AVENGERS #411
"Past Crimes
Part 2: Arrival"
Written by Pat Donovan

Each in their own right a super-powered being, gifted with powers and skills beyond that of the average human. To combat those threats which no single hero can stand against, Earth's Mightiest heroes forged a covenant to unite in battle for the protection of all mankind. New Marvel presents... Captain America... Scarlet Witch... Goliath...  Vision... Hulk... Hercules... Tigra... THE AVENGERS

The Moon. Specifically, a mysterious region of our planet's only natural satellite that has come to be called the Blue Area. Initially, the vast land was constructed by an alien race for testing on another. A captive atmosphere has for millions of years supported life whether it was the Kree or Inhumans. Most would think it deserted, but they would be uninformed.  

Laid across the floor, in seven separate containment units, were seven different Avengers: Black Knight, Iron Man, Sersi, Vision, Thor, Wonder Man, and Hercules. The units rested below the being known as the Supreme Intelligence, the living embodiment of Kree history, forged of the minds of the greatest of its race. The glowing eyes of the creature closed, and as they did, a sound rang out in the containment units below him. The Avengers below awakened and were now free from their prisons.

"Can't persuade me to join, so you steal me away and lock me up, eh, Iron Man?" smirked the Black Knight, rising from the unit.

"This is no time for jokes, Knight," Iron Man responded, finding the Supreme Intelligence above him and familiar group of Avengers around him. "Turn around and look who's back."

"It's alive?"

"Seems so, and somehow I doubt it's a coincidence that we are the team of Avengers that destroyed him, either," rang in Wonder Man, aiding Sersi from the unit.

"We shall try again," grinned Hercules. "This time making certain it remains where we first put it."

"Definitely NOT," stressed Sersi.

"I would have to agree. Our prior actions against the Supreme Intelligence caused great repercussions throughout the Avengers organization. There has even been speculation Iron Man's orders to destroy the Supreme Intelligence were not his own. The event lead Captain Am--," attempted to relay the Vision, only to be cut short by the words of the mighty Thor.

"I grow tired of mere talk. Odin's son shalt not fall victim to the infernal Kree once more. Revenge will be hathed!" exclaimed Thor, his hammer leading his flight as he exited the chamber and left behind the other Avengers*.

[[Wondering where Thor went? If ya are, Check out THOR #510 -Mighty Pat]]

"Want me to follow him, IM?" questioned Sersi.

"Let him go. There's never been much talking to him when you hear that kinda determination in his voice. The rest of us just need to stick together. We need answers and I have a feeling we're not going to easily get them."

"Something I can help you with, Iron Man?" responded the Supreme Intelligence, a dull tone in his voice. The being has remained silent since his arrival at the Blue Area of the Moon. Speech was not necessary, for the Intelligence needed only to wait for this moment to arrive. Its thoughts were not important in interfering with the Lunatic Legion's ploys. It knew their time would soon come and it seemed as though it was now at hand.

To all six Avengers gathered, the sight of the creation was a familiar. Its physical appearance could be summed up as an obese-sized head, with tentacles coiling upward and its green skin slightly darker than the hue of the liquid that seemed to support its life. The Supreme Intelligence was most definitely not a beautiful thing to the eye, however on a scale of beings, it was a masterpiece.

"Yeah. Like where are we? Why'd you take us? And how exactly did we just suddenly get free?" shouted the Black Knight.

"The first question is simple to answer, for you reside in the Blue Area of your only Moon. Your second question, I cannot help to explain for I am not the one behind your capture. As for your last question, I can only guess. Perhaps there was a flaw in the mechanics of your containment units that caused your liberation. Certainly, I would not spring you forth while my fellow Kree look to avenge my death. Any other questions?"

"No, you've been more than helpful," returned Iron Man. "Let's move out, Avengers."

******

"I hope you do not mind my asking, but I feel that this information may be important," began the Scarlet Witch, turning in her seat in the Avengers Quinjet to meet eyes with Firestar. "You are no longer with the New Warriors, correct?"

"Yeah, I'm guessing you'd like to know why I'm not a New Warrior anymore?" frowned Angelica Jones, turning her head from the window view of space.

"Actually, yes. I can see the pain in your face, Firestar, and I let you know whatever it is, the Avengers and I may be able to help whatever problems you are facing."

