Chapter 31: Designed Only for Chaos
At the top secret AIM headquarters, several AIM scientist worked relentlessly on their most important project yet. With the final adjustments finally in place, MODOK was finally ready to be turned on.
"That should do it." One of the AIM scientist reported.
"Finally," The Scientist Supreme marveled. "After months of hardwork and setbacks, it's about to pay off. Activate it!"
One of the AIM scientists pulled the large switch, power from various terminals and chargers surging into the creation. The scientist looked on in hope and anticipation, wanting desperately for this to work. Unfortunately, that's when every single one of the machines began to spark and smoke. One even exploded before everything died down.
"What happened?!" Scientist Supreme let out.
"It seems the power needed to activate Project MODOK is far more than we are capable of producing." A scientist explained. "The terminals overloaded."
"So we need more power." Scientist Supreme deduced. "Then we just need to get a new power source."
"But where are we gonna get that kind of power?" the scientist asked. "We'd have to bend the heavens to get enough energy output!"
The Scientist Supreme suddenly perked up at his lackey's choice of words.
"Now that, is a marvelous idea." he commended.
…
Tony stood in front of Clint's bedroom door, knocking for the fifth time that morning.
"C'mon Barton, I know you're in there." He insisted. "It's been a week since you got back, and you haven't left your room."
There was no reply, only what sounded like a muffled groan.
"At least come out to eat something." Tony told him. "Preferably something that's not pizza."
There was the sound of shuffling, then the door creaked open. The stench of stale pizza, human BO, and other smells Tony didn't even dare to think off wafted from the room. If the smell wasn't off putting enough, Clint himself looked like a wreck. His hair was messy and he had a scruffy beard growing. He was in a pair of purple and white striped boxers with a purple robe thrown over a stained white shirt. He has one slipper on, and bags under his eyes that were a similar shade to his purple attire.
"Wow, you're a mess." Tony told him. "Have you slept? Or showered?"
Clint held up a finger, turning towards a small table before grabbing something from it. He then fiddled with his ears, showing off a pair of hearing aids.
"Okay, try saying that again." Clint requested.
"Wait, since when do you need hearing aids?" Tony asked.
"Since always." Clint replied. "Childhood incident left me partially deaf, knife to the ear made it nearly permanent."
"Whoa." Tony let out. "Never would've guessed."
"Eh, it's not something I like to advertise." Clint dismissed. "Though it makes for a good cover when in enemy territory. Now, are we here to discuss my disability, or is there another reason for this impromptu visit."
"I was here to tell you to get over your big bad self." Tony told him. "Nat maybe in the wind, but that's no excuse for you to lay around like this."
"Last time I checked, what I do in my spare time is none of your damn business." Clint snapped. "Now leave me alone, Stark."
He then slammed the door in Tony's face.
"Well, no one can't say I didn't try." Tony said aloud, walking away.
Clint listened to his retreating footsteps, then pulled out his hearing aids once again. He sighed and leaned against the door, sliding down to the ground.
…
As Tony entered his workshop, he passed by Hank and Jan, who were going over what looked like robotic schematics. Jan glanced over at Tony, noting his sour expression.
"Talk with Clint didn't work I take it." she guessed.
"Nah, it went great." Tony replied sarcastically. "He went a whole twenty seconds before slamming the door in my face."
Hank and Jan winced in response.
"I knew he and Nat were close, but this is ridiculous." Jan muttered.
"You know, from what I've read from Clint's file, he's been diagnosed with depression multiple times." he recalled. "Perhaps Natasha was his support system."
"He seemed to be in top shape before he met her." Tony said.
"Well, things change." Hank pointed out. "You come to rely on people to be there for you, to have your back. I mean, imagine how you would be if Pepper suddenly disappeared."
"You make a good point." Tony conceded. "I'd probably do exactly what he did, try and hunt her down, and retreat if I failed."
"He just needs time, and to know he can talk to us when he's ready." Jan insisted. "Pushing him will only make him retreat more."
"Then you won't like what I have to report." JARVIS spoke up.
"What is it, JARVIS?" Tony asked.
"It would seem an AIM facility has been located," JARVIS relayed. "And this one happens to have one of AIM's higher ranking officers, Dr. George Tarleton."
That caused Hank to drop the schematics, his eyes widening.
"The Scientist Supreme?" He questioned. "I thought he never left the AIM secret base."
"Well won't wanna miss out on this one." Tony remarked, pulling out his card. "Avengers Assemble!"
