All characters appearing in Captain America and other Marvel titles are copyrighted to Marvel Entertainment and Stan Lee. All real persons mentioned in this story belong to themselves. No infringement of these copyrights or offense to the people mentioned is intended, and is not authorized by the copyright holder or persons. All original characters are the property of TVfan.
Note: I'm using the events of the "Winter Soldier" story line as the main canon to this story, but I'm also going to say that this story is in the same "Universe" as my "A New Life" story in the Spider-Man section, since Captain America and Spider-Man are both Marvel Characters. This story takes place six months after my "A New Life" story and obviously some time after "Winter Soldier" in the comics.
Second Note: This is my version on Marvel's current "Civil War" storyline and will differ greatly in many ways from what has been published. Mostly because I don't like the idea of heroes fighting heroes and the fact that is the main point of Marvel's current storyline.
Civil War
By TVfan
Chapter 3: Reactions
Jerusalem, Israel
A small television screen replayed the images of the Red Skull's announcement that he existed to the world once more.
"I will assume that no world leader fully trusts that my intentions are true," the Red Skull on the screen said, "But the world has become vastly different from the one that existed in the 1930s. Most world leaders today are not corrupted by the ideology of Communism and can be spoken to in a reasonable manner. I invite any foreign leader come to my capital, Red Skull City, where I hope to persuade them through conversation and conversation alone that I am truly a man to be trusted. That I stand for ideals that the entire world stands for. And that their fears are unjustified."
"After all, those who truly know me have been easily able to move on from past prejudices," the Skull spoke as a door to the side of the room opened.
What walked through the door both shocked and infuriated Stark. First to walk through were either robots or men in armor, and it was the basic design of that armor or of the robot that shocked him. It looked remarkably like the early Iron Man costumes with the noticeable difference that it was entirely a metallic grey rather then gold and a Nazi eagle perched on top of the main energy cell, which was circle shaped and on the chest, and had a swastika inside that energy cell.
Captain America then followed the two robots into the room, almost as if in a trance, with a polite smile on his face. He walked up to the Red Skull and shook the Skull's hand. The television screen then shut off.
"This is unacceptable," Ehud Olmert, Prime Minister of the State of Israel, said firmly to a small group of advisors, "That man has no right to live, let alone run a country."
A small group of council members nodded in agreement. One elderly man sighed heavily.
"My parents survived Hitler's 'Final Solution'," the man said, "They were incarcerated in Auschwitz. From what they told me, the Red Skull visited the camp from time to time on various inspections for either Hitler or Himmler. His 'My actions taken during World War Two were not because I wanted to do them or even approved of them' is a complete lie. My parents told me that there was not a man as cruel in Hitler's Reich as the Red Skull. The told me horror stories of what he did to inmates in the camp, and looked quite happy while doing it."
"It's not any of us believe that the Red Skull is a good man or that Nazism was a simple 'conservative' movement before Hitler joined them," another cabinet member spoke up, "We all know that the Nazis were evil and their hatred was present even before Hitler heard of their existence. The problem is that Captain America shook his hand as if there was never any real animosity between them."
"That I don't get," Olmert sighed, "According to the talks I've had with the American ambassador over the years, according to their history books, Captain America and the Red Skull have been sworn enemies. Both would rather drink acid then shake hands."
"Prime Minister," a third cabinet member spoke, "You are Israel's leader, and it is your decision on how to deal with this new threat to Israel. We can only advise you."
"Acting on this will be difficult," Olmert sighed, "Between Hamas and Iran, there are already serious threats to Israel that are far closer then the Red Skull and I do not believe that Hezbollah will be cooperative either. The Knesset will not accept military action against a foe so far away when we already have at least three major foes that are much closer."
Olmert sighed and looked down.
"And I'm inclined to agree with them," Olmert finished, "The Red Skull Reich is to be an enemy of the State of Israel because of the ideologies of Nazism. Therefore, Israel will not hold any diplomatic relations with that lunatic and I will not allow the Knesset to recognize his government. We won't go to war, but we will oppose the Red Skull in any endeavor he undertakes."
Red Skull City, Red Skull Reich
The Red Skull sat quietly inside a very technologically advanced looking observation center with computers at his fingertips and television screens lining the walls. Each TV was tuned in to various international news stations. He was trying gage the reactions various countries had had to his little announcement. He hadn't gotten much. Most recently the only countries to make any declaration on the Red Skull Reich were Cuba, North Korea, and China. All of whom refused to recognize his Reich, citing political philosophies, but this was to be expected, and the Red Skull had nothing to fear from them. His Empire was beyond the reach of China's missiles, and Cuba and North Korea were not considered even Second World powers.
