QUEENS, NEW YORK
Oswin Oswald reveled in the rare luxury of a leisurely afternoon off more than she had anticipated. Amidst a sea of multiple shopping bags, she gracefully maneuvered through the bustling crowds of New York, each bag a testament to her retail conquests from various department stores and strip malls.
In a moment of deliberate poise, she fished out her StarkTech mobile device, a sleek accessory that mirrored her cutting-edge style. With her specially designed fob, she summoned her ride – an astonishing domed section of the Fantasticar descended from the heavens, captivating the attention of onlookers in the chilly weather.
Casually tossing her bags into the futuristic pod, Oswin climbed aboard just as the roof smoothly retracted overhead. "Mum and Dad sorted, now to dispatch these with H.E.R.B 1 overnight," she mused, deftly crossing names off her checklist. Yet, a frown crept upon her face as she glimpsed the next entry – 'REED' blared in giant, bold letters, accompanied by a cascade of question marks, a puzzle she had been dodging.
Oswin's disdain was palpable as she regarded the daunting task of finding a Christmas gift for her boss and mentor, known by awe-inspiring titles such as 'The Maker' and 'Mr. Fantastic.' Deciding to confront the challenge head-on, she resolved not to further postpone the inevitable.
As the pod ascended into the sky, out of the prying eyes below, Oswin contemplated the conundrum she faced. Reed Richards, a man with seemingly everything, always in pursuit of the next innovation. Was he searching for something new, or perhaps something more? The enigma lingered, prompting Oswin to discard conventional ideas, realizing that she needed a fresh perspective.
In a calculated move, she set the pod on autopilot, guiding it back to the Baxter Building. Her plan: spend time around Reed, gaining insights to unlock the secret of a perfect gift.
Unbeknownst to Oswin, her every move was scrutinized by undercover SHIELD agents on the ground. Observing discreetly, they relayed the information to their commander, Susan Storm, who, with unwavering determination, decided to shadow Oswin from a distance. "All units, fall back to base. I'll handle the pursuit from here," she commanded, acknowledging the excellence of her team's work.
Oswin's relentless pursuit of a solution to her holiday crisis was abruptly halted as her section of the Fantasticar came to a mid-flight standstill. Swiftly stowing away her phone, she maneuvered through the cramped space, disentangling bags, and redirected her focus to the flight control monitors, which were awash with perplexing obstruction alerts.
Intrigued and somewhat agitated, Oswin retracted the dome of the pod, rising from her seat to investigate the cause of the unexpected interruption. As she extended her hand, she encountered an unseen barrier, her palm flattening against it. A realization dawned – this was no technical glitch; someone had deliberately halted her airborne journey. The abrupt descent of the pod confirmed her suspicions.
Safely grounded on an empty rooftop, Oswin deduced that the invisible barrier had been lifted, prompting her to exit her cocooned transport. Aware that she was not alone, she scanned the surroundings, her gaze sharp. "If you're planning to arrest me, at least make a dramatic entrance and read the charges properly, won't you?"
To her surprise, Susan Storm materialized directly behind her, dispelling the cloak she had used to remain concealed. The sudden appearance caused Oswin to startle, unleashing a colorful string of profanities. "Ms. Oswald, I apologize for this unexpected intrusion," Susan offered, her tone carrying a note of regret as she met Oswin's wary gaze.
Oswin couldn't help but express her skepticism, a quizzical eyebrow arched as she regarded Susan's revelation. "Couldn't you have just cornered me in a department store? All this drama seems a bit excessive, don't you think? I can see why Reed is fond of you—" Oswin noted a fleeting expression on Susan's face, a hint of something she interpreted as pain at the mention of her boss's name. "Sorry. I'm sure you have your reasons for all this. What's it about, then?"
"Reed... and yourself, saved mine and Agent 13's lives when you didn't have to lift a finger. Your selflessness created a debt, and I'm here to repay it," Susan explained with sincerity, her
baby-blue eyes reflecting a genuine commitment.
Oswin, now more at ease, responded with a skeptical tone. "How do you plan on doing that?"
"By risking accusations of treason and providing you with information to safeguard Reed and the secrets in his lab. Reed is under constant and heavy surveillance," Susan admitted, her words carrying the weight of a carefully guarded secret.
