Hyperion, Satana, Jennifer Kale, Gilgamesh, and Scarlet Witch stepped onto the large four circles that were going to teleport them to the planet below. Each of them prepared themselves for what was ahead. A war for the life of a friend was on the horizon and they wanted to be up to the battle.

Two Hours Later

Jennifer Kale's eyes turned opal and the four Sidrian hunters in front of her began to turn a brown color and slowly they took the shape of trees. Nearly a 100 more Sidrian Hunters were at her back though. Kale turned around and began to chant, "the seas of old and the waves anew will blast back my foes! Wave after wave will smother my enemy above and blow!"

Suddenly a gigantic wall of blue water arose from the harsh ground of the Sidrian Homeworld. Many of the aliens began to scatter at the sight of the wave, but it was too late. The wave charged at the Sidrian Hunters like a mad horse. The simple force was enough kill many of the purple incestoids. And if they weren't dead they were either mighty close or were too hurt to participate in the rest of the battle anyway. This gave Jennifer another idea on how to make the fight shorter.

"Fallen foe and injured warriors arise anew as soldiers of right and light reborn! Soldiers arise! Soldiers arrive! Soldiers revive!" Jennifer Kale said in an altered tone. Quickly and very noticeably the Sidrian hunters that had been killed or wounded glowed like a blue Christmas light. Suddenly the blue lights made a sizzling sound and became hard blue cocoons. Out of the cocoons came Atlantean warriors of old armed to the tooth. They quickly almost in a mindless manner made their charge against the Sidrian Hunters. 85 warriors had been added to the side of the avengers and Kale was immensely pleased. Her team's fighting chance had just gone up a notch though saving Binary wasn't going to be any easier. She was being held on one of the most dangerous planets in the galaxy. That was never something she had in mind.

Meanwhile across the battlefield Wanda and Hyperion held off a group of about 80 Sidrian Hunters as best as they could. Hyperion was taking the smash everything in sight approach while Scarlet Witch was using her hex bolts to keep the big insects off of their game. Ms. Maximoff was now beginning to question the wisdom in only vie Avengers coming to this world to rescue Binary. Cap probably would have come alone if the situation called for it.

"It seems the 'smash them and hope they break' method is futile here. They just keep coming and coming in waves," Hyperion exclaimed desperate.

"I see I'm going to have to push my powers a little bit here, "Wanda said wearily. Ever since Vision's death she's been training herself greatly in the use of her powers and it has been quite effective. Sweat began to bead down Wanda's head a she concentrated on creating some help for her Avengers in this tight situation. Suddenly the Sidrian Hunters that were fighting Hyperion turned on their fellow Hunters attacking them viciously. Next, there was a screeching sound in the air and four-dozen Brood came from the sky. The xenomoprhs descended upon the opposition ripping them to pieces. Scarlet Witch fell to her knees slightly exhausted. Altering reality to your will was tough.

"Are you okay?" Hyperion asked as he lifted Wanda out of her kneeled position. His leader nodded and Hyperion smiled, " That was one trick you pulled there. It actually opened up a clear path to that large building Binary is in."

"Then let us stop talking and save her from these fiends!" Gilgamesh yelled as he charged towards the building with Satana and Jennifer Kale behind him. Hyperion lifted up Scarlet Witch in his arms and flew towards the building ahead of Gilgamesh and the rest. He would have simply pile drived into the building, but he had a much more frail being in his arms. He didn't want to hear it from Thor if she got hurt.

"I have a better idea," Scarlet Witch said almost as if she had read Hyperion's mind. Perhaps she was a better leader than some had given her credit. Wanda outstretched her hand and waved it horizontally for a few seconds. The building that held Nicole began to shake wildly and the outer walls dissolved into thin air showing exactly where Binary was at. The Scarlet Witch didn't get to see the fruits of her labors since the strain had caused her to pass out. Hyperion wondered if the control Wanda received over her powers was worth it. Sure it saved his life and some of her greater potential was unlocked, but he knew well enough that Scarlet Centurion hardly did anything that had entirely positive consequences.

The walls of the building faded away into nothing as if it was air. The sight amazed Hyperion. He had hardly seen a feat of that kind performed before. No wonder Immortus sought after her such a great deal a while ago. Slowly he approached the building scanning for Binary. Maybe she would give a yell or some other type of hint. It would make thins a lot easier for him. Out of nowhere Hyperion's eyes feel upon a large purple machine that was spinning rapidly. In the center of the device an orange, black and white blur. He assumed that was Binary and began to fly hard.

Reaching the device where he assumed Binary was being held in Hyperion sat Scarlet Witch wistfully on the gritty floor. The whole building seemed to pulsate like a living creature. The Shi'ar had told them that the Sidrian Hunters had a good deal of organic-based technology though. Hyperion lifted his head up as he heard the screams of a woman near.