…
In Clint's room, he just sat in quiet solace. Just then, his card started going off. He glanced over to it and contemplated just ignoring it. After seeing it go off for a few more seconds though, he took it and went to get suited up for the mission at hand.
…
Peter and Gwen sat in a Starbucks, each with a muffin and a small coffee cup. Their noses were buried in text books, trying to prepare for a physics exam next week. Though it wasn't the most ideal date, Peter was just happy to spend some time alone with Gwen.
"This is nice." Peter spoke. "I can't even remember the last time it was just the two of us together."
"I think we bumped into each other in the hall last tuesday." Gwen quipped.
The two shared a laugh at that little remark.
"Seriously though," Peter spoke up again. "I have missed you, Gwen."
"I get you've been busy with school, the Bugle, and that Stark Internship." Gwen reassured. "What's that like, anyway?"
"Busy." Peter told her. "More so than Oscorp these days, I'll bet."
"You kidding me?" Gwen retorted. "Mr. Osborn has been working us like dogs, trying to get ahead of Stark. I can only imagine how life at home must be for Harry."
"Poor guy." Peter lamented. "He will never know the pleasures of poverty."
"Yep. McDonalds dates and 2-1 coffee coupons." Gwen added, lifting her cup as if making a toast.
Peter lifted his own cup and the two toasted. At that exact moment however, Peter's bag started beeping.
"Uh, one second." Peter spoke before reaching for his bag.
He looked inside and saw his Avengers ID card as going off.
"Oh come on." Peter whispered before turning back to Gwen. "Hey I'm sorry, but something's come up."
"Bugle or Stark?" Gwen asked.
"Stark." Peter answered. "Sorry to cut things short."
"Make sure to remind Mr. Stark that you're a student intern." Gwen told him.
"Will do." Peter replied before heading off. "You're amazing!"
"Tell me something I don't know." Gwen lamented slightly.
…
Across town, T'Challa stood outside the construction site that would soon be the Wakandan Embassy. He was supervising the work when Okoye walked up to him.
"So, this is our first step of opening up to the world?" Okoye inquired.
"A small one, but yes." T'Challa confirmed. "My work with the Avengers has been beneficial in many ways. Stark himself suggested the location of the embassy. It is in the heart of the historic district, home to many of our people. It will be a place where they can feel safe, and we can begin to show the world the true power of Wakanda."
"Impressive." Okoye remarked.
"If you really wanted to show Wakanda's power, let Okoye run the embassy." Shuri's voice piped up from a holographic display playing on a bracelet T'Challa was wearing. "Nobody would question our power then."
"I want everyone to feel safe, and while I have no doubt Okoye would protect them, she tends to get overzealous." T'Challa replied.
Just then, T'Challa's ID card started going off. He quickly took it out and saw trouble was on the horizon.
"It would seem that I am needed." T'Challa reported. "Okoye, Shuri, I leave this matter in your capable hands."
"We will take care of everything." Okoye promised.
"Good luck, brother." Shuri told him.
…
Doc Samson walked into his clinic's waiting room, where Rick Jones and Hulk sat waiting. They both looked up as Doc Samson held up Rick's file.
"Good news." He reported. "Test results just got back. Blood work, MRI, CAT scan all came back normal. No trace of adverse Gamma mutations."
Hulk seemed to sigh in relief as Rick punched him in the arm.
"I told you I was fine, big guy." Rick told him. "Never been better."
"Can't be too careful." Hulk told him.
"What, was I really that ugly?" Rick quipped.
"Hideous." Hulk remarked.
The two shared a laugh as Hulk accepted a few more blows from Rick. About that time, Hulk's ID card went off in Rick's pocket. He fished it out, sighing before standing up.
"Game time." he declared.
Hulk just smirked in response.
…
Meanwhile, Logan and Cap were sitting at a bar, with Cap regaling Logan with old war stories to help refresh his memory.
"So, there we were, ankle deep in mud and stuck behind enemy lines. Dum Dum's down to three grenades, and Monty's down two a dozen bullets." Steve recalled. "We need to get past the barricade if we want to free the village behind it. None of the guys were willing to admit it, but we were certain that not all of us were gonna make it. That's when you snatched Dum Dum's grenades, then vaulted out of the trench."
"I think I'm gonna enjoy where this is going." Logan remarked.
"You pull the pins and stuff them down the barrels of two of the approaching tanks." Steve went on. "We were pulling scrap metal out of you for three days after that. Woulda lost the battle had you not pulled that stunt."
"Nice to know this healing factors good for something." Logan jeered.
Steve shoved Logan's head.
