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"Release me! The Avenging Son does not require your aid!" Namor the Sub- Mariner says as he pulls away from the attending paramedics.
"But Mr. Namor," one of the paramedics says, "you took quite a beating."
"Nonsense! I was taken by surpise. Perhaps I underestimated the ability of my foes. But I cannot waste time here. Those three villains represent an incredible threat if they are working together. I must put a stop to their nefarious plans before they can start."
Not waiting for further reply, Namor streaks into the air. "I'm afraid my appointment with Dr. Newell will have to wait. The launching of his new Hydrobase pales in importance to this new situation."
The Pacific Coast, near San Diego.
"There it is. Hydrobase II. The key to ruling the world."
The Titanium Man turns to face his two allies, the Crimson Dynamo (his son), and the Radioactive Man. As they look out over the bay where Hydrobase II awaits its launch, they prepare to enact the Titanium Man's master plan.
"Are you certain your plan is sound?" Radioactive Man asks.
"You dare question my father?" Crimson Dynamo snarls.
"At ease, my son," Titanium Man warns. "Remember, the Radioactive Man is our partner, not our lackey. He has the right to express his concerns. But I assure you, Dr. Lu, that my plan is foolproof. And once Hydrobase II is ours, your expertise in radiation will ensure that the world will soon be firmly in our control."
"You do not fear the so-called heroes of this world?" Radioactive Man asks. "The Avengers? The Defenders?"
"They will not be able to stand up to our might," Titanium Man states confidently. "You saw how easily the Sub-Mariner fell before us (last issue - Sub-Matthew). Individually, they are insignificant. Together... they could be a potential problem. But not to worry. I have a way to keep them from interfering until it is too late."
Prince Namor soars through the skies over San Francisco, but finds no sign of the Titanic Three. "I must face the facts," Namor thinks. "The villains are nowhere to be found. One thing is certain: their kind will not stay hidden forever. And when they rear their heads again, they will surely meet defeat at the hands of this planet's protectors. In the meantime, I suppose there is naught for me to do but meet with Walter Newell, as I had planned."
Changing course, Namor heads for the airport, where he boards his private plane and flies to San Diego. The next morning, he arrives at the docking facility that will serve as the ceremonial launching place for Hydrobase II. Dressed in an elegant Armani suit, Namor takes in the impressive surroundings. The docking facility has been converted into an ampitheater which looks out over the ocean. Part of the ampitheater has been set aside as a dining area, and a string quartet is warming up for their performance during the meal. Upon seeing Dr. Newell, Namor walks up to the renowned marine biologist and greets him.
"Even after all the time I have spent living among you, I am still occasionally perplexed by surface dwellers," Namor states after the pleasantries have been exchanged. "I fail to understand why you would have a ceremony here, on the shore, to celebrate the launching of a facility that is now floating a mile off the coast. Surely these ceremonies could have been held on Hydrobase II?"
"They could have," Dr. Newell responds, "but the government was a little reluctant to bring the press out there, with as much sensitive equipment as there is aboard that thing. I agree, of course. The further civilians stay away from my new project the better. But I wanted to thank you for coming to the ceremony, Namor. Your input into the design of this project was invaluable, and I think your presence here will add an air of legitimacy to this project."
"Legitimacy?" Namor asks as he cocks an eyebrow in surprise. "It seems odd to think I could give legitimacy to anything here on the surface after all the ill-will that has been directed at me - some of it well deserved, certainly."
"That's all in the past, Namor," Newell says as he pats Namor on the shoulder. "After all, you were an Avenger. You just don't get anymore legitimate than that. Say, let me introduce you to a few people."
"Our time is now," the Titanium Man says. "Strike!"
The Titanium Man streaks into the air, the Crimson Dynamo following behind carrying the Radioactive Man. The Titanium Man fires a few blasts at the docking facility to discourage the small military presence from taking action. They streak out over the water towards the awaiting Hydrobase II.
"Hydrobase's defenses are minimal and only a skeleton crew is aboard," Titanium Man says to his comrades. "This should only take a few seconds!"
Meanwhile, on the ground, the handful of soldiers quickly react to the Titanic Three's presence. "Call in reinforcements!" the colonel shouts. "We've got a serious situation here!"
"The same three I encountered in San Francisco!" Namor shouts as he sees them flying over the water. "Now Namor shall have his vengeance!" The Sub- Mariner rips off his garments and takes to the air in pursuit, shouting his battle cry, "Imperious Rex!"
