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Operation Galactic Storm part 12, Assassination
The Kree home world. ‘I sense them. I feel them. The alien minds on my world’ a voice calls out, referring to the heroes known as the Avengers, five of whom grab a moment’s rest atop a citadel.
‘There it is, troops. Our destination…the capitol citadel of the Kree Empire’ Steve Rogers a.k.a. Captain America tells his teammates - Crystal, Hercules, Dane Whitman the Black Knight and Sersi. The mysterious voice remarks that these aliens have come far, but not yet far enough, not quite. He wonders, in his splendid isolation, would the so-called Avengers be so courageous, so foolhardy, if they knew how close to the precipice they all dance. ‘Or would it matter not at all?’ he asks.
Captain America states that he hopes Iron Man and Hawkeye are all right, as he doesn’t like splitting the team up.
‘Cap, I know that little scene with Shellhead won’t go down as one of the highlights of Avengers history…but the ladies are warm and snug in nifty jackets Sersi used her powers to create, and we’ve given Korath the Pursuer the slip’ the Black Knight points out. ‘Have we, Black Knight? Or are we being led to believe so?’ Crystal asks, while remarking that she finds it odd that they have come this far in the very heart of Hala. . The mysterious voice remarks that Crystal’s mind is the clearest to him. ‘And why not? Did not the Kree form and mold her terran forebears millennia ago?’ And thus give hope to these desperate days’ he decides. .
Hercules tells Crystal that she worries overmuch and states that in the long course of mortal history, empires such as this have ever overlooked the passions of free men - and often to their peril. Hovering away from the others, Sersi declares ‘Bravo, Hercules! Who knew you were so…deep?’ and announces that his speech has stirred her soul. ‘I feel as if I were about to storm the Bastille or dump tea in Boston Harbor! Or -’ Sersi is interrupted by Captain America, who tells her that they get the point, and asks if she is inspired enough to levitate them over to the citadel. ‘But, of course, mon Capitan…let us storm the ramparts together!’ Sersi smirks as she uses her incredible strength to carry all four Avengers into the air. .
‘Yes, Avengers…come unto my bosom. Come unto your destiny…while I look elsewhere, to the Great Hall of Kree-Lar, and see what transpires within…look at them: proud, Ael-Dan, heir to the true Kree, bloodson of sacred Hala…and Dar-Benn the Austere, living symbol of the racial mosaic that is the Kree Empire in all its glorious vastness’. The two figures stand on a platform, decked out in armor and each carrying a staff, the voice continues: ‘Joint rulers of our star-flung people, lords of all they survey. Yes, proud men, these. Alas, both shall be dead ones by day’s end’. .
Suddenly, Ael-Dan exclaims ‘Speak, Ronan the Accuser, and tell us - why have you failed?’ Dar-Benn asks ‘Why do the terran heroes remain at large in Kree-Lar? Speak quickly, or forfeit your life’. Kneeling before them is Ronan the Accuser, who is flanked by Kree warriors. ‘I beseech you, my Lords. It is but a matter of time. Even now, genetic scans are encircling all of Hala, programmed to target and isolate human life forms’ Ronan announces. He adds that such scans are the Empire’s insurance that Hala is always free of the taint of unauthorized aliens. ‘On my word as Supreme Accusor, Lords, this surveillance has never been known to fail’. .
‘See that it remains so’ Ael-Dan warns Ronan, adding that the unexpected interference comes at a delicate phase in their dispute with the Shi’ar Empire. ‘A chance to eradicate a major rival beckons. We do not wish to be unduly distracted. Is that clear, Ronan?’ Ael-Dan asks. ‘Of course, my Lords. Long live the Empire’ Ronan replies, unaware that the being the mysterious voice belongs to is watching him: ‘How Ronan quivers before these pups. Sadly, his vaunted bio-scans will fail him…for the Supreme Intelligence has made it so!’ the Kree behemoth declares, adding that all is almost at readiness, only the final player remains unchecked, which is a matter that he shall attend to now. He observes a battered and rusty hulk of a ship descend amongst the Empire, and realizes that will be the craft worthy of such a passenger. ‘Ah, it is so. And the endgame begins’. .
Two figures emerge from the vessel - a rugged humanoid male with a visor over one of his eyes. ‘You wanted Hala…and K’Qil Vor Don gave you Hala!’ he exclaims to the person shrouded in a large purple cloak who walks silently behind him. ‘Though I still say only a madman comes to this place without proper clearance. The Kree don’t take kindly to uninvited guests’ K’Qil Vor Don explains, adding that he never asks the business of his clients. ‘A wise man is an ignorant man, I say’. The mysterious client tells K’Qil Vor Don ‘I feared your reputation as the best smuggler in the quadrant might be the stuff of legend, but I see it is well deserved’. .
‘Aye, ‘tis. Now pay me quick, female. I want out of here fast’ K’Qil Vor Don announces, adding that if the Kree knew they were here, they would be dead a thousand times over. The mysterious stranger pulls a knife, and shoves it into K’Qil Vor Don’s back. ‘Fear not the wrath of the Kree, K’Qil Vor Don…I assure you, it is nothing like unto that of the Shi’ar the mysterious woman declares, strange markings can b seen around her eyes as he cloak slips back slightly. ‘Pity I could not trust your ignorance…but have learned to trust little in this life’ the woman remarks as she slips into the sprawling city, seemingly unnoticed - except by the Supreme Intelligence, who remarks to himself ‘Tremble in your sleep, o Hala, for this night Deathbird walks amongst us! And that is but the prelude to the nightmare’. .
‘But much remains to be done before the fragile threads of my grand design wind together to bring the Kree to their moment of greatest peril…or ultimate victory’ exclaims the Supreme Intelligence. He adds that the mad Deathbird, and her sister, fair Lilandra, in far-off Shi’ar, pompous Ael-Dan and Dar-Benn, and especially the accursed Avengers must each play out their role or all could be undone. The Supreme Intelligence decides to summon the catalyst to his plan, the last, best hope for the Kree - Star Force. Suddenly, six alien begins appear before the monitor on which the Supreme Intelligence displays his grotesque form. The team is comprised of Dr Minerva, Captain Atlas, Shatterax, Ultimus, Korath the Pursuer, and Supremor, one of the Supreme Intelligence’s own cyborg forms. .
‘To you, Minerva, and you, Atlas…my commendation on your escape from the hands of the terrans. You have done well’ the Supreme Intelligence tells Dr Minerva and Captain Atlas. Minerva thanks him, adding that his words humble them. ‘And you, Atlas? Have you no greeting to the entity you have sworn to serve?’ the Supreme Intelligence asks. Atlas replies that it would be a bitter one, for he has failed the Empire, and the Supreme Intelligence. ‘The Omni-Wave Projector is in the hands of the Shi’ar’ Atlas reveals. ‘Our Empire’s most zealously guarded secrecy - ripped from my memory by Lilandra’s mind-witch, Oracle. That they should have such a weapon! It would have been a kindness if the Avenger Quasar had killed me then and there’. .
‘But he did not, did he, Atlas?’ Shatterax calls out. Everyone turns to the armored warrior, who adds ‘No. He left you imprisoned in the Shi’ar Imperium…where you would have remained a mockery to the Empire and a comfort to our enemies…had I not teleported across the stars to rescue you’. Shatterax states that one cannot help but wonder if Atlas’s day as the Empire’s greatest warrior may not be finished - if indeed it existed at all. ‘Have a care, Shatterax -’ Minerva begins, but Atlas tells her to be silent, and to allow him the dignity of fighting his won battles. Atlas turns to Shatterax and exclaims ‘As for you, you armored throwback -’, however Ultimus steps between them and keeps them away from each other. .
‘Have you forgotten what it means to be Kree? We have been gathered by the Supreme Intelligence for a reason, for this is a turning point in our history, and we are needed’ Ultimus exclaims. ‘Heed the words of Ultimus, my Star Force. For unity is your only hope now’ the Supreme Intelligence tells his warriors, adding that, grievous indeed is the loss of the Omni-Wave, but an even more menacing threat awaits their people. An image of the sprawling city appears on a monitor as the Supreme Intelligence tells his warriors to behold the band of terrans known as the Avengers flying towards this very citadel. ‘Their insidious objective - nothing less than the overthrow of our Empire by the assassination of our leaders, Ael-Dar and Dar-Benn’. .
‘They would dare -?’ Korath the Accuser asks. ‘They dare much’ the Supreme Intelligence responds, announcing that the Avengers have allied themselves with their aviastic enemies, finding in Lilandra’s people a kindred hatred for all things Kree. ‘The Shi’ar…and the terrans?’ Minerva asks, surprised. The Supreme Intelligence continues, stating that the Shi’ar, masters of guile and subterfuge for eons, have used other races to do the deeds they consider beneath their effete dignity - and today is no different. ‘Hear me -I did not rule this Empire for one hundred millennia and more to see my heirs cut down by alien mercenaries. Nor to witness the proud Kree unmanned by Shi’ar chicanery. For the Empire, Star Force…for all that is good and proud and Kree - I command you - stop the assassins!’ And Star Force listen to the Supreme Intelligence’s words intently..At that moment, ‘Good deal, Sersi…we made the citadel!’ Captain America exclaims as Sersi drops the Avengers down onto the main citadel. ‘Did you doubt we would, Captain America?’ Sersi asks, before enquiring as to how Captain America proposes they find the Kree leaders, never mind convincing them to end their way. ‘From what I’ve seen, they seem to be a bull-headed race’ Sersi remarks. Captain America tells Sersi that she is putting it mildly, and reminds her that stopping this war is a matter of Earth’s survival. ‘We don’t -’ he begins, when suddenly, Crystal shouts ‘Cap! Look out!’, and Cap somersaults into the air, dodging a blast of energy. ‘Avengers - defensive perimeter - now!’ Cap orders, while Hercules remarks that it appears this empire does not overlook free men - unfortunately. .
