"Abominations"
Part One

What Has Come Before: Dane Whitman, in his guise as the Lord of the Lake, has exorcised the portions of the Hulk's intellect that would eventually form the Maestro. This has left the Savage Hulk in full control, though the Joe Fixit personality remains in a dormant state. Without Banner or the Professor to guide him, the Hulk has fallen under the sway of the Penance Council, who hope to use him to further their own agenda. Elsewhere, Betty Banner has returned to life and is busy seeking a way to reunite with her husband, though she is unaware that he has recently been living with another woman. Even as all this goes on, the forces of evil continue unabated -- a scientist named Bailey has been transformed into the new Abomination and the vile Leader has managed to snare the disembodied personality shards of both Banner and the Professor....

Samuel Sterns sat in the sun, enjoying one of his few moments outside his cell at Darkmoor Prison. The power dampeners that he wore 24 hours a day were snugly in place and six armed guards were nearby, watching him warily. No other prisoners were allowed in the yard when Sterns was there, for fear that he would somehow take them under his sway. It pleased him to know they were so frightened of him here... it was quite fitting, after all. The Leader had come so close to world domination, so many times.

But he'd always failed and almost always because of the Hulk's meddling. That's part of the reason why today was so very special.

He was sitting on a stone bench, dressed in the drab prison clothing they'd given him. His oversized skull gave him a disturbing appearance, above and beyond the greenish pallor of his skin. He saw the look of revulsion in Molly Fitzgerald's face as she approached. She was dressed quite plainly today, though her beauty was unmistakable. "No costumes, Ms. Fitzgerald? Shall I assume this is a social visit, then?"

The Celtic Phoenix sat down near him, drawing frowns from the nearby guards. They had given her explicit instructions about how to interact with Sterns, but she'd barely paid attention to them. He couldn't harm her, not since her ascension to the level of a cosmic force... "I've come to ask for a favor."

"And why should I help you? It's not like we've been the best of friends in the past." He smiled coldly, like a snake. "After all, I did nearly kill you*. Or didn't I? Given the changes you've undergone, perhaps I should take credit for your demise."

(*Back in the classic Pendragons # 49)

"I'm not here to listen to you slag off on me or my friends, Sam. Something terrible's happened to Bruce and none of us have been able to locate him. You've spent years probing his mind, though -- I thought you might be able to hone in on him."

"A very good assumption... next to Leonard Samson, there is no one alive who understands the Hulk's psyche better than myself. But you haven't answered the most important question of all: Why should I help my worst enemy?"

Molly lowered her voice, so that only she and Samuel could hear. She augmented this by projecting with her telepathy, ensuring that the villain didn't miss her words. If you help me find him, I'll get you out of here. No strings attached.

The Leader couldn't hide his surprise. He was unable to mentally reply, due to the dampener's effects, but he said "I think I can assist you, Ms. Fitzgerald. In truth, you shouldn't need my help at all. Your own abilities far dwarf my own. I can help you refine them -- so that you will find your lover all on your own. Will I still receive my reward?"

Molly hesitated, wondering what the villain was up to. She knew that Bruce considered him a perpetual threat... but Sterns was a master of the mental arts, as well -- and far less condescending than Betsy Braddock. She'd yearned for some assistance, but her own controls were so uncertain that she'd feared Betsy's overreaction. "I'm fine," she whispered aloud, surprising even herself. "I can control this."

"I never said you couldn't," he replied. "But I know firsthand how difficult it can be to adapt to new abilities. Let me help you... and then you can help me, as you offered."

Molly nodded slowly. "Then let's do this."

The Leader opened his mouth to speak, wondering what she meant, but it was too late. 

The guards could only stand in mute astonishment as a fiery Phoenix enveloped both Molly and the Leader, bearing them far away. It deposited them both in the center of the Cathedral of Owls, located deep in the heart of the Lyonesse forest. The birds hooted noisily all around them, as if angered by the sudden intrusion. 

