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31 Job Interview
🕑 Added 2024-10-11 18:15:01 +0000 UTCIn one of the meeting rooms in SHIELD's Los Angeles field office, the atmosphere was tense, but not without a hint of familiarity. Harry and Natasha sat side by side, feeling a pang of déjà vu. It was like they were back to the first time Fury had tried to recruit them—two mischievous kids caught red-handed, waiting for the principal’s lecture. Harry leaned back slightly in his chair, exchanging a quick, knowing glance with Natasha, who smirked in return. Both were trying hard to keep their composure, but amusement danced in their eyes.
Across the table, Maria Hill remained the picture of stoicism, her expression unreadable as ever. She was the cool, detached professional—an anchor of calm in the storm of chaos that usually surrounded S.H.E.I.L.D.
Fury, on the other hand, looked more worn out than usual. His one good eye bore the weariness of a man who had seen one too many disasters unfold, and the Hammer Industries mess was just the latest in a long list. He leaned forward, hands clasped together as if trying to channel all his frustration into a single, tired exhale. His tone was low, gruff, and edged with a touch of exasperation.
“Alright, let’s get this over with,” he began, his voice a growl that made Harry and Natasha sit up a little straighter. It was clear Fury was in no mood for games today.
"Where do I even begin with the two of you?" Fury growled, his voice carrying the weight of frustration. He pinched the bridge of his nose as if trying to ward off an impending headache. "The cleanup from this whole mess is going to be a nightmare. Hill, how in the hell did we miss that Vanko wasn’t dead? And on top of that, how did he manage to manipulate Hammer into getting control of those drones right under our noses? Why has our intel on Hammer Industries been so damn limited?"
Fury’s gaze shifted to Hill, sharp and expectant, while his words hung in the air like an accusation. He wasn't just venting; he was demanding answers.
Hill didn’t flinch, though the intensity of Fury’s stare could have melted steel. "We had Vanko on every watchlist, Director," she replied with calmly. "Our agents did confirm that he had died in the bomb blast after the Monaco incident. As for Hammer Industries, we’ve had some intel, but their internal security has been tighter than anticipated, and their operations are more compartmentalized than we initially thought. The drones were Justin Hammer’s key to the Pentagon. He had kept it under wraps very well so that no one could know what he was presenting."
Fury's scowl deepened, not satisfied with the explanation but knowing it was the best he could get for now. He shifted his attention back to Harry and Natasha, his eye narrowing. "And you two... what do you have to say for yourselves? How did this escalate so quickly without us being on top of it?"
"I think we did more than just 'well' under the circumstances," Natasha countered defensively. "The entire world had its eyes on Stark—we had our eyes on Stark—because he was a potential loose cannon with the power to level cities. We couldn’t afford to take our focus off him. S.H.I.E.L.D., the government, every intelligence agency around the globe—they were all watching Tony Stark, waiting to see if Iron Man would be a saviour or a disaster waiting to happen."
She paused, her gaze unwavering as she continued, "Justin Hammer played us all by staying in the shadows, pretending to be a harmless wannabe, when he was carefully plotting his move." But let’s not forget, sir, that Hammer wasn’t the immediate threat. Stark’s condition, his erratic behaviour, and the fact that he was dying—that’s where our attention had to be. The world would’ve been in far more danger if we hadn’t focused on that."
Natasha straightened her tone firm, "In hindsight, sure, we could say we underestimated Hammer. But in the heat of the moment, with Stark spiralling and the potential for global catastrophe looming, we had to prioritize. And I’d argue that keeping Iron Man from going off the rails was the right priority."
Harry leaned forward; his expression serious as he addressed Fury. "Let’s not lose sight of the fact that Hammer and Vanko were never Natasha's objectives. She was tasked with monitoring Stark, making sure the Iron Man tech didn’t fall into the wrong hands, and keeping an eye on his health. Vanko and Hammer were supposed to be on someone else’s assignment. Yet, they managed to slip through the cracks—just like other threats have in the past."
