Synopsis
The prosecution of the Bainsville Ten (6 Senators, 1 General and 3 ex-Cabinet-members involved in a major corruption scandal) is all over the news. The corruption was exposed by War Machine's allies last issue. But Norman Osborn counters by releasing information about WM's apparent war crimes:- Killing Anton Aubuisson with polar bears in Dark Reign: New Nation. Killing mercenaries in Santo Marco in #1. Allowing Davis Harmon to be murdered in #3. Infecting himself with Ultimo and threatening to destroy the world in #9.
We follow all this news with Joe Robertson of Front Line.
James Rhodes, with plastic-replaced cyborg parts, is brought before the International Criminal Court in the Hague. He questions the intent of the court, claiming that Osborn is using them to have him executed. So he is taken back to his concrete cell, guarded by HAMMER troops and 2 Dark Avengers:- Sinister Spider-Man (Mac Gargan) and Ms Marvel (Karla Sofen). The plastic and concrete is to ensure that he can't use his cyborg power to make War Machine armour and weapons out of anything metal.
Rhodey's crew (Bethany Cabe, Parnell Jacobs, Jake Oh and Glenda Sandoval) are discussing breaking him out. But Beth says he doesn't want them to.
Osborn is congratulating himself with his assistant Victoria Hand on getting the media to concentrate on War Machine's trial, and ignore the Bainseville Ten. But he is interrupted by Ares, who made Rhodes his champion in #5. Norman placates his Dark Avenger by sending him to the Hague to ensure justice is done.
Jim has used his 1 phone call to ask for Matt Murdock. Matt tells him that they intend to send him after he's found guilty to Santo Marco, who will execute him. But Rhodes doesn't want Murdock to defend him. In particular he doesn't want his trial to drag on, giving Osborn more smokescreen. Instead he wants Matt to prosecute the Bainesville Ten. Daredevil's senses tell him Jim has a plan, and he leaves.
Rhodey has constructed a comms circuit from silicon molecules in the concrete walls. He contacts Suzi Endo in space inside the child-like proto-Ultimo she escaped with last issue. He affirms that he doesn't want to be rescued. But he gets Suzi to send a drop of the liquid metal Ultimo to a particular OsbornTech facility.
Then he goes before the ICC to get his trial over by confessing. But Ares interrupts proceedings by saying no-one will be allowed to get in the way of true justice, including War Machine. The court refuses to accept his confession without a defence lawyer.
Bethany Cabe contacts Osborn to say they're moving against him. Norman thinks she's going to attack the Hague, which will only increase the publicity he's been generating. But instead Team War Machine steal Jim's cloned human body from the Osborn lab that Ultimo infiltrated, the body Osborn stole in #1.