Part 1 – Disaster
Nick Fury paced in front of the Avengers' Briefing Table in the Helicarrier, seated at the table was Daredevil, Captain America, Ms. Marvel, and Wolverine.
"Welcome everyone," Colonel Fury said, "Let's be brief," he pressed a small button on the console in front of him which pulled up the image of a small Eastern European Country in the rough shape of a bean, "Des'teria, a small slice of nowhere bordering Europe and Russia," he then switched the channel so it was showing a European woman about five-foot-six wearing a grey business suit with red hair, "Also happens to be home to one Arlene Rochelle who in recent years has taken an interest in rare European Artifacts," he switched the screen to show spy footage of men digging up wooden boxes which were embellished with Nazi Swastikas, "Spy images show that these artifacts are Nazi in nature. As of right now, we have no idea what the items she dug up are, but we know they're not good news to us."
"What's our objective, Colonel," Steve asked.
"Right now," Colonel Fury asked, "We need to know what these items are," he switched the screen to show a map of the area surrounding a small town, "You'll infiltrate Des'teria from the air, and make your way to the Rochelle castle," he switched the screen to reveal the picture of a very gothic-like castle surrounded by forests on all sides, "It's only a short hike to the castle. Once you arrive, you'll make your way into the castle, and assess the situation when it comes to those boxes. If they are harmless you are to exfil. If they are dangerous then you know your objective."
"What would be our standard mode for destruction for if we should find the contents of the crates to be dangerous," Steve asked.
"Any means necessary," Colonel Fury said, "Until you determine otherwise, we will go off the assumption that that crates are harmless and so are the guards. Lethal force will not be authorized until the contents are proven to be dangerous."
"Who's in charge of this one Colonel," Wolverine asked.
"This one is a team effort," Colonel Fury said before looking at Ms. Marvel, "Ms. Marvel will be in charge on this one, and I expect you to follow her rules to the 'T'."
"Yes, sir," Wolverine said.
Des'teria airspace…
"Keep the jet just off the radar," Captain America said as he directed the pilot, "We'll signal you when we're ready for extraction."
The pilot gave Cap a thumbs up as he kept his eyes on the controls.
Captain America walked back to the back of the quinjet where he took his seat next to Matt, "You think there's a chance that there are lethal weapons there," he asked.
"It's not about what I think," Steve said, "It's about the evidence."
"Maybe you should be the lawyer," Matt said as he fixed the buckle on his boots.
"What would you do then," Steve asked.
"Five minutes out Captain," the pilot said.
"Copy that," Steve said as he pulled his mask over his head, "Let's go, Avengers."
The back gate on the jet lowered as the team strapped on their chutes.
The light in the cabin glowed red, "Standby," the pilot said before the light flashed green, "Go! Go! Go!"
As Matt, Steve, and Wolverine jumped, the jet made a sharp 90-degree turn as they made their way to the ground.
As they were falling toward the ground, Steve checked his altitude meter, once they hit 1,500 meters, they pulled their chutes.
As they landed, Carol was leaning against a tree rubbing her knuckles on her chest before checking them, "What took you so long," she asked.
"Zip it toots," Wolverine said.
"Cram the bickering," Steve said, "We've got a job to do so let's do it."
The team then set off for the castle, the woods of Des'teria are in no way the most beautiful woods in the world, but they certainly are a sight to behold, especially at night with a starry night sky above.
It is amazing what someone could see when you look up at the night sky on a calm, Des'teria night: Ursa Major could be seen perfectly just to the northwest of the way the team was walking.
During the Second World War many Gypsies and Jews fleeing the Nazis took up refuge in the woods because they are very easy to hide in and they are very peaceful at night.
The exterior of the castle could have been something out of a horror movie such as Frankenstein or the Wolf Man that you would see lightning around.
The guards standing outside the entrance to the lower levels of the castle were dressed in tuxedos that could have come from Saville Row in London and carried FERFRANS SOAR rifles.
"Matt, with me," Steve said as he snuck around to the bushes just next to one of the guards.
Matt snuck around to the opposite side, and as Steven whistled, the guard closest to him turned to see Steve throw his shield, striking him in the forehead, and knocking him out cold with a thick 'twang'.
The second guard raised his rifle only for a pole attached to a rope knocked the gun from his hand, and then fling around his neck as he was dragged into the bushes.
The guard struggled to breathe as he struggled against the rope, as he grabbed at it, it felt more like a wire than a piece of rope, but he had nothing else to say as he suddenly felt his whole world getting darker and darker before finally falling completely unconscious.
Matt let the guard fall to the ground, and whistled, signaling Wolverine and Carol forward.
"Nice one, ladies," Wolverine said.
"Anything," Steve asked as he pointed down the hall.
