Rahm Emanuel stood wrapped in a set of coats on the steps of the Tribune Building as frozen aides and cameramen hurried around him in a frenzy of energy, the only thing keeping the cold at bay. Among the throng were several local journalists all watching and waiting to strike a mortal blow using the frozen city as an example of poor government.
"Today marks the day when this city came under attack." Emanuel stated, "Not from a foreign threat but from super powered individuals born and raised here. I have seen the suffering and the bravery of the people I represent and I ask the forces responsible for the shift in weather to show some mercy. In acknowledgment of any such action the city is willing to pay half the asking price as well as offering the promise of an easy exit from our city."
"Mr Mayor," one of the journalists cried, "What of the costumed individuals seen throughout the city helping aid workers and city officials."
"I have no knowledge of any such individuals." Emanuel answered, "Now if you excuse me I have to talk to the gentlemen and women responsible for the bail out fund inside."
A few minutes later Emanuel was sitting in a cold room, the lights and torches barley illuminating the table let alone the figures sitting around it, plumes of breath the only sign that the businessmen, bankers and unscrupulous figures were truly alive. Nervously Emanuel coughed and watched as their unseen eyes focused on him, boring through his body more effectively then the cold wind.
"I would like to thank you all for coming out here." the Mayor said, his tone cautious and probing, "If we could do this quickly it would be most appreciated."
"I ain't giving you a penny." one of the bankers sneered, "These thugs don't get anything from us."
"I assure you that the city will reimburse you." Emanuel replied.
"If the city can afford to do that then surely you can pay them yourself." a woman in a business suit asked.
"I want to be paid as soon as possible, no government stalling." A third banker asked, "And I want a bomb or something put in the case so we can blow the fuckers sky height before they touch our money."
"None of these plans and ideas will work." A calm voice announced, "We have to assume that these people are smart and would discover our plans. Fortunately there is another way to end this siege."
"Mr Volkner right?" Emanuel asked, "What do you have in mind sir."
"I have several super-human resources working across the city to aid the civilian population. One of them is a geokinetic and would be perfect to track the money that I personally have gathered." Seth told the others, "She leaves almost no trace and can slip out and bring in reinforcements."
"I don't like it." the first banker moaned, "Why bring more freaks in to end this."
"I agree." Emanuel sighed, "We do this without super mercenaries Mr. Volkner. You're money will be appreciated however." Seth bowed his head tapping on the ear-piece and tilting his head.
"It's too late." Seth replied, "My agent just returned with the address Cyclone is using as a base. I'm mobilizing my team and there is nothing you can say that will change my mind." he added getting up from the table and walking out of the conference room. Emanuel rubbed his head and felt sweat beading on his temples, "Somebody call the Commissioner, as soon as Volkner's mercenaries show themselves I want them incarcerated."
Abe loaded the last of the home made thermal shells into his grenade revolver, now that he knew what the F5 were capable of he was certain that the Thunderbolts would be victorious. Add in the information Diana had supplied and it looked as if the thaw would be arriving after all. Thanks to the former Thunderbolt, Abe now knew that Bora was running off an AIM made device called a 'Dragon's Tooth', a gene altering device that granted, or in this case restored, mutant abilities. Consequentially that very procedure was the reason why Cyclone was holding the city to ransom, his employer owed AIM a lot of money as well as the middle man who had hooked the two parties up. Looking out the window Abe shuddered, only twelve hours ago he had left the building and ended up making the situation worse. This time he had to win or Cyclone and Bora would make the winter ten times worse then it already was.
"It's time." Melissa said coming up behind him, "Everyone is waiting to deploy." Abe turned to look at her and saw a small half smile that displayed quite confidence on his teammates face, the feeling was infectious and by the time he had walked the Iridium Mk 2 armor out of the lab he knew what the outcome of the coming battle was. Looking around the room he saw the other Thunderbolts sitting or leaning on the assorted tables and benches scattered around the garage in the Sidewinder building, all of them looked ready for action although he could practically smell the tension coming off of the group.
