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***
Nick rose from her seat and walked to the panoramic, probably armoured window. The black leather cape looked stylish on the woman, but to me it slightly concealed the charms of her figure. The window behind her darkened, the lights in the room fading slightly. Branded holographic screens flashed behind her dark figure. A multitude of small monitors showed us different, but always conflicting situations. Wars, robberies, murders, plane crashes, fires that were caused by the hand of man. Darkness and anarchy, in a nutshell.
- That's what I've been fighting for God knows how many years,' she said grimly. - The dark side of human nature. Everything that goes beyond the jurisdiction of the FBI, military and other such structures, bumps and bounces off the S.I.T.A. that I and my people put up.
I've had it with secret organisations and their leaders. Under the mask, I rolled my eyes, but showed nothing. Nick was still long agitated on the topic of various threats, gradually moving to the topic that lately even her operatives are no longer holding back the pressure of different kinds of supervillains. So she decided to call in the Avengers. One man at a time and blah, blah, blah.
Boring.
And who is she trying to impress with this? A sneak peek at my 'colleagues' revealed my target audience. Benner, Pim and his diminutive companion, and even the mighty Thor were watching with their mouths hanging open. They were still too thin-skinned for such an approach and the right picture to work on the mind. Eh, I hope they'll mature with time. They're like little kids. But that could be to my advantage.
Nick organically described the reasons for the creation of our team, its future goals, and everything else. So to speak, she made sure those who were still hesitant to join made the decision she wanted. It's a bit of a rough game for me, but if it works, it's foolish to doubt its effectiveness.
The next step she called for civil responsibility of those who had not made up their minds, and those under the weight of what they had seen and heard gave their final consent. Benner, for example, did not want to turn into the Hulk, to which Fury assured him that he would be more of a scientific adviser, and there would be no need to swing his fists. His green friend would only be used in emergencies. She also promised a lab and finances for his further research. His previous place of work had been levelled to the ground in a fit of rage, and everyone was afraid to hire him for a new one. He needed the lab like air. Bruce still cherished the hope that it would be possible to get rid of the Hulk scientifically.
Pim, for his part, had only recently donned the suit and defeated his first enemy. According to the circumstantial information I picked up from the conversation, he performed this act of heroism like a decent man because of a lovely lady. Yeah, the one who was flying around him and squealing with delight at the 'awesomeness of it all.' But Nick was able to find the right keys to his consent. Not least of all she had worked through her influence with Miss van Dyne.
Now the team could be considered finalised.
- Spider-Man,' the one-eyed warrior turned to me, and I tensed slightly. - You haven't changed your mind?
I'd thought she'd forgotten all about me.
- It's solid as flint.
- I'm sorry to hear that. So you're only gonna join us if it's a New York situation, right?
- Even in situations where the whole planet is in danger,' I said hesitantly. - And of course, I'd be happy to work with the others as a scientific advisor.
Surprisingly, this formulation satisfied the woman, and I was left behind.
The next part of Nick's recital was more professional, but no less boring. She recounted the nuances of her future job. Yes, yes I didn't mishear either, all members of the Avengers team were essentially considered civil servants. We may have reported directly to the head of S.H.I.E.L.D., but our salaries and allowances came out of the taxes of U.S. citizens.
Fury indicated that we would be a branch of her secret organisation, but more public, so to speak. The woman herself was not happy about it. During her time as head of S.H.I.E.L.D., the woman had become so accustomed to operating covertly that the very thought of being in the media was warping her professional personality. I'm not the only one who's noticed. Stark voiced his opinion about the need for a full-fledged PR department. In his opinion, the matter could not be left unaddressed.
- Mr Stark,' Nick frowned. - I realise that you're used to the halo of fame that hangs around your figure. But is it really necessary to create such a thing around an entire team? You're already in the spotlight, do you need to make it worse?
- In my homeland, minstrels only sing ballads about the true exploits of heroes,' Thor felt the need to intervene at this point. His comment was a bit off-topic, but the blond man probably hadn't got used to Earth's realities yet.