"Any progress, father?" Sin asked from the floor below him.
"No," the Red Skull gave a growling sigh, "I've forgotten how long it takes democracies to fully react to anything. The only countries that have given any sort of response have either been Authoritarian or attempted Totalitarian. Cuba, China, and North Korea are opposed. Iran in favor. There are a handful of others."
"Well," Sin sighed, "How many will 'visit' you?"
"So far, none have agreed," the Skull answered, "Iran has offered that I visit Tehran and convert to Islam, though."
"Some offer," Sin replied, "What will be done when it comes to fighting them?"
"Kill each and every last one of them," the Red Skull said evilly, "But for now, this will give us the time needed to prepare for the upcoming visit."
"Of course father," Sin nodded.
"How many did you gather, again?" the Red Skull asked, "I would like national statistics, please."
"Of course," Sin nodded, "Current population is 25,000, although we will be facing a serious problem. While all the people I gathered are between 20-35 years of age, there are only 250 women. Your Reich will have terribly slow population growth, especially as there are only 25 romantically involved couples."
"Dealing with the population growth can wait," the Skull answered, "What is the skill level of these people?"
"All of them have completed their respective 'High School' education," Sin continued, "Ten thousand have been in various universities, three thousand have graduated, nine hundred have graduated with honors."
There was a brief pause as the Red Skull continued to listen.
"All of the men have some level of military service," Sin continued, "Although they were all equivalent to the rank of 'private' in the American army."
"I want you to pass out notices of a draft and a specialized exam," the Red Skull ordered, "Five hundred men and or women are to be drafted for military service in the name of the Red Skull Reich. One hundred for an Air Force. Three hundred for an army. One hundred for a navy."
"Of course, father," Sin nodded.
"We also need to establish some resemblance of a government," the Red Skull continued, "I am the obvious Head of State and Government, and Head of the Party. You will be my Deputy Fuhrer. We will also need to create various ministries to serve as a bureaucracy. That way I do not have to use the cosmic cube's powers as much."
"Of course, father," Sin agreed.
"There must be a Foreign Ministry," the Skull began his list of needed ministries, "an Interior Ministry, a Public Enlightenment and Propaganda Ministry, a War Ministry, a Finance Ministry, a 'Justice' Ministry, an Economics Ministry, an Agriculture Ministry, a Labor Ministry, a Science, Education, and Public Instruction Ministry, an Ecclesiastical Affairs Ministry, a Transportation Ministry, a Postal Ministry, and an Intelligence Ministry."
"Of course, father," Sin nodded.
"I will also require two hundred men or women to serve in a Legislature," the Skull continued, "Every good dictatorship must have some 'rubber stamp' organization. It will be bicameral. That is why I need two hundred representatives."
"That will take 714 total jobs," Sin informed the Skull, "twenty-four thousand, two hundred eighty-six will still need employment."
"That can wait a bit longer," the Red Skull answered, "It is imperative that the working government be more then just you and me. Otherwise, any nation that opposes me will have no qualms with using all their available weapons to try and fight me, and fighting a major war at this time would be dangerous."
"Of course, father," Sin spoke, "Your orders will be carried out."
Sin then left, allowing the Red Skull to continue focusing on the incoming news reports.
Doomstadt, Latveria
Victor Von Doom slammed his metal gauntleted fists down on the sides of his throne as he watched an Eastern European news broadcast that was covering the Red Skull's announcement. Several of followers scattered as they heard his angry growl.
"That gypsy hater has his own country!" Doom roared in anger.
"But, my Lord, you have worked with him on occasion," his Prime Minister whimpered from his position beside Doom's throne.
"In plans that would have put ME on top," Doom answered, "And him six feet under. That man and his ideology terrorized more then just Jews and it was his actions against the gypsies that helped plunge Latveria into the chaos that eventually claimed the lives of my family."
"Our country is too weak to fight him in a conventional war," the Prime Minister informed Doom, "And you are still too weak from your last engagement with the Fantastic Four."
"And that is to stop me from fighting him?" Doom growled at him, clenching his fists, "I posses powers in sorcery that the Skull can not comprehend."
"He also claimed to have the powers of the Cosmic Cube," the Prime Minister whimpered, "Which would but you both as individuals on rather even footing."
"You believe I would lose to that fool?" Doom questioned.
"No, my Lord," the Prime Minister said quickly as he stepped away, "But it would be hollow victory that would destroy Latveria as well. If we are to fight him, my Lord, you must use the better half of your mind to fight him."
"Very well," Doom answered, "Then you will go to his 'Red Skull City' and you will find out what he is up to."
"Yes, my Lord," the Prime Minister gulped.
"Now call for a press conference," Doom ordered, "You must announce your visit."
