"Hi."
"Hi."
Samantha and Felix, face-to-face. Sort-of. Samantha wasn't looking at him. Her back was to him and she was pretending to look out of the glass dome. In the background, Luke was making a barbecue.
"Today's our last day here," Felix said slowly. "The details for everything in the deal have finalized."
Including the secret batch of Vibranium she would be sending directly to him. Over a thousand pounds of it coming in ten pound intervals through a secret channel the Kenyans and Wakandans devised. What was the secret channel?
The United States Postal Service. Apparently, the Kenyans and Wakandans had a guy (or more specifically, a whole post) under their thumb. They didn't use it often, only when they wanted to negotiate with Americans. Even a pound of Vibranium was valuable.
For Felix, however, it was different. This wasn't a sign with a letter or to show authenticity. Ororo was giving him Vibranium and explained the thousand pounds would come in one hundred packages delivered over seven days. All she needed was an address.
Daxter Labs had three different mailing addresses. All of them were ghost addresses and connected to dead or MIA people. Through a special disability request, regardless of what it was, he was able to then get the items in these fake addresses sent to him.
It was fool-proof. It was done.
"Ahem." Samantha, still not looking. "Okay, understood. A ship should be coming in some hours. Do you need a day or…?"
"Oh, no, no. Let's go now," Felix said. "By the way, is Stark coming with us or…?"
"Anthony Stark left yesterday with his own boat."
"We don't think Ororo knows," Rogue chimed in. She was lying on the bed, legs raised and hands holding up her cheeks.
"Will Ororo be pissed?"
"Definitely."
"It is strange that he left so early," Monica remarked. "And how the boat even got here. This island is VERY well-hidden and protected extensively by the Kenyan military. You try coming in and they'll blow you to smithereens."
"Indeed." Carol was behind him, arms under her bust. "I once aided the Kenyan navy force. This isn't public information but we believe that the Kenyans have now attained the fourth most powerful Navy Force."
"First is us, the Americans," Monica listed off, "second is China, third is Russia, and fourth is Kenya. Kenya lives along a coast, so unlike the landlocked Wakanda, they have good reason to build their navy. In some ways, the Kenyan Navy is a branch of the Wakandan Navy."
Felix nodded along while thinking in his head. 'So Stark planned to steal the Plutonium nuclear power cores from the beginning. Why though? Maybe because JARVIS is gone? He needs something else?'
The Plutonium…
Gwen Stacy and the Sheath…
One visit and suddenly everything changed.
"Food's ready!" Luke announced.
Felix nodded and turned to eat. He just…he just needed to get home. All this chaos, all this—
Boing.
"Apologies."
He bumped into Carol, bouncing off her round, bouncy breasts. Yeah, no, he couldn't focus here. He just couldn't.
***
They were waiting for the yacht to arrive. Felix wasn't waiting just for the boat but for his clothes too. Same with Luke. Especially Luke.
"Need to get off this damn island," Luke grumbled.
'Same, man, same. My balls are starting to get itchy.'
At least it was an interesting experience, right? Yeah, let's go with that.
"I will miss you dearly."
This whole time, Ororo had been clinging to him. Boobs to his arms, head leaning on his shoulder. Luke cast judgement look after judgemental look. Not on the princess but Felix. He had some pretty strong opinions on the princess. Some of them good, most of them not.
The yacht was coming into view. Ororo nuzzled into him more. Funnily, Felix and the Defenders weren't the only ones here. After some heavy negotiations regarding pension, half of Ororo's harem decided to bail.
The yacht docked down and set down the bridge for everyone to come on. Before Felix, the Defenders, or the leaving harem members left, Ororo waved for their attention.
"You have all been delightful guests." There it was, the regal tone of a monarch. Hands behind her, her smile was glorious, a tinge solemn, and terribly sad. "I will miss all of you."
Ororo went on to hug everyone one by one, even the Defenders. Luke was a bit awkward about it, patting her on the back. Carol and Samantha were stiff customers. Monica was happy about it.
Felix was the last to hug and she squeezed the life out of him. "I will miss you especially, Felix. Come visit soon—or I will visit you myself."
