Unforeseen Consequences
Chapter 3 interviews, explanations and revelations
Author's notes I don't own Marvel just the idea for this fic which is set in an AU Along with my OC's Jack and Graham Williams. Also, some characters will be OOC in this story.
And the character introduced in this chapter, the Serpent belongs to a friend of mine, who's letting me use the OC.
I want apologize for the amount of time it's taken to upload this chapter. I had computer issues in between this chapter and the last one which lead to me having to get a new computer, plus some damn writer's block.
Well that's enough of an author's notes on with chapter 3.
Paxton residence, California
Maria sat next to Maggie and Jim Paxton who told them what would happen with the interview to the media and smiled as Jack was drawing with Cassie while other agents were directing the news crew on where to set up for the interview due to take place shortly.
Maggie noticed the faraway look in Maria's eye as she watched Jack drawing with Cassie and asked "He's your husband?"
Maria replied "He's my ex-husband actually."
Curious at this, Maggie asked "What happened?"
Maria took a deep breath and replied "I suffered what I thought was a miscarriage several months after I became pregnant. What happened led to us breaking up. Years later, Jack learned what happened wasn't a miscarriage. It was a deliberate murder by people with HYDRA."
Maggie and Jim were saddened to hear this and gave their condolences while Maria remembered how she reunited with Jack shortly after what happened with Ultron.
Flashback 2 years ago Mexico
Maria shot off the lock to a security gate just outside the building which was a HYDRA base with her silenced pistol. Maria had been hearing through the intelligence community of someone nicknamed Headhunter who'd been going after HYDRA members and bases all around the world ever since SHIELD fell.
This person had taken out prominent members of HYDRA in the US and Europe and taken out HYDRA cells in China, England and Australia. Leaving bodies in it's wake. Maria had a good idea who Headhunter was and wanted to confirm her suspicions herself.
Maria entered the base and found people in clothes with the HYDRA logo on them dead. Clearly, she was on the right track, when she heard screaming, Maria picked up the pace and went to where the screaming was coming from.
Maria saw a HYDRA member tied to a chair bloody, with signs of torture on his body, with the interrogator nowhere in sight. Maria turned around with her gun raised and found herself face to face with Head-hunter. Her theory was confirmed, Headhunter was her ex-husband Jack Williams who had his gun raised at her.
Jack immediately lowered his pistol as did Maria and said "It's been a long time."
Maria asked "Why are you here Jack. I get wanting to take out HYDRA. But why are you torturing him?" she looked over at the Hydra member tied to the chain as she asked that question.
Jack answered "When SHIELD fell, HYDRA tried to take out my dad. They failed. Since then I started going after HYDRA members, anywhere and everywhere I could find them. When I got here and started taking out HYDRA goons. That one told me something real interesting. I'm simply asking him to find out more about it. See if he's lying or telling the truth."
Maria now curious asked "What did he tell you?"
Jack grabbed smelling salts and used it to wake up the now unconsciousness HYDRA goon and grabbed him by the neck before saying "Tell her, what you told me."
The Hydra goon was silent but a few quick punches to his already sore ribs made him talk once Jack let go of the man's throat. The goon said "The miscarriage of your son wasn't an accident. It was deliberate."
Maria shocked and enraged at this grabbed the man by the neck and asked "What did you say? What the fuck did you just say?"
The Hydra member answered "One of our people inside HYDRA got an idea to make you lose your child so you'd quit SHIELD so HYDRA could put in someone loyal to the cause as the new Deputy Director. This agent added a special drug that HYDRA female operatives have to cause miscarriages in operatives who become pregnant while on the job. The drug was put into your coffee one day and it made you lose your child."
Maria punched the man and asked "Who did it?"
The HYDRA member merely laughed before Jack stabbed him again and again in the stomach which quickly made him give a name. Maxwell Adams, Jack looked up the name through intelligence networks on a nearby laptop and found out Maxwell Adams was a low-level agent in SHIELD who was now part of the CIA.
