January 14th, 2014
In the medbay of the Insight Helicarrier, I moved Sergeant Don Chappele's arm with him. Granted, I technically was his arm, but semantics. He'd lost it just a day during the attack on the SHIELD academy, and I was finally fulfilling my promise to him from that day.
“How does it feel?” I asked, sprouting my head from his new bicep, the whole of his arm shining black with green circuits as usual. “I'm trying to adjust it to your nerves as you move it.”
He shuddered, and I could see he was visibly holding back his disgust. I didn't take it personally.
“It uh, feels like an arm,” the sergeant said, moving his fingers around.
“Well, it should,” Bruce Banner, typing at a computer nearby. “Dial designed it to link up to your brain, to mimic things like pressure, heat, touch, everything you need,” Bruce finished typing and looked at the soldier. “But it should also be capable of more than your normal arm.”
“Like what?” the soldier asked, watching with a fascinated disgust as I flowed off his arm and turned into a human again. His arm was now shaped like one of the Iron Man suits arms.
“Superhuman strength, when you want it,” I said, watching as he clenched his fist. “It's also tougher and can be installed with options if you want. I know it's not perfect, but I promise I'll keep working on the project.”
I frowned when the soldier gave me a dissatisfied look. I couldn't exactly blame him though. If I'd lost my arm, I'd probably want it back. Not a robot version. Just my arm, whole again.
“Well um... Do you want us to-”
“Just,” he clenched the new fist and sat down in his bed, staring at it. “Leave me alone? Please?”
Bruce and I shared a glance. Bruce adjusted his glasses and moved to the door, me following a moment later. “Have a pleasant day, Sergeant Chappele.”
“Thanks,” the soldier said dismissively.
I sighed sadly, looking at Bruce as we walked through the halls. “You get that reaction a lot?”
“Usually when people find out who I am,” Bruce said. I noted that a lot of people were giving the two of us a wide berth. “But he just needs time. A therapist will be speaking to him soon, hopefully, that will help him.”
“Okay... So what was it you wanted to talk to me about?” I asked Bruce.
“I...” He stared at the Omnitrix. “There are a few things, but they can wait until after this is over.”
Together, we went to the locker rooms. We had around twenty minutes left. I took out the clothes I'd prepared and quickly changed. A black business suit, with a blue button-up shirt. Bruce went for grey. Once done, we walked outside.
“Any idea what my role is in all of this?” Bruce asked me awkwardly.
“Hell if I know,” I admitted. “I just know that we're supposed to be there. At least you're actually an Avenger.”
“Hulk is the Avenger,” Bruce said bitterly. “Not me, I'm just the guy who hangs around until they call a code green.”
I looked at him. This wasn't a Bruce who'd found peace with the Hulk. This wasn't a Bruce who had gone Planet Hulk, then World War Hulk, making a massive journey to some sort of agreement between the two. But how was I supposed to tell the two that they could find that equilibrium?
“You know...,” I started to say as we walked.
“Hey fellas,” Natasha interrupted. Bruce and I looked up to see her smiling down the hall, wearing a very professional looking suit that somehow still made her look stunning. “You're late.”
“We are?” Bruce asked, worried.
Natasha smiled gently, moving forward to stand behind us and walking with us. “It's an Avengers meeting, people came early. And now they're wondering where we all are.”
“Who else is there?” I asked.
“Clint showed up. Steve never left,” Natasha scoffed. “Of all the uses for the super-soldier serum, being able to outlast everyone else in a meeting is not one I think they had in mind.”
“Useful for us, though,” I looked at her. “Anything we should worry about?”
“Some of the senators who stepped in tried to really hammer down on the idea of powered individuals,” Natasha said. “Others wanted you two put in prison.”
“What!?” I yelled, noticing Bruce didn't seem surprised.
“You both scare people. You seem to be able to do whatever you want, and Bruce hasn't been stopped by anything before.”
“Goddamn it...” I mumbled.
“Cooler heads prevailed,” Natasha explained. “But still, the guidelines are especially harsh on certain crimes. We still have some leeway, but... we may have to ignore some of them.”
“Is that really safe?” Bruce asked, the three of us stopping in a doorway. “I mean, I don't know about Dial here, he can actually control his transformations.”