"Hold on Binary!" Hyperion said as he ripped a piece of the floor up form below him. A green oil-like substance spilled all over his outfit. Ignoring the mess, Hyperion launched the piece of floor into air at the top of the purple blur. There was loud explosion and Binary was literally launched into Hyperion's large arms. The unexpected collision knocked Hyperion to the floor. He fell only a few feet from an unconscious Scarlet Witch. Peering up Hyperion saw his teammates Gilgamesh, Satana and Jennifer kale staring at him. Embarrassment wasn't something that hit Hyperion often, but right now it struck him like a very very hard sledgehammer. His face was red like a hot fire.

"Looks like you finally got something dome for a change," Satana laughed in her seductive tone. Gilgamesh quickly turned at Satana and burned her with his intense stare. Ms. Hellstorm's laughs ceased. Hyperion was glad for it as he arose from the ground.

"I guess this is a mission accomplished. So we can return home now?" Jennifer said half-asking and half-telling. Being on this planet for a second longer was not something she was looking forward to.

Binary rose up from the spot Hyperion had laid her down on and muttered, "We can't leave. Not yet. Major trouble."

"What do you mean major trouble?" Hyperion asked not looking forward to the prospect of having to handle something else on this world. Out of nowhere there was a massive rumbling almost as if an earthquake was happening. From what he had read up on the Sidrian Homeworld though they were tectonically inactive. So an earthquake couldn't have been it.

"Oh no!!" Satana yelled pointing towards a large sudden burst of orange that flew further and further upward.

"What is it? I can't see that far? What is it?" Jennifer Kale asked desperate to know why Satana looked so freaked out.

Binary rose to her feet and leaned on Hyperion's shoulder as she said, "They're clones. 10,000 clones of me all headed for a nearby world. 10 million sentient beings live on that world and my clones will annihilate them all. I hate to say it, but we're going to have to stop these guys."

"We're going to need some power to do it. I mean ten thousand clones of you isn't exactly a walk in the park," Jennifer Kale said truthfully.

Suddenly, Wanda's body rose up from the ground surrounded with radiant crimson energy. Out of her body five spikes of energy appeared. They were about the size of baseball bats and they went flying out of her body and into her teammates. Their bodies began to glow a bright scarlet color and all of them felt a powerful burst of energy.

"Amazing! Even in her unconscious state Wanda's powers shine through. She's given us the means with this power boost and so we now have to follow through with it. Let's stop a real attack of the clones!" Hyperion exclaimed.

Ssi-Ra stepped up to the platform he would speak to the Senate from. Today's session was the discussion of a new budget that would involve more military spending and more investing in genetic operations. He was delivering the proposal on the behalf of Lilandra since she had other Imperial matters to attend to. Besides Ssi-Ra was looking forward to facing the political juggernaut, Chancellor Dooku. Perhaps he would be able to put the Chancellor in his proper place and be the saving grace for his Empress.

"Ssi-Ra, representative of Majestrix Lilandra, please step forward," Chancellor Dooku said. Ssi-Ra walked up further to the platform and straightened his posture.

Proudly and full of strength Ssi-Ra began his speech, "Grand members of the Senate I've come to you today with a proposal directly from the ruler of our splendid empire. She has in light of the recent attacks by Riovanes and his allies decided that we as a whole are in need of more military strength and power. One of the newer ways to build up that military might is through genetic testing. That is why in this proposal I have in my hands there is a motion for more spending in military technology and genetic operations. Within two years time the Empire's military will be one of the stronger ones in this region of the universe. And once expansion begins into the Aldramelk Galaxy we should have more raw materials needed to increase the glory and prestige of the Empire!"

There was a loud nationalistic cheer from the members of the Senate as Ssi-Ra's invigorating words rumbled through them giving them mesmerizing hope. Chancellor Dooku clapped lightly as he was slouched down in his chair. His arrogant disinterest disgusted Ssi-Ra greatly.

"Your words are impressive Ssi-Ra, but I still have a few questions about this proposal from the Empress. For instance would what exactly would this genetic operations incur?" Chancellor Dooku asked.

Ssi-Ra smiled as he replied, "Well, for one we would work on creating entirely organic warships which could heal and adapt just like real living beings. It would save a tremendous amount of raw materials to go into infrastructure. We would also work on creating entirely new species to be our shock troops and serve other functions in our future military conflicts."

"Intriguing to say the least. I might even agree with this proposal if not for its tremendous flaws. With organic ships it's entirely possible and far too easy to create viruses for them. Creating warriors could create more rebellion and revolutionary ideas. The Empire already has enough problems with rebel factions and underground resistance groups as is," Chancellor Dooku proclaimed causing a rumble amongst the members of the Senate.

Ssi-Ra coughed stopping the mumbling of the Senate as he said, "Interesting you should mention that esteemed Chancellor. In fact these genetic operations could bring a stop to all rebel factions and underground resistances within a matter of months. As to creating more rebellion and such I have an answer for that as well. The creatures we'll be formulating will be limited in their realms of thinking and attitude. In other words they'll have their minds programmed for them."

