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The Final Option, part 4: Decisions of Trust
Department H status report: Heather Hudson, Guardian, reporting. It’s over. Once again, we’ve won…and we’ve lost. It seems that’s always been the way of Alpha Flight. We decided to save one hounded super human from an intergalactic corporation called the Consortium…and it only cost us the city of Toronto. We decided to save an entire planet from the hunger of Galactus, the Devourer of worlds…and it only cost us our heart and soul.
In Toronto, seven members of Alpha Flight and their American allies the Avengers - the seven least powerful ones - prepare for a final attack from the Consortium assault fleet. Northstar, Sasquatch, Diamond Lil, Puck, Captain America, She-Hulk and the Black Widow. Captain America calls to the handsome Alphan Jean-Paul “Northstar” Beaubier who is hovering in the air above the ground-force and asks him what his count it. The speedster replies that he cannot count quite that high.
Captain America orders everyone to fall back, to quickly get into an underground metro station. But the ceasefire is now over, and the Consortium resume their attack. Eugene “Puck” Judd is hit first, and as he is knocked aside he exclaims that his little old body almost felt that blast. As Jennifer Walters a.k.a. the She-Hulk is knocked aside also, she declares that she will pass. Cap tells Jennifer that she cant, as he needs her, Puck and Lil to act as shields for the rest.
‘Wonderful’ mutters Walter “Sasquatch” Langkowski as he and Lillian “Diamond Lil” Crawley are also shunted to the ground. Judd leaps in front of Natasha Romanova a.k.a. the Black Widow, mumbling about the price one pays for invulnerability and nobility. ‘Don’t forget humility’ adds Natasha. There is a large explosion, and Northstar announces that the closest Metro station has just been blown up.
Captain America helps Sasquatch up and tells everyone that the Consortium has made their access to the underground easier. As Northstar is tossed about by shockwaves in the air, he points out that the Consortium are quite determined to make getting below ground hard. Black Widow suddenly calls for everyone to hit the hole - but her voice trails off by another explosion. Jean-Paul declares that it was too close for his comfort, as Sasquatch points out that the Consortium may not be able to get down here to attack them, but they cannot get out to attack the Consortium either.
Captain America replies that he knows, but also thinks that they need a breather, time to formulate a plan. Natasha asks what that plan would be, and Cap replies that it is simple - they have to find a way to infiltrate and destroy the Consortium mother ship!
Meanwhile, in another dimension on the planet known as Quwrll, seven more members of Alpha Flight and the Avengers - the most powerful ones - face their kidnapper. Guardian, Box, Windshear, Sersi, Quasar, Hercules and the Vision along with the alien being known as Her, gaze up at James MacDonald Hudson a.k.a. the founding Alphan Vindicator - one of their own.
In a very mechanical voice, Vindicator asks if their assignment parameters have been officially established. ‘Absolutely not!’ replies his angry wife and leader of Alpha Flight - Heather McNeil Hudson a.k.a. Guardian. Heather reminds Mac that he turned all cold and mechanical in the middle of their battle in Toronto, then kidnap them to save an alien race that they do not even know.
Vindicator states that the biomechanical components of this unit have been controlled by the Qwrlln and that aid is required in saving their planet from the ultimate threat - Galactus the World Devourer! The Olympian Avenger Hercules asks why they would commit the sheer folly of engaging Galactus in combat, before admitting that he and Galactus have been allies in glorious battles of the past.
One of the Qwrlln inform the heroes that the World-Devourer seeks to kill the billions of sentient beings residing on this planet. The Qwrlln plead with the Terran super human to stop Galactus as they have done so before. Vindicator replies matter-of-factly that is why the Qwrlln summoned them. He states that their course of action is both logical and clear - they must stop Galactus!
Heather approaches her husband, stating that everything is a smooth calculation for him. ‘You are this unit’s spouse. Explain your words,’ is Mac’s reply. Heather asks him if it is easier to let the machine take over, easier to have the decisions made for him. Heather tells Mac to try doing it the hard way - to fight back against this cold computer inside of him. ‘Fight to be human again!’ she screams.
Vindicator states that internal confrontation would not be conductive to the logical implementations of “this unit’s” operations. ‘No kidding’ mutters Heather. Heather turns to the Qwrlln and tells them that she understands the danger they are all in, but before they commit to helping, she wants to know what their game is. ‘Game?’ asks the Qwrlln. ‘Where are we? Who are you? How did you get us here?’ snaps Heather.
The Qwrlln understand that Guardian wants an extrapolation of facts, and begin their tale…
(Shown with flashback images)
They inform the heroes that the Qwrlln are an ancient race by their standards. That they are scientific in nature, students of the universe. They learned of the World-Devourer Galactus, whose actions were so inexplicable that they contemplated the philosophies and rationale of Galactus’ existence for centuries. Manned exploratory vehicles were dispersed throughout the populated galaxy, and one such probe colonized a Ganymede, the fifth moon of the planet Jupiter.
The Qwrlln waited, studying the development of Earth civilization, and one day, an earthling - James MacDonald Hudson - landed on Ganymede. He was barely alive, and the Qwrlln did what was needed to sustain his life-function. But misplaced in time as well as space, the Qwrlln allowed Hudson to sleep for thousands of years until such a time when his world could accept his return.
The Qwrlln continue their story, explaining that during the interim, the World-Devourer and his herald the Silver Surfer appeared on Earth, but through the cunning of the super humans of Earth known as the Fantastic Four, Galactus was turned away. The Qwrlln explain that for the first time since the universe was born, the World-Devourer had been defeated. They admit to seeing in Hudson the same capacity and interests as those of Galactus’ conquerors, so they chose to implement certain changes in his biochemical structure, to ensure that should the need arise, Hudson and his band of terran super humans would come to their aid.
The Qwrlln reveal that they left Ganymede with their mission fulfilled, and reveal that upon Hudson’s waking, he was returned to his proper place among his family and comrades. The Qwrlln explain that if Galactus had not found their home world, Hudson would have comfortably proceeded with his existence.
(Present)
‘No he wouldn’t have!’ declares Heather, informing the Qwrlln that Mac has been torn between his mechanical and human sides since he “came back to life”. Heather tells the Qwrlln that they gave back half a man - and the half that is there cannot cope with what he has become. The Qwrlln point out that their intention was to protect their race, to which the Vision asks them ‘No matter the extent to which you had to go to attain your goals?’ Madison “Box” Jeffries tells his teammates and allies that he doesn’t think ‘these suckers’ are worth fighting for, and Colin “Windshear” Hume agrees with him.
Guardian informs Windshear that it is unfortunate they cannot be too selective with their causes, for every misintentioned ruling-being on this planet, there must be millions of innocents. Wendell Vaughn a.k.a. the handsome Quasar of the Avengers reminds everyone that he has been appointed Protector of the Universe, and that means all beings, including morally questionable ones like the Qwrlln. J’Ridia Starduster a.k.a. Her declares that she agrees with Quasar, and asks her newfound allies if the actions of Galactus are so different from those of the Consortium.
Heather points out that in one way they are, for Galactus destroys planets to survive, not out of greed, though she admits the results are the same, and realizes that their decision was obvious all along - ‘We have to stop Galactus no matter what the cost!’ she exclaims as she leads the other heroes into battle.
The Herald of Galactus, Frankie Raye a.k.a. Nova informs her master that the super beings have decided to fight, and asks what they should do. Galactus reminds Frankie that he has pledged never to harm the planet Earth, and that he holds a begrudging respect for the beings of that world. He tells Frankie to detain them, without unduly harming them. As she leaps into battle she remarks that harming them is not what she is worried about.
Frankie Raye is blasted by the combined powers of Guardian, Box, Sersi, Vision and Her, and she is knocked out of sight. Heather tells Hume to scout the crash site to make sure Nova is out of this fight, before Alpha Flight’s esteemed leader turns to Galactus and tells him that they cannot let him simply end the life of this world. ‘Pity’ remarks the World-Devourer as the heroes approach him, Hercules telling Galactus that it is a pity for him. Galactus sees Hercules and tells him that it is a pity their reunion could not be under more pleasant circumstances.
The World-Devourer exclaims that he hungers and his needs must be satiated, that he cannot allow them to deter his course. Galactus extends an arm, explaining that he will simply eliminate them from this corporeal world for the nonce.  However, as he unleashes his powers, they simple fizzle out. ‘Fizzle?’ asks Heather. ‘Odd,’ remarks Galactus, informing the heroes that he was prepared to convert their physical shells to pure energy states which could be contained until he completed my consumption of this world. ‘How could the powers of Galactus not work?’
Back in Toronto, the seven remaining heroes are safely underground, and Sasquatch asks Captain America to run his plan by them one more time. Steve Rogers informs his teammates and allies that their only way of stopping the onslaught is to eliminate the mother ship. He also states the obvious in that the only way to destroy the mother ship is to get onto it and destroy it from within. Lillian asks how they are supposed to do that.
