BLACK WINGS Chapter 1- Eminence Front by Justin Anderson Monday, August 18th, 2003. Manhattan, 1:12 PM 'Another day of news crap,' Cletus thought, tossing the paper aside. "Hey, Mikey, give me another one," he said. "Cletus, you do this every time you come in here. You look at the paper, grumble, and order a beer. How bad can the news be?" the bartender asked. "You read it lately? It's a fucking soap opera. Bad enough they still whine about Iraq... now they're yapping about Michael Moore's disappearance. Christ, that was two months ago, ain't they gonna let it drop?" "Eh, who cares," Mikey replied. "That shit practically said he supported terrorists, I hope he's dead." Cletus shrugged it off. The explosion rocked the bar. "What the hell was that?" Mikey asked. "I don't know..." Cletus ran outside. A section of street nearby was smoking. Jumping above the crowd, he swung overhead on tendril lines until he reached the scene. "Holy god... PARKER!" he shouted, running to the man. Peter Parker was still alive, but barely. Reaching for his phone, he saw the shape in the sky. "I don't believe it..." He dialed. "Get me Peterson. NOW!" he shouted. It was only seconds before General Peterson answered. "We have a problem. 42nd street, get a team of ambulances and police out here now. Special priority, one injured. I can't explain over the phone, but this patient requires special care!" 1:38 PM, Manhattan Memorial Hospital Cletus closed the door. He made sure Peterson was the only one within earshot. "Okay, why did you request special treatment for Peter Parker?" he asked. "Parker's Spider-Man. if they run blood and tissue tests, someone might notice, or think he's a mutant, I don't know... and I think the Green Goblin might be alive." "How so?" General Peterson asked. "I saw... something. A Goblin. I don't know if it was Osborn, or the Hobgoblin, or what, but it was one of the Goblins." "All right. I'll keep a special watch on Parker." "Good. I have a meeting with Xavier in an hour. Arrange a flight to Genosha for later this evening. And it wouldn't hurt to slip notice to Wilson Fisk that Osborn may be alive. I don't want any heroes on this, they might make Osborn suspicious," Cletus said. "You believe Osborn's alive?" Peterson asked. Cletus replied, "with the way this summer's been going, it has to be Osborn." 2:34 PM, Westchester "I have had no luck finding Jacob using Cerebro, nor have we found even a trace of him. I'm hoping you may be able to tell us something," Xavier said. "No... like he vanished," Cletus replied. "I would not be so worried, except for the fact that Cerebro could not find him... if he were alive, he would be detectable, but I'm afraid to stop trying until I am sure. I regret allowing him to leave, but it was his choice." "What about all that metal in his body?" "Unfortunately, it is not something we can detect," Xavier explained. "I am hoping he did not travel to Iraq." "I doubt it. Doom would have told us if he'd been found," Cletus replied. "Possibly. I was never too sure what Doom was doing over there." "You don't know? Doom stayed out of the conflict as bait. He offered Saddam an alliance, saying he'd lied about being our allied." "You don't mean that Victor von Doom has Saddam Hussein in captivity?" "No," Cletus said. "He, umm.... he sent a Doombot to the meeting. Packed full of explosives. Hussein went up like a match. He just didn't tell many people about it. It's also why he's overseeing a lot of the reconstruction now, since his machines can weed out the resistance better than coalition troops could. He waited for the guaranteed kill, but he wanted us to have first shot at it. "There's something else. Norman Osborn might still be alive. Spider-Man was severely injured earlier today, and I believe I saw Osborn flying away," Cletus said. "But I don't want you after him, not yet. I want to sniff him out, he still thinks no one knows he's alive, I'd like to keep it that way for now." "Speaking of which, I would like to know how your mental state is holding up," Xavier said. "Fine, I guess." "Carnage was your only psychological weakness, and he is dead." "I'm going to Genosha tonight. I may want Magneto's help finding Osborn," Cletus said. He left the room. On his way out, he saw the two sitting in the recreation room. Daryl and Julio, known amongst the X-Men as Tobias and Artemis. He knew they'd ask him on his way by. "Hey, man-" "No, not a trace. If we find Jake, I'll let you know." Tobias slumped down. Artemis kept his eyes on the screen, muttering, "Wild Wild West, yo..." "What the hell are you talking about?" Cletus asked. "The TV show. Artemis Gordon is a badass!" Artemis replied. "I would have thought he'd have taken his name from the goddess, Artemis, but he seems to prefer modern entertainment," Beast said. Cletus asked, "what the hell are YOU talking about?" 10:11 PM, Genosha "Xavier keeps pushing. He wants to know where Jake is, and I'm sick of lying to him!" Cletus shouted. Magneto replied, "Charles does not need to know. However... it has been five months. Perhaps we should tell them." "Oh, no. We tell him that we let Jake go universe hopping, and he'll be pissed at you AND me... we don't even know if he's alive. Knowing the luck WE have, he probably stepped into some alternate world where the Earth exploded several hundred years ago... or maybe he got sent to a world still in the 1980s, either way, I think he got screwed." Magneto gave him a strange look. 