‘Looks like Korath went to find some buddies, Cap’ the Black Knight remarks, as he sees Korath and the other members of Star Force hovering overhead. ‘Earthers…you are prisoners of the Kree Empire! Surrender to Star Force!’ Ultimus orders. ‘Star Force? Please! It’s getting so we’ll need a scorecard to keep track of our ever-proliferating list of enemies!’ Sersi scoffs, before suggesting to Crystal that the two of them show “Star Force” what the Avengers can do. ‘With pleasure, Sersi!’ Crystal replies, as both women unleash their formidable energies against the Kree super team. ‘Be warned, outworlder - Ultimus has not learned of his true heritage only to see it ripped away!’ Ultimus exclaims as he swoops down and punches Hercules hard in the face. .
Captain America sees his teammate in trouble and starts to rush towards him, while Hercules dodges a punch from Ultimus and exclaims ‘Ultimus - if that is thy name - I assure thee, the Avengers have come in pursuit of peace!’, but Ultimus replies that he knows Hercules for a liar. ‘A LIAR?’ booms Hercules. ‘Thou darest question the honor of the son of Zeus? The veritable Prince of Power?’ he asks, smacking Ultimus in the face and shouting ‘Get thee from my face, Kreeman!’, while Captain America is unable to reach Hercules, as Atlas intercepts him, ‘You have journeyed far, Captain America - but by the Rings of Hala, I swear your mission will fail!’ Atlas boasts, although Captain America knocks Atlas aside with his shield. .
‘How did you escape the Avengers back on Earth? If you’ve harmed them -’ Captain America begins, surprised to see the Kree warrior, who replies that Captain America’s pathetic emotional attachment with his underlings will be his undoing, and calls him a Shi’ar pawn. ‘Shi’ar? Where’d you get that idea?’ Cap enquires, before telling Atlas that he doesn’t have time to tell him how far off the mark he is, and punches him hard in the face, ‘Pleasant dreams’ Cap remarks, before seeing that Hercules needs a hand, as Ultimus punches the Olympian in the face. Cap responds by tossing his shield, which strikes Ultimus and knocks him backwards. ‘That should take care of Ultimus’ Cap calls out. ‘And this - should take care of you, Captain!’ Minerva calls as she drops down from above and lands on Cap’s back, forcing him down. .
‘Well done, woman. By Pama, you make my blood run hot!’ Atlas grins. Minerva tells her lover that there will be time for that later. ‘Now take the Avengers’ leader so we…’ Minerva begins, before there is a rumbling noise. ‘What?’ Minerva calls out. ‘Seismic shockwaves?’ Atlas suggests, before some debris falls from the citadel and hits Minerva on the head, knocking her out. ‘It’s quite simple, Minerva…when one of the Avengers happens to be an elemental, fire, water, air and earth are hers to command!’ Crystal exclaims. ‘Impressive, girl - but your formidable display of power marsk you as the first Avenger who must be eliminated!’ Shatterax calls out as he swoops down towards her, blasting an energy bolt at her..‘Crystal!’ Cap calls out, concerned, but Crystal tells him not to worry, as a hurricane force blast of wind will make Shatterax yesterday’s worry. Crystal unleashes the powerful gust of wind, while the Black Knight is engaged in combat with Korath. ‘You’re quick, Black Knight! But know this battle’s end is a foregone conclusion - for I was trained in the ways of the ancient Kree warriors, and no one in the long test of history ever bested them!’ Korath boasts as he dodges an attack from the Black Knight. ‘Ooohh, I’m scared, Korath! I guess I’m supposed to surrender in awestruck wonder, right about now, huh?’ Black Knight jokes. ‘You mock the Kree?’ Korath asks, boasting that one touch of his beta-baton will wipe the Black Knight’s smirk from all existence’. .
‘Korath! Beware!’ Shatterax calls out, before he falls from the air and crashes into both Korath and the Black Knight, sending Dane tumbling backwards. Crystal rushes over to the Black Knight and tells him that she is so sorry, before asking him if he is all right. Dane gives the thumbs-up sign and tells Crystal that he is having the time of his life. ‘I wonder what my shrink would think of that!’ Dane jokes, while, nearby, Sersi releases energy beams from her eyes as she tells Supremor that he is one of the least attractive foes she has ever encountered. Supremor lunges out and tries to grab Sersi, but the talented Eternal casually flies over him, telling him that, as a matter of fact, he makes some of the Deviants she knows look downright desirable. Supremor loses his balance, and crashes into the side of the Citadel. .
The Black Knight tells Capt that it is time for a reality check, and points out that without Iron Man and Hawkeye coming in like the cavalry, they have got another five minutes tops before Star Force overwhelms them. ‘It’s time for drastic measures…I’m setting my neural-sword on kill!’ Dane announces. However, Captain America swiftly shouts ‘NO! The day I countenance a move like that is the day I leave the Avengers! Understood?’ Cap orders. ‘Understood’ the Black Knight replies, muttering ‘Well, live fast, die young, leave a nice-looking corpse. What more could a guy want?’ as he returns to battle. The Supreme Intelligence continues to monitor the heroes: ‘Fight on, Avengers, come further into my citadel. The crescendo awaits…and it will be a climax long remembered!’ .
At that moment, two Kree warriors tand before Ael-Dan and Dar-Benn, one of them reports to the Commanders Supreme that the terran Avengers are engaged in battle with an unauthorized militia here in the citadel. He adds that security forces have sealed off the area, containing the encounter near the Grand Council Chambers, before asking what the orders are. ‘By the Great Pama! Has the entire world gone mad?’ Ael-Dan asks. ‘It is unthinkable that these out-worlders should defile the very core of the Empire!’ Dar-Benn declares. ‘So much then for Ronan’s precious scans! The Accuser’s life is forfeit for this unmitigated disgrace!’ Ael-Dan remarks. Dar-Benn agrees, and states that, clearly, all members of the old regime should have been eradicated long ago. ‘It is an oversight we shall not make again!’ he announces..The two Kree soldiers follow their commanders, as Ael-Dan announces that they should get to the Council Chamber. ‘And show these “Avengers” the price that must be paid for breaking Kree law!’ Dar-Benn declares. The Supreme Intelligence watches them also, and remarks ‘Yes, go, my fearsome popinjays. Walk tall, resplendent in your vestments of power and might…strike fear in the hearts of all you pass. It is the way of our people. The way of the Kree. But this time, usurpers, you are but lambs being led to the slaughter’, for the Supreme Intelligence knows that Deathbird is watching them from the shadows. .
Outside, the Avengers move closer together as Star Force surrounds them. ‘Captain America…we’re losing ground! We’re fighting a defensive battle - unless we take the offensive, we’re doomed!’ Crystal calls out, urgently. Cap blocks a blast with his trust shield and tells Crystal that he is well aware of their situation, and tells his teammates thast he is open to all any and all suggestions, when, suddenly, Minerva, Atlas, Korath and the other members of Star Force suddenly become immobile. ‘They’ve stopped. Why?’ Cap asks. Black Knight suggests to Cap that he look upwards, as he thinks the big enchiladas have arrived. ‘Have a care, earther. If by that terminology you refer to us’ Ael-Dan calls out from a platform above. .
Dar-Benn introduces himself and Ael-Dan to the Avengers, boasting that they are sons of Pama, guardians of sacred Hala, Commanders Supreme of the Imperial Kree Empire. ‘None may even look upon us without our consent’ he adds, before suggesting to the Avengers that they tell him, now, before they are executed, why they have come to Kree-Lar. Atlas informs his lords that the terrans are allies of the Shi’ar. ‘Sent here to murder you both - had we not stopped them!’ Atlas claims. ‘Indeed, Att-Las? Your presence here is a further mystery. How comes a hero of our people to this place without the benefit of our sanction?’ Ael-Dan enquires, while asking ‘And more…who are your confederates?’ .
Star Force gather together, as Ael-Dan admits that some are known to them - the geneticist Minerva, Korath of the defunct Pursuers, and Shatterax, but the other two are strangers. ‘We find that profoundly disturbing, especially given the tentacled creature’s resemblance to our fallen predecessor’ Dar-Benn announces, while congratulating Att-Las on capturing the spies of the Shi’ar slime at last. ‘But the lapse in security is unforgivable. You shall die with them’ he states..At that moment, the Supreme Intelligence thinks to himself ‘Ah, if ever there was a cue, Deathbird…’, and suddenly, a brilliant light engulfs the Avengers and Star Force. ‘Yes! I see you, too, are a student of drama’ the Supreme Intelligence declares to himself. ‘WHAT?’ Captain America exclaims as he and the others look around confused. ‘Fight all you wish, terran and Kree both. It will avail you nothing’ the Supreme Intelligence decides, knowing that Deathbird has smuggled in a most effective force field, never once wondering how such a powerful weapon fell into her hands. As Star Force and the Avengers all begin pounding on the circle of light that surrounds them, the Supreme Intelligence decides that both have served their purpose as both lure and bait adequately, but now what must be done must be accomplished quickly and without interference by anyone. .
