Helsinki, Finland

The frigid cold weather of Finland was not reflected inside the hidden Hydra base. Not in temperature, anyway. Two guards, dressed in the standard green and yellow garb that identified them as agents of the terrorist organization, went about their daily rounds.

The facility is clean and brightly lit, with the doors labeled in various languages, including English, Russian, Finnish and German. The particular area they patrolled was a laboratory.

“You see the new girl yet?”

“Which new girl?”

“The one in acquisitions.”

“Ohh, the blonde, right?”

“Yeah.”

“Don’t waste your time.”

The guard’s expression was hidden behind his mask, but was one of annoyance. “What do you mean?”

“I mean she’s out of your league, that’s what.”

“Oh come on. Like you’ve got a better sho—”

His partner ignored him, looking up at the ceiling in curiosity. He started to walk away.

“Hey, where are you going?” asked his partner.

The guard looked up at a spot in the ceiling. It smelled like something was burning and sure enough, some sort of odd liquid dripped down and struck the floor right before the guard.

“Do you see that?” he asked.

His partner approached and almost instantaneously, the ceiling burned away, and through the giant hole in the roof, they could see the form of a large man whose body was glowing bright green.

The guards immediately opened fire as the Radioactive Man dropped into the laboratory. He generated a field of radiation around his body, causing the bullets to melt to slag and fall to the ground before they could reach his skin.

A blur of red, yellow and black streaked across the guard’s vision, signaling the arrival of the Speed Demon. An ice slide carried Blizzard through the hole and the Ringer followed, hovering on a small, anti-gravity platform. Tiger Shark was the fifth and final member, who dove through the hole snarling, straight towards the pair of guards.

Claws bared, the Tiger Shark tore through the guards’ flesh. Blood and organs flew freely around the room as he eviscerated the poor guards, leaving almost nothing left of them to identify. The Ringer and Blizzard both looked on in horror.

“Geez… that’s disgusting,” said Blizzard.

“Ugh… I think I’m gonna barf…” said the Ringer, a hand covering his mouth as he turned away.

“Ignore it, we have a job to do,” said the Radioactive Man. He noticed that Speed Demon was now missing. “Sanders…?”

A burst of air signaled Speed Demon’s return. “Two more guards down the hall and I found the lab. But I think they already know we’re here, boss.”

“It’s never easy…” muttered Radioactive Man. “Let’s go to work.”

The small Masters of Evil squad followed Speed Demon’s lead. As soon as they rounded the corner, however, they saw several Hydra agents with weapons trained on them.

“Told you they knew we were here,” said Speed Demon.

Tiger Shark wasted no time, leaping past his teammates and tearing through the guards. “Blizzard, Ringer—help him,” said Radioactive Man. The Ringer and Blizzard groaned as they moved into the fight.

Blizzard’s suit allowed him to freeze the moisture in a given past, creating a cold beam that encased the agents in a block of ice. Several rings flew from the Ringer’s battlesuit, some of them exploding upon contact, others freezing. Others simply incapacitated his opponents.

The Radioactive Man placed his hands against the locked doors and they began to melt away at his touch. Once the doorway was created, Speed Demon rushed in, quickly incapacitating whatever guards or scientists were inside. Once the Radioactive Man set foot into the room, it was secure with bodies strewn across the floor. All were unconscious or dead and Speed Demon stood in the room, holding the final one by the collar.

“You see what we came for?” he asked, letting the scientist slump to the ground.

Radioactive Man did a quick reconnaissance of the room and then nodded. He stalked to a corner of the room, ignoring all the other experiments currently in progress. He approached a large machine that held short strips of black tape on display. Radioactive Man took ample samples of the tape, including the controlling hand plunger device.

“I have it,” he said.

“What is it?” asked Speed Demon.

“Nuclear tape,” said Radioactive Man. “The Red Skull once tried to use it to control Captain America. Hydra had been testing it, trying to improve and mass-produce it for their own uses.”

He removed a small device from his belt and pressed the button on it. A portal opened, crackling with energy. Radioactive Man stopped and listened but aside from the portal, he heard only silence. A moment later, Tiger Shark entered the room, licking the blood from his claws. The Ringer and Blizzard followed, both of them looking queasy.

“Can we please go now?” asked Blizzard.

“Indeed,” said the Radioactive Man. “We have what we came for.”

THE GATHERING STORM

Part IV: Plans in Motion

By Curtis Fernlund and Dino Pollard

Stormfront-1

Dallas Riordan luxuriated in the steam of the hot shower. When she awoke, she felt oddly refreshed and relaxed. She had the feeling that there was something… missing, however. Something she was supposed to do but forgot.

