FREEDOM GENOCIDE

Part One: Waiting for Doom

the 65^th tale of agc

written and created by Mark Bousquet

2201 / OCTOBER - CHRONOPOLIS - COMMAND CENTER

"It begins today."

Doom stood with his back to Daimon Hellstrom and Bruunhilde. A small baby lay strapped to a cold metal table at the back of the room. Tubes and wires were plugged into the child's body, who lay deathly still. While both Hellstrom and Bruunhilde wanted to exchange a glance, they knew better, and kept their eyes locked straight ahead.

"The first stage of my plan will involve the Angelux and the demon hordes of the Earth underworld," Doom continued, staring at a monitor that depicted a large battle map of the universe.

"We are honored, Doom," Bruunhilde replied, causing the one-time monarch to turn around.

"I am not Thanos, Bruunhilde," he said, his voice a low, dangerous rumble. "Save your platitudes and performances. The only tribute Doom requires is victory."

"Of course, my lord," Bruunhilde answered, bowing slightly. She noted angrily that Hellstrom smiled beside her at the condemnation. "What is our target?"

"Skrullos 2."

Hellstrom raised an eyebrow. "Which part?"

Doom's voice was deadly in its cold determination. "All of it."

Bruunhilde could not help herself, and the words were out before she could stop them. "All of it?"

"A full planetary assault," Doom replied, handing each of them a disc that contained their full instructions. "You no longer fight for Thanos. We will not waste our time fighting on hundreds of fronts at once. There are five seats of power to which we stand opposed: Asgard, Hala, Chandilar, Skrullos 2, and Earth. This is where we will concentrate our attacks. The bulk of the Skrull race are still scattered across the universe, and they struggle to build up their new planet. It is the easiest of our targets."

The Angelux leader remained unconvinced. "Begging your pardon, Doom, but the intelligence reports we've received indicate a strong presence of Kree and Shi'ar warships surrounding the planet. I am aware that Hellstrom has a near unlimited supply of demons at his disposal, but we haven't the ships necessary to engage the Kree and Shi'ar warships in open battle."

"You forget your place, woman."

"I have pledged myself and my forces to you, Doom," Bruunhilde said, her voice rising in anger, "but I will not-"

Doom folded his arms across his chest. "Your place of residence, Angelux, not your place in the Army of Doom, though you would do well never to take that tone with Doom again." Doom let the words sink in before continuing. "You will find that the Kree and Shi'ar planetary blockade will not be a concern."

Hellstrom could barely contain his glee. "The day has finally arrived, hasn't it? All these years of preparations behind the scenes, letting Thanos divert all the attention away from our plans, have come to an end. Today, we make the first strike for order."

Doom nodded. "Well said, son of Satan." He looked from Hellstrom to Bruunhilde. "You have your orders. Begin at will."

ASGARD - THE SKRULL EMBASSY

Skrull 4 was beginning to feel like the center of the universe. For too long he had been forced to sit in inactivity and beg for scraps from the other Ambassadors, but it seemed he hadn't a moment to rest.

After 150 years of bargaining and politicking, the Skrulls had finally been given a planet that had met their specifications to replace the original homeworld, which had been consumed by Galactus. There was the secret, closed-door deal Emperor Vog had made with Earth, which set in motion the spying operation he and Cable were executing. They had conspired to remove Kovar, Dani Moonstar, and Ash'lin from their Ambassadorial offices long enough for Skrull 4 to plant surveillance equipment.

And, of course, he had agreed to assassinate Captain America at the request of the United League of Nations.*

* All of the above revealed during THE PLAYERS arc, AGC 58-64.

4 punched in the coordinates for his daily briefing with the homeworld. "Greetings, Minister Jakool."

"Greetings, Skrull 4, champion of the Skrull people."

"Where is Emperor Vog?" Skrull 4 asked, barely able to contain his disdain.

"He is … otherwise occupied, I am afraid," Jakool answered coolly.

Skrull 4 scolded himself; it was not fair to unleash his anger to Jakool about Vog's absence from these meetings. "How are the planetary defenses coming along?" he asked.

