The morning’s casual energy had fully faded, replaced by the familiar hum of preparation as Earth's Mightiest Heroes shifted into mission mode. The kitchen, once filled with the simple comforts of breakfast and conversation, now buzzed with the undercurrent of urgency.

Steve turned toward Thor, who was devouring the last scraps of his mountainous breakfast, a feast fit for an Asgardian warrior. The golden plate before him was nearly spotless, save for a few lingering crumbs of what was once an absurdly large omelet, stacked bacon, and at least five pancakes.

"Thor," Steve called, arms crossing over his chest. "I trust you’ll keep an eye on things here while we’re gone?"

Thor, ever dramatic, pounded his chest, his voice booming through the kitchen.

"Rest assured, Captain! Should any foe dare challenge this tower in your absence, they shall face the wrath of Thor!"

Steve couldn’t help the small chuckle that escaped.

"That’s what I like to hear," he said, shaking his head slightly as Thor gave a proud nod, reaching for one last mug of coffee, which seemed ridiculously small in his massive hands.

Meanwhile, Natasha Romanoff had made her way toward the center island, where Clint Barton was finishing the last of his toast, flipping through an old-school notepad—one of the few in the team who still insisted on writing things down instead of using a tablet.

"We’ll monitor the situation from here," she informed him, her tone practical, no-nonsense. "If anything escalates, you’ll be the first to know."

Steve nodded in appreciation, his voice steady. "Appreciate it, Nat. We shouldn’t be gone long, but keep me posted if anything changes."

From the doorway, Sam Wilson reappeared, a compact but powerful jetpack in hand, its sleek black design gleaming under the artificial lights. The vibranium core pulsed faintly, indicating it was fully charged.

"Here you go, Cap," Sam said, handing it over. "Fully charged, ready to go."

Steve took it without hesitation, running his fingers over the familiar straps, adjusting them with precise movements honed over decades of fieldwork.

"Good work, Sam," he said, securing the pack against his back. "You coming along?"

Sam grinned, tapping his chest where his own flight harness was already secured beneath his tactical gear.

"Like you even gotta ask."

Janet Van Dyne had already moved to stand beside Steve, her signature smirk in place, dark bob shifting slightly as she adjusted the controls on her gloves.

"You ready?" Steve asked, giving her a once-over to make sure she was suited up.

Janet tilted her head with a playful smirk, the excitement flickering in her eyes. "Always."

The Wasp suit hummed softly, its biotech plating aligning perfectly, forming a seamless blend of cutting-edge technology and combat efficiency. The tiny wings folded into place along her back, the nanofiber mesh shimmering for a brief second before settling.

"You know, Cap," she quipped, glancing up at him. "You’re gonna need to lighten up and let me have some of the fun."

Steve gave her an amused look. "Long as your definition of fun doesn’t get us blown up, we’re good."

"Oh, I make no promises. Tony?" Cap turned to Iron Man.

Across the room, Tony Stark remained seated, the last of his espresso in hand, swirling the dark liquid with unbothered elegance. He had been listening the whole time, of course, but his expression remained casual, as if he had all the time in the world.

"AIM, huh?" Tony finally spoke, standing and stretching lazily. "Always great to have some corporate espionage going on."

Janet shot him a look. "Oh, now it’s interesting?"

Tony smirked, placing his cup down and cracking his knuckles. "Oh, I was already coming. I just wanted to make you all beg a little."

Steve sighed, shaking his head as Tony casually made his way toward the workshop exit, already tapping commands into his holo-watch.

"I’ll meet you guys at the Heliport. Just need to slip into something a little more repulsor-friendly."

"Don’t be late, Stark," Steve called after him.

"Never am," Tony called back. Then, after a pause, "Fine. Maybe a little. But I like to make an entrance."

As the team finished their final preps, Bruce Banner, who had been quietly nursing his coffee, finally glanced up from where he had been reading through a news report. His brow furrowed slightly, the kind of expression that meant he had been thinking things through carefully.

"Staten Island’s industrial zones can be a maze," he warned. "AIM loves to set up decoy caches. Be careful not to get lured into a trap."

Steve turned toward him, nodding.

"We’ll stay sharp."

