Baron Zemo lifted MK easily into the air, and the two began a low fly-by of the town in general. Seeing as how the others are keeping to the business district, Zemo spends a little more time over the outskirts of the main streets -- in the residential areas. Although Moon Knight glowed softly in the moonlight, Zemo was able to take advantage of buildings and trees to provide some cover.
All in all, however, there didn't seem to be any activity at all. It was quite late at night (after midnight) and hardly a light gleamed in any house. Getting a closer look, the two notice that everyone is nestled snug in beds, and not a car seems out of place -- all within the driveways or garages. Everything seems perfect. Almost too perfect...
When descending to investigate a soft light in one house, however, they noticed a night-light had been left on, although no child (deduced from the obvious clues of toys and posters on the wall) appeared to be in bed. No other activity seems to have occurred in the house, but the child obviously left his bed with rumpled sheets and a discarded pillow.
"Moon Knight, go inside and investigate. I can't sneak around in this armor. Look for scribblings or notes of any kind. There has to be a reason this is the only house with a light on. Be careful to make sure it isn't a trap. And be quick!" ordered the Black Knight softly.
Moon Knight nodded his agreement, whispering "I'm on it", and moved toward the house, trying the various windows nearby the lit bedroom to no success. The back door is probably easier, he thought as he made his way to the back of the house. Zemo waited patiently outside in the backdoor, arms folded as Moon Knight slipped inside the house, easily making it to the bedroom. The room appears to be typical for a boy of middle-school age, replete with toys, baseball cards, bits of homework... and lots and lots of comic books featuring fictional exploits of war-time super heroes -- even the Human Torch and Ms. Dyna-Mite.
Zemo is startled as the neighbor's dog begins to bark, sensing the presence of intruders. Inside the house, a light comes on in another room -- and the mother and father of the missing boy begin to stir. A muffled voice came from shuffling feet in the hallway -- headed for the child's bedroom! Thinking quickly, he flys around the house, and rings the front doorbell.
MK reads the name on the homework lying on the kids' desk in the bedroom: "Simon Williams." Sloppy writing, too. He hears footsteps - someone is approaching! Moon Knight starts for the window, but notices that the window is curiously sealed shut. That avenue of escape closed (without making more noise), MK leaps into the closet, quietly closing the door behind him.
MK watches, hoping his glow isn't too noticeable with the light on in the bedroom already. A man enters, walking slowly and methodically. He seems dazed, although it's probably because he's just woken up... or is it? His movements seem almost... inhuman. The man takes no time at all to go through the motions of checking on his son, which seems very curious since there is no son in the bed! He tucks the corners of the sheets in, pats an area above the pillow, and looks out the window at the dog who is still barking. Just then, the doorbell rings! The man pauses for a moment. He then shuffles over, turns out the light, and walks out of the room. Moon Knight opens the closet door-- perhaps his glow wasn't showing through at all-- or did it matter?
Zemo flies back over to the backyard, noticing MK is still in the bedroom, and the dog is still barking from where it's chained by its doghouse.
Moon Knight quickly but quietly makes his way out of the house thanks to Zemo's.... creative but strangely effective tactics. Zemo quickly scoops up his erstwhile partner, and the two fly off away from the house, leaving only the lonely dog barking away at the flying people...
MEANWHILE...
Thor and Rick continue their conversation, which is a little more one-sided than Rick would have originally guessed.
" . . .So there I am wearing this long gown and one of Sif's old wigs when Thryme decides then and there to get himself a liddle nooky . . . he comes right up to me eyes closed, lips puckered, arms outstretched and so I stand up, grab Mjolnir out of my lap and smash his skull flatter than a duck's foot. And Thyrme ... Thyrme ... all heh all he can do is look up at me with his two crossed eyes -- blood dripping down his chin and say -- 'what a woman! I hope she can cook as good as she can kiss.' Bwahahahahahaha!" exclaims Thor, caught up in his own literal punch-line.
Aaaaaaaaargh! thinks Rick, wondering which is the more onerous task - stealthily invading a town taken over by the alien Kree, or baby-sitting a sober Norse thunder god.
The two are brought short, however, when they notice a bright flash of light that illuminates the back of an establishment momentarily... it's unmistakable, as the two remember being on the receiving end of Hellcat's flash-rune one night earlier...
"That would be a signal. Mount up!" says Rick. Thor looks at him strangely, as if he had spoken a foreign tongue. ""Thats cowboy talk for 'Lets Go'!" Rick adds sheepishly.
Whew! thought Thor, for a second there I thought Young Rick had gotten too excited about hearing the story about Thor wearing a dress! With a quick glance at Rick he heads off at top speed towards the flash of light. The kids are in trouble. The Norns only know what insurmountable odds they face, what hideous beasts, what mythological terrors! he thinks, urging himself on to greater speed.
MEANWHILE...
Moon Knight points in the direction of the flash two,and Zemo nods... he's seen it, too.
"Moon Knight, we're going to check out that light!" commands the armored Avenger, and together they speed towards the source of the flash.