Bab 56: The Meeting!
Madripoor - Maxim's Laboratory!
The sprawling underground laboratory beneath the High Table's headquarters was a marvel of modern technology. Although it had been a short time, Maxim had been swift with transferring all of his equipment from their home in America to here in Madripoor.
The walls shimmered faintly with a polished, obsidian-like surface embedded with holographic displays. Maxim stood at the central console, his attention focused on a three-dimensional projection of Madripoor's skyline.
A.N.G.E.L.'s voice echoed beside him, "Maxim, as per your request, I've compiled an update on Madripoor's current state and the status of your technological developments."
Maxim turned to her, his eyes sharp with focus, "Go ahead."
"The Energy Shield framework is complete and operational," A.N.G.E.L. began, gesturing to a visual display of the shield surrounding Madripoor. "The smart-energy barrier is fully adaptable, capable of filtering unauthorized strikes and Magical attacks while allowing safe passage for civilian and commercial traffic. We've tested it against simulated arial strikes, and Wanda's Magic, and the preliminary results have been exceptional."
Maxim gave a small nod, "Good. If anyone gets reckless, Madripoor will remain standing. Next?"
"The Tactical Drones and Cameras are in mass production," A.N.G.E.L. continued. "The cloaking technology is flawless, and the self-destruct functionality is precise. Field tests confirmed their ability to infiltrate and provide detailed reconnaissance."
Maxim smirked faintly, nodding as he awaited A.N.G.E.L to continue on her explanation.
"As for the self-sustaining power grids, they will need more testing and design improvements," she said, pulling up a hologram of Madripoor's infrastructure and a detailed map of the various plans Maxim has for it in the future.
"Fusion Tech development is working well, but the integration of Astral Energies and Vibranium-Based Cells still needs more development. The preliminary schematics you designed are still being comprehended." A.N.G.E.L said, and Maxim nodded.
His plan with integrating Astral Energy into the power source was not only to make it immune to Magical Disruptions, but to also test the new limits of his Astral Abilities that he was still training over time.
"Once everything goes to plan, the future energy source of the Nation will be completed, and Madripoor will be immune to external power disruptions, including EMPs." A.N.G.E.L explained.
Maxim crossed his arms, satisfied. "Excellent. A nation isn't truly independent until it can stand on its own." He said.
The amount of money spent on electricity and the likes for even the biggest nations in the world was truly insane. Comparatively, Maxim already had the advanced knowledge to create an energy source for his Nation, and he was well on the way to developing it.
"And the Nanobot swarms?"
"The swarms are fully deployed," A.N.G.E.L. said, showing video feeds of nanobots seamlessly repairing roads, bridges, and buildings, "They've reduced repair times by 87%, and the people have taken notice. Public morale is high."
Maxim took a deep breath, his mind racing through possibilities. If there was one kind of technology where Killjoy excelled, it was NanoTech.
Maxim had spent lots of time researching and using her intelligence to develop new uses for NanoTech that fit his goal, and the swarms were just the first one he deployed.
"Good. Madripoor is coming together faster than I thought. But it's not enough. We're still vulnerable. Keep pushing. I want this place to be untouchable by the end of this year."
"Understood," A.N.G.E.L. replied before pausing. Her expression shifted slightly, signaling a change in tone. "However, there's another matter that requires your attention."
Maxim raised an eyebrow. "What is it?"
"You've been contacted by the X-Men," A.N.G.E.L. said, her voice neutral but deliberate. "Professor Charles Xavier has extended an invitation for a meeting. The message suggests they wish to discuss the potential impact of your leadership in Madripoor on mutants worldwide."
Maxim exhaled, rubbing his chin thoughtfully, "The X-Men. I should've seen this coming. I assume they used a secure channel?"
"Of course," A.N.G.E.L. said, a hint of pride in her voice. "They're cautious, but their intentions seem genuine. Shall I schedule the meeting?"
Maxim nodded. "Do it. As soon as possible."
"I'll arrange the logistics and inform you of the time and location," A.N.G.E.L. said smoothly.
Maxim returned his gaze to the holographic display of Madripoor, his expression unreadable. "Anything else?"
A.N.G.E.L. hesitated briefly. "Not at this moment, Maxim. However, I would advise proceeding with caution. While the X-Men are not your enemies, their involvement could draw unwanted attention to Madripoor."
