S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent Rhapsodos: Taking the Backseat
Disclaimer: Refer to the Prologue Chapter.
Beta-ed by: CommentatorInThePeanutGallery (October 6th, 2012) [Last Edit January 1st, 2016]
AU Notes: Thanks to those who have Favorited and alerted this fic: The Three Kings, Twilight Cardmistress, Basia Orci, deathgodshi, pheonixfire00, and KUMA-Fury19.
An Awesome thanks to our Reviewers: drake202, YunaBlaze, Lacus01, and HatchetChu. All names I will mention once (including if you reviewed/alert/fav at the same time). Questions... questions... As stated in the prologue, people who are deceased in the FFVII compilation have great potential to be in this fic. Who they are I won't spill coz they're spoilers. As for timelines... I'm not following any particular timeline for X-Men though. They've always been a hazard time group ever since the movie First Class came out. So for those guys, I'm not going to follow the old movies either or it'll turn up confusing (their timeline doesn't fit at all with the Avengers universe/Marvel hasn't made an official statement they're linked). Colossus and Shadowcat appeared because I just don't have any reasons to make OCs when Marvel has tons of characters in its universe to use.
Well... here's the next chapter!
Enjoy!
~ Chapter 2: Home Mission Briefing ~
"A home without books is a body without soul." ~ Marcus Tullius Cicero
Genesis' Apartment...
A soothing song by the name 'Joy of Life' from one of his favorite smooth jazz saxophonist swayed and hummed through the room. (1)
With LOVELESS in hand, his side table that had a cup of hot cocoa on it, and oddly a bowl of apples, Genesis was content. The red squishy chair made it comfortable for him to sit and enjoy reading in a spacious study room that surrounded him with books. While Earth had the most variety collection of books that the auburn haired poet adored, nothing really hit home than what LOVELESS did. It was proof that his world existed, and most of all, it was proof that the Goddess blessed him with his second life. The book itself was the actual one thing he requested of what he wanted to bring into the new world he currently lived in. His previous enhancement, as well as his powers, was something that came with it... even though he never asked for them.
His eyes trailed to the magnet on the wall he installed and stuck on it was a red long fine sword, Rapier.
He hadn't used it for some time. At least for some missions, as it was a dead giveaway to who he was–a weird habit and showed just how very different to who he was back then–when in the past he'd give anything to let people know and sure it was him doing the job. It wasn't rare he felt guilty of using his guns over his beloved sword that had been with him through thick and thin. Genesis always practiced his routines with his beloved weapon in the small private gym he had at his apartment, but even then he wished that the blade would see real battles as it did back then.
The auburn-haired youth stopped at the notion and shook his head vigorously in denial.
Honestly, what happened to him and wanting to have a more laid back lifestyle?
He had done enough back on Gaia, right?
Still, he did wish he wasn't so alone in all of this. He wished he could find his friends and talk to them what it was like at home. Genesis would wonder if he could ever find anyone back from home who actually remembered anything. So far his search had been nil on who remembered. It was bizarre to find people he knew who had died back in the War of Resolve wandering around in this world. That sort of déjà vu was shocking at first. Employees, infantrymen, SOLDIERs and even to the very two Turks he had killed back in Banora were alive here. The more he met those people, the more frustrated he felt in not finding his closest friends. In the end of his frustration, he ended up burying his life in his work.
If Angeal was there right now, he would probably be fussing about how Genesis should take some time to make peace with himself more often.
Apparently, being a SHIELD Agent never really did give that sort of peace too often and for too long.
With what he could, he did try to make up for it. Genesis had a fond smile to his lips as now his blue Mako eyes drifted to a potted plant he had at the window. For a reminder his friend to Angeal, he finally took the part to actually take care of a plant. Of course, there was a catch to what plant he had. The auburn haired SHIELD agent did not like the fact that the burly SOLDIER had plants that would attract bugs he detested so much they ended up in his apartment back at ShinRa. (2) But Earth had a plant that solved that. In fact, he loved the plant. He named it Aphrodite which earned him incredulous looks from Coulson, Natasha, and Clint when they visited his apartment at one time.
His beloved plant?
A Venus Flytrap.
He never had to worry about having spiders, flies or beetles crawling into his apartment anymore. Aphrodite-like its namesake, attracted a good deal of bugs into its fangs of doom with no problem. As the way 'she' was right now, Genesis was forced to replant it to a bigger pot, but he eagerly enjoyed the idea more bugs will die because of it.
