Facility 405

Jason awoke with a start. His heart pounding and vision swimming. As his eyes swung around the sparse gray room. His mind rapidly going through its checklist, trying to put together where he was and how he got here.

The last thing he remembered was being on another of Waller's missions. This one taking him to Siberia of all places and tasking him with tracking down a rogue scientist. Who was experimenting with cold fusion tech. A noble task if he wasn't funded by three terrorist groups. He had just tranquilized the scientist and was readying for extraction when a bright blue glow enveloped the room. And then…..nothing.

He flexed his arms and noted for the first time the IV inserted in his left arm. The tube leading up to three glass tubes which seemed to have contained some sort of blue liquid. Reacting quickly, Jason tore the IV out. But knew it was useless as whatever chemical they had injected him with was already in his system. For how long was anyone's guess. He then turned and scanned his body. Noticing he was slightly more muscular than before and some of the dull aches and pains from the pit had vanished. More importantly, the pit…was silent. There were no low voices or violent urges. Rather, he felt calm. In control. He flexed his hands and took a slow breath. Releasing a cleansing exhale.

He swung his legs off the metal slab that had served as his makeshift bed. Eyes landing on a table in the corner that held his undersuit and associated armored plates. The Charon armor was developed by Jason in combination with Lexcorp, Darpa, and Wayne Enterprises. Not that he ever let Bruce know. It was designed as a meta human combat suit. Utilizing interwoven nth metal in the undersuit and plates, which in theory would allow the user to weather blows from Superman and even strike back. Converting latent and kinetic energy into power that could be used to enhance the user's strikes or weapons. Often releasing a blood red pulse on impact.

Jason had added on top of this feature a layer of bat-tech. Including the multitude of vision modes and navigation features of his old hood, a holo tech wrist pad, and newly experimental cloaking tech. Which reduced his profile to a mere flicker of distorted air. Perfect for his new job and missions as America's top assassin.

Another feature was the suit's auto repair function. Being able to rebuild itself, so long as it had material it could utilize to create more nth metal. The science of which still baffled Lex, who hadn't incorporated that feature. Rather, the suit seemed to add it on its own. Which caused Darpa to swiftly re-research the Thanagarian armor they had accumulated in the last invasion.

Finally, was the design of the armor itself. His helmet was a maroon red with two glowing eyes that could be toggled on or off depending on the mission. The undersuit was a jet black that sat comfortably under the gray tones of the armored plates. Which attached with ease to the undersuit, carefully designed to be overlapping and allowing sliding over one another without any resistance. Giving Jason complete freedom of movement. At his waist started the gray of his military cargo pants. That were held in place by a black belt that snaked around his hips and thighs. With a multitude of pouches, sheaths, and holsters attached to carry his pistols, grappling gun, extra clips, and knives. The pants were then securely tucked into the start of his armored greaves. Which started at his knees and encompassed his legs. Ending in specially designed armored boots. His hands and forearms were enclosed in gray, nth metal gauntlets that ended at his elbows before the next set of plates covered his biceps and shoulders. A small splash of maroon red coloring the plate under his shoulder guard.

With practiced ease, Jason slid on the undersuit. Activating its lining and instantly having it conform to his body. Next came the pants, greaves, and chest gear. All connecting with satisfying clicks and clacks. Before his gauntlets and belt followed. Leaving only his helmet which he hefted, before lowering it onto his head. A puff of air announcing a successful neck seal.

With a flick of his eyes, Jason powered up the HUD. Which sprung to life in a flurry of holographic reds and blues. As the suit completed its self diagnostic and brought its functionality online. Sensing he was without any weapons and highlighting a significant change in his bio readings. Which Jason would ignore until he got somewhere he could pause and figure out what was going on. Then, a blue loading bar filled the center of the HUD. "Establishing Connection" titled over the bar as the suit looked for any satellites it could ping to orient its position and mission parameters. Only for "Error" to flash three times before disappearing. Leaving Jason with his normal HUD interface.

