Yeah I do the nerdy stuff that no one talks about while the field agents run around with Ghost Rider. she says per haps sounding more bitter than she actually feels.
God I'm just glad you're ok. she says, hugging Lucas once again. I just thought you might want to get away form prying eyes for a few minutes. she waves her hands around the rather inauspicious meeting place. But Lucas is right, we need to head to HQ to debrief. Listen, she says turning to Connie and Akio. You haven't done anything wrong here. The Accords were scrapped after Captain America showed there was no way the government could control metahumans. That doesn't mean they are happy about it though but it does mean you're not in any trouble. If you don't want to go to SHIELD I can't make you. But the place is different now, they might actually be able to help.
It's up to you.
Midnight shifts from foot to foot as Lucas speaks, before raising her hand and getting his attention
Just so we're clear, I'm not a field agent either...
watching his expression she can't help but grin
...like I said, I was just a concerned citizen that wanted to help. Plus, SHIELD have given me a roof over my head for a while, it was a good opportunity to pay back the good citizens of earth by ddoing a good deed
She smiles.
I think going to SHIELD is a good idea
she points to Connie and Akio
and indeed, the least you could do is let them give you lunch...
With the group mostly in agreement, Maggie nods and says' OK then. as if that were an end of it.
She and Lucas hold hands as you walk the few blacks back to the Brooklyn Bridge Subway, buy your tickets and then hop on one of the trains that run every few minutes uptown toward Madison.
For those who have not seen it, the SHIELD building is nothing like as you imagined. A wide plaza leads up to a glass fronted facade and a small tower block of perhaps only 15 storeys. There is no enormous SHIELD symbol, no checkpoints a hundred yards before you enter the lobby, it simply looks like any other civil service office building. Certainly it is a far cry from the enormous monoliths of glittering glass of the Triskelion, the organisations HQ in Washington that were painted all over TV screens some three years ago when Captain America foiled an attempt to subvert SHIELD by Hydra.
Those things seem like a million miles away when you stand looking at this otherwise drab and generic block.
Once inside that familiar eagle is emblazoned on the marble floor however and armed guards in uniform man security scanners much as you would find in an airport.
Maggie swipes her access card on a nearby terminal and Lucas does the same before they proceed through security and go through the process of taking out all of their belongings, placing them on trays, getting scanned, scanned again and then picking them up once more the other side - all the while watched like hawks by men and women in a rather plain uniform but heavily armed with military grade weapons.
Maggie speaks with a clerk at the security station and then the rest of you are encouraged to do the same.
Familiar enough with the rigmarole, Midnight ignores the guards and empties her pockets of what amounts to almost the entirety of her earthly possessions.
Headphones, mp3 player, sunglasses and a single key with a keyring of a stylised black sun are followed by a lone sliver of plastic emblazoned with 'Heldenbank' and a credit card logo.
She walks with a slight limp, still clutching her injured side but without complaint or note, simply picking up her things on the other side of the scanner and stuffing them back in her pockets.
She glances back at the others
Come on, they don't bite...
Akio shrugs, knowing his bike is most likely lost and not wanting to face the wrath of his boss. "I've got nothing else planned for today. I suppose it's worth a look." He says agreeing to go with the others.
---
Akio enters the building behind everyone else, instantly feeling out of place. Such an environment is almost alien to him as he looks around trying to take it all in. Spotting the large guards and their fancy weapons.
He watches again as Lucas empties all his pockets into a tray and slides it through a scanner.
He then steps up to a tray and starts to check the pockets of his loose fitting delivery clothes. Pulling out an old style mobile phone, only just passable to make calls, a handful of loose change and a bunch of papers covered with addresses and delivery orders.
He smiles at gruff looking man as he slides the tray through the scanners and steps to the other side, expecting some alarm to go off. With nothing happening he quickly shoves his belongings back in his pockets and moves to one side.
Akio passes his items through the scanner and he is waved through an electronic gate. After he passes, a woman with a wand stops him, asks him to tand on a yellow line and then waves the wand over him.
A weird, electronic chirping starts to emit from within the scanner and the two guards look at eachother quizzically. It's Akio's cell phone.
