The Turning Storm 04

Everyone listened as Captain America explained everything. (Making a point NOT to mention the top secret Pym-Net.)

"Dazzler recieved a telepathic communication from Psylocke, a friend and teammate from her X-Men days. She learned that Storm had been kidnapped from her motel room in Washington DC. Psylocke was in London and the other X-Men had suddenly gone missing. So she contacted Dazzler in hope that Alison could find and rescue her. During the course of the investigation it was discovered that you, Madam Secretary, had also been kidnapped by the same people."

(Dazzler had asked Janet Van Dyne, the Wasp, to access the Pym-Net. A device that worked along the same lines as the Ant-Man cybernetic helmet. Only with a greater, world-wide, range. Ali hoped that Jan's connection to the insect world would help her find the missing Ororo.

It found TWO Ororos.

One who was held prisoner, by HYDRA, in an abandoned office building within the DC area. And the other in the process of kidnapping the Secretary of State from her own bedroom.

Since it was known that the Secretary, Storm, Dazzler and the Scarlet Witch--currently on a mission with the other Avengers on Titan---were to have a meeting later that day it was an easy guess that the two kidnappings were connected.  Captain America and Dazzler quickly loaded their motorcycles on board a cargo quinjet and took off. They had just landed when Jan confirmed the Secretary was taken to the same building.)

"Once we determined your location, and that HYDRA was involved, Dazzler and I responded immediately. It's obvious HYDRA wanted to disrupt your intended plans to establish a peaceful relationship between the mutant community and the government."

Dazzler took it from there. "When I arrived Cap, those two phonies (she pointed to the fake Storm and Cyclops) were in the process of making a pirate broadcast. The fake Storm was doing a classic Magneto-rant. I could be wrong but I think she was gonna execute Rober...the Secretary on TV. And in so doing push all the current anti-mutant fervor past the boiling point."

"I agree, Dazzler." Roberta Strock said. "But, thanks to you and the good Captain, the only thing that got killed was HYDRA's plans to pour more gas on the fires of hatred."

Tara Fremont, the abnormally tall woman in the jungle girl bikini, held up a pair of braclets. The ones worn by the false Storm. "Nanotech. She used these to create her lightning bolts."

Cap joined her and studied the braclets himself.

"A.I.M."

"I've dealt with them before. Tried to turn animals into living bombs. The bastards."
 
Captain America looked down on the bound imposters.

"That one doesn't look anything like Cyclops. But she is a dead ringer for you, Storm."

"No doubt he was there to help sell the idea to Roberta that she was a prisoner of the X-Men." Ororo replied. "You never met Cyclops, have you, Roberta?"

"No." She shook her head. "Never did."

"He was behind the scenes. She was in front of the camera." Dazzler said. "Since she looked like the real deal people would assume she was."

"Alison." Storm said. "The X-Men once had a run in with HYDRA before. And one of their agents was a woman who was an expert in disguise. Gemini I believe she was called." 

"It could be her, Ororo. When she saw me she acted like she knew me."

It was then that they heard the helicopters.

And the sirens.

It was an easy guess the police and government agents had finally arrived on scene.

"They must have traced the broadcast signal back to here." The She-Cat said. "Or did you guys phone it in?"

"Jan might have." Dazzler replied.

"I hope it's not Gyrich in charge." Roberta sighed. "Every time I deal with him I want to punch his lights out a minute after meeting him."

"I commend you on your tolerance, Madam Secretary." Cap replied. "Every Avenger, except the Vision, wants to punch him out 10 SECONDS after meeting him."

The ex-General laughed.

Nightveil closed her eyes for a moment then opened them.

"It's Gyrich." The hooded mystic said.

"Damn!" Was everyone's response.

"And he is not happy." Nightveil continued. "He didn't even know Roberta was missing until AFTER the Wasp called. And while he was busy assembling a task force the whole world found out due to the television broadcast."

"He's gonna be in a mood." Dazzler sighed.

"He always is" Cap and Roberta said as one.

While they waited for the hardnosed agent, and his men, to show up, She-Cat came over to Dazzler.

