*Melissa*
Agent Coulson's balding head poked through the 'Agility and Strength Training Room' door, informing Mel that an urgent meeting was being called for everyone. She hopped down from the flaming rock wall and dabbed her forehead with a towel. After stripping out of her gym attire and taking a quick shower, she met the Avengers and their kids in a large board room on the third floor. Agent Coulson nodded respectively as she walked in. She seated herself at the end of the table just as the middle aged man began to speak.
"Two days ago SHIELD confirmed that a new enemy threat is being formed. They go by the name of NARA – New Advanced Rule Assembly. For months we have been receiving minor threats – until last week when we received an anonymous tip leaked onto our server. We've discovered that NARA's main goal is to set a new order to the world using extra-terrestrial force, with them on top. Who's running this assembly? We still don't know. But from what our techs could confirm, they are harbouring a dangerous weapon, possibly an alien device."
Isabel's head titled, she glanced at her father. "Surely not one from Asgard?"
"No," Said Thor. "We have not yet learned which realm they have contacted, or how."
"But we found their secret hide out." Tony winks.
Coulson swipes at the holo-cam. In the middle of the room a 3D image of a building appears. He probes at the walls, and the inside of the structure becomes visible.
"The Avengers established that one of their branches is currently residing in a six floor building in downtown Amsterdam, New York. A large quantity of heat waves is being emitted from the top floor. We suspect that is where they are holding the weapon." He points to the top floor.
"So what do you want us to do about this?" Theo enquired.
Coulson's eyes twinkled. "We want you to go in and secure the device."
Melissa frowned, sensing a fault in the plan. "Why?" She confronted him, tossing a piece of her wet auburn hair behind her ears. "How do we know that this is really a threat? We don't have a right to steal this. It's like a two year old stealing another child's toy. We just can't do that."
"Melissa…Torpedo." Coulson emphasizes her hero name. "I understand your hesitation on this. But trust us when we say that it is in safer hands under SHIELD's protection until we can transport it safely from earth. It does not belong in this world."
Noah tapped his fingers against the table before he spoke up. "But we don't even know what we're looking for?"
Dr. Banner adjusted his glasses, clearing his throat. Melissa thought he looked like a sad old puppy. "We have an idea of what it is. From thermo-graphic cameras set up around the building, it's evident that there are multiple ordnances. They're big, and seem to move on their own. Almost like they're living. And trust me when I say that they're hot."
Coulson swiped at the hologram again, bringing up a second image. A map. "We will transport you through a helicopter tonight, letting you off two blocks down from the targeted area. You will split up, mix in with the crowds to make sure you aren't noticed."
Melissa's dad, a.k.a. 'Hawkeye', gestured to Noah and Isabel. "You two will drop into the sewers and enter the building through pipes." He turned to Theo and Melissa. "The both of you will go in through the roof"
Oh, just great. Melissa eyed Theo up. Stuck with the bipolar dude? So not gonna be fun. Her mother had interesting stories about being paired with the Hulk during the Battle of New York, and Mel was not looking forward to making any memories with Tank.
"And whatta bout me?"
Tony smacked Charlie on the back. "You, are going to be in the air."
"I understand you are building a new suit," Coulson piped in. "Will it be ready for tonight?"
Charlie nodded eagerly. Coulson smiled, "Good. For the rest of you, our scientists have designed some new suits as well."
Five outfits flashed onto the hologram, all themed in a silver and black colour scheme. The first was a larger pair of bottoms – obviously for Tank.
"Tank," said Agent Coulson. "You will be fitted in a pair of bottoms that will not rip… no matter the size you grow to be. Noah, we have replicated the shield your father uses created out of the same rare metal." Noah beamed as he saw the black and silver striped circular shield next to his outfit. Beside it was an image of a slender feminine suit strapped with arrows and bows. An array of Shuriken throwing stars were cleverly equipped onto the suit. Melissa grinned. Okay, this was cool. Lastly was a black suit with a cape. A large metal club was strapped onto the belt.