Cap explains that they will use the strongest members - Sasquatch, Lil and She-Hulk - to create a diversion, while the rest will form an interdiction team to infiltrate the ship. Lil boasts that it is no problem, but wants to know how they are going to get out of here. Judd motions down the tunnel and suggests they can end up several blocks away and hopefully find a craft they can salvage. Sasquatch mutters that he has heard of stupider game plans in his day, and wishes everyone luck as he leads Lil and She-Hulk back out into battle. ‘Let’s play ball!’ he yells, tossing a rock up at the Consortium who have already started attacking.
Cap, with Puck and the Black Widow in tow start running down the tunnel, and Cap is about to give an order to Northstar, but Jean-Paul already knows what he is required to do, and is racing ahead to recon. Less than seconds later, Jean-Paul arrives at the end of the tunnel, where a few Consortium troopers are standing around a small jet. Northstar immediately knocks two of them out, before turning to the third, who mumbles something in his native tongue. ‘Indeed’ replies Jean-Paul.
Soon, Cap, Judd and Natasha arrive, Cap remarking that it is excellent Northstar has commandeered a ship. He asks the handsome Alphan if he encountered any resistance, to which Jean-Paul replies that the only thing he encountered was some pleasant diversions. The quartet enter the alien plane, and Natasha supposes that as there are so many alien races in the Consortium, there must be a universal translating program in the computer system.
Captain America asks his friend if she can boot it up, and the Black Widow replies that the system is pretty similar to their own programs. Natasha locks onto the human mouth symbol, and dozens of languages appear before her on the screen. She sees “Earth” written in Japanese, and Judd asks why the Consortium has Earth encoded in Japanese. Natasha points out that it makes sense, as they are businessmen after all. ‘Sure, if they had to do business with Earth, which country would they go to?’ asks Judd.
Captain America declares that he is not too sure that he likes the idea, but believes the point moot, asking if anyone can speak Japanese. ‘Ha! We both do!’ comes the reply. Steve smiles, and orders the ship for take off, and they lift into the sky.
Also in the sky, some inter-dimensional planes away on the planet Quwrll. Heather leads a physical assault on Galactus, surprised that they are actually hurting him. Quasar asks how they could be, as Vindicator states that empirical data is not yet fully processed, casual relationship between super-human activity and Galactus’ difficulties cannot be considered conclusive. ‘Try telling him that, eh?’ remarks Box as he and Hercules succeeded in tipping the World-Devourer off his feet, resulting in a mighty thud.
There is a loud noise, before Galactus asks the heroes how they dare lay their insignificant hands upon his form. He remarks that he does what he must to survive, that his actions are incontrovertible, and even though this plane of reality wreaks havoc with his life functions, he can still keep everyone at bay - by the use of sheer physical force! The World-Devourer bashes his hands about and sends shockwaves through the air, tossing Heather and Mac about.
Meanwhile, two hundred meters away, Windshear comes upon Frankie Raye, who has been chained up. Nova tells Windshear to give up while he still can. Hume tells Nova that she makes an interesting proposition, considering the positions they are both in, before remarking that her supervisor is bulloxed. Frankie Raye begins to protest, before the Qwrlln point out that it has come to pass. The Qwrlln explain that Galactus is a creature of primal forces old when the universe was still young, but in this dimensional plane, physical laws are so controverted, that he is adversely affected in his very ability to function as he normally would.
Nova asks why it doesn’t affect the others, to which the Qwrlln use the example of placing one appendage in freezing cold, the other in boiling hot, and one would feel the effects, while Galactus would not as he is beyond such trivialities. They reveal that the same could be said in reverse, that changes in the very fabric of reality, though it is beyond all of them, it is quite noticeable to Galactus. Frankie Raye is about to exclaim at what this predicament means, but the Qwrlln do it for her - it means that the World-Devourer may face his final defeat!
Back in Toronto, Sasquatch, Lillian and the She-Hulk are engaged in battle with multiple opponents, Walter exclaims that this is a classic brawl. ‘Hey - no biting!’ the She-Hulk exclaims as one of the Consortium troopers bite her, before she mutters that what this is, is ridiculous and hopes that the others are having better luck than they are.
Inside the Consortium space craft, Judd remarks that they are going so far so good, before explaining that he has told the main systems that this ship has a massive radiation leak and they need extensive repairs, before explaining that they are being diverted to an isolated docking bay, as the Consortium are afraid they are contaminated. Cap replies that this will buy them some privacy, as Judd instructs Natasha which docking bay to fly the ship into.
After landing and exiting the small ship, the quartet are safely on the Consortium mother ship. Making their way carefully through some corridors, Captain America asks Jean-Paul if he has been able to study the ships schematics and come up with an accurate recon route. ‘Oui. Au revoir,’ declares Northstar as he takes to the air and flies off ahead of the others.
Moments later he returns, from behind them, and informs the others that the communications center is three levels up, engineering is two down, and a clear egress is four corridors over. He tells them to follow him, and as they run through a corridor, they notice several Consortium members lying unconscious on the ground. Jean-Paul mumbles that he encountered some resistance along the way. ‘So I see’ replies the Black Widow. In elevator tubes, the Black Widow and Puck head upwards, while Cap and Jean-Paul go down. Cap reminds everyone of what they have to do and wishes them luck.
Judd and Natasha arrive in the communications complex, and see several odd looking aliens attached to some device. Security guards run over to the heroes to apprehend them, but Judd takes them on as the Black Widow lets loose a rope from her wrist device which lifts her up above the aliens, and exclaiming ‘Lets communicate’ she fires the wires connecting the aliens with her widows sting. She knows it will sever the cybernetic link the aliens seem to have with the ship, and the defenceless aliens run away, which frees up the communications center for her and Puck.
Natasha smiles at the diminutive Alphan and tells him that this reminds her of the fun they had in the Tonkin Gulf in ‘67. Judd reminds Natasha that they were in opposing sides then, to which Natasha tells Judd that there is no such thing as opposing sides in their trade - just different people cutting the pay check. Tapping things into the communications panel, Judd suggests they get to work.
Elsewhere aboard the mother ship, a senior member of the Consortium asks what is happening, who is ordering a recall of the assault fleet? One of his officers replies that they do not know, and informs him that they are unable to override the signal. The furious supervisor asks his officer what he means, before telling him that he better override the signal, or else the CEO will fire their butts in a second!
Meanwhile, Jean-Paul flies past several Consortium fleet, knocking them to the ground as he tells Captain America that they are almost there. Cap punches his way through several members of the Consortium fleet, telling Northstar that he hopes they do not encounter anymore surprises along the way. As the duo enter the engineering bay, Jean-Paul informs Cap that he can assure him of at least one more surprise. ‘God and country!’ declares Captain America as he enters engineering, where before them is a miniaturized planet - the Consortium mother ship is actually being powered by the energies of an entire planet!
Back on Quwrll, Hercules smashes ay Galactus’ face with a large rock, ‘Have at thee, celestial one!’ Hercules exclaims, as he boasts of his own power. ‘You dare? YOU DARE?’ shouts the World-Devourer, steadying himself, until Her comes along and tells him that for life and freedom they dare that and more! Heather tells J’Ridia to keep Galactus off balance, to not give him the time to figure out why his powers aren’t working right. Suddenly, Galactus grabs Guardian in his hand and clutches her tight.
Galactus admits that Guardian had a wise strategy, if not for the fact that he now holds her in his control. He orders the Terrans to cease their attack, or boasts that “the woman” dies. Heather urges everyone not to stop, but to carry on! Vindicator backs Heather’s statement up, telling everyone to resume their coordinated assault. Box reminds Vindicator that Galactus is holding his wife. Mac states the logically, the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few…or the one.
Galactus reminds everyone that this is not his way, but his options have run out. He declares that he must feed, and suggests they leave now, or to stand aside while he consumes this world. Vindicator tells Galactus again that they cannot allow him to do that, when suddenly, he flies up closer, telling Heather that they must allow him, before unleashing a massive amount of energy upon Galactus and screaming ‘LET GO OF MY WIFE!’
Galactus screams, and as Wendell points out, he begins to stagger, as Vindicator’s electromagnetic assault has wrecked havoc with Galactus’ internal energy flow. The World-Devourer falls to the ground, again with a mighty thud, and Heather flies free from his grasp. The heroes assemble around the fallen World-Devourer, and Vision announces that Galactus is down. ‘With quite a lot of dust kicking up I might add!’ remarks the elegant Sersi, no doubt concerned also about her appearance.
Quasar points out that in Galactus’ weakened state, combined with his problems coping in this dimensional plane, means he couldn’t have stood up long against them. Hercules agrees, before pointing out that it seems almost a shame to spy on him like this.
