DISCLAIMER: The Plot and story belong to me. The Canon Characters, props and locations belong to Marvel. The Original Characters belong to the Fanfiction Authors who created them.
Weapon – X?
A lone figure walked through the double doors of an old Victorian mansion on the outskirts of Bayville. Walking the length of the grand lounge, the person removed his overcoat and kept it on the coat rack beside the grand staircase that led to the upper levels of the house.
Climbing one step at a time with a firm hand on the balustrade he soon reached the first level of the house and took the left corridor that led to his personal study.
Opening the door to the sea-facing room the first thing that caught his sight was the envelope on the center table that was addressed to him, Robert Kelly.
Robert Kelly was an honest man.
He had been an honest citizen, an honest soldier, an honest Principal, an honest Mayor, an honest Senator and now he was all set to Chair the Offices of the Committee of Armed Services and the Committee of Mutant Affairs.
Although he was apt to be made the Chairman of the Committee of Armed Services, given his commendable service in the military and during the war period, it came as a huge surprise to the entire congress when he was declared the Joint-Chairman of the Committee of Mutant Affairs; the reason being that his hatred for mutants was widely known. Not only in his state but across the country, Robert Kelly was the face of the Anti-Mutant Revolution.
He was also responsible for introducing The Mutant Registration Act; an act that would snatch from the mutants their 'human' rights. Fortunately for the mutants, it was yet to pass.
The Mutant Registration Act however was only an initiator, the cheapest of tricks that the Chairman had up his sleeves. He had yet to bring out the big guns, guns that would sooner or later decimate the entire mutant populous and wipe their very existence from the face of the Earth.
Such were the workings of Kelly's brain. He sought to hate mutants. He saw them as dangerous, unpredictable beings. There was no other way he could see them. He failed to see them in a positive light but then again he had never come across a mutant doing anything productive. All he had seen mutants do was damage national and state property, hurt people directly or indirectly and in a few cases cause large scale destruction of towns and cities.
No, mutants were definitely a threat and he knew just what he needed to do to ensure the safety of his nation and that of mankind.
Picking up the envelope he surveyed it for the sender's address or a stamp. He didn't find any. Surprised at the fact that someone had managed to get a letter to his personal study despite the amount of security he employed, Kelly couldn't wait to open the envelope and find what was inside it.
He tore it open and withdrew from it a small hand-written note.
You are Most Welcome. –F.
Yes, the security measures that he had taken to safeguard his mansion were good but they weren't good enough to keep the best out.
Crumpling the note in his hand he threw it into the waste paper basket beside the polished, oaken study table.
Finally, he thought to himself as he sat on the chair behind the table and rotated it to view the sun set on the horizon through the large French windows.
A smile crept onto his lips, mirroring the glint in his eyes.
Colonel Nick Fury, Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. wasn't happy. He was never happy but today it seemed the day had gone from bad to worse.
Rotating the paper weight on the table he cursed the day when he became SHIELD's director-in-chief. At least before he wouldn't have to listen to the rants of the politicians or take orders from them. Yes, Chairman Kelly hadn't requested him, but instead had demanded to meet him and none too politely at that. Fury had yet to forget the arrogance with which the man spoke, and had he not been responsible for his security he would have shot the man himself.
With a crash, the rotating paperweight fell to the floor, bringing Fury out of his thoughts.
Sighing, he got up from his chair and walked out of his office to head for the conference room at the deck of the S.H.I.E.L.D. air headquarters. It was nearly 6:00 PM and his guest was already being escorted through the main hangar bay and the various lower levels of the airship to the Control Deck on the top where Fury was supposed to meet him.
As he walked out of his office two armed guards fell in step behind him.
Fury wasn't one for pomp and show, but such was the dedication of his agents that they didn't let him out of sight for his own security.
"You can tell Agent Hill that I don't need a Personal Guard," said Fury to the guards who immediately fell behind him but didn't let him out of their sight.
Fury knew he wouldn't be able to get them off his back, but he knew that he could push them around and save them from getting shot by his second in command.
Putting a hand on his com-link he spoke into the microphone. "What's the status of the package Agent Hill?" he asked in a deep but clear voice that didn't hide his annoyance.
"We are taking the elevator from corridor 2B on the maintenance level Sir," came back the reply after initial static, in Agent Hill's sharp but calm voice.
