Avengers: S.T.A.T.I.O.N
AUTHORS NOTE* This is my first story. So my apologies, for any OOC moments. This may seem a little choppy. I might just put up the first 5 chapters or so and then go back and add some stuff. Who knows! It's my first time and I hope to have a blast.*
Chapter One: Fury's Gamble
June 2013: Post London Incident
S.H.I.E.L.D Helicarrier, Director Fury's Office
1578 hours.
"No."
"I'm sorry?"
"No. This class won't work with them." Nick Fury stated. "They are reckless, and none of them have the technical skill. Hell, three of them barely passed the physical!"
"Sir." Maria Hill started. "You know I have the utmost respect for you. But we need to graduate a class this term. I get 2013-A wasn't the best class, but we can't afford to be undermanned."
Nick Fury sighed. She was right. The events of London had shown him and the world that there were still forces that could wipe them out in no time flat. He looked again at the roster, and made a decision;
"Burke, Remy, Paulsen. Everyone else cycled back into the program. Slate a 2017-C entry test for only those of this group that pass a reexamination test. Run it concurrently with 2017-B." Fury eyed Hill;
"Start screening for 2017-B."
XXxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxXX
The Avengers, were scattered.
Stark hung up the Iron Man suit.
Rogers was adjusting.
Romanoff and Barton were on their S.H.I.E.L.D rotation.
Banner was at Stark Tower, working RD.
And Thor was on "Vacation" in London with Jane Foster.
In the eyes of Baron Strucker, the world was defenseless. For now. It was only a matter of time until it would be too late for the Avengers to act.
XXxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxXX
A cold breeze cooled Connor's skin, as the warm summer sun beat down on Aberdeen. A short walk from School to Home separated him from food.
Well, a short walk for everyone else.
For Connor, it was a 5 second jog.
Superspeed was neat.
Whizzing through alleys and backstreets, Connor found himself home quickly. He entered home at normal speed and went straight to the fridge. Mom and Dad weren't home, so the food was free for the taking.
One bucket and six pounds of potatoes from KFC later and Connor was full. Hunger sated, he turned on the TV. The London Incident was the new big deal on the News these days. Bored quickly, he looked out the window, and caught a glimpse of something.
A head of red hair a block out. But it wasn't the hair, the woman thought that she could look away fast enough. She didn't. She was looking right at him.
Her expression told Connor that she knew she had been made. Muscles tensed in slow motion as she rose to move.
For Connor, it was an opportunity to alleviate some boredom.
He dashed out of his window, snatched up the woman, and ran back to his room, dumping her on his Futon.
"Don't try running. Ya know, casing homes isn't a good look on you." He simply quipped.
"I wasn-"
"Oh, so you were stalking? Look, as drop dead Gorgeous as y-"
"My name is Natalie Rushman, and I work for the government."
Connor stopped. His throat dried and his palms began to sweat.
"Look, I haven't hurt an-"
"I'm here to talk to you about joining a program, actually." Natalie spoke, almost normal.
"W-What Program?" Connor asked.
"We call it S.T.A.T.I.O.N."
"Acronym?"
"Acronym."
"Do I want to know?"
"No."
"Well… ok. Where do I try out?"
"Tomorrow, Meet me at the Needle. In Seattle." Natalie looked him in the eye, and smirked;
"Shouldn't be a problem for you."
Connor nodded. "Just leave my parents out of it."
"Deal."
XXxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxXX
"You made contact?"
"He made me sir. His reflexes were just a LITTLE faster than mine. I wasn't sloppy, just outpaced… for once."
Fury sighed. He looked at Natasha Romanoff.
"We've been watching him since the Battle of New York. You think he's ready? So soon?"
"He has to be, Romanoff. It's too late now."
"What do I do?"
"He's young. His parents aren't around as much as he'd like to believe. Before we bring him into S.T.A.T.I.O.N, he needs a mentor. He needs to mature."
"Barton could take him."
"No. Barton needs time to recuperate. Loki did a number on him."
"Then who, Nick? Stark?"
Seeing the humor, Fury chuckled.