Wolverine knelt down next to the entrance, "I can smell two guards," he said, "Nothing I can't handle."
"Wolverine," Carol said, "We need to think this through."
"Think what through boy scout," Wolverine asked as he charged down the tunnel.
"Wolverine," Steve exclaimed, "Stop," he then picked up his shield, "Insubordinate son of a bitch!"
Wolverine ran down the hallway, the two guards heard the rapid approach of footsteps only to see Wolverine jump out of the shadows, and attack them.
The first guard raised his rifle only for Wolverine to slice it in two with his claws, then spin around and nail the second on the chin with his fist.
The first fell backward against the wall, and drew his pistol only for Wolverine to kick it out of his hand, then nail the second between the legs.
Wolverine then grabbed the second by the front of his shirt, head-butted him once, then threw him into the first guard, and kicked them both against the back wall, knocking them out cold.
As they slumped against the ground, the team ran up to him and looked down to see the guards lying there.
"How's that," Wolverine asked.
"Don't ever question my orders again," Carol said, "You could have easily gotten us compromised."
"But I didn't," Wolverine said.
"That's not the fucking point," Carol said, "I'm in charge of this mission! Never do anything without my permission! That's how we survive, and that is how we thrive!"
"Take it easy there blondie," Wolverine said, "We've thrived plenty on missions like this," he walked up to the door, pulled the security key of the nearest guard, and opened the door, "It's the tried and true method."
"Brute force is not always the answer," Carol said as she, Steve, and Matt followed Wolverine into the castle.
As they were moving through the tunnels underneath the castle, they found two guards standing watch over a large, metal door.
"Steve," Carol asked.
"I got this," Steve said as he tossed his shield down the hall.
The shield rebounded off the far wall, of the door, and then struck both guards on the side of their heads before returning to Steve.
"Nice one," Carol said.
As they walked up to the door, Ms. Marvel picked up one of the guards keycards and unlocked the door. The door which was a triple-thick twelve-layer steel door with ten-inch thick steel locks that once open made Steve say, "That's a big door."
"Yep," Wolverine said as he entered to see the boxes marked with Nazi markings, "Bingo."
The four of them then walked up to the nearest box, Wolverine extended his claws, placed them underneath the lid of the box, and with a simple flick cracked open the top of the box.
"Here we go," Steve said as he lifted the lid, and found what everyone was hoping they would find.
Inside the box was a series of unusual weapons that were formed in the shape of Star Trek Phaser Rifles, but had an unusual glowing power source, "I know that source," Carol said, "It's a Kree Cosmic Battery."
"Hydra must have found them, and engineered them to be used in their weapons," Steven said.
"Or mass-produced them," Matt said, "There are four other crates underneath this one," he then pointed to the other end of the room, "There are also five over there," he pointed to the left corner of the room, "Five more over there," he then pointed against the left wall, "And there," he then pointed to the back wall, "And over there."
"How many more did they make," Steve asked.
"I'll call it in," Carol said as she planted two fingers to her earpiece, "Mother Bird calling Nest, Nest comes in."
"This is Nest," Colonel Fury said, "Status Mother Bird."
"Mother Bird confirms the presence of Nazi weaponry," Ms. Marvel said, "We're preparing to scuttle the weapons and exfil."
"I'd hate to break up the party," Wolverine said as he raised a finger, "But we have company."
"Set charges, six minutes," Steve said as he threw the shoulder bag he brought with him on the ground, then handed two packs of Stark Industries implosion charges to Matt, and another two to Carol before slapping one on the crate they were in front of and setting the time.
"Nest, Mother Bird moving to scuttle weapons," Ms. Marvel said before switching channels, "Sky King we are ready for extraction."
"Sky King copies," the pilot said, "ETA six minutes."
As Carol and Matt set their timers, Steve and Wolverine ran over to the entrance where Steve quickly picked up one of the SOARs that had been set up on a weapon's rack next to the area the guards were running to them from.
"See if you can find us an exit," Steve said as he aimed the SOAR down the hall.
"Find us an exit," Wolverine said, "I'm the best fighter we've got. I'll take care of this."
"Wolverine," Carol said, "Don't you dare!"
"Sorry darling," Wolverine said, "But this is my job," he then took off running down the corridor.
"Shit," Steve said, "Total asshole."
"Finish the charges," Carol said as she flew down the passage after Wolverine, "I'll get him."
As she flew down the passage, she could hear the sound of gunfire, and the sound of metal slicing through flesh.
As she reached Wolverine she saw that multiple soldiers under Arlene's employ lying on the ground.
"Let's go," Carol said as she grabbed Wolverine, "We don't have time for this."
As she began dragging Wolverine down the corridor, a series of bulbous energy blasts barely missed the two of them.
