Disclaimer: Kim Possible and all characters portrayed and/or implied inside that television animated program belong solely unto Walt Disney Productions.
X-Men, created by Stan Lea and Jack Kirby, and published by Marvel Comics.
A host of other villains appear: Ra's al Ghoul from Batman Series; Tony Stark (Iron Man), Captain America, Thor, and Hawkeye, from Avengers, created by Stan Lea and Jack Kirby, also published by Marvel Comics; Spider-Man, created by Stan Lea and Steve Ditko, and expanded by Brian Michael Bandis, and published by Marvel Comics under The Ultimate Spider-Man, along with Villains, Modok and Doctor Octopus, Otto Octavius.
S.H.I.E.L.D. created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, published by Marvel Comics.
Unquenchable Flames
Modok and Doctor Octopus worked tirelessly at their individual stations. Over the last 24-hours alone, every Hydra faction except theirs had suffered extensive losses. Hundreds of operatives arrested, and assets seized across the globe. And they couldn't figure out why. Was it dumb luck? Or was someone setting them up?
Both men perceived their troubles. They needed answers, before their sister factions started to suspect they'd betrayed their trust, and retaliate, hitting them without mercy. their defenses may repel one or two, but certain not all three factions and their allies, hitting them all at once. Their very lives hinged on them uncovering what was really doing on behind the scenes.
They'd streamlined their partnership so precisely. Stucker functioned as management. Scorpio supplied expendable workers/agents. He and his partner, Doctor Octopus, provided the latest, cutting edge technology, keeping Hydra decades ahead of global law enforcement. Gemini served as their first line of defense, and Ra's al Ghoul, as their ace in the hole.
It seemed logical, an 88.5% chance, if an enemy wanted to crush Hydra, they'd strike their branch first. That would crush Hydra from within. And yet, this wily opponent did the exact opposite.
A computer beeping disrupts Modok's train of thought. You have mail flashes across his screen.
"What is it now?" Doctor Octopus contemns so many interruptions. Today alone. He'd heard more than enough bad news...to last him a lifetime. He only hoped their luck holds.
"An e-mail," Modok deadpans.
"From who?"
"Richter".
"Are you sure?"
"Positive," Modok shares his partner's concerns. "Security doesn't detect any viruses or malicious malware".
"Go ahead and open the damn thing," Doctor Octopus edges him. "You know you want to. Might as well get it over with".
Modok double clicks opening the email.
"What does it say?"
"Nothing".
"Maybe it's in code," Doctor Octopus proposes
"How can it be encoded when the email is blank?" Modok mocks his partner's code theory.
"What idiot sends a blank email?" Doctor Octopus counter argues, sticking with his coded theory.
"They don't," Modok tests his partner's theory.
"What'd you find?"
"An audio file buried amidst seemingly random code".
"Well, open the damn thing," Doctor Octopus slides his chair behind his partner. "Let's see what all this trouble's about now"
Modok clicks the .WAV file. His audio player pops up. Strucker's voice comes through loud and clear, "Those fools have talked down unto us one time too many. It's time Modok and Doctor Octopus learn I'm Hydra's true Grand Imperator. Contact those idiots and request the Hydra Four be activated and inserted aboard the helicarrier". The audio ends there.
"Fools!" Modok grits his teeth
"Idiots!" Doctor Octopus shouts, boiling mad.
"We have more brains in our little finger..."
"...than that pompous idiot in his whole body," Modok shares his partner outrage.
"And worse, they intended on setting us to take the blame over them attacking the helicarrier," Doctor Octopus shouts aloud, already planning his retribution.
"Yea," Modok follows suit, "I'll bet this whole scenario was a setup: from the attack on Possible's home and hospital room, that mutant targeting us, even his errand boy's kidnapping and murder. Just so the authorities would do his dirty work by taking down his various sister factions and allies. Then, he could easily swoop in and seize our territories, while our subject fight a turf war".
"It seems, he must think so," Doctor Octopus agrees. "He's surely trying to instigate one, and using that damn mutant as a diversion. I'll bet she's one of his accursed creations".
Their suspicions only confirmed, when the audio file auto-resumes. Scorpio voice comes over their line, "I see... What happens with Modok and Doctor Octopus? Will they get part of Scorpio's territory?"
