Having narrowly escaped the exploding Gatherers’ citadel in the Andes, the Avengers and their ex-foe Magdalene are making their way across the snowy mountain slopes when Deathcry lands her starship and introduces herself to them as their new protector, sent by Shi’ar ruler Lilandra to guard against Kree attacks. As if on cue, a squadron of robotic Kree Sentries assaults the Avengers, who destroy the robots with Deathcry and Magdalene’s aid. Meanwhile, the rogue Kree soldiers who sent the robots have occupied an isolated New York farmhouse, killing any human trespassers who come too close. The Kree troops’ leader, Galen-Kor, sends the victorious Avengers a holographic message warning that he blames them for the destruction of the Kree Empire and that he intends to destroy Earth.