Molly, now clad in her green and yellow costume, smiled triumphantly. She telekinetically removed the Leader's power dampeners, letting them clatter into the grass. "No tricks, Leader. Or I swear before all Avalon that I'll make you pay."

The Leader beamed at her. "I wouldn't dream of it, my dear."

"I don't like this. Not one bit."

Mark Todd glanced over at Citizen V, sharing the other man's distress. Todd, in his guise as the Blazing Skull, had returned from his recruitment mission the day before, bearing with him a being so dangerous that the V-Battalion had been put on red-alert from the moment they'd arrived. The Incredible Hulk had been here in Symkaria before, along with his teammates in the Pendragons. The damage they'd done had taken months to repair and left the group's leader -- Jim Hammond -- in a foul mood. "I hear ya, Bucky. But what are we gonna do? The Matchstick wants him."

V didn't answer at first, keeping his eyes on the behemoth before him. The Hulk was in a glassed-in cage of sorts, pacing about like a caged tiger. "Hammond's making a lot of decisions that I don't like."

"Maybe you should try voicing your doubts to me instead of others, then."

Citizen V didn't bother turning around. He knew Hammond's voice better than his own. Todd stepped aside to let the team's leader wheel up between them, however. Hammond was in his wheelchair today, peering out from beneath bushy eyebrows. "He's a loose cannon. He's going to jeopardize more missions than he helps. And that's not even pointing out that he's going to bring the Pendragons back down around us."

"I don't think we have to worry about that last bit, Barnes. The Pendragons have problems aplenty without wasting their time on the Hulk. Of greater concern is how we're going to keep him under control. I think these might be effective." The original Human Torch held out his hand, revealing two silver disks, each the size of an American penny. "A variation on the telepathic radio we've been using. These are attuned to the Hulk's brainwaves and allow us to alter his emotional state, whenever and however we please. Want him docile as a kitten, just flood him with endorphins. Need an extra bit of strength, all we have to do is tell his brain to initiate an autonomic response."

"And what do you think he'll do when he finds out you're manipulating him?"

Hammond's face turned ugly, darkening as his anger grew. "Damn it, Barnes. I should have left you rotting in your grave. My cloning cylinders were wasted on you! You're nothing more than a poor man's Captain America and we both know it!"

"Steve Rogers never would have done these things, Hammond... and you know it. You're not the man you used to be." Citizen V turned away, his cloak swirling around, and marched from the room.

Hammond's voice carried after him, even into the hall. "You're right about that, you flag-waving bastard! I'm better than I used to be! Do you hear me? I'm better!"

Bailey Garamond watched them for several minutes, his heart thudding in his chest. He had loved this girl so very much, but she'd torn his heart out and stepped on it. Just like all the others.... just like that stupid cow, Abigail. But she'd learned her lesson well, hadn't she? And now so would Sharon. And her handsome, virile little boyfriend. And all of England, for that matter.

Bailey had always wanted power, had craved it in the pit of his belly. Even as a little child, he'd seethed with hatred for all those who held sway over him -- his parents, the bullies at school, the teasing little bitches in their short skirts. All of them had made him feel weak and ineffectual. But that was over with now -- a new thing lurked within him, growing deeper into the recesses of his body and soul. The symbiotic life form that Abigail had created was a marvel, feeding off hormones that the human body created in abundance. In return, it gave him immunity to most forms of harm and enhanced abilities that he'd scarcely had the chance to explore -- poor Abigail hadn't lasted long enough for much in the way of play.

Bailey sank lower into the bushes outside Sharon's flat, watching as her paramour took his leave. Moments later, he sprang forward. Tendrils of fleshy matter adorned the top of his head now, replacing the thinning hair he'd had, and several of them shot towards the door, splintering it easily. He strode through the wreckage, grinning manically. "Sharon, dear? Are you presentable?"

