A containment plan. Who: Nick Fury, Ms. Marvel, Black Widow, Captain America, Hulkling, and Iron Man What: Briefing, mission into Gotham When: January 1st 2013, Where: Avenger’s Mansion Rating: Pg Status: Locked, Complete
Nick had made it a point to get his resources together; all eyes where on Gotham... seems it the hotbed for the crazies taking over. The city was in uproar now and the president was looking for a subtle way of getting through and cleaning it up. Carol and Natasha were already there, on time. He wasn't surprised, that's why he used them. If he ever had an ace in the hole; those two were it. The cigar smoke THICK in the air. "What do you two know about Gotham... and where the hell is Stark?" He growled as he put the files out in front of them.
Carol shrugged as she unfolded her arms and reached out for the files Fury had tossed onto the desk. She pursed her lips and narrowed her eyes as she opened the manilla fie and scanned it over. "It was never really cause for concern." she answered, glancing up at him. "From what I’ve heard the city was dangerous but stable largely do to it’s commissioner, the GCPD, Stryker’s exiles, Arkham and the vigilante known as Batman. There was no need for the Avengers to intervene..." shifting her weight onto one leg, Ms.Marvel pulled out a series of newspaper clippings, the topmost written by Lois Lane and Vicki Vale. "Until resent news, there was an upset over Mayor Sharpe allowing the asylum to expand it’s territories to nearly half of the city. It was a dead, industrial, run-down area that used to be dubbed ‘Old Gotham’, but it still gave free reign to psychopaths and criminals... not to bright. They’re calling the area Arkham City." she folded her arms again and looked to Fury with a frown as if to say that was the extent to what she knew.
Natalia sat quietly listening as Nick Fury began, and shrugging slightly when he asked about Stark. Most certainly Tony was passed out someplace, either from drinking the night before or other strenuous evening activities. Neither reason really mattered, all that did was that Stark hadn't broken his 'inconsiderately late' streak he had going. Speaking none on Tony, the woman glanced at the news paper clippings that Carol had pulled out. Natalia had nothing additional worth mentioning. She had known of a few dangerous, and rather unstable individuals that had been dealt with and sent to the Arkham Asylum. However, that more-or-less would be an intelligent assumption on the behalf that it was an asylum. Natalia nodded, a confirming gesture to say that she had nothing else worth contributing. She'd been to Gotham a few times, it was a dark place in general. Wasn't too much else that stands out. Outside the rumor of the many masked individuals roaming about the city.
Nick nodded his approval of the two, he knew they would figure it out. The main thing was containment. Steve Rogers walked in with additional info. "I think things are worse off then they seem." He spoke out putting a file on the table. "Huge. Strange... his methods are LESS than ethical, on top of that he is also amassed a small army of a security force and has been experimenting on the inmates there." He moved to sit between the two. Nick took his cigar placing it in the coffee cup he used as an ashtray. "When it rains in pours.... We going to need a containment plan. The higher ups don't like the bat. You have MY OK to aid him if he needs it, otherwise I think it best we keep out of his way until we asses his intentions."
Teddy was getting a little tired of playing the Invisible Man over in the corner. Why was it still awkward, like… Wedging in a peg that didn't quite fit. Trying to be quiet and small until given orders that always seemed a little less, he mentally shrugged, important? Critical maybe? Like despite it all, despite being an Avenger he was still young, even if it wasn't in the title anymore. Still a kid. Which was laughable really, especially given his powers. If he wanted he could be stronger than any of them, bigger too. He hadn't ever fully explored the limits and restraints of his metamorphic mutation but so far the weirdest shapes came easy. So why wasn't he regarded as useful? The Avengers went out and took out bunkers full of robots, it was probably gonna be Teddy and a couple of his friends assigned to stand guard and blow up a fence or two. What would finally knock it into their thick skulls that every Avenger present was just that?
He stared sullenly at the group and then realized the moment where he had had enough had passed five minutes ago. Ambling towards them he leaned conspicuously close to the team planning things out and gave a big, not at all subtle, shit-eating grin. "Sounds like enough of a mess to keep us all busy, eh?"
