Muskateer held a folder full of papers in one hand, a fully assembled Retaliator in the other, as he walked the hallways of Avengers Mansion. It was more than a short trek from the laboratories in the sub-levels to Black Diamond's office. He was hoping that Diamond would be impressed with his success. Despite all the bravado, Muskateer still didn't feel like he fit in with this group yet. They were the Avengers after all.
It didn't help that so many of the Avengers were on such friendly terms with each other already. Even if it was his own doing, Muskateer was beginning to feel a little left out. The Thing was enjoyable to hang out with sometimes, but he was still recovering from the wound he received while battling Mechassassin the previous week. Firestar was the only other member of the team Muskateer felt truly at ease around and that had become a two-edged sword of its own.
Her age meant that they would have to remain friends and nothing more. Muskateer had decided that he was going to try to think of her as the sister he never had. Maybe that would help the situation. She would turn eighteen soon enough, maybe then...
As Muskateer approached Black Diamond's office, he could see that the light was still on and the door was slightly ajar.
"Hmmm... Looks like Di's playing with her paperwork. Guess I'm not the only one working late," Muskateer thought to himself as he walked to the door. He peeked in, but saw that the room was currently empty. "Anybody home? Guess not...."
Muskateer stepped into the office and looked around. It was smartly furnished with an understated sense of style. Paperwork and files were scattered about on the large oak desk. "Well, I suppose I'll just leave the computer printouts of the tests on this Retaliator here on her desk. Hello, what's this?"
Amongst the information were some pictures. The fact that Firestar was in them piqued Musky's interest. He flipped through the poor shots; they were obviously blown up from surveillance cameras.
"This looks like Firestar outside the Mansion with Captain Valor and the Black Tiger. Talk about weird. I thought she said she'd never been to New York before." Muskateer saw another file, with his name on it as well. The temptation to open it got the better of him, but before he could, footsteps could be heard coming up the hall.
Muskateer laid the weapon on the desk next to his report and turned to meet Diamond at the door. She opened the door and Muskateer was slightly surprised to see her out of costume. Linda Taylor was an impressive figure even when she wore a simple T-shirt with a New York Mets logo on it and cut-off jean shorts.
"Hey, Black D! How's it going?" Black Diamond looked at him suspiciously, and stepped towards her desk.
"Not too bad, Muskateer. I was just checking up on Firestar. 'Gale says that her wound has already healed. Amazing that she could heal it so fast. I heard you were performing some experiments in the labs earlier?"
"Oh, that. Yeah, I was testing one of the Retaliators that Firestar and I captured. Managed to figure out what makes the ammo explode. It's all there in my report." Muskateer motioned towards the file and weapon on her desk. He had managed to cover the other paperwork with his own, hoping to keep Black Diamond from noticing that he had been nosing through her work. "They look like decent pieces on the surface, but are basically walking bombs. Poor suckers never know what hit them."
"Good work. Hunter, myself, and the Scarlet Sabre have been working on this case for months now. This is the first intact weapon that has been recovered. I'm glad to see that you were able to decipher its make-up so quickly. Your science skills are fast becoming a real asset to the team."
Muskateer beamed at the compliment, but was glad his mask didn't reveal his real emotions. "Hey, it's me. Plus, that's a heckuva set up we got down there."
Black Diamond picked up the Retaliator carefully and eyed it. "Our working theory is that this is a VIPER prototype. Most likely they discovered the defect in testing and sold them to an arms dealer to recoup their loses. But they didn't mention that the guns were deadly to the users." Diamond set the weapon down and turned to face Muskateer. "I read Firestar's report. You both handled the situation about as well as you could given your abilities. Unfortunately, both the robbers died from the wounds sustained when their weapon exploded."
"Just goes to show whoever picked us new rookies had some good taste, eh?", Muskateer offered. He liked the chance to blow his own horn, even though he had come across the opportunity by chance.
