Loose Ends and New Targets
"On the next alien apocalypse, I'm picking the restaurant," Nicolás sighed, as everyone stood gathered around Thor and Loki. In just a few minutes, the Asgardians would return to their world using the Tesseract.
"Hey, arrogant brat, remember to come visit… but try not to bring destruction every time you show up here," Tony teased, smirking at Thor. The nickname seemed destined to stick.
Loki, muzzled to keep him from speaking, shot him a mocking look that conveyed everything he couldn't say aloud.
Thor ignored the exchange. He turned toward General Nathaniel and Owen, both watching quietly.
"The next time, I'll bring a few things as thanks and an apology. And we still have that duel pending," he said, first to the general, then looking directly at Owen.
"Sure," Owen replied with a half-smile full of arrogance. "Maybe by the time you're back, your thunder will be my breakfast."
Thor took one end of the Tesseract and handed the other to Loki. With a twist, they vanished in a flash of light.
General Nathaniel, his gaze still fixed on where they'd stood, asked,
"What did you do with the scepter?"
"S.H.I.E.L.D. has it… which means Hydra is already on their way to one of their own bases," Owen answered with a knowing grin.
"Take Rogers with you. I'm sure he'll be interested," Nathaniel said firmly before turning to leave.
"Does that mean you're joining VITAE?" Owen asked in a calm, calculated tone.
"No. But I'll help—so long as it's to save lives," the general replied without looking back, heading for the military vehicle.
"Then that's a yes," Owen muttered, glancing toward Steve, who was chatting with Banner in a corner. "And he doesn't even know it," he added before walking toward Nicolás's car.
"What do you want? Just stay away, I don't want you near any of my cars," Nicolás growled instantly.
…
Days later, in a mansion belonging to a high-ranking official, a man sat before multiple screens, scowling. The feeds showed other members of the World Security Council.
"Where are these idiots? Why aren't they answering?" he muttered irritably, turning to his secretary.
"What's going on with Nathaniel Hawthorne? Was he fired?"
"Sir, several generals support him and even threatened to resign if it happened. The president didn't want to risk it… especially after the 'rabbit' tried to launch a nuclear bomb in the middle of New York," the secretary explained. "They're even reevaluating his position as the country's representative."
"Tsk… nonsense," the man scoffed, feeling untouchable. "Fine, leave."
When the secretary was gone, the man pulled out a hidden phone and began to dial. Before he could press the call button, he froze. Slowly, he turned… and saw him.
Owen Colt stood there, watching with a faint, mocking smile.
"Gideon Malick… first time we meet, right?" Owen said, taking a step forward. "Your colleagues who didn't answer the call are… let's say, suffering a little right now. But nothing serious—our less violent members paid them a visit, so they'll be back to work in a few days. Just a little payback, you know… for that nuclear missile incident."
"Breaking into a high official's home… even as a general's protégé, do you think that will go unpunished?" Malick replied with his usual composure.
"Ah, but we're not here for revenge… at least not officially," Owen countered. "We're 'eliminating Hydra spies.' And that falls into a very convenient legal gray area. The general already explained it earlier, remember? The others… well, let's just say they got roughed up a bit during the investigation. But when we find a high-ranking agent… the story is much simpler: a spy tried to launch a nuclear bomb in New York. Case closed."
"I have no idea what you're talking about," Malick said, his mask of cold composure firmly in place. Even with his military training, Owen had to admit he was a good actor.
"Let me tell you your future," Owen said, leaning in slightly. "If I didn't exist, after S.H.I.E.L.D. fell, you'd still hold your position, climbing higher as Hydra regrouped. The idiots would play with the Monoliths again… and they'd bring Hive back from exile. But when Hive learned you betrayed your own brother to avoid being sent as tribute… he'd kill your daughter right in front of you—seeing as she's even more loyal to him than you are. Pathetic and disgusting. Are you really worth so little that you'd serve something like that?"
For the first time, Malick's mask cracked. Disbelief and fear flashed in his eyes.
"Who are you?" he asked, voice trembling slightly as he reached for the gun hidden under his desk.
"Let's just say I'm… the cleaner. I stop disgusting things—things that could be avoided—from coming into this world. Though some seem determined to happen anyway. Canon events are annoying," Owen said, raising his silenced pistol and shooting Malick in the arm. "It's been interesting meeting you… shame the same won't apply to you."