"What we are about to do is not going to define us as heros." Abe stated looking at each of his comrades, "The fact that we put human lives before taking out the people responsible for this mess makes us Heros. Cyclone and his band of thugs may have the environment on our side but we are have the advantage; we know what they are capable of whilst they no nothing about us. I look around at you and see different reasons behind what led you to this moment but be it survival, redemption, honour or any other reason I see a team of individuals I can be proud of. So let Cyclone's band of freaks hide in the smoke, throw lightning in our path or simply freeze the very air we breathe, the fact is we have already won because our actions are just. So stick together and help each other in the coming battle because I intend to celebrate the liberation of this city and I expect you to join me."
"Wow." Boomerang whispered to Vassal, "Do you think that he practices these speeches or they just come to him."
"Either way it helps." Juno announced as she holstered her Tech 9, "A good General can always rally his troop's morale." Boomer stroked his chin before raising his hand, "Yo boss say that again, this time I plan to record it and send it in to CNN."
Melissa flew over the warehouse on the north bank of the Shipping and Sanitary Canal, from what she could see and hear it looked normal like the rest of the buildings along the waterfront. The only thing that possibly gave it away as the epicentre of the winter were the extra long icicles frozen down over the top of the door, almost as if the structure was trapped in an icy cage. Touching down on the edge of the canal she motioned for her half of the strike team to move forward. It was simple Abe and the rest of the fliers would bombard the roof forcing the F5 to emerge out the front only to run into Melissa's ground team. Silently her force got ready for the assault, Chris was busy melting traps in the ground, the pits covered by the rapidly falling snow while Juno set up a massive Gattling Gun loaded with mercy rounds ready to bombard those who avoided the line of holes.
"Okay Abe we're ready." Melissa whispered, "Give them hell." she added, moments later the flare of thrusters appeared through the blizzard as Abe led Vassal and Boomerang over the rooftop, the shower of released projectiles causing the snow to shake and the roof to creak ominously. Before they could even swing back around smoke begun to leak through the structure and the roof exploded upwards showering the ground team with snow and razor sharp fragments of metal as Cyclone shot upwards, his jet stream dragging the rest of the F5 out the same exit.
"Cyclone surrender." Abe yelled, "You have the money but you failed to stop the winter as was agreed."
"And you said we would be given passage out of the city once I paid AIM and the Silent Partner." Cyclone replied, "I have enough problems without the Thunderbolts hounding Me." he added slamming Abe's team with a gust of wind, the force forcing Boomerang to land and scattering Quicksand. "You will regret coming back Jenkins." he added as Supercharger streaked towards Abe like an electrified rocket. Jetting back Abe saw Vassal accelerate towards Supercharger before uncoupling himself from the airframe and falling to the ground. The glider continued its path slamming into Supercharger and continuing towards Cyclone, the jet turbine engine cutting through the chop before exploding in the French mercenaries face, a torrent of energy sparking down Pierre's flight suit and causing all the members of F5 to fall to the ground.
"Never could stand the French." Vassal growled as he emerged from the snow clutching his axe.
"And I can't stand fools who don't listen." Cyclone replied, "Hoarfrost deal with them while I plan our exit strategy." Hoarfrost smiled before facing Juno and Chris and calmly walked towards them, before he even got half way to the pair they had both opened fire until he melted into a thick blue liquid.
"That was easy." Chris commented.
"Too easy." Black Tarantula announced as he scaled one of the dock lights. Seconds later Hoarfrost exploded from the snow knocking the Gattling Gun over before elbowing Juno backwards. Racing forwards Chris grabbed the icy villain's arm only to be hit from behind by something cold. Melting the appendage he was holding he turned only to see a second and third Hoarfrost standing behind him, their arms morphing into frozen hammers before slamming him into the chest.
"This is my world." Hoarfrost stated as more icy duplicates formed out of the snow before he walked over to where Juno was struggling out of the snow, icy hands keeping her pinned down as a second clone summoned an icy dagger ready to plunge it into her heart. As the knife reached the top of its arc a projectile whizzed through the air and slammed into the blade wielder's chin, shattering his whole body into pieces. With a swift kick Juno knocked the remaining duplicate back and got to her feet glancing over to where Boomerang stood slashing at a trio of icy figures with two Bladerangs clutched in his fists.
