EMBERS OF HALA

Part Five

the thirty-ninth tale

written by Mark Bousquet

2201 / January

OUTSIDE HALA’S ORBIT

"Admiral Nemeno, we will be in position in mark, ten standard seconds."

Nemeno nodded to his C.O., then turned his eyes to a large, holographic display on the ceiling of the bridge. In the middle, Hala and it’s ring of ten protective Shipyards. To the left, a small core of Titan war cruisers. And now, moving in from the right, an equal amount of Shi’ar destroyers.

Watching the screen, feeling the energy that traversed through his ship and crew, Nemeno smiled inwardly at the irony of a Shi’ar fleet protecting the Kree homeworld.

KE-RETRIBUTION / WAR ROOM

"Bruunhilde." Empire coolly welcomed the leader of the Angelux to the war room aboard the KE-Retribution. General Van’Rogg, the Supreme Intelligence’s military commander, stood between them. Behind Empire, on a large screen, lay the current battle map for the Kree Civil War between the recognized Republic and the pro-Empire forces of the recently returned Supreme Intelligence. The Supremor’s troops were winning. Easily. The Republic forces of General Ochken were already forced into hiding, forced into fighting a guerilla war.

"Empire, correct?" Bruunhilde asked, knowing full well whom it was, motioning for her assistant to enter the room. "One of the long pretenders to Captain America’s iconic throne, are you not?"

Empire bristled, frowned, "Captain America has been considered a traitor-"

"Yes, I know," Bruunhilde glared. "As I also know that Earth has been searching for a replacement ever since. Searching," she looked him over, smiling wickedly, "quite unsuccessfully."

Van’Rogg cut in, "That’s enough, Bruunhilde. Neither of you will partake of the Eternal War while aboard the Retribution. You are here to observe. Interference will result in the Supreme Intelligence aligning the Kree with the other side in this war." He looked at both, "Any questions?" Silence. "Good. Now, who is this?" he asked, nodding to the assistant, his blood running cold as he peered into her black, lifeless eyes.

Bruunhilde turned to the woman cloaked in robes that Empire recognized as the robes of a Catholic nun, then turned back to Empire, "My assistant, Elektra." Her eyes sparkled brightly at Empire, "She is the future of your planet, Earther. A human being whose soul is the property of Death, itself. Look into those bottomless pits that reside where eyes should rest and see your own future."

As Empire and Bruunhilde glared at each other, Van’Rogg wondered on which side of this conflict the Kree Ambassador to Asgard would stand. Reaching into his pocket, Van’Rogg pulled out a palm communication device, noting that Kovar had still not declared himself. Only yesterday, the Accuser had proclaimed himself to stand with the "true Kree" when speaking to the Supreme Intelligence, but Van’Rogg knew that faux-declaration was only to buy himself time.

‘Do not be a fool, Kovar,’ Van’Rogg thought, looking to the screen to see the last of the ten Shipyards fall into the hands of the Empire. Kovar’s position would go a long way with the Council to either recognizing, or refuting, the Supremor’s position of power

And locked away in his cell, General Ochken, the still-recognized leader of the Kree Republic, pondered on the exact same question, What side was Kovar on? If he would stand with the Republic there was a chance, a small one, but a chance, that the Council would enter this conflict on their side and defeat the Supreme Intelligence before it was too late.

Because if there was one thing Ochken would not allow, it was for the Kree people to fall, once again, into the hands of the Supreme Intelligence. The histories of the Kree, the failings of their forefathers, were tied, intrinsically, to the leadership of the being that had come back to them, dressed in the robes of a messiah, and with the mind of a dictator.

Ochken would do everything possible to keep history from repeating itself. Whatever the cost.

BASEMENT OF PARLIAMENT

"Well yer a bunch of sorry looking folks."

John Francis Saint stood in front of a group of twenty to twenty-five Kree soldiers and politicians, loyalists to Ochken’s Republic. They were dirty, bruised, and bloodied. A couple of them, Saint didn’t know how they were standing. But they were.

"My name is Po’nak," an older man, still in his political white robes, approached Saint with an open hand, which the Fantastic Colonies’ security chief shook. "We are, for better or poorer, the leaders of the Republic forces. We fear the rightful ruler of the Kree, General Ochken, has been killed-"

Saint put up his hand, "We’ve been told, by the Supremor’s people, that he is alive. I can assure you that his death would not sit well with Asgard."