"Namor, wait!" Dr. Newell shouts, but it is too late. "I hope he doesn't get himself killed before I can help." Dr. Newell then darts towards the locker containing his Stingray costume.
"Father! The Sub-Mariner pursues us!" the Crimson Dynamo says as he glances over his shoulder at the Defender.
"We are prepared for any eventuality," Titanium Man reminds his son. "Proceed to Hydrobase while I take care of this pest." The Titanium Man veers back towards Namor while the Dynamo and Radioactive Man approach their target.
"I see I did not humiliate you enough in our last encounter," Titanium Man says arrogantly as he approaches Namor.
"Only with the aid of two others," Namor reminds his foe. The Sub-Mariner throws a punch at the large armored man, but the Titanium Man reacts with dizzying speed. He catches Namor's fist and squeezes. Namor is taken by surprise, and does not even see Titanium Man's right fist as it impacts against Namor's stomach with indescribable power.
"You are nothing to me!" Titanium Man sneers.
Namor glances at the water below. "If only I can pull him down to my element..." thinks the Avenging Son.
Crimson Dynamo, despite carrying the Radioactive Man, easily dodges the few gun emplacements on the beach of Hydrobase II. Dropping down to the surface about 100 yards from the command center, Crimson Dynamo drops off the Radioactive Man.
"You know your assignment," the Crimson Dynamo says.
"Of course I do whelp! Now take care of your assignment!" the Radioactive Man says as he begins running towards the command center.
"I do not know why father chose Dr. Lu as an ally," the Crimson Dynamo thinks as he speeds over to the opposite side of Hydrobase II. "He does not seem to know his place."
"If the Crimson Dynamo believes that I am Titanium Man's lackey he is sadly mistaken," Radioactive Man thinks as he melts open the door to the command center. "I am crucial to his father's plans. The Dynamo is the lackey in this triumvirate."
As Stingray dives into the water and jets towards Hydrobase II, he quickly ponders the situation. "As much as I'd love to help Namor out, I'm no match for the Titanium Man. Besides, Hydrobase II is more important - and based on the radio broadcasts I've picked up from the crew, it's about to fall to the Radioactive Man. I've got to disable the propulsion systems from underneath, or they might get away."
Stingray slices through the water and glides towards the propulsion unit access under Hydrobase II. "I've just got to get this panel off, and then -"
"Halt!" an electronic voice shoots through the water. Stingray spins to see the Crimson Dynamo coming right for him.
"UFFF!" Stingray rolls with the impact and tumbles through the water. The Dynamo begins unleashing a barrage of pulse bolts, which Stingray easily dodges. "He'll never be able to hit me with my speed," Stingray thinks, "but I can't get to the propulsion unit either!"
The Titanium Man begins to pound blow after blow into the face of the Sub- Mariner. "Submit, you half-breed!" the Titanium Man spits. "Bow before your better!"
Namor sees the water, only about 100 yards below him. "If only I could touch it, for just an instant..."
"Mission accomplished," the voice of the Radioactive Man says over Titanium Man's helmet radio. "We are ready to depart."
"As much as I have enjoyed humiliating you," the Titanium Man says, "I have more important things to attend to." The Titanium Man throws Namor away and rockets towards Hydrobase II.
Namor feels his strength returning as soon as he hits the water. "Fool!" he cries as he takes to the air again, feeling totally rejuvinated. "Learn why I am the Avenging Son!"
As soon as the Titanium Man enters the airspace above Hydrobase II, he says, "Now, Dr. Lu!" The Titanium Man then lands on Hydrobase II's surface and watches with satisfaction as Namor streaks towards him, only to be repelled by a powerful forcefield.
"Hydrobase II is now untouchable, thanks to my forcefield," Titanium Man announces. "An admirable try, half-breed. When next we meet, the entire world shall be our slaves!"
As Namor prepares another assault on the forcefield, he notices the form of Stingray bobbing in the water.
"Dr. Newell," Namor says as he swoops down to rescue his comrade. "Are you alright?"
"The Dynamo's auto-targeting was better than I thought," Stingray says. "Those blasts of his pack quite a punch! I'll be okay." Stingray looks at Hydrobase II, moving out to sea in the hands of three of the most power villains ever. "We lost, didn't we?"
"Only the battle," Namor assures him. "But I swear to you, we will not lose the war!"
The saga of the Titanic Three will unfold in Marvel Triple Action! You'll learn the Titanium Man's plan for global domination! You'll see why only a select group of Avengers can save the world! Look for it in early 1999!
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