He paused, letting the weight of his words settle before continuing, "This isn’t the first time something has slipped past S.H.I.E.L.D.’s watch. We lost track of the Ten Rings in Afghanistan, and we all know how that turned out. And then there was the time Natasha got shot by the Winter Soldier—a ghost story that’s not supposed to exist, yet he nearly killed one of your top agents. We can’t keep pretending these are isolated incidents. Something’s not right within S.H.I.E.L.D., and if we don’t address it, we’re going to keep facing situations like this."
Harry's voice hardened as he made his point, "We need to take a hard look inside S.H.I.E.L.D. Maybe it’s compromised, maybe it’s become too complacent—but whatever it is, we can’t keep ignoring the warning signs. If S.H.I.E.L.D. is supposed to be the world’s first line of defence, we need to make sure it’s not riddled with cracks."
Hill’s eyes narrowed, her posture stiffening at Harry’s insinuation. "Are you seriously suggesting that S.H.I.E.L.D. could be compromised? We are the most advanced intelligence network in the world, and you're questioning its integrity?"
Fury’s expression hardened a slight narrowing of his one good eye betraying the depth of his thoughts. He was the best spymaster in the world, and that title wasn’t earned by dismissing potential threats, no matter where they came from. His mind was already turning over to possibilities, running down countless scenarios in which S.H.I.E.L.D. could be compromised. Every angle, every shadow, every whisper had to be considered, even if it meant scrutinizing his own organization.
He leaned forward, the weight of his reputation as a master strategist and tactician evident in his words. "I didn’t get to where I am today by overlooking any threats, internal or external. If there’s even the slightest chance that S.H.I.E.L.D. has been compromised, we need to know. I want a full, independent investigation launched immediately. Leave no stone unturned, no file unchecked. If there’s something or someone undermining us, I’ll find it, and I’ll deal with it."
Fury’s tone was measured, but there was an edge to it, a reminder of the man’s relentless pursuit of the truth, no matter how uncomfortable it might be. For him, trust wasn’t given lightly, and the very suggestion that S.H.I.E.L.D. could be infiltrated demanded his full attention. This was the nature of his job—always analyzing, always prepared, and never complacent.
He turned to Hill with a decisive nod. "I want you to set up an independent investigation team—completely off the books. I want them to dig into every corner of S.H.I.E.L.D., no matter how deep. If there’s any truth to what Potter is suggesting, we need to find it and eliminate the threat before it becomes a bigger problem. I don't care how uncomfortable this is going to make people; S.H.I.E.L.D.'s integrity is non-negotiable."
Hill nodded, “Coulson states that Agent Jasper Sitwell is a trustworthy candidate. He did well in the New Mexico assignment and provided out-of-the-box ideas when dealing with Banner. I will have him undertake this assignment.”
"Moving on," Fury said, steering the conversation back on track. "What do we know about Vanko's designs for the Hammer Drones?"
Maria Hill brought up her report on a tablet and handed it to Fury. "The Hammer Drones were remote-controlled military units, heavily modified by Ivan Vanko using Justin Hammer's earlier failed attempts as a base. Hammer intended these drones to be a cheaper, more controllable version of Iron Man, but Vanko twisted that intent to fuel his vendetta against Hammer and Tony Stark."
Fury’s one good eye flicked to the tablet as Hill continued, her voice sharp and efficient. "There are four distinct types of drones, each one designed to mimic a branch of the U.S. Armed Forces, and each equipped with repulsor flight technology and powered by the arc reactor. This gives them full aerial mobility, making them a significant threat in any engagement."
She paused, letting the weight of the information sink in before she elaborated, her voice steady
“The Army Drones are the heavy hitters—armoured like tanks with shoulder-mounted cannons, foot-mounted anchor spikes for stability, and wrist-mounted grenade launchers paired with machine guns. They’re built to withstand serious punishment and deliver it right back.”
The Navy Drones have got a bit more finesse—two shoulder-mounted missile launchers, a retractable armoured faceplate for extra protection, and wrist-mounted guided missile launchers. They also come with fixed-point coil lasers. Think of them as multi-role fighters, capable of engaging both air and ground targets.”
“The Air Force Drones are your aerial specialists. Superior-firing wrist-mounted missile launchers, a back-mounted machine gun for air superiority, thermal vision vortex ring guns for precision targeting, and enhanced back boosters for extreme flight manoeuvrability. They’re fast, lethal, and built to dominate the skies.”
