch raised an arm toward the falling aircraft. A large stream of fire engulfed the machinery, melting it to slag that fell harmlessly.
The Human Torch hopped into the open manhole. The darkness he fell into was brief, illuminated immediately by his fiery body. In the distance, he heard a skittering. As the Human Torch started in the sound’s direction, he felt his mind begin to fog.
# # # # #
“Don’t worry Miss. I have you.”
Steve Rogers led the young lady by the arm out of the airplane and onto the emergency raft. For the better part of an hour, ever since the emergency landing, rescue workers had been ferrying passengers safely to shore. Steve, still dressed in civilian clothes, had volunteered to help in that regard, partly so that he could keep an eye on the disabled engine and what may have been inside. Fortunately, it was keeping quiet for the time being. A battle in the middle of a rescue operation was the last thing Captain America wanted.
A hand clasped him on the shoulder. It was the pilot. “You’re the last of the passengers, young man. Thank you for all the help.”
Steve warmly shook the man’s hand. “No sir, thank you. That was an impressive landing.” The words were partly true. Captain America had the feeling things could have been worse, wing damage from an uneven angle of descent, partial submersion in the tail section. Whatever was in the engine had helped the pilot out, even as it had caused the disaster.
There was one boat left, for the flight crew and sole remaining passenger. Captain America had no choice but to board. Once on shore he could contact the authorities, lead a specialized team to investigate the plane. But like all plans, this one quickly left his control when a ball with metal with tendrils extending from it shot out of the engine. It grabbed onto the side of the boat, pulling itself aboard and toward Captain America.
“Don’t stop!” Captain America said to the woman at the controls. “Full speed out of here! I’ll handle it.”
He recognized the machine as a Gremlin, last encountered several months before D-Day. It took control of machines, so Captain America knew he couldn’t let it further onto the boat. Among those present was an armed Air Marshall, who immediately drew his weapon and opened fire. The bullets had no effect, but two of the Gremlin’s tendrils shot out at the Air Marshall.
Captain America was quick to act, grabbing and throwing a life-tube in one motion. The far tendril passed through the tube, and when it did Captain America pulled on the robe. The life-tube was suddenly yanked back, taking the tendril with it and smashing into the near tendril. Both were jerked away before they could impale the Air Marshall, and then grasped in Captain America’s bare hand where he crushed them together.
Still gripping both the damaged tendrils and the life-tube, Captain America jumped forward and kicked the Gremlin squarely. It released from the side of the boat, its crude tentacles closing around Captain America as they both fell into the water. But at the same time, Captain America had pulled the other end of the rope free from the watercraft and snapped it in the direction of the airplane. It caught on a wing flap, halting Captain America and the Gremlin’s momentum as they hit the water.
One hand still had the rope wrapped tight around it, but the other hand released the Gremlin’s tendrils. It shot away from Captain America, skipping across the water toward the airplane’s nose. Toward the cockpit, Captain America realized. Pulling himself onto the wing, Captain America leaped to the fusillade and ran atop it.
The Gremlin was still in sight, beginning to crawl along the plane’s nose. But several of its tentacles were out of sight, and Captain America felt the plane shift. There was little danger of going airborne without a proper runway, but the plane could be directed at the rescue operations and take lives. Captain America made a powerful leap, bridging the distance and colliding with the Gremlin. His own safety didn’t matter. If he could only free those tentacles from the cockpit…
“Steve, please stop! It’s me! It’s Jim!”
The loud, vaguely mechanical voice was coming from the plane. That in and of itself didn’t grip Captain America’s attention. It was that he recognized the voice as belong to Jim Hammond, the original Human Torch.
“What kind of trick is this?” Captain America screamed at the Gremlin in his arms.
“The kind I’m pulling to free myself from time itself!” said Jim’s voice from the plane. It them related the story.
# # # # #
1944
Human Torch remembered this time, this moment. Uncountable Gremlins were running along the tunnel, trying futilely to flee the flames hurled at them. An airborne blaze, Human Torch flew down the tunnel seeking out all mechanical enemies until he saw only one remaining. He remembered destroying them all, of returning to the surface to hearing Captain America and Sub-Mariner all theirs destroyed as well.
That wouldn’t happen this time. The opportunity was too good to waste.
Extinguishing the flames around his body, Human Torch tackled the Gremlin. Relying only on his mechanically augmented strength he grappled, taking all the tentacles in his hands and holding them fast. There was no way to know if this would work, but time was short. Human Torch could find himself pulled away at any moment. He plunged the end of one tentacle into his ear.
