DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT own Ultimate Spider-Man or any related characters, Spiderman Noir or Pulp era characters and themes. Everything belongs to Marvel, Disney or Dynamite Entertainment... apart from the story.
In short I don't own anything in this story.
This is just for fun.
Enjoy
Chapter 35: The Belly of the Beast Pt5
Singh Brotherhood HQ – Singhs Office
The Brotherhoods leader spun and twirled the lance in his hands, slashing at Phantom high and low, each attack being narrowly avoided by the young hero. Singh then charged straight at Phantom, who managed to leap over the attack and force Singh to impale the wall behind him. While his adversary was distracted by his weapon getting stuck, Phantom rushed over to the wall opposite him and drew a pair of Sai from their mount. He turned to face Singh again, who abandoned the lance and retrieved a pair of twin broadswords ... facing him.
Singh: Do you even know how to use that thing, boy?
Phantom smiled and started twirling each Sai in his hands, before dropping into a fighting stance.
Phantom: Haven't a clue.
He charged at his enemy, avoiding Singhs sweeping attack by rolling under it then jumping up and stabbing downwards at Singhs back. However the Brotherhood leader managed to block Phantoms attempt by flinging the swords behind his back, catching the Sai and with what seemed like superhuman strength ... pushed his arms up and knocked the young off his feet.
Singh: Where as ... I on the other hand, have trained with each of these weapons to an intense degree. (Chuckling) You don't stand a chance.
Phantom scowled and jumped back to his feet. He lunged at Singh and trusted his weapons at him, jabbing at his target while deflecting Singhs attack at the same time. This continued for a while until both fighters blades became locked with each other, changing the nature of the fight into a test of strength.
Phantom: I ... WILL ... END ... YOU!
Singh: Funny ... Your father said pretty much the same thing.
The masked hero struggled to overpower his adversary and was forced onto one knee. Singhs strength was so freakishly strong that it seemed like he wasn't putting any effort into his attempt to overpower his adversary.
Singh: Funny ... this is just how your father looked ... before he died.
Singh Brotherhood HQ – Lower Level
In the long corridors of the Brotherhood base; White Tiger was leaping around off the floor and walls, avoiding the pulse blasts of Iron Maiden. When it was obvious that Tiger was too fast to hit, Maiden activated her jet boots and boosted straight at the teenager ... grabbing her by the waist and crashing straight through a nearby wall. Getting up from the debris, Maiden looked down at her downed opponent who was dazed but staring back at her.
Iron Maiden: Just as I thought ... you may have a pretty new suit but new tech is worthless unless you know how to take full advantage of it. There's a saying in my country; "One..."
She stopped as she felt something wrapped tightly round her neck; though her armour protected her, the pressure was enough to cause her great discomfort. Suddenly she felt herself being lifted off her and she looked down to see Tigers tail lifting her up and with a mighty flick ... flung her across the room the two of them were in and crashing on top of the nearby equipment, getting trapped under a debris of mess. Slowly Tiger managed to sit up and look over at where Maiden landed.
White Tiger: And just as I thought ... you talk too much.
She got back to her feet and was about to rush over and finish off her opponent until she remembered the task she and Spiderman were originally working on; getting the captured scientists to the escape pods.
White Tiger: I've got better things to do than waste time with you.
And on that note she turned her back and ran out of room and along the long corridor; however a few moments later, Maiden smashed her way out of the debris she was under and gave chase to her infuriating prey.
After about ten minutes of searching Tiger managed to track down the group of scientist she met early, hiding just outside the entrance of the chamber containing the escape pods.
White Tiger: What are you all doing?
Scientist: There are guards stationed in there ... we can't fight and don't have any weapons.
White Tiger: Alright, wait here.
She broke off from the group and leapt in to the chamber while the scientists waited. They could hear the cries of pain, the sounds of blaster fire and the loud thudding sound of heavy bodies being tossed around and crashing into the walls. A moment later Tiger emerged and gestured at the scientists to follow her inside. When they were inside, each one of the scientists rushed over to one of the many small hatches lined up alongside each other against the wall.
Scientist: Damn! They must have gone into lock down.
White Tiger: Can you get them open?
Scientist: Of course, I just need a few minutes...
He was cut off as Tiger was tackled to the ground by Iron Maiden, who stood back up ... lifting Tiger above her head and throwing her against the wall. As Tiger staggered to her feet she looked at one of the hatches and was struck with an idea, then looked towards the scientist.
White Tiger: Do it in one.
Iron Maiden: That'll be plenty of time to crush you.
