One Universe RPG: Season V IC Thread

[Byrd Man]

Madrid, Spain
20:39 Local Time

The skinny man walks through the busy shopping center at a fast pace, navigating through the crowds as he goes. I keep to the shadows and watch from the rooftops above the market.
"Black Knight to White Queen's Bishop. Target is on the move, headed north by northwest."

"Can you see anything on him?"

"His coat is in the way. I can get closer."

I leap across to another roof and stay out of sight. The man's coat flaps as he walks. Attached to his belt is a small box.

"He's got a package, not sure what it is."

"It'll have to do in a pinch. Move in."

I jog towards the edge of the roof while the Spanish National Police filter through the crowd, closing in on the man.

"¡Alto!" One of the policemen yells. The man turns to look, his face frozen in terror. I know what he's going to do even before he does it.

"Faraday, he's running!"

The man bolts through the crowd, pushing aside patrons and rushing out of the shopping center.

"Go after him! We can't let him destroy the contents of that box."

I rush across the rooftops, jumping across the gaps and following the man as he races down the streets of Madrid. He takes a corner and darts down a side alley. The Spanish Police are hot on his tail, but an idling car waits at the end of the alley. I jump over another gap between building as the man jumps into the passenger seat of the waiting car. It starts speeding down the street when I reach the edge of the roof and leap into the air.

WHAM!

I crash on the car's hood and roll forward into the windshield, boots first. I drive my body through the windshield and come into the car fighting, slamming the driver headfirst into the steering wheel. The car skids off the road and jumps on to the sidewalk before clipping the side of a building and coming to a stop.

The man I've been chasing goes to jump out of the car, but I reach out and grab him by the collar with one hand, my other hand reaching for the box on his hip.

"NO! NO! NO!"

I rip the package from his belt while I sling him into the backseat of the car. The Spanish Police finally come into view, surrounding the car with their police cars. I pull myself up out of the car and scan the package over.

"I've got the package, Faraday."

"Is it what we wanted?"

I pop the box open and scan the contents. Files, files, and more files. Each of them are stamped with the symbol of a Cobra wrapped around the globe.

"Yep. He was the courier. The intel looks it checks out."

"Good. Get back to Switzerland ASAP. White King and the White Queen are going to want to look this over."

"10-4. Black Knight out."

Faraday cuts the line. I look down at the box of files before closing it and tucking it under my arm.

This is my life now.

Captain America is on the shelf, the suit and shield in a safe place. There's no place for him, not in America anyway. Not when there's a monster in the White House and the deaths of so many lives have stained his hands.

No more great leader or master tactician to be found here.

There's just Steve Rogers, Black Knight of Checkmate.​

 

[NiteMare Shape]

"Good."

We rush at each other. Venom is fast. Impossibly so. It almost catches me off guard, but I'm quick enough to hit the ground and slide between his legs, tossing a handful of gas pellets into his face.

Knowing how dangerous Venom is, I don't let up. I run up behind Venom, removing my cape. I leap on his back and wrap my cape around his head, dropping a few more gas pellets inside.

As Venom bucks and spins, I hold on and reach into my belt with my free hand. I remove one of the darts filled with Hulk sedative (never know when he'll be rampaging through town again) and jam it into Venom's shoulder just before he finally sends me flying into a wall.

Venom turns on the Batman, letting out an angry roar as he takes a step toward the Dark Knight.

"Huh?" he says as his head begins to spin as the Hulk sedative begins to course through his veins.

Venom takes another step forward, however his legs turn to spaghetti and he begins to stumble.

"Oh...." he mutters before falling flat on his face, just mere steps away from the Dark Knight.

 

[Carnage27]

"Kurt and I are on the way to Gotham. If it's important, it can wait a few hours."

I hang up and turn to Kurt.

"Looks like we're on the road again."

Not responding, I simply head for the car, and the two of us head back towards New Jersey. I smile inwardly. It's been so long since I've seen Kitty. The two of us were best friends before she left to live in Gotham, and I've missed her dearly.

After a few hours drive, we pass over the bridge to Gotham. Not the nicest city in the world...okay not nearly the nicest city in the world, Gotham is a pit of crime and corruption. I don't know why Kitty stays here. Especially at night. Gotham seems like a jungle of crime at night.

Pulling up in front of the Pryde's house, I'm ambushed as I leave the car with a bear hug, "You've been MIA for way too long, mister."

"I know, I know," I respond. "Now let me go. I need to breath, Katzchen."

"Right..." she laughs, turning to Beast, "now, what do you guys want to hear about this? Come on inside, mom made cookies."

 

[wiegeabo]

Venom turns on the Batman, letting out an angry roar as he takes a step toward the Dark Knight.

"Huh?" he says as his head begins to spin as the Hulk sedative begins to course through his veins.

Venom takes another step forward, however his legs turn to spaghetti and he begins to stumble.

"Oh...." he mutters before falling flat on his face, just mere steps away from the Dark Knight.

I grunt.

"Just like taking down Croc."

I stop over Venom and pick Parker up. "You still with me?"

 

[Carnage27]

"Yea," I get to my feet and stumble a bit. "Good job...got anything in the jet that can contain him? If so, I can take you to Robin."