“Except Rath,” Natasha and I said in unison, sharing a surprised glance. Bruce looked between us before shrugging it off.
“I can only barely control the Hulk.”
“And you saved the world with him,” Natasha smiled. “Don't worry. We'll figure this out. For now,” she nodded towards the room beyond the doorway we'd stopped in. “Go in.”
Bruce sighed, still not convinced, but walked inside. With a bit of trepidation, I followed, then Natasha.
The room was much the same as the last time I saw it. Nick Fury and Steve sitting with Tony, though Tony and Steve were in suits like mine now, same with Clint, Sam, and Rhodey. The various members of SHIELD surrounded the table, Coulson, Hand, and Gonzales included.
But President Ellis was now actually in the room, having taken Councilperson Rockwell's seat. He gave Bruce and I a good look as we walked around the table, barely noting Natasha. Soon, we were all in position.
“Well, Nick,” President Ellis said. “We're all here.”
Fury nodded, steepling his fingers. “Very well. First off, I believe we have the discussion of the new name for the organization. This is the least important item on the agenda, so I want to get it out of the way. Some of the suggestions have been,” Fury flickered his eyes over to Tony. “Colorful, to say the least.”
“Actually, Nick,” President Ellis said. “I believe I'd like us to appoint a new head first.”
Fury cocked an eyebrow. “Oh?”
“Yes,” Ellis smiled. “And to start, I'd like to nominate General Thaddeus Ross.”
Bruce almost choked.
“Absolutely not,” Tony said firmly. “Are you kidding me?”
President Ellis frowned. “Thaddeus Ross has been a loyal soldier, and a good man that I-”
“I agree with Mr. Stark,” Steve said firmly. “General Ross has been hunting one of our team members for years. More importantly, putting a leading member of the US Military in charge of an international organization is in bad taste, Mr. President.”
Indeed, several of the people on the screens around us were frowning severely at the President. Ellis nodded after a moment, conceding the point.
“I nominate Maria Hill,” Victoria Hand said. The older woman tapped at the tablet in front of her, and an image of Maria smiling hovered over the table. I made a note to do something about the way the hologram looked so grainy and out of focus when I had the chance, then listened to Victoria speak. “She is already Deputy Director, so this would simply be a promotion. She knows the Avengers, has experience with working the job and showed great leadership during the crisis we just went through. If there is anyone we can trust to do the job, it's her.”
Coulson, Gonzales, and Fury gave Hand a pleased look that she returned.
“That may cause problems,” the Russian President said. “As you said, she is SHIELD, and the organization not being trustworthy is what caused us these very issues. I would suggest someone outside the organization.”
“*And who would we choose?*” the Japanese Prime Minister asked in his native language, X putting up subtitles in real-time. “*Hill-san at least has the benefit of already proving her willingness to put any nationalism aside when she worked with Fury-san and Romanov-san to guide agents around the world. Japan's SHIELD forces are intact thanks to her.*”
The Russian President shook his head. When he spoke, he chose to employ his own home language of Russian this time, apparently wishing for his words to be conveyed without his accent marring the message. “*We must at least consider someone else, as there are those who will consider Hill a choice made out of favoritism. Why not Captain Rogers?*” Steve was surprised by this. “*He has shown a willingness to fight against corruption, much like Hill, but he was not part of the organization. In addition, he is a known and trusted figure across the world,*” the Russian President frowned. “*Of course, his codename does have something to be desired...*”
“I disagree,” Fury said. When Steve looked at him, Fury gave him a level look. “The organization being run by someone with abilities, even ones as simple as Captain Rogers, won't be seen as a good thing. If he becomes the leader, a lot of people will yell about a powered individual taking a position so high in the world's government.”
“I nominate him nonetheless,” the Russian President said. What a world, where a Russian leader nominated Captain America for a major leadership role.
“What about a member of the Council?” the Chinese President asked. “Councilman Yen has served the world faithfully.”
