Brian Braddock, Member of Parliament for Critchley East in Her Majesty's Government and head of the Pendragon Committee,  the United Kingdom's sub-committee on superhuman affairs looked out of the window as the aeroplane started to make it's descent towards Brussels airport, where a car would be waiting to take him to the European Commission where he was to make a report on behalf of the Prime Minister on the state of super-heroics within the UK.

Outside the States and Russia, the UK had produced more than it's fair share of heroes. Captain Britain, Union Jack, Spitfire, Death's Head, Excalibur... the list went on, and so the UK were regarded as the experts in the area. While Brian's former identity was not public knowledge, he still kept his finger on the pulse, however it was not report that occupied his thoughts, it was a folder.

It had been given to him by the man he had mentored, Union Jack, on behalf of Forge, the Director of SHIELD regarding the XSE, what Forge was calling the X-Factor Security Enforcers. Brian had met Bishop, and he knew of the man's past, or rather the future that he had come from, and while the events of Onslaught had negated that being the future of this timeline, Forge could see that there was a need for the usage of mutants to protect humanity from other mutants. The X-Men were not enough and the world was getting bigger, but something such as this needed support and that was that.

Brian agreed with him, as the role that was being defined for the XSE was something akin to the role he'd had as part of the Captain Britain Corp, and he had seen the ways things could be and how wrong things could go however he knew that supporting this project and it was just a case of using his influence to make it happen. The European Union was a start and he gave a wry smile as the plane landed. 

He missed flying.


The Armory unit flew across the sky, as George Washington Bridge looked up, unable to feel less than impressed by the technology at his disposal. He'd not always been this way, but he had to admit that the technology at play here was amazing. Forge's dual mode function effectively gave Excalibur an extra member and Bridge liked that. It meant that if things got hairy, then he could go in and give a hand proper. The time he had spent without the Armory unit had given him a taste for the fieldwork after being cooped up behind a desk for so long.

He was getting his hands dirty and that gave him a sense of satisfaction, and the connection between himself and the unit was flawless. A parallel hybrid connection, using a minuscule amount of his own neural tissue to create the chip that had been implanted in him. He looked to the corner of the visor as second nature now and he had gotten used to having two fields of vision to focus on - his own and that of the sensory displays of the suit. The weapons systems were incredible as well. Even Cable would be in awe at the firepower here.

Sonic bursts, electrical assaults, missiles, guns, EM pulse generators, repulsor blasts and Bridge's personal favourite, the ion canons. Plus the suit itself had been moulded using the adamantium they had recovered from the Godzilla affair a few weeks back, giving it a protective edge that the pervious armour hadn't got. It was like a walking battle station, and Bridge was glad that he was in charge of it. The suit landed and walked over to where the science team were also evaluating it. It had been a long day, testing the system and as Bridge took of the visor, several medics came over to check on him and see if there were any ill-effects from it.

"Other than a few spots in front of my eyes," he said, " I'm fine."

"Glad to hear it," said Forge, as the SHIELD director came over. "From what I saw, that was as good a test as we could have hoped for. Though we're going to need some new targets," he said looking over to the plumes of thick black smoke that trailed from the horizon.

"How's the new Helicarrier working?" said Bridge, with a smile knowing the reason the Director had been unable to attend the majority of the test.

"The Behemoth is working fine. We've sent it out to take on Fin Fang Foom, Dugan is commanding the mission. He better not wreck my new Helicarrier."

"Dugan knows what he's doing," said Bridge.

"Yeah, I know," Forge replied. "It's just the people worked hard at getting a new Helicarrier built in such a short space of time." Forge had overseen much of the programme, approving designs and technological input. His original estimate had been for it to be built in a few months but he'd got it in six weeks. Six weeks, and it still astounded him. The money and resources had just been there and that was as good as it got for him. "Anyway, that's not the reason I'm here."

"I hate it when you say that," Bridge muttered and Forge smiled. 

"Honey Lemon is at the offices in New York," he said. "I figured it's  the time to introduce her to her new commander. You've a full squad again, Colonel Bridge." Bridge smiled and was pleased with that. They'd been undermanned since the war in Greece and though they'd made do, it had limited their options. 

"In that case, I'm with you, sir," said Bridge and Forge led to where the jet was waiting to take them back to headquarters.


"I can't believe this," said the Minister, as he looked at the letter. Hauptmann stood impassively before the German Minister for the Interior and said nothing. "You cannot simply... resign. You have a duty, a responsibility..."

"With all due respect, sir," Hauptmann said, "I can. You may have co-opted me in to the Excalibur project, but that is because I am the Hauptmann. I am no longer the Hauptmann. I am simply Jorge Manheim."