"Isabel. Together SHIELD and Asgard have designed a weapon for you that imitates your fathers hammer; Mjölnir. It was wielded with your DNA so it will respond only to you. This will help you harness your power. Asgard has named it Nidhogg, which translates to English as Poison Biter."
"You really think we can manage this?" Isabel's voice wavered slightly as she eyed the image of the weapon. "You're seriously trusting us with this? I mean, don't you think it could be better handled by the Avengers…"
A soft sigh fell from Agent Coulson's lips. "Honestly, it took Fury some convincing. He doesn't really think you are ready. This was all my idea – give Phase 1 their first taste of the real world. Show everyone what you're made of. And I am trusting you with this mission. We all are. I know you can handle it." He folded his hands. "Are you all in?"
They all nodded simultaneously. The room bubbled with anxious enthusiasm. Mel clenched her jaw in frustration. This was bad. Soo bad. She had to send a text right away… Shaden was going to be so pissed.
*Noah*
As Coulson dismissed them all, Noah saw Mel whip out her cell and begin texting at a rapid pace. Her brows were narrowed intently and her pink lips were tight. Her damp hair stuck to her face. In other words, she looked very pretty. He walked up to her, clearing his throat and taking a deep breath. Talking to girls wasn't something he excelled at.
"Hey Mel," He said as calmly as possible.
She didn't even look up. He coughed once. Twice.
"Mel."
No response. Her fingers tapped at a speedy tempo as she began to walk out of the room. Either she was to focused on whoever she was texting or she was just plain ignoring him. He hoped it was the first reason.
Supressed by a layer of disappointment, he strode out of the board room and began to make his way to his room to gather his things. Tonight was gonna be stressful.
The copter roared loud and angry – so loud and angry that Noah could barely even hear his own thoughts. Everything was a mixture of shouts and orders, jumbled together in a big bowl of what-the-heck-is-going-on. Finally Agent Coulson got the five of them loaded on board and then hopped on himself. He signaled an 'okay' to the pilot and they were off, leaving all sense of protection behind.
Noah tapped his foot repeatedly on the floor, feeling a jittery shiver in his bones. This mission was the start of it all. The start of the Avengers Optimum. They could not fail. If they didn't succeed in retrieving this…this weapon, then not only would they face consequences, but they'd have to deal with the shame and humiliation of it all.
"Hey, would you stop that!" Mel's hand firmly gripped his knee, stopping him in mid tap. "It's getting annoying."
"Oh, I'm sorry." He hesitated, then added, "Who were you texting earlier? It looked like you were really into the message you were sending."
Mel's eyes slid to the side, and then quickly shot back up to Noah. She gave a loose laugh. "oh, no one. Really. I was just checking up with some friends."
"Friends? What friends? We've been secluded all our lives…"
She blinks, expression unreadable. "I assure you, it was nothing that concerns you." When she turns away with a soft layer of bitterness, Noah let it slide. He wasn't one to push for information. That was more of a Stark thing.
The shimmering black copter flew through the sky like a dark beast until it finally landed on the rooftop of a brick building. The cool evening air laughed in Noah's face as he jumped out of the helicopter and onto the roof. After giving them a few last words, Coulson handed them all earpieces. Noah fit his in right away – it felt strange and uncomfortable.
"Don't worry," Says Coulson as he notices Noah's discomfort. "You'll get used to them soon." He turned to them all, giving them a reassuring smile before stepping back into the machine.
One by one, the five teens climbed down the side of the building via rope and harness. It was surreal. All Noah's life he'd prepared for this and now it was finally here. The intense reality of it all hit him smack in the face as he stepped into the cold, dark alley with Isabel at his side and a sewer entrance at his feet.
"You ready?" Isabel asked.
"Never."
Bam! The first mission has started! Finally, eh? It wasn't until a few days ago that I actually realized I was on chapter 10 and nothing really interesting had happened in this fic, so I decided it was time to get moving! Next chapter will be the beefy part of the mission where it breaks out into exciting pieces, I promise!
Thanks again for reading, and please review! :)