—-Natalia Romanoff Pov, Shield black site—
"You are being a bitch, Miss Nat."
I know that the sedative made him lose his control but his casual cursing me as a bitch made me feel slight anger. Of course, I dealt with it as any black widow does, took the anger into my mind and filed it away to be vented at a later date.
People believe a black widow, The Assassin, would have no emotions. But no, the red room was monster enough to train me into feeling the emotions like guilt, shame and anger but still disregard them.
Still, Kingston got quite the interest from Shield. Sure, my cover was blown dozens of time, but it was expected many times. Terrorists, warlord, military are competent enough for that. But, a highschool kid doing the same is interesting.
"So, what have we got?"
The newbie agents became stiff at seeing Nick Fury enter the room.
The analyst, George faced with Nick Fury, gulped and got into a ridiculous tirade about how they psycho analysed my former student, "Sir, we checked with the psycho-friended scale made by Howard stark and Peggy carter's checklist….."
Nick Fury slammed his table as he shouted at top of his lungs, "I know the procedure and lists. I put them in your job duties, kid. Now, do your damn duty and give me the proper report."
Poor George was shaking as Nick's sole eye zoomed on him. He stuttered for a few seconds, gasping like a fish.
I felt the laughter in me but never showed it on face just like everyone here does. It is these kinds of things that relive the stress in our line of work. Everyone has been through this Hazing.
Finally, the shield's training kicked in and George gave the report, "S-S-Sir, we checked all the details mentioned in his official records. T-They check out the background checks and show over a hundred witnesses over different points of his life to prove his life story. He is an orphan who got into Mid town with scholarship and even had multiple instances of him featured in the small local tabloid newspapers as a chess game winner."
That about clears his background. Considering his ability to find a hole in my disguise, this background check is already on a par with level 7 agents. Only an organisation like a shield can fake a pass through this kind of check.
"But his scores were off throughout his life. After taking the lost points in his score cards throughout his life, including but not limited to school cards, game scores and even a few lottery entries, we substituted them with alphabets in English script. Then you wouldn't believe the cipher we had…"
I felt my heard throb from the discussion. While I have been trained in this skill, it was forced on me. It takes a special love for information and an ardent sherlock holmes fan to enjoy these rigorous analyst procedures.
"Enough, get to the point."
Nick's shout snapped George, our analyst, out of his analyst mode and back into his newbie phase. At least he squeaked out, "Sir, W-We got a sentence after deciphering them. It says *GULP*."
Forget about Nick, even I am losing my patience.
" It says, IDIOTS! I WaNted TO B FouNd."
The words unfortunately didn't come from the analyst, but my ex-student, who is looking at the camera facing him in the interrogation room.
"That's about it, Miss Natalia and one-eyes pirate. Oh! Stupid me. I forgot to mention this-I want to join your organization."
—-
Well, that caused an explosion of sorts in Nick Fury's mood. It was felt by everyone. Especially Nick's rants on tech department.
"…so a kid equipped with a Mid town's science lab hacked into my computer. What the fuck are you and your department doing?"
"Sir, our warning systems had him found in a few seconds."
"Oh wonderful! Do you want an award for finding out a 15-year-old hacked into a world class spy organization? Oh right! Who was the one who found him? That's right, the kid himself."
Nick Fury finally asked him, "So, how many data did he take? If so, where was it sent?"
GULP
"Hmm, Sir. Our systems are state-of-the art, advanced beyond words. So, easily shut him out."
So we were lucky that we had a tech advantage over little Kingston. Now I get why the kids at the school call him King. He is arrogant and showy enough to be called that. Especially with him sitting arrogantly while placing his legs on the table. No wonder the teenage girls jump on his bed one after another.
"….I want your reports on my desk in an hour."
Finally, the shouts and warnings ended. I saw Nick Fury come beside me and look at him through the screen.
"Hill."
"Yes, sir."
Ah! Here comes Maria Hill. I really wonder if she and Nick Fury share the bed.
"Get the tests done on the kid."
I really think they are sleeping because she might be the only one who can nonchalantly ask him various questions.
"All of them. I want to know everything. Even the smell of his toothpaste, if required."
—Kingston Keith/ King Pov—
Well, that went wonderfully.
I used to laugh at the fanfiction featuring the MC ridiculing Nick Fury. Now, I realized it is the fastest and surest way to have his eye on him.