With the information he needed Jack killed the HYDRA member by slitting his throat with a knife.
Jack then asked Maria "Want to help me get this scumbag?"
Maria nodded as she followed Jack out of the HYDRA base, along the way telling him that his old partner in SHIELD, Phil Coulson was alive and rebuilding SHIELD. Something Jack would gladly help out with by continuing his mission against HYDRA.
End of flashback
Maria finished her story by saying she and Jack got the man who caused them so much grief all those years ago. Not telling them any specifics as Maria thought back to that night, just that he was punished.
Flashback Chicago 1 year ago
Maria and Jack were standing at deserted docks as two unmarked cars arrived, former SHIELD agent and old colleague of Jack's, Ben Shannon got out of his car saying "My brother and his partner got the man your looking for."
Ben's brother Jim, a detective with the Chicago PD Vice Squad got out his car along with his partner Kono Lao, they went to the truck of their car and got a bound and gagged Maxwell Adams from it.
The two detectives handed the HYDRA member to Jack and Maria before they left the area.
Ben got something from his car, long chains and two cinder blocks, Ben brought them to the harbour, Jack and Maria held Maxwell Adams in place as Ben wrapped the chain around Maxwell's neck, locking it in place with a lock he brought with him.
When the chain was tied to the cinder blocks, Ben the Chicago native agent of SHIELD asked Maxwell "Ever go swimming with a Chicago necklace before?"
Maxwell gave out muffled screaming as Ben said to his old colleague Jack "My part's done. Give this scumbag what he deserves."
With that Ben left as Jack and Maria gave Maxwell Adams a brutal beating for killing their unborn son, before throwing the cinder blocks into the river as the chains dragged the HYDRA agent down into the cold waters, killing him in mere minutes.
The body of Maxwell Adams was found a month later, the killing was pinned on a local drug gang, known to execute people via that method in the past.
End of flashback
Maria had a small smile on her face as she remembered her and Jack getting revenge on Maxwell Adams for what he did and stayed back as the news team took their places in the living room with Maggie and Cassie.
The news crew was ready to do the interview with Maggie and her daughter Cassie.
Once the cameras were on with the interview going live nationwide and around the world. The interviewer "I am here with Maggie Paxton the ex-wife of Scott Lang, the current Ant-Man and member of the Rogue Avengers and their daughter Cassie. Mrs Paxton, can you tell me what your reaction was when you learned what your ex-husband was up to in Germany?"
Maggie replied "I was in shock. Scott was trying to turn his life around and I see him on TV breaking the law again. Scott is someone who can be easily led. My guess is Captain America fed him some story that got him on board and willing to break the law again. Despite this, he is a good man. Scott if your watching this, I implore you to do the right thing and turn yourself in, do it before it's too late."
Young Cassie also pleaded for her dad to turn himself in and told her father how much she loved him.
The interview went on as Scott's past was talked about and SHIELD was confident that wherever he was now. Scott Lang was watching this and would do the right thing.
SHIELD HQ
Every SHIELD agent in the building was making sure the place secured as the news that President Ellis was on his way, spread quickly.
As Thor and Tony arrived at the base, they were informed by Bruce what was happening. Tony said "Good. Hopefully soon we'll be able to get your people proper accommodation Thor."
The three men went to get a quick bite to eat as Tony caught them up on what happened in the show Game of Thrones while they were away, as both Bruce and Thor were big fans of the show.
Meanwhile in Washington DC, President Ellis got into the Presidential motorcade as did Graham Williams before the large convoy of vehicles lefts the White House, heading for SHIELD HQ.
The convoy arrived at the base within an hour, Director Coulson was there to greet the President in person while Deputy Director May went to the VIP room where the Guardians currently were, eating more food from Earth with Baby Groot watching Roadrunner cartoons on the TV.
She entered the room and said "One of Earth's leaders has arrived. He wants to discuss the job offer that was made to you. If you'd be so kind as to follow me."
