The "Heroic Age" Marvel RPG-Season I

[Spider-Man9X17]

"The Heroic Age" Marvel RPG​

The Dark Reign is over. Norman Osborn and his H.A.M.M.E.R. organization have been dealt their final defeat at the Siege of Asgard. The Dark Avengers have been apprehended, the Superhero Registration Act has been repealed, and Steve Rogers has taken back the mantle of Captain America to lead the heroes of Earth into a bright new day. This is the Heroic Age.

How to Play:

This game will start in the weeks after the Siege of Asgard. The heroes have had a chance to return home and revel in their victory, enjoy their new found freedom. Players can take any character that existed on Earth 616 prior to Marvel NOW. Please note this game does NOT share continuity with the old Heroes Vs Villains game. We start fresh from the end of Siege.

To apply for a character, fill out the application below. Applications will be reviewed by the GM and either Approved or Denied after 24 hours. If your application is Denied, fear not! You can re-write and revise your application based on the GM's and other players' feedback; however, if multiple people are vying for the same character and someone else gets it, you'll have to apply for a different character. All players are welcome, regardless of membership status or post-count

Rules:

1: You are allowed a maximum of two main characters. You also have free reign over the characters' supporting cast and rogues' gallery, provided that no other player is playing them. However, it is advised to keep sidekick characters and primary villains at least somewhat open as options for other players to take up.

2: You must post at least once every two weeks, preferably more, or your character will be up for grabs. Failure to post after 30 days will result in your character being removed from the roster.

3: PC's are not to be killed without permission. Nameless NPC's are fine, but PC's or important NPC's will require authorization. Don't do anything random, such as destroying the universe, either. Such behavior is frowned upon.

4: Several storylines can be going on at once, in order to interact with other players. If a player's character does not want to be involved in another's storyline, they do not have to. Likewise, please observe good etiquette and ask the other players' permission before jumping into a fight or interaction without their consent. Consultation and communication are the keys to a good PC-to-PC interaction.

5: You can travel anywhere on Earth or off-planet, provided it is within your character's means. Time-travel is forbidden, unless it is specifically required of your character choice.

6: You are your character, so act like them. Create or portray their mannerisms, powers, and ideals to how they have been established in the game. BE the character, don't just remote-control their powers, so to speak.

7: Respect the Gamemasters. If they make a request of you regarding the game, listen to them. Failure to adhere to GM, AGM, and Hype! Moderator requests will result in expulsion from the game.

8: Be creative, and do not be afraid to try new and exciting things with old concepts. This is a new continuity - the laws of the regular DC Universe are not set in stone.

9: All regular Hype rules apply.

10: Have fun, damn it!

Gamemasters: Spider-Man9x17, TBD

The Heroic Age Marvel RPG: Character Application & Roster in OCC Thread

 

[Spider-Man9X17]

​

"More now on that oil rig fire in the Gulf of Mexico. We can now confirm that the eco-terrorist group known as Terra Pura is responsible for the series of explosions that has rocked the Roxxon oil platform this evening. This is the latest in dozens of attacks carried out by the group over the past several months..."

"Eco-Terrorists," the words dripped with sarcasm off Nick Fury's tongue. "I'd thought these damn tree huggers were all peace and love."

He took a long drag of his cigar as he stood absorbed all pertanent information on the charts and schematics diplayed on the screens in front of him, seemingly oblivious to the organized chaos around him. Engineers and agents scrambled everywhere around the S.H.I.E.L.D. transport, planning rescue operations on the fly using the ever changing news coming in through comms.

All except for one stoic figure, who stood just behind Fury, arms crossed and totally silent, yet commanding the total respect of any and all who knew him. His steely blue eyes were fixated on the floor at his feet as he listened to an incoming message on his earpiece.



