Unity |
What Has Come Before: Three members of the Avengers -- the Black Panther, the Angel and Jocasta -- have journeyed back in time from the year 2028, eager to prevent the Martian Empire from gaining dominion of Earth. To this end, they have brought the Pendragons onboard their Vibranium-powered vessel with the hopes that they can change history. While Captain Britain, Nocturne, Celtic Phoenix and Angel journey to the Shi'ar homeworld of Chandilar in hopes of convincing them and other alien powers to intercede on Earth's behalf, the rest of the team and their Avenger allies journey to Mars itself, where they hope to end the enemy's Ionic-based weaponry program. Meanwhile, Kelsey Leigh has united with Pendragons ally Cybermancer to enter an obvious trap laid by the London Hellfire Club.
The Shi'ar Imperial Homeworld -- Chandilar
Betsy Braddock had acted out many roles over the years -- spy, superhero, ninja assassin and fashion model chief amongst them -- but none had truly prepared her for this. Standing before a consortium of alien delegates was a tricky thing and one that required great poise. She hoped she managed to convey both a sense of strength and humility when she said "Imperial Majestrix, with all due respect, I think you're acting like a royal ass."
A murmur of shock rippled through the packed courtroom and a harsh bark of laughter came from the Kree delegate. The Kree-Shi'ar War was still a recent memory and many of the Imperial Guard who stood in the shadows tensed to make the Kree pay for his impudence -- and to tear the Terran female limb from limb, as well.
Lilandra, sovereign ruler of the Shi'ar, raised a hand and asked for silence. Her avian eyes twinkled with admiration as she regarded the beings before her. She knew Braddock and Worthington, though both were much changed since she'd last seen them. The other two -- Nocturne and the Celtic Phoenix -- were new to her, though the power inhabiting Molly Fitzgerald was well-known to all civilized races. It was much respected and much feared. "You are a brave woman, Betsy Braddock, to stand in my presence and speak so. But I will make an allowance -- just once -- because you are fearful for the survival of your species. But do not test me again."
Warren Worthington had to stifle a smile as he glanced around the room. The massive chamber was filled with alien beings, all of whom had come together to discuss the war on Earth. The Angel knew that many of the people in this room thought of Terrans as troublemakers at best and major-league threats at worse. He moved forward, standing at Captain Britain's side. His wings, gnarled and war-torn, were folded tight against his back. Many of the Shi'ar reacted to him with small gasps of awe -- they were descended from winged flyers themselves. Even though evolution had left flightless, the Shi'ar still had special reverence for beings like the Angel. "Lilandra... I know that you and I haven't always seen eye-to-eye. But I come from a time and place where you chose not to aid the Earth -- and the entire galaxy suffered. The Martians used their base on Earth to launch assaults against the Skrulls, the Badoon and, yes, even the Shi'ar."
"Nonsense!" the Skrull ambassador exclaimed. She was a thin member of her race, with cold hate-filled eyes. "You expect us to believe that you're from the future when you offer no proof?! This is a ploy... Some sort of trick the Terrans are trying to perpetrate upon us! You've all interfered in our affairs so often, spurning our attempts to bring you into the galactic fold -- and now you want us to waste our lives defending you? Never!"
"Be silent," Lilandra said. Her voice was controlled and barely more than a whisper, but it carried throughout the chamber. "Betsy Braddock, you know that my former consort is a Terran... and that factor does play heavily in my decisions. But I am also a leader of an empire, with responsibilities that go beyond the emotional."
"Cowards," Nocturne whispered beneath his breath.
"Speak that again, Terran... If you dare."
All eyes turned to see the leader of the Imperial Guard move to his queen's side. Gladiator looked immense and angry, his eyes flashing as he stared at Nocturne.
Gray Poldark lifted his chin defiantly. "I said... You're all cowards."
Gladiator started to move forward, his fists clenched. He despised these Terrans -- their arrogance and their posturing before the Majestrix could not be tolerated.
A sudden flaring of cosmic power brought him to a dead stop, however.
