Chapter 57: I'm not going
"We'll get to that tomorrow," General Fury said, "We've gone over enough material for today. Everyone should go get some supper, relax some. Tomorrow morning we will meet to brief the mission… Then, it's game time!"
So we all got up from the table, and then went our separate ways. Me, Barry, and Phill went right to the cafeteria to get dinner…
… I was getting tired of scraps. So this time- food was first!...
On the way to the cafeteria, we could see Private Stewart through a window. He was out on the firing range, but he was practicing with his ring. He really has been training a lot, lately. I think he's still upset from when he was denied - from coming on the last mission - and he's been getting ready for his next chance to prove he's ready… whenever that may come?
We all would soon reach the cafeteria, and go through the line. Dinner was delicious, but nothing really extraordinary happened this evening…
We ate, and chatted. Eventually, Clint, and Bishop, returned from the archery range for supper; as did J'onn, John, and Bruce. Everyone had wanted to say something to Alpha Flight before they had departed, but by the time the meeting had ended, they were already on their way back to Canada.
After we all talked, for what had turned into another couple of hours, I finally got up to retire to my room…
"Off to bed so soon? What? Past your bedtime?" John jokingly taunted me.
"Maybe a little," I said with a smirk.
… Not feeding into John's sparring was really the best way of shutting him down, quickly…
"... We've got a big day tomorrow, remember?"
I then finished saying the rest of my "Good Nights" to everyone, and then I left the cafeteria... And I finally then returned to my room…
"I wonder what's on the television?... I need to zone out for a minute," I said to myself.
I went and sat up on the bed, and then grabbed the remote control to turn on the television…
… Nothing was on that I wanted to watch… It was such a disappointing feeling…
I was tired anyways, and I had started to enjoy the static white noise of an empty channel... So I turned the television to an empty channel, put down the remote control on the side table, and turned off the light. I stretched out, and rolled over- and then pulled the bed covers close, and tight over my shoulder…
… "Tomorrow's going to be a big day"…
…
"Like taking candy from a baby.."
"Yes it was, Rick."
"They didn't suspect a thing…"
"Well, they did… they just didn't suspect the right things, Rick." The voice laughed… It had to be General Fury… In knew that voice…
… But, where am I? I can't see a thing, but again I hear these voices?...
"You're right, General… That they did not… So what are we going to tell them when they get back?"
"They're not coming back, Rick."
"What do you mean, General?"
"Well, Rick… let's just say that- their reality just got a little bit smaller…"
Rick laughed, "I got you, General… So they won't be a problem anymore?"
"I don't think so… I don't know how they could. And I happen to know everything… Like what I can do with this ring, now…"
"What's it for exactly, General Fury?"
"I really am starting to tire of this, 'Fury'... But the ring is to control him, Rick."
"Who?"
"The first of its kind…"
…
BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!
… Again?... What do these mean!?...
As my alarm rang loud, I laid in my bed motionless. I just let the alarm ring for a while…
What was that about!?
… It obviously, I thought, was General Fury... And I'd assume that "Rick" was Rick Flag. But when?
… It kind of sounded like the "we" - which I believed included me, and everyone at the PalmerPym Tech heist mission - were being set up, and that we were then trapped in the 'Microverse'...
… All the while, a "ring" was obtained… And this ring, was something of an apparently great power?
… Private Stewart…
I knew these were just dreams, but something was telling me to listen to them. I couldn't shake the feeling that something bad was going to happen during tonight's mission…
… Private Stewart had to come with us, with his ring!
I finally turned off the alarm, and got out of my bed. The television had turned off in the night? That's odd? But I hit the showers, and I got myself ready for the morning mission briefing.
After getting dressed, and before heading to breakfast; I tried calling Jim-
RING, RING! RING, RING! RING, RING! CLICK!
… No answer… Should I be surprised?...
I hung up the telephone, and then finished making my bed. One last look in the mirror, and then I was off to breakfast…
When I arrived to the cafeteria, I saw Private Stewart sitting alone, off at a corner table. Alone would mean he's still feeling upset? However, his expression was different today… He didn't look mad anymore- he looked hurt… Like, physically?
I decided to approach him, and see if he would let me talk to him…
"Hey, Private Stew-"
"Hey, Officer. Got any missions today?"
… Going well already… I took a seat anyways...
"Look, man. That wasn't my call. I'm sorry you felt disrespected in some way…"
"It's fine! I get it… I just don't like it… And someone could have told me… And not just after the fact!"
"I get it. I'm sorry. I understand- I really do. Come to the briefing today? I'll talk to General Fury… You deserve to be in there too."
"Well, thanks for the thought- but I can't join any mission today…" Private Stewart then revealed his left foot from underneath the table…
… He was in a cast?
"There was an accident at the range last night… So, yeah… I'm not going."
"What- What happened?"
"Some fluke accident, apparently," Private Stewart then stiffened up his posture, "As I was walking back into the base - from the firing range - I walked through the threshold of the door, and then doors slammed shut, too soon! My foot was still planted behind me, and the doors crushed my ankle!"
"Oh my, Eru!"
"I know, right?"
"That's unfortunate, for sure. How many broken bones?"
"I don't know… They put me in this cast to 'stabilize' the injury, but the X-Rays aren't scheduled until later today…"
"When?"
"What time do you think?"
"I see... That sucks, Private Stewart."
"You're telling me, Officer… But I'm pretty sure it's time for your briefing. I just saw General Fury, and The Batman, walk by."
He was right. It was time for the mission briefing. Private Stewart and I ended our conversation, and I left the cafeteria for the central control room. When I walked into the room, only Rick, and Phill were still to arrive. Everyone else was sitting around the table… Even General Fury.
I sat down, and then General Fury spoke up, "We can catch Phill, and Rick, up to speed when they get here. Let's get started-
Word says- the Marauders plan to strike shortly after the last scientists leave for the evening. There's a small window between the 'end of day', and when the first, after-hours, security sweeps occur. That's when the Marauders are looking to infiltrate the lab, and steal whatever tech they're looking for… There's no word on who of the Marauders is set to be in on the heist… But you have to be ready."
"What do you mean 'you', General?" I immediately asked.
"I'm not going to be on sight with y'all. I'll be right here."
"Why are you not going on the mission? J'onn can handle the central control room while we're gone," Bruce argued.
"I really can," J'onn unconvincingly confirmed.
"Because," General Fury explained, "If I'm seen- it could blow, Dr. Morbius' cover! Luckily there haven't yet been any whispers of his involvement with the raid on the school… J'onn might be needed if things go bad at PalmerPym Tech. We don't know who all Mr. Sinister's cloned… can't risk you bring here, if, and when, you're needed, J'onn."
"I understand, General Fury. I will execute my orders, sir."
… At that moment, Phil and Rick entered the central control room…
"Whoa! Who's getting executed?" Phill jokingly asked.
"Nice of you two, to join us," General Fury chided.
"I'm sorry, sir," Rick apologized, "Phill here said he was a better shot than me… So we went to the range, sir."
"And was he?"
"We tied, sir…"
"Oh please," Phill contested.
"Alright, alright. Sit down. Both of you!" General Fury said. He then stood up from the table, and he walked over to a blueprint- hung up in the wall...
"So this is the plan…"