Getting back to his favorite book, Genesis popped an apple in his mouth and took a bite. Apples were his popcorn, something Phil never got used to no many how many times the man came over to have a movie night or read some books in his mini library. The elder agent never understood what was Genesis' obsession with apples was about, but to the auburn haired poet, the fruit was the closest to Banora Whites or Dumbapples save the more juicy taste and color. Natasha seemed to agree it was actually healthy and supported they should all eat it for breakfast every day, her for health and fitness reasons. As for Clint, he didn't seem to be motivated to eat them but preferred to use them as target practice much to Genesis' dismay.
A buzz hummed next to the bowl of apples, reminding the young agent that his cellphone was ringing.
With a swipe and flick of a wrist, Genesis answered the call.
"Agent Rhapsodos speaking."
"Genesis?"
The now 'Turk' raised a brow. "Phil? There's something going on?"
"Have you received the files?"
"Yes." the reply had a tired bored tone to it. "Read through them as well."
From the side desk drawer, Genesis took out a page skimming through the contents. (3)
.
.
~ S.H.I.E.L.D. FILE SSN No. 987-65-4320 ~
Name: Rogers, Steve
Birthplace: Brooklyn, NY
D.O.B.: 4th July 1918
Gender: Male
Race: Caucasian
Status: PENDING
Document Citizenship: United States
Dental: NONE
Languages: English
Title: NONE
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 220
Hair: Blond
Eyes: Blue
.
Identifiable Markings: NONE
Family: Joeseph Rogers (Father) DECEASED 05-08-1918, Sarah Rogers (Mother) DECEASED 10-15-1936
~ End of page ~
.
.
"I thought 'Hero sitting' was your job," Genesis commented taking another bite from his apple. He munched on it and swallowed it quickly. "I was under the impression you would be more suited to taking care of Rogers than I am."
"You're on your apple diet are you?" the agent asked. Then Phil sighed dramatically, which wasn't often, "It's your first job as our Consultant. Fury probably thinks it's his way of payback at me for hindering him in letting you join up the Avengers Initiative roster."
Genesis didn't bother to reply about the apple obsession he had and snorted, "That's not a job I would look forward to. Although, I am thankful you've managed to stall long enough for me so I didn't get into the Initiative. Are you so occupied that Fury assigned me to this mission instead of you? I know Natasha is out with her own mission, and Clint isn't so much of a people person."
"I'm busy at Project P.E.G.A.S.U.S. with the Director. (4) We're double checking all of the security and evacuation measures if things turn nasty. Our wonder cube's been giving spikes for some time after it's been quiet for so long."
"After it's been dormant for decades? Sounds like something is in motion here." Genesis said thoughtfully. He personally didn't like the signs, just a year after Thor came crashing down, and all those Avengers candidates coming in... It was a beacon from 'Fate' somehow there was bound to be something big just waiting to happen.
"We can only hope and do what we can until it comes around. The Director is right when it's near fatal to rely on making weapons alone."
"But relying on a response team that's not even made up into a stable group yet is just as risky." the auburn haired agent argued calmly. "One the higher-ups even has the Initiative on their last resort list."
Phil didn't seem to mind. "Well, it's more of a reason to make it less risky by getting to know one of the team members, which is why I'm counting on you to watch over the Captain for me."
"This doesn't have to do anything with signing vintage cards doesn't it?" Genesis asked with a grin.
"Don't remind me," the Agent on the line groaned as the younger agent was teasing him mercilessly on it. "And get that big smug grin off your face. I made sure you didn't get into the roster as promised, didn't I?"
A chuckle. "Fine. I'll try to handle the mission with my best effort. Let's hope he's not too serious about just training every day. From the details, he hasn't left his apartment unless it's for training."
"That's what I'm worried about." Coulson sighed. "It's been a nearly 70 years in the ice. There's bound to be some drastic changes he's going to feel heavily left out of time."
"Hnn, that's not going to make my job any easier."
"I think I have to disagree, Genesis. I think out of all of us you're best suited for the job."
Genesis blinked. "How so?"
"You two are a lot more related than you think, and you have a lot in common." Phil pointed out. "Think about it. About 70 years through time can feel like stepping into a different world."
The auburn agent had to smile at that. "Now you mention it, I suppose it's true."
"Don't worry, Genesis. You'll do fine. He'll probably spot out the soldier in you first, then the spy in you." Coulson laughed.
Genesis took that as a challenge. "Is that a bet?"
"Full pay for breakfast to dinner at Evans' Diner for the loser."
"Done."
Too bad Phil had forgotten at that moment that Genesis was a very good actor.
"By the way, Clint's with me. So you won't be seeing us in the meantime." the agent reminded.
"Right. I'll let you know if anything comes up with my 'Hero sitting' mission."