 

[wiegeabo]

"Yea," I get to my feet and stumble a bit. "Good job...got anything in the jet that can contain him? If so, I can take you to Robin."

I open my belt buckle and tap a couple of commands into the hidden panel. The batwing shifts position, then drops a taser net over Venom.

"For his sake, he shouldn't move much...I hope he does."

I turn back to Parker. "Show me."

 

[Carnage27]

I open my belt buckle and tap a couple of commands into the hidden panel. The batwing shifts position, then drops a taser net over Venom.

"For his sake, he shouldn't move much...I hope he does."

I turn back to Parker. "Show me."

"Baxter Building," I respond as Reed's flying car drops from the sky next to us.

"Ah, Batman," he smiles before turning to me. "I'll take the monster from here. I've got something to transport him in. The two of you should get to the tower. They're in a rough shape."

Batman begrudgingly let's the taser net go, obviously upset that Venom didn't get shocked, and Reed gets to work with a containment field. I climb onto the wing of Batman's jet as he hops into the cockpit, and the two of us take off towards our destination.

Once there, I find the others have already returned, and Sue is tending to the injuries of Jamie and Robin. I allow Batman to step forward and I slip back to talk to Supergirl and Johnny, "How are they?"

"Not good," Supergirl says, obviously worried.

 

[Byrd Man]

Pulling up in front of the Pryde's house, I'm ambushed as I leave the car with a bear hug, "You've been MIA for way too long, mister."

"I know, I know," I respond. "Now let me go. I need to breath, Katzchen."

"Right..." she laughs, turning to Beast, "now, what do you guys want to hear about this? Come on inside, mom made cookies."

"Mmmm, cookies."

We follow Kitty into the house and upstairs into her room.

"So what did you find?" I ask between cookie bites.

"The two names you gave me, Mike and Beth Krummet, I looked them up. It's a pretty rare name, so these were the only hits I got. Both are retired from the US Army, he retired as a Staff Sergeant and she retired as a 1st Lieutenant. They married shortly before their retirement."

"How long ago was that?"

"Two years ago."

I sigh and shake my head. "Why am I not surprised? So these two soldiers retired the army and just so happened to have a teenager overnight? No adoption papers on file, and a birth certificate that belongs to a dead child. What can you tell me about their military careers?"

Kitty slides behind her computer and begins to furiously type on the keyboard.

"Hmm...they both spent a fair amount of time in bases around the US. Stops in Kansas, North Carolina, Texas for her. New York, California, and South Carolina for him....but, their paths crossed a few years back when they were both assigned to some base in Canada. It was both their last stop."

"What base?"

"Alkali Lake. DoD and Army says it's a storage facility for Army surplus....but there doesn't seem to be any records that indicate what kind of surplus it's storing."

"Curiouser and curiouser....for every answer, there are a half dozen questions that accompany it."

 

[Carnage27]

The military, secret installations, and false identities. This leads me to believe there's only one logical explanation for all of this.

"Luthor," I hiss under my breath, and the other two turn to me. "It has to be him. Soldiers with a fake, unknown mutant who just happens to show up right in zhe midst of a campaign to get us all to 'register'? Zhis has zhe president's name written all over it."

"So what do we do?" Kitty asks with a shrug. "It's not like we can just go waltzing in and see what's going on."

"Exactly why zhey won't expect it," I smile. "Vhat do you think, Beast? Shall ve take a trip to Canada? I hear it's nice zhis time of year."

"If you're going, I'm coming with you," Kitty responds quickly. "I've spent too much time on the sidelines watching everyone else risk their tails for our kind. It's time to do my part."

"Vhat about Robin?" I ask.

"If anyone will understand my reasoning, it'll be him," she smiles. "So, Hank, shall I go pack?"

 

[Byrd Man]

The military, secret installations, and false identities. This leads me to believe there's only one logical explanation for all of this.

"Luthor," I hiss under my breath, and the other two turn to me. "It has to be him. Soldiers with a fake, unknown mutant who just happens to show up right in zhe midst of a campaign to get us all to 'register'? Zhis has zhe president's name written all over it."

"So what do we do?" Kitty asks with a shrug. "It's not like we can just go waltzing in and see what's going on."

"Exactly why zhey won't expect it," I smile. "Vhat do you think, Beast? Shall ve take a trip to Canada? I hear it's nice zhis time of year."

"If you're going, I'm coming with you," Kitty responds quickly. "I've spent too much time on the sidelines watching everyone else risk their tails for our kind. It's time to do my part."

"Vhat about Robin?" I ask.

"If anyone will understand my reasoning, it'll be him," she smiles. "So, Hank, shall I go pack?"

"Yes, we'll need your help. I'd also like to make a stop in Westchester to update Charles on our progress and to also get some more backup. If we're going to the Canadian Rockies, I'd like to have a little home field advantage and bring Logan along with us. "

 

[Byrd Man]

Checkmate Headquarters
Switzerland

I walk down the corridors of the spacious castle the Checkmate agency calls home. It's nestled high in the Swiss Alps, a days journey from the closest village. It's not the SHIELD helicarrier, but considering SHIELD is a shell of its former self, I'll take Checkmate. There's actually checks and balances here. We report to the UN Security Council, and we may get a bit bogged down the bureaucracy from time to time, but at least there are boundaries.

