Disclaimer: I don't own any of the original characters from Victorious, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. or other Marvel characters. I just put them in a blander and saw what came out.
Note: I don't know enough about the current season of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. for there to be spoilers. Assume minimal overlap. (More could happen as time goes forward.) Agent Malcolm Anderson will continue to he my voice of S.H.I.E.L.D. in LA, and for the purposes of law enforcement and those in the know, the organization is around. It's just not as publicly known as it otherwise might look.
This is a continuation of Victorious Origons.
:}
It was a lonely stretch of the pier, away from the main docks. Thats why, at three in the morning, it was usually quiet. The other docks were busy twenty four seven, bringing goods and materials in to the country. People were working there at every hour of the day, constantly busy. But these docks were off to the side, with sips that ran a regular schedule. So it wasn't uncommon for these docks to be all but deserted at three in the morning. But this day, on this lonely stretch of dock, the world exploded into gunfire.
The Los Angeles Port Police were caught totally off guard. They had no idea these smugglers would be so well armed. They, along with the FBI, had only expected twenty or so people, with maybe small arms. But thugs in body armor armed with assault rifles and HMGs (Heavy machine guns) where the last thing they'd have expected. "Where do they think they are?" One of the fed's asked. He was an older, white officer who looked like he'd stepped out of a recruitment poster.
"Call in backup, and someone alert the cost guard!" One of the police officers screamed.
Adding to the problem, there were far more smuggles then anyone had expected. Not caring how the bad guys wound up with over twice the manpower expected, the FBI were calling for assistance while the police were calling for their own people to withdraw. Bodies were already littering the docks, fallen police officers who's body armor had failed to repulse the severe fire power used against them, and no one was able to check for survivors.
"Call S.H.I.E.L.D" One of the dock police called. "We need help, now."
"It's outside their jurisdiction." The other FBI agent, a black woman in her late twenties screamed. "They won't come."
"But the Coast Guard will." Her partner said. "They have a ship heading this way. And we have backup with them."
The reason for the coastguard was simple in concept. A coastguard heavy patrol boat would be armed with two 50 caliber HMG's, giving them the firepower to match up with the smugglers. "Wish they had a five inch gun." One of the patrol men said.
As the sound of the sirens from the various patrol boats approached, the smugglers opened a box and pulled out a LAW, or light anti-tank weapon. The anti-tank rockets were more then enough to sink any one of the boats coming to help, maybe even kill the crew. The senior FBI agent was on his radio. "Pull back, they have Heavy Weapons." But the only response he got was static. They were being jammed.
There was a flash of light from the deck of the smugglers ship, followed by a second, and two rockets flew off towards the incoming Patrol Boat. Seconds passed as the rockets flew with deadly accuracy, one at the water line, the other deck level. Then the first explosion killed the hopes of all the law enforcement personnel present on the docks. "Pull back." The senior FBI agent said, thought he knew most of the patrol men wouldn't be able to hear. The second explosion echoed through the night.
"And on a school night!" A voice called above the sounds of the automatic weapons. Then a figure in a dark jumpsuit was tackling one of the patrol men, pulling him out of the line of fire of the thugs.
Twin shining figures moved through the air as the Coastguard boat was seen, still floating, pulling closer to the smugglers ship. "Guardian, take out that rocket launcher. Golden Girl, start clearing the decks. I want control of that ship now." The figure in the dark jumpsuit, now clearly a young black man, screamed. His voice seemed to cut through the various background noises, letting everyone know what he wanted them to do. "And someone make sure Power Princess is okay."
In the water, Jade was being hauled on to one of the harbor patrol boats. She'd intercepted both rockets, and felt like crap. "You okay?" One of the officers asked.
"I'm fine." She said. "They were shape charges. Wasn't expecting that. Punched through the defense field, and I still had to stop the second one." Despite her potent defences, she was bleeding from the twin explosions she'd caught on her chest.
The police officer tried to bandage what looked to be a serious chest wound, but it was closing too fast for him to clean it properly. "Keep her stable, and stay out of the fight." The second man on the boat said. He watched as her wounds closed. "I hope that means she's healing."
On the docks, the thugs were trying to draw a bead on a single figure that was dancing and weaving through them. But even on full auto fire, they were just doing more damage to their own people then to Blitz. But while Tori was able to pull the weapons from some of their hands, she wasn't strong enough to disarm a man who was holding onto his gun for dear life.
