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Provide a full summary of the comic book.

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Red Reign Part 3: Mortal Coils
At 0312 hours, somewhere above the Swiss Alps, just south of Liechtenstein, a nondescript armored transport makes a silent approach towards its final destination. The plane is being flown by Hammer and the man sitting next to him in the cockpit goes by the name of Omega Red.
When they’re almost over the drop zone, Hammer calls Sickle, located in the back of the plane, to get the men ready. Sickle responds that the men are good to go and to get the party started. Upon hearing that, Hammer flips a switch that opens cargo bay doors three and four. Once done, with synchronous precision, wave after wave of armed assault troops spill out from the belly of the beast, raining down like a swarm of locusts onto the tiny landing field below. As the troops dressed in Hydra uniforms rain down, the sentries guarding the entrance to the secret A.I.M. outpost are taken by surprise and quickly thrown into disarray. They become easy cannon fodder for Ivan Pushkin’s well-trained death squads. What follows is a bloodbath, in which the A.I.M. troops are unable to sound the alarm as to warn their companions.
Inside the plane, Omega Red notices a light flashing and asks Hammer what it is for. Hammer replies that it is an incoming message from control and that it must be important if they broke radio silence. Before Omega Red can ask what it is, he is quickly hushed by Hammer, who listens to the transmission. Once he has heard the transmission, he immediately calls Sickle and informs him that they have trouble. Maverick and the Red Guardian escaped from the Cooler about an hour before they left Borivichi. He adds that Pushkin suspect that they may stowed aboard. When Omega Red hears Maverick’s name being mentioned, he is incensed. As Sickle informs Hammer that he will take care of him, Omega Red rushes out of the cockpit informing Hammer that Maverick is his!
Further in the back of the plane, hiding inside of one of the camped, but otherwise deserted storage compartments, the stowaways – Maverick and the Red Guardian anxiously bide their time. As they wait, Maverick mentions to the Red Guardian that he looks a little green. Guardian replies that it’s nothing, just a slight case of nerves and motion sickness. Maverick proceeds to ask him how much field experience he has had and if he is sure he is up to all of this. The Guardian answers that he will be fine once they are on the ground and that he has his word on that. Maverick shoots back that he may call himself the Red Guardian and claim to be working on the side of angels but he doesn’t know him and his word doesn’t mean a hill of beans to him. He explains that he’s still not convinced that he can count on him. The Guardian replies that he understands and that he has the same reservations about him. He adds that regardless of their mutual distrust, he can assure Maverick that he will not be a liability on this mission.
Maverick replies that he better not be. They’re dropping right into an enemy hot zone and he can’t be watching his back when the get down there, there will be too much at stake. The Guardian responds that he doesn’t need to be reminded of what’s at stake. He has been unable to think of little else since they got airborne. He continues that weapons of mass destruction are not something to be taken lightly, especially not when a fiend like Pushkin is involved. He adds that the man is a ruthless and immortal monster and that he won’t think twice about using such weapons against friends and foe alike. The thought of Pushkin getting his paws on A.I.M.’s cache of weapons is absolutely chilling. He adds that he will do whatever is necessary to make sure he fails, even if that entails sacrificing his own life to do it. He asks if Maverick can say the same.
Before Maverick can respond, they are interrupted by Sickle, who slams open the door, and indicates that he has found the first catch of the day. Before he can act, he is knocked out of the way by an incoming Omega Red, who informs the gypsy to get out of the way. He exclaims that he couldn’t care less with what he does with the Guardian but the pleasure of killing Maverick is his and his alone. Upon hearing that, Maverick thinks to himself that this is when the fun begins. When Omega Red joins the fray, mayhem ensues as a he uses his life-draining carbonadium coils to press his attack. Fueled by lethal pheromones coursing through his mutant body, the slithering tendrils lash out every which way, madly gasping at potential prey.
As he bears down on Maverick, he demands that he tell him where he has stashed the carbonadium synthesizers. When Maverick hears what he wants, he realizes that the old goat must still need the synthesizer to neutralize his death factor and stabilize his body. Maverick decides to use this to his advantage and angers Red by asking him if he’s still hung up over that old thing. Maverick also realizes that Red’s sheer bulk is working against him in these tight quarters and is slowing him down. He notices that even Sickle is being hampered by the tight space. The long handle on that blade of his is too clumsy to maneuver in such close quarters. That gives him and the Red Guardian the advantage.
Just then, Maverick has his leg snagged by one of Omega Red’s coils. He decides that it’s not a problem; as long as Red is unaware of the resurgence of his mutant powers, he still has an ace up his sleeve. As he gets slammed up against the crates, he realizes that even though his powers have been out of whack since his relapse, they are still good in a pinch. With that, he grabs a hold of Omega Red’s coils and uses it to fling him across the storage area.
In the front of the plane, Hammer yells over the radio that he just got word from the ground troops that the landing strip has been secured. He recommends Sickle to brace himself for he’s taking the plane down. When Hammer presses the button, the transport’s reverse thrusters come on-line and inadvertently knocks the combatants in the storage compartment off-balance.
When the plane settles down, Maverick informs the Red Guardian to wrap it and to come on. He points out that the pilot must have engaged the transporter’s VTOL capabilities. He then informs him that it’s time to bail. At that, both he and the Red Guardian jump out of the plane onto the mountain below.
Seeing this, Omega Red goes to follow them. He is stopped by Sickle who informs him to not even think about it. He reminds him that he is there to do a job, not to carry out old grudges. He orders him to let it go for his muscle is needed elsewhere. Besides, they will be dealt with later. Under his breath he indicates that it will be by his hand, and not Omega Red’s. Omega Red replies that he is warning Sickle to get out of his way for Maverick and him have an old score to settle. Sickle responds that it can wait for now. They need to carry on as planned and he is to accompany Alpha squad and help them take out the bunker’s command center. From there, he is to coordinate the efforts to raid the munitions wing like they discussed.
When Omega Red asks him what will happen if he doesn’t, Sickle holds his weapon at the ready and informs him not to be stupid. He adds that Pushkin is known as Ivan the Terrible for a reason and what will happen to him if he reneges on his deal with him won’t be pretty. He then asks Omega Red if he understands. Red replies that he does but informs Sickle not to press his luck for if he pushes him too far, he will find himself sharing an early grave with Maverick – deal or no deal. With that, Omega Red storms off.
When he is gone, Sickle calls Hammer on the radio. Hammer asks him what is going on back there and if he needs to send back-up. Sickle informs him that it’s too late for that. Maverick and the other do-gooder got away. Hammer then asks him about Omega Red. He adds that he stormed out of there in a huff. He also knows that they are on a tight schedule and that they can’t afford any loose cannons. If he should wander off… Sickle cuts him off and informs him not to worry. He was able to calm Red down and remind him of his responsibilities and that he won’t be a problem. He then informs Hammer to alert the others to be on the lookout for their unwanted party-crashers but for them to leave them to him. He will take care of them personally. Hammer informs him that he doesn’t think that is wise for his hatred of Maverick is clouding his… He is abruptly cut off by Sickle who informs him that he knows what he is doing and that he will rendezvous with him at the biogenics lab after he is done.
At 0312 hours, Maverick and the Red Guardian have made it to a control center inside the A.I.M. base. Around them are dead A.I.M. soldiers. From images on one of the video screens, Maverick informs Guardian that it looks like the majority of Pushkin’s forces are converging on the stronghold’s main armory – with Omega Red leading the pack. He adds that Hammer’s squad is several levels below, fending off some heavy resistance outside the biogenics lab. He then indicates that they will deal with the conventional armaments later; right now, the need to neutralize the anthrax cultures and whatever other biohazards A.I.M.’s scientists are manufacturing in the lab. More than likely, the customized stealth missiles and their accompanying warheads are stored there as well. They will have to disable them too. He then adds that they will have to split up and assuming the schematics are accurate, this network should get him into the lab before Hammer and his men can fight their way inside.
The Guardian then asks what they are going to do about Sickle and Maverick replies that he will take care of Sickle. Hearing that, the Guardian accuses Maverick of only thinking of his own self-interests. Maverick asks him what he is talking about. The Guardian replies that he saw the fire in Sickle’s eye and that he’s not the only one with a vendetta against him. He also suspects that the feeling is mutual. He then asks him if he realizes that his petty squabbles are going to jeopardize their mission. Maverick informs him that he’s wrong. Sickle has positioned himself in the only corridor between them and the biogenics wing. If he catches on to what they are up to and alerts Hammer, they will never get near the weapons. Someone needs to keep him distracted while the other takes the alternate route into the lab. Before the Red Guardian can ask another question, Maverick takes off. As he leaves, he informs him that he will catch up with him as soon as he can.
At 0438 hours, Sickle is making his way through a slew of dead A.I.M. soldiers until he is stopped in his tracks by Maverick, who asks him if he’s looking for him. As Sickle takes a swipe at Maverick with his weapon, he indicates to him that they have been pussyfooting around long enough and it’s time for him to get what is coming to him. Maverick manages to dodge Sickle’s attack and replies that he has it backwards. Using his power, he is able to jerk Sickle’s weapon out of his hands, much to the dismay of Sickle. Maverick then informs Sickle that he is the one who is going to get his comeuppance and proceeds to punch him in the gut. Maverick continues to pound Sickle unmercifully until he grabs him by his neck and informs him that he has lost again. With both hands around Sickle’s neck, Maverick realizes that Sickle isn’t even fighting back anymore and that it would be very easy for him to just snap his neck.
