= Chapter 169. The Dwindling Dusk =
Commentary on Chapter 169. Darkening Dusk If anyone would like to support your favourite and invaluable author with deeds rather than words (although I appreciate comments with your detailed opinion no less), you are welcome to do so: 5469980470822129 - Sber A few days later.
Otto Octavius' flat.
Dr Octavius studied the data changing on the monitor screen. Many weeks of work and now, at last, he had made progress. If it weren't for the constraints, the limited resources...
Whatever. Otto had never been the beneficiary of fate. He had always excelled in life and now he would prove his own excellence.
Plus, he'd managed to meet an ex-convict. Angelina Brancale, a romantic fool, but the perfect figure for his plan, and she has useful skills. We need to gather Spider's intel? and Stanner would be the perfect distraction.
It's possible that Stenolaz himself won't be needed... though, of course, a sample of him would be ideal.
19 October, 2014.
Frontier.
Peter Parker.
Yes, I've found myself in a difficult situation. Not just on the personal front, but on the hero side as well...
Just yesterday. Another Fury challenge.
I decided to fly to the Aircraft Carrier this time. While I have the opportunity, I'm going to use the dream ability to the max. But not to the point of fanaticism.
Why did Nick call me in? I'm about to get some answers, though.
I'm flying through a few levels.
- Hey, Nikki," I float into the office, looking at the Shield Director.
- Why don't you land? - One-Eyed Eagle looks at me, frozen four metres above the ceiling, from under his frowning eyebrows.
- Gladly," I came down and sat down in the chair opposite Nicholas's desk. - What did you call me for?
- Flint Marko contacted me yesterday," the spy began in a concentrated voice. - You didn't think to consult with me first, before you poached a beta-level superhuman from Shields?
- Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, hold your horses, Fury," I put my palms forward. - Firstly, I was just informing Sandy about a possible new job for him, and I don't remember why I have to inform you about such a thing...
- Because I have to be informed! - The bald man thumped his fist loudly on the tabletop. - Everything has consequences, kid," Nick pointed his finger at me. - The government is pressuring me, and you have no idea what kind of conversations are going on in the oval office right now!
- Secondly," I continued, ignoring Mr Ferocious' furious outburst. - The Shield hasn't done enough for Flint to consider him its property...
- Is that why you've decided to take this burden upon yourself? - snorted the shadowman. - Sandy isn't a toy to be given to you and then taken away when you need it.
- I would never force Flint or make him choose against his will," I frown. - And I don't like where this conversation is going, Fury.
- You bet," Nick continued in a menacing voice, but then settled back in his chair tiredly and sighed. - You know I'm not your enemy, Peter, but there are things going on upstairs right now that I don't like and, frankly, I don't think all superhumans will like...
- Since when is that strange designation "beta-level superhuman"? - I ask quietly, no longer stubborn.
I think it smells fried...
- Right," Nick regained control of his emotions. - The government is once again trying to seize full power over the Shield and Sword, and I'm already being accused of being too much of a free-thinking superhero, thinking "of the whole world" when the government is...
- Catering to the interests of one side," I quietly add. - And since the aircraft carrier is in US airspace 90% of the time...
- Right," Nick sighed. - The clouds are gathering, Spider-Man.
People... borders, petty conflicts, perpetual squabbling and bickering... it's pathetic," Raj snarled irritably
It's in our nature," I agreed sadly.
- Is there anything I can do? - I look at Fury.
- Try to keep a low profile," Nick looked up. - And, even though what I'm about to ask you now goes against what I said earlier, talk to Captain Rogers...
- About what? - I'm getting more serious, too. - I've noticed there's been a bit of a row between you two... as I think a lot of people have.
- We had a bit of a falling out," the headmaster grudgingly admitted.
- About what? - Fury grimaced. - 'Nick, if you want help...
- It's about Sergeant Bucky Barnes, or rather, his sudden return to the Winter Soldier role.
- The Washington incident, I read the report," I nod.