However, Tori's actions gave Andre the chance to close and engage. He was a far better fighter then the thugs, easily disabling them. "Careful, some of these guys are trained fighters." He called out. "Cheshire, find the source of the jammers. I want Radio back."
"On it." Trina called from deep inside the ship. She popped from one place to another, and felt for where she ran into interference. It wasn't working, so instead she aimed for the room with the most radio equipment. "I wouldn't want to be in your shoes when princess recovers." She told he man working the radio. He reached for his gun, and found himself in hand to hand combat with Trina. But as a former S.H.I.E.L.D. agent, the man was a capable fighter. He knocked Trina down and grabbed his gun to finish her. Only, she'd faded. Then she kicked him in the head from her place maybe a foot away, now standing.
Outside, Cat was using her energy pulses to herd the thugs in Becks direction, since he had a better control of his ability not to kill. Beck, meanwhile, had destroyed the HMG's, and pumped his defensive shield up to maximum. Then he was using his enhanced strength to disable the men near him.
"Golden Girl, use your energy at low power, take some of these guys out." Beck called.
"What if I cave in another man's ribs?" Cat yelled back. She flew over to one of the men, yanked his gun from his hand, and threw him over the side towards the now sea of patrol boats.
"Do you have anything like a taser?" Beck asked. 'Remind me to ask Sinj to build me something like that.'
"I have an ultra-high frequency pulse I could try." She said. "Hope this doesn't boil their insides."
The golden pulse was darker, almost orange. But the man it hit stiffened and fell down. Cat rushed over to check on him, leaving Beck to hold off the small army of man still on the deck. But the sweet girl had to know her beam hadn't ended a life.
Tori was now fighting dirty, clotheslineing everyone so she could stop the fight as quickly as possible. She knew she was hurting her arms. The Latina wasn't used to multiple impacts on her arms. But the men she hit, deliberately low so she didn't crush their throats, were going down and having trouble getting back up.
Trina had, by now, secured the radio room, taken out the two guards who'd been outside the door, and turned off everything. Feeling good about her part getting done, she used her radio link to let everyone know it was on. "Hey everyone, guess who's done her job."
"Check on Princess." Andre ordered. "We may still need her."
"Okay, but… You know what, I'll take care of it." Trina reached out and grabbed the three men she'd overpowered, and popped out to the boat that was reporting they had Jade. "One of these guys is a tough fighter." Trina told them. "Feed that one to Princess if he tries anything. How is she?"
Jade was laying in a corner, unconscious. "She fainted soon after we dragged her on board." One of the officers said. "Considering what she'd exposed herself too, I'm amazed she's alive."
"Shape charges, and potent ones." Trina noted. "This has to be Hydra, cause it's S.H.I.E.L.D. tech. Otherwise, Power Princess wouldn't have been taken out." Trina then looked at the officers. "Look, I gotta get back to the swirling melee. You guys, watch them, and if she wakes up grumpy, run." Trina then popped back into the fray.
It was too late. The thugs were beaten. Despite their heavy level of training, they were no match for any of the Champions. "How's Ja.. Murf." Tori asked, but Trina's hand over her mouth made the question hard to understand.
"She'll be fine." Trina said. "Not even a scar. I hate her healing abilities."
"Okay, I heard what you said, and S.H.I.E.L.D. is on rout to confiscate the rockets. But if it's theirs or old Stark tech, then we're still facing the reality that this was anti-heavy armor." Andre said over the communicators.
"What we're facing is that Princess still hasn't mastered the ability to enhance her own defenses. Remember what Seer said. She should have bounced both rockets and been ripping arms off." Guardian said. "Deck's clear, and the stragglers ran into Blitz. I'm thinking our jobs done here."
"Except S.H.I.E.L.D. isn't here to take these guys into custody." Distortion, Andre, said. "Guys, anyone who can live without the sleep, stay. Everyone else, bounce."
"I'm staying." Tori said.
"You need the sleep." Her sister complained.
"Not until I see Princess on her feet.'
"What do you expect, five minutes?" Andre asked.
"I'll stay." Beck said.
"Cheshire, get your sister out of here. Golden girl, you bounce too. Guardian and I will stay and watch these people." Andre said.
"Not to be a buzz kill, but there's evidence of someone watching from the rooftop of one of the warehouses." Robbie's voice cut in. "Satellite coverage is kinda shaky, given that this is an old soviet Satellite. I wasn't able to get a clear view. But I think he's gone now."