Richter laughs aloud. "Don't make me laugh. We'll take possession of theirs and his territories. Then, Supreme Hydra Strucker will be supreme over all. Scorpio and Gemini aren't even fit to be inside Hydra. Both men act like squabbling children, driven by petty revenge...against a sibling," he condescends. "Such pettiness will only serve to unnecessarily expose Hydra's future operations, before we intend, like with Maddox.
Modok and Doctor Octopus, on the other hand, are almost Hydra material. Both men are smart, focused, and extremely driven. Only, they lack any sense of loyalty, even among themselves. Heaven only knows how their partnership has lasted this long. One dispute and it'd crumble all around them. Our position is, if they can't trust one another, how can we trust either?"
The ancients say, raw fury is an unquenchable fire, whose flames only burn hotter as time goes by. Richter's insulting words, and the notion they'd been played, by all sides, lit those same unquenchable flames within both men's hearts. They desired retribution to avenge their tarnished reputations.
Eye For An Eye
"Director Fury," the helicarrier's AI buts in again, "you have another Directorate 5 emergency call on Situation Room Line #6".
Fury drops his head cursing under his breath. He knew that he knew. Aconasema was behind this emergency. "Roxy, what'd she do this time?"
"Good guess, Nick".
"Guess, hell," he scoffs, shaking his head. "Any times she's involved, it's an absolute certainty. What'd she do?"
"This," her fingers fly across the control board.
The situation room's viewer comes live. A curvy brunette wearing a plaid Caribbean blue silk chiffon dress with matching heels appears on his viewer thundering, "Eight hours ago, the vacationer's paradise of Trinidad Island descended into utter chaos. Rolling thunder emanated for miles around. Heaven and earth shook with trepidation.
Locals panicked, initially assuming Piparo Volcano might be erupting again. Little did they suspect, these piercing rumbles and looming smoke auspicated something far more devastating.
A local seafarer captured this shocking video moments before the chaos descended," six missiles appear on screen marring the Caribbean's cerulean fleece. "Master Sergeant Samuel Belford, local spokesman for the Trinidad and Tobago Special Branch, identified these blurry objects as Russian BrahMos Missiles, a short-range class of supersonic cruise missiles launched from subs, certain naval aircrafts, even land based launch platforms.
Here," the camera zeros on one missile, "you can clearly make out their registration markings. Major General Foma Smirnov, Chief of the Russian Military Police, swore, 'These missiles were among those stolen from a Saint Petersburg's military armory, two weeks ago'. Whoever's responsible seems to have chosen their target, Billionaire Industrialist and Entrepreneur Sebastian Samuel Senor, Sr.
His family purchased a private island about 20 miles southeast of Trinidad Island, about two years ago. Rumor is, the Senors were vacationing on this very island, when the missiles rained down with full fury. Fiery miasmas and concussive waves wiped out every living thing on the tropical oasis. Trinidad and Tobago EOD and Hazmat are still combing the wreckage. Thus far, teams have uncovered nearly two hundred bodies.
Dr. Elmyra Wallace, Trinidad and Tobago's Chief Medical Examiner, estimates it'd probably be two months or more before her department could examine and possibly identify these charred remains, to even know the Senor family's fates". The reporter fades into the background, as cameras sweep the island's less cannibalized areas.
"What the hell?" Dr. Director slides forwards sitting on her seat's edge. Eyes squinted towards the television screen.
"My thoughts exactly," Roxanne Mariah zooms in closer clearing up the image.
"Why would WEE attack Senor Senor's island?" Fury ponders aloud.
Not really expecting an answer, but getting one anyway. From Dr. Director, anyway. "I don't know. I'll bet my pension, that mutant's behind this madness, somehow, someway".
"I won't argue there," Will sides with his superior.
"It's an eye for an eye," Black Widow seconds.
"Roxy, get our teams down there combing that wreckage".
Chariots of Fire
Air alarms sound aboard the helicarrier. Light blink on and off.
"Romana, what the hell's going on now?" He inquires of his Chief TAC Officer.
"Sir," his voice comes through the situation room's com, "Trinidad and Tobago's military just went on full Red Omega 4 alert".
"What for?"