The Guardians were led to a private meeting room where President Ellis, Director Coulson, Secretary Ross, Graham Williams and Tony Stark were already seated waiting for them.
President Ellis introduced himself to the Guardians and shook their hands and when he saw Baby Groot said "Well he is one of the cutest little boy's I've ever seen." Baby Groot liking this praise grew President Ellis a flower.
Once the Guardians sat down. President Ellis asked "I assume Secretary Ross told you of a job offer? Do you want to know what this job would be before deciding weather or not to accept it?"
Peter replied "We're interested. Who exactly are these international fugitives we'd be going after?"
President Ellis replied "You'd be helping the Avengers and SHIELD hunt down a group we refer to as the Rogue Avengers who are led by Captain America, Steve Rogers."
Peter was in shock at this and said "Captain America? He died in World War 2. I remember learning that in school shortly before I left Earth."
Graham Williams then said "He survived. He was found frozen in ice in the Arctic a few years ago, now he's a criminal along with others who refused to obey international law. We'd like you to help bring them to justice. We're prepared to pay you all for your services."
Rocket now curious asked "How much are you willing to pay?"
A small bag was put on the table with its contents shown to the Guardians, gold coins. President Ellis said "Two bags of gold coins for each of you. I assume you can use that as currency in space?"
Gamora answered "We can." She looked at Peter and the rest of the team who nodded before she asked "When do we get started?"
Tony Stark replied "Once the Asgardian refugees are settled, we'll be ready. All we will need to do then is find them."
Peter then said "The sensors on the Milano might be able to help find them. If we could get samples of the Rogue Avengers DNA. It'll help isolate their life signs if the ship did a scan of the planet to find them."
Tony remarked "Good idea. You'll be able to get DNA samples from the Avengers compound."
Graham William then asked "Once the Rogue Avengers are taken care of. I assume you'll be staying to help fight this Thanos you warned us is on his way when he shows up."
Gamora answered "Yes and when he comes here. We'll be fighting on your side. Free of charge."
Ellis smiled at this news as did Graham and left the room with Director Coulson, it was time to talk to Loki.
They arrived at the holding cells with Thor already there. President Ellis greeted Thor and gave his condolences for what happened to Asgard.
President Ellis then saw Loki in his cell and said to the infamous Asgardian "I understand you attacked New York at the behest of another. Thanos. I'd imagine when he shows up, if he finds you, he'll kill you for failing him. The best chance you have of surviving is to work with us in opposing him. If you do so, then you'll be a free man."
Graham who was hanging back, looked at Loki's eyes and thinking back to footage of what happened in Germany years ago when Loki fought Captain America asked "What happened to your eyes?"
Thor looked at Graham in confusion asking "What are you talking about?"
Graham replied "I saw security footage of what happened in Germany shortly before the battle of New York 5 years ago. In Germany, Loki's eyes, were blue. Now their green, so what happened to his eyes?"
Coulson said "The agents who were hit with the Scepter that Loki had with him. Their eyes were blue when under mind control."
Coulson then addressed Loki asking "Thanos had you under mind control when you showed up on Earth with the scepter didn't he?"
Loki was silent as Thor in shock at the implications of this asked his brother "Is this true?"
Loki nodded and Thor asked "Why didn't you tell anyone?"
Loki answered "Would anyone have believed me? Would you have believed me back than brother if I claimed that I was under the control of another? After what I had done in New York, leading the Chituari in an invasion?"
Thor's silence spoke volumes and Graham asked "What can you tell us about Thanos and his forces?"
Loki told them what the Guardians had already told SHIELD about Thanos, his armies and The Black Order.
Once he told them, everything, President Ellis talked with Graham and Coulson in private. President Ellis said "If Loki wasn't in control of his actions when he showed up on Earth then we have to let him go."
Graham remarked "If we let him go, the public will demand answers, not to mention SHIELD agents who lost friends when Loki showed up. I know my own son Jack would be unhappy if we let Loki go. Phil, what's your opinion on this?"