Go ahead. the female guard says as Akio looks first at the phone and then her.
You raise the phone to your ear and are met with a sudden barrage in a heavy asian accent before you can even say 'hello.'
Akio! You get hit off your bike or something? That delivery is 45 minutes late!
We should really get a medic to take a look at you. Maggie says, looking concerned at how Midnight moves at best with stiffness. You should head to medlab, you've got clearance and they can assess how bad that is. We can meet you in Operations, I've contacted Agent Angstrum, he's catching up on the notes of the bank robbery as we speak.
Lucas nods to one of the guards as he empties his pockets. "Heya Trent. I guess we got a little more than just ice cream, eh?" He chuckles and gives the guard a high-five as he passes through the gate.
He turns to Maggie. "I think we all ought to get checked out. Barracuda and those robbers were shooting at us. I took a beating in the bank, though somehow Connie healed me. Some sort of accelerated cellular regeneration. I'm going to have to figure that one out." He smiles at her.
When Angstrum's name is mentioned, Lucas sighs. "Right, he's going to want to know what the hell we were doing in there."
Akio moves off to the side quickly as the loud voice of his boss booms out of his phone. "Something came up and I lost the bike.. and i'm kind of in the middle of something." He says over loud shouting, he attempts to continue talking but is constantly interrupted. "I'll explain it all later, if you'll just give me one more chance."
He looks back at the other smiling awkwardly. "I'll be one moment.
Midnight looks up at Maggie almost in surprise
Yes.. I suppose you are right, I'll go and get patched up and meet you in the Ops room shortly.
She walks off down the corridor to the medlab to be attended to and rejoins the team for their debrief with Agent Angstrum.
You lost the bike? You think they grow on trees? The money for that bike is coming out of your wages! Don't think those diaper-wearers in the temple are going to pay for it.
Concussion places her own cell phone and a few other bits and pieces in the tray before pushing it through. She feels incredibly uncomfortable when the wand is waved over her but bares it stoically. Then, after Akio finishes what appears to be a difficult conversation, Maggie and Lucas lead the way from the lobby to an elevator but, instead of going up, it descends.
Once the doors open you enter a hallway brightly illuminated by overhead halogen lights, the floor beneath your feet glossy black tile. Agents dressed in a variety of uniforms - guards, technicians, engineers and many just in suits, cross here and there through the network of corridors that Maggie and Lucas navigate with obvious ease.
Eventually you reach a glass-fronted meeting room with an imposing grey door with a simple placard above - Operations.
Maggie takes you to a waiting area where you sit. Time goes by and you realise you've been sitting there for nearly an hour before Midnight rejoins you, walking with slightly less of a limp now.
Maggie knocks the Operations door and a voice asks her to enter a moment later.
In the room a long glass table dominates with the SHIELD insignia emblazoned on one end. On the wall are two flat screen monitors where news footage of the bank plays on one, CCTV footage of the moments before the gang entering playing on the other.
A tall man in a black suit, every inch the 'spook,' sits calmly watching the feeds whilst idly flicking through a file before him. Two other people sit in the room, another man and a woman.
Hello. the first man says politely, closing the file in front of him and standing to offer his hand. Special Agent Angstrum. These are Agents Johnson and Ramirez.
The others also stand and offer their hands.
Mrs Lee. Angstrum says to Maggie. And Mr Lee, we've never met. Nor have we, Ms Mezzanotte.
Listen, thank you all for coming in. We've been reviewing the footage of what happened. There were no casualties and my understanding is that there were five armed men, including Barracuda that were apprehended. he smiles warmly at each of you. Can I offer you any coffee? I'd love for you to tell us about what happened today and how you came to be there as a group.
Lucas shakes the two agents' hands. "Good to meet you, guys." He sits down, leaning the chair back unprofessionally. "Look, we just happened on each other outside the bank. Maggie and I were out for ice cream. We heard shots at the bank."
"I saw Melania and I thought she was a field agent responding. I decided to support her."
Well met Special Agent Angstrum, Agent Johnson, Agent Ramirez
Melania turns and gives an odd sort of almost military nod and slight bow to each as she names them.