Bruce’s eyes flickered between them, then narrowed slightly. "Just saying—AIM doesn’t like to lose assets. If they know you’re coming, expect resistance."

"Duly noted," Sam said, crossing his arms.

"Alright, team," Steve finally announced, stepping forward. "Let’s move."

With their gear secured and their roles in place, the Avengers moved as one, heading toward the elevator leading to the hangar bay.

The doors slid open, revealing the expansive deck where the Quinjet waited, its sleek black frame gleaming under the overhead lights. The subtle hiss of hydraulic systems filled the air as the engines idled, ready for departure, but not today, today they would fly individually.

Inside Tony's armor, F.R.I.D.A.Y.’s voice greeted them over the comms.

"All systems are running at peak efficiency. Flight trajectory locked in. Ready when you are, boss."

"Thank you, sexy. F.R.I.D.A.Y can you check Cap's jet pack, I don't want my favorite old man to meet his creator so soon at the young age of one-hundred and seven"

"All systems at peak efficiency, safety drivers updated."

"Nice, you're ready, Cap"

"Thanks Tony"

Steve led the way up the ramp, adjusting his shield on his forearm

Sam followed, securing his flight harness as he moved to his usual position, where he could deploy into flight mode quickly if needed.

Janet checked her wings.

And, naturally, Tony was the last one in, stepping on the pad with zero urgency, already halfway through another conversation with F.R.I.D.A.Y. about adjusting the armor HUD interface.

"Alright, Avengers," Steve said. "Let’s see what AIM’s up to."

Cap's Jetpack roared to life as he took to the skies. Not long after, Falcon, then Wasp, and then Iron Man.

"No need to rush, people. Enjoy the ride!" Tony said over the comms, his red and yellow armor with gray details glinting under the morning light.

The team flew over the New York Harbor, the city’s iconic skyline giving way to the sprawling industrial zones of Staten Island in the distance. Steve Rogers kept his shield with steady hands, his gaze fixed on the horizon, while Janet Van Dyne flying beside him, checking over their briefing on the HUD of her black and yellow helmet. Sam Wilson was behind them, leaning forward slightly to join in their conversation. Not far back Tony was running diagnostics and checking Market news.

It had been a while since Steve had flown into Staten Island for anything significant, and though the mission was pressing, the flight offered a rare moment of relative calm.

“So, Cap,” Sam started, leaning back with an easy smile, “how’s that project with the bike going? Has Tony finally convinced you to use a modern version?”

Steve let out a soft chuckle, his tone tinged with the kind of quiet stubbornness that came from long-held principles. “Never. He’s tried, believe me, but he’ll never convince me to trade in my Harley for some Japanese-made bike.”

Tony chimmed in, a teasing smirk on his face behind the sleek helmet. “Old grudges much, Steve?”

Steve shook his head, keeping his eyes on the controls. “It’s not personal, Tony. I respect the ingenuity of Japanese designers and engineers—they’re some of the best in the world. But there’s something about the Harley… the sound, the feel. It’s not just a bike; it’s history. You don’t replace history with a modern knockoff.”

Sam leaned forward, clearly intrigued. “Not about the war, then?”

Steve’s expression softened, and his voice carried a tone of quiet conviction. “All the Japanese leaders who issued those orders during the war—they’re gone. They rotted away in prisons or graves decades ago. Japan’s changed. The people today had nothing to do with what happened then. There’s no point holding grudges against the dead or their descendants. That kind of bitterness only festers.”

Janet tilted her head, giving him an appraising look. “Huh. So it’s not just about being old-fashioned—it’s about loyalty to what feels right.”

Steve smiled faintly. “That’s part of it. Not everything needs to look aggressive and edged to work well.”

Sam raised a brow, smirking, his red goggles catching the morning sunlight. “What about you Janet, any bikes you like... maybe a certain Italian Vespa.”

“Me?” Janet laughed lightly. “Not really. I don’t even like bikes.”

Sam leaned over, grinning. “So what do you like?”

“Cars,” Janet replied, leaning back in her seat with a touch of elegance. “Classy ones. Rolls-Royces, for example. Something timeless.”

"A girl after my own heart this Janet Van Dyne" Tony chuckled approaching the group.

