Chapter 1
Hydra Base
Location Classified
April 19th, 2010
In the gymnasium of the base, the young woman beat up four men, all of them older, stronger and bigger than her. Brown hair flying, she ducked and whirled around the room. Behind a one way mirror, two people, a man and a woman, watched her. The man spoke first.
”You’ve trained her well, Natalia.”
The woman replied easily, her implicit trust of the man clear in the relaxed lines of her body.
”I try, Antoshka.”
”Is she aware of her true identity?”
”Of course, that was her motivation, after all. She’s scheduled for terragenesis in 3 hours, want to watch?”
”I’d love too.”
As they were speaking, they left the observation room and began to walk towards the gymnasium, entering just as the younger woman finished her ‘workout’ and began to unwrap her hands. She snapped to attention when the others came in.
”Agent Romanova!”
The woman in question sighed.
“At ease, Agent Johnson. This is Dr. Anthony Stark. He’s come to see how you’re doing, as he’ll be your handler on missions.”
The man - Tony - smiled from behind sunglasses.
“It’s a pleasure.”
The young woman looked incredulous.
”You’re Tony Stark? No offense, but I thought you’d be older.”
”Well, I am. Developed a formula called Extremis in 1999. Benefits include enhanced strength, healing, and technopathy.”
”I see...”
”Well kid, I look forward to working with you.”