Read Online Civil War Prose Novel by Stuart Moore - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Stuart Moore
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the Poseidon Protocol?”
“Only the name.”
“And that’s all you’re ever going to hear. Suffice it to say, Nick Fury gave his life for his country.”
Cap felt a sick feeling in his stomach. He’d lost comrades before, but this was a shock—especially so soon after Thor’s death. Like Cap, Fury was just a man, but an extraordinary one. He’d been around at least as long as Cap, fought in even more wars, and had beaten the odds time and again.
Gave his life for his country.
“I’m told that twenty-three of your friends are meeting in the Baxter Building right now to discuss the super-community’s reaction to the Superhuman Registration Act. What do you think they should do?”
“I…” Cap paused, startled by the abruptness of Hill’s question. “I don’t think that’s for me to say.”
“Cut the crap, Captain. I know you were tight with Fury, but I’m acting head of S.H.I.E.L.D. now. If nothing else, I expect you to respect the badge.”
Captain America frowned, took in a long breath. Turned away briefly to gather his thoughts.
“I think this plan will split us down the middle. I think you’re going to have us at war with one another.”
“What’s the matter with these guys?” The cruel-looking agent gestured at Cap. “How can anyone argue against super heroes being properly trained and paid for a living?”
Cap turned sharply to Hill: Get your man in line? But she just looked to the other agent, the one with the mustache.
“How many rebels do you estimate here, Captain?” Mustache asked.
“If Registration becomes law? A lot.”
“Any majors?” asked Hill.
He frowned again. “Mostly the heroes who work close to the streets. Daredevil, maybe Iron Fist. I can’t be sure.”
“So nobody you can’t handle.”
“What?”
“You heard me.”
Involuntarily, Cap’s hand clenched into a fist. He slipped it behind his back.
“The proposal has just passed the Senate,” Hill continued. “It’s done , Captain. The law will take effect in two weeks—which means we’re already behind schedule.” She gestured around at the Helicarrier, its cold gray walls. “We’re developing an anti-superhuman response unit here. But we need to make sure the Avengers are on board, and that you’re out there leading the Avengers.”
“You’re asking me to arrest people who risk their lives for this country, every day of the week.”
“No, Captain. I’m asking you to obey the will of the American people.”
More S.H.I.E.L.D. agents had filed in, he realized. Heavily armored men and women, in padded riot gear with thick visors. They gathered around Hill, and behind Cap as well. Surrounding him.
“Don’t play politics, Hill. Super heroes need to stay above that stuff. We can’t have Washington telling us who the super villains are.”
“I thought super villains were guys in masks who refused to obey the law.”
Her finger barely twitched, but Cap caught the motion. Instantly, a dozen S.H.I.E.L.D. agents raised their weapons into position, rifles and lasers and tranq guns. One by one, they cocked their guns: Chik-Chak. Chik-Chak. Chik-Chak.
All pointed at one man. A man with a flag on his chest.
Cap didn’t flinch, didn’t move a muscle. “Is this the hit squad you’ve been training to take down heroes?”
“Nobody wants a war, Captain.” Hill gestured, tried to smile now. “The people are just sick and tired of living in the Wild West.”
“Masked heroes are a part of this country’s history.”
“So’s smallpox,” said Cruel Features. “Grow up, huh?”
“Nobody’s saying you can’t do your job,” Hill said. “We’re just expanding its parameters, that’s all.”
“It’s time you went legit like the rest of us.” Mustache Agent held his rifle outstretched, its red laser dot dancing across the star on Cap’s chest. “ Soldier. ”
Captain America took a single step toward Hill. A dozen agents stepped forward in response.
“I knew your
“Only the name.”
“And that’s all you’re ever going to hear. Suffice it to say, Nick Fury gave his life for his country.”
Cap felt a sick feeling in his stomach. He’d lost comrades before, but this was a shock—especially so soon after Thor’s death. Like Cap, Fury was just a man, but an extraordinary one. He’d been around at least as long as Cap, fought in even more wars, and had beaten the odds time and again.
Gave his life for his country.
“I’m told that twenty-three of your friends are meeting in the Baxter Building right now to discuss the super-community’s reaction to the Superhuman Registration Act. What do you think they should do?”
“I…” Cap paused, startled by the abruptness of Hill’s question. “I don’t think that’s for me to say.”
“Cut the crap, Captain. I know you were tight with Fury, but I’m acting head of S.H.I.E.L.D. now. If nothing else, I expect you to respect the badge.”
Captain America frowned, took in a long breath. Turned away briefly to gather his thoughts.
“I think this plan will split us down the middle. I think you’re going to have us at war with one another.”
“What’s the matter with these guys?” The cruel-looking agent gestured at Cap. “How can anyone argue against super heroes being properly trained and paid for a living?”
Cap turned sharply to Hill: Get your man in line? But she just looked to the other agent, the one with the mustache.
“How many rebels do you estimate here, Captain?” Mustache asked.
“If Registration becomes law? A lot.”
“Any majors?” asked Hill.
He frowned again. “Mostly the heroes who work close to the streets. Daredevil, maybe Iron Fist. I can’t be sure.”
“So nobody you can’t handle.”
“What?”
“You heard me.”
Involuntarily, Cap’s hand clenched into a fist. He slipped it behind his back.
“The proposal has just passed the Senate,” Hill continued. “It’s done , Captain. The law will take effect in two weeks—which means we’re already behind schedule.” She gestured around at the Helicarrier, its cold gray walls. “We’re developing an anti-superhuman response unit here. But we need to make sure the Avengers are on board, and that you’re out there leading the Avengers.”
“You’re asking me to arrest people who risk their lives for this country, every day of the week.”
“No, Captain. I’m asking you to obey the will of the American people.”
More S.H.I.E.L.D. agents had filed in, he realized. Heavily armored men and women, in padded riot gear with thick visors. They gathered around Hill, and behind Cap as well. Surrounding him.
“Don’t play politics, Hill. Super heroes need to stay above that stuff. We can’t have Washington telling us who the super villains are.”
“I thought super villains were guys in masks who refused to obey the law.”
Her finger barely twitched, but Cap caught the motion. Instantly, a dozen S.H.I.E.L.D. agents raised their weapons into position, rifles and lasers and tranq guns. One by one, they cocked their guns: Chik-Chak. Chik-Chak. Chik-Chak.
All pointed at one man. A man with a flag on his chest.
Cap didn’t flinch, didn’t move a muscle. “Is this the hit squad you’ve been training to take down heroes?”
“Nobody wants a war, Captain.” Hill gestured, tried to smile now. “The people are just sick and tired of living in the Wild West.”
“Masked heroes are a part of this country’s history.”
“So’s smallpox,” said Cruel Features. “Grow up, huh?”
“Nobody’s saying you can’t do your job,” Hill said. “We’re just expanding its parameters, that’s all.”
“It’s time you went legit like the rest of us.” Mustache Agent held his rifle outstretched, its red laser dot dancing across the star on Cap’s chest. “ Soldier. ”
Captain America took a single step toward Hill. A dozen agents stepped forward in response.
“I knew your
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