Maximum Carnage, Year 2
Issue 16 - "A-Team, part 1"

by Justin Anderson


 

Friday, April 22th. 6:35 PM, Aurora, AR. Eat N' Go restaurant

 Jack and Cletus had decided to hang around. The 2 Agents with them had wanted 
to make sure things were in order anyway, and besides, if they were going to
be living in this state, they might as well memorize as much of it as
they could. They had stopped into a local diner for some dinner. Jack looked
aroun dto see all the stolls and tables filled.

"Oh, man....come on, Cletus...."

"Need a seat?"

Jack looked down to see a man in his mid-fifties, short gray hair, sitting
at one of the tables, alone.

"We couldn't trouble you..."

"No problem. I'm alone here. I could use the company, and I never turn away
someone in need"

Both men sat down in the small wooden seats, scooting up to the small red table.

"Hey....you're the two who trapped that thing at the recycling plant today.
I have to admit, in all I've seen, that was one of the weirdest things I've
ever seen"

"Well, someone as to take care of...."

Ge stopped his sentence short as he recognized the man. How could he not? His
face had been all over the news back in the 1980's.

"Cletus, you know who this man is?"

"I don't have a clue, Jack. Tell me"

"You moron, this is-"

"Allow me. The name's Smith. John 'Hannibal' Smith"

"Whoa....you don't mean... A-Team, 'Hannibal' Smith, do you? Jack.... you'll
have to excuse me, I've been-"

"Yes, I recognized you when you walked in"

Smith lowered his voice.

"Cletus Kasady, the murderer"

"Uhh, yeah, unfortunately"

"Listen, I'm not going to judge you. You're a free man now, and besides, if I 
were to believe what I've heard on the news about you, how could I expect
you to ignore what you may have heard about me?"

"Cletus here probably hasn't heard much. He's been....well, I'll explain it
later. Anyway, I heard all through my childhood about how you were army
fugitives, but you always helped those in need. Then you end up with a presidential
pardon in 1986"

"Well, my reputation proceeds me, but...oh, the waitress. I'll let you order"

The middle-aged waitress walked to the table. Before she could open her
mouth, however, the two NSA agents enetred the building. They walked over
to the table.

"Jack, Cletus....Colonel Smith, Sir.... the General needs to see you, now.
It's very important. Colonel Smith, your presence has been requested as well"

Jack looked at the waitress.

"I'll get your friend a bag for his burger"

The waitress walked off. Hannibal looked around.

"Where are we going?"

"Don't worry. If you were in trouble, they would have arrested you right here.
But you may want to come. If our boss is requesting you, it ptobably concerns 
you"

"Okay. When do we leave?"

"Immediately, Colonel Smith. We'll be driving to a nearby Airport and flying 
into Phoenix"


8:13 PM, Phoenix

 The three men sat in the limo. Agent Johnson sat in his seat, unconcerned 
with the conversation.

"So, you told me how you became involved with the NSA. However, there's still
something you didn't clear up"

"Right. My reformation. Well, you told us the truth about the A-Team, so I think
it's only fair. I warn you, you may not believe it"

"Trust me, I'm going to believe it"

"All right. I was posessed by a demon before I was born. It caused me to be
an insane killer. The symbiote only enhanced the insanity. Until last year.
I was injected with a drug which boosted the immune system. We're not sure
if it was the cause, but we believe it severed the physical link it had to me.
Shortly after, it left me and inhabited the symbiote. I've been sane ever
since being injected, and I've been free of the symbiote almost as long"

"I see. Well, it happens to the best of them"

The black window in the front rolled down. The agent in the front turned around.

"We're in the underground garage. Please follow me.

 The five exited the car. Walking to the elevator, the agent swiped a card.
The doors opened. The three enetred, followed by one agent, the other staying
behind. The elevator doors closed and the car moved up. Stopping, the doors
opened to reveal another agent.

"This way"

The three got out and followed the man. Black suit, brown hair. All these guys
had the same haircut. It bugged Jack. Reaching an office door, the agent opened
it. They entered. General Peterson sat behind the desk. A chair beside the desk 
was turned away, the man in the chair being hidden in the shadows.

"Ahh, gentleman. Colonel Smith. Have a seat. Before we begin, I'd like you to 
meet...."

The chair turned. Hannibal recognized the man. How could he forget?

"STOCKWELL! Jack, Cletus, meet General Hunt Stockwell. The man who got us
our pardon! And he's still a scumbag, it seems"

"Now, Colonel Smith. That's no way to greet an old friend. Not after all I
did for you"

General Peterson stood.

