Chapter 1 - Excalibur/Dialogues

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Mission 1	Mission 2	Mission 3	Mission 4	Mission 5	Mission 6
Start Deploy Heroic Battle MiniBoss Boss Complete	Start Deploy Heroic Battle MiniBoss Boss Complete	Start Deploy Heroic Battle MiniBoss Boss Complete	Start Deploy Heroic Battle MiniBoss Boss Epic Boss Complete	Start Deploy Heroic Battle MiniBoss Boss Complete	Start Deploy Heroic Battle MiniBoss Boss Epic Boss Complete

Mission 1

Chapter Start

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Agent Coulson:

Boss? Something you ought to know.

Nick Fury:

Then you ought to be telling me.

Agent Coulson:

We've been observing space-time disruptions all across the surface of the Earth. Not just the typical stuff you might see if a time traveler or interdimensional entity was appearing, but--

Nick Fury:

Coulson, I've got the Hellfire Club, the Brotherhood, HYDRA, the Hand, and God only knows who else breathing down our necks. No time for leisurely nerd briefings.

Agent Coulson:

Well, boss, we've got people coming out of these breaches.

Nick Fury:

This is not my shocked face, Coulson.

Agent Coulson:

It might be when I tell you that... well, sir, some of the people we're seeing already exist here.

Nick Fury:

Skrulls?

Agent Coulson:

We don't think so. Other versions. Different versions. Alternates, duplicates, who knows. Other landscapes, too... We're calling these events Incursions.

Nick Fury:

How the hell...?

Agent Coulson:

That's what we're trying to find out, sir.

Mission Start

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Tony Stark:

The Syndicate is toast, but our problems aren't all solved yet. HYDRA is rallying to the Red Skull again...

Maria Hill:

And after our run-in with the Hellfire Club, you better believe they'll be players from here on out.

Nick Fury:

Agent, we've been grappling with the aftereffects of the Pulse, and we're still not sure where it came from. But I'd like to introduce Agent Phil Coulson, who has been working that problem.

Agent Coulson:

Working it very hard, boss. We're starting to see some results.

Tony Stark:

There's a whole team dedicated to this? Nick, I thought we weren't keeping secrets from each other.

Nick Fury:

Don't mean to bruise your ego, Stark, but I'm trying to save the world here. Agent Coulson, give us the thumbnail on Incursions.

Agent Coulson:

Incursions are disruptions in space-time. We've been seeing a lot of them. They come and go fast enough that we can't pin down a cause, but we're closing in on that.

Tony Stark:

Don't keep me in the dark on stuff like this, Nick. I'll develop trust issues. Space-time disruptions are a better use of my time than Test Subjects.

Nick Fury:

You don't get to play in every sandbox at once, Stark. You'll get an Incursion briefing and we'll bring you in on what we've learned so far.

Agent Coulson:

Of course I'll be looking forward to your insights, Mr. Stark. But we're all multitasking, and there are Test Subjects causing problems right now.

Tony Stark:

Agent, you heard the new star agent. Go get the Test Subjects.

Maria Hill:

Also, Colossus is here. He's been helping to smooth over lingering tensions from the Phoenix Force, um...

Colossus:

Debacle is the word you are looking for.

Nick Fury:

Let's hit the ground running, Agent. Roll these guys up before the big bads can use the distraction to spring something nasty.

Heroic Battle

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Screen Text

Rogue and Gambit thought they were out for a quiet date. Dinner, a movie, that kind of thing. But S.H.I.E.L.D. is going to have to cut their dessert short, because there are Sentinels on the move.

Start

Rogue:

I never did like Sentinels. What kind are these again?

Gambit:

Prime, cher. But not so prime as you.

Rogue:

You stop runnin' your mouth long enough for us to do this job, now. Hear me? There's MGH serum to recover before these Sentinels hand it off to their masters.

Gambit:

As you wish, my darlin'.

Lose

Rogue:

Running from Sentinels? Shame on us. We won't be able to show our faces around the Helicarrier.

Gambit:

We off Xavier's Christmas card list, you think?

Rogue:

We will be if we don't turn ourselves right around and get those Sentinels where they belong, by which I mean the scrap heap.

Gambit:

We gonna get 'em right where they need to go, don't you worry 'bout that. Allons!

Repeat

Gambit:

We gonna give these Sentinels another go?

Rogue:

You game?

Gambit:

I'm all game, cher. You talking to the original mutant player.

Complete

Gambit:

Not too much for conversation, these Sentinels.

Rogue:

You make up for it, sugar. You know you do.

Gambit:

Now I got this whole stash of serum. Tempted to pour it down the nearest sewer grate.

Agent Coulson:

God, no. Don't do that. What would it do to the rats?

Rogue:

Or the alligators?

Maria Hill:

Just get it back to the Helicarrier, Gambit.

Gambit:

If you insist, cher. Mutant cocodrie, now that's something...

Deploy 1

Screen Text

Sentinels are coming up from the subway tunnels in this area. We need a mutant to respond because TV cameras are already there. Time to start smoothing over the Phoenix event. Cyclops is a good choice.

Start

Maria Hill:

Sentinels are staking out a perimeter around this area. We're not sure yet if they're defending it or preparing to attack. This is probably meant as a distraction while the Test Subjects do whatever they're supposed to do. We need to take care of it now.

Tony Stark:

TV cameras are on the scene already. Scott, how about you head over there and drop a nice sound bite while you take care of the Sentinels?

Cyclops:

Always happy to be a media pawn, Tony.

Complete

Tony Stark:

Your visor looks great on TV, Scott. I hardly recognized you.

Cyclops:

Jealous, Tony?

Tony Stark:

Never. Just looking for an excuse to make a new suit. Now I've got one. The Mark Looks-Good-in-HD.

Deploy 2

Screen Text

Jericho Drumm has some news for Dr. Strange, but as is his practice, he will only deliver it in person. Send Strange to New Orleans via that astral plane to find out what it is.

Start

Tony Stark:

The aether is humming with mystical communications.

Dr. Strange:

You mean to be sardonic, Stark, but you are accidentally truthful. I must meet Drumm and find out what he has to say.

Tony Stark:

We'll be looking forward to the details when you get back.

Complete

Dr. Strange:

Jericho has heard some unsettling things from the spirits with whom he communes. An arcane plot of some sort is brewing in London...

Tony Stark:

We'll worry about it later. Today we take care of Test Subjects.

Dr. Strange:

I will worry about it now, Stark. You would do well to multi-task in this instance.

Deploy 3

Screen Text

While we try to figure out how the Crimson Cowl and Sugar Man ended up working together, we also need to stay on top of the Circle of 8 question. There's a cultist being held in the Tombs. Pick him up and bring him to the Helicarrier.

Start

Tony Stark:

Turns out this Circle of 8 is some kind of apocalyptic cult. We'd suspected as much, but now NYPD has a cultist locked up in the Tombs.

Maria Hill:

They want us to come and get him. We'll stash him in the Helicarrier and see what we can learn about the group.

Complete

Tony Stark:

Circle of 8 loony is safely aboard the Helicarrier awaiting interview. I can't wait for this. Nothing like doomsday crazies to brighten up your day.

MiniBoss - Crimson Cowl

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Reveal

Tony Stark:

Well, there's our local field boss cracking the whip over the Test Subjects: Crimson Cowl. She could have an interest in the MGH/Iso-8 serum. She's already gone cybernetic; why not add some fresh mutations?