"I appreciate that, Ms... um... Witch. Well, here's the story... I'm pretty much killing myself. I'm a mutant, and I think you are too, but my powers aren't really working with my body. They're more like working against it. My microwave blasts are causing my body to suffer radiation poisoning, and so far I know it's had an affect on my fertility. It could lead to more complications I think. I want to be a hero, but I'm killing myself every time I try to make this world a better place. I just couldn't do it anymore, so I quit the Warriors and left them behind until something could be done to help me. Professor Xavier's MIA and Moira MacTaggart's dead, and I just don't know where else to turn," explained Firestar, in the end a tear beginning to form in the corner of her eye.

Wanda Maximoff embraced the young mutant in a warm hug. "Why did you not explain this earlier, Angelica? We could have managed without your presence on this mission. You didn't need to risk your life in joining us."

"I appreciate that, Ms. Witch, but this seemed different. I'm not just making the world alil better like I had been with the Warriors. I might be saving the planet, the entire world, right now, and I'm willing to do that, even with the risk," smiled Firestar slightly, wiping away the tear.

"You are quite the brave child," smiled the Scarlet Witch. "We will find a way to help you. That I promise you, Angel, but please call me Wanda."

Angelica let out a slight chuckle, and hugged Wanda once more. "Thank you."

Captain America manned the piloting of this space-equipped Quinjet, with Dr. Hank Pym joining his side in a surprising guise. "Tigra talked with Starfox, and he can't get here quick enough. Consider him on call if we run into problems beyond belief. Moondragon's unresponsive, not surprisingly. And Quasar was a little busy,*" informed Pym, who wore an altered version of his Goliath costume. "Maybe we should have called everyone in like the last time we dealt with the Kree?**"

[[*Busy doing what, you ask? Find out for yourself by reading the QUASAR series to find out. It's in the SPACE branch of NM. **Did we all so easily forget Operation: Galactic Storm? I sure we didn't. -SpaceyPat]]

"We can do without them," responded the Captain in a low voice. "We couldn't reach the West Coast, and to call any others would be too time costly. We may have an ally in whoever sent the message to the mansion. We're a strong group here, and if we can release the others, our strength is doubled, if not tripled when you count on the likes of Thor, Hercules, and Wonder Man." The Captain was trying his best to convince himself he made the right decision in gathering just this small group, without much notice or attempt to gain aid. Thus far, it wasn't working.

As well, Steve Rogers had wondered for most of the time on this Quinjet ride if he should say something to Henry Pym. Whether it be in regard to his new costume or his decision before takeoff to assume the codename of Goliath, Cap was slightly concerned for his teammate. Dr. Pym had never been the most stable Avenger and sudden changes in his costume or codename could be thought of as a sign of danger. Matters were definitely strained for Hank though, as Cap could tell Wasp's departure* hit him hard.

[[*Last issue -Pat:D]]

"No," thinks Captain America to himself. "Some things are just personal. It's not my right to question Hank. It would be too hypocritical to say something. Personal business remains that, and with the Red Skull, it's personal. He's mine to take down. No use in getting the Avengers involved, he's my responsibility. Mine alone."

"FIFTEEN MINUTES UNTIL LANDING TIME, PEOPLE!" informed Goliath.

The Hulk was unmoved by the statement, continuing to stare into space. A row in front of the green goliath, Tigra smirked some, eager to do some Avenging action, then leaning over a seat to meet eyes with Falcon. "Ever bang it out with aliens like the Kree before, Falcon?"

"Yeah. I was around the last time the Avengers went up against them. Should be an interesting experience, to say the least. Being an Avenger always is, though. Kinda makes me wonder if I'm really up to fighting aliens. I'm more a 'take to the streets' crime-fighter."

"Thought you'd be less of a bore. Guess I thought wrong," sighed Tigra resuming her position in her seat, and buckling up for the landing.

All around the Quinjet there were explosions. Hurriedly, all Avengers took their seats, while Captain America's eyes were focused only on the immediate threat.

"Everyone, brace yourselves, this is going to be a rougher ride than we thought," exclaimed Goliath, while running diagnostics on the aircraft.

The Captain remained calm, cool under the pressure, narrowly avoiding several hits, but within seconds, danger was clear. A slight thud could be felt, and soon enough the craft came to a stop. "Won't doubt your flying again," muttered Tigra, unbuckling and leaping for the door.