"The logging camp was a bust. A few rookie troops with dummy weapons, sacrificial lambs it seems. They really thought the were carrying out an attack. The transmission interception was a plant, just like we thought. Bucky is on his way back to the hellicarrier with the few he picked up, but it's more than likely they're not going to know anything of substance. And they kept us off the scent long enough to carry out the actual attack."

Captain America grabbed the helmet on the table beside him, slipping it over his head and buckling the strap under his chin as he looked up at live feeds coming into the transport.

"Coulda been worse."

"Innocent men and women lost their lives tonight, Nick."

"Yeah, but those dumbasses don't run outta gas, they don't hijack that fishing boat, we don't get the tip tp intercept. Damn buncha hypocrites. Let's take the gas powered boat to blow up the evil oil rig."

"Rational men will never understand the mind of a fanatic."

"S.H.I.E.L.D. C.T.U. couldn't intercept in time to the first blasts. Rigging, upper decks are lost, but we did stop them before they could bring down the lower supports. We have them at a stalemate now, but they do have hostages. It's only a matter of time before they get frustrated and turn this into a suicide mission, taking everyone in their path with them."

"Then the clock is ticking."

"Five minutes to drop, Captain," a tech called from the cockpit, as if on cue.

"We have to make this count. This is the first opportunity we've had to grab one or two of these guys, make them talk, get some solid leads instead of grasping at straws."

"Why do you think you're on this transport, Cap?"

The two walked to the back hatch of the transport as it slowly started to open, letting the salty evening air flow into the plane.

"Amphibious crews are in position. Coast Guard will be assisting in the extraction. Unfortunatley, we're going to have to get any survivors into the water before we can get them out."

Cap walked down the ramp. The sky was cloudless, a million stars glowing in the sky on a moonless night, twinkling off the water below. A tiny orange dot was moving in quick from the horizon, the expanse of flames becoming more and more clear with each passing second.



"Ten seconds, Captain...five...four...three...two...you are clear!"

Cap gave Fury a wry smile and a quick salute.

"Keep the light on for me."

And then he was gone into the oblivion of the night.



-

The heat was intense. It made aiming hard. The sniper had to force himself not to think about the beads of sweat soaking his black face mask. His drab dark green and black uniform made him almost invisible against the black of night, even with the roaring flames mere stories above him.

"I didn't sign on for this. In and out. Set the blasts and get the hell going. I knew we should have put that fishing crew down. Snitches."

"Will you just shut the hell up and focus on your job. We don't keep these S.H.I.E.L.D. goons at bay, and we don't have any chance at all of getting out of here," the second man shifted uncomfortably.

The sniped curled his lips into a sneer as he looking back down the scope of his rifle at the S.H.I.E.L.D. crews on the water.

"What the hell...?"

"Now what?" His spotter shifted behind him, cracking his neck.

"Something just fell from the sky and splashed down in the water."

"Probably some sap trying to make a run for it. Even if they survived the fall, they can't be anything to worry about."

-
Captain America waded to the rig supports jutting up out of the jet black water. He craned his neck up, looking for a solid spot to fire the grappling gun on his belt. Finding an area he deemed satisfactory, he pulled the gun from his belt and fire up. He heard the sound of the metal hook latching on the a steel catwalk and, giving two good tugs to make sure everything was fastened tight, began retracting his cable.

 

[Venom160]

Alexander Belmont has always felt he was desensitized to the screams that echo through the walls of Ravencroft. To him the sounds of these tortured souls became nothing more then background noise as he spent his nights as one of the night security guards. But that was until the newest resident arrived. It has been three nights of the screams and his limit has been reached.

"Jesus will this freak ever shut the f*** up!"

Marie sighed under her breath as she watched her coworker get to his feet for the fifth time tonight and start to head down the hall to the new arrival's cell.

"I wouldnt do that if I were you Belmont. You know who he is. If hes as strong as they claim you really wouldnt stand a chance."

Alex's anger ebbs significantly as he starts to walk back to the guard station.