"No Romanoff. You."
"What? Me?"
"Did I stutter?"
"No sir. It just that I don't have the schedule."
"You do now. Your job is threefold. Protect him, guide him, and be there for him."
"You're asking me to make a connection? To compromise myself?"
"Read his file and give me a better approach."
That stopped Romanoff from arguing. Seeing her lack of response, Fury pressed;
"We will give you a cover story that will allow you to bring him to D.C. You two will be living together for an extensive period of time. You need to know him. One day you may be his handler."
"He's 14. I'm not exactly sure how he will act to this change."
"We aren't either. There's only one way to find out. I want him ready for S.T.A.T.I.O.N by September. He needs to graduate 2015-A."
"That's a fast time table."
"2013-A was a bit of a bust. His talents will help him."
"You think he will pass?"
"He will. It's your job to make sure he earns a place amongst Earth's Mightiest Heroes. The reason he's starting at STATION is so we can show the other Mutants, Inhumans,or Enhanced that they can too. Motivate them, and gain Connor."
"I'll get ready "
"Good. Good Luck Romanoff."
"I'll need it."
XXxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxXX
October 2013
STATION 2015-A Initiation
STATION Operations, Washington DC
"I look stupid."
"You look fine, Speedy."
"Don't call me that."
"Fine, Recruit West."
"You know, I hate you."
"Just remember… Your abilities do not define you."
"Ok, Nat."
"I have a meeting. I gotta go."
"Ok. See ya!"
Connor turned away from Natasha and looked at the clean, but plain building in front of him. STATION was essentially a year and a half skill test. Unfortunately, it was a year and a half of exhausting work. Connor's class was 27 other people. All older than him. Natasha made it clear that "Only the toughest, maybe five or six at most, will graduate the first time through."
He was a little worried. But Nat had made it clear that Fury had called down to the staff to help hide Connor's abilities.
He felt hand picked. Then again, everyone here was.
"Ok. Here I go."
Connor's courseroom was located on the second floor. Six hours a day in that room. With 27 other people of all ages, shapes, and sizes.
But the room was spacious.
14 tables, arranged in two columns, faced the front of the room. A quick count showed 22 of his classmates were in the room. The others would roll in soon.
He took a seat in the third row. No one was next to him, yet.
He eyed the room, and saw a few people from Initiation.
Chris Doyle, a 31 year old Canadian man. At 6'1, 226 pounds of Muscle, he was a physical prototype.
Annette Shawn, a 47 year old forensic analyst from London. Her experience allowed SHIELD to track the remaining Dark Elves.
And Kazuchika Morimoto, an Engineer from Tokyo who designed the newest Quinjet for SHIELD.
Connor knew that this class had some heavy hitters. But honestly, he felt prepared. As long as he kept his powers a secret, he should be alright.
15 minutes later*
STATION was intimidating. But not as intimidating as the instructor that entered the front of the class.
He looked aged. Mid 40's to early 50's. His hair was graying and his face clean shaven. He was relatively well built, like a slightly husky runner. He looked to be around 6'1. But the reason for his intimidation was the fact that he had a cold gaze. Clear blue eyes scanned the room and Connor swore that the temperature dropped.
"Hello class." A southern accent surprised those who weren't paying attention. "My name is Doctor Leonard Fremont. You will refer to me as Instructor Fremont, or sir. Understand?"
"Yes Instructor!" The class chorused.
"Good. Now, you have all made it through the preliminary scanning and screening. Don't celebrate. All you have done is advanced to the next circle of hell. For the next year and a half, I will be your guide to the scorch of your fears, your worries, your triumphs, and your victory. My job is to ensure that you receive the information needed to graduate, but present the challenge that screens out the weak. Today, you will be acclimated to the STATION facility, learn of the chain of command, and take a preliminary test, so I can gage where we need to start. Remember, a chain is only as strong as it's weakest link. Do you understand?"
"Yes Instructor!" Another chorus.
"Now, let us begin."
XXxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxXX
6 1/2 hours later*
Connor slipped into an alley. After a glance around, he smiled and began to run. Everything around him slowed down and he breezed around DC. It was nice to get out and run, and after today's courses, he was eager to get home.
Skidding to a halt in front of their Apartment complex, Connor looked and was glad that no one saw. He smiled and walked up into the building.
Entering the apartment, Connor knew not to wonder where Natasha was. She was out on a SHIELD op. Something about "Budapest 2.0" (Connor had never, EVER, heard the story) so he never worried.
Then, he heard a knock. Sharp, and quick. He tensed up and approached the door, sliding the gun put from under the Lamp on his way.
He stopped, and glanced through the hole.
He was greeted by a tall blond man, with blue eyes and a very innocent face.
Steve Rogers.
Connor eased up, and opened the door, holding the weapon out for Rogers to see.
"You're lucky I didn't just open and pop you."
"Connor, wow. I guess I'll be more careful."
"No worries man. What's up?"
Rogers looked at Connor a little forlornly.
"I'm lost."
Connor studied his face, and was about to laugh when Steve said
"What am I supposed to do with myself?"
"Oh." Connor paused. "Well, honestly, in my book, you should come to SHIELD."
"No, Connor. Shadow operations are not my thing. Besides, SHIELD doesn't need me."
"Really? You think that? Dude, you really need to understand two things: First, Natasha took me in. Ok? She never needed me and I was about as lost as you are now. Second, you are literally an asset to any team you are on. You are a leader, and a hero. You'd inspire everyone around you. So next time, before you say that SHIELD doesn't need you, maybe think that maybe SHIELD could really use your help."
Steve stepped back, and chewed his lip before looking back at Connor
"Thanks Connor. Really."
"No big deal dude."
3 hours later*
After seeing Rogers off, Connor lounged in the Living Room. His homework (if one could call government training work "homework") was done. He was ready to head to bed when he heard four sharp knocks, followed by to whistles. Connor got up and checked the hole in the door.
Nat was home!
He opened the door and let her in. Natasha strutted in and looked around, examining the living room with a calculating eye, before turning to Connor
"How was class?"
"Well, Instructor Fremont is intimidating. The food is ok and the course work is a breeze."
"So, you had a good first day?"
"It was alright, I suppose. Training for a super secret government organization shouldn't really be fun right?"
"Well…"
"Ok, point taken."
"Any visitors?"
"Rogers stopped by."
Natasha was surprised at that. She turned sharply, and looked at Connor.
"What did he need?"
Connor shrugged "Advice. I think I did damn good."
Natasha smirked. Personally, she thought Connor was alright. But she could see that some times his ego still shined through. But in such a short time he grew up. Just a bit, but it was obvious that by putting him into a better situation, he was able to flourish.
She felt pride. Something she hadn't felt in years.
"Good job, Connor. I'm going to grab a shower. Then we will do dinner."
"Don't use all of the hot water!"
Halfway into the bathroom, Natasha shook her head and replied
"Bite me!"
Yeah, maybe this whole "connection" thing would do them both some good.
*One hour later*
With Connor fed and asleep, Natasha went to the roof and spared a glance around, before calling Fury.
"Agent Romanoff, status?"
"Green, sir."
"And West?"
"Acclimated. He has settled in and flourished in a more positive environment."
"Good. How did he do on his first day?"
"As expected. Breezed through the courses and from what Fremont tells me, he is near the top of the class. Emerson, Donald, and Morimoto are the only ones above him. Doyle isn't to far under."
"So fourth overall?"
"Yes sir."
"Good start. Especially for someone so young."
"Agent Romanoff, West is in a good position. You haven't had a vacation in the decade you've been with SHIELD. Even I've had one or two. Take the next two months off. Build a connection with West, and then when you return, finish your last three months on SHIELD rotation. Then BOTH of you will relocate to Avengers tower for the remainder of his STATION days."
"That far from DC?"
"He could run there and back in 45 minutes to an hour."
"Trust me, Romanoff. He can do it. It's good practice."
"I hope you're right, Nick."
"Me too, Romanoff. Fury out."