(I'm so sorry for the wait everyone. I have been trying to balance out so much, but that's my fault. I have been working with Noble Six to help with my writer's block (thank you so much for your help, I know I'm not out of it yet and that it's a grueling process, but thank you still) and the two of us have created a Mortal Kombat x USM crossover story, they are uploaded/updated on his page, please check it out if you're interested. As to the story and my others, I'm trying to do them when I can. It's hard for me to focus on them. Again, I'm sorry. Hope you all enjoy the update.)
Death Fury: Thanks.
Noble Six: Thanks.
Ultimatrix bearer: Thanks.
Chapter 4: Little Details
(Triskelion, Fury's office, the next day)
Director Fury looked over a holographic display of tech being developed to ward of psychic abilities. He'd been going over it for hours, not wanting to be caught off guard like he had been. Professor X was one of the most powerful telepaths in the world according to S.H.I.E.L.D's understanding, but he'd thought the man wouldn't intrude on his mind.
'Been so caught up in everything, I wasn't careful enough. Damn it, I should've known that he'd do it.'
Normally Fury would've had something in mind to repel certain superhuman abilities or keep at bay for a time. Telepathy though, was one that was much harder to find a defense against.
He pulled out a packet filled with information sheets on what his organization knew about the X-Men. Wolverine, despite his time with Fury, was still in part a mystery. He didn't know how old Logan was, given his regenerative abilities. He knew he'd fought in WWII with Cap, having photos of the two of them together, though they were rare. Logan had tried to keep as low a profile as he could in his life, but his respect for Cap made it clear in the photos he was in with him. There was even a warm smile in one at least.
'Maybe I could Rogers help with this.'
Captain America had been a bit uneasy around Fury since the time he'd fought with Black Widow against Laura and Lucas. Fury rubbed his chin, considering this might be a way to make amends. Rogers cared about people, deeply, spending his life protecting them. Though Fury knew Rogers wasn't as aware of or involved with the mutant community as he was with the human one. As co-commander of the Avengers, they'd safeguarded the human world, even the Inhuman one in part. But the mutant world still didn't have that same connection.
'Something to put on hold…for a time.'
There was a knock at his door.
Fury put away the files.
"Come in."
An agent walked in.
"Sir, you have a visitor."
Fury's good eye narrowed.
A man dressed in a finely pressed suit entered. Fury nodded to the agent, who nodded back before leaving. The man chuckled.
"Director Fury, I've been hoping to meet you for some time."
Fury sat straight in his chair.
"Mr. Dreec, I didn't get any notifications about a request for a meeting."
"I'm afraid that I wanted to make sure I caught you at the right time."
Fury didn't respond, just stared at the man. Dreec's grin faded before he cleared his throat.
"I came to you seeking any information S.H.I.E.L.D. has on mutants in the United States."
"I'm afraid any information S.H.I.E.L.D. would have on that subject is classified. But why do you think my organization has that kind of knowledge?"
Dreec smiled again, snorting in laughter.
"You're head of one of the most powerful intelligence groups in the world. You're in common contact with the Avengers…it wouldn't be much of a leap to say you have some files on another super…human group."
Fury stared directly into the man's eyes, not even blinking. Dreec blinked a few times, eyes averting to either side of the room a few times as he tried to keep his composure.
"Even if we were to have this information, I wouldn't be able to share it. S.H.I.E.L.D. doesn't involve itself in politics if we can help it. Mutants have been a topic of some importance and confrontation for those who have rather…strong opinions about the mutant community."
"I'm sure I don't know what you mean."
"I know there are those who would find it rather…unconstitutional to give you any personal information about anonymous people who are a part of this country."
Fury noticed a small twitch from the man when he said 'people'. Dreec straightened his tie.
"I'm aware. But they fail to realize that mutants, whether they mean it or not, are a potential danger to society. How can we know which ones are the 'good mutants'? It's a legitimate question of national security."
Fury remained quiet while Dreec continued.
"You've dealt with alien conquerors before, Director, I imagine some…abnormalities of nature would be no trouble for you."
The man smiled.
The veins in Fury's neck would've been visible to the Director's visitor if the trench coat didn't cover them. Fury felt his face burn and his hands shake while he tried not to grit his teeth.
"You're right, I have dealt with some big threats. Thanos was a mad bastard, but it was the Avengers and those who believe in them that took down that monster. S.H.I.E.L.D. faces countless threats to not only the country, but to the planet itself…but I'm afraid this isn't one of those threats."
One of Dreec's eyes twitched.
"I'm sorry?"
Fury stood up.
"Mutant kind isn't a threat to humanity. Going forward with plans to identify, publicize, and even incarcerate these people…it's what many would call: 'poking the bear'."
"This isn't a joke."
"I'm not laughing."
Fury walked out from behind his desk to come face to face with the man.
"You poke a bear, Mr. Dreec, you might as well kiss your ass goodbye."
Dreec chuckled at this, though Fury could plainly see the man's face was red.
"You know who I am. You know I have big plans for this country…they'll have to do what I say."
"This is a word of warning: you do this…you'll end up regretting it."
Dreec's hands clenched into fists and his smile contorted into a frown. Fury smiled a little at this and crossed his arms.
"If that'll be all, I have work to do."
Fury walked back to his desk, not even sparing a look at Dreec. The man stood wide eyed at the Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. His shaking slowly stopped. Straightening his tie and forming a forced smile, he took a step towards the door.
"Thank you, Director. I believe I have the answer I was seeking."
Fury looked up to the man, but Dreec was already exiting the office.
The Director frowned and rubbed his chin.
He pulled out the reports he'd gone over for the anti-mutant assaults he'd been given. He scanned them again and again, several seemed to be the usual individual hateful man or woman attacking a minority. But a few had mentions of a group of people assaulting a mutant or a group of mutants. And in just a few of these specific documents, three letters were briefly mentioned that had caught Fury's eye: F.o.H.
To be continued…
(Again, sorry for the late update. Hope it was good.)