Felix smiled, hands on her hips, foreheads touching. They almost kissed. "I think that suits us both better. I like this place but…" He looked up at the sky and then the rest of the island. "It's a bit much."
"Oh, come now. You enjoyed it."
"Just a little."
"Yo, any room for me?"
Ororo turned and softened. "Ah, Hobie. My third favourite. You are leaving?"
"I was planning to leave anyway," Hobie said. "I do appreciate what you did for me. Finding me an ID and all that, you took a gamble on me. I appreciate that, ma'am."
"I like your funny voice," Ororo said like it wasn't a joke. It was, but when she was like this, all regal and fine, it was difficult to tell. "And you were wonderfully attentive. I will miss you."
One last hug. Hobie was surprisingly intimate about it.
It was time to get on the yacht. Felix waved at Ororo as the yacht began to depart from the island. Lamu Island, located in the Indian Ocean and with so much history that it took Felix's genius mind a while to grasp it all. Some centuries ago, it was a place of the old people of the region and migrants travelling by ship. A port where foreigners and traders from Arabia, Africa, India, and China met up.
Nyota Cove, the Castle, and the Echo Chamber Cave—Felix Faeth would not forget any of it. Never.
Ororo waved and waved, nude and free as she always proclaimed to be, until she was little more than a speck.
"So…clothes?" Luke asked.
"I'll ask the attendant," said Carol, covering her breasts now. It was like she was suddenly becoming shy after a week of unabashed, soldiered exposure. Monica, Rogue, and even Samantha joined her. That left Felix with Hobie and Luke.
Casually, without getting Luke's notice, Hobie leaned over and whispered, "Your friend is here, by the way."
"M'Baku?"
"Mhm. Go meet 'im in the storage area. He'll be coddled up there. He's freezing his balls off though." Hobie put his arms on the railing and glanced at Luke. "So, hey, how was it, man?"
Luke grimaced. "Walking around naked?"
"Yeah, bruv! C'mon, it wasn't that bad, was it?"
"It WAS that bad."
"Naaah, you're exaggerating. You got used to it."
"No fucking way, man. You gotta have the willpower of god to go there." Luke clicked his tongue. "Imagine your girl going there. Shit's fucked."
"Eh, it's mostly celebrities and other big shites. Don't expect your friendly neighbourhood Jane to go there."
"What about that eight-foot guy? He's like if Scottie Pippen and Shaq came together to make an even bigger guy. Genetics, man. Shit is just unfair." A pause. "I do wonder how much he can bench press…"
"With that height and weight," Felix said, "I'd estimate he's world champion level. At least a thousand pounds."
"At least," Luke concurred.
"Oh, yeah, ain't Cap here? She could benchpress more, right bruv?"
"Definitely," Luke said immediately. "I saw her work out on the island. She put one fucking ton on each side. Each side! So like two-thousand two-hundred pounds for a bench press—and that's for casual reps! Casual! She said they don't have the equipment to push her to her limits."
"Damn, big tits and big biceps." Hobie chuckled. "Crazy."
Luke gave him a look. "I meant it as a fellow bodybuilder, not a—"
"Gooner? So, wait," Hobie laughed a little, "swear to god you say you won't jack off to her tonight?"
"Can we please stop having this conversation?"
"Okay, not god, your mother. Swear on your mother."
"..."
Hobie was THAT out of pocket friend. Who said shit and asked stuff that the others wouldn't. Luke just hung his head and groaned. "I'm not answering."
"So you would. See? I gotcha."
Felix barely suppressed a laugh. "Sounds like it wasn't that bad, huh? I thought it was alright."
Like they were suddenly one person, Hobie and Luke turned to him, glanced down, and with the limiest grimace said:
"Dude. You don't count."
"Like at all."
***
When Hobie said the storage area, he was a bit vague about it. In actuality, on the yacht, there were two storages: one for luggage, tight and with zero space, and one for beers, water bottles, and other supplies that were better off in the cold. Sealed behind small vault that was half a person's size, it had no key and was only capable of being opened on one side.
