Bab 118: Senate
To be fair, although Nick Fury can be a bit paranoid and even self-righteous at times, he's definitely someone without personal agendas.
Watching his Avengers Initiative basically become Blake's team was frustrating for him, but he genuinely hoped, as Blake said, that this squad could become a sharp blade.
Now that even Captain America had been found and brought into the fold, Fury was at a loss for words. So, he simply brought Dr. Banner on board as well.
Of course, sending Banner to the team was probably more about thinking he'd be safer in the air.
And of everyone, Tony was the happiest about Banner's arrival. Two genius scientists were bound to create sparks, and recently, they'd been working together on an invention — a pair of pants that wouldn't tear, no matter how much someone transformed.
Fury and Blake's conversation was a win for Blake.
Before Captain America entered the room, he had been standing outside the door, listening for quite some time. Unlike Banner, Cap didn't have strong personal opinions.
Although on the surface, he seemed to follow Blake's advice to slowly embrace new things at the Helicarrier, deep down, he had his own thoughts.
But the conversation between Blake and Fury completely dispelled Cap's doubts. In fact, he found himself agreeing with much of what Blake had said.
New York City, Brooklyn.
This was the first time Captain America had set foot in the city since waking up.
Blake drove the Acura convertible he had traded for with a house from Tony, cruising leisurely through the streets of Brooklyn.
"How does it feel, Cap? Does it look familiar?"
"I saw what Brooklyn looks like now on G-Maps. It feels strange. I know my home was just down that street."
Cap pointed to a nearby road.
"But my house has been gone for a long time."
"I still remember that alleyway where I used to get into fights with some thugs. To be exact, I was always the one getting beaten, and Bucky would always come to my rescue. Bucky..."
Blake glanced at Cap, opened his mouth as if to say something, but held back.
"What is it?"
Cap keenly noticed Blake's hesitation.
"Oh, it's nothing. Just had some thoughts. Anywhere else you want to visit?"
"Let's go to the museum. They say there's one in New York dedicated to me, with lots of old photos and videos. I'd like to take a look. At least there, I can see some familiar faces, even if it's just in the videos."
Cap stayed in the museum for a long time, especially when watching the videos left behind by the Howling Commandos.
Those videos showed his old team members, including Bucky, and even Peggy Carter's personal memoirs.
In Cap's memory, these events had only just happened. But now, sixty years had passed since he last closed his eyes, and the world had moved on, leaving nothing behind that matched his memories.
It was a truly terrifying feeling, to find the entire world unfamiliar and to have no sense of belonging.
People say you have to look forward, but that's easier said than done. If anyone were placed in Captain America's situation, few could face it with optimism right from the start.
"You're strong, Cap—stronger than I thought."
After they left the museum, Blake sincerely remarked.
"When I was a kid, I was very sickly. The only thing I could do was make my inner strength even greater."
'Alright, I'll drink to that dose of motivational talk!'
Blake thought to himself.
He realized he needed to work on his own inner strength too—at least enough to appear more mature and composed.
Just as he was about to get into the car, he noticed something bright white on the windshield.
"Oh, great. Which blind cop gave me a ticket? I parked in a legal spot!"
Blake cursed, walking over to find out that it wasn't a ticket at all—it was a summons.
A summons from the Senate, calling him, Tony, and Natasha to attend a hearing. The topics? The Helicarrier outside New York City and the Red Room organization.
As Nick Fury had said, for some people, this wasn't just a threat—it was also a juicy opportunity. It seemed someone had their sights set on him.
In the past, this would've been an annoying problem. At the very least, Blake wouldn't have been able to openly defy the government.
But now…
Blake glanced at Captain America standing beside him and smiled knowingly.
Back when Cap disappeared, the government and military had elevated him to an almost godlike status.
Even now, Captain America was seen as a symbol of American values and patriotism.
Ignoring the political implications, the government's "deification" campaign had been incredibly successful. The whole world practically believed that Cap's defeat of Hydra was what won the war and brought peace.
Over the years, countless Captain America-themed souvenirs, museum tickets, and merchandise had brought in a huge amount of extra revenue for the government.
The saintly, almost mythical image of Captain America held an overwhelmingly positive place in people's hearts. He was like a modern-day hero, capable of shaping public opinion.
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The Senate…
The last time Tony was there, it was over the government's demand that he hand over the Iron Man suit.
That time, Tony had humiliated the Senate on live television, using his quick wit and secret videos of government experiments to win the public over.
But this time, the Senate had come better prepared to face Blake, Tony, and Natasha.
"Mr. Blake, I have a report here that shows you recently made an illegal incursion into the border area between Ukraine and Belarus, where you destroyed a spy organization known as the Red Room without the consent of local authorities."
A senator started the hearing by confronting Blake, focusing on the issue of illegal entry.
As Nick Fury had mentioned, without S.H.I.E.L.D., Blake would have to deal with these kinds of problems himself.
"Excuse me, Senator, but illegal entry? I disagree. Natasha Romanoff and I were kidnapped from our apartment in Manhattan, New York. I have video footage from outside my building that clearly shows us being carried into a vehicle while unconscious."
Blake did have the footage, though the date had been subtly altered by J.A.R.V.I.S.
Both sides knew this argument was just a formality, and neither dwelled on it. Blake's statement allowed the issue to pass without further debate.
Then, a video was played on the screens in the hearing room.
It was security footage showing Blake punching through the wall of a prison and boldly rescuing Alexei.
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