Forge sighed as he waited outside the office of the United Nations Security Council. They'd asked for him by name and he was a more than a little perturbed by the summoning. It was true that he had worked for the US Government in the past, as a weapons maker and later as government liaison to the X-Factor team, of which he was also an active member.

He'd been more than a little surprised when Emil Wharton and Val Cooper had arrived at the Aerie in Dallas and told him that he was going to the United Nations at the request of the Special Representative to Security Council, activating a clause in his original contract. He wasn't happy but the CSA more or less told him that he had no choice in the matter, so off he went.

Then all hell broke loose, or so it seemed.

Alien invasions, the war in Greece, it was as if the whole planet were in some kind of negative place and Forge had been forced to wait at the UN in the provisional SHIELD headquarters, located in the sub-basement of the building until the alien virus was dealt with and he had offered his advice to the people trying to control the situations.*

* (As seen in TMNT #16 - David)

Now he was waiting again, for the people in the room to be ready for him. Apparently something had come up that impacted on what they wanted to see him about, though he knew instinctively that whatever was going on, he didn't like it.

"Sir?" said one of the SHIELD agents who exited the room. "They're ready for you now." Forge stood and went inside, passing through an antechamber where the SHIELD agent opened the door and Forge continued alone. In the room there were the members of the United Nations Security Council waiting for him, as well as the Secretary General, which Forge considered strange, as he did not usually sit in on these meetings.

"Welcome, Mr Forge," said the President of the Council. "Sorry to keep you waiting."

"That's alright," said Forge, guardedly. "I expect it was something of great importance."

"Yes," said the President. "The information you are about to hear is classified, but you have been given clearance to hear it. We have come to the conclusion that Colonel Nicholas Fury is no longer capable of commanding the Strategic Hazard Intervention, Espionage and Logistics Directorate."

He gave Forge a moment to digest that information, as Fury and SHIELD were synonymous with each other. Forge took it in and gave it a moment's thought and then the President continued.

"This was before we received this from a senior source in the United Kingdom." A file was given to Forge. "This shows that Colonel Fury has committed acts of treason, not only against the United States, but the whole world, using his position in SHIELD to provide the access needed."

"With all due respect, sir," said Forge, "that's impossible. I know Fury and that isn't who he is."

"That was what we would have thought as well," said the American representative, "but it's there in black and white, Forge."

"What does this have to do with me?" asked Forge, getting to the point. His feelings from earlier were right - he didn't like this.

"The world is a changing place," said the Secretary General. "The world is darker, more violent and less tolerant. The United Nations have not acted properly in doing it's part to combat this."

Forge felt unease as the man spoke. He sounded sincere, but smug with it as well and there was something about the man... his mentor, Naze, would have called it 'a voice of darkness' but Forge needed more to go on.

"The main problem we have is tolerance," continued the Secretary General. "Most prominently in the mutant cause. Magneto has a country of mutants at his command and we can see a time coming where they make a stand against us on our track record with mutant rights. Mutant terrorists run riot across the world and these are a minority of the global mutant percentage."

"Again," interrupted Forge, "with all due respect, I know this, but it doesn't answer my question."

"X-Force were Colonel Fury's attempt to show that we accepted mutants in the world," said the President, "and his idea was sound, if the reasoning behind it is now in question. We feel we need to make a bigger statement. We want you to be the next Director of SHIELD."

Forge felt as if someone had punched him in the stomach. He had not been expecting that.

"Me?" said Forge. "Surely there are others..."

"With all due respect," said the Secretary General, echoing Forge's own words, "there are not. You are a mutant of great skill and service to his country as a solider and a politician." Inwardly Forge winced at that. "You have the experience and dedication needed to reshape SHIELD, and more than that, show the world that mutants are here to stay and that the United Nations is leading by example."

"I'm not entirely comfortable being the poster boy for mutant rights," said Forge.

"Someone has to be," said the President. "For everything that Magneto has done in the past years, nobody trusts him and he's the only face so far. Your connections as SHIELD Director will also aid your other colleagues. We are more than aware of your links to the X-Men."

"I see," said Forge, feeling more and more trapped by the moment. He couldn't refuse what he was being 'given'. "What about the Colonel?"

"Fury," sighed the President. "Your first order is to take him in to custody, assuming he survives the conflict in Greece."

"When he gets back?" asked Forge, unsure of how he would get to Greece so quickly.

"No," said the President. "You'll be heading there now, using the HERMES teleportation system."

