Leads

The next day in the morning, Alfie sat outside a Burger King restaurant eating a few burgers.

A few nights ago he had a small talk with the agent in charge of the base, who was also HYDRA according to his sources.

But even after all the talk he didn't get much, which was somehow expected. Now he proceeds to head to a small hangar to get a ride from a Raven.

His next target? A doctor he met during the early 40's who specializes in neuro science, more specifically mind control. At least that was what the doctor started studying.

The doctor's name is Jose Rodriguez Delgado.

Alfie has read the many research that Delgado has studied over the decades and they were really mind blowing as well as dangerous.

Over the years Delgado has succeeded in making tech that could control physical movements through the brain or even emotions. And that was only the small parts of it, knowing Delgado he would proudly show off his inventions and discoveries but the old man also knows what to reveal and whatnot.

If not then Randall, Dushnoll or Luis will step forward and do what is necessary.

It was around 1941 when Delgado caught Alfie's attention, he saw the potential in Delgado's studies and was moved by the certain effects.

During early research Delgado was able to produce reactions on the human body stronger than the subjects own will, worrying.

One can only imagine how far he has come today, and what he has achieved. But the public wouldn't know considering he vanished during the mid-90's.

His work brought attention to HYDRA and was "recruited" as one of the many scientists for HYDRA's goals.

But unfortunately, Delgado was recruited by Randall and Luis first into their group and has only been working as a spy of sorts, Dushnoll would at times watch his back in the shadows just in case HYDRA ever gets handsy.

HYDRA has Delgado working in certain places where most wouldn't think to look, and for this case he is located in one of Greece' isles.

While elsewhere in the states, a certain mischievous Æsir appeared, taking not only a dangerous cosmic cube but a few agents as well.

••••••••••••••••••

In Washington D.C., in a museum called Smithsonian Institution.

A young teenage girl sat inside a small theater room watching a woman in the film.

In the theaters was Alina, the princess of Deliosa, while the woman in the film is Agent Peggy Carter.

She spoke about the two heroic Captains she was very close to. One being righteous and the other a bit rebellious.

She told the stories of how Steve Rogers would never back down or give up from his challenges, and how Alfred McBride would always annoy people while avoiding training using ketchup.

Peggy and Howard were some of the few who were close to not only Captain America but Deathstroke and the Princess, who is now Queen.

So for a long time they were sought out by the public and the press over curiosities of the war heroes.

As Alina went through the museum she learned more and more about her father and his friends. She was not sure what to think, her father was kind of a rogue but was also admired because of it.

Captain America was straightforward and honest and was loved by it, while her mother was cold and demanding but still idolized.

She grew up on two worlds, one full of stories about gods and monsters and the other about heroes and men.

She wholeheartedly believes that she lives in the former but there are times when she was constantly reminded that she was also on the ladder.

Agent Peggy was one of the few that reminded her of it, the daughter of a man. A hero to many along with her goddess of a mother.

Many of the sisters in Deliosa mostly speak Ill of the men, while a few like Rona spoke about how she feels about it, and according to her aunt (Rona), there is a world of differences between their world and the men's. That includes how far they've come.

"Alina."

A voice called out to her, she looked to the door to find Rona with a woman with blonde hair.

Yennifer Morozova. Agent Morozova.

Yennifer was the replacement for the late Agent Carter, and has been for a while now.

Except the only difference is that Yennifer has not stepped one foot inside Deliosa, the island where many dreamed of going.

Agent Carter on the other hand was not only free to go back and forth to the island she was even chummy with the Queen, but it was expected for people who are close.

"Aunty." Alina called out as she walked to them. As for Yennifer, Alina simply greeted her and nothing else.

It's not that she doesn't like her but that she doesn't really care for her.

"Ready to go?" Rona asked.

Alina nodded. "Can we get something to eat as well?"

"Sure."

As they proceeded to get some fast food at Burger King, there were a lot of stares at the group who didn't know much about being subtle.

The group of warriors ordered a large amount of food that was just a bit much, Yennifer was used to the scene.

As a Raven jet picked them up some time later, Alina wondered.

"Where are we going now?"

"Well uncle Randall got us a place to stay at the moment." Rona informed.

"We'll we meet my father there?"

"Your father has some personal business to deal with at the moment, I'm sure Randall will inform your father of our arrival soon."

"And mother?"

"Your mother will meet us there as well, she informs me that she will prepare before coming."

"Prepare? For what?" Alina asked, frowning.

"I'm not too sure either honey, but worry not we have our most elite warriors with us."

"Well I'm not worried, but I am curious as to why mother has been so worried nowadays."

"I'm sure we'll know soon enough."

••••••••••

"Sir, we're nearing the hideout. At this point we need to touch down and go on foot for the rest of the way." A young man said.

Inside the Raven jet was Alfie and two other people.

A man and woman in their late 20's, the young man has a good tall build with black hair and brown eyes while the young woman had the same traits except that she's light skin and had braided hair.

Xander and Normani.

When Randall Ravens decided to give one of the jets to Alfie along with some help, he also put the two young kids to follow Alfie around and help with whatever he needed.

So far Xander worked as information to Alfie answering his questions while Normani was a skilled pilot for the Raven jet.

On the surface they looked like amateurs who should be modeling and whatnot but Alfie knew there was more. Randall told him about how these two are some of his best agents, and how he practically raised them into the best field operatives.

They didn't talk much but it was obvious how they wanted to act professional instead of just outright spouting out every thought and question they have.

