Chapter 18 After the assembled X-Men had finished watching the same episode Kitty had shown the trio there was some
silence in the room.
"That video was shot on an island called Krakoa which is off the coast of a country called Genosha. Genosha is here," Harry explained as he brought up a map. "The Genoshan government outlawed all mutants three years ago."
"Most of the mutants on Genosha remain in hiding," Jean picked up the story. "The young man you just watched in the episode is named Arthur Centino. Art was convicted in a joke of a trial of murdering a Genoshan politician Lord Joseph Scheele. This disgusting creature Mojo Adams came up with the idea of executing mutant criminals in a repulsive television series by basically hunting them," Jean explained as a hologram of the albino fat man Mojo appeared next to her.
"Mojo's show has been the top show on Genosha's state television since it started airing three months ago," Storm explained.
"I find it hard to believe that this has been going on for three months without the US government getting involved," Scott stated.
"The US government can't really condemn another country's capital punishment policies or their own would come under question," Colossus pointed out. "When do we go in to disable this television system?"
"I can shut down their broadcast systems from here without problem," Harry assured. "But that won't help the mutants being oppressed and killed. What we want to do is send in one team to extract Art A.K.A. Long- shot. A second team will go into Genosha undercover and investigate the murder Art is accused of."
"Sounds good," Scott said. "What are the distributions of the teams?" Harry answered and the meeting attendees split up to get ready for the mission.
"I like your method of transportation so much better, Harry," Kitty told Harry as their group transported to a spot outside of the main Genoshan airport.
"I don't know. I was looking forward to trying out the lavatories on the plane," Jean admitted. The others except for Harry stopped to look at Jean with confusion. "Why?" Bobby asked. "Have you never heard of the Mile High Club," Jean said with a wink at Harry.
Bobby gaped at Jean as she laughed and walked towards the nearest rental car facility. "She is so awesome," Harry heard Kitty whisper as the group followed Jean.
Harry's team was driving to the site of Lord Scheele's murder when Storm's team reached the hunting ground on Krakoa.
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"How's it going over there, love?" Harry asked Storm telepathically. "Good," Storm replied mentally. "We are just disabling the nearest broadcasting situation. I know you can
suppress everything remotely but we want to draw some attention and this seemed like a good way to do it."
Colossus was smashing through one of the large transmission units and having a fun time doing it. Just then Storm noticed a new arrival on the scene. A red haired man sporting a lot of gear and one large gun just appeared at the edge of the forest. Harry could see what Storm saw through their mental connection (plus he had remote probes cloaked following her around).
"Who are you?" Arcade, the red haired man, demanded. "Who the fuck are you?" Dazzler replied.
"Mojo thinks he is being clever by throwing a few extra muties into the scene. It makes things interesting. You're all the same to me," Arcade declared before opening fire with his gun on full automatic.
Colossus rushed forward in his armored form and picked Arcade up without preamble. As Colossus prepared to throw Arcade in what would have been a very painful throw, Arcade activated a sonic weapon. With Colossus' bio-steel physiology the sound was amplified. He collapsed in pain. Dazzler blasted Arcade back into a tree. Arcade responded with a dark polymer spray that looked suspiciously like webbing and a web- shooter. Harry's probe told him it was a bastardized version of the webbing that Peter Parker had used before Harry had come to this reality.
"Enough," Storm said as lightning struck Arcade.
Arcade didn't die but he collapsed unconscious and extra-crispy.
"Effective," Nightcrawler said appreciatively.
A slow clap drew the attention of the X-Men to the tree line.
"I agree," Art A.K.A. Long-Shot said as he stepped into the clearing. "What brings you lot to this hell-hole?"
"We're here to get you out of here," Colossus said as he freed Dazzler from the webbing.
"I was hoping you would say that," Art said with a grin.
"But we're also here to help the other mutants being oppressed. So just play along with our plan for now," Storm instructed.
"Can do," Art agreed, just grateful to have allies in that hell-hole.
"I'm picking up no psychic residue from a struggle at this location," Jean announced after she scanned the location.
"That's because Scheele wasn't killed here," Harry replied. "His body was moved here. There is no blood here or at least not enough for a stabbing murder to have occurred here."
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"And given the nature of Long-Shot's powers it doesn't make much sense that he would have been unlucky enough to have been caught," Kitty pointed out.
"But he was still caught. That means his luck powers can be overwhelmed," Harry replied. "In my old universe there was this elixir which could grant whoever drank it a period of extreme luck. But if overused and taken too often the luck would turn from good luck to bad. Perhaps Art's powers work the same way."