"Ofcourse i know who he is. I just can't believe hes' here. Shouldnt he be in the Raft? They're better equipped to deal with him? If he tried to escape I don't think anyone here could stop him."

Marie only shakes her head.

"I don't think he will try. Have you seen the look in his eyes? Hes' broken....."

As if to punctuate her statement an all too familiar series of screams imminate down the hall. They trail off into uncomfortable silence between the two guards. Alex sifts in his seat before finally breaking the silence.

"Do you really think he did it? I mean you know this guy as well as i do. Hell the entire city knows this guy! He was a freakin hero! An Avenger for f***'s sake! I just thought he was better than this."

"*sigh* I really don't know. I thought he was one of the few we never had to worry about. But after what he did? I mean jesus they're still finding pieces of the poor girl in his apartment!"

Marie's stomach turns thinking about what few details she could learn from the officers that helped with the escort.

"My daughter loves the guy. I still don't know how to break it to her. You saw how he was when the Avengers and the police carted him in. He was covered head to toe in blood whimpering and crying. He musta put up a helluva fight. Did you see how beat up Captain America and Iron Man looked?"

Alex shudders slightly as he thinks back to that night. Back to the solemn looks on the face's of two of Earth's mightiest heroes.

"Yeah I remember....."

"Well if anything he should be out of here by tomorrow. His new home in the Raft will be ready for him. So this'll be our last night spent with a "hero". "

The screams starts up again and this time Alex can sense that its going to be a long blast. His anger flaring again he gets to his feet and leaves the guard station behind heading down the dark hallway toward the source of the agonizing wailing. He stops at the cell door and suddenly fear clutches at his heart as his mind runs through the feats hes' seen this man pull off on the news and realizes that he could probably shred this door like it was nothing. Opening the viewing window aside he looks in to see a thin figure sitting huddled in the corner his skin tight suit stained a crimson red. He had freaked out when an officer mentioned needing the suit for evidence which resulted in his fellow Avenger's having to restrain him until a strong enough sedative could be administered.

Alex steadies himself as he looks at this broken hero

"Alright thats enough. All this screaming isnt gonna fix what you did!"

The thin man jerks his head up and looks to the door. Fear flares again in Alex's chest.

"I....I didn't do it....."

Alex steps closer to the door.

"What did you say?"

With a speed that he was famous for the thin man lunges for the door but instead of bashing through he lands on the door sticking to it. He presses his face against the view port his face is finally revealed to be that of Peter Parker.

"I DIDNT DO IT! I COULDNT HAVE! I LOVED HER! DO YOU HEAR ME! I LOVED MARY JANE!"

"Christ!"

Alex jumps back from the door and runs back to the guard station leaving Peter to the agonizing silence.

"Oh god.....how could this have happend....."

Lowering his head Peter moves back to his place in the corner of the cell. Fresh tears form as he curls up as tight as he can.

"Oh god Mary Jane...."

"Well well isnt this an interesting predicament. Truly was this the outcome you had expected for yourself? Im sure Mary Jane didnt see it coming. Hahaha.'

Raising his head Peter sees the source of the cruel sadistic voice.



"Hello Petey. Enjoying our little deal?"



Vol 1: Reaping What We Sow

 

[Spider-Man9X17]

​

NuGen Genetics Research Laboratory
New York City

Paul Fields didn't really like science. In all honesty, he hated it. he usually found a quiet corner to catch a nap in the back of the classroom during high school, or skipped completely and snuck off to any one of the university campuses in the city, looking to pick try and impress any co-ed who would give him the time of day. Many didn't. And yet, this is why he found himself here today, wokring at an internship he loathed as part of a major that he was likely going to flunk; to impress a girl. Amanda Simington. Five foot, seven inches. One hundred and twenty pounds. Blonde hair to the middle of her back, and the deepest, bluest eyes he had ever seen. True, it had taken him some time to notcie her eyes, but once Paul did, he found them as amazing as what had first attracted him to this stunning goddess.

