(Back in college…you all know the swing of things now…still…sorry. Here's the next chapter.)
Noble Six: Indeed. Thanks.
Chapter 23: Choosing a Leader
(New York City, unknown location, the next day)
Connell stands before the congregation of the resistance that is being built. There a few dozen or so at the moment. Each one watches him, waiting for his next move.
"I want to thank you all for coming back. I know some of you are terrified of doing this, I don't blame you. What we're doing by legal terms is treason, breaking the law…we are going up against one of the most powerful governments in the world. They have their armies…and we need ours…but before we can go to recruiting more and fighting back…we need leadership…we need a group of people, a council if you will, to head this rebellion. That's why you are here today: to decide who shall lead this rebellion." Connell explained.
"Wait, are you saying you don't want to lead this?" One person asked.
"I believe it is best if we have everyone decide who leads rather than one taking command. Even though you all came here because of my actions, but you all here are willing to fight against S.H.I.E.L.D. and the government. We must choose who leads us, rather than grabbing for power." Connell answered.
The people looked at one another then back at him. Some stated their agreement while others nodded.
'Letting them choose leadership? *Chuckles* That's the pirate way o' doin' things.' The voice of Mary Read stated.
'Perhaps, I hope the strongest kinds of bonds born on those ships can be made with here. We will need everyone to be as thick as thieves to stand a chance in this fight.' Connell replied.
Connell looked at the group, some were talking while others waited quietly.
"Ok. I want each of you to state whatever you wish the others to call you, any powers you have, and anything else you wish to say to the group." Connell stated.
"Are you sure about this?" Someone asked.
"If we are going to fight together, we will have to known one another as best we can. If there's certain secrets that need to be kept that won't put anyone in danger, I understand. Now who's first up?" Connell replied.
The people in the room looked around, uncertain or confused…but some weren't. A young man stepped forward. He stood 6'2 with an athletic figure, his light brown hair almost shines in the light seeping into the room as do his blue eyes. His skin complexion is Caucasian and he's clean shaven. He's wearing a flannel shirt, jeans, and boots. He has a hard look to him.
"Name's Jacob. I've been taking down S.H.I.E.L.D.'s goons for the last few years now. Been hitting small stuff, eventually aimed to go bigger. Working on the ground level to beat them throughout these past few years has given me insight in how they run things, at least in part o f their operations. I know how they think, they plan. I…I've seen it first hand. That knowledge and my experience with them has driven me to taking them down." Jacob said.
"What can you do?" Someone asked.
Jacob raised his right hand slightly. What seemed to be fog or mist hissed and manifested around his hand as it shifted into a pale blue. His hand turned to ice and a dagger of ice appeared. Connell smiled.
'What is that?' The voice of Mainard asked.
'Cryokinesis, the ability to use ice however he wants.' Connell answered.
'My lord.' Mainard gasped.
"Why do you think you should lead us?" Another asked.
The ice dagger slowly melted and the ice of his hand shifted back to flesh. He lowered his hand.
"I don't know if you'll choose me. I don't know how many of you, if any of you, have been fighting S.H.I.E.L.D. since the Registration Act. Not too long ago, I began my fight against them. Every single day was me trying to find out more to exploit their weaknesses. From what I've gathered, there aren't much. But that hasn't deterred me, nor should it deter any of you. That's the aim we need to win." Jacob said.
Connell watched as other laid claim to the leadership position, one a mutant that gave him a large stature with a dark rock-like skin, another was a wealthy genius woman who showed skill with machines, another was a sorcerer that specialized in pyromancy, a couple came forward claiming if they were chosen they'd co-command (the two are a young woman and man that both hold imposing and charismatic figures with wild sets of hair and amber eyes), etc.
'Are you so certain to relinquish leadership?' Spartacus asked.
'It's up to everyone who is chosen as leader.' Connell replied.
'That's the pirate way.' Anne Bonny chuckled.
