Capítulo 1529: 28
Chapter 28Summary:
Pepper chairs a meeting over serums and suits.
Who gets them and who doesn't?
Notes:
Not the happiest with this chapter, it seems a little disjointed to me, so fair warning...
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
"Keenster." Tony replied. "Go pack your bags, all of them. You're moving in, kiddo. You, your mom and that sister I heard about but have no proof exists, yet."
"Amelia exists." Harley argued.
"So you say." Tony huffed.
"I do say." Harley said firmly. "And she… You know what? No. What the hell happened, Mechanic? I went to your funeral and then I wake up in 2010. How?"
"I don't know, yet. We haven't figured it out."
"We?"
"Ah, yeah, we…" Tony grimaced again. "There's quite a few of us, now."
"How many?"
"Worry about that when you get here. For now, go pack. The Keener family's moving to New York."
"Oh, shit."
"Language, kiddo, you're not a teen anymore." Tony snickered and ended the call. "Thanks, J, I needed that."
~~~
2nd February 2011
"No sign of the dead men, yet?" Tony asked Maria Hill.
"Dead men?" Angela asked Pepper, from her seat across the large oval table.
"No." Hill sighed.
"Phil Coulson and Nick Fury." Pepper answered. "Coulson was killed, stabbed through the chest by a spear, during the 2012 Chittauri invasion, but Fury refused to leave him dead, not exactly certain how he had Phil revived, though. And Fury faked his own death during the SHIELD/Insight debacle in 2014."
"Oh…" Angela asked. "Is that… common? With you people? I mean Steve and Bucky did it and now you say that these other two men…?"
"Huh…" Pepper made a thinking noise. "I hadn't considered that."
"We could really use Agent Agent's help with this." Tony said.
"It would make things so much easier." Clint added.
"If we ever figure out who's responsible for throwing us into this timeline, you can join Darcy in asking them." Pepper offered.
Bucky snorted as he and Steve tried to follow both conversations.
"How do you cope?" Angela asked. "You've been… here(?), awake(?), for so much longer. Any tips for the newby?"
"I've worked with JARVIS, as best I can." Hill said. "We've fleshed out some of the events in your timeline, things that you weren't aware of or didn't have the details that SHIELD had access to."
"I just take it a week at a time." Pepper said. "Things will be a bit different for you, seeing as you didn't stay in Rose Hill. Just assume that Harley has been de-aged and go from there."
"I'd like copies of those, please, Tony, Hill." Steve spoke up.
"De-aged?" Angela asked.
"Think Harry Potter and de-aging potions." Darcy leant towards Angela.
"Alright, we're here." Natashalie and Lena stomped into the room in their Widow outfits, Natashalie in black with black webbing and Lena in white with an ice-blue vest.
"We'll get together and chat, a little later, Angela, but for now, I need to chair this meeting." Pepper patted Angela's hand before standing up. "Everyone take a seat, please." It took only a few seconds before Pepper was the only person standing. "Excellent, thank you." She smiled at them all. "First, I'd like to thank you all for turning up… on time." She mock-glared at Tony, who gave her a very fake angelic look, causing a few people to laugh and others smother a chuckle.
"I was early for a change." Tony grinned.
"Miracles do occur." Bucky muttered.
"Be nice." Darcy nudged her husband.
"Hush." Pepper looked sidewise at the trio.
"Yes, ma'am." The three replied.
"Hmm…" Pepper sighed. "Right. Welcome. We have some new additions, today. Angela Keener and her son Harley. Shuri, T'Challa's sister. Fred and George Barnes and Peter Parker." She held up a hand. "Yes, I know how old they are, but we're basing their inclusion on how old they'll be when Thanos gets here, not on how old they are right now. And they are the cut-off. None of the younger children will be joining us, not unless this progresses beyond the date of the first Snap. In which case, it will be Valkyrie's decision on who joins. Fair?"
There were a number of tilted heads and thoughtful expression, before people began to nod.
"Good. So… Today's an important day, we have a lot of things to work through. But before we begin that, I'm going to give Angela and Harley a single sentence briefing on each of you. Let's go in the order of appearance, shall we? Tony was Iron…"
In less than five minutes, Pepper had brought Angela up to date on who was who and what they all did.