Oswin's nonchalant response was met with a pointed remark from Susan. "Not just by SHIELD, which you shouldn't dismiss so lightly," she emphasized. Grateful for her foresight, Susan had surrounded the rooftop with an invisible barrier, ensuring their conversation remained private.
Curiosity etched on her features, Oswin pressed for more details. "Who else, then?" The subtle grimace on Susan's face forewarned Oswin that the answer might not be to her liking.
"Our radars have detected numerous unidentified objects hovering around or near the Baxter Building in recent weeks, none of which belong to any U.S. organization," Susan disclosed, setting the stage for a revelation that hinted at ominous possibilities.
Oswin was lost in puzzling thought as she briefly mulled over the intel Susan had decided to share. “Have you been able to trace their flight patterns?” Susan hung her head before she answered, giving Oswin a preview of what she was about to say.
“Not back to their origin point. But they seem to be coming from Europe, somewhere. And based on the events surrounding the last time we saw each other-”
Oswin nodded. “Yeah, I can put together what you’re hinting at.” Oswin grimaced, realizing who Susan and the rest of SHIELD were potentially assuming as the other party with a close eye on the Baxter Building.”
“I’m trying to get Maria and hopefully the president off of Reed’s back. But he hasn’t been doing himself any favors.” Susan explained. Her words drew an unexpected glare from Oswin, who didn’t like her insinuation of her what her boss did or didn’t do. Susan noticed and attempted to ease the tension, already noticing how quick to temper Reed’s lab assistant was. Susan didn’t quite know why, but she liked the girl who couldn’t have been more than a sophomore at whatever university Reed had plucked her from. “All I’m saying is try to help him keep his head down. There are too many people aiming to knock him off the pedestal he’s on. And the result of doing that could honestly be…catastrophic.”
Susan began to walk away, her body slowly fading as she took each step. “Oi.” She turned back around as her arms and chest disappeared. “Preciate it. We’re even I figure.” Susan nodded in acknowledgment of Oswin’s statement before disappearing completely. Letting the weight of her brief ordeal weigh on her, Oswin climbed back into the cockpit of the Fantasticar pod and got back on the trail to the lab.
Oswin Oswald reveled in the rare luxury of a leisurely afternoon off more than she had anticipated. Amidst a sea of multiple shopping bags, she gracefully maneuvered through the bustling crowds of New York, each bag a testament to her retail conquests from various department stores and strip malls.
In a moment of deliberate poise, she fished out her StarkTech mobile device, a sleek accessory that mirrored her cutting-edge style. With her specially designed fob, she summoned her ride – an astonishing domed section of the Fantasticar descended from the heavens, captivating the attention of onlookers in the chilly weather.
Casually tossing her bags into the futuristic pod, Oswin climbed aboard just as the roof smoothly retracted overhead. "Mum and Dad sorted, now to dispatch these with H.E.R.B 1 overnight," she mused, deftly crossing names off her checklist. Yet, a frown crept upon her face as she glimpsed the next entry – 'REED' blared in giant, bold letters, accompanied by a cascade of question marks, a puzzle she had been dodging.
Oswin's disdain was palpable as she regarded the daunting task of finding a Christmas gift for her boss and mentor, known by awe-inspiring titles such as 'The Maker' and 'Mr. Fantastic.' Deciding to confront the challenge head-on, she resolved not to further postpone the inevitable.
As the pod ascended into the sky, out of the prying eyes below, Oswin contemplated the conundrum she faced. Reed Richards, a man with seemingly everything, always in pursuit of the next innovation. Was he searching for something new, or perhaps something more? The enigma lingered, prompting Oswin to discard conventional ideas, realizing that she needed a fresh perspective.
In a calculated move, she set the pod on autopilot, guiding it back to the Baxter Building. Her plan: spend time around Reed, gaining insights to unlock the secret of a perfect gift.
Unbeknownst to Oswin, her every move was scrutinized by undercover SHIELD agents on the ground. Observing discreetly, they relayed the information to their commander, Susan Storm, who, with unwavering determination, decided to shadow Oswin from a distance. "All units, fall back to base. I'll handle the pursuit from here," she commanded, acknowledging the excellence of her team's work.