The woman called Vantage pushed those thoughts from her mind. Although she initially had her doubts, she now knew that Zemo’s goals were for the good of the entire world. The Thunderbolts were doing what so-called heroes like the Avengers and the Fantastic Four never had the stones to—they were actually making a difference, not simply enforcing the status quo.

Dallas stepped out of the shower and dried off her body with a towel. Ever since she awoke, she found her thoughts drifting more and more to Erik Josten, Atlas. The two had shared a romance in the past, but after they became bonded as one ionic being, things became strained between them. It was a blessing, however, as that merging had restored her crippled legs.

Her hand moved to the wounds inflicted by Bullseye. They had been healing nicely thanks to the Fixer’s Ultra Rejuvenator. Dallas finished drying her hair and dropped the towel on her bed, next to her armored costume. She quickly dressed in it, leaving the mask down to keep her face exposed. Her staff was separated in two halves that she stored on her forearms.

When Vantage stepped from her room, she found Baron Zemo standing there. “Good morning, Vantage,” he said, his German accent unmistakable.

“Baron,” said Vantage. “Did you need something?”

“I just thought I’d come in and check on you,” said Zemo. “How are your wounds?”

“They’re fine, the Fixer definitely lives up to his name,” said Vantage with a smile. “I was just headed to the gym.”

“Then allow me to accompany you,” said Zemo. He gestured with his arm for her to lead the way and she did.

“What’s the next move for the T-Bolts?” asked Vantage.

“My dear, a Zemo never divulges his plans right at the start,” said the Baron.

“Just don’t wait too long, I’m looking forward to getting back into the game—especially after what Bullseye did,” said Vantage.

As they approached the gymnasium, Zemo noticed the relaxed state of his teammate and he knew the Fixer’s behavior modification had taken well to her. “You seem quite at ease, Ms. Riordan. I assume you slept well?”

“Very well, probably the best sleep I’ve had in ages,” she said. “I feel so good, I could probably taken on the Hulk.”

“Indeed.” Zemo nodded in agreement, a smile present beneath his mask. He would have to congratulate Ebersol later on the success of Vantage’s modification. “Unfortunately, we have no gamma-powered brutes in stock today, but perhaps I’ll suffice as a sparring partner. It’s been a few days since I had a proper workout, and I could use the release.”

Vantage smiled as she donned her mask. She withdrew the two staves and assembled them into her staff. “You’re on.”

In the sub-basement of the Stormfront-1 sat the Fixer’s laboratory. P. Norbert Ebersol was hard at work, concentrating his attention on a circuit board. The cybernetic attachment over his left eye provided proper magnification. In one hand was a small laser and in the other was a diode.

Mechanical arms extended from the Fixer’s techpac, moving freely around him. They feverishly gesticulated components as the Fixer focused on the circuit board. Behind him in suspended animation were Mentallo and the father and daughter pair of the Purple Man and Persuasion. Across from them were the two rows of Behavior Modification Chairs, all neatly arranged and plugged into a large machine. All of them, save for one, were empty. The rest of the occupants were moved to the Masters’ base.

“How goes the work, Norbert?”

The Fixer was startled and jumped in response to the voice. He sighed once he saw Dr. Karla Sofen enter the room, dressed in her Moonstone costume. “Don’t do that!” he said, a mechanical arm straying to feel his rapidly-pulsing wrist. He turned to the circuit board. “And it’s going fine, as long as I’m not interrupted with pointless questions.”

Moonstone ignored his quip and instead looked at the white facemask that sat on a table beside Ebersol’s current station. It resembled a goalie mask with thin slits for the eyes, nose and mouth. “You’ve divined the secrets of Mentallo’s work then?”

“Not much to divine, considering I built the damn thing,” said the Fixer. “Granted it was Flumm’s design—or at least his idea—but he didn’t have the first clue how to build it. Worked pretty good, though, back when ol’ Marv and I tried to take down SHIELD. If not for Fury’s dumb luck and cast of thousands, things would’ve turned out differently.”

“It’s been my experience that Fury’s ‘dumb luck’ is all too-often just cleverly-disguised skill,” said Moonstone with a slight smile.

“Whatever,” said Fixer, as he finished his work. He held up the circuit board and one of his waldos inserted it into the larger machine. There was a slight spark and hum as the machine incorporated the addition. “Flumm’s a pretty strong mentalist. Nowhere near the level of Xavier, but back in the SHIELD’s ESPer unit, he was King Rat. Still, he needed enhancements, most of which were courtesy of yours truly. We were quite the team back in the day.”

