Pursuit of the Accused

Part One

They were the scum of the universe. Smugglers, pirates, mercenaries, and worse. The sort that he had once pursued. He, and others.

Seated at the booth, Kovar sighed. It had been over a decade ago, a relatively short time by Kree standards. The Accusers had been less militant then, and the Pursuers had been it’s militant arm, doing the dirty work of seeking out the accused to face justice. Kovar had been young at the time, proud to be serving among the elite warriors who wielded the Beta-Batons for the purpose of meting out Kree justice.

But then came the creation of the Cosmi-Rods, weapons of such devastating power that only the wise Accusers were trusted to wield them. That was the beginning of what became a swift rise in power and authority for the Accusers. A rise that reached it’s peak when the radical Ronan rose to become Supreme Accuser. As a whole, the Accusers became more hands-on in their rulings, and the Pursuers had lost their usefulness.

There was a reason Kovar felt so comfortable in the remote space station that served as a refuge for the undesirables. When the Pursuers were disbanded, many of them refused reassignment. Themselves accused, the former hunters had become prey, and the hunted were forced to hide amongst those that they themselves had once hunted.

So far as Kovar knew, he was the last living Pursuer. Certainly, had any managed to evade capture, they would have made their presence known to the new Empire. But Kovar doubted that any had escaped. He’d lasted the longest, but even he had been captured in the end. The choice had been to serve the Supreme Intelligence in the new war with the Shi’ar, or die. Knowing what he knew now, Kovar would have gladly chosen death.

Instead, Kovar had helped the Supreme Intelligence commit genocide on a grand scale, against his fellow Kree. Trillions had been killed in the end, and Kovar had nearly been overwhelmed with guilt over his part in the plot.

Perhaps that was why Kovar had accepted his current mission, taken at the behest of Emperor Mas-Ked. Though the Supreme Intelligence was not his prey, it was known that they had had dealings with the former Kree dictator. Kovar knew that he would come across the "Supreme One" eventually, and relished the thought of delivering swift justice. With that act, Kovar would feel redeemed.

Silently sipping his drink, Kovar listened to the conversations of those around him. Placed throughout the common room were a number of transmitters, all sending information directly into Kovar's cybernetics. Taking a deep gulp, Kovar narrowed his eyes. Had he just heard something? Yes, yes he had.

What it exactly was Kovar could not say. But the tone, the urgency with which the phrase was uttered, had instantly raised Kovar's suspicions. Narrowing his attentions onto that particular conversation, Kovar listened further, and his suspicisions were confirmed. Taking another sip, Kovar's eyes peered out from over the rim of the mug, searching the room for those who had spoken.

There! Three male individuals huddled at one of the outer tables. The one whose back was to Kovar, a tall and lean male, was gesturing with his hands excitedly. That fit with the words Kovar heard.

So, now Kovar had identified a potential source of information. All he needed to do then was wait for an opportunity to extract what he desired.

For another half-hour, Kovar waited. Occassionally, Kovar would listen in on other conversations, tucking away little bits of information he knew would be of interest to the Accusers.

Finally, Kovar's time came, as the three males rose from their table. Watching them move, Kovar took in their features and swiftly identified their species of origin. It was not difficult, for all three were Kree. Two were blue-skinned, with the lean male a pink-skin. Immediately Kovar wondered at the odd group. The hatred between blues and pinks was something that ran deep within the Kree mindset. Why would three such individuals set aside their mutual hatred and drink together?

Kovar knew of only one answer. The Supreme Intelligence.

The booth Kovar occupied was located near the doorway, so that all comers and goers had to pass by him. As the unusual trio walked past, Kovar fell from his seat and onto the floor, feigning drunkenness. There was no time for any of the three Kree traitors to avoid tripping over him, and soon all four were entangled on the floor.

"Drunken oaf!" One of the blues snarled angrily. Hauling Kovar to his feet, the blue Kree harshly shoved the cloaked Pursuer back into his booth. Kovar mumbled something unintelligible, all the while lying against the table in feigned semi-consciousness.

"Barkeep!" The other blue yelled. "We got one whose had enough." Out of the corner of his eye, Kovar caught the brief nod from the alien male behind the counter. Things were going as he'd hoped.

Soon after the three Krees had departed, the barkeep was at Kovar's table. "Come on, pal," the alien muttered while grasping Kovar's cloak. "You've had enough. It's time to go."

