|
 |
| Avengers Special #3 August 2010 |
“WE DON’T ASSEMBLE LIKE THIS EVERYDAY, Y’KNOW” Written By Derrick Ferguson |
|||||||||
|
||||||||||
“So you’re really sure you’re okay, kid?”
“Sure! Us Inhumans heal at a much faster rate than humans, y’know. Just gimme a couple days rest an’ I’ll be aces.”
“You don’t know how lucky you are, kid. There ain’t many who can say they went toe-to-toe with Attuma and still are able to draw breath. I’m proud of you.”
“What was I gonna do? Let him hurt Mr. Stark? You an’ Cap told me to stay and assist Mr. Stark. An’ that’s what I did.”
“You sure did. And don’t think we don’t appreciate it. Me, Steve and Tony talked for about two minutes then put it to a vote. The other Avengers agreed with us unanimously. Here you go.”
“This is an Avengers communicard!”
“Damn skippy. You’re an official card-carrying Avenger now, kid. Still on probation for six months but I don’t think anybody will be sweatin’ you too tough on that.”
“I dunno what to say…this is somethin’ I’ve always dreamed of my whole life but I never thought it would actually happen!”
“The Avengers know how to show gratitude, kid. And after Tony Stark told us how you threw yourself in Attuma’s face, well…let’s just say you don’t have anything to prove to anybody. You’ve got the right stuff.”
“This Avengers communicard is mighty spiffy. But there’s somethin’ else I’d really like to have. If it’s okay with you an’ the others, that is.”
“And what’s that? You name it, kid.”
“Can I have one a’those ripper Avengers jackets? I always wanted one of those.”
Hawkeye threw back his head and guffawed. “Is that all? Kid, you can have as many of ‘em as you want. Jarvis still has a dozen of ‘em in storage. And if I know him he’ll have one your size or get one made. We don’t wear ‘em anymore but I know some of the West Coasters do. But if you want it, you got it.”
Killeroo smiled. It hurt his snout like hell to do so but he couldn’t help it. He’d come to America just to learn how The Avengers operated and take that knowledge back to Australia to form that continent’s superheroes into a team. But in his short time here he’d gone up against The Abomination, one of The Brood and The Warlord Attuma. That alone was an education right there. But to actually be made an Avenger…Killeroo pretended there was something in his eyes he had to wipe away while Hawkeye clapped him on the shoulder.
“Nothin’ to be ashamed of, kid. Felt like bawlin’ my ownself when I was made an Avenger. Proudest day of my life an’ I ain’t ashamed of it one bit.”
“I appreciate you makin’ the trip all the way down here, Hawk. It means a lot to me.”
‘Here’ was The Hartin Institute of Metahuman Medicine in Miami, Florida. Tony Stark had Killeroo flown down there in a private jet to insure that the young Inhuman got the best medical care available after his epic fight with Attuma. Killeroo was healing up nicely on his own, thanks to his Inhuman metabolism. But he would still need a few days to fully recover. Taking a beating from Attuma was not an experience to be taken lightly. As Killeroo’s ribs reminded him every time he moved.
“No need to thank me, kid. You’re a full-fledged Avenger now and we take care of our own. Besides, they don’t need me for anythin’ back at the mansion. Too damn crowded there anyway.”
“What’s goin’ on back at home base?”
“Well, when I left, The Beast was freaking out because Scott Lang is here on Earth.”
“And that’s a bad thing?”
“Well, considering that Scott Lang is supposed to be on the other side of the universe aboard a missing starship…yeah. That is a bad thing.”
“Yeah. I can see where that might be somethin’ of a problem. So what’s the next move?”
“The Beast said he was going to take Andromeda and go talk to Scott and see exactly what the hell is going on. In the meantime, Tony said he’d talk to Moondragon, Starfox, Quasar and Jack of Hearts to see if they wouldn’t mind going out there to find Infinity and bring her back.”
“You think they’ll go?”
“Be interesting if they did, don’tcha think?”
Tony Stark tapped the handle of his handmade Madagascar rosewood cane on the massive mahogany dining table. He was using the dining room as an impromptu meeting room while Stark Industries techs and Damage Control were putting the Main Assembly Room back together. The long mahogany table, capable of seating fourteen at a time, gleamed magnificently in the blazing light from the chandeliers. The sideboard held a variety of doughnuts, Danishes and other delicious pastries. Five silver urns were filled to the brim with five different blends of freshly brewed coffee, courtesy of Ms. Marvel.
Moondragon, Ms. Marvel, Starfox, Quasar and Jack of Hearts were all sitting at the table and they gave Tony Stark their attention as he looked around at all of them and addressed them in his best boardroom voice.
“First of all, thanks for coming to Earth so quickly on such short notice. I know it was hard for some of you.”
“Harder for some than for others,” Ms. Marvel muttered in a dig that plainly was directed at Moondragon. For her part, Moondragon ignored Ms. Marvel. She sat up straight and proud, her elegantly shaped bald head held regally. She might have been holding court on Titan, where she had been raised and trained.