A stunning goddess who was now huddled with him underneath a lab table, bodies pressed together, his lips inches from hers. It would have been a dream come true, if he wasn't sobbing in terror and sitting in a pair of soiled pants.

The objects of his fear, the men in the mustard yellow bio-hazard suit ransaking the laboratory, had arrived about 15 minutes prior, guns blazing into the air and demanding anyone in charge to come forward. It could have been the opportunity of a lifetime for Paul. He could have grabbed Amanda, scurried her to safety in the face of certain death, been her knight in shining armor.

Instead, he leapt shrieking in panic under the table the two of them had been working at, and then proceeded to try and push her out when she too tried to seek shelter.

"We've got everything we came for. Primary team will clear a path to the exit. You two," the head A.I.M. soldier pointed to 2 grunts at the back of the group, "find us a couple of hostages, just in case."

"Oh God, please not us, please not us, please not us..."

"You two!!"

"Aaaaaiiieee!" Paul cried, the barrell of a gun pressed into his nose.

"Get up!"

"Smooth move, macho man."

The A.I.M. soldiers pulled the two to their feet.

"Oh God, what is that smell?"

"I'd say that's the smell of shame, mixed with abject fear and topped with a duece inside of Johnny No-Balls Fruit of the Looms."



"Holy $h*t," the two soldiers opened fire as the Avengers' resident archer easily dodged the hail of bullets.

"It's that Hawkman, or Bullseye guy, or something."

"It's Hawkeye, you numbskull."

"I thought Hawkeye was that young chick with those mini heroes."

"Now now, gentlemen. I may not have the luscious curves of my spunky little protige, but I still like to think that I fill out my costume quite nicely after all this time."

Hawkeye fired a pair of arrows. The heads opened up into a three fingered claw and clamped deep into the shoulder of each terrorist, sending an electric shock coursing through their bodies and sending them convulsing onto the floor.

"Mmmm, that was too easy. I hope some more of your friends stuck around to play."

Hawkeye approached the two would-be hostages.

"Everything ok, here?"

Just fine, sir," Amanda swooned, "now that a real hero is here."

"I had a plan, until this thug ruined it. I was just lulling them into a false sense of security."

"And what was the plan then, Puddles. Put them down with the offesive stench wafting from the sagging pile in your rear end, or kill them with laughter when they got a load of the dripping spot up front?"

 

[Spider-Man9X17]

​

"New information on the terrorist attack in the Gulf of Mexico this evening. We are receiving live feed from the burning rig from members of the Terra Pura group. We must caution, this is very disturbing, discretion is advised."

"...this is the price you pay for raping our beautiful Earth, for killing her by harvesting her natural resources and using them for evil. The oil spilled here today will return to the womb of our planet, and the blood of the men behind me with fertilize the soil and purify the seas..."

-

The transmission was being sent from a large conference room in the lower levels of the rig. This would be one of the last areas consumed by the apporaching flames, so the murderous thugs could broadcast their message of hate right up to the end. If they coudn't escape, they would at least make a show of it.

"The egos of the 'righteous'."

Captain America peered around the corner. The wall of the meeting area facing him was a large floor to ceiling window. The man talking had his back facing Cap, flanked on either side by 4 other terrorist, a webcam focused squarely on them. Behind them, bound and on their knees pressed against the window, were half a dozen oil drillers.

Cap observed for another moment, until one of the men not speaking turned and grabbed a worker, thrusting him onto his belly in front of the ring leader. The man speaking produced a sidearm, pulling the man to his feet with one hand and pressing the barrel of the gun to the base of his head.

-

"This man's blood will be ripped from his body, as you rip the Earth's percious oil from her curst. His breath will extinguished, as the oxygen of Mother Earth is suffocated by the burning of your fossil fuels. You think you can stop us here today? Your meddling in our affairs will only unleash a greater anger, a full fury you have not yet witnessed."

