#4 - "The Challenge of Mechassassin"
Roll Call:
 Black Diamond |
 Enchantress |
 Firestar |
 Lightburst |
 Muskateer |
 Nightingale |
 Thing |
Night has fallen as a band of men lead a priest through the mountains of West Virginia. Most the men are armed with rifles, while others hold flashlights to illuminate the way. Before the group looms a cave, dark and forbidding. Various boulders lie strewn about the entrance.
"It's in here, father!", one of the men in the lead says. "It's the devil himself!"
"We shall see, my son," the priest responds.
"The cave was sealed off," another man adds, "with these rocks. I wish we had never disturbed them!"
The men enter the cave, their flashlights forcing back the darkness. The passage winds its way into the mountain all the while slowly descending into the earth. The end of passage was a good-sized cavern steeped in impossibly dark shadows. Even the lights were little help in this unnatural darkness.
"It's over there!", the leader of the men shouted. "Look!"
The lights combined to illuminate one portion of the cave. Father Sullivan, his eyes not quite what they used to be, had to strain to make out what the men were so excited about. In the light he could see a crude stone shelf with an impossibly dark figure on it.
The figure was man-like in appearance to a point. His skin was the color of dark gray charcoal. The only clothing the man wore was a black loincloth and boots of the same color. The man appeared to be resting, his arms folded upon his chest. Curled underneath him were large black feathered wings. A crown of some kind rested on his hairless head, almost perfectly matching the color of his skin.
"The smell of evil," Father Sullivan thought to himself. "So intense."
"'Tis the devil himself!!", one of the men shouted.
"What are you going to do about it?", another added.
The priest grasps his cross and rosary beads. "Oh, mighty Lord, bless this place so that it may be purged of this evil..."
At that exact moment, suddenly the eyes of the figure on the shelf open wide!
The hunters gasp in fear and stare wide-eyed as the figure rises, stretching its feathered wings. The folds within the wings seem impossibly deep and black. It towers over the band before it.
"Foolish mortals!", the black creature shouts. "You have undone the spell that imprisoned me! Once more Dark Seraph shall ravage the land in pursuit of power ultimate!"
Seeing the priest with his holy symbols, Dark Seraph becomes angered and strides towards him.
"Back foul beast!!"
Dark Seraph roars and strikes the aged priest hurtling him into the cavern wall. Father Sullivan hits with a sickening crunch.
"It killed Father Sullivan!!"
"Shoot it! Shoot it!"
The men begin to rapidly unload their rifle rounds into the creature of darkness. Most of the bullets simply bounce off of their dark target, only serving to further enrage him.
Dark Seraph wades into the men and their bodies go flying. One of the men runs for it, seeing his pals' bodies lying in mangled piles.
"Run, dog!", Dark Seraph yells as he watches the man flee. "Run and tell the world that Dark Seraph walks again!!"
Roll Call:
Black Diamond |
Enchantress |
Firestar |
Lightburst |
Muskateer |
Nightingale |
Thing |
Black Diamond stood silently, looking out into the night. She, along with Firestar, Lightburst, and the Enchantress, were on the roof of Mercy Hospital. A message from the killer known as Mechassassin had challenged them to prevent him from slaying Hunter at midnight this evening. This was a challenge that they certainly accepted!
Not having much time to spare, an impromptu plan was initiated. The Avengers' four flyers were situated on the roof where they could oversee most of Fort Hamilton. The hospital was the only large building in the immediate area. Getting close to it unseen would be a challenge.
Several floors below, the psionic Nightingale was seated in Hunter's hospital room. Her powers and lack of mobility made her an ideal last line of defense.
The Thing and Muskateer were concealed in the lobby, trying to shake off the effects of their male bonding experience earlier in the evening.
"I don't get it," Firestar said. "Why would this Mechassassin warn us of his intentions?"
"I read his file before we left," Black Diamond replied. "He's a mercenary, a hired killer, and an ego-maniac."
"If he's so tough," Lightburst interjected, "then how come I never heard of him?"
"He's spent most of his career in Europe," Black Diamond answered. "UNTIL suspects that he was an Army Officer who went rogue who had some dealings with KRONOS, a now-defunct German research group that built hardware for several criminal organizations. They suspect that's where he got his battlesuit. Since that time his only loyalty has been to whoever’s currently offering him the most money."
"Greedy, an ego-maniac, and a assassin," the Enchantress added. "Sounds like a real charming fellow."
"Cold blooded killer is more like it. He actually served as the Chief of Security for Eurostar. Killed the Swiss hero Talon during his employment there."
"Okay," Firestar said, "I get the picture. He's a bad dude all the way around. So why is he here? And why Hunter?"