# # # # #
“So, this is it. The only current remnant of Human Torch.”
Now inactive, the harmless Gremlin machine rested on a laboratory table in the Baxter Building. Standing over it were Captain America and Namor the Sub-Mariner. It had been Captain America that spoke, and at his words Namor gave a bitter response.
“Hammond. His name is Jim Hammond.” Namor shifted his eyes from the Gremlin to his old World War II ally. “It was the name he chose for himself, not that obvious title yelled out by fearful onlookers. I recognize this. What does it have to do with what Ultron did?”
“I just got back from a conference with Stark.” Even the brief explanation was annoying Namor, so Captain America hurried. “The theory is that Kang, or Immortus, did something that would keep Hammond out of Ultron’s reach. He got technical, but the gist is that Hammond’s become unstuck in time. He’s traveling through his personal history, a temporal ghost sharing the same space as his past selves.”
“So during our battle with the Gremlins he reprogrammed this one with a message.” Namor gave an approving nod. “What do you expect of me?”
“Everyone I’ve talked to agrees, with Reed unavailable there’s only one man with the resources to find Hammond. I need your help to approach him.”
“Of course, now that Jim had done all the hard work, you’ve deemed it time to search.” Namor’s ears were red with anger. “That is what I’ve done these many weeks! Futile though it had been, I followed every lead to their end, all the while waiting for so-called friends to grace me with a response. Even here, Susan suggested only that Reed would look into it when he returns. It’s the same attitude I’ve encountered as far back as your disappearance. Rather than search, your government chose to mislead us all with an imposter! Had I not been found, my memories restored by sheer luck, you would still be in that block of ice!”
Anger at hearing William Naslund and Jeffrey Mace referred to as imposters was undercut with a feeling of shame. “Something Aarkus said during our recent encounter gave me cause not to worry. This is what he knew, that Hammond had sent a message before he even disappeared, telling us how to find him. You’re right Namor. Too often I’ve left men behind. Will you help me set this one right?”
“We’re helping Jim here,” Namor said. “Well, let’s go. Doctor Doom won’t like that I’ve had him on a futile search. All this time scouring the Earth for a heat signature, he should have been looking in the past.”
# # # # #
“We’re being fired upon! I’m initiating evasive maneuvers!”
“Describing events as I witness them serves no purpose.” As the Quinjet flew in a complex pattern over Latverian airspace, Namor calmly undid the straps on his seat. “Open the door. I trust my power over your piloting skills.”
“Here!” Captain America held out an earwig transmitter. “This will broadcast on all frequencies. Maybe if Doom knows it’s you he’ll call off the attack.”
“He may do that anyway if you simply addressed him properly.” Nevertheless, Namor accepted the earwig.
Despite his earlier insult, Namor was impressed that Captain America maintained control as the exit hatch was opened. He flew out quickly and moved to intercept an approaching missile. Instinct was to deal a thunderous blow that would have caused the missile’s explosion and Namor’s certain death. Fighting this natural urge, Namor flew alongside the missile and gripped its fuselage. With a mighty heave, he threw the projectile off trajectory and into the path of a second.
Over the furious explosion, Namor screamed, “Doctor von Doom! It is Namor the Avenging Son, that you fire upon! Cease this folly, else the full weight of Atlantis shall bear upon thee!”
To Captain America’s ears, those words sounded like a surefire way to earn Doom’s ire. Clearly, he didn’t understand the ways of world monarchs, as the attack soon halted. The navigation system beeped as a set of coordinates was transmitted. Captain America set the Quinjet down near Doctor Doom’s castle, Namor alongside it.
Striding toward them, his majestic presence seeming to drive back the muggy air, was Doctor Doom. Latveria’s monarch warmly shook Namor’s hand, then turned to face Captain America as he emerged.
“Ah, Captain. I see Namor has convinced you to join in the search for your common ally.”
Namor visibly bristled at the lack of an honorific. Of course, Doctor Doom wouldn’t have respect for his decision to vacate the Atlantean throne. That it had been under the auspices of lending the Fantastic Four his admirable strength wouldn’t have mattered. Doctor Doom would have recognized the thin excuse for Namor to bow under his people’s will, perhaps would have disliked it further for his mortal enemies’ involvement.
“New information has surfaced,” said Namor. “Brought to Captain America’s attention by Jim Hammond himself. We graciously request access to your temporal equipment.”
