No-One But You (The Zephyr Endeavor)
Chapter 14: Connection Error Song(Part 4)
Nick Fury found himself casually walking through a large room that was being organized for a brand new S.H.I.E.L.D. division, called S.H.A.D.O.W…
Plans for that new division were mapped out carefully by Ezekiel Stane, but the ringleader had chosen a different identity for himself. He altered his appearance, if you recall, and Fury set his eyes upon the quiet mastermind as he stopped in the room.
Ezekiel took on the appearance of a young woman, and Charles Xavier tried to prepare everyone on the Surveillant Council as best he could. Fury was in a bit of disbelief as he approached Ezekiel in his new form, but the director pushed forward.
Deadpool was right beside him, but the mercenary was looking over a digital file that was just below the face of his mask. Wade Wilson was reading a S.H.I.E.L.D. file on the "Surveillant Council", because Ezekiel politely gave him access to it.
"So, what should I call you now, or do you only want to be referred to as the White Jackal?"
Fury had already gotten used to calling Ezekiel by his code name, or different variations of it. The Jackal worked best in his mind, but the director of S.H.I.E.L.D. figured Obadiah's son had something else up his sleeve. He always did, so…
…
"My name is Rae-Ann, but you can call me Rae for short."
…
Rae-Ann was the name of a young woman who lost her life to Ezekiel Stane a short time ago. It was self defense, but her death triggered a series of events that almost broke the baby Jackal.
"Rae-Ann" was also a member of an underground group called the Black Dahlias, and that was a small organization that Ezekiel was connected to behind the scenes.
…
"Ok, Rae. Natasha might not like the tribute…."
…
"That's her problem. I was going to go for Sarah Rogers and piss Captain America off even more, but…. Rae-Ann felt correct."
…
Uhm yeah, using the name of Steve's mother for a death squad was DEFINITELY going to cause a war. Fury was inwardly glad that Ezekiel decided against it. He noticed something in that moment as he listened to what Ezekiel said. His language was, interesting… so the director gave a quick glance in Wade's direction.
"Sounds like Wade is really rubbing off on you..."
The mercenary slowly looked up from the S.H.I.E.L.D. file. The comment was clearly a dig, but that was just okie-dokie. Did you know the "Surveillant Council" got its start by stalking and monitoring Tony Stark, Steve Rogers AND Stephen Strange? Whoa now… Wade just educated himself on that, and then some.
Apparently Stephen's emotions and thoughts were suppressed as well, so the Stalker Council was building a history of fucking with people. Wade Wilson was beyond bitter about it, but he had a plan in mind to combat all the stalker shit…
Ezekiel ignored the comment entirely. He brought his right hand up and he showed Nick Fury something on a translucent screen.
"I'm going to begin building new suits for the preliminary members of my team. They're too vulnerable as they are, and I noticed that even more when I saw some of them in Milwaukee."
One member of Ezekiel's "team" crossed his mind in that moment, so he brought up the plans for a new suit that was called "Shrike". That suit was designed to protect Clint Barton, and the name "Shrike" was meant to tribute his connection with birds.
Fury looked over the features of the suit, and the last name Barton crossed over his eye as he studied the design.
…
"What if Agent Barton leaves your team? You can't assume he'll work with you, and we both know that he hates your guts…"
…
"Then, Shrike will serve to be a parting gift. I'll offer it to him as an olive branch, of sorts. Barton can take it or leave it…"
Ezekiel had no intention of apologizing to Victor's ex-friendly roommate/boyfriend for anything that took place. He only planned to offer Shrike as a parting gift if that's how the chess move panned out.
The translucent screen disappeared after that, and Ezekiel took another look around his expanding work space. He wanted to get to work on what he needed for his team, and the Jackal began to feel a bit impatient. Fury took in a deep breath, then he joined Ezekiel's glance around the room.
"I'm going to need you to introduce your new division to everyone who works for S.H.I.E.L.D…. Rae-Ann will be the name and face connected to S.H.A.D.O.W. and the announcement can be made digitally."
It had to be done, and Fury was there to make sure it happened. SO, with his shiny new disguise… Ezekiel Stane responded to the director of S.H.I.E.L.D. with a pleasant nod and smile.
An announcement designed to introduce S.H.A.D.O.W. meant nothing to him in the long run, and the Jackal only saw it as unavoidable politics.
Chapter: END
Thanks for reading.