"Good. So first on the agenda is the serum, enhancements and suits: who gets them and who doesn't." Pepper said and a holographic area appeared behind her, divided into three boards with each board being divided into two sections labelled 'current' and 'prospective' and underneath the boards were pictures of all those present. "Steve and Buck are our primary enhanced." They pictures moved from the lower section to the board labelled 'Enhanced'. "Steve's enhancement is… more obvious, less subtle. Buck's is more internal, less visible. But there are other major differences. Both have increased healing ability, speed and strength. Steve also has significantly increased metabolism and body temperature, as well as being physically more… durable. More resistant to injury. Buck's enhancement is subtler. It doesn't affect his bone structure other than increasing bone density to allow his body to cope with the other changes. The two major differences between Steve's and Buck's enhancements are the external changes – size, that is – and the length of lifespan. Steve's serum changed him from 5'4" and 95lbs to 6'2' and 240lbs. It increased his strength, speed and hand-eye coordination. Buck's left his body visually unchanged, but also provided him the same increases but at a lower rate than Steve's. The other thing it increased, was his lifespan. His aging has been slowed and he can expect to live to approximately, 150-175yrs, as can his children, Darcy and those that have an unaltered version of his serum."
There was a smattering of understanding noises and Shuri made a 'Duh, why didn't I see that?' noise.
"Tony and Howard have worked together and have retro-engineered both Steve and Buck's serums and have managed to isolate the various components and determine what they cause. This has enabled them to work out the differences between the two serums and… well… They're kind of the flipsides of the same coin. Steve's is designed to be overt and obvious, whereas Buck's is more likely targeted to subterfuge and espionage." Pepper said. "That being said, Howard, Tony, Bruce and JARVIS have studied both serums and together, they've decided that we're going to stick with Buck's." She held up a hand. "It's going to be easier to manage, long-term, if we don't have to switch between them. We will keep a few doses of Steve's serum, just for emergencies, but I pray that we never have to use them."
People nodded and Steve was heard to mutter, "Please, never let us be in that position."
"What we have done is use Buck's serum as our base for enhancement." Pepper went on. "Tony and Howard have created a variety of serums based on Buck's, with each variety having a different intended result. Steve was given one that was solely based on increasing his lifespan to match it up with what Buck can expect, barring accidental death." Pepper said and a few people nodded. "The Red Room dosed Natashalie with a serum that they'd retro-engineered from Buck's blood, when he was with them. In addition to this, Lena demanded that they do the same for her, she was injected with an unaltered version of Buck's serum, exactly as Nat had been. Howard, Tony, Bruce and JARVIS have managed to stabilise them both, something the Red Room hadn't quite achieved." Nat and Lena's pictures joined Steve and Buck's on the 'Enhanced' board. "Wanda and Pietro… They didn't actually gain their enhancements until after the Chittauri invaded and SHIELD lost Loki's sceptre. We haven't worked out how or why they had them, when they woke, but Darcy's theory is that our return is partially caused by the Stones and that as Wanda and Pietro's enhancements were caused by a Stone, The Mind Stone, all the Stones recognise those enhancements as being a part of them. It's a little flimsy but we haven't come up with anything better, so… we're saying 'yeah, sure' and moving on."
Wanda and Pietro's pictures joined the board.
"Next we have Tony and Clint." Pepper looked around the table. "Buck was the one to suggest that both of them received a version of the serum, but it wasn't until shortly before Lena joined us, that either of them were dosed and then it was with Buck's serum, not Steve's. We didn't want any part of their… side-effects… to be visible." Both men's pictures moved to join the board. "And Darcy was cursed by Lorelai, she bears a part of Buck's serum as a part of that curse. But we went one step further and gave her a half-dose, just in case something causes Lorelai to try and interfere and revoke or break her own curse. We didn't want Darcy suffering because of that."
More nods and Darcy leant on Buck. "See, I told you, they'd understand."
"Yeah, yeah, I get it. don't doubt Darcy." Buck sighed.
"Exactly." Darcy kissed his cheek, leaving bright red lipstick lips behind.
"Brunnhilde is Asgardian and so far above us physically, that it's not funny." Pepper sighed. "But for this exercise, we're adding her to the enhanced board."
The Valkyrie nodded to Pepper and continued to sharpen the tiny dagger in her hands.
"Suits, this includes the full Iron Man armour, the Exo-wings and Peter's SpiderSuit. Tony, Rhodey and I have suits ready for combat." Images of the three were copied to the 'Suits' board. "Suits for Darcy and Laura are still in progress, we expect them to be complete in the next month or so." Darcy and Laura's pictures appeared under the 'Prospective' section of the 'Suits' board "Peter and T'Challa are both enhanced and have… or will have… suits, so…?" Both pictures appeared in the relevant sections.
"Now we get into the rest of us." Pepper looked around the table. "Enhancements. Who's interested?"
There was a little bit of furtive looking around, before Sam raised a hand. "Riley and I are in. Only on the base level, though. Healing, speed, strength. That sort of thing. I'm not too sure about the lifespan stuff, yet." The blonde beside him nodded, bravado failing in front of so many people with so much knowledge of a future that he'd never seen. "But will that mean changes to the Wings?"
Pepper looked to Tony for an answer.
"Maybe, but it should only be minor and I can get on the alterations, pretty much straight away, you'll need to take them with you, once leave is up."