Guardian flies over to Mac and asks him if he is himself again. ‘This unit has resumed nominal operational status’ replies Vindicator, causing Heather to remind him that he came out of his robotic shell and pleads with him to do it again. Windshear, several of the Qwrlln and the still imprisoned Frankie Raye make their way over to the group, Colin informing them that they saw Galactus fall.
Box asks what they do now, to which Heather explains that they will find a way to get Galactus off this planet, and get themselves back to Earth, as they still have the Consortium to deal with. Suddenly, Galactus stirs, and wearily asks ‘Did you say Consortium?’ Box transmutates his armor so he has heaps of guns pointing at the World-Devourer asking Galactus if he has heard of them, as they are sort of like him - they wreck planets as a way of life and rationalize is later too.
Frankie Raye informs the heroes that the Consortium are also known for using living planets as the energy source for their mother ships. Everyone looks at Nova as she remarks that she hasn’t been away from Earth long enough to forget the saying “How about we kill two birds with one stone?”
Back in Toronto, Judd and the Black Widow are confusing the Consortium fleet by telling them to return to the mother ship, then before they can board telling them not to return to the mother ship. Natasha jokes that they sure have them running around in circles, before remarking that she just needs a few more minutes. Pulling out her Avengers Identicard she contacts Captain America, informing him that they are just about finished, and that they have approximately twenty minutes before the ship warps out into space.
Cap replies ‘Fine’ as he explains that he and Northstar checked out the planet which fuels the ship and it is uninhabited. He supposes that the Consortium finds these worlds, recruits or eliminates the native species, then use the planet as an energy source. He adds that he and Northstar are ready to go too. As they run from the engineering room, Jean-Paul tells Captain America that he can carry him, and Judd can probably survive the fall, but what about the Black Widow. Captain America tells Jean-Paul not to worry about the Widow, and reveals that she has been getting out of scrapes like this since he was in diapers.
On Quwrll, the heroes stand beside a large device, and Vindicator declares that they stand prepared to fulfil their obligations. He reveals that the combination of Quwrll organic technology and equipment salvaged from Galactus’ energy absorbing devices have enabled them to complete the trans-dimensional warping device. He explains that with this equipment they can successfully conduct a multiple teleportation matrix, which will shunt the planet Quwrll back to its original location, and bring the Consortium mother ship to this plane for Galactus to feed upon, adding that they will teleport the members of Alpha Flight and the Avengers back to Toronto.
Heather points out that if Galactus cannot provide the energy to open the shunting portal and withstand the physical ravages that will entail, then how can they do this? Galactus announces that only two beings here are capable of energizing the teleportation arc with the proper electromagnetic flux - Guardian and Vindicator!
‘That would be tantamount to the cessation of this unit’s functions’ states Vindicator. Heather knows that they won’t survive it - ‘But there’s no other way’. Jeffries, whom shared a long relationship with Heather, grabs her and tells her that she cannot do this. Heather explains that with their electromagnetic capabilities they are the only ones who can do this. ‘We have no choice…’ Jeffries phases out of his armor and takes Heather’s hand, searching for words, Heather tells him not to say anything.
Guardian reminds everyone that Mac survived this once before when he shunted through time to Ganymede, and whispers that maybe they will survive this time too. After a moments silence, Sersi tells the Hudson’s that she would create a molecular shield to protect them, but she will be with the others getting shunted back to Earth. Vindicator tells everyone that explanations or recriminations are not necessary, before announcing that they are ready to energize the platform.
Vindicator informs everyone to be prepared to teleport. Heather reaches out to Mac, and they look deep into each other’s eyes. Heather tells Mac that she loves him, that she always loved him since the first day they met. A spark flashes in Vindicator’s eye, but he says nothing other than that they must link hands to unite their electromagnetic fields and the frequencies under which they operate. A bright orange light shines all around, and there is a loud screeching noise.
In Toronto, Jean-Paul flies himself and Cap out of the mother ship, announcing they are clear as Judd and the Black Widow drop from the hatch soon after. Cap reminds everyone that the mother ship is going to warp out in ten seconds. There is a loud screeching sound, and looking up at the ship with Walter and She-Hulk, Lil points out that the mother ship is glowing, and asks what is happening.
On Quwrll, Heather screams, before falling to the ground. Vindicator states that he will complete the arc unassisted, but Heather protests. Mac hands Heather to Box and asks him to protect her, to go home. Vindicator’s human side starts to come though, Heather pleads with him not to, but caught up in the electromagnetic wave, Mac tells Heather that he loves her too. ‘Mac, don’t leave me again…please’ utters Heather. ‘I’ve always loved you…and I always will…’ is Mac’s reply, before he fades away.
Heather, Box, Windshear, Sersi, Quasar, Hercules, the Vision and Her are then shunted through Space-Time. Windshear declares that they are going home, while Heather calls out for Mac.
Aboard the Consortium mother ship, the Chief Executive Officer asks what has happened, demanding a status report, he wants to know where they are. But gazing out the view screen, they see Galactus staring back at them. ‘It is time to feed’ the World-Devourer declares.
The heroes that were left on Earth watch as their friends and allies appear before them. ‘What the $#@! Is going on around here?’ asks Diamond Lil, and as Jeffries phases out of his Box armor, Heather informs everyone that Mac was being mind-controlled and brought them to a planet to fight Galactus. Sadly, she reveals that Mac sacrificed himself to stop the madness - he is dead. Looking around at the burning city of Toronto, Heather declares ‘The Consortium ships are gone…the planet Quwrll is safe, and we were sent back to Earth. It all came down to one man…one choice…a choice to protect the billions of innocent people no matter what the cost…it all came down to a choice of humanity’.


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Death and How to Live it
Toronto, Canada, ‘Receive the gift, friend Sasquatch!’ exclaims the mighty Avenger Hercules as he smashes the furry Alphan Sasquatch, alias Doctor Walter Langkowski across the rubble-clustered Toronto. ‘Hercules, what kind of a moron are you?’ asks the Olympian’s jade teammate Jennifer Walters a.k.a. the She-Hulk. ‘Um, how many kinds are there?’ Sasquatch’s fellow Alphan Colin Ashworth Hume a.k.a. Windshear asks. The cosmic Avenger Wendell “Quasar” Vaughn just sighs, while the galactic woman know as Her and J’Ridia Starduster just looks on.
Hercules smiles, remarking that for days now, have the Avengers assisted their Canadian comrades in the cleaning of their fair burg - but now the time has come to frolic! Hercules wallops Sasquatch once more, this time angering Sasquatch, who tells Hercules that he is out of his “peanut-sized-muscle-bound-mind”. ‘And Sasquatch is no one’s punching bag!’ Sasquatch rushes Hercules, who is glad that Sasquatch finally joins the fray with zest.
Her admits that she is not well-versed in this planet’s customs and asks if they should be stopping Hercules and Sasquatch fighting. She-Hulk exclaims that they would be better off if Herc and Sas knocked each other out, and asks Windshear if he wants to stop them. ‘I’m out of this one,’ replies Colin. Quasar sighs, before flying over to the battling behemoths and informs them that playtime is over. Using his powerful Quantum bands, Wendell creates two solid lights hands and picks Sasquatch and Hercules up off the ground.
‘Zounds!’ exclaims Hercules, before warning Quasar not to interfere in an Olympian joust. Quasar replies that he isn’t interfering, but stopping it. Sasquatch calls Hercules and idiot and points out that Herc started it, so he just wants to finish it. Hercules claims that he merely sought to lighten the heavy mood on the furrowed brows of his friends.
She-Hulk tells Hercules that there is no need to make more of a mess than the city is already in. Hercules mutters that it is a trivial reconstruction at best, and begins to remind his allies of a time during his many labors. Quasar interrupts, pointing out that there is still a lot of work to do, to which Sasquatch declares that with the way things tend to go for Alpha Flight, it makes him wonder if it is even worth the effort.
Meanwhile, across the border, in Greenwich Village, Manhattan, standing outside the large mansion belonging to Doctor Stephen Strange the world’s Sorcerer Supreme, are three rather unique individuals. Jean-Paul Beaubier a.k.a. the handsome Northstar of Alpha Flight, the Eternal Sersi and the android Vision in his human form of “Victor Shade”, both of the Avengers. Jean-Paul remarks that he still could have flown himself here as they do not have time making this such a formal visit. Sersi informs Jean-Paul that when one is visiting an old friend one must always treat it as a social visit first and business as second.
Northstar knocks on the door of Dr. Strange’s Sanctum, informing Sersi that he doesn’t care for her pretentious preferences, especially not when his sister could be in grave danger. The door opens and Strange’s servant, Wong, greets Jean-Paul, Sersi and “Victor”, adding that the master is expecting them. Sersi supposes that if Strange is expecting them, then they may as well eliminate the trappings of civility, and snapping her fingers, Sersi and Jean-Paul appear in their super hero costumes, while the Vision returns to his true form.