“Finally, the Marine Corps Drones are equipped for versatility in any terrain—wrist-mounted machine guns, missile launchers, and high-definition cameras for reconnaissance. They’re your adaptable units, ready to deploy wherever needed.”
Hill took a breath, her gaze shifting back to Fury. "The engineering team is currently analyzing Vanko’s designs to see how we can repurpose and enhance these for S.H.I.E.L.D.’s use. Romanoff’s intel has already provided us with a significant advantage. There’s even talk of developing new models, taking cues from the Iron Monger and Whiplash suits."
Fury’s expression remained unreadable as he digested the information. "Good," he finally said, his voice as controlled as ever. "But we proceed with caution. Vanko was a genius, but a twisted one. If we can use his work to our advantage, we will—but we don’t cut corners, and we don’t make the same mistakes he did. Understood?"
Hill nodded sharply. Natasha and Harry exchanged a glance. Fury’s command left no room for error—S.H.I.E.L.D. was about to turn a potential disaster into a strategic advantage.
"I think we should bury this research for now," Natasha interjected, her tone cutting through the tension in the room.
The suddenness of her statement left everyone momentarily stunned, their eyes locking onto her with a mix of surprise and disbelief.
"What?" Fury’s voice was low, almost a growl. "You're suggesting we sit on potentially game-changing technology?"
"Yes," Natasha replied, her voice unwavering. "At least until we know for sure that we’re not compromised from within. The Iron Man tech isn’t just another piece of advanced weaponry—it’s a paradigm shift. Think about it, Director. This tech is the modern equivalent of the Super Soldier Serum from World War II. We all know how that turned out—the Serum wasn’t just a tool; it became a symbol of power, something everyone wanted to replicate or control. Now, imagine what happens if Iron Man’s technology got into the wrong hands."
She paused, letting the weight of her words settle in the room before continuing. "We barely managed to contain the chaos caused by twelve remote-controlled drones at the Stark Expo. Twelve. That’s nothing compared to what could happen if someone with real ambition and resources got their hands on this tech. We were fortunate Vanko was focused on revenge—his hatred for Stark and his desire for destruction ultimately led him to sabotage himself. But what if he hadn’t? What if he had been a little less obsessed with Stark and a little more interested in selling that tech to the highest bidder?"
Natasha's eyes moved around the room, meeting those of Hill, Harry, and finally settling on Fury. "We could be looking at a world where rogue nations, terrorist cells, or criminal syndicates have access to an army of these drones. Autonomous, heavily armed, and virtually unstoppable. They could target cities, governments, and entire countries. And that’s assuming they don’t figure out a way to improve the designs, make them even deadlier."
She took a deep breath, her voice softening but losing none of its intensity. "We’re lucky we dodged a bullet this time. But next time? We might not be so fortunate. Before we even think about leveraging this tech for ourselves, we need to ensure that SHIELD isn’t compromised. We need to make sure that no one on the inside is going to hand over the keys to our enemies."
Natasha's gaze was unyielding as she looked back at Fury. "Until we know where we stand, this research needs to be buried—deep. It’s too dangerous to play with, not until we’re sure we’re the only ones holding the cards."
Fury's gaze hardened as he processed Natasha's words, the weight of her argument sinking in. His fingers drummed rhythmically on the table, a telltale sign of the internal debate raging in his mind. He wasn’t one to back down easily, especially when it came to potential advancements that could give SH.I.E.L.D. an edge. But Natasha had a point—one he couldn't afford to ignore.
After a long, tense silence, he finally gave a slow, reluctant nod. "Alright, Romanoff," he said, his voice carrying the heavy burden of the decision. "We'll put the tech on ice—for now. But make no mistake, once this investigation is over and we’ve ensured there are no cracks in our armour, we’re moving forward with it. This kind of tech—this kind of power—can’t stay buried forever. We need to be prepared for whatever comes next."
He leaned forward, his eye narrowing as he locked his gaze onto Natasha. "But understand this: the moment we’re clear, the second I’m convinced we’re not compromised; we’re going full steam ahead. We can’t afford to let this slip through our fingers. The world is changing, and we need to stay ahead of the curve. This could be our replacement for the Avengers Initiative. Agreed?"