As expected, the barkeep began going through the pockets of Kovar's cloak, searching no doubt for payment of the drinks. Sticking out slightly from one of Kovar's pockets was a small leather bag, inside of which were a variety of iron coins. In a time of interstellar trade and currency exchange, good metal was accepted virtually everywhere.

As Kovar had intended, the discovery of the bag and its contents brought an end to the barkeep's search. Had it not, Kovar would have had to make a difficult decision. Killing the man would have almost certainly exposed Kovar for what he was.

The bag of coins was quickly taken, and Kovar was hefted up by the barkeep. A moment later he was stumbling out of the door, the exhausted barkeep standing behind him, making sure that Kovar was out on his way. The poor male, Kovar's weight had nearly been too much for him. Compared to the Kree, so many other species were pathetically weak.

Except for the Shi'ar, Kovar corrected himself. But then, their strength had been meaningless in the end.

Stumbling around the corner, Kovar immediately straightened his stride and swiftly moved along the corridor. Lowering the hood of his cloak, Kovar pressed his fingers to his temples, and immediately his perceptions changed. No longer was Kovar seeing in terms of matter, but rather of energy. Furthermore, Kovar adjusted his sensors to pick up a very specific energy signature: that given off by the tracker device he'd placed on the pink Kree.

________________________________________________________________________

The three Krees were just stumbling into the open area when they caught sight of the cloaked stranger. The two blues stopped, and made the pink stop as well. One of the blues, a bald male with a scar along the top of his scalp, recognized the drunk he'd shoved aside earlier. Looking back at the way they'd come, he turned back and regarded the cloaked figure with puzzlement.

"You're that drunk who tripped us," Scar declared. "How'd you beat us here?"

"Easily," Kovar the Pursuer answered. Throwing his arms out, the cloak dropped off of Kovar and onto the floor. What Kovar wore beneath was the brown armor of a Pursuer, more of a second skin than anything else. In each of Kovar's hands was a glowing baton, both roughly two feet long and crackling with energy. The batons generated beta-particles, hence they were named Beta-Batons.

The three Kree took a momentary step back, more from surprise than anything. Kovar wasn't expecting fear. Too much time had passed for that.

The second blue, an older male with a full head of white hair, gaped at Kovar. "What the hell are you?"

Kovar almost chuckled. "I'm a Pursuer, you idiot."

It was the lean male pink who spoke next. "Impossible. All the Pursuers were killed years ago. I helped-"

The pink cut himself off immediately, but Kovar understood the meaning. Once, that pink had been a soldier in the Imperial Kree Military, and had aided in the slaughter of Pursuers. Controlling his anger, Kovar took two steps forward.

"The Pursuers are very much alive," Kovar snarled. "I am here by the authority of the Kree Empire. By the decree of Emperor Mas-Kedd, all Kree are to return to Hala for registration and assignment. You three are unregistered."

Scar gave a derisive snort. "I'm not following the orders of some freak kid."

"Neither am I," White-hair added, followed by Pink. Kovar bristled at their words. The arrogance of these three, the sheer disrespect they show towards their own species. Even had Kover not required the information they possessed, he would still enjoy what he was about to do.

Scar turned to retreat back from where he came, but the blast doors close shut to bar his way.

"It is not request," Kovar snarled. "Nor is it to be denied. Failure to comply with the Emperor's wishes is treason."

The expression on White-hair's face was of outrage. "I will not be ordered about like some Skrull! The false Empire has no authority towards me!" His hand came up from his belt, a blaster held in its grasp. Scar did the same. Both fired without hesitation.

On sight, Kovar had identified the design of the blasters and disregarded them. Antiques, his armor could withstand the assault indefinitely. But something inside of Kovar wanted to teach these insolent males a lesson.

Moving with a fluid speed that could only come from cybernetic enhancements, Kovar brought his Beta-Batons to bear. The weapons deflected the photon blasts, the beta-particles harmlessly dispersing the energy. Kovar then moved forward.

No, move was too tame a word. Kovar was little more than a blur. Moving side-to-side as well as forward, the Pursuer danced towards the three Kree traitors, his beta-batons twirling. More than anything, it ws the dull orange glow of Kovar's eyes that struck fear into those Kree.

If any of them had expected Kovar to physically strike them with the batons, they were mistaken. Twirling his weapons, Kovar swung his arms in a wide arm. Like the systems of his armor, the beta-batons were also cybernetically linked to Kovar's nervous system. All it required as a thought, and two great arcs of crackling yellow energy erupted from the batons. The two blues were struck full in their chests, and fell to the ground without so much as a whimper.

