Chapter 18: Avengers Assemble
Aboard the Infinity, Adam was within a holodeck training his bio-electric field. He has made great progress over the past few months, the reason for this is because he hasn't slept even once since arriving. He hadn't even noticed himself, Eve had known but didn't say anything since Adams vitals haven't shown any problems.
Being on a ship in space there is no such thing as day or night, Adam has had so much to do since he awoke that kept him busy such as designing space stations, arranging mining efforts, placement of asteroid bases amongst the solar system, assisting the research of vibranium and when he did have free time he was training his mind and body along with the bio-electric field.
His augments gave him stamina faster than he had been expending it, so since he never felt tired, sleeping never occurred to him. Had he remained on Earth that may have not been the case.
Now he could easily break the sound barrier while flying, he can lift a few tons using his telekinesis as well as thru his control over magnetism. He also learned an attack similar to Sith Lightning using the bio-electric field.
Adam also began to wear his Mjolnir armor less, it always enhanced him, so he decided he should train and improve without it. It's easier to improve without the suit on, and those improvements would just be amplified once he does wear it, so it was a win-win choice. So even tho it remained on him at all times, he had in a powered down state so that it wouldn't boost him until he activated it into battle mode.
Adam has grown particularly close to Natasha, Yelena and the other widows. After learning of Adam's origins they felt he was a kindred soul, they were all shaped into weapons with just the purpose of spying and assassination. They were trained to use any means to get to their target, even if it meant using their bodies to do so.
It began with just spars and training, which eventually led to group training in the holodecks. They were able to cut loose and actually enjoy their lives, for the first time in years they could make their own choices. Many had even requested to return to Earth to find more of their sisters, even though Dreykov was dead Leviathan wasn't, so there were many of the widows out there on missions still under the Red Dust comtrol. They wanted to free their sisters and give them a chance to join them, to finally be able to do good rather than living the lives they were. Adam had approved their request and provided them a few ships to shuttle back and forth, the translocation platform was yet to be built.
Antonia Dreykov, or rather Taskmaster since all of her memories had been wiped due to her father constantly forcing her to use her mutant abilities to copy various fighting styles of heroes and villains alike, had been slowly recovering.
It took a while for her to get used to not being controlled, she had a habit of following Adam around which he didn't mind since he knew she was still getting used to being free. It was a subconscious act, a muscle memory so to speak, she was forced to follow her father around as his protector and whenever she felt uncomfortable or out of her element she was drawn back into old habits.
Natasha spent a lot of time with her, trying her best to help her become independent. She took her around the ship to the parks, the bar, the gardens and even the holodeck for relaxation. She knew there was no getting back the memories that were lost, but that didn't mean new ones couldn't be created.
Bruce Banner had become a permanent resident on Infinity, not only was his mind challenged but he also found a safe outlet to communicate with the Hulk using the virtual training helmets. He had more control now while in his Hulk form, he was also more accepting of his Hulk persona.
Rather than thinking of the Hulk as a separate entity, which was the reason why when he did transform he basically locked himself in the backseat thus causing the Hulk persona to grow into almost another personality, he had basically given himself a split personality disorder. Now Bruce no longer felt that way, Banner was the Hulk and the Hulk was Banner, slowly the split personality merged back into Bruce. Now he can be in Hulk form while retaining his intelligence.
Adam has attempted many times to spar with Bruce as the Hulk but Bruce has rejected him each time, he was still new to being in control and was afraid that he may damage the ship if he got too angry. It wasn't until Bruce promised that after a little more time he would spar did Adam leave him be and give him space to do as he needed.
Sharon Carter also joined the UNSC, after seeing her Aunt Carter young and beautiful again she couldn't believe what she was seeing, but after a long discussion with Peggy she decided to follow her Aunt.
Peggy, after finding out that the reason SHIELD didn't become autonomous from the government was due to HYDRA and how they had taken over her, Chester Phillips and Howard Stark's child, she had completely agreed with Adam. She knew even if they cleared HYDRA from SHIELD it would still be a division run by the UN thus forcing SHIELD to only look out for UN interests.
Sharon hadn't liked the idea of destroying SHIELD due to the reason her Aunt was one of its founders, but after Peggy explained her own feelings on the matter, Sharon had understood that Peggy had no desire for the current SHIELD to continue since it wasn't even close to what it's founders saw for it to be.
Steve also became a permanent resident aboard the Infinity, he and Peggy had married not long ago, as a wedding gift Adam had created a holo-program that recreated the Whip & Fiddle Pub in London England.
That pub had a lot of memories for the two, not only was it where Steve and his Howling Commandos met regularly along with many other soldiers during the war, it was also where Steve and Peggy's relationship began to bud as that was where their first date occurred.
Bucky was improving thanks to the effort both Steve and Peggy put into him. Using a mixture of the virtual training ground and holodecks as well as various therapy sessions, Bucky was able to come to terms with what had happened, he still felt horrible for the things he had done and had not only agreed to join the UNSC he had submitted a request to undergo the SPARTAN procedure.
After Steve found out about this he too had quickly submitted a request as well for the procedure, he wasn't going to be left behind. This had sparked a fire because soon after even a few widows including Natasha and Yelena requested the procedure.
