Muskateer, meanwhile, buzzed over the parking lot on his new flying scooter. It was this very same scooter that had brought him and Scarlet out to the Tyler Labs complex on this morning. The addition of the flying bike was going to give the sword-swinging Avenger a much needed faster mode of transportation. He never imagined that he was going to be using it in battle so soon.
"The hanger is under attack!", Scarlet continued to yell, gesturing off in the direction of the hanger to further illustrate her point.
Muskateer strained to look in that direction, but the thick black smoke billowing out of the damaged tank and the small office building obscured his vision. Flying straight towards the tank, Muskateer slowed down just long enough to scoop the Scarlet Sabre up. Once the heroine was on board, Muskateer gunned the engine once more, putting distance between himself and the armored juggernaut.
"Thanks," Scarlet informed Muskateer as she situated herself on the bike. "Jaime said there's a VTOL cargo plane trying to make off with the prototype sub we saw on the way in."
"Not if we have anything to say about it," Muskateer responded. They had noticed the sub outside the hanger when they arrived earlier in the Sky Sabre. From the looks of it, the Tyler Lab staff had been getting ready to test it out in the large pond between the main office building and the vehicle construction hanger.
Behind the speeding heroes, the tank's main gun lined up the fleeing scooter in its sights and fired! A tremendous explosion suddenly ripped the main gun apart, sending shrapnel flying every which way. The shards of metal sliced through several of the nearby agents. Secondary explosions tore the tank apart in a dazzling display of destruction. In a matter of moments, the Terrible Tank had been reduced to a twisted and torn pile of wreckage.
"Guess they didn't notice me slicing the end of the cannon off," Muskateer casually remarked to Scarlet as he looked back towards the remains of the large weapon. The twisted metal had caused the last shell to detonate prematurely while still inside the gun. "That was their last mistake."
"Such a waste," Scarlet added in disgust, shaking her head. "Nothing human could have survived that explosion. They brought it on themselves."
Facing ahead once more, Muskateer piloted the scooter over the Tyler Labs Main Offices and towards the distant hanger. Now that they were above the office building, the heroes could see just what they were facing. The first thing that attracted their attention was the large cargo plane hovering on VTOL thrusters over the prototype mini-sub. More armed agents were on the ground, attempting to attach lifting hooks to the sub's carriage. Blaster fire had sent the Tyler Labs staff fleeing for cover.
"Looks like Jaime was right on the money," Muskateer told Scarlet. "The tank's attack was just a feint to cover up the real target!"
"Were you ever in doubt?", Scarlet responded with mild surprise in her voice. "What do you say we cut these guys' strings?"
"You read my mind, Red." Muskateer didn't appear to notice his pun, but Scarlet grimaced and shook her head.
Muskateer veered off to the left putting the scooter into a wide turn that drew them closer to the ground. The small craft steadily swung back towards the sub and cargo plane, but this time approaching in a path parallel to their targets. Muskateer unsheathed his sword, grasping it tightly in his left hand while he controlled the scooter with his right. Behind him, Scarlet's sabre flared to life and she held it out towards to her right.
The scooter streaked in at full speed, Muskateer making minute course adjustments as he neared his target. The agents working to secure the mini-sub to the lifting harness were still unaware of the heroes' rapid approach.
"Cutting it close, don't you think?", Scarlet observed from the back seat.
"Maybe just a little. Not afraid, are we?"
"No-- I just tend to dislike high speed collisions. Which is going to happen if you don't pull up another two degrees."
"Spoilsport," Muskateer laughed as he eased the nose of the bike a bit higher.
"I just figured that we both have spent enough time in the hospital."
The ground agents finally noticed the approaching scooter and opened fire. Fortunately, Muskateer was going fast enough to easily avoid the incoming fire.
The speeding scooter raced through the small area between the sub and the cargo plane. As they streaked past, the swords of the heroes sliced through the lifting lines of the cargo plane, snapping them apart. Curses from the agents and blaster fire followed the scooter as it flew away just as fast as it had arrived.
"Oh, I'm sorry!", Muskateer quipped as he banked once more. "Scratch one sub theft."