“Too chic for me,” Sam said, shaking his head. “But I’ll admit, I do like Lamborghinis and Ferraris. Sleek, modern, and the revving? Absolutely mad.”

Steve chuckled, glancing briefly at Sam. “Muscle cars are better. When I came back, President Reagan gifted me a 1969 Dodge Charger RT. Best car I’ve ever had. I still have it.”

"Classy Car" Tony said. "But nothing beats a good Lamborghini Countach"

"Or an Audi R8" Janet chimmed in.

"Janet, this is why we keep you around. You are the voice of reason in this desolate world." Tony said smiling behind the helmet.

Janet smiled back, flustering a bit. Before she could respond, Cap spoke.

"Heads Up, Avengers, we are arriving"

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

The conversation settled as they approached the Staten Island Police Precinct. Steve brought the jet to a smooth landing in a designated area not far from the station. The group disembarked, the sharp morning air carrying the faint smell of salt from the harbor.

Detectives in plainclothes and uniforms were already waiting near the station’s entrance. One of them, a middle-aged man with graying hair in a stained olive shir, stepped forward, his badge clipped to his belt.

“Captain Rogers,” the detective said, extending a hand. “Detective James Corbett, NYPD Major Crimes Unit. Glad you could make it.”

Steve shook his hand firmly. “Detective. Thanks for reaching out.”

Corbett gestured toward the station. “We’ve got the intel on the AIM cache inside. It’s a big lead—if what we’ve got is accurate, this could be a major sting.”

Janet chimed in, her tone sharp and focused. “Any indication of traps or decoys? AIM loves to misdirect.”

Corbett nodded grimly. “We’ve considered that. There’s chatter about multiple caches in the area, but this one came from a reliable informant. We’ve got officers ready to move, but…” He glanced at Steve. “Let’s just say AIM’s tech is way out of our league. We need your expertise.”

Steve gave a curt nod. “We’ll take it from here. Lead the way.”

The team followed Corbett into the station, where a briefing room was set up with maps, schematics, and files. Janet and Sam immediately began analyzing the data, while Steve listened intently to the detectives’ reports. The sense of purpose in the room was palpable—the mission was just beginning.

The briefing room was abuzz with activity, maps spread across the table, and digital projections outlining Staten Island’s industrial zones. Steve Rogers, Sam Wilson, and Janet Van Dyne stood alongside Detective Corbett and his team, piecing together the threads of evidence that confirmed AIM’s presence. The mood in the room was serious but focused—until the sharp click of heels echoed from the doorway.

“That won’t be a problem,” came a familiar voice from the back of the room.

All heads turned to see Sharon Carter, clad in her pristine white SHIELD uniform, the tailored lines of her jacket crisp against her figure. Her blonde ponytail swung lightly as she strode in with the poise of someone who owned the room.

“Sharon?” Steve’s voice carried a mix of surprise and familiarity, his brow furrowing slightly.

“Steve,” she replied evenly, her tone professional but with a hint of warmth.

“Agent Carter,” Janet said, offering a curt nod.

“Van Dyne,” Sharon replied, her tone neutral. Her gaze flicked to Sam. “Wilson.”

“Carter,” Sam replied, crossing his arms.

"Hey, Sharon! My favorite blonde bureaucrat..." Tony smiled, his helmet receding.

"Stark"

Sharon turned to Detective Corbett, her demeanor shifting seamlessly into command mode. “Detective, give us a minute, will you?”

Corbett nodded quickly, recognizing the hierarchy in play. “Yes, ma’am,” he said before signaling his officers to step out of the room.

As the door closed behind them, Sharon moved closer to the table, scanning the information with a critical eye. “Well, Avengers, it seems AIM has built a bunker here. Right under our noses.”

Steve’s eyes narrowed. “You want to dismantle them?”

“Precisely,” Sharon replied, her tone clipped. “More importantly, I want that tech.”

“The tech?” Janet said, raising an eyebrow. “You’re interested in AIM tech?”

“Yes,” Sharon replied without hesitation. “AIM’s operations in the United States were officially prohibited after their ties to HYDRA were exposed. You all know the history.”

Steve folded his arms across his chest. “We do. What we don’t know is how they’re here now, operating in Staten Island of all places. This isn’t exactly the outskirts of nowhere.”