Fury smiled. He loved the woman for her calm demeanor.
He walked into an elevator at the end of the corridor which took him directly to the Control deck. Fury straightened his coat, tucked in his shirt and clasped his weapon holster.
A few seconds later the glass door of the elevator swung open to reveal the bustling Control deck and a crimson horizon beyond the glass windows, set ablaze by the setting sun.
Walking out of the elevator he walked directly to his chair at a raised platform at the center of the Deck. He didn't take his seat knowing that Agent Hill was just about to arrive with their package. He was quite right.
Not a single minute after, the elevator doors swung open again, this time to reveal a host of people that filed onto the Control deck.
At the front of the group stood Agent Hill who walked up to him and took her place on his left.
The rest of the group was being led by a middle aged man, wearing a pair of rimless spectacles and dressed in a formal business suit. Beside him stood two other men in suits who Fury assumed to be his personal guard.
He wasn't surprised to see them nor was he offended by their presence. The person whose presence Fury took offence from was the person standing at the back of the group between two women he didn't know personally but had read about.
Between Dr. Kavita Rao, a geneticist with expertise in mutation and Dr. Sybil Zane, another scientist who in her own words was an expert at cloning stood Colonel Bolivar Trask, a tall man with pepper grey hair and a sickly frame but nevertheless his grey eyes were glinting with the sharpness of a butcher's knife.
Fury hated the man and that was probably the reason that the meeting started on the wrong foot. "What's he doing here?" his question directed at Chairman Kelly who simply smiled at Fury.
"Am I to understand that you have worked with Dr. Trask before?" Kelly asked knowing the answer all too well.
Bringing up his years of training Fury blew of the momentary anger and put on a mask of calmness. "We were well acquainted in the past," he said in reply to the Chairman's query.
"Good then. Can we take this conversation somewhere private? I'd rather not discuss matters of national defense out in public," Kelly said, rolling his eyes.
Fury didn't know about Hill but he definitely saw red. Once again he had to call upon his anger management skills to maintain his mask of calm. Luckily, Agent Hill took over for him and directed their 'guests' to the conference room beside the observation deck.
Sighing, Fury followed suit and walked to the conference room at a snail's pace, reaching it once all his guests were seated in their respective chairs while he sat at the head of the table.
The motley group sat in silence for quite some time before Kelly opened his mouth to speak.
Clearing his throat he drew the attention of those sitting at the table with him. He was about to speak when another man with cropped hair walked into the conference room, followed by a woman with dark red, shoulder length hair.
Kelly instantly recognized them as SHIELD Agents, for they were both wearing the same uniform as Agent Hill who had earlier received him at the Aircraft bay. The similarity didn't end there, for they both mirrored her indifferent attitude.
Kelly decided not to take any notice of the new entrants and turned his gaze to face Fury who was sitting on his left and Trask who was sitting directly opposite.
"Colonel Fury, I'd first like to thank you for inviting me to your facility and also, I'd like to apologize," he said emphasizing on the word, drawing it out, "for bringing some guests of my own."
Fury simply nodded, beckoning him to continue.
Folding his hands, he then turned his entire attention to Fury. "Before I say anything else I'd like to assure you that I wouldn't interfere in your job for the sole reason that you are doing it perfectly," Kelly said in a matter of fact manner.
Reclining in the chair he continued. "However, I do have a small point to make Director."
Fury's ears cocked at the statement while the other agents in the room stiffened.
"I personally believe you haven't made much of an effort when it comes to handling or dealing with mutants."
The temperature in the room seemed to have dipped by several degrees for Fury chose not to reply to Kelly. No one else in the room spoke up. Kelly however was waiting for an answer, an answer that he got from the most unexpected source.
"How would you like us to deal with mutants?" Agent Hill spoke up, stepping forward.
Kelly smiled. "I'm sorry Agent Hill, but I want Colonel Fury to answer my query."
"How would you like us to deal with them?" Fury deadpanned, reiterating the question that Hill asked.
Kelly however chose not to answer. Instead he motioned for Trask to speak up.
Drawing out his palmtop from the inner pocket of his coat, he kept it at the center of the table and tapped a button to show them a holographic version of the previously built Sentinel.
