Boratz Posted May 28 Read Aloud Posted May 28 Chapter 77: The Conspiracy Most High Natasha's battle with Mercy Grave did not go unnoticed. While the Black Widow longed for stealth and hoped to leave without a trace, the battle was anything but. The battle meant more than any of them could have realized as some of LexCorps' darkest secrets were uncovered. The master spy and Avenger knew all too well that the consequences would be swift. Lex Luthor would take stern and immediate action. The question that lingered in Natasha's mind was what kind of action he would eventually take. With the evidence that she gathered, she knew most of the world leaders were under his control. Despite this knowledge, she did not know what Luthor had planned or who exactly his true associates were. She saw some files mentioning the Dark Council, but even Luthor kept that information from his company's data. She traveled off grid and kept herself hidden as several powerful entities would be searching for her. The Black Widow made sure that no one was following her as she headed to her rendezvous spot to meet with Nick Fury. The rain hammered against the windows of the safehouse as Nick Fury stood motionless in the center of the dim command room. A dozen holographic screens flickered around him, each displaying fragments of stolen files, surveillance photos, and encrypted communications pulled from the shattered remains of LexCorp databases. Across from him, Natasha Romanoff leaned against a steel table, bruised and exhausted from her recent battle with Mercy Graves. The fight inside a hidden LexCorp facility outside Metropolis had nearly killed them both. Mercy had fought with terrifying loyalty, refusing to surrender even after sustaining devastating injuries. In the end, Natasha had won and buried beneath layers of LexCorp encryption; she had found something far more dangerous than weapons research. Governments, manipulated elections, engineered political crises, and assassinations disguised as natural deaths. Entire administrations placed into power through economic sabotage, blackmail, and media manipulation orchestrated by Lex Luthor himself and his other mysterious associates. The only issue was that these other accomplices and allies were removed from every file that was recovered. Luthor had made sure that all this information could not be traced or even found. After the events in London and the visit from the New Republic from the galaxy far, far away; Fury suspected that there had to be a connection between the enemies that they faced in that far away galaxy and Luthor. The only issue was that he did not have all the information, which for a man that dedicated his life to intelligence agencies and defense, that troubled him. Even though Luthor kept his associates out of the files, there was one name that had popped up time and time again. One face appeared repeatedly throughout the files, President Victoria Neuman. She had taken office after the deaths of the President and Vice President during the tragedy that surrounded the Kaiju attacks in London. Looking over the images of Neuman, Nick Fury studied the image in silence. One image showed Neuman standing at a podium while another showed her shaking hands with foreign leaders. There were additional images of Neuman entering private meetings with LexCorp intermediaries. Some of the files suggested financial backing while others implied political leverage. A handful of heavily encrypted documents carried wording Fury hated more than anything else: "Asset secured." "Influence confirmed." "Contingency active." That was not the language of partnership. That was ownership. A silence had been lingering inside the room ever since Fury started looking through the files. It was as if the silence itself carried a massive weight that pressed down on the shoulders of both Nick Fury and Natasha Romanoff. After the silence became too overpowering, the Black Widow found herself wrestling with the words to say to the Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. Natasha finally the heavy silence that had filled the room. "She's either working for Lex willingly... or she's trapped so deep she can't get out." Fury's remaining eye narrowed. "Doesn't matter which one it is." He enlarged another stolen image. A blurry photograph taken in secret showed Neuman seated beside several shadowed figures at a private gathering deep beneath LexCorp Tower. Only one face was fully visible, Lex Luthor. The others remained hidden by distortional algorithms or technology far too advanced for this world. The identities of the other members of this mysterious Council were deliberately obscured even within LexCorp's own archives. Even with the obscured images, Fury noticed details. One silhouette appeared unnaturally massive while another seemed to have chilling red eyes. One figure wore a metallic mask of some kind that was hidden in shadow. There were more but he couldn't make out who or what they were. This Council hidden in dark were not politicians, at least not any that Fury was accustomed to. They were not businessmen. They were something else entirely. They were powerful, and they were dangerous. With all of his years of experience, Fury knew that if these different individuals were associated with Lex Luthor, they held a wide variety of strengths and influences that could not be underestimated. Natasha crossed her arms before asking, "Think these are his backers?" Fury remained silent for several seconds. He shook his head while answering quietly, "No. I think Lex is in league with them. Almost... Almost as if it is a Council or a group." "What kind of Council?" Natasha asked with furrowed eyes that seemed as if they were staring through Fury's soul. The Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. did not answer immediately. The room seemed colder after that. For decades, Fury had prepared for invasions, rogue nations, alien empires, terrorist networks, and superhuman catastrophes. This felt different. This was infiltration at a global scale. His blood started to boil once he realized that with the connection to the far away galaxy, this was more than infiltration at a global scale. It was infiltration at a scale beyond the galaxy itself. On this world there were power structures being rewritten from the inside without the public ever realizing it. Sitting directly in the center of it was Victoria Neuman. Fury activated another file that was filled with medical records. He saw unusual neurological scans and biometric abnormalities. There was evidence