"Let's go, people. We're going to face off against something, and I'm guessing it's going to be some Kree. Go out strong, and let's push them back. Scarlet Witch, you're going to do your best at locating the others through the bond you share with Wonder Man. Firestar, you're her first, last, and only line of protection. Falcon, I want you to take a good aerial view of what we've got here and where the others might be held. Be careful though, the atmosphere is limited in these regions, don't soar too high. The rest of you, we're gonna take the fight right to them!" orders the Captain, as his words flow without pause or hesitation.  

Immediately the Scarlet Witch looked to Firestar, only to receive an uncomfortable shrug. Wanda went to speak out only to be interrupted by the call of "AVENGERS ASSEMBLE!"

******

"Why didn't we kill it, again?"

"No good would come of it, Dane. We did it once before, and caused too much turmoil in the team and for what? It's back," glared Sersi. Iron Man could sense things didn't turn out well for Sersi and the Black Knight after their departure from the team, but that was something to be addressed when all this was over.

"It was actually helpful, too, Dane. Too helpful, really. We know Kree are after us because we killed the Intelligence, but I don't understand why it would divulge that information to us. Those are its people, they follow it." Iron Man responded, bringing his troubles forth.

"He's never really liked the Kree, though. I mean, he blew them up almost all of the race because he wasn't satisfied with what they were," noted Wonder Man.

"Bah. I stand by the Black Knight in his thoughts of slaying thy mortal enemy. Join me, friend Dane and we shalt end its existence once more!" shouted Hercules, raising his mace into the air.

"Enough, both of you. Thor's already gone off on his own, but I'm not worrying about finding everyone once this situation ends and we have to head back to Earth. We're sticking together and we're leaving the Supreme Intelligence alone. We're moving out of this area and taking that exit," ordered Iron Man, sternly, glaring at Hercules. "Vision, we still need to contact the rest of the Avengers. Any luck?"

The group of six Avengers came to the exit of the building they were within, only to find a labyrinth ahead of them. Ancient buildings with a structure unique only to the Blue Area of the Moon. "Our communicard signals are jammed, and it would take time to project a clear signal to Earth. That would seem to be an unnecessary task, though, Iron Man. More Avengers are within this region," informed the Vision. "I have homed in on their location and they are not far away."

"Well, then let's--Forget that. We have another problem," pointed out Wonder Man, lifting up into the air, his body bursting with ionic energy. Sersi and Vision followed, as the trio of Avengers circled about the mass of Kree alien technology known as Sentry, one of the alien races' most powerful killing machines.

"Tremble, enemies of the Kree empire, for you have been targeted for termination by Sentry #571!"

"Let's lay waste to it, team. AVENGERS ATTACK!" blared Iron Man, as repulsor rays shot from his gauntlets.

******

Each of the hundred or so alien soldiers gathered for the arrival were heavily armed. Their militaristic clothing is a change from previous Kree encounters. Their weapons are aimed to kill, but an Avenger has yet to fall in this encounter. Twenty minutes into the battle, the stalemate ended and the tide turned in favor of one side.

Captain America tucked his body tight, and slid to avoid a punch from a blue-skinned alien, and with less than second time he raised his shield to block a blast. A spinning roundhouse subdued the creature who dared to throw a punch at this legendary hero.

A gun was swatted away from the hand of the Kree soldier with the wave of a cat tail, and before the alien knew it the Tigra was atop him. A chop to his throat and clawing to his weaponry and the individual threat was no more.

"He's amazing," thought Firestar, sticking to her post at the side of the Scarlet Witch. "I can understand why Vance looks up to him. I just don't understand how I got here. Why am I fighting alongside the Avengers and not Vance, Nita, & the rest of the gang? I quit the Warriors and now I somehow stumble into this? I become one of Earth's mightiest heroes all of sudden? I don't get it..." Firestar paused in her thoughts, as a trio of soldiers charged forth. Angelica still felt uncertain at first, but quickly she laid down blasts of micro-waves. Angel knew the risk she was taking by using her powers, but right now, she understood it was worth more than when she was with the New Warriors.

Scarlet Witch gazed outward, through the stars, her hands glowing with power. "Where are you, Simon?" Wanda Maximoff attunes herself to the new bonds within her, forged in love, but brought on in hate. Wanda concentrated on the connection she shared with Wonder Man but it was still new and not yet completely understood. As she continued forth with searching, Wanda felt a tug of energy and paused.