Before either blue had struck the ground, Kovar had driven the pink up against the doors with a powerful kick. Continuing his advance, Kovar raised his batons up and crossed them against the pink's neck, pinning him to the doors.

"I heard you in the bar," Kovar growled. "You uttered the name Kee-Ree."

The pink became so pale he was almost white. Kovar smelled urine, and was disgusted. Though traitors, the blues had fought like true Kree. Not like this pathetic, cowardly wretch.

Vigorously, the pink protested the claim. "No, I swear to you! To the Emperor even! I had nothing to do with what happened. Please!"

Kovar increased the pressure slightly, cutting the pink off.

"Perhaps not," Kovar whispered. "But you know something of those who did. You will tell me what I wish to know, or you will tell the Accusers!"

At that last word, the pink's eyes widened. He almost couldn't talk fast enough.

________________________________________________________________________

Once again cloaked, Kovar strode cautiously into the dark confines of the space station. Sadly, this area was every bit as neglected and derelict as the rest of the station, something that concerned Kovar greatly. Life support, electrical power, and weapons systems all had to be constantly maintained to allow for the comfort and survival of a station's inhabitants. Furthermore, the station's drive machines had to be well-monitored so that the station maintained its location.

From what Kovar observed, the station's drive engines didn't have much time left. The Pursuer was suddenly very eager to leave. But not until he'd accomplished his mission.

The cowardly pink, whose name had been Renn-Dennet, had been eager to talk. He'd claimed to only be a pilot, and that he transported the blues to the station for a rendezvous. Sadly, the blues had known little more. They were nothing but mercenaries, and had come at the prospect of a job.

It was the employer Kovar had been interested in. The Cult of Ki-Ree. Former followers of Ki-Ree during the recent Kree Civil War, those fanatics had attempted to free the aged mystic from his imprisonment. Little did they know that Ki-Ree was gone, that his body was inhabited by the Supreme Intelligence.

Or perhaps they did know. At any rate, the Cultists were traitors, and Kovar was charged with pursuing them.

Walking amidst the rusting equipment of the engine room, Kovar scanned the area with his senses, both natural and cybernetic. He could detect nothing, but that was not unusual. Many Cultists possessed mystical abilities, an art that the Kree had lost millennia ago. Still, Kovar was taken aback to hear a voice speak out from behind him.

"You're alone. Where is the other one?"

If Kovar could be surprised, then one of the blues most certainly would have. The disguised Pursuer gave a slight yelp and a short jump, then turned around quickly to face the speaker. It was the identity of the female who had spoken which truly surprise Kovar.

Though Kovar had been unable to place the voice, he had not difficulty recognizing Su-Ree. The supposed descendant of Ki-Ree, the female had been taken under the mystic's wing and trained in the mysterious arts. She had joined the Kree Corps after the war, but betrayed them to the Cultists and had even killed a fellow Corpsman. Many had believed her killed in the battle at the Palace of the Ancients. Kovar certainly had.

It was testament to Kovar's skills that he resisted the urge to rip the blue witch's heart out upon first seeing her. Instead, he lowered his head and spoke softly.

"He's dead," Kovar answered. "The pilot we hitched a ride from, he suspected something. I still did what you asked though. The ship is in the sun by now, with two bodies aboard."

Su-Ree smiled understanding. "Both died as true Kree warriors then, and are to be honored as such."

Kovar nodded. "This won't affect the job, will it? Even alone, I know I'm up to it."

Giving Kovar a warm smile, Su-Ree nodded. "Oh, I don't doubt that you are. One of you is worth a dozen of those mercenary scum, Kovar."

Kovar did not know what mistake he had made, and he did not care. He was found out, and so nothing prevented him from driving a beta-charged baton straight into the ample chest of the traitorous Su-Ree. And though Kovar was disappointed when his weapon and arm when through the witch's illusion, he was not entirely surprised. Su-Ree was well known for her cunning and trickery.

"I think not, Pursuer," Su-Ree's voiced called out in a laughing tone. The sound seemed to come from everywhere. "While I congratulate you on a cunning chase, you're quest was doomed the moment you came aboard."

"So, knowing of my presence, you allowed two of your soldiers to die?" Kovar asked in a taunting tone. "You and the Supreme Intelligence were made for each other!"

