Six Lonely Runaways (Marvel;Re)/Issue 0

This issue of Six Lonely Runaways is a prequel issue to all future stories of this publication. It is written by MarvelDCandFantasyFanBoy12 and Jacky 50A and can be considered a continuation of the Talon of Blood one-shot from Marvel Spotlight.

Synopsis
The Runaways: a cadre of lonely heirs to the supervillain cartel known as the Pride. AIM: the world's premier think tank terrorist organization. By destiny's strands, these two groups are forced to contend with one another due to a shared legacy of theirs. What did the Pride have to do with AIM? What is RAID? How did the Runaways be who they are today? And who exactly is the Scientist Supreme? Why are there more than a single MODOK?! Who is the Scientist Superior?! And most importantly... what is Alex Wilder, the de jure leader of the Runaways, exactly up to?

Unknown Base
Within an unidentified facility, a figure in yellow apparel and a gas mask walks alone through a pipe-laden hallway, greeting other workers wearing similar gear to him along the way with a warm but time-efficient salute. After making his way to his office, opening a door labelled Scientist Superior, the man sits down on his desk and looks through the windows beside him. Looking at the exterior, it's clear that the base is not on Earth. The man, Chet Madden, grunts as he sits and claps his hand twice. The sound signal is received by the desk, which transforms itself from a regular-looking wooden desk into a high-tech, state-of-the-art electronic platform which contains a supercomputer. The computer turns on, greeting Chet and revealing the name of RAID on the monitor.


 * Supercomputer AI: "Good afternoon, Scientist Superior Chet Madden."

Chet does not respond whatsoever and the AI seemingly notices this, deciding to deliver its messages via texts, which are displayed on the screen.


 * Supercomputer AI: "(Text messsages) You have received fifteen e-mails today, two of which are marked highly important."
 * Chet Madden: "(Verbally) Show me."

The AI displays an e-mail window where at the top of the list, two important messages can be seen. Chet opens the first one, which contains the following message:

From: M. Midas (midascosmicman@midasfoundation.com)

To: C. Madden (scientistsuperior@raid.com)

Cc: V. Halfling (pantheonlord@dodekatheon.com)

Subject: An Invitation

Greetings and salutations,

''I, Midas, the Cosmic Man, hereby invite you to the Cabal as members of our enlightened society, which seeks to remake this world to that of our own image. A new world of peace and prosperity under our guidance and will. Your participation will be greatly rewarded in the new era that is to come, and our vision will nonetheless be realized by our united strengths. If you refuse, we respect your decision. If you accept, we welcome you with open arms into a brave new world.''

''I will grant you three days to consider this invitation. If you accept the offer, send me another mail to confirm your participation. Then shall I give you the date and coordinates of our first assembly.''

With regards,

Mordecai

Mordecai Midas

CEO of the Midas Foundation

+49-163-5552-524

In a good day, maybe Chet would be happy at this invitation. But for now, he's not too keen on joining any secret societies, so he deletes the email.


 * Chet Madden: "Who even is this guy? (Sigh) Now, what do you have for me, sweety?"

Chet proceeds to check the next most important mail, sent by a RAID operative close to Chet himself, Mandy O'Connor.

From: M. Madden (mandyoconnor@raid.com)

To: C. Madden (scientistsuperior@raid.com)

Subject: Concerning the Pride's Children

Dear Scientist Superior Madden,

''It has come to my attention that the children we were seeking six months ago has arrived on this facility at 1300 hours our time by magical means. Their leader, designated Nico Minoru, teleported with five other children, designated Alex Wilder, Chase Stein, Gertrude Yorkes, Karolina Dean, and Molly Hayes. We have detained the children in our penitentiary brig, and they are unharmed as of now. I predict that by the time of this writing, your lazy backside has reached the office and sat down on your comfortable couch. Knowing that, I inform you that they are still waiting for your audience as one of them, Chase Stein, referred to you as uncle and wants to speak with you with his runaway friends. You may contact me through the intercom system after you are done reading this.''

''PS: Uncle Madden? Seriously? I thought you said you've no other living relative. You still have me, though, and I know you know that that's enough.''

Thank you,

Mandy

Mandy Madden

COO of RAID

You know my number.

Chet, previously uninterested and tired, suddenly receives a burst of energy and focus as he notices the name Chase Stein on the mail. The reference of Uncle Madden and a whole host of other hidden histories burst back into memory and the Scientist Superior wastes no time in reaching for the intercom system as his wife said.


 * Chet Madden: "(Speaks over the intercom, delivering his message throughout the base) This is Scientist Superior Chet Madden speaking. COO Mandy O'Connor-Madden, please bring the children to my office, immediately. Thank you."

The scene briefly switches to Mandy herself leaning on a wall near the Runaways' holding brig, standing alongside other RAID agents. Looking at their gear, it's apparent that not many RAID operatives look dissimilar from the agents of their former parent organization, AIM. Makes sense, considering the fact that they haven't developed a uniform for themselves.

Mandy stops leaning and goes to see the Runaways face to face.