Once Felix was alone—which wasn't too hard by turning invisible, he quietly opened the vault and snuck in. Cold food storage requirement was 40°F (4.5°C) or less. Walking in, Felix should have felt the cold, except he didn't since he was resistant to temperature changes.
"Hello?"
"You."
From behind the largest fridge, M'Baku peeked out. Felix relaxed.
"Hey, good to see you. I hope this place isn't causing issues."
"You were right."
"About Hobie? Yeah, I know."
"He could…turn me invisible. Somehow."
"I know. He's, well…it's complicated but he can do stuff like that."
M'Baku stared at him, then moved out behind the fridge. "I owe you my life."
Felix looked away. "Uh, okay. Here's a blanket. Cover up." Felix held it out and M'Baku took it. He tied it around his waist.
"I want to get you clothes but…dude, you're like eight feet, there's literally nothing that fits you."
"I know."
"And we just got off a nude island and this yacht is specially to take clothes away."
"I understand."
"It's going to be hard to get off of here and this yacht probably goes around the world to pick up Ororo's guests…" Felix crossed his arms and started thinking. "I…have a friend that might be able to help. Key word: might."
"...thank you."
"No need, no need." Felix furrowed his brows, focusing. "Ororo's harem is finished but the whole nude island thing isn't. So we can't just knock out the captain and take control of the yacht. It'll be too much trouble."
'The Plutonium, the Vibranium, and even M'Baku. On the day I visit, all this shit happens to her. She'll definitely suspect me but I purposely did what I did to her so that she'll be conflicted. Even if she WANTS to convict me, she can't. Moreover…'
He looked up at M'Baku.
'There's a much better person for her to suspect: M'Baku and Stark himself, who left the island early. Honestly, I can't believe how lucky I am that he did that. Ororo has no idea when M'Baku left and she saw me leave, so she'll likely—no, most definitely turn her attention to Stark.'
It was a gamble. Ororo might put him on the suspect list, but due to her feelings for Felix and Stark's infinitely more suspect actions, he wouldn't be at the top of the suspect list. No, Felix would be an innocent coincidence in her biased view.
"Yeah, I'll have to have my guy pick you up. You'll get you a new identity, a new apartment and city and everything."
"I…still don't understand why you're doing all this."
'Because I'm Spider-Man.'
"Because it's the right thing to do."
"I…do not know what to do after this. You said I can get a new identity in America but my home is Wakanda."
"Do you want to go back?"
"...no. I spoke my message. I did what I did. I…I have had enough."
"So what do you want to do?"
With the vault slightly opened, warmth seeped in. M'Baku opened his mouth, closed it, and looked down.
"I don't know. I just…want to live alone. I want to be in peace. I want to be at peace."
"Then do that." In normal circumstances, Felix would put a hand on his shoulder but the giant was a giant for a reason. He made a six-foot guy feel short. "You'll have to stay here for a couple days. I'll sneak in to give food."
"I'll be fine," M'Baku said. "I can fast for a week."
"That's starving, not fasting. Don't worry, it's not a big deal." Felix gave a thumbs-up. "I got this."
M'Baku lowered his head in thanks. Words weren't enough to express his gratitude.
***
Carol and Monica stood outside his door. At long last, his gaze didn't have to wander because of Carol's…assets.
Monica flashed him a smile. "You know we could have gotten it for you."
Felix decided to get some chocolate ice cream. It was a nice stimulant for his brain and the Symbiote. "I don't really like treating you guys like servants. Thanks, by the way, for guarding my remove."
A nod from Carol. The blonde opened the door and let him in. Felix licked his ice cream and went to his bed, the door closing and locking behind him. Carol and Monica stayed outside. Felix was alone. Felix licked the ice cream and then spoke in his head.
'Herbie, Symbiote, are you two here?'
'AFFIRMATIVE.'
'We areeee.'
His phone was somewhere on the boat. Unfortunately, even though their clothes were returned, their phones were not. They had the SIMs and batteries disabled in order to prevent tracking. Felix had taken precautions, however, and the phone did not need a batter nor a SIM to function.
