Back to GatefoldIssue #33 (Vol. 2) by Daniel Ingram
June 2016 |
“Siege of Law - Part 2”
The island of Dr. Jaeger
Union Jack pressed his hand over his stomach, trying to staunch the flow of blood down his waist while his mind tried to find a solution to the situation he and his team found themselves in. Keeping calm with a stomach wound wasn’t the easiest thing in the world, but this wasn’t his time gut shot. It was a danger that came with his line or work, and something he accepted with great reluctance. This was the first time that he’d had a comfortable bed on hand after being gut shot, so it wasn’t all bad, the British hero reflected.
Dying in semi-comfort was better than the gutter by any measure, after all.
What was hard to accept was just how wrong this mission had gone. His team had been dispatched to arrest Dr. Jaeger, a doctor who catered to superhuman criminals. In the process, Union Jack had been wounded in battle.
But that wasn’t where things had gone to hell.
No, that happened when they were attempting to leave, when Chapman was kind enough to inform him that their warrant was being contested, meaning they were stuck until the legal niceties had been sorted out. More than that, Dr. Jaeger’s patients had begun to show up, and Union Jack doubted that they were here for a simple physical.
“What do we do?” Silverclaw said.
“We fight,” Union Jack grunted, his stomach feeling like little more than a hole radiating pain, “Sabra…you, Shiva, Commando and Kamau…go hold off our guests…before they can organized. Junta, Suzi…get the defenses up. Plan is…we dig in, and hold.”
“We should leave,” Sabra said, “cut our losses. Not every mission is a success, Rock.”
“This will be a failure if you debate my orders!” Union Jack snapped, “Go!”
Sabra nodded, and she, Commando, Shiva and Kamau dashed out of the room, while Junta and Cybermancer went to Dr. Jaeger’s command consul.
“What should I do?” Silverclaw said.
“Keep an eye on him,” Union Jack nodded to Dr. Jaeger, who was in the corner, his hands zip tied in front of him, “he does anything…suspect, gut him.”
Silverclaw summoned her cat form and growled, “Gladly.”
# # # # # # # # # #
United Nations
Chapman, followed closely by the remaining members of Excalibur, threw the doors open as he stormed into the room. The secretary pool all turned their heads
“Judge Gang!” Chapman all screamed, “where?”
The UN employees took one glance at Chapman and his people, and all pointed to a single room.
“Thank you,” Chapman straightened his collar, and turned to his team, “wait here. We all show up and the judge will take it as a threat.”
Hellios cracked his knuckles. It sounded like concrete breaking.
“Perhaps we should show him he is right to be afraid,” Hellios said.
“Or perhaps allow the rule of law to work,” Scarlet Scarab placed a hand on Hellios’ shoulder, “go, Chapman. We’ll be ready to deploy when you give the order.”
“…I don’t like this,” Darkstar said, “our friends are in danger, and we’re just supposed to wait for this man to give us permission to rescue our friends?”
“We can rescue our friends at any time,” Persona Grata observed, her tone calm, “it’s the information on Dr. Jaeger’s servers, and Dr. Jaeger himself, that is in question.”
“I cannot believe that Chapman is risking our teammates lives like this!” Hellios said.
“I can,” Guishen said, “and I believe he is doing the right thing.”
“…of course you do,” Hellios rolled his eyes.
“We are law enforcement. Risking our lives is what is expected of us,” Guishen said, “more than that, the information that Dr. Jaeger is privy to could advance law enforcement causes across Asia, while crippling the ability of superhumans in the area to operate with impunity. The lives of our friends, balanced against thousands. How could he not?”
“Besides,” Scarlet Scarab said, “if there’s one thing our friends are good at, it’s surviving.”
# # # # # # # # # #
Island of Dr. Jaeger.
Sabra slammed her palms together, and the shockwaves sent their enemies diving for cover.
“Keep them off balance,” Sabra said, “hit and run. We’re fighting to buy time, not to win.”
“Buy time for what?” Shiva drew her hook swords.
“For a miracle,” Sabra muttered, “go!”
Shiva saw Lady Deathstrike, and smirked.
“Always wanted to kill a legend,” Shiva ran towards Lady Deathstrike. The cyborg observed unsheathed her nail claws, and swept her claws outward as Shiva leapt towards her.
Shiva flew over Lady Deathstrike, her swords lashing out with precision, before she landed behind the ruthless cyborg
“Not impressed,” Shiva said, her back still turned to her enemy.
Lady Deathstrike observed the cut on her cheek. She lashed out with her foot, hitting Shiva in the back and sit her spilling to the ground.
“Poison isn’t terribly effect against cyborgs,” Lady Deathstrike said, “anything else?”
# # # # # # # # # #
Kamau leapt towards Tiger Shark, his foot smashing into the shark-man’s face.
Tiger Shark stumbled backwards, but he was experienced in taking a beating from the best. Hercules, Namor at the top of the list. He kept enough wits about him to lash out at Kamau, dragging his claws against the man’s chest and drawing a river of blood.
Kamau gritted his teeth, taking the pain, and keeping enough focus to return the favor, punching Tiger Shark in the ribs with one pair of diamond trench-knives, and then rammed his elbow into Tiger Shark’s jaw.
Tiger Shark responded with a right hook that pitched Kamau a good ten feet backwards, and he landed hard.
“You got some skill,” Tiger Shark wiped some blood from his mouth, “and some strength. But not of both.”
Kamau brandished his diamond blades.
“We’ll see that, won’t we?”
# # # # # # # # # #
Sabra swallowed enough fear to last a life time as she flew at the criminal known as the Griffin.
The man-monster was in a special league of superhumans, in the same weight class with the likes of Hercules and the Hulk. Even worse was the fact that he possessed an animalistic rage, to the point that there were conflicting reports as to whether or not he still possessed any human intellect at all. Sabra could see some intelligence in his eyes, but she debated whether or not that would help her any.
The Israeli superagent was under no illusions about her ability to defeat Griffin single-handily. She could slow him down, stymie him
“I don’t want to hurt you,” Griffin growled, his chest puffed out, like a giant cat. The tone of his voice reminded Sabra of an old soldier, who feared a fight not because he might lose the fight, but because he might lose himself in the fight.
Sabra stopped her charge and hovered in midair. She raised her hands, but remained mindful of the needle launcher.
“No one’s forcing you to,” Sabra said. Her eyes glanced to the side. Griffin was flanked by five Asian men, each with varying degrees of cybernetic implants, “we’re simply here for Dr. Jaeger. I’m more than willing to look the other way, if you leave now.”
“Noooo,” Griffin growled, before he caught himself, “I need Dr. Jaeger. He’s the only reason my mind…works! I’d be an animal without him!”
