= Chapter 177. The Coming Schism =
Commentary on Chapter 177. The Coming Schism 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 15 December 2014.
Washington, DC. The White House.
- 'Our country is in danger, Mr Stark,' a grey-haired man in a suit spoke in a deep voice, folding his hands behind his back. - The whole world is in danger, for that matter," he said, turning away from the wide window.
- Yes, Mr President, I realise that," Tony agreed tiredly, massaging his temples. - But you have to understand, the act of Congress...
- Necessary, - interrupted the brunet the first man of the state. - The alien invasion and the terrorist uprising of HYDRA have clearly shown that long overdue reforms are urgently needed.
- Understand, it was people with superpowers who were our primary and most effective strike force during the invasion: the Avengers, the X-Men, the Fantastic Four...
- And all, as one, uncontrollable," the heavyset man took a deep breath and turned to Iron Man. - Mr Stark... Tony, your company, since your father's time, God rest his soul, has worked with the Government on more than one occasion. Even after Stark Industries refused to manufacture weapons, we had a great relationship in the energy field, and your help in clearing New York of Chitauri technology and transferring it to MECH was well noticed and appreciated. That's why you're here.
- To be the messenger of bad news? - arched an eyebrow at the GMPF.
- To help my country," the president sat down in his chair and folded his hands, resting them on the oak tabletop. - Change is not an event looming in the distance, Tony. They're already here," the man rested his elbows on the surface of the table and looked at the superhero. - We want you to head up the Shield.
There was absolute silence in the office for a while.
- Excuse me? - was all Tony managed to say after a few minutes, having digested the information.
- Director Fury's leadership has proven to be ineffective," Eagle-1 explained reluctantly. - We acknowledge his merits, and we take into account the possibility of undermining actions of the terrorist organisation HYDRA, and yet... Nick has served his time, has become too scattered and reliant on the Avengers, among others, as if they were gods capable of being the last solution, but we disagree," the man gave Stark a sharp look and raised his index finger. - The people don't agree. The Avengers must become part of the system, working in conjunction with government agencies, not elevated or antagonised. Act within a framework. By the rules. That goes for all other people with powers.
- A lot of people would disagree," Stark said thoughtfully, his hands folded across his chest, tapping his forearm with his finger.
- Let me ask you, how would that be different from how mutants interact with the UN or enshrining our visitors from space as MECH agents? Mar-Vell and Carol Danvers have willingly enlisted, giving us intelligence on the ongoing war between the Skrulls and the Kree so that we can be prepared for a possible invasion," the President said, slumping in his chair. - Not to mention the fact that half your crew are, or were, PROTECT agents.
- Except that before that they had no direct legislative order to take off their masks and enter data about themselves and their forces into the registry," the genius inventor tried to convey to the politician the idea that seemed obvious to him. - All right, Agents Barton and Romanoff, I'm even sure that Thor and Dr Banner, though not thrilled, will hardly get in the way. But don't forget those for whom it will clearly look like an attempt to take away their legal right to privacy and personal freedom...
- By putting on masks and beating up citizens, they clearly don't think about how many laws they're breaking...
- Stopping criminals, terrorists and supervillains!
- Tell me, Mr Stark," the president looked thoughtfully at the brunet. - What is the fine line between a superhero and a supervillain?
- Protecting people, using your powers for good...
- Here, - the man raised his palm instructively. - To take responsibility, to show people, the very people for whose sake the hero takes to the streets, that he is not just an unknown masked vigilante, but that he is a real person, a citizen like them, that he has a name, a profession, insurance, so that they know who stands guard over their peace, protects their interests. Isn't that a good thing?
To this Tony could answer nothing...
- We won't withdraw our proposal, Mr Stark, but the act will be passed, one way or another," the president rose from his chair. - People with abilities are becoming more and more numerous, especially among children and young people, the most unstable group of people who are easily influenced. We want to avoid precedents that will show that the act is necessary. Avoid possible casualties. You have the power to ease this transition. Convince your friends first and foremost.
- What if there are those who don't agree?
Tony knows a few particularly stubborn individuals...
- What do those who go against the law become, Mr Stark? - The president answered the question with a question, looking out the window again, at the flowering lawn of his residence.
* Five hours later.
Vancouver Airport.
Steve was in the security room reviewing the CCTV footage.
It wasn't easy, but Rogers had picked up a thread that could lead to Bucky. But so far, it had only led the captain here.
- Stop," Rogers commanded, "Here, zoom in.
