Quivering Quasars!
Disclaimer: "Awesome!" Emmet, The LEGO Movie
Chapter 2: Introductions!
Project Pegasus
Project Pegasus was a large facility, which dug deep into the heart of Mt. Athena. At the very bottom of the facility, was a group of powerful and large generators. These generators fueled the facility, providing it with the power it needed to do its research.
The technicians and guards in the area were going about their normal duties: technicians maintaing and ensuring the generators were working at optimum efficiency, and the guards making sure the generators were protected. What they did not know was that on this seemingly normal day, they'd witness a horror that would nearly doom the Project. And that horror was slowly tunneling into that very area.
Meanwhile, a small group stood in front of the main security gate that led inside of the facility. A couple of them were scientists, a couple more were clearly SHIELD agents, and one of them was a man in a blue body-armored costume with an insignia of a silver police badge-like shield.
Blue Shield. Real Name: Joseph Cartelli. Birthplace: The Bronx, New York City, New York, USA. Physiology: Altered Human. Affiliation: Project Pegasus (Security Chief) Powers: Superhuman strength, speed, durability, and stamina. Special belt generates protective force field.
One of the scientists, a blond-haired older man with a Van Dyke beard and eyeglasses, spoke to the blue-costumed man.
"Are you sure this is necessary, Blue Shield?" The bespectacled man asked, adjusting his glasses. Blue Shield sighed.
"To be honest, I would've preferred that SHIELD handle the security alone in this case, Dr. Vaughn." The costumed man admitted. "But extra help would not be a bad thing. GI Joe are a good group. I just wish they didn't bring those Misfit kids with them."
"The Misfits?" The blond man, Dr. Gilbert Vaughn, frowned. "Wonderful. I've heard those kids have a...reputation."
"Oh, yeah." Blue Shield sighed. Meanwhile, one of the SHIELD agent guards, a young blond man who bore a resemblance to Dr. Vaughn, frowned.
To think, this is what my career in SHIELD has become. Simply because I lack a so-called 'killer instinct'. The will to win. Agent Wendell Vaughn sighed as he glanced at Dr. Vaughn. Dad knows I'm here, but he hasn't even shot a glance in my direction. No surprise. I never could measure up in his eyes.
A second scientist, a brown-haired man with a large nose, had his own thoughts.
Misfits, huh? Dr. Stanley Zane pondered. I better be careful with my thoughts, then. I heard a couple of them were telepaths. If they find out I'm a mole for Advanced Idea Mechanics, then I am sunk.
FWASH!
With a flash of light, the group of Joes and Misfits appeared in front of the assembled scientists and soldiers.
"Helloooooooo, Project Pegasus!" Pyro whooped, holding up his drumsticks. "ARE YOU READY TO ROCK?!"
"Oh, God..." Dr. Vaughn facepalmed. A third scientist, an older woman with red hair, chuckled slightly. "Dr. Reznek, it's not funny."
"I'm sorry, Gilbert." Dr. Madeline Reznek chuckled. "It's just I'm wishing my children were here right now. They're big fans."
"Pyro, put those away." Cover Girl sighed. She then glanced at Blue Shield. "I take it you are in charge?"
"Chief of Security, yes." Blue Shield nodded with a smile. "They call me Blue Shield around here."
"Huh. Never thought I'd see a costumed guy working for a place like this." Lance remarked.
"Takes all types, I guess." Pietro shrugged.
"Why is he called Blue Shield?" Pyro frowned. "That's a silver shield on his chest, mate."
"I think it is because his costume is primarily blue in color, St. John." Xi suggested.
"Why do you call me that?" Pyro made a face at the reptilian genetic creation.
"St. John is your name, is it not?" Xi inquired in confusion.
"Well, yeah but..." The Australian pyrokinetic rubbed the back of his head. "I always thought that it was kinda a silly name, so I just had people call me "John"."
"I do not think your name is silly." Xi smiled. "I think it's unique." Pyro shrugged nonchalantly.
"If you say so, mate." Dr. Vaughn walked up to the group.
"I am Dr. Gilbert Vaughn." Dr. Vaughn introduced himself simply. "I am the head of this particular project."
"Cover Girl, of GI Joe." Cover Girl smiled. "These are my teammates, Shipwreck and Alpine. And the kids are Avalanche, Pyro, Starway, Xi, and Quicksilver."