Tony threw Ms. Marvel a “Will-You-Please-Shut-The-Hell-Up” look and continued; “I’d also like to thank you guys for helping out during the Atlantean invasion. I honestly don’t know if we could have turned the tide of battle so radically and so decisively without your assistance. And now, to the matter that I’ve summoned you all here for. In front of all of you are Starkbooks. Please activate them now.”
The Avengers tapped the Starkbooks and they flared into life, the high resolution screens giving the illusion that they were looking into windows, so sharp and clear was the picture.
“What you’re looking at is the starship Infinity. Dr. Peter Corbeau, Reed Richards and I were among a staff of 30 scientists, physicists, technologists and futurists who worked on this ship. It represents the pinnacle of Earth’s starship technology. Funded by a dozen different countries, it was meant to be our emissary to the stars.”
Tony took a breath as he looked around the table, making eye contact with each and everyone at the table. They had to understand how much this meant to him.
“The ship is supposed to be crewed by 300 but only 60 were assigned for her to a test run. And that’s all it was supposed to be. They were going to take her out to the end of the solar system and back. A one-hour tour. To be very frank with you guys, this was intended to be just a jaunt for public relations purposes.
“My best friend Jim Rhodes was assigned as Captain and Scott Lang who we all know was Ant-Man was named Chief Engineer.
“Infinity even had an honor escort in the form of The Silver Surfer and Captain Marvel. What happened next should never have happened. Infinity simply disappeared.”
Starfox frowned. “What do you mean, ‘disappeared’?”
“Disappeared. Vanished. Went poof. Dropped out of sight. Left no trace. How many ways you want me to say it?”
Quasar spoke up. “So where did Genis and Norrin say your ship had gone to?”
“They didn’t. They couldn’t find it.”
As Tony had expected, that got their attention.
“Preposterous!”
“No way!”
“Ridiculous!”
“Get out!”
“Bullshit!”
Tony rapped on the table for attention. “Now do you see why we’ve called you guys in on this?”
Moondragon’s sharp voice cut over the buzz of conversation. “The Silver Surfer can track a grain of cosmic dust through a nebula. No matter what happened to your precious little ship, no where it had gone in this universe, he should have been able to follow it. And even if somehow he couldn’t, Captain Marvel’s cosmic awareness should have found it.”
“And if they couldn’t…” Ms. Marvel began but it was Jack of Hearts that finished her sentence.
“…then whoever or whatever could block them from tracking and finding the Infinity must be an entity of unimaginable power. Power that surpasses even that of Galactus.”
“You’re starting to get the idea. That’s why my idea was this: assemble a team of Avengers who have experience with this kind of stuff. That’s you: Moondragon, Starfox, Quasar and Jack of Hearts. You’re also four of the most powerful Avengers. But even more than that, it’s your experience that will really be needed. We have no idea who or what took Infinity. It could have been a deliberate act or an accident. It could have been an alien race preparing to invade us or it could have been some cosmic being who was merely curious. You four will be able to judge best the motives of whoever has the ship. It could very well be that you won’t have to throw a single punch or energy bolt to get Infinity back. On the other hand you might have to take on an entire planet.”
Ms. Marvel nodded. “Okay. That’s why they’re on the team. But why me? I haven’t really spent much time out in space since my Binary days with The Starjammers.”
“The Pentagon has a considerable financial and technological investment in the ship. They’ve requested either you or Captain America be assigned to the mission seeing as how you’re the two active Avengers with American military rank and connections. I might add that The President has also added his wishes to this request.”
Ms. Marvel nodded. “Cap’s the natural choice…”
“No, no he’s not,” Tony said. “You’re still on good terms with The Starjammers. Could be your team will need their assistance on this mission.”
“What do you mean my team?”
“Didn’t I make it clear, woman? You’re the Team Leader on this mission. Why else do you think you’re here?”
“Cool.”
“Let me say one more thing and then I’ll throw open this briefing for questions: due to the unique nature of this mission this is strictly a voluntary one. There’s no telling how long you’ll be away from Earth or how far you’ll have to go. To coin a phrase; you’re being asked to go where no one has gone before. And it could be that when you do find Infinity you’ll be up against a foe whose power dwarfs your own. You may never come back. If anybody wants to walk away, do so and there won’t be any question of your courage and if there is then whoever does so will answer to me.”
Quasar was the first to answer; “I’ll go, Tony. The families of those people aboard Infinity deserve to know what happened to their loved ones.”
Starfox nodded in agreement; “Aye. If it were my father or even my brother lost in those uncharted stars I would want someone to go find them if I were unable to. This is a noble task and I will be proud to take part in it.”
“Jack?” Tony looked at Jack of Hearts who seemed to be listening to another conversation entirely. “Jack, you okay?”
Jack of Hearts looked around him sharply, as if he’d been napping. “Yeah! Sorry, Tony, just thinking…thinking about all those poor people, lost so far from home…yeah, yeah, I’m in.”
Moondragon simply said; “I will go.”
