Inspired by Marvel's Avengers, Square Enix video game. This story takes place during the 5 year gap between A-Day and the start of the Reassemble Campaign. Beware of spoilers if you have not played the game.
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"Do The Avengers Pose a Danger to Society?"
It had been three months since the court hearings that received worldwide coverage that asked the very same question. Wherever you looked, the news that The Avengers were now disbanded was the hottest topic Every mouth spoke loudly about their opinions on the matter, debating where Earth's Mightiest might have gone to. There were rumors going around everywhere, red herrings left and right that could easily be misinformation. Not a day went by without hearing people talk about whether Thor went back to Asgard or a rumored Hulk sighting. Today was not unlike those days for the citizens of New York City; especially for a particular blonde named Yelena Benova, a Russian Biotech specialist who nabbed an interview right at the HR offices of the newly opened Advanced Idea Mechanics Tower. It was this coral colored tower which took the place of Yelena's previous home. This was none other than Natasha Romanoff, the super spy who changed the course of the century and now an agent of the Resistance that's rising against AIM.
Yelena was a stunning blonde standing at 5'11, with a perfectly sculpted Eastern European body that hid underneath layers of clothing. Her dyed blonde hair fell right above her shoulders, with a full set of lips painted impeccably, accentuating her sharp features that would make a supermodel envious. But it was her piercing blue eyes that gave off the most chaotic of emotions. She was dressed to impress that day in a simple manner, with a mini black leather pencil skirt belted at her waist and a silky white button up that stretched over the curves of her firm breasts. As she walked the lifeless metallic corridors of her desecrated home, her heart filled with the determination to play the long game to investigate AIM.
She was seated on a cold leather chair in an office after a quite uneventful conversation with a robotic receptionist. The workroom had pure glass windows overlooking the Big Apple like a watchtower, its metallic surfaces were just as lifeless as the rest of the building, giving off a dead energy. Natasha's home had become unrecognizable, with all the past traces of it clouded by a thick coat of machinery and dehumanization. She felt her heart sink bit by bit as she waited for the head of HR. Her eyes lazily scanned the room , looking for any type of surveillance but she knew with the technology at their disposal, AIM equipment would not even be easily visible to the naked eye. As she studied, she heard the metallic door swing open as a tall white man with moderately handsome looks entered the room.
He was wearing a black suit, HIs face was forgettable, topped with a pair of glasses that reminded Yelena of an old friend who was a nervous wreck most of the time she knew her, and prone to anger.
"Miss Benova, what a pleasure. Paul Walker" he said in a genuine way, his voice was a little shaky in the presence of the woman, which managed to amuse Yelena a little, causing a grin to form on her perfectly sculpted face as she stood . "Pleasure is all mine." she purred in a coy manner to get a handle on the interview ahead, shaking Walker's hand.
"Please, sit." the man said, taking a seat behind the metal desk which remained empty barring a piece of paper. "We've reviewed your resume, impeccable past work." She nodded while fixing her hair for a moment to give off an destitute vibe; Natasha was a natural born actress who blended with her roles, Yelena Benova was no different than any other. With her contacts, she managed to foolproof her application in an ironclad manner. AIM would have to deep dig considerably to find holes in her forms. "However..." the man paused speaking as he glanced down at the resume momentarily. "It seems that the original role you have applied for has been filled, you worked with Biotech Equipment yes?."
This left Yelena somewhat speechless as per Natasha's playbook. She knew how to play the role better than anybody. "That is not to say we don't have anything for you, but we do have a lab assistant position. And we can see that you have experience in that field?" Walker prompted as he saw Yelena's expression.
"I have, yes.I worked at a gene laboratory and my Masters was on Gene Modification at Tambov State University - as you can tell from my application." she said cautiously, now biting a red plump lip at the man whose gaze drifted between the blonde and her resume. "We have an opening with Dr. Killian down in the Research and Development. They are dealing with the Inhuman issue - of which I'm sure you're aware." he cleared his throat as if to avoid the subject.
"Yes I am, it's such a terrible thing.." she said with a nod, it was half the reason she was there in the first place. Natasha felt partially responsible to blame for the tragedy in San Francisco and made it her mission to help as many Inhumans be free of AIM's grip.
"Well, let me call Dr. Killian." he murmured as he pulled out a glass-like smartphone from a pocket, dialing a number as his semi-dead gaze lingered on Yelena, who batted her lashes skillfully at the man. "Thank you so much." she sang, putting a hand on her chest. "I can't wait to help the good work Dr. Tartleton has achieved so far."
The man nodded as Yelena went on, eventually stopping as the other side picked up "Dr.Killian, it's me Walker from HR." There was a long pause after. "Yes I'm calling you about that. We have a suitable new candidate likely." he said with a coy smile at the blonde who now seemed a little bit more at ease.
"Yes." Walker's eyes lingered on Yelena's full red lips, trailing down to her figure as the adopted smile retained on his face. "Oh definitely." he responded as the muffled conversation kept pace on the phone. "Will send her down soon then. Have a good one." he ended the conversation with a broad grin, now all gleeful. "That was a good call," he barked.
When the words "How soon can you start?" were spoken, Natasha's long-term plan was finally in motion.
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