Marvel: Age of Hero

"The General's Gambit"

A fighter jet descended smoothly onto the deck of the massive flying aircraft carrier —the Helicarrier— its metallic structures stretching out like a slumbering titan in the middle of the ocean. The rear hatch of the jet opened with a hydraulic hiss, and from within emerged Steve Rogers and Agent Phil Coulson. Both walked with firm steps toward the figure waiting nearby.

Natasha Romanoff stepped forward to greet them.

"Agent Romanoff. Captain Steve Rogers," Coulson announced, his voice as professional as ever.

"A pleasure," said Steve, extending his hand.

"Hi," Natasha replied curtly but politely, before turning to Coulson. "You're needed on the bridge. The search is about to begin."

"See you soon, Captain," Coulson said with a nod, quickly walking away to carry out his orders. Natasha stayed with Steve.

"Ever since they pulled you out of the ice, everyone's been talking about you. Coulson nearly had a heart attack. Has he given you his Captain America trading cards to sign yet?" she asked with a faint smile.

"Trading cards?" Steve raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised.

"They're vintage. His most prized possession," Natasha added, amused.

At that moment, another jet landed on the platform, and out stepped Bruce Banner, Nicolas, Jean Grey, and Ororo Munroe.

The two women looked around with mild discomfort. They were surrounded by helicopters, armed personnel, and high-grade military tech. Jean and Ororo walked side by side, cautiously. Nicolas, on the other hand, seemed to enjoy the setting, strolling casually with his hands clasped behind his head like he was on vacation.

"Don't forget this," said Banner, handing Nicolas a long metal case.

"Carry it for me, would you? My hands are still sensitive..." Nicolas muttered, avoiding responsibility with practiced ease.

"Your hands healed over a month ago," Ororo said calmly.

"I was going to say they just got a pedicure," Nicolas replied with a lazy grin.

"Pedicure? We don't even go that far," Jean quipped, shooting him a teasing glance.

"You girls really need to enjoy life more. How about I treat you next time? I know a great spa. Excellent massages, lavender scent, mood lighting..." he said, completely at ease.

Banner rolled his eyes, resigned, and slung the case over his back.

"Dr. Banner," Steve greeted him, recognizing the only one of the group for whom he had some intel. The files he'd read didn't include much on the mutants, or on Nicolas and Owen Colt. All of that information was tightly sealed under military protection—just like Banner's. SHIELD had kept it archived ever since they began monitoring him.

"Ah, yes. I was told you'd be joining us," Bruce replied politely. Nicolas eyed Steve with interest.

"So you're the famous Captain the old man keeps talking about... Owen kicked your ass the first time you met, didn't he? I was there. It was pretty funny," Nicolas said bluntly, flashing a wide grin.

Steve forced a diplomatic smile, then turned to greet the two women.

"These are Jean Grey and Ororo Munroe, from Charles Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters," Banner explained calmly. "SHIELD should have some records on their team. They work with Vitae and were assigned to assist with this mission."

"Pleasure to meet you," Steve said with genuine respect.

"Weren't the rest of their group invited too?" Natasha asked.

"They were, but someone has to stay behind to protect the kids—just in case," Ororo replied with a calm gaze. "They're ready to send reinforcements if needed."

Natasha nodded, then glanced toward Nicolas. "And Mr. Owen Colt?"

"You couldn't wait to ask that, huh?" Nicolas said with a mischievous grin. "He'll be arriving a bit later. No idea what he's preparing."

Natasha rolled her eyes and chose not to reply.

"Better if we head inside. That is... if you still want to keep breathing," Natasha said dryly, turning to guide them.

"Is this a submarine?" Steve asked with honest curiosity.

"I'd prefer if Owen got here before I step into a pressurized metal box," Banner muttered, clearly uneasy. Hulk had better control nowadays, but he was still a walking disaster zone. If he tripped inside this thing, there might not be a "thing" left.

Natasha didn't answer, but everyone turned their attention to the rising hum around them. Four enormous turbines emerged from the ocean, slowly lifting the gigantic aerial base into the sky.

"I just hope this thing is gamma-clumsy-proof," Banner muttered with a strained smile.

Soon after, they were led to the command deck. Operators worked steadily at their consoles, and Fury stood by the large window, arms crossed.

"Gentlemen," he said in his deep voice, right as the Helicarrier's cloaking system activated, rendering the ship invisible.

Steve reached into his pocket, pulled out a ten-dollar bill, and handed it to someone offscreen. He had lost the bet—he'd said nothing could surprise him anymore since waking up… He was wrong.

"Sir, a ship is requesting landing permission. It's from Vitae," one of the technicians reported from the control center.

Fury glanced over at Banner and his group.

"Must be Owen," Bruce confirmed with a nod.

Fury gave the go-ahead, and they all waited.