"Hey the kid had a glass jaw." Myers joked as he cut through another Hoarfrost clone, the arms and legs shattering leaving nothing but a screaming head lying in the snow. "So do all these blokes die if we catch the real one or are they all separate entities?"
"Big word for an even bigger idiot." Mysteria hissed leaping into the fray easily sidestepping an axe swing from Vassal before slashing at Boomerang with her mist sticks. "I expected nothing more then grunting and cursing." she added blowing biting smoke into Myers face causing him to recoil choking before slapping him over the nose with one of her batons.
"We all expected that." Quicksand replied as the ground under Mysteria's feet rippled throwing her into the snow, "Sometimes people can surprise you, I know I just did." she joked as a whole pack of Hoarfrost duplicates leapt at her, the majority of them being knocked back by a swift sweep of her arms, the remainder grabbing hold and crawling up her body, their progress marked by icy trails that immobilized her arm. Flying past Melissa fired a sonic pulse at the parasites shattering both them and the ice they had created on Quicksand's arm.
"Abe we've got to take out Bora now, before she joins the fight." Melissa screamed as she passed Iridium, the armoured Thunderbolt incinerating a pair of ice clones.
"Got it Mel." Abe replied, "Tarantula you're with Me." he yelled up at Black Tarantula as he flipped a Hoarfrost clone off the roof of a warehouse. With a nod Black Tarantula sprinted along the rooftops heading straight towards Cyclone and Bora, the former still trying to start his suit while the later simply pointed at him. Leaping to the next roof Carlos felt the ground shake as a massive icy hand emerged from the fallen snow and attempted to grab him as he darted left and dropped down onto the wall. Sprinting across on all fours Tarantula looked back to see icy spurs extend down after him before turning to time the swing up to the roof, his momentum sending him spinning onto the target rooftop.
"You came so close." Bora purred as she stretched her hand out as Carlos rushed towards her, "But you still fail." she added as the air froze across the roof. Skidding in an attempt to avoid the forming ice columns Black Tarantula saw Cyclone lift off and blast him with a gust of wind, sending him flying off into the Canal. Up above Abe dived on the pair of villains firing his remaining thermal rounds at them, the projectiles melting the ice before slamming feet first into Bora, the blow shattering the rooftop and sending both of them crashing to the floor.
"Abe." Melissa yelled as she barrelled towards Cyclone, the airborne mercenary spinning out the way before touching down in front of Vassal and Boomerang, the sheer wind force flinging a shower of icy projectiles at them as even more Hoarfrost clones crawled out of the disturbed snow. Hovering over the entry point Melissa watched as the hole iced over trapping Abe inside the warehouse with the most dangerous member of F5. With an angry scream she landed and slammed a sonic hammer into the ice only to be repelled with an electric shock. Looking across the rooftops she saw Supercharger charging at her, a trio of Hoarfrost clones in his wake, electricity sparking hot enough to melt a path across the roof tops. Hastily Melissa fired a pair of sonic bolts, at the attackers, the hard sound projectiles exploding around Supercharger as the villain kept running at her, his very footfalls causing ionized bridges to form as he crossed the gaps between the buildings. With a swift charged punch he slammed his fist into Melissa's chest, the ambient energy arching across the impact site flinging her off the roof and into the snow.
"So much for air superiority." she moaned as a Hoarfrost clone shattered above her, tiny ice shards ripping holes in her costume and leaving blue streaks across her skin. "Quicksand that thing we discussed now would be the time."
Abe blocked Bora's kicks and punches easily, although he suspected that she was going easy on him since every hit caused a little more ice to form on his control surfaces. With a mechanic squeal he blocked a particularly vicious kick and slammed back, the blow causing Bora to fly through the air before hitting the wall with a thud. With a vicious smile she crossed her arms and bowed her head before stamping her foot, icy tendrils spreading out from the impact and quickly snaking over the walls and ceiling. Cautiously Abe looked around before seeing Bora pirouette across the room, icy wind wrapping around her transforming the momentum into an icy tornado that flung frost covered crates and machinery wildly across the room. Avoiding the larger pieces of debris Abe narrowed his eyes and fired his Taser, the electrified projectile easily deflected by the spinning villainess before embedding into the ice and sparking along the ceiling.
