00 | NEW RECRUITS

"DIRECTOR, TELL US about the two new recruits," Councilman Gideon Malick asked.

Before Director Nick Fury could even open his mouth, Councilwoman Hawley opened her's first. "With all due respect, Director, why do we need these two when everyone else has already been contacted and debrief? What difference will they make? They have no affiliation with us and no proper training."

"They are of high importance, Councilwoman Hawley," Director Fury responded, keeping his irritation at bay. "While they may not have any affiliation with S.H.I.E.L.D. or any other organization and not have any proper training, but I know that they are extremely capable for this assignment. I have no doubt."

"Why have we not been aware of their existence before this meeting?" asked Councilman Yen.

Director Fury sighed sharply. "They disappeared, too a point where even my two best agents couldn't find them. We—I took for granted their elusiveness and they've been able to evade us for the past decade. We think that maybe they've been aware of our advances and have been able to counter them to stay one-constant-step ahead of us."

Councilman Malick tisked smartly. "Or maybe your prized organization isn't has great as you make it seem, since you can't seem to find two people when you have access to cameras all over the globe."

"I have agents monitoring cameras 24/7 for them, Councilman, but they're well versed in the art of stealth," Fury answered, hands clasped behind his back.

"Where did they get this training if they have no known affiliations?" Councilman Pierce chimed in at last, kindly directing the conversation away from Councilman's snarky comment.

Fury acknowledges this with a nod. "We've come to the conclusion that their father trained the oldest before he vanished fourteen years ago."

"Have you been searching for their father, as well, Director?"

"Yes, we have, but—"

"But he's just as elusive as his children."

Fury nodded solemnly.

Councilman Yen cleared his throat and leaned forward. "Enough of these formalities, I think we'd all like to hear what these recruits are capable of before we agree to anything."

The Director nodded once more and pointed at an image that flashed onto the screen. "Marque Nathaniel Hightower—alias: Shadow. Age 30. Skilled in combat, speciality is hand-to-hand, but he relies mostly on his intelligence and being a master thief. He first got on our radar by hacking into our database—"

Councilwoman Hawley interrupted. "What did he take?"

"He took his father's files," said Fury. "He is also an amazing tactician. He possesses the ability to quickly process multiple information streams—like threat assessment—and rapidly respond to changing tactical situations. He possesses exceptional strength, endurance, and stamina. He has extremely sharp reflexes and great agility being capable of keeping up with Morana in terms of speed. Marque has a high intellectual mind that is on par with some of the greatest scientific pioneers in human history—without any genetic Enhancements. He is also multilingual, speaking Russian, Chinese, English, Latin, and Korean, along with sign-language."

"Tell us about the girl."

Fury swiped a single finger across the screen and another picture flashed onto it. "Morana Faye Hightower—alias: Quietus. Age 24. Extremely skilled in all forms of combat, all the way from armed to hand-to-hand. A master-marksman, tremendously skilled in wielding both conventional firearms and archery bows with virtually unerring accuracy. She is ambidextrous, able to use weapons with either hand, she is also a master martial artist and an extremely skilled pilot, having hijacked a few planes over the years. Unlike her brother, she does posses Enhanced intelligence and agility due to her chromosomal mutation."

"Did you just say chromosomal mutation, Director?"

"Yes, Councilman, I did."

Councilwoman Hawley cleared her throat. "So, that means she's a Mutant?"

The word caused an uproar through the World Security Council members—they were all talking and questioning at the same time—agreeing and arguing with one another until Councilman Pierce's voice ripped through them all, silencing them.

"What do we know of her mutation?" asked Councilman Pierce, huffing in annoyance.

"Little-to-none, sadly," Fury responded, ashamed. "We are only aware of her mutation because Mutant Charles Xavier tried to enroll her in his 'School for Gifted Youngsters' when she was seventeen, but she refused. And we haven't been able to determine what abilities she possesses through this mutation because it appears that she doesn't often use them, instead she relies heavily on her physical and intellectual capabilities."

"Doesn't the fact that she out-right refused to get proper training from Professor Xavier seem a bit suspicious to you, Director Fury?" Councilman Malick asked, his voice taking a serious tone.

"Not in the slightest, Councilman," Fury replied easily. "Morana has only ever had one person by her side her entire life and she wasn't about to leave him behind just so she could go to some school that gets blown up every-other year."

"Fair enough," Councilman Pierce mumbled. "Please, continue with the debriefing."

"We believe that they've gone as far as burning off their fingerprints to make sure that they absolutely leave no traces behind. Every job they've ever taken, there's no security footage, no shoe marks, no shell casings, not even blood—theirs or anyone else's. Also, they are not known to be hostile until provoked and when they are provoked, they get the job done. They're very good at what they do, Councilmen."

"How do you plan to convince them, Director?"

Fury fought off the grin that wanted to pull at his lips. He was one step closer to completing the formation of the Avengers. "It shouldn't be too difficult to recruit them. Marque is already aware of what S.H.I.E.L.D. and what it stands for. Once we contact them and make it clear that we need them, it should be a piece of cake after that."

"For your sake, we hope it is."

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AUTHOR'S NOTE:

i am really happy to be writing this story, and yes, i know that i have a bunch of other stories that haven't been updated in a while, but with the spring semester ending soon, i will be able to update all the stories i have been neglecting. so, until then, enjoy the new ones that i post!

i've already written the first official chapter of this story and i am really enjoying writing the hightower siblings. i am very much in love with their relationship and their personalities. i hope that this sort of "mini-chapter/prologue" gave a bit on insight of their abilities, even though none of them know morana's mutation yet (hehehe) speaking of morana, i am excited to announce in this chapter that she is 100% a Mutant with her own powers, but those will be revealed much later.

next chapter, you can expect to be introduced to morana and marque and see how nick fury recruits them (it's a bit unconventional, i have to admit, but whatever) and they will be introduced to the avengers very soon. i am so ready for their interactions, especially since marque has such a high intelligence and morana is not known to be a push-over, i'm excited to see their conflicts with a certain billionaire who has quarrels with everyone( *cough* tony *cough* )

i really hope you liked this chapter and are as ready for this story as i am!

[ comments and votes are extremely helpful and motivate me to keep this story going, if i don't receive any, it might discourage me to stop posting. i am very insecure about my writing and appreciate all forms of feedback ]