I've found coffee interacts with my physiology in unusual ways, I'd rather not be distracted right now so I shall decline she states matter-of-factly.
As regards the bank, I believe Mr Lucas and Connie have already outlined the answers you were after. I did not announce myself as a field agent, I was merely acting as a concerned citizen, within the remit of the ridiculously long and convoluted legal structure you appear to have wrapped around your daily lives.
She blinks slowly, her solid amethyst eyes betraying no emotion
That was meant as an observation, not a criticism she adds carefully.
In any case, there was imminent threat to life so we intervened. We also discovered an explosive device on the premises which seemed odd to use to cover their tracks unless they were stealing something specific, but I should proobably leave the detective work to NY's finest
She takes a sip of water, apparently done speaking for now, or at least until she's asked something else.
Agent Johnson leaves the room and after a few minutes returns with coffee and a jug of water.
Let me make SHIELD's position clear. Agent Angstrum says. It's no secret that we are recovering from Hydra's influence, and we very nearly didn't exist as an entity after Director Fury left.
Agent Ramirez, a no-nonsense looking woman of south american descent, her hair pulled back into a tight bun and her almond shaped eyes watching you intently, pitches in; But Director Coulson and now Director Hill are getting things in order. There's been more than two dozen arrests as the last of Hydra are rooted out. And then of course there were the Accords.
Yeah the Accords... Angstrum says with a slight shake of his head. No one knew what our role was going to be if they became law - at best we would be sidelined by them, at worst we would have to police them. I've been pretty vocal in that I believe Captain America was right, though I don't approve of his methods and he, the Winter Soldier, Agent Barton and the Ant-Man are still wanted fugitives.
But none of that matters. What I'm saying is, I believe gifted individuals are miraculous and SHIELD's new direction is exactly the right one. We are looking to act as facilitators, not dictators.
Akio knows when to pick his fights attempting to placate his boss. "Thank you, I'll see you tomorrow." He says calmly before hanging up the phone and moving quickly to stand with the others.
---
Akio sits on the floor with his legs crossed, keeping his posture perfect while they wait.
He moves in with the rest of the group looking around the room, paying close attention to the man in charge. "Nothing for me." He offers the man his hand and then the other two.
"I was out on delivery." He looks too Concussion not remembering her nearly running her over. "I know the response time around there can be slow, so I rushed over to the alarms and thats when I spotted Ms Mezzanotte and the others. It didn't seem right to just leave them." He adds in.
"So what is SHEILD planning on doing about these smaller criminals? You can't expect the police to be able to deal with them, and from what i've heard and seen SHEILD always looks at the bigger picture and lets the smaller things fall to the side." He states with conviction then realises quickly where he is. "I've been on the street the past the months, i've seen the troubles this city has."
Melania visibly relaxes her posture as the agents speak.
I see, this is not really a debrief is it?
She nods her thanks to Johnson as he returns, draining three glasses of water in quick succession.
I find it refreshing that you are in support of those who want to make a difference, and your referral to the Accords as not being... 'appropriate' is noted.
She listens to the others and then adds her own thoughts
So yes, I am in agreement with Connie and Akio... just what exactly are we doing here? What are you proposing?
Lucas is caught a bit unawares, looking at the others and then back at the Agents. "What do you mean? There's more to this than a debriefing?"
He leans back in his chair. "Yes, what do you mean 'act as facilitators'?"
"So what is SHEILD planning on doing about these smaller criminals? You can't expect the police to be able to deal with them, and from what i've heard and seen SHEILD always looks at the bigger picture and lets the smaller things fall to the side." He states with conviction then realises quickly where he is. "I've been on the street the past the months, i've seen the troubles this city has."
I absolutely expect the police to deal with criminals. Agent Angstrum says matter of factly. It doen't matter how many super powered individuals there are, they can't be everywhere at once. The police forces of this country are a proud and well-respected institution and where they need our support, we lend it.
