"Where is Laurie?" the balding man asked the man leaning on the camera, "We are on in a few minutes."
"Don't know boss." the cameraman replied swivelling the device to focus on the blonde woman delivering coffee to the newscaster sitting at the desk. "Maybe we could get her to fill in." he stated. The older man watched the girl before giving the camera operator a slap on the back of the head. "What's that for?" the operator moaned as he rubbed the impact point.
"I got you this job Bret in the hopes that you would do something worthwhile with you're life rather then work on that bloody car all day." the older man snapped, "Now shape up before I change my mind."
"Yes dad." Bret whimpered as he focused the camera on the map of Chicago. As he rested his hand he felt the camera grow cold and retracted his fingers as the lens frosted over and the lights sparked before going out plunging the studio into darkness. As the last bulb dimmed the wind arrived knocking over the equipment and sending people flying into the walls and desk, their screams quickly drowned out by the approaching gale. Clinging to the camera Bret watched as the lights turned back on to reveal four individuals standing in front of the weather map all dressed in gaudy costumes.
"Bon Matin Chicago." the man at the front told the few remaining members of the news team and their support staff. "My name is Cyclone and I would like to take a few moments of you're time to discuss and important issue." As he finished the second man rubbed his hands together, sparks running down the wires hanging off his costume and ran across the floor into the cameras causing the devices to turn on and film the unfolding events.
"We are here to ask for donations from the people of Chicago to aid in the completion of our project." Cyclone announced, "Ten million dollars should easily cover our overhead, preferably in non-sequential bills and with no strings attached. Now I know that you may be averse to paying us so we will give you time to think about our offer. An hour should be sufficient, as added motivation my associates will drop the temperature down to zero degrees Celsius. After that if you refuse to pay us the temperature will drop ten degrees per hour until we get paid or the city freezes over."
"You monsters." Bret's dad snarled, "Haven't you got anything better to do?" Cyclone sighed before motioning to the woman dressed in purple and white to move forward. Unholstering one of the batons she carried, she shoved the tip in the man's mouth and twisted the tip releasing a thick grey fog, the noxious fumes causing her victim to choke before collapsing to the floor.
"As you can see we are well armed and won't be bullied into taking a lesser sum." Cyclone addressed the audience, "Take this as a warning Chicago, if anyone else apposes us my organization will make life even more uncomfortable. We await you're response." he added as mist filled the studio before being blown away to reveal the four hostage takers absence. Sobbing Bret walked over to his dad and held his cold dead hands before bowing his head and whispering "Don't worry dad I will make you proud whatever it takes."
Melissa felt Abe shift next to her and rolled to face him, as per usual he had stolen the covers leaving her body exposed to the cold. Yawning she got to her feet and pulled a dressing gown over the pyjamas she wore before slipping her feet into a set of blue slippers, silently stalking out the room and into the corridor outside. After their flight from Dallas the entire team had met Seth Volkner, the former criminal known as Sidewinder, at his headquarters in Chicago. Volkner had been ecstatic to meet them and his offers at accommodation and support in the Thunderbolts future ventures had been too good to pass up. Three hours after landing he had organized rooms for each of the fugitives in the building he owned as well as new wardrobes with the promise to resupply them ready for departure when they chose to leave. Personally Melissa was happy to stay put; soft beds, good food and relaxation had been hard to find on the road, she had even forgotten about FACT for a while at least until Abe mentioned continuing the hunt last night.
Continuing towards the kitchen located on the same floor Melissa passed past a number of workers all heading for the stairs or lifts, most of them in a hurry to leave and all of them wrapped up warmly. Up ahead was an observation bubble, an area of clarity in a sea of frosted glass that made up the windows of the 'Sidewinder' building, Chicago's newest tower in an ocean of high-rises. Reaching the clear window Melissa found that she wasn't the only person curious about the events, among the security agents and office staff looking out over the city, Melissa caught a glimpse of her teammate Fredrick Myers dressed in a black T-Shirt and jeans among the crowd.
"What the hell is going on?" Melissa asked as she elbowed through the crowd, "Is there a fire or something?"
"Or something." Myers echoed, "It's snowing. I'm no weatherman but I know it's not meant to snow in early October."
"Well this is Chicago." Melissa announced, "It is possible, maybe something to do with global warming."
"If you are naive then yes maybe it is." Myers answered, "Or if you haven't seen the news today. Chris and I have this thing where we rank the hotness of the weathergirls but instead of a cute chick we had Cyclone ransoming the city and murdering some bloke instead."
"Why didn't you wake us up?" Melissa hissed. "How long ago was this broadcasted?"
"Ten minutes ago, at first I thought he was joking but turns out that he was serious, the mercenary is dropping quickly."
"Wake Juno and get to the kitchen." Melissa ordered, "I'll get Abe, I want to see this footage for myself."