"I thought that was still experimental," said Forge, his techno-curious side coming through. He still kept up to date with what was going on and he had been part of the team designing HERMES in the initial stages.

"Let's say that's no longer an issue," said the Secretary General. "Do you accept the position?"

"Yes," said Forge. "I do."

It was about an hour or so later when he arrived on the Helicarrier. The senior agents were not overly enthused about this, but that wasn't the point. He was in charge now, and the uniform felt heavy about him, but they all had a job to do. The vessel was in a state due to the events in Greece and they had lost much. He made the preparations and waited for the heroes to return and in a short while they did, as a medical team headed down to the HERMES ignition chamber.

Forge sighed and gathered several agents to accompany him and they went down to the chamber. The first person who noticed he was there was someone he knew.

"Forge?" David North, known as Maverick, or Christoph Nord, the de facto leader of X-Force with Pete Wisdom dead. The look in his eyes was one of sheer surprise to see him.

"Been a while, North," said Forge his voice tinged with sadness. "And I wish we could do this at some other time." He looked at the medics attending to Fury. "Is he awake?"

"Yes, sir," said one of them and Forge walked over, dreading what he had to do now.

"Colonel Nicholas Fury, I am placing you under arrest. The charges are treason, conspiring to pervert the course of justice, co-operating in a terrorist plot and attempted murder." Fury's jaw dropped and he had no reply such was his horror at what had just happened. Forge sympathised

"What?" demanded both George Washington Bridge and Maverick at the same time, but for different reasons. The file had shown that X-Force knew about the charges, but Bridge was obviously unaware of what was going on. This was no way to find out.

"We have evidence to support these charges," said Forge, "though I wish to God I didn't. As of 2200 hours, Fury's directorship was terminated. I am now in command of SHIELD."

"This is preposterous!" said Bridge. "I demand..."

"Leave it," said Maverick, standing in front of Bridge. "Like it or not we can't help him, not like this. Not yet. There's going to be questions asked of all of us."

"Agent North," said Forge, before Bridge could answer. He didn't want X-Force to say any more until he'd spoken with them later. "You and your team are to be checked out in medical bay 2, Excalibur are to report to bay 3. We've a lot of wounded, but your teams need to be treated for exposure to whatever they hit you with to suppress your mutant powers." He looked at the agents in the area. "Escort them please."

X-Force was led away, leaving them to wonder what kind of showdown there was going to be between Forge and Bridge.

"Now you wanted to say something, Agent Bridge?" said Forge, knowing he needed to assert his authority now as Hauptmann, Savitar, USAgent and Union Jack all stood behind the field leader of Excalibur.

"What kind of stunt are you pulling here, Forge," demanded Bridge, pulling himself up to his full height and towering over Forge, who looked up at him. "These charges... are complete garbage, and you know it."

"No, they're not," said Forge, realising what was going on. He did know except this wasn't what he thought. "Don't tell me - Fury told you there was a traitor in SHIELD and wanted you to keep an eye out for him. To... trust no-one?"

"Something like that," said Bridge. Forge could see the looks on the faces of his people, wondering if Bridge had suspected them. Forge was vaguely aware that they had not been overly receptive to the Excalibur Project.

"Cleverly diverting your attention from him and admitting to it at the same time," said Forge. "You were suckered, GW. Suckered by a man more powerful than you know."

"He's been framed?" said Union Jack.

"There is a possibility," admitted Forge. There was no direct proof, but he didn't like what he'd read

"Then let him go," said Hauptmann.

"But there's no proof," snapped Forge, wanting to let Fury go as much as they did, but there was procedure to follow. "Where as the evidence against Fury is damning."

"Nick, say something," said Bridge.

"Let it go, Bridge," said Fury, quietly. "Tend to your people. This is my problem, not yours."

"Is it true?" said Bridge, but Fury didn't answer. "Tell me!"

"Stand down, Agent!" said Forge, his voice quiet yet commanding. "Don't test me, Bridge, I'm really not in the mood."

"That's a shame because I am," said Bridge, venting his anger and grief on the most convenient target.

"Place Agent Bridge under arrest as well," said Forge, regretfully. "A night in the brig should cool him off some." He looked over to the other members of Excalibur, who were looking lost as to this rapid turn of events. "If you have a problem with this gentlemen, I will remind you that you are all guests on the Helicarrier. I can just as easily leave you in Greece."

"I think the UN would have a problem with that," said USAgent. "We answer to them, not you." This was another test of his new leadership, though Forge. He was having to work hard to keep up, but he knew what to do.

