What If...? 2099UG #2

I am the Surveyor, and today I weep. Today my refuge has become a tomb. I will die here 500 feet below the Martian Landscape. Before me is the monitoring station for communications from our mother Mega- Corp. A single message flashes as a klaxon to my doom...ALL FILES UPLOADED. LINK TERMINATED.

For over a week now the massive computer around me has been increasing the statistical probability that a conflict could erupt between Hiraku of Stark/ Fujikawa and Miguel O'Hara... the new CEO of Alchemax. I had reported my concern to the UATU project... the ultra secret sub-division of Alchemax that made me what I am today. Although the chance that it would occur was still 1 in 10,000 I had a valid concern. Those at the project sent me a coded message assuring me there was nothing to worry about. I lied to myself, believing that perhaps they were right... damn me for a fool.

Every subprocessor around me hums. Never in all the many months I have served here has the computer had to stop it's statistical analysis, but today the sheer volume of information being digested by the system demands every processor surrender other duties. For you see... today, Alchemax was destroyed and the CEO of the company, not knowing what UATU is, did a core computer dump and fed every byte of Alchemax data in one final burst to me here.***See Fall of Alchemax beginning with Spider-man #2***

"Is something wrong, sir?"

I turn to see Marionette-1, a robot drone I reprogrammed for interactive conversation. I answer, " I'm afraid there is quite a bit wrong, Marionette. Our time has run out."

You see, all of this around me, all the miles of equipment, has only one purpose... to use it's vast, comprehensive, and constantly updated database to run through a complex system of probability mathematics to formulate the most probable course of the future by exploring variant possibilities and choosing the correct one by process of elimination.

Until today, every hour brought me closer to Alchemax's goal of 100% accuracy in predicting the future, and my own secret goal. Now, with my accuracy well over 90 %, after months of work, all I have striven for will begin to deteriorate. Without the steady stream of data from Alchemax and her sources, it will be impossible to plan for new variables that exist. From this moment on, my predictions will become less and less accurate... now Alchemax is dead, and only my need remains. I must use UATU to my own ends before it becomes useless to anyone. I have been a dabbler, using the system for half hearted attempts at fulfillment or entertainment. That changes today. I will not rest until I find what I seek.

Suddenly, the small apartment at the computer's core grows silent. After 8 hours of processing the data, UATU has finished. It again begins probability calculations based on the new data... but I begin to modify it.

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"What if Jake Gallows' family had not been killed?"

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He has been poised here for over an hour... waiting. The air grows suddenly crisp, and he knows it is time. From his hiding place high above the maglev roadways, he can see the traitor... one of his own men, Jessie. For a few weeks now Jessie has acted suspicious and after a brief investigation Jake began to suspect that Jessie was assisting one of the super- powered rebels who disgrace the names of the heroic age.

A knot catches in his throat as his suspicions prove true. Jessie looks around nervously as the newcomer arrives.

"Do you have them?"

"Yeah, let's get this over man...I shockin think Gallows is onto us."

The newcomer laughs. Jake begins to size him up. The newcomer has recently arisen in the spotlight of New York, but already has a large file on him. He goes by the code name of Iceman... ain't that a laugh? He is a two-bit terrorist using the "Mutant Cause" to justify his law breaking. The 'Ice man' speaks again.

"What business is it of his? Just hand em over and I'll be gone."

"Good, here. This is the last time, Iceman."

The exchange is made... He's seen enough. He leaps down with a resounding thud. Both men spin to see him but it is the Public Eye traitor that speaks.

"AW SHOCK! It's Gallows!"

In desperation, Jessie pulls a firearm, and the Iceman 'freezes up'. Gallows bursts into motion as Jessie fires. The shot is wild and Jake easily dodges it. He closes the gap with the renegade and grasps his Power Bat. Jessie fires again at close range but cannot penetrate Gallow's armor. Jake swings his weapon and blood showers the wall. As Jessie falls in a heap, Gallows looks around for Iceman...and realizes he has fled. The mutant terrorist had created a slide of ice and slid away. Jake runs for the slide and leaps. As his Mean Mule Turbo Kick boots strike the slide, Gallows yells at the top of his lungs. "You are deadware, Iceman!"

From far ahead Iceman calls back, "What is it with you anyway? This has nothing to do with you."