"It's not too complicated to figure out," the Enchantress stated. "Mechassassin probably came to the States figuring to make some big money. What better way to bolster your reputation than to slay a hero and having an entire hero team trying to stop him?"
"Perhaps, but I---"
Black Diamond didn't get to finish her thought as an explosion rung out in the distance! A heartbeat later a second explosion was heard, this one almost in the opposite direction! Orange flames could be seen rising brightly into the night sky from each of the explosions..
"I'd say our killer has just made his appearance," Lightburst said.
"We'd better investigate those explosions," Black Diamond stated. "Even if they are a diversion, there could be people hurt! Lightburst, Firestar, you've got the one by the front gate. The Enchantress and I will check out the one in the back of the base. Let's go team!"
Black Diamond paused only long enough to alert her remaining teammates of her intentions before zooming off into the night sky followed closely by the Enchantress.
"Looks like it's you and me, hotstuff," Lightburst said, as he also flew off.
"Lucky me," Firestar muttered under her breath, as she rose after her teammate.
Meanwhile, within the room of Lane Kirby, alias the Hunter, his daughter is drawn to the window by the sound of the twin explosions. Alarms and sirens follow shortly.
"What's going on?!", she said, looking out into the night.
"A series of explosions perhaps meant to cause a diversion," Nightingale explained, having just conferred with Black Diamond telepathically. "Our foe has begun his assault."
"I won't let him hurt my father," Helena Kirby flatly stated.
"Let's hope that it doesn't come to that."
Nightingale relaxed in her chair, closed her eyes, and began to concentrate. Perhaps she would be able to sense the mind of their foe, and in doing so, be able attack it. If everything went well, she could stop Mechassassin in his tracks long before he would even reach Lane Kirby.
After a moment, Nightingale's eyes shot wide open. She had detected a minute trace of psionic activity-- coming from Hunter himself! She closed her eyes once more and concentrated on penetrating Hunter's mind...
Back outside the hospital, the architect of this plot stepped from the shadows. Those do-gooders, Lightburst and Firestar, had flown right past his position without noticing him. His battlesuit was covered by Kevlar body armor and had been painted in a black camouflage style that did not reflect light.
"So far, so good," the killer thought to himself. "Everything’s working out just fine..."
Unexpectedly, a blast of light caught Mechassassin in the side! Turning he saw Lightburst and Firestar flying in.
"Surprise!", Lightburst taunted. "You can't hide in the shadows from me, killer!
Mechassassin did not respond, instead he acted. He pointed his wrist gauntlets at the incoming heroes and launched a grenade at them! The grenade exploded, covering the immediate area with a thick acrid gas. The two Avengers began to cough and choke as they plummeted to the ground.
Mechassassin stared at the prone Avengers for a moment. "No sweat," he thought to himself as he turned away.
"I ain't done yet, mister!", Lightburst shouted as he struggled to his feet. "Lightburst strikes back now!"
'Burst takes to the air, firing light beams as he bore down on Mechassassin. His target remained calm and simply dodged the incoming beams. Mechassassin gauged his foe and delivered a sharp punch to the side of his head as he passes. Lightburst careened out of control and crashed into the side of a nearby building.
"And now Lightburst strikes out," Mechassassin said taunting the unconscious hero. "You're lucky I'm on a tight schedule, friend, otherwise you'd be pushing up the weeds."
Once more, Mechassassin is swallowed by the night as he continued ever closer to his objective...
Up in the hospital room, Helena Kirby paced in silence. Nightingale was still doing whatever it was she was doing. Armed guards had taken up positions outside her father's room. And if worse came to worse, Helena herself would take on this murderer.
All the while, Helena kept an eye on her father. Ever since the accident several weeks ago, his condition had not changed much. But since this afternoon, he was fading. His pulse steadily grew weaker. One way, or the other, Helena feared, the end was near...
Unexpectedly, an alarm sounded from the equipment monitoring Hunter's condition. The display on his heart monitor had gone flat line. Nightingale's eyes opened at the sound. She had unsuccessfully been searching for the source of the psionic trace she had sensed earlier. "Code blue!", she shouted leaping from her chair.
"Get some help!", Nightingale told Helena as she went to work on Hunter. She threw back the covers, bared Hunter's chest, and began CPR in an attempt to re-start his heart...
Mere moments later, Mechassassin is nearing the entrance to the hospital. He climbs the steps when suddenly he is struck by a beam of energy!
'Assassin spins to find the Thing and Muskateer off to one side. The swordsman’s blade glows slightly.
"Sorry!", Musketeer replied. "I was just cleaning it, when it suddenly went off! Anyway, we're closed! Assassin visiting hours are between two and four!"
Blades pop from Mechassassin's wrist launchers as he approached the two Avengers. "You'll pay for that!"