As the politicians spoke, trading barbs a little bit, I kept my eyes on one screen in particular. It was almost forgotten in the flow of important nations speaking about the issue of leadership. The man on the screen was African, with grey hair and a very nice beard. His left eye was slightly misshapen, possibly due to an old injury, but he had a calm demeanor about him. He hadn't spoken much according to Natasha, who'd seemed surprised when I'd asked about him. But then, I knew more than most about his nation. After all, I'd been the one who'd requested they be included in the conversation.
“What about you, King T'Chaka?” I asked, suddenly. “Does the nation of Wakanda have anyone they wish to suggest?”
Everyone stopped confusion in the room. Fury gave me an odd look. King T'Chaka seemed surprised, but I noted that his focus seemed laser sharp on me.
“I agree with the nomination of Ms. Hill,” T'Chaka said with a smile I didn't believe. “But I would like to hear the other candidates before making a vote.”
“I'd love to hear your opinions,” I said. “Wakanda's place on the world stage is important after all.”
I heard some chuckles. People believed that I was throwing shade, but T'Chaka knew better. We met eyes across thousands of miles thanks to the wonder of modern technology. Soon, the other delegates began to throw other nominees. Natasha pulled at my arm, and I looked at her. She shook her head, a question in her eyes. I didn't reply.
The discussion lasted an hour. But T'Chaka kept panning his eyes to meet mine. I only nodded every time he did. Wakanda, aka the most secretly advanced nation on Earth, couldn't simply stand on the sidelines. Not anymore. I didn't know why I felt so strongly about this, but something seemed to scream it within me. A voice, as powerful as a siren. You were wrong to turn your backs on the rest of the world.
In the end, the leader was voted on and chosen. And so the only thing left was the name.
“Now, there are some names that were suggested that are going to be discarded immediately,” Fury said.
“Why, what's wrong with them?” Tony asked innocently.
“Well, let's see,” Fury tapped at his tablet, and the list of names floated before us. “CICLOPS, with an I. 'Counter-terrorism Initiative Center Led by One-eyed Professional Superspy...”
“I fail to see the issue,” Tony said with a grin.
“Me either,” Clint said, smiling when Fury gave him a level look. “I still want ARROW.”
“What was wrong with SHIELD?” Steve asked. The leaders of nations gave him a look, and Coulson smiled.
Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.
“That's going to be shifted to be given to a team,” Fury said, looking at Coulson. “The rest of organization will be something else.”
“There were some professional names suggested,” the British Prime Minister said. “MRT for the Metahuman Response Team, or the Metahuman Centrilized Utilization.”
I frowned at the last one but shook my head.
“I would suggest the GGG,” Tony said.
“Government Goon Gallery?” Natasha asked. Tony smirked.
“Can we please remove Mr. Stark if he won't deign to be serious?” the Russian President asked sourly.
“I have to agree,” President Ellis said. “Mr. Stark, please show this decision the respect it deserves. This organization will be working on the behalf of the world in everything from battle to negotiations with extraterrestrial nations. At the least, the name must carry the gravitas that the organization has.”
I blinked at the seriousness everyone seemed to be giving the name. After all, I already knew that whatever the name, smaller subdivisions would be created within the new organization. But, I supposed that he was partially right. There had to be a name the public would know they could trust. Names have power after all.
“Did someone suggest, 'SMASH'?” Bruce asked, adjusting his glasses as he stared at one of the suggestions. Tony smiled.
“As I said,” Fury began deleting names. “Many of these were done as some sort of joke. So, all of those will be removed. AOE, DPS, LOSE, GASP, WAND, FUBAR, CLOWNS, STAKE, JAM, RRR, GASTLI, all gone.”
Some nerdy looking SHIELD personnel seemed a bit disappointed at those.
“I believe ARMOR and SWORD will remain in the capacity they have before,” Fury continued.
“*DIAL should be removed,*” the Japanese Prime Minister said. “*Considering the fact you have a hero with that exact name joining you, such favoritism is in bad taste.*”
“Too bad,” Sam told me jokingly.
“I didn't suggest it,” I said back. “PLUMBER was mine.”
“Wait, really?” Sam whispered. “Who...”
Rhodey stepped forward and nodded towards a grinning Tony. “Who do you think?”
Sam smiled, then looked at me. “PLUMBER, really?”
“You had to be there,” was all I said.