"It's against the law, and deserves punishment..."

"And I guess that makes you the Punisher, huh? Go Shock yourself!"

The slick metal on the boots allow Jake to quickly close the gap with the iced criminal. Iceman has the backpack he took from Jessie on his back and Jake wonders what was so important. Ah shock... it doesn't really matter. As he slides Jake Gallows removes a grenazer from his suit and programs in the Iceman as a target and fires.

It takes only a second to reach Iceman and then activates it's incernerary blast. The intense heat peels away the protective ice armor worn by the terrorist and melts the slide! Iceman is the first to fall and then Jake slides off the melted portion of the slide and joins his prey in free fall.

"Are you shocking frizzed, man? I can't ice up in time to save our sorry butts."

"Too bad." Jake Gallows smiles and pulls a ripcord. A parachute billows out and Jake Gallows... the Punisher slows his decent as he watches Iceman fall to his death.

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(Later... at a local park)

"Hello, mom."

"Hello, Jake, honey. How is my eldest son today?"

"I'm fine, I've been putting in a lot of hours at work, but it's no big deal."

"I'm worried about you, son. I've not seen you in church for over a month."

"I know, but I have been too busy."

"Your father was a cop for 20 years and he always kept Thor's day."

Jake becomes harsh. "I told you I was too busy!"

Jake's mother has a sharp intake of air and Jake immediately aware of his mistake. "I'm sorry, mom. I'm afraid I've not been right since I had to kill Tyler Stone's son."

" I know sweetie... I know." She then gives him a motherly hug.

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(Later still... Public Eye HQ)

Special Operations Agent Jake Gallows enters the office of Matt Axel. The red headed electronics wizard turns to see Jake and smiles. "Well?"

"OK. You were right. It felt good to make things right without worrying about Black Cards or delinquent protection plans."

"Jake... I have something to tell you."

"What's that, Matt?"

"I'm sorry."

Jake Gallows smiles. "For what, Matt? Without you I would have never had the means to stop them."

Just then the swish of a door is heard and the pair turns to see Tyler Stone enter with a large group of armed Public Eye officers with weapons barred.

"Uh... Mister Stone! What a surprise to see you," begin's Jake.

"I imagine it is... seeing as I haven't seen you since my son's funeral."

"I am sorry about that, sir. If I could change what happened I would."

"I know, Jake, my friend. I am not here to ask that you try to change the past. But you can make it up to me."

"How?"

Tyler Stone grins ear to ear. "I am so glad you asked."

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( Alchemax HQ- Special Research Division--- Later)

Jake Gallows is led under arms to a large room in disarray. It appears to have a large machine in the center of the room that has been recently destroyed. There are a few technicians that Jake recognizes as Alchemax elite.

"This room is where we at Alchemax have tried to combat the growing rebel menace." Tyler begins, "I have dedicated my life and my corporation to bringing order to the chaos of our era. To this end, I began to create the Corporate Raider Project to bring an end to all who would soil the names of the Heroic Age with rebellion and lawlessness."

Jake looks suspicious. "What does this have to do with me?"

"Look around you, Officer Gallows. This room was my success until the rebels discovered what I was doing. Today they broke in and destroyed our equipment, killed one of my scientists, and kidnaped my head technician Miguel O'Hara. He has even managed to destroy one of our major operatives... Venture. They have elevated this to the level of a war."

"I still don't see..."

"I know what you are, Officer Gallows. Your assistant Mr. Axel was most helpful in that matter. Oh, but don't hold it against him. I am not here to stop you. Indeed it is quite the opposite. I want you to hunt down the creature who did this and bring him to justice... I want the head of this so called Spider-Man."

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( 3 months later)

Jake Gallows was now the most feared man in all of Nueva York... excluding the Corporate heads of course. He had killed more than a dozen would be rebel heroes. When Paul-Phillip Ravage betrayed his race, Henton sent in the Punisher and Ravage died. When Doom had tried to seize America, it was the Punisher that drove him back to Latveria. When Galahad began to feel his Code of Honor was above corporate law, it was Jake Gallows who taught him the error of his ways. Daredevil, Northstar, Lachryma, Iceman... they have each taken Officer Gallows one step closer to what he is today. With each kill Gallows gained experience, but never satisfaction. Each time he found himself wishing the kill was Spider-Man.