It is risky beyond words. Frankly speaking, everything has a risk in marvel. Even simple things like praying can piss some god forsaken hell lord or demon.
That and the fact I really need the Shield Skillset. On my own, I might train myself as an Olympic athlete in a decade. But, Shield which has been previously SSR is the one who started the super solider research.
Jus the fact that it has teams trained for fighting superhumans shows they are advanced in training agents than the rest of the world.
Most importantly, the tech side of the shield is unmatched. The only other place that can rival them right now is Stark and Hydra. Well, Hydra officially ended in 1946. So, it leaves the Stark industries and Shield.
But, Stark industry's technology comes from one person-Tony Stark.
So Shield is my choice.
CLUCK CLUCK
I noticed the doors opening to see Natasha Romanoff entering the room. "Little Kingston. It seems you got your wish. Let's get going."
Just like that, she went away. I thought she would at least say something. Straight to intimidation tactic.
[Protocol intimidation summary : Isolate-]
Enough.
I had enough of reading through the agencies, like the FBI or Interpol. I need the Shield, now.
CLICK
CLICK
Her high heels resounded as we walked through the room. The doors opened one by one and agents went out of her way as she walked.
We entered a room that came straight out of a Sci-Fi movie and my dream ever since I was reborn in this world.
WHIRL WHIRL
The machine turned, tuned, and scanned me through various ways. Blood test and DNA analysis, urine test, even endoscopy were done.
After all the tests, I was greeted with a punch.
BAM
It was really painful. What can I say? I never been in a fight. Sure, I trained my body, but not for a fight.
One punch had me on my back. Tasting the iron in mouth, I kept using my tongue to assess the damage. After that, I said out loud, "I am impressed. You punched just enough to dislodge this one tooth."
I pulled out the tooth, which when turned over had various micro electronic parts, and handed it to the agent who came near me with a tray. "Be careful with that. I had to work my ass off for 5 years, matchmaking my ugly PE professor with the slut math teacher, Breakup over 5 couples to make that. So, I have a lot of attachment to that. If it is missing, I will find your name."
It seems this guy is a newbie for him to gulp at such a simple warning. Well, it is true. I had to reveal this considering the background for the tooth chip will be investigated, anyway. Especially considering I used it to hack into Shield for a few seconds.
CLANG
SCREECH
I noticed a metal object sliding on to my foot. I looked down to find a gun.
AI, help, please.
[Desert Eagle, customized magazine, rifled barrel…..]
Looking at all the information, I turned to see the one who threw the gun.
A blonde-haired, muscular hunk with a cooling glasses and a bow on his back.
[Hawk-eye, a future Avenger.]
Thanks for informing me about AI, but I know.
"Pick up the gun, Kid. I need to see what you made of."
I could only say, "I prefer my teacher, Miss Nat."
SNORT
"Sorry, Kid. You got only me. Impress me, then, we can see in the future. So, come on. I am your opponent."
It seems I have been well-regarded for the Hawk-eye to test me. Then again, I made a commotion. As far as I know, Skye might be the case similar to me. In the canon, she also hacked into Sheild and ended up dealing with Coulson.
I looked at the instruction given by AI, turned off the safety of the gun and got into a position shown to me.
[Processing the wind speed, the angle of surface, opponent posture…]
[Processing the gun weight, user's muscle tone and capacity.]
[Contract the muscles trapezius and latissimus dorsi more.]
[Relax the muscles….]
[Shift the barrel 2inch to the right, 3 degrees above]
I did as I was told. While I didn't touch a gun in this life; I trained myself to use my AI properly.
Thousands of hours spent on properly changing my posture according to AI correction are worth it now. Hawk-eye calmly looked at me, not even bothering to unlock his folded hands while I aimed the gun at him.
So, I fired.
BANG
—Natasha Romanoff—
"….a broken Humerus. That is the list of the injuries of Kingston Keith. It would take 10 more hours for the sedatives to leave his system and wake up."
Nick Fury just nodded, not even bothered with the fact a 15-year-old was broken and sent to the med-bay. Well, in fact, only Coulson, who came to know the fact afterwards, was bothered. The rest didn't even wink an eyelid.
Everyone in this room saw the worst of humanity daily.
