The next day, inside Su Che's apartment.
"So, Tony Stark really did trace Obadiah Stane's anonymous private channel account back to Senator Stern?"
Holding a cup of coffee and looking at Su Che, Natasha Romanoff felt things were progressing a bit too smoothly, which was somewhat unsettling.
After all, according to the initial plan devised by the three of them, they were originally going to frame Stern's son. This was meant to lead to the incident at the HYDRA base in Sokovia. They had even made some preliminary preparations, just waiting for Su Che to send the signal.
But unexpectedly, right after receiving the information yesterday afternoon, before she could even get ready, Su Che ordered her to stand down. She had thought something had gone wrong.
Turns out, the reason was they didn't need to frame anyone themselves—Senator Stern, being HYDRA all along, was already dirty!
"If that's the case, it really saves a lot of trouble," Natasha remarked.
"Especially since Tony is willing to hand Stern over to S.H.I.E.L.D.," Steve added, nodding lightly. "Then we only need to wait for Stern's arrest, induce him to reveal the intel about the Sokovia HYDRA base, and then we can move!"
"However," Steve frowned, looking at Su Che and Natasha, "how do we get Senator Stern to admit he's HYDRA and willingly talk about the Sokovia base? In my experience, those HYDRA types would rather die than betray their organization. I thought about this key step all last night and couldn't come up with a good solution."
"Leave that to me," Su Che said from the sofa, then turned to Natasha. "Nat, when S.H.I.E.L.D. picks up Stern, I need you to create a five-minute window for me. After that, you can take him back to S.H.I.E.L.D. for interrogation."
"No problem!" Natasha replied with a relaxed smile. "This is the first joint operation for several of us, including the subsequent takedown of the Sokovia HYDRA base. So Nick has given me considerable authority."
She then looked at Su Che. "Su, I know you agreed to join this time because you couldn't bear the thought of Wanda and Pietro—those fifteen-year-old twins who just found a new life and future—being dragged back into the quagmire. Still, I have to pass on what Nick asked me to tell you: you are always welcome to join S.H.I.E.L.D.!"
"Forget it," Su Che declined with a smile, noticing Steve also looking at him. "I still prefer being a café owner. Spending mornings in the shop, lazing around in the afternoons, or cultivating my own hobbies... that's more my style."
"I knew it," Natasha said, unsurprised. In fact, regarding this entire operation centered on the twin siblings Wanda and Pietro, Su Che was the lead planner. Although Natasha was the one who discovered the issue and reported it to Nick Fury, after discussions, she had handed over control of the operation to Su Che without hesitation.
The reason was simple: in Natasha's view, Su Che was a superhero with over a decade of experience as an Avenger from a parallel world. He must be highly experienced in such matters and unlikely to make mistakes. She was absolutely certain Su Che knew about the Sokovia HYDRA base, but this specific chain of events—triggered by the Black and Gold Diary leading the twins to him—was undoubtedly new to him. This operation was also a small test from Nick Fury towards Su Che, the "experienced Avenger." Fury never fully trusted anything 100%.
Even so, Natasha herself now fully believed in Su Che's claimed identity. Judging by how he had designed this interlocking plan so perfectly and reasonably, even Nick Fury herself or HYDRA reviewing it later would find no flaws. Su Che had even deliberately set a bait for the hidden HYDRA remnants: Senator Stern, soon to be imprisoned by S.H.I.E.L.D.
Natasha had to admit, even when facing such emergencies, Su Che's ability to instantly grasp the situation and design such a flawless plan was impressive. Having a seasoned veteran from a parallel world like him in their world was indeed its greatest fortune. Consequently, Natasha found herself looking forward to the future and the "big family" described in the Black and Gold Diary. Perhaps being part of such a family would indeed feel very secure.
"By the way, Steve," Su Che turned to him, "are you going into this fight with that Mjolnir you mentioned?"
"That hammer really does boost my strength," Steve confirmed with a laugh. "So I went to New Mexico the day before yesterday and brought it back. Although it doesn't belong to me, I'll return it after the mission."
"Good. That boosts our confidence," Su Che said, then looked back at Natasha. "Nat, let's confirm the roster for the assault on the Sokovia HYDRA base. Besides you, me, Steve, and Tony—who's determined to participate even if we're not sure he can ready his suit in time—is there anyone else?"
"There are," Natasha replied seriously. "My S.H.I.E.L.D. partner, Clint Barton, is on his way back. Also, Nick sent him to contact Dr. Bruce Banner—the one who turns into a big green guy when he's angry. It's not certain if Bruce will participate, but Clint Barton will definitely be there."
So Nick Fury is trying to gather the original Avengers lineup for this operation, Su Che thought, to let everyone get acquainted and build some rapport.
Huh? Feels like someone's missing.
Oh, right. There's that guy who hasn't regained his powers yet, is currently busy with his romance, and doesn't even know his hammer has been borrowed by Steve. Oh well, if he's missing, he's missing. The current Thor probably wouldn't be much help anyway.
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(TL : More Chapters @)[1]
[1] https://www.patreon.com/c/Gooberilla