Blue Beetle (1) Checkmate

Wanted

Blue Valley Sewage System

Ace made his way through the Blue Valley sewers. The sludge of waste flowed alongside him as he walked along the path gripping onto the walls of the tunnels. Ace walked down this path his mask causing him to sweat in the humid conditions. His armour was slightly ruined with stains and dents starting to appear. The colours had started to run the red from the 'A' on his mask melting down like ice cream on a hot day. He made it to the end of the path the water plummeting down as it went over the end. Ace continued to walk. He stepped of the edge but didn't fall as he continued to walk until he hit the wall. He felt around the wall dusting of some of the bricks before he pushed one of them in. The brick jolted backwards causing a parting in the wall. The wall fractured open revealing a massive base. Ace walked in the base towering around him. He walked over to where Maxwell Lord was sitting at a giant computer. He had a black cargo trousers, and a black t-shirt with a holster over his right arm. The light form the computer screen covered his face as he looked through news articles about Kord industries. Ace stood behind him as Max continued to flick through the articles.
"I've found the recruits you asked for" Ace stated turning his attention to the computer screen.
"Good" Max stated as he turned off the computer and stood up. He walked over to a table in the lab picking up the gun laying on top of it. "This is a modified AK-47, make sure these recruits get them" Max stated throwing the gun into Ace's hands. Ace caught the gun, checking it out as max picked up the next item. Max picked up a pistol rotating it in his hand before putting it in his holster.
"What about Mr Kord?" Ace asked holding the gun in his hands.
"What about him?" Max asked looking at Ace with a confused look.
"Will he be a problem?" Ace asked looking back at Max.
"Ted no" max laughed. "He ran his uncle's company into the ground, has marital issues and is completely broke. Stopping us from from finding the last relic is the least of his problems" Max stated as he looked at the schematics for Kord labs. Ace nodded as he started to head to the back room. He pushed open a solid metal door opening up into a long driveway. A massive black van stood in the middle of the drive. Ace checked the back of the van, seeing all of the weapons stored neatly into wooden boxes. Ace smiled as he got into the front of the van, placing his gun on the seat to his left. Before Ace could leave Max came to the window of the van. "If Ted for some reason is there, he is not to be killed" Max stated staring at Ace. Ace looked at Max with confusion.
"Why?" Ace asked.
"Because I said so, understand?" Max asked his face stern and defiant. Ace nodded before Max let him drive off into the city. Max returned to computer switching the screen back on. He went into a encrypted folder which had a few pictures in. Max opened one enlarging it onto the screen. The picture was bright and full of joy. In the picture it was a fourth birthday party. At the front was a man a woman and a child. Whereas Jarvis, Dan and a young Maxwell Lord were in the backdrop. The banner Rae hing from side to side of the picture read 'happy fourth birthday Ted'. Maxwell looked at the woman in the picture. "Don't worry Kathrine I'll look after him" Max stated to himself reaching out and touching the picture on the screen.

1992

Ted Kord's fourth birthday

Maxwell stood at the back of the room leaning on the counter that rested behind him. Ted was playing with his newly brought toys on the floor of the living room. Ted's mom, Kathrine, stood watching her child play with his toys while drinking a glass of red wine and taking to her husband, Theodore Kord. Maxwell stared at Katherine with admiration and affection. Dan noticed his longing stares and moved over to speak to Max. He placed his hand on Max's shoulder before he spoke.
"You couldn't be more obvious unless you were literally staring into her eyes" Dan stated with a little chuckles. The comment made Max jump bringing him back to reality. He sighed as he drank the rest of his drink. "Let me give you a little advice. Stop pinning after the girls that aren't available and focus on the ones that are" Dan stated with a smile. Max shook his head and looked down to where Dan was fiddling with his ring.
"Is that what you did?" Max asked nodding towards the ring.
"I married the woman I love and now I have a beautiful son, but yes before I met my wife she was single" Dan joked with a smile.
"I just don't get it, what does Kathrine see in him. He broke, has a dead end job and is no where near as handsome as me" Max pondered. He rested his arms on the counter as Dan patted his back.
"Don't worry you'll find it someday" Dan stated walking back of to talk to Jarvis.

2022

Streets of Blue Valley

Ace pulled down an alleyway near to Kord Industries lab. He parked the van up and moving round to the back. He turned to see his recruits had arrived. Six men walked down the ally towards Ace each dressed in dark clothing. Ace opens the back of the van up travelling the equipment. He handed each of them a body vest, night vision goggles and a modified AK-47. The men put the gear on observing it in all its glory. They clocked their guns ready. Before they went Ace stood on the back of the truck getting their attention.
"Ok you know your orders, retrieve all information about the relic. This is a vital mission that needs to be done discretely. Also if Ted Kord is inside the building he shall not be killed" Ace stated. The recruits looked at him confused. "Any questions?" Ace stated menacingly his eyes squinted as he stared at each recruit. They shook their heads and began to move towards the lab. Ace got back in the van before driving back to the base.