 * Mandy O'Connor: "(Chuckles) Guess you weren't frauds, after all."
 * Gertrude Yorkes: "Sorry, grandma. We may be delinquents -- (mutters) right? -- but we've got a reason to be here."
 * Nico Minoru: "Gertrude, not now."
 * Alex Wilder: "Hey Chase, you sure this guy we're gonna talk to is really your uncle?"
 * Chase Stein: "I didn't stutter when I suggested all of us to come here, did I?"
 * Molly Hayes: "Well, if your uncle turns out to be a baddie, do you mind me punching his crotch for good measure, Chase?"
 * Mandy O'Connor: "(Clears her throat) Agent Planck, please escort these children to the Scientist Superior's office."
 * Agent Planck: "On it."

Agent Planck opens the brig's door and gestures the Runaways to follow him, the children's journey accompanied by other unnamed RAID agents, as well. Meanwhile, the Scientist Superior himself is seen in a rather distressed state, rubbing his forehead. Seconds later, he accesses his files and opens a picture of several AIM agents smiling together with a bunch of drinks on their hands in a facility of tropical backdrop and a clear blue sky in the background. Inside his mask, Chet smirks and recalls a long memory of his.

- AIM Island, Boca Caliente, 2007 Five cocktail glasses clashed as several AIM agents cheered the same utterance. The AIM agents, all but one of them wearing a helmet, laughed and patted each other's backs in congratulations and joy. It was the graduation day of a new batch of AIM operatives. They entered AIM knowing the risks that would hound them for the rest of their lives. But, deep inside them, they knew that their lives were about to change for the betterment of the future from this day on. A figure suddenly patted Forson's shoulder, announcing his presence with a distinct voice. Forson embraced Bernard Worrell with warmth and enthusiasm, the other AIM graduates also closing in to greet and hug him. To many AIM personnels, Mr. Worrell was a legendy for being a down-to-Earth figure who lacked the insanity that was ambition among the higher-ups. He was humble and simple, but he's also one of AIM's founders and the one who discovered the Cosmic Cube and deciphering its secrets, allowing the organization to produce these WMDs in the future. His reputation was also helped by his opposition of crunch working and his interesting style of teaching AIM academicians. He was practically one of -- if not the -- last remnants of humanity AIM had. He co-founded AIM with the hopes of creating a brighter future for mankind, and he still clung to that rationale to this day. Bernard was about to continue asking about the other graduates' next plans until an AIM operative in battle gear approached him. After uttering his name, Bernard's face expressed sadness, clearly showing that he's upset. Andrew noticed this but said nothing. Bernard walked towards him and handed an envelope to him.
 * Chet Madden: "(Sigh) We were family back then, weren't we?"
 * AIM Agents: "Aiming high, now and forever!!"
 * Ellen Brandt: "(Cheers) Hey, I think we can let loose for a bit now that we've passed the tests of our lives, don't you think?"
 * Chet Madden: "Scientist Supreme's still watchin', Brandt. I don't think she likes, well... you know..."
 * Chris Quinn: "What? She doesn't like dudes? That's like knowing that water's wet, dude!"
 * Andrew Forson: "I think what Chet is trying to say is that she doesn't like female AIM agents (clears his throat) 'letting loose' a bit and making them victims of sexual misconducts."
 * Ellen Brandt: "Oh, Forson, you dirty little..."
 * Andrew Forson: "Now, now, now, don't get any funny ideas, you..."
 * Yorgon Tykkio: "Alright, just cut it guys. Even though we're technically the 'bad guys' at this point, none of us likes having little 'accidents'. Am I right?"
 * Chet Madden: "You got that right, Yor. Hey, where's your brother, by the way? I thought he'd be here with us?"
 * Ellen Brandt: "Ah, your brother... what's his name again? I swear you people's names sound weird. (Stutters) N-no offense!"
 * Yorgon Tykkio: "None taken. It's Valdemar. Valdemar Tykkio. We're Symkarian, so please, tolerate our bizarre names."
 * Andrew Forson: "Valdemar, Valdemar... ah! Now I remember him. He's one of the applicants for the Scientist Supreme program. Just like me."
 * Chris Quinn: "Man, wasn't the program available for like, the best of the best? Even then, it was limited to like, three to five people."
 * Andrew Forson: "Three for this period. There was I, Valdemar, and Evelyn Necker."
 * Ellen Brandt: "Well, how did it go?"
 * Andrew Forson: "The last announcement said that the results would be proclaimed today. (Shrugs) Didn't say how or exactly when, though."
 * ???: "Say, what would you do if you aren't the next Scientist Supreme?"
 * Andrew Forson: "Mr. Worrell! You son of a-"
 * Bernard Worrell: "Nu-uh! No swearing within ten feet of my proximity; y'all know that well!"
 * Chris Quinn: "So good to see you, sir! Are you enjoying the party, sir?"
 * Bernard Worrell: "Well, there's little an old geezer like me can enjoy here, so I may as well be spending my time workin' in the labs all by myself (sniggers)."
 * Chet Madden: "Sir, I heard you were going to be moved to the New York branch. Is that true?"
 * Bernard Worrell: "Damn right, you are. Don't worry, though. (Joking) All those superheroes in New York got nothin' on me!"
 * Chet Madden: "Heh. Just concerned, sir. We'd hate to lose someone like you, you know."
 * Bernard Worrell: "I get that a lot, ol' boy. Now, how about you folks tell me what your next assignments are?"
 * Ellen Brandt: "Citrusville, sir. My boyfriend's cooked up some interesting Super-Soldier stuff that could be useful for the Genetics Division, y' know."
 * Bernard Worrell: "Hmm, I see, I see. Citrusville, huh? Let me guess, Project Gladiator?"
 * Ellen Brandt: "(Taken aback) Wait, what? How did you know that?"
 * Bernard Worrell: "You know Wilma Calvin, Ellen?"
 * Ellen Brandt: "She's my boyfriend's superior. She's a SHIELD agent!"
 * Bernard Worrell: "Well, I didn't know that, but she didn't know that I'm AIM, so we're pretty much fair in this case. She's my cousin!"
 * Chet Madden: "That's... unexpected."
 * Bernard Worrell: "Listen, son, nothing in this world can ever be predicted by us, humans, no matter what bloody cube or celestial object we've got in our hands. You gotta learn how to adapt. Improvising, surviving, you get me?"
 * Ellen Brandt: "Uh, in that case, do you know anything else I should know?"
 * Bernard Worrell: "Calvin's got a son named Percy. He lost his dad, Henry, when he was three, and now he's five. Whatever you do, Ellen, please don't kill Wilma."
 * Ellen Brandt: "You have my word, sir."
 * Bernard Worrell: "Good! That's relieving."
 * Clete Billups: "Professor? It's time. Professor Rappaccini and Ms. Superia are waiting."
 * Bernard Worrell: "Got it. (To the AIM graduates) Well, that's my curtain call, fellas. Be seeing you around, eh? Don't get yourself in harm's way, okay?"
 * Andrew Forson: "You've no need to worry about us, sir. We'll be alright."
 * Bernard Worrell: "Oh, and Forson..."
 * Bernard Worrell: "(Gives Forson the envelope before hugging and whispering to him) I'm sorry, Forson. I'm... very sorry."