- Our world is different from Asgard,' I decided to support my friend's initiative. - Most people are still far away from Loki's cunning, but believe me, we have many more adherents of his philosophy than we would like. People must see us as heroes, and this process must not be left to chance, or we will be accused of all mortal sins.
We argued some more, but most of the team surprisingly accepted Stark's position. Even Pim was reluctant to admit that public opinion means a lot. Fury was reluctant, but apparently out of spite, she handed those duties to the initiator. He only shrugged philosophically. It was clear that Tony himself would not do it, but his assistant would have more work to do. Poor Pepper.
The next questions concerned the distribution of secret bases, resources, supplies and logistics in general. Nick apparently didn't want to put Benner aboard her flying aircraft carrier, so she asked the Avengers to stay in Stark Tower for the time being. There was plenty of space, and surprisingly few staff. And in the future, the woman promised to build several bridgeheads specifically for our needs.
When the discussion turned to something as trivial as communications, I realised I should call this meeting off. Or rather, reformat it. Most of the people here are already bawling their noses off.
- Excuse me, - I raised my hand and interrupted Fury's speech.
- Yes, Spider? - she frowned.
- We've been sitting here for more than an hour, and forgive me for being blunt, but this discussion is getting a little bit out of hand. I don't have a lot of free time.
- I'm not holding anyone,' she grimaced even more, and I swallowed hard. So cute.
- You misunderstand me. I'm just suggesting a slight change in format, if I may. Let's take a short break, have some tea, coffee there, and then I'll make some concrete suggestions?
A little snack really lifted the general mood. When you have a full stomach, you start to look at the world much more kindly. The casual conversations, and jokes helped the strangers get used to each other a little.
We came back from the dining room. The men and one god had settled into their seats, and I was already standing opposite the window. The hall was still in semi-darkness.
- So, we are a little rested and ready for new endeavours. Like Colonel Fury, I'm sure it's vital that we talk about the communications system and the little things like that. But as far as I'm concerned, not all of us might be interested. Understand communication is important, and I believe that at the moment we simply don't have the perfect solution to this problem. I doubt any phone will be able to fulfil its immediate function while in the Asgard.
- And you're suggesting...' Stark began, realising what I meant. No wonder, he's known me for a long time.
- Yes, to create our own analogue of communication. Again, I'm not sure that without preliminary tests we can make something that will catch in neighbouring worlds, but some device that would operate anywhere in the world - it's easy. The scientific side of the Avengers should be up to the task. But do the rest of us want to watch us work?
- A wizard is best at magic, a warrior is best at wielding a blade,' Thor muttered.
There! Now the line really suited the situation perfectly!
- If that's so, then let's divide the duties. I propose to elevate Stark, Benner, Pim, and me to the conventional caste of 'wizards' for today. Also, with Colonel Fury's permission, I can include a couple more good scientists,' the woman nodded weakly at my application, continuing to glare at me with a look I had trouble deciphering. - 'The Warriors can do something socially useful to keep their trousers on and not get bored.
- You got an idea what we should do? - Steve Rogers took the bull by the horns.
- Bingo. I'm sorry to be so brazen in my official capacity. But since you've decided to stay in my town for now, it would be nice to make it a little better. I trust you have your equipment with you?
- Just a bowstring to draw and I'm ready for my exploits! - Barton smiled radiantly. The others confirmed their readiness.
- Good. I know that we all need to work together first, to practise on dummies so to speak, but all of you except Wasp are not the first day to hold a weapon in your hands. And the job I'm about to offer you isn't that difficult, I think one Thor would be enough to get the job done. But you can have fun together.
Pim didn't really like that his girlfriend would take part in the fight, so I didn't insist, offering her to stay at the base. But Janet turned out to be very perky, and was able to convince her beau that she was in no danger. When these trifles were over, I mentally asked Jarvis to activate the screens.
The job I had contracted them to do was indeed a simple one, but it had to be done. May Daredevil forgive me, but the time when I tolerated Wilson Fisk's business is over. Ambal has muddied the waters in my quiet pond too much. It's time to pay the price.