The safety was released.

"You will see now what your feeble attempt at stopping us will bring. This fate will be the fate of all those commit atrocities against MotheAUGH!"



The vibranium shield flew like a rocket out of Captain America's hand and found it's mark against the temple of two of the terroists' heads before the 3rd ducked. Cap slid under a hail of gunfire as the disc bounced off the far wall and came back towards its owner, finding the barrel of a rifle and servering it. Cap took the momentary distracting to land a swift uppercut to the man's chin, dropping him and retrieving his trusty friend seconds before the shooting resumed. The rounds bounced harmlessly off the shield.

"Five left. Seconds, maybe a minute tops before they get smart and turn their guns on the innocents."

Cap charged forward. His left arm extended out and he heard the satisfying sound of metal meeting cartlidge, and the excrutiating cry of a nose being broken in the last seconds of consciousness. At the same time, his right elbow found its mark in another's sternum. Another crunch, another man down.



Total elapsed time: 1.5 seconds.

"Could've been faster."

"FACIST!"

Cap felt two sets of fingers curl around the edge of his helmet and give a tug. He struggled for a moment. Cap braced himself and pushed off, flipping up and over the man grappling him. As he came down behind him, the steel toe of each boot found the crown of a head.

"One left."

Captain America threw a right hook, but it was barley dodged. The remaining merc produced a blade and made a move for Cap's abdomen. He brushed it aside, the blade tearing through his sleeve and leaving a slight gash in his forearm. The miss caused them man to lose his balance, and one headbutt later he was napping on the ground with his compatriots.



"Gentlemen, that's some damn good television."

 

[Hound55]

Hank Pym rubbed his hand across the unblemished top of his new desk in Avengers Compound.

Lot of memories here. Not all of them good, not all of them bad. The West Coast Avengers, he wore a coat then too and just like now was trying to find a different way.

Hank opened the drawer of his desk and pulled out 5 manila folders. He'd read their limited contents several times already, but whether it were due to nerves or just boredom from having little to do until his students assembled for class for the day he read over them once more.

Humberto Lopez ("Reptil")
Known family: Parents presumed dead.
Abnormal abilities: Limited shape-changing - namely, ability to transform limbs and bodily parts to match aspects of dinosaurs (Ability confirmed).
Source of power: Mystic. Gained via amulet.
Potential: Level 5. Suspect that subject may eventually be capable of greater range of metamorphosis, size changing, Potential for healing factor (?)

Shortcomings: Something of an idealist. May take effort to sway from stubborn ideas of fairness, altruism.

Hank Pym winced at Norman Osborne's warped hand-written notes at the bottom of the cover sheet. The rest of the folder contained select test results and numerous photos. He'd had little opportunity to meet with the students to date, but he already viewed Humberto positively as one he may not have to try so hard to win over. His was easily the most positive file. His parents were both renowned paleontologists and had done a good job homeschooling him out of necessity as the family moved around a lot to various excavation sites. Autonomous learner with quality grades and a good character.

Still, Hank moved on to the next...

Jennifer Takeda ("Hazmat")
Parents: Living, but impractical for living arrangements.
Abnormal abilities: Radiation generation and immunity. Constantly emits a harmful level of radiation, capable of emitting more powerful "blasts" but still exhibiting limited control.
Source of power: Unknown. Possibly mutant. Known scientific experiment involved, but unknown whether this merely enhanced/heightened powers already in place or outright caused abilities. Further testing required.
Potential: Level 4 practicality, but potential for Level 7 power emission if utilized as bomb - Doomsday device level potential. Possible potential for more control to be gained over time. Detected faint traces of non-radioactive harmful emissions as well at times which will need further investigation.

Shortcomings: For practical use as field agent, requires containment suit to prevent death. Emotional distress can result in further lack of control over abilities. Little to no shortcomings if utilized as human bomb, potential perfect re-usable weapon!