"Then you can call them from Greece," said Forge. "Or you can stay and see to your injured colleagues."

"Colleagues?" asked Union Jack. "Hellios and...?"

"Sabra. She was brought aboard by Darkstar before we... lost her."

"What do you mean 'lost her'?" asked Hauptmann. "How do you lose a blond woman with that kind of power."

"When she's become one with the darkforce she wields," said Forge, thinking that it was an interesting problem and wondering if Xavier's could help out with it. "So you see, I really don't have time for this. Your choice, gentlemen."

"We'll stay," said Savitar. "We've already lost one person today. Maybe we can help get Lanyia back."

"Thank you," said Forge and placed his hand on the brow of his head. It was going to be a long few days, and he had a lot to do. Welcome to SHIELD, he thought. Then he went to draft letters of condolence to the families of the agents who had lost their lives.

"We've all seen the familiar sight of the SHIELD Helicarrier above the American skies, nut a not so familiar face is Forge. He's the latest Director of the organisation and more than that he's also a mutant with the ability to create technological marvels How will he cope with the pressures of such a high profile role and his genetic status. Forge is with us by satellite link, live from the Helicarrier itself. We'll take your calls next on Larry King Live.".

"You're watching CNN." The voice came over the microphone as Forge settled in to the chair in the Director's Office. He was linking live from the Helicarrier to be interviewed by Larry King. This was the first of many interviews over the next few days, as the UN wanted to make a show of a mutant being the next Director of SHIELD.

"We're live with Forge, the Director of SHIELD as well as being a mutant. Forge, welcome."

"Thanks," replied Forge, aware that he was being seen across the United States right now.

"Let's talk about your new role, what does it involve exactly?"

"Well, SHIELD is the Strategic Hazard Intervention, Espionage and Logistics Directorate, which means they go out and prevent global problems, in a way the United Nations can't normally handle. My role as Director is to follow the policy laid down by the UN, to assign missions and ensure that SHIELD is run effectively and efficiently.".

"Sounds like quite a lot of responsibility."

"Yes, it is, though it is something I'm relishing."

"Now, you're also a mutant and - as fare as we know - the first mutant to be such a prolific figure, aside from Magneto. How does that influence your thinking when it comes to the running of SHIELD?"

"It won't," said Forge. "The problem is that most people think that mutants are different to regular people because of their powers, and therefore think and act differently. That's not right. I'll be running SHIELD with my mutant powers at the back of my mind, not using them proactively, or using my position to say 'hey, mutant's are cool'. The sad fact is there is a minority out there who are not, and they get a lot of the press."

"Let me go back a few years, to an event in Dallas with the outlaws known as the X-Men, where you were caught on film and they put their case forward. You were prominent in that footage, as were your actions" The screens of the American people were altered to show archive footage, the caption in the lower left corner saying 'Courtesy of National Public Radio'. It showed Forge casting the spell to open the great gate and avenge the deaths of his comrades in Vietnam, then calling in an air strike to cover it up and then it cut to the death of the X-Men at the hands of Forge casting the soul spell to close the gate he had opened and banish the demon known as the Adversary.*

* (All this was seen in the classic Uncanny X-Men #227 as part of the Fall of the Mutants saga - David)

"Now, people might say that this footage shows that you're not the right man to lead such an important agency as SHIELD."

"The first images," replied Forge, "were me as a young man. Reckless, foolish, a lot like many of us who went to war. What I did was foolish and it cost me a great deal to repair what I had done. What it did show was that I am prepared to make sacrifices to protect the world, even at the cost of friends, family, even lovers." His thoughts turned to Storm for a moment and then he went back on with the interview. "It is said that through our mistakes we learn wisdom. I've made a lot of mistakes, and I'm still learning."

"Yet the X-Men didn't die, did they?"

"A higher power restored them," said Forge.

"A higher power?"

"Yes. Someone decided they had done enough to deserve a second chance. I wish we were all that lucky."

"Which brings us to your involvement in the so called X-Tinction Agenda some time later when the X-Men and X-Factor were held by the then Genoshan Government on charges of capital crimes."

"Charges which were never proven, and were decided upon by a corrupt government system, exploiting the people of the country, much as some countries are doing today. The X-Men and X-Factor went to rescue their own people who had been kidnapped from the Xavier Estate. I have no doubt at all that if either team had been sanctioned, then the problems of Genosha would have been solved long ago. I believe that it is high time that the United Nations took an interest in ensuring that such groups have a legitimate role in the world, like the Avengers or even the Fantastic Four. I see my appointment as the first major step towards that."