"Oracle just sent..."
"What the hell's an Oracle?"
"Not a what, Director," Will Du screams over the chaos. "Who".
"Dr. Wade Load, a 15-year old tech wizard with six Ph.D.s," Director Director gives him a little background, "and Agent Possible's chief tech adviser on Team Possible, as they've called their team, since she started her impressive career".
"Fine," he yields with a ragged sigh. "What'd he uncover?"
"This," Romana displays the footage Wade sent over.
"What the..." Words fail them all. Nothing could adequately describe what they saw.
Aconasema sat upon her fiery throne hovering amidst the carnage, as missiles rained down all around her, detonating upon impact, decimating everything in sight, spewing fire, dirt, and shrapnel in every direction. Head reared back. She cackles more maniacally with each successive detonation.
"Did she kill them?"
"I don't think so, Commander Du".
"Then, what's she doing?" Fury dares to ask.
"My guess," Black Window cocks a smile, "daring Hydra to do their worst, and using the media to deliver her auspicious ultimatum".
Dr. Director and Fury both glower.
Black Widow smirks even harder. Her admiration evaporates instantly seeing a tragic marque scroll across the bottom of the television.
She instantly knew, it meant more people would die, and soon.
Eye In The Sky
A young oriental female wearing a palm tree print sheath bodycorn dress puling solemnly, "The Trinidad and Tobago Defense Force's early concerns seems to have been well justifiable. Local airwaves are still abuzz about Billionaire Industrialist and Entrepeneur Sebastian Samuel Senor, Sr., his son, Sebastian Samuel Senor, Jr., and his daughter-in-law, Bonnie Rockwaller Senor, and their son's speculative deaths.
Adding unto the suspense, three more chariots of fire—same as those which decimated Senor Senor's island earlier this morning—appeared over the heart of Trinidad moments ago. Our military has used every countermeasure available, but these missiles' A.I.'s have adapted and evaded our grids, equipped with shields that easily absorbed our lasers, meant to shoot them down.
Master Sergeant Samuel Belford, spokesman for the Trinidad and Tobago Special Branch, also noted, 'These projectiles are moving so fast. Our fastest jets can't catch or stop them in time'. All three ordnances detonated on impact the top, center, and bottom floor of San-TechX Metallurgy, Inc., a company registered in Francis Rowley's name, but secretly owned by Billionaire Industrialist and Entrepeneur Sebastian Samuel Senor, Sr.
Seen here," a simulation of the impacts plays out across their television screen, "the first missile hit the upper level, 2nd the middle, and last the lowest levels; essentially toppling the whole complex. CEO Francis Rowley and over 300 employees are still missing, and presumed dead. As you can hear," sirens scream still wail aloud in the background, "EMTs are still being dispatched even at the remote chance someone might've survived this terrorist attack.
Something more chilling has captured the media's attention, too. Here," the reporter fades into the background. Senor's island comes into view, "You can clearly see something, who locals believe might be Santa Muerte, hovering amidst the carnage". Cameras switch over, "She reappears again outside San-TechX Metallurgy, Inc. just moments after its destruction".
"What the hell's she doing?" Fury and Dr. Director slams their fists against the table.
Will Du and Black Widow wisely say nothing.
This reporter says enough for both, "Some speculate, this venerable saint spared the Senors, enraging those targeting the family, precipitating this attack upon San-TechX Metallurgy, Inc.".
"Hogwash," Fury mutes the television.
Dr. Director joining him in scathing laughter.
"Not necessarily, Sir".
That shut them both up. Immediately. Both eyeing her like, 'What're you driving at, Black Widow?'
Will Du shrinks back, too intimidated by his superior's deep lour.
Black Widow takes the challenge boldly proclaiming, "Just remember what this mutant boasted to us when she delivered those folders".
Dr. Director and Fury share a pensive moment dropping their heads.
"That's right," Black Widow presses her point. "She said she acquired her evidence from Senor Senor, among others. How could she have done this, if he were dead?"
"She did say, they were her prisoners," Commander Du couldn't let her outdo him.
"Then why put on this dog-and-pony show for the media," Fury scarfs, unable to refute them.
Will Du opens his mouth.