"Night, Genesis. Make sure the Captain feels at home, OK?"
"No promises, but I will try. Night, Phil."
As his call ended, he ate through his apple in record time. Genesis then noted the clock was at 10:00 PM. He could sleep with less time, but he could use the rest for tomorrow as well. He left the study room and made way to his bedroom. His own personal private space wasn't fancy as he had back in ShinRa, but it was more than enough to suit his tastes. Genesis had a red and black minimalist theme going on, which had surprised the assassin seductress.
Before he went to bed, though, he thoughtfully stared in the mirror that gave way his glowing eyes.
He was still the only SOLDIER here on Earth so far.
Genesis always wore contact lens when he left for work (mostly for precaution). The only place and time he didn't wear them were when he was at his home/temporary resident when he was sleeping. It was annoying at first, but he couldn't afford to let his guard down with the peace he gained that people wouldn't stare at him pointing fingers he was a mutant when he didn't even have the X-gene. Oh yes, there had been a couple of close calls back in high school when the community he lived in were mutant-phobic. Thanks to meeting a certain old man, though, he was found by SHIELD. (5)
Still, Genesis wouldn't have it any other way.
Even in his second life, he had a really odd family again. Only, this time, it was Phil Coulson being the 'dad' of three agents. Three which consisted of: a super spy assassin, an ultimate sniper with a bow, and a hidden red mage SOLDIER spy that was their wild card. The way Coulson was saying that he should take care of Steve Rogers was saying like he had adopted the guy into the family. Well, that was what Phillip Coulson did to you; when he sees someone with potential and needs a family he would welcome you into his without the said person knowing it.
Additionally, the man was a mean one when he needed to get what he wanted. Agent Coulson wasn't called the 'Everyman' for nothing. Phil gave you the image he was just an agent that couldn't do much when he'd probably have abilities that could shock anyone. He claimed the Stark doesn't tell him anything, but Genesis was very sure that the man could hack into JARVIS if he wanted or needed to. Supposedly he already figured out how, when Tony wasn't looking at Phil's way. (6)
While Genesis already had the ability to hack into any sort of computer thanks to Weiss' powers that he assimilated or Synaptic Net Dive, Phil had been his mentor in making sure that the auburn haired spy could do so without having to resort to SND. Not unexpected as Natasha had him as her hacker mentor too. (7)
Lying down with his arms crossed behind his head, Genesis relaxed in his red silk PJs wondering what tomorrow would bring. He felt at home in this world for now. The future here was full of things he was for the first time looking forward to.
After all, this was going to be an interesting meeting of two different Super Soldiers. (8)
But Steve Rogers didn't need to know that.
Yet.
"No one realizes how beautiful it is to travel until he comes home and rests his head on his old, familiar pillow." ~ Lin Yutang
TBC...
Notes/Trivia:
(1) Joy of Life by Kenny G. Genesis strikes me as a person that will probably like soothing music as he reads his book(s) (?)
(2) Genesis hates bugs with a passion even if he comes from Banora, which counts as the country side in Gaia (makes him a country boy by default but not by heart). Hence the reason he loves the Venus Flytrap. Aphrodite is Venus' Greek version of the love Goddess. Sneak peak from Angeal's Fan club Newsletter 313 featuring a conversation between the two friends in Crisis Core:
G: You'd better do something about those plants in your room. A: Those plants represent nature. Some of us converse with nature to hone our spirit and honor. G: And some of us are getting bugs in our rooms because of those blasted things. A: Come on. Don't you remember? We used to have bugs in our rooms all the time when we were kids. G: That's why I hate them. And the past? It can stay there. We're in Midgar. We're not supposed to have nature here.
(3) SHIELD File on Captain America based on the Avengers movie with modifications. Here, he's not an agent (status) or adviser (title) in SHIELD yet.
(4) Project P.E.G.A.S.U.S. is a remote and secret facility where the Tesseract is being studied. In the comics, P.E.G.A.S.U.S. stands for Potential Energy Group/Alternate Sources/United States.
(5) A reference to a character of a completed side fic 'A Part that Remains'.
(6) Agent Phil Coulson is capable in hacking into extremely tight computer security. In the Avengers, he hacked and overridden JARVIS' protocols when Tony Stark didn't answer his calls.
(7) In Iron Man 2, Natasha Romanoff hacks into Rhodey's War Machine suit freeing him from Justin Hammer's control.
(8) Captain America is the only successful subject of the Super Soldier Serum. Genesis was the first subject of Project G which was the basis for creating ShinRa's Mako enhanced SOLDIERs.
Comments, opinions, your thoughts, are very much welcomed.