“OWCA, CIA, and USA are all taken,” Fury said. “So that leaves these ones.”
With the last beep, the final list floated before us all. MRT and MCU were on it, as well as some new ones.
C.L.E.R.I.C. Or the Central Liaison for Extrahuman Responsibility and Information Collection was first.
C.A.S.T.L.E. That showed up twice, one version reading as Committee of Advanced Strategy, Technology, and Law Enforcement, the other reading as Central Agency of Special Tactics, Logistics, and Enforcement.
The last one surprised me. “Who's suggestion was that one? I don't remember that.”
“Mine,” Steve and Fury said in unison.
B.R.I.D.G.E. Which became, the Bureau of Reconnaissance, Intelligence, Development, and General Enhancement. Huh.
“Why BRIDGE?” Natasha asked. Steve and Fury shared a look before Steve spoke.
“What was it Mahmoud said all those days ago? 'SHIELD is supposed to be the bridge between what people consider normal, and all the weirdness out there.' And he was right. This is what we need to be,” Even though Steve was speaking to the Avengers, the whole room was listening calmly. Steve just had that sort of presence. “We will guard the world, protect it. But we can't simply pretend that all the strange things beyond don't exist. We will help humanity advance to fight it back and join it. It's the name I think best represents that.”
Steve looked around. “I humbly submit that we put it to a vote. But mine will be for BRIDGE.”
The whole room looked around. Tablets were passed to those who had none, including me. I stared at the list for a minute. I knew what I was going to pick now. Just... I'd had no idea my little speech had had such an effect.
Feeling hopeful, I hit my vote. Across the world, people from all walks of life did the same. Soon, the name was chosen, winning with 56.2 percent of the votes.
With that, BRIDGE was formed.
------
Now that our new super-secret spy organization had a name, some guidelines, and a solid R&D department, we sat for a couple of hours more listening to some more stuff. One of the new initiatives was interesting, built around equipping teams with actual power armor and weapons, with newly upgraded Quinjets. The Insight Helicarriers would become the backbone of this new initiative, though the algorithm was agreed to be destroyed. I didn't say anything when that was mentioned. The idea was that these soldiers would be capable of mobilizing in parts of the world metahuman forces might not be able to get to in time. A roving army. A couple of the signatories balked at this, horrified at the idea of this army possibly being used to attack others. But the point of the army was that it would be international. Anyone who volunteered would be trained and equipped to fight the good fight. There were still objections, and a couple countries refused to accept, but overall, things for the Metahuman Response Team was a go. As well as one of my suggestions, a man with the name Frank I'd found among the files of exceptional soldiers. There were more, people who had popped out to me, but he was an obvious pick.
Hopefully, I could nip that timeline in the bud. Maybe not completely. He was, in the end, a soldier no matter what. But maybe I could help him find peace? ...
Then one of my other proposals was brought up.
“A planetary defense shield?” President Ellis asked, looking up at me. “Is this for real?”
“Deadly,” I said, stepping forward. “Iron Man and I believe it's possible, as do Professor Banner and a Dr. Leopold Fitz. A shield that we can erect around the planet. It would be supplemented by MAC weaponry-”
“Excuse me,” the British Prime Minister interrupted. “But the Outer Space Treaty prevents such things. You start talking about this, and COPUOS will lose their bloody minds,” he said firmly, referencing the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space.”
“The shield would prevent any nation from using the big guns on the Earth at all,” Tony mentioned. “And these would be based on conventional weapons. If people are still whining about letting us shoot any alien enemies that attack us, then we can just stick with a force field and some cool spaceships.”
“Spaceships?” Gonzales asked, the older man's eyes narrowing behind his glasses.
“Yep,” I said. “One or two to start. We're looking into working with NASA and other space programs, later on, I believe Russia and China mentioned they were interested?” both leaders nodded. “Hopefully, we'll be bringing in their astronauts and astrophysicists.”
There were a bunch of points during the meeting where everyone had to stop for a moment to think. When we all realized, just for a moment, that this meeting was changing the world. Even Senator Nadeer, who had been glaring at Bruce and me for most of the meeting, seemed dumbstruck.