His words hung in the air, a stark reminder that while caution was necessary, so too was readiness for the battles that lay ahead.
Fury straightened in his chair, his gaze sweeping over the two of them. "Alright, before we wrap this up, I’ve got new assignments for both of you," he began, his tone breaking no argument.
He turned to Natasha first. "Romanoff, we’ve received intel that Bruce Banner has had another incident and is back on the radar, this time in Brazil. General Ross and his forces have already attempted to apprehend him, but as expected, they failed. Our agents tracking him report that Banner is likely making his way back to the United States, and if that's true, he’ll almost certainly try to contact or approach his ex-girlfriend, Elizabeth Ross. Your mission is to keep a close eye on her. Be there when Banner shows up. And while you’re at it, see if you can dig up any of their old research on gamma radiation. We can’t afford any more surprises with him."
Fury then shifted his attention to Harry. "Potter, I’m sending you to Puente Antiguo, New Mexico. Coulson and Barton are on-site, investigating an anomaly they’ve discovered out in the desert. It’s something... unusual. I want your professional opinion on it, and I need you to assess if it poses any threat or if it’s something we can use. Whatever it is, I want to know about it before anyone else does."
He paused, letting the weight of their new assignments sink in. "These aren’t small tasks. Both have the potential to escalate quickly, so I need you both sharp and ready for anything. Understood?"
Harry raised an eyebrow, slightly perplexed. "Me too? But I'm not part of S.H.I.E.L.D.," he pointed out.
Fury met his gaze with a calculated look. "True, Potter, you’re not officially with S.H.I.E.L.D.," he acknowledged. "But this one falls squarely in your expertise. I only have access to you as my foremost expert on all things otherworldly after all."
Harry’s curiosity piqued, and he straightened into his seat, scrutinizing Fury. "And what exactly did you find out there?"
Fury exhaled; his expression unreadable. "We’re not entirely sure. It appears to be a hammer, but no one can lift it. It’s embedded in the ground like its grown roots. Right now, it’s become a local tourist attraction. People are flocking to it like it’s the sword in the stone, but no one’s had any luck moving it."
Harry considered the information, then nodded slowly. "Alright, I’ll go check it out.”
As the meeting ended, Fury gathered up his files, his mind shifting to the next task. Harry rose from his seat, stretching slightly, the tension of the intense discussion beginning to ease.
Just as he was about to follow Fury out of the room, Natasha stepped closer, her expression unusually hesitant. "Hey, before you head out," she began, her voice softer, "how about we take a day for ourselves tomorrow? Just you and me, no missions, no S.H.I.E.L.D.—just us."
Harry’s serious demeanour softened instantly, a warm smile spreading across his face. "That sounds perfect," he replied, reaching out to gently squeeze her hand.
Natasha’s tense posture relaxed, a rare vulnerability flickering in her eyes as she returned his smile. "Thank you," she said quietly.
With that, Harry turned to follow Fury out of the room. As they made their way down the corridor, the atmosphere shifted back to business. The next stop was the room where Tony was waiting for them, and Harry could already anticipate the chaos that awaited them.
When they arrived, Tony was tinkering with some gadget, his back turned to the door. He barely glanced up as they entered. "What’s up, Cyclops?" Tony greeted Fury with his usual sarcastic flair. But when he noticed Harry walking in behind him, Tony’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Wait a minute—what are you doing here? I thought you weren’t part of S.H.I.E.L.D."
Harry chuckled, shaking his head. "I’m not," he confirmed, glancing briefly at Fury before turning his attention back to Tony. "But I am the interim head of the Avengers Initiative."
Tony’s jaw practically hit the floor. "Since when?" he demanded, incredulity lacing his voice.
"Around three years ago," Harry replied calmly, a small smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.
Tony blinked rapidly, trying to process the information. "Mind blown," he muttered, rubbing his temples as if warding off a headache. "So, any other earth-shattering secrets you’re sitting on? Like, I don’t know, you’re secretly a time traveller or maybe an alien prince?"
Harry chuckled, shaking his head. "Nope, that’s it. This is the last big reveal, I swear."
Tony gave him a scrutinizing look as if trying to gauge whether Harry was joking or not. Finally, he threw up his hands in mock surrender. "Alright, but if you suddenly sprout wings or something, I’m gonna need a heads-up."
