The SHIELD Helicarrier is somehow both incredibly impressive, and one of the most insanely impractical vehicles I've ever seen. Seriously, a flying aircraft carrier? Just the fuel costs must be more than most countries GDP to keep this ridiculous thing in the air.
I'd never even been in a helicopter before this, but now I've ridden one twice in two days. I'd probably be a lot more impressed if I didn't have the ability to fly under my own power now, at this point the helicopter just feels slow. Superpowers really do have some odd side effects to your life.
While the team didn't mind letting Cap know our identities, it seemed like a good idea to actually suit up before making a visit to SHIELD. I do trust Fury to GENERALLY act like a decent person, and I know this isn't the same world as in the movies, but SHIELD has shown itself to be rather susceptible to being infiltrated by spies, so going there in our civilian identities seemed like a poor idea. So, after a quick suiting up, or transformation in Blake's case, I piled onto the waiting helicopter with Cap, Pym and Janet, while Thor and Iron Man decided to just fly ahead. Banner decided to stay behind, figuring that bringing the Hulk onto the Helicarrier probably wouldn't turn out great either.
Rogers stares out the window of the helicopter as New York speeds past below us. He's pulled the cowl of his costume back over his face, and I can't help but smile at the goofy-looking wings on the side of his head. There's a good reason for why the MCU streamlined the uniform, because as much as I respect Cap, he's really not pulling off those wings. Then again, I doubt anyone could. Maybe I could talk Tony into helping him make a more modern costume? Preferably one with actual armor on the head?
"What is this SHIELD place exactly?" Rogers asks, bringing me out of my thoughts.
"It's not a place exactly, it's an organization that formed a few years ago" Pym is the one who answers "In simple terms, SHIELD serves as an international law-enforcement group, but..."
"Like a lot of international efforts, it's mostly a bunch of egomaniacs squabbling over jurisdiction" Janet adds.
"Janet..." Pym sighs "That's a bit harsh, but yes, SHIELD has a few issues in the way it operates."
Jesus, that's like saying that the Challenger only had a few issues with turbulence. Will have? Hmm.
"Nevertheless, it IS one of the most important international efforts today, which is why Stark has been working with them, despite ramping down weapon production at Stark Industries."
Rogers nods slowly "I guess I can see that... but why's he so sure they can help me?"
I shrug "He seems to think you might have something in common with the guy in charge, don't ask me why."
"Who's he?"
I glance outside "You're about to find out" I point out the window and Rogers eyes widen as he sees the Helicarrier floating over the surface of the ocean in the distance. Outside, the golden form of Iron Man zips by, giving a wave to the pilot before turning towards the deck of the Carrier, followed closely by Thor. I can just about make out the blue-suited agents gathering onboard.
I can't help but wonder if I'm about to meet the Samuel L. Jackson version or not.
....
Turns out, not.
I guess the odds of a black soldier being that highly ranked in the 1960's was pretty small.
The man waiting for us as the chopper sets down on the deck is in his mid-30's at the earliest, but if I remember correctly, Fury got doused with a similar serum that Cap did, meaning he's a lot older than he looks. The only sign of age on him is his hair, which is just slowly starting to turn grey at the temples, other than that, he looks exactly like the badass commando he is, he looks like he's been carved out of rock underneath that ridiculous blue and white jumpsuit all SHIELD agents wear. Behind him stands a taller, somewhat portlier man with a bushy red moustache and a bowler hat. Both men stare like they've just seen a ghost when Cap steps out of the helicopter. I suppose in a way they have.
"What in th' hell..?" Fury almost drops the cigar he's chewing on. "It can't be..."
"If you're imagining this Sarge, I'm having the same damn dream" Dugan says, gaping at us. "Captain?! Is that really you?!"
Cap blinks for a moment before he recognizes his old war buddies "D-Dugan? FURY?! You're still alive?!"
"Of course, you think a little thing like a world war could bring down the Howlin' Commandos?" Dugan says with a huge grin, walking over to shake the stunned Caps hand, but Fury hangs back, turning a distrustful glare to Iron Man who walks over from where he landed.
"Alright, what's yer deal, tinman?! I don't know what kind of scam yer boss is running, but this is some damn poor taste, even fer him! I don't know what clown you tricked into dressing up like him, but the real Cap is dead and buried!"
"Fury, I know this seems crazy, but it's really me, I swear!" Cap actually sounds a bit hurt "The last thing I remember was being onboard Zemo's plane, and the next thing I know, I woke up with these guys around me..."
"He was frozen when the plane crashed in the ocean, Fury" Iron Man says "The super soldier serum kept him alive all this time, and after we found him, it was just a simple matter of thawing him back out."
"Uh-huh, pull the other one, tinman, it's got bells on it" he glares at Cap "Who are ya really?! Did Stark pull Burnside out of storage, or are ya one of th' other half-assed attempts at making a new Cap Stark pulled out of some hole?"
"Who's Burnside?" I hear Janet whisper to Pym behind me.
"Later, Janet."
"I don't know, Sarge, he's looking pretty real to me" Dugan says uncertainly, but Fury isn't hearing any of it.
"Tinman, go back to Stark and tell him whatever scam he's trying to pull here isn't working, now get this damn fake off my ship before-"
"His name was Logan!" Cap says, interrupting Fury's tirade. Fury freezes mid-rant, slowly turning back towards him.
"What did you say?"
"The first time we met, back in the war. We were working with that Canadian operative, the one who would only go by the name Logan. I didn't put that in my report, the only ones who know about that mission are you, me and him..."
Fury's eyebrows raise in surprise "Well, I'll be damned..."804