Coulson was silent for a moment before he answered "If he truly wasn't in control of his actions when he showed up looking for the Tesseract than we have to release him. We can tell the public that Loki helped his brother stop the threat that the Dark Elves posed when Thor fought their leader in England and also helped save the people of Asgard when Asgard was destroyed. People might not be happy but they'll accept it."
President Ellis was in agreement as was Graham, meanwhile as Thor and Loki were talked about their late father, the good times they had together, a portal appeared as Doctor Strange emerged through it.
Dr Strange looked at Thor and Loki before saying to Thor "I thought I made it clear when we last met that Loki was to not come back to Earth."
Thor answered "The situation has changed." Before Doctor Strange could say a word, Sif was in the room with a sword in one hand at his back and hit the alarm button on the wall with the other, alerting the base to an intruder.
Armed SHIELD agents quickly arrived led by Melinda May who saw the intruder and asked "Who are you?"
Dr Strange answered "I'm Dr Stephen Strange. A master of the Mystic Arts. I have a watch list of people who pose a threat to Earth. Loki is on that list. I came here to find out why he's back on Earth after he left with his brother, not too long ago, with the strict instruction he not return!"
Suddenly Coulson arrived with Graham and the President in tow as Coulson ordered the strike team to stand down. The team left while May remained behind along with Sif who still had her sword at Dr Strange's back.
President Ellis then said to Coulson "Lower the force field."
The force field around Loki's cell was shut down as Thor and Loki were in shock, as was Sif and May. President Ellis then said "Loki revealed that his actions on Earth were not of his own will. It was due to the influence of another, who used him like a puppet. Because of that and your actions in helping his brother which helped save Earth. Your free to go. On one condition."
Loki asked "What is it?"
President Ellis answered "When Thanos shows up on Earth. You help us oppose him." Loki nodded in agreement before Ellis turned to face Dr Strange and asked "What's your story?"
Dr Strange told them who he was and why he was here before asking Thor "Why is Loki back here?"
Thor answered "Asgard is gone. Loki helped me save what's left of our people. For that I invited him to come back to Earth with me."
Dr Strange nodded and said "Fine I won't take action against him again. But you keep an eye on him."
Before Dr Strange left Coulson said to him "I believe we have a mutual friend. Robbie Reyes. Do you know him?"
Dr Strange nodded as Coulson said "Then I'd like to discuss something with you."
Dr Strange said "Alright. Lead the way."
Sif put away her sword as Dr Strange left with Coulson so they could talk, Sif then led Thor and Loki to Jane's office in the science lab. It'd be a good place for them to have lunch and talk in private, while May escorted Graham and President Ellis to the parking lot where a convoy of vehicles were waiting to take President Ellis back to Washington DC. Graham would stay behind to talk with Thor as to the settlement of his people on Earth, on behalf of President Ellis.
As President Ellis left, he knew that he'd have to tell the American People what would happen with Loki and began working on what'd he say in his speech to the nation tonight in his head.
Wakanda the Golden City
Scott Lang and the other members of the Rogue Avengers were watching the interview on TV that was done with Maggie and Cassie a little while ago in California.
Scott was near tears as he watched as Cassie pleaded for him to turn himself in.
Scott stood up as Sam asked him "Where are you going?" Scott not even looking back to face him replied "Turning myself in."
Sam and Steve went to stop him, when the doors to the room they were in opened as King T'Challa entered with some of his bodyguards in tow. The king of Wakanda asked "What's going on?"
Scott answered "I'm leaving. I'm going to go back to the US and turn myself into the authorities. I'm not going to live the rest of my life as an international fugitive. I won't put my daughter through that."
T'Challa said "Very well. If you want to leave you can. I'll have one of my aircraft get you to the US."
Scott nodded in gratitude as T'Challa instructed Okoye to order one of the Dragon Flyer craft be made ready to go.
As Scott left with Okoye, Steve Rogers asked "You're just going to let him leave. What if he tells the authorities where we are?"