"So, Saturday. We finally get access to that nifty base we discovered under the junk yard. How long do you think it was there?" Beck asked. "Did Jade's dad build it for his own purposes?"
"I'm just looking forward to us having our own place." Andre said.
"And me a lab where Tech support can build me a suit." Robbie added.
"Jade's up." Beck noted as one of the agents flew up into the air. "I'll take care of the agent, you make sure she's contained."
"On it." Dre said. He hopped from boat to boat until he reached the one Jade was on. She was wazzed, but contained. It did look, however, like a couple of the thugs had snuck on board and tried to take out the officers. Jade was holding one of them.
"So, you wanna learn how to fly too?" She asked. The man was shaking his head furiously.
"Princess, good work, but you can bounce now. I have this." Andre said. 'What a night. Guess this is our debut.'
"Dude, what did you get on Gradstien's Test?" Beck asked quietly as they waited for S.H.I.E.L.D. to arrive.
Tori walked into the base, feeling a bit better about her day. Maybe Trina was dating a bad boy, but was Jade really much better? The Asgardian princess was short tempered, dangerous, and demanding. But Jade was also caring, deeply affectionate, and always willing to help. 'I just don't know Griffin that well.' She decided. Besides, she'd kicked butt just a couple of days ago.
"So, what do we know about this nifty base that was just left for us under the junk yard?" She heard Sikowitz ask Andre. She put on a quick pulse of speed to join them in the large open entryway.
"So far, we've been unable to identify most of the compounds used in it's construction, and thats scarey, since apparently it was made from the junk above us." Dre informed the teacher. "Oh, hey Chiquita. Whats what?"
"Well, I'm excited cause, a month after Mal and S.H.I.E.L.D. discovered this fun little base all shiny and new, waiting for us, they've finally decided that it's okay for us to move in. I wanna see what their training facilities look like. It's gotta be better then using the junk above us." Tori gushed. She felt like a child in a toy store. The base was cut out from the earth below the junkyard, full of high tech looking devices and futuristic thingies. The walls, like everything else she could figure, were made of some kind of alloy made from the materials available. Only not. She wasn't part of the science core, but she'd always had an interest in science. The base just looked so…. Neat.
"Yea, but while we haven't found anything too worrisome, the base's just too convenient. Also, I doubt we know half of what this place can do." Andre explained. "High tech bases with all the amenities don't just pop up."
"You remember when we talked about your origins?" Sikowitz asked.
"I don't think we have time for an aside." Tori tried.
"Mal, agent Anderson, he said that Jade's brother was this high tech gadgeteer with alien levels of technology." The teacher turned trainer said. "Obviously, he built the base."
"What makes you say that?" Andre asked.
"I surmised it from several clues, all gathered from the report S.H.I.E.L.D. gave us." The quirky Inhuman said. "First, the materials and equipment are either at the height of S.H.I.E.L.D. technology or higher. Her brother is said to have that kind of technology. Second, as you said, it's just so convenient. Why would any of our potential enemies just give this base to us? I know, if it's trapped, then they'd be planning on using this against us some time in the future. But that is dependent on someone knowing we were planning on using this junk yard as a base. And from what I understand, the whole idea of the junk yard came from the fact that Jade's father, the father she shares her brother with, had access to this place. But the biggest clue was the industrial sized Hot Tub. As I recall, Jade loved hot tubs."
Jade walked up to the hidden entrance to the base, Cat just behind her. "Hello? Anyone here?" The goth called out. The automatic doors opened for her, something they hadn't done for anyone else who wasn't wearing an id lanyard.
When the crew first discovered the base, they found three blank lanyards outside. They were able to access just enough of the base to understand what it was, and process a couple of full access lanyards. After the techs looked the base over, they discovered that it had a safety system built in. Only the Inhumans, and as would be later discovered Cat and Jade, could process full access lanyards. Sikwotz was more then willing to help, but his condition was that the base belong to his team. He had no intent of handing this over to S.H.I.E.L.D. Not when his team needed the base. He also looked around once he had his lanyard. But still, the doors never, before that moment, had opened for anyone who didn't either have an access lanyard, or have someone inside open the door for them.
"Okay, maybe there's a logic to what you're saying." Tori admitted as she walked over to hug her girlfriend.
"Have we claimed rooms yet?" Jade asked. "I want one with a big whirlpool jacuzzi bathtub." She smiled at her girlfriend. "And next to yours, if possible. You can help me break in the…."