I walk into the situation room, a massive ballroom that's filled with global maps, digital displays, and sit-reps from agents across the globe.Three people are waiting for me at the conference table.

"Good work out there, Steve," Colonel Rick Flagg, Checkmate's Black King, says with a nod. At his side is the White Bishop, King Faraday. Sitting at the head of the table is the White Queen herself. Like the three of us, she's an American ex-patriot and a SHIELD castoff, like me.

"So, Cap," Daisy Johnson says. "What did you and Faraday manage to find?"

"Please, just call me Steve or Rogers, ma'am," I say while looking down.

"We managed to get some solid intel from the courier," Faraday says while pressing on. "We lucked up on this one. The courier is the middleman between the source and handler. There are no face to face meetings, just servicing two different dead drops on opposite sides of the city. With your permission, we'll start servicing the dead drops and snag all the intel we can, then replace it when misinformation."

"Heck of a plan. Just be careful, though, if they know that we're on to us they might start filtering in misinformation of their own. Did you find out the identity of the leak in the Spanish government?"

"Based on the intel from the courier, and what we already know, the information leak is coming from Juan Ortega, a deputy inside the Foreign Minister's office. We have teams shadowing him right now. Based on Faraday's plan, we'll leave him out there until he's no longer useful."

"What about the handler?"

"No idea yet. Let us monitor the dead drops for a few weeks and we'll find out."

"Good. Anything else?"

Faraday and I exchange looks before he answers.

"Yes. The courier was carrying information from Ortega to his handler. We don't know the exact question posed by the handler, but Ortega answered that it was done and that delivery to Prague was en route."

"Do we have any idea about what's on the way to Prague?"

"Yes."
Faraday opens up a manilla folder and passes around glossy photos of a metal canister.

"I pressed the Spanish government until they finally came clean. The canister contains weaponized anthrax."

"What?! How in the hell did Spain get biological weapons?!"

"Apparently it was a gift from the US nearly forty years ago. Spain's kept it under lock and key for decades. Then two days ago it went missing."

"Goddammit. Alright, Flagg, what do we do?"

"If it's already on the way to Prague, then we need to act fast. I say send Steve in with another Knight and find out what they can. I want to be on site as well to supervise and let Faraday to tag along as support."

"You're in charge of ops, so go for it. I have to get a report ready to send to the UN. They're going to flip their lid when they hear about this."

"Never said I envied your job, Daisy. Alright, you know the situation, the terrorist organization known as Kobra has their hands on a biological weapon. The clock is ticking, guys, we need to get to Prague as fast as we can. I'm calling back-up from the field, so get ready to go. Wheels up in a half hour."
​

 

[wiegeabo]

I run up the side of the local clocktower to try and get a better view of things. "I'm telling you, she's taken advantage of the ten percent and run off-" and before I even realize what's happening, I find one arm pinned behind my back and a blade at my throat.

Spoiler

"Why won't you people leave me alone?"

***

Doom stands behind Sage and watches the computer screens.


"Why won't you people leave me alone?"

The voice that filters in over the speaker makes him grin beneath his mask.

"Finally..."

"Um...hi there."

I feel the blade press closer to my throat. "Why have you been hunting me?"

Ok, this could be going better. "We're not hunting you."

"You and your superpowered team have been stalking me for weeks, what would you call it?"

"...looking for you?" She obviously doesn't buy it. "Ok, you've got a point. But what else could we have done?"

"Left me alone. Or maybe just tried talking to me?"

"We did. I left you messages all over the town."

"And I ignored them to avoid falling into a trap."

"Hence the 'looking'."

"...fair point."

We stand there for a few more seconds without moving. "Um...so...can we talk now?"

"I think not."

"Listen. You have me here, you're going to have a little bit of time before my team comes to find me, and if we don't talk now, we'll just keep looking for you."

I hear her sigh behind me. "Talk. Fast."

"Heh. I won't take you too literally. Ok, I'm putting together a team..."

I hear her sigh again. "And you want me to join. Not interested."

"Wait, listen. Just hear me out." She doesn't move, nor does she take the blade away. I'll take it as a good sign.

"You know the Justice League?"

"The American team? Yes. Everyone does."

"Right. Well, they're sort of illegal at the moment. At least, most of the League is..."

"Will you be getting to the point soon?"

"Fine, I'll sum up. Short version, we're putting together a European team together."

"...why?"

"Why? Why not? The League can't protect the whole world. And it shouldn't. The world should protect itself, with it's own heroes. The League protects the US, rumor is that Canada has their own secret group. Why shouldn't Europe?"

"..but why me?"

"First off, you're a mystery. We sort of have an idea what your powers are, but aren't sure. Which means the bad guys don't know anything about you either. Secondly, you're good. You kept out of our sight for weeks, and that says something. But, most importantly, you're a good person. You help people. That's what we're looking for."

We stand there for a few more seconds before I realize the blade is no longer at my neck. Wow, she's fast.

I turn around, finally getting a good look at the one everybody calls Psylocke.

"...tell me more."


***

"...

Doctor's Doom's mask betrays none of the satisfaction he is feeling. Although, if one looked closely, they might see him standing up slightly straighter.

"It's all coming together."


***


A lightning storm in space.