Why am I so mad at him? Well, I've had my suspicions for a long time. But digging into Stryker's database confirmed my theory, so to speak. You ask me how they're connected. Well, I should probably start at the beginning.
After Ambal kidnapped Felicia and I, as a decent man, rescued my friend. The man got it into his head that he needed to take the security of his hideout much more seriously, and to step up in the business. He wanted to become not just a villain, but a supervillain. He didn't dare to inject himself with experimental serums, search for magical artefacts or sell his soul to demons. William put it all down to science. A laudable endeavour that I wholeheartedly approve of, if it weren't for one thing. He didn't know anything about it himself. And he wasn't going to learn. Why should he? He was an advanced employer who knew how to maximise results at minimum cost.
Fisk hired Spencer Smythe, a robotics scientist. He was to design and manufacture robots for his boss's dark deeds. I never quite understood why his creations were mostly shaped like spiders, but that was the fact. Smythe was the guy who'd been building the spider robots that had been causing a ruckus in the city for the past few months. To be honest, that uniform of theirs had a pretty serious effect on my reputation. A lot of personalities started talking about the fact that they were my robots. As they say, there's no limit to human stupidity, which is why I've just backed Stark with his initiative for the Avengers PR department.
Smythe was doing an honest job. He was a scientist first and foremost, and he didn't divide the world into dark and light. The man didn't work for Ambal for money or ideological reasons. The mere fact that he helped in the battle against the ice giants speaks volumes. Although in his own mind it was a spontaneous decision caused by nervous tension, but nevertheless.
Spencer had a son, and it was only for his sake that he decided to work for Ambal. Modern medicine was unable to help the boy. Alistair was seriously ill, his father built for him a special capsule that artificially kept his son alive, but to cure him finally needed a lot of money and years of research. As it happened, Fisk was the first to appreciate the scientist's potential and offered him favourable terms. Only after some time Smythe Sr. realised what a trap he had fallen into and where he had dragged his son.
Ambal needed an army of robots, and he wasn't about to lose such a great leverage as his sick son. When Spencer realised this, he hesitated to do anything for a long time, but in the end he did almost exactly what Tony Stark had done - he decided to run away from Ambal. But William, as if feeling something not otherwise, just a few hours before the escape managed to move the capsule with Alistair's body in another shelter.
Then came the fatal attack of the Jotuns on New York, and the confused and dumbfounded Spencer took out his anger on the unfortunate giants. Unfortunately, the man was far less fortunate than Stark had been in his time. Not only did he never find his son, but the robot spider he was inside was severely damaged in the final battle. The pilot lost consciousness, and when he woke up, he quickly realised he was in new trouble. The military that arrived in the city stumbled upon the remains of the mechanism, extracted Spencer, and hid him in their custody before Fury found the necessary levers and managed to escort them out of the city.
One of the generals in charge of the scientist turned out to be a supporter of Reverend Stryker, and betrayed a valuable human resource into the hands of a fanatic. That's how he ended up at the same damn base under the lake, where he had to continue his old work, but for new masters. They promised that if he did well, they would find his son. Not that he believed it, but he didn't have time to build a new robot and escape. We got him out before he did.
Such is the unhappy tale of the misadventures of one simple man and loving father.
Now he probably thought that this was the third time he had changed masters. I tried to convince him otherwise, but his psyche was now in a very precarious position. I was truly sorry for him, and I realised that the only way I could convince him of my good intentions was to get Alistair out of Ambal's clutches. For some time I've been gathering information about the base and Fisk's new capabilities, and now I've got the opportunity to do things with other people's hands. Or rather, I let people do what they want, and in the end, we all benefit. It's the perfect scenario. Except for the fact that Daredevil won't like it.
'The Warriors, after hearing my slightly abbreviated backstory, were imbued with a sense of outrage and morale. I gave Rogers all the information I had about the enemy and his base, and then Cap took his team away to work out an attack strategy. What kind of strategy is there? Ambal's lost almost all his money, he hasn't recruited a new scientist to take Smythe's place, and he's got only two or two robot spiders left. I'm telling you, Thor could have done it alone, but let them stretch the fun for the whole bunch.