"Now, now.... let's keep the hostilities down. We have important matters to
address"

The three sat, followed by General Peterson falling back into his own chair.

"Now, Jack, Cletus, we were fortunate to find the Colonel so fast. This
concerns him greatly"

"Yes. General Peterson and I have discussed the matter. We considered handling
it ourselves, but we decided to let you in on it. Myself, I would not have
invited these two. In fact, I question why we need them now"

"Keep in mind...."

"Certainly, the CIA needs no-"

"KEEP IN MIND, General Stockwell, I'm running this now. And also keep in mind,
you are a retired General, working for the CIA. I am an active General, 
heading the National Security Agency. And as a result, I outrank you. Therefore,
you do not make a move, you do not think, you do not SNEEZE without my aproval.
Am I clear, Stockwell?"

"Quite. Continue"

General Peterson had known Stockwell for twenty five years. And he had always
hated the man. But for the sake of innocent lives, he could put up with the
man. Besides, he could easily dispose of the man if he felt like it. He turned
back to his team and guest.

"These pictures should explain a few things"

He slid the photos across the desk. Hannibal took them. He knew this man as
well.

"Decker. He chased us for three years. So?"

"Colonel Smith, I imagine you never heard. Decker went insane shortly after
your pardon was issued. He spent the last sixteen years in an asylum. He was
released three weeks ago as he had been listed as cured by his doctors. However,
he has recently been seen rounding up former MP's under his command. We
believe he may not be cured. We also believe he may be gunning for you. We
can't so much ourselves, without compromising our operations. Besides, most
of these men are still in the Army. There's only one choice until they actually
DO anything"

Jack set his copy of the photo down. He looked up.

"And that is...?"

"Simple. The A-Team will be reformed to handle this for now. You will not
be alone. These two are Maximum Carnage. They are one of the best teams we have.
With their help, you should have no trouble"

Hannibal turned to face Jack.

"Jack, is this serious? If it is, do we have a chance?"

"To both questions....yes. Very serious"

General Peterson picked up his phone.

"All right. I'll call in your team"


Saturday, April 23th. 9:42 AM

 He walked down the hall. A long, white hall, covered with photographs of
beautiful women. Some of them former clients, some former girlfriends. This
was his place of business. One he had helped create and expand. One he had 
worked on since 1988. "Faceman Fashions" in the heart of LA. He was 
Templeton Peck, aka "Faceman". Former A-Team member, since retired. He walked
to the door on the end. The one with his name on it. His office. He opened
the door. Inside, he saw two men, neither of which he knew, recognized, or
expected.

"Mr. Peck? We're from Washington"

Face dropped his briefcae.

"Listen, if this is about the pens I took from the IRS over the years, I can..."

"No, Mr. Peck"

The agent pulled out his badge.

"Agent Billows, NSA. Colonel Smith needs you. It's very important"


Saturday, April 23th. 9:46 AM

 The man walked around the grounds, making sure everything was clean and
in order. The children ran around, playing games. If not for him, these
children would have nowhere to go. They would either be stuck indoors, playing
video games, watching mindless cartoons, or one of the few who had to face
abusive households. He felt good about what he did for these children. One
look at him and you'd think he was a man who liked to pick fights. Once,
maybe. But not anymore. He had this place. He ran it so these children would 
have a second home. He was B.A. Baracus, former A-Team member.

 As he walked along, he was blocked by two men in expensive suits. They wore
sunglasses.

"Hey, outta my way, sucka!"

"Pardon the interruption, Sergeant Baracus. We're from the NSA. Colonel
Smith needs you. It is very important"

"Hannibal? If Hannibal needs my help, I'll do it. But I ain't flyin!"

"Oh, of course not. We have orders to travel to Phoenix in your van. The
A-Team van"


Saturday, April 23th. 10:51 AM(9:51 AM Phoenix time)

 He wandered through the kitchen. A kitchen he owned. He made one thing back
here. It was a dream. A pizzeria. He enjoyed his work. Sure, soemtimes he
saw little creatures in the sauce, but he knew deep down they weren't there.
He had been released as being sane, but he knew it was phony. But he was
able to control it. It was worth the effort to keep this place open and stay
manager and owner. "Howlin' Mad Pizza", in the heart of Chicago, would be 
nothing without Howling Mad Murdock at the helm.

A waitress walked back into the kitchen.

"H.M., there's two men up fron, FBI or somethin'. They wanna talk to ya!"