That's how the inhabitants of Tau Ceti 5 described the phenomena.

A lightning storm in space.

It sounds simple enough. Big, scary, a lot of electrical arcs. Something amazing to behold, from a safe distance.

A lightning storm in space.

Quite possibly the most egregious understatement in that world's history. Because the phenomena is as far beyond being a storm as a storm is above short-circuit. Space and time warping and distorting, being torn asunder and fighting itself for dominance. Powers beyond comprehension being released into a universe woefully unprepared for it.

A lightning storm in space.

It's the last thing the people on that world see before the planet is ripped to shreds and a billion crying voices are silenced.

And as suddenly as it appeared, it's gone. But the wound in the skin of the universe it leaves behind remains...and grows...

 

[wiegeabo]

"Baxter Building," I respond as Reed's flying car drops from the sky next to us.

"Ah, Batman," he smiles before turning to me. "I'll take the monster from here. I've got something to transport him in. The two of you should get to the tower. They're in a rough shape."

Batman begrudgingly let's the taser net go, obviously upset that Venom didn't get shocked, and Reed gets to work with a containment field. I climb onto the wing of Batman's jet as he hops into the cockpit, and the two of us take off towards our destination.

Once there, I find the others have already returned, and Sue is tending to the injuries of Jamie and Robin. I allow Batman to step forward and I slip back to talk to Supergirl and Johnny, "How are they?"

"Not good," Supergirl says, obviously worried.

I walk past everyone, ignoring what's being said.

Looking down at him, I watch Robin laying in the bed. His body broken, again. And, again, I curse myself and wonder what the hell I was thinking bringing him into this world.

"Don't sweat it, Bats. I'll be swinging with you again in a week." I jump at the sound of Robin's voice. It's soft, but strong. And through the bruising is that constant infectious smile. Robin shifts in the bed, and then grimaces and grunts. "Okay...two weeks."
​

"You rest. Take as long as you want. I'm sure Kitty will be happy to bring your homework to the mansion."

"UUUGGHHH. Now that hurts." Robin smiles as he closes his eyes a drifts off again.

"How bad," I say to Reed, who's now standing behind me. By the way he stammers, I must have caught him off guard. Not very people can sneak up behind me.

"He suffered trauma all over his body. Broken bones. Head trauma. He's lucky there was no organ damage. I think the armor you've built into your suits is the only thing that kept him alive."

"Would you watch over him?"

"Certainly. He shouldn't be moved for at least a day, anyway. And I'll make sure SHIELD doesn't know he's here."

I nod. "Thank you. I'll be back tomorrow. And Venom...?"

"If he moves, he'll get the shock of his life."

I nod again. "I suggest fire....lots of fire." I walk out of the room.

"That guy is so cool!"

 

[Byrd Man]

Prague, Czech Republic
22:24 Local Time

I look out at the city of Prague from the window of the hotel room and stand in awe.

"What's the matter, Cap?" Faraday asks as he walks over to the window.

"I've never seen Prague. This part of Europe was part of the Soviet advance, I never went farther east than Germany. It's beautiful."

"Yeah, it was barely touched by the allies during the war."

"The Europe I saw was mostly rubble. It looks so different here."

"Uh, Cap, Faraday?"

Faraday and I turn towards Flagg and the command center he's set up in the middle of the hotel room.

"I think we have a hit on something."

We walk over to the computer monitor where Flagg is busy scanning over the data.

"The White King and his staff back at Checkmate HQ managed to track down any shipments coming from Madrid to Prague over the last 48 hours. In that time along there were some 250,000 shipments and packages sent to Prague during that time."

"Jesus."

"You said it. They've been narrowing down the list by eliminating any shipments sent from legit addresses."

"How many does that cut out?"

"All but a hundred. Ninety-five of which were ruled out after looking over the address they were shipped to. Of those five, all but one were suspicious."

"Where is it?"

"A mansion on the outskirts of the city. It overlooks the Vltava. The property is owned by a company called Burr Holdings, CEO of Jeffery Franklin Burr.....hmm, Mister Burr is having a party tonight. Just looking at the guest list, it's a who's who of Interpol criminals, assassins, and gunrunners."

"What to do we do, Colonel? I can bring in a small strike team and find out where that canister is."

"No can do, Cap. All of the people at that party are going to be heavily armed. You go in there, it'll be a blood bath. I'm opting for a more...stealthy option."

"What are you thinking, Rick?"

"One of the names on the guest list is a Lord William Bright, an English media mogul, famous recluse, and a known sympathizer of radical causes. The man also is under probation for possession of child pornography. Faraday, how about you notify Interpol that Bright's trip to Prague is in violation of his probation?"

Faraday smirks and pulls out his phone.

"I'm on it."

"Okay, Bright's out of the picture, where do you want me?"

"In a tuxedo in the lobby of the hotel in fifteen minutes. I'm calling in some backup since Bright's invitation was a plus one."

Flagg looks up and smiles.

"Enjoy the party, Cap."
​

 

[Carnage27]

I nod again. "I suggest fire....lots of fire." I walk out of the room.

"That guy is so cool!"

"Yea, he's great," I mumble under my breath, before turning back to go to the roof. But Supergirl stands in the way, "What?"