The Phoenix Effect flared bright and powerful, surrounding Molly Fitzgerald, as her feet left the floor and she came to a hovering stop above her companions. "There will be fighting today, Gladiator... Not unless you want this entire planet to pay the price."
Gladiator paused, fully aware of what previous Phoenixes had done to other worlds... they were capable of draining them of all life and energy.
Lilandra rose from her seat, all traces of amusement gone from her demeanor. "Leave us, Terran delegates. We shall discuss what you have told us and inform you of our mutual decision. But know this: We will act as one body in this matter."
Captain Britain nodded at that, sensing the telepathic barrier that was erected around Lilandra's mind. She wished she could converse with the Majestrix, show her the things they had all seen... but that was not to be. And Lilandra's warning that they would all act as one body was just that -- a warning. The Kree and the Skrull were unlikely to spill blood on behalf of Earth and everyone knew it. "Thank you. We'll wait for your response."
At a nod from Betsy, the Pendragons and Warren followed her from the room, Molly drawing back the full fury of the Phoenix Effect. She allowed the psychic flames to continue to dance around her form, though, knowing the impact it had on the viewers.
As soon as they were outside the room, they saw Quasar step up to greet them. The blond youth was the Protector of the Universe and had called this meeting as part of that duty. He hadn't expected others to join him in his plea -- especially not heroes from within the Barrier that surrounded Europe. "How did it go?"
"Not very well -- But I didn't expect any better," Betsy admitted. She looked up and down the corridor, noting the large number of guards about. "We took your advice, though -- We were as belligerent as possible."
"I know it sounds weird, but the Shi'ar and a number of other races in there respect strength. If you'd gone in groveling, they would have just sneered at you."
"Is there someplace we can talk?" Nocturne asked. "I don't think we should have an open discussion here. A lot of eyes are watching -- and I bet they have open ears, too."
Wendell Vaughn nodded. He'd been Quasar for several years now and had gotten used to seeing things both great and terrifying. But he felt genuine fear at what was happening to his homeworld. "Yeah, they've prepared quarters for all of us. Follow me -- and maybe we can make plans about what to do if they elect to ignore us."
"Good idea... Because we don't have enough vibranium to power our chronal engines for many more trips," Warren Worthington said. "And you guys can trust me -- if the Martians aren't stopped here and now, there's going to be hell to pay in the future."
Mars was given its name in honor of the Roman God of War. It has become a more fitting appellation as of late, as a voracious alien species has come to call Mars home -- dwelling in tremendous underground chambers from which they have sent their war machines to conquer the planet Earth.
Breeze James stared out the viewscreen at the Red Planet, trying to ignore the growing pit of fear in her belly.
"Penny for your thoughts?"
Breeze jumped at the sudden intrusion, turning to face her teammate, Dark Angel. The other woman looked far more at ease than Breeze felt. "You're going to be the death of me, Shevaun! Always skulking about like that...."
Shevaun smiled, taking the opportunity to study the planet below. "If you're nervous about being in space, don't be. I've done this sort of thing several times and you really do get used to it." She held out her arm, letting the shimmering uniform she wore shine softly in the red illumination. "My costume is forged from the fabric of the universe. When I'm wearing it, I feel very much at home amongst the stars."
"Bully for you," Breeze said with a laugh. "I feel right rotten out here. My tummy's in knots and I'll be honest with you -- dropping in on a nest of aliens isn't my idea of fun. I'm rather squeamish."
"Part of what you're feeling is just plain old homesickness. All the Pendragons are more at ease within the confines of Great Britain... but out Avalon-based powers won't short out any time soon, so you just have to ignore it. As for the aliens -- think of it this way: these things are killing humans back home. They've got a human trapped here and are using him to power their weapons. We owe them some payback."
"And the sooner the Martians are gone, the sooner the Barrier can be removed -- if that's what you ladies want." The Black Panther entered the small observation room, nodding at them both. "We're in position and Banner says he's ready for us to go in."
"Thank you, T'Challa." Shevaun touched her friend's shoulder. "You going to be okay?"
"Of course I am," Breeze said, forcing a bit more bravado than she felt. "We're going to knock the Martians right on their arses!"