"Do you speak for Asgard, then?" Po’nak asked, his eyes lighting up.

Saint frowned, "No … not really. I’m here as part of a diplomatic envoy to determine if Thanos has given any direct aid to the Supreme Intelligence. In a very real sense, I am not here to speak for Asgard, but rather I am here so I am able to go to Asgard to speak for you." He paused, looked hard at Po’nak, "If you have any evidence of the Titan’s involvement, it would go a long way to getting Asgard to send troops in here. Knowing Captain America as I do, I cannot imagine he is comfortable with what has happened." He paused, "Do you have any evidence?"

Po’nak shook his head, "The tracks are hidden well, Mr. Saint. We had only received the threat that an alliance with Thanos would be consummated if, and only if, we maneuvered to get Asgard to send troops to assist us. Such a move on Asgard’s part would be a violation of the Alliance Treaty, and free the Supreme Intelligence to sign an accord with Thanos."

"Well," Saint sighed, "that’s just a big pile of shit you're giving me, ain’t it?"

The Kree surrounding him grumbled, but Saint kept going, "Look, you want help, you gotta give me something that I can use. Pissing in the wind doesn’t accomplish much of anything."

"But there is a fleet of Thanos’ troops just outside the Shipyards!" Po’nak implored, sounding, to Saint, as desperate as they all looked. "Why are they there if it is not to fight for the Supreme Intelligence?"

Saint shrugged, "Hey, look, I’m sure they’re chomping at the bit to attack, but just because they’re there doesn’t mean they’re helping the Supreme Intelligence kick you to the curb."

Po’nak shook his head, "I cannot believe Asgard is standing by, watching us die!"

"Don’t give me shit, pal," Saint fumed in response. "The Alliance Treaty is something your government approved back in the day. If the Supreme Intelligence is using your own rules against you, don’t blame others. Look in the mirror, suck it up, and fight back."

"But we are outnumbered!"

"Then maybe it’s best if you are ruled by the floating green head. If that’s what the people want-"

"They follow out of fear!" Po’nak screamed. "They follow because they are soldiers and soldiers respect might and the promise of glory!"

"Look, folks," Saint put up his hands, "I’m with the Fantastic Colonies. We’re technically neutral, though you can be sure most of us don’t have ‘Go Thanos!’ banners hanging on our walls. So what I’m about to say is my opinion, and not anyone else’s." He met their eyes, making sure they understood him. "I just don’t see how it makes sense for Asgard to come in here and fight for the thirty-percent of the population who agrees with you. I’m sorry, but that’s the truth. It’s a dangerous era out there right now. It’s been seven years since Ragnarok ended. The big deep breath the Everything took when that was going on is ending. The End Times are upon us, believe it. Final plans are being made, ducks are being put in line. Right now you’ve got two choices, get it together, or die."

Saint turned to go, "You ask me, we need everyone we can get to fight Thanos. Make your peace with the Supremor, help bitch-slap Thanos off the board, and then worry about how to live the rest of your life. Because," he dropped his voice, "I tell you this. This is all going to end in our lifetime. The war our ancestors started … we’re going to finish. And right now we don’t need a Kree people conflicted. We need one united."

Po’nak frowned, "I hope the words you speak have no sway with Balder, John Francis Saint. I have studied the history of Earth, and I wonder if your ancestors would have supported your ideas when they were the slaves of plantation owners. Should they have lied down to fight another day?"

Saint shrugged as he disappeared back into a tunnel, "Apples and oranges. But you do need to survive before you can fight, Po’nak. If we decide Hala is the place where the Eternal War ends, you won’t have a planet, or a people, left no matter which side ultimately wins."

"We will not allow the Supreme Intelligence to take out people down the dark road, again," Po’nak declared, but Saint had already vanished into darkness.

SKRULL REFUGEE CAMP

"All hail Skrull 4!" the roar went up wherever the Skrull Ambassador to the Council walked in the Refugee Camp on Hala. One hundred thousand Skrulls were kept inside this massive, walled fort because the Skrulls had no homeworld to return to. Skrull 4 had expected many things when he was allowed into the camp, but this was not one of them.

The Skrulls were having a wild party, drunk on Kree liquor, engaging in vividly grotesque and obscene sex acts wherever and whenever the mood took them, their shape changing abilities in full display. He had received reports that Skrulls on Hala and Chandilar were being mistreated, used as a slave labor force to do the work that was beneath the Kree and Shi’ar to perform for themselves.