"Oh, okay. Take over here for me"

Murdock sat down the knife, which he had been using to cut the pepperoni stick 
with. He stepped out front to alk with these two men. Customers were light,
thankfully.

"H.M. Murdock?"

"Yeah, sometimes"

"Agent Jacks, NSA. We'd like you to come with us. Colonel Smith needs your
help"

"Hannibal needs me? Oh, okay. Just a minute"

He walked to the back and opened his small office door. His co-manager
sat at the desk.

"Hey, Charlie, I'll need you to keep an eye on the place for a couple
of days. Somethin's come up"

"Sure thing"

 Murdock removed his apron and hung it on the standing coat rack. He took his
familiar leather jacket down. The one with the tiger's face, on the back,
almost faded away. The words "DA NANG" printed under it in faded blue letters.
He had earned it in Vietnam. Slipping it on, he pulled down his brown
ball cap, placing it on his head, covering his thinning hair. He left the office.


Saturday, April 23th. 9:06 AM, Phoenix, AR.

 Jack stood and watched. They were in the parking garage. Under which building,
he didn't know. FBI, maybe. He couldn't believe it- he was going to be working
with the legendary A-Team. He hid his excitement, but he was thrilled. Spider-Man,
Venom, and Captain America were one thing- they were super heroes. But the A-Team.
They were ordinary men. Who were capable of extraordinary things.

 A limo pulled into the parking garage. The door opened, and a man stepped out.
He was mid-forties, but still what you would call "a handsome man". Jack
recognized him. So did Hannibal.

"Face! Nice of you to join us!"

"Hannibal, I was a little busy when these guys came to my office! I hope
this is absolutely important!"

"We'll wait till the rest of the team gets here first. Then I'll fill you
in"

"Cute, Hannibal. Uhh...who are those two?"

"Oh, right..."

Hannibal led Face over to the two men.

"Templeton Peck, meet Jack Arden, and Cletus Kasady"

Face took a few steps back.

"Cletus Kasady? Whoa, Hannibal, he's a serial killer! Don't you read the papers?"

"Come on, Face. He's reformed. He's on our side now. Besides, we may have
no choice but to take their help"

 Templeton paced around the concrete floor. Hannibal had come up with some
real winners in his time, but this about topped them all. Serial killers,
the NSA...what next? He had his answer as the familiar black van pulled into 
the parking area. The side door opened, a big man stepping out. He wore 
enough gold jewelry to buy a house with. Face was slightly relieved.

"Okay, Hannibal, this had better be important! I didn't get dragged out here 
for none of your games!"

"Cool it, B.A. I'll explain as soon as Murdock gets here"

B.A. Turned and walked off.

"The crazy fool. Just what I need"

Another limo drove into the garage. As it parked, the rear door opened and a 
man came bolting out. He ran up to Hannibal.

"HANNNIBALLLL! Great to see you! Faceman! And...oh, yes it is..."

He ran away from the gathering, over to a non-awaiting B.A. Baracus.

"B.A.! I knew the little spacemen weren't lying when they said I'd see you 
again!"

"Get away from me! Crazy man.....oh, all right. Good to see you too, Murdock"

The four men gathered together to talk about old times, and why they were
here. Before they could begin, however, the two Generals stepped out into the 
open. Face looked over.

"Oh, no....Stockwell"

B.A.'s smile disappeared.

"I knew it! I knew you were gettin' us into trouble!"

General Peterson stepped forward.

"Gentleman, please ignore Stockwell. He's only here for his own ego. My name 
is Robert Peterson, General, US Army. I've called you all here"

Hannibal turned to his teammates.

"Decker is out gunning for us. He has a platoon, and weapons. We've been 
alerted in time to, hopefully, stop him before he can get to us"

Face raised a finger into the air, pointing at nothing in particular.

"Now it all makes sense. But why the secrecy?"

Stockwell stepped forward.

"Well, I couldn't very well let this psycho gun down national heroes, could 
I? Besides, it would reflect bad on the Army for vigilantes to act on their 
own within the ranks. However, going to the NSA wasn't my first choice, but 
once I handed it to General Peterson.... it was, unfortunately, taken out of 
my hands by force"

Peterson look away.

".....cocksucker...."

Stockwell looked at him.

"Did you say something?"

"No. Nothing at all. Please, go on"

General Peterson had enjoyed that. And he knew very well Stockwell had heard
him. How could he not? He said it loud enough. He noticed Hannibal crack a smile
as he said it.

"Anyway, you've been given some help on this mission"

Jack and Cletus walked over.