"If Scheele was so popular who would want to kill him anyway?" Bobby asked. "He didn't become popular until after his death. He was martyred," Jean answered.
Harry suddenly shot out a web-line past Jean's head which caught the object coming towards her head and tore it free from the arm of the silver-haired woman who had been swinging the night stick.
"Big mistake, lady," Harry said as Jean whirled.
The silver haired woman whipped off her overcoat to reveal six arms, five of which held weapons.
"Holy...how much do you have to spend on deodorant?" Bobby asked.
"Bobby...that was uncalled for," Harry chastised.
"Yeah...she can't help physical abnormalities caused by her mutation," Kitty added.
"Sorry," Bobby muttered.
The six-armed woman who was identified through telepathy as Spiral A.K.A. Rita Wayword looked at Harry and Kitty with some surprise.
"I just tried to attack Miss Gray yet you defend me verbally?" Spiral asked.
"Yes. Making fun of physical abnormalities is bullying. We don't put up with that. Despite you being a potential enemy that doesn't mean we can't be civil. Of course if you prove to be a lethal threat civility can just as easily give way to deadliness," Harry threatened.
Spiral was silent for several moments as she thought about this. Each of her six arms held a different weapon including swords and double sided axes. Spiral slowly lowered her weapon. It had been a calculated move. She had hoped that by disabling Jean Grey and maybe even Spider-Man that she may have been able to fight the other X-Men. It was a testament to her combat skills that she had even a hope of doing that. But with both heavy-hitters still conscious there was no way Spiral could hope to take them all on. Maybe violence wasn't necessary if the behavior of the X-Men present was an indicator.
"You are attempting to undo all of my hard work in getting past this mess," Spiral stated. "How so?" Jean asked.
"Long-Shot killed Lord Scheele. Lord Scheele was secretly a sponsor of mutants. He would help mutants remain hidden. I was...I was involved off and on with Long-Shot. But during one of our kind of off periods I was also involved with Scheele. Long-Shot found out and killed Scheele. It took me a lot of work to get Long-Shot convicted. His powers of luck are a challenge to get past but it is possible," Spiral admitted.
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Spiral didn't make any excuses as to the exact nature of her relationship with Long-Shot when she was involved with Scheele. Cheating if that was what she had done was a lesser issue than murder. And it wasn't exactly pertinent.
"She is telling the truth," Harry said.
"Do you want me to telepathically confirm that?" Jean asked, causing Spiral to tense at the very thought of such an invasion.
"No need," Harry assured Jean.
"That means are teammates are helping a murderer possibly escape," Bobby said. "What do we do about that?"
"That is less important than the fact that Mojo just captured Warren and Alicia. The group was apparently taking a break from traveling and those two must have snuck off to make out," Jean announced. "Mojo wants Long-Shot or he will kill the hostages."
"Ok. Now that we know Long-Shot is a murderer we don't need to be concerned with rescuing him. The public execution by hunting is dubious though. I still think Mojo needs shut down. As for Long-Shot's punishment...I can handle him. His luck powers would make conventional imprisonment difficult," Harry explained.
"What about her?" Kitty asked while pointing to Spiral. "You want to go to the States don't you?" Jean asked. "Yes," Spiral admitted. "To be with my sister," she added. Harry produced a card and passed it to Spiral.
"Send me an email when you get settled," Harry said. "You can have a job working to fight against injustice and evil. If you do decide to work for that side of things we can make sure you are well paid and have permanent citizenship. Just think on it."
After Spiral took the card and nodded her agreement she was teleported away to be with her sister. "Now what do we do about Long-Shot?" Bobby asked.
"The other team is currently engaged in a fight to take back Angel and Dazzler," Harry announced. "Let us join them."
Harry received nods from everyone present. The group teleported away when Harry was sure they were all ready. When the group arrived in Mojo's compound it was to find Long-Shot leaping from soldier to soldier avoiding automatic weapons fire and knocking the soldiers out with swift kicks and jabs.
"Jean, take care of Mojo," Harry instructed. "I'll deal with Long-Shot." The other X-Men made quick work of the soldiers and Mojo's employees. "You guys are very handy to have around," Long-Shot said as he ran his eyes over the new arrivals.
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Long-Shot recognized everyone present.
"You can cut the good guy act, Long-Shot," Harry said. "We have spoken to Spiral. We know the truth of what you are."
Just as a nasty expression appeared on Long-Shot's face Colossus chose to break into the room through an exterior wall. Colossus had been fighting his way past security after Nightcrawler had been unable to teleport the massive X-Man in within the larger group. Long-Shot tried to use the distraction to escape out of a window but Harry's leap was far swifter. Harry jumped to the window blocking Long-Shot's escape. Long- Shot tried to slip past but Harry caught Long-Shot and stuck the blonde to the wall.