"Adequately," Jakool replied, pursing his lips. "Kree and Shi'ar warships control a blockade around Skrullos 2, protecting us from outside attack. While they do not cooperate with each other as well as we would like, they perform their duties with aplomb. It is our own defenses I worry about. While the total number of Skrull refugees that have relocated here now number nearly ten million, our military presence is minimal at only 25,000 in number. As Minister of Defense I must bear the burden of any shortcomings in this area."

4 raised a hand. "I am certain you are performing your duties to the best of your abilities, Jakool. You come from the ministerial class, remember; you were not trained in military operations. But then, neither was I. I also hail from the ministerial ranks, and yet, if I may be allowed this small self-praise, I have fulfilled my duties with aplomb. Vog chose well with you, Jakool. Remember that."

"Thank you, Skrull 4."

Disconnecting the transmission, Skrull 4 leaned back in his chair and sighed. Soon, it would not matter how well he fought. As part of the agreement between the Skrulls and humans, a new class of Super Skrulls was being built in secret, charged with the task of planetary defense. It was too delicate to openly discuss over this type of communication, so they had a code established. When Jakool greeted him, he called Skrull 4 "champion of the Skrull people." This phrase told 4 that the completion of the procedure for the first group of Super Skrulls was close at hand.

The surveillance operation against the Shi'ar, Asgard, and Kree embassies proved to 4 what the Skrulls had long believed - they were being used as cattle for the Shi'ar and Kree. As part of the Alliance Treaty, Odin had brought into passage the Skrull Refugee Act, which allowed for Skrulls to take up residence upon Shi'ar and Kree planets. In exchange, they were to receive money from the Skrull and Asgardian governments to help offset the costs. Since the Skrull government had little capital to spend, the Skrulls themselves became the capital. Programs were set up whereby Skrulls could work to pay off the Shi'ar and Kree governments. The system, of course, Skrull 4 thought angrily, degenerated quickly into indentured servitude. Now, after the Skrulls had finally secured a new homeworld, and Skrulls were free to migrate to their new planet, the Kree and Shi'ar planetary governments were doing everything they could to keep the Skrulls from leaving.

"Ironic, isn't it?" Skrull 4 had remarked to Cable the night the ruse became known to them. "They once fought so hard to ever keep us from 'soiling' there worlds with out presence and now they find they cannot live without us."

"Just remember," Cable had replied somberly, "that it is not the Skrulls they cannot live without, merely the services your kind provides for them."

CHRONOPOLIS - THE TRAINING GROUNDS

Attumidunn hated Chronopolis. She had somehow come to terms with the fact that Hellstrom owned her soul, but the former city of Kang the Conqueror was an abomination. Lurking everywhere in the distance was Limbo, a swirling foggy mass that swallowed anything or anyone that dared venture outside the city limits.

"Look sharp," Hellcat ordered her as they walked across the Training Grounds. "These are your troops as well as mine. Wherever your loyalty lies, you will remember that these women are here of their own volition, and they have put their faith in us."

Attumidunn did not back down, but lowered her voice so none of the troops near her could hear. "I would lead them straight into the jaws of the Fenris Wolf if given the chance, Hellcat."

"The moment they believe that, Attumidunn, you will find yourself split by a sword," Hellcat seethed. "Or fifty."

They walked in silence for several moments, taking care to watch over the training of the Angelux that would fight under their command. Attumidunn could not help but feel a swell of pride as she watched the regiment that she was second-in-command of work through their paces. Many of these women were Toomi's age, yet their backgrounds were nearly the opposite of her own. Most of these girls were from wealthy backgrounds, spoiled by absent parents and lost within the false comforts of wealth. It was why most of them were at the Jazz Masquerade; they were not the kind of girl who would miss a party of that size. Hellstrom's sweetened words had penetrated their drugged minds and allowed them to realize how empty their lives were, and by the time he and Rigby the Magnificent were done with them, they were ready to sell their souls in exchange for a purpose in life.

"Have you thought on Bruunhilde's mission?" Hellcat asked.

The question caught Toomi off-guard. A few weeks back Hellcat had taken Toomi to see Bruunhilde about a mission they had tailored for her.*

* Hellcat came for Toomi in AGC 63

"We know you do not wish to fight against your former allies," Bruunhilde had told her. "If it were up to me, I would push you out the front gates and let you wander for eternity in the wilds of Limbo, but Hellstrom has the claim on your life, and he desires to keep you around." Bruunhilde gave Toomi a half-smile. "He thinks he can turn you to our side."