Choking out the words, Sickle asks him what he is waiting for. Isn’t he going to finish him off? He then challenges Maverick to go ahead and do it. At that point, Maverick lifts him up off the ground and looks at him for a moment. He then proceeds to slam him to the ground. As he does, he informs him that he’s not going to kill him, not like this, he’s not worth it. He adds that unlike him, he doesn’t go around murdering defenseless people in cold blood – it’s not his style. Besides, he needs him to relay a message to his buddy Hammer. The message – tell that scum of a partner of his that he hasn’t forgotten about his role in Major Barrington’s assassination and to tell him that justice will be served – that his day of reckoning is at hand. With that, he leaves Sickle lying prone on the ground, as he goes to take care of other business.
Altamonte Springs, Florida is the home to the recently relocated Johnson family. Former KGB agent Elena Ivanova has been occupying their upstairs guest room for almost a week now recuperating from injuries sustained during a vicious clash with the homicidal Sabretooth with left her in a catatonic state. Ever since Maverick’s departure, Brian Johnson has taken his place at Elena’s side – standing vigil for hours each day. Sometimes talking or reading to her, sometimes listening to music together. Other times –
just simply sharing a mutual silence.
Suddenly, Brian’s power backlashes and he collapses. As he does, he thinks to himself that he almost fainted that time. He also knows that there is no denying that his headaches have been steadily increasing since his little outing in Doc Keller’s office. Also that the strain of using his powers like he did must have made his condition worse – so much for karmic fair play. He proceeds to pick up the transistor Maverick gave him. As he holds it, he thinks to himself that it’s hard to resist the urge of calling Maverick on his chatterbox but he knows that he had some personal stuff to sort out and he wanted to give him his space. Still, he hopes that he comes back soon.
At 0512 hours back at the A.I.M. fortress in the Alps, the main armory has fallen to Pushkin’s Hydra disguised forces. Commanding instant fear and subservience from those around him with his menacing stature, Omega Red dutifully oversees the operation - all the while indulging his own homicidal tendencies by randomly draining the life forces of the occasional hapless prisoners. Under his supervision, the seized armaments are loaded onto various skiffs and then taken back to the narrow landing field where their escape transport lies waiting. As Omega Red looks on, his attention is drawn to a battered and beaten Sickle approaching him. Upon seeing him, Omega Red asks him what happened to him and then indicates that he wants to guess. He guesses that he went after Maverick on his own and let him get the best of him to boot. Now it’s up to him to take care of the pest control problem, as he should have from the start. Sickle tries to stop him and reminds him of Pushkin. Omega Red responds that he can save it – he’s more than fulfilled his commitment to Pushkin. Now he’s on his own time. With that he storms off to find Maverick.
At 0516 hours in the biogenics lab, Hammer is directing his squad on what to do. He orders them to make sure the stealth missiles are secured. He also warns them to be careful with the warheads. If they are damaged, the master will have their heads. In a control room, the Red Guardian has been able to disengage the command overrides. Doing so means that when he enables the emergency shutdown fail-safes the biological agents in those canisters will be permanently neutralized and no one will be able to reverse the process. The only problem is reaching the switch. It is all the way on the other side of the lab, past Hammer and his squad.
The Guardian realizes that, since Pushkin’s thugs are getting ready to handle the actual canisters containing the assorted biohazards, his only option is to make a suicide dash and hope for the best. No sooner does he emerge from his hiding spot, does Hammer notice him. He indicates to him look who’s there – the Red Guardian, self-proclaimed hero of the Russian people. He adds that his noble delusions are going to get him killed. When he says that, the Red Guardian thinks to himself that he may be right for he is cornered with no place to… Just then, Maverick appears from the ceiling and asks if he can cut in – Hammer and he have some unfinished business.
As he lands, Maverick is in pain. The burning sensation is getting harder to bear each time he charges up. As it is, his hands are seared raw. Immediately, Hammer takes a swing at Maverick with his giant hammer weapon and proceeds to ask him what their unfinished business is all about. Maverick is able to dodge the attack and connects with a blow of his own. As he does, he answers that surely the name Arthur Frederick Barrington rings a bell or maybe he, the butcher, doesn’t keep track of his many victim’s names. Even as Maverick is able to connect, he has to constantly keep it together and block the pain. He can’t let Hammer know how much he is hurting. Hammer is able to connect with a shot to Maverick. As he does he informs him that the old Major was as easy as a kill as he is. Maverick knows that he needs to by the Guardian the time and space he needs to…
He is unable to finish the though, as Hammer uses his weapon to bring down some machinery that falls on Maverick, pinning him below. However, Maverick has done his job for the Red Guardian has made it over to the switch and pushes it. Depressing the switch sets off an alarm. Hammer turns to ask the Guardian what he has done. The answer Guardian provides him with is that the stuff in those canisters will soon be worthless to him and there’s nothing he can do to stop it. Hammer angrily replies that is too bad for him and bring his hammed down on the Guardian’s leg, crushing it beneath the massive blow. He then informs his squad to get the missiles out of the lab, he will cover their backs. He then orders three others to finish off the Red Guardian and Maverick off.
When the troops move towards Maverick, he frees himself from the rubble and informs them to not even try it. He easily takes them all out and goes over to check on the Red Guardian. As he helps him up, the Guardian informs him that he shouldn’t have let them get away and that he should have left him there for he’s a liability. Maverick replies that there is no need for martyrs today. Besides, it will take them a while to reach the transport and finish loading their goodies. He still has enough time to get him to safety before he heads out. With that, Maverick assists the barely conscious Red Guardian to one of the bunkers auxiliary hangars.
Once there, he indicates to the Red Guardian that the escape pod will get him down to one of the villages below and from there he’s on his own. The Guardian thanks him and wishes him luck. He also apologizes for misjudging him. Maverick tells to him not to sweat it, adding that he shouldn’t have given him such a hard time either. He then indicates to him that he, the Red Guardian, has earned his respect. The Guardian then informs him that his name is Krassno, Krassno Granitsky. His last words before he passes out is that he owes Maverick a debt of honor and, if he ever needs anything, to contact him in Pargolovo. Once their conversation is complete, Maverick is surprised that he didn’t pass out sooner – his leg wound was pretty nasty. He then sets the auto-pilot and sends him on his way before…
He is unable to finish that thought, as Omega Red appears behind him. Red informs him that he shouldn’t have left him buried alive beneath the Weapon X facility. He adds that he’s been looking forward to some payback and, now that the opportunity is finally there, he’s going to relish every last moment. Maverick responds by informing him that he, Omega Red, will have to catch him first. He also calls him a big lummox. Red replies to Maverick that he had better watch the insults, for he has dismembered men for less. Maverick asks him if that is so. He then indicates that, considering their special relationship, he was hoping he would be exempt from his wrath. Red tells to him to not count on it.
As Maverick continues to taunt Red he is able to dodge all of his attacks. He makes it over to a control panel that will release the Red Guardian’s escape pod. Once there, he asks Red about the carbonadium synthesizer. He reminds him that if he kills him, he will never find it and without it, he points out to Red that his fate will be sealed.
After depressing the escape pod release button, Maverick makes his way out of the lab and onto the mountainside it is perched on. As he does so, Omega Red informs him that right now he doesn’t care about the synthesizer. He adds that he doesn’t care about anything but pounding Maverick into a bloody pulp. For that, he doesn’t need to kill him. To demonstrate, Omega Red wrap his coils around Maverick, pulling Maverick towards him. As he does, he informs him that he can just as easily torture him to the brink of death and make him beg for mercy. He then asks Maverick how it feels to have the very life drained out of him.
Maverick is starting to get weak and he can barely stay conscious. He knows that he needs to get the coils off of him. Suddenly, he realizes that the coils are the only things keeping his body stable and that Red’s very existence depends on them. He also realizes that is a weakness that he can exploit and right now the only chance he has is to provoke Red into slamming him around hard enough so he can charge up his powers. To do so, he begins to insult Red. He indicates to him that he must be losing his touch if he thinks he can beat him with this lame effort. He adds that if this is the best that he, Omega Red, can do he is extremely disappointed. Red does not take kindly to that and calls Maverick an insolent cur, all while slamming him on the ground.
Once Maverick is slammed to the ground, his hands begin to glow. He then asks Arkady what’s wrong – isn’t he as tasty now that he’s infected with the legacy virus. Or is it that he’s afraid he will catch it himself if he keeps draining his life force? Omega Red hesitates for the briefest of moments - affording Maverick the opening to make his move. Maverick is grabs hold of Red’s coils and slams them to the ground, fusing them together. Omega Red, in a panic, asks him what he is doing to his coils. Maverick says nothing but uses all of his power to jerk Arkady’s fused coils in an effort to knock him off balance. It works and as Omega Red is off balance, Maverick places a well placed side-kick to his abdomen and knocks him off the side of the mountain. As he falls off the mountain, Omega Red calls out NOOOOOO.