Fury chose that moment to take me aside and have a few words with me.
- You're a bug,' she said in a vague voice. The look on her face was hard to identify correctly. Even my empathy wasn't helping right now, but rather just confusing her more. It was as if the woman still couldn't believe what was happening, but gradually realising it, she was becoming enthralled.
- What can you do,' I said with my hands. - Difficult times make you spin.
- You're a fast learner,' she said approvingly. - To think that not so long ago you were just a kid, and now what? You're twisting people around as you please! You even led me, indirectly forced me to invite to the team people who are favourable to you in the first place, and when you get what you need, you take the initiative! Well done!
- It was an accident, I'll be honest. - Nobody forced you to do anything. I just advised you, you made your own decisions.
- Yeah, yeah, yeah,' the woman snorted. - Well, it was a good lesson, for me first of all. That epic flicking of the beak... getting old, I guess.
Nick shook her head and said she was busy and left our already thinning group. But she didn't leave us unattended, no. Almost immediately her place was taken by a modest agent named Coulson. He kept a low profile and quietly nestled in a corner. Let him.
I have to admit, Fury's praise warmed my soul, but it was almost spontaneous. I remember advising her to join the Avengers sooner or later. The only thing I was really preparing for was today. This meeting that Nick had initiated was perfect for my plans. I wanted to meet with Pim, but I didn't know how to find the right way to approach this very closed man and find common ground. When I learnt that the most intelligent people of the planet would gather in one place, I decided that it was just a gift of fate. The only thing I had to do was to find a distraction for the rest of the Avengers.
- So,' I say, looking around at the trio of fellow scientists. - Now that the distractions are out of the way, let's get down to business.
Actually, we did. I don't want to describe the whole process, as it was not really there. Pim confirmed my thoughts about him from the very first minute. Hank already had some preparations and thoughts about it, but let's say he didn't have the motivation and partially the means to realise any of his projects. But Stark had plenty of the latter. Ant-Man was very impressed with Tony's workshop, and he was even more impressed with Jarvis. The fully working artificial intelligence was a sensation. Pim admitted that he himself had once tried to create something similar, but had abandoned the project somewhere in the middle.
Benner was also amazed, but not as much. He had never been interested in it and didn't fully understand the complexity of such a 'programme'.
In general, Pim gave us several options of how to realise uninterrupted communication across the whole planet, and we, spending more time on familiarising ourselves with the theory, chose the best solution. Jarvis promised that the first analogue of the communicator would be assembled by the end of tomorrow. This device, judging by its appearance, was a touchscreen mobile phone, but it did not need satellites, antennas or anything else. Or rather, it did, but only for communication with other, ordinary phones. Between themselves any communicators could communicate independent of anything, within the limits of the planet Earth and in theory the whole solar system inclusive.
Again, the communicator was a cool thing in itself, but the new knowledge Pim had dumped on us promised even more advanced analogues in the future. We chose the technology that was easiest to replicate with the current level of progress.
Since we were done quickly, and that part of the Avengers that went to dig Ambal out of his hideout had not returned yet, I decided to continue working.
- Since we have a free moment, I would like to present to you one of my developments, - I said a little worriedly.
Obeying my mental command, the heavy Spider-Man suit under C's control brought into the room a slightly bulky, metal helmet that looked something like the head of an alien from the film of the same name.
- Oh, so you've been secretly doing something interesting? - Stark asked a little accusingly.
- You were always doing something,' I shrugged.
Actually, I wanted to do something with my own hands, to do something without help. Come to think of it, I've been doing nothing but taking other people's technology and tweaking it to suit me. Of course a fool couldn't even do that, but I got tired of feeling like a vulture, and at some point I decided that I wanted to invent a new, unique technology using only my brain. It took a long time, somehow gradually step by step, but I did it. Created something of my own.
- What does this helmet do? - Benner asked with interest.
- Several functions. But the main one, what I started to create it for, is, um... accelerated thinking.