“Staten Island is hardly the heart of the country,” Sharon said, glancing at the map. “But you’re not wrong. Here’s the thing: not all AIM cells were villainous.”

Sam tilted his head, his skepticism clear. “By ‘not villainous,’ you mean they worked with SHIELD.”

Tony smirked getting some coffee from the table, before putting it back with a disgusted face. "You know, just old SHIELD pragmatism, Kissinger style. Also, what is the supplier the commissioner is getting for these beans, they taste awful."

Sharon gave him a sharp look but didn’t deny it. “Technology knows no allegiance. AIM developed cutting-edge innovations, and some of their teams were contracted to work on classified SHIELD projects. But things changed. Some of those personnel went rogue. At first, it seemed like isolated incidents—missing persons, strange shipments—but now we know this cell is fully operational and acting outside any legal framework.”

Janet crossed her arms, a skeptical smile tugging at her lips. “Of course. SHIELD had to have something like that in the works. AIM as your private R&D team? Seems on-brand.”

Steve raised a hand slightly, his tone calm but firm. “If SHIELD knew about this, why didn’t they dismantle the lab themselves? Why call us in?”

“In legal matters, we already ‘dismantled’ them,” Sharon replied, making air quotes. “We absorbed their assets, reassigned their personnel, and used what was useful. But the truth is, we didn’t destroy everything. The people who were too valuable to lose? They stayed on. And now… they’re AIM again.”

Sam let out a low whistle, shaking his head. “So, they were SHIELD… until they weren’t useful anymore. Now that they’ve gone rogue, they’re just AIM again?”

“That’s an overtly simplistic view, Wilson,” Sharon shot back, her tone sharper now.

Steve frowned, his voice heavy with disapproval. “Simplistic or not, it sounds like a pretty big oversight. You kept AIM personnel active, working on projects, and now they’re running rogue operations on U.S. soil?”

"It is seems like a good simplification, Sharon. Fly-Boy here is right, SHIELD has a penchant to Manhattan Project AIM and Hydra people." Tony added, crossing his armored arms over his chest.

"It is a gross oversight, Sharon" Captain America shallowed dry. He was used to this kind of goverment shadowy deals, where the goverment would find questionable 'temporary allies' that they could gloss over the fact that they might as well be terrorists and war criminals. It never sat right with him, not during the Contras, not with the Mujahideen and several states the US had supported over the years for the sake of defending 'Freedom and Democracy'.

Sharon met his gaze unflinchingly. “It’s not that simple, Steve. You know how SHIELD operates. We’re tasked with defending the world. That means making compromises. Calculated risks.”

“Calculated risks,” Janet echoed with a dry chuckle. “And now Staten Island has a bunker full of rogue scientists who used to work for you.”

Sharon’s jaw tightened, but she kept her composure. “It was always a possibility. But we underestimated how deep their old loyalties ran—or how far they’d go without oversight. They’ve moved on to something bigger now, capturing people. We don’t know why, but we can’t afford to let it continue.”

Steve’s face darkened at the mention of captives. “Capturing people? And you’re just now connecting the dots?”

Sharon nodded, her tone lowering slightly. “It wasn’t clear until now that these incidents were linked. But trust me, Steve—we’re acting as soon as we can. That’s why you’re here.”

Tony looked between Sharon and Steve, his voice tinged with sarcasm. “Let me get this straight. SHIELD kept AIM on payroll, let them keep working, and now that they’re running wild, we’re supposed to clean it up?”

“They’re not ‘on payroll,’” Sharon snapped, her patience thinning. “They were integrated into SHIELD’s structure. When they went rogue, they became a liability. It’s as simple as that.”

Steve’s expression was stoic, but his words carried weight. “This isn’t just about cleaning up a liability, Sharon. People’s lives are at stake. You should’ve shut this down before it got to this point.”

Sharon straightened, her tone icy. “I don’t disagree. But we’re dealing with it now. That’s what matters.”

Janet raised her hands in mock surrender. “Alright, alright. No need to bite each other’s heads off. We’ve got rogue scientists, a secret bunker, and missing people. That’s more than enough to focus on.”

Steve nodded, his resolve hardening. “Agreed. Let’s move forward. Sharon, what’s the layout of this bunker?”

