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Then
After four years, the Avengers have yet to assemble as a whole since the rift now popularly known as the Avengers Civil War, the effects of which have been prevalent. Thor has yet to return to Earth, Bruce Banner has only been rumored to be near Japan, Captain America gone rouge, and Tony Stark on a tour of the world, the Avengers have never been more divided. Internationally, countries one by one have enlisted their own protectionist policies in light of the super powered, yet none have been as outspoken against S.H.I.E.L.D as the People’s Republic of China. Worried about the spread of American military power in the way of their own economic prosperity, China has enlisted reforms under President Xi Jinping’s second term. The most infamous of which has been there Mandarin Program, trying to replicate the successful Mandarin armor for defense use, beginning to craft superheroes for themselves. This is coupled with China’s massive economy and its’ near completion of the Chinese Space Station two years from now after a suspicious amount of resources have been devoted.
Meanwhile in the United States, the recent election of President Garry Stern, a former Senator of Pennsylvania, has caused its own reforms. Stern was arrested in 2012 for suspected ties and involvement with HYDRA, the terrorist organization. Stern was pardoned in 2017 by then president Donald Trump and cleared of remaining charges due to lack of sufficient evidence. This drew sympathy for the allegedly accused Senator, ‘a victim of the criminal justice system,’ who went on tour around the U.S. highlighting super hero reform to protect the nation; a popular message. In Stern’s first 100 days, he signed key pieces of legislation such as the Full Disclosure Act that “Requires Heroes to give full disclosure of dangerous criminals and enemies that are being hunted to local authorities and allow FBI intervention if deemed necessary.” With the act in play it gave the FBI and federal government a firm hand in the actions of S.H.I.E.L.D under director Phillip Coulson, crafting a rocky relationship.
What is worse are the increasing tensions between the nations as the U.S. has increased its naval forces in the Asian Pacific. President Jinping, in an address to the U.S. said, “To our western allies, we have made no efforts to stop your protection, your policing. But China will not sit back, to be, walked upon. We serve none but the people have voiced their worry, our party has voiced worry, to the U.S, you have been warned.” This came at a time of allegations of Hydra being given sanctuary in the nation, working closely against the US as a whole. Stern himself responded to this in approaching Director Coulson for surveillance on China. Coulson, upped the offer, citing a need for a strong image of America, of freedom itself, that image was clear; the Avengers. Though the real reason was from fear of Hydra returning to the U.S and the work of Tony Stark believing there was a need for young talented people to join S.H.I.E.L.D before Hydra could get to them.
Avengers Academy is set to begin on August 1st, 2020; tomorrow.
Now
Friday July 31st, 2020
Manhattan, New York
An average post office, probably closed down over a year ago sat on a temporarily closed down street, unassuming and seemingly vacant. Inside resided a front desk with old notices, a couple left over boxes, and a single backroom with an unlocked door. One notice even read: Looking for New Years? We've Moved! with an arrow pointing to the door to the right. Beyond the door a small room with yet another door stood with a place for keycards to be sled on the side. This would be the site the initiates to the Avengers Academy would soon reach, beginning their training. A man in a brown overcoat walked in, a chime going off as he did through the unlocked front door. Sliding an ID card marked Level 8 at the door to the backroom, an elevator was revealed that would take him miles below the surface.
“Scanning.
Welcome: Agent Henry Dobbs,” said a computerized voice.
The doors opened; there he walked past armed guards who stood by the elevator doorway. S.H.I.E.L.D operatives walked around, tending to their work while the long stretch of hallway had winding corridors and the odd smell of a mint toothpaste. The facility was beautiful, technologically advanced, and bared the clear mark of Tony Stark’s revolutionarily genius mind. Before the agent stood two clearly important figures, similar to how the students would arrive in less than 24 hours.
“I am Vision. Thank you for joining us director,” Vision said, bowing his head slightly
“And, we’ve met,” began Director Coulson
“Let’s go to the lab shall we?” he continued.
Walking into the lab, Dobbs had a case in his right hand. Setting it on the table he opened the case up revealing a small laptop like machine that when opened emitted rays to the lower half in a conical shape.
“It’s a Terrestrial scanning device, analyzes rocks, dirt, that’s it really. Why do you need this again?” asked Dobbs.
“Our program requires it’s use. Thank you agent,” interrupted Vision quickly.
“Yeah, so when do we meet these new Avengers?” Dobbs asked optimistically
“Oh, our staff will, the bureau won’t be till much later. I’m sure you understand” said Coulson.
Dobbs nodded and began to leave before wagging a finger and saying, “But we’ll be in touch. We work for the same boss you know.”
“True. Too bad we don’t know who your boss works for,” commented Coulson said with a smile as the agent left the premises.