"Won't that make the Air Force suspicious?" Riley asked.
"Shouldn't." Tony shrugged. "They'll look exactly the same and I frequently do upgrades when you're here, anyway."
"Cool." The two wingmen looked at each other and nodded. "We're in." Sam spoke for them both.
"Excellent." Pepper smiled at them and their pictures moved to both 'Prospective' sections.
"May and I have talked about this and… we're going to limit our involvement. We'll be part of the civilian system, help with evacuations and stuff like that." Happy said. "So, rapid healing is all we want, at this point."
Pepper nodded and their pictures moved to the appropriate section, with supercipted numbers (eg 1) that gently glowed. A new board appeared with 'Notes' at the top and in point form under that numbers and notes, the first for May and Happy and a second number and its partner for Sam and Riley.
"I can't take anything." Maria Hill said. "Not while SHIELD aren't aware of all this. Blood tests are done too often and we can't afford for them to pick something up, unexpectedly."
"True." Pepper nodded. "We'll put you in the 'Review' pile. How does that sound?" The third of the original boards lit up and Hill's image was transferred to that.
"That's fine."
"Add Harley to that pile please." Angela said. "I don't want him getting any serums until he's finished growing." She frowned. "Unless it's a life-threatening situation, of course."
Harley huffed but nodded and watched his image move to join Hill's.
"Of course, Angela." Pepper smiled.
"I'll take the healing, like May and Happy but at this point, nothing else. And I'll work with them in evac." Angela added.
"Certainly." Pepper said and Angela's picture moved and another asterisk and note appeared.
"I'll wait until after the Chittauri for a serum." Rhodey said. "Maybe we can play it off as a side-effect of being hit with one of their weapons?"
"Or you could have come in contact with Steve or Buck's blood and been… infected… that way." Darcy countered.
"Yeah, that's better. I like that." Rhodey nodded with a bright smile.
"Ooh, add me to that," Hill said. "That could cover me, too."
"Fred and George are my kids," Buck said. "They've got my serum already, but I'd prefer it if they'd consider working with May and Happy until the Valkyrie gives them the OK?" Buck looked at his daughters with an almost pleading expression. "Please?"
"Sure, dad." Fred said.
"But only until Brunnhilde says." George added.
"When The Valkyrie says you can fight, I'll accept her judgement." Buck smiled at his girls and both smiled back at him. "Thanks."
The twins' images moved to join Hill and Harley's, while second images moved to the 'Enhanced' board.
"I'm only interested in the healing." Jane said. "And I'll stay with May and Happy on the evacs."
"Shuri and I have Panther suits as well as a supply of our 'Heart-Shaped-Herb', so I would suggest putting us in both the current enhanced and current suit sections." T'Challa said. "But like Fred and George, she doesn't fight until the Valkyrie gives the OK." He warned his sister.
Shuri sighed and nodded. "Yes, ubhuti."
"I will take Buck's serum, at full strength, please." Nebula said. "I am still struggling with the differences between what I was and what I am now. The serum may decrease the variance between the two levels."
"I agree." Tony said. "Neb's been so used to greater strength and speed that she's more likely to get hurt without it, in an emergency situation."
"This is true." Brunnhilde agreed. "She's had plenty of practice working at a lower level but when under pressure she extends past what her body can now do. Enhancing her is advised."
"After which, I would prefer to fight with the ground fighters. Steve, Buck, Nat, Lena and The Valkyrie." Nebula added. "When The Valkyrie says." The last sentence was directed at Tony.
"Fair call." Tony nodded.
"Wanda and I want to work with the evac." Pietro said. "We can protect the civilians when needed."
"Peter's enhanced and I would much prefer it if he had a suit, like before, but I also don't want him involved unless Brunnhilde says that he's capable." May said.
"Aw, Aunt May…" Peter moaned.
"If Harley, Fred, George and Shuri can abide by Brunnhilde's decision, so can you, Peter." May replied.
"Okay…" Peter's shoulders slumped.
"Just another reason to work at it, kiddo." Tony said.
"I know…" Peter huffed.
"Thank you, Peter." Pepper said. "We understand that this is difficult, most of us remember the Chittauri's invasion and none of us really want to sit it out, but if we're only going to risk the lives of others? Sit it out, we will."
All those present nodded.
"Thank you." Pepper smiled. "We need to redo our mission brief and focus on what we can do with what we have. But I'd like a smaller mission briefing ready, just in case we acquire a few more people."
"More?" Brunnhilde asked. "Who else is there?"
"Hopefully, we'll get Coulson and possibly Fury." Pepper said. "And it's possible that Thor or Loki may remember."
"And Quill or Gamora, I would like to see my sister, again." Nebula said.
"Rocket would be handy." Tony said.
"So would Carol." Steve added.
"What about Scott and Hope?" Clint asked. "Do we have any idea if they're here? Like us, I mean?"