'First off—M'Baku. Can you text Aaron Davis? Tell him about our circumstances. Be sure to sound like me. We need a new ID, new apartment, some money, everything. He's the only guy I trust and the only one with the expertise to do it.'
'UNDERSTOOD.'
Already done with the cream, he went on to bite on the cone.
'With this deal in place, I won't be famous but I also won't be anonymous. I'll need new identities. New masks. Either through your powers, Symbiote, or via technology, Herbie.'
'What…do you mean?'
'Have you ever seen Mission Impossible?'
'No.'
'YES.'
Felix smiled. There was a television screen in his room and WIFI. 'Let me show you what I'm talking about, Symbiote.'
***
Rio Morales giggled.
"A pool...! I can't remember the last time I dipped into a pool!"
The young-looking middle-aged woman padded barefoot down the marble hallway, still dripping from the pool, her towel slung over one shoulder and her curls damp and frizzy from the chlorine. The mansion was quiet.
She was a working class. She was someone that had never had the luxury to dip her toes in private pools or anything of that sort. Not until today. She didn't have a bikini, so she had to stick to panties and a bra, but Felix ordered dozens of those for her so it was okay. She hummed to herself, low and lazy, until—
CRASH.
An explosion. Tremors. Glass and quite nearby.
Rio froze. Her towel slid from her shoulder and hit the floor with a soft whump. She looked upward, heart picking up. That happened on the third floor. "What should I...?" Rio contemplated running away or running toward it. After some seconds, she decided to run toward it.
The door was already cracked open, which was wrong. Felix locked everything.
She pushed it wider and stepped inside.
Her wet feet stuck for a second to the tile, then peeled up with a soft slap. The room smelled like antiseptic and salt water. And something else—something sharp.
Then she saw it, the cryo chamber.
The only one in the room and it was wrecked. Shattered from the inside. Glass everywhere. Liquid still draining from the base in slow drips. The door was also broken. Very broken. "It's like a bomb went off here," Rio murmured.
In the middle of the mess was a woman—soaked, shivering, blonde hair hanging in her face. She was on all fours, gasping, trying to breathe like she hadn't done it in a while.
Rio blinked rapidly. Her pre-med instincts kicked in. "Oh my goodness."
The woman looked up. Pale, glassy-eyed. Confused and vaguely injured. Her skin was abnormally veiny.
Rio slowly approached, hands raised. Something happened here and she wasn't about to risk her life in case this woman was responsible for it. "Hey. Hi. Don't freak out, please—don't stand yet. You're okay. I'm, well, I'm in med-school, I can help." She wasn't technically in med-school but it was the only thing she thought would bring comfort to this random woman. A woman, Rio realized, she recognized.
The blonde's mouth opened, like she wanted to say something, but she was too busy trying not to pass out.
Rio crouched next to her, careful not to kneel on the glass. "You were in that tank. That was you, right? Don't worry, you're okay."
Rio slipped an arm around the woman's back, helping her sit up straighter. "Are your muscles tense? Straining? Can you move? Or get up? Anything?"
The woman coughed, deep and wet, chest heaving. She looked like she was trying to make sense of her own body. The veins on her white skin bulged. Somehow, it didn't look as terrible as it sounded, although undoubtedly unhealthy.
"I…I can move. A little."
There were some burn marks left on her arm. They were pretty bad. Apparently, from Rio's brief understanding, she was struck by a ludicrous amount of radiation. "Gosh, you're lucky." Rio's smile grew. "You're alive. You're okay. Felix really is something…"
The woman squinted at her. "Felix?"
"Yeah. Felix Faeth. Y-you probably—I-I guess definitely don't remember but he saved you."
"I don't… know that name."
"That's okay, that's okay." Rio tried to soothe her. "I...I knew it! I do recognize you! You're—you're Sue Storm! Oh my goodness, I saw you on TV getting...." Blasted apart from a Gamma Ray Breath. "But you're alive! Oh goodness! That's great!"
No response.
Sue's fingers curled against the floor. She blinked a few times. Then looked straight at Rio.
"Sue Storm? That's not…me, is it?"