Hank let his disgust for the glee Osborn clearly had in writing that last sentence wash over him and quickly moved on again.

Ken Mack ("Mettle")
Parents: Living, agreed that home unsuitable due to the nature of Ken's condition.
Abnormal abilities: Entire body has taken form of organic iridium or iridium-like substance. As a result, possesses significant strength, stamina and durability.
Source of power: Almost certainly mutant. Was able to amplify the cause of the transformation, at least allowing the subject whole and less "patchy".
Potential: Increased levels of same ability... probable Level 3.

Shortcomings: Obvious mental and moral weakness. Iridium body doesn't allow for nerve sensation. Fortunately limited intelligence and creativity should allow maximized use of his potential with proper tutelage. Highly responsive to emotional manipulation.

Hank quickly moved on to the next.

Jeanne Foucault ("Finesse")
Known family: Not a concern
Abnormal abilities: Polymath. Able to learn physical and rote mental skills at an amazing speed. Beyond what would be considered adept.
Source of power: Unknown. Previously tested negative for the mutant X-gene.
Potential: Has phenomenal potential as espionage/field agent, already an Olympic level athlete and one of the finest martial artists in the known world.

Shortcomings: Socially abrasive, not a deal-breaker but would make dealings "unpleasant". Just needs "discipline".

Hank quickly put the folder down. A lot to make him wary with that one. He picks up the final folder.

Brandon Sharpe ("Striker")
Parents: "The nature of Brandon's condition is not suitable to our lifestyle".
Abnormal abilities: Electrokinetic. Actually has quite good control of this ability already naturally. Flight.
Source of power: Untested. Probable mutant.
Potential: Probable level 6. Shows natural talent with ability. Ego may effect ability to unlock full potential. Electrokinetic... how strong is his abilities regarding electromagnetic fields?

Shortcomings: Brash. Short-sighted. Over confident. Easily manipulated by ego.

He dropped the fifth and final folder on the desk and let his head rest on tented hands in contemplation.

"Nervous?"

Hank looked up at the feline figure that had just slinked into his office and smiled. Fellow former-West Coast Avenger Tigra had agreed to fill a role as faculty alongside a smallish core of 4 other heroes.

"I'd have gone with terrified, Greer, but sure. Nervous will probably suffice." Hank smiled. "Thanks for agreeing to help out."

"It's funny isn't it. We've gone against some of the most nefarious people the world has ever known from Morgan LeFay, Graviton, Norman Osborn, Doctor Doom... but this is still frightening to us."

"Quicksilver, Speedball, Justice, Jocasta and the two of us for 5 students... well, at least they won't out-number us..." she smiled.

"Six."

"Six? When you told me about this you only gave me files for five."

"That's because I only have files for 5. There's a sixth. Madeline Berry."

"A sixth, huh. You haven't been hiding some little hell-raiser from me until after I agreed to help out, have you?"

Hank laughed. "No, no. Nothing like that. I interviewed her myself, since we had no information on her. It seems that Norman Osborn pulled her file for his private storage and it wound up getting shredded with a lot of his most valuable documents when he saw the writing on the wall of his impending arrest. I can't see her being any trouble at all."

 

[Spider-Man9X17]

​

The group of mercenaries burst through the back entrance of the laboratory, leaping into a waiting armored transport.

"Did you get what we came for?" a voice asked from the driver's seat.

The head soldier sat a cryogenic storage container on the floor before taking a seat in the back of the van.

"Not an issue."

"Then why are you missing two of your men?" the man in the front seat was glaring through the rearview mirror.

"They're grabbing some hostages. They'll be right out."[

"Yeah, I wouldn't count on that." The driver cooly nodded his head toward the exit as the doors swung open again.

"Awww, crap."



The driver threw the van into drive and floored it out of the alleyway, clipping several sidewalk trashcans as it made a sharp turn onto the main street.