Deathbird suddenly leaps from the shadows, as the Supreme Intelligence decides that an artist must be left to her craft, and that in matters such as this, none approach the mastery of mad Deathbird, late Majestrix of the hated Shi’ar. ‘Greetings o sons of Pama, o scions of ala - contemptible bloodwarts! Look long upon the last sight you shall ever see!’ Deathbird shrieks as she drops down in front of Ael-Dan and Dar-Benn. ‘You - here!’ one of them gasps in horror. ‘It is impossible!’ the other exclaims. ‘No - not for a Shi’ar - not when the blood of the Aerie cry out for vengeance! Your Empire shall fall before us - as easily as I crept into impervious Hala’ Deathbird exclaims, slashing her claws across Ael-Dan’s face, she tells him to remember that, as he dies - and he screams as she pulls his body down and slams her knee into his back, breaking it. .
Dar-Benn looks at Deathbird, who asks him if he is afraid, and tells him that he should be. ‘I face me fate as a Kree soldier…and spit on all things Shi’ar’ Dar-Benn replies. ‘How typically Kree - to di with empty boasts on trembling life?’ Deathbird remarks, as she grabs a spear and shoves it into Dar-Benn, announcing ‘So ends your “glorious” joint-reign. Go now to your afterlife, if you have one - I care not’. The spear falls to the ground, just in front of the force field, and shatters. The Supreme Intelligence knows that it is accomplished, and all in but a few beats of a heart - everything has changed. ‘Where now, my generals, are the vanities of power and station? What good did they do you? None. Your reach exceeded your grasp, sons of Pama…and all that is left is the quintessence of dust’..‘By Agon…who is that creature?’ Crystal gasps. ‘A demon, methinks’ Hercules replies, while Deathbird stands atop the citadel and shouts down to the Kree below: ‘Hear me, people of Hala - this is but a warning! Your leaders paid for their crimes against the Aerie. Such will be the fate of all Kree if the Shi’ar Imperium suffers any further assault’. Deathbird takes flight and adds ‘Mark my words well and fear them - for we have power undreamt of! BEWARE IT!’
Suddenly, Ronan the Accuser enters the area, too late to save his liege lords, but just in time to witness the Supreme Intelligence’s return to power, as there is a loud noise. ‘That sound - like great machinery rumbling to life ‘neath our very feet!’ Hercules exclaims, while the Black Knight remarks that he thinks they are in real trouble now, as the platform, still with the force-field around it, is lowered down - into the great chamber, where the Supreme Intelligence is housing himself. ‘Behold now, o sons of the Kree, your once and present ruler, the Supreme Intelligence’ the behemoth announces. ‘I knew it’ the Black Knight mutters. A beam of energ is directed from the Supreme Intelligence, which releases the Avengers and Star Force from the force field. .
‘Know you that even as I speak in this chamber, I speak to all Hala and throughout the Empire…so that every Kree, from the highest born to the lowliest pauper may hear me words’ the Supreme Intelligence states, declaring that this is a grievous day, and the news he brings is black indeed, for their leaders are slain, cut down in service to the Empire by foul Shi’ar treachery. ‘Long will the names of Ael-Dan and Dar-Benn be honoured by the Kree’ the Supreme Intelligence states, adding that he grieves for his fallen sons and sadly, assumes once more the mantle of power. Kree warriors at their stations listen to the Supreme Intelligence, as do Kree citizens all over. ‘But those responsible for this insult must pay. And pay deadly. What say you, o Kree, of Lilandra, so-called Majestrix - Shi’ar author of this crime?’ the Supreme Intelligence asks. ‘DEATH! DEATH TO ALL SHI’AR!’ the Kree citizens chant. .
The Supreme Intelligence turns to Ronan the Accuser and commands him to journey to ancient Aerie, now called Chandilar, with Star Force at his side, and bring him the head of “gentle” Lilandra, so that all Hala and all Kree will know vengeance is indeed theirs, now and forever. ‘It is my duty and my honor, Supreme One’ Ronan replies, frowning. The Supreme Intelligence asks Atlas and Minerva to remain on Hala to guard the terran spies, for they, no less than the Shi’ar have the blood of the Kree fallen on their hands. ‘And tomorrow - in full view of the Kree Empire - they shall suffer a most painful death’ the Supreme Intelligence proclaims. The Avengers all looked shocked. .
The Supreme Intelligence’s grotesque form appears, looming over the Kree capital city and remarks to himself: ‘Bread and circuses. Bread and circuses. The people are enraged. My Star Force embarked on their long journey, the Avengers lie imprisoned and somewhere, Deathbird, my unwitting ally, skulks in shadowed alleys. This night, across a thousand, thousand worlds and more, the Kree gird themselves for the coming battle, content in their supremacy. Ah, my Kree, my ancient race…if you knew what the dawn truly brought, would you understand? Could your minds comprehend the reasons for it all? Or would you cry out in horror and rage, when you at last realize, on the morrow…THE KREE EMPIRE DIES?!’


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Taking AIM Prelude: Shadow Hunt
Informed of a mysterious and devastating energy flare in the Canadian Northwest by her former partner, Ivan Bezukhov, the Black Widow led the mighty Avengers - the mutant Quicksilver, his wife, the elemental Crystal and the godling Hercules - on a mission to discover the origin of the catastrophe. Now, deep in the heart of an abandoned and devastated complex, the Avengers have discovered, to their horror, they are not the only ones investigating the flare. For here in the dark, the Red Skull was waiting for them! ‘Something very valuable was stolen from me, Avengers. Before you die in this cold and lonely place, I command you to tell me where it is!’ the Red Skull orders, his eyes popping, his mouth wide.
Hercules clings to the edge of the platform where the Red Skull stands. The Black Widow a.k.a. Natasha Romanoff hangs on to Hercules, while extending a hand down to hold onto Crystal, who in turn grips the hand of her husband, Pietro “Quicksilver” Maximoff.‘You do not answer. Like this foolish old Bolshevik, you seek to thwart me! Like him, you will find that impossible’ the Red Skull declares, as Ivan Bezukhov lies motionless at the Red Skull’s feet, just several feet from the Black Widow’s hands. ‘Ivan! You’ve hurt Ivan!’ the Black Widow exclaims, warning the Red Skull that for that, the Widow will make him pay. She then fires one of her “widow’s stings” at the Red Skull, who ducks, unharmed. ‘A pretty little toy - but in the end - ineffectual?’ the Red Skull starts to say, before the blast strikes the ceiling overhead, and brings it down on him, trapping him under the rubble.
‘A well aimed blow, fair Natasha! The villain is undone - as - apparently - am I!’ Hercules announces as he struggles to pull himself onto the platform. He leans over, struggling to regain his breath, he tells his teammates that carrying them all up the shaft was more than he could bear. ‘Truly the Prince of Power has come to a bad end’ he adds, while Crystal helps Quicksilver up, telling him that they have made it, that everything is all right. ‘No, Crystal - not while the Red Skull lives!’ Quicksilver exclaims, speeding over to where the rubble fell on the Red Skull, only to find him gone. As the Black Widow tends to Ivan, Quicksilver shines his torch into the rubble, and declares that it is as if he was never here.
Crystal tells Natasha that since the day she joined the Avengers, she has never doubted her leadership. ‘We came to this place at your request. No questions asked. But in light of our little encounter, I think we have the right to know - just what in Randak’s name is going on?’ The Black Widow replies ‘I would tell you if I could’, adding that the Red Skull’s presence here merely confirms that they have to find out what caused this destruction, and who built this complex in the first place. Natasha then excuses herself from her teammates, telling them that she has to make sure Ivan is all right. But Hercules reminds Natasha that it is not like her to keep secrets from her fellow Avengers, and adds that he has heard tell of this Red Skull from Captain America.
‘He is evil incarnate - and I tell you, my friends, he is out there in the shadows, in the cold, watching us and we do not even know why’ Hercules continues raising his arms into the air, annoyed. Quicksilver tells Hercules to take it easy, adding that they are all aware of the situation. Quicksilver then asks Natasha to forgive Hercules, reminding her that Taylor’s death and his father’s curse are still too fresh, the wounds have not had time to heal. Crystal remarks that Hercules is right that it is cold down here, and points out that Ivan needs warmth, quickly. She casts her elemental abilities towards some debris, but is only able to summon a few flickering flames, explaining that the ambient energy that brought down their Quinjet is interfering with her elemental powers. Hercules starts to climb up the wall of the deep hole that the Avengers fell down, stating that there is a medical kit on the Quinjet, and that if Ivan cannot be moved, they will need the kit down here. Quicksilver tells Hercules that it is a long climb, and bids him care. ‘And you as well, Avengers. And you as well’ Hercules replies.
Somewhere in the Caribbean, ‘Central - I’ve entered the security zone’ a man in strange armor reports via communication-link as he lowers himself on a rope into a high-tech facility. He adds that stealth-fields are operating at maximum levels, and has not been detected. He reports that he is proceeding down to the retrieval area, and a Kempler scan indicates a powerful pulse wave of the first magnitude, adding that if the containment fields hold, they will have the specimen they need, but if they don’t, they will have a repeat of the Canadian situation. ‘And we can kiss it all good-bye’.
Back in Canada, Hercules continues his climb, when, at last, he starts to see sunlight. He is amazed that he survived this fall, and wonders if perhaps his father did not remove all of his power. Suddenly, ‘Hercules?’ a voice calls out. Hercules turns, and sees on a ledge, Steve Rogers a.k.a. Captain America. ‘Thank God you’ve come! The Skull’s held me here for days!’ Cap calls out, withered and weak, leaning against the wall. Hercules carefully climbs onto the narrow ledge, ‘Captain America!’ he calls out, telling him that the Avengers have been so worried about him, and rightly so, it appears. Hercules puts a hand on Cap’s shoulder, and tells him that they have seen the Skull themselves, deep in the heart of this ruined edifice. He tells his friend to lean on him.