“That doesn’t change our position,” said Sabra, “but if you surrender, I can personally promise you the best medical help we can provide.”
“All that ever meant was jerks watching me like an animal in a cage,” Griffin stood up straight, some eleven feet tall, six feet across and stretched his enormous wings while his tail twitched in anticipation, “get your people to stand down, and we’ll return the offer you made to us. You can leave unharmed.”
Sabra raised an eyebrow, and did her best to seem to ponder the offer.
She realized, almost immediately, that Griffin didn’t want to risk all the information that were on Dr. Jaeger’s systems, to risk all the progress he’d made thus far. Griffin might be strong enough to kill every member of Excalibur present, but he risked destroying the clinic and all the progress he’d made thus far.
So rather than answer him, Sabra suddenly flew forward, fast and low like an arrow.
Griffin braced himself, but had expected Sabra to take a swing at his chest. But instead, the Israeli heroine flew right past him, and grabbed his tail.
She yanked hard, and then spun him like a flail, knocking down the cyborgs that had been backing him up before she anchored herself, and spun Griffin around and around, three times, before pitching him out to sea.
The Griffin was a physical powerhouse, but Sabra remembered that those wings weren’t just for show.
“Maybe bought us five minutes,” Sabra muttered, as she turned her attention to the too many remaining enemies, “still need a miracle…”
# # # # # # # # # #
“Come on, come on…”
Cybermancer pulled a cord free from the security consul. It sparked brightly, and Suzi found herself glad that her armor was insulated.
“Okay, primary control is free,” Cybermancer held out her hand to Junta, “that toolbox we found have a Kirby laser drill?”
Junta searcjhed the box and a second later dropped the tool in her hand, “Wouldn’t be a mad scientist lab without one.”
Silverclaw watched anxiously as Junta handed Cybermancer what looked like a mini-lava lamb with a diamond head. Cybermancer took a moment to adjust a knob, and then fired a thin orange laser at the cable.
She paced back and forth, barely able to ignore the security monitors that showed her friend’s desperate battle. As far as Silverclaw could see, they were holding their own, but how long could that last?
“Fifty million,” Dr. Jaeger said, conversationally, “at least.”
“Is that how much you think you’ll get for our dead bodies?” replied Silverclaw, “I’ve dealt with a few maniacs, so I figure I’d at least cut to the chase.”
“Close,” Dr. Jaeger said, “your bodies will sell for sixty million. No, fifty million is the amount of money my lawyers hold in escrow for me, how much they stand to lose if I were arrested. How much are your people paid?”
“Not enough,” Junta said, never taking his eyes away from the consul, “Jack, we’re about three minutes away from a very bad idea. Sure we can’t just cut and run?”
“Not an option,” Union Jack said, “until we see them without our own eyes, we have to act like the rest of our friends aren’t coming, mate.”
“Easy for you to say,” muttered Junta, “you’ll die laying in bed.”
Cybermancer elbowed Junta in the arm.
“We’ll all be dead if you don’t focus,” Cybermancer said, “hand me that control panel, we’re almost at the end.”
# # # # # # # # # #
Commando pressed his back against a large rock outcrop, the only cover he could find on this beach, as bullets flew all around him.
Commando had caught a glimpse of uniforms, Hydra standard issue, though the muscle mass of their upper bodies, like prize fighters on steroids. An experimental pilot program, probably under the supervision of Dr. Jaeger, Commando thought to himself. That alone would have justified this raid.
But despite their heavy weapons, they weren’t the biggest threat present. Because only several feet behind them was the sonic villain known as Klaw.
It was like being trapped between a bear and a pack of wolves. Dealing with one meant being torn apart by the other.
“Aw hell, who wants to live forever?” Commando took a grenade from his belt, and tossed it over his shoulder with the practiced ease of over two decades of combat experience.
Which was why his eyes went wide when the grenade bounced back like a tennis ball, and landed at his feet.
“Son of a bitch…!”
Commando threw himself clear, with seconds to spare. The explosion rattled both his ears and teeth, but what really stung the most was how he could have made such a rookie mistake. It was like tripping over his own two feet!
“Nuts,” Shiva said as she sauntered over to Commando, her hook-swords resting on her shoulders, “was kind of hoping to get a laugh from your death.”
Commando ignored the sociopath, and glanced around the beach.
The entire beach was encompassed in a giant green dome, the clinic on one side, and their enemies on the other.
Klaw, his face twisted in anger, unleashed a barrage of energy, as Griffin smashed his fists against the field, and Lady Deathstrike did everything in her power to hack her way inside. The assorted criminals and felons did their best to bludgeon their way in, but the shield held without issue.
“You should listen closer to your radio,” Sabra said, as she touched down.
“Was a bit busy,” replied Commando, “so I guess Cybermancer got us some cover, any idea how long it’s going to last?”
“None,” Sabra said. She glanced at the hoard of criminals trying to get in, “I suggest we get inside. Quickly.”
“You go,” Kamau said, “I’m going to stay here, in case they make it through.”
“You wouldn’t last more than a minute,” Shiva said.
“That’s one minute more for the rest of you, then,” said Kamau. He sat down lotus style, “go. I don’t believe that our time is unlimited.”
# # # # # # # # # #
United Nations
Chapman resisted the urge to fidget in his chair. He’d found Judge Gang’s office easily enough, but the damned man insisted on waiting for Dr. Jaeger’s counsel, Mathew O’Grady. The man had called, and insisted he was only ten minutes away, fifteen minutes ago.
Judge Gang had busied himself with paperwork, all while insisting that Chapman sit silent like a child in detention. Chapman would have strangled the man in a heartbeat if he could have thought of a way to get away with it. He couldn’t stop himself from imagining the danger his team was in.
Yes, they were trained professionals, but that only went so far. The longer this dragged out, the greater the danger they were in, and Chapman was under no illusions that was exactly what Dr. Jaeger’s lawyer intended.
“Judge Gang,” Chapman said finally, “my people are in the middle of an operation, and lives may literally be hanging in the balance…”
“Excalibur’s charter always allow for membership rescue,” Judge Gang smoothly, “opposing council has objected to their client falling under Excalibur’s mandate, and I think there is merit…”
“So sorry, gentlemen,” Mathew O’Grady said as he burst into the office, “New York traffic, you know how it is.”
“Did you have an intern file your objection?” said Chapman, “because it was filed almost within minutes of our operation.”
“Well,” O’Grady smile, “I’ve got to use them for something. My firm prides ourselves on our prompt service.”
“I bet,” Chapman said, “on what bloody grounds do you object to our warrant?”
“On the grounds that my client isn’t involved in the superhuman trade,” Mathew O’Grady said, “even if my client is a criminal, his actions simply don’t fall under Excalibur’s jurisdiction.”