"You can't go back out there," she says, putting her foot down. "You'll be the next one on a medical table."

"My city's falling apart at the seams," I respond pushing by her. But as I do, an approaching wave of lights draws my attention over the cityscape. After a few moments, thirty large helicopters can be seen in the distance, which means only one thing.

SHIELD has come to New York.

Turning back to Supergirl, "Get out of here. Superman is number one on their hitlist. The last thing we all need is for them to be after you as well."

I can see it in her face that she wants to fight, but she knows I'm right, "Fine. But be careful. We don't need to lose you either."

 

[Carnage27]

"Yes, we'll need your help. I'd also like to make a stop in Westchester to update Charles on our progress and to also get some more backup. If we're going to the Canadian Rockies, I'd like to have a little home field advantage and bring Logan along with us. "

After a few more hours of driving, we reach the mansion yet again, and under the cover of darkness we slip in. We don't want anyone to know we're back, and we don't want anyone getting suspicious as to what we're up to.

Beast goes to update Professor Xavier on the happenings, and Kitty and I head for Logan's room. I go to knock lightly on his door, which opens before I can knock, "I smelled you coming."

"Thanks," I respond. "Get packed, ve're going to Canada."

"Why?" the Wolverine asks.

"Ve'll brief you on zhe way," I respond. "It's important."

"Super important," Kitty adds with a smile.

"Important enough to get you back where you belong, huh?" Logan grunts. "I'll be ready in five."

Once Logan has his bag, we head back down to the car, where Beast is already waiting, "What's going on Hank?"

 

[Byrd Man]

After a few more hours of driving, we reach the mansion yet again, and under the cover of darkness we slip in. We don't want anyone to know we're back, and we don't want anyone getting suspicious as to what we're up to.

Beast goes to update Professor Xavier on the happenings, and Kitty and I head for Logan's room. I go to knock lightly on his door, which opens before I can knock, "I smelled you coming."

"Thanks," I respond. "Get packed, ve're going to Canada."

"Why?" the Wolverine asks.

"Ve'll brief you on zhe way," I respond. "It's important."

"Super important," Kitty adds with a smile.

"Important enough to get you back where you belong, huh?" Logan grunts. "I'll be ready in five."

Once Logan has his bag, we head back down to the car, where Beast is already waiting, "What's going on Hank?"

"I'll explain once we get in the air."

"The air?" Logan asks with an arched eyebrow.

"After talking to Charles, he felt it was appropriate we take the Blackbird. Jean is waiting for us in the hangar. It'll be just the five of us."

I wait until we're airborne and headed north before Kurt and I fill Logan and Jean on the details.

"...so once Kitty was able to trace the Krummets back to this base, Kurt and I agreed it was officially bigger than ourselves. Right now our job is to just observe and report. This base is official United States property, a piece of American soil in the hear of the Canadian Rockies. Any damage we do will only set our cause back. Based on the survey of the area, we'll land the Blackbird a mile from the base and make our way to the outskirts from there. Logan will be our guide on the mountain until we reach the base. From then on, Kitty and Kurt will be our eyes in ears inside the base. We need to find out what kind of base this is, what exactly they do, and why are they in the business of planting mutants with Kryptonian DNA into our midst."

 

[Carnage27]

It doesn't take long for a SHIELD helicopter to track me down and get on my tail as I swing through the New York skyline. The spot light hits me like a tractor beam from an old sci-fi movie. I smile to myself. I didn't come out here to run from SHIELD. I came here to get captured. I need to make a deal with them. It's either that or continue to let New York burn.

I flip onto a nearby rooftop, one I know they can land on. Once the craft is on the ground, a beautiful red-headed woman steps out along with two heavily armed soldiers. She approaches with a smile, "Spider-man, you made this easy on us. A little too easy. What's in your head?"

The Black Widow. One of Luthor's so called Avengers. I figured some of them would be here. But I never figured I'd be meeting with one.

"I want to make a deal!" I yell over the noise of the chopper. "It'll be worth your while to listen."

She studies me for a while before turning to her men, "Leave. Keep the chopper in the air and circle the building. Put the Spider down if he makes a move." As the vehicle takes off she approaches me, "You're an idiot, you know that? What would Fury say if he knew you pulled something this bone headed?"

"Ummmm...crazy black ops superhero says what?" I respond to the Avenger's nonsense. "Since when do you care what Fury thinks of me?"

"Since I've been working for him as a double agent," she responds angrily. "For the science whiz you apparently are, you're really thick, you know that?"

She's either a great liar, or she's telling the truth. And knowing Fury and everything he's got going for him it wouldn't surprise me if it was the truth. But that doesn't matter now, "Well, that'll make this easier then."

"Well? Let's hear this deal."

"I need SHIELD's help," I respond. "I know your orders are to capture and contain me, but doing that right now would be incredibly stupid. Whatever has happened here came because of me. The mastermind is after me. Moving me out of the city isn't going to help matters, it'll just make it worse."

She nods, "I understand. But what am I taking back to Baldy as collateral?"

"Once this has passed, I'll give myself up," I respond with a sigh. I know, surprising, right? But it's the only option I have right now. "I'll allow SHIELD to take me into custody and to put me away, make an example of me, make me Register, what have you. But not until New York has been cleaned up and rid of whatever's going on here."