"I have to admit: you're both working out better than we had hoped," Black Diamond said. She sat down in her high-backed leather chair and nonchalantly gathered up the files and photos on the desk. "From what Cassie says, you two had a long day. Why don't you get yourself some rest?"
"Actually, I was planning on heading out again." Muskateer paused for effect. "I think I might know where the thugs have been getting those guns."
That got Black Diamond's attention. "Well, don't just stand there! What do you have?"
"Well, it's a stretch, I understand, but I think they're being fenced by that clown, Crazy Teddy," Muskateer said.
"Crazy Teddy? From Crazy Teddy's Slightly Used Bargains?" Black Diamond looked at Muskateer warily. She hadn't known Muskateer long enough to tell when he was joking and when he was serious.
"Hey, even I couldn't make that one up! The joker inside the armored car mentioned something about 'crazy prices', before he passed out. For some reason it stuck in my head all night long. Once I saw the TV commercial, I put two and two together..."
"You're not serious, aren't you?"
"Fine, don't believe me. But I'm going to check his place out. Maybe see what I can stir up. I thought that perhaps you'd want to come along." Muskateer turned to leave. "I can check it out on my own."
"Hold on a second, Muskateer. Let me see something." Black Diamond swiveled to her desktop computer and worked the keys. "If your theory is correct, then there might be something on Crazy Teddy in the database. Hunter was very meticulous in his note keeping. I used to joke with him that he had notes about notes. If your theory has any merits, then Hunter would have something on it."
"Well I'll be..." Diamond uttered, not quite believing what she was reading on her monitor. "It seems that Crazy Teddy is something of a minor fence."
"Sounds like he's gone major league to me." He smiled beneath his mask.
"I apologize for doubting you. An excellent deduction. If this Crazy Teddy is responsible for distributing these weapons, then I want to join you. I'd really like to be in on shutting them down." Black Diamond got up from her chair and turned off the desk lamp.
"Let's go boss. Time's a wastin'."
"Just give me a sec to change," Black Diamond said. Before Muskateer could even say anything, there had been a flash of light and Linda's clothing was suddenly replaced by the more familiar garb of Black Diamond. "There, that's more like it."
"Geez, you guys just love to flaunt that instant change stuff, huh?", Muskateer complained. "First Firestar and now you. Am I the only one who has to dress like a normal person?"
"It's a gift. Come to think of it, you may be right," Black Diamond answered. She thought about it for a moment, then said, "Although I don't know if I would consider you normal." Diamond smiled at that. Perhaps working together on a case would break the ice between the two.
"Oh sure, everyone's a critic."
Moments later, the two Avengers were flying across the night sky. Black Diamond carried Muskateer along, her arm locked under his shoulder. He held onto her with one hand, while the other held his hat to his head.
"I think I need to invest in some Velcro or something," Muskateer said. "Especially with all the flying I seem to be doing lately."
"It's fastest way to get around town if you can do it. Would you rather I put you down?"
"Not at all. From where I'm sitting, this is one heckuva great ride. I could get used to this." Black Diamond wasn't sure if he meant the flying or the proximity between the two, but decided to quickly change the subject.
"So, what was your plan in dealing with Crazy Teddy, anyway?", she said.
"Well, it depends what we find there," Muskateer answered. "If it's quiet, then we go in and check the situation out. If not, then we get to beat up the bad guys."
"It's usually not that simple."
"Of course it's not that simple. I was just giving you the Reader's Digest version."
"I see, although we can't just bash in the front door."
"Don't worry, Di, I have some special talents just for this very purpose."
"Oh really?" Black Diamond was curious, but Muskateer wasn't telling. He seemed to enjoy playing the role of a man of mystery. While he could be annoying in some ways, he was attractive in others. Black Diamond tried to put that thought from her head. She had already had past relationships with other Avengers. None of them had ever worked out. The last thing she needed was another failed relationship and more disappointment.
