There it was: yet another fictional story in the world. If I didn't know the truth, I might have believed it. After all, the best lie is a partial truth. It was during the very period that Natasha worked at Stark Industries that Stark began to unravel. In fact, his behavior became erratic, convinced he had one foot in the grave and his days were numbered. Ignoring all reason, he went on a rampage. At least he didn't turn to methamphetamine, like some do…
"That's just like Tony," I responded as though we had known each other for years. "He's always been like that, always thinking only about himself. For example, unlike him, I only think about me." ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ 𝓷𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓵※𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓮※𝓷𝓮𝓽
She hesitated, unsure how to react, then pressed on, trying to sway my decision. "Mr. Reath, give me a chance and I'll prove my reliability and indispensability. Besides, how can you determine who is trustworthy based on a single conversation?"
"I rely on my intuition," I replied.
"That's an unreliable method…"
"I'd argue with you on that," I interrupted, leaning back in my chair and falling into deep thought. "Very well… You've convinced me, Miss Rushman. You're hired. The probationary period is three months. I hope I won't regret this decision."
"Believe me, sir, I will not disappoint you," said the red-haired woman, unable to hide her happiness. Whether her joy was genuine or just another act, I couldn't tell. Now she was my employee, and rest assured—I would make certain she approached her job responsibly.
"I have one last question for you, do you mind?" I stopped Natalia, who was about to leave, and switched to Russian.
"Of course, go ahead," she replied in Russian as well.
"Imagine you find yourself in the epicenter of a catastrophe—destruction of unimaginable scale. You realize you could be among those lost to these tragic events. Suddenly, you have power—the power and the obligation to resist destruction, alongside others as strong as you. You have the ability to influence the outcome of this great battle—a game of survival… So, what will you choose, Ms. Rushman: to win this game or not to lose?"
"…Not to lose," answered the future Avenger, still not fully grasping the meaning of my question.
"Not to lose…" I repeated. "Is that the right choice? Is there even a choice at all? How can you win or not lose a game whose rules are constantly changing—and not by your hand?"
"What are you getting at?" she asked, narrowing her eyes as she tried to understand me.
"The world is unpredictable. Sometimes, we have no idea whose rules we're living by. I believe that those who know more about the world than you or I will never play fair. They won't even tell us the rules, and if they do, they'll change them whenever they wish. They leave us no chance."
"Maybe you're right. But if we can't change anything, all that's left is to live with it."
"No. That's not my principle. If there's no way to influence the rules of this imposed game, then you need to set your own rules—and play by them."
"I understand your position. You're someone who refuses to be broken by outside forces. I'm glad my new boss is a person of such strong spirit. I made the right choice," she said before leaving my office.
********************************
Maybe I shouldn't have hired someone with such a questionable reputation. After all, she's a spy for the government organization S.H.I.E.L.D. Who knows what they might be plotting against me? But as the saying goes: keep your friends close, and your enemies closer. Even though her arrival wasn't part of my plans, no one stops me from changing those plans. Besides, this opens up new opportunities. Perhaps it seems as if I let the fox into the henhouse, but it's worth remembering who's really in charge of this henhouse.
A minute later, Barbara Gordon entered the office.
"How did it go? Did you hire her?" she asked as soon as she closed the door behind her.
"Was there ever any doubt?" I responded.
She adjusted her tight skirt, walked to the window, and leaned her elbows on the sill.
"No, I was sure you'd never let such a pretty person slip through your greedy fingers," she answered finally.
"Hey, do you think I'm that shallow?" I protested. "For your information, she's not as simple as she looks. Her real name is Natalia Alianovna Romanova, also known as the Black Widow—one of the world's best spies and professional assassins, an elite double agent. She currently serves S.H.I.E.L.D. under Nick Fury's direct supervision," I confided.
"And why would you let a potential traitor into our circle?" Barbara was clearly displeased.
"You can't betray someone you've never trusted. Besides, she's a top-notch specialist. It would be a shame to pass up such an asset," I insisted.
"Or maybe it's her looks that caught your attention?" Batgirl pressed on.
"You think so?" I walked up to her. "Her presence here won't affect us. On the contrary, I finally have a channel to communicate with S.H.I.E.L.D., and that's a privilege too valuable to pass up. Even if I don't need it now, it will become important soon."