She came from the bedroom, shock evident in her face. She barely recognized him, but the sneer was the same... amongst all the changes, the mocking little grin was still there. His skin was emerald-tinted and pocked with seeping sores everywhere she could see... and his head was alive with snake-like things that writhed about. His yellowed eyes raked her up and down, drinking in the nightgown that barely concealed her. "Bailey... Is that you?"

"Yes, it's me. Quite a surprise, isn't it, luv?" One of the tentacles snaked out and grabbed her about the wrist, pulling her forward painfully. "You broke my heart, you lying little bitch."

"What are you talking about?" she asked, tears beginning to flow. The grip on her arm was so tight that it was beginning to bruise already. "We barely knew one another!"

"That's how you'd like to play it, eh? Stupid little Bailey, never good enough for you!" He leaned forward, extending a bloated tongue that licked her from chin to forehead. "I'm good enough now, luv. You better believe that."

Sharon fell to her knees, staring up into Bailey's eyes. He looked completely inhuman and it scared her more than anything ever had before. "Please... Bailey. Let's be friends... please."

"Don't call me Bailey. That's not my name anymore." He leaned close and his fetid breath made her recoil. "Do you know what my cow mother called me once? An abomination. That's what I am now. Abomination. And you're going to help me get revenge on all the people who've stepped on me over the years."

"How....?"

"You work for Stark Enterprises, don't you? Special associate to Mr. Arthur Clyburn? I saw him on the telly last month, talking about their efforts to design new weaponry for the British government. I want access to that cache of weaponry, Sharon. And you are going to get it for me."

The Hulk held up an oversized hand, resting it against the glass. He'd allowed himself to be placed here, but his patience was wearing thin. He had wanted to escape the chasing military and find some peace, but now he was beginning to think that he was a prisoner all over again. "Hulk wants out!" he bellowed, slamming his open palm against the glass. The wall cracked and the Hulk heard men and women scream. He was right. Someone was watching, on the other side of this mirrored wall. He made a fist, about to break himself free, when he heard the door open behind him.

He whirled about to see Hammond walking into the room, watching him closely. He'd recently had his legs repaired, choosing to use the chair for effect from time to time. Now, however, he wanted to show his guest a display of strength. 

The Hulk growled like an angry dog. "You! Hulk knows you! Bad man who tried to hurt Hulk and his friends!"

"I'm not a bad man, Hulk. I'm just... misunderstood. Like you are. The same people who hate you are afraid of me... the government. The military. The Pendragons. Did you know the Pendragons were after you now? They think you're dangerous, because you don't have Banner telling you what to do anymore."

"Hulk doesn't need Banner! Banner tried to destroy Hulk!"

"I agree with you. Banner was a milksop. We're better off without him." Hammond moved forward, lowering his voice. "I believe in you, Hulk. I really do. And I'm offering you a place to live and rest -- and where you can leave whenever you want."

"You want something from Hulk."

"Yes. Yes, I do. Sometimes my enemies need to be stopped. I think you can help with that. Will you fight for me, Hulk?"

The Hulk looked away. He felt like he should resist this man's words, that he should knock him aside and leave this place. But something stopped him. He slapped at his ears, feeling an itch deep down inside. "You'll let Hulk leave, if he wants?"

"Of course."

The Hulk grunted. He was glad that Banner was gone but he had to admit that sometimes Banner seemed to think things through more clearly. For the Hulk, everything was so confusing... and confusion made him angry. "Who do you want Hulk to beat up?"

"Twenty minutes ago, we received a report that the London branch of Stark Enterprises had been broken into. The security grid has gone up and we know of at least four fatalities so far. We believe it's linked to a murder that took place yesterday, at Sycorp."

"Who do you want Hulk to beat up?!" the Hulk repeated, raising his voice. He hated how everyone talked so much. Were they stupid?

"Whoever you find there," Hammond said. "A secondary group of agents will be going in with you. They're going to recon the area and bring back any tech that we might find useful."

The Hulk snarled, his adrenaline beginning to flow. He felt mad and ready to break something. "Show Hulk how to get there."

