Mercury // S. Rogers (Book Six) ✔

Bullshit

Freya and Monica walk into the control room side by side. The others look up and smile when they see them.

"Everything okay?" Steve asks.

"Yep, we're good," Freya smiles up at him.

The two women come to a stop next to the group and Freya gestures toward the new, temporary addition.

"Monica, this is Hope Van Dyne," Freya introduces. "Hope, this is Monica Rambeau."

"It's so nice to meet you," Hope smiles and sticks out her hand.

"It's an honor to meet you," Monica grins and returns the handshake.

"I'm assuming you've all been acquainted," Freya asks Darcy and Jimmy.

"Oh, hell yeah," Darcy grins. "Thanks for letting me meet another Avenger!"

"That's not why she's here," Freya chuckles.

"She explained why," Jimmy nods with an excited smile. Freya just rolls her eyes and turns to Hope. She doesn't miss the stares directed their way at the small group of Avengers gathered near Monica.

"You find anything?" she asks.

"Maybe," Hope hums out. "Inside the anomaly is definitely changing with the time periods, but it's not quite time travel. The data you guys are getting is so odd."

"Tell me about it," Jimmy sighs.

"Morning," Hayward announces when he walks in. He glances at Freya's group and does a double-take when he sees the new addition. "Hope Van Dyne," he states.

"Yes, sir," Hope nods and stick her hand out. "It's nice to meet you, Director Hayward." He silently returns the handshake before looking at Freya.

"You called another one of you out here?" he asks through clenched teeth.

"She's my consultant. She won't be here long. Calm down," Freya responds. Hayward lets out a huff before continuing to the front of the room.

"We are now assessing a more clear picture of this crisis," Hayward announces to everyone. "And thanks to Captain Rambeau, we now have first-person intel from inside the Westview Anomaly. Our initial theory had Wanda Maximoff as one of many victims. We now know she is the principal victimizer," he says pointedly at Freya. Who narrows her eyes and sighs in response. "Jimmy," Hayward nods at the other man.

Freya and Monica share an uneasy glance before focusing on Jimmy as he walks up to the front of the room next to Hayward.

"Quick history on our subject," Jimmy begins. "Born in Sokovia in 1999 to Irina and Oleg Maximoff, both killed during an air raid when Maximoff and her twin brother, Pietro, were ten."

Freya frowns at the information and her stomach knots up. She doesn't miss the glances sent her way by the agents around the room. Steve steps up next to her and grabs her hand to comfort her. She squeezes it in thanks.

"The twins were subsequently radicalized, volunteering at HYDRA," Hayward adds.

"That's an oversimplification, but, yes," Jimmy nods hesitantly before continuing. Hayward sends him a stern look for a moment, which Jimmy misses. "After unspecified experimentation with the Mind Stone, Maximoff gained telekinetic and telepathic abilities, much like our Mercury here," Jimmy gestures to Freya. Who shifts uncomfortably on her feet and smiles awkwardly.

"Back up, Jimmy," Hayward interrupts. "Does Maximoff have an alias?"

"No, sir," Jimmy shakes his head.