"It's very possible Aunt Nat and Dad have a problem," Natalie told Horus. "A villain problem. You know what that means?"

The turtle didn't respond.

"It means they need help. They have SHIELD and stuff, but they let this lady get out." She kicked her legs as she fiddled with her bow, settling on her stool. "When I turn twelve, I was planning on starting to join SHIELD or something. What do you think?"

The turtle turned his head.

"That's what I think. Barbara does it. But it's not easy. First you have to have training, and a costume, and then you have to be able to do things without people knowing who you are. But I'm not twelve yet. Maybe Dad and Aunt Nat can start training me early in case Dad gets in trouble."

Horus turned his head back and closed his eyelids.

"Exactly. You understand." She sighed. "Then I can take down this…Viper lady."

Because Natalie Barton was either full-on, or full off - she didn't do shades of grey, and she rarely failed to do something once she set her mind to it. She was determined to rescue her father and aunt.

Whether they wanted it or not.

~Something to do with you~

Natalie came to a decision.

Barbara has been trained by Aunt Nat, who is one of the most highly trained SHIELD agents of all time.

Maybe Barbara will help me.

Barbara Moore was an action oriented, decisive, pragmatic organizer, who liked things done and done properly. She was a no-nonsense person, and had been a friend of the family for years. There would be no reason for her not to help her.

Right?

That's what Natalie told herself as she approached her friend's sleeping bag. She shook her awake. "Barb?"

Barbara's eyes snapped open.

Natalie fell backward. "Eek!"

"Sorry, light sleeper. Aunt Nat taught me a lot." Barbara sat up. "What's wrong?"

"I need your help. Remember what Aunt Nat said about Viper?"

"Viper: Madame Hydra was orphaned as a child in Hungary. Part of her face was scarred at one time, although it has since been healed," Barbara recited. "Among twelve other girls, she was taken in by Hydra and raised by Commander Kraken. For twenty-two years, Viper excelled and became Kraken's best student. She eventually rose through the ranks of Hydra and frequently came into conflict with S.H.I.E.L.D and eventually took over Hydra."

Natalie blinked.

"I read the file."

"Do you think Aunt Nat and Dad are in trouble?"

"If they are, Aunt Nat and I will take care of it."

But that answer didn't satisfy Natalie.