“Okay,” President Ellis said, just as thoughtful as the rest. “I have more news. The documents have come through, and we've been given permission on the matter of the prisoners,” after some taps at a computer, Steve and my tablets beeped. “I believe you both requested to give the good news?”
Steve's smile made several people blush at the sheer joy in it.
------
“Mahmoud! One second, please!”
On my way through the halls with Steve, Bruce called out to me. I stopped to look at him. Steve stopped as well, and we watched Bruce run over to us. He looked at Steve hesitantly. “Uh, Steve, I don't want to be rude...”
“You want to speak to him alone,” Steve said quickly. “I understand. I'll just go ahead.” As much as Steve was trying not to seem like it, he clearly wished to hurry. He did a jog that was faster than most people's full-on sprint, and soon disappeared.
“Huh,” Bruce said, noting the speed of Steve's disappearance. He looked at me, then around. “Here, in this room,” Bruce opened a random door, and we entered into what looked one of many maintenance rooms. A few SHIE- I mean, a few BRIDGE agents were inside. They looked at us when we entered.
“Guys,” I said as they looked at us. “Can we get a couple minutes?”
They stared at us for a moment, then got up from their stations and hurriedly left. Bruce waited for a minute, then focused on me.
“Tony told me that you were able to open a window, into other worlds.”
I frowned. “He was supposed to keep that secret...”
“Only Avengers can know,” Bruce reminded me. “I'm an Avenger, for better or worst,” he rubbed his hands together nervously. “I-I just have to know, is there a universe where I cure myself? Where I get rid of the Hulk?”
“...Infinite possibilities, Doctor. You know what that means.”
Hope. I know people talk about it as an emotion you can show on your face, but it wasn't until then that I truly understood what that meant. “So, you know how to cure me?”
“I saw some worlds where you were cured,” I admitted. “But... sometimes it wasn't for long. People have siphoned the radiation from you, split you and Hulk into different beings, it's even gone away on its own. In one universe, you sent him to Hell.”
“What, real Hell?” Bruce asked, surprised.
“Yes... But he always-”
“Comes back,” Bruce growled. I blinked when his voice was a couple octaves deeper and noted the greenness in the veins on his neck. Not much, but I was looking for it. So he was about to Hulkify. Funny, anyone else would have been scared I think. I was mostly curious. Bruce noticed me looking at him with interest, and calmed down. “Sorry.”
“Don't be... there is a successful way to deal with the Hulk though. It's actually the one that has worked best.”
“What was it?” Bruce asked, his focus actually kinda scary.
“Learning to work with him,” I explained. “That way, no matter what happens, you both can handle it.”
He scowled. “I've tried that, I've tried to control him for years-”
“It's not about control,” I said. “It's about teamwork. It's about both of you realizing what you have in common, and working with it,” Bruce looked at me as though I'd suggested he swallow battery acid.
“You're kidding,” he said softly, before raising his voice. “That's crazy! He doesn't work like that!”
“And neither do you,” I noted. “Or so I bet he'd say,” Bruce scowled. “Look, I can try to siphon your energy as one of my aliens, or make a device to do it. I can try to separate you somehow. And I think there's a good chance something Jury Rigg makes will help. But in the end, the one thing that works, every time, depends on two people finding a way to make peace, to fight together and work together.”
Bruce was shaking his head even as I spoke. With a sigh, I rubbed my forehead. “Just think about-” I stopped when he shook his head faster. “Fine. Just tell me when you make a decision on. Hell, I'll help make Veronica,” Bruce stopped shaking his head and stared at me. “Yeah, I know about that. Tony probably planned out this conversation. Seriously, people act like he's an impulsive idiot but... all those fake names he made up helped Fury narrow down the list. Him telling me about Veronica made me think about ways to help you, and telling you about the dimensional viewer led to you coming to me.”
“Some would call that manipulative,” Bruce noted.
“Some would call that helping,” I turned and walked away. “Let me know if you need it.”
Not much I could do for him. Bruce would decide for himself what to do. I'd help him however I could, and hell, Jury Rigg could probably come up with someway to truly negate the Hulk, to 'cure' Bruce. But I didn't think that was true. The Hulk was alive, because Bruce was alive, as far I knew anyways. Whatever Bruce choose, I'd help.