“A fitting idea,” Doctor Doom said with a considering nod. “Yes, considering the parties involved the genius of Doom would have realized it eventually. Sadly, others have as well.”
A tingle crept up Captain America’s spine. “Your response to our approach was out of character, Doom. Unless it was automated, in response to an emergency alarm? You just fended off another attack.”
“Deficit though you may be in other matters, Captain America, your grasp of martial knowledge is as ever satisfactory.” From beneath his cloak, Doctor Doom produced his own head. “They were given aid by this Doombot, reprogrammed due to faulty work by a lowly technician. As we speak the flaws are being dealt with.”
“They escaped with what they wanted?” asked Namor, as if he hadn’t just been told people were being killed.
“It,” corrected Doctor Doom. “One robot, due to a programmed sacrifice of the others. But as Doom’s technology is in its possession, tracking has not proved difficult. The location was discovered just as you arrived.”
“How convenient,” said Captain America.
“For you it indeed is,” Doctor Doom said. “A much greater price could have been extracted for its use. Now, you simply have to go and retrieve it yourselves.” Just then, Doctor Doom appeared to have noticed something missing from Captain America. “Ah, could the news of your loss be true? Perhaps after this task, you may require further aid of Doom?”
“Don’t count on it.” He turned to address Namor. “Robots trying to find Hammond. It isn’t hard to figure out whom.”
# # # # #
Alkhema ran its metal fingers over the red, white and blue shield of Captain America’s. “You showed intelligence in bringing this to me. At last your contract with Ultron is fulfilled.”
“Yeah, so now you’ll stop hunting me with your robots?” asked Protocide. He was braced for a negative response. The HYDRA goons that accompanied him would be a sufficient distraction while he escaped.
“Only until the mass extermination of humanity. You may depart and tremble for when that day comes.”
As the humans cautiously left the facility, Alkhema carried the indestructible disc into the next room. There, a battered robot stood holding what appeared to be a leather strap with a small metallic pouch connected to it. If a robot could be greedy, Alkhema certainly was in the way it snatched the strap away.
Captain America’s shield was a means to an end. Properly analyzed, it could be duplicated, thereby making a truly indestructible body. But the device taken from Doctor Doom, that was vital to fulfilling the plans of Ultron. And though it was presently missing, Alkhema knew the folly of ignoring Ultron’s schemes. Particularly when it could improve on them.
“Soon, Human Torch, you will return,” hissed Alkhema in self-satisfaction. “Soon I will have a worthy mate. The successor of Ultron!”
NEXT ISSUE: A return in more ways than one!
Throughout the flight, Captain America had been in touch with various contacts, all on the lookout for the disc Juggernaut had thrown from the Helicarrier. There had been no word, and after SHIELD detected the radiation on Juggernaut it was feared to be in the hands of HYDRA. Still, Captain America wasn’t worried. Even the best efforts of Mister Fantastic hadn’t been able to duplicate the shield’s indestructible properties, so there was little danger of that. Eventually the shield would turn up in the midst of a HYDRA scheme, and thus would be recovered as a result of foiling that scheme. Either by Captain America or SHIELD, or any of the numerous brave men and women who fought against tyranny every day.
“So on top of repairing the Helicarrier,” Sharon Carter was saying over the transmission, “We’re scrubbing to removing any traces of the isotope. Otherwise HYDRA could find us wherever we are. I suggest you stop at a dry-cleaner first thing.”
“Thanks Sharon. We’re approaching the city now. I’ll call you back when I’m on the ground.”
The shaking began soon after, and Captain America was certain it wasn’t turbulence. Looking out the window next to his seat, he saw smoke billowing out of one of the engines. Sparks were also visible, and Captain America feared the sight of it may cause panic among the passengers.
The pilot’s voice came over the loudspeaker, informing the passengers of the situation. Something unidentified had been sucked into an engine, which was rapidly failing. Normally that shouldn’t be a problem, Captain America knew, but somehow the other engines were also failing in rapid succession. The intention for an emergency landing was announced, likely into the approaching Hudson River.
As quickly as he thought about it, Captain America dismissed the idea of offering assistance. Though experienced in emergency landings, he had none in a plane of this size. Without the uniform, he wouldn’t have the presence needed to calm the passengers more effectively than the flight crew. He would only appear to be difficult, and dealing with him would distract the crew from other tasks. So Steve Rogers sat with a quiet confidence that he hoped would spread throughout the plane.