- Not exactly," Shadowman squeezed and spread his palm.
- What do you mean? - I arch an eyebrow.
- Barnes's Rebirth wasn't a surprise to me... Shield had dealings with him back in the seventies.
- What?!" I exclaim in surprise.
- I wasn't that high up in the ranks, other people were in charge, but according to the reports, it was some kind of joint operation with the Soviets, a respite from the Cold War, we helped them, they helped us... secretly.
- I hate politics," I exhale heavily.
- Likewise, son, likewise," Nick duplicates the sigh of discontent.
- So what's next?
- You know, warming and freezing, but the data's still there.
- And Steve dug it up," I massaged my temples.
- It's probably all thanks to Sharon," Nick tapped his fingernail on the tabletop. - Why are the Carter girls so attracted to Rogers?
- One of the immutable values of the universe, I suppose," I hummed.
- Well, well, well," Nick responded, snorting.
- What's my job?
Yeah, it's like I never left the Shield...
- Keep an eye on the Captain, restrain his impulses and... help him find the truth. What? I think Nick was confused by my surprised look. - Of course I want to know the facts, too, and if anyone can get to the bottom of this, it's you.
- What about the other special agents, Clint or Nat, who are above my level?
- Not to belittle their virtues and skills, but Agent Barton can't crawl on walls, or Agent Romanoff can't become invisible, thanks to her alien partner.
- Reasonably," I hum, "may I be excused?
- Go.
Our conversation set my tone to act quickly.
Having made an appointment, I moved on to Ophelia's.
Madame Hydra greeted me warmly. A check showed that the Mind Stone's influence was just as thick. So there were no leaks. After a few words, the brunette (back to her natural colour after all) quickly told me everything she knew about Project Winter Soldier. Alas, Bucky had been in the hands of HYDRA for decades, and after Washington's defeat he'd swam out of the squid's tentacles and lost contact with it, but judging by the death reports of certain HYDRA members, James hadn't forgotten the names of his enemies.
Leaving Ophelia with an order to find me the names of all possible targets I teleported under invisibility to the "birthplace" of the Winter Soldier.
Yes, this is why I was so reluctant to visit the local post-Soviet space.
This Russia... it feels a bit cranberry-tinged.
Not real... it's not my home.
Leaving all personal reflections and setting aside emotions, I concentrated on the case.
The only useful things I could find in the lab were records. The years and targets that ordered Barnes' elimination.
Nothing useful.
After wasting twelve hours, I returned to the lab, where I continued experimenting until morning. It calms me down, the monotony allows me to gather my thoughts. And I almost succeeded in synthesising adamantium! Just a couple of hours of molecular exposure...
I was distracted by a phone call.
- Yes, Grand Farick! - I shrieked in annoyance, scaring Lykos, who was doing his own research in his cell. - Sorry, Carl," I wave at the mutant.
The blond nods, gives an "okay" sign, and turns away.
It's not fair, he can hear me, I can't hear him," I think, answering the call.
- Hello?
- This is Agent Arachne, can we meet? - comes a focused voice with a slight note of doubt from one spider.
Yeah, she's ripe for it.
- Time and place, Jess," I answer with a smile in my voice, not wanting to spook my prey.
We agreed, and I teleported to a place not far from where I'd been told. Under invisibility I crawl into the warehouse in the harbour, where there is no one but the guard dogs and a couple of watchmen, who see the seventh dream.
I thought of Jess as a victim for one simple reason, and once again I was guided by memories. This time Fierce's.
Gustav was a perpetually aware shadow watcher. What with Osborne, what with the Vermix story and Mr Drew. Jessica's father was indeed working with HYDRA, but far from willingly. All to find a cure for his daughter. He did, but then he died suddenly. Not without help, I'm sure. But for Jess, it's my word, "HYDRA agent from a rival department" versus the word of the man who raised her, her father's friend.
So I'll have to force the memories in... carefully.
Still, I'll start by trying with words.
Drew showed up at the warehouse half an hour later. In a black outfit with red webbing and HYDRA patches on her shoulders.