Ms. Marvel peered at her closely. “Don’t tell me that there’s a shriveled up heart in there somewhere? Why would you want to go?”
“My reasons are my own and none of your business, harridan.”
Ms. Marvel said slowly; “Tony, I’d be proud as hell to head up this mission. But there’s an understanding that has to be established between Moondragon and myself first.” Slowly, deliberately, Ms. Marvel stood up, eyes crackling with power and her voice was pure cold adamantium as she said; “Gentlemen, be so good as to give us the room.”
Despite his having to use his cane to help him along, Tony Stark was around the long table and halfway to the door while chairs were still scraping the polished floor. They were hastily pushed back as Quasar, Jack of Hearts and Starfox all made a mad dash for the closed double doors to get out of that room before the mayhem started.
“This is awfully sudden, guys. I mean, I just got here!”
Richard Rider had removed his Nova helmet but was still dressed in his uniform. The three energy regulators on his chest had increased their glow slightly, reacting to Rich’s anger. He pushed his brown hair out of his eyes and his angry gaze went back and forth between Janet Pym, who sat behind Tony Stark’s inlaid, kidney shaped desk and Sam Wilson, who sat on the couch, mask pushed back, revealing his wide, honest face. They were using Tony’s second floor private office for this particular meeting.
“It hasn’t been all that long since I joined The Avengers, Janet. I just got settled in here and now you’re asking me to pack up and go join The West Coasters?”
Janet frowned and said in a calm, yet brittle voice; “You make it sound like some sort of punishment, Richard.”
The way she said ‘Richard’ should have been the tip off. But some people can’t see the obvious until they end up in the intensive care ward.
“Yeah, maybe I do! You guys may not know it but being an Avenger is something a lot of superheroes aspire to! I never thought I had a shot at it but once I was asked to join and actually got here, I understood. I got a place here. A place I like. A place I earned and I don’t particularly like the thought of giving it up!”
“To go join The West Coasters as you put it.”
“Hey, look, Jan…no disrespect intended, but The West Coasters haven’t had the best rep, y’know.”
“The Avengers you mean.”
Rich cocked his head in confusion. “What the what, now?”
“The Avengers. You’re talking about The Avengers.”
“The West Coast Avengers, yeah.”
Janet stood up and leaned on Tony’s desk as she said in a low, compelling voice; “The official designation of the California division of The Avengers is Avengers West Coast. Not ‘The West Coasters’ or ‘The Whackos’. Avengers West Coast. Get it right, mister.”
“Hey! I said I didn’t mean any disrespect! But I think I’ve earned the right to kick up a little dust here! I barely get my bags unpacked and next thing I know I’m being kicked out!”
“This got anything to do with Carol, son?” Sam Wilson asked, looking cool and comfortable with his stretched out legs crossed at the ankle, muscular arms folded and an amused look.
“Huh? You mean Ms. Marvel? We work together well, yeah. I-“
“Don’t gas me, Rich. I saw how you and Carol were about an hour ago just before we all broke up for our separate meetings. Body language don’t lie.”
“Okay! We’ve been…” Rich’s hand floundered around as he searched desperately for words to explain. “…hell, I don’t know what we are! But I’d kinda like the time to figure it out! If that’s okay with you guys!”
Sam held up a hand. “First off: Carol’s not going to be around here anyway. Tony Stark’s putting together a special team to go bring back his starship and Carol’s going to ramrod the team.”
Rich blinked. “Really?”
Janet sighed. “Didn’t you notice that we’ve got a lot of Avengers here that usually spend their time in space?”
“I thought they were here because of the invasion.”
“Worked out fine all way round, right?” Sam said mildly.
“So why wasn’t I asked to go on this mission? I’ve been in space!”
“Not as much as Carol. And the government wanted a representative. That meant either Steve or Carol. Carol’s the logical choice.”
“And if you need yet another reason; Sam and I are going to stay here so that leaves Monica ridiculously short-handed. You bring a well-rounded mix of powers to the table, especially your flying powers. You can travel at the speed of sound which means if there’s an emergency back here, you’re the guy we’re going to call because you’ll be here while a Quinjet is just crossing over Idaho.” Jan added. “And if you need any further inducement: Sam, Steve, Tony, Clint and I all had a meeting and agreed you were the best choice to send.”
Rich blinked in surprise. “Really?”
“You’ve been nothing less than stellar in the short time you’ve been an Avenger, from what I understand,” Sam said. “Both Clint and Steve have said that they don’t think they’ve ever seen a new member fit in so well so quickly. Tony said it’s as if you’ve been an Avenger for years.”
“Wow.” Rich dry-washed his face, the energy regulators dimming. He grinned embarrassedly. “If this was a Looney Tunes cartoon, this would be the moment where my head turns into a donkey’s.”
“Jackass is a more fitting and more honest word, I should think,” Janet grumbled.
“Rich, we don’t do things arbitrarily. You’ve been with the team long enough to know that when The Avengers do something, they do it for a reason.”
