Marvel: Familia System

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This is chapter 53, there seems to be a problem with publishing. I am sorry for that. I will reorder tomorrow.

Sitting in their office, Nero, Maria, Sofia, and Diego were casually discussing the day's events. The atmosphere was relaxed, the kind of ease that came from a deep familiarity with the chaos of their lives. Anthony and Donald were out in Hell's Kitchen with Sakura, keeping tabs on the Hand's movements, while Nigel was off somewhere doing whatever it was that Nigel did. The old butler had a habit of disappearing, his comings and goings as mysterious as they were untraceable.

Sofia was absorbed in her laptop, fingers moving rapidly over the keyboard as she kept track of the ongoing operations. The soft glow from the screen illuminated her focused expression. "Kira's done with his part and has left the scene. Toph and Sokka just checked in; they're about to move in," she reported, her tone efficient but casual, as if she were talking about the weather.

Nero nodded in acknowledgment, leaning back in his chair. "Tell the Neogenes to be on standby," he instructed, his voice calm and authoritative.

Sofia typed out the command quickly, her gaze never leaving the screen. "Consider it done."

Diego, lounging on the couch, stretched his arms above his head lazily. "What do you think they'll find down there?" he asked, his tone light but tinged with genuine curiosity. "It's not every day you get to dig around in the Hand's backyard."

Maria, seated beside Nero, crossed her legs and shrugged slightly. "Probably a whole lot of trouble," she replied, a hint of amusement in her voice. "But that's why we sent them in, right? To stir the pot."

Nero smirked, glancing over at her. "You say that like we didn't plan every step of this."

Maria raised an eyebrow, a playful glint in her eyes. "Didn't we? Or did you leave some things to chance?"

Chuckling, Nero said, "I should summon Shay, so he can drop his catchphrase right about now."

Maria glanced at him, confused. "Shay?"

Nero waved off her confusion with a grin. "Forget it. Not one of my better jokes."

Sofia, still focused on her laptop, interrupted the banter by casting the screen to the TV on the wall. "This is what Kira's camera picked up in the underground facility," she said, her tone shifting to something more serious.

The screen lit up with grainy footage from the facility below Hell's Kitchen. The view was shaky at times, as if Kira hadn't bothered with subtlety while capturing it. Rows of glass tanks filled with a murky green liquid lined the walls, each holding a suspended figure inside—mutants, or Neogenes as they were now called. Some looked unconscious, their bodies still as the liquid swirled around them, while others thrashed weakly, clearly aware but unable to escape.

"Damn," Diego muttered from the couch, leaning forward to get a better look. "That's some messed-up shit. They're using them as lab rats."

Maria's eyes narrowed as she studied the footage, her tone sharp. "No wonder Magneto wanted those mutants so badly. If he got his hands on them..."

Nero finished her thought, his voice steady. "He'd have an army. One he didn't have to recruit or convince, just brainwash and unleash."

Sofia zoomed in on one of the tanks, where a mutant with wings was barely conscious. "They're experimenting on them, trying to find the limits of their abilities. The Hand is digging into some dark stuff here."

Diego shook his head, disgusted. "It's not just dark, it's insane. They're playing with fire. We've seen what happens when you push Neogenes too far."

"And they're doing it under everyone's noses," Maria added, her tone laced with frustration. "The X-Men are too busy trying to keep their dream alive, and the Brotherhood's too focused on their war. Meanwhile, the Hand is carving up mutants like lab samples."

Nero nodded, his mind working through the possibilities. "That's why we're here. We're not letting any of these factions take control. The Neogenes deserve better than to be pawns in someone else's game."

Sofia switched the feed on the TV with a chuckle, revealing the last moments of Kira's footage. The grainy video showed him casually telling Mystique he wouldn't stick around to help with what was coming next, and then leaving the underground facility without a care. Moments later, Kira's flames erupted as he encountered a swarm of Hand agents. His laughter echoed through the corridors before he took to the skies, the screen cutting out just after he spotted the X-Men's jet approaching.