"Jack Arden and Cletus Kasady, NSA. Top agents"

B.A. looked Cletus over. He had heard the stories.

"NO WAY! Murdock's crazy enough. But no way am I working for a serial killer!"

B.A. moved forward, ready to drive his fist into Cletus's face. He was stopped 
in his tracks as two NSA agents pulled their guns right in his face.

"That's enough, B.A.! They're on our side, whether you like it or not"

B.A. moved back. He knew Hannibal was right. Besides, he knew firsthand
that news reports weren't always accurate. General Peterson waved his hand,
the two agents holstering their weapons at the command.

"Now then..... Stockwell will not be running things. I will. I can supply
you with weapons and other supplies, but aside from that, and our best
agents, well, you're on your own until Decker actually does something."

Hannibal looked over.

"Why can't you just take him in now? You know what he's up to"

"I wish it were that simple. Unfortunately, Decker is still a Colonel, despite
his record and recent breakdown. He was never discharged. I can't find a 
reason he was kept in either. Besides, some of those who worked under him
are sympathetic to his cause. They'd even go so far as to ruin their own
military careers. I can't allow innocent people to die over this. And you
will be in good hands. I picked Maximum Carnage for one reason- they stopped
an evil....an unspeakable evil....from destroying us all. They survived it.
They can survive this. You can too"

"Well, that settles it for me. Face, B.A., Murdock, let's go meet our new
allies"

The four walked over to the team. B.A. looked them over suspiciously. Face
tried to act high-class, in his usual manner. Murdock stared at Cletus.

"What?"

"I knew it....."

Hannibal had noticed it too. Jack had just caught on.

"Cletus....you have a similar voice. To Murdock, I mean"

"Yes...Captain, he's also only a couple of inches taller than you, and has
roughly the same build"

"I KNEW IT! Cletus, we're gonna get along just fine. We have so much we can
talk about. Hallucinations, medical care...."

B.A. shook his head.

"Wonderful. Two crazy fools....."

Jack turned as he heard a noise. It was another car. A small silver Mercury
Tracer this time. His car.

"Oh, yes. Jack, I saw fit to have your car driven here. I figured you might
need it"

Jack stared in disbelief.

"Could come in useful...."

 A trunk popped open on a nearby limo. Inside was a complement of guns, ammunition,
grenades, and other supplies. Hannibal sorted through the mess like a kid
digging through a candy bin. The other A-Team members took weapons of their
own. Cletus grabbed a few clips for his own pistols. Jack grabbed a few
shotgun shells for himself and stuffed them into his chest belts. Hannibal
secured his own gear. General Peterson and Gneeral Stockwell stepped over to the
car. Stockwell opened an envelope.

"This....is where Decker was last known to be. Fort Erikson, an Army training
facility, since retired and abandoned. You will head Northwest on highway 60.
It is about 50 miles from here"

Peterson took a step forward.

"We believe he may have a scout on that road. You will most likely be spotted
and followed. I suggest you take two vehicles, one at a safe distance, ready
to break away from any 'welcoming committee'"

Hannibal looked at the map.

"Okay.....we'll have to split up. Murdock..... you go with Jack. We'll take
Cletus along with us. We can communicate by walkie-talkies. If we do split
up, it could be to our advantage to have at least one from each team on a
rescue mission"

B.A.'s fron turned into a mean growl.

"No way.... Murduck is bad enough, but I ain't lettin' no killer in my van!"

"STOW IT, SERGEANT! Murdock, go with him"

"Yes, Colonel!"

Jack and Murdock walked to the small car. The others piled into the van.
Jack stuffed the sword into the back seat, deciding he wouldn't need it this
time. Before either pulled off, General Peterson walked over to the small 
car, carrying a black back pack.

"Some remote explosives. I figured you may find them useful"

Jack took the bag and sat it in the back. Something like that, you didn't
throw. The two vehicles sped off, moving upward along the garage floors. 
Reaching the surface, they turned onto the street, the small Tracer following
the large GMC custom van.


9:32 AM, highway 60

 Cletus had ignored the stares from B.A. and Face. He had learned to live with
it. He didn't try to deny his past, just live regardless of it. Sometimes
he regretted having himself injected with the immortality drug. He wished
he could blow his own brains out. But the though of what the would would be
like now if he hadn't become the way he was was a stronger reason to keep going
than his past was to stop trying. 

 Hannibal held up the small radio receiver.

