Ch.46 - The Collapses
-June 8th, 1986, Undisclosed Island, The Web,
The Black Widow and Psyder, also known as the Second-in-Command of The Web, Kwannon, stood in front of the majority of the Widow corps, excluding the White and Blank Widows currently running their own missions on their Commander's orders.
White was extracting a few fragile targets from the US and Blank was actually investigating some movements in mutant communities.
"Alright ladies, you've been called here to probably set off on our most ambitious mission, requested, not ordered, by the Komandir: The Fall of the USSR." Natasha opened up with, causing even the eyes of her fellow Widows to widen.
That was not a casual mission.
This was the dissolution of one of the most powerful countries in the world.
But it was also the country which took them, broke them, brainwashed them, and near succeeded in turning them all into human weapons to slaughter and kill on command.
And Widows did not take that lying down.
"Good. I don't see cowardice." Natasha sharply nodded. "This might seem to be a monumental task for most, but thanks to our dear Komandir, it has become as simple as pushing the right places to cause the crumbling tower to fall."
"Why now though?" An African Widow by the name Nnyome Adisa asked.
"Because the time is ripe to do so and end this pointless dick waving between so-called superpowers, allowing everyone to move on with their lives." Kwannon smirked while answering, before getting serious. "But honestly? His Highness has had enough of both countries causing the world to walk on eggshells while causing tens of millions to suffer. The main reason Soviets are the ones being targeted is because of the dozens of smaller countries slowly dying and starving due to Soviet policies, while being the most easily broken.
This ends."
"Besides, the Komandir wants us to stop the proliferation of these Dire Wraiths and cut off their plans for an invasion based from the USSR before it really starts to gain traction.
It will will give Hydra and SHIELD something to focus on for years, allowing us to move in and help the countries most affected by everything while this happens. I am sure everyone here knows just how bad things are behind the Iron Curtain, something the Komandir will not leave untouched." These words from Natasha garnered many nods as they were no strangers to the pain and suffering the Soviets were causing Eastern Europe.
And stopping a takeover of one of the two nuclear superpowers of Earth by shapeshifting mystical aliens wasn't a bad bonus either.
"We will be going in and using Nanominium coated equipment, specially designed poisons for the Dire Wraiths, standard Anti-Telepath gear and phasing suits for this op." Kwannon laid out. "Key targets include Wraith breeding and incubation facilities highlighted on the map in purple, Soviet Hardliners and Hydra affiliates needing to be killed or removed in other ways depending on individual data provide are in red, labs, secret facilities and mutant or powered brainwashing 'training' camps are in black, and targets needing information, hostage liberations or extraction are white."
On the holographic projection of Russia, hundreds of scattered dots appeared, showcasing that this truly was going to be a massive undertaking.
What complicated matters were the assignments on timers, some which could only be done at specific times or dates, or with some conditions needing to be fulfilled.
"As I'm sure you've noticed, some have my Widow emblem on them." Natasha indicated as the map focused on them. "This means either that they are mine to do or must be completed as if it was me who accomplished the mission.
These are the ones which will allow me to infiltrate SHIELD properly as they are points of interest for the organization."
The Widows all knew of Natasha's special assignment given directly in front of them by their Commander, as such they would support her in this as her sisters-in-arm without hesitation.
"Will we be receiving additional support? And what about the timeframe for all this?" A Russian Widow named Anya Sylzoski questioned after looking through some files.
"The Commando will be accompanying our strikes and focusing on Hydra Facilities like always.
Symkaria's Wild Pack will be hitting facilities in Eastern Europe with Silver.
And Yuriko will be leading some Nightwatch teams to keep the impression that vampires are still being a problem in the country while taking on targets." Kwannon answered easily. "And if needed, we have heavy hitters like Templar in the wings.
Oh, and before i forget, Jessica will be coming along on some of the tamer missions to help her gain hands on experience."
"I'll bring her on a few. I can teach her how to use her pheromones better for information gathering and seduction if needed." Natasha offered easily as she did like the girl and how spunky she could be.