Sharon gestured to the map on the table, pointing out key areas. “It’s located beneath a decommissioned shipping yard. Multiple access points, heavy fortification. AIM doesn’t do anything halfway, so expect advanced defenses—automated turrets, drones, maybe worse. We’ll need to coordinate carefully.”

Sam sighed, pulling his gloves on. “Sounds like a party. Let’s just hope their tech isn’t as glitchy as Tony’s prototypes.”

"Haha, the bird comes with jokes too. Let's see how long you fly without those wings, Robin" Tony says his helmet closing back again.

Janet smirked. “If it is, maybe we’ll get lucky and it’ll blow itself up before we get there.”

Sharon ignored the jab, her gaze locked on Steve. “We’ll handle this efficiently, Captain. No unnecessary risks.”

Steve met her eyes evenly. “Good. Because the people they’ve taken don’t have time for anything less.”

The room fell silent, the weight of the mission settling over the team as they finalized their plans. The calm before the storm was short-lived, but the Avengers were ready for whatever came next.

The Avengers team moved through the quiet streets of Staten Island’s industrial outskirts, the early morning sun casting long shadows over the crumbling warehouses and rusted shipping containers. The area was desolate, the kind of place where secrets could hide in plain sight. Steve Rogers led the way, his shield strapped to his back and his gaze sharp, scanning the area for any signs of movement. Sam Wilson hovered just above the group with his wings, providing aerial surveillance, while Janet Van Dyne flitted nearby, her Wasp suit’s wings emitting a soft hum. Sharon Carter walked beside Steve, her posture rigid, every bit the efficient SHIELD operative. In the air Iron Man covered the air with Falcon, his armor and its A.I ever present of the surroundings.

"Sharon this better not happen again" Steve said.

"I'll make sure of it, Steve" Sharon retorted.

But Captain America didn't trust it, not entirely. He knew Sharon, he knew she meant well, but she followed orders, from Fury, just like Maria Hill. Still he sensed that she wouldn't give her word to him just to let go of it later.

“This is it?” Tony asked as they approached a nondescript warehouse on the edge of the lot. "We walk in just like Chuck E. Cheese?"

Sharon nodded, pulling a sleek device from her pocket and tapping its screen. “Yes. The facility is beneath this warehouse. There’s a hidden access point inside.”

Steve glanced at the warehouse, his expression wary. “Let’s be careful here, alright?”

Sam smirked, landing beside him. “You mean like SHIELD was careful?”

Sharon shot him a sharp look. “No time for jokes, Wilson. Focus.”

The group moved inside, their footsteps echoing on the concrete floor. The warehouse was empty save for some discarded crates and broken equipment, but Sharon led them to a small elevator hidden behind a rusted panel. She keyed in a code, and the elevator doors opened with a soft ding.

“Down we go,” Sharon said, stepping inside.

Steve hesitated, his instincts prickling. “Keep your guard up. Something about this doesn’t feel right.”

“Noted,” Janet said, shrinking down to her wasp form and perching on Steve’s shoulder. “I’ll be your eyes from up close.”

The elevator descended silently, the air growing cooler and heavier as they went deeper underground. When the doors opened, they were greeted by a sterile white corridor lined with fluorescent lights. A group of people in yellow lab coats stood waiting for them, their hands raised in a gesture of surrender.

“Welcome,” said a middle-aged man with thinning hair and glasses. He stepped forward, his tone calm but slightly nervous. “I assume you’re here to shut us down.”

The group exchanged wary glances. Steve stepped forward, his voice steady but firm. “That depends. Who are you, and what exactly is going on here?”

Steve didn't like, they didn't fire, they didn't control their minds. Where they actually with SHIELD? Was Sharon lying and she was just here to get rid of the project because the collateral grew to costly for SHIELD to keep up. Was AIM simply now a sticker they can put on every rogue SHIELD scientist. Cap's gut was telling him there was more to this than he wanted to be part of.

The man adjusted his glasses, glancing at Sharon before answering. “We’re scientists, Captain Rogers. Our work here is… complicated, but I assure you, it’s for the greater good.”

“Complicated?” Sam asked, his voice dripping with skepticism. “That’s never a good sign.”

The man gestured for them to follow. “Please, let me show you. It will be easier to explain.”