“Yeah, you’re right, Sam. Sorry for being an ass. Jan, I guess I wasn’t thinking.”
“Oh, you were thinking alright. Just not with the right head.”
Rich blushed and grinned sheepishly. He stuck out a hand, “friends?”
Janet smacked his hand away, playfully. “Stop being silly and go find Carol. You guys have got a lot to talk about before you go west, young man.”
“You can sit up, now, Vision. The diagnostics are done.”
“For now, Bill? Is that not a more accurate way to phrase it?”
Bill Foster had a very strong feeling that he would never get used to hearing ‘Bill’ coming out of The Vision’s mouth in that eerie voice that now had a most definite inflection of emotion in it. Sure it was still the hollow voice of The Vision but there was definitely something extra in there. And the more time he spent with the resurrected Android Avenger the more he was convinced that something extra was his dead friend and mentor Dr. Henry Pym. Bill turned from the instrument panel as The Vision sat up on the diagnostic couch and swung his legs to let them dangle over the side.
“What do you mean, Vision?”
They were in Hank’s underground lab under Avengers Mansion. It was a unique lab in that most of the equipment was shrunk down to the size of toys, thanks to the practical application of Pym Particles. Bill remembered vividly the week at Hank’s Pennsylvania house where Hank Pym had showed Bill how to use his power to not only shrink himself but other people and objects as well. Hank’s lab was stuffed with anything any scientist could want but most of that equipment was carefully stored away in a wall composed of nothing but alcoves. When needed, Bill simply took it out of its space and expanded it to its normal size.
‘Hank’s lab’…funny that I still think of it as that. I guess because I’ve been working here since joining the Avengers it’s MY lab now…gotta remember to talk to Janet about that…and a lot of other things…
“You know very well what I mean, Bill. I have sensed an anomaly since my recent resuscitation. I have been destroyed and reconstructed several times in the past but this is far different. I can tell in the way my fellow Avengers look at me. I can tell in the way you look at me.”
“Vision…how much do you remember of…hell, there’s no easy way to put this…how much do you remember of how you died? Do you remember the fight with Ultron?”
“No. I have no memory of that at all. My last indexed memory cluster is exactly five years ago. But that is impossible. Unless it is true what was said by Jan when I emerged from the restorative tank. That I now possess the mind of Henry Pym.”
“Not exactly, Vision. But you do have his scientific knowledge and memories. Right now I and the other Avengers don’t know the ramifications of that. We don’t know how to deal with that.”
“Even you, Bill?”
“I’ll be frank with you, Vision. The scientist in me says to treat you with total and utter dispassionate logic and evaluate your behavior based on nothing but observation. But the man in me says to offer you my hand in friendship and say that I’ll help you through this period as much as I can.”
“I have been in existence for a considerable amount of time, have I not?”
“Is that an understatement,” Bill said and watched a strange thing. He could have sworn that the corners of The Vision’s mouth were twitching as if trying to smile. But that wasn’t so? Was it? Bill himself had never seen The Vision smile. Or even show much emotion, for that matter, unless it came to his ex-wife The Scarlet Witch or his fellow Avengers. Bill recalled that The Vision had a passion for jazz music but outside of that he had to admit that he really didn’t know much about The Vision at all.
He had a feeling that situation was going to change.
“How about the others, Bill? And Janet? How should I approach them?”
Bill sighed heavily and sat down on a stool. “Janet punched out Tony Stark so hard when he came to he thought he was coming off a three-day drunk and she tore out of here all the way to California. That gives you some idea?”
“Indeed.”
“I’d give Janet a wide berth for the time being. But as for the others, let them approach you and figure out in their own way how they’re going to deal with you. In a way, you have an enviable situation, Vision.”
“How so?”
“You’ve been resurrected. Given a new life in a new way. More so than any of your previous resurrections. You’re truly seeing life through new eyes, a new consciousness, and a new spirit.”
“You believe that?”
“I believe in a man who was my friend and who put my feet on the path that led me here and put me in this costume I now wear to honor him. And I believe that if there’s anything of that man inside of you, it can’t help but guide you in the right direction. You just have to believe that spirit resides within you and listen to it.”
The Vision lifted a hand and placed it against his muscular chest as if trying to feel for that spirit. “You have given me much to think about, Bill. Thank you.”
“It’s nothing, man. It’s what friends do for each other. And speaking of friends, let’s get out of this lab and go see what our other friends are doing, okay?”
“Gladly…my friend.”
“What are they doing in there?”
“I dunno. I don’t hear cursing or walls being knocked down or energy blasts.”
“Pissed off as Ms. Marvel is, she isn’t stupid. If she dares bust up Jarvis’ dining room you’re going to see what pissed off really is.”
“What are they doing in there?”
“I can’t be sure…but I think…I think they’re…talking.”
“That’s impossible. Ms. Marvel and Moondragon…TALKING?”
“I know how crazy it sounds but all I can hear is their voices, but real low as if they’re whispering.”
“Not one of you have enhanced hearing?”
“What’s going on here?”