"Just make sure nothing crosses the line. His highness does not wish for her do something she would regret simply to impress you or because she believes it was necessary to become a Widow." Kwannon warned the Black Widow.
"Understood." The redhead nodded.
"Now ladies, I do believe you all know how to do your jobs and prepare for them, so let's show the Soviets just how right they were in the deadliness of Widows and how afraid they should be for what they did to make them." Kwannon savagely smiled at them, which was responded to in kind as they truly will enjoy getting some more payback while helping people have better futures and protecting the planet.
It was basically everything they had been brainwashed to believe they would be doing under the Soviets, but now it really was happening... by systematically dismantling the USSR.
They would never know what truly hit them.
Literally.
History would never know that the Soviet Union would fall due to a group of less than thirty women supported by an Asian Prince. Only some highly placed individuals from the most secret organizations would even be aware of some of the actions of one of them in fact.
-Northeast of Guam, Pacific Ocean, New Lemuria
"Brothers and sisters! Today is the day we strike down the tyrannical Emperor! Today is the day we free our corrupted comrades from the Demon God Set and his puppet, Emperor Naga!" Canor, a beloved Lemurian ex-Captain wearing red Battle armor powerfully spoke before those gathered before him.
He was well muscled Lemurian with short black hair and beard, soft green eyes, and like even the least altered Lemurians, his skin had taken greenish coloring from the corruption of Set.
"We have all have had our eyes opened to the truth!
Naga has never cared for Lemuria! Never cared for us and neither has the dread serpent! They only care for their power and using us, corrupting us for it as we turn into monstrosities against our true wills!
But now we have a true direction to revive the greatness of Lemuria!
To surpass fabled Atlantis!
We need only to look at the rebirth of the coral forests!
The cures to the ills which we have thought incurable for centuries, saving our children from death!
These new means to protect ourselves from the surface and the pollution they inflict on us in this magnificent city worthy of the legends we have all heard!
It was not brought by the gods! Not from the Emperor! And not from anyone other than the Great Sage!" He passionately cried out as he gestured to me in a Home Mermanus form. "He who stands in both worlds and has come to our aid!"
It was simple to biologically be an Atlantean/Lemurian with Insight's assistance on top off having studied an amulet which does exactly that for humans.
It didn't do much beyond giving me gills, changing my skin and providing the senses for underwater living considering I was already far beyond their standard superhuman natures.
In this form, I had aided others via telepathy, telekinesis, science and magic, using everything including Cerebra's drones to gather scattered or freed Lemurians into a new hidden city built using Atlanteans architecture modified to work better underwater and when facing the challenges which comes with that.
New Lemuria was a test run for Magic infused architecture, combinations of magic and technology for the defenses somewhat based on Inhuman and Atlantean tech, concealment techniques, my supply chain and means of integrating others.
Gathering them was the perfect way of obtaining naturally super human beings under me, hidden from the world and to gain additional protection from below the waves.
Namor could call himself Ruler of the Seas, but honestly he was just the least horrible option when the rest were basically bandit kings at best. None of them ever did anything to develop or improve their kingdoms, only wanting to attack the surface world, or have revenge against the surface or take it over, always looking out to unify their people instead of doing anything internally.
Compared to any of them, I was like a messianic figure out of legend thanks to the improvements made in only over a year or so. Having high tech drones made for outer space working through the most advanced digital being in the world will help with matters tremendously.
Now I would simply need a few years to educate them properly, slowly acclimatizing them to rejoining the world as a kingdom affiliated with my burgeoning coalition of Island Nations, build up points unique to them like ressource exportation, underwater labor jobs, fishing, and other matters to form a real economy to grow from. Fixing their complete dependency of water will help matters as well, taking in gifted students for my school too.
"People of New Lemuria," I began as looked out to the thousands who had gathered under my influence and through Carno's work as my voice while I was busy. "You have toiled, suffered, been oppressed and have withstood the corruption of the Demon Serpent.