I know it sounds bad, but time constraints are my main problem. I've got so much on my plate that I just don't have the time to do what I love most - science! That's why I started to create a device that would help me carve out a little more free time.
- What's the acceleration threshold? - Pim asked, picking up the helmet.
- It's individual. I can handle five times the acceleration, but it's quite difficult. My brain gets tired quickly and I've never been able to sit in it for more than two hours. Other people who have tested it freely can sustain twofold acceleration, threefold acceleration - with the same limitations that I had. But again, it's all individual. Plus I honestly didn't have that many test subjects.
- So in your case, two hours of real time equals ten hours of subjective time? Not bad,' Pim nodded his head.
- True, it helped me to structure my memory and quickly digest what I had just read. But in the beginning, I felt an acute lack of learning new things while wearing the helmet, so I started to refine it. Now I have achieved a kind of virtual reality with a high-speed internet connection. It's still not perfect, but it speeds up the learning process considerably.
- Hmm... that would be useful for students or pupils,' Stark said approvingly. - With this helmet it would be realistic to prepare for a session in one night.
- You read my mind,' I smiled under the mask. - In fact, I had planned initially, having finalised this prototype to something good, to put it into production and supply it to schools and universities. But just the other day I had a much more interesting idea.
- Come on, don't drag it out,' Stark said, raising his hands to the ceiling.
- I'll start at the beginning. From the reason why the S.H.I.E.L.D. organisation exists, and now we are the Avengers. Defence, right? Protecting humanity from threats no one else can handle. But are we doing the right thing?
- Excuse me, but what do you mean by that question? - Coulson finally intervened. Maybe I've hurt his feelings. Or maybe he's just tired of standing in the corner and not talking?
- Only that, in medical terms, we fight the symptoms instead of the cause. I'm not saying mankind is to blame for all its problems, but we're responsible for about 90 per cent of them.
- Are you suggesting we change sides and destroy humanity? - Stark asked. - You know, to solve the problem drastically!
- No, no, I'm not some mad scientist or anything. I'm not gonna solve anything drastically. What I really want to do is change our society. I want to improve the moral and ethical side of it. If people become better people, crime will go down. No need for heroes, you and I will stop wearing those stupid costumes and we can finally do what we really want to do.
- That sounds too fantastic,' Benner smiled bitterly.
- I believe we can do it,' I said stubbornly.
I really do. Maybe our four won't be enough, maybe we'll have to invite someone else to join our ranks. Reed Richards and the like. But in the end, we'll get there. We're in a good position to do it. Hell, I'm pretty sure that if the original Tony Stark of the comics had been kept from looking too much into the bottom of the whiskey glass and had his thoughts periodically channelled in the right direction, he would have pulled it off on his own. The problem is, I don't want to wait for the unknown amount of time until Stark here decides to make the internet free and accessible across the planet. I'd like to speed up the process a bit.
- What exactly do you propose to do? - Pim asked, placing my helmet on the table.
- Nothing as impossible as the first step. Just create a game. The first game based on virtual reality technology.
My companions stared at me in silence. But I did not hurry to chew on the idea. For some reason I wanted to test their intelligence. Would they be able to understand the idea? I know it was childish, but I just needed a little pause. I've been talking too much with my tongue today. My mouth was dry, and I thought it would be a good idea to equip my suits with a minimum supply of water. I didn't have to take my mask off in front of them, did I?
What am I worrying about, though? The hologram is hiding me anyway. Apologising to my companions, I poured myself a glass of water and sipped the mineral water with pleasure. Pim looked at me with a new look, apparently realising what kind of technology I was using.
Stark was the first to guess, which wasn't surprising. Benner was too far removed from modern culture, more concerned with his own problems. Hank, on the other hand... it was hard to say, but with every second I spent in his company, it became more and more obvious that not everything was easy with this man. I think he has some kind of mental problem. Nervous disorders? I wouldn't judge prematurely, but there's something affecting his attention and motivation.
- A game, huh? - Tony smiled. - Yeah, that should do it! You're a bloody genius, mate! I always knew you had it in you!
