Chapter 56

Inside Fury's safehouse, the dimly lit room buzzed with the hushed voices of the resistance members, their faces etched with determination as a plan was hatched against Hydra. The walls were lined with maps, photographs, and scribbled notes, casting eerie shadows in the flickering light of the single overhead bulb.

"What should we do now? We were supposed to be stealing a Helicarrier, right?" Ace's voice was tinged with frustration, his brows furrowed in concern. His dark hair, tousled from stress, framed his intense blue eyes.

"Yes, but there are still some things we must do before that," replied Fury, his one good eye glinting with resolve beneath his trademark eye patch.

Nick Fury thrust a handful of documents onto the table, scattering them like leaves in the wind. The team leaned in, eyes scanning the information with urgency. The room smelled faintly of old paper and coffee, a testament to the long hours spent planning.

"The Helicarriers are not complete yet. They still need a few components before they can launch. We need to retrieve them before Hydra can complete the Helicarrier," explained Fury, his deep voice resonating with authority.

"Won't they be alarmed and come after us then? The world still doesn't know they exist," Ace pointed out, his jaw tightening as he spoke.

"Agreed, but we need to delay those Helicarriers first, or else we will face serious consequences," Fury replied, his tone brooking no argument.

"Where do we get these components, sir?" asked Natasha, her fiery red hair catching the dim light, her green eyes sharp with focus.

"They're in a SHIELD base at this location. It's heavily guarded, and breaking in won't be simple," Fury responded, pointing to a marked spot on the map pinned to the wall.

"Can't you just waltz in and grab it? You guys are still SHIELD agents," Ace suggested, crossing his arms over his chest.

"We can't; it will expose us and could alert Hydra," Fury countered, his face a mask of concentration.

"So, what's your plan?" Ace asked, leaning forward.

"We make them think a third party is behind it," Fury said, a slight smirk playing on his lips.

Ace caught on quickly. "You want to use the identity of Metsuboujinrai.net to infiltrate the SHIELD base."

"Exactly. Metsuboujinrai is a new group that SHIELD doesn't know much about, and Hydra should also be clueless. This should keep them occupied while the rest of us focus on uncovering evidence and members of Hydra," Fury explained, his voice filled with a mix of cunning and determination.

"I don't mind. Let me contact my friends so we can prepare," said Ace, pulling out his phone.

Fury nodded and moved on to the next topic. "Another problem we face is the lack of manpower. Everyone in this room is someone I trust to keep a secret and isn't part of Hydra." Fury looked at Ace momentarily. "Well, trustworthy enough."

Ace snorted silently, understanding Fury's implication. His lips curled into a brief, ironic smile.

"But we'll still need more hands when we expose Hydra. It will be difficult to know who is and isn't a Hydra agent when the time comes," Fury continued, his voice dropping to a grim tone.

"I could recruit some people I trust, sir. I've been working with them for years," suggested Coulson, his face earnest, the lines of worry etched deeply around his eyes.

"No, Coulson. I don't trust anybody outside this room. They could be sleeper agents for all we know," replied Fury, shaking his head. His graying hair and the deep lines on his face spoke of years of battles fought and secrets kept.

Fury's caution was justified. Many SHIELD agents were covertly working for Hydra, but his shrewdness ensured no one in the room was a Hydra agent.

"Then we're in trouble. We can't do much with our numbers," said Hill, her tone laced with concern. Her short, dark hair framed her face, which was set in a frown.

"Hmm... I think I can help," said Ace, breaking the tense silence.

"How?" asked Fury, turning his intense gaze on Ace.

Ace explained in detail about Humagears, highlighting their capabilities and potential impact. The group was captivated by the newfound knowledge, their eyes widening with interest.

"So, you're saying you have these robots who can think on their own and could solve our problems?" said Fury, his voice tinged with skepticism.

"Well, that's an oversimplification, but yes, more or less," Ace replied, shrugging slightly.

"Here, I thought you having your own AI was amazing," said Fury, sighing. He could already envision the danger an army of Humagears posed. The thought sent shivers down his spine.

"They're not an army, Fury. Humagears are created to help humanity. They can be doctors, teachers, secretaries, and more. They're not fighting machines," Ace clarified, his tone calm and reassuring.

"I see." Fury couldn't help but think of the worst-case scenario. He couldn't deny that Humagears would solve their lack of manpower and were more trustworthy than recruiting potential Hydra agents.

"I'm saying this now. I'm not giving you Humagears for free. Each one is expensive," said Ace, a small, knowing smile playing on his lips.

Fury grumbled. Without SHIELD funds, he could only use his personal assets. "You know we don't have much money. We can't use SHIELD funds for operations."

"I know. Consider it a loan. I'm lending you some worker-type Humagears. If you're impressed, I'm sure you'll order more," Ace offered, his tone pragmatic.

They continued to discuss their strategies for Hydra in detail, deciding to reconvene the following week to explore their plans more thoroughly.

…

In a bustling mall arcade in Beverly Hills, a vibrant young teenager immersed herself in video games. The flashing lights and electronic sounds created a cacophony around her. With determined focus, she skillfully progressed through each stage, reveling in the excitement. Her bright yellow coat and standout magenta sunglasses created a bold impression amidst the colorful chaos.

"Yes! New high score!" she cheered, her voice filled with triumph. She was about to play another round when a mall guard approached.

"Hey, kid! It's closing time. Go home before I kick you out," the guard said, his tone firm but not unkind.

"Aw, man, can I play one more game?" she pleaded, her eyes wide with disappointment.

"Sorry, kid. Rules are rules," the guard replied, shaking his head.

The young girl left, feeling disheartened. It was well past midnight, and the flickering glow of the lampposts dimly lit the eerily quiet streets. She arrived home, which still felt unfamiliar to her, the starkness of the night contrasting with the vibrant arcade.

"Man, I wish I could have stayed a bit longer," she muttered, kicking a pebble as she walked.

As she stepped inside, she saw her parents waiting, their faces a mix of anger and concern.

"Where have you been? Do you know what time it is? You could get hurt," her mother scolded, her voice tight with worry.

"I was only at the mall," the young girl replied, a rebellious edge to her voice.

"Your mother is only worried about you. You always come home late, which worries us. Maybe I should set a curfew," said her father, his tone attempting to be firm.

"Hey! I'm not a child! I don't need a curfew." She got so mad that light started emanating from her hands, confusing everyone present.

"What is happening?" the young girl exclaimed, her eyes wide with fear.

She extended her hands outward, unleashing a powerful beam that struck the TV, instantly rendering it inoperable. The TV sizzled and smoked, the acrid smell of burnt electronics filling the room.

She looked at her hands, feeling confused and scared.

The mother's voice trembled. "What was that?"

"I-I don't know. I'll be in my room." She dashed to her room and hastily shut the door, locking it with trembling hands. Collapsing to the floor, she gazed in awe at her hands, which emitted a dazzling, radiant glow. Frantically, she shook her hands, desperate to halt the phenomenon. When the light finally subsided, she wrapped her arms around herself, bewildered and striving to comprehend the extraordinary occurrence.

"What is happening to me?" she whispered, her voice filled with fear and wonder.

…

In the X-Mansion, Charles Xavier used Cerebro. The dark, metallic room hummed with energy as he scanned the globe with his telepathic powers. He heard the voices of millions, a cacophony of thoughts and emotions. He paused when he saw the young girl slumped in her room and crying. He had found another mutant who had just awakened her powers. Turning off Cerebro, he called his X-Men, his voice calm but urgent.

"X-Men, I have found another mutant," he announced, his eyes reflecting the weight of his discovery.

***

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