This was not in evidence.

As he walked through the camp, he saw a Skrull people that were more than being treated well, they were being treated like royal guests.

Skrull 4 seemed to disappear further into his robes as wine passed freely amongst his fellow Skrulls, trying to reconcile the raging emotions within him. It was not that he was disappointed to see his people treated well, but he had no idea, no inclination that this was taking place. All the intel reports he had received had given him no expectations for this manner of treatment.

"All hail Skrull 4!" a small band of Skrulls cheered as he walked by, and 4 decided to stop and discuss things with them. A difficult task, for Skrull 4 was not a man at ease anywhere other than the darkest shadows.

"Why do you celebrate me?" he asked, declining an offer of Kree ale.

The group of five Skrulls clashed their goblets together, and one spoke, "Because you have freed us from the mountains!"

Skrull 4 politely disagreed, "My friends I have done no such thing. What of the mountains?"

"Modesty! The Kree said you would be modest!"

Another Skrull added, "We have been used as a work force in the mountains, 4," dropping the mood around this campfire. "The Kree have used us as beasts of burden in their mountains, both here and off-world." He shook his head, looking to the sky, where the Retribution could be seen in the distance, "But that changed when the Supreme Intelligence returned. Before he’d even attacked Parliament, he came to us to apologize for the sins of the Republic. That we were comrades now, fighting together against a common enemy, saying it wasn’t right that we should be treated like glorified animals."

"Things were that bad?" Skrull 4 asked. "It is so hard to get reliable information from the Kree and Shi’ar … so hard to know if I’ve seen and heard the truth, or just a fragment of a larger lie."

"Easy, kid," and older Skrull added, patting 4 on the back. "We know you’re doing your best for us, for all of us. The sacrifices we made to the Kree have all been worth it now that the Supreme Intelligence is back. The Supremor told us, he did, what good work you’ve been doing on Asgard. How you’ve been traveling the Everything, looking for evidence with your own eyes. You do all Skrulls proud, Skrull 4. You are an honor to your people, and the only one among us with the courage to hold the title, and powers, of Super Skrull."

Skrull 4 frowned, wondering just how the Supreme Intelligence had gathered the information he had. "So you support the Supremor’s return, then?" Skrull 4 asked.

"I think I speak for everyone here," a Skrull female replied, "when I say I’d fight and die for him this minute if he asked me to."

Skrull 4 nodded, moving along to be alone amongst 100,000 Skrulls, his thoughts becoming darker and more troubled with every step. How long would the Supremor’s gifts to his people last? And why did 4 think this entire camp had become yet another chessboard for the Supreme Intelligence to move pieces around for his own, selfish ends?

Just what was going on here? He thought, of all people, of Kovar, at that moment. Whle there was no love lost between them, he was the Kree Skrull 4 knew best. And as he walked deeper into what had become less a camp of celebration and more a camp of sin and debauchery, 4 would have dearly loved at that moment to know just where the Accuser stood in this Civil War.

KE-RETRIBUTION / QUARTERS OF GRENNAN

"We should discuss what’s been happening, shouldn’t we?" Grennan asked as Glimmer Girl peeled off her Imperial Guard uniform.

"Merc-with-a-conscience," Glimmer cooed. "I love it. Now off with your own clothes, Grennan. I can’t do this alone." She smiled, "Well, actually I can, but I'm not going to let you watch that act."

Grennan thought for half-a-second, and then started stripping, "Well, hell, who am I to say no? I've been wanting to get out of this ridiculous suit and tie all day. I mean, I’m sure you don’t want to hear about bankers anymore than I wanted to listen to them, right?"

"Good boy," Glimmer Girl grinned as their lips entwined.

"But, um," Grennan paused, "shouldn’t you be watching Ochken? Just to make sure he’s safe?"

Glimmer took a step back, placing her hands on her hips, her naked, sparkled-purple torso on full display, "Hey, Grennan, that merc-with-a-conscience thing I mentioned? Lose it. Just because the Kree are outside, doing their best to kill one another is no reason for it to dampen our mood. The last thing I want right now is some absent-minded hero with his mind elsewhere. You’re going to think of me, and me alone, or you’re not going to play. Understood?"

Grennan nodded.