White Tiger: Go ahead and try.
Maiden lunged at Tiger and grabbed hold of her wrist ... pinning them above her head against the hatch behind her. Tiger struggled then started the raise her leg and kick Maiden in the side of her torso, which didn't seem to hurt her attacker that much but she continued to alternate her kicks with each leg ... striking her opponent who appeared to be amused by her efforts.
Iron Maiden: I think that's a minute up.
White Tiger: Your right ... NOW!
While the two of them were occupied, one of the scientists was working on a nearby console, overriding the escape pods emergency lockdown. He pressed a button and all the hatches started to open, then taking advantage of this distraction, Tiger raised her legs and pushed Maiden back and grabbed hold of her hands. She then flipped over the armoured villain, causing her stumble. Then Tiger let go and kicked her opponent into the now open hatch of the escape pod and closed it in Maidens face.
White Tiger: See you around.
And on that note she pulled on the manual lever and watch Maiden through the small window as she repeatedly banged her fist against the hatch, unable to hear the obvious cursing that she was spewing at her. Suddenly the pod shot upwards ... disappearing at a great speed, then Tiger turned back to face the scientists.
White Tiger: Now that that's over with ... let's get you lot out of here.
Singh Brotherhood HQ – Launch Room
Hornet is on his knees, desperately fighting to remain conscious and struggling to work on the terminal. His eyes are getting heavy but he continues to apply the breathing technique, rationing what little air remained and trying to ignore the digitize voice coming from the terminal.
Machinesmith: "You still there? I'd say you have 3 minutes ... tops. Do you still believe you can stop the launch."
Green Hornet: (Whispering) All ... I ... need is ... 2.
Machinesmith: "Typical organic ... unable to accept the logical outcome, at the cost of your own survival."
With what little strength he had left, Hornet finished a series of key presses before his legs gave out and he fell to the ground.
Machinesmith: "See what I mean ... Your pathetic organic frame cannot compare to my digital one. I have no fear of ageing, disease or relying on air ... I am eternal."
Green Hornet: Until ... your body is ... destroyed.
Machinesmith: "What ... have you not been listening?"
Green Hornet: I have ... You're purely software ... so...
He couldn't finish his sentence, Hornet slowly closed his eyes and his breathing slowed to an alarming rate. However at the same time, the terminal he was working at started to beep.
Machinesmith: "What ... what's going? What did you...? Oh crap!"
The beeping sound had been coming from one of the small robotic explosives Hornet kept on his person. After a few seconds it exploded and the terminal was shattered into pieces. The second this occurred, the room's lockdown ended and the veneration turned back on. Air started to engulf Hornets lunges again and he violently started coughing and sputtering, he shot back up and sat on the floor, giving him some time to recover before he got back up and staggered towards the now destroyed terminal and picked up his smart phone that was dangling from it.
Green Hornet: How do you like your new accommodation?
A squeaky voice coming from his phone answered him.
Machinesmith: "WHERE AM I?"
Green Hornet: My phone ... you see even though you're mostly software ... you still need a physical form to operate effectively. So I isolated you from the other terminals and destroyed the one you were in ... but not before leaving you a single way out.
Machinesmith: "You ... you little wrench!"
Green Hornet: Luckily I also activate a small subroutine before you went boom.
He waited patiently for a moment, until he could hear a familiar automated voice.
Intercom: "Countdown ... disabled ... Launch ... cancelled."
Machinesmith: "NO ... NOOOO!"
Green Hornet: And as for you; you were good...
He threw the smart phone down onto the ground, placed his foot over it and sharply smashed the phone into pieces. Hornet lifted his foot up and stared down at the phones remains, smiling to himself.
Green Hornet: But you're no Green Hornet ... shame though, that was a nice phone.
Slowly Hornet staggered to the now open window and looked down the deep silo for his partner.
Singh Brotherhood HQ – Missile Silo
Crossbones is still choking the life out of Kato with his bare hands at the base of the silo. Kato is trying to struggle against her attacker's strength but Crossbones is determined to end her life.
Crossbones: I would ask you if you have any last words. But frankly ... I don't really care.
He tightened his grip further and could possibly break her neck at that point ... if it wasn't for the green smoke now engulfing around him. Due to this distraction, Crossbones looked up to see high above them ... Green Hornet firing his gas gun down at them, unfortunately his aim wasn't the best at that great range. But it was enough to distract Crossbones and loosen his grip just enough for Kato to kick him hard in the head and knock Crossbones off her.