“Yet you continually met with defeat.”

Ebersol snorted. “You the pot or the kettle, Karla?”

Moonstone frowned but it quickly turned into a smirk. “Touché, Norbert. We’ve both benefited from our association with the Thunderbolts. Hopefully Zemo’s current machinations will reap an even greater harvest for us all.”

“You sound like you have doubts.” The Fixer felt Moonstone’s gaze on him as he moved around the machinery and looked up at the suspended form of his old partner.

“Simply reservations,” said Moonstone. “I do like to plan for every contingency and the marvel factor is frequently a random element. Things could be going well and all of a sudden, the Hulk crashes through the roof during one of his mindless rampages.”

“Yeah, shit happens,” said Fixer. He moved to the occupied modification chair and looked at the monitors. He used one of his waldos to adjust a setting, which caused the slumbering female in the chair to twitch in her restraints. “But I’m sure Zemo’s got the Murphy’s Law contingent well covered. Or at least he will once he pads the Masters’ ranks a bit.”

This time, Ebersol heard the sound of the doors opening. When he turned, they were closed again and Moonstone was gone. He shrugged and looked back at the unconscious Justine Hammer, her face twisting as the helmet rearranged her thoughts in a way that apparently bothered her.

“Speaking of contingencies…” mused the Fixer.

In the gymnasium, Baron Zemo and Vantage engaged in a sparring match. Although Zemo was far more skilled, Vantage’s greater speed and agility kept her a step ahead of her leader. She moved in a series of flips and vaults to get behind him and brought her staff down.

“Very good,” said Zemo. He raised his sword over his shoulder to block Vantage’s attempted strike between his shoulder blades. He ducked and spun around, using his sword to knock her staff away and lightly touched her stomach with the tip of his blade.

“But not good enough,” said Vantage, picking up her staff and getting back into a fighting stance.

Zemo touched the sword to his brow then flourished it to his side. “You improve with every duel, Vantage, I’m actually perspiring. I daresay that with a few more sessions, we might just call this a draw.” He lunged forward, slashing his saber from side to side.

“High… praise… coming from… the master!” said Vantage between flips. She sprang off the padded wall and twisted up and over Zemo, landing in a crouch. She swept with her leg this time and Zemo predicted it. When he leapt over her leg, Vantage thrust her staff upwards, striking him in the center of the chest.

Zemo fell to the ground with a thud. Vantage quickly flipped up and pinned his sword arm to the ground, touching the tip of her staff to his throat. Zemo’s eyes narrowed for a moment but then he relaxed and allowed himself to laugh.

“Very good indeed,” he said. Vantage allowed him to stand. “Another round?”

A round of applause from the doorway prevented Vantage from answering the question. Atlas leaned against the frame, dressed in his costume, sans mask with a towel draped around his neck, although his bruises from the battle with the Abomination were still visible.

“Nice moves, Dallas,” he said as he walked towards them. “You’re up there with Spider-Man in the flips department, lookin’ good.”

“Lookin’ good yourself, stud,” said Dallas, lowering her mask.

The remark caught Atlas off-guard. He wouldn’t have expected something like that from Dallas Riordan, especially in front of Zemo.

“Care to join us, Erik?” asked Zemo, stepping into the conversation. “It would do us both some good to have a go against your increased size and strength.”

“No thanks, I just went my rounds with the weight machines,” said Atlas.

“Fair enough. Just us then, Vantage?” asked Zemo.

But Vantage had already crossed the room, dropping her staff. “Actually Baron, I’m in the mood for some wrestling.” She threw her arms around Erik’s neck and passionately kissed him. It caught Erik off-guard, but he quickly embraced it. She broke the kiss and looked up at him. “Too tired for some close contact, lover?”

“Uhh sure! I mean, no! I mean…”

Dallas laughed at his stammering and took his hand, leading him from the gym. Zemo sheathed his sword and watched them leave, the smile still present beneath his mask.

Long Island

Clint Barton set down the empty beer bottle on the coffee table as he lounged in the living room of an old friend. The owner of the apartment, John Jameson, sat across from him. The two men knew each other from John’s time as a member of the Avengers’ Support Staff.

“Whaddaya think?” asked Clint.

“I don’t know, Clint—it’s been a long time since I suited up,” said John. He hesitated for a moment and considered what he was saying. He always had a lust for adventure, first as an astronaut then as the Man-Wolf and later with the Avengers. And he had to admit, he did miss it. “Who else do you have lined up?”

“Well…” Clint stopped himself. He wasn’t sure if he should divulge the identities of the rest of the Redeemers just yet. “Let’s just say they’re good people.”