Maria Hill:

The Pulse has made people greedy to be something other than they were.

Tony Stark:

Could be. Or maybe they always wanted to, and now they can.

Colossus:

Or she's just bad person, Tony. Don't make complicated.

Start

Colossus:

Mutation is not something to be experimented with, Cowl. Unless you wish to become like Test Subjects.

It's hardly the same thing. You are limited by your genome. I have no such problem.

Crimson Cowl:

Lose

You could use a little experimentation, Colossus.

Crimson Cowl:

Repeat

Wait'll you see the next batch of mutations we're cooking up. A brand new frontier...

Crimson Cowl:

Complete

Colossus:

This group of Test Subjects is pacified. So is the Crimson Cowl.

Agent Coulson:

Moving right along to the next, then. Thank you, Colossus.

Colossus:

Where have Iron Man and Fury and Hill gone?

Agent Coulson:

They're in a meeting. Bureaucratic stuff. I'm on the comm for now.

Boss - Sugar Man

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Reveal

Agent Coulson:

Is that Sugar Man? I've only read about him in the dossiers from the Apocalypse timeline divergence.

Nick Fury:

That's him. Apocalypse's favorite slavemaster. We'd hoped he was dead, but the way he can shrink himself, he's hard to keep track of. If we're seeing him now, it won't be long before we see his mentor Mr. Sinister. Unless we're lucky and Sugar Man killed him.

Professor X:

We have not experienced that particular stroke of fortune, Director Fury. I do not know where Sinister is, but I do know he is alive.

Nick Fury:

Agent, I'm sure you know Charles Xavier by reputation. He's decided to take a more active role consulting on S.H.I.E.L.D. operations and we're happy to have him.

Professor X:

If we can bring Sugar Man in, he'll tell us what we want to know. He's quite loquacious.

Colossus:

I will do this. It is my fault he is in our universe at all.

Start

Piotr the Colossus, man of steel. Thanks again for the ride into this timeline. I'd have hated to miss out on Iso-8.

Sugar Man:

Colossus:

I have myself to blame. It is time I set that right.

Set it right? You can't set it right. There's no right, there's no wrong. There's power. I have it, and I want more.

Sugar Man:

Colossus:

No right or wrong? I know better than to take moral lessons from you.

Morals. Funny. We'll see how moral you are when you're all back in the camps. Sinister's ready to get experimenting again...

Sugar Man:

Lose

You have escaped only for the moment, Piotr. Soon I will have you as a plaything...

Sugar Man:

Repeat

Colossus:

Sugar Man has not been deterred. This means I must be more persuasive.

Complete

Colossus:

Sugar Man shrank himself away. It would be useful to have a vacuum cleaner.

Tony Stark:

Too bad we didn't add those to our standard field gear. You're done there, Colossus.

Professor X:

We'll pursue Sugar Man another day. I pity the poor souls he gets hold of before then.

Mission Complete

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Tony Stark:

Damn, but it's hard to keep chasing these labs. All they need is a jar full of serum and they can make Test Subjects anywhere.

Nick Fury:

If it was easy, anyone could do it. The impossible stuff they leave to S.H.I.E.L.D. And speaking of anywhere...

Agent Coulson:

Our friends across the pond are asking for a little help. Seems that the Hellfire Club is on the move in London.

Tony Stark:

Hope your passport's in order, Agent. Here we go.

Mission 2

Mission Start

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Tony Stark:

Welcome to Merrie Olde England, Agent... where the Hellfire Club seems to be setting Test Subjects loose as a diversion while they chase arcane artifacts.

Nick Fury:

This could mean that Sugar Man has wormed his way into the Club. Emma Frost is trying to find out, but something's blocking her telepathy in the local Hellfire HQ.

Professor X:

That something is likely Sebastian Shaw. It is a powerful barrier. Even I am having trouble penetrating it.

Maria Hill:

We're going to be working members of a new Excalibur team into our London operations.

Agent Coulson:

Our British counterparts have suggested that they ought to be part of any work we do here. We agree, of course.

Tony Stark:

So meet Psylocke. She's from London, and is also a member of the Hellfire Club, so she'll be a useful local guide.

Psylocke:

Useful? Thank you, Tony. So nice to be patronized by an American. Agent Coulson, your courtesy is a welcome contrast.

Agent Coulson:

I'm sure you'll find that Mr. Stark has other qualities you'll come to appreciate, Ms. Braddock. They aren't always... immediately apparent.

Heroic Battle

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Screen Text

Sabretooth is in London. He's probably on Brotherhood business, but he's moving independently of the main Brotherhood and Hellfire Club forces. We've got Logan tracking him down... there ought to be fireworks pretty soon.

Start

Wolverine:

Taking a stroll, by happenstance right around the corner from a Hellfire Club safe house?

You know me. All innocent.

Sabretooth:

Wolverine:

Not sure citizens of the Commonwealth get to travel without a passport anymore, Victor.

Not sure you're really worried about paperwork, Logan.

Sabretooth:

Wolverine:

There's one piece of paper I want to fill out: the incident report after I put you in a body bag.

Lose

Like I said. I'm the picture of innocence. Strolling down a London street, enjoying this fine evening. But you wanted to fight. So hey, I had to defend myself. Now stay out of the Brotherhood's business. Get that healing factor working, Logan. Then maybe we can tango again.

Sabretooth:

Repeat

Wolverine:

You're just lucky I didn't let Psylocke get after you.

Aww, does she still hold a grudge?

Sabretooth:

Wolverine:

Not like I do, bub.

Complete

Wolverine:

New plan for your day. Doesn't include murder, but as a consolation prize I won't kill you.

You calling me a murderer? Pot, meet kettle.

Sabretooth:

Wolverine:

I'm a killer. You're a murderer. If you can't tell the difference, that's part of your problem.

Deploy 1

Screen Text

Since we're on another team's turf, we should do the courteous thing and say hello. Send Kitty Pryde over to MI-13's HQ. MI-13 has been a good partner for S.H.I.E.L.D.. Let's keep it that way.

Start

Tony Stark:

Kitty, you've worked with Excalibur before. Maybe you can swing over to MI-13 and convey our best.

Kitty Pryde:

Diplomacy? Little old me? Only if I get to fight when I come back.

Tony Stark:

There's going to be plenty of fighting for everyone, never fear.

Complete

Kitty Pryde:

The faceless masters of British skullduggery say hello.

Tony Stark:

Excellent. Now you want to fight?

Kitty Pryde:

I already told you I do.

Tony Stark:

Then into the field with you! The Hellfire Club is up to no good.

Deploy 2

Screen Text

We're still not sure where the Brotherhood's big gun is. Now that Magneto's on our side, the big unknown is Sebastian Shaw. Maybe Phoenix can take a look around and see if she can sense him.

Start

Agent Coulson:

Phoenix, we're trying to minimize the potential for the Hellfire Club to spring surprises. If Sebastian Shaw is here in London, we'd like to know.

Maria Hill:

The Phoenix Force will help you sense his presence even if he's masking himself, won't it?

Phoenix:

It might. Shaw is very good at disguising his psychic signature, but nobody can hide from me for long.

Complete

Phoenix:

I haven't sensed him at all. But again, that might mean only that he's successfully disguising his presence.

Agent Coulson:

Uncertainty. The great enemy of successful planning. Well, thank you, Phoenix. We'll figure something out.