A second shot to the forehead ended him.
The door burst open. A blonde woman carrying several documents stepped in, unaware of what was happening.
"Father—" she began, but froze when she saw Owen aiming at her. She didn't have time to react before she fell, just like Malick.
Showing no mercy, Owen holstered his weapon and left the mansion, avoiding the security cameras as if it were nothing more than a game.
….
"Owen, I've been tracking the scepter for days. It stopped at one exact location a week ago and hasn't moved since. I sent spy drones and found a hidden base," Banner reported as he entered the living room, adjusting his glasses and holding a laptop in one hand.
"I did some digging, and even before the scepter arrived, there were reports of people disappearing in that area. It seems to be a research facility… on humans," he added seriously.
"Where is it?" Owen asked with a cold look.
"Sokovia," Banner replied.
"Well… looks like we've finally got them. Without knowing exactly where they were, it was like looking for a needle in a haystack. Let Steve know—he might be interested in this mission. Call the others, and let's make it as clean as possible. And Tony… well, I think it's best if he doesn't come," Owen said after a brief pause.
"Either way, I don't think he can. He's busy… seems like A.I.M. is about to launch an attack on him. The general said we should be ready in case he needs help. What do you want to do?" Banner asked.
"Which of the X-Men came this week?"
"Rogue… and Kitty," Banner answered, glancing toward the side where both girls stood, as if Owen hadn't noticed them.
"Perfect for helping Tony. Send them with him—both are pure chaos," Owen said with a faint smile.
"Hey, we're right here!" Kitty protested, glaring at him.
"I stand by what I said," Owen replied without losing the smile.
"We want action, not babysitting the tin man," Kitty said, crossing her arms.
"Don't worry, Tony's enemies are pretty interesting too. The first was a giant robot. The second, an army of robots. And the third is…" Owen looked at Banner.
"A biotech company that managed to regenerate amputated limbs for retired soldiers," Banner finished.
"See? An army of super soldiers," Owen said with a grin.
"He said amputated limbs, not super soldiers," Rogue countered, raising an eyebrow.
"Do you really think an evil biotech company would just heal soldiers to send them against Tony Stark—member of Vitae, known as Iron Man—whose friends include two super soldiers and a green giant… and not try to create super soldiers?" Owen replied, this time with a serious look.
"Why do you always talk like making super soldiers is so easy?" Kitty asked.
"Because it is. Well… at least copies of the Captain," Owen said just as Steve walked into the room, confused at hearing himself mentioned. "I'm more special," he added with a faint smile.
"What's going on?" Steve asked.
"Owen's saying it's easy to make super soldiers… and that you're nothing special," Nicolás commented from under the table, where he'd gone unnoticed, sprawled like a starfish.
Steve frowned.
"I don't know what's happened in this time, but back in my day, I was the only super soldier left… not counting Red Skull, because… well, he disappeared," Steve said seriously.
"Alright, stop whining, brats, and go with Tony. You can even squeeze some money out of him if you help… or enjoy the life of a rich man while annoying him. You'll also get to see some high tech," Owen said to the two girls.
"You should have started with that," Kitty replied with a grin, while Rogue nodded. Both left quietly.
"Does Tony need help?" Steve asked, looking at the others.
"Yes, but we've got another mission," Owen replied with a smile.
Steve glanced toward Nicolás, still under the table.
"Don't mind him… one of his cars had a mechanical problem," Owen said, brushing it off with a wave of his hand.
"And whose damn fault is that?" Nicolás yelled, standing up and hitting his head on the table. "Ouch! Damn bastard," he grumbled, pointing at Owen and rubbing his forehead. "Why don't you use your own car? What's your deal with wrecking mine?"
"You're loud," Owen said, sticking a finger in his ear. "Get ready to hit a Hydra base," he added, heading for the exit.
Nicolás quickly followed, ranting, "You're a heartless bastard. Racing my car just for thrills? Get yourself a damn girlfriend!"
Meanwhile, Steve and Banner exchanged a look.
"Maybe you know Natasha… she was Owen's love interest for a while. Since then, he doesn't seem interested in finding anyone. Now he looks for thrills in racing or skydiving," Banner explained with a slight smile.
"Well… understandable," Steve said thoughtfully. "Maybe I should join him," he added before the two walked out.