- I don't get it,' Bruce frowned.
- Did you do well in school? - Stark asked the gamma radiation expert instead of answering.
- What does that have to do with the topic of conversation?
- Ah,' the man rolled his eyes, 'just answer!
- Hmm... well to be honest I was interested in slightly different things at school, but that's not to say I wasn't good at school, just not perfect.
- There! - exclaimed the billionaire. - And now remember yourself and realise that today's youth is worse than you a hundred times over!
- I still don't understand.
- Most people nowadays don't want to learn,' I decided to intervene. If I did, Benner would get really angry. I don't think any of us want that. - Even if I started selling my helmets to schools and universities, it wouldn't make much difference. The desire to learn won't just magically appear. But people can be lured with the right 'content' - a game. And what can be cooler than a game with the effect of partial or full immersion? A new huge virtual world where you can literally feel some pixie for her skinny arse!
- And people will spend a lot of their free time in that world. Perhaps even more than in reality, if we refine the technology of accelerated thinking, - Pim began to develop the thought. - Time in which human consciousness can change.
- Wait, wait, wait!' Benner waved his hands. - What does that mean? Mindwashing?
People's eyes focused again on my face, or rather the mask. And for the first time I regretted my decision to remain incognito. If they could see my face now, it would be easier to convince them.
- No,' I said firmly. - No flushing. Or rather, no more than parents do when they raise their children. Society, the internet, television - all of it shapes our idea of right and wrong, right and wrong, what we can do and what we can't do under any pretext. When was the last time you watched TV? Are you sure it's showing us the right things?
There was a short silence, everyone was thinking about my words.
- Are you sure? - Bruce asked not so categorically. - Are you sure we have the right to do this? To shape someone else's worldview?
- None of us are angels, and I'm not the best representative of humanity. Believe me, I've done some terrible things. That's why I'm discussing this with you. That's why I'm letting a representative of S.H.I.E.L.D. listen to this conversation. Because I believe that by putting aside our complexes, by working together, by looking out for each other, we can create an instrument that will positively affect society. It may take years, decades, but in the end the new generation, having fulfilled the right quest, will do the same in real life, and not to get a material reward.
This time there was a long silence. People were thinking, and I gave them time to come to a decision. You can't just agree to a proposal like that. If I were them, I'd ask for a few days, or even months, to figure out if I wanted to be a part of something like this.
- Okay,' Bruce Benner was the first to speak up, surprisingly, 'we can really make a difference. I don't know if we can, but I'm not sure I can forgive myself for inaction now, after this conversation. But, I'm sorry, have any of you guys built toys before? We just don't have the experience.
- So we'll learn,' Tony agreed. - We need to cram a whole new body of knowledge into our heads, and I think the most important thing we should learn is psychology.
- We can also invite students with gaming experience to co-operate, - I voiced the thought that just came to me. In fact, we should look for suitable candidates even in our own university.
- It's clear, we'll deal with the game itself later, - summarised Pim. - But now, Mr Spider, how about looking at the design of your helmet in the section.
Reluctantly, I nodded. These people could help me, and perfect the helmet, it would be foolish to refuse such an offer. In any case, I've created a framework.
***
We were busily tinkering with the holographic model of the helmet, optimising the electronics, when Jarvis reported the return of the Warriors. I wanted to tell my fellow scientists, but they didn't seem to hear me. I understand when you're caught up in a wave of inspiration, it's hard to react to extraneous stimuli. I've barely managed to pull myself away from the workflow myself.
- Come on, Agent Coulson,' I called out to the man. - I'm sure they won't be discussing anything of great interest to S.H.I.E.L.D., but you should hear the debriefing of Captain America's operation.
The short, middle-aged man nodded and followed me. From the lab, we went up to the hall we'd come to and met Cap's team on the way up. They were all in suits, slightly dishevelled, but unharmed. Wasp was saying something to Thor, flying around the man's head and sending discharges of yellow miniature lightning bolts into the air. They were attracted to the metal armour of the Scandinavian god, but they did not cause any obvious discomfort. Thor laughed, and praised the 'little warrior's' bravery in all the right places.