Mr Lee. Agent Ramirez opens. You have had some training but you're not a field agent. But your background both in chemical engineering and.... because of other issues, makes you a unique candidate for field operations. And Ms Mezzanotte has had a formal relationship with SHIELD for some time,
Agent Angstrum takes over once again;
Look, I'm not offering you a job. And I'm not saying we're going to monitor you. But in my... experience... super-powered individuals usually go one of two ways and I'd rather have them onside than not.
You don't have to register, you don't have to swear allegiance, Hell, I won't even ask for your real names if you don't want to tell me. But SHIELD can offer you access to resources and information, so long as your intentions and our goals align. And at the moment our goals are to restore some of the faith of people in gifted individuals after the Ultron and Hydra situations and also make sure that criminals and villains face punishment.
If that sounds like something you'd be interested in then maybe we can work together?
When Angstrum talks about his "experience" of super-powered individuals, you get the distinct feeling that it hasn't always been positive
We don't have the tracking tech that Hydra used to deploy the helicarriers two years ago. But our resources are still considerable. Agent Ramirez says without truly answering the question.
"You already know my name, Angstrom. I'm sure the files are very complete." He motions to Maggie and himself. "If we try to leave, I have no doubt you could find us."
He shakes his head. "Really, field ops? I mean, I'm just an tech guy." He looks at Maggie. "I'm no Cap or Thor. Whatever the goblin formula did to me, it didn't make me super strong or let me fly. I don't know what use I'd be."
Agent Angstrum smiles ruefully.
Lucas, I'm not going to give you a bunch of bullsh*t about great power and great responsibility. You're a grown man and you make you're own choices. But some people would - and have - kill for what you're able to do and I know it's not all down to a brilliant mind because no one else in R&D has managed to replicate your explosives or your formula for improving reflexes and durability.
There's a hundred brilliant people in Tech and in my opinion, you're wasted there. No offence. he says quickly to Maggie.
None taken. she replies just as quickly. But you want to put my husband in the field so I think he asks a fair question.
Again, this isn't a job interview. You do what you feel is right. But I just watched footage of 4 strangers coming together and facing armed men and women. Two of you got shot. This guy didn't because he blocked the bullets! he says of Akio. You seemed to heat one of their weapons so hot he had to drop it, from about 30ft away. You're asking me what work you'd be good at when I should be asking that of you. Do you all even know what you're capable of?
All I'm saying is that the world needs people who want to stand up and make a difference, and to face threats that the authorities can't. Not everyone trusts 'capes' these days but enough of us know you're needed more than ever.
So if you do this, if you decide you want to help people like you did today, then SHIELD won't interfere and sometimes, we might even have your back.
That's it. he says with finality.
Melania taps one blue finger on her lips
If it helps any of you with your decisions, I can speak clearly here and without duress, SHIELD has done nothing to stop me doing what i want to do, they have only ever wanted to help.
She empties the contents of her pockets on the table, the same as went through the security scanner downstairs.
You don't really have clearance for this but it really is more of an open secret than I'd like, I came to your planet with nothing but a broken starfighter to my name...
She indicates the key and card in front of her.
SHIELD have given me shelter and sustenance, saying I could use these as I wished, or not at all. They offered assistance acclimatising to your culture, offered protection should I want it. At no stage have I felt obligated or have they pressured me. Throughout our relationship they have been open that they want to work with me
Her eyes flick up and meet Agent Angstrum's
Whilst our goals align of course, but that's simple for me, I just want to bring lawbreakers to justice. It's something I do and more, it's something I am that I could no more refuse than try and not draw my next breath. So, the whole goals aligning thing is an easy thing for me.
She meets first Akio's, then Lucas and finally Connie's eyes.
What do you want to do with your lives? You've each got things about you that mean you can make a difference, the foremost of which being your willingness to stand up and make a difference.
She smiles, then addresses the agents again
I'd be content to work more with SHIELD
Akio stands there taking it all in. I was sent here to learn.. to watch and listen. Watch and listen." He repeats to himself.
"I can't stand idly by and watch as criminals and villainous people creep into this world, force must be met with equal force." He looks down at his fists then clenching and unclenching them. "I didnt expect this today, I just wanted to help. I have been helping clean up the streets of new york the best I can. But I understand, we all worked well together today."