"Won't happen," Toomi had said.

"If I had not lived a similar path, I would agree," Bruunhilde replied. "But where I was turned to this side out of love, perhaps you will be turned by hate." The leader of the Angelux handed Toomi a dossier. "Your mission."

Attumidunn took the folder but didn't open it. "You are likely to be disappointed."

"Perhaps," Bruunhilde raised an eyebrow, "but your failure will come from your belief that you are better than those around you."

Toomi looked around Bruunhilde's office, then back to the lead Angelux. "Aren't I?"

Bruunhilde couldn't help the smile that played across her face. "Yes, it is as I told Hellstrom. You are more like us than the Asgardians. You truly have been wasted, my dear. I think you will find that mission to your liking. You have one month to make your preparations."

Toomi was jarred from her recollections by Hellcat's impatience, and she was snapped suddenly back to the training grounds. "I do not like being kept waiting, lieutenant."

"I think I shall accept their mission," she said, surprising her to hear those words coming from her lips.

Hellcat cocked an eye to the younger Angelux. "My ex-husband was right yet again. So tell me, if you are allowed to, what mission could they offer you that you would be willing to accept?"

Attumidunn locked her eyes straight ahead, and her voice was cold and hard. "They are offering me the opportunity to kill my father."

"Attuma?" Hellcat asked, stunned, voicing the rumor she had heard.

"Yes."

"Why would you want to kill your father?"

"Because he raped my mother," Attumidunn answered, her words cold and hard.

"Wicked," Hellcat grinned.

SKRULLOS 2 - VOG CITY

It did not surprise Minister Jakool that the Emperor had named the new capital city after himself. Of course, there was not much of a "city" to Vog City yet, either. They had constructed a loose assortment of pre-fab constructs, but the main "building" was the spacecraft Vog had been using as his capitol for the past several years. In his typical nonsensical manner, Vog had ordered the large craft to land in the middle of a flat desert to serve as the center point for the new Skrull civilization.

The most powerful and valuable craft in the Skrull Armada was now dry-docked to suit the whims of a near-incompetent Emperor.

Jakool wiped the sweat from his brow as he rode inside one of the mass-transport vehicles out to the landing area, several miles outside town. For security reasons, the docking area needed to be away from the center of the city, but it made registering the incoming population difficult because Emperor Vog insisted that all incoming residents come to the Capitol (Vog's space ship) to register.

Which, of course, meant paying tribute to the Emperor.

These were just a few of the countless examples Jakool was shown daily that reinforced the ministerial class' belief in a separation of church and state. Jakool had somehow become the Minister of Defense for this planet, though he was, in no manner, qualified for the position.* He had wasted several days trying to understand Vog's motives (even half-daring to believe Vog had seen something special in him) when he realized that he simply had been standing nearest Vog when the Emperor realized he needed a Minister of Defense.

* See AGC 59

The Emperor was run by these impulses because it was the easiest way for him to operate. He made no argument against the fact that what he most wanted to do was drink, eat, and have sex on a near-constant rotating basis.

And obsess over the creation of the Super Skrulls.

Jakool could not argue about the resources devoted to that program - the Skrulls needed a class of warriors equal to the Kree Accusers and Shi'ar Imperial Guardsmen. But it still made Jakool uneasy when Vog discussed the power the Super Skrull program would give them

What Jakool realized, and Vog seemed to know, was that the Vog was not long for rule. He had a year, maybe two, left in his reign but then he would either be killed in a coup or the public would rebel against him. When the Skrull people had been scattered across the universe, living as refugees on Shi'ar and Kree worlds, a weak ruler could survive because of the disconnected nature of the empire. In a year or two, that would no longer be the case and Vog, instead of attempting to actually become a real leader, had decided to enjoy his run to the fullest while he could.

That included playing the game of politics. Jakool was uneasy about the secretive alliance with Earth, but he could see the value of such a move for both sides. Both the humans and the Skrulls were the weakest of the Council races, and since neither the Shi'ar nor Kree had ever been interested in helping bridge the economic/technological gap between them, it made perfect sense to unite the weaker races for mutually beneficial ends.