With Omega Red dealt with, Maverick realizes that took way too long. In the distance, he hears the sound of the transport revving its engines and realizes that he doesn’t have a second to spare if he’s going to reach it before it takes off. With that, Maverick runs full speed towards the transport in the distance, not sure if he’s going to make it in time. Arkady’s coils took a lot more out of him than he thought. His heart is racing, his head is pounding, his legs feel like rubber, and he’s just about ready to collapse. But he is determined to not let himself quit; there is too much at stake. As the transport begins its ascent, Maverick is able to leap and grab hold of the landing gear before it goes into its housing.
Inside the transport, Pushkin’s troops are discussing their Hydra outfits. One of them indicates that they may look cool, but they itch like crazy. Another of them replies “tell me about it” and that he has the nastiest rash on his… He is unable to finish his thoughts as Maverick appears and takes them all out.
During the battle he opens up the exit door and is able to kick two of the troops out of the transport. Once they have been dealt with, he charges up his hands so he can put the missiles out of commission permanently. He then uses his powers to destroy the missiles. After doing so, Maverick is spent. As he stands in front of the open plane door he knows that he needs to rest a moment before he can…
There is no rest for the weary, however, as Sickle comes up behind him and punches him in the back of the head. As he wraps his hands around Maverick’s neck, Maverick knows that his body has taken too much abuse and that he can’t hold him off. As Sickle continues to choke the life out of Maverick he curses him and blames him for ruining everything. For that, he wants him dead. However, after that last humiliation, killing him is not enough. With that, he pulls off Maverick’s faceplate. Sickle continues that he is going to show Maverick the same mercy he showed him and make him suffer as he’s suffered by leaving him with a fitting reminder of his hate for him! With that, Sickle gouges his thumb into Maverick’s left eye. Maverick screams with a primal intensity the likes of which he’s never felt before, and then half his world goes black.
Simultaneously, back at the Johnson house, an unexpected turn of events occur when Elena wakes up and expels enormous amounts of energy to the surprise of Brian sitting next to her.
Back on the plane, Maverick is laying on the wing with his hand over his gouged out eye. He thinks to himself that it’s over until he realizes that he can’t give up now and that he has to stay calm – for if he panics, he’s dead. With a last gasp effort, he is able to kick Sickle and jumps towards the engine on the plane’s wing. Once there, he has the presence of mind to destroy it with what power he has left. He then jumps off of the crippled transport into the unknown below.
In the front of the transport, Hammer is knocked around by the force of it spiraling out of control. He orders one of the troops to inform him of what is happening. The soldier informs him that their primary port-engine is off-line. Hammer asks how that happened and the solider replies that he doesn’t know, it doesn’t make any sense. Hammer proceeds to sit down at the controls and informs the rest of the passengers on board to strap in, for the auxiliary engine just went dead – they’re going down! As the transport makes its decline towards the mountain, Maverick continues his free-fall. At about the same time, the two of them crash onto the mountain below in two different locations.
As soon as the plane crashes, Hammer calls the gangster Ivan Pushkin at his mansion in Borivichi, Russia. He is quickly apprised of the latest developments. Pushkin asks what happened to Omega Red. Hammer informs him that he went AWOL and was left behind. Pushkin replies that is too bad for him and that at least A.I.M. will still believe that Hydra was responsible for the heist. He adds that, even if Arkady is apprehended, he’s not stupid enough to blow his cover. He informs Hammer that he is still extremely displeased and then orders him to salvage what he can from the crash site. He will arrange an airlift for him and whatever armaments he retrieves. He wants the area cleared before any unwanted spectators arrive on the scene.
Hammer asks him what they should do about Maverick. If he survived the fall, he can’t be far from there. Should they organize a search party to… He is cut off by Pushkin, who informs him to leave Maverick be and to let Christoph lick his wounds. He wants him whole again before he breaks him.
On another part of the mountain, Maverick pulls himself up out of the snow. He’s never been in so much pain. His whole body is trembling and he’s starting to go into shock. He assumes that must mean he’s still alive but he wonders where he is. As he looks at the ground around him, he sees blood everywhere. He wonders what happened to him. He’s disoriented and wonders why he can’t see out of… He stops in his thoughts when he remembers that Sickle gouged out his eye. He realizes that it’s still bleeding and, as much as it’s going to hurt, he needs to cauterize the wound. Using his two powered up fingers, he jabs them into the hole that was once known as his eye. Once done, he collapses.
In Florida, Brian Johnson rejoins Elena in her room. He thinks to himself that was some psi-blast and that he better call the Doc and let him know about… He is stopped in his thoughts when he hears Elena mutter the name Maverick. Brian hears her and is shocked. He wonders if their psi-link has been reestablished when she came out of her coma. He wonders if that would explain her sudden psionic outbursts. He then holds her hand and comforts her. He informs her that Maverick isn’t there but that he’s fine. He then promises that wherever he is, he will come back to them.
Somewhere in the Alps, Maverick pulls himself up and starts to make his way through a driving snowstorm, aimlessly.


[User]
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Provide a full summary of the comic book.

[Assistant]
A Very Dangerous Planet
An unknown speaker begins his story of a certain incident that occurred in the far reaches of space. The incident in question occurred on Carpiax IV, a planet which is part of the Skrull Empire.
Flashback
In the Skrull hatcheries, two skrull workers pick up a Skrull baby out of the egg from which it just emerged. Behind them, many workers also do the same and carry off the newborns. The two workers look at the child and Trl’k, in disgust, says that the child is another K-Class, a mutant Skrull. He tells his companion that there have been more mutant skrulls born ever since Lord Merrek began the fecundity-supplement program. Trl’k’s companion warns him not to let the Hatchwardens hear what he just said, or else he will be patrolling gaum.
Present
The unknown speaker tells his audience there were a few “culls” as usual, even though Skrull science has been making great strides in genetic purity. Cleanup of the mutants was underway when something happened.
Flashback
Inside a building, six baby skrull mutants are held in a stasis field. One worker is astonished that there are six mutants, which he calls a clutch record. The Skrull, Dakr’t, tells the other two workers to call in the purifiers. Three armed Skrulls come in and aim their guns at the six newborns. The third Skrull worker starts the countdown to lower the containment field when from above they are all attacked.
All look up to see a ship hovering overhead and five skrulls jumping down towards them. Their leader, Fiz, tells Nuro and R’tee to disarm the murderers. R’tee asks if he meant disembowel. Nuro stretches his body and punches a skrull in the face, while R’tee shoots acid into the face of another from his hand. The fourth skrull, Spunje, absorbs the blast from a skrull’s gun and shoots it back at the man. The final attacker, Z’cann, tells Spunje not to kill anyone and to remember their mission.
Fiz grows taller and grabs one of the three scientists, all the while agreeing with Z’cann. They may hate the “callous genetocrats,” but they will never sink to their level. Fiz orders Z’cann to attack. She does just that as she unleashes several psi-bolts, which put all the skrulls in the area harmlessly asleep. Fiz takes the field containing the six babies and the five of them are pulled back into the ship they came from as more skrull warriors come to fight them. Once in the ship, the skrulls are met by their mentor, Professor Charles Xavier, who congratulates them.
Present
The speaker, a Skrull who wears a purple suit and yellow headpiece, tells his audience that the mutants were Cadre K. They are a band of rogue K-class mutants who should have been killed at birth. At one point in time, they would have hidden themselves from society, but now they disrupt Skrull society and its time-honored ways. The Skrull continues and says that he knows what changed them. Highly emotional, the skrull continues his story and says that Cadre K attacks and prevents the culling of the hatcheries, which keeps the Skrull race pure. They hide from Skrull justice and create secret colonies. They speak of rights for their kind. The renegades were encouraged to do this by a human.
The Skrull man stands in a large bowl shaped structure, which serves as a podium. The place is the intergalactically renowned council planet, Selandiar. Amassed in the room are representatives of the civilized races of no less than eight galaxies. They are the civilized cultures of space. All are in the council chamber, more than ten thousand of them ranging from Skrulls to Aakon, Stonians, Troyjans, Badoon, Rigellians, and Shi’ar. The building itself is a dome. In the center stands a taller podium for the leader of the council. Hanging off the ceiling is a cluster of orbs, which differ in color from red to yellow to orange. The ceiling itself is transparent, allowing all to see the empty void of space.
Ambassador Kreddik of the Skrull continues and calls humanity a menace. They interfere in other cultures from wars to simple trade. They created the Dark Phoenix, defied the Celestials, they respect no boundaries, no government, and no right of self-determination. Despite their lack of power and backward ways, they still force their will on their superiors over and over again. On the council leader podium, Empress Lilandra stands with her bodyguard and praetor of the Imperial Guard, Gladiator, as well as her personal aid, Avios. Lilandra interrupts Kreddik and tells him that his views are well known.
