War Machine #22
The Last Stand
This story continues from Force Works #19…
The Avengers and Force Works have been torn apart after a series of murders at Avengers Mansion. Attacked by mysterious foes, the team also had to deal with accusations that Hawkeye was the murderer. However, it was soon determined that Iron Man was the real killer who had framed Hawkeye.[1] Jim Rhodes, aka War Machine, has now come to Force Works headquarters to confront his oldest friend and bring him to justice. Although Tony Stark is shocked to see War Machine’s new Eidolon Warwear he warns Jim that he doesn’t want to have this fight.[2]
Although the Warwear is highly advanced alien technology, Tony has designed a brand new suit of Iron Man armor that can match up against Jim’s new suit. As the two battle it out, War Machine unskins attack drones from his armor to try and catch Tony off guard. However, when Iron Man destroys one of the drones it sends feedback to the Warwear that causes Jim physical pain as result. While War Machine is disorientated, Iron Man tries to pin him under a heavy piece of machinery. Blasting free, Jim demands answers from Tony, who not only refuses to provide any, but doesn’t think he deserves to give any either.
Meanwhile, Century has used his teleportation powers to pull Rachel Carpenter — Spider-Woman’s daughter — to safety. While the little girl is safe, she is concerned about the safety of Amanda Chaney, Force Works’ publicist. Century agrees to go looking for her in the hidden sub-basement they recently found and promises Rachel he’ll be back soon.[3] As the battle between Iron Man and War Machine rages on, Century teleports into the sub-basement beneath the Works. There he is horrified to discover that Amanda Chaney has been murdered.[4] However, when he tries to recover her body he is attacked by Cybermancer, the only member of the team still loyal to Tony Stark since he was outed as a murderer.[5]
A few miles down the road on the Ventura Highway, US Agent and Black Widow are speeding to the scene in the Works Wagon. Along the way they encounter one of War Machine’s attack drones and determine that it has been sent to lead them back to the battle and begin following it.
Back at the Works, Century’s fight with Cybermancer comes to a quick end thanks to the alien’s ability to teleport allows him to ambush his opponent. Noticing that the machines downstairs are now running, Century tries to access PLATO, Force Works’ artificial intelligence to find out what’s going on. He is answered instead by VIRGIL, who informs him that the machines are building up high-band temporal energy, threatening all life on Earth. When Century commands VIRGIL To stop this, the AI informs him that he is unable to comply and that the energies will hit critical mass in a little over 21 hours.
Upstairs, the battle rages on and War Machine considers using lethal force against his friend. However, he is reluctant to do so because there has already been too much death.[6] This gives Iron Man an opening to fire a concentrated energy blast that can cut through War Machine’s armor. Iron Man then orders VIRGIL to use lethal force against anyone who tries to stop his Siege Perilious Protocol before retreating.
That’s when US Agent, the Black Widow, Scarlet Witch, Spider-Woman , and Moonraker all arrive. As War Machine recovers from his injuries, Century comes to the surface with Amanda’s body and reveals to them that she is Iron Man’s latest victim. Worse, he tells them about the doomsday weapon that is ticking away in the basement. After everyone compares notes, the Black Widow decides to get the Avengers up to speed on the east coast. With the Scarlet Witch’s permission, the Widow has Century teleport her and Moonraker to their destination.[7] The Scarlet Witch then leads the remaining heroes into the basement to try and stop the Siege Perilous. Once they get into the basement they are suddenly attacker by VIRGIL who has created a small army of hard light duplicates to prevent them from shutting down the doomsday weapon!
… This story continues in Iron Man #324.
Recurring Characters
War Machine, Iron Man, Force Works (Scarlet Witch, Spider-Woman, US Agent, Century, Moonraker), Cybermancer, VIRGIL, Rachel Carpenter, Fisher Todd, Amanda Chaney (corpse)
Continuity Notes
At the time of this story someone murdered Yellowjacket and Marilla by a traitor within the Avengers, as seen in Avengers: The Crossing #1. Hawkeye was framed for the killings in Force Works #17. As we learned in Iron Man #323, the real killer is actually Iron Man, who is being manipulated by what appeasers to be Kang the Conqueror. In reality, this is later revealed to be Immortus in disguise and part of plot to manipulate the destiny of the Avengers, as explained in Avengers Forever #8.
Mentioned is made to how Jim lost his original War Machine armor. Jim lost his original War Machine armor in War Machine #15-17 during a trip through time. The suit will be found by Parnell Jacobs and will resurface in Iron Man (vol. 3) #11-12 and 18-20. Since then, Jim obtained the Warwear in War Machine #18-19, but has decided to keep his new identity a secret for the time being.
Century recounts how US Agent uncovered this previously unknown sub-basement during their battle with the Broker. This took place in Force Works #15.
Amanda was killed by Iron Man in Force Works #19. This was because she uncovered that Tony had Suzie Endo replaced with a future version, placing the present day Endo in cryogenic suspension. Cybermancer joined the team in Force Works #17 posing as her counterpart.
It is stated here that Century just recently returned to Force Works. He took a leave of absence in Force Works #16 to learn his true origins, as seen in Century: Distant Son #1. He just returned in Force Works #19.
War Machine is grappling with the idea of taking a life again because he swore off killing in War Machine #7.
The Black Widow wants to bring Moonraker to the Avengers because he has revealed that Mantis has sided with Kang, the apparent mastermind behind all of this. Moonraker also alleges to be Gustav Brandt, aka Libra, and the father to Mantis. This revelation was made in Force Works #18. This is all actually a lie, as revealed in Avengers Forever #8. Moonraker and Mantis are actually Space Phantoms in disguise as part of a grand scheme to manipulate the Avengers destiny.
The Crossing Reading Order
Avengers #390, Iron Man #319, Avengers: The Crossing #1, Force Works #16, Iron Man #320, Avengers #391, Iron Man #321, Force Works #17, Avengers #392, War Machine #20, Iron Man #322, Force Works #18, War Machine #21, Iron Man #323, Avengers #393, Force Works #19, War Machine #22, Iron Man #324, Force Works #20, War Machine #23, Avengers #394, Avengers: Timeslide #1, Iron Man #325, Avengers #395, Age of Innocence: The Rebirth of Iron Man #1