"Strange...hmmm..." Carols lips tightened yet again. "No, I don’t like the sound of it at all... and Batman shouldn’t be a problem. That is, so long as he doesn’t get in OUR way. I don’t walk around anyone- let alone a vigilante. Last I checked MY missions were government sanctioned." When he spoke, her eyes darted over in Hulkling's direction, blonde hair swishing about her head.
"Teddy... we’ve been through this before. The Avengers have this under control. You’re not coming. Believe me, I sympathize with your situation, really I do- but your still just a teenager and we really can’t afford another liability in such a dangerous situation. You have my word when I say we’ll have Billy moved out of Arkham as soon as possible, alright? There’s just a matter in which we do things. You can’t simply break into the city guns blazing." she placed her hands on his shoulders, hoping Natalia and Steve would back her up.
Natalia was to speak about Strange, his security force and experiments on inmates when Teddy came into view and caught Carol's attention. Natalia nodded, “This is a situation that needs to be handled strategically, and with careful action. It's going to be extremely dangerous for those of us who have been chosen, but for you to follow along. It'll just danger everyone three-fold, including Billy. So, why don't you leave it to those of us that won't be emotionally-tied to this situation. “ She spoke, staring at Teddy, sort of emotionally distant. Stating what she felt, bluntly. But she didn't care if that's what others assumed, she was in fact at times. This mission would be difficult, without throwing a teenager's raging hormones to the mix.
Nick spoke out. "Sorry kid...the grown ups are right. You gotta sit this one out." He looked over at the kid not knowing how he felt or even caring. Steve on one hand did. "Fact of the matter, we have no idea how bad it really is unless we all touch ground. Fact of the matter is, he is the only one with hulks strength and none of the unpredictability. If anything... we should at least being him along as a reserve..." He suggested to the group. All attention was diverted when Tony Stark arrived in the suit. His lid opened only to a big smile and cocky demeanor. "So... what I miss?" He moved toward the table putting the helmet in front of him. "Gotham... LOVE that place, best bars and the nightlife... enough to have me tired at the end."
Teddy stared darkly at the assembled group. "There's only one person in this entire room talking sense. The rest of you…" He shook his head. He'd promised Billy there'd be no outbursts; they'd only set things so hard-fought and harder-won back, maybe forever. But they weren't exactly making it easy, were they? "We don't know what the hell is out there, we're assuming it's a world of shit, and you're telling me to back off because I might compromise what, exactly? The mission? Our incredible stealthiness? Iron Man likes to open doors with Stinger missiles… And I can turn into something the size of a toaster oven. I think you're looking at this backwards." He stared them all down. "But you're right, I shouldn't go in with the rest of you. Because you've got enough people who can make a big noise. You need somebody in first who won't announce our entrance like a damn parade. And that somebody should be me. Maybe then we can actually have a decent picture of what the hell is going on, and as for me running off to go save my boyfriend, I'm a fucking Avenger whether you think I've got hair on my balls or not, so, yeah… The mission comes first. No matter what." To emphasize his point further Teddy shrunk down to the size of a coffee mug and stared up, once again rocking the shit-eating grin that was beginning to feel quite comfy on his visage.
"Listen, little man!" Carol spoke pointing her finger at him and glaring down. "I tried to make nice but quite frankly you don’t want to see my ugly side. I’m no one’s babysitter!." she turned toward Nick, her blonde locks even wilder than before. "Fury, if this little brat is compromising this mission, you can count me out and Steve, not that you were ever the one for tactics but your out of your mind. Do your homework kid because the Black Widow is the master of stealth and name a single thing- aside from make yourself into a toaster, which is proving to be, by the way, incredibly useful-" she spoke sarcastically pushing the small bodied Teddy aside with a nudge of her foot. "That I can’t do myself. It has nothing to do with your age, kid, and everything to do with your attitude. Maybe you’ll be an Avenger, when you grow up!" It was an empty threat to take herself off the mission. There was never a mission Carol turned down, even if it went against her own ethics but the point was made that Fury had to make a choice between her or Teddy and she knew the one he would make. Let no one say she wasn’t manipulative.
When Hulkling spoke of him being the one of the group that would make the least amount of noise, being able to sneak in, getting a picture of the situation. Natalia's green eyed gaze, turned into a glare. Her arms crossing over her chest, and a chuckle escaping although annoyance heard within it. Recon... that was her thing, not this youngin's. Looking between herself, and the other three. Quite honesty she was the only one that wouldn't be 'making a big noise' in the general stating, of the fact. So the woman was just left extremely annoyed with all the points that Teddy had been attempting to make.