"Good! I hope it annoys the hell out of whomever is behind this." The anger in Scarlet's voice was readily apparent. "I just pray that none of the staff have been seriously injured from this senseless attack."
Muskateer gave the main office building a quick glance as he piloted the scooter back towards the cargo plane and agents. Thick smoke was still pouring out of several openings created by the tank's bombardment. Portions of the top floor had collapsed. "Unfortunately, that's one bet I'm not going to take," he informed his passenger as he sheathed his sword.
"Here's one I will take," Scarlet shot back. "Someone is going to pay for this!"
"I gotcha covered, Red. In spades."
Diving down once more, Muskateer brought the scooter in low and fast. He ducked down behind the front shield as blaster fire was sent their way. Scarlet remained upright and used her energy sabre to redirect the shots, sending them back at the agents themselves. Most of the reflections hit their intended targets, while only a few missed the mark. Muskateer thumbed the control for his forward weapon, sending it into the largest concentration of enemy agents removing more of the thugs from the battle.
"This is almost like modern day jousting!", Muskateer noted as the scooter streaked past the agents once more. His boyish enthusiasm over his new acquisition had returned once more.
"Maybe you should ask Frank to install an energy lance," Scarlet joked as she whacked one of the invaders with her energy sabre in club mode.
"You know, that's not a bad idea."
"The next thing I know, you'll be giving it a name like a horse and feeding it sugar cubes."
"At least I won't need a pooper scooper for it," Muskateer quipped as he put the scooter into another bank. He just loved his new toy and it showed.
"The architect of this disaster is making a break for it!" Scarlet pointed towards the cargo plane as it shifted from its VTOL thrusters to regular jets. The large craft was accelerating, gaining altitude and speed rapidly.
"Don't worry. This clown isn't going anywhere." Muskateer gunned the engine sending the scooter shooting forward in pursuit.
"You're only going to get one shot at this," Scarlet informed Muskateer over his shoulder. She had mentally calculated that the cargo plane's speed was going to outstrip the little scooter in a matter of moments.
"I only need one shot," Muskateer answered back confidently. Somehow Scarlet just knew he was going to say that. Confidence was not something the Muskateer was lacking.
The little scooter rapidly closed in on the accelerating cargo plane. Muskateer came in underneath the craft. Luck was with the sword-swinging Avenger and the cargo bay door was still open but was in process of closing. He smiled underneath his mask. This was going to be close.
"Hang on! We're going in!"
Pushing his scooter for all it was worth, Muskateer surged through the bay opening before it could slam shut and into the cargo plane itself! The heroes were greeted by looks of surprise and shock from the men inside the plane at the unexpected and highly unorthodox intrusion.
Muskateer slammed on the brakes while Scarlet leaped from her seat into the most convenient group of men, taking them all to the floor. Straining with all his might, Muskateer pulled the small scooter away from a collision with the far wall of the cargo bay, scraping the underside in the process. "That was way too close," Muskateer sighed to himself in relief as he powered down his bike and landed.
The hero didn't have long to reflect on the narrowly avoided collision, as blaster fire was sent hurtling his way. "And here comes the welcome wagon," he muttered to himself. Several blasters struck the sword swinging hero, but the force of the attacks were blunted by the micro-armor that he wore. The attacks felt like little more than annoying stings.
Muskateer dismounted his bike and drew his sword in one motion. "Those are pretty wimpy blasters you guys got there. Let's see how you like my firepower!" Pointing his sword at the most convenient agent, Muskateer thumbed the taser button and fired off a burst of electricity. It struck the agent in the chest, causing his entire body to stiffen and shake. Once released from the effect, the agent tumbled to the deck unconscious. "Darn, he must've been pretty bored. I put him to sleep."
Nearby, the Scarlet Sabre tumbled away from the pile of agents she had taken to the deck, avoiding their attempts to grab her in the process. Springing to her feet once more, Scarlet activated her lightsabre in club mode. The thugs were also on their feet by now, five of them advancing on the heroine.