Baggy clothes, hat brim covering his eyes. Smart. But for a second, the disguise faltered and Sergeant Barnes gave himself away.
- This is from three days ago, right?
- That's right," confirmed the obese guard.
- Can you make me a copy?
Maybe the computer guys at the local Shield office can help out.
- Yes, of course, Captain America, sir," Francis began to copy the tape.
- Looks like I won't be going to the wedding," the super-soldier said thoughtfully.
- What are you saying?
- No, nothing, don't get distracted," the blond waved off the guard, who turned out to be a huge fan of his.
* 15 December 2014.
Baxter Building.
Spider-Man.
- And so I'd like to raise a glass to Dr Richards and Dr Richards," I smile, squinting slightly against the midday sun. - I was once invited to intern here as Reed's personal assistant, and I knew right away that the Fantastic Four weren't just great heroes or a great family, but great people! To the young!
- To the young! - cheered on by the guests.
- That's a great toast, Tiger," Carrot smiled at me as I sat back down in my seat.
- Really? Did I go too long at the mention of quarks? - Loosening the strangling tie.
- 'That moment was a little unnecessary,' Fey, who was sitting on my left hand, nodded in agreement. - But, in the end, you said it well, Pete.
- Thanks, Kitten," I intertwined our fingers under the table. - The dance is coming up, do you mind the first...
- You're spending it with your girlfriend? - slyly shot her eyes the greatest, in my opinion, thief. - Sure, have fun, lovey-dovey," Hardy said in a low voice.
- Always you," laughed Mary.
- Just stating the facts... oh, here comes the tune.
MJ and I followed as the pairs of guests began to follow the newlyweds up the stairs.
- What did you think of the wedding, Carrot Top? - I asked, unwinding my girl in a circular motion.
- Reed and Sue did a wonderful job," Mary replies, twirling round and pressing her back against my torso. - I love the idea of decorating the terrace with flowers.
- Sue and Alicia did most of the work," I hold my favourite woman by the waist and lead us confidently to the beat of the music, avoiding collisions with other dancers. - And the flowers were Ben's companion's idea.
I catch a glimpse of Grimm, in human form dancing with his sightless girlfriend.
It doesn't take eyesight to sense how happy our quarterback is to be human again and Miss Masters clearly feels it.
I shift my gaze, once again letting MJ spin around.
The newly married Richards couple didn't invite many characters I'm familiar with in costume. A couple of recognisable faces, no more. So Tony Stark, who is confidently settled next to the bar and whom Miss Potts looks at with a certain amount of concern, is quite an eye-catcher.
The dance ends and I decide to keep my thoughtful friend company.
- Kitten, please don't hurt me," I say as Mary and I walk hand in hand back to the table.
- That guilty look," Fey squints at me. - You're trying to stand me up for the dance, aren't you?
My girls know me too well...
- Peter, don't you dare stand Felicia up," MJ said, giving me a serious look and waving her dainty, manicured finger at me.
And your females are also quite adept at teaming up to defend each other," Raj added.
It's like they were born to do it," I grinned at the Klyntarian's remark.
- Fey, look how sad Tony is," I said, covering for Stark dishonestly. - I just want to talk to him, and I swear the next song is ours.
- Hmm... okay," the blonde smiled slyly. - Just don't think I'm going to do this dance alone.
Elegantly rising from her chair in her gorgeous silver dress, Black Cat, with all the grace of a professional gymnast, walked towards us, swaying her hips, and held out her palm to the surprised green-eyed redhead.
- Miss Watson, may I have this dance? - With a purring note in her voice, Hardy asked.
- It would be my pleasure, Miss Hardy," Mary smiled. - But what will my beau say?
- 'I trust you with my companion, Miss Hardy,' I also responded with a smile, placing Carrot's palm in Kitten's hand.
For a second I was afraid Fey was going to dance with some left-handed guy," I shared with Fey, watching my girls head towards the centre of the room.
If she loved you a couple of tenths of a percent less, maybe she would," the symbiote replies as I stomp over to Stark.
- Hey there, Futurist," I sit down next to Tony in the empty chair. - Why so sour?
- Hey, Pete," the brunette saluted me with a glass of whiskey. - How's it going? How's the plan to open your own business coming along? - answered the GMPF's question with a question.
- You know, fine, - I decide not to press, smoothly bringing the interlocutor to the revelations. Spy stuff. - The premises are rented, the initial staff of scientists is selected, the shares are distributed, well, you already know about the last one, - I take a glass with cognac, which was served to me by the barman at Stark's order. - You could say that I have fulfilled the terms of the dispute with Lydia.
