Burn

Chapter thirteen: Hedonism

First of all, I would like to say that in this chapter, there are executive names and titles that are absolutely fictional. If you recognize any names it is purely coincidence. I am also not a professional in politics and so if you see anything (titles and jobs) that do not coincide with real-world title and jobs, you can feel free to mention it. However, I did my best to make it as realistic as possible as I am not a politic junkie. I do know Arnold Schwarzenegger was governor of California lmao.

Second, more details about the mission will be given next chapter as they actually embark on the actual mission. This chapter was more concentrated on Bucky/Addie (Baddie??) action.

Please enjoy.

Steve was quick in informing everyone of their newest mission: infiltration.

After the newest information they had uncovered in the tunnels of California, the group was hungry in their pursuit for fresh clues. They were desperately trying to piece together the puzzle, as if Loki was leaving clues behind like a trail and they would be sniffing behind him like dogs. Except the trail was murky and vague, the clues barely illuminating the whole picture.

And so the group buried their noses in media, news, books, and computers. Nat had come back to help them uncover as much dirt as they could. She had dug up some irrelevant nonsense from the doctor in Mexico, yet when she uncovered a very reputed name in the Canadian government, the group was relentless in trying to find more. The name was Jason Brownback, Ontario bound, the assistant to the governor general of Canada, a man with money to engorge his pockets and a reputation to go along with it. As Nat mentioned, Brownback was known for his luxurious soirees filled with expensive champagne and high-radar company.

"He throws parties that could rival the ones from the Great Gatsby," Nat added, her tone wavering between pity and mockery. She was wearing a delicate white blouse with a pair of tight black jeans. She looked phenomenal in the light of the dining room.

"And what does he have to do with Loki?" Addison asked, leaning back in her chair, crossing her arms over her chest.

Steve shuffled some papers between his hands and then tossed them sloppily along the table for everyone to see. "Before SHIELD went down," he started, "Brownback was seen at multiple times trying to coerce himself into the life of professor Erik Selvig, the man who helped Jane Foster find the universe converge lines."

"When that went somewhat sideways because Selvig was admitted to the nut house, Brownback found himself weaseling through another wormhole," Nat continued. "He went after the doctor in Mexico, Dr. Andrade."

"Which makes him suspicious because...?" Wanda asked, a slender eyebrow quirked.

"Because the only way this Dr. Andrade could ever afford to bring Loki from another universe using pretty expensive equipment would be with appropriate funding," Steve answered, his voice patronizing. "His name is only mentioned in an offshore account she shares with her dead ex-husband, which made us wonder why some random executive from Canada would be sending cash to a less reputed doctor in Mexico."

"So we did some digging; well I did," Nat added, a sultry smile on her lips. "SHIELD had some files on him as a suspected HYDRA member, but when HYDRA went wild and decided to literally destroy SHIELD, those files vanished."

"So this Brownback guy could be HYDRA?" Addison asked.

Nat bit her lips, almost timidly. "This could be a big breakthrough if we catch this guy," she answered. "If we can get this guy to talk, we will be on the straightest path to victory. But we don't even know if he's HYDRA for sure. We need to confirm it. Once we do, we'll get him."