MAKING THE CUT

By Logan Polk and Dino Pollard

Avengers Mansion

Samuel Guthrie stands outside the gates of the luxurious mansion which was once the home of Tony Stark’s family. He approaches the gates and is about to press a button to ring the intercom. Before he has a chance to, however, he catches sight of something out of the corner of his eye. He turns to see a man dressed in red with white hair and dark skin covered with stars descending from the skies and touching down beside him.

“I recognize th’ costume, but not the face,” says Cannonball. “I’m guessin’ you’re the new Captain Marvel.”

“Smart one, I see,” says Captain Marvel. “Call me Genis, though. And you’re Cannonball?”

“Sam,” he replies. “You got invited down for an audition, too?”

“You might say that,” says Genis. “Okay okay, hold on a minute, Rick!”

“Rick…?” asks Cannonball.

Captain Marvel slams the Nega-Bands together and Sam covers his eyes to shield them from the blinding flash of light that comes forth from this action. When the light dims, Sam sees a young man with short, brown hair dressed in street clothes standing there.

“Wha…?” asks Cannonball.

“Much better,” he says. He notices Sam and smiles at him. “Hey, I’m Rick Jones.”

“Secret identity?” asks Sam.

“Try shared identity,” replies Rick. “…err, is shared the right word? Anyway, Genis and I are molecularly bonded and… it’s a long story. You used to run with the X-guys, right?”

“Yeah,” says Sam. “The X-Men an’ X-Force.”

“Right, I heard Cap talking about you,” says Rick. He reaches into his pocket and pulls out an Avengers ID card with his picture on it.

“You’re an Avenger?” asks Sam.

“Honorary,” replies Rick. “Ready to step into the big leagues, Sam?”

“Do th’ honors,” says Sam.

Rick slides his ID card into the small card slot and the gates swing open for them. Rick smiles then turns to Sam. “C’mon in.”

A large, circular table with an A engraved in it sits in the meeting room. The table has many seats, but currently, only six of them are occupied. Captain America, Iron Man, Thor, Giant-Man, and the Wasp are all seated at the table, along with Duane Freeman, the team’s Federal Security Liaison.

“Following the situation in Genosha with the X-Men and Cassandra Nova, not to mention Loki and Kang’s attempt to create an illusionary world where the Avengers didn’t exist, I thought it was imperative that we take a look at our options,” says Captain America.

“I’m not sure exactly why we needed to call this meeting, Cap,” says Iron Man. “I was under the impression that the team was functioning just fine with our current roster.”

“We have been,” says Captain America. “However, the mayor of Los Angeles approached me recently. He said that after the incident with the Masters of Evil, he would like to see a return of the west coast branch of the Avengers. I told him it would be something I’d discuss with the other founders.”

“There’s also the matter of X-Corporation,” says the Wasp. “The Avengers are trying to show as much support for this endeavor as we possibly can.”

“So you’re talking a new roster, then,” says Giant-Man.

“Exactly,” replies Captain America. “I’m going to remain with the east coast branch, and I don’t want to speak for Tony, but I believe he plans to stay here as well.”

“I’m not going anywhere, Cap,” replies Iron Man.

“I want at least one founder to be part of the west coast branch,” says Captain America. “Jan, since you have experience as leader, I was hoping you would be willing to throw your hat in.”

“Would if I could Cap, but I’ve got other obligations,” replies the Wasp. “Warren offered me a position with X-Corporation and I’ve taken it.”

“Understandable,” says Captain America. “Hank?”

“I’d be more than willing to operate on the west coast, but not as leader,” says Giant-Man. “Have you considered Clint?”

“Hawkeye’s still with the Thunderbolts, so he’s unavailable,” says Captain America.

“Wanda would be a good choice,” says Iron Man.

“Good choice,” says Captain America. “I’ll speak with her personally. I’d also like to move Jen to the west coast branch.”

“That means the current active roster consists of Warbird, Black Panther, Black Widow, Vision, Falcon, Ant-Man, Jack of Hearts, and both Captain America and Iron Man,” says Duane.

“Still a very strong team, Cap,” says Iron Man.

“There’s been a bit of dissent, though,” says the Wasp. “Ant-Man and Jack of Hearts don’t exactly get along too well. T’Challa is also going to be involved with the X-Corporation.”

“And Natasha plans to return to active duty with SHIELD,” says Captain America. “She feels her skills are put to much better use there, and frankly, I agree with her.”

“I don’t think we should really keep Jack around on active duty,” says Giant-Man. “As time goes on, he needs to spend more and more time in the Zero Room. I hate to say this, but I think he’s something of a liability. We should see about arranging some sort of containment room for him while we continue to research his condition.”