Maxim smirked faintly, his tone carrying a quiet confidence, "Attention is inevitable, A.N.G.E.L. What matters is how we handle it."
With that, he turned back to the console, continuing his work.
***************
TWO DAYS LATER!
The skies above Madripoor were overcast, though the atmosphere around the city buzzed with a newfound energy of transformation.
Far above the skyline, the advanced stealth jet of the X-Men pierced through the clouds, its cloaking technology shimmering faintly as it disengaged. The jet descended smoothly onto the designated landing pad at the High Table Headquarters, its engines humming softly as it powered down.
The hatch opened with a quiet hiss, and the X-Men stepped onto the platform. Professor Charles Xavier, seated in his hover-chair, led the group, flanked by Cyclops, Jean Grey, Storm, Beast, Rogue and of course, Maxim's little sister Katerina.
At the entrance, Wanda was waiting for them, dressed in a sleek black outfit accented with crimson details, radiating an aura of quiet confidence as their gazes naturally drifted to her.
As they approached, Professor Xavier's sharp mind immediately detected a strange, yet familiar energy emanating from her, leaving him confused and curious. But learning from his past meetings with Maxim, he decided not to probe.
"Welcome to Madripoor," Wanda greeted warmly, her accent carrying a soft Sokovian lilt. She glanced at Xavier, her eyes flickering with recognition and curiosity, "Maxim is expecting you. Please, follow me."
Without hesitation, the X-Men followed Wanda through the sleek corridors of the headquarters.
As they entered the meeting room, a figure darted across the space toward Maxim, who stood waiting at the center.
His little sister, Katerina, launched herself into his arms with a joyous squeal. Maxim's normally stern expression melted into a rare, genuine smile as he caught her, holding her close.
"Max!" Katerina exclaimed, her voice filled with happiness, "I missed you so much!"
"I missed you too, Katya," Maxim replied, his tone unusually gentle. He held her in a warm hug, examining her with a protective gaze, "You've grown stronger, haven't you? How's your time been with the X-Men?"
Katerina beamed and nodded enthusiastically. "It's been amazing! They're so nice to me, and I've learned so much about my powers. I've even made friends."
Maxim chuckled softly, brushing a strand of hair from her face, "Good. That's what I wanted for you. A place where you can be safe and grow."
The X-Men watched the interaction silently, noticing just how much the siblings cared for each-other. Maxim and Katerina continued to chatter away for a couple minutes, talking about how their lives had been for the past few months.
Once Katerina settled down, Maxim gestured toward the table, where seats had been arranged, "Please, sit. Let's discuss what brings you to Madripoor."
The X-Men nodded and all sat down, settling in while Maxim looked at them, beginning the meeting with a calm, commanding voice.
"I won't waste time. Madripoor has changed. I want this place to be a sanctuary to anyone who values freedom. That, of course, includes Mutants."
Cyclops frowned slightly as he listened to Maxim's words, "Freedom within reason, I assume?"
"Of course," Maxim replied. "I'm not offering a haven for criminals or murderers. Then it'll be no different than before I took over. It'll be a place for those who seek refuge, people who've been hunted, discriminated against, wronged or denied a place to call home. I intend to make this city a safe harbor."
Jean glanced at Xavier, who nodded thoughtfully "You understand, Maxim, that such a bold claim will draw attention, some of it hostile."
"I do," Maxim said evenly, "But I've already begun making Madripoor untouchable. You know better than anyone that alot of those international laws are irrelevant in the face of those major countries. I'm making sure that those places can't take advantage of anyone here. Energy shields, tactical defenses, self-sustaining power grids… this city will be a fortress. And as it grows stronger, so will its influence. I'm offering you and your people a chance to be part of that growth."
Storm's voice was calm but firm, "And what do you expect in return?"
"Mutual respect," Maxim said simply. "Nothing more, nothing less. Madripoor isn't a place where I demand loyalty or blind obedience. Follow the laws, contribute to the community, and you'll find a home here. Of course, I also hope that in the event of any attack, you all will work to protect this place."
Professor Xavier leaned forward, his gaze piercing. "And what of your sister? Do you plan for her to remain here?"
