In one of I-Island numerous conference rooms Gregory stood in front of Jessica.
Who was seated at the circular conference table in the room.
The two of them, along with Athena, about to begin their official meeting about their goals going forward.
Given that last night Jessica had finally agreed to work with Gregory.
"Alright Athena, bring it up." Gregory spoke.
"Right away." Athena replied.
After she did the screen behind Gregory turned on and became filled with information on the form of photos, documents, shcematics, etc...
Looking over it Jessica instantly realized all the information she was observing on the screen pertained to Hydra.
Leading her to unconsciously clench her fists.
Seeing this Gregory curtly nodded. "Yes, as you can see Hydra is that much an annoyance. For decades they've been able to build themselves up in the shadows, and even infiltrate the very organizations that should be responsible for taking them down in the first place. There's a perverse beauty to their actions if you think about it."
"Are you seriously complimenting those bastards Gregory?" Jessica questioned.
"Yes." He instantly replied. "Because despite everything they've done not acknowledging Hydra actions would be foolish. For as Sun Tzu says if you know yourself and know your enemy then you will never be defeated. So you see if I don't try and understand Hydra then exterminating them would become even more difficult than it already will be. Hence all the information Athena and I have been collecting on them."
"I see." Jessica replied. "So tell me, just how much have you learned about our enemy?"
"Many, many things. Stuff that makes me want to have these bastards each experience their own personal living hell on Earth and leave them begging for death but not allowing it to ever come." Gregory spoke. A dark and demented look in his eyes.
One that made Jessica involuntary flinch.
Deciding to ignore that Gregory wiped the dark look on his face and went back to his normal demeanor. "Though that's still aomg way off. Given right now our group only includes you, me, and Athena. Which is why before we even think of intitiating the war against Hydra we will need numerous things.
Not the least of which is more allies. Though luckily for you I've already got a plan to get us some." He spoke.
Gregory then snapped his fingers. "Athena, bring up the Akali Lake file" He said.
"Of course." Athena replied.
Right after she did all the information on the screen regarding Hydra was vastly reduced, and a good portion of it was replaced, all with information regarding one man named William Stryker Jr. and his operations.
Which pertained to Mutants.
Or as Gregory liked to call them Parahumans.
Gregory regarding the person who ever came up with the term Mutants a complete and utter fucking idiot.
Since the only difference between Mutants and regular humans is that their X-Gene activates, giving them superhuman powers.
Hell, as far as Gregory is concerned Mutants are just another evolutionary branch of the human race.
Considering the entire human race carries the X-Gene and most of the time it's the luck of the draw whether it gets activated or not.
Despite this Mutant-kind always gets it up the ass without vaseline.
Gregory remembering how many times Mutants got shafted in the comics, televisions shows, and films in his previous life.
Even now in his new reality they are getting a raw deal, from what he's been able to gather.
Gregory hoping that has nothing to do with Sublime, because he has enough on his plate without having to deal with a centuries old sentient Mutant-hating virus.
(Spoiler: Sublime will not appear in this fic)
Especially since he had various plans to improve the standing of Parahumans with the rest of the human race.
Given they could do so much to truly change the world.
And one of his plans to make this a reality is to cleanse the world of men like Stryker.
"The man you see on the screen behind you is named William Stryker Jr. Grade S asshole and all around bigot and racist. Formerly a United States Army colonel who during the Vietnam War was in charge of a special forces unit composed entirely of Parahumans known as Team X."
"Parahumans?" Jessica questioned, interrupting.
"A term I have come up with to describe those with superhuman abilities such as the two of us and Mutants." Gregory explained. "Since other than that we're hardly any different from regular humans. We have feelings, family, etc... Yet Mutants are treated worse than lepors. And I won't allow it to continue standing that way." He spoke.
"I see." Jessica replied. "I can see where you're coming from. Also wait, your enhanced?" She spoke.
When she did Gregory walked up to the table and then without any hesitation punch a hole straight through it, his fist entirely unscathed when he pulled it out.
Stunning Jessica.
"Does that answer your question?" Gregory asked.
"It does." Jessica replied. "Also, the table."
"This place and everything in it isowned by me so if I want to punch a hole through the table I can." Gregory replied.
Feeling extremely good after saying that.
It was good to be rich.
"Though we're getting off topic. As for my own abilities I'll explain more after I finish the briefing." Gregory spoke. "Now back to Stryker. After his Parahumans team committed war crimes they were dismantled, but after this occured the US government put Stryker in charge of a program known as Weapon X. Which was to force superhuman abilities onto soldiers, and then find them into basically modern slaves. Sending them on missions whether they wanted to go or not. But due to a certain incident, which I will go into later, the Weapon X program ended up in shambles. After which Stryker superiors in the military placed all the blame on him and booted his ass from the service. Blaming Parahumans with the X-Gene for this he gathered several of his old comrades who shared his ideology and created a rogue military operation dedicated to kidnapping, torturing, and basically the entire eradication of X-Gene Parahumans. Stryker running all of his operations from his main base in Canada at Akali Lake. Where Athena has been able to obtain Intel that Stryker keeps several prisoners. He also has ties to Hydra do to some dealings he' made with them. Which are just a few of the many reasons you and are I going to assault his facility, rescue any prisoners he has, and then do the world a favor and rid it of William Stryker." He explained. "So questions, comments, concerns?"
"I have so many it's not even funny Gregory." Jessica replied. Pinching the bridge of her nose.
"So, does that mean you're not for it?"
"No, I said I was in and I am." Jessica replied. "Just give me a minute."
"Sure." Gregory replied.
"And while I take this minute how about you tell me how you got your powers in the first place?"
"Simple. I enhanced myself." Gregory replied.
"And?"
"And I enhanced myself." Gregory said once again.
Ignoring the curious gaze Jessica leveled at him.
For he was not going to say anything more about his current power set to Jessica.
Since he still didn't trust her enough.
"On that note since you now know I have powers I'm hoping you can train me."
"Train you?" Jessica questioned.
"Yes. Thing is I've memorized a ton of knowledge regarding combat, tactics, and even martial arts, but I've never had any one show me how to put it into practical use. And given my status I can't ask anyone else. So, what do you say?"
"Sure." Jessica replied.
"Excellent." Gregory replied.
Once he did the two of them, along with Athena, began plotting for their assault against Stryker base.
Until eventually they finished for the day.
Once their did Gregory and Jessica each went to change clothes before heading for the gym.
The former arriving in some black Nike pants and a shirt. While the latter arrived in workout pants that hugged her legs and a sports bra.Leading Gregory to start working to make sure something that was definitely not the Shield hero to stop rising.
Seeing this Jessica smirked at him.
'This woman. She's teasing me on purpose!' Gregory thought.
"Something wrong Gregory?" Jessica asked.
"Not at all." He replied.
"Good. Then time for your first lesson." Jessica spoke.
Then before Gregory could blink Jessica delivered a kick to his nuts, before delivering a swift punch to his face, knocking him on his ass.
"Oahhhh!!!"
Leading Gregory to cry and groan at the same time.
"What was that?" He asked.
"Your first lesson. Fighting is never fair. People will do anything to win. An attack can come when you least expect it. So always be ready." Jessica explained.
"Right." Gregory replied.
He then stood back up to his feet.
After which Jessica spent the next few hours knocking him back down and tortu-training him in combat.
Gregory learning it with his body and mind.
A trend he continued to do as he and Jessica continued their combat training sessions.
All the while continuing their preparations for their strike against Stryker.
Until eventually everything was ready.