Ultimate Alliance: China - Part I

Jimmy Woo, Agent of SHIELD, shot his cuff-links as he stepped from the plane, it had been a long time since he stepped on Chinese soil, and the grim memories of his last days in the FBI and tangling with the Yellow Claw were not fond ones. Although the mainland was a distance away from Honk Kong International Airport, the spectre of Beijing's increasing control could be felt in the number of sharp-suited "escorts" that were awaiting the lone agent of SHIELD. In fact, the only person in the vicinity not wearing the kind of hard-wearing yet well-fitted suit favoured by intelligence workers the world over was in a garish and anachronistic silk affair, he was the man Agent Woo was here to meet, and his code-name was Accomplished Perfect Physician. 

After a brief and formal greeting, Jimmy Woo and Accomplished Perfect Physician were quickly whisked by town car to a government building looking out upon Hong Kong from such a height, the streets looked clean and well-ordered. Tea was served in the traditional style and Jimmy Woo waited a full five minutes silently before speaking. 

"I thank the Government of the People's Republic for allowing my visit and hearing my request," Woo reached for his holographic projector but was stopped by a wave from Accomplished Perfect Physician. 

"That won't be necessary, Agent Woo," Accomplished Perfect Physician sidestepped any response, "I am here on behalf of the People's Government to inform you that they are already aware of this, so called 'Annihilation Wave' your superiors are concerned about and do not require outside assistance." 

"You don't require outside assistance," Woo's professional approach slipped for a moment, "for a world-ending threat?" Accomplished Perfect Physician shook his head and Jimmy Woo practically had to pick his jaw up off the floor. 

"It is the opinion of my government," Accomplished Perfect Physician continued, "that our own extra-normal assets shall be more than adequate to meet the threat." 

"Really?" Jimmy Wood had to suppress a smile, "Because my intelligence indicates that you can count your active 'extra-normals' on one hand." He was rewarded by a mighty twitch on Accomplished Perfect Physician's face. 

"Whilst it is true we are short a couple of our operatives..." 

"Short?" Jimmy Woo wasn't going to let up now that he had the Chinese representative on the back foot, "It is known to SHIELD that only two of The Great Ten, yourself and Thundermind, are combat-ready after Black Adam's attack on Oolong Island. Crimson Dynamo is serving a stint on The Raft and Radioactive Man is currently in the Thunderbolts. You're scrambling reserve members of The Great Ten, but Yeti being cleared is unlikely and The Collective Man are pushing fifty. Anything I missed?" 

Accomplished Perfect Physician was quiet a moment, contemplating the braggadocio of the young SHIELD Agent in front of him. With a barely perceptible flick of his head, Accomplished Perfect Physician tapped his ear and slid his eyes towards the door. Understanding, Jimmy Woo flicked a hidden switch on his watch and waited for a light to come on before continuing to talk. 

"That should buy us five minutes of privacy," Woo was accustomed to having to cover for 'real talk' on such missions, "what's actually happening here?" 

Accomplished Perfect Physician quickly explained the panic that the Central Government was in with continued unrest in Hong Kong and the loss of most of their superhuman assets; despite the huge population of China, comparatively few super-powered individuals appeared, especially when compared to the United States. A few "masked vigilante" types, Masked Warrior, Red Dragon and Blackbat operated, but most were based in Hong Kong and had no ties to the Central Government. 

"China needs heroes, Agent Woo," Accomplished Perfect Physician was downcast, "and we're not finding them. That's why I'm here in Hong Kong, we're looking for a hero from the past." 

"Of course," Woo nodded thoughtfully, "Super Inframan."

What mysterious dealings are going on in the Far East? Can Agent Jimmy Woo entice the People's Republic to stand with the rest of the world against the Annihilation Wave? Who will survive and what will be left of them? Tune in next time to find out, true believer!