"Don't worry," he said. "If we need it, then I'll show you what I'm talking about." Muskateer was turning out to be full of surprises, Black Diamond thought. He may not have been an agent of Iron Maiden, but he was more than she or the government ever thought they were getting in the bargain.
After a few more minutes of traveling, the pair of Avengers were closing in on the location of Crazy Teddy's Slightly Used Bargains. "We're getting close, Musky."
"Maybe you should put me down here?" Muskateer was right. She would be much more maneuverable without having to carry him. Besides, her sixth sense for danger had started to kick in.
"I think you might be right," Black Diamond said while landing in a convenient alleyway. "I'm sensing trouble close by. Stay in contact with your communicator. I'll check out the situation from above." Just then, there was a tremendous explosion from the direction of their intended target.
"I'd say that danger sense of yours was right on the money, fearless leader." Black Diamond was already in flight, but heard Muskateer over the comlink. He was also on the move, quickly closing the gap between himself and the warehouse. The comlink answered back.
"Watch yourself. I've spotted VIPER agents in the area. I am about to make contact with a squad of Air Cavalry. Diamond out."
"Go to it, Black D. I'll take care of the ground forces." Up ahead, Muskateer could see multiple five man squads of agents move out. Two of the units advanced around either side of the now burning store/warehouse and were lost from sight. The remaining unit spread out between the building and where Muskateer was concealed. He figured that they must have someone holed up inside, maybe Crazy Teddy himself. They were obviously trying to flush whomever it was out into the open.
As Muskateer stealthily approached the agents, suddenly, a large dumpster was ripped open by a large armored unit. It was vaguely man-shaped, but fifteen feet tall. It was also very heavily armed. "Whoa! That thing looks loaded for bear," Muskateer thought to himself as he maneuvered himself to the rooftop of the building behind the VIPER agents. There wasn't enough cover behind the building for Muskateer to get as close as he wanted on the ground. Fortunately, they were all intently aiming at the damaged building. A moment later, a man in a red costume with white accessories landed near the building. None of them had noticed Muskateer's presence yet.
"Alright," one of the VIPER agents said, "remember, the primary goal of this mission is to test the combat capabilities of the XAVC. The other units will draw the costumed creeps inside towards it. Your job is to block their escape. The XAVC will mop them up. We're just support fire, in case things get out of hand."
"At least we have the easy job this time," one of the agents armed with a large shoulder mounted cannon stated. "But if I got a clear shot at someone, I waste the sucker." The other agents laughed among themselves as they watched the XAVC lumber into position. They quickly took up their own positions and waited.
Looking up into the night air, Muskateer could faintly see five flying figures converging on Diamond. She should be easily able to take care of those bozos, so that left all the ground forces to him. Under his mask, Muskateer smiled and leapt to the ground, behind a pile of discarded crates. The armored, robotic-looking unit had taken up its desired position, with the agents deployed slightly ahead of it and on its flanks. The supervillain had moved further away to the right.
"Well, even if there's someone inside operating this thing," Muskateer thought, while surveying the VIPER combat unit, "they would definitely be occupying just the torso." Muskateer crept silently up behind the armored figure, his sword unsheathed and at the ready. In one blinding motion, he swung the sword in a powerful arc, slicing directly through the leg of the VIPER XAVC. No longer able to support itself, the bipedal combat unit fell forward and crashed loudly upon the pavement. The startled agents all turned to look at the cause of this unexpected attack.
"What the hell happened?", the squad leader yelled out. The rest of the squad could only look on in gape-jawed awe. Their newest ultimate weapon, designed to trash multiple superheroes in combat, had just been dissected right under their noses in little more than a split second.
"Hi guys. Don't look so surprised. I am an Avenger after all." Muskateer stood over the fallen combat unit. It was still struggling to move. "Hey! Are these exposed wires? Wonder what would happen if I accidentally touched my sword to them and..." In a brief flash, Muskateer jammed his sword into the exposed leg cavity and released an electrical current down the blade and into the damaged unit. The remaining limbs on the XAVC suddenly shot straight out and stiffened. Acrid smoke wafted up from the burnt out wiring.