Why? I promised Miss Snow Queen that I'd start a company, not surpass Hardy Consolidated in six months.
Although, to be fair, I didn't agree to any bet at all!
- Good for you," the brunet said with a smile, but as if on automatic.
- Tony," I put my hand on Iron Man's shoulder. - You're overloaded, and it's hardly connected with any experiment. At the very least, I know for a fact that the Altron cocoon has Bruce's hands full with... well, spit it out.
- Do you know where Cap is? - Armadillo changed the subject again, turning to me.
- I swear to God, Stark, I'm gonna punch you in the face...
Seriously, am I transparent or am I talking to a wall?!
- Sorry, Spiderweb," the inventor rubbed his temples. - It's just that I had an important meeting today. With the president. In Washington.
- And what news from the field? - I'm getting closer with my ears perked up.
- Important," the futurist drains his vessel in a gulp. - So much so that I plan to call a meeting.
- Well, it's not such a difficult task to organise a meeting of our team," I joked a little, for the tension had grown too high.
- Call all the superhumans we know, Peter," Tony added seriously. - Or at least important representatives.
Okay, now I'm really scared...
- When? - I clarified, licking my lips dry with excitement.
- Later," Stark nodded, as if noting something to himself. - We need to gather information," Iron Man rose from his stool. - You've got me talking, Flycatcher! We're at a wedding, and I'm not dancing with my lady, not good," the brunet clapped me on the shoulder. - Let's not spoil a beautiful evening with business, let's pay attention to our beautiful companions, Pete!
And, leaving the last word to himself, Tony headed for Pepper.
As usual," Raj chuckled.
But not without truth," I finished my drink. - I'll think about it tomorrow. Today's a holiday.
Just as I was about to head for the girls, I was intercepted by one hyperactive light.
- Pete! - Storm swooped down and gave me a big hug. - Did I mention you're the best, mate?
- Whoa, take it easy, Johnny," I responded to the friendly hug. - Why are you so active, so excited to give your sister in marriage?
- Wait, you really didn't see who I came with? - The blond was surprised.
- You know, there are a lot of guests, and you're not the one I look for when I'm in the room," I snorted at my friend's question.
- Kimberly," the guy sighed dreamily, ignoring my friendly teasing, "and I'll be honest," Storm leaned in trustingly. - I've never had a better night in my life! - the blond guy enthused, but in a whisper.
Oh, yeah. Fulfilling my friend's request was a damn shameful, but thankfully, extremely quick ordeal.
- Congratulations, Hothead, just don't get all hot and bothered," I chuckled ironically.
- Don't be jealous," Torch snorted.
- Your brunette? - I arched an eyebrow. - You're saying that to me, a guy who has two gorgeous girls," I pointed behind me at Fey and Mary dancing. - Good thinking?
- Oh, yeah. STOP WHAT?! - Storm looked at me shocked.
Well, yeah, why, I thought: somehow it's not nice that even Stark is aware of me and Carrot and Kitten, but my best friend isn't. It's not nice.
- I don't really let people in on it... although your sister knows.
- Wait," Johnny grabbed me by the shoulders. - WHAT?!
This is gonna be a long conversation.
- Let's go buy you a drink, Lightning," I put my arm around the blond's neck.
Fey's out of the dance again...
* Sterns Incorporated Tower.
Ezekiel stood in front of the window, staring out at the panorama of New York City at night. He shook the whiskey tiredly in his glass, pondering his next decisions.
The time is getting closer and closer. He could feel it.
- Mr Sims, your plane is ready," the door to the office was opened by a short-cropped Asian woman.
- Thank you, Evelyn," the solid man nodded.
As the door closed, Zeke found himself thinking again.
The first time he'd seen him, he'd realised everything.
Years of studying the encrypted messages found in Africa, following the Spider cult, accepting the spirit, all of that was nothing compared to even a quarter of his power...
And the totem of his world amazed Ezekiel. Not only by its stunning use of powers, not by the fact that it had skilfully hidden itself from his gaze all this time, but by allowing its own genetic copies to appear.
This secret of Peter Parker's became known to Zeke when he switched his surveillance to an easier target: Spider-Man clones.
And now, after all these years, he senses the enemy is close.
And he must either protect Parker and the rest of the spiders... Or prevent the arrival of the Inheritors.
By any means necessary. Commentary on Chapter 177. The Coming Schism Something is coming...