"No need to crowd, boys," Scarlet teased. "There's more than enough butt-kicking to go around!" The plucky heroine swept her sword before her, striking two of the thugs and sending them woozily to the deck.
"Get her!", one of the thugs commanded and two of the men leapt at the Scarlet Sabre, intent upon tackling her. The last agent brought his blaster pistol to bear and opened fire!
"Get her?", Scarlet repeated in an incredulous tone. "The only thing you can think to say is 'get her'? I'm really disappointed. I thought you guys were going to make this interesting!"
As she verbally abused her foes, the Scarlet Sabre hurtled over the first leaping man, using him like a springboard. She tumbled into the air, over the top of and just out of reach of the second thug. The two leapers, stunned to have their quarry move so swiftly, were unable to protect themselves as they collided headfirst with the side of the plane.
Blaster fire dogged the heroine as she performed her gymnastics. Once back on her feet, Scarlet swatted away one blast and then sent the second ricochetting back to its source. The gunner was sent backwards from the force of his own weapon, joining the other groggy thugs on the deck of the cargo plane. "Nope, not interesting at all!"
"Come on, Hank, let's pound the crud outta this punk!", one of the thugs announced as he and his buddy advanced on Muskateer. Both wore a type of power gauntlets that Muskateer had never seen before. Electricity arced around the armored gloves, given them a bluish glow.
"Yeah, Bruce! The boss' Shock Gloves will take these heroes down a few pegs!"
Muskateer's full facial mask concealed the amused look and raised eyebrow on his face. "They never learn," he lamented to himself, sounding like a parent speaking of their child.
Hank rushed the Avenger first, swinging wildly. Muskateer easily avoided the blow with a duck and side step to the left. The only thing that Hank struck was the metallic hull of the cargo plane. An electric surge swelled up in the gauntlet and its energy was sent back into Hank! His body vibrated wildly for a few moments before collapsing to the floor.
"Shocking, isn't it?", Muskateer commented in an amused voice. "Guess your boss needs to go back to the drawing board with these little babies. The only person in any real danger from them is the wearer."
The other thug didn't bother answering. He just yelled loudly and swung at Muskateer's head. This attack was easily avoided as Muskateer ducked and then stood back up.
"G'Day, Bruce," he intoned in an outrageous Aussie accent. "You've got a pair of gloves; I've got a sword. Let's see which is nastier." The Avenger touched Bruce with his sword and at the same time, sent an electric shock through the crook. The contact sent Bruce flying backwards to the floor, steam rising from his chest. "Hmm, guess that answers that question."
The immediate threats dealt with, Muskateer surveyed the battlefield. Thugs taken down earlier were beginning to get their second wind while new agents filled the cargo bay. Close by, the Scarlet Sabre was holding off a trio of criminals with her sword. Rushing to her side, Muskateer stood back to back with Scarlet. "I've got ya covered, Red," he informed the heroine.
"Glad you could join the party," Scarlet quipped in return. "These guys haven't been showing me much of a good time. Their manners have left a lot to be desired." As she spoke, Scarlet clubbed another agent into senselessness.
"Some guys just don't know how to treat a lady," Muskateer answered back. "Now me, I prefer a candlelight dinner, dancing to some nice music, and a walk out under the stars." A pair of snipers opened fire on Muskateer with their weapons. Knowing from past experience that he had little to fear from their peashooters, Muskateer brought his sword into play once more. Deftly, he re-directed the first blast, sending it towards the second gunner. A split second later, he reflected the second gunners blast towards the first gunner. Both blasts nearly struck at the same time, taking out both snipers with one maneuver. "Practice makes perfect," Muskateer commented smugly.
"Sounds like one romantic evening," Scarlet sighed happily. "Too bad that we're knee deep in thugs."
From seemingly out of nowhere, a steel cabled bolo began to wrap around the heroes, drawing their bodies tightly to each other. In moments, the bolos had done their job of binding the sword-swingers to each other, back to back. Each of the heroes' swords had been drawn tight to their bodies as well.
"What the--?!", Muskateer wondered as he tested his strength against his restraints.