"I hope you’re adventuresome," Glimmer licked her lips, smiling. "Because after that Neanderthal Kree guard I had to deal with, I’m soooooo in the mood for a good time." She smiled playfully, "Prepare for the best four hours of your life." They kissed, and she murmured, "Honestly, Grennan, what kind of trouble could Ochken be getting himself into, anyway? It's not like they'd dare kill him while we're around."

KE-RETRIBUTION / PRISON CELLS

"What do you want?" the Kree guard asked as Bruunhilde’s robed assistant approached. "I’ve received no word from General Van’Rogg that Ochken would be receiving any more visitors."

Elektra, huddled in her black and white Catholic robes, smiled weekly as she handed the guard an official order.

The guard snatched the document, reading it quickly. "Wait," he ordered, hitting his intercom to confirm the order. "Okay," he turned to the lithe woman, "you’ve been cleared. Go ahead. He’s the only one in there."

Elektra nodded, signing ‘Thank you’ with her hands, and entered the Prison Cells. Hidden within her robes were two kitana blades she hoped she would get a chance to use.

KE-RETRIBUTION / WAR ROOM

"So tell me, Empire," Bruunhilde mused as they stood, alone, in the War Room, looking at the large board in front of them, "how badly would Asgard like to enter in this fray on the side of the Republic? It must kill the Cosmic Protector to have to sit back and watch the Supreme Intelligence slaughter millions of the Kree people."

Empire shook his head, "Like all of us, he is bound by the Alliance Treaty in a non-interference pact with each of the homeworlds for internal conflicts. There’s nothing he can do."

Bruunhilde turned to him, a disgusted look upon her face, "If you truly believe that, you are a fool. Are you so ignorant of your own history that you would believe Captain America will not find some way to come to the aid of those who are unable to defend themselves from monsters like the Supreme Intelligence?"

Empire whirled on her, "Or monsters like you?"

"Exactly," Bruunhilde dropped her voice, her red, ionic eyes sparkling. "Tell me, Earther, what makes you so confident that the Supreme Intelligence isn’t going to side with us after this is all over?"

"It’s the best way to get back at Thanos for killing him at Titan."

"But he didn’t kill him on Titan, did he?" Bruunhilde asked. "So why should he feel revenge about something that never happened?"

"The attempt?" Empire replied, unmoved by the Angelux's argument. "When someone tries to kill me, I tend to get upset."

"Do you know-"

"That will be enough, Bruunhilde," a rumbling voice came from behind them. They turned to see the Supreme Intelligence floating into the room. "If any shall tell this human the truth, it shall be I and I alone."

Bruunhilde laughed, "You? Tell the truth?"

The Supreme Intelligence floated nearer, his large, green tentacles rippling outwards, "The truth is often the greatest way to confuse the issue, Angelux General." He turned his gaze to Empire, "What I tell you will only be told to the Council on Asgard. You are not to use this information to inform the Kree people. Understood?"

Empire nodded.

"Very well," the Supremor answered. "I did not die at the explosion of Titan. I was merged into a coexistence with the Titan supercomputer, ISAAC, and saved by Thanos."

"What?" Empire asked, growing uneasy. His eyes darted to Bruunhilde, who smiled beside him, her arms folded across her chest.

"I have spent the past one-hundred and seventy-five years in shared union with ISAAC," the Supremor continued. "In the employ of Thanos, running the Titan 3 station. For Thanos."

"So it’s true?" Empire asked, taking a step back from Bruunhilde. "You’re going to turn on us and side with Thanos once you receive formal surrender?"

A voice from the doorway, "What am I missing?" Saint.

"The Supremor here’s just about to tell me how he’s playing us for fools."

"That a fact?" Saint asked, coming to stand beside Empire, looking up at the Supremor.

"Don’t be children," the Supreme Intelligence rumbled down at them.

Bruunhilde’s voice was cold, "Ever since we learned that the SI had overcome the ISAAC programming that was keeping him in check, we have sought an alliance with the Supreme Intelligence." She turned to Empire and Saint, "Only to be rebuffed at every turn. He will join with us only when you interfere in the Civil War and attack the troops loyal to him.

"But it seems," she continued, glaring at them, "that you have yet to interfere."

The Supreme Intelligence smiled, "And so the Kree stay aligned with Asgard. As is my intent."

"What?" Bruunhilde asked, surprised, turning to look up at him. "You have told Thanos that it was your intent to side with us, Supremor. That you would maneuver the Civil War to a favorable outcome for Thanos’ glory. That so many innocents would die that Asgard could not help but step in and fight against you."

