The Stark Shadow

The Revelation

- Collins -

Flashback

"These were not the terms I agreed to," I argued with the man standing on the other side of the console I had been working on for weeks. I was brought in to program an algorithm set to evaluate potential threats after the events of New York. They called it "Project Insight". The entire operation was kept secret and the select few who were let in on the details were kept under heavy surveillance.

"I understand your hesitation, but think about it. Would you rather let a catastrophe happen or stop it before it even has a chance?"

I pulled the flash drive containing the algorithm from the main control panel and tucked it away in my pocket. "You are taking away the very freedom of choice, Secretary Pierce." I packed away my laptop and started to walk towards the exit. A guard appeared and stood in the doorway stopping me.

Pierce motioned for the guard to move aside. He rushed after me as I quickly made my way out of the research lab and through the main lobby. "We are taking nothing away but the threats that could destroy the world."

"By doing so, you would be destroying the world and I will have no part in it."

He let out an exasperated sigh. "Our mission is to give the world the freedom it deserves," he said, opening the door for me as we stepped into the courtyard of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s headquarters. "It truly is a shame you have chosen not to continue with us, Miss Stark."

Miss Stark.

The color drained from my face. He knew. It was public knowledge that I was the other half behind the technologies of Stark Industries, but what wasn't known was that I was Tony's sister. After our parents were killed, Tony had our last name stricken from all my records in an attempt to keep me safe. He was the golden child of technology. Me? I was the daughter my father tucked away from the spotlight.

"I'm afraid you have me mistaken for somebody else, Mr. Secretary."

"My apologies. I do hope you make it home safely," he smirked, turning back towards the entrance and disappearing into the building, leaving me frozen in the middle of the courtyard.

~~~

It was eleven o' clock when I finally made it back to my apartment. I was drained. I had been trying to make sense of Pierce's sudden discovery and his thinly veiled threat since I left. How did he know? What did it mean? I shook my head trying to clear my thoughts, throwing myself onto the sofa in my living room. Resting my arm over my eyes, I sighed. Either I was in danger or Tony was. As soon as the thought of Tony's life being in danger because of my impulsive exit from S.H.I.E.L.D. really clicked in my head, I shot up from the couch, my forehead making contact with the cool metal barrel of a gun.

So, it was me.

"Did Pierce send you?" I asked the dark silhouette of a man looming over me. Even in the dim lighting, I could make out his gray eyes reflecting the light of the lamp in the corner of the room.

No answer.

I could see him moving his finger to hover over the trigger, the expression on his face flashing the briefest moment of hesitation. I took the opportunity to twist his arm and try to wrench the gun from his grip. His arm lowered and he pulled the trigger, sending a bullet into my side. I screamed in pain. Clutching my side, I kicked my foot into his chest, sending him flying across the room and hitting the wall behind him. He dropped the gun as he fell and I picked it up, keeping it aimed at him.

"Did Pierce send you?" I asked again, and again my question was met with silence.

The man lunged towards me and I shot the remaining bullets into his right shoulder as he fell back to the floor. I tossed the emptied gun aside and walked over to him. "If and when you make it back, tell him he underestimated me." I said as I dug the heel of my shoe into his injured shoulder, watching him writhe in pain. He would survive if he got help within the next hour.

He muttered something that I couldn't quite make out, but not wanting to stick around any longer, I snatched my phone and my keys off of the coffee table and headed straight for the garage. Sliding into the driver's seat, I stuck the keys into the ignition and peeled out of the garage. I needed a doctor. Soon.