Marvel: A Tale of Shadows

Madame Hydra stood in the center of the communication center with a frown on her face. "Progress?"

There were lines of people typing on computers with a large screen in front of them. Standing in the back of the room was the rumored Winter Soldier, he was woken up for a string of assignments recently. The people typing were in the Hydra Tech gear of green and yellow with minimal body armor and a large number of pockets.

But setting aside their current wear they were working quickly on several projects but she had them prioritizing three things specifically.

The first was her old flings file, "James Howlett, why anyone searched him up is a mystery." Back during the second World War they were part of a large contingent of secret mutant soldiers. James joined the Howling commandos but she was captured by Nazis and eventually joined Hydra. Mainly because she saw a way to climb the ranks, so she seeded the Hydra bases outside the warzone. Eventually she gained enough influence to become one of the heads.

Which brought her to the second big project. Preparing weaponry and influence in a few minor countries to seize control. Symkaria was the place she originally planned to move in on but it was clear that the hidden hand she had felt for a while was moving into that country. Which is why she switched gears to island countries, not to mention it would be easier with her submarine base to move between resource points.

She sighed as her old bones felt sore. She had prolonged her life with her mutant abilities and Hydra resources but she needed a windfall soon. Which was why she was diving so deeply into super soldier serums.

Bringing them to their third project. Working on research for a shared project with Advanced Idea Mechanics, a group of scientists that had no issues with doing shady things. The project was named 'Extremis' ; it was a superior version of any super soldier serum that had been made. It would also help with rejuvenation, which she was in dire need of.

"Madame," a young woman with black hair walked up. She glanced at the Winter Soldier for only a moment before handing her the folder. "The pentagon lacks competent security and all records were erased. We were going to look further but there is a clear lack of information on the net. Only some attempts by foreign countries but no one that got in. Only record we had was a keyword search through SHIELD but we have not figured out who triggered it."

"Tsk, forget it. What about the other projects?"

"We have seized political control in several minor island countries in south Asia. We are looking into setting up front countries to use when near major countries. We have made estimations and both Cuba and Honduras are prime for a political takeover. But Cuba would be easier since it is an island country." The young woman explained as she handed over a second folder that showed statistics and predictions.

"Okay, try to move away from South America first. I worry that it will draw the U.S.'s attention a little too much. Now tell me about Extremis."

"Yes, Madame. Extremis is still in animal testing phases. It causes the users to explode still. The scientists in question, Aldritch Killian and Maya Hensen are struggling with finding a good catalyst. Aldritch has been working on human experiments in secret with us. But Doctor Hensen is not aware that her boss is working with us. Neither is the head of AIM, George Tarlten, aware that we are working together. Only Doctor Killian and their head of research, Monica Rappacchini, are in direct contact with us. We would like to set up our own facility to work on Extremis but we do need permission to move some of our higher ranking scientists from other minor projects."

"Minor projects? We do nothing minor, but there are things that are not as important. Who do you need?" Madame Hydra asked as she looked over the list of names.

"The only major name is Doctor Parker, the brainwashed scientist we took from the SHIELD, we need his expertise in gene splicing."

"Hmm… very well. I see no issue. Not to mention that the hybridization experiments have come to a grinding halt. Ever since Miss Parker escaped with research data the main resource has been in the wind so to speak. Approved. Get Extremis ready for human testing by the winter time or there will be consequences." Her voice grew darker towards the end of her statement.

The black haired woman only gave a bow and backed away before scurrying off while Madame Hydra, or rather Silver Fox as she used to be known, turned her attention to the lively screens in front of her.

—-------------------------

"We are arriving at the gate now, sir." Happy declared as the limo swayed while it turned.

"Good, we won't need you when we are inside so just wait by the car." Tony noticed Happy was about to raise a concern but Tony just started waving, "the Xavier Institute is a fortress if someone broke in to attack me here they could do it just about anywhere. Besides, with so many super powered children around they are bound to make our security detail jumpy." Tony explained as he looked down at sales statistics for the last month by region.

"Not to mention, the last thing we want is a guard shooting a child because they are jumpy. So make sure you tell your people to keep their weapons holstered and to not draw them under any circumstances." Pepper stared down Happy for a long moment before he nodded in understanding.

Happy had often been on the receiving end of that stare. Especially when he and Pepper used to date. So he knew when to back down.

The limo drove forward for another minute before it came to a complete stop. When it did, Tony opened the door and climbed out. He was wearing a gray dress shirt and blue dress pants.

He only looked around for a moment before he gave a slight chuckle, before he stepped forward and shook a man's hand. "Mister Rogers, a pleasure to see you again. I was rather surprised when I was asked to come sooner but I suspect there might be more than meets the eye. Miss Grey, Professor Xavier, Mister McCoy, how can my humble self help you?"

"Inside Mister Stark. We need privacy for this conversation." Jean Grey stated before she led the way inside. The rest of them followed with Steve walking next to Tony.

"Exactly how bad is it?" Tony asked quietly.

"Mmm… it is more touchy than anything else." Steve danced around the subject as they walked under the staircase where a seemingly normal wall had what looked like a thermostat. But when Jean put her hand up and tapped a few buttons there was a hiss before the wall opened up to reveal an elevator.

They stepped inside and the elevator descended. "I suppose this area is not in the original schematics?" Tony asked jokingly.