"Yes, my Lord," the Prime Minister gulped again.
Paris, France
Jacques Chirac sat quietly as advisors from all ends of the political spectrum within France voiced their opinions on the creation of the Red Skull Reich. All were in fierce opposition to the Red Skull, although for various reasons.
"He is making a deliberate call to oppose us," a representative of the French Socialist Party, "I fear he seeks to start a war between those on the right and those on the left. We must do something to stop him."
"I would say we need to fight him for what he's done to FRANCE," a representative of the Union pour un Mouvement Populaire countered, "Our own history books made great points of what that man did to innocent French citizens during the war, beginning during the 1940 invasion, through the occupation, and the 1944 liberation battles. The Red Skull is a threat to France and would not hesitate to attack us if given the opportunity."
"I have no doubt that we must fight him," Chirac answered, "In some form or another. The important thing in this matter is more puzzling. Such as why did Captain America shake the Red Skull's hand? According to history, both hated each other."
"Why should one American matter?" a representative of the Front National party questioned, "The Captain America who helped France in World War II, and posed for photographs with Leclerc and De Gaulle, is likely dead or too old to do anything. The Captain America on the broadcast was either an agent of the Red Skull's or a modern American with no culture or knowledge of whom or what is truly evil."
"Regardless of who this Captain America is or isn't," Chirac informed them, "He represents a nation that is one of France's allies."
"Some allies," the Socialist growled, "We disagree with them on a point of strategy and they accuse us of wanting to bring down our own society. I say we destroy his city and be through with him, before he attacks us."
"Until we receive word from the Americans that THEY oppose him and that this handshake was either a trick or that the Captain America on the screen is false we will not do anything unilaterally," Chirac said firmly, "We are already sitting on a very uncomfortable bed in our relations with the Americans."
"You would keep France inactive to placate the Americans?!" the UMP representative gasped.
"If I may," a French Interpol Officer spoke up from the back of the room, "The President is making a strategic decision that is necessary, if any conflict with the Red Skull is to come about."
"And how would you know, Inspector?" the Socialist questioned.
"The Red Skull says he possesses the powers of the Cosmic Cube," the Interpol officer answered, "Given that Red Skull is largely wanted around the world as a criminal, I was able to talk to one of Interpol's American contacts. He was able access S.H.I.E.L.D. files on the Red Skull and the Cosmic Cube."
"So what is it?" the Front National representative asked.
"A powerful device of cosmic power," the Interpol officer answered, "Which allows the user, in this case the Red Skull, to manipulate his immediate surroundings with his mind."
"With that sort of power," Chirac continued, "France, alone, can not defeat him. He can not defeat France, but we can not defeat him. If that were to happen we would need the full strength of the NATO alliance, which would require that we cooperate with the Americans. For now, we must wait until the Americans react."
"What have they done so far?" the UMP representative asked.
"From what I've seen, nothing," the Socialist answered, "Just as we are currently doing."
Avengers Tower, New York City, USA
"Can you believe that Cap shook his hand?" Luke Cage questioned in a hurried Avengers meeting inside Avengers Tower.
"It has to be trick of some sort," Iron Man answered, "The Red Skull mentioned something about the Cosmic Cube. He had to have used that to make Cap shake his hand."
"So how do we stop a guy who can bend reality with his mind?" Spider-Man questioned.
"I don't know for certain," Iron Man sighed, "We'll need to wait for Cap to return from his debriefing at S.H.I.E.L.D."
"So what do we do until then?" Spiderwoman asked.
"Uh," Arachne spoke up from her position behind Spider-Man, "It might be important to see that."
The present Avengers looked in the direction in which Spider-Man's partner was pointing. It was to a television that had a man in a black suit with a black tie with a large gold cross sewn onto it filling the screen.
"We no take you live as Minister Tim Lahaye gives a public address in response to the recent announcement of the Red Skull Reich," a news reporter's voice announced.
"Ladies and gentlemen," Lahaye began his announcement, "as citizens of a Christian Nation it is imperative that you think clearly in response to the recent announcement made by the Red Skull. While many of you have been told the truths of Nazi evil and aggression, the Red Skull has claimed that these actions were the result of liberals who are Godless and destroyers of the People of the Lord, who are destined for the inner most circle of Hell!"
There was a brief pause as the heroes and two heroines watching the announcement looked on.
"This is not to be unexpected," Lahaye then continued, "The Left has long corrupted everything that God has designed. It is the Left that crucified our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! It is the Left that enslaved four million African Americans. It is the Left that our country faced for fifty years after World War II. It is the left that wants to elevate homosexuals, feminists, and terrorist lovers to positions of power of decent Christian people. It is therefore not unimaginable that Hitler himself was a Leftist, but to resurrect the symbols of Nazi Germany is wrong, for too many people are connected to the horrors that Hitler created. I urge all American Christians to ask the Red Skull to remove the idols of Nazi Germany from his country and embrace Jesus as his savior, as all proper conservatives should."
