Chapter 2
It was about an hour ride on the helicopter to reach their destination. This was a base, in which Zemo presumed to be where the rest of the team are gathered. Zemo knows the Avengers had various locations as their base, the facilities were functional enough that one does not ever need to leave the compound. Zemo wondered who the teammates are, certainly no one with the honorable and heroic characteristics like the Avengers. Well, John Walker would’ve seemed to be someone of that caliber, but given the amount of power, he easily abused it. That comes to show anyone with those potential powers can lay ways to havoc, even the Avengers, especially the Avengers. But part of Zemo knows there are threats outside the of realms of man in which heroes are needed. Men are corruptible, and when given unlimited power, that will amplify tenfold. Maybe there are those who are worthy, like Steve Rogers. Zemo knows he’s just one man, for now he can only sit back and observe.
Upon reaching the facilities he was pleasantly surprised to be greeted by Oeznik. Zemo had planned on informing his whereabouts to his butler upon arriving to his destinations, but looks like they beat him to it.
“Oh, wonderful to have you back sir. I have prepared your favorite, cherry blossom tea.” Oeznik welcomed him warmly.
Zemo, upon seeing his dear friend again, embraced the butler and gave him two quick pecks on the cheeks.
“I hope they’re treating you well here, my dear friend. We do have a lot to discuss.” Zemo spoke.
Val stepped out of the shadows, looked between the two, giving her signature smirk.
“Well, we certainly want you to feel at home here Baron. Oeznik insisted to take along your belongings, along with some imported food. I hope you don’t mind some of our members appreciating the generous stock in our pantries. But first, lets get you changed up so we can meet the members of your team, the Thunderbolts. ” Val interjected.
Zemo was sporting his navy blue prison garb and sweats, he never though he’d somewhat be used to it. He pulled off his shirt to reveal his bare torso, standing in front of a mirror, he studied himself. Throughout the years in prison, his body had given ways to softer features. He wasn’t that much more muscular even before prison, it had been ages since he was in the military, and being a Baron meant he had access to much finer foods. But he can make out faint outlines of abs, thanks to the few missions he went on between his transfer to the Raft until now.
Zemo glanced at the clothing neatly piled besides him, it’s been a while since he had laid his hands on fine clothing. Although they’re still very basic, they’re definitely more form fitting than prison wear. Zemo fitted on a dark sepia dress shirt, jacket and slacks.
Time to meet his future ‘team-mates’.
The first man he got to meet was a dapper looking fellow. Neatly dressed in a navy suit and tie, sporting a thick rim glasses. He looked familiar, very Tony-esque vibe. Well, of course, he was Tony Stark’s rival, owner of the former Hammer Industries. Zemo remember reading about him being arrested and had his whole operations shut down. He knew it wouldn’t be long before someone made use of his talents instead of letting him waste away in the penitentiary. He might be almost Tony Stark level in terms of engineering skills and raw arrogance, but he got played like a tool and therefore very easily manipulable.
“Ah, you must be the Baron Zemo. You really did a number on Tony’s little Avengers team.” Justin Hammer offered a hand out to Zemo. “I’m Justin Hammer of Hammers Industries, well formerly. I must say, I thought you’d be a lot taller.”
Exactly how I pictured he’d be. Zemo thought.
Instead, Zemo grabbed his hand and pulled it near his face to place a quick kiss and gave it a good squeeze.
“Well since you were nice enough to address me as royalty, this is also how I show respect, Mr.Hammer.” Zemo enunciated his name sultryly.
There was a sudden blush that creeped on Justin’s face for one second, he hesitantly took back his hand.
“Well, you certainly surprise me, Mr.Zemo. I must say, even though Tony and I were rivals, it certainly saddens me of his late departure. I have great respect for the man, not to say his stuff was better than mine. But yes, I been engineering the team’s armors, weapons, battle vehicles, you name it. I’m a very important member of the team I must say.” Justin boasted himself.
“Yea well, one of your gears had a malfunction and almost blew the team up last time we had a mission. I don’t remember the Avengers ever had that kind of mishap. Или, может быть, это просто ранняя болезнь Альцгеймера.” Someone muttered across the room.
Zemo snickered at that.
“Hey, that’s not fair. Speak English, we’re in America.” Justin threw up his hands.
“Big Sis Yelena’s just pissed because she’s two doors down from Mr.Ham, him and his boyfriend are quite loud it’d seem.” A kid dressed in all green appeared.
“Wait, are you Loki? I thought Loki died along with the majorities of the Asgardians, and where is Thor?” Zemo was puzzled.
“I am a ‘Variant’ Loki. You can call me Kid Loki, or just Loki, I don’t really care. I have met the Loki of your timeline, I do not know where he is, but I presume he is still alive. This is not my timeline, but I am here now. It’s too complicated to explain. I can sense that Thor is still in this universe even though I killed the Thor in mine.” Kid Loki explained.
The world is certainly becoming a stranger place. This Kid Loki appears to be in his early teens, although how old he actually is could be a different story. Zemo thought about Carl, yes his Carl would be around this age by now.
“The name is Yelena Belova, aka Black Widow.” Yelena appeared with folded arms.
Judging by the looks, she appears to be in her late twenties or early thirties, but still exuberating a rebellious teen attitude, if Zemo had a daughter, chances are they’d be exactly the same.
“Do you happen to be very close to Natasha? Since that was her alias, I suppose you two might have a history together?” Zemo inquired carefully.
“Natasha and I were both trained together, we fought for Hydra. But before that we were like siblings. But now I was recruited by Val, who gave me a purpose.” Yelena explained.
“мои соболезнования по поводу Наташи. Возможно, я не знал ее, но ее тактические и боевые навыки были мирового класса. Я бы сказал так обо всех Черных вдовах.” Zemo said.
“Your Russian is quite good, Baron” Yelena smiled.
“Please just call me Zemo.”
Zemo got to meet the rest of the team.
Ava Starr, aka Ghost. She was a girl of few words. Although she seemed to remain in that suit of hers. Zemo found out she was trained as a secret agent by SHIELD, she has the ability to phase through objects.
Red Hulk, which is actually the alter ego of Thaddeus Ross. He wasn’t in the compound, generally he remains on the Raft, but will join when there are missions or other necessary involvements. Zemo was not surprised that Ross allowed himself to receive superpowers.
Lastly, but not least, John Walker aka US Agent.
Later that night, Zemo retrieved back to his room, which was across the hall from everybody. He liked the privacy.
“Oeznik, please prepare the car. I have a visit with an old friend.”
With that, Zemo waited.