Chandilar
"The Professor was crucified, along with about a dozen other members of the resistance. The Martians broadcast their deaths all over the world, trying to convince people to turn in any rebels they knew of. It worked, too, sad to say... That's how they ended up getting Spider-Man." The Angel sat back in his chair, raising a cup of steaming liquid to his nostrils. It smelled sweet, reminding him a bit of cinnamon. Tentatively, he tasted it and smiled. "This is good."
"Charles always raved about the food here," Betsy replied. She and Warren were alone now, while Quasar took Nocturne and Phoenix on a mini-tour of their quarters. "What happened to me, Warren? How did I die?"
Warren rubbed his chin, his eyes looking far into Betsy's future -- which was Warren's past. "You stayed in England with the Pendragons after the Barrier came down. All of you did the best you could, but the Martians were waiting for you when that magic field came down. The eldritch effects that spilled out from under the Barrier wreaked havoc with their technology for awhile, but eventually the magic began to fade. I was with you when Rathoon finally died, his spirit unable to survive in a world where magic was dead. About a week after that, you were ambushed by a squad of Skorpsmen led by one of the human turncoats -- Bullseye. He managed to kill you. He drove a dagger right through your heart."
Betsy let her mind reach out, brushing Warren's. It was loving gesture, letting him know some of the things she'd always meant to share with him. They weren't true words or thoughts, but mostly emotions. Her regrets over their break-up, the way she'd pined for him for so long... and the kind way she remembered their all-too brief time together.
His eyes were moist as he smiled sadly. "We were quite a pair, Bets."
Quasar cleared his throat before stepping in. "Sorry, guys -- But someone's come to see us."
"They've decided so quickly?" Betsy asked. It had barely been an hour since they'd left Lilandra's court.
"I don't think so... I have a feeling this meeting is unofficial, if you get my drift."
"Send them in, Wendell."
Quasar returned a moment later, with the other Pendragons in tow. With them was a cloaked figure that was obviously a Shi'ar female -- but all other signs of their identity was concealed.
Nocturne moved to stand behind Betsy, crossing his arms over his chest. "What can we do for you?"
"It's not so much what you can do for me, Terran... as what I can do for you."
Betsy resisted the urge to sigh. "We don't have time for games. Who are you?"
"I am the rightful Majestrix of the Shi'ar Empire... and I am your only chance of freeing your pathetic little planet. Lilandra will urge the consortium to aid Earth against their oppressors but she won't have enough votes to carry the day -- and in the current galactic order, the Shi'ar will not act without the others' approval."
"I don't understand why not," Molly blurted out. "The Shi'ar are the biggest and most powerful entity out there -- Why act like they have to cowtow to everyone else?"
"Because Lilandra and her forces have thrown their weight around too often -- and the throne has changed hands numerous times in recent years. The various races which have come under Shi'ar control -- like the Kree -- have begun splintering away. Lilandra is too busy consolidating her own power to reign them in. And with that weakening of Shi'ar strength has come the realization that if other powers were to band together, they might overpower the Imperium."
Betsy stepped towards their guest, her eyes narrowing. Something in the woman's voice had struck a chord with her. "You're Lilandra's sister...."
The woman pulled back her hood, revealing a face that was much more avian than most Shi'ar. "Yes, I'm the woman you know as Deathbird. But I'm not your enemy this time. I agree with you that the Martians will pose a threat to all of us if they take Earth. That's why I'm prepared to offer you my assistance."
"What can you do?" Molly asked. "You're only one Shi'ar. We'll need an army."
Deathbird smiled coldly. "I have a secret weapon, Pendragon. One that will bring the Martians to their knees."
"And what do you want in return?"
"Nothing you won't be all too willing to give. Of that, I assure you."
London
"It would have been nice if you two had arrived a few minutes earlier," the inspector said. He was a stout man with a double-chin, dressed warmly for the night. His hands were buried deep in his coat pockets.
Cybermancer cast a brief glance at the so-called 'Captain Britain' at her side. The two women were both lost in a sea of emergency personnel, as well as a variety of injured beings. "We're sorry, Inspector -- But just like you, we weren't exactly expecting this to happen."