"I've heard of togetherness, but this is ridiculous!", Scarlet muttered as they lost their balance and fell hard to their sides.
"What an annoying pair you two have been! But once again the genius of I, Fuergeson the Great, has triumphed!"
Straining to turn, the heroes could see a man in a loose fitting majestic purple body suit with white knee-high boots, gloves and cowl. Thick glassed goggles rested over the man's eyes. There was a large gun-like weapon in the man's hands. A wisp of smoke rose from the barrel.
"You've got to be kidding me," Muskateer marveled aloud. This Fuergeson had to be the most unimpressive villain that he had ever seen. Not to mention diminutive, as he couldn't be more than 5'4" in height, assuming that he didn't have lifts in his boots.
"Geez, my career is really going downhill. Now I'm getting captured by grade 'D' villains," Scarlet taunted.
"Jest all you wish," Fuergeson responded with a snort as he handed his bolo gun to one of his men. "But genius shall always conqueror brawn. Never have you faced an enemy such as I! They all laughed at me before, but now no one will ever laugh at Fuergeson the Great ever again! Your feeble minds cannot even begin to comprehend the history you shall be witnessing today. For on this day, Fuergeson the Great, Emperor of Technology, shall announce himself to the world!"
"Okay, if yer so smart, then why are you dressed like some demented Easter Bunny?"
Muskateer's comment brought a chuckle from the men with Fuergeson. They had retrieved their weapons and had them pointed at the heroes. "What should we do with them, boss? Waste them? Toss'm out of the bay doors?"
"Nothing so crude, my friends," Fuergeson announced. "No, heroes of this stature need a far more spectacular ending. And I have the perfect thing in mind. Yes, I do very much like the idea of killing two birds with one stone, so to speak. A coronation that none shall ever forget. Keep an eye on them boys while I make the necessary preparations."
"Gotcha, boss."
The heroes watched as Fuergeson walked out of sight. Muskateer wearily eyed the men and the weapons they had trained on him and Scarlet. Getting out of this mess was not going to be easy. Their weaponry wasn't much of a danger to Muskateer, but he wasn't so sure how well protected Scarlet was.
"I don't suppose if I promised not to seriously hurt any of you, you'd let us go?"," Muskateer offered hopefully.
"Shudup!" was the answer given, delivered with a kick to the breadbox.
"That's gonna hurt you a lot more in a few minutes, Bruce," Muskateer threatened angrily.
"You sure know how to treat a girl to an interesting time," Scarlet told Muskateer. "While this is cozy, it's not quite what I had in mind."
"Stuff like this happens to me all the time, darlin'. It's a talent I have."
"Time to go!", Fuergeson's voice announced over the cargo's plane intercom. In rapid response, Fuergeson's thugs ran towards the front of the plane, quickly vanishing from sight. "Farewell heroes! Happy landings! Pity that you shall not be witness to this new age of technological greatness!"
"All right, what the heck's going on?", Muskateer asked once the men were gone. He suspected that Jaime had been following the cargo plane in the Sky Sabre, but didn't want to bring the subject up while they were being guarded.
"Revenge of the nerd," Scarlet informed her fellow captive as she struggled to get free of the steel bolos. "Fuergy and his goons just flew off in a smaller escape plane. I trust you noticed that we banked while Fuergeson was gone?"
"Sure did. He's heading back to Tyler Labs?"
"You got it. Although I'm not sure--"
Suddenly, the cargo plane went into a steep dive sending the bound heroes rolling down the cargo hold end over end towards the front of the plane. "Ow, ow, ow," Muskateer muttered as they helplessly rolled along. The pair slammed into the far wall, Muskateer in the corner with Scarlet lying on top of him.
"Correction, I know exactly what he's doing. We're going to crash into the Tyler Research Lab in less than a minute," Scarlet shouted, fear evident in her voice. "We've got to get loose!"
"Can you use your sabre and slice through this cable?", Muskateer wondered. His own sword had been drawn tightly to his side. It would take time that he didn't have to maneuver it into a position where he could try and cut the steel cable.