“Bloody ‘ell!” Chapman spat, “there are over a dozen super criminals on this man’s island right now!”
“Excalibur has any number of enemies,” O’Grady said, “they’re simply taking advantage of the situation.”
“Your honor, that’s nonsense…!”
Judge Gang raised his hand, and Chapman clenched his teeth to keep from yelling at the man.
“If that’s the case, then you should have no objection to me reviewing the evidence myself,” Judge Gang said, “I have the security clearance required.”
“I know that,” Chapman said, “it’s simply a matter of time…!”
“Then you better hurry.”
# # # # # # # # # #
Outside
“We need to hurry,” Lady Deathstrike said, “it won’t be long before the rest of Excalibur and support troops are here. I’ve fought this team before, and I don’t believe that we can hold out against that”
“I understand that Dr. Jaeger’s lawyer is keeping them entangled,” replied Klaw, “we have an hour, at least.”
“Or they call in help from somewhere else, like the Avengers,” Griffin growled. He turned to the force field, and began slamming his fists against the field, but it held, “I won’t go back to being a beast, I won’t!”
“For all you know, the force field is absorbing your kinetic energy,” Klaw raised a dismissive eyebrow, “if you don’t want to be a beast, then perhaps you shouldn’t act like one?”
“What…,” a bestial growl slipped past Griffin’s lips, “did you say to me?”
“I am the master of sound,” Klaw intoned, “I know you heard me.”
“I heard someone being asked to be torn apart…!”
“Whoa, whoa!” Tiger Shark jumped in between Klaw and Griffin, “look Wings, I know Klaw isn’t Mr. Personality, not by a longshot, but I’ve worked with him. We have the same goals, he can be counted on for that, so lets not go ape shit just yet, okay?”
Griffin snorted. He gave Klaw a long stare, before stepping back.
“Look at me,” Tiger Shark pointed at his chest with his grey skinned claws, “Dr. Jaeger gave me back my mind too. We’re all in the same boat, so don’t go tipping it on us, just yet.”
“…fine,” Griffin stood up straight, took a few calming breathes and then stepped back, “whatever.”
“Can we make a suggestion?”
The four villains turned their heads.
Standing a few feet away was a man in an all black uniform with a dragon on his chest. He was a member of the Steel Wind, a twenty man team of cyborgs that prowled the local waters. Rumor had it that they were sponsored by China, acting as proxies.
Not that these four cared much. As long as the Steel Wind deferred to them, they could have been funded by Green Peace.
“Yes?” said Lady Deathstrike.
“Perhaps the teleporter who summoned us can get us inside?”
Tiger Shark glanced around, his nose sniffing the air.
“Where did that man go?”
“He’s coming back,” Griffin pointed down the beach, “his teleport effect smells of lemons, for some reason.”
Sure enough, a moment later a whole opened up out of thin air, and the cosmically powered villains known as the U-Foes stepped through, followed by the man who brought them.
He was a young Asian man, dressed in a nice business suit, and was devoid of any color save black and white. He flicked in and out like a television with bad reception, and gave his codename as Bolt-hole
“What are you guys doing here?” Tiger Shark raised an eyebrow at the U-Foes.
“Do you know how hard it is to find someone to help us if we mutate further?” Vector replied, “most of the people smart enough are too crazy to rely on. I won’t have my people wait until we’re like you until we’ve sought treatment.”
Tiger Shark felt a flash of anger, but it soon dissipated.
“Good call,” he muttered under his breath.
Lady Deathstrike pointed at talon at Bolt-hole, “You, teleporter. Is it possible for you to bring us inside the lab?”
Bolt-hole shrugged sheepishly, “If I could have, I would have. Dr. Jaeger only trusts me so far.”
“Never that simple,” Tiger Shark growled.
“Do not fear,” said Klaw, “I am blocking all outgoing transmissions. We cannot get in, but neither can they get out.”
“Rest assured, time is not their ally.”
# # # # # # # # # #
Cybermancer did her absolute best not to grind her teeth as she sent signal after signal through her armor’s communication system. It was designed with transmitters powerful enough to contact literally anywhere on the planet, piggybacking on a half dozen military satellites.
Yet all she heard was static.
“Anything?” Union Jack grunted.
“No talking,” Sabra said.
She and Commando were leaning over Union Jack, using some of Dr. Jaeger’s scavenged medical equipment to treat his wound.
“What she said,” Commando grunted, “usually, I see someone with a gut wound still talking, I put a second bullet in just on reflex.”
“No word from headquarters,” Cybermancer reported, “I think Klaw’s blocking most transmissions, but I can’t be sure.”
“I can,” Junta said, “our friends outside are jamming anything and everything they can. We’d do the same.”
“Why all this effort?” Silverclaw said, “I mean seriously? Can’t these guys find some other hack to fix them up after they get their asses kicked?”
“Two sets of lungs,” Dr. Jaeger said.
Silverclaw looked at him with a raised eyebrow.
“Excuse me?”
“For Lady Deatshtrike, I’ve cloned her a new set of lungs, that I can further integrate into her cyborg systems,” Dr. Jaeger said, “inside of two years, I can give her a fully functioning stomach, reproductive organs and natural hair, while allowing her to retain her claws, strength and speed.”
“Those two?” Dr. Jaeger pointed to Tiger Shark and Griffin, “I’ve arrested their mutations, and in Griffin, reversed it so that he can actually think. I’ve been consulting with Klaw about a new sonic cannon, twenty percent more effective. I’ve done it at cost, plus ten percent. Nothing more, nothing less.”
“An honest back alley doctor,” Sabra rolled her eyes, “will wonders never cease?”
Dr. Jaeger leaned back in his chair, smiling, “I just want you all to know why you will die, torn limb from limb.”
“Guess it beats asking Dr. Doom for a check-up,” said Shiva, “so what does our situation look like?”
“The force field was designed to hold back the Avengers,” Cybermancer said, “at least, according to the AIM specs. But it’s guzzling power. I’ve scaled it down almost eighty percent and focused it where out friends are standing. It’s mostly for show now, though I can ramp it up in a second.”
“Ya know, I’m going to just put this out there,” Junta said, “why not just bail? Let these assholes have Dr. Jaeger, and call it a day.”
“Are you that quick to abandon your work?” Sabra said.
“I know when it’s time to cut and run,” said Junta, “look, Chapman’s not coming, at least not any time soon. But those guys out there? They don’t have a grudge with us, not today. So I say we just slip out the back door?”
“No…,” Union Jack hissed, his voice laced with agony, “we don’t…give up that easy.”
Junta looked around the room, and saw that Union Jack’s stance was held by everyone.
“Great,” Junta shook his head, “dying on a bungled op. At least it’s fitting.”