"You shouldn't be able to catch me," Long-Shot said while trying to struggle free. "I'm still in a luck period!"
"I have encountered powers like yours before," Harry assured. "The probability altering field you are generating can be negated."
"What are you going to do with him?" Kitty asked. Jean was filling Ororo and the others in on Long-Shot being truly guilty.
"Well for murder his personality at the very least needs to be corrected. Spiral was right. He pretty much always gets his way with his luck powers. He would have periodic bad luck spells. But getting his way so easily has made him a horrible person," Harry explained. "I will telepathically alter his mind to make him work for the betterment of mutant-kind rather than for selfish gains."
"Lily, target all undesirable personality traits and alter Long-Shot with penal correction program Alpha-07. Make his primary mission to free the mutants of Genosha from suppression with no loss of innocent life," Harry directed.
"Will you do the same to Mojo and his people?" Kitty asked.
"It depends on the severity of their involvement. If they were directly involved in killing an innocent I will modify them," Harry decided.
"Are you capable of doing this to every criminal in the world?" Kitty asked curiously. It was something she had been wondering about for some time.
"I am. But I refuse to play being a god," Harry answered. "Plus the world would be pretty damn boring if I did."
"Fair enough," Kitty said thoughtfully. "I really just wondered if you could. I wasn't asking you to actually do it."
Harry noticed Kitty wanted to ask him something but appeared hesitant. "You can ask me anything, Kitty," Harry assured. "Can we start dating?" Kitty asked. "I really like you."
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"I would like that," Harry agreed. "Good," Kitty said grinning. "Jean and Ororo said you would say yes but I wasn't sure I believed them."
Harry and Kitty talked some more as the clean-up efforts were carried out on Mojo's compound. Harry set some systems up in place to start freeing the mutants of Genosha from oppression.
"Do you have any word about what is going on with Charles Xavier these days?" Storm inquired one morning over brunch.
Storm sat with Jean, Harry, Felicia, and Kitty in the kitchen area of Harry's private suite at the Institute. Each of the ladies had their own private rooms but with the exception of Kitty they all shared a bed with Harry by this point. Kitty frequently joined the group for private meals now that she was dating Harry.
"Charles has stayed mostly off the radar. He is quietly gathering mutant support over in Europe," Harry explained.
"If you know where he is why don't you just turn him in?" Felicia asked.
"Well his stupidity with trying to save this world's Magneto aside he has always been rather non-aggressive. I may not agree with him but he helps mutants where and when he can," Harry answered.
"Except for me," Jean said, her eyes flashing brilliantly with a hint of the flame contained within her.
"Yes...except for you. His arrogant and ignorant actions in regards to you could have had devastating effects," Harry agreed as he reached across the table and held Jean's left hand with a comforting squeeze briefly.
Jean smiled gratefully at Harry before returning to eating some strawberries.
"So Charles is recruiting students again," Storm mused. "Is he trying to build a competing school to the Institute?"
"Not so much," Harry assured. "He suspects some of the resources I have at my disposal and doesn't want to piss me off. He is pretty sure I am actively not going after him otherwise he would have been caught. But he doesn't want to be overt."
"How is it that you know so much about what he is thinking?" Kitty asked. "Are you reading his mind?" "No. He keeps a non-networked digital journal. But that doesn't stop my technology," Harry assured.
"If Xavier has figured out that you aren't actively going after him I am surprised others haven't figured it out and asked you about it," Felicia noted.
"Does Fury keep a journal too?" Jean mused.
"No. The man is too paranoid for that," Harry answered. "I don't think he is asking because he already knows I will turn him down. As for any other parties interested in Xavier...they all seem to be pretty afraid
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of me."
"Gee...I wonder why," Storm said teasingly.
"Yeah...the ability to knock-out punch the Hulk isn't intimidating in the least," Felicia added.
"I don't intimidate you ladies," Harry pointed out.
"No...but we are attractive females," Jean said. "How you interact with attractive females is nothing for us to worry about."
"Quite the opposite from worrying in fact," Storm noted. Kitty pouted. "Don't pout, Kitty. You'll get yours soon enough," Jean said. "I suppose I should make an effort to be less intimidating," Harry mused. "No need," Felicia said. "Your badassery is part of what makes you so bloody attractive." "What she said," Storm added while pointing at Felicia.
The other ladies nodded agreement.
"At the same time you are caring when we need you to be," Jean said. "We get the best of both personality types with you."
The teasing discussion continued throughout the enjoyable meal.