"Only as a last resort," Scarlet answered. "My sabre is still in club mode and right now it's in contact with my right thigh. If I change the setting, I may very well inadvertently cut my leg off."
"A last resort, then," Muskateer agreed. "Any other suggestions?"
"If I dissipate my sabre, it will create a little slack. I should then be able to squirm free, but it's going to take time."
"In case you've forgotten already, we don't exactly have time."
"I know." After a moment's silence, Scarlet added, "I'll take my chances with the sabre. It appears to be our only option."
"Hold on, Red! Let's try something else before we get too drastic. I bet ol' brute force can solve this. If we work together we can break this thing. If that doesn't work, then do what you have to."
"It's worth a shot." But Scarlet didn't seem all that convinced. Regardless, on the count of three both heroes applied their muscles to the steel band enveloping them. Several long seconds passed as the sweat poured down both of their bodies. Each hero was much stronger than a normal person, but neither would have been considered superhuman. Still, they had to try.
A grim look of determination was locked on Muskateer's face as he strained to break free. Likewise, Scarlet applied her muscles to the problem. Usually she avoided trouble with agility and quickness, not by overcoming them with sheer force. Finally, they were rewarded with the telltale sound of the cable snapping! The bonds holding them relaxed and they were free!
"I've got to get to the cockpit!", Scarlet said as she slipped out of the remains of the steel bolo. The heroine shut down her sabre and slung it back on her belt as she rushed towards the front of the plane. It was going to take all her piloting skill to pull the rest of this rescue out.
"Go! Go!," Muskateer urged. He knew that Scarlet was the only one who could pull them out of this nose dive as she was familiar with flying aircraft of this type. He just hoped that they were going to be in time.
After removing the last of the annoying bolo and violently tossing it aside, Muskateer sheathed his own sword and joined his companion in the cockpit of the plane. Scarlet was seated in the pilot's chair, frantically trying to adjust the path of the plane. Through the window he could see the Tyler Research Lab growing ominously closer and closer.
"Come on, give me a hand!", Scarlet instructed. "Let's put those fabulous muscles of yours to work once more!"
"Just tell me what you want me to do," he said, putting his hands with Scarlet's on the yoke.
"Help me pull back on the controls. That'll pull us out of this dive!"
Without responding, Muskateer gripped the controls tighter and gave a mighty heave. He gingerly placed one of his feet on the control console to further give him leverage. Slowly, but steadily, the nose of the cargo plane inched its way up. The view through the windshield adjusted itself accordingly as the research lab gave way to the grounds behind the buildings to finally clear blue sky. The sound of the bottom of the cargo plane scraping the treetops could be heard over the roar of the engines. With a weary sigh, both heroes let go of the controls and Scarlet hit the autopilot.
"We did it!", Scarlet shouted as she stood up, put her arms around Muskateer, and gave him a kiss on the cheek.
"That we did, Red." Muskateer was surprised by the sudden, unexpected show of affection.
"Sorry," Scarlet muttered as she let go, seemingly embarrassed by her own actions. She sat back down in the pilot's chair to once again take control of the plane. "Got caught up in the heat of the moment."
"Not a problem," Muskateer agreed as he plopped into the co-pilot's chair. "My heart's pumping a mile a minute. This isn't exactly something that happens every day."
Unexpectedly Scarlet started to laugh. "I wonder what it is about me being tied up in plunging planes."
That comment peaked Muskateer's interest. "You mean this isn't the first time something like this's happened to you?"
"Not at all," Scarlet sighed, as she thought back to her run in with Mentalla and the Agents of Iron Maiden and how she very nearly had been sucked out of an airplane while helplessly bound. (Editor's Note: Back in Troubleshooters #5 & 6)
"But that's a tale for another time," Scarlet added, her mind coming back to the present situation. "Our job isn't over yet. There may be people still trapped in the office building!" The heroine shut off the autopilot and resumed control of the aircraft.
Under Scarlet's expert guidance, the cargo plane made a safe landing at the Tyler Labs airstrip. Shortly before touching down, Muskateer bailed out of the cargo hold on his scooter and streaked towards the office building that had been fired upon by the Terrible Tank. By now the Agents of Fuergeson had fled the scene.
