Chapter 132: Captain
Natasha fixed him with a serious stare. "I wish this was a joke, but it's a harsh reality," she said firmly.
Steve glanced around at the others in the room, their somber expressions confirming her words. He sighed heavily, leaning back in his seat. "Just how much has the world changed in a few decades?" he muttered to himself, rubbing his temples in disbelief.
"You have no idea," Natasha replied with a wry smile.
Fury tapped his fingers against the table thoughtfully. "We need contingencies for him, just in case."
"As much as I would have agreed to that," Steve began, "against a man who can obliterate Earth with a single punch, where exactly are you going to find a contingency?"
Fury glanced at Natasha. "She's one change we've got. She's now powerful in ways we're still trying to understand, and we're working on projecting her powers to others as well," he said.
Steve looked at Natasha, surprised.
Natasha extended her hand, and a faint orange flame appeared in her palm. "You've got powers?" Steve asked, wide-eyed.
"Just a small gift from Dave," Natasha said, nodding.
Steve frowned thoughtfully. "Well then, it's clear he sees you guys as nothing but ants, even if he gives you power, it means it wouldn't matter much against him," Steve said, leaning back in his chair.
Fury shook his head slightly and turned to Natasha. "Continue."