He scanned the room again. Allowing the HUD to highlight and examine the metal bed and walls that surrounded him. As he pivoted, his HUD highlighted a camera in the corner of the room. Its lens directed at the bed and his once sleeping form. Jason attempted to connect into the system through the camera, but it appeared to be a closed circuit. Thus, useless to him and his escape plan. But the presence of a camera implied that someone was watching him. Which meant someone would be coming. Sooner or later.

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Quinjet

Laura was antsy. Not because this was her first mission with the Avengers. She's had quite a few in the past year with Logan being presumed dead and the team needing a stand-in. Nor was it because it was her first mission with Logan back and the team having decided to let the two bond over their favorite activity. Violence. No, she was antsy because she was bored.

It happened on every mission. Mainly on the Quinjet ride to and from whatever town or area the mission took place. She would try to bring something to keep her attention like a book or game and inevitably get bored. Which would lead her to pace the small space at the back of the jet. Like a caged animal. Normally, this wouldn't be a problem. The rest of the team had long gotten used to this little character trait when Logan was with them. Giving him space to pace while they focused on their own permission rituals. But now there were two of them stalking the small space and things were….uncomfortable.

"Isn't there somewhere else you can do that?" Logan asked, holding back a snarl. As he passed Laura, heading towards the ramp as she headed towards the holo-table and common area.

"I could walk laps around the holo-table, but some people!" Laura snapped back as she glared at the offender. Who was situated comfortably in a web hammock to the left of the holo-table. His large white lens staring back emotionlessly.

"Hey! I got out of both of your ways and made myself a new home." Peter pouted from his web. Rocking slightly with the bounce of the plane.

"But you couldn't make the hammock a little higher?" Laura shot back.

"The vents are cold!" Peter defended. Crossing his arms and turning away from the annoyed heroine.

"Hey! Behave back there or I will turn this plane around!" Tony called back from his position at the flight controls. Natasha next to him in the co-pilot seat, quietly monitoring their flight. Behind them and to the right were the rest of the team. Who seemed to be engrossed in some sort of card game.

"But Dad! I haven't beaten the star spangled wonder and his sidekick fucky at Go Fish yet!" Clint whined. Eyeing his cards like they held the secrets of the universe. While Bucky glared at him with a raised eyebrow. Before Steve sighed out a quiet, defeated, "Language."

Tony sighed dramatically. Throwing his head back like this was the most challenging thing in his life, before turning his gaze to Nat. Who raised an eyebrow in silent question.

"I told you we shouldn't have brought the kids. It could have been just you, me, the Wolverine twins, and Spidey. But noooooo. We had to bring them, or else Clint would have reduced the tower to cinders and Steve would have gotten his kicked puppy look. I swear the things I do to keep you happy and non-stabby." Tony sighed. Earning himself a loud "Hey!" from Clint and another sigh from Steve.

"We both know it's for the good of everyone that I'm kept happy." Natasha responded, nonplussed at the man child next to her.

"I know that! But you're shaving years off my life like this Nat!" Tony dramatically said. Slumping forward onto the panel and stick. Which didn't react to his movements due to being on autopilot.

"That's Pepper and the kid's job Tony. Don't relegate me to their level." Natasha shot back. Returning to her task of actually monitoring the plane.

"Ya Tony! Natasha is too good to kill you early!...Wait, that sounded better in my head." Peter called out from his hammock. Still ignoring Laura's glare as Logan saddled up next to her.

"I fucken hate these flights." He grumbled.

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Facility 405

As it would turn out, someone did come. But it was later rather than sooner. Almost two hours after Jason's awakening, the metal door ground open. Allowing a man dressed in some sort of lab gear in. With his two hazmat wearing guards following closely behind.

"Ah! I see you are awake. We can proceed on schedule!" The man proclaimed. Pulling a small tablet out his lab coat and seeming to power it on. As Jason just silently tilted his head to the right. A silent question being asked to the room. But it seemed he wouldn't receive an answer, as the man began to list off random and unconnected items.