"You know...Steve is a nice enough guy but I am so much happier being with you," Janet told Harry as she watched the WWH feed where she was strolling down a street in New York with Steve Rodgers after leaving a movie. In the alternate universe Janet was dating Steve. "He just comes from a completely different generation."
"That he does. But I know what it is like living through many generations and feeling out of time," Harry said. "If you are with me long term then you will know as well."
Janet snuggled closer to Harry's side and said, "Then I guess I will learn to adapt because I'm with you for the long haul, handsome." She was silent for several minutes as they watched the feed before she said, "I still can't believe Thor quit the team."
"He'll rejoin in the future I think," Harry mused. "He has always been worried the Ultimates would be used by the U.S. government to enforce their interests in other countries. Frankly I think they would if they could. But we wouldn't stand for that."
"I agree. But Steve didn't do that here. Steve rescued nine aid workers being held hostage by Islamic extremists," Janet pointed out.
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"Yeah...Thor is being a little over the top. This could just be an excuse to quit the team. He has never been too gung ho about fighting. I think he just needs a break," Harry mused.
Harry's gaze focused off in the distance. "What is it? Is there trouble?" Janet asked. "Hank Pym just entered the Triskelion," Harry informed Janet. Harry felt Janet tense a little at the mention of her abusive ex but she just as quickly relaxed again. "Do you know what he is doing there?" Janet asked. Nothing had been heard of Janet's ex since MJ and Gwen ripped his testicles off.
"I'm hacking S.H.I.E.L.D.'s recent project files now," Harry answered. After a few moments of analysis by his bio-net AI he explained, "It appears Fury is using collaboration between Pym and Banner to get more ideas for super soldiers. Pym has figured out how to clone and regrow his torn off testicles but he needs equipment from S.H.I.E.L.D. to do it. Using that equipment is part of his conditions of employment."
"It figures that rat would do anything possible to get his balls back," Janet said.
"I could curse him so it's impossible if you want," Harry offered. "Though as a man it would pain me to do it."
"No...I would hope MJ and Gwen taught him a lesson he'll never forget," Janet said. "Oh shit...we need to see this," Harry said as he brought up a holo-news feed.
The major news agencies were getting S.H.I.E.L.D. files identifying Banner as the Hulk and that Banner was a government employee.
"How did this get released?" Janet asked, horrified.
"I don't know. Fury may think it was me since he knows I have the files," Harry put forth. "We had best head in and see what the damage is politically."
The couple changed and left.
Natasha sat next to Harry and Janet as they arrived. Natasha had already been present at the Triskelion.
"So what exactly is going on with the Hulk leak, Nick? The rumors are saying you lost your job," Janet said. "Judging by the fact you are still here I hope those rumors are false."
"I haven't been fired yet," Nick replied. "But that could change by the end of the day. The president was pretty pissed when the files S.H.I.E.L.D. was keeping from the Oval Office were leaked to the public."
"Is anybody bringing up the fact that the people Banner murdered aren't dead?" Natasha asked. "Harry revived them all."
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"That makes the situation mucky," Fury admitted. "I hear the District Attorney is thinking the Hulk can only be charged with assault since nobody has actually died."
"That doesn't change the fact that we lied to the American public. They thought we were saving them from a threat that wasn't of the government's own making," Steve put forth.
"If Betty's P.R. team hadn't done what they did this team would never have been assembled. The Ultimates have saved so many lives since we were put together," Nick said. "The president wants Banner cut loose and put on a public trial."
"Isn't that an automatic death sentence?" Tony asked. Betty, Clint, and others had entered the room after the meeting had started.
"That isn't necessarily a guarantee," Betty said. "The good the Hulk has done must also be taken into account. He helped your team save the world against the Chitauri invasion."
"I don't want to come off as cold but shouldn't the security breach of the leak be of more concern?" Clint asked.
"I think we all know where this leak has sprung from, Clint," Fury replied. "You think it was Thor," Steve put forth. "We can't prove it right now but he has been making a lot of trouble lately," Fury said. "You can't let him get away with it," Steve insisted.
"S.H.I.E.L.D. has been conducting an investigation into Thor for the past two years. Any sudden move we might make against him could upset the results. I am saying this specifically for your benefit, Cap," Nick said to Steve.
"Do I strike you as the kind of guy who would go looking for a fight?" Steve said.
The meeting continued on for some time after that with nothing getting firmly resolved. Steve did go have a confrontation with Thor that night. Luckily nothing came to blows though it was a near thing.
"How are you holding up, Bruce?" Harry asked.
Bruce jumped momentarily. Harry had startled him. Spider-Man was sitting comfortably on the wall of Bruce's cell. The cell was incredibly strong and spacious but it wouldn't hold the Hulk for long.