Of all the rebels who dare to oppose Alchemax he was the most daunting. To add insult to injury, when Gallows brought down Stark/ Fujikawa, Spider-Man allied himself with the Specialist! A known agent of an enemy corp.

Well today vengeance belongs to the Punisher! He has his bike in flight mode and is in a high speed pursuit of his quarry. He unleashes a rain of fire from his weapons as the arachnid lawbreaker and his oriental accomplis swing on the strands of the Spider-Man. With inhuman agility the pair manages to navigate through the deadly barrage. The Punisher knows it will not be long now... because his backup has arrived! Finally, a dozen Flyboys on bikes begin to box the pair out of any possible escape route.

Gallows curses as one Flyboy allows his bike to get to close to his prey and the Specialist releases the line supplied by his ally and flies into an attack against the officer... Jake Gallow's officer. The sharp katana severs the young boy's head from his body and Jake can only watch as Private Estevez falls lifeless off the bike. He brings his own around to bear as the Oriental felon get's his stolen bike under control. Like some ancient game of Chicken the Specialist and the Punisher push there bikes past their limits to charge headlong into battle. They know they are two warriors of an ancient code, two futuristic jousters on the field of battle. The Specialist brandishes an ancient sword, Gallows trades his firearm for his Power Bat.

The sky fills with a resounding CRACK! as the combatants clash. Neither is damaged overly and they turn, preparing for another pass. Over the sounds of battle the Specialist can be heard. "This one can not allow you to harm the Harbinger of Alchemax's fall!"

The Punisher is unmoved. "Stark/ Fugi always did shockin' loose when it came to Alchemax... today won't be any different."

The Punisher suddenly dives left and this enrages the Specialist. "You will not dishonor this one By your cowardly attempt to flee battle!" And as expected the Specialist follows. The poor operative of a dead company probably never knew what hit him as the snipers Jake planted on that specific route open fire robbing the Specialist of his life.

"NNNNNNNNNOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Jake turns to see that the guttural cry comes from none other than Spider-Man who had swung back to help his ally. Jake orders the snipers to hold fire as Spider-Man swings down to where the Specialist fell. The Punisher then slowly glides his bike into land.

Spider-Man checks the Specialist's pulse to find out what Jake Gallows already knew. "He's dead," Spider-Man says simply.

"You have given me a good run Spider-Man. I'd like it to end here. All you have to do is surrender to Alchemax justice."

"Alchemax justice? It was Alchemax that made me what I am... their brand of justice has cost me everything. I'll not surrender now or ever."

The defiant Spider-Man stands there, no movement to defend himself for he knew that it was futile, but neither making a move to surrender.

"Too bad for you," Jake Gallows said as he pulled out his hand gun and fired at point blank range. Spider-Man fell.

The Flyboys cheer as Gallows walks over to the corpse. "I wonder who you were Spider-Man?" He walks over and pulls off the mask and his eyes grow wide, then he falls to his knees and begins to cry.

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(1 Month later... the Alchemax Mental Research Division)

Jake sits in his padded room rocking in a chair that was not designed for such. In his hand is a mask that had once belonged to Spider-Man. Twice they have tried to remove it and both times produced fatalities.

The man who comes to visit this day is an evil man and one who will enjoy what he is about to do... Tyler Stone. He walks up to the force shield and speaks. "Hello, Jake."

Gallows doesn't even look up, so Stone continues. "Congratulations on taking down Spider-Man... due to your diligent efforts Alchemax will soon rule the world. I was saddened to hear that when Spider-Man's true identity became known that it turned out to be none other than Balder Gallows... your brother."

Wild eyed Gallows runs at the field and bounces off. "Shock you! You knew!"

Tyler Stone grins. "Oh I more than knew, Jake! I created Spider-Man! I made Balder what he was then sent you after him. Once I hooked O'Hara on the Rapture the rest was easy! You were easy."

"Why?"

Tyler turns to leave. "... for Kron. Too bad you are stuck in here and unable to pay your mother's Protection fees."

Jake's anguished cries are nearly drowned out by the laughter of Tyler Stone.

NEXT ISSUE!!!! More of the Surveyor!!! And the next alternate reality of the 2099 UG!!! Could it be Ka-Zar 2099? Be here in sixty days for issue # 3!!!!