Chapter 44: CH-44. Attacking the Red Room
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The most high-profile group is the Brotherhood, always preparing to stir up trouble everywhere.
Then there is the X Academy, which has been fighting openly and covertly against the Brotherhood.
Finally, there's a third group—those who hide their identities and try to avoid being discovered.
"Yes, we can give you the relevant information." Nick Fury replied.
Jaxon considered this, realizing there was little else he needed from them for now. Most tasks, he felt, he could handle on his own.
"In that case, I look forward to our cooperation. I'll help you completely resolve the troubles with the Red Room."
"It's will be a pleasure to work with you." Natasha replied, twisting her waist as she approached Jaxon, looking irresistibly alluring.
"If you help me rescue Yelena, I'll be very grateful." She added, her tone dripping with charm.
Jaxon raised an eyebrow and took the initiative to wrap his arm around Natasha's slender waist, closing the distance between them, "I'm looking forward to it."
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Jaxon agreed to Nick Fury and Natasha's request for cooperation.
S.H.I.E.L.D. wasn't committing too many people—only Natasha and Hawkeye-Clint Barton. The remaining team members were Jaxon's own small group: Spider-Man, Ghost Spider, and Iron Man.
They planned to set off over the weekend, careful to avoid Hydra's notice. To remain inconspicuous, Jaxon and his group couldn't travel with Natasha. Fortunately, Fury had everything arranged.
On the plane, Peter was practically bouncing with excitement.
"Wow, I'm going abroad, and with Tony Stark!"
Jaxon chuckled as Peter continued, "Jaxon, since we're going abroad, do you think our mission could cause any diplomatic issues?"
Jaxon's expression turned serious, "This Red Room organization controls Black Widows to carry out various assignments. Do you think that should be allowed to continue?"
Peter nodded, a look of determination crossing his face, "Of course not. They assassinate people, destroy lives, and hurt innocent bystanders."
Jaxon agreed, "Exactly. So, we have to stop them, even if it means going outside the law."
Peter hesitated, "Even if we become criminals ourselves?"
Jaxon sighed, "Peter, you're still young. If they decide we're outlaws, that's all it takes. That's the reality of this world. The power to define 'justice' doesn't always rest with us."
Tony, listening in, nodded knowingly, "Jaxon's right. Why do you think they're holding hearings about superheroes? Because I'm Tony Stark. Anyone else with my suit would've had it confiscated immediately."
Jaxon turned to Peter with a thoughtful look, "Remember this, Peter. When faced with tough choices, you need to decide what kind of person you want to be and where your loyalty lies."
Peter looked confused, "What do you mean?"
Seeing Peter's curiosity, Jaxon decided to share a "spoiler" from another reality.
"Tony." He said, turning to his friend, "Have you recently gotten an invitation from the 'bald egg' to join the Avengers?"
Tony took a sip of his drink, looking relaxed, "Yes, but I'm not interested. I just agreed to act as their consultant."
Jaxon smiled, not spoiling Tony's future decision. Instead, he began telling a story from a parallel universe.
"In that timeline, the Avengers were seen as the ultimate protectors of the world. No one could match their strength. But then, the Avengers had a falling out."
The group listened intently, even Tony focusing on every word.
"It all started when a group of young super-powered teens decided to take on a supervillain. But during the mission, one of the villains—Nitro—blew himself up, taking out several city blocks. The incident killed hundreds of innocent people and turned public opinion against superheroes."
"The fallout led to the creation of a new law—the Superhero Registration Act. According to this law, anyone wanting to be a superhero had to register, disclose their identity, and pass an assessment. Failing to comply would make them criminals."
Peter gasped, "What? That's insane! I can't believe they'd pass something like that."
Jaxon nodded, "The Avengers split over the act. Some, led by Iron Man, supported it. Others worried it would turn heroes into tools for politicians and refused to sign. Captain America led the resistance, and he became the leader of the 'Secret Avengers,' opposing the act."