“And Scott is trying to fight for custody of his daughter,” says Captain America. “His time with the Avengers might jeopardize those hearings, and that’s not something I’m willing to risk.”

“So that leaves the Falcon, Warbird, Vision, and the two of you,” says Duane.

“Not the Falcon,” says Captain America. “Sam wants to take some time off from superheroics for a bit.”

“What about you, Thor?” asks Iron Man. “You plan to stay around this time?”

“Would only I had the time, friend Stark,” replies Thor. “Sadly, my commitment to Asgard must come first at this juncture. However, I shall spare the time to assist you if need be.”

“Understandable, Thor,” says Captain America. “We should call Jack in here and tell him the bad news.”

The Vision stands on the roof of Avengers Mansion, hovering slightly above the ground, looking down at the people who walk among the streets of New York, the tourists who snap photographs of the mansion.

“Enjoy the view?”

Vision’s computerized brain instantly processes the sound and identifies the voice, without any need for him to turn and face her.

“Yes, quite,” he replies. “How are you, Warbird?”

“Doing okay, just a little miffed that I missed all the action recently,” she says. “The founders are down there right now, figuring out who makes the cut. What’d you tell them?”

“I said I would be more than willing to remain on active duty,” replies the Vision. “And you?”

“Pretty much the same, I’ve got no reason to leave,” she says. “I hear there’s talk about restarting the west coast branch. You have a preference?”

“I served with the west coast branch in the past, but I believe I would prefer to remain on duty here,” says the Vision.

“What about Wanda?” asks Warbird.

“Wanda will do what is best for Wanda,” replies the Vision. “It is none of my concern.”

“You don’t really believe that, do you?”

“…if you’ll excuse me, Warbird, I must regretfully cut this conversation short,” he says. By altering his density to become intangible, he begins to sink lower, phasing through the roof. “I have some other matters to which I must attend.”

“Come again?”

The voice belongs to the Jack of Hearts, sitting at the Avengers meeting table, surrounded by the five founding Avengers and Duane Freeman.

“Your levels are becoming increasingly more dangerous,” says Giant-Man. “Your emissions of Zero Energy could potentially threaten everyone around you, and I feel it’s best for us to move you to reserve status for the time being.”

“But you can’t do this to me,” says Jack of Hearts. “I mean… you basically want to send me to prison!”

“It’s not a prison, Jack, all your needs will be taken care of and you’ll be made as comfortable as possible,” says Iron Man. “It’s only temporary until we can find a permanent solution. I’m going to have the scientists on my payroll working round the clock to see what they can turn up.”

“I suppose I don’t have any other choice, then,” says Jack of Hearts.

“Jack, as soon as we’re able to nail this problem, please know that you’ll have a slot waiting for you,” says Captain America.

“Yeah, sure thing, Cap,” says Jack of Hearts. He stands from his seat and leaves the room.

“So that means we have Captain America, Iron Man, the Vision, and Warbird on active duty,” says Duane. “We still have at least three slots that should be filled.”

“What about those who helped against Kang?” asks Giant-Man

“Hulk’s a definite no,” says the Wasp. “As soon as we got back from Chronopolis, Banner slipped away pretty quickly. No one knows where he went.”

“Captain Marvel would be a good addition to the team,” says Iron Man.

“Agreed,” says Captain America. “He said Kang mentioned something about this being a test, that there’s some other threat coming. Genis and his Cosmic Awareness may be the key we need to discovering what that threat is. I’ve also invited Sam Guthrie, Cannonball of X-Force, to come by.”

“Why him?” asks Duane. “Isn’t he a fugitive?”

“So were Hawkeye, the Scarlet Witch, and Quicksilver when they first joined,” replies Giant-Man.

“Not only that, but Sam is considered a fugitive due in large part to his association with Cable, who has since disappeared,” says Captain America. “Sam isn’t even part of X-Force anymore. He’s proven himself many times in the field, particularly against the Masters of Evil, and I want to see what he’s made of.”

“Any other suggestions?” asks Duane.

“What about Namor?” asks Captain America.

“…are you serious?” asks Iron Man.

“I am,” replies Captain America. “Okay, I know he can be pompous and hard headed, but he’s a good man and a good fighter. We could really use him.”

“He’s not known for following orders,” says Iron Man. “He could cause problems.”

“There are plenty of Avengers who haven’t exactly been team players at first,” says the Wasp.

“He was a lot of help in Chronopolis,” says Giant-Man. “Thor? Your thoughts?”

“If the Captain supports the decision, then so doth the Odinson,” says Thor.