"This has come after both the Catholic Church and Evangelical speaker, Rich Nathan, made announcements urging complete opposition to the Red Skull and his Reich," the news reporter finished as the screen went black.
"Is it just me, or did that guy just say we should support the Red Skull?" Spider-Man asked.
"I've got a bad feeling about this," Iron Man grumbled and then thought to himself, "Come on Steve. We gotta figure out how to stop him."
S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier
"Are you insane?!" Director Maria Hill screamed at Cap as he stood alone in front of her in her office, "The Red Skull is a wanted international terrorist! And you shook his hand! Like he was an old friend of yours! Or was he brainwashed at one point in his life two?!"
"No!" Cap sighed heavily, "The Red Skull is evil and you're right to want to arrest him."
"I doubt that even S.H.I.E.L.D. will be given the option," Director Hill answered, "Your little handshake has created more trouble then it is worth. Do you understand what has happened? The Red Skull has created a country, seemingly out of nothing and has declared himself the leader of that country."
"Not all leaders of countries are safe because they are the leader of that country," Cap answered, "Hitler's henchmen in the end weren't safe because they were Hitler's henchmen. They were sentenced to hang or be imprisoned during Nuremburg Trials."
"America had been at war with Nazi Germany at the time, Captain," Director Hill pointed out, "You of all people should know that. America is not presently at war with the Red Skull Reich, and thanks to your handshake, it isn't that likely that we will go to war with the Red Skull Reich."
"What!?" Cap yelled, "Just send me back there! I'll tear him limb from limb!"
"The Red Skull has claimed that Nazism was a mere conservative movement that was corrupted by Socialists," Director Hill answered, "There are a fair number of ultraconservative members of this country that are now making public declarations that we should support the Red Skull. There have been a few who have declared opposition, citing historical sources, but politics has generally countered them completely. Many of them have said 'that if Captain America and the Red Skull can shake hands, then maybe we could trust him'."
Cap only stood in shocked silence.
"To deal with the second issue," Director Hill continued, "If you want to tear him limb from limb, why didn't you do so when you had the chance? It would have saved everyone a lot of trouble."
"One of the few truths that the Skull said when he made his announcement was that he has the Cosmic Cube," Cap answered, "Or at least powers similar to the Cosmic Cube."
"You, Agent 13, and Agent Winter have all told me that the Cube was destroyed," Director Hill interrupted.
"He told us something about, 'what can be made by man can be built again'," Cap sighed, "I don't know how he did it but he's somehow manufactured a new Cube and internalized its power. Lukin has the new Cube that was, apparently for the Red Skull."
"Lukin is Russian, Captain, and his family history cites Nazi oppression during World War II," Director Hill answered, "Do you honestly think he'd help the only living Nazi terrorist on the planet, if this is the same one that fought in World War II?"
"It is him," Cap gave a growling sigh, "I'd recognize his voice anywhere. As for why Lukin helped him, he said it was because of some rather bizarre occurrences that went on when he first began the 'Winter Soldier' problem."
"I don't have time for this," Director Hill answered, "Lukin is an honest businessman and an American ally. You will not do anything to threaten him, whatsoever. Is that understood, Captain?"
Cap sighed, "Yes, ma'am."
Moscow, Russia
"Halt!" a soldier screamed a man, who advanced slowly toward the Russian President's office in the Kremlin fortress.
The man who was walking toward the door did not stop or even slow down.
"Halt!" the soldier screamed again.
This prompted the door to open as Vladimir Putin stepped out of his office, brandishing a handgun.
"What is going on here?!" Putin demanded, "It is bad enough that some Nazi declares himself a world leader and accuses Russia of supporting terrorists, but there is nothing but chaos when my soldiers spend their days shouting."
"Stand back, Comrade President!" the soldier warned, "Some man has just appeared out of nowhere!"
"Shoot him," Putin ordered.
"I would not do that if I were you, my friend," came the voice of Aleksander Lukin.
"Aleksander?" Putin asked curiously.
Aleksander Lukin then walked out of the shadows, revealing himself to both Putin and the Russian soldier.
"Hello, old friend," Lukin said politely.
"Aleksander!" Putin smiled warmly, "I haven't seen you since the end of the Soviet Union."
"It has been some time since we worked for the KGB, hasn't it, old friend?" Lukin asked.
"Come inside, come inside," Putin offered motioning to his office and then turned to the soldier and ordered, "See that we are not disturbed."