"She's free to choose her path," Maxim replied, his tone softening. "If she's happy with you, she stays. If she wants to return to me, she's welcome. Her happiness is all that matters."
After a long moment of silence, Xavier extended a hand. "Very well, Maxim. The X-Men will support Madripoor's growth as a sanctuary. Your vision aligns with ours."
Maxim clasped Xavier's hand firmly. "Good. I'll arrange accommodations for your team while you're here. Madripoor will continue to improve over the next months and years, and your input will be welcomed."
As the meeting concluded, Maxim rose, glancing at Katerina, "Come, Katya. Let's catch up."
As they left the room, Beast lingered, curiosity sparking in his eyes. He turned to one of the glowing panels embedded in the wall. "A.N.G.E.L., I presume?"
A smooth, feminine voice filled the room. "Correct, Dr. McCoy. I am A.N.G.E.L., Maxim's AI assistant. If you have any questions or ideas, feel free to share them. I'm always eager to learn."
The X-Men exchanged surprised glances. Rogue whistled low. "Well, ain't she a charmer."
Cyclops frowned but said nothing, while Beast's curiosity deepened. "Fascinating," he murmured.
Bab 57: Grief and Remembrance!
The cool, evening breeze swept through Madripoor as Maxim and Katerina walked side by side, their silhouettes illuminated by the soft glow of streetlights. The transformation of the state was becoming more and more evident as time passed, and the siblings reminisced in the quietness of the streets.
"Do you remember when we used to play hide-and-seek in the apartment?" Maxim asked, a rare, soft smile tugging at the corners of his lips as he looked at his sister.
Katerina grinned, the nostalgia glimmering in her eyes, "Of course! You always found me, no matter how good my hiding spot was."
"I had an advantage," Maxim said with a chuckle, thinking back to the fun memories of the past, "You used to giggle the moment I got close. It made you the easiest target."
Katerina nudged him playfully, her laugh light and genuine, "I was five, Max! And you were always so serious about winning."
Maxim laughed cheerily, running his hand through Katerina's hair playfully as he spoke, "No handouts. If you want to win, get good kiddo."
She chuckled and grabbed his hand, removing it from her head playfully as she spoke, "Hmfm, someday, I'll beat you and rub it in your face, just like dad always boasted about beating you at Chess, you would get so mad."
Maxim gave a light chuckle at her words and nodded, "Yeah....Dad was even more competitive than I was." He said, the tone of his words dimming as the sentence came to an end.
Katerina realized, and a dull silence descended upon the duo until Maxim led her through a newly paved pathway, which housed a small, pristine cemetery at the end.
Katerina's pace faltered as her gaze fell on the two gravestones ahead, whose names were written in bold for everyone to see, etched in elegant lettering and flanked by symbols of peace and unity.
The gravestone was surrounded by beautiful flowers, and the sight of all of this struck Katerina like a blow to the gut, tears pooling in her eyes as she read
Tatiana Fontaine Novikov - A loving wife and mother. Partners in love and life, now together for eternity. Always in our hearts!
Ilya Novikov - A loving husband and father. Partners in love and life, now together for eternity. Always in our hearts.
Next to the gravestone was a beautiful picture of the family together. Maxim and Katerina stood at the front, much younger than they look now, cheerily hugging with smiles on their faces while their parents stood behind them.
Tatiana was a beautiful woman, with blonde hair and blue eyes, a warm and loving expression on her face as she stared into the camera that took the photo alongside her husband, who looked like a middle aged and more mature version of Maxim, albeit less muscular and a bit shorter.
"I... I didn't know you'd done this," Katerina whispered, her voice trembling as she stared, remembering the moment that photo was taken, and how happy they were as a family.
Maxim placed a hand on her shoulder, guiding her forward, "They deserve to be remembered, Katya. This is their place now, where they can rest in peace and still be part of our lives."
Katerina dropped to her knees in front of the gravestones, her sobs breaking the stillness of the air. "I miss them so much," she choked out, "I think about them every day. It's not fair... they didn't deserve what happened."
Maxim knelt beside her, his arm around her shoulders, the memory of his parents death had haunted him, yet he was forced to move forward with all the obstacles in his life, his time to grieve was cut short, yet he never forgot.