The smell of burnt toast wafted over the kitchen as the Thunderbolts crowded around the laptop on the work surface watching as Cyclone made his demands before he and his team flew off leaving a dead body and the threat of even more tragedy in their wake. "It's defiantly Pierre Frisson." Abe muttered, "He used to be a Thunderbolt."
"The guy in orange and blue is Supercharger." Boomerang added, "I served in the Masters of Evil with him for a brief period of time."
(Boomerang, Cyclone and Supercharger served in the Masters of Evil alongside Aqueduct, Bison, Black Mamba, Black Wing, Cardinal, Constrictor, Crimson Cowl, Dragonfly, The Eel, Flying Tiger, Gypsy Moth, Hydroman, Icemaster, Joystick, Klaw, Lodestone, Machinesmith, Man Ape, Man Killer, Quicksand, Scorcher, Shatterfist, Shockwave, Slyde, Sunstroke and Tiger Shark - Thunderbolts #24-25)
"We remember." Melissa said smiling before pausing the feed as the red and white figure moved in for the kill, "The woman looks like Mysteria but I was under the impression that she was dead."
"That's three, the forth guy is Hoarfrost it explains the ice part of the mystery." Abe told the others, "Although Cyclone must have found a way to jack up his powers if he thinks that he can freeze the entire city."
"Thinks?" Chris stated, "Look outside the snow is already lying on the ground, I think we can assume that he managed it."
"This is why you are needed more then ever." Seth announced as he limped into the room, "Most of the people who work here have been told to go home, at current I have found a few volunteers to set up an aid centre at the base of the tower but hopefully you will take those villains out before it becomes too much of a problem."
"Four against five, I would say that the odds are with us." Boomerang announced happily.
"No the odds are against us." Juno corrected as everyone turned to look at her. Dressed in white and grey combats and a hooded coat it was clear that the former army officer was expecting a long winter. "Their powers complement each other quite nicely," she explained, "Also the weather is against us, and I doubt any of you have extensive cold weather survival skills."
"So what do you suggest then?" Abe asked
"A quick strike with each of us separating a single target from the group. Songbird should take Mysteria due to her enhanced hearing; the Melter is an ideal choice to take out Hoarfrost and Iridium's armor can absorb Supercharger's electrical attacks. That leaves me and Boomerang against Cyclone, since we can't easily defeat him we will stall him until you finish with the others."
"And then five on one." Abe finished, "A sound plan but in-case we fail we will need to focus on helping the city until we get another chance."
"I will locate resources that will aid the city in fighting a cold snap and send them to you." Seth croaked as he sat down on a stool, his joints clicking, "I just hope that we don't have to use them."
Abe locked in the co-ordinates into his armor; thanks to the respite as well as Volkner Industries generous donation of funds his suit had taken a major leap towards becoming a suitable replacement to his MACH V suit. Now equipped with thrusters and an energy siphon he could get back into the air and help Melissa maintain air superiority, which would be crucial if he they were going to defeat Cyclone and his thugs.
"Does it have a name?" Melissa asked as she walked into the lab, absent mindedly kicking a spanner out the way.
"Not yet, for now I will stay as Iridium out in the field." Abe replied, "I can't bring myself to call this MACH VI." he added jabbing his finger at the reflected image of his suit, "But at least I can get some altitude, I hate being grounded."
"Are we going to leave or what?" Boomerang yelled as he walked into the room. "Cyclone just sent a drop off request for the money drop. Some place called Belmont on the Chicago L."
"Got it set into the suit's GPS. Juno and Chris are travelling there by foot while we head there by air." Melissa announced, "Abe be careful you haven't tested the suit in the field, if for any reason you are uncomfortable call it in and Boomer or I will cover you."
"Thanks but I feel great in this." Abe replied, "Last one to the rendezvous buys the first round when we finish up." he added as the doors on the lab creaked open revealing a clear path outside, the sky flecked with white as the snow fell furiously onto the building. Stepping off backwards Abe activated the thrusters and jetted into the sky as Melissa and Boomer watched him disappear into the blizzard.
"He's keen." Boomerang mused as Melissa threw herself off the edge before disappearing into the falling snow, a glowing trail of pink energy tinting the snow a brilliant rose. "Maybe it's just me." Myers added as he jumped out after them, his rocket boots propelling him into the descending white haze.
Cyclone spat angrily before cursing in French, the ransom hadn't arrived and while it was possible that it was running late, due to the falling snow, he doubted it. Plunging the city into a mini ice-age wasn't an option he liked but he desperately needed the cash, he owed too many people too much cash to simply quit due to his ethical choices. Checking the count-down timer displayed on his HUD he double tapped the button on his belt watching as it faded from blue to black, the signal for his compatriots to begin the next countdown. "Come on we are leaving." he told the others as he activated his suit, the summoned winds causing the snow to explode outwards as he took off. Looking up he saw something pink flash above him before jerking left to avoid the tumbling missile as it fell feet first into the cleared section of ground he had just taken off from.