Sersi gloats as she tells Wong that a little molecular clothing manipulation is nothing - parlor magic of a minor sort. Dr. Strange enters the room, announcing that if they have come seeking magic of a more tangible nature, then his Sanctorum is the place to be. His cloak flowing behind him, Strange asks his allies how he may be of assistance. Straight to the point, Northstar informs Strange that they need to find his sister Aurora, and other missing associates of Alpha Flight.
Jean-Paul explains that his sister and the others disappeared during the course of a recent battle and no one has any idea where they are. Sensing how tense Jean-Paul is, Sersi tells him to relax and suggests that they discuss this over tea. Annoyed, Jean-Paul turns to Sersi and points out that while she may be immortal, his sister is not, therefore they do not have time to waste in trivialities. The Vision explains that Aurora and the others were teleported away by a young mutant child called Laura Dean who was just recovering from a catatonic state.
Strange replies that he is familiar with Laura’s nascent abilities, however, that creates an understanding of the rather unpredictable nature of her powers, as they could be anywhere in the cosmos - if that is the case, then there is only one place to being the search, Strange explains, opening the Interdimensional Crossroads of Time. The four heroes stand on the Crossroads, as Strange informs them that they may search here without the static generated when looking beyond their dimensional plane from within.
Simplifying his explanation, Strange declares that here in the Crossroads, all dimensional paths converge, so they simply have to open the doors and look. The Vision says to the Doctor, if he isn’t mistaken, that there are approximately one billion, seven hundred million, three hundred and forty thousand doorways available to them. ‘Uhm…give or take a few, Vision,’ Strange replies, pointing out that there are also trillions of worlds within each of those doorways.
Annoyed, Northstar asks what it is they hope to accomplish here, to which Strange explains that they can hope to try - no matter the degree of difficulty or the seeming hopelessness of the situation, to do as best they can for their friends - that is what they can hope to accomplish. Strange asks Jean-Paul to allow him to concentrate while he uses the Eye of Agamotto to pierce the dimensional veil, and find those that they seek!
Back in Canada, this time at a cemetery near Parliament Hill in Ottawa. Dressed in black, two more of Canada’s premiere super hero team - Heather McNeil Hudson a.k.a. Guardian and Eugene Milton Judd a.k.a. Puck stand over the grave of James MacDonald Hudson a.k.a. Vindicator. Leaves blowing all around them, Heather remarks that she never thought she would be back here, and that it is odd, for it always felt so empty knowing that the first time her husband died, the funeral was merely a token gesture.
Judd reminds Heather that there was no body to bury, adding that traditionally, funerals are performed for the living, and not the dead. Heather replies that she knows, but that when Mac returned from the “dead”, she never thought to rectify the mistake of having an existing tomb for him, and now, now they are back to where they began - Mac is dead and they have no body to bury.
Judd grasps Heather’s hand and tells her that he knows this must be difficult for her, but Heather smiles and claims that it is different than last time, as she feels more a sense of sadness than despair - more a feeling of inevitability than tragic loss. The long-serving Alphans begin to walk away from the marking, Heather recalling that the first time Mac died, she felt a tremendous guilt and felt it had been her fault for it seemed so senseless, but this time, she doesn’t know how she feels, which she thinks must sound awful.
After all, Mac died in a conscious act of heroism, died saving millions - or billions - of lives. He lost his life performing an act of love. ‘There’s a certain ironic beauty to that, isn’t there?’ Suddenly, General Jeremy Clarke, Alpha’s military liaison and Kerry Patrick, Alpha’s government liaison appear before the two heroes. Heather remarks that she didn’t expect to see them here, to which Kerry explains that they had some business to attend to with the Prime Minister.
General Clarke admits to Heather that he hasn’t been her most ardent supporter, but that he wants to express his deepest sympathies for her loss and his utmost confidence in her now. Kerry informs Heather that the Prime Minister agrees with him in that more than ever, Alpha Flight has the country’s unwavering support. Heather thanks him, replying that it means more than she can say, before voicing her real concern - how does the rest of Alpha Flight feel?
Meanwhile, at Alpha Flight’s headquarters Department H in Toronto. Lillian Crawley a.k.a. Diamond Lil is about to undergo yet another examination. Her lover and teammate, Madison “Box” Jeffries, informs her that they are just about ready to start, adding that it might hurt a bit. Lying on the exam table, Lil reminds Jeffries that she has waited weeks to find out if the tumor in her breast is cancerous or not, so she has already been hurting a “bit” in a whole lot of ways.
Doctor Whitman Knapp, formerly Manikin of an earlier Beta Flight team, reminds Lil that the laser she obtained from the alien during the invasion has proven to be coherent enough to pierce even her diamond hard skin, so basically they are ready to give it a shot. Lil snaps back ‘This isn’t a game, Knapp!’ Jeffries calms Lil down, pointing out that Whitman’s heart is the right place, even if his foot is in his mouth. Lil replies that she knows, but she is just scared, ‘Having a doctor who looks like he is just outta diapers doesn’t help much either‘ she mutters. Jeffries assures Lil that no matter what the biopsy says, they will get through it together.
Lil is surprised, and turns to Jeffries, asking him if he is sure, and admitting that with Hudson having “kicked the bucket” she thought Madison would go back to Heather. Jeffries replies that he and Heather loved each other, but they weren’t in love, adding that he doesn’t know if he ever was. Tears falling from her eyes, Lil agrees, and Jeffries smiles as he tells Lil he was hoping to get the chance to find out though.
Turning to Knapp, Jeffries asks Lil if she is ready. ‘As I’ll ever be’ Lil replies. From the control booth, Knapp announces that he is regulating the laser’s intensity from the control booth, and tells Jeffries that he has to manipulate the machinery himself. He explains that they were not able to smoothly integrate the alien technology into their own, which is why they need Jeffries’ mutant powers to manipulate the machinery. Knapp explains to Jeffries to just follow the holographic display that appears on Lil for the incision pattern. ‘Man this kid just won’t shut up!’ mutters Lil, and as the laser starts, Jeffries smiles and tells her to have patience, before excitedly exclaiming that he is getting a clean break through Lil’s skin.
Seven miles away, an orientation of a different kind concludes. An Avengers Quinjet arrives to collect Hercules, who bids farewell to his Northern friends, admitting that these feats rivalled many labors of yore. ‘A clean city beats clean living in my book’ Windshear exclaims. Quasar turns to Her and asks if she is going to stay here for a while. ‘In this metropolis? No’ replies the golden girl, revealing that she is planning to see more of this planet though, adding that there is much she needs to learn of Earth and the people who populate it. Quasar takes to the air and tells J’Ridia that if she ever needs a personal guided tour, then she knows who to call. Her smiles and replies ‘Indeed’ before telling Quasar that he might be hearing from her soon.
Her turns to Sasquatch and Windshear and thanks them for their help in her time of need. ‘It’s what we get paid the big bucks to do’ Walt replies. ‘Do we? I haven’t seen a bloody pay check yet!’ mutters Colin. Her takes to the skies, asking the Alphans to give her thanks to their teammates. ‘Hasta la vista, goldie!’ Sasquatch shouts back. Colin asks what they should do now, to which Walt suggests they go home and see if Northstar is back. Colin adds that they can check up on Lil, before Walt remarks that they could go to the “Loose Moose” and have a pint. ‘Or two.’ ‘Or three’.
Back at the Crossroads of Time, Dr Strange has built up quite a sweat, not helped by Northstar standing behind him and asking ‘Anything yet?’ Sersi tells Jean-Paul to lighten up on Strange, asking him if he cannot see how taxing this is. Strange declares that he cannot find them, he cannot see their passing, like the scent of flowers scattered to the winds, but he cannot isolate their whereabouts, for every doorway he opens, a dozen more he must pass through.
Strange explains that all he can do is continue onwards, opening the dimensional doorways and peer through to catch a fleeting trace of the missing Alphans. Sersi gazes through the doorways and asks if this isn’t a little dangerous to the structure of the crossroads. Strange replies that it is very dangerous, but that he must leave all of the gateways he peers through open, lest by shutting them, he is forced to come around and open them again.
The Vision asks Strange if by keeping these portals open they are also allowing access to any living beings on the other side looking into them. ‘Yes, why do you ask?’ replies Strange. The Vision states that he believes they have opened a door and allowed unwanted guests in. ‘Incroyable!’ exclaims Northstar, as hundreds of demons start emerging from the gateways, uttering a loud growl. ‘Communicative group, aren’t they?’ Jean-Paul jokes. The Vision points out that while their language is unrecognizable, their intentions are not.