"So sorry, luv... I figured you'd have a super-computer or somethin' to help you along."
Suzi stared venomously at his retreating back. "Bastard," she whispered. "You have any means of tracking the men who did this?"
Kelsey Leigh swallowed hard before answering. She'd just begun feeling comfortable in her costume when all this had happened... Now she was standing here side-by-side with a real-life superhero. "No. I have only a few powers, I'm afraid. Mostly enhanced abilities -- like on that old telly show, the Six-Million Dollar Man."
"Didn't know you got that show in Britain." Suzi looked about. "My visor can trace the energy signatures from their weapons -- I've also configured it to pick up large amounts of ambient magical energy so we should be able to follow any large-scale mages who may have been with them."
Kelsey clutched the Sword of Power and said nothing. She couldn't believe that this woman's visor could do all of that -- what powered such a thing?
"There's something just under a mile from here. Let's go."
Kelsey followed her companion, working up the nerve to say "So... Are you a Pendragon, then?"
"No. I'm the team's resident scientist. Normally I avoid going into the field like this -- but the rest of the team is away on a mission and I didn't feel like summoning the reserves." She looked at Kelsey, head to foot. "So what relation do you have to the Braddocks?"
"Never met them, but my son... He's a big fan of theirs. He admires all the heroes, the American ones especially."
"Where did you get your costume?"
"I'd... rather not say. I don't mean to be difficult, it's just that I don't how much I should sa--"
The two women had moved several blocks away by now, traveling far faster than any normal person could go. Suzi held up a hand to silence Kelsey. They were just outside a music store, its light all off for the night -- but the back door was plainly open, having been knocked off its hinges.
An armored figure stepped from the building, holding an energy rifle in one hand. In the other other he held a handheld communicator, into which he was saying "I've found him and delivered a killing blow. I repeat, target is dead."
Kelsey sprang forward, eager to do something impressive in front of Cybermancer. She slammed the flat portion of her blade against the agent's helmet, sending him to his knees. She reached down and grabbed him about the throat, yanking his head back and placing her sword against his throat. "Who do you work for?"
"He works for the Hellfire Club," Cybermancer said, stepping past them. "You keep an eye on him and I'll check on his 'target.'"
Kelsey frowned beneath her mask, feeling a bit stupid -- she hadn't realized that Cybermancer was already aware of who was behind this. In frustration, she drove the man's head against the wall. He sagged in her grip and she tossed him aside, wondering about something Suzi had told her earlier -- that all of this might be some sort of elaborate trap. If that was true, then the shootings would have been enough to bring the Pendragons out into the open. Then this event, staged just a little distance away, might be enough to get the Pendragons away from the authorities. Stop it, Kelsey, she told herself. You can't go jumping at shadows all the tim--
Cybermancer's shout brought her around. The Asian hero was flying out of the door, her hands outstretched. "There's a bomb! My electromagnetic pulse didn't shut it dow--"
The explosion rocked the entire East End of London, sending up a large plume of smoke that could be seen for miles. In the center of the roiling black clouds, the demonic visage of a pumpkin-headed man could be briefly seen, his carved smile looking like a leer.
That expression was mirrored on the true Lord Pumpkin's face. He was miles away, seated in a helicopter next to the Red King, but he could see the whole thing in his mind's eye. "It worked -- but I'm not sure it got our true targets."
The Red King reached up and adjusted his ponytail, pulling his long red hair tighter. "You knew an explosion -- even one augmented by magic -- wouldn't be enough to kill them. It's a delaying tactic only."
A plume of greenish-black smoke tumbled out of Lord Pumpkin's eyes and mouth. "It's my plan, remember? I know it works. I meant -- the folks who showed up to investigate weren't the Pendragons."
"You think they'll still be on Lyonesse?" the Red King asked, looking out the helicopter's window. The island was just up ahead, with the castle in plain view. "Perhaps we should turn back...."