"You wanna screw, we get it." Cat cut in. "Hi Sikowitz, Hi Andre."
"Where is everyone?" Tori asked.
"Beck and Sinjin are right behind me." Jade said. "They filled Beck's truck with chiz, and are going to head straight to the labs. Sinjin's going to claim one of the labs for him and Courtney. Robbie's acting as a lab assistant until he can get his hands on some powered armor and join in the training."
"I knew the last part." Tori huffed.
"And Cat's here." Cat added, trying to go through some random door. "Phooey. You'd think Adam would have included me in the base Id logs."
"Caaat, tell me what you know." Jade said, looking at her friend.
"Please, it's obvious." The redhead said. "The base just showed up, over night, with everything we'd need, including internal power and a hanger for a Quinjet. I think he should have given us some kind of lightning rail to the shield hangers, but he didn't. Anyways, then all the locks and doors are keyed to open for Jade here. So where's Trina?"
"Out with Griffin again." Tori said, sighing. "He seems like the classic bad boy, and I'm not so sure he's the kind of guy Trina should be getting serious with."
"Cant you just be happy she has someone?" Cat asked.
"You know my theory about handsome, perfect boys." Jade said.
"Said the girl with the biggest secrets." Tori teased. When Jade glared at her, the Latina gave her girlfriends nose a quick kiss.
"You know what I mean." Jade continued.
"Just because a cute boy approached my sister and asked her out, doesn't mean anything." Tori said, hugging Jade with one arm.
"You're right." Jade said. "But based on the way he approached her, I assumed he wanted something."
"Maybe to date her?" Tori asked.
"Or maybe he's a part of whatever group tried to kidnap you." Jade shot back. "Look, a bad boy using Trina for sex, that I get. But I just don't trust this guy. He's Trina's weakness. She isn't thinking, and neither is anyone else since this is Trina actually dating."
"Hurtful." Trina said, materializing in the room.
"How'd you hear that?" Tori asked, fascinated.
"I was temporarily caught in the communication buffers of the base. The defenses are amazing." The teliporter said. "But they weren't designed to keep me out, so I was able to get past the buffers. I did wind up hearing what Jade just said. Are you suggesting it's wrong that he likes me for more then just my awesome looks?"
"I'm saying I never trust the pretty boys. They always have something their hiding." Jade sneered. "And since your part of the team, and I'm dating your sister, I guess I kinda have to worry about what kind of loser you're dating."
"Jade's brother made this base for us." Cat chirped in. By that point, Sikowiz and Andre had shuffled over to join them.
"Okay, everybody, y'all are about to get lanyards. The card on them has a chip that, from what I can tell, matches your genetic markers." Andre said, trying to understand the bases sensors. "Not sure how deep it goes, but if you have the wrong lanyard, you aren't getting through any secured doors. You won't even be able to get through the unsecured doors. And an alarm will hopefully sound. But with the lanyard, you have mostly unrestricted access to the base. So, everyone come and get one. Sikowitz, would you please give Beck, Sinjin, Courtney and Robbie theirs."
"Tori, be a lamb and race up to give our science crew their access lanyards." Sikowitz said.
"Why me?" Tori asked.
"You're fast." The quirky teacher said.
"Why not Trina?" She asked.
"She's going to be busy helping me." The teacher said. Tori huffed, took the lanyards, and raced up to the others. She was amused to see the base opened the door in front of her, allowing her to race through at nearly full speed. Seconds later, with the boys all wearing lanyards, Tori raced back to Sikwoitz. "They have the lanyards, and I gave Sinjin access to the pre-recorded instruction on them."
"Pre-recorded?" Andre asked.
"I recorded what you said, and sent it to them." Tori clarified. "Now, Jade, lets see what your brother gave us."
Beck, meanwhile, was enjoying the new base. "Not much of a view, but the whole thing, it's so high tech." He said as they carried the first load into the base. Beck had a special mini-pallet so he could carry more stuff.
"Don't get too excited about the tech." Courtney said. "I'm betting we don't even have the same level as S.H.I.E.L.D., let alone someone like Stark."
"I'm far more concerned about where this came from." Sinjin commented.
Robbie walked up carrying Rex. "Oh boy, move in day. Anything I can help with? Maybe something like a power suit?"
"Rob, we've been over this." Sinjin said, carrying a load of stuff. "I was working with magnetic fields, and found that muscle mass was a key component. I haven't been able to work on another technology that equals what I'm working on for Beck. However, with the new digs, maybe we can figure something out."