T'Challa answered "That won't be a problem. I was on my way to tell you all that you have 6 hours to leave Wakanda. My advisors think it is unwise for you all to be here. After I thought it over. I agree with them."
Clint and Wanda hearing this left to pack what they needed for wherever they'd go next, as did Sam while Steve asked "What about Bucky?"
T'Challa replied "My top scientist is still working on finding a way to remove the HYDRA programming from his mind. Once that is done, he'll be revived and also asked to leave Wakanda as soon as possible. You should start packing Captain."
With that T'Challa left the room.
SHIELD HQ
Phil Coulson and Dr Strange entered, Phil's office and Dr Strange sat down opposite the director of SHIELD who asked "The Darkhold is it in a safe place?"
Dr Strange replied "It is. I assure you. No one will be able to get to it."
Phil nodded, grateful to hear that the Darkhold was in a safe place, after Robbie Reyes left with it. With that out of the way, Phil handed, Dr Strange a copy of the Accords to read over.
Once he read it over, Dr Strange told Coulson, his work would mean he'd have to travel regularly between, the US, England and China. He was told in return that he'd have to speak to the Accord's panel about this, hopefully in light of Dr Strange's abilities he'd be granted leave to travel between all three countries whenever he had to.
With that Dr Strange left as Coulson had a drink from his cup of coffee. He knew today was going to be a long day.
In another part of SHIELD HQ, Hank Pym was still in an interrogation room when Graham entered saying "I've got someone who wants a word with you Hank. I don't think I need to introduce him."
Tony Stark entered the room and Graham said "I'll let you two talk. Mr Stark, bang on the door when your done and an agent will open it."
With that Graham left as Tony sat down across from Hank who said "I knew your father when I was working for SHIELD. He tried to steal my Pym Particles from me, -."
Before Hank could say anything, else Tony said "You years later had your protégé Scott Lang steal from me. Having him break into the Avengers compound to take a signal disrupter stored there by my father when he ran Stark Industries. If anyone should be mad. It's me. You apparently told Scott he can't trust any Starks, judging a son for the actions of his father."
Hank was silent at this as Tony said "With this revelation of you having Scott Lang steal Stark Industries tech from the Avengers Compound, the federal authorities are looking to add charges of industrial espionage along with the charges you are already facing for aiding and abetting international fugitives and violating the Accords."
Hank in anger said "That tech helped stop Darren Cross from selling my Pym Particles to HYDRA. I had Scott do that to keep my tech from HYDRA."
Tony retorted "If you wanted to stop Darren Cross, you could've come to me and the Avengers for help. We gladly would've helped, but no. You in your distrust of my father for the past, didn't trust me either."
With that Tony stood up to leave as Hank asked "Why did you want to meet me Tony?"
Tony replied "I wanted the meet the man who told Scott Lang he couldn't trust a Stark. And look him in the eye."
Tony banged on the door; a SHIELD agent outside opened it as Tony left the interrogation room.
In the interrogation room opposite the one Hank was in Graham Williams was talking to Hope Van Dyne saying "There's a way for you to ensure your father won't face any jail time for his crimes. All he'll get is house arrest to his home, so he can continue this research he's working on to try and save your mother Janet, with SHIELD supervision of course."
Hope curious asked "What do you need me to do?"
Graham answered "Sign the accords and join SHIELD. You could be a great asset to us, like your parents were years ago. SHIELD agents found the Wasp suit in your father's place. And we want you to join the search for the Rogue Avengers, someone who can help us apprehend Scott Lang, if he doesn't turn himself in. So, what do you say?"
Hope was silent for a moment before saying "I'm in."
Graham smiled and called out for a SHIELD agent bring in a copy of the Accords for Hope to look over before signing and said "Your doing the right thing."
With the accords signed, Hope was let out of the interrogation room, as was her father from the room he was in. Hank was escorted to the lab to develop tech to track the Ant-Man suit for SHIELD with help from Agent Leopald Fitz, the head of SHIELD's tech division, while Hope was escorted to where the Wasp suit was being kept.