Maria said from the side, "Richard Parker's hard disk was wiped clean by the pre-installed software. No signs of data retrieval were found.
[Author's note: Of course they weren't found. Mc manually entered such vast data into his AI using his vision.]
"So, give me the verdict on him."
George, the analyst, unfortunately, went on with the analysis. "Kingston Keith has phenomenal muscle control and a fighting form, tailored made for him. His shot from the gun and posture during firing could be textbook material. Considering his supposed normal background, this is impossible. I believe he is a spy planted-"
"Enough, you are demoted. I want a report from you describing your failures."
George wanted to argue with Nick's sudden dismissal, but he acted as agent and shut his mouth. Then Nick turned to the guy from whom he wanted the verdict.
George done a mistake in answering when he is not the enquired about. Even worse, he gave the wrong analysis. It just has to do with Shield's procedure. Normally, an analysis on combat takes time with a test one by one, but Nick didn't have the patience today and sent Clint Barton.
Most importantly, Clint was the best judge of character in Shield. Like a Hawk, he seems to know. After my recruitment, many tried to approach Clint to join or promote themself in shield. Some actually were promoted, but others were directly dismissed or demoted, just based on his judgment.
SIGH
"In fact, everything said by George here is correct. But the parts not absorbed were the fact he has shitty pain tolerance, and this is his first time holding a gun. Considering his firing posture, I thought he was experienced, but he was inexperienced with the recoil and delayed a precious few seconds. It was the same with the fist fight. He knows what to do. In fact, he could react to some of my punches, but he couldn't. He is like a faulty engine making all sounds of creaks and sounds."
Him and his obsession with his bike and its parts. No wonder Sarah has it locked up when he visits her.
[Author's note : Sarah barton, Hawk-eye's wife.]
"Most importantly, he wanted to give up when the pain became too much. Something like that would have been knocked out by any organisation. Even street level police."
With that, Clint went silent. He gave what he was asked for and nothing more. Considering he didn't oppose, we can say he wants to accept.
I really wish I can be so daring in judging and trusting a person. My past makes it impossible.
Hill, as usual, came to Nick Fury secretly and whispered something in his ears and gave the documents. It's no wonder people think they fuck each other. Even I am unsure about this pair, that is saying something considering my track record.
"Well, Fuck."
Coulson directly asked Nick, "What on the reports?"
"His skills test result. IQ. That shit called EQ."
Everyone knows EQ can be faked with enough training, but not the others.
"Hill."
"Yes, sir."
"Get the kid here when he wakes up. He really is the worst type of person. No, I hate his type the most."
Well, that lifted eyebrows.
"So?"
Nick Fury answered Clint's unasked question. "People of his kind are often the most troublesome, characterized by their independence and resistance to control. They cannot be eliminated, suppressed, or dismissed because of their immense usefulness. This type of people is the bane of my existence- Geniuses."
—Kingston Keith/ King's pov—
I woke up to the Med bay's sounds and instructions for me to meet with Nick Fury.
I guess it was the white decision to show off everything I got. I pondered over this for far too many times. Should I hide something since the Hydra might get this information? Or reveal everything to make myself indispensable to Nick Fury. Then, I will have more resources available as long as I keep passing Nick Fury's constant tests.
No time to regret it, I already done it anyway. AI, show my profile.
[Name : Kingston Keith [ King]
Age: 15
Physique : Well trained.
Skills : Masters in Surgery, Bio-Tech. 6 Languages- English, Latin, Greek, Norse, Sanskrit, Hindi.]
I guess I showed too much. Oh well, when you have a cheat, you use it. Of course, these are skills I mastered without AI, especially surgery and 3 of the languages I carried them over from previous life.
With AI, I can show competence in many things like tech and programming. Not to mention my acting. In a way, I am practicing acting since I was a kid by trying to blend in.
So, with the help of AI, I postured myself as a genius on a par with Tony Stark or Bruce Banner.
CLICK CLACK
I took a deep breath and entered the room. I must be quite a sight. A black eye, limping kid with black hair, my 6 feet muscled body is hidden by bandages and a cast on one leg.
Unfortunately, not a single person in the room as much as blinked when looking at my condition. The only likeable reaction from Coulson, who is smiling and waving at me.
I internally told myself that this was what I choose, and I have no other choice.