This must be my lucky day. Dr. Zane mentally sighed with some slight relief. As far as AIM knows, none of those particular Misfits are telepathic. I'd still better be careful anyway. A pretty female SHIELD agent with brown hair in a ponytail caught Pietro's eye.
"Hello..." The mutant speedster raced up to the agent. "The name is Pietro Maximoff. Yes, the Pietro Maximoff. Superhero, and professional kicker of terrorist asses." The agent smirked.
"You're a little young for me, kid."
"Get over here..." Alpine and Shipwreck dragged Pietro away from the female agent.
"Hey, come on!" Pietro yelped. "I'm on a roll with this gal!" Dr. Vaughn frowned at the display. He shook his head.
"I see that you Joes find controlling your young wards...difficult."
"They're good kids, Doctor." Cover Girl frowned. "They're just...quirky."
"I'm Batman!" John piped up, a big grin on his face.
"Dammit, John..." Lance groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose.
"But he is not Batman." Xi blinked in confusion.
"Xi, tell him, not me."
"Okay, I admit it. This'll be fun." Blue Shield chuckled. Several of the SHIELD agents chuckled as well.
"Seeing this does not give me much faith that you will be able to provide any extra security this project will need." Dr. Vaughn frowned.
"You underestimate the kids, Doc." Alpine smirked. "Yeah, they're a little...wacky...but they get the job done."
"You have to understand this, Mr..."
"Alpine is what they call me."
Alpine? What an unusual name. Dr. Vaughn thought. "The study of these energy bands is very important to SHIELD, as they believe these devices may have some defensive purposes. We cannot afford to let anyone untoward get their hands on them. And forgive me, but I think your young wards are not up to the job. Now if you will excuse me, I must go back to the lab." The bearded doctor then headed back to the lab. Blue Shield sighed and shook his head as he walked up to the Joes and Misfits.
"Yup, knew this would happen." Dr. Zane whispered to Dr. Reznek. "Pay up." Reznek pulled a couple dollars out of a pocket and handed them to her colleague.
"I apologize for that, folks. I'm Blue Shield, the Head of Security here at Project Pegasus."
"Pleasure to meet ya!" Shipwreck grinned widely, eagerly shaking the blue-and-silver-costumed man's hand. Blue Shield chuckled.
"Indeed. Look, about Dr. Vaughn, it's just the man is really crazy about his experiments."
"Oh, we have experience with that." Cover Girl rolled her eyes. As the adults and Blue Shield continued to speak, another conversation was starting.
"Well now, that Vaughn fellow was a regular Joe Friendly, isn't he?" Lila grumbled, crossing her arms.
"You're lucky, kid." Agent Vaughn sighed at Lila. "You didn't have to grow up with him." The English mutant eyed the young agent.
"Really?"
"Yup." He chuckled, offering out a hand. "Sorry, the name's Wendell Vaughn."
"Starway." Lila Cheney smiled, shaking the offered hand. "But me friends call me Lila."
"Lila, huh?" Wendell chuckled. "Pretty name."
"I'll bet you say that to all the girls, don't you?" Lila smirked. "So, Mr. Friendly over there is your father, huh?"
"Yup." Wendell sighed. "That's the way he is with people. He and my mother divorced because of that."
"Sorry to hear that." Lila apologized sincerely.
"Ah, don't worry about it." Wendell waved it off. "Not your fault, kiddo."
"Uhm, excuse me..." Dr. Reznek approached the interstellar teleporter.
"Yes?" Lila turned to the elder woman.
"I was wondering..."
"Yes?"
"Well, my children are big fans of your music, and..."
"Ah, I see." Lila chuckled. "Hey Lance, Johnny! We got a fan!"
"Coming!" Lance and St. John approached the scientist.
"I really do appreciate this. I'm sure you get it a lot and all..." Dr. Reznek smiled as she handed Lila a pen and a notepad.
"Ah, it's fine." Lila shrugged as she signed the page and handed it off to her two male bandmates. "Sorry Paul and Craig couldn't be here. They're still working on some songs." Dr. Reznek smiled as she took back her notepad and pen from Lance.
"I'm sure I'll get their autographs some time. My kids will be so happy for this."
"Hey, kids!" Alpine called out. "Let's go! We're going in!"
Well, well, well! Looks like we met the main players in this madness! What insanity will happen next? What is going to hit Project: Pegasus? Who is Dr. Zane working for? Will Dr. Reznek ever get all five of the Superstars' autographs for her children? Find out in the next chapter! Suggestions needed badly!