Chapter 25 – Climax Approaching

(AN: Sorry I didn't update yesterday. To be honest I literally forgot I had a novel.)

1st Pov Makenzie

Shield's response came faster than I thought it would. I had thought Fury would have wanted to take a step back after learning of my origins and the implications that there were almost certainly others like me.

So, I was surprised when Coulson arrived at a gang hideout Reaper had cleared last night along with a fully armed battalion of Sheild agents who all wore looks of wanting to be anywhere else but here not even a week after our conversation. It seems Fury wants to quickly wrap up the Reaper situation.

I could understand the sentiment. Reaper's work was the definition of brutal efficiency. The bodies had all been taken to the coroner's office before they got moved to the morgue but the ground around us was still stained with vast amounts of red and the coopery smell of blood would likely never truly leave the area.

I was sitting off to the side on a pile of crates containing heroin eating my lunch when Coulson and his team arrived. The looks of shock and disgust I expected considering how I was causally munching on five guys while surrounded by blood. The looks of reverence though were quite a shock.

Hopping off the crate I made my way over to Coulson making sure my body moved to properly match Soldiers physique and attitude. Recently I've noticed that my coordination after my transformations is taking longer than it used to. There has always been a slight adjustment period after I transform.

The sudden change in height, temperament, and physique make it mandatory. But the time I needed to adjust had rapidly started to shrink as I continued to utilize my transformations. At least it had until the day after my meeting with Coulson. Now it was taking extra-long to Coordinate myself and sometimes I would forget who I was transformed as or even if I was transformed at all.

Sigh... Just thinking about it annoyed me to no end. Luckily, I have the knowledge of 9 medical professionals and blueprints of their exploits spanning 500 years to rely on. Finding a solution wouldn't take very long. I can vaguely remember Tracer having something similar built on her 48th run when she decided to forgo her human body in favor of making her body as enhanced as possible. By the end of that run Tracer was probably stronger than Blue Beetle, Cyborg, and Iron Man combined.

"Agent Coulson. I didn't expect to hear from you so soon." I gave a casual greeting to Coulson once I arrived in front of them.

"I'd have thought you and your superiors would have had more to talk about after the last time we met."

Coulson released something akin to a chuckle as the team behind him all adopted curious expressions wondering what conversation I was referring to and why Coulson would have needed to speak to his "superiors".

"I'm just as surprised as you are. After what you told me, I was sure we'd have to make some pretty big changes to our plans. But after I finished my report, they simply told me to continue as I was. I guess they see Reaper as a bigger problem. At least for right now."

I guess that makes since. SHIELD should have picked up on the fact that Reaper was clearly acting with more purpose than just the terrorism the news labeled his actions as. They probably think he's trying to take over Kingpins position. Which he is... In a way.

"It's good to know that your leaders possess enough intelligence to realize Reyes is a threat that cannot be allowed time to properly build himself up. What you are seeing now is merely him testing the waters. Soon once he's done getting a feel for this city, he will stop wasting time with these pointless attacks and will move on to destabilizing the country."

In my old world there were innumerable sayings about how one person could only accomplish so much. And I'd always liked how fantasy and comics completely shit on that notion. Reaper by himself could cripple the entire US. He is strong, fast, untraceable, and most of all unpredictable. Every time I watch him, and Jessica spar I'm reminded of the gap between normal humans and Super Soldiers. A gap that big can't truly be felt until you're watching firsthand as Reaper with one punch collapses a building.

3rd POV

Listening to the mysterious Super Solider in front of them who had yet to introduce himself (AN: oops) Coulson and his team all felt their hearts palpitate with horror at the idea that Reapers continued massacre of New York's criminals, was him warming up. dozens dead every night at minimum, people terrified of staying in their homes alone let alone leave them to work. Reaper had in the course of a few months managed to become a horrifying cloud that loomed over New York city.

So far, the media had continued to report that only criminals were being targeted in an effort to keep the public calm and it worked up until they got around to telling people how many bodies are appearing every night. No one knows when New York will run out of criminals, and no one knows what Reaper will do when it does. No one wants to be on their way home from work only to find Reaper leaping down from a building above them clawed hand raised.

