Heroes for Hire #1

By Jorge Martinez

“What to do?”

THE GEM THEATER

Luke Cage's second story apartment.

Two men casually sit in a room watching television. The built black man is Luke Cage a man with steel hard skin and enhanced strength. The blond man is Daniel Rand a martial arts master with the ability to channel his chi and form the legendary ironfist.

POWERMAN: Danny, I don t know man. Things have been strained between us. Forgive me man. But I feel like your still dead.

IRONFIST: Actually, I am here to talk to you about a few things concerning my so called death.

POWERMAN: All I know is I saw you die. Then you show a few years later and tell me that you never died it was a plant man posing as you or something. C'mon man! If I wanted to go through crazy stuff like that I would have stayed with the Fantastic Four!

IRONFIST: No, Luke I think you did see me die.

POWERMAN: What you talking about Fist?

IRONFIST: The last thing I remembered after waking up from my suspended animation is you and I in Kun Lun. But over the last few months I ve been on a soul searching mission. I ve been remembering things after Kun Lun. I remembered dying at the hands of poor Captain Hero!

POWERMAN: But Danny that wasn't you.

IRONFIST: Not in body it wasn t but I believe in spirit it was.

POWERMAN: Man, you better stop before I kick you out!

IRONFIST: Listen Luke. Did I act any different? Did I not remember everything that happened to me before that? Was the plant man not able to summon the Iron Fist? Yes he was! Only I can do that.

POWERMAN: Actually, you were acting a bit different with the whole red costume thing because you believed yourself not worthy. But your right about everything else.

IRONFIST: My essence was in that plant clone. It wasn't my body but it was me in there. When the body died my essence must have returned to my real body.

POWERMAN: All right man. Whatever the mojo is I don't care. I'm over it! I thought my best friend died, he's back that is all that matters. I just don t know if your the same man or not.

IRONFIST: Luke I am the same man. Give me a chance to show it to you.

POWERMAN: All right man that sounds good to me.

IRONFIST: I've been gone for a long time thing have changed much. All the heroes disappeared and came back. But while they were gone things seem to have gone haywire. Chaos has taken over.

POWERMAN: Hey man. I was in Chicago and came back to New York when all this went down. I tried. I jumped in with a few guys like Spidey, DareDevil, Code Blue. But that wasn t enough. Code Blue got massacred.

IRONFIST: Is that a new super team?

POWERMAN: No. They are police men trained and equipped to handle superhuman menaces. They were overwhelmed.

IRONFIST: Who are the villains responsible?

POWERMAN: Well we are lucky that we did manage to hold them at bay a bit. Though they do anything they want. The major players fighting for world domination or criminal empires are The Masters of Evil and Lethal Legion. But here on a more local level we have the Kingpin, Hammer Head, the Rose, Mafia families and some other unknowns. They have acquired powerful resources and every merc and super villain for hire. You have heard of most of them.

IRONFIST: So the local heroes have been trying their best.

POWERMAN: Yeah. We are just holding things together though. Everyone is figuring that the big guns are back things will change and they will but not much. The Avengers and Fantastic Four never dirtied their hands much with underworld crime, except ofcourse for Sam the Falcon and MoonKnight.

IRONFIST: Well then maybe it's time that Heroes for Hire to work again.

POWERMAN: That s all fine and dandy Fist. I mean with you being rich again I guess we can because we never made any real money as a team.

IRONFIST: Luke, I have bad news. Rand Enterprises has been bought out by Oracle Inc.

POWERMAN: The SubMariner took over your business?

IRONFIST: Well not him personally but the business men involved have. I am not worried. It was always a distraction anyways.

POWERMAN: I don t mind fighting crime for free! You know that. But I need to make a living man. As do you.

IRONFIST: I have enough money to get us by but not to run a major operation!

A rush of air rushes by. Sam Wilson the Falcon is sitting in the window.

POWERMAN: Sam!

FALCON: Well guys let s say I have an offer for you!

POWERMAN: I know I m going to hell! Two dead guys show up at my apartment and both want to make deals!

The television flashes a breaking news report.

REPORTER: A team known as the Sinister Syndicate have attacked the Fisk building owned by business man Wilson Fisk.

IRONFIST: I say we go pay a visit.

THE FISK BUILDING

Five super villains have attacked the Fisk building. They are battling both police and armed security at the Fisk building. The criminals are the Beetle, Boomerang, Hydroman, the Rhino, Backlash, and SpeedDemon.

BEETLE: We have been toying around for too long. Drawing enough attention. The fatman probably isn t here and he hasn t sent any of his super goons either.

BOOMERANG: But I m having fun.

BACKLASH: I m not. We re fighting two sides here for no apparent reason. Our faces are being splattered all over the news. I have bullets flying all around me. And permantely making the Kingpin an enemy. Yeah, lots of fun!

BEETLE: We re getting paid nicely so shutup.