Shocked by Lilandra’s dismissal of the situation, the ambassador tells her that this is something that cannot be swept aside lightly. Human agents are working their will in Skrull territory and he calls that the council do something about it. Annoyed, Lilandra tells him that the council is an extraordinary and seldom convened one. While they do open the floor to anyone with concerns, it is not their primary concern today. Also, points out Lilandra, she cannot see how unrest in Skrull space affects the civilized universe as a whole. Ambassador Kreddik looks at Lilandra with an accusing look and tells her that maybe she chooses not to see Earth as a threat. Everyone present knows of her alliances with humans, but others also know the truth. Kreddik calls humanity an ongoing danger that is more dangerous than Galactus ever was.
From the audience, Ambassador Fayrelyte Strongheart of the Kymellia tells the council that humanity has been of great aid to his people in the past and they do not consider them a menace. An ambassador for the Troyjans dismisses the claim and calls for humanity’s extermination. Ambassador Kreddik takes advantage of the support and tells Lilandra that many races have met humanity and many have suffered. He then demands that the question be raised and be judged by M’ndavian Justice as he points to the orbs hanging from the ceiling.
Everyone in the hall gasps. M’ndavian Justice is considered the most perfect legal system in existence. The hanging Judgment Gems monitor the thoughts and emotions of all present and register their innermost beliefs. If all the gems turn white, then the decision of not guilty has been decided. However, if they all turn black, then a verdict of guilty has been chosen. It is invoked in only the weightiest of cases and cannot be appealed.
Lilandra’s eyes are wide open as she realizes how serious the situation has just become. She does not have a governmental role in the council, but a hegemonic one. She is the leader of the most powerful empire represented in the council, but her authority comes as much from respect as from power. If she does not take in the concerns of other races, they could ally against her. That is something not even the Shi’ar could withstand. They could defeat one hostile race, like they did the Kree, but more than one? After she thinks to herself, Lilandra addresses the council and agrees with the proposal. The matter will be discussed, but not without careful study. She turns to Avios and asks him to select a neutral party to prepare a full report so that it can be brought up at a later time and fully addressed.
Lilandra turns back to the council and tells them that they must turn their attention to the reason the council was convened. A new civilized race, a merchant race, has contacted the council and has petitioned for admission for the purposes of both trade and diplomacy. Lilandra continues and introduces the new race as the Ruul and points out that many of them have already met the Ruul. Out of respect, they visited Krylor with a group of artists and communicators, gave unknown technology to the Badoon, and showed Aakon scientists how to revitalize their depleted natural resources.
On a platform before Lilandra, three Ruul delegates are teleported in. Lilandra tells the audience that they petitioned to speak to the council and their petition was approved. The lead delegate of the Ruul introduces himself as Sintariis, High Kronaster of the Ruul, and thanks the council for allowing them to speak to them.
On behalf of the council, Lilandra welcomes the Ruul. Sintariis begins to introduce his fellow delegates when something catches Avios’ eye. He bends down to pick up a video monitor at the edge of the bowl podium and tells Empress Lilandra that she had better she it. Lilandra looks horrified at the image for a moment and then apologizes for having to interrupt the Kronaster, but something of grave importance has occurred. Lilandra calls upon Bartos of Krylor, and gives him her deepest sympathy, for his home planet of Krylor has been destroyed. Bartos and the rest of the delegation are shocked at what the empress just said.
Lilandra tells them that a distress call was beamed from space and picked up by a passing Taurian craft. She puts the video on screen. No sound comes from the video or from the delegates. The video shows the people of Krylor running for their lives. Giant tentacles come down and crush their cities. Energy blasts come down and crack the crust. The molten core erupts and the atmosphere boils away. The final image comes from a never to be known Krylorian, who, with his dying breathe, extends his camera’s view to space so all can see Krylor’s murderer; Ego, the Living Planet.
Next to Krylor is the monstrosity that is attacking the home planet of Bartos. While his eyes glow a deep red, Ego tells the planet of Krylor that he has now freed him of his chains and bids him awake. Suddenly, Ego’s mood switches to one of anger and he begins to call the now brown and barren planet unworthy like the others. Two beams of energy ensue from his eyes, which destroy the remains of Krylor. However, the Krylorians build – or built – the best recording devices. So even though the planet is gone, the camera still tracks Ego. Disappointed by the events, Ego starts to move again deep into space. He begins to talk to himself insanely and mutters that there must be others like him somewhere in the universe with self-awareness for life. As the camera finally breaks, the delegates hear Ego say he will find and awaken his brothers, or destroy them.
The delegates stand in horror silently until one delegate, in disbelief, says Ego is going to do this same act again. Confused, another delegate says that Ego will destroy their home worlds…until one wakes up? Lilandra calms down the delegates and reminds them that alone they are formidable, but together they are the strongest power the known universe has ever known. Lilandra then proclaims that Ego’s acts will not go unpunished. The council will band together and fight until they triumph.
However, Ego is not checked.  In the following weeks, more and more planets die. Some of them were barren. Others, unfortunately, were radiant with life. One thing is for certain; wherever Ego goes, destruction and death follows. Back on Selandiar, the council continues their business. In the lounge floor, the delegates mingle and converse. Some say that they must meet Ego with force, while others say more intelligence must be gathered. No doubt, the mood is tense and some of the sentiments are dangerous.
A group of four delegates, including Ambassador Kreddik, discusses that the Shi’ar are not aggressive enough and it should be they who lead. A passing delegate hears this and tells his fellow delegates that they must stand together, for this is not a time to be fragmented. Another delegate grabs him by the neck and calls him a coward. A towering dragon-like alien stands over the delegates and tells them to cease, for there shall be no violence in the council building.
Bartos, one of the last Krylorians brings up the idea of contacting the humans. He mentions that there have been those in their number who have defeated Ego before. Ambassador Alberik of the Axi-tun is disgusted with the thought of crawling to humans. Two smaller delegates agree with him and say that humans are annoying and ugly, too. A green squid-like creature says it will be a black day before they call for help from Earth.
On a platform in the lounge, Empress Lilandra looks through the glass wall and into the council hall, where the Judgment Gems hang. The trial has not started, yet some of the gems have already turned black. Lilandra cannot help but think of her lover, Professor Charles Xavier. She wishes she could warn him, but knows that if she does she would be committing treason against the council and her people.
Gladiator interrupts Lilandra’s thoughts. He apologizes for intruding, but the Ruul delegates would like a word with her. She welcomes Sintariis and his fellow delegates. Sintariis tells Lilandra that he knows that she has a lot in mind with Ego and how to stop him. With that said, he offers whatever help the Ruul can. Lilandra thanks him and says that she will accept any help that comes.
Several days later, a massive contingent of ships streak towards Ego. The lead ship is Shi’ar. The captain on board gives orders to everyone to drop their cloaking fields and fire upon Ego. The ships do so, but do little damage to Ego. They do annoy him though, and in a matter of seconds he destroys all the ships. The survivors float around in space thanks to their pressure suits. Ego tells them that he will absorb them as a warning to anyone else who would dare attack him.
Suddenly, the Silver Surfer comes and tells Ego he will not kill anyone. Quickly, he picks up all the survivors and holds them together in a force field. The Surfer tells Ego he must take the survivors to safety, for their suits will not keep them alive forever. Before he leaves, the Surfer tells Ego to stop or else he will be forced to. Unimpressed by the Surfer’s words, Ego reminds him that he nearly destroyed the Surfer last time they met. The giant planet tells the Surfer not to interfere but, as the Surfer leaves with the survivors, he tells Ego that he will always interfere when justice demands it.
In the council hall, the delegate chosen to prepare a report on Earth speaks to the council. He begins by saying that humans involve themselves in galactic affairs anywhere and anytime, whenever they feel justified by their own societal standards. In that fact, the delegate continues, Ambassador Kreddik is correct. The report he put together bears that out. The ambassador continues and says that humans have entered wars between other cultures and ended them, overthrown governments, and intruded into delicate and dangerous cosmic situations. Sometimes, humanity or their allies interfere with good consequences and sometimes bad, but rarely do they follow any rules but those they set on themselves.
Gravely, the ambassador tells the delegation that, even now, humans and human allies are active in numerous places outside their home solar system. In Rigellian space, a group of self-styled Avengers, including terrans, a terran god, as well as others of the Sol-system, has chosen to interfere in the plans of the cosmic beings the Infinites. Near Vrellnex, the freebooters known as the Starjammers, led by a human, have raided slave markets of Golden Star, upsetting the economies of a dozen worlds. On six Skrull worlds, Cadre K continues to disrupt breeding procedures. In Shi’ar space, a terran sub-race called the Inhumans aid Ronan the Accuser and Kree rebels in defending rebel camps within the former Kree Empire from the Imperial Guard. Near the Xantarean Principalities, the Silver Surfer, who is a human ally, not only failed in defeating Ego, but also ruined the trap the council had set for Ego in the process.
The ambassador continues and the delegates begin to mutter amongst themselves. Lilandra looks at the Judgment Gems with a worried look as more gems start to turn black. Lilandra closes her eyes, for she has read the report and can no longer listen. She knew what kind of reaction would occur. The empress begins to think about the Time-Keepers, powerful beings who arose at the end of time itself and appointed themselves guardians of all of time. For their own reasons, they are keeping humanity’s influence beyond their own system to a minimum.
