Synopsis / Summary / Plot
The whole of this issue is a flashback to 3 days ago, continuing from the same-dated flashback last issue.
The caption suggests that the initial scene takes place in the H.A.M.M.E.R. helicarrier hovering near Avengers Tower but the initial voice balloons come from the Tower itself. I believe the voice balloons are correct.
Victoria Hand interrupts Norman Osborn and demands she listen to him or she'll resign as his 2nd-in-command. The prime job he gave her was to warn him if he was losing it, and she strongly believes he's pushing himself too hard and risks reawakening his Green Goblin persona. She wants him to choose a psychiatrist from a list she's prepared. Under pressure he agrees to see a shrink, but trusts her to choose the best 1.
Ms Hand is also worried about the Dark Avengers. She shows him Ms Marvel (Moonstone) and Hawkeye (Bullseye) making out in the Avengers Tower Meeting Room. She believes that Moonstone is deliberately flaunting her power over the men in the team to disturb Norman (we see her smiling deliberately at the camera). She's already cost them Noh-Varr (who left after #5, but Osborn still thinks they can win him back). Norman gives her full authority to deal with the situation.
Osborn then mentions that Ares is creating a range of plans for an invasion of Asgard, which Victoria thinks unwise but doesn't push it this time.
Hand and some HAMMER Agents interrupt the couple and she tells Karla Sofen to go to her room while she talks to Hawkeye. Moonstone refuses so Victoria zaps her with a electrical/neural gun and the Agents take her away. Spider-Man (Venom (Mac Gargan)) and Wolverine (Daken) have entered the room as Ms Hand faces down Bullseye. Osborn is watching on a screen. But they are all interrupted by an alarm.
Outside Sentry is hovering in the air and jagged tendrils of darkness are descending on New York. And his Watchtower base on top of the Tower is warping. Osborn flies out as Iron Patriot to confront his most powerful Dark Avenger and finds Void in control of the body, who won't let him talk to Robert Reynolds. Meanwhile the dark lightning strikes the streets and Ms Hand sends the 3 male Avengers to save civilians. She calls in the Initiative and anyone else she can get hold of.
Patriot asks Void why he's broken their deal. Void says he's tired of fighting himself. He can't kill Bob, and Bob won't let him kill his wife Lindy. So he's going to make the world a place they won't want to live in, and they'll go away. He avoids telling Osborn what Lindy has done to make him so angry (trying to kill him in #9 and a flashback last issue).
Norman switches tactics as Spider-Man (Peter Parker) and Spider-Woman of the New Avengers join in the fire-fighting. He says that he can help Void control his life but this isn't the way. This will just draw down the wrath of the super-heroes. And folks like Reed Richards, Tony Stark and Victor Von Doom *will* find a way to destroy him (even if only temporarily like they've done before).
Suddenly the darkness retreats and all is quiet. Norman Osborn knows he's got the upper hand now and warns Void if he ever does that again he'll let the super-community deal with him. And says that tonight he'll have a mission for him that will suit his 'vision of the world'. Then he notices Sentry look towards the now-unwarped Watchtower and his shocked wife Lindy.
Later Norman goes to see Bullseye and tells him to kill Lindy when he gives the signal.