155: Nick Fury's Moral Kidnapping

New York City

Gwen swung back to Andrew's house on her webs, her spider suit transforming back into a wristwatch as she entered.

"Andrew, I'm home!" she called out.

The Red Queen's hologram appeared.

"Miss Gwen, Master Andrew had to leave urgently this morning on a trip to his Hometown. I was asked to inform you upon your return, so as not to affect your work at Osborn Industries."

Hearing Andrew was not home, Gwen pouted in disappointment.

"Why didn't you tell me before he left? What's the big hurry?"

"Pika! Pika!"

Hearing Gwen's voice, Pikachu ran out excitedly and jumped into her arms.

Gwen cuddled Pikachu affectionately.

"Andrew's not here, so you can stay with me for a few days, okay?"

Pikachu nodded eagerly.

Gwen ruffled his fur and set some documents on the table beside her.

"Red Queen, organize this information and project it for me to review."

"Yes, Miss Gwen," the AI complied.

In the living room, Gwen sat on the sofa looking over the data projected by the Red Queen.

In addition to profiles on the Avengers members, there was information about Loki's theft of the Tesseract.

"Does this Tesseract thing really contain such terrifying power? I can hardly believe a little cube could destroy the world," Gwen remarked skeptically.

The intelligence compiled by the Red Queen was more extensive than what Agent Hill had provided, including details on S.H.I.E.L.D. and the Avengers team.

Of them, Gwen had only met Tony Stark so far.

According to the information, if Gwen wished to join the Avengers, she could report to a designated location tomorrow and be brought aboard the S.H.I.E.L.D. helicarrier.

Gwen glanced around the empty house and sighed, "If only Andrew was here...I'd ask his opinion."

"Red Queen, can you contact Andrew yet?" she asked hopefully.

The AI responded, "Master has blocked communications in his hustle. But he did leave a message for you before departing."

"What did he say?" Gwen asked eagerly.

"Master Andrew said you should do whatever you feel is right," the Red Queen relayed.

Gwen slumped back, even more conflicted.

"That's not any more helpful than saying nothing! I just don't know what to do now."

From S.H.I.E.L.D.'s intel, the situation seemed dire. They clearly wanted her to join the Avengers on their helicarrier.

The Red Queen observed Gwen's uncertainty.

"Miss Gwen, isn't your only aim to protect ordinary people as best you can?"

Gwen nodded.

"You've always done that, with or without the Avengers," the AI pointed out gently.

"It does not require their sanction."

Gwen's eyes lit up as it clicked. "You're absolutely right!"

"I can handle things my own way, no need to worry about S.H.I.E.L.D. or the Avengers."

The Red Queen smiled. "And this Nick Fury...he seems rather manipulative."

Gwen also smiled wryly. "You're right, I didn't notice it at first. But his dossier basically threatens imminent disaster if Loki keeps the Tesseract, and then provides joining the Avengers as the only option to save the world."

Clearly, the dossier railroading her onto the helicarrier if she wanted to help.

"In Andrew's words, that's Moral Kidnapping!" Gwen said indignantly.

"Dispose of this material, Red Queen. Monitor any movements of S.H.I.E.L.D. and this Loki and update me if there are any developments. I'll handle it myself."

"Understood, Miss Gwen."

Glancing around the empty house, Gwen sighed, "It's boring without Andrew here. Let's go home for now, Pikachu."

Pikachu scampered off to his room and came back dragging a small backpack, stuffed full of snacks.

Gwen spied his spider suit inside too and laughed, "You glutton!"

As Gwen left, the Red Queen's projection vanished and the house darkened, except for one lit lab.

There, displayed on a platform, stood a new model of Gwen's spider suit. It retained her classic pink, white and black motif but with added sinuous black lines flowing over the surface and four mechanical spider-like limbs on the back.

The Red Queen reviewed the schematics and data.

"All parameters meet specifications. Begin long-range transmission experiment."

Elsewhere,

Germany

A blond-haired man with a cane walked out of the airport, smiling slyly at the unfamiliar surroundings. He tapped his earpiece. "Barton, I've arrived in Germany."

Hawkeye's voice responded, "Understood sir. Sending the banquet location now. We'll let your presence 'slip' to S.H.I.E.L.D. They should arrive to arrest you around 8 pm tonight."

"Excellent. I look forward to their visit," the man said, glancing at the inconspicuous blue light on his cane.

He gazed up at the sky knowingly.

"You must have found me by now, Thor..."

In Asgard,

Heimdall muttered an incantation.

On the rainbow bridge's shattered edge, Thor stood conflicted, yet also thrilled he could return to Earth.

"Allfather, grant me the dark cube's power..." he intoned.

In a blinding flash, Thor disappeared as if transported by the Bifrost itself.

To be continued...