Few know of the Time-Keepers. Lilandra would not have known if it were not for breakthroughs in Shi’ar chronal research. She does not like the idea of revealing their existence to the council because it would cause too much fear, but it might be the one thing that can save Earth. For now, though, she says nothing.
A few days later, Lilandra tours the planet’s planetary defenses due to the fact that Ego’s rampage has been drawing him closer to Selandiar. An officer tells Lilandra that they have been bringing in Omni-cannons for the past week and are almost done with installation. Power cores are at 300%. They cannot maintain that forever, but it will last long enough. Lilandra thanks the officer and continues.
Lilandra continues and meets with Kronaster Sintariis. Sintariis tells her that he has nothing much to show as of yet, but the hope of the Ruul is to create a Psyche-Drone, which will allow them to attack the mind of Ego on the council’s behalf. Lilandra thanks him on behalf of the council. Sintariis tells Lilandra that she has more installations to inspect and that he does not want to keep her. Lilandra agrees and leaves with her guards.
As soon as she leaves, Sintariis mutters to himself that he thought she would never leave, because the prearranged contact time is almost upon him. A voice comes out of a speaker calling out to Sintariis. The Ruul tells the speaker on the other end that all is going well, but more pressure needs to be put on the council. The voice tells Sintariis that he is aware and more pressure will come quite soon.
Five days pass, then Ego comes. The largest moon of Selandiar is the first to go. Darkness falls on Selandiar at midday. The defenses open up and the force of them can be felt planet wide. Officer P’Kar comes to Lilandra’s quarters and tells her that the evacuation ships are ready, but the delegates refuse to leave. Lilandra is not surprised, because if any were the first to flee, their race would lose face. That is why even she cannot leave. Lilandra goes to the red view port and taps it to make it transparent. Outside, all one can see is Ego. He screams at the defenses and tells them that his business is with the one whom they encrusted and infect like a virus. Ego tells Selandiar to awaken.
Avios rushes into Lilandra’s room and tells her that the Imperial Guard has been recalled and is on their way. However, Ego’s rampage has made it difficult to maintain order and the guard is spread throughout the empire. Lilandra asks how long it will be before the guard returns. Avios tells her that it will take a day at least. Even Gladiator, who was sent to quell uprisings in Ansitar, is too far away. Lilandra realizes that the planet will be lost and she along with it. At that moment, though, something catches her attention. She orders the view port to zoom in on sector Delvas-triskell. Near Ego flies a ship with uncanny speed and grace. Lilandra utters only on name: Charles.
Everyone in the ship is silent. Nuro uses his powers to tap into nervous systems to link all of Cadre K to Spunje, who absorbs their reflexes and perception so he can pilot the craft with five times the speed he could normally manage. It is barely enough, but the ship lands safely on the surface of Ego. Professor Xavier and Cadre K exit the ship and step foot onto Ego. Xavier tells his students to move quickly, for they must find an opening into Ego soon. The planet is too shielded to affect his mind from outside. Spunje wonders if they can get inside before Ego notices, but it is too late.
Tentacles grab R’tee, who sends blasts off acid to cut himself free. Nuro stretches himself in front of Z’cann to block the chunks of rock flying at her. Fizz begins to grow and orders Z’cann behind him. R’tee wonders why they are risking their lives for those who wish them dead. Fizz picks up Z’cann and tells R’tee that that is exactly why they are doing this. Cadre K’s purpose is not only to save mutants but also to change the minds of Skrulls everywhere. They need to make them realize that the mutants among them are not monsters, but a valuable part of society. Professor Xavier says nothing; he just simply smiles.
Z’cann uses her telepathy and tells Fizz and the Professor that there is an opening into the interior not too far away. Below Fizz, Nuro and Spunje are attacked by humanoid creatures: the antibodies of Ego. Xavier tells the Cadre to fight free. More and more antibodies swarm around the group when the image of Ego’s face appears before them. Ego tells them that they cannot stop him and tells them that he will find another like himself.
Xavier sends out a telepathic probe into the Ego manifestation, but is immediately swept into a sea of madness. Xavier feels Ego’s last moments of coherent memories before being drawn into a living bio-verse. Following that memory are fragments of memory, distortion, terror, and the ultimate sensory overload until Ego finds himself free, but alone with a pain no sane mind could withstand.
Xavier tells his students that Ego cannot be reasoned with and orders them back. Fiz tells him that they will find a way to the opening. Z’cann realizes that the antibodies do not have fully formed minds, but there is enough for her to psi-shock them. Spunje begins to drain them to husks while Nuro fries their nervous systems. Nuro looks up into the sky in shock at what he sees. The Silver Surfer reassures Nuro and tells all of Cadre K that the he has come to help them. As the Surfer blasts several antibodies, the council watches with mixed emotions of hope and shame. Sintariis, however, only feels anticipation and tells himself that soon it will happen.
On Ego, the surface breaks open and a blast of energy hits Spunje, R’tee, and the Surfer. Nuro stretches himself across the chasm before R’tee and Spunje fall in. R’tee asks how they are supposed to defeat Ego when the ground itself won’t stay still. Fiz goes to help them, but a tower of land rises from the ground and hits him in the face.
Professor Xavier assesses the situation and realizes they cannot reach the interior without suffering a loss. He calls Z’cann to him. Fiz puts Z’cann by Xavier. The Professor tells her that they will have to try and attack Ego’s mind from where they are. He tells Z’cann they will need more psychic power, though, and it will take all his focus to gather it, which means she must be the one to reach into Ego’s mind and shut it down.
Though obviously scared, Z’cann says she will do it if the Professor thinks she can. She asks where he plans on getting all the power he speaks of. “Selandiar,” says Xavier. Without another word, Xavier reaches out across space to the minds on Selandiar, whether they are a diplomat, soldier, or scientist. He begins to harvest their psychic strength, but as he does he notices a dark ominous feeling. However, he has no time to scan the individual thoughts.
Xavier channels the energy to Z’cann, who senses more of the darkness, a danger to innocents, and she becomes sad. She moves those feelings to the side, because she has a job to finish. She shapes the energy into a lance and thrusts it into the opening, which slices right to the core. Ego screams out in pain. The Surfer flies up higher and uses his Power Cosmic to divide Ego’s attention, which makes him more susceptible to psychic power. While Cadre K and the Surfer battle, none of them see a ship rising over the horizon. The ship reaches its desired position and lets forth a blast of energy. The pain Ego feels is incredible. He howls one last time and unleashes a wave of pure psychic energy, which blasts Cadre K and the Surfer away. Then, Ego simply is overcome by darkness and blessed peace.
Some time later, Cadre K wakes up, still on Ego. R’tee gets up and sees Shi’ar ships heading towards them. Spunje picks up the unconscious Nuro and Fiz takes the unconscious Xavier back to their ship. Dumbfounded, Fiz mutters that they had saved all of them and cannot understand why they would still attack Cadre K. They reach the Warpwing when Fiz realizes that Z’cann is missing. Spunje tells him that there is no time and, if they go back for her, they will all be caught. As the ship takes off, Spunje promises Fiz that they will free her soon. As Shi’ar forces fire upon the shielded ship, the Warpwing speeds away.
The next day, the comatose Ego is already being towed out of the Selandiar system. After the events, the council demands immediate action regarding humanity. In the speaker area, the Troyjan delegates incite the other delegates to anger against humanity. One Troyjan asks if they will stand for humanity meddling in their affairs, to which the audience says no. He then asks if they will stand against their threat and the delegates chant yes. Above them all, more than half of the Judgment Gems have turned black.
Lilandra calms the Troyjans down and tells them that must not rush judgment until all who wish to speak do so. Ambassador Dibdeb of the Sneepers reminds the other delegates that it was the human and his allies who saved them all. Ambassador Basaltar of Stonus Six says it were the Ruul who saved them, not the human and the Skrulls.
Lilandra does not say anything. She thinks to herself that things have gotten worse and now the council is embarrassed at being partially in debt to Cadre K and the Silver Surfer. That won’t help Earth at all.
Ambassador Manat of the Badoon tells his fellow delegates that they must not forget the recent battle between the terran god, Thor, and the Sol-system born Thanos, which nearly destroyed all the cosmos.
Ambassador Kreddik of the Skrull asks what of Galactus, whom he calls one of the fundamental beings of the universe. He tells the others that it was humans that orchestrated his death. He then asks if the council will let them turn their power against them.
Speaker after speaker brings up more examples until Ambassador Wibbow of the Wobbow asks what reprisals the council faces if they move against Earth and fail. No one says anything.
Ambassador Alberik of the Axi-tun breaks the silence in an angry rage and asks if the council is full of terrified children who would rather cower than fight. Lilandra looks at the Judgment Gems, which continue to turn black. Lilandra thinks to herself that the delegates have a point. However, they do not know humanity like she does, but she cannot think of any way to make them see.
Lilandra tells the councilors that they must consider the matter from all angles. Lilandra reminds them that humanity is a young race and says that no matter who defeated Ego, Xavier and his Cadre K showed much valor.
Ambassador Nelet Pa of the Rigel brings up the point that if it were not for Thor, Ego would never have come forth from the Black Galaxy he was imprisoned in. Nelet Pa asks the machine, Recorder, if he is correct. Recorder confirms the Rigellians story.