"Worked like a charm," the agent said, looking up from the monitor. "Teleporting the discs straight into his ear canal seems to have done the trick and hormonal regulation seems to be online."

The Blazing Skull nodded. He was being sent in with the Hulk, leading the recon team and serving as the first line if the Hulk's control broke. "The jet's ready to go?"

"The team's ready and everything's fueled to go."

The Skull turned away, coming face-to-face with Citizen V. "Don't go along with it, Mark. We need to make a stand."

"Make your own stand," the Skull answered. "I don't agree with his methods, but Hammond's got the right idea. The whole world's falling to pieces and sometimes you've gotta take some chances if you want to make a difference."

V allowed the other man to brush past him, but he couldn't stop shaking his head. Was he the only one in this outfit who saw what they were doing? Mind-controlling sentient beings? Playing God with life and death? "Things are going to change around here," he whispered. "One way or another."

"Daddy, you're sure you won't come with me?"

General Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross chomped on his cigar and grimaced. He was holding his daughter's hand, strolling through the base's hydroponics lab, but he looked like he was a condemned man walking his last mile. "I dearly wish I could, Betty... but I'm needed here. Even with the Martian mothership disabled, it's going to be a hell of a fight driving them off our planet."

Betty nodded. She looked radiant today, dressed in slacks and a gray blouse that set off her eyes perfectly. The signs of illness were fading rapidly and her appetite had come back with a vengeance. "I'm going to miss you."

"Not half as much as I'll miss you."

They embraced for a moment before a tentative clearing of the throat made them both pull away. Shevaun Haldane -- the Dark Angel -- was floating nearby, with two colorfully garbed figures beside her. "Sorry it took so long. The Avengers were slowed down by the Ultron-Martian Alliance and it took them awhile to find me two volunteers." 

Betty smiled to herself, stepping forward. She'd become an expert of sorts on superhumans over the years -- if Bruce wasn't busy teaming up with one of them, he was usually fighting them, so she'd made it a hobby to learn their names and powers. "Hawkeye the Marksman. Reformed criminal and longtime Avenger." Her description brought a smile to the archer's lips. He looked a bit more dour than Betty had remembered him looking -- but then again, war had that effect on people. "And Lorna Dane, aka Polaris. Former member of the government sponsored X-Force and sometime member of the X-Men."

The green-haired beauty seemed impressed. "I'm surprised you recognized me."

Betty shrugged modestly. "The two of you know you might not be able to get back?"

"Dark Angel told us that the pathways might not work in both directions," Hawkeye said. "But I'm willing to take that chance. The Avengers want to make contact with folks inside the Barrier -- I've got a whole passel of letters to be dropped off."

"I imagine," Betty whispered. So many people had lost loved ones when the Barrier had separated them....

"And as for me," Polaris said, "Let's just say that I don't have much to hold me here anymore. I'm ready for a new start."

Betty nodded, recognizing the pain in the other woman's eyes. She's lost a man, Betty realized. Whether to death or somebody else, he's gone. "Then what are we waiting for? Let's do this."

TO BE CONTINUED

Next Issue: "Abominations" Part Two. The Hulk is sent into action, while a brand new hero makes his Pendragons debut. Plus: Betty Ross Banner journeys to Otherworld!

Author's Notes

Hope you enjoyed part one of the current storyline. Thanks go to Robert Rock, for help on the V-Battalion portions of the story. Next issue will introduce a sort-of new hero to the Pendragons Universe. He's one I've wanted to use for ages but never had the right opportunity to do so -- he's appeared before in the Marvel Universe, but never in the 'real' timeline. There's an obscure hint for you! And, yes, he's a Marvel-UK hero.

Hawkeye and Polaris, eh? Well, Hawkeye was a request of Robert Rock's. When I knew that someone would be coming through, I asked for requests and that's who I got. Polaris... I like her. So there. We'll see if they survive what's waiting for them in Otherworld....

Keep In Touch,

Barry