‘We’ve got to stop him, Hercules! What he plans is - horrible!’ Cap calls out, wide-eyed, before motioning further along the ledge, he reveals that the Red Skull’s base of operations is just beyond the rocky spur. ‘Indeed? Then let us investigate’ Hercules replies, leading the way along the ledge, Hercules reminds Cap that he has told him much of this Red Skull over the years. ‘Such evil as his cannot be allowed to continue’ he announces. ‘Hercules - wait for - me’ Cap calls out as Hercules suddenly strikes an energy field, which causes Hercules to cry out, and sends him slamming to the ground. ‘Fool’ Cap mutters as he stands over Hercules’s motionless body. ‘Doesn’t even know the difference between his old friend…and a holographic projection!’ the Red Skull scowls as he ends the hologram, returning to his default form, adding that Hercules was the strongest of them. ‘It is to laugh’.
Back down in the facility, ‘Did anyone hear that?’ Crystal asks. ‘It sounded like a cry of pain - but so distant - so faint’ she adds as she stands near the fire. The Black Widow continues to hold onto Ivan’s body, and points out that Crystal’s Inhuman hearing is more acute than theirs, but suggests what she heard could have been a trick o the wind in the ruins. ‘Although I doubt it’ Natasha admits. Quicksilver agrees, and states that the Red Skull is out there somewhere, one of the most formidable foes Cap ever faced - and they are isolated, with his power and Crystal’s weakened due to the energy that permeates this place. Quicksilver continues, pointing out that the Skull thinks they have taken something very valuable from him and they have no idea what he is talking about. ‘All in all, not the best position to find oneself’.
A wide-eyed Ivan utters that the boy is right, and tells the Avengers to get out of here, and not to worry about him, to just go. Crystal replies that they would sooner die than give up on a friend, before announcing that she is worried, certain that was a scream she heard. ‘And Hercules has been gone so long’ she adds. ‘Indeed he has, Avenger’ the Red Skull remarks as he suddenly emerges from the shadows of the darkened cavern. ‘The Skull! Crystal, watch out!’ Quicksilver calls out. But, too late, as the Red Skull mutters’ How perceptive of you’ and slams his fist into Crystal’s face, knocking the elemental backwards, while Quicksilver calls out for her. ‘You son of a -!’ Pietro exclaims as he speeds towards the Red Skull, who raises a hand and blocks his punch. ‘You dare speak to me in such a tone?’ the Red Skull grins. ‘Your speed? How -?’ Quicksilver starts to ask, as the Red Skull grabs Quicksilver by his neck.
‘All thinks are possible for the master race, Avenger’ the Red Skull boasts, as he holds Quicksilver up over the pit below them. ‘To think I am forced to touch your degenerate flesh, gypsy! The Reich should have destroyed all your disgusting race when it had the chance!’ the Red Skull cruelly exclaims, while Quicksilver struggles under his grasp. The Red Skull adds that there is some satisfaction in the fact that the son of Magneto dies at his hand. ‘Don’t get ahead of yourself, Skull!’ the Black Widow exclaims as she leaps towards the Red Skull and declares that no Avenger is dying today. ‘Who? Ah yes. The Russian’ the Red Skull mutters as he grabs the Black Widow before she strikes him, and tosses her over the edge of the platform.
‘What sort of man are you, gypsy - that needs a woman to come to his rescue?’ the Red Skull asks Quicksilver, adding ‘Perhaps you are not a true man, after all, eh, mutant?’ the Red Skull asks, suggesting that Quicksilver think of that while he crushes his windpipe, and imagines his father’s tears at the passing of his ineffectual son.
Suddenly though, the Red Skull is knocked to the ground, and releases Quicksilver from his grasp as the Black Widow swings back towards him, ‘I told you, Skull - you’re not killing anyone today!’ she exclaims. The Red Skull gets to his feet, ‘Ah - the Black Widow. You are a persistent woman - but more - I see in your eyes you are a knowledgeable one as well’ the Red Skull grins, and tells the Black Widow that she knows the secret of this complex and what happened here. ‘You know what the fools attempted here - with forces they could not begin to comprehend. ‘Tell me, Widow, where have they taken it? Where?’ the Red Skull demands.
Once more in the Caribbean, the man in the armor stands before some sort of console and removes some equipment, reporting that he is placing the receptacle on the siphon point, and if calculations are correct, the power drain should only last for twenty-give milliseconds. He continues, stating that with their science council concentrating on their Resurrection Project, that short a drain should not register on their daily security alarms. But, suddenly, there is a beeping noise. ‘Oh, God’ the man in the armor utters, before reporting to central that the power flux is not performing as per their projections, that it is flooding the container and cannot hold. ‘Repeat - it cannot holllddd’ he exclaims, as energy suddenly pours through the chamber, and rips upwards, exploding into the air.
Where, in the village below, all the islanders can do is look up and wonder. All save one, a woman with long dark hair hurries down past some buildings, and presses a button on her bracelet. ‘Emergency! Initiate a kempler scan of these co-ordinates. It has happened again. Tell the master quickly - the thieves are on Boca Caliente!’ she says into the bracelet.
Back in Canada, ‘Tell me what I need to know, Madame Romanova’ the Red Skull calls out, telling her not to let pride blind her, and points out that she is the weakest of the Avengers and certainly no match for him. ‘Really, Skull? I suppose I should be frightened’ the Black Widow frowns as she removes her jacket. Ivan calls out to her, telling that she doesn’t know what the Red Skull is like. ‘Yes I do, Ivan’ Natasha replies, adding that history has told her he I sa sick little man from a twisted, sick era. ‘But you know what, Skull? Your time ended fifty years ago. No one’s afraid of you anymore!’ the Black Widow declares, before the Red Skull fires a blast of red energy at her, boasting that this is an era of fools. ‘For the Skull is fear!’ he exclaims. Natasha leaps into the air, and sticks briefly to the wall, before dropping her jacket ‘you missed, Skull!’ she tells him as the jacket lands on the Skull’s face, and she drops down onto him, ‘Getting old, perhaps?’ the Black Widow jokes as she slams into his head, forcing him to the ground.
But, the Red Skull pushes himself up, ‘Idiot of a woman! In this body I am younger than you!’ he reveals, swatting the Black Widow away from himself. The Black Widow gathers herself by bounding against the side of the edifice and calls out ‘Yes, I know - a cloned body of Captain America’ as she leaps back towards the Red Skull and tells him that unfortunately for him, he has neither Captain America’s skills nor his talents. She pulls on the Red Skull’s yellow costume, and flips him over her self, smashing him to the ground as she adds that in other words, the body does not make the man. ‘ENOUGH!’ the Red Skull booms as he reaches up and punches the Black Widow in the face. He gets to his feet and grabs the Black Widow, holding her up in the air, ‘No one talks to me like this! No one!’ he shouts. ‘Have I hurt your feelings, Skull?’ the Black Widow replies as she whacks his shoulder with her hand. ‘Woman, the Skull has no feelings’ comes the response, as the Red Skull throws her against the edifice, where she hits it hard, and slumps to the ground.
The Red Skull walks towards Natasha and asks her if she does not yet understand. He calls her a “fool of a woman” and boasts that she cannot beat him. He picks her up by her hair and agrees that perhaps he does not have the athletic skills of his age-old enemy, but that the weapons built into his uniform more than compensate for that supposed deficiency. ‘Wouldn’t you agree?’ he asks, but suddenly, ‘Not really’ the Black Widow replies as she raises her wrist, and releases her “widow’s bite”, which blasts the Red Skull back from her. They both try to regain their footing, as the Black Widow tells the Red Skull that weapons systems can be short-circuited. ‘Indeed. But a pyrrhic victory at best, Madame’ the Red Skull replies, adding that his armor insulated him from the feedback, whereas she was not so fortunate. He walks over to her, and raises his foot over her head, ‘You have refused to tell me what you know, Black Widow - thus, you are no use to me -’ he begins, before suddenly, receives a transmission.
The Red Skull moves away from the Black Widow, ‘Tell me quickly - have you found them?’ he asks into his communicator, while the Black Widow starts to get to her feet, ‘That’s it, Skull - keep talking - and learn that men turn their back on the Widow at their own peril!’ she thinks to herself, while the Red Skull tells the person he is speaking to that the energy readings are proof. The Black Widow slowly walks towards the Red Skull, deciding that a widow’s sting at the base of the neck, and he is a dead man. ‘It is them. Initiate teleportation - now’ the Red Skull orders, before vanishing. ‘NO!’ the Black Widow gasps. ‘Blast it - NO!’ she shouts.
The Black Widow collapses to the ground, ‘He got away! I almost had him and he got away!’ she exclaims, clutching her head. Ivan rushes over to her, ‘You’re alive!’ he calls out, adding that not many people can say that after going one on one against the Red Skull. But Natasha tells Ivan that it doesn’t matter, as she should have been better and done better. ‘I shouldn’t have failed’ she utters. Ivan suggests that they check on her friends, and shee how they feel after she just saved their lives.