Today however, you stand free of it all and I am proud to say I have been part of your journey to do so.
But this is not the end.
For the rest of Lemuria still lies poisoned by Naga the traitor. Fool who sacrifices his people for power and an eternal life as a slave in all but name. His actions have brought the once proud people of Lemuria to the brink of collapse as he does nothing to aid you, only sucking out every last drop from you in his quest for power and to retrieve his evil crown.
And today, that changes.
For today, Lemuria will rise beyond Set! Beyond Naga! Beyond the Deviants who had enslaved you in the past and would do so again! And beyond the Atlantis of ages past!
Because today... you fight for your futures!
You fight for the future of your children! And their children!
Today you cast down the age of oppression! Of decline! Of stagnation and loss! Instead, you will bring about the new golden age and become what you should have always been!
Because after today... you will be free!!"
The cheers given made the water all around us shake with barely contained excitement.
And they should be, I have been working on this angle for quite some time using my telepathy to slowly erode Set's influence and bring Lemurians under me, actually creating the beginnings of a prosperous underwater kingdom.
Leaving such a wild card unattended was always a stupid move and why Namor was able to repeatedly change sides and go from being a hero to threatening the world with ease; because his excuse was that he was doing what was right for 'his people'. I wasn't going to let such threats go, especially not when half of them are led by Set worshippers and Deviants.
I don't care if the Deviants 'aren't all bad', their ideals and societal beliefs basically guarantees their desires to conquer others and the only reason they aren't as big a threat is because when they basically ruled the world, they attacked the Celestials when they came on the behest of the Eternals who had let the Deviants use humanity as a race of slaves against their prescribed mission, resulting in the Celestials culling billions of deviants, sinking the original Atlantis and Lemuria, causing the Great Cataclysm and beginning humanity's slow rise and the history we know of today.
Knowing this, leaving an underwater kingdom so close to them was just waiting for something bad to happen.
And this way I would gain control of the Pacific Oceans. Something which will serve as a wonderful line of defense against the US when they inevitably begin trying to assert their superiority over what I was creating, eliminating their means of threatening Japan using their navy.
Honestly, it was a move with so many benefits that I couldn't not do it.
Beyond the initial 'manpower' being rerouted from my endeavors in space and the time needed to design an entire magical city powered through science, the personal costs were minimal for what I would gain. Loyal followers, Atlantean and Deviant tech or magic, territory, ressources, and additional defenses.
And all I needed to do to secure all of it, was lead them into battle and conquest after proving I could support them.
People don't follow kings because of the blood. They follow them because he is supposed to represent the promise of safety and prosperity, and being born into royalty simply means you usually have access to what was needed to fulfill that promise. But when the promise is broken, and another can fulfill it, the people will begin to look to this new individual the longer the situation lasts, hence the rise and fall of dynasties.
I simply took advantage of such a situation which was actually centuries in the making, and accelerated the growth and loyalty of my own supporters while preparing them.
As a result, I would be leading an army to liberate the remaining Lemurians and end those too corrupted by Set to save. The greatest thing about serving under me was that I could train up high-class elite soldiers in a few weeks instead of years, using my training and simulation pods which directly stimulate minds and bodies while instilling discipline, loyalty, tactics, teamwork and unity, enhance soldiers beyond their original levels based on rank, and offered excellent gear and tech.
Thus I led the Legions of Lemuria, an army standing at 24'000 troops of elites equipped with weapons specifically designed to take advantage of the ocean such as high-pressure water blades inspired by DC Atlantean Weaponry/magic, propulsion systems and engines for the naval fleet, and water-based shielding systems capable of taking incredible amounts of damage and dispersing energy. This isn't counting concussive gauntlets, enchanted cold weapons, new armor inspired by the Aquaman movie soldiers only in black and gold with more advanced support, combat and movement systems, and the sonic and energy weapons.
A completely revamped military, but it still needed bigger naval vehicles which haven't yet been built unfortunately. All we currently had were the Harpoons, a fighter ships designed for fast and precise strikes, bombers named Mollusks to target defenses, drop ships dubbed Sea Horses for troop deployment and three Corvettes for bigger guns.
