Inescapable

Ch. 29

As the conference room began to fill up, you couldn't help but watch Ross, trying to decode the reason for his mysterious meeting. When Sam, the final one to arrive, took a seat across from you, Ross cleared his throat. "Now that we're all here..." You hated the way he looked at you specifically, as if calling you out personally for his wait. "Five years ago, I had a heart attack. Dropped right in the middle of my back-swing."

"Shame." You quipped.

He glared at you and continued. "Turned out it was the best round of my life, because after 13 hours of surgery and a triple bypass . . . I found something 40 years in the Army had never taught me: Perspective. The world owes the Avengers an un-payable debt. You have fought for us, protected us, risked your lives . . . but while a great many people see you as heroes, there are some . . . who would prefer the word "vigilantes"."

"And what word would you use Secretary?" Nat said, you could tell she was uneasy about this meeting as everyone else.

"How about "dangerous"? What would you call a group of US-based, enhanced individuals who routinely ignore sovereign borders and inflict their will wherever they choose and who, frankly, seem unconcerned about what they leave behind?" Ross bit out, activating a screen behind him. The attack on New York plays out for all of them to see.

"New York." He states simply. The destruction caused by the Chitauri play out, then it switches to the Hulk causing damage throughout the city. You glimpse Bruce from the corner of your eye, watching him change position in his chairs uncomfortably.

"Washington DC." You internally chastise yourself for this one as you watch the video play out. The destroyed Triskelion, the helicarriers. If you hadn't gotten caught, you could have tried to change that. Sam glances down in front of you, you can see shame in his eyes.

"Sokovia." You snap your eyes to the screen, not understanding. The damage in Sokovia was nothing compared to what could've been. You watch at some destroyed buildings, one in particular that you remember clearly. You feel Tony grab your hand in support.

"The Canadian border..." The fire that ravages the screen in front of you was something new. It wasn't until a small cabin in all that fire comes into view that it clicks, and you squeeze Tony's hand. This happened because of you. To save you. You felt a tear fall down your face.

"Okay. That's enough." Steve's commanding voice sounded out, to which Ross turned the screen off behind him. The smirk on Ross' face told you he inflicted the response he wanted. He looked pleased with himself.

"For the past four years, you've operated with unlimited power and no supervision. That's an arrangement the governments of the world can no longer tolerate. But I think we have a solution." Ross said as he tossed a thick book on the table in front of him, he smirked as he slid it directly to you. The intention might have looked innocent to a random onlooker, but you knew it was an intended jab at you. You grabbed the thick book, having a faint idea of what this could be, hoping you were wrong. You slid the book to Tony next to you and glared at Ross as he continued. "The Super's Accord. Approved by 117 countries... it states that the Avengers shall no longer be a private organization. Instead, they'll operate under the supervision of a United Nations panel, only when and if that panel deems it necessary."

He paused for effect and continued. "It also requires those considered 'Super' to register to the United Nation's panel in a registry, whether they are a part of the Avengers or not."

"That sounds a lot like the madman we fought back in World War 2." Steve voices, you could feel his anger simmering under the surface.

"The world is now teeming with new Super's. The world cannot just sit back any longer and give them free reign. Compromise, Captain, is the only way the Avengers can stay together. This is how the world works. Believe me, this is the middle ground." You glare at Ross; wondering if there was someone else working in the background to make this new law take effect.