Adam had not denied them but also told them what they would be going thru, he submitted the information to them on the SPARTAN IV procedure and had requested Eve to first provide the information to anyone who submitted the same request.
If after they have reviewed the procedure and all its risks and still wished to proceed he wouldn't deny them the procedure, as long as they could pass the physical tests and all other tests that are done before the augments are installed to ensure their body could handle such a strain he would allow it.
In the middle of his training session, Adam was interrupted by Eve, "Adam, Phil Coulson is on the line and wishes to talk with you."
"Patch him thru." Adam replied as he walked into the shower to get cleaned up. "What can I help with Agent Coulson?" Adam asked after hearing the connection being completed.
"Adam, we have a situation down here that requires your help as soon as possible. Fury is hoping you can bring your people in, along with Steve and the others."
Adam was stunned at first, "Don't tell me he started a war with HYDRA and wasn't prepared for it." Phil's response however caused Adam to drop his soap, "Negative, Loki of Asgard has declared war on the Earth and has stolen the Tesseract. Agent Barton has been compromised as well as Doctor Erik Selvig, they were taken by Loki and we need help locating them."
'Damn is it already that time, I had almost forgotten about that.' Adam thought to himself.
"Alright, I tried to warn him that he was messing with something he shouldn't, but what's done is done. You will have the help of the UNSC but tell Fury we will be taking the Tesseract once we retrieve Loki. Obviously he can't protect it, so the UNSC will be taking over protection of the artifact. This is non-negotiable." Adam replied as he turned off the shower and exit to put on his uniform.
"I will inform him of your condition, and just so I know what to say as I'm sure he will ask, what if he denies your condition for your help?" Phil asked hesitantly, he knew Fury wouldn't like, it so he wanted to know himself, what would happen if they refused?
"First of all he has no choice, I left the cube in his hands and didn't take it even though I knew where it was the whole time. I could've taken it whenever I wanted but I didn't. Fury felt he had it under control but now look at what happened. So I will keep it safe moving forward, he can 'not like it' all he wants but if it was taken once it can happen again, especially since you haven't even cleaned house yet. A response team will be sent to Earth within the hour, I will contact you once we are in the atmosphere." Adam stated then disconnected the call, then he activated the ship's PA system.
"Attention this is Commander Adam, I need all UNSC Avengers Team personnel to meet on the command deck in 5 minutes. Again, I need all UNSC Avengers Team personnel to meet on the command deck in 5 minutes. All other combat teams I want you in mission ready state for the next 3 days. Avengers Assemble! Hoorah!" Adam announced ship-wide, after putting on his Mjolnir armor he had it turn into a regular uniform and remain in a powered down state and made his way to the command deck.
'Man I've always wanted to say that.' Adam thought as he made his way to the command deck.
Upon arriving Natasha and Bruce were already there, with Steve, Bucky and Yelena walking in shortly after.
"Alright people, we have a situation on Earth, apparently Loki the brother of Thor has declared war on the Earth. He intends to subjugate the Earth and crown himself king. He has already attacked SHIELD and stolen the Tesseract." Adam then looked to Natasha and continued, "Agent Barton and Doctor Selvig have been compromised and are currently under the control of Loki."
Hearing this Natasha's eyes narrowed, her and Clint were very close friends, he was originally sent to kill her but instead offered her a job, since then their friendship grew. Natasha was one of the few people that knew he had a family who she had regularly visited and became close with as well.
Adam began to play the video footage of the attack using Eve to hack the SHIELD servers and retrieve the data.
"What is he bullet proof?" Yelena asked after seeing Loki easily take out the agents.
"Yes and no. Regular bullets using gunpowder definitely can't even damage the softest of areas on a Frost Giant or Asgardian for that matter. So don't bring standard weapons, use plasma or magnetic type weapons such as the gauss or rail gun, anti-material weapons and ammunition should also be able to hurt him and his army. I also wanted to let you know I have approved you all for receiving the SPARTAN IV procedure, once this situation is under control I will schedule it. You will be out of commission for a few weeks adapting to the changes which is why I am not having you go thru the procedure now." Adam explained, he saw the four smile happily after hearing that they can finally undergo the procedure.
Adam finished up by saying, "You will take an Albatross and head to Fury's helicarrier, while I will take my own ship and meet up later, you will meet up with Tony, Fury and the others to discuss our next steps. I have also informed Fury that we will be taking ownership of the cube and keeping it safe since he cannot. So if you see the cube, don't touch it with your bare hands, you will die. Make sure you carry gloves and have a portable translocation pad available so you can send the cube directly to the Infinity."
After going over some minor details and answering questions, the briefing was adjourned and the newly created USNC Avengers went to gather their equipment and new suits. Adam also got in touch with the teams who had been practicing the Invasion of New York scenarios and made sure they knew to be mission ready moving forward.
He arranged them on Infinity Sub-Vessel 3 which was one of the Strident-class heavy frigates docked internally in the Infinity. The ship had a slipspace engine so once it was deployed from the Infinity it could jump into Earth's orbit instantly. They would be able to deploy and be on Earth at a moment's notice.
Once everything was arranged Adam and the Avengers left on their ships.