All in all, an impressive force to be built so quick when the Lemurians were already struggling to field a proper army. The corruption of Set has caused an increase in individual strength and affinity with magic if they had any true way to learn some, but it also reduced their ability to think rationally and operate cohesively because of it. This had been part of the reason I could gather so many under New Lemuria's banner, the old one couldn't protect it's people and was solely focused on the capital, leaving those living outside of it at the mercy of predators, bandits, and Deviant forces.
"All forces are ready Great Sage." Canor humbly reported as i had Insight dress me in dark gold armor streaked with pulsing emerald, inspired by Atlan's ancient Atlantean royal armor.
"I will lead the assault and kill Naga, leaving a part of my mind to aid in your command of the troops from here." I informed him as my Sage mask formed. "Make sure to save the people and minimize damages to the city, we cannot lose Lemuria's culture or what we can salvage of it.
Also, keep an eye out for possible monstrosities Naga may have created. I will endeavor to eliminate him before he could do anything crazy, but being prepared is still good."
"As you command!" He responded with a salute. "May you be victorious!"
"I intend to be." I replied with a nod a i had Insight create a Trident with bladed edges for me.
I had one of Neptune's tridents, but I was not about to let the gods get a proper feel for me because I wielded it. The less they knew, the better for me.
This one made of Proto-Adamantium would do beautiful for now. After having cracked the right combination using power cosmic I suspect was sent by a higher power in the original of all things, it had become my go-to metal.
Thus with a slam of the trident, I opened a great series of portals for this army of mine before leaping through as a signal to begin the conquest of Lemuria and the Pacific.
Behind me roars erupted as the men and women of the New Lemurian Legions charged in formation after me.
I channeled my powers into the Insight Trident, using it as the tip of the living spear I had become before slamming into Lemuria's ancient defenses and ripping them apart as the ocean shook from the initial impact.
"I am Kai, Sage of this World and I come with the liberation of Lemuria from the thralldom of Set, accursed Demon God!" I announced as the city felt my might with every word. "Lemurians, join your free brothers and sisters under New Lemuria as the rest of this once great kingdom has. Cast aside the mad thrall Naga and let us walk to a better future!"
My words were powerful, my might and appearance made them charismatic, but the army following me, with individuals clearly being Lemurian within it looking like no army they had ever dreamed of seeing in such glory bearing their name, that was convincing.
"For New Lemuria!" My soldiers cried out as they charged to the next lines of defense.
The army crashing against the completely overwhelmed and unprepared defenders of the city in mostly non-lethal combat as they knew these were still their fellow Lemurians and afterwards was supposed to be a time of healing and progress, not mourning, sadness and anger.
No one wanted to create a cycle of hatred based on today, not after my orders and reasoning.
Nodding in approval at them following orders, I turned my attention to the Royal Palace. A display of opulence and Naga's devotion to Set as giant serpentine statues decorated it, snake art littered the place, fang-like additions could be spotted in multiple places, alongside great amounts of jewels and precious stones.
And on my way to it, I cleaved apart any whose mind were too far gone while using my overwhelming telepathy to shut down those who weren't, slaying dozens of almost snake-men and even some lumbering oafs and two giant snakes.
Reaching the palace, I then threw the Insight trident after charging it up with energy I knew was Set's antithesis to cause a mystical explosion which permeated half the city, actually helping reverse much of the corruption to many and killing those too far gone.
I could actually hear hiss' of agony erupting from deeper in the castle too, which was mildly surprising as I didn't fully expect anyone to really survive that.
'Looks like Naga had enough power to offset it.' I simply concluded as the Trident reformed in my hand as I floated in nonchalantly, reaching the throne room and slamming the doors open with ease.
Within I found a few beings writhing in pain as they floated around the room, most noticeably being two very large Lemurian Snake-men who obviously had great physical might, and Naga himself holding on to the Snake Maw throne as he panted and wheezed in pain, his snake-like wrinkly green skin molting in several places while his royal robes were disheveled and crown lay on the ground.
