Chapter Eight: Schemes & Plans
S.T.A.R.K Industries, Obediah Stane POV:
Obediah was furious!
His office was literered with the shredded scraps of his contract he wanted Lewis Blake to sign — the box it came with had a message attached to it: "GO FUCK YOURSELF!" in big, bold wording.
"He had the audacity to mail this to my office! My building!" Obadiah seethed. "The AUDACITY!"
Obadiah was furious by the up and coming welp. He tried to bind B.L.A.K.E. H.T. Laboratories to S.T.A.R.K. Industries via contract, effectively taking over the small labs. It would've been the first big achievement since Tony's unofficial relinquishment of the company. It would've given Obadiah something to brag about to the shareholders, encouraging their continued support.
'Yet, the whelp rejected my generous offer!' Obadiah collapsed onto his chair, his office filled with the shredded scraps of his contract from his explosive fit. 'I cannot let him get away with this. What to do…?'
As Obadiah pondered his options, an idea occurred to him. "That's it! Alexander Pierce owes me a favor anyway."
After dialing a phone number line and setting up the request with the World Security Council member — Obadiah doesn't know Alexander Pierce's actual affiliation other than her being a high-ranked WSC member. He does know that people disappeared around the man — People he didn't like. And Obediah wanted this Lewis Blake kid gone.
"Thankfully, Pierce said he'd handle it. Sucks I had to cash in that one favor I needed from Pierce, but I suppose I can rest easy knowing Lewis Blake will soon be... past tense," Obadiah muttered, already plotting ways to acquire B.L.A.K.E Labs under S.T.A.R.K. Banners in Lewis' demise.
Triskelion, Washington D.C. – S.H.I.E.L.D. Headquarters – Fury POV:
"Agent Phil has been keeping track of the vigilante known as Redline," Agent Hill presented the data to Fury. "We have concluded and confirmed the vigilante has a number of unique abilities and superpowers, including; however, not limited to, superhuman physiology — the speed, the strength, and the reflexes — paired with superhuman durability and, from what we've seen, rapid regeneration. He seems to possess flight and energy manipulation/absorption as well as a specialization in teleportation, stealth operations and he's quite skilled with the blade, the bow, and a pair of daggers that appears to be tailor-made to be capable of channeling his own psionic energy.
"In terms of powers and abilities, there's not many beings on Earth who can contend with him should the situation require conflict."
As Fury went over Redline's files for the 2nd time that week, he found himself still impressed by the young vigilante's list of remarkable abilities. 'So many powers… if he ever decides to go against the human race, he'd be a large thorn to get out,' Fury thought.
Fury thought, "I doubt he'd ever go against the very people he's fighting for… still," he mumbled softly, "Run simulations with the abilities we know he has—Search for a weaknesses."
"Of course, sir," Hill tapped away.
Fury was about to dismiss her when something new caught his eye. "On second thought,what's this, Hill? Have one of your lieutenant agents work on that file. What is this data about? A conflict with The Hand?"
"Ah, yes, sir," Agent Hill nodded. "Redline was figured after a run-in with The Hand, by Psylocke, Elektra and Deathstrike. After being ambushed and surrounded in an anti-gravity field to remove the option of flight, Redline was injured, forced to teleport away. He was down for a few hours… We have noticed signs, however."
"Signs?" Fury questioned, curiosity perked.
In response, Hill tapped on her tablet, bringing up various pictures and email correspondence shots on the hologram.
"Redline's been seen interacting and sending correspondence to various vigilantes," Agent Hill said. "These vigilantes are, in some way, affected by The Hand — Frank Casle, Luke Cage, Jessica Jones, Matt Murdock, and Danny Rand — all capable fighters. There's even been some sightings of the team in Hell's Kitchen these last few evennings…before last night, of course."
"What occurred last night?" Fury furrowed a brow.
"Last night, unlike his recently spotless record of crime-fighting, Redline failed to make an appearance, sir," Hill said. "We're not sure why, but we suspect more than just a 'day off.'"
"Keep a lookout for anything relevant — anything at all," Fury ordered. "The last thing we need is to suddenly lose track of a warhead as valuable and dangerous as Redline."
"Sir," Hill affirmed.
"And the two individuals I requested data on? The ones who went with Blake, Doom, and Reed on the space expedition?" Fury inquired.
"Crystal Lanng and Christopher Martin," Hill announced. "From what we've gathered, Crystal was a downtown New York Public Library assistant for a year or so after graduating from the New York Institute of Technology at age 17. In just 3 years of attendance, she got her Master's in Information Technology and a Doctorate in A.I. and Tech. Crystal seems to have developed a unique form of technopathy. We don't know much about it, but what we do know is that technology seems to obey her.
"Chris was just a part-time, highly skilled mechanic and a part-time security guard. He seems to have developed abilities from the expedition: superhuman strength, durability, and stamina. His strength, from what we've gathered, is stronger than even Redline or, at the very least, on par with him. He also seems to possess a minor degree of energy absorption/storage and disbursement."
"You all tested them upon waking?" Fury asks. "Did you try getting them to join us?"
"We did. Try, I mean. They declined," Agent Hill admitted. "And yes, our undercover agents have tested them at Doom's facility upon their waking."
"And Lewis?" Fury questioned.
"He did develop unique abilities, though admittedly we know very little about them." Hill brought up the lens camera in Nurse Debbie's contacts, showing the whole scene. "He seems to have developed a matter manipulation ability that lets him control the form, aspects, and state of matter, but that is only a conclusion."
Fury watched Lewis grow three trees from one seed, intrigued.
"And sir, there's more," Hill said. "He seems to be planning on mass-producing these seeds—he's already ordered a long list of tree seeds from around the world."
"Keep eyes on him no matter what. And get me hands on these augmented tree seeds," Fury ordered. "If they are legit and not a risk or safety hazard, have the government approve their distributions. We may get to get ourselves on Lewis' good side if we can approve his product. Maybe then, he'll reconsider joining the Initiative."
"Yes, sir," Hill acknowledged, walking out to do just that, leaving Fury alone in the room.
'So many fruits to add to the initiative,' Fury thought. 'Hopefully, this approval goes through this time and isn't halted or rejected. I really hope we're not too late.'
With that thought, Fury turned and left the room.
General POV:
Meanwhile, elsewhere in Florida, a private plane touches down, the people inside having no idea what awaited them nor just how difficult their day was going to be…