"Yes, Comrade President," the soldier saluted.
"What brings you hear, old friend?" Putin asked as Lukin followed him into his office, "I've heard you've been ruling over your country/company ever since we last parted ways. Have you come to reunite with Russia?"
Lukin looked over to see a television set up and playing the Red Skull's announcement of his Reich.
"I have come actually, with concerns about that man," Lukin answered pointing at a picture of the Red Skull on the screen.
Putin sighed and looked over at the screen and sighed again, "That man has thrown a lot of chaos into the world, but what do you have to do with this?"
Lukin sighed and pulled the new Cosmic Cube from his pocket and placed it on the desk in front of him. Putin's eyes widened in surprise.
"That's…?" Putin asked.
"This is a copy of the original Cosmic Cube, yes," Lukin answered, "My Company has recently constructed this model."
Putin marveled at it for a few moments, "I can remember when you lead the KGB's attempts to try and recover the original."
"Yes," Lukin sighed, "But that was destroyed when Winter Soldier decided to betray me."
Putin sighed, "I warned you not to reactivate him when you purchased the containment unit from Russia."
"I know," Lukin answered, "But we must focus on the current problem with the Red Skull."
Putin nodded, "What does he have to do with this?"
"The Red Skull sent agents to infiltrate my company during the construction of the present Cube," Lukin told the Russian President, "While I was successful in completing the Cube and getting them to leave, the Skull was successful in copying the Cube's powers into himself somehow."
"So his announcement was true?" Putin gasped.
"Yes," Lukin answered, "He possesses the same powers as the Cube does."
"He must be stopped," Putin growled in a somewhat forceful manner.
"That is why I am here," Lukin answered, "The Skull has some how made it impossible for my Cube to cancel out his power, and he is probably shielding himself against any sort of attack that Russia could launch against him, or at least any attack that he expects that Russia can launch against him."
"You will use your Cube to strengthen Russian forces?" Putin asked.
"I wish for an alliance between Kronas and the Russian Federation, old friend," Lukin answered, "Together we can defeat the Red Skull."
Putin nodded, "Agreed, old friend, although, we may have to cooperate with the Americans on this mission. The Red Skull's 'country' is closer to their soil then it is to ours."
"That could make things difficult," Lukin commented.
"Dealing with the Americans is always difficult, old friend," Putin answered, "Always was, always will be."
"So what are the Americans doing at this time?" Lukin asked.
"It is difficult to say," Putin answered, "Their democracy lets thousands of people voice different opinions, it is difficult to tell when their government is talking and when some man on his 'soap box' is talking."
Washington DC, USA
A rather upscale restaurant was practically quiet as various people either dined in silence or conversed about the news. The restaurant was rather large and there were two large tables set up on opposite ends of the room. Each table was occupied by US Senators. Republicans were seated around one table while the Democrats were seated around another.
"So what shall be done concerning the Red Skull and his little announcement?" Bill Frist asked in a manner to get the conversation rolling.
"I don't like him and I believe his 'speech' was filled with nothing but lies," John McCain grumbled, "Nazism never struck me as something the 'left' would pull. Shoot, the Democratic Party is on the left wing of the governmental spectrum. They don't seem the sort of people to round up and kill six million people because they're of the Jewish faith."
"That's what they WANT you to think," Trent Lott argued, "He said it started as a conservative movement within Germany until Hitler perverted it. Can we agree that Hitler was evil?"
Every man at the table nodded.
"Can we agree that he was an excellent con man? Using his speeches to get people to follow him?" Trent Lott asked again.
Every man nodded, although some more questioningly then others.
"Then it is entirely possible that the Skull was right in saying that the Nazi Party began as a simple conservative movement and that Hitler perverted it," Trent Lott finished.
"Maybe so," McCain sighed, "But that doesn't change the fact that the Nazis did horrible things, and we don't know anything about the Red Skull's past. For all we know, the Red Skull could have joined the Nazi Party after Hitler came to power."
"I don't think that's possible," Dennis Hestart commented, "Captain America shook his hand."
"That doesn't sound right to me," Mitch McConnell countered, "He said he has the Cosmic Cube or its power, or something. What if he used that to control the Captain?"
"What has the President said about this?" John Thune asked curiously.
"He's presently in a meeting with the Vice President and Secretary Rumsfeld," Hestart answered.
"Shouldn't we wait until they voice their opinion?" Thune then asked.
"Come on, son," McCain spoke to him firmly, "Voice your OWN opinion. That's why we have the right to free speech. We don't have to repeat the opinions of the President."
"So what's your opinion, Senator McCain?" Lott questioned.