"Subtle as always," Nero commented, amusement evident in his tone. "But effective."

Sofia transitioned to the live feed. The screen now showed the Neogenes, already in action as they tunneled through the earth, steadily making their way into the facility. The X-Men and the Brotherhood were embroiled in a fight with the Hand agents, pulling attention away from the Neogenes' covert operation.

"They're in," Sofia reported, watching as the Neogenes began their careful advance into the facility, staying just out of sight from the chaos above.

"They'll need to move fast," Maria added, eyes fixed on the screen. "Once the X-Men and Brotherhood realize what's happening, things could get messy."

"They're not gonna know what hit them," Diego remarked, leaning back on the couch, his earlier curiosity now replaced by confidence. "But we've still got to worry about those two Brotherhood mutants lurking around."

On the screen, the Neogenes encountered the first of the Brotherhood mutants—a hulking figure who barely had time to react before being taken down with a swift, calculated strike. The second mutant tried to fight back, unleashing a barrage of energy blasts, but the Neogenes moved with precision, incapacitating him within seconds.

"Handled," Sofia noted with satisfaction as she monitored the feed. "No alarms triggered, no backup called."

"Just the way we planned it," Nero said, crossing his arms, his gaze never leaving the screen. "Let's get those mutants out of there."

Maria nodded, her fingers tapping against the armrest of her chair. "We've only got a small window before everyone catches on. They need to extract and vanish."

Sofia's fingers flew across the keyboard, coordinating the extraction. "Already on it. They'll have the mutants secured in under five minutes."

The camera feed showed the Neogenes expertly navigating the facility, avoiding detection while locating the mutants still trapped in the tanks. One by one, the tanks were opened, and the mutants inside were carefully removed and stabilized.

"Warren's team is smooth," Diego remarked, watching the extraction with pride and approval. "No wasted moves, no unnecessary risks."

"That's what they're trained for," Nero replied, a hint of satisfaction in his voice. "And they know what's at stake."

The Neogenes continued their work, systematically freeing the mutants while staying completely under the radar of the ongoing battle above. "They're clear," Sofia confirmed, watching as the last of the mutants were freed and escorted out through the tunnel. 

As the Neogenes vanished through the tunnels, the gang in Nero's office watched the scene unfold with amusement. Toph's voice, suddenly filled with faux tension, echoed through the speakers. "Oh no."

Sofia snickered, leaning back in her chair. "Here we go."

The X-Men and the Brotherhood were clearly on edge as they turned to Toph, who was acting as though she had just detected something critical. Storm's voice cut through the tension, tinged with concern. "What is it, Toph?"

Toph's hands clenched at her sides, her bare feet rooted to the ground as she pretended to concentrate. "A group of people... they've carved a path underground," she said, her voice filled with fabricated worry. "They took all the mutants away."

Back in the office, the group burst into laughter, clearly entertained by Toph's convincing performance.

"Who would've guessed she's such a great actor?" Sofia said, wiping tears of laughter from the corner of her eyes.

Diego, lounging on the couch with a wide grin, added, "She could give the pros a run for their money. I almost believed her myself."

Maria, shaking her head in amusement, chimed in, "She's playing them like a fiddle. Look at the way the X-Men are reacting—they're buying it completely."

Sofia switched the feed to a different angle, showing the X-Men and Brotherhood already caught up in a heated argument over what had happened. The tension between the two groups was palpable, each blaming the other for the mutants' disappearance.

Diego snorted, "Classic. They're too busy pointing fingers to realize they've been outplayed."

Maria watched the quarrel escalate, a satisfied gleam in her eyes. "They're so predictable. It's almost too easy."

Sofia nodded, still chuckling as she zoomed in on the scene. "And to think they're supposed to be the world's best and brightest. They didn't even see it coming."

