Just as the two changed direction and sprinted toward the waterfall, a continuous series of violent explosions suddenly erupted behind them. Vast amounts of dirt and splintered wood flew into the air, while the A.I.M. members pursuing them were instantly blown to pieces by the high explosives.
The powerful blast wave knocked both Steve and Howard to the ground, sending them rolling a long way like balls.
Steve immediately raised his shield, covering Howard as he looked behind them. A head slowly rose from the grass not far away.
It wore an American steel helmet, its camouflage netting covered with branches and blades of grass.
Steve relaxed slightly. Their people had arrived, and so quickly. Had Godfather notified the military?
But the face beneath the helmet was nothing like what he had imagined. It was a red-and-black mask, like a painter's palette.
A red-and-black bodysuit was worn beneath a camouflage field vest adorned with all sorts of colorful weapons, including water pistols and BB guns. The man even had a thick cigar clenched between his teeth beneath his mask as he swaggered over, lurching from side to side like a veteran grunt.
What came with him was the stench of a garbage dump.
Yet the newcomer seemed completely unaware of it. He offered a hand to Steve on the ground while tossing a remote control marked with an explosive warning symbol far away with his other hand.
Then, as though deliberately pinching his throat, he spoke in a phlegmy voice.
"Captain, I'm here to save you!"
"Uh, who are you?" Howard covered his nose, tears already streaming from his eyes.
The red-and-black freak held out a hand, signaling Howard not to speak.
Then he lunged forward, braced an elbow on his thigh, propped up his head, and struck an entrance