"Come and get it, sweetums," Muskateer taunted back.
But instead, it is the Thing that moved to meet Mechassassin.
"Stand aside, junior," the Thing said, "this clown is mine!"
"Hey!", Muskateer shouted indignantly. "I'm not a little kid! You older Avengers seem to think that I'm fragile or something!"
The two combatants ignored the Muskateer's complaints as they circled each other slowly.
"You'll regret this old-timer," Mechassassin said. His voice was extremely calm and matter-of-fact.
"Old-timer!? The blue-eyed idol of millions? Junior, you've been smokin' tennis shoes! Just watch this 'old-timer' lay you out!" The rocky hero wound up and swung at Mechassassin but only hit air. "Hey! Stand still ya dang blasted idjit!!"
Mechassassin moved in under the wild blow and stabbed the Thing in the stomach! The Thing doubled over in pain and let out a loud growl.
"I did warn you."
"Ben!", Muskateer shouted, astonished that the Thing's rocky hide could be penetrated so easily.
"You're next, sword man. If you've got the guts."
"Famous last words, chump."
Musketeer rushed forward, swinging his sword but he too fails to hit his target.
"Hey Mechy, got any swashes you want buckled?"
"I take it back. You have to have a lot of guts to say something as stupid as that." Mechassassin lunged forward in an attempt to stab Musketeer, but he too missed his target.
"Nyah, nyah, missed me!"
Both fighters continue to gauge each other. Acting almost simultaneously, they both swing their weapons!
"Now to end this fight," Musketeer said confidently.
"As you said, famous last words."
But it is the Mechassassin's blade that finds its mark. Musketeer stares somewhat in disbelief at the wound, his chain mail pierced, blood flowing down his chest.
"Medic," Muskateer manages to say before falling over backwards.
Mechassassin silently watches his latest obstacles as they bleed on the ground. "Mechassassin four, Avengers zero."
"Wrong killer!"
Suddenly, Mechassassin is engulfed in flames! He staggers and is down on one knee by the time the fire fades. "Stupid!", Mechassassin thought to himself. "I'm getting careless-- that girl nearly had me!" Mechassassin's battlesuit, PAPS (Power-Assisted Personal Suit), was the source of most of his powers, but at the same time it made him more vulnerable to certain attacks. Fire was one of them. The suit seemed to magnify the attack-- almost cooking him inside his own armor!
Mechassassin spun in the direction of the hovering Firestar. It took her longer to recover from the gas attack then it did Lightburst, but she did recover. Seeing her teammate out, she continued on towards the most logical destination; the hospital. Firestar had arrived just in time to see Muskateer go down.
"You'll suffer for that!", Mechassassin threatened as he drew his pistol. He aimed at the flying heroine and fired. A taser-like arc of electricity shot forward electrifying the young heroine. She plummeted from the sky and hit the concrete with a sickening thud.
"This is rapidly getting out of hand," Mechassassin mused. "Perhaps dealing with the Avengers wasn't such a good idea after all."
Mechassassin hears a 'whooshing' sound and is drawn to the sky. He looks for a moment and spots two more impediments to his mission. There Black Diamond and the Enchantress are taking up positions to surround the villain.
"That's your tough luck, mister!", Black Diamond shouted. "Your rampage stops now!" The two women had just returned from their investigation of the explosion to the rear of the base. The vehicle garage was the target of that particular blast. They had just finished rescuing those workers caught in the blast.
"Ladies," Mechassassin said, trying to conceal how hurt he really was. "I was wondering when you would grace me with your presence."
"Can the sweet talk," Black Diamond said as she surged forward. "This is one contract you're not going to finish."
Diamond flies forward with the intent of knocking the 'Assassin's block off, but instead, he tumbles out of harm's way."
"Let's see you dodge my magic!", the Enchantress added as she began spell casting.
"No need to!", Mechassassin taunted, as he took aim with his pistol once more. "I'm much too tough for your puny powers..."
Once more his aim was true. The electricity arced all around the Enchantress, her magical aura causing her more harm then protection in this case. "No! Not electricity...," the Enchantress uttered as she slipped into unconsciousness and fell from the sky.
"While you’re not!", Mechassassin said finishing his thoughts. He spun to look for Black Diamond, only to find her already bearing down on him!
"End of the line, villain!"
Black Diamond collided with Mechassassin at full speed. They pile drive into the sidewalk before the hospital, creating a small pit. Neither combatant stirred as the dust began to settle...
Back in the hospital, Helena can only watch as the staff frantically worked on her father. Nightingale worked the defibrillator as she attempted to get a heart beat from the Hunter. Again and again she sent the electricity through his limp body.