"D-did we lose him?" someone asked after a few blocks.

"Take a look for yourself and tell me what you think."

The group in the back glanced back as a motorcycle erupted out of the alley several blocks back and made the turn toward the van.

"Jeezus, no way were gonna outrun that with all this weight."

"I agree, which is why I'm going to need some volunteers to stay behind and run interference."

"Are you nuts? That's an Avenger. Ain't none of us crazy enought to go toe to toe with one of them."

"Is that so? Well then, do you want to get on the phone with the boss and tell him why we won't be delivering his package."

The mention of the man pulling the strings sent the back of the van into silence.

"That's what I thought."

-

Hawkeye weaved in and out of traffic, doing his best to keep the van in sight while trying to navigate the busy roadway.

Armored chassis, most likely armored tires, busy streets and innocent pedestrians. Yep, let's just make this up close and personal."

Hawkeye banked sharply as a taxi merged into traffic in front of him, then glanced back up just in time to see the van stop a few blocks in front of him.

"Awww, how considerate."

Two mercs jumped out of the back, weapons raised.

"A welcoming committee...ah, crap..."

Barton watched as the two men turned their weapons onto a car stuck behind the stopped van. A second later, the driver was thrown into the back seat and both vehicles peeled off again, heading in separate directions. As Hawkeye closed in, he could hear the screams of terrified children in the back of the hijacked car. Which direction he would head was already a no brainer, but the archer's bllod boiled at the though of little kids being used as human shields.

Hawkeye gunned the throttle and within a minute was up even with the bumper of the car. Waiting for a clearing, he swung out beside and without a second thought, leapt onto the roof of the car.

As he steadied himself on the roof, he was banking on the fact that the hostages wouldn't be hurt, lest these sumbags lose their bargaining chips. He knew he wouldn't be as lucky.

As if on cue, the first shots rang upward, well ahead of Hawkeye but delivering the message loud and clear.



Hawkeye reached into his quiver, feeling for the proper arrow and loading it onto his bow. He aimed and fired straight through the hood and into the engine block. The EMP killed the power, and a second later a second arrow rocketed through the roof and in between the front seats. The tip exloded, enveloping the A.I.M. thugs in a thick immoblizing foam as the car began to slow down. Hawkeye laid down on the roof and smashed his fist through the driver's side window, steering the car safely to the curb as it came to a stop. He could hear the sirens of New York's finest closing in fast.

"Everyone ok?" he asked, peering in the back seat. Three shaken faces nervously nodded 'Yes'.

"The boys in blue will be here soon, and--"

Hawkeye caught a glance of the dashboard clock, and then pulled a cell from his belt, confirming the time.

"Awww, crapcrapcrapcrap, double crap."

He was late. Really late. So late, that the fate ahead of him was certainly worse than death itself. And he knew a little something about being dead.

He glanced back into the front seat. At that moment, he would give anything to trade places with the two sticky losers inside.

-

The transport van pulled into a nondescript warehouse of the water front. Certain they were out of sight, the soldier in the back piled out, their newly aquired package in hand.

Up front in the driver's seat, the man behind the wheel took a second to himself. He didn't feel it was dumb luck that out of any of the Avengers in town on this day, it was that particular one that came knocking. It was almost a cruel irony that he couldn't stay and duel today. He smiled slyly though. Hawkeye had gotten away with one today, but he would catch up with him sooner or later. On a bigger stage, with more at stake.

"See ya soon, sport."

 

[Spider-Man9X17]

​

The radio in the sniper's nest crackled to life.

"Captain America is on the rig. I repeat, Captain America is on the rig. He must be stopped at all costs. Detonate all final charges, regardless of position."

"This is not good. This is not good at all. What if he finds us out here?"

"He's one man. One more man isn't going to offer any more help."

