Prologue...
High above the spinning green jewel known as earth, parasites have come to steal her
strength. Massive disc shaped starships ring the planet. The Ca'ShuBak, Locusts on an
intergalactic scale are here, to strip our world bare, of both the indigenous species,
Man, as well as raw materials.
But today the Ca'ShuBak have visitors. Three powerful Starships have entered Earth
orbit, and even now seek to dock with the mother ship.
Soon, and inside the main Ca'ShuBak starship, a Skrull general, a Kree Captain, and a
Shi'ar Warrior enter the throne room of the Ca'ShuBak.
"Greetings, fellow sentients." Begins a Ca'ShuBak , clothed in their blue
steel battle armor, before the silent leader of the alien invaders, "The master bids
you welcome, and would know why you have journeyed far to seek this audience?"
The Kree captain begins. "We are here because you seem to have made a grievous
error in your culling."
"Error?" Snorts the Master of the Ca'ShuBak from his high throne, "What
error , blue man? There is no error here. Our probe,* one of millions throughout the
universe, revealed a weakened world, one ripe for plunder, and as is our way, we came to
take what is rightfully ours. The spoils of war."
*See the last paragraph of Avengers 2009: The war #12
"How do you define "rightfully?" asks the Shiar warrior woman, known as
DeathCry
"You are well aware of how, little bird." He answers derisively "As our
treaties permit with all your races, we are given wide berth when we come upon a world
ready for internal collapse, after a massive disaster has struck said planet. Here was no
exception." He sinks back in his chair, his massive slug-like form undulates, as eyes
seem to disappear and reappear elsewhere on his horrible face. Slime and ooze drip from
the throne to plop repeatedly on the floor beneath him.
The Skrull, General Zadrao, steps forwards then, and speaks. "Perhaps your
treaties with our races allow you a certain wide berth, as you put it so succinctly,
Ca'ShuBak master, but nonetheless, we all know this world. We all have had our
own...Involvement with this small world, and we all have known the sting of defeat here.
While none of us, as intergalactic races, have any great love for the Terrans , we do have
respect. Something you are lacking for them. You should leave here now, and never look
back Ca'ShuBak. The Universe is changing. This world is emerging as a major power. When we
all met your kind only ten short GS* years ago, after several skirmishes the treaty you
continually have thrown at us was created. You may be able to hide behind it from our
gathered forces, but you share no treaties with this world you seek to pillage."
*GS= Galactic Standard
"Bah!" roars the slug on the throne, " Leave here now, all of you,
before I forget my own treaty, and have you as my dinner!"
As one the three turn towards each other, and then begin to leave the throne room
without another word, and then Zadrao stops, just before he exits the high ceilinged,
glass filled room that looks upon the blue green gem spinning below .
He turns over his shoulder, and faces the monstrosity on the throne, now hidden in
lingering shadows , and speaks one last time, now with a slight smile. "Ca'ShuBak
master, did you know this world has defeated...Galactus?" He begins to walk forwards
again, but stops after two steps to turn and face the Ca'ShuBak leader full on, this time
grinning outwardly, only then does he speak again. "Many Times?" With that
slight smile, now a full fledged one, the Skrull general turns and follows his compatriots
back to their individual ships.
The Ca'ShuBak master says nothing for a very long time, as he watches the three ships
recede into space as very small specks of light, finally disappearing into the ether. Only
then does he finally speak, and his words are merely inarticulate roars of rage!
Two years have passed since the war to end all wars was finished. Two
years since Earths best and brightest and Mightiest heroes all fought off a horrific evil
that sought to consume the entire world. Now , in the year 2011 a new threat has reared
its head. One of alien and decidedly evil design. This time the world is unprepared, but
even so the Earths first and best hope lies with the aging heroes known as ...The
Avengers!
Avengers 2011 #5
World on the brink
By Ralph L. Angelo Jr
What was once the city of Chicago...
"What?" Bellows Iron Man As he faces Janet van Dyne, the Wasp, "What do
you mean Caps gone?"*
*See last issue
"H-he's gone Iron Man, they took him. These things took him." She stammers
out weakly.
"Hey Tony," Cuts in War Machine, "Ease up, man. Jan's hurt. Give her
some slack."
"Aye Avenger, "Agrees Thor, "The Lady doth need physical aid, and we
have yet to return to our disabled Quinjet, and then back to our temporary home. Tis sad
enow that our boon companion and warrior born, the Vision hath perished this day, whilst
saving this once fair city from total annihilation"*
*Again, see last issue.
"Yes, I saw that as I was entering the area, homing in on your Avenger's ID pins
com signal." Answer Iron Man, as he begins to walk away, towards the area where The
Vision fell, an area scattered by blocks of debris from the fallen Ca'ShuBak ships that
the Vision destroyed valiantly.
