Heroes for Hire - Chapter 2: Gods and Demons Part 1
Rating: M
“Hello?”
“It’s Mac. We’ve acquired Cable.”
Misty Knight squealed over the phone into Mac Gargan’s ear. For fear of his eardrum hemorrhaging, Mac held the phone away at arm’s length and pressed the speaker button. “That’s great news Mac! I knew you could do it…” Her voice paused a moment “Wait, you didn’t hurt him did you? He’s no good to us if his legs are broken.”
Mac and Cable looked at each other briefly and then burst into laughter. “No Misty, I didn’t break his legs. The boy came willingly after a little incentive. He did beat the s**t outta Alex though.”
“Oh. Well that’s acceptable.”
Alex Hayden, who was still acting the part of a whipped dog, stopped dead in his tracks with his mouth agape. “REALLY?!? The new guy lays the smack-down on me and my employer thinks it’s ‘ACCEPTABLE’?!? Wait till I tell the Union!”
Misty chimed over the phone’s receiver “Awwww, Alex. I’m sure Cable had a perfectly reasonable explanation for it…”
“The guy’s a punk and had it coming.” Cable interrupted.
“…BUT, that’s one of the reasons we hired you. You’re not only one of the most skilled and handsome mercenaries I’ve ever met, but you are also the most durable. I’m sure your healing factor had you back up and ready for action in no time!”
Alex crossed his arms and considered Misty’s words. “Well, ok Misty. Flattery will get you everywhere. I guess I won’t have to spike your coffee with cyanide. THIS time.”
Mac shook his head “Laying it on a little thick aren’t you hon?”
“It’s part of my job. I’ve got to keep my employees happy. Happy guns-for-hire are productive guns-for-hire!”
Agent X smiled widely “So true!”
Mac groaned and rubbed the bridge of his nose. He knew he would regret leaving his Advil at home. “Ok, whatever Misty. So, what can you tell me about the next two jokers we’re supposed to pick up?” Mac flipped through the remaining dossiers. “We’ve got Hercules and this Blackheart kid…”
Misty sharply cut Mac off mid-sentence. “Oh! I was about to call you! There’s been a change of plans. Well, not exactly a change of plans; we’re still going to recruit them but we’re now on a bit of a time crunch.”
“Cut to the chase Misty.”
“Right! So, my comm has been flooded with chatter over the last few hours regarding our targets. Hercules is holed up in some ale house in lower Manhattan.” Mac could hear the sounds of rapid keyboard clicks over the phone. “Looks like he’s really torn up the place. Three patrons have been hospitalized already… No harm to the pub’s staff however. The police bands reported he’s completely inebriated and they are amassing a sizable force to arrest him.”
Cable nodded to Mac “Then we should proceed south-side. No telling how many cops are going to get themselves hurt trying to book him.”
“There’s more… Blackheart is currently detained in the Morr Psychiatric Hospital on the north side of town, past West 110th. His file says they have him heavily sedated… According to this he has started seven fires in the building without any sort of tools or aid. They are planning on transferring him tonight via armored car across town to a maximum security ward. Kirkbride Asylum… Pick-up is scheduled for 9:30PM.”
Mac could feel a headache coming on swiftly “So what you’re telling me Misty is we need to be in two places at once?”
“Precisely. I recommend you break into two teams. I have already dispatched Elsa Bloodstone to the Morr Psychiatric Hospital and instructed her to contact me in case they decide to move Blackheart early. Someone will need to rendezvous with her. Other than that, I leave the details to you boys. I know you won’t let me down. Hugs and kisses!”
Mac pressed the ‘end’ button on hos phone and slid it into his pants pocket. He took in a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Why can’t these things ever be easy?”
Cable’s expression became quite serious “There is no need to be disheartened Mac. We’ll split into two teams like Misty suggested and find our recruits. Simple. The question is who will rendezvous with Elsa and who will be hitting the pub?”
“Ooooh ooooh! I heard this Bloodstone lady is a seriously busty bombshell! At least that’s what I heard. She’s also supposed to be like CENTURIES old and is still f***ing hot! Can you say getting’ it on with some serious MILF action?!?” Alex raised his hand and began hopping in place. “I’ll go! I’ll go! Pick MEEEEEEEE!”