Professor X:

Shaw won't be able to hold himself back forever. If nothing else, his ego will demand he get involved.

Deploy 3

Screen Text

We need to find every previously known member of the Hellfire Club pronto. It's time for everyone to take sides.

Start

Agent Coulson:

Agent, we know a number of our allies maintain a relationship with the Hellfire Club. Now we are going to get them on record: with us or against us. Whoever you send, make sure they know that if someone's waffling, we will assume that person is a hostile. That person needs to go to the Raft.

Complete

Agent Coulson:

All right. So far no surprises. But we need to find some of our... how do I put this? Our colleagues who sometimes lose their way. We'll keep looking. No surprises. That's one of the boss's mantras. You know that, right?

MiniBoss - Toad

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Reveal

Tony Stark:

Test Subjects with Hellfire goons cracking the whip. Looks like the black pieces are holding the advantage.

Psylocke:

Toad's creeping in and out the back door here.

Magneto:

I never knew anyone more easily led than Toad. Where the Hellfire Club goes, he goes.

Psylocke:

Well, then, since we've put a bunch of them in the hospital, he ought to go there, too.

Start

Psylocke:

Well, hullo, little Toad. Where are Mole and Rat?

I swear to God, if you make a joke about a wild ride I'm gonna poison a blind man. Might just do it anyway. In fact, how do you know I haven't?

Toad:

Psylocke:

Mystique's leash is far too tight to let you roam so far. Plus you're forgetting I can read your mind.

Lose

Can you hear what I'm thinking now? Hope so! Ha!

Toad:

Repeat

Wait. Listen. What's that? Oh, yeah, me thinking I'm gonna watch you die!

Toad:

Complete

Psylocke:

He definitely had Mystique on his mind. But once he figured out I was hearing him, he was able to obscure the details.

Magneto:

Perhaps the Hellfire Club's black pieces are all doing that because of you and Emma... not to mention Charles.

Psylocke:

They can try. It never works for long. A true telepath can listen through any conscious noise.

Professor X:

Nevertheless, Erik is correct. We must pursue investigative avenues other than the telepathic.

Agent Coulson:

That's, um... ongoing. Although I'm sure you knew that because I was going to say it.

Boss - Mystique

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Reveal

Psylocke:

Toad led us right to Mystique. There she is.

Tony Stark:

That's always been a Hellfire safe house here. Wonder if Selene's hiding out in there too.

Tony Stark:

Psylocke, how about you drop in and see?

Psylocke:

Already on my way.

Magneto:

Have care, Betsy. Mystique is not handling my decision well.

Start

Psylocke:

I knew I'd find you here.

Another tired joke about telepathy. They don't sound any better in a British accent, you know. And you know what else? I don't care if you know what I'm thinking. Go and tell that traitor Magneto that The Brotherhood will have its revenge for his betrayal.

Mystique:

Psylocke:

Black Bishop? Is that as high as they've let you go? Poor Mystique. Sebastian Shaw doesn't trust you.

Oh, I just might die of shame now that you're reading my mind. How do you think Nick Fury feels about you, little girl? Forced on him like you were.

Mystique:

Psylocke:

I'm the last person you want to play mind games with. I always win.

Lose

Always? Did you say always win?

Mystique:

Repeat

Don't think too much. It'll hurt less that way.

Mystique:

Complete

Magneto:

She is consumed by hate. Unlike me. I am merely motivated by anger.

Psylocke:

That's one Hellfire safe house made unsafe for the Club. Orders, Director Fury?

Nick Fury:

Hear that, team? She finishes a mission, she asks for orders. I could get used to that.

Psylocke:

I save my dissent for when it counts.

Nick Fury:

This Excalibur liaison is going better than I could have hoped. Get intel and forensics in there to see what we can learn from what they left behind.

Complete

Maria Hill:

We've cleared the Hellfire Club safe house and intel is going through what we've recovered.

Tony Stark:

You will be shocked, no doubt, to learn they're up to something nefarious.

Professor X:

And that apparently Sugar Man isn't involved.

Agent Coulson:

The Hellfire Club is scouring the city for clues about the location of a particular magical object. We don't know yet which one.

Maria Hill:

Captain Britain and Union Jack are leading the investigation on the Excalibur side. They'll be sharing intel as it gets vetted.

Professor X:

Emma and I will also continue our efforts to circumvent Sebastian's defenses.

Magneto:

Not just you, Charles. Although it is typical for you to speak for all mutants.

Emma Frost:

Girls, you're both pretty.

Tony Stark:

Ah, I love good healthy bickering. Good to see you all working together.

Mission 3

Mission Start

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Maria Hill:

Agent, we're integrating more British heroes into our efforts here. Meet Union Jack.

Union Jack:

Call me Joey, mate. I'll get right to it. The Hellfire Club's on a treasure hunt. You'll see some of the locations they're scouting on the map. We hit them first, we can cut them off and find out what they're after before they get it.

Tony Stark:

Short and to the point. There's your briefing, Agent. Now let's go.

Heroic Battle

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Screen Text

Mystique has cut off her very own son, Nightcrawler, on a patrol while he was tracking Brotherhood activity. He could bamf his way out, but there comes a time in a man's life when he's got to face his demons. Even if one of them is his mother.

Start

Nightcrawler:

Mother.

Son. You can still join your own people.

Mystique:

Nightcrawler:

I am with my own people, Mother. Komm mit... there is no need for us to fight.

You don't understand, Kurt. Right now you're a useful idiot for S.H.I.E.L.D., but when they have destroyed the Brotherhood? What will they do to you then?

Mystique:

Nightcrawler:

I have seen enough hate, Mother. I will not become hate. Müssen wir immer gegeneinander streiten?

Ja, mein Sohn. Wir müssen.

Mystique:

Lose

Come back, my son. Come back. We don't have to fight any more.

Mystique:

Nick Fury:

Where is he?

Professor X:

He's teleporting around faster than you can track him.

Nick Fury:

Slow him down, Professor. This is his fight in the end, and we have to make sure we help him win it.

Professor X:

Kurt. You cannot run. We need you to stand and fight.

Repeat

Have you made a decision?

Mystique:

Nightcrawler:

I have told you before: Hier stehe ich. Ich kann nicht anders.

Then we are as before. Family disputes are the most bitter, are they not?

Mystique:

Complete

Nightcrawler:

Each time I confront my mother, I emerge... ein bisschen müde.

Professor X:

You are forced into a realization, Kurt. It is always better to fight the difficult battle and suffer its aftermath once. The alternative, of course, is to surrender and live with that surrender every day of one's life. That is precisely what your mother has done.

Nightcrawler:

Ja, aber... diese Kämpfe, die sind schwer. She points down a path I will not follow.

Magneto:

This should have been my battle to fight, perhaps. The Brotherhood is my creation. I am responsible to keep it in check for now.

Deploy 1

Screen Text

Black Widow is required on a joint S.H.I.E.L.D./MI-13 reconnaissance of known Hellfire Club safe houses in this area.

Start

Tony Stark:

Widow, interagency cooperation is all the rage. MI-13 is doing a combat recon of known Hellfire Club locations near here. You're our contribution.

Black Widow:

If things get hot, are we fighting or do we keep moving?

Maria Hill:

Use your judgment. Your MI-13 counterpart will be Faiza Hussain. Both of you will be out of contact for the duration of this deployment.

Tony Stark:

You have the rendezvous information now. Better get going.