No words were said as I killed the large men, removed Naga's arms while cauterizing them, causing renewed howls and hissing of agony, then took him with me to swiftly end this matter.
Heading out, I positioned myself in front of the palace and above the city before having projections of myself and Naga appear all over Lemuria.
"People of Lemuria, behold your Emperor! Demon God worshipper and corrupter of your once mighty people!" I said as I lifted his twisted and aged visage. "And now behold his death."
Deciding to be dramatic, I burnt his corrupted mind, body and soul with Wisdom's soulfire, causing him to howl for a moment before it burnt his essence to a crisp, sending him to his punishment directly.
"All defending forces are to surrender as no acts will be done against you nor those of this city. We are not conquerors, but liberators to free you from the clutches of Set and his thralls." I ordered as powerful telepathic waves flowed out across the city, causing the conflict to end at my word and forming an awe inspiring scene for the Lemurians.
Because with that, old Lemuria had fallen and a new age had begun for them at under the guidance of the Sage.
-August 17th, New York City, USA, SHIELD Headquarters
"We need to some men inside now!" Director Fury urgently said with the council overlooking SHIELD through phone. "Someone is tearing the Soviets apart and making it look easy while their crumbling like a damn Jenga tower!
We need our people there to control the aftermath cause we sure as hell can't stop it anymore!"
"We know this director, but that doesn't make matters any less difficult." A male voice sighed as they all knew that the Iron Curtain was a pain and using Berlin just wouldn't work.
"This is why we are ordering SHIELD to work on dismantling Soviet operatives in currently allied countries to minimize the damages we can at the moment, while keeping an eye on China and the Middle East." A stern English Lady informed the teeth grinding Fury.
"Furthermore, we need to be ready to move into Eastern Europe." Alexander Pierce continued for his fellow council members. "I've heard a Mercenary Group called the Wild Pack out of Symkaria has been doing solid work pushing out Soviet forces from their borders and have now moved across them as well, you might want to bring them in on this."
It irked him greatly to suggest it after Hydra had failed at handling them so spectacularly that the mercenaries had come back with even great strength and ferocity than before, but they would still make use of the group for their aims regardless.
"We still need eyes in the Union. If anyone gets their hands on the arsenal they have, it'll be a possible world ending scenario." Fury insisted with a tone telling everyone he wasn't budging on this. "That's why I'm going personally."
"Director please reconsider!" A fourth council member pleaded.
"No. This needs to be done or we're all in trouble. The world can't afford other parties getting their hands on nukes. God knows how many have already been 'lost' already, and I'm not tempting fate on this one." Fury stubbornly answered.
"*Sigh* Just be careful Nick. I don't want to lose another friend." Pierce said to his longtime colleague knowing that nothing would stop the man.
"I will, don't you worry. In the meantime, I'll have Dugan oversee things for field agents and Taylor can do most of my office work while I'm out." The director of SHIELD informed them.
"Then God speed Director." The British lady before hanging up her line.
"We'll contact some people to at least ready some exits. We still have a good number of people in Tibet and Mongolia who could help if needed, or maybe Turkey and Syria as well. I'll send you what we can scrounge up on short notice." A male member with an American accent informed.
"Hope to have you back in one piece Nick." Pierce simply said with concern before hanging up.
"Do not worsen the situation either Director. If the Soviets find you in their lands while this is happening, they will pin the blame of you no matter who is truly responsible and war will become a real possibility." The last man advised very seriously before hanging up as well.
"Don't I know it." Fury quietly said to himself before exhaling deeply. "But I'm Nick fucking Fury, and I'm not gonna let some Soviet brick heads get the better of me."
-Two Weeks Later, Moscow, USSR
In the snowy moonlit city, two figures could be seen running across the rooftops in a chase.
One was slimmer, obviously female going by the skintight suit being very generous to her, with flashes of red hair glimmering in the moonlight, running with incredible ease as she went beyond speeds of top level athletes even while she vaulted, slid under or dodged obstacles as she went.
