The Red Room had been a complex web of secrets, lies, and manipulation. But Grey had always known that true power wasn't just about destruction—it was about control. Taking the Red Room for himself had been the first step. The second was to turn it into something new, something far more powerful. He had already begun reworking the old facility, but now, as night settled over the compound, he was ready for the next phase of his plan.
The Red Room's Sky Fortress was more than just a high-tech compound. It was the next evolution of the Widow program, and Grey intended to make it a base of operations not just for himself, but for a new kind of force—a force that would operate in the shadows and strike fear into the hearts of Hydra, and anyone else who would try to stand in their way.
Grey paced through the command center, deep in thought. The Sky Fortress would be more than a place to house their growing army; it would be a sanctuary for those who had been enslaved by Dreykov's twisted methods. The Widows. The former trainees of the Red Room, broken by years of manipulation and turned into weapons of destruction, now had a choice. They would no longer be tools for Hydra's agenda.
"I need to start the selection process," Grey muttered to himself. "We will take the willing. The rest… will be set free."
He made his way to the central console, and with a few taps, brought up a database of all the Widow operatives still under Hydra's control. There were hundreds of them, but not all were lost causes. Some, like Natasha, had broken free. They just needed the right guidance, the right leadership.
"ALICE, begin compiling a list of the Widows who might be willing to join us," Grey said, his voice steady. "Send the message. We're freeing them. But they have to want it."
"Understood, Grey," came ALICE's response. "Initiating protocol now. Tracking operational readiness and psychological profiles of each Widow in the database."
While ALICE worked on the list, Grey turned his attention to another matter: the creation of the Eye, the team of elite Widows that would form the backbone of his Sky Fortress. They would be the ones who handled high-profile missions, neutralized threats, and carried out covert operations—silent assassins who were loyal to him and his cause.
But the others, those who didn't want to join the fight, would be allowed to walk away, free from Dreykov's poison.
Hours later, Grey stood before the chosen Widows in the newly established training facility of the Sky Fortress. The towering structure loomed over the compound, now fully operational as a base for Grey's new order. The recruits and operatives were standing at attention, waiting for him to speak. Their faces were a mix of uncertainty and hope. For the first time in their lives, they had a choice.
Grey's eyes scanned the room, his gaze intense but calculating. "I'm not here to play god," he began, his voice carrying authority. "I am here to offer you a future, a chance to reclaim your lives. This is your choice. Join me, and you will fight for something greater than yourselves. You will be free, and you will never be a weapon again. But if you choose to leave, I will give you the freedom to do so. You are no longer tools. You are people."
The room fell silent. The tension was palpable as the Widows exchanged glances. Some were skeptical. Others seemed hesitant. But there was something in Grey's words—something that resonated with them. Many of them had been in the same place Natasha had been once: trapped, manipulated, and lost.
One woman, a widow with short black hair and piercing green eyes, stepped forward. Her expression was unreadable, but her posture was straight, and her movements precise. "You would let us go?" she asked, her voice steady but cautious.
Grey met her gaze. "I will. But only if you choose it. Hydra used you. I won't."
She stood there for a moment, then nodded. "I want to fight. For something worth fighting for."
A few others stepped forward, their faces filled with determination. Some were still unsure, but the ones who chose to stay were the ones Grey had hoped would join. They would become the core of the Eye.
The woman who had spoken stepped back into the group, but a few others were still waiting. One by one, they made their decisions. Some walked away, while others stayed.
Grey wasn't offended by those who chose freedom. He knew that true loyalty couldn't be bought or coerced—it had to be earned. And this was his way of earning it. By giving them a choice, he was showing them that they were more than just weapons to be wielded at his command.
The last woman, who had remained silent throughout the entire meeting, finally spoke. She was a tall, imposing figure, with raven black hair and a scar that ran down her face. "I'll join you," she said, her voice calm but laced with strength. "But I will fight for my own freedom. For all of us."
Grey smiled. "You will have it. Welcome to the Eye."
The Sky Fortress was officially theirs now. The Widows who had chosen to stay were the first members of the Eye. They would train under Natasha, who had become a key instructor, teaching them everything she had learned from her own battles. Bucky and Steve would assist with hand-to-hand combat, but Natasha's lessons in espionage and tactics were invaluable.
Meanwhile, Grey would continue to work on his larger mission. The Eyes would be dispatched to eliminate Hydra's cells, hunting them down one by one. They would work in the shadows, systematically taking Hydra apart, all without Grey needing to interfere.
His mind was already on the next phase—building up his forces, solidifying his control over the Red Room, and preparing for whatever came next. There was still much to be done, but the foundation was laid.
And for the first time in his life, Grey Whiteheart felt like he was on the right path. The road ahead was filled with uncertainty, but with the Eye at his side and a network of loyal allies, he knew they could face anything.