"Fury isn't gonna like that," she responds, shaking her head. "And then what? When you're in jail how will you be helping?"

"I dunno," I shrug. "I'll let you and Fury think of something on that front. Do we have a deal?"

"I'll take it back to command," she nods. "Meet me here in two hours and I'll have an answer for you."

She waves to the chopper, and it comes to pick her up as I swing back to the Baxter Building, wondering what my friends and allies are going to think about this one.

 

[Carnage27]

"...so once Kitty was able to trace the Krummets back to this base, Kurt and I agreed it was officially bigger than ourselves. Right now our job is to just observe and report. This base is official United States property, a piece of American soil in the hear of the Canadian Rockies. Any damage we do will only set our cause back. Based on the survey of the area, we'll land the Blackbird a mile from the base and make our way to the outskirts from there. Logan will be our guide on the mountain until we reach the base. From then on, Kitty and Kurt will be our eyes in ears inside the base. We need to find out what kind of base this is, what exactly they do, and why are they in the business of planting mutants with Kryptonian DNA into our midst."

"Sounds like a solid plan" Logan says as Hank and I put the Blackbird down in a clearing we found a safe distance away from our destination. He steps out of the Blackbird and sniffs the cold Canadian air, "Somethin' don't sit right about this."

"I think zhat can be said about our entire situation," I smile at my friend. "After you."

The five of us trudge through the rough Canadian landscape until we find our destination.

"Alkali Lake," Logan grunts as we look over the expansive body of water. "The base is over there. Sticks out like a sore thumb."

We go around the lake until we've got a good view of the base. It seems to be built into a dam in the far side of the lake, and is patrolled by armed guards at every access point and possible infiltration point.

"So what's our plan of attack?" Kitty asks. "I wouldn't have a problem getting through, but they're going to see me."

"And I cannot teleport in without knowing where I'm going..." I add, until an idea strikes me. "Professor McCoy, do you have your image inducer?"

 

[Carnage27]

Superman
The Man of Steel
​

I set down in the JLA Brownstone and walk the empty hallways, my feet making the only sounds as I pace the halls. This place was so alive just a few short months ago. Before Luthor destroyed the community I had been working so hard to build and maintain the past few years.

Taking a seat in a seat in the nexus control room where any one of us could follow the goings on all over the world. Now, a layer of dust covers the screens and the instruments. The Brownstone hasn't been in constat use since registration was passed. It seems like too many of us have gone our separate ways.

"Well, well," a familiar voice says from the shadows. "Didn't expect you'd be here. Don't you have your clubhouse in the arctic for the whole thinking and solitude angle?"

Colonel Nick Fury, the man who helped put us together, and the man who is now number one on Luthor's hit list, "Fury. I expected you to be on a beach somewhere."

"And miss all the fun? Not on your life," he responds and takes a seat across from me. "Why are you here?"

"Needed to think," I respond. "Things seem to be spiraling out of control. I'm not sure what to do."

"Do what you always do. Be the boy scout. No matter what, they can't kill the symbol that you are, Superman. And the others will always rally to you. The times that seem the darkest are the times they need you most."

I nod to him, "And what are you doing?"

"Planning," he smiles. "Things are always in motion."

 

[Byrd Man]

"Sounds like a solid plan" Logan says as Hank and I put the Blackbird down in a clearing we found a safe distance away from our destination. He steps out of the Blackbird and sniffs the cold Canadian air, "Somethin' don't sit right about this."

"I think zhat can be said about our entire situation," I smile at my friend. "After you."

The five of us trudge through the rough Canadian landscape until we find our destination.

"Alkali Lake," Logan grunts as we look over the expansive body of water. "The base is over there. Sticks out like a sore thumb."

We go around the lake until we've got a good view of the base. It seems to be built into a dam in the far side of the lake, and is patrolled by armed guards at every access point and possible infiltration point.

"So what's our plan of attack?" Kitty asks. "I wouldn't have a problem getting through, but they're going to see me."

"And I cannot teleport in without knowing where I'm going..." I add, until an idea strikes me. "Professor McCoy, do you have your image inducer?"

"As always, Kurt, you are right on the nose."

I reach into my jacket pocket and toss the device to Kurt. I also hand him a small camera.

"Either you or Kitty please clip that to your person. Whatever we manage to find here, I would like hard evidence."

 

[Byrd Man]

​

Prague, Czech Republic
23:00 Local Time


The limo comes to a stop at the sprawling mansion on the river. I step out and adjust my tuxedo.

It's safe to say, I like my other suit better. But this one has a pinhole camera on the bowtie, and a microphone and transmitter in the top shirt button.

"Lord Bright."

I turn around at the mention of my cover name. A beautiful brunette woman in a slinky black dress walks up and links her arm in my arm.

"Flagg and Faraday thought having a woman on your arm would help your cover," Sasha Bordeaux, the Black Queen's Knight, says under her breath. "And of course my skills are always at your disposal."

"Wonderful," I reply in an upper crust British accent. "My dear, shall we go?"

Bordeaux and I walk up the mansion steps to where the party is in full swing.

"Where did you learn to speak like that?"
"You spend three months in foxholes with Union Jack, then you can't help but pick it up."

A butler at the door greets us and asks for our names.