Tony Stark, Quasar, Jack of Hearts and Starfox all turned around guiltily, like high schoolers caught peeping into the girl’s locker room. But their looks of guilt turned to mutual stares of astonishment at the tall commanding figure striding toward them.
It was Captain America. But the only things that were the same was the shield he wore on his arm that he had proudly carried in defense of his country for 60 years and the man who wore the redesigned uniform was Steve Rogers.
Gone were the buccaneer boots and flared gloves. His boots and gloves were still red but now he wore thick soled, calf high utility boots with laces and the gloves came up almost to his elbows and buckled down firmly, leaving nothing flapping.
His pants weren’t skin tight, but not baggy either, just loose enough to provide a bit of room and to Tony’s practiced eye appeared to be made of some kind of high tensile micromesh ceramic weave. Totally fireproof and bulletproof.
His torso appeared to be covered in a layered version of the same fabric, blue on the upper part of his body and white on the lower.
His thick belt boasted a solid silver buckle and red leather pouches. Two red utility straps were hooked onto his belt both front and back and helped to hold in place custom molded shoulder pads that extended down to mid-bicep and further secured by red straps under the arm. The familiar white star was still on his chest and the proud A emblazoned on his forehead. But no longer were there two small white wings sticking out of either side of his head. Instead the wings were airbrushed onto either side of his cowl which wasn’t exactly a cowl as Tony Stark found when he tapped the wing of the left side of Captain America’s head.
“What’s this made out of? It’s not cloth like your old cowl.”
Captain America unsealed the cowl from the reinforced collar of his new uniform and removed it to reveal the familiar face of Steve Rogers. “No, it’s not. It looks a lot like my old cowl but you see the support ribbing? It’s reinforced with Kevlar.”
“Why the new look, Cap?” Quasar asked. “Not that I’m complaining, mind you, but-“
“I’ve worn the same costume for so long, I know. Why change now?” Steve’s eyes become somber and remote. “Things have been hard for us lately. We’ve lost good people. And we may lose more. The recent battles we’ve had on Asgard and right here in New York have taught me something. Tradition is fine. It’s to be cherished and protected. But a soldier can’t protect and cherish if he’s dead. Our enemies are become more vicious and more dangerous. I can’t effectively lead this team into battle if I’m not sufficiently protected. So I felt I couldn’t let tradition stand in the way of me giving myself more protection in the field as I have in the past.
“So I contacted The President and asked for permission to upgrade the Captain America uniform and he gave his blessing. I sent in the specifications and design to S.H.I.E.L.D. and they whipped this up for me.”
Tony stroked a finger against one of the airbrushed wings. “I’m just glad you kept these. I’d have missed calling you ‘Winghead’.
Steve laughed and took back his helmet. “You’re a fraud, Stark. You know that?”
The men were interrupted by the double doors of the dining room being thrown open with a resounding Boom! Moondragon and Ms. Marvel strode out of the room shoulder to shoulder and right past the men. Over her shoulder, Ms. Marvel threw at Tony; “My team will be ready to go whenever you give the word, Tony.”
Silently the men watched as the two women marched down the hall, made a right turn at the corner and were out of sight.
It was Steve Rogers who broke the silence; “Will someone kindly tell me what’s going on here?”
Quasar began; “We were in the briefing when-“
“He was interrupted by a strident female voice filling the wide hallway, echoing off the rich wood paneling of the walls. “HOLD IT RIGHT THERE, STARK!”
The five men turned to see a very furious Dr. Jane Foster striding towards them, crisp white lab coat barely moving, it was that firmly starched. The stomping of her Hepburn kitten heels on the Brazilian marble floor sounded as loud as the pounding of an Asgardian war drum as she approached.
“If you think I’ve got nothing better to do than chase you down all over this mansion then you better think again! You were supposed to be in my office 30 minutes ago!”
“Simmer down, Jane. I was-“
“It’s Dr. Foster to you, Stark! Until I say different!”
“What? Jane, we’ve known each other for years!”
“And I know you’ll play on that to get out of your physical therapy so until you show me you’re going to take your rehabilitation seriously, it’s strictly business!”
“And speaking of business, Cap and I have business with the others-“
“What others?”
Tony turned. The hallway behind him was empty. It was as if Captain America, Quasar, Starfox and Jack of Hearts had teleported away. And it was most likely they had.
“Buncha sissies,” Tony grumbled under his breath. He turned back to Jane. “Look, I’m not going to call you Dr. Foster. You and I are old friends and-“
“Mr. Stark?”
So intent was Tony’s attention on Jane he hadn’t even noticed the extraordinarily attractive black woman standing behind and a little off to Jane’s left side. She was a couple of inches taller than Jane’s 5’7” and had a lithe, athletic build. Her hair was done in cornrows, falling to her shoulders, with very small cowry shells woven into the ends. She smiled with a wide and mobile mouth.
“I thought I’d better break in and introduce myself. You and Jane looked like you were prepared to go at it all day long.”