"I didn't see you there, Harry," Bruce said. "Nobody else can see me either," Harry replied. "I just wanted to check up on you."
"I'm doing alright all things considered. The public seems to have a mixed opinion about my fate considering you saved everyone I killed. I can't tell you how thankful I am for that by the way. Thank you."
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"I don't think you should pay for the Hulk's actions. But he seems to be getting a little better of late. He is a powerful ally if used the right way," Harry suggested.
"You are the only one who isn't afraid to use the Hulk...probably because you are the only one who can keep him in line," Bruce said.
"I won't let them kill you just to make you a scapegoat, Bruce. If it comes down to it I will fake your death and let them think they have killed you," Harry promised.
Bruce was silent for several moments as he stared back at Harry in gratitude. "Thank you, Harry. I appreciate that very much," Bruce said.
"It's what teammates do for each other, Bruce. I would also like to think we are becoming friends," Harry said.
"I would like that," Bruce agreed. The two men talked for a little longer before Harry left. Bruce felt much better after the visit.
"This is highly perplexing," Harry mused as he analyzed dozens of results of his latest simulations.
"Nothing ever ruffles you does it," Janet replied.
"I would say we ruffle him pretty well," Susan put forth with a teasing grin.
The trio stood in Harry's lab trying to trouble-shoot a cure of sorts for Bruce Banner's condition. They wanted to give Bruce control over the Hulk like Harry had done for Ben.
"Perhaps a genetic solution alone won't be enough," Janet suggested.
"I'm thinking that too," Harry agreed. "We can get him partway there giving him control over the change. But in order to allow his rational mind dominance we may need to use a nano-neural-network."
"I just don't understand why we can only achieve 50% dominance of Bruce's mind over the Hulk through genetics," Susan said.
"It's these exotic matter sequences," Harry pointed out as he indicated certain gene sequences. "We may eventually be able to figure out how to deal with them but it will take some time and studying. Certain exotic matters just don't work well with temporal compression."
"And that is time Bruce doesn't have," Janet pointed out.
"Exactly," Harry confirmed. "But the nano-neural-network is a good short term solution to achieve 100% dominance."
"It would even work long term but I agree that dependency on a foreign technology isn't desirable," Susan mused.
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"Can you two go explain what we are implementing to Bruce while I go speak for him in court? His trial is ending and I need to help with the closing argument," Harry said.
"Sure," Janet agreed. Harry vanished.
Harry timed his appearance perfectly materializing in the court room just as Bruce's attorney Matthew Murdock finished giving his closing argument.
"Order, order," Judge Ramirez called. When the court had settled down she asked, "What can the court do for you Spider-Man?"
"I would like to say a few words relevant to the case," Harry requested.
"Objection," Assistant DA Fresco called while he stood.
"Overruled," Ramirez replied. "You may speak Spider-Man."
Harry walked up in front of the jury. The jurors paid Harry their entire focus. Everyone present knew they were likely in the presence of the most powerful hero in the world.
"No citizen of this world has died as a result of the actions of the Hulk thanks to me," Harry stated. "If I had let them remain dead that would not be true. But the fact stands that it is true. Bruce Banner is a very different being than the Hulk. As we speak my technology is being used to make sure Bruce Banner is in control of the Hulk and not the other way around." Harry paused for a moment for that to sink in and surprised whispering broke out among the jurors and spectators present but it quickly dissipated as Harry continued speaking. "I do not ask you to completely drop the case against the Bruce. He made the foolish decision to inject himself with his experimental serum. Instead what I recommend is an extreme form of community service. Let Bruce receive probation where he uses his scientific knowledge to help mankind and uses the Hulk's abilities to serve on the Ultimates also helping mankind. I will work with his probation officer to make sure the Hulk is contained. That is all I have to say."
"Thank you, Spider-Man," Ramirez said. "The jury will now break for deliberation." In the end the jury decided to follow Harry's recommendation.
"A meeting has been called at the Triskelion. Thor turned violent during a protest of the rumors of a European Super Soldier Initiative in Rome," Natasha informed her mates via hologram.
"We'll be right in," Janet assured.
Harry and Janet arrived at the Triskelion shortly after. The meeting was short and Harry kept his thoughts to himself. He had reviewed the scans his orbiting satellite network had taken of the incident in Rome. The police officers tasked with keeping the protests non-violent had been tricked via magic into attacking the protesters. Fury asked the Ultimates to coordinate with the European Defense Initiative (EDI) to handle
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Thor. The EDI was the same organization the protestors in Rome had been protesting about.