"Hey, you saved countless lives that day, including mine." Steve told him. "You're a Goddamn hero."
"Been used to being called many things." Logan told him. "Hero, the least of them."
"That's what you are, first and foremost." Steve reassured. "If the rest of the world can't see that, it's their problem."
"Y'know, I know a kid who told me something like that." Logan recalled. "She said that the world couldn't see past genetic code, and that they were missing out because of it. Granted, she was yelling at me at the time, and I nearly cut her head off."
Steve was taken aback by that last part.
"We're good now." Logan reassured. "Promise. She got me back by dropping a door on me."
Steve chuckled, shaking his head.
"Maybe one day you'll introduce me to some of your infamous friends." he quipped.
Just then, both their ID cards started going off.
"Someday perhaps.," Logan replied. "But not today."
"Right." Steve agreed. "Time to suit up."
…
In New Mexico, Jane and Dr. Selvig were pouring over a collection of Jane's research. She'd requested Thor bring her back, having need of her old collegue's input. While the two poured over charts and calculations, Thor was left at the mercy of Darcy, who was beyond happy to see the Asgardian again.
"So, is it true that Las Vegas was turned into a giant Gamma hotspot?" she asked, adjusting her beanie over her wild, dark brown locks.
"Oh yes." Thor confirmed. "Quite the ordeal that was."
"Did you get turned into a monster?" she questioned.
"No, being Asgardian I am immune to such powers." Thor answered.
"Yet I took you down with a taser." Darcy remarked, smirking at the victory she always enjoyed rubbing in his face.
"I told you, I was without my powers at the time." Thor insisted. "That doesn't count."
"Sure it doesn't." Darcy replied, patting him on the shoulder. "Just keep telling yourself that."
Before Thor could protest further, his ID card started going off. He took it out and saw that his services were needed.
"Jane, it seems that I am needed." He told her. "Will you be alright here for awhile?"
"I've got a change of clothes and my toothbrush." Jane informed him. "I'll be good. Just let me know if you'll be more than a day."
"Will do." Thor promised. "Erik, Darcy, good to see you again."
With that, Thor spun his hammer and flew off. Darcy watched him go, chuckling.
"Never gets old." she commented.
"Tell me about it." Jane agreed.
…
With everyone gathered, they piled into the Quinjet and flew towards the lab JARVIS told them about.
"I hope this pans out." Spider-Man shared. "You guys called me in the middle of a date."
"Sorry Underoos." Iron Man apologized. "But this is a big fish, and we need all hands on deck."
He glanced over to see Hawkeye, despite a messy haircut and the need for a shave, was primed for duty.
"You seem to be doing well, Barton." Iron Man remarked.
"I ready when the team needs me." Hawkeye told him.
"Good." Iron Man replied, turning forward.
…
At the laboratory, AIM scientist were going about their usual business when a wall was punched through by Hulk.
"Knock knock." He remarked.
"That's it?" Spidey asked. "No 'Hulk smash' or anything like that?"
Hulk just shot the web-head a glare.
"Ok, nevermind then." Spidey replied.
"Let's take 'em down, Avengers!" Cap called out, throwing his shield at some AIM agents.
The shield knocked down several AIM agents before returning to Cap's hand. He then used it to block some energy blasts before bashing one agent in the face. Iron Man flew around the room, blasting every agent in sight. Wasp shrunk down to mini size and shot several bio stings at AIM agents. As one ran up to her, she grew to normal size and used her sting charged hand to uppercut him, knocking him out.
An entire army of AIM agents were suddenly besieged by a large number of fire ants that found their way into their suits. Hank couldn't help but smirk as the ants did their work. Thor meanwhile threw his hammer across the room, knocking down several AIM agents before returning to his hand. Once grasping it again, he used it to smack an agent away, sending him flying into the air.
Hulk's attacks were almost effortless as he easily swatted away numerous AIM goons. One agent tried blasting him from behind, but that just set the big guy off as he spun around and punched him into a wall. Black Panther dodged around the energy blasts with grace and skill as he landed in the middle of a group of agents and quickly sliced through their weapons with his claws before pummeling them senselessly. Wolverine meanwhile went the most savage on them, slashing and clawing relentlessly until none were left standing, save for one who was shaking in his boots.
"Boo." Wolverine let out, causing the soldier to drop his gun and run away.
Spider-Man at the moment, was leaping over one group of agents who were shooting at him. He quickly webbed their faces, disorienting them, before landing right on top of them and knocking them down. He then leapt forward and punched out one of the goons before webbing another one in close and kicking him in the head.