"Freight car, red letter, diamond, enclosed, casket, rifle, Egypt, one, seven, three, two, twenty." The man read off as Jason watched on. Feeling his patience die a bit more with each spoken word. Before the man paused and looked up at him. A disingenuous smile etched on his face.

"Agent, activate, prepare for orders." The man spoke with absolute confidence. As if he'd done this a million times. Jason's eyes narrowed. Now fully understanding the situation and his role in it. Whoever this is had tried to psycho-condition him during his nap. Probably to create an assassin for whatever mission they had. But they failed to realize he had far too much training and trauma for any sort of conditioning to take hold. Slade had deemed him "fucked in the head", while Talia dismissed it as one of his few gifts from his rough childhood.

Deciding to go along with whatever this is, Jason straightened. Taking on the at-ease position while saying, "Agent, awaiting orders." His deep, distorted voice dropping the temperature of the room minutely.

The lab tech's smile widened. His haughty voice responding with, "Good! Your mission is the assassination of Senator McClain."

"Yes sir! Where are my weapons?" Jason asked. Maintaining his calm tone and watching the two guards behind the tech. Who had stiffened and shared a quick glance.

"Ah, yes! I believe they have been placed in the armory. We shall escort you, agent. Now come." The lab tech preened. Only to be stopped by one of the two guards asking a question.

"Sir? Do they now ask questions?" He asked. His tone conveying his confusion as his partner looked on. Which caused the tech to spin around to glare at the offending guard. His mouth open and rebuke readied on his tongue before his mind came to an abrupt halt. In all his cases, he's never had a patient ask a question after the conditioning had taken affect. This should have been no different. But then that meant….

"Shit." Jason said before he rushed forward. Grabbing the lab tech's jaw and skull before ripping his arms away from one another. Which emitted a loud crack followed by the sound of tearing flesh as Jason tore the man's head from his body. Much to both Jason and the guard's surprise. Shaking away his surprise, Jason lashed out. A right hook catching the faceplate of the closest guard and reducing his head to a mess of blood, brain, and metal.

The final guard had managed to shake off his surprise and drew his pistol. Firing wildly at Jason. Who was once again caught off guard. This time, it seemed time around him had slowed dramatically. The bullets crawled towards him at a manageable pace, and allowed him to dodge point blank shots. As he pivoted away and watched the shots impact the wall behind where he once stood. He then lashed out once again. This time it was a left jab to the man's solar plexus. Meant to force the air from the guard's lung and stun him. But instead of hitting solid bone and muscle, Jason's fist tore through the man. Leaving his arm encased in the body of the guard until he pulled back with a wet slap. Leaving the man unsupported before he fell back.

Jason absentmindedly shook the blood from his gauntlet as he worked to process the last few seconds. He was obviously a lot stronger than before. His reflexes seemingly improved as well if his adrenaline could slow down his perception to microseconds as it did before. He wondered if he was given a dose of Slade's super soldier serum, before letting the thought drift away. Compartmentalized behind his immediate needs to gain his freedom and recover his weapons. He crouched and pulled the pistol from the first guard. Performing a quick check and coming away satisfied with his new M1911. Which would hold him until he could get his TTI Pit Vipers back along with his sword and rifle. He finished his search and stowed away the three additional magazines and a standard issue combat knife.

He then moved to and through the door. Emerging in a long hallway that reminded him of a medical ward. With stark white hallways and tile. He looked left and then right. Trying to decide which way would probably lead to freedom before he was interrupted by the blaring of an alarm. A male voice broadcasting over the intercom:

"Attention! Attention! The Avengers have breached the base! All combat personnel to combat positions!"

With that announcement, Jason turned and booked it to the right. Hoping to run into someone he could interrogate to find his gear.