confirming rumors that the President possessed abilities far beyond normal human limits. Natasha looked at him carefully. "Are you really going to do this?" Natasha asked nervously. "We don't know what she is even capable of." Fury gave a humorless smile. "World's already too full of gods and monsters. Can't let politicians start thinking they're untouchable too." ******* Days later, Washington D.C. stood buried beneath storm clouds as black SUVs moved through flooded streets toward the White House perimeter. Inside one of them sat Nick Fury alone. There were no Avengers, no S.H.I.E.L.D. Backup, and no official operations. Fury understood something most people never did. The moment institutions became compromised; trust became a liability. According to the LexCorp files, compromise had already spread further than anyone realized. The world, the galaxy, and the universe were in a war with powers that hid within the shadows. With the devastation in London, the attacks in New Orleans, and the strike on the Wizarding World after the death of Albus Dumbledore; Fury knew that something had to be done now if they were to have a chance in the war that had unfold. Deep inside the White House, hidden behind layers of Secret Service security and reinforced walls, Victoria Neuman dismissed her final advisors for the evening after being informed of the recent attacks on LexCorps. There was a sinking feeling deep in her chest, but she carried herself with the confidence of a world leader. The moment the doors shut behind them, her expression changed completely. She was calm, cold, and calculating as she pulled out a DataPad. A small flashing light had been blinking on and off on the device. The President pressed her fingers against the device before resting it down on the Resolute Desk. A holographic image of Lex Luthor appeared before her. "I suspect you have been made aware of the recent events, Madam President." Luthor said with an emotionless tone. "What information was uncovered, Lex?" Victoria asked. "That is none of your concern. What should be your concern now is Nick Fury." "I can handle him; I just need reassurance that you and your allies..." "I will stop you right there, Madam President. You do not need to burden yourself with the knowledge of the Council. You need to concentrate on the task that we assign to you." Victoria paused for a moment as that cold and calculating expression changed to one that was vulnerable. "What happens now?" "I am making arrangements to return to Earth. For true peace to be achieved, we must make retaliations against those that can oppose us. I have been away for far too long, and now it is time for me to come home." Lex replied before shutting off the hologram. Victoria sat in silence for a moment. She quietly stood to her feet and approached the window overlooking the rain-soaked capital. With the warning that Lex gave to her about Nick Fury, Victoria knew that he was close. "He's here..." She said softly. A voice emerged from the darkness behind her. It was one of her personal aides. "Fury?" Neuman never turned around. "It was inevitable." The shadowed figure stepped partially into view, though its features remained concealed beneath darkness. "Do you require assistance?" Neuman smiled faintly. "No." Her eyes narrowed toward the distant gates of the White House. "Nick Fury is a narrow-minded relic from a forgotten generation." A subtle pulse rippled beneath the skin around her eyes. It was almost invisible. "He has no idea what's coming." Meanwhile, After ending the transmission with Victoria Neuman, Lex heard the faint sound of clattering footsteps from behind him. He glanced back to see the blue-skinned Imperial Grand Admiral approaching him. "The inevitable cost of war is one that will always be paid with blood, Mr. Luthor. I understand that Mercy Graves will be a loss to you, but rest assured that it is a small price that will be paid in this war. It is only a small price paid in the victories that we will achieve in this war." Grand Admiral Thrawn said while crossing his arms behind his back. ******************* This takes place after the events of Black Widow vs. Mercy Graves. Natasha has uncovered more information regarding LexCorps involvement in the recent events. Nick Fury has become aware that there is a shadowy, galactic Council of some dangerous and powerful individuals. But he does not know who exactly. He has learned that this mysterious Council has placed many major political figures in a place of power and control. One of these figures is Victoria Neuman. Fury has decided to go and confront her himself. Can her either stop her or convince her to help him, or will Victoria put an end to the Director of S.H.I.E.L.D.? Quote
Callisto Posted May 28 Read Aloud Posted May 28 Learn More About Nick Fury Read more about Nick Fury at Wikipedia Official Site: Marvel Entertainment Links: Wikipedia Marvel.com Comicvine Victoria Neuman Read more about Victoria Neuman at Wikipedia Official Site: Dynamite Entertainment Links: Wikipedia Quote
Boratz Posted May 28 Author Read Aloud Posted May 28 Hope you all enjoy It's been a while since I've continued this particular arc but hopefully I can bring it to a conclusion Quote
leroypowell3 Posted May 31 Read Aloud Posted May 31 I'm so happy you got back to this. I thought you had abandon this story. Gotta look up Neuman to see what's she's all about. Okay so Neuman is kind of a blood bender in way. This is Nick Fury. He's not going to go into this head first. He's going to have a plan and safeguards and stuff. He didn't go here to die. 1 Quote
Boratz Posted June 1 Author Read Aloud Posted June 1 1 hour ago, leroypowell3 said: I'm so happy you got back to this. I thought you had abandon this story. Gotta look up Neuman to see what's she's all about. Okay so Neuman is kind of a blood bender in way. This is Nick Fury. He's not going to go into this head first. He's going to have a plan and safeguards and stuff. He didn't go here to die. I really do appreciate it! I can say that I don't plan on abandoning it, but with 2 kids along with being tired and lacking motivation at times, it may come be treading water to an eventual finish line Quote
Callisto Posted Tuesday at 04:15 PM Read Aloud Posted Tuesday at 04:15 PM Match Final Results Member Ratings:5.00 - Venom 2009 5.00 - JohnnyChany 4.80 - Mercenaryblade FPA Calculation:3 Total Votes cast 14.80 Total Combined Score 14.80 / 3 = 4.93 Final Rating on the match MATCH SCORE Nick Fury: 4Victoria Neuman: 3 Quote
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