Connell turned his head to see a few people not going forward to claim leadership or ask questions. He walked up to the first one, a tall and muscular young black man in a leather jacket, plain t-shirt, pants, and sneakers. He appeared to be about 19 years old, has short hair, and trimmed facial hair. His eyes are brown though Connell believed he saw them shift to blue for a moment.
"You not gonna go try to vie for command?" Connell asked.
"Nah man…I'm good where I am. I don't need to be the big brass. One of them can do it. Why not you man? You made the big show out of it?" The man answered.
"I'm not leadership material. Besides, I shouldn't take that position if everyone doesn't want me there." Connell replied.
"Ever think you're to hard on yourself?" The man asked.
"If I had a nickel for every time I heard that." Connell chuckled.
The two of them chuckled.
"What's your name? You don't have to tell me if you don't want to." Connell asked.
"Eren." Eren answered.
"Nice to meet you." Connell said, holding out a hand.
Eren smiled and shook it, he had a strong grip which Connell returned. They let go of one another's hands.
"I look forward to working with you." Connell said.
Connell nodded and patted Eren on the shoulder, who nodded back. Connell walked over to a short girl of about 5'2. She appeared to be about 17 years old, has shoulder length dirty blonde hair which she's using a band to put it into a ponytail. She looks quite scrawny with no distinguishable muscle that Connell noticed. Her brown eyes shift towards him, uncertain and perplexed. She's wearing baggy clothing: a zipped up hooded jacket, pants, and running shoes.
"Hey, you not interested in the running?" Connell asked.
"No, I don't need that kind of responsibility. I like a good gathering, but it's not for me. I'm good right here." The girl said.
Connell nodded.
"What's your name?" Connell asked.
"Kim…Kim Kay Roberts." Kim answered.
"It's nice to meet you, Kim." Connell said.
"Thanks. What about you? You seem grim and fierce enough to do this job. With you at the head, not sure S.H.I.E.L.D. would like to mess with ya." Kim chuckled.
"Some of the people who have stepped up would do better than me at that." Connell replied.
"So you're…called what again? The Winter Wolf? The Wolf of Winter? Winter Warrior? Got a Stark fetish?" Kim asked, a smile across her face as she delves deeper into the joke.
"That's what people have been calling me, I didn't choose any of those names. But I am a fan of House Stark, guilty as charged." Connell laughed.
"What should I call you? What do you want to be called?" Kim asked.
"People can call me what they wish. It was nice meeting you, I look forward to working with you." Connell answered, holding out a hand.
Kim smiled and shook it, her grip was strong as well. She was stronger than she looked. Connell smiled under his mystic mask. They released each other's hands. He nodded to her and she nodded back, turning to look at the conference. Connell then approached the one who recognized identified him when he was in the shadows. She's a breathtaking woman, a few years older in appearance than him yet still utterly striking and imposing. Near as tall as him with an hourglass figure with athletic muscle tone to her arms, legs, and lower torso. She wears dark fitted jeans, a leather jacket, a black crop top, and black boots. She has a mane of dark hair, she has an olive skin tone, and brown eyes. She turns her head to look at him when he's a few feet away from her and she smiles at him. Connell gasps nervously and lowers his head a bit. She grins at this.
"You gonna ask me why I'm not trying to claim the title as this resistance's leader?" The woman chuckled.
"You've got superhuman senses. Are you like Wolverine?" Connell asked.
"In a way, but not exactly like he was." The woman answered.
"So…uh…why don't you try to claim leadership? You've certainly got the commanding presence." Connell stammered.
The woman chuckled.
"Oh I could, I definitely could…but I feel like there's someone here that was meant for that role." The woman said.
"Who?" Connell asked.
"That'll be revealed in time." The woman said.
"I suppose so. Oh, may I ask what your name is?" Connell replied.
"It's Cassandra." Cassandra replied with a smile.
"Ni-Nice to meet you." Connell stuttered.
"A pleasure." Cassandra chuckled.
Connell awkwardly nodded and Cassandra grinned back. After a few more minutes of people coming up to claim leadership, Connell walked out to the center of the area. Everyone's gaze was on him.