Lilandra sighs and thinks to herself that it was the Rigellians who set Thor upon Ego, but realizes that it won’t matter for the council is in no mood to listen. Lilandra turns to Avios and tells him to bring in the Skrull prisoner. Z’cann is brought in and introduces herself to the council upon request from Lilandra. The Empress tells Z’cann to tell the council about Charles Xavier. Z’cann tells the delegates that Xavier is a great man and his dream is beautiful. He showed Cadre K that they do not have to be outcasts and gave them hope. Z’cann tells the council that they should listen to the Professor and to learn from him, but is met with stony silence.
Gladiator looks up and sees that almost all the Judgment Gems are black except two. Lilandra tells herself that she hoped it would not come to this, but she has no choice. She thinks to herself that the knowledge of the Time-Keepers will cause turmoil and unrest, but also knows it can save Charles and his people.
Lilandra raises her voice to gain the council’s attention when, suddenly, Avios whispers that she has to wait. Lilandra looks at him confused. Avios whispers to her that he has just received word from the Imperial Chronal Institute:  the Time-Keepers are dead. Lilandra is shocked, but Avios goes on and tells her that they were murdered at the end of time itself by Kang the Conqueror, a human. “By…a human…?” mutters the distraught Lilandra.
With that, Lilandra looks up and without having to think about it, the last two Judgment Gems turn black. Lilandra quietly turns away. She loves Charles Xavier, but she cannot deny it any longer. Unchecked or unrestrained, humanity is a danger that must be dealt with at long last. Lilandra, under her breathe, tells Charles that she is sorry. She turns to the delegates and tells them that the decision has been reached. She adjourns the council until tomorrow, when they shall discuss appropriate action.
That night, Avios brings Kronaster Sintariis to Lilandra’s chambers. Sintariis apologizes for the intrusion but Lilandra tells him not to worry and asks about the important matters he wishes to discuss. Sintariis tells her that he knows she made a difficult decision today, but things don’t have to be as bleak as they appear. With a smile, Sintariis tells Lilandra that humanity does not have to be exterminated. “There is another way…” he says sinisterly.


[User]
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Provide a full summary of the comic book.

[Assistant]
Illegal Aliens
A group of armed thugs jump a man dressed in black. The man orders them all to freeze as he throws them all off of him. He gets up and takes out his shield while asking if anyone wants some more of him. He is the USagent.
(USagent’s thoughts:)
Arnette, Texas. Hap’s Roadhouse, right on the U.S./Mexican border, is a transit point for wanted criminals being smuggled out of the United States. Its clientele includes some of the toughest, meanest, most dangerous men in the state. Too bad for them – I’m worse. The crowd in the bar looks at USagent. The innocent bystanders just stare in awe at the pile of unconscious criminals at the man’s feet. The criminals, on the other hand, look on with a rising fear of being caught.
USagent introduces himself to those who may not know him. He lets them know that he knows that most of them are scum hiding from warrants and justice, but today is their lucky day. Today, he is only looking for one of them. USagent turns and points to a man playing a Pac-man arcade game and says that he is the one he is after. The man playing the game, wearing a trench coat and red hat, looks up confused. USagent calls him Calusky and says that he is talking to him.
This is a new job for me. I haven’t been doing it very long. But already I’m enjoying the hell out of it.  Calusky, better known as Piledriver of the Wrecking Crew, rips off his coat and hat to reveal his red and white uniform below. Piledriver tells USagent that he just made the biggest mistake of his life, because no one takes Piledriver in. Piledriver knocks back some bystanders and charges at Usagent, who smiles.
(Flashback:)
It all started in the offices of the Federal Commission on Superhuman Activities… Johnny Walker, a.k.a USagent, stands in civilian clothes in front of Valerie Cooper and the board of directors of the commission. Cooper stands at a podium with the directors seated next to her. Cooper thanks Walker for coming, but cuts straight to the business. She tells Walker that after the Vault, a prison used to incarcerate superhuman criminals, was destroyed, the commission decided not to rebuild it. Instead, they created enhanced-security wings in various penitentiaries around the country.
Behind Cooper is a large screen showing the United States of America. Red dots appear all over the map to show locations, each dotting representing a super powered criminal. Cooper goes on and says that with more facilities means a higher risk of escapes, but there can never be a mass escape as with the Vault.
Cooper continues and says that an oversight team was created known as the Superhuman Tactical Activities Response Squad, S.T.A.R.S. for short. Their purpose is to watch all aspects of super-powered crime and imprisonment, coping with escapes, chasing bail jumpers, handling extraditions, and etc. Cooper tells Walker that all they need is a leader for the team and the leader they want is him. The directors believe he is dedicated, capable and more than loyal enough for the job. He is even more powerful since his physical enhancements were boosted in his recent battle with Protocide.
Walker thanks Cooper and the directors for offering him the job, but says that he will need more than just qualifications for the job they just spoke of. He goes on and says that it will involve going into people’s backyards, from local sheriffs to F.B.I – all people who won’t like to cooperate with other people. Cooper explains that they take super-powered threats seriously. The marshal they need will have to be able to coordinate and direct forces in a variety of situations involving anything from high-speed chases in Alabama to extradition in Wakanda. His jurisdiction will be everywhere and he will have the ability to commandeer forces to act as he deems appropriate.
Walker asks if this will be on a local or federal level. Valerie tells him that it will be at all levels, including their international activities. Too often these situations turn into global crises and the U.S. needs someone to take charge and represent their interests. Walker shakes Valerie Cooper’s hand and tells the board that they just hired themselves a new marshal.
(Present)
That’s how it started, and there was an awful lot of set-up work, but the best part is the field assignments. Brian Philip Calusky, a.k.a Piledriver. High-school dropout from Brooklyn. Member of the Wrecking Crew. Busted out of stir in Wyoming three days ago and headed south.  Piledriver swings his fist at USagent, who ducks to the ground. Calusky’s fist smashes through a wall. Piledriver tells USagent that he won’t be pushed around by a “pipsqueak leather joyboy” and reminds the man that he has the power of an Asgardian god.
My photonic shield absorbs most of his haymakers – and deflects the rest.  USagent laughs and asks if he is referring to the god of basket-weaving or floral arrangements. Piledriver gets angrier and lunges at USagent who deflects the punch with his photonic shield. USagent tells Piledriver that he may not be as strong as him, but he knows what to do with the strength he has.
I knock the wind clean out of him. He just stands there, gaspin’ like a fish and it’s time for the Convincer. The energy-truncheon’s another gift from the commission, along with my added strength an’ durability. One tap’ll shatter steel. Calusky, it doesn’t shatter, but I bet he feels like it did, when he wakes up.  USagent punches Piledriver in the stomach. The man starts to gag and catch his breathe. Walker then takes out his club, which glows blue with energy. He whacks Piledriver across the face with the Convincer and the man falls to the floor unconscious. Walker smiles and says he bets Piledriver has the power of the god of ballads and woodcarving. He then tells the man that he is under arrest.
My retrieval squad’s five minutes behind me. They take care of him.  USagent’s retrieval squad sedates Piledriver and straps him to a metal stretcher. Agent Mowat tells USagent that they are good to go. Walker tells Mowat to get Piledriver into the transport when something catches his eye. A confused Mowat asks if something is wrong and then proceeds to explain that they triple checked all the procedures used in restraining Piledriver. USagent moves Mowat out of the way and points to an unconscious man on the ground. He walks over to the man, who begins to shimmer.
He was using some kind of image inducer – a disguise – an’ the fight must’ve cracked it, because it finally failed, and – As USagent approaches the man, his image inducer fails and reveals the true being underneath. Instead of a Caucasian wearing a tan t-shirt and green pants, there is a large purplish-red being wearing a blue costume. USagent immediately recognizes him from pictures he had seen before.
Washington, DC. The brand-spanking-new S.T.A.R.S. HQ…  USagent returns to the S.T.A.R.S. HQ and calls out Agent Magruder’s name to get her attention. Before he can get a response from her, he begins to tell the black woman in front of him that he wants everything they have concerning the Blood Brothers. The Blood Brothers are from outer space and they don’t travel alone, which means the other Blood Brother cannot be too far away, but not too close or else the one they caught wouldn’t have been taken so easily.
Magruder turns around in her chair and tells USagent that it is good to see him too. She goes on to tell him that she has big news. Angrily, USagent asks what big news she can have that can be bigger that a “super-strong alien monster on the loose somewhere on American soil.” Magruder turns back to her computer console and tells him that it is pretty big and possibly related. She tells Walker, who has calmed down, that while he was out reports started to come in from all over. She puts up the reports with video on the screen.
On the screen there is only carnage as a giant robotic monstrosity picks up a police cruiser and throws it at the officers of the Kansas State Patrol. Magruder explains that the Kansas State Patrol was responding to a disturbance, which they thought was a prowler at a warehouse outside Greensburg. What they found was not the run-of-the-mill prowler. On the screen the creature starts to mutter something that seems to be a math equation, confusing the terrified officers who are ordered to keep on shooting.
