2

In a small room, there was an infant, but around him stood steel walls, and the only door leading outside had just a small window. A young woman was tending to the child.

"Is he meant to replace Soldier Boy?" Stan Edgar asked.

"Yes, even now, he possesses impressive parameters," Vogelbaum replied.

"We need to prepare a place for him. It would be best to remove any unnecessary elements," Stan noted.

"We'll be ready. All we need is to ensure the right dosage gets into Soldier Boy's lungs gas will do the rest, and he'll be out cold. As for Bane, that will be even easier. We'll introduce the active compound in his next injection. He'll be useless, but for the Russians, that will be enough," Vogelbaum said.

"Are you tired of this animal?" Stan asked.

"He's already useless. I've learned enough. Besides, soon he'll be nothing more than a vegetable. And this way, it's just another bargaining chip in the deal," Vogelbaum replied.

"I'll take that into account," Stan nodded.

"So, how do you plan to pull it off?" Vogelbaum inquired.

"It's quite simple. Team Payback set out to uphold peace and justice around the world but encountered unspeakable evil the horrific Russians. And, to our deepest regret, the bravest and most loyal patriots of our nation will fall at their hands," Stan said.

Even knowing the truth, Vogelbaum couldn't help but admire the way he spoke his natural talent for persuasion, his ability to say exactly the right words. That was what made Stan truly terrifying.

**********************

The team had a new mission intervene in the conflict in Nicagua. The evil Soviets had set their sights on taking over the country, and the guardians of peace and order had to put a stop to such lawlessness.

"Yeehaw, fuck yeah!" Powder Keg shouted, holding a machine gun in one hand, already imagining himself mowing down targets. "Now this is a gun!"

"No, this is a gun," Soldier Boy corrected, pointing to a bazooka.

Powder Keg picked it up and handed it to Soldier Boy.

"Oh yeah, now that's the real deal! Reminds me of Normandy. Took out an MG nest back then, burned some Nazi asses real good. Man, I was on fire," Soldier Boy smirked.

CIA Special Agent Mallory heard the shouting and commotion outside. She stormed out of her tent with a grim expression and marched toward the crowd.

Her classified mission here in Nicagua was to fight the Soviets using some very unconventional and highly illegal methods.

She ran through everything in her head. The worst possible team had been sent one lunatic crazier than the next. Fucking Payback.

"So, Powder Keg, ready to light up the Fourth of July?" Soldier Boy grinned, aiming upward.

"Light it up, soldier boy," Powder Keg chuckled.

"Put down the damn launcher," Mallory snapped.

"Look at the kind of cute operatives they send our way," Soldier Boy smirked, already thinking about where to start. "We're just having a little fun."

"The ammo depot is in that direction. You'll blow up the whole damn camp," her voice was cold, devoid of humor. She was already in a foul mood. "Drop it. Now."

Soldier Boy carelessly tossed the MANPADS backward, and Powder Keg caught it.

"I like pushy women," Soldier Boy smirked, throwing out crude, brainless hints. "With a figure like that, you're wasting your time here."

Crimson Countess pressed her lips together in annoyance. The bastard's habits never changed.

"I apologize. I'm sure you're a bit thrown off. Let's start from the beginning," a calm voice cut through the tension.

A man in a strict suit approached the group.

"Officer Grace Mallory. I am Stanford Edgar, representative of Vought-American," he introduced himself.

The team's handler immediately jumped in.

"Explain to me why the hell you dragged this freak show here?" Mallory spat, walking right past Stan without even bothering to shake his hand.

"Vought-American is cooperating with the U.S. in the global fight against communism," Stan replied smoothly. "Eventually, the team is expected to integrate into the military. As a trial run..."

Mallory narrowed her eyes in displeasure.

"A trial run of what?"

"Superheroes in the army, of course. For the first time in decades, with them, we will be stronger than ever," Stan said confidently.

But Mallory barely heard him. One of Payback's clowns had just soared into the sky, and that caught all of her attention.

"Get down, now!" Mallory shouted.

"What's the problem?" Velvet muttered, clearly annoyed.

"The problem is that you're fucking flying over the camp and might give away our position!" Mallory barked.

"She's right, Velvet. No flights without her approval," Stan added in a firm yet composed tone, still working to win over the special agent.

"You've got to be joking. Soldiers? These idiots aren't trained, they have no discipline, and they belong on TV, not the battlefield," Mallory snapped.

"Tell that to Soldier Boy. He's a true hero," Stan smirked.

"I'm not letting this happen," Mallory said firmly.

"I'm sure Director Casey will answer all your questions," Stan said, handing her a letter.

Mallory pursed her lips tightly and took the envelope.

"And please, show us to our tents. Thank you," Stan added with a slight smile.

Boom.

Crash.

A military truck flipped over several times before turning into a heap of metal and fire. As if on cue, everyone turned toward the source of the explosion Bane, standing in the middle of the chaos, laughing hysterically.

"Nice throw!" he declared proudly.

"You idiot," Mallory hissed. "You just destroyed our equipment and drew unnecessary attention!"

This was, without a doubt, the worst day of her life.

"I'll handle it," Stan said calmly, walking toward Bane.

"Bane," Edgar said, stopping in front of the hulking brute. "You're giving me a reason to change my stance on you and take certain measures. And we both know how that ends for you."

Bane lazily cracked his neck and dropped onto the hood of a nearby pickup, crushing it under his weight. The tires burst, and the truck was now beyond repair.

Mallory shook her head, counting to ten in her mind in an attempt to stay calm. What a fucking circus.

The base continued operating as usual, despite Payback's arrival, but watching these "heroes" in action only made her grind her teeth harder.

As she walked through the camp, she noticed Noir and Stan Edgar talking off to the side. For a moment, she found it strange how serious their conversation seemed until an explosion shattered her thoughts.

One.

Then another.

Bullets whizzed through the air, slamming into walls and tearing through bodies. In the chaos, Mallory pressed herself against the nearest cover and crawled toward her soldiers. But panic reigned no one was in control.

And then came the worst part.

The superheroes they had brought with them suddenly turned against their own.

They began using their abilities, slaughtering their own allies.

"Where the hell are you shooting?! Those are our people!" Mallory screamed in rage.

But no one listened.

Soldiers fell one by one. Chaos and sheer stupidity filled the air.