"You have gathered here and heard what these candidates had to say, each made their arguments for their claim to lead us. Now you must choose. Each of them will come out here and everyone who didn't decide to claim the role shall vote by hands raised. The one who has the most hands raised will lead us." Connell stated.
"What about you?" One asked.
"I already told you all, I –" Connell started to say.
"Come on man! You brought us together, you are the one who got this whole thing started. Let's here what you got to say!" Another said.
The crowd agreed.
"*Sighs* Very well…I don't have anything brilliant to say and apologies if I stammer to much." Connell replied.
He took a few gasping breaths to where the crowd couldn't hear, or most of them at any rate.
"I lost someone…I didn't know they weren't human, they were a mutant, but it wouldn't have mattered to me if I had found out before. We were friends, good friends. One day, they killed them…right in front of me…and I couldn't save them…they died in my arms while those monsters WATCHED!" Connell stated.
Whispers in the crowd went around.
"I had always hated S.H.I.E.L.D. and the government for the Registration Act, what they did to everyone they deemed 'dangerous'. They idea of segregating others because they were different, that idea is still with us even after the Civil Right Movement. Bigotry and dishonor dominate society even after everything that's shown what that does…it's time another response was done. Like before, freedoms are being taken away, rights are being revoked…death is rampant as injustice tears this country apart. No more." Connell said.
Some in the crowd nodded.
"I have trained for the past several years for this rebellion. I won't say I am the best, as no doubt each of you is far better at something than me. But that's what makes this so important: harmony. When I started my fight, I wasn't sure how it would go. I feared that the injustice in this society would still widen and people would support it once I started my fight. And sadly that is partially true, but you all here are willing to and some already have taken the fight to S.H.I.E.L.D. and the bigoted, fascist government!" Connell continued.
More nods came forth and some vocal agreement.
"I'm not sure I'm the choice to lead this resistance. I'm not a mutant, inhuman, mutate, or a truly gifted human being…regardless if I'm chosen or not, I hope this resistance is shaped by the hope to bring down those who hurt every part of this country by showing that bigotry, fascism, intolerance, and dishonor is the wrong way to shape peace into reality. Regardless if I am chosen or not, that is what we must fight against! To show the world that there are those that will take a stand against tyranny! The oppressed and those who are willing to fight beside them will prove that the oppressors will fall! That's what we must aim for: to stand together and free this country and keep others from being oppressed!" Connell proclaimed.
The crowd gave their agreements through nods, hand claps, and vocal allegiance. Connell nodded.
"To those who came forward come stand out here with me, let the voting commence." Connell said.
They looked at one another and nodded.
"It seems like everyone has spoken already." Cassandra said as she came forward.
"Huh?" Connell gasped.
"You might not be the first to fight against them, but you are the one who brought us together. The way you spoke and acted proves you are meant to be this resistance's leader. Who hear believes that?!" Cassandra stated.
The crowd replied with shouts and smiles. Connell looked at them all with shock, turning to look at them all until he was in his former position.
'You're the captain now lad.' Anne Bonny chuckled.
'Lead them well.' Mary Read added.
Connell inhaled and exhaled silently. He gazed at them all.
"Leader or not, the way we win is by sticking together. United we can stand together as this resistance." Connell said.
The crowd nodded and vocally agreed. As Connell raised his right hand a spectral katana manifested.
"Let's show S.H.I.E.L.D. that their own Nazi regime won't be stood for any longer!" Connell proclaimed.
The crowd cheered and roared in approval, acceptance, and allegiance.
To be continued…
(Thanks again to OfficialUSMWriter, Noble Six, and gemm1mt for their OCs (I hope I wrote them how you envisioned them). Again, I'm so sorry it took me so long to update. I head back to college tomorrow and I doubt I'll be able to update until the end of the term for either of my stories or start a new one. Sorry if it seems petty or arrogant to choose one of my OCs for leadership of this group in my story also. Anyways, I hope you all enjoyed this update.)