She rolled out the way and carefully got back to her feet while clutching her throat. When she realised what had happened and noticed wisps of Hornets knockout gas around her, Kato made an effort to avoid it by covering her mouth with her arm as she approached Crossbones who was struggling to keep on his feet ... feeling dazed by the effects of the pockets of gas.
Crossbones: I don't ... I don't ... feel...
Kato: What's the matter ... feeling a little tired?
The mercenary scowled and lunged at Kato at full speed. However he was still dazed and wasn't quick enough to respond as Kato just gracefully stepped round him and allowed the muscular man to bang his head against the base of the Gamma bomb and collapse onto the ground ... knocked out.
Kato: (scoffing) lightweight.
Green Hornet: "Kato! Kato! Are you alright?"
She activated her com-link.
Kato: Yes I'm fine ... thanks for the assist.
Green Hornet: "Hey, I've always got you back ... can you get back up?"
She took a few seconds to examine her surroundings and looked up at the Gamma bomb.
Kato: Yeah I think I've found a way.
She leapt up onto the base of the missile and began to climb up the side of it, up towards were Hornet is waiting.
Kato: Did you managed to stop the launch?
Green Hornet: "Was there any doubts? Which reminds me I need to make a quick call?"
Kato: What ... who are you calling?
Green Hornet: "Just some old friends of ours."
Singh Brotherhood HQ – Lower Genetics Lab
Spiderman and Hobgoblin have been going at it for about ten minutes now and their battle was intense. Hobgoblin started tearing the lab apart and used his enhanced strength to fling equipment, debris and whatever he could get a hold of at the web-slinger, who avoided each attempt by using his spidey-sense. Spiderman saw his enemy lifting up a heavy piece of equipment and just as the cyborg threw it in his direction, the web-slinger fired his webs on either end of the chamber, pulled himself back and launched himself like a sling-shot towards the Hobgoblin.
He easily avoided making contact with the large projectile heading towards him by spinning round it. When he passed by the object, Spiderman landed ... fist first, right into the chest of Hobgoblin, knocking him across the chamber and crashing into wall behind him. Spiderman got back to his feet and web-slung his way towards Dr Rao who was finishing up on the console she was working on.
Spiderman: I admire your conviction, but this isn't exactly a safe place right now!
Dr Rao: Almost got it ... there! Now we can go.
She starts running towards the exit, followed closely by Spiderman. The machinery around the pod started to shake more violently as they rapidly became more unstable, giving the two of them the incenses to escape as quickly as possible. As they pass though the threshold Spidey reached for the doors control panel, only to see that it has been smashed.
Spiderman: Oh this is just perfect.
He fires his web-shooters at each of the doors and attempts to close them shut by using his superior strength ... However the doors are proving to be a bit more of an effort than he first thought. He should has been able to close them with ease but it was as if his strength was starting to leave him.
Spiderman: What ... I can't.
As he struggled with the doors, suddenly some of his joints started to hurt ... but his head was the worst of it; it had just burst into pain, a headache that seemed to just keep getting worse and worse. But luckily he was able to notice Hobgoblin getting back to his feet and charging straight at him at full force.
Hobgoblin: OH SPIDEY! SPIDEY! LEAVEING SO SOON?
Oh cripe!
The cybernetic villain tackled Spiderman in the chest, the sheer force that knocked Spiderman back was enough to slam the door shut in time to shield them from the huge explosion that occurred in the genetics lab. The foundations around them shuck violently and the thick glass around the corridor started to crack slowly around them, trickles of ocean water seeping into the corridor.
Hobgoblin stood back up and slammed his claw-like foot down onto Spidermans head. The pain just kept getting worse, even his limbs felt like they were on fire, but then Spiderman realised what was happening, he recognised this pain from before. After his ordeal in Latveria ... when the Sensory Attack Helmet was used on him he woke up in bed without feeling anything, but that was because Tiger was giving him painkillers. Painkillers that Tiger continued to make him take regularly up to when he was captured by Hobgoblin and now ... they were wearing off.
Hobgoblin: I find it hard to believe that someone like you could have beat Osborne. You may be dressed like the original Spider ... but your nothing like him!
He let out a maniacal laughter as he picked up Spiderman and pinned him with one arm against the wall and lifting him off his feet, fashioning his free hand into a blade and placing it along the hero's throat.
Hobgoblin: You know, the measure of a man is how he handles defeat ... so let's see how you handle yours huh?
He tries to slice Spidermans neck, but he manages to grab hold of Hobgoblins "blade" hand and struggles to hold the blade back.