"Cyclone surrender like a good Frenchie and we may avoid a beating." the landed missile announced. Cyclone squinted through the snow and chuckled before landing next to the figure, clicking his fingers to signal his team mates to move in.
"Boomerang, you must be here to represent the Maggia." Cyclone stated, "Are you a hit man or a courier."
"Neither mate." Boomerang replied, "I'm with them." he added. Cyclone and the others looked up to see Songbird and Iridium hovering above them. Cyclone turned to face Boomer before firing a blast of wind sheer at him, knocking him into the snow before charging Melissa and Abe. Parting they dropped away letting him fly past, the snow clumping into hail-stones from his suit's centrifugal action before opening fire at Supercharger as he got ready to electrocute their team mate.
"We have you outnumbered." Supercharger buzzed as he absorbed the sonic energy fired at him before releasing it, the blast igniting the snow around him and causing it to fall as a river of steam. Twisting round Melissa saw Hoarfrost advancing on them from behind and summoned up an arm mounted shield before standing back to back with Abe. "Struck by lightning, frozen or asphyxiation." Supercharger offered, "You're choice."
"How about none of the above." a voice rang out from the snow followed by gun-shots. Emerging from the station building Juno slipped a new clip into the Tech 9 and opened fire again, this time aiming at Hoarfrost, the bullets chipping pieces of ice off him until his left arm shattered into hundreds of icy pieces. Racing forward Chris slammed into the icy villains and knocked him off the platform onto the tracks as Cyclone descended once again, his accompanying wind throwing slabs of concrete down at the Thunderbolts as they scattered to avoid the heavy projectiles. Looking down the track Abe watched as Chris was flash frozen by Hoarfrost only to ignite his icy tomb and advance on the villain. Rolling to a standing position he located Supercharger on the other end of the line, his hands sparking as he reached down to touch the train tracks. Springing down after the villain Abe watched as a bolt of electricity hurtled down the rails towards him, activating his armour's siphon he reached out and drained the energy, the resulting shock recharging his Taser and motor systems.
"Well we know that works." Abe announced, "Let's see about this." he stated as he removed a pistol with a glass chamber on the end. Pulling the trigger the chamber begun to glow red before firing a beam of focused sound at Supercharger, the blast causing his suit to discharge a massive amount of energy before the user collapsed to his knees. "Low frequency Maser*," Abe told him, "By feeding the energy to you're suit it caused it to overload and short out." Snarling as he got to his feet Supercharger ran at Abe slamming his fist into the Iridium armor before recoiling and holding his hand in agony. Behind his face plate Abe smiled before punching the de-powered villain back, his own blow knocking the thug down to the ground.
(Microwave Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation - Impurest 'Ain't Acronyms Cool' Cheese)
Chris waded through the blasts of ice and thrown icicles that Hoarfrost was sending his way. To give the villain some credit he was holding his ground despite his attacks being completely ineffective against his opponent. Reaching his target Chris slammed a fist into the icy fiends remaining shoulder and channelled a blast of heat down the limb causing it to drip onto the floor, effectively disarming the felon.
"Give up." Chris announced, "I don't want to hurt you but if I have to I will go further." Hoarfrost took a deep breath and then exhaled, his breath freezing the air around Oxide enough to chill the outer layer of his suit. With a sigh of his own Chris slammed his other fist into Hoarfrost's chest and opened his palm, a vivid red glow spreading through the villain's chest as his body begun to melt into a pool of blue gel, with only a head still intact.
"You can't defeat the F5." Hoarfrost's head yelled as Chris picked up the cranium and placed it on a box. "This city will freeze."
"What are you going to do?" Chris asked, "You're a head."
Melissa felt Cyclone fly past as she landed on the top of the station building, the jet stream pushing her across the roof. As the wind died down she saw Mysteria scale the side and elegantly flip onto the edge of the building, her long blonde hair trailing behind her, followed by a tide of mist that eddied along the roof tops. Closing her eyes Melissa kneeled down and took long deep breaths, almost immediately her lungs begun to burn but fighting the urge to panic she stayed still and listened for the footsteps, the noise amplified by the mist. Swiftly she extended her hand and caught the 'mist-stick' that Mysteria had swung at her before sending a sonic pulse along the shaft causing the baton to shatter. Taking another deep breath she raised from her position, elbow outstretched and met the kick her opponent had thrown at her before extending her arm and flipping Mysteria over her shoulder.
"You are skilled in fighting blind." Mysteria hissed, "Not surprising since you have always hunted by sound."
