His father stood beside him, an open box on the living room floor.
Inside were matte-black pieces, polished surfaces, and energy grooves that didn't look like wires or traditional circuitry.
Miguel ran his fingers over one of them carefully, the way you touch something you just know costs too much to breathe near.
—Eric… —he said slowly—. This isn't military.
Eric's mouth tilted into a half-smile.
—No. It's better.
Widow projected a holographic schematic, floating at chest height.
—Initiating perimeter security installation —she announced—. Sensors active, phase one.
Miguel looked up at the projection, fascinated by how efficient an artificial intelligence could be.
—That thing I'm looking at… is that the building?
—And the surrounding area —Eric replied—. Nothing excessive.
Miguel rolled his eyes.
The map zoomed in.
A one-hundred-meter radius around the building lit up with a translucent ring.
—Passive force field —Eric explained, with the kind of excitement only a sci-fi addict could feel—. It doesn't block people. Doesn't hurt anyone. But it detects intrusion, electronic surveillance, unauthorized monitoring and… weird stuff.
Miguel frowned.
—Weird stuff?
Widow answered smoothly.
—Non-conventional technology, anomalous energy signatures, and prolonged observation by human and non-human entities.
Miguel opened his mouth, then closed it again.
—…Right.
Eric gave him a light pat on the shoulder.
—Don't try to understand everything. Just trust the design.
Miguel picked up one of the larger pieces. It looked like a slim, elegant decorative panel. But the moment he touched it, he felt a faint vibration.
—What is this?
—Photonic alloy —Widow replied—. Resistant to impact, heat, and electromagnetic pulses.
Miguel shook his head slowly.
—Eric… —he murmured—. I've worked with metal my whole life. And this… this doesn't belong in this world.
Eric didn't deny it.
—I know.
Miguel didn't ask unnecessary questions. Eric had said he worked for a spy organization, or at least that was what Miguel understood. He simply attributed all of this to that organization.
They started with the inner perimeter.
Sensors embedded in doorframes. Micro-emitters hidden inside lamps. Wall plates that, with a gesture, revealed low-power laser weapons. Lethal. Precise.
The neighbors complained about the noise, but Eric reassured them it was renovations and it wouldn't be a regular thing.
Having both him and his father there helped. A few of the neighbors even tried to invite them for a drink.
Naturally, they declined.
SHIELD had bought the apartment and registered it under Eric's name.
Legally, Eric was authorized to burn it to the ground if he wanted, as long as no civilian lives were put at risk.
Miguel watched in silence, growing more serious by the minute.
—And those —he said, pointing to a set of more compact modules—… what do they do?
Eric hesitated for a heartbeat, his smile stiff.
—Those are… the final deterrent.
Widow finished the sentence for him.
—Particle disintegration weapons. Extremely restricted use. Activation only under direct authorization from Mr. Valerian or maximum-level threat confirmation.
Miguel swallowed.
—Maximum-level threat of what?
—Of "there's no other option," —Eric answered.
They moved outside.
Eric discreetly placed nodes in planters, streetlights, even at the base of a nearby bench. Nothing visible. Everything integrated.
Widow had already hacked the surrounding cameras so no one would see what they were installing.
Easy work for her.
—And nobody's going to notice this? —Miguel asked.
—That's the best part —Eric said with a grin—. People don't notice what they don't know to look for.
The final step was the core of the force field.
Eric placed a small device the size of a coin in the center of the apartment.
When he activated it, an invisible wave expanded… and vanished.
Widow confirmed:
—Passive field active. Effective radius: one hundred meters. Alerts configured. Response time: immediate.
Miguel stood still, impressed by how advanced his son's technology was.
—Eric… —he said finally—. I don't know where you got this. I don't understand how it works. But the feel… the finish… —he shook his head— this is tech other countries would kill to have.
Eric looked at him, amused.
—That's why it's here. And not out there.
Widow added:
—Mr. Miguel, your assistance has been efficient.
Miguel let out an incredulous laugh.
—A futuristic artificial intelligence just complimented me.
Eric smiled.
—You'll get used to it.
Susana suddenly peeked around the corner.
—Are you done putting in the lasers? —she asked.
Miguel stared at her.
—You knew about this?
Susana nodded like it was the most normal thing in the world.
—Widow told me the house is really strong now.
Eric grinned. Widow officially belonged to his little sister now.
Widow logged the results.
Total security: active.
Threats detected: none.
—Visitor detected.