He looks to the others. "If that means we can stop more criminals then, I think we'll do well to work as a team. But I'll hold you to your word Angstrum, I wont be pointed like a weapon we all choose how to use our skills."
Lucas sighs. "I joined SHIELD because I thought I had something to offer. What Obsorne did was...insane. And he tried to kill me because I wouldn't go along. I hoped to take what he had done...what I had done...and help stop people like him." He looks at Maggie. "I just thought we'd be doing it in the lab. Like old times." He smiles at his wife.
"But I guess I can't ignore what happened. And we did do some pretty damned good work today." Maggie kicks him under the table for cursing, but Lucas just look at her.
The disfigured man takes a deep breath, looking at the others. "These people, SHIELD, they're not perfect. Hell, we've seen that sometimes they're downright wrong. But they mean well. You might have good reason to be wary, but I trust Director Hill. She found us after Hydra struck, and gave us hope again."
He looks around at Akio, Concussion, and Midnight. "But we did that today as a team, albeit spontaneous. If we do this, we'll need to do it as a team."
"None of us could have done it alone." He says speaking about the events of today.
"If it's not clear to you all I'm not just a simple delivery boy. I came from Dengfeng, it is at the foot of Mount Song a deeply sacred place to my order." He then sighs as he decides to let them know more.
"I get my skills from training since I was a small child. I came to New York to learn more, and to follow leads on a rival order called The Hand although I've heard nothing since getting here. So I attempt to help those in need during the nights when i'm not training with the monks at the Shaolin temple."
"Wait, Shaolin temple? You're a Shaolin monk? Like 'Enter the Dragon' and that kind of stuff?" He whistles as he remembers that Akio literally stopped bullets. "My grandmother used to tell us stories of monks fighting monsters and taking on Chinese warlords. Stories with incredible feats of mystic power and strength, like leaping from clouds and breaking mountains with a clap of your hands. You can do that?"
Melania glances around, taking in the excitement and curiosity being exhibited by the others at Akio's revelation.
She smiles nervously
I'm sorry but I don't understand what a Showlin munk is. You did however exhibit some advanced Peacekeeper tactical training and abilities. I would be interested to learn where you acquired such skills
Her eyes narrow slightly, her tone more serious than before.
"Umm.." Akio histates as everyone turns to him asking him questions. "I'm a student of the Shaolin arts, I've spent my entire life there training." He looks to the strange woman as she asks. "Many stories are exaggerated about my order... But I have seen wonders in my time I could not explain."
"There's old things in this world, that have faded into legend or forgotten entirely."
He then turns to Concussion. "I'm afraid I haven't really seen any film's, maybe you could show me some? I am here to learn."
Wait, what? says Agent Johnson. Youve never seen a movie or just a kung-fu movie? I mean either is weird but.
Why dont we leave you to discuss things. says Angstrum You know where to find us.
Unless you have any more questions, he will excuse himself and the other Agents from the meeting
Lucas walks over to the coffee and pours himself a cup. He sprinkles some sugar into it as he watches the Agents leave the room. "Look, now that they're gone, maybe we ought to lay out our cards on the table. I mean, if we're talking about working together, we need to know about each other. For instance, Akio's training. I'm sure you're interested in Melania and myself too. If we are going to be a team, then we don't want surprises." He sits back down, sipping his coffee.
Watching the agents until the door closes behind them, Melania returns her odd eyes to the others
They have said their piece and we ours, but I am no closer to understanding what will happen next. What do they expect? What do you expect?
"It's not that i've never seen any.. Films. Time was spent a little differently back at the temple, It was quite a shock coming to new york. I must have spent hours when i first saw the big tv's in time square just watching them." He smiles for a moment. "My old masters would scold me for that, I used to sneak out with the other boys and watch The Battle of Dingjunshan. It was black and white with no sound but we liked to make up our own words." Pausing he looks at the others realising hes rambling.
--
"I assume they just want us to do what we were doing? I know they couldnt stop me, but like today... I don't think I could take all those bank robbers." He shrugs. "I don't expect you to tell us everything Lucus. You said a man called Obsorne nearly killed you? Is that why.. why you're disfigured?"