That triggered an angry response from the unseen Su-Ree. Crackling bolts of energy flew out at Kovar, which he easily dodged. They struck various pieces of machinery.

"I would be careful, witch," Kovar goaded. "Is even your power enough to survive the depths of space? Destroy this area, and we shall find out, 'mistress.'"

Kovar laughed softly. "Yes, you are a mistress, aren't you? I know what you were, Su-Ree, before the Nega Bomb all but destroyed the military. And I know what you became afterwards, before Ki-Ree found you. How many of the Shi'ar scum did you bed, whore?"

"Shut up!" Su-Ree shouted.

There was not magic in that voice, Kovar noted. He heard it clearly from only one direction. He also heard the tone, like that of a scared little girl filled with shame. Good, Kovar had managed to get to her. But it would not last long.

Immediately Kovar swung his beta-baton, sending a stream of beta-particles in the direction of Su-Ree's voice. The blast wasn't an attack, but rather illumination. Kovar was still wary of trickery, and was unwilling to risk damage to the machinary around him. Besides, it was unlikely that Su-Ree would journey alone. There was another who had been loyal to Ki-Ree.

And there he was, Kovar realized. Revealed by the glare of beta-particles was Su-Ree, and also a large figure standing beside her. While was the face was still hidden, Kovar recognized the armor of a Accuser, and so knew whom it was.

Indeed, when Su-Ree stepped back from the sudden glare and the Accuser stepped forward, Kovar was rewarded with confirmation. Approaching Kovar, a Cosmi-Rod in his gauntleted hand, was Gondor the Accuser.

Years before Ki-Ree had made his presence known, he had somehow taken the Accuser captive and altered his mind, making Gondor into a complete and willing slave. Twice he had been thought dead, both after the civil war and after freeing the Supreme Intelligence. But still the traitorous pawn was alive!

With a roar, Gondor raised his Cosmi-Rod and brought it crashing down towards Kovar's head. But while Accusers were known throughout the Empire for their strength, in truth it was not much greater than the strength of a Pursuer. And Pursuers had once been equally known for their great speed. As the Cosmi-Rod came down, a Beta-Baton rose up to meet it, and struck the Accuser solidly on his armored wrist.. A split-second later, Kovar brought his second Beta-Baton up to strike the Cosmi-Rod itself, just beneath the head. Kovar kept the Beta-Batons pressed where they were, trapping Gondor's hand in a pincer. With a twist, the Pursuer forced the Accuser to drop his Cosmi-Rod with a cry of pain.

"Typical," Kovar spat. "One of the greatest weapons in the Kree arsenal, and you Accusers use it as a simple bludgeon. The influence of Ronan seems to have made you all dumber."

At a thought, Kovar's beta-batons charged with energy, sending beta-particles coursing through Gondor's armor. The Accuser fell back with a cry of pain.

A pair of beta-batons in his hands and a Cosmi-Rod at his feet, Kovar stood down the two Cultists of Kee-Ree. "You are beaten, traitors."

Su-Ree took a step forward, but stopped when Kovar raised one beta-baton. Her eyes flashed with anger. "We are no traitors! Our only crime was in seeking to free a great hero of the Kree, and out rightful ruler! It was Ki-Ree who gathered the armies that took Hala! It was Ki-Ree who discovered the living Star Gate! It was Ki-Ree who crippled the Supreme Intelligence in mental combat, allowing Captain Genis-Vell to ultimately defeat it!"

"Ultimately?" Kovar asked. "I doubt that, considering that the Supreme Intelligence killed Ki-Ree and took possession of his body. That was the monster you freed!"

"It used us!" Su-Ree protested. "For weeks I saw Ki-Ree in my dreams, beckoning for me to free him from Mas-Kedd's grasp. Even your great 'Emperor' was fooled, whatever he may claim."

"Be that as it may," Kovar conceded. Like many within the Kree Corps, Kovar saw Mas-Kedd as an arrogant pup who manipulated others to his own ends, much like the Supreme Intelligence had. "Nevertheless, your actions resulted in countless deaths, not the least of which includes a fellow Corpsman!"

To this final accusation, Su-Ree could offer no defense. She shrank back from Kovar, her eyes downcast. Had Kovar not already borne witness to her treachery, he might have taken her guilt as sincere. Instead, he saw it as a final insult.

Only the presence of Gondar prevented Kovar acting on his disgust. An Accuser's armor was a powerful weapon in itself, and Kovar had no desire to destroy the station's engine room with an explosive battle.