Eric was checking his PS when Widow announced it to everyone.
He blinked.
—Visitor?
A hologram unfolded.
The image showed the outside of the building, shifting between angles with flawless fluidity.
And there she was.
Natasha Romanoff, walking toward the entrance at an easy pace, dark jacket, alert eyes, completely unaware she was being watched by half a dozen sensors.
Eric went still.
—…Natasha?
Susana let go of her mother's hands and sprinted toward the hologram like it was a magic window.
—IT'S HER! —she shouted— Widow, it's my friend!
—Friend?
Miguel asked, amused.
—Yes —Susana replied, deadly serious—. I invited her to play… in my head.
Elena smiled, entertained.
—Well, it looks like she's here.
Widow spoke again:
—Identity confirmed. Threat level: none. Access pending authorization.
Eric opened his mouth.
But Susana was faster.
—Widow —she pleaded, clasping her hands— can you let her in, please? I promise I won't tell her my secrets… yet.
Eric turned his head slowly toward the projector.
—Wait… —he said— Widow, standard protocol says that—
—Request accepted —the AI replied—. Access granted.
The security lock on the apartment door disengaged with a soft click.
Eric froze.
—…What?
Miguel burst into loud laughter.
—Son —he said— I don't think you're the boss here anymore.
Eric looked at the hologram, then at Susana, then up at the ceiling like he was searching for existential answers.
—Widow —he asked carefully— since when do you obey orders that aren't mine?
The AI answered without hesitation:
—Susana Valerian has elevated emotional priority due to her special condition. Denying non-critical requests reduces household well-being.
Susana threw her arms up in victory.
—WIDOW, YOU'RE THE BEST!
Eric rubbed a hand down his face.
—Great. I built an artificial intelligence… and lost her in a day.
A few seconds later, footsteps sounded in the hallway.
The door opened.
Natasha appeared in the doorway, momentarily surprised by the scene: warm lights, music, a family laughing… and an Eric who still looked like he was processing his hierarchical defeat.
—I hope I'm not interrupting —she said, with a genuine smile.
Susana ran to her without hesitation.
—Natasha! —she squealed— You got in because I asked!
Natasha looked at Eric, amused.
—Oh, yeah?
Eric lifted both hands.
—Don't ask —he said— I'm reconsidering my leadership choices.
Natasha laughed softly.
—Nice place —she commented—. It feels… alive.
Elena approached with a warm smile.
—Come in, dear. We were just talking about when we'd see you again.
Natasha set her jacket aside.
—Well —she said— I guess I can stay for a bit.
Susana grabbed her hand and dragged her toward her room to show her how cool everything was.
After spending a little time with the kid, Natasha came back out, accepted the glass Elena offered her, and with a brief look signaled Eric that she needed to talk.
Eric nodded and followed her out to the balcony.
Natasha rested her elbows on the railing.
—We got contacted today —she said, no preamble.
She turned the glass slowly between her fingers before continuing.
—Bruce Banner responded to the video. Not publicly. Directly to SHIELD.
Eric blinked, genuinely surprised.
—Seriously?
—Very —she nodded—. He's in hiding. Brazil. Constantly changing cities. —She paused— He's tired of running from the government's hunt.
Eric leaned his back against the wall.
—Wow.
Natasha glanced at him.
—He says he can't control when his other personality comes out. And if something goes wrong… he doesn't want anyone to get hurt.
Eric frowned.
—The big guy.
Natasha nodded.
—Looks like you did your homework.
Her tone was teasing.
Banner's failed experiment wasn't a secret to SHIELD. And Eric had access to that information, so he could speak freely.
—So why did he call?
Natasha looked at him straight on.
—Because he wants to join us. But he has a condition. He wants someone who can stop him.
Eric let out a short, disbelieving laugh.
—That's me now?
Natasha turned fully toward him, arms crossed.
—You have speed, power, raw destruction, intangibility. No one in SHIELD is more qualified to deal with the big guy than you are.
Eric looked toward the balcony door, then back at her.
—Did Fury ask for this?
—Yes —Natasha said— and that's why you're hearing it from me.
Eric sighed.
—Of course.
He ran a hand through his hair.
—He said… —Natasha searched for the words— that if the world was going to have heroes, he'd rather meet the one who could stop him first.
Eric closed his eyes for a second.
Then opened them and met her gaze.
—They really trust me that much?
Natasha held his stare.
—I think if anyone can walk into a room with the green guy.… and walk out unhurt… it's you.
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