Still, Jakool feared that insistent voice at the base of his skull that kept telling him that Vog was most interested in striking some blow against the Kree or Shi'ar, or worse, double-crossing the humans and stealing their precious and valuable resources. (For some reason, Earth was home to many of the most valuable metals in the Everything. The open market prices for adamantium and vibranium were far, far too expensive for the Skrulls to ever afford, and Earth doled out each with extreme rarity. They did not want to see Kree and Shi'ar warships plated with either of the valuable metals, especially since they were two of the few advantages Earth held over the other empires.)

Like many ineffective leaders, Vog was as burdened by the legacy he would leave as he was powerless to stop his own self-destructive forces.

CHRONOPOLIS - THE TRAINING GROUNDS

Attumidunn had to fight to keep the pride she felt buried deep within her.

While she had no loyalty to Hellstrom, Bruunhilde, or the Army of Doom, she had to admit that the sight before her was impressive. Nearly 100,000 Angelux troops stood in regimental formations around her, all looking forward, awaiting Bruunhilde to speak to them. She looked around at the regimental flags, taking pride in their own flag - a cat's paw on a shield of hellfire - and their own place of honor amongst the ranks. The Hellcat regiment was one of the rawest assemblages of Angelux, but the work she and Hellcat had put in training these once-soft and spoiled women had clearly paid dividends already.

"Any word?" she asked Hellcat as her commander approached on horseback. Only regimental commanders had the honor of bringing their winged steeds to the parade formation.

"Nothing but rumor," Hellcat answered, looking down at Attumidunn. "Though I suspect the whispers of a major offensive action have more weight than not."

"Truly?" Attumidunn asked. She had been dreading the day she would be asked to fight for the Army of Doom. Her deal with Hellstrom gave her the right to dis-involve herself in any military action, but Hellcat's words from earlier played over and over in her mind. Could she turn her back on these women that looked to her for leadership? "What makes you think we are on the verge of action?"

"I went to speak to Bruunhilde about your mission to kill your father," Hellcat said after dismounting. "As you know, the warlord Attuma is already dead."

Attumidunn nodded, her anger renewed every time she thought about the man that had raped her mother. "The mission calls for me to be sent back in time, to the event history has recorded as the Annihilation of Atlantis," Toomi explained. "That was where Attuma died." What she didn't tell Hellcat was the Annihilation of Atlantis was also the event in which Ben-Vell and Toomi herself, as children, had been taken away to Asgard.

Hellcat nodded as she patted her horse's neck. "Bruunhilde informed me that she was pleased with your decision, but that the mission had been red-lighted by Doom himself."

"Why?" Toomi asked, thinking she could use this to her advantage. The whole reason she had agreed to become an Angelux was to infiltrate the Army of Doom and kill Doom from within. She shook her head at the thought. 'How does pride become so powerful that it leads us to make decisions that, at the time, seem perfectly logical, but in hindsight seem the height of foolishness?' she wondered. At the time, it was to get back at Ben, to prove that she was better than he was. If he killed Thanos, she would kill Doom. 'Such a silly girl,' she scolded herself.

Hellcat's voice was barley audible. The General wanted to make certain none could hear her. "Bruunhilde gave me reason to believe time travel has become destabilized. Whether it is because of the damage done to the Everything by Thanos, or a sign that the end of the Everything is closer than any believed, or something else entirely we cannot be certain. The cause could be natural or created. Either way, Doom has closed all time travel operations. We can jump only laterally in time until further notice. Bruunhilde's feeling is that time travel opens up too many alternate possibilities and that Doom is trying to control as many factors as possible."

Attumidunn nodded. "Why invent possible alternate opposition to arise when you are confident with the situation at hand?"

Hellcat looked at her with a mix of surprise and admiration. "You have been taught well, Attumidunn. And not just here. While Hellstrom and Bruunhilde would like to take full credit for your skill and abilities, I am certain the training you received on Asgard plays a significant role, as well."

Toomi nodded, and wanted to press Hellcat how she felt fighting against former teammates and friends such as Captain America and Dani Moonstar when the entire world seemed to stiffen at once. The young Orphan looked around, and her eyes caught a sight that caused her own back to straighten to immediate attention.

