Chapter 18: A Mission Too Big

Natasha Romanoff stood in front of Nick Fury's desk, her usual calm exterior masking the whirlwind of thoughts racing through her mind. She clutched a thick folder in her hands, one filled with everything she'd observed over the past few weeks. In her line of work, she'd seen a lot of classified and dangerous things, but nothing quite like this. And nothing that felt so... out of her control.

Fury sat behind his desk, his one good eye fixed on Natasha, curiosity piqued. He knew she was always thorough in her reports, but this time, the fact that she had insisted on delivering the report in person—and on paper—meant that something big was going on.

She handed the report to him wordlessly, standing straight, waiting for his inevitable questions. "It's too dangerous to transmit electronically," she said simply, her voice steady. "What's in there... it's something SHIELD needs to handle carefully."

Fury's brow furrowed as he took the file from her. He opened it, glancing down at the pages. "Give me the short version first."

Natasha hesitated, choosing her words carefully. "We're dealing with more than just Tony Stark, Director. Max Stark... he's operating on a level far beyond what any of us expected. His knowledge and his technology aren't from this world—or even from this galaxy. He's aware of things that no one should be, and that's putting it lightly."

Fury's eye narrowed, but he remained silent, flipping open the first page of the report. As he began reading, Natasha stood quietly, hands clasped behind her back, her posture rigid.

SHIELD Agent Romanoff Report: Subject - Max Stark (Xandar Incident)

Overview: This report details the activities of Tony Stark, Pepper Potts, Max Stark, and myself during a recent unplanned intergalactic excursion to the planet Xandar. In the course of these events, it became clear that Max Stark possesses knowledge, resources, and technologies that extend well beyond the scope of current human capabilities and understanding. The following is a detailed account of the events leading up to, during, and following the Xandar trip.

Pre-Xandar Trip

My cover as Tony Stark's assistant, under the alias of "Natalie Rushman," was maintained for several weeks leading up to these events. During this time, I observed Tony Stark's usual behavior, focusing on determining his suitability for the Avengers Initiative. As part of my mission, I was also tasked with gathering intelligence on Tony's son, Max Stark, whom he had only recently connected with.

Initial observations of Max Stark raised suspicions. He demonstrated an unusual level of technological knowledge and precision, even beyond Tony's, though he claimed to be self-taught. I noticed that Max kept to himself, rarely drawing attention to his activities and frequently disappearing for long periods.

The turning point came when Max invited Tony, Pepper, and myself on an excursion, which he claimed would be "a short trip." I had reason to believe this trip would reveal more about Max's capabilities, so I agreed to accompany them, continuing my cover as Tony's assistant.

During the Xandar Trip

Max piloted a spacecraft—one that he claimed to have built himself—out of Earth's orbit and through a Stargate, which he also claimed to have constructed. This was my first exposure to the Stargate network, a series of wormhole-generating devices that allowed for near-instantaneous travel across vast distances in space. The technology itself is ancient, likely belonging to a long-extinct intergalactic civilization, though Max wields it with ease.

We arrived at a Jump Point near the Xandar system, which is part of the Universal Neural Teleportation Network. Max's ship, equipped with a hyperspace drive, bypassed the standard Jump Point technology used by most interstellar travelers. This raised my initial concerns that Max's technology was far more advanced than the interstellar standard.

Upon arrival, we were contacted by Xandarian authorities and underwent a standard registration process. Max demonstrated his knowledge of interstellar customs, smoothly guiding the registration with the authorities. However, he intentionally revealed my real identity to the Xandarian authorities, forcing me to register under my real name, Natasha Romanoff. This breach of cover raised immediate concerns, as it indicated that Max was fully aware of my true identity and had been for some time.

After docking at Xandar's orbital station, we descended to the planet's surface. The primary purpose of the trip, according to Max, was to obtain advanced interstellar technology—specifically, the Jump Point drive technology and other resources. Tony Stark appeared surprised by Max's admission that his own technology far exceeded the standard on Xandar, but Max insisted on acquiring interstellar-standard equipment to avoid suspicion in future dealings.

Max's handling of alien tech was meticulous and deliberate. He negotiated prices for several technologies, including the Jump Point drive and superconducting materials, without needing the Xandarian currency on hand, promising payment after Pepper Potts exchanged valuable Earth metals for Xandarian units.