Fury didn't like his smugness, points his finger menacingly snapping, "Don't you dare parrot what she has already said, Agent".
"I'd never be so petty, Director Fury," Will Du grins. "I was only going to suggest, maybe she's being the eye in the sky".
"Eye in the sky?"
"It's a Global Justice phrase," Dr. Director clarifies what he meant. "It denotes, riling a suspect so greatly, he/she acts without thinking; all the while, you're sitting behind the scene, pulling their puppet strings and recording what he/she does".
"And you think this mutant is pulling the strings; theirs and ours?" Fury squalls, deeply vexed by this whole ordeal.
"Yes, I do," Dr. Director doesn't hesitate saying what she meant.
"As do I," Fury agrees with them. "I mean, I already suspected her pulling theirs, but not ours".
Diverse Reactions
Scorpio was back in Cebu City, Philippines lounging in his command center, and observing his latest handiwork. He hooked into satellite networks for the latest coverage. He felt doubly vindicated upon hearing his anonymous benefactor's latest file on his computer.
Scorpio double clicks the .MP3 file. Dragon Phoenix and Richter's voice come over his speakers, discussing Project Metallacore, and what happens if Senor fails with Phase #1? ….
"Who's watching over this project?"
"Scorpio".
"Fury's brother?"
There was a long pause. He wasn't sure why. Scorpio discerns Richter's keen shock over this mutant knowing about his past.
"The same," Richter finally confirms with some wariness.
"Why him? He's so..." She leaves the rest hanging.
Richter falls into her trap, "Young, naive, impressionable, easy to manipulate; just like that fool, Gemini, who fancies himself a criminal mastermind".
Scorpio bawls his fists up tight boiling mad, but listening, "That makes no sense... Why would Strucker leave a child in charge...?" His anger boils over. Scorpio curses Strucker bitterly scattering paperwork everywhere around his control room.
"Fact is, he didn't".
"But, you just said..."
"Technically, Australia isn't part of the Philippines. Scorpio isn't one for tradition. He annexed Australia, Austria, and several surrounding nations and territories into his empire. Hence, my boss appointed Scorpio as head over his research...well, for many reasons.
It relieved his insecurities by making him feel like he belonged, was truly one of us; a trusted ally. Truth is, he isn't really the head. As expected, Scorpio delegated responsibility for assigning guards at this post. We waited a while, let Scorpio inspect the facility, get comfortable with the illusion, he really controlled Hydra's massive research project, built in his empire.
Supreme Hydra Modok hacked his computers shifting around some guards. Now, we have enough of our people in place. So, when the time comes, we can take back what's rightfully ours. Scorpio and Gemini will take the blame over creating these abominations. In the end, though, Hydra will rise again and take power, as master planned. Why else would we orchestrate a war between Fury and Dr. Director, and inversely their agencies, too?"
Beyond a doubt. He knew his next target: Sten-Wauhl Enterprises, in Sydney, Australia. No one lives. All betrayed him. All dies.
Flawed Gem
Gemini, like his counterpart, was inside his own control room. Madder than hell. He eyed every agent, even his most trusted, considering them as potential spies. He'd lost nearly 400 men. Their mission was so simple: sneak onto Senor's island and acquire Phase #2's specs; whatever Drakken had completed, kill everyone there, then come home. No one would ever know he'd been there.
Only three people knew mission details: Gemini himself, Agent Beta, and Agent Gamma, team leader in charge of the expedition.
Gemini knew, he didn't break his silence.
Logic dictated, neither would Agent Gamma. He perished in that unprovoked attack against his people. He wouldn't betray them, then go on this same mission, knowing he'd die if he did.
That left one promising suspect. He located Scorpio's bug inside his office, yesterday, planted by his late spy, Agent Beta.
"Sir," his chief tech alerts him, "we've accessed the cam's drive, and located a .raw audio file".
"Play it for heaven's sake".
The tech double clicks the file.
An audio file opens, a monotone voice comes over the speakers, "This conversation was between Mason Von Richter, Supreme Hydra over the Americas' right hand man, and Dragon Phoenix".