Peter looked torn, wondering what his own choice would be in that situation.
"In this universe, Iron Man convinced Spider-Man to reveal his identity publicly to gather support. This created a huge divide, with Iron Man pursuing the Secret Avengers to enforce the law."
Tony leaned forward, "And what happened next?"
"A fierce battle ensued, escalating from the shadows to all-out war. The fighting became ruthless, and Iron Man even recruited supervillains to help him hunt down Captain America's team. Eventually, the two sides clashed so violently that Captain America, realizing the destruction he'd caused, chose to surrender."
Tony looked contemplative. Peter seemed even more uncertain, processing the weight of the story.
"Jaxon, if that happens in our world, what would you choose?"
Tony didn't hesitate, "I'd support the registration act. Superheroes need oversight; it's the only way to keep people safe, even if it means sacrificing some freedom."
Jaxon shrugged, "There's no absolute right or wrong. Superheroes need regulation, but that act goes too far, and I'd never trust the people pushing it."
Jaxon's story had given Peter and Tony plenty to think about.
After all, the situation he described could easily happen in their world. Missions like the one they were about to embark on could have real consequences. If they caused any major incidents, superheroes would undoubtedly face backlash.
But Jaxon was confident. The Black Widows were agents, not exceptionally powerful fighters. As long as they could take down the leader, Dreykov, he believed they could dismantle the Red Room.
When they arrived at their destination, Natasha was already in motion. She went ahead alone, making her way to the research facility run by Iron Maiden Melina.
There, Dreykov's mind-control serum had reached an initial phase, one capable of influencing and controlling the Black Widows.
However, these were of no use to Jaxon.
It didn't even require much effort. Jaxon simply needed to go over, punch Dreykov, and have someone make an antidote – and everything would be done.
Natasha faced Melina alone, and Melina didn't expect her to return.
The two talked privately, and Natasha showed her resolve.
"Natasha, you've already escaped. You shouldn't have come back."
Natasha was resolute, haunted by her past decisions. She hadn't intended to harm an innocent girl and had failed to eliminate Dreykov and destroy the Red Room completely.
"I thought I killed Dreykov. I thought I freed all the Black Widows. But instead, I hurt innocent people, and he's still alive."
"I came back today to set things right."
Melina looked emotional; Natasha had been so strong since she was a child.
"You can't do it alone. He has trained hundreds of Black Widows, maybe more. How can you defeat them all?"
Natasha remained confident, knowing she hadn't come alone. And the people she brought were anything but ordinary.
"I didn't come alone."
"So what? You're facing an army of Black Widows. Can you really fight an army?"
Natasha's confidence didn't waver. Her goal was Dreykov, not everyone else.
Otherwise, Jaxon could simply tear the entire aircraft carrier apart with his bare hands.
"I don't need to fight everyone. I just need you to help me find Dreykov, and then I can save everyone."
"Dreykov… he's just a man; he can't stop a bullet."
Melina couldn't persuade Natasha otherwise, "Do you think you'll be able to enter the Red Room with weapons?"
"I don't need weapons. I just need to get inside."
Natasha wasn't concerned about the rest. Once inside the base, everything could be resolved.
Jaxon could teleport people instantly.
If four superheroes suddenly appeared, who could stop them?
Dreykov would be no challenge.
Though Melina was hesitant, she secretly alerted the Red Room's people.
Dreykov had a twisted relationship with Natasha.
After all, Natasha was talented and exceptional.
How could Dreykov not want such an agent?
But Natasha defected, even tried to kill him.
Dreykov had been waiting for the chance to get back at her, to capture Natasha and make her an obedient agent again.
Finally, the opportunity arrived.
Upon receiving Melina's message, Dreykov was thrilled and immediately sent people to capture Natasha alive.
Natasha quickly sensed something was off but didn't resist.
When she saw Yelena and other Black Widows arrive, Natasha grew excited.
"Yelena!"
It was clear Dreykov had arranged for Yelena to apprehend her.