Bernard departed with a frown on his face, walking away without any further words. Looking down at the envelope, Forson solemly opened it and saw a letter inside it. Its content wasn't shown, but what it meant for Forson would be revealed shortly.
 * Yorgon Tykkio: "(Approaches Forson) Is everything alright, Andrew?"
 * Andrew Forson: "(Focuses on the letter for a bit before ripping it apart, turning to Yorgon afterwards with teardrops in his eyes) I-I..."
 * Chris Quinn: "Uh, Forson, why are you crying?"
 * Andrew Forson: "(Sniffs and wipes out his tears, dampening his sadness) Nothing relevant to our predicament."
 * Chet Madden: "Forson, forgive me for sounding insensitive, but... you're not gonna be our next Scientist Supreme, are you?"
 * Andrew Forson: "You are (stammers)... correct. It is... unfortunate, to say the least."
 * Chris Quinn: "Dude, on the flip side, not being the Scientist Supreme means that your chances of being the target of superhero attacks are lesser. Besides, if you actually flip your letter..."

Andrew, initially confused by Chris' remark, flipped his letter and saw something quite promising for his future in AIM... but one that wouldn't satisfy his heart.


 * Andrew Forson: "I am to be a high councilor of AIM... by tomorrow?"
 * Yorgon Tykkio: "Whoa! You know what that means, Forson? You'll be sitting with the likes of MODOK and..."
 * Andrew Forson: "I get it, Yorgon, I get it. (Slightly raises his voice) But I just felt that I deserved that position!"
 * Ellen Brandt: "Easy, 'drew. MODOK's the one running the calculations for the next eligible Scientist Supreme, and... (sigh) let's face it: he doesn't consider feelings, ethics, and morality in his computations. We all know that."
 * Chris Quinn: "Hey, don't you think that's a little harsh, Ellen?"
 * Andrew Forson: "That is alright, Dr. Quinn. Sugarcoating doesn't do AIM any favors. I admit that I am an... inferior candidate for the Scientist Supreme."
 * Chet Madden: "Don't be discouraged, Andrew. Your suggestions as a high councilor must be considered by the Scientist Supreme, anyway, so you shouldn't be so upset."
 * Yorgon Tykkio: "I agree. You could be Val -- I mean, the Scientist Supreme 's successor in the future."

The AIM agents sharply looked at Yorgon and Andrew's expression immediatel y displayed a mix of disgust, confusion, and hate.

TBA - TBA

Trivia

 * The phone number of Midas, the Cosmic Man, is a fake one and should not be dialed whatsoever. For a fact, its ISD code (+49) is of Germany's.
 * Midas, the Cosmic Man, and Mordecai Midas are merged in this continuity in name only.