Chapter One: Destabilization

Nuke has been staring at the TV screen all night. His eyes are yellow, but bloodshot. Drool slowly drips onto the rifle he continuously polishes. "Don't Tread on Me" posters cover the walls of his apartment.

CNN: In today's news, the former President has now called upon his followers to fight back hard in response to his perceived theft of the election. Let's now turn to our panel to discuss this developing story…

Nuke: Fuckin Libtards….

Nuke gets up and walks to his laptop. He opens it and various pop-up windows of propaganda cover the screen. A chat box is in the middle of the screen from a messenger with only the initials, "DD".

DD: The tree of liberty must be refreshed with the blood of patriots and tyrants.

Nuke types a response.

Nuke: I know.

DD: Did you receive the package?

Nuke: Yes.

DD: Are you ready to fulfill your name?

Nuke: Do you support our true leader and ruler?

DD: Yes. I have spoken with him and he is supportive of you. He views you as the true patriot.

Nuke: Then I will refresh this tree.

DD: You will need help.

Nuke: Who?

Suddenly another screen pops up. It is a news headline. HELLS KITCHEN CRIMINALS CONTINUE TO BE MURDERED BY UNKNOWN GUN MAN.

DD: You will find your partner in Hell's Kitchen.

Nuke: Just one man?

DD: This man is well trained and will make a fine general, but I have sleepers all over the country waiting on your signal as well.

Nuke: How do we start?

DD: Money is the foundation.

HELL'S KITCHEN

Frank Castle stands over a dead body in an alley at night. The barrel of his gun is still smoking. Nuke has been watching Castle hunt this individual for over an hour.

The Punisher is still.

Punisher: Are you done watching me?

Nuke steps from the shadows.

Nuke: You realize all of this is just a waste of time and energy?

Punisher: Justice is never a waste of time.

Nuke: True, but it is a waste of energy because unless you punish the source then the process has no resolution.

The Punisher doesn't turn around.

Nuke: You have to realize that the reason these criminals are allowed to run free is because Liberals are weak on crime. They are weak in everything. In fact, your family might…

Punisher: You finish that sentence and I turn on you.

Nuke: Ok. Fair enough. But you understand what I'm saying.

Punisher: Yes. I am tired of fighting a never-ending war, but I will never kill innocents.

Nuke: No one is innocent. You know that. Everyone is complicit. Your bravery to render judgement should not stop at the criminal. Otherwise, it is just short sighted. It must account for the big picture. Only then will you become a patriot by stopping the source of crime permanently. That alone will avenge your family's death…and end this war.

Punisher: What do you recommend?

Nuke: Money is the foundation.

US TREASURY

Nuke is standing over the Secretary. He is on his knees with his hands folded behind his head. Nuke's rifle is pushing against the back of his head. Dead bodies are littered across the hallway leading to the office.

Nuke: You know what you need to do.

Secretary: But I don't have the access to that! You'll need multiple people for that!

Nuke: Then you're coming with us. Punisher, is everything in place?

Punisher: Yes. We're ready to go.

Nuke and Punisher carry the man out of the building. As they open the front door a shield flies at them knocking the gun out of the Punisher's hands. Captain America and Daredevil are standing on the stairs in front of them blocking the way.

Captain America: It ends here, Nuke!

Nuke: Out of the way, Captain! You no longer represent this country.

Captain America: Son, I defend this country. It's ideals. It's freedoms and equality. It's Democracy.

Daredevil removes his billy club from its sheath.

Daredevil: …and it's due process.

Nuke: This has never been a Democracy! It's a Republic! You are complicit and weak minded. I have no quarter for your type anymore.

Captain America: Then you are truly lost, Nuke!

Nuke: …and traitors to the Republic are to be imprisoned or executed.

Captain America: Only fascists, dictators…and terrorists…deal in absolutes…I will do what I must.

Nuke: You will try.

Nuke holds up a small receiver. On the other end is the voice of his hidden partner.

DD: Hello, Captain! It is so nice to hear from you again. In the interests of transparency, I would like to inform you that a nuclear bomb has been hidden in this building. Nuke and Punisher can't turn it off. Only I control it. In addition, there are also thousands of your heavily armed troops currently being dispersed to federal reserve banks across the country. Destabilization is at hand!

Captain America: Money isn't the foundation of this country.

DD: Well, we're about to find out!