"Oops. Hope you guys still have your warranty on this sucker." The VIPER agents had been so surprised by this sudden display of destruction that they had been unable to respond so far. That wouldn't last forever.
"VIPER squad! Open fire!"
"Hey, I said I was sorry!"
Overhead, Black Diamond was making short work of the Air Cavalry. Their blasters were only slightly effective against her heightened toughness. When they managed to hit her, that is. Already two of the VIPER Air Cavalry were out of commission. The remaining three were trying to keep her between them and concentrate their fire on the Avengers' leader. They were having little luck.
"Air-3, gain altitude. Keep above her!", the Air Cavalry Sergeant ordered. Black Diamond was just too fast for them. "Fire!"
As the three VIPER agents fired, Black Diamond made a tight loop in the air. Two of the wild shots missed her easily, and the agents had only narrowly missed hitting each other in the process. The third agent got lucky and hit her. At least he thought he was lucky.
"Okay, now you've made me mad! Those blasters of yours sting." Black Diamond flew directly at the agent who had connected. She spread her arms wide and clapped them shut around the startled agent's head. His helmet shattered like it was made of glass and the VIPER agent dropped from the sky. "Three down, two to go."
Spinning around in mid-air, Diamond faced the remaining sergeant and trooper. "You realize, of course, that you are welcome to surrender at this point."
"Air-5, blast 'er!" As soon as he gave the order, the Air Cavalry sergeant flew off at maximum velocity. He wasn't getting caught if he could help it.
"Hey, Sarge! Where are ya...?!" The trooper looked vainly behind him, as he fired his blaster at the onrushing heroine. She zipped between the sporadic fire and flew directly into him. Both of her fists connected solidly with the VIPER agent's armored torso. He was bent in half from the force of the blow, his blaster rifle flying from his hands. The force of the ramming blow carried the two almost two blocks away from the battle. Diamond snatched the unconscious agent from the sky and looked around for the retreating sergeant, but he was long gone.
Meanwhile, Muskateer used his sword to deflect the blasts of two of the VIPER agents and quickly ducked to avoid the shot of the shoulder-mounted cannon, operated by the VIPER Mauler.
"Damn! That thing is nasty!", Muskateer said, looking at the huge hole in the concrete wall behind him. Fortunately, these VIPER agents, while well-trained and well-equipped for normal men, were far too slow when compared with a superhero.
Muskateer quickly moved in on the Mauler and sliced his Chemical Cannon in two, as the man tried to get another bead on him. A forearm shiver to the helmet sent the agent sprawling backward. One of the VIPER Blasters managed to get Muskateer in his sights and fired. The energy beam was intercepted by the lightning-fast blade and just dissipated on contact.
"Thanks. I needed the recharge after using so much juice on your tinker toy there." Muskateer leveled his sword at the agent and depressed a stud on the hilt, sending the energy back out in taser form. The electricity sparked about the VIPER agent's armor and then he dropped like a marionette who's strings had been cut. As Muskateer closed in on the remaining agents, they began to quickly back away. This was getting out of hand.
"Alright, Muskateer. Try your hand against this!"
Muskateer turned at the voice, and his eyes grew wide behind his mask. He barely managed to duck and roll in time, as the hurtling dumpster crashed to the ground where he had just been standing. "Neat trick, red. Who the hell are you anyway?" Muskateer fired at the red and white costumed villain, but missed the flying figure.
"I am Citadel," the villain answered. Muskateer remembered that Citadel had once been a hero. Years ago he had been one of the founding members of the Gold Coast Guardians and very popular; an all-American boy. That all changed virtually overnight when it was discovered that he was having an affair with the wife of the team's sponsor. The media raked Citadel over the coals; the president of his fan club committed suicide. A messy divorce followed and Citadel's identity was revealed. Broken and disillusioned, Citadel simply vanished. Until now.