A final glance out the window threatened his confidence, but only for a split second. Almost obscured by the smoke, so much so that Captain America hoped that others missed it, a long metal tentacle whipped out of the engine. It wasn’t something normally part of the plane, Captain America knew, and his feeling of helplessness lapsed. There may be something he could do to help after all.
# # # # #
1944
It skittered across the street on a beeline for the manhole. Metal tentacles grabbed the cover, ripped it from the opening. Before it could disappear into the bowels of Manhatten, a pair of winged feet smashed into it from above. Namor gave the machine a final stomp to confirm destruction, then flew back into the sky.
Dozens more of the machines called Gremlins were on the loose. They scaled the skyscrapers, rode atop small aircraft and automobiles, and all were seeking to go underground. Opposing them were American soldiers with their small arms fire and three super-heroes known collectively as the Invaders. On the ground was Captain America leading the troops, while Namor and the Human Torch battled the machines high above the streets.
“If these things get underground we may never find them all,” Captain America said. He threw his shield and it bounced beneath an automobile. It caught in the axle, bringing the car to such a jolt the Gremlin shot off it. Metal tentacles tore loose, setting off deadly sparks. The shield also tore the fuel line, and once sparks struck gasoline the automobile exploded.
The Human Torch flew into the blaze. He soon emerged with Captain America’s shield in his hands. As he handed the shield over, the Human Torch said, “Fleeing is a survival instinct of animals. These are machines, Captain. If they seek the tunnels, it may be with a programmed purpose.”
Captain America nodded. “Somehow they’re taking control of every vehicle they attach to. Today, troops and munitions are coming into the city by train.”
The implications were clear. The Human Torch’s body blazed. “You and Namor can control things here. I’m most suited to hunt any you miss.”
Captain America agreed. He shouted out orders for the soldiers to sweep out. Above, Namor smashed a Gremlin to pieces, and the plane it had controlled plummeted to the ground. As he was walking across the street, leaving molten footprints in the pavement, the Human Torch raised an arm toward the falling aircraft. A large stream of fire engulfed the machinery, melting it to slag that fell harmlessly.
The Human Torch hopped into the open manhole. The darkness he fell into was brief, illuminated immediately by his fiery body. In the distance, he heard a skittering. As the Human Torch started in the sound’s direction, he felt his mind begin to fog.
# # # # #
“Don’t worry Miss. I have you.”
Steve Rogers led the young lady by the arm out of the airplane and onto the emergency raft. For the better part of an hour, ever since the emergency landing, rescue workers had been ferrying passengers safely to shore. Steve, still dressed in civilian clothes, had volunteered to help in that regard, partly so that he could keep an eye on the disabled engine and what may have been inside. Fortunately, it was keeping quiet for the time being. A battle in the middle of a rescue operation was the last thing Captain America wanted.
A hand clasped him on the shoulder. It was the pilot. “You’re the last of the passengers, young man. Thank you for all the help.”
Steve warmly shook the man’s hand. “No sir, thank you. That was an impressive landing.” The words were partly true. Captain America had the feeling things could have been worse, wing damage from an uneven angle of descent, partial submersion in the tail section. Whatever was in the engine had helped the pilot out, even as it had caused the disaster.
There was one boat left, for the flight crew and sole remaining passenger. Captain America had no choice but to board. Once on shore he could contact the authorities, lead a specialized team to investigate the plane. But like all plans, this one quickly left his control when a ball with metal with tendrils extending from it shot out of the engine. It grabbed onto the side of the boat, pulling itself aboard and toward Captain America.
“Don’t stop!” Captain America said to the woman at the controls. “Full speed out of here! I’ll handle it.”
He recognized the machine as a Gremlin, last encountered several months before D-Day. It took control of machines, so Captain America knew he couldn’t let it further onto the boat. Among those present was an armed Air Marshall, who immediately drew his weapon and opened fire. The bullets had no effect, but two of the Gremlin’s tendrils shot out at the Air Marshall.
Captain America was quick to act, grabbing and throwing a life-tube in one motion. The far tendril passed through the tube, and when it did Captain America pulled on the robe. The life-tube was suddenly yanked back, taking the tendril with it and smashing into the near tendril. Both were jerked away before they could impale the Air Marshall, and then grasped in Captain America’s bare hand where he crushed them together.
Still gripping both the damaged tendrils and the life-tube, Captain America jumped forward and kicked the Gremlin squarely. It released from the side of the boat, its crude tentacles closing around Captain America as they both fell into the water. But at the same time, Captain America had pulled the other end of the rope free from the watercraft and snapped it in the direction of the airplane. It caught on a wing flap, halting Captain America and the Gremlin’s momentum as they hit the water.
