O U T O F T I M E
book 3 in the 'chaos series'
in which lusine returns to earth and is reunited with steve, but not everything is as it was when they said their farewells after the events of the battle of new york. with new companions in tow, ol...
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ten "the battle of a thousand pieces"
The room is far too small for the five people who squeeze in to witness Natasha's demonstration.
At the glower of Fury, Lusine feels her cousin tighten her grip around her arm and sink into her side. Not in fear. No, she is no coward, but as a reminder that she is there. That Lusine is not alone as she walks into a kind of battle she has not fought in a very long time.
The battle of a thousand pieces. Moving one forward, another back. Putting everything into place to demolish the opponent in a masterful checkmate.
Both women have played this game before, and both will likely play it again before their time is up.
"Well," Lusine says, placing a hand over her cousin's as it rests on her arm, "shall we get this over with?"
Confidence is forced to ooze from her every pore as she stands face to face with what has the potential to send her away from this new safe-haven she's secured for herself.
She must tread carefully.
She thought she'd escaped court politics when she came to Earth, but it turns out this place is exactly the same. S. H. I. E. L. D. is exactly the same. Pawns, knights, princes, kings and queens all moving into place, following orders, making demands.
Though she is undecided on whether they're quite as hostile as her home planet.
It seems Natasha is taking on the task of making up her mind alone as she replies, "Yes, I think that's a good idea."
A few taps on the screen later and the still image of herself appears before them. It's definitely her, but it's almost as if she's an entirely different person. Full of life and thriving as the void bubbles and boils beneath the milky skin.
If only that woman had known what would befall her between then and now. Maybe then she would've been prepared for the onslaught of her grief-torn mother.
Though perhaps nothing can prepare a child for the wrath of their parent.
The image before them comes to life and Lusine's heart leaps into her throat when the camera pulls to a wide shot. Sat at the desk in front of her as she strides into the room, full of arrogance, is Agent Phil Coulson.
She watches herself clamp a hand down on his shoulder before he can turn to greet her and those infamous eyes of her shudder to black.
"Agent Coulson," she hears herself say, "I want you to tell me everything you know about this... organisation and the team they are currently constructing."
And, with no choice in the matter, Coulson is more than happy to oblige.
When Coulson is finished divulging everything she wishes to know, that devoted woman stands and extends a hand to him. They shake and she thanks him greatly, leaving the room. The moment she steps out, he is himself again and none the wiser to what had occurred.