A smile crawled its way onto Fury's face. "You know what happened to them last time don't you?" he asked with a wide smile on his face.
Trask however returned the smile. "I do, and that's why I have come up with an alternative," he said, his voice bordering on excitement. Tapping another few buttons on his palm top he generated a holographic view of a human that much resembled…
"Steve," said the other two agents from behind Agent Hill simultaneously.
"Captain America," corrected Trask, "or in terms of Defense Research, WEAPON 1, codenamed PROJECT REBIRTH," he further added.
Fury's smile faltered. He believed he knew where Trask was taking the conversation but he wasn't sure. However, it seemed he was the only who understood what Trask was implying. It seemed Kelly was completely unaware of what Trask was about to suggest, for at that very moment he burst out, "What are you talking about Trask? I brought you here to discuss the Sentinel Program, not a super soldier in cryogenic preservation."
Trask sighed. "Sir, the Sentinels, though efficient, aren't strong enough to combat with mutants. There have been instances when a single mutant has taken out an entire squadron of Sentinels."
"Then why did you ask me to re-start the program," Kelly cut in, banging his fist on the table.
"I never asked you to re-start the Sentinel program. I came to you asking for support and funding for my anti-mutant defense program," Trask said, employing the behavior patterns of the SHIELD agents.
Kelly was furious; his eyes showed it.
"What exactly do you mean Trask? Tell me in simple words," Kelly said, seething with anger.
"Simple you say? Fine, I want to re-start the Weapon plus program. Pick it up from where it was left," Trask said without wasting a breath.
Kelly however was at a loss for words. He simply had no idea what Trask was talking about.
"What the hell are you talking about Trask?" Kelly shouted, voicing his thoughts.
"I'm talking about the CIA's joint project with SHIELD to experiment on and create super-powered human beings to be used as Weapons of War," Trask said, maintaining the calmness in his voice.
Kelly looked as if he had been given two slaps on each cheek.
Fury, realizing that the next question might come his way decided on giving details before he could be asked anything. "The WEAPON plus project was started after the First World War. After the first failed attempt which was referred to as WEAPON 0 another experiment was conducted to enhance the strength, speed, agility and senses of a human being and transform him into a super soldier. The experiment succeeded and Captain America, codenamed WEAPON 1 was born."
Fury stopped, waiting for Kelly's reaction but the man remained mute and Fury took it as an opportunity to continue with his story, "After the success of WEAPON 1, several other experiments were created. However, the next five experiments, codenamed WEAPON 2 through 6 failed miserably. The Government decided to lower the funding and scrap the Super Soldier project. It was then that SHIELD came to collaborate with Department H of the Canadian Secret Services and continue with the WEAPON PLUS PROGRAM. From then on the program focused on using mutants or human beings with special characteristics as test subjects, test subjects that assured successful experiments."
Another round of silence followed Fury's words.
It seemed Kelly had a lot to take in and a lot more to consider before kicking off his so-called anti-mutant defense mechanism.
"Are you trying to say that our Intelligence Agencies have known about mutants all along?" Kelly asked in a low voice, unable to mask his anger.
"Yes," Fury answered, "but I'd like to hear more from Dr. Trask now." He added, training his gaze at his former colleague.
Glaring, Trask slid a file across the table to Fury.
"I'd like to hear it from you Trask," Fury said, without even touching the brown paper packet.
"I have already told you. I want to re-start the weapon plus program…"
"No," Kelly cut in.
"The Chairman is right," Fury added. "How do you plan on making an anti-mutant defense system with mutants at the core of it?" His words dripped with sarcasm.
"The same way you use Mutants as Agents," Trask shot back, changing the screen of his palm top to reveal photographs of several serving and ex-SHIELD Agents.
Getting up from his chair, Trask motioned his hand over the palmtop, enlarging the holographic projection.
"This, Chairman, is SHIELD's closely guarded secret," Trask said, pointing to the holographic projections that now covered the entire room.
"Would you like to tell the Chairman more about this or should I?" he said, turning his head to face Fury.
"Be my guest," Fury replied in a low voice.
"Fine, I guess we will have to start from where you left off," Trask said, arching his eyebrow. "We'll start with TEAM X."
"Team X?" Kelly asked, curious as to what more was left to know. It seemed to him that the Intelligence Agencies had known about the mutants all along and what made him angrier was that they had chosen to do nothing about it.