"And you cloud people's vision." Melissa replied as she summoned a sonic filter over her face. "We would have made a good team but it's too late now. That man at the TV studio didn't deserve to die."
"Cyclone my give the orders." Mysteria purred as the mist swirled around her. "But I have my own agenda. First step is you burning" she screeched as she twisted the mist stick, the tip sparking orange before igniting the mist in a burning haze. Almost immediately the heated air rushed through the filter and Melissa started to wheeze. Desperately she focused her powers and summoned a sphere of thick sonic energy, her powers sapping every sound in the area to contain the mist until it collapsed in on itself, releasing wisps of harmless pink smoke.
"My voice can cut through any fog." Melissa croaked. Mysteria snarled and ran at her ready to swing her baton in a downwards thrust at her targets head. With a single move Melissa slammed her palm through the baton and into Mysteria's hand, shockwaves bouncing along the villainess's body and sending her convulsing off the edge of the building and onto the platform below.
Boomerang jetted around the building and threw a projectile at Cyclone, the French super criminal easily blowing the boomerang off course. Taking off again Boomer narrowly dodge a gust of wind thrown at him as Cyclone spun round after him. "Hey Smoky a little help here." he yelled at Juno as she huddled down in the station building.
"Keep him busy a little while longer." Juno replied as she tapped a tablet attached to her wrist.
"Because that's easy." Boomer moaned as he shot above a hail of rubbish blown at him. As he got ready to shift position a vertical sheer caught him and he shot up, his body revolving rapidly until he stopped ascending. Levitating to the same height Cyclone flipped him over so his head was pointing down before stopping the wind enough so that Myers could look him in the eyes.
"La plunge." he said smirking before letting Boomerang drop to the floor, the blow causing Myers to yell in pain, although his helmet had reduced the impact his nose was bleeding and he was feeling queasy. Returning to ground level Cyclone activated his suit again and focused his ability on Myers planning to rise him up again and drop him from a greater altitude. The wind began to whip up before dying mysteriously as he dropped the nine feet to the platform.
"Boomer I wormed into his suit." Juno yelled, "His armor is rebooting so hit him now." Boomerang coughed and threw a Reflexarang, the projectile arching past Cyclone as his suit powered up. Chuckling Cyclone advanced on Myers as the thrown rang was caught by the wind arching round and slamming into the villain's neck. The blow caused Cyclone to stagger before the suit went into overdrive propelling the villain backwards across the rails into a parked train, the impact off-lining the armor and leaving the user locked in his own suit.
"I feel sick." Myers moaned, "Couldn't you have done that faster."
"It had complex firewalls and command codes in French, a language I don't speak." Juno replied sheepishly, "If it had been Spanish or Mandarin then it would have been a lot quicker 'Rick'."
"Looks like you're buying that round Mel." Abe announced, "Once we get Boomer checked for a concussion of course."
"If we stopped them then why is the weather getting worse?" Chris asked as he pointed up at the increasing snow fall and flashes of lightning.
"Even with our powers combined and wind, cloud, lightning and snow working together we couldn't muster a perfect storm." Cyclone stated as his suit rebooted and he took to the air, "So we found somebody who could." he added as a dark haired woman wearing a leotard and ballet shoes landed delicately at the middle of the station. Almost immediately the temperature dropped and Melissa threw up a sonic shield only to see it shatter under the weight of the ice forming over the surface.
"Crap control surfaces on the left thruster gamble have frozen over." Abe yelled as Juno and Myers opened fire only to see their projectile freeze in mid flight.
"You have made this city's suffering ten times worse." Cyclone bellowed as he swept up Supercharger, Mysteria and Hoarfrost's head. "The people will suffer because of you, and when they turn we will finish the job. Farewell and enjoy you're defeat, this is just the beginning." he hissed before flying off with the rest of F5.
"Who was that chic?" Boomerang asked as he cracked his knuckles in a vain attempt to warm them up.
"An unknown for now." Melissa answered, "Seth we failed spread the word that we are offering anybody who helps us save the city amnesty. For now all we can do is help the Populus survive, we will get another chance to take down Cyclone and his gang."
"And next time it will be personal." Abe added as Chris melted the ice that had formed on his wing. "Seth just forwarded our next priorities; Mel go and help the ambulances get people to hospital, Chris you're on road clearing duty while Boomer and I fly supplies to aid posts."
"And me?" Juno asked, "What am I doing?"
"Get back to the tower and figure out who are mystery woman is." Abe ordered, "We may have lost the battle but the war doesn't end until the snow thaws."
Thunderbolts #26
As the city plunges into a freezing night the Thunderbolts are about to be joined by some unlikely heros. Will this additional man power help defeat F5 or is the city about to enter a winter of discontent as the Thunderbolts 'Welcome to the Windy City' gets decidedly chilly.