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Facility 405 East Entrance

Laura rushed down the hallway. Cutting and slicing any guard dumb enough to stand between her and the rest of the base. The mission plan was for Laura to escort Natasha to the server room, while Logan, Spider-man, Steve, and Tony distracted as many of the soldiers as they could. Leaving Clint and Bucky with the job of rescuing any prisoners they could find. The primary mission of today's assault on AIM.

Laura dropped to a knee. Sliding underneath the barrel of an assault rifle and impaling the man through the stomach. Before forcing him to the floor and ending his suffering with another stab to the heart. Natasha raced by in her periphery. Firing her dual pistols at another two guards who had just rounded the corner into her firing line. They dropped a second later as Natasha's bullets made impact.

Laura launched herself forward again. Sprinting to pass the assassin and surprise the guard that was sprinting down the opposite corridor. Laura impaled the man as he emerged into the hallway, but she paused as her sense of smell caught something unexpected. The man reeked of blood. Looking down, she saw the man's suit was covered in it. Yet the suit itself seemed none the worse for wear. Pulling her claws out of the man, she backed up and focused down the hallway where the man was fleeing from. Catching some muted screams and the firing of bullets.

"Widow! We should head down this way." Laura directed. Not even turning to the assassin as she paused behind her.

"Server room is to the left. What's down that way?" Natasha questioned. Understanding that something must have interested Laura if she was willing to take a detour.

"I hear screams and the pops of gunfire. I think someone else is here." Laura deduced. Taking a few steps down the hallway before looking back at Natasha. Whose stoney visage watched her as she made up her mind.

"Ok, we'll check it out and see if any of the prisoners got loose. But you'll be responsible for escorting them out if we find any." Natasha ordered. Receiving a nod of acceptance before the two barreled down the hallway.

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Facility 405 - Somewhere

Jason ducked under the knife of one of the guards. Spinning and dropping low to sweep the man's legs from underneath him. He then whipped his right hand around and centered his pistol's sights on the encroaching guards. Unleashing a rapid burst of four rounds into the two men. One through the heart and the other through the head. He then pivoted and fired a round into the downed guard. Before rolling backwards over his shoulders. Falling into cover behind a corner of the hallway as rounds pinged off the walls.

He fingered the mag release on the pistol, dropping the spent mag and slapping a fresh mag in its place. He then stood from his crouched position and peeked around the corner. Watching as two female guards advanced on his position. Rifles held pointed at his corner as they covered one another. Dropping back a step, Jason paused and waited for them to draw closer. Before he lunged out of his position. Rolling forward and dodging the hail of fire that blanketed his position. He came up in a clean firing stance. Unloading two rounds into each woman before pausing to take in the hallway.

He counted at least fifteen bodies scattered about. All encased in those strange hazmat suits and wielding standard issue weaponry. He huffed out a breath before relaxing out of his shooter's stance. Hanging the pistol in his right hand as he activated the holo pad on his left forearm. The computer springing to life and scanning for available networks. Finding none.

"All this money and construction and they still have crappy wifi." Jason thought wryly. Before he heard the pounding of approaching footsteps. Deactivating the holo pad, Jason swung around and leveled his pistol on the hallway in a crouched position. Awaiting the next wave of hazmat soldiers.

But instead he was greeted by a redheaded woman wearing armor that reminded him of Talia's league armor. A black bodysuit with strategically positioned hard plates to block most blows while allowing for complete freedom of movement. She was glaring at him with two pistols raised. But he wasn't paying her too much mind. His suit could weather any sort of bullet.

Rather, he was scanning the woman to her right. Who was wearing a bright yellow suit with black designs running from the shoulders down to her boots. With black gloves positioned from her biceps to her hands. Finally, there was the cowl which sported two black protrusions from the whites of her lenses. With her black hair flowing freely behind her.

Jason's attention shifted again. This time to the silver blades that seemed to emerge from the woman's knuckles. Their gleam was only undercut by the flecks of blood that were stuck to the blades. Quickly coming to the conclusion she was some sort of meta human.

The three stared at one another in the hallway. Each waiting for the other to make a move. Only for Jason to break the silence.

"Who are you and where are we?"