Blast after blast made contact with the body of Henry Pym, but the results of such an attack by soldiers of the Lunatic Legion were unsuccessful. The growing Avenger stood at a height over ten feet at the moment, near invulnerable in his current form. Goliath raised a fist, slamming it to the ground with enough force to knock a group of the aliens off their feet.

A single, lasting soldier continued to charge for Hank, only to be swiped off its feet by Tigra. "Guess you're slipping, Hank. It's OK, though, you make up for it by looking too cute in that new costume," winked Greer, as she leaped onto the shoulder of her teammate.

"Thanks for the compliment, but you really shouldn't take your head out of the battle while it's still being fought," reminded Goliath.

"Maybe. Maybe not," winked Tigra. "Personally, I'm thinking you and a good portion of the rest of the Avengers need to loosen up some. Gimme a chance and I can help you on that part."

"Greer, now's not the time, not just because we're battling this Lunatic Legion, but for a lot of reasons," responded Hank, beginning to run for another group of soldiers who were beginning to overwhelm the Hulk.

Tigra is slightly surprised by the action, but grabbed onto to a part of the Goliath costume. "Fine, whatever. Just next time you're gonna start moving like that, gimme some warning!"

A roar rang out through the battlefield originating in the Hulk, his massive green body belting Kree after Kree. As the roar came to a close and the last mighty green fist is thrown, the battlefield became still.

"Nice work, team," rang in the Captain. "The odds were against us, but we pulled through with ease. Any luck, Wanda?"

The Scarlet Witch moved toward the quartet of Avengers, with Firestar following. "I have Wonder Man's position. I felt his powers come into use and have an approximation of his location. With that, though, comes a risk. The bond we share, for now, seems to revolve around a sharing of energy as well. With Wonder Man using powers, my hexes can't be relied on."

"Good point. Firestar, I want you at the side of the Scarlet Witch for the duration of this mission," ordered the Captain, staring right into the eyes of Angelica Jones.

The look cut right through Angel, and she felt convinced and sure that she could do it. The look and the tone made Firestar sure of herself, she was captured by the Captain's presence and request, in awe of the legend and her place alongside him. "Understood."

Before the Captain could continue, the Falcon flew toward the group, one of his wings damaged, flying in an awkward pattern. "My reconnaissance mission turned into more than that. We gotta get a move on. The others are here, from what I overheard, but we have bigger problems."

"What do you mean, Falcon, but more importantly, are you all right?" questioned the Witch, giving a hand to her fellow Avenger.

"Fine, Wanda, but we have a whole lot of problems. I found what is the center stage for this entire operation. These guys are the Lunatic Legion and like we guessed they want the seven Avengers who killed the Intelligence to be repaid. How they want to repay them is what makes things worse."

"Come out with it all, Falcon," ordered the Captain. "Time's precious."

"Right. They plan to make some kind of projector to cause a mutation in everyone on Earth. Either they live as Kree by mutation or they die from it. The device was almost stopped from being brought here by some warriors they were talking about on Earth*. The project arrived before we did, but right now they're attempting to gain viles of the Terrigen Mists from the Inhumans. After they do that, the system's going to be tested ... and guess who their first test subjects are."

[[*Check out New Warriors #81 for that story. -LatePat]]

"The seven," confirmed Goliath. "The Terrigen Mists are one of, if not the, most powerful mutation device I've encountered. If they can get hold of even one, we're in for some trouble."

"Definitely.  Anyway, I was hiding out above the staging area, but their commander spotted me and I barely got away. Some avalanche separated me from a group of Kree that followed me."

"Good work, Falcon. Now, the Inhumans are in for some trouble, but our communication systems are jammed."

"Crystal and Quicksilver left New Attilan to join X-Factor, which leaves the Inhumans weakened, but I believe and do hope Black Bolt and the rest of the Inhumans can hold their own against these Kree," noted the Scarlet Witch. "What of Wonder Man and the others, though, Captain?"

"I think destroying this projector is our first priority. The others make up a strong group, and I have faith in them, Wanda. However, I need you to hold onto whatever location you have on Simon for when we can aid the rest of the group," explained Cap.

"Understood," nodded the Witch.

"Falcon, lead the way, we've countered their first line of defense, so let's see what else these Kree have up their sleeves. AVENGERS ASSEMBLE!"

TO BE CONCLUDED!!

******

NEXT ISSUE:  Can both groups of Avengers defeat their foes before Earth is forced to live Kree or die? Find out in the conclusion to the Part Crimes trilogy. Plus more of the Supreme Intelligence, too!