Hobgoblin: What is it with teenagers and the whole wanting to live thing...? just give it up!
As the blade drew closer to Spidermans throat, he looked down to see the ocean water surrounding Hobgoblins feet ... an idea struck him.
Spiderman: Are you insulated by chance?
Hobgoblin: What?
The hero fired his web-shooter down beside Hobgoblins feet and activates his electro web. The electrical current engulfed the cyborgs entire body, causing him to let out a defining scream as he let go of Spiderman and collapsed to the ground. Spiderman managed to cling onto the wall behind him, avoiding the water before switching off his web-shooters.
Spiderman: ... err ... hilarious shocking related jib.
Hey, I'm in surprisingly a lot of pain right now ... give me a break.
Suddenly an explosion occurred outside in the Atlantic Ocean floor and the glass started to crack even more due to the shockwave, allowing more water to seep in ... filling up to corridor faster.
Spiderman: NOT THAT KIND OF BREAK!
Suddenly his com-link goes off and hears Hornets voice.
Green Hornet: "Spidey ... are you there?"
Suddenly more explosions occur outside.
Spiderman: Yeah I'm here; care to explain what the heck is going on?
Green Hornet: "After you and Phantom were taken, the rest of us rescued Captain America and Namor. When we went after you, they went back to S.H.I.E.L.D... with some instructions of mine...
Singh Brotherhood HQ – Surface Level – Atlantic Ocean
Rocketeer is still avoiding all the Brotherhoods forces attempts to shoot her out of the sky. She fires a few more rockets at a group of troopers on one of the platforms, which exploded into a mess of debris. Rocketeer descends from the sky to land next to the mess.
Rocketeer: This is starting to get way too easy.
?: "THEN LETS UP THE DIFFICULTY SETTINGS SHALL WE!"
The golden hero looked behind her to see one of the Brotherhoods gunships flying up from below the platform and armed its weapons directly at Rocketeer. She looked at the pilot seats window and could see Skullbuster piloting the controls.
Skullbuster: "LET'S SEE WHO HAS THE GREATER FIRE POWER ... NOW DIE!"
He unleashed the full might of the gunships arsenal, blaster fire and missiles raining down upon the Rocketeer. But her amour seemed to be able to withstand the onslaught, and she retaliated by firing her wrist guns up at the gunships engines. Unfortunately the armour of the gunship proved to be tougher than it looked so she rocketed up to the gunships windows, punched her fist though the window, grabbed hold of Skullbuster and pulled him out of his seat, throwing him down onto the platform below.
The gunship started to spin out of control, with Rocketeer still holding on and crashed down onto the same platform and skidded over to the other side of the oil rig and stopped at the very edge of the platform ... half dangling over the edge. Thankfully Rocketeer's armour protected her from the impact and she staggered her way out of the wreckage and falls to her knees.
Rocketeer: Any crash landing you walk away from is a good one ... especially if you're wearing high-impact armour.
As she gets back to her feet, she suddenly realises that she's completely surrounded by a few dozen heavily armed Brotherhood troopers along with a limping Skullbuster ... all pointing their weapons at her.
Skullbuster: Your not gonna walk away from this one. You're outnumbered and outgunned...
Rocketeer quickly drew her wrist guns and pointed them at Skullbuster ... but nothing came out.
Skullbuster: And out of ammo.
The lot of them aimed their weapons at her and were seconds away from pulling the trigger. When suddenly blaster fire rained down on top of the troopers from above and forced them to scatter. Rocketeer looked up in surprised to see the S.H.I.E.L.D Tri-carrier hovering above the oil-rig, with dozens of Agents parachuting down towards them, along with Captain America, The Howling Commandos, Silver Sable and the Wild-pack. All of them were firing their weapons as they landed onto the platforms and engaged in a fire fight with Brotherhood forces. Captain America took cover behind some wreckage along with Silver Sable and Rocketeer.
Captain America: Alpha squad ... push forward! Delta squad ... flank to the left!
Rocketeer: Where did you lot come from?
Captain America: Before we left you kids back at the submarine, Hornet gave me a set of coordinates of where you guys were heading. So when I made contact with S.H.I.E.L.D we followed them, until we received Hornets signal about ten minutes ago that lead us here.
Silver Sable: You and your friends helped me to free my homeland ... I am here to replay my debt.
Rocketeer: That's great and all but the Brotherhoods base is mainly under the ocean right below us.
Captain America: Not to worry ... we've got that covered.
