Chapter 21: Meet With The Director
[General POV]:
[B.L.A.K.E H.T Industry HQ]:
It was warm morning at the official laboratory of one Lewis Blake. The sun was still rising over the laboratory's tallest tower but it was already busy with activity. Scientists and professionals walked in and out of its recently expanded building — some were actively working on experiments, others were attending special meetings.
A whole construction crew were working on the East Wing — A part of the lab that was part of Luke's expansion plans to study mutants and mutates, develop super soldier serums and a variety of other top secret projects that'll take place in the building's sub-levels as a security measure...
[BLAKE H.T Industries (Upgraded) Reference Image]:
As different scientists, doctors and professionals walked through the halls of the laboratory, one particularly high ranking administrative assistant who, by all accounts, physically is Evangeline — Only, beneath her professional attire, earpiece and lab coat her eyes briefly glowed yellow with a strange mix of black making up the pupils.
It was brief — Too brief to be properly caught by human eyes and too hidden to be detected by any kind of technology — But it happened.
"Based on our scans, Exodus' body is stored on the hidden subterranean levels of the facility," a voice spoke through her earpiece as she made her way to the bathroom; transforming into Lewis, and making his way to the restrictive section of the building, waving hellos to greeting co-workers and fellow scientists.
"Once you gain access, it should be Floor -42, based on the schematics stolen from the real Evangeline. Be careful though, as the A.I system that controls the security of that place is no joke whatsoever. Wiz-Kid has stated that even he couldn't hack into the system, so we can only infer that it is —"
"It is only technology, Wanda," Mystique whispered covertly into her earpiece. "It can't be too dangerous. Nothing compared to what we've dealt with before."
"Yes, well, that 'only technology' of an A.I was unhackable to a high alpha class, tech-based mutant and, need I say, that you will be doing this, for the most part, solo, so I would argue caution regardless," came Wanda's response, sharply. "Pietro is there with you, hidden in-case you're in need of him."
"I will be fine. I've never failed a mission before. I won't start now," Mystique (disguised as Lewis) said. "But thank you."
"I will be fine. I've never failed a mission before. I won't start now," Mystique (disguised as Lewis) said. "But thank you."
"Arclight is on standby just across the street if it becomes necessary to cause a distraction," Wanda's voice sounded. "And you are welcome. Good luck."
Mystique heard the connection go silent, knowing Wanda had disconnected to prevent tracking. She also knew that the psychic mutant was with her on a telepathed level anyways.
[ Master Lewis! Welcome! Please Prepare For Ocular Scan! ]
The A.I voice sounded as the elevator doors closed and a device erected from the wall.
'An ocular scanner,' Mystique smirked. 'How archaic. This will be easier than I thought.'
[ Ocular Scan Successful ]
[ Floor Destination Request? ]
"Restricted Floor −42," Mystique said.
[ Command acknowledged. ]
As the descent began, Mystique couldn't help but think, 'If this is the A.I system I'm supposed to be wary of then I am disappointed.'
She was completely unaware that the moment she entered the elevator doors, an alert was sent out to two individuals ranked high in the laboratory leadership — one who had recently designed an eight armed mech-suit and the other who had a very reptilian alter ego…
[ Entrance to the Triskelion ]
[ Luke Blake POV ]
Walking to the entrance of the public HQ of S.H.I.E.L.D was Luke Blake, trailed by his apprentice/security guard, Tristan Axton.
The duo's professionally dressed and auras seemed to garner a few stolen glances of some individuals who they passed — though whether it was that or because of their looks, neither needed to know for sure, as either way they ignored them.
"Mr. Lewis Blake. Over here," waiting for them with an escort of 4 agents in suits was Agent Sharon Carter. "And who is your companion?"
As she eyed Tristan suspiciously, his shades making that suspicion waver, Luke briefly reading the woman's mind merely chuckled.
'How adorable. She's fishing for information on someone she suspects appeared on Earth's surface overnight,' He thought. 'She has no clue how that is the literal circumstance of Tristan's existence. How humorous.'
"He's one of the top candidates I am considering to be my apprentice at BLAKE H.T Industries," Luke said, surprising Sharon who double-took a look at Tristan inquisitively. "He might not look it, but he is incredibly sharp — and a veteran. It was surprising to find out the IQ scores never lie. Right now, he's my security guard, though."
'Such a sharp individual bypassed the military's attention?' questioned Sharon, internally eyeing an unflinching Tristan with greater interest. 'I should inform Agent Hill. Fury will want information on him. Just to be safe?'
Internally, Luke was beaming maniacally.
'Of course, with OMNIS and my telepathy, forging documents, events and video clips as well as paper trails isn't hard,' Luke thought, pleased. 'It's so convincingly full proof that even S.H.I.E.L.D won't suspect forgery.'
"This way, Mr. Blake," Sharon led them and their entourage down a series of pathways, passageways and hallways, their guards drawing attention a few times as Sharon explained the history of the Triskelion, likely to distract them from the confusing route taken. "It was built in 1989 as a meeting place for important governmental officials. It is more secure than any national governmental office, including the White House and yes, even the Pentagon."
As she yapped on and on, Luke did his best not to zone out everything.
They already possessed a detailed layout of the place — OMNIS scanned every device in the building the moment they arrived — so it wasn't like the distraction tactic would've worked even if he had been paying close attention to what was being said.
'If I didn't have to be here — If I weren't called here personally by the Director himself — I wouldn't have come,' Luke thought as the walk continued in a brief reprieve of silence. 'Still, making ties with S.H.I.E.L.D is required for the next phase of the collective plan — No matter how loose those connections will remain. I cannot afford to get caught up in HYDRA's takeover — That "would be Chris' territory of the plan, though I'm sure bugging relations with Director Fury should be adequate."