Rogers, on the other hand, looked a little glum. What's that about?
- How did it go? - I asked him.
- Everything is fine! - The Wasp squeaked. - We beat the main villain, and we're not even tired!
- Only Alistair Smythe was not at the base, - Steve cut off not sharing the joy of his battle partner.
- Did I say he'd be there? - I'm fake surprised. - You guys don't take offence, but I misled you a little.
- What are you talking about, Spider? - Thor muttered.
- The capsule with the unconscious body of Junior Smythe was stored at another Ambala base all this time. Don't worry, he's already been rescued and brought back to his father. The operation took place at the same time you launched your assault on Fisk's main lair.
- Why didn't you tell us this in the first place? - crossing his arms over his chest, Rogers asked.
- What do you think? I tried to put you in a serious mood from the very beginning. I wanted to convey the importance of this mission, but what happened? One giant lightning bolt, a few explosive arrows, one oversized woman and half of Ambala's country mansion is in ruins. Have you considered what it would have been like if the capsule with Alistair had been crushed under the rubble?
The Avengers fell silent, guiltily averting their gaze. Steve ran his hand over his face tiredly, and confessed:
- You're right - we screwed up. We played too hard and forgot that we could be more careful.
- It's good that you realise that. I think what you need to do now is sit down and watch the video of the fight. And then compare the way you did it to the way my guys did it. Don't get me wrong, you were in the worst possible situation, you didn't have a lot of time to prepare, your team was virtually uncooperative, but each and every one of you chose to be an Avenger. Which means you have to be as effective as possible in every situation. You're not just a team of superheroes, you, or rather you and I, must be the best at what we do. The big leagues. That's what we should all be striving for.
I know it's too harsh, but it's better if they start thinking with their heads now, after a simple beating, rather than after a series of tragic accidents.
Rogers nodded glumly, and I switched on the video. First their battle, and then the Sharkovians' actions. I didn't comment on it myself, because Steve could see all the flaws, both his own and his subordinates'.
- Your people are using some interesting technology,' Coulson said quietly.
He was probably referring to the spiderwebs I've redesigned. I've actually equipped each of my fighters with one. They won't be able to use it to fly by clinging to the edges of buildings, but they're not really designed for that. Their main function is to lock on to the enemy. They shoot a stream of liquid web, which quickly solidifies and turns into an excellent straitjacket. Much more reliable than handcuffs, and easily secures the villains to all surfaces.
- These foam throwers,' Coulson asked, 'are they for sale? My agency will be interested in them as well as the communicators you created with the rest of the Avengers.
Foam throwers?! What the hell?! Doesn't he realise that foam and cobwebs are like heaven and earth?! I mean, the spider web may be liquid and foam-like, but you can see the structure of the material. I almost choked with indignation, but I managed to restrain myself. Relax, it's not his fault! It's better this way. If people will initially perceive the modified composition as foam, it will be a little more difficult for other clever people to counteract. Not by much, but even so, it's a plus. The web, or rather foam, will not be associated with my name. I'll even have to change the name internally. Instead of liquid web, retention foam.
- About the communicators, I'm sorry, I can't make that decision alone. That's more Pim's idea. That's his idea. But with the foam throwers, I think we can work something out.
That's what I was counting on. The Sharkovians, equipped with these devices, have been known to perform admirably. My web is a classy and versatile thing. It's a perfect means of apprehending normal humans, and weak mutants if they don't have some sort of pyrokinesis capabilities or wield sharp objects. I don't mind sharing, especially since I always have the web-eating compound on me. So I'm not afraid of it being used against me.
- How much will it cost? - The agent immediately recognised it. There! This I understand business talk!
Just as I was beginning to rejoice at such an understanding man, I heard the worried voice of SI.
'Chief, we have a problem. You asked me to inform you if the observer spiders notice any people in the city. Well, a couple of minutes ago, a man very similar in description to the Juggernaut came into the lens of one of them.'
Wow! Just when you think life's getting better, some fucking Juggernaut pops up.