I really, really didn't see this coming.
Out of every trap-card that Mike could've pulled on me, Nick 'Motherfuckin' Fury was the last on my list.
Isn't this guy supposed to be playing dead or something?
I restrained my thoughts from showing on my face as I took a seat across from him. Using the edges of my periphery I couldn't see the two figures hidden in the corners of the room, only sense them through the Force.
"Hello Fury… nice to meet you, but, what's with the horror movie setup?" I asked, trying to sound casual while pointing up at the bare hanging bulb.
Fury chuckled, "Well, habits die hard, and I'm one habitual son of a bitch." Fury leaned over and grabbed a file from under the table, before sliding it over to me.
It had a large red lettering — 'CLASSIFIED LEVEL: 10'
I almost gulped as I saw it. "Is this the job Mike was talking about, I'm not gonna lie — this all seems… a little above my pay-grade."
Fury's single-unscarred brow rose, "You're unemployed, you don't have a pay-grade." He said, hitting me where it hurts. "And yes, this is that job Mike talked about, now are you going to open the file or do I have hold your hand?"
Holding eye contact for a moment I looked back down at the file and opened it, my eyes narrowing at the information held within.
[CLASSIFIED 10 +]
SUBJECT FILE : X1523-J
REAL NAME : [REDACTED]
THREAT LEVEL : Delta - 7
KNOWN ABILTIES :…
My eyes nearly glazed over as I read over the file, a cold shiver running down my spine.
I saw accompanying photos of me in a convenience store, front-flipping between buildings, and the after-math of the three men I had pummeled to near death.
I nearly let out a sigh of relief when I read through my 'Known Abilities' as they painted me as barely-superhuman enhanced, a martial prodigy, a possible telekinetic, and having some sort of storage device on me (likely alien in nature).
I placed the file back down, my face deadpan as I stared into Fury's eye.
"So… what's the job? Stalking?"
Fury scoffed, "Something like that." He reached under the table and grabbed yet another file and slid it over to me.
This time around it was much more mundane. A job form with a substantial list of responsibilities, required 'unnamed' trainings, insurance coverages, PTO and a salary that started at 90K a year, with bonuses based on performance.
The job was titled, "Field Operative / Intelligence Specialist — (Black Division)."
After reading over some other legal details I closed the file.
"Pays pretty good… the dental is nice — doesn't really go into specifics about what 'field work' is — what if I don't get any contracts for the year? Will you still pay me?"
Fury couldn't help but chuckle. "If you're as good as Mike says you are, then don't worry about not getting contracts." He leaned forwards, interlocking his fingers as he rested his elbows on the metal table.
"I need you to make a decision."
"I'm still in high-school…"
"I know."
I rubbed my chin in thought.
Is working with Fury a good idea? I mean, I'm already in his cross-hairs, so I'm sure to be monitored heavily moving forwards… on the other hand, being on the side of the people doing the monitoring means I can hide beneath the lamp so to speak…
Getting espionage and secret agent training would be not only incredibly useful, but just straight-up sick. Who doesn't want to be a spy?
Not to mention I'd also get access to the soon to crumble avengers, namely Cap and crew who go into hiding…
If shit really hits the fan I can teleport out in an instant, and as capable as Fury is he doesn't hold a candle to Tao or Kamar-Taj.
… full dental as well, damn!
I took a deep breath, sensing the two hidden agents tensing in the shadows.
"I'm in."
Fury grinned, extending his leather-gloved hand to meet.
"Thought so, welcome to S.W.O.R.D."
—
"Haha!" Tao's rare laughs filled the cozy study as I recounted by recent predicament. I sat with with my head down, a wry smile on my lips.
"Yeah, yeah laugh it up, but doesn't the thought of me being a Secret Sorcerer SWORD Super-Spy sound sweet as sangria?"
Tao tilted her gently, "Mmm, that does sweet…" She said then raising a finger, "But, remember you are my disciple first, before any super-spying, Agent Thorne."
I let out a tired sigh, "Yeah, don't worry master, I think I'm already ready to take the evaluation. I just need to finish the relic I've been working on and then I'm ready."
"Impressive, and you still won't tell me what you've been working on?"
I gave her a devious grin, "Nope~!" I said with a popping 'P'. "Honestly I haven't actually started, I plan to tonight."
Tao hummed, "Fine, I'll let Mordo know you'll be taking the Evaluation this Friday, I'm sure he'll be oh so joyful!" She said mischievously, making me wince in painful anticipation.
If there was one thing Master Mordo hated, it was beating the shit out of talented students. And I was about to break the record for becoming a Master of the Mystic Arts, though Strange wasn't too far behind.
"Sure." I said, shrugging, then standing. "I better get going master, got some dumpster diving to do."
Tao recoiled in disgust a little, waving me away. "Begone my disciple, and take a shower before you come back."
I laughed, splitting a door in space open and swaggering through.
—
I wasn't lying about the dumpster diving by the way.