Cable and Mac exchanged a knowing look to each other before Cable continued. “So Agent X will be on the ‘Hercules’ team….
Alex looked positively hurt. “What?!? That is so not cool! ….. I hate you guys.”
“Old man, why don’t you accompany Alex to the pub? Seems like you could use a drink anyway.”
Mac smirked “You read my mind, boy. I’ll get Cho on the line.”
***
By the time Mac and Alex arrived on the scene NYPD had already amassed outside the alehouse. The image was almost comical. Seven marked cars, maybe three unmarked, and at least twenty or so officers looking exceedingly nervous. Mac spotted two ambulances and a fire truck ready and waiting further down the street. Such a show of force to apprehend one man holed up in some hole-in-the-wall pub. Media and civilians alike encircled the perimeter attempting to get a better view of what was going on.
“I haven’t seen so many pigs in one place since that time I chased a hit into a Dunkin’ Donuts.” Alex sighed. “Ah memories.”
“That really is a lot of fuzz. Getting in there unnoticed is going to be a b****.”
“Grrrrrraaaaahhh! I’m tired of this sneakin’ around crap! Let’s just get in there! It’s a bar right? Anybody asks, just say we’re getting our drink on!”
Mac briefly thought about responding with some sly crack about Alex’s sanity, but then realized anything he said about mental stability would only be stating the obvious. However, seeing few other options, Mac succumbed to a brief bout of insanity as well. “Alright Agent X, we’ll do it your way.”
Alex couldn’t believe his ears. “… Wait. What? You’re letting me make the play? What’s the catch?”
Mac groaned. “Alex, I’m already regretting this but I’ve got too big of a damned headache to think of anything clever to get us in there. So you’d better do something quickly or you might never get another opportunity to call the shots again. Ever.”
“Ok, ok! Don’t get all ‘crotchety old man’ on me now.”
Alex began a series of stretches that might resemble the routine of an Olympic running preparing for the 100 meter dash. Mac watched in utter disbelief. ‘How could anyone take this guy seriously as a professional mercenary? HOW could Misty believe Alex Hayden was anything more than a clown with a gun?’
“Alright boss, watch how it’s done!”
Without another word or reservation, Alex strutted past the police line towards the bar’s front door. It didn’t take long for all eyes to be fixated on him. At first the police were stupefied, not entirely sure how to react to the unknown civilian. Finally several spotlights flared to life and trained on Alex as a voice blared over a megaphone. “Halt, whoever you are! This is a restricted area and you are not authorized to be here. For your safety please put your hands behind your head and we will escort you from the premises.”
Alex stopped with his back towards the police line. The bright light from the spotlights reflected off his coat and cast large shadows towards the bar’s entrance. “I’m sorry officers. I didn’t mean to interrupt…” He began to lift his hands up towards his head slowly, only to whip around to face the armed forces, duel combat pistols drawn at lightning speeds. In seconds every state-issued firearm was trained on Alex and the sound of cocking guns resonated through the street. Mac looked on from the sideline, horrified as Agents X stood defiant. A sly grin crept across his face.
“…But you flat-feet ain’t getting’ between me and Miller-Time!!!”
There was a single gunshot. A belated “Hold your fire!” broke the resulting silence and Alex looked down at his chest. There was bleeding hole where the bullet had pierced his armor. He poked at it; rubbing the blood between his fingers while examined it closely. All witnessing the event were in complete shock, expecting the armed man to keel over at any moment from the fatal wound. Instead, Hayden got pissed.
“Who the f*** shot me?!? Huh?!? Which one of you donut munchin’ c***suckers just shot me?!? Ever hear of due process?!? Innocent until proven guilty?!? Which one of you meat-heads with the itchy trigger finger did this to my NEW SUITE?!?!?!?”
With that, Agent X rushed into the officer’s ranks. More gunshots were fired. Men yelled. Civilians screamed and ran for cover. Alex jumped onto the hood of a car, grabbing a deputy by the shirt and lecturing him about the finer points of gun safety. Utter chaos.
Mac was in disbelief. Alex Hayden truly was a complete psychopath. Although, he had created a very convenient diversion …
***
Mac entered the ale house, even as more gunshots blared behind him. There was the obvious sound of a squad car exploding, but Mac was not about to be distracted now. He surveyed the establishment. There was plenty enough broken tables, chairs, and bottles littering the floor that it was clear he had missed a rather impressive bar brawl. The place had been cleared out for a while now, all save his intended target. Hercules.