And that fear did not exclusively belong to the common people. Politicians and big business were just as worried about Reaper. Some might even say they were more afraid. Reaper acts very openly when out in the streets hunting criminals but no one hears anything about the missing politicians or businessmen for days until someone finally finds their bodies at home.

The city was locked down. Reaper's identity was still unknown. No one was allowed to exit or enter the city without being searched and tested thoroughly. Thoroughly to the point that if you look at all suspicious special force squads will come up and continue the inspection. Every federal agency in the country had teams canvassing the city looking for any sign as to where Reaper could be.

Luckily, in the face of a terror as great as Reaper most people, instead of going insane in paranoia adopted a different outlook. They moved past their fear not because they stopped being afraid but because Reaper had become just that to the people of New York. The Reaper, the God of death.

In the face of something so terrifying people just stopped caring. What was the point in panicking. When he'd still kill you all the same. What was the point in running? You'd never get away from him. Where could you hide? The city was his playground.

Therefore, the city at least during the day maintained its normal functionality. It helped that Reaper has never been spotted killing people during the day. But Hell's Kitchen, his most likely place of residence, has been completely abandoned by the scum and honest folk both running as far from that part of the city as they could.

"Before we start to seriously hunt Reaper, I need to confirm that you won't be a liability." Makenzie's voice cut through the silence like a knife as the agents unconsciously straightened up. Their eyes showing that they had recognized the challenge that Makenzie had just issued to them.

"Don't misunderstand. I recognize your skill and I'm well aware of what a trained organized unit can accomplish. But fighting Reaper will be unlike anything you've ever experienced before. He is cunning and ruthless. He knows how soldiers like you think and if you're not carefully he'll use that knowledge to break you apart piece by piece."

"That's why I want you to show me that it's worth it to bring you with me. Prove to me that you can be more than liabilities." Moving as he spoke Makenzie arrived quickly at the center of the warehouse before he removed his blaster from his back and his utility belt from his waistband. Standing in the middle of the unarmed warehouse Makenzie faced the agents of SHIELD and stated the conditions of his challenge.

"One injury. Anything no matter how small thr cut, bruise, bullet wound. If you manage to give me one injury within ten minutes, I will allow you to help me kill Reaper. You may take 2 minutes to discuss amongst yourselves before we start."

Seemingly dismissive of their existence Makenzie turned his back on them to allow them to strategize. He even made a point not to use his enhanced senses so that their secret discussion remained a secret.

1st Pov Coulson

Watching him turn his back on us in such a dismissive way I'll admit that my pride begins to act up despite my efforts to keep a cool head. Taking a deep breath to calm down I turned around to face my team of 6, 7 if you included Barton but he was out doing something for Fury. I haven't been informed as to what he was sent to do but if I had to guess Fury might want to bring Natasha in on this one.

SHIELD had been too hasty in getting the jump on Reaper, we had come in expecting a young, powerful, but ultimately naïve man. Instead, they got a well-trained mad man from another planet. Sigh... Honestly, I know that subjectively assuming aliens don't exist is stupid, but I didn't expect them to just start appearing someday. And taking a quick peak over my shoulder I felt another sigh coming up at how hilariously outmatched we seemed to be.

Three people...Er aliens. Three aliens and earth's supposed mightiest nation were already quaking under their steps. A psychopath with set on doing who knows what. A mystery doctor who we aren't even sure about is an alien who has conquered both the medical industry and people's hearts with her accomplishments and goals.

And finally, a super soldier. Captain America is my inspiration, he's the reason I got onto this path and to see someone who can so easily do what he can do not because he's a mutant but because their planet was so superior in technology that they made Captain America's with the push of a button. Just looking at the weapon and equipment he carries on his person puts most of the United States arsenal to shame.

"Alright what's the plan Agent Coulson? I say we take that smug bastard down a peg or two." Focusing back on his squad Coulson quickly took note of what equipment everyone had in their person before coming up with a barebones plan.

