A little later H.A.M.M.E.R HQ
Osborn stood in the car park just outside the door of H.A.M.M.E.R's main laboratory.
"It's been almost an hour what's taking them?" he muttered to himself. Taggart had assured him things would go off without a hitch and he didn't like it when things didn't go according to plan.
Just then a large grey van pulled into the car park startling Osborn from his thoughts. The van stopped a few meters in front of him and two soldiers dressed in black and wearing gas masks got out.
"Mr. Osborn?" one of the men asked.
"Yes?"
"We have the cargo."
"Good, if you could unload it from the vehicle my men will take it from there."
"Yes sir" they replied.
Just as the men were about to open the doors of the van three black SUV's pulled up. Out of one stepped Osborn's Avengers looking slightly battered up causing him to eye them menacingly. Out of another some more soldiers and out of the last came Taggart and another man he'd never met.
"Mr Osborn" Taggart began "it's good to see you again."
Osborn nodded in response "Why are your men late?" he demanded.
"A minor setback arose" replied the man next to Taggart
"And you are?"
"Cross" the captain replied simply.
"Well Mr. Cross what kind of set back?"
"The Avengers" Daken snarled angrily before Cross could reply.
"But they did not get the weapon?" Osborn said gesturing towards the van.
"Not all of it sir" the driver of the van said.
"Not all of it? What the hell does that mean?" Osborn asked irritatedly.
"We believe they may have acquired one of the canisters sir" the driver finished.
"Don't worry, they don't have enough of it to pose an imminent threat" Cross replied assuring him.
"Unload the van" Taggart ordered gesturing towards his men.
As they opened the door something rolled out, it did several turns before arriving at Osborn's feet. Everyone looked at the head in shock.
"JESUS" came the voice of one of the men looking into the van. "It's a blood bath in here sir."
Osborn stared at the head at his feet. "IS THIS WHAT YOU CALL SECURE MR TAGGART!" he shouted turning angrily to the Colonel. "NOT ONLY DID THE AVENGERS KNOW WHEN AND WHERE YOU WOULD BE ARRIVING THEY ALSO MANAGED TO INFILITRATE YOUR VAN AND KILL FOUR OF YOUR MEN!"
"It wasn't one of those freaks" Cross said examining the inside of the van. "I was watching them the whole time none of them came close to the van."
"That's true!" Bullseye suddenly piped up. "We were fighting all of them the whole time."
"Then it seems we have another player" Taggart said putting his hand to his chin.
Suddenly Daken pushed the soldiers aside and jumped into the vehicle a angry look on his face.
"What is it Wolverine?" Osborn asked watching as Daken sniffed the air.
"I know that scent" he growled. They watched as Daken walked up and down the van finally he bent down and picked up a knife covered in blood and smelt it. "Deadpool!" he snarled.
"What?" Moonstone and Bullseye said in unison.
"It was Deadpool. I'd know that diseased smell anywhere" Daken hissed throwing the knife against the van's flank in frustration.
"Deadpool?" Targgart questioned turning to Osborn.
"A mercenary who has proven very hard to kill" Osborn sighed. "Although I had been assured the matter had been taken care of!" he continued shifting his eyes to Bullseye who moved uncomfortably under his glare.
"It's complicated" the assassin replied meekly.
"Complicated? All you had to do was kill that maniac!" Moonstone snapped.
"Well I don't remember you killing him that time he stole those MODOK's" Bullseye countered.
Karla bit back another remark. it was true the mercenary had not only stolen the MODOK's from right under H.A.M.M.E.R's nose, he'd also managed to lead her on a wild goose chase away from the facility.
"It seems he too only got one of the containers" Cross stated after examining the canisters. "Like I said one isn't enough to pose an imminent threat and they can't create more without our scientists formula."
Osborn looked somewhat calmed by this. "Come inside let's talk money" Osborn said looking at Taggart.
A few minutes later they arrived in the main room where Osborn gave his briefings to the team. The Dark Avengers sat around the large table, Osborn at the head with Taggart opposite him Cross stood at the door surveying the scene. He examined these so called Dark Avengers one thing Cross knew was that he didn't trust them. They seemed too volatile for his liking, too unpredictable. Although he had to admit they weren't lacking in skill. Although the other Avengers seemed to have more experience than them and knew how to fight better as a team, these Dark Avengers had the ferocity and killer instinct the other ones seemed to lack.
As he looked at them he noticed Moonstone's eyes focused on him. He smiled to himself and winked at her. The blond villain raised an eyebrow and gave him a suggestive glance. Before anything could continue Taggart began his presentation of project Blacklight. He showed Osborn slides and video simulations of the viruses effect.
"Of course we wouldn't expect you to buy the weapon now before having seen what it can do. So I'll give you four days to decide on whether.." he was cut off by the intercom buzzing.
"Excuse me" Osborn said as he pressed the microphones button. "What?" he asked rather sharply.
"Sorry mister Osborn but there is a call on line one for Mr Taggart."
"Would you mind if I took the call?" Taggart asked looking slightly confused that someone would contact him here.
"Be my guest" Osborn replied. "Ms. Hand please put Mr Taggarts call through" he said into the microphone as he switched on the loud speaker.
"Colonel Taggart sir?" came a voice.
"Yes?"
"Sir, Zeus escaped from our New York facility" said the voice shaking slightly.
"WHAT?" Taggart shouted turning pale. Even Cross standing by the door lost his calmcollected demeanor and walked over to the intercom
"Mercer is still alive?" the Specialist asked darkly.
"Yes captain" the voice replied recognizing his voice.
"Whoever this Mercer is he has these two very riled up" Osborn thought as he looked at Taggart and Cross.
"I'm sorry Mr Osborn" Taggart said. "That will have to conclude tonight's business" he continued as he disconnected the call. "I have something very important to attend to, as I said I'll leave the Blacklight virus with you for a few days while you examine it. Mr Cross will remain with you to make sure you don't...try anything" the Colonel finished fixing Osborn with a grim stare. "I hope that will not be a problem?"
"Of course not Mr. Cross is more than welcome here" Osborn replied, eyeing the Captain. The Specialist on the other hand seemed less than happy with the arrangement he grabbed Taggart's arm as he went to leave whispering in his ear.
"With all due respect sir we don't know what Mercer is capable of the version of the Blacklight virus he was infected with was derived from the same one they used on me would it not be better that I be present in case he turns up looking for revenge?"
"Listen" Taggart whispered back. "I need you here none of my other agents have your...abilities and if Osborn tries to pull something I want you to snap his neck."
"What about Mercer?" Cross pressed.
"I'll take care of Mercer just keep an eye on things here" with that Taggart walked out the door. Cross followed him with a sour glare before turning back to look at his new "team-mates" he wasn't happy with this arrangement. The man they all referred to as Gargan smiled menacingly at him
"Welcome to the team pretty boy" he jeered.
Moonstone looked at the captain. When she'd met him her first impression was that he was an uptight military ponce but she had to admit she was impressed when he almost effortlessly held his own against two of the Avengers. Karla caught his eye and returned his wink from earlier.
"hmm maybe this won't be a total waste of time" Cross thought smiling to himself.