Covered in cloaking spell that wrapped light around my body giving me a liquid, glass-like appearance I walked around a scrapyard looking for components.
From pipes, to exhausts, and whole engine blocks — metal vanished into my Storage.
I also grabbed anything that peaked my interest, random scraps of nice looking metal sheets, machined components, shattered laptops and yellowing computers.
By the time I returned to my apartment my Storage was littered with small mountains of random crap.
But it was my crap, the building blocks to my first, and probably coolest relic yet.
With a simple swipe of my hand I opened another portal and stepped through.
I appeared in an endless plane of white, surrounded by everything I had stolen/owned.
I had teleported into my Spatial Storage, a feat I didn't believe was possible until Tao told me to try.
And just like that, I had access to my own private dimension at all times. The only drawback being my presence meant that time flowed once again. Meaning any foods or perishable items would being to deteriorate.
I also haven't been able to control the Time-dilation of my domain. As Time magic was an advanced, and heavily guarded skill.
I sat down and summoned a number of books around me, using the Force to flip through pages as I finalized the image of what I wanted in my mind.
With a nod, a deep breath and a wolfish grin I sank into the Force.
The world hummed around me as a myriad of components began appeared. Slowly, they began to hover and gently orbit around my seated form.
I floated a V-twin engine into my focus, still giddy about finding a partially broken Evo-1340. Carefully I channeled the focus through my intent, the engine began disassembling as if possessed by a master mechanic.
I started interchanging parts, using the force to form and mold metal like clay. Screws twisted into place as I slid the engine into a steel-frame.
I attached two long exhausts on either side of the engine, curving their ends ever-so slightly.
Many of the parts I added were really just for show, redundancies in worst case scenario.
A drive-train would move, though I wouldn't truly be doing anything.
Exhaust would smoke out but it was all just an illusion — for the most part.
A two-seat leather seat clicked into place, thin turning lights flared to the sides. A low and wide black handle bar tucked into an aggressive and angular front-plate, reminiscent of a shark.
By the time I finished I had beads of sweat pouring from my forehead. The moment the pair of thick off-road wheels snapped into place I slumped, the motorcycle's kick-stand flicking out as its heavy frame sank into its suspension.
I glanced up weakly at my Magnum Opus, the sleek semi-futuristic looking motorcycle gleamed in a Frankenstein array of silvery metals, and scrapped paints.
But god is it a fucking beauty~
It looked like an Indian Scout had gently fucked and made love to a Yaiba Kusanagi CT-3X...
And I haven't even enchanted it yet.
For the next three hours, I channeled the Force, inscribing delicate runes into the inner-workings of the relic.
The engine was a thing of beauty. A hybrid combustion/magical system that could switch between burning organic fuels or draw from a magical battery… but the real magic happened when the energy sources combined. Micro explosions surrounded in amplifying runes, doused by oxygen condensing sigils coiled tightly in reinforcement wards, allowed the pistons to thunder far, far above the 1340 CC of the stock Evo.
And if my magical calculations were correct, I could expect Mach speeds and a stupid high number Mpg…
The rest of the relic was similarly enchanted, durability runes for the wheels and a number of friction adjustments that I could change on the fly to get the handling~~just right.
The headlight was more than a glorified flashlight, able to switch between magical analysis scans, a number of flashing modes, and the entire entire-ultra violet spectrum. I also planned to implement a more scientific based scan whenever I got around to programming it.
The body of the beast was layered in more protective wards, cloaking runes, and illusions than the New York Sanctum. It was overkill to be completely truthful, but it was art, how could you judge art?
I'd still have to properly paint the thing, but for now I could used the built-in illusion spells.
After channeling some Force into the Magical Battery, I tapped the bike causing its visage to shimmer as it transformed into a sleek black and gun-metal grey look.
With a single thought a jerry can of premium fuel appeared. I whistled as I filled the tank, making sure to tap the nozzle a few times, just to be sure I got all my money's worth.
With a satisfied sigh I threw my leg over the slightly staggered two-person seat. The cushioning runes on both the seat and suspension catching me softly. A bassy magical hum clicked underneath me, a gently pulling force 'seat-belted' me in place.
I flicked out the kick-start, grinning as I sent a confident stomp down.
The engine growled to life, its vocal cords low, like a mystical jaguars purr. I could feel it humming in my chest, resonating with my thundering heart. My right hand knuckled the throttle, fingers teasing the breaks, my left foot cycling through the gears.
With a sudden twist, the beast roared! Like a cosmic beast the engine laughed as I instantly accelerated to over a hundred miles and hour and rapidly rising.
The runes beneath me let off a soft white glow, filtering the air-resistance to enjoyable levels and clamping down on the G-forces to save my organs.
I cackled as I tore across the endless expanse of my dimension, like a rocket, my thumb hovering over a bright-red switch. I once again had an insatiable look in my eye, a wolfish near-villainous grin on my lips.
I can't wait to show Tao…