Chapter 604 - The Guys (1/2)
”Seriously? A café?” Nik inquired with a strange expression as Coulson smiled and shook Nik's outstretched hand before taking his seat. The shop the two met at was itself quite silent with elegant furniture that matched the atmosphere within. ”I just enjoy the service here,” Phil replied, ”We can always find an expensive restaurant with overrated food and chat there from now on,” he suggested. ”Exactly,” smiling, Nik waved the waiter off, not wishing to have any coffee or cakes for that matter, he enjoyed spicy dishes more than anything, ”That's how you burn away the government's dirty money, on dirty food.” Chuckling, Phil placed his cup down and took on a more serious expression.
”I needed for you to know that I have been officially appointed to a new task force that utilizes the extraordinary men for similar situations. I only answer to Director Fury and I kinda took a leap 'out' of the previously built hierarchy. Hearing him, Nik raised his eyebrows in surprise, ”Hey, that's good news... so you get to deal with highly dangerous men and women to tackle even more threatening jobs than your counterparts. I hope the insurance's worth it.”
”Ha ha,” faking a laugh in a mocking manner, Phil shook his head, ”I actually volunteered and Shield never sours up on insurance. I've actually got the best package. Better than the Director.”
”I am sure he wouldn't need one anyway,” Nik commented, pulling a strange expression from Coulson as Nik shrugged, ”I mean, he's 'the' Director. With an eye-patch. He's already living the dream,” he smiled, 'and the matrix. He's a freaking android for all we know,' Nik added internally.
”Anyway. Alongside the job came a budget to deal with various situations. Now, I can hire you for the previously set amount out of my personal pockets and you won't have to deal with all that agent protocols you had to in your first mission since I am accountable anyway.”
”And you have a job,” Nik saw the hesitant look in Coulson's eyes and added to the man's words.
”That, too,” he coughed.
”I know that you are not a fan of memory sticks,” saying so, Phil placed the file laying on his seat above on the table and slid it across the table. ”This will go through the cause and need of your presence. Know this, 'the' Captain is involved once again and things are not looking good.”
”What did he do now? Fight another group of mobsters?” Nik scoffed and held the file and went through its content quickly, ”My word,” he muttered, ”Captain went above and beyond this time,” Nik mumbled as Phil nodded, ”The Captain poked the hornet's nest. He is aware of the fact and he actually asked for you personally. Since you sent Taskmaster on his merry way last time. Word is that Taskmaster is forming a team to specifically tackle 'Vanish'.”
”I feel like a rockstar,” Nik mumbled while placing the file on the table, ”A crazy dude is obsessing over me while handsome guys are dying to meet me—”
”Well, the Captain isn't dying to meet—”
”Let's just say he is, alright. Take a chill pill, Agent.” Shaking his head with a sigh, Nik nodded, ”Sure thing, I'll tag along. Never got a superhero team of myself to fight off a bunch of really super villains. I mean... Rhino? Seriously. Please tell me Luke is also tagging along.”
”Better,” Phil smiled, ”While Luke is sent away, Agent Widow managed to recruit another one of you guys. The boy goes by the title— Iron Fist. I think, you'll like the guy. He always has something good to say.”
{A/N: Like Luke Cage, this version of Iron Fist is the Ultimate Spiderman television counterpart version. The only difference is, Luke is actually the same age as his other counterparts while Iron Fist is still a teen.}
”Well, I hope so,” Nik nodded, ”So from now on I am a known mercenary in your group, right?” Nik inquired to confirm, making Coulson agree. ”You are always welcome to join us. I know that you are living with an ex-agent, so it must have some merit.”
”It does,” Nik sighed, ”but no thanks. Joining you guys completely would be a pain... I mean, there is no 'true' retirement in such work. Past always catches up,” Nik stated as he recalled how Ann's father wanted her dead just to spite Mary. A cruel world ruled by whimsical desires indeed and Nik felt that spy agencies such as Shield and Hydra were two of the most important points in such a world closer to the center of said cruelty and chaos. Nik was happy not getting pulled into it. ”Anyway, is that the only information you have on what we are up against? Can't you guys find out where the 'bad' guys are right now and pay them a surprise visit?”
”I am out of the operation of the organization, remember?” Coulson shook his head, ”I can only depend on you guys to complete the missions and we don't have enough manpower. Aside from You, Iron Fist, White Tiger, and Silk—”
”Cindy's coming, too?” Nik inquired as Phil nodded.
”Is she ready?” he inquired. After all, there wasn't enough data to pin the threat level of the opponents' Steve found himself standing against. Except for the man claiming to be the Rhino. He was pretty straightforward.
”Honestly, she is stubborn. That's all. I am benching on her the communication van with you leading the team,” Phil stated while Nik furrowed his brows for a second. ”Forget that I asked about her,” Nik opened up, ”The last thing I want is to my concern come in the way of her growth. If she has joined you guys then she's under your command. Do as you see fit,” shrugging, Nik stood up, ”When do I get to meet the team... and well, practice? This is going to be a team mission with the feeling of every member considered, right?”
”What do you mean?”
”Well,” Nik leaned forward, ”would your team of superhumans enjoy that I show them up during the times when it counts? At least, by meeting them now, all of them could understand that I am better than them.”
”I don't know about that,” Phil smiled, ”Cindy made some good progress. But... we should have a team meeting. Do you have anything to do now?” Phil inquired.
Smiling smugly, Nik sat back, ”Nope, all the assignments are complete and while I thought I'll make someone else do them... they were quite enjoyable.”
”We'll have the meeting in a few minutes then, come, I'll drive you,” Phil suggested.
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