"Hit it again!", 'Gale uncharacteristically shouted.
"It's over," the doctor who was working the controls of the machine said. "He's gone."
Outside the hospital, Black Diamond stirred and sensed someone standing over her. She moves quickly moved to attack the figure and nearly hit Lightburst!
"Oh-- Lightburst! I'm terribly sorry!", Black Diamond apologized. Taking a look around, she saw that Mechassassin was still at the bottom of the pit they made. Standing nearby was Muskateer.
"It's okay, gorgeous."
"I see you took Mechy out," Muskateer said as he offered his hand towards Black Diamond. A makeshift bandage covered his chest. His wounds were not life threatening.
"It wasn't easy," Black Diamond responded. "I have one heck of a headache."
The Enchantress approached the group and immediately noticed Muskateer's condition. "Muskateer-- You've been hurt!"
"I'll live. I think Ben needs help more than..."
Just then a grenade is tossed from the pit and lands at the Avenger's feet! There is a terrible explosion and the group is hurtled in various directions across the courtyard. Mechassassin rises from the pit, having been shielded from the explosion, and continues on.
"Mess with the best, die like the rest." Mechassassin then turned back towards the hospital. "You heroes may have ruined my time table, but I still have a job to do!"
But as Mechassassin climbed the stairs to the hospital lobby, a tattered Black Diamond lands before it.
"This has gone on long enough!"
"Quite right." Mechassassin raised his right arm and fired a steel cable out of his wrist launcher. It encircled the surprised heroine. "There, that will keep you out of mischief."
"Only temporarily!", Black Diamond replied as she set her great strength to the task of freeing herself. She strained, but was unable to break the cable imprisoning her.
"That cable is a lot like me: it's tougher than you think."
"Can't... break... free!" Black Diamond continued to strain against the steel cable as Mechassassin advanced on her. He wound up and lands a punch on the helpless heroine's jaw. Black Diamond was thrown back, through the entrance doors and came sliding to a halt on the hospital's lobby floor.
"The Mighty Avengers?!?", Mechassassin said out loud. "Ha! What a joke!! HAHAHHA!!!"
Mechassassin was so lost in his jest that he never noticed a large shadow closing in from behind. By the time he did, it was too late. An orange fist landed a tremendous blow, knocking Mechassassin through the hospital itself and out through the back wall!
"Wrong bozo." It was the last bit of energy the Thing could expend before he collapsed.
Within minutes, the MP's had the still unconscious Mechassassin in custody. Those Avengers requiring medical attention were being treated by the staff.
"We were sloppy tonight," Black Diamond said to no one in particular. "One man should have never walked through us like that!"
The lobby elevator silently opened and Helena Kirby and Nightingale exited. Neither one looked in very good shape.
"It's all over, Helena," Black Diamond said, putting her hands on the distraught young woman's shoulders. "We stopped Mechassassin."
Helena didn't say a word, she just held on to Black Diamond, burying her head and sobbing uncontrollably. Black Diamond was puzzled and looked to Nightingale for an explanation.
"Hunter's heart gave out," 'Gale said quietly. "We couldn't revive him. He's gone."
The world changed around the man known as both the Hunter and as Lane Kirby. He found himself to be standing in a hospital room. Medical personnel moved about, working feverishly on the man in the bed. Taking a good look at the patient, Hunter realized that it was himself! While Nightingale had briefly sensed this, it was just beyond her ability to fully perceive where Hunter now found himself.
None of this seemed real to Hunter. A nurse ran up to and through him! Looking at his hand, the Hunter's body had a transparent quality to it. He tried to get the attention of those around him, but they did not respond or even recognize that he was there. His teammate, Nightingale, was working the defibrillator, trying to revive him. It was all so surreal.
Then Hunter realized that he was not alone. Nearby stood a woman, Russian, Hunter would have guessed. She wore a green silk dress with matching full-length gloves. Her hair was odd-- a reddish purple in color. It blew about on some unfelt wind.
"Your time has come," the woman said with a trace of a Russian accent. "I have watched you suffer for so long. The end is here at last."
"Who are you?"
"That does not matter. Some call me the Dark Angel. Others choose things that a proper lady would not say."
"What do you want with me?"
"I am here to lead you home."
"I'm dead?"
"Your mortal body shall be dead momentarily."
"But I can't go! There's so much more that I have yet to do. So many things that I need to say--"
"That's what everyone says. Your time has come, Lane Kirby. It is time to go into the light."
"But--"
The hospital room around the two began to fade. In moments it was gone.
"The choice is not yours to make," the Dark Angel stated flatly. "You are ready to crossover."
The Hunter sighed, resigned to his fate. He took the woman's hand and they headed into the light.
"What lies a head?"
"You'll see...."