"That's your natural cowardice talking, red. We're going in." Pumpkin laughed to himself, his gloved hands coming together. "I can't wait to stand at the gates of Avalon, red. I was on a place called the Godwheel once and I thought the possibilites there were endless -- but just think what I can do with Avalon. Especially with this little treat." He held up a tiny black seed, one that seemed to writhe in his grip. "Changes are a-coming, my friend...."
Mars
The humans were naked, shackled together like lambs being led to slaughter. In truth, their fate would no different from those animals, for they were part of a recent "foodstuff" supply that had come from Earth. The Martians made no exceptions when it came to feeding their ravenous hunger, either... young or old, all would be ground up into the gruel that the Martians preferred.
Armed Skorpsmen guards watched over them, while their Martian overlords lounged about in the observatory above. In the center of the complex, a great energy globe hovered in mid-air. Within the globe was the silhouette of a human male, one twisting about in incredible agony. Ionic energy blazed all around him, being sucked from his very core. That energy was his lifeblood and it was used to power many of the Martians' greatest weapons.
Bruce Banner tried to ignore the man's tortured wailing as he and the others peered into the facility. The outside guards had been taken down easily enough, taken totally by surprise. The heroes wore bulky environmental suits, though the Hulk's was of special material to suit his great size. "Breeze -- We'll provide the distraction and you go inside. Shut down the field that's surrounding Simon and maybe we can get him on our side. Jocasta, I want you and T'Challa to focus on the Martian overlords. Don't let them get a chance to summon reinforcements. I'll help Andy take out the Skorpsmen. Shevaun, you're on the prisoners. Get them out of here."
"Everyone needs to remember the briefing I gave them on the ship -- the Martian military is ruthless. They'll seek to sacrifice hostages at a moment's notice."
Shevaun nodded. "I'll be fast then."
The Hulk stood up and cracked his knuckles loudly. "Then let me paraphrase an old friend of mine -- It's Clobberin' Time!"
Breeze took that as her cue. She ran forward, trying to push away the doubts she felt. They were surrounded by the enemy, vastly outnumbered... but she also knew that they were the only chance these prisoners had. One of them looked a bit like a cousin of hers and that gave her extra motivation.
She zoomed up to the energy sphere, disassembling it at superspeed. She didn't quite understand what she was doing, but anything that disrupted that poor man's pain had to be a good thing.
Almost immediately, the Martians and their soldiers noticed that something was very wrong -- the Ionic engines began to flutter and fail, but none got a chance to investigate. Dark Angel appeared in the air above them, generating a pulse wave that enveloped the prisoners. Within seconds, both she and them had been teleported away, leaving behind a group of angry Skorpsmen who turned their weapons towards the Hulk and Android Andy, both of whom came lumbering into view.
The Hulk chose the direct route, smashing through as many of the enemy as possible, while Andy reached out with his cybernetic mind. He seized control of the base's weaponry, turning its many lasers and cannons against their creators.
The future Avengers -- the Black Panther and Jocasta -- went straight to the overlords' plush compartments. The guards there reigned laser fire upon them, but T'Challa was limber enough to evade most of their attacks, while Jocasta lowered her density and passed right through them. She solidified herself only after partially entering the body of one of the octopoid Martians. The attack killed him instantly, though his cry of pain echoed long after.
The Hulk fought to control the rising anger in him. These bastards had killed who knows how many back home and Bruce had no way of knowing how many of them might have been friends of his. Was Rick safe? Or Marlo? Or had they been driven into slave camps or, even worse, the food pits? "Andy! How many are coming?" he bellowed, snapping the neck of a Skorpsman with one hand while holding up another to catch the brunt of an energy blast. Dark green blood ran in rivulets down his back.
The android was busy driving a fist through a guardsman's body armor, but he replied in that same sing-song voice that was his trademark. "The machinery here is a bit hard to follow, Hulk, but I believe that we have engaged the main force present. Other Martians are being orders to evacuate."
"Can you stop them?"