“No one’s…,” Union Jack broke out into a hacking cough, and each time he shuddered in pain.
Sabra placed a hand on Union Jack’s shoulder, gently forcing him to lay down on the bed.
“You need to rest, and conserve your strength. Consider yourself relieved.”
Union Jack didn’t even try to struggle.
“We’re going to get through this,” Sabra looked at her teammates, making a moment to meet their eyes, each and every one, “not because we’re heroes and heroes always win. We’re going to survive because we are professionals, because we’re going to keep our heads, and because this place was built to withstand a siege. Chapman and the others will be here the second they can. It’s our job to be alive when they get here.”
Sabra was more than a little gratified as she saw her teammates stand up a little straighter.
“Here’s what we’re going to do. Cybermancer, start working on that security counsul. Get me whatever you can, and just remember that it only has to be a short term solution. Shiva, I want you guarding Dr. Jaeger at all times.”
The blue skin woman smiled at the Doctor, who swallowed hard despite himself.
“Any tricks I want you to take him apart. Non fatally.”
Shiva smiled, “So I get to have fun?”
“Lets hope not,” Sabra replied, “Cybermancer, is that field sound proof?”
“No.”
Sabra turned to Junta, “Junta, I want you to go out there and try to negotiate. See what they want.”
“You know, if you wanted to kill me, you could just do it yourself,” Junta said.
“I’m very aware of that, and stop playing the victim,” Sabra said, “talk to them, see how many there are, see what they want so we can get it first and hold it hostage, and buy time for reinforcements.”
“Now that? That sounds like a plan,” Junta said, “but the problem is that they’ll have no reason to talk to me.”
“Yes, that eez a problem,” said a new voice.
Excalibur turned, and saw Batroc the Leaper leaning against the threshold, a smug, cocky grin on his face.
“Everyone hold,” Sabra said quickly, “if Batroc meant us harm, he wouldn’t have announced himself.”
“I only wish to help zis terrible situation resolve peacefully,” Batroc said, stepping forward and bowing politely, “I haf but one request…”
“Let me guess, let you and your friend Machete slip away?” Junta said.
“Exactly,” Batroc smiled in good humor, “a small thing to ask, no? I could haf slipped away and revealed your perilous situation, but no. I simply wish to help.”
“You damn frog…,” Dr. Jaeger turned to Batroc, “If you help these people, I will have you black listed! You hear me?”
“Hmm, I am sorry?” Batroc raised a hand to his ear, “must be the wind yes?”
“Junta, go with him,” Sabra said, “make introductions, stall and learn what you can.”
“Hate to state the obvious,” Commando said, “but if Batroc’s here visiting his buddy, there may be other hostiles.”
“Excellent point,” Sabra said, “you and I will sweep for hostiles. Silverclaw, I need you to watch Union Jack while I’m gone…”
“What? No!” Silverclaw snapped, “you can’t be serious!”
“This is no time to be childish!” Sabra said, “you will stay here, and…!”
“And what?” Silverclaw said, “watch him bleed out? You and Commando are the only ones with medical training on this island who aren’t evil! More than that, with Jack down, you’re our leader. We lose you, then what?”
Union Jack chuckled, a wet raspy sound that spiked his teammate’s worry.
“Someone’s…trained her right,” Union Jack observed.
Sabra shot him a silent glare.
“In my cat form, I can smell danger coming,” Silverclaw said, “I have a better chance of finding something than the two of you together anyways. If there’s anything we can’t handle, we’ll double back, promise,”
“…fine,” Sabra said, “sweep the compound, subdue anyone who might be danger. Stay on comms and be careful. We don’t know when or even if reinforcements are coming.”
# # # # # # # # # #
Hellios held a ball of stainless steel in his hands, twisting it as if it were putty as he struggled to relax.
The remaining members of Excalbur had scuffled into a nearby break room, and within seconds a nervous tension filled the air.
“I cannot believe we’re standing here, while our friends are literally trapped,” Hellios hissed, “I’ve half a mind to fly there myself!”
“Don’t,” Scarlet Scarab said, “if you do that, then Dr. Jaeger is a free man, and this will all have been for nothing. At last report, they were safe in the man’s complex. We have time yet.”
“This is where you prove deserving of your power,” Persona Grata said. She was at a nearby table, playing Solitaire, “restraint can be just as powerful unleashing your abilities.”
“I don’t need you lecturing me, robot,” Hellios growled.
“Perhaps you do,” Darkstar said. Up until now, she’d been pacing in the corner, “because you’ve clearly misplaced your manners. You would do well to apologize.”
“Are we really worrying about politeness at a time like this?” demanded Hellios, “we should be rushing to our friends side as we speak!”
“And until Chapman gives the word, we won’t be moving an inch,” Guishen said. He rested a hand over his pistols, “now apologize. Please.”
“You little puppet…” Hellios said, his voice filled with contempt, “…you do not tell me what to do!”
“It’s alright,” Persona Grata said, “I know this situation is hard on us all. But lets not do the enemy’s work for them, shall we?”
# # # # # # # # # #
Commando swept his eyes across the hall. Despite the fact that he wore over a hundred pounds of equipment, he stepped as lightly as a feather. He moved with a Beretta in one hand, and once he was certain the hall was clear, motioned for Silverclaw to approach.
“Smell anything?” Commando said.
“Plenty of things,” Silverclaw said, “hard to tell what most of them are, but I can tell that someone’s been here recently. Not someone we know, either.”
“Where?”
Silverclaw turned her head, and inhaled sharply.
“Recent, then new, then he…came back?”
“Doubled back,” Commando said, “old trick to wipe out a scent trail.”
“Then where did he go?”
“Here.”
Commando looked up just in time to catch a foot to his face. His assailant then flipped backwards and landed with the grace of a cat. He then dove at Commando, swinging his elbow into Commando’s face.
Commando swept his fist towards the man, but he ducked with ease before he raised his knee into Commando’s stomach and then drove two fists into his chest, forcing him back.
“Kid, I want this bastard,” Commando wiped the blood from his mouth.
Silverclaw nodded, and took a step back.
She soon wished she hadn’t. She’d seen Commando fight before, full of speed and muscle, but here, now, his enemy seemed to be everywhere at once, except where Commando’s fists were.
The man landed blow after blow on Commando, until finally a snap kick sent the mutant super-soldier flying against the wall, unconscious.
“Well, that was a nice warm up,” the man said. He turned to Silverclaw, and adjusted his sunglasses, “somehow I don’t think you’ll be any better.”
Silverclaw tried her best to sound brave, “Who are you?”
“The name is Mr. X,” he said, “don’t bother to remember it. You’ll be dead before you can.”