"Looks like the rock you've been hiding under had a few snakes in there too, huh?" Citadel flew forward and crashed into the sword-swinging hero. The two tumbled backward onto the ground.
"Big talk from the mighty hero. Just wait until you make a mistake and the media hangs you out to dry." Citadel connected with a right cross and sent Muskateer staggering back. He tried to follow up his advantage, hurtling forward at the hero, but Muskateer leapt over his rocketing form, narrowly avoiding the crushing blow. Citadel crashed into the building and through the wall, making a large hole.
"Nice move, Citadel. Remind me to introduce you to my friend, the Buffalo." Citadel wasn't hurt by the collision and turned to rush at Muskateer again, but this time, the hero used Citadel's momentum against him and flipped the villain overhead, sending him crashing into the tipped over dumpster.
"Good one, Muskateer. Need any help putting out the trash?" Black Diamond landed on the building above Muskateer. "By the way, I managed to take care of those three snakes who tried to slither away from you." Citadel brushed the trash from him and saw that he was now outnumbered two to one.
"Don't take this personally Black Diamond, but I don't think it best if I stayed around and traded punches with you two. This mission's a snafu," Citadel said disgustedly.
"You may not have a choice, although I am rather disappointed that you joined up with VIPER. You can try to outfly me," Black Diamond said, taking to the air once more, "but I wouldn't bet on it."
"You have a point there, beautiful," Citadel said with a chuckle. "But try and keep up with this." With that, he promptly disappeared from sight!
"Hey! Come back!", Muskateer yelled in vain, swinging his sword in the spot Citadel just vacated making sure that it wasn't a trick. "I was just getting warmed up!"
"Looks like he's gone, Musky," Black Diamond said, landing nearby. "I sense no more danger from anywhere."
"Not unless you count those guys." Muskateer motioned over towards the street. There a collection of news reporters and a crowd of onlookers had gathered. One camera was already rolling and the reporters started rushing forward, microphones extended. In the distance sirens wailed, coming ever closer.
"Not afraid of reporters are you, swordsman?" Spinning Muskateer saw two costumed women coming out of the burning store. The speaker was dressed in black with red boots, blouse, sash, and gloves. Muskateer recognized her as the Scarlet Sabre, a member of New York's other hero team, the Freedom League. With her was a tall woman, also in black, but with turquoise accessories. This woman was a stranger.
"Scarlet!" Black Diamond stepped towards her. "What brings you here?"
"It's a long story, but I do appreciate the help. Oh, this is Night Owl. We would have been out sooner, but she insisted on washing up."
"Pleased to meet you," Night Owl said as she shook Black Diamond's hand. "Hey, I'm not going to have a dirty face during my first interview!"
"Together, along with the Huntress, we managed to put the Retaliators out of business."
"The Huntress!?" Black Diamond was surprised by this. While she had never heard of a Huntress, she had a very good idea just who that was. However, any further conversation would have to wait as the heroes were engulfed by the reporters.
"Muskateer! Allen Kingston from WNN. Can you tell our viewers just what happened here tonight?"
After about an hour of answering the media's questions and signing autographs, Muskateer sat back on the hood of a nearby squad car. "Man, those guys can ask some stupid questions," he said with a sigh.
"That's just part of the price we pay as public figures, Muskateer," Black Diamond explained.
"Can't we just take it out of my paycheck for awhile and call it even?"
"I don't see what you're complaining about. This is great!" Night Owl was signing the jacket of the last of the autograph hounds. "It's like becoming an instant celebrity."
"Ah, the enthusiasm of the innocent," Scarlet Sabre mused.