Hours later, a Quinjet arrives back over Avengers Mansion, and lands on the rooftop. The alien Deathcry, Honorary Avenger, meets the Avengers, and the Black Widow hands Ivan over to her, telling the young alien to be careful with him, as he was injured badly. Deathcry tells the Black Widow not to worry, assuring her that she will get him to the infirmary in once piece. ‘After all, I’m not a baby’ she points out, before asking the Black Widow if they had fun on this mission. Quicksilver, Hercules and Crystal follow the Black Widow out of the Quinjet as the Black Widow replies ‘That would probably be the last word I’d use to describe the last twenty-four hours, DC’.
The Black Widow then tells everyone that she wants them ready for a debriefing in thirty minutes. Suddenly, a voice calls out ‘I’m afraid that’s going to have to wait, Natasha’ and the five Avengers all go wide-eyed in shock. ‘Who - What’s happened to you?’ the Black Widow asks, smiling. Steve Rogers a.k.a. Captain America appears before the Avengers, wearing a new armored costumed, and replies ‘A lot’, before admitting to the Avengers that he has not been completely honest with them, before declaring that on the eve of his last mission, it might be time he came clean….


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Provide a full summary of the comic book.

[Assistant]
Avengers World
At first there was nothing, a black void with no form. Then, there was everything following the big bang. Swirling, burning specks of creation that circled life-giving suns formed and then, we raced to the light. It was the spark that ignited the fire - a legend that grew in the telling. Some believe it began the moment Hyperion was rescued from a dying dimension (seemingly by agents of A.I.M.) Others said it was when The Guard were broken on the dead moon. Many more think it was when Ex Nihilo transformed Mars, turning the red planet green. But, they were all wrong as it happened ‘before’ the light, before the war and before the fall. It started with two men. It started with an idea.
Tony Stark is in his lab using a gauntlet to remotely view ideas on a massive screen. He finishes what he’s doing and heads to Captain America’s quarters. Cap is asleep and dazed when he sees the light from the corridor hit his pillow. Tony tells him to wake up, explaining that he hasn’t been able to sleep. He couldn’t stop thinking about something Steve said and… well, he’s been busy. He apologizes as he knows it’s late but Steve tells him it’s fine. He’s grateful. “Bad dreams?” asks Tony. Steve recalls a dream he had of the Illuminati and says it’s something like that. Tony tells him he’ll buy him coffee.
As they walk side-by-side, Tony explains that he’s had an idea that he just can’t switch off. The exact same thing happened the day they found Cap. “You remember that?” asks Cap. Tony tells him he remembers everything about that day. They started something that mattered and because of Cap, the world changed. He changed. He puts his arm around Steve’s shoulder and says that the best ideas are always the simplest. Last week they were talking about how things were escalating - how the world is ever more dangerous and how threats are more frequent than ever and their enemies seemingly endless. Well, he adds, that’s a complex problem but Steve had a pretty simple answer. He asks Steve if he remembers what he said. Steve does, and Tony verbalizes it. They have to get bigger.
(Mars, one month later)A strange cannon fires into the sky. Standing in the freshly verdant environment, a tall, golden being named Ex Nihilo smiles and points to the cargo being delivered. He asks his companion Aleph to look at it streaking across the sky. He wonders if this is how the Goddess felt at the moment of creation. Aleph corrects him in that there is no deity and it isn’t creation. It’s recoding. It is world-razing. Ex Nihilo tells Aleph that they’re missing the point. Where is their sense of wonder? He strolls towards the cannon and says that they have been given this opportunity to hurl origin bombs Earthward. He doesn’t want to be a destroyer of worlds. He wants to build one.
He asks Aleph to look at the humanoid being he’s creating which grows beside him and tells a woman named Abyss and Aleph that he’s assembling a perfected version of the creatures who inhabit the planet. He will be their new Adam; the first man. Their son. He asks Aleph if they understand. “World-razing,” smiles Aleph. Abyss tells him that he’s wasting his time. He could sing sweet songs until the stars burn out, Aleph has marked that world for destruction and the eye of Aleph will not be diverted.
Ex Nihilo asks what she sees. She looks up at him and replies that she sees things for what they are. She creates clear images in a pool and informs him that the Earthmen are clever animals who learned to make tools. Now they threaten everything because they have taught themselves to be dangerous. Him building a better primate seems unwise. Sparing them in a way is reckless. She points to the centre of the circle, a kind of graph and asks him to look how aggressive the Earthmen are. They’ve sent heroes to stop them; their very best. At that moment, Aleph armors up and informs them that the ‘apes’ are incoming.
Above, the projectile fired by Ex Nihilo is destroyed and Cap congratulates Hawkeye on his shooting. Clint replies that he marked and recorded the trajectory so the Black Widow should be able to follow it. Natasha taps at a computer and tells them she’s got it. They’re locked on course to set them up along the horizon. They won’t see them coming. Soon, they prepare for landing and Cap notes that Mars is green. “Vegetation?” he asks. “Is that even possible?” Tony replies that he doesn’t know why it wouldn’t be. After all, the first two bombs that hit Earth completely changed the biospheres of the impact zones. Whoever these people are they’ve altered billions of years of evolution in minutes. And, he adds, they did it by remote from over two hundred million kilometres away. It’s an impressive feat. Godlike even. “Pfft,” sighs Thor.
Tony tells Bruce Banner that he’s better at this stuff than he is. He asks if anything else that needs to be said? Banner replies that the first two bombs hit Perth and Regina. That’s almost two million people. He thinks they’re done talking.
(moments later)Bruce is in his Hulk form and leading the charge. They discover the three antagonists soon enough and Abyss attacks the Hulk with black shadowy tendrils. He tries to smash them but they cocoon him in some kind of null space/shadow cage. Iron Man prepares to free him but he is attacked by the plants which wrap themselves around his armor. They soon sap the suit’s energy and Ex Nihilo extends his hand. Come to me, metal man,” he says. The suit announces that it has zero energy and is shutting down. As the plants drag Iron Man towards Ex Nihilo, the stranger explains that surprisingly only three percent of sentient races have exoskeletons. He intends to tear off Tony’s armor and see if he can’t speed up his evolution a bit.
Fortunately for Tony, Hawkeye places an arrow right between Ex Nihilo’s shoulder blades. He turns to see Clint and the Black Widow. Natasha warns him to step away from the man with all the money. “Please,” adds Clint. Ex Nihilo begins to glow and asks if they dare to threaten violence. He would remake them into something better. He would remake their world and in return this is the thanks they offer? He unleashes a blast which knocks the pair of them off their feet.
Meanwhile, Hulk is trapped in Abyss’ realm of darkness. He looks around and states that he isn’t scared. Abyss puts her lips to his ear and tells him of course he isn’t. He’s not some whimpering child. He’s strong; the strongest one there is. She asks him to open his mind and open his eyes. Hulk’s eyes turn black as she changes his perceptions. “Now you can see,” she adds. “And you can see clearly, can’t you?”
Hulk opens his eyes and sees Thor standing before him with Mjolnir twirling around at high speed. Abyss tells Hulk that there’s only one person who thinks he’s a frightened child. Why doesn’t he show him how wrong he is? Hulk leaps forward and smashes Thor. Captain America tells her she’s probably feeling pretty good with herself right about now. He bets she thinks she’s won. Well, she hasn’t, not as long as he is standing. He hurls his shield which connects with her and then proceeds to hit Ex Nihilo in the face. As it returns to him, the third member of the party named Aleph grabs it. “You’re a big one, aren’t you,” quips Cap. Aleph orders him to yield, but Cap replies that there’s not a chance of that. The giant slams Cap to the ground and raises his massive fist. “Yield,” he says again. Cap says no so Aleph punches him hard. “Yield.” Weakly, Cap replies no again.
Aleph prepares to finish him off only for Ex Nihilo to intervene. He tells Aleph that he’s done enough. They are the garden and of this garden he chooses not to waste life. He chooses to transform it. To change it and give it purpose. He picks up Cap and carries him to their ship, straps him in and sets it on course for Earth. The rest of the Avengers are captured and bound. Ex Nihilo explains that he will transport him home to send a message; a warning. ‘Here, Earth. Here is your champion. Watch him burn red through the sky. We have been sent to judge your world and we cannot be stopped. These heroes were the best you had to offer and they were found wanting.’ Cap rockets to Earth, trapped within plants grown by Ex Nihilo. Once he reaches Earth, he is freed from his bounds and falls, crash-landing against a building.
(three days later)Captain America is in a hospital bed, recovering. He looks at his uniform and sits up. He heads to Tony’s lab and at the Avengers sign on the large screen. He knows what he must do. The Avengers have to get bigger. He recalls his conversations with Tony Stark about how there is a danger looking on the horizon. They couldn’t see it but it was coming. They had to get ready straight away. Tony figured they could keep it quiet until they were needed. They could do most of the recruiting and get specific people for specific needs. They’ll be out there, ready and waiting.
Cap pulls on his uniform and sends out the message to his new Avengers, summoning them to the cause. Captain America was the first and the best. When he calls, what hero would not answer? “Assemble at dawn,” he tells them. How can they not? By dawn, a host of new Avengers heeds his call and gathers behind him, ready for action.


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[Assistant]
We Were Avengers
Mars, now:Abyss has taken control of the Hulk and she asks her brother, Ex Nihilo, to look at the Avengers trapped within his vines. She informs him that neither she nor the tree could break down Thor. It’s as if he doesn’t fully exist or originate from the here and now. She hasn’t seen anything this exciting in one hundred thousand years. She believes she has found a God! Aleph does a diagnostic by grabbing the captive Thor by the throat and scanning him. Ex Nihilo tells Thor that if he is a God, then like himself he will know something about creation stories. Thor replies that he does. In the shadow of the World Tree lies the realm Asgard. It is ruled by the all-father Odin, who… Ex Nihilo cuts him off and he tells Thor that it’s all very nice, but he is interested in what closes the loop… when he gets to the end of his story. Does he have a resurrection myth or is it just an apocalypse waiting for him?
