Defenders #13: You Can't Always go Home

Written by that hack, DM

Back At Strange's Mansion

".......... so after that all we need is access to Bruce's original equipment. A concentrated dose of Gamma radiation might reverse Bruces’ condition." finished Strange after a lengthy explanation.

"But." prompted Heather.

"..........but Bruce's cellular structure is starting to have less unaffected cells an soon this solution might not even help. It might already be to late but after talking to Bruce, we feel this is the best solution we have ahead of us." Steven sat down to let the information sink in.

Sampson stood up, "Well Bruce has been very helpful to us but we'd be happy to see him cured."

The others in the room nodded in agreement.

Betty, who sat next to Bruce, spoke up for the first time. "So you need me to help you get on to my Father's Air Force Base in New Mexico?"

Bruce looked at the woman he cared so much for, "We feel really bad to even......."

"I'll do it." Betty cut him off, "I'd do anything to help you. You know that."

Patsy stood up, "Are you sure you your father won’t be watching you like a hawk?"

Betty smiled, "Nah, Daddy's just a big teddy bear. He would never think I would bring Bruce back to the base under his very nose."

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"I knew it!" shouted General Ross as he slammed the table in front of him.

"Sir?" asked his Aid.

"That dang girl, she's bringing that monster to my base! Under my very nose!" Thunderbolt Ross as he was often referred by with good reason, was absolutely livid.

"What do you want to do, sir?" Asked his Aid while taking a healthy step back to give the general some space. "The bulk of the Hulk buster force is still out side of Seattle. We only have a few suits that are in for repair and the new prototype that just finished it's last check yesterday. It was going to be shipped to the Hulk-busters later this week."

General Ross stopped in mid-rant, "Really? And this suit is more user friendly that the ones we have right now?"

"Oh, absolutely General.......surely, you don't mean to..........?" his Aid was starting to se where Ross was going with this.

As General Ross started to rush out of the room he shouted to he Aid, "Find me pilots for the repaired suits that we do have."

Ross was thinking how brilliantly this was working out. As soon as he single handedly captured the Hulk his promotion would be in the mail.

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As Heather and Steven completed their teleportation spell the Defenders appeared on the side landing strip where they would be mostly out of sight.

Betty looked puzzled, "Where is everyone?"

Bobby didn't understand, "I though we were trying to sneak in. Isn't the fact that no one is here like the greatest stork of luck in history?"

Bruce was shaking his head, "No, Betty's right it's quiet. A little too quiet."

As Betty started to walk towards the complex a soldier who had been hiding under a thin layer of earth burst out and grabbed her. Without a second to think he started to run away keying his comm, "Secondary target has been removed from the field. Primary target is green."

At first nothing happened.

Sampson started to chase after Betty until Heather stopped him, "Just wait."

A moment later a man in a large mechanical exoskeleton started yelling from the top of the base.

"Welcome back Bruce! How good of you to make my job easier. Today I capture the Hulk tomorrow I get a promotion! This ends today."

Bobby couldn't help himself, "Friend of yours?"

Everyone turned to look at him

"What? It's how I deal with stress, Ok."

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Match-ups still TBA

Well, our editors have indicated that the villains' players are not set in stone, but i would still enjoy playing 'the bad guys' in this one, unless they deem a newbie should gather experience. I look forward to finding out which characters we'll actually be playing!...

Initiative: 5+5=10
Objects: 2+5=7