[centre][h3][b][color=#DB2E2E]THE TORCH[/color][/b][/h3][/centre]

Jim found that he really enjoyed the New Wave genre. The flight over the Atlantic had given him a chance to sample Devo, Depeche Mode, New Order, and more bands. It was quite different then the orchestra music that had played on the radio back in the forties. It was just as Jim was wrapping up the Violator album that he was able to spot land. Jocasta then did the required checking in with British air control, ensuring that they had a straight path to the small Avengers facility located in Brighton, just a little south of London.

The robot lady quickly spoke to the air control, masterfully going through all the required procedures. After a minute they got the go ahead, and the Quinjet sped over British territory. Jim took the air pods out of his ears, as they neared their destination. It wasn’t long before they were passing by London. They then neared Brighton, Jocasta starting to lower the Quinjet on the outskirts of town.

Gracefully landing on a small airstrip, Jocasta turned toward the gathered Avengers, “We’ll only be here for a few minutes. If you want to get out and stretch your legs, you can. Or you could stay in the Quinjet, it’s your choice.”

Jim chose option one, unbuckling himself from the seat. Even though he was an android and one would would think that he didn’t need to do such things, the fact was that Jim was built with the idea of being identical to a human. But that meant that he had the same human weaknesses. So his legs had become stiff on the transcontinental flight.

As Jim stepped off the Quinjet, he spotted some guards positioned outside the building, wearing an MI-13 uniform. Jim had been briefed in the past by Steve on how the Avengers were functioning in the UK. The British government had been less than thrilled with the Avengers taking over the protection duties of the world. So they had MI-13, their own super agency. Basically they just tolerated the Avengers, allowing them a small presence on the British isles, but with MI-13 observers.

Jim had no intention of actually entering the building as he wasn’t even sure if he was allowed to. Instead he strolled up and down the airstrip, his body loosening up as he did so. As he made his way back to the airstrip, a man clad in black exited the building, the MI-13 guards saluting him.

“You’re the Torch right?” said the man in black, “The name is Blade. I think we might have met in World War Two? After all these years it’s hard to remember everyone.”

At the mention of the name Blade, Jim realized who this man was. The vampire who wasn’t really a vampire, the hunter of monsters. The mention of him fighting in World War Two was initially odd to Jim, as Blade appeared to be in his late twenties. But then he remembered that vampires could technically live forever.

[color=#DB2E2E]“Possibly. The whole trauma of that war makes parts of it hazy. So are you working with MI-13 now?”[/color] Jim asked.

“I am. But I’m also an Avenger,” replied Blade, “Cap stationed me here as I’m part of both organizations. I’m basically here to make sure you guys play nice.”

[color=#DB2E2E]“Right. I am actually not sure why we stopped here. I didn’t think that Quinjets need to refuel after only a few hours of flight?”[/color] questioned Jim.

“What, Jocasta didn’t tell you?” chuckled Blade, “You’re here to pick up a fresh recruit.”

[color=#DB2E2E]“Really, I thought that the New York team was full?”[/color] asked Jim.

“Well he was supposed to be in New York, but he seems stuck on working out of Britain. I think Cap hopes that this mission will convince him to be a team player. Maybe ship off back to America with you guys,” explained Blade, “Actually he should be out soon. He has a big sword, you can’t miss him.”

Jim turned back toward the building waiting for the new recruit to appear. Jim wondered just how big a sword that Blade was alluding to, if it was something realistic like a zweihander, or something ridiculously big like out of a video game.

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Reference Images: [hider=Blade][img]https://i.imgur.com/mHD1AEU.png[/img][/hider]