"You would give up your career as a professional footballer?" the Minister said. "You know we allow you to play because you work for us. If you no longer work for us, we cannot allow you the advantage your powers give you

"Yes," said Hauptmann, a trace of sadness in his voice, but there was acceptance in his eyes. "I can coach, train and make players the best they can be. I will miss playing the game, but it is my first love and it is what I want to do with my life. As I said in my letter I am prepared to stay on until a replacement can be found, but I am tired, sir. I am tired of fighting battles that only result in death, I am tired of doing things I do not feel are right and I am simply tired of giving up my life. I have done my bit for long enough, it is time I focused on myself."

"That is a very selfish attitude," the Minister glowered, but Hauptmann was unfazed by him. His decision to resign was not something he had done lightly, but it was something he knew he had to do, to feel right to himself.

"Perhaps, but I have risked my life for the country and the planet. How many others can say the same, in recent years. Can you, sir?" The Minister stayed silent, and looked down at the letter. "There have been few German heroes, sir. Most meta-humans have turned to villainy and we have become a rare breed. Our mutants remain out of sight, our need for heroes is non-existent, because we know the destruction normal men can do upon our nation."

"I accept your resignation, Herr Manheim," said the Minister. "Until we find a replacement, you are still on call for the Excalibur Project." He didn't look up.

"Thank you, sir," said Hauptmann and he took his leave, feeling a lot lighter than he had done a day or so before. His days as Hauptmann were numbered.


"Hey, baby," said Elisabeth as john Walker woke up next to her. "How you feeling?"

"Getting' better, babe," he said. "What time is it?"

"About two in the afternoon," she said. "You've been asleep nearly sixteen hours."

"Really?" said USAgent, sitting up. "Not slept that long in a while."

"Guess you needed it," she said. "The fight... I saw it on the television, and it sent a chill down me."

"My own fault," said Agent. "I got careless, Doom got lucky. Sorry, though."

"Guess it's what happens when you date a super-hero," said Elisabeth. "Ever thought about giving it all up?"

"Yeah," Walker admitted, "but then again, the thing  do makes a difference. I save lives and that's good enough for me. Plus I get to keep people in line, the people who need keeping in line. They think because they have power they have automatic rights, they don't. It doesn't matter who they are - Avengers, X-Men, SHIELD, whoever. We're all people, we all have a duty, right and wrong. The Excalibur idea's a good one, but it's not something you shoehorn people in to."

"So how'd they get you in?"

"They told me, which was why I gave them all a hard time at first, but I gotta admit, they get the job done."

"Do you?"

"Oh yeah," said Walker and he kissed his girl. He didn't know where the relationship was going, but he knew she brought out something in him he'd not felt in a long time. The ability to openly care.


"Welcome to America, Miss Anda," said Forge as Nyoko Anda, the lady also known as Honey Lemon, came in to the executive office of the SHIELD building. "I'm Forge, and this is Colonel Bridge. Please, sit down."

"Thank you," she said, sitting in the chair and then the two gentlemen sat down.. "I'm glad I can be of service. It's an honour to serve with the Excalibur project."

"The pleasure's ours," said Bridge. "I'm glad you agreed to join us."

"I'm pleased to be asked," Honey Lemon said. "I've been working with my government since the collapse of Big Hero 6 to create a super hero community in Japan, but the death of the Silver Samurai and the national hero Sunfire has meant that our government has shied away from the idea of state sanctioned heroes."

"What about Wolverine?" asked Forge. "How does he fit in?"

"He is the Emperor's ambassador, and while his activities have not been condemned, he is still his own operative and as the master of the Clan Yashida, he is free to act in the interests of the Clan."

"I see," said Forge. It was interesting to get some clarification on that, as Logan's legal status was something of a grey area, and he'd meant to look in to it on behalf of the X-Men for a while. "Now you are aware of what the project entails?"

"Yes," said Honey Lemon. "Project Excalibur is the United Nations meta-human action team, sanctioned to act on their behalf in certain crises and events that warrant the UN's attention. It's made up of members from different nations so that is an international co-operative. The missions are given as and when required, using the SHIELD systems as a base of operations and information centre."

"That's more or less it," said Bridge. "Our operations are UN sanctioned, and if they're not approved, then we aren't able to go. However there are many hero teams out there..." A panel on the console bleeped and Forge pressed the button.

"Forge... What?! This is getting out of hand, I'll see what we can do. Excalibur is tied up..." He looked at Bridge and gestured to him and GW activated the console on the wall. Hellios, Union Jack, Sabra, Savitar and Darkstar were in Pakistan dealing with some trouble that had flared up. Hauptmann was unavailable according to the German ambassador and USAgent was still recovering from his injuries which just left Bridge and Honey Lemon.