"Isn't it risky to let her near the company's accounts?"
"What could she find here? Where the money goes?"
"Don't forget: you spend most of your budget on those questionable experiments—like the super soldier project," Barbara reminded me pointedly.
"S.H.I.E.L.D. already suspects I'm up to something. But no matter how skilled Natasha is, she won't uncover anything. Not unless she infiltrates Babylon, and that's nearly impossible," I reassured her.
I wasn't worried about the Russian spy snooping around Babylon anymore. She's the best at infiltration and intelligence, no doubt. If she had come a month ago, I would have been concerned, knowing the lab's old security wouldn't be enough to stop the Black Widow. But now I have Pamela. Poison Ivy has taken over the area with her writhing vines, humanoid plants, and other botanical creatures. If an intruder tries to enter Babylon, the green sirens scattered throughout will instantly alert Dr. Isley. She is the best defense system in the world. I'm lucky to have her.
"How are you feeling?" I asked Batgirl, lifting her by the waist and sitting her on the windowsill.
"Hey, what are you doing?" she fidgeted, glancing nervously at the door.
"Just playing with my girlfriend," I teased, stroking her thighs through the black tights. "No one ever comes in without knocking… Well, except Heather—but we're not going to be embarrassed in front of her, are we?"
I didn't let her answer, capturing her soft lips in a passionate kiss. She wrapped her legs around my waist instinctively, never breaking the kiss. We stayed lost in our own world for a few minutes before returning to reality.
"Will you come over tonight?" I asked softly, looking into her eyes.
"Isn't Harley waiting for you?" Batgirl joked, catching her breath.
"She's meeting an old friend tonight. Pamela promised to keep an eye on her, so I'm completely free."
***********************************
At S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters.
"Alex Reath is your new target," said the man with a patch over his left eye.
"Find out everything you can: what he does, his interests, whom he spends time with—get his full background."
"I've read his file. I still can't see why he's attracting this much attention," Natasha replied, her curiosity evident through her tight black uniform. "He's interesting, but not worth such close surveillance. And he operates in Amanda Waller's territory. If memory serves, you have a non-interference pact with her."
"Something's off about him," Fury continued. "My intuition hasn't failed me yet. I'll handle Amanda; that's not your concern. Your task is Alex Reath."
"Your intuition is the last thing I'd trust. Just remember Peru… Or the Clifford case in Mexico…" Romanoff started reminiscing.
"Ahem, things are different now," Fury said, coughing to break the awkward silence. "We've been monitoring the ongoing clash between the Hand and the League of Shadows. Judging by recent movements, something big is on the horizon. Alex Reath may be involved—maybe not directly, but the Demon's Head clearly has plans for him. I'm sure Amanda Waller will cooperate with us."
"But that's not the main reason, is it?" Black Widow said, analyzing the situation. "You're worried about the Captain America case. After all, he's the one who found Rogers. Steve is grateful to him and even wants to thank his savior," she smiled.
"That worries me immensely. It feels like everything's going according to his plan. I'm certain he went to the Arctic intending to find the Captain—and he succeeded. How he knew Rogers was alive, or how he managed it, doesn't matter. What matters are his true motives. He didn't take Captain America or his shield. So what was his goal?"
"Exactly," Fury confirmed. "The super soldier serum runs in his veins. There's reason to believe Alex Reath wants to recreate Dr. Erskine's formula."
"That's impossible," Natasha shook her head. "No one's succeeded in replicating the formula. And he lacks the required professional expertise."
"He hired Kavita Rao—a PhD in biochemistry and genetics, formerly a professor at UC Berkeley. He also rescued Pamela Isley from Arkham Asylum, perhaps the world's leading botanist. Don't underestimate him. We don't know the extent of his abilities. Just look at his achievements over the past year—he's reviving the entertainment industry."
"I see. So you want me to get a job in his company?"
"Ideally, yes… Our data suggests he has a certain weakness for women. You simply cannot fail this mission."
"Of course," the red-haired beauty smiled, tossing her hair over her shoulder.
Vote with power stones guys, or I will come and give you all a bonk on your head.