Project K4-712

Episode 2: The God Who Takes Himself Way Too Seriously

Future KD: Yes I am updating  this, surprise, surprise

Future, Future KD: Yes I am updating this... again, surprise, surprise

Updated on June 18, 2025 at 1:10 AM

Luke's POV

The ramp dropped with a hiss of hydraulics, and we stepped onto the deck of an aircraft carrier. The ocean air hit us instantly—sharp, cold, and thick with salt. Jets were parked in neat rows. Crewmen in colored vests moved with precision.

We hadn't even made it ten feet before a redhead—striking, confident, and clearly not someone to mess with—strode toward us.

"Take care of the Captain's gear, guys," Coulson snapped at a couple of crewmen. They moved fast. Then he turned to me, eyeing my backpack. "And you, Lieutenant? Did you bring anything besides sarcasm and that vintage hoodie?"

I shrugged, the corners of my mouth twitching. "Well, I did bring my charming personality. But uh... no. No gear. I wasn't exactly given prep time. And besides, technically everything I used to own is still 'classified government property,' remember?"

Coulson nodded, smirking. "Right, I forgot. Don't worry—we've got something special lined up for you in the armory." Then, switching to formal mode, he gestured beside us. "But first—introductions. This is Agent Natasha Romanoff. Agent Romanoff, meet Captain Steve Rogers... and Lieutenant Luke Faraday, codename: Shadow."

She tilted her head slightly, analyzing me. "So the ghost stories are true," she said, arms folded. "Never thought I'd see Project Sentinel in the wild. Tell me—do the rumors do you justice, or should I lower my expectations?"

"Rumors?" I echoed with a dry grin. "Wow. You make it sound like I broke into Fort Knox."

"You ghosted entire ops. Your file was nothing but redacted lines and 'need-to-know' footnotes. Even Fury never confirmed you existed."

I gave her a lazy salute. "And yet—here I am. Surprise."

Steve glanced between us, eyebrows raised. ""Wait a minute—you two got history?"

She shook her head. "Would've remembered if we had."

"Though I've heard of her," I cut in. "Fury briefed me on a few names during the 2010 stir-up in Prague. You came up a lot."

"Depends on the clearance level," she said coolly, her expression unreadable. "Some files still list me as 'alleged.'"

I smirked. "Yeah, well. Rumors don't usually look that deadly in a leather jacket."

"Don't flirt with assassins," Coulson muttered behind me.

"No promises."

Steve looked amused. "You're takin' this whole thing a lot easier than most folks would."

"Don't worry," I said, glancing at him. "I freak out internally. Keeps the heart rate healthy."

Natasha turned to Coulson. "They need you on the bridge. Face trace is starting."

"Got it." Coulson nodded, already moving. "You three get acquainted. I'll be back with clearance and an update on the Tesseract situation."