(Next update here. Hope you all enjoy it.)

Noble Six: I'm glad you're enjoying it. Hope I'm doing your character and you justice.

Death Fury: Thanks.

Chapter 32: Developments and Rewards

(White House, a week later)

Gyrich sat at his desk, a hand over his face. Director Hill stood before him, hands behind her back.

"Don't tell me…they're attacking more of your shipments?"

"Yes."

"You underestimate them."

"They're a ragtag group of rebels with a fool for a leader, nothing more."

Gyrich laughed.

"Maybe…but the news says there are several more now than there were a few weeks ago. You had the scientists in Manhattan stationed to have the law there prepared for any fight with them. Some are claiming they have A HULK! And not to mention the cryokinetic that's been raiding your small time operations is with them!"

Director Hill nodded.

"I understand your concern. But this 'hulk' is not THE hulk. He died when the Thor clones killed the others…even though it took a couple of them with him."

"Oh, I remember. I remember your 'weapons' butchering every single of those people when you assured me they'd subdue them."

"They were harder to control than we thought."

"You put collars on them and you think they'd obey you as easily as a dog? Even dogs sometimes act in ways their masters don't expect!"

"...Yes…but we now have them under control…I can send them in and-"

"No…I will not have it turn into a fiasco like before. We happened…needed to be done…but this…there are still some who whisper we're tyrants. Most spit on these renegades…but some…some praise them…"

"The latest report is that they raided a site, freeing prisoners and destroying vests of armor that were being made for the law…a few scientists tried to save the armor but the flames burned them…don't you find all of this odd? That such important information somehow made it to these vigilantes?"

"Oh, I'm sure they've questioned agents and officers. I read your report that a team of your agents went after a sewer dwelling group of mutants and came back with nothing, even when you believed you had the group's exact location."

"How are they able to get such classified information from loyal officers and agents who may or may not have it?"

"What are you thinking?"

"A few options…they may have a telepath…able to read the minds of the agents and pry any information they have…they have a spy…or one of the evillest freaks are on their side."

"The first is most likely. We scoured for telepaths but it's not impossible one got by…the second I doubt…you may have made mistakes but you're very thorough with your organization…the third…I doubt even these rebels would take one in…even the 'heroes' hated them."

"I'm not certain of anything yet. Surveillance in the city has captured some of their fights but they've somehow avoided detection."

"They're smarter than you think…and determined. Have you not seen the footage of how they fight?"

"...I have…"

"They're resolute in their commitment…Cassius, one of the few good freaks, was beaten by one of their group…but I read his report and saw the footage, he was able to get an edge on their leader."

"He's just human."

Gyrich nodded.

"Vicious…but human…yes. The Sentinels when they scanned his first attack detected nothing. More of those like Cassius need to be implanted in the field."

"I have some that are members of teams like Cassius is. Only a handful, but they've aided in fighting their own kinds in the past."

"Good…we need to fight fire with fire."

(Resistance's Temporary Base, present)

Connell strapped on one of the vests to one of the initiates.

"Almost done."

"It feels light, really light."

"Ever since Captain America's shield was formed, the government and S.H.I.E.L.D. have been experimenting with tech and armor to reflect it."

Over Watch stood next to him, strapping up another initiate.

"I've reverse engineered their tracking implants. Only those amongst us can find each other. They're nanotech, they shape the armor to the person. It's why each of us will have one. The metal isn't vibranium, but it's strong. It will stop a bullet and the fabric allows for flexibility and durability with the metal plating. But there's also been something else."

The resistance looked to her, many confused.

"At the suggestion of our leader, there's more. He wanted it to be a surprise."

Connell stood before the others, one of the dogs walking up to him. The Wolfhound/Great Dane mix stood up against him, the vigilante rubbing the hound's large head as it panted.

"As you know, our resistance is made up of many people. We have men, women, humans, mutants, inhumans, and more…more that I may not know yet but I hope to know. I have not come to know you all, but I am trying. I have seen you fight fiercely and bravely against our enemies!"

Some of those gathered, nodding and voicing their support.

"And I know that you all are not the cowards that S.H.I.E.L.D. and the government say you are! You are warriors!"

Many nodded and called out at this.

"That is why I thought for warriors, that you deserved tools worthy of you!"