"Lord William Bright and guest."

The butler waves us through and into the party, where men and women mingle amongst each other.

"So far so good, Cap," Flagg's voice comes in through my ear. "See what you can find out about that anthrax canister."

"Excuse me, darling, I need to use the powder room," Bordeaux says as she steps away from me and goes into the crowd.

I scan the room and let Flagg and Faraday get good looks at the party goers.

"I see an African warlord, a South American drug trafficker, a Russian gunrunner, and five CEOs of Fortune 500 companies."

"You know, I don't know which one of those is worse. Just get in there and mingle and see what you can find."

I tough it out and begin to mingle when the guests when a hand touches my shoulder.

"I certainly hope you're finding everything to your liking, Lord Bright."

I turn around to see a dark haired man in a tuxedo smiling at me.

"I have to say, your rare appearance will make this party the highlight of the European social circuit. I thank you for accepting my invitation."

"Ah, yes, of course. I assume you are Mister Burr?"

"Indeed, Jeffrey Franklin Burr at your service."

"Wonderful to meet you."

"Well, have a good time, Lord Bright. Drink and eat up."

Burr places his hand in mine and discreetly drops a scrap of paper in my palm.

"Hopefully I'll see you later."

He walks off and I look down at the scrap of paper.

Midnight.
Dock behind mansion.


"Something's going down."

I look up and see Burr talking with the Russian arms dealer. He smiles and pulls the same move with him, leaving a scrap of paper in his palm.

"Damn. I think we played this one wrong, guys. Kobra isn't behind this. I think an auction for the anthrax canister is about to go down in an hour."

Before I can respond to Flagg, I stop short when I see a blonde haired woman walking through the party. This isn't good.

I step away from the party and go towards the bathroom, where Bordeaux is waiting for me in a cubbyhole.

"What have you found out so far?"

"That most of these people are the scum of the Earth. Yourself?"

"Lord Bright was invited to an auction for the Anthrax canister. It's taking place at midnight on the boat dock outside."

"I'll begin to make my way out there, find cover and prepare."

"No, I want you to tail that woman," I say as I point towards the blonde.

"Who is she?"

"Sharon Carter, an agent of SHIELD."

"Son of a *****. Cap, are you sure?"

"Yes, sir. I worked with her enough. That's her."

"Dammit...alright, Bordeaux. Keep tabs on her. I'll send some Pawns to backup Cap."

"I have a better idea."

I walk past Bordeaux and out into the party, walking towards Carter and touching her arm.

"My dear, do you care to dance?"

She looks like a deer caught in headlights.

"Y-...yes."

We walk to the dance floor and begin to dance.

"What's SHIELD's interest in this, Carter?" I ask over the cover of the music.

She inches closer to me and whispers in my ear. "That's classified. National Security is at stakes, Rogers."

"Well, we're in Europe. Checkmate has jurisdiction, I don't think SHIELD does."

"Well, take it up with the President if you have a problem with it."

I spin Carter and dip her. She grabs hold of my waist and looks in my eyes.

"That's right, you blamed him for your mistakes and deserted your country instead."

I pull Carter up and pull her body close to mine.

"Stay out of our way. This is your first and last warning, Carter."

I pull away and walk off the dance floor, disappearing into the crowd of partygoers.

 

[NiteMare Shape]

Inside the headquarters which housed Reed Richards' many fantastic inventions, Venom lay still entwined in the taser net which had been dropped on him by the Bat.

Gonna make them pay... Eddie Brock, the man beneath the alien suit thinks to himself.

Yes Brock, we will make them all suffer. Parker and the Bat will know our vengence, they will know suffering...just like the little bird.

Yeah, we're going to gut them like....

"GAAAAH!!!" Venom cries out as the taser net responds to the tensing of his muscles, and sends thousands of volts coursing through his body.

But first...we're going to have to get out of this....

 

[wiegeabo]

"Um...hi there."

I feel the blade press closer to my throat. "Why have you been hunting me?"

Ok, this could be going better. "We're not hunting you."

"You and your superpowered team have been stalking me for weeks, what would you call it?"

"...looking for you?" She obviously doesn't buy it. "Ok, you've got a point. But what else could we have done?"

"Left me alone. Or maybe just tried talking to me?"

"We did. I left you messages all over the town."

"And I ignored them to avoid falling into a trap."

"Hence the 'looking'."

"...fair point."

We stand there for a few more seconds without moving. "Um...so...can we talk now?"

"I think not."

"Listen. You have me here, you're going to have a little bit of time before my team comes to find me, and if we don't talk now, we'll just keep looking for you."

I hear her sigh behind me. "Talk. Fast."

"Heh. I won't take you too literally. Ok, I'm putting together a team..."

I hear her sigh again. "And you want me to join. Not interested."

"Wait, listen. Just hear me out." She doesn't move, nor does she take the blade away. I'll take it as a good sign.

"You know the Justice League?"

"The American team? Yes. Everyone does."

"Right. Well, they're sort of illegal at the moment. At least, most of the League is..."

"Will you be getting to the point soon?"

"Fine, I'll sum up. Short version, we're putting together a European team together."

"...why?"

"Why? Why not? The League can't protect the whole world. And it shouldn't. The world should protect itself, with it's own heroes. The League protects the US, rumor is that Canada has their own secret group. Why shouldn't Europe?"