"Now we can run," Wolverine said as he and Carol moved as fast as they could away from the hostiles.
"Let's move," Carol said as she and Wolverine made for the exit, passing Steve and Matt.
The team ran out of the castle to see their jet setting down just a few hundred yards away.
"Ride's here," Steve said as he turned around to let off a few controlled bursts towards the hostiles running toward them.
"Those charges should go off in…" Wolverine checked his watch, "Five, four, three, two…" nothing.
"Wolverine," Steve asked.
"I set my watch to those timers," Wolverine said, "There should be have been several very small bangs."
"They must have disabled the timers," Carol said, "Get back to the jet and get out of here. I'll be right behind you."
"What," Steve asked as he reloaded his rifle, "You want us to leave you?"
"That's an order Captain," Carol said, "I am in charge of this mission. Get to the jet, and go! I'll only be a short while."
"Alright," Steve said as he tossed the rifle aside, "Let's go!"
Steve, Matt, and Wolverine ran as fast as they could toward the jet which took off the second they jumped aboard.
"Where's Ms. Marvel," the pilot asked.
"She'll be right behind us," Steve said, "She ordered us to run!"
Flying straight through the guards was no problem, but as she was approaching the entrance to the area they found the weapons, one of the guards managed to get a good shot off with the pulse rifle he was using, and the shock sent Carol to the ground.
Carol stood up, and watched as several other hostiles came running at her, Carol knocked the man's weapon aside, and planted her open hand into the man's chest, sending him flying backward.
She then picked up his rifle and chucked it as hard as she could toward his partner with the pulse rifle.
The rifle struck the guard in the forehead and sent him falling to the ground.
Carol quickly ran back into the room, but as she was rearming the charges, another one of the guards had picked up another one of the pulse rifles, and fired, launching Carol against the right wall.
"Sorry about that babe," the guard said as he walked up to Ms. Marvel, and held the rifle in her face, "But I can't have you destroying these weapons.
"Too late," Ms. Marvel said as she grabbed the end of the guard's gun, and shoved the barrel of the gun to touch the ON button.
The gun was sucked into the implosion along with the other weapons as Carol smirked.
The guard smirked back before planting his boot into her face, knocking her out cold, the power source in the Kree energy source obviously draining her powers.
Back on the Helicarrier…
"She told you to leave her behind, and now she's been captured," Colonel Fury exclaimed, "Believe it or not Captain if she talks we're all fucked. She's the Avengers' poster girl, and she is among one of the most highly-regarded Meta-Humans in all of existence."
"She got herself into this mess," Wolverine said.
"What got her into this mess is that you can't follow the most basic order," Steven said as he slammed his fist on the table, "She told you not to go, and you disobeyed her!"
"HEY," Colonel Fury yelled, "You can play the blame game later. Right now all we need to be concerned about is getting our poster girl back. I have to go to the council, and hopefully, they have an idea."
The council meeting…
"We know she's alive," the U.S. SHIELD Ambassador asked.
"She's too valuable to kill," Colonel Fury said, "She's one of SHIELD's greatest assets, and knowing her as a former AFSOC operative, she won't give anything up until it's too late for them."
"I have trained special forces soldiers all over the world," the British SHIELD Ambassador said, "If she's as good as you say she is she should hold out for a long time."
"Thank you, Ambassador," Colonel Fury said, "I would like to send another team of Avengers back in to get her out."
"I'm sorry Colonel," the Chinese SHIELD Ambassador said, "We cannot authorize such a strike. Ms. Rochelle will be expecting another attack. I'm afraid the Avengers need to be left out of this. However, there is another option you should consider."
Colonel Fury's tablet lit up with a project he didn't want to see, "Anything but that," he said.
"This is the only chance we're going to get to test the prototype," the U.S. Ambassador said.
"That's the reason I don't want to field these," Colonel Fury said, "They're unproven, untested, and dangerous."
"They're also programmable, expendable, engineered to be better, and they technically don't exist so SHIELD'S hands are clean," the British Ambassador said, "This is what we're authorizing Colonel if you want her back, this is the way out."
The councilors then disappeared leaving the Colonel to sigh in defeat, they were right of course, as they mostly were.
The Helicarrier's top secret science center already housed one of the weapons in case such an incident arose.
As he walked in, he immediately saw what the council was talking to him about, a large seven-foot long capsule, and inside was a six-foot-three human male with Caucasian skin, a muscular build exactly identical to Captain America's, a white tribal tattoo on the left side of his face, and snow-white hair.
The Ghost Warrior Project: a combination of science and technology to produce genetically superior soldiers. No official identity, no one to use against them, no one to miss them, nothing to lose, nothing to remember except waking up, and carrying out your missions.
The real action comes next…