"So you would advocate the X-Men being given a specific mandate?"

"I believe their current mandate is good enough. To train mutants to protect themselves and other from their powers and to stop mutants who believe that their powers give them the right to do whatever they like and that everyone can live in peace."

"A dream of peace is worth fighting for, but there is a case that the X-Men do more damage than their enemies."

"No, they just get more press than the Avengers."

"Let's go back to SHIELD. How long have you been associated with them?"

"I worked for the Commission for Superhuman Activities during the Dire Wraith invasion, and after that I was an executive consultant to SHIELD and the United Nations in the field of weapons and technological research."

"Is it fair to say that you were instrumental in the Magneto Protocols, the system of defence against Magneto?"

"I worked on the satellite defence system that was designed to create an artificial mesh across the planet and disrupt Magneto's powers within the Earth's atmosphere. We failed in that attempt and it can be argued that by doing that we led to the current situation with Magneto ruling Genosha."

"Do you think that there was another option that might have led to another result?"

"That's not for me to comment on. I worked to the orders of the Security Council at the time. They did what they thought was best."

"What do you feel is the biggest challenge for SHIELD in the next few months?"

"There's a lot to do against global terrorism. There are more dangerous threats than the Arabic fundamentalists, and we have to do our part to stopping them, while the rest of the world does what it can as well. I also feel that SHIELD will have to do a lot of work on the mutant issue before the Magneto situation gets out of hand. A genetic war is the last thing the planet can afford."

"Forge, thank you. We'll be back after these messages." Forge signed off and sighed, hoping that things got easier. The whole issue of Dallas was something he had not been prepared for, and it was something he supposed he ought to get used to looking for. He was public profile now, and that meant that people would be digging for the dirt on him.

"Sir," said a voice and Forge looked up.

"What is it?"

"We're getting a priority call from the secure unit in Havanna. It's under attack."

"Put it through," said Forge. "This is Director Forge, what's the problem?"

"This is Thomas Watson at the Protection Centre. We're under attack by superior forces - a mixture of creatures and men. We need back up."*

* (Check out Marvel Fanfare #26 to see what's going on there - David)

"I can have agents there in... an hour," said Forge, cursing inwardly. The Greece problem has left them understaffed at the moment and they didn't have the manpower at the Helicarrier and would have to get them in from the nearest station. "Can you hold until then?"

"I guess I don't have a choice," said Watson. "Thank you, sir." Watson killed the link and Forge rubbed his head. What else would go wrong today? There came a beep from the console, telling him he had a message, and he looked at his email. It was from the head of personnel.

"You are joking me," said Forge as he read the message and made his way down to the personnel section.

"Hesbrock!" he said as he walked in to the office. "Tell me you used more tact than this?" He held a paper copy of the message in his hand.

"What do you mean?" asked Hesbrock.

"This request for aid from Natasha Romanov."

"Yes, she did excellent work for us in Vegas recently against Hydra. They must be having an off day at the moment to be caught that readily."

"That's not the point," said Forge. "Did you actually tell the British Secret Service that 'we were not in a position to loan Black Widow out to them at this time'?"*

* (Take a look at our new Black Widow series to see what they want her to do - David)

"Well..." said Hesbrock. "It's just that MI6 have never been exactly forthcoming..."

"And if they tell her what you said?"

"They won't do that. And we aren't in a position to loan her out..."

"For God's sake man, she's not property. She's a person, a person who if she finds out is liable to break both your arms. You will not refer not refer to anyone like that again, do I make myself clear?"

"Colonel Fury..."

"Isn't here. I am, Hesbrock and if you don't like that, then perhaps we should consider reassigning you somewhere else." He could the look in Hesbrock's eyes, a look of sheer resentment.

"Yes, sir," he said.

"And you might want to consider taking some leave," said Forge. "To consider things." Forge left it at that and made his way to the medical bays where X-Force were being looked after. There had been developments in the last few hours which related to them.

"Are they clear for duty?" asked Forge when he arrived.

"Yes," said the doctor looking after them. "We've given them a burst of the compound serum we created and it seems to have done the trick. There won't be a problem with their powers under those kind of lights again. The data from the Armory system was very helpful."

"Good," said Forge. The Armory system had been one of the things he had been looking at in the past few hours. Armory was an incredible piece of technology but it had been all but destroyed and the main scientist, Professor Horton, had been killed. That meant they needed a new system and Forge was personally supervising it. He'd already sketched out some ideas and had been tinkering as well, which had enabled them to retrieve the data.

