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CHAPTER 50
🕑 Added 2025-06-27 14:33:56 +0000 UTCThe bio-suit, equipped with its own predictive combat AI, had already anticipated the agent's desperate attack. As the man swung the heavy steering wheel, Aidan's armored hand shot up, catching it with a sharp clang of metal on metal. He didn't even flinch. With his other hand, he delivered a single, precise punch. The force of the blow shattered the passenger-side window and slammed the agent's head against the car's door frame with a sickening crunch. The agent went limp, unconscious. The out-of-control sedan swerved violently before crashing into a large oak tree with a final, groaning shriek of tortured metal.
Aidan stepped out of the wrecked car, the bio-suit flowing away from his face. He looked down at the unconscious agent, then calmly took out his phone. He also produced a small, silver device from his belt, a set of micro-filaments that he gently phased through the agent's temple, interfacing directly with his neural pathways.
"...Director Fury," Aidan's voice was cold and business-like. "It appears you're going to need to arrange a funeral for one of your subordinates."
"What happened?" Fury's voice boomed from the phone, sharp and demanding.
"This driver of yours took a scenic detour. When I tried to call you, he pulled a pistol," Aidan explained calmly, his eyes closed as a chaotic stream of memories flooded his own consciousness. "If it wasn't for my prior conversations with Tony, I would have thought you were trying to have me killed."
The memories were brutal and efficient. My name is Kelvin Darren. The first thing I remember is the old man's face. He taught me assassination, intelligence acquisition, poisoning, camouflage. He taught me about the glory of HYDRA. Hydra is great. Cut off one head, and two more shall take its place. My mission today was to retrieve the asset, the boy genius, and deliver him to the Sokovian base. Return to Hydra's embrace. Long live HYDRA!
Then, a final, fleeting image flashed through the data stream: a dark, European fortress… and two teenagers in a cell. A girl with dark hair, her hands crackling with an impossible red energy, and a boy who moved in a silver blur. The twins.
Aidan took back the memory device as the agent's breathing ceased. His punch, intended to incapacitate, had been fatal. "It seems I've stumbled upon something incredible," he murmured. He considered going to the HYDRA base himself, but it was too risky. He would give the location to Fury and let S.H.I.E.L.D. handle its own cancerous rot. For now, he stayed away from the body, leaped effortlessly into a nearby tree, and waited.
In Tony Stark's office, Fury listened to the report, his face like a thundercloud.
"It seems you have mice in your house, Nicky," Tony said, a teasing smirk on his face as he leaned back in his chair. He was no longer worried about Aidan's safety; the kid was clearly more than capable of handling himself.
Fury ignored him, his mind racing. He ended the call with Aidan and immediately dialed another number. "Coulson, where are you?" he asked, his voice a low growl.
"Just outside of town, sir, on my way to the rendezvous in Mexico. What's the situation?" Coulson's calm, professional voice replied.
"Change of plans. Head to the southeast suburbs. Agent Kelvin has turned, and he is… neutralized. I need you to pick up a package."
"Understood, sir."
"And Phil," Fury added, his voice heavy. "The package is Aidan Parker. See if you can recruit him. Reserve status. I want him on our radar, officially."
There was a slight pause. "A child, sir? Is that wise?"
"Natasha is occupied, Barton is on assignment. You're my closest hand, Phil," Fury said. "And I have a feeling this 'child' is more than you or I can handle. Just get him."
"Yes, sir."
Aidan stood on the tree trunk, his eyes scanning the quiet road. Soon, a different, unassuming black sedan pulled up. A middle-aged man with a high hairline and a calm demeanor got out. Coulson.
He saw the wreck, then the body, his face betraying no emotion. He scanned the area, his hand near his holstered pistol.
"Are you looking for me?" Aidan's voice came from above.
Coulson took a smooth step back, his pistol now in his hand, aimed unerringly at the boy sitting on the tree branch. "You didn't come here to kill me too, did you?" Aidan asked, an eyebrow raised.