Magruder switches to the next video to Manhattan, where the Human Torch of the Fantastic Four fought something strange. In the video, the Human Torch taunts a man on a rooftop. The man tells the Torch that he will fall to Dynorr, the Stalker. Magruder tells Walker that Dynorr is another extraterrestrial like the Blood Brother and the alien in Kansas. In the next video, X-Man battles three aliens all wearing the same uniform. Magruder is not sure, but believes that the three battled with the West Coast Avengers and Quasar. She also confirms them as being aliens.
In the fourth video, Magruder explains that even the Punisher is dealing with aliens, as the video feed from Alphabet City shows. In the video, the Punisher turns around the corner of a building and shoots across the street at a store that is filled with various alien beings, which are all armed and dangerous. Magruder switches to the next video of Sunfire attacking an alien over the streets of Japan. The woman tells Walker that the attacks are not just occurring in the U.S., but in Canada, England, Japan and other countries.
Though he does not want to state the obvious, USagent tells Magruder that the attacks cannot be a coincidence and something big must be happening like she said earlier. However, Walker continues, they gave the Blood Brother so many sedatives that he will be out for a while so they cannot question him.
Magruder tells him that it won’t be a problem. So far, 32 aliens have been captured in the U.S. and have been shipped to a facility in Virginia until they figure out what to do with them. Happily, Walker tells Magruder he could kiss her. A sarcastic Magruder tells her heart to be still. She then tells Walker that the F.B.I. have been routing certain calls to them “You know the type…” she says.
In his house, a man shoves a table in front of an alien creature that has just ripped a whole in his wall. The man screams into his phone that it ate his car, his front porch, and is currently going for the appliances. He demands that the police send somebody, because he pays taxes just like everyone else.
Elsewhere, a man on a payphone tells someone that it is all a government cover-up. The aliens, he says, are government agents eliminating people who could expose them. He goes on to explain that the government stole his evidence, got him fired, but he will get the truth out.
An old woman in Nebraska is on her phone letting the local authorities know of a little problem she has run into. She and her husband, Buford, saw something crash. They thought it was some sort of Air Force experiment. She wanted to call the authorities right away, but Buford wouldn’t let her and checked out the crash site. He found a weird ship with a baby inside of it. Since they were “good Americans” they brought the baby home, hoping they could do something for the frail and helpless child. However, the woman continues, the baby started to change and she thought someone should know.
USagent sighs and says that most of the callers are probably nutcases, but some of them may not be. He tells Magruder to follow up. He also orders her to call every federal agent, cop, A.D.A, deputy sheriff and substitute teacher in the area of any of the calls and to have them check it out. If there is anything interesting to follow up on he wants to know about it before the agent sent closes his or her mouth. Magruder hands USagent his helmet and asks him where he is going. As he walks out, Walker says he is going to Virginia to talk to some alien scum.
The Black Mariah gets me to Lurton, Virginia in under five minutes. They’re one of the first facilities to get a superhuman wing. I’m scanned six ways to Sunday before they let me below. Above, everything looks pretty normal. Down in the underground holding center, though – it’s another matter.  USagent takes an elevator down to the underground facility where rows upon rows of cells are crammed with various alien creatures. Amid the ramblings of different alien languages, USagent calls out to anyone who can speak English.
One prisoner says that he can speak English. USagent goes over to a cell with a green reptilian creature in it, which calls itself Reptyl and reminds USagent to remember it. Sarcastically, Walker says he will do his best to remember the name and then questions Reptyl on why he and his alien friends are invading Earth. Annoyed, Reptyl says that humans cannot see the obvious even when it is right in front of them. “We’re not invading,” says Reptyl, “We were sentenced here.”
I report to the commission and fill them in, but – USagent rushes into Valerie Cooper’s office and, after filling her in, tells her that they have to do something fast. Cooper agrees and tells him that the commission already had inkling on what was going on, but his story confirms their suspicions. She also tells him that she has called for help. Worried, USagent tells her not to tell him that she brought in who he thinks she brought in. Sensing Walker’s anxiety, Cooper explains that the situation is too big and that they need special talents that can handle it, which means they need the Avengers!
In a sub-basement of Avengers Mansion in New York, the Avengers gather in the briefing room with their federal security liaison, Duane Freeman. The Vision, Wasp, Warbird, Iron Man, the Scarlet Witch, Triathlon and former Avenger Captain America sit around the table watching a datafeed of various alien attacks.
Duane explains that they are patched into the commission’s datafeed and they are seeing what the commission is getting at the moment. Vision thanks Duane and comments that the attacks are more widespread than they assumed. Warbird agrees and watches the monitors of Daredevil fighting something in New York, the New Warriors in Vermont, and the Winder Guard in Smolensk. Triathlon points out that these are just the latest reports. Captain America tells the Wasp that she was right about these attacks being worse than they imagined. Cap then says that the attacks are deliberate like Duane said, but Wasp cuts him off and tells him that is what Washington is telling them. She also thanks Cap for coming, considering he is currently an inactive member. Cap says he is there to help the Avengers get the job done.
At a computer console, the Scarlet Witch gets a message from Wonder Man, who apologizes for intruding. Further down below the mansion, Wonder Man swims in a restorative tank, due to a recent battle. Wonder Man tells Wanda that she needs to get him out. He has been following their conversation from the basement labs and, if Earth is being overrun, then the Avengers need Wonder Man’s strength. Wanda tells her lover that he is too unstable from the ionic bomb explosion he was caught in while fighting Count Nefaria. She knows he wants to help but, until Hank Pym says he can leave the tank, he has to stay there. Simon begins to plead with her, but Wanda tells him that she has to go, because they have an incoming call.
On the monitor in front of the Avengers, an image of Dr. Peter Corbeau from Starcore Station appears. Corbeau is obviously distressed, so Iron Man asks him what is wrong. Corbeau tells the Avengers that Starcore has found something threatening. There is a massive energy lattice at the boundaries of their solar system so powerful even their inadequate tools detected it. He cannot tell what it is, because Starcore’s technology is used to scan the sun and not the void. Starcore needs specialized equipment. Iron Man tells Corbeau that Stark Solutions will give Starcore whatever then need as soon as possible. He tells Corbeau to send any data he has to Avenger’s Mansion, because there is a situation on Earth and it must be related.
And that’s the point when I reach New York.  Jarvis comes rushing into the room in attempt to cut USagent off, telling the one time Avenger that he has to wait. Triathlon looks confused at the intruder as USagent moves Jarvis aside, reminding the man that he once used to be an Avenger as he flashes his Avengers Membership card. Jarvis apologizes for letting USagent in as the Avengers look astonished.
USagent tells them that he is there in the flesh. He also tells them that they might want to check with the commission, because he is now the new point man on the operation and the Avengers, effective immediately, report to him! The Avengers are shocked once again. Iron Man tells USagent that they do not work for the government, but cooperate through their federal liaison not through other means.
USagent charges into the room and tells Iron Man that the Avengers were brought in by the commission, which makes it federal whether they like it or not. Vision holds back USagent and tells him to calm down. Triathlon gets angry and is about to lunge at Walker, but Iron Man holds him back and tells him to take it easy and that they will talk this out. Triathlon tells Iron Man to take it easy, because if the “stormtrooper” wants to push the Avengers around then they should push back. USagent taunts Triathlon and the two have to be held back by Vision and Iron Man. Duane gets between them and reminds them that they are on the same side.
I guess I came on a little strong. But I knew they weren’t gong to like the idea of me runnin’ the show. Still, before things go any further...  Another call comes in, this time from Hank Pym, a.k.a. Goliath. Goliath tells the Avengers that he has something. He has been scanning the atmosphere to see if he can find out how the aliens are being transported to Earth. He hasn’t found anything conclusive, but he did find something. Goliath switches to a visual of a bright blue structure emanating energy everywhere. Goliath explains that it is in the lower mesosphere and that it is cloaked, which is causing the light refractions. At the moment, he can only map its heat traces. Wasp tells the Avengers that they should check it out and tells Goliath to meet them in the Quinjet Bay.
The Avengers turn to go to the Quinjet Bay. USagent, who is leaning against the wall, tells them that he hopes they have an extra seat, because he is coming along. Warbird starts to walk over to USagent. She tells him that she does not know him well, but already she does not like him. Wasp holds her back and Iron Man holds back USagent as Carol says that she has dealt with enough men like him in the Air Force. Wasp tells them that they have no time to argue and orders them both to go.
I sure know how to brighten up a room. Used to be I got along with a few Avengers – like Iron Man and the Scarlet Witch. But now they’re stayin’ quiet an’ I can feel the resentment comin’ from the others. Good thing I don’t care. If they can’t learn to button it and do what their country needs what good are they?  The Avengers streak off to space in their Quinjet. Iron Man and Captain America pilot while the Scarlet Witch, Vision, and Wasp sit behind them. USagent and Triathlon are behind them while Goliath and Warbird sit in the back.
USagent calls Magruder on his intercom and tells her that he will be incommunicado for a while. As soon as the frequency is back open, he wants an update. Triathlon looks at Walker and then leans up to the Wasp. In a hushed voice, he asks her who USagent is and comments that he makes himself look like a pussycat. He also mentions that it is hard to believe that USagent was ever an Avenger. Wasp tells Triathlon that there were rough moments, but when things get harsh there is no one better to have than USagent.