Jane sighed. “I’m sorry, Stevie. Tony Stark, meet Stephanie Hunter, your new personal physical therapist.”
Tony gallantly lifted Stephanie’s hand to his lips briefly. “Charmed and delighted to meet you, Ms. Hunter.”
“Call me Stevie, Mr. Stark. We’re going to be spending a lot of time together.”
“Then I must insist you call me Tony, then.”
“Don’t even try it, Stark. You mess with Stevie-“
Tony held up his hands. “Dr. Foster, I have no intention of messing with anybody. Let alone such an obviously intelligent and no doubt perceptive woman as Ms. Hunter.” Tony favored her with that utterly charming smile that had conquered a dozen Hollywood actresses.
“Stevie’s got friends, Stark. I’m warning you. She was recommended to us by Charles Xavier himself.”
“Really? I must remember to call Charles and thank him. When will our physical therapy begin, Stevie?”
“I’m still working with Jane on that, Tony. Soon as-“
“-soon as I sort out that mess you laughingly refer to as an infirmary!” Jane snapped. “Didn’t you hire anybody after I left as your Medical Director?”
“Jane, we’ve been kind of busy around here-“
“-that’s no excuse! You’re always busy! Do you know how out of date your personal medical files are? And it’s been so long any of you had check-ups it isn’t funny!”
“So what do you suggest?”
“I need an assistant to help me get the infirmary into shape!”
“So how about Stevie?” Tony again gave her the smile that reportedly made Julia Roberts faint dead away at a Grammy Award after party a few years ago.
“Stevie?” Jane blinked in surprise, totally taken aback. “I really hadn’t considered it. I only hired her as your therapist-“
“So since I assume that will be done here at the mansion, Stevie will be spending a lot of time here anyway so she might as well help you out and get paid for it. How about it, Stevie? Whatever salary you and Jane agreed on, I’ll double it.”
Stevie’s eyes opened wide and that deliciously wide mouth smiled most intriguingly. “I think I’m going to like working here, Tony.”
“That’s that, then! Now if you ladies will excuse me, I must be off to my office for those tedious administrative duties that keep me from enjoying company just as yours.” Tony leaned over and swiftly kissed Jane on her cheek, gave Stevie yet another 1000 watt smile and before either woman knew it, he was gone.
Stevie grinned at Jane. “Were we just hustled?”
Jane shook her head. “Damned if we weren’t. I was looking for it and he still got over.”
“I must say that he’s one of the few men I’ve met who lives up to his reputation.”
“And that’s Tony Stark at 50%, honey. You should have met him years ago before he starting drinking and experimenting on himself. I’m not ashamed to say that if we met the Tony Stark of 10 years ago there’s no telling what we’d be doing right now.”
“Really? Might be worth getting him back into shape to find out.”
Jane pointed a long finger at Stevie. “You just said it yourself, sister: he lives up to his reputation. And that reputation includes a long line of women who thought they could tame Tony Stark and found out differently. The hard way.”
Stevie looked at Jane thoughtfully. “Were YOU one of those women, Jane?”
Abruptly Jane Foster turned and stomped away without saying another word.
“From up here the damage doesn’t look so bad.”
“Repair crews from states as far west as Kansas and as far south as Georgia came to assist. This isn’t the first time New York has been invaded. Between you and me, my suspicion is that the rest of the country sends repair crews so fast as to keep The Big Apple a big fat juicy target so that supervillains won’t get the idea to invade, oh, St. Louis or Chicago.”
Andromeda laughed, something that surprised her as she rarely allowed herself to display her emotions in front of others. But she found that it was very easy to relax and talk with The Beast. There was warmth, an instant trust she felt in his presence, as if this were a man she could trust. Strangely enough she found herself welcoming that feeling.
The Beast expertly piloted the Quinjet with his oversized feet as his hands were busy. The laptop balancing on his broad, blue furred chest had been constructed especially to accommodate his huge clawed hands. He was double-checking some information concerning Infinity before their meeting with Scott Lang at The Baxter Building. Needless to say, when he heard the news that he was supposed to be on the other side of the universe, Scott was quite surprised. In fact, he had told Hank he was quite unaware of any ship called Infinity.
“Do you think he could possibly be a Skrull?” Andromeda asked. “Perhaps they took Infinity and sent this Scott Lang as a spy?”
“I suspect that the answer is a bit more complicated than that, my dear,” The Beast said in a musing, pondering tone that The X-Men would have found most familiar. “You see, I’ve been attempting to access certain records but they’re not in their proper databases anymore.”
Andromeda picked up on the operative word. “You found these records before?”
“I did.”
“But now they are gone?”
“Quite.”
“Someone removed them?”
“No. I’ve run a scan on all news media reports of Infinity and they’re gone as well.”
“Meaning that someone or something is systematically erasing all records of Infinity from all available databases.”
“And perhaps from the collected memories of the people of Earth as well.”
“Is such a thing possible?”
“The Watcher could do it turning over in his sleep. For that matter, Professor X, his already considerable mental powers boosted by Cerebro could do it with a great deal of effort. Dr. Strange might be able to do it. A few others…oh my stars and garters!” The Beast sat up straight in the pilot’s chair.