Senator S'Har stood up and asked, "But couldn't someone just as easily reprogram these creatures then? Who can say someone won't abuse the power of these creatures?"

There was a roar of agreement from the Senate. Obviously S'Har had allegiance to the Chancellor. The smirk all over Dooku's face was evidence enough for Ssi-Ra. Arguing the issue further would do no good.

"I have nothing more to say respectable Chancellor and exalted Senate. I leave the vote in your hands. I know you shall make the right decision," Ssi-Ra concluded stepping off the platform out of the sight of the Senate.

If he could have had the chance Ssi-Ra would have strangled the Chancellor. He knew Lilandra's proposal had just gone out the window and there wasn't anything he could do about it. Military matters were one of the things left in the hands of the Senate. In recent years the Senate has begun to abuse their power and put the Empire in a stranglehold.

Meanwhile Chancellor Dooku breathed a sigh of relief. For just a second there he thought Ssi-Ra would convince the Senate to approve Lilandra's plan for the military. If it weren't for Senator S'Har his master would be down his throat in a few hours. Increasing the Shi'ar military greatly was definitely one thing the master didn't want to happen. It would hamper his plans to say the least.

Apollo and Thor stepped through the crackling portal of electricity into the desolate wastelands of yet another dimension. The two gods had explored over twenty worlds so far in search in Callisto and none of them had bared any worthwhile fruit…yet.

"So here we are in yet another dimension. There must be some faster way to find Callisto. By now there's no telling what Count Abyss might have done to her," Apollo complained to a weary Thor.

"Perhaps, but tis best we continue on our current course of search. By the will of Odin something augurs ill in this world! Does thou not sense a strange presence?" Thor asked obviously distressed.

"No need for him to go sensing around Thor. I'll personally welcome you to my world!"

Suddenly three long tendrils rose rapidly from the ground like ravenous rats ready to feast on festering flesh. They wrapped themselves tightly around Apollo and Thor and it was like the two gods were trapped in an unbreakable mesh. Looking down the Olympian began to see a face begin to form in the cracked and dried ground that quickly turned into a face of blood and flesh. It was the god Adversary who was their captor. Apollo had heard about him in hushed voices on Olympus though it wasn't because he was feared. It was more because he was rather an embarrassment. In all his time of existence he really hadn't done much.

"Never did I think I would get such exquisite guests here today. I'm sure you'll make much better company than Johnny Storm and the Thing did. They became rather boring after a couple of weeks."

"The Thing?! Tis very surprising Grimm did not flog thee well!" Thor yelled trying to unwrap himself from the cords that held him hostage.

Suddenly the face in the ground grew smaller making the ground around it lush and green as he retraced. Till his face was about the size of a normal one his body suddenly began to push itself up from the ground till his full body was formed. His eyes were a pale yellow and his skin a dark purple. Long, greasy black hair flowed down his back and glorious white teeth lined his mouth.

"He did try a couple of times Thor. Though he wasn't very successful and with the power of you two flowing through me he'll be even less successful. My invasion of Earth will finally be imminent with the power of an Olympian and Asgardian added to my package," Adversary cackled as the tendrils strangling Thor and Apollo began to glow an olive color.

"By Odin's beard!" Thor yelled as he felt the life being drained out of him painfully by the tendrils. It was as if they were boring themselves into every pore of his godly body. Apollo felt equal if not worse pain since his threshold was not as great as the Thunder God's.

"Odin's beard has nothing to do with this I'm quite sure. Though quite soon I will crush him as well," Adversary boasted throwing his arms up in ecstasy as he could feel the strength of Thor and Apollo begin to course threw him.

"You have yet to see the limits of us yet Adversary. Do not count us out of this battle," Apollo grunted as his eyes began to shoot out fire wildly. The tendrils turned from an olive color to a deep purple as they began to crumble. The two gods fell to the ground with a hard thud and they quickly felt their strength come back.

Adversary meanwhile was reeling in pain from Apollo's attack. He fell on the floor with a hard thud and in his delirium he began to change shapes wildly. He turned into a snake, then into a large lion, an Indian shaman, and many other forms.

"You're not Apollo! You're not Thor! Get away!" Adversary yelled insanely.

"Can thee fool be so crazed that he doth not know whom he battles?" Thor asked.

"I would have to say yes. Let us leave this place though and begin our search for Callisto again. We have no more time to waste and I hope we keep encounters like these to an extreme minimum," Apollo said.

"Of course. Though Adversary tis not nearly as bad as thee dimension ruled by that insane Scarlet Witch. Could ye believe thee woman actually had Dr. Strange, Moondragon, and Adam Warlock within her thrall? I was tempted to aid them," Thor replied.

"I doubt that we would have been of much help truthfully. Let us focus on the task at hand and then maybe we can return there to offer our assistance."

Next Issue: The effects of Excalibur #X are brought to fore here and what does it have to do with Dooku's master? The three Avengers on Earth are confronted with the threat of Menace X? Apollo and Thor find Callisto trapped and they can't think of anyway to free her.