"Do not make this any worse on yourselves," Kovar said instead. "Turn yourselves in. The Emperor may show you mercy."

Su-Ree gave a laugh. "I have no desire of surrendering. Not to you, and certainly not to that murderous usurper! Do you truly believe him capable of mercy?"

"It does not matter what I believe," Kovar replied.

Gondar the Accuser stood straight, his eyes staring down at the Pursuer. "No, you are only a mindless soldier."

"And you are not?" Kovar accused. "The two of you very nearly brought down the Empire for a holy cause! With this Cult of Kee-Ree, you fracture the Kree at a time when they should be united!"

"I believe we should be united," Su-Ree spoke softly. "Just not under the leadership of Mas-Kedd. Ki-Ree was only the messenger, carrying word of Kee-Ree's imminent return! It was he who united the Kree once, and he shall unite us again!"

Kovar gave the young female a piting smile. "The Supreme Intelligence is still spoken of with much the same fanaticism. As is the Emperor of late. Perhaps it is a trait all Kree share, this undying loyalty towards figures of authority?" The Pursuer shrugged. "It changes nothing. I am through arguing with traitors. Surrender, or be taken by force!"

Su-Ree laughed. "You would risk a battle here? And destroy this station, killing everyone within it?"

"The creatures here are scum," Gondar told his young companion. "He cares nothing for their lives." The former Accuser crossed his arms. "But he is alone, and outnumbered, with no aid coming."

Shifting his gaze between Gondar and Su-Ree, Kovar sensed truth in the Accuser's words. Attempting to access his transmitters, Kovar found them inoperable. He was being jammed.

Surprisingly, Kovar smiled. "Jamming my communications does nothing. If I do not call in at specific intervals, a squad of soldiers led by Shatterax will be teleported to my last position."

The Pursuer looked up at the ceiling, then back at the traitors. "That was thirty seconds ago."

As though on cue, the sounds of blaster fire could be heard from above. The engine room began to shake from the force of the battles that were going on. All of a sudden, Su-Ree was filled with a great sense of panic.

"No!" she cried. "We must not be captured! Not yet!"

"Rraghr!" Roaring with power, Gondar lurched forward, his great hands outstretched towards Kovar. The Pursuer brought his beta-batons up, but Gondar gripped the ends of them. Despite the great surge of energy that was coursing through him, the Accuser did not let go. Instead, he lifted Kovar off his feet, and swung him against one of the massive generators. It broke apart against the impact, and Kovar lay amongst the debris. He was semi-conscious, the beta-batons out of his reach.

Su-Ree started towards the Pursuer, while glancing up anxiously at the sounds of battle. "There isn't much time, Gondar. Our brothers will not be able to hold them for long."

Reaching down to retrieve his Cosmi-Rod, Gondar nodded agreement. "Hurry and cast the spell. I will aid our brothers, try to hold the soldiers back."

"No," Su-Ree protested. "You are too important to what must be done! If you die…"

"The Pursuer is more vital to our plans. Without me things will be more difficult, but without him it will be impossible!" Gondar hefted his Cosmi-Rod, and it bristled with energy. "Now hurry and go!"

The ceiling crashed in over the Cultists' heads. Raining debris over them. Numerous robed figures, also Cultists of Kee-Ree, fell dead into the engine room. Also leaping in from the floor above were over a dozen Kree soldiers, their blasters firing. The Kree cyborg Shatterax was among them, surrounded by a nimbus of neutron energy.

Placing himself between Su-Ree and the Imperial soldiers, Gondar held his Cosmi-Rod over his head. Energy erupted from the weapon, erecting a barrier between the soldiers and the cultists.

"I will hold the Cone of Invulnerability for as long as I can," Gondar cried. "Go!"

Turning her back on the Accuser, Su-Ree raised her hands over Kovar and began to chant in an ancient language. Aware that he was suddenly in great danger, Kovar struggled to move, but was still stunned from Gondar's attack. He could do nothing while Su-Ree completed her spell of teleportation.

As Su-Ree faded from sight with the Pursuer, the last thing she heard was an explosion of energy on energy. Gondar's Cone of Invulnerability had fallen.

________________________________________________________________________

"We have taken the station, with minimal casualties to our forces."

The three-dimensional hologram of Shatterax shimmered in the center of the debriefing room within the Corps Compound. The only occupants to hear Shatterax's report were Captain At-Las, Dr. Minerva, and Commander Grieve. It was Grieve who asked the question.