"..but why me?"

"First off, you're a mystery. We sort of have an idea what your powers are, but aren't sure. Which means the bad guys don't know anything about you either. Secondly, you're good. You kept out of our sight for weeks, and that says something. But, most importantly, you're a good person. You help people. That's what we're looking for."

We stand there for a few more seconds before I realize the blade is no longer at my neck. Wow, she's fast.

I turn around, finally getting a good look at the one everybody calls Psylocke.

"...tell me more."


***

"...

Doctor's Doom's mask betrays none of the satisfaction he is feeling. Although, if one looked closely, they might see him standing up slightly straighter.

"It's all coming together."

"Fancy place."

I look around my palace. "The former ruler of my nation was a cruel man who reveled in excess. I use his palace as my home as a sign to my people that the old guard is gone. And that their new leader seeks only their betterment."

My new recruit gives me a skeptical look. "You live in a fancy palace just like the last guy, and that's supposed to tell your people you're different?"

She cannot see the smirk through my mask. "I fund Latveria's growth in times of need with the wealth my predecessor accumulated. His fortune therefore becomes their fortune."

I look her in the eyes. "It is easy to judge when one does not have all the information." I turn away and start walking again. It takes a few moments, but then I hear her footsteps follow behind me.

"So...this is where your League works out of too?"

"Yes, the is the League's headquarters, as well as their living quarters. But it is not my League, as you mean it."

"You fund it."

"Yes."

"You supply it."

"Yes."

"And you send them out on missions."

"Indeed, when necessary. But the League is free to turn down my requests when they wish to. All I ask for what I give them is that they protect Europe and consider my advice when I offer it."

"Mmm-hmm. So...you lead the League, but you don't."

"If that is how you wish to view things." I turn the corner and walk up to a set of large double doors.

"Wow...."

"Yeah, that's pretty much what I said too."

***

Doom leads Psylocke into the League's command center. I thought the setup Tony provided back home was impressive. He is a multi-billionare, and among the world's most brilliant minds. But I guess having the wealth of an entire nation, and an equally brilliant mind, has its advantage.

The room is massive, and still probably not one of the larger ones in the palace. Computers and screens cover all the walls in the circular room. Why we need all these screens is still a mystery to me. There's at least five times the screens the whole team could possibly cover at once.

Doom and Psylocke step down to the lower section to where our round table sits. The table was my idea, brought over from the JSA days. A place where League members could sit as equals and talk or plan. Doom wasn't too keen on the idea, but he came through when I insisted.

I walk up to the pair, addressing our newest member. "Feeling a bit overwelmed, Betsy?"

"I suppose it shows?"

"Just a bit. But you'll get used to it, sort of. Let me introduce you to the others." I lead Betsy down to the lower level, across the room, and back up to the main computer terminal. I talk as we walk.

"Pete and Fox are out in Germany right now. Apparently a ragtag Neo-Nazi group got a mutant to join them and are causing trouble." She gives me a strange look. "Yeah, the irony's not lost on me either."

"This is Sage, our tech expert and computer guru. Our eyes in the sky, if you will."

Sage turns in her chair and gives Betsy a nod. "Nice to meet you, but I'm a bit busy." She turns back to the screen and keeping tabs on Fox and Wisdom.

"She's like that when we're on a mission," I say teasingly. Sage ignores me, but I see the small smirk tugging at the corner of her mouth.

"Hi!"

"And this is Meggan." Meggan is almost bouncing in excitement at meeting our new teammate. Hey youthful energy is infectious. She reminds me a lot of Dinah-

A feeling of sadness washes over me, but I push it away. Our relationship has been strained ever since she left to join the Avengers. And even after coming back to the League, things haven't been the same.

But I push the thoughts away, and focus on the present.

Doom interrupts us. "Meggan, why don't you show Ms Braddock around, and to her room. Tomorrow will be a big day, after all."

"Come on! I'll show you everything. You should see the kitchen...it's HUUUUGE!"

Betsy gives me a pleading look as Meggan literally pulls her away, but I just smile. Meggan will grow on her. She grown on everyone.

"Big day?"

"Indeed. You'll be recruiting our last member. It should prove to be a powerful addition."

"Sounds good. So who is it?"

"Black Adam..."

 

[wiegeabo]

I fly back to Gotham, rage boiling beneath the surface. Pounding Venom into submission was satisfying. But seeing Robin in that condition took away any satisfaction the beating provided.

Worse yet, I can't bring Robin home. He was too injured to move. So I was forced to leave him in the care of the Richards clan, where SHIELD can find them if they decide to stop by. Which, given that New York is embedded in chaos, is likely to happen. Which means I have to trust Richards to protect him.

I hate not being in control of the situation.

I open the comm.

"Alfred."

"Sir. What is Master Robin's status."

"Injured, but recovering. I left him in New York. Couldn't risk moving him."

"I understand, sir. I will be in New York shortly to watch over him."

I sigh with relief beneath my cowl. "Thank you." Alfred being there means I don't have to worry about Robin nearly as much. Alfred will never let anything happen to him, even if it means facing down SHIELD itself.

"And what will you be doing, sir?"

"...I need to work some things out."