'The 1980s?' he thought, wondering what it meant. "You did not request a meeting with me because of Xavier." Cletus replied, "Osborn's still alive." Then why are you here, instead of searching for him?" Magneto asked. "I've got nothing. Spider-Man is severely injured. All the proof I have is seeing A goblin flying away. And the last thing I need is this nut dropping bombs like rain on the city. Who knows what Osborn's been doing for the past six months. And quite frankly, I'm beginning to think I should line a bunch of people up and shoot 'em, Osborn included. The damn RIAA doesn't get it, nor does half the damn country," Cletus muttered. "Hmm... Osborn may target me as well, possibly even Genosha. He was, after all, assisting Carnage even after he was defeated, and Carnage DID survive the same explosion... return to the United States. If you require my aid, I have several under my command whom I can send. Individuals who would make Osborn's life very difficult." Tuesday, August 19th, 2003. Manhattan, 5:54 AM Cletus dropped out of the crawlspace, in front of the security door. Behind the door was the same room he'd tried to kill Osborn in. The door was shut tight, and the ventilation was sealed off overhead. Inspecting the door, he drew his fist back. 'Hope I don't break my hand...' he punched the door, sending it flying inward. The room had not been cleaned since the blast. He found fragments of orange material on the floor. The Hobgoblin had taken most of the blast, he assumed. But no blood, anywhere. He decided to leave before security came after him. 9:13 AM, Manhattan Memorial Hospital Cletus met General Peterson in Parker's room. "He suffered minor concussive trauma. But he also inhaled quite a bit of a weak nerve toxin designed to put him under. Which makes no sense, if Osborn wants him dead..." "I don't know," Cletus said, "maybe he didn't want Parker dead. Not yet, at least... did word get out that he was here?" "No. We notified his wife, but we gave her explicit instructions not to tell anyone," Peterson replied. "She here?" Peterson said, "I'll call for her." Cletus waited. Mary Jane entered the room. "I assume they told you everything. I want you to go somewhere, hide. Osborn left Peter alive for some reason... I don't know, he may want to kill you in front of him first, either way, I want you in a safe location." "We can provide her with a place to stay," Peterson said. "Where's Peter's costume at?" "Why?" Mary Jane asked. "Just an idea I'm having, nothing, really..." "It's at home," she said. "Good. There's still one person I want to see, if you'll excuse me," he said. 10:47 AM Cletus was led into Fisk's office. "Ah, I see you arrived," Fisk said. "Any word on Osborn?" Cletus asked. "Nothing substantial. My men have been watching Osborn Industries, his private home, and other locations." "You have a blueprint to any of his buildings?" Cletus asked. Fisk replied, "I could dig something up. Why do you ask?" "I wonder if he installed any hidden rooms or passages. At least, if he's been playing dead, he'd have to have a hiding spot." "I shall look into it. I'll plant spies into Osborn Industries as well. Unfortunately, Osborn may have left himself a window of opportunity," Fisk said. "How so?" Cletus asked. "He has removed Spider-Man from the city. When people notice, the crime rate will rise amongst the lower class. Other heroes will panic, and the lower rate villains will try to make names for themselves." "Possibly," Cletus replied. "Speaking of Spider-Man... it'd be nice if he were out there, it could throw Osborn off. But he's comatose for the time being." 11:56 AM, Manhattan Memorial Hospital "I have an idea. But you need to do something first." "Which would be?" Peterson asked. "Arrange for Parker to be discharged as healthy. Then, move him to one of your hospitals. I want Osborn to think that he's well," Cletus explained. Peterson said, "you want to mess with Osborn's head. But what about his job? His family life?" "We'll send a letter to the Daily Bugle saying he's got a family emergency. That way, he's excused." "But Osborn's going to notice something isn't right," Peterson said. Cletus replied, "that's where my half of the plan comes in." 12:32 PM, Parker residence Cletus took the keys that he'd obtained from the hospital, unlocking Parker's front door. He began checking the closets. In the bedroom closet, he found a loose panel in the floor. Underneath was the Spider-Man costume and several devices. 'Lessee... web shooters, capsules, other little toys... like I know what any of this stuff is!' He checked the costume, finally slipping it on. 'It'll have to do. Now, the webs.' He checked the web shooters. they were too small for his wrists. 'Okay then,' he thought. Picking a bare spot on the wall, he aimed his tendrils. "Come on, make it look like a WEB!" he shouted as the strands kept coming out red. Finally, a gray tendril. 'Bingo!' He began running through a checklist in his head. 'I can't do anything that would make spider-Man look bad. I can't even do anything he wouldn't do. Let me see if I can remember how he behaved...' 