"Hey, Al." She whispered. "Flag Boy seein' anyone?"

Thanks to Janet Van Dyne, and the Pym-Net, Captain America and the Dazzler knew there were 32 HYDRAs total within the old building. With her insect connection Jan was able to pinpoint each and every one's position. Knowing where the enemy was Dazz attacked from the top and Cap the bottom. (Cap getting a head start because Dazz had to go to the next building to deal with the rooftop sentry.) Together they took down all of the 32 HYDRAS. (Cap getting the most because he had more floors to cover.) Thus when Henry Peter Gyrich's men arrived all they had to do was search, secure, and remove the unconscious terrorists. Then question the heroes and the former captives.

Later that day there was a press conference with the secret service, the police and FEMForce providing very tight security. FEMForce was there in case of any super powered trouble. Hidden from sight, Nightveil levitatated and meditated. Scanning for evil intent. She-Cat and Tara were disquised as reporters, ready to pounce. Dazzler had to wonder if Tara Fremont was actually normal sized or if Nightveil cast an illusion that allowed her to blend with the crowd.

Dazzler, along with Captain America and Storm, stood behind Secretary of State, Roberta Strock, as she spoke.

"The woman who held me captive was, clearly, an imposter. Her name is Gemini and she's a member of a the terrorist organization called HYDRA! What you saw on television was a hoax! A SHAM! All designed to fan the fires of our fears! Our insecurities. Our STUPIDITY regarding certain members of our fellow man! Namely mutants!"

{Alison?}

{Betsy. Everything go okay?}

{Evil got a sound good thrashing this day. And, from the looks of it, you and Captain America, gave it what for too.}

{Not completely. It was a textbook battle. One of the easiest I've ever been in. But, because of the kidnapping, Roberta is behind schedule. She has other priority meetings to attend. Ours got postponed till next month.}

"You saw a mutant save a homo-sapian." Roberta continued. "What you didn't see was a homo-sapian also saving a mutant. Dazzler didn't CARE that I was a homo-sapian. Captain America didn't CARE that Storm was a mutant. What they CARED about was that a HUMAN BEING was in trouble and they helped her. Without hesitation. Without complaint. Without PREJUDICE!"

{Alison, do you think any good will come of this?}

{Betsy I don't even know what 'this' is yet. But I do know Roberta's as good as they come. And she's not one for BS.}

{Then she's made a very odd change in career.}

{Bets. Please don't make me laugh behind her back while she's making a speech.}

"If we are to survive man's latest genetic growth spurt then we must all GROW UP!" Roberta continued. "We must quit acting like spiteful, petulant, children!"

{I guess you'll be investigating the missing X-Men now. Need any help?}

{Greatly appreciated, Alison. But unnecessary. The X-Men were all teleported to Arkon's dimension.}

{Arkon?}

{Before our time. The team all made it back none the worse for wear. Well, except for Emma. She got a serious lesson in humility.}

{Wish I could have seen that.}

{Well if you were still an X-Man.}

{Betsy.}

{Sorry. Alison, for what it's worth I think you made the right move leaving us. You've done far more good for the mutant cause...the HUMAN cause...as an Avenger. You really made Emma choke on her own words.}

["Let her go, Scott. She'll come crawling back with her tail between her legs soon enough."]

Dazzler smiled.  Take THAT, you Boston baked bitch!

{Whoops. I must go. Brian and I are celebrating.}

{Give him my love. I miss the both of you.}

{I miss you too, Alison. Bye.}

The speech was over and Roberta and Ororo shook hands.

"Beautiful speech, Roberta. Very moving."

"Let's hope you're not the only one who was moved by it."

Dazzler made a fist and quietly said, "Avengers Assemble."

Captain America made a fist and quietly replied, "Avengers Assemble."

And then they bumped fists.

The Press Conference had went off without nearly a hitch.

"Nearly" meaning that Captain America suddenly found a postit note on his shield with the She-Cat's phone number.

The conclusion of another Production.

Captain America, Dazzler, Storm (c) Marvel

Roberta Strock (c) AC Comics