Chapter 44: Let's Cooperate! You'll Help Me Deal with the Avengers
The figure who entered looked familiar, though it took Ryan several seconds to place him.
After settling into his chair, the man spoke with stern authority: "Ryan, although we've never met face-to-face, your reputation precedes you."
"What does General Ross want with me?" Ryan asked with calculated indifference.
"Former Lieutenant General, to be precise. My current position is Secretary of State, specifically overseeing Enhanced Individual Oversight and the Sokovia Accords implementation."
Ross harbored an unusual obsession with superhuman abilities. This was the architect behind the Sokovia Accords, personally developing and implementing the controversial legislation.
His goal had been monitoring and controlling Avengers operations, ultimately triggering the devastating Civil War that fractured the team.
Though the Avengers disbanded, some members led by Tony Stark had signed the Accords, earning Ross his promotion to Secretary of State.
Ryan asked with feigned curiosity: "Are you here to place me under federal supervision?"
He doubted Ross was unaware of his recent activities in Manhattan, yet the man had come anyway. Ryan couldn't fathom what the Secretary of State wanted from him.
General Ross stroked his graying mustache thoughtfully. "I've reviewed your classified file. Intelligence indicates you're an exceptional biochemist, capable of independently developing super-soldier enhancement formulas. I believe there's significant potential for collaboration between our organizations."
Ross naturally possessed this information through military channels connected to the Avengers.
While Steve Rogers wouldn't share intelligence directly, both Falcon and War Machine remained active military personnel bound by chain-of-command protocols.
After witnessing Ryan's combat capabilities during the Manhattan incident, Ross became increasingly convinced of his value as a potential asset.
Ryan's interest piqued. "What kind of collaboration? To be direct—what do you want, and what can you offer in return?"
Seeing Ryan's receptiveness, Ross abandoned diplomatic subtlety. "I want a super-soldier serum—an exceptionally potent variant. As for my offerings, name anything within my authority to provide."
"Anything within reason?"
Ross nodded confidently.
Ryan drummed his fingers against the sofa's armrest, considering carefully before responding. "Cooperation is possible. First, I require legitimate federal credentials and official exoneration regarding the Manhattan incident through appropriate government channels."
"Easily arranged. I can authorize military research consultant documentation immediately."
Ryan raised a finger. "Second, I need you to locate specific individuals and mobilize federal resources for their apprehension."
This time Ross hesitated, asking cautiously: "Can you identify these targets?"
"Extra-terrestrial entities. You can justify it as national security threats. If you can arrange Avengers involvement in the operation, even better."
Ross showed no surprise. Earth had become a cosmic crossroads over the past decade, with alien visitors arriving regularly.
Ross leaned forward. "I'll need more detailed intelligence on this matter. Anything else?"
"My final requirement: Assist me in neutralizing the Avengers."
"I..." Ross appeared stunned. On one hand, he wanted Avengers support against alien threats, while simultaneously plotting against them. The duplicity was breathtaking!
Ryan confirmed firmly: "That's correct—we eliminate the Avengers."
Ross shook his head repeatedly. "It's not unwillingness to assist you. Frankly, I share your frustrations with the Avengers, but I lack the capability to neutralize them directly."
Ross could only apply political pressure through governmental and public opinion channels.
Ryan smiled with confident assurance. "What's so challenging about that? You can recruit your own enhanced individuals, and the serum I provide will create formidable super-soldiers."
"But..."
"Consider this—I notice you're advancing in years. How would you feel about significantly extended lifespan?"
Longevity represented humanity's most elusive yet coveted desire.
From ancient alchemical pursuits to modern governmental funding of genetic enhancement research, the ultimate goal remained breaking biological lifespan limitations. In political circles, extended life held more value than temporary power.
Ross proved no exception to this fundamental human drive.
He stared at Ryan with genuine shock. "Can you actually deliver such results?"
"Still in experimental phases, but theoretically viable. We require live testing to validate our hypothesis."
"Deal!"
Theoretical success meant genuine possibility—if initial experiments failed, they could simply refine the process through additional trials.
In Ross's assessment, Ryan had appeared briefly in Manhattan as an ordinary individual before being captured by Rogers and his team.
While the intervening events remained unclear, Ryan's transformation from baseline human to an enhanced being capable of single-handedly challenging the Avengers demonstrated his biological expertise exceeded mere theoretical knowledge.
That afternoon, military transport delivered Ryan to a classified research facility, where his appointment as research consultant was officially announced.
Clearing the Manhattan incident required more than simple press releases. Ross needed time for detailed coordination—at least several days of careful preparation.
Accompanied by Ross, Ryan toured the military installation's laboratory complex.
Government funding and taxpayer investment had created an impressive facility. The sprawling complex featured cutting-edge equipment and virtually unlimited experimental resources.
After the initial tour, both men entered an elevator where Ross used his security card to access sub-basement levels.
"Security clearance increases significantly down here. Your laboratory will be in that sector."
Ross indicated a direction but led Ryan elsewhere instead.
Approaching reinforced observation windows, Ryan peered inside.
Five or six researchers worked intensively around an examination table.
Ryan registered genuine surprise at the subject lying on the table. "Steve Rogers?"
"Captain America may be deceased, but his enhanced physiology remains invaluable for research purposes," Ross stated matter-of-factly.
Steve Rogers and Sam Wilson had received full state funerals before the entire nation—no one would expect Captain America's body to end up here.
If this information leaked, surviving Avengers members would react with absolute fury.
In fact, remaining Avengers were already approaching that breaking point.
When Nick Fury discovered Ryan's appointment as military research consultant, his remaining eye nearly popped from its socket.
"Son of a bitch! Goddamn it! Ross!"
Fury raged incoherently in his office, exhausting his considerable vocabulary of profanity directed at the Secretary of State.
He was desperately assembling a new Avengers roster, and Ross directly recruited their primary target?
What did that make him? A complete joke?
The Avengers couldn't take direct action against the federal government—this situation required delicate diplomatic resolution. That represented his biggest nightmare.
Ryan had nearly leveled Midtown Manhattan and destroyed the Avengers, now he'd become a government asset. How was such manipulation even possible?
Nick Fury wanted to fly directly to Secretary Ross and deliver several well-deserved punches to his smug face.
End of Chapter 44
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P@atreon/Soulforger (45+ advanced chapters)