“Thank you for the support, Thor,” says Captain America, and Thor nods slightly. “Let’s call in Genis.”

Cannonball stands in the Avengers’ trophy room, looking over the various relics left from their past missions. He views the photographs of the original Avengers, newspaper clippings from some of their more memorable battles. He hears the doors to the room open and he turns slightly and sees Edwin Jarvis enter the room, the Avengers’ personal butler.

“They ready for me, yet?” asks Cannonball.

“Not quite yet, Master Guthrie,” replies Jarvis. “Master Genis is currently speaking with them… or is it Master Jones?”

“Y’don’t gotta do that, y’know,” says Cannonball.

“Do what, Master Guthrie?” asks Jarvis.

“That,” replies Cannonball. “Whenever I hear Mr. Guthrie, I keep turnin’ around, expectin’ t’ see mah daddy behind me. An’ master sounds even stranger. You can just call me Sam.”

“Very well, Sam,” says Jarvis.

“So you been here a long time, huh?” asks Cannonball.

“Yes, I’ve served the Avengers throughout their entire existence,” replies Jarvis. “Prior to that, I was employed as the butler for the Stark family.”

“Must’ve been weird when a buncha superheroes started hangin’ out at the pad,” says Sam.

“Yes… a period of adjustment was certainly necessary,” says Jarvis. “But the Avengers are good people, Samuel. They have rarely turned a person away from their doors, and they have always been willing to make an effort to accept anything that may be new or different.”

“Guess that’s never a bad thing, then,” says Sam.

“Sam?”

Jarvis and Cannonball turn and find Captain Marvel standing in the doorway. However, with his powers inactive, his skin is a normal, pinkish hue with a short crop of blonde hair.

“They’re ready for you,” says Genis.

“Welcome Sam,” says Captain America, standing as Cannonball enters the room. “Let me introduce you to everyone.”

“Ah, no need, sir, I think I recognize everyone,” says Cannonball.

“Probably don’t recognize me,” says Duane. He stands and extends his hand. “Duane Freeman, Federal Security Liason.”

“Pleased t’ meet yah,” says Cannonball. “Sam Guthrie.”

“Go ahead and take a seat, Sam,” says the Wasp. Cannonball nods a thank you and then sits down.

“We’ve just been reviewing the information we have on you,” says Giant-Man. “You’ve been involved in the superheroing game since you were a teenager, right?”

“Yes sir, as a member of the New Mutants,” says Cannonball. “Then later with X-Force. I spent some time with the X-Men before returning to X-Force, too.”

“After looking over your record, we’ve come to a decision,” says Iron Man. “You have something of a criminal record, but any crimes were commited for the greater good. At first we were simply going to offer you status as a reserve member, but it looks like we have more open spots than we counted on.”

“Basically, what it boils down to is there’s an open slot waiting for you, if you choose to take it,” says Captain America.

“You serious?” asks Cannonball. “Y’ want me to be an Avenger?”

Captain America smiles and extends his hand.

“Welcome to the Avengers, Cannonball.”

Liberty Island

Captain America sits atop the Statue of Liberty, reflecting over the events of the day. He spoke with the Scarlet Witch about leading the west coast team, and she accepted his invitation. Her only request was that she be the one to select a team, and he had no issues with that whatsoever. With the help of the other founders and Duane, they were able to compile a six-member roster consisting of himself, Iron Man, the Vision, Warbird, Captain Marvel, and Cannonball. Only one slot remained open.

“I got your message.”

Captain America smiles as he turns to address his companion.

“I see that,” he says. “It’s good to see you again, old friend.”

“I assume there is a reason you wanted to meet with me?” asks Namor.

“Two, in fact,” replies Captain America. “After we returned from Chronopolis, you were pretty quick to leave, and I didn’t get a chance to thank you for your help.”

“So is that it?” asks Namor. “You just wanted to thank me?”

“Not only that,” replies Captain America. “It’s been some time since you served on active duty with the Avengers, and there’s an open spot on the team I’d like you to fill.”

“Hmph,” says Namor. “Is this a joke, Captain?”

“No joke,” says Captain America. “You’re a great warrior, Namor, and I could use your help. Kang said something about a grave threat coming. If he’s telling the truth, then I want someone like you fighting by my side.”

“What do I get out of it?” asks Namor.

“Whatever this threat is, it also threatens the oceans in addition to the surface world,” replies Captain America. “Think about it, Namor. We need the power of the Sub-Mariner by our side.”

“Hmmm… so it seems,” says Namor. “Very well Captain, you have a deal. However, my kingdom comes first. Do we understand each other?”

“We’re crystal, my friend,” says Captain America.