Hercules was a mountain of a man, sitting on an overstuffed couch near the back of the bar. In one hand he held a bottle of Captain Morgan and his other arm was draped around a large keg. Dozens of pint mugs filled to the brim adored the short coffee table in front of him, and many more empty ones were scattered about the area “Ah, welcome! My, you’re a big one. Come! Who might you be, friend? Have you come to share a drink with divinity?”
“My name is Mac Gargan, and to cut to the chase, I’m here to discuss business with you Hercules.”
Hercules finished guzzling the bottle of rum and let loose a might belch. “Business you say, venerable one? Let us hear what you have to say then.”
Mac dragged a chair across floor and sat down in it across from Hercules “I’ve heard a lot about you Hercules. Your name has been getting thrown around a lot lately. You’re strong. Some say you’re invincible. Some say you’re even a God.
Hercules tilted back his head and laughed. “Aye, I am indeed a God! I am the son of mighty Zeus, the king of Olympus himself! You should be in awe, mortal!”
Mac barely cracked a smile. “So you say you’re a God huh? They way are you piss-faced drunk in a backwater s***hole like this?”
Hercules’ drunken grin quickly turned to a frown. “Your words are like ice, friend Gargan. But a fair question it is. I came to this brewery to drink away my troubles. I wished to be merrily drunk and forget my transgressions.” He stared at the empty bottle of rum in his hand sadly. “You see, I am truly a God but am no longer welcome upon great Olympus. My father Zeus, he cast me from his court. I believed myself his better, so I challenged him. He bested my completely. He told me my arrogance would lead me down a path of destruction and death. Only humility would be the key to my salvation.
Hercules picked up the keg with a single hand and hurled it across the room. “Zeus cast me out, friend Gargan! He stripped me of my Godhood and abandoned me to this land of mortals! Me, the mighty Hercules! His son! So now I drink. I drink to remember my glory… and also to forget it. I have no other purpose.”
Mac nodded “I understand far too well, friend Hercules. I was once much like you; I stood at the top of the world. I dealt with the wrong sort of people, but they gave me everything I could desire. I felt untouchable. Later they would betray me. I spent almost twenty years of my life in a prison cell for crimes I did not commit. When I was finally released I had lost everything… But you know what I learned Hercules?”
“What did you learn, venerable one?”
“I learned that wallowing in self-pity did not accomplish anything. I played with fire and got burned. That was my reward for wickedness. So, I set out to turn my life around and give something back to the city I preyed upon. And I have discovered that being one of the ‘good guys’ is much more fulfilling.”
“So what say you, friend Gargan? I should devote myself to the meek? Protect those who cannot protect themselves and find atonement?”
“It would be a start. That is why I’m here. I’ve come to offer you a purpose. I'm putting together a team of heroes to do exactly that: to give back to this city what other would take away. To protect those who cannot protect themselves. I want you on that team Hercules.”
Hercules sat silent for a moment and then grabbed a frothy mug from the table. “Well, friend Gargan, I think then I will accept your offer! Let us drink! No bond is better forged then one forged in drunken merriment!”
Mac scooped up a pint mug and clanked it against Hercules’ own. “I’ll drink to that! Cheers!”
The two brought mugs to lips and chugged back the pale ale, just as the front door of the bar flung open. Alex Hayden stood in the doorway, panting, and riddled with bullet holes. “Hey boss! We need to move outta here fast! I think I made an impression... They brought in a tank!!!”
End Chapter 2
Next: Heroes for Hire - Gods and Demons Part 2
Mac and Alex have successfully recruited Hercules onto the team! Now they must escape the scene before the National Guard calls in the big guns! And what of Blackheart? How are Cable and Elsa fairing busting him out of a psycho ward? Find out in the next exciting chapter of Heroes for Hire!
ALL CHARACTERS AND SETTINGS USED ARE THE PROPERTY OF MARVEL INC. AND THEIR RESPECTIVE AFFILIATES. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, THIS IS JUST AN IDEA OF MY PROPERTY THAT IS COMPLETELY SEPARATE TO MARVEL INC
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