Struggling to keep up was a man with a well trained body, black shirt and trench-coat with military pants and boots, pistols visible on his waist and knife of his thigh, he also wore a black mask which did hint at his missing eye due to one side being completely black and the other having a proper eye hole.
'Shit! She's got to be enhanced in some way! Those moves are things I've only seen the Captain pull of and she managed to far greater ease than he ever did!' Nick cursed internally as he chased after his only lead.
He spent a few days getting into the country and a proper lay of the land as it were, with the help of old comrades from the war who still liked him even with all the craziness of the Cold one. Soon enough he began going by some patterns he managed to find regarding some deaths and looked into possible targets, finally getting a hit a week and a half later when he glimpsed a shadow exciting a commander's mansion SHIELD knew for a fact was in charge of training super soldier candidates.
Fury took off after the figure, always being too far to do anything, quickly realizing that the woman he was chasing knew he had been there and made him follow on purpose. That made him raise his alertness to full readiness in case this was a trap.
But then... he lost her when she jumped down a alley.
"Shit!" Nick cursed as he pushed his admittedly aged body to not lose her, only for his instincts to tell him to duck, which he did without hesitation.
You don't spend most of your life fighting wars and working in espionage without developing solid instincts and trusting your animal side in dangerous situations.
This allowed him to feel his target's flying kick sail by and gave him time to roll back up to face her.
Finally getting a good look, it took a moment for even Nick Fury to tear his good eye away from the body she was showcasing in the near fetish outfit, finding a surprisingly more average face than he'd expected, but the red hair was certainly distinct.
Seeing her tense her body, Fury went for his pistol, but it was knocked out his hand mid-draw, forcing him to divert a punch aiming at his blind side.
He countered with a swift kick to the knee, she shifted and went for a sweep of his supporting leg, which was blocked by kneeling and then caught, but the woman just used her momentum to get her other leg up and start twirling across Nick's arm, almost getting him into an arm-bar before he struck her hip which involuntarily loosened her grip enough for him to wriggle out with a cold sweat.
Not taking a chance, he rushed to stop her from taking the initiative this time, drawing his combat knife as he combo'd his knife-work with his body, forcing her on the defensive for a few moments before she jabbed him masterfully on his extended forearm, causing him to open his hand involuntarily and drop it.
The next moment began her counter assault as she turned out to be too fast to fully defend against for Fury, result in a few shots he was going to feel for a few days, but luckily his gear protected him well enough before he managed to push her off with a kick she absorbed perfectly.
She smirked at his breathing and having won that round before charging again with a playful smile.
This time, Fury was outmatched as she used far greater skill than she'd previously displayed, dismantling his fighting style as she targeted his less protected joints, countering his moves before he could properly finish them and punishing him with hard hits to the head, before using her elbow to drop him to the ground.
"You're really good for a senior citizen. Really makes me wish we could have done this while you were in your prime Director." The woman suddenly said with a sigh, causing the recovering Nick's eye to widen slightly at her knowing his title.
"*Huff* *Huff* You have me at a disadvantage. *Huff* Don't even know your name." He fished for information as he readied one of his mini Flash Bangs for a counter.
"That's cute, you think I'd brag." She said as if talking to an infant. "This was fun Fury, but I have some more people to get some payback from.
You can keep this as a souvenir though."
Plop*
With that said, something remarkably similar to the face of the woman he had been fighting landed in a crumpled form in front of his face, causing Fury to look up to get a glimpse of the real one, but all he saw was her far away already.
He then noticed a piece of paper stuck to the mask as he picked it up.
'If you find me again, I might even answer a question for you.
Have a pleasant night getting away from the KGB Director 3'
"Shit!" Nick cursed again as he could now hear the rushing sound of heavy footsteps and sirens rushing around.
It was going to be a long night.
Even with the country crumbling around their ears, that wasn't stopping those in power from using their attack dogs. In fact, they've gotten worst as their fear grew and they worried they would be next as no clues had been found regarding the culprit or culprits of the recent assassinations.