"Murdock, we're almost in the area"

 Murdock picked the receiver up. It was a small car, but it had enough room 
for these two. And Jack was taking care of the driving, making sure to stay
a good distance from the van. If a patrol came out of nowhere, he could
break away. Decker probably wouldn't suspect them.

"Roger, Hannibal"

He sat the receiver on the floor. He turned to face Jack.

"So, how long you been at this?"

"Oh, not too long. We just do the stuff that needs to be done"

"Kind of a modern day 'us', I guess"

"Not really. I'd hardly call Maximum Carnage a modern day A-Team by any means"

"Oh.....well, I guess too many A-Teams would be pushing it..."

Jack hadn't heard the crazy man. He was too busy watching the road. More
importantly, what was pulling out onto the road. Dark green cars, complete
with flashing lights. 

"Murdock....we have trouble"

The receiver came to life.

"Murdock. Murdock! Break away! We'll try to out run them!"

He fumbled for the remote as Jack flipped on his turning signal, pulling off
onto another road as a squadron of cars sped past them.

"Just did, Hannibal"

He didn't get a reply. Jack pulled off and parked along the side of the road.

"Murdock, keep in contact with them"

"Right-o, Jack"


 The van was surrounded by the dark green vehicles. Hannibal had out run these
plenty of times. MP's. But it may be harder than usual this time. Too late.
Hannibal heard the gunshots. The van shook out of control as the rear tires were 
blown out. B.A. smallmed the brakes before the van could flip itself over.
The military vehicles all stopped around the van. Their doors opened, soldiers
pouring out, training guns on their target. Ome man in particular had also
stepped out. His face a rock hard grimace, his eyes almost dark. Colonel
Decker. He had waited for this. 

"SMITH! You're sourrounded! Come out quietly, or we'll turn your van into your
final resting place!"

Hanniban considered his options. Not many. Fight, and die. Run, and die. 
Face had grabbed his machine gun. Cletus made him put it down.

"No.... you three will be killed if you try it. Listen....we have outside help.
Murdock's insanuty regardless, Jack is very capable, and we do have the NSA
and CIA on the outside"

Hannibal put out his cigar.

"Kasady's right. We'll all be killed if we don't give up"

He slid the van door open. Decker walked over.

"Glad you made the wise choice, Smith. Too bad you won't live long enough to
enjoy it. Peck, Baracus.....Murdock. I knew you were involved with these
criminals. Okay, men.... Take them away!"

Cletus knew he could easily break free. He could heal from the wounds if he
was shot. But the others would certainly be killed on the spot. And the fact
Decker confused him for Murdock could lead to some interesting possibilites.


 Jack stood beside the driver's door. It had been fifteem minutes. No call,
no nothing. Murdock tried the receiver, but no answer. These things had a
ten mile range, assuming no interference.

"Jack....I think he got the team...."

"We have no choice but to assume they were captured"

Jack took the receiver. Adjusting the frequency dial, he pressed the button.

"Max-Carnage 1, calling Remote Unit Alpha, over..."

"This is Captain Hicks, Remote Unit Alpha...."

"Get the word out to General Peterson..... Colonel John 'Hannibal' Smith,
Sergeant B.A. Baracus, Lieutenant Templeton Peck, and Agent Cletus Kasady
have been captured by Colonel Decker. Captain H.M. Murdock, and I, Agent
Jack Arden, are all that remain"

"Roger. Will get back to you later"

Jack sat the receiver on the hood. He looked over at Murdock.

"Murdock.....it looks like for now....we're Maximum Carnage. And we have
to rescue....the A-Team...."


THE END


Author's Notes: Yeah, the A-Team members should be a lot older than I have them
portrayed, but since when do comics observe proper age? If they did, Batman would
have had a heart attackk long ago. I am also only using the A-Team show for
continuity. I am tossing out anything else, official or not, as I have not
read it.






Notes: Basically set in the Marvel Universe, I will be using a lot of my
own continuity for this series, and generally focus on the main characters.
Appearances by Marvel's universe will be special occurences. Crossovers with
characters/titles from other companies will be treated as "single universe",
not as "2 universes crossing temporarily". I will also try to ignore major
Marvel comic story arcs. Cletus Kasady, Carnage, and other Marvel characters
are copyright Marvel Entertainment Group, Inc. Other characters are either
my creation(copyright myself), or copyright their specific owners if non-
Marvel licensed characters. Characters used without permission/not for
profit. These are strictly fan stories. Permission to reprint extends to
placing this text, unaltered, elsewhere online. It may not be altered,
and especially NOT TO BE SOLD, unless Marvel wishes to license this series
from me.