The camera angle shifted again, showing the Neogenes emerging from the tunnels with the rescued mutants in tow. The extraction had gone off without a hitch, and now they were safely away from the chaos above.

Sofia glanced at the clock on the wall. "They'll be back in under two minutes. No one's even noticed they're gone."

Diego stretched, a satisfied grin on his face. "Another win for the home team."

Nero's eyes remained on the screen, watching as the Neogenes wrapped up their mission. He pulled out his phone and dialed Warren. "Your team's bringing them in. Make your show believable," Nero instructed, his tone leaving no room for interpretation.

Warren knew the drill. Since the Brotherhood had seen the Neogenes in the underground facility, it wouldn't be long before Magneto started asking questions. Warren had to stage an elaborate ruse, one where he appeared to have purchased the Neogenes' freedom from a group of slave traders. It was a risky move, but Warren was used to operating on the edge. Nero had given him the opportunity, and now it was up to Warren to seal the deal.

As he ended the call, Nero turned to Sofia. "Show L's side."

Sofia nodded and adjusted the feed on the screen. The display flickered, and then a new scene appeared—a dark, cluttered room where L sat hunched over a desk covered in papers and monitors. His face was partially obscured by the shadows, but his sharp eyes gleamed with a cold focus. "This is Jessica's cam." 

Diego glanced at the screen, his casual demeanor giving way to a more serious expression. "What's he up to now?"

Sofia zoomed in on one of the monitors in L's room. The screen displayed a live feed from Hell's Kitchen, where the Hand's movements were being tracked in real-time. L's fingers tapped rhythmically on the keyboard, his attention fully absorbed by the data streaming in. He was deep in his element, analyzing every detail, searching for patterns and anomalies that could lead him to the Hand's next move.

"L's been monitoring their operations for days," Sofia explained, her tone matter-of-fact. "He's cross-referencing their recent activities with known drug routes and illegal shipments. He's trying to pinpoint their supply lines."

Maria, who had been quietly observing, leaned forward slightly. "And he's doing all this without them knowing?"

Sofia smirked. "That's the idea. He's using a combination of hacked surveillance feeds and his own network of informants. The Hand doesn't even know he's watching."

On the screen, L suddenly paused, his eyes narrowing as he zeroed in on a particular piece of data. His hand hovered over the keyboard for a moment before he quickly typed out a command. The image on his monitor shifted, revealing a map of the city with several locations highlighted in red.

"He's found something," Sofia noted, her voice steady as she continued to watch.

Nero's attention sharpened, his eyes locked on the screen. "What's he zeroing in on?"

Before Sofia could answer, L moved swiftly to Jessica, leaning close to the camera mounted on her chest. His voice cut through the room, clear and direct. "Boss, I found something," he said, speaking directly to Nero.

Nero turned to Sofia, who immediately activated the speaker. The room fell silent as they waited for L to elaborate.

L's voice came through the speaker, calm but with an undertone of urgency. "I've been monitoring the Hand's supply lines, cross-referencing their recent activities with known trafficking routes. There's a pattern—a shipment coming in tonight, under heavy guard, at a location they've never used before. It's big."

Diego sat up straighter on the couch, his earlier casual demeanor replaced by keen interest. "What's the cargo?"

"Uncertain," L replied, his voice cool. "But the level of security suggests it's something important. Possibly another batch of Dragon Bone, or maybe even something more valuable. Whatever it is, the Hand is going all out to keep it off the radar."

Nero leaned forward, his gaze intense as he processed the information. "Location?"

"An old warehouse by the docks," L answered. "It's off the usual grid, no recent activity on record. I've already sent the coordinates to Sofia."

Sofia's fingers flew across the keyboard, bringing up the map on the large screen. The warehouse was marked with a red dot, isolated from the surrounding buildings. "Got it," she confirmed. "This place is a dead zone—no surveillance, no activity logs, nothing. If the Hand's moving something here, it's definitely off the books."