Next Issue: Excalibur is still trapped behind enemy lines, while Silverclaw fights the deadly Mr. X! How far will they go to save themselves? Find out!
Union Jack pressed his hand over his stomach, trying to staunch the flow of blood down his waist while his mind tried to find a solution to the situation he and his team found themselves in. Keeping calm with a stomach wound wasn’t the easiest thing in the world, but this wasn’t his time gut shot. It was a danger that came with his line or work, and something he accepted with great reluctance. This was the first time that he’d had a comfortable bed on hand after being gut shot, so it wasn’t all bad, the British hero reflected.
Dying in semi-comfort was better than the gutter by any measure, after all.
What was hard to accept was just how wrong this mission had gone. His team had been dispatched to arrest Dr. Jaeger, a doctor who catered to superhuman criminals. In the process, Union Jack had been wounded in battle.
But that wasn’t where things had gone to hell.
No, that happened when they were attempting to leave, when Chapman was kind enough to inform him that their warrant was being contested, meaning they were stuck until the legal niceties had been sorted out. More than that, Dr. Jaeger’s patients had begun to show up, and Union Jack doubted that they were here for a simple physical.
“What do we do?” Silverclaw said.
“We fight,” Union Jack grunted, his stomach feeling like little more than a hole radiating pain, “Sabra…you, Shiva, Commando and Kamau…go hold off our guests…before they can organized. Junta, Suzi…get the defenses up. Plan is…we dig in, and hold.”
“We should leave,” Sabra said, “cut our losses. Not every mission is a success, Rock.”
“This will be a failure if you debate my orders!” Union Jack snapped, “Go!”
Sabra nodded, and she, Commando, Shiva and Kamau dashed out of the room, while Junta and Cybermancer went to Dr. Jaeger’s command consul.
“What should I do?” Silverclaw said.
“Keep an eye on him,” Union Jack nodded to Dr. Jaeger, who was in the corner, his hands zip tied in front of him, “he does anything…suspect, gut him.”
Silverclaw summoned her cat form and growled, “Gladly.”
# # # # # # # # # #
United Nations
Chapman, followed closely by the remaining members of Excalibur, threw the doors open as he stormed into the room. The secretary pool all turned their heads
“Judge Gang!” Chapman all screamed, “where?”
The UN employees took one glance at Chapman and his people, and all pointed to a single room.
“Thank you,” Chapman straightened his collar, and turned to his team, “wait here. We all show up and the judge will take it as a threat.”
Hellios cracked his knuckles. It sounded like concrete breaking.
“Perhaps we should show him he is right to be afraid,” Hellios said.
“Or perhaps allow the rule of law to work,” Scarlet Scarab placed a hand on Hellios’ shoulder, “go, Chapman. We’ll be ready to deploy when you give the order.”
“…I don’t like this,” Darkstar said, “our friends are in danger, and we’re just supposed to wait for this man to give us permission to rescue our friends?”
“We can rescue our friends at any time,” Persona Grata observed, her tone calm, “it’s the information on Dr. Jaeger’s servers, and Dr. Jaeger himself, that is in question.”
“I cannot believe that Chapman is risking our teammates lives like this!” Hellios said.
“I can,” Guishen said, “and I believe he is doing the right thing.”
“…of course you do,” Hellios rolled his eyes.
“We are law enforcement. Risking our lives is what is expected of us,” Guishen said, “more than that, the information that Dr. Jaeger is privy to could advance law enforcement causes across Asia, while crippling the ability of superhumans in the area to operate with impunity. The lives of our friends, balanced against thousands. How could he not?”
“Besides,” Scarlet Scarab said, “if there’s one thing our friends are good at, it’s surviving.”
# # # # # # # # # #
Island of Dr. Jaeger.
Sabra slammed her palms together, and the shockwaves sent their enemies diving for cover.
“Keep them off balance,” Sabra said, “hit and run. We’re fighting to buy time, not to win.”
“Buy time for what?” Shiva drew her hook swords.
“For a miracle,” Sabra muttered, “go!”
Shiva saw Lady Deathstrike, and smirked.
“Always wanted to kill a legend,” Shiva ran towards Lady Deathstrike. The cyborg observed unsheathed her nail claws, and swept her claws outward as Shiva leapt towards her.
Shiva flew over Lady Deathstrike, her swords lashing out with precision, before she landed behind the ruthless cyborg
“Not impressed,” Shiva said, her back still turned to her enemy.
Lady Deathstrike observed the cut on her cheek. She lashed out with her foot, hitting Shiva in the back and sit her spilling to the ground.
“Poison isn’t terribly effect against cyborgs,” Lady Deathstrike said, “anything else?”
# # # # # # # # # #
Kamau leapt towards Tiger Shark, his foot smashing into the shark-man’s face.
Tiger Shark stumbled backwards, but he was experienced in taking a beating from the best. Hercules, Namor at the top of the list. He kept enough wits about him to lash out at Kamau, dragging his claws against the man’s chest and drawing a river of blood.
Kamau gritted his teeth, taking the pain, and keeping enough focus to return the favor, punching Tiger Shark in the ribs with one pair of diamond trench-knives, and then rammed his elbow into Tiger Shark’s jaw.
Tiger Shark responded with a right hook that pitched Kamau a good ten feet backwards, and he landed hard.
“You got some skill,” Tiger Shark wiped some blood from his mouth, “and some strength. But not of both.”
Kamau brandished his diamond blades.
“We’ll see that, won’t we?”
# # # # # # # # # #
Sabra swallowed enough fear to last a life time as she flew at the criminal known as the Griffin.
The man-monster was in a special league of superhumans, in the same weight class with the likes of Hercules and the Hulk. Even worse was the fact that he possessed an animalistic rage, to the point that there were conflicting reports as to whether or not he still possessed any human intellect at all. Sabra could see some intelligence in his eyes, but she debated whether or not that would help her any.
The Israeli superagent was under no illusions about her ability to defeat Griffin single-handily. She could slow him down, stymie him
“I don’t want to hurt you,” Griffin growled, his chest puffed out, like a giant cat. The tone of his voice reminded Sabra of an old soldier, who feared a fight not because he might lose the fight, but because he might lose himself in the fight.
Sabra stopped her charge and hovered in midair. She raised her hands, but remained mindful of the needle launcher.
“No one’s forcing you to,” Sabra said. Her eyes glanced to the side. Griffin was flanked by five Asian men, each with varying degrees of cybernetic implants, “we’re simply here for Dr. Jaeger. I’m more than willing to look the other way, if you leave now.”
“Noooo,” Griffin growled, before he caught himself, “I need Dr. Jaeger. He’s the only reason my mind…works! I’d be an animal without him!”
“That doesn’t change our position,” said Sabra, “but if you surrender, I can personally promise you the best medical help we can provide.”
