The Attack on the Military Helicopter Pilots was the result of a pilot hired by Eric Frankenstein commenting on Rick Flag, Sr., leading Frankenstein to believe that the pilot viewed Flag in higher regard than Frankenstein.
Background[]
After chasing the Bride for over two centuries, Eric Frankenstein eventually lost her trail and decided to live his own life. He entrusted an elderly woman living near Frankenstein Manor to inform him if the Bride ever returned. During a mission with the Creature Commandos, the Bride returned to the Manor to retrieve the Tourmaline Necklace she had lost centuries ago. The old woman, noticing her presence, immediately contacted Eric.[3]
Using this information, Eric tracked the Commandos back to Belle Reve in the U.S. He hired two military personnel and their helicopter to monitor the Bride's movements as she returned to jail.[3]
Attack[]
While spying from the military helicopter, Eric spotted Bride in conversation with field leader Rick Flag, Sr., whose identity was confirmed by one of the helicopter pilots. Seeing their interaction triggered Eric's deep-seated jealousy and anger issues, fueled by his bitterness over the fact that Flag could grow facial hair while he could not, due to his zombie physiology. When the pilot who provided the information cut the conversation short, suggesting they needed to land, Eric misinterpreted the comment as a subtle mockery of his inability to grow facial hair, further enraging him.
As the soldier attempted to clarify his remark, Eric snapped and brutally tackled him against the wall. The second pilot tried to intervene but the colossus ordered him to not get involved. After murdering the first pilot, Eric broke the neck of the second, causing the helicopter to crash. The monster emerged as the sole survivor of the wreck.[4]
Aftermath[]
Eric stormed out of the burning helicopter, seething with rage, and wrote Rick Flag, Sr.'s name on his hand using a pencil he had taken from one of the pilots’ pockets. Convinced that Flag was a "love rival," Eric became determined to hunt him down and to kill him. Tracking the general to his house, Eric confronted him in a fit of anger. A brutal fight ensued, ending only when Flag threatened to shoot Eric through the eye, effectively ending his life. This led to a tense moment of clarification between the two.
Over a cup of tea, Flag explained the truth about the situation, dispelling Eric's misconceptions. Inspired by the love and dedication Flag shared with Princess Rostovic, Eric agreed to a partnership. Flag promised to help Eric reunite with Bride, but only after they worked together to disprove Circe's apocalyptic vision of the future. Moved by the newfound camaraderie, Eric declared Flag his "best friend," much to the general’s discomfort.[4]