Complete

Tony Stark:

Did you find all the bad guys?

Black Widow:

We found some of them, that's for sure. Hard to know when you've found them all. More seem to keep popping up.

Deploy 2

Screen Text

T'Challa has discovered something about Incursions. He'll tell us, but only in person. Send Storm to Wakanda so she can brief Coulson.

Start

Nick Fury:

Black Panther's researchers in Wakanda have new information about the nature of Incursions. He won't have it transmitted. Transport by hand only. Storm, you're the logical choice.

Storm:

I'm sure you think so. Do not complain about the weather while I'm gone.

Complete

Storm:

I have brought the information to the Baxter Building.

Agent Coulson:

Reed will be very happy to get a look at it. So will I. If you'll excuse me...

Nick Fury:

Very quick trip, Agent Coulson. You're needed here as well.

Agent Coulson:

Understood, Boss. I'll be back before you know it.

MiniBoss - Jack O'Lantern

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Reveal

Maria Hill:

Jack O'Lantern?

Agent Coulson:

We've been observing links between the Maggia and other enemy groups. Jack O'Lantern is probably some kind of emissary to the Brotherhood.

Tony Stark:

He's not a mutant. Maybe your Scoutmaster forgot to tell you that.

Agent Coulson:

No, he's not. Perceptive of you to catch that right away, Mr. Stark. But he is a useful lower-level asset if the Maggia wants to build bridges with the Brotherhood.

Maria Hill:

For what?

Agent Coulson:

Well, that's what we're going to have to find out.

Start

I'm going to apply for British citizenship. One of my grandparents was Irish. That's good enough, right?

Jack O'Lantern:

Union Jack:

Do I look like a bloody passport clerk?

You represent the crown, right? Flag on your outfit and all? Anyway, the reason I bring it up is that if I was British I'd call myself Union Jack O'Lantern.

Jack O'Lantern:

Union Jack:

Would you now.

I'll wring the blood out of your costume and wear it myself. The kids'll love it.

Jack O'Lantern:

Union Jack:

All right. That's quite enough.

Lose

Here I come, England. Lock up your kids... not that it'll matter.

Jack O'Lantern:

Repeat

I got a better idea. I won't just wear your suit. I'll wear your skin, too.

Jack O'Lantern:

Complete

Union Jack:

That's one chatterbox of a pumpkin.

Agent Coulson:

No one has ever said that before in the history of mankind. Congratulations.

Boss - Dragoness

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Reveal

Tony Stark:

Looks like the Dragoness has joined the Hellfire Club's party. Magic artifacts aren't usually her style. She's more into straight-up terrorism.

Nick Fury:

All the more reason to lock her up pronto.

Start

The working man's hero. 'Allo, Jacky. What's up on Coronation Street?

Dragoness:

Union Jack:

Spare me. Find your magic whatsit yet?

Oooh, you're onto our diabolical plan. I'm so terrified.

Dragoness:

Union Jack:

Don't care if you're terrified. You can take a punch happy or take it scared, but either way you'll take it.

Lose

Maria Hill:

Redeploy immediately. Other Hellfire Club assets are moving and we need Dragoness gone. Now.

Repeat

Jacky's back. Let's play again.

Dragoness:

Complete

Union Jack:

Uh oh.

Nick Fury:

Uh oh, what?

Union Jack:

Fury, you're going to want to see this yourself. Mum's the word over this channel.

Nick Fury:

Bring it in, Union Jack. Radio silence. Agent, ride shotgun with Union Jack to the Helicarrier.

Mission Complete

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Tony Stark:

Intel's been busy putting two and two together. Their conclusion is... well, surprising doesn't really do it justice.

Union Jack:

The Hellfire Club is after the Philosopher's Stone.

Maria Hill:

That exists?

Nick Fury:

They think it does. If they're right, we need to keep it off the board. No rest for the weary, Agent.

Agent Coulson:

We don't even want to contemplate what might happen if the Philosopher's Stone gets put together with Iso-8.

Tony Stark:

Captain Britain is in the field. Link up with him as soon as you've debriefed.

Mission 4

Mission Start

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Agent Coulson:

Incursions make for strange bedfellows. We've observed Vulture working with the Brotherhood doing MGH/Iso-8-related experiments.

Tony Stark:

What's that have to do with Incursions, Mr. One-Track Mind?

Agent Coulson:

Maybe nothing, Mr. Stark. I'm sure you're right.

Maria Hill:

We're getting reports of Test Subjects in and around the Hellfire Club HQ here in London. Hellfire guards are keeping them on a leash... mostly.

Nick Fury:

That might mean Sugar Man has sweet-talked his way into the Club after all.

Captain Britain:

Or it might not. But either way, we're going to put them out of business.

Maria Hill:

Captain Britain has been tracking the Brotherhood heavies in London. He'll be with you in the field, Agent.

Captain Britain:

Right. Let's see how we do.

Heroic Battle

Back to top ↑

Screen Text

Spider-Woman was keeping an eye on some of the Hellfire Club locations we've already pacified. Who did she run across rebuilding one of them into an A.I.M. lab? Why, M.O.D.O.K.. Jessica's never liked A.I.M.. She likes M.O.D.O.K. even less.

Start

Spider-Woman:

Enjoying a tour, M.O.D.O.K.? This is a S.H.I.E.L.D. special. It's called Former Hellfire Club Safe Houses, Now in Ruins. You like it?

Attempts at humor from inferior intellects cause a nine percent increase in irritation.

M.O.D.O.K.:

Spider-Woman:

Okay, then. How about I just add you to the list of ruins already on the tour?

Attempts at bravado from inferior intellects cause a seventeen percent increase in the likelihood of sardonic laughter.

M.O.D.O.K.:

Spider-Woman:

Attempts at being a human from oversized megalomaniac levitating heads cause a one hundred percent likelihood of ass-kicking.

Lose

You cannot compete with M.O.D.O.K.! And only M.O.D.O.K. can compete with the threat that is coming.

M.O.D.O.K.:

Maria Hill:

What's he talking about? Spider-Woman?

Spider-Woman:

I don't know. He keeps yammering about some cosmic threat, but it's mostly numbers and formulas.

Agent Coulson:

He's talking about Incursions.

Tony Stark:

He's M.O.D.O.K., smartypants. He could be talking about anything. The only thing he's ever really talking about is himself.

Agent Coulson:

You are perfectly suited to recognize that, Mr. Stark.

Repeat

There is a limit to the patience of M.O.D.O.K.. Do you not understand that only A.I.M. can decode this cosmic peril!?

M.O.D.O.K.:

Spider-Woman:

I understand that I wouldn't trust you to decode the puzzle on my cereal box.

Die, then, and be out of the way permanently!

M.O.D.O.K.:

Complete

Spider-Woman:

M.O.D.O.K.'s gone, Fury. He had a team rummaging around in the basement here looking for--

Tony Stark:

Tech, right? We knew that.

Spider-Woman:

No, Tony, not tech. Shut up and listen once in a while. They were looking for old books in a climate-controlled safe. And they got them before I could clear him out.

Tony Stark:

Old books? What does a technophilic loony like M.O.D.O.K. want with old books?

Nick Fury:

Won't be long before we see him again. We'll have to ask him then.

Agent Coulson:

I can tell you, boss. He knows about the Incursions, too. He'll be trying to understand them and turn them to his advantage just like we are.

Deploy 1

Screen Text

Excalibur team members are needed for Iso-8 screening and assessments. They want to take Psylocke first.