8:44 PM, Genosha It had been several months since the Red Skull had returned, and subsequently killed. But his cloned partner in crime, Nazi officer Odilo Globocnik, was wishing he was still dead. The man was dragged into Magneto's throne room, chained and gagged. "Globocnik... I knew when General Peterson notified me of your existence, he wanted me to have the pleasure of killing you. He could have sent the Black Wings after you, considering the Skull was cloned using his body... but that would not befit you. "No... You may be alive once again, but this is Hell for you. You avoided punishment once, killing yourself in 1945, but not this time. You'll die on my terms, the terms of a boy who watched thousands DIE in a camp YOU ruled! Their souls still scream out for retribution, and they will have it. But it was not the ones who you helped murder who will destroy you, it shall be the one who SURVIVED your campaign," Magneto shouted. "I will starve you, keep you from light and human contact. I will feed you intravenously to keep you alive. I will not let you die, until your mind has failed, and your spirit has broken. I once regretted becoming a young man again, but now, NOW I am pleased at my longer life, if just for this one moment. You killed two million people, your death will feel like two million. Take him away." 8:57 PM, Latveria Doom opened the dungeon door. "I know you can understand me, bin Laden... you believed you could hide from the country you attacked. But you attacked Latveria that day as well. Legitimate businessmen under my rule were in those towers. I will turn you over to the United States shortly, but not before I've demeaned you first." "Pardon me, lord Doom, but there is an urgent message for you," the butler said. "Yes? What is it?" Doom asked. "It was Magneto of Genosha. He has captured the Nazi, Globocnik." "I see," Doom said. "It appears as if we shall both have our revenge." Saturday, August 23rd, 2003. Manhattan, 2:11 PM Cletus had worked on his act for days. He sat on a rooftop. The costume fit, if not so well. But it would have to serve as bait. Jumping, he quickly took to weblines, swinging over the city. He made himself quite visible. He spotted the carjacking below, quickly subduing the theft. He had the city's attention. He kept it up for hours. He was waiting, playing the part carefully. The bait was taken. He saw the glider heading for him. The Green Goblin threw several bombs, each dodged. "NO! It can't be! You should still be asleep, that was designed to put you under for weeks!" "Shut up, Osborn!" he shouted. Cletus tackled Osborn, sending him flying to a rooftop below. The glider spun out of control. Cletus landed nearby. "You're supposed to be dead, Osborn!" "Isn't that too bad, Parker!" Osborn replied. Cletus subdued Osborn quickly. "I've had enough of this, Osborn..." "I have too," he replied. A second glider rose to their level. Another bomb sent Cletus forward. "It's about time you decided to join us, Hobgoblin!" Osborn yelled. "Hey, it's not my fault. You said he'd be out for weeks!" Osborn replied, "Never mind that, he's coming for us!" Osborn pressed a button in his glove, calling his glider. The two flew off. 7:21 PM "Dammit! What went wrong? Parker was supposed to be in a coma for two months, and it's been a week!" Osborn shouted. "You didn't even test the formula first, stupid!" Osborn replied, "Shut up, Macendale!" "My name is not Macendale!" he shouted. "Jason Macendale died at the hands of Roderick Kingsley long ago. When I was brought back to life, Macendale was gone. I am the Hobgoblin now. I murdered Kingsley, I've udnergone the mutations, so DON'T CALL ME MACENDALE!" "Bah! The question now is, what do we do about Spider-Man? Carnage is dead, Electro is unreliable, Octavius and scorpion switched sides thanks to that damn Omnitech tape! And, I believe Fisk is after us, meaning all his men are after us!" Osborn said. "yeah, so? What about all those clones you were working on?" Hobgoblin asked. "USELESS! The only living clone I got was that Nazi failure, Globocnik, and I was unable to clone Cletus Kasady without ending up with a blank mind. I had to waste it giving it to the Neo-Nazis, what a waste of time and resources! I even had to clone Globocnik just to get extra information, which was a waste as well, that gas didn't WORK! And even at that, I have no idea how they were able to bring Globicnik back from the dead..." "Hmm... maybe you can't clone Carnage because he's not dead yet?" Macendale asked. "What do you mean?" "I'm saying, they killed a clone, not the genuine article. And they apparently can't kill him. Sane or not, that's a problem. So, why not clone dead people?" Osborn replied, "How about I don't? Bombs are much more reliable! Cloning has been a waste of my time. But your mutations have not... it may be time to create a perfect species, one of only Goblins!" Sunday, August 24th, 2003. Washington, D.C., 10:03 AM "The plan's working perfectly," Cletus said. "Oh? How so?" Peterson asked. "Osborn took the bait. Only... I've found a problem." Peterson asked, "Which would be?" "Hobgoblin is still alive. Which is odd, because I found bits of his costume melted into the floor at the blast site..." Peterson said, "well, just find Osborn, take him down." Notes: Set within the Marvel universe, I will be using my own continuity, mixed with new characterizations for some established characters from Marvel's story universe. These stories are a sequel to my fiction series Maximum Carnage. Cletus Kasady, Carnage, and others are copyright Marvel Comics. Jack Arden, Raicaak, and others are copyright myself. Other characters appearing may be owned by separate parties. I make no claim of copyright on any character I do not own, only on these stories and those I do own. Characters used without permission/not for profit. These are strictly fan stories. Permission to reprint extends to placing this text, unaltered, elsewhere online. It may not be altered, and especially NOT TO BE SOLD, unless Marvel wishes to license this series from me. Black Wings song and lyrics copyright Tom Waits.