Finally, Hawkeye was shooting at every agent he could lay his eyes on. Every shot of course was a direct hit, with some even hitting before the AIM agents could aim their weapons at him. He shot a grapnel arrow at the last agent standing and pulled him in close.
"Where's Dr. Tarleton?" He questioned.
The agent gulped, then pointed up as a set of heavy double doors. Thor looked over and threw his hammer at the doors, breaking them apart easily. The Avengers poured in and saw Dr. Tarleton packing up some plans in an attempt to escape. Once he looked up and saw the Avengers, he tried to make a break for it, only for Spidey to shoot a web at him and suspend him in the air.
"Going somewhere doc?" Spidey asked.
Tarleton struggled in the web, trying to free himself as the Avengers closed in on him. Ant-Man reached over, grabbing his mask and ripping it off. Tarleton was revealed to be a rather plain looking man with short brown hair and glasses. His eyes were laced with hatred as he continued to try and free himself from the webs binding him.
"Release me this instant!" he demanded.
"I have a better suggestion." Ant-Man responded. "You tell us what AIM is planning."
"You think I will betray the Advanced Idea Mechanics so easily?" he snorted. "Fool."
"Here's how it's gonna work." Ant-Man informed. "You can deal with me, or you can deal with him."
He gestured to Wolverine, who just casually popped out his claws on one hand. Tarleton gulped, ceasing his futile struggles.
"A-alright." he relented. "What do you want to know?"
"Where's AIM's main base?" Ant-Man asked.
"And what's their endgame?" Iron Man piped in. "Something tells me they're not going to all this trouble just to make a few high tech laser guns."
"N-no." Tarlton answered. "They've been working on something big. A game changer that will ensure AIM's rise to superiority.
"What kind of game changer?" Wasp asked.
Tarleton just leered at her.
"Project MODOC." he answered cryptically.
"I'm sorry, MODOC?" Spidey repeated in confusion.
"Curious?" Tarleton asked. "Go see for yourself. It awaits the final component on AIM island."
"And where is this AIM island?" Cap asked.
"50 miles off the coast of Florida." Tarleton answered. "Good luck getting there in one piece."
Iron Man just punches the guy out before turning to the others.
"I gotta say," He spoke up. "When I pictured us taking an island vacation, this isn't what I had in mind."
"Dare I ask what you did have in mind?" Ant-Man inquired.
"Barbecue, volleyball, sunburns and a lot of bikinis." Iron Man answered.
"I do not like the sound of this Project MODOK he spoke of." Thor commented, pulling everyone back on topic.
"Agreed." Black Panther concurred. "If AIM's current technological edge is anything to go on, then their endgame should prove to be devastating."
"Then we stop it before it even starts." Cap declared.
"Agreed." Iron Man announced. "Everyone back to the Quinjet. We're going to Florida."
…
On AIM island, several AIM agents stood watch at the door, as if expecting company. The Avengers spied on them through some foliage, scoping the place out.
"Guess Tarleton managed to get word to his buddies we were coming." Wolverine remarked.
"Which means we could be walking into a trap." Cap deduced.
"If this 'project MODOK' is as dangerous as Tarleton claims, we don't have a choice." Iron Man replied.
"Guess we need one hell of a distraction." Clint declared.
Rick smirked, patting Hulk on the shoulder.
"Leave that to us." he requested. "Ready?"
"Always." Hulk replied before leaping out into the open.
He landed with a crash, sending a shockwave that knocked the AIM agents back. More began coming out, hoping to hold the large Avenger back. However, they were no match for his strength.
"Go!" Hulk shouted.
"I am so glad he's on our side." Wasp remarked as she and the others made their way inside.
Wolverine ran up the door and sliced a massive X into it, causing it to fall to pieces. As the opening revealed itself, they were greeted by even more AIM agents who opened fire. Hawkeye fired an explosive arrow and Panther threw one of his energy daggers, the doubled blast knocked most of them back. Wasp flew in and blasted a few of them as Spider-Man swung by and webbed them to the walls. Cap ran through the hallway, kicking and bashing every agent that came close. Thor landed on the ground next to him and swung his hammer at any agents that dare challenge him. The two then turned to see several more running towards them. Cap saw this and had an idea.
"Thor, hit me." Cap told him.
"You sure?" Thor asked.
"Positive." Cap confirmed, holding up his shield.
Thor relented and struck his hammer against the shield, creating a shockwave that sent the agents flying back. It even tore into the walls, revealing exposed electronics. The two looked at this in satisfaction and surprise.