"Yes, Mr. Chairman. Team X," Trask replied, flicking his hand over the palm top again. The holographic images changed and instead of the file photos of numerous field agents, it now displayed five figures. "Agent Zero," he said, pointing to the tall man with Asian features and an upward curved smile. "Sabretooth," he said, gesturing to the man with long-dirty blond hair who looked feral and monstrous, someone who Kelly had seen before.
"I have seen this one before," Kelly said; the fear in his voice was evident from his last experience with the wild man. "You can't tell me that he was created. Why would anyone create him?"
"No one created him," Trask replied. "He was the only one not to undergo any enhancements. His brother on the other hand…" Trask continued, bringing forth the image of a masked man with metal claws on his hands "was gifted invulnerability by our own government."
"How?" Kelly asked, confused as to why the government would want to make a mutant invulnerable. He still couldn't understand why they would need super soldiers when there were no wars to fight.
"That's a long story Chairman. All you need to know is that he is indestructible and that his name is Wolverine," Trask said, satisfied that he had managed to put Fury under a thick pile of shit.
"So S.H.I.E.L.D. is responsible for this, all of this?" Kelly asked looking towards Fury, his voice unnaturally loud.
"No," Fury simply replied; his voice was still low and calm.
"But you do employ mutants as Agents don't you?" Trask counter questioned.
"Yes…" Fury replied. "We do employ mutants but we control them to the best of our abilities," he further added, his eye boring into Trask's.
"How?" Trask asked.
"We train them to be loyal. We train them to be disciplined soldiers right from their childhood. We haven't failed as yet," Agent Hill shot back unable to control herself any further.
"That's not enough and you know it isn't," Trask said looking at the female agent, his lips curved in an upward smirk. "I'm sure you employ methods that force them into obedience."
"Can we talk clearly here?" Kelly shouted, jumping out of his seat and banging the table with his fists. His face contorted with fear and anger. It was hard to say which emotion was dominating.
Silence fell across the room but it lasted for mere moments, for the person who had brought about the silence was the one who broke it.
"Director Fury," Kelly addressed S.H.I.E.L.D.'s director in a voice that he was fighting hard to keep calm.
Nick Fury, realizing that it was best not to instigate the Chairman of Defense anymore decided to bite his tongue so as to avoid any further debate.
"Director Fury, it seems that although you are highly proficient at gathering intelligence and maintaining world peace, you have absolutely no idea on how to deal with mutants," said Kelly, emphasizing each and every word in the last part of the sentence, as if he wanted to hammer them into Fury's head.
Fury however maintained his calm and chose not to say anything but his years' worth of training was just about to be put to practice.
"Therefore, I want you to work with Colonel Trask, who will be heading the Mutant Threat Response Division," Kelly said, addressing both service men simultaneously.
Fury kept his silence. He knew he didn't have a choice. It wasn't as if he had any authority over them, except for the funding which he too couldn't stop, but Fury was a man who believed in keeping communication channels open. His silence today would go a long way.
"I hope you understand my decision Director?" Kelly asked, getting up from his seat and ready to leave.
"Yes sir," Fury said, getting up from his chair and followed by Trask. The two scientists however continued to sit.
"Good, I hope to hear from you soon then," Kelly said, walking out of the room followed by Agent Hill.
Fury saw Hill taking Kelly across the control deck to the elevators. As soon as the elevator doors closed behind them, Fury whirled on the spot, grabbed Trask by the neck and shoved him into the wall.
"What are you playing at Trask?" Fury shouted, strangling the man and making it hard for him to breathe. Trask clawed at Fury's hand but to no avail.
It was after a solid minute when Trask started to lose color that Fury eased his grip and let him fall to the floor.
"Hawkeye," he said, addressing the male agent in the room, "Take him to the med-bay and Romanoff escort the ladies to their rooms on level 2. I presume they are going to be staying with us."
With those words, Fury walked out of the conference room and began walking to his study. He needed some solace, especially if he had to begin working with Trask tomorrow.
Authors Note: So the Original Characters start appearing from the next chapter onwards and i will have introduced them all by chapter 5. Atleast that's what i hope to do.
I'd also like to thank TheWritingGirl23, who has proof read and edited the chapter for me.
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