"I believe the Red Skull is evil and that we should do whatever is possible to at least contain him to his island," McCain answered, "If were weren't facing a larger war at the moment, I'd suggest invasion. I believe the Red Skull is that dangerous."
"I say we give him a chance to prove himself," Lott commented, "He said he's a conservative. That probably means he's a patriot and a good Christian with proper values…"
"What about the reports of what he's done?" McCain questioned, "He's ranked number 5 on the FBI's most wanted list, number 4 on the CIA's most wanted list, and number 1 according to Interpol."
"He said that was some other character impersonating him," Lott shrugged it off, "And said that the impersonator worked for the Soviet Union."
"The Soviet Union hasn't existed since 1990," Ted Stevens pointed out, "Thanks to Reagan, the Soviet Union is no longer a threat to the world."
"Doesn't mean there are still communists out there seeking to destroy freedom," Hestart commented, nodding his head toward the table the Democrats were seated at.
"Come on," Arlen Specter sighed, "I haven't gotten over all the mudslinging that went on in the last election."
"It's an election year this year," John Thune reminded him.
"I've seen the ads," Specter sighed.
"So what is our status?" Frist sighed, "Where do we stand concerning the Red Skull?"
Each Senator looked to the man or woman beside him. Frist then sighed.
"Okay, then we'll vote," Frist sighed, "All those in favor of recognizing the Red Skull Reich and 'giving him a chance', raise your hand."
Approximately half the present Republicans raised their hands.
"All those in favor of at least containing the Red Skull to his island, if not invading and removing him as a threat to world peace?" Frist asked.
The other half raised their hands.
"This is going to be a very interesting issue when it gets to the Senate Floor," Frist sighed.
Meanwhile at the other table, the various Democratic Party Senators were involved in their own discussion of the Red Skull's announcement. They were generally in agreement that the Red Skull was a threat, although the discussion of what do about it was somewhat different.
"Come on, people," Harry Reid urged, "We need to get some sort of voice on what to do. We can all agree that the Red Skull is evil, be he a Fascist or a Communist. But that doesn't change the fact that we must do something."
"I don't think we can do anything," John Kerry spoke in a voice that almost sounded depressed, "We're already in a tough spot. We can't just invade now, and we can't give him recognition."
"We might have to," Richard Durbin commented, "I mean, we've all said the Red Skull is evil. Suppose he does something to threat the United States?"
"Given America's present standing in the world," Hillary Clinton commented, "If we are to respond with any military force against him, we will have to do it unilaterally. President Bush has done a fine job at making the entire world mad at America. I don't think that any military intervention is realistically doable right now. Possibly later, once we've gotten America her respect as a freedom loving nation back, but not now. Now, our only real option would be to isolate the Red Skull. Let him have his island nation, but prevent him from leaving it."
"Surely there is more that we can do?" Tom Harkin asked, "I mean, the Red Skull is a Nazi. Certainly France, Britain, Germany, and Russia would have reasons for going to war with him."
"But France, Germany, and Russia also have reasons for seeing America fail," Clinton reminded him, "And the US and Britain are hardly a coalition. We're allies, yes, but two countries is not a coalition."
"One country away from unilateralism," Kerry added, "at a time when unilateral military action has caused more trouble then anything else."
"Realistically speaking, I think doing nothing might be more dangerous," Tim Johnson spoke up from one corner, "I mean, it's one thing to say we've made mistakes. It's quite another to deliberately make others. We've said he's evil. Shouldn't we do something besides debate endless over ideology?"
"We aren't Republicans," Barbara Boxer countered, "We embrace free speech and the right to an opinion."
"So far we have a wide variety of opinions and little consensus," Patrick Leahy pointed out.
"I think we can agree that we should at least contain the Red Skull," Clinton sighed, "That much we can probably all agree on."
"Although it will mean really, doing nothing," Barack Obama spoke up, "Surely we can do something a bit more to insure that he can't threaten anyone."
"Right now, arguing for containment is about all we can do," Reid sighed as he looked to the Junior Senator, "The President controls basic foreign policy and the Republicans control both Houses of Congress. They are likely to call for a unilateral invasion, which I will say that at the present time would be unfeasible. Not only because of the current strain our military is facing concerning the War in Iraq and the War on Terror, but because we know next to nothing about the Red Skull Reich. For all we know his army is as large as our entire population."
"So what is the President doing about this then?" Johnson asked.
"Right now?" Reid sighed, "Talking."
Oval Office
"I don't know about this," George W. Bush commented in a somewhat indecisive voice, "My dad always told me that the Nazis were evil. The history books said the same thing."
"History can always be changed," Dick Chaney argued, "New facts about events in the past change our perception of them. To be honest, most histories of World War II were written by Left Wingers who wanted to suck up to Truman."