Start

Tony Stark:

Psylocke, MI-13 needs to get Iso-8 exposure levels on all Excalibur members. We can do the screening right here on the Helicarrier, but it needs to get done.

Psylocke:

Charming. Never an emergency too dire to prevent the paperwork coming.

Tony Stark:

That is what Jane Austen would call a truth universally acknowledged.

Complete

Psylocke:

Done. Am I about to die?

Tony Stark:

No, you're about to get back in the field and hunt down Test Subjects. How does that sound?

Psylocke:

Hell of a lot better than dying.

Deploy 2

Screen Text

Union Jack is the second Excalibur member scheduled for an Iso-8 assessment.

Start

Tony Stark:

Jack, you're on. Let's get your Iso-8 exposure measured so we can get you back out busting up the bad guys.

Union Jack:

Bloody bureaucracy.

Complete

Union Jack:

That's it?

Tony Stark:

That's it.

Union Jack:

Good. Think I'll go hit someone.

Deploy 3

Screen Text

Black Knight will be the last of the Excalibur team to need an Iso-8 assessment.

Start

Tony Stark:

Your turn, Black Knight. Captain Britain already went, so you're the last of the Excalibur team to get the Iso-8 screening.

Black Knight:

Very well. This is a poor use of time, but I suppose it can't be helped. The more we know about Iso-8, the better we can put it to use for our purposes.

Complete

Black Knight:

My mind is clear, my will is strong. This stardust will not affect me.

Tony Stark:

Famous last words. I mean, I hope you're right, but don't tempt fate.

MiniBoss - Boomerang

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Reveal

Maria Hill:

Field reports have both Whiplash and Boomerang controlling mobs of Test Subjects. We've pinned down Boomerang's location here.

Start

The British are coming! The British are coming!

Boomerang:

Captain Britain:

And you, my slovenly and unfunny lad, are going.

Make me.

Boomerang:

Captain Britain:

You have your choice of colony to return to: the States or Down Under. If either will have you.

Lose

I'm feeling a mite rebellious. All that colonial resentment, boiling over!

Boomerang:

Repeat

Oh no, 'ere comes John Bull to send me back to the colonies... It's Botany Bay for me!

Boomerang:

Complete

Captain Britain:

Do you want him, Director Fury? If not, Excalibur has a place to hold him.

Agent Coulson:

We'll take him, Captain Britain. Your offer is noted and appreciated, but S.H.I.E.L.D. tries not to inconvenience local authorities.

MiniBoss - Whiplash

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Reveal

Tony Stark:

Whiplash has set a group of Test Subjects loose in the Tube.

Captain Britain:

Clearly a diversion. What's he covering for?

Tony Stark:

You can ask him after you short out his whips, Brian. Unless we find out first.

Captain Britain:

A race? You're on, Stark.

Start

I love England. Old buildings, bad weather. Like Russia.

Whiplash:

Captain Britain:

Quite. Except for the history of democratic progress and civil liberties. You're not welcome. Move along before I move you along. Oh! Too late.

Lose

Don't like Russians? Don't have to. Part of being Russian is not caring who likes or not.

Whiplash:

Repeat

Captain? My Captain! You like poetry, British Captain? I sing you an elegy.

Whiplash:

Complete

Captain Britain:

I have a special animus for Russians. I'll admit it. Legacy of the Crimea, perhaps.

Tony Stark:

I have a special animus for Whiplash. Legacy of him wrecking my car.

Boss - Vulture

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Reveal

Tony Stark:

And here's the Vulture. This is some strange kind of villainous alliance we have here. Captain Sir Mister, whatever... Braddock, let's finish this job.

Start

Captain America, Captain Britain... criminy. Does everybody have a Captain nowadays? I want to be a Captain. Make me one and I might not feed you to the Test Subjects.

Vulture:

Captain Britain:

Afraid there's a character test, old man. You wouldn't pass. Wanton violence, murder, criminal conspiracy... strictly no-go.

I'm waiting.

Vulture:

Captain Britain:

For...?

For you to say wot-wot.

Vulture:

Captain Britain:

Ha! Quite. Well, shall we?

Oh, do let's.

Vulture:

Lose

Looks like just anyone can be a captain around here.

Vulture:

Repeat

Captain Britain:

I owe you an apology. Wasn't at my best that last time. Perhaps this'll make up for it.

Complete

Captain Britain:

Tiresome. Do all you Yanks need to make snide comments about Britishisms? Is there a horse any deader than that?

Tony Stark:

Terribly sorry, old bean. You got Vulture?

Captain Britain:

Oh, he's here. Do please come get him.

Epic Boss - Doctor Octopus

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Reveal

Maria Hill:

Excalibur Team, Doctor Octopus is in London. It appears he is overseeing another crew of Test Subjects.

Tony Stark:

More likely he's trying to steal whatever new gizmos the Hellfire Club put together to control the Test Subjects.

Agent Coulson:

We tracked him here from New York, but we weren't sure what he was doing. It certainly seemed far-fetched that he would be working with the Brotherhood or the Hellfire Club.

Tony Stark:

I don't think he is. Like I said, he's here to scoop up whatever tech he can and run back to his hideaway.

Agent Coulson:

We'll find out if we go after him.

Maria Hill:

Agent, Captain Britain, you are cleared to initiate capture.

Start

Captain Britain:

Dr. Octavius, you're a dangerously insane criminal and Her Majesty's government considers you a threat.

Decent of you to let me know. But everyone is against me, and I go where I please!

Dr. Octopus:

Captain Britain:

That's what I expected. Still, one goes through the motions. You get out of my country either now or in the Helicarrier brig.

Space-time is rupturing around us and you're worried about me being a criminal? Fool! I am unlocking the secrets of the universe! I care nothing for your laws!

Dr. Octopus:

Lose

I'm going to make myself at home. The end of the world is a time of opportunity for those with the vision to grasp it!

Dr. Octopus:

Repeat

Leave me be, Braddock! The world is collapsing and your rules don't matter anymore! All that matters is what men of greatness can achieve beyond the bounds of your laws!

Dr. Octopus:

Complete

Captain Britain:

That's it, Director Fury. If there are any more Brotherhood personnel working with the Hellfire Club in London, we don't know about them.

Professor X:

I believe he is correct. The Hellfire Club is still a threat, but Magneto's defection has lessened the Brotherhood's commitment to them.

Magneto:

I suggest you continue looking for both Hellfire and Brotherhood elements. Mystique's resolve hardens by the day.

Nick Fury:

Helluva job, Captain Britain. Please convey that to the rest of the Excalibur Team. Feel free to cross the pond and join the fight over there, too.

Captain Britain:

Plenty to do here, but you know us. If there's need, we'll be there.

Mission Complete

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Nick Fury:

Still no sign of Sugar Man. But I still don't like seeing Test Subjects in London.

Agent Coulson:

Means someone's smuggling the MGH/Iso-8 compound across borders. Maybe not just national borders, if you know what I mean.

Tony Stark:

My money's on the Dragoness. She's got the contacts.

Maria Hill:

So does the rest of the Hellfire Club.

Nick Fury:

Maybe so, but she didn't show up by accident. Neither did Sugar Man. Something's going on that we haven't figured out yet.