“All that ever meant was jerks watching me like an animal in a cage,” Griffin stood up straight, some eleven feet tall, six feet across and stretched his enormous wings while his tail twitched in anticipation, “get your people to stand down, and we’ll return the offer you made to us. You can leave unharmed.”
Sabra raised an eyebrow, and did her best to seem to ponder the offer.
She realized, almost immediately, that Griffin didn’t want to risk all the information that were on Dr. Jaeger’s systems, to risk all the progress he’d made thus far. Griffin might be strong enough to kill every member of Excalibur present, but he risked destroying the clinic and all the progress he’d made thus far.
So rather than answer him, Sabra suddenly flew forward, fast and low like an arrow.
Griffin braced himself, but had expected Sabra to take a swing at his chest. But instead, the Israeli heroine flew right past him, and grabbed his tail.
She yanked hard, and then spun him like a flail, knocking down the cyborgs that had been backing him up before she anchored herself, and spun Griffin around and around, three times, before pitching him out to sea.
The Griffin was a physical powerhouse, but Sabra remembered that those wings weren’t just for show.
“Maybe bought us five minutes,” Sabra muttered, as she turned her attention to the too many remaining enemies, “still need a miracle…”
# # # # # # # # # #
“Come on, come on…”
Cybermancer pulled a cord free from the security consul. It sparked brightly, and Suzi found herself glad that her armor was insulated.
“Okay, primary control is free,” Cybermancer held out her hand to Junta, “that toolbox we found have a Kirby laser drill?”
Junta searcjhed the box and a second later dropped the tool in her hand, “Wouldn’t be a mad scientist lab without one.”
Silverclaw watched anxiously as Junta handed Cybermancer what looked like a mini-lava lamb with a diamond head. Cybermancer took a moment to adjust a knob, and then fired a thin orange laser at the cable.
She paced back and forth, barely able to ignore the security monitors that showed her friend’s desperate battle. As far as Silverclaw could see, they were holding their own, but how long could that last?
“Fifty million,” Dr. Jaeger said, conversationally, “at least.”
“Is that how much you think you’ll get for our dead bodies?” replied Silverclaw, “I’ve dealt with a few maniacs, so I figure I’d at least cut to the chase.”
“Close,” Dr. Jaeger said, “your bodies will sell for sixty million. No, fifty million is the amount of money my lawyers hold in escrow for me, how much they stand to lose if I were arrested. How much are your people paid?”
“Not enough,” Junta said, never taking his eyes away from the consul, “Jack, we’re about three minutes away from a very bad idea. Sure we can’t just cut and run?”
“Not an option,” Union Jack said, “until we see them without our own eyes, we have to act like the rest of our friends aren’t coming, mate.”
“Easy for you to say,” muttered Junta, “you’ll die laying in bed.”
Cybermancer elbowed Junta in the arm.
“We’ll all be dead if you don’t focus,” Cybermancer said, “hand me that control panel, we’re almost at the end.”
# # # # # # # # # #
Commando pressed his back against a large rock outcrop, the only cover he could find on this beach, as bullets flew all around him.
Commando had caught a glimpse of uniforms, Hydra standard issue, though the muscle mass of their upper bodies, like prize fighters on steroids. An experimental pilot program, probably under the supervision of Dr. Jaeger, Commando thought to himself. That alone would have justified this raid.
But despite their heavy weapons, they weren’t the biggest threat present. Because only several feet behind them was the sonic villain known as Klaw.
It was like being trapped between a bear and a pack of wolves. Dealing with one meant being torn apart by the other.
“Aw hell, who wants to live forever?” Commando took a grenade from his belt, and tossed it over his shoulder with the practiced ease of over two decades of combat experience.
Which was why his eyes went wide when the grenade bounced back like a tennis ball, and landed at his feet.
“Son of a bitch…!”
Commando threw himself clear, with seconds to spare. The explosion rattled both his ears and teeth, but what really stung the most was how he could have made such a rookie mistake. It was like tripping over his own two feet!
“Nuts,” Shiva said as she sauntered over to Commando, her hook-swords resting on her shoulders, “was kind of hoping to get a laugh from your death.”
Commando ignored the sociopath, and glanced around the beach.
The entire beach was encompassed in a giant green dome, the clinic on one side, and their enemies on the other.
Klaw, his face twisted in anger, unleashed a barrage of energy, as Griffin smashed his fists against the field, and Lady Deathstrike did everything in her power to hack her way inside. The assorted criminals and felons did their best to bludgeon their way in, but the shield held without issue.
“You should listen closer to your radio,” Sabra said, as she touched down.
“Was a bit busy,” replied Commando, “so I guess Cybermancer got us some cover, any idea how long it’s going to last?”
“None,” Sabra said. She glanced at the hoard of criminals trying to get in, “I suggest we get inside. Quickly.”
“You go,” Kamau said, “I’m going to stay here, in case they make it through.”
“You wouldn’t last more than a minute,” Shiva said.
“That’s one minute more for the rest of you, then,” said Kamau. He sat down lotus style, “go. I don’t believe that our time is unlimited.”
# # # # # # # # # #
United Nations
Chapman resisted the urge to fidget in his chair. He’d found Judge Gang’s office easily enough, but the damned man insisted on waiting for Dr. Jaeger’s counsel, Mathew O’Grady. The man had called, and insisted he was only ten minutes away, fifteen minutes ago.
Judge Gang had busied himself with paperwork, all while insisting that Chapman sit silent like a child in detention. Chapman would have strangled the man in a heartbeat if he could have thought of a way to get away with it. He couldn’t stop himself from imagining the danger his team was in.
Yes, they were trained professionals, but that only went so far. The longer this dragged out, the greater the danger they were in, and Chapman was under no illusions that was exactly what Dr. Jaeger’s lawyer intended.
“Judge Gang,” Chapman said finally, “my people are in the middle of an operation, and lives may literally be hanging in the balance…”
“Excalibur’s charter always allow for membership rescue,” Judge Gang smoothly, “opposing council has objected to their client falling under Excalibur’s mandate, and I think there is merit…”
“So sorry, gentlemen,” Mathew O’Grady said as he burst into the office, “New York traffic, you know how it is.”
“Did you have an intern file your objection?” said Chapman, “because it was filed almost within minutes of our operation.”
“Well,” O’Grady smile, “I’ve got to use them for something. My firm prides ourselves on our prompt service.”
“I bet,” Chapman said, “on what bloody grounds do you object to our warrant?”
“On the grounds that my client isn’t involved in the superhuman trade,” Mathew O’Grady said, “even if my client is a criminal, his actions simply don’t fall under Excalibur’s jurisdiction.”
“Bloody ‘ell!” Chapman spat, “there are over a dozen super criminals on this man’s island right now!”