Thor doesn’t respond so Ex Nihilo asks him to listen closely. He will explain the true beginning and how it all ends for his world. He begins with the Builders who were there at the dawn of everything. They were the first race; the oldest living things in the cosmos. They were a perfect people and for a great while they worshipped the mother-maker herself, the Universe. Eventually they grew beyond this and abandoned their old ways of reverence for the new path of relevance. As expansion and evolution occurred, the Builders created aggressive systems to direct, shape and control the very structure of space and time. The first of these systems were the Gardeners, Alephs, who they sent out into the wild to purge species unfit and unsuitable for their new universe. For hundreds of millions of years, their Aleph razed world after world, all of which he deemed unfit for progress.
However, one day he encountered a species of flying creatures which he considered worthy of preservation. He found them worthy of evolution. Aleph then released the Garden that he had carried within him all this time. A panel in his chest plate opened up revealing two orbs, one black and one white. These were seeds, and no two seeds that an Aleph carries are the same. The Builders in all their wisdom knew that creation was chaos and fully embraced this inconstant constant. The seeds hatched Abyss and himself, Ex Nihilo. From that day forward, whenever they hear the call of a living, wild world, they either break it or attempt to transform the base species found there into magnificent, more transcendent creatures. This is what he would do for Thor’s world. It’s what he will do for him.
He confesses that he is beginning to have doubts and fears the alternative. Scanning, Aleph informs Ex Nihilo that the threat level coming from Thor is ascending. The matter is time sensitive. Ex Nihilo adds that he only wants to save them from themselves.
then:Tony Stark is with Steve Rogers discussing the expansion of the Avengers team. What it boils down to is that Tony wishes to utilize some useful pieces of the old organization and create a limited roster until needs demand more. He can call it a foundation. Steve presumes he means the two of them plus Thor. They’ll also want Hawkeye and the Black Widow. “And Banner,” replies Tony. Steve raises an eyebrow. “Banner? Really? You always know how that ends.” Tony jokes that it’s usually Tijuana or a monastery or a space camp.
Steve says he can joke all he likes, but when they send out the call to expand they’ll want a support structure within the larger group - people who understand their tradition and purpose. Tony tells him he means former members to go along with the new ones. He brings up the faces of Captain Universe, Hyperion and Smasher on screen along with the names of several Avengers such as Firebird, Wonder Man and the Scarlet Witch. He tells Steve that he’s already there. He has done the initial vetting for those on the list but they’ll need a bit more. However, for now he reckons it’s a useful starting point. Steve notices that Luke Cage’s name isn’t there. Tony tells him he called but Luke isn’t interested. Steve asks about Dr. Strange. “Busy,” replies Tony. Steve says he is fine with that. They can still make this work. Tony replies that it has to work. When they engage the mechanism they have to come. “Greater threats mean greater needs, Tony,” replies Steve. “They’ll come.”
Now:Captain America has put out the call and new and old Avengers both have assembled. He and Hawkeye watch over them as they prep a ship for departure to Mars. “How long?” asks Cap. Clint says that Carol reckons the best guess for having the Quinjet retrofitted is around fourteen hours.
‘An Avengers machine. A communal device that was built to save them all. This whole was made of parts… individuals aligned perfectly to serve a greater purpose. When called, they each came for different reasons.’
flashback:Tony and Steve recruit Wolverine with the promise of beer, Spider-Man with the offer of money and the Falcon simply because it’s something Sam wanted to do. Shang Chi, however, wanted a new challenge. Tony offered to augment his already considerable powers with technology, but Shang Chi asked why he would need more than he already has. Others simply wanted new experiences.
Cannonball and Sunspot are relaxing on a beach when Sam receives a phone call from Wolverine. At the conversation’s end he says thank you and that he’ll let him know. He then tells Bobby that he’s not going to believe who was on the phone. Bobby passes him a cocktail and Sam informs him that it was Wolverine. Bobby stops him right there. He asks him to tell the man thank you, but no thank you. He’s sick of super-heroing. He’s done. They’re done. They’re retired. It’s a permanent vacation. They’ve earned it. Same tells him that after Wolverine had finished, he put Steve Rogers on the phone. Captain America said he wants them to be Avengers. “Okay, I’m in,” replies Bobby. Sam says he just said… Bobby replies that he was talking about the X-Men. This is different. Sam finds it interesting. Give up the circle X of mutantdom (feared and hated, replies Bobby) and take up the circle A of Avengers (loved and adored, replies Bobby). Sam smiles and says he makes a good point. They clink glasses and Bobby smiles back at him. He figures they were made for bigger things; Bobby and Sam in the spotlight, right where they’re supposed to be. This is going to be amazing.
Some new Avengers wanted a better life. Tony and Steve approached Eden Fesi, otherwise known as Manifold. He tells them that he can get them to wherever they want to go and bend space-time. However, he doesn’t know if he’s the man for the job. He’s tried being a hero before and all that happened was that a lot of his friends got hurt. Do they really think he’s the right man for the job? Captain America asks why they don’t find that out together.
He and Iron Man then meet with Captain Marvel and Spider-Woman in a restaurant. Jessica asks to hear it. “Hear what?” asks Tony. Jessica tells him they don’t want to hear the hard sell or any of the manipulation. They don’t want dinner and drinks and all that Tony Stark ridiculousness. How about they tell them what they’re up to. How about the truth? Tony turns away and says he wouldn’t know anything about that. “How about you, Steve?” Cap tells Carol and Jessica that the truth is, the world lies in peril. Something dark and dangerous is in the air; something sinister that is just out of reach. He thinks that everything they believe in is going to be tested and only men and women of conviction, of purpose, can stand against that inevitability. A time is coming for the world’s most mighty. He asks Jessica what she is. “An Avenger,” she replies. He glances over at Carol and asks if he even has to ask. “Hell no,” she grins.
Earth, now:Captain Marvel is at the Quinjet’s controls. She shouts back to Cap that Starkcomm satellites are picking up incoming targets. Trajectory marks them as extraplanetary. They’re from Mars. Through space, strange devices fired from the cannon on Mars hit Earth and weird creatures emerge and attack the local populace. Kobe in Japan is hit and creatures grab people and cocoon them. Chhatarpur in India is hit as is the Fallen Heights area of the Savage Land. The creatures invade Split, a coastal city in Croatia and the remote region of Høljanmyaa in Norway.
Mars:Ex Nihilo tells Thor that he is an artist. Tony Stark, trapped alongside Thor in the tree, asks why he is doing this. Ex Nihilo replies that what they do is an extension of who they are. The Garden is conflicted; torn between two purposes. Do they build better worlds or do they tear them down? He says he still believes in creation. He believes that their world can be transformed and saved. Each organic delivery system or origin bomb that he sends hurtling through space to Earth contains a communal virus, tailor-made to remap genetic code. Each bomb is different; multiple variations for multiple purposes. Each one making their planet better suited for its new future.
The creature he is growing beside him says something in a strange language. Ex Nihilo tells it that he knows, but he’s been doing this for millions of years and each time, it’s not just death he opposes. It’s the hateful ignorance of indigenous deniers. The being says something else and Ex Nihilo replies that he supposes he should. He tells the Avengers that they think he’s killed all those people on their planet, but the truth is, he’s never set out to kill anyone or anything in his entire life. He doesn’t destroy, he creates. He is Ex Nihilo. He makes something from nothing!
He adds that it’s perfection. Stark replies that it’s genocide. Ex Nihilo says that Stark says genocide as if he’s a monster. He brings forth life where there was none and he calls it genocide. He moves in close to Tony and informs him that if he wants to see the dark pit of destruction then he need look no further than Aleph. If he fails, Aleph will purge his world and leave it fallow. So, he is the best hope for success because if this comes down to Aleph, only the universe herself could save his world.
Earth, Avengers Tower:Captain Marvel informs the Avengers that there have been several detonations. She reckons there might be more but they lost some as they entered the atmosphere. She is retasking the Starkcomm sats and requesting access to the S.H.I.E.L.D. array. Falcon, seated at another control desk, confirms Carol’s data. It appears to be similar to earlier strikes in Australia and Canada. They’re waiting for confirmation. Cap tells him there’s no need. Seeing a human get taken by one of Ex Nihilo’s invading creatures, he says he’s taking too long. He already knows who did this and they have to be stopped. “Manifold!” he says. Wolverine reminds him that the team has been together less than six hours. Is he sure they are ready for this? Cap replies no, but then when in the long history of the world has ‘being ready’ not been a luxury?
Manifold appears and Cap tells him he’s read his file. From what he understands, while he’s never left the planet, he does have the ability to get them to Mars, right? Eden replies that it’s as easy as walking across the room. He can bend space and time and just step from one place to another. He just needs to know his starting point. Logan tells him that Cap said he was dressed in a diaper when he recruited him. Would he call that a starting point? “Always the same jokes,” Eden replies as he begins to work his magic. He says he’s not good at a lot, but he is good at this.
Wolverine tells Cap that he knows that Eden is going to kill them all, right? Cap says he knows that it won’t matter if they wait much longer. He asks Logan to get everyone together. He can tell them they’re going to Mars. He wants him to tell them he needs warriors and he needs heroes. He should tell them it’s the end of the world and what he needs are Avengers! The team soon gathers together. Manifold then bends space and time and whisks the team to Mars.