Meanwhile Thor was talking Jane in private after lunch, Thor told her everything that happened since they last saw each other, with Jane hugging Thor when he started to get upset talking about the death of his father Odin.
After several moments they broke the hug and Thor kissed Jane before telling him how much he loved her, and she did the same.
Nearby in Jane's lab, Loki and Sif were talking, Loki telling her about what happened on Sakaar. Sif laughed when Loki told her how he and Thor used get help at one point, always finding it funny when Thor did that to Loki as a diversion in the past in battle to distract the enemy.
As Sif and Loki continued talking about old times, Tony Stark entered the room, Loki asked "What do you want Stark?"
Tony answered "I want to apologize, for what I said when you showed up with Thor about handing you over to Thanos if he was coming to Earth for you. You were a victim of his under-mind control, just like those who lost loved one's when his troops attacked New York."
Loki was silent for a moment, as he remembered Thanos using that Sceptre on him, before sending him to Earth in search of the Tesseract, Loki then said "Apology accepted."
Tony smiled at that before asking "Now that's out of the way. Tell me Loki, any embarrassing stories about Thor as a kid you'd like to share."
Loki's smirk at that question, let Tony know, the trickster had quite a few stories to tell and Loki began telling one such story, which soon had Tony laughing.
San Francisco several hours later
Scott Lang got off the Wakandan aircraft which quickly took off before it could be spotted. Scott looked around before heading for the building that was nearby.
The local police precinct where his ex-wife's new husband worked. Scott saw Jim Paxton coming out of the precinct with his partner and with his hands raised yelled out "Jim!"
Jim turned around and saw Scott Lang with his hands raised, without even needing to draw his weapon, Scott got on the ground as Jim walked over to arrest him.
Within 10 minutes of the arrest, Jim Paxton's superiors in the San Francisco PD learned of this and notified SHIELD that one of The Rogue Avengers was in custody.
Unknown location
A man in a suit sat a woman's bedside in a medical facility, a beautiful woman with green hair. The woman was currently hooked up to monitors but comatose.
At that moment, another older man entered the room, addressing the man sitting at the woman's bedside "Sir. You've been sitting here almost non-stop aside from eating, going to the bathroom and sleeping for the occasional hour. We all praying for Ophelia's recovery."
The man for the first time turned to face the older gentlemen with a look of anger, as he remembered the SHIELD attack on their last base, which lead to the woman he loved, the woman he married being in a coma.
The older man remembered who he was talking to. The Serpent, the second in command of their cell, the husband to their leader Ophelia.
The older man said "Sir. While your wife, Madame Hydra is out of commission. You have a responsibility and a duty to lead. With all the other cells destroyed. You're the new head of HYDRA."
The Serpent kissed the forehead of his wife before he went over to the older man, nodded at him for reminding him of his duty to lead HYDRA in his wife's absence, before taking out a knife and stabbing the man in the stomach.
The man fell to the ground in pain before asking Serpent "What the fuck did you do to me?"
The Serpent remarked "I killed you."
As the older man laid on the floor dying, The Serpent marched into the Command Centre of the HYDRA base, the members of HYDRA stood at attention as their leader entered the room.
The Serpent remarked "HYDRA might be on the ropes, but we aren't out. Remember. Cut off one head, two more will take it's place. HYDRA will re-emerge stronger than ever. Hail Hydra!"
Everyone in the room yelled out in unison "Hail Hydra!"
After that, one HYDRA member dared to ask "So, what's the plan sir?"
The Serpent seeing, news reports on a nearby TV, the manhunt for the Rogue Avengers and the Winter Soldier and said "We get our soldier back.." and thinking of his wife in a coma finished by saying "We get revenge on all our enemies!"
Author's note's well that's chapter 3 completed, please let me know what you think of and I hope it was well worth the wait. Read and review no flames though OK.