“Excalibur has any number of enemies,” O’Grady said, “they’re simply taking advantage of the situation.”
“Your honor, that’s nonsense…!”
Judge Gang raised his hand, and Chapman clenched his teeth to keep from yelling at the man.
“If that’s the case, then you should have no objection to me reviewing the evidence myself,” Judge Gang said, “I have the security clearance required.”
“I know that,” Chapman said, “it’s simply a matter of time…!”
“Then you better hurry.”
# # # # # # # # # #
Outside
“We need to hurry,” Lady Deathstrike said, “it won’t be long before the rest of Excalibur and support troops are here. I’ve fought this team before, and I don’t believe that we can hold out against that”
“I understand that Dr. Jaeger’s lawyer is keeping them entangled,” replied Klaw, “we have an hour, at least.”
“Or they call in help from somewhere else, like the Avengers,” Griffin growled. He turned to the force field, and began slamming his fists against the field, but it held, “I won’t go back to being a beast, I won’t!”
“For all you know, the force field is absorbing your kinetic energy,” Klaw raised a dismissive eyebrow, “if you don’t want to be a beast, then perhaps you shouldn’t act like one?”
“What…,” a bestial growl slipped past Griffin’s lips, “did you say to me?”
“I am the master of sound,” Klaw intoned, “I know you heard me.”
“I heard someone being asked to be torn apart…!”
“Whoa, whoa!” Tiger Shark jumped in between Klaw and Griffin, “look Wings, I know Klaw isn’t Mr. Personality, not by a longshot, but I’ve worked with him. We have the same goals, he can be counted on for that, so lets not go ape shit just yet, okay?”
Griffin snorted. He gave Klaw a long stare, before stepping back.
“Look at me,” Tiger Shark pointed at his chest with his grey skinned claws, “Dr. Jaeger gave me back my mind too. We’re all in the same boat, so don’t go tipping it on us, just yet.”
“…fine,” Griffin stood up straight, took a few calming breathes and then stepped back, “whatever.”
“Can we make a suggestion?”
The four villains turned their heads.
Standing a few feet away was a man in an all black uniform with a dragon on his chest. He was a member of the Steel Wind, a twenty man team of cyborgs that prowled the local waters. Rumor had it that they were sponsored by China, acting as proxies.
Not that these four cared much. As long as the Steel Wind deferred to them, they could have been funded by Green Peace.
“Yes?” said Lady Deathstrike.
“Perhaps the teleporter who summoned us can get us inside?”
Tiger Shark glanced around, his nose sniffing the air.
“Where did that man go?”
“He’s coming back,” Griffin pointed down the beach, “his teleport effect smells of lemons, for some reason.”
Sure enough, a moment later a whole opened up out of thin air, and the cosmically powered villains known as the U-Foes stepped through, followed by the man who brought them.
He was a young Asian man, dressed in a nice business suit, and was devoid of any color save black and white. He flicked in and out like a television with bad reception, and gave his codename as Bolt-hole
“What are you guys doing here?” Tiger Shark raised an eyebrow at the U-Foes.
“Do you know how hard it is to find someone to help us if we mutate further?” Vector replied, “most of the people smart enough are too crazy to rely on. I won’t have my people wait until we’re like you until we’ve sought treatment.”
Tiger Shark felt a flash of anger, but it soon dissipated.
“Good call,” he muttered under his breath.
Lady Deathstrike pointed at talon at Bolt-hole, “You, teleporter. Is it possible for you to bring us inside the lab?”
Bolt-hole shrugged sheepishly, “If I could have, I would have. Dr. Jaeger only trusts me so far.”
“Never that simple,” Tiger Shark growled.
“Do not fear,” said Klaw, “I am blocking all outgoing transmissions. We cannot get in, but neither can they get out.”
“Rest assured, time is not their ally.”
# # # # # # # # # #
Cybermancer did her absolute best not to grind her teeth as she sent signal after signal through her armor’s communication system. It was designed with transmitters powerful enough to contact literally anywhere on the planet, piggybacking on a half dozen military satellites.
Yet all she heard was static.
“Anything?” Union Jack grunted.
“No talking,” Sabra said.
She and Commando were leaning over Union Jack, using some of Dr. Jaeger’s scavenged medical equipment to treat his wound.
“What she said,” Commando grunted, “usually, I see someone with a gut wound still talking, I put a second bullet in just on reflex.”
“No word from headquarters,” Cybermancer reported, “I think Klaw’s blocking most transmissions, but I can’t be sure.”
“I can,” Junta said, “our friends outside are jamming anything and everything they can. We’d do the same.”
“Why all this effort?” Silverclaw said, “I mean seriously? Can’t these guys find some other hack to fix them up after they get their asses kicked?”
“Two sets of lungs,” Dr. Jaeger said.
Silverclaw looked at him with a raised eyebrow.
“Excuse me?”
“For Lady Deatshtrike, I’ve cloned her a new set of lungs, that I can further integrate into her cyborg systems,” Dr. Jaeger said, “inside of two years, I can give her a fully functioning stomach, reproductive organs and natural hair, while allowing her to retain her claws, strength and speed.”
“Those two?” Dr. Jaeger pointed to Tiger Shark and Griffin, “I’ve arrested their mutations, and in Griffin, reversed it so that he can actually think. I’ve been consulting with Klaw about a new sonic cannon, twenty percent more effective. I’ve done it at cost, plus ten percent. Nothing more, nothing less.”
“An honest back alley doctor,” Sabra rolled her eyes, “will wonders never cease?”
Dr. Jaeger leaned back in his chair, smiling, “I just want you all to know why you will die, torn limb from limb.”
“Guess it beats asking Dr. Doom for a check-up,” said Shiva, “so what does our situation look like?”
“The force field was designed to hold back the Avengers,” Cybermancer said, “at least, according to the AIM specs. But it’s guzzling power. I’ve scaled it down almost eighty percent and focused it where out friends are standing. It’s mostly for show now, though I can ramp it up in a second.”
“Ya know, I’m going to just put this out there,” Junta said, “why not just bail? Let these assholes have Dr. Jaeger, and call it a day.”
“Are you that quick to abandon your work?” Sabra said.
“I know when it’s time to cut and run,” said Junta, “look, Chapman’s not coming, at least not any time soon. But those guys out there? They don’t have a grudge with us, not today. So I say we just slip out the back door?”
“No…,” Union Jack hissed, his voice laced with agony, “we don’t…give up that easy.”
Junta looked around the room, and saw that Union Jack’s stance was held by everyone.
“Great,” Junta shook his head, “dying on a bungled op. At least it’s fitting.”
“No one’s…,” Union Jack broke out into a hacking cough, and each time he shuddered in pain.
