UNKNOWN GUEST

#55 Looking For The Scepter

Hill sat at the head of the table, her expression serious as she explained, "According to Fury, this thing was secured in SHIELD with the idea that it could be helpful for Project Insight."

I had to clarify, trying to piece it all together, "But during the whole Project Insight mess, I never came across the spear." Mom chimed in, backing me up, "Me neither."

Hill sighed, clearly frustrated by the secrecy even within their own ranks, and nodded. "Only Fury and Secretary Pierce knew about it." She then glanced over at Tony, adding, "But when Mr. Stark helped with the repulsor engines, they didn't need the spear and just let it rot somewhere. Fury mentioned that Pierce handed it over to some of his men to see if they could find any use for it."

As she gestured towards the 3D screen, all eyes in the room shifted. The holographic display lit up, and Hill continued, "Here. Baron Strucker. He was one of Pierce's trusted men." An image of a stern-looking man in glasses appeared on the screen. Hill's tone grew more intense, "But the problem is, we don't know which base he's at or what exactly he's doing with the scepter."

Tony, always looking for a way to cut through the chaos, asked, "Do we have any selective locations?"

Hill nodded and slid her hand across the interface, pulling up a map dotted with red markers. "These are the known Hydra bases," she said. The map was littered with red dots, each representing a potential location. There were almost 50 bases.

Uncle Clint sighed, already seeing the uphill battle ahead. "It'll take months."

Dad, ever the pragmatic soldier, added, "We have to sweep every one of them."

Everyone nodded in agreement. The atmosphere in the room grew heavier as the reality of the mission set in. It wasn't going to be easy, and the stakes were high. But there was no other option. The mission was clear: search and seize.

Everyone was gearing up for the mission ahead. Dad attached his shield to his back with a familiar, practiced ease, while Mom meticulously connected four guns to various parts of her waist. Thor gave Mjolnir a confident swing, and Uncle Clint stood ready with his bow and arrows, looking as focused as ever. Uncle Tony's suit was waiting for him in the jet, and even Dr. Banner, who often seemed uneasy about joining the action, looked more confident than usual.

I nodded at them all, offering a simple, "Good luck, guys!"

Uncle Tony raised an eyebrow, clearly not letting me off that easily. "What are you doing?" he asked, his tone expectant.

I blinked, not entirely sure what he was getting at. "What do you mean?" I asked for clarification.

Tony sighed as if I was missing something obvious. "You're not coming? Where's your gear?"

I was genuinely surprised. "I have to come with you all on this mission? I thought you hired me to replace Maria Hill." I shot a smirk at Hill, who returned with an unimpressed look.

Tony shook his head, clearly not buying my attempt to sideline myself. "Come on. You'll be helpful."

I hesitated, still reluctant. "I don't think—"

Dad cut in, his voice calm but firm. "It's okay if he's not volunteering, Tony. Let him be." His words sounded like he was giving me a pass, but the way he said it felt a little...offensive. Like he was implying I couldn't handle it.

Tony rolled his eyes, not letting it go. "He's taken down thirty-odd men on his own more than once. And let me remind you, Hydra agents weren't using plastic rods. Besides, he knows more secrets of SHIELD and Hydra than you three." He pointed at Dad, Mom, and Uncle Clint, making his case.