Harry laughed. "Deal."
Tony’s eyes caught a file labelled "AVENGERS INITIATIVE PRELIMINARY REPORT" by Harry Potter. His curiosity piqued, he reached out to open it, but Fury's hand shot out, stopping him mid-motion.
“I don’t think I want you looking at that,” Fury said, his tone firm. “I’m not sure it pertains to you anymore.” He slid another file across the table, one marked with the unmistakable S.H.I.E.L.D. insignia. “Now this, on the other hand, is Agent Romanoff’s assessment of you. Go ahead, read it.”
Tony hesitated, then picked up the file. He flipped it open and began to read aloud, his voice tinged with a mix of scepticism and amusement. “‘Personality overview. Mr Stark displays compulsive behaviour.’ In my defence, that was last week.” He shot Fury with a pointed look, but Fury’s expression remained impassive. “‘Prone to self-destructive tendencies.’ I was dying. I mean, come on, aren’t we all?”
Tony paused, raising an eyebrow as he continued, “‘Textbook narcissism’? Agreed. Okay, here it is. ‘Recruitment assessment for Avenger Initiative. Iron Man? Yes.’” He glanced up, a hint of triumph in his eyes. “I gotta think about it.”
“Read on,” Fury prompted, his voice carrying a weight that made Tony’s stomach churn slightly.
Tony’s gaze dropped back to the file, and his smug expression faltered. “‘Tony Stark… Not recommended? That doesn’t make any sense.” He looked up, confused. “How can you approve me but not approve me? I got a new ticker, I’m trying to do right by Pepper, and I’m in a stable—ish—relationship.”
Fury moved around the table, leaning against it with calculated ease. “Which leads us to believe that, at this juncture, we’d only like to use you as a consultant.”
Tony stared at Fury, the words sinking in. After a moment, he stood up, extending his hand. “You can’t afford me,” he said with a wry smile, their hands clasping in a firm shake. He turned to leave, but after taking a few steps, he paused, glancing back over his shoulder. “Then again, I might waive my customary retainer… in exchange for a small favour.”
Fury raised an eyebrow. “And what would that be?”
Tony’s smirk widened. “Rhodey and I are being honoured in Washington, and we need a presenter.”
Fury considered him for a moment, then nodded slightly. “I’ll see what I can do.”
"For what it's worth, I always thought you were a perfect fit for the team," Harry said sincerely, leaning back in his chair with a slight smile. "We'd be lucky to have you."
Tony raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on his lips. "Well, thanks, but I think your girlfriend might have a different opinion. Can't say I blame her, though, considering I may have, uh... suggested she dump you."
Harry chuckled, shaking his head. "Yeah, I heard about that. She's got a long memory, Tony.
Tony nodded, feigning seriousness. "I’ll say. Every time she glares at me, I swear she’s plotting my demise. Can’t say I didn’t earn it, though."
Harry laughed, the sound lightening the mood in the room. "You know, you could try apologizing. Might help."
"Apologize? To Natasha?" Tony shook his head dramatically. "Not sure I’m ready to face that level of danger. I mean, I can handle terrorists, robots, and even angry U.S. senators, but Romanoff? That’s a whole other level."
Harry smirked, "You’re not wrong. But seriously, Tony, she knows you’re a good guy. Just... try not to make her life too difficult, yeah?"
Tony held up his hands in mock surrender. "Hey, I’m just trying to keep things interesting. But for you, Potter, I’ll try to stay on her good side. Or at least, out of her crosshairs."
The two shared a laugh, the tension of the earlier conversation dissipating. Tony clapped Harry on the shoulder as he stood up. "Anyway, thanks for the vote of confidence. Who knows? Maybe one day I’ll earn that spot on the team.
"You already have," Harry replied, his voice warm with sincerity. "Just don’t forget to bring that charm of yours along. The team could use it."
Tony grinned. "Charm, huh? I’ll see what I can do."
With that, they parted ways, both feeling a little lighter after the conversation, ready to face whatever came next.
Comments
YayPepto
I'm soooo far behind... But this Bromance just makes me dread Civil War...
Andrew Houghton
Wait why not tell Garry to do it