"What's going on?" asked Honey Lemon as Forge came over.

"The U-Foes are attacking the United Nations," said Forge. "There's still issues since the damage done by Doom and they just got through security..."

"This is getting beyond a joke," said Bridge. "It's making us look like amateurs."

"Tell me about it," said Forge. Of all the times for the team to be somewhere else. Armory was still in transit and HERMES was undergoing maintenance. "We'll never get there in time."

"Let us go anyway," said Bridge, remembering that Forge had gotten his knuckles rapped for going on missions and Forge nodded and told them to ready a jet. "Honey Lemon, it's you and me."


The Secretary General watched as the leader of the group paced the floor of the Assembly. He knew he could end this any time he wished, but that would involve revealing himself before he was ready. The signs were not in alignment yet, but it was getting closer. The Sons of the Serpent had made their presnece felt with their plague and other activities. The Serpent Society had reformed and struck at Namor and Doctor Strange and the Serpent Crown had been used again in Atlantis. The portents were all there, it was going to be soon, very soon.

"Something amiss?" he said as he saw the concern on the man's face. He could sense a group of heroes in the building taking out the U-Foes but they were not the Excalibur strike force, whom he knew were in Pakistan. He'd sent them there, after all. Then he saw the man change and he could sense another presence in the room, someone who was obviously pulling the strings from afar. He could relate, and he knew the heroes were getting closer. 

"Finally," he muttered as the New Warriors burst in to the room and the U-Foes surrendered. The Secretary General was as surprised as the New Warriors were it happened, though unlike the Warriors he could knew when a master plan was being put in action when he saw it. As the U-Foes were being led away a SHIELD jet arrived and Bridge and Honey Lemon got out.

"Your attendance is welcome," the Secretary General said, "late as it is."

"Apologies, Mr Secretary," said Bridge. "However it seems the situation is in hand." He looked across to the New Warriors, and remembered reading a report on them that had been posted to Forge by Maverick. 

"None necessary," said the Secretary General, "however security procedures need to be re-evaluated." Bridge nodded and watched as Night Thrasher spoke to the press and the New Warriors went on their way. "Tell Forge I will be speaking to him about it later."

"Yes, sir," said Bridge and looked to Honey Lemon. "Sorry this was a wasted journey."

"Not really," she said with a smile. "We can supervise the taking away of the U-Foes, just in case. Every cloud has a silver lining."

"I like you," said the Secretary General. "You must be the new representative from Japan."

"Yes, sir," she said. "I'm glad to serve."

"Good," he replied. "Very good. Keep an eye on her, Colonel, she's got potential." Bridge nodded and the Secretary General turned away and walked off thinking that something special had come out of the day after all.


Brian Braddock yawned as he waited for his meeting. It was getting quite late and they had kept him waiting quite a while, and Brian was not renowned for his patience. He had learnt to try though and that was something he continued to work at. His wife Meggan was on at him all the time about it, because some things just took time. However that was a more personal thing than political. Brian checked his watch and went to get a coffee and as he poured himself a drink he looked out of the window and noticed something.

Hellios was down there, but surely he was in Pakistan with Rock and the others of Excalibur. It didn't make a great deal of sense and he knew HERMES was offline because Rock had been teleported out and his instructions were to wait for extraction. Something was certainly not right here and Brian picked up a telephone. He needed to check something out and asked for a call to be put in to the European SHIELD office. He needed to speak to Forge.


"Forge," said the SHIELD Director.

"Forge, it's Brian Braddock."

"Brian," said Forge, surprised at the call. "Is this about..."

"No," replied the former Captain Britain. "I'll talk to you about that later. I've just seen Hellios in Brussels and I'm just checking if Excalibur are in Europe."

"No," said Forge. "They're still in Pakistan. The Greeks have a super solider programme and the system makes each soldier look the same. It could be that one of them is over there, for some reason."

"Right," said Brian, his voice uneasy but it was a tone that the Director recognised.

"What's wrong?" asked Forge, becoming concerned. Brian had been a hero for a very long time, and even if he didn't have his powers now, he still had the instincts of Captain Britain.

"I don't know," said Brian. "Something just doesn't sit right. As a recommendation, I'd get HERMES back online, ASAP. I might be wrong, but..."

"Understood," said Forge. "Thanks, Brian."

"No problem," said his friend and hung up and Forge contacted the HERMES team. If Brian was right, then Excalibur were going to be needed in Europe. The first Hellios had been a little unstable, what if another of them had gone that way as well...