"Even those written now?" Bush asked.
"Those written now are written by conservatives who listened to the stories their parents told them," Chaney pointed out, "They haven't been corrupted by the man who loved Red China more then the Nationalists."
"And the Red Skull did present new evidence on the past," Donald Rumsfeld added, "He said that Nazism was nothing more then a conservative movement before Hitler took it over."
"But he's using all the same imagery that I've seen in World War II movies," Bush said, "He's using that weird cross thingy, the swapsticka."
"Swastika," Chaney corrected.
"Whatever," Bush shrugged, "Point his there's something about him that scares me. And the imagery reinforces that."
"Captain America shook his hand," Rumsfeld argued, "He can't be that bad, and the Skull was correct about the swastika being a good-luck symbol, until it was perverted by Hitler."
"I still don't trust all of this concerning him," Bush sighed, "He doesn't exactly look like a very trustworthy man, and isn't he still wanted for various crimes?"
"He said that it was a Communist impersonator that was responsible for those crimes," Chaney told him, "Why don't we visit his capital, and get him to give us the answers we want. Make him prove that he's a good conservative."
"I don't think that's a good idea," Bush commented, "What if he wants world leaders to visit his capital?"
"I have an idea that would prevent any potential chaos that he could cause," Rumsfeld spoke up.
Avengers Tower
Captain America's mood had not improved any since his meeting with Director Hill. He wanted to go back and beat the Red Skull to pulp, but S.H.I.E.L.D. was being told by the government to do nothing concerning the Red Skull Reich for the moment, and that would keep Cap from doing anything on his own, and forbid Sharon or Buck from doing anything at all. On top of everything, the Avengers were calling for him, which meant that someone else was causing trouble in addition to the Red Skull. This was the last thing he needed.
He was surprised to see the main conference room that the Avengers filled with not only Avengers, but various other heroes that operated in the New York area. The present Avengers roster sat behind the long rectangular desk, with their backs to the windows. Spider-Man's partner, Arachne, stood just behind him. She-Hulk, the Wasp, Yellowjacket, the Prowler, Cyclops, Emma Frost, Shadowcat, Beast, Doctor Strange, the Fantastic Four, Falcon and Prince Namor of Atlantis were there as well.
"What's this?" Cap sighed as he walked in, and then thought, "It has to be a pretty big threat if all of these guys are here together."
"Sort of a question and answer session," Wolverine commented, "I'll start. Why did you shake the Red Skull's hand?"
"What?!" Cap gasped, not expecting them to think he had actually befriended the Red Skull.
"We all saw the Skull's announcement Cap," Iron Man spoke up, "We saw the two of you shake hands… as if your rivalry with the Red Skull was nothing."
"It was pure fabrication!" Cap growled, "And if he hadn't been using the Cosmic Cube's power at the time, I would have beaten him black and blue!"
"Relax, Cap!" She-Hulk raised her hands, "We're not accusing you of anything."
"She's right," Iron Man nodded, "I in fact suspected that the Red Skull did something like that."
"The question now is, 'what do we do'?" Cyclops questioned, "It's obvious that we'll all have to fight him in some form or another, but how are we to go about doing that."
"I say we take our strongest weapons and level his country so that it sinks below the ocean's surface!" Prince Namor growled, "To dare use a good friend of Atlantis as a puppet is something that is unforgivable! Even after he spent World War II trying to CONQUER Atlantis, which to me is just as vile an offense."
"He didn't destroy Atlantis, did he?" Cap asked his former teammate from the Invaders during World War II.
"Thankfully no," Prince Namor answered, "The original city of Atlantis is in the very center of the Atlantic Ocean. The Red Skull's little created island is in the North Atlantic. He has however cut Atlantis's Artic colonies off from the rest of Atlantis and its Antarctic colonies."
Cap breathed a sigh of relief that Namor and his people were largely okay for the moment.
"So how will we be taking this guy on?" the Human Torch asked, "I mean, if we use weapons to make his island sink, couldn't he just raise it again? I mean, he said in the report that he has the Cosmic Cube."
"He doesn't have the cube, he has its power inside him," Cap sighed.
"By Neptune…" Namor gasped, "He's practically invincible then."
"He's not invincible," Cap answered, "He is powerful, but he can be beaten."
"Of course, cancelling out the Cube's power would make this much easier," Iron Man commented and turned to Doctor Strange, the most powerful practitioner of the mystic arts that anyone knew, "Can you do anything to cancel out the Cosmic Cube's power?"
"I am not certain if I can counter its affects overall," Doctor Strange answered.
"What?" Spider-Man gasped and looked over, "But you could turn a rabbit into a hat and then pull six rabbits out of it!"