Tony blinked. "I… I don't know…"
"I can reach out to Janet." Maria Stark offered. "Invite her and Hope for tea."
"That would be lovely, Maria." Pepper smiled at her mother-in-law. "Outside the enhancements and suits, I have nothing else on the agenda bar the ongoing training and research. Does anyone have anything they would like to address?"
"If I may?" Angela held up a hand.
"Of course." Pepper gestured and Angela stood up.
"The Café. If we're keeping it in-house, I need some assistance with clean-up, it's in a mess. Not the kitchen, itself, but the customer area. Nothing big or heavy, just more than I can move by myself. The front windows are covered, if that helps." Angela explained.
"Wanda and I will help." Pietro said.
"Same here." Sam said. "Riley and I have another three days before we have to head back to base."
"Thank you." Angela smiled at the four of them. "I'll put some cookies together this evening, for my helpers."
"How long do you expect to need before the café opens?" Pepper asked.
"The kitchen is ready to go, the service area is fine, basic but fine. It's just the customer seating area that's a mess. Once I get the mess out, maybe a week to shop up on stock, do a thorough clean and have a health department inspection."
"Oh, yes, I'd forgotten about them." Pepper grimaced. "Let me know when and I'll have someone see to it."
"Sure." Angela sat back down.
"Anyone else?"
"Darcy and I are ready to head down to Puente Antiguo." Jane said.
"Why're you doing that?" Tony frowned.
"Frigga said we had to." Darcy answered. "Something to do with Thor rebelling against Odin and needing to learn a lesson."
"And we need to keep events happening, at least until Loki brings us the Mind Stone." Jane added.
"Oh, yeah forgot about reindeer games being involved in that." Tony huffed and slumped back in his seat.
"Thank you for letting us know, Darcy, Jane." Pepper smiled at them. "Tony, Bruce and Howard will be in contact with those of you that are getting serums, to organise times. Once you're stable, training with Valkyrie will step up. Anyone else have anything to raise?"
"Visiting the Norns." Brunnhilde said, raising her dagger to catch Pepper's attention.
"Not planning on that until after we get the Mind Stone." Tony said.
"Huh, yes. Probably better to wait for that." The Asgardian nodded. "How many do we have and which ones are they?"
"We have the Reality Stone, or at least Darcy does." Jane said.
"The Ancient One has the Time Stone." Bruce said. "Tony and I have a meeting with her on Friday to discuss her involvement."
"Loki will be bringing the Mind Stone when attacks New York." Clint bared his teeth in distaste. Whether for the Stone or for Loki, was anyone's guess.
"And SHIELD has the Space Stone." Tony said.
"When you're ready to act, let me know and I'll see about getting you an appointment with Fury." Hill said.
"You don't really think that he'll just hand it over, do you?" Tony snorted.
"Of course not, but if you're in a meeting with him, somewhere that's clearly not SHIELD, how can you possibly have broken in and stolen it, at the same time?" Hill replied. "I'm thinking that we give Fred, George and Peter the chance to fetch it. Fury wouldn't expect them to sit in on whatever meeting, so he's not likely to pick them as being the culprits."
"Maybe with Happy and May on transport and comms?" Steve offered.
"That'd work." Hill nodded.
"Very well." Pepper agreed. "We'll leave that for those mentioned to plan. And perhaps, Darcy and Buck should be in that group, too. Anything else?" She waited for a few moments. "No? Then I close the meeting. Thank you for attending and keep an eye on your inbox for further information." She smiled and sat down. "Gods above, I need a coffee."
~~~
The Boards (Sort of...)
Enhanced
Ground Fighters
Suits
Civilian evac
Review
Current
Steve1 Buck1 Darcy1 Tony1 Clint1 Pepper3 Nat1 Lena1 Brunnhilde5 Wanda1 Pietro1 T'Challa9 Shuri9 Peter1
Steve1 Buck1 Clint1 Nat1 Lena1 Brunnhilde5 T'Challa9 Nebula4
Tony1 Pepper1 Rhodey2 Laura3 Darcy1 Sam8 Riley8 T'Challa9
May6 Happy6 Angela6 Jane6 Wanda1 Pietro1
Hill2 Harley7 Fred1 George1 Shuri9,7 Peter1,7
Prospective
Rhodey2 Laura3 Sam8 Riley8 May6 Happy6 Angela6 Jane6 Nebula4
Shuri9,7 Fred1,7 George1,7 Peter17
Harley7 Shuri9,7Peter1,7
1 Previously existing serum
2 After Chittauri invasion
3 Partial – healing, lifespan
6 Partial – healing
7 After maturity
8 Base level – minimum only
4 Full level – asap
5 Asgardian
9 Wakandan
Status de energia semanal
-- Ranking de
Poder 
-- Pedra de
Poder