Maria, who had been quietly listening, spoke up, her tone thoughtful. "If they're guarding it this heavily, they're either expecting trouble, or it's something they can't afford to lose. Either way, we need to find out what it is."

Nero frowned, a thought crossing his mind. "Could it be Black Sky?" he muttered, more to himself than anyone else. In the MCU, the Hand had hunted individuals with incredible powers, but those were unique to that universe. The Hand he had dealt with here was more aligned with the Marvel Earth-616 version—deadly, organized, but without those supernatural elements.

Turning back to the screen, he addressed L. "Any news on the heroin mixed with dragon bones?"

L's fingers moved swiftly over the keyboard, pulling up a new set of data. "Sakura and Donald are working on analyzing the samples we've gathered," L replied, his voice clear through the speakers. "They're comparing it to what we know about previous batches. So far, the results are inconclusive, but there's definitely something off about this mix."

Nero leaned back slightly, thinking. "And the others?"

"Sakura's clinic is under heavy guard. Finn's on watch there, just in case. Anthony and Hercule are on standby, ready to assist if needed," L continued. "Danny and Matt are scoping out smaller Hand operations around Hell's Kitchen, looking for anything connected to this new shipment. Luke's rounding up anyone affected by the drug, bringing them to the clinic by force if necessary."

Sofia, still focused on the screen, nodded in approval. "They've got the ground covered. Whatever the Hand's planning, we'll know before they make a move."

Diego, lounging on the couch with his usual casual demeanor, chimed in. "You think they're tying up loose ends with this shipment? Clearing out the last of the dragon bones?"

"Or bringing in something new to replace them," Maria suggested, her tone thoughtful. "Either way, we need to be ready."

Nero's eyes narrowed as he considered the possibilities. "If they're still dealing with dragon bones, it means they're not done with their experiments yet. We need to know what they're planning before they can deploy whatever it is."

Sofia adjusted the feed again, bringing up live footage from various locations around the city. "We've got eyes everywhere. The moment something shifts, we'll know."

Nero shook his head, the weight of the situation bearing down on him. "Not knowing what's in that shipment worries me," he said, rising from his chair. "Time to bring out the big guns."

He pulled out his phone and dialed quickly. "Erwin," he began, his voice firm. "Tell Fury you're onto a big lead that might change the future of New York if not carefully handled. Use L's name to convince him. Let him know L is already on the operation."

As Nero ended the call, Sofia looked up from her screen. "What's the play?" she asked, her tone even, but with an edge of concern.

"I'm pulling Donald and Anthony back," Nero replied. "They've done their part. We're not risking exposing them for something this unpredictable."

Diego, still lounging on the couch, raised an eyebrow. "You think Fury's going to bite on this?"

Nero slipped his phone back into his pocket, his gaze unwavering. "He doesn't have a choice. If there's even a chance we're right about what they're moving, he'll want to be involved. It's too big for him to ignore."

Maria nodded, her expression thoughtful. "Fury's not the type to let something like this slip by. If he thinks it's a threat, he'll act. But we need to make sure we're one step ahead of him."

Sofia glanced at the live feed on the screen, where the Neogenes were wrapping up their extraction. "I'll keep an eye on the Hand's movements. If there's any sign of them reacting to our operation, we'll know."

Nero moved to the window, staring out at the city below. "Sofia, prepare a secure line for L to coordinate directly with Fury. I don't want any surprises."

"On it," Sofia responded, her fingers already flying over the keyboard.

Diego's usual laid-back demeanor was replaced by a more focused intensity. "You think the Hand's figured out we're onto them? Or are they still in the dark?"

Nero turned back to the group, his expression unreadable. "They might suspect something, but they don't know the full extent of what we're doing. And we're going to keep it that way."

Maria leaned back in her chair, a hint of a smile playing on her lips. "Then it's about time we turned the tables on them. They've had the upper hand for too long."

Sofia brought up another screen, this time showing a secure communication line being established. "Fury's about to be looped in. I'm setting it up now."