“What is amiss?” Andromeda asked.
“I think I know what has happened. If it had been an ectothermic amniote vertebrate it would have bitten me.”
The rooftop of The Baxter Building was occupied by a man and woman who watched as The Beast landed the Quinjet. The hatch popped open and The Beast bounded out, laughing delightedly as he leaped into the waiting arms of The She-Hulk. He planted a resounding kiss on her full lips that was returned with relish.
“Hank, it’s so good to see you again! And this must be Andromeda! We’ve never met but I’ve heard a lot about you!” She-Hulk shook Andromeda’s hand as she held The Beast in the crook of her other arm as if he were an overgrown plush toy. “And this is Scott Lang.”
Scott Lang stepped forward also shaking hands with Andromeda as he looked at the two Avengers with a great deal of worry and concern on his face. “Wish we had time for a good old fashioned sit down but I’m afraid we don’t have time for that. You’ve got to come downstairs right away so that the necessary information can be passed on to you before I forget again.”
“Forget what, Scott?” The Beast said.
“Where Infinity is and how you can find it. And you’ve got to hurry. I don’t think there’s much time left for them.”
The Avengers were using the auditorium for this meeting as all of them were in attendance and it was the only place with enough seats for them all. Usually reserved for press conferences, it had been pressed into service before when unusually large numbers of Avengers were in the mansion.
Tony Stark and Captain America stood together on the podium. Looking up at them from their comfortable seats were The Falcon, The Wasp, Nova, Ms. Marvel, Moondragon, Starfox, Goliath, The Vision, Quasar, Jack of Hearts, Hawkeye, Andromeda and The Beast.
Tony rapped for attention. “Okay, I guess we can get this show on the road now that we’re all here. Here’s where we stand: Ms. Marvel has agreed to head up a team of Avengers to go and recover the starship Infinity. The team members are as follows: Moondragon, Starfox, Quasar and Jack of Hearts. In addition there will be two more members joining the team and they should be here shortly.
“Thanks to The Beast and Andromeda we have the co-ordinates of where Infinity is. Turns out that Franklin Richards and his sister Valeria by using their abilities in concert were able to find Scott Lang and bring him back to Earth.”
The Falcon chuckled. “Most folks can’t even get their kids to pick up the clothes they throw on the floor.”
“Some kids, right?”
“Wait a sec!” Nova exclaimed. “If The Fantastic Four knew where this ship has been all this time then why haven’t they passed on the intel to us?”
“They did,” Tony answered. “But as you may have noticed, there’s been a lot going on not only with us but with The Fantastic Four as well. And in any case, the information was lost during the invasion. Attuma was able to breach the mansion’s defenses because somebody hacked into the mansion’s main computer core. To protect itself, the computer shut itself down completely. But not before 70% of the computer’s data was copied and uploaded to persons unknown. That intel was undoubtedly part of the stolen data.”
There was silence at that. First of all, just the thought that someone was able to hack into a computer designed and built by Tony Stark was more than unthinkable. It was downright scary.
“But that’ll be our worry,” Captain America said. The costume was new but the confidence and command in his voice was the same. “Myself, The Wasp, Goliath, Hawkeye, The Beast, Andromeda and The Vision will hold down the fort here on Earth as active Avengers while The Falcon and Killeroo, who has been granted Avengers membership will stand by as reserves. Tony will continue to serve in his present capacity as Team Administrator. Nova will be going to join Avengers West Coast.” Captain America’s sky-blue eyes swept the room, briefly locking on the eyes of his fellow Avengers as he spoke.
“To Ms. Marvel, Moondragon, Quasar, Jack of Hearts and Starfox: I salute you and know that all our prayers go with you. I can’t think of a finer team for such a difficult task and I have no doubt at all you’ll be successful. I-“
The doors of the auditorium were opened and Jarvis stepped inside. “I beg your pardon for the interruption, Avengers. But I do believe that the final two members of Ms. Marvel’s team are arriving in the rear yard.”
Jarvis politely stepped aside as The Avengers bailed out of their seats and charged through the mansion and to the back courtyard. They could feel the swirling charge of mystic forces in the very air as glittering golden sparks appeared out of nowhere, mixed with silver spirals that coalesced into a bright vortex that burst apart to reveal a muscular, tall but undeniably very feminine figure, smiling at The Avengers with fondness. A sheathed broadsword rested on one shoulder. Her midnight black hair cascaded around her shoulders, over the bearskin cloak and shield on her back.
“Hail and well met, Avengers!”
“Well, I’ll be switched!” Hawkeye exclaimed. “SIF!” Hawkeye looked at the massive form behind her, obscured in mystic smoke. But he could make out the winged helmet, the hammer held in one hand and the voluminous cloak. “Then that means you brought-“
The smoke blew away to reveal who stood with Sif. It was not Thor, The God of Thunder as Hawkeye and the others thought. But it was indeed the next best thing.
