Silhouette | B. Banner

A Grand Exit

"We lost contact with  you after a while, what was it like in there?" Rick questions once we're back in the lab.

I shake my head, "Doesn't matter."

"Wha-how can it not matter?" Betty inquires. I beeline to the computer and begin working, ignoring her question.

"She's about to tell us in a second in a very dramatic way," Harley explains to them, "Look how she's biting her lip and furrowing her eyebrows. She's looking for proof to support her hunch."

"Shut up. You don't know everything," I tell him but unfurrow my brows and stop biting my lip.

"Really? I don't? You're about to tell us what you found in 5, 4, 3, 3, 2, 1-"

I turn around, "I hate you. Sterns has been silently taking politicians off the board and paying off ones that could help his cause. I think he's trying to take over America. He's been collecting money and manpower."

"So everything he's doing with you?"

"Just a facade. And attacking that town was small scale but I think he has more in store. A big finale that would cause mass panic," I suggest.

Betty nods along, "He's been playing the long game."

"Longer than you know, which reminds me, get me Secretary Ross in here right now," I order, turning back to the computer.

Rick looks to Harley who nods, "She's being dramatic but roll with it. I bet she's about to accuse Ross of doing something. I'd grab the popcorn."

"Stop reading me, it ruins it," I complain, not looking away from the screen. All the other screens start beeping with warning signs. I ignore it and continue working.

"What's she doing? What are you doing?" Betty asks.

"It..." Harley looks at all the computers, "...looks like she's hacking in. Emily, I'm pretty sure this is illegal. Just making sure you know."

Betty smiles, "Pretty sure she knows. She really is like Bruce."

"Really? Bruce Banner hacked into the government?" Harley questions.

"Total disregard of law and personal safety in order for information? She gets that from him. All him," Betty explains.

Thaddeus strides in, "What do you think you're doing?"

"Just a second," I tell him while I finish up. As soon as I do a video is blown up on a holographic screen, "Done."

"You are totally out of line here. I could have you arrested for this. You're stealing classified information from the United States!" He bellows.

"No, I'm exposing you," I press play on the video, "Let's watch, shall we?"

It's security footage of Sterns in the Raft. The door buzzes and Baron Zemo is let in. "Hello, I hear you may be able to assist me."

The audio from that moment on is cut off but the visual remains. I pause the video there and turn to Stern. "He visited every day for a month. I wondered how Zemo could plan for every single outcome. Now I know he had the help of a super genius. You knew, didn't you?"

"I don't have to answer to you, little girl," He protests.

My eyes burn green, "Yeah, you kind of do. That was my family he broke apart. The ones you're currently hunting down like dogs. He-"

"They broke the law. They knew what the repercussions were and they did it anyway," he interrupts. "This is childish."

 "Sorry, I'm speaking. Don't interrupt me. He shot and almost killed me. If it hadn't been for the Wakandans I'd be six feet under. Because you let Zemo talk to Sterns. It only took all of seven days for them to effectively ruin my life. You knew it and tried to cover it up. I know because I only hacked into your personal files."