In answering the reporter's questions, the two pairs of heroes had learned that they were inadvertently hunting the same foe, although down quite different paths. Night Owl, the Scarlet Sabre, and the Huntress, who had slipped off undetected by either Avenger, had been confronting Crazy Teddy and his minions inside the warehouse. Unfortunately for them, it had already been staked out by the Manhattan branch of VIPER who was just waiting for some heroes to wander in and fall into their ambush. They just were never expecting Black Diamond and Muskateer to foul up their well-designed plan. (See Huntress #4 & #5)
"Looks like our VIPER theory had teeth to it after all, eh, Black Diamond," the Scarlet Sabre said. The two heroines, along with the late Hunter, had been trying to solve this case for some time.
"No kidding," Night Owl added. "I've seen enough snakes today to last me the rest of my life! Right now, I want a hot bath, a good meal, and ten hours of uninterrupted sleep."
"Yeah, Muskateer here and Firestar managed to capture a couple of Retaliators earlier today in Manhattan," Black Diamond answered the scarlet clad heroine. "He even managed to take one apart and decipher its flaws."
"I'm impressed," Scarlet said, regarding Muskateer. "We never were able to get our hands on an intact unit."
"Maybe you just didn't ask nicely enough."
"Next time, I may have to try that tactic," the Scarlet Sabre said with a smile.
"And if 'please' doesn't work, then you just punch their lights out," Muskateer joked.
"A man after my own heart!", Night Owl interjected.
"Actually, I prefer to fight with my sword," Muskateer explained. "But I didn't have it with me at the time. Had to do it the hard way instead."
The Scarlet Sabre walked around Muskateer, eyeing his weapon. "I see you carry a sabre. I always preferred a foil personally."
"Guess the Scarlet Foil wouldn't have made as good a name though, huh?," Muskateer taunted.
"No, it's not. But think of all the puns that could go with it. Certainly gives new meaning to the phrase, 'Curses! Foiled again!'"
"Oh, God! That was a bad one, Red. Besides, the foil may be a more precise weapon, but the sabre is much more versatile. Not to mention more powerful. What good would a foil have done against that armored suit they had today?"
"You may have a point there, Muskateer," Scarlet countered, bad pun and all, as she energized her sword. "But you see, I have a few tricks with my weapon." The Scarlet Sabre wielded the equivalent of a Star Wars lightsabre.
"Not bad, Red. We may have to see what you've got some time."
"A duel, then?", Scarlet said, excitedly. "I'd love to!"
"Maybe another time, Red," Muskateer said wearily. "It's been one heckuva long day."
Scarlet laughed. "You have no idea the kind of day I've had."
"Your duel can wait until the next time you're at the Mansion," Black Diamond offered. "I think it would be interesting to watch."
"I may just take you up on that. It'll probably be in a week or two when I help install your Combat Simulator. The parts are just starting to trickle in now."
Sensing Muskateer's confusion, Black Diamond added, "CII makes and installs the Combat Simulators. Scarlet helped put the previous unit in."
"I see."
"I'd like to see what my sword-swinging rival is capable of." Turning to Muskateer, Scarlet said, "If you're that good with technology, I'll have to let Sheryl Campbell know about you. She's always looking for technologically minded heroes. Maybe you can even assist me with the installation."
"Thanks for the offer, Red, but I've got me a pretty good gig here with the Avengers right now. But helping out with the Combat Simulator does sound intriguing."
"Alright, it's a date!" The Scarlet Sabre stepped back from the others and held her Sabre straight up. Unnoticed by the others, her mini-jet, the Sky Sabre was hovering overhead. A hatch on the bottom of the jet was open. An energy line shot from the Sabre and latched onto something inside the craft. "Need a lift, Night Owl?"
"Uhm, sure!" Night Owl moved next to Scarlet and hung on to the shorter heroine.
"Seeya around!" With that, the Scarlet Sabre and Night Owl rose into the air and disappeared inside the mini-jet. A few seconds later, the craft streaked out of sight.
"I gotta get me one of them," Muskateer said staring into the night sky.
"Well, until that time, will I do?" Black Diamond stood next to her teammate, her hand extended.
"Quite nicely, Di. Quite nicely."
The two Avengers rose into the air and were quickly out of sight.