"Mark you and Amir stay back and provide cover fire. We won't have time to get more supplies during the fight so focus on stopping him from landing any knockout hits. Sam, Shahed you're with Barry. Focus on antagonizing him. Make sure not to overcommit even with cover, this is a guy who casually outruns cars. If given the chance he'll blitz through all of us. I'll stay back the first few minutes before coming to help you guys."

"Times up." Turning around at the sound of his voice I forcefully stamped down my nerves and gave my team an affirmative nod that sprung them into action. Instantly Barry and Sam, two of our best melee brawlers along with Shahed who is an expert in Krav Maga launched themselves forward. As they rushed forward Mark and Amir, two of my best friends from the academy, started to lay down cover fire.

When we entered the building, we were all wearing standard SHIELD issued vests and body suits so they should have another two clips using one now so that the other three can approach him unimpeded is the best move you can make when facing an enemy with unknown limits.

As I expected he effortlessly dodged the bullets, the way he twisted around them reminded me of the ballet routine I had gotten the pleasure of witnessing Natasha perform during training. And right from those movements there I knew that if he took this seriously that we had no chance of defeating him. Natasha was enhanced but not anywhere near enough to outpace and stop a car moving upwards of 100km/h.

If that's the case, then no matter what we'd be a burden to him. Director Fury was right, this partnership he's offered isn't about Reaper. It's about what happens after Reaper, as an alien who seems stuck on the planet currently there's no telling how many groups would like nothing more than to dissect his body for all its secrets.

Considering his intense dislike for government authority it's safe to say he won't ever join SHIELD. But if we play this right then we might just have another trump card in our hands. Director Fury was correct in swapping out the agents for people with more experience. This mission is too important to mess up. Even if he refused to offer us his physical services, just some of the blueprints his enhanced memory holds would outweigh any risk, we take dozen fold at least.

Coming out of my thoughts, I didn't bother trying to come up with any more complicated strategies. He wanted to know that we could keep up that's all this test was for. He was making sure no one would die the second they encountered Reaper. It's clear that he sees us as more of an audience than as teammates.

Swinging high aiming for his jaw as he turned away to dodge a shot from Amir, I felt my perception of time seemingly slow down as his hand shot up at insane speeds grabbing my arm and tossing me across the room into Sam sending us both to the floor.

"Finally, decided to join us, Agent Coulson?" He questioned sarcastically as he slowly approached Amir and Mark. Now he dodged their shots with a lazy rhythm that made him seem so easy to hit but nothing ever connected. I could see Mark and Amir growing more frustrated as they continued to fire and before they knew it they were out of rounds.

Reaching he grabbed both and tossed them over his shoulder towards where I lay on the ground still recovering while Sam was out cold and Shahed who was desperately gasping for breath after taking a kick to the stomach.

Amir and Mark landed roughly on the ground beside us and just as he approached to end of this spare a splat sounded and I looked just to freeze at the arrow that had hit him in the chest.

Looking up I saw Barton and Natasha standing on the highest of the crates. They both smiled at me when they caught me looking at them. I need to give them a stern reminder on teamwork.

"Well, that looks like a hit. And I don't believe you ever put a limit on the number of players in this game, did you?" Barton smiled smugly at him, and I realized that this test wasn't for us at all. He was testing them. It left a bitter taste in my mouth to be so disregarded, but I had said it myself we are nothing more than an audience.

"Yes. I look forward to working with you agent Barton and...I don't believe we've had the pleasure of meeting." He said while doing a once over of Natasha

"Don't you think its rude to ask a lady's name without introducing yourself first?" Hah really seduction approach again. Does she really have such a low opinion of the male race. I mean sure its never failed but Natasha is probably among the 5 most beautiful people on the planet you can't blame men for that.

"Yes, now that were a team introduction are in order. I am Captain Jack Morrison." A teasing smile stayed on Natasha's lips as Jack finished his introduction. I'm surprised he answered so readily he seemed like the type to hold his secrets close to his chest. Although maybe he'd rather hold them close to Natasha's chest. He wouldn't be the first who'd tried, and he won't be the last.

"Agent Natasha Romanoff at your service." Never losing her smirk Natasha lowered her body slightly with her introduction, giving Jack a nice few of the unzipped parts of her uniform. I couldn't help but sigh at her antics, really that women would be the death of us all.