Licking their wounds...

Carol’s return to the SHIELD Helicarrier was a slow and arduous task, recovering from the cyclonic torpedo barrage that struck the heart of Africa and turned it into a volcanic wasteland. Cradling her arm as she recovered, she made halfway across the Atlantic when she found the massive flying fleet carrier preparing with all hands on-deck to send relief teams to the continent. Landing on the flight deck, several of the flight crew surrounded the blue and red clad woman, wrapping a blanket around her shoulders and helped her to her feet.

Looking up she found the rest of the Avengers had come top side to check on her, slightly caught off guard when She-Hulk pulled her into a bear hug, followed swiftly by Thor.

“I… I couldn’t stop them… I tried… I REALLY tried…”

“You did more than any of us COULD have Carol.” Answered Captain America, placing a gloved hand over her shoulder and giving her a sad smile. “SHIELD will be busy sending support along with the UN to check assess the damage and send relief.”

“What are WE going to do captain?”

Looking up, Steve’s face turned dark when he noticed the massive alien ship was visible even from low orbit. Reed Richards and the Fantastic Four are planning to go up there to see this ship firsthand and deal with it. We’re going with them”

Scarlet Witch and Vision helped their friend back to her feet, the same look of determination on their faces. “We’re going up there, we’re going up there to get some answers, pray they’re GOOD ones!”

*

Practically running through the gothic and ornate halls of the massive ship they’ve invaded, the legion of Hydra soldiers led by their four great leaders fled from the black armored warrior; the massive terminator Space Wolf flanked by two squadron’s of the ship’s personal security forces opened fire as they gave chase.

“You believe you can defeat us? For every head you remove, TWO MORE shall take its place!” Barked the Red Skull, firing back at the imperial forces as his own men cried out Hail Hydra!”

Fighting their way deeper, the Hydra forces had found a stroke of luck when they came across what looked like an ancient looking metro-train system, probably built to allow more easy access to the breadth of the massive warship. Fleeing into the massive train and firing back to ward off their pursuers, the Hydra forces managed to smash the controls to the doors just as the massive armored warrior had charged and stomped forward, driving his axe into the door and leaving a frozen cut through the door, collecting frost just as the blade retracted and the train began to move. The bellowing roar of the space wolf made the Hydra forces cower back from the door, some even clutching their heads before screaming. To the shock and horror of everyone in the train car, three of the closest Hydra soldiers at the door had their heads explode! Collapsing on the ground and making everyone panic.

Finding temporary safety for now, the four heads of Hydra looked to each other and their forces. “This has not gone as successful as what was planned Red Skull…” Scoffed Madame Hydra, folding her arms under her chest and giving the sneering man a contemptuous look.

“Opportunity should not be hesitated upon, now that we are here, we can lay claim to the spoils of this ship.”

“Yes… And such spoils they are…” Replied Baron Zemo, looking around the train car they found brief sanctuary in, the man read the sigils and writing on the interior. “This place is… Ancient, even the pyramids in Giza are young compared to this vessel.”

“Indeed, and yet such fantastic technologies this floating treasure trove possesses.” Baron Strucker smiled, eyeing the many compartments the tram went by, seeing hundreds of army’s worth of equipment and weaponry, tanks and combat vessels prepped and ready to start DOZENS of wars at the moment’s notice. “Hydra has lost much in this attack but will gain MUCH upon its return to Earth.”

“Yes! A warship, and equipment to conquer this world and many others!” Smiling back at the forces who had survived and rechecked their equipment, the Red Skull was already plotting a scheme to take the vessel for himself and begin a campaign of conquest to have the Hydra banner furl across the globe.

A voice on a small intercom overhead spoke in a language the Hydra forces didn’t recognise, just as the tram came to a slow and full stop.

“Intrantes autem ipsum in sinu Mandatum Sancti, venerantur omnem laborem ejus immortales imperatoris.”

Seeing the tram doors open, Red Skull smiled and looked to his remaining forces. “Come then, let us take what we can, in the name of HYDRA!”

“Hail Hydra!”

*

Landing on one of the pads of the SHIELD helicarrier, The Avengers looked up at the silver and blue vessel with the number ‘4’ emblazoned on its hull just as its landing struts unfolded and the large vessel landed gently on the flight deck of the massive ship. Stepping out, the Fantastic Four looked to the waiting avengers, along with Spiderman who had joined the Four to help.

There was no joking amongst the cockier of the teams, Johnny and Peter were dead silent when the two hero teams traded looks, taking stock on who was coming. Looking over his shoulder, Captain Rogers found Scarlet Witch, She-Hulk, Thor, Vision, Hawkeye, Falcon with Wasp and Ant Man ready to take flight.

“So, what’s the plan here?” Asked Spiderman, seeing everyone itching to get ready.

“It’s REAL simple web-head, we find the front door, knock, and kick it down for some god damn answers!”