Andy let his mind play through the equipment around him. This power was perhaps the greatest of all his creator had given him. The ability to merge with and control surrounding technology made him able to strike at his enemies from afar. He saw hangars full of warships, many of them being loaded even now... and he sensed the delicate environmental controls that oversaw them. A mental command was only that was required. Within seconds, the automated defense systems were responding to an alleged outbreak of chemical weapons in the hangars -- the protocol for such a thing was Fire. Burning, cleansing fire to remove infection from an area... in this case, the fire generators washed death down upon those seeking to flee. The fire also ignited the ship's engines, causing them to explode in a domino line that caused the entire base to quake.
Deadpan, Andy said "I believe I have impeded their success, Hulk."
Shevaun reappeared, stepping from a dimensional rift next to her teammates. "The humans are back on T'Challa's ship but we'd better get out of here -- even with the element of surprise, there are a lot of troops here! They're going to eventually wear us down through sheer numbers--" Dark Angel's words were lost in a scream of pain as a powerful energy burst ripped through her. The strength of it was so strong that blood sprayed from her mouth as she landed. Her costume was capable of dispersing and absorbing large amounts of energy -- and in truth, that was all that prevented her death in this case. But it was still capable of being overloaded and the woman within the suit was only human....
"What the hell?" the Hulk asked, looking about. He saw a variety of Skorpsmen regrouping, falling back into a more organized fighting unit. Unlike the standard guards that the Pendragons had been thrashing until now, these were armed with larger weaponry. "They've brought out the Ionic Guns, guys! Be careful!"
An Ionic burst blew off Andy's left arm, making him squawk in electronic pain. Another blast nearly knocked the Hulk to his knees, offering up almost as much strength as a blow from Wonder Man, the being they'd come to rescue. Wonder Man! Bruce thought, Is he free yet?
The gamma-powered hero looked to the center of the chamber, but what he saw was very disheartening. The Ionic generator was deactivated, but the woman behind it -- Breeze -- was on her back, her head lying at a frightening angle. From his view, the Hulk wasn't even sure she was still alive... and standing over her was the man who had been imprisoned in the warp field.
And it wasn't Simon Williams, as they had all hoped.
Up above, Jocasta's body was ripped to shreds by an Ionic gun burst and T'Challa was so distressed that he failed to a Martian strike out at him from behind, pounding his skull with a piece of alien metal.
It had taken less than a minute, but obvious victory had quickly turned into imminent defeat.
The Hulk was still standing, but he was now surrounded by an angry army of Skorpsmen, armed with weapons capable of flaying his skin from the bone. He cast a worried look at the now-freed man, wondering if he would help or hinder what came next. "We've got to work together or else you're going to end up back in that prison! Do you understand?"
The nude figure nodded once, looking around himself with obvious disdain. He was tall and well-built, with dark hair and beard. He looked like an old Roman nobleman, come to life in the modern day. His accent was obviously Italian and laced with anger. "I understand you, behemoth... and know this: Count Luchino Nefaria plans to punish these beasts and claim their base for himself! You may stand with me... or against me."
TO BE CONTINUED
Next Issue: "Unity" continues as Nefaria makes his bid for power; Deathbird unveils her secret weapon; and Lord Pumpkin romps through Avalon!
AUTHOR'S NOTES
Hope you're enjoying "Unity" so far -- I'm having a blast including people like Lilandra, Deathbird, Nefaria and Quasar. One side-effect of the Barrier has been that I've had to play with a fairly limited selection of characters. In some ways that was fun, forcing me to search through the obscure to find a few gems. But I've hungered to throw the Pendragons into an old fashioned super-sized Marvel epic. This is my chance and I'm running with it.
The Kelsey Leigh side of "Unity" has been getting short thrift, I admit -- but it will get more play next issue and it will dovetail nicely into the resolution of this storyline, I promise.
Gary Dreslinski wrote in with:
I'm really glad that it took until now to catch up reading, because otherwise I may have been more critical. Commonwealth was a nice change of pace, taken from an arc perspective, but it was a little slow in places. Granted, I literally just zipped through 51-55 so either the issues are shorter or I'm just really into what you're doing!
I tried to do something a bit different with "Commonwealth" and it seems that most readers picked up on what I was trying to do. As for issue length, the past few issues have been pretty standard in size story-wise with author's notes of varying lengths.
You can reach me at aric_dacia@yahoo.com