So, I entered the room comprising Nick Fury, Maria Hill, Coulson, Barton, Natasha Romanoff.
Peachy.
THUCK
I looked at the iPad thrown on the table showing my hacking activities, probably retrieved from my system.
It shows my various hackings over the years. This is the reason I joined the shield. With enough tech and time, everything can be dug out.
SLAM
Nick Fury slammed his hands on the desk roaring at me, "Do you think the databases of Interpol, CID, FBI as messengers?"
Well, I wanted to do that business or invent Facebook. But to improve it, either needs a lot of capital fights with investors or a large amount of capital. Both of which I can't afford.
So, I joined here. Besides, Sheild is not short of money.
"What the Fuck is this? Who the fuck hacks into Interpol to leave a message, 'Hi' ?"
I answered honestly, "Rising tide. It is a group of hacktivists who wanted to recruit me. It is talk with them or be harassed with their constant hacking attacks."
It was true; they were like dogs on a bone. Never leaving me alone.
SIGH
Maria Hill's sigh was ignored as Fury ordered Coulson, "Find and end this annoyance."
While Coulson might do this, it is not so easy. Considering my experience with them, I can say they will run circles around Sheild for a few years.
It is a pity, considering my past with them, I wouldn't be allotted for this task.
Yep, I am sure; I am already a shield agent now. Though one with heavy scrutiny.
Natasha looked at me and asked, "How did I blow my cover? The eavesdropping device wasn't touched."
Her confidence speaks for itself, considering she didn't believe her acting was at fault. Well, she has a right. Unfortunately for her, I know her looks and know that I need to search for any mistakes. Luckily, I have an AI and hacked into various spy organisations to search for mistakes. That got me entangled with Rising Tide.
"It was because you didn't make any mistake."
As freaky as that sounds, it is the truth. No matter how many ways I tried and used, even with the help of AI. I only got truths, half truths, unintended lies and lies she wanted me to know as per disguise as a teacher.
"People are not machines. They make mistakes or do unexpected things. Just like Peter, who I knew almost everything about, put me on your radar. You never deviated from your disguise even once. 100%. You might be the only person I meet who did the expected 100% of the time without fail. So I baited you out as soon as Peter exposed me."
Once you slightly entered Sheild's radar, then you are done for. It is Shield finds me or, even worse, Hydra finds me.
Natasha nodded with a single, thoughtful expression. I have a scary feeling that she will correct it.
"So, why now, kid?"
I turned to the supreme boss and asked him politely, "Pardon me, sir."
"You have been hiding your genius or intellect, if you wanna call it, all your life. So why expose yourself now?"
Before I could answer, he asked me again, "No, the important question is why hide yourself in the first place?"
"I already told the answer to the first question, sir. If you want another reason, then I can only say- I am just tired of always being paranoid and looking aver my shoulder. Do you know how suffocating it is to sit in class listening to things you know years back, day after day? It just became too much."
That is true. It just became too much for me to stay sane. Even if I continued, I don't know if I can escape the many crises in the future.
I then answered while using the iPad to entering my email to retrieve the clippings.
"Since Steve Rogers became Captain America in 1942, every genius born after/ became known as geniuses -
Tony Stark, Bruce Banner, Matter Colt, Sam Ramson…Victor Von Doom, Reed Richards, Jemma Simmons, Leo Fitz."
112 names. Every single one, according to my estimate, is geniuses who can research something that makes one a superhuman. Of course, the success rate is questionable, but they can do it.
I looked Nick Fury in the eye and said, "How many can you account for, sir? Except for exceptional cases like Tony Stark, Banner, Victor Von Doom and Reed Richards. Besides, I know that the Bruce banner disappeared for some time after some experiment. Captain America's was birth was a boon for the world and its people but it became a curse for the geniuses born afterwards. Either they somehow become famous or they disappear without a trace."
I solemnly concluded, "I am just a lucky guy on a comprehensive list of people to notice the scary things in the world."
I am lucky. It. If it is perk or not, I don't know. But the knowledge I have or the AI, all of them are factors showing my luck.
Nick Fury, who was in silence, seems to have decided and said, "Barton, you will train him and vet him."
I raised my hand up.
"What is it?"
I, with a heart full of hope and body crushed with pain, asked him, "Can I choose Miss Nat rather than him?"
"NO."
"Fuck."