Slowly, he runs his gauntlet over a large square area, while a small vacuum in his
suits sleeve sucks up debris on a microscopic scale.
"What are you doing, Tone?" asks an intrigued Jim Rhodes, War Machine.
"Probably nothing Jim. Probably a waste of time." Answers the aging
adventurer/Billionaire.
"My friends, "Interjects Thor, "fair Janet must be returned to a place
of healing post haste. As a former healer in my mortal identity, verily am I familiar with
the onset of Shock. Which is what she is now in the throws of."
"Okay Thor, take us back to the Quinjet you spoke of. We can treat her and
stabilize her there, until we get back to the Bunker in Manhattan." Agrees Iron Man
"Uh Tony," Starts War Machine, the Bunker's gone. demolished by these
slugs."
"So where are we staying? Where's our base of operations?"
"Parkers." Answers War Machine. "We're stayin' at Parkers."
As Jim Rhodes finishes his sentence, Thor begins to spin Mjolnir overhead, enveloping
them all in mystic energies, where they immediately vanish from the razed city, to
reappear instantly in a dilapidated barn.
"What's wrong with this Quinjet?" Asks Iron Man , even before they completely
solidify.
"Nothing that we can't take care of." Comes a voice from nearby, as all four
heroes turn as one, ready to attack this new menace, whatever it may be. Only it's not a
menace, it's...
"Spider-Man?" Asks Stark "What are you doing here?"
With a dexterous leap, Spider-Man lands next to the crimson suited Avenger. "I
should be asking you that, Stark. I see you're back to wearing your Armageddon
Armor.*"
* See Avengers 2009: The War #12
"Yes Spider-man, it's what saved me from certain death in the North Pole, when the
Ca'ShuBak attacked my hidden compound there."
"I guess it wasn't that well hidden." Muses the web slinger.
"How didst thou get here, Spider-Man?"
"We came in a Quinjet, Thor. How else?
"We?" Query's Iron Man
"Yeah, we. Darkhawk, Nova, Thunderstrike, Ms Marvel and me. The Bug busters. We're
gonna crush us some slime filled slugs, and save your hash while we're at it."
Then after looking around, he suddenly realizes, "Hey where's Vision and
Cap?"
"The Vision hath been killed, friend Spider-Man, Whilst the fate of Captain
America in truth be unknown." Answers Thor grimly.
"Two more to Avenge." Growls Spider-Man , like a predator.
Only Thor notices the change in Spider-Mans demeanor, only Thor furrows his brow at
Spider-mans reaction to the death of two of their partners.
"Where are the others?" asks War Machine
"We're in here." Comes Darkhawks voice from inside the Quinjet, followed by
his head popping out the hatch a moment later., "Nova and I are reintegrating a few
systems, and this Q-jet should be ready to rock."
"Let me give you a hand." Answers Iron Man, as he walks towards the Quinjet.
"Wha?" Starts Darkhawk in shock, "Iron Man? B-but we all thought you
were-"
"Dead, I know." Continues Iron Man. "But right now we've lost two more
of our number, and we have to keep that in mind. We also have to get back to HQ and
regroup, ASAP. Let's move it men."
Spider-Man turns towards Thor, as he returns from the Quinjet where Darkhawk and Nova
work. "How's the Wasp?"
"Verily, her condition is not a precarious as first thought, my friend. She will
be fine."
"Good. I'd hate to have us lose another one. I-Waitaminute, my Spider-Sense! Thor!
MOVE!"
Spider-Man shoves Thor out of the way and leaps towards the wall of the barn , just as
it explodes inwards!
Kra-KOOOM!
Standing there, before them all are at least 50 Ca'ShuBak armored troopers, and two
hovering attack ships!
"They have found us, so be it!" Bellows the thunder God as he immediately
whirls Mjolnir above his head
Nearby, War Machine, Nova and Ms. Marvel streak through the air, as Darkhawk follows a
second behind
"Say it Asgardian." Growls a decidedly angry spider-Man, as he deftly ducks
to avoid a slashing blow from a Ca'ShuBak energy staff, to rise up suddenly with a
powerful uppercut, smashing the trooper back, seemingly effortlessly, "Say it!"
He exclaims once more.
"Aye, Spider-Man, thou art correct." Thor pauses, as he whirls Mjolnir before
him, using its mystic might to block an energy blast from one of the ships hovering before
the barn. Then he speaks, nay, he roars in a voice that rocks the heavens themselves!
"Avengers Assemble!"
And the battle is joined!
Nova and Ms. Marvel each streak for the first ship hovering before them.
"Together, Marvel-Lady!" Shouts Rich Rider,
"You got it, bucket head!" she answers!
As one they slam through the ships defenses, shattering it's hull, and rocketing out
the other side, as the ship explodes spectacularly!
Ta-KROOM!