At the same time, Pepper and I encountered hostile individuals attempting to steal the space enlarged bag containing the metals. I neutralized three armed attackers, including one who I incapacitated using close-quarter combat techniques. My combat skills, combined with the assistance of Pepper's quick thinking, allowed us to secure the items without further incident. It was clear that Max anticipated such threats, as he assigned me specifically to protect Pepper during the exchange.

Post-Xandar Trip

Once Max acquired the necessary technologies, he purchased translator devices for each member of the group—small, wrist-mounted computers capable of translating multiple alien languages in real time. He maintained a calm and composed demeanor throughout, treating intergalactic commerce with the same ease as buying groceries on Earth.

Max's knowledge of interstellar politics was another point of concern. He spoke openly of the Nova Empire, the Kree, and even the Skrulls—entities that SHIELD has only the most basic understanding of. His actions and attitude suggest that he is well-versed in interstellar relations and may even have pre-existing connections to these powers.

The trip concluded with the group returning to Earth through the Stargate, where Max left us at Tony's Malibu villa. There was no incident during the return journey, but Max's control over the situation remained firm throughout. His awareness of my identity, combined with his willingness to operate under the radar of both Earth's and interstellar authorities, makes him a significant unknown variable in any future SHIELD assessments or operations.

Summary of Concerns:

Max Stark's technological capabilities far surpass both Earth's current technology and the interstellar standard. His access to Ancient technology, including Stargates and advanced spacecraft, is cause for immediate concern.Max is fully aware of SHIELD's operations and agents, including my own cover. This raises questions about the depth of his intelligence-gathering capabilities.Max's long-term goals are unclear, but he has displayed a strong desire to blend his advanced technology with Earth-standard and interstellar-standard equipment. This suggests he may be preparing for sustained interaction with alien powers.Tony Stark's recent engagement to Pepper Potts occurred during this trip. While unrelated to the primary concerns of this report, it is worth noting that Tony's personal life may impact his focus on the Avengers Initiative.

Recommendations: Further investigation into Max Stark's origins, technology, and long-term objectives is essential. His knowledge of Ancient technology, combined with his willingness to operate outside SHIELD's surveillance, makes him a potential threat if not properly monitored. At the same time, Max's capabilities could be an invaluable asset, should SHIELD succeed in recruiting him or maintaining a cooperative relationship.

Fury set down the report, his fingers drumming lightly on his desk as he leaned back in his chair. Natasha watched him carefully, knowing that he would have questions, and likely concerns.

Fury's eye scanned the room before landing back on Natasha. "So, let me get this straight—Max knew who you were the whole time?"

Natasha nodded. "Yes. He knew from the start."

Fury's face remained unreadable, but she could sense the intensity behind his gaze. "And you're saying this kid—Tony's son—has access to Ancient technology? Stargates, ships, the works?"

"Exactly," Natasha confirmed. "And he uses it casually, like it's second nature to him. He's hiding something, but he hasn't been reckless. At least not yet."

Fury tapped the edge of the report, a hint of frustration creeping into his voice. "What I don't get is why he's doing all this. He's not flashy like Tony, and he's not looking for attention. What's his endgame?"

"That's the question," Natasha agreed, her voice level. "He's been playing it close to the chest. But I get the feeling he's preparing for something. He's not reckless, but he's also not waiting for permission."

Fury leaned forward, eyes narrowing. "And the fact that he's aware of our operations—knows about SHIELD, knows about you... that's a problem."

"A big one," Natasha said. "He's operating on a level we haven't prepared for."

Fury was silent for a long moment, his mind turning over everything she had told him. Finally, he looked up at her. "We need to keep him on our radar. Close observation. If he's hiding something bigger, we need to know."

Natasha nodded. "Understood."

Fury stood up, the weight of the situation evident in his posture. "I'll handle things from here. Keep monitoring Stark—both of them. And Romanoff?"

She met his gaze.

"If Max Stark steps out of line, I need to know. And I need to know fast."

Natasha gave a sharp nod. "You'll be the first to know."

As she turned to leave, Fury sat back down, his thoughts now consumed by the enigma that was Max Stark. What was the kid planning? And more importantly, was he a friend... or a threat?

Fury drummed his fingers on the desk, his mind running through every possible angle. One thing was clear: Max Stark was far more than just another prodigy.

He was something else entirely.