Diego chuckled, though there was no humor in it. "This should be interesting. Fury's not exactly known for his patience."

Nero's phone buzzed, and he glanced at the screen before answering. "Erwin, update?"

Erwin's voice came through, calm but with an underlying urgency. "Fury's in. He's sending a team to back us up, but he wants to know exactly what we're dealing with. He's also asking for L to brief him directly."

Nero nodded, already anticipating the request. "Tell him L's preparing the intel. We'll coordinate from here."

"Understood," Erwin replied before the call ended.

Maria tapped her fingers lightly against the armrest, her gaze on Nero. "What's our next move?"

Nero's eyes narrowed slightly, his mind already racing with the possibilities. "We keep everything on track. Sofia, stay in contact with L and make sure Fury's team doesn't overstep. Diego, I want you to monitor any communication coming out of Hell's Kitchen. If the Hand starts talking, I want to know about it."

Sofia gave a curt nod, her focus never wavering. "L's ready to go. Fury's line is secure."

Nero looked at the screen and said, "Show me Jessica's cam. I want to know what they're talking about."

Sofia nodded and quickly pulled up the feed. The screen flickered, then cleared to show Jessica's cam feed. It was a low-angle shot, capturing the dimly lit room where L sat, still hunched over his desk, papers scattered around him. Across the room, the holographic figure of Nick Fury flickered into view—tall, imposing, with that signature eyepatch giving him an even more intense look. The room was silent as they all watched, waiting for the conversation to begin.

Fury spoke first, his voice steady but carrying an unmistakable authority. "So, you're the infamous L. Can't say I expected to meet you like this."

L didn't look up from his papers, his tone as flat as ever. "The feeling is mutual. But circumstances dictate the necessity."

There was a slight pause on Fury's end, as if he was assessing L. "I've heard a lot about you. None of it good."

"Then I suppose you've done your homework," L replied coolly, still not making eye contact. "I'm not here to impress you, Director Fury. We have a situation to handle, and time is of the essence."

Fury's gaze didn't waver. "Then let's cut to the chase. What exactly are we dealing with?"

L finally looked up, his dark eyes locking onto Fury's through the hologram. "The Hand has been moving something—something big and dangerous. We've been tracking their shipments, and there's a new one coming in tonight. We don't know what's in it, but the precautions they're taking suggest it's not just another drug shipment."

Sofia, watching the exchange from Nero's office, quietly noted, "L's being direct. He knows Fury's type—no patience for games."

Nero nodded, his eyes fixed on the screen. "Good. Fury doesn't need the full story, just enough to act."

On the screen, Fury crossed his arms, his tone hard and skeptical. "If you don't know what it is, how do you know it's a threat? And who the hell are these 'we' you're talking about?"

L leaned back slightly, his face unreadable as he addressed Fury. "We," he emphasized, "are a group of individuals committed to stopping the Hand's corruption in Hell's Kitchen and Harlem. Not really your jurisdiction, is it, Director?" L's tone was mocking, a subtle jab at the fact that the government, including SHIELD, had largely abandoned these neighborhoods. If it weren't for vigilantes like Spider-Man, Daredevil, and Hercule, these areas would have been overrun by criminals long ago.

Fury's gaze bore into L, his expression stony, but he didn't refute the point. The silence between them was thick with unspoken understanding; both knew the truth of the matter.

L continued, his voice unwavering. "I've been tracking the Hand's activities for a while now. They've been experimenting with something called Dragon Bone—a substance that enhances mutant abilities far beyond their natural limits, and even grants powers to ordinary humans. We believe they're refining this drug to create an army. Whatever they're moving tonight, it's tied to these experiments."

As soon as the words "Dragon Bone" left L's mouth, Fury's reaction was immediate and explosive. "Motherfucking what now?" he barked, his usual cool demeanor shattered by the revelation. His outburst drew chuckles from Nero and the others in the office—Fury's blunt reaction was all too familiar to them.