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[Assistant]
The Garden
(Mars, now)All is quiet on this freshly verdant area of Mars. The cocoon which houses Ex Nihilo’s new life form bubbles and opens slightly. Aleph informs Ex Nihilo that there has been a breach. The golden being approaches the cocoon, excited. He calls it magnificent. He says that he made their child to look just like them, but he is much, much different. He is made from the primordial bits of the universe; the oldest, very best pieces. God particles for their new man. Their new Adam! After he has remade the Earth, he will inherit it and love it, as they loved him.
He leans forward and sees Adam’s hand poking through the slimy cocoon. He asks what kind of father he would be if he just gave the Earth to him, though. If he wants life and all the good things that living entails, then he will have to earn it. He asks Adam to free himself and show him that he is strong enough to thrive.
Meanwhile, Abyss moves in on the captive Thor and tells him that Ex Nihilo is going to restart his world. He will erase it and start all over again, like he’s done to thousands of other worlds. She whispers that she wants to offer him something - a sweeter way out. She informs him that Ex Nihilo is unbridled creation, Aleph is unchecked purification and she… she is not so simple. She asks who can truly live marooned between two such shallow choices. They could escape this together, forsake their causes and start their own creation story. What does he say? “You think me so simple?” he replies. Abyss kisses him and he smiles. “Well argued,” he says. “You will be spared when the reckoning comes.” Abyss is slightly taken aback by his response but, before she can reply, Adam manages to force his way from the cocoon and lies sprawled on the ground.
“He lives!” exclaims Ex Nihilo. Adam looks up and speaks to him in a strange tongue. Abyss realizes immediately that something is wrong. Adam keeps talking and then kneels up with his hands clasped together. Bright light shines from his body and strange streams of energy rise upwards from the top of his skull. Whilst he is still talking, Abyss tells Ex Nihilo that he’s talking in Builder machine code. He shouldn’t be able to do that. What has happened? she asks. Ex Nihilo picks up the adult-sized Adam and grows a kind of manger upon which he rests his child. He replies that life happened. Unforeseen, uncontrolled, wild, unfettered life. “I know because this is who I am. I create something new, something unexpected! Something…”
Unexpectedly he is blasted in the chest and sent flying across the ground. Aleph turns and sees the assailants. “Apes,” he exclaims. Captain America leads the charge flanked by Hyperion and Smasher. He slams his shield into Aleph’s face as Hyperion blasts Ex Nihilo using his eye beams. Cap stands on his chest and asks Aleph if he remembers him. “Yield,” he commands. As Aleph blasts Cap, Abyss takes control of the Hulk and orders him to cast a ferocious shadow and block out the sun. Hulk immediately punches Hyperion.
Smasher asks Ex Nihilo to stay down. She’s not really sure how these things normally go but she’s sure it’ll be all over soon. Aleph stands over Ex Nihilo and asks if he is stable. Ex Nihilo stands up, replying that he is never static. He’s always moving forward. He makes the cocoon separate and has each part close in on Smasher. Out of each cocoon pop creatures which attack her. They resemble wild birds and dogs. Whilst this is going on, Tony Stark, still wrapped in plant life, tells Cap that he thought the plan was to call everyone! Cap replies that it was, and he did. He clicks a button on the left hand side of his helmet and says, “Eden. Find me.” Manifold then teleports in with the rest of the team.
Captain Marvel tells them that this is the center. She wants a perimeter set up and for them to drive the aliens back. Captain Universe seems confused. As the uniform dissipates, she wonders how she got there. There was a crash and shaking. Violence. And then…. “Where am I?” she asks. Sunspot and the others take on the strange creatures that Ex Nihilo has set free, whilst Hyperion tackles the mighty Hulk. Smasher flies across to where Sunspot and Cannonball are defending themselves against the dogs and asks them not to move. She has this. She fires a beam from her eyes, which hits the first creature and then ricochets to hit all the rest. Sunspot congratulates her on her shooting. She explains that she upgraded her exo-specs with a tracking package. It’s one of the benefits of the bioware that comes with being a Smasher in the Imperial Guard. Sunspot cuts her off and tells her it sounds fascinating, so he should take her out to dinner with they get back and she can tell him all about it. He then gets the bejeebers scared out of him as another attack dog leaps at his face.
Cap asks for help in getting the captives free. Falcon, Hawkeye, Spider-Man and Wolverine pitch in but Spidey reckons the plants are like molded titanium. It’s going to take too long to pull off. If only they had something with which to cut it. Wolverine snikts a single claw. “Right,” adds Spidey. With the captives freed, Cap then tries to speak to Falcon but finds him distracted. He tries again and Sam informs him that it took him a few minutes to comprehend what he was hearing. Looking up at some flying creatures, he explains that there were two sides of the conversation but he could only make out one. He understands it now. The two animals that they’re fighting were made to be symbiotic and Ex Nihilo made one of them birds.
As Hulk manages to smash Hyperion into the ground, Sam tells Cap that he’s managed to convince the creatures to leave, for now. Ex Nihilo sees them abandon him and asks who would leave the creator’s garden willingly. All is lost, isn’t it? he asks. Abyss replies that some worlds don’t want to be saved. They just want to limp along to their extinction. “Aleph?” The giant robot assesses the threats and realigns its objectives. It’s new goal is extermination.
Nearby, Wolverine slashes at Thor’s binds and the Thunder God asks what is taking so long. Wolverine tells him that the problem with being a big guy is that they always put him in the best traps. He slashes the last few strands and frees Thor. Abyss sees him move away from the tree he was strapped to and hears his hammer rumbling. Thor extends his hand and Mjolnir flies into it. He instantly creates a lightning strike to zap their three enemies. Abyss gasps. “I’ve lost him,” as she sees Thor return to the Avengers fold.
Meanwhile, Hyperion hits Hulk so hard that he reverts to his Bruce Banner form. Hyperion welcomes him back and asks if he’s feeling better. “I’m okay,” he replies. Shang Chi pitches in by smashing through Aleph’s kneecap, which topples the giant. Captain Universe, meanwhile, looks at Adam lying in the greenery. “Oh! Systems,” she remarks before Adam says something in his own coded language. The fight continues with Ex Nihilo blasting Cap, who uses his shield to defend himself. Aleph uses some kind of forcefield to defend himself and Ex Nihilo against Thor’s lightning strikes. Iron Man informs Cap that they’re not getting through. He feels the battle is getting ready to turn in a bad way “Keep pressing,” commands Cap.
Captain Universe’s costume covers her entire body as she has a revelation. “Of course,” she says. A bright light follows and Ex Nihilo is forced to cover his eyes. Cap asks what in the world is going on. “Not world, Cap,” replies Tony. “Universe.” Captain Universe raises herself from the ground and stands before the three would-be reformers/conquerors. She says she wants equilibrium and asks them whether they recognize her form. Do they know who she is? Ex Nihilo bows down before her, knowing that she is the legend… the mother. Aleph, however, refuses to recognize her as a deity. Captain Universe corrects him and informs them that the systems they have worked to for so many years are now broken.
Inexplicably, as if Captain Universe’s host is still in partial control, she says that, when she was a little girl, her mother used to make her pie. She then orders them not to destroy or transform any other inhabited worlds. Abyss asks if she’s sure. It is who they are. Ex Nihilo replies that it is who they were. He recognizes this as change. It’s the stuff of life. Now they can fly into the unknown. He asks Aleph if he agrees. The giant activates its attack systems and replies no. “Pie?” asks Captain Universe. Aleph stands before her and explains that he has determined that the human world must be demolished. Must it not perform its function? Captain Universe tells him that there are seemingly infinite mysteries within her expanse but this is not one of them. She asks what good any system is built by children, even if they are your own. She orders him to stand down because the end isn’t what he thinks it will be.
Watching, the Black Widow sees that something is about to happen and tells everyone to back away. Ex Nihilo tries to stop Aleph but he charges up his weapons and replies that he cannot obey. He then blasts Captain Universe, who remains standing, seemingly unaffected. She responds by pointing at Aleph and disintegrating him with a touch. Tony leans towards Cap and asks him to remind him, when they get home, to put ‘Get pies’ on Jarvis’ to-do list.
(later)The Avengers inform Ex Nihilo that they are taking Adam, but he asks why. Captain Universe replies that he made Adam human and he belongs with his own kind. It is how things should be. Abyss accepts that it is for the best. Ex Nihilo asks what they would have him do now. She informs him that Mars is now his world. He can make it something beautiful. Cap adds that he should keep his ball in the park and leave their world alone. Is he going to be restrain himself? Ex Nihilo says he can. The universe has spoken. But, he adds, one has to wonder. He has remade thousands of worlds and seen the destruction of far more, and yet it is his planet that she has chosen to call home. What is it that makes Earth so special? Cap asks if he wants his best guess. “Indulge me,” replies Ex Nihilo. Cap tells him that it’s an Avengers world and it was the first. Manifold then teleports them away back to Earth, leaving Ex Nihilo and Abyss to do whatever they desire.
‘It was the spark that started the fire. A legend that grew in the telling. The great idea was expansion. And it started with two men. One was life (Captain America) and one was death (Iron Man).


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Provide a full summary of the comic book.