He then turns to the alien woman, hoping to warm himself to her."Melania was it? Not to be rude but you're clearly alien, It means nothing to me. There are many strange creatures and people that visit our temples but how did you find yourself on earth?"
"You don't know about Harry Osborn and OSCORP? Oh, right. The life of a secluded monk. Well, I misspoke. Osborn actually did kill me." Lucas pauses for a moment.
"Ok, cards on a table, right? Harry Osborn headed an advanced biotechnology firm called OSCORP. I worked for him as an engineer and researcher. His stuff was cutting edge, I mean, he's the Tony Stark of biotech. Unfortunately, he's also a megalomaniac who used the technology to enhance himself and become a menace known as the Green Goblin. A supervillian of sorts who killed dozens."
He takes a deep breath. Talking about your own death was not easy. "When I tried to stop it, he killed me. Drowned me in a vat of chemicals that we had dubbed the 'goblin formula'. They say I was dead for nearly half an hour. I won't go into the tech-talk, but hat actually happened was that the chemicals were working in my body to rewrite my DNA. Some of what you see here..." He points at his face and arms. ...is scarring, but most of it is a result of the chemicals changing my body. Now, I'm good with chemistry, but even I don't understand what happened. SHIELD's been trying to help me unlock and reverse the process. I mean, the same stuff turned Osborne into sort of a twisted super-soldier, but it turned me into this."
He sighs. "Anyway, I'm a tech guy. What you saw out there was mostly some top-notch chemistry and some cool stuff Maggie has whipped up. I never considered being a field operative. Maybe field support, but..." He waves his hand seemingly having no words for the idea."[/b]
He looks at Melania. "You're an alien? Whoa, that's awesome. Like Thor? What is your world like?"
I had not realised the full extent of the Goblin's story, how unfortunate you got caught up in it all.
Melania sympathises.
An alien yes, like Thor? No. His race insists on hiding advanced technology in the trappings of mysticism and ritual. My race is somewhat... less nostalgic and... sentimental.
She sips water as she considers her next words
I was born on an asteroid habitat and moved around a lot as a child, so I would call the whole system my home rather than one planet. Much like you 'solar system', there are multiple planets, some in the 'goldilocks zone' and others which have been terraformed or simply colonised with technology.
Passion, or perhaps zeal creeps in to her voice
I was part of a system-wide Peace Officer force that kept the different political factions of our system from erupting in to civil war...
Suddenly she hesitates, then seems to change tack
So my starfighter was damaged and I ended up going through several shift gates, you call them 'wormholes', and when the engine failed I was able to coax it a little further and ended up crash landing somewhere near... Sicily I think it was.
She takes another sip of water
This planet is very far from my home system, and my ship was very badly damaged. I have accepted that I am likely to never return, and so want to do what I was born to do, keep the peace.
So... how is this supposed to work? We meet up for a heated or chilled beverage and a mutually agreeable leisure time activity and discuss the experiences we have had in the intervening time since our last 'meet up'?
She blinks slowly, looking around at everyone
I have not tried this 'bowling' yet that people keep mentioning... is it... good?
Akio listens on to Lucas's story "That's a pretty amazing, not the whole being killed but coming back to life?" He looks the man up and down. "Pretty amazing how that stuff brought you back. What happened to Harry?"
"I don't really know what biotech is, and me and technology don't really get along." He takes out his old nokia phone. "I've only just got used to this. So I'm kinda glad you'll be running with us."
He then listens as Melania, explains where she came from. "Wow" He says as she finally finishes, keeping his eye on her a little too long as he feels she's not telling the whole story. But he's not one to push someone he's just met even. "You really think you'll never get back? That seems extremely unlucky? or lucky to end up here on earth."
"Bowling now i've heard of that, but also never played it. I suppose we could think about doing something social? I don't really have a lot of friends being new I mostly dedicate my time to training, helping around the temple and the only real job I could get... I'm on thin ice with that one currently."
"Well, then we should go some time. I mean, if you don't have to take on more shifts at work to make up for things. Do you need to go make sure you still have a job?"
He glances to Melania. "And I've love to take a look at your ship even if it's a wreck. Maybe there's something we can learn."