Easy to tell what they’re talking about. The substitute Cap that won’t go away. The guy who had to work for a corporate puke to stay in the game. The guy who couldn’t cut it – who got ripped up by someone the real Cap had to handle. Well, let ‘em talk. Let ‘em look down on everyone who doesn’t measure up to their standards. Doesn’t matter to me at all.
Goliath tells them that they are almost to the coordinates, but so far there is no visual. He puts the heat image on the screen instead. The Avengers see the massive image on main screen. Iron Man points out that it is still indistinct and cannot tell if there are ports or sensory arrays. Cap tells Iron Man to get them closer so they can get better resolution. Iron Man tells them that it won’t come to that. There is an atmospheric distortion ahead. The Avengers pass through the cloaking field. Goliath suddenly tells Iron Man and Cap to take evasive action because the station has fired something. It is too late. Whatever Goliath was going to say is lost over the sound of the Quinjet exploding into pieces.
One minute we were just fine, and the next – Iron Man flies out with Cap and Triathlon, who holds the Scarlet Witch. Warbird carries out Goliath and USagent, but tells Walker that he can let go any time he wants. Vision and the Wasp fly out and Jan checks to see if everyone is accounted for. Iron Man tells Warbird to stop taunting USagent and then orders her to get back to Earth, because there isn’t enough air in space.
Whatever techie info Iron Man was planning to spout, it didn’t matter. Before he got another word out – A beam of yellow light comes out of the ship and envelopes the Avengers, catching them by surprise. Vision explains that they are suspended in a tractor beam. The beam starts to pull them to the installation and the Vision predicts it will take them inside.
The Avengers are pulled into the station where they are brought to the leader of the installation, Ronan the Accuser. Ronan welcomes the Avengers to the Citadel. Iron Man is shocked to see Ronan. The Kree warrior tells the technician, Why’rion, to terminate the containment field, because the Avengers are no threat to them. “No threat…?” says Iron Man dumbfounded. Cap looks around at the scope of the station and realizes it is a major operation even for a galactic civilization. Wasp wonders why they would do what they are doing. Cap turns to Ronan and accuses the Kree race of being behind the plot.
Ronan tells Cap that the Kree are not responsible. What the Avengers are witnessing is the work of the Intergalactic Council of which the Kree, a subject race of the Shi’ar, are not apart. Ronan tells them to pay attention for he will only explain himself once. He tells the Avengers that all is happening, because humanity has been declared a problem.
Captain America is shocked, but Ronan tells him that he should not be. Ronan asks the Avengers how many years has it been since humanity has been intruding into the intergalactic affairs, interfered with other cultures, meddled with their affairs, setting themselves against power such as Galactus to the Skrulls to the Celestials. Ronan then asks how long they have succeeded at it. Ronan explains that humanity was discussed at length, and then a decision was reached.
(flashback)
Ambassador Kreddik of the Skrulls stands at the speaker’s podium in front of Empress Lilandra and the rest of the council. He argues that many races have encountered the humans and many have suffered. He then asks that the question be raised and that humanity be judged. Later, Empress Lilandra, with a sad look on her face, tells the council that humanity must be contained.
(present)
Ronan explains that humanity’s stellar system has been quarantined, walled off from the rest of space by an impervious barrier of energy. This energy is generated by watchtowers at the fringes of the system. However, that was not enough, because humanity has proven to be resourceful in the past. That is why an extra step was taken to dissuade humans from breaking free. The most lawless and unwanted of the galaxies were rounded, transported to humanity’s system, processed and then transported to Earth, alone or in groups, where they have been sentenced to live out their lives without any hope of returning to their home planets. The benefit for the universe should be obvious says Ronan.
The increased number of alien criminals will cause chaos, unrest, and damage on a global scale to Earth with several different results. The aliens could destroy humanity, humanity may defeat the aliens, or combat could rage for years. Whatever happens, enough damage will be made on human society that once they are labeled a prison planet, they will no longer by a problem. Humanity will finally be contained and too preoccupied to deal with the affairs of the other races.
The Scarlet Witch tells Ronan that he cannot mean what he says. Triathlon says he means it and finds it funny. USagent wonder how funny Ronan will think it is when he shoves fist down Ronan’s throat. Warbird stops everyone and tells Ronan that she has Kree ties and knows them. She reminds him that earlier he said the Kree were conquered by the Shi’ar. Warbird then asks if he was not fighting the Shi’ar for freedom for the Kree last time she checked. She also asks how he can work with the Shi’ar to enslave others like they enslaved his people.
Bitterly, Ronan tells Warbird that he was also conquered and swore fealty to his new masters. This is his punishment too. He has been banished to oversee the invasion of Earth, which is his own purgatory. Cap tells him that he does not have to accept this and the Avengers will fight with him. Ronan tells the Avengers to silence themselves for there will be no more discussion. They are prisoners and he is the warden. He aims his hammer at them and tells them to return to their cell. The Avengers are once again enveloped in a yellow light.
And like that, the Avengers find themselves back on the streets of New York. Cap tells the team that they have to go back and fight Ronan, but the Scarlet Witch points out that Ronan can destroy their Quinjets and teleport them away. Vision interrupts them so he can make a suggestion of continuing their discussion inside. The Avengers are then no longer oblivious to the sounds of car horns. Ronan teleported right in the middle of an intersection and the Avengers have just caused a major traffic build up.
The Avengers return to the mansion. Cap asks Duane if the situation changed while they were gone. Duane says yes, but can only describe it as “more.” The Avengers look at monitors of Spider-Man and authorities from around the world battling aliens. Duane tells them that 73 more reports came in. Wasp wonders when it will end. The Vision tells her it will not end. The transports will come forever.
The Wasp takes charge and tells Warbird to call in the reserves, which currently is only Silverclaw. She tells Iron Man to call in their inactive members, because they will need them. The Wasp tells Goliath to get Wonder Man out of the restorative tank and asks Duane to call the president and the U.N.
USagent interjects when he hears this part. Walker tells her that she cannot just run around unsupervised and start acting like she knows what is important for the little people and what isn’t. He tells her straight to her face that the U.S. wants a voice in all of this and the voice is him. If she has a plan she needs to talk to him. Wasp, who is now annoyed, tells USagent that she knows he is a good man and appreciates his concern, but she is not turning over the Avengers to him or anyone else. USagent smiles and tells her that she does not get it.
The Avengers look at him annoyed as he explains that they are not tough enough. He tells them that they know what will happen. They will find some “broken-hearted alien princess behind this, or a space tyrant with a sob story.” The Avengers will melt like they always do. They will agonize over what solution is fair for everyone in the universe and, in the meantime, the U.S. will go to hell and the American citizens will “take it in the shorts.” Walker says that someone needs to be leading them who will look out for the U.S.A.’s interests.
The Vision tells USagent that the attacks are global, not solely contained in the U.S. Walker rebuffs the Vision’s comment and says that they will protect the rest of the world too. He then points out that it is not like “we haven’t been bailin’ the world out of scrapes since 1918 anyway – maybe this time we won’t have to apologize for it afterward…” Angrily, Cap turns to USagent.
But before the Boy Scout can chime in— The main video screens flash on and an image of Magruder appears. She tells USagent that she has the next report ready. The Avengers wonder who Magruder is as USagent tells the woman to turn the sound to the Avenger off.
Magruder explains to USagent, via his intercom, that there is a problem. She sent an agent to check out the couple in Nebraska with the “space baby.” After the agent called in, she checked it out herself. Magruder puts up a picture of the baby, which is a giant pile of mush with tentacles starting to sprout out. Magruder says that the couple took pictures, most likely to sell. The current picture is what the baby looked like when the couple brought it to their farmhouse. Magruder switches the picture to show what the baby looked like when she reached the house. The video switches to something that no longer resembles anything living. The baby has turned into a mush on a desk and has grown off of it to the floor.
“And this…this is what it looks like now,” says Magruder. The Avengers do not need any audio to fully take in the magnitude of the problem. On the screen is a live overhead visual of the town, or what is left of it. Instead, there is a giant green mass that is growing over the town and taking in anything in its path from houses to cars. In the center is a giant eye. People are running or driving for their lives as the tentacles start to rip trees from the grounds and people off the street. Magruder explains that the mass shows no signs of slowing its growth. According to their scanners, the growth is speeding up. Iron Man looks at the video and immediately recognizes the mass from its eye, Thor’s files and the Fantastic Four’s photos. He identifies it as Ego, the Living Planet.
Goliath tells everyone that data is coming in. He starts to look over the data and quickly realizes that something is wrong. Hank looks at the data again and tells the others that this is not what the Intergalactic Council could have intended at all. Cap comes over to Goliath and asks him what he is talking about.
Goliath tells Cap that maybe the aliens found a way to compress Ego, to trap him in another bioform. Maybe they meant to imprison him on Earth, but something went wrong and again Goliath says that this cannot be what they planned. Prison planet, yes, says Goliath. Transportees, yes, he continues. However, says Goliath, if Ego keeps growing at its current rate, within a week there will be no more Earth left for prisoners to be sent to. They won’t exist anymore. Everything and everybody will have been absorbed and there will be nothing left except for Ego!