Tyler Labs emergency response teams were in full swing. Firefighters were combating spot fires, while medical technicians tended to the wounded. In moments, Muskateer was inside the debris, helping recover the injured from the attack. While not superhuman in strength, Muskateer was more than able to shift slabs of concrete and metal beams to allow recovery of those innocents who had been buried. Before too long, Scarlet was on the scene lending aid as well.
Slowly the heroes made their way deeper into the structure. Pleas for assistance led them to the second floor of the building. Gingerly they made their way along. Much of the ceiling had been blown away, leaving portions of the upper level wide open to the sky. Even worse, the sudden collapse had dropped debris through the second floor, down to the first level of the building. The heroes maneuvered their way among the debris and gaping holes.
"Sounded like it was coming from over here," Muskateer stated as he pointed down the hallway.
"That's Director Shuttleworth's office," Scarlet responded. Harold Shuttleworth had been named as the Director of Tyler Labs a few years back when Sheryl Campbell had purchased the failing company. Scarlet had met the man many times over the years. While not the most interesting of people, he did an outstanding job in bringing Tyler Labs back into the black.
Muskateer tried to open the door to the Director's Secretaries Office, but was met with resistance. Giving the door a healthy shove, the Avenger opened it wide enough for him and Scarlet to squeeze through. A woman's voice cried out as the heroes forced their way into the secretary's office. "Help! Help me!"
Saying that the small office was a disaster area would have been an understatement. The ceiling to the room no longer existed and was currently laying on the floor. The knees and ankles of a young woman could been seen sticking out from a pile of wreckage. "Over here!"
Muskateer immediately began to shift the rubble to one side. "Hold on, miss. I'll have you out of there in a second."
"Thank goodness!", the woman cried out. In moments, enough of the debris had been removed and Muskateer offered his hand to the secretary. She was of average height, but above average looks. The woman wore a now filthy terra cotta blouse and black leather skirt combination.
"You're safe now, Miss---?"
"Rounds," the woman answered. "Eugenia Rounds." Eugenia's normally well styled red hair was a mess, covered with white plaster dust and numerous small hunks of debris.
"Was the director in his office, Ms. Rounds?", Scarlet asked as she experimentally tugged at the door to the Shuttleworth's office discovering that it wouldn't budge. Most likely more wreckage was piled against it, holding it closed.
"My hero!", Eugenia remarked as she regained her bearings. She threw her arms around Muskateer, giving him a big hug. "You rescued me! You're so big and so strong! What can I ever do to repay you?"
"Uhm...", Muskateer managed to stammer out. He hadn't been expecting something like this. "No thanks is really necessary... I guess you're not hurt too bad, at least."
"Was the director in his office?", Scarlet repeated, this time in a more forceful voice to pry Eugenia's attention away from Muskateer.
"Oh my goodness!", Eugenia remarked, letting go of Muskateer. "Director Shuttleworth and Dr. Lande were in there! It sounded like a bomb going off! What should we do now?"
"You are going to make your way carefully downstairs," Muskateer told the young hero-worshipping executive assistant. "Let the emergency technicians know that there are more wounded up here."
While that was going on, Scarlet had leaped from Eugenia's desk and hauled herself up to the shaky roof overhead. If the door to Shuttleworth's office was blocked, then perhaps she could get in from above. Scarlet's line of reasoning was sound and the Director's Office was also open to the sky. The scene was very much like Ms. Rounds had suggested. It did look like a bomb had gone off.
Scarlet spotted the remains of Harold Shuttleworth in the destruction of the office down below. Even at this distance, the heroine knew that he had been killed during the attack by the Terrible Tank. "Wait a minute...," Scarlet muttered to herself. Something was not quite right here, but she couldn't put her finger on it just yet.
By now, Muskateer was at her side. Carefully, he lowered himself into Shuttleworth's office. "Doesn't look like this guy made it," he commented to no one in particular. "When I get my hands on Fuergy, he's gonna pay!"