He had tried to locate the which gang those thugs who killed his family were from, but found that gang was already massacred by Hydra, probably to cut off any loose ends connected to him.
Without the ability to truly avenge them, he needed to be strong for his sister, and to always let their loving memory remain in the world, "It wasn't fair, Katya. It never will be. But they wouldn't want us to drown in what we lost. They'd want us to grow stronger, to honor their memory by living."
She buried her face in his shoulder, clutching his jacket tightly, "I don't know if I can be that strong, Max."
"You already are," Maxim said gently. "Look at everything you've done. You've grown so much, found a place with people who care about you, and you're learning to powers. Mom and Dad would be proud of you, Katya. I know I am."
She looked up at him, her tears streaming freely, "Do you really think so?"
Maxim nodded firmly. "I know so. And I'll make sure their memory stays alive. I'm planning a national holiday, a day to honor them and everyone else who's lost family to senseless violence. Madripoor will remember them, Katya. Always."
For a long moment, they stayed there in silence, their shared grief slowly giving way to a sense of quiet resolve, a resolve to never have to experience this feeling again, to be free from the pain of grief and suffering.
Finally, Maxim helped her to her feet. "Come on," he said softly, "There's something else I want to show you."
They left the cemetery behind, making their way to one of Madripoor's newly constructed facilities. The doors slid open to reveal a vast, state-of-the-art combat training arena.
Katerina's eyes widened as she took in the sight, "This... is incredible!"
Maxim smirked. "Wait until you see what it can do. But first, let's see how much you've grown. Show me what you've learned with your powers."
Katerina hesitated for only a moment before stepping forward, her expression determined.
She raised her hands, and a faint glow surrounded her as objects from the training area lifted into the air, hovering effortlessly. She concentrated, and the objects began moving in a synchronized dance, spinning and weaving around each other.
Maxim nodded, impressed, "Not bad, Katya. But let's see how you handle this."
With a flick of his wrist, shadows erupted from the ground, forming tendrils that darted toward her floating objects. Katerina reacted instantly, creating a psychic barrier that deflected the shadows, her control precise and unwavering.
She grinned at him, "You're not the only one who's been practicing."
Maxim chuckled, his pride evident, "Clearly."
The siblings continued to mess around with their powers. Maxim mostly stuck to Omen's abilities, while testing Katerina's psychic powers.
If he had to describe it, it would be similar to a nerfed version of Martian Manhunter's psychic abilities, both telepathy and telekinesis, but the upside was Katerina could still train and improve.
Still, that wasn't enough for Maxim, he needed to think of a way to improve her physique. The Super Soldier Serum was useful, but he didn't want 'Enhanced Human', he wanted Superhuman.
As the siblings were having fun together, A.N.G.E.L's voice echoed throughout the arena without warning, the AI's usually serene tone was replaced with an immediate urgency that grasped Maxim's attention.
"Maxim," A.N.G.E.L began, her voice cutting through the silence, "there's something you need to see. It's urgent."
Katerina looked at her her brother, sensing the weight of the interruption, "Go," she said softly, a small smile on her face,"I'll head back to the others. You've got something important to handle."
Maxim hesitated for a moment, his gaze lingering on her. Then, he stepped forward and pulled her into a tight embrace,"Stay safe, and keep practicing. I'll be back soon."
She hugged him back tightly, nodding against his shoulder, "I will. Don't take too long."
With a final smile, Maxim stepped back, and shadows began to swirl around him. In an instant, he vanished, leaving Katerina standing in the arena with a renewed sense of purpose.
Maxim reappeared in his private office, the dimly lit room bathed in an eerie glow from A.N.G.E.L.'s holographic form. She wasted no time, her voice sharp and direct.
"Approximately five minutes ago, a massive energy wave was emitted from S.H.I.E.L.D.'s Joint Dark Energy Mission Facility. The energy signature is unlike anything we've recorded before, and it matches no known source. This could be... significant."
Maxim's eyes narrowed, his mind racing. He leaned against his desk, crossing his arms as he processed the information. A faint smirk tugged at his lips as realization dawned.
"Looks like the Avengers is a go," he said, his voice low and resolute, the weight of the moment hanging in the air.
The Tesseract had been activated, Loki had arrived, and it was time for another aspect of his plans to come into play.
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