On the platform at the head of the field, Doom had come to view his Army.

ASGARD - THOR ODINSON HALL OF PEACE

A COUNCIL MEETING

"I must object!" Ash'lin protested, slamming the flat of her hand upon the table. "The Shi'ar forces are being put in greater risk than any of the other forces currently defending Asgard! I formally request that Amora the Enchantress be removed from control over the actions of the Shi'ar!"

The Council as a whole was tired of the Shi'ar Ambassador's histrionics, but as this was only her first outburst of this session, King William, Dani Moonstar, Kovar the Accuser, and Skrull 4 knew they were ahead of the game. Amora, who stood before the Council, had nothing but contempt in her eyes for Ash'lin.

"I can assure the Shi'ar Ambassador," Amora said icily, "that the Shi'ar are in no more danger than any of the other forces."

"I needn't remind you, Enchantress," Ash'lin challenged, "that you have no military training. In fact, if Majestrix Deathcry knew that she was sending Shi'ar troops to serve under a … under a … magician, she would certainly have refused." Ash'lin turned to King William. "Your highness, I realize that you are new to rule, and that you probably felt an obligation to the Asgardian people to put an Asgardian in charge of the city's defenses, but I must object to Shi'ar troops having to take orders from someone with no military experience."

"Amora fought bravely during Ragnarok," King William reminded the Shi'ar Ambassador.

Ash'lin wasn't buying, and set her gaze on the Enchantress. "She was certainly run through with several Olympian swords from the stories I have heard."

Amora's eyes sparkled, a mix of hatred and amusement. "We all do what we must for the cause. Tell me, Ambassador, if you could save the lives of 100 Shi'ar simply by dropping to your kn-"

"That is enough," King William commanded, ignoring the amused looks that passed between Dani and Kovar. "Amora is in charge of the city's defenses, and the sections of the Army of Doom that were encamped on the Plains of Ida have been removed. Your charge that the Shi'ar forces were placed at a higher risk has been taken under advisement, but I would suggest to you that Glimmer Girl, while an Imperial Guardsman, is not as experienced as the leaders of the Kree and Earth forces that help defend our city and that is what places the Shi'ar at greatest risk. Not Amora's plan nor leadership"

Ash'lin attempted to say more, but King William of the Beta Ray was done and waved the Council to a close. He had a great deal of respect for Glimmer Girl, especially since she had nearly given her life at the hands of Ikaris while on Council business,* but unlike Colonel Umagong of the Kree, Chauncere of the Skrulls, and General Rhodes of Earth, Glimmer Girl had no experience in leading this many troops in a defensive position.

As the Ambassadors left the meeting hall, Skrull 4 fell into step beside Kovar. "Ambassador, a moment of your time, if you please."

Kovar looked at Skrull 4 cautiously, then his eyes darted away when he caught Glimmer Girl taking a peek at him from the other end of the hall. "I really can't right now, 4," he said, watching the purple-skinned Guardsman moved out of sight. The Accuser had already taken a step in that direction, when he looked over his shoulder, and said, "One hour, at Logan's. I will meet you there."

Skrull 4 said nothing as Kovar moved quickly away from him and after Glimmer Girl. Looking to see that the other Ambassadors were still occupied and not paying attention, Skrull 4 accessed his powers and turned invisible, then followed in Kovar's footsteps.

It was time to stop playing the meek gentleman.

CHRONOPOLIS - THE TRAINING GROUNDS

Doom stood before the hushed assemblage of Angelux. He looked out upon the faces of the women, their eyes burning with ionic energy. The regimental flags fluttered in the light breeze and Doom was pleased with what he saw. Here was an army that would not fail him.

"It is time," he announced, "to go to War. I have chosen you, the Angelux to lead the first stage of my plan. Your target is Skrullos 2. Capture the Skrulls you can, kill those you must, and crush their spirit beneath the hooves of your steeds."

Doom paused to let the words sink in, then said his final peace.

"So swears Doom."

FREEDOM GENOCIDE to be continued …

You have your orders. Begin at will.

Y G G D R A S I L

comments to bousquet22@earthlink.net

Mark Bousquet

18 April 2003

Northern Bear Productions