"No Mister Stark, the building has been reconstructed a few times over the years. After the first time we rebuilt it we added the underground section. Expanding it over time." Xavier explained as the doors opened to a silver and white area with several hallways leading away.

"Huh… no wonder you have upped security so much. With a record like that it is a wonder that parents send their kids here at all." Tony chuckled causing both McCoy and Jean to flinch. Which made him think that the parents' children might not know they were in danger by being here.

He looked toward Pepper who nodded and started writing something down. He also took note that both Jean and Xavier flinched as they no doubt read his or Pepper's mind when they arrived.

They were led into an open room where a table sat. It was a digital one with a holographic projections system. More advanced than anything was on the market, but Tony had built more advanced systems.

"To start Mister Stark, Steve brought us a file containing a Hydra base where mutant experiments are being done. Unfortunately it is far too big for us to secure it safely. Steve also got a warning to not trust SHIELD as well so we are hoping to utilize outside the box thinking. Which is where you come in." McCoy explained as he pulled up photos and statistics.

"You hope to utilize my connections for discrete action. I can do that, in fact I will come and assist in person as well." Stark responded as he started running through a list of names in his head. He had contacts in both the military and FBI he could use, he trusted them far more than he trusted SHIELD.

"Correct Mister Stark we also wanted to start making a rough schematic of the plan if at all possible. But I believe you have something else to discuss with us first?" Xavier recognized the signs of fear even in a strong mind like Stark's.

"Yes…" he turned to Pepper who tossed a USB drive to Hank McCoy who caught it. "I apologize but it appears some of my technology was built into and used to create Sentinels."

"What!? How does something like that happen? I thought you had systems in place to prevent technology theft on a large scale." Hank plugged the drive into the table and a number of documents, videos, and pictures appeared.

"We… are still trying to figure it out ourselves." Stark rubbed the back of his head as he gave a slight bow. "Only reason we even learned of it is because the facility was attacked. Magneto's people attacked the facility, fortunately it was an unmanned one."

"How did Magneto know?" Jean asked as she tapped on the table pulling up the video feed of Quicksilver running into the facility. The video was grainy, probably not Stark security cameras.

"Probably because SHIELD knew, I am guessing they have someone on the inside leaking intel. But Fury and his people were directly responsible. The regional director was paid under the table in order to make it look like a simple electronics manufacturing plant. I am already suing him, but the fact that SHIELD went across the pond to try and do this discreetly should tell you something alone." Stark explained.

"How do you know what they were doing?" Jean asked as she pulled up aerial photos.

"Because, we had an experimental surveillance project in the area. It captured the fight as well as Fury coming in person to clean up the mess. I am still gathering evidence against them. But I wanted you to know first, fortunately…" He looked over to Steve, "you already know not to trust him."

Steve sighed, "yeah, it seems that Reaper Hacker fella knows quite a bit."

"Well… those are problems for later. I suggest we tackle the one that is currently in front of us." Hank declared as he set aside the drive of information and pulled up the satellite footage of the base. "We should spend some time scouting beforehand."

"I think I can help with that as well." Stark had a smirk on his face as he spoke up.

—---------------------

"Well this is a surprise." Ethan sits across from his parents who are still as bothersome as ever. His mother looks relaxed about the whole thing. Which makes sense with how shameless she has always been.

His father on the other hand was intimidated by the glare Ethan was giving them. He was shifting in his seat uncomfortably and avoiding eye contact. If any of the people who had attempted to interrogate the man over the years they would be surprised. Because he looked ready to confess to just about anything.

Ethan tilted his head and frowned as he sat in the safehouse that sat above Gado's Pub. "What do you mean by that mother?" Ethan had arrived five minutes before they did and waited at the kitchen table. He had his parents sit across from him as soon as they arrived.

"I just thought it was interesting. You knew where we were everytime you came into the city. Yet you never came for a visit. Why is that?" Ethan's mother asked. Her name was Bellatrix but she usually went by Bella.

"Because you wanted me to think you were dead. So I just let you remain dead. I would have never bothered to interact if you were not so overbearing and causing issues for me." Ethan explained. He then tossed an envelope to his father who caught it.

"What's this?" The man asked as he opened up the package.

"It is your phone. Along with an extra external battery pack and a charging set. Keep in mind it is not one of those brand phones. The design along with all the phone applications, I have made myself. So don't bother going to get repairs at a phone store. The phone is water resistant and made with high grade metals. It will even work after an emp blast. But if it is at ground zero for the blast it will deactivate for a bit and will stop functioning if it is hit repeatedly." Ethan pointed to a few papers that were inside the envelope, "there are more details on the paper. Once you have it memorized burn the directions."

"What are you worried about-"

"It is an unregistered technology. If anyone gets their hands on it they could lay claim to it. Which would be troublesome with the plans I have for the future." Ethan explained, "so just don't. If it gets destroyed or damaged, bring it back to me, even if it seems beyond repair."

Ethan's father seemed to turn his entire focus to the phone and papers as he read.

"Now that that is out of the way. Can we hang out for a bit? I would love to meet-"

"No." Ethen interrupted his mother as he shook his head, "we are going to interact directly with a New York underworld leader. It would be best if you steer clear while you are here." He then stood up and walked towards the door, "I will be dropping by in a day to plan the break-in. I need to do some information gathering."

After he left the couple turned to each other. "I think our son is still angry with us."

"What gave it away?" Ethan's father responded sarcastically.