‘I know, robot, I was being cynical. Facetious. Flippant,’ mumbles Jean-Paul as he starts engaging the demons in battle. Sersi and the Vision also enter the fray, with the Vision telling Northstar that he doesn’t know if this is the proper time for such circumspect traits, adding that he is a synthezoid, not a robot. Dr. Strange tells his allies to keep the demons away from him, to push them back to the portal they came from, for if the demons are allowed to disrupt the Eye of Agamotto’s all-seeing stare, it could irreparably damage the Crossroad’s integrity.
Northstar begins circling the demons using his super speed, exclaiming that this should keep them nicely under control. ‘Indeed,’ exclaims Sersi, before telling Jean-Paul that despite how ill-mannered he is, she cannot fault his cleanliness, before declaring that she has the same retentive impulses as well - whenever she sees a mess she wants to clean it up! ‘And these dreadful, hairy things are most certainly a mess!’ she exclaims, encasing several of the demons in a globe, before asking the Vision if he has found the trash-can yet.
The replies by telling Sersi that if she is asking if he has isolated the dimensional portal from which these creatures emerged, then the answer is yes. ‘In that case, why don’t we scoot all these ill-mannered brutes out the door!’ declares Sersi. The Vision tells her that if she maintains her molecular field, then he can increase his density to sufficiently accomplish the task, and pushes the globe of demons back from where they came.
Sersi announces that it is all done, and asks Strange if he is doing all right. Sweat still pouring down his face, the Sorcerer Supreme replies that he is fine, but that there are still so many doorways to open, so many avenues which he has yet to exhaust. The Vision makes Strange realize that he will not be able to exhaust himself, but Strange protests that he cannot stop now, for they have come so far. Northstar walks up beside Strange and tells him that he has done all he can, but Strange wants to search a few more doorways.
Jean-Paul places a hand over the Eye of Agamotto, informing Strange that he would not serve the interests of his sister or the others if he killed himself trying to find them. Strange knows Jean-Paul is right, and closes the Eye of Agamotto, which in turn will close all the dimensional doorways. Dr. Strange is about to say something to Northstar, who tells the Doctor that he did as much as he possibly could, as much as anyone could have done. He tells Strange not to fault himself, and asks to be taken home.
Strange returns himself, Northstar and the Avengers to his Sanctum Sanctorum, and Northstar shakes his hand, thanking him for his assistance. Dr. Strange offers to continue to locate Aurora and the others, for they are alive, he felt that much, but finding them will prove to be laborious. Northstar replies that he will leave with no expectations, before turning to Sersi and the Vision and telling them that he appreciates what they have done and anything else that they may attempt, before biding them adieu. Sersi wishes Jean-Paul luck. With that, Northstar takes to the air and speeds back to Canada, thinking that he has lost Jeanne-Marie, after so many years of recriminations and wasted opportunities, he has indeed lost her.
Later, at a cemetery outside Toronto, Heather stands amongst her teammates - Sasquatch, Jean-Paul, Judd, Box, Lil and Windshear - as well as Kerry Patrick, General Clarke and other government officials. Heather thanks everyone for coming, announcing that there are some things she would like to say, as much for all of them living, as for Mac. Heather declares that the worth of heroes in this society have always been measured by the deeds they accomplish more so than the causes they serve.
Heather exclaims that if that barometer is not to be used, then Mac might not have even been a hero in society’s eyes - for he lost as many battles as he won, he made mistakes, and ultimately died. Heather declares that she would rather measure Mac, in fact all of them, by the cause which they all serve. ‘We serve the cause of justice. We serve the cause of peace’. Heather exclaims that it is something Mac believed in and fought for - with every fiber of his being and it made him a hero, ‘Which only we can turn into a reality’.
‘He passes, but he does not pass by. He has touched all of us to one degree of another. I question his miraculous return to life and sudden demise. I question the justice in that. But in my heart, I know he is not dead - because the memory of the good he did remains with us as long as we remain a team. And maybe that’s the true testament to the life of James MacDonald Hudson. He died leaving behind a dream. Goodbye, Mac. We’ll miss you’.
Back at Department H, the Alphans walk across the foyer, while Whitman Knapp approaches them, apologizing for missing the service, he explains that he was going over the biopsy results. Diamond Lil averts her eyes from the young doctor, when Heather and Box touch her on the shoulders, reassuring her. Lil frowns, urging Knapp to get to it. Going through some files, Knapp explains that they removed the tumor, which after various tests, has proven to be an infected cyst, which resulted in blood clotting, which in turn discolored the nipple… ‘IN ENGLISH!’ shouts Lil.
Whit smiles as he informs Lil that the cyst was benign, so she doesn’t have cancer. Box and Heather grab Lil before she collapses, then Box lifts her up in his arms, the other Alphans equally relieved for Lil. Northstar smiles and asks Lillian if she knows what this means. ‘What, Froggie?’ Lil replies. ‘It means there is always room for hope!’ Northstar exclaims.


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El Equipo Primero!
Tierra del Maiz…several soldiers stand around clapping, as their comrade melts before them while singing “I want to live in America. Everything’s free in America! I want to be in America. I want to…I want…I want to live!” ‘Don’t we all,’ mutters Diablo as he lounges on his throne made of other melted humans, adding his newest acquisition to it. Diablo sighs, ‘This is entertainment?’ he mutters, before exclaiming that he cannot believe that in the twenty-four hours since he became supreme ruler for life of Tierra del Maiz, he has used his mastery over alchemy to torture and murder all twenty-seven members of the previous regime - you’d think that after two thousand years he would have learned to pace himself better.
After mumbling that it is probably too early in the day to start terrorizing the peasants, an elderly soldier approaches Diablo ‘Lord high sacred master of all unworthy men such as myself’ he says, to which Diablo gives him permission to speak. The old man declares that he has word from the front - to which Diablo exclaims that he wants to guess what this news is, and asks if the pathetic handful of freedom fighters are being smoked out of the jungle by his fire elemental?
The old man replies yes, and tries to say something else, to which Diablo asks if the people are begging to accept his uncontested dictatorship in exchange for their water supply. The old man again replies yes, but he still has something else to say. Diablo asks if representatives of all the world powers have secretly arrived to discuss private trade discussions. The old man replies yes, and this time gets to say what his real information was - that the defense perimeter has been breached - there are an unknown number of intruders in the jungles outside the castle.
Diablo’s grin quickly turns to a frown, ‘Wrong answer’ he mutters before flicking a small capsule at the old man, and upon contact blows him up. Diablo narrows his eyes, ‘Intruders? I suppose I can put off the peasants until after lunch’.
‘Heather McNeil Hudson - you are getting too old for this!’ the leader of Canada’s premiere super heroes, Alpha Flight, tells herself as she flies across the Tierra del Maiz jungle, dodging missiles as she goes. However, the woman codenamed Guardian is no wearing her usual red and white costume, but a plain black spandex suit, something more appropriate for what this mission may involve. Heather mutters that every other woman she graduated from high school with has two kids minimum - but how does she spend her weekends? Overthrowing hostile Central American dictatorships.
Several men below spy Heather above them and one of them orders the bazooka to be fired. But it only takes the slightest thought from Heather to employ her electromagnetic suit to momentarily negate Earth’s gravitational pull, and an instant and several miles away, she is arcing through the air to ambush her attackers from behind. As she does, Heather supposes that it could be worse, for instead of battling it out with super villains and alien warlords, she could be battling the Ottawa PTA, though it is not likely that they have this much fire power.
Guardian tells herself that she has done enough griping and suggests she gets back to work - but a look of surprise spreads across her face when she sees her attackers are no longer conscious. Heather realizes that someone has gotten to Diablo’s soldiers before she did and wonders how it is possible as they were only out of her sight for ten seconds. She knows it couldn’t have been Wolverine because he is with the X-Men at the moment, and as the men are still alive, it means she has a mysterious benefactor watching her back. ‘So why do I find that less than comforting?’
Meanwhile, at Department H - Alpha Flight’s headquarters in Toronto, Canada, Eugene Milton Judd a.k.a. the diminutive Puck declares ‘No. No. No. No. No. No.’, to which his teammate Colin Ashworth Hume a.k.a. Windshear tells him he is being unreasonable - not to mention immature. Department H’s new liaison, Gunther, agrees with Windshear and reminds Judd that he accepted the role of Chief Administrator after the sudden “departure” of Vindicator. Hume tells Judd that he knew it meant he would occasionally be stuck in the office instead of out in the field, to which Judd mutters that he isn’t a fan of jockeying paperwork while the others are off on some hush-hush covert mission.
Judd declares that his first official task as Chief Administrator ‘Is to abdicate the position to you, Windshear’, pointing out that he is a former Roxxon Employee, so he was practically raised on corporate structure. Colin tells Judd that he cannot be serious, to which Judd starts to cartwheel out of the office, ‘At least as serious as I am about anything else in life, eh?’ Windshear tells Gunther to stop him, but Gunther replies ‘Not likely. Maybe now we can get a little work done around here!’ Windshear just calls after Judd.