He pointed up to the Tri-carrier and Rocketeer watched in awe as a section of the huge vessel; The Aqua-carrier, dropping down onto the ocean and submerse itself under the ocean's surface. After watching that incredible sight, Rocketeer looked round to see more Brotherhood reinforcements filling up the platforms.
Rocketeer: Well now things are starting to get interesting.
Atlantic Ocean
The Aqua-Carrier descends deeper into the Atlantic Ocean and towards the Brotherhoods main base; slowly it approached the edge of the bases defensive where it waited. Meanwhile back up in the bridge of the Tri-Carrier above; Nick Fury is stationed at his command console, observing holo-imagines of the battle below and from the Aqua-Carrier.
Captain America: "Nick! Enemy reinforcements have arrived, our forces are holding out and we're about to push forward ... No word yet from Spiderman, White Tiger or anyone else from inside"
Agent: "Sir ... The Aqua-Carrier is in position, were out of range of the bases defensive."
Suddenly the entire bridge shook violently, nearly making everyone (including Fury) lose their balance slightly.
Fury: STATUS REPORT!
Agent: Sir ... enemy turrets are open firing at the Tri-Carrier, shields are holding but we can't take too many hits like that.
Fury: Cap, I need you to take out those turrets ... Activate the Tri-Carriers arsenal and return fire ... Aqua-Carrier, hold position and deploy the S.H.A.R.C.S.
Back down below the Atlantic, hatches start to open below on the Aqua-Carriers underbelly and hundreds of Small Highly Advanced Recon Combat Submersibles emerge and make their way towards the Brotherhoods main base, they did what they could to avoid the external mines but some detonated, taking a few S.H.A.R.C.S with them. But the bulk of the one manned subs made their way directly into enemy territory.
Singh Brotherhood HQ – Singhs Office
The two adversaries are still locked in a struggle, Singh forcing Phantom onto his knees as the teenager desperately trying to resist him.
Singh: I must say I do admire your persistence ... ready to die?
He kicked Phantom in the chest and knocked the hero across the office and watched him crash into the collection cabinet behind where his desk used to be. Singh twirled his weapons and started to make his way towards the fallen hero ... until another alarm went off, followed by an automated voice.
Intercom: Proximity Alert! Proximity Alert! Hostile forces detect by external proximity sensors!
Singh: WHAT? Onscreen!
A few Holo-screens appeared around him and he watches in anger at the chaotic battle occurring on the surface level and the sight of the S.H.I.E. Aqua-Carrier along with the attacking subs.
Singh: STATUS REPORT ... NOW!
Skullbuster: "Sir, S.H.I.E.L.D forces are advancing trying to take control of the bases surface platforms ... we're holding but we need reinforcements."
Singh: Machinesmith, what's the status of the launch? Machinesmith...? Machinesmith answer me...! Computer, launch status ... NOW!
Computer: "Countdown has been deactivated, Launch – Cancelled."
Singh: NO ... no, no, no ... this isn't how it was supposed to be!
Phantom: What's the matter?
Singh turned to see Phantom slowly getting back to his feet.
Phantom: Grand plan not going exactly the way you planned it out?
The Brotherhood leader scowled at him then activated his com-link.
Singh: Fine! If they want a war ... I'll give them a war. All forces ... battle stations, all available troops to the surface level and all pilots to your Sting-Rays ... Commander Kraken?
Commander Kraken: "Sir ... the transmitter ... it's been destroyed."
Singh: CAN YOU DO NOTHING RIGHT? ... That's now irrelevant; report to the Leviathan and command our forces against S.H.I.E.L.D. Bloodtide...
Bloodtide: "Master?"
Singh: Join our Sting-Rays in repelling the invaders.
Bloodtide: "It shall be done."
He turned off his com-link and gripped the handle of his broad sword tightly.
Singh: No more games, it's time we end this...
WHACK!
Something hit Singh hard in the back of his head, it hit with so much force that it not only knocked him to the ground face down but also dislodged Singhs mask, knocking it across the room. While behind him, Phantom takes a few steps forward ... after catching Captain Americas shield in his hand.
Phantom: We'll look what I found here ... another precious trophy of ... of ... of...
He fails to finish the sentence; Singh had got back to his feet and is now facing directly at Phantom ... without his mask; judging by some of his facial features, long black hair and "fu man chu" moustache he may have been of oriental heritage but it is difficult to tell with his pointed ears, sharp teeth, and yellowish scalely skin. His eyes are blood red and they seem to be able to piece right through Phantom.
A/N: Just ... one ... more ... to ... go
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