The modulated voice fades, replaced by Richter's, boasting with pride, "Supreme Hydra Modok hacked his computers shifting around some guards. Now, we have enough of our people in place. So, when the time comes, we can take back what's rightfully ours... Gemini will take the blame over creating these abominations. In the end,...Hydra will rise...and take power, as was always meant to be. Why else would we orchestrate a war between Fury and Dr. Director...?"
There was a long pause. "Sir," the tech warns his boss, "this last part records a conversation between Von Richter and Scorpio". The tech resumes the next segment of the recording.
"Who holds this contract?" Gemini recognizes Scorpio's snug vox.
"The League of Assassins".
"Ra's al Ghoul," Jacob Fury growls with fists bawled tight. "Why would Strucker do this?"
"Simple," Richter voices comes through loud and clear. "Kill you, and your supporters would be so busy fighting among themselves to see who'd take your place, they'd never suspect until too late. They'd done exactly what Strucker needed most".
"That's insane".
"It's so insane, in fact, it's downright brilliant," Richter boasts. "Many, even among our most loyal supporters fear a truly global, unified Hydra, like during the 40s. That was the main reason they helped the allies in dividing her into seven major factions. Strucker knows, many would do the same today. Only, he'd set up dummy factions; making it appear Hydra's still broken, when, in reality, he'd become Supreme, Supreme Hydra behind the scenes".
That'd mean," the tension in Scorpio's voice ebbs, which indicate this assassination didn't pose a threat unto him personally, or he would've devise another wild gambit turning his enemies' plans against them. What he heard next confirmed Gemini's lingering suspicions. Scorpio deduces what Strucke's plan would require. "He'd have to target WEE…wouldn't he?"
"Now you're starting to catch on," was his scathing confirmation. "Depose them, and he'd in time become he Grand Imperial Hydra, or another asinine title that best strokes his ego. Now, you know the truth. Maybe we should alert WEE? They could..."
"No. Absolutely not," Scorpio's voice possessed that certain edge again, "I have a much better idea". The file ends there.
"When was this recorded?"
"Six hours before the incident on Senor's island," the tech responds.
"So, Scorpio was behind murdering my people," Gemini vows retribution in his heart.
Fractured Relations
Baron Wolfgang Von Strucker watched the news. Bitterness and trepidation gripped his heart. His empire crumbled all around him. Assets and territories seized, operatives arrested, some even executed on the spot. Allies coerced into rebelling against him. He knew beyond any shadow of doubt. Aconasema, was behind everything.
What really galled him? She'd demolished an empire within hours, what took him over 20-years to build. And it wasn't near the legacy his father built in half that time. Strucker resolves, he should arrange another tele-conference to air out their differences. Maybe he could undermine this mutant's treachery before it spiraled out of control. He boots his computer clicking J-Net.
Scorpio
Modok and Doctor Octopus
Gemini
Ra's al Ghoul
Jarox Falcon
Myles Daley
Their computers all beep about the same time. J-Net identifies their caller as Baron Wolfgang Von Strucker. All six leaders debate whether to even accept his invitation. It took the longest for everyone to ultimately click the acceptance button and log online.
Doctor Octopus breaks the stalemate snark affronting, "What do you want, Stucker?"
"Settle our differences, and..." Strucker starts, only to be cut off.
"Differences?" Scorpio humphs loudly. "Is that what you call such blatant deception?"
"What deception?"
"Oh, shut up, Daley," Jarox Falcon affronts him openly. Falcon replaced Maddox as Chairman over S.H.I.E.L.D.'s Shadow Committee.
"Why should he, Falcon?" Gemini only defends Daley making this point, "He only asked what the rest of us wish to know, but don't have the balls to ask? Isn't that right, Ra's al Ghoul?"
Ra's said nothing.
"His silence is golden," Gemini plants seeds of doubt.
"What are you blathering about now? Still whining about being in your sister's shadows, huh, Pantywaist?"
"You're a good one to talk, Modok," Scorpio spits with much venom.
"What'd I ever say or do to you, Sable?"
Scorpio perceives his racial slur chiding, "How about hacking my computer, moving around my guards, leaving us open to attack, and costing my organization hundreds of good people".
"Costing you," Gemini growls, embittered. "How about you bombing Senor's island? Your treachery costed me over 400 good agents. I should…" He falls silent, realizing what he'd admitted in open session.