"Impressive strategy, Captain." Thor commended.
"Thanks." Cap replied before returning to the battle.
Iron Man flew across the hallway, shooting repulsor blasts left and right, taking out several agents. Seeing a fresh cluster, he fired two wrist rockets at them, which shot out small devices that latched onto their guns. One by one, the guns exploded, knocking the agents out.
"They just don't make super weapons like they used to." Iron Man remarked.
Hawkeye just let loose one arrow after another, hitting each target with precision accuracy. His lack of usual quipping gave off a sense of foreboding to both AIM, and the Avengers. Ant-Man quickly threw out several Pym disks in rapid succession, which shrunk down the agents guns before their very eyes. When all their guns were too small for them to see, Ant-Man shrunk down himself and leapt towards them, taking them out one by one.
As the Avengers continued taking down AIM agents, Thor saw one of them running off and decided to follow. He watched them attempt to escape into a large room protected by thick doors. He smirked, twirling Mjolnir in his hands before smashing right through them.
"Stand down villain." Thor threatened. "Lest you face the wrath of the son of Odin."
The agent slowly backed away from the thunderer in fear and trepidation. Thor noted that he was slowly reaching for something on his belt. Thor then raised his hammer, summoning a bit of lightning before shooting it at the agent. The agent then leapt out of the way, making Thor miss and hit something behind him.
Suddenly, the sound of whirring machinery filled the room. Everything began to light up and spark, energy travelling towards a large containment tube. The tube was suddenly illuminated with blinding like, a strange silhouette visible within it. Thor stopped his attack, but the damage had been done. The energy eventually died down, and the containment tube slowly slid open.
"By the nine realms…" Thor let out, stepping back.
By this point, the others were running into the room to figure out what was going on. They all stopped short when they saw what was emerging from the tube. It appeared to a giant golden head with a flesh like face, purple arms and legs, a purple headband across his forehead, and a rocket in its underside.
"What. The hell. Is that?" Wasp let out.
"Our masterpiece." the agent revealed. "The ultimate human machine interface. A Mental Organism Designed only for Killing. MODOK!"
"Ok wait, that's your big project?" Spidey asked in disbelief. "That's what AIM's been building up all this time? The world's largest bobblehead?!"
Spidey was about to break out into laughter when MODOK fired an energy blast from his head at him, knocking him back.
"Silence!" The creature let out.
"Oh my gosh, he can talk." Wasp dreaded.
"Thank you for awakening me, Avengers." MODOK sneered. "As a reward, I'll make your deaths swift!"
"Thanks," Iron Man replied aiming a repulsor at him. "But I got opera tickets for next week, and I'd hate to miss that."
Iron Man tried firing at him, but MODOK just produced an energy shield that protected him. MODOK retaliated by firing an energy blast at him. This one encased him in some kind of energy shield that lifted him into the air. MODOK then overwhelmed Iron Man with insane amounts of energy, causing him to cry out in pain.
Thinking fast, Hawkeye, Wasp, Cap, and Thor all fired their respective projectiles at MODOK, but they all bounced off his shield. The strange being seemed to cackle at their efforts.
"Pathetic." he leered.
He then threw Iron Man at them. He knocked down Cap and Hawkeye, but Wasp and Thor flew over him and right towards MODOK. Wasp flew around MODOK, blasting at him relentlessly. The energy seemed to to little more than annoy him.
"You honestly believe this miniscule assault is enough to defeat me?" MODOK asked, blasting at her.
"Maybe not, but it's distracting you long enough." Wasp replied. "Now Hank!"
Hank then grew to Giant-Man sized and brought his fist down on MODOK, seemingly crushing him. MODOK then fired an energy blast up at Giant-Man's hand, seemingly burning it. Giant-Man pulled his fist back in pain.
"Fools." MODOK dismissed. "Let's see if you can survive a mental bolt!"
MODOK then fired an energy blast that seemed to attack Giant-Man's mind. He grasped his head and cried out in pain as he kneeled over. Thor saw this and flew towards him, only for MODOK to turn around and fired the same mental bolt at him, causing Thor to drop to the ground in pain.
"Even the mind of a so called immortal is no match for MODOK!" MODOK taunted.
The rest of the Avengers were about to move in, but several AIM agents stormed in, aiming their guns at the team. They looked at the army behind them and the creation in front of them, neither seemed to have a favorable outcome.
"So… what now?" Spidey asked, gulping under his mask.
"I don't know, kid." Tony admitted. "I don't know..."
