Avengers Mansion (Control Room)

"We intercepted a signal from this position," said Iron Man, pointing to a hologram of the Earth with a blip outside it "One of my own satellites managed to get a shot of it when it went around the Earth, Jarvis, bring it up."

A picture of a space station appeared on the screen. The station was massive, but most of its bulk was taken up by a large laser gun.

"This gun shot out a strange energy that took control of the minds of two of our people," said Iron Man "I've analysed the energy and it could only have come from one source."

"What source is that?" asked Maddie

"The Mind Ring, one of the ten rings worn by the Mandarin," said Iron Man "Somehow, he's used his satellite to expand the range and capability of his mind ring."

"Seems a lot of trouble to go to just to capture us," said Sarah. Thankfully, her injuries had not been severe, and she was now fully recovered.

"There's something about you I can't quite figure out," said Iron Man "Together, your powers seem geared to combat each of the Mandarin's Ten Rings: Maddie, your ability to fly would be able to combat his gravity ring, Jack, your fire powers would be able to combat his freeze ring, Sarah, your forcefield capability can block many of his offensive powers from working at all, Ella, I'm guessing your sapphire form makes you immune to telepathic intrusion and, I theorise that you would be able to expand that shield to your entire team, as for you, Jane, your light attacks will be able to pierce the darkness created by his black light ring, while your power over Earth will be able to block his impact and disintegration beam rings, do you see what i'm saying?"

"If we work together," said Sarah, slowly "We can defeat the Mandarin?"

"Bingo," said Iron Man "We'll come with you, take out his followers, leaving you five to fight against him."

"Are you saying we have to kill the Mandarin?" said Ella "I don't want the crowning action of my life to be killing someone."

"You don't have to kill him," said Iron Man "Once you defeat him, I'll get SHIELD to lock him up for good."

"Men and women are defined by their actions," said Captain America "If you act honorably, and defeat the Mandarin without killing him, you'll have put one of the most notorious criminal masterminds away in prison."

"We'll try our best," said Maddie "That's all we can do."

Quinjet

The Avengers' Quinjet climbed towards the sky and into the upper atmosphere. Different Avengers were engaged in different activities.

Hank Pym, otherwise known as Ant Man, Giant Man, Yellowjacket, Goliath and who knew how many other alliases, was working on his own and his fiancee Janet Van Dyne (The Wasp, only allias)'s helmets, making them repel mind control.

Iron Man was working on his helmet with a welder with his helmet on to avoid getting sparks in his eyes.

Black Widow and Hawkeye were training against each other in unarmed combat, preparing for the kind of fighting they would have to do in Space.

Black Panther seemed to be either in a deep form of meditation, or was actually asleep. With his mask on, Maddie couldn't tell.

Captain America was sitting next to where the five new recruits, including Maddie, were sitting, giving them some last minute advice.

"Be careful of the Mandarin," said Cap "His most powerful weapons aren't his rings, isn't his mastery of chi, like Tony, he's a genius, perhaps even surpassing Tony in tactics. If you do manage to counteract or destroy his rings, remember that does not mean he's beaten, you'll still have to fight to capture him."

"What do we do once we do beat him?" asked Maddie "His rings are powerful, why can't he just break out?"

"If you can separate him from his rings," said Captain America "And put them into a force field, he'll be practically powerless, but remember to be wary of his mind even then."

"Thanks for the talk, Captain," said Maddie "Hopefully, we can defeat the Mandarin and get home, I just want to all of this to be over."

"Don't worry," said Captain America "It'll all be over soon."