"What of the opposition, and the rest of the station's inhabitants?"

"Life support systems were disrupted during our attack. It took too long to repair. Only our soldiers had pressurized uniforms. Of the rest, there were no survivors." The answer given by Shatterax was utterly devoid of emotion. It was the reply of a cyborg, and a Kree soldier.

Grieve nodded, having already known the answer. Some Kree had been killed, after all. At-Las and Minerva were equally cold. "Space scum, for the most part," was At-Las' remark. "How many Cultists?"

"Only a handful," Shatterax reported. "Clearly the station was not a base of operations. Most likely it was only frequented as an outpost of information. That is why Kovar came here."

"And where is he?" Minerva asked. Grieve glanced at her and bristled. Captain At-Las had the authority to be there for the report, but she had none. Shatterax knew this too, and said nothing until At-Las repeated the question.

"I discovered Kovar in the engine room, where he had apparently been in conflict with Su-Ree and Gondar." Grieve showed no surprise at hearing the two traitors were alive. At-Las and Minerva both gave him weighing looks. "They overpowered him, however, and Su-Ree teleported out with Kovar, while Gondar attempted to hold us back."

Grieve smiled. "You killed him, of course. But given what we're dealing with, proof would be appreciated."

Shatterax lifted on metallic-covered arm. Held by its hair was the head of a blue Kree. At-Las and Minerva both recognized the face from the Accuser roster files. It was Gondar.

"Very good," Grieve said. "In almost an hour, a battle-cruiser will arrive to unload support staff and a garrison. You will then be relieved and brought back here. Until then I want the entire engine room analyzed for any and all energy spectrums." Magic was only a form of extra-dimensional energies. It left a residue, and they would find a way to trace it.

"As you command. Shatterax out." The hologram vanished. At-Las immediately confronted Grieve.

"You knew they were alive all along!" he accused.

Grieve didn't deny it. "Emperor Mas-Kedd knew it also. It was his command that the knowledge not be spread. Not even the Pursuer, despite my recommendation." Grieve's words became heated. "Perhaps if he'd known, if he'd been prepared, Kovar wouldn't have been taken. As it is, all we know is that he's still alive."

"We know Su-Ree is capable of jamming our sensors," Minerva commented. "Now that they have our Pursuer, we won't be able to find them."

"Unless...." At-Las began, but Grieve shook his head.

"I don't have the memories. All the other Pursuers were dead before I evolved. However," Grieve continued after a moment's thought. "There might be a way. I want the two of you to meet Shatterax when he arrives and prepare to debrief the unit. I will be in the reactor."

Before Captain At-Las and Minerva could properly acknowledge their orders, Grieve turned away from theme and strode through the doorway, speaking into his transmitter as he did so. "Star Gate, the reator."

Stepping into the hallway, Grieve was enveloped in a faint blue light and his surroundings shimmered. When the blue glow faded, Grieve still stepped into a doorway, but four levels below where he'd been an instant before. Some meters ahead of Grieve was a thick lead door, behind which was housed the reactor needed to power the massive Corps Compound.

Grieve didn't take a single step towards that door. Only a handful of Corpsmen could enter the reactor itself and survive. The machine-Kree Shatterax, the heavily armored Accuser Jaxur, and the most powerful member of the Corps. The man who even then was behind that door, had in fact spent much of his time within the reactor, using his great powers to monitor and maintain the radioactive energies within. He would know that Grieve wanted to speak with him. He would come to Grieve.

After waiting for several minutes, Grieve's patience paid off. Ultimus, the so-called Eternal Kree, passed through the lead doors, his powerful gaze focused on the commanding officer of the Kree Corps.

"You want my aid in tracking the Cult of Kee-Ree," Ultimus stated. It was one of the few times Grieve heard emotion in the meta-Kree's voice.

"Yes," Grieve replied. "Kovar wanted to do this alone, and against all my instincts I agreed. Now he's been taken, and only you have the ability to find him. To do this, you must find the Cult of Kee-Ree. Find them, and you just might find the Supreme Intelligence."

The eyes of Ultimus glowed a deep red. The Supreme Intelligence was quite possibly the only living being in existence who knew his true origins. It was also the being that used Ultimus in a plot to murder billions of Kree.

Staring into those eyes, the Grieve felt fear. He also felt a ping of sympathy for any being that would incur the wrath of Ultimus.

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Next Issue: Pursuit Continues!