One hand still had the rope wrapped tight around it, but the other hand released the Gremlin’s tendrils. It shot away from Captain America, skipping across the water toward the airplane’s nose. Toward the cockpit, Captain America realized. Pulling himself onto the wing, Captain America leaped to the fusillade and ran atop it.
The Gremlin was still in sight, beginning to crawl along the plane’s nose. But several of its tentacles were out of sight, and Captain America felt the plane shift. There was little danger of going airborne without a proper runway, but the plane could be directed at the rescue operations and take lives. Captain America made a powerful leap, bridging the distance and colliding with the Gremlin. His own safety didn’t matter. If he could only free those tentacles from the cockpit…
“Steve, please stop! It’s me! It’s Jim!”
The loud, vaguely mechanical voice was coming from the plane. That in and of itself didn’t grip Captain America’s attention. It was that he recognized the voice as belong to Jim Hammond, the original Human Torch.
“What kind of trick is this?” Captain America screamed at the Gremlin in his arms.
“The kind I’m pulling to free myself from time itself!” said Jim’s voice from the plane. It them related the story.
# # # # #
1944
Human Torch remembered this time, this moment. Uncountable Gremlins were running along the tunnel, trying futilely to flee the flames hurled at them. An airborne blaze, Human Torch flew down the tunnel seeking out all mechanical enemies until he saw only one remaining. He remembered destroying them all, of returning to the surface to hearing Captain America and Sub-Mariner all theirs destroyed as well.
That wouldn’t happen this time. The opportunity was too good to waste.
Extinguishing the flames around his body, Human Torch tackled the Gremlin. Relying only on his mechanically augmented strength he grappled, taking all the tentacles in his hands and holding them fast. There was no way to know if this would work, but time was short. Human Torch could find himself pulled away at any moment. He plunged the end of one tentacle into his ear.
# # # # #
“So, this is it. The only current remnant of Human Torch.”
Now inactive, the harmless Gremlin machine rested on a laboratory table in the Baxter Building. Standing over it were Captain America and Namor the Sub-Mariner. It had been Captain America that spoke, and at his words Namor gave a bitter response.
“Hammond. His name is Jim Hammond.” Namor shifted his eyes from the Gremlin to his old World War II ally. “It was the name he chose for himself, not that obvious title yelled out by fearful onlookers. I recognize this. What does it have to do with what Ultron did?”
“I just got back from a conference with Stark.” Even the brief explanation was annoying Namor, so Captain America hurried. “The theory is that Kang, or Immortus, did something that would keep Hammond out of Ultron’s reach. He got technical, but the gist is that Hammond’s become unstuck in time. He’s traveling through his personal history, a temporal ghost sharing the same space as his past selves.”
“So during our battle with the Gremlins he reprogrammed this one with a message.” Namor gave an approving nod. “What do you expect of me?”
“Everyone I’ve talked to agrees, with Reed unavailable there’s only one man with the resources to find Hammond. I need your help to approach him.”
“Of course, now that Jim had done all the hard work, you’ve deemed it time to search.” Namor’s ears were red with anger. “That is what I’ve done these many weeks! Futile though it had been, I followed every lead to their end, all the while waiting for so-called friends to grace me with a response. Even here, Susan suggested only that Reed would look into it when he returns. It’s the same attitude I’ve encountered as far back as your disappearance. Rather than search, your government chose to mislead us all with an imposter! Had I not been found, my memories restored by sheer luck, you would still be in that block of ice!”
Anger at hearing William Naslund and Jeffrey Mace referred to as imposters was undercut with a feeling of shame. “Something Aarkus said during our recent encounter gave me cause not to worry. This is what he knew, that Hammond had sent a message before he even disappeared, telling us how to find him. You’re right Namor. Too often I’ve left men behind. Will you help me set this one right?”
“We’re helping Jim here,” Namor said. “Well, let’s go. Doctor Doom won’t like that I’ve had him on a futile search. All this time scouring the Earth for a heat signature, he should have been looking in the past.”
# # # # #
“We’re being fired upon! I’m initiating evasive maneuvers!”
“Describing events as I witness them serves no purpose.” As the Quinjet flew in a complex pattern over Latverian airspace, Namor calmly undid the straps on his seat. “Open the door. I trust my power over your piloting skills.”