The team exchanged another set of looks before cautiously following the group of scientists deeper into the facility. The corridor opened into a sprawling lab filled with advanced equipment, glowing screens, and rows of cylindrical tanks filled with an eerie green liquid. The scientists moved with quiet efficiency, but their demeanor lacked the hostility or panic the Avengers had expected.

“This is our main laboratory,” the man explained. “Our research is focused on creating the next generation of robotic soldiers. We aim to develop technology that can protect lives and enhance military operations.”

Steve’s jaw tightened. “And what exactly are these robots?”

The man hesitated for a moment before leading them to a console. He tapped a few keys, and a holographic projection appeared, showing schematics of humanoid robots with sleek, armored designs. “These robots will be powered by a revolutionary neural interface. The most advanced AI… built from human neural patterns.”

Sam’s eyes narrowed. “Built from what?”

The scientist didn’t flinch. “We’re using neural data extracted from human brains. With these patterns, we can create robots capable of intuitive decision-making, emotional reasoning, and unparalleled combat efficiency.”

Sharon’s face paled slightly, though she kept her tone even. “You’re using human brains? From live subjects?”

The man avoided her gaze. “The donors were volunteers, at least initially. But circumstances… evolved. We’ve had to procure additional specimens through less conventional means.”

Steve’s expression darkened, his hands clenching into fists at his sides. “You’re capturing people. Turning their minds into weapons. And you think that’s for the greater good?”

The man looked to Sharon for support. “Agent Carter, surely you understand the value of this technology. SHIELD knows the potential here.”

Sharon stiffened, her eyes narrowing. “SHIELD’s involvement ended when you went rogue. Whatever you’re doing here is unauthorized, and it stops now.”

Steve turned to Sharon, his voice low and edged with anger. “SHIELD was involved in this? You knew about it?”

Sharon’s jaw tightened. “Steve, I—”

“Of course SHIELD knew,” the man interrupted, smiling faintly. “We were SHIELD operatives. This project was sanctioned from the start.”

“That’s enough,” Sharon snapped, her voice sharp. “You’re not SHIELD anymore. This facility is rogue, and this project is over.”

The scientist stepped back, raising his hands. “What? This is not right... we are still SHIELD”

Steve's eyes darkened as he snapped his head towards Sharon.

Tony let a low whistle. "Well, this is some nice recipe for chaos and lack of accountability."

"Agent Carter, you must understand that these robots are necessary to keep the street safe, we only used criminal specimens"

"Specimens?" Falcon muttered. "Damn"

"Ahem" Sharon failed to keep her composure. "Look, Doctor. This project ends now, SHIELD or no SHIELD... Your project is over."

"Agent Carter, this is a gross mistake. We are having several breakthroughs! It's for science, progress, national security."

"It's a goddamn nightmare fuel" Tony muttered, his voice amused but equal parts annoyed.

"Agent Carter, I will not comply"

"Well, then you will do this the hard way, doctor."

"Suit yourself"

"You will turn this project off, immediately, Doctor. I won't say it again." Captain America moved closer to the Doctor, his blue eyes piercing against the doctors' hazels. The frail man still stood his ground.

"I'm afraid I won't, Captain America."

The room went silent for a heartbeat before the tension exploded.

“Of course,” Janet muttered. “It was too good to be true.”

Sharon’s relief at the admission was palpable, but it didn’t last. Steve’s piercing gaze cut through her. “You still let this happen,” he said, his voice hard. “This was under SHIELD’s watch. People are suffering because of it.”

Sharon opened her mouth to respond, but before she could, alarms blared, and the lab’s lights shifted to an ominous red.

“You shouldn’t have come here,” the scientist said, his voice cold now. “You’ve forced our hand.”

With a series of loud hisses, the cylindrical tanks began to open, and hulking humanoid robots stepped out. Their metallic forms glowed faintly with green energy, their movements unnervingly fluid as they turned toward the Avengers.

“Avengers, get ready!” Captain America barked.

Iron Man raised his armored hands.

Falcon prepared himself.

Wasp shrunk down to gain the advantage, lost from sight.

Agent Carter pulled her pistols.

Captain America held his shield. His eyes burning with intensity.

"You should have chosen peace, doctor."