Back in the jungles of Tierra del Maiz, the handsome Jean-Paul “Northstar” Beaubier is not a happy camper. That is, no more so than usual. He spits out the water he was drinking from a lake after discovering that it has been turned into a pool of vinegar. Jean-Paul looks around at the refugees and judging by their condition realizes that Diablo is much crueller when they last confronted him. Jean-Paul remembers his specific orders - to use his super speed to reconnoiter the area and avoid contact with anyone.
Approaching the refugees, Jean-Paul wonders if the Canadian government didn’t realize the conditions which plague these people, and covert operation or not, he supposes the bearcats would understand if he took a moment to assist those in need. However, Northstar is suddenly knocked aside by the criminal known as Whirlwind, informing Jean-Paul that he is trespassing, Whirlwind tells him that his employers are paying a ton of money to protect Diablo’s interests, which is why he was hired - the man who single handedly battled the Avengers.
Northstar exclaims that he has long believed the Avengers reputation to be somewhat padded, ‘You are apparently proof of that, Mon Ami’. ‘Who you calling “Amy”?’ asks Whirlwind, charging his arm up to punch Northstar, only to discover that the mutant speedster is gone. ‘That’s impossible!’ Whirlwind declares, until Jean-Paul taps him on the shoulder, ‘Nothing is impossible if you have a good heart’ he exclaims.
Several miles away, two Alphans find themselves in grave danger. Madison “Box” Jeffries lies broken on the ground, his Box armor which had been transformed into a jet lies in flames. Jeffries calls to Lil - Lillian Crawley a.k.a. Diamond Lil holds Madison, assuring him that she is here, she suggests he tries not to move. Jeffries asks what happened, as the last thing he can remember if flying as Box…. Lil tells Madison to shush, and informs him that they had just dropped Guardian, Northstar and Sasquatch at their designated areas, and they were on their way to extinguish the flames from Diablo’s “Scorched Earth” policy, when the communication scramblers Diablo had erected played havoc with the Boxship - so they crashed. Hard.
Lil reveals that the Box armor and the fire-fighting equipment was trashed, and that she has activated the distress beacon, so Department H should be sending help soon. Blood pouring from his nose, Jeffries explains to Lil that Department H isn’t going to know anything while Diablo’s Scramblers are up, and knowing he cannot be moved, he tells Lil to go and save herself. ‘I’m not going anywhere without you, Mr. Jeffries!’ Lil declares, while thinking to herself that if it means frying together some two thousand miles from home…well, she can think of less romantic ways to die.
Meanwhile, ‘Hey, kids! Here’s a fun game you can play at home,’ Sasquatch mutters at his assignment - having to destroy Diablo’s comm-scram towers while he is in full-body fur 2000 pounds, then see how long it takes for Sasquatch to evaporate while traipsing through the hottest country in the world. ‘Humidity not included’. Sasquatch pants as he rests against a large tree momentarily, before transforming into his human form - that of the handsome scientist Doctor Walter Langkowski. Naked, he pulls from his backpack a black spandex costume like his teammates all wear and decides that these must be the coordinates where Department H stashed the explosives.
Walt knows that if Alpha Flight had been spotted and downed over American airspace, finding explosives on board Box would have only complicated what would have been an international incident. Walt reaches behind a tree and finds the pack of explosives, right where it is supposed to be. Walt begins to run through the jungle towards the comm-scram towers, so the rest of the world will know exactly what Diablo is doing here. For all they know is that he has taken over this small, depressed country….
…and not a single world power seems remotely concerned. Adds Heather as she flies high above the jungle, remarking that this is enough to disturb the Canadian government. For that reason, Heather is storming the commandeered castle which is dead ahead - for the brain trust at Department H figures they have 28 minutes to overthrow Diablo, liberate the people, destroy the comm-scram and get out before the rest of the world knows they are even here.
Heather declares that she is curious though - where did the original 2000 year old man get his hands on communications technology so advanced that it jams satellite transmissions? ‘If you ask me politely, I might tell you!’ declares Diablo from behind Guardian as the symbol of a nation is grabbed by some animated vines. ‘Brrr…how scary’ Heather remarks sarcastically, boasting that it should only take two seconds to get free, before realizing she may have been somewhat presumptuous as she discovers that the vines appear to be made of solid steel.
Diablo informs Heather that they are actually made from titanium, which is something he expects that she would expect from he, the master alchemist. Diablo remembers Heather as leader of Alpha Flight and remarks that it must be safe to assume the Canadian government has declared war on his defenseless little country. Held in place by the titanium bonds, Heather tells Diablo to save his political propaganda for CNN, and claims that she is here on a fact-finding mission.
‘And you’re only wearing your stealth-suit because your regular costume is in the wash?’ Diablo asks. Heather replies that they are unofficially curious as to why the United Nations voted not to oppose his occupation of Tierra del Maiz, and that, personally, she wants to know how he went from a self-loathing world-class whiner to the ruler of his own country. Diablo snidely remarks that he finds that chapter of his life to be slightly embarrassing, but as to his new motivation, he has simply been “inspired”.
Diablo adds that he is inspired the same way to alchemically alter the vines into…hydrochloric acid! Heather is in pain as the acid burn into her, when suddenly, someone declares ‘That is quite enough, my friend!’ and a black-clad figure leaps at Diablo, knocking him to the ground. The mysterious newcomer declares that he cannot have Diablo killing off his team leader before she and he have been properly introduced, before thanking Diablo for providing him the opportunity to make such a dramatic entrance.
Heather relaxes as the vines return to their natural state, and as she breaks free, Diablo asks her ‘Is he with you?’ ‘So it would seem’ replies Heather. Diablo asks the newcomer if he has any powers that need to be disclosed before they do battle. ‘Do you fly? Read minds? Become intangible?’ ‘None of the above. Prepare to be bruised severely’ is the reply. Diablo boasts that he is always prepared, and Alpha Flight’s newest member finds himself thrown backwards as Diablo lifts his cloak up. ‘Take my explosive cloak, for example’ Diablo explains.
Before he hits the tree, Guardian catches her newest associate, telling him to relax. The newcomer asks if this would be an inappropriate time to introduce himself, before doing so anyway: ‘I’m Department H field operative Weapon Omega’. ‘Welcome to Alpha Flight, Weapon Omega,’ Heather replies. ‘Children, please!’ exclaims Diablo before he causes the earth around Heather and Weapon Omega to explode.
Weapon Omega asks if there is no end to Diablo’s resources, to which Heather points out that he is still flesh and blood, which means she can render him unconscious with an electromagnetic blast. Diablo grins and tells himself that he cannot stand it, that this is going to be great! As Guardian prepares to use her electromagnetic abilities, Diablo alters the electrical charge in the air around them, essentially causing Heather to fry them both.
Without even a scream, Heather and Weapon Omega are unconscious, and encasing his captives in a plastic bubble, rendering them weightless, he decides that there will be plenty of time for screaming back at the castle. Suddenly, there is a loud applause, and a screen parts, revealing the eight representatives, all who were watching Diablo’s little display of power. Diablo takes a bow, telling his “fans” that they are too kind, while thinking that they represent the eight most powerful countries in the world, all tripping over themselves in an attempt to placate him, all because they foolishly believe he possess something that they want.
Diablo announces that refreshments will be served in the courtyard, while one of the representatives, asks one of his fellows why it is they are even dealing with Diablo, as he is clearly a raving lunatic. ‘I can sum it up in one word: Vibranium’ the woman replies. Diablo appears in place of the first man and tells the woman that she has got that right, before announcing that it is time to go over the rules for talking in the ranks.
Meanwhile, Northstar and Whirlwind are still continuing their battle, with Jean-Paul counting the amount of punches he is making, and currently up to three thousand and eight. Whirlwind tells the speedster that he is a regular comedian, before lunging at him with some spinning razors at his fists, telling Northstar that it is time they see how hard he laughs with his lungs dangling from the trees. Jean-Paul smiles and asks Whirlwind if he will still be concerned with his anatomy when he is standing on the unemployment line.
Whirlwind asks Northstar what he is talking about, to which Northstar motions to all the trees that Whirlwind had cut over in his pursuit and suggests that once his employers realize he has used his whirling blades to inadvertently create the dam, he doubts they will provide the most complimentary of references. ‘I got your reference right here!’ declares Whirlwind, before he crashes into a boulder.
Northstar stumbles into the water, telling himself that he was having so much fun at Whirlwind’s expense that he forgot their super speeds rival each other. Northstar knows that the vinegar water will sting his open wounds, unless…his theory was right - alchemy is a transitory science, so as he suspected, once the lake was separated from Diablo’s potions by the dam Whirlwind created, the water reverted to its original state.