"He's--he's Captain America. He can ruin everything. I knew we got too fancy with this mission. The leader was too cocky, trying to make a show of it with his little TV boradcast after we got stuck here."

"You question him? That is a fate worse than a million deaths."

"And being caught by Captain America isn't?"

"Please, boys, I'm blushing. You flatter me."

"But please, go on. This conversation seems like it could be so helpful."

The sniper leapt to his feet. He was thankful for the cover of night, so that nobody could see the dark spot forming on the front of his pants.

"Who is this leader I should be so afraid from. I'd like to make sure I steer clear of him."

"N-n-n-no. Please, no, don't hurt me."

The sniper backed up until he was against the hand rail. There was no escape now. Or-

"The hell with this."

Before Cap could reach out, he was gone over the railing, throwing himself to a watery grave below.

Captain America turned to the other man.

"It doesn't have to be like this."

"No, it doesn't."

In an instant, he produce a hand gun and aimed it at Cap. Cap threw his shield up in front of him. He didn't see the man hesitate for a second before turning the gun on himself.

"Mine will be quicker, with more dignity."

He pulled the trigger. Cap cringed as he heard the lifeless body hit the steel grating of the floor.

Cap lowered his shield, shaking his head. Such a waste.

"OK, Nick. Transmitting current location. I need transport for six."

Captain America turned back to the doorway at the end of the catwalk behind him and motioned for the rescued hostages before fastening a grappel line to the handrail.

"OK, one at a time. A S.H.I.E.L.D. life raft will be waiting directly below. I'll wait here until you are all clear."

"Please, Cap," an older man grabbed his arm, his white hair glowing in the light of the flames making their way every closer, his face ashen with desperation. "My son, he's still in there. Those maniacs, he worked communications. They were forcing him to transmit their radio calls to the mainland. I don't know what they'll do now..."

Captain America put a comforting hand on the man's shoulder.

"Your son will meet up with you in time for breakfast."

"God bless you, Cap," a tear streamed down his face as Cap buckled him into a harness.

-

Aaron Rigby had grown up idolizing his father. He wanted to be like him in every single way imaginable, which is why he found himself working on this oil rig. At the current moment though, with the cold steel of a gun barrel pointed directly at his forehead, he hoped and prayed that his father didn't share the same fate.

"Please, oh God, please. Don't kill me."

The masked gunman jammed the barrel of his rifle into the pleading rig worker's forehead, drawing a small stream of blood.

"I considered letting you live. A live hostage could be a valuble bargaining chip. But, I don't think we stand any chance of making it out of here alive, anyway. And, you profit off the death and destruction of our mother Earth.
You do not heed her cries for mercy. Why should we treat you any different?"

"I have a wife, four children. This...this is just a job.Th-this is just to support my family."

"Then they too should die for partaking in this blood money you reap."

The gunman's finger began to tighten around the trigger. The younger Rigby closed his eyes, a hot stream of tears running from between each eyelid. He wondered if he would feel anything, if he would hear the horrible, gut wrenching discharge of the bullet. A terrified yelp escaped his throat as a clang of metal echoed through the hallway, follwed by a deep, painful grunt and the thud of a body slumping to the floor. It took a second for the terried Aaron to realize it was neither the sound of a bullet exiting a gun, nor his own body hitting the floor.

A second passed, and then another. Slowly, his eyes opened. A blurry, inviting hand was reaching out for him. His head craned upwards, his eyes falling upon a guardian angel, an avenging spirit.

"Get up, son. We're getting you out of here."

Captain America pulled the trembling man to his feet as a voice crackled through his earpiece.

"Alpha Team has cleared all our hostages, but the platform is a total loss, Cap. The whole thing is going down, sooner than later."

"I've got a survivor, and another one of theirs. Send a team to the conference room for apprehension and extraction. I'm on my way down. Maybe we can finally start getting some answers."

"If you don't move your ass, the only thing you'll be getting is a custom fit pine box."