Post Catastrophe #1

*Hells Kitchen's image had always been sinister but now the neighborhood was at ground zero. This was Daredevil's part of town. At least it was until the SHIELD Helicarrier dived head first into it during a demon attack. With the fighting over, Daredevil headed back home to begin  search and rescue operation along with the assistance of fellow Avenger, Hawkeye. As they climb the wrecked remains of the Helicarrier, they immediately spot a rescue outpost which had been set up by Maria Hill.*

Daredevil:
Look at this place. It's no better than how it use to look. I'm surprised at how anyone could have survived this.

Hawkeye:
This outbreak has spawned many little miracles. It just goes to prove that we live in a nation of winners.

Daredevil:
Alright. So where do we start?

Hawkeye:
Maybe Maria's still around. She could fill us in on the details.

Daredevil:
Special Agent Maria Hill. Who else.

Hawkeye:
Oh so you know her then?

Daredevil:
No.

Hawkeye:
Then how do you know about her?

Daredevil:
I can hear her heart beating.

Hawkeye:
Oh.

*They press on and head into the outpost. They see Maria Hill rushing about. Daredevil can see her pressure levels sky rocket.*

Maria Hill:
Hawkeye! Finally, some professional help. You must be the one they call Daredevil.

Daredevil:
What's going on here?

Hawkeye:
Yeah, we're here for a little S & R if you catch my drift?

Daredevil:
You call that a sense of humor?

Hawkeye:
I think it's a bit dodgy but yeah.

Maria Hill:
Look guys this is serious. The Mayor is missing and his aids can't find him?

Daredevil:
Just as I feared.

Hawkeye:
What?

Daredevil:
The Mayor was visiting Hells Kitchen when the Helicarrier was attacked. At the time it went down, he was being rushed from a speech at the local town hall to safety. He must have been swept away amongst the rubble. He must be still out there.

Maria Hill:
He's got to be alive. He's an important figure of the city. He's the only other person who holds the key to the public trust as well as us.

Daredevil:
I don't think they trust us anymore. I should never have left.

Hawkeye:
Hey man, it wasn't your fault. You may be blind but your still human.

Maria Hill:
Well I believe he's still alive. A group of people reported that they heard screams coming from the down the street just where the town hall was. They think they heard The Mayor, but couldn't locate the source of his voice.

Daredevil:
That's where we come in.

Hawkeye:
Okay well then I'll scout up ahead and see if I can hear anything.

Daredevil:
Just you leave that to me. I can see his voice patterns. I need you to watch out for any lingering demons.

Hawkeye:
*Sighs* Always the dirty work.

Maria Hill:
I just pray to god that he's alive. Good luck guys.

*****

*A few hours elapse when Daredevil and Hawkeye eventually find themselves alone in a barren wilderness of death and destruction. Daredevil scans the rubble using his abilities. Everything had been contaminated by the sounds of screaming, weeping and explosions. To him, locating the Mayors heartbeat was like finding a needle in a haystack. They slowly drag themselves over towards the ruins of the town hall.The huge charred remains of the Helicarrier towered high above them, blocking out the blood red fiery sky.*

Daredevil:
Hold it a second! *Suddenly hears a faint beating sound*

Hawkeye:
What is it?

Daredevil:
I've got something. He's here.

Hawkeye:
Where?

Daredevil:
He's right below us. His heart beat is faint but it's beating rapidly. I fear he's going into cardiac arrest.

Hawkeye:
The grounds to solid to dig. We need an explosive charge to shift this.

Daredevil:
Agreed but we can't do it at ground level. The explosion would be too great and it could crush him.

Hawkeye:
Then I'll need to climb the remains of Town Hall. Use a small charge to make a hold big enough dig through.

Daredevil:
That could work. You better work fast. We may only have minutes.

Hawkeye:
No sweat. I'm on it.

*Hawkeye lifts himself up onto the top of the ruins. He reaches for a small explosive charge arrow. He aims it at the the exact point where The Mayor is located. Prompting Daredevil to move back, he fires. The ground shakes likely as a heap of rock and dirt is flown into the air. As the smoke clears, a face emerges from within. It is the Mayor. His face is covered in blood, dirt and tears. Daredevil scans his vital signs.*

Daredevil:
He's going into shock. I'm surprised he's lasted this long.

Hawkeye:
Don't worry Mr Mayor. We'll have you out of there in no time.

Mayor:
*Trembling.* So...cold. Am...I...Am I...dead? Is this...what hell looks like?

Hawkeye:
Your not dead but this is what hell looks like.

Daredevil:
Always know what to say don't you?

Hawkeye:
*Oblivious to what he just said* What?

*They begin to dig their towards the Mayor. They eventually make a hold large enough to pull him through. He can't walk. His right leg is broken along with a few ribs and a concussion. He is lucky to be alive.*

Mayor:
Help...me.

Daredevil:
Don't worry. That's why we're here. *Looks at Hawkeye.* We better be quick, Hawkeye. I don't think he'll last out here much longer.

*****
*The struggle comes to an end when they manage to carry the Mayor back to the rescue center. Maria Hill and a few survivors rush towards them with a stretcher. They carefully place the Mayor on the stretcher before wheeling him inside.*

Maria Hill:
Mr Mayor, I'm Agent Maria Hill. You're in safe hands now. *Looks to a doctor* We need to stabilize his vitals quickly!

Hawkeye:
I wonder if we were too late?

Daredevil:
No. *See's the Mayors heartbeat return to it's normal rate.* He's going to live, but he is the first of many survivors that are still out there. It's my personal job to go and find them.

Hawkeye:
Excuse me, you mean our job. I'm in this too you know.

Daredevil:
I know. I just figured you'd rather be back with Natasha. Trying to flirt with her no doubt.

Hawkeye:
Okay now I don't know what your talking about.

Daredevil:
*looks back and smiles*

Hawkeye:
Wait. Did you monitor my heart rate when we were all by the portal doorway? because that was pure adrenaline right there. I wasn't being nervous around her or anything.

Daredevil:
Sure you wasn't. *Runs off into the war zone* Oh I understand completely. You wouldn't would to bruise your ego now right?

Hawkeye:
*Shouts out after him* IT'S TRUE!! I DON'T LIKE NATASHA!! *mutters to himself* Such a jackass.


Next Issue - 161 Spider-Man lays his cards on the table.