John stood and walked over to a painting. He moved it to the side, revealing a hidden safe. When he opened it, there was a small gemstone inside. The stone that granted John his lycanthropic powers.

“Been a long time since I used this,” said John.

“You got that side under control?” asked Clint. John nodded. “Alright, then meet up with us later.”

Hawkeye let himself out and once he left the apartment, he called Harrier on his cell phone. “Yeah it’s me. Man-Wolf’s onboard. How’s it going over there?”

{The Feminazi and I are setting up shop, like you asked,} came Harrier’s reply. {Can we get this thing started soon? I’m getting impatient dealing with this bitch.}

“Little more patience, grasshopper, won’t be long now,” said Clint. “I just have one more recruit to draft.”

On a flight from Paris to New York City, Rachel Leighton sat in first class, her eyes focused outside the window. She had failed to get any leads on the location of Asp and Black Mamba.

Of course, the battle between the Thunderbolts and the Masters of Evil was an unexpected surprise. Rachel notified Hawkeye immediately about the disappearance of the missiles. But she was surprised she had yet to hear from her contact in the Thunderbolts.

Several seats behind her, a bald man sat, his eyes focused on her. He twirled a plastic playing card between his fingers and smiled.

In the base of the Masters of Evil, the team that attacked the Hydra base left a room labeled DEBRIEFING. Both Ringer and Blizzard had their masks removed and the Radioactive Man was powered down. Speed Demon’s mask remained on and Tiger Shark moved a few steps ahead of the rest.

“I am gonna eat then sleep for about a week,” said Ringer. “I’m way too outta shape for this.”

“You did well, Ringer. We all did,” said Radioactive Man.

“Thanks, Doc,” said Blizzard. “Gotta admit, this Masters gig is just what I needed. Security in numbers, room and board, a paycheck and even benefits. I never had it so good.”

“Definitely beats living on the street,” said Speed Demon. “Pain as the old Squadron Supreme was, it was always good having someone at your back. Least until they plunged the knife in.”

The group came to a T-intersection and an elevator. “Hopefully we’ll do this again soon,” said Blizzard. He and Ringer walked off to the left. Tiger Shark snarled as he entered the elevator, closing the door and headed to the lower levels where a pool was located.

Once the doors closed, Speed Demon allowed himself a shudder. “That… thing creeps me the hell out. I’ve worked with some sick bastards before, but Jesus…”

“As I recall, Tiger Shark has been through many changes,” said Radioactive Man. “The experiment that changed him continues to mutate him. For the worse, I fear.”

“You’re not what I expected either, Doc,” said Speed Demon. “On TV, you always seemed like some big, dumb brute flunky. But you got a knack to lead and a good head on your shoulders. What happened?”

“I exposed myself to massive doses of radiation at the behest of my country to gain revenge on Thor. The treatment left me powerful but also a bit… off. I only recently came to my senses and took control of my life, but I needed funds. Otherwise I wouldn’t have accepted the Cowl’s invitation.”

“And what about her? You know who she really is?” asked Speed Demon.

“I do not know, nor do I particularly care,” said Radioactive Man. “Whoever she is, I must report to her now.”

“Lucky you.” Speed Demon vanished in a blur of red, black and gold.

Radioactive Man turned to the right and walked down the corridor. It led him past the various facilities located inside the Masters’ base, including an arcade, gymnasium, living quarters, theater. He moved into the more secure areas where he saw various other Masters as he walked. His eyes caught sight of Batroc hitting on Black Mamba and then heard the sound of a hand slapping a face as he passed.

He came to a private elevator guarded by two men in black armor, similar to that used by the Vault’s Guardsmen.

“I have an appointment with the Crimson Cowl,” said Radioactive Man.

The guards nodded and the elevator door opened. Radioactive Man stepped inside and the elevator ascended to the Crimson Cowl’s private quarters. When the door opened, Radioactive Man found himself in a large, lavish office. There was a wall of monitor screens showing different areas of the base. The Crimson Cowl stood before this wall, her back to her visitor.

“Have a seat, Doctor Lu,” she said.

“I prefer to stand.”

“As you wish. What was your impression of your teammates?”

“The Ringer and Blizzard both show potential. Speed Demon seems to have his own agenda, although nothing serious. Tiger Shark, however, is vicious, unpredictable and not the least bit trustworthy.”

“And the mission?”

“We fared fine against the Hydra agents, but I’d be reluctant to lead them against a seasoned hero,” said Radioactive Man. He added, “or villain.”

