In the early 21st Century, the Thunderbolts face off against their treacherous rescued traveller, Doctor Doom [Dr. Victor vonDoom]; while in the Present Day the Dark Avengers (led by Luke Cage) travel to Sharzhad; to rescue an American citizen named Erik Wender. Yet all of this smells foul! Why is F.A.C.T. interested in Wender? What was he doing there in the first place? And WHY are the Dark Avengers so eagerly co-operating on this mission?