Here's how...
Using the symbiotic material, I disguise the spider suit with civilian clothes and sneak behind the boxes under invisibility.
- After the story of Pierce's failed attack, it's become dangerous to wear such insignia," I say, stepping out of the shadows. - And not wise.
- Uniform, I always wear it on missions," Jessica replied seriously.
- I thought this was a private meeting," I glanced at Agent Arachne's palms, with poison-green sparks bouncing across her fingers.
- I'm sorry, but Dr Vermix has ordered your elimination," the brunette said coldly.
- I see," I sighed. - Can't we do this the honest way, without superpowers on our fists?
- You're funny," Drew snorted and fired a beam of her bio-sting at me.
- I suggested it," I infused my palm with bioelectricity and batted the beam away, scattering it.
- What?!
While the spider was in shock, I open the Mind Stone's shroud and make the girl freeze.
This is going to be a messy mental operation... but I wasn't the first to attack, so it's my own fault.
I hope the idea works, I'd hate to kill such a pretty girl," I examine the brunette.
And, yes, the examination of memory confirms that Otto von Baron fed his ward the most beautiful fairy tales in existence.
Also, I'm not an expert psychologist with a degree, but judging by the looks Doc's been throwing at Jess since her teenage formative years, he's rubbed his rod on her picture more than once...
I have the Mind Stone, I don't know how I'd do something like this without such a powerful safety net.
Symbiosis is dangerous, the risk of brain damage is too great.
With my own telepathy, it's similar, even worse. I'm good at broadcasting my own thoughts, creating channels for communication, but reading minds is not my thing.
I hope we don't have to part with this little guy and stop Thanos.
Oh, by the way. I'll have to look into the Illuminati, I've been putting it off for so long.
Ahhhh, so much!
Thank you, fierce puppeteer... Okay, stop!
You promised yourself you wouldn't dwell on this. Remember what Wade said. My fate is in my hands. Only in mine.
Inhale and exhale.
All this was running through my head as I poured the memories into Jessica's mind and made sure they were gently integrated. Oh, and I made sure that once the mental operation was complete, the patient didn't come at me with a desire to sting me with her stingers.
Thanks to Doc Strange for teaching me.
I sit down on the box and wait for Drew to wake up.
Do you think the patient's more alive than dead, Bearer?
Before I can react to the Klyntarz's humour, I receive a call on my mask, the symbiotic cloak is lifted, and I activate the communicator.
- Hello? - I answer the call with all my attention.
- Peter, get to the hospital now! - Mary's voice comes from the other side.
Or rather, crying.
- MJ, what's wrong?! Jumping off the box.
- Felicia has gone into premature labour, the doctors won't say anything, but she's been rushed to hospital, I think I saw blood...
- I'll be right there! - I quickly reset the call and look wildly around at the unconscious Arachne a second before teleporting away. - Oh shit, I can't leave her here," I grabbed my head.
Carrier, it's time! - Raj broadcasts loudly.
I grab the brunette on instinct and move to my underground base. I hastily create a cage out of the experimental under-adomancy material, put Jessica inside, quickly set up the Spiderbots to monitor her condition, and teleport to the hospital.
Just before.
Africa, Wakanda.
T'challa.
The King of Wakanda and Black Panther, who had recently succeeded his deceased father, sat on his throne and pondered. Each day he became more and more convinced of the need to open himself up to the world.
Wakanda had achieved so much through vibranium, and it was possible to use those achievements to help others.
Yes, the risk is great, but their secret is already known, albeit in small circles.
The ubiquitous smugglers have reached far more than one tonne.
There will only be more people willing to take it, but so what, to be isolated from the rest of the world forever?
The king's musings were interrupted by a sharp alarm.
- Your Majesty, the perimeter has been breached," a guard came running into the room.
- Calm down, Binwu, what happened?
- He's in the bullion vault, he's killed dozens of our men and he's still killing!
- Who?!
- A creature made of metal.