The ramp lowered, revealing Tony Stark strolling in with his trademark smug grin. Right behind him came Owen Colt, his eyes sweeping the room with a hint of ironic amusement before stepping aside.

A third figure followed—and his presence shifted the atmosphere instantly. Dressed in a formal military uniform adorned with medals, his piercing gaze cut through the room like a blade.

General Nathaniel.

Everyone noticed him at once. Even Fury's expression darkened.

Steve, recognizing the insignia, instinctively stood at attention and saluted.

"Well… I finally get to meet you," Nathaniel said, ignoring everyone else and focusing on Steve. "At ease, soldier. No need for that anymore," he added with a faint smile.

"Though I wish these two idiots would learn from you," he said, casting a glance at Owen and Nicolas.

The two exchanged mildly annoyed looks.

"I'm not a soldier," Nicolas replied calmly.

His father didn't even acknowledge the comment.

"What brings you here, General?" Fury asked, his voice firm and wary.

"Fury… I'm always impressed by what you manage to pull off, shifting funds behind your superiors' backs," said General Nathaniel as he calmly walked toward the center of the room. His voice was composed, but every word was edged like a blade. "I should probably learn a few tricks from you. But if you weren't a treacherous rat willing to endanger the world just to execute your plans… maybe I'd even find you admirable."

The room thickened with silence.

"I heard you nearly blew up the planet, didn't you? Fascinating strategy. What are you trying to build this time? A weapon of mass destruction? Something like a Death Star?"

The sarcasm in his tone was razor-sharp. Everyone slowly turned their eyes toward Fury.

"Clean and renewable energy, General," Fury replied flatly, his expression unreadable.

Nathaniel let out a dry laugh.

"And what kind of idiot actually bought that lie?"

A heavy silence followed.

Steve averted his gaze for a second, but Owen noticed.

"Looks like the Captain did," Owen remarked with a faint, mocking grin.

Nathaniel turned his eyes to Steve. Not with contempt—more like a hint of regret.

"Sorry about that, Captain. But you might want to listen a little more carefully. This man can tell you nine lies in ten words… and the tenth, he didn't say it out loud, but he sure thought it," he said, with brutal honesty. "From what I've heard, the World Security Council is trying to weaponize that thing. I always thought it was idiotic. The best weapon is discipline and effort… not a rock that fell from the sky which you barely understand and already want to control. That's just plain foolish."

Fury clenched his jaw. "You still haven't answered the question, General. What are you doing here?"

"You really want to ask me that?" Nathaniel replied, folding his arms. "I'm here to clean up your mess. And to keep an eye on you… and the cowards who back you. My men were assigned to help you, but I won't let the fools behind you mess around with nuclear weapons—or let you unleash another one of your filthy schemes."

He paused, scanning the room with a sharp, calculating gaze. Then came the final blow:

"And since most of the people in this room are Vitae agents… not from your HYDRA-infested SHIELD… I have every right to be here."

The word HYDRA dropped like a live grenade.

Steve's expression darkened. His eyes narrowed, and he stepped forward.

"What do you mean by that?"

Nathaniel looked at him, then turned to Fury with a look of feigned surprise.

"You didn't tell him? You're using him and didn't even bother to tell him the truth? Silly me… asking as if it made sense," he said, shaking his head.

"General, I remind you this is my base," Fury growled, his voice low but firm. "I operate under direct orders from the World Security Council. Even if you're a U.S. general, your words have crossed a line I won't tolerate."

"Oh, really? Then tell me, where's your real base, Fury?" Nathaniel replied coldly. He stepped forward, fearless and direct. "We've spent months traveling from country to country, saving the people you don't even bother to see. While you protect the world's leaders… we're out there protecting the real world."

Then, without hesitation, he walked to the central table, sat down like it belonged to him, and rested both elbows on the surface.

"As I said—my people are here. And I won't allow them to be used as cannon fodder. Whether you like it or not. And if you don't agree… I'll pull them all out and clean up your mess myself."

No one said a word. Not even Tony Stark, who usually couldn't stand silence. He simply pulled out a bag of popcorn from who-knows-where and began munching next to Nicolas, who had joined him with a grin, as if they were watching a show.

Fury's fist tightened. He wanted to push back—but if the Vitae agents left, he'd be left with nothing. No trained personnel, no real defense, no credibility. And the worst part was… he knew it.

Just one look at Steve's expression was enough. The fragile trust Fury had started to build crumbled in a heartbeat.

And he understood exactly why.

Nathaniel hadn't come to dismantle his operation. That was just a bonus.

He came to protect his people.

And in the process… to crush Fury's authority.

The only man who could truly rattle Nick Fury stood right in front of him: his true rival. A man capable of spinning a dozen strategies per minute… or simply acting at random and letting the truth do the damage.

Nathaniel was dangerous for one very simple reason: he hid nothing.

And the truth, when wielded without fear, was a weapon even Fury couldn't control.