"No, Mr. Parker. I'm here to pick you up," Coulson said, lowering his weapon after identifying the target. "How did you get up there?"
Aidan jumped down, landing lightly on the ground. "Better view."
Coulson holstered his weapon and extended a hand. "Phil Coulson. Agent of the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement, and Logistics Division."
"Aidan Parker," he replied, shaking his hand, his eyes subconsciously glancing at Coulson's hairline.
"The rest of our conversation will be on behalf of the Director. Please accept our arrangements."
"And if I don't?" Aidan asked curiously.
"Then I am authorized to use a tranquilizer rifle, bind you, and you will wake up in Mexico with a terrible headache," Coulson said, his expression completely placid. "The shock absorption in my trunk is not very good."
Aidan glanced at the dead HYDRA agent on the ground. "Are you better than he was?"
"...I would cordially invite you to sit in my passenger seat," Coulson replied softly. He was still dealing with an underage child, after all. Tolerance was required.
Aidan got into the car with a satisfied smile. As Coulson took photos of the scene for the cleanup crew, Aidan looked at the body. "Aren't you going to deal with that?"
"I have a mission to complete. Someone else will handle it," Coulson said, getting into the driver's seat.
"You're not going to take me on your mission, are you?" Aidan asked, surprised.
"Yes," Coulson replied simply, pulling onto the road. "The Director has reassigned your case to me. You're coming with me."
"Your director really knows how to save on travel expenses," Aidan muttered.
"There's a file in the glove compartment," Coulson said, ignoring his complaint. "You should take a look."
"I think we should first talk about how I was just attacked by one of your spies," Aidan countered.
"Apologies," Coulson said sincerely. "We were not aware of Agent Darren's true allegiance."
"I feel that in order to protect myself," Aidan said, his tone suddenly very serious, "I may require some… harder metal."
"What do you want?" Coulson asked, his curiosity piqued.
"Adamantium."
Coulson was visibly surprised. "How do you know about that?" Then he realized. "Logan Howlett."
"Yes. Can you get me enough for a suit?"
"I will forward your request to Director Fury," Coulson said noncommittally. "Now, I think you should look at the evaluation form I prepared for you."
Aidan opened the glove compartment and took out a file. "Character Analysis," he read aloud. "'Subject exhibits a domineering personality and a strong sense of territoriality...'" He looked at Coulson. "Is this your report on me?"
"Sent to me by Director Fury," Coulson said with a shrug.
Aidan continued. "'Loves peace, loves his family, loves helping others…'" He snorted. "'But is too young, psychologically immature, and dangerously naive. Requires focused guidance.'" He put the paper down and stared at Coulson.
"It's normal to be young," Coulson said understandingly.
"Heh." Aidan flipped to the next page. "'Avengers Initiative Recruitment Assessment?'" he said, shocked. "You want to make me a superhero?"
"It's just an assessment," Coulson explained. "And you wouldn't be granted full membership until we had an asset who could properly supervise you."
"When did you start paying attention to me?" Aidan asked, putting the file away.
Coulson's expression became serious. "We've been watching you since you moved in with the Parkers," he said. "Peter's parents, Richard and Mary Parker, were S.H.I.E.L.D. scientists. They were killed in a plane crash after their research was leaked. We've been protecting Peter ever since, to ensure no one could persecute their son. That's when we discovered you. Someone… special."
Aidan was silent, his mind reeling. So, it was never a coincidence. S.H.I.E.L.D. has been on my periphery from the beginning.
"We're lucky we didn't encounter any more traitors," he finally said, his voice laced with sarcasm.
Coulson had the grace to look uncomfortable. "As I was saying," he continued, "after you built your first fighting robot, we intensified our surveillance. Your technology represents more than just a fighting sport. We've had to intercept multiple plots against you from criminal organizations in Hell's Kitchen and even some… ill-intentioned mutant factions. We have been protecting you, Aidan."
Comments
KingSpy25i .
Thank you for the great chapter 🙏