"That was Director Shuttleworth," Scarlet informed Muskateer as he took a hold of her hand and helped lower the heroine to the office floor. "Or rather what's left of him."
"Helluva a way to go," Muskateer remarked, shaking his head. "If only I hadn't goofed off so much during that trial run with the Scooter. We might've been able to stop this before it even happened."
"You had no way of knowing this was going to happen. Regardless, there are still a great many questions that need to be answered about what happened here today."
"Like where's this 'Dr. Lande' Eugenia mentioned," Muskateer suggested. A moment later, a soft moaning reached the heroes' ears. It seemed to be coming from underneath another pile of debris. "Ask a silly question...", the hero muttered as he and Scarlet started to dig out Dr. Lande.
Fortunately for the doctor, the bookcase that had fallen on top of him had struck a chair first, creating a small shelter in the midst of the explosion. A tiny haven of safety in the midst of the chaos going on around him.
"Thanks...", Dr. Lande managed to cough out as he was helped to his feet. Lande stood about 5'8", had thinning brown hair and was in his thirties. While Scarlet supported the woozy doctor, Muskateer forced the office door open. Within moments, emergency personal were on the scene and Dr. Lande was escorted to safety.
Half an hour later, the crisis was all but over. All personnel had been accounted for and the fires put out. Muskateer and the Scarlet Sabre were relaxing out in the parking lot. The pair had checked out what little remained of the Terrible Tank. To their surprise, no bodies were found inside the wreckage. The machine had been operated by remote control.
"So what was this all about?", Muskateer inquired. "Just who is this Fuergeson the Great bozo anyway?"
"A disgruntled former employee," Scarlet explained. "Back when he was just plain Fuergeson, he was a scientist here at Tyler Labs. Unfortunately, he tended to disregard the rules and had the habit of working on his own projects instead of his assigned tasks."
"I can see why Sheryl fired the twit," Muskateer commented.
"This was back before she bought Tyler Labs out. The former owner fired Fuergeson when one of his unofficial projects blew up in his face. Literally. I guess he swore vengeance and decided to collect today. Jaime's running a check on this guy right now. Don't worry, you'll get another shot at him. I'm not going to let him get away with this."
"Count me in on that one, Red."
Scarlet just smiled slightly. "I had the feeling you'd say that. Anyway, there's no point in you hanging around... I've got quite a bit of work ahead of me yet."
Muskateer nodded his understanding. "I should get going anyway. Got things to do too." The Avenger waved and head off towards his scooter.
"Bye," Scarlet responded as she watched Muskateer depart. He hopped on his scooter and was off like a shot. That over with, Scarlet turned her mind back to the problem at hand. There were things that still needed to be explained. Questions that the Scarlet Sabre was going to get answers for. (Editor's Note: Look for those answers in Scarlet Sabre #6)
It was early evening when Steven Harper climbed the stairs to the Enchantress' townhouse. To make up for her being gone so much over the last few days, Gwen had suggested a quiet evening together at home. Just the two of them. Taking her hint, Steven had dressed up for the occasion, donning one of the outfits the couple had selected while out in Los Angeles. Bouquet of flowers in hand, Muskateer rang the doorbell.
After a few moments, the door opened and he saw the Enchantress' smiling face greeting him. "Good evening, Steven," the sorceress intoned casually. A puzzled look came to her face when he didn't respond to her greeting. "Steven--??"
"Wow...", Steven Harper managed to mutter. He had been unprepared for the vision of loveliness that greeted him when the door had opened. Gwen was dressed in a very stylish navy blue dress. Her hair and makeup were impeccable as always. "Your beauty has taken my breath away. For you, my dearest," he added, handing Gwendolyne the flowers.
"Oh, Steven, you say the sweetest things." Gwen smiled and experimentally smelled the flowers. "They're lovely. I had best get these into a vase. Well, are you going to come in or are you going to spend all night out on the stoop?"
"I'd definitely rather be inside with you." Steven quickly stepped into the house, shutting the door behind him. "It's going to be great night," he added as he accepted Gwen's hand. Hand in hand, the couple walked deeper into the townhouse, both looking forward to the evening to come.