"Why'd you have men there?" Scorpio corners his counterpart in his own words.
"I only intended on safeguarding our mutual investment against whoever's been attacking our sects, collectively, and individually".
"Yea right!" Scorpio comes back. "I'll believe that when hell freezes over. What about you joining with Strucker, Modok, and Doctor Octopus in attacking my people here in the Philippines? Isn't that why Strucker staged his errand boy's kidnapping, and had you murder him?"
"Is that what you think?" Sturcker loses his temper, not used to people treating him with such bitter contempt. "Is that why you murder my man? And his girlfriend?"
"No, I didn't".
"Then why?" Struckers demands a straight answer.
"He double-crossed us both".
"Like how?"
From The Horse's Mouth
"Gentlemen, we should calm down," Ra's encourages them all. "Such bickering and backbiting isn't getting you anywhere productive".
"Oh, how right you are," Jarox sides with the master assassin.
"I notice, you didn't say us, al Ghoul," Doctor Octopus points out, ever the pessimist.
"Of course, he didn't," Gemini spouts.
"Ask Strucker why? He knows".
"Why's that Strucker?" Modok senses more behind this retort than petty anger.
"I don't have a clue what he's talking about," he lies through his teeth.
"I'm sure you don't," Scorpio sarcastically calls him a boldface liar.
"Remember when I said Richter betrayed us both".
"Of course. What of it?" Strucker shrugs.
"Just listen," Scorpio boasts, smiling knowingly, "your man says it best. Now you must realize. My operative had just located your man, Richter, after his alleged kidnapping," he adds air quotes. "He learnt how you'd put a price, $50,000, on his head, and was quite miffed, or so it seemed at the time. He says the rest, even if in pretense," Scorpio presses play.
"You consider me gullible, don't you?".
"Not really," he lies, and it shows.
"The hell you don't, Lair!" Richter contemns.
Scorpio stayed quiet.
"You're right. I am. Me, Mason Von Richter," he smites his chest. "I served that bastard faithfully over 20-years. And what'd he do? He devalues my life's work by putting a $50,000 bounty on my head. But, you know what Mr. High-And-Mighty?"
"What?"
"I wouldn't celebrate too soon. There's a contract on your head, too".
"What?"
"Betrayal's a bitch, isn't she?" Richter laughs so hard. He drops, rolling back and forth, pointing, and laughing all the harder.
Two more 5.56-mm rounds spark off the concrete, mere inches from his head.
Richter didn't flinch, laughing harder than ever.
"Shut up," Scorpio grows angrier under his blatant mockery, "I won't miss next time. I promise that much".
Richter leaps back onto his feet. Chest poked out. Arms spread abroad. "Go ahead, then you'll never learn who issued that contract on your head, and what outfit holds that contract, Jacky Boy".
"The name's Scorpio," Fury's brother shoots back, only to be met by cold, indifferent eyes. Eyes, which dared the madman to kill him. "Fine," Scorpio drops his M4. "Who issued these contracts?"
"Strucker," he abscises his boss' appellation.
"No way".
"Hey," Richter compares their service records, "I served him twice as long as you've been Supreme Hydra over the Philippines. And he valued my allegiance at $50,000. How much would he value your miserable life, Scorpio?"
"Considerably more," he asserts. "I don't serve. Others serve me, as Supreme Hydra over the Philippines".
"You quipped earlier. My boss viewed my capture as posing a great threat unto his empire. Well, brother, you pose a greater threat than I ever did. You don't simply threaten but 'stole' part of his father's empire. Your treachery far exceeds mine".
"Come again," Scorpio retorts, not amused by these incessant mind games.
"An usurper always trumps a traitor in Hydra's book. Just think about it, and be honest with yourself. It's eye opening".
"Who holds this contract?" Scorpio poses his topmost question.
"The League of Assassins," Scorpio ends his playback.
"Now, you know why al Ghoul never says us," he ripostes.
Both Strucker and Ra's simply sat there eyeing their monitors. What else could they do? They knew, before become allies, if ever exposed, their collaboration could easily destroy their factions' tenuous relationship. Now it was out. Each man debates, how could they best salvage this situation?
"Well," Scorpio chides their timidity, "you heard it straight from the horse's mouth".