“Your candor and your experience is appreciated, Doctor. I would like to promote you to field leader. If that’s acceptable…”

“As you see fit,” said Radioactive Man. “But why?”

“I have a plan,” she said, turning to face him. Her features were hidden within the shadows of her cowl. “Squads are collecting artifacts to achieve my ends. You do not need to know the final resolution as yet, though I’m certain that you can piece things together. I need agents that are loyal, doctor. I would like to count you in that number.”

“Of course. You have given me opportunity and sanctuary. My loyalty to your cause should not be in question at all.”

“Good. I thought as much. Go and rest now. I will call upon you shortly.”

Radioactive Man nodded and retreated to the elevator. Once he left, the Cowl returned to her desk and activated a stud inlaid on the desktop. A holographic image of Zemo appeared above the desk.

“Chen Lu is with us,” she said.

{Excellent. I had hoped that he would be. It’s fitting, and a pity that the other members of my father’s original group are deceased. It would make a fine testament.}

“The Enchantress yet lives.”

{Enticing as that sounds, Karla, one conniving and powerful blonde beauty is quite enough, thank you.}

“Flatterer.”

Upstate New York

A convoy of trucks drove down, transporting four members of the Frightful Force to the Vault. Hydro-Man was held in a separate truck due to the nature of his abilities, while the Wizard, the Controller and Trapster. Two armored SHIELD agents sat with the three villains as two Guardsmen flew alongside the convoy.

“Next time… next time Richards will—”

“Oh shut up already, Geiger,” said the Trapster. “I’m so through with you. Once I escape, I’m striking out on my own.”

The two SHIELD agents began to laugh. “Yeah right, Paste Pot Pete. What makes you think you’re ever getting out again?”

Almost on cue, there was the sound of metal tearing. Everyone looked up to see the truck’s roof being peeled away and the face of the Absorbing Man looking down on them.

“I got a ‘Get Out of Jail Free’ card for Basil Sandhurst!” he said. “Any takers?”

The SHIELD agents open fire, but Absorbing Man simply dropped into the truck, his skin now gleaming with the metal he absorbed from the truck’s armor. He threw his wrecking ball forward, knocking both the agents out the back as the doors burst open.

“I don’t know how or why, but you’re a welcome sight, Creel,” said the Wizard, lifting his manacles for the Absorbing Man to break.

“Sorry Geiger, I just got orders for Sandhurst,” said the Absorbing Man. “You two get to rot.”

“What?” asked the Wizard.

“God Creel, help us!” said the Trapster.

“Sorry pal, yer on yer own,” said the Absorbing Man. Sandhurst, without his armor and his controlled minds, was just a sickly, almost anorexic man. Creel lifted him by his collar and slung him over his shoulder.

“What…?” he asked.

“Dunno son, but someone’s payin’ me big cash to bust your sorry ass out. Now clam up an’ lemme rescue you!” said Creel. The truck slowly came to a stop and Creel lifted a radio. “We clear, babe?” he asked.

The voice of his wife, Titania, came through the radio. “Guards are scrap, hun. Let’s jet.”

“Later fellas,” said Creel, leaping through the hole he made.

The Pine Barrens
New Jersey

Melissa Gold stood shivering in the cool night air. In the distance, she saw the lights of the factories, with smoke billowing from the stacks. She was nervous and worried. The warheads, the Masters of Evil… and her own feelings towards Zemo and Abe. She missed Abner Jenkins, her former teammate.

“You disrupt the serenity of the Green,” a cold voice rasped behind her, causing her to lurch forward in shock. Blackheath rose from the bog. “There is tension and negativity within you. You should leave. Go back to your stone and steel and glass.”

“I will,” she said, folding her arms across her breasts. “Just as soon as you tell me what I want to know.”

A series of flowers sprouted from Blackheath’s body before they withered and died. “Zemo seeks domination of course, as always and without thought to the fauna. His thoughts are in the animal kingdom alone, ignoring the greater dynasty. Moonstone complies, but has her own agenda, equally ignorant and uncaring. The Green shall rise eventually. Their ministrations shall be for naught.”

“I see…” she said, staring at Blackheath. She wondered just how much of his sanity the former Plantman had lost. Atlas and Vantage were both enamored and Zemo, Moonstone and the Fixer were trying to rule the world. Once again, Melissa was alone. Oddly enough, she missed Hawkeye. And, of course, Abe. Life was so much easier before she had to make the decisions.

“Keep me informed,” she said and Smithers nodded. His body crumbled to muck and vanished back inside the mud and slop of the Barrens. Songbird shivered once more, wondering how the fate of the world could fall on her shoulders. She powered up and flew away into the night.