RHINO: Don t fear the fatman! We do our jobs right in the long run he ll be dead anyways.

HYDROMAN: You sure we can t kill any of these cops?

BEETLE: No! I m no cop killer! Plus, we have to jolt.

Four men show up. They stand at the end of the street. The Falcon, Iron Fist, Power Man, and Sandman.

COP: Hey guys the so-called heroes showed up. They are going to throw down with the super villains now. Time to move out of the way.

BEETLE: We're super criminals not super villains. When you call us villains it makes us sound like we are trying to conquer the world or something.

FALCON: Please give up. We are not in the mood.

POWERMAN:(to self) Things are gonna get ugly and dirty with Sandman and HydroMan. They hate each other! I heard that when they fight they turn to mud. I should have stayed in the FF for this crap.

IRONFIST:(to self) It seems that the Sandman has turned to the good side. I am glad the Falcon picked him up before we got here.

FALCON:(to self) They have the advantage. Good.

HYDROMAN: Oh yeah? You losers think your the Avengers or something? Oh yeah I forgot that they got desperate twice and made both birdman and Sandy members.

SANDMAN: I love beating you!

Sandman springs at Hydroman!

POWERMAN:(to self) Here we go. It looks I got the Rhino! This is going to hurt.

Iron fist jumps at Boomerang. Boomerang doesn t want him to get to close and throws his razorangs at him.

IRONFIST: You have to do better than that.

BOOMERANG: You think I m going to run away from you? Die Bruce Lee!

Iron Fist flips and dodges his way to Boomerang kicking him in the throat.

IRONFIST: That is one. Next?

Backlash uses his whip to grapple Iron Fist's leg.

BACKLASH: Why don t you tale a bow.

The Fist is knocked to the floor.

BACKLASH: Let the torture begin!

The Falcon rushes the Beetle charging into him. The criminal is off balance trying to remain in flight.

FALCON: That hurt me more than it did him. I have no offense or defense for the Beetle. I have to out smart him. This might take awhile.

The Beetle begins to fire electro blasts at the Falcon. The Falcon dodges them and makes the Beetle chase him from farther from the battle.

Power Man is trying to battle the Rhino but is on the losing end.

POWERMAN: (to self) This guy is whupping me. He s in a higher class than me. He fight guys like the Hulk or Thing. I m not strong enough to hurt him. I m getting manhandled out here. Where is the She-hulk when you need her?

Sandman and HydroMan are in what appears to be a arm wrestling match. The Sandman is keeping himself dense to avoid Hydro from seeping into him. This is a test of will.

SANDMAN:(to self) Hydro is a tough customer. Sam recruited me because of him. This can go either way. But I ve been around longer than he has. Let s spice things up!

Sandman lowers his density letting the two men mix. The result is a muddy battle. The more Hydroman struggles the more the two combine. Now it is truly a battle of will. The mud falls to the floor. Out of it comes a somewhat muddy Sandman.

SANDMAN:(to self) I hate fighting this guy! Atleast, he s out. Whoa let me help Cage. He s in over his head.

The Sandman goes to help Power Man.. Iron Fist is being whipped by BackLash. He s taken the electro whip for a few round now. He positions himself and flips himself over pulling BackLash over his head. Before Backlash can stand the Fist already chops him in the back of his neck.

IRONFIST: You enjoy causing pain but are lucky that I am merciful man.

IRONFIST:(to self) My costume is in shreds. This guy hurt me. Luke is getting pounded by the Rhino. Sandman is helping him now. Where is the Falcon?

Around the corner comes the Falcon with the Beetle hot on his trail.

FALCON:(to self) I ve him led around every building in Manhattan cutting all the corners and he still hangs with me. But I knew that I ve been biding time I hope the guys aren t too busy still.

The Falcon sees Iron Fist and swoops towards him at great speed. The Falcon makes eye to eye contact with Fist. Danny begins to concentrate. His fist begins to glow. He is calling the Iron Fist! When the Falcon reaches Danny he goes for his legs. Danny knows what to do. He begins to jump as the Falcon boosts his foot up and back into the air. The Beetle never expected Danny. He sees Danny in the air cocked back and a glow behind him. He know what happens next. Danny lays out the Beetle in midair with the power of the ironfist. He gracefully lands.

POWERMAN(to self) I keep punching to no avail. This guy is too tough. Sandman is trying to get up his nose literally.

RHINO: Get out of my face Sandman or I ll kill PowerWimp over here.

The Rhino ropes his hands around Luke s neck choking him. Sandman has gone internal on the Rhino. But the Rhino just squeezes Luke s neck harder.

POWERMAN:(to self) Steel skin or..not..he is..g-g-going to k-kill me...

Iron Fist and the Falcon punch and kick the Rhino as much as possible with no success.

IRONFIST:(to self) He s going to kill Luke! I m still too weak to channel the iron fist again and if use my chi to enhance my strength it would have no affect against the Rhino. I have to channel the ironfist!