“Here!” Captain America held out an earwig transmitter. “This will broadcast on all frequencies. Maybe if Doom knows it’s you he’ll call off the attack.”
“He may do that anyway if you simply addressed him properly.” Nevertheless, Namor accepted the earwig.
Despite his earlier insult, Namor was impressed that Captain America maintained control as the exit hatch was opened. He flew out quickly and moved to intercept an approaching missile. Instinct was to deal a thunderous blow that would have caused the missile’s explosion and Namor’s certain death. Fighting this natural urge, Namor flew alongside the missile and gripped its fuselage. With a mighty heave, he threw the projectile off trajectory and into the path of a second.
Over the furious explosion, Namor screamed, “Doctor von Doom! It is Namor the Avenging Son, that you fire upon! Cease this folly, else the full weight of Atlantis shall bear upon thee!”
To Captain America’s ears, those words sounded like a surefire way to earn Doom’s ire. Clearly, he didn’t understand the ways of world monarchs, as the attack soon halted. The navigation system beeped as a set of coordinates was transmitted. Captain America set the Quinjet down near Doctor Doom’s castle, Namor alongside it.
Striding toward them, his majestic presence seeming to drive back the muggy air, was Doctor Doom. Latveria’s monarch warmly shook Namor’s hand, then turned to face Captain America as he emerged.
“Ah, Captain. I see Namor has convinced you to join in the search for your common ally.”
Namor visibly bristled at the lack of an honorific. Of course, Doctor Doom wouldn’t have respect for his decision to vacate the Atlantean throne. That it had been under the auspices of lending the Fantastic Four his admirable strength wouldn’t have mattered. Doctor Doom would have recognized the thin excuse for Namor to bow under his people’s will, perhaps would have disliked it further for his mortal enemies’ involvement.
“New information has surfaced,” said Namor. “Brought to Captain America’s attention by Jim Hammond himself. We graciously request access to your temporal equipment.”
“A fitting idea,” Doctor Doom said with a considering nod. “Yes, considering the parties involved the genius of Doom would have realized it eventually. Sadly, others have as well.”
A tingle crept up Captain America’s spine. “Your response to our approach was out of character, Doom. Unless it was automated, in response to an emergency alarm? You just fended off another attack.”
“Deficit though you may be in other matters, Captain America, your grasp of martial knowledge is as ever satisfactory.” From beneath his cloak, Doctor Doom produced his own head. “They were given aid by this Doombot, reprogrammed due to faulty work by a lowly technician. As we speak the flaws are being dealt with.”
“They escaped with what they wanted?” asked Namor, as if he hadn’t just been told people were being killed.
“It,” corrected Doctor Doom. “One robot, due to a programmed sacrifice of the others. But as Doom’s technology is in its possession, tracking has not proved difficult. The location was discovered just as you arrived.”
“How convenient,” said Captain America.
“For you it indeed is,” Doctor Doom said. “A much greater price could have been extracted for its use. Now, you simply have to go and retrieve it yourselves.” Just then, Doctor Doom appeared to have noticed something missing from Captain America. “Ah, could the news of your loss be true? Perhaps after this task, you may require further aid of Doom?”
“Don’t count on it.” He turned to address Namor. “Robots trying to find Hammond. It isn’t hard to figure out whom.”
# # # # #
Alkhema ran its metal fingers over the red, white and blue shield of Captain America’s. “You showed intelligence in bringing this to me. At last your contract with Ultron is fulfilled.”
“Yeah, so now you’ll stop hunting me with your robots?” asked Protocide. He was braced for a negative response. The HYDRA goons that accompanied him would be a sufficient distraction while he escaped.
“Only until the mass extermination of humanity. You may depart and tremble for when that day comes.”
As the humans cautiously left the facility, Alkhema carried the indestructible disc into the next room. There, a battered robot stood holding what appeared to be a leather strap with a small metallic pouch connected to it. If a robot could be greedy, Alkhema certainly was in the way it snatched the strap away.
Captain America’s shield was a means to an end. Properly analyzed, it could be duplicated, thereby making a truly indestructible body. But the device taken from Doctor Doom, that was vital to fulfilling the plans of Ultron. And though it was presently missing, Alkhema knew the folly of ignoring Ultron’s schemes. Particularly when it could improve on them.
“Soon, Human Torch, you will return,” hissed Alkhema in self-satisfaction. “Soon I will have a worthy mate. The successor of Ultron!”
NEXT ISSUE: A return in more ways than one!