DATE: MARCH 19 2015, NEW YORK, 03H34M

It's relatively quiet on Ryker Island today. A man known only as "Hugh" (aka "Beetle") was brought a few days ago, after invading the Loud Tower and attacking SHIELD agents. Although he had no powers, director Santiago succeeded in getting him immediately transferred to the Raft, a maximum security prison a little away from the island.

The Raft consisted of an underwater prison whose only access was a fake garbage raft that stopped just above the entrance. Although he had no evidence, the director believed that he was working with Baron Zemo and the Black Knight.

As soon as the guards were ready, they placed the prisoner, not only with his feet in handcuffs but also wearing a straitjacket into one of the four waiting vans.

As much as they did not expect anyone to try to free him, using decoys was a standard tactic when taking someone to the Raft.

The vans left in sequence, with the prisoner inside the second.

After crossing the bridge, each van went in one direction.

Hugh was apparently calm. He has not said anything since he was arrested. His body was still sore, but not as his pride. He had become a mercenary in the ascendancy of success, and had a chance to work for the Black Knight, one of the most feared criminals in the world. And just when he had a chance to show his value, he was humiliated by a bunch of children.

Although this was embarrassing, he knew it was the least of his problems. He knew that even if they put him on the Raft, it was only a matter of time before his client came to punish him for failing.

After some time, Hugh began to think that something was strange. They were already driving for some time, and he knew Raft should not be that far. As soon as the van stopped, he thought he had finally arrived in his new cell.

He could not be more wrong.

As he got out of the van, he saw that he was in Brighton Beach, almost no person on the scene, except for a man on the beach, next to him was a table with two chairs.

Before Hugh could do anything, the "guards" began to release him, and one of them saluted Hugh.

"Hail Hydra!"

The mercenary's eyes widened.

He could not tell if this was a good or a bad thing. On the one hand, Hydra was releasing him, but on the other hand he would be in debt with an organization as dangerous as the Black Knight.

The false guards signaled him to go to the table. Though he was terrified, he addressed himself to his liberator with the best facade of confidence he could forge.

As he approached, he got a better look at the man. He was a little taller than Hugh, had well-combed black hair and a few scars on his face. Although he did not know how, this man was a little familiar.

"Beetle. At last we managed to meet in person. Sit down, we have a lot to talk about."

Though suspicious, Hugh sat down and tried to look relaxed, though he knew nothing good could come of this conversation.

"Well, I think I should introduce myself formally. I am Nathan Garrett, also known as Black Knight."

His blood froze.

Not only was he taken out of prison by the Hydra, but he was also facing the client with whom he failed.

"Before you urinate in your pants, understand that if I wanted you dead, I would not have bothered to do this joint operation with Hydra to bring you here."

"So, what do you want? As far as I know, you do not usually leave traces from your operations, and I failed humiliatingly."

The man looked at him curiously, as if he had not understood what the mercenary had said.

"What are you talking about? What makes you think you've failed in the mission?"

"What?" Hugh's whole concern was replaced with astonishment. "I was caught, and I could not deliver the equipment."

"Oh, right. I think Octavius did not explain this right. Your mission was to steal the data and TRY to bring the processing device. Although you was caught, the data transfer was completed, and thanks to one of my associates, SHIELD did not get the CPU of your armor, but we've got."

Hugh was relieved. His client was not only satisfied but he had also taken him out of prison.

So he could only want one thing.

"I suppose you will want some service in return for my freedom. What do you have in mind?"

"I do not have any mercenary work for you. Actually, I have an offer."

"What kind of offer? "The mercenary was intrigued.

"What do you think to stop being a freelancer and joining my organization?"

"You mean..."

"Yes, I am offering you a place among the Masters of Evil. If you accept, you will not only be part of our organization, but you will also be able to share the spoils when we dominate this world. In addition, of course, to have a chance to take revenge on the Loud family in a not too distant future."

Hugh was smiling like never before in his life. To be part of an organization associated with Hydra and have a chance to take revenge on those who made him be arrested?

"I'm definitely in. Where do I start?"

"I'm happy with your enthusiasm." He handed the keys of a car and a paper card with an address. "These are the keys to a black 1974 Camaro, parked at this address, a few blocks from here. Follow the GPS and you will leave the city without leaving a trace. You will meet some Hydra henchmen who will take you to Octavius in one of our quinjets. Once you've gotten there, he will help you make a new armor."

He took the keys and got up, and then held out his hand, and the knight return the gesture, giving a brief handshake.

"I will not disappoint you, sir!"

"I know you will not. Welcome to the Masters of Evil, Beetle."


TO BE CONTINUED...


I know I said I was going to post this tomorrow, but I'm going to watch Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2, and I do not know if I'll have time.
I'm not sure why, but the movie came out this week in Brazil, and I'm very eager to watch it.