Just then the Falcon looks up and stops. He backs away. Iron fist also notices who has just arrives and backs away. The She Hulk reels back and lets Rhino have square in his back. He let s go and collapses.

POWERMAN:(barely) I love you green woman!

SHE-HULK: Yeah, yeah.

THE GEM THEATER

Two youths by the names of Speedball and Rage received an invitation to come to the Gem this night. They are excited.

SPEEDBALL: The Falcon said he hopes we can make it.

RAGE: I still wonder why we were invited and what we're invited too?

SPEEDBALL: It's something to do with the Avengers. They are building a new team I bet and want to expand.

RAGE: I doubt that.

SPEEDBALL: Hey you think I m not good enough for the Avengers?

RAGE: No, it s not that. But it was the Falcon and Cap that kicked me off because I was too young. Your a minor also so I doubt they want us as Avengers.

SPEEDBALL: Well maybe Cap wants to organize thing a bit after what happened after Onslaught. Incase, they all die again we can be the next generation that takes their place.

RAGE: Whatever you do don t embarrass me. I actually know these people. But why would the Avengers want us at the Gem Theater and not the Avengers headquarters.

SPEEDBALL: Your right this place is a dump! Maybe they are trying to keep it on the downlow...hush..hush stuff. Hey look there is She-Hulk. Didn t you fight her once Evan?

RAGE: SHUTUP!

The two youths enter the Gem Theater after She-Hulk. Once inside they see a number of other super heroes talking and socializing. In attendance are Ant Man, Spider Woman, the Falcon, Power Man, Iron Fist, Sandman, Paladin, She-Hulk, Moon Knight, Firebird, Night Thrasher, Nomad. Dman, U.S. Agent, Cloak and Dagger.

SPEEDBALL: Wow. The second stringers are in full effect.

FALCON: Allright. It seems every one is here. You all are wondering why we are gathered here. Well that s because Heroes for Hire has been resurrected. Power man, Iron Fist and myself are the current members. The reason why we are inviting all of you to join is because we have a very important client.

U.S.AGENT: Who is this very important client?

FALCON(to self) I shouldn t have sent U.S.Agent an invitation but I sent all the former Cap partners one I guess I got carried away and sent a former Cap one. I hope he doesn t join.

FALCON: The client is the city of New York.

ANTMAN: What?

FALCON: Since Code Blue has been dismantled the mayor wants to fight fire with fire. He trusts us and wants to hire us to defend the city. This isn t about money this is about having organized heroes that don t fly around the world trying to save it everyday. This is about having urban heroes! But, for those worried about salaries it s about twice what a rookie cop makes.

FALCON: That is not bad. It's more than I have ever made! If super heroes are not born rich they usually live paycheck to paycheck. Full benefits, even a station house! I know many of you are busy and have your own lives. But this is a great opportunity not for you but others. Captain America made me leader of the reserve Avengers. But I had only one condition. That they help patrol this city. That they become urban heroes. This is another opportunity. I will not make any of my reserves actually join but I hope they do. Go ahead and think it over and let me know later.

He steps down.

SPEEDBALL: Hey Night Thrasher! You joining buddy?

NIGHTTHRASHER: No.

RAGE: Why not?

NIGHTTHRASHER: I don t want to be a cop or work for the city.

The Falcon walks toward them.

FALCON: Speedball, Rage, Night Thrasher.

RAGE: Hey Sam. So who are the reserve Avengers in attendance?

FALCON: Oh, Spider Woman, FireBird and myself. Quasar and Vision are the other two but I know better than to invite them two.

SPEEDBALL: Well you can give me my badge tonight if ya want.

FALCON: Actually, I just gave you invites to fill the room a bit more. You see we can t have minors. But I do want to offer you intern positions.

SPEEDBALL: Look here Vernon Jordan! We are to busy for any internship.

RAGE: Thanks anyway Sam.

FALCON:(laughing) Hey, no prob.

MAYOR S OFFICE

The next morning.

The Falcon, Power Man and Iron Fist stand in front of the mayor.

MAYOR: So Falcon how many did you get?

FALCON: Not much sir.

MAYOR: Really? Well, atleast we have you three. Who else joined?

POWERMAN: Besides us we got Spider Woman and Ant Man.

MAYOR: Oh, you all are going with an insect theme?

IRON FIST: Uh, no.

MAYOR: Well that s good cause Spiderman is always wanted for something and we cannot have a conflict of interest.

POWERMAN:(to self) What a dweeb.

OUTSIDE

FALCON: Well guys. I have to go to work. But once we get this under way everything should be fine.

IRONFIST: Sam, where is this headquarters?

FALCON: Oh, it s that old precinct a few blocks down from the Gem.

POWERMAN: Great. I mean it s a dump but atleast I can commute!

IRONFIST:(to self) How do I work this beeper thing?

NEXT ISSUE: The team s first meeting! The team s first call! Plus: Insect love!