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The Death and resurrection of Major Titans
(Kobe, Japan)Ex Nihilo sent several ‘evolution bombs’ to Earth before he was stopped from causing any further trouble by the Avengers. Captain America is with Maria Hill in video conference with Captain Marvel and the Black Widow. He informs them that S.H.I.E.L.D. bio-teams have successfully established a containment barrier separating the impact zone from the unaffected surrounding areas. Also, reports from the S.H.I.E.L.D. teams in Croatia and India all seem to indicate the same thing - a ten mile radius of fallout from the Garden’s bio-weapons. And inside, well, they are virtually dead zones with almost zero activity. “Almost?” replies Carol. Cap tells her that twelve hours ago the Hand managed to break the line. A full Fist made it through but orbital recon lost them one mile into the city. Since then, they’ve heard nothing. He asks them to tell him about the other locations.
Carol informs him that the Canadian government is insisting that an Omega Flight handle their site and the Australians are refusing all access to Perth, as they discovered that S.H.I.E.L.D. had a Project: Pegasus facility there. Cap reckons that, regardless, that’s five sites with full containment. “Maybe,” replies Carol. She explains that they went back over the data from when the original bombs entered the atmosphere and they think there might have been a shadow… another bomb. They are running simulations of possible entry vectors now. Cap tells Natasha that S.H.I.E.L.D. assets are fully deployed and both his and Tony’s teams are at active sites. If she finds something, she and Carol need to break camp and take their team to investigate. Carol replies that they’re already packed and will let him know if they get a hit.
Nearby, Hyperion determines that, due to their computer’s limitations, the friction coefficient is all wrong. He changes a few things and recalculates the information provided. He then discovers a new landing site and asks what the Savage Land is.
(then)On an Earth that was no more, there were two titans called Hyperion. The first was legend, a story everyone knew. They knew of Marcus’ escape from a dying world, of his journey to Earth and of the man called Father who found him and molded him into a tool to shape society. He taught him that it is a mistake to think of a community as any less an organism than the citizens it is composed of. And, if that is true, then just like they can speak to individuals, they can speak directly to groups, which is actually a more efficient way to communicate. It’s a better way to bring about change. Marcus grew and Father taught him the code: Truth without compromise. Thought without error. All things for the betterment of the whole. Then, Father and his children remade the Earth.
But, there were two Hyperions. The one the world knew and the one who hid deep inside himself - the one who could see what others could not. He could see electrons orbiting nuclei. He could see the parts that made the whole. He saw the great society that they had built, but he also saw the people. He saw them as they danced, as they looked in each other’s eyes and as they fell in love. He watched as together they made something new from their union. He saw everything, and he hid what it meant deep in his heart. There were two Hyperions.
(later, site six, Fallen Heights, the Savage Land - infected)The already strange landscape has been transformed still further. Unusual plants cover the planes near to where the Avengers Quinjet lands. As they exit the craft, the Black Widow warns everyone not to touch anything until they do a sweep. Spider-Woman doesn’t feel it’ll be a problem. Still, she adds, it’s kind of beautiful. Natasha asks if she means it’s strange and exotic, like three boys and three girls alone in an alien jungle. What wonderful and amazing things could happen? she asks. “Right,” replies Jessica. Natasha says this is how almost every horror movie starts.
Captain Marvel says it checks out like all the other infected sites. The infected area just stops abruptly. “Any motion?” she asks. Hawkeye checks his hand-held instrumentation and informs her that he has limited range but so far he’s got nothing actually moving. There are plenty of heartbeats, however. Carol says that’s expected. It’s the cocoons. Any living thing that was in the impact zone is being biologically broken down or changed or something. She asks him to keep looking.
Elsewhere, Thor is with Hyperion. “Surtur’s sweaty orbs!” Thor exclaims. “It’s hot.” Hyperion informs him that the troposphere on this Earth is thinner at the poles. The sun is therefore less filtered. This is good, he thinks. Thor replies that what is good is the century old fimbulvinter which he holds. He and his brother stole a barrel from the Frost Giants when they were young. He asks him to drink, saying it’s like vodka but for men. Hyperion replies that he consumes neither food nor water, but light. And, he adds, alcohol should be beneath Thor. It is a weakness. Thor tells him that it’s hot, and he will quench his thirst. Hyperion asks him to wait. He looks into the distance and informs him that he can see something six miles from there… Men. What he sees are several A.I.M. scientists injecting something into one of the cocoons.
(six miles away)There, the scientists are surrounding a large cocoon which has cables plugged into it. One of them informs Dr. Jema that they have penetrated the external shell and are preparing to extract a sample. Stuttering, Dr. Jema says he is pleased but asks him to do it quickly and carefully. They are expecting company shortly. Dr. Tanaka agrees. There is no mistaking the unique sound of Stark repulsors firing through Wakandan turbines. He’s fairly certain that it was a Quinjet they heard landing. Another agrees. A Quinjet means Avengers and Avengers mean barriers. Regardless of their papers, though, he doubts they will let them leave with in possession of their samples. They will have to field-test their theories now. He asks where their intern is.
A young intern is brought to him. He tells the doctor that he admits he doesn’t fully understand what’s happening, but he’s ready to do whatever’s needed. The doctor explains that they have fused the virus that is transforming the indigenous life here in the Savage Land with a standard delivery system, as well as an immuno-suppressant. They need to see exactly what kind of potential this, and he, has. The good news is that they have a reagent in case there is an adverse reaction. Dr. Jema asks the intern not to worry. They’re all doctors here. He injects the guy with the serum and asks if he feels anything. He holds out his hands which immediately become see-through. Veins and capillaries can be seen beneath his skin.
He explains that it feels like he’s on fire. His heartbeat has increased dramatically and his skin… it’s… The poor guy keels over and dies instantly. One of the doctors states that it appears their theories are flawed. He asks where the intern went to school. Another replies that he was in the doctorate program at Cal Tech microbiology. He had over two hundred thousand in student loans. Dr. Jema reckons he’s better off dead, then. They then look up and see both Captain Marvel and Hyperion descending towards them. “Well look here. The saviors of fallen mortals. My rescuers. My would-be masters. A.I.M,” says Hyperion.
(then)Everything turned red the day Hyperion’s world died. A second Earth hung low in the sky. Together, the children had made a new world and they would die trying to prevent its destruction. By the time the worlds were about to touch, Hyperion was all that remained of all of them. Hyperion held the worlds apart until the worlds broke - the cascading energy collapsing two entire universes. Everything died everything except him. He floated in nothingness, lost and sick with loss until he was found and pulled into another universe... this universe, by scientist of A.I.M… this one.
(present)Carol asks the scientists what they are doing there. One of them explains that they are from their consulate in Chile working on exploratory stuff. All standard stuff. Research. He adds that even if they were doing any illegal there is nothing they can do about it. “Is that so?” asks Hyperion. The scientist informs him that A.I.M. is now a U.N. recognized state. They have diplomatic immunity. Hyperion says they don’t have immunity from a god. They turn to see Thor slapping Mjolnir into the palm of his hand, menacingly. The scientist says there is no need to escalate this into violence. Besides, he doesn’t think there’s anything worth…
As he speaks, he is surprised when a large black tendril swings past his face. Several more appear out of the dead intern’s body and wrap themselves around the scientists. They scream as the Avengers leap into action. The Black Widow says it’s spreading and Spider-Woman begins zapping them with her venom blast. Carol snaps a tendril and points out that it’s regrowing as well. She thinks they’ll have to hit the body. Burn it. Hawkeye says he can’t do it with what he has. Thermite isn’t doing a thing. They need something stronger. Thor asks everyone to stand back and then summons a lightning strike. It hits the intern’s body and Hyperion finishes it off with his eye beams, burning off any remnants.
Carol grabs one of the scientists and lifts him above her, her right fist at the ready. She asks if he fancies explaining what just happened. He replies that they extracted base sequencing from the alien matter and introduced it into a host. Carol asks why he would do something like that! He pauses a moment before replying that they were curious. Natasha says they’ll need a full containment team. Carol tells her she will put in a call to Cap and Tony while Natasha gets on the phone with S.H.I.E.L.D. She can run it all the way to the top if she has to. Natasha realizes that this could have gone very bad. They have to ensure all these sites are locked down. There’s no telling what else is going to come of this. As they speak, Hyperion hears a popping noise emanating from the pod.
(flashback)There were two Hyperions. Both were resurrected from a dead universe and kept weak beyond weak without sunlight until both were rescued. Hyperion saw Captain America, Iron Man and Thor enter his cell and ask if he thought he could walk out of his prison. The Hyperions were called to be Titans again. Titans towering above mortal men, shaping the world into something better. He remembered his father’s words. “Truth without compromise. Thought without error. All things for the betterment of the whole,” and he found fault with them. There were two Hyperions. One that lost everything and one that had everything to gain.
(present)The pod hatches beside Hyperion and a small striped creature emerges, arms wide and speaking the universal code. Several more appear from the other pods and stand around like small, confused children. For Hyperion, death should mean something and so should being born again. He was the sun, and these are the first of his children.
(later)As the A.I.M scientists are led away from the scene, Captain America calls Carol and says that detaining them might be a problem. Carol reckons they can tell that to The Hague. They can’t afford anything breaking containment. She reckons it’s lucky that Hyperion found the sixth and final site so quickly. She notices Dr. Jema smirking and she asks what he’s doing that for. Stuttering, he asks why he shouldn’t be happy. They saved them from the monsters and got all six sites. “Guh-guh, good job, cuh-captain,” he smiles. “Guh-good job.”
(Norway)Several more A.I.M. scientists wander through the frozen landscape searching for their target. They make their way through some trees and into a clearing. They discover what they are looking for and their leader asks for a message to be sent to A.I.M. Island. Looking at what appears to be a figure encased in ice, he says they should be informed that they have found the seventh site.