Northstar attempts his best Spanish to inform the locals that the water had returned to normal, much to the local’s appreciation. Northstar is pleased that the locals seem to understand, and is confused when a woman approaches him, holding her baby out towards him. Northstar takes the baby and pours some water over the child, apologizing to the child on behalf of an unjust world. Jean-Paul hands the child back to the teary-eyed mother, before racing off towards Diablo. ‘What passes for your heart…is mine!’ he declares, while also grateful that his beloved sister Jeanne-Marie is not here to witness such pain and suffering.
Meanwhile, back in Canada, inside the Maximum Security Ward at Department H. Two Department H foot soldiers slide a meal through the slot of a cell door. One of them mocks the prisoner inside, but his colleague tells him to show some respect, for while he may be psychotic, Headlok is still a human being. ‘Just barely’ the first soldier replies, pointing out that he hasn’t moved at all since his defeat at the hands of Alpha Flight and the Fantastic Four. The second man remarks that they should be thankful that if his psionic damper shorts out it won’t be on their shift.
Inside Headlok’s cell, the powerful madman moves and talks to someone else - someone cowering in the corner of the cell. Headlok asks if he is really as bad as they say and exclaims that he needs a better publicist. Headlok claims that he plays nice with the other prisoners and shares his food, suggesting to his “companion” that they should eat aplenty, as they will need their strength - ‘Trust me’. But the missing-in-action heroine Jeanne-Marie Beaubier a.k.a. Aurora just sinks deeper into the corner.
Back in Tierra del Maiz, Walter cuts the cables to the last of the comm-scrams, while complaining that he would have preferred to knock them over as Sasquatch, but that they had to tumble down at once, and he couldn’t risk alerting Diablo’s troops until the job was done. Setting the timer to the explosives, Walt programs all five towers to blow at the same time, when beneath the dust he discovers Manufactured by Roxxon printed onto the tower. Walt wonders why their old friends at Roxxon would be involved here, when suddenly he is struck in the back by a large shield, and someone announces that there are some things in life that you are not meant to understand.
The brash USAgent stands over Walter, introducing himself, before announcing that Walt is in violation of a United Nations directive of non-involvement regarding their affairs of Tierra del Maiz. John Walker suggests to Walt that he come along quietly, as he doesn’t want to hurt him. Much. Walt smirks and replies that he doesn’t do anything quietly, ‘On three then?’ he asks, before counting down, ready to transform into Sasquatch.


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El Equipo Primero, part 2: Spontaneous Combustion!
‘I don’t know why you’re complaining, Guardian - most women would love to lose a few extra pounds. I call this “Better dieting through alchemy,”’ the master alchemist Diablo remarks to Heather McNeil Hudson, the leader of Alpha Flight, Canada’s premiere super heroes. Indeed, Heather has lost a few extra pounds - Diablo has shrunken her so much that her entire body fits into a test tube, but her head remains the same size, sticking out of the glass. Heather tells Diablo that the jury is going to call this “justifiable homicide” if she ever gets her hands on him.
Pacing around his laboratory in his castle fortress in the Central American nation of Tierra del Maiz, Diablo asks Heather where she got the idea that he would let her leave here alive. Chained to the wall behind them, Alpha Flight’s newest member, the masked Weapon Omega, declares that he doesn’t see that as a problem. Diablo calls Weapon Omega Heather’s boyfriend and walks over to him, and remembering his name, Weapon Omega tells him he has a good memory. Diablo boasts that he remembers all two thousand years worth of changing one element into another, and proceeds to do so to Weapon Omega’s skin, changing it into molten lava, and back again.
‘I’d applaud, but my hands are restrained,’ Weapon Omega jokes, not seeming to feel any pain. Diablo pauses for a moment, before admitting that he is impressed. Stuck in the test tube still, Heather exclaims that if the floor show is over, she would like to know why Canada is the only country opposing Diablo’s dictatorship. Diablo grins as he exclaims that the major world powers are more interested in an unlimited supply of artificially-created vibranium than the civil rights of the people of Tierra del Maiz.
Heather tells Diablo that he is insane, as alchemy is a transitory science, so the vibranium would never last. ‘You might want to bring that up at the trade negotiations…that is, if you were invited!’ Diablo grins, telling Heather that she is not invited, jokes that the world representatives will have to figure that out on their own. Diablo disappears in a cloud of smoke, leaving the leader of Alpha Flight to get better acquainted with her newest team member. ‘What are you staring at?’ Heather snaps at him.
Several miles away, Diablo’s roaring fire elemental traipses across the jungle of Tierra del Maiz, destroying everything in its path. Unfortunately, two members of Alpha Flight happen to be in that path - Lillian Crawley a.k.a. Diamond Lil, and the injured Madison “Box” Jeffries. Jeffries is still urging Lil to leave him and save herself, pointing out that although she has diamond-hard skin, she still needs to breathe, so that fire-thing will fry her lungs if she doesn’t go. ‘Mr. Jeffries, you say the most romantic things!’ Lil jokes.
Jeffries tells the sultry Lil that he is being serious, reminding her that the Box armor is ruined and he cannot be moved. Jeffries tells Lil that she will die if she stays, but a teary-eyed Lil just asks Jeffries what kind of life she would have without him. Lil holds onto Jeffries as Madison asks her, if they get through this, to marry him. Lil whispers, ‘If we make it through this…yes!’ and places a kiss on Madison’s lips as the fire elemental continues its rampage.
At that moment, the West Coast Avenger known as USAgent is slammed into a large tree trunk by Alpha Flight’s Dr. Walter Langkowski, in his Sasquatch form of course. Sasquatch looms over Agent, ‘You were saying something about hurting me?’ Walt asks. John Walker tells Sasquatch that he didn’t recognize him in his human form, but he realizes now that he is Sasquatch. ‘Wow. You must own a television set’ Sasquatch jokes. Agent jokes that it must be where he got the idea to pull the fuses from those terrorist bombs Sasquatch planted, adding that the five bombs would have knocked out this governments communication-scrambling towers.
A furious Sasquatch asks the USAgent if he knows how long it took him to set those detonators, and kicks a large rock at him. ‘Talk about a waste of a perfectly good afternoon! And who are you calling a terrorist?’ The handsome Agent dodges the rock, informing Walt that the United Nations voted not to get involved in the affairs of Tierra del Maiz, ‘That makes you a terrorist in my book!’ ‘And what book is that - Mein Kampf?’ asks Walt as the Agent’s shield strikes him on the shoulder.
‘Sticks and stones,’ mutters Walker, before informing Walt that Canada has no political right here. ‘And America does?’ asks Sasquatch. Lunging at Sasquatch from a small rise, USAgent claims that it gets a bit complicated there. ‘Let me uncomplicated it for you’ Walt declares, informing Walker that Alpha Flight is involved because people are being hurt. Grabbing the USAgent as he comes down on him, Walt shoves him into a tree, ‘Not the least of which is you!’ he snarls.
Half a world away, on the set of Canada A.M. is the Alphan Colin Ashworth Hume, better known as Windshear. Ms. Hustings, the host, introduces Windshear and explains to the viewers that Windshear is representing Alpha Flight and is here to respond to the charges that Canada’s official super team “dropped the ball” in its recent battle against an unknown army called the Consortium. Windshear tells Ms. Hustings that he is not aware of any charges, to which Ms. Hustings tells him there are no official charges, but that her viewer survey reveals that the Canadian people are severely disappointed in the team’s decision to aid the cosmic being known as Her.
A video clip begins to be played, and Ms. Hustings points out that the battle nearly devastated Toronto. Watching from the sidelines is Windshear’s teammate, Eugene “Puck” Judd, who thinks to himself that this is exactly the type of “ambush interview” he was hoping to avoid when he abdicated the position as the team’s Acting Chairperson to Windshear. Windshear declares that personally, this is now what he would have done, to which Ms. Hustings smiles and tells him that it is reassuring to think someone in Alpha Flight has the public’s best interests in mind. Judd frowns, thinking that Windshear’s comment was hardly very sporting, but what can he expect from Colin’s first time speaking in public?
Back at the castle, Weapon Omega has started whistling. Heather is surprised at this, to which Weapon Omega claims it helps him relax, and suddenly his slips out of his chains. Guardian asks him if he just relaxed himself out of those chains, to which Omega replies that in a manner of speaking, yes he did. Heather asks Weapon Omega if he had the ability to do that all along, why would he let Diablo keep him restrained for so long. Picking up the test tube Heather is trapped in, Weapon Omega asks what better way to gain free access to Diablo’s castle, thereby discovering the extent of his most recent bid for world domination?