"However," continued the doctor, "it will be a couple of hours before they can use their powers again. An after-effect of the serum, I'm afraid. Miss Pryde is fit as well, she just needs to rest and take it easy for a while. We've given her some powerful antibiotics and she'll recover."

"Okay," said Forge, and looked at the X-Force team, thinking for a moment of how X-Factor used to be. There was a certain similarity here that he liked. "I'll meet you in the X-Force office in ten minutes, ladies and gentlemen. I'm going to check on Bridge and his people."

"Yes sir," said Maverick and the team filed out.

"Sir," said the chief doctor, coming out of a side office and he turned to see him.

"What is it?" said Forge.

"It's Niko Hrisalis. He died a moment or so ago, I was just on my way to tell you." "I see," said Forge. "Thank you." He continued on his way. This would not be the best way to fix things with Bridge, if he was still upset He needed to patch things up between them, because Bridge would be a vital ally in the coming months. Plus he had to tell him about Darkstar.

He entered the brig area a moment or so later. The man was sitting there, his eyes closed as if he were in deep thought

"Bridge," he said, loud enough to wake him if he were asleep.

"Forge," Bridge answered, the disdain in his voice evident. Good start, thought Forge.

"Let him out," he said to the guard, who pressed a button and let the energy bars down, allowing Bridge his freedom. "We got off on the wrong foot," said Forge. "I came to apologise."

"I'll let you know later if I accept it."

"Fair enough. Walk with me, Agent." He nodded to Fury on his way out and Bridge followed. "So you know, I don't like the case against Nick and as soon as I can arrange it, I'm going to get my best people on the job, but after the battle, we've had some serious casualties and we're short-staffed."

"You're going to help him?" said Bridge, warily.

"Of course," said Forge. "He's my friend as well, and has been an ally more than once to both the X-Men and X-Factor. We repay our debts."

"Look," said Bridge. "I don't like this, I'll admit that but I guess we're going to have to work together."

"As long as we both know where we stand," said Forge. "That's the good news. The bad is we lost Hellios."

"Shit," said Bridge and slammed his fist in to a bulkhead. "I lost four people..."

"Two," said Forge. "Sabra's still undergoing emergency treatment, but she'll live. The question is now if she'll walk. And Darkstar... let's just say I have calls in to the top minds on the planet. Henry McCoy, Reed Richards. She's become one with the darkforce, Bridge. We're working on a way of getting her back, because her control is sketchy at best."

"That's something, I suppose," said Bridge. "What happens now?"

"I meet with X-Force and discuss the next move against the Shadow King."

"I want in."

"Not a chance, Bridge. Your involvement in this is already being questioned and I can only keep them off you back for so long. If I were you, I'd go to the rest of Excalibur and see how they are coping and figure out what they do next. The team needs rebuilding."

"As does Armory."

"I know," said Forge, with a smile. "Let's just say that I'm working on that as well." Then he turned around and walked away, leaving Bridge to wonder what he meant. Forge knew he would figure it out and he arrived in the X-Force office where the team were waiting.

"Okay," he said. "First things first - there was no way you could have known what would happen in Greece. All in all it was a good job to get out of there as you did. On the plus side of it all, the Commando's have been defeated and it looks like the Supreme Commando died in the mountain. It's over, so put aside what happened and be glad you're all here. Excalibur is a different story."

"About the traitor," started Maverick and Forge held up his hand.

"That's why we're here," he said. "You've done excellent work since you discovered this and there's a great deal of effort gone in to the evidence. It's clear cut against Fury, but I don't like it and I don't know why. Would someone like to tell me?"

"The Shadow King," said Siryn and Forge nodded slowly.

"I wondered what he'd been up to of late," said the Director and he sighed. "Except that telepathic coercion is a hard defence to mount."

"You believe us?" asked Marcus, because he knew how foolish it sounded. It was almost like a madman's defence that the devil made him do it.

"I've seen the Shadow King in action, first hand," said Forge, closing his eyes. "I know what kind of power he had over people. Terry was one of them, and the X-Men got lucky that time. I also know that the Shadow King ruined Wolverine's reputation as well and the X-Men, well let's just say there's a lot of problems at Xavier's at the moment."

"So what do we do, Forge?" asked Kitty, a pang of guilt that she wasn't with the X-Men to help them flitting through her.

"We try and prove what we can, however I do have a surprise for you all."

"What?" asked Maverick, not sure he wanted any surprises.

