(Here's the next chapter guys.)
The Timeless Writer: She did her best and plans to continue to do so.
OfficialUSMWriter: That's a great part about her.
Ultimatrix bearer: Hell hath no fury, damn straight. That's one thing people should know: you don't disrespect women.
Death Fury: Thanks.
Noble Six: Hope you like it.
Chapter 41: Confusion and Oddity
(New York City, Manhattan, Triskelion, a week later)
White Tiger is talking with squad leaders of guerilla troops she had formed over the past few days. Certain S.H.I.E.L.D. troopers and others were members of the Academy, those qualified to run and enact swift yet serious attacks on the Goblin's fortitudes. Several raiding parties over the past few days have hit vital tactical locations the Goblins need to have a strong hold on the blockade keeping S.H.I.E.L.D. from launching a large assault directly from its base in New York City.
"Raid reports. Now." White Tiger said.
"My group's attack was quick and efficient, instantly we routed out the Goblin skeleton crew there within a few minutes. They ran like hell for home." Power Man said.
"Same here. Though they should've ran when we showed up, heh heh." Nova chuckled, a satisfied grin on his face.
White Tiger's eyes narrowed in annoyance, growling under her breath. Nova gulped nervously.
"Don't be stupid, Nova. He thinks we're no threat to him. That's why there aren't that many defenses and henchmen near the Academy. With these attacks he might try to send a retaliation force…that's if he sees us as anymore of a threat." White Tiger said, dismissing her teammate's excitement.
Nova grumbled to himself, but not within audible range of White Tiger.
"But with such arrogance comes a great weakness on his part. With our 'position' as things below his radar of threats, we can possibly cause as much havoc as possible. But we cannot make the same mistake as him when it comes to our enemy, we cannot believe that he won't respond in force." White Tiger said.
The squad leaders nodded in understanding.
"Keep them random and outstretched, but close enough incase any of the groups needs reinforcements. We can't let the Goblins to gain a foothold while we are fighting them." White Tiger said.
"Why random? Wouldn't it be better to strike a positions where they have certain concentrated supplies or crucial defenses?" One of the S.H.I.E.L.D. troopers asked.
"The Goblin will be expecting that, he'll have more guards and stronger holds on those locations. Attacking with seemingly no plan will cause confusion. Even though the Goblin is crazy, he's still intelligent…which means he won't be foolish in defensive strategy." White Tiger answered.
The troopers nodded then walked off to rejoin their squads. Power Man and Nova didn't leave.
"More of a chaotic approach, Tiger?" Power Man asked.
"Yeah, I expected more organized yet guns blazing style." Nova added.
"I'm trying to throw him off. While I'm unsure if he's aware that I'm the commander, but that's a risk I can't take. Using odd tactics against our enemy should throw off his own strategy." White Tiger explained.
"I see." Power Man chuckled.
"What?" The feline heroine replied confused.
"You're using strategies our usual leader enacts." Power Man explained.
"Director Fury? He wouldn't use this kind of plan." White Tiger replied.
"No, I mean our other leader." The young hero clarified.
White Tiger was silent; she wasn't sure how to respond. Power Man sighed and crossed his arms, trying to piece together what he was going to say next.
"Ava…we know you-" Power Man started to say.
"Don't. Just…don't." White Tiger hissed angrily.
"Look girl…we know you're upset about Pete…and his…condition…but that's not only that." Power Man replied, his voice calms and hands up to show no signs of aggression towards her.
"He's my friend! Of course I'm pissed!" White Tiger snapped instantly.
"Ohhhh I think it's much more than that, kitty. I think you want to-" Nova started to say, his voice in a mocking tone.
But he instantly shut up once he saw Tiger open her right hand and extrude her claws, both her furious eyes targeted at him.
"Well it looks my work here is done! Unnhahh, Toodles!" Nova stated in panic then flew off after his last word was stammered.
White Tiger grumbled in annoyance, shaking her head scoffingly. She then walked back and sat in Director Fury's chair. She grabbed some reports and began looking over them. Power Man didn't budge; he wasn't done talking to her yet.
"Hey, come on now. You have to talk about this. You can't keep in bottled in." Power Man continued.
White Tiger stopped reading her notes and slowly put them down. The rest of her claws extruded. Then she began to slowly tap the desk with her claws repeatedly in a row. For the longest time she didn't even respond in any manner to what her friend had said. Power Man started to become nervous, he could feel the sweat dripping down his forehead and neck. Normally he isn't afraid of much…but he's seen White Tiger when she's pissed…but this was different from that…he wasn't sure what to expect. He began to open his mouth to say something, to try to calm the atmosphere of the room and the essence of their conversation. But then White Tiger looked up, both her glaring, blazing eyes directed at him. Power Man swallowed a huge gulp.
"Leave…Now." White Tiger simply said, but with each word had been filled with simmering anger threatening to explode at any moment.
"Right…of course." Power Man said, instantly getting the message.
He left with a bit of a stumble in his step, still nervous from the encounter. White Tiger walked to the door and shut it. She then walked back to the chair and sat down. But she didn't look at the paperwork or even said anything in any emotional manner. She could feel a tear going down her cheek. She then pulled out something. Her eyes gazed at the object, her vision slightly blurry with the tears.
'Goddamn you, Parker.' White Tiger whimpered in her mind, her eyes locked on the white flower she had 'received' weeks ago.
To be continued…