Holding the test tube above the concrete floor, Heather asks Omega what he is doing now. ‘Trust me’ Weapon Omega says as he lets the test tube and Heather fall to the ground, which, after the test tube breaks, returns Heather to her regular size. Heather asks Weapon Omega how he knew that would work, to which Omega admits that he didn’t, but figured that since alchemy is transitory science, when Heather’s shrunken body was exposed to air, Diablo’s potions would lose their potency.
Heather puts her mask back on as she tells Weapon Omega that he must surely understand if she doesn’t thank him, because saving each others lives is all part of the business. Motioning to the earth elementals that rise up behind them, Omega tells Heather that if he asks for her assistance battling them, she won’t consider it an imposition. ‘Not at all’ replies Heather as she turns to the earth elementals and unleashes a wide-range electromagnetic force blast on them, ripping them apart.
Weapon Omega looks at the dirt and remarks that stopping them is one thing, and asks if killing them was necessary. Heather tells Omega that “them” was nothing but animated dirt, they were never actually alive. Heather begins to fly off, telling Weapon Omega that if he is going to survive as a member of Alpha Flight, then sometimes you have to make difficult decisions. Omega mutters to himself that making difficult decisions is exactly what got him into this mess to begin with.
Elsewhere in the jungle, Sasquatch lets loose a mighty roar, telling himself that it was so realistic he almost scared himself, before smashing Agent into a tree. Agent grabs Sasquatch and flips him over, declaring that he is not impressed by his growling or by his “super strength”. Walt compliments Walker on his judo toss, before telling him that if he thinks he has fallen and cannot get up, then he is wrong. Agent tells Sasquatch that he will get up all right - right in front of the United Nations where he will be tried for his attempted terrorist actions. Agent adds that if he hadn’t defused the bombs they would have exploded by now.
Suddenly, there is an explosion - the comm-scram tower blows up right behind USAgent who is tossed aside. Just as suddenly, the handsome Jean-Paul “Northstar” Beaubier of Alpha Flight appears at Sasquatch’s side and helps him to his feet, saying that according to Department H intelligence, USAgent is quite resilient, and though he will be bruised, he will live. Jean-Paul asks Walter how he is, but Walter just wants to know what happened.
Jean-Paul reveals that he arrived in time to see Walker drop the fuses, so he took a few moments to race around the countryside and put them back in the detonators. Jean-Paul points out that with the comm-scram towers destroyed, time is of the essence, for they must stop Diablo and leave Tierra del Maiz before the rest of the world learns of Canada’s involvement.
Diablo stands on a podium before the world-power representatives and smirks, declaring that before the bidding begins, he wants to take a moment to thank the people who made this coup possible. He lists the United States, Russia, Japan and other world powers who have turned their collective heads from his own humble political aspirations, before remarking that vibranium, like politics, makes strange bedfellows. Suddenly, the ground around Diablo is blown apart by an electromagnetic blast courtesy of Guardian, and Weapon Omega declares that it sounds like Diablo has more than just trade negotiations on his mind.
The representatives from the world-power nations are immediately frightened and believe that they are under attack, wondering who would dare attack them. A woman motions up to where Heather and Weapon Omega are, luckily no one recognizes Heather as he is not in her regular costume. Heather informs the people of the world that they are being deceived, explaining that while it is true Diablo is a master of alchemy, and he is capable of producing unlimited supplies of vibranium, the alchemical reactions are only temporary.
Guardian continues, suggesting to the world-power representatives that they would soon become dependent on Diablo to maintain any national defense weapons created with his bogus metal - even vibranium, constructed mass transit, would place them all in his debt. ‘Essentially, Diablo would hold the entire world hostage!’ The representatives all turn and look at Diablo, who strokes his neck and nervously claims that this is not the first time in two thousand years that he has been found out, before a more serious look returns to his face when he declares that there is no reason he should suffer alone, and with the help of the allies he has quite literally at his fingertips, he does not have to suffer at all.
Diablo throws four capsules to the ground, and suddenly a large monster appears before everyone. Diablo smiles as he introduces the Elematrix - an elemental created of earth, fire, wind and water. He tells the world representatives that there is no need to imagine a creature such as this when they can enjoy the fruits of his “labor” first hand. The Elematrix attacks Heather and Omega, and as it shoots flames from its eyes, Weapon Omega jokes that it has quite a menacing stare. Heather tells her newest team member that the flames from the eyes are no doubt the least of its power.
Dropping down beside Diablo, Omega tells Heather that it is never any fun being careful. ‘True. Fun is when I strangle you with your own intestines’ Diablo boasts. Dodging the Elematrix, Guardian mutters ‘Why is it the new recruit gets the sparring partner with all the snappy patter?’ Suddenly, the Elematrix swats Heather towards the solid rock wall of the castle. ‘Then again, actions do speak louder than words’ Heather jokes, when suddenly Northstar enters the fray, grabbing Heather before she slams into the castle.
Jean-Paul informs Heather he has discovered, over the years, that it is best to avoid sudden impacts whenever possible. Heather tells Northstar that it is good advice, as Sasquatch yells ‘Knock, knock?’. ‘EH?’ mutters the Elematrix, to which Sasquatch tells him that the correct response is “Who’s there?’, ‘Then I say…ah, forget it!’ Walt exclaims, as he grabs the Elematrix by the feet and topples him to the ground.
Weapon Omega lunges at Diablo, telling him that this would seem an appropriate time for him to surrender. ‘To ALPHA FLIGHT?’ Diablo asks with a mocking tone, before telling Omega that he obviously is new to this team. ‘I’d sooner surrender to POWER PACK!’ Diablo admits, though he believes neither is a viable option, especially when all he needs to do is release a paralyzing gas into the air. Diablo points out that it is rather effective, as Guardian, Jean-Paul, Sasquatch and Weapon Omega find themselves suspended and unable to move.
Diablo explains that none of them can move unless he allows it - ‘And I definitely do not!’ Trying to free himself from the frozen Weapon Omega’s grip, Diablo mumbles that once he has done so, he shall order the Elematrix to fry them all where they stand. Once free, Diablo shouts ‘Now my pet, now!’, but before the Elematrix can react, a large drill comes up from beneath it and drives right into it, destroying it in a very effective manner.
From within the “Box-drill”, Jeffries tells Diablo that he is going to have to postpone his victory celebration, at least until he can piece together the remainder of his buddy. The door to the drill opens and Northstar asks if it is Box, to which Sasquatch adds that if it is him, it is just barely. Heather points out that they are free from Diablo’s paralysis because once the Elematrix was destroyed, the water cleansed the gas.
Inside the drill, Lil smiles as she still holds onto Jeffries, who declares that they are glad to be of service. Lillian remarks that today seems to be the day for last minute rescues. Jeffries elaborates, informing his friends that he and Lil were trapped by the fire elemental, as the comm-scram towers caused them to crash and he was surrounded by his broken Box armor. Jeffries slyly explains that a “deal” between him and Lillian inspired him to use the scattered remains of the Box armor to form this “Box-Bug” he calls it, adding that as luck would have it, there was enough fire extinguishing material released by the explosion to obliterate the fire elemental.
‘Two in one day?’ screams Diablo, ‘Do you people think elementals grow on trees?’ he asks. Diablo grins and declares that he thinks it is time to go back to basics with good old fashioned, time-honored cyanide! However, Weapon Omega throws something else into the mix - lots of things actually - part of Diablo’s cloak which he grabbed that contained several other capsules. Diablo exclaims that dozens of chemicals will be exploded at once, when suddenly he goes up in a cloud of smoke, screaming, before muttering ‘Do you have any idea how difficult it is to create new body parts from scratch?’
With that, Diablo is gone, and as Sasquatch points out, his exit inspired a mass exodus. Heather sarcastically thanks the world power representatives for stopping by, and adds that they will call for their help next time some Central American country desperately needs their help. Jean-Paul points out that he thinks the Canadian government was afraid they would be causing an international incident with their involvement, so he thinks it is fortunate that no one was “here” to see them. ‘See who?’ asks one of the representatives as she and the others make a speedy getaway.
Heather informs Weapon Omega that he may have saved them all with his quick thinking and tell him that they owe him a great deal. ‘On the contrary, Heather’ replies Weapon Omega, before taking his mask off, revealing his true identity and claiming ‘It is I who am indebted to Alpha Flight. More than I can ever hope to repay’. Alpha Flight just stare at Weapon Omega in horror at who he really is….
Back in Canada, at Department H in Toronto, deep in the sub-basements of the mighty building is the detention facility and treatment center, where currently, a decidedly twisted detention treatment is in progress. The diabolical Headlok stands over the missing Alphan Jeanne-Marie “Aurora” Beaubier, searching through her head, blood streams down Aurora’s face as Headlok plays around, remarking that it is odd, because he remembers seeing a split-personality around here somewhere, but for the life of him he cannot remember where it is. ‘No problem, Headlok. Take your time,’ Aurora tells him in her zombie-state.