"Besides, I'm loving the eye in the sky advice." Beck added. "Sinj, do you think we can maybe go fore something along those lines? Give him abilities that help with coordinating the team?"
"Like I said, let me see where the tech, and the resources, lead me." Sinjin begged. "But let me warn you, it takes a special kind of person to be a hero, or even wield that kind of power. I mean, look at Jade. She's incredibly strong, tough, and yet the only reason she's one of us is we're her friends. I doubt she'd have volunteered to do anything like this on her own."
"So your saying being a hero isn't in her nature?" Rex asked.
"Not exactly." Courtney said. "I think he's saying that her motivations aren't the same as say, Beck here. Beck wants to help save the world, where as she's in it for her friends. And Tori. Honestly, I didn't see that one coming."
"And you saw her being an Asgardian Princess?" Her brother asked.
"Not exactly." The weird girl said. "But I had an easier time believing that then her falling for Tori."
"So she doesn't come across as gay?" Beck asked. "Or was it the way she treated Tori?"
"Well, the things she did to Tori could be interpreted as denial, or maybe feeling threatened by her own feelings." Courtney started. "But if I'm being totally honest, I'd have thought Jade would have hooked up with someone like Cat, who she could control."
"Except that she loses interest in someone when they become compliant." Beck pointed out. "I had to keep playing games with her to keep her interested. Besides, and I only see it now, Tori and Jade push each other to be their best. It's a mutually beneficial relationship."
"And it's really hot when they kiss." Rex added. When he saw everyone looking at him, he added "It is."
"Okay, which of these labs spaces wants to be ours?" Sinjin asked.
"Why choose one?" Robbie asked. "We have the whole place."
"Okay, then which of these lab spaces wants to be the first one we use?" Sinjin tried again.
"Why not this one?" Courtney asked. "It has the required space, looks like we could put in or build whatever equipment we need, has a computer hub, and it's the first one we came too."
"Sound arguments." Beck agreed. "So, anyone met this Griffin guy? Whats he like?"
"He's hot." Rex said. "What, still secure in myself. Besides, I doubt he's really that much of a bad boy."
"Why do girls like bad boys?" Robbie asked. "And why didn't it ever work for me?"
"They like them because the bad boys are dangerous." Courtney explained. "That makes them exciting. But truthfully, half the girls who date bad boys think they're the one to tame 'em. So many girls racing towards heart break."
Robbie got a text. "Great, my grandmother found out they didn't cancel the internet after all, and wants me to help her figure things out. Guys, I'll stall as long as I can, but I have to take this call."
Robbie walked away from the group, and into one of the rooms. "Okay, Mister Ward, whats can I do for you?"
"I saw what your friends did to my friends at the docks." Grant said. "I was wondering, when can you get me the specifics about them?"
"You want specific?" Robbie asked. "Why didn't you tell me they had man portable anti-ship weapons?"
"I didn't know." The former S.H.I.E.L.D. agent said. "Stark Tech can be… Explosive. On of your friends get hurt?"
"Power Princess, and she'll make you very dead if she finds out you had anything to do with that weapon being there." Robbie warned. "But her life force constantly renews, drawing off some cosmic reserve of energy. She healed from what should have been lethal wounds in minutes. "
"I'm working on finding a way to neutralize her." Grant said.
"And we're working on a way to turn her." Rob shot back. "Look, I know this isn't exactly n equal partnership, but don't diss our contributions. Or our roll."
"I'm not." Grant said. "I have that toy you gave me. One shot, but it could save my life. And probably take out a threat."
"Yea." Robbie said, not sure what to say next. "Look, I have to get back. I'm working my way into their full trust, and I'm hoping to get a line on Guardians tech. But I need to keep working on them, earning their trust, so they'll let me in."
"Okay, if we're going to work together, you should know I know about the new base, at the junkyard." The former operative said. "And I know you were helping carry some equipment in."
"Having me watched?" Robbie asked.
"No, that proved hazardous to my people." Grant replied. "But I did have a couple of known S.H.I.E.L.D. scientists watched, and they led me straight to the place. So which of the kids we've seen walking in have powers."
"You'll know when you need to know." Robbie said.
:}
Hope you enjoyed this. Not sure how long I'll be able to keep updating, but I'm gonna try for weekly.
Reviews make the whole thing easier.