Beta Ray Bill lifted his great war hammer Stormbreaker. Lightning crashed and boomed as he lifted his voice in an Asgardian war cry.
Tony pointed with his cane; “The last two members of your team, Carol.”
Ms. Marvel was grinning so wide it had to have hurt. “And don’t think I’m not glad of it! Sif, it’s so good to see you again! How’s Thor?”
“The God of Thunder is well and bade me to give his boon companions The Avengers his blessings and his regret that he could not join you.”
Captain America said; “Odin is still missing, I take it?”
Sif nodded sadly. “Aye. Long days and night have the warriors of Asgard scoured the stars searching for The All-Father. My brother Heimdall hath entrusted his duty as guardian of The Rainbow Bridge to others so that he may sit on the highest peak of the tallest mountain in Asgard where he neither eats nor sleep. Instead he looks into the furthest reaches of The Nine Worlds for the slightest sign of Odin. He vows that he shall not leave that mount until Odin is restored to his throne.”
Beta Ray Bill spoke and his voice, not unlike that of Thor’s reminded all who heard it of far off thunder rumbling in the highest cliffs and crags of remote mountains beyond mountains. “Thor could not in good conscience leave Asgard as The Golden Realm has many enemies who are already joyful that Odin is gone and Thor felt that if he left as well it would give them courage enough to try an attack. But he asked me to assist you and I agreed gladly. For as long as The Avengers need me, Stormbreaker and Beta Ray Bill are at your service.”
Quasar punched Beta Ray Bill on the shoulder. “It’ll be almost like those days when we were Starmasters, right, Bill?”
“Aye, my young friend! It will be good to sail the stars with you once more!”
“Uh-that reminds me, Tony,” Ms. Marvel turned to Tony Stark. “Exactly where are we going anyway?”
Tony had brought a Starkbook with him and he passed it over to Beta Ray Bill. “Bill, you familiar with these co-ordinates?”
Beta Ray Bill took the Starkbook with a delicacy and care one would not have expected from those large fingers and his eyes examined the image with care.
“Aye. I know these co-ordinates. I have heard of this region of space but have never been there. This is the hated and feared Shattered Hand galaxy.”
“Bad place to be, eh?” Jack of Hearts said.
“Indeed. Beyond that there is nothing but The Black Horizon and you most certainly do not want to go there.”
“Why not?”
“The Mephosta. That is all you need to know. In fact, that is too much.”
“Well, we aren’t going anywhere near there, right? This Shattered Hand galaxy isn’t that close to this Black Horizon, is it?”
“Far enough away that it might as well be in another universe, friend Quasar.”
“No one has yet said how we are to get there,” Moondragon said impatiently. “I know that you have the ability to transport yourself and others through dimensions, Lady Sif. But can you transport all of us that far?”
“She won’t have to,” Beta Ray Bill said. “My starship is in synchronous orbit 22,000 miles above Avengers Mansion. My faithful Skuttlebutt will be our transport. And the Ol’ Gal has considerable destructive capabilities that may come in handy.”
“Then I suppose there is nothing left to do but say our farewells and get underway, correct?” Starfox looked around. And there did not seem to be anything else left but that. The Avengers broke up into small groups as they made their goodbyes.
Ms. Marvel pulled Nova back inside the mansion so that they could have privacy. She took off Nova’s helmet, ran her hand through Rich’s hair, combing it with her fingers.
Rich removed her mask, cupped Carol’s chin in one gloved hand and kissed her softly, but with gentle urgency.
The kiss ended after what seemed to be a both a deliciously long and agonizing short time.
“You going to be okay?” Carol whispered in his ear, wrapping her arms around him, holding him tightly.
“Me? I’m not the one about to head to the other side of the universe. Are you going to be okay?”
“Of course I am. Have a little faith, Richard.” Carol kissed him again. “Both of us have been in more than our share of dangerous missions. This is just one more.”
“You come back, Carol.” Rich held her face in his hands. His eyes roved as if he were desperately committing each and every aspect of her face to memory. “Whatever you have to do, you come back.”
They kissed one last time. Rich handed Carol back her mask. She handed him back his helmet. They donned them and hand in hand, Ms. Marvel and Nova walked back outside.
Ms. Marvel took her place with the others. “Okay, team. Let’s go.” Ms. Marvel lifted a hand. “Tell Jarvis I said don’t worry!”
Captain America saluted smartly. “Let’s hear it one time before you go people! And sound off like you mean it!”
Ms. Marvel, Moondragon, Quasar, Jack of Hearts, Starfox, Beta Ray Bill and Sif all thrust their right fists into the air and said in one voice that shook the very foundations of Manhattan Island:
“COSMIC AVENGERS ASSEMBLE!”
And in a burst of Asgardian mystical energy, they were gone.
NEXT ISSUE: Leave Earth behind and join The Cosmic Avengers on a quest that will take them into uncharted reaches of the universe where even gods fear to go! And the first step of that quest will take them to a region of space where they will “Behold, These Shattered Stars!”