"I'm fine with walking." Alfie said.

Xander came up and dropped a disk on the floor before it lit up and constructed a green virtual land, a hologram.

"This is the basic lay of the land, officially the underground lab Dr.Delgado is in doesn't exist. But thanks to the League's network we know about most hidden doors for HYDRA." Xander went on.

"Doctor Delgado's research lab is under this building, HYDRA values him so there is always security around him. The path to the lab should be simple and quiet, or loud."

"Quiet."

"Then this should be the best route to take." Xander said as he drew up a line from the jungle leading to the villa."

"Great, now wait for me, it won't take long." Alfie said as he covered his face with an elastic head cover leaving the eyes to peek out.

"You want us to stay again?" Normani asked, annoyed.

"Well yes." Alfie said plainly.

"The chairman didn't leave us with you so that you can keep ditching us, we can help. We are more than capable." Normani said, trying to convince Alfie.

"I'm sure you are, but I like to do things alone sometimes. So just stay and wait, or you could go back to that fool and leave the jet."

Normani was itching for some action, maybe sitting and doing nothing for the past while getting bored.

She was about to speak up once more but Xander stopped her and spoke instead.

"Contact us if you need any assistance."

"Why thank you, I'll see you later, kids." He then dove to the ocean below before making his way to the island.

••••••••

In a certain mansion a laboratory resides under it, and in it was a mad scientist.

"Doctor, another subject is available." A middle-aged man said to a much older man.

"Rather than inform me, put him on the seat." The old man said.

The lab was clean, white walls, mostly glass walls and a few assistants. There were also a lot of tech monitors and surgical tools lying around as well as some unidentifiable devices.

"Should we resume with your earlier tests, Doctor?" One of the lab assistants asked.

"Not yet…" The doctor sat on his desk in his office flipping through pages of stapled papers.

After a while he gathered all the assistants as they gathered at the corner of the lab where a man was tied to a chair.

*Thud*

The man on the chair struggled as he tried to get off the chair and get off the restraints.

"What is this?! What are you gonna do to me?!" The man panicked.

Delgado looked to one of his assistants before nodding, the assistant then walked up and placed a green rubber padding on the left side of the subject's head.

"Wha- what is this?!"

The subject shook his head violently to get rid of the pad, but it was stuck like glue.

"GET IT OFF!! GET IT OFF!! DO YOU IDIOTS KNOW WHO I AM?!"

The padding started to glow as green veins lit up, and from there the subject slowly calmed down and his anxiety completely disappeared.

"What's happening to me? What is this?" The subject asked, except this time he was more curious rather than afraid.

The assistant walked up and took the green padding off before speaking. "Hello sir, how do you feel?"

"I feel fine." The subject smiled. "May I ask what's going on?"

"We're doing some tests, I can't tell you much but are you willing to help us with this research?" The assistant asked.

"I don't know how I can help, but I'll try."

"Great, now just go ahead and lie back." The assistant helped the subject put his head back before putting on a helmet.

"From now, you only need to tell us what you feel, you can sense whether they will be on the outside or inside."

Everyone backed up standing behind Delgado, he picked up a tablet where it displayed a map of the human body.

Everyone waited for Delgado to start the tests and start touching what needs to be touched when Delgado paused.

"Everyone out." He said slowly and softly.

"Doctor?" They questioned.

"Don't make me tell you again."

The lab cleared up in less than a minute, only Delgado and the serene and complying subject were left.

Delgado then looked around and his eyes glowed golden as he kept looking around.

"Shadow, is that you?" Delgado asked aloud.

…

No sound came.

The "shadow" Delgado was referring to was none other than Mikael Dushnoll. No names can be revealed so easily and so the moniker "shadow" was given.

"You've come a long way you unruly punk." A voice sounded behind him.

Delgado turned around to see a dark clothed man observing the subject.

"Who are you? One of Randall's idiota?"

The man turned his way and his eyes glowed as well. "How hurtful."

'A Chi expert.' Delgado thought.

"I know we only met briefly…" Alfie unmasked. "...but have you really forgotten my voice?"

"Ay dios mío." Delgado said slowly. "You have not changed one bit since the last time I saw you."

During the early 40's, Randall found Delgado who did some studies on the brain and more. After a while of observing, Randall finally recruited him and introduced him to Alfie who was training Steve in gyms at the time.

In fact, not only has Randall and Delgado met Steve Rogers in his skinny form, but most of Randall's council met Steve.

And Steve has seen a few of them once or twice but their faces probably went over his head and don't remember.

When Randall introduced them to each other, Delgado had no idea why or who Alfie was.

Randall convinced Alfie how useful Delgado would be and his position in the future plans, it took a while but Alfie agreed.

And so Randall taught Delgado about "meditation" or in other words, Chi.

A minor technique of obtaining Chi energy on a smaller level, but has the same capabilities as Alfie's.

Delgado's eyes scanned Alfie's body at a rapid pace. He's eyes widened in shock.

"How?! How do you have that much Chi? The body shouldn't be able to hold such an amount!!" Delgado gasped out.

"Chi? What is that?" Alfie asked dumbly.

"Don't try to fool me McBride, I know you taught that bastard Chi." Delgado referred to Randall.

Alfie didn't respond but rather smiled.

"You know why I am here, right?"

Delgado sigh. "Of course I do, not because Randall informed me but because of what I know."

"Good, because I'm losing my patience following these leads."