Nearby, Spider-Man leaps over another slash of an energy staff, as he kicks outwards,
cracking the blank , blue faceplate of the armored Ca'ShuBak before him. Then with a quick
shot of webbing, he grasps the alien by it's head, and heaves the marauder into the air,
spinning it around like a whip, he begins to beat at the other Ca'ShuBak with their
helpless comrade, faster then the eye can see!
Thor meanwhile slams Mjolnir into the ground, shattering it, creating a huge crevasse,
that War Machine begins to blast the fighting aliens into with repeated repulser blasts.
"Where's Iron man?" Yells Rhodes towards Thor.
"I know not, friend War Machine." Answers Thor
"I'm back in the Quinjet, getting it systems back on line. If you need me
shout." Comes Tony Starks answer on the communicator pins they all wear
Outside, the Ca'ShuBak have regrouped, as at least a dozen fire bolts of energy from
their staffs into the Avengers, striving to push them back.
"This nonsense has gotta end." yells spider-Man, as he leaps over repeated
blasts, as Darkhawk flies over head, firing his powerful amulet blast.
"It's hit and run, Web head." Shouts Darkhawk as he streaks by.
"No kidding!" shouts Spider-Man again, as he leaps over another foe, while
shattering another armored faceplate with a powerful left! "But these bugs are like,
well, bugs! They're everywhere!"
Suddenly a lucky shot by a Ca'ShuBak trooper sears Spider-Mans shoulder, dropping hm to
the ground unceremoniously!
FRAAZZ!
"Unngh" Grumbles Spidey, as he hits the deck hard, rolling to a stop, as his
eyes clear, he looks up into 5 Ca'ShuBak troopers, all standing above him, with their
glowing weapons all aimed at him.
"Oboy." Is all he can get out.
When suddenly a shout of "NNNooooo!" erupts from the Quinjet parked next to
the barn, as a young girl with dark red hair popping out the back of her mask, wearing a
stylized Spider-man costume leaps from the Quinjet, bouncing across the ground like
supercharged ball, and into the midst of the troopers, scattering them!
"MAY! "Yells Spidey, as he kicks the two closest Ca'ShuBak away like straw.
"Get out of here you stupid kid!" He howls, while his fists seem to blur with
insane speed, as he hammers the remaining troopers away from him with loud cracking
sounds!
"Wow" Exclaims Darkhawk in surprise, "I've never seen him move THAT
fast."
Suddenly the air behind Darkhawk crackles with energy, as he's knocked from the sky,
but his armor blunts the impact, and he rolls to his feet immediately, as two more
silver-blue suited aliens converge on him.
"Okay, now to show you creeps what Darkhawk can do!"
Instantly he's into them, his powerful left spins the first troopers head around at an
unnatural angle, while he throws a powerful roundhouse right kick into the abdomen of the
other one next to him. Both powerful aliens drop backwards to the ground, while fumbling
for their energy firing staffs.
"Uh, uh boys." He answers, while his amulet blast erupts outwards from his
chest, before either of them can react, blasting them into oblivion where they lay.
All that's left now is the second hovering Ca'ShuBak transport ship, as all the
Avengers begin to converge on it, it slowly turns to speed away.
"I don't think so." growls War Machine quietly, as his back pack opens, and
his rocket launcher unfolds. The ship begins to streak away, as War Machine fires.
Fwoomff!
The rocket roars across the sky, impacting with the tail of the alien ship, tossing it
end over end in the air.
"You're not going anywhere." screams Nova, as he streaks in front of the
escaping ship
Instantly Nova is upon it, as his powerful Nova blast erupts from his outstretched
hands, decimating the badly damaged ship in one blast.
Ba-KOOOM!
The pieces drop to the ground like burning rain, as the Avengers quickly re-enter the
two Quinjets and take to the sky, both ships cloaking upon take off.
In one Quinjet, Spider-man chastises his daughter for stowing away in a cargo hold,
while nearby, Thor stares at the two, while running over recent events in his mind. Once
again he creases his brow in thought and concern, and decides on a course of action.
The Ca'ShuBak mother ship...
In the Masters chamber, a Ca'ShuBak aid slithers across the
ground towards its master. The great beast stares down upon its subject, its eyes
appearing and disappearing all across it's horrible formless mass. "What news have
you brought me? Have our ships returned with these Avengers heads?"
"N-no my master." The aid stammers reluctantly. "In fact long range
scans confirm our forces were totally devastated by the Avengers. Even now hu-mans in that
vicinity are cheering their victory over our forces."
With a deadly move, the alien master flicks out what passes for its tongue, and sucks
the flesh off of his aid in one smooth movement, it's skeleton drops to the ground with a
light clatter, as the Master is already moving its alien bulk back into the shadows it
occupies upon its throne, anger flicks across what passes for its face as the words of the
Skrull general come back to haunt it...
Next: Infighting (It's not what you think)
Invasions of privacy