Oswin's relentless pursuit of a solution to her holiday crisis was abruptly halted as her section of the Fantasticar came to a mid-flight standstill. Swiftly stowing away her phone, she maneuvered through the cramped space, disentangling bags, and redirected her focus to the flight control monitors, which were awash with perplexing obstruction alerts.
Intrigued and somewhat agitated, Oswin retracted the dome of the pod, rising from her seat to investigate the cause of the unexpected interruption. As she extended her hand, she encountered an unseen barrier, her palm flattening against it. A realization dawned – this was no technical glitch; someone had deliberately halted her airborne journey. The abrupt descent of the pod confirmed her suspicions.
Safely grounded on an empty rooftop, Oswin deduced that the invisible barrier had been lifted, prompting her to exit her cocooned transport. Aware that she was not alone, she scanned the surroundings, her gaze sharp. "If you're planning to arrest me, at least make a dramatic entrance and read the charges properly, won't you?"
To her surprise, Susan Storm materialized directly behind her, dispelling the cloak she had used to remain concealed. The sudden appearance caused Oswin to startle, unleashing a colorful string of profanities. "Ms. Oswald, I apologize for this unexpected intrusion," Susan offered, her tone carrying a note of regret as she met Oswin's wary gaze.
Oswin couldn't help but express her skepticism, a quizzical eyebrow arched as she regarded Susan's revelation. "Couldn't you have just cornered me in a department store? All this drama seems a bit excessive, don't you think? I can see why Reed is fond of you—" Oswin noted a fleeting expression on Susan's face, a hint of something she interpreted as pain at the mention of her boss's name. "Sorry. I'm sure you have your reasons for all this. What's it about, then?"
"Reed... and yourself, saved mine and Agent 13's lives when you didn't have to lift a finger. Your selflessness created a debt, and I'm here to repay it," Susan explained with sincerity, her
baby-blue eyes reflecting a genuine commitment.
Oswin, now more at ease, responded with a skeptical tone. "How do you plan on doing that?"
"By risking accusations of treason and providing you with information to safeguard Reed and the secrets in his lab. Reed is under constant and heavy surveillance," Susan admitted, her words carrying the weight of a carefully guarded secret.
Oswin's nonchalant response was met with a pointed remark from Susan. "Not just by SHIELD, which you shouldn't dismiss so lightly," she emphasized. Grateful for her foresight, Susan had surrounded the rooftop with an invisible barrier, ensuring their conversation remained private.
Curiosity etched on her features, Oswin pressed for more details. "Who else, then?" The subtle grimace on Susan's face forewarned Oswin that the answer might not be to her liking.
"Our radars have detected numerous unidentified objects hovering around or near the Baxter Building in recent weeks, none of which belong to any U.S. organization," Susan disclosed, setting the stage for a revelation that hinted at ominous possibilities.
Oswin was lost in puzzling thought as she briefly mulled over the intel Susan had decided to share. “Have you been able to trace their flight patterns?” Susan hung her head before she answered, giving Oswin a preview of what she was about to say.
“Not back to their origin point. But they seem to be coming from Europe, somewhere. And based on the events surrounding the last time we saw each other-”
Oswin nodded. “Yeah, I can put together what you’re hinting at.” Oswin grimaced, realizing who Susan and the rest of SHIELD were potentially assuming as the other party with a close eye on the Baxter Building.”
“I’m trying to get Maria and hopefully the president off of Reed’s back. But he hasn’t been doing himself any favors.” Susan explained. Her words drew an unexpected glare from Oswin, who didn’t like her insinuation of her what her boss did or didn’t do. Susan noticed and attempted to ease the tension, already noticing how quick to temper Reed’s lab assistant was. Susan didn’t quite know why, but she liked the girl who couldn’t have been more than a sophomore at whatever university Reed had plucked her from. “All I’m saying is try to help him keep his head down. There are too many people aiming to knock him off the pedestal he’s on. And the result of doing that could honestly be…catastrophic.”
Susan began to walk away, her body slowly fading as she took each step. “Oi.” She turned back around as her arms and chest disappeared. “Preciate it. We’re even I figure.” Susan nodded in acknowledgment of Oswin’s statement before disappearing completely. Letting the weight of her brief ordeal weigh on her, Oswin climbed back into the cockpit of the Fantasticar pod and got back on the trail to the lab.
X-Mas Special
By Jake Hawkins Dec 2023 |
Ultimate marvel 2000 presents
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