James Rhodes goes to Matlin Lake for a fishing vacation, which is strange because he's never fished before. He finds the place full of CIA agents, and other agencies. There have been some gruesome deaths (last issue), including an FBI agent (this issue). Their suspicions extend to Jim.
In a bar he is accosted by a woman named Skye who claims to be from one of the agencies. They're all there investigating a UFO report. She wants to know what the head of Worldwatch is doing there.
Rhodey escapes to his motel room, and flashes back over recent events:- His team-up with Hawkeye and US Agent. And the trip back to WWII where he lost his War Machine armour and killed a Nazi to change the future.
When Rhodey gets to go fishing next day he is interrupted by the arrival of Hawkeye. Clint had dropped in on Worldwatch to offer his services, and Sheva Joseph had filled him in on what happened in the time trip. When the CIA phoned from Matlin Lake to check that Rhodes was who he said he was, Hawkeye popped over to support his buddy.
Jim admits that he doesn't really know why he came here. He says he feels he's been manipulated.
They hear a scream, and Skye appears running from something. She passes out mumbling "I never thought he'd use a thing like ...". And Hawkeye finds a device she dropped labelled Timely WI.
An alien monster attacks. Hawkeye tries to hold it off while Rhodey carries Skye to safety. But the alien KO's Clint and follows them.
Jim comes across a glowing ball, which he realises called him to Matlin Lake. The light engulfs him, and when it spits him out Rhodey is encased in a new alien armour.
All along we have been privy to the alien monster's thoughts. And now it recognises that Jim or the armour is the foe it has been looking for.
This strand of the Crossing preludes continues in
#19
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