The Dome, Brussels...
"Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to introduce you to Professor Sir James Braddock of the European Defense Initiative," Fury announced as he led the Ultimates into a room with costumed men and women. "He has been overseeing the EDI project over the past two years and is as famous in bio-engineering as Bruce Banner was back home."
"Excuse the mess but we're still six from going public with this facility. Does anybody fancy a cup of tea?" Professor Braddock said.
Greetings were exchanged around as the teams shook hands and got to know one another. Nobody requested tea.
"Harry, how is Betsy doing?" Professor Braddock asked.
"Why don't you ask her yourself?" Harry replied as he pointed behind Professor Braddock.
The professor turned around and saw his daughter grinning mischievously from behind her father.
"Hello, dad," Betsy greeted.
Father and daughter hugged each other in joy at meeting.
"How did I miss seeing you?" Professor Braddock asked.
"Harry had me hidden invisibly as a surprise," Betsy explained. She leaned up to her father's ear and whispered, "He and I are dating now."
"That doesn't surprise me," James told his daughter while drawing back from the hug. "You look happy."
"Oh I am," Betsy agreed as she glanced fondly over at her boyfriend who was currently greeting her brother. "It's still quite new but he's pretty damn dreamy."
"I suspected that might happen when you went over to the States," James admitted. "Are you able to cope well with his having other women?"
"There is no coping required. He is truly unlike any being you can think of. He is capable of having multiple forms at once. He can be with multiple women at once," Betsy explained.
"How is his mind able to cope?" James asked curiously. "I'll fill you in on the details later," Betsy assured. "It looks like Fury is eager to get the show on the road."
"Only over there for a short time and you're already starting to sound like an American," James noted teasingly. Turning back to the room James said loudly, "I hope you have all gotten a chance to meet my son Brian Braddock Codenamed Captain Britain, Carlos Fraile, and Hugo Etherlinck. We are thinking of using Codenames Captain Spain and Captain France respectively. Lastly we have Umberto Landi over there
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Codenamed Captain Italy. There are nine member states in the program but only these men are combat ready. I will turn this briefing over to Gunnar Golmen."
Harry immediately focused on Gunnar Golmen whose essence signature resonated with the same identifiers as the one responsible for magically manipulating events at the protest in Rome.
"I headed up the Norwegian team," Gunnar explained as he activated research video on a large screen behind him showing the development of Thor's armor and hammer. "It was market research that led us to choosing Thor as our country's icon. We went the bio-mechanical route of enhancement since Captain America's secrets could not be cracked. Our biggest success was the power battery used in Thor's hammer which allowed him to ionize the atmosphere or with its four-dimensional engine teleport anywhere in the world. Thor would have been the most powerful of the EDI and the leader if not for my lunatic brother. I believe you've all met Thorlief."
Gunnar was showing video of Thor without the armor now looking much less impressive. "Is this some kind of sick joke?" Tony asked. Gunnar opened his mouth to respond but Harry beat him to it. "No...this is a plot to get us to lose faith in Thor," Harry accused. "Who are you really Gunnar?" "What do you mean?" Gunnar asked, nervous now.
"I can tell there is illusionary magic concealing who you are. I can also tell that you were the one using magic to influence the police in Rome into attacking the protestors," Harry said.
The others present were focusing intently on Gunnar now.
"I was worried you might see through my ruse. It matters not," Gunnar said as his attire shifted into something out of Norse legend. "He really is my brother. But he is powerless without his technology."
"Loki," Harry suggested.
"Very clever," Loki admitted. "Too bad you won't live to tell anyone else."
Harry felt the wards go up sealing the building just as Loki teleported out.
"What's happening?" Fury demanded as the temperature suddenly dropped in the room.
Harry peered at one particular spot towards the center of the complex.
"I don't like that look," Betsy said while focusing on her boyfriend. "What is it?"
"Loki has opened up a space-time singularity," Harry declared. "It's growing in power in the center of the complex."
"Oh shit," Tony said. "What does that mean?" Steve asked.
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"It's a black hole," Tony answered. "Can you shut it down?" He asked Harry.
"I'm analyzing it right now. I assumed it would be easier to tell it was artificial but my scans aren't detecting it as being artificial."
"What if it isn't artificial?" Tony asked.
"The magic to create a real genuine black hole isn't something Loki could have gathered up on the fly. I would have sensed him doing it and I would have attacked first," Harry explained.
Harry's mind raced as he thought about the issue. Lily was scanning and coming up with scenarios. She projected a hologram of the black hole for others to see even while projecting a shield around the singularity to stop the effects of time dilation from spreading to the humans inside of the EDI complex and the rest of Earth. The other Ultimates and EDI personnel could only watch helplessly for none of their knowledge or training was any use against a black hole.