"Her name is Jessica Drew," said Forge as he pressed a button on the panel. "Also known as Spider-Woman."

"I thought she was in Madripoor," said Kitty.

"Guess again, Kitty," said Forge.

"A hospital?"

"Yes, where she has been recovering after her escape from the Seychelles fortress of Hydra."

"We know where they are?" said Maverick, in surprise.

"It gets better," said Forge. "She was sharing a cell with Pete Wisdom."

"He's alive?" said Lydia and Kitty at once and then they looked at each other.

"Yes, we think so," said Forge and he told them of what they had learnt from Jessica who was recovering from her injuries. "The proof we need to clear Nick is there. I don't think we can get him his Directorship back, because he's made a few enemies, but we can keep his reputation in tact."

"Works for me," said Maverick. "When do we go?"

"As soon as possible," answered Forge. "It started as an X-Force operation, it ends as an X-Force operation. Now..." Whatever Forge was going to say was forgotten as the alarms sounded and Forge pressed the comm button. "This is Forge, what's going on?"

"Colonel Fury's escaped. He's making a run for it, sir."

"Stop him!"

"On it, sir," came the answer and X-Force went as well, leaving Forge alone in the room.

"How did he escape?" he asked the agent.

"He feigned illness, and when the agent went in he..."

"Knocked him out and made a run for it," said Forge. Unless he missed his guess the Shadow King was active again and he was not happy, and he hoped that they managed to prevent Fury from escaping and he watched the monitors wondering what was going to happen next.

"Bridge to Forge." That was something unexpected, but welcome and Forge hoped he had good news.

"Go ahead, Bridge."

"Fury's going to use the HERMES system. How do I stop him?"

"Type in the commands, exactly as I tell you," said Forge thinking that the HERMES system was the first thing he had altered as soon as he arrived, deleting Fury's codes and entering his own. "1... F... 9... B... B... 5... X... 3... 6... 7... A... Execute." That was the new Director's code and it should shut the system down.

"Code not recognised!" said Bridge.

"I cancelled his codes myself," said Forge. "He couldn't have..." He made some checks, and sure enough it had been Forge's codes that had been sued to access the system. Something was wrong here. "There's nothing we can do! Damn it." Forge closed his eyes, listening to what was happening

"Please, Colonel..." said Maverick's voice and then there was a shot. Forge's eyes opened and then he heard Maverick shout "NO!" then "STOP HIM!" and there was gunfire and explosions.

"What's happening?" said Forge.

"Fury's gone," said Bridge. "If he survived being shot."

"I see," said Forge. Maverick had no choice but to shoot to stop him. That was unfortunate, but maybe they could use it to help Fury later on. "You tried, Colonel. I'll speak to you later."

"Yes, sir," said Bridge. Forge closed the channel and waited for the return of X-Force. Maverick was first back

"What happened?"

"I shot him," said North. "But he teleported out anyway."

"Used his master codes and undid the override system," said Forge and sighed. He didn't want X-Force to know that there was a problem and that Fury may have had an accomplice. "It changes nothing about the case, North."

"If he made it, he's finished," said Maverick.

"Depends on the tapes," said Forge. Security should have something to help. "The mission parameters now have something extra, though." Maverick looked up as the others came in one by one.

"What's the mission now, sir?" he asked and Forge stood up.

"You are to go to the Seychelles. You are to infiltrate and extract both Peter Wisdom and Nicholas Fury from Hydra, by whatever means you deem necessary."

"Yes, sir," said Maverick and Forge left to find Bridge who should have checked in with Excalibur who were looking at a solution to find the missing Darkstar, and Forge had come upon an idea.

By the time he got down to the team they were discussing them.

"Yeah," USAgent was saying and Forge stood in the doorway, waiting and listening. "There's a mutant called Cloak who was able to do so, but I've not heard much from him in years. But it is possible."

"We're going to need help on this one," said Forge.

"What do you suggest?" asked Bridge.

"We visit a doctor, you and I," said Forge. "We'll be in New York shortly, and there's a man in Greenwich."

"What do we do while you're gone?" asked USAgent. "Twiddle our thumbs?"

"No," said Forge. "You gentlemen will be working with Reed Richards on finding a way to protect yourself in the darkforce dimension. If one man can help you, it's Doctor Richards."

"So which Doctor are we visiting?" asked Bridge.

"Doctor Strange." Forge looked at him. "I just hope he's home..." It had been a long day and it was going to be some time before he got any rest. However, that was part of the territory.

He was the Director of SHIELD.