BOOK ONE, CHAPTER 8

Amid the fanfare of a marching band, and with the sky dotted by a host of brightly colored fireworks, the crowd which had gathered at Cape Canaveral for the official launch of Iron Man’s new team were cheerfully ignoring the hot Florida weather as they anticipated the arrival of the super-heroes.

Then, with a flourish, the curtains parted and there they stood: Iron Man at center stage, flanked by Mockingbird and Spider-Woman on the left, Dr. Pym and the former U.S. Agent, now back to his original code name of Super-Patriot, on the right.

There were a few tense seconds where the heroes didn’t quite seem to know what to say or do, until a voice in the crowd rang out above the din, “Look! Up in the sky!”

It was Wonder Man, soaring through the air above before swooping down to the stage, making a perfect landing on his feet.

No sooner had the crowd absorbed this and gone wild when the guest of honor, the new team’s sponsor, entered stage right and the crowd went even wilder. Even among brightly garbed super-heroes, billionaire industrialist Tony Stark knew how to stand out and focus all eyes on him.

(Little did the crowd suspect that Tony Stark and Iron Man were one and the same, and that his loyal lieutenant, James Rhodes, was wearing the Iron Man armor for the occasion.)

Stark took the podium and his deep, authoritative voice boomed out of the public address system. “My friends,” he said, “tonight you are witnessing history in the making. I give you...The All-Mighty!”

At that moment, a giant banner unfurled bearing the new team’s name, The All-Mighty, while two smaller banners below it bore the team’s slogan, “Might Makes Right.” Confetti rained on the stage, the fireworks resumed, the marching band started up again, and Stark adopted a near-messianic pose that would have offended the religious protesters outside the venue even more than they already were by the team’s name.

Once the pomp and circumstance faded away, Stark resumed his speech. “This,” he declared, “is a modern super-hero team for modern times. And so, it is only appropriate for it to be headquartered where it can serve anywhere in the world, at any time. I ask you now to turn your attention to the rocket nearest us.”

With impeccable timing, the nearest rocket on the launch site came to roaring to life and blasted off. The crowd was speechless.

“And now,” said Stark, “if you’ll focus on the giant digital screens, you’ll be able to witness the launch into space of...the Satellite Supreme, from which justice shall be served.”

Television screens all over the world were tuned into the broadcasts of the Satellite Supreme’s sister satellites, as the All-Mighty’s space station separated itself from the rocket and took its place in Earth’s orbit. All but one television screen, which had been smashed by a beer can hurled with tremendous force.

“NUTS TO YA! BUNCHA CRUDHEADS!” snarled Ben Grimm from the Fantastic Four’s living room, as the other three members of what had once been the world’s flagship super-team sat around him stoically, having learned long ago that it was best to let their craggy-skinned teammate’s tantrums run their course. And in this case, they shared their teammate’s anger towards the All-Mighty, and Wonder Man in particular, even if they kept it bottled up.

Finally, Mr. Fantastic broke the silence. “I suppose I had best dispose of Blastaar sooner rather than later. Excuse me for a few minutes.”

Meanwhile, back in Cape Canaveral, the members of the All-Mighty were waving goodbye to their adoring public as matter-transfer technology teleported them up to the Satellite Supreme.

Stark wrapped up his speech. “Sleep comfortably tonight, my friends, knowing that you’re under the full-time protection of the All-Mighty. And thank you for coming. Good night.”

Stark exited stage left to rapturous applause and cheering. Waiting for him was his newly appointed bodyguard – and former lover – Bethany Cabe, who led the security detail escorting Stark to his limousine.

The limousine took off with Bethany as Stark’s only company, their privacy ensured by soundproofing.

“God, what a rush!” huffed a near-breathless Stark. “It’s times like this that I miss drinking most of all, just to bring myself back down to Earth.”

“That’s why I’m here.” said Bethany serenely.

“I can’t thank you enough,” said Stark, “for accepting my offer. A man needs to surround himself with those he trusts most.”

“And part of that trust,” interjected Bethany, “is to listen when they tell you things you don’t want to hear. I still can’t believe you called the team The All-Mighty. It’s like you’re deliberately courting controversy.”

“Visionaries have always been misunderstood in their own time.”

“You’re an educated man, Tony, so I’m sure you know the meaning of the word ‘hubris.’ You really need to chew on that for a while, and...”

Suddenly, a priority alarm built into Stark’s digital watch rang out. “They need me at the Satellite. There’s an alien invasion on the horizon!” At that moment, Stark began to fade away as the teleportation beam claimed him.

“Take care, Tony.” sighed Bethany resignedly.

“I always do.” smiled Stark, and with that, he was gone.