Tony Stark:

Ask Coulson. He'll say Incursions, and presto! No puzzle there. Now we've got the Hellfire Club on the run, so--

Captain Britain:

Not quite. I just received word Excalibur intel is finding quite a lot of them still holed up in our fair city. With, one might add, a number of those Test Subjects.

Tony Stark:

Okay. I stand corrected.

Agent Coulson:

Don't worry, Mr. Stark.

Tony Stark:

No time for your sly digs, Coulson, I'm issuing orders here. Once more unto the breach, Agent. You know the rest.

Nick Fury:

You're a nerd.

Mission 5

Mission Start

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Maria Hill:

We're staying in London. The Hellfire Club's about to make their decisive move for the Philosopher's Stone.

Tony Stark:

Still no sign of Shaw or Selene. Where are the black pieces?

Professor X:

The Brotherhood is filling out those ranks again. They withdrew briefly after our last engagement, but Mystique is driving them back into an alliance with Shaw.

Maria Hill:

We're filling out our ranks, too. The Black Knight is our final Excalibur team member.

Tony Stark:

He's got a bit of history with magical and alchemical forces... and with Selene.

Black Knight:

When she shows herself, I will be ready. The Philosopher's Stone must not fall to Hellfire.

Tony Stark:

"Fall to Hellfire"? What is this, Shakespeare in the Park? It's okay if you want to talk like a regular person.

Black Knight:

And it's fine by me if you want to shut it, Yank. Point me at the bad guys.

Heroic Battle

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Screen Text

Hercules is a man--well, demigod--of simple tastes. He likes to eat, he likes to drink, he likes to test his strength. That means every so often, he starts looking for a fight. When he's feeling fighty and Thor is around, you get a truly epic struggle between demigod and Thunder God.

Start

Hercules:

Thunder God, so-called, do you speak the language of stones?

I speak not the language of clownish Greeks.

Thor:

Hercules:

I have bent my ear to this boulder, and it tells me you are in need of a gift.

A gift?

Thor:

Hercules:

I bring you the Gift of Battle!

Haha! I accept!

Thor:

Lose

Let that be a lesson. Strength of arm belongs to the Norse.

Thor:

Hercules:

Lesson? The Norse learned all their lessons from the Greeks. You'd still be counting on your fingers if it wasn't for us. One lucky break is no lesson at all. Let's see you do it again!

Done!

Thor:

Repeat

Hercules:

I've slaked my thirst for a fight, but now I'm hungry for battle again!

Took you long enough. You Greeks! So lazy.

Thor:

Hercules:

Barbarian! When your people invent geometry, talk to me of laziness!

Complete

Hercules:

Odinson! You fight like that and call yourself Odinson!? Your father has to squint through his one eye to detect any sign of your valor! And now, for a meal. Fighting makes a mighty hunger!

Eat while you can. You will feed through a straw when Mjolnir has broken your face.

Thor:

Deploy 1

Screen Text

Someone is leaking rumors about the Philosopher's Stone to the tabloids. Get Captain Britain in front of a microphone somewhere to discredit them.

Start

Nick Fury:

I've said it before, I'll say it again. Freedom of the press is a huge pain in the ass.

Agent Coulson:

Captain Britain, we can't have the Fourth Estate digging into the question of the Philosopher's Stone. It would be really helpful if you could... you know.

Captain Britain:

Use my stature and reputation to discredit a rumor even though I know it's actually true?

Agent Coulson:

That's exactly what I was going to say. Yes. That would be great.

Complete

Captain Britain:

Well, I did it. Reporter even asked for my phone number.

Agent Coulson:

You dog.

Captain Britain:

Gave her yours instead.

Deploy 2

Screen Text

One of our occult researchers is proposing that the Philosopher's Stone might be made of Iso-8. Interview the researcher. Then make sure she doesn't talk to the press.

Start

Tony Stark:

If the Philosopher's Stone is made of Iso-8, that puts a whole new spin on the Pulse. Has it happened before, and nobody noticed because there were no electronics to be disturbed?

Agent Coulson:

It sounds nuts, but we can't let any possibility go unexplored.

Tony Stark:

Coulson and I agreed on something. Don't let that get around.

Complete

Agent Coulson:

The researcher has agreed that she should take a sabbatical in the Colorado mountains helping to investigate the incidents at the Vault. Also, the Philosopher's Stone isn't made of Iso-8. But we all knew that.

Deploy 3

Screen Text

Thanks to the Incursions, things are coming through from... elsewhere. Some creature from another dimension is slithering around this area. Shatterstar is an interdimensional traveler himself; could it be from his neck of the multiverse?

Start

Nick Fury:

We're sending you out on recon, Shatterstar. Your creators might be knocking on our universe's front door.

Shatterstar:

I hope you are wrong. The Spineless Ones are a horror this world is not prepared for. They've created far worse things than me for their wars.

Complete

Shatterstar:

I don't know what it was, but it was not made by the Spineless Ones. I cut off its heads, then I killed what emerged from the wounds. I suggest you burn the remains.

Deploy 4

Screen Text

One of our favorite archivists has put together a dossier on the possible historical origins of the Circle of 8. Coulson needs it pronto.

Start

Agent Coulson:

Agent, if we can spare a hero from field deployments, there's a report on the Circle of 8 in New York that would be much more useful to us if it was here.

Complete

Agent Coulson:

This is terrific. One piece at a time is how you solve a puzzle.

Deploy 5

Screen Text

Part of a building collapsed here during our last firefight. We need this roadway clear. How about sending a bruiser to move the debris?

Start

Tony Stark:

We need a big bruiser type to clear the rubble away from this, um, encounter.

Maria Hill:

Ordinarily we'd leave it to the city workers, but we need this road open for reinforcements.

Complete

Maria Hill:

Okay, the road is open and we are about to lock this mission down.

MiniBoss - Jack O' Lantern

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Reveal

Tony Stark:

Jack O'Lantern again? That's twice we've seen him in London. Wonder if he's got a Hellfire title yet.

Emma Frost:

Perish the thought, darling. And there's no way he'd be in possession of something like the Philosopher's Stone.

Maria Hill:

Selene must have it. But if she's letting Jack O'Lantern get this close... I don't like it.

Start

A knight errant. That makes me the evil monster... I bring madness and death, can you taste it?

Jack O'Lantern:

Black Knight:

Not for long. We'll have you back in the colonies in no time.

Lose

O Knight, you look ill. You feeling a little crazy? It's going to get worse from here... hahahaha!

Jack O'Lantern:

Repeat

Black Knight:

You have proven yourself a worthy adversary. But the power of the Pendragon will gain the day!

Complete

Black Knight:

S.H.I.E.L.D., your Jack Pumpkinhead awaits transport. The Philosopher's Stone is not here, but I can sense it. The power of the Pendragon leads me toward it.

Maria Hill:

Let it lead, then, Black Knight. We're right there with you.

MiniBoss - Blob

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Reveal

Tony Stark:

Blob. You weren't kidding about Brotherhood heavies, were you, Maria?

Maria Hill:

I said that ages ago.

Tony Stark:

It's funnier when I say it.

Nick Fury:

Blob, people. Blob. As entertaining as I find this repartee, I would truly love it if we deployed resources against the enemy.

Start

Black Knight:

Move, giant. Your presence offends the Queen, to whom my sword is pledged.

Make me.

Blob:

Black Knight:

By the strength of my arm, I will!

Lose

Heh. I like it here.

Blob:

Repeat

Not goin' anywhere.