The Supreme Intlligence’s smile grew wider and the rippling of his tentacles increased, "What I told Thanos and what the Mad Titan chose to hear are two separate truths, Angelux. It is my intent to see the Kree rise to glorious heights. If King Balder chose to fight against me, I would have no choice but to side with Thanos, but," he floated higher, "from what I have seen, Asgard will not move against me. The diplomatic envoy has found no evidence of Thanos’ involvement with my impending victory, and soon, General Ochken will sign the papers of surrender, and the Kree people will once again recognize their one true ruler."

"So this is all a game to you?" Empire asked, befuddled.

"Everything is a game with this being," Bruunhilde spat disgustedly.

"If I cared what any of you think," the Supreme Intelligence remarked, then let the thought die. He floated silently, regaining control of the room. "Lesser beings like yourself surely find it hard to understand the actions of one such as I. All that is important to me is the greater glory of the Kree Empire."

He floated lower, putting himself almost at their level, "For too long the Kree have been at the mercy of others. For too long the Kree have grown softer and weaker, unable and unwilling to stand for themselves against outside forces. Do not forget that we are the greatest of all the Empires in the Everything."

"Your time is past," Bruunhilde spat.

The door opened behind him, sending a broad smile across the Supremor’s face, "Are you ready to sign the Papers of Surrender, General Ochken?" General Ochken said nothing, causing the Supremor to turn around.

"That look on your face is priceless," General Ochken smiled, standing next to the robed Elektra. "How many people have caused the Supreme Intelligence to frown during all the days of your miserable existence."

The Supreme Intelligence said nothing.

"Look to the screen, Supremor," Bruunhilde ordered and the Intelligence swiveled to see the mapped overview of the war disappear and the grim visage of Thanos, the Mad Titan, fade into view.

"Hello, Intelligence," Thanos’ gravelly voice boomed across the Everything. "Perhaps you have underestimated my desire to see the Kree people aligned with my cause."

The Supreme Intelligence said nothing.

Thanos continued, "Historically, Intelligence, the Kree have struggled with the inevitable truth that no matter how grand and glorious your empire may have been, your race was at a genetic dead-end. Time, Intelligence, will do what I have so far failed to do – deliver you to the omega of existence. While you were my puppet these long years, ISAAC took from you all of your knowledge of the Kree people and I have found the key you have spent years searching for locked away in the recess of your own mind.

"I have found the key to the evolution of your race.

"While you have pretended to yourselves that your genetic failings are unimportant in the greater light of your military might, I have found the truth."

The Supreme Intelligence said nothing.

"Would you like to know the secret to the end of this age, Intelligence?" Thanos asked, enjoying the stage. Between them, the gathered heroes and villains could not help but feel small, like pawns whose fates were determined by the maneuverings of grandmasters. "The Everything works in ways man can rarely understand. Even the so-called gods have no greater insight into the mysteries of existence. Even I, Intelligence, am only able on rare occasions to ascertain the strings that pull the Everything along its path, but, unlike most, I can see the larger workings. One does not need to see the grinding of gears to know how a clock works."

The Supreme Intelligence spoke, "Enlighten us, Thanos."

"Do not give me orders, Intelligence," Thanos smiled. "I had you merged with ISAAC so that I may study you for my glory."

"I am waiting," the Supremor announced, as Grennan, Glimmer Girl and Skrull 4 entered the War Room, led by Van'Rogg.

"The irony, Intelligence," Thanos explained, "is that the Everything has stunted your evolutionary growth for a reason. While the Skrulls were once the Everything’s power race, time and Galactus have relegated them to the cosmic sewers. Then the Kree stepped to the fore, with the power of might and regality. Where the Skrull’s power was inward, the ability to change their form at will, the Kree projected their power outward. The Kree became the standard bearer for all of the Everything. You were the pinnacle of existence, and you demanded that everyone acknowledged that position.

"You became the arrogant, great enemy of the Everything, Intelligence, finally succumbing to your own glory, spreading the Empire too thin, fighting too many enemies, both internal and external. For when the wolves at the door smell blood, the vultures inside are already feasting on the dying carcass.

"But you were needed. Your arrogance, your displays of power, the treatment of the pink Kree by the blue, you created the blueprint for the empires to come.

"You were needed to fall. The Everything needed the Kree to show everyone the glories and horrors of a people literally taking all they could out of life. That is what the Kree did, Intelligence. They did everything they could with everything they had. They excelled, persevered, over-achieved to become the first great technological empire, and stood above all other races.

