File:Alpha Flight Vol 1 92 001.jpg

Description
Guardian and Vindicator are having a training session, in which the new capabilities of Vindicator’s are supposed to be determined. The “battle” surveyed by Shaman, Sasquatch, General Clarke and Kerry Patrick, isn’t exactly fair though, as Vindicator designed the battle suit they both wear, so he knows how to fight Heather’s capabilities. Heather storms off, and Clarke goes to talk to Mac about why they want him to lead Alpha Flight again - because Heather is too independent and radical. While giving Mac a speech, Clarke remembers a time in the early days of Department H…when Mac had to convince the original Alpha Flight - Snowbird, Sasquatch, Northstar, Aurora and Shaman - to agree to a biochip implant, which would enable them to be tagged essentially. Alpha Flight aren’t interested, as it violates privacy. Mac wonders how he is going to prove to General Clarke, Major Chasen and Gary Cody that the chips are not necessary, and Heather convinces him to dig up as much dirt on the implants that he can, meaning he has to snoop around Roxxon. Indeed Mac does, and finds it easy to find the information that he wants, including proof that the implants are going to far, as it enables biofunctionary sensory systems manipulations - meaning someone else can control whoever has an implant. Major Chasen and Cary Albertson, the designer of the implants, are watching his every move. Mac takes his information to Clarke, who appears to be shocked, and agrees that the implants cannot go ahead. Clarke orders Mac to destroy the Roxxon facility that is manufacturing these controlling implants, but while he is carrying out that order, Mac’s suit seemingly malfunctions, and his powers go out of control, so much so that he nearly kills Cary Albertson. In the aftermath, Clarke outs Major Chasen as the man responsible for giving Roxxon Mac’s suit specifications so they could cause him to go out of control. Clarke ends Chasen’s role with Alpha Flight and sends him packing. With everyone else gone, Clarke tells Mac that the incident proved there is still some need for an implant, but one that is strictly for communications purposes. Mac is reluctant, but Clarke allows him to be the designer of it, for the good of Canada. After Mac agrees, Clarke meets with Chasen, both pleased with themselves at how they manipulated Hudson. Chasen doesn’t even mind the fact he had to give up a prestigious assignment, as he and Clarke both know that Department H and the freaks in it will collapse under their own weight in a few years…Clarke returns from his memory and asks Hudson if he will talk to Heather. Mac agrees, and finds a angry Heather in the shower room. Heather belittles Mac for barging in on her, pointing out that even though they might still be married, it doesn’t give him the right. Mac gets to the point and informs Heather that he has been asked to supplant her as leader, to which Heather replies that she knew this was coming. They wonder what to do, and after informing Heather that he only told her because he doesn’t want Clarke manipulating her, he is about to leave, when Heather informs him that she doesn’t need him to protect her anymore. Mac replies that he knows, but feels he may need her to protect him. Then, they kiss. Meanwhile, Mr. Fantastic discovers some strange happenings in a remote part of Canada!