Blob:

Complete

Tony Stark:

Whoa. Blob collapsed through the street. How are we going to get him out of there? He's down in the Tube.

Black Knight:

What may I do to assist?

Nick Fury:

Logistics aren't your problem. We'll take care of it. Move along. Clear Test Subjects and Hellfire agents as you find them.

Boss - Selene

Reveal

Tony Stark:

About time we saw some royalty around here. There's Selene. Selene, Selene, the Club's Black Queen.

Nick Fury:

I will shoot the first person who speaks in iambic pentameter.

Maria Hill:

She's got the stone. Black Knight, you're on.

Professor X:

Remember: for all her pretense of sorcery, she is a mutant. We must expect her to be maneuvering to remain in the Hellfire Club's Inner Circle.

Start

Prithee, Black Knight. Where goest thou, and wherefore? The City is full of dangers.

Selene:

Black Knight:

Well I know it, and will take arms against them. Yield, sorceress, and take thy hand from what does not belong to thee.

Dost bare thy blade, o warrior? Then a lady must mount what defense she may.

Selene:

Black Knight:

Right. Enough of that. Put the stone down or I'll shave your fingers from around it.

Lose

O good sir knight, your wounds distress me.

Selene:

Repeat

Hast taken the field yet again?

Selene:

Black Knight:

And will see you yield it.

Complete

Tony Stark:

And that's one mutant sorceress temporarily out of the way. Where did she go?

Nick Fury:

Don't care. She's gone and the Black Knight has what we came for.

Agent Coulson:

Next question: Is that really the Philosopher's Stone?

Black Knight:

It is.

Tony Stark:

You know what to do with it? Is MI-13 going to help out? If not, S.H.I.E.L.D. can--

Black Knight:

No. It will remain in England. I will keep it safe and away from those who would misuse it.

Agent Coulson:

Don't tell us where. We don't want to know.

Mission Complete

Back to top ↑

Tony Stark:

Well, troops, we've come to the aid of our British cousins once again.

Captain Britain:

One might point out that the American cousins required a bit of assistance as well.

Tony Stark:

Fair enough. Anyway, the Philosopher's Stone is hidden, the Hellfire Club is on the run--

Nick Fury:

And we still don't know where the Test Subjects are coming from, but...

Agent Coulson:

Excuse me. If I may...

Nick Fury:

Coulson.

Agent Coulson:

Excalibur's going to have to handle it from here. We've got a situation back in New York. Someone's killing low-level bad guys. Also there's been an incident at the Sanctum Sanctorum.

Mission 6

Mission Start

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Tony Stark:

Okay, Team Excalibur is mopping up the last of the Hellfire Club assets in London. We're headed back to New York to deal with A.I.M..

Nick Fury:

They infiltrated a commando force into the Sanctum Sanctorum. Strange, how about you tell the rest.

Dr. Strange:

Eliminating the invaders was a matter of little exertion. More ominous is M.O.D.O.K.'s interest in occult wisdom. He sent his ill-fated invaders to recover specific ancient manuscripts referring to cuneiform tablets I do not possess.

Nick Fury:

A.I.M. forces are also massing around the Museum of Natural History, which does possess those tablets. M.O.D.O.K. must have been researching in London.

Dr. Strange:

I must repair the damage done to the Sanctum Sanctorum, and seal the breach M.O.D.O.K. found in its defenses.

Tony Stark:

While he's doing that, we're going to guard the museum and analyze the tablets to find out what A.I.M. is after.

Agent Coulson:

There's something off-kilter about A.I.M. mustering up this kind of magical muscle. Technocrats shouldn't embrace the occult.

Nick Fury:

This offends you?

Agent Coulson:

I'm a traditionalist in some ways. A.I.M.'s overstepped its bounds here. They need to know that.

Heroic Battle

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Screen Text

The U-Foes are protecting a base built into this location underneath Central Park. Cable and Deadpool were arguing about the best caliber of ammunition for a weapon that hasn't been invented yet, and happened to run across them. Dear Reader, guess what happened next?

Start

Cable:

Too much A.I.M. activity around here. Seems like we ought to keep A.I.M. out of the park. Know what I mean?

Deadpool:

I think your problem is this is all like work to you. Lighten up. We get to kill people, zillions and zillions of people, utterly without consequence because we're make-believe? HOW FREAKING AWESOME IS THAT?

The cyborg and the nut who thinks he's in a comic book. S.H.I.E.L.D. is scraping the bottom of the barrel now.

X-Ray:

Tell me about it. Okay, cyborg and crazy man. You think you had problems with A.I.M. before? They're about to get worse.

Vapor:

Deadpool:

She threatened me. She called me crazy. <sigh> I think I'm in love.

Lose

Cable:

You're still on fire, we're both more radioactive than a Chernobyl daisy, and I've got pieces of you stuck in me from that last explosion.

Deadpool:

Yep-per. I think that went well.

Cable:

It went well. All right. Why?

Deadpool:

Because it means we get to kill them again! Don't you understand anything? What the hell will we do when all the fights are over? Who's going to read about us then? God, Cable. You're so dumb sometimes. Hey. You with the mouse. Isn't he dumb sometimes?

Complete

Deadpool:

I was wrong. That wasn't love. Just a passing infatuation. True love only happens in fairy tales, and this is a comic book, not a fairy tale.

Cable:

Thought you said it was a video game.

Deadpool:

Whatever. What's the difference? I also said you should lighten up, but there you are, still all serious and gravely responsible. Man, I get sick of that. Can't anybody have any fun around here?

Cable:

Fury, there are a number of items your research teams might find interesting here. Coulson in particular.

Agent Coulson:

Roger that, Cable. Thanks for the heads-up.

Deadpool:

Coulson! You're alive! Don't you want revenge on Loki? I sure would.

Deploy 1

Screen Text

A private investigator here has been looking a little too closely at the Circle of 8. Send Rogue to liberate his records.

Start

Tony Stark:

O favorite Southern belle, we here at S.H.I.E.L.D. command were wondering if you might do us a favor.

Rogue:

Name it, sugar. Of course I will.

Tony Stark:

We need someone to recover, if you will, the records of a certain private investigator who's been snooping around the Circle of 8. No rough stuff. Just in and out.

Complete

Rogue:

I present to you the records of a private investigator, as requested. Mr. Stark. Sir.

Tony Stark:

Boy, they weren't kidding when they talked about Southern charm and courtesy. Even when I know you're joking, it sounds great.

Deploy 2

Screen Text

These occult-technology alliances never end well. Often Dr. Doom is behind them. Spider-Woman can take a look around the Latverian Embassy and see if that's the case here.

Start

Nick Fury:

I hate when people get their magic and tech mixed up. Whenever it happens, I want to blame Doom. Spider-Woman, how about you take a look around the Latverian Embassy and see if we can link Doom to any of this?

Spider-Woman:

I'll take a look.

Complete

Spider-Woman:

I took the whole tour. If Doom is up to something, he's keeping a lid on it. Could be he's not anxious to jump back into the public eye so soon after the Syndicate fell apart.

Deploy 3

Screen Text

The Scarlet Witch is our best asset when it comes to understanding the workings of chaos. Where magic and science meet. Team Excalibur is suggesting there's something she should see in London.

Start

Tony Stark:

Wanda, we'd like you to head to London, just real quick. Excalibur has found some stuff in one of the Hellfire Club hideouts they think you should see.

Scarlet Witch:

Why me?