"And then you fell. The Shi’ar. The Shi’ar, a people that emulated your greatness and learned from your horrors. When you fell, the Shi’ar were ready to climb the stairs you had laid with the blood and sweat of the Kree people. The damnable Shi’ar, an empire that groomed itself for greatness, but any empire built by walking in the footsteps of others can do nothing but fail.

"When the Eternal War started, they were exposed as the pretenders they are, unable to meet the burden of greatness.

"All part of the grand tapestry the Everything weaves. The failing of the Shi’ar brought Asgard into the conflict. The so-called mortal races were ready to walk with the gods, and Asgard answered the call. My challenge brought the gods and mortals together. My Crusade showed the gods and mortals how similar they had become.

"Similar not because of your Kree, Intelligence, or the Shi’ar, or the Skrull, or the Cotati, masters of enlightenment. No. It was the time of the humans, a race whose genetic potential exploded, seemingly all at once. They were the blessed race, the chosen race of life. While their technology lagged centuries behind, the circle was closing once again. Where the Kree and Shi’ar are cosmic brothers, so are the Skrull and humans. Two are the extrinsic empires, two are intrinsic.

"The humans, however, are not capable of leading the Everything. They are too fragile, too headstrong, beholden to too many different social constructs within their own system labeled as races. The sub-division of their species keeps them from true greatness. Like the atomic bomb they created, that proved to be the key to unlocking their potential, they burn brightly and intensely, and then vanish within moments, leaving a stain behind them that future generations must overcome.

"Do you see, Intelligence? Do you see how the Everything orders itself in the end? Do you see how the great races mesh together like pieces of a puzzle? You are an army of design, weapons of compliment. The Skrull for intelligence gathering, the humans for destructive power, the Shi’ar for grunt-work, and the Kree, the Kree, Intelligence …

"The Kree are everything you always claimed them to be, even though you half-believed your own propoganda.

"The Kree are the ego, the leaders. Almost all of your population, since the inception of empire, have been raised, trained to be soldiers, to be the leader of men. You are the key, Intelligence. Do you hear my words? The Kree are the key to ultimate victory. Hidden within your genetic blueprint lies the materials for the next great races to be born. Your evolutionary dead-end is both the omega and the alpha. When you couple with the other races, the next armies will be born and man will stand one step closer to the gods they worship.

"It is that race we seek to defeat by never allowing it to come to pass.

"I have unwittingly furthered its possible existence, Intelligence. Through my Eternal War, I have brought the four great mortal empires together.

"Today, I shall start to rip them apart.

"Look behind you, Supremor. Look to General Ochken, leader of the Republic."

The Supreme Intelligence did not turn his back to Thanos, "Ochken and the Republic will fall beneath me, Thanos, and the Kree people will grow to be stronger than they ever have in the past."

Thanos laughed, "I will not presume to have defeated you for all times on this day, Intelligence, for we are both great masters. Today, however, the victory is mine."

The Supreme Intelligence said nothing.

Thanos ordered, "Explain, Ochken."

General Ochken stepped forward to stand between the Intelligence and Thanos, and beside Bruunhilde. A grim smile played across his face. "I told you that I would not allow you to be the ruin of our people, again, Supremor." He looked to the diplomatic envoy, "And you were no help. You let yourself be bound by the treaties of the past." He turned back to the Supreme Intelligence. "May our children forgive me."

Ochken walked to Skrull 4 and handed him a roll of parchment, then turned back to face the Intelligence. "The Kree Republic has broken from Asgard and signed an accord with Thanos. As of this moment, officially, the Kree Empire is an ally of Thanos."

EMBERS OF HALA to be continued …

For when the wolves at the door smell blood, the vultures inside are already feasting on the dying carcass.

Y G G D R A S I L

Comments c/o northern022@hotmail.com

I hope this month's twist ending caught a few of you by surprise. Thanks for reading, folks. I want to encourage you, too, to check out this years MV1 Holiday Special, which contains many fine short stories, including an AGC story featuring Hawkeye in the first Christmas after Ascension / Abandonment. Like all AGC stories published elsewhere, it'll be reprinted here, at some point, but I encourage you to check it out over in MARVEL FANFARE and read what the rest of MV1 has to offer.

-- Mark Bousquet …

9 January 2002

Northern Bear Productions