"There is still a difference in energies that we manipulate," Doctor Strange answered, "My power is in magic and mysticism. If the Red Skull is correct in saying that his has the power of the Cosmic Cube, his powers are difficult to explain from a mystical point of view. I can protect myself from his attacks, but I do not know how well the mystic arts might be able to prevent from causing you all harm."
"What has S.H.I.E.L.D. said about what they're going to do about the Red Skull?" Spiderwoman asked.
"Their hands are tied," Cap sighed, "The government apparently hasn't come to decision yet and therefore, S.H.I.E.L.D. won't act."
"They were better when Fury was in charge," Wolverine commented, "At least he knew that the Red Skull was evil."
"Director Hill is just as aware of the Skull's personality as Fury is," Cap sighed, "Believe me."
"Then why isn't she doing something about this?" the Falcon questioned, "Shoot, Fury picked us up to do several little odd jobs to help S.H.I.E.L.D. when there was problems."
Cap sighed and looked down.
"Fury was apolitical," Cap sighed, "He judged the world by what HE felt was right or wrong and did his best to insure that no evil was able to gain power. Maria Hill is much more political then Fury. They believe in the same system of right and wrong, but Maria Hill will act in what is best for the US government, where Fury would act, even if it meant harming the US government."
"Which has Maria Hill as the present director," Spiderwoman sighed.
"We still need to figure out what we will do to deal with this guy," Wasp pointed out.
Cap sighed, "I thank you all for wanting to help, and I can easily understand why. But the Red Skull and the fight against him is my fight. Becoming actively involved in the fight against him will leave the rest of the world unguarded."
"Captain, I fought beside you in World War II," Namor warned him, "Do not tell me that the Red Skull is not my fight."
"I will not stop you from fighting him, Namor," Cap answered, "I will not be above taking any help that you can offer, but I don not think this needs to be an all out crusade into his 'country'. In fact, the greatest help you all could provide for me is to make sure that no one else tries to cause any trouble while the Skull is out there."
There was a short silence before Cap continued.
"At the same time, the Red Skull hasn't done anything truly threatening yet, so there is nothing the Avengers can do," Cap sighed, "Declaring that you're alive and a world leader doesn't count as threatening the world."
"Atlantis does not need those restrictions," Namor said placing a hand on Cap's shoulder, "If S.H.I.E.L.D. will not send you to take him out, and the Avengers must wait until he takes a definite step to conquer the world, then there is no surface dweller I would have besides you to fight with Atlantis."
"Can you counter the Cosmic Cube in any way?" Mrs. Fantastic asked.
"And can you insure that Atlantis will be safe while you're fighting the Red Skull?" Mr. Fantastic added.
Namor sighed, knowing that his only option would be a full scale invasion, which would take time to prepare, as most of his people either needed some technological help or mystical help to breathe air and retain their strength. He was able to retain his strength because he was half human.
"Atlantis will attack and destroy the Red Skull Reich," Namor promised, "It will take us time to prepare our military and to insure that Atlantis can not be attacked by either internal dissenters or other surface dwellers while our attention is elsewhere."
"I understand," Cap sighed, "I hope that by that time America realizes that the Red Skull is an evil force that will threaten the entire world."
Suddenly Cap's S.H.I.E.L.D. communicator buzzed again, indicating that they wanted him for something. After what he had just gone through, he really didn't want to deal with Director Hill again, but it appeared that he would have no choice.
"Sorry to bother you again, Captain," Director Hill spoke over the line, "But I've just gotten of the phone with the White House. They want to see you, right away."
Red Skull's Palace, Red Skull City, Red Skull Reich
"YES!" the Red Skull smiled as he watched one of the many news channels that was reporting on the global reactions to his announcement, "Yes!"
One the screen that he was focused on was the White House Press Secretary.
"While the administration has concerns about various issues concerning the Red Skull and his ideology," the man spoke in a deliberate voice, "The President has agreed to visit his capital in the hopes of discovering his true intentions."
"YES!" the Red Skull yelled in triumph again, "I have won now!"
Washington DC, USA
"Did you actually believe anything that he said in his announcement?" Chaney asked quietly as he and Rumsfeld walked quietly through the empty hallways of the White House.
"Honestly, no," Rumsfeld answered, "But Nazism was a conservative movement. And as a new nation he hasn't ratified the Geneva Convention. We could use him to carry out our own goals."
Chaney gave a knowing smile, "In fifty years, hopefully our people can proudly say, the Democratic Party does not exist."
To Be Continued…
"Nothing in all the world is more dangerous then sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity."
-- Martin Luther King Jr., Strength to Love (1963)