Maria Hill:

It's apparently something to do with chaos. That's all they said. And that you were the best person to understand it.

Complete

Tony Stark:

So what was it?

Scarlet Witch:

They found some interesting material. As if a very powerful magician had been trying to create something like Iso-8, but not cosmic in origin.

Tony Stark:

Do you have it with you? Should we be concerned?

Scarlet Witch:

No. It had all evaporated before I got there. But there are occult lines of research happening that should concern us.

Tony Stark:

Believe me, they do.

Deploy 4

Screen Text

Strange is just about done repairing the damage to the Sanctum Sanctorum. He needs someone to test the repairs. Send a hero to help him out.

Deploy 5

Screen Text

Gambit's potential-energy powers have triggered some strange readings in instruments aboard the Helicarrier. Could have something to do with Iso-8, but we won't know until someone gets the results to Beast.

MiniBoss - Nitro

Back to top ↑

Reveal

Agent Coulson:

Nitro. So this whole operation has a self-destruct button.

Gambit:

Let's get him deactivated before he can set it off. Allons!

Start

Gambit:

I'm here to defuse the situation.

Fat chance, Redeye. Things are about to blow. A.I.M. gets what A.I.M. wants, sooner or later.

Nitro:

Gambit:

What'd you call me? Redeye? I look like a coffee drink to you? I think you mighta made me mad, mon ami.

Lose

You're on the wrong side of the odds there, Gambit. And it's not going to get any better.

Nitro:

Repeat

Ohhhhhh, I can feel myself charging up again.

Nitro:

Complete

Gambit:

Nitro is down and out, and doubtless repentin' of his villainy.

Agent Coulson:

We can certainly hope so. Thank you, Gambit. We'll take it from here.

MiniBoss - Grey Gargoyle

Back to top ↑

Reveal

Tony Stark:

Gambit has been tracking the A.I.M. forces' patterns and they center here. Guess who else we found? The Grey Gargoyle. We've overheard him talking about Clan Akkaba.

Agent Coulson:

We had him penciled in as one of A.I.M.'s stooges. Looks like we were right. But Clan Akkaba? Red herring. If A.I.M. thinks Clan Akkaba had anything to do with the Incursions, or the Circle of 8, they're wrong. Boss, maybe we should let them go down this rabbit hole.

Nick Fury:

Maybe so. But we're going to control how we do it, and we're not going to let them wreck the museum. Gambit. Get him talking.

Gambit:

D'ac, mon chef.

Start

Gambit:

So I tell you what, Gargouille, I take you in, you give up the Iso-8 and tell us all about what ancient manuscripts you're looking for. Then I don't have to bust your mouth too bad. Ça marche?

Don't you toxify French, barbare!

Grey Gargoyle:

Gambit:

Pas de barbare ici, mon ami. Acadien!

Aaaaggggh, mes oreilles! Guards! Venez m'aider!

Grey Gargoyle:

Lose

Away, nuisance.

Grey Gargoyle:

Repeat

Your interference displeases A.I.M., and your abominable French displeases me.

Grey Gargoyle:

Gambit:

Encore!

Complete

All right. I give up. I will go to the Raft. Just protect me from this Cajun abomination destroying my langue!

Grey Gargoyle:

Maria Hill:

Bring him in, Gambit. Let's see if he stays cooperative long enough to tell us about Clan Akkaba.

Gambit:

Oh, he will, least as long as I threaten to ask 'im in French.

Boss - Fixer

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Reveal

Nick Fury:

Fixer is going to the museum. Almost as weird as it would be to see him in a library.

Tony Stark:

Whatever this mystical secret is, A.I.M. wants it bad.

Agent Coulson:

They do indeed, Mr. Stark. I suspect we should want it just as badly, for intelligence purposes if nothing else.

Start

Gambit:

Did I just overhear you saying you're trying to save the world? You know what those words mean, bubba?

Technology is the only thing that will save this world... and information. We will find out what this Circle of 8 is doing, and we will stop it. They are like children with matches.

Fixer:

Gambit:

We gonna survive just fine as long as you stay out of the way. Help from you, we don't need.

You're going to get it whether you like it or not. A.I.M. is not asking. A.I.M. is telling.

Fixer:

Lose

No S.H.I.E.L.D. can protect you from what is coming.

Fixer:

Repeat

Gambit, you roll dice with the future of the world. A.I.M. brings certainty. Security! Your chaos will be eliminated.

Fixer:

Epic Boss - M.O.D.O.K.

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Reveal

Tony Stark:

Well, well, well. It wasn't just stray A.I.M. bucketheads in the cafeteria. M.O.D.O.K. was down there, too.

Agent Coulson:

And now he's blasting his way through to one of the off-site holdings areas.

Tony Stark:

You have proved yourself capable of looking at the same monitor I'm looking at, Agent Coulson. There's a commendation in that for you.

Agent Coulson:

Proud to serve my country, Mr. Stark. Boss, M.O.D.O.K. has bypassed security systems and is inside a special manuscript archive.

Nick Fury:

Gambit, are you still in this game?

Gambit:

Oui, mon chef. Where to now?

Nick Fury:

It's M.O.D.O.K. time. But take it easy on all the old scrolls and triptychs and whatnot.

Start

Gambit:

Wasn't you just stirring up trouble in London? How'd you get back here? That head of yours, it don't fit in any plane seat I ever seen.

I go where I please, mutant aberration. I take what I will.

M.O.D.O.K.:

Gambit:

And you playin' with the occult? Where your technocrat self now, eh?

M.O.D.O.K. does not answer to lesser beings. M.O.D.O.K. only kills them.

M.O.D.O.K.:

Gambit:

I don't see no lesser being, Grosse Tête. Just another freak. We all freaks here.

Lose

The circumstances of victory become inevitable for M.O.D.O.K.!

M.O.D.O.K.:

Repeat

Probabilities will desert you. This is the only certainty.

M.O.D.O.K.:

Gambit:

You up for another hand, bubba? Let's find out.

Complete

Gambit:

Okay, Fury, he's down, but I don't know how you gonna get him out of there.

Nick Fury:

Our problem, Gambit. You take a break back at the Helicarrier and get debriefed. Agent, you too. We need to get a sense of what A.I.M. was after. It wasn't Clan Akkaba, we know that much.

Agent Coulson:

But it was something ancient and sorcerous, which together with the Incursions suggests that we're only seeing the tip of a very large iceberg.

Mission Complete

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Agent Coulson:

A.I.M.'s out of the way, for the most part. Still some strays running around in the cafeteria.

Maria Hill:

Get them cleared out and then let's put our heads together and see which of the museum's holdings he was after.

Chapter Complete

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Tony Stark:

Grey Gargoyle clammed up the minute we got him to the Raft.

Nick Fury:

Hell with him, then. Let him sit there.

Agent Coulson:

It doesn't matter. The longer A.I.M. chases its own tail, the more time we have to figure out Incursions and the Circle of 8.

Nick Fury:

You saying the Incursions are related to the Circle of 8?

Agent Coulson:

We're still investigating, boss. It's too early to say for certain, but the Circle of 8 might have something to do with whatever's behind the Incursions.

Tony Stark:

Time to synthesize some knowledge. Is the Circle of 8 just a new Syndicate, some kind of villain board of directors? Reed and the two Hanks are looking at Incursions, too.

Nick Fury:

Maybe it's time to bring in some actual Circle of 8 cultists and see if we can filter some real information out of their ravings.