Back on the screen, L remained composed, letting Fury absorb the information before pressing on. "The shipment tonight could be more Dragon Bone, or it could be something entirely new. Either way, it's crucial that we intercept it."

Fury, recovering quickly, narrowed his eye at L. "And what makes you so sure this isn't just another dead end? You expect me to divert resources based on a hunch?"

L's tone was firm as he responded, "It's not a hunch, Director. It's a calculated risk. We have reliable intel, and we're not asking for a favor. We're offering an opportunity to stop the Hand before they can deploy whatever it is they're cooking up. You can either take that opportunity or let it slip through your fingers."

L's expression remained unchanged as he stared directly into Fury's eye. "The only question you need to ask yourself is, does it worth angering your superiors who are on the Hand's and Fisk's payroll or not?"

Fury's response was instant. He leaned forward, his tone low and menacing, "You're getting too sassy for your own good, kid."

L didn't flinch, his voice cool and composed as he replied, "I'm not here to play nice, Director. I'm here because I know you're the only one who can cut through the bullshit and get things done. We both know the clock's ticking."

Sofia glanced at the others, a small smirk playing on her lips. "He's really pushing Fury," she remarked, clearly entertained by the interaction.

Maria tapped her fingers lightly on the armrest, her gaze fixed on the screen. "He knows exactly how far to push Fury."

Nero watched the screen closely, his expression unreadable as the tension between L and Fury crackled through the speakers.

"Let's get one thing straight," Fury continued, his voice carrying a sharp edge. "I don't take orders from you or anyone else outside my chain of command. You might have your little operation going, but don't think for a second that puts you in control here."

L remained unfazed, his gaze steady as he responded. "I don't need control, Director. I need results. And so do you, if you want to stop the Hand before they can solidify their hold on this city."

Sofia's fingers moved swiftly across her keyboard, adjusting the feeds. "He's right, you know. Fury can't afford to let this slip through his fingers, and L's making sure he knows it."

"Fury's too proud to admit it, though," Diego commented, his tone light. "But he knows he's caught between a rock and a hard place. If he doesn't act, it'll blow up in his face."

Maria glanced at Nero, raising an eyebrow. "Think L will get what he wants?"

Nero's eyes remained on the screen as he replied, "He already has."

On the screen, Fury finally exhaled, his gaze narrowing. "You better be damn sure about this, L. If this turns out to be a waste of time..."

"It won't," L interrupted, his voice firm. "And when it's over, you'll see just how deep the rot goes."

Sofia switched the feed back to the main screen, cutting off the conversation just as Fury's hologram flickered out. "Fury's on board, like it or not," she said, her tone satisfied. "He'll move his team in tonight."

Diego stretched his arms over his head, his earlier tension melting away. "Looks like everything's falling into place."

Nero nodded just as Anthony and Donald walked in, brushing the dust off their jackets from their trip through Hell's Kitchen.

"Good, you're back," Nero said, his tone all business. "Follow the operation closely."

Anthony gave a quick nod, already scanning the monitors Sofia had up, while Donald moved toward the drinks cabinet, pouring himself a glass of water.

"L, can you hear me?" Nero asked, his voice clear and direct.

"Affirmative," came the response from the speaker.

"You're in charge," Nero continued. "I don't want to expose the main team, but you can call them in if needed."

"Got it, boss," L replied without hesitation.

Sofia, still at her station, glanced up, curiosity in her eyes. "Where are you headed?"

Nero adjusted his jacket, smoothing out the wrinkles as he moved toward the door. "I need to see someone," he said simply.

Diego, lounging on the couch, arched an eyebrow. "Need backup?"

Nero shook his head with a smirk. "Not this time. Just keep an eye on things here."

As Nero reached the door, Maria's voice cut through the room, calm but with an edge of concern. "Be careful."

Nero turned back briefly, a flicker of amusement in his eyes. "Always."

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