Sabra placed a hand on Union Jack’s shoulder, gently forcing him to lay down on the bed.
“You need to rest, and conserve your strength. Consider yourself relieved.”
Union Jack didn’t even try to struggle.
“We’re going to get through this,” Sabra looked at her teammates, making a moment to meet their eyes, each and every one, “not because we’re heroes and heroes always win. We’re going to survive because we are professionals, because we’re going to keep our heads, and because this place was built to withstand a siege. Chapman and the others will be here the second they can. It’s our job to be alive when they get here.”
Sabra was more than a little gratified as she saw her teammates stand up a little straighter.
“Here’s what we’re going to do. Cybermancer, start working on that security counsul. Get me whatever you can, and just remember that it only has to be a short term solution. Shiva, I want you guarding Dr. Jaeger at all times.”
The blue skin woman smiled at the Doctor, who swallowed hard despite himself.
“Any tricks I want you to take him apart. Non fatally.”
Shiva smiled, “So I get to have fun?”
“Lets hope not,” Sabra replied, “Cybermancer, is that field sound proof?”
“No.”
Sabra turned to Junta, “Junta, I want you to go out there and try to negotiate. See what they want.”
“You know, if you wanted to kill me, you could just do it yourself,” Junta said.
“I’m very aware of that, and stop playing the victim,” Sabra said, “talk to them, see how many there are, see what they want so we can get it first and hold it hostage, and buy time for reinforcements.”
“Now that? That sounds like a plan,” Junta said, “but the problem is that they’ll have no reason to talk to me.”
“Yes, that eez a problem,” said a new voice.
Excalibur turned, and saw Batroc the Leaper leaning against the threshold, a smug, cocky grin on his face.
“Everyone hold,” Sabra said quickly, “if Batroc meant us harm, he wouldn’t have announced himself.”
“I only wish to help zis terrible situation resolve peacefully,” Batroc said, stepping forward and bowing politely, “I haf but one request…”
“Let me guess, let you and your friend Machete slip away?” Junta said.
“Exactly,” Batroc smiled in good humor, “a small thing to ask, no? I could haf slipped away and revealed your perilous situation, but no. I simply wish to help.”
“You damn frog…,” Dr. Jaeger turned to Batroc, “If you help these people, I will have you black listed! You hear me?”
“Hmm, I am sorry?” Batroc raised a hand to his ear, “must be the wind yes?”
“Junta, go with him,” Sabra said, “make introductions, stall and learn what you can.”
“Hate to state the obvious,” Commando said, “but if Batroc’s here visiting his buddy, there may be other hostiles.”
“Excellent point,” Sabra said, “you and I will sweep for hostiles. Silverclaw, I need you to watch Union Jack while I’m gone…”
“What? No!” Silverclaw snapped, “you can’t be serious!”
“This is no time to be childish!” Sabra said, “you will stay here, and…!”
“And what?” Silverclaw said, “watch him bleed out? You and Commando are the only ones with medical training on this island who aren’t evil! More than that, with Jack down, you’re our leader. We lose you, then what?”
Union Jack chuckled, a wet raspy sound that spiked his teammate’s worry.
“Someone’s…trained her right,” Union Jack observed.
Sabra shot him a silent glare.
“In my cat form, I can smell danger coming,” Silverclaw said, “I have a better chance of finding something than the two of you together anyways. If there’s anything we can’t handle, we’ll double back, promise,”
“…fine,” Sabra said, “sweep the compound, subdue anyone who might be danger. Stay on comms and be careful. We don’t know when or even if reinforcements are coming.”
# # # # # # # # # #
Hellios held a ball of stainless steel in his hands, twisting it as if it were putty as he struggled to relax.
The remaining members of Excalbur had scuffled into a nearby break room, and within seconds a nervous tension filled the air.
“I cannot believe we’re standing here, while our friends are literally trapped,” Hellios hissed, “I’ve half a mind to fly there myself!”
“Don’t,” Scarlet Scarab said, “if you do that, then Dr. Jaeger is a free man, and this will all have been for nothing. At last report, they were safe in the man’s complex. We have time yet.”
“This is where you prove deserving of your power,” Persona Grata said. She was at a nearby table, playing Solitaire, “restraint can be just as powerful unleashing your abilities.”
“I don’t need you lecturing me, robot,” Hellios growled.
“Perhaps you do,” Darkstar said. Up until now, she’d been pacing in the corner, “because you’ve clearly misplaced your manners. You would do well to apologize.”
“Are we really worrying about politeness at a time like this?” demanded Hellios, “we should be rushing to our friends side as we speak!”
“And until Chapman gives the word, we won’t be moving an inch,” Guishen said. He rested a hand over his pistols, “now apologize. Please.”
“You little puppet…” Hellios said, his voice filled with contempt, “…you do not tell me what to do!”
“It’s alright,” Persona Grata said, “I know this situation is hard on us all. But lets not do the enemy’s work for them, shall we?”
# # # # # # # # # #
Commando swept his eyes across the hall. Despite the fact that he wore over a hundred pounds of equipment, he stepped as lightly as a feather. He moved with a Beretta in one hand, and once he was certain the hall was clear, motioned for Silverclaw to approach.
“Smell anything?” Commando said.
“Plenty of things,” Silverclaw said, “hard to tell what most of them are, but I can tell that someone’s been here recently. Not someone we know, either.”
“Where?”
Silverclaw turned her head, and inhaled sharply.
“Recent, then new, then he…came back?”
“Doubled back,” Commando said, “old trick to wipe out a scent trail.”
“Then where did he go?”
“Here.”
Commando looked up just in time to catch a foot to his face. His assailant then flipped backwards and landed with the grace of a cat. He then dove at Commando, swinging his elbow into Commando’s face.
Commando swept his fist towards the man, but he ducked with ease before he raised his knee into Commando’s stomach and then drove two fists into his chest, forcing him back.
“Kid, I want this bastard,” Commando wiped the blood from his mouth.
Silverclaw nodded, and took a step back.
She soon wished she hadn’t. She’d seen Commando fight before, full of speed and muscle, but here, now, his enemy seemed to be everywhere at once, except where Commando’s fists were.
The man landed blow after blow on Commando, until finally a snap kick sent the mutant super-soldier flying against the wall, unconscious.
“Well, that was a nice warm up,” the man said. He turned to Silverclaw, and adjusted his sunglasses, “somehow I don’t think you’ll be any better.”
Silverclaw tried her best to sound brave, “Who are you?”
“The name is Mr. X,” he said, “don’t bother to remember it. You’ll be dead before you can.”
Next Issue: Excalibur is still trapped behind enemy lines, while Silverclaw fights the deadly Mr. X! How far will they go to save themselves? Find out!