Suddenly the center of the complex was crushed inwards in a shower of sparks and the sound of tearing metal. Air rushed inwards freed from the destroyed section of the complex. Lily's shield kept the air outside of the shield from rushing into the black hole. The superheroes were treated to the unique sight of a singularity from up close and personal.
"Umm...Harry...not to put too much pressure on you...but that thing could destroy the planet," Tony said worriedly.
"I know," Harry assured.
Harry idly waved his hand and everything seemed to freeze outside the room the Ultimates and EDI personnel were in. He waved his hand again and Thor appeared via teleporter.
"What is going on, Harry? Talk to us," Betsy requested.
"I have reversed the effect of time dilation for us in this room so that we would have a solution quickly. Thor, your brother has seemingly caused a singularity to form in the center of this complex. Do you know how he did it without drawing up power slowly or using any of the other time consuming methods?" Harry asked.
Thor took only a moment to orient himself before saying, "Yes. It is a trick he has used before. He grabs a singularity from another point within this galaxy and relocates it."
"Of course...he didn't need to create a singularity if he relocates it from another point in spacetime," Harry mused.
Armed with this new information Lily began formulating a solution. "How do you relocate a pre-existing black hole?" Tony asked bewildered. The powers at play in this situation were beyond even what Tony's brilliant mind could immediately follow. "Like this," Harry said as he reached out with his hand and power towards the singularity. "Be careful," Thor began to say. "Loki often uses." Thor was cut off as a powerful discharge of crimson
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energy shot from around the singularity and hit Harry. Harry grunted as he was bathed in crimson energy but then the attack vanished. "Protective wards," Thor finished.
"I figured that out, thanks," Harry said.
Harry with Lily's help guiding his powers and her sensor scans navigated through the intricacies of Loki's ward and broke it down. Then he cast the same relocation spell Loki had used to bring the singularity to Earth and temporarily magnify its growth rate. Harry had to overpower the spell to get the singularity back in its correct location but he had the power. Within minutes the singularity was gone and all was silent in the complex.
"Well it looks like we won't be opening for even longer yet," Professor Braddock declared to break the silence.
"Are you alright, Harry?" Janet asked. "Yeah...that was just a little taxing," Harry answered. "Where is Loki?" Thor asked. "He fled," Clint stated. "Harry chased him off," Natasha added. "He will be back," Thor assured. "You really are an Asgardian god then," Clint said with wonder in his tone. "Yes," Thor confirmed. "We have a lot to talk about then," Nick declared.
Classified S.H.I.E.L.D. Research Facility...
Harry appeared in the lab where massive gamma radiation was being generated to find an attractive young woman writhing on the floor in agony. Shards of glass were sticking out of her from where a nearby piece of lab equipment had exploded. Her clothes were burning away from the gamma radiation being put out.
"The facility is almost completely evacuated," Lily reported.
"Good...erect a shield to contain the radiation to this room," Harry ordered. Harry then walked over to the writhing naked woman and knelt next to her. Green splotches had begun to appear on her skin. Her ID badge read Jennifer Walters. Harry realized this was Bruce's cousin who Bruce often talked about. "Jennifer, can you hear me?"
It only took Harry a moment to realize she couldn't focus on anything through the pain. He immediately sent his mind telepathically into hers even as her eyes turned radiation green.
Jennifer suddenly found the pain was gone. She was now standing in a white room. Standing across from
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her was a man whom she had held a crush on for some time now. Though, she was smart enough to admit many women held a crush on the superhero Harry Demire.
"What happened?" Jennifer asked.
"There has been an accident in your lab. Right now we are in your mind. I brought you to this place to keep you from feeling the pain of your first transformation," Harry explained.
"Transformation...oh no," Jennifer said with horror as she realized what had happened. "I was exposed."
Jennifer's team was in charge of researching one avenue of developing a super soldier serum. They had been working with Bruce Banner's DNA when something had destabilized and blown up sending the shards of glass into Jennifer.
"Yes. I'm afraid so," Harry confirmed. "Please don't let me kill anyone," Jennifer pleaded as she stepped forward closer to Harry. Jennifer looked near tears.
Harry stepped forward and pulled Jennifer into a hug before assuring her, "I won't let you kill anyone. Besides, I don't think it will matter. You are different than the Hulk. Your mind seems to have full control over yourself. I think it's our mental connection in here during the formation process. You are picking up some of my mental self-control techniques just through this connection."