The group cheered.

"But this is not mine to give. You fought for this resistance and its mission."

He walked into another room, pushing or pulling a large cart in either hand. Tarps laid over each.

"In times of old, warriors chose their weapons before going into battle. You all have done this before going to fight the tyrants here. So here."

He removed the tarps. Showing metallic gauntlets. He held one up and gave it to Convict, in her hands it formed a double sided battle ax. The group gasped and chuckled at this, eyes and smiles wide.

"These gauntlets are made of nanotech, thanks to Over Watch. Like with the armor, she has programmed these gauntlets to manifest weapons and shields that fit each of you!"

The group smiled.

"Wield them well!"

Those who chose so picked up and fitted the gauntlets. Weapons like swords, axes, mace, spears, and others as well as shields formed in their hands. They raised them as they cheered.

Connell smiled, nodding.

The spirit of William Wallace stirred.

'It's a small army…but an army nonetheless…well done, lad.'

'Thank you…but this isn't my victory…but there's.'

'Aye.'

(A few days later)

Connell sat in his chair, stroking the head of one of the dogs.

"I think we should be getting armor for these guys as well. Don't want them to be shot down."

Over Watch raised an eyebrow.

"Are you going to take them into fights?"

"No, but I want them like all of you protected. They're a part of the family now…lost too many dogs before…and we can't lose them."

"Of course."

Gigi nodded.

Absolute Zero stood against a wall.

"We have the location of the Sentinel factory…we need to hit it."

"We do…but not until we have a larger force…and when more of them have been taken into fights. You all did well during the raid, thank you for that."

AZ nodded.

Eren tapped his fingers on the chair he sat in, a mastiff mix sitting beside him.

"We'll be drawing in more fire from Gyrich."

"We will…and we can't afford to lose anyone. You and I have been talking to the members. We need to start setting up more teams and team leaders."

Eren slowly nodded.

"Hit multiple targets at once…but one of the ways the initiates have been able to fight effectively is by also mobbing with superior numbers in a certain time and place. They're combat is going better, yes…but they still need more time."

"True…still, we need to spread out our resistance. S.H.I.E.L.D. isn't only in Manhattan…it's across the entire country…for that, we'd need to create a bigger network."

"You're thinking of expanding already?"

"No…that will come in time…if more join us and the word spreads."

"It will."

Convict stood, arms crossed, against a corner.

"There were whispers of it when I was growing up…I saw chat online about people hating the registration."

"That could have been the government trying to lay a trap."

AZ sighed.

"I met a guy who claimed he wanted to fight the registration when I was on my own…I met up with him…turns out he was an agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. trying to capture traitors as he called them. He attacked me…fortunately I didn't tell him about my gift and he didn't see my face…so I froze him in a block of ice…that was my first act of resistance."

Convict slowly nodded.

"Maybe…but we've got people with us, fighting with us."

Connell sighed, patting the Cane Corso mix at this side as he stood up.

"You're both right…we need to see if there are those willing to join…and also lay our own traps for those trying to trap us."

Fatale walked across the room.

"Our hunt has barely begun."

"We all have to explore our options…and ourselves. There's more to each of us…we all have our reasons for being here…and while I don't know all of them…I know you all are more than capable of being who you need and choose to be."

The group nodded their heads at Connell.

Lona walked forward.

Connell turned to her.

"Yes?"

"Harley, Khalil, and Ben have scouted out some of our old dens. They're clear. We can keep friends hidden there for a time. Have some members stay there for reconnaissance…recruit and train more initiates."

Connell nodded to Lona.

"Thank you and give them our thanks. Something also tells me you have more news? I haven't heard from them or seen them in weeks."

"We've found more of our friends."

"Do they need armor and weapons?"

"No, we don't need them."

Fatale chuckled.

Gigi raised an eyebrow.

"Why is that?"

Richard smiled

"Our gifts are a bit different than the others."

Connell nodded.

"But there's something else isn't there?"

Richard's smile slowly disappeared as he nodded.

"Yes…our friends we found are being held in an outpost in Rockefeller State Park Preserve."

The hairs on the back of Connell's neck raised as he growled.

"Then let us prepare, we have friends to free."

To be continued…

(Hope you all enjoyed the update.)