Chapter 2

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Five Hydra agents sat around the large table. A lone female agent stood off in a corner, just watching and waiting. Hydra needed more intel on the Avengers, more than what was already public knowledge, and the men were trying to come to an agreement on the best course of action to obtain something useful. They needed a new approach.

S.H.I.E.L.D. was easy - but the Avengers proved to be more difficult. It was going to take someone special to get into their ranks.

"Raven is our best asset and the only one that can do the impossible," Lieutenant Saltz spoke. "She can get past their security measures without a problem and get us what we need."

"She's reckless," agent Dakini said. "We can't trust her to -"

"She will be the best person to infiltrate the Avengers," Sergeant Batrel interrupted. "No one else has the connection, yet disconnect, that she does to them."

Dakini rolled his eyes. "We can't just send her into them. They'll -"

"Raven and Stark have a history," Sanzetti finally spoke up. "She can get close to them - she can get in."

Agent Dakini shook his head tightly. "It's been decades! Who's to say he'll even remember her? Let alone trust her enough to allow her in."

Sergeant Batrel glared at the agent before turning to Malick at the head of the table. "She's our best option here, sir."

"She's not ready," Dakini said adamantly, but the other three agents did not hear his words. They heard her.

"I will do whatever Hydra needs of me."

"Raven," Batrel looked up with a stoic expression.

Agent Dakini frowned and pressed his lips together. "She's not ready," he said quietly, "She's unstable, sir. She went against orders last time she confronted them; how do we know she won't do the same and betray Hydra when left on her own?"

The other three agents exchanged looks before the Lieutenant shook his head briefly. "She's our best chance," he said, "And if she proves she's not ready, then I'll deal with it."

The four agents began to argue, but Malick did not say anything. He knew the potential of enlisting Raven to get the intel, and if that meant dealing with her if she tried to leave - then so be it.

They had lost The Soldier to the Avengers already, but they had to retake the risk. The only advantage they have with Raven is that her ties don't run nearly as deep to her past as The Soldier's had.

"Get her ready," Malick finally spoke.

"Sir?" Dakini spoke again, "We should at least send a second in with her to make sure nothing-?"

"She can take care of herself," Malick spoke again. "Get her ready."

Raven nodded at her superior before leaving the room.

Agent Dakini shook his head. "They're going to kill her."

Batrel looked up at him, "I don't think so. I know she will succeed for Hydra."

"It's a suicide mission."

Sanzetti stood and turned to Dakini. "Not if she's on her own. We saw it with the Soldier; the Avengers won't easily destroy one of their own."

"She's not one of theirs."

"Not yet."

Dakini could only shake his head, "Sir, I really must object to this."

Sanzetti looked to his superior and waited for him to respond.

"You've already made your point clear - we'll talk later."

Agent Dakini started to speak again but sighed and shook his head.

Malick turned to the Sergeant and Lieutenant. "Good work with preparing her for this. But know, if she goes against her training, it is on you two as well."

They nodded in understanding. Malick dismissed Sanzetti and Dakini, leaving just Saltz and Batrel with him in the room. They remained silent for a few moments before one finally spoke up.

"Are we sure this is the best course of action? Sending Raven, alone, into not only S.H.I.E.L.D. but the Avengers?" Saltz asked.

Malick shook his head. "She's special."

"She is damaged."

Malick paused, "Is she?"

"Sir?" Saltz questioned.

"I think..." Malick began, "I think she has always been special, just in her own way. She doesn't fit in the normal situations, like the X-Men or the Avengers. She was created, yes, but not by anything here. Her different fighting styles, her unusual tactics - I think that was always there. I think some, even in the laboratory, knew she was different. I think they tried to make her into a weapon like they had the others - but Raven was and always will be a thing of her own."

"She functions and does what Hydra forces her to do. Like all the others," Batrel reasoned.

"No." Malick shook his head. "She will never be like the others, and even if she is, she may never be wholly Hydra. But I am willing to take that risk again." He stood. "She is our last hope, and if she succeeds, she will be our first Avenger recruited."

"But they'll never trust her," Saltz assured.

"She's not looking for trust. She's looking for a place to belong." Malick smiled.

"But, sir."

"It's been decided. There will be no more talk on the matter. " Malick turned on his heel.

"Sir?" The two men questioned in unison.

The officer stopped but did not turn. "I take full responsibility for anything she may do that is unexpected of her. Or anything unexpected that she may do that is expected of her. Do not question me again."

"Sir," The men acknowledged.

"Dismissed."

The agents nodded before leaving the room.

Malick stood at the door, watching. If he was correct, and he knew he was, then Raven could change everything.

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Raven stood at the desk inside the doors of the massive building.

"Can I help you?" The woman behind the desk asked, never looking up from her computer screen.

"I need to speak with Mr. Stark. Can you tell me whe-"

"I'm sorry, ma'am," the receptionist cut off, "But no one sees Mr. Stark, or any of the Avengers, without prior approval."

"I have prior approval. From a Mr. Stark himself." She reaches into her small handbag and pulls out an ID, showing it to the woman.

"Well then," the receptionist pauses, seeing the name on the card, "Oh, ma'am, I am so sorry. I-I didn't know. Le-Let me just call up to his office and let them know you are here."

"No, please, I'd much rather surprise him. I just need to know which way it is to his main office, please."

"Of course. Just, uh, take that elevator there," the receptionist pointed to a lone set of doors at the far side of the building entrance, with a guard standing next to them. "There's only one button inside, ma'am, and it will take you directly to Mr. Stark and the Avengers' main lobby upstairs."

"Thank you so much for your help." She smiled sweetly at the woman before turning and walking to the elevator. The guard had watched the interaction from afar and let her in immediately as she arrived.

Pressing the button, she held her breath as the elevator lifted her to the top floors.

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