Even as Harry said this Jennifer realized she was picking up more than that. She could feel Harry's attraction for her and the thoughts that had flashed into his mind when he first found her naked on the floor. Suddenly the pair were back in the physical world out of her mind. Jennifer found herself larger, her skin green, and that she was completely naked. Surprisingly Jennifer wasn't really that concerned about her nude state. What did she have to be self-conscious about with how she looked now. Her physique was lean looking muscle. The green added an exotic look. Her breasts were impressively, inhumanly large with no sag, and everything else looked sculpted.
She looked up from examining herself and found Harry examining her as well. "What do you think?" Jennifer found herself asking.
"I think...I think you are bloody gorgeous. You look like you have been sculpted by a master sculptor," Harry said.
"Woh...is your telepathy still working on me?" Jennifer asked. "No. Why do you ask?" Harry replied.
"Because...when you just told me what you thought of me...I felt it. I felt your desire and your passion," Jennifer admitted.
"Perhaps you have some limited empathic abilities," Harry suggested. "We can look into that later. For now we had better get you up and clothed."
Harry reached over to help Jennifer stand up. The moment their skin touched he felt her emotions intimately,
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her mutual attraction to him. He helped her stand without realizing it and as they became vertical he became aware of how good her flesh felt against his.
"Oh...umm...that feels amazing...too amazing," Jennifer whispered. "If we don't stop I think we are going to get too carried away. It's not that I would mind that but if I have Hulk-like strength I might get carried away."
Harry drew back reluctantly and said, "Oh you definitely have Hulk-level strength. The way you were just holding me...if I had been normal I would have been dead."
Jennifer paled slightly at this revelation. "I need help controlling this strength," Jennifer whispered.
"I can help," Harry assured as he produced a pair of shorts and a stretchable top that covered her form yet still revealed quite a bit.
"Thank you," Jennifer said very gratefully for all of his help as she slipped on the clothing. "I think we should go have a little chat with Nick," Harry suggested.
Jennifer nodded and stood. Harry made sure Jennifer was no longer putting out gamma radiation and then activated his teleporter network.
The Triskelion, Nick Fury's Office... Harry and Jennifer appeared in Nick's office and found Nick waiting for them behind his desk.
"Thank you for texting this time, Harry," Nick said as his gaze scanned over Jennifer. "Dr. Walters, are you in control of your faculties?"
"Yes," Jennifer said as she and Harry sat down in front of Fury's desk.
"That is a twist," Fury said. "How is that possible without your intervention, Harry? Or have you already intervened?"
"There is a combination of factors at play. I used a neuro-manipulative technique during her transformation to aid her development. But also I think if anyone but Jennifer had been hit in that accident they would be a raging beast at best and dead at worst. Her being related to Bruce helped greatly," Harry explained.
"Is she stable?" Fury asked. "I am still monitoring the situation. But I think for now she should stick close to me," Harry said. "She needs to be in a shielded isolation facility," Fury replied, his tone brooking no arguments. Unfortunately for Fury that tone didn't work on Harry. "That isn't going to happen," Harry replied calmly. "She just went through a terribly traumatic event and I
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am perhaps the only person on the planet capable of stopping her and keeping her safe if anything goes wrong. Where I go she will go."
"Harry...there are some situations you just shouldn't get involved in," Fury said, starting to get angry. He pulled a remote control out of his desk equipped with a single button. "Demire, if I push this button you become public enemy number one. Every asset at S.H.I.E.L.D.'s disposal will come at you with the kid gloves off. You don't want me to push this button."
"Nick...we both know I can neutralize every threat that button could summon against me within seconds. I'm sleeping with two of the Ultimates," Harry pointed out calmly. "They wouldn't go against me. In fact they would fight with me. Many of the others owe me their lives. Why are you threatening me?"
Nick set the remote down and answered, "I didn't know anything. I suspected that was the case." The office was silent for half a minute. Jennifer looked back and forth between the two men who seemed perfectly calm. Fury didn't even seem upset anymore making her think his anger had been faked. Jennifer for her part was rather nervous. She didn't want to lose control of herself and kill anybody and the best way to keep that from happening was to stick close to Spider-Man.
"I suggest you refrain from messing around with Banner's blood anymore," Harry suggested as he stood, Jennifer standing with him. "There are exotic elements in the blood that even my science can't fully quantify yet."
"Did you know the accident would happen?" Fury asked curiously.
"Did I know Jennifer would become a...She-Hulk?" Harry asked while gesturing at Jennifer. "Hello no," Harry continued. "But I knew you were in over your head and may get burned. But me telling you to stop wouldn't have worked."
Harry and Jennifer vanished leaving a thoughtful Nick Fury behind.