"And this is Deputy Director of S.H.I.E.L.D, one Agent Hill," Agent Sharon introduced her superior, sharing Luke from her thoughts. "She will take you to your destination."
"Thank you, Agent Carter," Hill said, as Peggy's last descendant left with 2 of her 4 guards, leaving Agent Hill with the other two + her own two. "Please, follow me this way."
She had glanced briefly at Tristan before making her way down an isolated and restricted wing of the Triskelion.
As she stopped by an office after exiting a pair of elevators, she paused at the door. "Only one of you may enter." She glanced at Tristan. "The guard stays out here."
Tristan, eyes glowing briefly, even beyond the dullness of his shades, barely writing Hell who tilted her head in consideration.
'An enhanced? Or a mutant perhaps?' Agent Hill thought privately, uneasy and mutually compelling herself to not reach for her weapon, her training specialized and disciplined, kicked in. 'I'll be sure to let Fury know. An investigation on him will be pending. Just who does Lewis have guarding him?'
"It's fine," Luke held up a hand, turning to Tristan calmly. "Stay here. Make sure nothing occurs to me from outside."
"I understand," the glow of his eyes dimmed and vanished, allowing Hill to relax.
As Luke followed Agent Hill inside the office, he took in the scene:
A busy but neat office — spacious and clean, overlooking the rest of the building. It had various sections separated via soundproof glass doors and walls. Around the large brown office desk, seated in a comfy-looking work chair was none other than one Nick Fury, Director of S.H.I.E.L.D and a super soldier.
Surprisingly, the face that Luke looked at was not Samuel L. Jackson. In fact, they weren't even black, but caucassian, so Luke considered he must be closer in resemblance to his comic book variant. He had greying brown hair, the eye patch, grey shirt, tactical harness, pistol at his side and black overcoat.
[Nick Fury Reference Image]:
"Ah, you must be Lewis Blake," Nick Fury walked up to Luke and two shook hands. "Apologize for the security — just precautions; and for good reason."
"I've no doubts nor concepts of disrespect," acknowledged Luke. "I understand protocols."
"Good. Good," the Director of SHIELD said. "Hill, leave us please."
"Of course, sir," Agent Hill nodded, leaving. "I'll be right outside."
As the door closed and they took their seats, Director Fury observed Luke — not even covertly. It was blatant and obvious, but Luke didn't care.
He was then offered a drink — to which he took, making a mental note to telekinetically destroy his DNA from the cup when he finished it.
"So… you want approval to research super soldiers?" Director Fury went over the files.
"Amongst other specifically abled individuals. You also want certain contracts to be approved via the UN as a… 'favor for an old friend'? Chris Murfin, I assume?"
"Of course SHIELD did backgrounds on me," smirked Luke. "And yes. In return, I propose the gifting of contact information for a certain vigilante you've been gathering data on for the last few years. After all, we both know how much pull SHIELD has in world governmental politics."
This surprised Nick, who outwardly hadn't reacted once to Luke's words. But internally, he was shocked.
'He knows? How does he know?' Nick questioned. 'A mole? Telepathy? No, let me find out…'
"Why, pray tell, would I need that info if the key person of interest is before me?" Nick questioned evenly. "That seems kind of redundant, doesn't it?"
Luke released a derisive chuckle, clearly amused.
"Oh, Nicky, you aren't suggesting that I am Him— a brutal, physically enhanced, superpowered vigilante?" Luke grinned, a twinkle in his eyes that annoyed Nick to no end. It reminded Nick of Stark. "Perhaps your data isn't as advanced as I guessed, huh? How… interesting."
'He was guessing?' Director Fury narrowed his eye. 'I can't get a thorough enough read on this guy. He's a better actor than most master agents on our roster. How annoying…'.
"And you just happen to have a vigilante's contact number?" questioned Fury, to which Luke merely grinned. "I am to believe you on this?"
"Believe what you like," Luke shrugged, relaxing into the chair. "I'm no mind controller. I will, however, state the starting terms once more: Approvals for contact info."
"After all, of all the data you have on Him, you don't have a face, do you? Or a base. Or a point of contact. Or… well, I believe you get it, no?"
Fury narrowed his eye as he quietly contemplated this.
"Hey, you know what? I'll even throw in a bonus," Luke grinned, garnering Fury's interest. "I'll be on-call for your little initiative of yours."
Fury's eyes widened to this. 'That's deliberate wording,' he thought suspiciously. ' "Initiative" as in "Avengers Initiative." He knows. He just hasn't said anything too closely to it, but he knows.'
"How?" Nick asked, tone cold.
"I have my ways," Luke admitted, calm as ever. "I am very…resourceful. Very affluent. I can find out anything if I really want to. Not much can be hidden from me."
"Then why ask for S.H.I.E.L.D recommendation?" Nick Fury questioned. "If you can find out anything you want, if you're already that influential, what stops you from using your influence to get what you want?"
"Ethically? Nothing," Luke answered calmly. "Right now? Relations. Let's just say some relations require authenticity — Or a moderate level of it, anyway."
"Curious as to what you mean by that," Nick Fury raised his brow.
"To show my authenticity," Luke spoke over the request. "I will share with you a secret — One that no one on Earth — or beyond — currently have… Of something hidden here on Earth — Of someone."
"A secret…?" questioned an intrigued Nick Fury. "Go on. I am listening."
[Ten Minutes Later]:
As Luke made his way out the building, trailed by Tristan, Nick Fury had ordered a team to prepare for a trip to frozen tundra up north.
And Luke, meanwhile, was being alerted to a conundrum that occurred — an incident at the lab.
He was furious.
Why?
Because someone had stolen from him.