Juno flicked out her own riot control baton and blocked a swing from Mysteria before ducking under the second truncheon and outstretched her leg into the attacker's shin causing her opponent to stumble. Swinging into an upright position she blocked another attack, this time from Hoarfrost, the blow shattering her enemies arm as thick grey smoke snaked across the floor enveloping her in a dark cloud. Calmly she looked around and saw a strange glow head towards her, the temperature dropping as it got closer. With a quick sweep she slammed the baton into the figure and watched as the Hoarfrost decoy shattered as a second walked into the mist, it's presence tinting the cloud an electric blue. Unholstering her Tech 9 she fired a few shots causing the duplicate to crumple before seeing more Hoarfrost clones walk into the cloud. Coughing she dropped her second baton and removed her second pistol getting ready for a last stand before dropping to her knees her stomach heaving as she tried to steady herself.
"So you can't control smoke?" a voice announced, "Luckily I can deal with it easily." it added as the air around the cloud of fog buzzed and whirled about before being blown away alongside the shattered remains of Hoarfrost and his duplicates. Juno looked up to see Quicksand blowing above her as Supercharger threw lightning bolts down at Vassal and Boomerang, the pair of Thunderbolts ducking behind frozen cars and crates whilst fighting a veritable army of Hoarfrost clones. "It's time for Operation Sand Blast." Quicksand told Juno as she helped her up, "All we need now is Melissa."
Bora screamed as electricity ran up her body causing her spinning to stop, the flying debris crashing down and smashing open on the warehouse floor. Staggering forward Abe felt his armor freeze over as he moved closer, only his determination keeping him going. With one last desperate thrust he reached Bora only for the joints to frost over trapping him within arms length of his target. "Do you know what happens when the water inside you freezes?" Bora asked as she ran her hand across Abe's chest, "Me neither, let's find out together."
"Hey Bora you bitch, I heard that you were the worst ballerina in all history." Melissa yelled from outside. Abe watched Bora squeeze her free hand before pushing him over, "Don't worry lover I will be back for you." she hissed as she smashed through the hole she had frozen over and emerged next to Supercharger.
"And as for the ice thing, well Blizzard and Coldheart are scarier then you." Melissa continued as she walked over to where Juno and Quicksand were standing.
"And the whole white after Labour Day is just a little offensive." Juno added causing ice to form around Bora's fist.
"The whole leotard thing doesn't make you look classy either." Quicksand announced, "Just slutty." Bora screamed something in Russian before sending a wave of ice over the three women leaving Boomerang and Vassal alone as Hoarfrost and his duplicates moved in. With a roar of anger Vassal stormed forward bulldozing his way through the clones before being stunned by a thrown lighting bolt.
"Great." Boomerang moaned as he launched a Shatterang at the ice tomb, "Last man standing, what the hell happened to the kid and the spider."
Chris melted a hole through the warehouse and blazed a trail to the iced over Iridium suit. Running his hand over the surface he watched as the ice dripped away exposing the metal plating. Stirring Abe sat up and moved his fingers, the last pieces of ice shattering as he did. "Is everything going to plan?" he asked Chris.
"Everything so far." Chris replied, "I just fished Tarantula out of the canal. Melissa just got iced over and Vassal made it look like he was trying to rescue her."
"That means Operation Sandblast is about to conclude, is Carlos ready?" Abe asked. Chris looked up and pointed at the rooftop, a white spider moving across the dark ceiling towards the entry hole.
Boomerang lashed out with his jet-boots and a discarded length of pipe, smashing Hoarfrost clones as they closed in. As the last Thunderbolt standing it was up to him to keep attention away from Melissa and the other girls until they were ready to act. Slashing out backwards with his pipe he saw Mysteria run towards him, a trail of smoke following her as she sprung off a crate and plummeted towards him. Reflexively Myers lashed out with the pipe and smacked her away before being grabbed from behind by Hoarfrost.
"You're turn to surrender." Cyclone chuckled as he and Supercharger advanced towards him.
"I'd rather die." Boomerang yelled, "Or at least get one more day in the beach."
"What are you talking about you crazy idiot." Hoarfrost hissed, his breath causing ice to form on Myers cheek. "We're not letting you go to the beach."
