(Sorry for the late update guys, was having technical problems)
Ilikehats2: you'll see
Guest of honor: they were enjoying themselves
Daisy: (forgive me if this is a bad translation, my Spanish isn't very good)… gracias senorita, voy a intentar mi mejor
Plasma57: thank you
Chapter 19: Tension Between Comrades
(At Avengers' Tower)
White Tiger, Zabu, Wolverine, Black Widow, and Captain America had arrived back at the tower. Their mission to gather information from Red Skull on Dracula's plan had been a success. Cap's approach to the situation gave them only minor and partial data on what the vampire possibly has planned. However, Tiger used more 'lethal' methods of persuasion to make the villain talk. Her path to answers proved to bear better fruit than Cap's. This made the super-soldier most unhappy. He didn't enjoy causing anyone pain; even if that someone was Red Skull. White Tiger didn't care about the man's moral code, she just wanted Peter back.
"Any word from Doctor Strange?" Tiger asked over her communicator. "Not yet, the good doctor is still searching for answers in his library. I plan to help him with the search tomorrow and make him aware of the news you gathered from… the prisoner…" Iron-Fist answered. "We need our best in the fields they specialized in. Thanks for the update, everyone gathered?" She asked. "Yes." He answered.
The interrogators and witness walked into the tower's 'living room'. The assembled heroes, senior SHIELD members, and Aunt May are in the room waiting for the news.
"How'd it go?" Falcon asked. "We got more than expected." Widow chuckled. "What do you mean?" Power Man asked. "Ms. Ayala has quite the possibility of being one of SHIELD's best interrogators. She proved herself quite competent for the job; even I have to admit that maybe even I couldn't have done a better job." Natasha added.
Almost everyone's jaws dropped to the floor. Black Widow is one of the most lethal and skilled individuals in all of SHIELD. For her to admit a younger individual did a better job is… shocking. But all those 'gaping' composed themselves; they had an urgent matter on their hands.
"What did the Red Skull say Natasha?" Thor asked. "It's better that I show you, only to make sure you hear everything from Skull's lips." Widow said as she pushed a button on a device.
A holographic screen appeared and she 'transferred' the recording to the tower's 'big screen'.
"We can tell them without showing the footage. No need to make this a spectacle." Cap said. "Cap, we should see this. This is the actual interrogation; memory isn't going to cut it." Iron Man argued.
Steve sighed, not happy with the decision. The recording started playing. It displayed every moment of Ava and Zabu's interrogation with Skull. Some of the heroes cringed at what they saw, not expecting to see the rage in Ava's actions. But most were listening in on what Skull revealed. They had learned some vital bits of information including the 'general area' where Dracula is hiding out. But they would have to find a specific way to search.
"Ok, we've got the most important parts. Now what?" Ant-Man asked. "Locate Dracula's castle, and get ready for what-ever." Werewolf by Night answererd, conviction in his voice. "How are the tranquilizer weapons coming?" A-Bomb asked. "As best as you can… "Falcon began to explain, but Blade interjected, "Tranquilizers?! We're not going to give them a nap! I'm going to kill every last one of them!" "Even Spider-Man?" Hulk grunted. "If he gets…" The dhampir couldn't finish his sentence as a quick, strong punch landed on his jaw.
He landed on his back, but quickly got on his feet. He hissed at the one who attacked him. White Tiger stood unfazed and growled back at him. Most present were shocking she was attacking a comrade, a psychotic comrade though.
"We are going to save him. You won't lay a finger on him." Ava snarled. "You little fool. It's been to long for him to resist, he has fed. He's one of them now. I will allow him to try to be cured. But once you realize he can't be, I will…" He tried to say, but felt a sharp tip on his neck.
He slowly turned to see May holding his own sword at his throat. He saw the look of anger and disgust in her eyes.
"You will not touch my boy." She hissed. 'Damn…' Coulson gasped in his mind. 'She's got guts…' Blade mused in his mind.
Almost everyone gasped at what they saw. Blade wasn't happy, but he relented. His vote for extermination was overruled.
"Can I have my sword back?" Blade grunted. "Don't touch my boy." She repeated as she hit his chest with the sword's handle. "No Blade, now the ladies are beating you up?" Jack chuckled. "Shut it, fur-face." Blade hissed as he walked away.
Iron Man walked over to Cap as May led Ava away to another part of the tower to talk.
"You not happy about the girl's actions, Rogers?" Stark chuckled. "She's being reckless, Tony. Fury told me White Tiger is the most well-trained and no-nonsense among her group. But she's not acting like it." Steve answered. "I thought she had that talk with you about different groups?" Iron Man chuckled. "Like I said before: they're to inexperienced. Dracula is a dangerous adversary. He's more experienced than me in warfare. Even Logan is less experienced than him." Rogers replied.
Iron Man didn't argue with Cap about their enemy's battle prowess. He wasn't to be underestimated, Tony foolishly had done that to many times with his foes.
"Now that we know the general area of his location, we need to focus on finding them. I'll check my satellites for anything. You want to lead a scouting party?" Iron Man said. "With who?" Steve asked. "You pick." Iron Man answered. "Good idea." Steve said, before walking off to pick his squad.
(In another room)
White Tiger and Aunt May had decided to cool down from the tension in the other room. They were furious with Blade. They wouldn't let that monster kill Peter just because he's a vampire.
"Thank you Ava, for standing up for Peter." May said, a smile on her face. "You were the one who turned his own sword against him." Tiger chuckled. "I didn't actually think I'd get my hands on it." May admitted. "It was cool that you did, the look on his face." The girl giggled. "Do you think they'll be able to cure him?" May asked. "I have Hope. Hulk's blood should work… maybe in a large amount… but I know he'll give it to help Peter. They're close friends." White Tiger answered.
May smiled.
"You did quite a number on that man with the red face." The older woman continued. "Yeah, I didn't think he'd talk so easily." Ava said. "Well he did listen to your reasoning." May added.
Tiger rubbed the back of her neck.
"It's alright dear. We all know what he's done. Don't worry about it. Just focus on getting my boy back." May said. "I am, don't worry." The girl answered.
(Back in the main room)
Some of the heroes departed to work on their various assignments for the common goal. Cap at the moment was choosing his recon squad.
"Logan, Red-Hulk, Blade, Hawkeye, and Thor will follow me on a recon mission in the Mountains. We need to search as much of the mountain range as we can in person. Tomorrow we'll take Hulk's jet there. So we best get some rest." Cap said, before he and his squad walked off. "Not bringing any of the younglings Captain?" Thor asked. "… We move out at 5:00 A.M.. Be ready to move." Cap answered.
To be continued…