4 Months ago, The Raft Super Human Detention Facility.
The Supreme Commander sits as a man enters in chains. He gives a confused look, "I was unaware we'd captured any of the Avengers."
The guard spoke up, "We didn't sir. Anthony Salazar is the man you're thinking of. This is his twin Alexander."
Stryfe nodded as he looked to his aide, "Qualifications?"
"Marksmanship. When they were bringing him in he killed Hunter class soldier with a straightened paper clip. Apparently the prisoners have been calling him Bullseye."
Stryfe chuckled a bit, "Approved, next."
As the next man entered the aide began, "Tyson Griffin, Aka Hobgoblin. He was a lab tech working for Desmond Fisk. He stole a vile of Goblin serum and perfected it. It amplified the standard abilities the serum caused without the side effects. Aside from the physical abilities he gained, he's an accomplished chemist and engineer. He was arrested on 19 counts of murder, mostly contract kills. He was caught trying to assassinate General Helfitta. The General was quite impressed despite the failure."
Stryfe gave a nod as Tyson was escorted out.
A large man entered with a power inhibitor, heavy shackles and a steel muzzle over his mouth. "This is Arnold Zabo, calls himself Massacre. He was arrested for killing and eating four police officers, six civilians and eight Soldiers of the Iron Army. Super human strength, durability and endurance."
Stryfe nodded, "Approved."
The aide looked back, "Are you sure?"
The Supreme Commander gave a glare. The aide gulped, "Okay, next."
A tall black haired woman with blood red eyes and coal grey skin walked in, "Real name unknown, she goes by Antipathy. She's stronger and faster than a normal human, possesses mid level telepathy, and some level of elemental control. She doesn't sleep or eat, we believe she's some type of psychic vampire."
The final candidate entered, "Silas Delemos, Aka, Leo. A former soldier of the Iron Army and alleged member of the Zodiac organization."
Stryfe looked over, "I was under the impression that organization no longer existed."
The aide nodded, "There's no confirmation that it does, mostly just rumor at this point. He has augmented strength and a healing factor. No where near Scalphunter's level but still fairly impressive, he also possesses heightened senses. He's an expert in several types of armed and unarmed combat, he graduated near the top of his class at the Officer's academy, where he was said to be a tactical genius."
The Supreme Commander gave an approving nod then stood, "Have the five of them sent to Maryland at once."
***
1 week later, Maryland Institute.
The five prisoners sat as Stryfe entered the room. Alex gave a hateful glare, "You gonna tell us why we're here, or did you just want to test out your dramatic walk?"
He smiled a bit, "Salazar, is it?"
Alex nodded, "I'm here to make you an offer. I've grown tired of these constant attacks on my power, the grand gestures work fine to quell the common rabble but to others, it makes no difference. These Avengers, Spiders, Shield and the like have been a thorn in my side for too long. But wasting billions in weapons and armor is beginning to weigh on me. I need an alternative. You can help me with this, in return you will live in relative freedom, and even draw a paycheck, or you can head back for execution."
The group looked cautious but Leo spoke, "What's the catch?"
Stryfe looked to him as he continued, "You guys do nothing without strings attached. What, we got bombs in our heads or will we have a battalion of tin men floating around waiting to execute us the minute we step out of line?"
He looked to a lab tech who began, "Are any of you familiar with nano-nukes?"
Hobgoblin and Leo looked stunned as he continued, "In the event that you fail in your mission or attempt to desert your body will become a nuclear weapon and finish the job for you."
Antipathy gave a chuckle that unnerved the rest of the group. Alex sighed, "They put them in us already didn't they?"
Stryfe gave a nod, "Welcome to the Iron Army."
***
3 months ago. Cloaked transport Doomstadt airspace.
Hobgoblin stood by the drop door with an orange Goblin mask in his hand, "I'm not sure I like the costume."
Alex was checking his gear, "If we get spotted they want us to look like costumed terrorists."
Hobgoblin chuckled, "Any significance to the target they put on your forehead?"
Alex strapped a quiver and collapsible bow to his back and grabbed his rifle, "Never let it be said the tin men don't have a sense of humor."
Leo stepped over to Massacre, "Just so we're clear big man, I ain't a snack and I'll kill you the second you think otherwise."
As the muzzle dropped he gave a hideous grin, "You have noting to fear, too much gristle on you."
Antipathy stood staring down eagerly at the drop door. Leo came up beside Alex, "She's too okay with this."
Alex nodded, "Seems a little weird to have us all out for a smash and grab."
Leo grinned a bit, "Its a test run, make sure we don't bolt."
Hobgoblin shrugged, "And if we do, they get to take out the capital of New Latveria."
Antipathy was almost giddy when the drop door opened. She was the first out with a glider pack, followed by Massacre, Alex and Leo. Hobgoblin smiled as his new Goblin glider powered up, "At least I got one good thing out of this."
Bullseye shot a small explosive into a small rooftop vent. As he landed there was a muffled pop as the device let out foam to soften the sound. He moved the vent cap as Leo and the rest landed. He looked to Antipathy, "How many guards?"
She showed 6 fingers then crawled into the vent. Alex hit his comm, "You ready Tyson?"
"Yea, comms'll go out with the alarms tho."
He pulled a razor bat with an EMP device attached and threw it. It flew down and attached itself to the front door of the Cynthia Von Doom memorial library. It then let out a pulse that deactivated the security and left the guards in the dark.
He then landed on the roof and set his glider to hover. Massacre being too big for the vent was the look out. Tyson looked on disgusted as the monstrous man grabbed a pigeon from the ledge and began to eat it.
Leo dropped down and crept up behind a befuddled guard trying to get his flashlight working. Leo had little trouble moving through the darkness due to his superior senses.
Antipathy who could see as well in the pitch black as in bright day. She danced around a guard silently amused by his fumbling. She she locked him in a choke hold while holding his jaw closed. She tried not to giggle as she felt his silent terror while he flailed futilely before she snapped his neck.
Alex slunk through without encountering a guard and quickly found what they came for. The Aegis breastplate had been forgotten in a store room for old exhibits. He took it and tossed it in his bag before heading out.
***
As the lights came on there wasn't a trace of the group aside from the two dead guards.
On the transport they showed the breast plate to Lieutenant Frank Swanson of the Iron army. He gave a bored nod, "Head on down to the dmz, you'll get specifics on arrival. Coordinates are being transmitted."
The lieutenant flipped off the comm and then looked to a computer monitor. He clicked a box marked 'Infiltration assessment' then typed, 'Combat assessment pending.'
(To be continued.)
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