"Maybe I wasn't talking to you." Boomer answered as the ice tomb glowed pink and exploded along the length towards Bora showering the former ballerina with sand that buzzed and flowed around her. Turning back Cyclone sent a pulse of wind and blew Quicksand away to reveal Bora wrapped in a pair of bandoliers, the pockets loaded with armed grenades, the lights blinking furriously as they counted down to detonation.
"What theā¦" Bora yelled before the grenades detonated in a flash of light causing her to collapse. Springing from the hole Black Tarantula ran up to the fallen villain as Cyclone landed on the roof upping the wind shear and threatening to knock the Thunderbolt off the roof.
"Foolish American you never learn." Cyclone snarled.
"Actually we did." Black Tarantula replied his eyes blazing before releasing a pair of cobalt blue energy beams that slammed into Cyclone and ripping through his armour's gyroscope. With a scream Cyclone spun off backwards before being catapulted across the roof and into the canal. "And for the record I am not American." Black Tarantula commented as Bora got to her feet. Jetting up from the hole Abe emerged and looked down on the villain as Black Tarantula stepped away from her.
"Hey Bora ever wonder what happens when you're Dragon's Tooth shorts out?" Abe asked firing a micro-flachette into Bora's flank, "Let's find out." he added as Bora outthrust her arms only for a few flakes of snow to circle around her digits. "Okay Mel, Chris it's all yours." he yelled down at the Thunderbolts. Concentrating Melissa summoned sonic spheres around all the Thunderbolts save for the Melter as Chris stood arms outstretched with at least a hundred Hoarfrost clones encircling him, their breath freezing as they got ready for the kill. Chris smiled and locked eyes with Mysteria and Supercharger, his glance causing them to look at each other before turning tail and fleeing.
"Hoarfrost meet Global Warming." Chris announced as the air around him became superheated, the warmth spreading out and melting the advancing Hoarfrost army into a big blue puddle that snaked down a drain and into the sewers. "Damm it he got away." Chris spat, "What about the others?"
"Vassal and Boomer are on it." Melissa replied as the two Thunderbolts vaulted across the thawing snow banks after Supercharger and Mysteria. Slamming down in the parking lot the pair of them watched as the two villains turned to face them, smoke and lightning whirling around their hands.
"Which one do you want?" Vassal asked Myers.
"Mysteria, that crack she made earlier is just begging for a punching." Myers replied leaping across the car park and landing in the fog. With a snarl Vassal ran at Supercharger, his axe held out like a pike as the villain threw lightning bolts at his attacker, the energy sparking along the handle and into the blade until it was glowing white hot. "Whoa dude wait." Supercharger yelled as Vassal slammed the axe into the villain, electricity arching up and down the shaft, the weapon sucking the energy out of Supercharger until he no longer was sparking and collapsed to the floor. "Here." Vassal snarled throwing a pair of triple A batteries at Supercharger, "For when you wake up." he added as he slammed his fist into the villain's face. Across from him Boomerang slammed Mysteria into the bonnet of a frozen Chevy and removed a pair of his trade mark weapons from his belt, clicking them open and slipping them around the woman's wrists a band of energy arching between them to keep her contained.
"Now who's an idiot?" Boomer told her as the rest of the team arrived dragging Bora and Cyclone in a pair of sonic bubbles behind them. "So four out of five that's good."
"Three." Mysteria spat as she collapsed into a pile of smoke and was blown away out of the handcuff boomerangs.
"That's not my fault right?" Myers asked as Abe handcuffed Supercharger.
"No we didn't know she could do that." Melissa announced, "We caught the most dangerous part of the F5, I have no doubt we will see Mysteria and Hoarfrost again through."
"So what now?" Quicksand asked, "Do we hug or something?" As she finished speaking a pair of spot lights lit up the parking lot as armed police and National Guard stormed the area, their weapons trained on the Thunderbolts as a pair of helicopters filled with armed snipers hovered overhead.
"Now." Abe stated, "We get arrested."
Thunderbolts #28
Are the Thunderbolts bound for the Raft despite their heroic defeat of the F5? Find out in the final part of the arc as Chicago's newest Heros find themselves the hottest things around as they are 'Welcomed to the Windy City'.