When Carol spoke next to him, a smile played upon her lips. It wasn't even a matter of sides, it was a matter of calculation and what rang true, and what would be unaccountable for. Quite honestly if Fury allowed him to go, it'd be leaving a lot to chance. Of course she'd have no choice of going anyway, following orders. That was her, nowadays, or always... whatever. Nodding when Carol recognized that she was in fact the one of stealth; in all matter of fact who else served time as a spy? Natalia agreed, “As you pointed out, this is going to be hard enough with Iron Man, … but what do you think it'll be with a childish, … way over overconfident,” Moving into his face, “to a degree of blunt obnoxiousness, boy, … with despite what you say, the idea of saving your boyfriend on your foremost list of obligations. … It'll totally, fuck this mission.” Placing a hand on her hip. “So tell us Teddy, what would you bring that would be worth it... and don't tell me the obvious power set. We all ready know that. … What would you bring, think hard?” Black Widow usually quietly sat, listened at briefings, gone and done as told. When shit went down between various Avengers, she kept her thoughts to herself, most usually. But, in this case, she felt personally attacked. Which was something that few had done and walked away from.
Fury knew his cards and knew it well; Carol was his tank, Nat was his cloak and dagger, Tony was his artillery, and Steve called the shots. He felt for the kid, He REALLY did. But this was also politics. "Listen kid... I'm sorry...Yer still under age, and on top of that this is something THAT needs to be done.” He moved over taking the files and tossing a flash drive at Nat. "This can give ya access to the CCTV's around the city..." he puffed another smoke from his cigar. "The best thing I can do fer ya is have ya watch from here... or ya can go your own way kid." He looked at everyone else "I got Barton committed there under the name Chuck Finley. Before he got in, he set up your safe house. Got everything you need to make yourself at home"
Steve sighed he felt bad knowing how the kid would react. He looked at Teddy. "I promise you I'll find him for you and keep you updated." They were right... didn't mean he liked it. IN any team especially one like this not everyone would be happy. He moved around the table. "Is Clint going to be ok in there?" He knew his skills, still he worried. Tony smirked walking toward the spot he knew Nick kept the liquor pouring himself a cup. "Nat you want some? Great stuff!" he smirked as he poured two cups. "Ok so that’s what were doing. I'm looking to expand the company any how maybe build another tower?" He could not help the smile grow. "You know me, I'll do anything once."
Teddy shifted himself up to his usual height and rippled the flesh on his back, growing out thick, veined wings. He let them flap a bit as he pushed out the muscles of his arms and legs. "Right now going out on my own sounds fine by me." He shrugged. "But keep in touch… Something tells me we'll need each other eventually." He let his wings melt back into his back and then Teddy turned and started out towards the door, having given up on ever making them see reason. If he'd always be a punk kid to them then to hell with it, there was work to be done and maybe there'd be another opportunity later after he'd proven himself in the gauntlet of Gotham ahead.
Carol walked ahead, past Hulkling and turned toward him, pointing a finger in his face, her eyes boring into his. "Your not the only kree-hybrid around here, Hulking." she spoke threateningly. "Stay out of our way." with that she looked toward Natalia then Steve and Tony, leading the way out. Natalia shook her head at Tony at the offered liquor. Hearing Teddy speak, she all of a sudden felt badly for him, although she would never admit it. Taking the flash drive, the woman followed Carol out. The woman wouldn't worry about Clint, only because of knowing he would be able to take care of himself; being very resourceful through out the years.
Steve followed the other two out, shaking his head at Tony. "I got a feeling this isn't going to be our usual run around the park. This Batman character is supposed to be an urban myth... then again we work with a thunder God and a half-human half-alien hybrid... at this point, I'm very open minded." he spoke out loud to the rest of the team mates. Tony walked figuring if no wanted the second cup he'd sip both and walk with them. "Hey It just give me a chance to try out the new toys... Carol you flying with them or you coming with me... Don't believe in taking a jet when I am one..." He walked between the two ladies. "I feel like a thorn in a bed of roses." He smiled walking toward the hangar.