The Pasts

Chapter 21****

The debriefing room is packed, the air thick with tension. Everyone is here, every face sharp with focus as they wait for the explanation of what comes next. The faint hum of the overhead lights adds to the charged silence, the weight of the moment pressing heavily on your chest.

You stand at the front of the room, a large tactical board behind you filled with maps, intel, and scattered photographs. Natasha is beside you, standing slightly to your left, her arms crossed tightly over her chest. She's watching you, her green eyes unreadable but steady, a silent pillar of support as you prepare to lay out the plan.

Your gaze sweeps over the group. Steve sits near the front, leaning forward with his forearms resting on his thighs, his blue eyes locked on you. Wanda and Vision are beside him, Wanda's hands clasped tightly in her lap while Vision observes with his usual composed expression. Yelena leans back in her chair, spinning a pen in her fingers, though her sharp gaze is fixed on you.

Further back, Bruce sits beside Maya, his hands moving fluidly as he signs your words for her. Maya watches intently, her dark eyes scanning the room as her fingers tap lightly against the table, taking it all in. Tony, leaning back in his chair, arms crossed, gives you an assessing look, while Maria and Nick are seated close to the door, their expressions unreadable but expectant.

You take a deep breath, letting the tension settle before you speak. "Thank you for your attention," you begin, your voice steady but clear. "I know this has been a lot to process, but we have a chance to turn the tables on the Shadow Collective and Taskmaster."

Bruce's hands translate your words into ASL as you speak, and Maya nods slightly, her gaze shifting toward the tactical board.

You glance briefly at Natasha, who gives you a small nod, and you turn back to the group. "The Shadow Collective's strength is their ability to control people, situations, information. They thrive on being two steps ahead. But that's also their weakness. They believe they can't be outmaneuvered. And that's exactly what we're going to use against them."

Tony raises an eyebrow, his voice cutting through the room. "Sounds ambitious. What's the catch?"

You exhale, meeting his gaze. "The catch," you say evenly, "is that it's going to take precision, misdirection, and risk. We're going to make them believe they've won before they even realize they're walking into a trap."

The room is silent for a beat, everyone's expressions shifting as they process your words. You step closer to the tactical board, pointing to a marked location on the map. "This is where we'll lead them," you explain. "We'll plant intel they can't ignore a target they'll feel compelled to pursue. And we'll make sure Taskmaster is the one who takes the bait."

"How do we guarantee they take the bait?" Steve asks, his tone calm but direct.

You glance at Natasha, her green eyes flickering with something unreadable, before turning back to the group. "We make it personal," you say. "They're targeting Natasha because they want to break her. So, we give them what they think they want: me."

A ripple of unease moves through the room. Natasha's posture stiffens beside you, but she doesn't speak, her jaw tightening as she lets you explain.

"They've seen me with Natasha," you continue, your voice steady despite the weight of your words. "They know I'm important to her. If they think they can use me to hurt her, to get to her—they won't hesitate."

Wanda shifts uncomfortably, her brow furrowed. "You're putting yourself in their hands," she says softly. "How do we keep it from going wrong?"

"That's where you all come in," you say, gesturing to the team. "This isn't just about me being the bait. It's about controlling every move they make from the moment they take it. We'll control the location, the timing, and the circumstances. And when they think they've won, that's when we strike."