And that wasn't something Nick was keen to get caught up in.
He quickly stowed away the mask and note, picked up his knife and gun and began the process to get out of the country.
Fury might not have found out who exactly the culprit was, but at least he had some sizable clues.
-Ōshima Academic Island, minutes later
"You know Komandir~" The Black Widow seductively purred as she wrapped her arms around my neck from behind to rest her breast on my back. "You look incredibly attractive in that footage of you conquering Lemuria."
"*Chuckle* It's not often I get to let my more violent side loose. Although it wasn't a challenge, it was fun to lead others like that." I replied as I looked over her mission instead of the activities in the Pacific since my borderline conquest and unification of Lemuria under my banner. "Oh? Good job baiting Fury. He won't rest until he knows who knocked him on his ass and gave him the run around like he was a rookie."
"He was fun to play with... but I prefer more," she heatedly whispered in my ear, "virile men."
"Well then, I'm sure we can find a fix for that. And my Black Widow certainly deserves a reward after all that hard work." I played along as she shifted to straddling me with an acrobatic flip over my chair.
"And I know just what I want~" She stated as she began unzipping the front of her suit.
Author Notes:
And then they fucked.
Yes I tease but sex is rather more casual for people who live in the bloodier side of the world, so it would just be unneeded words at this point.
I mean, Kai's fucking Natasha, Kwannon and Yuriko at the moment and they all know it, they just don't find anything wrong with it because most do consider themselves below Kai in terms of status even if her doesn't truly.
But whatever, to the stuff that happened in the chapter.
I'm having the USSR collapse earlier than historically accurate for a few reasons:
First is that it was just a horrible system which caused suffering to far too many countries. I'm not saying the US wasn't actively doing so too, just that at least its allies were prospering too after the war instead of being plunged into limbo for 50 years and being stuck behind the rest of the world as the overlord sucked out everything it could and ruled you with an iron fist.
Theoretically, having USSR move into the Federation would allow the world to move past that era of issues to shift to 90's and early 00's developments earlier, which does let me have things progress culturally and socially at an accelerated rate. Hopefully having society be at least a decade ahead of our own.
I'm giving Natasha an awesome status as the Woman who brought down the USSR. Because that shit is much better than just being the best from the Red Room. The Fury beat down was pure martial arts from her enhancements outside of the Spider and Metamorphic skills, he is old and he didn't really have the opportunity to spot a true weakness before she finished analyzing him and systematically dismantling him.
As for Lemuria, well Kai did mention being aware of Atlantis, Homo Mermanus, his dislike of Namor and knowing about the threats they could be to the world, so it really shouldn't be shocking that he wouldn't just leave them be.
Atlantis and Lemuria were greatly weakened by Namor's amnesia, the fall of old Atlantis while he became an amnesiac, the lost of the Serpent Crown and division in Lemuria due to Naga not having to boost his power and control.
It was the perfect time to use what he had and gather the scattered Merpeople under him to form a powerful new force. Honestly shouldn't be too hard since he can just use his psionic abilities to act from afar, convince others to join him, send worker drones piloted by Cerebra and actually improve matters to form a solid base for loyalty outside indoctrination and minor brainwashing.
As for the numbers, it was impossible to gain solid numbers for Homo Mermanus, but it was said Namor had Legions even after Atlantis being destroyed not that long ago and they have vast 'territories', so I went with at least that many for the underwater army, with plenty of non-combatants as well.
Taking over and killing Naga, well that should be easy for Kai. The old snake fucker didn't even have the Crown and Kai loves studying artifacts and energies to find counters and to learn how to use them, so that was a forgone conclusion.
The Proto-Adamantium bit, well I think he'd figure it thanks to being able to just analyse the data on Cap's shield at such deep levels and from scientific, mystical and meta angles.
Hope you enjoyed, I'll try not to just pop new forces out so suddenly next time, I feel like I should have built up the Lemuria but more, but oh well.